Skip to main content

Full text of "Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, comp. by Morton L. Montgomery .."

See other formats 


CORNELL  UNIVEHSITY  LIBBABiK, 


3 l"9"24  097  286  300 


The  original  of  this  book  is  in 
the  Cornell  University  Library. 

There  are  no  known  copyright  restrictions  in 
the  United  States  on  the  use  of  the  text. 


http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924097286300 


In  compliance  with  current 

copyright  law,  Cornell  University 

Library  produced  this 

replacement  volume  on  paper 

that  meets  the  ANSI  Standard 

Z39.48-1992  to  replace  the 

irreparably  deteriorated  original. 

2003 


HISTORICAL  AND   BIOGRAPHICAL  ANNALS 


OF 


BERKS  COUNTY 

PENNSYLVANIA 


EMBRACING 

zA  Concise  History  of  the  County  and  a  Genealogical  and 

BioGRAPHiJAL  Record  of  Representative 

Families 


COMPILED  BY 


MORTON  L.   MONTGOMERY 


In  T'wo  Volumes 
ILLUSTRATED 


VOLUME    I. 


CHICAGO 
J.    H.    BEERS    &    CO. 

1909 

Hi 


PREFACE 

THE  first  attempt  at  the  compilation  of  local  history  in  Berks  County  was  made  in  1841  by 
William  Stahle,  a  storekeeper  at  Reading.     Fie  published  a  small  volume  of  68  pages 
in  two  editions,  one  in  the  English  language  and  the  other  in  the  German,  entitled  "A 
Description  of  the  Borough  of  Reading,"  and  it  related  chiefly  to  the  business  affairs 
of  Reading.    The  book  was  prepared  for  him  by  Jackson  H.  Sherman,  a  young  lawyer,  who 
had  shortly  before  been  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Courts  of  Berks  County. 

The  next  attempt  was  made  in  1844  by  I.  Daniel  Rupp,  of  Lancaster.  For  some  years 
before,  he  ha'd  been  engaged  in  collecting  information  relating  to  a  number  of  counties  in 
Pennsylvania  which  were  situated  to  the  east  and  west  of  the  Susquehanna  River,  and  the  re- 
sult of  his  persevering  industry  was  published  in  separate  volumes,  entitled  after  the  several 
counties.  One  of  them  was  the  "History  of  Berks  and  Lebanon  Counties,"  an  octavo  volume 
of  504  pages. 

In  1859,  Amos  K.  Strunk,  of  Boyertown,  published  a  small  book  of  134  pages,  embracing 
the  names  of  the  county  representatives  and  officials  who  served  from  1752  to  1860;  and  he 
issued  it  in  two  editions,  one  in  the  English  language  and  the  other  in  the  German,  for  use  as  a 
convenient  book  of  reference.  In  1883,  the  author  of  the  present  work  published  the  "Po- 
litical Hand-Book  of  Berks  County,"  an  octavo  volume  of  104  pages,  which  was  an  enlarge- 
ment of  Strunk's  idea,  embracing  census  information  of  the  county,  the  names  of  the  repre- 
sentatives and  officials  of  Reading,  and  also  census  information  of  Reading,  besides  the  names 
of  the  county  officials,  from  1753  to  1883. 

In  1881,  Prof.  David  B.  Brunner,  a  school  teacher  at  Reading  for  many  years,  published 
"The  Indians  of  Berks  County,"  an  octavo  volume  of  177  pages;  which  related  to  the  aborig- 
ines of  the  county  and  included  many  cuts  (176),  made  by  himself,  of  the  various  relics 
found  in  the  county;  and  a  revised  edition  (257  pages)  was  issued  by  him  in  1897. 

The  author  compiled  the  following  works  on  local  history :  In  1886,  the  "History  of  Berks 
County,"  a  royal  octavo  volume  of  1204  pages,  for  the  publishers,  Messrs.  Everts,  Peck  & 
Richards,  of  Philadelphia,  which  embraced  a  comprehensive  description  and  tabulated  state- 
ments of  local  affairs,  besides  numerous  biographical  sketches  of  men  who  were  prominent 
in  the  industrial,  financial,  political  and  professional  matters  of  the  county;  in  1889,  the 
"School  History  of  Berks  County,"  a  duodecimo  volume  of  300  pages,  for  use  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  county  as  a  supplementary  reader,  which  has  been  used  in  the  local  schools 
since  that  time;  in  1894,  "Berks  County  in  the  Revolution,"  an  octavo  volume  of  295  pages, 
for  the  purpose  of  showing  what  services  the  people  of  the  county  rendered  the  national  gov- 
ernment in  the  establishment  of  independence ;  and  in  1898,  the  "Sesqui-Centennial  History  of 
Reading,"  an  octavo  volume  of  298  pages,  which  embraced  a  concise  narrative  of  local  events 
and  industrial  affairs  for  150  years,  and  a  comprehensive  description  of  the  anniversary  pro- 
ceedings, as  an  appropriate  memorial  of  the  extraordinary  occasion. 

The  volumes  mentioned  are  the  works  of  a  general  historical  nature  which  have  been 
published  of  the  county.  After  the  lapse  of  more  than  twenty  years  from  the  time  of,  pub- 
lishing the  large  county  history  of  1886,  the  author  was  encouraged  by  many  persons  to  re- 
vise that  work  by  bringing  the  historical  details  down  to  the  present  time.  Arrangements 
were  accordingly  made  with  the  publishers  of  this  work  to  publish  it  under  the  title  of  "His- 
torical and  Biographical  Annals  of  Berks  County,"  so  as  to  embrace,  besides  general  history, 
local  biography  and  genealogy,  which  in  that  time  had  become  very  important  in  the  estima- 


tion  of  many  historical  societies  throughout  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  their  publication 
in  a  convenient  and  permanent  form  was  encouraged  by  those  societies. 

Much  time  has  been  devoted  to  the  careful  preparation  of  this  work  in  order  to  pro- 
duce a  compilation  which  should  be  recognized  for  its  thoroughness  in  covering  every  section 
of  the  county.  The  table  of  contents  relating  to  the  historical  annals  is  comprehensive,  and  the 
long  list  of  personal  sketches  evidences  patient  inquiry  in  securing  the  biographical  and  genea- 
logical annals;  and  these  taken  together  will  be  appreciated  by  the  public  generally,  as  well 
as  by  the  patrons  of  the  work,  as  of  incalculable  value  to  the  people  of  the  county  and  to 
the  numerous  descendants  of  the  First  Families  who  were  located  in  the  county  before  the 
Revolution.  Many  of  the  sketches  contain  items  of  history  which  would  not  be  preserved  in 
any  other  way.  In  nearly  every  instance  the  data  were  submitted  to  those  immediately  inter- 
ested for  revision  and  correction. 

"Family  Reunions"  has  been  a  subject  of  importance  to  many  persons  of  the  county  for 
upward  of  ten  years,  and  descendants  of  different  families  have  assembled  at  certain  pe- 
riods in  different  places  of  the  county  to  show  respect  for  their  ancestors  and  to  collect  bio- 
graphical and  genealogical  data.  Some  of  them  have  been  very  successful.  A  chapter  on  the 
subject  (XIII)  has  been  included  in  this  work,  and  it  is  the  first  attempt  in  the  collection  of 
this  particular  kind  of  information.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  many  others  of  the  "First 
Families,"  of  equal  prominence,  have  not  also  in  this  time  formed  reunions  and  held  meet- 
ings so  as  to  increase  their  beneficent  social  influence  in  the  county  and  to  assist  in  preserving 
distinct  family  records  and  genealogies. 

November,  1909. 


TABLE   OF  CONTENTS 


Chapter  I — Erection  of  County 

Page 
Physical  Geography 1-4 

Mountains,    1  -^  Relative    Elevations,    4 

Valleys,   2  ^  Iron   Ore,   t 

Streams,   3  Copper    Ore,    4 

Schuylkill,  3  Minerals,    4 

Latitude  and  Longitude,  4  Geology,    4 

Conditions  of  Territory 4-6 

Petitions  for  County 6-16 

Districts    at    Erection,    7  First    Assessment,    8 

Boundaries  of  County,  7  First    Taxables,    Names    of 

in    26    Townships,    8-16 

Nationalities   16-20 

Swedes,   16  Welsh,  19 

Germans,    17  Irish,    19 

Hugiuenots,    17  Hebrews,   19 

French,   18  Negroes,    19 
English,    18 

First  Occupants,  Indians 20-23 

Origin,  20  Retreat    of    Indians,    22 

Delaware  Tribes,  20  Indian   Names,    22 

Ganawese,   21  Villages,   23 

Manners    and    Customs,  21  Indian    Relics,    28 

PtntcHASE  OF  Territory 23-24 

Reductions  of  Territory 24 

Northumberland  County,  24  Other  Counties  Proposed,  24 

Schuylkill    County,    24 


Chapter  II — Industry  of  County 
Agriculture    25-26 

General  Condition  and  Agricultural    Society,    26 

Progress,    25  Farmers'   Union,   26 

Iron  Industries 27-38 

Furnaces   and   Forges,    27  General    Industries,    28 

Industrial    Statistics,    27  Memorial        for       National 

Iron-masters,    27  Foundry,    28 

Internal   Improvements 28-44 

Schuylkill  River,  28  Canals,  34 

Fishing   and   Navigation,   28  Railways,    36 

Freshets,   29  Post-OiBces,    40 

Bridges,  29  Telegraph,   43 

Roads  and  Turnpikes,  31  Telephone,    43 

State    Highways,    33  Oil  Pipe  Lines,   44 
Stages,    33 


Political  Sentiment 68-71 

Political    Parties,    68  Vote  for  Prohibition,    69 

Vote  for  Governor,    68  Election  of  1876,  69 

Vote  for  President,  69  State   Conventions   at   Read- 
Vote       for       Constitutional  ing,   69 

Amendments,     69  Mass-Meetings,    70 

Political   Festivals 71-72 

Hiester  Festival  of  1820,  71  Tilden   Festival  of  1876,  72 

Harrison    Festival    of   1840,  Cleveland   Festivals,   72 

71 

Offices  by  Special  Legislation 72-73 

National    Representatives 73-74 

Congressmen,    73  U.    S.    Commissioners,   74 

Foreign    Ministers,    74  Registers  in  Bankruptcy,  74 

Foreign    Consuls,    74 

State   Representati\'es 74-75 

Delegates    to    Conventions, 
74-75 

State  Officials 75 

Senators    75 

Assemblymen    75-77 

County  Officers 77-87 

Commissioners,    77  Surveyors,    82 

Auditors,    78  Poor    Directors,    82 

Controllers,    79  Stewards,    83 

Treasurers,    79  Prison    Inspectors,    83 

Sheriffs,    79  Prison    Wardens,    85 

Coroners,    80  Jury  Commissioners,  85 

Prothonotaries,    80  Mercantile  Appraisers,  85 

Recorders,    81  License    Commissioners,   86 

Registers,    81  Oil    Inspectors,    86 

Orphans'    Court    Clerks,    81  Sealers      of     Weights      and 
Quarter  Sessions'  Clerks,  81  Measures,    86 

District   Attorneys,    82  Superintendents  of  Common 
Special    Detectives,    82  Schools,   87 

County  Buildings 87-90 

Court-Houses,    87  State-House,  89 

Prisons,  89  Poor-House,   90 


Chapter  III — Education  in  County 
Religion    45-54 

Denominations  Described,  45  Sunday    Schools    of    Berks 

Pastors  Long  in  Service,  48  County,    51 

Churches    in    "Townships,    49  Sunday    Mails,    53 

General   Education    54-58 

Early   Encouragement,    54  Tabular   Statement  of  1908, 
Teachers  Before  1752,  64  56 

Charity    Schools,    54  Lecture  on   Conrad  Weiser, 
Common    Schools,    55        ^  57 

System     Accepted     by    Dis-  Purpose  of  Lecture,   58 

tricts,     55  Teachers'    Institutes,     58 

Newspapers    59-61 

Weekly  Newspapers,  69  Daily    Newspapers,    60 

Language,  Manners  and  Customs 61-65 

Chapter  IV — Government  and  Officials 

Election  Districts 65-66 

Prominent  Representative  Men 66-68 


Chapter  V — Bench  and  Bar 

Judges — 1752  to  1790 91-92 

Judges — 1790  to  1909 92-93 

President  Judges,  92  Orphans'    Court   Judges,    92 

Additional   Law   Judges,    92*  Associate    Judges,    92 

Attorneys  at  Law 93-95 

Chapter  VI — Medical  Profession 
Medical  Faculty  of  Berks  County 96-105 

Berks    County    Medical    So-  Reading,    98 

ciety,    96  _  Boroughs,    100 

Reading     Medical     Associa-  Manatawny   Section,   100 

tion,    98  Ontelaunee    Section,    101 

Allopathic   Practitioners,   98-  Tulpehocken    Section,   101 

101  Schuylkill    Section,    101 

Homoeopathy    101-103 

Homoeopathic    Practitioners  Homoeopathic    Medical    and 

Association  of  Reading,  Surgical      Hospital      of 

102  Reading,    103 

Homoeopathic    Practitioners, 
102 

Osteopathy   103 

Osteopathic    Practitioners, 
103 

Dentistry  103 

Dental    Practitioners,    103 

Veterinary 104 

Veterinary   Practitioners, 
104 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


Chapter  VII — Public  Charities 


State  Institutions. 


105 


Wernersville    State    Asylum, 

106 
State  Hospital,   106 
Glen   Mills   Reformatory, 

106 


Eastern    State    Peniten- 
tiary,   106 

Huntingdon   Reformatory, 
106 


County  Institutions .■ 106-107 

Hospitals,  106  Homes,    106 

Schools,    106 


Chapter  VIII — War  Periods 
French  and  Indian  Was 107-110 

Cause  of  War,   107  Peace   Declared,    109 

Troops   in    County,    107  Murdered    and    Captured, 
Forts   in  County,   108  109 

Premium  for  Scalps,  109 

Revolution— 1775-83   110-120 

Cause,    110  Colonels   in    Service,   116 

Meeting   at    Reading,    111  Captains   in   Service,   116 

Lexington  Awakens  County,  Army    Supplies    from    Coun- 

112  ty,    116 

First  Officers  from   Coun-  Store    House    at    Read- 

ty,  112  ing,    116 

Germans   to    Rescue,   112  Lotz   Receipt  Book,   116 

Associators,    112  Iron  , Industries,    116 

Recommendations    for    Com-  Ironmasters,    117 

panics,  113  Continental    Paper    Money, 
County  Colonels,   113  117 

Declaration    Read    in    Coun-  Incumbents  of  Positions, 

ty,   113  117 

Population     of     County     in  Peace  Declared,   119 

1776,  113  Return  of  Soldiers,  120 
Companies    in    Service,    113 

Whiskey  Insurrection,  1794 120 

Cause,   120  Washington  at  Reading,  120 

Troops   from  County,   120 

House-Tax  and  Liberty- Poles,  1799 120-121 

Cause    of    Insurrection,    120  Keim's    Company   Compli- 

Excitement   at   Reading,   121  mented,    121 

Embargo  of  1807 121 

English  War  of  1812-15 121-122 

Cause   of    War,    121  Companies    from    Coun- 

Families    from    Philadelphia,  ty,    122 

12?  Peace    Declared,    122 

Mexican  War  of  1846-48 122-123 

Cause    of    War,    122  Battles    of   Company,    123 

Reading  Artillerists,    183  Return    of    Company,    123 

Departure    of    Company    for 
Mexico,    123 

Civil  War  of  1861-65 123-139 

Cause  of  War,   123  Ringgold    Light    Artillery, 
Call    for  Troops,   124  129 

Patriotism    of    County,    124  Three    Years'    Service — 
War    Meetings    at    Reading,  1861-64,    131 

125  RingROld   Band,   134 

Appropriations    for   Boun-  Durell's    Battery,    135 

ties,    etc.,   126  Nine  Months'  Service,  1862- 
Ladies'  Aid   Society,   126  63,    135 

Reading    Hospital,    126  Volunteer    Militia    of    1862, 
Drafts  and  Quotas  of  Coun-  136 

ty,  126  Drafted  Militia  of  1862,  138 

Northern    Men    in    Service,  Emergency   Troops   of  1863, 

127  137 

Summary   of  Battles,   127  One    Hundred    Days'    Serv- 
Paper    Money,    127  ice,    138 

Companies  from  County,  128  One  Year's  Service  of  1864- 
Surgeons   from   County,    129  65,  138 

'Three    Months'    Service —  Miscellaneous    Enlistments, 

1861,    129  139 

Military    Associations,    139 

Spanish  War  of  1898 139-140 

Militia    System— 1776-1909 140-145 

Returns  for  1775,  140  System    Since   Revolution, 
Returns  for  1776,  141  142 

Returns  for  1777,  141  State  National  Guard,  143 

New    Svstem    Provided,  State  Police,   144 

1777,  141 


Property  Valuation  of  Districts — 1885,  1908 148 

Money  at  Interest,  by  Districts — 1885,  1908 149 

Registered  Voters,  by  Districts — 1908 149 

Presidential  Vote  of  1908 150 

State  Appropriations  to  County — 1904,1908 150 

Banking  in  Berks  County — 1909 151 

Land  and  Live  Stock  of  County — 1908 152 


Chapter  IX — Census 

First  Enumeration 146 

Census  Table  of  County,  1800  to  1900 147 

Taxables  of  County,  by  Districts — 1885,1908 148 


Chapter  X — Reading 

Town,  1748  to  1783 153-156 

First  Grant  to  Penn,  153  First   Store   at  Reading,   155 

First  Patents,   153  Public   Buildings,   155 

Town   Laid   Out,   153  Oldest    Buildings,    155 

Lots    Sold,    153  Educational    AfEairs,    155 

First    Patentees,    153  Nationality    of    Inhabit- 
Ground   Rent,   154  ants,    155 

Reading   made    County-  French    and    Indian 

Seat,   154  War,    155 

Town    District    Established,  Revolution,    156 

155 

Borough,  1783  to  1847 156-159 

Borough   Erected,    156  Churches    and    Schools,    157 

Surrounding  Towns,   156  Industrial   Affairs,    157 

Post-Office,    156  Water   and    Light,    158 

Stage-Coach,  157  Fire    Companies.    158 

Bridges,   167  Street   Names   Changed,   168 

Turnpikes,   157  Early   Exhibitions.   158 

Public    Buildings,    157  Distinguished    Visitors,    158 

Canals,    167  Liberty-Poles    of    1799,    159 

Railroads.    157  English  War  of  1812-15,  159 

Banks,   157  Mexican    War    of    1846-48, 
Panic  of  1837,  157  159 

Newspapers,    167 

City,  1847  to  1909 159-166 

Reading   in    1847,    159  Decade,   1887-97,    162 
Decade,   1847-57,    160  "  1897-1909,    163 

1857-67,    161  Riot    in    1877,    164 

"  1867-77,   161  Sesqui-Centennial    of    1898, 

"         1877-87,   162  166 

Industries  167-193 

Early    Employments    Before  Industrial    Development, 
1783,    167  1783-1847,    168 

Industrial    Character    of  Industries    in    1847,    168 

Inhabitants,    167  Indu.qtrial    Development 

Early  Traffic,  167  Since    1847,   169 

Warehouse   in   1826.    167  Statement    of   Industries, 

Employments    and    Factories  170-193 

in    1840,    168 

Internal  Improvements 193-200 

Market-Houses,    1%3  Stage-Coaches,    197 

Waterworks.    193  Canals,    197 

Public  Roads,   194  Steam     Railroads,     197 

Sewers,   194  Street    Railways,    197 

Subway,    194  Mountain    Railroads,    198 

Ferries  and  Bridges,  195  Telegraph,   198 

Freshets,    195  Telephone,  199 

Fire    Company    Buildings,  Gas  Light,   199 

195  Electric   Light    dnd   Power, 
Public   Parks,   195  199 

Post-Office,  195  Steam    Heat,    200 

City  Hall,   196  Halls,   200 

Cemeteries,    196  Location    of    City.    200 

Turnpikes,   196  Elevation    above    Sea    Level 

200 

Religion  and  Education 200-204 

Churches,    200  Statement    of    School    Build- 
Church    Attendance,    201  ings,    202 

Schools,    202  Private    Schools,    203 

Newspapers    204 

Associations    204-216 

Government  and  Officials 216-234 

State    Representatives,    216  Select    Councilmen,    220-231 

Burgesses,   217  Presidents    of    Select    Coun- 
Mayors,   217  cil,    221 

Chiefs    of    Police,    218  Clerks    of    Select    Council, 
Treasurers,   218  221 

Auditors,    218  Common    Councilmen,    221- 
ControUers,    218  226 

Water    Commissioners,    218  Presidents    of    Common 
Water   Superintendents,    219  Council,    226 

Park    Commissioners,    219  Clerks   of    Common   Council, 
Park    Superintendents,    219  226 

Citv  Assessors,  219  City   Clerks,   227 

Building  Inspectors.   219  City   Solicitors,   227 

Commissioners    of    Public  City   Engineers,   227 
Works,   219 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


vn 


Market    Commissioners,    227 
Board  of  Public  Health.  827 
Members   of  Board,   227 
Health    Commissioners,    227 
Plumbing   Inspectors,   227 
Trustees  of  Public  Library, 

228 
Justices  of  the  Peace,   228 
Aldermen,   229 
Constables,    229 

Census    

Census   Table — 1S50-1900, 

234 
Sexes  of  Population,  234 
Population  North  and  South 

of  Penn   Street,   234 
Colored    Population,    234 
Comparative    Statistics,    234 
Assessment  for  1898,   234 


School   Controllers,   230 
Presidents  of  School  Board, 

23S 
Secretaries  of  School 

Board,  233 
Treasurers  of   School 

Board,   233 
City  Superintendents,   234 
Meat    and    Milk    Inspectors, 

234 


334-237 

Assessment  for   1908,   235 
Presidential  Vote,  1908,  235 
Comparative   Statement,   236 
Number    of    Buildings,    236 
Liquor  Licenses  for  1909, 

236 
Table    of    Industries    in 

1900,   237 


Chapter  XI — Boroughs 

Erection     

Comparative   Table 

Industries    

Statement  of  Banks 

Mercantile    Licenses 

Liquor  Licenses 

Churches    

Schools 

Statement  of  I.  O.  O.  F 

Statement  of  P.  O.  S.  of  A ; 

East  of  Schuylkill 

Kutztown,    240  Topton,    261 

Hamburg,   247  Lenhartsville,    263 

Boyertown,   252  Bechtelsville,    264 

Fleetwood,   259  Mount   Penn,    266 

West  of  Schuylkill 

Womelsdorf,     268  ,  Wyomissing,    281 

Bernville,    271  Mohnton,  285 

Birdsboro,   274  West    Reading,    288 

Centreport,    278  Shillington,    293 

West    Leesport,     280 


Chapter  XII — Townships 

Four    Sections 

Erection    of    Townships 

Development  of  Sections 

Government    

Railway  and  Telegraph 

Industrial  Situation '. 

Religion  and  Education 

Statistics 


238 
238 
238 
239 
239 
239 
239 
240 
240 
240 


296 
296 
296 
297 
297 
297 
297 
298 


Towns  298 

Mercantile    Licenses 298 

Liquor   Licenses 298 

P.  O.  S.  OF  A.  Camps 298 

Manatawny    Section 298-303 

Names    of   Townships,    298  Iron    Ore    Mines,    301 

Derivation    of   Names,    299  Highways,    301 

Boroughs,   299  Additional    Taxables    (Doug- 
Names  of  Towns,   300  lass,    Rockland,    and 
First  Settlers,  300  District),   301 

Industrial    Prominence,    300  Noteworthy  Enterprises,  302 

Ontelaunee    Section 303-306 

Names    of   Townships,    303  Blue    Rocks,    304 

Derivation    of    Names,    303  Iron    Ore    Mines,    304 

Boroughs,    304  Highways,     304 

Names  of  Towns,   304  Early    Iron    Works,    305 

First    Settlers,    304  Noteworthy  Enterprises,  305 
Indian   Atrocities,   304 

TULPEHOCKEN      SECTION 306-308 

Names    of   Townships,    306  First    Settlers,   306 

Derivation    of   Names,    306  Highways,    306 

Boroughs,  306  Noteworthy  Enterprises,  307 

Names  of  Towns,   306  Berkshire     Country    Club, 

307 

Schuylkill    Section 308-311 

Names    of    Townships,    308  Highways,    309 

Derivation    of   Names,    308  Early    Industries,    309 

Boroughs,   309  Suburban    Towns,   309 

Names    of    Towns,    309  Noteworthy  Enterprises.  310 
First    Settlers,    309 


Chapter  XIII — Family  Reunions 


First  Families  of  County. 
Reunions 


Baer,    313 
Bertolet,  313 
Boyer,    314 
Croll,   314 
De  Long,   314 
Dierolf,    315 
Dietrich,    315 
Dries,    315 
Fisher- Hartman 
Furry,    316 
Gery,   316 
Grim,    316 
Hafer,  317 
Hartman-Fisher,    316 
HefEner,    317 
Heinly,    317 
Kistler,    318 


316 


Kline,  318 
Krick,    318 
Levengood,    318 
Ludwig,    319 
Lutz,   319 
Reedy,    319 
Ritter,    319 
Rohrbach,    320 
Saul,     320 
Schaeffer,     320 
Seaman,    321 
Schneider,    321 
Strauss,    321 
Trexler,    321 
Wamsher,     322 
Yeich,   322 


311-313 


Biographical    323 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


Addams,    Isaac 633 

Addams,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Isaac 633 

Addams,    Rufus 633 

Addams,    Wellington   1 632r 

Althouse,   Wilson  D 968 

Ancona,   Sydenham   E 376 

Baer,    George   F 344 

Barbey,    John 585 

Barbey,    Peter 584 

Bauscher,  Henry  and  Sarah 1288 

Beck,  George  S 840 

Behne,  Gustavus  A 713 

Beidler,    Isaac    Y 856 

Benson,    David    E 688 

Benson,    Dr.    Lot. 688 

Berks   County   Prison 105 

Bissinger,    Philip 760 

Bittner,    Daniel    F 1257 

Bland,  Judge  H.  Willis 400 

Blimline,    Sebastian 1560 

Bobst,  WilHam  J 1368 

Boone's  .  (Daniel)     Birthplace 299 

Bornemann,    Rev.    George 564 

Breneis-er,    Charles 736 

Brooke,    Edward 338 

Brooke,   George 336 

Bruckman,  Judge  George  W 752 

Burkey,    Peter 1080 

Clymer,   William   H 360 

County    Map 1 

Court-House,    New 88 

Court-House,    Old 87 

Crystal   Cave — "Prairie  Dogs" 822 

Dechert,    Adam 888 

Dechert,    Henry    M 904 

Deisher.   Henry   K.    1160 

Dick,    Henry   D 744 

Early   Patents,   Reading 153 

Eckenroad,    Francis    H 1544 

Eckert,  George  B 797 

Esser,  Jacob  B 872 

Fahrbach,    John    A 1448 

Federal  Inn 155 

Fire    Engine 205 

First  Church  in  County 45 

First  Defenders,  Monument 196 

First  House  in  County  (Old  Swede  Building) 17 

First  Public   School  at  Reading 202 

First  School-house  at  Reading 202 

Flax    Brake 64 

Gan-sho-han-ne — Poem     3 

G.    A.    R.    Monument 196 

Gittelman,  John  J.  K 1592 

Gnau,    Jacob 1384 

Grim,    Daniel    P 1304 

Griscom,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel 393 

Griscom,    William    M 392 

Gundry,  Prof.  G.  Harel 1480 

Guss,    Samuel    M 1433 

Haak,    George   E 624 

Hafer,    Edward    E 1176 

Harbster,    Matthan 536 


Harbster,    William 52S 

Harrisburg  (Penn  Street)  Bridge,  Old 29 

Hartraan,  Harrison  E 938 

Hawley,   Jesse   G ^"^^ 

Haws,  John  W 1576 

Heckler,    Charles    T 1464 

Heckman,  Harry  A 1112 

Heizmann,    Albert    A 664 

Heizmann,  Charles  R 665 

Heller,    F.    P 953 

Hendel,  Daniel  J 648 

Hendel,    Edwin    F 649 

Henninger,    Hunter 1191 

Herbein,  Rev.  M.  L. 984 

High,    Ezra 785 

High,   Brig.-Gen.   William 785 

Hoffeditz,   John   C 1128 

Huntzinger,    Benjamin   K 1000 

Huntzinger,   Rev.   Franklin  K 488 

Irwin,    William    J 1337 

Jacobs,   J.   Howard 616 

Jail,   New 105 

Jail,    Old 89 

Jones,   J.    Glancy 323 

Jones,  Jonathan 352 

Jones,    Richmond    L 384 

Keim,  George  deB 496 

Keim,  Gen.  George  M 328 

Keystone  State  Normal  School 245 

Kissinger,   John    M 1224 

Kistler,   Rev.   Charles   E 1144 

Kline,  Mahlon  N 776 

Knabb,    Jacob 568 

Kremp,  Joseph  P 1241 

Kohler's     (Crystal)     Cave 822 

Lancaster    Bridge 29 

Lauer,    Franklin    P 783 

Lauer,  Frederick  and   Mary 783 

Lauer    Monument 784 

Lauter,    Gerhard 1512 

Leinbach,   George   A 593 

Leinbach,    Jonathan    G 720 

Leippe,    Charles    E 681 

Levan,    Abraham 1084 

Lincolns,   Early   Home   of 299 

Luden,    William    H 768 

Marks,  Dr.  William  F 1400 

Mauger,   David   F 527 

McKinley  Monument 196 

McKnight,    Capt.    James 129 

Merritt,    Thomas    P 480 

Miller,  Jonathan  B 1352 

Miller,    Lewis 1240 

Mishler,   John    D 696 

Mohn,    Jeremiah    G 728 

Montgomery,  Mbrton  L Frontispiece 

Monuments,  First  Defenders 

G.  A.  R 

McKinley 

Volunteer    Firemen 196 

Mould,    Jonathan 704 

Muhlenberg,   Henry  A 440 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


NicoUs,    Giistavus    A 520 

Klolan,  Edwari  C 576 

J^olan,   James 456 

J^olan,    William 448 

JNolan,  William,  Jr 576 

J^Iolde,  Jacob 600 

Old  Swede  Building  (First  House  in  County) 17 

•Otto,  Henry  M 920 

JPatents,  Early,  Reading 153 

Peifer,    Peter 1528 

Penn  Hardware  Company 666 

.Penn  Street  (Harrisburg)  Bridge,  Old 29 

Pioneer  Homesteads,  Tulpehocken  Valley,  1733, 

Map       306 

Printz,  Daniel  F 640 

.Prutzman,    Asaph 808 

^Reading,  Administration    Building   of   School    Dis- 
trict      55 

Reading,  Boys'  High  School 202 

City   Hall 196 

Early    Patents 153 

Federal    Inn 155 

First    Public    School 202 

"        First    School-house 203 

"'        Free    Library 55 

Girls'    High    School 203 

""        Home    for   Friendless   Children 314 

"       "  "  "     Play    Grounds  314 

Hospital 312 

"  Penn  Square,  looking  east  from  5th  St. . .  192 
"  Penn  Square,  looking  west  from  5th  St. . .  193 
"  Penn  Square,  looking  east  from  4th  St. . .  193 
"        Penn    Square,    North    Side,    looking   east 

from    5th    St 200 

■Reading,  Penn    Square,    North    Side,   looking   west 

from    5th    St 200 

IReading,   Penn   Square,   South   Side,  looking  west 

from    5th    St 193 

Reading,   Penn   Square,   South   Side,   looking  west 

from    6th    St 198 

Reading,  Plan   of   Roads   to 32 

Post-Office 195 

"        Public   School   Building,   5th  and    Spring 

Sts 203 

Reading,  Public  School  Building,  11th  and  Pike  Sts.  203 

"         Sesqui-Centennial,    Executive    Committee  166 

"         Sesqui-Centennial,  Head  of  Civic  Parade  167 

Sesqui-Centennial,  Division  of  Industrial 

Parade     .167 


Reading,  Town  Plan  154 

View  of  City  from  West 153 

Widows'   Home 213 

Rhoads,   Henry  W 1336 

Richards,   Louis 513 

Rick,    Cyrus 544 

Rick,  George  A 608 

Rick,    William 552 

Ritter,   Louis 657 

Rocks  of  Rockland 300 

Rothermel,  Abraham  H 441 

Rothermel  Coat  of  Arms 441 

Saylor,    Benjamin 672 

Schaeflfer,    Charles    H 368 

Schall,    David 786 

Schall  William  A 786 

Schofer,   Christopher   Henry 1308 

Seidel,    Franklin 1416 

Seiders,   Henry 1496 

Seltzer.    Jonathan    R 824 

Smink,  F.  C 432 

Smith,  Frederick  L 464 

Smith,   Levi   B 416 

Smith,   William   D 424 

Spatz,  ■  Isaac    S 1048 

Spatz,  John  G 1048 

Speidel,  John  G 1064 

Spinning    Wheel 63 

Stage  Coach 197 

State  Asylum   (Wernersville) 105 

State   House 90 

State  Normal  School  (Kutztown) 245 

Staufer,    William    M 1033 

Strunk,  John  M 1016 

Tulpehocken  Valley,  Pioneer  Homesteads,  1733. 

Map        .' .  306 

Turner,   Newton  R 1372 

Volunteer  Firemen,   Monument 196 

Walter,    Dr.    Robert 504 

Wanner,  Peter  D 1096 

Weiser,  Conrad,  Grave  of 331 

Weiser,  Conrad,  Store  of 155 

Whitner,   Calvin   K 408 

Willson,   Gile  J 680 

Wool    Wheel 63 

Wunder,   W.    W 1320 


HISTORICAL  INDEX 


Additional  Law  Judges 93 

Agricultural  Societies  of  County  26 

Agriculture  of  County  25 

Albany,   First  Taxables  of   8 

Albany    Township    303 

Aldermen    of    Reading    229 

Allopathic    Practitioners    ...98-101 

Alsace,    First   Taxables    of   8 

Alsace   Township    S'gS 

Amish  Denomination  in  County  47 

Amity,   First  Taxables   of   9 

Amity    Township    298 

Area  of   County    7 

Armory    at    Hamburg 252 

Armory   at    Reading    ..205 

Army  Supplies  from  County  in 

Revolution     116 

Assemblymen    from    County...  75 

Assessment    of   County,   First 8 

Assessment  of  Reading,  1898,  1908 

235 

Assessors  of  Reading 219 

Associate   Judges    92 

Associations   at   Reading   204 

Associators   in    Revolution    ....112 

Attorneys  at  Law  93 

Auditors  of  County  78 

Auditors  of  Reading   218 

Baer   Family    Reunion    313 

Bands  at  Rpadircr  211 

Bank   at    Birdsboro    277 

Bank  at   Fleetwood    S61 

Bank   at   Leesnort    305 

Bank   at   Mohnton    287 

Bank  at  Topton    263 

Banking   in    Berks    County    ...151 
Bankruptcy,   Registers  in,  from 

County    74 

Barks  at  Boroughs,  Statement 

of        239 

Banks  at  Bovertown   256 

Banks  at   Hamburg   250 

Banks   at    Kutztown    243 

Banks   at   Reading    209 

Baptist  Denomination  in  County  46 
Battles.    Summary    of,    in    Civil 

War       127 

BediteUv'I'c.  Bnrnup-h  nf 264-266 

Belt  Line  'n  Schuylkill  Section  310 

Belt  Line  of  P.   &  R.  R 39 

Bench  and   Bar  of  County 91 

Berks    and    Dauphin    Turnpike...  32 

Berks  County   Law  Library 210 

Berks    Cr  unty    Medical    Society 

96,  210 

Berkshire    Country   Club    307 

E?.n.  F'r<t  Taxables  of   9 

?.(.;-n   ''"Qwn.'shio    306 

r>-rvi"e.   Pnroi'<rVi  of   271-274 

Bernvil'e   Bnnd   in   Civil  War   ..131 
Bernville.   Cleve'and  Parade  at     72 

Bertolet  Family  Reunion   313, 

Bethany  Orphans'  Home 106,  307 

Bethel.   Firt   Taxables  of   10 

Bethel    Tnwnshin 306 

Benlah   Anchorage    214 

Birdfhoro.    '^n^,-    „^    nf    ...      274-278 
Birdsbor^i   Hrind   in   Civil  War   .132' 


Black  Spot  on  Mount  Penn   ...     2 

Blue  Mountain  j 

Blue    Rocks     264,    304 

Board  of  Health  of  Reading  ..227 
Board  of  Public  Works  of  Read- 
ing     219 

Board  of  Trade  of  Reading  ...209 

Boroughs    of   County    238 

Boundaries   of  County   7 

Boyer   Family   Reunion    314 

Boyertown,  Borough  of  252-257 

Boyertown    Opera     House  Fire 

257-259 

Brecknock,  First  Taxables  of  .   10 

Brecknock  Township    308 

Bridges  in  County 29-31 

Bridges  and  Ferries  at  Reading  195 
Brooke  Furnace  in  Manatawny 

Section      302 

Brooke    Iron    Works    at    Birds- 
boro        376 

Brunswick,  First  Taxables  of  .  10 
Building  Inspectors  of  Reading  219 

Buildings   at   Reading   236 

Bureau  of  Employment  at  Read- 
ing         312 

Burgesses  of  Reading 217 

Caernarvon.  First  Taxables  of     10 

Caernarvon    Township    308 

Canals    in    County    34 

Canals,  Lottery  Privileges  for     35 
Captains  of   County  in   Revolu- 
tion       116 

Carsonia  Park  303 

Cemeteries  at  Reading 196 

Census  of  County 146 

Census  of  Reading  234 

Census  Table  of   County,  1800- 

1900      147 

Centre  Township    306 

Centre  Turnpike   33 

Centreport,  Borough  of  278-279 

Cliapel    Rock    303 

Charitable  Associations  at  Read- 
ing         212 

Charity  Schools  of  County 54 

Charming  Forge    307 

Chiefs  of  Police  of  Reading  ...218 

Churches  in  Townships 49 

Churches  of  Boroughs   239 

Churches  of  County,  First   ....   45  ■ 

Churches  of  Reading 200 

City    Clerks   of   Reading    227 

City  Hall  at  Reading 196 

Civil  War   of   1861-65    123 

Clavs  of  County   4 

Qerks   of   Common    Council    of 

Reading    226 

Clerks  of  Orphans'  Court   81 

Clerks  of  Quarter  Sessions  ...  81 
Clerks     of     Select     Council     of 

Reading    221 

Cleveland  Festivals  in  County  .  72 
Clymer  Mass-Meetings  in  1866..  70 
Colebrookdale,    First    Taxables 

of        10 

Colebrookdale   Iron   Works 302 

Colebrookdale   Mines    302 


Colebrookdale   Railroad    39 

Colebrookdale  Township   298 

Colonels    of   Associated    Battal- 
ions, 1775   113 

Colonels   of  County   in  Revolu- 
tion         116 

Colonial  Forts  in  County 108 

Colored  Population  of  County... 234 

Commissioners  of  County 77 

Commissioners  of  Public  Works 

of  Reading 319 

Commissioners  of  United  States 

from  County 74 

Common   Councilmen   of   Read- 
ing       321-2-26 

Common  School  System  Accept- 
ed by  Districts    55 

Common      School     System      in 

County     55 

Common        Schools,        Tabular 

Statement  of  County 56 

Companies  from  County  in  Civil 

War       138 

Companies  from  County  in  Rev- 
olution        113-115 

Conditions  of  Territory  at  time 
of  First  Settlement  in  County    4 

Congressmen  of  County 73 

Consolidated     Telephone     Com- 
pany         44 

Constables  of  Reading 329-30 

Constitutional  Amendments, 

Vote  for  in  County   69 

Constitutional  Conventions,  Del- 
egates from  County 74 

Continental  Paper  Money 117 

Controllers  of  County 79 

Controllers   of   Reading    £18 

Copper  Ore  in  County 4 

Coroners   of  County    80 

Country    Homes    in      Schuylkill 

Section        311 

County  Bridges,   Statement  of     31 

County    Buildings     87 

County  Charitable  Institutions  106 

County    Commissioners    77 

County   Officers    77 

County,    Petitions   for    6 

County  Surveyors    82 

Court-Houses  of  County   87-88 

Croll   Family   Reunion    314 

Crystal    Cave    821 

Cumru,  First  Taxables  of  11 

Cumru  Township    308 

Customs,  Language,  Manners  in 
County     61-65 

Daily   Newspapers    60 

Declaration      of      Independence 

Read  in   County    113 

Decline  of  Stages  in  County   ..   34 
Deisher  Indian  Relics  at  Kutz- 
town         347 

Delaware   Tribes   of   Indians    ..   20 
Delegates       to       Constitutional 

Conventions   from   County    ..   74 
Delegates    to      Provincial    Con- 
ference  from   County    74 


HISTORICAL    INDEX 


XI 


DeLong  Family  Reunion 314 

Dental   Practitioners   in     Coun- 
ty       103-04 

Dentistry   in    County    103 

Department  Stores  at  Reading  184 

Detectives,  Special  of  County 82 

Deysher  Stock  Farm  311 

Dierolf    Family    Reunion    315 

Dietrich    Family    Reunion' 315 

District  Attorneys  of  County  . .   82 

District  Township    299 

District  Township  Taxables  ...301 
Districts  of  County  at  Erection     7 
Districts  of  County  in  1776   ...113 
Dives,   Pomeroy  &  Stewart  De- 
partment   Store 185 

Douglass,  First  Taxables  of    ..301 

Douglass    Township    298 

Drafted   Militia   of     County   in 

Civil  War    136 

Drafts  of  Berks  County  in  Civ- 
il  War        126 

Dries  Family  Reunion  315 

Drum  Corps  at  Reading ..212 

Dunkard        Denomination       in 

County        47 

Durell's   Battery  in   Civil  War..  135 

Earl    Township     299 

Earl  Mountain 2 

Early  Furnaces  and  Forges 27 

Early  Roads  to  Reading  32 

Early  Settlements  of  County  . .     5 

East   Penn  Railroad    :..38 

Eastern    State    Penitentiary    . . .  106 

Education   at   Reading    202 

Education,     Early     Encourage- 
ment  of    54 

Education,  First  Teachers 54 

Education   in   County   45 

Election  Districts  of  County  . .  65 
Election  of  1876  in  County   ...  -69 

Electric  Light  at  Reading 199 

Electric     Plant     in      Schuylkill 

Section        310 

Electric  Railways  in  Countv  . .  40 
Elevations     at     Reading    above 

Sea   Level    200 

Elevations  of  Places  in  County    4 

Embargo  of  1807 121 

Engineers   of  Reading    227 

English,    Early    Immigrants    in 

County      18 

English  War  of  1812-15 ...121 

Enrollment  of  County  for  Mili- 
tary Service  in  1908 144 

Erection  of  County  .1,  6 

Evangelical     Denomination     in 

County     48 

Exeter,  First  Taxables  of 11 

Exeter  Township   298 

Fair  Ground  in  Mianatawny  Sec- 
tion       303 

Family  Reunions 311-322 

Farmers'   Union    26 

Ferries  and  Bridges  at  Reading  195 
Fertilizer    Works    in    Schuylkill 

Section       810 

Festivals,  Political,  at  Reading.  71 
Festivals,  Political,  in  Countv. ...  71 
Filtration     of     Reading     Water 

Supply      194 

Financial  Associations  at  Read- 
ing  209 

Fire  Companies  at  Reading  ...205 
First  Officers  from  County 
in    Revolution 112 


First  Assessment  of  County  ...     8 

First  Churches  of  County 4Si 

First  Families   of  Berks   Coun- 
ty       311 

First  Settlements  of  County  ...     5 
First  Settlers  of  Manatawny 

Section    300 

First  Settlers  of  Ontelaunee 

Section    304 

First  Settlers  of  Schuylkill  Sec- 
tion       309 

First     Settlers  of    Tulpehocken 

Section    306 

First  Taxables  of  County 8-16 

Fisher-Hartman      Family      Re- 
union         316 

Fishing      and      Navigation      in 

County      28 

Fleetwood,  Borough  of ..  .259-261 

Flying  Hills  in  County 1 

Foreign  Consuls  from  County. .  74 
Foreign    Ministers  from    Coun- 
ty        74 

Forest,   district  in  County   1 

Forts,  Colonial,  in   County  108-109 

French  and  Indian  War 107 

French,     Early     Immigrants    in 

County      18 

Freshets  of  Schuylkill  River  in 

County        29 

Friendless  Children,  Home  for... 213 

Friends  Society  in  County 46 

Furnaces  and  Forges  in  County    27 
Furry  Family  Reunion   316 

Ganawese   Indians 21 

Garbage  Plant  of  Reading  ....310 

Gas  Light  at  Reading   199 

Geology  of  County  4 

Germania  Band  212 

German  Immigrants  of  County   17 
Germans   to   Rescue  in  Revolu- 
tion       112 

Gery  Family  Reunion   316 

Gibraltar  Iron  Works  310 

Ginseng,  Cultivation  of    244 

Glen  Mills  Reformatory , .  .106 

Globe  Rendering  Co 311 

Government  of  County  . . , 65 

Government  of  Reading 216 

Governor,  Vote  for  in  County.  68 
Greenwich,   First  Taxables   of..   11 

Greenwich   Township    303 

Grim  Family  Reunion 316 

Grosch's  Sunset  House 307 

Hafer  Family  Reunion  317 

Hahnemann   Medical   Society  of 

Reading       102 

Halls   at    Reading    200 

Hamburg,  Borough  of 247-252 

Hamburg  Bridge 30 

Harrison    Festival    of    1840    at 

Reading    71 

Harfman-Fisher      Family      Re- 
union        316 

Hassler's  Highland  House   307 

Health  Commissioners  of  Read- 
ing       227 

Hebrews  in  County  19 

Heffner  Family  Reunion 317 

Heidelberg,  First  Taxables  of  . .  11 

Heidelberg  Township   , . .  .306 

Heinly  Family  Reunion   317 

Hereford,  First  Taxables  of  ...  12 

Hereford  Township   298 

Hiester  Festival  of  1820  at  Read- 
ing         71 


Historical     Society     of      Berks 

County    210 

Home  for     Friendless   Children 

106,   214 

Homoeopathic  Hospital  213 

Homoeopathic  Medical  and  Sur- 
gical Hospital  of  Reading  ...102 
Homoeopathic  Practitioners  As- 
sociation of  Reading  ....102,  210 
Homoeopathic     Practitioners  of 

County     102 

Homoeopathy  in  County  ...101-103 
Hospital    at    Reading    in    Civil 

War     126 

Hospitals  at  Reading 106 

House  of  Good  Shepherd  ..106,  214 

House  Tax  of  1799   120 

Huguenots,    Early    Immigrants 

of  County      17 

Humane  Society  of  Berks  Coun- 
ty       214 

Huntingdon  Reformatory 106 

Ice  Plants  in  Schuylkill  Section  310 
Incumbents  of  Posftion*:  in  Revolu- 
tion     117 

Indian  Atrocities 110,  304 

Indians,   Murdered  and   Captured 

by  110 

Indian  Names  of  County 22 

Indian  Relics  in  County 23 

Indians,  Enumeration  of  32 

Indians,     First     Occupants     of 

County      20 

Indians,  Manners   and   Customs 

of      21 

Indians,  Origin  of 20 

Indians,  Release  of  Territory  . .   23 

Indians,  Retreat  of 22 

Indians,  Tribes  of 20 

Industrial    Associations    at 

Reading    209 

Industrial   Statistics   of   County   27 
Industries  at  Reading  in  1900  ..237 
Industries     at     Reading,     State- 
ment of      170 

Industries  of  Boroughs 238 

Industry  of  County  25 

Inspector '  of   Meat   and    Milk   at 

Reading    234 

Internal  Improvements  of 

County        2'8 

Internal  Improvements  of  Read- 
ing         193 

Irish  Mountain  2 

Irish   Settlers  in   County       19 

Iron  Industries  of  County 27 

Iron    Industries    of    County   in 

Revolution      116 

Iron     Masters     of     County     in 

Revolution      117 

Iron  Ore  of  County   4 

Jefferson  Township       306 

Judges  from  1752  to  1790    91 

Judges  from  1790  to  1909   92 

Jury  Commissioners    85 

Justices   of  the  Peace   of  Read- 
ing         228 

Keystone  State  Normal  School  245 

Kistler  Family  Reunion   318 

Kittatinny  Mountain   1 

Kline,    Enpihimer  &  Co.   Depart- 
ment   Store 184 

Kline  Family  Reunion    318 

Krick  Family  Reunion    318 

Kutztown,  Boroupfh  of   240-245 

Kutztown  Branch  Railroad  ....   39 


Xll 


HISTORICAL    INDEX 


Kutztown,  Cleveland  Parade  at    ^S 

Kutztown  Fair  Ground   305 

Kutztown,   Hiester    Festival  at    71 

Ladies'     Aid    Society    in     Civil 

War         136 

Lancaster  Bridge      30 

Land  and  Live  Stock  of  Coun- 
ty in  1908   152 

Language,     Manners  and     Cus- 
toms  of   County 61-65 

Latitude   and  Longitude  of 

County        4 

Lauer  Monument   784 

Lebanon  Valley  Railroad 28 

Leesport  Bank      305 

Legal     Association     of     Berks 

County        210 

Lehigh  Telegraph  Co.  in  Coun- 
ty          43 

Lenhartsville,  Borough  of  ...263-264 
Levengood  Family  Reunion  ...318 
Lexington',    Battle   of,   Awakens 

County       112 

Liberty-Poles  of  1799   120 

Libraries   at   Reading    210 

License    Commissioners     86 

Light  and  Power  at  Reading  ..199 
Liquor  Licenses  of  Boroughs  .239 
Liquor  Licenses  of  Reading  ..236 
Liquor  Licenses  of  Townships  298 
Literary  Associations  at  Read- 
ing         210 

Live  Stock  and  Land  of  Coun- 
ty in  1908    152 

Livingood  Family  Reunion   318 

Location  of  Reading  200 

Longitude   and    Latitude    of 

County        4 

Longswamp,   First  Taxables   of  12 

Longswamp  Township       303 

Lord  &  Gage  Department  Store..  185 
Lottery    Privileges    for    Union 

Canal       35 

Lottery  Privilege  for  Church  at 

Womelsdorf   271 

Lotz    Receipt    Book  in   Revolu- 
tion       116 

Lower  Alsace  Township       299 

Lower  Heidelberg  Township   ..30'6 

Ludwig   Family   Reunion    319 

Lutheran       Denomination       i  n 

County      45 

Lutheran  Ministers  of  County  .  46 
Lutheran       and       Reformed 

Churches  of  County   48 

Lutz  Family  Reunion   319 

Maiden-creek,   First   Taxables 

of      12 

Maiden-creek  Road   32 

Maiden-creek    Township    303 

M.anatawny    Section  of    Town- 
ships        298 

Manners,     Customs,     Language 

of     County 61-65 

Manor   of    Penn's   Mount    .     2 

Marion    Township    306 

Market  Commissioners  of  Read- 
ing         227 

Market-Houses  at  Reading  ....193 
Mass-Meetings  at  Reading  ....  70 
Maxatawny,  First  Taxables  of     13 

Maxatawny  Township  303 

Mayors   of  Reading   217-218 

Meat  and  Milk  Inspector,  Read- 
ing  234 

Medical    Associations    at    Read- 
ing         210 


Medical  Faculty  of  Berks  Coun- 
ty         96 

Medical  Profession  of  County     .96 
Medical  Society  of  Berks  Coun- 
ty        96,  98 

Membership   of     Religious   De- 
nominations         49 

Memorial  for  National  Foundry. .  28 

Mercantile   Appraisers    85 

Mercantile      Licenses      of     Bo- 
roughs        239 

Mercantile   Licenses   of    County   298 
Mercantile  Licenses  of  Reading  298 
Mercantile   Licenses   of    Town- 
ships     298 

Mexican   War,   1846-48    122 

Military  Associations   of   Read- 
ing     139,    204 

Militia     Encampment   at   Read- 
ing in   1842    142 

Militia  Systems  of  County  .140-144 
Milk  and   Meat  Inspector,   Read- 
ing      234 

Minerals    of    County    4 

Mtohnton,  Borough  of  285-288 

Money   at   Interest,   by   Districts   149 

Monocacy   Hill    2 

Montello       Brick      Works      in 

Schuylkill  Section       310 

Monthly  Newspapers  of  County.  60 
Moravian       Denomination       in 

County      47 

Mould,  J.  &  Co.  Department 

Store        184 

Mount    Neversink 2 

Mount  Penn    2 

Mount  Perm,  Borough  of 266-268 

Mbuntain    Railroads    at    Read- 
ing       198 

Miountains  of  County   1 

Muhlenberg   Township       299 

Murdered  and   Captured  by  In- 
dians       109-10 

Musical   Associations    at    Read- 
ing      210-211 

National     Representatives   from 

County        73 

Nationalities    in    County    16 

Navigation  of  River   Encouraged  29 
Navigation  of  Schuylkill  River     28 

Negroes  in  County   19 

Neversink    Mountain    2 

Newspapers  at  BirdsborO'      60 

Newspapers  at   Boroughs    60 

Newspapers  at  Boyertown    ....   60 
Newspapers  at  Hamburg      ....   60 

Newspapers  at  Kutztown 60 

Newspapers   at   Reading    ...59,  204 
Newspapers  at  Womelsdorf  ...   60 

Newspapers,  Daily  60 

Newspapers  of  County 59 

North  Heidelberg  Township    ..306 
Northumberland   County,   Erec- 
tion of      24 

Occupations  at  Reading,  1909 185 

Officers   of   County    77 

OiiFicea  by  Special  Legislation....   72 

Officials   of  County    65 

Officials   of    County  in   Revolu- 
tion         117 

Officials  of  Reading  216 

Officials  of  State,  from  County    75 

Oil   Inspectors       86 

Oil  Pipe  Lines  in  County 44 

Old    Swede    Building    16 

Oley,  First  Taxables  of   13 


Oley  Hills      2 

Oley   Road       32 

Oley    Township        298 

Oley  Turnpike     33 

Ontelaunee   Section   of     Town- 
ships         303 

Ontelaunee   Township    303 

Orphans'   Asylum,   St.     Carthar- 

ine's   Female    106,   214 

Orphans'  Court  Clerks  of  Coun- 
ty         81 

Orphans'  Court  Judges   93 

Orphans'  Home  at  Topton..l06,  263 
Orphans'    Home    at    Womelsdorf 

106,  307 

Orr  Stock  Farm      ...311 

Orwigsburg,     Hiester     Festival 

at      71 

Osteopathy  in  County     103 

Packets  on   Canals       36 

Paper     Mills     in     Tulpehocken 

Section        307 

Paper  Mloney  in  Civil  War  ....127 

Paper  Money  in  Revolution  117 

Park     Commissioners   of   Read- 
ing       219 

Pastors  Long  in  Service   48 

Pathological     Society  at   Read- 
ing         98 

Patients  of  County  at  State 

Hospital    106 

Patriotic  Associations  at  Read- 
ing         210 

Pay    Schools   of    County 59,203 

Peace  Declared  in  Revolution 119 

Penn  Common  at  Reading  ....195 

Penn    Street   Bridge 30 

Pent)  Township       306 

Penn's  Mount    3 

Penn's    Mount,    Manor   of 3 

Pennsylvania   Schuylkill  Valley 

R.   R. 39 

Pennsylvania  Telephone   Co.   in 

County  -     43 

Perkiomen  Turnpike      32 

Perry   Township        303 

Petitions  for  Erection  of  Coun- 
ty       6 

Philadelphia     &     Reading    Rail- 
road          37 

Physical  Geography  of  County       1 

Pike  Township       299 

Pine-Grove.  First  Taxables  of  .   13 

Pinnacle      l 

Pipe  Lines  in  County  44 

Plumbing   Inspectors    of    Read- 
ing         227 

Polish _   Convent     in     Schuylkill 

Section        311 

Political  Festivals  in  County  ...   71 
Political  Parties  of  County     ...   68 
Political    Sentiment    of     Coun- 
ty     . 68 

Poor  Directors  of  County  ...82-83 

Poor-House  of  County     90,  310 

Poplar  Neck       2 

Poplar  Neck  Bridge   30 

Population  of  County  in  1776   .113 
Population  of  County,  1800-1900  .147 

Post-Office  at  Reading  195 

Post-Offices  of  County  . .  .40,  41,  43 
Post-Offices,   Discontinued,   in 

County      42 

Postage  Stamps      40 

Premium  for  Scalps      109 

President  Judges  92 

President,  Vote  for  in  County  .   69 


HISTORICAL    INDEX 


Xlll 


Presidential   Election   of  1876    .  69 
Presidential    Vote  by    Districts 

.  in  1908      150 

Presidents    of    Common    Coun- 
cil of  Reading     226 

Presidents    of    Reading    School 

Board 233 

Presidents  of  Select  Council  of 

Reading     221 

Preston's  Sunnyside   307 

Prison  Inspectors  of  County    83-85 
Prison  Wardens  of  County     ...   85 

Prisons  of  County      89 

Private  Bridges  in  County  ....  30 
Private  Market-Houses  at  Read- 
ing     193 

Private  Schools  at  Reading 203 

Professional   Asisociations  at 

Reading    210 

Prohibition    and    License,    Vote 

for   in   County       69 

Prominent   Representative   Men 

of  County      66 

Property   Valuation    of    County 

by  Districts  in  1885  and  1908   148 
Protective  Associations  at  Read- 
ing       205 

Protestant  Episcopal  Denomina- 
tion in  County      48 

Prothonotaries  of  County     ....  80 

Public  Charities  in  County 105 

Public  Library  at  Reading  210,  228 
Public  Library,  Trustees  of  ...228 

Public  Parks  at  Reading 195 

Public  Works,  Board  of   219 

Purchase  of  Territory  in  Coun- 
ty        23 

Quarter     Sessions'     Clerks     of 
County      81 

Railroad  Bridges  in  County  ...   31 

Railroads   in    County       36 

Railways,  Electric,  in  County   .  40 

Railways  in   County      36 

Reading  Artillerists  in  Mexican 

War       123 

Reading  Artillerists  in  N.  G.  P.  143 

Reading,  Associations  at   ..214-215 

"        Borough     Erected     in 

1783      156 

Borough.  1783-1847  156-159 

Buildings  at    236 

Canals    197 

"         Cemeteries       196 

Census  of  . . .  147,  234,  235 
"        Charitable   A  s  s  o  c  i  a- 

tions  at   312 

"        Church    Choral    Socie- 
ty        2:11 

"         Churches  at 200-201 

City.  1847-1909  .  . .  159-164 
"  Qeveland  Parade  at  . .  72 
"        Clymer  Mass-Meetings 

in   1866       70 

County-Seat    154 

"        Development   by   Dec- 
ades     159-164 

"         Distinguished   Visitors 

of     158 

"         District  Established  in 

1760      155 

"         Early        Employments 

before  1783  167 

"         Early  Traffic  of   167 

"         Educational  Affairs  of 

Town      155 

"         Education  at 202 


Electric       Light      and 

Power  at   199 

Elevation    Above     Sea 

Level       200 

Employments,       F  a  c- 
tories,     etc.,     at     in 

1840      168 

Ferries  and  Bridges  ..195 
Financial    Associations 

at     209 

Fire    Company    Build- 
ings         195,   205 

First  Lots  Sold  153 

First       Patentees       of 

Lots       153 

First    Store    at    155 

First  Patents  of  Land  153 
First   Taxables   of    ...   13 

Gas   Light  at   199 

Government   and    Offi- 
cials of  216-234 

Grant      of      Land      to 

Penn      153 

Ground  Rent  on  Lots . .  154 

Halls   at   200 

History  of      153-238 

Hospital     212 

Hospital  in  Civil  War  126 
Industrial     Affairs     of 

Borough       157 

Industrial   Develop- 
ment        168-169 

Industries  at  .170-193,  237 
Internal    Improvement 

of      • 193-200 

Lauer  Monument  ....784 
Library,  Trustees  of  228 
Liquor  Licenses,  1909.. 236 
Literary     Associations 

at      210 

Location  of  200 

Mass-Meetings  at 70 

Medical        Association 

98,   210. 

Meeting  at,  in  Revolu- 
tion     ..'. Ill 

Mountain  Railroads. ..  .198 
Musical      Associations 

at      .210 

Nationality  of  Inhabi- 
tants      155 

Newspapers   ,.59,   157,   204 

Officials     216-234 

Oldest  Buildings       ...155 

Panic  of  1837      157 

Patriotic     Associations 

at      310 

Political  Festivals  at  .   71 
Post-Office     Establish- 
ed at  40,  156,  195 

Private  Schools  at  ...203 
Public   Buildings... 87,    155 

Public  Parks  195. 

Public    Roads 31,    194 

Religion  at 200 

Religious    Associations 

at      214 

Riot  at,  in  1877   164 

Ritner     Young     Men's 

Convention  at  ....  70 
School  Buildings  at  ..203 
Schuylkill  Seminary  at  203 
Sesqui-Centennial       of 

1898      166 

Sewers      194 

Stage-Coaches  at 197 


State   Conventions  at     69 
Statement     of     Indus- 
tries at      170-193 

Statistics     234-238 

Steam  Heat  at  300 

Steam     Railroads 197 

Store     House     at,     in 

Revolution       116 

Streets      194 

Street  Railways  at  ...197 

Subway     194 

Sunday   Schools   of    ..   52 

Telegraph  at 198 

Telephone  at 199 

Town,  1748-1783      153-156 
Town   Laid   Out       ...153 

Turnpikes  from   196 

Vote  in  1908   235 

Washington       at,       in 

1794 120 

Water    Supplies    of.... 

193,   302 

Whig  Mass-Meeting  of 

1844  at      70 

Reading  &  Columbia  Railroad. . . .  38 
Recommendations      for      Com- 
panies in  Revolution       113 

Recorders   of  County    81 

Reductions  of  County       24 

Reedy  Family  Reunion    319 

Reformed  Denomination  in 

County       46 

Reformed  Ministers  of  County    46 
Registered   Voters   by    Districts 

in   1908       149 

Registers  in    Bankruptcy    from 

County        74 

Registers  of  County   81 

Rehrersburg,    Cleveland    Parade 

at 72 

Relative  Elevations  of  County       4 

Religion   of   County       45 

Religious  Associations  at  Read- 
ing         214 

Religious     Denominations     De- 
scribed        45 

Religious        Denominations      in 

County      49 

Representative     Men  of     Coun- 
ty    66 

Return  of  Soldiers  in     Revolu- 
tion       120 

Revolution,  Cause  of      110 

Richmond,  First  Taxables  of  . .   14 

Richmond  Township      303 

Ringgold  Band  in  Civil  War  ..134 
Ringgold  Band  of  Reading   ...211 
Ringgold  Light  Artillery  in  Civ- 
il War      1S9 

Ritner   Young    Men's     Conven- 
tion at  Reading     70 

Ritter   Family   Reunion    319 

Roads  and  Turnpikes  of  Coun- 
ty       31 

Roads  to  Reading 32' 

Robeson.  First  Taxables  of  ... .   14 

Robeson  Township      308 

Robesonia  Furnace   307 

Rockland    Township    2'99 

Rockland  Township  Taxables   .301 

Rohrbach  Family  Reunion   320 

Roman    Catholic    Denomination 

in    County    47 

Round-head     1 

Rural  Free  Delivery  in  County    43 
Ruscombmanor,   First  Taxables 
of     14 


XIV 


HISTORICAL    INDEX 


Ruscombmanor  Township ".298 

Saul    Family    Reunion    320 

Scalps,    Premium   for    109 

Schaeffer   Family   Reunion    320 

Schneider  Family  Reunion  ....321 
School  Affairs  of  Boroughs  ...240 
School    Controllers   of   Reading 

;...  230-233 

Schools  at  Reading   202 

Schuylkill  Canal  in  County  ...  35 
Schuylkill  County,  Erection  of.   24 

Schuylkill  Gap    1 

Schuylkill  &  Lehigh  Railroad   .   .53 

Schuylkill  River   3,  28 

Schuylkill   Road       32 

Schuylkill     Section     of     Town- 
ships         308 

Schuylkill  Seminary  at  Reading  203 

Schwartzwald       2 

Scull's  Hill      1 

Sealers    of   Weights   and   Meas- 
ures            86 

Seaman    Family   Reunion    321 

Secret  Societies  at  Reading  ...206 
Secretaries  of  Reading     School 

Board      233 

Sections  of  Berks  County   296 

Select    Councilmen   of    Reading 

220-22'! 

Senators  of  County      75 

Sewers  at  Reading  194 

Sheriffs    of    County    79 

Shillington,  Borough  of   ...293-295 
Signal  Service  of  P.  &  R.  R.  Co.  39 
Society  for  Prevention  of  Cruel- 
ty to  Animals      214 

Solicitors  of  Reading'      227 

South  Mountain      1 

Spanish  War  of  1898-     139 

Special  Detectives  of  County  . .  8S 
Special   Legislation,  Offices  by. . .  72 

Spring  Township    308 

Stage-Coaches   at  Reading    ....197 
Stages  and  Stage  Lines  in  Coun- 
ty          33 

Stages.  Decline  of,  in  County  .   34 
State   Appropriations    to   Coun- 
ty, 1904  and  1908   150 

State  Charitable  Institutions  in 

County      105 

State  Conventions  at  Reading..   69 

State  Highways  in  County 33 

State  Hospital  at  Harrisburg  ..106 

State-House   of  County    89 

State  National  Guard 143 

State  Officials  from  County  ...   75 

State  Police   in   County   144 

State    Police    Barracks 144,    311 

State       Representatives        from 

Reading      21i6 

State  Representatives   of  Coun- 
ty         74 

State   Roads    in    County 302,    311 

Statistics  of  Reading,  Compara- 
tive Table      ..234 

Statistics  of  Secret  Societies  207,  240 
Statistics  of  the   Townships 

147-150,    298 


St.  Catharine's  Female  Orphans' 

Asylum      106,  214 

Steam   Heat  at  Reading   300 

Stewards  at  Poor-House  83 

St.  Joseph's  Hospital 213 

St.   Michael's  Seminary 303 

St.  Paul's  Orphans'  Asylum  for 

Boys    106,   214 

Stock  Farms  in  Schuylkill  Sec- 
tion       311 

Store  House  at  Reading  in  Rev- 
olution       116 

Stoudt's  Hill  1 

Strauss  Family  Reunion     321 

Streams  of  County 3 

Street  Railways  at  Reading   ...197 

Streets  of  Reading 194 

Suburban  Towns  of  Manatawny 

Section        303 

Suburban    Towns  of    Schuylkill 

Section        309 

Subway  at  Spring  Street,  Read- 
ing       194 

Sunday  Mails,  Opposition  to  . .   53 
Sunday  Schools  of  Berks  Coun- 
ty         51 

Sunday  Schools  of  County,  Sum- 
mary of      53 

Superintendents        of       County 

Schools     87 

Superintendents       of       Reading 

Schools       234 

Superintendent  of  Water  Board  219 
Surgeons  from   County  in   Civil 

War     129 

Surveyors  of  County      82 

Swede  Building,  Old      16 

Swedes,  First  Settlement  by   ..   16 

Taxables   of  Districts    148 

Taxes  from  County  to  State.  .150,  151 
Teachers'  Institutes  in  County  .   53 

Telegraph  at  Reading     398 

Telegraph  in  County  43 

Telephone   at   Reading    199 

Telephone   Exchange   in   Mana- 
tawny Section      303 

Telephone  in  County     43 

Temple    Furnace 302 

Textile  Machine  Works  at  Wy- 

omissing       283 

Tilden  Festival  of  1876  in  Coun- 
ty     72 

Tilden  Township     306 

Topton.  Borough  of 361-263 

Topton  '  Orphans'   Home 263, ,  305 

Towns  of  Manatawny  Section  .300 

Towns  of  Ontelaunee  Section 304 

Towns  of  Schuylkill  Section  ..309 
Towns  of  Tulpehocken  Section  3(6 
Townships  of  Berks  County  296-311 
Trap  Rock  in  Schuylkill  Section  310 

Treasurers  of  County  79 

Treasurers   of  Reading      218 

Treasurers  of    Reading    School 

Board      234 

Trexler  Family  Reunion     321 

Trust  Companies  at  Reading  ..309 
Tulpehocken,  First  Taxables  of    15 


Tulpehocken  Road     31 

Tulpehocken   Section   of  Town- 
ships       306 

Tulpehocken  Township      306 

Turnpikes  at  Reading 196 

Turnpikes   in   County 31 

Union  Canal     34 

Union,  First  Taxables  of 16 

Union  Township .308 

United    Evangelical    Denomina- 
tion in  County      48 

United      States    Commissioners 

from  County     74 

Upper  Bern  Township   306 

Upper  Tulpehocken  Township  306 

Valleys       2 

Valuation   of     Property  in  Dis- 
tricts       148 

Veterinary  Practitioners 104 

Volunteer  Militia   in   Civil  War 

136,  137,  138 

Vote  for  Constitutional  Amend- 
ments       .'   69 

Vote  for  Governor      68 

Vote  for  President 69 

Vote  for     Prohibition  and     Li- 
cense         69 

Voters  of  Districts,  Registered, 

1908      149 

Walter  Sanitarium   307 

Wamsher  Family  Reunion 322 

War  Periods 107 

Washington  at  Reading  in  1794..  120 

Washington  Township      299 

Water  Board  of  Reading  ...218-19 

Waterworks  at  Reading 193 

W.  C.  T.  U.  at   Reading   214 

Weekly  Newspapers  of  County 

59,   60 

Weights  and   Measures,   Sealers 

of        86 

Weiser,  Conrad,  Lecture  on  . .  57 
Weiser,     Conrad,     Purpose     of 

Lecture       58 

Welsh,     Early     Immigrants     of 

County       19 

Welsh  Mountain 1 

Wenrich's  Grand  View 307 

Wernersville  State  Asylum  ...105 
West  Leesport,  Borough  of  280-281 
West  Reading,  Borough  of  288-293 

West  Reading  Railroad   39 

Western  Union  Telegraph  Co.  43 
Whig  Mass-Meeting  of  1844  at 

Reading       70 

Whiskey  Insurrection  in  1794   .120 
White  Spot  on  Mount  Penn  ...     2 
Whitner,  C.  K  &  Co.,  Depart- 
ment Store  of   184 

Widows'  Home      107,  213 

Wilmington   &   Northern     Rail- 
road          38 

Windsor,  First  Taxables  of  ...   16 

Windsor   Township       303 

Womelsdorf,  Borough  of  .268-271 
Wyomissing.  Borough  of  ..281-285 

Yeich    Family   Reunion    322 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  at  Reading  214 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


Abraham,  August 1439 

Achenbach,   Henry 1414 

Achenbach,  John 723 

Adam,  Calvin  H 1661 

Adam    Families 741 

832,    1393,   1446,   1614,    1623,   1661 

Adam,  Frederick  M 1168 

Adam,  Harry  B 1170 

Adam,  Herman 1614 

Adam,  Jacob  S 1446 

Adam,  Michael   S 1168 

Adam,  Samuel   1393 

Adam.  William  K 832 

Adams,  Aaron 1489 

Adams,  Albert  H 901 

Adams,   E.    Ralph 360 

Adams,  Mrs.  Esther 1489 

Adams  Families.. 741,  880,  1338,  1508 

Adams,  John  T 1119 

Adams,  Mrs.  Loretta  L 3S0 

Adams,  Thomas   F 1508 

Adams,  William  H 879 

Adams,  William  H.   (Reading) 

1338 

Adams,  William  L 742 

Addams   Families    632,   546 

Addams,  Henrietta  C. , 633 

Addams,   Isaac 633 

Addams,  John  V.   R 633 

Addams,    Peter 547 

Addams,    Rufus 633 

Addams,  Wellington  1 632 

Ahrens,  Cyrus  K 1246 

Ahrens,   Edmund   H 962 

Ahrens  Families 963,   1407 

Ahrens,    Howard    E 1407 

Albrecht,    Charles 1510 

Albrecht,    George 777 

Albright  Families 539,  955,   1545 

Albright,  George  B 539 

Albright,  Jacob  W 955 

Albright,   Mrs.   Rebecca 1428 

Albright,   William   H 1545 

Alleman,  Grant  E 16'65 

Alsace  Lutheran  Church 1145 

Althouse,    Cyrus    D 1119 

Althouse,  Mrs.  Deborah  R 652' 

Althouse  Families 651,  1119,  1175 

Althouse,    Henry 1078 

Althouse,    Hiester 1175 

Althouse,  John  W 1166 

Althouse,  John  Z. 652 

Althouse,  Mary  C 107& 

Althouse,    Nathan 968 

Althouse,  Wilson  D 968 

Ames.    Isaac 989 

Ammarell,  Charles 1034 

Ammarell,   John   B 929 

Ammarell,  John  S 930 

Ammarell,  Raymond  R 930 

Ammarell,  Winfield  H.,  M.  D..  930 

Ammon,    George   M 165i5 

Amole,    Edgar 1521 

Ancona,   Sydenham  E 376 

Anderson,  Augustus  R 571 

Anderson,   Cornelius   T 735 

Anderson   Families 571,   1092 

Anderson,  John  P 1092' 

Anderson,  Mrs.  Margaret  B...  735 


Anderson,  William  S 747 

Angstadt,  George  P 1454 

Angstadt,   John   F 1229 

Angstadt,    Joshua 1453 

Anspaoh  Families 690,  1639 

Anspach,  Thomas  P .'.   690 

Anspach,   Wallace   M 1638 

Anthony,    Edward    L 1381 

Anthony    Families 639,1381 

Anthony,  Henry  P 1142 

Anthony,    John    C. 1406 

Anthony,   Mrs.    Mary 1142 

Anthony,    Mrs.    Mary   A 1406 

Anthony,  William  B 598 

Anthony,   William   F 639 

Armstrong,    Ephraim 727 

Armstrong,  Mrs.  Mary 7S'8 

Arnold  Family 1057 

Arnold,   Fred  D 1057 

Arnold,  Joel  A 1129 

Arnold,    William 838 

Artz,    Calvin    W. 1198 

Artz,  John  B 1239 

Aulenbach,    Franklin 1149 

Aulenbach!    William 1115 

Auman,  Charles  E 576 

Auman    Family 576 

Austrian,    Ben 1658 

Babb,    David    D 649 

Babb    Family 649 

Babst,   John 1511 

Bachman    Family 1459 

Bachman,  Joseph  S 1117 

Bachman,     Levi 1459 

Bachman,  William   892 

Bachofer    Family. ■ 1717 

Bacbof er,  J.  Geoi^e 1717 

Bachofer,  J.  Lewis 1067 

Baer,  Charles  A.i 1682 

Baer   Families . . .  i 

346,  614,  725,  865,  911,  1083,  1126, 
1180,      1625,  j  1638,      1681,      1694 

Baer,   George  F. 344 

Baer,  Henry   C 865 

Baer,  Jonathan   168S 

Baer.    Moses 1639 

Baer.  Samuel  A 1180 

Baer,  Solomon .•.  911 

Baer,  William  J 614 

Baer,  William  S 1083 

Bagenstose   Families' 854,   1495 

Bagenstose,    Jacob 854 

Bagenstose,    Jerome    B 1495 

Bahr  Family 1351 

Bahr,  Jacob  B 1353 

Bahr,  John   B 1352 

Balthaser    Families 

910,    1040,   1438,   1452,    1477,   1679 

Balthaser,  Howard  F 1438 

Balthaser,  Jerome  S 910 

Balthaser.    Joel    B 1679 

Balthaser,  John  C.  K 1040 

Balthaser,  Mahlon  A 1477 

Balthaser,  Mor,es  K 1452 

Banks,  John 354 

Baptist  Church.  First,  Reading  1383 

Barbey,    Jacob 1109 

Barbey,    John 585 


Barbey,    Peter 584 

Bard,  A.  Raymond 410 

Bard    Family 410 

Bare  Family I601 

Bare,   Henry   G 1601 

Bare,  John  H I6OI 

Bare,  John   M 1601 

Barlow,   George 1325 

Barr,  Abraham  G 1639 

Barr   Families 1251,   1638 

Barr,  Isaac  (born  1819)    1581 

Barr,    Isaac 125.1 

Barr,    Robert    M 339 

Barsotti.  Frank  S 1067 

Barth,   Mrs.   Barbara 1355 

Barth   Families 930,    1355,    1551 

Barth,   Frederick 1355 

Barth,  Henry  E 1550 

Barth,  John  D 930 

Bartholomew,    Rev.   Joshua    S...809 

Barto    Families 1235,    1373 

Barto,    Jonathan 1225 

Barto,  William  C 1372 

Bashore    Family 913 

Bashore,  Jonathan  K 913 

Battenfeld,    Louis 1391 

Baus,  John   B 918 

Bauscber,   Annie   M 1288 

Bauscher,    Daniel 1288 

Bauscher    Family 1288 

Bauscher,  Dewalt  P 1693 

Bausher  Families 875,   1693 

Bauscher,   Henry 1288 

Bausher,   Solon   D 875 

Bausher,  Thomas  C 763 

Baver,   Alfred 1231 

Baver,   David   E 905 

Beadencup,  Henry  A 737 

Beadencup,  Mrs.  Margaret  E..    737 

Bear   Families 725,    1136 

Bear,  George  W 112'6 

Bear,    Isaac 813 

Bear,  Lieut.  Jonathan  C 725 

Bear,  Levi  W 1694 

Beard,  Elmer  H 1516 

Beard   Families 650,   1516 

Beard,    Samuel 650 

Bechtel,    Charles   W 65.1  i--- 

Bechtel,  Daniel  R 463  i-^ 

Bechtel    Families 

463,   515,    5^2,   1204,   1643i^ 

Bechtel,    Frederick    R 836 

Bechtel,  Hiram  C 1643"--^ 

Bechtel,  Irwin  H 515^-^ 

Bechtel,   Jesse    F 523 ''^ 

Bechtel.  Oliver  K 1674'--' 

Bechtel,  Richard  D 1204  ^^^ 

Beck,   George   S 840 

Beck,  Harry  T 1105 

Becker,  Mrs.  Anna  Eliza 947 

Becker   Families 948,   1012,   1053 

Becker,   Joseph    S 679 

Becker,   Simeon 1013 

Becker,    Walter    Y 1070 

Becker,  William  Z 1053 

Becker,    Willoughby 948 

Beecher    Family 853 

Beecher.   William   L 853 

Beggs,  George 1036 


XVI 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Behm,  Reuben  F 943 

Behne,  Gustavus  A 712 

Behne,  Mrs.  Gustavus  A 330,  712 

Behney,  Alpheus  S 3'69 

Behney  Families' 369,   1438 

Behney,  John  n. 1438 

Beidler   Family../ 856 

Beidler,   Isaac   Y 856 

Beiler  Family 1011 

Beiler,    Levi 1011 

Bell,   George   H 704 

Bell,  Samuel 349 

Bell,  Samuel  H 1015 

Belz,    August 1159 

Benade,  James  A 1572' 

Benade,  James  C 625 

Benade,    Sarah    M 625 

Benfield,    Aaron 1267 

Benfield,  Adam  W 1267 

Benfield  Family 1265 

Benfield,  Franklin  N 12166 

Benfield,  Henry  W 1267 

Bennecoff,    Moses 1454 

Bennetch    Family 1542' 

Bennetch,    Morris 1542 

Benneville,    Dr.    George    de 329 

Benson,    David    E 688 

Benson,  Dr.  Lot 688 

Benson,  Susan   E 688 

Benz,   Theodore 646 

Berg,   Charles  W 1018 

Berg  Family 1018 

Berg,    L    Henry 1075 

Berger  Families 480.  1567 

Berger,  Edward  P 1568 

Berger.  James   C 1567 

Berger,  Morris  C 480 

Berger,  Orlando  F 1567 

Berger,  Mrs.  Sallie  J 1568 

Berk   Family 1682 

Berk,   Henry 1682 

Berkhold,   George 1703 

Barn  Reformed  and  Lutheran  Un- 
ion  Church 986 

Bernd    Family 450 

Bernd,  Rev.  Franklin  K 450 

Berndt,  Calvin  0 1137 

Bernet.  John  L 1148 

Bernhart,  Lizzie  M 1541 

Bernhart,   William 1541 

Bertolet  or  Bertolette  Families . . 

1262,  1657 

Bertolet,   Israel  M l£-64 

Bertolet,    Samuel    E 1265 

Bertolette,  Daniel  N.,  M.  D 1657 

Bertolette,  Dr.  Martin  L 1265 

Beyer    (Bbyer)    Family    583 

Bhaer.  Franklin  A 1624 

Bickel,   Amandon    874 

Bickel,  Mrs.  Angeline  F 461 

Bickel.  Cornelius 809 

Bickel  Families 461,  874 

Bickel,  J.   Isaac 461 

Bickel,  Paul  J 875 

Bickelman    Family 837 

Bickelman,  Napoleon 83'5 

Bickley,  John  H.,  Jr 701 

Biddle,   Edward 326 

Bieber.  Benjamin   E 415 

Bieber,  Daniel  A 815 

Bieber  Families 415,   815,   1106 

Bieber,  Dr.  Ulysses  S.  G 1106 

Biehl    Families 538,    1069 

Biehl,  George  W 538 

Biehl,  Joel  Foster  S 1162 

Biehl,  John   E 1069 

Bigony   Family 391 

Bigony,  Hiram  J 391 

Bingaman,  Mrs.  Rebecca 1321 


Bingaman,    William 1321 

Bird,    Mark 326 

Birch,  Prof.  Robert  S 1405 

Bissinger,    Philip 760 

Bitler   Families 907,    1642 

Bitler,    Henry 1642 

Bitler,    W.    H 907 

Bitting    Family 970 

Bitting,   Frank  W 970 

Bitting,    John 970 

Bittner,  Daniel  F 1257 

Bittner.   Mrs.  'Sarah 1258 

Bixenstine,   Christian 1156 

Bixler,  Augustus  S 1021 

Bixler   Family 1020 

Bixler,    Joseph 1021 

Bixler,  Manasses 1021 

Blachman,  Paul  H 1636 

Bland,  Mrs.  Esther 1321 

Bland  Families 1320,  1324 

Bland,  Judge  H.  Willis 400 

Bland,    Robert 1324 

Bland,    William 1320 

Blankenbiller,  Dainiel  B 1604 

Blankenbiller  Family 1603 

Blankenbiller,  Harry  B 1604 

Blankinhorn,    Andrew 1488 

Blatt,  Cornelius  F 1182 

Blatt,  D.   M. . . 118S 

Blatt   Families II8I,    1329 

Blatt,  Isaac   G 1329 

Blimline,  Sebastian 1560 

Bloom,  Lew 874 

Bobst,   Samuel 1518 

Bobst,  William  J 1368 

Bodder,  Mrs.  Mary 1516 

Bodey,  Andrew  N 742 

Bodey,  Benton  K 1025 

Body,  Augustus  G 861 

Body    Family 862 

Bohn,  Adam  K 1673 

Bohn,    Edward   K 864 

Bohn  Families 864,  1581,  1673 

Bohn,  Jeremiah  B 1581 

Bohn,  Mrs.  Mary  A 1581 

Bohn.   Morris   C 1581 

Bolich   Family 1396 

Bolich,    Reuben   W. 1396 

Bollman,    Lewis . , 1370 

Bond   Family.  . . .  l 419 

Bond,  William   F. 418 

Boone,    Cyrus 1650 

Boone,    Daniel 1502 

Boone,  Edwin 433 

Boone  Families 1502,   1650 

Border  Family 611 

Border,    William 611 

Bordes,  Alfred 1511 

Bordner.  Cloyd  W 1649 

Bordner  Families 478,  515 

Bordner,  Prof.  George  C 515 

Bordner,  Jacob  M 478 

Borkert,  Albert  G 673 

Borkert,    Augfustus 686 

Borkert    Family. 1139 

Borkert,  Kate  A 700 

Borkert,  Richard  G 768 

Borkert,  William  D.  A 1139 

Borkert,   Willianii    G 699 

Borkey   Family .1 1355 

Borkey,  William   B 1355 

Bornemann,    Rev!.    G<:orge 5.64 

Borry,  Addison  W 1198 

Borst,  John  W..;. 1116 

Bortz,  George  B 1534 

Bower,  Dr.  Abram  L 431 

Bower,  Conrad  G 1100 

Bower    Families ..  404,    430,    539,    540 


Bower,  Gen.  Jacob 333 

Bower,  Dr.  Joel  B 430 

Bower,  John.  L.,  M.   D 540 

Bower,  John   N 539 

Bower,  William  L 1453 

Bowman    Famiiy 1283 

Bowman,   Israel   M 12'84 

Bowman,  John  M 1284 

Boyer,   Abraham 1651 

Boyer,    Amos 900 

Boyer,  Andrew  S 678 

Boyer,    Charles   A 939 

Boyer,  Dr.  Charles  C 583 

Boyer,  Charles  G 1132 

Boyer,   Cyranus  F 829 

Boyer,    Edwin    A 537 

Boyer  Families 

531,   537,   548,   583,   635,   786,   829, 
900,      1132,      1254,      1278,      1651 

Boyer,  George  F 787 

Boyer,    Gottleib ©61 

Boyer,  Harry  C 787 

Boyer,  Henry 1524 

Boyer,  Horace  K 1279 

Boyer,   Jacob   S 1254 

Boyer,  James  K 1279 

Boyer,    Jerome    L 548 

Boyer,  Jesse  1 1332 

Boyer,  John  A 1623 

Boyer,    John    H 635 

Boyer,  Mrs.  Mary  S 1633 

Boyer.  Morris   L.   H 636 

Boyer,   Morris   R 1172 

Boyer,   Mrs.    Rosina    661 

Boyer,  Thomas   A 531 

Boyer,  William  McH 706 

Bradley,  John   C 1363 

Brant,  Irvin  S 1056 

Braucher,  Albert  C 1434 

Brecht    (Bright)    Families 

674,   1157,  1166,  1697 

Breedy    Family 1342 

Breedy,    George   J 1342 

Breneiser.  Charles 736 

Breneiser    Family 736 

Breneiser,  Thomas   736 

Bressler,  F.  F 604 

Breyfogel    Family 1719 

Breyfogel,  Rev.   Sylvanus 1719 

Brickel,  Peter  F 1159 

Bricker,  Edwin  L 1426 

Bricker,  Thomas  C 1098 

Bridegam,  David 606 

Bridegam,  William 606 

Bridegam.  William  K 1448 

Bridenbaugh  Family   518 

Bridenbaugh,   John    H 675 

Bright.  Albert  H 675 

Bright,  Albert   R 675 

Bright  (Breoht)  Families 

674,   1157,   1166,   1697 

Bright,  Harry  L 1157 

Bright,    Henry    M 867 

Bright,  John  H 1697 

Bright,  Lehman  1 675 

Bright,    Willis    L 1166 

Brigle,    Benjamin 1529 

Brigle    Family 1529 

Rriner,  Edward  A 1163 

Brintzenhnflf.  J.   K 1386 

Brissel.  Charles  F 1033 

Britton,  John  A 506 

Brobst,  Dr.  Edward 453 

Brobs't    Families 454,    1319 

Brobst,  Dr.  John  A 1319 

Broden,    Albert 483 

Brooke.   Edward    338 

Brooke    Family 336 

^  Birooke.    Oeorge 336 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


xvii 


Brooke,    Robert    E 338 

Brossraan,   Adam 1660 

Brossman,   Adam   B 1660 

Brossman    Family 1659 

Brossman,   George   W 1149 

Brossman,  Isaac  W 1661 

Brossman,   James   B 1660 

Brossman,    Levi    A 1444 

Brossman,   Thomas    J 16;60 

Broughall,    William 1408 

Brown,  Aaron  R 1543 

Brown,   Adam   K 125i2 

Brown,  Augustus  M 401 

Brown,   Charles   C 1520 

Brown,  Daniel  F 1557 

Brown,    David 1239 

Brown,  Ella  M 1357 

Brown   Families 

401,    1252,    1425,    1520,    1558 

Brown,  Frank  M 1715 

Brown,  John   M 1516 

Brown,    George   W 1425 

Brown,    Kate    F 1357 

Brown,    Levi 1357 

Brown,    Morris    P 1444 

Brown,    Mrs.    Rebecca 1530 

Brown,    Reuben   Hi 1691 

Brown,  William  H 1075 

Brownell    Family 1716 

Brownell,  John  G.  L 1716 

Brownmiller,    Charles    M 1706 

Brownmiller,  Rev.  Ephraim  S.  1705 

Brownmiller    Family 1704 

Brownmiller,   Henry  H 1704 

Brubaker    Family 431 

Brubaker,    George 431 

Bruckman,  Judge  George  W.  .   752 

Brumbach,    Albert    J 357 

Brumbach,    Daniel    C 1287 

Brumbach,   Edwin   H 1288 

Brumbach  Families   .357,  845,  1286 

Brumbach,    Peter    Y 845 

Brumbach,    Solomon   A 851 

Brumbach,  William   D 922 

Brunner,   Alfred    R 1283 

Brunner,  David  B 338 

Brunner,  Hon.  David  B 570 

Brunner  Families 568,  1283 

Brunner,   William 1229 

Brunner,  W.  B 570 

Bubp,  Mrs.  Clara   768 

Bubp,   John   E 767 

Buchanan,   Thomas   C,   M.   D.   1296 

Bucher,  John  S 1213 

Buck,   Charles   R 472 

Buck,   Nicholas    473 

Buck    Families 472,    473,    879 

Bucks,  Calvin  W 1610 

Bucks    Family    1610 

Bucks,  William  R 764 

Bull,  Elijah   350 

Bull  Family 351 

Bulks.    Augustus    1092 

Burd,  Edward 351 

Burgert,  Benneville    1698 

Burkey   Family    1080 

Burkey,   John   A 1081 

Burkey,   Peter    1080 

Burkey,  William  F 1080 

Burkhart,   Daniel   A 1293 

Burkhart,   Elmore   A 1294 

Burkhart    Family    1£'92 

Burkhart,  J.  Henry   :1293 

Burkhart,  J.  Paul   1293 

Burkholder.  Albert  N 798 

Burkholder,  Samuel  G.,  M.  D.    525 

Burley,    Daniel 1604 

Bush,  Emanuel  L 1038 

Bush  Families 403,   1038 


Butz,  Daniel  C 710 

Butz    Family    710 

Butz,   Lewis   B 711 

Byers,  Abel  HI  '. 861 

Campbell,  Mrs.  Addie  J 727 

Campbell,  Mrs.  Annie  L 743 

Campbell,  David    727 

Campbell,  Mrs.  William  L.   . . .   743 

Carlance,    John    1511 

Castor,  Ellis  L 847 

Chelius,    John    1037 

Christ  Church,  Reading,  Pa.  ..1390 

Christ,    Evan   P 1089 

Christ   Families 1089,   1477 

Christ,    Henry    D 735 

Christ,   Howard    L 116* 

Christ,  James    D.    1361 

Christ^  Samuel  T 1477 

Christian,  Daniel  H 574 

Christian,  Edward  H 889 

Christian    Families    574,   889 

Christian,  Mrs.  Mary  C 576 

Christman,  A.  G 1429 

Christman,  Charles  H 1461 

Christman  Families 1017,  1461 

Christman,   Nathan   G 1017 

Church,  Robert  B 1153 

Clauser  Families 973,  1343 

Clauser,  Harrison  K 145i8 

Clauser,  Henry  S 1458 

Clauser,  John   H 1342 

Qauser,  Mahlon  B 974 

Clauser.   Simon   B 974 

Cleaver,   Chester    B 524 

Cleaver  Families 524,  566,  990 

Cleaver,  Israel,  M.  D 566 

Cleaver,  Jonathan   991 

Cleaver,  Mrs.  Sarah   991 

Cleaver.  William  K 990 

Clemmer,  David  B 1374 

Clemmer   Families 1346,    1374 

Clemmer,  Henry  G 1346 

Close  Family 1686 

Close,   Jackson   J 1686 

Clouser,    Benjamin    730 

Clouser,    David    651 

Clouser   Families 1515,    1546 

Clouser,  Francis  L 1515 

Clouser,  J.  E. 1105 

Clouser,  Mrs.  Margaret   730 

Clouser.  Simon  S 1546 

Clymer.  Daniel  R 360 

Clymer,  Edward  Ml.    361 

Clym«r   Family 360 

Clymer.  George  E 363 

Clymer,   Hiester    361 

Clymer,  William  H 361 

Coleman,    William    H 773 

Colletti,  Ferdinando,  M.   D.    ..1295 

Collins.  Henry  A 652 

Connolly,   Mrs.   Mary    1158 

Connolly.  Peter   1158 

Conrad.  Jeremiah  M 1131 

Cook.  George  S 1084 

Coonley,  Mrs.  Emma  C 1132 

Coonley,  Frederick  W 1131 

Cranston,  Frederick  W 765 

Crater  Family   362 

Crater,  Lewis   362' 

Craumer,  Harry  S 1109 

Craumer,   Rev.    L.    W 1109 

Cressman.  Albert  J 1635 

Cressman,    Charles    M 1103 

Cressman,  F.  Marion 1102 

Cressman.  Rev.   T.  J 486 

Cressman,  Mrs.   Mary  E 1635 

Croessant.   H.  J. . .' 1100 

Croll  Family   383 


Croll,  Martin  S 382 

Croll,  William   M 491 

Crooks,  Harry  W 1232 

Crooks,  Martha  W IS'22 

Crouse,    Abraham  L 940 

Crouse,  Henry 701 

Crouse,  Mrs.  Mary  E 701 

Crow,  Samuel  H 1040 

Crystal    Cave    831 

Custer,  Ludwig  T 1490 

Dampman,  John  B 431 

Darlington,  A.  J 1029 

Dauth,  Mrs.  Lewis   839 

Dauth,  William  L 1060 

Dautrich,  James   E 774 

Davidheiser,  Mrs.  Elizabeth   ..1092 

Davidheiser,   Elmer    1091 

Davidheiser.   George    1091 

Davies  Families 388,    1031 

Davies,   Lewis   0 1530 

Davies,  Samuel 388 

Davis  Family   1031 

Davis,  Nevin  M 389 

Davis,    Samuel   H 1373 

Davis,  Thomas  T 1031 

Davis,  Warren  L 381 

Davis,  Rev.  William  F.   P.    ...   63'4 
Deatrick,  Rev.  Dr.  William  W.   748 

de  Benneville.  Dr.  George 339 

Dechant   Famdly 1669 

Deohant,   William   H.,   C.   E 1669 

Dechert,  Adam 888 

Dechert   Families 888,    904 

Dechert,   Henry   M 904 

Deck,   O.   W.    1307 

Deeds  Family  95.6 

Deeds,   Luke   M 956 

Deeter,  Daniel  H 423 

Deeter,  Henry   433 

Degler,  Moses    1B93 

De  Gour.  Dr.  Frank  L 1566 

Dehart,  David  E 1276 

Dehart,    David    G 1553,    1714 

DeHart  Families    

1036,   1275,   1440,   1714 

DeHart,   F.   B 1.553 

Dehart,  Mrs.  Harriet  F 1714 

DeHart,  Jeremiah   1276 

DeHart,    J.    Irvin    1276 

Dehart,  Mrs.  Matilda 1440 

Dehart,   Philip    1440 

DeHart,  William  H 1036 

Deisher  (Deysher)   Families   . . . 

398,   851,  1160,  1680 

Deisher,  Frank  A 1637 

Deisher,  Henry  K 1161 

Deisher,  LA 398 

Deisher,  Jacob  P 1637 

Delany,  George  W 583 

Dellecker,  George  W.  S 1119 

Dellinger,  Charles  T 1670 

DeLong,   David    609 

DeLong.  Ellwood  F 406 

DeLong  Families   404,  405,  815 

DeLong,  Howard  H .1166 

DeLong,  Irwin  D 406 

DeLong,  Irwin  H 1166 

DeLong,  Joseph  S 770 

DeLong,  Mrs.  Louisa  E 404 

DeLong,  Mrs.  Mary  H 771 

DeLong,   Milton   H'.    404 

DeLong,  Tilghman  406 

DeLong,  Victor  W 406 

Dengler  Families   397,  1138 

Dengler.    George    C 1138 

Dengler,  Prof.  John   G 398 

Dennison.  Robert  H.,   Sr 590 

Deppen,  Dr.  Daniel 803 


XVlll 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Deppen  Family   803 

Deppen,  Dr.  James  W 803 

Deppen,  Mrs.  Mary  A.   ..' 804 

Deppen,   Samuel  R.,   Esq 802 

Derr,   Cyrus   G 779 

Derr  Families    1389,  1645 

Derr,  Thomas  Luther   1389 

Detample,  J.    Edward 1553 

Detemple,   Joseph   G 1547 

Detemple,  Joseph,  Jr 1547 

Detsch,  Mrs.  Anna  Marie   1020 

Detsch,  John    1020 

Dettra,  Benjamin  F.  585 

DeTurck,  Abraham  K 1505 

De   Turck,   Charles   P 1507 

De   Turck.   Ezra   K 1505 

D:    Turck    (DeTurk)    Families 

493,  1086,  1503 

De  Turck.  Mahlon  L 1506 

De  Turck,  Morris  H 1504 

De  Turck,  Seth  L 1506 

De  Turck,  Sydney  M 908 

De  Turck,  Mrs.  Susan  K 1506 

De  Turk,  Amos  M 1358 

De  Turk,  Edwin  P 171S 

De  Turk,  Eugene  P 1086 

De  Turk  (De  Turck)   Families 

493,  1086.  1503 

De  Turk,  Jeremiah  M 492 

Devlan,  F.  D 15.76 

Dewees,  John   M 634 

Deysher,  Abner  S 1674 

Deyaher,  Ell-wood  H 810 

Deysher  (Deisher)  Families... 

398,  851,  1160,  1680 

Deysher,  Howard  B 851 

Deysher,   Isaac   D 11681 

Dibert,    Samuel  D 1187 

Dick,  Amos  L 744 

Dick,    Charles    K 745 

Dick,   Eli  D 745 

Dick    Family    744 

Dick,   Franklin   K 745 

Dick,  Henry   744 

Dick,  Mrs.  Mary  A 745 

Dick,  Nicholas   744 

Dickinson,   B.   Frank   1339 

Dickinson,  Joseph  R 517 

Dieffenbach  Families   474,  1615 

Dieffenbach.   Peter    1615 

Dieffenbach,  Samuel  W 474 

Diener  Brothers    7&'6 

Diener,   Henry  J 726 

Diener.  Irwin  A 726 

Dierolf  Family  489 

Dierolf,  Jeremiah    489 

Dietrich,  Alfred  K 562 

Dietrich,  Azariah   C 1014 

Dietrich,  Calvin  J 560 

Dietrich,  Charles  W 556 

Dietrich,   Daniel   F 556 

Dietrich.  Daniel  P 5E.5 

Dietrich,   Daniel   S 559 

Dietrich  Families    

552,  563,  692,  954,  1014,  14'46, 1651 

Dietrich,   Franklin   P 554 

Dietrich,  Henry  S 562 

Dietrich,  Howard   M 1446 

Dietrich,  Joel   D 1723 

Dietrich,  Joel  L 554 

Dietrich.   Col.   John    1651 

Dietrich,  Josiah  S 954 

Dietrich,   Lawson   G Erf30 

Dietrich,  Levi  F 556 

Dietrich,  Lewis  S 955 

Dietrich,  Mahlon  C 561 

Dietrich,  Robert  D 559 

Dietrich,  Samuel  A 559 

Dietrich,  Prof.  S.  P 559 


Dietrich,  Mrs.  Susanna 559 

Dietrich,  William  A 554 

Dietrich,  William  H 563 

Dietrich,  William  H.,  Jr 564 

Dietrich,   William   J 557 

Dietrich,  Wilson  G 560 

Dillon,   George   C 1099 

Dinino,  Pietro   1199 

Dinkel,    George    1169 

Dippery,  Nathaniel  S 1130 

Dippery,  Mrs.  Salesa  M 1130 

Dorward  Family   457 

Dorward,  Obadiah  B 457 

Dotterer,  Mathias  H 1195 

Dotterrer   Families    609,   1195 

Dotterrer,  Dr.   Charles  B 610 

Dotterrer,   Daniel   W 610 

Dowling.   Frank  M 993 

Drayer,  John  T 1083 

Dreas,   Charles   E 1163 

Dreibelbies,  Rev.  George  A.   .  .   497 

Dreibelbies,  Alfred  H 498 

Dreibelbies,   Ambrose    E 498 

Dreibelbies,    William    H 498 

Dreibelbis,  Alfred  S 1006 

Dreibelbis    (Dreibelbies)    Fam- 
ilies     496,    1534 

Dreibelbis,   Carrie   J 498 

Dreibelbis,  Cleophas  S 499 

Dreibelbis,  George  A 501 

Dreibelbis,   Gustavus 501 

Dreibelbis,   Jacob   D ' 500 

Dreibelbis,  Joel    500 

Dreibelbis,  John  S 1533 

Dreibelbis,   Perry  K 501 

Dreibelbis,  Dr.  Samuel  L 502 

Dresher    Family 1038 

Dresher,    John 1038 

Drey   (Dry)   Families   1395,  1716 

Drexel,   Mrs.  Anna  A 1435 

Drexel,  George  W 1695 

Drexel,  Howard  L 1046 

Drexel,    Reuben 1435 

Dries,    Worths    A 1063 

Driscoll,   Daniel  J 567 

Driscoll    Family 567 

Driscoll,  Rev.  John  A 567 

Druckenmiller,    Benj.    D 1527 

Drumheller,  Ammon  B 1675 

Drumheller  Families  1039,  1085,  1675 

Drumheller,    George 1675 

Drumheller,    Hiram    D 1085 

Drumheller,  Jacob  B 1675 

Drumheller,    Jeremiah 1676 

Drumheller,  John  H 1029 

Drumheller,   Mahlon   B 1675 

Dry   (Drey)   Families   ....1395,  1716 

Dry,  Hiram  F 1395 

Dry,    Nathan    1716 

Dubbs,    Tyrus    B 1703 

Dumn,    Amos   M 1570 

Dumn,  Clarence  C 1570 

Dumn,   J.   Frank    1570 

Dumn,   Harry  J 1571 

Dumn,   Wilson    M 1570 

Dundor,  Adam  B.,  M.  D 358 

Dundor,  Adam  E 883 

Dundor   Family    358 

Dundore,    Mrs.    Amanda    1579 

Dundore,  Dr.  Darius  W 1579 

Dundore,  David  D 1579 

Dundore  Families   358,  883,  1577 

Dundore,   Jacob   K 1578 

Dundore,   James   A 1635 

Dundore,   Samuel  E 1578 

Dunkel,    Daniel 939 

Dunkel    Families 

477,    851,    939,    1507 

Dunkel,  Peter  H 1507 


Dunkel,   Solomon   G 851 

Dunkelberger   Family 1706 

Dunkelberger,  Howard  H 1707 

Dunkelberger,  John  L 1706 

Dunkelberger,  Dr.  Nathaniel  Z.  1706 

Dunkelberger,  Samuel  G 1130 

Dunkle,    Allen    H 770 

Dunkle    Families    477,    1507 

Dunkle,    Samuel    L 477 

Dunkle,   Wayne    770 

Dunlap,    Alvin 595 

Durham,  Dr.  Albert  R 489 

Duser,  Jacob 1632 

Eaches,  Jesse  E 983 

Eaches,    Marcus    B 509 

Eagelman,  C.  F 978 

Earl,    Samuel   F 1577 

Early    Family .- 443 

Early,   Rev.   John   W 444,   1638 

Eberly    Family 649 

Eberly,   Harry   E 1205 

Eberly,  Joseph 649 

Eberly,  Samuel 649 

Ebling   Family    835 

Ebling,    Obadiah 835 

Eck,    Charles 13^1 

Eck,  Jacob 1146 

Eck,   Mrs.    Susan 1146 

Eckenroad,    Adam 1610 

Eckenroad  (Eckenroth)  Family.  1609 

Eckenroad,  Francis  H 1544 

Eckenroad,    George    S 1609 

Eckenroth,  Albert  L 1609 

Eckenroth  (Eckenroad)  Family.  1609 

Eckert,    Aaron 879 

Eckert,    Capt.    Conrad 796 

Eckert  Families   346,  825,  878 

Eckert,  George  B 797 

Eckert,  George  J 825 

Eckert,   Henry   S 798 

Eckert,    Isaac 346 

Eckert,   Isaac    (Born  1800) 796 

Eckert,  Mrs.  Mary  T 797 

Eckert,    John 796 

Eckert,    Peter    796 

Eckert,  Mrs.  Rebecca  G 825 

Eckert,    Valentine 798 

Eckert,    William    J 878 

Eckert,   William   K 347 

Edinger   Families 837,    843 

Edinger,   Levi 837 

Edinger,   William   C 843 

Ege,    George 332 

Ege,  John,  M.  D 1636 

Egolf,  John   H 1236 

Ehst  Family 374 

Ehst,    Irwin    T 374 

Eichler,  Hugo 1436 

Filer,   Howard   1 1669 

Eisenbise,  William 1202 

Eisenbrown    Family 340 

Eisenbrown,  Penrose  F 340 

Eisenbrown,  Mrs.  Sarah  S 341 

Eisenhower,    James 1489 

EJIiott    Family 335 

Emes,    Adam 870 

Em'es    Family 870 

Emrich,    Elias 992 

Emrich   Families    580,    992 

Emrich,  Levi  J 579 

Endlich,   Gustav   A.,  LL.   D 793 

Endy    Family    828 

Endy,  James  M lis? 

Endy,    John    L 828 

Engel  Families   973,  1540 

Engel,  Jacob  S 973 

Engel,   Lyman   G 1540 

Engle   Families    376,   1197 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Engle,    William 1197 

Engle,  William  (Reading) 376 

Ensslen,    Mrs.    Mary 1090 

Ensslen,    Rudolph 1090 

Epler,   Harrison   R 1358 

Epler,   John    P 723 

Erb    Family    1480 

Erb,    Nathaniel    G 1480 

Ermold,  William  S 1723 

Ernst,   George    1519 

Ernst,  J.  George    983 

Ernst,    Martin J.524 

Ermentrout,  Mrs.  Adelaide  L. . .  760 

Ermentrout,  Hon.  Daniel 757 

Ermentrout    Families 757,    1633 

Ermentrout,   James    N 343 

Ermentrout,  John  S. 351 

Ermentrout,   William   H 1633 

Eschbach,   Aaron    S 1376 

Eschbach   Family 1376 

Eschelman,   J.   Howard 1104 

Esenwein,   Dr.   A 733 

Eschbach    Family 795 

Eschbach,  Levi  R 795 

Eschbach,    Peter    B 795 

Eshelman,  Mrs.  Emeline  B 663 

Eshelman  Families   ..662,  1104,  1678 

Eshelman,  Henry  R 662. 

Eshelman,    John    J 1678 

Esser    Family 873 

Esser,  Jacob  B 873 

Essick,  Joseph  W 957 

Esterly,  Daniel  S 623 

Esterly  Families 546,   623 

Esterly,  Harry  S 1122 

Esterly,    John    S 1241 

Esterly,    Romanus 546 

Evans,    Charles 333 

Evans,  Charles  V.  R 711 

Evans   Family 1090 

Evans,.  Hannah 1091 

Evans,    Jane 711 

Evans,   John   H 713 

Evans,  John  V.  R 1090 

Everts,  Garrett  B 470 

Fahrbach,  John  A 1448 

Fahrenbach,   Charles   W 580 

Fahrenbach,   George   D 580 

Fahrenbach,  George  W.,  M.  D..  581 

Farr,    Bertrand    H 547 

Farr    Family 547 

Faust,  Allen  E 1228 

Faust,  John  K 1118 

Feather,   M.    S 1305 

Feather,  William  C 1035 

Fegley,  Amandus  N.,  M.  D 403 

Fegley,  Emma  S 1211 

Fegley  Families  402,  1174,  1211,  1357 

Fegley,    George 1211 

Fegley,  Lewis   P.  G 1357 

Fegley,  Thomas  J.  R 1174 

Felix    Family 637 

Felix,   George   H 637 

Fenstermacher,   Edwin  R 1460 

Fenstermacher  Families. ..  .478,  1460 

Fenstermacher,    John    D 1550 

Fenstermacher,   John    P.    S 478 

Ferguson,    Nathaniel    1331 

Ferguson,    Wilson 1321 

Fessler,   Irvin   P 1597 

Fessler,   Thomas   J 1136 

Fichthorn,    Andrew 1392 

Fichthorn,    Clara    C 1293 , 

Fichthorn,    Eflfenger    R 1333 

Fichthorn  Families 598,  1323 

Fichthorn,  George  L 995 

Fichthorn,    James    597 

Fichthorn,  Mrs.  Susan  M 995 


Fidler   Families    746,    1663 

Fidler,   Henry   F 1663 

Fidler,    William 746 

Field   Family    853 

Field,   George    617 

Field,    William    W 853 

Filbert,  Charles  F 372 

Filbert,   Edward  H 372 

Filbert  Families  372,  1094,  1573 

Filbert,    George 1573 

Filbert,  Dr.  George  W 1574 

Filbert,   Hiester  W 1575 

Filbert,    James 1575 

Filbert,   John,   Jr 1575 

Filbert,   Martin   S 1574 

Filbert,    Thomas 1575 

Filbert,    William    A 1613 

Filbert,   William   D 1094 

Fink,  Dr.  Allen  J 714 

Fink,   Andrew   J.,   Jr 455 

Fink,  Andrew  J.,   Sr 455 

Fink,   Henry  J 1013 

Fink,   John 1655 

First  Baptist  Church,  Reading.  .1383 
First   U.    E.   Church,   Reading.  .1700 

Fischer     (Fisheir)     Families 

431,    434,    508,    511,    636,    837,    880 
934,    1156,    1285 

Fisher,   Absalom   H 1084 

Fisher,  Adam  M 1156 

Fisher,    A.    W 626 

Fisher,  Charles  M 837 

Fisher,    Daniel    D 421 

Fisher    (Fischer)    Families 431, 

434,    508,     511,    626,    837,    880, 
924,    1156,    1285 

Fisher,   Henry   G 1016 

Fisher,    Jeremiah 881 

Fisher,    Jeremiah   B 1286 

Fisher,  John  W.   (deceased)  .508,  511 

Fisher,    John    W 1236 

Fisher,    J.    Wilmer 434 

Fisher,    Mrs.    Leah 881 

Fisher,  Nicholas  H 924 

Fisher,  Dr.  Oliver  H 719 

Fisher,    Reily   L 881 

Fisher,  Rosa  E 881 

Fisher,   Samuel   R 881 

Fisher,  Wesley  H 1084 

Fisher,  William  B 1286 

Fisher,  William  E 511 

Fisk,    William   E 1577 

Fix,    Charles   H 1395 

Flaig,  Joseph  F 1398 

Flannery,  John  A 893 

Flatt,  George  W 440 

Flatt,  Joseph  O.,  Sr 439 

Flatt,   Joseph   0 440 

Fleckner,    George 1138 

Fleisher,   Michael   F 1059 

Flicker,    Augustus    S 601 

Flicker,  Mrs.  Emma  M 602 

Flicker  Family   , 601 

Flickinger,   Christian    S 934 

Flickinger,    Martin    M 1638 

Flower,    Samuel 1486 

Focht,   Amos 880 

Focht,    Benjamin 1545 

Focht    Brothers 880 

Focht   Families 375,    443,    1545 

Focht,    Jacob 880 

Focht,   James    S 443 

Focht,   Levi    H 375 

Folger.    Walter -. 1492 

Folk,  Charles  A 1624 

Folk,   John  R 1530 

Foos,  Charles   S 436 

Foos,    George 436 

Foreman,    Daniel    B 981 


Fornwald,    Reily    M 947 

Forry,   William  -F 1118 

Fortna,  Henry  D 1125 

Foutz,  Sherman  S 471 

Fox,  Aaron  G 961 

Fox,  Cyrus  T 1394 

Fox   Families 961,   1398,   1544 

Fox,    Frederick    S 1426 

Fox,  James  E 1544 

Fox,    Joseph    D 1398 

Frame,  A.   L 686 

Frame,    Charles   N 638 

Frame    Families 638,    1399 

Frame,  John  M 1399 

Frankhauser,    Fremont    W 1569 

Franks,    Alfred 1696 

Franks,    Cyrus    L 1696 

Frasso,    R.    A 1373 

Frauenfelder,  W.  Adam   935 

Frederick,  William  J 1039 

Freeman,  Charles  W 579 

Freeman  Families    578,  1065 

Freeman,  James   L 578 

Freeman,  Solomon   1065i 

Frees.  Mrs.  Lizzie  S.   (Hatt)   .1043 

Frees,  William  R 1116 

Fretz,  Dr.  Abraham  N 389 

Frey,  Daniel  F 1663' 

Frey     (Fry)     Families 442,    1662 

Freyberger    Family    1629 

Freyberger,  George  W 1629 

Frick.   William   1 1666 

Fricker,   Ellsworth    1502 

Fricker.    George   W 1676 

Fricker,  Jacob    368 

Fricker,  Jacob   B 368 

Fricker,  Mrs.  Louisa   1676 

Fries,    George   W 1522 

Fries,   Jacob    948 

Fries.  John  M 740 

Fritch    Families    823,    824,    1633 

Fritch,  Jeremiah  T 823 

Fritch,   Levi   L 1633 

Fritch,    Dr.    Milton   L 824 

Fritz.  Augustus    1536 

Fritz,  Edwin   1418 

Fritz,   Eli    1444 

Fritz  Families..  1063,  1418,  1444,  1536 

Fritz,  George  F 690 

Fritz,  Henry  F 690 

Fritz,   John   S 1093 

Fritz,    Lewis    G 689 

Fritz,   Mrs.   Lovina  Y 1444 

Fritz.  Martin  H 1063 

Fritz,    Samuel    E 1103 

Fritz,   Sylvester  F 1534 

From,  William  H 921 

From   (Fromm)   Family   921 

Fromm.  Thomas   H 1243 

Fronheiser,    Charles    Y 1380 

Fronheiser    Family    1380 

Fry  (Frey)  Families 443,  1662 

Fry,   Henry   H 442 

Fry,  Keyser  800 

Frymire,   John    1338 

Fulmer,    Samuel    H 1425 

Fulton,   Andrew    M 827 

Fulton,  Mrs.  Catherine   R.    .  . .   626 

Fulton   Family    626 

Fulton.  William  M 626 

Funk  Families    485,   1311 

Funk,   James    B 485 

Funk,    Dr.   John    H 1311 

Furlow,    Henry    K 737 

Gabel.    Daniel    G 1&'81 

Gabel,    Daniel    L 1281 

Gabel.   Ephraim    G 1281 

Gabel  (Gable)   Families   ..397,  1280 


XX 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Gabel,    Mrs.    Mary  A 1282 

Gable   (Gabel)    Families    .397,   1280 

Gable,   Rev.   Zenas   H 397 

Gaenzle    Family    577 

Gaenzle,   John    577 

Gailey    Family    1715 

Gailey,  George  A. 1715 

Ganger   Family    664 

Ganger,   George   P 664 

Ganster,   Ed.   C 1157 

Ganster,   Mrs.   Emma   R 994 

Ganster  ■  Families    1157,   1516 

Ganster,   George  A 993 

Ganster,   Joseph    1708 

Ganster,   Lewis    1516 

Ganter,  Joseph   B 1586 

Gartmann,    Frederick    1189 

Gartmann,    Mrs.    Gertrude    ...1189 

Gass,   Mrs.    Charity    882 

Gass.    Henry    1386 

Gass,    Jacob    882 

Gass,   James    88S' 

Gaul.    Benneville    M 677 

Gaul  Families  ...677,  879,  1232,  1533 

Gaul,   Franklin   M 879 

Gaul.   George   S 1533 

Gaul,   James   M 1231 

Gebhard,   Charles   W 987 

Gebhard,   Mrs.   Sarah  A 987 

Gebhart,   Jacob    866 

Geehr  Family   952 

Geehr.   Kat^ie    L 953 

Geehr,    Thomas    B 953 

Geehr,  Titus  E 953 

Gehman  Families   811,  1023,  1039 

Gehman,   Franklin   B 1039 

Gehman,   Peter   B 1024 

Gehman,   Samuel    B 1024 

Gehman,   Rev.   William    811 

Gehret,    Benton    R 1341 

Gehret,    John     1228 

Gehris   Family    1597 

Gehris,    Joseph    L 1597 

Gehris,  L.  Howard  537 

Gehris.  Mahlon   E 114S 

Gehris,  Dr.   Oscar  T 1541 

Gehrke,  Herbert  W.  S 1319 

Gehrke,    William   L 1319 

Geiger,   Ezra   D'.    685 

Geiger    Families    685,    1333 

Geiger,    George    H 993 

Geiger,  Lewis  J 1333 

Geiger,    Wellington    D 685 

Geigley,    George    838 

Geisewite,    H.    F 1415 

Geisewite,   Percival   F 1130 

Geiss,   Morris   J 904 

Geissler,   Christian  W 958 

Geissler.  John   G 415 

Geist    Family    813 

Geist,  Henry  S 813 

Genner,    Alfred   J 1364 

George.   Daniel   S 1308 

George    Family    1308 

George,   Rev.  Jonathan  V.    ...1309 

George,    Samuel    1309 

Gerber,    Edwin    R 436 

Gerhard    Families    988,   1298 

Gerhard,   Rev.   George  W.    ...   458 

Gerhard,  Jamies  R.,  M.  D 1297 

Gerhard,  Milton  J 988 

Gerhardt   (Gerhart)   Family...   534 

Gerhardt,  Howard  E 534 

Gerhart    (Gerhardt)      Families 

399,    534,    1437 

Gerhart,    Franklin    W.    639 

Gerhart,  George  W 400 

Gerhart,  John   P 1437 

Gerhart,  Peter  W.,  Jr 399 


Gerhart,  Mrs.  Sarah  A 639 

German,  William  H 1221 

Gery,   Allen   G 972 

Gery,  Erwin  C 483 

Gery  Families   ..483,  1329 

Gery,    William   A 1329 

Gettis.  Oliver  S 1129 

Getz  Family   339 

Getz,  Hon.  James  K 339 

Getz,    J.    Lawrence 810 

Gibson,    William    H 1490 

Gicker,    Edward   A 1152 

Gicker,  James  M 1042 

Gift,  John  M.   .  .  ; 1247 

Gilbert  Families    359,   739  • 

Gilbert,   John   W 359 

Gilbert,  Milton  Z 739 

Gittelman,  John  J.  K 1592 

Glaes    Family    459 

Glaes,  John  G 459 

Glase.  Alfred  W 683 

Glase   Families    683,   721,    858 

Glase,  James  L 858 

Glase,   J.   0 721 

Glass,   Mrs.   Catharine 1202 

Glass,    George 1202 

Glass,  Martin  W 1248 

Glasser    Family 1696 

Glasser,  Jacob   1697 

Glasser,  Jacob  D 1696 

Glassmeyer,  William  R 1245 

Gnau,    Jacob 1384 

Godfrey,    Hamilton    1020 

Goetz,  Ferdinand 540 

Goetz,    Fred   W 541 

Goldman,    Edmund 1068 

Goldman,    William    1 946 

Gonser,  John  R 1718 

Good    Family 1649 

Good,  Dr.  Franklin  H 1348 

Good,  Jefferson  T 1649 

Good,   William   A 347 

Goodhart  Families   999,  1510 

Goodhart,   Frederick 999 

Goodhart,  Reuben  1510 

Goodhart,  Reuben   (2) 1510 

Goodhart,   Reuben   D 1510 

Goodhart,  Victor  L 1246 

Goodman,    Daniel 1216 

Goodman,    James 1479 

Goodman,  John  E 773 

Gordon,    David   F 357 

Gossler,    Andrew 1521 

Gottschall,    Clinton . . .' 1207 

Gottschall  Families  653,  903, 1075, 1207 

Gottschall,    Henry    S 653 

Gottschall,  Frank  B 1075 

Gottschall,    Jacob   C 903 

Gougler    Family    931 

Gougler,    James    1 931 

Graeff,    Beniamin 1334 

Graefif    Family    1354 

Graeff,    George 611 

Graeff,  George  M.   (deceased)..  611 

Graeff,   George  M 539 

Graeff,    Isaac 1354 

Graeff,   Isaac   L 1351 

Graeff.  Samuel  L 1345 

Grant,  Jeremiah  K 1324 

Granz,    August , 702 

Grater    (Crater)    Family 362 

Graul,    Charles    F 1431 

Graul  Families    848,   1431 

Graul,    George 695 

Graul,    Mary 695 

Graul,  William  L 848 

Green,   Hon.   Henry   D 1243 

Greenawald,   Benjamin  F 1619 


Greenawald   (Greenawalt)   Fam- 
ilies     1588,  1619 

Greenawald,  John   S 1591 

Greenawalt,   Edgar    D 1590 

Greenawalt,    James    V 1591 

Gregg,    Gen.   David    McM 334 

Gregg    Family, 334 

Gregory   Family 469 

Gregory,    George    R 469 

Greiss    (Griess)    Families  1117,  1481 

Grei^,  Jacob  F 1481 

Gresh    Family 1369 

Gresh,  James  B 1369 

Greth,  Charles  A 1614 

Greth    Family 1612 

Greth,  Isaac  C 1613 

Greth,    Samuel    U 1613 

Griesemer,    Cla3rton    B 1713 

Grieseraer,    Eli    B 1421 

Griesemer  Families   1377,   1422,   1713 

Griesemer,  Jacob  L 1422 

Griesemer,    Joseph    M 1378 

Grieshaber,    William 1170 

Griess   (Greiss)  Families.  .1117,  1481 

Griess,  James  H.  S 1117 

Griffith,  Augustus   M 1186 

Griffith,    Biram 1186 

Griffith  Family 1185 

Griffith,  Hiram  M 1186 

Griffith,    Wayne    F 1186 

Grill,  Adam  F.  E 465 

Grill,   Daniel   M 743 

Grill   Families    .465,   633,    1051,   1550 

Grill,    Frank    M 1550 

Grill,  F.  Pierce  D 1051 

Grill,    John    M . :  : 778 

Grill,   Martin  D 633 

Grim,   Daniel   P 1304 

Grim  Families    382,  654,  1304 

Grim,  Miss   Mabella 382 

Grim,    Moses    K 654 

Grim,    William   K 381 

Grimes,    Peter 933 

Grimley,  Oliver  P 1314 

Gring,   Charles  H 1561 

Gring  Families    372,  1429,  1560 

Gring;   Franklin    H 1561 

Gring,  Harry  R 1429 

Gring,   Lewis   W 1562 

Gring,    Samuel    H 372 

Griscom    Family 392 

Griscomi,  Rachel   D 393 

Griscom,    Samuel 392 

Griscom,  William  M 393 

Grohman,  Frederick  W.   E 1340 

Groman,   Israel   K 645 

Gross,   Mrs.    Christiana 1314 

Gross,    David 1313 

Gross,  David  G 868 

Grube,   John    1072 

Gruber,    Adam    R 863 

Gruber,  Christian  1004 

Gruber,    Alandon    J 1462 

Gruber,    Calvin    L 1001 

Gruber,  Christian,  Line  of    1004 

Gruber   Families    

863,    917,    1000,    1001,    1462 

Gruber,  George  B 917 

Gruber,    Henry 1001 

Gruber,  Michael  A 1000 

Gruber,  Mrs.  Rosa  K 864 

Gruber,  Simon,  Line  of  1005 

Guldin,   Abraham 1053 

Guldin,  Charles  R 1671 

Guldin,   Cyrus  Q 692 

Guldin,  David  Y 1054 

Guldin,    Mrs.    Esther 1603 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


XXI 


Guldin  Families   

451,  784,  846,  1053,  1671 

Guldin   Genealogy    784 

Guldin,   George  Y 1054 

Guldin,  James  H 717 

Guldin,  Jeremiah   R 1602 

Guldin,    John 1603 

Guldin,  John   R 431 

Guldin,  John  Y 1054 

Guldin,    Mary   A 1603 

Guldin,   Mrs.   Sarah   B 1053 

Gundry,  Prof.  G.  Hard 1480 

Guss.   Samuel   M 1432 

Guth,  Amos   S 1024 

Guth   Family 1024 

•    '  U  -1.1  .    I       • J    ,  . 

Haag,   A.    W 607 

Haage,   George   De   T 1183 

Haak   Family    624 

Haak,   George   E 624 

Haas,   Allison   F 1205 

Haas,   Franklin    1121 

Haas,    Isaac    897 

Hackman,   Henry  D.    1179 

Hafer,  Ammon  L 581 

Hafer,    Edward    E 1176 

Hafer   Families    

581,    839,    840,    902,    1147,    1176 

Hafer,  Howard  M 902 

Hafer,  James  W 840 

Hafer,   Lewis   M 839 

Hafer,   Samuel   L 582 

Hafer,    William    B 1147 

Hagenman,   George   F.    550 

Hagenman,  Judge  Jeremiah  333,  550 

Hagy,   Bennewell    1175 

Hagy,  Mrs.  Sallie  A 1175 

Hagy,   William    693 

Hahn,  E.  D 926 

Hahn,   Rev.   Frederick  B 5S2 

Hahn,  Mrs.  R.  Ella   523 

Hain,  Abraham  U 849 

H^in,   Benjamin   A 895 

Hain,  David  H.,  M.  D.   661 

Hain   Families    

572,    834,     844,     849,     895,     949 

Hain,   Jacob    949 

Hain,  James   M 850 

Hain,  Dr.   Leonard   G 572 

Hain,   Lewis   J 834 

:Hain,    Milton    1 896 

Hain,  Peter  A 1037 

Hain     Richard    844 

Hainly  Family   615 

Hainly,  Joel  W 615. 

Halbeisen,   Henry   A 1553 

Haller,   Henry    779 

Hamilton,   Robe'rt  T 1153 

Hamm,    Charles     1420 

Hantsch,   G.   Sam   832 

"Hantsch,    James    N 1576 

Hantsch,  Mrs.   Rebecca  J.    ...1577 

Harbach,    Charles   A 1436 

Harbold  Families    1640,  1712 

Harbold,  Horace  Y 1712 

Harbold,  Samuel  B 1640 

Harbster,  Mrs.  Ellen    528 

"Harbster    Family    528 

Harbster,  Howard  E 486 

Harbster,  John   E 1384 

Harbster,  Matthan    536 

THarbster,  William    5S'8 

Hare,  Mrs.  Clara  L 1491 

Haring,  Daniel  E 1197 

"Harner,    Augustus    428 

Harner,   D.   Z 1475 

Harner  Families    428,  1061,  1475 

:Harner,    Frank    1061 


Harnish,   Martin    967 

Harrison,  George  W 1677 

Harrison,   Henry  K 1677 

Hart,  G.   Howard   1698 

Hart,  Harry  E 1473 

Hartgen,   Edward   A 1152 

Hartline,  Dr.  Charles  H.' 1306 

Hartline   Family    1306 

Hartline,  George  C 1307 

H'artline,  Warren  D 1306 

Hartman,  Adam    1189 

Hartraan,  Ammon  S 447 

Hartman,   Charles   R 1444 

Hartman,  Daniel  H 1155 

Hartman,  Daniel  1 1487 

Hartman,  Ephraim  R 446 

Hartman  Families   

445,    936,    937,    941,    994,    1154, 
1155,    1364,    1445,    1487 

Hartman,    Frank    0 938 

Hartman,  Frederick  S 941 

Hartman,  George  H 994 

Hiartman,  George  W 937 

Hartman,  Grant  1641 

Hartman,  Harrison   E 938 

Hartman,  Irvin  H 937 

Hartman,   James    Y 1364 

Hartman,  John  D.  L 937 

Hartman,  John   S 764 

Hartman,  Levi  R 446 

Hartman,  Mrs.  Lizzie  K 1642 

Hartman,    Sidney   J 446 

Hartman,    Samuel    M 1154 

Hartman,   Winfield   L 938 

Hartmann  Family 1349 

Hartmann,  Henry  J 1349 

Hassler,  Augustus   B 761 

H'assler,  Ezra  S 494 

Hassler  Family   494 

Hath  or  Hatt  Families  ...948,  1042 

Hatt,   Jacob    G 948 

Hatt,    Samuel    G 1042 

Hauder,  Mrs.  Catharine  E 919 

Hauder,   William    R 919 

Haueisen,    Charles    A 1217 

Hauser,   Michael    1044 

Hawk,  Charles  A 1091 

Hawk,    George    W 370 

Hlawley.  Jesse   G 472 

Hawman.  Albert  H 1S77 

H'awman,  Penrose  W 1276 

Haws,   John  W 15.76 

Haws,    Mrs.    Mary   A 1576 

Heberle,   William    784 

Hebner,  Samuel  S 1520 

Hechler     Family 428 

Hechler,  William  F 428 

Hecht.  Edward   C 950 

Hecht,  Mrs.  Matilda   952 

Heckler,    Charles   T 1464 

Heckman,  Adam  M 1539 

Heckman,   Daniel   W 1113 

Heckman  Families    .1019,  1112,  1539 

Heckman.   Harry  A 1112 

Heckman,  Harry  R 1113 

Heckman,  Jeremiah  W 1019 

Heckman,   Monroe    1019 

Heckman.   William   A 1614 

Heffelfinger.   George   W 1693 

Heffner,   Abraham    688 

Heffner,   Daniel   A .616 

Heffner  Families   616,  688,  691 

Heffner,    Franklin   D 691 

Heil,  Samuel  D 804 

Heil.   Mrs.   Susanna    804 

Heilig.  Mrs.    Carolina 1435 

Heilig,  Elizabeth  M.  B 1079 

Heilig,  Francis  M 1078 

Heilig,   Nathaniel    1435 


Heilman,    Adam    1385 

Heilman,   Charles   F 1511 

Hein,  James   H K647 

Heine,   Gregory   869 

Heine,   S.   Julia    1508 

Heinly,  David   L 531 

Heinly,  Enoch  J.  ■ 1230 

Heinly  Families    620,   1230 

Heinly,  Harvey  F 619 

Heinly,  John  E 532' 

Heinly,  William  0 522 

Heins  Family  457 

Heins,   Mary   457 

Heins,  Col.  William 457 

Heisler,  John    1407 

Heisler,    Mary    1407 

Heistand  Family   1382 

Heistand,  Harvey  S 1382 

Heizmann,  Albert  A 666 

Heizmann,  Dr.  Charles  L 665 

Heizmann,  Charles  R 665 

Heizmann     Family 664 

Heizmann,  Theodore  1 655 

Heizmann.  William  A 666 

Helder,  William  B 1090 

Heller    Families    952,   975 

Heller,  F.  P 952 

Heller,  Henry  A 975 

Hemmich,  Thomas  F 998 

Hemmig  Families. .  .931,  1013,  1334 

Hemmig,  Francis  M 1013 

Hemmig,  Francis  Y 931 

Hemmig,  Harrison    H 1334 

Hiendel,  Mrs.  Catharine 648 

Hendel,  Daniel  J 648 

Hendel,  Edwin  F 649 

Hendel,  Harrison  P 648 

Hendel,  John   648 

Hendel,  George   564 

Hendricks,  John  S 989 

Hendricks,  William  H 1440 

Htenne,  Charles  W '. . .   605 

Heller   Families    953,   975 

Henne,  Howard  F 605 

Hienne,  Jacob  W 1123 

Henne,  Oscar  D 466 

Henninger,  Hiram  L 1018 

Henninger,  Hunter 1191 

Henninger,  John  H 763 

Henry,  Amandus  E 1664 

Henry,  Cyrus  G 829 

Henry  Families    493,   1338,  1517 

Henry,  Rev.  Jonas  0 492 

Henry,  Lewis  R 1517 

Henry,  Prof.  Samuel  1 1338 

Hepler,  Irvin  E 1440 

Hepler,  John   C 766 

Hiepner.  Joseph  S 932 

Herb    Families     1486,    1710 

Herb,  Henry  G 1711 

Herb,  Hiram  1486 

Herb,   Willoughby  H 1710 

Herbein.  Charles  G 1205 

Herbein,  Daniel  M 1413 

Herbein  Families    385,   506,   1413 

Herbein,   James    B 1413 

Herbein,  Rev.  M.  L 984 

Herbein,   Oscar  B.,  M.   D.    ...   385 

Herbine,  Charles    506 

Herbine,  Charles  W 506 

Herbine,  Ezra  H 723 

Herbine,  John   G 1051 

Herbst,  Dr.  Edwin  M 437 

Herbst  Family 437 

Herbster,  William  0 1139 

Herman,   Charles  D 123'6 

Herman    Families     613,    1226 

Herman.  George  C 614 

Herr,'  Abram,  D.  D.  S 507 


xxu 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Herr  Family   507 

Hertwig,   George   H 1050 

Hertwig,  H.  A 1050 

Hertzog,  David   640 

Hertzog.  Mrs.  Margaret  641 

Hertzog,'  William  R 1548 

Heston,  Augustus   815 

Heston,  Mrs.  Caroline  D 815 

Hettinger,  Edwin  L 721 

Heydt,  Abraham  M 1596 

Heydt   Families    1407,    1596 

Heydt,  Henry  B 1596 

Heydt,  Isaac  F 1407 

Hickman.  Glendeur,  D.  D.  S.  . .   534 

Hiester,  Adam  W 1692 

Hiester,  Daniel  F 977 

Hiester,  Edward  K 353 

Hiester.   Eli   E 1403 

Hiester   Families    

352,   510,   755,    1061,    1403 

Hiester,  Gabriel  (1749-18S'4)  . . .  756 
Hiester,  Gabriel  (1779-1834)...   326 

Hiester,  Harry  K 1061 

Hiester,  Isaac  756 

Hiester,  Dr.  Isaac  757 

Hiester,  John  A 510 

Hiester,    Capt.   John   A 716 

Hiester,  John  K 353 

Hiester.  Joseph   32'6 

Hiester,  Thomas  K 353 

Hiester,  William  M.   (1818-1878) 

331,    756,    1692 

High,  A.  M 381 

High,  Charles  P 531 

High,  Conrad  B 1064 

High,  David  K '617 

High,  Ezra   785 

High    (Hoch)    Families    

381,    617,    1341,    1439,    1582 

High,  James   M 409 

High,  Peter  K 1582 

High,  Samuel  H,.   1584 

High,  Brig.-Gen.  William   785 

High   (Hoch),  William  M 1439 

High,  William  P 785 

High,  William  R 617 

Hilbert.   Henry   E 1217 

Hildebrand,   P.   H 1085 

Hill,  Charles  F 1116 

Hill,  Charles  S 1632 

Hill,    Daniel    B 1244 

Hill,  Mrs.   Emma  B 808 

Hill,  Ephraim  Y 1348 

Hill    Families    

914,    1089,   1116,   1348,   1406 

Hill,  James  M 914 

Hill,   James   S 807 

Hill,   Jonas   F 1089 

Hill,  Samuel  J 1405 

Hiltebeitel.  Mrs.  Elizabeth 1317 

Hiltebeitel,  Jesse  1317 

Himmelberger  Family 772 

Himmelberger,  Franklin  R.  . . .   772 

Hine,   Charles   H 1714 

Hine    Family    1714 

Hinkle,   Mrs.   Amanda    1228 

Hinnershitz,  Mrs.  Catherine  . .  689 
Hinnershitz  Families    ....689,  1301 

Hinnershitz,  Frederick  A 689 

Hinnershitz,  Peter  A 1302 

Hinnershitz,  William  E.  S.   ...1302 

Hinnershitz,  William  R 1087 

Hintz,  J.  George  1207 

Hipsch,  Martin  H 1518 

Hirner,   Mrs.   Chiristiana   722 

Hirner,  Henry  C 72'2 

Hirshland,  Solomon  1202 

Hobart,  Nathaniel  P 351 

Hoch,  Daniel  D 1584 


Hoch   (High)   Families   

381,  617,  1341,  1439,  1582 

Hoch,  Gideon  A.  D 1583 

Hoch,  Henry  R 1415 

Hoch,  Jacob  V.   R 1585 

Hoch,  Maberry  S 1585 

Hoch,  Martin  R 1341 

Hoch,   Philip   D 15fi3 

Hoch   (High),  William  M 1439 

Hoflfa  -Family    1006 

Hoffa.  Isaac    1006 

Hoffeditz,  Mrs.  Clara  C 1128 

Hoffeditz   Families    1128,    1670 

Hoffeditz,  John  C 1128 

Hoff ert   Families.   1472,    1549 

Hoffert,  Moses  M 1472 

Hoffert,  Nelson   1549 

Hoffman,   Charles  P 429 

Hoffman.  Dr.  Christian  N.    . . .   379 

Hoffman,  Mrs.  Ellen  A 355,  380 

Hoffman  Families    

380,  425,  844,  983,  1135,  1362,  1640 

Hoffman,   Franklin  W 1135 

Hoffman,  George   R 1640 

Hoffman,  Jacob  D 425 

Hoffman,  John  H 1362 

Hoffman,  John  P 983 

Hoffman,  Michael  W 1135 

Hoffman,  Rev.  P.  P.  A 430 

Hoffman,  R.  Monroe   445 

Hoffman,  Samuel  F 844 

Hoffmann,  Mrs.  Augusta 751 

Hoffmann,    Emil 751 

Hoffmaster,  Henry  1637 

Hofmann    Family 657 

Holl,   Elizabeth    684 

Holl,  Mrs.  Esther   1517 

Boll   Families    1159,   1523 

Holl,  Henry 1517 

Holl,  Mark  D 1159 

Holl,  Peter  S 1523 

Holl.  Samuel  684 

Hollenbach,   Benjamin   F 1405 

Hollenbach,  Charles  M 1628 

Hollenbach  Families  609,  734,  1S82 

Hollenbach,  George  K.  ._. 733 

Hollenbach,  Isaac ~ 608 

Hollenbach,   Jacob    1282 

Hollenbach.  William  J 1282 

Hollenback,  William  S 1021 

Hollis,  W.  G 700 

Holmes,  Joseph  W 1111 

Holtry,  Mrs.  Adeline  G 971 

Holtry,  Daniel    971 

Holzman,  J.  Adam 1203 

Homan,  Charles  A 1303 

Homan   Family    130£' 

Homan,  John  L 1303 

Homan,  Samuel   1303 

Honeker,  Andrew   607 

Hoover  Family   1036  . 

Hoover,   Roger   S 894 

Hoover,  Samuel  S 103S 

Hoppes,  Charles  H 1013 

Hoppes   Family   1013 

Hornberger,  Charles  B 1619 

Hornberger,  Cyrus  D 1617 

Hornberger  Family    1616 

Hornberger,  Harry  G 1617 

Hornberger,  Joseph   D 1618 

Hornberger,  Josephus  S.   .....1617 

Horning,  Aaron   '  . .  .  .105i6 

Horning,  Mrs.   Clara   770 

Horning   Family    1054 

Horning,   Isaac   Z 1055 

Horning,  Jeremiah   lO'iS 

Horning,  John  B 1056 

Horning,   Wesley    770 

Horst,  Amos  956 


H/ossler  Family   462 

Hossler,  Fred  B 462 

Hottenstein   Family   1076 

Houck  Family  1687 

Houck,  Hon.  Thomas  J.  R 1687 

Howden,   Edward    1032 

Howden,  Mrs.  Lavina 1033 

Howerter,  Samuel   K 1375 

Hoyer  Families    971,  1093,  1410 

Hoyer,   Helen  A 1411 

Hoyer,   Henry    1410 

Hoyer,  Isaac  S 971 

Hoyer,  Isaiah 1411 

Hoyer,  John   1411 

Hoyer,  William    1093 

Huber,  Charles  M 1670 

Huber,   Henry    743 

Hubley,  Edward  B 334 

Huesman,  Henry  J 1038 

Hull.   Charles   Barton    971 

Hull:   George  A 1314 

Humbert,   Rev.   David   K 1226 

Humbert  Families    455,  1227 

Humbert,  George  D 455 

Humma,  Henry    1010 

Hunsberger,  Charles  G 1325 

Hunsicker,  B.  F 1023 

Hunsicker,  Jacob   P 1114 

Hunter,    Mlartin  D 885 

Huntzinger,  Benjamin  K 1000 

Huntzinger   Family    488 

Huntzinger,  Rev.  Franklin  K.  . .   488 

Huntzinger,   George   H 902 

Huy,  George  F 1231 

Huyett,  A.  H 449 

Huyett,   D.   H 369 

Huyett  Families    1096,   1496 

Huyett,  Harvey  T 1498 

Huyett,    I.    S 369 

Huyett,  Irwin  W.  L 1096 

Huyett,  Mrs.  Matilda  V 1096 

Huyett,   M.   Luther,  M.   D.    ...1499 
Huyett,  Robert  P.  R.,  M.  D.   ...   713 

laeger.   Rev.   G.    F.  T 401 

laeger,   Mrs.    Mary  A 402 

laeger,   Samuel   T 1662 

laeger,  Rev.  Thomas  T 401 

Imhoff.    Berthold   J 495 

Irwin,   William  J 1336 

Isett,  Dr.  Benjamin  F 805. 

Isett,  J.  Frederick,  M.  D 805 

Jackson,  William  E 1664 

Jacobs,   Mrs.  Hannah   E 616 

Jacobs,  J.  Howard  616 

Jacobs,  John   : 647 

Jacobs,  John  W 1591 

Jacobs,  Mrs.  Mary  A 647 

Jacobs,  0=win  A.  H 123S 

-  Jaootos,  William   R 1171 

Jacoby,   Conrad    1170 

Jacoby  Family   1170 

Janssen,    Henry  K 371 

Jennings,  John  A.  L 1366 

Je'iberg,   Harry   D 10''6 

Je=berg,  William  D 1125 

Johnson    Family    1345 

J"hnsnrf,  Mrs.  Grahame  D.    ...1572' 
Johnson,  Harvey  C,  D.  D.  S.   ..1305 

Johnson,  H.  T    1318 

Johnson.  Morris  Y IS'iS 

Jones,  Alfred   S 439 

Jones,   Amanda    G 1095 

Jones,  Charles  H 754 

Jones,  Mrs.  Fllen  E ' 1178 

Jones    Families 

..339,   354,    384,    694,   816.    IT'S 
Jones,   George  M 806 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


xxin 


Jones,   J.    Glancy 323 

Jones,  John  P 327 

Jones,  Levi  G 1470 

Jones,    Jonathan 352 

Jones,  Capt.  Richard  H 1177 

Jones,    Richmond   L 384 

Jones,    Samuel 355 

Jones,   William  H 694 

Kachel,  Charles  S 905 

Kachel  Families    1210,   1400 

Kachel,  Henry  T 887 

Kachel,    Levi 1210 

Kachel,    Nathan    G 1400 

Kahl   Family 948 

Kalbach,    Aury   E 774 

Kalbach  Family 819 

Kalbadh,  William  A 819 

Kantner     Family 408 

Kantner,  F.  J.,  M.  D 408 

Kapp  Families  731,  1184 

Kapp,  George  J 731 

Kapp,  Leonard  1 1184 

Katzenmoyer,   Mrs.  Mary 762 

Katzenmoyer,   William 762 

Kaucher,  John  R 1322 

Kaucher,    William 1438 

Kauffman,   Albert  W 1711 

Kauffman,    Ephraim    K 831 

Kauffman  Families  634,  830,  lOl'l,  1711 

Kauffman,  Henry  E 1011 

Kauffman,  James  G 634 

Kauffman,   Oliver   F 943 

Kaufman,  David  K 738 

Kaufman,  Frank  Y 831 

Kaufman,    John    M 831 

Kaufmann,   Albert   B 641 

Keehn,   Daniel   B 999 

Keehn,   Peter  B 732 

Keeler,  Henry  E 1512 

Keen,  George  I.,  M.  D 670 

Keen,  Morris  R 1215 

Keeport,  Amos   E 1324 

Kehr,  Frederick  H 1546 

Kehs,   Irwin   B '. 1548 

Keim,   Mrs.  Bettie  T 496 

Keim,  Mrs.  Emma  T 405 

Keim   Families    328,    1647 

Keim,    George    de    B.    (son    of 

George    May    Keim)     496 

Keim,  George  de  B.  (son  of  John 

May    Keim) 359 

Keim,  Gen.  George  May 328 

Keim,    Henry    May 405 

Keim,  Mrs.  Lillie  T 359 

Keim,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  R 636 

Keim,   Gen.  William  H 327 

Keim,   William   M 636 

Keim,    William   R 1647 

Keinard,    David 1107 

Keiser,  Henry   P 1565 

Keith    Family 491 

Keith,    Michael   K 491 

Kelchner,    Daniel    F 410 

Kelchner     Family 410 

Keller,  Mrs.  Amelia 1377 

Keller,  David  C 1702 

Keller  Families  1258,  1700 

Kelkr,  Irvin  K 709 

Keller,  Jacob  M 1258 

Keller,    John    G 1702 

Keller,   Levi 1377 

Kelso    Family    1715 

Kemmerer,   Elias    R 1564 

Kemmerer    Families     1392,    1564 

Kemmerer,  Frank  K 1392 

Kemmerer,    William   R 1565 

Kemp,    Alfred    L 1708 


Kemp,    Alvin    F 1708 

Kemp,  Annie  E 1309 

Kemp  Families  964,  1707 

Kemp,    George 1174 

Kemp,  Harvey  W 1707 

Kemp,    Henry 1708 

Kemp,  Pierce  G.  S 964 

Kemp,   William  W 1708 

Kennedy,    Edwin 1241 

Kennedy,  William  H 918 

Kepner,   Charles   E 831 

Keppel,  Mrs.  Eva  M 1450 

Keppel,   Samuel  B 1449 

Keppelman,    Albert 1441 

Keppelman    Family 507 

Keppelman,  John  H 507 

Kercher,  George  S 1631 

Kern,    Mrs.    Elizabeth 578 

Kern  Family   578 

Kern,  Franklin  Boone 578 

■  Kern,  Harrison  T 1158 

Kern,  John  J 1164 

Kern,    Milton 1248 

Kerper,  William   F 767 

Kershner,  A.   M 1372 

Kershner,   Edwin 1118 

Kershner  Families   867,  1118 

Kershner,    James    P 699 

Kershner,  Lewis  P 867 

Kershner,  Mrs.  Mary  A 868 

Kerst,  Henry  A 1577 

Kerst,   Samuel   W 1338 

Kessler    Family 811 

Kessler,  Jacob  C 1059 

Kessler,  Miss  Mary  C 811 

Kessler,  William  A 811 

Kieffer,  E.  C,  M.  D 1492 

Kieffer,    Lewis    M 915 

KiUian,    Monroe    C 1149 

Killian,  Mrs.  Sue  S 1149 

Kilmer,  Levi  A 1103 

Kindt,  Charles  D.  B 1167 

King,  William  D 1677 

Kintzer,  David  M 894 

Kintzer  Families  873,  894,  1330,  1369 

Kintzer,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  E 895 

Kintzer,  George 895 

Kintzer,  Isaac  Y 1369 

Kintzer,  John  A 1330 

Kintzer,  Mrs.  Matilda 874 

Kintzer,  Michael 873 

Kirby  Family 818 

Kirby,  Stanly  J 818 

Kirk,  Nicholas  H 1666 

Kirkhoff,  Jacob  G.. . . : 1482 

Kissinger,    A.    N 503 

Kissinger  Families  

503,  644,  844,  1229,  1244,  1399,  1443 

Kissinger,   Harvey   D 1443 

Kissinger,  Mrs.  Henrietta  Z 1224 

Kissinger,  Henry  G 1229 

Kissinger,  Isaac 1043 

Kissinger,    Jacob 844 

Kissinger,  John 1399 

Kissinger,  John  M 1224 

Kissinger,   Washington    S 503 

Kistler,  Rev.  Charles  E 1144 

Kitchin,  Dr.  Elias  C 453 

Kitchin  Family 453 

Klapp,   Mrs.  Elizabeth 724 

Klapp,  Joseph  G 723 

Klee  Family 820 

Klee,    William    S 820 

Klein,  Rev.  Daniel  R 954 

Klein,   James   M 954 

Kleinginna,  Adam  L 1667 

Kleinginna  Family 1667 

Kleinginna,  Prof.  George  L.  . .   506 
Kleinginna,    George    S 1300 


Kleinginna,   Peter  S 1667 

Kleinginni,  B.  Franklin   475 

Kleinginni   Family   475 

Kleinginni,    Sallie 475 

Kleinschmidt,  John  C 941 

Klemmer,  Benneville   1025 

Klemmer,  Joseph  A 1171 

Kline,  Albert  W 1509 

Kline,  Mrs.  Catherine   769 

Kline,  David  C,  M.  D 655 

Kline  Families   

530,    655,    833,    1201,    1223,    1343, 
1409,    1452,    1509 

Kline,  Frank   1098 

Kline,    Harry    530 

Kline,  Rev.   Harry  C 605 

Kline,  H.  Nathan   1223 

Kline,   Jerome    1 1409 

Kline,  John  S 833 

Kline,  Joseph  G 769 

Kline.  J.  W 1343 

Kline,   Mahlon    716 

Kline,  Mahlon  N 776 

Kline,  Morgan  W 1107 

Kline.   Morris   H 1201 

Kline,  Peter  S 833 

Kline,   Samuel   B 1452 

Kline,  Simon 1673 

Klinger  Families    877,   1030 

Klinger,  Isaac  B 877 

Klinger.  John  W 1030 

Klobs    (Close)    Family    1686 

Klopp,  Andrew  J 1689 

Klopp,  Cyrus  P 979 

Klopp,  Edwin  J 1691 

Klopp  Families 979,  1688 

Klopp,  Irwin  D 1691 

Klopp,  Isaac  P 1689 

Klusewitz,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 1201 

Klusewitz,  Lawrence  M 1489 

Klusewitz,  Matthias   1200 

Knabb,  Daniel  Y 856 

Knabb,  Mrs.  Ellen  M 568 

Knabb  Families    568,  856,  1312 

Knabb,  Jacob 568 

Knabb,  Mrs.  M'alinda  C. 857 

Knabb,  Peter  H 1312 

Knapp,    George 773 

Knapp,    George,    Sr 595 

Knapp.  Mrs.  Mary 773 

Knetz,  Mrs.  Abigail 1543 

Knetz,  John 1543 

Knittle    Family 972 

Knittle,   Jonathan    S 972 

Knoll   Families    1070,   1631 

Knojl,  John  L.  J 1631 

Knoll,  J.   Michael 1070 

Knoske    Family 404 

Koch   Families    1033,    1050 

Koch,  Henry  H 1050 

Koch,   J.    Clinton   D 1033 

Kioch,    Johannes 1232 

Koch,   John    Peter 1401 

Koch,    Samuel 1233 

Koch,   William 1360 

Kochel,    Samuel   H 1130 

Kohl    Family    1008 

Kohl,    Henry 1156 

Kohl,    Henry    B 1008 

Kohl.   Milton   S 1009 

Kohl,   Nathan  S 1009 

Kohl,   Nelson   S ...1009 

Kohler,    A.    Charles 1172 

Kohler,  Dr.  Daniel  R 833 

Kohler,   David  A 821 

Kohler   Families    821,    822 

Kolb,  J.  Adam 1111 

Koller   Families    850,   1396 

Koller,    Owen   H 1395 


XXIV 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Koller,   Solomon   S 850 

Komp     Family 673 

Komp,    David 673 

Koser    Family...  < 587 

Koser,    Ralph   S 1677 

Kraemer,    Adolph 530 

Kraemer,  Louis 349 

Kraemer,  Louis  F 348 

Kramer,   Albert   F 700 

Kramer,  Daniel  F 873 

Kramer  Families    

737,   871,   994,   1168,   1532 

Kramer,   Frank   D...^ 994 

Kramer,   George   F 872 

Kramer.   Henry  F 1532 

Kramer,  Milton  H 1168 

Kramlich,  Rev.  Benjamin  E...1608 

Kramlich,  Prof.  George  E 1608 

Kramlich,  Rev.  John  F 1608 

Kramlich.  Mrs.  Sophia  B 1608 

Kramlich.  Rev.  William  W....l!608 

Krauss,  Curtis  E 1124 

Kreider    Family 596 

Kreider,  Milton  C 596 

Kremp,  Edward  S 408 

Kremp    Family 408 

Kremp,   Joseph    P 1241 

Kremp,  Mrs.  Laura  A.  M 1241 

Kremp,    Louis 1242' 

Kreps,   Frank  L 779 

Kressley,  Rev.   George  S 516 

Krick,   Anna   S 631 

Krick,    Daniel   H 1071 

Krick  Families   ..529,  627,  1143,  1488 

Krick,  Henry  B 630 

Krick.   Jacob   B 628 

Krick.  James  M 1143 

Krick,  Joel   H 529 

Krick,  John   1 1488 

Krick,   Mrs.    Mary  A 1139 

Krick,    Richard    B 630 

Krick,  Rev.  Thomas  H 629 

Krick,  Wellington   B 792 

Krick,  William  F 629 

Krick,   William   R 1366 

Kriebel,  Andrew  G 1473 

Kriebel,  Allen  S 775 

Kriebel,  Howard  W 1118 

Kriebel  Families  775,  1367,  1473,  1664 

Kriebel,  Jonas  S 1367 

Kriebel,    Lewis    G 1664 

Kriebel,  Rev.  Dr.  Oscar  S 775 

Kroninger    Family    1022 

Kroninger,  Theodore  J 1022 

Krum,  Wilson   P 915 

Kuhns.   James   A .1183 

Kulp,    Milton 1483 

Kulp,    Solomon 1483 

Kunkel   Families    794,    1394 

Kunkel,    Nathan 794 

Kunkel,    William 1394 

Kupp,  D.  Webster  B.,  M.  D...   592 

Kupp    Family 592 

Kurfess,   Frank  A 1154 

Kurtz,    Abram    S 1068 

Kurtz,    Adam 5i90 

Kurtz,   Adam  A 1125 

Kurtz,  B.  Frank 1552' 

Kurtz  Families 399,  590,  1068 

-1079,     1125,     1331,    1415,     1552 

Kurtz,   Mrs.   John 1642 

Kurtz.  Dr.  J.   E 661 

Kurtz,    John   B 1415 

Kurtz-,  John  B.  (Reading) 1694 

Kurtz,  Kauffman  C 1331 

Kurtz,   Reuben   L 1079 

Kurtz,    Samuel ( 1235 

Kurtz.  Samuel  L.,  M.  D 399 

Kurtz,  William  S 1235 


Kutz,   Benneville 1193 

Kutz,   Bernard   L 727 

Kutz,   Calvin  J 727 

Kutz,   Charles  W 1192 

Kutz,   Cosmos   D 1194 

Kutz,  Daniel  B 1193 

Kutz,  Daniel  S 1195 

Kutz,   Edwin  S 1192 

Kutz  Families 406,  1191 

Kutz,  Franklin  S 119S' 

Kutz,  Ira   G 1193 

Kutz,  John  J 406 

Kutz,  Nicholas  J 1193 

Kutz,  Samuel  D 1193 

Kutz,  S.  Jairus 727 

Kutz,   William   S 1195 

Lacey,  Theodore  R 1106 

Ladd,  Mrs.  Amanda  S ,...1152 

Ladd,  Samuel  W 1152 

Lamm,   Charles   F 884 

Lamm   Family 884  " 

Lamm.  Lewis  F 884 

Landis'  Families    381,    1279 

Landis,    Harrison 380 

Landis,    Homer   L 1280 

Landis,    John    H 1426 

Landis,   Levi   S 724 

Landis,   Oliver    M 745 

Landis,  Reuben  T 1279 

Landis,  Samuel  1426 

Landis,    S.    Edward 1439 

Lash,    George    H 594 

Lash,  Mrs.  Mary  A 594 

Latshaw,   Adam 594 

Latshaw,  David 514 

Latshaw,    David   H 5«14 

Latshaw,    George 514 

Latshaw   Families 513,   593 

Latshaw,   Harvey  H 513 

Latshaw,    Howard 594 

Latshaw,  Jacob  S 514 

Latshaw,  John   H 513 

Latshaw,  Samuel  B 514 

Latshaw,    Samuel    H 513 

Lattemann,  Frederick  A 1141 

Lauer,    Franklin    P 783 

Lauer,  Frederick 783 

Laueir,    George i- . . .; 784 

Lauer,  Mrs.  Mary 784 

Lauer    Monument 784 

Lauer,   Solomon   E 1450 

Lauter,    Gerhard 1512 

Lawrence,  Edward 1458 

Lawrence,   Richard   L 1322 

Leader,  Adam  H 594 

Leader   Family 594 

Leaver.   Effinger   W 1S37 

Lechner    Families    882,    1297 

Lechner,  Hamlin  Y 1297 

Lechner,    Richard 882 

Lechner,  Wallace  L 1297 

Leedom,   George  W 991 

Leedom,    John 991 

Lefevre   Family 380 

Lefevre,  Levi  E 380 

LeFevre,    R.    E.,    M.    D 1377 

Leh,  Ephraim  M 1463 

Lehman    Family    1109 

Lehman.  Sarah    E 1109 

Leibelsperger,    Adam    K 1332 

Leibelsperger    Family 1644 

Leibelsperger,  Joel  M 1644 

Leibold    Family 1392 

Leibold,  James  0 1392 

Leidy,   Albert   S 643 

Leidy  Families   643,   1464 

Leidy,    Frank   G 1464 

Leinbach,  Rev.  Aaron  S 1260 

Leinbach,   A.   Ellsworth 379 


Leinbach,    Albert 769 

Leinbach,  Mrs.   Ann   E 1263 

Leinbach,  Benjamin  F ...1342' 

Leinbach,    B.    Franklin    (Read- 
ing)  1380 

Leinbach,  Calvin  A 1108 

Leinbach,   Charles   H 695 

Leinbach,    Daniel    G 625 

Leinbach  Families   ....518,  582,  593, 

625,  862,  1108,  1258,   1337,   1343 

Leinbach,  George  A 592 

Leinbach,  James   B 582' 

Leinbach,  J.   Calvin 1337 

Leinbach,  Jonathan   G 720 

Leinbach,   Joseph    L 1519 

Leinbach,    Llewellyn 1262 

Leinbach.  Mahlon  A 1211 

Leinbach,   Peter   M 862 

Leinbach,  Rev.  Samuel  A ia'59 

Leinbach,  Rev.  Thomas  C 1259 

Leinbach,    Tyler 1260 

Leinbach,    William    0 1260 

Leininger,  Albert   G 1046 

Leininger,    Charles 818 

Leininger   Families    999,   1044 

Leininger,  George  H ,  1045 

Leininger,  Howard  S 1045 

Leininger,  Irwin  G 999 

Leininger,  Isaac  G 1045 

Leininger,   William    G 1046 

Leippe,  Charles  E 681 

Leitheiser,   Charles    1105 

Lencke,  Mrs.  Alice   1086 

Lencke,    Henry 1086 

Lengel  Families  855,  1331 

Lengel.  Jerome   C. 1206 

Lengel,  Joel  S 1331 

Lengel,   William   W 1468 

Lenhart,  Elmer  T.   .  . .- 1680 

Lenhart  Families  819,  1626,  1627,  1680 

Lenhart,  Mrs.  Missouri   1680 

Lenhart,    Samuel    H 1626 

Lenhart,  Solomon   H 819 

Lerch,   George  W IIS'S 

Lesher,  Allen  R 703 

Lesher,  Augustus  A 920 

Lesher  Families   

703,  919,  1121,  1143,   1190,   1513 

Lesher,  Franklin   W 919 

Lesher,  Oscar  L 1142 

Lesher,  William  W 1513 

Lessig,  Cyrus 1225 

Levan,  Abraham   F 1084 

Levan,  Cyrus  B 878 

Levan,  Elizabeth   H 1546 

Levan,  Mrs.   Emma 980 

Levan  Families   

494,    608,    878, 

957,  1048,  1052,  1066,  1388,  1491 

Levan,  Francis  L 1160 

Levan,  Francis  W 1066 

Levan,  Dr.   George   K 1389 

Levan,    George    K 1190 

Levan,    Harry    E 1414 

Levan,  Henry  B 494 

Levan,    Isaac   B 1049 

Levan,   Jacob   B 1052 

Levan,  Jacob  K 1546 

Levan,  James  B 1388 

Levan,  John   S 1491 

Levan,,  John  Y 980 

Levan,  Joseph  H 878 

Levan,  Mrs.  Kate    1663 

Levan,  Mrs.  Mary  E 1414 

Levan,    Nathan    E 957 

Levan,   Walton   G 608 

Levan,  Wellington  R 1663 

Levan,  William  J 1121 

Levan,  William   S 909 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


XXV 


Levari,  William  Y 1048 

Levengood,  Andrew  J., 1630 

Levengood,   William  B 1163 

Lewis,  Mrs.  Anna  E 979 

Lewis,  Charles  A 979 

Lewis,  Mrs.   Emma   E 1384 

Lewis,  John  H 1447 

Lewis,  John   P 1522 

Lewis,  Mirs.  Mary  E 1523 

Lewis,    Samuel    P 1384 

Leymaster    Brothers 1490 

Leymaster,    Charles 1490 

Leymaster,  William 1490 

Lichtenwallner,    John 1450 

Lichtenwalner,  Dr.  Milton  D. . .   674 

Lieb,    Aaron    L. 908 

Lieb  Families 908,  926 

Lieb,  Nathaniel  W 926 

Ligh'tf oot,  Jasper  Y 916 

Lincoln,  Abraham,  Berks  Coun- 
ty   Ancesitry    324 

Lincoln  Families 

324,   597,   1147 

Lincoln,  Richard  G 1147 

Lindenmuth,  Rev.  Anson  W. ..1646 

Lindenmuth   Family    1646 

•Linderman  Families  " 806,   1314 

Linderman,  George  K 806 

Linderman!  Warren  F; 1314 

Link,  William 1524 

Litschi,  Charles 769 

Livingood,  Mrs.  Anna  H 343 

Livingood,  Charles  J 1227 

Livingood,  Frank  S 66S 

Livingood,  Jacob   B 1251 

Livingood,  William  H 343 

Livingood,  W.  W.,  M.  D 1305 

Lochman,  Conrad 838 

Loder,    Joseph 1320 

Long,  Rev.  A.  Johnson 5i05 

Long  Families  ..505,  700,  1123,  1383 

Long,    Frank    B 1383 

Long,  Henry  W 615 

Long,  Joel 615 

Long,  Marcus 700 

Long.  Thomas 1122 

Lord,    Cyrus 690 

Lord.   Luther  W 1673 

Lott,   William    K 1390 

Lotz,   Casper   H 592 

Lotz  Families 350,   591,  671 

Lotz,  George  E 593 

Lotz,  Col.  Nicholas 350 

Lotz,  Philip   H '. 671 

Lowe,  Lewis  N 685 

Loy,    Phaon 1124 

Loy,  Walter  J 1030 

Loy,   Walter   S 738 

Luckenbill.  Cyrus IS'53 

Luckenbill  Families   1253,   1466,   1551 

Luckenbill,  Thomas 1551 

Luckenbill,  Thomas  R 1466 

Luden,  William  H 768 

Ludwig,    Brooke 1079 

Ludwig,  Charles  R 1311 

Ludwig,  Clayton  C 1123 

Ludwig  Families 1079,   1310 

Ludwig,  James  M 1310 

Ludwig,   Philip   D '. .  1310 

Luft,    Benjamin 1484 

Luigard,    Edward 1488 

Luken,  Harry  J 1108 

Luppold  Family 518 

Luppold,  William  H 518 

Lutz,   Allen 1271 

Lutz.    Charles    A 1271 

Lutz  Families    1143,   1270 

Lutz,  George  K 1069 

-Lutz,  George  W 1270 


Lutz,  John  C 1270 

Lutz,   John    F 1141 

Lutz,  Wellington  L 1371 

Lutz,' William    B 1143 

McCauley,  Patrick  J 1140 

McCormick,     William 515 

McCullough,  Joseph  1 1441 

McCulIougb,  Michael   1441 

McDonough,  Mrs.  Mary  A 1170 

McGowan,  Allison  F 718 

McGowan,   non.  Howard  G.    ..1658 

McGowan,  James 1331 

McGowan,  J.  Wallace  R 1434 

McGowan,  Mrs.  Louisa 719 

McHose,  Isaac 1316 

McKittrick,  Robert 525 

McKnight  Family 367 

McKnight,   Mrs.  Lydia  A 1717 

McKnight,  Milton  B 3i57 

McKnight,  William  S 1717 

McLean  Family 510 

McLean,  James  B 1337 

McLean,  William  F 510 

McLenegan,  John  A 705 

McLenegan,  Mrs.  Mary  A 706 

McM'urtrie    Family 335 

McNurney,  John  J 1398 

Machemer,  Henry  L 1634 

Machemer,  Henry  S 1636 

Machemer,  Joseph   B 1654 

Machmer,  Charles  H 771 

Machmer    Family 771 

Madeira,  Ambrose  B 1167 

Madeira.  Charles  S 1165 

Madeira  Families    ...939,  1167,   1645 

Madeira,  Lee  D 1645 

Madeira,    Levi 1645 

Madeira,  Robert  W 996 

Maiden  Creek  Hosiery  Co 1656 

Mallery,    Garrick 350 

M'altzberger,  Charles  C 1319 

Maltzberger, '  Emma  E 1375 

Maltzberger    Family 474 

Maltzberger,  George  R 474 

Maltzberger,  Henry 438 

Maltzberger,    Levi 1374 

Maltzberger,  Mrs.  Margaret  C.  1319 

Malusecki,  Rev.  Adalbert 847 

Mannerback,  William  A 1141 

Manwiller,    Daniel   H 15i85 

Man  wilier    Families     1047,    1585 

Manwiller,  Irvin  N 1047 

March,  Isaac  F 485 

March,   Mrs.   Sarah   R 485 

Markert.   Geo.    A 1415 

Markley,  Mrs.   Amanda  E 618 

Markley,    D.    Frank 618 

Markley,  Frank  A 618 

Marks,    George    W 1233 

Marks.  Howard  F 1034 

Marks,  Dr.  William  F 1400 

Marquett,  John   G.   H 967 

Marquett.   Mrs.    Mary   R 967 

Martin,    Adam    S 598 

Marx    Family 463 

Martin   Family 598 

Marx,  Frederick  A 463 

Massey,  Dr.  Franklin  F 1495 

Mast   Families    

1028,    1143,    1508,    1564 

Mast,  George  L 1508 

Mast,    Heber 1488 

Mast,  John  H 1143 

Mast.   John    R 1564 

Mast,    Levi ; 1028 

Mattern,  F.  L.  R.,  M.  D 1651 

Matternes    Family 504 


Matternes,  James  G.,  M.  D 504 

Matthew,  John  A 414 

Mathias  Family 652' 

Mathias,  Morris  M 653 

Matthias,  John  S 639 

Matthias,  William  C 1310 

Matz    (Motz)   Families    ..1189,   1428 

Matz,    Isaac 1427 

Matz,    James ' 1189 

Mauger,   David    B 527 

Maugcr.    David    F 527 

Mauger,   Mrs.   D.   L 1191 

Mauger,   Daniel   R 1678 

Mauger  Families   538,   1678 

Mauger,   Samuel   B .' 1678 

Maurer,   Charles  A 933 

Maurer,    Dominic 663 

Maurer   Families    663,   923,    1007 

Maurer,  Franklin  0 1008 

Maurer,    Isaac 763 

May  Family    32'9 

May,    James 329 

Mayer.    Samuel    C 5i93 

Mays   Families    996,   1110 

Mays,  H.  Robert 1494 

Mays,    Jacob    H 1110 

Mays,   William    H 996 

Meek,    Benjamin 817 

Meek    Families 641,    841 

Meek,    Jacob    R 817 

Meek,    Randolph    S 641 

Meek.  Samuel  H 841 

MeckstrotJh    Family    808 

Meckstroth,  William  L 808 

Mee,  Francis  H 772 

Megerly,   Charles   0 1470 

Meharg   Family 886 

Meharg,   George   F 886 

Meinholtz,    Conrad 974 

Meinig,  E.  Richard 482 

Meitzler,  Frank  E 1111 

Melcher    Family 1095 

Melcher.   George  W 1096 

Melcher,  John  R 1597 

Melcher,    Nicholas    1095 

Mell,  John   ' 1356 

Mellert,  Albert  H 1668 

Mellert,    John    H 1084 

Mellert,   Mrs.    Ludema    687 

Miellert.  Magnus    687 

Melot,   Morris   B 1097 

Mengel,    David    G 982 

Mengel,    Ephraim 1333 

Mengel   Families    

460,    520,    968,    982,    1334,    1476 

Mengel,  J.   Hain 1305 

Mengel,    K.    Laura 968 

Mengel,    Martin    R 743 

Mengel.    Melancthon 1476 

Mengel,    Ralph   H. ..■ 460 

Mengel,    Solomon 968 

Mercer.    James    B 1494 

Merckel  (Merkel)  Families 

598,  618,  789,  1071,  1541 

Merkel,  Augustus  P 1541 

Merkel,    David 589 

Merkel,    Elias )  791 

Merkel   Families    

589,   618,   789,   1071,   1541 

Merkel,    Elwood    S 792 

Merkel,  Esther  H 791 

Merkel,   James   J 1071 

Merkel.    James    R 618 

Merkel,   John   E 790 

Merkel,  Mrs.  Sallie  M 590 

Merkel,    Titus    S 790 

Merkel,  William  D 790 

Merkel,   William   S 791 

Merkel,    Wilson    C 791 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Merkel,   Wilson  W 790 

Merkel,   Zacharias   K 791 

Merkey    Family 987 

Merkey,   Joseph   M 988 

Merritt,  Thomas  P 480 

Mertz,    Allen    G 1058 

Mertz,  Elias  Y 1614 

Mertz  Families   1059,  1614 

Mertz,  Mrs.  Florenda 763 

Mertz,   G.   Fred 1404 

Mertz,   Isaac .   763 

Mervine,   Moses   ! .  1519 

Messner.    Archibald 1538 

Miller,  Albert  G 936 

Miller,  Amandon  M 1641 

Miller,  Rev.  Dr.  Benneville  H.    802 

Miller,    Charles   J.  i 1451 

Miller,  Clayton  I , 1063 

Miller,    Cyrus    A 1538 

Miller,    Daniel 1174 

Miller,   Daniel   H 599 

Miller  Families    

441,  463,  599,   671,   676.   803,   867. 

889,  947,  1017,  1063,  1337,  1313, 

1352.  1449,  1451,  1467,  1537, 

1538,    1611,    1621,    1641 

Miller,  Franklin  K '603 

Miller,  Prof.  Franklin  P 1612 

Miller,   George 1449 

Miller,  George  J 1527 

Miller,    George    W. 1549 

Miller.  G.  Wilson 1437 

Miller,    Harry    R 1467 

Miller,    Harvey   A 1020 

Miller,    Henry   G 132'5 

Miller,    James    M 1313 

Miller.  J.  Jerome 1053 

Miller,     John     H.      (Werners- 

ville)      889 

Miller,    John    H.     (Topfion) 463 

Miller.   John   J 836 

Miller,  J.  Milton 573 

Miller,  Jonathan   B 1353 

Miller,  Jonathan  H 698 

Miller,   Joshua   L 671 

Miller,  Lafayette 1621 

Miller,    Levi    M 1017 

Miller,     Lewis 1240 

Miller,   Lewis  F 867 

Miller,  Martin  L.,  M.  D 830 

Miller.  Mrs.  Matilda  0 1549 

Miller,    Peter    S 1613 

Miller,  Mrs.  Rebecca  S 112'3 

Miller,    Samuel     676 

Miller,  Samuel  F 359 

Miller,    Solomon   S 1227 

Miller,  WilHam  A 1611 

Miller,   W.   Oscar 441 

Miller,    William    W 1244 

Mills,  W.  E 686 

Minkhouse,  Albert  0 1551 

Minnich,   Charles   0 1339 

Minnioh    Family    1339 

Mishler,  John  D 696 

Missimer,  John  D 442 

Mitchell,   Augustus  D 1470 

Mogel,  Albert  F 1316 

Mogel  Families    636,   1316 

Mogel,    Dr.    Peter   S 636 

Mohn,    Benjamin 527 

Mohn  Family 728 

Mohn,  Rev.  Henry  V 896 

Mohn,   Jeremiah   G 728 

Mohn,  J.  G.  &  Brothers 7?;9 

Mohn,   John    G 729 

Mohn,    Richard 739 

Mohn,    Samuel    K 730 

Mohn,  Wesley  D 527 


Mohn,  William  H 729 

Mohr,    Edwin    F 374 

Mohr,   John    H 1391 

Mohr,  Raymond    373 

Mohr,  Susannah  M 1393 

Mohr,  William  S 714 

Moll,   Charles  L 545 

Moll   Family    843 

Moll,    William    B 843 

Monier,  William  S 1684 

Montgomery,  Morton  L...!...   402 

Moore,  A.   B 1441 

Moore,   M'rs.  Amanda 1535 

Moore,   George  K 1317 

Moore,    Geo'rge    L 1493 

Moore,  James 1535 

Moore,  John  W 1088 

Morgan    Family ■...   355 

Morgan,  Jacob 355 

Morgan,  Thomas  H 1027 

Morret,  H.  Eckert,  M.  D 1333 

Morris,    Edward    J 545 

Morris    Families     545,    1507 

Morris,    William 15i07 

Moser,  A.  Monroe 1155 

Moser,  Calvin  D 1035 

Moser,    Edwin    L 566 

Moser  Families  

566,    915,    1138,    1212,    1688 

Moser,    George    B 915 

Moser,    Henry    G 1688 

Moser,  Howard  L 1212 

Moser,  Samuel  H 1330 

Mosser,  Benneville  G 1473 

Mosser,   Daniel   A 1128 

Mosser.  Franklin  G 1347 

Mosser,  John   G 1539 

Motz   (Matz)    Family    1428 

Mould,    Jonathan    704 

Mountz  Family  1542 

Mountz,    Henry 1543 

Moyer,  Adam  F 1650 

Moyer,  Alfred   K 1066 

Moyer,   Charles   G 1210 

Moyer    Families    714,    814,    859,    996, 

997,  1027,  1066,  1067,  1374, 
1296,    1514,    1650,    1696 

Moyer.    Frederick 906 

Mtoyer,  George  B 1514 

Moyer,  George  L 996 

Moyer.   Jaco'b 859 

Moyer,  Jacob  B 1067 

Moyer,   Jeremiah   H 1274 

Moyer,  John  E 715 

Moyer,   Joseph   H 1374 

Moyer,  Joseph   H.    (deceased) . .   604 

Moyer,  Joseph  0 814 

Moyer,  Joseph  Y 814 

Moyer,  Luther 1547 

Moyer,  Mahlon  A 715 

Moyer,  Mrs.  Margaret  C 604 

Moyer,    Nathaniel 1396 

Moyer,   Peter,   Sr 1027 

Moyer,   Tobias    H 1374 

Moyer,    William' 1404 

Moyer,  Wil'iam  H 609 

M'oyer,   William   J 139'; 

Moyer,  Wilson  E 997 

Muhlenberg.    Charles    P 793 

Muhlenberg,  Henry  A.   (1)    440 

Muhlenberg,  Henry  A.   (2)    780 

Muhlenberg,  Henry  A.   (3)    783 

Muhlenberg,  Hiester  H.,  M.  D.  780 
Muhlenberg,  Dr.  William  F 35i4 

Naftzinger    Family     470 

Naftzinger,  Jacob  E 471 

Naftzinger,  Peter  E 471 

Nagle   Family    672 


Nagel,  Col.  George 434 

Nagel,  Capt.  Peter 434 

Nagle,  Hiester  M.,  M.  D 673 

Nagle,  Mrs.  L 673 

Neff,  Mrs.  Lizzie  N 503 

Nein,  David  D 1586 

Nein,  William  R 1671 

Newcomet,   Dr.   Isaac  W 1384 

Newcomet,  Mrs.  Sarah  K 963 

Newcomet,    William    W 962 

Ne wkirk,  Harry  E 1431 

Newman,  Newton  R 1610 

Nice,   Benjamin,    M.    D 1644 

Nice  Families    946,   1644 

Nice,  Frank  M.,  M.  D 946 

Nice,  Dr.  Franklin  B 503 

Nicks,  David  L 549 

Nicks   Family 549 

Nicks,  Henry  R 549 

NicoUs,   Mrs.  Anne   H 782 

NicoUs,   Frederick  W 781 

Nicolls,  Gustavus  A 520 

Niethammer  Family 393 

Niethammer.   John   G 393 

Nolan,    Edward    C 577 

Nolan,    James 456 

Nolan,    William 448 

Nolan,  William,  Jr 576 

Nolde,    Jacob 600 

Noll.  Harry  N 1077 

Noli;   William   H 1413 

Northeimer,  John  E 1434 

Northeimer,  Oliver  L 1434 

Nunemacher,  Lloyd  M 1349 

Nyce,  Percival   C 807 

Oberholtzer   Family 426 

Oberholtzer,  Jacob  B 426 

Oberlin    Family 533 

Oberlin,  Thomas  J 5.33 

Obold  Families   597,  1196 

Obold,    Harold 1196 

Obold.    John    H 597 

O'Brien,   Harry   L 1070 

Odeair  Family 863 

Odeair,  William  S 863 

O'Harra.  Isaac  H 843 

O'Harra,  Mrs.  Maria  J 843 

Ohnmacht,  Adam  A 1481 

Ohnmacht,  Samuel   S 1479 

Ohnmacht,  William   S 1478 

Oneaill    Family 602 

Oneaill,  James 602 

O'Reilly    Family 385 

O'Reilly,  Joseph   P 385 

O'Reilly,    Mrs.    Sallie    1331 

Orr  Family 407 

Orr,  J.  Allison 407 

Orth.  A.  R 645 

Oswald,    Benjamin    1641 

Otto   Family 930 

Otto,  Harry  W 732 

Otto,    Henry    M 92-0 

Otto,  Jacob 731 

Otto,  Mrs.  S.  A 920,  9^0 

Oxenreiter,  John  S 935 

Paine,  Allen   C 13'"i7 

Painter,   George  W 1466 

Painter,  J^^hn   R 833 

Painter.  Mrs.  Rebecca 824 

Palm,    Milton    S 1175 

Palmer-Poroner,    F 1510 

Pannehecker        (Pennypacker) 

Families     396,    1317 

Parker,  J.  Heber urs 

Parvin.  Mordecai  S g^S 

Paul,    Harry    T 1531 

Paxson,  Levi  B 3R6 

Pearson,   John    S 934 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


XXVll 


Peif er,   Daniel   N 860 

Peifer  Families   860,  1528 

Peifer.  George  N 860 

Peifer,  Peter 1528 

Peifer,   Robert   L 1528 

Peiff er,    Charles    S 1065 

Peiflfer   Family 1065 

Peipher,  Jacob  S 1313 

Pengelly,   Edward 533 

Pennebacker,   Adam   M 1218 

Pennebacker,   Richard   H 1217 

Pennepacker,    AmoS"   B 396 

Pennypacker       (Pannebecker) 

Families     396,    1217 

Penrose,  George  D. 356 

Penrose,  Mrs.  Kate  M 356 

Penta  &  Radnazzo   1127 

Pepper,  Harlan  N..- 1523 

Perkiomen  Seminary 776 

Peters    Family. .' 134S 

Peters.    Jacob     1343 

Phillips.  Charles  S.,  M.  D 709 

Phillips  Families    710,    1068 

Phillips,  Frank 1514 

Phillips.  Irwin  Y 1068 

Pilgert  Family 1014 

Pilgert,  Henry  P 1014 

Planer,    George 959 

Plank,  Charles  M 467 

Plank,    Isaac 976 

Plank.  J.  L 1552 

Plowfield,   Frank 1346 

Pohlig.   Louis 747 

Poole,   Ernest  J 1636 

Porter,   Robert 356 

Pott,    William     1469 

Potteiger,  Abraham  L 1594 

Potteiger,  Albert 1594 

Potteiger,  Albert  S 1595 

Potteiger.  Amos  W 644 

Potteiger,  Charles  E 1595 

Potteiger,  Charles  W 1595 

Potteiger    Families    644,    1593 

Potteiger,  Howard  W 1615 

Potteiger,  Samuel  N 644 

Potteiger.  Samuel  0 1595 

Potteiger,  Webster  J 1594 

Potter    Family    334 

Potter,   William 333 

Potts,  Andrew  J 1603 

Potts   Families    845,    1603 

Potts,  Howard  J 797 

Potts,  Mrs.  Susan  M 845 

Potts,  William  H.  R 845 

Price,   Edward   C 1028 

Price    Family ; 1028 

Price,    Henry 698 

Price,    Josiah    E 1608 

Price,  Lizzie  V 1522 

Printz,  Daniel  F 640 

Printz,  John   C 651 

Printz,  Mrs.   Lavinia   C 651 

Printzenhoff  Family 435 

Printzenhoiif,  Henry  F 435 

Prutzman,    Asaph 808 

Prutzman,  Mrs.  Margaretta  M.  808 

Prutzman,    Walter 1138 

Purdy,  W.  A 1699 

Putt,    George 733 

Quier,  Edwin  A 472.  713 

Quimby,  Allen  G 1007 

Quimby   Family    1006 

Quinter,  F.  H 1199 

Raab,   George    1175 

Raab,   George   J 1072 

Raab.  Charles  T 1175 

Radenbach,  John 1456 


Radenbach,    Rebecca 1456 

Radnazzo   (P^nita  &  Radnazzo)   1127 

Rahn  Families 857,  1483 

Rahn,  John   W 1483 

Rahn,  Merkel  M 1537 

Rahn,  Wilson   M 857 

Ramer,  James  H 684 

Ranck   Family 702 

Ranck,  H.  Herbert 703 

Rankin,  Robert  A 1115 

Rapp,  Eli  M 1269 

Rapp.  John  W 751 

Rafhje  Family   1667 

Rathje,    William 1667 

Rathman,  Amos  S 1029 

Rathman,  Howard   C 980 

Raubenhold  Family 891 

Raubenhold,  Walter  M 891 

Ranch,   David   B 1344 

Rauch    Families 517,    1328,    1344 

Rauch,    Frank   1 538 

Rauch,   James    M 1344 

Rauch,   John   W 517 

Rauch,  Wellington  H 1328 

Raudenbush,  Dr.  Abraham  S...   687 
Raudenbush,   Dr.   Charles  H.   .   614 

Raudenbush,    Richard    B 1563 

Rauenzahn   Family 719 

Rauenzaihn,   Harry   S 720 

Rauenzahn,    Henry    B 720 

Rauenzahn,  William   B 719 

Ravel.   George   A 503 

Reber,  Albert  D 1043 

Reber,  Conrad  S.,  M.  D 1056 

Reber,  Commodore  V 1043 

Reber   Families 343, 

1043,  1056,   1239,   1255,  1298,  1320 

Reber,  Henry  C.  G 1321 

Reber,  Henry  M 1299 

Reber,   Horatio   K 1562 

Reber,  Ira  J.  J 1240 

Reber,  James  B 910 

Reber.  James  T 343 

Reber,   Mrs.   Mary  A 15S2 

Reber,  Morris  B 896 

Reber,  Samuel  M. 1254 

Reber,    Simplecius. .' 766 

Reber,  Solomon  R 1299 

Redcay    Family 667 

Redcay.  James  Elias 668 

Redcay,  William  D 1472 

Reed,  Capt.  Edward  F 660 

Reed,  Elmer   F 590 

Reed  Families 

590,   660,   848,   898,   906,   1450 

Reed,  Dr.  John  H 847 

Reed,  Thomas  W 906 

Reed,    Wayne    A 898 

Reed.  William  A 1450 

Reedy  Families 877,  900 

Reedy.   Franklin    900 

Reedy,  Henry 877 

Reedy,  J.  Thomas  K 897 

Reeser,  Abraham  F 652 

Reeser,  Charles  C : 1462 

Reeser,  Daniel  H 1372 

Reeser,  Eugene  S 1426 

Reeser   Families 

652,  876,  886,  1136,  1371,  1463,  1684 

Reeser,  Jacob   H 1371 

Reeser,    James    D 1684 

Reeser,  Jarius   H 887 

Reeser,    Jerome    P 1136 

Reeser,     Levi 876 

Reeser,   William   D 887 

Reichert,  J.  H 667 

Reichwine,  Penrose  L 1157 

Reidenauer  Families  1148,  1543,  1587 
Reidenauer.  Harrison  M 1588 


Reidenauer,  Mahlon  M 1588 

Reidenauer,  William  B 1587 

Reidenouer,  Jonas  B 1148 

Reider,  Daniel  T 1485 

Reider,  Daniel  Q 970 

Reiff    Family    1685 

Reiff,   Charles 1686 

Reiflf,  Lot  W 168!6 

Reiff,  William  M 1073 

Reifsnyder,  Mrs.  Annie  G 597 

Reifsnyder  Family   1361 

Reifsnyder.  Frank  K 1148 

Reifsnyder,  John  F 596 

Reifsnyder,    Samuel    S 1361 

Reigner,  S.  Y 1406 

Reimer,  Marx 917 

Reinart,  Mrs.  Catharine 609 

Reinert,  David  M 1424 

Reinert,  Franklin  B 1201 

Reinert,  Henry  H 676 

Reinert.  Samuel   B 1102 

Reinhart,   Charles    835 

Reiniger,  Daniel  J 1£'34 

Reinhart   Family 835 

Reitenauer,  Irwin  G 1471 

Reitnauer,  John  A 1543 

Remp,    Aaron    K 992 

Remp   Family 1345 

Remp,  Henry  E 1344 

Remp,  Samuel  K 992 

Renninger,  David 1139 

Renninger.  James  H 1058 

Rentschler,    Albert 1471 

Renitschler  Families.  .903,   1074,   1471 

Rentschler,  John  F. 903 

Rentschler.  Morris   F 1074 

Rentz.    C.    Milton 1355 

Reppert,    Charles    B 1253 

Rhein   Families 1123,    1623 

Rhein.  Henry  S 1623 

Rhein,   J.    G 762 

Rhein,  Mrs.  Mary  E 762 

Rhoads,    Ambrose    L 1126 

Rhoads,  Ben  J 4Si 

Rhoads,    Calvin    S 1713 

Rhoads,   Catharine  E 1268 

Rhoads,    Charles    S ; 449 

Rhoads.    Daniel    L 1268 

Rhoad,,   Dani"'    P 1417 

Rhoads,   Elam   H 1S46 

Rhoads    CRoth)    Families    427,    449, 
481,    670,    1076,    1268,    1288,    1485 

Rhoads,    Henry 1417 

Rhoads,    Henry    E 670 

Rhoads,    Henry   W 1336 

Rhoads,  Jacob  H 1076 

Rhoads,  James  F 4''7 

Rhoads,  J.  Newton 707 

Rhoads.  John  G 4«3 

Rhoads,   Newton    1 1"S9 

Rhoads,    Dr.    Reuben    B isqn, 

Rhoads,  Dr.  Thomas  J.  B IZ^n 

Rhoads,    William    L 1''89 

Rhoads,    William    R 1268 

Rhode,  Arus 11  in 

Rhode,    Cyrus   J 12R 

Rhode    Families 428,    1140,    l-^o 

Rhode,   Homer  J 'i'"' 

Rhode,  Luther  A 1667 

Rhode,  Neff  H I?""?; 

Rhode,   WiHiam   H ^''■"i 

Rhode,  William   S i^^i 

Richards,  Rev.  EHas  L ''''«; 

Richards,  Emanuel "6^ 

Kichards  Families    435.  p"^ 

Richards,  Joseph  W 7';'; 

Richards,    Louis si? 

Richards,    Richard -f-"; 

Richards,    Thomas    M 4T? 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Richardson,  Charles  M 434 

Richardson  Families 434,   1165 

Richardson,  Robert  E 1165 

Richardson,   Wilson 946 

Rick,   Charles 431 

Rick,    Cyrus 544 

Rick  Families  431,  538,  544,  552,  1171 

Rick,  George  A 608 

Rick;    James i 544 

Rick,'  John 538 

Rick,   John    G 1232 

Rick,  Paul  A 1171 

Rick.    William 552 

Rickenbach,  Levi  P 1026 

Riegel,  J.  Allen 958 

Riegner,   Austin    H 826 

Riegner   Family 8S'5 

Riegner,   Robert   E 826 

Rieser   Family    857 

Rieser.    William    S 857 

Rigg  Family    801 

Rigg.  John  A 801 

Rigg.  Mrs.  Mary  Ellen 1322 

Rigg,  Samuel  E 1322 

Ringler,   Mrs.   Kate    1399 

Ringler,   John   W 1399 

Ringler,   Lewis   967 

Rishel   Family 1685 

Rishel,  James  1 1685i 

Rishel,    William    P 1685 

Ritner,  George  1537 

Rittenhouse  Family   .  , 467 

Rittenhouse,  Dr.  Jacob  S 467 

Ritter,  Albert  423 

Ritter,   Christian    658 

Ritter,  Daniel  K 927 

Ritter  Families 

423,   656,   912,   928,   1451 

Ritter.  Daniel  S 763 

Ritter,  George  G 1517 

Ritter,  Henry  L 912 

Ritter,  Jacob  R 659 

Ritter,  Jeremiah   G 1451 

Ritter.  Hon.  John   423,  657 

Ritter,    Louis    657 

Ritter,  Mrs.   Mary   E.   W 657 

Ritter,  Mrs.  Rebecca  763 

Ritter.  William   C 657 

Ritter,   William   S 656 

Ritzman.   Levi   W 1683 

Roberts.   John    D 916 

Roberts,  Owen  B 899 

Rodgers,  Joseph  F 1214 

Roehrich,  John 666 

Rohrbach,   Daniel    1188 

Rohrbach,  Henry  H 1707 

Rohrbach,  John   F 1423 

Rohrbach,    Lewis   F 1187 

Rohrbach,   William   F 1188 

Roland  Farnily 434 

,  Roland,    Francis,   Jr 1630 

Roland,   Frederic   A 424 

Rolland,  Charles  L 1164 

Rollman.  Adam   M 545 

Rollman  Families   545,  135i6 

Rollman.  Francis  1 1355 

Rollman,  William  H 1136 

Romich,    William    H 1417 

Romig,   George   0 1010 

Romig,  George  W 1182 

Romig,  Joseph   1183 

Romig,  Samuel  H 1503 

Romig,  William  E 1503 

Rosch    (Rush)    Family    403 

Rosenthal,  Wilhelm   1177 

Rote,  John  F 961 

Roth,    Albert    1442 

Roth    (Rhoads)    Families   427.   449. 
481,  670,  1076,  1140,  1368,  1288,  1485 


Roth,  John  C 1485 

Rothenberger,  Clayton  M 934 

Rothenberger,  Cornelius  K.  . . .   669 

Rothenberger,  Daniel    1373 

Rothenberger,  Daniel  A 1495 

Rothenberger  Families  669,  1373,  1486 

Rothenberger,  Francis    1466 

Rothenberger,   Frank   M 934 

Rothenberger,  George  W 669 

Rothenberger,  Isaac  M 914 

Rothenberger,  John  C.   1495 

Rothenberger,  Lewis  1374 

Rothenberger,.  William  K.    ...1486 

Rothermel,  Abraham  H 440 

Rothermel,  Adam  S 938 

Rothermel,  Prof.  Amos  C.   .  . .   787 
Rothermel,  Mrs.   Catherine  M.  650 

Rothermel,  Daniel  H 854 

Rothermel,  Mrs.  Deborah   ....   854 

Rothermel,  Enoch  G 977 

Rothermel  Families 

650,    854,    922,    938 

977,    978,    1158,    1184,    1307,    1625 

Rothermel,  Frank  H 115.8 

Rothermel,  Ira  P ,415 

Rothermel,  Jackson   '  978 

Rothermel,  Jacob  H 1206 

Rothermel.  Jeremiah  R 1184 

Rothermel;   John   G 922 

Rothermel,   John   H 1626 

Rothermel.  John  K 502 

Rothermel,  John  S 650 

Rothermel,  N.   G 899 

Rothermel,  Silas  R 1311 

Rothermel,  Wilson  H.,  M.  D.  .   820 

Row,  Frederick   734 

Rowe  Family   491 

Rowe.  Joseph   Z 1523 

Rowe,   William   G 491 

Royer.  Jeremiah   W 1467 

Rubright,   David  W 1213 

Rudy,  John    1120 

Ruhl,  Christian  H 551 

Ruhl  Family   551 

Runyeon,  F.  G.,  M.  D 1494 

Rupp,  Dr.  John  D 16'S6 

Rush  (Rosch)  Family  403 

Rush,  Jacob    328 

Ruth,  Calvin   1169 

Ruth,  Daniel  1630 

Ruth.   Edwin    C 1442 

Ruth,  Mrs.  Ellen  1139 

Ruth,  Mrs.  Emma  1696 

Ruth    Families 519, 

833,  869,  893,  1169,  1442,  1634,  1695 

Ruth,  Isaac   1634 

Ruth,  John  A 1138 

Ruth,   John   J 1700 

Ruth.  John  J.  (Cumru)   833 

Ruth,   Leonard   M 519 

Ruth.  Levi  1695 

Ruth,  Morris  M' 1075 

Ruth,      William      H.      (Hotel- 
keeper)    893 

Ruth,  William   H.    (Farmer)    .   869 

Sailer    Family     646 

Sailer,  Mrs.   Sallie  Ann    912 

Sailer,    Samuel   H 646 

Sailer.   Solomon   H 912 

Salem  Reformed  and  Lutheran 

Union   Church    987 

Sallade,  Abraham  G 469 

Sallade   Family 468 

Sallade.   Jacob    332 

Sallade',   Dr.   James   W 468 

Sallade,   William   H 468 

Sander  Family   1634 

Sander,   Oliver  H 1634 


Sanders,  Charles  F 1301 

Sandt,   Eugene  1 1190 

Sartorius,  Henry  L 1153 

Sassaman  Families    516,  1347 

Sassaman,  George  W 1391 

Sassaman,  Horace  M 1347 

Sassaman,   Louis   A 516 

Sauer    Family    595i 

Sauer.   John    595 

Sauer,  Mrs.  Margaret   595 

Saul,   Daniel    1600 

Sausser,  Albert  B 1£16 

Savage,  James   M 1622 

Saylor,  Howard  B 672 

Saylor,   Benjamin    672 

Saylor,    John    672 

Schadel.  Amandus  G 1478 

Schadler,   William   P 1487 

Schaefer,  Mi's.  Fredricka  V.   . .   771 

Schaefer,   J.    George    771 

Schaeffer,    Annie 1558 

Schaefier,  Mrs.   Catharine  Y.   .1023 

Schaeffer,  Charles  H 36S 

Schaeffer,  Charles  P 1298 

Schaeffer,  Rev.   Daniel  E 816 

Schaeffer,    David    Y 1447 

Schaeffer,    D.    Nicholas 573 

Schaeffer    Families 573,   707, 

801,    816,    1173,    1298,    1456,    1558 

Schaeffer.  George  B 405 

Schaeffer,  Harry  D 404 

Schaeffer,   Capt.    Henry    533 

Schaeffer,  Jacob    1558 

Schaeffer,  James    801 

Schaeffer,   James   D 1173 

Schaeffer,   Joel    B.    ...  I 893 

Schaeffer,  Joel  M 707 

Schaeffer,   John    E 1456 

Schaeffer.    Nathan    1023 

Schaeffer.  Dr.   Nathaniel   C.    ..   356 

Schaeffer,    Sallie 1558 

Schaich,    Karl   A 1132 

Schall,   David    786 

Schall    Family    785 

Schall,   D.    Horace    924 

Schall,  Capt.  Wm.  A 786 

Schannauer,  Abraham  R 1090 

Schappel  (Schappell,  Shappell) 

Families 490^    1255 

Schappel.  Chester  E 1257 

Schappell    (Schappel-Shappell) 

Families    490,    1255 

Schappell,   Franklin   S 1£'56 

Schappell.  John   S 490 

Scharff    Family    631 

Scharff,  John  L 631 

Schealer,   John    G 682 

Schearer    Family    1300 

Schearer,   John.    M 1300 

Schearer,  Weaver   H 1301 

Scheetz,  John   D 693 

Scheifley,   John    1427 

Schell,    George    P 1463 

Schellbammer,   Henry  W 1712 

Schitler.    Hiram    W 1491 

Schitler,   Miltron  J.   H 1402 

Schlappich,  Charles  E.,  M.  D.  .1493 

Schlasman,  James   F 1072 

Schlegel,  Adam  H 1165 

Schlegel,  Charles  H 944 

Schlegel,   Daniel    846 

Schlegel  Families 846,  945,  1223 

Schlegel,  George  S,.  D.  D.  S.   .   537 

Schmeck,    Frank    H 1703 

Schraehl,   Elias    B 1328 

Schmick  Families 1151,  1621 

Schmick,   George   E 1171 

Schmick,  Henry  J.  (Hamburg)  1621 
Schmick,  Henry  J.   ..^ 115] 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


XXIX 


Schmidt   (Schmit,   Smith)   Fam- 
ilies  643,  915,  975,   1110 

Schmucker,  pred  A 1676 

Schnabel,  Joseph  G 73S' 

Schnader   Family    1340 

Schnader,  James  F (. .  .1340 

Schneider,  Augustus    1514 

Schneider     (Snyder)     Families 
413,  476,   484,  678,  1100,   1443,   1671 

Scnneider,   Leander    981 

Schoender,  Jacob   B 1571 

Sohoedler  Families 1454,  1487 

Schoedler,    George    P 1456 

Schofer,    Charles    D 1309 

Schofer,   Christopher   Henry 1208 

Schofer,   Franklin   A 1309 

Schofer,    George    E 1209 

Schofer,  Harry  L 1209 

Schofer,  Jacob  A 1209 

Schofer,  James  A 407 

SchoU,  Edward  Z 707 

Schollenberger,   Edgar  R 1248 

SchoUenberger  (Shollenberger) 

Families 929,    1249,    1699 

SchoUenberger,  Franklin  A.   ..1700 

Schrader,  Charles  E 1401 

Schreiner,  John    1139 

Schroeder,  Adam  H 1306 

Schroeder,  Daniel   E 663 

Schroeder  Family  662 

Schucker,  Urias  M 1647 

Schuez,  Charles   1531 

Schuldt,  Edward   1188 

Schuler,    George   J 1448 

Schultz,  Andrew    423 

Schultz^  Daniel  N 908 

Schultz,    Edwin    N 412 

Schultz  Families  411,  42S',  573.  838, 
975,  1357,  1370,   1387 

Schultz,   Horatio    K 1370 

Schultz.   Joseph   K 574 

Schultz'.   Mary  A.    M 423 

Schultz,   Owen   K 574 

Schultz,   Samuel   S 828 

Schulze,    Edward    735 

Schulze,    Elias    735i 

Schumacher,  John  G 1100 

Schutter,   Christopher    850 

Schwartz,    Ellen 1016 

Schwartz,  Mrs.  Emily  S 1269 

Schwartz  Families 1016,   1269 

Schwartz,   Henry  N 1269 

Schwartz,    Hiram    H 356 

Schwartz,    Joseph    H 1016 

Schwartz,    Thomas    H 1016 

Schwartz,  William   S 1369 

Schweimier,   Andrew    L 1085 

Schweitzer,  Augustus   W 1536 

Schweitzer,  Emery 1526 

Schweitzer    Family    1535 

Schweitzer,   Franklin   K 1379 

Schweitzer,  Theodore   1526 

Schweriner,   S.   S 1413 

Schweyer,   Daniel   H 1535 

Schweyer  (Sweyer,  Swoyer)  Fam- 
ilies  1-105,    1535,    1553 

Schwoyer,  Cosmos  M 708 

Schwoyer,   Mrs.   Maria    708 

Schwoyer,   Peter   S 1553 

Schwoyer,  Samuel   G 1105 

Scoitt    Family 826 

Scott,  Miss  Laura  R 837 

Scott,  William  A 836 

Scull,    Edward    ....1334 

Scull.  William  0 1334 

Seaman,  Moses   B 939 

Seaman   Family   939 

Sechler    Family 1653 

Sechler,  Levi 1653 


Sechler,  William  1654 

Seibert,    George   M 1082 

Seibert,  Isaiah  B 1078 

Seibert,  Rush  G 834 

Seidel,  Alfred  S 703 

Seidel,  Benjamin  H 890 

Seidel,  Charles  V 923 

Seidel,   Claude  L 1657 

Seidel    (Seidle)    Families    853,    890, 

923,  932,  1120,  1178,  1315,  1416, 
1481,  1659 

Seidel,  Francis  F 1659 

Seidel,    Franklin    1416 

Seidel,  Franklin  H 1120 

Seidel,   Henry    890 

Seidel,  Henry  C 1315 

Seidel,    Henry   G 1249 

Seidel,   Henry  U 1481 

Seidel,   Jacob   J 853 

Seidel,  Mabry  S 933 

Seidel,   Oliver   H 1131 

Seider,  Jeremiah    '646 

Seiders,    Henry    1496 

Seiders,   Henry  E 1345 

Seidle,  Thomas  C 1178 

Selling,   George    1579 

Seitzinser,  Mrs.   Anna   B 779 

Seitzinger,  Mandon   W 1233 

Seitzinger,  William  W 779 

Selak,   Frank   C 1322 

Sellers,    Elmer   J 799 

Sellers,   Jam^es   P 528 

Seltzer,  Charles  M..  M.  D.   ...   349 

Seltzer  Families   350.  82'4 

Seltzer,  Jonathan   R 824 

Sembower,   C.   H 1403 

Shaaber,    I3aniel    645 

Shaaber,  Harry  C 1563 

Shaaber,  Mahlon  964 

Shade,  Ignatius   1026 

Shadle,  John  1323 

Shadle.  Mrs.  Mary   1323 

Shaffer.    Charles   W 1154 

Shaffer.   Mrs.   Elizabeth    1154 

Shaffner,  George  W 907 

Shalter,  Benjamin  599 

Shalter    FamiHes 599,    916,    1228 

Shalter,   M.  J 1228 

Shalter,   Reuben   G 599 

Shalter,   William   K 916 

bhalter's   (Salem)  Luth.  Union 

Church      987 

Shane,  William   C 1539 

Shapiro,    Philip    662' 

Shappell,   Adam    A 1356 

Shappell    (Schappel-Schappell) 

Families   490,  1355 

Shappell,  P.  Sassaman  1257 

Shappell,   Sassaman   S 1256 

Sharadin  Family   1332 

Sharadin,  Francis  E 1333 

Sharman,   David 1580 

Sharman    (Sherman)     Families 

525,    1547,    1579 

Sharman,    Irwin    M 535 

Shartle,    Alvin   J 1656 

Shartle  Families 1397,   1656 

Shartle,   Harry   H 1397 

Shearer,  Christopher   734 

Shearer.  Christopher  H 1566 

Shearer,  David  R 1332 

Shearer   Families 

518,    724,    1040,    1222,    1300,    1598 

Shearer,   Frank  D 1600 

Shearer,' James  Y.,  M.  D 1041 

Shearer,  Joseph   1599 

Shearer,    Solomon 1599 

Shearer,  Wayne  L,   M.   D 518 

Shearer,  William  Y 1040 


Sheeder,    Benjamin    F 746 

Sheeler   Family    871 

Sheeler,  Harry  W 870 

Sheidy,    Joseph 1137 

Sheidy,  William  E 1137 

Shenk,   Tobias   K 713 

Sheradin,  William   G 1625 

Sherman  (Sharman)  Families  . 

535,    1547,    1579 

Sherman,  George  B 1581 

Sherman,  Thomas   C 1547 

Shilling   Families 684,    1673 

Shilling,  Howard  M'.   1673 

Shilling,  John  Jacob,  Sr 684 

Shilling,  John  Jacob,  Jr 1711 

Shirey,   Daniel   W 943 

Shirey,   Jesse    1093 

Shirey,  Milton  L 1374 

Shollenberger,  Calvin  D 859 

Shollenberger  (Schollenberger) 

Families 859,   939,    1249,    1699 

Shollenberger,  Milton  D 929 

Shomo  Family 526 

Shomo,  Harvey  H 1409 

Shomo,  Joseph  N 445 

Shomo,  William  A 526 

Shoup  Families   520,  958.  1436 

Shoup,   George   K 1436 

Shoup,  Henry 959 

Shoup,  James  G 959 

Showalter  Family -. 1360 

Showalter,  Elwood   1360 

Showalter,  Emma  V 1360 

Shultz.  Benneville  S 976 

Shultz    (Schultz)    Families   411,   432, 

573,     828,    975,     1357,     1370,     1387 

Shultz,  Henry  H 1387 

Shulze,  Gov.  John  A 333 

Sidel  Family  891 

Sidel,  James  H 891 

Siegfried    Family    969 

Siegfried,  Mrs.  Mary  E 969 

Siegfried,   William    969 

Sigmund,  Matthias  C 1356 

Simmon  Family 928 

Simmon,    Henry   F 928 

Sindel,    Reuben     1300 

Slater,    Samuel    W 1397 

Slater.  Wilmer  H 1151 

Slegel,    W.     Scott     1333 

Slichter,   Frank   W 1531 

Slipp,  John  W 833 

Smeck,   Charles   M 1218 

Smink,   F.    C 432' 

Smink,   Harry  A 432 

Smith,   Charles   A 591 

Smith,  Cyrus  B 843 

Smith,  Hon.  Edmond  L 949 

Smith,  Edward  D.   ■. 1518 

Smith,   Edwin   F 371 

Smith,   Emma   E 747 

Smith   Families    

417,  464,  642,  843,  975,  1058,  1110 


Smith 
Smith 
Smith, 
Smith 
Smith 
Smith 
Smith, 
Smith 
Smith 
Smith, 
Smith 
Smith, 
Smith 
Smith, 
Smith 
Smith 


Judge  Frederick   ...354,  464 

Frederick  Leaf    464 

Rev.  George  B 643 

George  W 1531 

Isaac   747 

James    F 373 

Joseph    831 

Levi  B 416 

Mrs.  Magdalena  R.   .  . .   949 

Marie    C... 465 

Mrs.    Mlary   E 1141 

Milton  W 1110 

Thomas   J 1058 

William  A 646 

William  B 975 

William  D 424 


XXX 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Smoyer.    Henry    L 1310 

Snell,   John    H 1568 

Snyder,   Charles   W 475. 

Snyder     (Schneider)     Families 

413,  476,  484,  678,  1100,  1448,  1671 

Snyder,  George  W.    69S' 

Snyder,   James    E 678 

Snyder,  Jefferson   413 

Snyder,   Jonas    H 1698 

Snyder.  Jorias  K 1104 

Snyder,   Joseph   S 1100 

Snyder,  Mrs.  Louisa  R 689 

Snyder,    Peter    H 932 

Snyder,    William   M 1443 

Snyder,    William    T 484 

Snyder,   William  W 689 

Snyder,    Wilson    S. 1670 

Soaar,  Edward  W 1363 

Spaar    Family    1363 

Spaar,   William   J 1598 

Spang  Families 519,   1371 

Spang,   Frederiik    1585 

Spang.   Jacob    K 1371 

Spang,  Robert  W 734 

Spang,   Samuel  K 519 

Spangier,   Harry    1059 

Spangler,  John    1510 

Spannuth   Family    595 

Spannuth,   Harvey  A 595 

Spatz,   Adam    P 853 

Spatz,    Charles    B 456 

Spatz,  Cyrus  K 650 

Spatz  Families 650,  852,   1181 

Spatz.   Isaac   S 1048 

Spatz,    John    H 1048 

Spatz.  Samuel  K 1181 

Spayd,   Charles   E 1300 

Snayd,    John     340 

Soayd,    Henrietta    943 

Spayd,    William    943 

Spears.    Cyrus   G 1653 

Spears,   Ida   M 1653 

Spears,    James     733 

Specht,  Prof.   Charles   G 809 

Speidel,    John    G 1064 

Spengler.  Jacob   B 1568 

Sperry,    Wm.    H> .'  1393 

Spiess     Ref.   and   Luth.    Union 

Church        984 

Spohn,    Evan    M 885 

Spohn   Family    884 

Spohn,    Lewis    E 885 

Sponagle,  James  W 1430 

Sponagle,    John     1013 

Spotts.    Mrs.    Emma    1099 

Spotts.    John    J 1099 

Sprecher,   Jesse    M 1113 

Sproesser,    William    H 1537 

Spuhler,   George   M 886 

Spuhler,    John    M 868 

St.  James  Luth.  Church.  Read- 
ing      1709 

St.  John's  Evan.  Luth.  Church, 

Boyertown 1391 

St.  John's  Evan.  Luth  Church, 

Hamburg 1378 

St.  Luke's  Evan.  Luth.  Church  1381 
St.     Paul's     Church,     Windsor 

Township 1379 

St.      Paul's      Memorial      R'ef. 

Church 1393 

Stahl,   Edwin    C 1220 

Stahl,  Otto  J 1110 

Stamm,    Adam    S 543 

Stamm,   Cornelius  S 542 

Stamm,  Mrs.  Emma  Mi 543 

Stamm    Family 541 

Stamm,  Rev.  James  C 542 

Stamm,  Levi  S 541 


Stamm,  William  J 

Stamm,  William  W.  B 

Stangier,  Charles   E 

Stapleton,  John  P 

Stark,    John 

Staudt,   Aaron   L 

Staudt     (Stoudt,    Stout)    Fam- 
ilies  505,   804. 

1419,  1432,  1461,  1463,  1484, 

Staudt,  Franklin  H 

Staudt,   Henry   L 

Staudt,    William    B 

Stauf er    Family 

Staufer,   William   M 

Stauffer,  Abner  K 

Stauffer,  Elmer   E 

Stauffer  Family 

Stauffer,  Judge  John 

Steckler,  David  H 

Steckler,  Mrs.  Theresa 

Steckline,    George    L 

Steckline.  Mrs.  Kate  M 

Steffe,  C.  Gilbert 

Steffy,  Benjamin  Franklin 

Steffy,   Joseph   K 

Steffy  Families 1013,  1385, 

Steffy,    John 

Steffy,    John    H 

Steffy,  Pierce  K 

Steffy,   Rudolph 

Stehraan,  D.  W 

Stehman.  Mrs.  Mary  V.  R....  . 

Steiger,  Samuel   S 

Steigerwald.    Thomas 

Stein,  Jacob   D 

Steiner,   Frank   P 

Steininger,  Walter  G 

Steinman    Family 

Steinman,  George  H 

Steinman,  John   F 

Stephan,    David 

Stephan,  Mrs.  Julia  A 

Sterley,  Mrs.  Amanda  R 

Sterley    Family 

Sterley,  John  B 

Sternbergh,  Herbert  M 

Stembergh,  James  H 

Sterrett,  Jacob  K.  

Stetson,   Capt.  Prince   R 

Stetson,  Mrs.  Rebecca  H 

Stetzler,  Jeremiah  W 

Stevens   Family 

Stevens.   Garrett  B 

Stevens,  J.  B 

Stevens,   William  K 

Stewart,   Mrs.   Angeline 

Stewart,  Lemuel,  M.  D 

Stiely,  Adam  S 

Stimmel,  Elton,  D.  D.  S 

Stimmel    Family 

Stimmel,  William   F 

Stirl,  George  S 

Stitzel,  Ephraim  H 

Stocker,  John  G 

Stocker,   J.    George 

Stoltzfus.   Christian   U 

Stoner,  John  H 

Stoner,   Solomon 

Stoudt,  Edwin  B 

Stoudt  Csee  Staudt,  Stout)  Fam 

ilies   804, 

Stoudt,  George  B 

Stoudt,  George  W 

Stoudt,  Rev.  John  B ,.  . . 

btoudt,  John  B '.  . .  , 

Stoudt,  Joseph 

Stoudt,  Lewis  B 

Stoudt,  Lucian 

Stoudt,  Nathaniel  P 


542  Stout,    David    E 5fl5 

543  Stout,  Edward  H 505 

1655  Stout  (Stoudt,  Staudt)  Families 

1150  505,  804.  1093 

1663  1419,   1423,  1461,  1462,   1484,   1683 

1094       Stoyer   Family 493 

Stoyer,    Henry 493 

1093  Strasser,   Cornelius   H 1083 

1682        Strasser  Families 586,  1082 

1484        Strasser,  Robert  E.,  M'.  D 589 

1094  Strasser,  Dr.  Thomas  A 588 

1422       Strasser,  Wilson  H 1083 

1032  Strauser.    Thomas 1703 

1033  Strauss,   B.    Morris 386 

390        Strauss,  Cameron  E 1057 

413  Strauss    Family 386 

414  Strauss,    James 1108 

390        Strohecker.  Albert  J 1449 

1044        Strohecker,    John    A 1390 

1044        Strohecker,  Sarah  L 1524 

1106        Strong,    William 343 

1106        Stroud.    Edward 1681 

532        Stroud,   Mrs!   Susan 1681 

1049        Stroup,    John 1050 

1013        Strouse,  Jonathan   M 1468 

1545        Strunk,  Ammon   S 477 

96'2  Strunk   (Strunck)   Families  476,  1016 

1545        Strunk.   Henry   S 477 

1385        Strunk.  Jacob  S 477 

962       Strunk,  John  M 1016 

436        Strunk,    Milton    R 956 

436        Stump,  Adam   G 1134 

962        Stump,    Calvin    S 679 

1234        Stump    Families 

1475  419,    679,    1076,    1137,    1133 

1146        Stump.  Franklin  S 1127 

1304        btump,  Henry   L 1076 

1364        Stump,  Jacob  H 679 

13'55  Stump,  John   B    (Oley   Tp.)....1077 

1365.        Stump.  John  B 1133 

1513       Stump,   Milton  L 1134 

1513        Stump,  William  B 1134 

585        Stupp,  Aaron   S 1443 

585        Suender,    George    C 610 

585        Suender,   James    W 1064 

515        Sullenberger    Family 858 

341        Sullenberger.    Henry    M 858 

1628        Summons,    Edwin   S 1173 

16S9        Sunday,  Elias  B 860 

1639        Sunday  Families 860,  977,   1630 

1252        Sunday,    John    A 1620 

543        Sunday,    William 977 

782  Swavely  Families..    1533,   1556.   1558 

782        Swavely,   Frank   S lEo8 

543        Swavely.  John   L 1556 

493        Swavely,  Wellington  G 1532 

493        Sweitzer,    Abraham' 989 

944        sweitzer,  Edward  E 988 

998        Sweitzer,   Harry   K 1536 

997         Sweney,   Mrs.   Pamelia   C 696 

997        Sweney,  Thomas  W 695 

1099       S wope,  Jacob 1250 

1569        Swope,    Jonathan -...1350 

1447       Swoyer,   Albert    M 1377 

1447        Swoyer.   Eli   H 876 

1526        Swoyer.   Jacob  ■  S 1069 

447        Swoyer,  Walter  D 1069 

909        Symons,   William    S 1557 

1419 

Talley,  James  F 1327 

1093        Tavlor,  S.  Banks,  M.  D 1307 

1430       Teel.  Rev.  Warren  F 383 

739        Templin,    James 1562 

804        Templin,    William    1563 

1042        Thiry,  Oden   F 1224 

1461        Thompson.  John   S 370 

1419       Thompson,   Nicholas 370 

1682        Thompson,  William  D IS'13 

1462'        Thornburg,   William    C 1515 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


XXXI 


Thun.  Ferdinand 433 

Tobias,   Albert    H 1556 

Tobias,  Charles  H 1555 

Tobias,  Charles  L 1487 

Tobias  Families 1487,  15i54 

Tobias.   Herman  R 1555 

Tobias;  James   R 1487 

Tobias,   Solomon   H 1555 

Todd,  C.  W.  B 481 

Tomlinson,    Lewis   K 966 

Townsend,  Frank  A 524 

Townsend,  Prof.  R.  A 452 

Trate,    James 1470 

Trate.  Mrs.  Sarah 1470 

Treat,   Albert 1583 

Treat    Family 387 

Treat.  Isaac   G 387 

Treichler,   David   G 1375 

Treichler  Families 483,  1375 

Treichler,  James  G 482 

Trethewey.   Richard 730 

Trexler   Families 529,   1604 

Trexler,  Benjamin   K 1607 

Trexler.    Charles    L 1606 

Trexler;    Joel 1607 

Trexler,   Jonas 1607 

Trexler.   Jonathan    D 1606 

Trexler,  Mrs.  Leanda  S 1606 

Trexler,    Levi    B 1607 

Trexler,   Nathan   D 1606 

Trexler,  Richard  G 1607 

Trexler.  Col.  William 529 

Trickel,'   Joseph 671 

Trinity  Lutheran  Church 1385 

Trinity  Reformed  Church 985 

Troop,  Mrs.  Magdalena  1534 

Trestle    Families 704,    888 

Trostle.   Henry   F 704 

Troup,    Theodore 1637 

Trout,   Daniel   M 1465 

Trout,  James  R 676 

Troutman  Family   1359 

Troutman.   Frank   W 135i9 

Troutman,  John   M 1360 

Troxel,  John  E 1247 

Turner,  Amos 1272' 

Turner,   Newton   R 1373 

Ubil.  James  G 1023 

Udree,  Col.  Daniel 353 

Ulle,   Francis   A 1118 

Ulrich,  Morris  J 1330 

Umbenhauer   Family    818 

Umbenhauer,  Isaac  S 818 

Umble,'  Joseph  D.  C. 533 

UndercuflSer,  Harvey  B 1316 

Unger,  Allen  S 1538 

Unger,  Alue  F 1354 

Unger,    Calvin    A 1477 

Unger,    Charles    W 891 

Unger  Families 

466,    891,    1355,    1477,    1538 

Unger,  George  W 466 

Unger,    Isaac 465 

Unger,  Mrs.  Syria 466 

Unterkofler,   Daniel 1538 

Urich,  Ellsworth  P 993 

Van  Buskirk.  Ephraim 1420 

Van  Denberg,  J.  E.  Delner 1531 

Van  Reed  Families 471.  479,  681 

Van  Reed,  George  R 479 

Van   Reed,   Henry 359 

Van  Reed,  S.  J 681 

Van   Reed,  Wellington 471 

Vath,  Leonard  A.,  Jr 1517 

Verrendo,   Leonardo    1127 

Voelker,    Charles 401 

Voelker.  Charles  T 401 

Vogel,  Mrs.  Annie  E -.1530 


Vogel,    Francis    F 1520 

Von  Nieda,  Rev.  J.  Heller 1685 

Wagenhorst    Brothers 1304 

Wagenhorst,    Llewellyn 1305 

Wagenhorst,  Mahlon Ig05 

Wagener,  Samuel  B 1472 

Wagner,  Aaron   S 745 

Wagner,  Mrs.  Catharine 685 

Wagner,  Mrs.  Catherine  M 724 

Wagner  Families 

..458,   579,   745,    1315,   1470,   1559 

Wagner,    Frank 135.0 

Wagner,  Frank  K 1469 

Wagner,   George  W 1177 

Wagner,  Henry  T 579 

Wagner,  James  H 458 

Wagner,  Dr.  John  R 1314 

Wagner,  John  S 724 

Wagner.    Julius 685 

Wagner^  Levi  F.,  M.  D 1559 

Wagner,  Moses  H 1568 

Wagner,  William  H 1143 

Wahl,  Dr.  J.   H 740 

Walbert,  Levi  A 918 

Walley,  Sam^uel  N 1065 

Walter,   Dr.   Robert 504 

Walter,  Robert  F 1159 

Walter,  William  A 1318 

Walter,   Col.   William  F 1318 

Wanner,   Abram   K.,    M.    D 1557 

Wanner,  Charles  A 613 

Wanner,  Daniel  R 1563 

Wanner,  Elmer  E 684 

Wanner    Families 

426,  612,  907,  925,  1096,  1453,  1557 

Wanner,  Frank   R 907 

Wanner,  Jacob 1453 

Wanrrer,  Jacob  S 925 

Wanner,  J.  Edward 426 

Wanner,  Peter  D 1096 

Wanner,   Solon  A 613 

Warner,  Aaron  R 470 

Warren,  John 1245 

Wartman,  George  W 1052 

Wartman,  Lewis  M 1199 

Wartman,  Mrs.  Mary  A 105<3 

Wartzenluft,  Daniel  L 836 

Wartzenluft    Family 836 

Weand,  Harry  B 1403 

Weand,  O.  M 1677 

Weasner,  Harvey  K 751 

Weaver  Families 817,  965,  1335 

Weaver,  Henry  G 9'55 

Weaver.  William 1335 

Weaver,  William  B 817 

Webber,   William  W 1137 

Weber,   Fidel    462 

Weber  FamiHes 463,  966,  1556 

Weber,   Albert   S 1557 

Weber,  Harry  C 1635 

Weber,    Herman   G 1673 

Weber.    Paul 577 

Weber,  Rudolph  S 1556 

Weber,   William    F 462 

Weber,  W.  Wayne 462' 

Weida,  George  W 1472 

Weidenhammer    Family 1648 

Weidenhammer,  George  S 1648 

Weidraan    Families 960,    1571 

Weidman,  Joel  K 960 

Weidman,  Marion  D 1573 

Weidman,  William  M..  M.  D..  .1571 

Weidner,    Caleb 394 

Weidner,  Daniel  H 10:33 

Weidner  Families 395,   565, 

903,   1211,   1348,   1414,    1437,    1649 

Weidner,   George   A 1414 

Weidner,  George  L 1211 


Weidner,  Harry  J 1348 

Weidner,  John 1437 

Weidner,  John  Y 1649 

Weidner,  Mahlon  E 5.65 

Weidner,  Milton  N 903 

Weidner,  William  R 1062 

Weigley  Family 813 

Weigley,  Miss  Lizzie  R 813 

Vv  eigley,  Jonathan  W 813 

Weil,    Morris 1654 

Weiler,  John 519     / 

Weis-  Family 603  l^ 

Weis,  Samuel  S 60S 

Weiser.  Alvin 911 

Weiser,   Conrad 330 

Weisner  Family 1691 

Weisner,  Jonathan  A 1691 

Weller.   Emanuel   M 1403 

Weiler   Families 509,    1403,    1421 

Weller,  Harvey  H 1431 

Weiler,  Joel  H 509 

Weller,    Nathan    N 1403 

Wells,  Mrs.  Anna  S. . .  .' 834 

Wells,  Llewellyn  U 761 

Wells,  Wesley  H 834 

Wendler.  Harry  J 1041 

Wendling.  Frank  R 1147 

Wenger,  Leroy  J.,  M.  D 800 

Wenrich,    Albert   D 901 

Wenrich,  Ezra  S 1049 

Wenrich  Families  400,  508,  981,   1074 

Wenrich,   Mart  H 981 

Wenrich.  Nathan  M 1074 

Wenrich;  Paul  A 1163 

Wenrich,  Dr.  Reuben  D 508 

Wentzel,  Augustus  L 855 

Wentzel,   David   S 1459 

Wentzel   Families 855,   1459 

Werley,  Dr.  Charles  D 1179 

Werley,  Cyrus   E 938 

Werley,  Thomas  G 852 

Werner,  Ephraim  G 647 

Werner    Family 963 

Werner,  John   G 989 

Werner,   William   G 963 

Werner,    William    W 747 

Wert,  Mrs.  Amelia 743 

Wert,  Daniel  R 1632 

Wert   Family 1632 

Wert,   George 742' 

Wertz,  Edward  S 378 

Wertz  Family. . .  .' 839 

Wertz,  George  W 839 

Wertz,  Samuel   378 

Wesley,  John  H 740 

Wessner,  Jerry  M 1418 

Westley  Family 1009 

Westley,  John  L 1009 

Weyman,  William  A 1135 

Wharton,  Hon.  Thomas 325 

Wharton.  Susan  F 325 

White,  John  R 1694 

White,  Josep'h  A 706 

Whitman,  Abraham   S 607 

Whitman,  Joel  W.  D 763 

Whitman,    Richard   M 607 

Whitner,   Calvin   K 408 

Whitner    Family 408 

Wieand,    Rev.    Daniel 1663 

Wieand,   Mrs.   Matilda    166&' 

Wilder,  O.  B.  S 670 

Wilgeroth,    John 1406 

Wilhelm,  Mrs.  Catherine 1490 

Wilhelm,  Henry  A 1457 

Wilhelm,    William    H 1490 

Williams,  Jacob   N 1319 

Wilsion,   Gile  J 680 

Willson,    M.    Elizabeth 680 

Wilson,    Chalkley 1203 


xxxii 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Wilson,   John    B 807 

Windbigler,    Charles 1468 

Winings,  Howard  K 1073 

Winter,   Ferdinand 1513 

Winter,    Mahlon    D 1099 

Winters.  John  M.  S 927 

Wise    (Weiss)    Family 1101 

Wise,  Harvey  L 1101 

Wise,  Warren  L 1534 

Wise,  Wellington  L 1101 

Wisser,  Stephen  S 1458 

Withers,  Eh   M 864 

Withers,  Mts.  Emeline 723 

Withers    Family 864 

Withers,  Martin-  M 723 

Witman,    Ephraim 841 

Witman  Family 841 

Witman,  John  F 1115 

Witman,  William  A 1699 

Witmoyer,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 1220 

Witmoyer,    John 1S'20 

Wittich,  Arthur 531 

Wittich,   John    D 531 

Woerner,   Oscar   L 1433 

Wolf,  James  G 980 

Wolfe,   David  S 1683 

Wolfers.berger,  Richard  A 1109 

Wolff  Family 536 

Wolff,  Oliver  M 526 

Woodward,  Warren  J 348 

Wootten,  John  1443 

Wootten,  Mrs.  Margaret  A 1443 

Worley,  Ellis  M 1343 

Worley    Family 1474 

Worley,  Henry  H 1475 

Worley,    Levi 683 

Worley,   Mrs.   Mary  M 684 

Worley,    W.    M 1343 

Wrede,  Mrs.   Barbara 1523 

Wrede,    Christian 1523 

Wren,  William  W 1325 

Wunder,  William   L 1198 

Wunder,  W.   W 1320 

Xander,  John  G 438 

Y'arnelli    Family 1366 

Yarnell,  Jared   G 1366 

Yarrington    Family 356 

Yeager,  Edward 1493 


Yeag'er   Families 606,    1263,    1493 

Yeager,  Hiram  P ises 

Yeager,  William  B 606 

Yeagley,   George  W 1037 

Yeakel,  Dr.  Isaac  B 1639 

Yeakel,   Joseph    B 1642 

Yerger  Families 604,   1465 

Yerger,  James    M 604 

Yerger,  John 1465 

Yetter,  Charles  M IS'44 

Yetzer,  Joseph 1160 

Yocom,  Albert  S 935 

Yocom,  Charles  S 1351 

Yocom  Famihes . . .' 935,   1350 

Yocom,  Harry  Y 1350 

Yocomi,   William    S 1717 

Yocum,  Mrs.  Agnes   G 342 

Yocurti,  James   W 342 

Yocum,    Valeria 1634 

Yocumv    William 1633 

Yoder,   Absalom   S 623 

Yoder,   Adam 1088 

Yoder,  Amos 1088 

Yoder,  Amos  S 1433 

Yoder,   Augustus    K 1325 

Yoder,  Daniel  B 62S 

Yoder,  David  S 623 

Yoder    Families 

620,  995,  1325,  1395,  1404,  1433,  1485 

Yoder,  Frank  D 1395 

Yoder,  Frederick  F 1485 

Yoder,  Frederick  S 995 

Yoder,  Henry  H 621 

Yoder,  John  S 1423 

Yoder,  Kensie  N 995 

Yoder,  Mabry  K 623 

Yoder,    Mary    B 623 

Yoder,  Nathan  R , 1404 

Yoder,  Samuel  D 1395 

Yoder,  S.  Herbert 1063 

Yoder,  Solomon  R 1439 

Yorgey,   Alfred   B 1339 

Yorgey  Family 1339 

Yost,  Albert  R ii03 

Yost   Families 708,    1102,    1494 

Yost,  Heber  Y 1494 

Yost,  Henry  H 909 

Yost,  James  F.  R 709 


Yost,  Rufus  R 709 

Young   Families 641,   1315 

Young,  Henry  G '641 

Young,  Mrs.  Hettie  A 643 

Young,    Walter    S 1315 

Young,  William  J 811 

Young,  William  S 642 

\  ouse,  Abraham  H 1381 

Youse,  Charles   H 840 

Youse,  Edwin  S 1173 

Youse  Families : 841,  1382' 

Yundt  Family 837 

Yundt,   Horace   A 827 

Zable,  Harry 1524 

Zacharias,    Daniel    K 1483- 

Zacharias,   iarah 1483 

Zeller.  George  M 752 

Zeller,  Wilson  B 754 

Zellers,   John 116S 

Zellers,  William  F 1168 

Zerbe  (Zerby)  Families  717,  866,  988; 

Zerbe,  Levi  M 717 

Zerbe,    Reily 98S 

Zerby.  Thomas  J 866- 

Zerby,  William  A '. . .   717 

Zerr    Family 77T 

Zerr.   John   H 783 

Zerr,   Ben   H 777 

Zerr,    Samuel 778 

Zieber,    Philip    S 544 

Zieber,    William    E 921 

Ziegler,    Capt.   Aaron 417 

Ziegler,   Jarius    W 765 

Ziegler,   J.   F 1361 

Ziegler,  Mrs.  Sarah  A 551 

Ziegler,  Dr.  Philip  M 550 

Zimmerman,    Eldridge 438 

Zimmerman    Families 438,    668 

Zimmerman,  Mrs.  Sarah  B 547 

Zimmerman,   Thomas   C 363 

Zion's   Church,  Perry  Township 

1379 

Zion's  (Spiess)    Ref.  and  Luth. 

Church 984 

Zook,    Christian 1071 

Zook    Family 1071 

Zook,    Mrs.    Susan 1071 


HISTORY 

OF 

BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


CHAPTER    I- ERECTION    OF    COUNTY 


PHYSICAL  GEOGRAPHY 

Mountains. — The  Appalachian  chain  of  moun- 
tains extends  through  the  eastern  territory  of  the 
United  States  from  the  St.  Lawrence  river  on  the 
north  to  the  State  of  Georgia  on  thfe  south.  The 
greatest  heights  are  in  North  Carolina.  There  they 
are  between  6,000  and  6,800  feet  above  the  sea.  This 
conspicuous  chain  includes  all  the  ridges ;  and  two 
ridges  extend  through  Berks  county.  They  are  the 
Blue  Mountain  and  the  South  Mountain. 

The  Blue  Mountain,  in  its  course  south  twenty- 
five  degrees  west  from  the  Delaware  at  Easton  to 
flie  Susquehanna  at  Harrisburg,  forms  the  present 
northern  boundary  line  of  Berks  county.  It  was 
a  barrier  to  migration  in  the  earliest  settlements 
of  this  section  of  the  State,  and  it  was  the  limit  of 
the  earliest  surveys  which  were  made  northwest- 
wardly from  the  Delaware  river.  The  earliest  map 
of  surveys,  which  was  prepared  by  Lewis  Evans, 
and  published  by  him  in  1749,  is  in  the  possession 
of  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania  at  Phila- 
delphia. Several  drafts  of  earlier  dates  appear  in 
the  first  two  volumes  of  the  Pennsylvania  Archives, 
and  relate  to  purchases  of  land  from  the  Indians. 

The  apex  of  this  mountain  undulates.  Its  aver- 
age height  above  the  sea  is  about  1,200  feet.  The 
distinguishing  peculiarities  in  the  formation  of  the 
mountain  in  Berks  county  are  the  "Pinnacle,"  the 
"Schuylkill  Gap,"  the  "Round  Head,"  and  numerous 
ravines  which  were  washed  out  in  the  mountain- 
side by  rolling  waters  in  the  course  of  time,  and 
came  to  be  useful  to  man  in  having  marked  out  for 
him  easy  passes  over  the  mountain. 

From  a  distance,  the  mountain  has  a  bluish  ap- 
pearance. Hence  it  was  and  is  called  Blue  Ridge. 
On  one  of  the  early  maps  it  is  called  the  "Kittatinny 
Mountain,"  corrupted  from  the  Indian  word  Kau- 
ta-tin-chunk,  meaning  endless.  It  is  also  sometimes 
called  North  Mountain. 

The  South  Mountain  extends  through  the  county 
southeastwardly.  It  enters  about  the  middle  of  the 
western  boundary,  near  the  corner-stone  of  the 
dividing  line  between  Lancaster  and  Lebanon  coun- 


ties. At  this  point  it  is  distant  from  the  Bliie 
Mountain  about  fifteen  miles.  It  is  called  South 
Mountain  because  it  lies  south  of  the  Blue  Moun- 
tain. The  distance  between  them  increases  as  they 
diverge  eastwardly.  At  Reading  it  is  about  twenty- 
three  miles.  The  highest  point  in  this  mountain 
is  near  the  county  line  in  Lebanon  county,  on  a 
spur  extending  several  miles  southwestwardly.  Its 
height  is  about  twelve  hundred  feet. 

In  the  southern  section  of  the  county,  this  moun- 
tain has  a  greater  width.  It  includes  a  succession 
of  rolling  hills,  almost  entirely  covered  with  grow- 
ing trees.  Some  portions  have  been  cleared  and 
converted  into  farming  lands.  This  district,  being 
thus  covered  and  having  the  appearance  of  a  forest, 
is  called  "The  Forest."  The  "Welsh  Mountain" 
and  the  "Flying  Hills"  are  included  in  this  range. 

The  "Flying  Hills"  extend  along  the  southerly 
side  of  the  Schuylkill  river  for  several  miles.  They 
comprise  a  small  ridge  broken  by  gorges,  and  were 
given  this  name  by  the  early  settlers  because  num- 
erous grouse  were  seen  flying  there.  They  aj^  in- 
dicated on  an  early  map  of  1743,  and  from  that 
time  till  now  they  have  been  so  known  and  called. 
They  can  be  seen  and  identified  for  forty  miles 
down  the  Schuylkill  Valley.  From  afar  they  re- 
semble great  monuments,  and  they  were  famous 
for  game  until  about  1860.  Of  the  gorges  men- 
tioned, the  "Gibraltar"  is  the  most  remarkable  and 
picturesque. 

Numerous  hills  are  scattered  throughout  the 
cotinty,  which  subserve  the  agricultural  districts 
admirably  in  respect  to  wood  and  water.  Their 
natural  arrangement  and  distribution  are  wonderful. 
The  cupidity  of  man  is,  however,  gradually  break- 
ing up  this  harmony  of  nature  by  cutting  down 
the  trees  and  tilling  the  land. 

In  the  western  section,  the  most  conspicuous  hills 
are  "Stoudt's  Hill,"  located  at  the  great  bend  of 
the  Schuylkill,  about  six  miles  north  of  Reading 
(named  after  the  owner  of  the  land),  and  "Scull's 
Hill,"  distant  about  five  miles  farther  to  the  north 
(named  after  Nicholas  Scull,  the  surveyor-general 
of  the  province  from  1748  till  1761). 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


In  the  eastern  section,  the  county  is  consider- 
ably broken  by  intersecting  hills  which  extend  in 
different  directions,  mostly,  however,  to  the  north 
and  south.  The  "Oley  Hills"  are  most  conspicuous 
in  a  historic  aspect.  They  are  mentioned  in  patents 
and  deeds  of  lands  before  1720.  Since  1783  the 
most  prominent  hill  in  that  vicinity  has  been  called 
"Earl  Mountain,"  because  it  was  cut  from  Oley 
and  included  in  a  new  township  of  that  name  then 
erected.  The  "Monocacy  Hill,"  cone-shaped,  is 
situated  several  miles  southwardly,  near  the  river. 

The  "Reading  Hills"  are  the  most  conspicuous 
in  the  central  section  in  a  natural  aspect.  They 
were  included  in  the  "Manor  of  Penn's  Mount," 
a  large  tract  which  was  set  apart  for  the  use  of 
the  Penns  before  the  erection  of  the  county,  and 
included  about  twelve  thousand  acres.  The  hill 
known  by  the  citizens  of  Reading  as  "Penn's 
Mount"  adjoins  the  city  on  the  east.  To  the  north 
and  west  its  elevated  top  commands  a  magnificent 
view  of  the  Schuylkill  and  Lebanon  Valleys,  which 
are  especially  rich  in  agriculture,  manufactures  and 
internal  improvements ;  and  it  overlooks  an  area  of 
territory  including  about  five  hundred  square  miles. 
It  has  two  conspicuous  spots  at  the  apex,  facing 
the  west,  which  are  called  "White  Spot"  and  "Black 
Spot."  They  are  visible  to  the  naked  eye  for  a 
distance  of  thirty  miles,  and  were  so  called  by  the 
first  inhabitants  of  Reading.  Their  general  appear- 
ance does  not  seem  to  change ;  they  are  bare  spots 
on  the  hillside,  composed  of  stones  and  rocks.  The 
"White  Spot"  is  the  nearer  and  more  accessible. 
It  has  been  for  many  years,  and  is  still,  resorted 
to  for  stones  for  building  purposes ;  and  it  is  fre- 
quently visited  also  by  resident  and  stranger  for 
the  view  it  commands.  The  removal  of  the  stones 
gives  the  spot  a  white  appearance.  Time  and  the 
weather  are  not  given  an  opportunity  to  darken 
the  surface  of  the  stones.  The  "Black  Spot"  was 
not  disturbed  till  1889,  when  the  Mt.  Penn  Gravity 
Railroad  was  constructed,  and  the  "Tower"  erected 
on  the  top;  hence  its  black  appearance.  Their  ele- 
vation above  the  Schuylkill  river  at  the  foot  of 
Penn  street  is  as  follows:  White  Spot,  7fi7.64 
feet:  Black  Spot,  879.78  feet.  The  elevation  of 
the  higher  point  above  the  sea  is  about  1,100  feet. 

The  hill  known  as  the  "Neversink"  adjoins  the 
city  on  the  south.  Its  highest  point  is  somewhat 
lower  than  Mt.  Penn.  It  commands  a  magnificent 
view  of  the  Schuylkill  Valley  to  the  southeast  for 
forty  miles,  and  of  "The  Forest"  to  the  south  and 
southwest  for  upward  of  ten  miles.  It  overlooks 
the  double  bend  in  the  river,  which  forms  a  large 
S,  both  projections  being  mostly  farming  land:  the 
one  extending  northwardly  being  known  as  "Lewis's 
Neck"  (from  the  first  settler  there),  and  the  other 
southwardly  as  "Poplar  Neck"  (from  the  great 
poplar  trees)  for  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty 
years.  This  hill  lies  east  and  west  and  forms,  with 
Mt.  Penn,  a  large  T.  Its  northern  declivity  is 
rather  gentle,  but  the  southern  steep  and  rugged. 
It  has  been  known  bv  the  name  of  "Neversink" 


for  many  years.  It  is  mentioned  in  surveys  of  ad- 
joining land  which  were  made  as  early  as  1714. 

An  interesting,  though  ridiculous,  tradition  is 
connected  with  its  origin.  It  was  said  by  early 
settlers  that  an  Indian  had  devised  a  flying  ma- 
chine, by  which  he  proposed  to  fly  from  the  one 
hill  (Flying  Hill  at  Poplar  Neck)  to  the  other  and 
"never  sink."  His  efforts  proved  a  failure.  In- 
stead of  flying  into  fame  he  sank  into  shame.  The 
word  is  of  Indian  origin,  "Navesink,"  and  means 
fishing-ground.  The  Schuylkill  river  in  this  vicin- 
ity was  formerly  a  famous  fishing-ground  for  shad. 
Fisheries  were  carried  on  successfully  until  the  con- 
struction of  the  canal  about  1820. 

"Schwartzwald"  is  situated  several  miles  to  the 
east.  It  was  included  in  the  "Manor  lands."  The 
woods  are  dark  and  like  a  forest.  This  name  was 
given  by  the  early  settlers  in  commemoration  of 
their  native  place. 

"Irish  Mountain"  is  near  the  center  of  the 
county.  It  is  prominent  and  overlooks  the  Schuyl- 
kill Valley  from  the  Blue  Mountain  to  the  South 
Mountain,  especially  the  fertile  lands  which  adjoin 
the  Maiden  creek  and  its  tributaries.  The  early 
settlers  round  about  were  mostly  Germans.  They 
named  the  hill  after  English  settlers  who  had  lo- 
cated or  rather  "squatted"  there.  The  language 
and  manners  of  the  latter  were  more  or  less  objec- 
tionable to  them,  and  they  among  themselves  en- 
tertained contempt  for  the  intruders,  and  in  con- 
versation called  them  the  "Irish." 

"Spitzenberg"  is  a  cone-shaped  hill  near  by  the 
Pinnacle.  Its  peculiar  shape  makes  it  conspicuous. 
It  is  not  as  elevated  as  the  mountain  to  the  north. 

Valleys. — Nature  has  arranged  the  earth's  sur- 
face within  the  borders  of  Berks  county  in  a  super- 
ior manner.  Its  rolling  character,  interspersed 
with  hills  and  mountains,  and  intersected  by  num- 
erous irrigating  rivulets  and  streams,  renders  it 
most  admirable  for  successful  cultivation  with  or- 
dinary labor.  The  well-directed  energy  and  enter- 
prise of  the  farmers  have  enriched  and  improved 
it  to  a  wonderful  degree. 

A  depression  in  the  central  portion  of  the  county 
extends  from  the  Blue  Mountain  on  the  north  to 
the  boundary  line  on  the  southeast,  a  distance  of 
thirty-two  miles.  It  resembles  an  L  irregularly 
drawn.  It  is  called  "Schuylkill  A'alley,"  and  take's 
its  name  from  the  meandering  river  that  flows 
through  its  bosom.  It  is  not  distinguished  for 
width.  Above  Reading  it  is  rather  open,  below 
rather  confined.  Valleys  enter  it  on  the  east  and 
on  the  west.  The  most  conspicuous  of  the  eastern 
valleys  are  the  Maiden-creek,  the  Antietam,  the 
Monocacy  and  the  Manatawny :  and  of  the  western, 
the  Tulpehocken,  the  Wyomissing,  the  Allegheny, 
and  the  Hay-creek.  All  take  their  names  from  the 
streams  which  flow  through  them.  On  both  sides 
they  begin  at  the  extreme  limits  of  the  county,  ex- 
cepting the  Antietam  and  the  Monocacy,  which  be- 
gin in  the  central  portion. 


NOTE. — Gan'-sho-han'-ne,  meaning  "the  mother  of  waters,"  is  the  Indian  name  for  the 
Schuylkill  river.  The  Dutch  name,  Schuylkill,  means  hidden  stream,  the  outlet  of  the 
Schuylkill  flowing  into  the  Delaware  river  being  so  wide  as  not  to  be  observable. 

The  Schuylkill  is  the  principal  stream  of  Berks  county,  with  important  branches — Onte- 
launee  and  Manatawny,  flowing  into  it  from  the  east,  and  Tulpehocken  and  Allegheny  from  the 
west.  They  together  flow  into  the  Delaware  river  below  Philadelphia,  and  thence  into  the 
Atlantic  ocean. 


ERECTION   OF   COUNTY 


Together  these  valleys  present  a  remarkable  con- 
formation. They  distribute  the  water  supply  equal- 
ly. Their  depression  is  from  the  limits  of  the  county 
toward  the  center,  with  a  southerly  inclination. 
The  principal  valley  has  the  lowest  points  of  the 
county  from  the  northern  limit  to  the  southern. 
The  limits  on  the  east,  west  and  south  are  water- 
sheds to  a  great  degree;  inside  the  waters  flow 
inwardly,  but  at  the  lines  and  outside  they  flow 
outwardly — on  the  east  into  the  Lehigh  river  and 
Perkiomen  creek,  and  on  the  west  and  south  into 
the  Swatara  creek  and  Conestoga  creek,  which 
empty  into  the  Susquehanna  river.  These  valleys, 
therefore,  gather  all  the  waters  within  the  county 
and  direct  them  into  and  through  its  territory  for 
the  great  benefit  of  its  industrious  inhabitants  be- 
fore they  allow  them  to  depart. 

Berks  county  occupies  the  central  portion  of  the 
large  district,  in  area  forty-six  hundred  square 
miles,  which  lies  between  the  Delaware  and  Sus- 
quehanna rivers.  The  plan  of  distribution  of  val- 
leys and  waters  between  these  rivers  is  marvelous, 
and  the  leaders  in  the  mdvement  for  the  erection 
of  the  county  in  this  large  body  of  land  displayed 
remarkable  foresight  and  knowledge  in  obtainirig 
such  boundary  lines. 

The  Tulpehocken  Valley  forms  the  eastern  sec- 
tion of  the  Lebanon  Valley,  the  Swatara  Valley 
(which  extends  westwardly  through  Lebanon  and 
Dauphin  counties)  the  western  section.  These  two 
valleys  together  are  about  fifty-four  miles  long,  and 
they  take  the  name  of  Lebanon  Valley  from  the 
town  which  occupies  the  highest  point  midway. 

There  are  other  valleys,  but  they  have  only  a 
local  character  and  take  their  names  from  the  re- 
spective streams  which  flow  through  them.  There 
are  several  gaps  in  the  county,  but  the  Schuylkill 
Gap  in  the  Blue  Mountain,  where  the  Schuylkill 
river  enters,  possesses  the  most  marked  features. 

Streams. — Springs  are  the  great  sources  of  all 
streams.  They  arise  mostly  in  the  mountains  and 
elevated  portions  of  country,  and  supply  all  the 
streams  in  Berks  county,  almost  the  entire  quan- 
tity flowing  from  numerous  springs  which  are  sit- 
uated within  its  borders.  This  is  exceptional;  for 
comparatively  little  water  is  drained  from  the  ad- 
joining counties  into  Berks  county,  but  a  great 
quantity  is  drained  from  Berks  county  into  all  .he 
adjoining  counties,  excepting  Schuylkill  countv  on 
the  north.  This  indicates  that  the  borders  of  Berks 
county  are  higher  than  the  surrounding  territory. 

Bethel  township,  in  the  northwest,  is  e;itirely 
drained  by  the  Little  Swatara  creek  into  the  Swa- 
tara, and  the  waters  pass  through  Lebanon  and 
Dauphin  counties  into  the  Susquehanna  river. 
Caernarvon  township,  on  the  south,  is  entirely 
drained  by  the  Little  Conestoga  and  Muddy  creeks, 
into  the  Conestoga,  and  the  waters  pass  through 
Lancaster  county  into  the  Susquehanna  nyer.  A 
part  of  Union  township,  on  the  southeast,  is  drained 
by  French  creek,  and  the  waters  pass  through 
Chester  county  into  the  Schuylkill  river.     Consid- 


erable parts  of  the  eastern  townships  (Colebrook- 
dale,  Washington  and  Hereford)  are  drained  by 
Perkiomen  creek,  and  the  waters  pass  through 
Montgomery  county  into  the  Schuylkill.  And  the 
greater  part  of  Longswamp  township  on  the  north- 
east, and  the  remaining  part  of  Hereford,  are 
drained  by  the  Little  Lehigh  into  Lehigh  river,  and 
the  waters  pass  through  Lehigh  county  into  the 
Delaware  river. 

The  streams  of  the  county  are  numerous.  They 
irrigate  every  section  and  contribute  much  to  the 
natural  fertility  of  the  soil.  The  most  conspicuous 
feature  of  the  water  system  is  the  Schuylkill  river. 
Streams  flow  into  it  from  the  east  and  from  the 
west,  and  the  territory  on  each  side,  thus  supplied, 
is  about  equal  in  area.  On  the  eastern  side,  begin- 
ning in  the  upper  section,  they  are  1,  Windsor; 
2,  Perry;  3,  Maiden  creek  (which  has  two  principal 
tributaries  flowing  into  it,  both  on  the  east — Mose- 
lem  and  Sacony)  ;  4,  Laurel  Run ;  5,  Bernhart  Run ; 
6,  Rose 'Valley  run;  7,  Antietam;  8,  Monocacy; 
and  9,  Manatawny  (which  has  two  principal  tribu- 
taries flowing  into  it — the  Ironstone  from  the  east, 
and  the  Little  Manatawny  from  the  west).  Of 
these,  the  Maiden  creek  and  Manatawny  are  espe- 
cially large.  The  Bernhart, run  and  the  Antietam 
(formerly,  for  a  time,  known  as  Ohlinger  creek) 
have  been.entirely  appropriated  by  the  city  of  Read- 
ing for  a  municipal  water  supply. 

On  the  western  side  they  are  1,  Mill  creek;  2, 
Irish  creek;  3,  Tulpehocken;  4,  Wyomissing;  5, 
AngeHca;  6,  Allegheny;  7,  Hay  creek;  8,  Sixpenny; 
and  9,  Mill  creek.  Of  these,  the  Tulpehocken,  Wy- 
omissing and  Hay  creek  are  especially  large. 

All  the  streams  mentioned  afford  valuable  water- 
power.  They  attracted  the  attention  of  the  early 
settlers  of  the  county  and  their  inexhaustible  sup- 
ply was  fully  appreciated,  having  been  appropriated 
immediately  by  the  settlers,  and  turned  to  account 
in  running  gristmills  and  iron  forges.  Many  of 
the  early  deeds  on  record  relate  to  this. 

Schuylkill.— The  word  Schuylkill  is  of  Dutch  or- 
igin and  means  Hidden  creek,  or  Skulk  creek.  The 
Dutch  named  the  river  when  they  took  possession 
of  the  land  about  its  mouth.  The  outlet  is  very 
wide  and  deceiving,  and  appears  to  be  a  part  of  the 
Delaware  river  instead  of  being  a  tributary.  By 
some  persons  it  is  said  to  be  of  Indian  origin,  but 
this  is  not  correct.  The  name  given  to  it  by  the 
Indians  was  "Ganshowehanne,"  which  means  a 
roaring  or  falling  stream.  Rupp  says  they  called 
it  "Manajung,"  which  means  mother.  The  river 
rises  in  Schuylkill  county.  It  flows  generally  in  a 
southeasterly  direction  and  traverses  the  State  for 
a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles, 
until  it  empties  into  the  Delaware  river  at  Phila- 
delphia. It  has  many  important  branches  which 
flow  into  it  on  the  east  and  on  the  west,  from  its 
source  to  its. mouth.  These  contribute  much  to  the 
physical  and  productive  welfare  of  the  southeastern 
section  of  the  State.  Together  they  drain  a  very- 
large  area  of  territory. 


4 


HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


The  important  branches  are  the  following:  On 
the  east,  beginning  in  the  north:  1,  Main  Branch; 

2,  Little    Schuylkill    (formerly   called    Tamaqua)  ; 

3,  Maiden  creek;  4,  Manatawny;  5,  Perkiomen; 
and  6,  Wissahickon;  and  on  the  west:  1,  West 
Branch ;  2,  Bear  creek ;  3,  Tulpehocken  ;  4,  Wyo- 
missing;  5,  French  creek;  and  6,  Pickering.  Each 
is  conspicuous  for  length  and  large  flow  of  water; 
and  in  a  general  way  they  are  about  equal  in  these 
respects.  This  harmony  in  their  proportions  is 
wonderful.  The  earliest  drafts  show  the  Maiden 
creek,  Manatawny  and  Tulpehocken,  which  indi- 
cates that  the  surveyors  regarded  them  of  more 
than  ordinary  importance.  The  Schuylkill  is  not 
only  the  grand  trunk  of  this  system  of  water,  but 
it  occupies  the  central  line  of  the  territory  in  which 
this  system  is  arranged. 

Latitude  and  Longitude. — The  county  of  Berks 
lies  in  the  lower  central  portion  of  the  North  Tem- 
perate Zone,  between  40°  and  41°  North  Latitude, 
and  between  ^°  and  1|°  East  Longitude,  reck- 
oning from  Washington. 

Relative  Elevations. — The  following  state- 
ment exhibits  the  elevation,  above  mean  ocean  tide, 
at  Philadelphia,  of  the  several  places  in  Berks  coun- 
ty, and  other  places  out  of  the  county,  as  compared 
with  Reading,  in  different  directions.  The  figures 
to  the  left  of  the  places  indicate  the  distance  in 
miles  from  Reading,  and  those  to  the  right,  the 
elevation  in  feet. 

Reading 

Seventh  .and   Penn  Streets   265  feet 

Foot   of   Penn    Street    198   feet 

I.riles  NoRl  H  Feet 

17      Hamburg    372 

35      Pottsvillc     611 

Tamaqua    800 

Northeast 
18,.-, Topton     482 

36      Allentown     254 

East 

M'anatawny   189 

Boyertown     386 

Barto    466 

Southeast 

9  Eirdsboro    170 

18  Pottstown   147 

41  Norristown     72 

58  Philadelphia     25 

South 

13,0   White    Bear     346 

19.2  Joanna    624 

Southwest 

8.5   Fritztown    469 

10       Deep-Cut    570 

35      Lancaster    369 

45       Columbia      261 

West 

15      Womelsdor      453 

28      Lebanon     463 

54      Harrisburg     318 

Iron  Ore. — The  mining  of  different  ores  was 
carried  on  quite  extensively  from  the  beginning  of 
the  settlements  in  Berks  county,  particularly  iron 
and   copper.     The   former  of  these  was  mined   in 


connection  with  the  manufacture  of  charcoal  iron. 
Rich  deposits  were  found  at  many  places  within 
the  limits  of  the  county,  and  became  a  great  source 
of  profit  to  miners  and  manufacturers.  These  de- 
posits were  mostly  in  the  townships  of  Cumru,  Al- 
sace, Oley,  Ruscombmanor,  Colebrookdale  and 
Caernarvon,  and  along  the  East  Penn  Valley. 

In  1880  the  Census  Report  placed  Berks  county 
third  in  the  list  of  ore-producing  counties  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  seventh  in  the  United  States.  The 
iron  ore  produced  in  that  year  was  :352,940  tons  and 
over  one  hundred  mines  were  in  successful  opera- 
tion. The  character  of  the  ore  was  primitive  and 
hematite. 

Copper  Ore.- — It  is  believed  that  copper  ore  was 
found  in  the  southern  section  of  the  county  before 
1700.  Subsequently,  a  tract  of  one  thousand  acres 
of  land  came  to  be  owned  and  occupied  by  David 
Jones,  in  1735,  and  he  mined  large  quantities  of 
copper  ore,  causing  the  locality  to  be  known  from 
that  time  uii'til.now  as  the  "Jones  Mines."  No  st.:i- 
tistics  have  been  published  relating  to  it.  It  was 
operated  at  different  times  afterward  for  nearly  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years. 

Clays. — A  number  of  beds  of  clay  have  been 
found  and  worked  in  recent  yearb,  which  are  de- 
scribed in  the  several  townships  where  the  opera- 
tions have  been  carried  on. 

Minerals. — Prof.  David  B.  Brunner  (prominent 
educator  of  Berks  county  for  many  years)  tabu- 
lated a  list  of  the  minerals  found  in  the  county  and 
this  list  comprises  seventy  different  kinds. 

Geology. — A  geological  survey  of  Pennsylvania 
was  made  from  1836  to  1857  by  the  State,  and  this 
immediate  section,  including  Berks  county,  was 
found  to  contain  four  principal  strata,  which 
extend  through  the  county  from  northeast  to  south- 
west. By  a  published  map  it  appears  that  the  jflaie 
formation  covered  nearly  the  upper  half  of  the 
county,  or  four-tenths ;  the  limcstouc,  the  central 
section,  or  three-tenths;  the  white  sandstone,  the 
lower  central,  or  one-tenth;  and  the  red  sandstone, 
the  lower,  or  two-tenths. 

CONDITIONS  OF  TERRITORY 
When  the  province  of  Pennsylvania  was  granted 
to"  William  Penn  by  Charles  II.,  King  of  Great 
Britain,  in  1681,  no  township  or  county  organiza- 
tion.s  existed  within  its  limits.  But  the  arrival  of 
Pent  was  the  dawn  of  government,  progress  and 
civilisation,  and  within  a  month  afterward  he 
caused  three  counties  to  be  laid  out — Bucks,  Chester 
and  Philadelphia.  County  government  then  began, 
and  county  representation  in  the  Provincial  As- 
sembly was  inaugurated. 

Durinji^  this  period,  thousands  of  immigrants 
came  into  the  province  and  effected  permanent  set- 
tlements ■  and  each  succeeding  3'ear  found  them 
farther  r'lmoved  from  the  county-seats  of  the  coun- 
ties named.  They  proceeded  up  the  courses  of 
streams  .nostly.  Very  few  followed  the  streams 
from  their  sources  to  their  outlets.     Onlv  one  col- 


ERECTION    OF   COUNTY 


ony  came  from  New  York  overland,  and  this  was 
nearly  fifty  years  after  the  settlements  had  begun, 
and  the  government  had  been  given  a  fixed  charac- 
ter. Nearly  all  landed  at  Philadelphia;  and  thence 
the  great  majority  proceeded  toward  the  interior 
districts  and  the  head-waters  of  streams.  This  is 
particularly  the  case  with  the  Schuylkill  river  and 
all  its  tributaries. 

The  settlements  between  the  Schuylkill  and  Del- 
aware rivers  were  numerous  before  1700.  Every 
decade  thereafter  found  them  farther  northward 
from  the  Wissahickon  to  the  Perkiomen,  from  the 
Perkiomen  to  the  Manatawny,  and  from  the  Man- 
atawny  to  the  Maiden  creek.  And  so  they  pro- 
■ceeded  between  the  Schuylkill  and  Susquehanna 
rivers. 

Gradually  those  who  had  settled  in  the  interior 
districts  toward  the  mountains  began  to  feel  the 
inconvenience  and  expense  incident  to  their  location. 
They  were  compelled  to  travel,  regardless  of  roads 
or  weather,  to  the  county-seat  far  removed  from 
their  settlements,  and  to  haul  their  goods  many 
miles  to  the  market  before  they  could  realize  any 
value  for  the  products  of  their  hard  manual  labor. 
Naturally  they  felt  inclined  to  improve  their  condi- 
tion. A  county  organization  was  the  first  step 
toward  accomplishing  this  object,  as  well  to  bring 
the  county-seat  into  their  midst  as  to  create  a  mar- 
ket near  by  for  the  disposition  of  their  produce. 

But,  notwithstanding  the  numerous  settlements 
and  the  large  population  in  the  great  district  of 
territory  east  of  the  Schuylkill  and  south  of  the 
Blue  Mountain,  no  additional  counties  were  erected 
hefore  1750.  It  was  different  to  the  west  of  the 
Schuylkill.  The  tide  of  immigration  seems  to  have 
"been  greater  in  that  direction.  They  did  not  have 
the  natural  facilities  to  enable  them  to  reach  their 
county  seat  in  Chester  county,  as  the  settlers  had 
in  the  districts  to  the  east  of  them,  which  lay  in 
Philadelphia  and  Bucks  counties.  In  1739  they 
induced  the  Executive  Council  to  separate  them 
from  Chester  county  and  erect  their  settlements 
into  a  new  county,  which  they  called  Lancaster. 

During  the  first  quarter  of  the  eighteenth  century 
many  immigrants  proceeded  to  the  right  into  Per- 
kiomen Valley  along  the  West  Branch,  and  into 
Oley  Valley  along  the  Manatawny  and  its  tribu- 
tarie's.  These  were  mostly  Germans;  some  were 
English,  and  others  Swedes.  Other  immigrants, 
mostly  Welsh,  proceeded  to  the  left  into  Conestoga 
Valley.  The  settlements  for  miles  on  both  sides 
of  the  river  were  mostly  confined  to  the  south  of 
the  succession  of  hills  commonly  called  South 
Mountain.  This  was  especially  the  case  to  the  right. 
In  this  district  of  territory  the  settlements  were 
then  known  by  the  names  "Amity,"  "Oley"  and 
"Colebrookdale."  But  to  the  left,  a  small  settle- 
ment of  Germans  had  taken  place  in  the  Tulpe- 
hocken  Valley,  the  enterprising  settlers  having  come 
down  the  Susquehanna  river  from  New  York,  and 
migrated  eastwardly  to  the  head-waters  of  the  Tul- 
•pehocken  creek ;  and  another  settlement,  of  English 


(commonly  called  "Friends")  and  Welsh,  had  taken 
place  along  the  Allegheny  and  Wyomissing  creeks. 
These  settlements  were  known  by  tne  names  "Tul- 
pehocken"  and  "Robeson."  An  earher  settlement 
to  the  south  was  called  "Caernarvon."  Accord- 
ingly, during  the  first  quarter  of  that  century,  six 
distinct  settlements  in  this  vicinity  had  come  to  be 
formed  and  recognized. 

During  the  second  quarter,  the  way  for  settle- 
ments north  of  the  South  Mountain  was  opened  by 
the  purchase  of  the  territory  from  the  Indians- 
The  Friends  were  the  first  to  enter  the  new  dis- 
trict to  the  right  of  the  river.  They  took  up  large 
tracts  of  land  along  the  Ontelaunee,  called  by  them 
Maiden  creek.  Many  Germans  followed  imme- 
diately afterward.  And  to  the  left,  many  Germans, 
Friends,  and  Welsh  were  added  to  the  settlements 
along  the  Tulpehocken,  Wyomissing  and  Allegheny 
creeks. 

Improvements  were  carried  on  with  great  energy 
and  success  throughout  the  greats  valleys  which  lay 
between  the  South  Mountain  and  the  Kittatinny 
Mountain  (sometimes  called  "North,"  but  com- 
monly "Blue  Ridge").  New  districts  were  formed 
to  encourage  local  government  and  to  facilitate 
intercourse.  To  the  right  they  were  called  Doug- 
lass, Exeter,  Ruscombmanor,  Alsace,  Maxatawny, 
Maiden-creek,  Richmond,  -  Longswamp  and  Alle- 
mengle;  and  to  the  left,  Heidelberg,  Bern,  Cumru, 
Bethel  and  Brecknock.  Altogether,  till  1750,  the 
districts  were  twenty  in  number.  This  was  the 
territorial  situation  of  the  settlements  in  this  sec- 
tion of  the  province  toward  the  close  of  the  second 
quarter  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

The  settlers  had  provided  themselves  with  meetr 
ing-houses  and  schools  for  their  religious  and  secu- 
lar education.  In  this  respect  they  had  exhibited 
commendable  zeal.  The  German  population  pre- 
dominated; consequently,  the  preaching  and  teach- 
ing were  mostly  done  in  the  German  language.  But 
the  Friends  were  not  backward.  They  were  prom- 
inent in  Oley,  Exeter,  Robeson  and  Maiden-creek; 
and  their  schools  were  distinguished  for  excel- 
lence. 

Manufactures  were  carried  on  everywhere;  spin- 
ning was  a  common,  if  not  a  necessary  employ- 
ment in  every  household.  Wearing  apparel  was 
home-made;  carpenters,  masons,  blacksmiths  and 
shoemakers  were  in  every  locality;  and  iron  ore 
mines  and  furnaces  and  forges  were  in  operation 
to  the  north,  south,  east  and  west. 

The  great  highways  were  comparatively  few, 
the  most  prominent  public  road  being  the  Tulpe- 
hocken. It  extended  from  the  Tulpehocken  settle- 
ment in  the  west,  in  a  southeasterly  .direction,  via 
the  ford  across  the  Schuylkill  (now  the  site  of  the 
Penn  street  bridge  at  Reading)  and  Pine  Iron 
Works,  to  Phila:lelphia.  From  this  ford  a  prom- 
inent road  extended  to  the  north,  on  the  eastern 
Fide  of  the  river,  called  ATaiden-creek  road ;"  and 
another  to  the  south,  on  the  western  side,  called 
Schuylkill  road. 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


This  point  of  concentration  naturally  attracted 
attention  toward  this  locality  as  a  practicable  place 
for  a  town-site.  Elsewhere,  for  many  miles 
round  about,  there  was  no  town,  not  even  a  village ; 
and  there  were  then  apparently  no  steps  toward 
founding  either.  But  just  as  the  settlers  had  labored 
for  years  to  establish  a  county  out  of  the  surround- 
ing territory,  similar  efforts  were  expended  for  a 
town  here. 

PETITIONS  FOR  COUNTY 

The  first  efforts  for  the  establishment  of  a  new 
county  out  of  the  upper  sections  of  Philadelphia 
and  Lancaster  counties,  adjoining  the  Schuylkill, 
were  made  in  the  latter  part  of  1738.  On  Jan. 
13th,  of  that  year,  the  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the 
province  laid  before  the  Council  two  petitions  ad- 
dressed to  him — one  from  the  inhabitants  of  Prov- 
idence, Limerick,  etc.,  in  Philadelphia  county;  and 
the  other  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  northeast 
side  of  the  county  of  Lancaster  (with  a  map  of  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania) — praying  that  a  new 
county  may  be  bounded  as  by  the  dividing  lines 
in  the  said  map,  for  that  they  labor  under  great 
inconveniences  and  damage  by  reason  of  their 
distance  from  the  courts  held  at  Philadelphia  and 
Lancaster,  and  for  many  other  reasons  in  the  said 
petition  mentioned ;  which  were  read  and  ordered 
to  lie  on  the  table  for  further  consideration.  The 
first  petition  has  not  been  found ;  but  a  copy  of 
the  other  is  in  the  possession  of  the  Historical 
Society  of  Pennsylvania  at  Philadelphia,  and  it 
includes  the  names  of  172  subscribers,  of  which  the 
first  61  were  Welsh,  the  others  Germans. 

In  May,  1739,  the  Lieutenant-Governor  addressed 
a  message  to  the  Assembly,  in  which  he  referred 
to  these  petitions,  but  the  Assembly  took  no  action. 
The  petitioners  waited  patiently  for  six  years  with- 
out any  progress  in  the  matter ;  then  they  forwarded 
another  petition,  renewing  their  request  for  a  new 
county.  It  was  read  to  the  Council,  "and  their  case 
being  thought  proper  to  be  recommended  to  the 
Assembly,  the  same  was  done,"  in  a  message  sim- 
ilar to  the  first.  The  Assembly  ordered  it  to  lie  on 
the  table.  It  was  signed  by  John  Potts,  Henry 
Harry,  William  Bird,  Francis  Parvin  and  num- 
erous  other  inhabitants. 

On  Jan.  14,  1745,  a  similar  petition  was  pre- 
sented, in  which  the  petitioners  (the  persons  named 
"in  behalf  of  themselves  and  a  great  many  other 
inhabitants")  prayed  "that  their  former  petition 
might  now  be  considered."  It  was  read  and  or- 
dered to  lie  on  the  table.  The  next  day  (15th) 
it  was  again  read,  but  referred  for  further  con- 
sideration. In  two  weeks  afterward  (on  the  30th), 
another  "petition  from  a  considerable  number  of 
inhabitants  of  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster  counties, 
praying  to  be  set  off  into  a  new  county,"  was  pre- 
sented, read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table.  On 
Feb.  28,  1745,  sundry  persons  appeared  before  the 
House  and  urged  the  matter  of  the  erection  of  this 


new  county,  but  the  matter  was  dropped  for  five 
years  more. 

In  the  mean  time  settlements  had  been  extended 
westwardly  and  northwestwardly  beyond  the  Sus- 
quehanna river.  York  county  was  erected  on  Aug. 
19,  1749,  and  Cumberland  county  on  Jan.  27,  1750, 
both  out  of  the  westerly  part  of  Lancaster  county. 
This  successful  action  on  the  part  of  the  German 
settlers  west  of  the  Susquehanna  awakened  a  new 
interest  in  behalf  of  the  new  county  between  the 
Susquehanna  and  the  Delaware;  for,  some  months 
afterward  (May  7,  1750),  a  petition  was  presented 
and  read,  but  again  it  was  not  effective.  If  they 
were  then  disappointed,  they  were  not  discouraged. 
Their  determination  prepared  them  for  another 
effort.  A  year  afterward,  they  tried  it  again. 
They  caused  their  petition  to  be  brought  up  before 
the  Assembly  Aug.  16,  1751,  and  read  a  second 
time;  but  it  was  "referred  to  the  consideration  of 
the  next  Assembly." 

When  the  next  Assembly  met,  these  earnest 
petitioners  were  on  hand.  They  prepared  the  way 
by  presenting  still  another  petition,  Feb.  4,  1752, 
which  represented — ■ 

That  they  were  inhabitants  of  Reading-town,  upon 
the  Schuylkill.  That  they  had  settled  in  the  said  town, 
expecting  that  it  would  be  a  great  place  of  trade  and 
business,  and  had  put  themselves  to  vast  expenses  in 
building  and  removing  thither  with  their  families,  several 
of  whom  had  left  tolerably  good  plantations;  that  though 
the  said  town  had  not  above  one  house  in  it  about  two 
years  ago  (1750),  yet  it  now  consisted  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty  dwelling-houses,  besides  forty-one  stables  and 
other  out-houses;  and  that  there  were  one  hundred  and 
sixty  families,  consisting  of  three  hundred  and  seventy- 
eight  persons,  settled  therein;  that  they  had  good  reason 
to  believe  that  in  another  summer  they  would  be  much 
increased,  as  the  chief  part  of  the  province  that  could 
be  settled  was  already  taken  up,  and  the  settling  oi  the 
town  would  be  of  great  benefit  to  tradesmen  and  others 
who  are  not  able  to  purchase  tracts  of  land  to  live  on; 
that  they  humbly  conceived  it  their  interest,  to  the  hon- 
orable proprietaries  as  well  as  to  themselves,  and  that 
unless  this  House  would  be  pleased  to  erect  part  of  the 
counties  of  Philadelphia,  Chester  and  Lancaster  into  a 
separate  county,  they  should  be  entirely  disappointed 
in  their  expectations,  notwithstanding  all  the  cost  and 
trouble  they  had  been  at;  they  therefore  prayed  that  this 
House  would  take  their  case  into  consideration  and  grant 
them  relief  by  erecting  such  parts  of  said  counties  as 
they  should  think  most  proper  into  a  new  county,  with 
the  same  privileges  that  the  other  counties  of  this  prov- 
ince enjoyed;  and  that  the  seat  of  judicature  should  be 
fixed  within  the  said  town  of  Reading. 

And  on  the  following  day  (5th)  another  petition 
was  presented,  in  which  they  stated  that 

Although  their  grievances  were  laid  before  the  As- 
semblies of  this  Province  several  years  past,  and  their 
petition  again  renewed  at  the  last  sitting  of  the  Assembly, 
yet  as  they  find  the  causes  of  their  complaint  still  grow- 
ing, they  humbly  beg  leave  further  to  represent  that 
they  are  settled  at  a  very  great  distance  from  the  place 
of  judicature,  many  of  them  not  less  than  one  hundred 
miles,  which  is  a  real  hardship  upon  those  who  are  so 
unhappy  as  to  be  sued  for  debts,  their  charges  in  long 
journeys,  and  sometimes  in  severe  weather,  with  the 
officers'  fees,  amounting  to  near  as  much,  if  not  more, 
than   the   debts;   that   the   hardships   on   jurymen,   consta- 


ERECTION    OF   COUNTY 


bles,  etc.,  in  being^  obliged  to  attend  when  required,  is 
also  very  great;  that  now  there  is  a  new  town  laid  out 
by  the  Proprietaries'  Order,  within  fifteen  perches  of  the 
division  line  between  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster  coun- 
ties, and  above  one  hundred  and  thirty  houses  built,  and 
near  as  many  families  living  therein;  it  is  very  easy 
for  rogues  and  others  to  escape  justice  by  crossing  the 
Schuylkill,  which  has  already  been  their  practice  for 
some  years;  that,  thotigh  their  grievances  when  laid 
before  the  Assembly  some  years  past  were  not  redressed, 
because  of  other  weighty  affairs  being  at  that  time  under 
consideration,  yet  the  prayer  of  their  petition  was  thought 
reasonable,  and  the  number  of  petitioners  being  since 
doubled  by  the  increase  of  the  back  inhabitants;  they 
therefore  pray  that  this  House  would  grant  relief  in  the 
premises,  by  erecting  them  into  a  separate  county, 
bounded  as  to  the  wisdom  of  the  House  shall  seem 
best. 

In  pvirsuance  of  the  reference,  the  petition 
was  read  on  the  5th,  and  referred  for  the  next 
day.  The  6th  arrived  and  it  was  read  again  and 
referred.  ,  On  the  12th,  the  same  proceedings 
were  had.  And  finally,  on  the  13th,  the  monotony 
of  reading  and  reference  was  broken;  for  then 
the  House,  after  having  considered  the  petition, 
and ,  also  the  petitions  from  Reading,  "Resolved, 
that  the  petitioners  have  leave  to  bring  in  a  bill 
pursuant  to  the  prayer  of  their  petition." 

On  that  day,  some  of  the  petitioners  presented 
themselves  before  the  House  and  desired  leave  to 
be  heard  respecting  the  bounds  which  they  under- 
stood the  House  proposed  for  a  new  county  in 
case  it  should  be  granted.  Their  objections  were 
heard;  and,  after  answering  such  questions  as 
were  put  to  them,  they  withdrew. 

On  the  18th,  the  bill  was  read  the  first  time 
and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table.  On  the  19th, 
it  was  read  a  second  time,  considered  paragraph 
by  paragraph,  and,  after  some  debate,  ordered 
to  be  transcribed  for  a  third  reading.  On  the 
20th,  it  was  read  a  third  time,  and,  upon  the  ques- 
tion that  the  bill  do  pass  it  was  ordered  to  be 
given  the  ■  Governor  for  his  concurrence.  After 
some  consideration  and  amendments,  the  Act  was 
finally  passed  on  March  11,  1752.  So,  after  the 
lapse  of  fourteen  years,  the  zeal  and  persistent 
efforts  of  the  petitioners  were  at  last  crowned  with 
success.  The  Act  specified  the  name  of  the  county 
to  be  "Berks,"  fixed  the  boundary  lines,  authorized 
the  erection  of  county  buildings  for  tfte  public  serv- 
ice, and  gave  the  inhabitants  the  customary  powers 
of  local. government,  etc.  . 

Surveying  Commissioners,  appointed  in  the  Act 
(Edward  Scull  of  Philadelphia  county,  Benjamin 
Lightfoot  of  Chester  county,  and  Thomas  Cook- 
son  of  Lancaster  county),  made  a  survey  of  the 
boundary  lines  of  the  new  county  extending  them 
as  far  as  the  Susquehanna  river,  which  was  then 
the  limit  of  settlements. 

The  settlers,  soon  ascertaining  that  the  lines 
were  run,  then  extended  their  settlements  rapidly 


farther  on;  which  caused  complaints  to  arise,  be- 
cause the  adjoining  counties  claimed  and  exer- 
cised the  right  of  levying  taxes  on  the  inhabi- 
tants and  their  property  along  the  lines. 

An  Act  was  therefore  passed  on  February  18, 
1769,  which  authorized  three  commissioners  to  run 
the  lines  between  Lancaster,  Cumberland  and  Berks 
counties  on  the  west,  and  between  Northampton 
and  Berks  counties  on  the  northeast,  by  actual  sur- 
vey, and  extend  them  in  a  northwestwardly  course 
as  far  as  the  lands  extended  which  were  purchased 
from  the  Indians  by  the  Proprietaries  in  1768. 

The  territory  to  the  east  of  the  Schuylkill  river 
was  taken  from  Philadelphia  county,  and  that  to 
the  west  from  Lancaster  and  Chester  counties.  The 
estimated  area  of  the  county,  as  at  present  bounded, 
from  each  of  them   is  as  follows: 

Acres 

Philadelphia    county     280,000 

Lancaster  county    238,500 

Chester    county    7,500 


526,000 

Districts  at  Erection. — At  the  time  of  the 
erection  of  the  county  there  were  twenty  districts 
or  townships,  and  taking  the  river  as  the  natural 
dividing  line,  they  were  as  follows: 


EASTERN   DIVISION 


Albany 

Alsace 

Amity 

Colebrookdale 

Douglass 

Exeter 


Bern 
Bethel 
Brecknock 
Caernarvon 


Longswamp 

Maiden-creek 

Maxatawny 

Oley 

Richmond 

Ruscombmanor 


WESTERN   DIVISION 


Cumru 
Heidelberg 
Robeson 
Tulpehocken 


Boundaries  of  County. — The  county  is  bound- 
ed on.  the  northwest  by  Schuylkill  county,  the  Blue 
Mountain  forming  a  natural  boundary  line  in 'length 
about  thirty-six  miles;  on  the  northeast  by  Lehigh 
county,  the  line  extending  S.  49  degrees  E.,  twenty- 
four  miles ;  on  the  southeast  by  Montgomery  county 
and  Chester  county,  the  line  along  the  former  ex- 
lending  S.  33i  degrees  W.,  sixteen  and  one-fifth 
miles,  and  the  line  along  the  latter,  S.,  53  degrees 
W.,  eleven  and  a  half  miles;  and  on  the  southwest 
by  Lancaster  county  and  Lebanon  county,  the  entire 
line  extending  N.  49^  degrees  W.,  thirty-nine  miles, 
along  the  former  county  nineteen  miles,  and  along 
the  latter  twenty  miles. 

The  population  of  the  new  couniy  at  the  time 
of  its  erection  cannot  be  approximately  estimated. 
It  may  have  been  about  twelve  thousand. 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


First  Assessment,  1754 

EASTERN   DIVISION 


Districts 


Albany 

Alsace 

Amity 

Colebrookdale . . 

Douglass 

Exeter 

Greenwich 

Hereford 

Longswamp .... 
Maiden-creek.  . . 

Maxatawny 

Oley 

Reading 

Richmond 

Ruscombmanor. 
Windsor 


Tax 

Levied 

Tax- 
ables 

£  18 

Is. 

6d. 

63 

17 

14 

6 

59 

45 

9 

139 

23 

4 

6 

81 

31 

3 

6 

85 

23 

3 

75 

34 

15 

6 

69 

25 

6 

82 

21 

5 

6 

56 

31 

6 

82 

50 

6 

115 

36 

16 

6 

140 

18 

19 

6 

56 

14 

10 

6 

53 

28 

16 

6 

101 

Collectors 


Cornelius   Treiss 

John  Webb 
Nicholas  Isch 

Jacob   Wiler 
Frederick   Mayer 
Benedic  Leeser 
Frederick  Helwig 
Paul  Rodarmell 
Andrew  Hauck 
John   Hill 

Christopher  Witman 
Abram  Kiefer        i 
Anthony    Peck 
Leonard  Reever 


409     6 


1.256 


WESTERN  DIVISION 


Bern 

Bethel 

Brecknock . . 
Caernarvon. 

Cumru 

Heidelberg. . 
Robeson.  .  . . 

Tulpehocken 

Union 


£52 

lOs. 

6d. 

168 

17 

14 

6 

69 

6 

3 

6 

27 

5 

18 

6 

23 

27 

10 

94 

44 

13 

137 

17 

11 

6 

73 

84 

'  3 

6 

284 

14 

4 

41 

Jacob  Reeser 
Nicholas  Wolf 
Henry   Brandle 

'John    Morris 
Leonard  Grow 
Ephraim  Jackson 
Christopher   Weiser 
Thomas   Pratt 


70     9 


906 


BEYOND    BLUE    MOUNTAIN 


Brunswick. . 
Pine  Grove. 


.  |£l0|l8s. 
I 3|16 


56|Francis  Yarnall 
29  Nicholas   Long 


14  14      6 


85 


Total 


694     9 


.247 


Explanations 


Alsace. — Tax  collector   same   as   Reading. 

Caernarvon. — Tax  collector  same  as  Union. 

Douglass.— Established    in    1736,    included    with    Amity. 

Brunswick  and  Pine  Grove  had  not  yet  been  established 
as  Districts,  but  the  taxable  inhabitants  there  were  as- 
sessed. 

Assessment  made  after  erection  of  the  county, 
tl-e  additional  districts  having  been  established  and  recog- 
nized  in   the  meantime. 


First  Taxables. — The  following-  lists  show  the 
names  of  the  taxables  as  they  appear  in  a  record 
recently  found.  It  is  believed  that  the  Assessment 
was  made  in  the  year  1752  or  shortly  afterward 
by  direction  of  the  Commissioners  for  the  pin-pose 
of  levying  the  necessary  tax  to  carrv  on  the  local 
government;  but  1754  has  been  set  in 'at  the  head  of 
the  preceding  table  as  the  year  when  it  was  probably 
prepared,  the  Commissioners  having  in  the  mean- 
time _  doubtless  taken  the  assessment  made  of  the 
districts  in  the  original  counties  as  a  guide  until 
they  were  enabled  to  put  the  legal  machinery  in 
proper  motion.  It  will  be  noticed  that  seven  ad- 
ditional districts  came  to  be  recognized  since  the 


erection  of  the  county  (Greenwich,  Herefori.1, 
Reading,  Windsor,  Union,  Brunswick  and  Pine- 
Grove).  This  is  the  first  time  that  the  names  of 
these  tax!ables  were  published,  and  no  attempt  was 
made  to  correct  the  improper  spelling  in  many  in- 
stances as  reported  by  the  several  assessors. 


Albany 


Anthony  Adam 

John   Baily 

Arnold  Bittick 

Adam  Boose 

Geo.    Orchard    Bomgartner 

Andrew  Haigh  Bug 

John    Creeker 

Christopher  Celphack 

George    Cleanman 

Philip  Coogler 

John    Michael    Corker 

Jacob   Cuntz 

Adam   Drum 

Nicholas   Emrich 

William  Farmer 

Julius  Flack 

Casper    Foolweiler 

George   Corner 

Jacob    Hacker 

George    Hard 

Christian    Heffeler 

Christian    Henrick 

Michael    Herbester 

Fredrick   Hower 

Jacob  Jarkmer 

Martin    Keffer 

John   Kesler 

Peter  Kistner 

Jacob  Lantz 

George   Lember 

George    Lentz 

Fredrick   Mensel 

John    Miller 


Jacob    Backer 
Henry   Baker 
Peter   Bingaman 
Detrick  Bittleman 
Dewalt  Boom 
George  Born 
John    Close 
Herman   Dehaven 
Jacob    Dehaven 
Mathias  Drenkle 
Simon  Drisebogh 
John   Eabling 
Michael    Fether 
•Mjichael  Fisher' 
Adam    Garrett 
Henry    Garrett 
Rudolph   Garrett 
Leonard    Glaser 
Fredrick   Goodhart 
John  Haberacker 
Philip   Haflick 
Jacob  Heidelshoe 
George   Heir 
Samuel  High 
Barnard    Keller 
Conrad    Keller 
Christian  Kinsey 
George    Kline 
Mathias   Knip 
John   Kulp 


Michael    Mowner 
Casper    Nigh 
Valentine   Peter 
Anthony    Petershiminer 
Michael  Proabst 
Martin   Probst 
Felty  Probst 
Nicholas    Ratick 
Henry    Reifeldorfer 
Fredrick   Rickelderfor 
Henry  Ritter 
Jacob  Stam 
William    Smader 
William    Stamp 
Philip    Stampack 
Tobias    Stapleton 
Nicholas  Strawser 
Daniel   Smith 
Christopher    Swing 
Peter   Treese 
Henry   Treese 
Simon   Treese 
Cornelius    Treiss 
Andreas    Wenner 
Nicholas   Wenner 
John  Witt 
Henry    Zimmerman 

Single    Men 

Nicholas    Milderberger 
Solomon    Packerman 
Adam   Staler 


Alsace 


John   Lamer 
Jacob    Lansiscus 
George   Lorah 
Casper    Millhouse 
Baltser  Moon 
Christian     Morian 
George  Nees 
Peter    Norgong 
William    Null 
Conrad   Pop 
Philip  Reaser 
Adam  ReifTel 
Rinehard   Rorebaugh 
Christopher   Spangler 
Adam   Swasbogh 
Jonas  Seely  Esq. 
Ernst    Seydel 
John   Smeck 
Bolser   Swenck 
Peter  Smith 
Henry  Snider 
Victor    Spice 
George  Sowerbeir 
Stephen   Shlunacker 
Adam  Wagoner 
Lawrence   Winsel 
Henry  Wolf 
Francis   Yost 
Nicholas    Yost 


ERECTION    OF   COUNTY 


Rinehard   Abershan 
Abram  Andrew 
Daniel  Andrew 
Mary  Antis 
Jacob   Arly 
Philip   Jacob   Bakel 
Thomas  Banfield 
Thomas  Barnard 
Joseph  Boone 
Moses  Bower 
John   Boyer 
John  Boyer 
Nicholas   Boyer 
Thomas  Bromfield 
James   Burn 
Andrew  Busserd 
Samuel  Busserd 
David   Cambell 
John  Campbell 
Godfrey  Cassebe 
Derick  Cleaver 
Balster  Creesman 
John   Child 
Michael  Cogel 
John   Colter 
Lawrence  Cooper 
John    Close 
Jacob   Crust 
Bridget   Davis 
Cornelius  Dehart 
Marg't  Dehart 
Edward  Doughty 
Edward    Drury 
Francis  Eckerman 
Aaron    Eppler 
Lodwic  Eisey 
Morris  Ellis 
Daniel  Fraley 
John   Fretz 
Lodwic  Filinger 
George  Adam  Fisher 
John    Fye 
Francis  Gibson 
Ellis  Griffith 
John  Griner 
Lodwic  Gowger 
John  Hammer 
George  Hansleman 
Rowland   Harris 
Adam    Hatfield 
Joseph  Holoway 
Martha  Howard 
Michael   Hufman 
Andrew  Huling 
John  Hulings 
Marcus  Huling 
Jonas   Jones 
Nicholas   Jones 
Peter  Jones 
Felty  Keely 
John  Kerlin 
Peter  Kerlin 
John  Klinger 
Simon  Lightner 
Peter  Livergood 
Daniel   Lodwick 
Jacob  Long     , 
John  Lowrow 
George  Lutts 
William  Macky 
Patrick  Magw.ire 


John  Abler 
ChristiPTi  A'brecht 


Amity 

Stin  Mayberry 
Hugh  McCaffery 
Michael    Messinger 
Hugh  Mitchell 
Mathias   Moudv 
Jacob  Naugle 
Philip  Near 
Martin    Peker 
Walter   Price 
John  Potts 
John  Powell 
Adam  Reed 
Andrew  Reingberry 
Jacob  Roads 
Leonard    Rodermel 
Barnabas  Rhoads 
John  Rutter 

Abijah    Sands 
John  Sands 

Balster  Stas 

George   Shedler 

John   Ralph   Snider 

George    Stinger 

George  Swiger 

John   Taylor 

Joseph  Thomas 

Michael    Trump 

Henry  Vanreed 

Jacob  Waren 

James  Waren 

John   Waren 

Jacob   Weaver 

Peter  Weaver 

John   Webb 

George   Adam   Weidner 

Isaac  Weisman 

Stophel  Wigel 

Daniel  Will 

Elisabeth    Williams 

William    Winters 

Fredrick  Wombach 

Daniel   Womeldorff 

Peter  Yoacam 

John  Yocam 

Jonas  Yocam 

Single  Men 

Michael    Berfenstone 
Jeremiah  Boone 
Solomon    Bromfield     - 
Hugh  Caain 
Solomon   Davids 
William  Davis 
Adam   Drinkout 
Joshua  Evars 
Alexander   Gey 
Tames  Hickley 
Samuel   Hughes 
Mountz  Jones 
Valentine  Liffhtner 
Henry    Martin 
Nicholas   Meissner 
Peter  Jesse   Minker 
Valentine  Morte 
Fredrick   Stone 
■"■oseph  Wallick 
Daniel  Walter 
^rmpoh  Williams 
William  Williams 

Bern 

'icob   Albrecht 
Jacob  Appier 


Valentine  Appier 
Jacob  Allwine 
Christian  Althouse 
John   Althouse 
Ulrick    Bakenstove 
Jacob  Bayler 
George  Belloman 
George  Benter 
Christian  Berger 
David  Brecht 
Adam  Boone 
Philip  Boyer 
John   Bugs 
Jacob  Buikey 
Jacob  Burkee  Jun'r 
Christian  Byler 
Nicholas  Clay 
Jacob  Conrad 
Hans    Curtz 
Titus   Denning 
Jacob  Dilman 

Mathias  Dombach 

Benedic  Domma 
John  Ebbert 
John    Eleman 

Adam   Filer 

John  Faust 

Christian  Fight 

John   Fight 

Christian  Fisher 

Hieronimus    Fisher 

Philip   Foust 

Jacob   Fox 

Fredrick  Frum 

Christian  Furry 

George   Gernant 

Eberhard  Geshwind 

Jacob  Gicker 

David  Grim 

Jacob  Grim 

Jacob   Grim 

Jacob  Good 

Abram  Haas 

John  Haas 

Jacob  Hackley 

Lawrence  Hansel 

Peter  Harpine 

Jacob  Hartzler 

William  Hatrick 

Yost   Heck 

Jacob  Heek 

Hieronimus  Henning 

John  Hester 

Yost  Hester 

Valentine    Himmelberger 

Jacob    Hochstutlar 

Peter    Hofman 

Nicholas   Holler 

John  Holly 

John  Hufman 

Jacob   Jeis 

Paul  Junger 

Christian  Kaufman 

Isaac  Kaufman 

Jacob  Kaufman 

Jacob  Kaufman 

John  Reabert 
Benedic   Keprer 
George  Kershner 
Martain  Kershner 
Christian  Kershberger 
Henry  Ketner 
Peter  Krebiel 
Henry  Kicker 
Christian   King 
Samuel  King 
Peter  Kline 


Stephen  Kurtz 
Hans  Lantz 
Widow  Leib 
Michael    Lindemoth 
George    Loose 
Valentine  Long 
William  Lymister 
George  Magner 
Jacob  Mayer 
Philip   Magemer 
Jacob  Mast 
John  Meat 
John   Megemer 
Fredrick  Meyjer 
George   Miller 
Jacob  Miller 
John    Miller 
Nicholas   'Miller 
Simon  Mink 
Valentine  M/ogel 
Jacob    Neis 
Lodwic  Nicholas 
Joseph  Obald 
Casper  Philips 
Peter  Radinbach 
Ulrich  Radmacker 
Jacob  Reeser 
Adam  Rickenbach 
Nicholas  Rime 
Philip  Jacob  Rode 
John  Runkle 
Nicholas  Runcle 
Sebastian  Rutt 
Barnard  Shartly 
Henry  Staly 
Jacob  Stain 
Adam  Stam 
George   Schall 
Albright  Strauss 
Lodwic   Seaman 
Martain   Specht 
John   Sieber 
Conrad  Snider 
John  Snider 
John  Snider 
Samuel  Spilbert 
Nicholas  Souder 
John    Shock 
Yost  Shoemaker 
Philip  Strouse 
Adam  Stoudt 
John    Stout 
Martha  Stoudt 
Michael  Stout 
Christian   Stutzman 
Jacob   Stutzman 
John   Tomlinson 
WiUiam  Tomlinson 
George    Tripner 
Baltas  Ifrbehaviour 
George  Wagoner 
Herman  Weaver 
Mathias  Weaver 
Jacob  Weidman 
George  Weidman 
Andrew  Weiler 
Jacob  Wetzler 
Christian  Kurtz  Willets 
James    Williamson 
Andrew  Winter 
Samuel    Wollason 
Barnhard  Wommer 
Nicholas  Womm«r 
Christian   Yoder 
Christian  Yoder  Jun'r 
Jacob   Yoder 
John  Yoder 


10 


HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


John  Young 
Roland  Young 
Joseph   ZoUberger 
Christian  Zoog 
Moritz  Zoog 
Hans  Zimmerman 


John  Apple 
Christian   Bartorf 
John   Adam    Bartorf 
George  Berger 
Henry  Berger 
George  Besehore 
Thomas  Bover 
Adam  Daniel 
Jacob   Dene 
Peter   Detrick 
John  Eichgelberger 
Martin  Eichgelberger 
Martin   Eisenhocker 
Balster  Emrich' 
John  Emrich 
Jacob  Emrich 
George    Emrich 
Leonard    Emrich 
John  France 
Conrath  Further 
Nicholas  Gebhart 
George   Groff 
Michael  Groff 
Michael  Groseman 
Lorentz  Haucks 
Christopher  Herold 
Martin    Kapler 
Christopher   Knebel 
Andrew   Kremer 
Henry  Kowbel 
John   Kuncle 
Adam    Kussel 
Francis    Leyenberger 
Jacob    Leyniner 
David  Marks 
Nicholas    Marks 


Michael     Zuber 

Single  Men 

Henry  Reeser 
Peter  Suefcr 
Christopher  Winter 


Bethel 


Peter  Mayer 
Rudy  Moyer 
Chrissel  Newcomer 
Wiilliam    Parsons    Esq. 
Peter  Pickler 
Nicholas  Poncious 
Wendel   Reeger 
George   Reninger 
Christopher  Rier 
Nicholas  Seaman 
Martin    Speck 
Werich  Selher 
Jacob  Seirer 
Casper  Sneavely 
Daniel   Sneider 
Ulrick    Spice 
Wendel   Sivert 
Detrich  Sixth 
Andreas    Smith 
Baltser   Smith 
Charles  Smith 
Jacob   Smith 
Bastian   Stone 
Henry  Shuhin 
John  Shuy 
Fredrick  Trester 
Martin  Trester 
John  Adam  Walborn 
Michael  Weiland 
Nicholas  Wolf 
Jacob   Zerbe 

Single  Men 

Teeter   Marcle 
Peter    Leening 


Brecknock 


John  Ahtonberry 
Henry   Brandle 
Adam    Behmer 
Christian   Betz 
Daniel    Comer 
Daniel  Cuper 
John   France 
Adam  Fellbon 
Jacob  Fry 
Valentine  Fry 
John  Hemick 
Lodwick   Herman 
Peter  Holler 
Charles    Hornbery 


Adam  Housh 
John  Loy 
Lawrence  Lyfred. 
Francis  Marshall 
William    Moore 
Adam    Niduc 
Henry  Ourwaser 
David  Pealer 
Peter    Sharman 
Baltser   Snider 
Michael    Slougy 
Leopold  Yost 
Jeremiah  Zemer 


Brunswick 


John   Adams 
Burgoon  Bird 
Valentine   Bomgartner 
Abram   Bowlebaugh 
John  Bushe 
Tohn  Costnets 
Stephen  Coufman 
George  Crowl 
John  Clouser 
Peter  Conrad 
Michael  Dewer 
Thomas  Ellas 


John    Fincher 
George   Fitchime 
Jacob   Fudge 
John    Green 
Adolph    Henry 
George    Honsinger 
Michael   Humble 
Paul   Hyme 
John  Jones 
Joseph    Jordan 
Philip   Kinder 
Henry  Kitner 


Daniel    Ladee 
Nicholas  Miller 
Henry    Miller 
Adam    Miller 
Daniel  Milberger 
George  Mock 
Polser    Nifong 
Michael  Platner 
Barnabas   Purtese 
John  Rersh 
Sylvenus   Robinson 
Moses  Robeson 
Joseph  Rue 
Jacob  Rust 
Jacob   Shafer 
John   Starrett 
Richard   Stevens 
George   Sheffer 


John   Brackin 
Michael  Close 
John  Davis 
John    Dobbins 
Robert  Ellis 
John   Farn 
Francis   Fisher 
James  Fisher 
Nicholas   Hudson 
James    James 
Daniel  Jones 
David  Jones 
Valentine  Kirby 


Andrew   Asshenbach 
John  Backer 
Jeremiah   Bacon 
Francis   Beally 
Conrad  Beam 
Fredrick    Bettenman 
Casper  Brocke 
David   Bookert 
Casper  Bowman 
Jacob  Buckwalter 
jVIichael   Cline 
Peter    Clingersmith 
Jacob    Cunez 
Michael    Deiner 
Peter    Erett 
Fredrick   Erne 
Philip  Fissel 
Adam   Gerber 
John    Gerber 
Frederick    Goss 
John    Goulden 
Harpine 
Jacob  Haucke 
Stephen  Hauck 
Herp 

Rudolph  Hover 
Nicholas  Isch 
George   Joseph 
Fredrick  Kclilcr 
David  Kepler 
Peter    Kill 
Jacob    Klodz 
Conrad  Leachlider 
Hans    Adam   Link 
Deobalt  Long 
Peter  Lubber 
Nicholas  Mathias 
Jacob  Mattis 
Jacob  Miller 
Cunrad    More 
Paul   Moser 
Tobias   Mouck 


Jacob   Shearman 
Peter  Smelker 
Barnabas  Sidle 
Hanteeter    Switese 
Nicholas  Timmerman 
George  Webb 
Thomas  Willits 
George  Widener 
Francis  Yarnall 

Single  Men 

Wm.  Anderson 
Conrad    Creebaura 
Joseph  Lodwic 
John    Sheaver 
John  Willits 


Caernarvon 

Jacob  Light 
John  Light 
Christian  Long 
William  Low 
Ruth  Morgan 
Mark   Pealor 
Aaron  Ratow 
William    Robinson 
John    Witson 

Free  Men 
\ 

Christian   Longs 

COLEBROOKDALE 

Emanuel  Pifer 

Thomas   Potts 

Widow   Potts 

Peter    Pyfer 

John    Adam    Reidener 

Casper  Rickert 

Mathias   Rode 

Conrad  Roude 

Paul  Rutter 

Thomas   Rutter 

Thomas  Sehone 

John  Sleagle 

George  Schwinharth 

Hermanus   Sossamanhous 

Michael   Spots 

Daniel   Stover 

Lawrence   Shuller 

Jacob   Tongler 

Rudolph  Totterolph 

Mathias  Tutrow 

Wagoner 

Bernhard  Wanmacker 

John  Werstler 

Thomas  Willson 

Charles  Wise 

Single  Men 

George    Church 
John  WoUrick   Duniari 
Henry   Eagle 
John   George   Eagle 
Erasemus — (tailor) 
Francis  Gerleck 
Jacob   Machline 
Valentine  Machline 
John  Negrom 
John    Pile 
Anthony  Spaez 
Peter  Shene 
Thomas   Walker 


ERECTION   OF   COUNTY 


11 


CUMRU 


Jacob  Ashman 
John  Best 
Martin  Briner 
Christian    Bowman 
Jacob  Bowman 
Francis  Creek 
Jacob    Cloward 
Michael   Crowl 
Nicholas  Cour 
Martin   Colber 
John   Davis 
James  Davis  Sen'r 
Wm.  David 
James  Davis 
Elisabeth  Davis 
John  Dealy 
John  Dealy 
David  Edwards 
Joseph   Evans 
David  Evans 
David  Evans 
Nathan  Evans 
George  Englehart 
John  Englebrown 
Jacob  Ecoy 
Sam"!   Emry 
Henry  Freyley 
Jacob  Frymire 
Geo.  Hague 
Conrad  Hart 
Henry  Harry  Esq. 
Andrew  Hicman 
Adam   Household 
Tho's  James 
Wra.    Jones 
Michael  Laph 
James  Lewis 
Geo.  Lewis' 
Rich'd  Lewis 
Eleanor  Lewis 
John   Little 
Widow  Loyd 
George  Mawra 
Geo.   Minder 
Lodwick  Moon 
Werner  iMoon 
John  Moon 


Martin    Alstatt 
Nicholas  Alstatt 
Jacob  Bacly 
Fred'k  Baker 
John    Bishop 
Adam  Bouman 
Joseph  Boone  Jun'r 
James   Boone 
William  Boone 
Benjamin  Boone 
Jacob  Boyer 
Christopher  Boyer 
Joseph  Browne 
Peter  Cime 
James  Cooper 
Paul  Durst 
Rowland  Ellis 
Enoch   Flower 
Martin   Gerich 
George  Henton 
John    Heeler 
Rudick  Heeler 
George  Hest 
Jacob   Hesterly 


John   Morris 
Morgan    Morgan 
Peter   Munich 
Tho's   Nicholas 
Henry   Olsloff 
Jno.  Geo.  Pak 
Tho's  Paine 
Evan   Price 
John  Pinclay 
John  Pugh 
Michael    Rood 
Geo.    Roleman 
Peter   Rood 
Jacob  Rood 
Matis   Ryton 
Henry  Staupher 
Francis  Steal 
Jacob  Stealy 
Jonathan   Stephen 
Casper  Stever 
Adam  Sigler 
Mich'l    Shoemaker 
Peter  Shoup 
John   Stole 
Wm.  Thomas 
Evan    Thomas 
Peter    Weidner 
John   White 
Sam'l  Wilkinson 
Warner  Wisel 
Casper  Wineman 
Jacob  Worst 
Philip   Worstloff 
Isaac  Young 

Single  Men 

Evan  Evans 
James   Goudye 
Peter   Hause 
Wm.  Howell 
Thomas  James  Jun'r 
Nicholas  Kilion 
Daniel   Murphoy 
Thomas   Perkins 
Peter  Penon 
Thomas  Weaver 


Exeter 


Peter   Hewett 
Ellis    Hughes 
Samuel  Hughes 
John  Hughes 
Edward  Hughes 
Leonard  Hye 
Henry  Kerner 
Henry  Kersten 
Michael  Keister 
Nicholas   Kime 
John  Lark 
Isaac  Levan 
John  Lebo 
Michael  Lodwic 
William  Maugridge 
Valentine   Messersmith 
Martin  Moll 
John  More 
Ulrick  Moore 
Michael  Mure 
John  Ourhawn 
Benjamin  Parks 
Robert  Patterson 
George  Ritter 


Ferdenand  Rutter 
Francis  Rutter 
George  Rutter 
William  Russel 
Widow  Sadler     , 
Peter    Sneider 
John   Stitzel 
Mathias  Teetler 
Henry  Thompson 
James  Thompson 
Michael  Turlings 
Martin  Walls 
Peter  Waffer 
Widow   Wagoner 
Venal  Wawl 
John   Webb 
Jacob  Wiler 
Christian   Wicks 
Adins  Williams 
Henry  Wolf 


Paul   Zerleafel 

Single  Men 

Peter  Beckley 
John  Boone 
George  Cross 
Nicholas  Herner 
Fredrick  Keller 
George  Keller 
William  Kirbe 
Joseph  Kirbe 
Jacob  Koop 
Abram  Levan 
Mordecai  Lincoln 
George   Messersmith 
Peter   Nol 
John  Stadwiller 
Henry  Shlieg 
John  Thompson 
Martin  Vesner 
John   Wainright 


Greenwich 


Henry  Aspbach 

Lawrence   Beaver 

Jacob  Beel 

Melchior   Beele 

Geo.  Bouman 

Fredrick  Bower 

Adam  Bower 

Widow  Buzzard 

Rudy  Buzzard 

Philip   Callback 

George  Creamer 

Fredrick  Cremer 

Godfrid  Cremer 

Simon  Derek 

John  Duncle 

Philip  Foust 

Jacob  Foust 

Leonard    Fox 

Jacob  Grenoble 

Nicholas  Gotshall 

Fredrick  Hairn 

Peter  Haucke 

Simon  Isenberager 

Gabriel   Isenberger 

Peter   Kardenginger 

John  Keller 

Mathias  Keffer- 

John  Keel 

Philip  Kerker 

Daniel  Kline 

George  Komp 

George  Koser 

John  Kooler 

Mathias  Lay 

Peter   Lenard 

Michael  Lesher 

Fredrick  Levey's  Widow 

Geo.  Mich'l  Liver 

Jacob  Liver 


John  Long 
Daniel  iManusmith 
Fredrick  Mayer 
George   Miller 
Charla  Palmer 
Henry  Polender 
Mathias  Reamer 
Geo.  Wm.  Reel 
Conrad   Reigleman 
Anthony  Starren 
Adam   Staup 
Fred'k  Shallaberager 
John   Seseman 
Henry   Sheafver 
Rudolph   Slear 
John   Sweedner 
Jacob   Sittlemier 
Michael  Smith 
Nicholas  Shoemaker 
George   Spone 
Peter  Suttes 
Daniel  Teer 
And'w  Unaugust 
Mich'l  Undercuffeler 
Jacob  Wery 

Single  Men 

Jacob   Adam 
Christian  "-Baum 
Martin  Beeker 
Abraham   Clease 
Conrad  Dennis 
Adam  Foust 
Conrad  Kefner 
George  Keller 
Henry   Miller 
Jacob  Sheffer 
George  Swinger 


Heidelberg 


John  Arts 
Nicholas  Bachtle 
John  Blank 
Abram  Besler 
Simon  Bennet 
Peter  Betz 
George  Brindle 
John  Boyer 
Andreas   Boyer 
Henry  Boyer  Sen'r 
Henry   Boyer  Jun'r 


Adam  Bonevitz 
Adam    Brown 
Michael   Bush 
Frantz  Brustman 
Nicholas  Clat 
John  Cowbel 
Fredrick  Cowbel 
Andrew  Croff 
Thomas   Davis 
Christian  Deby 
George   Derr 


13 


HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


John  Desler 
John  Henry  Dickert 
John  Ditter 
Casper  Durst 
Eleazor  Evans 
John   Echard 
Peter   Eberly 
Conrad  Ernst 
Christ  Frantz 
Peter  Feg 
Leonard   Feg 
WiHiam   Fisher 
John  Jacob  Fisher 
Henry    Fidler 
Philip   Fitzmier 
Peter    Fitzer 
Conrad   Finck 
Yost  Fox 
Peter   Foust 
Anthony  Foust 
Henry  Fry 
Fredrick    Gerrard 
Leonard   Grow 
Henry  Haines 
Fredrick    Haines 
Hans   Christian  Haines 
George   Haines 
Peter   Haines 
Casper   Haines 
Adam  Haines 
Peter  Haus 
Henry  Hetterick 
Martin  Hehdorn 
Yost  Hederick 
William  Johnson 
Jacob  Kern 
Valentine  Keyser 
John  Keller 
John  Klinger 
Peter  Knop 
Jacob  Kuhl 
Henry   Kruber 
Casper  Lerg 
Martin  Link 
Paul    Lingle 
John   Martin   Long 
George   Louck 
Michael   Lower 
Nicholas   M&rtin 
Dietrick  Marshall 
Melchor  Mehl 
Ulrich   Michael 
Christian    Miller 
Fredrick   Miller 


Hans   Moyer 
Catherine  Mountz 
George    Nagle 
Peter  Newman 
John  Melchor  Norr 
Bastian  Obaldt 
Michael  Oberhauser 
Martin   Pattinger 
Tobias  Pickle 
Henry    Printz 
Peter    Pricker 
Gabriel  Razar 
William  Reeser 
Nicholas  Reed 
Peter    Reedly 
Ulrich  Richard 
Nicholas  Rool 
Conrad  Sharp 
Detrick   Shall 
Casper  Shaffer 
Nicholas    Shaffer 
Jacob   Sencebach 
Michael  Smell 
Thomas    Stierns 
Adam  Shorf 
Philip  Stort 
Catherine  Stronekin 
Michael    Shower 
Adam   Shower 
John  George  Shock 
Adam  Spohn 
Henry  Spohn 
William   Spotz 
Henry   Sturt 
John    Surby 
Henry   Sugar 
John   Stump 
Peter  Werner 
Balser  Wendrick 
Mathias  Wendrick 
Philip  Weiser 
Conrad  Weiser  Esq. 
Lazarus  Winnert 
Nicholas  Weinhart 

Single   Men 

Lodwick    Durr 
Jacob   Fox 
Peter   Fry 
Henry   Klasner 

Rudolph 

Henry  Stort 
Peter  Werlau 


Hereford 


Thomas  Bansfield 

Abram  Beightle 

George  Beightell 

John   Beightle 

Michael  Bower 

Abram   Bower 

Samuel   Bower 

Martin  Craden 

Valentine  Crasmore 

David    Coley 

George    Cones 

Valentine   Delinger 

Jacob  Evener 

Nicholas   Fink 

Jacob   Fisher 

Christian   Gamman 

John    Gregory 

Richard  Gregory 

Philip    Heiney 

Francis  Latchor 

Benedic  Leeser  &  Brother 


Fredrick   Mason 
David    Masters 
Gregories    Master 
Sophia    Mayberry 
George    Mercle 
Jacob  Miller 
White   Miller 
Adam  Moser 
Peter   Mull 
Fredric  Nesler 
Andrew   Oldman 
Conrad    Pope 
Conrad  Popp 
William   Rickert 
John   Ridenour 
George  Rorebach 
Jacob   Rosman 
George   Sailer 
Michael   Shell 
Theodore  Schneider 
Widow    Stoneman 


Daniel   Stover 
Jacob   Stover 
John  Stopp 
Benedic    Stroam 
Christopher  Shultz 
Melchor    Shutts 
Martin  Sturtsman 
Mason  Tark 
Peter  Teddrolfe 
Melchor   Wagoner 
Jacob  Walter 
John  Walters 
Peter  Weller 
Jacob    Welssel 


Valentine  Wibell 

Single   Men 

George  Bawer 
Leonard    Crasemer 
Jacob   Creesmer 
Richard    Gregory    Jun'r 
John    Godfrey  , 

John   Latcher 
Philip  Lawr 
John    Meene 
Casper  Meyers 
Henry  Routh 
Philip   Routh 


LONGSWAMP 


Christian    Abenshen 
Jacob  Bard 
Michael  Beeber 
Jacob  Beery 
Nicholas  Beringer 
Frederick   Boffenmoyer 
Henry  Bollinger 
Martin    Boger 
Jacob    Buger 
Samuel  Burgher 
Philip  Burgher 
Baltus    Cleaber , 
George  Cumb 
Jacob   Danner 
Henry   Delong 
John   Diehl 
Mathias    Eigener 
John   Egg 
Philip  Emert 
George  Falk 
Barnard    Fegely 
Jacob  Fenstermacher 
Philip  Fenstermacher 
John  Flamer 
Samuel  Fogel 
Frederick  Helwig 
Christian  Henry 
John   Hess 
Jacob   Huffman 
Martin  Hurcher 
Jacob  Hum 
Nicholas  Jacoby 
Dewalt  Karl 
George  Keplinger 
Jacob  Kieffer 
Frederick   Kieffer 
Nicholas   Kintz 
Bernhart   Klein 
Dewalt  Klein 
Henry   Knoblich 
Lorentz  Lofer 
Jacob   Long 


Jacob    Long 
Nicholas  Long 
Nicholas   Martz 
Peter  Martz 
Joast  Mertz 
Henry  Mentz 
Andreas  Milshlegel 
Mathias   Morell 
Michael  Mothstein 
Michael    Nederaur 
Inias   Noel 
Peter  Putser 
Peter   Redler 
George   Severt 
George  Shaffer 
Andreas  Sharley 
Frederick   Sheffer 
Christian   Shick 
George  Shroder 
Michael   Shroder 
Henry   Strickler 
Nicholas  Swartz 
Henry    Tear 
Conrad  Treiss 
Frederick  Ulry 
Jacob    Wimer 

Single   Men 

Anthony  Abal 
John  Agner 
John   Cline 
Melchoir  Danner 
Jacob  Drollinger 
Adam   Gary 
Philip   Heesner 
Adam    Helwig 
Philip  Hen 
Martin  Ibert 
Michael  Jacobe 
Elias   Klenler 
Peter   Kline 
Michael  Long 


]\L\IDEN-CREEK 


John    Barger 
Stephen  Barnett 
Anthony  Brest 
Alelchor   Clinefelter 
Jacob  Dipra 
George  Flagly 
Pheliz  Franfelter 
Michael    Feller 
Philip  Fitzsimons 
Rudy  Hoy 
John    Hutton 
James   Hutton 
James   Jordan 
James  Kays 
Thomas  Kirby 


Jacob  Lightfoot 
Leonard  Mire 
Edward   Moran 
Godtred   Orby 
Francis  Parvin  Esq. 
Thomas   Pearson 
Richard  Penrose 
Joseph  Penrose 
William   Penrose 
Elias  Read 
John  Reeser 
Jacob  Richard 
Paul    Rodarmell 
Moses   Star 
Moses  Star  Jun'r 


ERECTION   OF   COUNTY 


13 


Merick  Starr 
Urban  Shettle 
John   Sook 
Philip  Wax 
NuUy  Whee 
Henry    Willits 
John  Wily 
John  Wily 

Single  Men 
Peter   Ax 
Simon    Barger 
Thomas  Barger 
Fredrick  Christian 
Barnabas    Curree 


Robert    Dicky 
Martin  Houesman 
Jacob   Housman 
Owen  Hughes 
Peter  Kirby 
B.   Parvin 

Francis  Parvin  Jun'r 
Jeremiah  Starr 
James  Starr 
John  Starr 
George  Seere 
Casper   Stroal 
Benjamin  Wiley 


Maxatawny 


Conrad   Bader 

Christopher  Bader 

Christian  Bawn 

Peter  Braun 

Dewalt  Beever 

John   Beever 

John    Beever 

George   Beever 

Dieter  Benier 

Anthony  Bensinger 

Rudolph  Bergy 

Abram  Berling 

John   Bost 

Lodwick  Buss 

Michael   Creasman 

Michael   Cline 

Henry   Christ 

Widow   Cuttz    (Kutz) 

Fredrick   Delaplank 

John   Delong 

Peter  Dick 

Peter  Delong 

Anthony  Fisher 

Urbon  Fribell 

Henry  GrauU 

Jacob   GrauU 

Jacob  Gireadin  (Sharaden) 

Lorentz   Groin 

WilUam   Groff 

William  Gross 

Nicholas  Harmony 

John   Hartman 

Andrew  Hauck 

Conrad   Heniner 

Michael  Henninger 

John   Hergenroeder 

John  Hill 

John  Hostader 

Widow   Huttenstein 

Dewalt   Kemp 

Julius   Kerper 

Casper  Killrain 


Jacob  King 

Dorst  Kursner 

George  Kutz 

Jacob  Kutz 

Daniel  Levan  / 

Jacob  Levan  / 

Sebastian    Levan 

Henry  Lukenbill 

Conrad   Manusmith 

Nicholas   MuflBy 

Casper  Reap 

Christopher   Ruth 

George    Sassman 

Andrew   Sassman 

Casper   Smack 

Martin  Sick 

Joseph    Sickfred 

John  Sigfred 

Jacob   Sigfred 

Jost  Henry  Sossamanhous 

Henry  Wetzstone 

Peter    Will 

Casper  Wink 

Sabastian  Zimmerman 

Single  Men 

George   Bauder 
Joseph  Bridle 
Ulrick   Bruner 
Phillip  Croul 
Nicholas  Dehoe 
Andrew  Fridle 
Peter  Fock 
Jacob  Floher 
William   Hauck 
Philip  Hen 
Henry    King 
Jacob  Kumerer 
Michael  Man 
Michael  Steinborn 
George   Shriber 
Peter    Weiler 


Oley 


Conrad  Arnold 
John    Barto 
Abram  Bartolet 
Fredrick  Bartolet 
John    Bartolet 
John  Bechtold 
George  de  Benneville 
Gabriel   Boyer 
George  Brown 
Nicholas    Clemmons 
Casper  Creesmer 
Jacob  Deplank 
John   Dorke 
Mordecai  Ellis 
Jacob  Engle 


John  Fredrick 
Conrad  Fisher 
William  Foulk 
John  Gelbach 
Casper  Gregory 
Fredrick  Gulden 
Saniuel  Gulden 
Peter  Harpel 
Jonathan  Harpine 
Peter  Herpifle 
Samuel  High 
John  High 
Jacob  Hill 
Michael  Hiller 
Henry  Hose 


Benjamin  Hufnail 
Valentine  Hufnail 
John  Hunter 
Nicholas  Hunter 
Adam  Ingboden 
George  Katesen 
Jacob  Kaufman 
Simon  Kraus 
John  Kegle 
John    Keplinger 
,  Widow  Kersten 
Jacob  Kime 
Widow  Kime 
Samuel   Lee 
Thomas    Lee 
Anthony  Lee 
John  Lee 
John  Lesher 
Nicholas  Lesher 
Abram  Levan 
Fredrick  Limebach 
Henry  Limebach 
John   Limebach 
Peter  Lobach 
Benjamin  Longworthy 
Jacob  Loutz 
Nicholas  Matery 
Peter  Mathew 
Jacob  Miller 

Henry     Neunkerch     (New- 
kirk) 
George  Oyster 
Abram  Peter 
Peter   Priel 
William  Pott  Jun'r 
Conrad  Reif 
Stephen  Report 
Valentine  Rice 
Widow    Richard 
dliristian  Riple 
Leonard   Shaffer 
John  Stapleton 
William   Stapleton 
Henry  Shefer 


Jacob   Selser 
Jacob  Sneider 
Martin  Shinkle 
George   Shitz 
Nicholas  Shlichter 
Jacob  Stover 
Dehecus  Weidner 
Lazarus  Weidner 
George  Windbegler 
David   Weiser 
Anthony  Yager 
John    Yoder 
John  Yoder  Jun'r 
Samuel  Yoder 
John  Yoder  Yost 
Jacob  Young 
Valentine  Young 
Widow  Younkam 

Single  Men 

William    Collins 
John  Fredrick 
Samuel  Gulden 
Jacob    Hart 
Christopher  Harple 
John    Hercher 
John  Hill   , 
Daniel   Hoch 
John  Hoch 
John  Hoof 
Elias   Hufnail 
Michael  Knap 
John   Mertz 
Henry   Musk 
Degenhart  Pott 
John   Pott 
Peter  Reed 
Philip  Reiff 
John   Schneider 
Nicholas  Smith 
Jacob   Stutz 
Jacob  Yoder 
John  Yoder  Yost 


Pine-Grove 


Jacob    Barger 
John    Bresler 
Mathias    Brickie 
Christopher  Bollinger 
Willpart   Compart 
Leonard  Conrad 
John    Donder 
Nicholas    Eshway 
Philip    Graver 
Michael    Gimberle 
Christopher   Hedrick 
Henry  Kline 
Andrew  Kockendorfer 
Lodwick   Kornmer 


William    Armon 
William   Armald 
Peter   Baum 
Marks  Beek 
James  Biddle 
Peter  Bingaman 
Joseoh  Brintlinger 
Jacob  Boldee 
Earhard  Bomgartner 
Jacob  Boocher 
Conrad  Bower 
Henry  Boyle 
Abram   Brosius 


Nicholas   Long 
Jacob  Miller 
George   Miney 
Peter  Miney 
John  Mozt 
Casper  Newfong 
Martin  Potaker 
George   Rith 
Philip   Smell 
Jacob  Stealy 
George  Six 
Peter   Smith 
Jacob    Shope 
Philip   Summer 
Nicholas    Youngblood 


Reading 


Fredrick  Brown 
Samuel  Cays 
Martin  Craft 
John  Curtz 
John  Crul 
Conrad  Deboy 
Fredrick  Degohard' 
George  Devil 
George  Dom 
George    Douglass 
Ludwic    Emian 
Andrew  Engle 
Hieronimus  Eigelberger 


14 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Peter   Feather 

Michael   Figthorn 

Lawrence  Fix 

Charles  Friken 

Fredrick  Poland 

George   Gisler 

Henry  Goodhart 

Christopher   Gotschall 

Bastian  Growser 

Joseph   Hank 

Philip  Hart 

Peter    Haus 

Henry  Hawn 

Craft  Heinier 

Moses  Heyraan 

Michael  HoUich 

Peter  Holtzseider 

Samuel  Hude 

William  Huttenstone 

William  Iddings 

Paul   Iselore 

Israel  Jacobs 

Evan   Jones 

Casper  Kepperlin 

Jacob  Kern 

Abrara  Kerper 

Christian  Kimro 

Alexander  Klinger 

Peter  Klinger 

Peter   Kooch 

Peter  Kop 

Martin  Kost 

John  Knorr 

Paul   Lebo 

Jacob  Leibrook 

Christopher  Lemon 

Benjamin  Lightfoot,  Esq. 

John   Margen 

George  Marks 

William   Marks 

Everhard  Martin 

Jacob  Masoner 

Henry  Medcalf 

Baltser  Meyerly 

David   Meyerly 

William  Miller 

Jacob  Morgan 

Jacob  Moyer 

Philip  Nagle 

Tidrick   Parlet 

Benjamin   Pearson 

Paul  Perlet 

Michael  Prest 

Nicholas    Pick 

Jacob  Pick 

Derst    Pister 

John   Philippi 

Evan  Popkins 


Jacob  Rabolt 
James  Read,  Esq. 
John  Ream 
Josiah   Rees 
Henry  Reidmeyer 
Michael  Renner 
John  Richards 
Earhard  Roade 
Michael   Rouch 
Leonard  Rupert 
Philip   Sailer 
Joseph   Shamo 
Nicholas  Seysinger 
Adam  Sheck 
Adam   Slegel 
George  Steel 
Henry  Shier 
Abram  Smith 
John   Smith 
Peter  Smith 
George   Sowerpry 
Nicholas  Shofart 
Michael    Spot 
George  Shuler 
George  Shulf 
Tobias  Wagner 
Peter  Weiser 
Isaac  Wickersham 
Fredrick  Windish 
Adam   Witman 
John  Witman 
Lodwic  Witman 
Christopher  Witman 
George  Wonder 
Adam  Wordenberger 
Jacob  Yager 
George  Yoe 
Nicholas  Yost 

Single   Men 

Christian  Busse 
David  Fox 
William  Graff 
James   Gibbins 
Stephen  Haveracker 
George  Isenbeis 
Peter  Momah 
Christian  Mourer 
Lyon   Nathan  , 
John  Readinger 
David  Rine 
John  Rose 
Conrad   Sigtor 
Bernhard  Shisser 
Mathias  Souermilk 
Michael  Shun 
Andrew  Wolf 
Martin  Young 


Richmond 


Michael  Adam 
Peter  Adolph 
Jacob  Breon 
Peter  Biel 
Henrick  Burget 
William  Cowwood 
Jacob  Dreblepiss 
Henry  Dilbon 
Christopher  Disher 
Henrich  Edle 
David  Ely 
Abram  Ely 
Conrad  Fogelfender 
John   Glas 
Peter  Grenewald 
Henry  Heffner 


Michael  Hesler 
Michael   Hessely 
Daniel   Hoy 
Jacob  Huttenstone 
Henrick   Kelkner 
George  Kern 
Abram   Kiefer 
Peter  Merkle 
Nicholas  Merckel 
George   Merckle 
Conrad    Miller 
George  Nutes 
George  dinger 
Baltas   Reim 
Michael   Revert 
John  Riel 


Peter   Roder 
John   Rodermell 
Christian  Rotermel 
George  Sheffer  Jun'r 
Michael  Steinbumer 
Christopher  Shlegel 
Peter  Spim 
Philip  Suntz 
Martin  Wanner 
Michael  Weiman 
Fredrick  Zirr 

Single  Men 
George  Mijchael  Derr 


James  Bird 
Josiah  Boone 
Walter  Burk 
Jacob    Bychle 
John  Cadwallader 
France  Colony 
Jacob  Cough 
Henry  Cough 
Garrett  Dewese 
Cornelius  Dewese 
Stephen  Douty 
George  Dycass 
Felty  Eamse 
Isaac  Edwards 
Christopher  Ergate 
Enos  Ellis 
Christopher  Freat 
David  Garrad 
Richard  George 
Christopher  Giger 
John   Griffith 
Philip  Hart 
Marg't  Harris 
William  Harvot 
Michael   Hewet 
David   Howel 
John  Howman 
Widow   Hoyle 
Hudson  Hughes 
Owen  Humphrey 
Ephram  Jackson 
Evan  Jones 
Thomas  Lewis 
Peter   Liking 
Robert  Long 
Samuel  Mooney 
John   Moore 
Richard    More 


Peter  Dilbone 
Paul   Hboimaii 
David   Kamb 
Martin  Kamb 
John  Kamber 
Jacob  Lupfer 
Christian  Merkle 
Casper  Merckle 
John  Rany 
Jacob  Shoemaker 
Christopher   Wanner 
Conrad    Wolf 


Robeson 


Jenkins    Morris 
James    Nox 
Jacob  Overdear 
Thomas  Pew 
Elias   Redkey 
Jacob  Redkey 
Griffith   Rees 
Israel   Robeson 
John  Scarlet 
Adam  Shaver 
Samuel  Seely 
Robert   Stewart 
William  Sowers 
George  Sowers 
Fredrick   Stoner 
Willetrick   Stoner 
William  Talman 
Thomas  Thomas 
Thomas  Thomas 
John   Thomas 
David   Thomas 
Benjamin  Williams 
George   Windle 
Henry   Winterberry 

Single   Men 

Andrew  Allen 
James   Cadwalader 
Joseph  Dowdle 
Thomas  Emry 
,  George   Hart 
Jonas   Likins 
Owen  Nicholas 
Jacob  Overdear 
Samuel  Robinson 
James  Thomas 
Jacob   Wilkler 


RUSCOMEMANOR 


Adam  Ahar 
George   Angstat 
George   Angstat 
Julius   Bauhman 
PhiHp   Berninger 
Peter  Breifogel 
John   Rudolph   Camber 
Peter  Colb 
Mathias   Colb 
Jacob    Diser 
Jacob  Ely 
Titer  Fohl 
Jacob  Fox 
Bastian  Gernant 
Nicholas  Guliard 
Peter    Guidleman 
George  Hefnor 
Caspar    Hoofman 
Ludwic  Hospelhorn 
Christian   Hufnail 
Philip  Keller 


Peter  Kulter 
Henry  Long 
Jacob  Libbert 
Philip    Lining 
Jacob   Michael 
John  Miller 
Godlick  Nolick 
Conrad  Price 
Anthony   Peck 
Casper   Piking 
John   Reel 
Peter   Reif 
George   Rock 
Casper    Routzhorn 
George  Swartz 
Christian  Shoemaker 
Adam   Shurel 
John  Sowers 
Yost   Wagner 
John    Wickenhammer 
IMichael  Widower 


ERECTION    OF   COUIS'TY 


15 


John  William 
John   Yon 
Jacob    Zanger 

Single   Men 

Fredrick  Bla 
Stophel  Colb 


'  Jost  Faall 
Teetor  Folb 
George  Kilver 
John   Kohl 
Michael  Miller 
Henry   Rincer 


TULPEHOCKEN 


John  Ansbach 

Leonard  Ansbach 

Peter   Ansbach 

Michael  Albert 

William  Albert 

George   Bachtel 

John   Bachter 

Jeremiah  Barr 

Adam  Crick-Bawm 

WiUiam    Crick-Bawm 

Jacob    Beck 

George  Beel 

Felty   Bensel 

Christian  Bergke   (Burkey) 

George   Bleistein 

Philip    Bleistein 

Jacob    Breck 

Jacob   Bizman 

Simon   Boreiff 

Fish  Bornen 

George  Boyer 

Henry  Boyer 

Jacob  Brown 

Philip  Brown  Sen'r 

Philip  Brown  Jun'r 

Jacob   Buhz 

Capwright 

Jacob   Casser 
Fredrick    Clasbrener 
George  Christ 
Stephen   Conrad 
Peter    Grouser 
Nicholas  Deck 
Adam   Deiffebach 
Barthel  Deisinger 
George   Dollinger 
Jacob  Donder 
Melchor  Dotweiler 
Mathias  Dubeler 
Andrew   Eber 
John  Eder 
Jacob  Ezberger  . 
Jacob  Eichler 
Adam    Emrich 
Bastian   Eruth 
Nicholas  Ely 
George  Faurs 
Nicholas  Framer 
Christian  France 
George  Fenikle 
Widow  Fidler 
Jacob  Fisher 
Ulrick  Fisher 
George    Folk 
Jacob  Fomler 
John  Force 
Adam  Fox 
George   Gardner 
Peter  Gebhart 
Philip   Gebhart 
George   Goodman 
Leonard  Grow 
Jacob    Grub 
Henry  Haine 
Michael   Hambarger 
John   Hartman 
Michael'  Hartman 


Jacob    Hartman 
George   Hauck 
John  Haveler 
Peter   Hecman 
Samuel    Herman 
Jacob    Hofman 
Fredrick  Hoffener 
Thomas  Hon 
Adam  James 
David   Kaderman 
Jacob  Kaderman 
John   Kaler 
John   Kaufman 
Michael   Keal 
David  Keisler 
George  Klein 
Mathias  Kemp 
Daniel    Kremer 
Rudolph  Kendel 
Thomas  Kern 
Daniel   Kenzner 
William  Kesran 
Peter  Kreyer 
Michael    Keyser 
William   Keyser 
George  Kinter  &  Son 
Nicholas  Kinser 
Peter    Kissener 
Michael  Kitner 
Christian  Krugar 
Jacob  Kubeller 
Christian  Kurtz 
George    Kutner 
John  Kofp 
Jacob    Konner 
Michael    Kope 
Thomas    Knorr 
Fredrick  Koufman 
Nicholas    Kouger 
Christian    Lawferweller 
Abram  Lebo 
Peter  Lebo 
George   Lechner 
Jacob   Lederman 
George   Lehman 
Adam    Lesh 
William   Lightner 
Jacob  Livergood  &  Son 
George,  Lodwic 
Casper  Long 
John   Long 
Nicholas  Long 
Jacob    Lost 
Christian  Lower 
Daniel  Lucas 
Abram   Luke 
Abram  Luke  Jun'r 
Peter   Luke 
Jacob   Lux 
Francis  May  &  Son 
Daniel  Mayer 
Philip  Meat 
Jacob  Miller 
Jacob  Miller 
Nicholas    Miller 
Wendel   Miller 
Jacob    Milleisin 


Jatob  Ming 

Michael   Moser 

John  George  Moule 

Daniel  Moushavner 

Bernhard  Mounti 

Christian  Moyer 

John  Moyer 

Rudy  Moyer 

Jacob  Moz 

Valentine    New 

John  Nokle 

George   Noll 

Mathias  Noxser 

John   Oberle 

Andrew  Oleback 

George   Paffenberger 

Christian   Pens 

John   Poncious 

Jacob   Portner 

George     Procias     and     two 

married  sons 
Michael  Rice  ~ 

John    Rigelmiller 
Zacharias  Rockroch 
Henry  Rodebach 
George  Rool 
Joseph   Rozs 
Mathias   Rozs 
Michael  Runcle 
Adam  Ryal 
Casper    Read 
John   Ream 
George   Read 
Conrad    Reber 
Casper  Reed 
Casper  Reed 
Fredrick  Reed 
Jacob   Reed 
Leonard  Reed 
Leonard  Reed 
Peter   Reed 
Widow  Reed 
Christopher    Reeser 
Andrew  Reger 
Godfred  Rehrer 
Jacob   Rehrer 
Abram    Reiber 
Daniel  Reigel 
John   Repman 
Andrew  Shafer 
George  Shaffer 
John   Shaffer 
Michael   Shaffer 
Michael  Shaffer  Jun'r 
Fredrick  Shaffer 
Peter  Shaffer 
Michael    Sauser 
John   Snably 
Jacob  Swanger 
Lodwick  Swartz 
John    Swartz 
Henry  Seller 
George  Seller 
Jacob  Seiber 
Philip    Seiper 
Philip  Shearman 
Widow   Shell 
Adam  Stein  Jun'r 
Adam  Stein  Sen'r 
Peter  Stein 
Bastian  Sweyger 
George  Shireman 


Adam  Smith 
George  Smith 
Mathias  Smith 
Abram   Snider 
Benjamin  Spicker 
Peter  Spicker 
Nicholas  Swingel 
Adam  Sholter 
Bernhard  Shoon 
Adam   Sonday 
John  Shop 
George  Stock 
Jacob  Stock 
Henry  Stoll 
Fredrick  Stop 
Martin  Stoup 
John  Snow 
Michael  Summay 
Casper  Stump 
Melchor  Tabler 
Adam  Team 
John  Theam 
Melchor  Ticeler 
William   Ticeler 
Oly  Tonkleberger 
John  Troutman 
George  Ulrick 
Valentine  Unrow 
Christopher   Urns 
Christopher  Ury 
Peter  Wagoner 
Mathias  Wagoner 
Widow  Walborn 
George  Weber 
Adam  Weeber 
Jacob  Welhelm 
Christopher  Weiser 
David  Weiser 
John   Weiser 
France  Wenrich 
Henry  Wilberger 
Conrad  Wirth 
Fredrick  Winter 
Jacob  Wolf 
Jacob.  Wolf 
George  Wolf 
George  Wolf 
Michael   Wolffart 
John  WoUeben 
John   Wombledorf 
John  Zerbe 
Peter  Zerbe 
Peter  Zerbe  Jun'r 
John  Zellot 
Oley  Zoleberger 
John  Zollete 

Single   Men 

Fredrick  Anters 
Jacob  Arbs 
Peter   Carbrigh 
Godfret   Carkert 
Henry  Cuns 
Valentine  Grasey 
Jacob   Gessler 
Geo.  Goodman  Jun'r 
Adam   Haverle 
Little  Jacob 
Fredrick  Miller 
Jacob   Precias 
William  Resman 
John  Roster 
Nicholas  Sneider 
Lorentz  Simple 
John  Strosneider 
John   Unrue 


IG 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Union 


Thomas  Banfield 
Jacob    Bashance 
William  Bird 
Jenkin    Davis 
Evan  Evans 
John  German 
John  Godfrey 
Mordecai  Harris 
John   Harrison 
Caleb  Harrison 
John   Hans 
Andrew   Hoffman 
John  Hollowav 
Mathew  Hopkin 
Edward   Hugh 
Mounce  Jones 
Steven  Lewis 
Morgan    Lewis 
John  Lincorn 
Charles  Magrew 
Jonathan  Millard 


Joseph  Millard 
Benjamin  Millard 
Timothy  Millard 
Thomas  Pratt 
Christian    Standly 
John    Stone 
Henry  Sudlar 
Conrad   Walter 
Abram  Wanger 
Andrew  Wolf 
Daniel  Yoder 

Single  Men 
Fennel  Evans 
Fredrick  Hause 
Obediah  Jerman 
Jeremiah  Jerman 
Faul  Ryley 
Andrew  Smith 
Charles  Terdman 
George   Tishler 
George  Trustle 


Windsor 


Reyhard  Alsboch 
Mathias  Alspoch 
Daniel    Baily 
Peter  Barteymay 
Isaac  Bartolet 
Christopher  Brening 
William  Bresler 
Christopher   Bickel 
George  Bowman 
George   Craine 
W'endel  Cooper 
Mathias   Dear 
Michael   Dewald 
Qementz   Doncleberger 
Peter  Donkleberger 
Michael    Dunkle 
Martin   Fell 
Nicholas   Fey 
Patrick  Finley 
John   Garver 
Jacob  Grave 
George    Godtchall 
]\Iichael  Hansel 
John  Hart 
Fredrick  Hershe 
Fredrick   Hess 
Daniel  Hill 
Daniel  Hill  Jun'r 
John  Daniel  Hill 
Jacob  Hill 
John  Hill 
Philip    Flingel 
Valentine  Hoof 
John    Hossinger 
John  Houser 
Christian    Housgneit 
Conrad   Hoiisman 
Jacob   Hower 
Wendel  Flowers 
Widow  Flughes 
Philip    FInmel 
Jacob  Hummel 
Michael   Iseman 
Daniel  Kamb 
Michael  Iveisher 
Leonard  Keplinger 
Conrad  Kersner 
George  Kersner 
Henry  Kime 
Adam    Kline 
John  Koch 


Christopher   Kosner 
Michael  Kower 
Widow   Kuhn 
Peter    Kluke 
Valentine  Kyme 
George  Lindermood 
Adam  Lookinbill 
George  Miller 
Hans  Moyer 
Jacob    Petery 
George    Potist 
Henry  Proabst  (Brobst) 
Leonard  Reever    (Reber) 
Barnard  Rend 
George   Resler 
Lawrence  Rodermell 
Peter  Rodermell 
Jacob  Rouse 
Martin   Rouse 
Nicholas   Roust 
Michael  Sleer 
Elias    Stein 
Andreas   Sidle 
Henry   Shiera 
George   Shnider 
Jeremiah  Shoppel 
ALathias  Trayer 
George  Adam  Wagner 
Theobald  Warner 
Peter   Weaver 
Philip    Wensil 
Caret  Will 
Jacob  Winger 
Nicholas  Winger 
Nicholas  Winger 
Thomas   Wright 
Jonathan   Worral 

Single  Men 
Lips    Adam 
William  Anderson 
William   Andlemon 
Peter   Cratsler 
Jacob   Dewald 
Jacob   Hill 
George  Hower 
Andrew  Humel 
Leonard  Ketz 
George  Lusher 
James   Mai  one 
Jacob  Meyer 
John  Mingel 


NATIONALITIES 

Swedes. — The  first  permanent  settlement  along 
the  Delaware  in  Pennsylvania  was  effected  by  a 
small  colony  of  Swedes  in  1638.  Ten  years  before 
this,  the  subject  of  encouraging  Swedes  to  settle 
in  Pennsylvania,  for  purposes  of  trade,  had  been 
discussed  by  the  King  of  Sweden ;  but  his  warfare 
with  the  Germans  about  that  time,  and  his  sudden 
death,  ended  the  matter,  till  it  was  reconsidered  and 
revised  by  his  lord  chancellor  under  the  patronage 
of  his  daughter,  the  young  Swedish  Queen  Chris- 
tina. The  whole  number  of  settlers  then  in  the 
new  country  (which  they  called  New  Sweden)  did 
not  exceed  fifty.  The  Swedes  effected  the  most 
of  their  settlements  on  the  western  side  of  the 
Delaware  river,  and  extended  them  along  this  river 
and  its  prominent  tributary,  the  Schuylkill.  In  ten 
years,  their  number  did  not  increase  to  one  hun- 
dred. Notwithstanding  their  success  in  carrying  on 
trade,  they  could  not  acquire  such  a  firm  hold  upon 
the  country  as  to  continue  their  government  a  score 
of  years.  In  1655,  their  Governor  surrendered  to 
the  Dutch,  and  this  ended  the  rule  of  the  Swedes 
in  Pennsylvania.  But  those  who  had  settled  and 
taken  up  lands  along  the  Delaware  and  Schuylkill 
did  not  abandon  their  settlements.  Penn,  upon  his 
arrival  nearly  thirty  years  afterward,  encouraged 
them  to  move  toward  the  interior. 

The  English  settlers  multiplied  rapidly  after  Penn 
had  given  a  fixed  government  to  the  province,  and 
toward  the  close  of  the  seventeenth  century  the 
Swedes  began  to  consider  the  propriety  of  accept- 
ing Penn's  ofifer.  A  small  colony,  under  the  lead- 
ership of  Andrew  Rudman,  found  suitable  land 
along  the  Schuylkill,  several  miles  above  the  mouth 
of  the  Manatawny  creek,  and  they  in  1701  petitioned 
for  ten  thousand  acres.  Immediately  afterward,  in 
pursuance  of  warrants  issued,  certain  tracts,  aggre- 
gating 10,500  acres,  were  surveyed  and  laid  off  for 
them.  The  names  of  these  Swedes  were  Andrew 
Rudman,  Andrew  Bankson,  Benjamin  Burden, 
Peter  Boon,  Benjamin  Boon,  Mounce  Jones,  Justa 
Justason,  Mounce  Justice,  John  Cock,  Peter  Cock,. 
Otto  Ernest  Cock,  Jacob  Culinn,  Matthias  Holston, 
Morton  Morton,  Richard  Roads  and  Jonas  Yocum. 

All  of  these,  excepting  Rudman,  remained  and 
made  permanent  settlements.  A  building  erected 
by  one  of  them,  in  1716,  is  still  standing  though 
somewhat  altered.  It  is  the  oldest  building  in  the 
county.  Descendants  of  some  of  them  are  still 
in  the  township  (called  Amity  shortly  afterward), 
notably  the  Joneses  and  Yocums.  This  was  the 
only  colony  of  Swedes  which  came  into  the  county, 
and  the  only  section  of  the  county  in  which  they 
took  up  lands ;  and  they  did  not  wander  away,  re- 
maining in  the  township  almost  entirely. 

They  were  the  first  settlers  who  erected  a  build- 
ing for  religious  worship  in  this  county.  They 
were  members  of  the  Lutheran  denomination,  and 
they  possessed  admirable  characteristics  to  take  up 
and  develop  a  new  country.     They  remained  more 


ERECTION   OF   COUNTY 


17 


immediately  together  than  any  other  subsequent 
class  of  settlers.  The  Indians  must  have  appfe- 
ciated  their  virtues  in  suffering  them  to  remain 
unmolested  before  the  land  was  released.     Hence 


OLD  SWEDE   BUILDING 

they  were  a  peaceable  people.  There  was  amity  be- 
tween them,  and  so  the  township  came  to  be  named 
in  1720. 

Germans. — The  German  immigrants  were  the 
second  to  enter  this  section  of  territory.  The  first 
settlement  by  them  was  effected  in  1710,  along  the 
Manatawny,  in  Oley.  Many  arrived  within  the 
next  decade.  To  the  east  of  the  Schuylkill  river 
they  proceeded  northwardly  from  Philadelphia.  To 
the  west,  however,  the  first  colony  of  Germans,  be- 
fore 1730,  entered  from  the  west,  proceeding  from 
New  York  southwardly  and  from  the  Susquehanna 
river  eastwardly  into  Tulpehocken  Valley.  The 
total  number  of  Germans  who  settled  in  the  county 
previous  to  1752  cannot  be  estimated,  but  they 
were  certainly  more  numerous  than  all  the  other 
nationalities  taken  together.  In  1747  Governor 
Thomas  stated  that  the  Germans  of  Pennsylvania 
comprised  three-fifths  of  the  whole  population,  or 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand. 

Many  of  them  were  redemptioners,  or  persons 
who  had  bound  themselves  or  one  or  more  of  their 
children  to  the  masters  of  vessels,  upon  their  ar- 
rival, for  a  term  of  years,  to  pay  for  their  passage 
across  the  ocean.  The  usual  terms  of  sale  depended 
upon  the  age,  strength  and  health  of  the  persons 
sold.  Boys  and  girls  generally  served  from  five 
to  ten  years,  till  they  attained  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years.  Many  parents  were  compelled  to  sell 
the  service  of  their  own  children  in  order  to  sat- 
isfy their  passage-money,  so  that  they  might  be 
released  from  the  vessel  upon  which  they  were 
brought  to  this  country.  Children  under  five  years 
of  age  could  not  be  sold  to  service.  They  were 
disposed  of  gratuitously  to  persons  who  agreed  to 
raise  them  and  give  them  their  freedom  when  they 
attained  the  age  of  twenty-one  years.  In  this  man- 
ner the  redemptioners  came  to  occupy  a  very  hum- 
ble position ;  but  "from  this  class  there  have  sprung 
some  of  the  most  reputable  and  wealthy  inhabit- 
ants of  the  province." 
2 


Prior  to  1727,  most  of  them  brought  considerable 
means,  but  afterwards,  many  of  them  were  poor, 
and  they  came  to  be  redemptioners  on  that  account. 
The  years  in  which  they  arrived  were  1728,  1729, 
1737,  1741,  1750  and  1751.  The  principal  part  of 
them  were  farmers ;  but  many  were  mechanics  who 
brought  with  them  a  knowledge  of  those  arts 
which  are  necessary  and  useful  in  all  countries,  com- 
prising carpenters  and  builders,  weavers,  tailors, 
tanners,  shoemakers  (cordwainers),  comb-makers, 
smiths  of  all  kinds,  butchers,  paper-makers  and 
clock-makers.  They  became  perfect,  mechanics  and- 
workmen  through  a  custom  of  "Peregrination" 
(Wanderschaft)j  which,  as  young  men,  just  after 
the  close  of  their  apprenticeship,  they  carried  on  for 
one  or  more  years  in  order  to  make  themselves 
more  proficient  in  their  several  trades.  This  was 
required  of  young  mechanics  before  they  were  per- 
mitted to  set  up  for  themselves.  By  this  course, 
they  were  afforded  opportunities  of  acquiring  much 
useful  knowledge  which  books  could  not  supply, 
besides  proficiency  in  their  trade.  They  were  called 
"Traveling  Journeymen"    (Handwerks-Bursch). 

This  was  the  class  of  Germans  which  settled 
the  country  along  the  Schuylkill  and  its  tributaries. 
They  were  a  valuable  acquisition  to  Penn  and  his 
sons  in  the  development  of  their  great  province. 
They  were  just  what  a  new  country  needed  to 
start  it  grandly  in  the  march  of  material  progress. 
Their  labor,  economy,  perseverance  and  stability 
added  great  and  increasing  wealth  to  the  country. 
In  this  manner  they  prepared  the  way  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  new  county,  and  having  thus  fitted  the 
settlements  for  a  separate  political  organization 
they  proceeded  earnestly  in  behalf  of  its  establish- 
ment. 

The  Germans  were  along  every  stream  except- 
ing the  Wyomissing,  Allegheny,  and  Hay  creek  in 
the  southern  section.  They  were  in  the  valleys  and 
on  the  hills  rather  than  along  the  Schuylkill.  This 
selection  of  localities  was  not  accidental,  for  thev 
found  the  best  quality  of  land  away  from  the  Schuyl- 
kill. The  best  farms  in  productiveness  and  ap- 
pearance are  in  the  localities  where  they  settled — 
in  Oley,  in  Maxatawny,  and  in  Heidelberg.  And  in 
these  respective  localities  we  still  find  the  grand- 
children and  great-grandchildren  of  the  first  Ger- 
man patentees. 

And  the  Germans  were  extreme  Revolutionists, 
having  encouraged  the  war  for  Independence  to  the 
utmost  of  their  ability.  Their  conduct  was  admir- 
able through  the  whole  trying  period,  and  when 
the  great  struggle  was  successfullv  ended,  with 
the  acquisition  of  increased  power  to  the  people, 
they  naturally  asserted  their  rights  and  took  elect- 
ive offices  to  t'hemselves. 

Huguenots.— Many  of  the  earlier  immigrants 
were  Huguenots,  who  had  been  encouraged  by  Penn 
and  the  English  goveirnment  to  emigrate  to  Penn- 
sylvania and  New  York.  In  France,  this  name  was 
used  as  a  term  of  reproach  for  those  who  aimed 
at  a  reform  of  religion  according  to  the  principles 


18 


HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


enunciated  by  Calvin.  The  name  attached  itself 
to  these  reformers  when  they  broke  off  all  connec- 
tion with  Lutheranism  and  began  to  organize  them- 
selves both  as  a  church  and  as  a  political  body. 
Their  churches  sprang  up  with  wonderful  quick- 
ness during  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century; 
but  they  became  very  unpopular. 

After  the  massacre  of  St.  Bartholomew's  day,  in 
1572,  the  subordination  of  their  religious  interests 
to  their  political  interests  became  inevitable,  and 
having  become  followers  of  Henry  of  Navarre, 
heir  to  the  French  crown,  their  subsequent  discon- 
tent obtained  from  him,  as  King  Henry  IV.,  in  1598 
(April  13th) J  the  famous  Edict  of  Nantes.  But 
the  provisions  of  this  Edict  were  found  as  help- 
ful for  Catholics  as  for  Protestants,  and  they  were 
so  modified  as  to  show  a  decreasing  favor  of  the 
Calvinists,  who  had  dreamed  of  dominance  and 
had  hoped  for  equality,  but  were  put  off  with  tol- 
erance. This  situation  caused  them  to  become  dis- 
satisfied with  the  Edict;  and  the  King  then  deter- 
mined to  reduce  them  to  nothing. 

About  1590,  the  Huguenots  carried  on  worship  in 
about  thirty-five  hundred  chateaux  and  two  hun- 
dred towns,  which  were  situated  chiefly  in  the  south 
and  west  of  France.  When  Louis  XIV  took  U)) 
his  reign,  the  tranquility  of  the  Huguenots  began 
to  pass  away.  In  1657,  they  were  forbidden  to 
hold  colloquies,  lest  they  might  take-  to  politics; 
and  in  1659,  they  were  told  to  hold  no  more  synods. 
Soon  the  court  went  further  and  conversions  were 
undertaken.  Wherever  a  pastor  could  be  bribed, 
converted  or  got  rid  of,  his  temple  was  torn  down. 
Their  worship  then  became  almost  impossible  in 
towns.  As  the  King's  conscience  ^tcw  morbid,  he 
became  more  eager  to  expiate  his  own  crimes  by 
punishing  heretics.  Within  twenty  years  seven 
hundred  churches  were  destroyed.  Throughout  that 
tr)'ing  period,  whilst  thousands  of  them  yielded  to 
oppression  or  bribery,  thousands  ot  others  fled  the 
land.  The  emigration  began  in  1666,  and  contin- 
ued for  fifty  years.  It  is  ):)robable  that,  in  1660, 
there  were  over  two  millions  of  Pluguenots  who 
were  regarded  as  the  best  and  most  thrifty  citizens 
in  that  country;  and  of  these  it  is  said  fully  a  mil- 
lion escaped  from  their  inhospitable  fatherland.  At 
last,  the  King  revoked  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  because 
he  thought  that  the  Huguenots  were  suppressed. 
This  was  on  Oct.  15,  1685,  and  it  was  the  sentence 
of  civil  death  on  all  Huguenots.  It  crushed  more 
than  half  of  the  commercial  and  manufacturing  in- 
dustry of  the  kingdom. 

French. — Among  the  Huguenots,  there  were 
many  settlers  with  French  names,  which  may  be 
found  in  the  lists  of  the  first  taxables  to  the  east 
of  the  Schuylkill.  The  spelling  has  been  changed 
so  much  that  they  can  hardly  be  recognized,  this 
having  been  done  by  the  assessors  to  conform  to 
the  English  or  the  German  pronunciation.  Some 
of  these  names  and  changes  will  be  enumerated : 
Bardo  or  Barto  was  Bardeau ;  Bushong.  Beau- 
champ  ;    Bushour,    Boucher    or    Buchat ;    Bertolet, 


Berthollet ;  Bast,  Baste  ;  Deisher,  Duchere ;  Deturck, 
De  Turcq;  Dippery,  Duprez;  Dilplain,  Delaplaine ; 
Lessig,  Lesecq;  Lorah,  Larue;  Monyer,  Monnier ; 
Plank,  De  la  Plank;  Sharadin,  Girardin;  Shappel, 
Chapelle;  Shomo,  Chaumont.  Several  of  the  un- 
changed names  are  Boyer,  Delcamp,  De  Long,  Le- 
van. 

English. — The  English  entered  this  territory 
and  took  up  lands  shortly  before  1720.  They  were, 
accordingly,  the  third  class  of  settlers.  Their  first 
families  were  the  Boones,  Ellises,  Lees  and  Lin- 
colns.  They  settled  in  Oley, — the  Ellises  and  Lees 
in  the  eastern  section,  along  the  Manatawny,  and  the 
Boones  and  Lincolns  in  the  central  and  western 
sections  along  the  Monocacy  and  the  Schuylkill. 
Within  ten  years  after  their  permanent  settlement, 
they  established  a  meeting-house  for  religious  wor- 
ship. This  was  about  1726,  at  a  point  where  the 
Exeter  meeting-house  stood  until  recently,  in  an 
elevated  position  near  the  northwestern  limit  of  the 
Swedes'  tracts,  then  called  Amity  township. 

Shortly  after  1730,  they  also  settled  along  and 
about  Hay  creek  and  Allegheny  creek,  to  the  west 
of  the  Schuylkill,  and  also  farther  north,  along  and 
about  the  Maiden  creek,  immediately  after  the  In- 
dians had  released  their  rights  to  the  territory. 
The  first  families  in  the  former  settlements  were 
the  Embrees,  Lewises,  Humphreys,  Scarlets,  Har- 
rys, Prices,  Webbs,  Hughes,  Moores,  Williamses 
and  Thomases ;  and  in  the  latter  settlements  the 
Parvins,  Lightfoots,  Pluttons,  Starrs,  Davises,  Pen- 
roses,  Pearsons,  AVileys,  Wrights,  Willits,  Plarveys 
and  Reeds ;  and  these  respective  families  also  es- 
tablished meeting-houses  in  the  midst  of  their  set- 
tlements, about  the  year  1736  —  the  one  at  the 
cross-roads  near  the  center  of  Robeson  township, 
and  the  other  near  the  center  of  Maiden-creek. 

All  these  families  were  connected  with  the 
Friends.  They  exerted  a  strong  influence  in  these 
three  sections  of  the  county.  The  numerous  Eng- 
lish names  given  to  the  townships  east  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill were  suggested  by  them.  George  Boone  was 
particularly  prominent  in  the  lower  section,  and 
Benjamin  Lightfoot  in  the  upper  section,  in  res- 
pect to  proceedings  for  setting  apart  new  townships. 
They  were  surveyors  and  men  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary ability.  And  just  as  these  two  men  were  prom- 
inent in  their  branch  of  service,  Anthony  Lee  and 
Francis  Parvin  were  equally,  if  not  more,  prom- 
inent in  these  respective  sections  as  justices  of  the 
several  courts  of  the  county.  Indeed,  until  the  Rev- 
olution, the  Friends  exerted  the  most  influence  in 
directing  political  affairs  here  notwithstanding  their 
number  was  far  less  than  the  Germans.  But  dur- 
ing the  Revolution  and  immediately  afterward, 
the  natural  energy  of  the  Germans  carried  them 
forward  in  political  matters,  just  as  it  had  carried 
them  forward  in  agriculture  and  manufactures  be- 
fore it ;  and  Independence  having  elevated  them  into 
political  rights,  they  exercised  these  by  placing 
themselves  into  power.     So  the  Friends  lost  their 


ERECTION   OF   COUNTY 


19 


qfficial  positions  and  consequently  their  public  influ- 
ence. 

Before  the  Revolution,  their  number  was  strofig 
and  their  religious  meetings  were  active  and  suc- 
cessful, but  since  that  time  they  have  gradually  de- 
creased. 

There  were  English  people  here  besides  the 
Friends.  At  first,  between  1735  and  1740,  before 
the  erection  of  the  county,  they  were  in  the  south- 
ern and  southeastern  sections,  the  one  body  in  Caer- 
narvon township,  and  the  other  in  Amity.  They 
were  members  of  the  Established  Church  of  Eng- 
land, here  called  Episcopalians.  Afterward,  when 
the  county  was  erected,  they  also  appeared  in  Read- 
ing, though  without  sufficient  strength  to  cause  the 
erection  of  a  church  for  themselves  until  1824. 

Welsh. — ^Just  as  the  Swedes  settled  in  the  coun- 
ty on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Schuylkill,  so  the 
Welsh  settled  in  the  county  to  the  west  of  this  river. 
They  migrated  through  Chester  county  till  they 
crossed  the  South  Mountain,  and  though  some  of 
them  reached  a  point  beyond  the  mountain  before 
the  purchase  of  the  territory  from  the  Indians  in 
1732,  yet  the  most  of  them  entered  this  district  im- 
mediately afterward.  The  Swedes  did  riot  have  a 
township  named  after  any  of  their  places,  but  the 
Welsh  were  earnest  in  this  behalf,  having  named 
three  townships,  Caernarvon,  Cumru  and  Brecknock. 

The  Welsh  had  purchased  from  Penn  in  England, 
before  1700,  a  large  body  of  land,  aggregating  40,- 
000  acres,  to  be  selected  in  Pennsylvania ;  and  these 
acres  they  located  to  the  west  ot  the  Schuylkill. 
They  settled  the  country  so  numerously  that,  before 
1698,  they  had  named  six  townships  in  the  county 
of  Chester. 

Rowland  Ellis  was  a  prominent  Welshman  who 
induced  a  large  emig'ration  from  Wales  to  this  coun- 
try. After  having  persuaded  Thomas  Owen  and 
his  family  to  emigrate  and  settle  in  Chester  county, 
he,  himself,  in  1686,  embarked  with  109  Welshmen. 
Some  of  the  settlers  were  named  Thomas  Evans, 
Robert  Evans,  Owen  Evans,  Cadwallader  Evans, 
William  Jones,  Robert  Jones,  Hugh  Grfffith,  Ed- 
ward Foulke  and  John  Humphrey.  The  territory 
which  lay  to  the  south  of  the  South  Mountain  and 
west  of  the  Schuylkill  was  gradually  settled  by  these 
Welsh  people,  and  they  migrated  farther  and  farth- 
er up  the  river  during  the  next  fifty  years.  Before 
1740,  several  hundred  of  them  had  settled  in  the 
district  beyond  this  mountain.  They  were  adher- 
ents of  the  Baptist  denomination.  Their  lands  were 
taken  up  mostly  along  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Wyomissing  and  Cacoosing  creeks,  and  there  they 
were  most  thickly  settled,  the  many  tracts  they  took 
up  aggregating  20,000  acres,  before  1752.  They 
were  enterprising,  having  a  gristmill  along  the  Wy- 
omissing before  1740.  This  flowing  stream  was 
appreciated  by  them  for  its  superior  water-power, 
and  they  accordingly  erected  dififerent  factories 
along  its  banks  for  the  manufacture  of  gun-barrels, 
files,  etc.  Agriculture  was  the  principal  employ- 
ment.   Like  the  Swedes,  they  remamed  in  their  first 


settlement,  southward  of  the  Schuylkill  and  Cacoos- 
ing. They  co-operated  earnestly  with  the  Germans 
in  obtaining  a  new  county  out  of  the  upper  sections 
of  Lancaster  and  Philadelphia  counties. 

Irish. — Persons  of  Irish  nativity  did  not  settle  in 
Pennsylvania  for  nearly  forty  years  after  Penn  had 
obtained  the  province.  Penn  visited  Germany  in 
this  behalf,  kindling  a  strong  interest  in  the  prov- 
ince ;  but  it  would  seem  that  he  did  not  care  for  the 
Scotch  or  Irish,  not  having  encouraged  them  to  emi- 
grate. Accordingly,  neither  of  these  came  until 
after  his  death ;  and  when  they  did  arrive,  they  set- 
tled that  portion  of  the  province  which  lay  mostly 
along  the  southern  borders,  adjoining  Maryland. 
Though  some  of  them  followed  the  course  of  the 
Susquehanna  and  settled  in  Lancaster  county,  the 
great  body  of  them  migrated  into  the  country  which 
lay  west  of  the  river.  Very  few  proceeded  up  the 
Schuylkill  Valley. 

Doubtless  the  German  element  in  this  direction 
was  not  agreeable  to  them.  Hence,  they  directed 
their  way  to  the  westward  from  Philadelphia,  im- 
mediately after  landing,  rather  than  to  the  north- 
ward. No  settlement  was  effected  by  them  in  any 
of  the  districts  which  are  now  included  in  Berks 
county. 

Hebrews. — The  same  can  be  said  of  the  Hebrews 
in  this  respect.  Their  immigration  was  so  limited 
and  so  quiet  that  no  notice  was  taken  of  them. 
Some  of  them  have  been  in  the  county  for  many 
years,  but  almost  entirely  at  Reading.  A  number 
of  them  settled  along  the  head-waters  of  the  Tulpe- 
hocken  at  or  in  the  vicinity  of  Myerstown.  Single 
individuals  wandered  to  Womelsdorf,  and  even  to 
Reading.  In  1836  there  were  six  of  them  at  Read- 
ing— Abraham  Speier,  John  Siegel,  Mayer  Siegel, 
Mayer  Arnold,  Alexander  Heyman  and  Bernard 
Dreifoos. 

The  Hebrews  here  have  been  engaged  almost  ex- 
clusively in  trading,  and  used  the  German  language 
amongst  themselves  for  many  years.  Through  their 
children  and  local  education,  however,  the  English 
language  has  become  prevalent  among  them. 

In  1864  the  following  were  in  Reading :  Bernard 
Dreifoos,  Solomon  Hirsch,  Abraham  Speier,  Mayer 
Einstein,  Aaron  Henlein,  Solomon  Weil,  Marcus 
Lyons,  Isaac  Mann,  Isaac  Hirschland,  Joseph  Loeb, 
Jacob  Levy,  Ralph  .Austrian,  Abraham  Arnold, 
Aaron  Einstein  and  Isaac  Schwerin. 

Negroes. — The  negro  is  also  worthy  of  mention. 
Slavery  existed  here  to  a  very  limited  extent.  The 
slaves  of  which  any  notice  was  found  were  owned  al- 
most entirely  by  early  ironmasters,  but  they  were 
few  in  number.  This  condition  of  servitude  was  in- 
compatible with  the  notions  of  our  early  settlers ; 
hence  it  was  not  encouraged.  The  farmers  had  no' 
slaves. 

Pennsylvania  instituted  an  early  movement  for  the 
gradual  abolition  of  slavery.  An  Act  of  Assembly 
was  passed  on  March  1,  1780,  to  this  end.  The  Act 
required  the  owner  of  slaves  to  file  a  statemerit  in 
the  Quarter  Sessions'  office,  giving  age,  surname, 


20 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


etc.,  of  each  slave.    A  statement  of  this  kind  could 
not  be  found  in  the  office. 

Colored  people  were  at  Reading  soon  after  it  was 
founded.  It  was  not,  however,  till  after  1820  that 
they  became  sufficiently  strong  to  form  a  society 
for  religious  purposes.  Some  of  them  owned  real 
estate  before  1800,  and  long  before  their  enfran- 
chisement in  1863,  they  were  orderly,  industrious 
and  progressive. 


Descendants  of  many  of  the  first  settlers  are 
still  flourishing  in  numbers,  industry,  wealth  and 
social,  religious  and  political  influence  in  the  county, 
and  they  have  continued  persistently  engaged  in 
agriculture  upon  or  in  the  vicinity  of  the  original 
settlements.  Some  moved  to  other  districts  of  the 
county ;  others  to  Reading.  Many  sons  and  daugh- 
ters migrated  to  the  West  and  settled  particularly 
in  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Michigan,  Wis- 
consin, Kansas  and  Colorado.  Some  of  the  sons 
•turned  to  the  professions,  and  others  to  trades  and 
manufactures,  in  which  they  realized  rich  rewards 
for  their  industry  and  well-directed  energy.  In 
tracing  down  all  the  pursuits  of  life  carried  on  in 
the  county,  it  is  only  occasionally  that  a  complete 
stranger  appears  and  identifies  himself  with  her 
onward  movement  for  any  considerable  length  of 
time.  This  is  especially  the  case  in  our  politics. 
The  names  of  the  old  families  are  continually  on 
the  surface.  Not  particularly  demonstrative,  they 
are  like  expert  swimmers  in  deep  water  and  float 
on  majestically  in  the  great  stream  of  time,  their 
heads  always  visible,  their  endurance  prevailing. 

FIRST  OCCUPANTS,  INDIANS 

Oeighst. — Where  the  Indians  of  this  vicinity  came 
from  and  when  they  settled  in  this  immediate  sec- 
tion of  country  no  one  has  yet  determined.  It  has 
been  generally  conceded  that  they  migrated  east- 
wardly  hundreds  of  years  ago  till  they  reached  the 
large  body  of  water  which  we  call  the  Atlantic 
Ocean.  As  a  nation,  they  were  known  as  the  Lenni 
Lcnapc  (original  people).  This  general  name 
comprehended  numerous  distinct  tribes  which  spoke 
dialects  of  a  common  language — the  Algonquin. 
According  to  the  traditions  of  their  ancestors,  the 
Lcnni  Lcnapc  were  an  unmixed  and  unchanged 
race,  residing  many  centuries  ago  toward  the  set- 
ting of  the  sun,  somewhere  in  the  western  part  of 
this  continent.  For  some  reasons  not  explained, 
they  determined  to  migrate  toward  the  rising  of  the 
sun.  After  journeying  for  a  time  they  arrived  at 
the  Mississippi  river  {Namasi  Sipu^  meaning  Fish 
River).  There  they  fell  in  with  another  nation  of 
Indians,  who  were  also  in  quest  of  a  new  home  to 
the  eastward.  Those  were  the  Mengzi'c,  or,  as  they 
have  been  named  by  the  French,  the  Iroquois.  At 
that  river  both  nations  united  their  forces,  because 
they  anticipated  opposition  to  the  east  of  the  river 
from  the  Anigezm,  who  were  a  populous  race  of 
gigantic  form.    Shortly  after  their  union,  and  before 


they  had  advanced  any  distance,  they  realized  their 
anticipations,  for  they  were  compelled  to  fight  many 
severe  battles  in  carrying  out  their  determination 
to  march  onward.  At  last  their  enemy,  the  Alligewi, 
to  escape  extermination,  abandoned  the  country,  fled 
far  southward  and  never  returned.  The  victors 
then  divided  the  country  between  themselves  —  the 
Iroquois  choosing  the  country  to  the  north  along 
the  great  lakes  and  their  tributary  streams,  and  the 
Lenape  taking  possession  of  the  country  to  the  south 
of  them,  from  the  river  eastward  to  the  ocean. 

The  Lcnapc,  on  their  way  hither,  became  divided 
into  three  separate  bodies.  One  body  settled  along 
the  Atlantic  ocean  and  the  country  adjacent  for 
some  hundreds  of  miles,  comprising,  it  was  sup- 
posed, one-half  of  the  nation ;  and  the  other  bodies 
settled  to  the  east  and  to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi 
river.  That  part  of  the  body  which  was  situated 
in  Pennsylvania  became  known  as  the  "Delawares." 
The  word  "Delaware"  is  unknown  in  the  Indian 
language.  At  first  the  Indians  thought  that  the 
white  people  had  given  this  name  to  them  in  deri- 
sion, but  when  they  were  informed  that  they  were 
named  after  a  great  white  chief — Lord  de  la  Ware 
— they  were  satisfied. 

Delaware  Tribes. — The  Delawares  divided 
themselves  into  three  tribes — the  Unamis  or  Turtle, 
the  Unalachtgo  or  Turkey,  and  the  Minsi  (some- 
times called  Monseys)  or  Wolf.  The  first  two  were 
settled  on  the  territory  which  lay  nearest  to  the 
ocean,  between  the  coast  and  the  high  mountains, 
and,  as  they  increased  in  numbers,  the}'  extended 
their  settlements  from  the  Hudson  river  to  the  Po- 
tomac. 

The  Minsi  lived  back  of  the  other  tribes,  to  form, 
as  it  were,  a  bulwark  for  their  protection  and  to 
watch  the  actions  of  the  Mengtve.  Their  settle- 
ments extended  from  Minisink,  on  the  Hudson  (a 
place  named  after  them  where  they  had  their  coun- 
cil-seat) ,  to  the  west,  far  beyond  the  Susquehanna. 
Their  noi'thern  boundaries  were  supposed  to  be 
along  the  head-waters  of  the  great  rivers,  Delaware 
and  Susquehanna,  which  flowed  through  their  ter- 
ritory, and  their  southern  boundaries  along  that 
ridge  of  hills  known  in  Pennsylvania  by  the  name 
of  Lehigh. 

Man\'  clans  sprang  from  these  tribes.  They  se- 
lected distant  spots  as  places  of  settlement,  and 
gave  themselves  names  or  received  names  from 
other  tribes.  Their  names  were  generally  taken 
after  simple  natural  objects  or  something  striking 
or  extraordinary.  Though  they  formed  separate 
and  distinct  clans,  yet  they  did  not  deny  their  ori- 
gin, retaining  their  aflfection  for  the  parent  tribe, 
of  which  they  were  proud  to  be  called  grandchildren. 
M!any  families,  with  their  connections,  lived  bv 
themselves.  They  were  settled  along  the  stream's 
throughout  the  country.  They  had  towns  and  vil- 
lages, in  which  they  lived  in  separate  clans,  with 
a  chief  in  each  clan  ruling  over  them.  These  chiefs 
were  subordinate  to  the  council  which  comprised 
the  great  chiefs  of  the  nation. 


ERECTION   OF   COUNTY 


21 


Minsi  Clans. — Tiie  clans  of  the  Minsi  Indians 
were  the  Schuylkills,  Susquehannas,  Neshamines, 
ConestogaSj  Assunpinks,  Rankakos,  Andastakas  and 
Shackmaxons.  They  were  regarded  as  the  most 
warlike  of  all  the  Indians  in  these  tribes.  Each 
clan  had  a  chief  to  control  its  actions.  The  chief 
of  the  Schuylkill  clan,  which  was  settled  along  the 
Schuylkill  and  its  tributaries,  was,  for  a  time,  Man- 
angy;  and  each  chief  was  under  the  command  of 
a  Grand  Sachem. 
.  Ganawese. — The  Ganawese  (sometimes  called 
the  Shawnees,  or  Piscataway)  were  also  one  of  the 
tribes  of  the  Lenni  Lenape.  They  had  lived  for- 
merly along  the  Potomac  river,  and  were  permitted 
by  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania  to  locate  among 
the  Schuylkill  Indians,  near  Tulpehocken-,  in  pur- 
suance of  a  request  from  Manangy  (the  Indian 
•chief  in  this  section)  with  a  guaranty  of  their 
friendship  by  the  Conestoga  Indians.  This  request 
was  made  in  1705,  because  the  Ganawese  had  been 
reduced  by  sickness  to  a  small  number,  and  had 
expressed  a  desire  to  settle  here.  It  is  not  known 
whether  they  came  immediately  or  not ;  but  four 
jears  afterward  they  were  classed  with  the  Indians 
in  this  vicinity.  In  1728  they  were  represented  at 
Philadelphia  by  their  king,  Manawkyhickon,  who 
was  called  Shekellamy,  also  Win  jack;  and  he  was 
appointed  then  by  the  "Five  Nations."  It  is  sup- 
-posed  that  he  lived  at  Shamokin,  his  tribe  having 
by  this  time  removed  thither  beyond  the  Blue  Moun- 
tain. 

After  Conrad  Weiser  had  settled  in  Tulpehocken, 
in  1729,  an  intimacy  was  cultivated  between  him 
and  Shekellamy.  In  1732  these  two  were  appointed 
to  travel  between  the  Indians  and  the  settlers,  "in 
order  to  speak  the  minds  of  each  other  truly  and 
freely,  and  to  avoid  misunderstandings" ;  and  as 
such  agents  they  performed  invaluable  services  in 
our  early  history  by  the  satisfactory  and  amicable 
adjustment  of  disputes.  "They  were  universally  re- 
spected for  their  wisdom  in  council,  their  dignity 
•of  manner,  and  their  conscientious  administration 
•of  public  affairs." 

Grand  Sachems. — The  sachems  of  the  Lenni 
Lenape,  from  the  time  of  the  first  English  settle- 
ments till  the  Indians  retreated  before  the  onward 
march  of  civilization  and  eventually  disappeared  en- 
tirely from  this  part  of  our  country,  were,  in  suc- 
cession, Kekerappan,  Opekasset,  Taminent,  Allum- 
apees^  (who  was  afterward  also  called  Sassoonan) 
and  Teedyuscung.  They  had  their  headquarters  at 
Minisink,  on  the  Delaware  river,  some  miles  above 
the  Blue  Mountain  (now  in  Pike  county),  and  also 
at  Shamokin,  on  Shamokin  creek  (in  Berks  county 
for  a  period  of  twenty  years,  and  since  1772  in  the 
eastern  part'  of  Northumberland  county) . 

Manners  and  Customs. — The  early  settlers  of 
Pennsylvania  found  the  Indians  possessed  of  a 
kindly  disposition  and  inclined  to  share  with  them 
the  comforts  of  their  rude  dwelling-places.  When 
they  were  guests  of  the  Indians,  their  persons  were 
regarded  as  sacred.     Penn  said  that  they  excelled 


in  liberality;  that  they  never  had  much,  for  they 
never  wanted  much;  that  their  wealth  circulated 
like  the  blood;  that  none  wished  for  the  property 
of  another;  and  that  they  were  exact  observers  of 
the  rights  of  property.  "They  are  not  disquieted 
with  bills  of  lading  and  exchange,"  said  he,  "nor 
perplexed  with  chancery  suits  and  exchequer  reck- 
onings. We  sweat  and  toil  to  live ;  they  take  pleas- 
ure in  hunting,  fishing  and  fowling,  which  feeds 
them.  They  spread  their  table  on  the  ground  any- 
where, and  eat  twice  a  day,  morning  and  evening. 
They  care  for  little  for  they  want  but  little.  If 
they  are  ignorant  of  our  pleasures,  they  are  free 
from  our  pains." 

The  Indians,  in  their  peculiar  savage  life,  pos- 
sessed, on  the  one  hand,  certain  personal  virtues — 
a  high  sense  of  honor  (according  to  their  concep- 
tions of  duty),  mutual  fidelity  among  individuals, 
fortitude  that  mocked  the  most  cruel  torments  and 
devotion  to  their  own  tribe,  for  whose  welfare  they 
were  ready  to  make  any  sacrifice;  but,  on  the  other 
hand,  they  had  no  appreciation  of  domestic  virtues, 
for  they  treated  their  wives  with  cruelty  and  their 
children  with  indifference.  They  were  gloomy, 
stern  and  severe,  and  strangers  to  mirth  and  laugh- 
ter. They  permitted  no  outward  expression  of  pain. 
Remarkable  indifference  to  the  good  or  ill  of  life 
was  one  of  the  peculiar  elements  of  their  character ; 
and  they  exhibited  no  pleasure  in  anything,  save 
boisterous  joy  in  the  moment  of  victory.  They  had 
a  great  aversion  to  regular  labor,  and  yet  they  were 
capable  of  enduring  the  greatest  possible  exertions 
during  the  chase  or  times  of  war.  They  were  ex- 
tremely improvident.  When  they  had  an  abundance 
of  food  and  liquor  they  ate  and  drank  great  quan- 
tities, not  thinking  of  the  morrow  and  the  famine 
they  might  have  to  endure.  They  recognized  po- 
lygamy. 

They  believed  in  the  existence  of  a  Supreme 
Being,  and  of  a  Being  in  a  subordinate  position. 
The  former  was  the  Great  Spirit  to  them  which  did 
not  require  prayers  for  aid  and  protection,  but  the 
latter  was  looked  upon  as  hostile  to  them,  and  to 
this  they  addressed  their  worship.  And  they  also 
believed  in  a  future  state,  where  the  souls  of  brave 
warriors  and  chaste  wives  enjoyed  a  happy  exist- 
ence with  their  ancestors  and  friends.  Their  fun- 
erals were  conducted  with  great  decorum.  They 
dressed  the  deceased  persons  in  their  best  clothes, 
and  disposed  of  their  bodies  in  various  ways  and  in 
different  places,  some  in  the  air  on  scaffolds,  some 
in  the  water,  and  some  in  the  earth.  They  also 
practised  cremation. 

The  general  dress  of  the  Indian  in  the  temperate 
and  cold  parts  of  the  country,  previous  to  the  ar- 
rival of  the  Europeans,  consisted  of  three  articles 
— a  cloak  of  buffalo  skin  (which  hung  from  the 
shoulders),  a  piece  of  skin  used  as  an  apron,  and 
a  pair  of  moccasins  or  loose  boots,  manufactured 
out  of  undressed  skin.  The  women  wore  a  long 
robe  of  buffalo  skin  which  was  fastened  around 
the  waist. 


22 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Their  habitations  were  huts  or  cabins,  generally 
of  a  circular  form,  constructed  of  poles  fixed  in 
the  ground  and  tied  together  at  the  top.  The  outer 
covering  consisted  of  the  bark  of  trees.  A  hole 
was  left  open  at  the  top  for  ventilation  or  the  es- 
cape of  smoke.  Beds  and  seats  were  made  out  of 
skins.  The  diameter  of  some  huts  was  thirty  feet, 
and  even  forty. 

The  painting  of  their  bodies  was  a  universal  cus- 
tom. Tattooing  was  practised.  Some  painted  only 
their  arms;  others  both  arms  and  legs.  Those 
who  had  attained  the  summit  of  renown  in  suc- 
cessful warfare  had  their  bodies  painted  from  the 
waist  upward.  This  was  the  heraldry  of  the  In- 
dians. Besides  this  ornamentation,  the  warriors 
also  carried  plumes  of  feathers  on  their  heads. 

Their  weapons  consisted  of  the  tomahawk,  knife, 
club,  and  bow  and  arrow.  When  the  Dutch  arrived 
the  rifle  was  introduced  to  them ;  and  then  the  In- 
dians became  as  expert  in  the  use  of  this  weapon 
as  they  had  been  in  the  use  of  the  tomahawk  and 
bow  and  arrow. 

They  subsisted  chiefly  on  wild  game  and  fish. 
They  were  great  hunters  and  fishers.  In  the  use 
of  the  spear  in  fishing  they  were  very  successful. 
They  carried  on  agriculture  to  a  limited  extent  in 
raising  maize,  beans  and  pumpkins.  But  the  labor 
was  performed  entirely  by  their  women. 

Each  tribe  was  governed  by  an  elected  chief  and 
council.  In  matters  of  great  importance  all  the 
warriors  were  consulted.  In  their  deliberations, 
questions  were  decided  by  the  consent  of  all,  not 
by  a  majority.  Their  assemblies  were  conducted 
with  great  formality.  Their  debates  were  carried 
on  by  set  speeches  which  abounded  in  bold  figures 
and  bursts  of  impassioned  eloquence.  The  oldest 
chief  always  commenced  the  discussion.  The  young 
men  were  permitted  to  attend,  but  not  to  speak. 

They  conducted  their  warfare  in  a  particular  and 
peculiar  manner.  They  declared  war  by  sending  a 
slave  with  a  hatchet  (the  handle  of  which  was 
painted  red)  to  the  offending  party.  In  taking  the 
field  for  action,  the)'  proceeded  in  small  squads ; 
and  from  the  time  of  entering  the  enemy's  territory 
they  killed  no  game,  they  lighted  no  fires,  they  made 
no  disturbance  of  any  kind ;  but  they  advanced  with 
the  utmost  caution,  not  even  speaking  to  one  an- 
other, only  communicating  by  signs  and  motions. 
In  making  an  attack,  they  would  first  lie  flat  a  whole 
night,  and  at  the  break  of  day,  upon  the  signal  of 
the  chief,  rush  upon  the  enemy.  If  they  succeeded 
("as  they  generally  did  succeed  in  such  a  quiet  but 
deliberate  mode  of  warfare)  their  horrifying  deeds 
baffled  description. 

Retee.\t  of  Indians. — The  Indians  having 
moved  north  of  the  Blue  Mountain  in  1732,  the 
Friends  then  entered  and  took  up  large  tracts  of 
land  in  the  Maiden-creek  A'alley  (Ontelaunee  Sec- 
tion). Within  the  previous  decade,  a  small  colony 
of  Germans  had  settled  in  the  Tulpehocken  Valley, 
having  migrated  thither  from  New  York  against 
the  complaints  and  protests  of  the  Indians.    Before 


1750,  these  settlers  had  even  occupied  tracts  of 
land  beyond  the  mountain,  reaching  as  far  north 
as  the  sources  of  the  Schuylkill  river.  And  thus 
it  appears,  as  the  settlers  pressed  forward,  the  In- 
dians retreated  westward. 

In  1749,  the  Delaware  Indians  left  the  great 
region  beyond  the  Blue  Mountain  for  thousands 
of  square  miles,  and  they  departed  with  the  firm 
intention  of  remaining  away.  But  shortly  after- 
ward, having  been  deceived  by  misrepresentations 
of  the  French,  they  returned,  not  to  retake  pos- 
session, but  to  murder  the  settlers.  In  this  mali- 
cious invasion,  they  were  very  successful,  and  they 
kept  the  country  in  an  unsettled  condition  for  eight 
years.  Then  they  fled,  never  to  return.  In  1789, 
the  general  government  placed  them  on  a  large 
reservation  of  land  in  the  State  of  Ohio.  In  1818, 
they  were  located  in  Missouri.  Numerous  removals 
followed  during  the  next  fifty  years,  when,  in  1866, 
they  accepted  land  in  severalty  in  the  Indian  Ter- 
ritory. 

A  popular  notion  prevails  that  the  Indian  tribes 
are  disappearing  and  their  numbers  growing  less. 
But  it  has  been  ascertained  that,  though  certain 
tribes  have  decreased  in  number,  and  others  even 
disappeared  entirely,  many  of  the  tribes  have  in- 
creased; and  therefore  the  Indian  population,  as  a 
whole,  in  North  America,  has  not  decreased  very 
much  since  the  advent  of  the  Europeans.  In  1880 
there  were  in  the  United  States  306,543  Indians 
(of  which  240,136  were  on  reservations  and  66,407 
were  civilized)  ;  in  1890,  248,253 ;  in  1900,  237,- 
196 ;  and  in  1908,  the  number  was  estimated  at 
300,412. 

The  general  policy  of  our  government  has  been, 
for  some  years  past,  to  treat  with  the  Indian  .tribes 
in  a  respectful  manner,  purchase  their  lands,  place 
them  upon  certain  reservations,  where  thev  are  re- 
quired to  remain,  and  appropriate  supplies  for  them 
in  the  nature  of  food,  clothing,  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion. In  this  manner  the  government  has  been  hu- 
manely endeavoring  to  civilize  them.  And  it  has 
accomplished  considerable  good  results  in  respect 
to  some  tribes,  but  failed  in  respect  to  others. 

Indd\n  Names. — All  the  prominent  streams  in 
the  county  have  been  given  Indian  names ;  also  two 
townships  and  two  mountains.  These  names  are 
as  follows : 

Angelica — 

Antictam — 

Allegheny — Fair  water. 

Ganshozvchannc — Roaring  or  tumbling  stream. 
This  is  now  known  as  the  Schuylkill.  Infold  deeds 
it  is  called  Manaiiink,  the  signification  of  which 
word  was  a  mother  of  streams. 

Gokhosing — Place   of   owls;   now   Cacoosing. 

Kmt-ta-tiu-chunh — Endless  (applied  formerly, 
now  changed,  to  Blue  Mountain). 

Lechauzveki — Place  of  forks;  now  Lehigh. 

Machksithanne — Bear's-path  creek;  now  Maxa- 
tawny. 

]\faschilamehnnnc~TTOut  stream  ;  now  Moselem, 


ERECTION   OF   COUNTY 


23 


Menakesse — Stream  with  large  bends;  now  Mo- 
nocacy. 

Menhaltanink — Where  we  drank  liquor;  now 
Manatawny. 

Navesink — Place  of  fishing;  now  Neversink. 

Olink — Hole,  cavern  or  cell;  also  a  cove  or  tract 
of  land  encompassed  by  hills;  now  Oley. 

Ontelaunee — Little  maiden ;  now  Maiden  creek. 

Pakihmomink — Place  of  cranberries ;  now  Perki- 
omen. 

Sakunk — Place  of  outlet,  where  a  smaller  stream 
empties  into  a  larger ;  now  Sacony ;  also  Saucon. 

Sinne-hanne — Stony  stream;  now  Stony  creek. 

Sipuas-lianne — A  plum  stream;  now  Plum  creek. 

Tamaque-hanne — Beaver  stream — a  stream  across 
which  the  beaver  throws  a  dam ;  now  Beaver  creek ; 
also  changed  to  Little  Schuylkill. 

Tulpewihaki — Land  of  turtles ;  now  Tulpehocken. 

Wyomissing — - 

Villages. — Some  of  the  Indians  had  villages  in 
this  district  of  territory.  They  were  located  in 
different  sections,  more  particularly,  however,  along 
the  Schuylkill  and  its  principal  tributaries,  and 
known  as  follows: 

1.  Angelica — opposite  "Neversink,"  at  mouth  of 
Angelica  creek. 

2.  Ganshowehanne — in  the  central  section,  ad- 
joining the  Schuylkill,  near  the  northern  base  of 
"Neversink,"  at  the  mouth  of  Rose  Valley  creek,  the 
place  being  included  in  Reading. 

3.  Machksithanne — in  the  northern  section,  the 
place  being  now  in  Maxatawny  township,  near 
Kutztown. 

4.  Maschilamehanne — situate  some  miles  east 
of  Sakunk,  on  the  stream  of  the  same  name,  now 
known  as  Moselem. 

5.  Sakunk — in  the  northern  section,  on  the 
Maiden  creek  in  Richmond  township  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Sakunk  creek,  now  called  Sacony. 

6.  Menhaltanink — at  a  large  spring  now  in  Am- 
ity township,  several  miles  northeast  of  Douglass- 
ville. 

7.  Navesink — a  short  distance  below  the  southern 
base  of  "Neversink,"  near  the  Big  Dam,  on  the 
Deturck  farm ;  and  it  is  believed  that  a  village  was 
also  in  the  "Poplar  Neck"  on  the  High  farm. 

8.  Olink — in  Oley  township,  a  short  distance 
south  of  Friedensburg,  on  land  included  in  the 
Bertolet  farm.  And  it  is  believed  that  a  large  vil- 
lage was  situated  several  miles  to  the  eastward,  on 
the  Lee  farm,  adjoining  the  Manatawny  creek. 

9.  Tulpewehaki — in  the  western  section  of  the 
county,  a  short  distance  east  of  Stouchsburg,  near 
the  Tulpehocken  creek. 

Indian  Relics. — A  large  number  of  Indian  relics 
have  been  found  in  diflferent  parts  of  the  county, 
numbering  about  twenty  thousand.  Many  of  them 
were  found  at  certain  places  where  villages  were 
situated.  Over  sixty-five  hundred  were  found  on 
and  in  the  vicinitv  of  Poplar  Neck  and  Lewis's 
Nieck.  Prof.  David  B.  Brunner  secured  a  large 
individual    collection,    numbering    over    forty-three 


hundred.  The  relics  of  Ezra  High,  found  on  Pop- 
lar Neck,  were  presented  to  the  Historical  Society 
of  Berks  County. 

Henry  K.  Deisher,  of  Kutztown,  has  a  superb 
collection,  local  as  well  as  general,  the  total  number- 
ing upward  of  twenty  thousand.  [See  mention 
of  it  in  the  Borough  of  Kutztown,  Chapter  XI; 
also  in  his  biographical  sketch,  which  appears  in  this 
publication.] 

PURCHASE  OF  TERRITORY' 

Immediately  after  Penn  had  obtained  his  charter 
for  the  province  from  King  Charles  II.  in  1681,  and 
had  begun  his  administration  of  its  various  affairs, 
he  negotiated  with  the  Indians  for  the  purchase  of 
their  lands.  He  regarded  them  as  the  rightful  own- 
ers of  the  territory  by  virtue  of  their  possession. 
Many  purchases  were  made  by  him.  He  gave  in 
consideration  for  the  land  mostly  articles  which 
the  Indians  regarded  as  useful,  such  as  blankets, 
coats,  guns,  powder,  lead,  etc.  Comparatively  little 
money  was  paid  to  them.  Rum  was  occasionally 
given. 

There  are  two  deeds  for  lands  in  Berks  county 
in  which  we  are  particularly  interested.  One  is 
dated  Sept.  7,  1733.  It  is  from  Sassoonan, ,  alias 
Allummapis,  sachem  of  the  Schuylkill  Indians,  Ela- 
lapis,  Ohopamen,  Pesqueetomen,  Mayeemoe,  Par- 
tridge and  Tepakoaset,  alias  Joe,  on  behalf  of  them- 
selves and  all  the  other  Indians  of  the  said  nation, 
unto  John  Penn,  Thomas  Penn,  and  Richard  Penn. 
The  territory  contained  in  the  grant  is  described 
as  follows : 

All  those  tracts  of  land  lying  on  or  near  the  river 
Schuylkill,  in  the  said  province,  or  any  of  the  branches, 
streams,  fountains  or  springs  thereof,  .eastward  or  west- 
ward, and  all  the  lands  lying  in  or  near  any  swamps, 
marshes,  fens  or  meadows,  the  waters  or  streams  of  which 
flow  into  or  toward  the  said  river  Schuylkill,  situate, 
lying  and  being  between'  those  hills,  called  Lechay  Hills, 
and  those  called  Keekachtanemin  Hills,  which' cross  the 
said  river  Schuylkill  about  thirty  miles  above  the  said 
Lechay  Hills,  and  all  land  whatsoever  lying  within  the 
said  bounds;  and  between  the  branches  of  Delaware  river, 
on  the  eastern  side  of  the  said  land,  and  the  branches 
or  streams  running  into  the  river  Susquehannah,  on  the 
western  side  of  the  said  land,  together  with  all  mines, 
minerals,  quarries,  waters,  rivers,  creeks,  woods,  timber 
and  trees,  with  all  and  every  the  appurtenances,  etc. 

The  consideration  mentioned  in  the  deed  con- 
sisted of  the  following  articles: 

20  brass  kettles,  100  stroudwater  matchcoats  of  two 
yards  each,  100  duffels  do.,  100  blankets,  100  yards  of  half 
tick,  60  linen  shirts,  20  hats,  6  made  coats,  12  pair  of 
shoes  and  buckles,  30  pair  of  stockings,  300  lbs.  of  gun 
powder,  600  lbs.  of  lead,  20  fine  guns,  12  gun-iocks,  50 
tomahawks  or  hatchets,  50  planting  hoes,  120  knives.  60 
pair  of  scissors,  100  tobacco  tongs,  24  looking-glasses,  40 
tobacco  boxes,  1000  flints,  5  lbs.  of  paint,  24  dozen  of 
gartering,  6  dozen  of  ribbons.  12  dozen  of  rings,  200  awl 
blades,  100  lbs.  of  tobacco,  400  tobacco  pipes,  20  gallons 
of  rum  and  50  pounds  in  money. 

The  other  deed  is  dated  Aug.  22,  1749.  It  is 
from  nine  different  tribes  of  Indians  unto  Thomas 
Penn  and  Richard  Penn.  The  several  tribes  were 
represented  by  their  chiefs,  who  appeared  and  exe- 
cuted the  deed  in  their  behalf.     The  consideration 


34  HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 

was  £500  lawful  money  of  Pennsylvania.    The  tract  uting  territory  toward  the  erection  of  another  coun- 

of  land  conveyed  lay  north  of  the  Blue  Mountain,  ty.     Many  surprising  developments  had  been  made, 

and  extended  from  the  Delaware  on  the  east  to  the  not  only  in  settlements  and  population,  but  more 

Susquehanna  on  the  west.     It  included  the  whole  especially  in  internal  resources.     The  condition  of 

of  Schuylkill  county.     Conrad  Weiser  was  the  in-  ^^^j^^  -^  ^^^  ^^^^^^     ^^3  ^1  ^o  that  of  any  sec- 

terpreter  for  the  Indians  m  this  transfer.  ^^^  5^^^^_    ^^^j  ^^^  discovered  as  early_as 

The  lower  section  of    he  coun  y    ly'ng  south-  head-waters  of  the  Schuylkill.     Its 

ward  of  the  .South  Mountain  (or     Lechay  Hill"),  -l''^.  'iiu^t,  "-"c  uc^u  w                  _           i    „fo.^,.^:c.p 

had  been  released  by  the  Indians  in  1718,  it  having  "eed  had  come  to  be  felt.     It  quickened  enterprise 

been   included   in  previous  purchases-  of  territory,  m  developing  new  means  of  transportation.     Agn- 

REDUCTIONS  OF  TERRITORY  '^^'^''  ^ad  enriched  the  land  wonderfully^  Numer- 

ous  furnaces  and  forges  were  cained  on  success- 

NoRTHUMBERLAND    CouNTY. — As    nearly    as    it  fuUy^  jjoj-  only  jj,  the  more  populous  parts  south  of 

was  possible  to  do  so,  the  provincial  government  ^^^  gj^^g  Mountain  but  also  north  of  it,  even  in  the 

kept  the  settlers  from  going  beyond  the  limits  of  ^■^■^.      ^^  ^^^^  coal' regions. 

the  purchases  from  the  Indians.    After  the  purchase  t-,               ,  ^-             ^    ;,.„^,^„^,.v„:.r,fc    KAi^nnrl    i-hc 

of  1749    the  settlers  extended  the  settlements  be-  ^^^^    population    and    improvements    beyond   the 

V:r'    P?      \1       f  ■        w-1      settlements  De  j^            ^  ^^49       1    ^^  Northumberland   county 

yond  the  Blue  Mountain.     Withm  the  next  score  pi-uLuctacs  ul   j..^^,                                 ^.     ,      ^  -a- 

of  years,  numerous  settlements  were  made  in  that  was   erected   m   17/2    were   comparatively  trifling, 

territory,    especially   in  the   district  which  lies  be-  But  withm  this  purchase  they  had  grown  to  large 

tween    the    Blue    Mountain    and    "Schneid    Berg"  proportions   when   the   second   county   came   to   be 

(Sharp  Mountain,  named  so  from  the  sharpness  of  erected  out  of  a  part  of  its  territory;  for  the  popu- 

its  apex).     Many  persons  located  beyond  the  pur-  lotion  numbered  about  six  thousand    and  the  sev- 

chase,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  great  fork  in  the  Sus-  ^ral    townships    together    contributed    over    eight 

quehanna  (Shamokin,  now  Sunbury)  ;  and  this  in-  hundred   dollars   m   taxes      The   new   county   was 

duced  the  additional  purchase  of  1768.  erected  on  March  11    1811,  and  called  Schuylkill. 

Within  the  next  four  years,  the  Governor  was  The  greater  portion  of  the  territory  was  taken  from 
persuaded  to  feel  the  necessity  of  erecting  another  Berks  county,  and  the  other  portion  from  North- 
county,  even  in  that  remote  locality,  notwithstand-  f^n^P^o"-    The  portion  from  Berks  had  been  erected 
ing  a  much   larger  population   existed  within   the  mto  seven  townships,  as  follows: 
limits  of  the  purchase  of  1749.     Its  distance  (aver-  Erected                i'^^'l^'^'f 

aging    seventy-five    miles)    from    the    county-seat,    Brunswick    17GS  359 

Reading,  was  the  principal  cause  of  complaint,  and    Pine-Grove   17"1  251 

the  prime  reason  to  the  Assembly  in  granting  the    l^j.^"*^ ^™i,  jgoo  jgg 

prayer    of   the    petitioners.      Northumberland    was  s^Q^e^ian  ...... ...... ..... .....IS02.                    108 

erected  on   March  21,   1773.     It   comprised  about    Mahantango    IS02  141 

one-third  of  the  whole  State,  including  the  north-    Upper-Mahantango    1807  108 

western  section.  Over  three-fifths  of  Berks  county  ~~ 
was  cut  to  it.  No  townships  had  been  formed  in  '  '" 
that  section.  Immediately  after  the  erection  of  the  Other  Counties  PROPOSED.^Between  the  years 
new  county,  townships  were  formed,  and  a  county-  1824  and  1855,  twenty  applications  were  made  be- 
seat  was  established  and  laid  out  at  Shamokin,  fore  the  Legislature  to  establish  new  counties  out 
named  Sunbury.  Fort  Augusta,  at  the  fork  of  the  of_  portions  of  Berks  county,  comprising  town- 
river,  was  a  conspicuous  place  during  the  French  ships  in  the  northern,  eastern,  southern  and  west- 
and  Indian  war.     It  was  erected  in  1756.  ern  sections,  but  fortunately  they  all  were  unsuc- 

ScHUYLKiLL    CouNTY. — Forty    years    afterward,  cessful,  notwithstanding  the  great  efforts  expended 

Berks  county  was  again  reduced  in  area  by  contrib-  in  that  behalf. 


CHAPTER  II-INDUSTRY  OF  COUNTY 

AGRICULTURE  farming  implements  were  rude  and  simple  in  con- 

General  Condition  and  Progress.— When  the  struction  and  continued  so  for  many  years.  The 
first  settlers  entered  this  territory,  they  found  it  whole  of  the  eighteenth  century  passed  away  with- 
entirely  without  cultivation  or  improvement  of  any  out  any  improvement.  The  farmer  labored  on  ear- 
kind.  The  land  along  the  Schuylkill  and  its  tribu-  "^^tly  and  faithfully  year  after  year,  and  decade 
taries  was  in  a  primitive  state  in  every  respect,  but  ^^er  decade  with  the  same  muscular  exertion,  and 
in  a  good  condition  for  farming  purposes.  Its  lo-  these  rude  implements  required  him  to  be  at  his 
cation  was  fine,  its  irrigation-  superior,  and  al-  place  all  the  time  if  he  wished  to  be  in  season.  But 
together  it  was  very  inviting  to  them.  Labor  stood  his  devotion  was  equal  to  the  task,  for  he  was 
out  prominently  before  them  as  the  one  thing  nee-  i-ip  with  the  sun  in  the  morning;  and  with  the 
essary  to  cause  it  to  become  fruitful.  Fortunately  moon  in  season.  He  was  never  behind,  for  he 
for  them,  they  possessed  this  personal  quality  in  the  could  not  be  without  great  loss  and  inconvenience, 
highest  degree;  and  with  this  quality  they  also  His  implements  were  satisfactory  to  him,  because 
possessed  other  qualities  equally  important  in  tak-  he  gave  them  no  thought  beyond  the  assistance 
ing  hold  of  an  uncultivated  country — economy,  per-  which  they  afforded.  And  sons  followed  in  the. 
severance  and  patience.  They  were  in  every  way  footsteps  of  their  fathers,  by  imitation;  and  half 
adapted  to  their  situation.  Their  preparation  was  of  the  nineteenth  century  abo  passed  away  with- 
of  the  best  order;  and  driven  from  their  native  out  any  material  advancement  beyond  the  days  of 
land  by  religious  persecution,  they  must  have  re-  1700,  of  1750,  and  of  1800.  Labor-saving  machin- 
joiced  in  finding  such  a  pleasing  situation,  such  ery  had  begun  to  be  introduced  within  a  score 
inviting  conditions.  of  years  before  1850 ;  and  this  naturally  led  to  an 

After  the  beginning  had  been  made,  can  we  won-  improvement  in  farming  implements.     The  mower 

der  that  immigrants  came  by  the  thousand?    They  came  to  be  substituted  for  the  scythe,  the  reaper 

knew  their  sufferings,  their  uncertain  condition  at  for   the  sickle,   and   the   drill   for  the  hand.     Im- 

home,  and  their  sense  of  well-being  induced  them  proved  plows  of  various  patterns  were  introduced, 

to  leave.     But  in  leaving  the  valleys  and  hills  so  And  now  we  have  tTie  combined  reaper  and  binder, 

dear  to  them,  they  came  to  possess   and  enjoy  a  a  machine  truly  ingenious. 

country  equally  favored  for  beauty,  for  health  and  The  same  slowness,  simplicity  but  earnest  labor 
for  profit;  and  it  was  more  highly  favored  in  res-  followed  the  threshing  of  grain  after  it  had  been 
pect  to  a  condition  which  was  to  them  more  import-  '  harvested.  The  flail  and  the  walking  of  horses 
ant  than  all  the  others  combined — freedom.  It  is  on  the  barn  floor  were  continued  for  a  hundred  and 
surprising  to  find,  in  the  course  of  time  and  govern-  fifty  years.  Indeed,  some  of  the  poor,  non-pro- 
ment,  the  development  of  a  condition  for  mankind  gressive  farmers  in  districts  distant  from  railroads 
so  unfortunate,  so  objectionable,  so  discouraging;  and  prominent  highways  still  carry  on  this  labor- 
but  it  is  equally  surprising  to  find,  in  the  same  ious  performance.  But  about  1840  the  threshing 
course  of  time  and  government,  though  in  a  country  inachine  was  introduced ;  and  also  the  horse-power 
far  removed,  over  three  thousand  miles  across  a  machine  for  running  it  with  speed  and  success, 
dreaded  sea,  a  condition  exactly  opposite — fortunate,  Patent  hay-rakes,  hay-forks,  corn-shellers,  and  im- 
acceptable  and  encouraging!  plements  and  machines  of  various  kinds,  are  also 

The  condition  of  the  settlers  was   encouraging,  used  in   every   section  of   our  county.     All   these 

not  only  in  respect  to  an  acceptable  country,  but  things   were   developed  because   of  the   ease   with 

also  in  respect  to  their  own  constitution,  physically,  which  iron  could  be  manufactured  into  any  shape, 

mentally  and  morally.     They  were  strong  and  en-  Accordingly,  the  foundry  played  an  important  part 

during  in  physical  development,  they  were  sensible  in_  these  improvements ;  and  at  the  bottom  of  all 

and  practical  in  thought  and  feeling;  and  they  were  this  progress  we  find  iron,  coal  and  steam, 

sound,  hopeful  and  trustful  in  religious  convictions.  We  no  longer  see  from  ten  to  thirty  or  forty 

These  fitted  them  admirably  for  their  vocation.  persons  engaged  in  haymaking  and  harvesting  on 

The  land  was  cultivated  then  as  it  is  now,  by  our  farms,  as  they  were  seen  one  hundred,  indeed, 

manuring  and  enriching  the   soil,   by  turning  the  only   thirty,   years   ago.      A    farmer   and   his    own 

sod,  by  -sowing  and  planting  seeds,  and  by  rotat-  family,  with  the  aid  of  his  horses  and  improved 

ing    crops ;    but   the   manner   was    infinitely   more  farming  machinery,  can  carry  on  all  the  work  from 

laborious.     Every  act  was  performed  by  muscular  beginning  to  end  successfully, 

exertion    and    endurance,    with    the   assistance   of  During  the  last  fifty  years  numerous  manufac- 

horse-power.     The  plow,  the  harrow,  the  scythe,  turing   establishments   have   been    erected   in    our 

the  sickle  and  the  rake  were  important  aids  then,  country,   and   these   have   caused  a  great   demand 

and  by  comparing  the  past  with  the  present  we  for  working  people;   and  this   derhand   has   been 

can  readily  appreciate  the  vast  difference.     Their  supplied  to  a  great  degree  from  the  farming  dis- 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYU'ANIA 


tricts.  The  manufacturer  paid  higher  wages  than 
the  fanner  and  limited  the  time  of  daily  labor  to 
ten  hours;  and  towns  and  cities  (at  which  these 
establishments  were  almost  entirely  situated)  af- 
forded the  working-people  more  and  better  advan- 
tages and  facilities  in  respect  to  schools  and 
churches,  pleasures  and  associations.  These  nat- 
urally inclined  them  to  quit  laboring  on  farms  and 
enter  establishments  in  populous  places.  Accord- 
ingly farm  laborers  began  to  grow  scarce  and  farm- 
ers became  alarmed;  but  fortunately  for  farming, 
whilst  enterprise  was  drawing  one  way  against  its 
interest  and  welfare,  genius  was  acting  with  equal 
force  in  the  other  for  them,  and  the  result  has  ac- 
tually come  to  be  beneficial  to  the  farmer,  more 
especially  in  respect  to  making  him  more  self-de- 
pendent. 

By  the  industrial  statistics  in  the  next  portion 
of  this  chapter,  it  will  appear  that  in  1806  there 
were  upward  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  grist-mills, 
which  were  scattered  throughout  the  county.  Af- 
ter the  several  railroads  in  operation  began  to' make 
themselves  felt  in  the  industrial  affairs  of  the  county, 
these  grist-mills  came  to  be  abandoned,  and  as  they 
grew  less  in  number  the  value  of  farms  began  to 
decrease,  and  this  decrease  continued  until  the  value 
in  many  cases  was  one-half,  even  two-thirds,  less 
than  it  had  been.  This  was  noticeable  from  1875  to 
1900.  The  abandoned  mills  have  not  been  rebuilt; 
and  the  farm  values  have  not  yet  improved.  This 
was  a  direct  result  of  imported  grain  from  the  Wes- 
tern States  at  reduced  rates,  much  having  been  said 
of  the  increased  flour-producing  character  of  this 
grain  over  the  Eastern  grain ;  and  also  of  Western 
flour.  And  this  abandonment  of  the  grist-mills  and 
decrease  of  farm  values  led  many  thousand  of  peo- 
ple to  move  from  farms  and  locate  in  towns  and 
cities,  in  the  county  and  out  of  it.  The  census  and 
assessment  returns  show  this  plainly.  Before  1835, 
without  the  aid  of  steam  and  railroads  and  stimu- 
lated industrial  affairs,  farming  communities  had 
increased  and  improved  for  fifty  years ;  but  after 
1875,  even  with  these  extraordinary  aids  to  the 
people,  they  have  decreased  and  retrograded,  and 
the  major  part  of  the  population  and  wealth  have 
come  to  concentrate  in  the  county-seat. 

Agricultural  Society. — In  1823,  a  State  Agri- 
cultural Society  was  first  suggested  to  the  people 
of  the  State  by  an  Act  of  Assembly,  but  nearly 
thirty  years  elapsed  before  a  successful  movement 
was  made  in  that  behalf.  A  public  letter  was  ad- 
dressed to  the  farmers  of  the  State,  in  May,  1850, 
which  suggested  a  convention  at  Harrisburg,  in 
January,  1851,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  State 
Agricultural  Society.  Delegates  from  the  several 
counties  were  in  attendance  and  it  resulted  in  a 
State  Fair  which  was  held  in  October,  1851. 

This  movement  having  met  with  success,  a  pre- 
liminary meeting  for  organizing  a  society  in  the 
county  was  held  at  the  "Keystone  House"  (now 
"Hotel  Penn"),  in  Reading,  on  Dec.  20,  1851.  It 
was   attended  by  a  number  of  prominent  citizens 


of  the  county,  who  caused  a  public  address  to  be 
issued ;  and  a  formal  organization  was  effected  at 
the  court-house  on  Jan.  13,  1852,  108  persons  sub- 
scribing the  constitution. 

The  first  exhibition  was  held  on  Aug.  17,  1852, 
at  Reading.  It  was  confined  principally  to  grains, 
vegetables,  fruits  and  flowers;  and  though  small, 
it  exceeded  all  expectations,  having  attracted  a 
large  number  of  visitors  from  Reading  and  all  parts 
of  the  county. 

The  first  agricultural  fair  was  held  in  October, 
1853 ;  the  exhibition  of  speed  took  place  on  a  large 
lot  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Sixth  and  Walnut 
streets;  of  farming  implements,  stock,  poultry,  etc., 
on  a  lot  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Fifth  and  Elm 
streets;  and  of  grain,  fruits,  flowers,  fancy  articles, 
etc.,  in  the  Academy  building,  on  the  northeast 
corner  of  Fourth  and  Court  streets.  It  was  a  great 
success — the  attendance  having  been  estimated  at 
20,000. 

In  a  report  to  the  society  on  April  5,  1853,  a 
recommendation  was  made  that  the  public  park 
and  parade-ground  be  secured  as  a  suitable  locality 
for  the  erection  of  buildings,  etc.,  to  promote  agri- 
cultural science.  This  recommendation  was  acted 
upon,  and  on  May  13,  1854,  the  county  commission- 
ers leased  to  the  society  the  ground  known  as  the 
"commons,"  for  the  purpose  of  holding  its  annual 
fairs,  for  the  term  of  ninety-nine  years.  The  third 
annual  fair  was  held  there  in  October,  1854;  and 
every  succeeding  year  the  fairs  were  conducted  on 
the  "Fair  Ground'"  until  1887  excepting  during  the 
Civil  war  for  three  years  (1862-3-4),  when  it  was 
occupied  by  the  United  States  government  for  the 
purposes  of  a  military  hospital  and  camp.  In  that 
year  it  was  removed  to  the  large  inclosure  at  the 
end  of  North  Eleventh  street,  and  the  annual  ex- 
hibitions have  since  been  held  there. 

The  annual  "Fair  '  is  the  principal  object  of  the 
society.  Monthly  meetings  are  held  for  the  dis- 
cussion of  topics  pertaining  to  agricultural  and  hor- 
ticultural progress.  These  have  been  held  in  the 
third  story  of  the  court-house  for  many  years  past. 
Formerly,  thev  were  held  at  different  places,  prom- 
inent among  them  being  the  "Keystone  Flouse"  and 
"Keystone  Hall." 

A  similar  society  was  formed  at  Kutztown  in 
1870,  which  also  gave  annual  exhibitions  until  1903. 
Another  "Fair  Ground"'  was  established  in  1905, 
on  the  north  side  of  Kutztown,  with  a  superior  half- 
mile  track. 

Farmers'  Union.— In  1900,  a  number  of  farmers 
of  the  southern  section  of  the  county  in  the  vicinity 
of  Geigertown  organized  a  "Farmers'  Union"  for 
educational  and  mutual  benefit  and  erected  a  fine 
hall  (32x45)  costing  $1,500,  with  cement  base- 
ment and  shedding.  It  has  been  carried  on  in  a 
successful  manner  and  its  lectures  on  agricultural 
topics  have  been  highly  appreciated.  ]\Iembership, 
100.  Officers :  E.  M.  Zerr.  president ;  H.  G.  Mc- 
^TO^\■an,  treasurer ;  H.  C.  Hohl,  secretary :  D.  Oyen 
Brooke,  corresponding  secretar\-. 


INDUSTRY    OF   COUNTY 


sr 


IRON  INDUSTRIES 

Furnaces  and  Forges. — In  each  portion  of  the 
county  there  were  iron  industries  at  an  early  per- 
iod in  its  history,  especially  in  the  lower  portion. 
They  were  scattered  many  miles  from  one  another, 
extending  from  the  southern  boundary  to  the  north- 
em,  and  from  the  eastern  to  the  western.  All  were 
located  along  strong  streams  for  water-power,  and 
in  the  midst  of  thickly  wooded  territory  for  char- 
coal. The  greater  number  were  east  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill. The  nine  following  streams  were  occupied 
before  the  Revolution:  Manatawny  and  its  tribu- 
tary Ironstone,  West-Branch  of  Perkiomen,  Mose- 
lem,  French,  Hay,  Allegheny,  Tulpehocken  and 
its  tributary,  Spring. 

Until  that  time  there  were  the  following  indus- 
tries— the    year    indicating   the    time    of    erection: 

Furnaces 

Cokbrookdale    1720      Hopewell     1759 

Mt.   Pleasant    1738      Berkshire     1760 

Hereford    1740      Oley    1765 

Forges 

Pool    (2)     1717       Oley     1744 

Spring 1729       Charming     1749 

Mt.  Pleasant    1738       Moselem     1750 

Pine  1740       Gibraltar     1770 

Hay  Creek   1740 

From  1775  to  1800,  the  following  were  estab- 
lished in  the  county : 

Furnaces 


Forges 


Union     1780 

District    1780 

Mary  Ann    1789 

Dale     1791 


Joanna    1792 

Reading     1794 

Greenwood     1796 

Sally    Ann    1800 


Forges 


Brobst's    1780 

Rockland    1783 

Dale    1791 


Burkhart's     1792 

District     1793 

Speedwell     1800 


All  of  these  industries  were  operated  successful- 
ly for  many  years  and  contributed  a  great  deal  to 
the  material  welfare  of  the  county;  but  most  of 
them  were  discontinued  shortly  after  the  Civil  war. 
Three  of  them  are  still  in  active  operation,  though 
much  enlarged: 


Hay  Creek    (Birdsboro) 
Reading   (Robesonia) 


Gibraltar 


Among  the  more  recent  furnaces  and  forges  in 
the  county,  there  were  the  following,  the  date  after 
the  name  indicating  the  year  of  erection : 


Furnaces 


Sally   Ann    1811 

Windsor    

Hamburg    

Moselem  1823 

Mount  Penn   1825 

Earl  1835 

Mount  Laurel    1836 

Henry   Clay    1844 

second   stack    1854 

Monocacy     1852 

Leesport 1853 


Do-Well 1825 

Moyer's    1825 

Moselem    1825 

Sixpenny     1825 

North-Kill    1830 

Bloom    1830 


Maiden   Creek    . .' 1854 

Reading   (Seyfert, 

MdManus   &   Co.)...  1854 

second   stack    1873 

Temple     1867 

Keystone     1869 

second   stack    1872 

Topton     1873 

East   Penn    (2   stacks). 1874 

Kutztown     1875 

Bechtelsville 1875 


Exeter     1836 

Mount  Airy   1840 

Seidel's    1853 

Keystone     1854 

Reading     1857 

Douglass  ville     1878 


Industri/\l  Statistics. — In  the  year  1806,  Berk'-- 
county  was  distinguished  for  its  numerous  manu- 
facturing establishments,  its  trade  and  enterprise. 
The  following  iron  industries  were  then  in  opera- 
tion: 


Tilt   hammers 9 

Slitting-raill    1 

Other  industries : 

Powder-mills    4 

Fulling-mills    14 

Hemp-mills     2 

Paper-mills  10 

Saw-mills    235 

Distilleries    212 


Furnaces  8 

Forges    20 


Grist-mills     155 

Tanneries    49 

Oil-mills    20 

Hat   factories    (.Read- 
ing)        40 


In  1830,  there  were:  furnaces,  11;  and  forges, 
24;  which  employed  2,770  men. 

In  1840,  there  were:  furnaces,  11;  forges,  36; 
flour  and  grist-mills,  141;  oil-mills,  15;  sawmills, 
108;  powder-mills,  3;  stores,  119;  paper-factories, 
5;  potteries,  3;  distilleries,  29;  breweries,  6. 

In  1851,  there  were  41  iron  works — more  than 
in  any  other  county  in  Pennsylvania ;  and  no  other 
county  in  the  United  States  contained  more'.  The 
estimated  and  reported  capital  then  invested  was 
$1,231,000. 

In  1876,  there  were  27  furnaces,  4  forges,  and  10 
mills,  whose  total  production  was  58,641  tons;  and 
in  1884,  there  were  19  furnaces,  6  forges,  and  9 
mills,  whose  total  production  was  135,947  tons. 

INDUSTRIAL  STATISTICS,  1870-1900 


Ul 

>, 

nJ 

S 

'" 

a 

Cil 

bO 

■a 

3 

E 

U 

1870 

1,414 

8,991 

$11,182,603 

$2,711,231 

$10,646,049 

$16,243,453 

1880 

1,044 

10,008 

12,522,140 

3,077,919 

13,026,331 

20,143,164 

1890 

975 

17,693 

20,517,504 

7,078,146 

17,664,329 

29,446,602 

1900 

1,699 

25,379 

37,279,817 

9,676,954 

23,502,407 

49,977,253 

Iron-masters. — The  iron-masters  of  the  county 
include  many  men  noted  for  theii-  enterprise,  suc- 
cess, wealth  and  patriotism,  all  through  the  history 
of  the  county,  from  its  earliest  settlements  till  now. 
A  great  proportion  of  the  material  prosperity  and 
enrichment  of  the  county  has  been  contributed  by 
them.  They  have,  to  a  great  degree,  influenced 
its  social,  political,  and  industrial  welfare.  In  the 
settlement  and  development  of  its  several  sections, 
they  have  been  pioneers.  Though  their  great  and 
influential  industry  does  not  antedate  agriculture  in 
the  affairs  of  the  county,  it  has,  nevertheless,  been 


28 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


a  traveling  companion;  and,  like  agriculture,  it  has 
been  transmitted  from  grandfather  to  son  and 
grandson.  Their  names  reveal  the  fact  that  the 
great  majority  of  them  have  been  Germans  or  of 
German  origin. 

General  Industries. — The  industries  previously 
mentioned  were  prominent  in  their  several  sections 
on  account  of  the  capital  invested  and  the  men  em- 
ployed to  carry  them  on  successfully.  But  besides 
these  there  were  many  other  industries  in  the  sev- 
eral townships.  Blacksmith  shops  and  wheelwright 
shops  were  located  and  conducted  in  every  commun- 
ity. They  were  necessary  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  settlers.  Only  a  few  individuals  worked 
together — mostly  a  master  workman  and  his  ap- 
prentice. Grist-mills  for  flour  and  feed  were  situ- 
ated along  all  the  large  streams.  Cooper  shops 
were  also  quite  numerous.  The  Welsh  were  me- 
chanics who  conducted  their  trades  in  small  factories 
along  the  Wyomissing.  Rope-makers  were  common 
in  every  section,  for  ropes  and  cords  were  largely 
used  in  the  daily  affairs  of  life.  This  industry  was 
conducted  for  many  years  by  individuals  at  their 
homes ;  but  improved  machinery  and  steam  caused 
its  decline,  and  small  ropewalks  were  compelled  to 
discontinue. 

Carpenters  and  builders  were  numerous.  They 
were  finished  workmen,  preparing  the  articles  out  of 
wood  by  hand.  Some  of  the  old  buildings,  still  in 
a  good  state  of  preservation,  attest  the  excellence 
of  their  workmanship.  Doors,  windows  and  frames 
of  all  kinds,  used  in  building  operations,  were  hand- 
made. This  custom  amongst  them  continued  till 
the  introduction  of  the  planing-mill  about  1835, 
and  then  it  began  to  decline.  The  country  sawmill, 
run  by  water-power,  was  active  then  in  preparing 
lumber ;  but  great  steam  mills  in  the  lumber  regions 
have  caused  them  to  become  less  and  less  active. 
Great  rafts  of  logs  are  no  longer  towed  down  the 
canals  to  Reading,  especially  the  Union  canal  from 
the  Susquehanna  river,  to  afford  emplo3'ment  to 
'our  sawmills.  The  railroads  instead  deliver  finished 
.lumber. 

Every  community  had  a  weaver,  who  conducted 
his  business  at  his  home.  He  wove  carpets  and 
coverlets  (plain  and  fancy)  and  linen  and  cotton 
stuffs  for  domestic  use.  He  did  not  carry  a  large 
stock  on  hand;  he  manufactured  articles  to  order. 
So  with  other  trades.  Fulling-mills,  paper-mills, 
oil-mills,  and  distilling-mills  were  conducted  for 
cloths,  paper,  oil  and  whiskey,  but  they  were  limited 
in  capacity. 

Memorial  for  National  Foundry. — In  1845, 
a  memorial  was  presented  to  Congress,  setting  forth 
reasons  why  Reading  should  be  selected  as  a'  site 
for  one  of  the  national  foundries.  It  referred  to 
the  security  of  Reading  in  time  of  war,  its  central 
position  with  regard  to  points  of  defense  and  sup- 
ply of  ordnance,  its  transportation  facilities,  its  sup- 
ply of  iron,  coal  and  other  materials,  and  its  low 
wages;  and  it  included  an  itemized  statement  of  15 


furnaces  and  28  forges,  with  their  respective  dis- 
tances from  Reading. 

Seven  years  before,  upon  the  opening  of  the  rail- 
road from  Reading  to  Philadelphia,  there  had  been 
a  similar  movement. 

INTERNAL  IMPROVEMENTS 

The  internal  improvements  of  the  county  relate 
to  the  several  prominent  affairs  which  have  been 
estaiblished  and  carried  on  for  the  general  conven- 
ience, development  and  enrichment  of  the  whole 
community.  They  comprise  the  following  subjects: 
Schuylkill  River,  Bridges,  Roads  and  Turnpikes, 
Stages,  Canals,  Railways,  Post-Offices,  Telegraph, 
and  Telephone. 

SCHUYLKILL  RIVER 

In  a  natural  aspect,  the  Schuylkill  river  has  occu- 
pied an  important  position  in  the  well-being  of 
the  county.  We  can  only  appreciate  this  by 
realizing  the  great  adantages  which  it  has  af- 
forded us  in  leading  away  successfully  to  the  Del- 
aware river  the  enormous  quantities  of  water 
throughout  the  year,  from  the  mountains  and  val- 
leys. And  its  meandering  channel  is  worthy  of  con- 
sideration, inasmuch  as  the  flowing  waters  are  there- 
by detained  in  their  onward  course,  to  moisten  the 
air  and  vegetation,  and  to  proceed  with  only  such 
speed  as  not  to  injure  the  adjoining  country. 

Fishing  and  Navigation. — In  a  practical  aspect, 
it  has  been  valuable  in  various  ways — two  especially, 
fishing  and  navigation.  In  respect  to  fishing,  it  was 
a  source  of  profit  and  subsistence  to  the  early  set- 
tlers who  occupied  the  adjoining  properties.  They 
discovered  this  fact  immediately  after  settling  here ; 
and,  to  facilitate  the  catching  of  large  quantities  of 
fish  with  little  labor  and  expense,  they  erected  weirs, 
racks  and  dams  in  the  river,  into  which  the  fish 
were  driven  by  fishermen,  who  either  waded  afoot 
or  rode  on  horseback  through  the  water.  And  in 
respect  to  navigation,  it  was  likewise  a  source  of 
advantage  in  enabling  them  to  carry  conveniently 
by  boats,  flats  and  canoes,  at  little  expense,  great 
quantities  of  grain  and  goods  of  all  kinds,  to  the 
market  at  Philadelphia.  Canoes  were  of  consider- 
able size  so  as  to  carry  a  large  quantity  of  wheat. 
They  were  hewn  out  of  the  trunk  of  a  tree.  The 
growth  of  the  trees  in  the  wild,  extended  forest  of 
that  early  day  was  very  large.  William  Penn 
stated  in  a  letter,  written  in  1683,  that  he  had  seen 
a  canoe  made  from  a  poplar  tree  which  carried  four 
tons  of  brick.  Penn  had  hardly  landed  here  before 
he  found  that  navigation  in  the'river  was  obstructed 
by  fishing  weirs  and  dams  ;  and  believing  them  to  be 
objectionable,  he  encouraged  legislation  against 
them.  Various  Acts  were  passed,  but  the  "weirs 
and  dams  were  not  abandoned. 

There  was  no  trouble  along  the  Schuylkill  above 
the  mouth  of  the  Manatawny  creek  in  reference  to 
weirs  and  dams,  though  fishing  was  carried  on  to 
a  great  extent,  especially  by  citizens  of  Reading. 
There  were  two  fishing-pools  which  were  particu- 
larly famous  for  their'  supplies  of  fish.  "Levan's" 


INDUSTRY   OF   COUNTY 


29 


and  "Lotz's,"  the  former  at  the  foot  of  "Never- 
sink  Hill,"  and  the  latter  a  short  distance  above. 
Fishing  was  continued  successfully  for  seventy 
years  in  these  pools,  until  the  construction  of  the 
dams   in  the   Schuylkill  canal,  which   forced   their 


abandonment.    Fishing  with  nets  was  common. 


It 
was  a  regular  pursuit  with  some  people. 

Navigation  Encouraged. — The  Schuylkill  river 
forms  the  western  boundary  of  Reading.     In  its 
natural  state,  before  it  was  contracted  on  both  sides 
by  the  construction  of  the  Schuylkill  canal  along 
its  eastern  bank,  and  of  the  Union  canal  along  its 
western,  it  was  over  six  hundred  feet  wide.     Its 
bed  was  capable  of  confining  a  large  body  of  water. 
It  was  useful  in  the  transportation  of  merchandise 
by   boats   to   Philadelphia.      Spring   was   generally 
selected  as  the  time  when  the  shipment  of  goods 
could  be  most  conveniently  and  satisfactorily  made, 
for  then  the  water  was  higher  than  during  the  other 
seasons  of  the  year.     Heavy  cargoes  on  flat-boats 
would  float  down  the-  river  with  ease,  requiring  only 
proper  and  careful  steering.  The  steersmen  were  ex- 
pert in  keeping  the  boats  in  the  channel,  and  very  sel- 
dom failed  to  reach  their  destination  successfully. 
Besides  the  long  paddle  at  the  stern  of  the  boat,  for 
guiding  purposes,  there  were  polemen  at  the  bow 
with  long,   stout  poles,  who   directed  the  boat  to 
the  right  or  left  as  necessity  required.    Poling  was 
not  generally  required  to  propel  the  boat  with  the 
current;    this    labor    was    practised    in    returning 
against  the  current.    There  were  no  tow-paths  thai. 
The  improvement  of  the  river  to  facilitate  navi- 
gation was  a  subject  of  consideration  by  the  early 
inhabitants,  both  of  the  county  and  county-seat,  for 
many. years.     The  matter  was  of  such  importance 
as  to  gain  the  attention  of  the  Provincial  Assembly 
in  1760  and  secure  appropriations  for  that  purpose. 
The  river,  notwithstanding  these  early  efforts,  re- 
mained about  the  same  as  to  navigation  for  many 
years.     The  only  substantial  improvement  worthy 
of  mention  was  effected  sixty  years  afterward,  by 
the  construction  of  the  Schuylkill  canal;  and  dur- 
ing that  time  the  inhabitants  continued  to  transport 
their  grain,  merchandise  and  productions  on  boats 
and  flats,  as  they  had  done  before. 

The  navigation  of  the  river  induced  the  organi- 
zation of  the  first  Board  of  Trade  at  Reading.  A 
number  of  prominent  business  men  of  the  borough 


assembled  on  March  13,  1807,  to  consider  this  sub- 
ject, and  then  they  formed  a  society  under  the  name 
of  "The  Society  for  Promoting  the  Clearing  of  the 
River  Schuylkill";  but  nothing  was  accomplished 
Eighteen  years  afterward,  the  difficulty  was  so  ved 
by  the  construction  of  a  narrow  channel  for  slack 
water,  with  numerous  locks  whereby  to  overcome 
grade  and  detain  the  water  in  certain  levels  to  facili- 
tate navigation. 


OLD   PENN   STREET   BRIDGE 

Freshets. — Numerous  freshets  have  swept  down 
the  river  and  its  tributaries  which  inflicted  great 
losses  upon  the  adjoining  property-holders.  Those 
worthy  of  special  mention  are  the  following : 

Rise 

1757 15  feet 

1786 20  feet,  7i  inches 

1822 13  feet,  9i  inches 

1839 17  feet,  If  inches 

1841 19  feet 

1850 25  feet 

1862 17  feet 

1869 23  feet 

1902* ..35  feet 

♦  Shortly  before  this  great  freshet,  there  was  a  very  cold  spell 
of  weather,  after  a  fall  of  rain  and  snow,  which  caused  large  quan- 
tities of  ice  to  form  on  all  the  trees,  and  the  weight  of  the  ice 
broke  off  the  tops  and  branches  of  thousands  of  trees  throughout 
Berks  county  and  the  surrounding  counties,  the  evidence  being 
still  visible  in  1909. 

BRIDGES 

Long  before  the  first  settlements  in  this  vi- 
cinity, there  had  been  a  ford  across  the  river  at 
Reading,  and  this  was  the  only  convenient  ford  for 
some  distance  above  and  helow.  It  was  used  for 
seventy  years  after  the  town  had  been  laid  out.  The 
only  step  in  advance  of  the  first  settlers  was  the 
introduction  of  a  ferry-boat. 


LANCASTER    BRIDGE 


30 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Penn  Street  Bridge. — In  1795,  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  court  to  order  the  grand  jury  to 
consider  the  advisability  of  causing  the  erection  of  a 
stone  bridge  over  the  river  at  the  foot  of  Penn 
street.  The  grand  jury  recommended  an  appropria- 
tion of  $33,000,  but  this  sum  was  deemed  insuffi- 
cient. In  1796,  the  petitioners  tlien  devised  the  plan 
of  raising  sufficient  money  by  a  "lottery,"  but  it 
proved  unsuccessful.  In  1801,  another  application 
was  made  to  the  Quarter  Sessions  for  a  view,  and 
an  appropriation,  the  petitioners  concluding  with  a 
prayer  for  a  "wooden  bridge,"  and  estimating  the 
probable  expense  af  £6,000.  The  grand  jury  recom- 
mended an  appropriation  of  $16,000,  to  be  assessed 
at  three  yearly  payments.  The  court  approved  of 
their  action  on  Aug.  6th,  and  the  county  commis- 
sioners proceeded  to  cause  its  erection.  The  con- 
tract was  awarded,  and  the  contractor  began  opera- 
tions in  earnest,  but  he  failed  at  the  piers.  The 
county  commissioners  had  expended  $30,000,  and  it 
was  estimated  that  $70,000  more  would  be  required 
to  complete  the  bridge,  if  built  of  stone. 

In  1805,  a  third  unsuccessful  effort  was  made,  but 
for  six  years  afterward  this  necessary  improvement 
lay  in  idleness;  then  (Feb.  32,  1812)  an  Act  was 
passed,  authorizing  the  county  commissioners  to 
build  a  stone  bridge  and  charge  toll ;  and  providing 
that,  when  the  principal  invested  in  its  construction 
was  realized  from  the  tolls,  it  should  be  declared 
free.  Still  the  matter  halted,  and  another  Act  be- 
came necessary,  which  was  passed  on  Feb.  21,  1814, 
modifying  the  previous  Act  by  giving  the  commis- 
sioners the  power  to  build  either  a  stone  or  wooden 
bridge.  Then  operations  were  resumed  'and  the 
bridge  was  so  far  completed  in  December,  1815,  as 
to  be  passable,  and  it  was  finished  at  last  in  1818. 

It  was  600  feet  long,  three  spans  of  200  feet  each, 
covered  bv  a  roof.  The  first  passage  over  it  was 
made  by  Coleman's  stage-coach  on  Dec.  20,  1815. 
Many  persons  were  present  to  witness  the  occur- 
rence and  they  demonstrated  their  joy  'by  loud  ap- 
plause. Such  was  the  exertion,  and  so  long  was 
the  period,  to  obtain  the  "Penn  street  bridge,"  the 
first  public  improvement  of  the  town  beyond  the 
court-house  and  the  prison  ! 

The  subject  of  a  "Free  Bridge"  was  agitated  as 
early  as  1821,  just  three  years  after  the  bridge  had 
been  completed,  but  this  related  more  particularly 
to  persons,  and,  to  accomplish  this  purpose,  a  peti- 
tion was  presented  to  the  Legislature  in  February, 
1821.  It  continued  to  be  agitated  for  over  thirty 
years  and  the  county  bridges  (Harrisburg,  Lancas- 
ter and  Poplar  Neck)  were  not  declared  free  till 
1883.  This  great  step  forward  was  obtained 
through  the  city  councils  of  Reading,  an  earnest 
and  successful  application  in  this  behalf  having  been 
made  to  court,  upon  the  representation  that  the  tolls 
received  exceeded  the  cost  of  erecting  and  maintain- 
ing them,  and  the  judges  decided  that  the  bridges 
must  be  declared  free  under  the  legislation  which 
authorized  their  erection.  The  adjudication  was 
made  on  March  28,  1883. 


In  1884,  this  bridge  was  demolished  by  the  Penn- 
sylvania Schuylkill  Valley  Railroad  Co.,  and  this 
company  erected  in  its  stead  a  superior  iron  bridge 
at  an  expense  exceeding  $100,000,  the  county  com- 
missioners appropriating  $33,000  toward  the  cost. 
The  new  bridge  became  a  necessity,  owing  to  the 
railroad  improvements  along  the  river. 

Hamburg  Bridge. — ^During  the  progress  of  the 
"Penn  street  bridge"  at  Reading,  the  subject  of  a 
bridge  was  discussed  at  Hamburg,  and  the  spirit 
created  thereby  was  sufficient  to  result  in  the  pas- 
sage of  an  Act  of  Assembly  on  March  19,  1816,  for 
its  erection,  but  no  practical  results  flowed  from 
this  first  effort.  Eleven  years  afterward  (April  14, 
1827),  an  Act  was  passed  appropriating  $6,000  by 
the  State  for  the  erection  of  a  bridge  over  the 
Schuylkill,  near  Hamburg,  on  the  State  road  from 
Jonestown  (Lebanon  county)  to  Northampton 
county.  The  bridge  was  erected  during  the  follow- 
ing year  by  the  commissioners  of  the  county,  and 
confirmed  by  the  court  on  Jan.  12,  1829.  Toll  was 
charged  till  December,  1883,  when  it  was  made  a 
free  bridge. 

Lancaster  Bridge. — The  county  commissioners 
were  authorized  by  an  Act  passed  April  23,  1829, 
to  erect  a  bridge  over  the  river  at  Gerber's  ferry, 
on  the  road  from  Reading  to  Lancaster.  It  was 
finished  in  1831.  Its  length  was  352  feet,  in  two 
equal  spans.  It  has  been  known  since  as  the  "Lan- 
caster bridge." 

In  1839,  a  part  of  the  bridge  was  swept  away  by 
the  freshet ;  in  1850  two  spans  were  swept  away ; 
and  in  1869,  the  eastern  half.  In  1876  (July  9th) 
the  bridge  was  destroyed  by  fire — the  act  of  young 
incendiaries.  Shortly  before,  there  were  loud  com- 
plaints about  its  insecurity  and  darkness  and  its 
unpleasant  condition  on  account  of  dust.  The  coun- 
ty commissioners  caused  a  fine  iron  bridge  to  be 
erected  in  its  stead,  which  was  opened  to  travel  on 
Jan.  2,  1877.  It  was  the  first  large  iron  bridge- 
structure  erected  in  the  county.  It  was  declared 
free  of  toll  in  1883. 

Poplar  Neck  Bridge. — After  the  completion  of 
the  "Lancaster  Bridge,"  the  Legislature,  in  1832, 
authorized  the  erection  of  a  county  toll-bridge 
across  the  river  at  "Poplar  Neck,"  about  three  miles 
below  Reading.  And  a  covered  wooden  bridge  was 
accordingly  buih  during  1832  and  1833.  It  was 
declared  free  in  1883.  At  this  place  a  ferry  had 
been  conducted  for  many  years,  known  as  "Lewis's 
Ferry." 

Other  County  Bridges.— Since  the  agitation  and 
establishment  of  free  bridges,  the  county  authori- 
ties have  caused  the  erection  of  other  necessary 
bridges  across  the  river  as  follows  :—Stoudt's  No. 

2, ;  Cross  Keys,  1891;  Schuylkill  avenue,  1892; 

Exeter,  1893;  Bern  Station,  1896. 

There  are  now  altogether  eighteen  county  bridg- 
es  crossing   the    river;   fourteen,   the   Tulpehocken 


INDUSTRY   OF   COUNTY 


31 


creek;  nine,  the  Manatawny  creek;  twelve,  the 
Ontelaunee  creek ;  and  sixty-four,  the  other  streams 
in  the  different  sections  of  the  county;  making  a 
total  of  117. 

The  building  of  concrete  bridges  has  latterly  been 
encouraged  by  the  county  commissioners ;  for,  from 
1905  to  1909,  they  caused  the  erection  of  thirteen 
bridges,  twelve  of  which  were  re-enforced  concrete, 
costing  together  upward  of  $40,000.  The  Dauber- 
ville  bridge,  crossing  the  Schuylkill,  built  in  1908, 
is  a  particularly  fine  sample;  four  arches,  each  75 
feet,  costing  upward  of  $30,000. 

Private  Bridges. — The  following  private  bridges 
were  erected  across  the  Schuylkill  by  individuals  or 
stock  companies,  and  toll  was  exacted  until  they 
were  purchased  by  the  county  and  made  free : 

Windsor  Haven    (Shoemakersville) 1862 

Mohr's     (Mohrsville) 1837 

Althouse's    ( Leesport) 1 835 

Stoudt's  Ferry    (Tuckerton) ] 857 

Leize's     I833 

Kissinger's   (now  Schuylkill  Avenue) 1810 

Bell's    (at   Tulpehocken) 1833 

Birdsboro    1845 

Monocacy    187i 

Douglassville   1832 

LARGEST  COUNTY  BRIDGES 
SCHUYLKILL  RIVER,  IS 


MANATAWNY    CREEK,    9 


JZ 

Style 

4> 

'5 

iJ 

a 

u. 

Douglassville 

Wooden 

340 

1832 

1885 

Monocacy 

Iron 

302 

1870 

1887 

Birdsboro 

Wooden 

4fi2 

1845 

1886 

Exeter 

Iron 

440 

1893 

1893 

Poplar   Neck 

Wooden 

504 

1832 

1883 

Lancaster  Avenue 

Iron 

555 

1876    (1831) 

1883 

Penn    Street 

Iron 

924 

1884   (1815) 

1883 

Schuylkill   Avenue 

Iron 

674 

1892   (1810) 

1892 

Leize's 

Wooden 

236 

1833 

1890 

Stoudt's   No.   1 

Wooden 

240 

1857 

Stoudt's   No.   2 

Wooden 

45 

Cross   Keys 

Iron 

354 

1891 

1891 

Leesport 

Wooden 

170 

1835 

1886 

Mohrsville 

Wooden 

3fiS 

1837 

1886 

Shoemakersville 

Wooden 

194 

1862 

1886 

Bern   Station 

Iron 

20fi 

1896 

1896 

Hamburg 

Wooden 

202 

1828 

1883 

Dauberville 

Concrete 

300 

1908 

TULPEHOCKEN   CREEK,  14 


Bushong's 
Wertz'  Mill 
Van   Reed's 
Reber's 
Blue   Marsh 
Stamm's 
Speicher's 
Conrad's 
Schaeffer's    Ford 
Sunday's   Mill 
Krick's  Mill 
Charming  Forge 
Womelsdorf 
Scharff's 


Wooden 

Wooden 

Wooden 

Wooden 

Wooden 

Iron 

Iron 

Wooden 

Iron 

Iron 

Beam    Deck 

Wooden 

Stone   Arch 

Concrete  Arch 


330 

204 

1867 

144 

1866 

129 

120 

1846 

153 

1887 

200 

1878 

145 

1839 

75 

1889 

90 

1903 

74 

1900 

186 

1872 

153 

1816 

180 

1902 

Egolf 

Iron 

141 

1882 

Glendale 

Wooden 

101 

Pine  Iron  Works 

Wooden 

154 

1855 

Weidner's 

Iron 

103 

1898 

Fisher's 

Wooden 

129 

1854 

Heist's 

Iron 

142 

1878 

Earlville 

Wooden 

130 

1856 

Baum's 

Iron 

134 

1878 

Griesemer's  Mill 

Wooden 

124 

ONTELAUNEE    CREEK,    12 


Schlegel's 

Wooden 

101 

1812 

Wiley's 

Iron 

202 

1883 

Maiden-creek 

Stone    Arch 

311 

1854 

Evansville 

Tubular 

165 

1874 

Moselem 

Wooden 

145 

1851 

Virginville 

Wooden 

164 

Dreibelbis 

Wooden 

irs 

1869 

Lenhartsville 

Wooden 

182 

1868 

Greena  wait's 

Wooden 

103* 

1875 

Albany 

Iron  Pony 

78 

1884 

Kempton 

Wooden 

103 

1887 

Trexler's 

Stone   Arch 

161 

1841 

I 


Railroad  Bridges. — Thirteen  substantial  bridges 
have  been  erected  across  the  river  by  the  several 
railroad  companies  operating  in  the  county,  viz. : 

Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad,  four — one 
near  Tuckerton — high  arch,  built  of  stone;  one,  of 
iron,  at  Birdsboro ;  and  two,  of  iron,  on  "Belt  Line," 
one  above  Reading  and  the  other  below. 

Lebanon  Valley  Railroad,  one,  within  limits  of 
Reading,  built  of  iron. 

Berks  County  Railroad  (now  Schuylkill  &  Le- 
high), three — one  at  and  two  below  Reading,  built 
of  wood. 

Pennsylvania  Schuylkill  Valley  Railroad,  five — 
one  near  Hamburg ;  one  at  Reading  and  two  below ; 
and  one  at  Douglassville ;  all  built  of  iron. 

ROADS  AND  TURNPIKES 

Indian  Paths.— There  were  paths  through  this 
section  of  country  long  before  Reading  was  laid  out. 
The  "Schuylkill  Ford"  was  a  central  point  for  the 
Indians.  Nature  would  seem  to  have  selected  the 
site  for  the  town  rather  than  the  Penns. 

Tulpehocken  Road. — The  earliest  mention  of  a 
road  in  this  vicinity  is  the  road  which  was  marked 
out  in  1687,  from  the  Delaware  at  Philadelphia  to 
the  Susquehanna,  by  way  of  this  ford,  and  was 
known  for  many  years  as  the  "Tulpehocken  road." 
In  1768,  a  road  was  regularly  laid  out  from  Read- 
ing to  the  Susquehanna,  at  "Fort  Augusta,"  by  way 
of  Middletown  (now  Womelsdorf)  and  Rehrer's 
Tavern  (now  Rehrersburg) ,  over  the  Blue  and 
Broad  Mountains,  in  pursuance  of  a  petition  from 
a  considerable  number  of  inhabitants  of  the  county. 
The  report  was  presented  to  the  executive  council 
on  Jan.  19,  1769.  The  road  began  "at  the  east  end 
of  Penn  street,  in  the  town  of  Reading,  and  extend- 
ed through  the  same  to  the  banks  of  the  river  Schuyl- 


33 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


kill,  west  346  perches;  thence  south  87  degrees,  west 
33  perches  across  said  river ;  thence  four  courses 
westwardly  with  a  total  distance  of  1,457  perches 
to  Sinking  Spring  Town;  thence  by  tifteen  courses, 
westwardly,  a  total  distance  of  2,814  perches 
to  Second  street,  in  Middletown  (now  Womels- 
dorf)  ;  thence  across  the  Tulpehocken  creek,  and  by 
way  of  John  Rice's  tavern  and  Nicholas  Kinser's, 
northwestwardly  to  Godfried  Rehrer's  tavern  (now 
Rehrersburg) ,  and  thence  by  way  of  Henry  Derr's 
house  to  Fort  Henry,  and. over  the  Blue  mountain, 
etc.,  in  a  northwestwardly  course  to  Fort  Augusta." 
Berks  and  Dmipliin  Turnpike. — Fifty  years  after- 
ward, this  road  from  Reading  to  Middletown,  and 
thence  westwardly  through  Dauphin  county,  be- 
came a  turnpike,  a  company  for  this  purpose  hav- 
ing been  incorporated  in  1805,  under  the  name  of 
"Berks  and  Dauphin  Turnpike  Company."  The 
turnpike,  however,  was  not  begun  until  in  1816, 
just  after  the  Penn  street  bridge  had  become  passa- 
ble. It  was  finished  in  1817,  and  it  was  maintained 
successfully  for  nearly  ninety  years.  In  1905,  the 
company  voluntarily  released  the  toll  charge  for  use 
of  pike  by  removal  of  toll-gates,  to  a  point  two  miles 
west  of  the  bridge ;  and  it  was  freed  to  Werners- 
ville,  eight  miles,  in  1906  by  the  assessment  of  dam- 
asres. 


PLAN    OF    ROADS    TO    READING 

Maiden-creek  Road. — A  road  was  surveyed  by 
Samuel  Lightfoot  in  1745,  from  Francis  Parvin's 
mill,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Maiden  creek,  south- 
wardly to  the  ford,  the  present  site  of  Reading, 
in  almost  a  straight  line  about  six  miles  in  length, 
and  confirmed  in  June  of  that  ^ear.  In  1753,  it 
was  regularly  laid  out  from  Reading  northwardly, 
and  extended  to  Easton  by  commissioners  from 
Berks  and  Northampton  counties  who  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  executive  council  at  Philadelphia. 

Centre  Turnpike. — A  turnpike  was  constructed 
on  this  road  from  Callowhill  street  in  Reading,  over 
the  "'long  hill"  (at  cemetery)  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Maiden  creek,  and  thence  northwardly  by  way  of 


Hamburg  and  Schuylkill  Gap ;  and  northwestwardly 
over  Broad  Mountain,  by  way  of  a  point  now  Ash- 
land, to  Sunbury.  A  company  for  this  purpose 
was  incorporated  in  1805,  called  "Centre  Turnpike 
Company."  The  turnpike  was  completed  shortly 
before  1812.  It  was  operated  successfully  and  tolls 
were  exacted  until  1885,  when  it  was  abandoned. 

Oley  Road.— In  September,  1727,  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  court  at  Philadelphia  for  a  road 
to  extend  from  the  "Lutheran  Meeting-house"  ar 
the  Tulpehocken  creek  to  the  highroad  at  the 
"Quaker  Meeting-house,"  near  George  Boone's  mill, 
in  Oley.  Eight  years  afterward,  the  court  appoint- 
ed Mordecai  Lincoln,  Marcus  Hulings,  James 
Thompson,  Peter  Robeson,  Benjamin  Boon  and 
Thomas  Potts  to  lay  out  this  road  from  the  high- 
road westwardly  to  the  Schuylkill  ford.  They  re- 
ported a  road  at  June  session,  1736,  which  began 
at  the  ford,  and  proceeded  a  little  south  of  east, 
in  almost  a  direct  line,  to  a  road  called  the  "King's 
Highway."  Its  eastern  terminus  was  at  a  point 
now  Amityville. 

Perkiomen  Turnpike. — The  road  just  mentioned 
was  the  road  to  Philadelphia  for  many  years,  until 
a  road  from  a  point  near  the  "Black  Bear  Inn,"  by 
way  of  Bishop's  Mill,  to  a  point  near  Molatton 
church,  now  at  Douglassville,  was  substituted.  In 
1810,  a  turnpike  was  authorized  to  be  constructed 
on  this  latter  road  from  Reading,  by  way  of  "White 
Horse  Tavern"  (Douglassville)  and  Pottsgroye.  to 
Perkiomen  Mills,  at  Perkiomen  creek.  In  1811, 
commissioners  were  named,  and  they  immediately 
commenced  its  construction,  completing  it  in  four 
years  at  an  average  cost  of  $7,000  per  mile.  It  was 
made  free  in  1902. 

In  1822  the  State  held  subscriptions  of  stock  in 
the  three  turnpike  companies,  as  follows :  Berks 
and  Dauphin,  $29,000  (individual  subscription  $63,- 
905)  ;  Centre,  $80,000  (individual  subscription 
$62,000)  ;  Perkiomen,  $53,000  (individual  subscrip- 
tion $133,000).  Length  reported:  first,  34  miles; 
second,  75  miles;  third,  28  3-4  miles. 

O'ley  Turnpike. — The  road  from  the  "Old  Phila- 
delphia Road,"  near  Schwartzwald  Church,  to  the 
King's  Highway  (Pleasantville  to  Amityville)  was 
laid  out  and  confirmed  in  1755.  The  "Oley  Turn- 
pike" is  constructed  on  this  road  from  Jackson- 
wald  eastward.  The  company  for  this  superior, 
well-kept  turnpike  was  incorporated  in  1862.  The 
road  extends  from  "Black  Bear  Inn"  to  Pleas- 
antville, ten  miles,,  and  the  total  cost  was  $50,000. 

Schuylkill  Road.— A  road  was  ordered  bv  the 
court  of  Lancaster  county  in  1750  to  be  laid  out 
from  Chester  county  line,  in  Caernarvon  township, 
in  a  northwestwardly  direction  to  Reading.  It  was 
surveyed  by  George  Boone,  and  reported  in  1751. 
This  is  the  road  from  W^arwick  Furnace,  bv  way 
of  Plow  tavern  and  Green  Tree  tavern,  through 
Union,  Robeson  and  Cumru  townships  and  along 
the  western  bank  of  the  Schuylkill,  to  the  Tulpe- 


INDUSTRY   OF  COUNTY 


33 


hocken  road  opposite  Reading.    It  was  twelve  and 
a  half  miles  in  length. 

Other  Roads. — Neversink  Road,  from  Reading 
southwardly  to  Flying  Hill,  in  1753. 

Alsace  Church  Road,  from  Reading  northwardly 
through  Alsace  township,  in  1753. 

Lancaster  Road,  from  Reading  southwestwardly 
through  Cumru  township,  in  1762. 

Sunbury  Road,  frpm  the  fork  in  the  Schuylkill 
above  the  Blue  Mountain  to  the  fork  in  the  Sus- 
quehanna at  Sunbury — fifty-five  miles,  in  1770. 

Bern  Road,  from  Reading  northwestwardly  over 
the  Schuylkill  at  a  point  now  occupied  by  the 
Schuylkill  avenue  bridge,  through  Bern  township, 
in  1772. 

Alsace  Road,  from  Reading  eastwardly  through 
Alsace  township  into  Oley,  to  a  point  in  the  "King's 
Highway"  (supposed  to  be  near  Friedensburg,  and 
now  called  the  Friedensburg  road) ,  in  1776. 

Plan  of  Roads  to  Reading. — The  accompanying 
plan  will  indicate  in  a  general  way  how  the  promi- 
nent roads  extended  from  Reading  during  its  earlier 
history,  and  these  have  continued  to  be  the  chief 
thoroughfares  for  travel  till  now. 

State  Highways. — The  substantial  improvement 
of  the  public  roads  was  a  subject  of  discussion  for 
many  years,  but  it  was  not  until  1905  that  any 
special  legislation  was  secured.  The  taxpayers  of 
Berks  county  immediately  began  to  show  their  ap- 
preciation of  the  State's  liberality.  Cumru  town- 
ship was  the  first  to  take  practical  steps  by  ordering 
the  improvement  of  that  portion  of  the  Lancaster 
road  from  the  Schuylkill  river  to  the  Three-Mile- 
House  in  Shillington,  commonly  called  the  "Three- 
Mile-House-Road,"  and  it  was  constructed  under 
the  supervision  of  the  State  Highway  Commissioner 
by  Adam  R.  Leader  of  Reading,  as  the  contractor, 
during  1905-06-07,  at  a  total  cost  of  $18,326;  of 
which  the  county  paid  one-sixth  and  the  township 
one-sixth.  This  section  of  road  had  been  used  a 
great  deal  for  driving  purposes  for  many  years  and 
this  marked  improvement  increased  its  use.  Some 
time  before  1905  it  had  been  improved  by  the  ex- 
penditure of  a  considerable  sum  of  money  (about 
$500)  with  the  assent  of  the  township  supervisors, 
which  had  been  collected  mostly  from  the  drivers  of 
speedy  horses  at  Reading. 

The  next  township  to  take  up  the  matter  success- 
fully was  Washington  and  in  1908  the  State  Depart- 
ment looked  after  the  construction  of  a  new  high- 
way from  Barto  to  Bally  and  thence  toward  Shultz- 
ville  and  Shultz's  grist-mill,  upward  of  three  miles. 
The  total  cost,  including  fine  concrete  bridge,  was 
about  $43,000,  of  which  the  county  paid  one-eighth 
and  the  township  one-eighth  (the  reduced  propor- 
tion having  been  caused  by  the  amended  road  law 
of  1907). 

And  the  third  township  was  Amity,  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  road  from  Amityville,  via  Weaver- 
town,  to  the  Monocacy  creek,  about  two  miles 
in  length.  It  was  constructed  in  1908,  including  a 
superior  concrete  bridge. 
3 


stages 

The  first  coach  in  New  England  began  its  trips 
in  1744.  The  first  stage  line  between  New  York 
and  Philadelphia  (then  the  two  most  populous  cities 
in  the  Colonies)  was  established  in  1756.  The  trip 
was  made  in  three  days.  When  the  Revolution  be- 
gan, most  of  these  public  conveyances  ceased  to 
run,  and  they  did  not  take  the  road  till  the  return 
of  peace. 

The  first  public  conveyance  at  Reading  was  a 
two-horse  coadh.  It  was  instituted  by  Martin  Haus- 
man  in  1789,  and  traveled  weekly  between  Read- 
ing and  Philadelphia  for  the  transportation  of  pas-, 
sengers  and  letters.  The  distance  was  about  fifty- 
one  miles,  and  the  passage  was  made  in  two  days. 
The  fare  was  two  dollars,  and  letter  carriage  three 
pence.  During  that  year,  he  transferred  the  estab- 
lished business  to  Alexander  Eisenbeis,  who  operat- 
ed it  two  years,  and  sold  it  to  William  Coleman. 
From  that  time  onward,  for  nearly  seventy  years, 
without  intermission,  the  Coleman  family  were 
prominent  throughout  eastern  Pennsylvania  for 
their  connection  with  this  great  enterprise. 

Soon  after  Coleman  had  obtained  possession  of 
this  stage  line,  he  extended  it  westwardly,  by  way 
of  Womelsdorf  and  Lebanon,  to  Harrisburg;  and 
northwardly,  by  way  of  Hamburg,  Orwigsburg, 
Sharp  Mountain  Gap  and  over  the  Broad  Mountain, 
to  Sunbury.  In  1818,  the  stages  ran  twice  a  week 
from  Philadelphia  to  Sunbury.  They  left  Philadel- 
phia on  Tuesdays  and  Saturdays  at  3  a.  m.  ;  ar- 
rived at  Reading  at  5  p.  m.,  and  lodged  at  Ham- 
burg on  the  same  days ;  and  on  the  following  morn- 
ings left  at  3  a.  m.  and  arrived  at  Sunbury  on  the 
succeeding  days  at  10  a.  m.  And  they  ran  thrice 
a  week  from  Philadelphia  to  Harrisburg — Tuesdays, 
Thursdays,  and  Saturdays;  leaving  Ph'iladelphia 
at  4  A.  M.,  lodging  at  Reading,  and  arriving  at  Har- 
risburg the  next  evening.  The  same  order  was  ob- 
served in  returning. 

In  1820  William  Coleman  died.  His  widow  car- 
ried on  the  stage  lines  for  a  year,  when  their  sons 
John  and  Nicholas  purchased  and  conducted  them. 
In  1823,  they  ran  weekly  stages  to  the  southwest 
to  Lancaster,  over  a  natural  road,  in  length  thirty- 
two  miles;  and.  to  the  northeast  to  Easton,  over 
a  natural  road,  in  length  fifty  miles. 

In  1825,  Colder  &  Wilson  ran  the  "mail  stage" 
between  Reading  and  Harrisburg  three  times  a 
week.  The  passenger  fare  was'  50  cents  to  Womels- 
dorf;  $1  to  Lebanon,  and  $2  to  Harrisburg. 

In  1826,  a  combination  was  made  between  the 
Colemans,  Jacob  Peters,  and  Colder  &  Co.,  to  run 
a  daily  line  of  stages  between  Philadelphia  and 
Harrisburg  via  Reading.  The  stages  left  Philadel- 
phia daily  except  Monday  at  4  a.  m.,  dined  at  Read- 
ing, lodged  at  Lebanon,  and  proceeded  to  Harris- 
burg next  morning.  Returning,  they  left  Harris- 
burg daily,  except  Tuesday,  in  the  afternoon,  lodged 
at  Lebanon,  took  breakfast  at  Reading  next  morn- 
ing and  arrived  at  Philadelphia  at  8  p.  m.  Through 
fare,  $6 ;  to  Reading,  $3. 


34 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


From,  the  beginning  till  1826,  the  stage-coach  in 
use  was  called  a  "steamboat" — an  uncovered  wagon, 
capable  of  holding  twenty  passengers.  Then  a 
sharp  competition  arose  between  three  lines;  first, 
the  "Old  Line"  (Coleman's),  which  conveyed  the 
mails ;  second,  Reeside  &  Piatt's ;  and  third,  Milti- 
more  &  Mintzer's.  A  new  and  improved  stage- 
coach was  introduced  as  a  consequence,  called  the 
"Troy  Coach."  It  held  eleven  passengers,  with 
room  for  five  or  more  on  top.  In  1830,  the  com- 
petition was  full  of  life.  The  rates  were  reduced 
one-half.  But  the  "Old  Line"  forced  the  others  to 
withdraw.  Its  mail  contracts  were  a  great  support 
and  enabled  it  to  bear  the  pressure.  It  had  a  hun- 
dred horses  always  on  hand. 

Decline  of  Stages. — The  stage  business  contin- 
ued active  and  profitable  in  the  several  directions 
from  Reading  till  the  introduction  of  the  railways, 
when  it  was  discontinued.  The  stage-coach  could 
not  compete  with  the  railroad  train,  or  horse-power 
with  steam-power;  and  in  this  respect,  as  in  others, 
the  fittest  and  strongest  survived.  The  discontin- 
uance on  the  several  lines  was  as  follows :  From 
Philadelphia,  1838;  from  Pottsville,  1842;  from 
Harrisburg,  1858  ;  from  Allentown,  1859  ;  from  Lan- 
caster, 1864. 

The  following  stage  lines  (all  carrying  merchan- 
dise and  passengers,  and  several  also  mail)  are  still 
operated  to  and  from  Reading  to  accommodate  the 
public : 

Boyertown  line,  via  Yellow  House,  daily 17  miles 

Friedensburg  line,  via  Stony  Creek  Mills,  daily.  ...   9  miles 
Pleasantville  line,  via  Oley  Tnrnpilce,  tri-weekly.  .14  miles 

Bernville  line,  via  State  Hill,  daily 14  miles 

Terra  Hill  line,  via  Angelica,  tri-weekly 16  miles 

Hummel's  Store  line,  via  Green  Tree,  daily 15  miles 

Strausstown   and   Womelsdorf   line,    daily 12  miles 

Strausstown  and  Hamburg  line,  daily 12  miles 

Millersburg  and  Myerstown,  daily S  miles 

C.VXALS 

Great  internal  improvements  in  this  country  were 
first  projected  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the  enterprise 
of  her  early  citizens  directed  public  attention  to 
the  establishment  of  canals  and  turnpikes  for  con- 
venient transportation.  In  1690,  William  Penn 
suggested  the  idea  of  connecting  the  Susquehanna 
and  Schuylkill  rivers  by  means  of  a  canal,  but  it 
was  not  acted  upon.  Seventy  years  afterward,  this 
idea  was  again  considered,  and  then  a  survey  was 
made  by  David  Rittenhouse  and  others.  A  course 
was  marked  out  for  a  canal  between  these  two 
rivers,  but  nearly  seventy  j^ears  more  elapsed  be- 
fore the  great  scheme  was  realized  and  put  into 
practical  and  successful  operation. 

Union  Canal. — In  1791,  the  Legislature  of 
Pennsylvania  passed  an  Act  incorporating  the 
Schuylkill  and  Susquehanna  Navigation  Company, 
for  the  purpose  of  connecting  the  two  rivers  by  a 
canal,  and  facilitating  traffic;  and  in  1792,  another 
company  was  chartered,  under  the  name  of  the  Del- 
aware and  Schuylkill  Canal  Company,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  extending  a  canal  from  the  eastern  termi- 


nus of  the  canal  mentioned  at  Reading,  along  the 
Schuylkill  to  the  Delaware  river  at  Philadelphia. 
These  canals  were  to  be  part  of  a  great  scheme 
conceived  by  an  association  of  enterprising  individ- 
uals in  order  to  promote  internal  improvements, 
whereby  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg  were  to  be 
connected  by  water  communication. 

On  April  2,  1811,  an  Act  was  passed  to  incor- 
porate "The  Union  Canal  Company  of  Pennsyl- 
vania." The  name  was  chosen  because  the  new 
corporation  was  really  a  union  of  the  old  Schuyl- 
kill and  Susquehanna  and  the  Delaware  and  Schuyl- 
kill Canal  Companies.  The  preamble  recited  that 
those  corporations  had  made  strenuous  efforts  to 
carry  out  the  objects  of  their  charters,  but  failed. 
A  new  company  was  formed  by  the  stockholders 
of  the  old  corporations,  but  seventeen  years  passed 
before  the  canal  was  finished.  The  first  canal- 
boat,  which  went  west,  left  Philadelphia  on  March 
20,  1828,  by  way  of  the  Schu3dkill  canal  to  Read- 
ing, and  thence  by  the  Union  canal  to  Middletown, 
arriving  at  the  latter  place  on  the  23d.  The  event 
was  duly  celebrated  at  jMiddletown.  There  were 
seventeen  Union  canal  boats  in  service  in  July,  that 
year,  and  over  two  hundred  were  in  operation  be- 
fore the  end  of  the  j'ear. 

The  length  of  the  canal  was  79^  miles,  with  91 
locks,  8  basins,  93  bridges,  16  dams,  and  17 
aqueducts.  From  the  summit  (four  miles  east  of 
Lebanon)  to  the  mouth  of  Tulpehocken  creek  the 
distance  was  37  miles.  This  section  of  the  canal 
was  26  feet  wide  at  bottom,  and  36  feet  at  water 
surface;  depth  of  water,  4  feet,  and  width  of  tow- 
ing path,  10  feet. 

The  number  of  locks  required  to  overcome  the 
fall  of  310  feet  was  53.  The  locks  were  faced  with 
dressed  sandstone;  chambers  8|  feet  wide  and  75 
feet  long ;  and  lifts  varying  from  5  to  8  feet.  About 
1855,  the  locks  were  enlarged  to  correspond  with 
the  locks  of  the  Pennsylvania  canal,  from  the  Swa- 
tara  eastwardly  to  Reading. 

The  success  of  this  canal  was  dependent  upon 
the  construction  of  a  similar  canal  along  the  Schuvl- 
kill,  in  order  to  encourage  traffic  from  the  Sus- 
quehanna to  Philadelphia  bv  way  of  Reading.  A 
company  had  been  chartered  in  i815  for  this  pur- 
pose, which  began  the  improvement  desired,  and 
finished  it  in  1825. 

In  1830,  the  canal  was  extended  along  the  west- 
ern bank  of  the  Schuylkill,  three  miles  below  Read- 
ing, to  the  Little  Dam,  having  its  outlet  in  the 
Big  Dam,  about  a  thousand  feet  farther  down.  But 
this  portion  was  washed  so  badly  by  the  freshet 
of  1850  that  it  was  rendered  useless,  and  connec- 
tion wasjnade  with  the  Schuylkill  canal  at  a  lock 
near  the  Harrisburg  bridge.  At  this  point,  about 
1S28,  the  company  had  constructed  a  dam  called 
"Union  Dam"  (commonly  known  as  "Lotz's 
Dam"),  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  connection 
with  the   Schuylkill  canal;  and  this   was   the  only 


INDUSTRY   OF   COUNTY 


35 


connection  till  1855,  when  the  canal  was  extended 
to  a  point  opposite  "Jackson's  Lock,"  at  the  foot 
of  Sixth  street,  where  connection  was  afterward 
made. 

In  order  to  form  an  idea  of  the  extent  and  growth 
of  the  business  over  this  canal,  soon  after  it  was 
completed,  the  following  statistics  are  presented: 

For   the   week   ending   May   27,    1831,    80   boats   passed 

■  Reading  going  down,  45  loaded  with  lumber  and  coal, 
and  the  others  with  flour,  whiskey,  castings,  etc. ;  and 
60  passed  going  up,  17  loaded  with  merchandise.  For  the 
week  ending  June  14,  1835,  125  loaded  boats  passed  down, 
and  112  loaded  boats  passed  up.  Some  years  after- 
ward, the   tonnage   and   tolls   were  as  follows: 

Tons    Tolls 

1847 139,256  $91,356 

1848 153,222  95,953 

1§49 148,332  86,800 

The  boats  were  diminutive,  being  only  18  tonb' 
capacity  at  the  opening  of  the  canal ;  afterward,  in 
1828,  increased  to  23  tons ;  and  afterward,  the  size 
was  increased  until  1845,  when  the  capacity  was 
€0  tons. 

Lottery    Privileges. — The    amount    of    money 

■  raised  in  the  course  of  the  prosecution  of  the 
canal  enterprise,  between  the  Schuylkill  and  Sus- 
quehanna rivers,  was  enormous,  not  so  much  from 
the  actual  cost  of  the  improvements  as  in  the  waste- 
ful way  in  which  the  money  was  raised,  and  the 
amount  taken  from  the  community  which  did  no 
good  to  the  undertaking.  The  capital  of  the  two 
companies  was  insufficient  for  the  execution  of 
the  work,  and  the  Legislature  granted  them  power 
to  raise  money  "by  way  of  lottery."  The  whole 
amount  specified  in  the  grant  was  $400,000,  of 
which  the  Schuylkill  and  Susquehanna  Company 
was  to  have  two-thirds,  and  the  Delaware  and 
Schuylkill  Company  one-third.  This  Act  was  passed 
April  17,  1795,  and  under  it  the  companies  exer- 
cised the  privilege  of  issuing  lottery  tickets.  Un- 
til 1810,  the  companies  had  realized  only  $60,000, 
a  sum  wholly  insufficient  for  their  purposes.  They 
complained  that  their  affairs  "had  fallen  into  dis- 
order and  embarrassment;  that  they  were  covered 
with  reproach  and  ridicule,"  and  that  the  public 
confidence  was  impaired.  This  led  to  the  union 
of  the  two  corporations  in  1811.  In  the  Act,  the 
lottery  privileges  were  renewed;  and,  as  the  com- 
pany had  not  made  much  by  their  own  management, 
they  were  empowered  to  sell  or  assign  their  lottery 
rights  to  any  persons  whom  they  might  select. 
So  the  company  leased  out  the  lottery  privileges  and 
under  this  arrangement  the  lotteries  became  very 
successful.  The  managers  took  in  large  amounts 
of  money,  but  the  Canal  Company  did  not  have 
much  added  to  their  funds,  and  a  report  to  the 
Legislature  stated  that  the  lottery  managers  made 
many  millions,  while  the  Union  Canal  Company 
got  but  $269,210.     This  caused  great  scandal. 

An  Act  was  passed  for  the  suppression  of  lot- 
teries in  Pennsylvania  after  March  1,  1833,  which 


declared  that  the  lottery  rights  of  the  company 
were  exhausted,  and  prohibited  the  sale  of  lottery 
tickets  of  any  kind  after  Dec.  31st  of  that  year. 
But,  as  a  compensation  for  the  privileges  taken 
from  the  company,  the  Governor  was  authorized 
to  subscribe  for  one  thousand  shares  of  stock  on 
behalf  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  lotteries  of  the  Union  Canal  Company  were 
drawn  at  stated  periods  from  the  gallery  of  the 
stairs  in  the  tower  of  the  State-house,  which  led 
to  the  upper  chambers,  and  the  drawings  were  at- 
tended by  hundreds  of  persons. 

The  canal  was  supposed  to  be  the  only  possible 
means  of  conveyance,  except  by  the  common  road, 
long  after  all  the  companies  connected  with  the 
navigation  of  the  Schuylkill  had  been  chartered. 
But  the  Columbia  railroad,  under  the  management 
of  the  State,  began  to  be  a  rival  of  the 
Union  canal  in  bringing  produce  and  passen- 
gers from  the  Susquehanna  as  soon  as  it 
was  finished.  The  movement  for  its  establish- 
ment commenced  in  1826,  when  a  company 
was  incorporated  to  build  a  railroad  from  Lancas- 
ter and  Columbia  to  Philadelphia.  The  plan  not 
proving  successful,  in  1828  the  State  authorized 
a  survey  and  followed  it  up  in  after  years  by  ap- 
propriations, under  which  the  work  was  carried  on. 
The  road  was  finished  to  Lancaster  in  April,  1834, 
and  opened  through  to  Columbia  in  the  summer  of 
1835.  Just  as  soon  as  this  means  of  transportation 
was  finished,  the  Union  Canal  Company  lost  a  large 
share  of  its  business  and  prospects.  The  railroad 
offered  a  shorter  route  and  quicker  method  of  com- 
munication between  the  Susquehanna  and  Delaware 
rivers.  The  opening  of  the  Lebanon  Valley  rail- 
road from  Reading  to  Harrisburg  in  1857,  through 
the  same  section  of  territory,  proved  the  final  and 
crushing  blow  to  the  Union  Canal  Company.  From 
that  time  onward  it  began  to  decline  more  and 
more  until  it  was  finally  abandoned,  about  1890. 

Schuylkill  Canal. — The  Schuylkill  Canal  Nav- 
igation Company  was  incorporated  on  March  8, 
1815,  for  the  purpose  of  transporting  coal,  lumber, 
merchandise,  produce,  etc.,  by  a  system  of  canals 
and  slackwater  navigation,  by  appropriating  the 
water  of  the  Schuylkill  river  from  Mill  creek,  in 
Schuylkill  county,  to  Philadelphia.  The  transporta- 
tion of  articles  was  then  carried  on  over  the  Centre 
turnpike  to  Reading,  and  the  Perkiomen  and  Ger- 
mantown  turnpikes  to  Philadelphia.  Certain  com- 
missioners were  named  in  the  Act,  and  they  were 
directed  to  open  subscription  books  at  various  places 
in  May,  1815.  The  par  value  of  a  share  of  stock 
was  fixed  at  fifty  dollars,  and  twenty-five  hundred 
shares  were  to  be  subscribed  at  Reading — one-fourth 
of  the  total  shares. 

The  first  board  of  directors  was  elected  at  Nor- 
ristown  on  Oct.  5,  1815.  It  included  two  members 
from  Berks  county — Lewis  Reese,  of  Reading,  and 
John  Wiley,  of  Maiden-creek.     Samuel  Baird,  of 


36 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Pottsgrove  (now  Pottstown),  was  also  a  member, 
but  he  soon  afterward  removed  to  Reading  and 
practised  law. 

The  construction  of  the  canal  was  begun  in  1817, 
and  completed  in  1832,  from  John  Potts's,  at  tlie 
mines,  to  within  one-half  a  mile  of  Hamburg,  be- 
low the  Blue  Mountain.  The  lower  section,  from 
the  Schuylkill  bridge  at  Philadelphia  to  Reading, 
had  been  finished.  "Boats  carried  during  1821  over 
the  completed  portion  of  the  canal,  from  the  coal 
mines  to  the  vicinity  of  Hamburg,  large  quantities 
of  coal,  which  were  deposited  there  and  sold  out 
by  the  ton  to  the  country  people  from  the  neigh- 
borhood and  for  many  miles  distant.  The  unfin- 
ished oortion  of  the  canal  was  reported  to  have 
been  completed  during  the  year  1822 ;  and  this  was 
the  first  completed  navigation  in  the  country. 

The  total  length  from  Mount  Carbon  to  Phil- 
adelphia was  105  miles  (62  of  canal  and  43  of 
pools  in  river),  with  a  fall  of  588  feet;  in- 
cluding 120  locks  (81  above  Reading  and  39  be- 
low) ;  28  dams,  17  arched  stone  aqueducts,  and  a 
tunnel  450  feet  long,  cut  through  solid  rock.  The 
total  cost  was  $1,800,000. 

In  1827-28,  the  canal  was  extended  to  Mill  creek, 
making  the  total  length  108.23  miles;  and,  by  an 
enlargement  in  1846,  the  number  of  locks  was  re- 
duced to  71,  with  a  total  fall  of  about  620  feet. 
The  size  of  the  locks  was  18  by  110  feet;  width 
of  canal,  60  feet;  depth  of  water,  6  feet.  The 
capacity  of  boats  waS  180  tons. 

The  cost  of  transportation  by  land  from  Read- 
ing to  Philadelphia  was  40  cents  a  hundredweight ; 
by  canal  it  was  reduced  to  12-|  cents.  The  toll  on 
coal  from  Mt.  Carbon  to  Philadelphia  in  1825  was 
6  cents  a  bushel  or  $1.68  a  ton. 

Horses  or  mules  were  not  used  for  towing  boats 
previous    to   1826.      The    boats    were    first   towed 
through  the  canals  by  men  at  the  end  of  long  tow- 
lines.     Two  men  drew-  a  boat  after  them  by  press- 
ing their  shoulders  or  breasts  against  a  stick  fast- 
ened crosswise  to  the  end  of  the  tow-line.     With 
such    locomotion,    a   trip    from   Mount    Carbon   to 
Philadelphia     and     back     generally     required     six 
weeks.    At  this  time  there  were  no  tow-paths  along 
the  pools   of   the   navigation ;   hence   the   necessity 
for  man-power. 

The  following  statistics  show  the  great  traffic 
over  the  canal  during  the  first  five  years  after  its 
completion : 


Passed    down    Canal  |    3S26  I    1827  |    1828  I     1820    I     1830 


Barrels    of   flour    

Tons  of  coal    

Tons  of  iron  ore    

Tons    of    iron    

Tons  of  whiskey     

Total  tons  descending  . . 
Total  tons  ascending  . .  . 
Total   tolls    received    . .  .  . 


21,2451  31,4.361  66,8351 
16,787|  31,630|  47,2841 


2,541 

420 

2o,.'i61 

6,843 

$43,108 


1,472 

1,5.33 

483 

53,782 

11,719 

$58,149 


1,674 

1,853 

1,152 

.84,1.33 

21,329 

$87,171 


1  5,0231  1  7,799 
79,973f    89,984 


556 

958 

868 

112.704 

21,800 

$120,039 


602 

1,125 

1,146 

136,531 

44,254 

$145,165 


1  In    tons. 


The  traffic  continued  to  increase  from  year  to 
year.     In  1842,  it  was  over  500,000  tons,  and  the 


tolls  over  $400,000.  Ample  dividends  were  made; 
and  shares,  which  cost  originally  $50,  were  sold 
as  high  as  $175,  and  even  $180.  In  1851,  the  total 
tonnage  was  842,097  tons,  of  which  there  were 
579,156  tons  of  coal;  and  the  total  toll  was  $285,- 
621.  After  1861,  the  canal  tonnage  reached  in  some 
years  nearly  1,400,000  tons  of  coal  and  3_{)0,000  tons 
of  merchandise  and  miscellaneous  articles.  The 
capacity  of  the  canal  was  estimated  at  1,800,000  tons 
descending,  and  at  least  500,000  tons  ascending. 

The  boats  were  from  17  to  17^  feet  wide,  and 
100  to  101  and  102  feet  long,  with  a  maximum 
capacity  of  190  tons. 

After  the  year  1858,  the  company  oftered  prem- 
iums for  dispatch  in  transportation.  Two  boats 
competed  energetically  and  proved  that  a  trip  from 
Port  Carbon  to  New  York  and  return  could  be  made 
in  seven  days.  This  was  regarded  as  an  extraordi- 
nary performance.  The  interest  taken  in  this  con- 
test was  so  great  that  a  boat  came  to  be  loaded  at 
the  canal  landings  in  eighteen  minutes  from  the 
time  the  boat  reached  the  wharf  till  the  trip  was 
resumed.  Finally,  trouble  was  anticipated  from 
this  rivalry  and  the  company  put  an  end  to  it.  The 
company  continued  to  operate  this  great  enterprise 
till  1870,  when  they  leased  it  to  the  Philadelphia 
and  Reading  Railroad  Company  for  a  term  of  nine 
hundred  and  ninety-nine  years. 

Packets. — In  1835,  John  and  Nicholas  Coleman 
introduced  the  system  of  running  packets  through 
the  canal  from  Reading  to  Philadelphia.  Trips  were 
made  three  times  a  week.  The  fare  was  $2.50,  and 
a  trip  was  made  in  a  day.  The  packets  had  no 
berths  for  sleeping  purposes,  but  a  large  dining- 
room.  Cooking  was  done  aboard,  and  meals  were 
furnished. 

These  packets  were  well  patronized,  and  contin- 
ued in  successful  operation  till  about  1832,  when 
the  increasing  traffic  on  the  canal  forced  them  to 
be  withdrawn.  Theretofore  boats,  loaded  and  emp- 
ty, would  turn  out  or  lay  over  for  an  approaching 
packet,  which  was  given  the  right  of  way. 

The  first  steamboat  on  the  canal  came  from  Phil- 
adelphia to  Reading  on  Dec.  5,  1826.  Twenty  years 
afterward,  a  line  of  Steam  Packets  was  begun  be- 
tween Reading  and  Philadelphia.  The  first  packet 
arrived  on  Sept.  28,  1846.  It  was  built  of  iron,  with 
two  Ericson  propellers,  85  feet  long,  and  13-}  feet 
wide.  They  departed  from  Reading  every  day,  ex- 
cept Sunday,  at  2  p.  m.,  and  arrived  at  Philadelphia 
the  next  morning.  And  they  departed  from  Phila- 
delphia and  arrived  at  Reading  on  the  same  time. 
The  fare  was  $1  a  trip.  But  this  enterprise  did  not 
continue  long  in  operation. 

RAILWAYS 

The  first  railway  in  Pennsylvania  was  built  in 
1837  from  Mauch  Chunk  to  Summit  Hill,  in  length 
nine  miles.  It  was  constructed  to  complete  the 
transportation  of  coal  from  Mine  Hill  to  Philadel- 


INDUSTRY   OF   COUNTY 


37 


phia.  From  Mauch  Chunk  to  Philadelphia  a  canal 
had  been  constructed  shortly  before  by  the  Lehigh 
Coal  and  Navigation  Company.  But  the  canal  could 
not  be  extended  to  Mine  Hill ;  so  the  company  was 
compelled  to  build  a  railway  to  take  the  place  of 
ordinary  rdads.  Soon  afterward,  The  Little  Schuyl- 
kill Railroad  Company  was  incorporated,  and  it  con- 
structed the  railroad  from  Tamaqua  to  Port  Clinton. 

P.  &  R.  R. — In  1833,  a  railroad  was  projected 
from  Port  Clinton  via  Reading  to  Philadelphia. 
The  Little  Schuylkill  Railroad  Company  was  auth- 
orized to  extend  its  railroad  to  Reading,  and  to 
construct  one  from  Reading ,  to  Philadelphia.  A 
company  was  chartered  on  April  4,  1833,  under  the 
name  of  the  "Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railroad 
Company."  Twenty-seven  commissioners  were  ap- 
pointed, including  George  de  B.  Keim,  Matthias  S. 
Richards,  Isaac  Hiester  and  James  Everhart,  of 
Reading.  Immediate  steps  were  taken  to  construct 
this  road.  A  considerable  portion  was  finished  dur- 
ing 1835.  By  December,  1837,  one  track  of  the 
road  was  completed  from  Reading  to  Pottstown. 
An  excursion  party,  comprising  one  hundred  citi- 
zens of  Reading,  made  a  trip  on  the  6th  of  Decem- 
ber in  five  freig-ht  cars,  temporarily  fitted  up  with 
seats  and  drawn  by  five  horses.  It  started  from  the 
depot  at  9  A.  M.,  and  arrived  at  Pottstown  in  two 
and  three  quarters  hours,  including  all  stops.  In 
returning,  it  left  at  3  P.  M.  and  arrived  at  Reading 
at  5  p.  M.  The  first  regular  train  from  Reading  to 
Pottstown  ran  on  May  1,  1838 ;  to  Norristown,  on 
July,  16,  1838 ;  and  to  Philadelphia  in  December, 
1839.  The  fare  was:  First-class,  $2.50;  second- 
class,  $2. 

The  Little  Schuylkill  Railroad  Company  being 
unable  to  construct  the  road  from  Port  Clinton  to 
Reading,  the  charter  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Railroad  Co.  was  therefore  extended  to  cover  the 
construction  and  operation  of  a  railroad  from  Read- 
ing to  Pottsville;  and  notwithstanding  the  financial 
difficulties  which  prevailed  about  1838,  the  project 
was  completed  within  four  years  afterward.  The 
first  train  ran  over  the  whole  line  from  Philadelphia 
to  Pottsville,  ninety-three  miles,  on  Jan.  1,  1842,  and 
the  road  was  opened  for  general  travel  on  the  10th. 
The  second  track  wis  laid  in  1843,  and  opened  for 
travel  in  January,  1844.  The  distance  from  Read- 
ing to  Philadelphia  was  traveled  in  two  hours;  to 
Pottsville  in  one  hour  and  twenty  minutes. 

In  the  establishment  of  this  great  enterprise,  the 
construction  of  two  long  tunnels  is  worthy  of  men- 
tion— ^one  near  Phoenixville,  in  length  1,931  feet,  at 
a  cost  of  $150,000 ;  the  other  near  Port  Clinton,  in 
length  1,606  feet,  at  a  cost  of  $125,782.  The  latter 
extends  through  the  Blue  Mountain,  and  the  depth 
from  the  surface  at  the  top  of  the  mountain  is  119 
feet.  A  third  tunnel  was  constructed  at  Manayunk, 
in  length  940  feet,  costing  $75,000.  The  Phoenix- 
ville and  Manayunk  tunnels  were  enlarged  in  1859. 


A  superior',  large  stone  bridge  across  the  Schuylkill, 
above  Tuckerton,  is  also  noteworthy. 

The  introduction  of  this  railway  immediately 
stimulated  enterprise  at  Reading,  and  caused  energy 
and  capital  to  be  directed  toward  manufacturing. 
The  increasing  tide  of  affairs  induced  people  and 
capital  to  concentrate  here  more  and  more  every 
succeeding  year;  and  buildings  multiplied  rapidly 
to  answer  the  demands  of  the  increasing  population. 
The  company  established  its  workshops  here  when 
the  railway  was  completed,  and  these  have  grown 
here  in  capacity  with  the  ever-increasing  traffic  of 
the  road.  The  first  large  shop  occupied  the  half 
block  on  the  west  side  of  Seventh  street  between 
Franklin  and  Chestnut  streets,  where  it  continued 
for  over  sixty  years.  Its  extensive  and  costly  shops 
are  now  situated  along  the  northern  extremity  of 
Sixth  street.  Each  succeeding  decade  found  the 
company  with  more  extended  shops  of  all  kinds  for 
the  manufacture  of  engines  and  cars,  affording  in 
the  mieantime  constant  employment  for  an  ever-in- 
creasing number  of  workmen.  The  total  annual  in- 
come to  the  people  of  Reading  from  this  single 
source  during  the  past  seventy  years  counts  into 
millions  of  dollars,  all  of  which  contributed  directly 
toward  the  substantial  growth  of  this  community, 
in  its  buildings,  stores,  factories,  churches  and 
schools. 

The  passenger  station  (or  "depot"  as  it  was 
generally  called)  was  located  at  the  northwest  cor- 
ner of  Seventh  and  Chestnut  streets,  and  continued 
there  till  1874,  when  it  was  removed  to  the  "junc- 
tion" of  the  Lebanon  Valley  and  East  Pennsylvania 
railroads,  nearly  a  mile  to  the  north,  called  "Main 
Station,"  where  a  fine  large  building  had  been  erec- 
ted. This  was  done  to  accommodate  the  large  pas- 
senger traffic.  It  is  surmounted  with  a  large  and 
elevated  clock-tower.  Extensive  covered  platforms 
are  constructed  over  the  three  roads,  nearly  a  half- 
mile  in  length;  eastern,  1,038  feet;  northwestern, 
709  feet ;  southwestern,  692  feet ;  the  first  being  47 
feet  wide,  and  the  others  42.  The  passenger  trains 
to  Philadelphia  and  Pottsville  pass  through  the  first ; 
those  to  Harrisburg  and  to  Allentown  through  the 
second ;  and  those  to  Columbia,  Slatington,  and  Wil- 
mington, through  the  third.  It  was  begun  in  1871, 
and  completed  in  1874,  when  the  lower  station  was 
abandoned.  In  1884  the  company  re-established  the 
station  at  Franklin  street. 

The  stations  in  the  county  are  the  following: 
Douglassville,  Monocacy,  Birdsboro,  Exeter,  Frank- 
lin Street,  Reading,  Tuckerton,  Leesport,  Mohrs- 
ville,  Shoemakersville,  Bern,  Hamburg.  The  length 
of  the  railway  from  the  southern  extremity  of  the. 
county  to  the  northern  is  forty  miles. 

The, train  service  for  passengers,  coal  and  freight 
over  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad  and 
its  several  branches,  is  very  extensive,  as  will  ap- 
pear by  the  following  statistics  for  July,  1908,  at 
Reading : 


38 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Passenger  trains 94  first  ground  was  broken  at  a  spot,  now  the  highest 

Coal  and  freight—  point  of  the  cut,  a  short  distance  north  of  Temple 

Main  Line 90  Station,  on  June  11,   1857;  and  it  was  prosecuted 

Lebanon    Valley 65  vv^jth   energy   for  two  years.     The   last   spike  was 

East  Penn     . 48  jj-iven  on  April  20,  1859,  and  the  completion  was 

wiStt  fNorTheVn-:;^  signalized    by    a     demonstration     at     Temple     on 

Sdniylkill  &  Lehigh   4  May  11th.     On  that  day,  trains  began  to  run  be- 

,  ,  ,  J  A  -1  -I  tween  Reading-  and  Allentown  Junction,  a  distance 
Lebanon  V.^LLEY.-An  Act  was  passed  April  1  ^^  thirty-six  miles.  It  was  leased  to  the  Philadel- 
1836,  mcorporatmg  the  Lebanon  Valley  Railroad  ^ia  &  Reading  Railroad  Co.  in  May,  1869,  by 
Company,"  for  a  railroad  from  Reading  to  Harris-  ^^^-^^  -^  ^^^  ^J^  operated  since, 
burg.  It  required  an  actual  subscription  of  four  -phe  length  of  the  railroad  in  the  county  is  twenty- 
thousand  shares  of  stock  before  the  charter  should  t^^ee  miles,  with  the  following  stations :  Temple, 
become  operative.  This  number  could  not  be  ob-  Blandon,  Fleetwood,  Lyons,  Bowers,  Topton, 
tained  by  private  subscriptions,  and  the  project  was  Mertztown,  Shamrock. 

allowed  to  slumber  for  seventeen  years.  In  1853,  Reading  &  Columbia.— Whilst  the  Lebanon 
the  idea  was  conceived  that  Lebanon  and  Reading,  Valley  and  East  Penn  railroads  were  being  con- 
as  municipal  organizations,  should  encourage  the  en-  structed,  the  subject  of  extending  a  railroad  from 
terprise  by  a  large  subscription  of  the  stock,  the  Sinking  Spring  (a  station  on  the  former)  to  Col- 
former,  two  thousand  shares,  and  the  latter,  six  umbia  was  discussed  with  earnestness.  In  this  be- 
thousand.  half  an  Act  was  passed  on  May  19,  1857,  incorporat- 
A  supplementary  Act  was  accordingly  passed  on  ing  the  "Reading  &  Columbia  Railroad  Company," 
April  5,  1853,  with  a  provision  that  the  subject  of  and  naming  fifteen  commissioners.  The  first  pro- 
a  subscription  be  submitted  to  the  taxables  of  the  ject  was  to  extend  the  road  from  a  point  in  Read- 
respective  places.  The  city  councils  of  Reading  ing;  but  in  1861  an  Act  was  passed  authorizing  a 
discussed  this  subject  on  May  11,  1853,  and  ordered  connection  to  be  made  with  the  former  railroad  at 
an  election  to  be  held  on  June  15th  following.  This  any  point  between  Reading  and  Sinking  Spring, 
election  was  to  decide  for  or  against  a  subscription  Numerous  meetings  were  held  at  Ephrata,  Lancas- 
of  four  thousand  shares,  amounting  to  $200^000.  ter,  Columbia  and  Reading,  and  reports  pertaining 
The  result  of  the  election  was  1,658  for  subscription,  to  the  business  which  the  territory  would  afford 
and  682  against.  The  election  having  terminated  were  made  to  encourage  the  construction  of  the 
favorably,  certain  taxables  applied  to  the  Supreme  road ;  and  these  eventually  terminated  in  its  suc- 
court  for  an  injunction,  but  it  was  refused.  The  cessful  completion  in  March,  1864,  from  Sinking 
subscription  by  the  city  councils  was  made,  and  Spring  to  Columbia,  a  distance  of  forty  miles.'  The 
in  payment  thereof  city  bonds  were  issued  amount-  first  passenger  train  ran  in  May,  1864.  The  length 
ing  to  $200,000.  During  the  completion  of  the  road  of  the  railroad  in  the  county  is  five  miles,  with  two 
an  Act  was  passed.  May  5,  1857,  to  authorize  the  stations,  Fntztown  and  Vinemont. 
consolidation  of  the  Lebanon  Valley  Railroad  Com-  Wilmington  &  Northern.— A  railroad  was  also 
pany  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  encouraged  through  the  southern  section  of  Berks 
Company,  upon  first  obtaining  consent  of  the  stock-  county,  by  inhabitants  of  Robeson,  Union  and  Caer- 
holders.  The  city  councils  approved  of  the  consoli-  "^'■^°"  *°^"s'"P%,^"^  *ey  obtained  an  Act  on 
dation.  especiallv  upon  having  been  assured  by  the  ^P"'  ^^'  jSe^k  The  road  was  to  extend  from  a 
Philadelphia  &' Reading  Railroad  Company  that  P°"^t  on  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad,  at 
the  city  bonds  would  be  returned  and  that  its  °^  "^ar  Birdsboro,  by  the  most  available  route,  to 
company  would  assume  the  subscription  of  four  any  railroad  built  in  Chester  county  The  incorpor- 
thousand  shares.  The  road  was  completed,  the  con-  ^""^  '^°dy  was  named  Berks  and  Chester  Railroad 
solidation  effected,  and  the  city  bonds  were  returned.  Company ;  and  the  company  was  authorized  to  con- 
Trains  began  to  run  to  Lebanon  in  June,  1857;  -^^''^.f/^^f  JTrr  l^  "°!  exceedmg  nine  miles 
and  to  Harrisburg  in  January,  1858.  '  Length  of  ll^'^'St.  ^Ih  Zt\  T  ^^^^^^  T^  ^'^''^^ 
this  railroad  in  th%  countv,  sixteen  miles;  wfth  the  f  If^'lr^^  '^  WffT.f"'  '""^  Pennsylvania  State 
following  stations:  Sinking  Spring,  Wernersville,  ^'"mm  nnir  L  f  ^  consohda  ion  with  this 
■n  ,         •     -i^r        1   1     i:      ^  Company   under  the   name   of  the   Wilming-ton   & 

"i'^TvV^rn^^i  .  0  i..r  A.  Reading  Railroad  Company.  The  name  wis  sub 
East  PENN.-On  March  9,  1856,  an  Act  was  sequently  changed  to  Wilmington  &  Northern  Rail- 
pa.ssed  incorporating  the  Reading  and  Lehigh  ,^^^  Companv.  The  road  was  opened  for  travel 
Railroad  Company  for  a  railroad  froni  the  June-  ^s  follows:  From  Wilmington  to  CoatesviUe, 
ion  of  the  Phi  adelphia  &  Reading  and  the  Lebanon  thtrtv-three  miles,  in  December,  1869  •  to  Birdsboro 
\  a  ley  railroads  at  Reading,  to  the  Lehigh  Valley  sixty-three  miles,  in  June,  1870;  and  to  Readino-' 
railroad  at  Allentown.  The  title  of  the  company  seventy-two  miles,  in  Februarv  1874  It  was  con- 
was  changed  to  "East  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com-  structed  to  a  point  in  Poplar  Neck  '  and  the  road 
pany,"  by  Act  passed  April  21,  1857.  The  construe-  from  that  point  was  extended  through  Reading  by 
tion  of  the  roadway  began  in  June  following.    The  the  Berks  County  Railroad  Company 


INDUSTRY   OF   COUNTY 


39 


The  passenger  station  of  the  company  at  Read- 
ing was  for  a'  time  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Sec- 
ond and  Cherry  streets.  In  1882  the  company  effec- 
ted an  arrangement  to  run  its  trains  to  and  from 
the  station  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Rail- 
road Company;  and  in  1903  the  road  was  leased  to 
the  latter  company. 

The  following  stations  are  in  the  county:  Birds- 
boro.  White  Bear,  Geigertown,  Joanna.  The  pas- 
senger station  at  Birdsboro  is  a  handsome  structure. 
Length  in  county,  twenty  miles. 

West  Reading. — The  •  manufacturers  situated 
along  the  Schuylkill  canal  secured  an  Act  on  March 
20,  1860,  to  construct  a  railroad  from  the  Lebanon 
Valley  railroad  at  Fourth  street  to  a  point  on  Canal 
street  near  the  gas  works,  and  to  organize  a  com- 
pany under  the  name  of  West  Reading  Railroad 
Company.  The  road  was  constructed,  in  length 
nearly  two  miles,  and  opened  for  traffic  in  1863. 
This  company  operated  it  for  ten  years,  and  then 
transferred  it  to  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Rail- 
road Co.,  by  which  company  it  has  been  used  since, 
as  a  branch  road  in  delivering  and  receiving  freight. 

COLEBROOKDALE. — In  March,  1865,  a  railroad  was 
constructed  from  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  rail- 
road at  Pottstown  to  Boyertown  and  a  company 
was  incorporated  under  the  name  of  "Colebropkdale 
Railroad  Company."  The  road  was  constructed  to 
Barto,  a  distance  of  nearly  thirteen  miles,  and 
opened  to  travel  in  November,  1869. 

The  stations  in  the  county  are  Manatawny,  Iron- 
stone, Colebrookdale,  Boyertown,  Bechtelsville, 
Barto.  It  was  leased  to  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Railroad  Company  on  Jan.  1,  1870,  for  twenty 
years,  which  lease  was  renewed. 

KuTZTOWN  Branch. — In  1854  a  company  was 
incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  Allentown  Rail- 
'road  Company,  to  construct  a  railroad  from  Allen- 
town  to  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad  at  any 
point  between  Reading  and  Port  Clinton;  and  if 
this  railroad  should  not  be  extended  by  way  of 
Kutztown,  a  branch  should  be  constructed  to  that 
place.  -Subsequently  a  section  of  the  road  was  con- 
structed from  Topton  to  Kutztown,  in  length  four 
and  a  half  miles,  and  opened  for  travel  in  January, 
1870.  It  has  been  operated  since  by  the  Philadel- 
phia &  Reading  Railroad  Company  under  a  lease. 

Schuylkill  &  Lehigh. — In  March,  1871,  a  com- 
pany was  incorporated  for  the  purpose  of  construct- 
ing a  railroad  from  a  point  on  the  Wilmington  & 
Northern  railroad,  at  or  near  Birdsboro,  through 
Reading,  to  connect  with  any  railroad  or  railroads 
in  the  county  of  Lehigh;  commissioners  were  ap- 
pointed and  a  company  was  created  by  the  name  of 
"Berks  County  Railroad  Company,"  and  it  was  con- 
structed from  the  "Cut"  in  "Poplar  Neck,"  through 
Reading,  by  way  of  the  Maiden  creek,  to  Slating- 
ton,  where  connection  was  made  with  the  Lehigh 
Valley  railroad,  a  total  length  of  forty-five  miles. 
The  road  was  opened  for  travel  in  July,  1874. 
Shortly  afterward,  the  road  was  sold  and  a  reor- 
ganization effected  under  the  name  of  "Berks  & 


Lehigh  Railroad  Company" ;  and  subsequently  this 
name  was  changed  to  "Schuylkill  &  Lehigh  Rail- 
road Company."  The  road  is  carried  on  by  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  Company  under 
a  lease.  The  length  of  the  road  in  the  county  is 
twenty-four  miles,  and  the  stations  are  Maiden- 
creek,  Evansville,  Moselem,  Virginville,  Lenharts- 
ville,  Kempton. 

Belt  Line. — For  a  number  of  years  the  increas- 
ing traffic  on  the  main  line  of  the  Philadelphia  & 
Reading  railroad  rendered  its  passage  through 
Reading  more  and  more  difficult  to  handle,  and 
finally,  in  1900,  the  management  determined  to  re- 
lieve the  great  congestion  which  extended  from  the 
"Walnut  street  Cut"  northward  several  miles,  by 
constructing  a  "Belt  Line"  around  Reading;  which 
started  at  a  point  called  the  "Junction,"  in  Muhlen- 
berg township,  about  a  mile  north  of  the  main  sta- 
tion at  Reading,  thence  crossing  the  river  and  pass- 
ing through  Bern,  Spring  and  Cumru  townships, 
and  ending  in  the  main  line  about  two  miles  south 
of  Reading.    It  was  opened  for  traffic  in  1902. 

Signal  Service. — From  the  beginning  of  the 
service  on  the  P.  &  R.  railroad  the  company  main- 
tained along  the  main  line  a  number  of  "signal 
towers"  for  the  purpose  of  notifying  the  trainmen 
as  to  the  situation  and  movement  of  the  trains ;  then 
the  "Hall  block  system"  was  introduced,  as  a  more 
reliable  system,  and  it  has  proved  very  useful  and 
satisfactory. 

Pennsylvania  Schuylkill  Valley. — The 
Phoenixville,  Pottstown  &  Reading  Railroad  Com- 
pany was  incorporated  on  Sept.  30,  1882,  for  oper- 
ating a  railroad  from  Phoenixville  to  Reading,  by 
way  of  Pottstown;  and  on  the  same  day,  the  Phil- 
adelphia, Norristown  &  Phoenixville  Railroad  Com- 
pany was  incorporated  for  operating  a  railroad  from 
Philadelphia  to  Phoenixville.  On  May  1,  1883, 
these  two  companies  were  consolidated,  under  the 
name  of  Pennsylvania  Schuylkill  Valley  Railroad 
Company,  and  a  month  afterward  a  lease  was  effec- 
ted with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company.  The 
latter  company  then  constructed  the  railroad  from 
Philadelphia  to  Reading,  by  way  of  Norristown  and 
Phoenixville,  during  1883  and  1884,  opening  it  to 
Reading  on  Nov.  ■  15,  1884.  In  the  course  of  its 
construction  the  company  erected  four  substantial 
bridges  across  the  Schuylkill  within  the  county — 
Douglas sville,  Poplar  Neck,  Little  Dam,  and  Read- 
ing— and  three  handsome  passenger  stations :  Doug- 
lassville,  Birdsboro,  Reading. 

The  length  of  this  railroad  from  Reading  to  the 
Montgomery  county  line  is  fourteen  miles. 

The  Penn  street  bridge  stood  in  the  way  of  im- 
provements by  this  company  at  the  foot  of  Penn 
street,  and,  in  pursuance  of  a  proposition  by  this 
company  to  substitute  a  superior  iron  bridge  in  its 
place,  at  a  cost  of  $100,000,  provided  the  county  of 
Berks  contributed  $33,000,  the  old  wooden  bridge 
was  removed  and  the  present  handsome  iron  bridge 
was  erected  during  the  years  1884  and  1885. 


40 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENjNSYLVANIA 


The  Reading  &  Pottsville  Railroad  Company  was 
incorporated  afterward  for  operating  a  railroad 
from  Reading  to  Pottsville,  by  way  of  Hamburg 
and  Port  Clinton,  and  this  was  constructed  during 
1884  and  1885,  as  a  continuation  of  the  railroad 
from  Philadelphia  to  the  coal  regions.  It  was  op- 
ened to  Hamburg  on  Dec.  7,  1885,  and  in  1886  to 
Pottsville.  On  Dec.  1,  1885,  this  road  was  also 
leased  to  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company.  The 
company  erected  a  fine  station  at  Hamburg.  The 
length  of  the  railroad  northward  from  Reading  to 
the  Schuylkill  county  line  is  twenty  miles ;  and  the 
total  length  in  the  county  is  thirty-four  miles.  A 
fifth  bridge  was  constructed  obliquely  across  the 
Schuylkill  river  at  Hamburg. 

Electric  Railways. — Street  railways  began  to 
be  laid  down  in  Reading  in  1874,  but  a  number  of 
years  elapsed  before  they  were  operated  success- 
fully. The  first  extensions  of  the  system  were  made 
into  the  surrounding  country  districts  as  follows: 
To  the  Black  Bear  Inn  and  Stony  Creek  in  1890 ; 
and  an  extension  was  made  from  a  point  near  the 
latter  place  to  Boyertown  in  1902,  by  way  of  Jack- 
sonwald,  Oley  Line,  Friedensburg  and  Shanesville; 
and  an  extension  from  Black  Bear  Inn  to  Birds- 
boro  in  1904  by  way  of  Seyfert  and  Gibraltar. 

To  Shillington  and  Mohnsville  (now  Mohnton) 
in  1890;  and  an  extension  to  Adamstown  was  con- 
structed in  1894. 

To  Womelsdorf,  on  the  bed  of  the  Berks  and 
Dauphin  turnpike,  in  1894. 

To  Temple  in  1902 ;  which  was  extended  to  Kutz- 
town  in  1904.  A  line  had  been  extended  from  Al- 
lentown  to  Kutztown  in  1898  and  operated  to  that 
point.  When  the  connection  was  made  in  1904, 
through  travel  was  effected  from  Reading  to  Allen- 
town;  and  this  route  then  began  to  be  utilized  for 
cheap  Sunday  excursions  to  New  York  in  the  sum- 
mer season. 

These  suburban  lines  opened  travel  to  all  points 
surrounding  Reading,  excepting  to  Hamburg  to  the 
north,  and  to  Bernville,  Rehrersburg  and  Millers- 
burg  to  the  northwest.  The  former  point  is  reached 
conveniently  by  two  steam  railways,  but  the  latter 
can  still  only  be  reached  by  stage  lines  or  by  pri- 
vate conveyance. 

The  extension  of  these  lines  from  Reading  has 
encouraged  building  operations  and  the  develop- 
ment of  suburban  towns  to  a  remarkable  degree, 
more  especially  since  1900.  This  is  apparent  at 
Hyde  Park  to  the  north;  at  Wyomissing  to  the 
west ;  at  Oakbrook  and  Shillington  to  the  southwest ; 
and  at  Mt.  Penn  and  Esterly  to  the  southeast. 

Additional  lines  are  in  contemplation:  from 
Womelsdorf  to  Myerstown,  westward ;  from  Temple 
to  Hamburg,  northward;  and  from  Lyons  to  Top- 
ton  and  Emaus,  northward. 

A  line  was  completed  in  1908  from  Pottstown 
to  Boyertown  via  Ringing  Rocks  Park  and  Gil- 
bertsville. 


POST-OFFICES 

The  postal  department  of  the  public  service  is 
classed  with  the  internal  improvements  of  the  coun- 
ty. The  first  attempt  to  systematize  and  regulate 
postal  communication  in  the  American  Colonies  was 
made  by  the  British  government  in  1660;  and  this 
subject  received  the  attention  of  William  Penn 
shortly  after  his  arrival  in  Pennsylvania,  he  having, 
in  July,  1683,  issued  an  order  for  the  establishment 
of  a  post-office  at  Philadelphia.  The  postal  facili- 
ties in  that  early  period  were  only  such  as  were  af- 
forded by  personal  accommodation  among  the  col- 
onists. In  1692,  the  rate  of  postage  to  and  from 
Philadelphia,  within  a  radius  of  eighty  miles,  was 
fourpence-halfpenny. 

The  office  of  Postmaster-General  for  America 
was  created  by  Parliament  in  1704.  In  1737,  Benja- 
min Franklin  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Phila- 
delphia, and  in  1753,  deputy  postmaster-general. 
The  delivery  of  letters  by  the  penny  post  began  in 
1753  ;  and  also  the  practice  of  advertising  unclaimed 
letters  which  remained  in  the  office  at  Philadelphia. 
In  1774  Franklin  became  obnoxious  to  the  British 
government,  and  he  was  therefore  dismissed.  This 
caused  private  arrangements  to  be  made  for  carry- 
ing letters,  and  in  1775,  the  Colonies  established 
their  own  postal  department,  and  on  July  26th 
Franklin  was  unanimously  chosen  postmaster-gen- 
eral. This  was  an  important  action  in  connec- 
tion with  the  movement  for  independence.  In  1792, 
rates  of  postage  were  established,  which  remained 
unchanged  for  over  fifty  years. 

Reading  Office  Established. — The  first  post- 
office  in  the  county  was  established  at  Reading  on 
March  20,  1793.  The  department  had  been  in  prac- 
tical existence  for  nearly  twenty  years.  The  popu- 
lation here  was  large  and  business  transactions  were 
numerous,  but  correspondence  was  limited.  Letters 
had  been  carried  for  several  years  previously  by  a 
stage  line  to  Philadelphia  and  to  Harrisburg,  at  the 
rate  of  threepence  postage ;  and  about  the  year  1800 
they  began  to  be  carried  to  Sunbury  once  a  week 
on  horseback,  and  to  Lancaster  and  Easton  once  a 
week  in  a  private  two-horse  carriage.  After  the 
stage-coach  had  become  a  fixed  mode  of  transpor- 
tation for  people  and  light  articles  of  merchandise, 
at  regular  intervals,  postal  matter  began  to  be  car- 
ried by  it  from  place  to  place. 

The  mails  were  carried  by  stages  till  the  intro- 
duction of  the  railways ;  then  passenger  trains  were 
substituted. 

Stamps. — No  postage  stamps  were  issued  by  the 
national  government  till  August,  1847,  when  two 
denominations  were  issued — -five-cent  and  ten-cent. 
The  idea  of  using  postage  stamps  was  first  sug- 
gested in  1841.  Previously,  postage  had  been  col- 
lected entirely  in  money ;  and  in  all  cases,  pre-pay- 
ment  was  optional.  The  two  denominations  men- 
tioned continued  in  use  four  years;  then  new  de- 
nominations for  one  cent  and  three  cents  appeared, 
and  shortly  afterward  others  for  five,  ten,  twelve. 


INDUSTRY   OF   COUNTY 


41 


twenty-four,  thirty  and  ninety  cents.  In  1861  this 
series  was  called  in  by  the  postmaster-general,  and 
a  new  series  issued.  On  July  1,  1863,  the  first  two- 
cent  stamp  appeared;  which  was  to  accommodate 
local  postage.  In  1869  a  new  series  was  issued,  of 
the  denominations  of  one,  two,  three,  five,  six,  ten, 
fifteen,  thirty  and  ninety  cents;  and  a  year  after- 
ward, the  following  designs  were  adopted  for  these 
stamps :  One-cent,  Franklin ;  two-cent,  Jackson ; 
three-cent,  Washington;  five-cent,  Jackson;  six- 
cent,  Lincoln;  ten-cent,  Jefferson;  fifteen-cent, 
Webster;  thirty-cent,  Hamilton;  ninety-cent.  Perry. 
Designs  of  persons  on  stamps  in  honor  of  distin- 
■guished  representative  men  of  our  country  had  been 
in  use  from  their  first  introduction,  particularly  of 
Franklin  and  Washington. 

Post-Offices  of  County. — The  following  post- 
offices  have  been  established  in  the  county.  They 
are  arranged  in  the  order  of  their  priority. 

JJo.       Name  Established 

1.  Reading    March   20,  1793 

2.  Hamburg    July     1,  1798 

3.  Kutztown    July     1,  1805 

4.  Morgantown    Jan.    1,  1806 

5.  Womelsdorf   July     1,  1807 

6.  Rehrersburg    May    27,  1818 

7.  Longswamp April   18,  1822 

8.  Blandon   Nov.     2,  1825 

9.  Klinesville    Dec.  16,  1825 

10.  Bethel   ; Dec.  21,  1827 

11.  Brower    Jan.     7,1828 

12.  Dale    Jan.  35,  1828 

13.  Colebrookdale Feb.    4,  1828 

14.  Boyertown     Feb.  14,  1828 

15.  Oley    March    14,  1828 

16.  Brumfield    March    27,  1828 

17.  Geiger's  Mill   March    27,  1828 

18.  New   Jerusalem    May   36,  1828 

19.  Douglassville   March     3,  1829 

:20.     Grimville     Jan.  14,  1830 

Zl.    Shartlesville    Feb.    9,  1830 

22.    Hereford    March    6,  1830 

■23.    Joanna   Furnace    Dec.  29,  1830 

24.  Sinking  Spring  June    25,  1831 

25.  Stouchsburg     March    23,  1833 

■26.     Bernville   Aug.  16,  1832 

27.  Shoemakersville     Jan.  14,  1833 

28.  Pikeville     March    12,  1834 

■29.     Pricetown     Feb.     6,  1835 

30.  Lobachsville     April   10,/  1835 

31.  Baumstown     Dec.  21,  1835 

32.  Mohrsville    May   10,  1836 

33.  Gibraltar    June   16,  1836 

34.  Tuckerton     ".  .Jan.  26,  1838 

35.  Earlville     Aug.     2,  1838 

36.  MoUto-wn     Aug.  30,  1839 

37.  Virginville    Aug.  30,  1839 

'38.  Lo^wer   Bern    June    13,  1841 

39.  Albany    Dec.  33,  1845 

40.  Moselem    Springs Jan.  14,  1846 

41.  Stonersville    Jan.  18,  1847 

42.  Monterey   May   19,  1847 

43.  Strausstown    Nov.  18,  1847 

44.  Robesonia  Furnace   Feb.  28,  1849 

45.  Crosskill    Mills     Oct.  16,  1849 

46.  Siesholtzville    Nov.     8,  1849 

47.  Tulpehocken    March   19,  1850 

-48.     Qayton    June   21,  1850 


49.  Birdsboro    Jan.    6,  1851 

50.  Leesport    Jan.  21,  1851 

51.  Manata-wny    March   19,  1851 

53.  Spangsville     Sept.  19,  1851 

■53.  Fleetwood     ■. Feb.  16,  1853 

54.  Leinbach's     Feb.  16,  1852 

55.  Beckersville     Feb.  18,  1853 

56.  Host    April    32,  1852 

57.  Bechtelsvilk     May     7,1852 

58.  Greshville     Feb.  10,  1853 

59.  Dryville May     3,  1853 

60.  Wernersville    ' May     3,  1853 

61.  Fredericksvilile     Aug.  20,  1853 

62.  Landis'  Store   Aug.  30,  1853 

63.  Maxatawny    Nov.    5,  1853 

64.  Mount  Aetna    Oct.  3,  1854 

65.  Lenhartsville    Dec.  11,  1854 

66.  Gouglersvilk     July    16,  1855 

67.  Monocacy   Jan.  39,  1856 

68.  Knauer's    March     3,  1856 

69.  Moselem    July     8,  1856 

70.  South  Evansville  July     8,  1856 

71.  Windsor  Castle  July   18,  1856 

73.  Wintersville    July    10,  1857 

73.  Temple    , July   30,1857 

74.  Mohn's    Store*    Nov.     6,  1857 

75.  Mertztown     Dec.    8,  1857 

76.  Cumru March     6„  1858 

77.  Kirbyville     Oct.  31,  185|9 

78.  Bower's    Station    June  35,  1860 

79.  Lyons    Station    Oct.  25,  1860 

80.  Topton     Aug.  29,  1861 

81.  Exeter    Dec.  25,  1861 

83.  Maiden  Creek    April    18,  1862 

83.  Eagle  Point   ' Aug.  14,  1862 

84.  Fritztown    Nov.  12,  1862 

85.  Alsace   Feb.  12,  1863 

86.  Upper  Bern    Aug.  28,  1863 

87.  Hill  Church   May   27,  1864 

88.  North  Heidelberg  > June    22,  1864 

89.  Lower  Heidelberg    July     1,1864 

90.  Krick's   Mill    Sept.  11,  1865 

91.  Hiester's    Mill    Dec.     2,1865 

93.  Yellow  House   May     9,  1866 

93.  Mountain     Sept.  19,  1866 

94.  Shanesville    May     3,  1867 

95.  Centreport    June    11,  1868 

96.  Stony  Run   Jan.  11,  1869 

97.  Scarlet  Mill    Aug.     4,  1869 

98.  Hummel's    Store    Sept.  29,  1869 

99.  Griesemersville   June  29,  1870 

lOto.  Lime-Kiln     ■ June   29,  1870 

101.  Jacksonwald    Nov.  11,  1870 

102.  Pine  Iron  Works    Feb.  24,  1871 

103.  Little  Oley    April   21,  1871 

104.  Monocacy  Station    May    13,  1872 

105.  West  Leesport    Sept.  30,  1872 

106.  Huff's  Church  March     2,  1874 

107.  Trexler     Nov.     9,  1874 

108.  East  Berkley March  12,  1875 

109.  Bern     May   23,  1878 

110.  Cacoosing     June      6,  1878 

111.  Stony  Creek  Mills   May   20,  1879 

112.  Meckville     Dec.  17,  1879 

113.  Berks     Dec.  23,  1879 

114.  Vinemont    April    19,  1880 

115.  Garfield   June   25,  1880 

116.  Kempton     May   17,  1881 

117.  Barto    March  16,  1882 

118.  Angelica     May   22,  1882 

119.  Eckville     Sept.     8,  1882 

120.  New    Berlinville    Feb.  23,  1883 

121.  Bally     Aug.     7,  1883 

132.  Schweyers     April    14,  1884 

133.  Shamrock  Station May  14,  1884 

134.  Schubert    r June     6,  1884 

•Charged  to   Mohnton  Aug.  0,   1906. 


42 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


125.  Shillington     July    14,  1884 

126.  Lorah    Dec.     5,  1884 

127.  Athol     Jan.     6,1885 

128.  Walter's    Park     March      3,  1885 

129.  Krumville     July     7,  1885 

130.  Calcium     July     7,  1885 

131.  Robesonia     Jan.  15,  1886 

132.  Schofer     Feb.  26,  1886 

133.  Obold   April  20,  1886 

134.  Eshbach     May     3,1886 

135.  Dreibelbis     June   10,  1886 

136.  Scull    Hill    Aug.  30,  1887 

137.  Dengler's*     Nov.  19,  1887 

138.  Hancock    March     3,  1888 

139.  .  Strause    Aug.  28,  1900 

140.  Greenawalt    March   20,  1903 

Rural  Free  Delivery.' — The  following  58  rural 
free  delivery  routes  were  established  in  Berks  coun- 
ty from  1900  until  Dec.  1,  1908,  the  first  having 
been  established  at  Hamburg  in  the  extreme  north- 
ern part  of  the  county,  Sept.  1,  1900,  and  their  ar- 
rangement being  set  forth  in  the  order  of  priority: 

Office  Routes  Established 

Hamburg 2  Sept.     1,  1900 

Reading     1  Oct.     1,  1901 

Douglassville    4  Feb.     2,  1903 

Fleetwood    1  July     1,  1903 

Bechtelsville    2  July     1,  1903 

Shoemakersville     1  July     1,  1903 

Hamburg   2  Sept.     1,  1903 

Boyertown     1  Oct.  15,  1903 

Kutztown     1  April     1,  1904 

Robesonia    2  April     1,  1904 

Birdsboro     2  May    2,  1904 

Sinking   Spring    3  Sept.     1,  1904 

Reading    1  Oct.  15,  1904 

Geiger's   Mills    1  Nov.     1,  1904 

Blandon     : 1  Nov.  15,  1904 

Fleetwood    1  Nov.  15,  1904 

Leesport     1  Nov.  15,  1904 

Shoemakersville     1  Nov.  15,  1904 

Temple    1  Nov.  15,  1904 

Mertztov^Jn  1  Dec.     1,  1904 

Boyertown     1  Jan.     2,  1905 

Stouchsburg    1  Jan.  16,  1905 

Wernersville  2  Jan.  15,  1905 

Kutztown     I  Feb.     1,  1905 

Barto     2  Feb.  15,  1905 

JMertztoWn 1  Feb.  15,  1905 

West  Leesport  1  Feb.  15,  1905 

Oley     3  April  15,  1905 

Bernville    1  i\Iay     1,  1905 

Kempton    3  May    1,  1905 

JMohnsville    1  May  15,  1905 

Oley 1  j\Iay  15,  1905 

Geiger's  Mills  1  May  23,  1905 

Mohrsville   1  Aug.     1,  1905 

Bernville    1  Oct.  16,  1905 

Mohnsville 1  Nov.     1,  1905 

Virginville   1  Nov.  15,  1905 

Bethel    1  Dec.     1,  1905 

Stony  Creek  Mills   1  Nov.     1,  1906 

Lenhartsville  1  April  16,  1907 

The  following  fifty  offices  have  been  discontinued 
since  1900  as  a  direct  result  of  introducing  the  rural 
free  deliver}' : 

POST-OFFICES   DISCONTINUED 
Office  Date 

Alleghenyville Oct.  31,  1905 

Alliance     Oct.  13,  1905 

*  Changed  to  Mount  Penn,  December  11,  1903. 


Angelica    May  31^ 

Basket    May  31 

Baumstown    April  30, 

Beckersville    Oct.  31; 

Brewer     Jan.  31, 

Brumfieldville     Aug.  15, 

Cacoosing    Oct.  31 

Cross-kill  Mills   June  15, 

Dale   Dec.  14, 

Dreibelbis     Nov.  30, 

Eagle   Point    March  31, 

East  Berkley  April  30, 

Eshbach    Feb.  28 

Freeman     June  15 

Gablesville     Aug.  15 

Garfield    Jan.  31 

Gouglersville     Jan.  14, 

Greenawalt     April  29, 

Greshvilk     Aug.  15, 

Grill    Jan.  31, 

Harlem     Nov.  14, 

Huffs   Church    .' Oct.  31, 

KirbyviUe    June  30, 

Knauer's Oct.  31 

Leinbach's  Jan.  31, 

Lesher    Jan.  15, 

Liscum     Feb.  15 

Lobachsville    June  30, 

Lorah    Jan.  31, 

Lower   Heidelberg    Jan.  31, 

Moselem    Dec.  14, 

Moselem  Springs .  May  31 

North  Heidelberg  Jan.  31, 

Oakbrook     Oct.  31 

Obold    Oct.  15 

Passmore    March  31, 

Pikeville    June  30, 

Pricetown     June  30, 

Schubert    Nov.  3o! 

Schweyers    Nov.  30, 

Scull  Hill  Oct.  14 

South  Evansville    Jan.  31 

Stonetown    April  1 

Strausstown     April  30, 

Tuckerton    June  15 

Upper    Bern     Sept.  29 

Windsor  Castle   May  31 

Winters  ville    Jan.  14 

MAIL    OF    DISCONTINUED    OFFICES 


1905 
1905 
1904 
1906 
1903 
1906 
1902 
1905 
1903 
1905 
1904 
1908 
1907 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1906 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1904 
1906 
1903 
1905 
1907 
1906 

loo's 

1906 
1907 
1907 
1907 
1908 
1907 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1906 
1905 
1905 
1904 
1905 
1907 
1904 
1907 
1905 
1906 
1906 
1905 


_  The  mail   formerly  addressed   to   the   following   discon- 
tinued post-offices,  is  sent  as  follows : 

Alsace    mail    to    Oley 

Angelica   mail  to    Mohnton 

Baumstown    mail    to     Birdsboro 

Beckersville  mail  to   Geiger's  Mills 

Brower  mail   to    Douglassville 

Brumfieldville  mail  to  Douglassville 

Cacoosing  mail  to Sinking  Spring 

Colebrookdale  mail  to   Pottstown 

Crosskill  Mills   mail  to    Myerstown 

Cumru   mail   to    ShilHngton 

Dale  mail  to    Barto 

Eagle  Point  mail  to   Kutztown 

East    Berkley    mail    to    Blandon 

Eckville   mail   to    Albany 

Exeter  mail  to    Lorane 

Garfield    mail    to    Bernville 

Gouglersville  mail  to    Reinholds 

Greshville  mail  to    Boyertown 

Heidelberg  Lower  mail  to   Wernersville 

Heidelberg   North   mail   to    Robesonia 

Hiester's    Mill    mail    to    Robesonia 

Kirbvville  mail  to   Fleetwood 


INDUSTRY   OF   COUNTY 


43 


Knauer's   mail   to    Mohnton 

Leinbach's  mail  to  Reading  R.  F.  D.  No.  2 

Lobachsville  mail  to   Oley 

Longswamp  mail  to  Mertztown 

Lo'rah  mail   to   Sinking  Spring 

Lower  Bern  mail  to  Robesonia 

Obold  mail   to    Robesonia 

Pikeville  mail  to    Oley 

Pricetown   mail    to    Fleetwood 

Schweyers  mail  to    Mertztown 

Siesholtzville   mail   to Alburtis 

South  Evansville  mail  to   West  Leesport 

Stonetown  mail  to   Birdsboro 

Strause  mail  to   West  Leesport 

Tuckerton  mail  to  Reading  R.  F.  D.  No.  2 

Upper  Bern  mail  to   Hamburg 

Windsor  Castle  mail  to   Hamburg 

Wintersville  mail  to Richland 

OFFICES  IN  COUNTY 

The  following  offices  were  in  Berks  county  in  January, 
1909.  The  figures  after  post-offices  denote  number  of  rural 
free  delivery  routes  running  from  that  office. 


Albany 

Athol 

Bally 

Barto — 2 

Bechtelsville — 2 

Berks 

Berne 

Bernharts 

Bemville — 2 

Bethel— 1 

Birdsboro — 2 

Blandon — 1 

Bowers   Station 

Boyertown 

Calcium 

Centreport 

Chapel 

Clayton 

Dauberville 

Douglas  sville — i 

Dryville 

Earlville 

Esterly 

Fleetwood — 2 

Fredericksville 

Fritztown 

Geiger's  Mills— 3 

Gibraltar 

Griesemersville 

Grimville 

Hamburg — t 

Hancock 

Hereford 

Hill  Church 

Host 

Hummel's  Store 

Jacksonwald 

Joanna 

Kempton — 2 

Klinesville 

Krick's  Mill 

Krumsville 

Kutztown 

Landis  Store 

Leesport — 1 

Lenhartsville 

Limekiln 

Little  Oley 

Lorane 

Lyons   Station 

Maiden-creek 

Manatawny 


Maxatawny 

Meckville 

Mertztown — 2 

Mohnton — 2 

Mohrsville — 1 

Molltown 

Monocacy 

Monocacy   Station 

Montello 

Monterey 

Morgantown 

Mount  Aetna 

Mountain 

Mountain  Sunset 

Mount  Penn 

New  Berlinville 

New  Jerusalem 

Oley— 4 

Pine  Iron  Works 

Plowville 

Reading — 2 

Rehrersburg 

Robesonia — 2 

Ryeland 

Scarletts  Mill 

Schofer 

Siesholtzville 

Shamrock  Station 

Shanesville 

Shartlesville 

Shillington 

Shoemakersville — 2 

Sinking  Spring — 3 

Spangsville 

Stonersville 

Stony  Creek  Mills— 1 

Stony  Run 

Stouchsburg — 1 

Strausstown 

Temple — 1 

Topton 

Trexler 

Vinemont 

Virginville — 1 

Walter's  Park 

Wernersville — 2 

West  Leesport — 1 

West  Reading 

Womelsdorf 

Wyomissing 

Yellow  House 


TELEGRAPH 

In  1844,  the  telegraph  was  successfully  intro- 
duced for  the  transmission  of  messages  by  elec- 
tricity. The  first  message  was  sent  through  a  wire 
elevated  on  poles  between  Washington  and-  Balti- 
more, May  37,  1844.  Congress  had  (in  March 
previously)  appropriated  $30,000  to  Prof.  Morse 
for  experiments  with  his  instrument,  to  demonstrate 
the  practicability  of  his  invention. 

P.  R.  &  P.  T.  Co. — A  company  was  incorporated 
under  the  name  of  Philadelphia,  Reading  &  Potts- 
ville  Telegraph  Company,  by  an  Act  passed  March 
15,  1847,  for  the  purpose  of  making,  using  and 
maintaining  telegraph  lines  between  Philadelphia, 
Reading  and  Pottsville,  and  commissioners  were  ap- 
pointed to  effect  its  organization.  This  company  was 
organized  in  April,  and  the  telegraph  line  was  suc- 
cessfully established  shortly  afterward.  Communi- 
cation was  completed  between  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  on  May  10, 1847 ;  and  the  first  message  for- 
warded to  Reading  related  to  the  Mexican  war. 
The  line  has  been  maintained  successfully  ever 
since. 

Upon  the  construction  and  operation  of  the  sev- 
eral railroads  running  from  Reading,  telegraph 
lines  were  extended  to  Harrisburg,  Allentown,  Col- 
umbia, Lancaster,  Slatington,  and  Wilmington. 

Western  Union. — The  American  Telegraph 
Company  introduced  a  line  of  telegraph  here  in 
1863;  and,  in  1865,  the  Western  Union  Telegraph 
Company.  These  two  then  formed  a  union;  and 
the  lines  have  been  operated  since  under  the  latter 
name.  In  1879,  this  company  and  the  Philadelphia, 
Reading  &  Pottsville  Telegraph  Company  effected 
an  arrangement  for  co-operation;  since  then  they 
have  conducted  their  lines  together. 

Lehigh. — The  Lehigh  Telegraph  Company  was 
organized  at  Allentown,  and  opened  an  office  at 
Reading  in  September,  1880.  It 'formed  a  connec- 
tion with  the  principal  cities  in  the  United  States 
through  the  American  Union  Telegraph  Company, 
but  this  connection  was  continued  only  for  a  year 
and  a  half,  when  it  was  changed  to  the  "Mutual 
Union"  for  an  equal  period,  and  it  was  operated 
under  this  name  till  January,  1884,  when  its  lines^ 
etc.,  were  transferred  to  the  Bankers'  &  Merchants' 
Telegraph  Company.  This  company  has  been  op- 
erating the  lines  under  the  name  of  the  United 
Lines  Telegraph  Company,  by  which  it  is  known 
throughout  the  country.  At  Reading  it  is  known 
as  the  "Postal." 

TELEPHONE 

Pennsylvania. — The  telephone  was  introduced 
at  Reading  by  Henry  W.  Spang,  in  October,  1879. 
He  organized  a  system  of  communication  in  the 
city  and  carried  it  on  successfully  until  November, 
1880,  when  he  formed  a  stock  company  for  main- 
taining lines  and  exchanges  in  Berks,  Montgomery, 
Schuylkill  and  Lebanon  counties,  under  the  name 


44 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


of  East  Pennsylvania  Telephone  Company.  This 
company  then  extended  the  system,  making  con- 
nection with  Pottstown,  Pottsville,  and  Lebanon; 
set  up  an  increased  number  of  instruments,  and 
operated  it  successfully  until  Jan  1,  1883,  when  the 
entire  business,  including  wires  and  instruments, 
was  transferred  to  the  Pennsylvania  Telephone 
Company,  a  similar  organization,  which  had  ex- 
tended its  lines  to  Lebanon  from  Harrisburg.  The 
latter  company  has  since  conducted  the  business 
very  successfully.  The  extent  of  its  system  in  the 
county  until  March,  1909,  is  shown  in  the  following 
particulars : 

Miles  of  wire  in  county,  7,720  (of  which  6,200  are  in 
Reading) . 

Instruments  in  county,  3,776  (of  which  3,332  are  in 
Reading). 

Operators,  45 ;   employees,  115. 

Estimated  daily  calls,  35,000. 

Consolidated. — The  Consolidated  Telephone 
Companies  of  Pennsylvania  was  organized  under 
the  laws  of  Pennsylvania  in  August,  1901,  and  by 
June,  1902,  the  plant  was  established  in  Berks  coun- 
ty with  a  "central  exchange"  at  Reading.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1909,  lines  radiated  from  the  exchange  for 
a  distance  of  forty  miles  from  Reading,  touching 
all  the  small  towns  and  villages  in  the  county;  and 
the  toll  system  had  connections  covering  a  radius 
of  several  hundred  miles  to  all  points  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, New  Jersey,  Maryland  and  West  Virginia, 
and  also  to  many  points  in  New  York  and  Ohio. 
The  subscribers  in  Berks  county  numbered  3,200. 


In  the  system  at  Reading,  there  were  then  1,161 
miles  of  wire;  underground  in  multiple  duct  con- 
duits, more  especially  in  the  central  parts  ot  the 
city,  34  miles. 

OIL    PIPE    LINES 

The  National  Transit  Company  constructed  a 
pipe  line,  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  petro- 
leum, in  the  fall  of  1897  from  Millway,  in  Lancaster 
county,  through  the  lower  end  of  Berks  county 
by  way  of  Maple-Grove  school-house,  White-Bear 
Station,  Douglassville  Station,  and  Maxatawny  Sta- 
tion, to  a  place  called  Centre  Bridge  on  the  east- 
bank  of  the  Delaware  river  in  Bucks  county,  fifteen 
miles  north  of  Trenton.  The  line  was  constructed 
from  the  oil  fields  of  northern  Pennsylvania,  which 
connected  with  lines  conveying  oil  from  West  Vir- 
ginia. 

In  the  fall  of  1908  a  similar  line  was  constructed 
by  A.  C.  Bedford  across  the  central  section  of 
Berks  county  from  the  pumping  station  near  Myers- 
town  to  a  pumping  station  located  at  Barto,  near 
the  railroad  station,  private  persons  purchasing  the 
right  of  way  presumably  in  behalf  of  the  Standard 
Oil  Company.  The  capacity  of  this  line  is  about 
20,000  gallons  a  day.  It  is  a  continuation  of  the 
line  from  the  oil  fields  in  Illinois,  which  enters  Penn- 
sylvania near  Negley,  in  Ohio,  and  passes  a  point 
south  of  Altoona  and  Duncannon  to  Myerstown, 
and  from  Barto  by  way  of  Quakertown  to  Centre 
Bridge ;  from  which  point  it  is  pumped  by  way  of 
other  pipe  lines  to  the  seaboard,  where  it  is  refined. 


CHAPTER  III  -  EDUCATION  IN  COUNTY 


RELIGION 

The  spirit  of  religion  was  manifested  by  the  first 
inhabitants  from  the  very  beginning  of  their  set- 
tlements in  this  section  of  Pennsylvania.  They  did 
not  erect  churches  immediately  because  they  were 
obliged  to  look  after  the  erection  of  homes  for  them- 
selves and  barns  for  their  stock  and  products,  and 
to  get  the  soil  in  proper  condition  for  .cultivation. 
Naturally,  this  required  some  years  and  until  they 
secured  churches  of  their  own,  they  traveled  long 
distances  toward  Philadelphia  for  the  purpose 
of  attending  worship.  Funerals  were  necessarily 
condiicted  in  their  homes,  and  burials  were  made 
in  small  lots  of  ground  set  apart  in  the  far  corner 
of  an  adjoining  field. 

By  studying  the  tim«  of  the  erection  of  the 
churches  in  the  several  sections  of  the  county,  it 
is  apparent  that  the  subject  of  religion  occupied  a 
great  deal  of  public  attention,  and  that  the  feeling 
was  general.  Members  of  the  Lutheran  denomina- 
tion erected  the  first  church  in  the  county,  a  small 
church  in  the  southerly  end.  of  Amity  township 
near  the  Schuylkill  river,  about  1703,  having  been 
Swedes;  and  members  of  the  Friends'  Society  es- 
tablished the  next  church,  locating  it  in  the  ex- 
treme upper  end  of  the  township,  about  1735. 


During  the  next  twenty-five  years,  thirty-five 
additional  churches  were  established  by  different  de- 
nominations. So  that  by  the  time  the  county  was 
erected,  in  1753,  there  were  altogether  thirty-eight 
churches  within  its  borders,  south  of  the  Blue 
Mountain.  There  was  also  one  beyond  the  moun- 
tain (the  "Red  Church"),  settlers  having  ventured 
into  that  region  of  territory.  Their  distribution 
in  the  several  sections  was  as  follows : 


FIRST  CHURCH  IN  COUNTY 

The  territory  lying  between"  the  South  Mountain 
and  North  (or  Blue)  Mountain  ranges  was  not 
yet  released  by  the  Indians.  Nevertheless,  the  set- 
tlers in'  the  Tulpehocken  section,  being  Lutherans 
from  the  Palatinate,  established  a  church  along  the 
Tulpehocken  creek  at  the  western  end  of  the  main 
thoroughfare.  This  was  also  about  1735.  Accord- 
ingly, three  churches  were  established  in  this  part 
of  the  Province  until  1735. 


^^ 

1 

s 

D 

"o 

A 

.** 

V 

3 

E 
■2 

n 

rt 

CO 
T3 

.i 

•s 

1 

o 

a. 

c 
a 

'> 
o 

u 

rt 

e 

0 

s 

i 

c 

.J 

K 

kJ 

fe 

m 

M 

w 

'M 

05 

Manatawny     

4 

?. 

9, 

1 

^ 

1 

1 

2 
3 

1 
4 

2 

4 

1 
1 

2 

•>. 

Schuylkill      

1 

2 

1 

9 

S   1   8 

5 

2 

3 

1 

3 

1 

1 

This  table  reveals  the  fact  that  the  religious  in- 
fluence in  this  large  area  of  territory,  about  thirty 
miles  square,  was  mostly  directed  by  the  Lutheran 
and  Reformed  denominations ;  and  this  was  so  in 
all  the  sections  in  about  the  same  proportions  ex- 
cepting the  Schuylkill  section,  where  th*-e  was  no 
Lutheran  nor  Reformed  congregation  at  all  until 
1765.  This  controlling  influence  has  been  continued  ' 
throughout  the  county  from  that  time  until  now, 
not  only  in  the  country  districts  but  also  in  the  city 
of  Reading  and  the  boroughs. 

In  the  next  twenty-five  years,  until  the  Revolu- 
tion broke  out  in  1775,  fifteen  additional  churches 
were  established  as  follows : 

East  of  the  Schuylkill  river,  3  Lutheran,  4  Re- 
formed, 4  Union,  and  1  Episcopal  (at  Reading)  ; 
and  west  of  the  river,  1  Lutheran  and  3  Union. 

The  Molatton  Lutheran  Church  in  Amity  had 
become  Episcopal  in  1765. 

At  that  time,  there  were  in  the  county  53 
churches.  i 

DENOMINATIONS  DESCRIBED 

Lutheran. — Immediately  after  Penn  had  arrived 
m  Pennsylvania,  a  number  of  Germans  immigrated 
to  the  province  and  among  them  there  were  Luth- 
erans. The  tide  of  their  immigration  began  in  ear- 
nest in  1710.  Then  about  three  thousand  immi- 
grants, chiefly  Lutherans,  settled  in  New  York,  hav- 
ing been  encouraged  to  do  so  by  Queen  Anne,  after 
leaving  the  Palatinate  on  account  of  religious  intol- 
erance, and  arriving  in  England.  In  1713,  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  families  settled  in  Schoharie,  New 
York,  some  of  which  ten  years  afterward  came  to 
Tulpehocken,  Pennsylvania.  In  1737,  a  large  num- 
ber of  them  came  into  Pennsylvania  from  various 


46 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY.   PENNSYLVANIA 


parts  of  Germany,  chiefly  from  the  Palatinate;  and 
it  is  beheved  that  many  of  these  settled  in  this  sec- 
tion of  territory,  along  the  Manatawny  and  Tulpe- 
hocken  creeks. 

The  Lutheran  religion  existed  in  the  county,  both 
with  the  Swedes  and  Germans  to  the  east  of  the 
Schuylkill  and  also  with  the  Germans  to  the  west. 
Many  of  the  Germans  were  adherents  of  the  Re- 
formed religion.  The  churches  built  by  these  de- 
nominations were  mostly  ''union"  churches.  In 
nearly  every  instance  the  members  of  the  two  de- 
nominations united  in  bearing  the  cost  jointly, — 
having  appointed  separate  committees  to  co-operate 
in  conducting  the  building  operations.  And  the 
church  services  alternated  every  two  Sundays. 

The  harmony  between  these  denominations  in 
such  a  peculiar  and  jealous  matter  as  religion  dis- 
played the  singular  excellence  and  liberality  of  the 
Germans.  These  people  were  alike  in  general  af- 
fairs, dress,  speech,  labor,  mantiers  and  customs ; 
and  a  difference  in  their  religious  notions  did  not 
develop  any  antagonism  between  them.  Indeed,  the 
one  denomination  frequently  visited  the  church 
services  of  the  other  denomination. 

The  earliest  Lutheran  ministers  who  preached  in 
this  territory  before  the  Revolution  were  Gerhart 
Henckel,  Van  Dueren,  Casper  Stoever,  Cas- 
per Leutbecker,  J.  Philip  Meurer,  Gottlob  Buett- 
ner,  Henry  Melchoir  Muhlenberg,  John  Nicholas 
Kurtz,  Tobias  Wagner,  Valentine  Kraft,  Peter 
Mishler,  Emanuel  Schuize  and  Frederick  A.  C. 
Muhlenberg. 

Rev.  Plenry  Melchoir  Muhlenberg  is  generally 
regarded  as  the  father  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in 
America  in  respect  to  making  it  an  organized  re- 
ligious body.  He  was  stationed  at  the  Trappe  in 
1743,  whence  he  visited  different  Lutheran  organi- 
zations as  far  north  as  the  Blue  Mountain,  and  as 
far  west  as  the  Tulpehocken  settlement.  During 
his  ministerial  journeys  he  made  the  acquaintance 
of  Conrad  Weiser  and  shortly  afterward,  1743, 
married  his  daughter,  Maria. 

Reformed.- — As  mentioned  in  the  previous  sec- 
tion, persons  attached  to  the  Reformed  faith  were 
also  amongst  the  early  settlers,  but  they  were  known 
as  "German  Calvinists,"  or  "Dutch  Reformed." 
Their  first  churches  were  in  Oley,  in  Greenwich, 
and  in  Heidelberg.  In  meeting-houses,  however, 
they  were  mostly  connected  with  the  Lutherans. 
The  early  Reformed  ministers  in  Pennsylvania 
were  assisted  by  the  church  in  Holland.  In  1741,  a 
number  of  German  Bibles  (1,300)  were  sent  here 
for  their  use.  In  1746,  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  the 
great  Reformed  missionary  from  Switzerland,  ar- 
rived, and  he  preached  in  Oley  and  Tulpehocken. 

The  active  ministers  of  the  Reformed  congrega- 
tions in  the  several  sections  of  the  county  before 
ISOO  were  the  following: 


Michael  Schlatter 
WiUiam  H.  Stoy 
John  Waldschmid 
Thomas  H.  Leinbach 
John    C.    Guldin 
John   Zuilch 
John  J.  Zufall 
Andrew  J.  Loretz 


Daniel  Wagner 
F.  J.  Berger 
John  W.  Boos 
J.  Conrad  Bucher 
L.  F.  Herman 
Chas.  G.  Herman 
Philip   Pauli 


Those  in  the  county  about  1840  were : 


J.  Conrad  Bucher 

Thos.  H.  Leinbach 

Chas.  G.  Herman 

L.  C.  Herman 

A.  L.  Herman 

J.    Sassaman  -Herman 

William    Hendel 


Augustus  Pauli 
William   Pauli 
Isaac  Miesse 
David  Bossier 
David  Hassinger 
Philip   Moyer 
Chas.  Schiiltz  ' 


Samuel  Guldin 
John   Pliilip   Boehm 
Geo.  Mich'l  Weiss 
John    Peter    Miller 


John  Henry  Helffrich 
J.  Wm.  Hendel.Sr. 
William  Otterbein 
Philip  J.  Michael 


Friends. — The  Friends  were  the  third  sect  of 
people  who  settled  in  the  county.  They  erected  a 
meeting-house  in  173.5  near  the  Monocacy  creek, 
along  the  western  line  of  the  Swedes'  settlement, 
then  known  as  Amity  township.  Within  the  next 
score  of  years,  they  erected  two  more  meeting- 
houses, one  in  Maiden-creek  townsihip  and  the 
other  in  Robeson  township.  They  built  a  fourth 
at  Reading,  supposed  to  have  been  in  1751,  three 
years  after  the  town  had  been  laid  out  and  just  as 
the  building  improvements  began  to  be  active.  They 
were  most  active  about  that  time  when  the  county 
was  erected  and  for  fifty  years  afterward.  They 
then  exerted  the  most  political  influence  in  the 
county  through  the  recognition  of  the  proprietaries 
of  the  government,  who  were  also  Friends.  And 
their  religious  influence  was  large  and  wide  in  the 
several  localities  mentioned.  But  they  remained 
where  they  first  settled.  They  did  not  extend  be- 
yond Oley  and  Exeter  along  the  2\Ianatawny  and 
Monocacy  creeks,  j\Iaiden-creek  and  Richmond 
along  the  Ontelaunee,  and  Robeson  along  the  Hay 
and  Allegheny  creeks.  And  yet  their  families  were 
numerous  and  their  population  was  considerable.  In 
this  time  it  was  estimated  that  they  numbered  about 
two  thousand.  Their  moral  principles  were  superior 
and  their  habits  and  customs  admirable.  Simple, 
unostentatious,  earnest  and  clever,  with  good  edu- 
cation and  large  means,  they  occupied  a  position 
which  was  eminently  respectable,  and  this  they 
maintained  for  many  years  after  they  had  lost  con- 
trol of  political  power. 

Baptist. — The  first  Baptist  church  in  Pennsyl- 
vania was  established  in  IGSS  at  Pennypack  (now 
called  Lower  Dublin).  In  1738,  a  number  of  Bap- 
tists removed  from  Chester  and  Philadelphia  coun- 
ties and  settled  near  the  banks  of  the  Tulpehocken 
creek,  founding  the  Tulpehocken  Baptist  church, 
and  Thom'as  Jones  was  ordained  the  pastor.  The 
congregation  had  two  meeting-houses.  The  first 
was  built  in  1740  on  a  lot  of  three  acres,  the  gift 
of  Hugh  Morris,  Evan  Lloyd  and  Evan  Price,  in 
the  township  of  Cumru,  on  the  Wyomissing  creek, 
about  two  miles  from  its  outlet  in  the  Schuylkill. 
The  building  was  only  26  by  16  feet. 

Another  building  of  the  same  size,  about  three 
miles  west  from  the  first,  was  built  the  same  year 


EDUCATION    IN    COUNTY 


47 


on  a  lot  of  one  acre,  the  gift  of  Thomas  Bartholo- 
mew and  Hannaniah  Pugh.  This  was  at  a  point 
on  the  "Old  Tulpehocken  Road,"  now  "Sinking 
Spring."  The  building  is  still  standing  but  con- 
verted into  a  dwelling.  It  is  built  of  brick,  octa- 
gonal in  shape.  A  graveyard  lies  at  the  rear,  with 
a  number  of  graves  marked  by  headstones,  now  il- 
legible. 

The  church  (with  Mr.  Jones  as  pastor)  reported 
annually  until  1774,  when  its  name  disappears 
from:  the  records  of  the  Baptist  Association,  the 
pastor  about  that  time  having  removed  to  Chester 
county.  From  that  time  until  now,  no  church  or- 
ganization of  this  denomination  has  been  in  the 
county  outside  of  Reading. 

DuNKAED. — A  religious  denomination  known  as 
the  "Dunkards"  existed  at  an  early  day  in  the 
county.  It  was  also  called  "The  Brethren"  and 
sometimes  "German  Baptists."  Certain  persons  of 
this  denomination  emigrated  from  Germany  in  1719. 
In  1734,  they  held  a  large  general  convention  in  this 
district.  Another  convention  was  held  in  Oley  in 
1742,  which  was  attended  by  "four  priests  of  the 
congregation  at  Ephrata." 

A  meeting-house  of  this  denomination  was  erectr 
en  in  Ruscombmanor  (at  Pricetown),  and  an- 
other in  Bethel  (north  of  Millersburg) ,  before  1752. 
The  Dunkards  were  numerous  in  Oley  from  1730 
to  1745. 

Another  congregation  was  formed  in  the  north- 
western section  of  the  county,  and  comprised  set- 
tlers in  Bethel  and  Tulpehocken  townships.  They 
erected  a  church  in  the  former  township,  along  a 
branch  of  the  Little  Swatara  creek,  about  the  year 
1745. 

There  was  also  a  third  congregation  in  Bern 
and  Upper  Tulpehocken  townships,  along  the 
Northkill,  several  miles  above  the  confluence  of  this 
stream  with  the  Tulpehocken.  A  church  was  erect- 
ed in  1748.  In  1750  Elder  George  Klein  came  from 
New  Jersey  and  settled  amongst  the  members. 
Through  his  energy  the  congregation  flourished  for 
twenty  years.  Then  settlements  in  the  western  part 
of  the  State  influenced  most  of  the  members  to  move 
away.  This  left  the  congregation  without  sufficient 
support,  and  it  naturally  ceased  to  exist. 

Moravian. — The  Moravians  were  among  the 
early  settlers  of  the  county.  This  peculiar  sect  was 
represented  here  by  Count  Zinzendorf,  *who  came 
to  Pennsylvania  in  1741.  In  1742,  he  conducted 
a  synod  in  Oley;  and  afterward  visited  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Tulpehocken.  Shortly  after  this  visit,  a  con- 
gregation of  Moravians  was  organized  in  Bethel 
township.  Between  1742  and  1750  two  churches 
were  erected  in  Heidelberg,  and  one  in  Oley. 

In  September,  1742,  Count  Zinzendorf  visited 
Shamokin,  accompanied  by  Conrad  Weiser,  and 
they  co-operated  with  the  Moravians  for  several 
years.  Tobias  Beckel  and  George  Beckel,  brothers, 
from  Turkheim,  in  Rhenish-Bavaria,  immigrated  to 
Pennsylvania  in  the  fall  of  1736  and  settled  in  this 
part   of  the   province,   the   former   in   Heidelberg 


township,  south  of  Tulpehocken  creek,  and  the  lat- 
ter in  Bern  township,  along  the  Schuylkill  river. 
They  organized  small  congregations  and  preached 
to  them.  Several  years  afterward,  George  Beckel 
removed  to  the  northern  portion  of  Heidelberg  and 
there  carried  on  his  ministrations  in  a  church  which 
was  erected  on  land  donated  by  his  brother. 

Andrew  Aschenbach  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
the  Moravians  in  this  vicinity.  He  settled  in  Oley 
in  1740,  and  preached  for  two  years  with  great  suc- 
cess. Zinzendorf  was  deeply  interested  in  this  con- 
gregation and  devoted  much  time  to  its  affairs. 
Some  years  afterward  disagreements  arose  between 
Aschenbach  and  the  members,  and  these  continued 
until  the  Moravians  lost  all  their  influence;  and  by 
1765  the  church  was  abandoned. 

Amish. — The  Amish  denomination  is  a  branch 
of  the  Mennonites.  The  first  bishop  in  this  vicinity 
(comprising  Berks,  Chester  and  Lancaster  counties) 
was  Jacob  Mast,  who  settled  here  in  1750,  when 
a  boy  about  twelve  years  old,  and  began  to  exhort 
and  preach  about  1765.  He  continued  in  active  and 
faithful  service  for  many  years.  The  second  bishop 
was  Peter  Plank,  who  moved  from  Oley  and  settled 
in  Caernarvon.  And  the  third  was  John  P  Mast, 
who  officiated  as  a  faithful  and  devoted  minister  for 
nearly  fifty  years.  His  father,  Daniel  Mast,  had 
been  a  minister  from  1830  till  1883. 

At  one  time  there  were  three  other  congregations 
in  the  county — one  in  Cumru,  one  in  Maiden-creek 
and  the  third  in  Bern  township  (called  Northkill). 

Roman  Catholic. — The  early  settlers  of  the 
county  until  1740,  were  entirely  Protestants.  Then 
the  Roman  Catholics  appeared.  Their  number  was 
very  small  compared  with  the  number  of  the  other 
denominations.  The  Protestants  having  been  driven' 
here  by  religious  persecution,  caused  by  the  Roman 
Catholic  religion,  and  feeling  the  terrors  of  this  per- 
secution, it  was  natural  for  them  to  discourage  this 
religion  from  obtaining  a  fogthold  in  their  midst; 
which  accounts  for  the  strength  of  the  one  class 
and  the  weakness  of  the  other.  In  1741  the  Roman 
Catholics  had  a  congregation  and  meeting-house  in 
the  extreme  eastern  part  of  the  county  (now  in- 
cluded in  Washington  township)  and  a  congrega- 
tion in  Maxatawny. 

Some  years  afterward,  it  would  seem  that  their 
number  had  grown  so  as  to  awaken  public  concern. 
The  matter  was  forced  upon  the  attention  of  the 
justices  of  the  county,  who  (being  Protestants)  im- 
bibed the  feeling  of  insecurity  entertained  by  the 
surrounding  communities.  The  excitement  incident 
to  the  "French  and  Indian  war"  was  suiHcient  to 
arouse  their  jealousy  and  suspicion,  and  it  was  be- 
lieved that  the  Roman  Catholics  manifested  sym- 
pathy for  the  French  in  their  cruel  warfare  against 
the  Colonies.  The  justices  of  the  county  therefore 
addressed  a  letter  on  the  subject  to  the  Governor 
of  the  province  on  July  23,  1755,  but  nothing  was 
done. 

In  1757,  the  Roman  Catholics  of  the  province 
were  enumerated  with  a  total  of  1,365;  in  Berks 


48 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


county  205,  in  two  congregations.  Under  Rev. 
Theo.  Schneider,  62  men  and  55  women;  under 
Rev.  Ferdinand  Farmer,  46  men  and  42  women 
(among  whom  there  were  eight  Irish  people). 

At  Reading,  they  had  an  association  soon  after 
the  town  was  laid  out ;  and  this  association  was 
maintained,  notwithstanding  the  smallness  of  their 
number  and  the  opposition  of  the  Lutheran  and  Re- 
formed people.  About  1760,  they  succeeded  in  es- 
tablishing a  small  log  church  at  Reading. 

Protestant  Episcop.al. — Three  churches  of  this 
denomination  came  to  figure  prominently  in  the  re- 
ligious history  of  the  county.  The  first  was  the 
St.  Thomas  near  Morgantown,  in  Caernarvon 
township,  which  was  established  on  ground  devised 
by  Thomas  Morgan  about  1740.  It  was  removed 
in  1792  to  the  town,  where  a  lot  was  set  apart  by 
Jacob  Morgan  for  that  purpose.  Several  vears  be- 
fore, the  congregation  had  secured  the  first  regular 
rector.  Rev.  Levi  Bull.  A  substantial  building  was 
erected  in  its  stead  in  1824. 

The  second  church  was  the  St.  Gabriel's,  which 
was  established  at  Molatton  (now  Douglassville) 
in  Amity  township  in  1765,  and  Rev.  Alexander 
Murray  was  the  rector.  A  larger  building  was 
erected  in  its  stead  in  1801,  which  is  still  standing. 
And  a  third  was  erected  near  by  in  1880-84. 

And  the  third  church  was  the  St.  Mary's  (after- 
ward Christ's)  at  Reading.  The  congregation  was 
organized  by  Rev.  Alexander  Alurray  about  1763, 
and  the  services  were  held  in  the  same  dwelling- 
house  which  had  been  secured  for  holding  the  ses- 
sions of  the  county  courts.  No  church  was  erected 
until  1825. 

EvANGELIC.^L. — The  only  other  religious  denom- 
ination which  established  itself  in  the  county  outside 
of  Reading  to  any  considerable  extent  was  the 
Evangelical  Association,  but  not  until  nearly  one 
hundred  years  after  the  county  had  been  erected. 
The  first  congregation  was  organized  bv  Rev. 
Joseph  M.  Saylor  at  Reading  in  1844.  Within  the 
next  ten  years,  others  were  organized  in  dififerent 
parts  of  the  county,  and  the  Association  persevered 
until  it  came  to  possess  churches  in  most  of  the  dis- 
tricts. But  the  buildings  were  small,  especially  out- 
side of  Reading,  and  the  membership  was  limited. 
Their  Christian  zeal  was  strong  and  their  purpose 
very  determined  and  commendable. 

This  sect  was  started  by  Jacob  Albright  in  IROO, 
after  he  had  preached  several  years,  and  the  first 
tangible  results  of  his  religious  work  were  made  to 
appear  in  the  eastern  part  of  Berks  county,  near  the 
Colebrookdale  Iron  Works.  In  that  vicinity,  he  had 
preached  in  the  homes  of  Samuel  Lieser,  Joseph 
Buckwalter  and  Abraham  Buckwalter,  and  the  sec- 
ond class  of  the  organized  body  had  come  to  be 
formed  out  of  the  members  of  the  families  of  the 
three  persons  named,  with  Mr.  Lieser  as  the  class- 
leader.  In  a  similar  manner,  the  work  was  extended 
throughout  the  State.  But  though  the  real  work 
was  started  in  the  country,  the  churches  of  the  As- 


sociation were  not  erected  there  first,  for  the  first 
one  in  the  county  was  not  established  until  1844,  at 
Reading. 

About  1870  a  spirit  of  opposition  began  to  mani- 
fest itself  in  relation  to  church  government  and  this 
increased  until  1890,  when  the  Association  separ- 
ated into  two  great  parties  with  about  60,000  ad- 
herents on  each  side,  called  respectively  the  Dubsites 
and  Esherites.  After  litigating  for  four  years,  the 
Esherites  were  sustained  by  the  courts  in  this  State 
and  others,  and  they  therefore  retained  all  the 
churches  and  the  name  Evangelical  Association. 
The  Dubsites  adopted  the  name  United  EvangeHcal 
and  immediately  began  the  erection  of  churches  for 
themselves.  In  1905,  the  Evangelical  Association 
had  5  churches  in  Reading  and  15  in  the  townships, 
and  the  United  Evangelical,  4  in  Reading,  8  in  the 
boroughs,  and  11  in  the  townships  ;  and  both  together 
43.  Active  work  in  some  of  the  churches  in  the 
country  districts  has  been  suspended,  either  par- 
tially or  entirely. 

Othek  Denominations. — Other  denominations 
than  those  mentioned  were  not  organized  in  the 
county  until  after  1825.  Their  names  and  the  time 
of  organization  will  be  found  in  the  several  districts 
where  established,  more  especially  at  Reading.  It 
is  surprising  that  only  the  Evangelicals  should  gain 
any  foothold  worth  mentioning  outside  of  Reading. 

Pastors  Long  in  Service. — Some  of  the  pastors 
have  served  their  congregations  for  many  years  in 
succession,  until  1909,  indicating  their  fidelity  and 
devotion  to  a  remarkable  degree.  Those  most  not- 
able in  this  respect  at  Reading  are  the  following: 

Christian   S.  Hainan,  United  Evangelical    54  years 

John  J.  Kuendig,  Lutheran   50  years 

T.  Calvin  Leinbach,  Reformed  49  years 

Benjamin  Bausman,   Reformed    46  years 

George  Bornemann,  Roman  Catholic    44  years 

Samuel  A.  Leinbach.  Reformed  42  years 

John  J.   Cressman,   Lutheran   41  years 

Daniel  D.  Trexler,  Lutheran  41  "years 

Zenas  H.  Gable,  Lutheran   41  years 

Franklin  K.  Huntzinger,  Lutheran    40  years 

Richard  S.  Appel,  Reformed   3S  years 

Ferdinand  F.  Buermeyer,  Lutheran   DS  years 

Jeremiah  K.  Fehr,  Evangelical    3S  years 

Edward   T.   Horn,   Lutheran    37  years 

William  P.   Orrick,   Protestant  Episcopal    36  years 

S\lvanus  C.  Breyfogel,  Evangelical   36  years 

William  H.  Weidner,  Evangelical    36  years 

I.  J.  Reitz,  United  Evangelical   35  years 

JMahlon  H.  l^Iishler,  Reformed 33  vears 

Isaac  S.  Stahr,  Reformed   32  Vears 

A.  jNI.  Sampal,  United  Evangelical   .......32  vears 

William  H.  Myers,  Lutheran   31  years 

Levi  D.  Stambaugh,  Reformed .30  vears 

William  J.  Kerschner,  Reformed " .  !  ^28  vears 

George  S.  Seaman,  Lutheran  27  Vears 

Franklin  K.  Bernd,  Lutheran ,26  years 

George  W.  Gerhard,  Reformed   ......26  vears 

Lutheran    and    Reformed    Churches. The 

Lutheran  and  Reformed  churches  have  been 
grouped  together.  At  Reading,  they  have  been  tab- 
ulated separately,  but  in  the  boroughs  and  town- 
ships they  have  been  run  together,  and  they  can  be 
distinguished  by  the  letters  placed  after  them,  re- 


EDUCATION    IN    COUNTY 


49 


spectively;  L.  standing  for  Lutheran,  R.  for  Re- 
formed, and  U.  for  Union.  They  number  altogeth- 
er, including  chapels,  134:  Lutheran,  37,  Re- 
formed, 26,  and  Union,  71. 

By  comparing  the  tables  it  will  be  observed  that 
the  distribution  of  these  churches  in  the  several  sec- 
tions is  alike  to  a  remarkable  degree;  and  this  fact 
is  particularly  noteworthy  when  we  consider  that 
the  distribution  covers  an  area  of  nine  hundred 
square  miles.  They  have  evidently  been  carrying 
on  a  friendly  rivalry,  or  rather  co-operation,  for 
nearly  two  hundred  years,  which  is  truly  commend- 
able. And  they  have  covered  this  large  area  so 
thoroughly  that  the  other  denominations  secured 
only  a  limited  foothold  in  several  of  the  districts 
outside  of  Reading. 

DENOMINATIONS  IN  COUNTY 

The  following  religious  denominations  were  in 
Berks  county  in  1&09,  and  the  statement  exhibits 
the  number  of  the  respective  churches  and  the  mem- 
bership as  nearly  as  could  be  ascertained.  Other 
information  relating  to  them  will  be  found  in  the 
chapter  on  Reading,  on  the  Boroughs,  and  on  the 
Townships,  under  the  topic  of  religion. 

Denomination  Number  Members 

Lutheran  92  29,154 

Reformed    86  23,931 

Protestant  Episcopal    7  1,213 

Roman    Catholic    5  7,600 

Presbyterian    3  835 

Methodist  Episcopal    11  2,389 

Baptist    7  451 

Evangelical 18  1,461 

United  Evangelical    '. 23  3,430 

United    Brethren 5  1,107 

German  Baptist  Brethren  3 

Mennonite    4  296 

Schwenkfelder    1 

Church  of  God  1 

CHURCHES  IN  TOWNSHIPS 
The  following  statement  embraces  the  churches 
situated  in  the  several  sections  of  Berks  county. 
The  churches  at  Reading  and  the  boroughs  will  be 
found  in  the  chapters  relating  to  these  divisions  of 
the  county. 

The  figures  which  appear  after  the  names  of  the 
churches  in  the  following  tabulated  statements  in- 
dicate- the  time  of  institution  or  erection,  and  of 
rebuilding  or  improvement.  The  name  of  the  pas- 
tor serving  in  1909  has  been  placed  after  the  re- 
spective churches. 

Lutheran  and  Reformed  Churches  in 
Manatawny   (S.   E.)    Section 
(L.  indicating  Lutheran;  R.,  Reformed;  and  U.,  Union, 
both  using  the  church,   alternately) 
Alsace: 

Zion's    (Spies's)    (U.),  1784-1810-'87.  .M.   L.  Herbein   (R.),  356 

E.  S'.  Brownmiller  (L.),  400 

Salem    (Shalter's)    (U.)    1860    (vacant)    (L), 

M.   L.   Herbein  (R.),  136 
Alsace,  Lower: 

Bethany    Chapel    (U.),    1896    W.    O.    Laub,  (L.),  238 

Amity : 

St.    Paul's    (Amityirille)    (U.),    1753-'95-1873 

Geo.  W.  Roth  (R.),  247 

A.    W.    Lindenmuth  (L.),  425 
Weavertown    Chapel    (U.),    1879 
Monocacy   Chapel    (U.),   1896 
4 


Douglass: 

Glendale  Chapel  (U.),  1893 
Exeter: 

Schwartzwald   (U.),  1747-1810-'70. .  .Joseph  R,   Brown  (R.),  631 

W.  O.  Laub   (L.),  435 
Baumstown  Chapel   (U.) 
Lorane   Chapel    (U. ) 
St   Lawrence  Chapel   (U.) 
Stonersville  Chapel   (U.) 
Hereford : 

Huff's    (U.),    1814-'81 0.    R.    Frantz  (R.),  277 

William  F.  Bond  (L.),  695 
Herefordville  Chapel   (U.)   1890 
Muhlenberg : 

Alsace     (North     Reading),     1740-'96-1850-1908 

Charles   E.    Kistler  (L.),  800 

(Reformed    also   there   from   1796   to   1908) 

Grace   (R.),   1908 Elam  J.    Snyder,  808 

Hinnershitz    (U.),    1850-'82 Geo.    W.    Gerhard    (R.),  336 

G.   S.   Seaman   (L.),  368 
Oley: 

Oley    (R.),    1735-1822-'80 Isaac    S'.    Stahr,  396 

(Lutheran   also   there   from   1735   to   1812) 

Christ's     (L.).    1821-'78-'85 E.     S.    Brownmiller,  270 

Friedens   (U.),  Friedensburg,  1830-'86.  .Isaac  S.   Stahr  (R.),  300 

A.    W.    Lindenmuth   (L.),  340 

St.  John's   (L.),  Pleasantville,  1879 (vacant) 

Oley  Line  Chapel   (U.),  l'897 
Pike: 

St.   Joseph's  (Hill)  (U.),  1747-'86-1853...  .M.  H.  Mishler  (R.),  360 

H.   W.   Warmkessel    (L.),  768 
(Lutheran  also  from  1747  to  1786) 

St.   Paul's   (U.),   Lobachsville,   1834-'77 (vacant)    (R.), 

H.  W.  Warmkessel   (L.),  177 
Rockland : 

Christ   (Dryville)    (L.),   1735-'64-'97-1879 J.   O.   Henry,  400 

New  Jerusalem    (U.),   1S40 Isaac    S.    Stahr    (R.),     90 

William    F.    Bond    (L.),  349  - 
Ruscombmanor: 

St.   John's    (U.),    1840-1902 Isaac    S.    Stahr    (R.),     76 

A.   W.   Lindenmuth    (L.),     55 
Lutheran  and  Reformed  Churches   in 
Ontelaunee    (Nv    E.)    Section 
Albany : 

Jerusalem    (Red)    (U.),    1742-1812 A.    O.    Robert    (L.),  220 

(Lutheran  until  1812) 

New  Bethel  (Eck)    (U.),  1750-1854 O.   S.  Scheirer  (L.),  170 

Frieden's    (White)     (U.),    WessnersviUe,    1770-1840 

O.    S.    Scheirer    (L.),  240 

J.  S.  Bartholomew    (R.) 
Greenwich : 

New  Jerusalem    (Dunkel's)    (U.),   1744-'90-1869 

J.    S.    Bartholomew    (R.),  200 

O.   S.    Scheirer    (L.),  210 
(Refonmed  until  1790) 

Bethel    Zions    (U.),    1761-1803-'81 R.    S.    Appel    (R), 

O.    S.    Scheirer   (L.),  325 
(Lutheran   also   until   1844) 
Longswamp : 

Longswamp   (U.),  1748-'90-1852.  .Wm.   L.  Meckstroth   (R.),  335 

Wm.   F.   Bond   (L.),  435 
(Reformed   until    1837) 
St.  Paul's   (U.),   Mertztown,  1837.  .M.   H.  Brensinger   (R.),     85 

F.  K.    Bernd  (L.),  321 
Maiden-creek  : 

Elandon    (U.),    1860 M.    H.    Brensinger    (R.),  168 

J.   O.   Henry   (L.),  366 
Maxntawny  : 

Trinity    (Bower's)    (L.),    1859-1901 W.    F.    Bond,  132 

DeLong's    (Bower's)     (R.),    1759-1871-1901.  .G.    B.     Smith 

(Lutherans    used   it    from    1859    to   1900) 
Zion's    (Siegfried's)     (U.),    1828-'90 F.    K.    Bernd  (L.),  286 

G.  B.    Smith    (R.) 
St.  Paul's   (Lyon's)    (L.),  1868    ' J.   M.   Ditzler 

Lyon's   Chapel    (U.) 
Ontelaunee : 

St.  John's  (Gernant's)  (U.),  1794-1868.  .D.  E.  Schaeffer  (R.),;  297 

G.    S.    Seaman  (L.),  361 
Trinity  (Leesport)  (U.),    1867-'76-'81. .  .D.  E.  Schaeffer  (R.),  239 

G.    S.    Seaman  (L.),  157 
Perry : 

Zion's    (Ziegel's)    (U.),    1761-1804-'60 

J.  S.  Bartholomew  (R.),  350 

H.    C.    Kline    (L.).  340 

St.    Luke's    (U.),    Shoemakersville,    1853-1901 

D.   E.    Schaeffer   (R.),  136 

D.    G.    Gerberich    (L.),  145 
St.  Timothy's   (U.),  Mohrsville,  1864. D.  E.   Schaeffer  (R.),     24 

J.    M.    Ditzler    (L.) 
Richmond : 

Zion's    (Moselem)     (L.),    1734-'61-1894 R.    B.    Linch,  195 

St.    Peter's    (R.),    1762-1809 E.    H.    Leinbach,  122 

St.    Peter's    (Becker's),    (U.),    1866-'91.  .  .R.    S.    Appel    (R),  130 
^■==*  F.   K.    Bernd    (L.).  194 

St.  Paul's  Chapel   (U.) 
Windsor: 

St.  Paul's  (U.),  1756-'63-1832-'92..J.  S.  Bartholomew  (R.),     50 

H.    C.    Kline    (L.),  113 
(Lutheran  until  1832) 


50 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Lutheran  and  Reformed  Churches  in 

TULPEHOCKEN    (N.    W.)    SECTION 

Bern : 

Bern    (U.),    1740-'62-1837 M.    L.    Herbein    (R.),  S6-1 

E.    S.    Brown-miller    (L.),  3"60 
(Reformed  until  1837) 

Epier's    (U.),    1734-'8S-1851 George   W.    Gerhard   (R.),  337 

G.   S.   Seaman   (L.),  ISO 
(Reformed  until   1825) 
Bern,  Upper: 

Frieden's   (U.),   Shartlesville,  1871-1905.  .R.   S.  Appel  (R.),     83 

D.   D.    Trexler    (L.),  185 
Bethel: 

Salem     (R.),    Millersburg,    lS10-'5S-'92.  . .  C.    A.    Butz   (R.),  310 

D.  D.  Trexler   (L.),  125 
(Lutheran  by  permission  since  1850) 
Centre: 

Belleman's    (U.).    1746-1813-'46 M.    H.    Mishler    (R.),  350 

D.   G.   Gerberich   (L),  380 
Heidelberg: 

St.   Daniel's   (Corner)    (L.),   1750-1814 0.   E.  Pflueger,  777 

Robesonia    (R.),   1906 E.   S.   Leinbach,  240 

Heidelberg,  Lower: 

Hain's    (R.),    1736-'66-187S W.    J.    Kerschner,  607 

Trinity    (Wernersville)     (L.),    1897 J.    W.    Lazarus,     91 

Wernersville    Chapel    (R.),    1901 
Heidelberg,  North: 

North   Heidelberg   (U.),   1744>1S46 E.    S.   Leinbach    (R.),  135 

(vacant)    (L.) 
(Originally  Moravian  until   1S35) 
Jefferson : 

Christ    (U.),    Little    Tulpehocken,    1733-1809 

E.    S.    Leinbach    (R.),     50 

(vacant)    (L.) 

St.    Paul's    (U.),    SchaefEerstown,   1875-'S4 

L.    D.     Stambaugh   (R.),     45 

„     .  (vacant)    (L.),     75 

Marion : 

Zion's     (L.),    172S-'45-1837-'95 E.     S.    Brownmiller,  75 

Christ     (L.),     1743-'86-1886-'8S (vacant),  325 

St.  Peter's  Chapel  (U.),  1849 
Til  den : 

St.   Michael's   (U.),   1769-1810-'75 S'.  A.  Leinbach   (R.),  375 

_  ,     ,      ,  D.    G.    Gerberich    (L.),  670 

Tulpehocken : 

Host   (U.),   1738-1885 E.    S.   Leinbach    (R.),  450 

O.    E.    Pflueger    (L.),  243 
(Reformed  until   1858) 

Rehrersburg    (L.),    1757-1808-'82 (vacant),  375 

St.    John's     (U.),    1847-'97 L.    D.     Stambaugh   (R.),  135 

D.    D.    Trexler    (L.),     90 

St.   John's    (U.),    Mt.  Aetna    L.    D.    Stambaugh    (R.),  170 

O.  E.  Pflueger   (L.) 
Tulpehocken     Upper: 

Zion's    (U),    1734-1819-1905 E.    S.    Leinbach  (R.),  250 

O.    E.    Pflueger  (L.),  441 
St.    Paul's    (L.),    1861 (vacant) 

Lutheran  and   Reformed   Churches  in 
Schuylkill  (S.  W.)  Section 

Brecknock : 

Allegheny    (U.),    1765.1800-'78 J.    V.    George    (R.),  301 

Z.    H.    Gable  (L.),  350 
Citmru : 

Yocom's    (U.),    183S-'54 W.    J.    Kershner    (R.),     81 

W.    O.    Laub    (L.),  350 

Wyomissing    (R.),    1850-'86 J.    V.    George,  219 

Gouglersville    (L.),    1894 Z.    H.    Gable,  300 

Redeemer    (Oakbrook)     (L.),    1903 F.    F.    Buermyer,     21 

Robeson : 

Plow    (U.),    1764-1811-'09 J.    V.    George    (R.),     54 

Z.    H.   Gable   (L.),  350 
(Lutheran  until  ifell) 

St.  John's   (U.),  Gibraltar   T.  V.  George  (R.),     SO 

"Z.    H.    Gable    (L.),  320 
Frieden's     (Wicklein)     (Ind.),     1866... J.     V.     George  (R.), 
Spring: 

St.  John's  (S.  Spring)  (R.),  1794-1812-'85 .  .W.  J.  Kerschner,  295 
(Lutheran   also   from   1812   to   1897) 

Kissinger's    (U.),    1851-'91 R.    S.    Appel  (R.),  105 

E.  S.  Brownmiller  (L.),     95 

St.    John's    (S.    Spring)    (L.),    1897 J.    W.    Lazarus,  328 

Union : 

St.   James    (Geigertown)    (L.),   1850-'96 Z.    H.    Gable,     75 


Friends 


Exeter: 
Maiden-creek: 

Orthodox     . . 

Hicksite     . . . 
Bern: 
Robeson: 


1725 

.1759 

.1853 

1745 

1735 


Protestant  Episcopal 

Amity : 

St.  Gabriel's,  1765-1800-'84 Wm.  R.  HoUoway,       41 

Caernarvon: 

St.   Thomas,   1740-1834 (vacant),      29 

Roman  Catholic 
Washington: 
Bally,  1743-1837 Charles  Sauer,  1,000 

Presbyterian 
Heidelberg: 
Robesonia  Chapel,  1869 

Methodist  Episcopal 

Caernarvon : 

Morgantown,   1832-'78 W.  C.  Arathor,      306 

Harmony,    1871 1.  S.  Seitz 

Union: 

Forest,    1773-1858 1.  S.  Seitz 

Monocacy,   1873 A.   I.    Collom,       20 

Baptist 

Caernarvon : 

Rock,   1844 (vacant),        15 

Cumra: 

Millmont,  1893 J.  A.  Maxwell 

Mennonite 

Brecknock " 
Allegheny  and  Gehman.     These  two  churches  are 
connected  with  Bowmansville,  in  Lancaster  county, 
under    Bishop   Benj.amin    Weaver. 

Washington: 

■D  u      /-vu    miD  lonn  (Andrew  Mack  90 

Bally-Old,  1743-1899 j  j^j,^  ^^^^ 

New,    1851-'97 A.    S.    Shelly,      206 

SCHWENKFELDER 

Washington: 

1824-'83    0.   S.   Kriebel 

Evangelical 
Albany: 

Zion's,    1872 G.  Burrell,  6 

Salem,    1883 G.  Burrell,        26 

Bern: 

Centreville,    1852 N.  Simon,  3 

Centre: 

Jerusalem,    1862 N.  Simon,      11 

Colebrookdale: 

New    Berlinville,    1S50 

Longswanip : 

Shamrock,   1870 

Maiden-creek: 

Blandon,    1875 N.  Simon,        33 

Ontclauncc : 

Leesport,    1901 N.  Simon,        33 

Penn: 

1853-'72-'83    

Perry: 

Shoemakersville,    1857 N.  Simon,       18 

Tulpehocken: 

St.  Paul's,  1852 

United  Evangelical 
Heidelberg: 

Robesonia,   1895 S.   Buntz 

Hereford: 

Bethesda   Thomas  Knecht 

Oley: 

Friedensburg,    1881-'89-'95 John  T.  Layton  )        197 

Pleasantville,    1869-'95 John  T.  Layton  3 

Richmond : 

Virginville,  1883-'95 H.  J.  Kline 

RMSconibmanor: 

Pricetown,  1857-'95 John  T.  Layton 


EDUCATION   IN    COUNTY 


51 


Spring:  I 

Mohn's  Hill,  184o-'95 C.  S.  Mengel,       30 

Washington: 

Clayton,  1899 Thomas  Knecht 

German  Baptist  Brethren 
Perry: 
Mohrsville    (continuation   of    North-kill   Church), 

1748 (vacant),       43 

Ruscombmanor : 
Pricetown  (continuation  of  Oley  Church),  1740-'80- 
1807    ■ (vacant) 

United  Brethren 
Caernarvon: 

(Morgantown) 

Perry : 

Salem,    1876 

Spring: 

Sinking  Spring,  1867 

Tilden: 

Loose's,   1870    

Tulpehocken: 

Trinity,  1848-'85    

SUNDAY  SCHOOLS  OF  BERKS  COUNTY 
The  thirty-third  annual  convention  of  the  Berks 
County  Sunday  School  Association  was  held  in  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  at  Reading  on  April  33, 
1909,  and  the  attendance  was  very  large.  The 
county  has  been  divided  into  eighteen  districts  and 
all  of  them  were  represented.  Thirteen  religious 
denominations  were  represented. 

The  association  was  organized  in  1875  with  J.  H. 
Sternbergh  as  the  first  president  and  Lewis  Crater 
as  the  secretary.  In  1881  Samuel  J.  Weiler  was 
elected  secretary,  and  he  has  served  continuously 
until  the  present  in  a  most  efficient  manner,  without 
compensation.  He  prepared  the  following  valuable 
statement,  which  shows  the  Sunday-schools  of  the 
respective  denominations,  the  superintendents,  and 
the  membership.  Charles  H.  Leinbach,  superin- 
tendent of  St.  Andrew's  Reformed  Sunday-school, 
served  as  president  for  the  year  1908-09,  and  was 
re-elected  to  serve  for  the  year  1909-10. 

jst  District — Birdsbora^    Union 
Name  Supt.  Members 

Birdsboro    M.   E.,   Birdsboro G.    F.   Handwork   268 

Monocacy     M.    E.,    Monocacy Caleb    H.     Bland     89 

Trinity     Evan.,    Birdsboro Ed.    McChalacker    382 

Calvary    U.   E.,   Birdsboro Anna    Willard    138 

Grace    U.   B.,  Birdsboro.; S.    C.    Millard    146 

St.   Mark's  Lutheran,   Birdsboro. .. -Charles    Rhoads    224 

St.   Paul's  Reformed,  Birdsboro Jacob   De- Turk    113 

St.  Michael's  Episcooal,  Birdsboro ..  Harry    Kissinger    141 

Kulptown    Union,    Union    Tames    Blood     80 

Cedar   Hill    Union,    Union Harry  Hoiiman    60 

St.   Paul's  M.  E.,   Geigertown L.    M.    High    122 

St.  James'  Lutneran,   Oeigertown . . .  E.    M.    Zerr    63 

1,776 
2d  District — Jioheson,    Caernarvon 
Name  Supt.  Members 

St.   John's   Union,    Gibraltar H.   K.   Winings    234 

Robeson    Union,    Plowville M.    J.    Eshleman    145 

Harmony   M.    E.,   Joanna J.   W.   Jacobs    £5 

Mt.  Shiloh  Evan.,  nr.  Morgantown. Aaron  Trait    79 

Morgantown   M.   E.,   Morgantown.  .George  H.    Muhlenberg...         91 

Gibraltar    Union,    Gibraltar Samuel    W.     Kerst 178 

Seyfert  Holiness  Chris.,   Seyf ert. . . .  A.   J.    Smith    81 

Zion's  Union,   Robeson W.    Piersol    118 


1,003 
3d   District — LenhartsviUe,    Greenwich,   Albany 
Name  Supt.  Members 

Bethel  Zions  Union,   Grimville. . ...  .A.  A.  Fister  117 

Clover   Mill   Union,  Stony  Run.... Fred    Feinour     P9 

Dunkel's  Church  Union,  Virginville  C.  S.  Merkel ' 116 

•The  word  Union  after  the  name  of  the  Sunday-school  indicates 
Lutheran  and   Reformed  combined. 


E<<kville  Union,  Albany Reuben    Bolich    33 

Frieden's  Union,  Stony  Run James  -A.   Schroeder   161 

Kempcton  Union,   Kemptcn Tames   Leibold    60 

New  Bethel  Union,  Kempton James  Si   Focht   75 

LenhartsviUe   Union,    LenhartsviUe. A.    B.    Greenawalt    370 

New  Jerusalem  Union,  Stony  Run.  .Calvin   Krause    106 

Salem  Evangelical,  Albany James    E.    Snyder    60 

St.    Paul's   Union,   Virginville Milton  L.  Leiby 94 

1,171 
4th     District — Boyertawn,     Bechtelsville,     Colebrookdale,      Douglass, 
I  Washington 

Name  Supt.  Members 

Good  Shepherd  Reformed,  Boyer- 

town    Daniel  D.   I.eidy   436 

St.    John's    Lutheran,    Boyertown.  .Thos.   R.  Houck   ,. . .  645 

Ebenezer   M.    E.^  Boyertown    W.   W.   Wrenn    74 

Trinity   U.    E.,    Boyertown    E.    E.    Stauffer    109 

I-lereford    New    Mennonite,    Here- 
ford      Dr.   O.   M.  Burkey 178 

Brethren,  Boyertown   F.    Ritter    85 

Zion's    Evangelical,    New    Berlin- 

ville H.    B.    Stauffer    40 

Trinity    Union,    Bechtelsville    Alfred    Brumbach   292 

Union,  Pine  Iron  Works Mrs.    P.    Kurtz    IDS 

Bethany   U.    E-,    Clayton    Wm.    Clemmer    90 

Union,     Gabelsville     Jesse    R.    Bechtel 114 

Union,   Greshville   J.     Weiler     118 


8,278 

5th  District — 'West  Reading,  Wyomissing,  Spring,  Lower  Heidelberg 

Name  Supt  Members 

First    Reformed,    Wernersville Leomard  M.  Ruth   255 

Trinity    Lutheran.    Wernersville. ..  .T.   C.  Bricker   95 

Green   Terrace   Un.,    Wernersville ..  John  A.   Werner    89 

Oak  Hill  Union,  Lower  Heidelberg. Solomon  A.  Brossman  ...       153 

Kissinger's  Union,  Spring  Tp Henry  G.   Kissinger   82 

Marsh   Union.   Lorah A.   L.  Bickel   77 

Olive   Leaf  Union,   Fritztown E.   R.   Eckenroth   139 

S't.   John's   Ref.,    Sinking   Spring. .  .E.   H.   Zechman   310 

Salem  U.   B.,   Sinking  Spring H.   M.   Cake    115 

St.   John's   Luth.,    Sinking   Spring.  .Henry  H.   Yost    136 

St.    James     Ref.,    West    Reading. .  .Milton   Gring    431 

Vinemont  Union,  Spring  Tp Henry  Johnson    94 

Evans   Union,   Spring   Tp A.    I.    Noll    69 

Bethany   Lutheran,   West  Reading.  .W.   O.   Laub   265 

TkK a.^ n -.  ^^     TT       17         ^J.^1 >™     TT:11  ^ 


Memorial  U.  E.,  Mohn's  Hill. 


55 


2,865 
6th   District — Hamburg,   Tilden,    Windsor,    Upper  Bern 
Name  Supt.  Members  ■ 

Bethany   M.    E.,    Hamburg H.    R.    Shollenberger    159 

St.    John's    Lutheran,    Hamburg H.    C.    Kline    363 

Salem   U.    E.,    Hamburg William   B.    Miller    68 

First    Reformed,    Hamburg Irvin   A.    Diener    303 

St.    Paul's    Union,    Windsor    Tp. ...Isaac    Krick    105 

Liberty  Cross  Roads  Union.  Tilden. C.  F.   S.  Ketner   77 

St.    Mchael's    Union,    Tilden F.    H.    Naftzinger,    O.    F. 

Berger     295 

Bern    Union,    Tilden ,  .P.    E.    Naftzinger    74 

West  Hamburg  Union,  Tilden Alfred  M.  H.  DeLo'ng  ...  105 

Zion's  Union,  Windsor A.    F.   Baver 195 

Shartlesville    Union,     Shartlesvill^.  .James    F.    Naftzinger    ....  223 

Salem   U.    B.,   Tilden _.  .V.    K.    Fisher    96 

Bern  Union,  Upper  Bern .H.   M.    Heckman    76 


■2,137 
7m    District — Topton,    District,    Longswamp,    Hereford 
Name  Supt.  Members 

Grace  U.   E.,  Topton Edgar    Rohrbach    118 

St.  Peter's  Union,  Topton   F.   J.    Fisher    215 

Longswamp    Union,     Longswamp ...  Roy    E.    Maybry 121 

Pilgert's   IJnion,    Longswamp 69 

Bush's    Union,    Longswamp ..Augustus    R.    Frey    64 

St.   Paul's  Union,   Mertztown Charles   B.    Miller    134 

Hancock   Union,    Longswamp    Charles   B.   Miller    140 

Sterner's   Union,   District ,- -Peter   K.    Sterner    64 

Landisviille    Union.    District '..Elmer  H-   Bechtel    49 

Huff's  Church  Union,   Hereford. ..  .Jacob    Gries     1 170 

Chapel    Union,    Hereford Fred  W-    Huber    169 

Schlossburg  Union,   Longswamp- -- -Lizzie  M-    Findly    93 


1,406 
8th  District — Mt.  Penn,  Lower  Alsace,  Exeter,  Amity,  Earl 
Name  Supt  Members 

St.   Lawrence  Union,   Esterly W.    D.    Brumbach    .'       232 

Bethany  Union,   Stonv -Creek  Mills -R-    T-   Calm    IflO 

Baumstown   Union,    Baumstown. . .  .C.    L-   Shantz    138 

Snyderville  Union,  Limekiln   ...... Chas-    Knaab     99 

Trinity  Reformed.  Mt   Penn J.    R.    Dickenson    106 


Locust  Dale  U.  E.,  Locust  Dale... I.  M.  Kehler    ... 

Union    Unio'n,    Monocacy I.   R.   Kline   

Lorane   Union,    Lorane    J-    E-    Troxell    .. 

Fairview    Union,    Baumstown .Howard    Happle 

Douglassville    Un-.    Douglassville- .  .C.    H.    Hine    .... 

Jacksonwald    Union,    Jacksonwald.  .C-  R-  Bortz 

Amity ville    Union,    Athol C-   R.   Geiger    - . . 

Weavertown  Un.,  Brumfieldsville. .  .H.  Y.  Harbold   -  - 
Stonersville  Union,    Stonersville- ..  .Charles    Kline     -. 

Allsorts  Union,  Neversink   H.    S.    Ludwig    .. 

St.   Gabriel's   Episc,   Douglassville.  .S.    McElwee    . . . . 
Faith  Lutheran,   Mt.   Penn George    Hartline 


138 
80 

103 
96 
90 
82 
95 
96 
90 
60 
90 
98 

1,88« 


52 


HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


0h  District — Alsace,    Oley,   Pike 
Name  Supt.  Members 

Oley  Union,    Spangsville John   P.    Fisher    143 

St.   Joseph's   Union,    Hill   Church... D.    M.    Diener    110 

Frieden's    Lutheran,    Oley J.    P.    Schell    190 

Frieden's   Reformed,    Oley    J.    B.    Leinbach    238 

Zion   U.    E.,    Oley I.    M.    Bertolet    99 

Spies's  Union,  Alsace  Tp Charles   B.   Moyer    220 

St.    Paul's    Union,    Lobachsville L.    F.    Rohrbach    116 

Bethany  U.   E.,  Manatawny ...Charles  L.    S'cherer    S3 


1,199 
loth  District — Centreport,   Centre,    West  Leesport,  Bern 
Name  Supt.  Members 

Bern  Church  Union,  Bern  Tp Tared   L.    Snyder    350 

White  Oak  Union,  Bern  Tp Jared   L.    Snyder    ?9 

Meeting  House  Evang.,  Bern  Tp.     ..John   Schaurer    55 

Epler's  Church  Union,  Bern  Tp.  ...F.   B.  Ammarell   147 

Belleman's   Union,    Centre   Tp A.    D.    Bagenstose    131 

Bethany  U.   E.,  West  Leesport Saimuel    Bell    62 

724 

Jith    District — Fleetwood,    Ruscombmanor,    Maiden-Creek,    Richmond 

Name  Supt.  Members 

S't.    John's    Union,    Pricetown Mrs.    u.    Web.    Brown....  92 

Mennonite    Brethren,    Blandon Oscar  B.   Adam    59 

St.   Paul's  Union,   Fleetwood C.   H.  Adam    242 

U.     E.,     Fleetwood D.    F.    Kelchner    175 

Bliandon   Union,    Blandon Jacob    Shuman    1S7 

Kirbyville    Union,    Kirbyville Irvin   Hoch    55 

Center  Union,  Moselem  Springs. ..  .Howard    Rahn    110 

Schlemmsville    Union,     Molltown.  .  .B.   Adam    97 

Walnuttown    U-n.,    near    Fleetwood. Matthias    Montz     S9 

St.    Stephen's   U.    E.,    Virginville. .  .William    Shappel    90 

Sailem    U.    E.,    Pricetown Mrs.   Catharine  Moyer   ...         49 


1,345 
12th  District — Mohnion,   Cumru,  Brecknock 
Name  Supt.  Members 

Eshleman's    Union,    Cumru    Charles    Griffith    123 

Wyomissing  Luth.,  Gouglersville ....  Sadie    Price    156 

Allegheny   Union,    Knauer's 171 

Wyomissing    Un.,    Gouglersville.  ...  Frank    Eckenroth     193 

Millmont   Baptist,   Millmont ,..  Harry   Stetler    82 

Oakbrook    Lutheran.    Oakbrook SO 

Grace    Lutheran,    Shillington '..J.   S.  Nagle   100 

Salem    Evangelical.     Mohnton John    Werner     220 

Emanuel   Reformed,   Shillington W.   A.    Miller    274 

Zion's  U.   E.,  Mohnton George   H.    Leininger    ....  t30 

St.   John's  Lutheran,   Mohnton C.    B.    Kindt 220 

Yocum's    Union,    Grill W.   W.    Andrews    158 

Angelica  Union,  Cumru H.  O.   Frey   140 

Gebhart's    Union,    Cumru Henrv   Seyfert    132 

Five    Mile   House   Union,    Cumru... J.    White    112 

St.   Luke's   U.    E.,    Shillington C.   E.   Coller    180 


2,771 
iSth  District — Heading,  Muhlenberg 
Name  Supt.  Members 

St.    Mark's    Reformed,    Greenwich 

and    Rjtter    D.   V.    R.   Ludwig    1,675 

First   Reformed,   Washington   and 

Reed      Selos    R.    Barnett    1,384 

St.     Stephen's     Reformed,     Ninth 

and    Greenwich    W.    D.    DeLong 1,266 

St.     Andrew's     Reformed,     Spruce 

and    Miller    C.   H.   Leinbach    1,135 

Zion's  Reformed,  Washington  and 

Cedar     Andrew    S.    Long    916 

St.   Paul's  Reformed,   Sixth  above 

Washington   ..Rev.   C.   E.   Creitz    ''56 

St.    John's    Reformed,    Ninth    and 

Chestnut     ■ William   A.    Levan    704 

Calvary     Reformed,     Centre    Ave. 

a'nd   Oley    A.    V.    Casselman    642 

St.    Thomas'    Reformed,    Eleventh 

and   Windsor    E.    F.    Hendricks    610 

Second     Reformed,     Sixth     below 

Cherry     John   H.    Bridenbaugh    .  . .       494 

Faith     Reformed,     Bingaman    bet. 

Fourth    and    Fifth    Dr.   D.    S.    Grim    476 

Alsace  Grace  Reformed,  Kutztown 

Road      George    McKently    339 

Olivet     Refoirmed,     Cantre     Ave. 

and   Exeter    William     Leinbach     180 

Temple     Reformed,     Temple,     Pa.     Joseph  A.  Wise    114 


St.     Luke's    Lutheran,    N.    Ninth 

near   GreCn    Benj.     Gruber     

Trinity      Lutheran,       Sixtih      and 

Washington      A.    Raymond    Bard    .. 

Grace     Lutheran,     Eleventh     and 

Cherry    J-    C.    Holloway     784 

St.     Tnhn's     Lutn.,     Church     and      ,      _      ,  ,  ,„„ 

Walnut     A.    Bendel     709 

Hope     Luth.,     Front     and     Green-     ,.„„,,,  „., 

'  ^^j^,j,  Jacob   T.   Drumheller    ....       ool 

^''    Elm"'"'^''.'  .^"I'lV.'  .™.'^  .'"^  ■  C.  W.  Haug   552 

St.      Tames      Lutli.,      Fifth      and  rr^.v,!,  nj"; 

Chestnut        Samuel  K.   linabb    546 

St.     Mark's     Luth.,     Tenth     and 

Windsor   Henry    E.    H.lbert    489 


Alsace   Lutheran,   Kutztown   Road    D.    D.    Becker     349 

St.    Paul's    Luth.,    Sixteenth    and 

Perkiomen      P.    H.    Lash    325 

St.  John's  Mission  Luth.,  Chap- 
el Terrace  aoove  Cotton   A.    Bendel    106 

St.  Peter's  Luth.,  No.  931  Doug- 
lass     A.    A.    Koser    60 

Peace  Lutheran,   Riverside    ^-^^ 


Covenant,   M.   E.,  Ninth  and   Elm     H.    J.    Printz    584 

St.     Peter's     M.     E.,     Fifth     and 

Pine     F.    F.    Boas    483 

Windsor    St.,    M.    E.,    Front    and 

Windsor     W.    H.    Morris    482 

Holy   Cross,    M.    E.,   N.    Fifth   nr. 

Buttonwood   Walter   S.    Davis    

People's    M.    E.,    S.    Fourth   above 

Franklin     A.  W.   Heim   

Bethel   A.     M.    E.,    N.    Tenth    nr. 

Washington    T.   J.    Long   86 

People's     Primitive     M.     E.,     No. 

1325    N.    Tenth    Bert    LeSuer     138 

East    End    M.     E.,    No.    1338    N. 

Tenth    F.    C.    S.    Snyder    70 


476 
28S 


First  U.  E.,  Eighth  and  Court W.    H.    Hendel    971 

S't.     Paul's     U.      E.,     Moss     and 

Greenwich    William  W.    Fetter    758 

Grace  U.  E.,   Sixth  and  Elm    S.    N.    Walley    407 

Trinity   U.    E.,    S.    Eleventh    near 

Spruce     ••H.    J.    Heck,     

Bethany  U.  E.,  Second,  and  Doug- 
lass     


275 


Salem     Evangelical,     Eighth    near 

Court    .f William   H.    Miller,   Jr.    ..       540 

Immanuel     Evan.,     S.     Sixth     and 

Kerper    Harry  Eisenberg   420 

Ebenezer   Evan.,   Ninth   near   But- 

tonwood    Walter   C.    Hoffman    397 

Christ  Evan.,  Eleventh  snd  Rob- 
eson       R.    B.    Davis    376 

St.    Matthew's    Evan.,    Eighteenth 

and    Cotton    George  Boyer   218 


Salem  U.   B.,  Tenth  and   Spring... F.    G.    Leiboild    61S 

Zion's   U.    B.,    Ninth   below    Penn.  .William  J.   Levan    479' 

Memorial  U.  B.,  Buttonwood  and 

McKnight    William   E.    Taylor    401 

Otterbein  U.  B.,  Eighth  and  Elm     G.    Walter    Behney    272- 

First  Baptist,  Fifth  and  Chestnut..  H.    G.    Kurtz    56S 

Berean    Baptist,    N.    Ninth    above 

Douglass    R.    A.    Raixkin    236 

Schyl.  Av.  Baptist,  Schyl  Av.  nr. .  . 

Greenwich      David  H.   Wyle    139 

Zion  Baptist,  No.  231  Poplar Mrs.    E.   D.   Harris    67 

Shiloh  Baptist,  No.  126  N.  Tenth..  Mrs.   Mary  Clippent    28 

German    Baptist,    between    Green- 
wich   and    Oley     Tim    Wiess    97 


St.     Barnabas     Epis.,     Sixth     and 

Bingaman     Ira   W.    Stratton    251 

Christ  Episcopal,  Fifth  and  Court. .  Thomas    P.    Merritt    197 

St.      Mary's      Epis.,      Front      and 

Windsor     XL    P.    Walter    194 

St.     Luke's     Epis.,    Robeson    and 

Mulberry    William  B.   Burk   136 

First      Presbyterian,       Fifth      nr. 

Franklin     H.    J.    Hayden    348 

Olivet  Pres.,  Eighth  and  Wash- 
ington  J.    R.    Mortimer    38S 

Washington    St.    Pres.,    Mulberry 

and   Washington    Geo,  T,  Hawkins   130 

First    Christian,    Chris.,    Chestnut 

above    Fourth     Morris    S.    Glass    


140 

Church     of     Our     Father,     Univ., 

Franklin  above  Fourth    Samuel  F.   Guss   114 


Mennonite     Breth.,     Men.,     Tenth 
near    Oley    


1,255 
8.86 


160 

Friendship       Mission,      Reformed 

Evan.,    Cotton    above    Tenth. .  .Jacob  H.   Kutz   173 


Calvary     Mission,     Followers     of 

Christ,  Washington  nr  Second.  .Herbert    Green     112 

People's     Mission,     Followers     of 

Christ,    Little    Gordon    Pastor   106 

Mifflin    St.,    Followers    of    Christ, 

No.  219  Mifflin   Mrs.    Rishell     36 


Neversink,    Interdenom.,    No.    728 

Bingaman     A.    H.    Reist 

Temple,  Interdenom.,  Temple,  Pa. ..A.    H.    Reist 

.Adventists,    Windsor    and    Hamp- 
den  


121 

60 


EDUCATION    IN    COUNTY 


53 


Scientists,   Christian  Science,  No. 

429    Walnut    Lillian  D.  Wilson 


Hinnershitz       Union,      Reformed 

and  Luth.,   Tuckerton   William  Fisher 


Union,    Mbhrsville James    H.    Wagner    . . 

lion's    Union,    Windsor    Cas- 
tle      A.     F.     Baver     

Gernant's  Union,   Leesport    Charles   L.    Kershner 

Ebenezer     Evangelical,     Shoe- . . 

.makersville     Mrs.   Amanda  Yoh    . . 

30,199       Perry  Union,  Virginville Wilson  P.  Adam    

Evangelical,    Leesport    , . .  Frank  W.   Adam    . . . . 


?4 
348 


169 

204 
100 

85 
81 

48 


I4th  District — Sethel,   TulpehocketK    Upper  Tulpehocken 
Name  Supt.  Members 

Host  Union,  Tulpehocken    O.  F.  Oxenreider,  W.  W.  Derr  162 

Zion's   Union,   Strausstown    C.   A.    Unger    191 

St      John's     Reformed,      Mt. 

Aetna     C.    P.   Klopp    115 

U.   B.,   Mt.  Aetna   John   D.    Klopp    TO 

Lutheran,    Mt.    Aetna    John   A.    Gruber    61 

Union,    Rehrersburg    E.     G.    Moyer     105 

Lutheran,   Rehrersburg    W.    J.    Kurr    67 

Union,  Wintersville   Ralph    Weber    55 

Moll's    Union,    Upper    Tulpe- 
hocken     L.    C.    Freeman    52 

German  Baptist.  Crosskill  Mills. Ira    Gibble     58 

Ziegler's  Baptist,  Rehrersburg.  Henry    C.    Ziegler    72 

Merkey's  Baptist,   Bethel   Samuel    Sherman     66 

Bethel  Union,  Bethel  P.  C.  Clemme'ns   118 

Keener's     Union,     Tulpehock- 
en     F.    J.    Paulus,    50 

Schubert's  Union,  Bethel   James    R.    Roth    46 

Merkey's  Union,   Bethel    John     Porter      45 

1,3^8 


1,224 


iSth  District — Bernville,  Jefferson,   Penn 
Name  Supt 

Mt      Pleasant      Ujiion,      Mt 

FUeasant     James    O.    Kreider    ... 

Berger's  Union,   Scull  Hill M.    J.    Potteiger    

Jefferson  Union,  Jefferson  Tp. .  Daniel     Reigel     

St.  Paul's  Union,  Jefferson  Tp. .James   M.    Baltheiscr    . 

Groff's    Union,    Jefferson   Tp. . .  Percival     Groff     

St.      Thomas'      Union,      Bern- 
ville      Si  P.  Wilhelra 

Frieden's    Lutheran,    Bernville"     J.    Paul    Burket    

Cross     Keys     Union,     Krick's 

Mills     B.    J.    Anderson    


Members 


130 

130 

I  '93 

64 

75 

155 
02 

100 

801) 

l6th  District — Kutstoum,   Maxatawny,   Rockland 
Name  Supt  Members 

St.     John's     Reformed,     Kutz- 

town     Clem.    J.    Stichler    333 

St .  Paul's  Lutheran,  Lyons   J.  A.   Stierwalt   140 

Christ's   Reformed,   Bowers J.    J.    DeLong    101 

Zion's  Union,  Maxatawny Joel    Heffner,    George    C.    Her- 
mann       250 

St     Paul's     Reformed,     Kutz- 

towTi .Francis    Sharidan     153 

Trinity   Luth.,    Kutztown    Quinton    D.    Hermann    274 

Union    Union,    Lyons    S.    M.    Hoch     100 

St.      John's      Lutheran,      Kutz- 
town      Samuel   Heffner    224 

Grace  U.   E.,  Kutztown    Thomas   S.    Levan    92 

Christ's  Lutheran,  Dryville    ....Amos    F.    Breidegam    137 

New      Jerusalem      Reformed, 

Rockland     A.    A.    DeLong    109 

Bethel  Union,  Rockland    William    A.    Schwoyer    104 

Ruppert's  Union,   Rockland    ....A.    F.    Ruppert    V6 

Dryville  Union,  Rockland A.     S.    Aungstadt     CO 

2,153 

17th   District — Womelsdorf,    Heidelberg,    Marion,    North    Heidelberg 
Name  Supt.  Members 

Robesonia     Reformed,      Robe- 

sonia     J.    L.   J.    Stoudt    174 

U.  E.,  Robesonia   Jacob    B.    Putt    45 

U.    E.,    Womelsdorf    '..A.     Bauch      68 

Stouchsburg    Union,     Stouchs- 

burg     P.   W.   Gerhart    154 

Bethany  O.  Home  Ref.,  Wom- 
elsdorf      Wilson   T.    Moore    152 

St.    Daniel's    Lutheran,    Robe- 
sonia     H.    W.    Shuler    137 

Good  Samaritan  Union.  Wom- 
elsdorf     C.    R.   Leinbach    260 

Tannery   Union,    Heidelberg    ...Dr.    F.    F.    Massey    08 

Hill     Union,     North     Heidel- 
berg     Thos.    J.    Zerbe    99 

Zion's  Lutheran, ,  Stouchsburg. .  E.    H.    Kline    132 

Long's  Lutheran,   Stouchsburg   .A.   J.   Long    90 

-Moyer's   Union,   Marion  Tp Edwin    Miller     90 


l8th  District — Leesport,  Ferry,   Ontelaunee 
Name  Supt 

Salem     U.     B.,     Shoemakers- 

ville    H.    S.    Madeira    

Trinity    Union,    Leesport    ...... .C.     E.     Spayd     

Union,'  Shoemakersville    W-  K.  Smith 


1,469 

Members 

130 

....     323 
244 


GENERAL  SUMMARY 


6.2 

t4-«  tfi 

Co 

Open 

all 
Year 

Officers 

and 
Teachers 

en 

1 
■6 

t/3 

11 

s 
W 

1st  

12 

12 

177 

1,599 

1,776 

2d  

8 

7 

115 

807 

1,003 

3d  

11 

4 

167 

965 

1,171 

4th  

12 

10 

235 

1,983 

2,278 

5th  

15 

9 

365 

1,815 

2,265 

6th 

13 

10 

255 

1,731 

2,137 

7th  

12 

5 

213 

1,173 

'  1,406 

8th  

17 

17 

272 

1,563 

1.887 

9th 

8 

7 

148 

990 

1,199 

lath 

6 

3 

134 

590 

724 

11th 

11 

6 

203 

1,042 

1,245 

12th  

16 

12 

314 

2,437 

2,771 

13th  

73 

73 

2,451 

24,089 

30,199 

14th  

16 

11 

230 

1,031 

1,326 

loth  

8 

5 

178 

601 

S09 

16th  

14 

10 

269 

1,829 

2,153 

17th  

12 

10 

184 

1,235 

1,459 

18th 

9 

7 

167 

1,054 

1,224 

Total  

273 

217 

6,077 

46,534 

57,032 

Sunday  Mails. — During  the  winter  of  1829-30, 
a  great  excitement  prevailed  throughout  the  coun- 
try respecting  the  transportation  of  mails  on  Sun- 
days. Attempts  had  been  made  by  petitions  of  cer- 
tain religious  societies  to  the  Congress  of  the  prev- 
ious year,  to  induce  legislation  on  the  subject,  but 
the  general  remonstrance  was  so  earnest  that  the 
committee  of  reference  reported  adversely,  inti- 
mating that  Congress  ought  not,  and  could  not, 
legally  exercise  the  power  of  legislation  on  ques- 
tions involving  religious  observance  and  the  rights 
of  conscience;  and  these  attempts  were,  renewed 
before  the  Congress  then  sitting,  causing  the  de- 
velopment of  great  feeling  everywhere  'on  the  sub- 
ject. 

A  large  meeting  of  citizens  of  the  county  was 
held  in  the  court-house  at  Reading  on  Jan.  23,  1830, 
for  the  purpose  of  uttering  a  protest  against  inter- 
ference on  the  one  hand  or  legislation  on  the  other, 
and  a  committee  of  distinguished  citizens  was  ap- 
pointed to  draft  appropriate  resolutions.  It  was 
composed  of  David  F.  Gordon,  Esq.,  George  M. 
Keim,  Esq.,  George  Fox,  Isaac  Ritter  and  Dr.  Wil- 
liam J.  C.  Baum.  The  attempts  to  induce  legisla- 
tion prohibiting  the  transportation  of  mail  on  Sun- 
day were  disapproved,  because  it  was  believed  that 
such  attempts  were  incipient  steps  toward  the  at- 
tainment of  an  object  fatal  to  religious  freedom — 
the  union  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical  authority  in  the 
same  individuals. 

Appropriate  petitions  were  circulated,  subscribed 
by  many  persons,   and   these  were   forwarded  to 


54 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Congress ;  and  this  expression  of  public  sentiment 
caused  the  religious  movement  to  cease  its  agitation 
and  finally  pass  away.  The  transportation  of  mail 
on  Sunday  was  not  prohibited,  but  continued  as  a 
work  of  necessity. 

GENERAL  EDUCATION 

Early  Encouragement. — The  first  settlers  ap- 
preciated the  importance  of  education,  and  encour- 
aged it  as  a  means  of  promoting  the  general  welfare. 
They  erected  churches  wherever  they  had  effected 
a  considerable  settlement,  and  in  them  they  caused 
their  children  to  be  taught  the  common  branches  of 
education,  such  as  spelling,  reading,  writing  and 
arithmetic.  This  teaching  was  influenced  to  a  great 
degree  by  the  religious  spirit  that  prevailed  amongst 
them;  indeed,  religious  principles  were  considered 
a  vital  part  of  their  education. 

During  the  first  settlements  and  until  the  passage 
of  the  common  school  law  of  1834,  the  education 
that  prevailed  throughout  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  county  was  almost  entirely  German.  The 
prevalence  of  German  education  was  a  natural  con- 
sequence from  the  great  predominance  of  German 
settlers  over  all  other  nationalities.  In  Exeter,  Oley, 
Maiden-creek,  Robeson,  and  Reading  districts,  the 
Friends  were  rather  numerous,  and  they  established 
English  schools  at  an  early  period,  which  they  con- 
tinued for  many  years. 

The  first  German  settlers  had  brought  along  teach- 
ers and  ministers,  who  were  so  recognized  before 
emigration.  If  there  were  no  minister,  the  teacher 
officiated  in  both  capacities.  Some  teachers  even 
practised  their  trades,  such  as  tailoring  or  shoemak- 
ing,  whilst  teaching. 

A  notion  has  obtained  that  education  was  not  car- 
ried on  to  any  considerable  extent  in  the  county  at 
an  early  day,  and  till  the  adoption  of  the  common 
school  system,  but  this  is  wrong.  A  good  idea  can 
be  obtained  from  the  following  extract  from  a  let- 
ter, dated  Reading,  April  9,  1763,  addressed  by  Rev. 
Alexander  Murray  to  the  secretary  of  the  Venerable 
Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts,  stationed  in  England : 

The  county  for  miles  around  this  town  is  thick  peopled,' 
but  what  few  else  than  Germans  and  Quakers,  the  former 
being  computed  twelve  to  one  of  all  other  nations  together, 
and  seem  to  be  abundantly  well  provided  in  teachers  of 
one  denomination  or  another,  and  as  long  as  they  are  so 
blindly  attached  to  their  native  tongue,  as  they  are  at 
present,  an  English  minister  can  be  of  no  great  service 
to  them.  For  this  they  might  be  at  no  loss  for  English 
school-masters,  yet  they  choose  to  send  their  children 
rather  to  German  schools,  which  they  have  everywhere  in 
■great  plenty. 

The  Moravians,  during  their  settlement  in  Oley, 
erected  two  dwellings  on  land  donated  to  them  by 
John  de  Turck.  The  first  was  occupied  early  in 
1745 ;  and  the  second  in  1748,  for  school  purposes. 
In  the  latter  there  was  a  flourishing  boarding-school 
for  several  years ;  into  which  were  incorporated  the 
Moravian  schools  of  Germantown  and  Frederick 
township. 


On  July  31,  1750,  a  beginning  was  made  to  dis- 
solve the  Moravian  school  in  Frederick  township, 
by  transferring  pupils  to  other  schools,  and  in  the 
last  week  of  August,  1750,  sixteen  were  transferred 
to  Oley. 

First  Teachers. — The  following  persons  were 

teachers  before  1753: 

George  Stiefel,  John  Nicholas  Kurtz,  and  Casper  Leut- 
becker  in  Tulpehocken. 

Frederick  Hoelwig  in  Longswamp. 
John  Valentine  Krafft  in  Richmond. 
Theodore   Schneider  in   Hereford. 
George  Youngman  in  Oley. 

In  1743,  the  following  provision  was  made  in 
Richmond  township  toward  the  encouragement  of 
teaching : 

That  it  is  our  most  earnest  desire  that  the  teacher,  as 
well  as  the  preacher,  sball  be  fairly  compensated  so  that 
he  can  live  with  his  family  as  an  honest  man,  without 
being  obliged  to  engage  in  any  business  foreign  to  his 
profession.  To  this  end  the  teacher  and  the  preacher 
shall  have  the  land  and  the  house  on  it  free,  as  long  as 
they  officially  serve  the  congregation. 

Pay  schools  were  maintained  in  every  district,  the 
pupils  paying  several  cents  a  day,  according  to  the 
number  of  branches  taught;  and  this  custom  pre- 
vailed from  the  beginning  until  long  after  the  sys- 
tem of  1834  had  been  introduced. 

Parochial  schools  were  carried  on  and  encouraged 
in  connection  with  churches  in  the  several  sections 
of  the  county,  being  always  situated  near  by.  The 
preachers,  elders  and  deacons  were  expected  to  see 
that  the  teacher  maintained  good  order  and  that 
each  pupil  received  proper  attention.  The  teacher 
had  to  possess  a  good  character,  and  ability  to  sing 
and  teach  singing  as  well  as  to  teach  the  common 
branches. 

Charity  Schools. — A  charitable  society  was  es- 
tablished early  for  the  instruction  of  poor  Germans 
and  their  descendants  in  Pennsylvania.  Previous  to 
1751,  certain  Reformed  ministers  who  had  settled 
among  the  immigrants  found  them  in  distress.  They 
entreated  the  churches  of  Holland  to  commiserate 
their  unhappy  fellow-Christians,  and  contributions 
were  sent  to  these  remote  parts.  In  1751,  Holland 
and  West  Friesland  granted  two  thousand  guilders 
per  annum  for  five  years  toward  instructing  the 
Germans  and  their  children  in  Pennsylvania.  Great 
encouragement  was  given  to  this  scheme  by  per- 
sons of  the  first  rank  in  Great  Britain,  King  George 
III.  having  contributed  £1,000  toward  this  object, 
and  the  Princess  Dowager  of  Wales  £100;  and 
the  proprietaries  engaged  to  give  a  considerable 
sum  every  year  to  promote  the  undertaking.  The 
society  then  adopted  certain  resolutions  "for  the 
management  of  the  scheme,  and  proposed  a  plan 
for  establishing  schools.  The  Governor  of  the 
Province  recognized  the  utility  of  the  scheme  and 
appomted  a  board  of  trustees  for  its  proper  direc- 
tion. Conrad  Weiser  was  one  of  the  members  of 
this  board,  and  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter  was  appoint- 
ed general  supervisor.  Petitions  from  Reading  and 
Tulpehocken  were  addressed  to  the  board  in  the 


READING   FREE   LIBRARY— PAGE    aio 


ADMINISTRATION    BUILDING    OF    READING    SCHOOL    DISTRICT-PAGE    a03 


EDUCATION   IN   COUNTY 


55 


early  part  of  1755  to  secure  the  benefit  of  these 
contributions  so  as  to  establish  some  of  the  schools, 
and  Schlatter  accordingly  organized  a  school  at  each 
of  the  places  named. 

But  the  charity  schools  proved  an.  utter  failure, 
and  Schlatter  was  personally  the  chief  sufferer. 
His  official  position  as  superintendent  rendered  him 
the  main  object  of  popular  hatred,  though  for  a 
time  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  ministers  had  sus- 
tained him.  The  German  people  lost  confidence  in 
this  undertaking  through  the  denunciations  of  Chris- 
topher Sauer,  who  asserted  in  his  German  news- 
paper (published  at  Germantown)  that  these  schools 
were  intended  to  prepare  the  way  for  establishing 
the  Church  of  England  in  this  part  of  the  province, 
and  in  this  way  it  was  believed  Schlatter's  influ- 
ence was  entirely  destroyed. 

Common  Schools. — Various  and  repeated  legis- 
lative attempts  were  made  toward  general  educa- 
tion throughout  the  State,  and  they  gradually  devel- 
oped a  public  sentiment  in  its  behalf  until  finally 
there  was  established  the  compulsory  system,  pro- 
vided by  the  Act  of  1849,  which  was  improved  by 
the  Act  of  1854. 

The  Constitution  of  1776  had  provided  that  "a 
school  or  schools  shall  be  established  in  each  county 
by  the  Legislature  for  the  convenient  instruction 
of  youth,  with  such  salaries  to  the  masters  paid  by 
the  public  as  may  enable  them  to  instruct  youth  at 
low  prices";  and  that  of  1790:  "The  Legislature 
shall,  as  soon  as  conveniently  may  be,  provide  by 
law  for  the  establishment  of  schools  throughout  the 
State  in  such  manner  that  the  poor  may  be  taught 
gratis."  This  provision  continued  in  the  fundamen- 
tal law  of  the  State  unchanged  until  the  new  Con- 
stitution of  1873,  when  it  was  modified  as  follows : 
"The  General  Assembly  shall  provide  for  the  main- 
tenance and  support  of  a  thorough  and  efficient  sys- 
tem of  public  schools  wherein  all  the  children  of 
this  Commonwealth  above  the  age  of  six  years  may 
be  educated,  and  shall  appropriate  at  least  one  mil- 
lion dollars  each  year  for  that  purpose." 

A  great  weakness  in  its  early  history  was  the 
incompetency  of  teachers.  Educated  men  and  wom- 
en of  experience  in  teaching  could  not  be  obtained 
because  duty  to  themselves  and  to  their  families 
obliged  them  to  labor  in  vocations  which  afforded 
better  remuneration;  and  a  pronounced  opposition, 
on  account  of  burdensome  and  unjust  taxation  to 
support  the  system,  discouraged  those  'who  felt  in- 
clined to  teach.  But  a  greater  weakness  than  in- 
competent teachers  existed.  It  was  the  distinctive 
feature  of  the  public  schools  and  of  the  children 
attending  them,  for  they  were  called  "pauper 
schools,"  and  "pauper  scholars,"  and  this  made  them 
odious  to  the  very  class  that  was  to  be  principally 
benefited. 


In  1833,  when  the  State  contained  about  eight 
hundred  thousand  children,  less  than  twenty-five 
thousand  attended  the  common  schools — just  one 
in  thirty-one,  or  about  three  per  cent,  notwithstand- 
ing the  offer  of  education  at  the  public  expense. 
But  in  1883,  the  State  contained  about  two  million 
children ;  and  the  number  attending  common  schools 
was  over  nine  hundred  and  fifty  thousand,  nearly 
one-half,  an  increase  of  sixteen-fold  in  fifty  years. 

The  general  system,  provided  by  the  act  of  1834, 
is  attributable  to  a  society  which  was  organized  at 
Philadelphia  in  1827.  The  express  object  of  this 
society  was  general  education  throughout  the  State,, 
and  its  efforts,  after  laboring  in  this  behalf  for  seven 
years  against  bitter  opposition,  culminated  in  the 
passage  of  the  act  mentioned.  In  1835  a  great  ef- 
fort was  made  to  repeal  this  act,  but  it  failed.  The 
credit  of  preserving  the  system  at  that  time  is  given 
'  to  Governor  George  Wolf  and  Hon.  Thaddeus 
Stevens. 

System  Accepted  by  Districts. — The  following 
statement  shows  the  year  when  the  several  districts 
of  the  county  accepted  the  common  school  system: 


Reading  1834 

Caernarvon     1834 

Robeson    ! 1836 

Union     1836 

Womelsdorf     1836 

Ruscombmanor     1837 

Colebrookdale    1838 

Hamburg     1838 

Kutztown    1838 

Marion     1839 

Hereford     1845 

Alsace    1849 

Exeter     1849 

Heidelberg    1849 

Maiden-creek     1849 

Amity    1850 

Bern     1850 

Brecknock 1850 

Cumru     1850 

Douglass 1850 

Heidelberg,  Lower. .  .  .  1850 
Heidelberg,  North ....  1850 
Oley     1850 


Rockland     . . ' 1850 

Spring      1850 

Tulpehocken 1850 

Washington 1850 

Windsor    1850 

Bern,  Upper  1851 

Bernville    1851 

Centre    1851 

Earl    1851 

Greenwich    1851 

Longswamp    1851 

Muhlenberg 1851 

Ontelaunee     1851 

Penn     1851 

Perry     1851 

Pike    1851 

Maxatawny    1852 

Bethel    1854 

Richmond   1854 

Albany    1855 

Jefferson     1855 

Tulpehocken,  Upper   ..1855 


All  the  districts  had  accepted  the  system  of  1834 
before  the'  compulsory  provision  had  gone  into  ef- 
fect, excepting  District  township,  which  held  out 
until  1867,  refusing  in  the  meantime  to  accept  the 
State  appropriation.  The  districts  subsequently  es- 
tablished, accepted  the  system  at  the  time  of  their 
erection. 

Pleasantville  was  established  as  a  separate  district 
out  of  Oley  township  in  1857. 
_  Altogether   the    districts    in   the   county   number 
sixty-one. 

In  1854,  the  schools  numbered  363,  and  the  schol- 
ars 10,116 ;  in  1884,  the  schools,  599,  and  the  schol- 
ars, 26,848 ;  and  in  1908,  the  schools,  855,  and  the 
scholars,  28,340. 


56 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 

TABULAR    STATEMENT    FOR    SCHOOL    YEAR    ENDING    JUNE   1,   1908 


Schools 

Teachers 

Scholars 

Tax  and  Rate 
Per  Cent 

s 

s 

*« 

B 

K 

B 

^ 

O 

ss 

m 

Districts 

o 

tn 

41 

■-M 

Mh 

w 

<u 

-J 

ra 

u 

.a 

II 

C3 

s 

s 

CD 

B 

s 

<L) 

Ur 

J3 
O 

If 

«4-l 

« ti 

Ut 

g 

0 

§ 

o 

as 

o 

(30  = 

o 

I- 

O 

>  - 

s 

s 

^ 

■a 

1 

1^ 

ffl  U  5 

< 

!z: 

Z 

<J 

< 

z 

i 

u 

^ 

fSj 

Albany      12 

Alsace     G 

Alsace,    Lower    4 

Amity    10 

Bechtelsville    S 

Bern    12 

Bernville    2 

Bern,     Upper 6 

Bethel     15 

Birdsboro     11 

Boyertown      9 

Brecknock    6 

Caernarvon      7 

Centre     9 

Centreport 1 

Colebrookdale    9 

Cumru     .■ .  .  26 

District     4 

Douglass     S 

Earl     (i 

Exeter      15 

Fleetwood     5 

Greenwich    11 

Hamburg    12 

Heidelberg     10 

Heidelberg,     North,...  5 

Heidelberg,    Lower....  21 

Hereford     8 

Jefferson     7 

Kutztown      4 

Lenhartsville     1 

Longswamp      16 

Maiden-creek 11 

Marion    7 

Maxatawny     15 

Mohnton     7 

Mount  Penn    3 

Muhlenberg     13 

Oley     13 

Ontelaunee    9 

Penn    S 

Perry    12 

Pike     6 

Pleasantville,    Ind 1 

Reading     331 

Richmond     14 

Robeson    17 

Rockland     S 

Ruscombmanor    0 

.Spring     10 

Tilden      0 

Topton     3 

Tulpehocken     14 

Tulpehocken,    Upper.  .  .  S 

Union    0 

Washi'ngton    9 

West   Leesport    3 

West     Reading 7 

Windsor    5 

Womelsdorf   0 

Wyomissing     3 


7 
8 
7 
7 
9 
9 
7 
7 
7 
7 
7 
7 
7 
7 
7 
7 
9 
7 
9 
7.S7 

7.15 
7 
7 
9 
S 

7.06 
7 

7.14 
7 

7.14 
9 
7 

7.07 
7.11 
7.25 
7.12 
7 
7 
10 
7 


7 

7.42 
7 
S.33 

7 

7 
7 
8 
8 
7 
9 


5 

1 
6 
2 
5 
15 
3 
4 
6 
1 
7 

2 
52 
4 
3 
6 
8 
3 
5 
4 
4 
3 
12 


1 

5 

12 

4 


4 
1 

14 
2 
6 
7 
7 

10 
5 
2 
9 


4 

10 

1 

2 

7 
1 
5 
4 
4 
2 

317 

12 

11 

1 


46.( 
47.50 

48.00 
60.00 
43.33 
50.00 
50.00 
47.66 
58.34 
56.25 
45.00 
60.00 
44.28 

45.00 
47.27 
42.50 
43.33 
48.33 
48.75 
60.00 
48.00 
56.25 
55.00 
50.00 
52.32 
50.00 
50.00 
60.00 
50.00 
53.00 
43.33 
52,05 
48.00 
60.66 
55.00 
50.00 
50.42 
65.00 
51.72 
53.50 
45.00 
60.00 
111.04 
46.10 
40.66 
45.71 
47.14 
48.50 
50,00 
51,50 
47.78 
47.14 

45.00 
50.00 
55.83 
48.33 
85.00 


$46.66 

48.75 
42.00 
60.00 
41.68 

60.00 

50,56 
50,00 

42.03 
45.00 
40.00 
45.71 
45.00 

40.00 

43.56 
60.00 
43.33 
50.00 
46.60 
40.00 
46.60 
43.33 
50.00 
60.00 

48.00 
43.76 
46.25 
47.00 
50.00 
50.00 
44.29 
40.00 
44.00 
45.17 
40.00 
50.00 

52.51 
45.00 
46.00 
50.00 
60.00 
46.66 
50.00 
50.00 
44.00 
40.00 
44.44 
43.33 
60.00 
47.50 
40.00 
50.00 
52.55 


162 

167 

87 

88 

SO 

88 

56 

57 

93 

151 

129 

78 

47 

31 

93 

169 

148 

88 

22 

24 

93 

89 

81 

95 

201 

183 

91 

235 

222 

93 

185 

217 

94 

78 

62 

87 

38 

102 

74 

148 

129 

88 

14 

19 

93 

163 

136 

87 

477 

647 

92 

66 

55 

86 

125 

105 

90 

96 

84 

89 

306 

271 

91 

103 

120 

93 

166 

154 

91 

240 

226 

96 

141 

151 

89 

06 

62 

90 

322 

282 

01 

133 

99 

88 

71 

76 

96 

97 

ino 

95 

11 

12 

96 

222 

208 

89 

169 

157 

89 

84 

87 

91 

214 

ISS 

92 

148 

151 

90 

73 

62 

96 

276 

253 

88 

334 

194 

94 

127 

131 

89 

107 

106 

93 

180 

155 

86 

86 

76 

89 

22 

27 

94 

0,593 

6,631 

90 

199 

170 

82 

235 

214 

86 

140 

113 

87 

123 

107 

90 

270 

243 

90 

115 

99 

90 

77 

65 

94 

179 

105 

89 

113 

97 

91 

110 

110 

86 

135 

111 

88 

30 

43 

90 

161 

144 

90 

76 

79 

90 

89 

124 

93 

52 

65 

80 

8,34     304 


$51.51 


$46.25 


$1.99 

6 

$3,813.26 

1.31 

5 

1,481.10 

2.01 

5 

1,924.71 

2.00 

3 

2,666.38 

1.71 

4.5 

724.26 

2.28 

3 

3,484.71 

2.87 

7 

918.42 

2.19 

3.5 

1,632.99 

2.56 

4.25 

4,066.35 

2.05 

5 

8,848.21 

1.57 

6.5 

6,926.37 

2.74 

3 

1,353.78 

1.62 

4 

2,808.78 

1.82 

3 

2,414.83 

1.86 

3.5 

30S.13 

1.88 

3.5 

2,460.62 

1.53 

2.5 

10,924.95 

1.41 

4.0 

968.00 

1.86 

6 

2,445.27 

2.18 

5 

1,429.19 

1.47 

3 

5,115.73 

2.40 

5 

2,943.41 

2.22 

4 

2,914.76 

1.68 

5 

6,335.65 

2.14 

2.5 

4,284.44 

2.51 

3 

1,442.03 

2.27 

4 

8,668.68 

3.09 

3.5 

2,045.69 

1.77 

2.6 

1,440.07 

1.35 

2.5 

4,229.31 

2.50 

4 

281.04 

3.25 

6.5 

7,040.00 

2.28 

3.35 

3,492.95 

2.33 

2 

2,035.23 

2.10 

3.5 

4,622.22 

1.55 

7 

3,214.30 

2.22 

4 

2,573.51 

1.32 

2 

3,290.56 

1.8S 

2.5 

3,564.31 

1.75 

4 

2.940.57 

2.60 

4 

2,660.58 

1.32 

3.6 

4,451.96 

2.22 

5 

1,401.15 

1.09 

2 

315.27 

1.68 

4 

230.938.60 

2.15 

3.5 

3.844.52 

4 

4,311. 4S 

1.70 

6 

2,575.28 

2. OS 

5 

1,972.25 

2.28 

3.5 

6,076.43 

4 

2,074.70 

1.33 

4 

1.411.62 

2.57 

3.5 

3,548.01 

2.11 

4 

1,977.23 

1.45 

5 

3,121.21 

2.  OS 

3 

2, 196.11 

2.37 

6 

969.23 

1.01 

5.5 

3,575.86 

1.81 

2.25 

l.OoS.70 

1.90 

6 

3,838.49 

3.5 

3.876.87 

S'hillington    included    still    with    Cumru,    not    having   been    erected. 


$1.97 


4.06         $419,790.28 


Note;      State  appropriation   to  districts  of  county.   $139,630.84;   of  which  $64,155.80   to  Reading 

Total    estimated   value    of   school   projierty   in   county,    $i. 180,100.    and    in    State,    $90,    303,311 

Total   receipts    in    county   for   school   |)urposes,    $738,178;    teachers'   wages,   $375,034;   total   expenditures 


$620,080. 


EDUCATION    IN    COUNTY 


57 


Lecture  on  Weiser. — Extracts  taken  from  the 
compiler's  lecture  on  the  "Life  of  Conrad  Weiser," 
delivered  in  different  parts  of  the  county  during 
1891,  1892  and  1893,  by  way  of  describing  the 
direction  and  influence  of  the  educational  system 
of  the  State  on  the  people  of  Berks  county : 

The  general  education  of  the  people  of  Berks  county 
has  been  going  on  continuously  from  the  time  of  the 
first  settlements  until  now.  Starting  at  a  time  when  a 
considerable  population  was  settled  in  all  sections  of  the 
county,  say  in  1752  when  it  was  erected  as  a  political 
organization  in  the  State,  and  extending  over  a  period 
embracing  a  century,  the  education  of  the  people  through 
the  instrumentality  of  schools  was  confined  to  the  rudi- 
ments, that  is,  the  ordinary  accomplishments  which  en- 
abled them  to  carry  on  industrial  and  social  affairs  in 
a  successful  manner.  It  was  rather  of  a  practical  nature, 
and  therefore  more  inclined  to  the  useful  than  the  orna- 
mental. A  common  education  consisted  of  a  general  abil- 
ity to  read,  write  and  cipher,  and  to  talk  in  the  English 
language  reasonably  well,  and  this  was  regarded  as  suffi- 
cient for  the  ordinary  demands  of  life. 

In  1752,  schools  were  scattered  in  all  the  sections  of 
the  county.  There  were  several  in  a  township,  and  the 
scholars  farthest  distant  were  about  five  miles  off.  There 
was  no  taxation  for  school  purposes.  Each  scholar  paid 
two  or  more  cents  a  day,  according  to  studies,  and  the 
teacher  earned  about  a  dollar  a  day.  The  buildings  were 
ordinary  structures,  built  mostly  of  stone  or  log.  The 
money  expended  was  made  to  reach  as  far  as  possible. 
The  education  obtained  was  necessarily  of  a  simple  nature, 
so  as  to  be  easily  acquired.  Everything  connected  with 
it  was  expressive  of  economy.  This  idea  stood  out  very 
prominently,  and  it  had  a  good  effect  upon  the  manners 
and  habits  of  the  people.  The  perceptive  faculties  were 
more  active  than  the  imaginative.  Labor  was  king,  not 
education.  Labor  was  regarded  as  the  foundation  of  ev- 
erything, and  education  only  as  a  means  for  facilitating 
its  intelligent  direction.  Everybody  labored — men  and  boys 
at  farming  and  industrial  pursuits,  women  and  girls  in 
household  affairs.  It  was  labor  that  produced  and  im- 
proved, and  economy  that  multiplied  results.  Hence  the 
county  grew-  rapidly.  There  was  little  or  no  waste.  No- 
tions and  practices  of  this  kind  prevailed  in  a  general 
way  until  about  1854. 

Then  a  uniform  system  of  education  was  established 
by  the  State  government  and  this  has  prevailed  since. 
It  has  been  encouraged  by  increasing  annual  appropria- 
tions for  school  purposes.  The  enormous  amount  for  the 
year  1893  ($6,000,000)  shows  the  people's  extraordinary 
spirit  of  liberality  towards  general  education.  In  the  in- 
terior districts,  the  school  buildings  have  not  advanced 
much  beyond  the  buildings  of  1854,  but  those  of  the  cities, 
even  of  some  of  the  towns,  show  a  remarkable  growth  in 
size  and  appearance.  By  comparison  of  general  results, 
it  will  be  found  that  the  system  of  1854  has  inclined  in  this 
time  more  towards  the  ornamental  than  the  useful.  The 
scholars  are  led  to  devote  too  much  time  and  energy  to 
information  that  they  do  not  use,  and  are  not  expected 
to  use  in  the  ordinary  associations  of  life;  also  to  matters 
and  things  that  are  too  much  disposed  to  develop  the 
imaginative  faculties  rather  than  the  perceptive. 

In  this  way  the  love  of  labor  has  come  to  lose  its  hold 
upon  a  large  proportion  of  the  people,  and  consequently 
labor  is  no  longer  king.  The  spirit  of  education  has  grown 
so  much  that  it  is  of  more  consequence  than  the  spirit 
of  labor.  Through  it  the  school  children  are  getting  to 
be  more  and  more  inclined  to  settle  in  employments  that 
are  designed  to  produce  or  serve  things  for  ornament 
rather  than  use,  and  they  are  running  more  towards 
clerking,  soliciting,  negotiating  and  kindred  employments 
which  require  earnest  action  of  the  mind  rather  than  of 
the  body  far  beyond  the  natural  and  equitable  demands 
of  society.  And  the  sustenance  of  this  increasing  number 
with  their  numerous  magnified  wants  is   obtained  at  the 


expense  of  the  physical  exertions  of  a  large  proportion 
of  the  people.  This  has  been  stimulated  to  such  a  degree 
that  it  has  become  burdensome  in  a  very  appreciable  man- 
ner. 

A  growing  inequality  in  various  ways  is  more  and  more 
apparent,  especially  in  respect  to  property,  money  and 
income,  and  the  influences  which  they  exert;  and  as  this 
inequality  grows  on  the  one  hand,  extravagance  manifests 
itself  on  the  other,  indeed,  to  such  an  extent  that  it  is 
commonly  regarded  as  necessary  to  social  existence.  A 
prominent  desire,  flowing  from  this  inequality,  is  to  profit 
by  the  labor  of  others  without  mental  or  -physical  exer- 
tions; and  though  this  is  admittedly  a  great  disadvantage 
against  the  industrious  element  of  any  community  it  is 
justified  and  encouraged  without  the  slightest  compunc- 
tion. A  desire  growing  entirely  too  common  is  to  ,  fill 
an  office,  exercise  municipal  power  and  dispose  of  public 
funds,  all  of  which  lead  the  mind  and  conscience  away 
from  .a  just  conception  of  industry  and  from  the  real 
value  of  money.  And  another  injurious  desire,  not  only 
in  Berks  county  but  elsewhere,  is  the  migration  of  many 
industrious  people  from  country  districts  to  populous 
places  where  equality,  comfort  and  contentment  are  not 
half  of  what  they  formerly  enjoyed.  Decrease  of  popula- 
tion in  townships  and  increase  of  it  in  the  cities  is  a  bad 
indication  for  the  general  welfare.  Evidently  some  evil 
influence  is  at  work  that  produces  such  a  result  in  social 
affairs. 

This  general  tendency  must  be  changed.  It  must  be 
guided  into  the  channel  that  was  occupied  naturally  be- 
fore 1854.  Labor  m,ust  be  restored  to  its  position  as  the 
recognized  king.  The  practical  must  be  studied  and  en- 
couraged in  preference  to  the  ornamental ;  and  the  devel- 
opment of  the  perceptive  faculties  must  receive  a  larger 
share  of  consideration  than  the  imaginative.  Each  one 
of  us  should  be  so  taught  as  to  .obtain  a  proper  idea  of 
industry  and  to  feel  the  absolute  necessity  of  contributing 
his  share  of  useful  labor  in  the  production  of  things  of 
real,  not  speculative  value.  And  industrial  affairs  should 
be  so  conducted,  or  rather  they  should  be  permitted  to 
so  regulate  themselves  without  legislation  or  other  inter- 
ference, that  the  small  communities  shall  have  equal  op- 
portunities with  populous  cities  in  the  race  of  progress. 
The  question  may  well  be  asked :  Can  this  be  accomp- 
lished?   If  so,  how  is  it  to  be  done? 

I  would  answer  through  our  schools  by  teaching  branch- 
es of  knowledge  that  can  be  utilized  by  the  scholars  when 
they  come  to  act  for  themselves  and  that  will  fit  them 
for  the  stations  which  they  may  be  expected  to  occupy; 
through  a  proper  conception  of  the  importance  of  labor 
and  of  local  rights,  and  a  uniform  desire  to  co-operate  in 
the  several  affairs  of  life ;  and  also  through  lecturing  on  the 
character  of  men  and  women  who  have  been  useful,  just 
and  honorable  to  the  communities  in  which  they  lived. 
In  this  behalf  I  have  selected  Conrad  Weiser  as  a  proper 
subject  for  our  consideration.  By  studying  his  career 
we  shall  find  for  our  guidance  the  useful  things  of  life 
rather  than  the  ornamental.  The  former  constitute  the 
basis  of  general  association  and  incline  us  to  co-operate 
with  one  another  in  individual  and  social  affairs ;  but  the 
latter  create  a  spirit  of  rivalry  and  incline  us  to  strike 
out  for  ourselves  regardless  of  consequences  to  others. 

Ornamental  education  has  been  to  us  for  some  years 
a  proud  and  presumptuous  mistress,  but  we  have  come 
td  find  at  last  that  she  has  misdirected  our  efforts  and 
generosity  and  misled  many  of  us  away  from  the  sta- 
tions for  which  we  were  adapted  by  nature  and  associa- 
tion. Through  her  a  great ,  many  persons  have  drifted 
into  unproductiveness,  idleness,  or  restlessness  to  such 
a  degree  that  it  behooves  us  to  stop  and  see  if  we  cannot 
find  what  steps  must  be  taken  to  restore  useful  industry 
and  produce  general  contentment.  Investigation  and  re- 
flection will  lead  us  to  conclude  that  labor  must  be  sub- 
stituted as  master  in  the  place  of  education  as  mistress. 
In  this  way  only  can  we  come  to  adopt  and  hold  on  to 
the  useful  and  practical,  and  to  transmit  our  individuality 
to  future  generations. 


58 


HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Educational  Purpose  of  \'\^eisee  Lecture. — An 
introduction  to  the  compiler's  lecture,  explanatory 
of  his  purpose,  was  published  and  distributed  with 
the  lecture  under  the  auspices  of  the  Reading  Board 
of  Trade  in  1893,  and  the  forcibleness  and  truthful- 
ness of  his  remarks  at  that  time,  sixteen  years  ago, 
will  be  appreciated  by  studying  the  condition  of  edu- 
cational, political  and  industrial  affairs  at  the  pres- 
ent time,  in  the  year  1909.  The  introduction  was  as 
follows : 

The  tendency  of  the  times  for  some  years  has  been 
against  the  uniform  development  of  the  districts  that  con- 
stitute larger  divisions  of  territory,  as  counties  and  States. 
Like  the  draining  waters  of  creeks  and  rivers  into  the 
ocean  without  artificial  impediments — as  in  the  primeval 
period  when  mechanical  power  was  not  demanded — in- 
dustries, wealth,  and  population  have  been  drifting,'  or 
rather  drained,  toward  great  centers,  such  as  Boston.  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Cincinnati,  Chicago,  St. 
Louis  and  San  Francisco.  It  is  even  to  be  noticed  in 
inJand  counties  like  Berks,  Lebanon  and  Lehigh,  for  the 
county-seats  are  growing  so  rapidly  that  they  are  com- 
ing to  have  the  major  part  of  assessed  property  and  popu- 
lation, notwithstanding  the  area  of  territory  occupied  is 
comparatively  limited.  Political  and  social  influences  are 
thereby  developed  in  channels  leading  to  personal  distinc- 
tion rather  than  general  welfare.  In  this  way  too  much 
power  is  permitted  to  settle  gradually  but  surely  in 
certain  persons,  and  their  individual  judgment  is  taken 
as  public  opinion.  This  is  against  the  substantial  inter- 
ests and  prosperity  of  the  people  taken  as  an  organized 
body. 

General  education  and  government  have  been  carried  on 
for  many  years  by  a  prescribed  system  for  the  general 
advantage  of  all  the  inhabitants.  The  manifest  design 
of  this  legislation  was  to  build  up  the  parts  which  con- 
stitute the  whole,  on  the  theory  that  if  the  several  parts 
be  recognized  for  intelligence  and  self  government  the 
whole  must  necessarily  be  distinguished  in  these  respects. 
But  with  all  our  State  and  local  appropriations  for  the 
purposes  of  education  and  government,  many  parts  are 
found  to  be  deteriorating,  while  only  few  are  improving. 
This  is  particularly  noticeable  in  respect  to  property,  pop- 
ulation and  social  influence ;  and  in  respect  to  individual- 
ity, co-operation,  confidence  and  reliability,  the  average 
development  is  not  what  we  have  a  right  to  expect  in 
return  for  the  taxes  levied  and  expenditures  made.  Elect- 
ors contribute  their  share  of  the  taxes  to  enable  the  several 
parts  or  districts  to  be  successfully  maintained  and  devel- 
oped, but  the  substantial  and  uniform  local  benefits  for 
which  the  taxes  are  assented  to  without  complaint  are  not 
realized. 

Steam  and  electricity  have  latterly  become  so  important 
in  the  development  of  industry  for  the  superfluities  of 
life,  and  capital  and  speculation  have  concentrated  so 
largely  in  metropolitan  places,  from  which  they  exert 
a  most  extraordinary  influence  over  the  manners,  cus- 
toms and  desires  of  society,  reaching  out  hundreds  if 
not  thousands  of  miles,  that  little  hope  can  be  entertained 
of  effecting  a  change  by  the  discussion  of  local  rights 
in  the  interior  parts  of  Pennsylvania  ailong  the  moun- 
tains, I  mean  such  a  change  as  would  give  to  labor  a  due 
proportion  of  its  products  in  the  districts  where  it  is 
carried  on. 

The  waters  rise  not  in  the  mountains  simply  to  flow 
on  to  the  sea  without  advantage  to  the  people  as  they 
pass,  nor  are  men  and  women  intended  to  establish  do- 
mestic relations  in  the  interior  parts  of  the  country  sim- 
ply to  permit  their  offspring  to  be  drawn  away  to  swell 
the  population  of  great  cities,  nor  are  they  expected  to 
work  and  practice  rigid  economy  simply  to  give  the  real 
benefits  to  financiers  and  speculators  far  removed  from 
the  seat  of  industry ;  but  they  are  designed  to  serve  a 
more  direct  purpose  in  the  affairs  of  mankind.     The  nat- 


ural results  would  be  more  advantageous  to  the  locality 
if  they  were  not  commonly  and  persistently  drawn  away 
by  selfish  manipulations.  A  true  conception  of  local  rights 
would  greatly  modify  these  manipulations  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  encourage  plans  and  schemes  of  distribution  that 
would  produce  a  imiform  appreciation  and  development  of 
the  general  rights,  privileges  and  conveniences  of  the  people. 
Circumstances,  sometimes  accidental,  but  mostly  the  result 
of  deliberation,  may  enable  a  man  or  body  of  men  to  take 
an  unfair  advantage  over  others,  whether  as  neighbors 
of  the  same  locality,  or  as  fellow  citizens  of  adjoining  or 
distant  localities,  but  in  the  short  span  of  a  life-time  this 
advantage  will  be  found  to  result  eventually  in  a  disad- 
vantage of  some  kind,  either  of  a  personal  or  general 
nature. 

Our  education  being  intended  for  social  elevation,  and 
our  government  for  political  equality,  the  former  should 
incline  us  to  be  just  and  fraternal,  and  the  latter  in  all 
its  departments  to  be  impartial,  whatsoever  the  situation 
of  the  several  localities.  But  my  historical  researches, 
with  a  collection  of  statistics,  have  brought  me  to  see 
an  opposite  social  and  political  tendency;  and  believing 
it  to  be  injurious  to  the  general  welfare,  I  was  led  to 
study  the  career  of  Conrad  Weisee,  a  most  zealous  advo- 
cate of  local  rights,  and  to  present  the  result  of  my  re- 
flections to  the  people  in  the  form  of  a  lecture,  with  the 
hope  that  thereby  public  attention  would  be  directed  to 
the  rights  and  demands  of  the  respective  parts  of  Berks 
county,  and  that  this  tendency  might  be  changed  in  the 
interest  of  practical  not  theoretical  political  equality,  of 
general  not  individual  industrial  power,  and  of  real  not 
imaginary  social  progress. 

Teachers'  In.stitutes. — An  institute,  composed 
of  many  of  the  school  teachers  of  the  county,  was 
first  held  in  March,  1851,  in  the  Court-House  at 
Reading,  for  the  purpose  of  encouraging  the  general 
work  of  education  by  a  discussion  of  improved 
methods  of  teaching,  an  organization  having  been 
effected  in  January  preceding.  The  meeting  was 
largely  attended,  and  it  was  very  successful.  In- 
stitutes were  held  for  several  years  in  succession 
and  then  discontinued. 

In  1867,  the  State  Legislature  passed  an  Act  of 
Assembly  requiring  the  county  superintendent  of 
common  schools  "to  call  upon  and  invite  the  teach- 
ers of  the  common  schools  and  other  institutions  of 
learning  in  his  county  to  assemble  together  and  or- 
ganize themselves  into  a  teachers'  institute,  to  be  de- 
voted to  the  improvement  of  teachers  in  the  science 
and  art  of  education,  and  to  continue  in  session  for 
at  least  five  days."  In  conformity  with  the  provisions 
of  this  law,  the  county  superintendent,  Prof.  John 
S.  Ermentrout,  held  a  county  institute  in  1868,  at 
Reading.  It  was  largely  attended  by  teachers  from 
all  sections  of  the  county,  and  great  interest  was 
manifested.  Since  that  time,  annual  institutes  have 
been  held  with  increasing  attendance  and  success. 

In  1869,  when  Prof.  D.  B.  Brunner  became 
county  superintendent,  he  maugurated  the  system 
of  local  institutes,  and  during  that  year  he  held 
eight  institutes  in  different  sections  of  the  county 
which  proved  very  successful.  This  enabled  the 
teachers  in  remote  districts  to  attend  an  institute 
and  become  familiar  with  its  proceedings,  and  also 
to  take  a  part  in  its  discussions,  an  opportunity 
being  afforded  and  an  inclination  to  do  so  being 
encouraged.     This  latter  feature  was  particularly 


EDUCATION   IN    COUNTY 


59 


appreciable,  for  in  a  local  institute  the  teachers  were 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  one  another,  and,  not 
being  so  numerous,  they  were  enabled  to  partici- 
pate practically  in  its  discussions.  Each  succeed- 
ing year  till  now  has  shown  an  ever-increasing  in- 
terest in  them. 

The  Pennsylvania  State  Educational  Association 
was  first  organized  in  1856.  Three  of  its  conven- 
tions were  held  at  Reading;  in  1863,  in  1878,  and 
in  1905. 

Pay  Schools. — ^Various  pay  schools  were  con- 
ducted in  the  county,  out  of  the  limits  of  Reading, 
before  the  establishment  of  the  compulsory  system 
and  afterward  for  many  years,  more  especially  in 
Union  and  Oley  townships,  and  at  Boyertown, 
Kutztown  and  Womelsdorf.  But  they  have  all 
been  discontinued  excepting  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School  which  is  described  in  connection , 
with  Kutztown. 

NEWSPAPERS 

There  was  no  newspaper  published  in  the  county 
before  1789.  News  was  communicated  by  persons 
to  one  another  mostly  at  inns  and  stores,  of  which 
the  number  was  large  in  proportion  to  the  popula- 
tion, more  especially  at  Reading.  The  latest  acci- 
dent, death,  transaction  or  crookedness  of  any  kind 
was  communicated  from  one  to  the  other,  or  to 
small  groups  of  persons ;  and  so  it  was  carried 
from  building  to  building  and  from  place  to  place, 
not  in  the  English  language  (for  English  was  little 
spoken  then  by  those  who  assembled  at  inns)  but 
German,  which  was  used  almost  entirely  through- 
out the  county  in  the  daily  affairs  of  life,  both  secu- 
lar and  religious. 

During  this  early  period,  the  Pennsylvania 
Gazette,  published  at  Philadelphia,  had  a  lim- 
ited circulation  in  Reading  and  in  the  county. 
It  was  an  interesting  messenger  to  the  peo- 
ple; and  its  weekly  arrival  must  have  been  an 
event  of  more  than  ordinary  importance.  A  copy 
was  doubtless  busy  in  passing  amongst  persons 
who  could  read  English — not  for  the  personal  mat- 
ters which  it  contained,  but  for  foreign  affairs, 
market  reports,  letters  published,  etc.  Christopher 
Sauer's  Journal,  a  newspaper  printed  in  German, 
and  published  at  Germantown,  had  a  more  extended 
circulation  in  this  vicinity,  and  it  exercised  a  large 
influence  over  the  residents. 

Forty  years  in  the  history  of  Reading  elapsed 
before  the  newspaper  became  a  local  institution. 
The  entire  period  of  its  local  life  as  a  town,  with  all 
its  many  important  events,  passed  away  without 
having  it  introduced.  This  would  seem  to  be  a  long 
while  for  such  a  factor  to  obtain  a  foothold  in  a 
community  otherwise  energetic  and  progressive; 
but  this  delay  is  capable  of  explanation.  The  peo- 
ple were  interested  in  home  rather  than  in  foreign 
affairs,  and  strove  to  give  them  successful  develop- 
ment. Local  matters  required  no  printed  publica- 
tion, for,  the  town  being  small  and  the  population 
limited,  they  were  easily  communicated.  But  as 
the  town  g-rew  into  a  borough,  and  especially  as  the 


borough  grew  into  a  city,  with  its  territory  en- 
larged, the  inhabitants  more  widely  scattered  and 
the  population  largely  increased,  the  natural  way 
became  more  and  more  incapable,  of  satisfying  the 
inquisitiveness  of  the  people  and  an  artificial  way 
had  to  be  introduced — and  this  was  supplied  by  the 
newspaper. 

After  the  lapse  of  a  century,  general  progress 
came  to  be  so  wonderful,  the  people  so  numerous 
and  scattered,  and  their  relations  so  intermingled, 
that,  just  as  the  natural  way  had  to  yield  to  the 
artificial,  so  did  the  old  and  slow  process  of  print- 
ing on  a  hand-press,  with  its  limited  capacity,  have 
to  make  way  for  the  new  and  spirited  process,  by 
a  steam-press,  with  its  unlimited  capacity.  In  the 
beginning,  the  newspaper  was  weak  in  every  res- 
pect, small  in  size,  limited  in  circulation,  uncertain 
in  financial  support,  and  wanting  in  mental  vigor 
and  originality;  but  afterward  it  became  strong, 
rich,  energetic  and  inventive. 

The  newspapers  of  the  county  comprise  two 
classes,  weekly  and  daily.  Some  of  them  were 
printed  in  the  German  language,  but  most  of  them 
in  the  English.  The  following  statement  shows 
the  names  of  the  several  newspapers  instituted 
at  Reading  and  in  the  county;  also  the  names  of 
the  founders,  the  time  when  instituted,  and  the  dur- 
ation of  the  publication.  Though  published  almost 
entirely  at  Reading,  they  have  been  placed  in  this 
chapter  on  account  of  their  general  'circulation 
throughout  the  county  and  elsewhere. 

WEEKLY    NEWSPAPERS    AT    READING 
Name  Founder 


Neue  Unpartheyische  }     Johnson,    Barton  } 
Readinger  Zeiiung     )         &   Jungmann     ) 


Year 
.  1789-1793 

Weekly    Advertiser Gottlob    Jungmann 1796-1816 

Reading    Herald ^^J"^^   -^j.  .1796-1796 

Readinger    Adler* ^Grge'cert"   -<lf  .1796-1909 

Welt  Bothe Henry    B.    Sage     ISlOi 

Berks  and  Schuylkill** 

Journal George    Getz 1816-1909 

Readinger  Post  Sof^. .  .Charles  A.  Bruckman. .  .1816-1826 

Chronicle  of  the  Times.  %^,,f^''^^l  }•  ■  •  •  1822-1836 

Jackson   Democrat Charles  J.  Jack 1826-1826 

Readinger  Democrat. . . . ^.^^rmud'Sger"  } • " "  ■  ^'^'-^'^' 

Berks  County  Press ....  Samuel  Myers 1835-1865 

Jefferson  Democrat Robert   W.   Albright 1838-1848 

Liberate    Beobachter Arnold  Puwelle 1839-1865 

Reading  Gazette  and        Jacob  Knabb  and)  ^„..  ,„„. 

Democrat J.  Lawrence  Getz  j 1840-1878 

Alt  Berks William   B.    Schoener. .  .1840-1845 

Sonne  von  Alt  Berks..  .ChaLtles  W.  Guenther. .  .1845-1848 
Reading   Herald Abraham   S.  Whitman .  .1846-1850 

People's  Advocate foselh^^'fi^rret^"'^  f  "  -1850-1852 

Berks  County  Democrat    ^nXew  M.'sXde^"'^  }  1858-1858 

James   MillhoUand   and). 
School  Album Albert   R.   Durham         j^ 

*.Ritter   family  connected   with  publication   since    1802 
**Owned    by    publishers    of    Reading    Times    since    186 


^1858-1859 


1866. 


K30 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


JVeekly    Leader 

Rcformirtcr  Hausfreund 
fanner  von  Berks 

Die  Biene 

Pie  Deutsche   Eiche . . . . 

Rcpuhlikaner  von  Berks 

.Spirit  of  Berks 

.Reading    Weekly  Eagle. 

Reading  Weekly  Herald 
.Reading  Weekly  News.. 

Reformed  Church  Rec'd 

Reading    Democrat 

JLahor  Advocate... 
■  Union  Sentinel.... 


J.   Robley  Dunglison 1860-1861 

Daniel    Miller 1867-1904 

William    Rosenthal* 1864-1909 

William    Rosenthal* 1867-1909 

William    Rosenthal* 1869-1909 

Daniel    Miller 2^6^-1899 

Daniel    S.   Francis 1876-1881 

Jesse   G.    Hawley 1878-1909 

John    B.    Dampman 1881-1896 

William    S.    Ritter 1881-1909 

B.    Bailsman 1888-1905 

W.    Oscar   Miller 1894-1899 

Harry  F.  De  Gour  1900-1909 

Federated  Trades 

Council 1901-1909 


MONTHLY    NEWSPAPERS 
Name  Founder  Year 

,  Litteratur    Blati August    Bendel 1883-1900 

Illustrirte    Jugcndbliitter. August    Bendel    1884-1909 

Pennsylvania  Philatelist    Clifford   N.   Kissinger. .  .1891-1903 

Greater    Reading Walter   S.    Hamaker. ..  .1897-1898 

'Greater    Armrica Walter  S.  Hamaker 1898-1903 

..Preacher's   Assistant. . .  .Frank  J.  Boyer 1889-1909 

Mengel  &  Mengel  have  issued  a  Real  Estate  Reg- 
ister monthly  since  January,  1895,  relating  to  the 
■  conditions  of  real  estate  at  Reading  and  vicinity. 

WEEKLY  NEWSPAPERS  AT  BOROUGHS 


KUTZTOWN 
Name  Founder 

Neutralist William   Harmony 


Ye 


.1833-1841 

Geist    der   Zeit Hawrecht  &  Wink 1841-1863 

Der    Hirt J.    S.    Herman 1854-18.56 

.  Kutstozvn    Journal Isaac   F.    Christ 1870-1909 

National  Educator Isaac    F.    Christ 1872 

American  Patriot Isaac   F.   Christ 1874-1909 

HAMBURG 
Name  Founder  Year 

Hamburg   ^./'-//^..^  -  .J^^^i  J^^l'fl^  ^^^^  ....1841-190., 

Hamburg  Advertiser ..  ...M.  H.  Shollenberger. ..  .186.5-1868 

Rural  Press J.  K.  &  J.   G.  Smith 1873-1875 

'Hamburger   Berichter. .  .WiWiam   F.   Tyson 1872-1874 

'Hamburg   Weekly  Item. Samuel   A.    Focht 1875-1909 


BOYERTOWN 
Name  Founder 

■  Boyertown  Bauer O.   P.   Zink 


Year 

1858-1868 

Boyertown    Democrat. .  .George   Sassaman    lSSS-1909 


WOMELSDORF 

Name  Founder  Year 

Womelsdorf   Gazette ....  Samuel    Mowry 1847-1848 

Womelsdorf  Herald Michael  K.   Boyer 1879-1880 

Womelsdorf  News Joel   Weidman.' 1882-1885 

BIRUSBORO 

Name  Founder  Year 

Birdsboro  Pioneer B.   F.    Fries 1873-1876 

Birdsboro  Dispatch Rapp  &  Ryan 1885-1909 

Birdsboro    Review    Harry   E.    Hart 1893-1908 

D.AiLY  Newspapers. — Weekly  newspaper  publi- 
cations were  carried  on  at  Reading  for  over  sixty 
years  before  a  daily  was  thought  of,  at  lea.st  before 
a  public  proposition  to  this  end  was  made.  Many 
weeklies  had  been  instituted  in  that  time ;  but  they 
all    suspended   excepting   two,    and   these   two   are 

*Jolin  Weiler,  an  employer  and  manager  for  many  years,  became 
the  proprietor   June  20,' 1908, 


worthy  of  especial  mention  for  their  energy,  success 
and  longevity — the  Adlei-  and  the  Journal — the  for- 
mer a  German  publication  founded  in  1796,  and  the 
latter  an  English  publication  founded  in  1816,  which 
is  strictly  a  continuation  of  the  Weekly  Advertiser, 
started  also  in  1796.  The  population  was  certainly 
here  to  support  a  daily  newspaper.  The  rapid  in- 
crease of  the  people  would  seem  to  have  warranted 
— if  it  did  not  inspire — such  an  enterprise  in  that 
period  of  time.  Education  was  quite  general, 
though  stimulated  with  marked  public  energy  after 
1834;  and  the  English  language  was  growing  grad- 
ually into  favor.  The  railroad  was  constructed, 
various  shops  and  factories,  especially  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  iron  goods,  were  erected;  even  English 
churches  were  founded. 

The  second  period  of  Reading  was  unusually 
prolific  in  producing  great  things  for  the  common 
progress  of  its  citizens.  In  1840  the  population 
was  8,410,  and  in  1847  it  was  about  12,000;  and 
in  the  respective  years  named  the  entire  county  had 
about  65,000  and  70,000.  The  railroad  extended 
through  the  entire  Schuylkill  Valley  to  the  north 
and  to  the  south,  and  the  stages  ran  daily  in  every 
direction.  These  means  facilitated  the  distribution 
of  newspapers,  and  encouraged  the  spirit  of  pub- 
lication ;  and  the  borough  was  advanced  into  a 
city.    Still  there  was  no  daily  newspaper. 

When  the  third  period  was  begun  there  were 
seven  weekly  newspapers  carried  on  successful!}', 
Adlcr,  Journal,  Berks  County  Press,  Liberate  Bco- 
bachtcr,  Alt  Berks,  Jefferson  Democrat  and  Reading 
Ga::cttc.  They  were  issued  upon  diflfierent  days  in 
the  week,  but  mostly  on  Saturday.  Naturally,  this 
number  was  sufficient  to  discourage  the  thought 
of  a  daily  publication.  But  the  spirit  of  enterprise 
was  working  its  way  through  the  people  in  different 
channels ;  buildings  were  multiplying,  trade  was 
growing,  population  was  increasing,  and  many 
strangers  were  locating  here  permanently.  The 
daily  events  necessarily  grew  with  the  'general 
growth,  and  the  disposition  to  know  them  at  once 
was  preparing  the  way  for  a  step  beyond  the  weekly 
publication,  and  just  as  the  stage-coach  and  canal- 
boat,  through  the  energy  of  trading,  came  to  be 
slow  and  had  to  make  way  for  the  steam-car,  so  the 
weekly  newspaper  was  coming  to  be  late  in  com- 
municating news,  the  feeling  against  the  delay  was 
growing  stronger  and  stronger,  public  eagerness 
clamoring  for  an  improvement. 

Three  months  after  Reading  was  incorporated 
as  a  city,  Abraham  S.  Whitman — a  practical  young 
printer  of  Reading— took  the  first  step  beyond  a, 
weekly  publication  by  instituting  and  carrying  on 
a  tri-weekly  newspaper,  which  he  entitled  The 
Readnis:  HcraUd,  and  within  two  months  he  en- 
larged its  size  and  improved  its  appearance.  But 
he  soon  found  that  he  had  stepped  beyond  his  time, 
and  was  therefore  compelled  to  issue  the  publica- 
tion as  a  weekly  newspaper. 


EDUCATION   IN    COUNTY 


61 


About  the  same  time,  J.  Lawrence  Getz,  publisher 
of  the  Reading  Gazette  (weekly),  made  the  edi- 
torial announcement  that  he  would  undertake  the 
publication  of  a  daily  newspaper,  if  supported ;  but 
the  support  was  so  limited  that  he  was  forced  to 
discontinue  after  an  earnest  trial  of  nine  days. 

These  first  efforts  were  in  1847.  Ten  years 
elapsed.  In  that  time  two  new  railroads  were  ex- 
tended from  this  business  center,  one  to  the  west 
through  Lebanon  Valley,  the  other  to  the  north- 
east through  East  Penn  Valley.  From  12,000  the 
population  of  the  city  had  increased  to  30,000,  and 
from  70,000  the  population  of  the  county  had  in- 
creased to  90,000.  The  post-offices  round  about 
in  the  county  had  multiplied  from  forty-one  to 
seventy — a  wonderful  increase  in  this  department 
of  the  public  service.  The  added  wealth  to  the 
community  from  all  sources  was  estimated  not  by 
the  thousands  of  dollars,  but  by  the  millions,  and 
the  hand-press  for  newspapers  had  become  sup- 
planted by  the  steam-press.  Mr.  Getz  doubtless 
reasoned  in  this  manner  in  1857,  and,  satisfying 
himself  that  the  prospects  were  favorable,  he  started 
in  this  enterprise  a  second  time.  He  continued 
the  publication  successfully,  though  under  discour- 
aging patronage,  until  Feb.  3,  1858,  when  he 
changed  the  time  of  its  issue  to  the  evening,  and 
reduced  the  price  from  ten  cents  a  week  to  six 
centSi 

His  second  ■experiment  was,  however,  carried  on 
for  only  three  weeks,  and  he  was  again  compelled 
to  suspend  publication.  The  Berks  and  Schuylkill 
Journal  complimented  his  spirit  and  enterprise, 
but  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  suspension  was 
by  no  means  creditable  either  to  the  intelligence  or 
to  the  public  spirit  of  a  city  with  20,000  inhabitants. 
Its  list  of  patrons  embraced  four  hundred  and  fifty 
regular  subscribers ;  but  only  sixteen  out  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  business  men  of  Reading  took 
sufficient  interest  in  its  success  to  give  it  advertis- 
ing patronage. 

Immediately  after  the  suspension  of  the  Gazette, 
a  stronger  feeling  for  a  daily  newspaper  manifested 
itself  by  the  citizens  and  so  a  third  attempt  was 
made.  This  was  by  J.  Robley  Dunglison,  a  young 
man  from  Philadelphia,  who  had  settled  at  Read- 
ing about  that  time.  He  issued  the  first  number 
of  his  paper  on  July  19,  1858,  which  was  entitled 
Reading  Daily  Times.  It  was  a  folio,  printed  in 
the  English  language,  16  by  24  inches,  with  five 
columns  to  the  page,  and  issued  in  the  morning. 
He  published  it  until  Dec.  9,  1859,  when  he  sold  it 
to  Henry  Lantz.  Lantz  published  it  until  September, 
1861,  when  (owing  to  his  enlistment  in  the  Civil 
war)  he  sold  the  paper  to  A.  S.  Whitman  and 
Charles  F.  Hause,  who  published  it  very  success- 
fully during  the  Civil  war.  In  1865,  F.  B.  Shalters 
became  interested,  and  in  1868  the  sole  owner  and 
editor.  In  1869,  the  paper  was  purchased  by  J. 
Knabb  &  Co.,  the  publishers  of  the  Berks  and 
Schw^lkill  Journal,  and  this  firm  and  its   succes- 


sor, the  Reading  Times  Publishing  Company,  have 
published  it  ever  since. 

The  Evening  Dispatch  was  issued  as  an  evening- 
daily  paper  from  Feb.  10,  1866,  until  April  4,  1870,. 
when  it  was  purchased  by  J.  Knabb  &  Co.  and 
merged  with  the  Reading  Times,  and  Alfred  S. 
Jones  had  started  the  Daily  Reporter  on  April  26, 
1864,  and  issued  it  for  nearly  a  year. 

The  Daily  Eagle  was  founded  by  William  S.  Rit- 
ter  and  Jesse  G.  Hawley  (publishers  of  the  Reading 
Adler),  on  Jan.  28,  1868.  In  1874,  Hawley  pur- 
chased the  entire  interest,  and  pubhshed  the  paper 
until  his  decease  in  1903.  By  his  great  enterprise 
he  enlarged  its  circulation  v^ry  much  and  distrib- 
uted its  issue  not  only  into  every  town  and  town- 
ship of  the  county,  but  into  neighboring  and  distant 
counties  in  the  Schuylkill,  East  Penn  and  LebanoiT 
Valleys.  Since  his  decease,  its  pubHcation  has  beent 
continued  with  equal  and  deserved  success  by  his 
estate. 

The  first  daily  German  newspaper  at  Reading- 
was  founded  by  William  Rosenthal  on  June  1,  1868, 
under  the  title  of  Die  Readinge  Post,  and  he 
issued  it  successfully  until  1908,  when  he  sold  it. 
to  John  Weiler. 

The  Daily  News  was  issued  by  William  S.  Ritter 
(proprietor  of  the  Adler)  from  May,  1880,  until. 
May,  1886. 

The  Daily  Spirit  of  Berks  was  started  by  Daniel" 
S.  Francis  on  Aug.  6,  1881,  and  published  by  him- 
until  November  following,  when  he  sold  the  daily 
and  the  weekly  issue  of  this  paper  to  John  B. 
Dampman  and  A.  C.  Buckwalter,  who  then  changed" 
the  names  to  the  Daily  Herald  and  Weekly  Herald.. 
William  McCormick  became  the  purchaser  in  the- 
fall  of  1896  and  discontinued  the  Weekly  paper, 
but  has  issued  the  Daily  since.  During  the  Spanish 
war  in  1898  he  published  a  morning  and  evening- 
issue  of  the  daily,  but  discontinued  the  morning- 
issue  at  the  close  of  this  war. 

The  Reading  Telegram,  a  daily,  owned  by  the 
Reading  Telegram  Publishing  Company,  has  been 
issued  since  1887. 

Other  daily  newspapers  were  started  at  Readings 
and  issued  for  various  periods,  but  not  beyond  sev- 
eral years,  such,  as  the  Daily  Leader,  Evening  Star, 
Evening  Record,  Daily  People,  Daily  Graphic,  Eve- 
ning Review,  and  Evening  World. 

LANGUAGE,  MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS 
Language. — The  great  majority  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Berks  county  were  Germans,  and  through 
them  their  language,  manners  and  customs  be- 
came predominant.  Most  of  them  remained  here, 
and,  to  a  great  degree,  where  the  several  families 
first  settled  and  prospered.  Their  number  influ- 
enced the  early  erection  of  the  county  in  1752. 
Their  industry,  perseverance  and  economy  built  up 
and  enriched  its  valleys  and  hills  with  substantial 
improvements.  Nearly  two  hundred  years  have 
elapsed  since,  but  the  general  features  of  the  whole 
community  bear. their  impression.     Their  manners 


63 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


and  customs  have  been  handed  down  from  genera- 
tion to  generation,  with  little  change;  and  their 
language  is  still  in  general  use  in  every  section. 
This  permanence  exhibits  inherent  strength.  The 
introduction  of  other  peoples,  with  different  lang- 
uages, but  mostly  English,  have  not  weakened  their 
hold  upon  the  people. 

Their  language  is  composed  of  words  princi- 
pally from  German  dialects,  such  as  the  Alleman- 
nisch,  the  Pfalzisch,  and  the  Schwabisch,  and  some 
from  the  German  proper.  Its  preservation  to  such 
a  marked  degree  is  due  mostly  to  their '  German 
Bible.  Martin  Luther  performed  a  great  service 
to  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  prolific  nations  of 
the  earth  in  translating  the  Latin  Bible  into  the  Ger- 
man, for  through  it  he  made  the  use  of  the  German 
language  here  persistent  and  continuous.  Their 
German  hymn-books  and  prayer-books,  and  Arndt's 
Wahren  Christenthum  (True  Christiariity)  assisted 
greatly  in  this  behalf. 

The  use  of  the  English  language  in  courts  of  jus- 
tice, and  in  legal  documents  of  all  kinds,  did  not, 
and  apparently  could  not,  interfere  with  its  preser- 
vation.    Even  English  teaching,  through  a  general 
system   of   school   education,   has   not   disturbed   it 
very   much,   though   two   generations   have   passed 
away  since  its  introduction.    This  system  has  caused 
the  introduction  of  numerous  English,  mixed  and 
contracted  words,   and   doubtless   induced  the  lan- 
guage   to    be   called    "Pennsylvania    German" — or 
"Pennsylvania  Dutch."    These  remarks  are  particu- 
larly   applicable    to    the   country    districts,    for   the 
teachers  are  mostly  young  people,  who,  in  many  in- 
stances,  are  not  qualified  to  use  the  English  lan- 
guage  accurately.      Through   them   many   peculiar 
and  incorrect  expressions  have  been  engrafted  upon 
the  language  of  our  locality ;  and  the  German  people 
themselves   have  occasioned  the  introduction  of  a 
considerable  number,  through  an  earnest  desire  to 
succeed  in  their  business  relations  with  the  citizens 
of  Reading.     The  sounds,  expressions  and  intona- 
tions are  peculiar  and  cannot  be  communicated  in 
a  published  narrative. 

The  Pennsylvania-German  language  has  been 
presented  admirably  in  a  number  of  poems  which 
Thomas  C.  Zimmerman  translated  from  the  Eng- 
lish, he  having  selected  a  variety  of  styles  of  com- 
position in  order  to  show  the  capabilities  of  the 
dialect  for  metrical  expression.  This  variety  com- 
prehends subjects  both  grave  and  gay,  as  well  as 
humorous  and  pathetic.  Plis  first  translation  was 
the  Christmas  poem  bv  Clement  C.  Moore  entitled, 
"■'Twas  the  Night  before  Christmas." 

Harbaugh's  "Harfe,"  and  Fischer's  "Pennsylvan- 
isch-Deutsche  Gedichte"  and  "Kurzweil  und  Zeit- 
vertreib,"  are  publications  in  the  Pennsylvania- 
German  which  are  worthy  of  especial  mention. 
They  contain  numerous  interesting  poems  in  this 
dialect,  and  introduce  in  a  superior  style  the  notions, 
manners  and  customs  of  the  German  people  in 
Berks  countv. 


The  English  language,  both  written  and  spoken, 
has  been  in  use  from  the  time  of  the  earliest  settle- 
ments by  the  English  in  the  county,  and  it  is  nat- 
ural to  suppose  that  in  all  these  years  through  ju- 
dicial proceedings,  business  transactions  and 
general  education,  it  should  have  made  con- 
siderable progress,  especially  during  the  last  fifty 
years;  but  frequent  visits  to  churches  and  schools, 
stores  and  families  throughout  the  county  m  this 
time  enable  the  compiler  to  say  that  the  German 
language  is  still  prominent  in  the  country  dis- 
tricts. Another  generation  will  have  to  pass  away 
before  the  English  language  can  take  its  place. 

The  circulation  of  English  newspapers  is  increas- 
ing gradually;  but  their  total  circulation  is  small 
compared  with  our  population.  They  are  a  strong 
agency  in  effecting  a  change  from  the  German  to 
the  English;  in  reality,  they  are  a  stronger  agency 
in  this  respect  than  the  common  schools.  This  is 
particularly  apparent  in  Reading.  Before  the  daily 
English  newspaper  was  established  here,  the  Ger- 
man language  was  commonly  used  by  the  major 
part  of  its  inhabitants  in  their  daily  affairs ;  but  now 
the  English  has  its  pkce,  and  principally  through 
the  gradual  introduction  of  the  newspaper.  The 
increasing  convenience  of  distribution  facilitates  its 
growth.  The  national  government  is  contributing 
much  aid  by  extending  and  increasing  the  postal 
facilities  and  the  delivery  of  mail  matter  throughout 
the  county. 


WOOL-WHEEL 

M.VNNERS  AND  CUSTOMS. — The  buildings  and  im- 
provements throughout  the  county  are  mostly  the 
result  of  German  energy  and  thrift.  Profits  from 
labor  have  been  almost  entirely  appropriated  toward 
increasing  the  value  of  land  rather  than  toward  en- 
lightenment. Fine  barns,  dwellings  and  fields  are 
prominent  in  every  locality.  They  are  superior  to 
those  which  existed  in  the  previous  century.     This 


EDUCATION    IN    COUNTY 


63 


is  apparent  in  live  stock,  in  the  cultivation  of  fruit, 
in  the  possession  of  improved  implements  and  ma- 
chinery, besides  a  better  class  of  dwellings  and 
barns.  A  higher  order  of  taste  in  the  adornment 
of  persons  and  places  has  made  its  way  through 
increasing  liberality. 


SPINNING-WHEEL 

Domestic  'habits,  in  respect  to  home-made  articles, 
have  changed.  Spinning  and  weaving  have  been 
abandoned.  The  loom  and  the  factory  supply  all 
the  materials  required.  A  change  began  to  be  made 
about  1840.  Before  that  time,  spinning  was  com- 
mon everywhere  in  the  county,  for  it  was  one  of 
the  necessary  accomplishments  of  mothers  and 
daughters.  Till  then,  reels  and  spinning-wheels 
were  sold  at  different  stores  in  Reading.  Sales 
then  declined  gradually,  and  within  twenty  years 
afterward  there  was  no  demand  at  all  for  these 
articles. 

Gardening  is  still  carried  on  successfully  in  the 
country  districts.  Besides  supplying  vegetables  for 
family  use,  it  is  a  source  of  profit  to  mothers  and 
daughters,  who  dispose  of  a  large  proportion  of 
garden  products  in  the  markets  at  Reading  and  the 
boroughs. 

The  almanac  is  a  common  guide  to  indicate  by 
the  changes  of  the  moon  the  proper  time  for  plant- 
ing. The  practice  of  consulting  the  moon's  phases 
is  regarded  by  many  persons  as  a  superstitious  no- 
tion; but  it  still  prevails.  So  fences  are  erected 
when  the  points  of  the  moon  are  up;  shingle  roofs 
are  nailed  in  position  when  the  points  are  down; 


and  woods  are  cleared  when  the  moon  is  full.  But 
the  custom  is  hot  so  general  as  it  was,  especially 
in  towns  and  cities,  where  building  operations  are 
conducted  through  all  seasons;  and  walls,  fences 
and  roofs  are  placed  in  position  regardless  of  the 
face  of  the  moon. 

A  funeral  in  the  country  districts  is  still  largely 
attended,  especially  the  funeral  of  a  citizen  of 
prominence.  The  services  are  generally  conducted 
in  the  German  language  in  the  church  of  which  the 
deceased  was  a  member,  as  well  as  at  his  home, 
briefly.  Afterward  the  guests  return  to  the  house 
of  mourning  and  participate  in  a  large  dinner.  This 
custom  has  continued  time  out  of  mind.  Great 
sociability  is  exhibited  upon  such  an  occasion. 
Friends  travel  miles  to  attend  a  funeral  in  order 
to  show  respect  for  the  deceased.  And  the  entire 
neighborhood  is  represented.  The  burials  are  gen- 
erally made  in  the  burying-ground  adjoining  a 
church.  But  the  first  settlers  made  burials  in  pri- 
vate grounds  set  apart  on  farms  for  this  purpose. 
It  was  instituted  as  a  matter  of  convenience;  and 
then  the  funeral  service  was  held  at  the  house.  The 
change  of  farm  ownership  caused  this  custom  to 
be  gradually  abandoned.  Seventy  years  ago,  private 
grounds  were  still  numerous ;  afterward  church 
cemeteries  began  to  be  more  encouraged  and  bur- 
ials in  them  increased. 

The  country  store  was  a  great  institution  years 
ago.  But  its  influence,  trade  and  popularity  are 
much  reduced.  This  change  was  effected  through 
the  introduction  of  competing  stage  lines  and  the 
railway.  Variety  of  goods  and  cheapness  are  con- 
siderations which  induce  the  people  to  visit  the 
towns  and  the  county-seat  for  their  purchases.  It 
is  noticeable  that  the  railway  is  drawing  the  pat- 
ronage of  Reading  to  Philadelphia  more  and  more ; 
so  that  as  our  townships  come,  to  patronize  Read- 
ing, Reading  goes  to  patronize  Philadelphia.  This 
is  apparent  elsewhere — the  cities  attracting  the 
trade  of  towns,  and  the  towns  that  of  the  country 
districts.  The  trolley  lines  are  particularly  useful 
and  influential  in  this  behalf. 

The  country  inn  was  also  a  popular  place  for 
many  years.  Frolics  and  dances  were  common  ev- 
erywhere years  ago ;  and  they  were  carried  on  suc- 
cessfully at  the  inn.  The  "fiddler"  was  an  impor- 
tant person  upon  such  occasions.  And  "Battalion 
Day"  brought  much  profit  to  the  inn  that  was  near 
by  the  place  where  the  military  exercise  was  con- 
ducted. 

Military  affairs  were  active  throughout  the  coun- 
ty from  the  close  of  the  Revolution  until  the  be- 
ginning of  the  Civil  war,  a  period  covering  nearly 
eighty  years.  Companies  of  men  were  formed  in 
every  section,  and  battalions  were  drilled  annually 
at  the  prominent  towns,  mostly  at  Reading,  Kutz- 
town,  Hamburg,  Rehrersburg,  Womelsdorf,  Boyer- 
town  and  Morgantown.  These  exercises  occasioned 
the  day  to  be  called  "Battalion  Day."  They  afford- 
ed the  men  much  pleasure  and  a  great  change  in 
their  daily  employment  in  the  field,  barn  and  work- 


64 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


shop.     Many   sons  of  early  families  became  quite 
prominent  as  military  men. 

The  old  "Conestoga  wagon"  is  no  longer  seen 
passing  over  our  highways.  Seventy  years  ago  it 
was  in  prominent  use  everywhere.    Many  were  seen 


FLAX-BRAKE 

moving  together  in  transporting  great  loads  of 
wheat,  and  other  products  such  as  manufactured 
articles,  whiskey,  etc.,  to  distant  markets,  especially 
to  Philadelphia.  Each  one  was  drawn  by  four 
horses,  sometimes  by  five  and  six;  which  attracted 
much  attention,  with  jingling  sweet-toned  bells  on 
the  lead-horse  of  the  team  to  indicate  its  movement 
on  the  way.  Its  capacity  was  from  two  thousand 
to  three  thousand  pounds.  It  was  covered  with  a 
strong  canvas  top.  In  returning,  store  goods  of 
various  kinds  were  brought  along.  After  the  open- 
ing of  the  railroad  in  1838,  this  business  of  hauling 
in  Conestoga  wagons  gradually  ceased.  Since  then, 
the  only  considerable  hauling  by  farmers  is  in  con- 
veying their  grain,  hay,  etc.,  to  the  market  at  Read- 
ing; and  this  is  done  almost  entirely  in  one  wagon 
at  a  time. 

In  a  "moving"  by  a  farmer  about  April  1st,  many 
teams  are  used  to  convey  the  whole  stock,  furniture, 
etc.,  in  a  day.  The  long  train  affords  to  a  certain 
degree  an  idea  how  the  Conestoga  teams  appeared. 

The  life  of  the  farmer  is  comparatively  little  be- 
yond hard,  earnest  labor  and  rigid  economy  through- 
out each  succeeding  year.  His  daily  reflection  is 
upon  his  stock  and  crops.  All  the  improved  imple- 
ments and  labor-saving  machinery  are  devised  and 
introduced  by  others  for  his  benefit.  He  would 
have  continued  in  the  same  manner  of  conducting 
his  farming  operations  practised  from  1700  to  1800, 
and  even  till  1850,  if  inventive  genius  had 
not  created  new  methods  for  him.  The  farmer  of 
our  own  county  has  not  produced  anything  to  im- 
prove his  situation  in  respect  to  labor.  He  adopts 
what  is  brought  to  him.  This  singular  inactivity 
keeps  him  back  of  the  advancing  times.  Through 
it,  the  products  of  his  labor  are  permitted  to  ht 
drained  to  populous  places.  One  of  the  chief  con- 
sequences   is    little    remuneration.      The    men    of 


thought  and  energy  in  cities  absorb  the  greater  pro- 
portion of  the  profits.  If  his  daily  habits  were  not 
simple  and  his  expenses  small,  he  could  not  keep 
what  he  has,  much  less  accumulate  more.  His  net 
income  from  actual  labor  is  limited.  Compared 
with  the  incomes  of  business  men,  agents,  officers 
of  corporations  and  clerks  in  cities,  it  is  insignificant. 
His  manners  are  the  same  in  this  respect  as  in 
others.  If  we  examine  them  closely  and  compare 
them  with  the  condition  of  things  one  hundred 
years  ago,  we  find  little  progress.  His  household 
furniture,  bedding,  clothing,  tableware,  social  habits 
and  general  customs  are  generally  the  same.  His 
walls  are  not  decorated  with  costly  paintings;  his 
floors  are  not  covered  with  fine,  soft  carpets ;  his 
beds  are  not  composed  of  easy  springs  and  hair  or 
wire  mattresses ;  his  table  does  not  glisten  with  pol- 
ished silver  or  sparkle  with  cut  glass;  his  dwelling 
is  not  after  the  modern  style,  with  arrangements 
for  health  and  convenience;  and  he  himself  is  not 
a  patron  of  art,  literature  or  amusements.  In  towns 
and  cities,  however,  we  find  all  these  things,  not 
only  in  the  dwellings  of  bankers,  lawyers  and  mer- 
chants, but  also  of  industrious  mechanics,  agents 
and  clerks;  and  art,  literature  and  various  amuse- 
ments are  largely  patronized  and  encouraged. 

This  great  difference  is  caused  by  the  spirit  of 
progress,  which  obtains  more  in  populous  places 
where  the  people  are  led  in  numerous  ways  to  inter- 
mingle daily  with  one  another.  Association  creates 
the  laudable  ambition  to  develop  improvements  in 
the  various  departments  of  domestic  and  social  life ; 
and  it  relieves  the  monotony  of  daily  labor  by  lit- 
erary, musical  and  dramatic  amusements.  In  car- 
rying on  its  amusements  successfully,  it  is  convert- 
ing night  more  and  more  into  day  and  devising  new 
methods  for  social  pleasure  and  excitement.  Im- 
proved light  facilitates  and  encourages  it  in  the 
night-time. 

Traveling  is  a  great  agency  in  stimulating  it. 
Indeed,  in  certain  respects,  it  is  like  steam  on  the 
one  hand  and  electricity  on  the  other — active  and 
energetic  in  moving  about  from  place  to  place,  and 
brilliant  and  powerful  in  providing  the  necessary 
light  to  accommodate  its  conceptions.  Horse- 
power, and  locomotion  afforded  by  this  means,  may 
suffice  for  the  people  in  the  country  districts,  but 
steam  and  railroads  afford  locomotion  which  is  not 
too  rapid  for  the  people  in  the  towns  and  cities. 

Restless  energy  is  introducing  wonderful  changes 
in  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people.  In  the 
mountainous  and  farming  districts,  where  distance 
still  separates  many  inhabitants  and  the  means  for 
rapid  intermingling  are  impracticable,  the  changes 
are  imperceptible.  Their  situation  does  not  warrant 
changes,  especially  such  as  are  constantly  going  on 
in  the  cities,  for  it  could  not  support  them.  The 
profits  of  labor  and  investment  in  them  are  too 
slow  and  too  small.  Hence  their  manners  and  cus- 
toms, their  dwellings  and  churches,  their  roads  and 
movements,  their  speech  and  actions,  their  dress 
and  associations,  are  the  same  or  nearly  the  same  as 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS  fiS 

they  were  a  hundred  years  ago.  Their  energy  is  open  fireplace  for  the  production  of  hght  in  a  simple 
inseparable  from  the  plow  and  the  hoe  and  muscu-  and  inexpensive  way;  in  the  other,  these  have  long 
lar  exertion.  But  the  cities  produce  and  support  passed  away,  especially  for  public  purposes,  and 
these  changes,  and  in  them  energy  partakes  more  the  people  have  light  from  electricity.  In  the  one, 
of  the  mind  than  of  the  body.  And  these  changes,  thousands  of  inhabitants  are  scattered  over  miles 
and  this  mental  energy,  are  more  active  amongst  of  territory,  but  in  the  other  thousands  are  concen- 
their  inhabitants.  trated  upon  a  few  acres,  if  not  in  a  few  very  large 
In  comparing  the  situation  of  the  people  of  Al-  buildings.  In  the  one,  a  few  hundred  dollars  suffice 
bany  and  Caernarvon  townships,  districts  located  to  make  the  inhabitants  contented  and  happy;  but 
at  the  extreme  northern  and  southern  ends  of  the  in  the  other,  millions  of  dollars  are  invested  and 
county,  thirty  miles  apart ;  also  of  Hereford  and  expended  to  carry  out  successfully  the  manners  and 
Bethel  townships,  districts  located  at  the  extreme  customs  of  its  inhabitants  and  such  changes  as  am- 
eastern  and  western  ends,  forty  miles  apart,  with  bition,  competition  and  rivalry  produce, 
the  situation  of  the  people  of  Reading,  the  county-  Contentment  would  seem  to  be  the  companion  of 
seat,  the  difference  is  apparent  at  a  glance.  One  slowness,  if  not  of  stillness ;  but  discontentment,  of 
hundred  years  ago  they  were  alike,  or  nearly  so.  energy  and  activity.  In  the  one,  the  expense  of 
But  just  as  Reading  is  in  advance  of  the  districts  a  few  extra  dollars  in  travel  or  amusement  is  looked 
mentioned,  so  is  New  York,  the  great  metropolis  of  upon  as  luxury,  if  not  extravagance ;  but  in  the 
our  vast  country,  in  advance  of  Reading.  other,  thousands  of  dollars  are  expended  as  a  mat- 
By  contrasting  the  two  extremes,  our  mountain-  ter  of  necessity  for  the  same  purpose.  These 
ous  districts  with  the  great  metropolis,  the  differ-  strong  contrasts  enable  us  to  see  our  own  manners 
ence  in  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  respective  and  customs  as  they  are  or  were  or  as  they  will  be, 
inhabitants  is  truly  wonderful.  And  yet  the  fore-  more  especially  in  the  more  populous  places,  the 
fathers  of  each,  as  immigrants,  started  alike.  In  nearer  that  steam  and  electricity  come  to  be  con- 
the  one,  oil  and  tallow  are  still  used,  and  even  the  nected  with  us  in  our  material  progress. 


CHAPTER  IV  -  GOVERNMENT  AND  OFFICIALS 

ELECTION   DISTRICTS'  till  1789.     During  this  time  the  county  comprised 

one  election  district;  and  all  elections  were  directed 

Provision  was  made  for  free  and  voluntary  elec-  to  be  held  at  the  Court-House,  in  the  county-town, 
tions  by  William  Penn  in  the  laws  agreed  upon  in  Then  the  county  was  divided  into  five  election  dis- 
England  in  1682,  for  the  government  of  Pennsyl-  tricts,   and   the   electors   of   the   'several   townships 
vania  and  the  right  of  election  was  given  to  every  were  required  to  vote  at  the  places  named : 
freeman  of  the  province.     A  freeman  was  defined  Reading;  1st  District,  at  the  Court-House 
to  be  "every  inhabitant  that  is  or  shall  be  a  pur- 
chaser of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  or  upward ;  and  Readmg  H^^d^lb 
every  person  who  shall  have  paid  his  passage  and  ^^^^^                                      Maiden-creek 
taken  up  one  hundred  acres  of  land  at  one  penny  Brecknock  Oley 
an  acre,  and  have  cultivated  ten  acres  thereof;  and  Caernarvon  Robeson 
every  person  that  hath  been  a  servant  or  bondsman  Cumru  Ruscombmanor 
and  is  free  by  his  service,  that  shall  have  taken  up        Kutaiown,  2d  District,  at 'public  house  of  Philip  Gehr 
fifty  acres  of  land  and  cultivated  twenty  thereot ;  „          .  ,  i,^      . 
and  every  inhabitant,  artificer,  or  other  resident  that  g^/Xd                                  Rich^on^ 
pays  scot  or  lot  to  the  government."  Longswamp                                Rockland 

At    that    time,    the    territory    comprising   Berks 

county  was  occupied  by  Indians.    Not  a  single  white  Hamburg;  3d  District,  at  public  house  of  John  Moyer 

man  had  yet  settled  upon  it.     There  was  no  need  Albany  Brunswick 

for  election  laws  then,  nor  for  districts  to  facilitate  Bern,  Upper  Windsor 

elections.      But    in   one   hundred   years   afterward,  „  ,^  ,     ,        ,,u    n-  .  ■'<.      ^       i,i-     t.  r   r-  jr 

i      iii         1.    J     „i.,_„,i  ).u^  to^.-;f^^-.T  Tulpehocken,    4th    District,    at    pubhc    house    of    Godfrey 
many  permanent  settlers  had  entered  the  territory,        '  Roehrer 

and  the  necessity  for  government  in  all  its  forrris 

had  become  apparent.    Townships  had  been  organ-  Bethel  Tulpehocken 

ized  and  the  county  had  become  erected  with  all  its  Pme-Orove 

offices  in  that  interval  of  time.      Independence  had  ^„,ity^  5th  District,  at  public  house  of  Wm.  Witman— 

been  declared ;   government   established ;   and   elec-  called  "White  Horse  " 

tions  of  various  local  officers  held.  a™;*,,  Tr,^i 

_,.         ,.  ,  ^  .  ,      ■  liji  Amity  Jiarl 

The  elections  for  county  officials  were  held  at  Colebrookdale  Union 

Reading  from  the  beginning  of  the  county  in  1752  Douglass 
5 


66 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


There  were  then  twenty-nine  townships  and  one 
borough,  Reading.  In  the  performance  of  this  poH- 
tical  duty  many  electors  traveled  a  distance  of  fif- 
teen miles.  But  this  was  an  improvement  on  what 
had  been  required  four  years  before — those  living 
in  the  townships  farthest  removed  from  Reading 
having  been  required  to  travel  from  twenty-five  to 
thirty  miles. 

Subsequently,  until  now,  additional  districts  have 
been  established  to  facilitate  elections.  As  a  matter 
of  historical  interest  they  are  presented  in  the  order 
of  priority;  in  the  subdivisions  of  the  county  (as 
made  in  Chapter  I). 

Manataivny  Section 

Muthart's,  1794 — comprising  Colebrookdale,  District 
Earl  and  Hereford. 

Hereford,  1811. 

Keely's,  1812 — ^comprising  Douglass,  Amity,  Colebrook- 
dale and  Earl. 

01  ey,  1814. 

Ruscombmanor,   1815. 

Rockland,  1816. 

Pike,    1816. 

Earl,    1817. 

Reading,  two  wards,  1817. 

District,   1818. 

Amity,  182.2. 

Douglass,  1824. 

Colebrookdale,  1827. 

Exeter,   1839. 

Alsace,  1840. 

Washington,  1840. 

Reading,  1840,  four  wards ;  1844,  fifth  ward. 

Muhlenberg,  1850. 

Boyertown,  1866. 

Reading,  1864,  nine  wards;  1875,  eleven  -wards ;  1885, 
thirteen  wards;   1892,   fifteen  wards;   1894,   sixteen  wards. 

Alsace,  Lower,  1888. 

Mt.  Penn,  1904. 

Ontelaimee  Section 

Croll's   1790 — comprising  Albany  and  Greenwich. 

Maiden-creek,   1817. 

Longswamp,   1817. 

Albany,   1819. 

Perry,  1821. 

Richmond,  1823. 

Greenwich,  1827. 

Windsor,  1S30   (at  Hamburg). 

Hamburg,   1837. 

Maxatawny  and  Kutztown,   184]. 

Ontelaunee,   1850. 

Fleetwood,  1873. 

Topton,  1877. 

Lenhartsville,   1887. 

Titlpehockcn  Section 

Womelsdorf.  1797 — comprising  Bethel,  Tulphocken  and 
Heidelberg. 

Bethel,   1803. 

Tulpehocken,  1809. 

Shartle's,  1812 — comprising  Upper  Bern  and  Upper  Tul- 
pehocken. 

Bern,  Upper,  1822. 

Tulpehocken,  Upper,   1829. 

Bernville,  1829. 

Heidelberg,  Lower,  1834. 

Heidelberg,  1839. 

Bern,  1840. 

Penn,  1842. 


Centre,  1843. 

Marion,  1843. 

Heidelberg,  North,  1845. 

Jefferson,  1851. 

Centreport,  1884. 

Tilden,  1887. 

West  Leesport,  1901. 

Schuylkill  Section 

Forest,  1791 — comprising  then  Caernarvon,  Robeson  and 
Union. 

Marquart's,  1798 — comprising  same  townships  with  Breck- 
nock added. 

Caernarvon,   1818. 

Union,  1829. 

Robeson,   1829. 

Brecknock,  1829.  • 

Cumru,  1840   (at  Reading). 

Spring,  1850. 

Birdsboro,  1872. 

Wyomissing,  1906. 

West  Reading,  1907. 

Mohnton,   1907. 

Shillington,  1908. 

Section   beyond   the   Mountain 

Pine-Grove,  1797 — comprising  all  north  of  the  Blue 
Mountain. 

Orwigsburg,  1798 — comprising  Brunswick  and  Man- 
heim. 

Mahantango,    1802 — comprising   that    township. 

The  election  districts  in  the  county  now  (1909) 
comprise  16  wards  of  Reading,  2  wards  of  Birds- 
boro and  2  of  Hamburg;  1.5  boroughs,  and  43  town- 
ships, altogether  78. 

PROMINENT  REPRESENTATIVE  i\IEN 

Before  1820,  it  would  seem  that  the  major  part 
of  the  voters  of  the  county  did  not  show  so  strong 
a  partisan  spirit  in  reference  to  the  election  of  their 
representatives  to  Congress  as  they  did  afterward. 
Joseph  Hiester  was  a  very  popular  man  with  his' 
constituents,  and  he  maintained  their  confidence 
and  political  support  through  a  period  embracing 
thirty  years,  notwithstanding  his  identification  with 
the  Federal  party  and  the  publication  of  certain 
letters  in  local  newspapers  reflecting  against  his 
political  character.  He  succeeded  in  accomplishing 
what  no  other  man  in  the  history  of  the  county  ha's 
been  able  to  do;  for,  besides  securing  his  repeated 
election  to  Congress  on-  the  ticket  of  the  minoritv 
party,  he  even  influenced  the  suflfrage  of  the  Dem- 
ocrats in  the  county  in  his  own  behalf  against  their 
own  regular  nominee  for  Governor  to  such  an  ex- 
tent as  to  be  elevated  to  the  highest  executive  c<fice 
of  the  State. 

During  the  period  from  1829  to  1844,  Rev.  Hen- 
ry A.  Muhlenberg  (the  son-in-law  of  Hiester)  was 
the  most  prominent  political  representative.  By  a 
reelection  to  Congress  for  five  consecutive  terms 
he  evinced  much  popularity.  In  ISo.o,  he  received 
the  nomination  of  the  Dem'ocratic  party  for  Gover- 
nor;  but  he  was  not  elected,  owing  to  the  action 
of  an  independent  element  in  the  party  which  was 
led  by  Governor  Wolf,  the  incumbent  then  in  the 
executive   office   and   concluding   his   second   term. 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


67 


At  that  time,  the  Anti-Mason  party  was  strong 
in  the  State,  and,  through  the  division  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic party,  it  was  enabled  to  elect  its  candidate, 
Joseph  Ritner.  Muhlenberg  polled  the  largest  vote 
of  the  three  candidates  in  the  county. 

Several  years  afterward,  Presideiit  Van  Buren 
appointed  Muhlenberg  to  be  the  first  minister  to 
Austria,  and,  upon  accepting  this  distinguished  ap- 
pointment, he  resigned  his  seat  in  Congress.  This 
was  the  first  honor  conferred  by  a  President  of 
the  United  States  upon  the  county  of  Berks,  and 
the  people  appreciated  it  highly.  In  1844,  Muhlen- 
berg again  became  the  regular  nominee  for  Gov- 
ernor on  the  Democratic  ticket,  but  he  died  before 
the  election. 

There  was  a  great  difference  between  Hiester  and 
Muhlenberg ;  the  former  was  a  Federalist  in  a  Dem- 
ocratic county,  successful  in  winning .  and '  holding 
a  strong  political  support  for  himself,  and  a  stanch 
advocate  of  a  protective  tariff,  of  the  free  school 
system,  and  of  the  United  States  B;ank  (of  which 
it  is  probable  that  he  was  one  of  the  original  sub- 
scribers of  stock)  ;  but  the  latter  was  a  Democrat, 
and  opfHDsed  to  the  rheasures  mentioned. 

Twenty  years  after  Muhlenberg's  time  in  Con- 
gress, the  first  considerable  dissatisfaction  arose  in 
the  Democratic  party  in  the  county,  which  resulted 
in  the  defeat  of  Hon.  J.  Glancy  Jones,  the  regular 
nominee.  He  had  been  the  representative  from  this 
district  since  1851,  and  while  serving  his  fourth 
term  announced  his  candidacy  for  re-election.  But 
a  great  political  change  was  then  working  its  way 
amongst  the  people  throughout  Pennsylvania,  and 
to  a  certain  extent  this  change  was  manifesting 
itself  also  in  Berks  county.  It  was  created  princi- 
pally by  the  action  of  Buchanan's  administration  on 
the  Kansas  question,  and  Jones — one  of  Buchan- 
an's ablest  supporters — ^having  been  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  it,  the  leaders  of  the  opposition  naturally 
took  advantage  of  the  situation  to  extend  their  feel- 
ing into  the  county  so  as  to  operate  against  him. 

Though  Jones  had  made  the  nomination  before 
the  County  Convention  almost  by  acclamation,  im- 
mediately afterward  certain  influential  Democrats 
of  the  county  developed  sufficient  strength  against 
him  to  be  able  to  call  another  convention  and  ex- 
press opposition  to  his  re-election — the  principal 
ground  being  his  course  on  the  subject  of  the  tariff. 
The  Independent  Democrats  therefore  nominated 
John  Schwartz — a  prominent  ironmaster  of  large 
ability  and  experience,  and  a  highly  respected  sur- 
vivor of  the  war  of  1812-15. 

The  Republicans  united  in  supporting  Schwartz, 
and  this  co-operation  caused  the  defeat  of  Jones 
by  a  small  majority — the  first  real  defeat  which  the 
Democrats  had  met  with  in  the  history  of  the  party 
in  the  county. 

The  defeat  of  Jones  was  both  a  surprise  and  a 
disappointment  to  President  Buchanan,  and  immed- 
iately after  hearing  it  he  appointed  Jones  to  the 
Austrian  Mission.  Jones  accepted  this  appointment 
and  thereupon  resigned  his  seat  in  Congress.    He 


represented  the  national  government  at  Vienna  for 
two  years  with  great  distinction. 

But  the  political  activity  in  the  campaign  of  1858 
was  not  permitted  to  subside  with  the  defeat  of 
Jones.  His  resignation  having  caused  a  vacancy 
which  the  electors  were  obliged  to  fill  the  Democrats 
nominated  Joel  B.  Wanner,  Esq.  (who  had,_  two 
years  before,  served  a  term  as  mayor  of  Reading), 
and  the  Republicans  nominated  General  William  H. 
Keim,  a  man  highly  respected  for  his  business  qual- 
ifications and  very  popular  throughout  the  county 
in  military  affairs.  A  special  election  was  held  in 
November,  1858,  but  the  vote  was  small,  especially 
for  the  Democratic  candidate,  and  Keim  was  elect- 
ed. 

Previously,  on  two  occasions,  in  respect  to  coun- 
ty offices,  a  simitar  result  had  occurred.  In  1846, 
David  Yoder,  a  prominent  and  influential  farmer  of 
Oley  and  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  first  families 
in  that  township,  was  elected,  as  a  Whig,  to  the 
office  of  county  commissioner,  because  the  nominee 
on  the  Democratic  ticket  was  alleged  to  have  been 
an  Irishman,  the  Irish  as  a  class  not  being  par- 
ticularly appreciated  by  the  German  element  in  the 
county.  And  in  1853,  Charles  Van  Reed,  also  a 
prominent  farmer  and  paper  manufacturer  of  Lower 
Heidelberg  township,  was  elected  as  a  Whig  to  the 
office  of  county  treasurer.  The  nominee  on  the  Dem- 
ocratic ticket  was  Adam  Leize,  who  had  held  the 
office  from  1849  to  1851.  The  incumbent  during 
the  election  was  William  Ermentrout,  whose  son 
was  married  to  Leize's  daughter.  Many  Democrats 
thought  that  one  family  was  obtaining  too  much 
political  preferment  and  therefore  they  opposed  the 
election  of  Leize. 

Between  1789  and  1820,  Daniel  Messersmith  and 
Johp  K.  Messersmith  had  continued  to  hold  the 
office  of  treasurer  alternately  for  a  period  of  thirty 
years ;  David  Bright  from  1823  to  1835 ;  and  Peter 
Nagle  from  1835  to  1843.  The  office  was  filled  by 
appointment  until  1841,  when  it  became  elective. 

In  1841,  the  Hon.  John  Banks  (then  the  president 
judge  of  the  courity)  was  the  nominee  of  the  Whig 
party  for  Governor.  The  Democratic  party  was 
at  that  time  under  thorough  organization  and  Gov- 
ernor Porter  was  elected  by  a  largely  increased  ma- 
jority, in  the  county  as  well  as  in  the  State.  Sub- 
sequently, in  1847,  while  the  Whigs  were  in  the 
majority  in  the  State  Legislature,  Judge  Banks  was' 
elected  to  the  office  of  State  treasurer  for  one  year 
by  the  united  support  of  all  the  Whigs. 

Between  1850  and  1860,  there  were  two  promi- 
nent representatives  from  the  county  in  the  State 
Legislature — William  M.  Hiester,  in  the  Senate 
from'  1853  to  1855,  serving  as  speaker  during  the 
latter  year;  and  J.  Lawrence  Getz,  in  the  House 
for  1856  and  1857,  also  serving  as  speaker  during- 
the  latter  year.  Mr.  Getz  subsequently  served  three 
terms  in  Congress  from  this  district,  1867  to  1873. 

Hiester  Clymer  occupied  great  political  promi- 
nence in  the  county  for  twenty  years,  from  1861  to 
1881.     He  was  in  the  State  Senate  from  1861  to 


68 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY.    PENXSYLA'ANIA 


1866.  In  1866,  he  received  the  nomination  for  they  have  continued  to  be  till  now ._  A  smgular 
Governor  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  but  he  was  not  change— if  not  a  transformation— m  respect  to- 
elected.  Reading  was  then  Republican  in  political  party  names,  arose  afterward.  As  early  as  1793, 
sentiment  by  a  small  majority  and  the  nominee  on  the  Anti-Federal  party  was  called  the  Democratic- 
the  Republican  ticket  received  the  full  party  vote,  Republican  party ;  but  the  word  'llepublican"  was 


notwithstanding  Reading  was  the  home  of  Mr. 
Clymer.  He  was  the  representative  in  Congress 
from  1-873  to  1881. 

Daniel  Ermentrout  succeeded  Clymer  in  political 
prominence,  having  been  State  senator  from  1874 
to  1880,  and  the  representative  in  Congress  from 
1881  to  1889,  and  from  1897  to  1899,  dying  before 
the  end  of  his  last  term. 

POLITICAL  SENTIMENT 


dropped  in  180.5,  and  the  name  Democratic  alone 
used.  Thence  the  Federals,  or  Whigs,  or  Republi- 
cans, have  been  on  the  one  side  and  the  Democrats- 
on  the  other,  the  latter  party  keeping  its  identity 
here  for  over  a  century.  For  twenty-five  years, 
from  1830  to  185-5,  the  Anti-Mason  party  for  ten 
years,  and  the  Whig  for  fifteen,  were  substituted 
in  the  place  of  the  Republican  party. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  published' 
on  the  -Ith  day  of  July,  1776.    Smce  the  Revolution,. 


Political  Parties.— From  the  beginning  of  the  that  day  has  been  regarded  as  the  nation's  birthday, 
county,  there  have  been  two  parties  in  political  af-  and  it  has  been  made  a  holiday  by  the  several  State- 
fairs.  Before  the  Revolution,  agitation  of  political  governments.  Annually  for  about  eighty  years,  the- 
questions  was  not  general  or  continuous.  The  elec-  parties  of  each  community  celebrated  this  great 
tive  franchise  was  a  recognized  privilege,  but  it  was  holiday  by  assembling  at  popular  places  and  drink- 
not  particularly  encouraged  by  the  creation  of  con-  ing  toasts,   making  addresses  and  enjoying  them 


venient  or  numerous  polls  to  enable  electors  to  ex- 
press political  preferences.  Local  offices  for  the 
townships  and  the  town  were  filled  by  election,  but 
county  officials  were  appointed,  and  this  feature 
continued  in  respect  to  the  major  part  of  them  until 
1841,  when  r;n  Act  of  Assembly  was  passed  which 
pro-vided  for  a  general  change  to  election.  For  over 
thirty-five  years  Berks  county  comprised  one  gen- 
eral election  district,  with  the  court-house  at  Read- 
ing as  the  polls.  In  1789,  the  districts  began  to 
increase;  and  they  have  increased  gradually,  to  sat- 
isfy the  demands  and  encourage  the  facilities  for 
election,  till  they  now  number  seventy-eight. 

During  the  Revolution,  the  people  formed  them- 
selves into  two  parties,  especially  those  who  mani- 
fested any  concern  in  the  government ;  the  one  class, 
favoring  a  continuance  of  the  royal  government, 
called  "Tories" ;  and  the  other,  favoring  a  free,  rep- 
resentative    government,     called     "Federals,"     or    their  respect  for  Joseph  Hiester,  though  on  the  op- 


selves  generally.  At  Reading,  the  parties  celebrated 
the  day  regularly  in  this  manner.  The  Federalists 
and  the  Whigs  assembled  on  the  island  in  the- 
Schuylkill  river,  several  hundred  feet  above  the- 
ferry,  at  the  foot  of  Bingaman  street ;  and  the  Dem- 
ocrats at  ^Mineral  Spring,  east  of  the  limits  of  Read- 
ing. ^^''hen  the  Civil  war  broke  out,  this  custom 
was  discontinued,  and  it  has  not  been  revived. 

Vote  for  Governor. — Since  1788,  the  people  of 
the  county  manifested  a  most  remarkable  adherence 
to  the  Democratic  party  and  the  principles  which  it 
advocated,  chief  among  them  the  principle  of  local 
self-government.  In  1802,  the  Democratic  vote  was 
eight  times  that  of  the  Federal.  Afterward  this- 
proportion  was  at  no  time  surpassed,  not  even 
equaled.  The  vote  was  regularly  for  the  Demo- 
cratic candidate,  excepting  two  occasions,  in  1817 
and  1820,  when  the  people  of  the  county  manifested 


"Whigs."  The  distinction  was  marked,  and  fortu- 
nately for  the  people  of  the  county,  as  of  the  State 
and  the  great  confederation  of  States,  the  latter 
party  won  a  decisive  victory.  Upon  the  establish- 
ment of  freedom,  new  parties  arose.  These  pro- 
ceeded from  Whigs,  and  were  recognized  either-  as 
the  Government  Whigs,  or  Federals,  who  desired 


posing  ticket.  These  occasions  were  when  Hiester 
was  a  candidate  on  the  Federal  ticket  for  Governor. 
He  had  distinguished  himself  in  political  affairs 
through  a  period  of  forty  years. 

Berks  county  was  not  alone  in  honoring  him,  for 
of  the  eleven  counties  in  the  southeastern  section 
of  the  State,  he  had  eight  in  1817.     This  important 

.191, 


a    Republican    form    of    government,    with    checks  section  of  the''  State  gave  him  a  majority  of 

upon  the  impulses  or  passions  of  the  people,  and  though  the  State  was  against  him  by  a  majority  of 

with  liberty  regulated,  strengthened  and  confirmed  7,005.     And   in   1820   he   had   nine"  of   the   eleven 

by  central  authority;  or  as  the  Particularist  Whigs,  counties,  with  a  majority  of  8,194,  and  in  the  State 

or  Anti-Federals,   who   desired  the   same  form  of  a  majority  of  1,605.     In  this  connection,  the  vote 

government,    but    Democratic    in    spirit,    with,  the  of  Fliester  for  Congress,  as  against  Daniel  Clymer, 

rights  of  local  self-government,  and  of  States  ever  in  1798,  can  be  mentioned  in  order  to  show  Hiester's 

uppermost.  popularity.     The  vote  was  more  than   four  to  one 

In  1784,  there  were  two  parties  in  the  province,  in  his  favor.    All  the  districts  in  the  county  except 

called  Republicans  and  Constitutionalists.     Most  of  one  gave  him  large  majorities,  and  this  exception 

the  electors  of  this  county  were  of  the  latter  party,  was  the  "Forest"  district,  influenced  by  the  Clvmer 

In   a   certain    sense,   the   latter   took    the   place    of  family,  resident  in  Caernarvon  to\Ynship. 

the  "Tories,"  and  were  called  "Republicans."    They  Even  through  the  excitement  incident  to  the  Civil 

were  the  dominant  party   in  the  county  then  and  war,  1861-65,  the  county  continued  Democratic  bv 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


69 


Jarge  majorities.  The  city  of  Reading  was  other- 
wise, though  theretofore  also  generally  Democratic ; 
■for,  at  the  election  previous  to  1860,  it  was  almost 
Ihree  to  one  Democratic,  but  in  1860,  1863,  and 
1866  it  was  Republican.  Since  then,  it  has  been 
Democratic,  excepting  at  the  election  of  1894,  when 
the  Republicans  received  a  plurality  of  1,123. 

Vote  for  President. — In  1828,  the  vote  for 
Jackson  in  Berks  was  five  to  one  against  Adams. 
Then  it  was  that  the  county  distinguished  itself  in 
voting  for  Jackson.  It  would  seem  that  the  people 
here,  as  the  people  elsewhere,  had  felt  keenly  the 
outrage  perpetrated  upon  them  by  the  House  of 
Representatives,  in  not  respecting  the  will  of  the 
majority  by  the  selection  of  a  candidate  for  Pres- 
ident whose  electors  had  received  the  greatest  num- 
"ber  of  votes.  The  idea  of  self-government  was 
again  uppermost  in  their  minds,  and  this  idea  they 
felt  it  their  duty  to  express  by  ballot  in  a  most  un- 
equivocal manner.  The  vote  of  Reading  was  in 
•the  same  proportion.  And  at  Jackson's  re-election 
in  1832,  the  result  of  the  vote,  both  in  the  county 
and  city,  was  for  him  in  the  proportion  of  about 
four  to  one.  The  vote  in  the  county  for  President 
from  1828  to  1904  was  always  Democratic  by  a 
large  majority. 

The  city  of  Reading  was  also  Democratic  by  a 
considerable  majority  till  1860 ;  then  a  decided 
change  took  place  through  the  great  upheaval  in 
political  affairs.  Lincoln  was  given  a  majority  of 
more  than  500  over  Breckenridge,  and  of  more 
-than  300  over  all,  Douglas  and  Bell  included. 
This  Republican  feeling  in  the  city  prevailed  till 
-the  re-election  of  Grant,  when,  remarkable  to  say, 
a  majority  of  1,207  was  given  for  him.  In  the  elec- 
tion of  McKinley,  there  was  a  plurality  of  1,717 
for  him  in  1896,  and  of  1,111  in  1900 ;  in  the  elec- 
tion of  Roosevelt,  there  was  a  plurality  of  3,369  for 
him  in  1904;  and  in  the  election  of  Taft,  of  866 
for  him  in  1908. 

Vote  for  Constitutional  Amendments. — On 
the  question  of  amending  the  State  Constitution,  the 
election  returns  are  interesting.  In  1825,  the  coun- 
ty was  against  the  Convention  by  a  vote  of  five  to 
one;  and  in  1835,  also  against  it,  of  over  two  to 
one.  But  in  1838,  on  the  question  of  ratifying  the 
work  of  the  Convention,  the  county  voted  for  the 
Amendments.  The  chief  provision  gave  electors  the 
right  to  elect  county  officials,  excepting  the  judges, 
and  this  the  county  electors  appreciated  very  much. 
The  State  adopted  them,  but  by  a  very  small  major- 
ity compared  with  the  total  vote. 

In  1850,  on  the  question  of  making  the  judges  of 
the  Supreme  and  Cotmty  co"rts  elective,  the  county 
Avas  for  it  by  a  large  majority;  and  the  State  was 
for  it  by  a  vote  of  two  to  one. 

In  1871,  the  question  of  a  Convention  was  again 
srbmitted  to  the  voters.  The  county  was  against 
it  by  a  remarkable  vote  of  two  to  one,  but  the  State 
was  for  it  by  a  vote  of  almost  five  to  one.  How- 
ever, on  the  ratification  of  the  report  of  the  Con- 
-vention  at  a  special  election  in  1873,  the  county 


was  decidedly  for  the  New  Constitution  by  a  vote 
of  five  to  one. 

Vote  for  PROHiiiiTiON  and  License. — The  liquor 
question  was  submitted  twice  to  a  vote  of  the  elec- 
tors;  first  in  1854,  and  again  in  1873.  On  both 
occasions,  the  county  was  decidedly  in  favor  of  li- 
cense; first,  by  a  vote  of  four  to  one;  and  next, 
three  to  one. 

Election  of  1876; — The  Democrats  in  Berks 
county  were  certain  of  victory  in  1876.  They  were 
taught  to  expect  it,  and  when  the  night  of  the  elec- 
tion arrived  they  looked  for  it.  But  the  news  was 
doubtful.  They  had  counted  upon  a  "Solid  South," 
and  also  certain  Northern  States.  Their  leader  had 
calculated  with  great  shrewdness,  but  neither  he 
nor  any  of  his  followers  had  thought  the  loss  of 
three  Southern  States  within  the  range  of  possi- 
bility. And  this  result  actually  occurred.  Late  on 
election  day,  the  chairman  of  the  Republican 
National  Committee  announced  that  Hayes  had 
185  electoral  votes,  and  would  be  the  next  Presi- 
dent. This  came  to  be  exactly  so.  But  during 
the  four  intervening  months,  great  excitement 
prevailed  and  fears  of  a  political  revolution 
were  entertained.  At  Reading,  excited  crowds 
of  people  assembled  for  many  nights  in  suc- 
cession to  hear  the  returns  which  were  reflected 
upon  screens — the  Times  screen  having  been  set  up 
against  the  Jameson  building  on  the  Sixth  street 
side,  above  the  portico,  so  as  to  show  the  figures 
down  Penn  Square,  and  the  Eagle  screen  in  front 
of  the  Eagle  building.  Some  of  the  cartoons  were 
striking  and  afforded  much  merriment  in  reliev- 
ing the  monotony  of  election  returns.  The  ele- 
phant figured  conspicuously  in  them.  At  one  time 
he  came  out  with  a  rooster  in  his  trunk  lashing 
it  around  wildly  in  the  air;  then  with  a  rooster 
tied  to  his  tail,  running  away  with  it;  now  jump- 
ing for  joy  at  a  favorable  report,  then  lying  on 
his  back  as  if  dead  from  a  Democratic  victory,  with 
a  rooster  crowing  lustily  over  his  fallen  body;  Jeff 
Davis  was  represented  as  sitting  up  in  a  sour  apple 
treej  and  different  prominent  Democrats  were 
drawn  in  various  laughable  positions;  and  numer- 
ous short  witticisms  appeared  frequently.  Alto- 
gether, the  exhibition  awakened  a  thrilling  interest 
in  the  people. 

State  Conventions  at  Reading. — Three  Demo- 
cratic State  Conventions  were  held  at  Reading  at 
which  candidates  for  Governor  were  nominated: 
the  first  on  June  4,  1851,  when  William  Bigler  was 
nominated  by  acclamation;  the  second  on  Feb.  29, 
1860,  when  Henry  D.  Foster  was  nominated;  and 
the  third  on  May  30,  1873,  when  Charles  R.  Bucka- 
lew  was  nominated. 

A  Democratic  State  Convention  assembled  at 
Reading  in  the  Academy  of  Music  on  Aug.  31,  1897, 
which  was  reported  to  have  been  the  most  turbu- 
lent in  the  history  of  conventions  in  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  purpose  was  to  nominate  candi- 
dates for  auditor-general  and  State  treasurer.  Hon. 
Daniel   Ermentrout   of  Reading   was   elected   tern- 


ro 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


porary  chairman  and  he  filled  the  position  under 
adverse  and  exciting  circumstances. 

Mass-Meetings. — Numerous  mass-meetings  have 
been  held  at  Reading  by  the  respective  political 
parties.  The  earliest  meeting  of  w'hich  any  extend- 
ed notice  was  given,  was  held  by  the  Democratic 
party  Sept.  4,  1852,  for  the  purpose  of  ratifying 
the  nomination  of  Franklin  Pierce  as  the  Demo- 
cratic candidate  for  President.  Philadelphia  sent 
a  delegation  of  fifteen  hundred  men,  accompanied 
by  three  fine  bands  of  music ;  and  large  delegations 
were  in  attendance  from  Dauphin,  Lebanon,  Lan- 
caster, Chester,  Bucks,  Montgomery,  Lehigh, 
Schuylkill  and  other  counties,  whilst  from  the  hills 
and  valleys  of  Berks  county  hundreds  of  the  in- 
domitable Democracy  came  to  swell  the  assembled 
multitude.  Conspicuous  among  those  from  the 
county  were  the  North  Heidelberg  delegation  in 
large  hay-wagons  and  vehicles  of  every  description ; 
the  Boyertown  Pierce  Club  in  carriages  with  flags, 
banners  and  wreaths  of  flowers ;  and  the  Kutz- 
town  Pierce  Club  in  carriages,  with  flags  and  music. 
It  was  the  largest  meeting  ever  held  at  Reading  till 
that  time,  and  it  included  the  largest  number  of 
great  political  leaders  which  the  citizens  had  ever 
seen  together  here.  A  platform  was  erected  at  the 
upper  end  of  the  Western  Market-House  and 
around  it  the  crowd  assembled  and  heard  the  speech- 
es of  such  distinguished  men  as  Hon.  James  Bu- 
chanan, Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  Gov.  Enoch 
Lowe  (Maryland),  Gov.  William  Bigler  (Pennsyl- 
vania), Hon.  Barnabas  Bates  (New  York),  Hon. 
Charles  J.  Faulkner  (Virginia),  Hon.  B.  F.  Ballett 
(Massachusetts),  Chief  Justice  LeGrand  (Mary- 
land), Hon.  John  A.  Wilcox  (Mississippi),  and 
Hon.  John  H.  Savage  (Tennessee).  Addresses 
were  made  from  noon  till  midnight.  Mr.  Buchanan 
was  chairman  of  the  meeting  during  the  afternoon, 
and,  in  the  course  of  his  opening  remarks,  he  com- 
plimented Berks  county  for  "her  undeviating  patri- 
otism and  entire  devotion  to  Democratic  princi- 
ples." 

RiTNER  Young  Men's  Convention. — The  young 
men  of  Pennsylvania,  who  were  favorable  to  the 
election  of  Joseph  Ritner  for  Governor  held  a  con- 
vention at  Reading  on  June  4-5,  1838.  Seventeen 
hundred  delegates  assembled  from  all  parts  of  the 
State.  Their  meeting  was  held  in  the  Trinity  Luth- 
eran Church,  and  it  was  distinguished  for  earnest 
enthusiasm.  Appropriate  addresses  were  made  and 
resolutions  passed.  The  meeting  was  the  largest 
of  a  representative  character  ever  held  at  Reading 
until  that  time.  It  was  conducted  with  ability  and 
occasioned  much  excitement.  But  it  did  not  in- 
crease the  strength  of  the  Anti-Mason  party  in 
this  section  of  the  State.  It  was  the  first  and  only 
political  convention  ever  assembled  in  a  church 
building  at  Reading.  Permission  was  granted  by 
the  church  vestry  because  there  was  no  large  hall 
in  the  borough  then,  and  the  Trinity  Church  was 
the  only  place  in  which  so  large  a  body  of  men 
could  assemble  with  convenience. 


Whig  Mass-Meeting  of  1844. — The  Presidential 
campaign  of  1844  was  particularly  exciting.  Henry 
Clay  was  the  Whig  candidate  for  President,  and 
James  K.  Polk  the  Democratic  candidate.  The 
former  enjoyed  a  very  high  degree  of  popularity 
throughout  the  county,  and  his  friends  conducted 
a  very  active  campaign  in  his  behalf.  The  Whigs  of 
Pennsylvania  exhibited  much  enthusiasm  for  him 
during  the  canvass,  for  he  was  a  great  favorite  in 
every  section  of  the  State,  especially  where  man- 
ufactures were  carried  on.  Reading  was  then  a 
growing  centre  for  industries  of  various  kinds,  and 
the  W^higs  here  idolized  him  for  his  earnest  labors 
in  the  cause  of  protection  to  home  industries.  They 
held  a  mass-meeting  at  Reading,  on  Sept.  27,  1844. 
Over  five  thousand  persons  were  in  attendance, 
delegations  having  come  from  different  sections 
of  the  surrounding  country.  The  day  was  especially 
noted  for  a  large  procession  in  which  the  various 
trades  and  employments  were  represented.  Minia- 
ture shops  and  factories  were  hauled  about  the 
town  and  successfully  operated. 

The  living  raccoon  again  figured  conspicuously 
in  the  procession,  as  it  had  in  the  previous  cam- 
paign. The  singing  of  campaign  songs  added  in- 
terest to  this  occasion,  just  as  it  had  been  practised 
four  years  before,  when  there  was  one  universal 
shout  for  "Old  Tippecanoe  and  Tyler  too."  Not- 
withstanding this  great  effort  of  the  Whigs,  they 
could  not  weaken  the  devotion  of  the  Democrats 
in  the  county  or  lessen  their  majority.  The  poke- 
berry  was  brought  into  great  prominence  by  the 
Democrats. 

During  this  campaign,  the  Democrats  also  held 
a  large  mass-meeting.  One  of  its  prominent  fea- 
tures was  a  large  boat,  rigged  as  a  "Ship  of  State," 
manned  by  a  number  of  boys  dressed  as  sailors, 
and  drawn  on  wheels  in  the  procession  by  many 
young  men.  The  majority  for  Polk  in  the  borough 
was  369,  and  in  the  county  4,674.  This  result  in- 
dicated the  thorough  organization  of  the  Democrats. 
Dallas,  their  candidate  for  Vice-President,  visited 
Reading  during  the  campaign  and  delivered  an 
address  at  the  "Mineral  Spring,"  dwelling  particu- 
larly upon  and  favoring  the  tariff.  Gen.  Sam 
Houston  from  Texas  was  also  present. 

Clymer  M.vss-Meetings  in  1866. — Hon.  Heister 
Clymer,  a  citizen  of  Reading,  received  the  nomina- 
tion for  Governor  on  the  Democratic  ticket  in  1866. 
He  had  been  State  senator  from  1861  to  1866,  dur- 
ing which  time  he  had  acquired  considerable  popu- 
larity throughout  the  State.  Gen.  John  W.  Geary 
was  the  Republican  candidate.  Both  parties  were 
under  thorough  organization  and  they  labored  ear- 
nestly for  success.  Many  mass-meetings  were  held 
in  different  parts  of  the  State,  and  at  all  of  them 
much  enthusiasm  was  manifested. 

In  Berks  county  the  leaders  of  the  party  were 
particularly  active.  Numerous  public  meetings  were 
held  and  many  speeches  delivered.  General  politi- 
cal excitement  prevailed  from  the  beginning  until 
the  close  of  the  campaign;  which  increased'as  the 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


71 


day  of  election  approached.  Two  Democratic  mass- 
meetings  were  held  at  Reading,  one  on  July  18th, 
and  the  other  on  Oct.  3d;  and  upon  each  occasion 
a  multitude  of  people  assembled.  At  the  former 
there  were  delegations  from  four-fifths  of  the  coun- 
ties in  the  State.  Hon.  Richard  Vaux  acted  as 
chairman  of  the  meeting,  and  addresses  were  made 
by  Mr.  Clymer,  Hon.  Montgomery  Blair,  Hon. 
George  H.  Pendleton,  and  other  distinguished  poli- 
tical leaders.  High  party  feeling  was  produced 
under  the  great  excitement,  so  high,  indeed,  that 
it  almost  resulted  in  riots  with  certain  Republicans 
who  were  equally  earnest  and  demonstrative  for 
their  leader.  General  Geary.  There  was  a  grand 
procession,  with  Gen.  Tobias  Barto  as  chief  mar- 
shal, estimated  to  contain  five  thousand  persons  in 
a  line  two  miles  long.  Many  wagons,  teams,  bands, 
and  banners  of  all  kinds  accompanied  the  numerous 
delegations,  and  the  enthusiasm  was  unbounded. 

Notwithstanding  all  this  exertion  and  expense 
by  the  Democrats,  the  city  of  Reading  was  not  car- 
ried for  Clymer.  It  had  been  Republican  through 
the  war,  and  this  political  sentiment  still  prevailed 
by  a  small  majority  which  Clymer  could  not  over- 
come, even  with  the  aid  of  local  prejudice  and  en- 
thusiastic demonstrations.  The  vote  in  Reading  for 
him  was  2,689  and  for  Geary  2,704 — a  majority  of 
15  against  him;  and  in  the  county  for  him  13,288 
and  for  Geary  7,121 — a  majority  of  6,167  for  him. 

POLITICAL  FESTIVALS 

HiESTER  Festival  of  1820. — In  1817,  the  Hon. 
Joseph  Hiester,  of  Reading,  was  nominated  as  the 
Federal  candidate  for  Governor  against  the  Hon. 
William  Findlay  as  the  Democratic  candidate;  but 
he  was  defeated  by  a  majority  of  7,005.  In  1820, 
the  same  candidates  were  again  on  the  respective 
tickets-,  and  Hiester  was  elected  by  a  small  majority, 
1,605.  The  success  of  this  election  contest,  by 
which  the  most  distinguished  citizen  of  Berks  county 
was  chosen  to  be  the  chief  executive  officer  of  Penn- 
sylvania, was  an  event  which  could  not  be  permitted 
to  pass  away  in  the  annals  of  local  affairs  without 
signalizing  it  by  an  impressive  public  demonstration. 
He  was  then  concluding  his  ninth  term  in  Congress, 
and  resigned  his  seat  soon  after  the  election.  His 
fellow-citizens  had  therefore  come  to  regard  him 
with  more  than  ordinary  feelings  of  respect  and 
honor.  And  what  means  could  they  have  selected 
more  adapted  to  display  their  satisfaction  and  joy 
than  a  feast  at  which  they  could  eat,  drink  and  be 
merry?  Accordingly,  in  honor  of  this  event,  pursu- 
ant to  public  invitation,  a  grand  festival  took  place 
on  Wednesday,  Nov.  1,  1820,  on  the  "Common" 
near  the  "arched  spring,"  east  of  the  borough.  Peo- 
ple assembled  from  every  part  of  the  county  and 
many  distinguished  politicians  came  from  Philadel- 
phia and  counties  adjoining  Berks  to  participate  in 
the  feast.  Over  four  thousand  persons  united  in 
the  demonstration.  A  procession  was  first  formed 
by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements  on  Penn  Square, 


about  11  o'clock  in  the  morning,  which  marched 
up  Penn  street  to  the  "Common,"  arriving  there 
about  noon.  An  area  comprising  several  acres  was 
surrounded  by  a  barrier,  with  a  large  platform  on 
the  eastern  side,  upon  which  the  articles  for  the 
feast  were  placed.  Two  fat  bullocks  on  spits,  and 
a  bear  and  a  hog  on  gridirons,  were  roasted  en- 
tire. The  four  skins  bad  been  stuffed  and  mounted 
on  cars.  The  area  was  occupied  by  the  Committee 
of  Arrangements,  High's  Dragoons,  Getz's  Guards, 
and  a  band  of  music  from  Philadelphia;  and  it  in- 
cluded thousands  of  spectators,  whose  orderly  de- 
portment was  highly  commendable. 

The  butchers  commenced  to  carve  the  roasted 
animals  about  2  o'clock.  The  first  slice  of  each 
animal  was  taken  to  the  residence  of  Hiester  on 
Penn  Square  (adjoining  the  Farmers'  Bank  on 
the  west)  by  two  butchers,  who  were  escorted  by 
a  detachment  of  the  Guards ;  and  the  carving  then 
continued  until  all  were  satisfied.  After  the  feasting 
was  concluded,  a  meeting  was  organized  and  twenty 
toasts,  expressive  of  patriotic  and  complimentary 
sentiments,  were  read,  all  of  which  were  received 
with,  loud  applause.  Then  a  unanimous  desire  was 
expressed  "to  see  the  Revolutionary  Veteran,"  and 
he  was  accordingly  escorted  to  the  meetings  from  his 
residence  by  a  special  committee,  his  presence 
awakening  "indescribable  effusions  of  joy."  At  4 
o'clock,  the  procession  was  reformed  and,  with  the 
"Governor-elect"  supported  by  two  stalwart  citi-- 
zens,  it  paraded  through  the  principal  streets  of 
the  borough,  halting  opposite  his  residence,  where 
they  were  dismissed  in  perfect  harmony. 

In  the  evening,  the  celebration  was  continued  by 
a  "torch-light  procession."  A  transparent  temple 
was  carried  by  four  men  through  the  principal 
streets,  preceded  and  followed  by  a  train  of  citi- 
zens who  held  lighted  candles  in  their  hands.  The 
sides  of  this  temple  were  illustrated ;  the  front  pre- 
sented a  likeness  of  Washington,  the  rear  the  arms 
of  the  United  States,  and  the  right  and  left  sides 
well-executed  likenesses  of  Hiester. 

A  similar  festival,  to  celebrate  the  same  event, 
was  held  at  Orwigsburg,  in  Schuylkill  county,  on 
Nov.  10,  1820.  The  morning  of  that  day  was  ush- 
ered in  by  the  firing  of  cannon  and  the  ringing  of 
bells.  A  meeting  was  first  organized  in  the  Court- 
House;  then  the  people  formed  into  line  and  pro- 
ceeded under  the  leadership  of  three  marshals,  as- 
sisted by  a  band  of  music,  to  "Mount  Monroe."  As 
they  marched,  bells  rang  and  cannon  boomed.  A 
fine  ox  and  deer  were  roasted,  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  persons,  seated  at  tables  especially  arranged, 
participated  in  a  great  feast.  At  a  meeting,  after- 
ward formed,  thirteen  toasts  were  offered  and 
drunk. 

On  the  same  day,  a  festival  was  also  held  at 
Kutztown.  Twenty-five  toasts  were  offered  and 
drunk  at  a  large  meeting. 

Harrison  Festival  of  1840. — The  Presidential 
campaign  of  1840  was  conducted  with  great  enthu- 
siasm, and  it  developed  much  political  excitement 


72 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLA^ANIA 


throughout  the  country.  Grand  processions  were 
witnessed  in  every  community.  The  voters  of  Read- 
ing and  the  surrounding  districts  in  the  county 
caught  the  feeling,  especially  on  the  side  of  the 
Whigs.  One  of  the  processions  was  distinguished 
for  its  log  cabin  and  living  raccoons.  The  election 
resulted  in  a  victory  for  the  Whigs,  an  event  which 
elicited  from  them  particular  demonstrations  of  joy. 
It  was  their  first  victory,  and  they  felt  great  pride 
in  it.  What  could  they  do  upon  such  an  occasion 
but  demonstrate  their  feelings  as  their  party,  under 
the  name  of  "Federals,"  had  done  twenty  years  be- 
fore? The  leaders  therefore  decided  to  signalize 
their  triumph  by  a  "grand  ox-roast,"  on  the  "Com- 
mon," on  Wednesday,  Dec.  9,  1840,  and  they  issued 
a  public  notice  that  "an  ox  will  be  roasted  whole 
and  plenty  of  hard  cider  will  be  provided."  The 
day  was  accordingly  celebrated  under  the  direction 
of  an  organized  meeting,  with  men  prominent  in 
respect  to  business,  politics  and  military  as  its  offi- 
cers. Thirteen  toasts  were  announced,  and  appro- 
priate responses  were  made.  Many  persons  parti- 
cipated in  the  feast. 

TiLDEN  Festival  of  1876. — The  Presidential 
campaign  of  1S7G  was  full  of  enthusiasm  from  the 
beginning  to  the  end.  Samuel  J.  Tilden,  of  New 
York,  was  the  Democratic  candidate,  and  Ruther- 
ford B.  Hayes,  of  Ohio,  the  Republican.  The  Dem- 
ocrats throughout  the  county  were  very  hopeful 
of  success  with  so  distinguished  a  candidate  as  Mr. 
Tilden,  and  they  therefore  carried  on  the  political 
contest  with  all  the  energy  that  they  could  com- 
mand. The  leaders  of  the  party  in  the  county  were 
particularly  active.  Toward  the  close  of  the  cam- 
paign they  made  arrangements  for  a  "buffalo  roast" 
in  order  to  enable  their  party  the  more  thorough- 
ly to  demonstrate  their  feelings  in  a  public  manner, 
and  they  selected  a  day  for  that  purpose.  The  pre- 
vious festivals  in  1820  and  1840  were  held  after 
the  election,  but  this  was  to  be  held  before  the  elec- 
tion. The  announcement  was  made,  giving  the  pub- 
lic to  know  "that  the  Democratic  citizens  of  Berks 
and  adjoining  counties  will  have  a — 

GRAND   ROAST   OF  TWO   BUFFALOES, 

lately  captured  on   the  western  plains,   and  a 

Jubilee  Parade 

in  honor  of  their  candidates  for  President  and  Vice- 
President,   and   the   gallant   freemen   of   the 
West,  at  the  Fair  Grounds,  City  of  Read- 
ing, on  Thursday,  OctolDer  26,  1876, 
and  also  an 

Old-fashioned    Democratic    Procession, 

in    which    soldiers    and    sailors,    farmers    and   me- 
chanics and  all  good  citizens,  with  their  wives 
and  daughters,  are  respectfully  invited 
to    participate 

The  dav  arrived  and  the  programme  was  carried 
out  very  successfully.  In  the  morning  many  dele- 
gations came  to  Reading  from  all  parts  of  the 
county,  and  by  11  o'clock  the  "Jubilee  Parade" 
was  formed,  when  it  was  marched  over  a  long  route. 


Besides  the  usual  demonstrations  in  a  procession 
of  this  character,  there  was  an  "elephant  in  boots," 
veritably  walking  in  the  parade,  hired  from  Fore- 
paugh  (the  showman)  for  the  occasion.  The  sym- 
bol of  the  Reading  Times,  in  signalizing  a  political 
victory  on  the  morning  after  an  election,  for  many 
years,  was  the  "elephant  in  boots"  at  the  head  of  its 
columns;  but  the  Democrats  desired  to  show  by  .i 
living  cartoon  that  they  had  taken  its  elephant  cap- 
tive, and  were  going  to  carry  it  along  in  their  tri- 
umphant march.  This  conception  created  much 
amusement  throughout  the  entire  route.  It  was  the 
centre  of  attraction.  On  the  way,  the  elephant 
kicked  off  one  of  his  Democratic  boots,  just  as  if 
he  were  walking  in  doubtful  company  and  on  a 
doubtful  platform,  and  desirous  of  freeing  himself. 
The  procession  was  nearly  an  hour  in  passing  a 
point,  and  ended  in  the  "Fair-Ground,"  where  the 
feast  on  roasted  buffalo  was  enjoyed  by  many  hun- 
dreds of  persons.  Speeches  were  made  by  promi- 
nent men  from  different  parts  of  the  country.  The 
most  distinguished  guest  upon  this  unusual  occasion 
was  Gen.  George  B.  McClellan,  whose  presence  elic- 
ited great  applause  wherever  he  went. 

Cleveland  Festivals. — The  election  of  Grover 
Cleveland,  the  Democratic  candidate  for  President 
in  the  election  of  November,  1884,  was  the  occasion 
of  great  rejoicing.  In  the  county  the  plurality  of 
Cleveland  over  Blaine  was  6,897,  and  in  Reading, 
499.  The  victory  was  of  such  an  extraordinary  nat- 
ure that  the  Democrats  could  not  refrain  from  pub- 
lic demonstrations  of  various  kinds. 

In  Reading,  a  grand  "Salt-River  Parade"  took 
place  on  Nov.  12th,  in  which  there  were  fifteen  hun- 
dred men  in  line,  with  numerous  teams  and  eight)' 
men  on  horseback,  as  well  as  many  humorous  trans- 
parencies and  a  prostrate  stuffed  elephant  on  one 
of  the  floats. 

At  Bernville,  and  also  at  Rehrersburg,  there  were 
ox-roasts  on  Nov.  15th,  which  elicited  a  great  deal 
of  public  excitement. 

At  Kutztown,  on  Nov.  21st,  there  was  one 
of  the  grandest  political  demonstrations  ever 
witnessed  by  the  inhabitants.  An  ox,  weigh- 
ing twelve  hundred  pounds,  was  roasted,  and 
after  a  grand  parade,  in  which  three  hundred  men 
on  horseback  from  all  the  surrounding  districts  par- 
ticipated, including  a  large  delegation  from  the 
"Americus  Club"  of  Reading,  there  was  a  grand 
feast  and  much  hilarity.  A  "Liberty  Pole,"  160  feet 
high,  was  erected  to  signalize  the  victory. 

The  next  day  after  the  election,  there  was  a  con- 
siderable fall  of  snow,  and  the  epigrammatic  expres- 
sion— "And  the  next  day  it  snowed" — caused  much 
merriment  among  the  participants  in  this  demon- 
stration, as  well  as  in  the  demonstrations  elsewhere. 

OFFICES  BY  SPECIAL  LEGISLATION 

The  general  political  history  of  Berks  county  is 
similar  to  that  of  the  whole  State  in  respect  to  its 
general  government.    Legislation  created  territorial 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


73 


divisions  and  provided  offices  of  various  kinds  for 
them  in  order  to  facilitate  the  regulation  of  local 
affairs,  and  the  representation  of  the  people  in  the 
legislative  bodies  of  the  State  and  nation.  And 
these  offices  have  been  filled  either  by  election  or 
"by  appointment  from  the  beginning  of  our  political 
existence  as  a  county  until  now.  A  sameness  ex- 
tends throughout  the  whole  period.  Comparatively 
little  special  legislation  has  been  done  for  our  county 
in  the  way  of  creating  positions. 

Four  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly  are  worthy 
of  mention:  One  passed  in  1824,  relative  to  the 
management  of  poor  affairs;  another  in  1848,  rela- 
tive to  the  management  of  prison  affairs;  a  third 
in  1869,  relative  to  the  election  of  an  additional 
law  judge;  and  a  fourth  in  1883,  to  the  election 
of  an  Orphans'  court  judge. 

A  marked  change  was  introduced  by  the  Consti- 
tution of  1873,  enabling  the  minority  party  to  elect 
officials.  In  Berks  county  this  applied  to  county 
commissioners  and  county  auditors.  Theretofore, 
these  officials  in  the  county  were  almost  entirely 
Democrats  since  their  election  in  1841. 

The  first  Republican  commissioner  and  auditor 
tmder  this  provision  were  elected  in  1875.  And  in 
1873,  the  Act  of  1848  creating  the  board  of  prison 
inspectors  was  so  amended  as  to  enable  the  minor- 
ity party  to  elect  three  out  of  nine  inspectors  or  an- 
nually one  out  of  three. 

The  Act  of  1824,  relating  to  the  poor  directors, 
which  provides  for  the  annual  election  of  a  director 
for  three  years,  has  not  yet  been  amended  to  meet 
the  spirit  of  the  times  and  of  the  State  Constitu- 
tion. 

In  1867,  when  jury  commissioners  were  author- 
ized to  be  elected,  provision  was  made  that  each 
elector  should  vote  for  one  person  for  this  office, 
and  the  two  persons  having  the  highest  vote  should 
be  the  commissioners.  This  provision  enabled  the 
minority  party  in  the  county  to  elect  one  commis- 
sioner, and  accordingly,  the  Republicans  have  elect- 
ed a  jury  commissioner  since  1867. 

NATIONAL  REPRESENTATIVES 

The  office  of  representative  to  Congress  of  the 
United  States  was  created  by  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States  which  was  adopted  Sept.  17,  1787, 
and  ratified  by  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania 
Dec.  12,  1787.  The  term  of  office  was  then  made 
two  years ;  and  so  it  has  continued  to  the  present 
time. 

Representatives  were  apportioned  among  the  sev- 
eral States  according  to  population,  which  was  enu- 
merated within  three  years  after  the  first  meeting 
of  Congress,  and  every  ten  years  thereafter. 

The  first  apportionment  by  Congress  gave  Penn- 
sylvania eight  representatives.  These  were  appor- 
tioned by  the  State  Legislature,  March  16,  1791, 
to  eight  diFtricts.  Berks,  Northampton,  and  Lu- 
zerne counties  were  erected  into  one  district,  with 
one  member.    In  1793,  the  State  was  given  thirteen 


members.  These  were  apportioned  by  the  State 
Legislature  on  April  22,  1794,  when  Berks  and  Lu- 
zerne counties  were  made  the  Fifth  Congressional 
District  for  the  next  ten  years,  with  one  mem- 
ber. 

In  1802,  Berks,  Chester,  and  Lancaster  formed 
the  Third  District,  with  an  apportionment  of  three 
members. 

In  1813,  Berks  and  Schuylkill  formed  the  Seventh 
District,  with  one  member. 

In  1822,  Berks,  Schuylkill,  and  Lehigh  formed  the 
Seventh  District,  with  two  members. 

In  1832,  Berks  became  a  separate  district,  called 
the  Ninth,  with  one  member. 

In  1843,  and  every  ten  years  successively  until 
1887,  Berks  comprised  the  Eighth  Congressional 
District,  with  one  member. 

By  the  Act  of  May  19,  1887,  in  the  apportionment 
of  the  State,  Lehigh  county  was  included  with 
Berks  county  in  the  formation  of  the  Ninth  Dis- 
trict, and  through  delegates  of  the  Republican  and 
Democratic  parties  from  the  two  counties,  respec- 
tively, an  agreement  was  entered  into  that  Berks 
county  should  have  the  nominee  for  three  consec- 
utive terms  and  Lehigh  for  two  as  long  as  they 
continued  together. 

By  the  Act  of  July  11,  .1901,  in  the  apportion- 
ment of  the  State  these  two  counties  constituted 
the  Thirteenth  District. 

The  following  persons  represented  Berks  county 
in  Congress : 

Name  Terra 

Daniel  Hiester   _^ 1789-97 

Joseph   Hiester*    1797-1807 ;  1813-20 

Matthias    Reichert     1807-11 

John    M.    Hynemant    1811-13 

Daniel   Udree    1813-15 ;  1823-35 

Ludwig  Wormant   1821-22 

William    Adams     1835-29 

Henry  A.  Muhlenberg§   1829-38 

George  M.  Keim   1838-43 

John   Ritter   1843-47 

William   Strong    1847-53 

J.   Glancy  Jones||    1851-53 ;  1854-58 

Henry  A.  Muhlenberg,  Jr.^  1853-54 

William   H.   Keim 1858-59 

John    Schwartz**    1859-60 

Jacob  K.  McKenty  1860-61 

Sydenham  E.  Ancona   1861-67 

*  Joseph  Hiester  was  elected  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  in  Oct- 
ober, 1820,  and  resigned  his  seat  in  Congress  Daniel  Udree  was 
elected  in  December,  1820,  to  succeed  him  for  the  unexpired  term 
ending  March  3,   1821. 

t  John  M.  Hyneman  was  re-elected;  but  he  resigned  his  seat,  and 
Daniel  Udree  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  for  the  unexpired  term 
ending   March   3,    1815. 

t  Ludwig  Worman  died  Oct.  17,  1822,  whilst  filling  this  office, 
and  Udree  was  elected  in  December  following  to  fill  the  unexpired 
term  ending  in  March,  1823. 

§  Henry  A.  Muhlenberg  resipmed  his  seat  in  February,  1838,  and 
accepted  the  Mission  to  Austria  as  the  first  Minister.  George  M. 
Keim  was  elected  in  March,  1838;  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  ending 
March  3,  1839. 

II  J.  Glancy  Jones  resigned  in  October,  1858,  and  accepted  Mis- 
sion to  Austria.  William  H.  Keim  v;as  elected  on  Nov.  30,  1858,  te 
fill   unexpired  term   ending   March   3,  dS^9. 

1  Henry  A.  Muhlenberg.  Jr.,  died  at  Washington  on  Tarn.  9,  1854. 
He  had  appeared  in  Congress  only  a  single  day,  when  he  was  taken 
sick  with  typhoid  fever,  and  thereafter  was  unable  to  resume  his 
sear. 

•"John  Schwartz  died  in  July,  1850,  and  Jacob  K.  McKenty 
was  elected  to  fill  unexpired  term  ending  March  i,  1861. 


74 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


J.   Lawrence   Getz    1867-73 

Hiester    Clymer    1873-81 

Daniel   Ermentrout    1881-S9 ;  1897-99' 

David  B.  Brunner   1889-93 

Coiistantine  J.  Erdman*   1333-97 

Henry  D.  Green   1899-1903 

Marcus  D.  Kline*   1903-1907 

John   H.   Rothermel    1907-1911 

j?OREIGN     MINISTERS 

Henry   A.    Muhlenberg,   to   Austria 183S-40 

J.   Glancy  Jones,  to  Austria 1858-61 

FOREIGN    CONSULS 

John  Endlich.  at  Basle,  Switzerland 

Henry  JNIay  Keim,  at  Prince  Edward  Island 

UNITED   STATES   COMMISSIONERS 

William  Strong 

Samuel  L.  Young   1853-1901 

William  J.  Young   1901-05 

Henry   Maltzberger    1905 

REGISTERS   IN   BANKRUPTCY 

Harrison   Maltzberger    1867-92 

Christian  H.  Ruhl  1898-1904 

Samuel  E.  Bertolet   1905 

STATE  REPRESENTATIVES 
The  "Continental  Congress"  passed  a  resolution 
on  May  15,  1776,  calling  upon  the  respective  Assem- 
blies of  the  "United  Colonies"  "to  adopt  such  gov- 
ernment as  shall  in  the  opinion  of  the  representa- 
tives of  the  people  best  conduce  to  the  happiness 
and  safety  of  their  constituents  in  particular  and 
America  in  general."  In  pursuance  thereof  a  Pro- 
vincial Conference  was  held  in  "Carpenter's  Hall." 
at  Philadelphia,  on  Tuesday,  June  18,  1776.  It  was 
attended  by  representatives  from  all  the  counties  of 
the  province,  then  eleven  in  number.  The  repre- 
sentatives— or  delegates,  as  they  were  called — from 
Berks  county  were: 

Jacob  Morgan  Benjamin    Spyker     Joseph   Hiester 

Henry   Haller  Daniel  Hunter  Chas.    Shoemaker 

Mark  Bird  Valentine    Eckert 

Bodo   ptto  Nicholas  Lutz 

This  Conference  decided  that  a  Provincial  Con- 
vention should  be  called  to  meet  on  Monday,  July 
15,  1776,  for  the  express  purpose  of  "forming  a  new 
government  in  this  province  on  the  authority  of 
the  people  only" ;  fixed  the  qualifications  of  electors, 
the  number  of  representatives  from  each  county  and 
the  time  of  their  election ;  ordered  an  address  to 
the  people ;  and  agreed  upon  a  "Declaration  of  In- 
dependence" of  the  province,  the  truthfulness,  for- 
cibleness,  and  elegance  of  which  are  worthy  all  pos- 
sible praise  and  admiration. 

Accordingly,  on  July  15,  1776,  the  Convention 
assembled,  composed  of  delegates  from  each  coun- 
ty.    The  delegates  from  Berks  county  were: 

Jacob  Morgan  P.enjamin  Spyker       Chas.    Shoemaker 

Gabriel  Hiester         Daniel    Hunter  Thomas  Jones,  Jr. 

John  Lesher  Valentine    Eckert 

A  constitution  was  agreed  upon  on  Sept.  28, 
1776,     comprising     a     Preamble,     Declaration     of 

*■'  From    Lehigh    county. 


Rights  and  Frame  of  Government.  The  "Declara- 
tion of  Rights"  was  reported  by  a  committee  of 
eleven,  of  which  John  Lesher  from  Berks  was  a 
member. 

By  the  47th  section  of  the  "Frame  of  Govern- 
ment" a  provision  was  made  for  the  election  of 
Censors  in  1783  and  every  seventh  year  thereafter, 
who  were  "to  inquire  whether  the  Constitution  was 
preserved  inviolate  in  every  part."  The  Censors 
elected  in  1783  to  represent  Berks  county  were 
James  Read  and  Baltzer  Gehr. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  State  met  at  Phil- 
adelphia on  March  24,  1789.  The  representatives 
from  Berks  county  were : 


Joseph    Hiester 
Gabriel  Hiester 


Joseph   Sands 
John  Ludwig 


Daniel  Brodhead 


The  Assembly  decided  that  alterations  and 
amendments  to  the  Constitution  of  1776  were  nec- 
essary; and  the  Assembly  met  again  on  Sept.  15, 
1789.  A  resolution  was  reported  by  a  committee 
of  the  whole  Assembly  which  favored  the  calling 
of  a  convention  to  amend  the  Constitution,  and 
it  was  adopted. 

Delegates  were  accordingly  elected  by  each  of 
the  districts  in  the  State,  and  those  from  Berks 
county  were : 

Joseph    Hiester         Abraham    Lincoln  Balser  Gehr 

Christian  Lower 


Abraham    Lincoln 
Paul   Groscup 


The  Convention  assembled  in  the  State  House, 
at_  Philadelphia,  on  Nov.  24,  1789,  and  a  New  Con- 
stitution was  agreed  upon,  all  the  delegates  sub- 
scribing it  on  Sept.  2,  1790.  It  was  soon  afterward 
submitted  to  the  people  of  the  State  by  a  special 
election,  and  adopted. 

This  Constitution  was  continued  as  the  general 
political  law  of  the  State  until  the  adoption  of  a 
New  Constitution  in  1873.  In  the  mean  time  ef- 
forts were  made  to  improve  it.  An  Act  of  Assem- 
bly was  passed  March  28,  1825,  which  provided 
for  an  election  to  be  held  at  the  next  succeeding 
election  to  ascertain  the  opinion  of  the  people  rela- 
tive to  the  call  of  a  Constitutional  Convention,  but 
they  decided  by  ballot  that  such  a  convention  should 
not  _  be  called.  The  vote  in  -Berks  county  was 
against  it. 

In  1835  a  convention  was  again  recommended, 
and  the  people  decided  that  it  was  necessary.  The 
vote  in  Berks  county  was  against  it  again. 
_  In  1837  a  Convention  was'duly  assembled  at  Har- 
risburg  and  various  amendments  to  the  Constitu- 
tion were  recommended,  which  were  adopted  at 
the  regular  election  in  October,  1838,  The  vote 
in  Berks  county  was  for  them.  The  delegates  at 
this  Convention  from  Berks  county  were: 


John  Ritter  William   High 

George  M.  Keim       Mark    Darrah 


James   Donagan 


Subsequently,  till  1873,  various  amendments 
were  proposed  by  Acts  of  Assembly  and  adopted  by 
elections  of  the  people. 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


7r. 


An  Act  of  Assembly  was  passed  in  1871  which 
provided  for  the  calling  of  a  general  convention  to 
amend  the  Constitution  of  1790.  It  was  submitted 
to  the  people  at  the  general  election  of  October, 
1871,  and  ratified.  The  vote  in  Berks  county  was 
against  the  proposition. 
"Delegates  were  accordingly  elected;  the  Conven- 
tion assembled — first  at  Harrisburg,  then  at  Phil- 
adelphia; and  the  result  of  their  labor  was 
submitted  to  the  people  in  1873,  and  adopted.  The 
vote  in  Berks  county  was  favorable.  The  delegates 
from  Berks  county  were: 

George  G.  BarclayHenry    W.    SmithHenry   Van   Reed 

Under  the  Provincial  Constitution,  and  after- 
ward under  the  State  Constitutions  of  1776,  1790, 
and  1873,  the  officers  named  in  the  subsequent 
pages  were  elected  and  appointed. 

STATE  OFFICIALS 

The  following  persons  from  Berks  county  held 
State  offices: 

Charles  Biddle,  Supreme  Executive  Councillor,  elected 
by  the  Legislature,  1784-87. 

Joseph  Hiester,   Governor,   elected,   1820-23. 

Gabriel  Hiester,  Surveyor-General,  appointed  by  the 
Governor,   1824-30. 

Frederick  Smith,  Supreme  Associate  Justice,  appointed 
by  the  Governor,  1828-30. 

Jacob  Sallade,  Surveyor-General,  appointed  by  the 
Governor,  1839-45. 

John  Banks,  State  Treasurer,  elected  by  the  Legisla- 
ture, 1847. 

William  Strong,  Supreme  Associate  Justice,  elected, 
1857-68. 

William  M.  Hiester,  Secretary  of  State,  appointed  by 
Governor,   1858-60. 

William  H.  Keim,   Surveyor-General,  elected,  1860-61. 

Warren  J.  Woodward,  Supreme  Associate  Justice, 
elected,  1874-79. 

David  McMurtrie  Gregg,  Auditor-General,  elected,  1892- 
95 

SENATORS 

The  office  of  State  senator  was  created  by  the 
Constitution  of  1790.  The  State  was  thereby  ap- 
portioned into  senatorial  districts;  and  again  in 
1793,  and  subsequently  every  seven  years  till  the 
adoption  of  the  New  Constitution  of  1873,  where- 
by the  apportionment  was  thereafter  to  be  made 
on  the  decennial  census  of  the  United  States.  In 
the  beginning,  Berks  and  Dauphin  counties  com- 
prised a  district  with  an  allotment  of  two  mem- 
bers; and  they  continued  together  till  1808,  when 
Berks  was  erected  into  a  separate  district  with  two 
members.  After  the  erection  of  Schuylkill  county 
in  1811,  it  was  added  to  Berks,  and  they  together 
comprised  a  district  with  two  members  till  1836, 
when  Berks  was  again  erected  into  a  district  by 
itself  with  one  member,  and  continued  so  from 
that  time  till  now.  The  term'  was  four  jjears  from 
1790  to  1838 ;  and  three  years  thence  to  1874,  when 
the  New  Constitution  fixed  it  at  four  years  again. 

The  members  from  Berks  alone  are  mentioned : 


Name  lerm 

Joseph    Hiester    1790-94 

Gabriel    Hiester    1795-96 ;  1805-12 

Christopher    Lower     1797-1804 

John   S.   Hiester    1809-12 

Charles    Shoemaker    1813-16 

Marks  John  Biddle    1817-20 

Conrad  Feger 1821-24 

George    Schall     1825-28 

Daniel  A.   Bertolet    1829-33 

Paul    Geiger     1833-36 

John    Miller    1837-40 

Samuel    Fegely 1841-46 

John    Potteiger     1847-49 

Henry  A.  Muhlenberg  1850-52 

\yilliam  M.  Hiester*   1853-55 

John  C.  Evans   1856-58 

Benjamin   Nunnemacher    1859-60 

Hiester    Clymer     1861-66 

J.   Depuy  Davis    1867-73 

Daniel    Ermentrout     1874-80 

Edward    H.    Shearer    1881-84 

Frank  R.  Brunner    1885-88 

Henry  D.   Green    1889-96 

W.    Oscar   Miller    - 1897-1900 

Edward  M.  Herbstf  1901-1908 

ASSEMBLYMEN 

The  office  of  assemblyman  was  first  created  by 
William  Penn  in  establishing  a  government  for 
the  province;  and  representatives  thereto,  from  the 
several  counties  as  they  were  erected,  were  elected 
annually  till  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and 
the  adoption  of  a  Constitution  by  the  State  in  1776. 
It  was  continued  by  this  Constitution,  and  afterward 
by  that  of  1790,  whereby  members  to  the  Assembly 
were  elected  annually  till  the  adoption  of  the  New 
Constitution  of  1873.  Then  the  term  was  increased 
to  two  years.  In  all  these  years — from  1752  to  the 
present  time — Berks  county  was  a  separate  dis- 
trict, excepting  after  the  erection  of  Schuylkill 
county  out  of  portions  of  Berks  and  Northalmp- 
ton,  when  it  was  added  to  Berks,  and  continued  so 
for  a  period  of  eighteen  years — from  1811  to  1839. 

The  number  of  representatives  from  Berks  was 
as.  follows: 

1752-71  1 

1772-76  2 

1777-81  4 

1782-86  6 

1787-1829  5 

1830-57  .' 4 

1858-74  3 

In  1874  six  members  were  apportioned  to  Berks, 
to  so  continue  until  an  apportionment  be  duly  made 
on  next  census  of  United  States  (1880) — namely, 
to  the  city  of  Reading  two  members,  and  to  the 
county  of  Berks  four. 

By  the  Act  of  May  12,  1887,  in  the  apportion- 
ment of  the  State  for  representatives,  the  county 
of  Berks  became  entitled  to  five  members — ^the 
city  of  Reading  as  the  First  District  to  elect  two 
members,  and  all  the  county  outside  of  Reading 

*  William  M.  Hiester  was  elected  and  served  as  Speaker  of  the 
Senate  for  year  1855. 

t  Re-elected  in  November,   1908. 


-76 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


as    the    Second    District   to    elect   three   members ; 
which  has  continued  unchanged. 

The  representatives  from  the  county  were  as  fol- 
lows : 

Name  Term 

Moses     Starr     , 1752-54 

Francis     Parvin     1755 

Thomas    Yorke    1756-57 

James    Boone     1758 

John     Potts     1759-161 

John    Ross     1763-64 

Adam    Witman     1765-66 

Edward    Biddle*     1767-81 

Henry  Christ    1771-81 

Valentine    Eckert    1776-79 

Henry    Haller     1776-81 

John    Lesher    1776-81 

Jonathan   Jones    1779-80 

John    Hiester    1782 

Gabriel  Hiester  1783 ;  1787-89 ;   1791 ;   1802-04 

Baltzer    Gehr    1782;    1786;    1792-99 

Daniel    Hunter     1783 

Benjamin   Weiser    1782 

Joel    Bishop     1782-84 

Daniel    Clymer    1783-84;    1787;    1791 

Chris.   Lower   1783-85  ;   1793-94 ;    1796 

Abraham    Lincoln     1783-86 

John    Ludwig    1783 ;    1783 ;    1790-92 

John    Patton     1783 

George    Ege     1783 

Nicholas    Lotz    1784-86 ;    1790-94 

John   Rice    1784 

Henry    Spyker    1785-86 

David    Davis     1785-88 

Martin    Rhoads     1785 

Philip    Kraemer     1783-87 

Joseph   Hiester    1787-90 

Charles    Biddle    1788 

Joseph    Sands     1788-90 

Daniel    Brodhead    1789 

Daniel  Leinbach    1790 

James  Collins   1791 

C.  Shoemaker    .' 1792-1801;    1810;    1812 

Paul    Groscup    1793-98 

John    Christ     1795-96 

John    Spayd    1795-1810 

Peter  Frailey 1797-1801 ;   1810  ;   1813 

William    Lewis     1797-98 

D.  Rose    1799-1804;    1806-08;    1811-12 

Daniel    Udree    1799-1803 ;    1805 

William    Witman    1800-05 

Frederick    Smith 1802-03 

Isaac    Adams     1804-p5 

Jacob  Rhoads 1804-05 ;  1809 

Jacob  Epler   1805 ;    1816 

Elias  Redcay   1806-07 

Valentine    Probst     1806-08 

Jacob    Schaeffer     1806-08 

John    Bishop     1 806 

Daniel  Yoder    1807-08 

Bernard    Kepner    1808 

Jacob   Schneider    1809 

David  Kerby   1809-3  2;   1815;   1817 

John    M.    Hyneman     1809 

James    McFarland    1809 

Adam    Ruth    1810-11 

Conrad    Feger    1811-14 

John  Miller   ; 1813  ;  1815 

Jacob  Krebs    1813-14 

John    Adams     1813-14 

Jacob   Sassaman    1813 

George    Marx    1814 

Tonnthan   Hudson    1814 

Daniel    Kerper    1815 

*  In   1774   Edward   Biddle  was  Spealcer  of  the   Assembly. 


Name  Term 

Daniel  Rhoads,  Jr 1815-17 ;   1832 

Jacob   Dreibelbis    1815 

Christian    Haldeman     1816 

D.    Hottenstein    1816 ;    1832-24 ;    1837 

William    Schoener    1817 

Godfried   Roehrer    1817;    1820;    1823 

Michael    Graeff    1817-19 

Joseph    Good     1818-19 

Jacob    Levan     1818-19 

Elisha  Geiger   1818 

Jacob    Griesemer     1818-19 

John    Neikerch    1819;    1822 

John    Kohler    1820 

Abraham   Mengel    1830 

John  W.   Roseberry   1830 

George    Gernant    1830-21 

Samuel    Jones     1821 

Joseph    Good    1821 

Jacob    Rahn    1821 

Jacob    Schneider    1831 

William    Adams     1832-24 

John    Gehr    1823-23 

William  Audenried   1823-34 

Henry   Boyer    1824-27 ;    1832 

James    Everhard     1824-26 

George    Rahn    1825;    1827-28 

Jacob   Gehr    1825-26 

Geo.    M.    Odenheimer    1825 

Daniel    A.    Bertolette     1836-28 

Michael    Graeff    1826 

Philip    A.    Good    1827-29 

Mordecai    Lewis     1828 

John     Stauffer     1839-31 

Thos.   J.   Roehrer    1829-30 

George  Klein    1829 

Paul   Geiger      1829-31 

John   Wanner    1830-32 

John    Potteiger     '. . .  1831-34 ;    1842-44 

William    High     1833 

Peter   Klein,    Jr 1833-34 

Benjamin    Tyson     1833 

Jacob   M.    Snyder    1833-34 

Adam   Schoener    1834 ;    1839-40 

William    Hottenstein    1835-36 

Lewis    W.    Richards    1835 

John    Ulrich     1835-36 

John    Jackson     1835-37 

John     Sheelz     1836-37 

Michael   K.    Boyer    ' 1837 

S.  Fegely   1837-39;  1848  ;  1849;' 1851 

Jacob   Walborn    1838-39 

Abraham    Hill    1838-39 

James    Geiger     i838 

Henry    Flannery     1840-41 

Peter    Filbert 1840 

Daniel    B.    Kutz    1840-41 

Robert  M.   Barr    .......1841 

Samuel    Moore     1841-43 

John    Shenk    '      1843-43 

Joseph    Bachman     1842-43 

Henry    W.    Smith 1844-45 

Joh"  ,C-    Evans    .'.'.■.■.■  '{gU ;' '  1850-52 

Alfred    J.    Herman    ^844 

Jacob  Tice     '.'.".'.■.■.■.■.■.  '.1845-46 

Michael   Hoftman    1845-46  ■    18.37 

Henry    G     Stetler    .'.'.'.'.'.'.'1845-46 ;'    1848 

Charles    Levan     1846-47 

John    Long 1847-48 

John   C.    M\ers    1847-49 

Jacob    Graeff     ....  1847 

William    Shaffner    '  .  .         i849-.")0 

Daniel    Z^rbey    '..'.'.'.'.'.'. '.'l'8'49'-50 ;    1853 

Alex     S.    Feather     1850-51 

Jacob    Rcifsnvder    IS'il-S'"" 

Isaac    Yost    ' ','.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.  1852-53 

George    Dengler    1852-53 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


77 


Name  Term 

Jacob    Wicklein    1853-54 

John   B.   Smith    1854 

George    Shenk    1854-56 

Dan'l  V.  R.  Hunter  1854 

Jeremiah   Mengel    1855 

John    F.    Linderman    1855 

Samuel    Shearer    1855 

Andrew  M.  Sallade    1855 

J.  Lawrence  Getz* 1856-57 

William  Heins 1856-57 

Benj.   Nunnemacher 1856-58 

Michael   Hoffman 1857 

Edmund  L.  Smith 1858-59 

Amos  Weiler 1858 

Solomon  L.  Custer 1859-60 

Augustus  F.  Bertolet : .  . .  1859 

Joshua  S.  Miller 1860 

Elijah  Penn  Smith 1860-61 

Michael  P.  Beyer 1861 

Henry  B.  Rhoads 1861 ;   1865-67 

Charles  A.  Kline 1862-64 

Daniel  K.  Weidner 1852-63 

William  N.  Potteiger 1863-64 

John  P.  Missimer 1864-66 

Frederick   Harner 1865-67 

Richmond  L.  Jones 1867-68 

Henry  S.  Hottenstein 1848-69 

Henry  Brobst 1868-70 

Aaron  T.  C  Keffer 1870-72 

Hiram  H.  Schwartz 1870-72 

John  A.  Conrad 1871-73 

Benjamin  E.  Dry 1873-76 

Michael  McCuUough 1873-74 

Aaron    Smith 1874-76 

Daniel  L.  Batdorf 1875 

Nicholos  Andre   1875-78 

Joseph  B.  Conrad • 1876-78 

George  D.   Schaeffer : . . .  .1877-80 

Stephen  J.   Smith 1877-80 

James   Liggett 1879-82 

John  H.  Riegel 1879-82 

C.  A.  Seidel 1881-84 

George  K.  Lorah 1881-84 

Isaac  Z.  Deck .1883-86 

James  W.  Sponagle 1883-86 

Benjamin   C.   Baer    1884-88 

L.  P.  G.  Fegley 1884-88 

N.  S.  Kauffman  1887-90 

John   E.    Pautsch    1887-90 

Cyrus  W.  Kutz    1889-92 

Samuel  B.  Keppel    1891-94 

F.  Leonard  Reber 1891-94 

Jacob  G.  Herzog .M893-96 

Cyrus  J.   Rhode    ■ 1815-98 

Jacob   M.   Weible    1895-98 

Charles  B.  Spatz 1897-1900 

Frank  H.  Naftzinger ;  1899-1903 

Lot  W.  Reiff 1899-1902 

Elmer  E.  Squibb   1901-04 

Francis  W.  Balthaser 1903-06 

Thomas  R.  Houck 1903-06 

Jacob  A.  Le.<!her ' 1905-06 

Howard  G.  McGowan 1907-08 

Irwin  M.  Sharman 1907-10 

David  H.  G.  Kuser 1907-10 

Alvin   K.   Lesher 1909-10 

COUNTY  OFFICERS 

Commissioners. — The  board  of  county  commis- 
sioners comprises  three  members.  Previous  to 
1875,  one  was  elected  annually  for  three  years.  The 
Constitution  of  1873  provided  for  the  election  of 

*  Speaker  of  House  in  1857, 


the  three  commissioners  in  1875  and  every  third 
year  thereafter. 

The  board  of  county  auditors  also  comprises 
three  members.  Previous  to  1809  they  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  county  judges.  An  Act  was  passed 
March  16,  1809,  providing  for  the  annual  election 
thereafter  of  three  auditors.  In  1814,  this  pro- 
vision was  modified  so  that  a  new  auditor  was  in- 
troduced into  the  board  annually  thereafter.  This 
practice  prevailed  until  the  Constitution  of  1873, 
which  provided  for  the  election  of  three  auditors 
in  1875  and  every  third  year  thereafter. 

In  respect  to  both  commissioners  and  auditors, 
"each  qualified  elector  shall  vote  for  no  more  than 
two  persons,  and  the  three  persons  having  the 
highest  number  of  votes  shall  be  elected."  This 
was  a  marked  departure  from  the  old  system,  by 
which  all  of  one  political  party  were  elected.  It  en- 
abled the  opposite  party  to.  elect  one  member. 
Since  1875,  these  officers  have  been  elected — two 
by  the  Democrats  and  one  by  the  Republicans. 

COMMISSIONER.S 

Name  Term 

Evan   Price 1752-53 

Edward  Drury 1752-56 

John  Godfrey 1752-61 

Jacob    Lightfoot 1753-56 ;   1759-62 

Thomas  Rutter 1756-59 

William    Reeser 1757-60 

Samuel   High V  . .  1760-63  ;  1773-76 

Christian  Witraan 1761-64 

John    Hughes 1762-65 

Fred'k  Weiser 1763-66 

Richard   Lewis 1764r67 

Isaac    Levan 1765-68 

Nicholas   Harmony 1766-69 

Christian  Merkel 1767-70 

Jacob  Snyder 1769-71 

John    Jones 1769-73 

Henry    Rightmeyer 1770-73 

Davis  Brecht 1771-74 

Abraham  Lincoln 1772-78 

Michael    Brecht 1774-77 

Christian  Lower .' 1776-79 

John    Kerlin .' 1777-80 

Adam    Witman 1778-81 ;  1784-87 

Thomas     Jones 1779-82 ;  1783-86 

Thomas    Parry 1780-83 

Daniel    Messersmith 1781-84 

Michael    Forry 1782-85 

Conrad   Eckert 1785-91 

Daniel  Leinbach 1786-89 

John  Keim 1787-90 

Jacob    Boyer 1789-92 

Jacob  Bower 1790-9$ 

John  Riegel 1791-94 

George    Lorah 1792-95. 

Philip  Miller 1793-9S 

Peter    Kershner 1794-9T 

William  Witman 1795-9S 

Nicholas  Dick 1796-99> 

Isaac  Addams    1797-1800 

Jacob   Rhoads 1798-1801 

Peter  Feather 1799-1802 

Jacob  Epler 1800-03 

Casper    Merkel 1801-04 

Tohn    Cunnius 1802-05 

Daniel    Yoder 1803-06 

Adam   Ruth 1804-OT 


78 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY.    PENNSYLVANIA 


Name  Term 

Henry   Hahn 1305-08 

Henry    Hottenstein 1806-09 

Nicholas   Leib 1807-10 

Jacob    Miller 1808-11 

Valentine  Boyer .' 1809-12 

Daniel    Ruth 1810-13 

George     Boyer 1811-14 

Jacob    Gehr 1813-15 

William    Addams    i  813-16 

George    Shreffler 1814-17 

Daniel    Levan 1815-18 

William  High 1816-19 

Peter   Stichter 1817-30 

George  N.  Lechner 1818-21 

Peter   Knabb 1819-23 

David     Bright 1830-33 

George  Kemp 1821-24 

Fred'k    Stamm 1822-35 

Henry  Reescr 1823-26 

John    Wanner 1824-27 

John   Potteiger 1823-28 

John  Hahn 1826-39 

Stanley  Kirby 1837-30 

George   Gernant 1828-31 

Anthony    Bickel 3829-33 

Daniel  K.  Hottenstein 1830-33 

John    Filbert 1831-34 

Jacob    Goodman 1833-35 

Daniel    Snyder 1833-36 

John    Deysher 1834-37 

John  Y.  Cunnius 1835-38 

John    Seibert 1836-39 

David  Kutz 1837-40 

Michael  Reifsnyder 1838-41 

George  Weiler 1839-42 

John    Long.' 1840-43 

William  Arnold 1841-44 

John  Sharraan 1842-45 

Adam    Leize 1843-46 

Fred'k  Printz 1844-47 

Michael    Gery 1845-48 

David   Yoder 1846-49 

Charles  Fichthorn 1847-50 

Conrad    Clonse 1848-51 

Thomas    Shaner 1849-52 

Joseph   A.    Schneider 1850-53 

John    McGowan 1851-54 

Benjamin  Kutz 1852-55 

Jacob   Young 1853-56 

Gabriel  Filbert 1854-57 

William  Knabb 1855-58 

Samuel    Summons 1856-59 

D.  L.  Wenrich 1857-60 ;   1863-66 

William  Miller 1858-61 

John  F.   Moers 1859-62 

Paul  Wenrich,  Sr 1860-63 

J.  Donahower 1861 

George  K.  Lorah 1861-64 

H.  R.  Hawman 1862-65 

Adam    Stein ; 1864-67 

Wm.  S.  Young 1865-71  ;  1879-81 

Jacob    Schartel .1866-69 

Benjamin    Levan .1867-70 

John  L.  Moyer 1869-73 

William   Rahn 1810-73 

Joseph  Muthart* 1871-74 

David    Lord 1872-75 

Henry    Seidel 1873-74 

William    Fry 1873-75 

William    Umbenhauer 1874-75 

Henry  W.   Smith 1876-78 

William    Davidheiser 1876-78 

William  G.  Moore 1876-78 

John    Walborn 1879-81 

*  Muthart   died   in    April,    1873,    and    Seidel   was   appointed  to   fill 
-vacancy  for  unexpired  term. 


Name  Term 

Jeremiah   R.   Guldin 1879-81 

Samuel  G.  Hatfield 1883-84 

Peter    Spang 1883-84 

David  C.  Keller 1883-84 

John  L.  Wagner 1885-87 

Samuel  K.  Fisher 1885-87 

David  C.  Keller 1885-87 

Samuel  G.  Herbine 1888-90 

Cyrus   Levan 1888-90 

Samuel  R.   Deppen 1888-90 

Cyrus  W.  Kauffman 1891-93 

Jacob  H.    Reeser 1891-93 

Franklin    Seidel 1891-93 

Jeremiah    Hartman 1894-96 

Henry    Stoyer 1894-96 

John  Wunch* 1894-96 

George  K.  Linderman 1896-99 

Wesley  K.  Loose 1897-99 

Charles   E.   Stangier 1897-99 

Alfred    Gunkel 1900-02 

Frank  H.  Moyer 1900-03 

John  W.  Slipp    1900-03 

Harry  L.  Johnson 1903-05 

Jacob  Miller 1903-05 

Oliver  H.  Sanders 1903-0.5 

James  M.   Yerger 1906-08 

James  F.  Fisher 1906-08 

Chester  B.   Cleaver 1906-08 

Jacob  M.  Bordner 1909-11 

Augustus   R.  Anderson 1909-11 

Eugene   L    Sandt    1909-11 


AUDITORS 


Name 


Thomas   Lightfoot 1797-98  ;  1803-05 

William   Moore 1797-1800  ;   1803-08 

John    Bishop 1797-98 

Paul    Groscup ['_[[ iygg-isoo 

Ja^ob   Bower 1799-1800 

Wilham   Green 1801-03 

William    Bell '.'.'. '.'.1801-03'; '1806-08 

George  De  B.  Keim 1801-02  ;  1809 

James    May 1803-05 

Johri     VVitman 1806-08 

Lewis   Reeser jggg 

Fred'k  Frick !lS09 

John  Bieber . 1810 

George  Boyer ..............'.'.'.  1810-11 

Daniel    Yoder ^gj^g 

Christopher  Shearer .  ,isil ;   1817-19 

John  S.  Hiester '        -^^i^ 

§f°r°^  J;"'"'''' '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.v.  .  .1812 

Philip    Moyer jg-[2 

John   Adam's jg]^2 

Henry   M    Richards .".'.■.'.'.';;".'.'.'.'.'. '. '. '. '. '. '.  i8i3-16 

William    Addams    1813-14 

Peter  Trexler 135^3 

Abraham  Mengei '".'.'. '.'.".■.;;;;;;;;;;;;i8i4-i7 

Wilhani    High i8i5_i8  .  1835.33 

l^l"'-    H'gh 1817-20 

Peter   Sheetz ig^g.gi 

George    Getz 1819-32 

Jacob    Dick 1820-33 

Geo.  U.  Odenheimer !!!!!!     1821-34 

Jacob  Schneider j^goo  o j 

Peter    Adams ■'.I'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.V.'.  1823-26 

Henry  S.  Klein -^^04.  07 

P-'iJ^h  Dechert V^ '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. '.'.'.  '.Ash'-28 

I  otin   6.   Pearson 1826-29 

John   Beitenman '/_ 18''7-30  * 

Simon   Seyfert .'.'.'.".".'.'.'.'.";."!!!;  !lS28-31 

J  ohn   Jackson 1829-32 

T  '  •^°i"\  ™  ^'^'^  ''»^'"g  died,   George  K.   Linderman  was  appointed 
.Tunc  0,   ]  SflS,   to  serve  unexpired  term. 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


79 


Name.  Term 

John    Seltzer 1830-33 

John  M.  Keim. . .' 1831-34 

Daniel  V.  R.  Hunter 1832;  1839-43 

Thomas   Wanner 1833-35 

Jacob  Klein 1833-36 

Jacob  Fricker 1834-37 

Daniel    Young 1836-39 

William   Wunder 1837-39 

John    L.    Rightmyer 1838-41 

H.  H.  Muhlenberg ■ 1839-40 

John  F.  Moers 1840-43 ;  1852-58 

Jacob  K.  Boyer 1841-44 

David    Schall 1842-45 

John  L.   Reifsnyder 1843-46 

Chas.  H.  Adams 1844-50 

Jacob    Dick 1845-48 

Michael   Kraemer 1846-49  ;  1864-67 

Paul    Geiger 1848-51 

John  Y.  Cunnius 1849-53 

Charles  J.  Cummens 1850-56 

Daniel    Laucks 1851-54 

Reuben    R,    Kline 1854-57 

Samuel   M.   Klee 1856-63 

Amos  K.  Strunck 1857-60 

Heriry  F.   Felix 1858-61 

William     Steffe 1860-63 

Joseph  S.   Hoyer 1861-64 

Ezra   D.   Yorgey 1863-65 

Andrew  Kurr ; 1863-69 

John   G.   Glase 1865-68 

James  Bell 1867-70 

Peter  S.  Albright 1868-71 

William  Y.  Shearer 1869-73 

Daniel  G.  Knabb 1870-75 

Henry  H.  Dubson 1871-74 

Harrison  M:  Reber 1873-75  ;  1876-78 

Wm.  H.  Sallade 1875  ;  1876-78 

Henry  Z.  Van  Reed 1876-78 

Jacob  D.  Hoffman 1879-81 

Charles  S.  Tobias 1879-81 

William  H.  Clark 1879-81 

Isaac  S.  Bagenstose 1883-84 

Jacob  S.  Yoder 1883-84 

James    M.    High 1882-84 

Morris  H.  Boyer 1885-87 

Jared  B.  Kramer  1885-87 ;  1888-90 

Allen  B.  Aulenbach 1885-87 

Franklin  G.  Krick 1888-93 

Reuben  Rhoads 1888-90 

Howard  Spatz   1891-96 

George  F.  Schock 1891-93 

Nathan  D.  Trexler 1894-96 

Edwin  H.  Weller 1894-99 

Henry  M.  DeTurk   1897-1901 

Peter  Hartman   1897-1901 

Charles   B.   Reis    1900-01 

Controllers. — The  Act  of  June  27,  1895,  pro- 
vided that  counties  of  the  State  having  150,000 
population  shall  elect  a  controller  to  take  the  place 
of  county  auditors,  and  it  appearing  by  the  United 
States  census  of  1900  that  Berks  county  had  a  pop- 
ulation in  excess  of  150,000,  the  Governor,  on  May 
33,  1901,  appointed  Joseph  N.  Shomo  as  controller 
to  serve  until  Jan.  6,  1903,  when  an  incumbent  duly 
elected  would  be  qualified  to  fill  the  office. 

CONTROLLERS 

Name  Term 

Joseph  N.  Shomo 1901 

John  F.  Ancona 1902-04 

Horace    F.    Livingood 1905-07 

Ambrose  L.  Rhoads 1908-10 


Treasurers. — Previous  to  1841  the  county  treas- 
urer was  appointed  annually  by  the  county  com- 
missioners. On  May  37,  1841,  an  Act  was  passed 
providing  for  the  election  of  this  officer  in  October 
following  and  every  two  years  thereafter.  The 
Constitution  of  1873  increased  the  term  to  three 
years  after  1875. 

TREASURERS 
Name  Terra 

Jonas    Seely 1752-68 

Christopher    Witraan 1768-79 

Daniel   Levan 1779-89 

Daniel  Messersmith  1789-1807;  1809-11;  1814-17 

John   K.   Messersmith 1807-09 ;  1811-14 ;  1817-30 

Daniel  Rhoads 1820-23 

David   Bright : 1823-35 

Peter    Nagle 1835-43 

Henry    Nagle 1843-45 

William   Arnold 1845-47 

Henry  Hahs .' 1847-49 

Adam  Leize 1849-51 

William    Ermentrout • 1851-53 

Charles  Van  Reed • 1853-55 

George  Feather '. 1855-59 

David    Plank 1859-61 

William    Herbst 1861-63 

John    Kurtz    1863-65 

Isaac  R.  Fisher 1865-67 

Charles 'H.  Fritz 1867-69 

Samuel    Merkel 1869-71 

Abraham  Y.Yoder 1871-73 

Hiester  M.  Nagle 1873-75 

Abraham   H.    Schaeffer 1876-78 

Adam   M.   Dundore 1879-81 

John   Kerschner 1883-84 

John   S.   Holtzman 1885-87 

David  W.  Mogel  1888-90 

Isaac  F.  March 1891-93 

Amendon    Bright 1894-96 

Cosmos  D.   Kutz 1897-99 

Alfred  K.  Rentschler 1900-03 

Edwin  G.  Ruth 1903-05 

Henry  H.  Fry 1905-08 

William  M.   Croll 1909-11 

Sheriffs. — The  Duke  of  Yorke's  laws  (intro- 
duced into  Pennsylvania  Sept.  33,  1676)  provided 
for  the  nomination,  by  the  justices  of  the  county,  of 
three  persons  within  their  jurisdiction,  out  of  which 
the  Governor  should  make  choice  of  one  to  be  sher- 
iff for  the  year  ensuing.  By  virtue  of  his  office  the 
sheriff  was  then  a  justice  of  the  peace. 

In  the  Frame  of  Government,  prepared  by  Wil- 
Ham  Penn  for  the  province  in  1683,  it  was  provided 
that  the  freemen  of  the  counties  should  annually 
elect  and  present  to  the  Governor  a  double  number 
of  persons  to  serve  for  sheriff,  justices,  and  coroner 
for  the  year  next  ensuing,  out  of  which  the  Gov- 
ernor should  nominate  and  commission  the  proper 
number  for  each  office.  After  the  erection  of  the 
county,  the  first  appointments  of  sheriff  and  cor- 
oner were  made  Oct.  4,  1753. 

The  Constitution  of  1790  provided  for  a  similar 
election  and  appointment  of  sheriff  and  coroner; 
but  the  term  of  service  was  increased  to  three  years, 
and  no  person  was  to  be  twice  appointed  sheriff  in 
any  term  of  six  years.  The  Constitution  of  1838 
provided  that  one  person  for  said  offices  respective- 


80 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


ly  should  be  elected  by  the  people  for  the  term  of 
three  vears.  And  these  oflSces  have  thence  been  so 
filled. ' 

SHERIFFS 

Xame  Term 

Benjamin   Liglitfoot 1752-54 

William     Boone 1735-56 

Thomas  Lincoln 1757-58 

Jacob   Weaver 1759-60  ;  1763-64 

Henry    Christ 1761-62 

Jasper    Scull 1765-67 

Jacob    Shoemaker 1768-70 

George   Nagle 1771-73 

Henry   Vanderslice 1774-76 

Daniel   Levan 1777-79 

Henry  Hoffa 1780-81 

Philip    Kraemer 1782-84 ;  1791-93 

Peter     Filbert 1785-87 

Jacob    Bower 1788-90 

Peter    Frailey 1794-96 

John     Christ 1797-99 

Nicholas    Dick 1800-02 

John   Spycker 1803-05 

Conrad  Feger 1806-08 

George    Marx • 1809-11 

Daniel  Kerper 1812-14 ;  1824-26 

Peter    Aurand 1815-17 

John     Miller 1818-20 

Henry  Eetz 1821-23 

John     Bickel 1827-29 

James    Sillyman 1830-32 

Henry   Bowman 1833-35 

George    Fox 1836-38 

Henry    Binkley 1838-41 

Daniel    Esterley 1841-44 

George  Gernant 1844-47 

John   S.   Schroeder 1847-50 

John  Potteiger 18oO-3:-i 

John    Manderbach 1853-56 

Henry   H.    Manderbach 1856-59 

Jeremiah  D.  Bitting . 1859-62 

Abraham  R.  Koenig 1862-65 

Tobias    Earto 1865-68 

William  B.  Albright 1868-71 

Evan    Mishler 1871-74 

George   R.   Yorgey 1873-77 

Alfred   C.  Kemp 1878-80 

Levi  M.  Gerhart 1881-83 

George    D.    Boyer 1884-86 

George    B.    Schaeffer 1887-89 

Elias    Becker 1890-92 

George  D.  Fahrenbach 1893-95 

Frank    H.    Schmeck 1896-98 

Frank    Brobst 1899-1901 

Albert  F.   Mogel 1902-04 

Jacob   H.   Sassaman 1905-07 

John   C.   Bradley 1908-10 

CORONERS 
Name  Term 

William    Boone 1752-54 

Benjamin    Parvin 1755 — 

Tohn    Warren 1759 

Tacob  Kern 1760-61 

Adam  Witman 1762 

Samuel    Weiser 1763-65 

Christopher    Witman 1766 

Henry    Haller 1767 

Jas.  Whitehead,  Jr 1768-69  ;  1779-80 

Samuel    Jackson 1770 

Isaac  Levan,  Jr 1771-72 

Peter    Brecht 1773-75 

Philip   Kreamer 1776-78 


Name  Term 

Peter    Nagle 1781-87 

Peter     Feather 1788-93 

Thomas    Wildbahn 1794-99' 

Peter  Aurand 1800-02 

Daniel    Kerper 1803-05 

Henry    Rieser 1806-11 

J.  Christian 1812-14 

Samuel    Feather 1815-17;   1831-29 

Samuel    Ritter 1818-20 

Adam   Reitmyer 1830-32 

John    Hahn 1833-34 

John    Fox 1835-37  ;   1859-64 ;   18  j8-7& 

William    Stable 1838-49 

John  H.  Seltzer 1850-52 

William  Keen 1853-5& 

Henry    Palm 1865-67 

Geo.   S.   Goodhart 1877-79 

William   H.   Kellv   ]88%82 

Henry  D.  Schoedler 1883-85. 

Frank    H.    Denhard 1886-8a 

Dr    John  G.   Hoffman 1889-91 

Dr.  Frank  J.  Kantner 1892-94 

John   C.   Griesemer 1895-97 

Dr.  Wilson  H.  Rothermel 1898-1900 

Reuben  E.  Moyer 1901-03 

Dr.  Albert  N.  Seidel 1904-06 

Dr.  Robert  E.  Strasser 1907-09' 

Prothonotaries,  Recorders,  Registers,  Clerks 
OF  Orphans'  Court,  and  Clerks  of  Quarter  Ses- 
sions.— The  offices  of  prothonotary,  recorder,  regis- 
ter, clerk  of  Orphans'  court,  and  clerk  of  Quarter 
Sessions  were  created  with  the  county  courts.  Imme- 
diately after  the  erectioii  of  Berks  county,  they 
were  established  at  the  county-town,  and  filled  by 
appointment  of  the  Governor.  The  Amended  Con- 
stitution of  1838  changed  the  manner  of  filling  the 
offices  named  from  appointment  by  the  Governor 
to  election  by  the  people ;  and  the  Act  of  July  2, 
1839,  fixed  the  term  of  office  at  three  years.  The 
first  officers  were  elected  in  October,  1830.  No 
change  has  been  made  since.  From  that  time,  the 
terms  of  the  officers  began  on  the  1st  day  of  De- 
cember following  their  election  till  the  adoption  of 
the  New  Constitution,  when  the  time  was  changed 
to  the  first  Monday  of  January  following  their  elec- 
tion. This  change  included  also  the  other  county 
officers. 

PROTHONOTARIES 
Name  Terii 

James   Read 1752-75  ;  1777 

Thomas    Dundas 1776 

Jacob    Shoemaker 1778 

Daniel    Levan 1779-89  ;  1791 

John   Otto 1790 

George  Eckert 1792-1800 

John    S.    Hiester 1801-08' 

Gabriel  Hiester,  Jr 1809-17 

Samuel  D.  Franks 181S- 

John    Adams 1819-20;  1824-26;  1830-35 

Marks   John   Biddle 1821-23 

Jacob   Sallade 1827-29 

Alex.  H.  Witman 1836-3S 

Benj.    Tyson 1839-42 

Daniel    Young 1842-45 

Peter    Strohecker 1845-48 

Michael  K.  Boyer 1848-51 

Cbarles  H.  Hunter 1851-54 

Josiah    Hearing 1854-57 

David    Fister ; 1857-60 

Adam  W.  Kauffman 1860-63- 

Jonathan  L.  Reber 1863-6S 


GOVERNMENT  AND   OFFICIALS 


81 


Name  Term 

Wellington  B.  Griesemer 1866-69 

George  K.  Levan 1869-72 

Ephraim    Armstrong 1872-75 

Charles   F.   RentschJer .' .  1876-78 

Amos    Weiler "  1879-81 

William    D.    Althouse 1882-84 

Levi   F.   Dietrich 1885-87 

Daniel   H.    Schweyer 1888-90 

Joshua  R.  Burkey , 1891-93 ;  1894 

William  H.  B.  Schoenly* ; .  1894 

■Oliver  J.  Wolflf '. 1895-97 

Daniel  R.  Schmeck 1898-1900 

John   G.   Rhoads 1901-03 

Edward  J.  Morris 1904-06 

Eldridge    Zimmerman 1907-09 

RECORDERS 
^       Name  Term 

James    Read 1752-76 

Henry    Christ 1777-89 

John    Christ 1790-91 

Jacob    Bower 1792-99 

Peter    Frailey 1800-08 

Jacob    Schneider 1809-17 

John  Adams 1818 

Daniel  Rhoads 1819-20 

John   Miller 1831-23;  1830-35 

John  Fred'k  Smith 1824-29 

Joseph   AUgaier 1836.-38 

John  Green 1839 

William  Wunder 1839-42 

Henry  H.  Maurer 1842-45 

John  W.  Tyson 1845-48 

Israel  R.  Laucks 1848-51 

John    Bush 1851-54 

Hiram  S.  Getz 1854-57 

Nicholas   Heckman 1857-60 

Charles  N.  Keller 1860-63 

Isaac    Laucks 1863-66 

Henry    Reider 1866-69 

Daniel   Hummel 1869-72 

Charles   Hill 1872-75 

Jefferson   M.   Keller 1876-78 

William   Zimmerman 1879-81 

Isaac  M.  Bechtel 1882-84 

W.    Benton    Stolz 1885-87 

James  F.  Dumn 1888-90 

Simpson  Becker 1891-93 

Isaac  W.  Keimf 1894 

Amos  F.  Dumn 1894 

James  W.   Sponagle 1895-97 

Daniel    H.   Rieser 1898-1900 

Frank  F.  Bressler 1901-03 

Henry  H.  Holzm'an 1904-06 

Jeremiah  A.  Bausher .' 1907-09 

REGISTERS 
Name  Term 

James    Read 1752-74 

Collinson  Read 1775-76 

Henry    Christ 1777-89 

John  Christ 1790-91 

Jacob    Bower 1793-99 

Peter   Frailey 1800-08 

Jacob  Schneider 1809-17 

Daniel    Rhoads ».  1818-20  ;  1824-29 

Peter  Aurand 1821-23 

George  Smith. . .  ? 1830-35 

William    Zieber 1836-38 

Joel  Ritter 1839-43 

John  Green 1842-45 

Isaac    Ely 1845-48 

Joseph   Rittej- 1848-51 

Jacob    Snell 1851-54 

Daniel    Buskirk 1854-57 

*  Died   on   March   11.    1894,    and   the   Deputy   Joshua   R.    Burkey 
was  appointed  to  fill  office  until  first  Monday  of  January,  1895. 
tDied    April    17,    1894. 


Name  Term 

Tobias    Barto 1857-60 

Benjamin  E.  Dry 1860-63 

Michael    S.   Thirwechter 1863-66 

J.  Daniel  Wanner 1866-69 

Hiram  S.  Getz 1869-72 

Henry  C.   Croll 1872-75 

Peter  Y.  Edelman  1876-78 

Solomon  S.  Kindt. 1879-81 

Jonas   M.   ShoUenberger 1883-84 

Ammon   S.   Strunk 1885-87 

Albert   H.    Fegely 1888-90 

Henry  D.  Strunk 1891-93 

William   H.   Schaffner 1894-96 

George    B.    Miller 1897-99 

Levi    S.    Mabry 1900-03 

William  R.  Kemmerer 1903-05 

Wilson  M.  Dumn 1906-08 

George  R.  Gregory 1909-11 

CLERKS   OF   orphans'   COURT 
Name  Term 

James    Read ; 1752-76 

Henry  Christ 1777-88 

James    Scull ; .  . .  1789-91 

Jacob  Bower 1793-99 

Peter    Frailey 1800-09 

John  M.  Hyneman 1810-15 

John    Adams 1816-17 

William  Schoener 1818-23 

Matthias   S.   Richards 1833 

Jacob    Sallade 1824-36  ;  1830-31 

Nathaniel  P.  Hobert 1827-39 

Jacob  Marshall 1832-35 

Henry  Rhoads 1836-38 

WiUiam  H.  Miller 1839-41 

James  Donagan 1843 

William    Shearer 1843-45 

Zacharias  H.  Maurer 1845-48 

William   W.    Diehl 1848-51 

Charles  J.  Wink 1851-54 

Daniel   Potteiger 1854-57 

Ephraim    Fritz 1857-60 

Daniel  Hahn ' 1860-63 

Solomon  Close 1863-66 

Levi  H.  Liess : 1866-69 

Mahlon   F.   Wolff 1869-72 

Isaac  K.  Knoll 1872-75 

Charles   M.   Clouse 1876-78 

Ephraim   Dunkle 1879-81 

William  H.  Gilmer* 1882-83 

CLERKS  OF  QUARTER   SESSIONS 
T      '^ame  ■  Term 

James    Read 1752-76 

James    Whitehead 1777-78 

Henry  Christ 1779 

Daniel    Levan 1780-91 

George   Eckert 1792-99 

John  S.  Hiester 1800-08 

Gabriel   HieSter,  Jr 1809-12;  1814-17 

John    M.    Hyneman 1813 

Samuel  D.  Franks igig 

John  Adams 1819-20 

Henry  M.  Richards   1821-22 

Jacob   Marshall    1823 

Jacob   Sallade    . , ' 1834-36 

Nathaniel   P.   Hobert    ■ 1827-29 

Philip  A.   Good    1830-33 

William  Schoener   1833-35 

Charles   Troxell    , . .  1836-38 

William  H.  Miller ; 1339 

Samuel    Myers     1839-42 

John   L.    Rightmyer 1843-51 

Zacharias   H.   Maurer 1851-54 

Edwin   H.   Brockway   1854-57 

Joseph  S.  Hoyer   .1857-60 

*  Upon  the  establishment  of  a  separate  Orphans'  Court  in  1883, 
this  officer  was  discontinued,  and  the  Register  became  the  Clerk 
as  provided  by  law.  ' 


83 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Name  Term 

James    Bell    1860-63 

Francis   Roland    1863-66 

Levi  M.  Gerhart  1866-69 

Adam  H.  Sailor   : 1869-72 

Jacob  H.  Hain   1872-75 

Mahlon  A.  Sellers  1876-78 

Enoch   S.   Matthias    1879-81 

Isaac  Eckert    1882-84 

Morris  H.  Shaeffer  1885-87 

Henry   G.    Heinly    1888-90 

William   H.   Sallade    1891-93 

Henry  H.  Hell*   1894-95 

Edwin  T.  Brown   1895 

Harry  J.  Dumn   1896-98 

Daniel  A.  Bausher  1899-1901 

Jacob  B.   Esser    1902-04 

Peter   S.   HoU    1905-07 

Samuel  T.  Bordner   1908-10 

District  Attorneys. — The  office  of  district  at- 
torney was  created  by  Act  of  May  3,  1850,  and 
made  elective,  with  a  term  of  three  years.  Prev- 
iously, the  Attorne3'-General  of  the  State  appointed 
an  attorney  in  the  several  counties  to  represent  the 
Commonwealth  in  the  prosecution  of  criminal  cases. 

The  Act  of  1850  required  a  residence  of  one  year 
in  the  county  and  a  practice  of  two  years  at  the  bar. 
The  latter  was  reduced  to  one  year  by  the  Act  of 
1852,  hut  increased  again  to  two  years  bv  the  Act 
of  April  26,  1883. 

DISTEICT    ATTORNEYS 
Name  Term 

Jacob     Hubley     1789-1817 

Frederick   Smith    1818-20  ;    1824-27 

Charles    Richards     1821 

Daniel    J.    Hiester    1822-23 

Joseph    H.   Spayd    1828-29 

Joseph    D,    Biles     1830-31 

Alexander    L.    King    1832-35 

George  G.   Barclay    1836-38 

J.    Pringle   Jones    .' 1839-46 

Peter    Filbert     1847-48 

John    S.    Richards    1849-50 

Jeremiah   Hageman    1850-56 

Jacob    K.    McKenty     18.i6-59 

James    B.    Bechtel     1859-02 

Daniel    Ermentroiit     1862-65 

Wharton    Morris    1865-68 

Edward   H.    Shearer    1868-71 

Peter  D.  Wanner   1871-74 

Henrv  C.  G.  Reber   1875-77 

William    M.    Goodman    1878-80 

Hiram  Y.  Kauffman    1881-83 

Israel    H.    Rothermel    1884-86 

Jeremiah    K.    Grant    1887-89 

W,    Oscar    Miller    1890-92 

Frank    K.    Flood    1893-95 

Adam  B.  Rieser   1896-98 

Abraham    H.   Rothermel    1899-1901 

George   W.   Wagner    1902-04 

Ira  G.  Kntz   1905-07 

Harry   D.    Schaeffer    1908-10 

Special  Detectives. — An  Act  was  passed  May 
19,  1874,  which  provided  for  the  appointment  of  a 
special  detective  officer  in  the  several  counties  of 
the  State,  by  the  district  attorney,  with  the  approval 
of  the  court  of  Quarter  Sessions.  The  first  appoint- 
ment was  made  in  February,  1875.  The  officers 
were : 

*  Died    April    4,    1S95. 


Name  Term 

William  L.  Graiil 1875-77 

John   Denhard*    1878-83 

Lawrence  P.  Ressler   1S83 

James   P.   Kershner-  1884-86 

George  Kramer   1887-89 

John  Wunch    1890-92 

Frank  H.  Derihard   1893-95 

Henrv  C.   W.   Matz**    1895 

WilliW    Baiiknecht    1896-98 

James  P.  Kershner   1899-1900 

Daniel  J.   McDermott   l^^"! 

Eugene  W.  Fegely   1902-04 

James  J.  A/Ierkel    1905-10 

Surveyors. — The  office  of  surveyor-general  of 
the  State  was  created  April  9,  1781 ;  and  this  officer 
was  then  empowered  to  appoint  a  deputy  or  depu- 
ties in  any  county  of  the  State.  The  first  appoint- 
ment of  a  deput)'-surveyor  for  Berks  county  was 
made  in  1800.  One  deputy  was  appointed  from  that 
time  to  1834,  when  two  deputies  were  appointed. 
The  appointment  of  two  was  continued  till  the  pas- 
sage of  the  Act  of  April  9,  1850,  which  provided 
for  the  election  of  a  county  surveyor  in  October 
following,  for  the  term  of  three  years,  and  every 
third  )-ear  thereafter,  and  since  1850,  this  officer 
has  been  elected  by  the  people. 

SURVEYORS 
Name  Term 

Joseph  Hoch   1800-13 

John   M.   Hyneman    1814-22 

Matthias   S.   Richards    1823-34 

Daniel    A.    Bertolette    1835-37 

Thomas  H.  Jones   1837-38 

Aaron   Albright    1838 

Michael   K.    Boyer    1839-44 

Benjamin  Delong   1839-40 

Daniel  J.  Wanner   1841-47 

Daniel    Potteiger    1845-50  ' 

Samuel  Hoffman    1848-50 

Augustus  F.   Bertolet   1S50-56 

Andrew    Kurr    1856-63 

Daniel  S.   Zacharias   1863-77 ;   1881 

Henry  C.  Zacharias    1877-80 

Solomon  K.  Dreibelbis  .  . .' 1882-1901 

Nevin    M.   Davis    1903-04 

Orlando  F.   Berger    1905-10 

Poor  Directors. — Previous  to  1809,  "overseers" 
of  the  poor  were  appointed  bv  the  justices  of  the 
county.  On  March  11,  1809,  an  Act  was  passed 
authorizing  the  election  of  the  overseers  annually. 
The  poor  of  the  county  were  provided  for  by  over- 
seers till  the  passage  of  an  Act  of  Assembly  on 
March  29,  1824,  especially  for  Berks  county,  where- 
by the  county  commissioners  were  authorized  to 
levy  a  tax  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  land  and 
erecting  thereon  and  furnishing  necessary  buildings 
for  the  employment  and  support  of  the  poor  of  the 
county ;  and  seven  directors  were  appointed  to  pro- 
ceed in  the  establishment  of  the  institution.  At 
the  following  election,  in  October  of  that  year, 
three  directors  were  elected  in  pursuance  of  the 
Act — one  for  one  year,  one  for  two  years,  and  one 

*  John  Denhard  was  appointed  for  a  second  term,  1S81-SS:  but 
he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Alderman  of  the  Eighth  Ward,  Read- 
nig,  in  May,  1SS3,  when  he  resigned,  and  Lawrence  P.  Ressler  was 
appointed    for   the   unexpired   term. 

**  From  Aug.  25,  1S95,  to  fill  vacancy  caused  by  death  of  Frank 
H.    Denhard. 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


83 


for  three  years ;  and  annually  after  said  election  one 
director  was  elected  for  three  years.  This  law  has 
not  been  altered.  The  directors  appointed  a  stew- 
ard and  other  officers  annually,  to 'superintend  and 
carry  on  the  management  oi  the  institution  success- 
fully. The  board  organizes  annually  on  third  Mon- 
day of  November. 

The  first  seven  directors  appointed  by  the  Act  to 
serve  till  the  election*of  three  directors  as  required 
were: 

John  Ritter  John  Beitenman 

Jacob  Mast  Samuel  Adams 

David    Bright  John  Wanner 
Abraham  Knabb 

DIRECTORS 

Name  Term 

John    Beitenman    1824-35 

Daniel  K.  Hottenstein   1824-26 

David  Bright  1824-27 

George  Gernant   1825-28 

John  Levan  1826-29 

George  Boyer   1827-30 

David  Ludwig   1828-31 

David    Deysher    1829-32 

Henry  Reeser   1830-33 ;   1835-36 

Daniel  Oyster  1831-34 

Joseph  Schmucker  ; 1832-35 

John  Bickel  1833-35 

Jacob   Gilbert    1834-37 

John  Filbert 1835-38 

Henry  Schoener 1836-39 

Daniel    Kauffman    1837-38 

William   Fisher    '. 1838-40 

Peter   Fister    1838-41 

Abrahani  Kerper   .' 1839-42 

John    Shollenberger    1840-43 

Jacob  W.  Seitzinger   1841-44 

Abraham  Kerper   1842-45 

Daniel    Baum 1843-45 

William   Bertolet   1844-47 

John   Dotterer    1845-46 

Michael    Nunnemacher    .' 1845-48 

John  Gernant   1846-49 

Daniel    Sohl    1847-48 

Conrad  Reber  1848-49 

Jacob  S.  Ebling   1848-51 

Peter  Kershner    1849-53 

William   Knabb    1849-52 

William    Arnold    1850-57 

William    Lorah    1852-55 

John   Richards    1858-56 

John  R.  Edelman  1855-58 

George   K.    Haag    1856-59 

Jacob   Malsberger    1857-60 

Samuel  Shaner  1858-61 

Samuel    Filbert 1859-62 

Aaron  Getz   1860-66 

R.  F.  Drumheller   1861-64 

Peter    Marshall    1862-65 

Ezra  Z.  Griesemer    1863-67 

George  Lash    1865-68 

Joseph  Muthart   1866-69 

Silas  W.  Fisher   1867-70 

Daniel  B.  Lorah 1868-71 

Jacob  B.  Mast   1869-72 

,  Daniel  Y.  Peter   1870-73 

Henry  Animon    1871-74 

Michael  Goodman   1872-75 

Samuel    Strunk    : 1873-76 

Isaac  Y.   Beidler   1874-77 

George   Heckman    1875-78 

John  Herbein   1876-79 

Mahlon  Vogelman 1877-80 

Francis   Roland    1878-81 


Name  Term 

John  H.  Bauer   1879-83 

Elias  Obold   1880-83 

Elias   Bickel    1881-84 

Henry  Shearer .1882-85 

John  P.  F.  Marshall 1883-86 

Michael  E.  Geiger    1884-87 

George    Herbein    1885-88 

Jacob   Miller    1886-89 

Isaac  D.  Whitman    1887-90 

Abraham.    Schlegel    .■ 1888-91 

Samuel  Z.  Deck   1889-92 

Frederick   Roland    1890-93 

Milton  H.  De  Long  1891-93 

William  H.  S«itzinger   1892-95 

Tilghman  De  Long 1893-94 

John  A.  Hiester   1893-1902 

Jonathan    Schwartz    1894-97 

Harrison  S.  Matz   1895-98 

Daniel  M.  Herbein  1897-1900 

Cornelius  Blatt  1898-1901 

William  M.  Kase   1900-03 

John  W.  Fisher   1901-04 

Wellington  G.  Woods    1902-05 

Jacob  Hollenbach    1903-06 

Jacob  Kessler   1904-07 

George  G.  Ritter   1905-08 

Peter  H.  Knabb  1906-09 

William  W.  Field  1907-10 

Joel  Krick   1908-11 

STEWARDS 

Name  Term 

Abraham  Knabb    ; 1825-32 

Henry    Boyer    1833-37 

Marshall  B.  Campbell   1838 

Daniel  Kaufifman   1839-45 

Daniel   Baum    1846-48 

Daniel  Sohl   1849-52 

Jacob  Conrad   ■ 1853-68 

Philip   Eagle    1869-70 

Silas  W.  Fisher  1870-77 

Benjamin   Anderson   -.1878-82 

Reuben  Hetrich   1883-85 

Joseph  Hornberger   1885-92  ' 

John  W.  Gilbert   1892-96 

Oliver  C.  Sitler*  1896-1905 

William  J.  Hollenbach   1905-09 

Prison  Inspectors.^ — The  first  county  prison  was 
erected  in  1770.  It  stood  at  the  northeast  corner 
of  Fifth  and  Washington  streets,  Reading,  until 
1848,  and  upon  the  completion  of  the  new  prison  at 
the  head  of  Penn  street  the  prisoners  were  removed 
thither,  and  the  old  prison  was  sold  and  converted 
into  a  store  building.  The  walls  are  still  standing, 
though  changed.  Under  the  law  then  prevailing, 
the  sheriflf  had  control  of  the  prison  during  his  offi- 
cial term ;  and  he  was  authorized  to  appoint  keepers. 
This  practice  continued  till  the  passage  of  the  Act  of 
April  8,  1848,  expressly  for  Berks  county,  whereby 
seven  prison  inspectors  were  to  be  appointed,  four 
by  the  judges  of  the  court  of  Quarter  Sessions,  and 
three  by  the  county  commissioners,  who  were  to  com- 
prise the  "board  of  inspectors,"  the  terms  of  office 
to  be  as  follows :  for  three,  three  years ;  two,  two 
years;  and  two,  one  year;  and  afterward,  all  terms 
three  years.  The  inspectors  were  authorized  to 
appoint,  with  sanction  of  the  court,  a  keeper, 
matron,  etc. 

*  Sitler  resigned  on  April  7,  1905,  and  Hollenbach  was  appointed^ 
on  April  15th  to  fill  unexpired  term. 


84 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


This  Act  of  Assembly  continued  in  force  till  the 
passage  of  the  Act  of  April  10,  1873,  whereby  nine 
inspectors  were  to  be  elected  at  the  next  regular 
election,  when  each  elector  was  to  vote  for  six  can- 
didates, and  the  nine  highest  to  be  the  inspectors. 
The  elected  candidates  were  to  draw  lots  for  one, 
two,  and  three  years.  And  annually  thereafter, 
three  inspectors  were  to  be  elected  for  three  years, 
the  electors  to  vote  for  two,  and  the  three  having 
the  highest  vote  to  be  the  inspectors. 

The  following  persons  were  the  first  inspectors 
under  the  Act  of  1848  : 

Appointed    by   the    Court    Aug.    7,    184S 
Name  Term 

Jacob  Lightf oot  3  yrs. 

J.  Glaiicy  Jones  3  yrs. 

William  Heidenreich   2  yrs. 

Thomas   Slianer   1  yr. 

.\ppointed  by  County  Commissioners  Aug.  10,  1848 
Name  Term 

John  Banks  3  yrs. 

Henry  Nagle  3  yrs. 

Charles  Kessler  1  yr. 

Appointed    from    1848    to    1873 
Name  Term 

Jacob  Lightfoot    1848-57 

J.  Glancy  Jones   1848-51 

William  Heidenreich    1848-50 

Thomas   Shaner   1848-55 

John  Banks    1848-49 

Henry    Nagle    1848-59 

Charles   Kessler   1848-51 

William  Peacock    1849-51 

David  Fister   1850-53 

J.  Bowman  Bell  1851-57 

Lewis    Briner    1851-64 

Samuel   Frees    1851-54 

David  Kntz    1853-68 

William    Henry    1854-60 

Jacob    Dick    1855-57 

Daniel    Young     1857-66 

Abr.  D.  Hill   1857-66 

Levi  B.  Smith  1858 

James  Lee 1858-64 

Jacob  Young   1859-71 

Samuel    Summons    1860-72 

Charles  H,  Fritz   1864-70 

Henry  Z.  Van  Reed   1864-70 

J.  Glancy  Jones   1864-68 

David   McKnight    1864-70 

David  L.   Wenrich    1868-71 

Amos   Weiler    1868-69 

Calvin   Goodman    1869-72 

Peter  A.  Kline   1869-72 

George    Lerch     18T0-7S 

Joseph  Ganser  1871-73 

W.   B.   Griesemer    1873-73 

William   Grim    1872-73 

Isaac  R.  Fisher 1873-73 

Benjamin  Levan  1873 

Jacob  Miller   1873 

Elected  under  .\ct  1873  * 
Name  Term 

John   Gtrnant    (1  yr.)    1873-74;   1874-77 

Wm.   Stump    (1  yr.)    1873-74 ;   1874-77 

S.  Schmehl   (1  vr.)   1873-74 ;  1878-81 

Samuel  Buch (2  yrs.)  1873-75 

Amendon  Bright  ' '(2  yrs.)    1873-75 

William  Herbst  (2  yrs.)   1873-75 

W.   Y.   Lvon    (3  yrs.)    1873-76;   1876-79 

Tobias  Barto (3  yrs.)  1873-76 

*  The  first  nine  named  comprised  the  first  board  elected  in  1873. 
After  organization,  on  the  1st  dav  of  December,  lots  were  cast  for 
the  terms  of  these  inspectors.  The  board  organizes  annually  on 
the  1st  day  of  December. 


Name  Term 

Jacob  Miller   (3  yrs.)    1873-76 

Calvin   Goodman    1875-77 

Peter   Rapp    1874-77 

Jacob    Shafifner    1875-78 

Peter  A.  Kline '' 1875-78 

Peter   L.    Hain       1873-78 

James  T.  Reber   •" 1876-79 

Wm.    S.   Ritter    1877-82 

Adam    Minnich    '...1877-80 

Daniel  L.  Rhoads 1877-80 

David   Brown    1877-80 

Tosiah    Boltz    1878-81 

Isaac  H.  Rahn 1878-81 

Lewis   L.    Moyer    1879-83 

John    Stieff    ..'. 1879-82 

Adam   H.    Potteiger    1880-83 

Charles    S.   Wentzel    : 1880-83 

Milton  T.  Donmoyer   '■ 1880-83 

Wm.   D.    Klopp    1881-84 

Wm.  A.  Schall  1881-84 

•Wm.   W.   Lewis    1881-82 

Wm.    Schweitzer    1882-84 

John   Obold    1882-85 

Henry   Rieger    1883-85 

Jacob  S.  Wisler    1883-85 

John    S.    Wenrich    1883-86 

Samuel   H.   Mensch    1883-86 

Dallas    Leinbach     1883-86 

John   B.   Clemmer    1884-87 

William  H.   Seitzinger    1884-87 

Daniel   D.    Hinterleiter    1884-87 

lohn   H,   Obold    1885-94 

Henry    Rieger     1885-88 

Wm.    H.    Wetherhold     1885-88 

Franklin    H.    Brintzeghoff    1886-92 

Levi    M.    Neischwender    1886-89 

Wilson   Sweitzer    1886-89 

Charles  S.  Dengler   1887-93 

Reuben    Updegrove    1887-90 

loseph  B.  Clemmer  1887-90 

lohn    Maver    : 1888-91 

William   High    1888-91 

Albert    Stamm    1889-95 

Jbhn   M.    Gift    1889-93 

William    A.    Lindemuth    1890-93 

Darius  E.  Sheidy 1890-91 

Augustus  B.  Forrey  1891-93 

John   M.   Smith    1891-94 

David  E.  Snvder   1891-94 

Charles   H.   Knabb    1892-94 

Abraham    Grimes    1893-98 

Henry  Z.  Kramer   1893-96 

Amos    Glass    1893-99 

Levi  S.  Reber  1893-96 

George   H.    Nagle    1894-1900 

John   H.  Kintzer    1894-97 

Alexander  Schlottman   1894-97 

John  Endy   1894-95 

Urias    Rothenberger     1895-98 

Lenious  Wessner  1895-97 

Isaac  L.  De  Turck  ]  897-98 

George   Clous    1896-99 

George  B.  Wagner   1896-99 

Joel  H.  Krick   1897-1906 

John  L.  Seiders   1897-1903 

Daniel  Gross   1898-1907 

John  Warren  1898-1907 

A.  M.  Lesher  1898-1901 

Daniel  F.  Kramer   1899-1908 

T.  Heber  Witman  1899-1911 

Edmund   A.    Schenck 1899-1902 

Martin   Hauck*    1900-05 

.Mien  W.   Fritch    1901-04 

Albert    Seiwert 1902-05 

•Died   April   12,    1905,    and    Charles    P.    Saylor    appointed    to    fill 
unexpired   term. 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


85 


Name .  Term 

Israel  H.  Wentzel 1903-09 

David  K.   Manmiller 1904-10 

John  Warren 1904-10 

David  B.  Gross 1904-07 

Charles  P.  Saylor 1905-09 

Jacob  S.  Kelchner 1905-08 

Nathan  K.  Dundore 1906-09 

John   H.   Rhoads .  , 1907-10 

Henry  G.  Hoyer 1908-11 

Edmund  A.   Shenk 1908-11 

PRISON    WARDENS 
Name  Term 

Mahlon    Bertolet 1849-53 

Dr.  Henry  Tyson 1853-65 

Joseph    Ganser 1865-70 

Daniel  S.  Francis 1870-73 

Thomas    Will 1873-76 

Isaac  K.  Knoll 1876-79 

Adam   B.   Brossman 1879-83 

Dr.  R.  B.  Rhoads 1882-85 

Aaron  M.  Wenrich  1885-88 ;  1898-99 

Isaac  D.  Lutz 1888-91 

Samuel  H.   Mensch    1891-92 

John   M.   Smith 1892-95 

Isaac  Y.  Kintzer 1895-98 

William  W.  Newrcomet* 1899-1904 

Jeremiah  M.  DeTurk 1904-09 

Jury  Commissioners. — Before  1867  the  jurors 
for  the  trial  of  cases  in  the  several  courts  of  the 
•county  were  selected  from  the  quaHfied  electors 
by  the  county  commissioners  and  the  sheriff.  On 
April  10,  1867,  a  general  Act  was  passed-  for  the 
State  requiring  the  election  of  two  jury  commis- 
sioners in  October  following,  for  the  term  of  three 
years,  and  every  third  year  thereafter,  for  the  pur-, 
■pose  of  selecting  jurors  from  the  qualified  electors. 
The  Act  provides  that  each  elector  shall  vote  for 
■one  person  for  this  office,  and  the  two  persons  hav- 
ing the  highest  vote  shall  be  the  commissioners. 
They  are  to  select  a  number  designated  by  the 
court,  and  place  the  names  in  a  jury  wheel  in  the 
presence  of  a  Judge  of  the  court;  and  they  and 
the  sheriff  are  to  draw  panels  of  jurors  as  grand, 
petit,  and  traverse  jurors  of  the  county  as  there- 
tofore. The  number  generally  designated  for  the 
jury  wheel  previous  to  1875  was  a  thousand  names; 
then,  upon  the  introduction  of  an  additional  law 
judge,  the  number  was  increased  to  twelve  hun- 
dred. Since  1867  the  jurors  for  the  quarterly 
terms  of  the  several  courts  of  the  county  were 
■selected  and  drawn  as  mentioned,  by  the  following 
commissioners,  who  were  elected  for  that  purpose: 

Name  Term 

■8KsT.-liw"'"! ^««"° 

Zacharias  H.  Maurer  )  ..„„„  „„ 

Joseph  Brelsford         J lS7U-7d 

Israel  R.  Laucks             1  1873-76 

Samuel  U.  Hollenbach  )    

Michael   K.    Boyer  )  1877-79 

Reuben    Rhoads     j 

Henry    Graul  ] 

Edward  H.   Harnerf  [ 1880-82 

Jacob  K.  Sterrett         J 

*  Died  in  office  June  27,  1904,  and  Jeremiah  H.  DeTurIc,  the 
deputy-warden,   was  appointed  July  5th  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

t  Edward  H.  Harner  removed  from  the  county,  and  J.  K.  Sterrett 
"was   appointed   Feb.   26,    1881,   for  unexpired  term. 


Name  Term 

Cosmos  Swoyer    )  -loaa  q- 

John   B.    Snyder  | 1883-8d 

William   G.  Welder) ^g^^^g^ 

Daniel    Sheirer         j 

Frank   R.   Wanner     )  .  . 

Ephraim  R.  Wagner  J  1889-9] 

Jacob  A.   Spangler  /  ..„„„  „. 

David   Brown  \ 1892-94 

Constantine  Jones  )  ,  „q_  q- 

John   S.   Wenrich  I    1895-97 

Krffmai"&.^°u"t:l IB^^-l^"" 

Constantine    Jones  I  .,„„.,  „, 

Adam  S.  Klee         j   1901-03 

J.  Henry  Burkhard  ?  '   innA  na 

Elias  W   Seidel       j ^^°*-°^ 

Isaac    Barr 1907-10 

William  F.  Renno 1907-10- 

Mercantile  Appraisers. — Previous  to  1846, 
only  dealers  in  foreign  merchandise  were  required 
to  take  out  a  county  license  to  enable  them  to  make 
sale  thereof.  But  on  April  23,  1846,  an  Act  was 
passed  requiring  all  dealers  in  goods,  wares,  and 
merchandise  to  take  out  a  county  license,  and  there- 
by the  county  commissioners  of  each  county  were 
empowered  to  appoint  annually  a  mercantile  ap- 
praiser, who  was  directed  to  assess  and  classify 
all  dealers,  and  furnish  a  list  of  them  to  the  county 
treasurer.  From  1830  till  this  Act  was  passed, 
the  constables  of  the  townships,  etc.,  of  the  county 
furnished  under  oath  a  list  of  the  foreign  dealers 
to  the  clerk  of  the  Quarter  Sessions,  and  the  as- 
sociate judges  and  county  commissioners  classitied 
them  and  delivered  a  list  to  the  county  treasurer. 
Before  1830,  the  foreign  dealers  were  returned  by 
the  constables  to  the  clerk  of  the  court  of  Quarter 
Sessions;  the  clerk  certified  the  returns  to  the 
State  treasurer,  who  forwarded  a  list  to  the  county 
treasurer  for  the  collection  of  the  license  fees. 

In  Berks  county,  the  constables  still  made  their 
returns  for  the  years  1846  and  1847.  The  county 
commissioners  made  the  first  appointment  for  1848. 

MERCANTILE   APPRAISERS 
Name  Term 

Mahlon  Bertolet 1848 

William    Karns 1849-51 

Adam    Leiss 1352 

Solomon  Klohs I853 

J.  H.  Kelly ".1854 

Isaac  S.  Hottenstein 1855 

Ephraim    Fritz 1856 

Daniel    S.    Kutz 1857 

George  K.   Lorah 1858 

Albert  C.  Henry .' 1859 

Henry    Reider i860 

Franklin  S.  Ludwig I86I 

Henry  R.   Hawman 1863 

Elias    Filbert ■ 1863 

David   Lord 1864 

Caspar  Reif snyder 1865 

William    H.   Kelly 1866 

Andrew   S.   Strassburger 1867 

Joseph    Harvey I868 

John   C.  Reed i869 

Alfred  Dreibelbis „„ 1870 

Charles  Hill  1371 

Aaron    Snyder 1372 

Charles    Hottenstein 1873 


^.G 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Kame  Term 

Abraham  Schaeffer 1874 

Henry  F.   Bush 1875 

Jonathan   L.   Rhoads 1876 

Michael    Seltzer 1877 

Benjamin    Klahr 1878 

Morris   Guldin 1879 

Edward     Schmeltzer 1880 

William  A.  Young 1881 

Levi  J.  Fisher 1882 

George  M.  Fryermuth 1883 

Peter   Spang,  ']r 1884 

John    Slangier    1885 

J.  M.  S.  Stertzler 1886 

Edwin  Umbenhauer   1887 

James   P.   Kershner 1888 

Daniel  P.  Rothermel 1889 

Cyrus    E.    Bollinger 1890 

John  S.  Dunkle   1891 

Elias  R.  Kemmerer 1892 

I  Harry  D.   Wagner 1893 

William  D.  Reeser 1894 

Frederick   Roland 1895 

Peter  H.   Knabb 1896 

J.  Howard  Eshelman 1897 

John  E.    Stangier 1898 

Jacob  H.   Sassaman 1899 

Frederick   Stephan,  Jr 1900 

Nathan    Rothermel 1901 

James    Schlaesman 1902 

John  Z.  Rieser 1903 

Jacob  Bordner , 1904 

Abraham    B.    Johnson 1905 

William  Sanders 1906 

George   Reider 1907 

Charles    Brintzeghoff 1908 

John  G.  Herbein  1909 

License  Coimmissioners. — In  1676,  the  Duke  of 
Yorke's  laws  required  a  license  for  the  sale  of 
liquors  in  the  province  of  Pennsylvania.  This  was 
granted  by  two  justices  of  the  peace  in  the  Quarter 
Sessions,  for  the  term  of  one  year,  upon  the  ap- 
plicant furnishing  "a  certificate  of  his  good  be- 
havior from  the  constable  and  two  overseers  of  tlie 
parish"  wherein  he  dwelt.  In  1710,  the  law  re- 
quired the  application  to  be  recommended  by  the 
justices  of  the  county  courts  to  the  Governor, 
who  issued  the  license.  The  number  was  unlimited. 
But  in  1794,  the  law  required  the  judges  of  the 
Quarter  Sessions  at  the  first  session  of  every  year 
thereafter  to  limit  and  declare  the  number  of  tav- 
erns and  public  houses  to  be  licensed  for  the  year 
following;  and  the  judges  were  to  have  "regard 
to  the  particular  neighborhoods  and  situations 
the  most  suitable  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  inhabitants  and  travelers."  The  Governor 
still  granted  the  licenses  upon  the  proper  recommen- 
dation ;  and  he  continued  to  grant  them  .till  the 
passage  of  the  Act  of  March  8,  1815,  when  the 
judges  of  the  Quarter  Sessions  issued  them  upon 
the  recommendation  of  the  applicant  by  twelve  rep- 
utable citizens  of  the  district  in  which  the  tavern 
was  to  be  kept. 

On  April  23,  1869,  an  Act  was  specially  passed 
for-  Berks  county,  whereby  a  board  of  license  com- 
missioners was  created  to  issue  licenses.  The 
first  board  was  composed  of  three  members :  the  dis- 
trict attorney  in  office  c.r  officio;  one  member  ap- 
pointed by  the  judges  of  the  Quarter  Sessions  for 


a.<  term  ending  February,  1871 ;  and  the  third  by 
the  county  commissioners  for  a  term  ending  Feb- 
ruary, 1873.  And  every  two  years  after  1869,  the 
court  or  commissioners  were  authorized  to  appoint 
a  person  for  a  term  of  four  years.  Licenses  in  the 
county  were  accordingly  issued  annually  by  this 
board  till  the  law  was  repealed  May  5,  1876. 

In  the  year  previous,  on  April  12,  1875,  a  gen- 
eral law  to  restrain  and  regulate  the  sale  of  liquors 
was  passed  by  the  Legislature  for  the  State,  ex- 
cepting in  those  counties  for  which  special  provis- 
ion was  made.  After  the  repeal  of  the  Act  of  1869, 
the  court  of  Quarter  Sessions  issued  licenses  pur- 
suant to  the  Act  of  1875.  And  this  is  the  law 
under  which  the  licenses  are  still  issued. 

In  respect  to  licenses  a  general  Act  was  passed 
March  27,  1872,  "to  permit  the  voters  of  this  State 
to  vote  every  three  years  on  the  question  of  grant- 
ing licenses  to  sell  intoxicating  liquors."  The  time 
for  the  first  general  election  on  the  question  in  every 
city  and  county  was  fixed  for  the  third  Friday  in 
March,  1873,  and  every  third  year  thereafter  on 
the  day  for  the  annual  municipal  elections.  It  wilt 
be  observed  that  the  time  was  set  in  the  spring  of 
the  year,  in  order  to  obtain  the  expression  of  poli- 
tical sentiment  uninfluenced  by  the  general  tide  of 
opinion  of  the  fall  elections.  One  election  was  held, 
but  before  the  first  three  years  had  expired  the 
Act  was  repealed,  on  April  12,  1875. 

The  toard,  during  the  seven  years  in  which  the 
Act  prevailed,  comprised  the  following  members: 

E.V   officio,    being   the   District   Attorneys 
Name  Term 

Edward  H.  Shearer 1869-71 

Peter  D.  Wanner  1871-74 

Henry  C.  G.  Reber  1874-76 

Appointees 
Name  Term 

Richard  Ludwig   1869-75 

John  H.  Snyder  1869-73 

William    Hines    1873-76 

Elias  Obold   ' ...  .1875-76 

Oil  Inspectors. — The  office  of  oil  inspector  was 
created  by  the  Act  of  May  15,  1874,  "to  provide 
for  the  better  security  of  life  and  property  from 
the  dangers  of  coal  and  petroleum  oils."  By  this 
Act  the  standard  or  fire  test  of  all  burning  fluids 
was  fixed  at  110  degrees  Fahrenheit.  The'inspec- 
tor  is  appointed  by  the  court  of  Cominon  Pleas  of 
the  county  for  the  term  of  three  vears ;  and  he  is 
required  to  furnish  security  in  $10,000  for  the 
faithful  discharge  of  his  duties.  The  first  appoint- 
ment was  made  in  August,  1877. 

Charles  A.  Z.  Griesemer  was  the  first  inspector. 
He  was  re-appointed  in  1880,  and  again  in  1883. 

Sealers  of  Weights  and  Measures. — In  1834, 
a  law  was  enacted  which  required  the  Governor 
to  furnish  the  county  commissioners  of  each  county 
with  standards  of  weights  and  measures,  which 
were  to  be  used  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting 
weights  and  measures;  and  these  standards  were 
to  be  examined,  and,  if  necessary,  corrected  at  least 
once  in  every  ten  years.    The  standards  as  required 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


87 


be  levied,  directors  to  be  elected,  etc.,  and  to  see 
that  the  branches  of  a  common  education  were 
properly  taught,  teaching  directed,  established  grad- 
ed schools  maintained,  and  uniformity  in  course  of 
studies  preserved;  a  county  superintendent  was  to 
be  elected  for  a  term  of  three  years  by  all  the  direc- 
tors of  the  county.  Since  1854  the  system  of  edu- 
cation provided  by  the  State  has  been  carried  on 
successfully  in  the '  county  by  school  directors  and 
a  county  superintendent,  and  the  superintendents 
have  been : 

Name  Term 

William  Good  1854-60 

John  S.  Ermentrout   1860-69 

David  B.  Brunner  1869-75 

Samuel  A.  Baer  1875-81 

David  S.  Keck   1881-90 

William  M.  Zechman   1891-96 

Eli  M.  Rapp    1896-1911 


COUNTY  BUILDINGS 

The  county  buildings  comprise  the  Court-House, 
Prison,  and  Poorhouse. 


were  furnished  to  the  county  commissioners,  and 
deposited  in  the  Court-House  for  the  purpose  in- 
tended! But  there  was  no  provision  for  an  officer 
whose  duty  it  was  to  test  all  weights  and  measures. 
In  1845,  this  discrepancy  was  supplied  by  an  Act 
passed  on  April  15th.  It  authorized  the  Governor 
to  appoint  a  sealer  of  weights  and  measures  for 
such  respective  counties  as  should  apply  for  and 
obtain  copies  of  the  standards,  as  provided  in  this 
Act,  for  the  term  of  three  years.  And  it  was  made 
the  duty  of  the  sealer  "at  least  once  in  every  year 
to  go  to  stores,  houses,  stalls,  and  offices  of  the 
makers,  venders,  or  proprietors  of  beams,  scales, 
weights,  and  measures  within  the  county,  and  try 
and  adjust  all  beams,  scales,  weights,  and  measures, 
and  seal  the  same  with  the  initials  of  his  last  or 
surname,  and  the  current  year."  Under  this 
law  the  first  appointment  was  made  on  June  16, 
1853.  This  office,  hovvever,  became  burdensome 
and  offensive  to  the  people  of  the  county, 
and  accordingly  they,  with  the  people  of  seven 
other  counties  of  the  State — Bucks,  Dauphin, 
Lancaster,  Lehigh,  Montgomery,  Franklin,  and 
Westmoreland — who  felt  similarly  burdened  and, 
offended,  effected  the  passage  of  a  Special  Act  on 
March  22,  1859,  whereby  the  office  within  the  coun- 
ties named  was  abolished.  After  the  lapse  of 
eighteen  years  thereafter,  it  would  seem  that  the 
weights  and  measures  of  this  county,  as  well  as 
other  counties  of  the  State,  needed  the  test  of  the 
standards.  So  they  were  brought  to  the  notice  of 
the  people  again  by  the  passage  of  a  general  law 
on  April  4,  1877.  By  it  the  Governor  was  author- 
ized to  appoint  one  person  as  sealer,  in  the  several 
counties  where  no  such  office  existed,  for  the  term 
of  three  years.  The  first  appointment  under  this 
law  was  made  April  30,  1877. 

And  strangely  enough,  as  previously,  the  office 
only  survived  six  years,  and  was  again  abolished, 
by  an  Act  passed  on  March  8,  1883.  The  standards 
are,  therefore,  not  carried  around  throughout  the 
whole  county  to  remind  the  dealers  and  storekeepers 
that  they  must  at  least  give  true  measure,  if  not 
good,  pressed  down,  and  running  over.  The  mar 
ket  commissioner  of  Reading,  who  visits  the  mar- 
kets under  the  city  ordinance,  is  the  only  tester 
now  with  the  standards.    The  sealers  were : 

Name  Term 

Michael  S.  Thirwechter  1853-54 

Solomon   Spohn    1855-57 

George  K.  Boyer  1858 — 

William   Geiger    1877-78 

Matthew  Rhoda   1879-81 

James  D.  Long   1882-83 

Superintendents  of  Common  Schools. — Num-  £ 

erous  legislative  attempts  were  made  to  popularize 

and  thoroughly  introduce  public  education.     Fifty  ^^_ ^^^^ 

years  were  spent  in  endeavors  to  educate  the  poor-  '^^^LS^^^r^^ 

er  classes  of  children  by  proposed  taxation,  with 

comparatively  little  progress.     Finally  an  Act  was  °^°  court  house 

passed  May  8,  1854,  which  rnade  proceedings  in  this     Court-Houses. — The  first   Court-House   of  the 
behalf  compulsory,  and  authorized  a  school  tax  to  county  was  erected  in  1762,  at  the  intersection  of 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Penn  Square  and  Callowhill  street,  now  Fifth.  It 
was  built  of  stone,  plastered,  and  marked  off  in 
imitation  of  cut  stone,  and  it  was  surrounded  by  a 
brick  pavement  about  thirteen  feet  wide.  The  first 
floor  was  arranged  in  one  large  room  for  the 
"courts,"  and  the  second  floor  in  three  rooms — the 
eastern  half  having  been  in  one  room,  and  the 
western  in  two  rooms.  An  entry  separated  the 
former  from  the  latter.  The  stairway  was  con- 
structed in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  court-room. 
The  "bench"  was  arranged  along  the  northern  side 
of  the  room,  and  the  "bar"  was  inclosed  by  a  semi- 
circular railing,  the  ends  of  which  extended  to  the 
wall  on  both  sides  of  the  "bench."  The  "jury  box" 
was  situated  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  room. 
The  court-room  was  entered  by  two  door-ways, 
one  on  the  south  side  and  the  other  on  the  west. 
The  latter  was  little  used.  A  large  stove  was  lo- 
cated near  by  and  wood  was  generally  piled  up 
against  the  door,  on  the  inside^  during  cold  weather. 

The  crier's  seat  was  situated  a  few  feet  west  of 
the  center  of  the  room,  adjoining  the  "bar,"  and  the 
"prisoner's  dock"  was  next  to  it  on  the  east.  The 
crier  was  a  prominent  figure  in  the  room  by  reason 
of  the  elevation  of  his  seat. 

The  floor  was  laid  with  brick.  Benches 
were  arranged  on  inclined  platforms 
along  the  southern  and  eastern  walls. 
The  seating  capacity  was  rather  limited 
for  a  public  place.  The  dimensions  of 
the  building  were  about  forty  by  fifty 
feet.  A  marble  tablet  was  built  in  the 
eastern  wall  near  the  centre,  which  con- 
tained the  following  inscription; 
J.  L.,  C.  W.,  S.  H.,  1762. 

These  initial  letters  represented  the 
names  of  the  officiating  county  commis- 
sioners, Jacob  Lightfoot,  Christopher 
W'itman  and  Samuel  High. 

The  steeple  contained  a  bell  and 
town-clock.  The  bell  was  cast  in  Eng- 
land in  ]76.'3,  especially  for  the  county; 
and  the  clock  was  a  thirt3'-hour  clock, 
imported  from  London  about  1755. 

Previously,  for  ten  j^ears.  the  judges 
of  the  courts  held  their  sessions  of  court 
in  an  inn  of  the  town.  There  were  no 
rooms  in  the  building  for  the  county  officials,  but 
many  were  not  necessary,  for  five  offices  were 
vested  in  one  individual  for  upward  of  twenty 
years,  these  having  been  prothonotary,  recorder, 
register,  clerk  of  the  Orphans'  court  and  clerk 
of  the  Quarter  Sessions,  and  the  person  was  James 
Read,  a  lawyer. 

By  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Pennsylvania  Ga::ctte, 
dated  the  20th  of  February,  176G",  it  would  ap- 
pear that  "public  offices  were  opened  on  Monday 
previous  at  Reading."  It  is  not  known  in  which 
building  they  were  opened,  if  not  in  the  Court- 
House. 

Election  polls  were  held  at  the  several  windows 
on  the  first  floor,  which  were  properly  marked  for 


•■^the  voters.     The  poll  for  the  electors  of  Reading 
■  was  at  the  eastern  window  on  the  side  facing  south. 
This  building  was  used  for  the  purposes  of  hearing 
and   determining   criminal   and  civil   matters   until 
1840,  the  last  term  of  court  having  been  the  April 
term.     During  the  follow- 
ing three  months,  the  coun- 
t)-  records  were  transferred 
from  the  "State-House"  to 
the   new   Court-House.      It 
was  sold  to  Joseph  Kendall 
at    public    sale    and    he    re- 
moved it  in  JMav,  1S4-1. 


NEW   COURT-HOUSE 

The  smallness  of  the  old  building  had  been  felt 
for  many  years  and  the  increasing  inconvenience 
had  become  so  objectionable  by  the"  year  1837  that 
the  taxpayers  and  officials  determined  to  remedy 
the  difficulty  by  securing  a  new  building,  and  in 
that  behalf  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  judges 
at  the  August  Sessions,  setting  forth— "That,  in 
consequence  of  the  rapid  increase  of  the  population 
and  public  business  of  the  county  of  Berks,  the  pres- 
ent Court-House  ha,s  become  too  small  and  incon- 
venient for  the  transaction  of  business,  and  also  for 
the  accommodation  of  those  persons  who  are  obliged 
to  attend  court,"  and  praying  the  court  "to  recom- 


GOVERNMENT   AND   OFFICIALS 


89 


mend  to  the  county  commissioners  the  erection  of 
the  necessary  buildings  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  Court  and  the  Public." 

This  petition  was  referred  to  the  grand  jury,  and 
they  recommended  a  new  building,  selecting  the 
northeast  corner  of  Fifth  and  Penn  streets  as  the 
place  for  its  erection.  This  return  was  approved 
by  the  court  on  Aug.  11,  1837,  but  the  site  was 
changed  to  the  northeast  comer  of  Sixth  and  Court 
streets,  in  order  to  obtain. a  larger  lot  for  the  pro- 
posed building.  The  county  commissioners  then 
purchased  two  adjoining  lots  (120  by  230  feet) 
and  during  the  years  1838,  1839  and  1840  erected 
on  the  site  the  western  half  of  the  present  three- 
story  brick  building  which  fronts  on  Sixth  street, 
the  dimensions  being  63  feet  wide,  118  feet  long 
and  60  feet  high.  The  total  cost  was  $63,000.  A 
substantial  fire-proof  two-story  extension  was  added 
at  the  rear  in  1869 ;  and  this  was  subsequently  en- 
larged, when  numerous  important  improvements 
were  introduced.  The  first  session  of  court  was 
held  in  it  at  August  Term,  1840. 

Gas  was  introduced  for  lighting  purposes  in  May, 
1849,  shortly  after  the  Reading  Gas  Co.  had  estab- 
lished its  plant.     Previously  oil  in  lamps  was  used. 

A  new  clock  was  placed  in  the  steeple  in  October, 
1851.  The  bell  weighed  nearly  seventeen  hundred 
pounds.  From  that  time  on,  this  has  been  the 
"town-clock,"  and  town-bell  for  indicating  "town- 
time."  The  clock-dials  have  been  illuminated  at 
night-time  by  electric  light  since  1895. 


The  first  floor  was  arranged  in  four  compartments, 
the  corner  room,  facing  the  streets,  having  been 
occupied  as  an  office  by  the  sheriff;  and  the  second 
floor  in  four  compartments  for  prisoners.  The 
sheriff  and  family  occupied  the  remaining  rooms 
of  the  building;  and  this  practice  was  continued 
till  the  prison  system  was  changed  by  special  legis- 
lation for  Berks  county,  in  1848.  The  property  was 
sold  on  Feb.  5,  1849,  to  William  Rhoads,  for  $7,460, 
and  by  him  converted  into  a  store.  It  has  been  oc- 
cupied for  store  purposes  ever  since. 

A  new  prison  was  erected  on  the  "Common,"  at 
the  head  of  Penn  street,  by  the  county  commission- 
ers in  1847-48,  at  a  cost  of  $17,000.  It  is  construct- 
ed of  stone  from  Peon's  Mount,  and  is  situated  on 
a  lot  of  ground  170  by  300  feet,  which  is  inclosed 
on  the  north,  east  and  west  by  a  high  stone  wall. 
The  tower  is  96  feet  high.  It  is  still  standing,  a 
fine  specimen  of  superior  workmar^ship. 

An  addition,  or  "annex,"  was  erected  at  the  rear 
in  1869.  The  total  number  of  cells  is  94 — ^in  the 
main  part,  44,  and  in  the  annex,  50;  arranged  in 
two  stories. 

State-House.— The  "State-House"  was  erected 
by  the  county  commissioners  in  1793  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  county  officers  and  the  public  rec- 
ords. It  was  situated  on  .the  northeast  corner  of 
Fifth  and  Penn  streets;  built  of  brick,  two  stories, 
30  by  90  feet,  with  a  narrow  alley  extending  along 
the  eastern  wall  from  the  front  to  the  rear.     An 


OLD   JAIL 


Prisons. — The  iirst  prison  was  erected  in  1770, 
on  the  northeast  corner  of  Callowhill  and  Thomas 
streets  (Fifth  and  Washington).  It  was  construct- 
ed, of  stone  and  plastered,  two  stories  in  height,  and 
in  dimensions  30  by  70  feet.  The  lot  was  60  by  230 
feet.  A  substantial  stone  wall,  20  feet  high,  was 
■erected  to  inclose  the  lot  to  the  depth  of  130  feet. 


entry  extended  across  the  building  near  the  center 
with  its  doorway  on  Fifth  street;  and  a  stairway 
led  from  this  entry  to  the  second  floor.  The  first 
floor  was  divided  into  three  compartments ;  the  first, 
adjoining  Penn  street,  having  been  used  for  the 
prothonotary's  office  and  clerk  of  Quarter  Sessions ; 
the  central  for  the  recorder,  register  and  clerk  of 


90 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


the  Orphans'  court;  and  the  rear  for  count}'  com- 
missioners and  county  treasurer.  The  second  floor 
was  divided  into  two  compartments,  the  front  room 
having  been  occupied  mostly  for  Sunday-school  pur- 
poses and  public  meetings  from  1819  for  about 
twenty  years,  and  the  rear  room  for  lodge  purposes. 
The  building  was  sold  by  the  county  commissioners 
upon  the  removal  of  the  county  offices  and  records 
to  the  new  Court-House. 

The  rear  room  on  the  first  floor  was  used  as  the 
post-office  from  1861  to  1865. 


necessary  buildings,  and  seven  directors  were  ap- 
pointed to  proceed  in  the  establishment  of  this  public 
institution.  They  served  till  the  election  of  three 
directors  in  October  following,  as  provided  in  said 
Act.  In  the  mean  time  (May  30,  1824)  they  pur- 
chased the  "Brown  farm,"  formerly  known  as  the 
"Angelica  farm,"  in  Cumru  township  (owned  anrt 
occupied  during  the  Revolution  by  General  Thomas 
jMifflin),  three  miles  from  Reading,  situated  on  the 
Lancaster  road,  and  containing  417^  acres,  for  the 
consideration  of  $16,690,  and  there  erected  a  com- 


STATE    HOUSE 


In  January,  1872,  a  large  fire  broke  out  in 
Stichter's  hardware  store,  near  by,  which  spread 
over  the  adjoining  buildings  to  the  west,  and  con- 
sumed the  entire  comer,  including  the  ''State- 
House."  The  inscription  stone  was  preserved  and 
given  a  place  in  the  rear  wall  of  the  building  which 
was  soon  afterward  erected  in  its  stead. 

PooR-HousE. — The  poor  people  of  the  county 
were  provided  for  by  "overseers"  till  the  passage 
of  an  Act  of  Assembly  on  March  29,  1824,  especially 
for  this  county,  whereby  the  county  commissioners 
were  authorized  to  levy  a  tax  for  the  purpose  of 
purchasing   land   and   erecting  and    furnishing  the 


modious  building  to  accommodate  the  poor  people 
of  the  county.  This  building  was  finished  in  1825. 
It  has  since  been  known  as  the  "Main  Building." 
Other  improvements  were  subseciuently  made  upon 
the  premises,  prominent  among  them  being  the  "In- 
sane Building,"  erected  in  1837  and  1843,  and  the 
"Hospital,"  in  1871-1874.  The  first  poor  persons 
were  admitted  on  Oct.  31,  1825,  from  Reading. 
During  the  first  year  130  inmates  were  admitted. 
Annually  afterward  the  average  number  increased 
until  1878,  when  they  reached  613;  but  since  then 
they  have  gradually  decreased  until  now,  being 
about  250. 


CHAPTER  V- BENCH  AND  BAR 


By  the  charter  of  William  Penn  and  the  several 
grants  thereunder,  various  laws  and  ordinances 
were  enacted  from  time  to  time  ''for  the  good  gov- 
ernment of  the  province/'  and  the  regulation  of  its 
affairs  was  directed  'by  officers,  either  appointed  or 
elected,  for  the  entire  territory  or  for  the  counties 
comprising  it.  The  several  officers  for  the  county 
were  as  follows : 

JUDGES— 1753  to  1790 

Various  Acts  of  Assembly  were  passed  before 
1722,  for  a  period  of  forty  years,  to  establish  the 
powers  of  courts  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  men 
in  the  enjoyment  of  their  personal  rights,  of  re- 
dressing wrongs,  of  adjudicating  the  rights  of  prop- 
erty, and  of  administering  estates,  and  in  that 
year  the  law  for  the  several  courts  of  the  province 
became  settled,  continuing  so  till  the  Revolution, 
with  the  exception  of  certain  amendments  by  two 
supplementary  Acts  passed  in  1759  and  1767. 

From  the  time  of  the  erection  of  the  county  in 
1752  down  to  1776,  the  following  persons  acted  in 
the  capacity  of  justices,  the  length  of  service  of 
several  of  them  being  unknown : 

Name  Term 

Conrad    Weiser. ..." 1752-60 

Francis  Parvin 1752-66 

Anthony   Lee 

Jonas  Seely   1753-66 ;   1769 

Henry   Harvey 1752-62 

William   Bird    1752-55 

William   Maugridge 1756-66 

Moses  Starr 

James  Boone 

Jacob    Levan 1752-62 

James    Read 

Peter   Spycker    1763-90 

Joseph   Millard 1768-69 

Benjamin   Lightfoot 1771-74 

George   Webb    1770-71;    1774 

Thomas    Rutter. . . , 1770-71 

Jacob  Morgan  1768-69 ;  1772 ;  1774-77 

James    Diemer 1766-71 

John   Patton 1766-75;    1777 

George  Douglass  1768-73 ;  1775-84 

Henry  Christ   1766-71;   1784-90 

Sebastian  Zimmerman   1767-71 ;  1778-84 

Nicholas  Harmony  1766-71 

Mark    Bird 1775-76 

Daniel  Brodhead  

William   Reeser 1778-84 

Jonathan  Potts 1776-77 

Balthaser    Gehr 1775-84 

Thomas    Dunlap 

In  1776,  the  first  constitution  of  the  State  pro- 
vided that  a  Supreme  Executive  Council  should  con- 
sist of  twelve  persons,  who  were  to  be  chosen  by 
ballot  by  the  respective,  counties  for  the  term  of 
three  years.  The  apportionment  gave  one  to  Berks 
county.     The    following   councillors    were   elected 


from  Berks  till  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of 
1790.  The  term  of  the  first  was  fixed  at  two  years; 
and  afterward  three  years. 

Name  Term 

Richard  Tea,  elected  in  1776,  but  declined  to  serve 

Jacob    Morgan 1777-78 

James  Read : 1779-81;  1788-90 

Sebastian    Levan 1782-84 

Charles  Biddle 1785-87 

This  Constitution  also  provided  for  the  establish- 
ments of  courts  of  justice  in  every  county  of  the 
State.  The  following  persons  officiated  as  judges 
of  the  county  from  1776  till  1790.  The  first  three 
were  president  judges  of  the  courts  for  a  time. 

Name  Term 

James  Diemer 

Henry    Christ 1784-90 

Peter   Sypcker    1776-90 

James    Read 

Daniel  Levan 

Valentine  Eckert 1785 

John    Ludwig 1785 

Jacob  Morgan 

Charles     Shoemaker 1785-90 

Paul     Groscup 

John   Eckert '.  .1786-87 

Jacob    Weaver 1785 

John    Otto 1786-87 

Matthias   Reichert 1788-90 

Nicholas    Hunter 1788 

Egedius  Meyer 1789-90 

John  ■  Christ 1789-90 

And  it  provided  also  that  each  election  district 
should  elect  two  or  more  persons  for  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  that  the  president  of  the 
Executive  Council  should  commission  one  or  more 
for  each  district  for  seven  years.  The  following 
justices  were  elected  in  Berks  county,  and  commis- 
sioned, from  1777  till  1790—  the  dash  after  the  year 
indicating  uncertainty  whether  or  not  the  full  term 
was  served,  and  the  repetition  of  the  year  indicating- 
re-election,: 

Name  Term 

Henry   Christ ■. 1777-84 ;   1784— 

Jacob    Shoemaker 1777 — 

James  Read 1777 — 

Daniel   Hiester 1777 — 

Peter   Spycker    1776-90 

Jacob  Weaver 1777-84 ;  1784— 

John    Ludwig 1777-84;  1784— 

Benjamin    Shott ' 1777 — 

Christopher    Schultz 1777 — 

Samuel    Ely 1777-84;   1784— 

Jacob  Waggoner 1777 — 

Daniel  Rothermel 1777 — 

John     Old 1777— 

Chas.  Shoemaker 1777-84;  1784— 

Egedius    Meyer 1777-84;   1784— 

Jacob  Morgan 1777-84;  1784— 

Thomas    Parry 1777 — 

Michael  Lindenmuth 1778 — 


93 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Name  Term 

Gabriel    Hiester 1778— 

John     Guldin 1780— 

Valentine  Eckert 1784— 

Paul    Groscup 1784 — 

John    Eckert 1784— 

John  Otto 1785— 

Matthias    Reichert 1788-91 

Nicholas    Hunter 1788 — 

James     Diemer 1788-91 

JUDGES— 1790  TO  1909 

The  Constitution  of  1790  provided  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  Circuit  courts  in  the  State  to  be  com- 
posed of  certain  counties^ — not  less  than  three  nor 
more  than  six ;  and  for  the  appointment  by  the  Gov- 
ernor of  a  president  judge  of  the  courts  in  each 
circuit,  and  also  of  other  judges,  not  less  than  three 
nor  more  than  four  in  number,  whose  residence 
should  be  in  the  county.  All  the  judges  appointed 
were  to  hold  their  offices  during  good  behavior. 

In  1791,  in  pursuance  of  the  Constitution  of  1790, 
the  State  was  divided  into  five  judicial  circuits  or 
districts,  and  each  district  became  entitled  to  a  pres- 
ident judge.  The  Third  District  comprised  Berks, 
Luzerne,  Northampton,  and  Northumberland  coun- 
ties. In  1806,  the  State  was  divided  into  ten  dis- 
tricts, and  Berks,  Northampton,  and  Wayne  com- 
prised the  Third  District.  In  1811,  Schuylkill  county 
was  erected  and  included  in  the  district,  but  it  was 
cut  off  in  1815.  In  1812,  Lehigh  county  was  erected 
and  included  in  the  district.  In  1834,  the  State  was 
divided  into  seventeen  districts,  and  Berks,  Lehigh, 
.and  Northampton  comprised  the  Third  District. 

The  county  of  Berks  was  erected  into  a  separate 
judicial  district  by  the  Act  of  April  5,  1849,  and 
called  the  Twenty-third  District.  It  has  since  been 
a  separate  district,  with  this,  number  in  the  judicial 
system. 

In  1810  the  associate  judges  were  limited  to  two 
in  number.  The  provision  in  reference  to  the  tenure 
of  office  was  modified  by  the  Amended  Constitution 
of  1838.  whereby  the  term  of  president  judge  was 
fixed  at  ten  years,  and  of  associate  judge  at  five 
years. 

In  1850  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution  was 
adopted  which  provided  for  the  election  of  the 
judges  for  the  terms  mentioned.  The  first  election 
was  held  in  October,  1851. 

The  office  of  additional  law  judge  was  created 
by  the  Act  of  April  15,  1869,  for  Berks  county,  with 
powers  and  term  similar  to  those  of  president  judge. 

The  office  of  Orphans'  court  judge  was  created 
for  the  county  by  the  Act  of  June  13,  1883,  pursuant 
to  the  New  Constitution ;  and  on  the  29th  of  June 
following,  the  Governor  made  the  first  appointment. 
His  judicial  powers  are  confined  to  matters  which 
arise  in  the  Orphans'  court;  and  the  term  of  service 
is  ten  years. 

The  office  of  associate  judge  was  abolished  by 
the  New  Constitution,  the  incumbents  to  continue 
in  office  until  their  terms  of  service  expired. 

Before  1874,  county  officials  took  their  offices  on 
the  second  Monday  of  December  succeeding  their 


election.  The  New  Constitution  provided  that 
thereafter  they  should  take  their  offices  on  the  first 
Monday  of  January  succeeding. 

PRESIDENT    JUDGES 
Name  Terra 

Jacob  Rush 1791-1805 

John  Spayd   1806-09 

Robert  Porter   1810-33 

Garrick   Mallery    1833-35 

John  Banks    1836-46 

J.  Pringle  Jones  1847-48 ;  1851-61 

David  F.  Gordon    1849-51 

W.  J.  Woodward* 1861-71 ;  1871-74 

Teremiah  Hagenmanf  1875-79  ;  1880-89 

James    N.    Ermpntrout} 1890-1908 

Gustav  .\.  Endlich   1908-09 

ADDITIONAL   LAW    JUDGES 
Name.  Terra. 

Henry  Van   Reed§ 1869;1875 

Jeremiah   Hagenman||    1869-7^ 

Augustus    S.    Sassaman 1876-85 

James  N.  Ermentrout   1887-89 

Gustav  A.   Endlich    1890-190S 

Wm.  Kerper  Stevens1[ 1908-09 

orphans'  court  judges 

Name.  Term. 

Hiram    H,    Schwartz** 1SS3-1891 

H.  Willis  Bland ■.  .1891-19— 

ASSOCIATE   judges 
Name  Term 

James  Diemer 1791-1819 

George  Ege   1791-1818 

Matthias  Reichert    1791-97 

Joseph   Hiester 1791-94 

Nicholas  Lotz  1793-1806 

Benjamin    Morris 1798-1809 

Gabriel  Hiester 1819-23 

Charles    Shoemaker 1820-22 

William   Witman 1S23-2S 

Jacob    Schneider 1824-29 

Matthias  S.  Richards 1829-45 

William    Darling 1830-38 

WilUam  Addams   1839-42 

John    Stauffer 1843-51 

William     Pligh 1845-50 

Samuel   Bell 1851 

Daniel  Young 1851-50 

William   Heidenreich 1851-56 

David    Schall 1856-66 

*  Warren  J.  Woodward  was  elected  one  of  the  associate  justices 
of  the  Supreme  court  of  Pennsylvania,  on  Nov.  S,  1S74,  for  the 
term  of  tv/enty-one  years.  He  took  and  held  his  seat  from' January 
1875,   till  his  death   on   Sept.   23,   1ST9. 

t  Jeremiah  Hagenmaii  succeeded  Warren  J.  Woodward,  by  pro- 
motion, on  Jan.  13,  1S75,  when  he  was  sworn  as  president  judse 
for  the  remainder  of  the  term,  ending  Jan.  5,  IS.SO.  He  was  elected 
in  November,  1879,  for  a  term  of  ten"  years.  Not  having  been  re- 
elected, Judge  Ermentrout  was  promoted  bv  law  to  be  president 
judge. 

i  Died  Aug.   19,   190S,   and  succeeded  by  Gustav  .-\.    Endlich. 

§  Henry  Van  Reed,  a  member  of  the  county  bar,  was  appointed 
on  July  13,  1869,  by  the  Governor,  John  W.  Geary,  to  fill  the  office, 
and  he  held  his  seat  till  his  successor,  duly  elected,  was  qualified! 
Oec.  6  ],sr;9.  He  was  n|ipointed  a  second  time  by  the  Governor, 
John  F.  Hartranft,  on  Jan.  12,  1876,  to  fill  the  vacancy  in  this 
office,  caused  by  the  promotion  of  Jeremiah  Hagenman  to  "the  oflice 
of  president  judge,  until  his  successor,  Augustus  S.  Sassaman,  a 
member  of  the  county  bar,  duly  elected,  was  qualified  on  Tan  2, 
1S76,  for  ten  years. 

II  Jeremiah  Jlagenman  was  elected  Oct.  15  1869,  to  this  office  for 
ten  years  from  Dec.  6,  1869.  He  was  promoted  to  the  office  of 
president  judge,  for  the  remainder  of  his  term,  on  Jan.  13  1875 
to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  bv  the  resignation  of  Warren  J  'Wood- 
ward,  wdio  had  been  elected  to  the  Supreme  bench. 

H  Appointed,  by  Governor  Sejit.  10,  1908,  to  serve  till  first 
Monday  in  January.   1910. 

••Hiram  H.  Schwartz  was  appointed  on  Tune  29,  1883,  to  serve 
in  this  office  till  Jan.  7,  1SS4.  He  was  nominated  for  the  office, 
for  the  full  term,  by  the  Democratic  Convention  in  August,  1883, 
:ind  elected  in  November  following.  He  died  before  the  expiration 
of  his  term,  on  Aug.  ;.-i,  1891,  when  H.  Willis  Bland  was  appointed 
bv  the  Governor,  on  Sept.  16.  1891,  and  he  was  elected,  November, 
1S92,  for  a  full  term;  and  at  its  expiration  he  was  re-elected. 


BENCH    AND    BAR 


93 


Name  Term 

George  D.  Stitzel 1856-66 

Charles  Kessler 1866-71 

David  Kutz*  .- 1866-70 

Henry    Rhoads 1870-71 

George  W.  Bruckman 1871-76 

Daniel    Buskirk. 1871-76 

ATTORNEYS  AT  LAW 

The  office  of  attorney  at  law  is  not  an  elective  one. 
It  never  was.  But  it  has  existed  time  out  o-f  mind. 
It  began  with  the  administration  of  justice,  and  is 
inseparable  from  it.  The  history  of  attorneys  would 
be  the  history  of  the  courts  of  judicature.  They 
have  always  occupied  a  prominent  place.  Their 
prominence  has  resulted  from  energy  well  directed 
in  behalf  of  the  rights  and  property  of  mankind,  and 
also  in  behalf  as  well  of  the  establishment  as  of  the 
development  of  principles  regulative  of  associations 
in  every  department  of  life. 

A  law  was  enacted  in  this  State  as  early  as  1710 
in  relation  to  this  office.  Then  the  justices  were 
authorized  to  admit  any  attorney  or  attorneys  to 
plead  in  any  of  the  established  courts  during  good 
behavior.  No  provision  was  made  as  to  the  number 
or  ability.  In  1715,  however,  the  authority  of  the 
justices  was  modified.  They  might  admit  "a  com- 
petent number  of  persons,  of  honest  disposition  and 
learned  in  the  Law,  to  practise  as  attorneys  who 
shall  behave  themselves  "justly  and  faithfully  in 
their  practice."  And  in  1727  a  provision  was  made 
requiring  such  persons  before  they  were  admitted 
to  take  the  following  oath :  "Thou  shalt  behave  thy- 
self in  the  office  of  attorney  within  the  court,  ac- 
cording to  the  best  of  thy  learning  and  ability,  and 
with  all  good  fidelity  as  well  to  the  court  as  to  the 
client;  thou  shalt  use  no  falsehood,  nor  delay  any 
person's  cause  for  lucre  or  malice."  And  these  qual- 
ifications have  continued  to  this  day.  Since  the 
adoption  of  the  State  and  national  constitutions 
they  have-  qualified  to  support  them.  This  last 
qualification  is  common  to  all  statutory  officers. 

The  following  attorneys  have  resided  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Berks  and  practised  in  its  several  courts. 
The  date  after  each  name  is  the  time  of  admission 
to  practice. 

Name  Admitted 

James  Biddle 
David  Henderson 
James  Whitehead,  Jr. 
Edward  Biddle 

Daniel  Levan,  Jr Nov.  11,  1769 

Collinson  Read Aug.  13,  1772 

James    Potts Aug.     1,  1773 

Daniel   Clymer May     4,  1776 

Alexander  Graydon May   14,  1779 

Edward   Scull Aug.  17,  1779 

Nathaniel    Potts Aug.  14,  1781 

Jacob     Hubley Nov.  14,  1786 

George     Eckert Feb.  19,  1787 

James    Scull Feb.  19,  1787 

Joseph    Hubley Aug.  14,  1787 

John   Spayd Feb.  14,  1788 

Peter    Hoofnagle Feb.  14,  1788 

*  David  Kutz  having  died  in  office  Tuly  20,  1870,  Henry  Rhoads 
was  appointed  by  Gov.  John  W.  Geary,  on  Aug.  3,  1870,  for  unex- 
pired term  ending  Dec.  4,  1871. 


Name 


Admitted 


Marks    John    Biddle Dec.    9 

Jacob   R.    Howell Feb.  11 

Charles   Evans ' Aug.    9 

William    Witman Aug.  20, 

Frederick    Smith Aug. 

Levi    Pauling Aug.  18, 

Bird    Wilson May   14, 

Andrew  Graff,  Jr April    9, 

John  Hiester •. .  .Aug.    6, 

William  S.  Biddle June 

Frederick  John  Haller Nov. 

William   Morris Aug. 

Anthony   Morris Nov. 

Samuel  D.  Franks Aug.  10, 

James  B.  Hubley April     4, 

John  Spayd April     2, 

Samuel    Baird,  Jr April    10, 

William   Morris,   Jr Nov. 

Thomas  B.  Smith July     4, 

James    Biddle Aug.    9, 

Francis  S.  Muhlenberg. . ". May      8 

Nathaniel  P.  Hobert ' Jan.  13 

Charles    Davis Aug.     4, 

Charles  Whitman   Aug.     9, 

William   Darling Nov.  13 

Edward  B.  Hubley April      5 

James  L.   Dunn Nov.  10, 

W.  C.  Leavenworth Aug.  18 

Daniel  J.    Hiester Aug.     4, 

Lloyd   Wharton March   26, 

Lawrence   S.   Lardner April 

David   F.   Gordon Aug. 

Thomas   Morris : Nov. 

Wm.  FuUerton  Duncan Jan. 

David    Evans Jan. 

Henry  W.   Smith Jan. 

John  S.  Wharton March 

Edward  P.  Pearson May   23 

Charles  J.  Jack Aug.     1 

Robert   M.   Brook Aug.     2, 

John  H.  Sheetz Aug.    3 

Joseph  W.  Roland Aug.  20, 

George  M.  Keim Aug.  11 

Joseph   H.   Spayd Nov.     8 

Philip  Kendall Jan.     1, 

Elijah    Deckert Jan.     4, 

Levi    B.    Smith J  an.  10, 

William  M.   Biddle April     4, 

Jacob  Hoffman , Nov.  10, 

Robert  M.  Barr Jan.    3 

Peter   Filbert Jan.     6 

John   Mayer Jan.     8 

Henry  Rhoads April      3 

William   Strong Nov.     8 

George  S.  Wharton Aug.  15. 

James   Pauling Nov.    7 

Francis  Aurand Nov.  13 

William    Betz '. J'an.  10| 

George  G.  Barclay April    10, 

Newton  D.  Strong Aug.     3 

.^uFustus  F.  Boas < Aug.    4 

J.  Pringle  Jones Nov.    2 

Anthony  F.   Miller Aug.  15 

Franklin  B.   Schoener Jan. 

John  S.  Richards April     4, 

Garrick    Mallery Aug.  14 

Dennis   W.   O'Brien    Aug.    7 

Jeremiah  D.  Bitting Aug.     8 

Andrew  M.  Sallade Aug.  11 

Jackson  H.  Sherman Aug. 

William  M.  Hiester Jan. 

Peter  Shearer April 

Matthias  Mengel April 

George  E.  Ludwig . . , Nov.  3, 

James  Donagan Dec.  22 

Samuel  Sohl April  5 


1788 
1789 
1791 
1793 
1795 
1796 
1798 
1798 
1798 
1801 
1801 
1804 
1804 
1805 
1809 
1810 
1810 
1810 
1814 
1815 
1816 
1818 
1818 
1818 
1818 
1820 
1821 
1822 
1823 
1824 
1824 
1824 
1824 
1825 
18'25 
1825 
1825 
1825 
1825 
1825 
1825 
1825 
1826 
1826 
1827 
1827 
1827 
1827 
1839 
1831 
1831 
1831 
1832 
1832 
1832 
1833 
1833 
1834 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1836 
1837 
1837 
1837 
1838 
1838 
1838 
1839 
1840 
1840 
1840 
1840 
1841 
1843 


94 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Name  Adn: 

Jeremiah     Hagenman April      7, 

J.  Dundas  Biddle May  17, 

Charles    Wierman May  17, 

George   W.   Arms March      8 

John   K.   Longnecker Nov.     6 

Henry  Van  Reed April     5 

William    M.    Baird April    12 

Henry  A.  Muhlenberg July      5 

Isaac  High  Keim July     5 

Franklin   B.   Miller Dec.  14 

Jacob    S.    Livingood Jan.     7 

J.    Glancy   Jones Jan.     7 

Silas  E.  Buzard April      8 

Edward  W.  Scudder Aug.     4 

Edward   M.   Clymer Aug.     4, 

J.   Bowman   Bell Jan.     5 

J.   Lawrence   Getz Aug.     6 

William  B.  Schoener Aug.  15 

J.   De   Puy  Davis Jan.     5 

James   May  Jones Jan.     5, 

John  Banks April      7 

Samuel  L.  Young Aug.  10, 

A.    Lucius    Hennershotz Nov.  11, 

J.  Biddle  Gordon Jan.     6 

James  A.  Banks Feb.  31, 

J.    Bright    Smith April 

William   F.    Filbert Aug,     9, 

A.  Jordan    S wartz Sept.  28, 

Joel   B.   Wanner Jan.  13 

Jacob  M.   Sallade April     6^ 

John  A.  Banks April      6, 

Hiester    Clymer April 

Charles  B.  Weaver Nov. 

Jacob  K.   McKenty April 

Henry  C.  Kutz April    34, 

Wm.  Edmund  Banks April    2,5 

Wm-.   S.   Marx Aug.     4 

Albert   G.    Green Nov.  11 

Edmund   L.    Smith Nov.  11 

George  DeB.  Keim , ."^pril      8 

Charles   K.  Robeson April      8 

E.   R.  Zimmerman April      8 

Carl  O.  Wagner Nov.     .5 

Michael   P.   Boyer \ug.     8 

Wharton    Morris Nov.  15 

George   J.    Eckert    April  28, 

Frederick  L.  Smith Nov.  10 

Amos  B,  Wanner Jan.  12 

B.  Frank  Boyer March    15 

Daniel  R.   Clymer Aug,  30 

James   B,    Bcchtel    April  14 

William  K.  Loose April    14, 

Chas.  Ph.  Muhlenberg Nov,  8^ 

Daniel    Ermentrout Aug.     3 

Wm.    H.    Livingood Jan.  19 

Hiram  FL  Schwartz July    ]  4, 

Jesse  G.   Hawley Sept.  30, 

Thomas    S.    Brenholtz Sept.  20, 

J.   George  Seltzer Feb.     5 

Abner   K.    Stauffer April    15 

Edward   H.   Shearer .- April    15, 

John  Ralston Aug.  14 

Frank  B.  Schmucker Aug.  2 

William   P.   Bard Feb.     9 

Charles  Henry  Jones April    14 

Richmond  L.  Jones April    14, 

Daniel   E.    Schroeder April    23, 

Charles   A.   Leopold April    33, 

J.  Warren  Tryon Nov.  14, 

J.  Howard  Jacobs Nov.  14, 

Augustus   S.  Sassaman Jan.     9, 

Israel  C.  Becker Jan.  33, 

Francis  M.  Banks May    31, 

Horace  A.  Yundt Aug. 

Charles  H.  Schaeffer Aug.    9 

Franklin   B.    Laucks Aug,  13 


itted  Name  Adm 

1843  William   M,   Goodman Aug.  13 

1842  Edwin    Shaher Aug.  13, 

1843  Louis    Richards Jan.  IG, 

1843  Irenaeus   Shalter Jan.  16, 

1843  J.  Ross  Miller Aug.     7 

1844  J.  Dallas  Schoener Aug.     7 

1844  Henry  May  Keim Aug. 

1844  Harrison    Maltzberger Aug. 

1844  Peter  D.  Wanner Nov. 

1844  Llewellyn  Wanner   Aug.  — , 

1845  William    M.    Rightmyer Jan.  21, 

1845  George  M.  Ermentrout Nov.  37, 

1845  James  N.  Ermentrout Nov.  37, 

1845  Geo.   F.    Baer Jan.  23, 

1845  Chas,   F.   Evans April    38, 

1846  T.  H.  Garrigues. Aug.  10, 

1848  Ben.   B.   Laucks    Jan.  11, 

1846  H.  WilHs  Bland April    13 

1847  Henry  C.  G.  Reber April    12, 

1847  Cyrus  G.  Derr Aug.  13 

1847  Wm.  L.  Guinther Nov.  14, 

1847  Morton   L,    Montgomery Aug.  28 

1847  Garrett  B.  Stevens Aug.  13, 

1848  Horace  Roland Aug.  12, 

1848  Edgar  M.  Levan Aug.  17, 

1848  Frank   R.   Schell Sept.  16, 

1848  Edwin  White  Moore Sept.  30, 

1848  James   A.    O'Reilly    Jan.  13 

1849  Stephen  M,  ^^leredith Aug.  11 

1849  Dan'l   H.   Wingerd Sept.  39 

1849  Hiram  Y.  Kaufman Nov.     9, 

1849  John  C.   K.   Heine    April  12 

1850  B.   Frank   Dettra April    12, 

1851  B.  F.  Y.  Shearer April    13 

1851  C.  H.  Ruhl April    15 

1851  B.  F.   AIcAtee   April  15 

1851  Jno.    F.    Smith Aug.     9, 

1851  Jefferson    Snyder Aug. 

1851  John  B.  Dampman Nov. 

1852  Flenry    A.    Muhlenberg Nov. 

1852  Daniel  B.  Young Jan.  10, 

1852  Adam    H.    Schmehl Jan.  10 

1852  Edwin  B.  Wiegand Jan.  18 

1853  Wesley  D.   Horning April    17 

1854  Gustav  A.  Endlich Nov.  12, 

1855  Simon   P,  O'Reilly   Jan.  14^ 

1855  Wayne    Hayman Jan,  14^ 

1857  Henry  .\.  Zieber April    10 

1857  Isaac    Hiester \^v    13 

1857  J.  H.  Marx Aug.  13 

1858  Jeremiah  K.  Grant Nov. 

1858  Walter  B.  Craig '  Nov.  12 

1859  D,   Nicholas  Schaeffer Nov.  12 

1859  M.  Brayton  McKnight Nov'.  12 

1860  Israel  C.  Becker Dec.  12, 

1860  Daniel  G.   Guldin j^„    og 

1860  Warren   Woodward Jan'  20, 

1860  Chas.  P.  Sherman ,Au"-.  11 

1861  Frank   S.   Livingood Au^    11 

1861  John  W.  Apple .".".'  .'Xug.  11 

1861  Henry  D.  Green t^Tqv    10 

1863  William  C.  Heacock '  "  \pril    19' 

1863  William  O.  :Miller  '. . .  .".'.\pril  12 

1863  Chas.  M.  Plank .Nov    22 

1863  William  J.  Rourke isTov    ^^ 

1863  Albert  R.  Heilig .....'.  Nov!  23 

1863  Alonzo  E.  Ream .Nov!  33 

1863  Geo.   F.   Hagenman Jan.  24 

1863  Israel  H,  Rothermel ' '  Auo-'  ^0 

1863  John  H.  Rothermel ' "    "  /Vu?'  ^o 

1864  Daniel   F.    Westley "■.■,; '.  ^Tqv    14 

1864  Charles  C.  Kehr   Nov"  14 

1864  Henry    Maltzberger !!!!'.!'.'.  Nov    14 

1864  George  J.  Gross,  Jr Nov!  14 

1804  Henry. 0.  Schrader Nov    13 

1864  I.    Comley    Fetter '    "nov    13 


BENCH    AND    BAR 


95 


Name  Admitted 

James  B.  Baker Nov.  13,  1882 

Adam  B.  Rieser Nov.  13,  1882 

EUwood   H.   Deysher Nov.  13,  1882 

Richard  H.  Koch Nov.  12,  1883 

Henry  P.  Keiser Nov.  12,  1883 

J.  Edward  Miller Nov.  12,  1883 

Felix   P.    Kremp Nov.  12,  1883 

Charles    H.  Tyson Nov.  10,  1884 

William  B.  Bechtel Nov.  10,  1884 

Frank  K.  Flood Nov.  10,  1884 

Philip    S.    Zieber Nov.  10,  1884 

William   Kerper   Stevens Nov.  10,  1884 

Howard  P.  Wanner Nov.    9,  1885 

William  P.  Schell March    13,  1886 

Daniel  F.  Ancona Nov.    8,  18§6 

Caleb  J.  Bieber Nov.     8,  1886 

Edwin    Sassaman March  28,  1887 

David    Levan Nov.  14,  1887 

Morris  H.  Schaffer Nov.  14,  1887 

Ammon   S.   Strunk Nov.  14,  1887 

Samuel  N.  Potteiger Nov.  24,  1888 

Abraham  H.   Rothermel Nov.  24,  1888 

Herbert  R.  Green „  .Jan.  21,  188A 

Ira  P.  Rothermel Jan.  21,  1888 

George  R.  VanR^ed Jan.  21,  1888 

Edward  S.  Kremp Nov.  23,  1889 

David  F.  Mauger Nov.  23,  1889 

John  H.  Zweizig Nov.  23,  1889 

John   J.    Kutz Nov.  10,  1890 

George  W.  Wagner Nov.  10,  1890 

William  J.  Young , Nov.  10,  1890 

Fitz-Daniel    Ermentrout Nov.    7,  1892 

Lee   Friday Nov.     7,  1892 

J.  Fred  Hartgen Nov.    6,  1893 

Ralph  H.   Mengel Nov.     6,  1893 

Silas  R.  Rothermel Nov.     6,  1893 

Howard  L.  Greenawald Nov.  12,  1894 

Harvey  F.  Heinly Nov.  12,  1894 

Louis  A.  Sassaman Nov.  13,  1894 

Walter   S.  Young Nov.  12,  1894 

Sherman  H.  Hoverter Nov.  11,  1895 

John  H.  Millholland Nov.  11,  1895 

Frederick  W.  Nicolls Nov.  11,  1895 

Robert   P.   Shick Nov.  11,  1895 

Hiester  A.  Bowers Nov.  11,  1895 

S.  Leo  Donovan Nov.     9,  1896 

Wilson  Ferguson Nov.     9,  1896 

J.  Wilmer  Fisher     , Nov.     9,  1896 

Tames  P.  Long Nov.    9,  1896 

William    Rick Nov.    9,  1896 

Ira   G.   Kutz , Nov.     8,  1897 

Thomas  K.  Leidy Nov.     8,  1897 


Name  Admitted 

William  A.  Hope May   21,  1898 

George    D.    Humbert Nov.  14,  1898 

George  M.  Jones Nov.  14,  1898 

Harvey  F.   Kantner Nov.  14,  1898 

J.   Milton   Miller Nov.  14,  1898 

Paul  H.   Price ■ Nov.  14,  1898 

Harry    D.    Schaeffer • Nov.  14,  1898 

Henry    Seidel    Throm '. Nov.  14,  1898 

Allen   S.   Hottenstein Dec.  13,  1898 

Harry   J.    Dumn Jan.     3,  1899 

Samuel  E.  Bertolet Nov.  13,  1899 

Joseph   R.   Dickinson Nov.  13,  1899 

Edwin  W.  Kalbach Nov.  13,  1899 

Edwin    S.   Livingood Nov.  13,  1899 

William  H.  Sadler Nov.  13,  1899 

Edward  D.  Trexler Nov.  13,  1899 

Charles  S.  Shalters Dec.  23,  1899 

Garrett    Stevens Dec.  23,  1899 

Foster  S.   Biehl - Nov.  12,  1900 

Charles  K.  Derr Nov.  12,  1900 

John    M.    Frame Nov.  12,  1900 

William  E.   Fisher Nov.  12,  1900 

Walter  B.  Freed Nov.  12,  1900 

Earl   I.   Koch Nov.  12,  1900 

Oliver   G.    Lentz Nov.  12,  1900 

Frederick  A.  Marx Nov.  12,  1900 

Charles  G.  Moyer Nov.  12,  1900 

Wilson    S.    Rothermel Nov.  12,  1900 

Charles  R.  Wanner Jan.     7,  1901 

J.    Bennett    Nolan Nov.  18,  1901 

Oliver    M.    Wolff Sepft.     8,  1902 

John    H.    Bridenbaugh Nov.  10,  1902 

E.  Carroll  Schaeffer Nov.  10,  1902 

John   B.   Stevens Nov.  10,  1902 

Thomas  laeger  Snyder Nov.  10,  1902 

H.    Robert    Mays Feb.  20,  1904 

H.  Franklin  Brossman March      7,  1904 

William  A.   Shomo Oct.     3,  1904 

Spencer  B.  Roland Nov.     7,  1904 

Walter  G.   Steininger Feb.  13,  1905 

William  Abbott  Witman,  Jr Feb.  13,  1905 

J.  Howard  Jacobs Aug.  14,  1905 

James  B.   Mercer Aug.  14,  1905 

Randolph   Stauffer Feb.  13,  1906 

H.   Otto  Lowe May    14,  1906 

Robert  Gray  Bushong Sept.  22,  1906 

Leonard    G.    Yoder Sept.  22,  1906 

Frank    D.    Arnold Oct.    9,  1906 

John    S.    Rader Nov.     5,  1906 

John    K.    Hahn March   11,  1907 

John  Arthur  Keppelman Sept.  19,  1907 

Wayne  W.  Light  Feb.  10,  1908 


CHAPTER  VI  -  MEDICAL  PROFESSION 


Practitioners  of  medicine  were  located  in  all  the 
sections  of  the  county  from  the  earliest  settlements, 
but  their  names  have  not  been  preserved  because 
there  was  no  place  to  register  them.  But  they 
were  scattered  many  miles  apart.  On  this  account, 
cases  of  ordinary  sickness  were  generally  attended 
to  by  the  parents  of  the  family,  and  the  adminis- 
tration of  home  remedies  was  practised.  The  phys- 
icians in  active  practice  were  of  the  allopathic  school 
altogether,  those  of  the  homoeopathic  school  not 
having  started  in  the  county  until  about  1838.  Mid- 
wifery was  in  general  use.  Pow-wowing  was  prao 
tised  to  a  considerable  extent  until  in  recent  years, 
when  it  was  gradually  abandoned  as  education  be- 
came more  thorough  and  regular  physicians  more 


Resolved,  That  one  hundred  copies  of  the  constitution 
and  by-laws  of  the  Medical  Faculty  of  Berks  county  be 
printed  in  pamphlet  form,  under  the  superintendence  of  a 
committee  consisting  of  Drs.  Otto,  Baum  and  Bishop,  and 
that  the  proceedings  of  this  evening,  together  with  the 
inaugural  address  of  the  president,  be  pubHshed  in  the 
several  papers  of  this  borough,  signed  loy  the  president 
and  attested  by  the  secretary. 

On  motion,  'Resolved,  That  the  president  deliver  an  ora-, 
tion  in  public  as  soon  as  may  be  convenient,  in  the  name 
and  on  behalf  of  this  faculty. 

The  faculty  adjourned  to  the  next  stated  meeting  on  the 
first  Saturday  in  October  next,  at  7  o'clock,  p.m. 

Charles    Baum,    Recording    Secretary. 

The  members  who  subscribed  the  charter  of  in- 
corporation were  as  follows : 


numerous. 

Medical 
practising 
associated 


Faculty  of  Berks  County. — The 
physicians  of  this  county,  having 
and  become  a  body  politic  in 
law  (incorporated  July  14,  1824),  under  the 
above  style  and  title,  met  agreeably  to  public 
notice,  on  Saturday  evening,  Aug.  7,  1824,  at  the 
public  building  of  this  borough,  and  duly  orga- 
nized their  institution.  Dr.  Isaac  Hiester  was 
called  to  the  chair,  and  Dr.  Charles  Baum  ap- 
pointed secretary.  The  charter  and  bv-laws  hav- 
ing been  read,  the  following  gentlemen  were 
elected  officers  for  the  ensuing  3'ear :  Isaac  Hies- 
ter, president;  C.  L.  Schlemm  and  John  B.  Otto, 
vice-presidents;  Charles  Baum,  recording  sec- 
retary; William  J.  C.  Baum  and  Edward  Hay- 
dock,  corresponding  secretaries;  George  Eckert, 
treasurer;  Bernard  M' Nicil  and  Gerhard  G. 
Bishop,  curators. 

The  president  delivered  a  short  address  to  the 
association,  and  then  proceeded  agreeably  to  the 
by-l/aws  to  appoint  a  standing  committee  of 
three  members  for  the  examination  of  candi- 
dates for  the  grade  of  junior  membiership.  The 
following  gentlemen  composed  the  committee : 
C.  L.  Schlemm,  John  B.  Otto  and  Charles  Baum. 

The  following  resolutions  were  then  ofifered, 
discussed  and  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  Medical  Faculty  be 
requested  to  furnish  monthly  to  the  corresponding  secre- 
taries, a  list  of  the  diseases  and  deaths  that  may  occur  in 
their  respective  neighborhoods,  and  an  account  of  the 
general  health  of  the  county,  together  with  such  remarks 
as  they  may  deem  proper   for  publication. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  to  apprize  the  public  of 
the  existence  of  small  pox  in  this  borough,  and  that  inafl- 
much  as  this  body  retains  undiminished  confidence  in  vac- 
cination, this  mild  and  safe  preventative  be  strongly  recom- 
mended in  all  cases  deemed  liable  to  the  infection  of  that 
loathsome  and  too  often   fatal  disease. 

Resolved,  That  the  students  in  medicine  of  Berks  county 
have  permission  to  attend  the  meetings  and  deliberations 
of  this  body. 


Honorary 
William  Wood 
Isaac  Hiester 
John   B.  Otto 
John  F.  Baum 
Charles  Baum 
William   Cries 
Geo.    N.    Eckert 
Jacob    Rodrock 


Junior 
Bernard  M'Neil  (N.  Y.) 
Jonathan  F.  Evans 
Enos   Chichester 
Gerk   G.   Bischotz 
Edward  Haydock 
August  Klein 
C.   L.   Schlemim 
William  J.  C.  Baum 


The  charter  was  approved  by  Frederick  Smith 
(of  Reading),  then  attorney-general  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  June  3,  1824 ;  and  by  William  Tilghman, 
John  B.  Gibson  and  Thomas  Duncan,  judges  of 
the  Supreme  court,  on  June  4,  1824. 

Dr.  Hiester,  upon  assuming  the  duties  of  the 
office  to  which  he  was  unanimously  chosen,  deliv- 
ered an  admirable  address  to  the  faculty.  Among 
other  things,  he  said  that  this  organization  was 
the  first  of  the  kind  in  Pennsylvania,  excepting  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Medical  Society  of  Phil- 
adelphia. 

This  society  continued  to  exist,  hold  regular  meet- 
ings and  annually  send  representatives  to  the  State 
Medical  Society  for  a  period  of  twenty  years.  On 
Feb.  23,  1850,  the  society  was  reorganized  and  the 
name  changed  to  the  "Medical  Society  of  the  City 
of  Reading  and  the  County  of  Berks,"  with  the 
object  of  cultivating  the  science  of  medicine  in  all 
its  collateral  branches,  to  elevate  and  sustain  medi- 
cal character,  to  encourage  a  system  of  profes- 
sional etiquette  and  to  promote  mutual  improve- 
ment, social  intercourse  and  good  feeling  among 
the  members  of  the  medical  profession.  No  person 
could  become  a  member  of  this  society  unless  he 
were  a  graduate  of  some  recognized  medical  col- 
lege. In  1866,  the  name  was  changed  to  Berks 
County  Medical  Society.  In  1867  it  "took  the  first 
steps  toward  establishing  a  public  hospital  at  Read- 
ing, which  eventually  culminated  in  the  Reading 
Hospital. 

The  society  was  disbanded  in  1870,  with  a  mem- 
ber.ship  of  thirty-seven.    This  dissolution  grew  out 


MEDICAL     PROFESSION 


97 


of  a  factional  fight  over  an  attempt  to  expel  one 
of  its  prominent  members.  The  one  faction,  num- 
bering twenty-two  physicians,  immediately  after 
the  dissolution,  on  the  same  day  (Nov.  22,  1870), 
assembled  at  the  office  of  Dr.  John  B.  Brooke, 
No.  44  North  Fourth  street,  Reading,  and  organ- 
ized another  society  entitled  "Berks  County  Med- 
ical Association."  The  names  of  the  organizers 
were  as  follows : 


J.  S.  Ammon 
J.   Brobst 
Edward  Brobst 
J.  B.  Brooke 
Geo.  W.  Byerle 
Joseph   Coblentz 
A.  B.  Dundor 
J.  S.  Hunsberger 
S.  L.  Kurtz 
De  B.  Kuhn 
C.  Kreye 


J.  M.  Matthews 
William  Moore 
J.  M.   Newpher 
J.  Y.  Shearer 
J.  K.  Seaman 
J.  B.  Sterley 

C.  Turner 

D.  A.  Ulrich 
Edward  Wallace 
Charles  Weber 

W.  Murray  Weidman 


After  a  temporary  organization,  a  resolution  was 
passed  to  the.  effect  that  the  new  society  be  formed 
for  mutual  improvement  in  connection  with  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society  and  the  Amer- 
ican Medical  Association. .  The  constitution  and  by- 
laws were  adopted  at  a  meeting  held  Jan.  3,  1871 ; 
and  a  permanent  organization  was  effected  by  elect- 
ing William  Moore,  president;  J.  S.  Ammon  and 
James  M.  Matthews,  vice-presidents;'  W.  Murray 
Weidman,  recording  secretary;  J.  B.  Brooke,  cor- 
responding secretary;  D.  A.  Ulrich,  treasurer;  Ed- 
ward Wallace,  J.  A.  Brobst,  De  B.  Kuhn,  censors ; 
and  Joseph  Coblentz,  curator. 

The  name  was  then  changed  from  the  Berks 
County  Medical  Association  to  the  Medical  Society 
of  the  County  of  Berks ;  and  it  was  decided  that  the 
meetings  be  held  bi-monthly  and  a  business  meeting 
should  alternate  with  a  meeting  for  the  discussion 
of  topics  relating  to  the  profession. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  society  held  in  Stauffer's 
Hall  (the  meeting  place  at  that  time  and  for  several 
years  afterward)  March  7,  1871,  Drs.  S.  L.  Kurtz, 
D.  A.  Ulrich  and  Edward  Wallace,  a  committee 
appointed  to  represent  this  society  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  State  Medical  Society  at  Philadel- 
phia, reported  that  they  had  gained  recognition 
from  that  body,  were  admitted  as  members  and  the 
board  of  censors  had  approved  of  the  society's  con- 
stitution and  by-laws. 

The  first  delegate  election  of  this  society  for 
sending  representatives  to  the  American  Medical 
Association  was  held  on  March  7,  1871,  and  Drs. 
Kuhn,  Wily  and  Moore  were  selected  for  that  pur- 
pose. 

The  Rocietv  made  its  first  annual  visit  to  the 
Poor-House  in  March,  1871. 

In  1872,  the  subject  of  vaccination  received  the 
official  indorsement  of  the  society. 

In  1875,  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  society  was 
changed  to  the  office  of  Dr.  J.  B.  Brooke. 

In  1878,  it  favored  the  passage  of  a  law  by  the 
State  Legislature  concerning  "privileged  communi- 
cations," so  as  to  place  physicians  on  an  equality 
7 


with  other  professions  as  witnesses  in  a  court  ot 
justice;  and  in  that  same  year,  the  delegates  to  the 
State  Society  were  instructed  to  favor  a  resolution, 
in  connection  with  other  county  societies,  that  no 
member  should  admit  into  his  office  a  student  of 
medicine  until  he  presented  a  certificate  showing 
his  educational  qualifications;  which  the  State  So- 
ciety adopted.  Shortly  afterward,  they  encouraged 
the  movement  relating  to  the  registration  of  all 
practising  physicians,  which  culminated  in  the  pas- 
sage of  the  Act  of  June  8,  1881,  which  required 
every  practitioner  to  register  his  name  and  qualifi- 
cations in  the  prothonotary's  office. 

In  1880,  the  society  first  started  lectures  on  special 
topics,  and  on  Sept.  7th,  Dr.  E.  H.  Coover,  of  Har- 
risburg,  delivered  a  lecture  on  "spinal  curvature." 

In  1881,  the  meeting  place  of  the  society  was 
changed  to  the  Reading  Library,  where  it  remained 
for  several  years,  and  then  it  was  removed  to  the 
council  chanibers  temporarily.  The  stibject  of  per- 
manent quarters  was  then  discussed  and  a  commit- 
tee (consisting  of  Drs.  Cleaver,  Bachman  and 
Keiser)  was  appointed  to  make  the  necessary  in- 
quiries, not  only  for  a  meeting  place  but  also  for  a 
"Medical  Library,"  which  had  been  earnestly  advo- 
cated. In  the  course  of  their  inquiries.  Dr.  John 
B.  Raser,  druggist,  voluntarily  offered  a  room  in 
his  store  building  at  Sixth  and  Walnut  streets,  sec- 
ond story  front,  free  of  rent  for  an  indefinite  time, 
and  this  offer  the  society  gratefully  accepted.  The 
quarters  were  then  established  in  the  Raser  building 
and  the  meetings  have  been  held  there  regularly 
ever  since.     Xhe  membership  in  1909  was  100. 

Immediately  after  its  removal  to  this  convenient 
place,  Dr.  W.  Murray  Weidman  took  a  special  in- 
terest in  the  establishment  of  a  Medical  Library 
and  collected  a  large  number  of  medical  works  as 
the  foundation  for  its  development,  and  this  inter- 
est he  continued  with  great  earnestness  until  his 
decease  in  1903,  all  the  members  of  the  society 
recognizing  his  services  in  that  behalf.  The  library 
embraced  a  fine  collection  oi  the  best  medical  works 
and  in  1909  numbered  altogether  about  1,375 
volumes. 

In  1883,  the  by-laws  were  amended,  relating  to 
the  requirements  of  students  and  condemning  the 
practice  of  copyrighting  common  pharmaceutical 
preparations  under  trade-marks;  and  in  1883,  the 
society  passed  a  resolution  encouraging  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  suitable  building  at  Washington  for 
a  National  Medical  Library  and  Surgical  Museum. 

In  1884,  the  State  delegates  of  the  society  were 
instructed  to  favor  the  creation  of  a  State  Board 
of  Health ;  which  came  to  be  established  in  1885. 

In  June,  1891,  the  Medical  Society  of  the  State 
held  its  forty-second  annual  convention  at  Reading. 
The  proceedings  were  interesting  and  among  the 
papers  read  there  was  one  by  Dr.  Israel  Cleaver, 
entitled  the  "History  of  the  Medical  Profession  in 
Berks  County."  In  that  paper  Dr.  Cleaver  stated 
that  the  State  Society  had  been  organized  at  Lan- 
caster in  1848,  and  its  first  annual  convention  had 


98 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


been  held  at  Reading  in  1849.  Then  the  local  so- 
ciety had  a  membership  of  twenty-six. 

Two  of  the  presidents  of  the  State  Society  had 
been  selected  from  the  Berks  County  Society:  Dr. 
John  P.  Hiester,  in  1853 ;  and  Dr.  Edward  Wallace, 
in  1862. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Society  in  1870,  the 
members  have  held  annual  banquets  in  January  and 
outings  in  August,  which  have  been  distinguished 
for  their  literary  excellence  and  true  sociability. 

The  membership  in  1909  numbered  87. 

Reading  Medpcal  Association  was  organized 
May  27,  1850,  with  the  following  physicians  as  its 
first  officers : 

President,  William  M.  Gries ;  vice-president,  John 
P.  Hiester;  recording  secretary,  Edward  Wallace; 
corresponding  secretary,  L.  L.  Stewart ;  treasurer, 
Charles  H.  Hunter. 

The  meetings  were  not  held  regularly  until  1867 ; 
then,  on  July  30th,  a  third  re-organization  having 
been  effected,  a  new  constitution  and  by-laws  were 
adopted.  Its  meetings  have  been  held  ever  since 
at  the  same  places  as  the  county  society.  The  mem- 
bers are  practising  allopathic  physicians  of  Reading 
and  the  surrounding  towns.  Membership  in  1909 
was  65. 

The  Pathological  Society  was  organized  May 
10,  1871,  with  the  following  physicians  as  its  first 
officers : 

President,  D.  L.  Beaver;  vice-presidents,  Martin 
Luther,  B.  F  Bunn ;  secretary  and  treasurer,  M. 
Albert  Rhoads. 

The  members  constituted  the  other  faction  of 
physicians  upon  the  disbanding  of  the  "Berks 
County  Medical  Society,"  and  they  kept  up  its  meet- 
ings for  nearly  twent)^  years.  During  this  time, 
the  bitter  feeling,  shown  in  such  a  marked  manner 
in  1870,  had  entirely  subsided  and  the  surviving 
members  had  gradually  identified  themselves  with 
the  "Medical  Society  of  Berks  County." 

Allop.vthic  Practitioners. — The  names  of  the 
allopathic  physicians  of  the  county,  with  college 
and  year  of  graduation,  are  presented  herewith  in 
alphabetical  order;  and  they  have  been  classified  as 
at  Reading,  in  the  boroughs,  and  in  the  several 
sections  of  the  county.  [D  indicates  decease ;  R, 
removed  out  of  county.] 

RE.\DING 

Jacob   S.   Ammon,   D U.   of    Pa.,  1868 

George   W.   Ammon,   D Jefferson,  1888 

Jacob  D.  Albright   Phila.  Med.-Chi.,  1893 

Solomon  G.  Birch,  D Jefferson,  lS2o 

Joseph    Brackbill U.    of    Pa.,  1869 

George   B.    M.   Bower Maryland   Univ..  1887 

Henry   G.    Baer Jefferson,  1888 

John  L.  Bower Jefferson,  1888 

Samuel  R.  Bricker Jefferson,  1889 

Francis  H.  Brobst Jefferson,  1888 

Daniel  R,  Brobst Jefferson,  189,5 

John   M.   Bertolet Jefferson,  1896 

Hiester  Bucher XJ.   of   Pa.,  1897 

Josiah  T.   Bunting,  R U.   of  Pa.,  1894 

Thomas  C.  Buchanan U.  of  Pa..  1900 

Samuel  G.  Burkholder N.  W.  Univ.,  1900 


John  B.  Brooke,  D Jefferson,  1858 

D.  Llewellvn  Beaver,  D Pa.  College,  1841 

Daniel  B.  D.  Beaver U,  of  Pa.,  1871 

Charles  W.  Bachman Jefiferson,  1881 

Darius  Z.  Bowman,  D Baltimore,  1880 

Jeremiah  K.  Bowers Phila.  Amer.  Univ.,  1373 

John    N.    Becker Jefferson,  1882 

Frank   W.   Bucks Jefferson,  1886 

William  S.  Bertolet U.  of  Pa.,  1900 

Henrv  P.  Brunner U.  of  Pa.,  1908 

Joseph   Coblentz,   D U.   of   Pa.,  1849 

Israel  Cleaver U.  of  Pa.,  1863 

Alfred  J.  Cressman,  D U,  of  Pa.,  1879 

Emma  O.  Cleaver   Pa.  Woman's,  1895 

Ferdinando    Colletti Italy,  1896 

R.  M.  Culler Jefferson,  1901 

George  Ray  Curry Bait.  Med.   College,  1906 

Charles  A.  Deininger,  D U.  of  P.,  1855 

William  N.  Davis,  D Jefferson,  1860 

Adam   B.   Dundor Jefferson,  1862 

W.  N.  Davis,  D Jefferson,  1860 

Aaron  C.  Detweiler,  D Jefferson,  1864 

Washington   C.   Detweiler,   D Jefferson,  1877 

Thomas  A.  Dunkel,  D Jefferson,  1865 

William  B.  Dewees,  D U.  of  P.,  1877 

Joseph   C.   Davis Jefferson.  1875 

C.  A.  F.  Detweiler Phila.   Med.-Chi.,  1888 

Charles  J.  Dietrich U.  of  Pa.,  1903 

George  E.  Dietrich Med.-Chi.,  1906 

Samuel    C.    Ermentrout U.    of    Pa.,  1866 

Jacob  R.  Esterly,  R Jefferson,  1891 

Albert  F.  East Jefferson,  1893 

John  V.   Epler,   D Pa.   College 

Oliver  H.   Fisher U.   of   Pa.,  1873 

James  A.   Fisher,   D Pa.   College,  1853 

Elias  H.  Frantz,  D Jefferson,  1873 

F.   W.   Frankhauser Jefferson,  1880 

Oscar  Edwin  Fox U.  of  Pa..  1906 

John   F.   Feick Jefferson,  1872 

John  R.  Faust Baltimore,  1886 

E.  H.  Fenstermaker Baltimore.  1898 

William    E.    Fisher U.    of    Pa.,  1899 

Lloyd   H.   Feick Baltimore,  1903 

George  S.  Goodhart,  D Pa.  College.  1849 

Frank  H.  Good,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1878 

John    B.    Griesemer,    D Jefferson,  1856 

Charles  H.  Gerhard U.  of  Pa.,  190S 

W.  H.  Goodenough.  D 1866 

Frederick  Grander,  R Jefferson,  1885 

David    S.    Grim Michigan    Univ..  1900 

James  R.  Gerhard U.  of  Pa.,  1901 

Malcolm    Z.   Gearhart Jefferson.    1906 

Franklin  J.  Gable Jefferson,  1907 

Wellington  D.  Griesemer Jefferson,  1908 

Charles  H.  Hunter.  D U.  of   Pa..  1841 

Frank  M.  Hiester.  D U.  of  Pa.,  1852 

Samuel  B.  Heckman.  D Jefferson!  1868 

J.  S.  Hinnershotz,  D jj.  of  Pa.,  1881 

Robert   P.   Huyett Tefferson!  1879 

James  ]M,  Hoffman,  D Teffer^on    1858 

H.  H.  Herbst,  R U.  of  Pa.,  1881 

.Joseph  H.  Hagenman.  D U.  of  Pa.,  1871 

Charles   Edward   Hoffman,   D 

Isaac  Hiester,  D .- . .  U.  of  Pa., 

Tohn  P.  Hiester,  D JJ.  of  Pa!i 

James  M.  Hoffman,  D U.  of  Pa.! 

Henry  Hagenman,  D .' .  13,53 

Howard   F.   Hansell Jefferson,  1879 

Harry  A.   Hepler Jj.  of   Pa.,  1888 

William  T.  Hoffman,  D Jefferson,  1854 

Irvin  H.  Hartman Jj,  of  Pa.!  1895 

William  A,  J.  Halbeisen Jefferson,  1897 

Oscar  E.  Hofmann "Jefferson,  1907 

Grace   M.   Harcourt,   R Baltimore,  1901 

Ralph   A,  Harding Geo.  Washinston  Univ.,  1908 

Erie  G.  Plawman U.  of   Pa.,  1905 

John  Y.  Hoffman,  D Jefferson,  1880 


MEDICAL     PROFESSION 


99 


Isaac  B.   Hacker Jefferson, 

Frank  N.  Irvin,  R U.  of  Pa. 

George  F.  Johnson Jefferson 

Jacob  R.  Johns Jefferson 

Charles  W.  F.  Kreye,  D Germany, 

Samuel   L.   Kurtz Jefferson 

L.  De  B.  Kuhn,  R U.  of  Pa, 

Ellis   J.   Kurtz Jefferson 

James  W.  Keiser,  D. U.  of  Pa. 

Thomas  E.  Krum Baltimore; 

Clarence  M.  Kurtz Jefferson, 

Ehzabeth  Kendig,  R Pa.  Woman's 

Henry  G.  Krause : Phila.  Med.-Chi 

Clifford  L.  Kaucher Med.-Chi., 

Franklin   J.    Kantner Jefferson 

Chester  K.  Kistler Jefferson, 

Elmer  C.  Kieffer Phila.  Med.-Chi. 

Alvin   J. '  Kistler Jefferson, 

J.  W.   Kaufman Jefferson 

Clara   Shettef   Keiser Pa.   Woman's 

George   W.   Kehl Pa.   W.   Univ. 

Morris    W.    Koch,    R JefferSbn 

Meyer  J.  Katz,  R Jefferson, 

Martin   Luther,   D Jefferson, 

Henry  Landis,  D U.  of  Pa., 

E.    J.    Longhorn,    R 

Charles  G.  Loose U.  of  Pa., 

Daniel  G.  Long ; U.  of  Pa 

James  B.  Lewis U.  of  Pa. 

Bernard  R.  Lee,  R Jefferson 

Thomas    H.    Leidy Jefferson, 

Emil    C.    Luks Berlin 

Daniel    Longaker Pa.    W.   Univ. 

John  W.  Luther,  R U.  of  Pa. 

Israel  J.  K.  Light,  R U.  of  Pa. 

William  W.  Livingood Pa.  W.  Univ. 

George   K.   Levan Med.-Chi. 

Jacob  Marshall,  D U.  of  Pa. 

Miles  F.  McTaggart,  R Pa.  Eclectic, 

Isaac   L.    Mingle Jefferson 

James   D.    Y.    Madeira Jefferson, 

Thomas   B.   Miller Baltimore, 

Edward  G.  Meter Phila.  Med.-Chi, 

John  E.  Medley Phila.  Med.-Chi 

Thomas   H.  Mackin Pa.  W.  Univ, 

William  F.  Muhlenberg U.  of  Pa 

James    M.    Matthews Jefferson 

Philip   D.   Marshall,   D Jefferson 

Elija    Martin 

Charles   McDonough,  D Pa.   College, 

Henry  C.   Mohr,   D..., Jefferson 

John  C.  McCoy N.  Y.  Univ. 

Matthias  Mengel,  Jr.,  R U.  of  Pa. 

Frederick  LeRoy  Mattern Jefferson 

Rudolph   C.   MoUmann U.   of   Pa., 

Hiester  M.  Nagle,  D Jefferson 

William  V.  D.  Nichols,  R U.  of  Pa, 

Bodo   Otto,    D ■. Gottingen, 

John   A.    Otto,   D 

John  B.  Otto,  D U.  of  Pa., 

George  W.  Overholser Pa.  W.  Univ. 

John  H.   Orff Baltimore, 

Jonathan  Potts,  D Phila.  Med.  Inst. 

Theodore  Pachla,  D ' Germany, 

James  B.  R.  Powell U.  of  Pa 

Louis    W.    Prevost 

Howard    M.    Parvin Baltimore, 

Ambrose  Peffer,  R Jefferson, 

Frank    Rieser, Pa.    College 

M.  S.  Reber U.  of  Pa. 

M.  Albert  Rhoads,  D Jefferson 

Simon    Reinbold Germany, 

A.   S.  Raudenbush Jefferson 

Walter  S.  Riegel,  R U.  of  Pa. 

Harry    F.    Rentschler Jefferson, 

Howard  S.  Reeser Jefferson 

Wilson    H.    Rothermel Jefferson 


1879  Walter  A.  Rigg U.  of  Pa.,  1895 

1893  Mayer    Rosen Jefferson,  1897 

1887  Charles  Roland U.  of  Pa.,  1898 

1889  John  H.   Rorke U.   of   Pa.,  1901 

1845  Homer  J.  Rhode -. Pa.  W.  Univ.,  1901 

1854  Samuel   B.   Rigg U.   of   Pa.,  1903 

1854  Frank  G  Runyeon U.  of  Pa.,  1903 

1880  Charles  T.  Reber,   D Jefferson,  1856 

1882  R.  B.  Rowe U.  of  Pa.,  1885 

1886  C.  W.  G.  Schlemm,  D Pa.  College,  1848 

1886  W.  E.  Schlemm,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1854 

1886  John   Stephen,   D U.   of   Pa.,  1846 

,1887  C.  E.  Shoemaker,  D Pa.  College,  1860 

1907  John  B.   Sterley,  D Phila.   Med.-Chi.,  1857 

1888  George   W.    Seip Jefferson,  1863 

1897  Adam  Schoener,  D Pa.  College,  1840 

1899  Decatur  G.  Schoener,  D Pa.  College,  1853 

1902  Frederick    Spang,    D Jefferson,  1860 

1896  Charles  J.  Schulze,  D Germany  (1848),  1853 

1885  Erastus  R.  Scholl,  D Pa.  College,  1856 

1893  Aaron    Smith,    D N.   Y.    Med.,  1854 

1896  Thomas  A.   Strasser U.  of   Pa.,  1867 

1903  S.  W.  Sine U.  of  Pa.,  1871 

1848  Ann   Jane    Schulze 1863 

1861  John   Stolze,    D Phila.    Eclectic,  1865 

1871  Walker  R.  Stephen,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1872 

1868  L  N.  E.  Shoemaker,  D 1870 

1875  John   Schoenfeld,   D ; 1861 

1878  Stanley    Smith Jefferson,  1868 

1879  John  K.  Seaman N.  Y.  Bellevue,  1869 

1869  Albert    Simon,    D 1870 

1853  Rudolph    B.    Schulze Jefferson,  1883 

1891  Albert    W.    Sovereen Ontario,  1870 

1899  Mary  A.  Swayze,  R Pa.  Woman's,  1873 

1899  Horace   E.    Schlemm Jefferson,  1886 

1899  John   M.    Stephen Jefferson,  1887 

1908  Eliza  A.  Shetter,  R Pa.  Woman's,  1886 

1810  [acob  W.  Seip Jefferson,  1883 

1865  ira   G    Shoemaker Phila.    Med.-Chi.,  1891 

1866  George  R.   Shenk .".Jefferson,  1889 

1883  William  Seaman U.  of  Pa.,  1892 

1896  John     Shartle Jefferson,  1893 

1897  Edwin  D.   Schaeffer Baltimore,  1893 

1898  Seymour   T.    Schmehl Jefferson,  1891 

1900  Harry  D.   Stryker U.   of  Pa.,  1893 

1868  Mary  McD.  Shick Pa.  Woman's,  1895 

1840  Alvah   A.    Swayze Baltimore,  1897 

1852  Christopher  Shearer U.  of  Pa.,  1897 

1861  Albert   N.   Seidel Baltimore,  1901 

1848  Edwin    Y.    Seyler Baltimore,  1903 

1871  Amos  B.  Schnader,  R Jefferson,  1903 

1879  Wayne  L.  Schearer U.  of  Pa.,  1904 

1885  Charles  K.  Seidel Baltimore,  1904 

1903  Sidney  J.  Sondheim U.  of  Pa.,  1907 

1908  Walter    H.    Scheehl Med.-Chi.,  1907 

1857  Henry   Tyson,    D Pa.    College,  1843 

1885  L.  H.  Thompson,  D .' Jefferson,  1853 

1735  Oan   J.    Thompson Jefferson,  1895 

Louis   L.   Thompson Jefferson,  1896 

1808  Samuel   B.   Taylor Jefferson,  1895 

1902  Daniel   A.   Ulrich,   D Jefferson,  1841 

1904  Alexander  H.  Witman,  D U.  of  Pa., 

1768  Harrison    T.    Witman Jefferson,  1861 

1865  Edward  Wallace,  R U.  of  Pa., 

1878  W.  Murray  Weidman,  D U.  of  Fa.,  1860 

1886  M.  LeRoy  Wenger,  D ' N.  Y.  Bellevue,  1874 

1887  Gershom  Wenger U.  of  Pa.,  1881 

1887  W.  W.   A.   Wulfingh,   D Amsterdam,  1876 

1852  Albert   P.   Walter Baltimore,  1884 

1863  Levi  F.  Wagner Phila.  Med.-Chi.,  1890 

1868  Victor   W.   Wickert Jefferson,  1891 

1863  William  S.  Wray,  R U.  of  Pa.,  1896 

1864  A.  Wildberger r. .  .U.  of  Pa.,  1892 

1892  Abraham   K.   Wanner Jefferson,  1898 

1893  LeRoy  J.  C.  Wenger N.  Y.  Univ.,  1903 

1867  William  C.  Werts,  R Baltimore,  1904 

1894  John  G  Wilson,  R Phila.  Med.-Chi..  1904 


100 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Raymond    K.    Weber Jefferson,  1905 

Jesse  Levan  Wagner U.  of  Pa.,  1907 

Harry   H.   Wanner Jefferson,  1907 

Rex  S.  K.  Wood U.  of  Mich,  and  Jeff.,  1907 

Abel  E.  West Leonard  Coll.,  N.  C,  190S 

C.    K.    Young Baltimore,  1879 

BOROUGHS 

Enoch   Bricker,    Bernville,    D 

William   S.   Bieber,   Kutztown 

Wellington    G.    Byerle,    Bernville Jefferson,  1853 

John  A.   Brobst,  Bernville U.  of  Pa.,  1S67 

Edward  Brobst,  West  Leesport,  D Pa.  College,  1853 

Martin  L.  Bertolette,  Mt.   Penn U.  of   Pa.,  1878 

John  S.  Bowman,  Boyertown U.  of  Pa.,  1878 

Benjamin  F.  Bunn,  Birdsboro,  D Jefferson,  18-16 

Henry   B.    Brusstar,    Birdsboro,    R Jefferson,  1873 

John  S.  Borneman,  Boyertown U.  of  Pa.,  1878 

Daniel  Deppen,  Bernville,  D 

James   Donagan,    Kutztown 

Darius  D.  Deppen,  Bernville,  D Pa.   College,  1853 

Darius  W.  Dundor,  Womelsdorf U.  of  Pa.,  1881 

Frank   P.   Dundor,   West   Leesport Jefferson,  1870 

Charles    B.    Dotterer,    Boyertown Med. -Chi.,  1907 

C.  F.  DeLong.   Bechtelsvi'lle.  D N.  Y.  Univ.,  1888 

N.  Z.   Dunkelberger,   Kutztown Phila.   Med.-Chi.,  1890 

George   N.   Eckert,   Womelsdorf,   D 1824 

L.  K.  Francis,  Boyertown U.  of  Pa.,  1871 

A.  M.  Fretz,  Fleetwood U.  of  Pa.,  1803 

A.   P.  Fogleman,  Womelsdorf U.   of   Pa.,  1884 

George  W.  Fahrenbach,  Bernville Baltimore,  1900 

William  Gries,  Womelsdorf,  D ■ U.  of  Pa.,  1823 

Charles  A.  Gerasch,  Kutztown,  D Germany 

Alexander  S.   Gillars,   Birdsboro Jefferson,  1888 

Oscar  T.  Gehris,  Fleetwood Boston  Univ.,  1898 

Reuben    Haines,    Kutztown 

W.   H.   J.   Henkey,   Boyertown Jefferson,  1879 

Edward  Hottenstein,   Kutztown Jefferson,  1853 

Edward  L.  Hottenstein,  Kutztown Jefferson,  1886 

A.  C.  L.   Hottenstein,   Kutztown Jefferson,  1871 

William  Harris,  Hamburg,  D Jefferson,  1869 

William  J.  Hottenstein,  Kutztown Jefferson,  1889 

Eugene  T.  Hancock,  Boyertown,  R Jefferson,  1891 

A.  S.  C.  Herman,  Topton '.U.  of  Pa.,  1881 

M.  A.  Hengst,  Birdsboro,  D Jefferson,  1878 

Charles   A.  Hottenstein,  Kutztown Jefferson,  1895 

Aaron   E.   Hain,   Birdsboro U.   of   South,  1895 

James  A.  Harris,  Hamburg Jefferson,  1896 

Milton  E.  Hartman,  Fleetwood Jefferson,  1902 

E.  K.  Hottenstein,   Kutztown Jefferson,  1883 

George   Hetrick,    Birdsboro Jefferson,  1885 

Henry  W.  Johnson,  Boyertown,  D Jefferson,  1841 

Frederick  S.  Kaufman,  Kutztown U.of  Pa.,  1891 

Isaac  L   Kalbach,    Centreport Jefferson,  1893 

Oscar  F,   Kunkel,   Lenhartsville Jefferson,  1903 

James  C.  Livingood,  Womelsdorf,  D 1841 

Louis  Livingood,  Womelsdorf,   D Jefferson,  1854 

John  Lesher,  Womelsdorf 

John    Livingood,    Womelsdorf,    D 

Horace  F.  Livingood,  Womelsdorf Jefferson,  1882 

Charles  E.  Lerch.  Womelsdorf Jefferson,  1905 

George   H.   Landis,    Birdsboro,   D 1859 

Caleb  Liggett,  Birdsboro,  D 

James   Lincoln,   Birdsboro.   D Jefferson,  1878 

Frank  P.  Lytle,  Birdsboro Pa.  W.  Univ.,  1894 

Rufus  E.  LeFevre,  Boyertown,  R Jefferson,  1900 

William  Moore,  Womelsdorf,  D N.  Y.  Univ.,  1836 

Joseph   E.   Miller,   Kutztown Jefferson,  1886 

Joseph  F.  Merkel,  Boyertown,  R U.  of  Pa.,  1894 

James  G.  Matterness,  Centreport Jefferson,  1897 

Ira   K.    Moser,    Birdsboro,   D Jefferson,  1880 

William   J.    Martin,    Hamburg Jefferson,  1881 

Franklin  V.  Nyce,  Hamburg,  D Jefferson,  1851 

Franklin   M.   Nyce,   Hamburg Jefferson,  1870 

Benjamin  Nyce,  Hamburg,  D Jefferson,  1878 

Henry  G.  Nyce,  Hamburg Jefferson,  1883 


Howard  Y.  Neyman,  Boyertown,  R Jefferson,  1879 

Jonathan   B.   Potteiger,   Hamburg Jefferson,  1859 

Walker   S.   Phillips,   Womelsdorf :  . .   1869 

George  F.   Potteiger,  Hamburg Jefferson,  1890 

George  H.  Pflueger,  Topton Baltimore,  1908 

Thomas  J.  B.  Rhoads,  Boyertown Baltimore,  1801 

Pius  Rothermel,  Birdsboro U.  of  Pa.,  1889 

Reuben  B.  Rhoads,   Boyertown Jefferson,  1857 

Clarence  C.   Rether,   Centreport Jefferson,  1884 

Lewis   P.    Rothermel,   Lenhartsville Med.-Chi.,  1908 

Christian  L.  Schlemm.  Kutztown,  D,  Gottingen  Univ.,  1798 

F,    L.    Sallade,    Womelsdorf Jefferson,  1876 

John   H.    Spatz,    Centreport Pa.    College,  1848 

Samuel  B.  Swavely,  Birdsboro,  R Jefferson,  1877 

Henry   H.    Suavely,    Bernville 1878 

Frank  R.  Sallade,  Womelsdorf Jefferson,  1893 

Adam  F.  M.   Stump,  Fleetwood. ..  .Phila.   Med.-Chi.,  1903 

Charles  C.  Stauffer,  Boyertown,  R U.  of  Pa.,  1903 

Henry  M.   Saul,  Kutztown Baltimore,  1894 

Charles  E.  Schlappig,  Bernville Baltimore,  1908 

Jeremiah  S.  Trexler,  Kutztown,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1853 

Samuel  M.  Todd,  Boyertown,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1865 

W.  D.   Trexler,   Topton N.   Y.   Bellevue,  1866 

John  H.  Todd,  Boyertown,  R U.  of  Pa.,  1893 

Charles  H.  Wanner,  Kutztown  D 

William   Woods,    Womelsdorf,    D 

Cvrus  Wanner,  Kutztown.  D 1875 

John  R.  Wagner,  Hamburg N.  Y.  Bellevue,  1886 

Charles  D.  Werley,  Topton Jefferson,  1889 

Samuel  E.  Wertman,  Bechtelsville,  R Jefferson,  1889 

William   S.   Wolfe,    Fleetwood Jefferson,  1897 

George  White,  Womelsdorf ...  .Ky.   School  of   Med.,  1905 
George  W.  Ziegler,  Lenhartsville,. .  .Ky.  Sch.  of  Med.,  1887 

MANATAWNY  SECTION 

Charles    Baum,    Exeter,    D 

Wm.    J.    C.    Baum,    Amity,    D 

John    C.    Baum,    Amity,    D 

Peter  G.  Bertolet,  Oley,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1845 

Oswin  W.  Berky,  Washington Phila.   ]\Ied.-Chi.,  1901 

Walter   M.   Bertolet,   Oley Jefferson,  1902 

Frank  R.  Brunner,   Eshbach,  D Jefferson,  1861 

Daniel  W.  Bortz,  Esterly Baltimore,  1885 

Calvin  K.  Christman,  Bally,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1869 

Monroe    F.    Clouser,    Oley Med.-Chi.,  1908 

George  de  Benneville,  Oley,  D France,  1745 

Mark  Darrah,  Amity,  D 

George  S.  Engler,  Temple,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1863 

J.  Wilson  Eckert,  Temple Jefferson,  1894 

Ephraim  H.  Egolf,  Amityville Jefferson,  1884 

Amandus   N.   Fegley,    Spangsville Jefferson,  1870 

M.  O.  Greenewald.   Shanesville,  D U.  of   Pa.,  1S73 

Alfred    O.    Gery,    Herefordville Jefferson,  1893 

John  C.  Hersh,  Herefordville U.  of  Pa.,  1876 

Charles  H.  Hartline,  Friedensburg Jefferson,  1892 

William   Herbst,    Pikeville,   D Jefferson,  1825 

George   E.   M.   Herbst,   Oley Jefferson,  1878 

William  F.  Hertzog,  New  Jerusalem;  L.  Island  Col.,  1880 

J.  A.  Hatsfield,  Oley,  R U.  of  Pa.,  1862 

Roswell  F.  Herman,  Douglassville U.  of   Pa.,  1870 

Warren  E.  G.  High,  Esterly,  R U.  of  Pa.,  1891 

John  A.  Jack,  Oley,  D U.  of   Pa.,  1862 

Augustus  Knoske,  District,  D 

Paul  Kreye,  Oley,  D 1871 

Elias   Kitchen,   Amity,   D Vermont   College,  1850' 

Andrian   Loewen,   Friedensburg,   D Prussia,  1825 

Jacob   S.   Ludwig,   Amityville,  R.... Phila.   Med.-Chi.!  1903 

Ralph  Y.  Lechner,  Hereford Jefferson,  1890 

James    May,    Amity,    D 

Daniel    McLean,    Amity Jefferson,  1873 

Michael  Ludwig,  Amity,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1815 

Elam  B.  Mauger,  Douglass,  R Jefferson,  1875 

Jacob   Plank,   Oley,   D Switzerland,  1700 

Milton  W.  Phillips,  Eshbach Med.-Chi.,  190S 

Jacob  Rothrock,  Ruscombmanor,  D 

John  A.  Roth,  Siesholtzville,  R U.  of  Pa.,  1875 


■MEDICAL     PROFESSION.  101 

Joel  Y.  Schelley,  Hereford,  D Stephen  W.  Seyman,  Wernersville. .  Phila.  Med.-Chi.,  1899 

William  S.  Schantz,  Huff's  Church U.  of  Pa.,  18S8  H.  Forsythe  Stapp,  Bethel Bait.  Umv.,  1907 

Jacob  A.  Trexler,  Pikeville,.  R Jefferson,  1901  Michael  Tryon,  Rehrersburg,  D 

Charles  Weber,  Pricetown,  D Germany,  1848  Jacob   Tryon,   Rehrersburg,    D 1821 

Isaac  B.  Yeakel,  Bally U.  of  Pa.,  1866  John  S.  Tryon,  Rehrersburg,  D. ...U.   of  Pa.,  1857 

John  A.  Tenny,  WernersVille,  D..  Hygeo-Therap,  N.  Y.,  1868 

ONTELAUNEE    SECTION  Reuben   I.   W/enrich,   Wernersville U.   of    Pa.,  1864 

Wilson  D.  DeLong,  Blandon Vermont  Univ.,  1883  E.  C  L.  Walter,  Walter's  Park,  Hygeo-Ther?p   N.  Y.,  1876 

Milton  H.  Fritch.  VirginviUe Jefferson,  1871  ^?^<i^sWa'er^  Walter's  Park. ...    .Pa.  Woman  s,  1898 

Nicholas  K.  Fisher,   ShoemakersviUe Jefferson   1883  J°hn  H.  Wahl,  H.ester's  Mills  Indiana  College,  1888 

W.  E.  Hunsberger,  Maiden-creek Jefferson.  1864  '  ?T'S=.  ^W^^  •  TNa?^'         Tl      "^  vV' of   P.'  iQOfi 

Aj         TtTt.ii'i.  -crir.  John  A.  Wcnnch,   Wernersville U.   ot    ra.,  190b 

Adam   J.   Heberly,   Kempton .      . .  . .  1870  '^.^^.^^  ^    y^^^'^^  Strausstown Jefferson,  1893 

Ji",^;?  ^-  Huff,  Kempton  Vermont  Univ.,  1885  j^^^^^  ^^ina  Wheeler,  Wernersville. Women's  Med.  Col.,  1907 

William  F.  Howerter,   Kempton Phila.  Med.-Chi.,  1903  ' 

Henry  H.  Herb,   Mertztown Phila.  Med.-Chi.,  1904  SCHUYLKILL   SECTION 

William  H.  Hunsberger, 'Maiden-creek Jefferson,  1893  Eugene  R.  DeLong,  Geiger's   Mills Jefferson,  1891 

Morris  H.  Koch,  Lyons N.  Y.  Bellevue,  1880  Tobias  S.  Gerhard,  Beckersville U.  of  Pa.,  1864 

Jesse  G.  Kistler,  Albany Baltimore,  1888  F.   R.  Gerhard,  Union U.   of   Pa.,  1869 

M.  S.  Long,  Longswamp,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1863  Isaac  Halterman,   Beckersville 1848 

John  A.  Long,  Longswamp Baltimore,  1893  Martin  L.  Huyett,  Shillington Pa.  W.  Univ.,  1900 

Howard  A.  Long,  Longswamp Baltimore,  1893  D.  W.  B.  Kupp,  Gibraltar - U.  of  Pa.,  1883 

Howard   U.   Miller,   Leesport Med.-Chi.,  1908  Daniel  W.  Martin,  Morgantown Jefferson,  1907 

Milton  S.  Richards,  Maxatawny,  D Jefferson,  1867  D.  Heber  Plank,  Morgantown,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1867 

John  D.  Rupp,  Richmond N.  Y.  Bellevue  Hosp.,  1877  Henry  Palm-,  Geigertown Pa.   College,  1850 

H.  W.  Swenk,  Krumsville N.  Y.  Bellevue,  1881  Jonathan    Pounder,    Morgantown,    D 1830 

Wilson   M.    Snyder,   Mohrsville Baltimore,  1883  Herbert   L.   Quickel Med.-Chi.,  1909 

Henry    M.    Schall,    ShoemakersviUe Jefferson,  1887  Conrad   S.  Reber,  West  Reading Jefferson,  1903 

James    Smith,    Maxatawny Jefferson,  1895  William    Rollman,    Geigertown Jefferson,  1857 

I.    M.    ShoUenberger,    Lyons Baltimore,  1901  John  Vaughan  Smith,  Joanna,  D U.  of   Pa.,  1829 

Owen  H.  Wily,  Berkley,  D Jefferson,  1831  J.   Howard   Smith,  Joanna,   D U.   of    Pa.,  1838 

Penrose  Wily,  Leesport,  D Jefferson,  1850  James  Y.  Shearer,  Sinking  Spring Jefferson,  1862 

James  F.  Wertz,  Longswamp,  D Pa.  College,  1861  R.    S.    Schweitzer,    Shillington Baltimore,  1881 

Peter  W.  Wertz,  Longswamp,  D U.  >  of  Pa.,  1864  John  Schnader,  Brecknock 1864 

Bartholomew   Yeager.   Lyons,   D Germany,  1848  W.  B.  Schoener,  Mohnsville U.  of  Pa.,  18182 

Allison  A.  Stamm,  Mohnsville Vermont  Univ.,  1883 

TULPEHOCKEN    SECTION  Frank  W.  Wiley,  Mohnsville Jefferson,  1887 

Thomas  M.  Angstadt,  Strausstown, Jefferson,  1890  William   S.   Yoder,   Morgantown Phila.  Med. -Chi.,  1898 

William  S.   Buehler,  Wernersville Jefferson,  1889  Joseph  A.  Zook U.  of   Pa.,  1909 

Thomas  G.  Binkley,  Sinking  Spring Jefferson,  1888  

John  M.  Brause,  Shartlesville Jefferson,  1873 

George  A.  Bickel,  Rehrersburg,  D Jefferson,  1878  HOMOEOPATHY 

Levi  G   Batdorff   Mt.  Aetna,  D Pa   College,  1856        The  practice  of  the  Homoeopathic  school  of  med- 

Henry  Batdorff,  Millersburg,  D U.  of  Pa.,  1876  •   •  ^       i     4.  j     j.  t)   „j-        ■      -lo/in    u  /- 

M.  D   M.  Batdirff,  Millersburg,  D U.  of  Pa.!  1867  icmewas  Started  at  Reading  in  1840,  by  a  German 

Daniel  B.  Brobst,  Stouchsburg Jefferson,  1882  physician  of  distinction,  named  Adolph  Lippe.     He 

Henry  L.   Bollman,   Robesonia Jefferson,  1884  practised  here  two  years,  then  removed  to  Carlisle. 

John  A-  Conrad,  Robesonia  . .  .Long  Island  Hospital   1867        jyj.  John  Henry  Behne  was  a  graduated  allopathic  ' 

jlmes^W^D^Sw^rn^^^^^^^^^^^^^  Physifn  from  Wuerzbnrg,  in  Bavaria,  and  emi- 

Jacob  H.  Drawbaugh,  Robesonia Baltimore,  1886  grated  to  Pennsylvania  in  1840,  when  forty  years 

Thomas  C.  Fanning,  Walter's  Park,  R...N.  Y.  Univ.,  1861  old,  locating  at  Reading.     He  became  intimate  with 

John  W.  Frankhouser   Shartlesville,. Phila.  Med.-Chi.,  1889  Dr.'  Lippe  and  through  him  was  converted  to  the 

Cranio  w'-G!y:''M^.'iTniV.V.-.V.VPhila.-Med°.-CH;;  ^898  P-<^tice  of  homoeopathy.  _  He  was  a  man  of  fine 

David  H.  Hain,  Wernersville  Jefferson,  1881  hterary  culture  and  superior  character  and  had  a 

Charles  F.  Hertzog,  Mt.  Aetna Phila.  Med.-Chi.,  1889  large  and  lucrative  practice.     He  died  at  Reading 

John  H.  Home,  Schaefferstown Jefferson,  1891  in  1876. 

Leonard  G.  Hain,  Wernersville Jefferson,  1893         t>_     n^„^„„   -d     cj.„-i,„      /   c    -mt  ■      \        ii.i    j 

•ChristianN.  Hoffman,  Sinking  Spring,  D...  Jefferson;  1863  ^^l:    ^^?'^§^,^f-    Starkey    (of    Maine)    settled    at 

J.  S.  Herbein,  Sinking  Spring,  D Jefferson,  1865  Reading   in    1855    and   practised   homoeopathy    for 

Isaac  S.  Herbein,  Strausstown,  D Jefferson,  1865  several   years   and  then   removed   to   Philadelphia. 

Oscar  B    Herbein    Strausstown. .   ■  J?*'^?"?"'  I^!^^  He  was  followed  by  Dr.  R.  Sargent,  who  also  prac- 

Samuel  S.  Hill,  Wernersville  Asylum.. Pa.  W.  Univ.,  1894  j.-  „j   f„,  „    r„       ,„„_„.  „„  1   j.t-        t-i      t>       ■        ■      t. 

■T.  B.  Hossler,  Upper  Bern,  D.... ..1865  ^'^^'^  ^^^^  ^   ^  •  "^  7„?o  '  '  f""^  ^^i^  ^''-  .Benjamm  R. 

Warren  F.  Klein,  Strausstown Jefferson,  1887  -oratt  began  in  1858,  who  continued  in  active  and 

Alden  B.  MacDonald,  Wernersville,  R Jefferson,  1906  successful  practice  until  his  decease  in  1873      By 

Isaac  W.  Newcomet,  Stouchsburg. Pa.  W.  Univ.,  1867  that  time,  homoeopathy  had  become  thoroughly  es- 

James  S.  Preston,  L.  Heidelberg.  Hygeo-Therap,  N.  Y.,  1873  i.^u:;^v,oA     r,„A   ;*.  £„„   t=  •  j  r  n 

kbert  P.  Preston,   L.  Heidelberg.    Jefferson!  1883  tab  ished,   and   it  has   been  carried   on   successfully 

Mary  Preston,  L.  Heidelberg Pa.  Woman's,  1884  and  prominently  untd  now  by  a  number  of  physi- 

Abram  Ruth,  Fritztown,  D Pa.  College,  1841  cians. 

■W    F.  Ross,  Wernersville,  R.     Baltimore,  1881        Rey.  John  Helfrich  became  the  first  homoeopathic 

Adam  Schoener,  Rehrersburg,  D U.  of  Pa..  1820       u     ■   ■        ■     ^u  ^        j-  ^  ■  ,      1    ■    /^"  "^^"t""-"»^ 

■C.  B.  Strohm,  Shartlesville,  D 1834  Physician  in  the  country  districts,  having  graduated 

Adam  J.  Schoener,  Rehrersburg,  D Pa.  Coilege,  1860  in    1835    at   Allentown   and   afterward    settled   at 

J.  M.  Strohm,  Shartlesville N.  Y.  Univ.,  1881  Kutztown.    He  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Dr.  John 


103 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Henry  Helfrich,  who  practised  at  Kutztown  from 
1866  to  1877  and  then  removed  to  Allentown. 

Dr.  F.  R.  Krebs  practised  at  Hamburg  from  1857 
to  1894,  when  he  removed  to  Reading;  and  he  was 
succeeded  by  Dr.  Frederick  Isett,  and  Dr.  Joseph 
Hatzfield,  who  had  been  students  under  him. 

The  Hahnemann  Medical  Society  of  Reading 
was  organized  in  1882,  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Samuel 
R.  Rittenhouse,  at  No.  38  South  Fourth  street,  by 
eight  homoeopathic  physicians  of  Reading,  and  it 
had  an  active  existence  for  about  ten  years. 

The  Homoeopathic  Practitioners  Association 
OF  Reading  was  organized  in  1896  and  it  has  come 
to  be  the  representative  society  of  the  homoeopathic 
school  of  medicine  in  this  vicinity.  The  meetings 
are  held  monthly  for  the  discussion  of  scientific 
papers ;  and  the  July  or  midsummer  meeting  is  held 
at  one  of  the  mountain  resorts  near  the  city.  The 
midsummer  meeting  is  also  attended  by  members 
of  the  homoeopathic  county  societies  of  eastern 
Pennsylvania. 

The  following  named  homoeopathic  physicians 
constitute  its  membership : 


W.  F.   Marks 

D.  C.  Kline 

H.  F.  Schantz 

Margaret  Hassler  Schantz 

C.  R.  Haman 

F.  W.  Seidel 

C.  M.  Richards 


M.  L.  Miller 

F.  E.  Howell 
J.  E.  Harner 

G.  I.  Keen 
W.  A.  Haman 

E.  M.   Deacon. 

F.  F.   Massey 


Homoeopathic  Medical  and  Surgical  Hospi- 
tal OF  Reading. — During  the  summer  of  1888,  Dr. 
E.  R.  Scholl  invited  the  homoeopathic  physicians 
of  Reading  to  assemble  at  his  office,  No.  517  Wal- 
nut street,  to  organize  a  Homoeopathic  Dispensary 
Association,  and  an  organization  was  then  effected 
by  the  election  of  Dr.  Scholl  as  president  and  Dr. 
D.  C.  Kline  as  secretary.  They  proceeded  immedi- 
ately to  open  a  dispensary  at  the  corner  of  Franklin 
and  Plum  streets,  and  rendered  much  needed  serv- 
ice to  the  poor  of  the  city.  Upon  being  incorpor- 
ated in  1891,  a  board  of  trustees  was  organized  and 
the  present  property  on  North  Sixth  street,  beyond 
Washington,  was  purchased  through  the  generosity 
of  friends  and  the  public;  and  the  trustees  were 
enabled  to  open  the  hospital  in  July,  1891. 

Many  ladies  became  interested  in  its  welfare  and 
they  organized  a  "Ladies  Auxiliary,"  which  rend- 
ered valuable  service  in  the  maintenance  of  the 
hospital.  Later  a  "Young  Ladies  Auxiliary"  was 
organized  "  to  supply  flowers,  delicacies  and  luxur- 
ies" to  patients,  and  they  raised  funds  at  various 
times  for  the  renovation  of  parts  of  the  hospital, 
and  the  purchase  of  instruments  and  supplies. 

A  training  school  for  nurses  has  been  conducted 
in  the  hospital  from  the  beginning,  proving  of  great 
benefit  to  the  hospital  in  addition  to  the  training  of 
young  women  as  nurses,  in  the  community. 

From  time  to  time  various  improvements  were 
made  to  the  building,  fitting  it  more  thoroughly  for 
a  hospital,  until  in  1905  the  demand  for  rooms  be- 


came so  great  that  a  new  building  was  erected  in 
the  rear  of  the  main  building,  increasing  the  capa- 
city to  seventy-five  beds  in  public  and  private  wards 
and  private  rooms,  and  giving  the  city  a  modern 
and  up-to-date  hospital  under  homoeopathic  man- 
agement. 

The  staff  of  the  hospital  is  selected  from  the 
members  of  the  "Homoeopathic  Hospital  and  Dis- 
pensary Association,"  and  while  varying  somewhat 
from  time  to  time  the  following  physicians  consti- 
tuted the  staff  for  ]  909 :  W.  F.  Marks,  S.  L.  Dreib- 
elbis,  L.  A.  Shollenberger,  D.  C.  Kline,  H.  F. 
Schantz,  C.  R.  Haman,  M.  Hassler  Schantz,  L.  M. 
Richards,  F.  E.  Howell,  and  W.  A.  Haman. 

Homoeopathic  Practitioners. — The  names  of 
the  homoeopathic  physicians  are  presented  also  in 
alphabetical  order  for  the  entire  county  on  accotmt 
of  the  limited  number  in  the  districts  out  of 
Reading. 

H.   M.   Allen.   Reading Phila.    Med.-Chi.,  1894 

George  W.  Crock,  Reading Hahnemann,  188J> 

Samuel    L.    Dreibelbis,    Reading Hahnemann,  1861 

D.    Frank    Dreibelbis,    Reading,    R Hahnemann,  1890 

Edward    M.    Deacon.    Birdsboro Hahnemann,  1894 

C.  A.  F.  Detweiler,  Reading Med.-Chi.,  1888 

Solomon   L.    Dreibelbis,   Reading Hahnemann,  1907 

John    Ege,    Reading Hahnemann,  1883 

David  W.  Ensinger,  Mt.  Aetna Hahnemann,  1902 

J.  G.  Grosscup,  Reading,  D Hahnemann,  1873 

Paul   H.   Gerhardt,   Reading Hahnemann,  1908 

William  A.  Haman,  Reading Hahnemann,  1883 

Frederick    E.     Howell,    Reading Hahnemann,  1900 

Charles    R.    Haman,    Reading Hahnemann,  1891 

George  W.  Heck,  Reading Hahnemann,  1907 

Charles  T.  Haines,  Sinking  Spring Hahnemann,  190S 

Joseph  F.^  Isett,  Hamburg Hahnemann,  1876 

John  C.  Knauer,  Reading 

Col.  of  Phys.  &  Surg.,  Baltimore,  1886 

Chester   B.   Jennings,    Reading Hahnemann,  1881 

L.  J.  Knerr,  Reading,   R Hahnemann,  1880 

D.  C.   Kline,   Reading Hahnemann,  1883 

Calvin  L.  Klopp,  Stouchsburg,  D Hahnemann,  1S87 

George   I.   Keen,   Reading Hahnemann,  189* 

Henry  R.  Klopp,  Reading,  R Hahnemann,  1894 

Egbert  Leroy  Klock,  Reading Hahnemann,  1905 

Frank    H.    Lawrence,    Reading Hahnemann,  1906 

Franklin   F.    Massey,    Womelsdorf Hahnemann,  1903 

A.  S.  McDowell,  Reading Hahnemann,  1896 

William   F.    Marks,   Reading Hahnemann,  1869 

Alvm  I.  Miller,  Reading,  R Hahnemann,  1873 

Martin   L.   Miller.    Mohnsville Hahnemann,  1898 

William  E.  IMorgan,  Reading.  R Hahnemann,  1900 

Theodore  Pachali,  Reading  

^led.  Dept.  U.  of  Kiel,  Germany,  1869 

Isadore  L.  Peters,  Kutztown Hahnemann,  1888 

John  S.  M.  Pratt,  Reading,  R Hahnemann,  1903 

J.  S.  Rittenhouse,  Reading Hahnemann,  18S.5 

Charles   M.  Richards,  Reading Hahnemann,  1899 

J.  C.  Sanders,  Reafling N.  Y.  Homoeopathic,  1900 

Francis  R.  Schnnicker,  Reading  D 

„   „     •  ■, , ■  • N.  Y.  Homoeopathic,  1873 

E.  Z.  Schmucker,  Reading,  D Hahnemann,  1870 

T  ■    V  ■  ?*f  Hf''  ,I"^"tztown Hahnemann,  1884 

T  -%■  Schollenberger,  Reading Hahnemann,  1884 

A.  Cecil   Stewart,  Ridgewood,  R 

,.         ■•■;■;-■,■■■; N.  Y.  Homeopathic,  1887 

Horace  J.  Shmkle,  Reading,  R Hahnemann,  ISSO 

Henry  F    Schantz,   Reading Hahnemann,  1891 

Frank  W.  Seidel,  Reading Hahnemann.  1S94 

M.  Hassler  Schantz,  Reading 

Cleveland  Homo.  Med.   Col.,  1892' 


MEDICAL     PROFESSION 


103 


F.  W.  Sunandy,  Hyde  Park Hahnemann,  1897 

William  L.  Vaughn,  Stouchsburg Hahnemann,  189^ 

Paul  B.  Waldman,  Reading Hahnemann,  1884 

Robert  L.  Walter,  Walter's  Park ...Hahnemann,  1900 

Robert  Walter,  WaUer's  Park 

.Hygeo-Therapeutic,  N.  Y.,   1873.     Hahnemann,  1888 
Joseph   M.  Walborn,   Fleetwood Hahnemann,  1907 


OSTEOPATHY 

A  school  of  medical  science  whose  therapeutic 
system  constitutes  a  practice  of  treating  disease  in 
all  forms  without  the  aid  of  drugs  was  instituted 
in  1874  by  Dr.  A.  T.  Still,  of  Baldwin,  Kans.,  who 
is  known  as  the  founder  of  the  "School  of  Osteop- 
athy." 

The  first  college  was  started  in  1894  in  Kirksville, 
Mo.  Since  that  time  other  colleges  have  been  es- 
tablished in  the  principal  centers  of  the  United 
States,  and  there  are  now  osteopathic  practitioners 
in  all  the  large  cities  and  most  of  the  larger  towns 
in  the  country. 

The  practice  of  osteopathy  has  been  legally  ac- 
knowledged in  thirty  States;  and  in  many  States 
there  is  an  independent  examining  and  licensing 
board,  or  an  osteopathic  representative  on  the  State 
Board  of  Health. 

A  bill  was  laid  before  the  Legislature  of  Penn- 
sylvania at  the  session  of  1904  for  the  purpose  of 
legalizing  the  practice  in  Pennsylvania,  but  it  was 
not  passed.  It  was,  however,  recognized  in  1909, 
the  Act  regulating  the  practice  having  been  ap- 
proved March  9th. 

The  osteopaths  have  been  organized  into  State 
associations ;  also  one  national,  called  "The  Amer- 
ican Osteopathic  Association." 

Osteopathy  was  first  introduced  into  Reading  in 
February,  1899,  by  Dr.  Anna  C.  Towle,  but  owing 
to  ill  health  after  having  practiced  for  nearly  a 
year,  she  disposed  of  her  practice  to  Dr.  H.  H.  Wal- 
pole,  and  he  continued  it  until  1908,  when  he  left 
the  city.  Four  practitioners  -are  now  at  Reading, 
namely : 

Laura  De  Long 

H.  L.  Maxwell  and  his  wife 

H.  J.  Vastine 


DENTISTRY 

The  practice  of  dentistry  was  not  carried  on  as  a 
distinct  profession  in  Berks  county  until  about  1850. 
The  first  dental  college  was  established  at  Balti- 
more shortly  before  that  time,  and  the  next  was  at 
Philadelphia  in  1851.  Theretofore  regular  physi- 
cians extracted  teeth.  Previously  the  repair  of 
teeth  and  the  supply  of  false  teeth  were  rare,  con- 
fined almost  entirely  to  great  cities  and  indulged  in 
by  people  of  means. 

About  that  time  and  for  twenty  years  afterward 
the  persons  who  were  inclined  to  dentistry  would 
spend  several  months  with  a  recognized  dentist  and 
under  him  acquire  some  practical  experience,  then 
start  out  for  themselves.    The  first  graduated  dent- 


al surgeons  in  Berks  county  from  a  college  were 
Dr.  William  H.  Scholl  and  Dr.  John  W.  Clemson, 
both  of  Reading,  who  graduated  from  the  Penn- 
sylvania Dental  College  at  Philadelphia  in  1865. 
Dr.  Scholl  has  practised  his  profession  at  Reading 
ever  since,  but  Dr.  Clemson  never  practised  here, 
having  shortly  afterward  removed  to  Bordeaux, 
France,  and  there  carried  on  (until  now)  the  manu- 
facture of  dental  supplies. 

The  earliest  recognized  dentists  at  Reading  were 
John  Piper,  John  Arnold,  W.  K.  Breneizer,  T. 
Yardly  Brown,  and  Frank  Hickman,  the  last  two 
still  surviving  but  residing  out  of  the  county. 

In  1876,  an  Act  was  passed— on  April  17th— by 
the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  which  required 
dental  surgeons  who  practised  in  the  State  to  be 
graduates  of  a  reputable  institution  where  this  spe- 
cialty was  taught,  and  to  register  their  diplomas 
in  the  county  where  they  resided.  The  diplomas 
were  to  be  registered  within  three  months  after  the 
passage  of  the  Act.  But  the  Act  was  not  to  apply 
to  any  surgeon  who  had  practised  dentistry  for 
three  years  prior  to  its  passage.  The  following 
statement  shows  the  registered  practitioners  in  the 
county,  with  college  and  year  of  graduation. 
Where  no  college  is  given,  the  year  shows  the  time 
when  the  practitioner  started. 

The  Act  of  1876  established  a  State  Board  of  six 
examiners,  who  were  to  be  selected  by  the  State 
Dental  Society,  and  this  Board  was  to  approve  the 
diplomas  before  registration.  This  Act  was  amend- 
ed in  1897,  and  Dr.  C.  V.  Kratzer,  of  Reading,  was 
one  of  the  members  of  the  first  Board  under  this 
amended  Act,  having  been  appointed  by  the  Gov- 
ernor, but  he  served  only  several  months,  until  the 
the  appointment  of  a  new  Board  by  the  succeeding 
Governor  in  January,  1898. 

Dr.  Wilson  D.  Da  Long,  of  Reading,  was  ap- 
pointed as  one  of  the  State  examiners  in  September, 
1906,  for  the  term  of  three  years. 

The  thirty-fourth  annual  meeting  of  the  Lebanon 
Valley  Dental  Association  was  held  at  Reading,  in 
the  Masonic  Temple,  May  11,  1909. 

DENTAL  PRACTITIONERS 

Morris  R.  Adam,  Reading Pa.  University,  1903 

Charles   S.  Bertolet,   Reading Pa.  University,  1900' 

Abram  L.  Bower,   Boyertown Pa.   University,  1901 

Samuel  L.  Bower,   Boyertown Philadelphia,  1902- 

John  T.   Bair,   Reading Pa.  University,  1903' 

Joseph  H.  Borneman,  Boyertown,  D 1867 

Daniel  B.  Bower,  Boyertown 186T 

N.  S.  Borneman,  Boyertown,  D 1881 

Joel  B.  Bower,  Boyertown 1882 

Henry   W.   Bohn,   Reading Pa.   University,  

Daniel  L.  Bower,  Boyertown,  D Philadelphia,  1893 

Edward  W.  Bohn,  Reading Pa.  "University,  1897 

Ha;-ry  L.  Cleaver,   Reading Pa.  University,  1896 

Raymond  S.  De  Long,  Reading Pennsylvania,  1900 

George  F.  De  Long,  Reading Pa.  University,  1903 

Frank  L.    DeGour,   Reading Pennsylvania,  1870 

Arthur  B.  Davis,  Reading,  R Philadelphia,  1896 

Wilson  D.  DeLong,  Reading Pa.  University,  1897 

William   G.   Dusto,   Reading Medico-Chi.,  1906 

Charles  S.  Fry,  Reading 1872 

Charles  E.  Grim,  Reading Philadelphia,  1901 


104 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Milton  U.  Gerhard,  Reading Pa.  University,  1903 

Jacob  M.  Gartman,  Reading Pennsylvania,  1903 

Clarence  B.  Grim,  Reading U.  of  Pa.,  1907 

Walter  S.  Herr,  Reading Pennsylvania,  1897 

Abram  Herr,  Reading 1869 

H.  B.  Hamaker,  Womelsdorf 1867 

Kurtz   D.   Hill Pennsylvania,  1S84 

Glyndeur    Hickman,    Reading Philadelphia,  1886 

Ziba  Hickman,   Reading Philadelphia,  1888 

H.  J.  Hickey,   Reading,  R Baltimore,  1884 

Charles  A.  Hottenstein,  Kutztown Pennsylvania,  1892 

Edwin  E.   Howerter,   Reading Medico-Chi„  1903 

Raymond  L.  Hamaker,  Womelsdorf ..  Pa.  Dent.  Col.,  1908 

Abraham  B.  Johnson,  Kutztown 1880 

Harry  T.  Johnson,  Reading 1880 

Harvev  C.  Johnson,  Reading Philadelphia,  1889 

J.  F.  Kinsey,  Reading,  D 1864 

William  H.  Kalbach,  Hamburg 1863 

William   H.   Kilmer,   Reading Pennsylvania,  1878 

Henry  D.  Kurtz,  Reading,  R Baltimore,  1881 

C.  V.  Kratzer,  Reading Pennsylvania,  1897 

Frank    P.   Lewis,    Reading Baltimore,  1880 

George  M.   Maxwell,   Birdsboro Baltimore,  1898 

William  Meter,  Reading Phila.  Med.-Chi.,  1900 

Jonathan    B.   Miesse,    Reading Philadelphia,  1872 

Peter   S.   Mogel,   Reading Pa.   University,  1889 

George  S.  Rothermel,  Fleetwood Pa.  University,  1900 

J.   L.   Ritter,  Reading,  R 1873 

G.   H.   P.   Rabenhold,   Hamburg Pennsylvania,  1890 

Levi  H.      Reinhart.   Birdsboro,   D Philadelphia,  1894 

George   S.    Schlegel,    Reading Pa.   University,  1900 

Otto   J.    Specker,    Reading Pa.    University,  1903 

Mvron  B.   Shuman,   Reading Pa.   University,  1903 

U.  of  Pa.,  1905 

Eli   Slegel,   Reading,   D 1855  ■ 

William  PL  Scholl,  Reading Pennsylvania,  1865 

Joel  E.  Slegel,  Reading,  D Philadelphia,  1868 

Charles   R.    Scholl,   Reading Philadelphia,  1888 

Calvin  G.  Shomo,  Hamburg Pennsylvania,  1889 

Walter  R.  Slegel,  Reading Philadelphia,  1891 

Elton    Stimmel,    Reading Pennsylvania,  1893 

D.  Ambrose  Stein.  Reading,  R Pa.  University,  1894 

Samuel    E.    Slegel,    Reading Philadelphia,  1897 

John   F.    Schoenberger,    Reading Medico-Chi.,  1905 

George  Stimmel,   Kutztown Pa.   Dental  College,  1905 

Carlos  H.  Thimme,   Reading,   R Philadelphia,  1870 

Jacob   F.    Thomas,    Reading,    R 1882 

Elwood  Tate,  Reading ; Pennsylvania,  1891 

S.    Edmund   Tate,    Reading Pennsylvania,  1897 

Caleb  D.  Thomas.  Reading Pa.  Dental  College,  1906 

Herman  G.  Wotherspoon,  Reading U.  of  Pa.,  1907 

Kensie  N.  Yoder,  Wernersville Pa.   University,  1903 

WiUiam  L.  Yocum,  Reading,  R Philadelphia,  1891 

Levi    Zimmerman,    Bethel,    R Boston,  1877 


A'ETERINARY 
From  the  beginning  of  the  first  settlements  nntil 
the  year  1889,  the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery 
in  connection  with  domestic  animals  was  carried  on 
without  any  legal  restrictions.  Farmers  and  men 
of  experience,  who  had  become  faniihar,  through 
long  observation,  with  animal  sicknesses  and  dis- 
eases, prescribed  and  administered  the  necessary 
remedies,  and  in  every  section  of  the  county  there 
came  to  be  men  who  were  recognized  for  their  skill 
in  curing  domestic  animals  of  their  various  ail- 
ments. Then  (April  11th)  an  Act  of  Assembly 
was  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania 
which  related  to  the  practice  of  veterinary  medicine 
and  surgery,  and  every  practitioner  of  this  particu- 
lar branch  of  the  profession  was  obliged  to  be  a 
graduate  of  a   regularly  chartered  veterinary  col- 


lege, and  to  register  his  qualifications  in  the  pro- 
thonotary's  office  of  the  county  where  he  practised  ; 
but  all  those  who  had  practised  for  five  years  before 
were  allowed  to  register  by  filing  the  necessary 
affidavits,  within  six  months  after  the  passage  of 
the  Act.  This  legislation  was  brought  about  by 
the  efforts  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Veterinary 
Association,  which  had  been  organized  in  1883. 
The  first  president  was  James  W.  Sallade,  then  of 
Pottsville,  but  formerly  of  Berks  county.  In  1904 
and  1905  Dr.  Otto  G.  Noack,  of  Reading,  was  the 
president.  ]\Iembership  in  1909  was  two  hundred; 
from  Berks  county,  five. 

In  1895,  a  State  Board  of  Veterinary  Examiners 
was  established  by  an  Act  passed  on  May  16th,  and 
all  practitioners  after  that  date  not  theretofore  reg- 
istered were  obliged  to  secure  a  certificate  from 
this  State  Board,  which  had  to  be  filed  in  the  pro- 
thonotary's  office  of  the  county  where  the  practi- 
tioner resided ;  but  this  Act  was  amended  in  1905, 
which  authorized  the  secretary  of  State  to  issue  a 
license  on  the  Board's  certificate,  and  this  license 
qualified  the  practitioner  to  practise  anywhere  in 
the  State. 

This  Board  was  created  for  the  purpose  of  look- 
ing after  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  live  stock 
in  Pennsylvania.  In  1907,  Dr.  Noack  was  appoint- 
ed agent  for  the  entire  State.  Since  the  creation  of 
this  Board  over  four  hundred  cows  in  Berks  county 
have  been  killed  on  account  of  tuberculosis. 

In  1908  there  were  five  veterinary  surgeons  in 
Reading  and  thirty-four  in  Berks  county. 

The  following  .statement  shows  the  registered 
veterinarians  of  Berks  county,  with  college  and  year 
of  graduation.  Where  no  college  is  given,  an  "affi- 
davit was  filed  without  specifying  thetime  of  start- 
ing practice.  [D  after  name  "incHcates  deceased:  C. 
ceased  to  practice;  R,  removed  out  of  county.] 

Emanuel  Althouse,  Reading 

John  Albright.  Ontelaunee 

William  Appel,  Kutztown.  R Xe^v  York 

Joel  Biehl.  Moselem  Springs 

John   K.    Biehl.    Molltovv'n 

."".^"'s  S    Eorneman,   Boyertown.  ...■.■.■.■.'.'.'. ■.Ontario, 

William   B,   Blatt.   Centreport.   D 

Jonathan  Blatt,  Centre,  D ['] 

Christian    Baum.    Hamburg 

Daniel  L.  Badgenstos,  Strausstown 

Charles  W.  Brossman,  Womelsdorf.  ...         " "  Ontario' 

Samuel  K.  Biehl,  Reading,  C ....." .'  ^"^^"°' 

Ulysses  G.  Bieber.  Kutztown .'\merican  (NY) 

A.  F.   Baver,  Krumsville Chinc^n 

William  U.  Custer,  Reading,  D Pa.'  Vet  Assm: 

Owen  E.  Colhns,  Mt.  Pleasant    D 

Charles  0_  Collins,  West  LeesportV. '.'.■.■.■.■.■.'.  Ontario, 

Kilburn  H.   Cleaver.   Reading Ontario 

Benjamin  S.Clauser,  Upper  Tulpehocken...'.'        '       ' 

George  W.  DeHard,  Stonersville.  D  

James  B.  Dry,  Bowers,  D 

Samuel  DeW'ees,  Fleetwood,  D 

?7''^ .  ■^;.  Dreibelhis,   Greenwich. '. '. '. '. '. '. ". '. " " '  Ontario 

John  A.  Dorward,  Reading  C  Ontario, 

William  Deck,    Bethel ['.', 

James  Dubson,  Ruscombmanor 

George  W.  Dunlap,  Birdsboro,  R .".■;■.'. '. '. '  Ontario 

Martm  D.  DeTurk,  Olev Chica-o  Vet    Co  le^e" 

Daniel  H.  DeTurck,  Birdsboro.  .Chicago  Vet.  Colle|e; 


1889 
1889 
1889 
1889 
1889 
1882 
1889 
1889 
1889 
1889 
1891 
1891 
1892 
1904 
1885 
18S9 
1887 
1879 
1889 
1889 
1889 
1889 
1S85 
1889 
1889 
1891 
1893 
1908 
1908 


BERKS   COUNTY  PRISON    IN   PENN   COMMON 


STATE    ASYLUM    AT    WERNERSVILLE 


PUBLIC    CHARITIES 


105 


Reuben   Ebert,   Trexlers 1889 

Arthur  C.  Foos,  Reading,  R Ontario,  1887 

Elias    GrofF,    Jeflferson 1889 

William  D.  Gross,  Kutztown Ontario,  1885 

Henry  L.  Gilbert,  Colebrookdale 1889 

Samuel  Goldsmithj  Reading,  R 1889 

Charles  D.  Gruber,  Bernville Ontario,  1888 

Solomon  K.  Hoffman,  Hamburg,  C 1889 

Abraham  Henrich,  Colebrookdale 1889 

Benjamin  Y.  Heffner,  Richmond 1889 

Frederick  B.  Hassler,  Tilden 1889 

Walter  G.  Huyett,  Wernersville Chicago,  1899 

William  Jacoby,  Lenhartsville 1889 

Jacob  Kerchner,  Windsor  Castle _ 1889 

Peter   I.  Kershner,   Fleetwood Ontario,  1891 

Allen  Z.  Keelor,  Boyertown Ontario,  1891 

Elmer  G.  Kriebel,  Hereford 1892 

Daniel  R.  Kohler,  Boyertown Ontario,  1893 

John  Lutz,  Klopp's  Store;  D 1889 

Tobias  E.  Landis,  Npjiierlinville 1889 

Nathaniel  F.  Lutz.-Jefferson 1889 

Henry  R.  Lutz,  Jefferson,  D 1889 

David  B.  Levan,  Kutztown Chicago  Vet.  College,  1908 

Franklin  W.  Miller,  Gouglersville 1889 

Pierce  M.  Miller.  Gouglersville 1889 

Jared  Miller,  Jefferson 1889 

Henry   B.    Meyer,   Hereford 1889 

Emendon  Mogel,' Bernville 1889 

Henry  A.  Miller,  Ruscombmanor 1889 

William  H.  Moyer,  Womelsdorf,  R Ontario,  1891 


Rudolf  Mertz,  Reading,  R Ohio,  1894 

James  W.  McNeil,  Reading Boston,  1894 

John  P.  Miller,  Reading Pa.  University,  1899 

Adam  F.  Noll,  Reading 1889 

Otto  G.  Noack,  Reading Berlin  (Germany),  1890 

Walter  S.  Phillips,  Reading Pa.  Vet.  Assn.,  1886 

Samuel  M.  Petersheim,  Caernarvon 1889 

Charles  Phillips,  Womelsdorf,  D 1889 

John  M.  Richards,  Reading,  D 1889 

John  L.  Richards,  Yellow  House  (Birdsboro) 1889 

Amos  B.  Roberts,  Blandon,  D 1889 

Jonathan  Reber,  Hiester's  Mill 1889 

Owen  B.  Roberts,  Blandon ' 1889- 

Henry  K.  Rentschler,  Shartlesville 1889 

Robert  O.  Rothermel,  Reading Pa.  University,  1902 

John  H.  Shaffer,  Mt.  Aetna 1889 

William  H.  Seitzinger,  Wernersville 1889 

William   Schaeffer,  Jefferson 1889 

George  B.   Sebastian,  Rehrersburg 1889 

James   D.    Schaeffer,    Fleetwood 1889 

Jared  Spengler,  Penn,  D 1891 

Howard   L.   Stein,   Friedensburg,   D Ontario,  1893 

Albert  H.   Schmoyer,   Boyertown Chicago,  1903 

Nicholas    L.    Schaeffer,    Fleetwood Chicago,  1906 

Elias   Troutman,    Tulpehocken 1889 

Amos  G.  Weidenhammer,  Richmond 1889 

Kerby  D.  Werley,  Virginville Chicago,  1908 

Henry   S.   Yoder,    Pleasantville ; .   1889 

Edwin    C.    Yoder,    Kutztown Ontario,  1893 


CHAPTER  VII-PUBLIC  CHARITIES 


From  1824  to  1869,  all  matters  relating  to  the 
poor  inhabitants  of  Berks  county,  who  needed  pub- 
lic assistance,  were  referred  to  the  poor  directors 
of  the  county;  but  by  1869  the  institutions  of  a 
charitable,  reformatory  or  correctional  character  in 
the  State  had  assumed  such  proportions,  and  the 
number  of  inmates  had  become  so  large  that  the 
Legislature  passed  an  Act  of  Assembly,  establishing 
a  State  Board  of  Public  Charities  for  the  purpose 
of  inquiring  into  the  methods  of  instruction,  gov- 
ernment of  inmates,  conduct  of  managers,  condition 
of  buildings,  and  all  other  matters  pertaining  to 
their  usefulness  and  good  management. 

In  1874,  the  Act  of  1869  was  amended,  author- 
izing the  State  Board  to  appoint  three  or  more  per- 
sons in  any  county  to  act  as  visitors  of  the  poor- 
houses  and  other  institutions  in  such  county  as  an 
aid  to  the  State  Board ;  and  to  cause  the  removal 
of  insane  persons  in  the  county  almshouses  to  State 
Hospitals  for  proper  treatment.  The  State  Board 
appointed  Sydenham  E.  Ancona,  Charles  Breneiser 
and  George  D.  Stitzel  as  its  representatives  in  Berks 
county  and  they  have  served  (excepting  Stitzel, 
who  died  Dec.  13,  1905,  E.  R.  Gerber  being  ap- 
pointed in  his  place)  gratuitously  ever  since, 
visiting  the  several  institutions,  penal  and  chari- 
table, and  reporting  to  the  State  Board. 

A  large  three-story  brick  building  was  erected  on 
the  poor-house  property  from  1871  to  1874  for 
an  "Insane  Hospital"  and  the  indigent  insane  peo- 
ple of  the  county  have  been  cared  for  there,  unless 
removed  to  the  State  Hospital  at  Harrisburg. 


The  particulars  relating  to  the  poor-house  and 
the  prison  are  mentioned  in  connection  with  the 
county  buildings  in  Chapter  IV. 

STATE  INSTITUTIONS 
Wernersville  State  Asylum. — In  1891,  an  Act 
was  passed  for  the  establishment  of  an  Asylum  for 
the  Chronic  Insane  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in  this 
behalf,  a  commission  was  appointed  by  the  Governor 
to  select  a  site  and  erect  the  asylum.  After  exam- 
ining thirty-one  sites,  in  nineteen  counties  of  the 
State,  they  selected  a  site  in  Lower  Heidelberg 
township,  Berks  county,  a  short  distance  west  of 
Wernersville,  as  the  one  best  adapted  for  the  pur- 
pose designated.  Several  tracts  of  land,  embracing 
540  acres,  were  purchased,  and  a  superior,  com- 
modious building  was  erected  at  a  total  cost  of 
$500,000.  The  institution  was  dedicated  in  a  for- 
mal manner  on  Sept.  5,  1894,  with  the  Governor 
presiding  over  the  exercises.  Since  1905,  two  new 
buildings  have  been  erected :  an  infirmary  building, 
costing  $30,000,  and  a  building  costing  $35,000,  the 
first  floor  to  be  used  as  an  additional  dining-room, 
the  second  floor  as  a  sitting-room  for  women.  Until 
the  end  of  1894  the  total  number  admitted  was  662; 
in  1895,  357;  in  1896,  114;  in  1897,  146;  from  1898 
to  1900,  167;  and  from  1901  to  1904,  169. 

The  average  weekly  cost  of  each  patient  has  been 
less  than  $3.  On  Sept.  30,  1908,  the  total  number 
of  patients  was  859;  men,  652;  women,  207. 

From  the  opening  of  the  Asylum  until  Sept.  30, 
1905,  there  were  70  inmates  from  Berks  county,  50 


106 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


men  and  20  women.  During  the  first  year  (Sept.  30, 
1893,  to  Sept.  30,  1894)  there  were  46  entered,  31 
men  and  15  women.  On  Sept.  30,  1905,  there  were 
20  men  and  9  women  from  Berks  county ;  Sept.  30, 
1906,  21  men  and  9  women;  Sept.  30,  1907,  28  men 
and  9  women;  Sept.  30,  1908,  27  men  and  10 
women. 

Henry  M.  Dechert,  Esq.  (formerly  of  Reading, 
but  for  nearly  sixty  years  at  Philadelphia) ,  has  offi- 
ciated as  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  since 
the  opening  of  the  Asylum,  in  a  most  creditable 
manner. 

The  following  trustees  from  Reading  have  served 
on  the  board:  George  F.  Baer,  1894  to  1897; 
Thomas  P.  Merritt,  1894  to  1899  (officiating  as 
treasurer),  and  since  1903 ;  William  H.  Schick,  1894 
to  1895;  Thomas  C.  Zimmerman,  since  1899. 

State  Hospital. — Complete  statement  of  the 
patients  in  the  State  Hospital  at  Harrisburg,  from 
Berks  county,  from  the  time  it  was  opened  and  the 
cost  of  their  maintenance,  which  was  paid  by  the 
county. 


Year 

Patients 

Cost 

Year 

Patients 

Cost 

1851 

0 

1880 

33 

$2,636.96 

1852 

3 

$335.40 

1881 

26 

3,088.53 

1853 

4 

447.20 

1883 

33 

3,479.43 

1854 

9 

1,006.20 

1883 

36 

3,547.82 

1855 

7 

783.60 

1884 

29 

2,969.99 

1856 

11 

1,329,80 

1885 

36 

3,955.28 

1857 

13 

1,341.60 

L886 

60 

4,690.29 

1858 

6 

670.80 

1887 

82 

5,794.85 

1859 

8 

■894.40 

1888 

133 

8,493.37 

1860 

11 

1,329.80 

1889 

159 

12,577.88 

1861 

10 

1,118.00 

1890 

165 

12,265;.09 

1863 

13 

1,453.40 

1891 

178 

12,860.83 

1863 

16 

1,788.80 

1893 

166 

12,444.00 

1864 

17 

1,900.60 

1893 

165 

13,501.02 

1865 

16 

1,788.80 

1894 

187 

12,317.01 

1866 

22 

2,459.60 

1895 

151 

10,649.11 

1867 

23 

2,571.40 

1896 

163' 

11,132.60 

1868 

19 

2,223.00 

1897 

183 

12,352.60 

1869 

17 

3,100.60 

1898 

176 

12,673.66 

1870 

19 

2,224.20 

1899 

193 

13,285.02 

1871 

21 

2,347.80 

1900 

210 

14,521.19 

1873 

22 

2,459.60 

1901 

225 

16,119.13 

1873 

27 

2,610.44 

1903 

232 

16,646.35 

1874 

24 

2,850.65 

1903 

253 

16,919.98 

1875 

23 

3,839.90 

1904 

260 

18,432.86 

1876 

25 

3,220.50 

1905 

264 

19,318.72 

1877 

24 

2,555.21 

1906 

289 

19,476.93 

1878 

25 

2,719.06 

1907 

275 

18,948.63 

1879 

26 

2,651.57 

1908 

394 

20,644.70 

$370,677.49 

Glen  Mills  Reformatory. — A  reformatory  for 
boys  and  girls  was  established  at  Glen  Mills  in  Dela- 
ware county  in  1827.  The  first  inmate  from  Berks 
county  was  entered  in  1842.  Until  1850  there  were 
altogether  6 ;  and  from  1851  to  1900,  190.  In  1901, 
there  were  7 ;  in  1902,  11 ;  in  1903,  21 ;  and  in  1904, 
9.  The  total  admitted  until  Jan.  1,  1909,  was  302 ; 
and  the  average  cost  per  diem  has  been  from  20 
to  25  cents.  The  cost  for  the  county  of  this  institu- 
tion from  1901  to  Jan.  1,  1909,  was  about  $11,000  to 
Oct.  1,  1905,  and  $11,337.62  from  then  until  Jan.  1, 
1909,  but  only  one-half  was  paid  by  the  county,  the 


other  half  being  paid  by  the  State.     Previous  to 
1901  the  State  paid  the  entire  cost. 

Eastern  State  Penitentiary. — Previous  to  the 
year  1850,  no  data  on  the  subject  can  be  obtained. 
From  1850  to  1869  inclusive,  46  prisoners  were  re- 
ceived from  Berks  county.  From  1870  to  1894  no 
prisoners  from  the  county,  were  confined  here.  The 
following  table  shows  the  number  from  the  county 
here  each  year  from  1895  to  1908  inclusive.  The 
average  cost  of  each  per  diem  was  about  21  cents. 

Year  No.   of  prisoners  Year      No.   of  prisoners 

1895  1  1903  32 

1896  11  1903  38 

1897  33  1904  43 

1898  53  1905  32 

1899  42  1906  36 

1900  31  1907  37 

1901  30  1908  68 

Huntingdon  Reformatory. — This  institution 
for  the  reformation  of  boys  was  established  by  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania  and  opened  in  1889 ;  and  the 
first  boy  from  Berks  county  was  entered  in  1894, 
who  continued  to  be  the  only  one  during  1895  and 
1896;  there  was  none  received  in  1897  and  1898; 
then  the  number  began  to  increase  as  follows:  8 
in  1899;  11  in  1900;  17  in  1901;  24  in  1902;  43 
in  1903;  54  in  1904;  52  in  1905;  55  in  1906;  56 
in  1907;  and  60  in  1908. 

The  cost  for  1904  to  the  county  was  $3,838.73; 
and  the  total  cost  for  all  the  years  named  was 
$25,879.52. 

COUNTY  INSTITUTIONS 

There  are  a  number  of  charitable  institutions  in 
the  county,  partly  supported  by  appropriations  from 
the  public  funds;  which  reflect  the  humane  senti- 
ment and  generous  nature  of  our  people  in  a  most 
commendable  manner.  They  are  classified  as  Hos- 
pitals, Schools,  and  Widows'  Home. 

Hospitals. — Three  hospitals  have  been  estab- 
lished at  Reading,  described  with  the  Associations 
of  Reading  in  Chapter  X.,  namely:  Reading,  St. 
Joseph's  and  Homoeopathic. 

Homes. —  The  homes  number  seven:  Bethany 
Orphans'  Home,  founded  in  1867,  in  Heidelberg 
township,  by  the  Reformed  church. 

Topton  Orphans'  Home,  founded  in  1897,  in 
Longswamp  township,  by  the  Lutheran  church. 

St.  Catharine's  Female  Orphans'  Asylum,  found- 
ed in  1871,  at  Reading,  by  Mrs.  Catharine  Madary, 
and  devised  by  her  to  the  Roman  Catholic  church ; 
by  which  it  has  since  been  enlarged,  improved  and 
successfully  maintained. 

St.  Paul's  Orphans'  Asylum  for  Boys,  founded 
in  1889  at  Reading,  by  the  St.  Paul's  Roman  Cath- 
olic church.  It  has  been  enlarged  several  times, 
evidencing  its  successful  management. 

House  of  Good  Shepherd,  founded  in  1889,  at 
Reading,  by  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  re- 
moved to  Bern  township  in  1900. 

Home  for  Friendless  Children,  founded  in  1888, 
at  Reading,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Bureau  of 
Employment    (having  been   started    in   1884) ;    in 


WAR  PERIODS 


107 


which  William  D.  Smith  has  shown  special  inter- 
est toward  its  enlargement  and  success. 

Widows'  Home,  founded  in  1875  at  Reading,  by 
the  Society  of  the  "Home  for  Widows  and  Single 
Women"  which  became  an  incorporated  body  in 
1876.     A  superior,  commodious  structure  was  es- 


tablished by  the  society  in  1886,  at  Sixteenth  and 
Haak  streets. 

The  three  hospitals,  and  Home  for  Friendless 
Children,  and  the  Widows'  Home  have  been  aided 
and  encouraged  by  State  appropriations. 

The  foregoing  institutions  are  also  mentioned  in 
Chapter  X.,  under  the  head  of  Associations. 


CHAPTER  VIII- WAR  PERIODS 


FRENCH  AND  INDIAN  WAR 
Cause  of  War. — Whilst,  the  Penns  were  endeav- 
oring to  locate  a  town  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the 
Schuylkill  river  at  the  "Ford"  (now  Reading),  war 
was  being  carried  on  between  England  and  France, 
and  the  treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle  was  formed  be- 
tween them  in  the  same  year  in  which  the  town  was 
laid  out  (1748).  But  this  treaty  of  peace  did  not 
settle  the  controversy  between  them  in  respect  to 
territory  on  the  American  continent.  The  English 
Colonies  were  originally  planted  along  the  sea- 
coast,  but  they  advanced  westwardly,  and  therefore 
the  English  claimed  the  right  to  extend  their  set- 
'tlements  across  the  continent  from  ocean  to  ocean. 
The  French,  however,  had  possessed  Canada  to  the 
north,  and  Louisiana  to  the  south,  and  they  too 
claimed  the  intervening  territory  which  lay  along 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers.  Both  parties  hav- 
ing claimed  the  same  country,  they,  in  order  to 
maintain  their  respective  rights,  rushed  into  a  fierce 
and  bloody  war  for  lands  which  belonged  to  neither 
of  them,  and  which  after  the  termination  of  hos- 
tilities passed  away  from  both,  and  became  vested 
in  a  new  power  whose  national  existence  grew'  out 
of  their  contentions.  It  was  accelerated  by  a  grant 
of  six  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land  in  that  dis- 
puted territory  by  the  English  to  certain  persons 
who  associated  under  the  title  of  the  "Ohio  Com- 
pany," and  the  company  having  agitated  a  scheme 
for  its  settlement,  the  French  became  alarmed.  Re- 
monstrances and  complaints  were  fruitless  and  each 
party  seized  and  plundered  the  subjects  of  the  other, 
ending  in  hostilities  which  resulted  in  the  defeat  of 
Braddock  in  the  western  section  of  Pennsylvania 
in  1755. 

The  Indians,  having  united  with  the  French 
through  misrepresentation  and  finding  the  frontier 
open,  proceeded  eastwardly*  to  repossess  the  terri- 
tory which  had  formerly  been  theirs  and  out  of 
which  they  believed  they  had  been  swindled.  On 
their  way,  they  committed  depredations  and  cruel- 
ties which  resulted  in  a  great  loss  of  life  and  prop- 
erty; and  notwithstanding  forts  were  erected  by 
the  provincial  government  along  the  Blue  Mountain, 
from  the  Delaware  river  to  the  Susquehanna  river 
to  afford  protection  to  the  settlers  in  the  vicinity, 
and  garrisoned  with  twenty-five  companies,  com- 
prising 1,400  men,  they  crossed  the  mountain  and 


carried  their  arson  and  murder  into  the  counties 
adjoining.  Berks  county  was  entered,  and  numer- 
ous persons  (including  men,  women  and  children) 
were  killed,  and  many  dwellings  and  barns  burned. 
This  naturally  spread  consternation  throughout  the 
county,  and  the  settlers  along  the  mountain  aban- 
doned home  and  property.  The  enemy  soon  extend- 
ed their  incursions  to  a  point  near  Reading,  alarm- 
ing' the  inhabitants  of  the  town  for  their  safety.  In 
consequence  of  this,  they  armed  and  organized  them- 
selves to  defend  the  town,  and  marched  to  the 
mountain  to  assist  in  driving  the  cruel  foe  out  of 
the  county.  Many  letters  have  been  published  which 
describe  the  wretched  state  of  the  people  who  lived 
in  the  townships  to  the  north  and  northwest  of  the 
town. 

The  cruelties  of  the  Indians  and  the  unsettled 
condition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper  section 
of  the  county  continued  during  1755,  1756  and  1757. 
During  that  time,  the  English  were  unsuccessful  in 
their  campaigns  against  the  French  and  Indians,  and 
their  affairs  here  were  in  an  awful  situation.  Their 
efforts  had  produced  only  expense  and  disappoint- 
ment. But  in  -1758,  the  tide  turned  in  their  favor 
through  the  vigorous  administration  of  ;a  new  leader, 
William  Pitt.  The  Indians  retreated  and  victory 
crowned  the  British  armies  everywhere  during  the 
succeeding  years  until  1760,  when  the  French  were 
dispossessed  of  all  territories  in  dispute  and  forced 
to  surrender  Canada.     Peace  was  declared  in  1763. 

The  town  of  Reading  had  just  been  fairly  started 
when  this  terrible  shock  fell  upon  the  inhabitants. 
Though  discouraged  they  did  not  abandon  their 
new  settlement  and  its  bright  prospects,  as  the  set- 
tlers were  forced  to  do  along  the  mountain.  It 
is  probable  that  the  unsettled  condition  of  affairs 
there  during  that  period  contributed  much  toward 
the  rapid  growth  of  the  town. 

Troops  in  County. — The  provincial  military  offi- 
cers of  the  county  in  1754  were:  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel, Conrad  Weiser;  Captains,  Christian  Busse  (at 
Fort  Henry),  Frederick  Smith,  Jacob  Orndt,  and 
Jacob  Morgan  (at  Fort  Lebanon)  ;  Lieutenant, 
Philip  Weiser;  Ensigns, ^Harry  (at  Fort  Leban- 
on) and  Edward  Biddle;  Sergeant,  Peter  Smith; 
Corporal,  Schaeffer. 


108  HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 

Weiser  was  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  2d  Battalion  habitants  when  danger  was  imminent.  They  were 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  which  consisted  of  erected  hastily  to  serve  a  temporary  purpose.  Un- 
nine  companies.  This  was  a  portion  of  the  troops  fortunately  for  the  people,  they  were  too  few  in 
ordered  by  the  Governor  to  be  raised  for  the  pur-  number  and  too  far  apart  to  serve  the  purpose  for 
pose  of  repelling  the  invasion.  The  total  force  was  vvhich  they  were  intended,  especially  to  those  who 
to  comprise  twenty-five  companies,  numbering  1,400  ^^^ere  somewhat  removed.  The  Indians  did  not 
men.  Of  the  nine  companies  under  Weiser,  one  y^cii-ch  over  the  mountain  in  large  numbers  together, 
and  one-half  companies  were  at  Fort  Henry,  and  ^^^j  ^^^^  ^j^  ^^t^^l^  ^1^^  f^^^g^  They  came  quietly, 
one  company  was  at  Fort  Williams.  j^^  3^.,^^^     ^^.^jg     ^^^^  without  warning  they  fell  up- 

In  March,  IToG,  an  independent  company  of  on  the  unprotected  families  like  a  tlnmderbolt ;  and 
grenadiers  m  General  Shirley  s  regiment,  was  sta-  ^^^^^  niurdering  men,  women  and  children  indis- 
tioned  at  Reading  on  duty.     Upon  receiving  orders        ■    •     ,  ,         j      ..^-       /:      ^      ,      n-  ,  t, 

to  march  to  New  York,  25  men,  under  the  cSmmand    cnminately  and  setting  fire  to  dwellings  and  barns, 
of  a  Heutenant,  were  ordered  to  Reading,  to  remain    ^^^Y  departed  like  a  flash      Their  success  in  these 
on  guard  until  further  orders.     In  June,  the  town    ^^"'^ked  incursions  was  truly  wonderful, 
was    occupied   by   a   company   of  men,   under   the        I"  I'^^S,  the  location  of  the  forts  and  distances 
command  of  Conrad  Weiser.     It  was  composed  of    apart  were  reported  as  follows : 
two   sergeants  and  28  privates.     The  ammunition  ^^.j^^ 

at  Reading  then  consisted  of  25  good  muskets,  25    From  Wind  Gap  to  Doll's  Blockhouse 20 

muskets  out  of  repair,  11  broken  muskets,  9  cart-    Thence  to  Fort  Lehigh 8 

ridge-boxes,  240  pounds  of  powder,  (100  .pounds  of    ^^^"'^^  \°  b?'"'i.^"^"    ^° 

lead.     In  August,  1y5i,  oO  men  from  Cumru  and    Thence  to  Fort  Everit  ..     ..  lo 

other  townships  near  Reading-  set  out  in  expecta-    Thence  to  Fort  WiUiams    12 

tion  of  bringing  in  some  Indian  scalps.  Thence  to  Fort  Henry 22 

In  February,  1758,  Fort  ^^'illiams  was  garrisoned    JJ?^""  1°  ^o"  Swatara 14 

1.      /^      4.   •      -\/r  1    "■->  1   r-     i  TT  J  hence  to  rort  Hunter,  on  Susquehanna  24 

by  Captain  Morgan  and  o3  men;  and  Fort  Henry  ^  

by  Captain  Busse  with  89  men,  and  Captain  Weiser  Total  distance  140 

with  105  men ;  and  Fort  Augusta  with  eight  com- 
panies,  numbering  362  men.     The   whole  number  Forts   in    County. — The    following    forts   were 
of   men   then   receiving  pay   in   the   province   was  erected    in   the   territory   which   was    embraced    in 
li^'^4.  Berks  countv,  the  first  five  having  been  along  the 

In  June,  1758,  Berks  county  had  in  the  service  Blue   Mountain,   and   the   last   at   Shamokin    (now 

56  good  and  strong  wagons,  each  wagon  furnished  Sunbury)  :  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Dietrich  Snyder   Fort 

with  four  horses  and  an  expert  driver.    These  wag-  Northkill,  Fort  Lebanon,  Fort  Franklin  and'  Fort 

ons'  were  formed  in  two  divisions,  the  first  division  A^o-usta 

containing  26  wagons,  and  the  second  30.    A  depu-  X   j^^   h^.^^^    was    built    within    the    stockades, 

ty   wagon-master  was   over   each   division.     Their  ^^^,   -^  ^^.^^   ^^^^^^                    uncomfortably  by   th^ 

names  were  John  Lesher  and  Jacob  Weaver,  able  „^-   t,K^  •        ■  i    u-^     ^     ■     ..•            r    ,     ^    ^  ^I 

to  speak  the  English  and  German  languages    and  "fghbonng  inhabitants  in  times   of  danger.     The 

they  understood  smith  and  wheelwright  work.  stockades  were  logs    about  eighteen  feet  long,  cut 

In  the  limits  of  Berks  county,  in  1758,  there  were  !"  ^^}^  ^^°°<^'s  where  the  forts  were  built,  and  planted 

at  Fort  Henry  two  companies,  comprising  105  men ;  !"  '"^,  ground  as  closely  as  possible.     They  were 

at  Fort  William   (Forks  of  Schuylkill),  one  com-  '"tended   to  protect  the_  house   and  prevent  the 

pany  of  53  men;  and  at  Fort  Augusta,  eight  com-  Indians    from    shooting    its    occupants    when    they 

panies  with  3G2  men.  stepped  outside. 

In    1761,    the    inhabitants    of    Tulpehocken    and  ^'"'^  Hcm-y  was  situated  in  Bethel  township,  in 

Heidelberg  townships  raised   159  men  as   rangers  ^^^lat  was,  and  still  is,  commonly  known  as  "The 

to  guard  the  county  lines  of  Berks  and  Lancaster  Hollow,"   about  three   miles   north   of  the   present 

counties.  village   of   Millersburg,  fifty  yards   to  the  east   of 

Colonial  Forts.— NA'hen  the  officials  of  the  ^he  "Old  Shamokin  Road,"  which  leads  over  the 
provincial  government  learned  that  the  In-  mountain.  The  spot  was  elevated,  to  enable  the 
dians  and  French  had  united  for  the  pur-  .?"ard  to  look  out  some  distance  in  every  direction, 
pose  of  cooperating  against  the  English  There_  is  no  particular  mention  of  this  fort  in  the 
on  this  continent,  they  decided  to  afford  Colonial  records,  and  this  omission  induces  the 
protection  to  the  settlements  near  the  fron-  belief  that  it  was  a  fort  erected  by  the  people  of 
tiers  by  the  erection  of  forts  ;  and  the  number  that  vicinity  for  their  protection.  '  It  was  some- 
of  settlers  who  had  gone  beyond  the  Blue  Moun-  times  called  "Dietrich  Six's,"  doubtless  because  it 
tain  till  this  time  having  been  small,  they  deter-  stood  on  the  land  of  Dietrich  Six.  The  records 
mined  to  locate  these  forts  along  this  natural  mention  several  times  that  the  people  fled  to  Diet- 
boundary  line  from  the  Delaware  on  the  east  to  rich  Six's,  but  the  place  was  not  indicated  as  a 
the  Susquehanna  on  the  west.  The  object  of  these  military  post.  The  field  where  it  was  situated  has 
forts  was  simply  for  refuge— a  retreat  for  the  in-  been   under   cultivation    for   many   years,    and   not 


WAR  PERIODS 


109 


a  single  mark  remains  to  indicate  where  it  stood. 
It  was  erected  some  time  before  June,  1754.  In 
the  beginning  of  June,  1757,  the  Governor  visited 
Fort  Henry,  having  been  escorted  thither  by  sixty 
substantial  freeholders  of  the  county  on  horse- 
back, completely  armed.  They  presented  a  very 
dutiful  address  to  his  honor,  in  which  they  ex- 
pressed the  warmest  loyalty  to  the  King  and  the 
greatest  zeal  and  alacrity  to  serve  His  Majesty  in 
defense  of  their  country. 

Fort  Dietrich  Snyder. — A  fort  was  situated  on 
the  top  of  the  mountain,  north  of  Fort  Northkill. 
It  occupied  one  of  the  most  prominent  spots,  and 
being  within  two  miles  of  Fort  Northkill,  it  is  sup- 
posed that  it  was  designed  for  an  observatory  or 
watch,-house. 

Fort  Northkill  was  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  town- 
ship, near  the  Northkill  (a  branch  of  the  Tulpe- 
hocken creek)  about  two  miles  east  of  Strauss- 
town  and  a  rnile  south  from  the  base  of  the  Blue 
Mountain.  It  was  built  in  the  early  part  of  1754. 
As  to  the  dimensions  of  the  fort  Commissary  Young 
says,  June  20,  1756 :  "The  fort  is  about  nine  miles 
to  the  westward  of  the  Schuylkill,  and  stands  in 
a  very  thick  wood,  on  a  small  rising  ground,  half 
a  mile  from  the  middle  of  Northkill  creek.  It  is 
intended  for  a  square  about  thirty-two  feet  each 
way ;  at  each  corner  is  a  half-bastion  of  very  little 
service  to  flank  the  curtains.  The  stockades  were 
ill  fixed  in  the  ground,  and  open  in  many  places. 
Within  is  a  very  bad  log-house  for  the  people;  it 
has  no  chimney  and  can  afford  but  little  shelter  in 
bad  weather." 

There  was  an  attack  in  the  neighborhood  of  this 
fort  on  Oct.  1,  1757.  Application  was  made  to 
Conrad  Weiser  (then  at  Reading)  for  immediate 
assistance,  and  Captain  Oswald  (who  commanded 
the  guards  about  Reading)  sent  two  lieutenants 
with  forty  men  to  the  relief. 

Fort  Lebanon  was  situated  about  six  miles  be- 
yond the  Blue  Mountain,  a  short  distance  east  of 
the  Schuylkill  river.  It  was  erected  in  the  begin- 
ning of  1754.  In  1758,  it  was  known  as  "Fort 
Williams,"  and  called  sometimes  "Fort  Schuylkill." 
It  is  frequently  mentioned  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Archives.  Two  years  after  its  erection,  it  was  des- 
cribed as  follows:  "Fort  Lebanon,  about  twenty- 
four  miles  from  Gnadenhutten,  in  the  line  to 
Shamokin. — Fort,  100  feet  square.  Stockades,  14 
feet  high.  House  within,  built  30  by  20,  with  a 
large  store-room.  A  spring  within,  and  a  maga- 
zine, 12  feet  square.  On  a  barren,  not  much  timber 
on  it;  100  families  protected  by  it  within  the  new 
purchase.  No  township.  Built  in  three  weeks. 
Something  considered  given  by  the  neighbors  to- 
wards it." 

Fort  Franklin. — The  fifth  fort  on  the  frontier 
of  the  county  was  several  miles  above  the  Blue 
Mountain,  on  Lizard  creek.  It  was  built  about 
two  years  later  than  the  other  forts.  It  was  some- 
times called  Fort  Allemaengel  ("all  wants"). 


Fort  Augusta. — The  first  allusion  to  this  fort  is 
in  a  letter  by  Governor  Morris,  on  Feb.  1,  1756,  in 
which  he  -states  that  he  proposed  to  build  a  fort 
at  Shamokin,  at  the  forks  of  the  Susquehanna,  a.5 
soon  as  the  season  would  admit  a  passage  of  that 
river.  And  in  a  letter  dated  July  30th  following, 
he  stated  that  a  fort  was  then  building  at  Shamokin 
(where  a  camp  was  stationed  for  some  time)  by 
Colonel  Clapham,  who  had  five  hundred  men  with 
him.  Shortly  afterward  (Aug.  14)  the  Colonel  ad- 
dressed a  letter  to  the  Governor  dated  at  "Fort 
Augusta,"  in  reference  to  a  necessary  supply  of 
military  stores.  This  fort  was  therefore  built  dur-- 
ing  July  and  August,  1756.  No  dimensions  are 
given.  But  it  was  large  and  commodious,  affording 
room  for  many  men  and  a  large  quantity  of  military 
stores.  Frequent  reports  of  the  supplies  on  hand 
and  of  the  forces  stationed  there  appear  in  the 
Records  and  Archives;  and  cruelties  by  the  Indians 
were  committed  in  the  vicinity. 

Premium  for  Scalps. — In  pursuance  of  a  resolu- 
tion for  carrying  on  active  measures  against  the 
Indians,  the  Board  of  Commissioners  decided  on 
April  9,  1756,  to  recommend  to  the  Governor  that 
bounties,  or  premiuins,  be  paid  for  prisoners  and 
scalps : 

For  every  male  Indian  prisoner  above  ten  years  old, 
that  shall  be  delivered  at  any  of  the  government 
forts    or    towns $150 

For  every  female  Indian  prisoner  or  male  prisoner, 
of  ten  years  old  and  under,  delivered  as  above 130 

For  the  scalp  of  every  male  Indian  above  ten  years 
old 130 

For  the  scalp  of  every  Indian  woman, 50 

Peace  Declared. — After  the  French  had  receded 
into  Canada  before  the  advancing  army  of  English 
soldiers,  the  Indians  naturally  followed  their  allies. 
Hence  the  cruelties  ■  here  ceased  after  1758 ;  and 
when  Canada  was  surrendered  in  1760,  the  peace 
and  safety  of  our  community  were  assured.  The 
declaration  of  peace  was  delayed  for  three  years, 
and  when  it  was  published  in  1763,  only  a  few  In- 
dians remained  in  the  eastern  section  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. A  small  settlement  of  them  (who  were 
friendly  to  the  government  and  the  inhabitants)  re- 
mained at  Shamokin ;  and  some  families  were  scat- 
tered in  different  parts  of  the  county,  where  they 
remained  for  many  years  afterward. 

Before  the  war,  considerable  trade  had  been  car- 
ried on  successfully  between  the  settlers  and  the 
Indians,  continuing  without  interruption  from  the 
time  of  the  first  settlements  until  1744,  and  even  a 
decade  afterward.  The  relations  had  become  so 
pleasant  and  firm  that  certain  Indians  remained 
in  the  county  unmolested  during  the  war,  and  car- 
ried on  their  peaceful  vocations,  such  as  basket- 
making,  bead-work,  etc.,  and  after  the  war,  travel- 
ing parties  of  them  frequently  visited  the  county 
and  sold  articles  of  their  handiwork. 

Murdered  and  Captured. — During  this  war,  the 
Indians  killed  about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  and  cap- 
tured thirty  inhabitants  of  the  county.     Several  of 


110 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


those  who  were  taken  captive  returned  after  the 
war.  Many  persons  were  wounded  and  some  of 
them  died  from  their  wounds.  But,  during  these 
eight  years,  only  four  of  the  Indians  were  killed  in 
the  county,  so  far  as  ascertained. 

MURDERED 
June,  1754 — Peter   Geisinger,   Tulpehocken. 
June,  1754 — Fred.  Myers    and   wife.    Tulpehocken. 
June,  1754 — Young   girl,    Tulpehocken. 
June,  1754 — Hostetter  familj',  Bern. 
June,  1754 — Sebastian   Brosius,   Bethel. 
October,  1755 — ^Henry  Hartman,   Bethel. 
October,  1755 — Two   men    (unknown).   Bethel. 
October,  1755 — Odwaller  and  another  unknown,'  Bethel. 
November,  1755 — Thirteen  persons,  unknown.  Bethel. 
November,  1755 — Child   eight  years   old,   daughter   of   a 
man  named  Cola,  Bethel. 

November,  1755 — Cola's    wife    and    two    children    older. 


Bethel. 
November, 
November, 
November, 
November, 
November, 
November, 
November, 
November, 
November, 


1755- 
1755- 
1755- 
1755- 


-Philip  ,  a  shoemaker, 

-Casper  Spring,  Bethel. 
Beslinger,'    Bethel. 


Bethel. 


at 


-Child  of  Jacob  Wolf,   Bethel. 
1755 — John    Leinberger,    Bethel. 
1755 — Rudolph  Candel,   Bethel. 
1755 — Sebastian  Brosius,  Bethel. 
1755 — Six  men  killed,'  Bethel. 
1755 — Unknown      man,      a      shoemaker 
Brown's  house,  Bethel. 

November,  1755 — A   child   scalped   and  died,'  Bethel. 

November,  1755 — A   woman°   and   male   child,   Bethel. 

November,  1755 — Fifteen  persons  (excluding  five  pre- 
ceding),  Bethel. 

November,  1755 — Christopher  Ury,   Bethel. 

November,  1755 Youngman,    Bethel. 

November,  1755 — Wife   of  Kobel."   Bethel. 

February,  1756 — Two  children  of  Frederick  Reichelder- 
fer,  Albany. 

February,  1756 — One  man,  two  women  and  si.x  children,' 
Albany. 

February,  1756 — George  Zeisloff  and  wife,  two  boys  and 
a  girl,  Albany. 

February,  1756 — Wife   of    Balser    Neyfong,    Albany. 

March,  1756 — Peter   Kluck   and    family.    Albany. 

March,  1756 — A  woman  at  Linderman's  house,  xA.lban.y. 

March,  1756 — William    Yeth,   Hereford. 

March,  1756 — Wife   of   John   Krausher,    Hereford. 

October,  1756 — Two  married  women  and  two  boys,' 
Bethel. 

November,  1756 — Wife,  daughter  and  son-in-law  of 
Philip  Culmore,  .Albany. 

November,  1756 — Martin  Fell,  Albany. 

November,  1756 — Two   old  men,°   Bethel. 

November,  1756 Stonebrook,  Albany. 

June,  1757 — Man   unknown,  near  Fort  Henry,   Bethel. 

June,  1757 — Two  persons  near  Fort  Northkill,  Tulpe- 
hocken. 

June,  1757 — Adam  Trump,""  Albany. 

June,  1757 — Peter  Gersinger,   Bethel. 

July,  1757— Three  men   and   four  children,  "  Bethel. 

I  Possibly  these  two  and  the  two  immediately  before  are  the  same. 
^  Near    by    an    Indian — of    Delaware    tribe — was    found    dead    anrl 

scalped — «scalped    by     Frederick     Weiser.       .\nother     was     shot     and 
scal]ied  several  weeks   afterward. 

3  Supposed  to  have  been  soldiers. 

4  Two   others   also   scalped. 

''»  Under  this  woman,  her  babe  onlj^  fourteen  days  old  was  found. 
It  was   alive,   wrapped   up   in   a  little  cushion. 

C  Four  of  their  children  were  scalped  at  the  same  time.  They 
had  eight  children  with  them.  Two  probably  died.  The  father 
was   wounded^. 

"^  All  killed  at  house  of  Jacob  Gerliart,  situate  in  the  upper  section 
ot  the  township,  commonly  known  as  the  "Eck"  (corner).  Eight 
of   them   were  burned. 

5  One  of  them   reported   as   likely  to   die   from  scalping. 

0  Ten  women  and  children  were  rescued  at  this  place  from  the 
cellar   of   a  burning  building. 

10  Found  with  a  knife  and  a  spear  (fixed  to  a  pole  four  feet 
long)   in  bis  body. 

II  All  murdered  and  scalped  in  one  house. 


July,  1757 — Two  children  near  Bickel's. 

July,  1757 — Martin   Jaeger   and   wife,'"   Greenwich. 

July,  1757 — Two  children  of  John  Krausher,  Greenwich. 

July,  1757 — One  child  of  A.   Sechler,   Greenwich. 

July,  1757 — One  child  of  Philip   Eshton,   Greenwich. 

July,  1757 — Ten  people." 

September,  1757 — A  man  shot  in  bed  whilst  sick. 

September.  1757 — Two   families." 

April,  1758 — Jacob  Lebenguth  and  Margaret  his  wife, 
Tulpehocken. 

April,  1758 — Wife  and  two  children  of  Nicholas  Geiger, 
Tulpehocken. 

April,  1758 — Wife  of  Michael  Ditzeler,  Tulpehocken. 

June,  1758 — Wife   of  John   Frantz.   Tulpehocken. 

June,  1758 — Son  of  John  Snabele,  Tulpehocken. 

October,  1758— A  man.  Bethel. 

September,  1763 — John  Fincher,  wife  and  two  sons, 
Albany. 

September,  1763 — Four  children  at  house  of  Nicholas 
Miller,'"  Albany. 

September,  1763 — Two  children  of  Frantz  Hubler,  Bern. 

November,  1763 — Three  men  near   forks  of   Schuylkill." 

TAKEN   PRISONERS 

June,  1754 — Daughter  of  Balser  Schmidt  (fifteen  years 
old),  Tulpehocken.  ' 

June,  1754 — Three  children  of  Frederick  Myers  (two 
boys,  10  and  6  years  old.  and  a  girl  8  years  old),  Tulpe- 
hocken. 

June,  1754 — Son    of   Reichard    (eight    years    old), 

Tulpehocken. 

February,  1756' — Son  of  Balser   Neyfong,   Albany. 

March,  1756 — Son  of  William  Yeth,  Hereford. 

November,  1756 — Girl    named    Stonebrook,    Albany. 

June,  1757 — Son   of   Adam   Trump,   Albany. 

June,  1757 — Young  woman  from  near  Fort  Henry, 
Bethel. 

July,  1757 — Three    children   from   near   Bickel's. 

July,  1757 — Two  children  at  same  time. 

September,  1757 — Five   children. 

June,  1758 — Three  children  of  John  Frantz,  Tulpe- 
hocken. 

September,  1763 — Wife  and  three  children  of  Frantz 
Hubler,  Bern. 

MISSING 
November,  1756 — Wife   and    child    of    Martin    Fell,    Al- 
bany. 

November,  1756 — A  boy  seven  years  old,  Albany. 
October,  irss — Three  men  missing.   Bethel. 
September,  1763 — Daughter  of  John  Fincher,  Albany. 
September,  1763— Wife  of  Nicholas  Miller,   .Albanv.' 


REVOLUTION,  17r.5-S3 
Cause. — The  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  passed 
an  Act  on  j\Iarch  2-3,  176.5,  which  required  all  in- 
struments of  writing,  such  as  deeds,  bonds  and 
promissory  notes,  to  be  written  on  parchment  or 
paper  stamped  with  a  specific  duty,  otherwise  they 
were  to  have  no  legal  effect;  but  this  measure  met 
with  such  general  opposition  in  Great  Britain  and 
throughout  the  American  Colonies,  and  was  found 
to  be  so  unpopular,  that  the  Act  was  repealed  in 

^  John  Krausher's  wife  and  child,  Abraham  Sechler's  w-ife,  and 
a  child  of  .\dam  Clauss  were  scalped  at  the  same  time  and  badly 
wounded. 

13  Alluded  to  in  Weiser's  letter.  Probably  he  referred  to  party 
killed  in  Greenwich. 

i-t  No  number  mentioned. 
■um'  ^^™    °^    Miller's    children    were    prisoners,    but    were    rescued. 
When   rescued   they   were  tied   together,   in   which   manner   they   had 
been  driven  along. 

1"  These  are  supposed  to  have  been  the  last  persons  killed  by 
the  Indians  at  this  time.  But  during  the  Rvolutionarv  war,  in 
August,  1780,  John  Negman  ■and  his  two  young  children  were 
cruelly  murdered  by  the  Indians  thirty-three  miles  from  Reading 
on  road  to  Shamokin;  and  at  the  same  time  a  little  girl  was  carried 
oil. 


WAR  PERIODS 


111 


the  following  year.  The  cheapest  stamp  was  of  the 
value  of  one  shilling.  The  stamps  on  documents 
increased  in  value  according  to  their  importance. 
All  the  colonists  manifested  unbounded  joy  over 
the  repeal  of  this  odious  law. 

This  opposition,  however,  led  Parliament  to  pass 
a  declaratory  Act  (which  accompanied  the  repeal- 
ing Act)  asserting  their  power  over  the  Colonies 
in  all  cases  whatsoever.  And  in  1767,  an  Act  was 
passed  imposing  certain  duties  on  tea,  glass,  paper, 
and  painters'  colors  that  were  imported  into  the 
Colonies.  There  was  no  representation  in  Parlia- 
ment from  the  several  Colonies;  and  they,  regard- 
ing taxation  of  this  kind  as  unjust  and  tyrannical, 
held  public  meetings,  formed  associations  to  dis- 
courage, and  even  to  prevent,  the  importation  of 
British  goods,  and  passed  appropriate  resolutions; 
which  they  forwarded  to  the  King.  His  ministers, 
believing  that  a  reduction  of  the  tax  would  restore 
tranquility,  ordered  this  law  also  to  be  repealed, 
saving  only  a  tax  of  three  pence  per  pound  on  tea ; 
and  in  1770  an  Act  was  passed  accordingly.  But 
even  this  was  not  satisfactory  to  them,  and  their 
recommendations  to  one  another  not  to  receive  any 
tea  were  strictly  carried  out. 

In  the  meantime,  the  East  India  Company  had 
accumulated  seventeen  million  pounds  of  this  article 
on  hand,  and  fearing  great  losses,  they  led  Parlia- 
ment to  authorize  the  exportation  of  tea  to  any 
part  of  the  world  free  of  duty.  With  such  encour- 
agement, the  company  in  1774  loaded  several  ships 
with  tea  and  sent  them  to  the  American  Colonies ; 
but  the  colonists  were  firm  in  their  resolution  and 
determined  to  obstruct  the  sale  of  it  and  to  refuse 
to  pay  even  so  slight  a  tax  as  three  pence  per  pound. 
When  the  ships  arrived  near  Philadelphia  and  New 
York,  the  captains  were  warned  not  to  land,  and, 
fearing  this  warning,  they  returned  to  England. 
The  tea  sent  to  Charleston  was  landed,  but  it  could 
not  be  sold,  and  after  having  been  stored  for  a 
while  in  damp  cellars  it  became  a  total  loss  to  the 
company.  And  at  Boston,  while  efforts  were  being 
made  to  land  the  tea,  certain  men  in  the  disguise 
of  Indians  stole  their  way  upon  the  vessels,  broke 
open  342  chests  of  tea  and  threw  the  contents 
overboard. 

When  Parliament  heard  of  these  proceedings,  an 
Act  was  passed,  called  the  "Boston  Port  Bill,"  di- 
recting the  port  of  Boston  to  be  closed  and  the 
custom  house  to  be  removed  to  Salem;  and  other 
humiliating  Acts  were  also  passed  which  were 
offensive  to  the  people  of  Boston.  Information 
about  these  Acts  reached  Boston  on  May  10th,  and 
on  the  13th,  at  a  town  meeting,  the  inhabitants 
resolved : 

That,  if  the  other  Colonies  would  unite  with  them  to 
stop  all  importations  from  Great  Britain  and  the  West 
Indies  until  those  Acts  should  be  repealed,  it  would  prove 
the  salvation  of  North  America  and  her  liberties ;  but  if 
they  should  continue  their  exports  and  imports,  there 
was  reason  to  fear  that  fraud,  power  and  the  most  odious 
oppression  would  triumph  over  justice,  right,  social  happi- 
ness and  freedom. 


Copies  of  this  resolution  were  transmitted  to  all 
the  other  Colonies.  It  awakened  not  only  a  feeling 
of  sympathy  but  a  strong  spirit  of  co-operation, 
and  led  them  to  concur  in  the  propriety  of  calling 
a  Provincial  Congress.  Public  meetings  were  held 
at  different  places,  such  as  county  towns,  and,  be- 
sides discussing  topics  so  important  to  liberty  and 
the  general  welfare,  committees  of  correspondence 
were  appointed  to  communicate  the  actions  of  the 
several  meetings  to  one  another  throughout  the  Col- 
onies. In  this  way,  it  was  discovered  that  the  same 
feeling  prevailed  everywhere,  and  naturally  there 
came  to  be  united  efforts  toward  accomplishing  a 
common  result  for  the  benefit  of  all. 

About  this  time  the  terms  "Whigs"  and  "Tories" 
were  introduced  to  designate  either  those  who  were 
arrayed  on  the  side  of  the  Colonies  in  sympathy 
with  Boston,  or  those  who  were  in  sympathy  with 
the  policy  of  the  British  government. 

Meeting  at  Reading. — When  the  news  reached 
Reading,  in  Berks  county,  the  citizens  manifested 
great  excitement,  and  meetings  were  held  at  which 
the  action  of  the  British  government  was  con- 
demned. These  meetings  were  called  by  notices 
headed  "Boston  Port  Bill,"  and  posted  throughout 
the  town. 

At  one  of  these  meetings  (which  comprised  a 
respectable  body  of  inhabitants  of  the  county)  held 
in  the  Court-House  at  Reading,  on  July  2,  1774, 
Edward  Biddle,  Esq.,  in  the  chair,  the  following 
resolutions  were  adopted: 

This  assembly,  taking  into  their  very  serious  considera- 
tion the  present  critical  situation  of  American  affairs,  do 
unanimously  resolve  as  follows,  viz. : 

1.  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  county  do  owe,  and  will 
pay  due  allegiance  to  our  rightful  Sovereign,  King  George 
the  Third. 

2.  That  the  powers  claimed,  and  now  attempted  to  be 
put  into  execution  by  the  British  Parliament,  are  funda- 
mentally wrong,  and  cannot  be  admitted  without  the  utter 
destruction  of  the  liberties  of  America. 

3.  That  the  Boston  Port  Bill  is  unjust  and  tyrannical  in 
the  extreme.  And  that  the  measures  pursued  against  Bos- 
ton are  intended  to  operate  equally  against  the  rights  and 
liberties  of  the  other  colonies. 

4.  That  this  assembly  doth  concur  in  opinion  with  their 
respective  brethren  of  Philadelphia,  that  there  is  an  abso- 
lute necessity  for  an  immediate  congress  of  the  deputies 
of  the  several  advices,  in  order  to  deliberate  upon  and  pur- 
sue such  measures  as  may  radically  heal  our  present  un- 
happy disturbances,  and  settle  with  precision  the  rights 
and  liberties  of  America. 

5.  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  county,  confiding  in  the 
prudence  and  ability  of  the  deputies  intended  to  be  chosen 
for  the  general  congress,  will  cheerfully  submit  to  any 
measures  which  may  be  found  by  the  said  congress  best 
adapited  for  the  restoration  of  harmony  between  the 
mother-country  and  the  colonies,  and  for  the  security  and 
firm  establishment  of  the  rights  of  America. 

6.  That,  as  the  people  of  Boston  are  now  suffering  in 
the  grand  and  common  cause  of  American  liberty. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  all  the  inhabitants  to 
•  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  said  sufferers,  and  that  the 
committee  hereafter  named  do  open  subscriptions  for  their 
relief.  And  further,  that  the  said  committee  do  lay  out 
the  amount  of  such  subscriptions  in  purchasing  flour  and 
other  provisions,  to  be  sent  by  them  to  our  said  suffering 
brethren. 


112 


HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


7.  That  Edward  Biddle,  James  Read,  Daniel  Brodhead, 
Henry  Christ,  Esqs.,  Christopher  Schultz,  Thomas  Dundas 
and  Jonathan  Patts,  gentlemen,  be,  and  they  are  hereby 
appointed  a  committee  to  meet  and  correspond  with  the 
committees  from  the  other  counties  of  the  Province. 

The  committee  raised  money  and  forwarded 
flour  and  provisions  to  the  suffering  brethren  at 
Boston  soon  after  the  meeting.  Reading  was  a 
prominent  center  of  trade  in  1774,  and  the  country 
round  about  possessed  an  abundance  of  grain  and 
provisions.  There  were  numerous  gristmills  within 
a  radius  of  ten  miles,  and  the  collection  of  many 
barrels  of  flour  was  a  comparatively  easy  matter 
for  such  a  worthy  cause,  especially  under  the  appeal 
of  such  influential  men  as  composed  the  committee. 
Biddle  and  Read  were  attorneys;  Christ  an  inn- 
keeper ;  Potts  a  physician ;  Dundas  a  merchant ; 
Brodhead  a  large  miller  of  Pleidelberg;  and  Schultz 
a  prosperous  farmer  of  Hereford. 

From  this  meeting  to  the  close  of  the  Revolution, 
the  people  of  Reading  and  of  the  county  partici- 
pated actively  in  all  the  affairs  of  the  province. 
Thev  were  represented  by  delegates  at  the  several 
conferences ;  and  they  contributed  their  quota  of 
men,  money  and  supplies  in  the  successful  prosecu- 
tion of  the  war. 

Lexington  Awakens  County. — The  battle  of 
Lexington  was  fought  on  April  19,  1775,  and  when 
the  news  of  the  battle  reached  Reading,  about  a 
week  afterward,  a  company  of  men  was  formed, 
who  wore  crape  for  a  cockade  as  a  token  of  sorrow 
for  the  slaughter  of  their  brethren ;  and  each  town- 
ship in  Berks  county  resolved  to  raise  and  discipline 
a  company  of  soldiers.  And  the  following  extract 
of  a  letter  from  Reading,  dated  April  26,  1775, 
shows  forcibly  the  feeling  that  prevailed : 

We  liave  raised  in  this  town  two  companies  of  foot 
under  proper  officers :  and  such  is  the  spirit  of  the  people 
of  this  free  county,  that  in  three  weeks  time  there  is  not 
a  township  in  it  that  will  not  have  a  company  raised  and 
disciplined,  ready  to  assert  at  the  risk  of  their  lives  the 
freedom  of  America. 

The  companies  mentiO'Ued  were  commanded  by 
Capt.  George  Nagel  and  Capt.  John  Spohn. 

First  Officers  From  County. — The  first  meet- 
ing of  the  Committee  of  Safety  at  Philadelphia  was 
on  Jan.  2,  1776,  which  Edward  Biddle  attended. 
Congress  had  recommended  that  Pennsylvania  fur- 
nish four  battalions  of  troops ;  and  at  this  meeting 
the  Committee  were  to  agree  upon  the  four  colonels 
who  were  to  be  placed  in  command.  On  the  4th  of 
January,  they  selected  field  officers,  George  Nagel, 
of  Reading,  being  one  of  them.  Then  they  also 
selected  thirty-one  captains  for  the  four  battalions, 
among  those  chosen  being  John  Spohn,  Peter  Scull 
and  Peter  Decker,  all  of  Reading,  and  on  Jan.  6th, 
they  selected  thirt5r-two  lieutenants,  among  them 
Daniel  Brodhead  of  Reading. 

Germans  to  Rescue. — By  looking  over  the 
names  of  the  numerous  men  in  Berks  county  who 
participated  in  the  movement  for  independence,  it 
will  be  found  that  they  are  almost  entirely  German. 


The  population  of  the  county  was  largely  German 
and  of  German  descent,  and  this  preponderance  of 
names  over  those  of  all  other  nationalities  was  to 
be  expected.  The  proportion  was  fully  nine-tenths. 
They  used  the  German  language  in  their  daily 
affairs,  excepting  the  transfer  of  title  to  real  estate, 
which  was  required  to  be  in  the  English  language 
by  a  provincial  law.  The  location  of  the  English 
people  in  1775  was  mostly  at  Reading,  and  in  Robe- 
son, Caernarvon,  Union,  Exeter,  Oley,  Maiden- 
creek  and  Richmond  townships,  or  eight  districts 
out  of  twenty-nine  ;  but  the  major  part  of  the  people 
in  these  districts  also  were  German,  excepting  the 
southern  section  of  the  county. 

It  can  be  stated  that  Berks  count}'  was  then  dis- 
tinctively the  most  German  county  of  the  eleven 
counties  in  the  province.  It  was  natural  for  the 
electors  of  the  county  to  show  a  positive  sympathy 
for  this  movement,  because  it  was  in  accordance 
with  their  notions  of  political  freedom.  They  had 
a  firm  belief  in  local  government  and  desired  to 
carry  it  on  successfully  without  unnecessary  re- 
strictions or  burdens.  Taxation  without  represen- 
tation was  to  them  an  unreasonable  and  unjust  doc- 
trine, and  they  were  not  disposed  to  tolerate  its 
continued  enforcement. 

The  system  of  militia,  which  had  been  provided 
by  the  Assembly,  was  appreciated  by  them,  and  they 
co-operated  sincerely  in  its  establishinent  through- 
out the  county.  They  effected  an  organization  and 
responded  to  the  call  for  troops  in  a  willing  and 
prompt  manner.  The  militia  returns  of  the  county 
for  1775  show  the  organization  of  seven  battalions; 
and  by  July  there  were  at  least  forty  companies 
ready  to  answer  the  call  for  military  duty  in  actual 
warfare.  Their  zeal  will  be  more  fully  appreciated 
when  we  understand  that  there  was  "^not  a  single 
post-office  in  the  county,  and  that  the  only  means'of 
dispatching-  communications  was  by  express  riders. 

Associators.— At  the  inception  o'f  the  Revolution, 
there  were  eleven  counties  in  the  province  of  Penn- 
sylvania : 


Philadelphia 
Bucks 
Chester 
Lancaster 


York 

Cumberland 
B^erks 
Northampton 


Bedford 

Xprthumberland 

Westmoreland 


On  June  30,  1775,  the  General  Assembly  ap- 
proved of  "the  Association  entered  into  by  the 
good  people  of  this  Colonv  for  the  defense  of  their 
lives,  liberties  and  properties";  decided  to  pay  the 
necessary  expenses  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  while 
m  active  service,  repelling  any  hostile  invasion  of 
British  or  other  troops  :  and  recommended  the  coun- 
ty commissioners  of  the  several  counties  to  "im- 
mediately provide  a  proper  number  of  good,  new 
firelocks  with  bayonets  fitted  to  them,"  cartridge 
boxes  with  twenty-three  rounds  of  cartridges  'in 
every  box,  and  knapsacks."  The  allotted  number 
for  Berks  county  was  four  hundred. 

Edward  Biddle  and  Henrv  Christ  were  then  the 
representatives  from  Berks  county ;  and  Biddle  was 


WAR  PERIODS 


113 


selected  by  the  Assembly  as  one  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety  "for  calling  forth  such  and  so  many  of 
the  Associators  into  actual  service  when  necessity 
requires."  The  committee  consisted  of  twenty-five 
members. 

The  preamble  to  the  Articles  of  Association  read 
as  follows: 

We,  the  officers  and  soldiers,  engaged  in  the  present 
association  for  the  defense  of  American  liberty,  being 
fully  sensible  that  the  strength  and  security  of  any  body 
of  men  acting  together  consists  in  just  regularity,  due 
subordination,  and  exact  obedience  to  command,  without 
which  no  individual  can  have  that  confidence  in  the  sup- 
port of  those  about  him,  that  is  so  necessary  to  give  firm- 
ness and  resolution  to  the  whole,  do  voluntarily  and 
freely,  after  consideration  of  the  following  articles, 
adopt  the  same  as  the  rules  by  which  we  agree  and  re- 
solve to  be  governed  in  all  our  military  concerns  and 
operations,  until  the  same  or  any  of  them  shall  he 
changed  or  dissolved  by  the  Assembly  or  Provincial  Con- 
vention, or  in  their  recess,  by  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
or  a  happy  reconciliation  shall  take  place  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  Colonies. 

There  were  thirty-two  articles  which  provided  for 
the  regulation  of  military  affairs,  and  these  articles 
the  Associators  were  expected  to  sign.  The  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  in  Berks  county  recommended  the 
adoption  of  the  Articles. 

Recommendations  for  Companies. — On  July 
28,  1775,  the  Assembly  approved  of  the  resolution 
of  Congress,  passed  July  18th,  which  recommended: 

That  all  able-bodied  men  between  sixteen  and  sixty 
years  of  age  in  each  colony  immediately  form  themselves 
into  regular  companies  to  consist  of  one  captain,  two 
lieutenants,  one  ensign,  four  sergeants,  four  corporals,  a 
clerk,  drummer   and  fifer,  and  sixty-eight  privates. 

That  the  officers  of  each^  company  be  chosen  by  the 
respective  comjJanies. 

That  the  companies  be  formed  into  Battalions,  offi- 
cered with  a  Colonel,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  two  Majors, 
and  an  Adjutant  or  Quartermaster. 

That  the  officers  above  captain  be  appointed  by  the  As- 
sembly or  by  the  Committee  of  Safety. 

And  that  each  soldier  be  furnished  with  a  good  musket 
that  will  carry  an  ounce  ball,  with  a  bayonet,  steel  ram- 
rod, worm  priming  wire  with  brush,  fitted  thereto,  a  cut- 
ting sword  or  tomahawk,  a  cartridge  box  that  will  con- 
tain twenty-three  rounds  of  cartridges,  12  flints,  and  a 
knapsack. 

The  musket  barrels  were  three  feet  eight  inches 
long,  and  the  bayonets  sixteen  inches  long ;  the  bore 
of  the  barrels  of  sufficient  size  to  carry  seventeen 
balls  to  the  pound. 

County  Colonels. — Delegates  from  the  eleven 
counties,  numbering  altogether  fifty-three,  assem- 
bled at  Philadelphia  on  Aug.  19,  1775,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  adopting  Articles  of  Association.  They 
were  colonels  of  the  Associated  Battalions,  and  the 
representatives  from  Berks  county  were: 


Edward  Biddle 
Mark  Bird 


Daniel  Brodhead   Christian  Lower 
Balser  Geehr 


of  Independence,  and  directing  it  to  be  read  on 
Monday,  July  8th,  at  12  o'clock  noon,  at  the  place 
where  the  election  of  delegates  was  to  be  held. 
This  was  done  by  Henry  Vanderslice,  the  sheriff 
of  the  county,  on  that  day  at  the  Court-House,  on 
Penn  Square,  the  bell  having  been  rung  earnestly 
beforehand,  as  elsewhere,  to  call  the  people  together 
so  that  they  should  learn  the  significance  of  that 
important  piiblic  document. 

Population  and  Districts. — In  1776,  the  terri- 
tory of  Berks  county  included  not  only  that  part 
which  lies  within  the  present  boundary  lines  to  the 
south  of  the  Blue  Mountain,  but  also  nearly  the 
entire  area  of  Schuylkill  county  to  the  north,  the 
excepted  portion  being  about  one-sixth  part  at  the 
eastern  end.  But  that  section  beyond  the  mountain 
was  sparsely  settled,  the  resident  taxables  number- 
ing about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  and  the  population 
about  six  hundred.  The  total  population  (as  near 
as  it  can  be  estimated)  was  about  twenty  thousand  ; 
and  the  taxables  numbered  about  four  thousand,  the 
same  number  as  those  subject  to  military  duty  be- 
tween the  ages  of  eighteen  and  fifty-three  years. 
The  estimated  population  of  Pennsylvania  then  was 
three  hundred  thousand  white  people,  and  two  thou- 
sand black. 

The  townships  or  districts  established  in  the 
county  numbered  twenty-nine.  They  were  distrib- 
uted as  follows: 

EAST    OF    THE    SCHUYLKILL    RIVER 

Manatawny  Section 

Alsace  Douglass  Reading 

Amity  Exeter  Rockland 

Colebrookdale  Hereford  Ruscombmanor 

District  Oley 

Ontelaunee  Section 

Albany  Maiden-creek  Richmond 

Greenwich  Maxatawny  Windsor 

Longswamp 

WEST    OF    THE    SCHUYLKILL    RIVER 

Schuylkill  Section 


Declaration  Read  in  County. — In  pursuance  of 

a  resolution  of  Congress,  the  State  Board  of  Safety 

addressed  a  letter  to  the  Committee  of  Berks  County 

on  July  6,  1776,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  Declaration 

8 


Brecknock 
Caernarvon 


Curoru 
Robeson 


Tulpehocken  Section 

Bern  Heidelberg 

Bethel 


BEYOND   THE   BLUE    MOUNTAIN 

Brunswick   and    Pine-Grove. 


Union 


Tulpehocken 


COMPANIES  IN  SERVICE 
The  following  companies  from  Berks  county  were 
in  the  Revolution  from  its  inception  in  1775  to  its 
successful  termination  in  1783,  so  far  as  the  com- 
piler has  been  able  to  ascertain  them.  This  table 
is  as  complete  as  it  can  be  made  at  this  time  and 
presents  sufficient  evidence  to  show  the  patriotic 
spirit  of  the  people  and  the  response  they  made  to 
the  government  in  its  numerous  calls  for  troops. 
The  names  of  the  colonels  and  captains  only  can 
be  given. 


114 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


STATEMENT  OF  TROOPS 

During  the  year  1775 

Company  of  Capt.  George  Nagel  (Reading),  95  men, 
at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  from  July,  1775,  to  March  1776. 
He  subsequently  became  a  Colonel. 


During  the  year  1776 

Company  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Jones  (Caernarvon),  83 
men;  at  Montreal,  Quebec,  Ticonderoga,  and  Trenton 
from  January,   1776,  to  January,   1777. 

Battalion  of  Col.  Henry  Haller  (Reading),  which  com- 
prised eight  companies  commanded  by  the  following 
captains : 

John  Spohn   (Reading),  78  men 
Peter  Decker    (Reading),   86   men 
Henry  Christ  (Reading),  87  men 
Joseph  Hiester    (Reading) 
Jacob  Graul   (Reading) 
Jacob  Maurer    (Maiden-creek) 
John  Ludwig   (Heidelberg) 
George  Douglass    (Amity) 

The  total  number  of  men  was  estimated  at  666.  They 
•were  in  active  service  at  New  York  and  Long  Island 
from  June,  1776,  to  January,  1777.  Lieut.-Col.  Nicholas 
Lotz  was  in  command  of  the  men,  and  he  was  among  the 
prisoners  taken  at  the  Battle  of  Long  Island. 

Also,    in   that  vicinity   dtiring   August   and    September, 

1776,  four  companies,  estimated  at  300  men,  commanded 
by  the   following  captains : 

John  Old   (District) 
George  Will  (Reading),  72  men 
Daniel  Deturck  (Alsace),  72  men 
George  May   (Windsor) 

Also,  in  that  vicinity  (South  Amboy)  during  the  same 
time,  four  companies  of  the  battalion  of  Col.  John  Pat- 
ton  (Heidelberg),  estimated  at  300  men,  commanded  by 
the  following  captains : 

John  Lesher  (Tulpehocken) 
Michael  Wolf   (Bethel) 
George  Miller   (Tulpehocken) 
Michael  Furrer   (Tulpehocken) 

Also,  in  that  vicinity  during  the  same  time,  the  4th 
Battalion  of  Berks  County  Militia  uder  the  command 
of  Col.  Balser  Geehr  (Bern).  It  arrived  at  Bethlehem 
on  the  way  on  Sept.  1st.  The  full  battalion  of  six  com- 
panies is  supposed  to  have  gone  to  the  field,  but  the 
names  of  the  captains  and  the  number  of  men  have  not 
been  as  yet  ascertained;   men  estimated  at  300. 

Also,  in  that  vicinity  during  the  same  time,  the  bat- 
talion of  Col.  Mark  Bird  (Union),  which  he  equipped  at 
his  own  expense.  The  names  of  the  captains  have  not 
been  ascertained  but  the  number  of  men  was  said  to  have 
been  about  300. 

The  company  of  Capt.  Benjamin  Weiser  (Heidel- 
berg), 53  men,  was  at  Trenton  in  December,  1776,  and  at 
Princeton  in  January,  1777. 

The  quota  of  500  men  from  Berks  county,  made  up 
from  the  battalions  of  Col.  Henry  Haller  and  Col.  Daniel 
Hunter,  were  also  in  the  vicinity  of  Trenton  in  Decem- 
ber,   1776,    and    at    Newtown,    Bucks    county,    in    January, 

1777.  Only  five  of  the  captains  have  been  ascertained : 

In  the  Haller  battalion,  three  captains — 

George  Will   (Reading),  40  men 

John  Diehl   (Reading),  29  men 

Nicholas  Scheffer   (Tulpehocken),  32  men 
And  in  the  Hunter  battalion,  two  captains — 

Conrad  Eckert   (Heidelberg) 

Fisher 

In  February,  a  detachment  of  the  company  of  Capt. 
Peter  Nagel,  17  men,  was  detailed  on  duty  to  guard 
prisoners  at  Reading. 


In  September,  a  detachment  of  the  company  of  Capt. 
Conrad  Geist,  39  men,  was  detailed  on  duty  also  to  guard 
prisoners  at  Reading. 

Besides  the  captains  mentioned,  there  is  positive  evi- 
dence that  four  additional  captains  were  in  the  service 
in   the   summer:       Jacob   Moser    (Reading),   John    Soder 

(Bern),    Stephen   Crumrine    (Colebrookdale),    and    — 

Moyer,  they  having  been  paid  by  the  Executive  Council. 
Number  of  men  estimated  at  300. 


During  the  year  1777 
The   companies   commanded   by   the    following   captains 
were  enlisted  in  the   Continental  Line — men   estimated  at 
300: 

3d     Reg't,  Peter  Scull   (Reading) 
4th      "      John  Mears  (Reading) 
6th       "      Jacob  Moser   (Reading),  67  men 
6th      "      Jacob  Bower   (Reading) 
11th      "      Samuel  Dewees   (Heidelberg) 
12th       "       Peter   Withington    (Reading) 
The  battalion  of  Col.   Daniel   Hunter    (Oley)    was  mus- 
tered  into   service   on   Aug.   7,   1777,   with   365   men,   and 
participated  under  General  Washington  in  the  campaigns 
round  about  Philadelphia  from  August  to  December,  dur- 
ing  which   the   battles    of    Brandywine    and    Germantown 
were    fought.      It   comprised    six    companies,    which   were 
commanded  by  the  following  captains : 
Henry  Knause   (Colebrookdale) 
Charles  Crouse   (Longswamp) 
Jacob  Whetstone  (Brunswick) 
Conrad  Geist   (Reading) 
John  McMurray   (Robeson) 
John  Lesher  (Oley) 
The  battalion   of   Col.   Daniel   Udree    (Oley)    was   mus- 
tered in  at  the  same  time  with  301  men,  and  was  engaged 
in    the    same   service.      It   comprised    six    companies    with 
the  following  captains : 

Stephen   Crumrine    (Colebrookdale) 
Peter  Smith  (Reading) 
Conrad  Minich   (Brunswick) 
John  Reitmyef  (Reading) 
John  Essington    (Union) 
George    Battorf    (Bethel) 

The  battalion  of  Col.  Michael  Lindenmuth  (Bern)  was 
mustered  in  on  Sept.  27,  1777,  with  286  men,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  service  in  the  Schuylkill  Valley  from  that  time 
until  Washington  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Valley 
Forge  on  Dec.  18th,  when  it  is  supposed  the  men  returned 
to  the  county.  It  comprised  six  companies  with  the  fol- 
lowing captains : 

Sebastian  Lentz   (Rockland) 

Jacob  Rodarmel   (Richmond) 

Francis   Umbenhauer    (Bern) 

Daniel  Deturck    (Alsace) 

John  Wagner   (Bern) 

Daniel    Womelsdorf    (Heidelberg) 

The  battalion  of  Col.  Joseph  Hiester  (Reading)  was 
■mustered  in  at  the  same  time  with  263  men,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  the  same  service  as  the  Lindenmuth  battalion.  It 
comprised  six  companies  with  the   following  captains: 

Jacob  Roth   (Amity) 
Jacob  Dreibelbis    (Greenwich) 
Sebastian  Emrich   (Bethel) 
Peter  Nagel   (Reading) 
John  Graul   (Reading) 
Conrad  Weiser   (Heidelberg) 

The  battalion  of  Col.  Henry  Spyker  (Tulpehocken)  was 
mustered  in  on  Nov.  9,  1777,  and  was  engaged  in  the  serv- 
ice for  sixty  days  in  the  Schuylkill  Valley,  between  Valley 
Forge  and  Germantown.  It  comprised  seven  companies 
and  367  men,  with  the  following  captains : 

Michael  Voyge  (Richmond) 
Jacob  Shadel   (Bern) 


WAR  PERIODS 


115 


George  Riehm  (Cumru) 

Jacob  Rhoads   (Amity) 

Michael  Bretz   (Pine  Grove) 

Conrad  Eckert    (Heidelberg) 

Henry  Weaver  (Tulpehocken) 
The  battalion  of  Col.  Jacob  Weaver  (Amity)  was  mus- 
tered in  on  Dec.  13,  1777,  and  was  also  engaged  in  the 
service  for  sixty  days  in  the  same  vicinity  as  the  Spyker 
battalion.  It  comprised  eight  companies  and  361  men, 
with  the  following  captains : 

Daniel  Reiff  (Oley) 

Henry  Egijer  (Longswamp) 

Ferdinand  Ritter  (Albany) 

Sebastian   Miller   (Cumru) 

Philip  Krick   (Cumru) 

David  Morgan   (Caernarvon) 

Jacob  Kreamer   (Bethel) 

Philip  Filbert   (Heidelberg) 
The   company  of   Capt.   Charles   Crouse    (Longswamp), 
with  40  men,  was  on  guard  duty  at  the  Windsor  powder 
magazine  for  some  time  before  Jan.  3,  1778. 

The  company  of  Capt. Jacob  Hill  (Windsor),  with  41 
men,  was  mustered  into  service  on  Oct.  25,  1777,  and  was 
also  stationed  at  the  same  powder  magazine  for  some  time, 
doing  guard  duty. 

_  And  two  companies,  each  comprising  40  men,  were  sta- 
tioned at  Reading  in  September,  for  the  purpose  of  guard- 
ing the  military  stores — the  names  of  the  commanding 
officers  not   having  been  ascertained. 


During  the  year  1778 

In  January,  General  Washington  recommended  that 
Capt.'  Edward  Scull  (Reading)  should  recruit  150  men 
in  Berks  county  for  the  Battalion  of  the  State  in  the 
Continental  Army,  which  was  done.  , 

A  company,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Joseph  Talbot 
(Caernarvon),  with  54  men,  was  mustered  into  service  on 
Jan.  5th,  and  detailed  for  guard  duty  at  Reading. 

In  April,  200  men  were  ordered  on  guard  duty  at  Read- 
ing, and  10  men  on  guard  duty  at  Boone's  Mill  (supposed 
to  have  been  in  Exeter). 

During  the  middle  of  this  year,  16  men  were  enlisted 
at  Reading  to  make  up  the  company  of  Capt.  Bartholomew 
Von  Heer,  for  the  purpose  of  performing  provost  duty. 
They  were  mounted  and  accoutered  as  Light  Dragoons, 
to  apprehend  deserters,  rioters  and  stragglers. 

Col.  Jacob  Morgan  reported  in  August  that  he  had  for- 
warded 180  men  to  Sunbury,  and  133  men  to  Easton  to 
render  frontier  service  against  the  Indians. 

Two  battalions,  the  quota  ordered  from  Berks  county, 
were  sent  to  Philadelphia  in  October,  to  serve  under  Gen- 
eral Armstrong,  in  anticipation  of  an  invasion  by  the  Brit- 
ish, the  number  of  men  being  estimated  at  500. 


During  the  year  1779 
No  evidence  of  the  enlistment  ^of  men  from  Berks  coun- 
ty during  this  year  has  been  discovered,  nor  any  orders 
from    the    Executive    Council    to    the    lieutenant    of    the 
county  for  men. 

During  the  year  1780 

In  May,  one  class  of  men,  numbering  60  men,  was 
taken  from  the  battalion  of  Col.  Michael  Lindenmuth 
(Bern)   for  frontier  service. 

In  June,  a  company  of  53  men  was  raised  as  volun- 
teers in  Berks  county  and  sent  to  Philadelphia  under  the 
command  of  Major  Edward  Scull. 

In  August,  130  men  were  sent  to  Brunswick  township 
from  the  county  to  render  frontier  service. 

In  August,  the  6th  Battalion  of  County  Militia,  under 
the  command,  of  Col.  Joseph  Hiester,  joined  the  army  of 
Gen.  Joseph  Reed  in  New  Jersey,  near  Camden,  in  pur- 
suance of  an  order  to  supply  600  men,  who  were  to  co- 
operate with  the  main  army  near  Philadelphia.  It  Nvas 
in  service  for  thirty  days  from  Aug.  10th.  The  names 
of  437  men  have  been  ascertained  of  this  quota.  There 
were  six  companies,  commanded  by  the  following  captains : 


Charles  Gobin  (Reading) 
Ferdinand  Ritter    (Albany) 
Conrad  Sherman   (Tulpehocken) 
John  Ludwig   (Heidelberg) 
Jacob  Baldy    (Maxatawny) 
Henry   Strouch    (Ruscombmanor) 

In  September,  two  companies,  numbering  130  men,  from 
the  battalion  of  Col.  Samuel  Ely,  were  sent  from  the 
county  to  perform  frontier  service  against  the  Indians. 

During  the  year  178 1 

In  May,  one  class  of  the  battalion  of  Col.  Michael 
Lindenmuth,  numbering  64  men,  was  forwarded  from 
county  to  render  frontier  service. 

In  June,  two  classes  of  the  6th  Battalion  of  Militia, 
commanded  by  Col.  Joseph  Hiester,  numbering  138  men, 
were  placed  under  the  command  of  Maj.  Bayley,  to  guard 
the  encampment  of  German  prisoners  at  Reading. 

In  August,  a  detachment  of  Lieut.  Daniel  Stroud's  com- 
pany, numbering  40  men,  was  ordered  on  guard  duty,  and 
it   served  during   August   and   September. 

A  detachment  of  Capt.  Charles  Grouse's  company,  num- 
bering 36  men,  was  on  duty  at  Reading  guarding  pris- 
oners from  Aug.  16th  to  Oct.  16th. 

In  September,  there  were  153  men  recruited  at  Reading 
and  forwarded. 

Three  classes  of  Col.  Samuel  Ely's  Battalion,  numbering 
300  men,  were  in  service  at  Newtown  from  Oct.  1st  to 
Oct.  l&th.  Two  of  the  companies  are  believed  to  have 
been  commanded  by 

John  Robinson   (Caernarvon),  56  men 
Jacob  Ladich   (Brunswick) 

The  other  companies  have  not  been  discovered. 

Three  other  companies,  about  the  same  number  of  men, 
were  also  organized  in  the  county,  but  on  account  of  the 
want  of  arms  the  lieutenant  of  the  county  (then  Col.  Val- 
entine Eckert),  could  not  then  forward  them. 

In  October,  a  company  of  riflemen,  numbering  83  men, 
was  organized  in  the  western  end  of  the  county,  and  in 
service  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Jacob  Livingood 
(Heidelberg)  until  Jan.  1,  1782.  The  place  of  service  has 
not  been  ascertained,  but  the  men  were  paid  on  Jan. 
16,   1782. 

Militia  from  Greenwich  and  Maxatawny  townships, 
numberi^jg  120  men,  were  on  a  tour  of  duty. 

Detachments  from  the  2d  and  6th  Battalions  of  Militia, 
numbering  169  men,  were  on  duty  at  Reading  guarding 
prisoners. 


During  the  year  1782 

In  February,  the  company  of  Capt.  John  Robinson, 
numbering  60  men,  was  in  service  at  Northumberland. 

In  February,  the  first  class  of  militia,  numbering  40 
men,'  was    in    service   at   Reading   guarding   prisoners.' 

In  August,  there  were  two  detachments  of  militia,  one 
numbering  27  men,  and  the  other  50  men,  who  rendered 
frontier  service  in  the  county. 

In  September,  125  men  were  sent  from  the  county  to 
render   frontier   service   in    Northumberland   county. 

In  September,  a  detachment  of  Capt.  Peter  Nagel's  com- 
pany, numbering  40  men,  was  detailed  to  guard  prisoners 
who  were  sent  from  Reading  to  Philadelphia. 

RECAPITULATION 

For  the  year  1775  95 

For  the  year  1776  2,858 

For  the  year  1777   2,404 

For  the  year  1778  1,233 

For  the  year  1779   

For  the  year  1780  ' 952 

For  the  year  1781  1,093 

For  the  year  1782  343 


8,977 


116 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Miscellaneous    enlistments    ascertained   not    included 

in    above    statement    56 


Total    estimated    9,033 

The  number  of  men  for  the  years  1776  and  1777 
appears  incredible,  but  the  reader  will  take  into 
consideration  that  the  men  for  each  year  were  not 
all  in  service  at  one  time.  Taking  the  reports  of 
men  in  service  that  have  been  given  in  detail,  and 
understanding  that  it  was  not  possible  to  discover 
all  the  men  that  were  enlisted,  it  can  be  said  that 
the  estimated  total,  as  arranged,  is  not  above,  but 
rather  below,  the  real  number  supplied  by  the  coun- 
ty during  the  Revolution. 

The  system  of  supplying  men  was  simple,  and 
it  was  carried  on  in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  as- 
sistance to  the  government  with  as  little  injury  as 
possible  to  the  several  districts  from  which  the  men 
were  called.  The  number  demanded  at  one  time 
was  not  extraordinary,  compared  with  the  total 
number  subject  to  military  duty,  and  the  term  of 
service  was  limited  to  such  a  period  that  the  busi- 
ness interests  of  the  people  should  not  suffer  seri- 
ous losses.  In  this  way  it  was  possible  to  have  at 
least  several  hundred  men  from  a  county  in  service 
all  the  time. 

COLONELS    ASCERTAINED— 17 


Mark  Bird 
Daniel   Brodhead 
Valentine   Eckert 
Samuel   Ely 
Balser   Geehr 
Henry   Haller 
Joseph  Hiester 
Daniel   Hunter 
Michael  Lindenmuth 


Nicholas  Lotz 
Jacob  Morgan 
Jacob  Morgan, 
George  Nagel 
John  Patton 
Henry  Spyker 
Daniel  Udree 
Jacob   Weaver 


Jr. 


CAPTAINS    ASCERTAINED— 85 


Jacob  Baldy 
George   Battorf 
George   Beaver 
Jacob  Bower 
Michael  Bretz 
Henry  Christ 
Charles  Crouse 
Stephen    Crumrine 
Peter  Decker 
Daniel    Deturck 
Samuel   Dewees 
John  Diehl 
Jacob   Dreibelbis 
Conrad  Eckert 
Henry  Egner 
Sebastian   Emrich 
John    Essington 
Philip    Filbert 

Fisher 

George  Focht 
Conrad  Geist 
Charles  Gobin 
Jacob   Graul 
John  Graul 
Thomas   Herbert 
Joseph   Hiester 
Jacob  Hill 
Jonathan  Jones 
George   Kemp 
Henry  Knause 
Philip  Kreamer 


Philip  Krick 
Jacob  Ladich 
Sebastian    Lentz 
John   Lesher 
Jacob   Livingood 
John  Ludwig 
Jacob    Maurer 
George   May 
John  McMurray 
John   Mears 
George    Miller 
Sebastian   Miller 
Conrad   Minich 
David   Morgan 
Jacob  Moser 

Moyer 

George   Nagel 
Peter   Nagel 
John   Old 

Dirck    Pennybacker 
Daniel   Reiff 
John    Reitmyer 
Jacob   Richstein 
George   Riehm 
Ferdinand  Ritter 
John    Robinson 
Jacob  Roth    (Rhoads) 
Jacob  Rothermel 
Nicholas    Scheffer 
Edward  Scull 
Peter  Scull 


Francis   Umbenhauer 
Bartholomew  Von  Heer 
Peter  Wanner 
John  Wagner 
Benjamin   Weiser 
Conrad  Weiser 
Henry   Weaver 
Jacob  Whetstone 
Matthias  Wick 
George  Will 
Daniel  Womelsdorf 


William  Scull 
Jacob  Shadel 
Henry    Shepler 
Conrad  Sherman 
Casper  Smeck 
Peter  Smith 
John   Soder 

Spatts 

John  Spohn 
Leonard  Stone 
Henry  Strauch 
Joseph   Talbot 

Army  Supplies  from  County. — During  the 
Revolution,  many  army  supplies  were  either  manu- 
factured or  produced  in  the  county  of  Berks,  more 
especially  in  the  years  1775,  1776  and  1777;  and 
these  were  collected  from  the  several  districts  and 
deposited  at  Reading,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling 
the  Commissioners  of  Forage  to  fill  the  propor- 
tional allotments  of  the  districts  with  reasonable 
dispatch.  They  consisted  of  grain,  flour,  hay,  pow- 
der, clothing,  accoutrements,  horses  and  wagons. 

The  superior  geographical  situation  of  Reading 
led  Congress  to  select  the  place  as  a  general  depot 
for  storing  supplies  of  all  kinds.  It  was  far  enough 
from  Philadelphia  that  General  Howe  could  not 
entertain  any  thoughts  of  capturing  the  stores  with 
safety  to  his  army,  and  yet  it  was  near  enough  to 
enable  the  storekeeper  to  fill  orders  made  upon  him 
promptly. 

Store  House  at  Reading. — In  a  letter  of  CoL 
Jacob  Morgan  to  the  Executive  Council,  dated  Sept. 
18,  1777,  he  stated  as  follows: 

There  is  at  present  a  great  quantity  of  powder  and 
other  stores  belonging  to  the  State  in  this  town  [Read- 
ing] and  there  are  two  companies  now  out  of  said  classes 
mounting  guard  over  said  stores.  The  people  of  the  town 
are  vastly  uneasy  at  having  so  much  powder  here,  and, 
unless  it  be  very  well  guarded,  that  uneasiness  will  in- 
crease to  a  great  degree,  as  fire  happening  to  the  house 
where  the  powder  is  lodged  would  tear  the  town  to  pieces 
and  destroy  the  whole  body  of  inhabitants.  Many  persons 
of  the  town,  above  53  years  of  age,  would  make  part 
of  a  guard  if  taken  into  pay,  which  would  render  it  easy 
to  send  so  many  more  of  the  militia  as  would  otherwise 
be  requisite  for  such  guard.  The  Continental  Press  and 
Medicinal   store   also   require   some   guard. 

By  a  letter  of  the  same  day  from  Christ  and  Shoe- 
maker [Justices]  to  the  Council  it  would  appear 
that  they  had  called  two  companies  of  militia  to 
guard  the  said  stores — "not  forgetting  the  Conti- 
nental Treasurer."  The  stores  included  a  "vast 
number  of  ammunition  in  the  town,  or  near  it." 

Lotz  Receipt  Book. — In  1893,  the  compiler  saw 
the  receipt  book  of  Col.  Nicholas  Lotz  in  which  re- 
ceipts were  taken  for  moneys  paid  from  Aug.  13, 
1780,  to  Dec.  5,  1781.  The  total  amount  was  $202,- 
033.  Some  of  the  items  were  reckoned  in  pounds, 
shillings  and  pence,  but  the  most  of  them  were  in 
dollars.  A  great  part  of  the  amount  was  paid  to 
him  in  currency,  which  was  never  redeemed, 
whereby  he  and  others  suffered  great  losses. 

Iron  Industries. — Thirteen  prominent  iron  in- 
dustries were  carried  on  successfully  in  the  county 
during  the  Revolution.    They  were  situated  in  the 


WAR  PERldDS 


iir 


four  sections  of  the  county,  along  strong  streams 
of  water,  as  follows: 

FURNACES 

Oley,  in  Oley,  on  Manatawny  creek. 

Mt.  Pleasamt,  in  Colebrookdale,  on  West  Branch  of 
Perkiomen. 

Hereford,  in  Hereford,  on  West  Branch  of  Perkiomen. 

Hopewell,  in  Union,  on  French  creek. 

Berkshire,  in  Heidelberg  on  tributary  of  Tulpehocken 
creek. 


Pine,  Spring  and  Oley,  in  Douglass,  District,  and  Oley, 
on  Manatawny  creek. 

Mi.  Pleasant,  in  Colebrookdale,  on  West  Branch. 
Bird's,  in  Robeson,  on  Hay  creek. 
Gibraltar,  in  Robeson,  on  Allegheny  creek. 
Moselem,  in  Richmond,  on  Ontelaunee  creek. 
Charming,  in  Tulpehocken,  on  Tulpehocken  creek. 

Ironmasters. — The  ironmasters,  the  proprietors 
■  of  the  foregoing  industries,  were  Mark  Bird,  John 
Patton,  John  Lesher,  David  Potts,  John  Old,  Thom- 
as Mayberry,  Daniel  Udree,  George  Ege  and  Chris- 
tian Lower.  The  assessed  value  of  the  property 
of  these  men  in  the  different  sections  of  the  county 
amounted  to  a  very  large  sum  in  the  aggregate, 
showing  that  they  were  in  a  situation  to  contribute 
a  strong  influence  toward  the  successful  prosecu- 
tion of  the  war.  They  supplied  the  Continental 
Government  with  cannon-balls,  cast-iron  and 
wrought-iron  in  various  shapes,  and  they  cooper- 
ated heartily  in  the  great  social  movement  for  rep- 
resentative government.  Their  assistance  was  of 
the  greatest  consequence  and  cannot  be  overesti- 
mated. We  can  take  great  pride  in  the  fact  that 
the  county  then  possessed  such  enterprising,  pub- 
lic-spirited and  patriotic  men. 

Other  Industries.— ^There  were  other  indus- 
tries which  are  equally  worthy  of  mention,  such  as 
numerous  grist-mills,  saw-mills,  gun  factories, 
wheelwright  shops  and  blacksmith  shops.  These 
were  also  situated  along  the  strong  streams  in  dif- 
ferent sections  of  the  county  and  they  rendered 
great  assistance  to  Congress  and  the  Council. 
Nicholas  Lotz,  Sebastian  Levan,  and  Daniel  B rod- 
head  were  three  extensive  millers,  and  Valentine 
Eckert  and  Christian  Lower  were  two  influential 
blacksmiths,  who  identified  themselves  prominently 
with  public  affairs  at  that  time.  Knapsacks  and 
gun-barrels  were  made  in  different  parts  of  the 
county.  And  numerous  energetic,  hopeful  and  per- 
sistent farmers  constituted  the  very  foundation  of 
the  public  welfare. 

CONTINENTAL  PAPER  MONEY 
During  the  progress  of  the  Revolution,  the  gov- 
ernment was  compelled  to  resort  to  the  emission 
of  "bills  of  credit"  with  which  to  purchase  army 
supplies,  etc.,  and  to  satisfy  the  demands  of  carry- 
ing on  the  war.  Gold  and  silver  were  not  then 
known  to  exist  in  the  country  in  any  quantity  equal 
to  the  demands  of  the  war,  nor  could  they  be  pro- 
cured. Direct  taxation,  though  practicable,  was 
deemed  impolitic.    The  only  plausible  expedient  in 


the  power  of  Congress  was  the  emission  of  these 
bills.  Congress  therefore  resolved  in  June,  1775,  to 
emit  such  bills  to  the  amount  of  two  millions  of 
dollars;  in  July,  ordered  a  million  more;  and  in 
November,  three  millions  more;  and  for  their  re- 
demption, pledged  the  Confederated  Colonies.  Sub- 
sequently, other  emissions  were  made;  and  such 
was  the  animation  of  the  times  that  these  several 
emissions,  amounting  to  twenty  millions,  circulated 
for  some  time  without  any  depreciation,  and  com- 
manded the  resources  of  the  country  for  public 
service  equally  with  gold  or  silver.  But  there 
was  a  point  both  in  time  and  quantity  beyond  which 
this  process  ceased  to  operate ;  that  time  was  about 
eighteen  months  from  the  date  of  first  emission 
and  that  quantity  twenty  millions.  The  rulers 
thought  it  still  premature  to  urge  taxation,  and 
they,  therefore,  resorted  to  the  expedient  of  fur- 
ther emissions.  The  ease  with  which  the  means 
of  procuring  supplies  were  furnished^  by  simply 
striking  off  bills  of  credit,  and  the  readiness  with 
which  the  people  received  them,  prompted  Con- 
gress to  multiply  them  beyond  the  limits  of  pru- 
dence, and  a  depreciation  of  their  value  was  the  un- 
avoidable consequence. 

At  first,  this  depreciation  was  scarcely  percepti- 
ble, but  it  increased  daily,  till  finally  the  currency 
became  worthless.  It  began  at  different  peridds 
in  different  States ;  but  in  general  about  the  middle 
of  the  year  1777,  and  then  increased  progressively 
for  several  years.  In  the  latter  part  of  1777  it  was 
two  dollars  in  currency  for  one  in  specie ;  in  1778, 
five  for  one;  in  1779,  twenty-seven  for  one;  in 
1780,  fifty  for  one.  After  1780,  the  circulation  was 
limited  to  certain  localities ;  but  where  the  currency 
passed,  it  depreciated  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars for  one.  In  Pennsylvania,  the  Executive  Coun- 
cil resolved,  as  late  as  Feb.  1,  1781,  that  Continen- 
tal money  should  be  received  for  public  dues  at 
the  exchange  of  seventy-five  dollars  in  currency  for 
one  in  specie.  But  an  Act. provided  that  after  June 
1st  following,  only  specie  or  equivalent  bills  of  cred- 
it should  be  received  for  taxes  or  other  public 
dues;  and  this  rendered  the  currency  worthless  in 
the  State.  This  extraordinary  depreciation  brought 
great  loss  to  many  of  the  people  who  had  aided 
the  government  in  the  grand  struggle  for  freedom. 
In  this  respect,  the  soldiers  suffered  most.  The 
people  of  Reading,  and  especially  of  the  county, 
met  with  considerable  losses  thereby.  Some  of 
them  had  large  quantities  which  were  transmitted 
for  some  time  until  lost  or  destroyed.  It  was  not 
redeemed. 

INCUMBENTS  OF  POSITIONS 

The  following  men  from  Berks  county  occupied 
the  positions  named,  for  the  time  stated,  during  the 
Revolution : 

NATIONAL 

Delegate  in  Continental  Congress 
Edward  Biddle,   1774-75;   1775-76;   1778-79. 


118 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Secretary   of   Board   of    War 
Edward  Scull,  May  16,  1778. 

Surgeons 
Dr.  Jonathan  Potts  Dr.  Bodo  Otto 

Surveying  Department 
William  Scull,  January,  1778,  to  September,  1779. 

Deputy   Quartermaster-General 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jr.,  April,  1778,  to  1783. 

STATE 

Delegates   to   Provincial   Conference,   June    i8,   1776 


Jacob  Morgan 
Henry  Haller 
Mark  Bird 
Bodo  Otto 
Benjamin  Spyker 


Daniel  Hunter 
Valentine  Eckert 
Nicholas   Lotz 
Joseph  Hiester 
Charles   Shoemaker 


Delegates  to  Constitutional  Convention,  July  15,  1776 


Jacob  Morgan 
Gabriel  Hiester 
John  Lesher 
Benjamin    Spyker 


Daniel  Hunter 
Valentine  Eckert 
Charles   Shoemaker 
Thomas  Jones,  Jr. 


Wagon  Masters  General 

Henry  Haller,  June,  1779,  to  Aug.  14,  1780. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jr.,  Aug.  14,  1780,  to  1783. 

Superintendent  of  Commissioners  of  Purchases 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jr.,  Aug.  14,  1780,  to  1783. 

Register  of  Court'  of  Admiralty 
James  Read,  June  5,  1781. 

Prothonotary  of  Supreme  Court 

Edward  Burd,   Esq.,  appointed  Aug.  12,   1778;  he  con- 
tinued until  Jan.  26,  1786,  when  he  was  re-appointed. 


Committee  on  Correspondence,  July  2,  J774 

Edward  Biddle  Christopher  Schultz 

James   Read  Thomas  Dundas 

Daniel    Brodhead  Jonathan  Potts 
Henry  Christ 

Committee  on  Observation,  Dec.  5,  1774 


Members  of  Assembly 


Edward   Biddle. 


'75, 

Henry  Christ 1774 

Henry    Haller 

John    Lesher 

James     Read 

Benjamin     Spyker 
Sebastian  Levan. . , 

'78, 
Daniel    Hunter 

'78, 
Balser     Geehr 

'80: 

Jonathan  Potts 

Mark   Bird 1778 

Gabriel   Hiester 

'79, 


1774  Valentine    Eckert 1779 

'78       Christian  Lower 1779 

'7.5  '82,    '83 

1776       George    Ege 1779 

1776  '80,    '82 

1777  Jonathan   Jones 1779 

1777        John    Fatten 1780   'S3 

1777       Thomas   Mifflin 1780 

79       Joseph  Hiester 1780.  '81 

1777       Benjamin  Weiser 1781 

'81       John     Bishop 1781 

1777  Daniel    Clvmer 17S3,    'S3 

'81  .\braham    Lincoln.  .1782,    S3 

1778  Nicholas    Lotz 1782,    'S3 

,    '80 

1775  John     Ludwig 1732 

81       John    Rice 1783 


Edward  Biddle 
Christopher  Schultz 
Jonathan   Potts 
William   Reeser 
Balser  Geehr 
Michael   Bright 
John  Patton 
Mark  Bird 


Edward  Biddle  was  Speaker  of  the  Assembly  for  the 
year   1774-7.'i. 

The  representation  of  the  county  was  as  follows :  Two 
for  the  years  1774  and  1775,  and  six  for  the  remaining 
years. 

The  foregoing  Representatives  were  elected  the  several 
years  named  for  the  term  of  one  year. 

Executive    Councillors 

Richard  Tea  (ironmaster  of  Flereford  township)  was 
a  councillor  for  a  time.  He  was  elected  in  1776,  and  served 
until  April,  1777,  when  he  resigned. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jr.,  was  qualified  on  Sept.  3,  1777.  He 
resigned  April  4,  1778,  upon  accepting  the  appointment  of 
D.  Q.  M.  General.  On  May  25,  1778,  an  order  was  drawn 
to  him  for  £301,  5s.,  for  attending  Council  180  days,  in- 
cluding mileage. 

James  Read  succeeded  him,  and  was  qualified  on  June 
30,  1778.  On  Dec.  1,  177S,  he  received  one  vote  for  Pres- 
ident of  the  Executive  Council.  He  resigned  June  4,  17S1, 
and  on  the  5th,  was  elected  Register  of  the  Court  of  Ad- 
miralty of  Pennsylvania. 

Sebastian  Levan,  of  Maxataw.ny,  was  also  a  councillor, 
and  officiated  from  Oct.  31,   1781,  to  Oct.   15,   1784. 


John  Jones 
John  pid 
Sebastian  Levan 
George  Nagel 
Christopher   Witman 
Jacob   Shoemaker 
James  Lewis 


Colonels  of  Associated  Battalions,  177s 


Edward  Biddle 
Mark  Bird 
Daniel  Brodhead 


Balser  Geehr 
Christian  Lower 


Standing  Committee,  1775 


Edward  Biddle 
Mark  Bird 
Jonathan   Potts 
Daniel  Brodhead 
Balser  Geehr 


CoUinson   Read,    Sec. 
Valentine  Eckert 
Nicholas  Lotz,  Chairman 
Sebastian  Levan 
Richard  Tea 


Lieutenants  of  County 

Jacob  Morgan,  June  9,  1777,  to  1780;  Valentine  Eckert, 
Jan.  8,  17S1,  to  1783. 


Sub-Licutcuants 


Henry  Shoemaker 
Christian  Lower,  Jr 
Valentine  Eckert 


Daniel  Udree 
Jacob  Swcyer 
John  Mears 


PayuMsfcrs   of   County   I[[ilitia 

Daniel  Hunter,  1776,  to  Aug.  25,  1777;  Henry  Spyker, 
Aug.   26,   1777,   to   17S;!. 

Superintendent  of  Purchases 

John  Patton,  1778. 

Commissioners  of  Forage 

Valentine    Eckert 177S       Nicholas  Lotz.  .1780  to  1783 

John    Lesher 1778 

In  October,  1779,  Col.  IMichael  Lindenmuth  was  ap- 
pointed Commissioner  to  purchase  flour  for  the  French 
fleet. 

Collectors   of   E.vcisc 

John   Biddle 1774       John    Witman 1780-81 

Daniel     Levan 1779-80       Conrad    Foos 1782-83 


WAR  PERIODS 


119 


Wagon-Masier 

Henry  Haller,   1778  to   1783 

Quartermaster 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jr.,  1778 

Storekeeper  at  Reading 
Joseph  Cowperthwaite,  1778 

Local  Committees 

Owing  to  the  aid  given  by  divers  inhabitants  to  the 
enemy,  the  Council  in  September,  1777,  appointed  com- 
mittees to  dispose  of  the  property  of  such  offenders  and 
make  return  of  their  proceedings  under  oath.  The  fol- 
lowing committee  was  appointed  for  Berks  county: 


County  Commissioners 


Samuel    Hoch 1775-76 

Michael    Bright 1775-77 

Abraham   Lincoln. .  .1775-78 
Christian  Lower ....  1777-79 

John    Kerlin 1778-80 

Adam    Witman 1779-81 


-f,] 


Thomas  Parry 
David  Morgan 
Peter  Nagel 
Henry  Haller 


Daniel  Udree 
Henry   Spyker 
Joseph   Hiester 


This  committee  appointed  two  persons  in  each  district 
to  make  provision  for  distressed  families  whose  husbands 
and  fathers  were  in  service.  The  appointees  for  Reading 
were  Henry  Hahn  and  Peter  Feather. 

On  Nov.  8th,  the  Council  also  appointed  committees  to 
collect  arras,  clothing,  etc.,  from  the  inhabitants  who  did 
not  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  or  who  aided  the  enemy, 
and  to  deliver  them  to  the  clothier-general.  The  com- 
mittee in  Berks  county  was : 


Henry  Christ 
Henry  Haller 
Thomas  Parry 
Daniel  Udree 
Philip  Miller 


Nathan   Lewis 
John  Lower 
Godfrey  Riehm 
Jacob  Seltzer 
Nicholas  Scheffer 


Committee  on  Attainder  and  Vesting  Forfeited  Estates,  lyyS 


Thomas   Parry 
Henry  Haller 


David   Morgan 


Auditing  Committee 


Francis  Richardson,  Reynold  Keene,  Collinson  Read, 
James  Biddle  and  Henry  Haller  were  appointed  Jan.  23, 
1777,  commissioners  for  the  county,  to  audit  and  settle 
the  accounts  for  arms  and  accoutrements  purchased,  the 
property  of  persons  lost  in  actual  service,  and  of  those 
who  were  killed,  died  in  service,  or  were  made  prisoners. 


Judges 


Peter   Spycker 1775-83 

George    Douglass . . .  1775-83 

Balser   Geehr 1775-83 

John    Patton 1775-77 

Jacob   Morgan 1775-77 

Mark    Bird 1775-76 


Jonathan    Potts 1776-77 

Daniel    Levan 1777 

Sebastian   Zimmerman    .... 

1778-83 

William  Reeser 1778-83 


Peter  Spycker  was  appointed  president  judge  of  all  the 
courts  on  Nov.  18,   1780. 

Justices  of  the  Peace 

1777 — Henry  Christ,  Reading;  Jacob  Shoemaker,  Wind- 
sor; James  Read,  Reading;  Daniel  Hiester,  Heidelberg; 
Peter  Spycker,  Tulpehocken ;  Jacob  Weaver,  John  Old, 
Amity;  John  Ludwig,  Exeter;  Benj.  Shott;_  Christopher 
Schultz,  Hereford ;  Samuel  Ely,  Richmond ;  "Jacob  Wag- 
oner, Bern;  Daniel  Rothermel,  Maiden-creek;  Charles 
Shoemaker,  Windsor;  Egedius  Meyer,  Jacob  Morgan, 
Caernarvon;   Thomas   Parry,   Union. 

1778 — Benjamin  Weiser,  Heidelberg;  Michael  Linden- 
muth,   Bern;    Gabriel  Hiester,   Bern. 

1780— John   Guldin,   Oley. 


Thomas  Jones 1780-83 

Thomas    Parry 1781-83 

Daniel   Messersmith    

1783-83 

Michael     Furrer 1783 

.  y  ■  1    ;■  .     lA    . .  ,    iJ-; 


Sheriffs 


George    Nagel 1775 

Henry  Vanderslice.  .1776-77 
Daniel    Levan 1778-79 


Henry    Hoffa 1780-81 

Philip  Kraemer 1783-83 


Treasurers 

Christopher  Witman  1775-79      Daniel  Levan 1780-83 

Assessors 

The  assessors  appointed  by  the  county  commissioners 
for  the  years  named  were : 

1776— Vernor  Stamm,  Michael  Furrer,  Paul  Geiger, 
John  Spohn,  John  Kerlin,  John  Egner. 

1777 — John  Hartman,  Michael  Furrer,  John  Robinson, 
John  Egner,  George  Kelchner,  Joseph  Sands. 

INDEPENDENCE  AND  PEACE. 

The  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown 
on  Oct.  19,  1781,  was  virtually  the  end  of  the  war 
between  Great  Britain ,  and  America.  The  news 
of  the  surrender  reached  London  on  the  35th  of 
November,  following.-  Several  months  -afterward, 
the  warfare  in  the  American  Colonies  was  discussed 
and  its  continuance  discouraged  in  the  House  of 
Commons.  These  discussions  were  continued  with 
earnestness  till  they  culminated  in  a  preliminary 
treaty  of  peace  on  Nov.  30,  1782.  In  the  first  arti- 
cle of  this  treaty,  "the  independence  of  the  thirteen 
United  States  of  America"  was  recognized.  The 
treaty  was  not  made  final  then,  owing  to  the  three 
allied  powers — Great  Britain,  France  and  Spain — 
having  been  pledged  to  one  another  not  to  conclude 
a  treaty  except  by  common  consent.  The  final 
treaty  was  concluded  at  Paris  on  Sept.  3,  1783,  and 
thereby  the  United  States  was  acknowledged  to  be 
"free,  sovereign  and  independent." 

During  these  two  years  of  negotiation  and  de- 
lay, there  were  no  general  military  operations.  But 
great  anxiety  was  felt  over  the  prospects  for  a  per- 
manent peace.  Through  the  inactivity  of  the  army, 
the  officers  and  soldiers  became  restless ;  also  dis- 
contented, because  they  were  not  rewarded  for 
their  patriotic  services.  An  attempt  was  made 
by  anonymous  and  seditious  publications  to  inflame 
their  minds  and  to  induce  them  to  unite  in  redress- 
ing their  grievances  whilst  they  had  arms  in  their 
hands.  But  Washington  succeeded  in  quieting 
them.  His  wisdom  and  eloquence  elicited  from  the 
officers  the  unanimous  adoption  of  a  resolution  by 
which  they  declared  "that  no  circumstances  of  dis- 
tress or  danger  should  induce  a  conduct  that  might 
tend  to  sully  the  reputation  and  glpry  they  had  ac- 
quired; that  the  army  continued  to  have  unshaken 
confidence  in  the  justice  of  Congress  and  their 
country ;  and  that  they  viewed  with  abhorrence  and 


120 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


rejected  with  disdain  the  infamous  proposition  in 
the  late  anonymous  address  to  the  officers  of  the 
army." 


Return  of  Soldiers. — In  order  to  avoid  the  in- 
conveniences of  dismissing  a  great  number  of  sol- 
diers in  a  body,  furloughs  were  freely  granted.  In 
this  way,  a  great  part  of  the  unpaid  army  was  dis- 
banded and  dispersed  over  the  States  without  tu- 
mult or  disorder.  As  they  had  been  easily  and 
speedily  formed  out  of  farmers,  mechanics  and  la- 
borers in  1775,  so  with  equal  facility  did  they  throw 
ofif  their  military  character  and  resume  their  for- 
mer occupations.  They  had  taken  up  arms  earn- 
estly for  political  freedom,  but  when  these  were  no 
longer  necessary,  they  laid  them  down  peaceably 
to  become  again  good  citizens,  as  they  had  been 
for  eight  years  patriotic  soldiers. 


WHISKEY  INSURRECTION,  1794. 

Cause. — As  early  as  1756,  the  province  of  Penn- 
sylvania had  looked  to  excise  on  ardent  spirits  for 
the  means  of  sustaining  its  bills  of  credit.  The 
original  law  was  limited  to  a  period  of  ten  years; 
but  it  was  extended  from  time  to  time  as  necessi- 
ties pressed  upon  the  treasury.  During  the  Revo- 
lution, the  law  was  generally  evaded  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  the  State  by  considering  all  spirits  as 
for  domestic  use,  such  having  been  excepted  from 
excise.  But,  when  the  debts  of  the  Revolution  be- 
gan to  press  upon. the  States,  the  government  offi- 
cials became  more  vigilant  in  the  enforcement  of 
the  law  and  Congress,  after  a  long  debate,  passed 
an  Act  in  March,  1791,  increasing  the  duty  on  im- 
ported spirits  and  levying  a  tax  of  four  pence  per 
gallon  on  all  distilled  spirits,  which  went  into  opera- 
tion in  July  following.  The  Legislature  had  in- 
structed their  representatives  in  Congress  to  vote 
against  the  law. 

Opposition  arose  at  once  in  the  western  counties 
of  the  State,  and  resolutions  were  adopted  at  pub- 
lic meetings  demanding  an  unconditional  appeal. 
Liberty-poles  were  erected,  and  people  even  as- 
sembled in  arms  to  resist  officers  in  the  enforce- 
ment of  the  law.  Various  public  excitements  con- 
tinued until  1794,  when  an  insurrection  ensued. 
Governor  Mifflin  declined  to  call  out  the  militia  to 
suppress  the  insurrection,  and,  as  a  consequence, 
the  spirit  extended  into  contiguous  States. 

President  Washington  called  on  Pennsylvania, 
New  Jersey,  Maryland  and  Virginia  for  fifteen 
thousand  men,  and  sent  commissioners  to  the  scene 
of  the  disturbance  in  Washington  county,  with 
power  to  arrange  for  peaceful  submission  any  time 
before  Sept.  14,  1794.  But  the  commissioners  re- 
turned to  Philadelphia  ten  days  after  that  date 
without  a  settlement.  The  troops  were  promptly 
put  in  motion,  the  governors  of  the  several  States 
named  commanding  their  respective  quotas.  Gover- 
nor Lee,  of  Virginia,  had  chief  command  of  the 


army.  On  the  appearance  of  the  troops  m  Novem- 
ber the  insurrection  subsided.  There  was  no  oppo- 
sition and  no  bloodshed.  Among  the  Pennsylvania 
troops,  there  was  a  company  from  Reading,  under 
the  command  of  Capt.  Daniel  De  B.  Keim.  This 
company  was  formed  from  certain  survivors  of 
the  Continental  army,  which  had  been  commanded 
by  Lieut.-Col.  Nicholas  Lotz,  and  was  called  the 
•■Reading  Union  Volunteers."  It  was  afterward 
known  as  the  "Reading  Artillerists."  This  insur- 
rection cost  the  government  $1,100,000. 

Troops  from  County.— The  proportion  of  troops 
which  was  to  be  supplied  by  Berks  county  toward 
the  quota  of  Pennsylvania  militia  under  the  requi- 
sition of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  was 
434  officers  and  privates,  and  26  cavalry.  The  434 
men  were  placed  under  the  command  of  Brig.-Gen. 
Francis  Murray,  in  the  2d  Brigade.  The  Adjutant- 
General  of  the  State  issued  an  order  on  Sept.  11, 
1794,  requiring  the  quota  for  the  counties  of  Bucks, 
Northampton  and  Berks  to  assemble  at  Reading, 
receive  arms,  equipments  and  camp  equipage,  and 
march  thence  by  way  of  Harrisburg  to  Carlisle.  _ 

The  Quartermaster-General  of  Pennsylvania, 
Clement  Biddle,  arrived  at  Reading  on  Sunday 
evening,  Sept.  38,  1794.  In  a  letter  by  him  to  Gov- 
ernor Mifflin  dated  the  day  following,  he  remarked 
about  the  Berks  county  troops :  "Colonel  Cowperth- 
waite  had  collected  four  hundred  men  in  the  en- 
campment at  Peters's  farm,  who  were  fully  fur- 
nished with  everything  they  required.  The  drafts 
from  the  county  continued  to  come  in  and  he  pro- 
posed marching  tomorrow."  And  he  reported  that 
Captain  Forrest's  troops  had  moved  from  Read- 
ing on  Saturday  (27th)  ;  that  he  expected  the 
Bucks  County  Militia  here  on  30th ;  and  that  the 
Militia  of  Berks  County  would  assemble  on  Oct. 
1st;  also  that  the  rear  of  the  Jersey  troops  would 
march  from  here  on  the  30th  under  General 
White. 

Washington  at  Reading. — In  another  letter  to 
Governor  Mifflin,  dated  at  Reading,  Oct.  2,  1794, 
he  stated  that — "The  President  was  here  last  night, 
and  went  on  this  morning  to  Carlisle."  He  also  re- 
ported then  that  "the  cavalry  of  this  county  [Berks] 
are  by  this  time  at  Carlisle.  Captain  Spayd  has  a 
fine  company  of  infantry  ready  to  march,  and  I  shall 
hasten  the  drafts  from  the  county  off  to-morrow." 
The  cavalry  mentioned  was  Moore's. 

HOUSE-TAX  AND  LIBERTY-POLES,  1799 
Cause. — During  the  early  part  of  Adams's  ad- 
ministration. Congress  passed  an  Act  requiring  a 
direct  tax  to  be  levied  upon  houses.  This  tax  was 
called  the  "house-tax,"  also  "window-tax."  The 
Federal  government,  in  collecting  it  in  the  eastern 
counties  of  Pennsylvania,  caused  considerable  ex- 
citement and  opposition,  which  eventually  broke  out 
in  an  insurrection  in  1799.  The  leader  was  John 
Fries,  of  Bucks  county,  who  was  tried  and  convicted 
of  high  treason  and  sentenced  to  be  hanged,  but 
President  Adams,  against  the  advice  of  his  cab- 
inet pardoned  him,  and  also  issued  a  general  am- 


WAR  PERIODS 


121- 


nesty  for  all  the  offenders.    The  excitement  extend- 
ed into  the  northeastern  border  of  Berks  county. 

Excitement  at  Reading. — The  insurrection  was 
indirectly  the  cause  of  a  considerable  commotion  at 
Reading.  Certain  troops  were  called  out  to  sup- 
pi-ess  the  insurrection;  and  among-  them  was  Cap- 
tain Montgomery's  company  of  Light  Dragoons 
from  Lancaster.  Their  way  to  the  scene  of  excite- 
ment was  through  Reading.  Upon  arriving  here 
they  cut  down  certain  "Liberty-poles,"  insulted  the 
people,  etc.;  and  these  unwarranted  performances 
induced  the  Adler  to  publish  a  letter,  criticising 
their  conduct.  This  appeared  whilst  the  company 
was  on  the  way  to  Northampton  county.  But  upon 
their  return  they  heard  of  it,  and  this  naturally 
developed  in  them  as  soldiers  a  spirit  of  revenge. 
So  they  went  to  Jacob  Schneider,  the  senior  pro- 
prietor of  the  Adler,  and  demanded  from  him  the 
name  of  the  person  who  had  written  the  letter  con- 
demning and  ridiculing  them.  But  he  refused  to 
comply  and  his  refusal  led  the  soldiers  to  spend 
their  anger  on  him  by  taking  him  forcibly  to  the 
market-house  and  giving  him  a  certain  number  of 
Ikshes.' 

Mr.  Schneider  made  complaint  before  a  justice 
■of  the  peace  and  caused  the  criminals  to  be  arrested, 
but  Captain  Montgomery  denied  the  authority  to 
make  the  arrest,  and  the  matter  was  referred  to 
General  Macpherson,  who  said  he  would  look  into 
it.  By  the  time  Montgomery's  troops  returned  to 
Heading  on  their  way  home,  Strohecker  had  erected 
a  liberty-pole  in  the  place  of  the  one  erected  by' his 
children.  Hearing  this,  the  soldiers  went  to  Stro- 
hecker's  place  and  attempted  to  compel  a  common 
laborer  to  cut  down  the  "offensive  wood,"  notwith- 
standing he  protested  against  doing  so.  They  suc- 
ceeded in  divesting  the  pole,  and  with  it  as  a  trophy 
they  rode  through  the  streets  of  Reading  to  their 
quarters.  In  a  few  days  they  left,  but  on  the  24th 
of  April  an  army,  under  Gen.  Macpherson,  arrived 
at  Reading.  They  apprehended  some  of  the  insur- 
rectionists, who  were  afterward  tried ;  some  of  them 
were  found  guilty,  some  fined  and  imprisoned,  and 
others  condemned  to  be  capitally  punished;  but 
none  atoned  with  their  lives — they  were  pardoned 
through  executive  clemency. 

Keim's  Company  Complimented. — Upon  the 
breaking-up  of  the  headquarters  at  Reading,  on 
April  22,  1799,  General  Macpherson  addressed  the 
following  interesting  letter  to  Capt.  Daniel  Keim: 

While  I  congratulate  you  and  the  company  you  com- 
mand on  their  return  home,  I  take  an  additional  pleasure  in 
expressing  my  complete  satisfaction  with  every  part  of 
their  steady  and  soldier-like  conduct  during  a  very  fa- 
tiguing though  short  expedition.  It  is  much  to  be  re- 
gretted that  in  a  country  blessed  as  this  is,  by  an  excellent 
constitution  faithfully  administered,  there  should  be  found 
any  portion  of  its  inhabitants  so  ignorant,  or  so  wicked, 
as  to  oppose  laws  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  ease  of  the 
mass  of  the  people,  since  the  burden  falls  immediately 
upon  the  opulent.  But  it  is  a  great  consolation  to  see 
gentlemen,  such  as  compose  your  company,  come  forward 
and  brave  fatigue  and  danger  in  support  of  the  honor 
and  happiness  of  their  country.     Accept,   sir,  my  sincere 


thanks  for  this  instance  of  your  patriotism  and  be  pleased 
to  convey  to  every  individual  my  particular  acknowledg- 
ments, best  wishes  and  affectionate  farewell. 


EMBARGO  OF  1807 
Congress  passed  an  Act  on  Dec.  22,  1807,  laying 
an  embargo  on  all  the  ships  and  vessels  in  the  ports 
and  harbors  of  the  United  States  in  pursuance  of 
a  recommendation  of  President  Jefferson.  It  pro- 
hibited the  departure  of  all  American  vessels  and 
all  foreign  vessels,  except  those  in  ballast.  No 
merchandise  whatever  was  to  be  exported.  The 
Act  was  not  simply  to  save  American  ships  from 
danger,  as  Jefferson  suggested  in  his  message,  but 
it  was  a  measure  of  aggression  against  England. 
It  was  unpopular  in  proportion  as  men  were  or 
were  not  engaged  in  commerce.  The  maritime 
States  thought  that  the  agricultural  States  took  a 
special  satisfaction  in  a  qtia^  war,  of  which  all  the 
burden  fell  at  first  upon  commerce ;  but  the  burden 
at  length  became  universal.  The  men  whose  to- 
bacco, corn-  and  cotton  could  not  be  sent  to  market 
soon  learned  that  they  also,  as  well  as  the  carriers 
of  those  products,  were  paying  a  heavy  tax  by  this 
interdiction  of  commerce.  Under  the  pressure  of 
public  opinion,  this  Act  was  repealed  on  March  1, 
1809,  and  another  Act  was  then  substituted  which 
interdicted  the  commercial  intercourse  between  the 
United  States,  Great  Britain  and  France,  and 
forbade  imports  from  Europe.  From  this  policy  of 
non-intercourse  and  from  other  difficulties,  which  in 
a  state  of  war  hindered  importations  from  Europe, 
there  was  born  unexpectedly  that  gigantic  system 
under  which  the  United  States  has  become  a  great 
manufacturing  nation. 

During  this  interdiction,  the  people  of  Berks 
county  began  to  feel  the  evil  effects  of  this  policy 
of  non-intercourse.  A  number  of  millers  and  other 
citizens  met  at  Reading  on  April  11,  1812,  "for  the 
purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  the  late  meas- 
ures of  Congress,  the  perilous  situation  of  our  com- 
mon country,  and  of  consulting  and  devising  such 
means  or  measures  as  may  tend  to  relieve  us  from 
the  distress  which  impends  over  us" ;  and  passed  res- 
olutions  disapproving  of  the  action  of  Congress. 


ENGLISH  WAR,  1812-15 
Cause. — The  Revolution  was  carried  to  a  suc- 
cessful termination,  and  Independence,  which  the 
Colonies  had  declared  in  1776,  was  thereby  estab- 
lished. But  though  peace  was  declared  to  exist  be- 
tween the  two  nations,  the  British  government  con- 
ducted itself  persistently  in  an  offensive  manner 
toward  the  people  of  the  United  States,  their  com- 
merce, etc.,  and  to  their  great  injury  for  thirty 
years.  The  United  States  government  passed  natur- 
alization laws  whereby  foreigners  could  be  natur- 
alized and  become  citizens,  but  the  British  govern- 
ment contended  that  a  British  subject  could  not  be 
naturalized,  and  claimed  the  right  of  stopping 
United  States  vessels,  searching  for  seamen  of  Eng- 
lish birth,  and  impressing  them  into  their  service. 


123 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


In  exercising  this  right,  they  stationed  ships  at 
harbors  of  the  United  States  and  searched  every 
departing  and  arriving  vessel.  They  were  so  vigi- 
lant that  within  a  period  of  eight  years  they  cap- 
tured nine  hundred  vessels  and  impressed  over  six 
thousand  seamen  into  their  navy.  All  this  humilia- 
tion was  borne  with  patience,  but  finally  the  com- 
plaints became  too  loud,  and  the  injuries  too  griev- 
ous to  be  endured  any  longer,  and  President  Madi- 
son made  them  the  subject  of  a  message  to  Con- 
gress on  June  1,  1812,  which  ended  in  a  declaration 
of  war  on  June  19,  1812. 

Anticipating  this  Declaration  of  War,  Governor 
Snyder  issued  an  Order  on  May  12th,  requiring  the 
quota  of  troops  from  Pennsylvania,  fourteen  thous- 
and, to  be  promptly  raised  and  formed  into  two 
divisions.  The  first  division  included  the  troops 
from  Berks  county  and  was  placed  under  the  com- 
mand of  Maj.-Gen.  Isaac  Worrell.  A  noble  res- 
ponse was  made  to  this  call ;  for  the  troops  tendered 
exceeded  three  times  the  quota  requested. 

The  naval  battle  on  Lake  Erie  was  fought  on 
Sept.  10,  1813,  with  brilliant  success.  Commodore 
Perry  then  sent  his  famous  despatch  to  General 
Harrison:  "We  have  met  the  enemy,  and  they  our 
ours."  The  news  reached  Reading  on  the  27th  of 
September  following,  and  a  grand  illumination  of 
the  town  took  place  in  the  evening  from  7  till  10 
o'clock,  to  signalize  the  glorious  event. 

Families  from  Philadelphia. — During  this 
period  a  number  of  English  families,  resident  at 
Philadelphia,  left  the  city  for  the  interior  parts  of 
the  country  owing  to  a  law  which  required  them 
to  move  away  from  the  sea-coast  and  ports  at  least 
fifty  miles.  Some  of  these  families  went  to  Read- 
ing, and  took  quarters  at  the  "Tyson  Inn,"  at  the 
head  of  Franklin  street  (where  the  Park  public 
school  is  situated).  Whilst  here  (in  August,  1814) 
the  city  of  Washington  was  captured  by  the  English, 
who  wantonly  destroyed  the  government  buildings, 
excepting  the  patent  office.  This  news  caused 
these  families  to  rejoice;  and,  to  express  their  joy, 
they  carried  on  dancing  with  the  assistance  of 
music;  but  they  misconceived  the  temper  of  the 
German  people  of  this  inland  borough,  and  soon 
found  that  their  conduct  wounded  their  national 
pride.  In  the  midst  of  their  demonstrations,  they 
were  suddenly  attacked  by  a  party  of  citizens,  and 
the  attack  was  made  so  earnestly  as  to  require  the 
building  to  be  closed  and  the  performance  to  be 
stopped. 

This  destruction  of  the  Capitol  and  public  build- 
ings at  Washington,  and  the  threatened  attack  on 
Baltimore  by  the  enemy  shortly  afterward,  brought 
the  war  near  to  Pennsylvania.  The  march  of  the 
enemy  toward  the  interior  by  way  of  the  Potomac 
river  and  Chesapeake  bay  naturally  stimulated  the 
military  spirit  of  the  State  and  a  great  number  of 
men  rallied  in  her  defense.  When  the  news  reached 
Reading  this  spirit  became  thoroughly  aroused  in 
the  entire  county. 


George  Ritter 
Henry  Willotz 
Jonathan  Jones 
George   Zieber 


Companies  from  County. — There  were  eleven 
companies  enhsted  in  this  war  from  Berks  county, 
classified  with  the  2d  Brigade,  under  the  command 
of  Maj.-Gen.  Daniel  Udree,  of  Oley,  in  two  regi- 
ments: the  1st  Regiment,  commanded  by  Lieut.- 
Col.  Jeremiah  Shappell,  of  Windsor,  and  the  2d, 
by  Lieut.-Col.  John  Lotz,  of  Reading. 

Eight  of  the  companies  in  the  1st  Regiment  were 
commanded  by  the  following  captains: 

John  May 
John  Mauger 
Jacob  Marshall 
George  Marx 

And  three  of  the  companies  in  the  2d,  by  the  fol- 
lowing captains : 

Thomas  Moore  Gabriel  Old 

John  Christman 

These  eleven  companies  were  stationed  at 
York,  Pennsylvania,  from  September,  1814,  to 
March,  1815. 

There  was  a  twelfth  company  from  the  county, 
the  Reading  Washington  Guards,  commanded  by 
Capt.  Daniel  De  B.  Keim.  It  rendered  service  at 
Wilmington,  Delaware,  in  the  latter  part  of  Sep- 
tember, 1814;  and  afterward  it  was  attached  to  the 
"Advance  Light  Brigade"  as  the  11th  Company  in 
the  1st  Regiment  of  the  Penna.  Volunteer  Infantry, 
commanded  by  General  Cadwalader,  with  which  it 
continued  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Peace  Declared. — Peace  was  concluded  at  Ghent 
on  Dec.  24,  1814,  but  it  was  not  till  Feb.  22,  1815, 
that  the  event  became  known  at  Reading.  During 
that  day,  the  citizens  of  the  borough  signalized  it 
by  shooting  off  cannon,  and  at  night  by  a  grand 
illumination  in  which  sixteen  hundred  pounds  of 
candles  were  consumed. 


MEXICAN  WAR,  1846  to  1848 
Cause. — The  Mexican  war  arose  out  of  the  ques- 
tion relating  to  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the 
United  States.  The  constitution  of  Mexico  prohib- 
ited slavery  in  Texas,  and  this  provision  was  a  suffi- 
cient reason  why  the  Southern  States  should  wish 
to  control  it.  President  Adams  and  also  President 
Jackson  had  made  fruitless  efforts  to  buy  the  prov- 
ince ;  and  subsequently  for  some  vears  the  scheme 
of  annexation  was  considered.  One  of  the  last  acts 
of  Jackson's  official  life  was  the  appointment  of  an 
official  agent  to  Texas,  thereby  acknowledging  the 
independence  of  the  province.  This  was  looked 
upon  as  the  first  step  toward  obtaining  possession 
of  territory  large  enough  for  five  new  slave  States. 
Plenceforward,  the  project  was  urged  with  persist- 
ence, but  little  success  till  about  1842,  when  Presi- 
dent Tyler  gave  it  his  encouragement.  It  was  ar- 
gued that  if  slavery  were  abolished  in  Texas,  the 
ruin  of  the  Southern  States  was  inevitable,  but  if 
the  province  were  annexed  to  the  Union,  the  future 
of  the  slave  States  would  be  brilliant. 

In  1844,  Calhoun  became  Secretary  of  State,  and 
he  "believed  in  annexation  at  any  cost,"  and  Presv- 


WAR  PERIODS 


123 


dent  Tyler  justified  Calhoun's  invitation  to  Texas 
to  join  the  United  States  because  he  thought  Great 
Britain  was  engaged  in  a  diplomatic  intrigue  to 
abolish  slavery  in  Texas.  Calhoun  then  made  a 
treaty  with  Texas  in  reference  to  annexation  with- 
out the  consent  of  Mexico,  but  offered  Mexico  $10,- 
000,000  as  an  indemnity.  At  the  close  of  Tyler's 
administration,  a  joint  resolution  was  passed  annex- 
ing Texas;  and  Tyler  acting  under  this  resolution, 
the  annexation  was  carried.  But  as  Tyler  went  out 
of  office  with  the  scheme  carried  through  Congress, 
Polk  came  into  office  with  the  certainty  of  war  with 
Mexico.  In  the  beginning  of  May,  1846,  the  regu- 
lar troops  under  General  Taylor  were  intercepted 
along  the  Rio  Grande  by  the  Mexican  troops  under 
General  Arista,  and  the  battles  of  Palo  Alto  and 
Resaca  de  la  Palma  ensued.  Before  the  news  of 
these  events  reached  Washington,  Congress  had  de- 
clared war  on  the  13th  of  May,  and  authorized  the 
President  to  call  for  fifty  thousand  volunteers  for 
one  year.  After  carrying  on  war  for  nearly  two 
years,  the  Mexicans  were  conquered,  and  a  treaty 
of  peace  was  signed  in  February,  1848,  at  the  City 
of  Mexico,  whereby  the  United  States  acquired  nOt 
only  Texas,  but  also  Arizona,  New  Mexico  and 
California. 

Reading  Artillerists. — During  the  excitement, 
a  great  patriotic  feeling  was  developed  at  Reading, 
and  on  May  20,  1846,  a  large  town  meeting  was 
held,  presided  over  by  Chief  Burgess  William  Betz ; 
at  which  the  national  government  was  sustained. 
A  second  meeting  was  held  on  the  next  day,  at 
which  appropriate  resolutions  were  adopted,  ap- 
proving the  course  of  President  Polk.  A  prominent 
prevailing  sentiment  was — "Our  country,  our  whole 
country,  our  country  right  or  wrong."  And  dur- 
ing that  week  the  volunteer  companies  of  Reading, 
— Reading  Artillerists,  Washington  Grays,  and 
National  Grays — tendered  their  services  to  the 
President.  -The  first  company,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Thomas  S.  Leoser,  was  accepted. 

A  town-meeting  was  held  in  the  Court-House  on 
Dec.  19,  1846,  for  the  purpose  of  devising  means 
to  aid  the  volunteers  and  a  committee  of  prominent 
citizens  was  appointed  to  escort  the  company  to 
Philadelphia.  The  meeting  recomfnended  to  town 
council  that  one  thousand  dollars  be  appropriated 
toward  the  comfort  of  the  soldiers  and  the  relief 
of  such  of  their  famiHes  as  needed  assistance,  and 
subsequently  a  loan  for  this  amount  was  authorized. 
.  A  similar  appropriation  was  recommended  by  the 
grand  jury  of  the  county  on  the  5th  of  January, 
following,  to  be  made  by  the  county  commissioners. 

Departure  for  Mexico. — The  company  left 
Reading  for  Philadelphia  on  Dec.  26th,  and  arrived 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day.  After  their  ex- 
amination, the  United  States  Surgeon  pronounced 
them  the  finest  body  of  men  he  had  yet  passed  into 
the  service.  On  the  day  previous  to  their  depar- 
ture, the  officers  were  the  recipients  of  numerous 
testimonials  of  regard,  the  workmen  of  the  railroad 


company's  shops  distinguishing  themselves  in  this 
respect.  The  Captain  and  the  Second  and  Third 
Lieutenants  were  in  the  company's  employ.  The 
officers  were  presented  with  swords.  Sergeant  Mc- 
Michael  was  presented  an  elegant  sword,  revolver, 
sash,  belt  and  accoutrements  by  his  friends  and 
shopmates  engaged  at  Johnston's  foundry.  And 
numerous  pistols  and  Bibles  were  also  presented. 

The  Artillerists  left  Philadelphia  by  railroad  on 
Monday  morning,  December  28th,  and  arrived  at 
Harrisburg  in  the  afternoon.  They  proceeded  by 
railroad  to  Carlisle  and  Chambersburg,  where  they 
arrived  on  Tuesday  morning,  at  2  o'clock.  After 
breakfast,  they  immediately  proceeded  afoot  on 
their  way  to  Pittsburgh.  That  day  they  walked  to 
McConriellsburg,  twenty-two  miles,  and  Wednesday 
they  walked  to  Bloody  Run,  twenty-six  miles.  The 
distance  was  arranged  that  Pittsburgh  might  be 
reached  by  Tuesday,  Jan.  4th.  •  Three  large  •  six- 
horse  baggage  teams  accompanied  them,  having 
been  supplied  by  Joel  Ritter,  who  was  sent  by  the 
citizens  of  Reading  to  pay  their  expenses  to  Pitts- 
burgh. They  arrived  on  Jan.  5th.  On  the  same 
day,  the  company  were  mustered  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  as  Company  A,  in  the  2d 
Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  under  the 
command  of  Col.  William  B.  Roberts. 

Battles  Engaged  in. — The  company,  with  other 
companies,  left  Pittsburgh  on  the  8th  of  January, 
in  the  boat  "Anthony  Wayne,"  and  proceeded  by 
way  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  to  New 
Orleans,  arriving  there  on  the  15th.  It  served  with 
distinction  throughout  the  war  and  was  particularly 
recognized  for  its  bravery.  It  was  engaged  in  the 
following  battles :  Vera  Cruz,  March  19th  to  28th  ; 
Cerro  Gordo,  April  18th;  Chapultepec,  Sept.  12th; 
Belen  Gate,  Sept.  13th. 

Return  of  Company. — The  City  of  Mexico  was 
taken  on  the  14th  of  September,  the  Mexicans  hav- 
ing evacuated  the  capital  during  the  previous  night, 
owing. to  the  capture  of  the  San  Cosmo  Causeway 
and  the  Belen  Road.  The  troops,  including  Com- 
pany A,  were  stationed  in  this  famous  city  till  the 
18th  of  December,  when  they  were  removed  to  San 
Angel,  at  which  place  they  continued  till  peace  was 
declared.  They  were  ordered  home  in  June,  1848, 
and  then  marched  to  Vera  Cruz  (consuming  about 
a  month  in  the  march)  -where  they  took  transporta- 
tion for  New  Orleans.  Thence  they  proceeded  up 
the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  rivers  to  Pittsburgh,  and 
were  there  mustered  out  of  service  on  the  21st  of 
July.  They  then  took  packets  and  traveled  by  canal 
to  Harrisburg,  and  thence  by  railroad  to  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading.  Some  of  the  men  went  by 
stage  directly  to  Reading.  Upon  their  arrival,  on 
the  29th  of  July,  they  were  given  a  brilliant  military 
reception.  Numerous  buildings  and  streets  were 
handsomely  decorated  with  flags  and  wreaths. 

CIVIL  WAR,  1861  TO  1865 
CAUSE.^:rThe  Civil  war  broke  out  in  April,  1861. 
The  direct  cause  was  the  agitation  of  the  subject 


124 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


■which  related  to  slavery.  After  1850,  the  extension 
of  slavery  on  the  one  hand,  and  its  restriction  on 
the  other,  became  thoroughly  national  questions  and 
their  animated  discussion  resulted  in  a  severe 
.struggle  for  the  supremacy.  Till  this  time,  the 
South  had  control  of  political  affairs  through  lead- 
ership and  legislation,  but  the  Southern  statesmen 
then  savvr  that  their  political  power  was  in  reality 
passing  away  through  the  wonderful  growth  of 
the  North  in  population  and  wealth,  and  in  political 
representation  in  the  national  government.  A  sim- 
ilar growth  could  not  be  effected  in  the  South;  so 
its  leaders  desired  to  extend  the  rights  of  slavery. 
This  was  particularly  apparent  upon  the  admission 
of  Kansas  as  a  State. 

The  Republican  party,  the  exponent  of  restrict- 
ing slavery  to  territory  then  occupied,  became  an 
active  political  factor  in  the  country  in  1856 ;  but 
its  Presidential  candidate  was  defeated.  Threats 
of  secession  by  the  Southern  States  had  been  made 
about  that  time,  and  it  was  thought  that  if  the  Re- 
publican party  had  been  successful,  secession  would 
have  been  attempted.  For  four  years  this  question 
was  prominent  above  all  other  questions.  Buchanan 
preserved  the  peace  during  his  administration,  but 
he  could  not  preserve  the  balance  of  power.  Pub- 
lic opinion  grew  more  favorable  toward  the  Re- 
publican party,  and  in  1860  this  party  appeared  be- 
fore the  people  with  renewed  strength.  During 
that  time  the  Democratic  party  agitated  the  question 
of  slavery  to  such  an  extent  that  two  branches  of 
the  party  were  created,  one,  the  Douglas  branch, 
for  submitting  the  question  to  the  people  of  a  new 
State  upon  its  erection,  and  the  other,  the  Brecken- 
ridge  branch,  for  submitting  it  to  the  Supreme  court 
for  adjudication  under  the  national  Constitution ; 
and  in  the  Presidential  campaign  of  1860  their  poH- 
tical  power  was  divided.  The  party  was  still  strong- 
enough,  as  a  whole,  to  elect  a  candidate;  but  it 
was  not  strong  enough  to  bear  a  division,  especially 
such  a  division  as  Douglas  was  able  to  create  by 
the  support  which  he  had  won  through  public  dis- 
cussion. 

Lincoln,  the  Republican  candidate,  was  elected. 
From  the  sentiments  of  his  party,  especially  from 
the  sentiments  of  its  ultra-leaders,  who  were  styled 
"Abolitionists,"  the  Southern  leaders  felt  con- 
strained to  take  earnest  steps  toward  secession,  and 
these  were  taken  between  the  day  of  the  election  in 
November  and  the  day  of  Lincoln's  inauguration  in 
March,  not  only  vigorously  but  successfully  without 
the  slightest  hindrance  on  the  part  of  the  national 
government.  Prominent  cabinet  officials,  senators 
and  representatives  withdrew  from  their  respective 
positions  and  caused  their  several  States  to  pass 
ordinances  of  secession,  declaring  the  contract  be- 
tween them  and  the  national  government  broken. 

When  Lincoln  took  possession  of  the  government, 
the  status  was  not  only  discouraging  but  alarming. 
In  his  inaugural  address  he  stated  that  apprehen- 
sion seemed  to  exist  among  the  people  of  the 
Southern  States  that,  h\,  the  accession  of  a  Republi- 


can administration,  their  property,  peace  and  per- 
sonal security  were  to  be  endangered,  but  that  there 
never  had  been  any  reasonable  cause  for  such  ap- 
prehension; and  he  declared  that  he  had  no  pur- 
pose, directly  or  indirectly,  to  interfere  with  the  in- 
stitution of  slavery  in  the  States  where  it  existed; 
he  had  no  inclination  to  do  so  on  the  one  hand,  and 
on  the  other  he  had  no  lawful  right,  and  those  who 
had  elected  him  did  so  with  the  full  knowledge  that 
he  had  made  these  declarations,  which  he  had  never 
recanted.  Notwithstanding  his  plain  and  direct  lan- 
guage to  perform  the  duties  of  his  office  according 
to  the  Constitution  and  laws,  without  any  mental 
reservations  or  any  purposes  to  construe  them  by 
hypercritical  rules ;  and  his  expressed  sentiments  for 
peace  and  inseparable  union  of  the  States,  the 
Southern  leaders  persisted  in  secession  and  dis- 
union. 

Call  for  Troops. — On  the  morning  of  the  12th 
of  April,  1861,  the  military  forces  of  South  Carol- 
ina, under  the  leadership  of  Gen.  Robert  Beaure- 
gard, began  to  fire  upon  Fort  Sumter,  which  was 
under  the  command  of  Maj.  Robert  Anderson. 
The  President,  finding  the  laws  of  the  country 
opposed  and  the  execution  thereof  obstructed  in 
seven  Southern  States  (South  Carolina,  Georgia, 
Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Louisiana,  and  Tex- 
as) "by  combinations  too  powerful  to  be  suppressed 
by  the  ordinary  course  of  judicial  proceedings  or  by 
the  powers  vested  in  the  marshals  by  law,"  issued 
a  proclamation  on  the  15th  day  of  April,  calHng 
for  seventy-five  thousand  militia  of  the  several 
States  of  the  Union,  "to  suppress  said  combina- 
tions and  to  cause  the  laws  to  b^  duly  executed"; 
and  he  appealed  "to  all  loyal  citizens  to  favor,  facil- 
itate and  aid  this  effort  to  maintain  the  honor,  in- 
tegrity and  existence  of  our  national  Union,  and 
the  perpetuity  of  popular  government,  and  to  re- 
dress the  wrongs  already  long  enough  endured." 
A  requisition  was  made  on  Pennsylvania  for  six- 
teen regiments,  two  being  wanted  within  three  days, 
inasmuch  as  the  city  of  Washington  was  entirely 
unprotected  and  a  sudden  dash  upon  it  was  strongly 
threatened. 

The  national  government  had  not  before  done 
anything  to  cause  the  South  to  feel  alarmed,  and 
it  was  hoped  that  this  simple  manifestation  of  ex- 
ecutive authority  would  restore  peace,  but  the  or- 
ganization at  the  South  was  too  thorough,  and  its 
purpose  to  establish  a  confederation  by  itself  too 
premeditated.  Men  therefore  rushed  to  arms;  call 
after  call  for  troops  was  made;  thousands  of  lives 
were  sacrificed ;  and  millions  of  dollars  were  ex- 
pended, in  the  two  sections,  for  a  right  which  each 
claimed,  the  one  to  establish  a  confederation  and 
the  other  to  maintain  constituted  authority ;  and 
this  terrible  contest  continued  four  years  before 
peace  was  restored. 

Patriotism  of  County. — The  feeling  in  the 
county  for  maintaining  the  Union  and  "upholding 
the  constitution  was  strong  and  continuous  during 
the  entire  period  from  the  beginning  to  the  close 


WAR  PERIODS 


135- 


of  the  war;  and  this  was  exhibited  by  Democrats 
and  RepubHcans  alike.  Breckenridge  had  received 
a  majority  over  Lincoln,  exceeding  two  thousand 
votes,  but  the  sentiment  for  the  Union  was  general 
in  all  the  districts,  especially  at  Reading.  Com- 
panies were  raised  rapidly  and  mustered  into  ser- 
vice, altogether  104,  almost  entirely  enlisted  in  and 
from  the  county,  and  they  went  to  the  rescue 
freely,  moved  by  the  highest  patriotic  impulse.  Pub- 
lic meetings  were  iiumerous  and  earnest  sympathy 
for  the  cause  was  manifested  at  all  of  them.  The 
prominent  men  took  the  lead.  Our  judges,  law- 
yers, merchants  and  business  men  generally,  with- 
out respect  to  party  affiliations,  united  to  encourage 
and  sustain  the  national  administration.  Their  pro- 
nounced opinion  in  the  matter  created  and  pre- 
served a  proper  spirit  in  the  community.  The 
county  and  city  governments  were  constantly  liberal 
in  appropriations  of  money  toward  encouraging 
volunteer  enlistments. 

The  county  contained  a  large  majority  of  people 
who  were  against  the  war,  if  we  interpret  their 
opinion  from  the  exercise  of  their  political  suffrage 
at  elections;  but  they  were  submissive  and  they 
caused  no  trouble,  no  riotous  demonstration.  They 
went  to  the  war  by  the  thousand;  they  endured 
conscription  without  opposition ;  and  they  permitted 
the  assessment  of  burdensome  taxation.  They  en- 
couraged appropriations  of  money,  amounting  to 
nearly  a  million  of  dollars,  expressly  for  the  enlist- 
ment of  men;  and  they  invested  large  sums  of 
money  in  the  national  securities.  These,  taken  to- 
gether, truly  constitute  significant  evidence  of  de- 
votion to  their  country  and  to  the  administration 
of  its  affairs  by  an  opposite  party,  a  party  whose 
principles  were  not  only  different  from  theirs,  but 
in  fact  objectionable,  if  not  repulsive,  to  them. 
Their  general  co-operation  under  such  circumstan- 
ces is  therefore  commendable. 

Capt.  James  McKnight  offered  his  company  of 
Ringgold  Light  Artillery,  and  it  was  the  first  mili- 
tary organization  that  responded  to  the  call  for 
troops  by  the  President  and  moved  to  the  defense 
of  the  country.  This  historical  .fact  is  worthy  of 
especial  mention,  for  in  it  our  people  take  a  just, 
patriotic  pride;  and  it  is  a  distinction  in  this  great 
crisis  of  our  country  which  no  other  community 
enjoys.  Hon.  William  M.  Hiester  prepared  a 
paper  to  establish  the  fact  beyond  question,  and 
read  it  before  the  Historical  Society  of  Berks 
County  on  June  14,  1870. 

During  this  period,  the  excitement  throughout 
the  county  was  ever  active,  and  several  times  when 
the  State  was  invaded  by  the  Rebels,  and  our  own 
county  was  threatened  with  the  horrors  of  war,  it 
became  alarming.  This  was  particularly  the  case 
at  Reading.  Penn  Square  was  daily,  more  or  less, 
in  commotion  with  the  enlistment  of  men,  the  for- 
mation and  exercise  of  companies  and  their  depart- 
ure to  the  seat  of  war  or  their  return  from  it.  The 
music  of  fife  and  drum  and  the  marching  of  men 
(fathers,  husbands,  brothers  and  sons)  thrilled  the 


entire  community  time  and  again.  These  were,  in- 
deed, events  that  made  a  lasting  impression  upon 
that  generation. 

The  encampments  (one  in  the  northern  part  of 
Reading  in  1862,  and  another  in  the  eastern  part 
in  1863)  attracted  much  attention.  They  afforded 
the  people  an  opportunity  of  forming  a  proper  con- 
ception of  camp  life  and  military  discipline.  If 
our  peaceful  inhabitants  did  not  realize  the  actual 
terrors  and  horrors  of  warfare  by  the  'booming  of 
cannon,  the  explosion  of  shells  and  the  destruction 
of  property;  if  they  did  not  see  blood  and  death 
in  their  highways  and  upon  their  fields  as  the 
evidence  of  bitter  apposition  and  revenge;  they 
saw  officers  and  soldiers  in  uniforms  and  witnessed' 
military  exercises  with  the  weapons  of  war,  and. 
they  knew  by  their  own  personal  observations  that 
earnest  preparations  were  made  for  encounters- 
with  the  enemy. 

How  they  looked  at  these  military  cities,  with 
tents  and  streets  under  strict  regulation!  how  they 
watched  the  men  in  drill,  by  platoons  and  com- 
panies and  battalions !  how  they  pointed  out  gen- 
erals and  colonels  and  captains  as  the  men  who- , 
had  been  in  war  and  passed  safely  through  the 
jaws  of  death!  But  when  the  wounded,  the  dying- 
and  the  dead  were  brought  home  to  them,  then 
they  felt  that  the  curse  of  rebellion  was  in  the- 
land. 

The  "Union  League,"  a  Republican  association 
at  Reading,  organized  after  the  great  "Union- 
League"  at  Philadelphia,  was  very  active  in  en- 
listing men  for  military  service;  and  so  were  the- 
various  secret  societies,  especially  the  "Junior  Sons 
of  America." 

In  the  midst  of  the  great  excitement  incident  to- 
the  general  feeling  for  war  and  the  necessary 
preparations  to  carry  it  on  successfully,  our  locat 
energy  displayed  itself  to  a  remarkable  degree  in 
every  4epartment  of  business.  Trade  was  active 
and  profitable,  and  it  stimulated  various  enter- 
prises. Railroads  were  projected  and  substantial 
improvements  were  made  in  every  section  of  the 
county,  especially  at  Reading;  and  matters  per- 
taining to  education  and  religion  were  directed 
with  earnestness  and  success.  The  prices  of  all 
kinds  of  material  were  high ;  but  money  was 
abundant  and  a  spirit  of  increased  liberality  kept 
it  moving  about  actively  from  hand  to  hand,  from- 
store  to  store,  from  bank  to  bank,  and  from  place 
to  place. 

War  Meetings. — After  the  election  of  Lin- 
coln, a  sentiment  of  fear  for  the  preservation  of 
the  Union  developed  more  and  more  rapidly  with 
each  passing  day.  This  was  more  especially 
caused  by  the  action  of  certain  Southern  States  on 
the  subject  of  secession.  This  fear  obtained  at 
Reading;  and  in  order  to  express  the  opinion  of 
this  community  on  the  subject  of  "preserving  the 
integrity  of  the  Union,"  a  large  meeting,  including- 
prominent  men  of  both  political  parties,  was  held 
in  the  Court-House  on  Dec.  13,  1860.    Appropriate 


126 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


resolutions  were  adopted,  favorable  to  the  Union, 
but  particularly  reconnmending  non-interference 
with  the  rights  of  property  in  slaves  guaranteed 
by  the  Constitution  to  the  Southern  States. 

On  the  10th  day  of  December  (three  days  be- 
fore) the;  Democratic  City  Club  had  met  and  re- 
ported a  "Memorial  to  Congress  on  the  State  of 
the  Union,"  prepared  by  a  committee  of  thirty- 
three  prominent  Democrats,  in  which  similar  senti- 
ments of  non-interference  and  compromise  had 
been  expressed. 

In  July,  1862,  when  there  was  a  threatened  in- 
vasion of  Pennsylvania,  our  people  became 
much  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  their  lives  and 
property.  Large  and  enthusiastic  meetings  were 
held  in  the  Court-House  to  devise  means  for  pro- 
tection. They  included  all  the  prominent  and  in- 
fluential citizens  of  Reading.  Their  public  ex- 
pressions were  thoroughly  patriotic;  and  in  pur- 
suance of  their  earnest  recommendation  the  county 
commissioners  offered  a  bounty  of  fifty  dollars  to 
every  officer  and  private  mustered  into  the  service 
from  the  county.  In  September  following,  the 
commissioners  again  offered  the  same  bounty  for 
every  volunteer  soldier;  and  the  city  councils  ap- 
propriated ten  thousand  dollars  additional  for  this 
purpose  of  encouraging  volunteer  enlistments.  In 
June,  1863,  similar  meetings  were  held. 

Appropriations. — The  city  of  Reading  appro- 
priated altogether  for  war  purposes,  in  bounties, 
relief,  etc.,  $373,179  and  the  county  of  Berks,  the 
sum  of  $452,389.  The  boroughs  likewise  appro- 
priated moneys  for  these  purposes  and  displayed 
the  same  patriotic  spirit. 

L.^DiEs'  Aid  Society. — The  women  are  also 
worthy  of  mention  for  their  patriotism.  They  did 
not  enlist  in  practical  military  service ;  but  they 
gave  the  national  administration  a  moral  support 
which  is  truly  praiseworthy.  Just  as  the  "Ring- 
gold Light  Artillery"  were  preparing  to  take  the 
railroad  train  on  the  afternoon  of  April  16,  1861, 
to  proceed  to  Harrisburg  in  answer  to  the  Presi- 
dent's call  for  troops,  certain  influential  ladies  of 
Reading  assembled  in  the  parlor  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Dil- 
ler  Luther,  at  No.  530  Penn  street,  and  formed  a 
society  which  they  entitled  "Ladies'  Aid  Society." 
Its  object  was  to  supply  the  soldiers  with  clothing 
and  materials  useful  whilst  in  military  service 
away  from  home.  It  was  actively  engaged  dur- 
ing the  entire  period  of  the  war,  collecting  and 
forwarding  tons  of  materials.  A  "depot"  was  es- 
tablished at  Reading,  to  which  all  the  goods  were 
carried  and  from  which  they  were  consigned.  The 
country  districts  co-operated  in  this  work  and  the 
women  responded  nobly  by  forwarding  many  ma- 
terials to  Reading. 

This  was  the  first  society  of  the  kind  organized 
in  the  country;  and  as  we  take  a  just  pride  in  hay- 
ing furnished  the  military  company  which  was  the 
first  to  respond  to  the  call  for  troops  and  to  report 
at  Harrisburg  for  service,  so  do  we  take  a  similar 
pride  in  having  organized  this  Ladies'  Aid  Society, 


which  was  the  first  to  take  active  and  successful 
steps  toward  providing  for  the  comfort  and  wel- 
fare of  the  soldiers. 

This  society  participated  actively  in  the  matters 
pertaining  to  the  Sanitary  Commission  at  Phila- 
delphia; and  it  was  represented  by  a  number  of 
ladies  at  the  "Sanitary  Fair,"  which  was  held  in 
that  city  for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds  to  re- 
lieve the  wants  of  the  soldiers. 

Reading  Hospital. — A  "MiHtary  Hospital"  was 
fitted  up  at  Reading  during  the  middle  of  June, 
1862,  in  the  main  exhibition  building  of  the  Agri- 
cultural Society  on  the  "Fair  Ground,"  with  cots 
suffi-cient  to  accommodate  130  patients,  and  suc- 
cessfully conducted  till  the  spring  of  1863.  The 
"Ladies'  Aid  Society"  of  Reading  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers,  and  performed  admirable  service  during 
the  continuance  of  the  hospital.  The  regularly 
commissioned  surgeons  in  attendance  were  Dr. 
Martin  Luther  and  Dr.  John  B.  Brooke. 

Draft  and  Quotas  of  Berks  County. — Dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  war,  requisitions  for  troops 
became  so  frequent  that  the  government  was  com- 
pelled to  resort  to  the  conscription  of  men  so  as  to 
prosecute  the  war  with  success.  Though  numer- 
ous volunteers  enlisted  from  Berks  county,  and  the 
citizens  of  this  district  responded  nobly  to  the  sev- 
eral calls  for  troops,  here,  as  elsewhere,  the  draft 
had  to  be  made.  There  were  four  drafts,  one  in 
each  of  the  years  1862,  1863,  1864  and  1865.  The 
provost  marshals  of  this  district  were,  in  succes- 
sion, Henry  I.  Kupp,  Jacob  C.  Hoff  and  George 
W.  Durell. 

The  first  draft  was  conducted  in  October,  1862. 
The  total  enrollment  of  men  in  the  county  num- 
bered 17,809 ;  the  volunteers,  3,186 ;  and  the  quota, 
2,719.  The  number  of  men  who  volunteered  in 
lieu  of  draft  was  345 ;  and  the  substitutes  who  en- 
listed for  three  years  numbered  146.  The  total 
number  of  men  drafted  in  the  county  was  1,242. 
These  men  were  encamped  on  the  "Hiester  Farm," 
adjoining  the  Evans'  cemetery  on  the  north,  formed 
into  companies,  and  placed  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Charles  Knoderer;  and  they  were  mustered 
into  service  as  the  167th  Regiment. 

A  second  draft  was  made  August  56-29,  1863. 
The  quota  of  men  from  the  county  was  1,554 — 
this  number  having  been  fifty  per  cent  in  excess, 
to  provide  against  exemptions. 

The  third  draft  proposed  in  March,  1864,  for 
Berks  county,  was  postponed  for  a  time.  The 
quota  in  the  call  for  two  hundred  thousand  men 
was  767 ;  the  deficiency  of  the  county  under  former 
drafts  was  298;  total  number  required,  1,065;  and 
the  credit  of  the  county  on  April  15,  1864,  for  men 
supplied  to  the  government,  1,036.  Tliis  deficiency 
of  29  men  was  more  than  supplied  by  re-enlisted 
veterans.  Subsequently,  however,  in  j\Iay,  a  draft 
was  ordered,  upon  finding  a  deficiency  in  certain 
sub-districts    in    the    county   and    each'  sub-district 


WAR  PERIODS 


127 


was  required  to  fill  its  own  quota.  The  total  num- 
ber drawn  was  173. 

A  call  for  five  hundred  thousand  men  was  made 
on  July  18,  1864.  The  quota  for  Berks  county  was 
1,887;  for  Reading,  450.  On  Aug.  1st,  the  defi- 
ciency in  the  county  was  1,635;  in  Reading  313. 
A  draft  was  made  on  Sept.  33d,  but  only  for 
one  sub-district — Ruscombmanor,  53  men,  all  the 
other  sub-districts  having  supplied  itheir  deficiencies. 
A  fourth  draft  was  made  Feb.  33-35, 1865.  Reading, 
Upper  Bern,  Bernville,  Cumru,  Douglass,  Spring, 
Upper  Tulpehocken,  and  Womelsdorf  had  suppHed 
their  quota  of  men  by  volunteers.  The  call  was 
made  in  December,  1864,  for  three  hundred  thou- 
sand; the  quota  for  Pennsylvania  was  49,563,  and 
Berks  county,  1,560. 

Northern  Men  in  Service. — The  aggregate 
number  of  men  furnished  by  Pennsylvania  was 
366,336;  reduced  to  three  years'  standard,  367,558. 

It  is  estimated  that  during  the  war  fifty-six  thou- 
sand soldiers  were  killed  in  battle;  about  thirty- 
five  thousand  died  of  wounds  in  hospitals,  and  one 
hundred  and  eighty-four  thousand  by  disease.  The 
total  casualties,  if  we  include  those  who  died  sub- 
sequent to  their  discharge,  were  about  three  hun- 
dred thousand.  The  loss  of  the  Confederates  was 
less  in  battle,  owing  to  the  defensive  character  of 
their  struggle;  but  they  lost  more  from  wounds 
and  by  disease,  on  account  of  inferior  sanitary  ar- 
rangements. The  total  loss  of  life  caused  by  the 
Rebellion  exceeded  half  a  million  men,  and  nearly 
as  many  more  were  disabled. 

Summary  of  Battles. — In  the  four  years  of 
service,  the  armies  of  the  Union  (counting  every 
form  of  conflict,  great  and  small)  had  been  in  3,- 
265  engagements  with  the  Confederate  troops. 
From  the  time  when  active  hostilities  began  until 
the  last  gun  of  the  war  was  fired,  a  fight  of  some 
kind  (a  raid,  a  skirmish  or  a  pitched  battle)  oc- 
curred at  some  point  on  our  widely-extended  front 
nearly  eleven  times  a  week  upon  an  average. 
Counting  only  those  engagements  in  which  the 
Union  loss,  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  ex- 
ceeded one  hundred,  the  total  number  was  330. 
From  the  northernmost  point  of  contact  to  the 
southernmost,  the  distance  by  any  practicable  line 
of  communication  was  more  than  two  thousand 
miles.  From  east  to  west,  the  extremes  were  fif- 
teen hundred  miles  apart.  During  the  first  year  of 
hostilities  (one  of  preparation  on  both  sides)  the 
battles  were  naturally  fewer  in  number  and  less  de- 
cisive in  character  than  afterward,  when  discipline 
had  been  imparted  to  the  troops  by  drill,  and  when 
the  materiel  of  war  had  been  collected  and  stored 
for  prolonged  campaigns.  The  engagements  of  all 
kinds  in  1861  were  thirty-five  in  number,  of  which 
the  most  serious  was  at  Bull  Run.  In  1863,  the 
war  had  greatly  increased  in  magnitude  and  inten- 
sity, as  is  shown  by  the  eighty-four  engagements 
between  the  armies.  The  net  result  of  the  .year's 
operations  was  highly  favorable  to  the  Rebellion. 
In  1863  the  battles  were  one  hundred  and  ten  in 


number,  among  them  some  of  the  most  significant 
and  important  victories  for  the  Union.  In  1864, 
there  were  seventy-three  engagements ;  and  in  the 
winter  and  early  spring  of  1865  there  were  twenty- 
eight. 

Paper  Money. — Before  the  Civil  war,  it  had 
been  the  uniform  practice  of  the  different  States  to 
allow  banks  to  be  established  for  the  issue  of  notes, 
payable  in  specie  on  demand,  and  the  liability  of 
the  shareholders  was  limited.  Banking  then  was 
quite  free,  and  all  individuals  could  carry  it  on 
provided  they  observed  the  requirements  of  the 
law.  But  under  this  system  there  was  great  fluctu- 
atioii  in  ^  value,  which  produced  much  bankruptcy 
and  ruin.  Between  1811  and  1820,  many  banks 
became  bankrupt;  and  twenty  years  afterward, 
another  financial  panic  occurred.  The  inflation  of 
the  banknotes  was  wonderful  between  1830  and 
1837;  but  just  as  the  amount  had  been  increased, 
so  it  decreased  during  the  following  six  years  till 
1843;  and  this  caused  the  ruin  of  many  moneyed 
institutions  among  them  the  Bank  of  the  United 
States,  the  renewal  of  whose  charter  had  been 
denied  by  President  Jackson. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  war,  the  paper  money 
in  circulation  amounted  to  $300,000,000;  of  which 
three-fourths  had  been  issued  in  the  Northern 
States;  and  the  coin  amounted  to  $275,000,000. 
The  early  necessities  of  the  national  treasury  in 
this  trying  period  compelled  the  government  to 
borrow  money,  and  in  February,  1862,  Congress 
authorized  the  issue  of  treasury  notes  amounting 
to  $150,000,000,  declaring  them  to  be  legal  tender 
except  for  customs  duties  and  interest  on  the  na- 
tional debt. 

A  premium  on  gold  naturally  followed,  causing 
it  to  be  drawn  entirely  from  circulation,  and  this 
increased  as  the  treasury  notes  multiplied.  Then 
the  National  Banking  System  came  to  be  intro- 
duced to  supply  a  circulating  medium,  having  been 
created  on  Feb.  25,  1863,  and  amended  on  June  3, 
1864.  A  Bureau  was  established  in  the  Treasury 
Department,  with  power  to  authorize-  banking  as- 
sociations, under  certain  provisions  for  public -se- 
curity, and  the  State  banks  were  rapidly  trans- 
formed into  national  banks.  The  currency  of  the 
country  in  this  manner  came  to  consist  of  treasury 
demand  notes  (which  in  1865  amounted  to  $450,- 
000,000)  and  of  national  bank-notes  (which'  ap- 
proached the  limit' of  $300,000,000).  The  latter 
circulated  as  freely  as  the  former,  because  their 
ultimate  redemption  was  assured  by  the  deposit  of 
an  adequate  amount  in  United  States  bonds  at  the 
national  treasury.  This  system  was  found  supe- 
rior in  the  protection  which  it  afforded;  but  it 
could  not  prevent  a  financial  crisis  from  sweeping 
over  the  country,  especially  when  other  causes,  such 
as  excessive  manufactures  and  enormous  losses 
from  fire,  contributed  greatly  toward  the  result. 
Congress  also  authorized  small  notes  for  five, 
ten,  twenty-five  and  fifty  cents  to  be  issued  for 
the  purpose  of  supplying  the  loss  of  the  small  de- 


128 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


nominations  of  coin  money  from  circulation.     This    '^^e'' 
was  commonly  known  as  "currency,"   and  it  was 
all  redeemed  after  the  war. 

During  this  period,  our  merchants  at  Reading 
issued  and  circulated  for  a  time  their  own  fraction- 
al demand  notes  for  the  purpose  of  encouraging 
trade  in  the  community  and  it  was  gradually  re- 
deemed as  the  national  currency  was  supplied. 


COMPANIES  FROM  COUNTY 
The  following  104  companies  of  men  were  enlisted 
from  Berks  county  and  mustered  into  the  service 
of  the  national  government  in  the  Civil  war. 
Twelve  of  the  companies  included  men  accredited 
to  other  counties.  Reckoning  all  the  men  in  the 
companies  named  and  those  found  in  different 
companies  not  classified,  it  can  be  asserted  that 
about  ten  thousand  men  of  our  county  were  en- 
gaged in  the  great  struggle  for  the  preservation  of 
the  Union. 

SUMMARY 

Three   months'   service,   1861 738 

Three   years'    service,    1861-64 3,657 

Nine  months'  service,  1862-63 1,003 

Volunteer  militia  of  1862 543 

Drafted  militia  of  1862 1,263 

Emergency    troops    of    1863 1,438 

One    hundred    days'    service,    1864 357 

One  year's   service,   1864-65> 895 

Miscellaneous   enlistment   in   Regular   U.    S.   service, 

etc , 250 


10,144 
The  detailed  statement,"'  showing  the  several  regiments 
and    companies,    the    number    of    men    in    each    company, 
and  the  names  of  the  captains,  is  as  follows : 

Three  Months'  Service — l86l 


Refft. 

Co. 

Men 

Captain 

25 

A 

104 

James   McKnight 

1 

G 

78 

Geo.    W.    Alexander 

5 

H 

77 

Frank   M.   Cooley 

5 

Band 

16 

E.   Ermentrout,  Leader 

7 

C 

76 

Isaac   Schroeder 

7 

D 

78 

Geo.  S.  Herbst 

7 

G 

77 

A.    F.    Rightmyer 

14 

A 

77 

David  A.   Griffith 

14 

E 

80 

John  C.  Shearer 

25' 

C 

58 

Henry  Nagle 

25 

Band 

17 

John    A.    Hoch,    Leader 

Three  Y 

'cars'  Service — 1861-64 

Regt. 

Co. 

Men 

Captain 

26 

Band 

13 

Henry   Grime,   Leader 

32 

A 

100 

Jacob   Lenhart,  Jr. 

32 

D 

115 

Wm.  Briner 

32 

F 

100 

Wash.  Richards 

36 

I 

33 

Joseph  G.  Holmes    (Berks  and 
Lebanon  counties) 

43 

F 

38 

R.   B.   Rickets,   1st  Artillery 

44 

L 

155 

J.  C.  A.  Hoffeditz 

44 

M 

154 

Thos.   S.  Richards 

46 

E 

173 

Cornelius  Wise 

46 

Band 

16 

R.  J.   Stanley 

48 

D 

40 

Daniel   Nagle 

50 

B 

166 

Hervey   Herman 

50 

E 

181 

Wm.   H.   Diehl 

50 

H 

177 

Thos.  S.  Brenholtz 

53 

A&B 

27 

Wm.   S.  Potts 

*  Prepared  by  the  compiler  of  this  history  for  the  Historical  Society 
of  Berks   County,  and   read  at  a  regular  meeting  on  Feb.   14,   1903. 


Regt. 

Co. 

Men 

Captain 

55 

B 

191 

John    C.    Shearer 

59 

K 

33 

Stephen  H.   Edgett 

70 

G 

94 

Geo.  E.  Clymer,  6th  Cavalry 

74 

G 

50 

Wm.   J.   Bart    (Berks   and 

Adams   counties)' 

80 

L 

64 

C.   C.    McCormick    (Berks    and 
Northumberland  counties) 

88 

A 

197 

Geo.  W.  Knabb 

88 

B 

192 

Henry  A.   Myers 

88 

H 

196 

David  A.   Griffith 

88 

Band 

20 

E.   Ermentrout,  Leader    (Ring- 
gold) 

93 

B 

185 

John  E.  Arthur 

93 

G 

183 

A.   C.   Maitland 

93 

K 

74 

David  C.  Keller 

96 

G 

31 

Jas.  M.  Douden 

104 

B 

50 

Jacob  W.  Glase 

104 

H 

195 

Wm.    F.    Walter 

D 

297 

Geo.  W.   Durrell,   Ind.   Battery- 

152 

K 

25 

Henry  Ungerer 

181 

H 

16 

A.  M.  Halberstadt 

182 

H 

76 

Geo.  F.  Cooke,  21st  Cavalry 

A' 

ine  Months'   Service — 1862-63 

Regt. 

Co. 

Men 

Captain 

128 

A 

99 

L.  Heber  Smith 

128 

B 

93 

Wm.    McNall 

128 

E 

98 

Wm.   H.  Andrews 

128 

H 

76 

John   Kennedy 

128 

I 

89 

Richard  H.  Jones 

128 

K 

88 

Geo.    Newkirk 

151 

E 

93 

Jacob  S.  Graff 

151 

G 

83 

Levi   M.   Gerhart 

151 

H 

83 

Wm.  K.  Boltz 

151 

I 

100 

Wm.  L.  Gray. 

151 

K 

101 

Jas.  W.  Weida 

Volunteei 

-  Militia  of  1862 

ReiTt, 

Co. 

Men 

Captain 

2 

G 

70 

F.  S.  Bickley 

11 

E 

104 

Chas.  H.  Hunter 

11 

I 

95 

N.   M.   Eisenhower 

20 

G 

70 

Wm.  Geiger 

20 

H 

45 

Samuel   Harner 

20 

I 

92 

Frederick   S.   Boas 

* 

67 

Samuel   L.   Young 

Drafted  Mi'itia  of  1862— g  nxis. 

Rert. 

Co. 

Men 

Captain 

167 

A 

113 

Jonathan  See 

167 

B 

105 

Chas.   Melcher 

167 

C 

102 

Peter  Y.  Edelman 

167 

D 

113 

Samuel    A.    Haines 

167 

E 

101 

H.   H.   Miller 

167 

F 

100 

Josiah    Groh 

167 

G 

114 

William  A.  Schall 

167 

H 

105 

A.   H.    Schaeflfer 

167 

I 

111 

J.  M.   ShoUenberger 

167 

K 

105 

Edw.  F.  Reed 

179 

I 

99 

Amos   Drenkel 

179 

K 

95 

John  B.  Wagoner 

Emergency    Troops — 1863 

Regt. 

Co. 

Men 

Captain 

31 

H 

63 

David  A.  Griffith 

42 

A 

98 

Wm.  F.  Walter 

42 

B 

91 

Samuel   Harner 

42 

C 

103 

John   E.    Arthur 

42 

D 

95 

Wm.    D.    Smith 

42 

E 

83 

Jno.   McKnight 

42 

F 

79 

Bently    H.    Smith 

42 

G 

96 

Samuel   A.   Haines 

42 

H 

90 

John  Obold 

42 
*Ind. 

I 

Cavalry 

91 

Edw.  Bailey 

WAR   PERIODS 


129 


Regt. 

Co. 

iten 

Captain 

42 

K 

b5 

Jacob  Deppen 

48 

G 

95 

Jos.  G.  Holmes 

48 

I 

79 

Aug.  C.  Greth 

53 

A 

86 

R.  L.  Jones 

53 

B 

75 

Jacob  Lehman 

* 

■• 

149 

W.    C    Ermentrout 

One  Hundred 

Days'   Service — 1S64 

Regt. 

Co. 

Men 

Captain 

194 

I 

84 

H.  E.   Quimby 

195 

A 

85 

H.   D.   Markley 

195 

B 

93 

H.  Maltzberger 

196 

I 

95 

G.   S.  Rowbotham 

One  Year\ 

J  Service — 1864-6$ 

Regt. 

Co. 

Men 

Captain 

83 

I 

84 

R.  W.   McCartney   (Berks  and 
Dauphin  counties) 

192 

F 

97 

John  Teed 

195 

A 

96 

H.   D.   Markley 

198 

D 

98 

Isaac   Schroeder 

198 

G 

99 

Wm.  L.  Guinther 

205 

B 

104 

Jos.  G.  Holmes 

205 

E 

104 

Wm.  F.  Walter 

205 

H 

111 

F.   Schmehl 

313 

D 

102 

J.   W.   Kennedy 

patch  announcing  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter  found 
the  company  at  drill  at  some  distance  from  the 
city.*  The  effect  was  electrical,  and  all  were  impa- 
tient to  move  at  once  to  the  defense  of  the  flag-. 


Surgeons  from  County  in  Civil  War 
The    following    medical    practitioners    of    Berks    county 
were  engaged  in  the  Civil  war,  and  the  statement  shows 
the    regiment   with   which   they   were    connected   and   the 
district  of  the  county  where  they  resided. 
33d     Regt. — Dr.   Johnt  B.   Griesemer,   Exeter,    Surgeon 
34th  Regt.— Dr.    Harrison    T.    Witman,    Reading,    Asst. 

Surgeon  , 

47th  Regt. — Dr.  John  H.  Sheetz,  Reading,  Asst.  Surgeon 
48th  Regt. — Dr.    Charles    T.    Reber,    Reading,    Asst.    Sur- 
geon 
73d    Regt. — Dr.    Jeremiah    S.    Trexler,    Kutztown,    Asst. 

Surgeon 
75th    Regt. — Dr.    Manoah    S.    Long,    Longswamp,    Asst. 

Surgeon 
76th  Regt. — Dr.  Erasmus  R.   Scholl,  Reading,   Surgeon 
108th  Regt. — Dr.   Hiester   M.    Nagle,   Reading,   Surgeon 
141st  Regt. — Dr.    Wellington    G.    Byerle,    Bernville,    Asst. 

Surgeon 
154th  Regt. — Dr.  John  M.  Hoffman,  Spring,  Surgeon 
154th  Regt. — Dr.   Elias   C.   Kitchen,   Amity,   Surgeon 
166th  Regt.— Dr.    Alexander    H.    Witman,    Reading,    Asst. 

Surgeon 
167th  Regt.— Dr.  Daniel  T.  Batdorf,  Bethel,  Asst.  Surgeon 
U.  S.  Navy — Dr.  Jonathan  Bertolette,  Surgeon 


THREE  MONTHS'  SERVICE— 1861 
Ringgold  Light  Artillery. — The  first  troops 
to  respond  to  the  President's  call  were  the  Ring- 
gold Light  Artillery  of  Reading ;  the  Logan  Guards 
of  Lewistown ;  the  Washington  Artillery  and  the 
National  Light  Infantry  of  PottsvilJe;  and  the 
Allen  Rifles  of  Allentown. 

On  Jan.  21,  1861,  Maj.-Gen.  William  H.  Keim 
(then  Surveyor-General  of  Pennsylvania,  from 
Reading) ,.  with  characteristic  sagacity,  had  advised 
Captain  McKnight  that  the  services  of  his  company 
would  probably  soon  be  needed,  and  counseled  him 
to  hold  them  in  readiness  for  immediate  service. 
From  that  time  till  April  16th,  almost  daily  drills 
were  practised.  On  the  22d  of  February,  they  were 
in-  readiness  to  obey  marching  orders.     The  dis- 

*Ind.  Artillery 
9 


CAPT.   JAMES   MCKNIGHT 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th  of  April,  marching 
orders  were  received  from  Governor  Curtin;  and, 
on  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  the  company  was 
taken  on  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad  to  Harris- 
burg,  where  it  arrived  at  8  o'clock  in  the  evening. 
The  company  numbered  108  men,  fully  armed  and 
equipped  as  light  artillery.  On  reporting  at  the 
Executive  Office,  the  Secretary  of  War  telegraphed 
that  the  company  be  forwarded  by  the  earliest 
train,  but  this  order  was  countermanded  by  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Commonwealth  later  in  the  day. 

The  five  companies  named  were  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States  at  Harrisburg  for 
three  months,  and  departed  for  Washington  by  rail- 
road on  the  18th  of  April,  at  9  o'clock  a.  m.  They 
arrived  at  Baltimore  at  1  o'clock  p.  m.,  being  under 
the  necessity  of  marching  two  miles  through  the 
city,  from  Bolton  to  Camden  station.  On  leaving 
the  cars,  a  battalion  was  formed  in  the  following 
order:  4th  Artillery  (regulars);  Logan  Guards; 
Allen  Rifles,  of  Allentown ;  Washington  Artillery 
and  National  Light  Infantry,  of  Pottsville ;  with 
the  Ringgold  Artillery  bringing  up  the  rear.  As 
the  column  was  forming  near  Bolton  station,  the 
police  of  Baltimore  appeared  in  large  force,  headed 
by  Marshal  Kane,  and  followed  by  a  mob  which 
at  once  commenced  an  attack  upon  the  volunteers, 
countenanced  by  a  portion  of  the  police,  who  had 
been  sent  to  give  safe  conduct  through  the  city. 
Orders  were  given  to  the  men  to  preserve  their 
temper  and  make  no  reply  to  anything  that  should 
be  said  to  them.  At  the  command  "forward,"  the 
mob  commenced  hooting,  jeering  and  yelling,  and 
proclaimed,  with  oaths,  that  the  troops  should  not 
pass  through  their  city  to  fight  the  South. 

*  Poor-house    Farm   in    Sliillington. 


130 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Arriving  near  the  center  of  the  city,  certain  reg- 
ular troops  filed  off  toward  Fort  McHenry,  leaving 
the  volunteers  to  pursue  their  way  through 
the  city  as  well  as  they  could.  At  this  juncture, 
the  mob  were  excited  to  a  perfect  frenzy,  breaking 
the  line  of  the  police,  and  pushing  through  the  files 
of  men,  in  an  attempt  to  break  the  column.  Every 
insult  that  could  be  heaped  upon  the  troops  was 
offered,  but  no  word  of  reply  was  elicited.  The 
officers  and  men  marched  steadily  on  toward  Cam- 
den station.  At  every  step,  the  mob  increased  till 
it  numbered  thousands  of  most  determined  and  des- 
perate men. 

As  the  volunteers  were  boarding  the  train  at  the 
station,  the  angry  mob  hurled  a  shower  of  bricks, 
stones  and  clubs  into  their  disorganized  ranks,  for- 
tunately, however,  inflicting  only  slight  injuries.  In 
the  midst  of  the  confusion,  an  attempt  was  made 
to  detach  the  engine  from  the  train  and  run  it 
away,  but  this  was  prevented  by  the  determined 
character  of  the  engineer  and  his  assistants,  who 
drew  revolvers  and  threatened  to  shoot  any  who 
dared  to  do  so.  At  length,  amidst  the  demoniac  yells 
of  the  crowd,  the  train  moved  off,  carrying  the  vol- 
unteers safely  beyond  the  reach  of  their  desperate 
assailants.  They  arrived  in  Washington  at  7  o'clock 
in  the  evening.  Arms,  ammunition  and  equipments 
were  furnished  and  the  work  of  barricading  the 
Capitol  was  commenced  immediately.  Squads  of 
the  Rebel  soldiers  were  then  drilling  on  the  opposite 
.  side  of  the  Potomac  river  in  full  view  of  the  Capi- 
tol. It  having  been  ascertained  on  the  33d  of  April 
that  an  attempt  would  be  made  to  capture  Wash- 
ington by  way  of  the  arsenal  and  the  navy-yard, 
the  "Ringgold  Artillerists"  were  ordered  to  report 
to  Captain  Dahlgreen  at  the  navy-yard,  and  three 
twelve-pound  howitzers  were  assigned  to  them. 
Excepting  a  detachment  of  twelve  men,  detailed  to 
guard  the  "Short  Bridge,"  the  entire  command  was 
required  to  man  these  guns.  On  the  25th,  a  ser- 
geant and  six  men  were  detailed  to  serve  as  a 
guard  on  the  steamer  "Powhatan,"  which  was  dis- 
patched to  make  a  reconnoissance  down  the  Poto- 
mac for  the  purpose  of  searching  for  obstructions 
and  of  ascertaining  if  forts  were  being  erected  along 
the  river.  On  the  36th,  the  company  were  ordered 
to  duty  at  the  Capitol ;  and  on  the  15th  of  May,  the 
Secretary  of  War  assigned  them  to  duty  at  the 
Washington  Arsenal,  where  they  remained  till  the 
expiration  of  their  term  of  service,  excepting  a 
short  interval,  when  they  were  detailed  to  mount 
guns  in  the  forts  about  Washington.  They  were 
mustered  out  at  Harrisburg.  They  had  been  class- 
ified as  Company  A,  of  the  35th  Regiment.  Edward 
P.  Pearson,  Esq.,  of  Reading,  was  Adjutant  of  the 
Regiment ;  he  subsequently  became  an  officer  in  the 
regular  army  and  served  for  many  years  with 
great  distinction. 

Col.  A.  C.  Buell,  in  his  book,  entitled  "The  Can- 
noneer, Recollections  of  Service  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  by  a  detached  volunteer  in  the  Regular 


Army,"  published  the  following  interesting  infor- 
mation about  this  distinguished  company: 

Speaking  of  the  "Stolidity  of  the  Pennsylvania  Dutch," 
history  records  some  manifestations  of  it  that  are  admir- 
able. For  example,  there  was  a  battery  in  the  Civil  war 
which  entered  the  Union  service  as  "The  Ringgold  Artil- 
lery of  Reading"  and  its  commander  was  Capt.  James 
McKnight.  It  was  the  first  volunteer  artillery  organiza- 
tion to  reach  Washington  in  April,  1861.  At  the  end  of 
its  three  months'  service,  it  re-enlisted  in  a  body  for 
three  years  and  was  mustered  into  the  regular  army  as 
Battery  M,  5th  U.  S.  Artillery,  being  the  only  volunteer 
organization  transferred  bodily  to  the  regular  army  in 
all  our  history.  Its  composition  may  be  inferred  from 
the  names  of  its  sergeants  in  1864  when  I  was  personally 
acquainted  with  it.  They  were  as  follows :  Daniel  Yoder, 
Philip  Weidner,  William  Beckhardt,  Joseph  Gerhardt  and 
Frederick  Volkman.  Of  its  107  enlisted  men  in  the  Valley 
Campaign  of  1864,  84  were  Pennsylvania  Dutchrnen  from 
Berks,  Schuylkill  and  Lehigh — all  native  Americans — 12 
Americans  of  Enghsh  descent,  and  11  Irishmen,  one  of 
whom,  Patrick  Flynn  Hunt,  late  of  Templemore,  County 
Tipperary,  was  acting  sergeant  on  temporary  detail  from 
Battery  E.  Battery  M  served  all  through  the  war  in  the 
6th  Corps.  At  Cedar  Creek  it  was  in  line  with  Getty's 
(2d)  Division  of  that  Corps  and  took  the  butt  end  of  the 
Confederate  attack  in  the  first  attempt  of  the  Union  forces 
to  stop  the  rout  in  the  early  stages  of  that  dramatic  battle. 
In  its  first  position  it  lost  one  gun,  a  lieutenant  and  9 
men,  the  gun  however  being  retaken  by  the  10th  Vermont 
Infantry.  In  its  second  position  the  whole  battery  was 
taken  by  Kershaw's  South  Carolina  Brigade  and  almost 
instantly  retaken  by  part  of  the  Old  Vermont  Brigade  in 
a  rough-and-tumble,  which  resulted  among  other  things 
in  the  killing  or  disabling  of  19  men  with  the  bayonet 
alone,  few  shots  being  fired.  Out  of  this  last  motion, 
Battery  M  emerged  with  2  guns  and  27  men  fit  for  duty 
who  at  once  resumed  their  fire  with  double  canister.  This 
remnant  was  commanded  by  Sergeant  Daniel  Yoder,  Cap- 
tain McKnight  being  at  that  moment  acting  Chief  of  Ar- 
tillery of  the  Corps,  and  the  remaining  lieutenant  (Henry 
M.  Baldwin)  having  been  killed  in  the  previous  struggle. 
After  the  battle,  Gen.  Horatio  Wright  complimented  Cap- 
tain McKnight  on  the  behavior  of  his  battery  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  few  men  that  remaitied.  Said  he,  "Your  Penn- 
sylvania Dutchmen  don't  seem  to  know  when  they  are 
whipped."  To  which  the  Captain  replied,  "Don't  know 
when  they  are  whipped?  By  God,  General,  most  of  them 
don't  know  when  they  are  killed." 

All  the  losses  of  Battery  M  at  Cedar  Creek  were 
either  killed  or  wounded,  none  were  missing.  Buell 
was  a  private  when  this  happened,  but  he  became 
a  colonel  afterward. 

1st  Regiment. — The  1st  Regiment  was  organ- 
ized at  Harrisburg  on  April  20th.  In  pursuance  of 
orders,  it  performed  duty  at  several  places  in  Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland  and  Virginia  till  July  23d,  when 
it  returned  to  Harrisburg,  and  was  there  honorably 
discharged  on  the  37th.  During  its  service  it  did 
not  participate  in  any  battles;  but  it  accomplished 
much  good  by  checking  any  movement  on  the  part 
of  the  Rebels  in  arms  along  the  borders.  It  in- 
cluded Company  G,  which  was  recruited  at  Read- 
ing, and  mustered  into  service  on  April  20,  1861. 

5th  Regiment.— The  5th  Regiment  was  organ- 
ized at  Camp  Curtin  (Harrisburg)  on  April  21st. 
It  performed  guard  duty  mostly  at  Baltimore, 
Washington  and  Alexandria.  It  was  at  the  latter 
place  during  the  disastrous  battle  of  Bull  Run,  in 
which  the  brigade    (to  which  it  had  been  trans- 


WAR   PERIODS 


131 


ferred)  participated.  It  was  discharged  at  Harris- 
burg  on  July  25th. 

Company  H  was  recruited  at  Reading.  It  was 
mustered  into  service  on  April  20,  1861.  Dr.  E.  R. 
Scholl,  of  Reading,  was  the  regimental  surgeon. 

Reading  City  Band  was  attached  to  this  regi- 
ment. It  comprised  sixteen  men  (six  from  Leb- 
anon), with  Emanuel  Ermentrout  as  leader.  Left 
Reading  on  May  22,  1861,  for  Washington,  via  Har- 
risburg  and  Baltimore,  and  was  mustered  in  there 
on  the  23d.  Remained  there  until  the  29th  and 
then  went  to  Alexandria,  where  it  was  in  active 
service  until  July  21st.  Then  it  was  ordered  to 
Harrisburg  and  there  mustered  out  on  July  26th. 
The  members  from  Reading  returned  home. 

7th  Regiment. — The  Tth  Regiment  was  organ- 
ized and  mustered  into  service  at  Camp  Cur- 
tin  on  April  22d.  It  was  encamped  over  a 
month  at  Chambersburg.  On  June  8th  it  moved 
southwardly.  It  was  stationed  at  Williams- 
port  on  the  19th.  On  July  2d,  it  began  the  march 
to  Martinsburg.  On  the  way,  it  confiscated  the 
contents  of  an  extensive  flour-mill  (a  large  amount 
of  grain  and  flour  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  barrels 
of  whiskey),  the  owner  having  been  a  captain  in 
the  Rebel  army.  Shortly  afterward,  it  was  en- 
camped at  Charlestown,  where  it  remained  until 
ordered  to  Harrisburg,  and  it  was  mustered  out  of 
service  on  July  29th.  Three  companies  were  re- 
cruited in  Berks  county,  C,  G,  and  D;  the  first  at 
Friedensburg;  the  second  at  Pleasantville ;  and  the 
third  at  Reading. 

14th  Regiment. — The  14th  Regiment  was  or- 
ganized at  Camp  Curtin  on  April  30th.  Richards 
McMichael  was  elected  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
Joseph  A.  McLean  major.  Both  were  from  Read- 
ing. It  was  encamped  at  Camp  Johnston,  in  Lan- 
caster, till  June  3d,  and  subsequently  it  marched 
to  Chambersburg,  Hagerstown,  Sharpsburg,  Mar- 
tinsburg, Bunker's  Hill  and  Harper's  Ferry,  doing 
picket  and  guard  duty,  and  making  various  expedi- 
tions to  encounter  the  enemy.  Whilst  at  the  latter 
place,  the  term  of  enlistment  expired  and  it  was 
ordered  to  Harrisburg.  On  its  way,  it  encamped 
and  remained  two  weeks  at  Carlisle,  where  it  was 
mustered  out  of  service  Aug.  7th.  It  included  two 
companies  from  Berks  county:  A,  recruited  at 
Reading  and  mustered  in  on  April  27th;  and  E, 
recruited  at  Womelsdorf,  and  mustered  in  on 
April  24th. 

25th  Regiment. — Company  C  of  Reading  was 
also  in  the  25th  Regiment,  in  the  three  months' 
service  with  Company  A.  It  was  recruited  at  Read- 
ing out  of  the  surplus  men  of  the  Ringgold  Light 
Artillery  and  seventeen  men  of  the  National  Light 
Infantry  of  Pottsville,  and  mustered  into  service 
on  April  18,  1861.  The  regiment  had  been  organ- 
ized at  Harrisburg.  It  was  mustered  out  of  service 
on  Aug.  1st. 

Regimental  Band. — The  regimental  band  of  the 
25th  Regiment  was  engaged  in  the  three  months' 
service,  having  been  mustered  in  at  Washington, 


in  April,  1861,  and  mustered  out  at  Harrisburg, 
in  July,  1861.  It  comprised  sixteen  members 
under  the  leadership  of  John  A.  Hoch,  fourteen 
of  them  taken  from  the  Ringgold  Band.  The  other 
two  were  from  Pottstown. 


THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE— 1861-64 

The  insurrection  having  become  too  powerful  to 
be  suppressed  by  the  first  display  of  military  au- 
thority, the  President  issued  a  second  proclamation, 
calling  upon  the  States  to  furnish  two  hundred 
thousand  men  who  were  to  be  enlisted  for  three 
years.  The  quota  of  men  from  Pennsylvania  was 
soon  filled  by  the  patriotic  impulses  of  her  people. 
Companies  from  Berks  county  were  in  the  follow- 
ing regiments : 

26th  Regiment. — The  Bernville  Band  with 
Henry  Grime  as  leader,  and  numbering  thirteen 
men,  was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Bladens- 
burg,  Md.,  on  Sept.  16,  1861,  as  regimen- 
tal band  of  the  26th  Regiment  of  Peain- 
sylvania  Volunteers,  and  attached  to  Hooker's  1st 
Brigade.  It  remained  in  camp  at  Bladensburg 
about  two  months;  then  it  moved  to  Budd's  Ferry, 
in  Lower  Potomac,  on  Maryland  Shore,  and  con- 
tinued there  all  winter.  During  the  latter  part  of 
April,  it  joined  McClellan's  army  at  Fortress  Mon- 
roe, and  was  engaged  in  the  Penmsular  campaign, 
commencing  at  Yorktown  and  ending  at  Harrison's 
Landing.  It  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Har- 
rison's Landing  on  Aug.  8,  1862,  by  reason  of  an 
Act  of  Congress  passed  to  disp-ense  with  regimen- 
tal bands.  The  men  returned  to  Philadelphia, 
where  they  were  paid  off  and  sent  home. 

32d  Regiment.- — The  32d  Regiment  included 
companies  A,  D  and  F  from  Berks  county,  and 
was  mustered  into  service  at  Harrisburg  on  July 
27,  1861,  after  having  remained  at  Easton  in  camp 
for  two  months.  The  regiment  was  at  Washington, 
Tennallytown,  and  Langley  until  March  10,  1862, 
when  it  joined  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  It  par- 
ticipated in  its  marches  to  and  from  Richmond  until 
February,  1863,  having  been  engaged  in  the  battles 
of  Gaines'  Mill,  Hall's  Hill,  Antietam  and  Freder- 
icksburg. 

Then  it  was  transferred  to  the  defenses  of  Wash- 
ington and  became  a  part  of  the  22d  Army  Corps, 
where  it  remained  until  January,  1864,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  duty  in  West  Virginia  under  General 
Sickd.  Afterward  it  was  at  Martinsburg  and 
Harper's  Ferry  until  April,  then  proceeded  to  the 
Kanawha  Valley  and  participated  in  the  engage- 
ments at  Princetown  and  Meadow  Bluff.  On  May 
22d,  it  marched  to  Millville.  While  there  its  term 
of  service  expired,  and  then  it  proceeded  to  Phila- 
delphia, via  Pittsburg,  where  it  was  mustered  out 
of  service  on  June  17,  1864. 

36th  Regiment. — The  36th  Regiment  was  com- 
posed of  companies  recruited  in  several  counties 
east  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains.  Company  I  was 
made  up  of  men  recruited  in  Berks  and  Lebanon 
counties.     The  men  from  Berks  county  numbered 


133 


HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


thirty-three,  and  were  recruited  at  Reading.  The 
regiment  was  mustered  into  service  July  '27,  1861. 
It  was  not  in  any  fighting  until  the  latter  part  of 
June,  1862,  when  it  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Gaines'  Mill,  occupying  the  left  of  the  line.  Its 
next  engagement  was  at  Charles  City  Cross  Roads, 
June  30,  1862.  It  passed  through  seven  days  of 
fighting,  and  upon  mustering  the  regiment  only 
two  hundred  men  were  present  to  answer  to  their 
names.  It  was  also  engaged  in  the  battles  of  An- 
tietam,  Fredericksburg  and  the  Wilderness.  Nearly 
the  entire  regiment  was  captured  in  the  last  battle, 
and  the  men  were  imprisoned  at  Andersonville. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service  June  16, 
1864,  at  Philadelphia. 

43d  Regiment. — In  Battery  F,  of  the  43d  Regi- 
ment of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  (1st  Artillery), 
recruited  in  Schuylkill  county,  there  were  included 
thirty-eight  men  from  Berks  county.  It  was  organ- 
ized at  Philadelphia  in  June,  18G1,  for  three  years' 
service,  and  mustered  out  at  Harrisburg  on 
June  9,  1865. 

The  Battery  participated  in  the  following  battles : 
Winchester,  second  Bull  Run,  Chantilly,  Antietam, 
Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Bris- 
toe  Station,  Mine  Run,  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania, 
North  Anna,  Tolopotomoy,  Cold  Harbor,  Peters- 
burg, and  Deep  Bottom. 

44th  Regiment. — The  44th  Regiment  (1st  Cav- 
alry) was  recruited  in  a  numher  of  counties,  Com- 
pany L  from  men  of  Berks,  Lebanon  and  Lancaster 
counties,  and  Company  M  from  men  of  Berks  coun- 
ty.   Both  were  recruited  at  Reading. 

Company  L  was  mustered  into  service  as  an  inde- 
pendent company  on  July  30,  1861,  and  stationed  at 
Baltimore  for  five  months  ;  and  Company  M  on  Aug. 
5,  1861,  and  stationed  at  same  place  until  Oct.  3d. 
On  Jan.  7th,  these  companies  joined  their  regiment 
and  moved  with  the  army  toward  Manassas.  They 
were  eng'aged  in  the  battles  of  Strasburg,  Wood- 
stock, Harrisonburg  and  Fredericksburg  during  the 
year  1862;  and  in  1863,  in  the  battle's  of  Brandy 
Station,  Beverly  Ford  and  Aldie.  They  were  con- 
cerned in  Sheridan's  raid  upon  Richmond,  during 
the  spring  of  1864,  in  which  they  encountered  the 
enemy  in  a  number  of  engagements,  and  in  the  fol-- 
lowing  summer  they  were  engaged  in  fighting  the 
enemy  at  Saint  Mary's  Church,  Malvern  Hill, 
Gravel  Hill,  and  Ream's  Station.  On  Aug.  29th 
they  were  encamped  on  the  Jerusalem  Plank  Road, 
near  the  left  of  the  army.  Their  term  of  service 
having  expired,  they  withdrew  from  the  front  on 
Sept.  1st,  and  proceeded  to  Philadelphia  where  they 
were  mustered  out  of  service  Sept.  9,  1864. 

46th  Regiment. — The  46th  Regiment  was  or- 
ganized at  Harrisburg  on  Sept.  1,  ISfil,  and  in- 
cluded Company  E,  recruited  at  Reading.  It  was 
ordered  to  Plarper's  Ferry  and  placed  under  the 
command  of  General  Banks.  Its  first  conflict  was 
at  Winchester,  where  for  five  hours  it  held  its  po- 
sition with  great  coolness  and  bravery  whilst  re- 
treating toward  the  Potomac  before  Gen.  Stonewall 


Jackson.  On  Aug.  8,  1862,  it  was  in  the  battle  of 
Cedar  i\Iountain,  and  on  Sept.  17th  in  the  battle  of 
Antietam.  In  May,  1863,  it  participated  in  a  fierce 
engagement  near  Chancellorsville;  and  in  July  it 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  'battle  of  Gettysburg,, 
occupying  the  extreme  right  of  the  line  on  the  3d. 

After  the  withdrawal  of  Lee  from  Pennsylvania, 
the  regiment  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Ten- 
nessee under  General  Rosecrans.  In  January,  1864,. 
it  proceeded  to  Pennsylvania  on  a  veteran  furlough,- 
and  the  greater  part  of  the  officers  and  men  re- 
enlisted  for  three  years. 

Among  the  re-enlisted  men  in  the  regiment,  there 
was  a  young  man,  Henry  Weidensaul,  a  native  of 
Morgantown,  in  Berks  county.  He  entered  the 
regiment  when  fourteen  years  old  and  participated' 
in  the  battles  of  Winchester,  Cedar  Mountain,  Chan- 
cellorsville, Gettysburg,  Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw 
Mountain  and  Peach  Tree  Creek.  He  was  wounded 
at  Cedar  Mountain,  taken  prisoner,  and  confined 
in  Libby  Prison  for  five  weeks.  He  was  also- 
wounded  at  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Atlanta.  On. 
July  1,  1863,  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  and  the 
Keystone  State  claimed  him  to  be  the  youngest 
veteran  soldier  in  the  service. 

Upon  recruiting  its  ranks,  the  regiment  rejoined 
the  army  at  Chattanooga,  and  participated  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign  under  General  Sherman  in  his 
great  march  to  the  sea.  After  nearly  four  years  of 
faithful  service,  it  was  mustered  out  on  July  16, 
1865,  near  Alexandria,  Virginia. 

Birdsboro'  Band. — This  band  was  mustered  into- 
service  for  three  years  on  Aug.  27,  ,1861,  as  the 
regimental  band  of  the  regiment ;  but  discharged  on 
Aug.  16,  1SG2,  in  pursuance  of  an  order  dispensing 
with  regimental  bands. 

48th  Regiment — Company  D  of  this  regiment 
was  recruited  at  Pottsville,  in  Schuylkill  county,, 
mustered  into  service  in  October,  1861,  and  mus- 
tered out  July  17,  1865.  Forty  of  the  men  were 
from  Plamburg,  in  Berks  county.  The  regiment 
was  in  the  battles  of  Antietam  and  Second  Bull 
Run.  It  was  prominent  in  the  Petersburg  cam- 
paign, having  exploded  the  great  mine. 

The  Port  Clinton  Artillery  was  connected  with 
this  regiment.  Included  with  the  battery  there  were 
twenty-five  men  from  Reading  and  Leesport,  ac- 
credited to  Schuvlkill  countv.  "it  was  mustered  in 
May,  1861. 

John  D.  Bertolette,  of  Reading,  was  the  adjutant; 
and  Dr.  Charles  T.  Reber,  surgeon. 

50th  Regiment.— The  50th  Regiment  included 
three  companies  from  Berks  county,  B,  E  and  H, 
which  were  recruited  at  Reading.  It  was  organ- 
ized at  Harrisburg  on  Sept.  "35,  1861.  Capt. 
Thomas  Brenholtz,  of  Companv  H,  was  selected  as 
lieutenant-colonel.  The  regiment  proceeded  to 
Washington  on  Oct.  2d,  and  on  the  9th  to  .A.nnap- 
olis,  where  it  was  assigned  to  Stevens'  Brigade, 
which  was  then  fitting  out  for  an  expedition  to 
South  Carolina.  On  Oct.  19th,  the  regiment  em- 
barked upon  transports.  Companies  B  and  E  on  the 


WAR   PERIODS 


133 


■"Winfield  Scott"  and  Company  H  on  the  "Ocean 
>Queen."  On  the  night  of  Nov.  1st,  a  heavy  gale 
was  encountered  off  Cape  Hatteras,  and  the  "Win- 
field  Scott,"  an  unseaworthy  craft,  was  in  imminent 
peril.  Her  masts  were  cut  away,  the  freight  and 
camp  equipage  were  thrown  overboard,  a  portion 
of  her  officers  and  crew  deserted  her  and  every- 
thing was  given  up  for  lost.  She  was  finally  saved 
■through  the  superhuman  efforts  of  the  soldiers, 
who  had  been  left  to  their  fate  without  food  or 
water.  The  regiment  went  into  camp  on  the  island 
.at  Hilton  Head  and  was  employed  in  building  forti- 
fications. On  Dec.  6th,  it  proceeded  to  Beaufort 
and  there  experienced  its  first  skirmish  with  the 
•enemy.  It  participated  in  the  battle  of  Coosaw  on 
Jan.  1,  1863.  In  General  Hunter's  demonstration 
against  Charleston,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brenholtz 
and  six  companies  took  a  prominent  part,  driving 
"the  enemy  from  a  railroad  bridge  which  spanned 
.a  stream  near  Pocotaligo. 

The  regiment  remained  near  Beaufort  till  July 
12th;  then  proceeded  to  Fortress  Monroe.  Subse- 
quently it  was  engaged  in  the  first  and  second 
■days'  fights  at  Bull  Run.  Brenholtz  commanded 
the  regiment.  He  was  one  of  the  wounded  in 
the  second  day's  fight.  On  Aug.  1st,  it  participat- 
ed in  the  battle  of  Chantilly,  and  several  weeks 
later  in  the  battle  of  Antietam.  Subsequently 
it  was  moved  to  Kentucky  and  participated  in 
the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  There  Brenholtz,  whilst 
gallantly  leading  his  m.en  before  the  enemy's  works, 
was  mortally  wounded.  His  fall  was  greatly  la- 
mented at  Reading,  where  he  had  been  a  success- 
ful teacher  in  the  public  schools.  Much  of  the 
•credit  which  the  organization  had  acquired  was 
due  to  his  excellent  qualities  as  a  soldier.  No 
l)raver  man  ever  led  in  battle,  and  upon  his 
death  the  service  lost  one  of  its  most  valued  lead- 
ers. In  August,  only  eighty  of  the  regiment  were 
present  for  duty,  and  nearly  all  had  chills  and 
fever.  The  other  men  of  the  regiment  were  in 
hospitals  suffering  from  wounds  or  malaria.  In 
October  and  November,  1863,  it  took  part  in  en- 
gagements, at  Blue  Springs,  Lenoir  Station,  and 
Knoxville. 

Nearly  the  entire  regiment  re-enlisted  on  Jan- 
uary 1,  1864.  During  January  it  was  marched  to 
Nicholasville,  a  distance  of  two  hundred  miles, 
in  ten  days.  Many  of  the  men  were  barefooted 
and  walked  through  the  snow.  In  February,  they 
proceeded  to  Harrisburg  on  a  veteran  furlough, 
and  visited  their  homes.  In  March,  the  regiment 
encamped  at  Annapolis.  On  May  6th,  it  was  en- 
gaged in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  and  on  the 
.  9th,  in  the  battle  near  Spottsylvania  Court-House. 
Among  the  killed  was  Captain  Cleveland,  of  Com- 
pany H.  Three  days  afterward  the  regiment  had 
another  desperate  encounter,  in  which  the  men  had 
a  struggle  hand  to  hand.  Adjutant  Kendall,  three 
-sergeants  and  twenty-five  privates  were  taken  pris- 
oners. From  the-  Ny  river  to  the  North  Anna, 
.and  thence  to  Cold  Harbor,  the  regiment  was  en- 


gaged almost  daily.  At  Cold  Harbor,  on  June 
2,  1864,  it  occupied  the  front  line  and  suffered 
severely.  Shortly  afterward,  it  lay  in  line  before 
Petersburg.  On  June  18th,  Captain  Lantz,  of  Com- 
pany E,  and  several  men  were  killed.  It  then  per- 
formed picket  duty  during  July  and  participated 
in  the  siege  and  great  explosion  of  the  mine. 
During  August  it  was  eng-aged  in  almost  contin- 
uous fighting.  It  remained  at  the  front  during 
September,  October  and  November,  when  it  went 
into  winter  quarters  immediately  before  ■  Peters- 
burg. 

The  Union  lines  began  to  close  in  on  the  Rebel 
works  on  April  1,  1865.  The  regiment  was  en- 
gaged during  the  operations  of  the  2d  and  3d,  and 
it  was  among  the  first  of  the  regiments  to  enter 
Petersburg  upon  its  fall.  It  moved  to  City  Point 
on  April  15th,  and  thence  by  boat  to  Washington, 
where  it  remained  till  June  30th.  Upon  the  re- 
commendation of  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  this 
regiment  was  ordered  to  represent  the  infantry  of 
the  army  upon  the  occasion  of  laying  the  corner- 
stone of  the  national  monument  at  Gettysburg  on 
July  4,  1865.  From  Gettysburg  it  went  into  camp 
near  Georgetown,  where  it  was  mustered  out  of 
service  on  July  31st. 

Henry  T.  Kendall,  who  was  Adjutant,  became 
Captain  of  Company  H  in  January,  1865. 

53d  Regiment. — Company  B  of  this  regiment 
included  twenty-three  men  from  Birdsboro;  and 
Company  A,  four  men  from  Boyertown.  It  par- 
ticipated in  many  battles. 

55th  Regiment. — The  55th  Regiment  was  re- 
cruited during  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1861, 
and  included  Company  B  from  Berks  county,  re- 
cruited at  Robesonia.  It  was  organized  at  Harris- 
burg, and  in  November  proceeded  to  Fortress 
Monroe.  It  experienced  some  service  near  Framp- 
ton  in  October,  1862.  For  a  year  afterward,  it 
performed  picket  duty  at  Port  Royal  Ferry.  On 
Jan.  1,  1864,  the  major  part  of  the  men  re-enlisted 
for  three  years,  and  were  given  a  furlough.  In 
March,  the  regiment  returned  to  South  Carolina, 
and  in  April  was  stationed  at  Gloucester  Point,  op- 
posite Yorktown.  Here  it  was  assigned  to  the  3d 
Brigade,  3d  Division,  lObh  Corps,  Army  of  the 
James,  arnd  participated  in  the  movements  and  en- 
gagements of  this  corps  under  the  command  of 
General  Butler.  It  reached  Richmond  on  April 
25th,  and  encamped  near  by, '  performing  fatigue 
and  guard  duty  till  the  latter  part  of  July;  then 
it  was  stationed  at  different  points  surrounding 
Petersburg  till  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  on 
Aug.  30,  1865. 

William  G.  Moore,  of  Woraelsdorf,  was  Cap- 
tain of  Company  D  in  this  Regmient,  from  July 
13,  1864,  to  June  10,  1865. 

59th  Regiment.— The  59th  Regiment  (2d  Cav- 
alry) included  thirty-three  men  who  were  recruit- 
ed at  Reading,  in  March,  1862,  and  became  part  of 
Company  K,  under  command  of  Captain  Chauncey. 
It  experienced  much  severe  marching  and  partici- 


134 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


pated  in  a  number  of  battles,  prominent  among  them 
being  Bull  Run,  Chautilly,  Gettysburg,  and  the  Wil- 
derness campaign.  It  was  present  at  the  surrender 
at  Appomattox  and  participated  in  the  grand  re- 
view at  Washington  on  May  23,  1865.  It  was 
mustered  out  of  service  at  Cloud's  Mill,  Va.,  on 
July  13,  1865. 

William  F.  Dougherty,  of  Berks  county,  was 
captain  for  a  time;  and  Stephen  H.  Edgett  from 
March,  1865,  to  June,  1865. 

70th  Regiment. — The  70th  Regiment  (6th 
Cavalry)  was  composed  of  Philadelphia  men,  ex- 
cepting Company  G,  which  was  recruited  at  Read- 
ing, in  July,  1861,  under  command  of  Capt.  George 
E.  Clymer.  It  participated  in  the  Peninsular  cam- 
paign, and  in  various  engagements,  the  most  prom- 
inent being  Antietam  and  Gettysburg.  Subse- 
quently it  took  part  in  the  Virginia  campaign,  and 
in  the  famous  raid  by  General  Sheridan.  It  was 
also  present  at  the  surrender  at  Appomattox,  and 
participated  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington. 
It  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
Aug.    7,  1865. 

There  were  twenty  men  from  the  county 
in  other  companies  of  this  regiment :  twelve  in 
Company  F ;  one  in  Company  H ;  four  in  Com- 
pany I ;  two  in  Company  K ;  and  one  in  Company  M. 

Dr.  G.  S.  Engler,  of  Muhlenberg  township,  was 
the  regimental  assistant  surgeon. 

74th  Regiment. — Company  G,  of  this  regi- 
ment, was  composed  of  men  recruited  in  Berks 
and  Adams  counties,  during  Fehruary,  1865,  for 
a  service  of  one  year.  It  was  attached  in  March 
to  this  regiment,  originally  organized  in  1861.  It 
was  engaged  in  guard  duty  at  Beverly,  Clarksburg 
and  Parkersburg,  from  April  to  August  29th,  when 
it  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Clarksburg.  It 
was  disbanded  at  Pittsburg. 

80th  Regiment. — The  80th  Regiment  (7th 
Cavalry)  included  some  men  who  were  recruited  in 
Berks  county,  and  mustered  into  service  with  Com- 
pany L.  It  participated  in  various  engagements 
with  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  where  it  had 
been  ordered  to  service.  In  March,  1865,  it  march- 
ed under  General  Wilson  across  the  Gulf  States. 
and  in  the  beginning  of  April  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Plantersville  and  Selma,  Ala.  At  the 
latter  place,  the  regiment  led  in  the  assault  upon 
the  works  and  the  conduct  of  the  men  was  highly 
meritorious.  Its  last  engagement  was  near  Col- 
umbus, on  April  16,  1865.  It  was  then  stationed 
at  Macon,  Ga.,  from  April  20th  to  August  13th, 
when  it  was  mustered  out  of  service.  This  company 
was  recruited  in  Berks  and  Northumberland  coun- 
ties, and  was  mustered  out  Aug.  23,  1865. 

88th  Regiment. — This  regiment  included  three 
companies,  recruited  in  Berks  county,  A,  B,  and 
H.  It  was  mustered  into  service  at  Philadelphia 
in  October,  1861,  and  then  ordered  to  Washington. 
It  performed  guard  duty  in  that  vicinity  until  May, 
1862.  Subseauently,  it  participated  in  the  follow- 
ing battles :  Thoroughfare  Gap,  Bull  Run,   Antie- 


tam, Fredericksburg,  Cedar  Mountain,  Second 
Bull  Run,  Chantilly,  Gettysburg,  South  Mountain, 
Gainesville,  Wilderness,  Chancellorsville,  North 
Anna,  Tolopotomoy,  Mine  Run,  Petersburg,  Wel- 
don  Railroad,  Spottsylvania  and  Bethesda  Church. 
It  continued  in  active  operations  until  General 
Lee  surrendered,  when  it  proceeded  to  Washing- 
ton, where  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  on  June 
30,  1865. 

David  A.  Griffith,  of  Reading,  was  major  of 
the  regiment  from  September  to  December, 
1862.  . 

Joseph  A.  McLean,  of  Reading,  was  the  lieuten- 
ant-colonel until  he  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run  on  Aug.  30,  1862.  JNIcLean  Post,  No. 
16,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Reading,  was  named  after  him 
in  1866. 

Ringgold  Band. — The  regimental  band  of  the 
88th  Regiment  was  the  "Ringgokl"  from  Reading, 
with  Emanuel  Ermentrout,  as  leader,  and  twenty 
men.  It  was  mustered  into  service  at  Philadel- 
phia on  Aug.  30,  1861,  and  mustered  out  at  Man- 
assas Junction  on  June  21,  1862,  pursuant  to  a 
general  order  dispensing  with  the  services  of  bands 
of  music. 

93d  Regiment. — This  regiment  was  organized 
at  Lebanon,  Pa.,  in  October,  1861,  and  included 
two  companies,  B  and  G,  and  part  of  Company  K, 
from  Berks  county.  It  proceeded  to  Virginia  and 
participated  in  the  following  battles :  Williiams- 
burg,  Yorktown,  Fair  Oaks,  Malvern  Hill,  Fred- 
ericksburg, Marye's  Heights,  Gettysburg,  Wilder- 
ness, Spottsylvania,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  Op- 
equan,  Fisher's  Hill,  and  Cedar  Creek.  After  the 
surrender  of  General  Lee,  it  marched  to  Danville 
to  co-operate  with  Sherman  for  the  defeat  of  Gen- 
eral Johnston.  After  remaining  in  camp  there 
for  several  weeks,  it  proceeded  to  Washington, 
and  was  mustered  out  of  service  on  ijune  27, 
1865. 

John  E.  Arthur,  of  Reading,  was  lieutenant- 
colonel  from  July  to  November,  1863;  David  C. 
Keller,  major,  from  September,  1864,  to  December, 
1864,  when  he  was  appointed  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
on  April  2,  1865,  brevet  colonel. 

W.  A.  H.  Lewis  was  adjutant  from  October 
1861,  to  August,  1862 ;  and  John  B.  Dewees  from 
March  to  June  27,  1865,  when  mustered  out  as 
sergeant-major. 

96th  Regiment.— The  96th  Regiment  was  re- 
cruited mostly  in  Schuylkill  county.  Some  men 
frorn  Hamburg  and  of  Berks  county  were  includ- 
ed in  Company  G.  It  was  mustered  into  service 
on  Sept.  23,  1861,  at  Pottsville,  and  participated  in 
various  engagements  in  the  Peninsula,  at  Gettys-  • 
burg,  in  the  Wilderness  campaign,  and  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley.  It  was  mustered  out  of  ser- 
vice in  West  Philadelphia  on  Oct.  21,  1864. 

104th  Regiment. — The  greater  part  of  Com- 
panies B,  and  H  in  this  regiment  consisted  of  men 
from  Berks  county;  and  among  the  field  officers 
was   John    M.    Gries,    from   Reading,    chosen    as 


WAR   PERIODS 


135 


major.  During  1862,  the  regiment  participated  in 
the  siege  of  Yorktown,  and  in  the  battles  of  Sav- 
age Station  and  Faiir  Oaks,  in  the  Peninsular  cam- 
paign. In  the  beginning  of  1863,  it  was  ordered 
to  South  Carolina,  and  there  took  part  in  the  siege 
of  Charleston  and  the  capture  of  Fort  Wagner. 
During  August,  1864,  it  was  stationed  in  Florida, 
guarding  a  line  of  railroad  from  Jacksonville  to 
Baldwin.  Thence  it  proceeded  north  to  Alexan- 
dria, where  it  performed  duty  in  the  fortifications 
on  the  southern  side  of  the  Potomac  river,  till  its 
term  of  service  expired.  It  was  mustered  out 
of  service  at  Philadelphia  on  Sept.  30,  1864.  Some 
of  the  men  from  Berks  county  re-enlisted  in  this 
regiment.  There  were  veterans  and  recruits  suf- 
ficient to  form  a  battalion  of  five  companies.  Its 
"  principal  service  afterward  was  in  the  siege  of 
Petersburg,  participating  in  the  assault  on  the  city, 
April  3  and  4,  1865.  It  was  mustered  out  of  ser- 
vice at  Portsmouth  on  Aug.  25,  1865. 

Durell's.  Battery. — This  was  the  famous  In- 
dependent Battery  D,  commonly  known  as  "Dur- 
ell's." It  was  organized  at  Doylestown  on  Sept. 
24,  1861,  and  proceeded  to  Washington  on  Nov. 
6th,  where  it  was  equipped  as  a  six-gun  battery. 
Afterward  two  additional  pieces  were  provided. 
It  had  a  very  active  career,  and  participated  in 
the  following  battles:  Kelly's  Ford,  Bristoe  Sta- 
tion, Bull  Run,  Chantilly,  South  Mountain,  Antie- 
tam,  Sharpsburg,  Sulphur  Springs,  Fredericks- 
burg, Vicksburg,  Wilderness,  and  the  siege  of  Pet- 
ersburg. It  was  mustered  out  of  service  on  June 
13,  1865. 

152d  Regiment. — Company  K,  of  this  regiment, 
known  as  the  3d  Artillery,  included  twenty-five 
men  from  Berks  county.  The  regiment  was  ori- 
ginally organized  for  special  duty  at  Fortress  Mon- 
roe, but  it  performed  a  large  share  of  field  ser- 
vice. It  had  the  reputation  of  being  remarkably 
well  drilled  in  every  "branch  of  artillery  service, 
as  well  as  in  infantry  and  naval  service.  All  the 
field  and  nearly  all  of  the  Hne  officers  of  the  188th 
Regiment  were  promoted  from  its  ranks,  and  the 
excellent  discipline  and  soldierly  bearing  of  the 
command  were  frequent  subjects  of  remark  and 
commendation  by  its  superior  officers.  The  reg- 
iment was  mustered  in  at  Philadelphia;  and  nearly 
all  the  companies  (including  Company  K)  were 
mustered  out  at  Fortress  Monroe  on  Nov.  9,  1865. 

181sT  Regiment. — Sixteen  veterans  from  Berks 
county  were  enlisted  in  Company  H  of  this  reg- 
iment upon  its  re-prganization  in  February,  1864, 
having  previously  been  in  the  six  months'  service. 
It  was  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  campaign  under 
Generals  Sigel,  Hunter,  and  Sheridan,  and  parti- 
cipated in  numerous  battles,  including  New  Mar- 
ket, Piedmont,  Quaker's  Church,  Liberty,  Salem, 
Snicker's  Gap  and  Gordonville;  also  in  various 
battles  during  the  concluding  campaign  before  Pet- 
ersburg, the  regiment  occupying  the  extreme  left. 
It  was  mustered  out  of  service  July  13,  1865,  at 
Cloud's  Mills,  Virginia. 


182d  Regiment. — In  January,  1864,  authority 
was  given  to  re-organize  this  regiment  for  three 
years  (as  the  21st  Cavalry)  and  over  half  of  Com- 
pany H  were  enlisted  at  Reading.  About  the  mid- 
dle of  May,  the  regimeiit  was  ordered  to  Washing- 
ton (from  camp  near  Chambersburg)  and  thence 
sent  to  join  the  Army  of  the"  Potomac.  It  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg, 
Weldon  Railroad,  Poplar  Spring  Church,  Boyd- 
ton  Road,  and  Bellefield.  It  was  mustered  out  of 
service  at  Lynchburg,  Va.,  on  July  8,  1865. 


NINE  MONTHS'  SERVICE,  1862-63 

128th  Regiment. — ^This  regiment  was  recruited 
in  response  to  the  proclamation  of  the  Governor, 
calling  for  troops  to  serve  for  nine  months,  issued 
July  21,  1862.  Companies  A,  B,  E,  H,  I  and  K  ^ 
were  recruited  in  Berks  county.  The  regiment 
rendezvoused  at  Camp  Curtin,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  service  from  the  13th  to  the  15th  of  Aug- 
ust. The  majority  of  the  regimental  officers  were 
selected  from  the  companies  named.  On  the  16th 
of  August,  it  was  ordered  to  Washington,  moving 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  William  H.  Andrews, 
of  Company  E,  because  no  officers  had  been  as  yet 
commissioned.  Soon  after  its  arrival  at  the  capital, 
it  crossed  the  Potomac,  and  was  encamped  on 
Arlington  Heights  for  a  week.  On  the  21st,  it 
moved  to  Fairfax  Seminary;  and  on  the  29th,  to 
Fort  Woodbury,  where  for  a  week  (during  the 
fierce  fighting  at  Bull  Run  and  Chantilly)  it  was 
incessantly  engaged  in  felling  -timber  and  erect- 
ing fortifications.  On  Sept.  6th,  the  regiment,  in 
light  marching  orders,  recrossed  the  Potomac  and 
entered  upon  the  Maryland  campaign.  At  Fred- 
erick City,  on  the  14th,  it  was  assigned  to  Craw- 
ford's brigade,  of  Williams'  division,  Mansfield's 
corps. 

It  was  engaged  in  active  service  and  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Antietam  and  the  Wilderness.  In 
the  latter  battle,  the  regiment  was  surrounded  by 
the  enemy  and  the  greater  part  of  the  officers 
and  men  were  taken  prisoners  to  Richmond.  After 
the  battle,  the  remainder  of  the  regiment  (reduced 
to  172)  marched  to  Stafford  Court-House,  where 
its  terni  of  service  expired.  It  was  ordered  to  Har- 
risburg',  and  there  mustered  out  on  May  19,  1863. 

Captain  Smith,  of  Company  A,  was  promoted 
to  lieutenant-colonel  on  Feb.  1,  1863,  Joel  B. 
Wanner  was  major;  James  H.  Gentzler,  adjutant, 
and  Dr.  J.  B.  Potteiger,  assistant  surgeon  of  the 
regiment. 

15  1st  Regiment. — Companies  E,  G,  H,  K,  and 
part  of  I,  were  recruited  in  Berks  county,  the  re- 
maining part  of  Company  I  in  Schuylkill  county. 
They  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Curtin  during  Sep- 
tember, 1862,  where  a  regimental  organization  was 
efifected.  On  Nov.  26th,  the  regiment  moved  for 
Washington,  and,  upon  its  arrival,  proceeded  to 
Arlington  Heights.  On  Dec.  3d,  it  marched  to 
Alexandria,  and  thence  proceeded  by  rail  to  Un- 
ion Mills. 


136 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


About  the  middle  of  February,  the  regiment  was 
transferred  to  Belle  Plain,  where  the  men  sufifered 
much  from  sickness  and  exposure.  Just  previous 
to  the  opening  of  the  Chancellorsville  campaign, 
the  regiment,  with  the  3d  Division,  was  sent  to 
Port  Conway,  on  the  Lower  Rappahannock. 

Before  marching  to  the  battle-field  at  Chancel- 
lorsville, it  was  twice  subjected  to  a  vigorous  shell- 
ing from  the  enemy  posted  on  the  opposite  shore. 
During  Sunday  (the  3d)  and  Monday  (the  4th) 
the  regiment  occupied  a  position  on  the  picket  line, 
between  the  Ely  and  Germania  Ford  roads,  where 
it  confronted  the  enemy.  Considerable  sickness 
prevailed  here,  the  morning  report  at  one  time 
showing  160  on  the  sick  list. 

The  march  to  Gettysburg  commenced  on  the 
12th  of  June.  The  right  wing  of  the  army  (com- 
posed of  the  1st  and  11th  Corps  under  General 
Reynolds)  made  a  forced  march  of  105  miles  in 
three  days,  throwing  itself  suddenly  between  Lee's 
army  (which  was  moving  down  the  Shenandoah 
Valley)  and  Washington.  At  Broad  Run,  they 
halted  for  the  enemy  to  develop  his  plans.  As  the 
enemy  pushed  on  into  Pennsylvania,  Reynolds  fol- 
lowed, and  on  the  1st  of  July  his  cavalry,  under  Bu- 
ford,  met  the  head  of  the  enemy's  columns,  and 
immediately  commenced  the  battle.  The  1st  Bri- 
gade (commanded  by  Col.  Chapman  Biddle)  arrived 
upon  the  field  at  half-past  10  a.  m.,  and  took  a  po- 
sition on  'the  extreme  left  flank  of  the  corps,  the 
151st  Regiment  under  command  of  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel McFarland,  in  the  absence  of  Colonel  Allen, 
holding  the  left  of  the  brigade  line.  As  it  moved 
into  position,  it  was  saluted  by  the  booming  of  can- 
non and  the  rattle  of  musketry. 

The  heroism  displayed  by  the  regiment  in  this 
battle  was  highly  praiseworthy.  It  went  into  the 
fight  with  twenty-one  officers  and  466  men ;  of 
these  two  officers  and  187  men  were  wounded,  and 
100  were  missing,  an  aggregate  loss  of  367.  Lieuts. 
Aaron  S.  Seaman  and  George  A.  Trexler  were  of 
the  killed;  Lieutenant-Colonel  McFarland,  Adjt. 
Samuel  T.  Allen,  Capts.  George  L.  Stone  and 
James  W.  VVeida,  and  Lieuts.  Benjamin  F.  Oliver, 
Thomas  L.  j\'Ioyer,  Henry  H.  Merkle,  Willam  O. 
Blodget  and  Albert  Yost  were  wounded ;  and  Capts. 
William  K.  Boltz  and  William  L.  Gray,  and  Lieuts. 
James  L.  Reber  and  Charles  P.  Potts  were  taken 
prisoners.  At  6  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  6th, 
the  regiment  moved  with  the  army,  in  pursuit  of 
Lee,  coming  up  with  his  rear-guard  at  Funkstown 
on  the  12th,  and  his  main  body  near  Williamsport 
on  the  14th.  That  night  the  enemy  escaped.  The 
regiment's  term  of  service  had  now  nearly  expired. 
It  was  accordingly  relieved  from  duty  on  the  10th, 
and  returned  to  Harrisburg,  where  it  was  mustered 
out  on  the  27th. 

Francis  Parvin,  of  Berks  county,  was  quarter- 
master of  the  regiment. 


VOLUNTEER     AIILITIA— 1862 

When  the  Rebel  army  achieved  its  triumphs  in 
the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run^  it  hastened  northward 
and  commenced  crossing  the  Potomac.  The  result 
of  the  struggle  on  the  plains  of  JNIanassas  was  no 
sooner  known  than  the  helpless  condition  of  Penn- 
sylvania, which  had  been  apparent  from  the  first, 
became  a  subject  of  alarm.  On  Sept.  4th,  Governor 
Curtin  issued  a  proclamation,  calling  on  the  people 
to  arm  and  prepare  for  defense.  He  recommended 
the  immediate  formation  of  companies  and  regi- 
ments throughout  the  commonwealth.  On  the  10th, 
the  danger  having  become  imminent,  and  the  en- 
emy being  already  in  Maryland,  he  issued  a  general 
order,  calling  on  all  able-bodied  men  to  enroll  im- 
mediately for  the  defense  of  the  State,  and  hold 
themselves  in  readiness  to  march  upon  an  hour's 
notice :  the  following  day  he  called  for  fifty  thou- 
sand men.  The  people  everywhere  flew  to  arms, 
and  moved  promptly  to  the  State  capital. 

On  the  14th,  the  head  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac met  the  enemy  at  South  Mountain,  and  hurled 
him  back  through  its  passes ;  and  on  the  evening 
of  the  16th  and  on  the  17th  a  fierce  battle  was  fought 
at  Antietam.  In  the  meantime,  the  militia  had  rapidly 
concentrated  at  Hagerstown  and  Chambersburg. 
The  enemy  was  defeated  at  Antietam,  and  re- 
treated in  confusion  across  the  Potomac.  The 
emergency  having  passed,  the  militia  regiments 
were  ordered  to  return  to  Harrisburg,  and  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  conditions  on  which  they  had 
been  called  into  service,  they  were  mustered  out 
and  disbanded  on  the  24th.  The  train  on  which  the 
20th  Regiment  was  returning  over  the  Cumberland 
Valley  railroad  collided,  upon  nearing  Harrisburg, 
with  a  train  passing  in  an  opposite  direction,  by 
which  four  men  were  killed  and  thirty  injured. 

The  following  seven  companies  from  Berks 
county  were  enlisted  in  this  special  service : 

Company  G,  in  2d  Regiment,  organized  Sept.  6- 
13,  1862.  and  discharged  Sept.  23-2.3. 

Companies  E  and  I,  in  11th  Regiment,  organized 
Sept.  12,  1862,  and  discharged  Sept.  24-25.  Charles 
A.  Knoderer,  of  Reading,  was  the  colonel  of  this 
regiment. 

Companies  G,  H  and  I,  in  20th  Regiment,  organ- 
ized, Sept.  18,  1862,  and  discharged 'Sept.  Se-S'o. 

An  Independent  Cavalry  Companv  was  organ- 
ized Sept.  17,  1862,  and  discharged  Sept.  27. 


DRAFTED  MILITIA  OF  1862 
During  the  year  1862,  the  military  operations 
were  conducted  with  such  energy,,  and'so  many  men 
were  required,  that  volunteer' companies  were  not 
sufficiently  numerous  to  supply  the  increasing  de- 
mands for  troops.  The  government  was  therefore 
driven  to  the  extreme  measure  of  impressing  men 
into  service  by  drafting  them  for  that  purpose'.^  Ten 
companies  which  constituted  the  167th  Regiment, 
and  two  companies,  I  and  K,  of  the  179th  Regi- 
ment, were  composed  of  drafted  men  from  Berks 


WAR  PERIODS 


13'7 


county.     They  were  mustered  into  service  for  nine 
months. 

167th  Regiment. — This  regiment    was     exclu- 
sively from  Berks   county,   and  was  organized  in 
November,  1862,  with  the  following  field  officers: 
Charles  A.  Knoderer,  colonel;  DePuy  Davis,  lieu- 
tenant-colonel: Gustavus  A.  Worth,  major.     Soon 
after  its  organization,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Suffolk,  Va.     It  was  actively  engaged  in  fatigue 
duty  upon  fortifications  (in  the  planning  of  which 
Colonel  Knoderer  was  an  adept)  and  in  reconnoit- 
ring and  outpost  duty.    Late  on  the  evening  of  Jan. 
29,  1863,  General  Corcoran  (who  commanded  a  di- 
vision under  General  Peck)  moved  with  his  column 
toward  the  Blackwater,  and  at  Deserted     Farm, 
seven  miles  out,  encountered  a  strong  force  of  the 
enemy,  under  Gen.  Roger  A.  Pryor.    Corcoran  im- 
mediately made  an  attack,  and  a  fierce  night  en- 
gagement ensued.    The    fighting    was    principally 
with  artillery  and  the  167th  Regiment  was  fearfully 
exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire.    At  the  opening  of  the 
battle,   Colonel   Knoderer  ordered   his   men  to   lie 
down,  and  fortunately  few  were  injured;  but  the 
horses  of  the  officers,  with  the  exception  of  that  of 
the  adjutant,  were  all  killed,  and  the  Colonel  him- 
self  received   a   mortal   wound.     The   enemy   was 
finally  driven  back  and  the  command  returned  again 
to  camp.     Lieutenant-Colonel  Davis   succeeded  to 
the  command  of  the  regiment,  and  was  subsequently 
commissioned  colonel.     It  participated  in  the  des- 
ultory operations  which  were  kept  up  tmtil  the  be- 
ginning of  April,  when  the  right  wing  of  the  Rebel 
army  under  General  Longstreet,  numbering  some 
forty  thousand  men,  advanced  upon  the  place  and 
attacked  it,  but  failed  to  carry  it.    He  then  laid  siege 
to  it,  and  constructed  elaborate  works  for  its  re- 
duction.   For  nearly  a  month,  these  operations  were 
vigorously  pushed;   and   for  many  days  the  bom- 
bardment of  the   fortifications   was  almost   inces- 
sant; but  so  skillfully  had  they  been  planned,  and 
so  well  constructed,  that  General  Peck,  with  a  force 
of  only  about  a  third  of  the  number  of  the  invading 
army,  successfully  repelled  every  attack,  and  finally 
compelled  Longstreet  to  raise  the  siege.    The  167th 
Regiment   was    actively   employed   in   the   defense 
throughout  the  siege,  and  rendered  efficient  service. 
Toward  the  close  of  June,  and  during  the  time  of 
Lee's    invasion     of.    Pennsylvania,    the     regiment 
formed  part  of  the  command  which  was  sent  to 
demonstrate  in  the  direction  of  Richmond,  and  up- 
on its  return  was  ordered  to  join  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  then  in  pursuit  of  Lee's  army  in  Mary- 
land.   It  formed  a  junction  on  the  15th  of  July,  the 
day  after  the  escape  of  the  enemy  across  the  Po- 
tomac, and  was   assigned  to  the  1st  Brigade,   1st 
Division  of  the  Ist  Corps.    With  that  corps,  it  par- 
ticipated in  the  pursuit  of  Lee  beyond  the  Rappa- 
hannock, when,  its  term  of  service  being  about  to 
expire,  it  was  relieved  at  the  front,  and  ordered  to 
Heading,  where,  on  Aug.  13,  1863,  it  was  mustered 
out. 


179th  Regiment. — This  regiment  included  two 
companies,  I  and  K,  from  the  county  of  Berks. 
It  was  organized  in  companies  at  periods  ranging 
from  the  23d  of  October  to  the  6th  of  December, 
1863,  at  Philadelphia  and  Plarrisburg;  and  on  the 
8th  of  December  a  regimental  organization  was  ef- 
fected. Soon  after  its  organization,  it  proceeded  to 
Fortress  Monroe  and  thence  to  Yorktown,  where 
it  formed  part  of  the  garrison  at  the  fort,  and  was 
encamped  within  its  walls.  It  did  little  else  than 
garrison  duty  •  until  the  last  of  July,  when  it  was 
called  out  to  join  in  the  movement  made  by  General 
Dix  up  the  Peninsula.  During  the  march  to  White 
House  and  thence  to  Baltimore  Cross  Roads,  the 
regiment  was  prompt  and  ready,  and  always  well 
in  hand.  In  the  return  march  the  179th  Regiment 
crowned  its  reputation  as  a  first-class  organization 
by  being  always  promptly  in  its  place,  whilst  other 
regiments  were  scattered  for  miles  along  the  road. 

Upon  its  return  to  camp,  it  was  ascertained  that 
Lee  had  invaded  Pennsylvania,  and  though  its 
term  of  service  was  about  to  expire,  by  the  unan- 
imous vote  of  the  men  by  companies,  their  further 
services  were  "tendered  to  Governor  Curtin  as  long 
as  he  should  need  them  for  the  defense  of  the  State. 
This  offer  was  accepted;  but  by  the  time  the  regi- 
ment had  reached  Washington,  en  route  to  the  front, 
the  Rebel  army  had  retreated  to  Virginia.  It  was 
accordingly  ordered  to  Harrisburg,  where  it  was 
mustered  out  of  service  on  July  37th. 


EMERGENCY  TROOPS— 1863 
The  triumph  of  the  Rebel  army  at  Fredericks- 
burg in  December,  1863,  and  its  success  at  Chan- 
cellorsville  in  May,  1863,  emboldened  its  leader  to 
again  plan  an  invasion  of  the  North.  It  becoming 
daily  more  evident  that  the  enemy  intended  to  cross 
the  Potomac  in  force,  the  President  on  June  15th 
called  for  one  hundred  thousand  men  from  Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio,  Maryland  and  West  Virgiiiia,  to 
serve  for  a  period  of  six  months,  unless  sooner  dis- 
charged; and  of  this  number  Pennsylvania  was  to 
furnish  fifty  thousand.  Governor  Curtin  then  is- 
sued a  proclamation,  calling  upon  all  men  capable 
of  bearing  arms  to  enroll  themselves  in  military 
organizations  and  encourage  all  others  to  afford  as- 
sistance toward  protecting  the  State.  In  pursuance 
of  this  call,  many  troops  were  raised  throughout 
the  State.  The  citizens  of  Berks  county  responded 
promptly  and  raised  sixteen  companies  of  men;  ten 
of  which  were  formed  into  one  regiment  called  the 
4§d ;  two  of  the  48th ;  three  o.f  the  53d ;  and  one  of 
the  31st.  They  were  mustered  into  service  in  July 
and  moved  to  the  front,  but  so  rapid  were  the  move- 
ments of  the  armies,  and  the  decisive  battle  of 
Gettysburg  was  fought  so  soon  after  the  call  for 
the  militia,  that  the  men  had  scarcely  arrived  in 
camp  before  the  danger  was  over.  The  Rebel  army 
made  its  escape  on  the  13th  and  14th  of  July,  and 
then  the  campaign  was  at  end.  But  the  militia  was, 
however,  held  for  some  time  after  this,  having 
been  employed  on  various  duty. 


138 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


With  the  close  of  this  raid,  the  Rebel  invasion  of 
1863  ended.  Further  service  was  no  longer  re- 
quired of  the  militia,  and  during  the  months  of 
August  and  September  the  majority  of  the  men 
were  mustered  out.  With  few  exceptions,  they  were 
not  brought  into  mortal  conflict,  but  they,  never- 
theless, rendered  most  important  service.  They 
came  forward  at  a  moment  when  there  was  press- 
ing need,  and  their  presence  gave  great  moral  sup- 
port to  the  Union  army. 

The  31st  Regiment  was  organized  at  Harrisburg 
on  June  30,  1863,  with  Capt.  David  A.  Griffith,  of 
Reading,  as  lieutenant-colonel,  and  mustered  out 
on  August  8th. 

The  42d  Regiment  was  organized  at  Reading  on 
July  6th,  with  Dr.  Charles  H.  Hunter,  of  Reading, 
as  colonel ;  John  E.  Arthur,  of  Reading,  as  lieuten- 
ant-colonel; Bentley  H.  Smith,  of  Joanna,  as  major; 
and  Frank  R.  Schmucker,  Esq.,  of  Reading,  as  ad- 
jutant; and  mustered  out  on  Aug.  ll-12th,  at 
Reading. 

In  the  48th,  Frederick  R.  Fritz,  of  Reading,  was 
lieutenant-colonel,  and  William  W.  Diehl,  of  Read- 
ing, major.  It  was  organized  at  Reading  on  July 
6th,  and  mustered  out  on  Aug.  26th. 

In  the  53d,  Israel  C.  Becker  was  adjutant,  and 
Jeremiah  D.  Bitting,  quartermaster,  both  of  Read- 
ing. It  was  organized  at  Reading  on  July  13th, 
and  mustered  out  on  Aug.  20th. 

Enlisted  in  this  service  was  the  Independent  Bat- 
tery commanded  by  Capt.  William  C.  Ermentrout. 
It  was  organized  at  Reading  on  July  3d,  and  mus- 
tered out  Aug.  26th. 

ONE  HUNDRED  DAYS'   SERVICE— 1864 

Four  companies  from  Berks  county  were  in  the 
one  hundred  days'  service,  having  been  enlisted  in 
July,  1864: 

194th  Regiment. — This  regiment  was  recruited 
in  ten  counties  of  the  State,  Company  I  having  been 
from  Berks  county.  It  was  organized  at  Camp  Cur- 
tin  on  July  22,  1864,  with  Richards  McMichael,  of 
Reading,  as  lieutenant-colonel.  On  the  day  of  its 
organization,  it  moved  to  Baltimore.  About  the  1st 
of  September,  it  moved  to  Camp  Carroll,  a  mile 
southwest  of  the  city,  on  the  line  of  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  railroad.  Company  I  and  five  other  com- 
panies of  the  regiment  were  stationed  at  various 
points  in  the  city  for  provost  duty.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  its  term,  it  proceeded  to  Flarrisburg,  where, 
on  the  6th  of  November,  it  was  mustered  out. 

195th  Regiment. — This  regiment  was  principally 
recruited  in  Lancaster  county  in  July,  1864,  to  serve 
for  a  period  of  one  hundred  days.  It  included  two 
companies,  A  and  B,  from  Berks  county.  It  was 
organized  at  Camp  Curtin  on  the  24th  of  July. 
Oliver  C.  James,  of  Reading,  of  Company  B,  was 
elected  major,  and  Dr.  Harrison  T.  Witman,  of 
Reading,  as  assistant  surgeon.  On  the  day  of  its 
organization  it  proceeded  to  Baltimore,  thence  to 
^lonocacy  Junction,  where  for  a  period  of  two 
months,   it  was  engaged  in  guarding     the     bridge 


which  spanned  the  creek,  and  the  lines  of  railway. 
On  the  1st  of  October  it  proceeded  to  Berkeley 
county,  W.  Va.,  and  was  posted  along  the  line  of 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  with  headquarters 
at  North  Mountain  station,  where  it  remained  till 
the  expiration  of  its  term  of  service.  Three  hun- 
dred of  the  men  re-enlisted  to  serve  for  one  year 
and  they  were  consolidated  in  three  companies. 
They  remained  on  duty  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  Henry  D.  Markley,  of  Company  A.  Subse- 
quently seven  other  companies  were  recruited,  and 
they  together  were  reorganized  as  the  195th  Reg- 
iment with  Captain  Markley  as  major.  It  per- 
formed guard  duty  at  Kabletown,  Berryville,  and 
Staunton.  At  the  latter  place,  the  three  veteran 
companies  were  mustered  out  in  the  middle  of 
June,  1865. 

196th  Regiment. — This  regiment  was  recruited 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Union  League  at  Phil- 
adelphia, to  serve  for  one  hundred  days,  and  it 
was  known  as  the  5th  Union  League  Regiment. 
It  included  Company  I,  of  Berks  county.  It  was 
organized  at  Camp  Cadwalader,  Philadelphia,  on 
July  20,  1864,  and  a  week  later  proceeded  to  Camp 
Bradford,  near  Baltimore.  About  the  middle  of 
August,  it  was  ordered  to  Chicago,  111.,  where  it 
performed  guard  duty  at  Camp  Douglas,  a  large 
number  of  prisoners  of  war  having  been  confined 
there.  Early  in  November,  it  returned  to  Phil- 
adelphia, and  was  thence  ordered  to  duty  at  Fort 
Delaware.  It  was  mustered  out  at  Philadelphia 
on  Nov.  17,  1864. 


ONE  YEAR'S  SERVICE— 1864-65 
Six    volunteer    companies    from    Berks    county 
were  in  the  service  for  one  year  from  September, 
1864,  to  August,  1865. 

83d  Regiment. — After  the  battle  of  Hatcher's 
Run  on  Feb.  6,  1865,  this  regiment  went  into  camp 
at  Hampton  station,  and  while  there  four  full  com- 
panies were  assigned  to  it,  including  Company  I, 
recruited  at  Harrisburg  for  a  service  of  one  year. 
There  were  a  number  of  men  from  Reading  in 
this  company.  The  concluding  efforts  of  the  great 
strife  were  started  on  March  29th,  and  in  quick  suc- 
cession this  regiment  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of 
Jones'  Farm,  White  Oak  Road,  Gravelly  Run,  Five 
Forks,  Sutherland  Station,  JefTersonville,  and  Ap- 
pomattox Court-House.  It  was  mustered  out  of 
service  on  June  28th  at  Washington  and  thence  it 
proceeded  to  Harrisburg,  where'it  was  finally  dis- 
banded on  July  4th. 

192d  Regiment.— In  July,  1864,  a  regiment  was 
recruited  in  Philadelphia,  for  a  service  of  one  hun- 
dred days,  and  mustered  in  as  the  192d.  It  was 
mustered  out  of  service  in  November  following. 
One  of  the  companies  re-enlisted  for  one  year,  and 
in  February,  1865,  nine  new  companies  united  with 
it,  which  were  mustered  in  as  a  second  regiment  of 
the  same  number.  One  of  the  nine  companies  was 
Company  F,  recruited  at  Reading.  The  regiment 
was   organized   at   Harper's   Ferry,    and   when  the 


WAR   PERIODS 


139 


spring  campaign  opened,  it  moved  up  the  valley  to 
Staunton  and  Lexington.  It  was  retained  in  the 
department  and  engaged  in  various  duties  till  Aug. 
24th,  when  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Har- 
per's Ferry. 

195th  Regiment. — Three  companies  of  the 
195th  Regiment  in  the  one  hundred  days'  service 
were  re-enlisted  in  the  one  year's  service,  which  in- 
cluded Company  A,  commanded  'by  Capt.  Henry 
D.  Markley.  It  was  classified  with  other  companies 
which  became  the  195th  Regiment.  Captain  Mark- 
ley  became  the  major;  and  Dr.  H.  T.  Witman,  the 
assistant  surgeon.  It  was  organized  on  the  field  in 
February,  1865,  at  Martinsburg,  Va.,  and  Com- 
pany A  was  mustered  out  at  Summit  Point,  Va., 
on  June  21,  1865. 

On  April  1,  1865,  the  regiment  was  sent  to  guard 
the  fords  of  the  Shenandoah  river;  and  on  the  22d 
it  was  ordered  to  Berryville. 

198th  Regiment. — This  regiment  was  recruited 
at  Philadelphia  during  the  summer  of  1864,  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Union  League,  to  enter  service 
for  one  year,  and  included  Companies  D  and  G 
from  Berks  county.  It  was  organized  Sept.  9th, 
and  September  19th  following  it  proceeded  to  join 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  front  of  Petersburg. 
Upon  its  arrival  it  was  assigned  to  the  1st  Brigade, 
1st  Division  of  the  5th  Corps.  It  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Peeble's  Farm,  Hatcher's  Run,  and 
White  Oak  Swamp.  At  the  last  named  Capt. 
Isaac  Schroeder  was  mortally  wounded.  It  was 
mustered  out  at  Arlington  Heights  June  3,  1865. 

205th  Regiment. — Companies  B,  E  and  H  of 
this  regiment  were  recruited  in  Berks  county.  They 
rendezvoused  at  Camp  Curtin,  where,  on  Sept.  2, 
1864,  field  officers  were  selected,  including  William 
F.  Walter,  captain  of  Company  E,  as  lieutenant- 
colonel,  who  had  served  in  the  104th  Regiment.  On 
the  5th,  the  regiment  left  Harrisburg,  proceeded 
to  Washington,  crossed  the  Potomac,  and  went  in- 
to camp  at  Fort  Corcoran.  Afterward  it  was  en- 
gaged in  picketing  from  the  left  of  the  army  line 
to  the  James,  and  in  building  forts  and  earthworks 
for  the  defense  of  City  Point.  On  Oct.  9th,  it  was 
ordered  to  the  Army  of  the  James.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  occasional  marches  in  support  of  aggres- 
sive movements,  the  regiment  remained  in  camp, 
near  Fort  Prescott  on  the  Army  Line  railroad  dur- 
ing the  winter,  where  it  was  engaged  in  drill  and 
fatigue  duty.  On  March  25,. 1865,  it  participated  in 
the  retaking  of  Fort  Steadman,  and  afterward  in 
the  siege  of  Petersburg.  It  was  mustered  out  of 
service  at  Seminary  Hill  on  June  2,  1865. 

213th  Regiment. — This  regiment  was  recruited 
at  Philadelphia,  and  in  Berks,  Chestef  and  Juniata 
counties,  with  the  assistance  of  the  Union  League. 
It  was  organized  on  March  2,  1865,  and  two  days 
afterward  transferred  to  AnnapoHs,  Md.,  to  guard 
Camp  Parole.  Part  of  the  regiment  was  sent  to 
Frederick,  Md.,  for  duty  on  the  line  of  the  B. 
&  O.  railroad.  In  April,  it  was  concentrated  at 
Washington,   and  -posted  along  the  northern   de- 


fenses, where  it  continued  until  Nov.  18th,  when  it 
was  mustered  out  of  service.  Company  D  was  re- 
cruited in  Berks  county. 


MISCELLANEOUS  ENLISTMENTS 
About  225  men  from  the  county  were  enlisted  in 

other  companies   but  not  enough  of  them  in  any 

company  to  be  classified  in  the  foregoing  hst. 
5th    U.    S.   Artillery. — Battery     H     included 

seven  men  from  Marion  township,  Berks  county. 
19th  U.  S.  Infantry. — Company  G,  commanded 

by  Capt.  Edmund  L.  Smith,  of  Reading,  included 

seven  men  from  Berks  county. 


MILITARY  ASSOCIATIONS 

A  number  of  associations  have  been  organized 
since  the  close  of  the  Civil  war  by  the  survivors 
or  their  sons : 

Grand  Army  Posts. — McLean  Post,  No.  i6,  G. 
A.  R.,  was  organized  at  Reading  and  chartered  Dec. 
12,  1866,  having  been  named  after  Lieut. -Col.  Jo- 
seph A.  McLean,  of  the  88th  Regiment.  It  has 
maintained  a  successful  organization  since  then. 
It  has  collected  an  extensive  library  of  military  lit- 
erature. 

Keim  Post,  No.  76,  G\  A.  R.,  was  chartered  Feb. 
22,  1878,  also  at  Reading.  It  has  also  maintained 
its  organization  since,  with  separate  quarters.  It 
was  named  after  Gen.  William  H.  Keim. 

Meade  Camp,  No.  16,  Sons  of  Veterans,  was 
instituted  Oct.  30,  1881,  being  a  branch  of  the  Sons 
of  Veterans  at  Philadelphia,  and  designed  to  keep 
active  the  memory  of  the  sacrifice  of  their  fathers 
in  the  Civil  war. 

Loyal  Ladies'  League,  No.  6,  was  instituted  April 
17,  1884,  at  Reading.  Only  mothers,  wives,  daugh- 
ters and.  sisters  of  honorably  discharged  soldiers 
and  sailors  of  the  Civil  war  are  admitted  to  mem- 
bership. It  is  an  auxiliary  to  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic. 

McLean  Womans  Relief  Corps,  No.  10,  was 
instituted  Oct.  1,  1884,  as  an  auxiliary  to  Post  No. 
16,  G.  A.  R.  It  has  held  a  number  of  fairs  and 
camp-fires  for  the  benefit  of  the  Post  and  thereby 
contributed  much  pecuniary  aid. 

Ex-Prisoners  of  War. — Certain  enlisted  men  in 
the  Civil  war  fromi  Berks  county,  who  were  pris- 
oners of  war,  also  formed  an  association  for  mu- 
tual aid  and  social  intercourse  on  July  10,  1884, 
and  they  too  have  maintained  an  active  organization 
since  then. 


.  SPANISH  WAR— 1898 
The  war  of  the  United  States  with  Spain  grew 
ouf  of  the  oppression  of  the  people  of  Cuba  by  the 
Spanish  government,  which  extended  through  a 
long  period  of  time,  and  the  repeated  efforts  of  the 
people  toward  establishing  a  republican  form  of 
government  elicited  the  earnest  sympathy  of  our 
republic.  The  conduct  of  our  own  government  was 
always  reserved  and  guarded,  but  when  our  battle- 
ship "Maine"  was  blown  up  in  the  harbor  of  Havana 


140 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


■on  Feb.  15,  1898,  causing  the  loss  of  266  sailors, 
the  feeling-  of  our  people,  incited  by  the  metropoli- 
tan newspapers,  became  so  intense  agaiflst  Spain 
.that  it  culminated  in  a  proposed  declaration  of  war 
in  Congress  on  March  29th,  and  in  the  recognition 
of  the  independence  of  Cuba  on  April  19th.  Two 
days  after  this  recognition,  our  IMinister  to  Spain 
was  unceremoniously  dismissed  from  Madrid ;  four 
days  afterward  President  JNIcKinley  called  for  12-5,- 
000  volunteers ;  and  six  days  afterward,  a  formal 
declaration  of  war  was  passed  by  Congress.  When 
this  signal  was  given,  the  military  operations  be- 

■  came  immediately  very  active  and  determined,  and 
-within  a  week  more  the  great  naval  battle  in  Manila 

harbor  had  taken  place,  with  unprecedented  success 
to  the  American  fleet  of  battleships  under  the  com- 
mand of  Admiral  Dewey,  and  the  total  destruction 

•  of  the  Spanish  fleet. 

While  these  events  were  transpiring,  the  patriotic 

■  spirit  at  Reading  was  aroused,  and  the  "Reading 
Artillerists,"  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Samuel 
Willits,  responded  to  the  President's  call,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Mt.  Gretna,  where  it  was  mustered  into 

,  service  on  May  9th,  with  the  4th  Regiment  of  Penn- 

■  sylvania  Volunteers.  The  regiment  was  transferred 
to  Chickamauga  Park,  in  Georgia,  arriving  there 
on  May  IGth ;  and  after  having  been  quartered  at 
several  other  places,  it  finally  reached  Guanica,  in 
Porto  Rico,  on  Aug.  2d,  and  thence  it  proceeded 
to  Arroyo,  the  hills  near  by  'being  shelled  by  the 
American  troops  while  the  disembarkment,  of  the 
men  took  place.  The  regiment  participated  in  the 
movements  which  led  up  to  the  battle  and  the 
capture    of  Guayama    without     becoming    actuall)^ 

•  engaged ;  and  shortly  afterward  it  constituted 
part  of  the  1st  Battalion  '  and  wagon-train 
which  marched  toward  Guayama  to  support 
the  advancing  army.  The  enemy  was  endeavoring 
to    execute    a    flank    movement    when    the    regi- 

-  ment  was  ordered  to  occupy  a  commanding  position 
and  while  engaged  in  this  important  work  the  news 
of  the  ''Peace  Protocol''  was  circulated,  which 
caused  further  operations  to  cease.  Then  the  regi- 
ment was  directed  to  withdraw  to  a  point  on  the 
Ponce  Road,  near  the  town,  and  there  it  remained 
on  outpost  duty  until  August  28th,  when  it  marched 
about  fifty  miles  to  the  city  of  Ponce,  and  thence 
to  the  Port  de  Playa.  It  then  took  passage  on  the 
transport  "City  of  Chester"  for  New  York  City, 
where  it  arrived  on  Sept.  Gth,  and  was  then  fur- 
loughed  for  sixty  days.  It  was  mustered  o'lt  of 
service  on  Nov.  Ifith.  The  company  reached  Read- 
ing on  Sept.  7'th,  at  4  a.  m.,  and  many  persons  were 
at  the  railroad  station  to  extend  a  cordial  welcome 
to  the  men.  A  public  reception  was  tendered  to 
the  company  in  the  form  of  a  large  parade  in  four 
divisions,  with  one  thousand  men  in  line,  and  a 
banquet  in  Rajah  Temple,  on  \\'ednesday  evening, 
Sept.  IGth.  Penn  street  was  crowded  with  manV 
thousand  enthusiastic  people  who  witnessed  the 
parade. 


John  C.  Hintz,  the  First  Lieutenant  of  Company 
A,  died  June  26th,  in  Leiter  Hospital,  in  Chicka- 
mauga Park,  while  the  company  was  lying  there 
awaiting  orders  to  march  and  his  remains  were 
forwarded  to  Reading  and  buried  with  an  impos- 
ing ceremony. 

Company  G,  of  the  9th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  recruited  at  Reading,  was  also 
enlisted  in  the  service.  This  regiment  was  mustered 
in  at  Mt.  Gretna  on  May  11,  1898,  and  encamped 
at  Chickamauga  Park,  on  May  20th.  On  May  25th, 
the  President  issued  a  second  call  for  seventy-five 
thousand  men,  and  four  additional  companies  were 
added  to  the  regiment,  one  of  these  being  Company 
G,  commanded  by  Capt.  Henry  D.  Green,  of  Read- 
ing. 

On  August  20th,  the  regiment  as  a  part  of  the  3d 
Division,  1st  Army  Corps,  was  ordered  to  Lexing- 
ton, Ky.,  and  on  the  2oth  it  was  encamped  at  Camp 
Hamilton,  about  five  miles  from  Lexington.  It  re- 
mained at  that  place  until  Sept.  18th,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.  There  it  was  given  an 
enthusiastic  reception  and  then  furloughed  for 
thirty  days.  It  arrived  at  Reading  on  Sept.  20th, 
and  on  the  evening  of  the  22d,  a  public  reception 
was  extended  to  it  similar  to  that  extended  to  Com- 
pany A,  but  the  parade  could  not  be  made  on  ac- 
count of  a  severe  rain. 

Both  companies  participated  in  the  "Peace  Jub- 
ilee" at  Philadelphia  on  Oct.  27,  1898. 

Company  E  of  Hamburg,  of  the  same  regiment, 
was  mustered  in  on  May  10,  1898,  at  Mt.  Gretna, 
and  participated  in  the  same  services  as  Company 
A;  and  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  on  Nov. 
10,  1898.  It  was  also  in  the  Peace  Jubilee  at  Phil- 
adelphia. It  was  commanded  by  Capt.  William 
Kummerer. 


MILITIA  SYSTEM— 1776-1909 
The  Convention  of  1776,  in  framing  the  first  Con- 
stitution of  Pennsylvania,  made  provision  for  the 
establishment  of  a  military  system^  and  in  pursu- 
ance of  this  provision,  the  General  Assembly  es- 
tablished the  necessary  regulations.  The  county  of 
Berks,  under  the  direction  of  the  designated  officer 
(called  a  "lieutenant,"  with  the  assistance  of  "sub- 
lieutenants"), was  enabled  to  supply  promptly  and 
successfully  all  the  orders  made  by  the  government 
for  troops  during  the  progress  of  the  Revolution. 

Previous  to  this  system,  the  military  affairs  were 
governed  by  "Articles  of  Association."  The  men 
who  associated  together  for  purposes  of  defense 
were  commonly  known  as  "Associators,"  and  those 
who  acted  in  opposition  either  openlv,  or  secretly, 
were  called  "Non-Associators." 

Returns  for  1775.— The  following  officers  had 
been  chosen  for  the  several  battalions  of  the  Asso- 
ciators of  Berks  county  for  the  year  1775-76,  the 
company  rosters  having  been  publ'ished  in  that  con- 
nection : 


WAR   PERIODS 


141- 


ist  Battalion — Central  Section 

Lieut-Col.,  Henry  Haller.     Major,  Gabriel  Hiester. 

2d  Battalion — Southern  Section 

Lieut.-Col., -Mark  Bird.     Major,  John  Jones. 

3d   Battalion — Central   Section 

Lieut-Col.,  Nicholas  Lotz.     Major,  John  Old. 

4th  Battalion — Northern  Section 

Lieut.-CoL,    Balser    Geehr.       Major,    Michael    Lindemuth. 

5th  Battalion — Western  Section 

Lieut.-Col.,  John  Patton.     Major,  John  Thornburgh. 

6th  Battalion — Eastern  Section 
Lieut.-Col.,  Daniel  Hunter.     Major,  Conrad  Leffler. 

7th  Battalion — Northeastern  Section 
Lieut.-Col.,   Sebastian  Levan.     Major,   Samuel  Ely. 

Returns  for  1776. — Seven  battalions  were 
organized  in  the  county,  as  appeared  by  the 
delegates  sent  to  the  election  at  Lancaster  on  July 
4,  1776,  for  two  brigadier-generals.  The  meeting 
comprised  the  officers  and  privates  of  fifty-three 
battalions  of  Associators.  A  full  ratio  of  men  was 
sent  by  the  militia  of  Berks  county.  The  following 
delegates  represented  the  county  at  that  meeting : 

1st  Battalion:  Officers — Major,  Gabriel  Hiester;  Lieu- 
tenant, Philip  Cremer;  privates,  John  Hartman,  Peter 
Filbert. 

2d  Battalion:  Officers — Colonel,  Mark  Bird;  Major, 
John  Jones;   privates,   David  Morgan,   Benjamin  Tolbert. 

Sd  Battalion:  Officers — Lieutenant-Colonel,  Nicholas 
Lotz;  Captain,  George  Riehm;  privates,  Henry  Spohn, 
Matthias  Wenrich. 

4th  Battalion:  Officers — Major,  Michael  Lindemut; 
Captain,   George   May;   private,   Michael  Moser. 

5th  Battalion:  Officers — Colonel,  John  Patton ;  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, John  Rice;  privates,  Jacob  Seltzer,  Chris- 
tian Winter. 

6th  Battalion:  Officers — Major,  Conrad  Leffler;  Lieu- 
tenant,   John    Miller;    privates,    John    Hill,    Henry   Lark. 

/th  Battalion:  Officers — Colonel,  Sebastian  Levan ;  Ad- 
jutant, Samuel  Ely;  privates,  Pbilip  Wisters,  Casper 
Smeck. 

Returns  for  1777. — Col.  Jacob  Morgan  and 
his  sub-lieutenants  met  at  Reading,  on  April  25, 
1777,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  returns  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Berks  county  between  the  ages  of 
eighteen  and  fifty-three  years.  The  number  then 
returned  was  about  four  thousand.  These  were 
arranged  in  six  districts,  and  meetings  were  or- 
dered to  'be  held  on  the  5th  and  6th  of  May  follow- 
ing, for  the  purpose  of  electing  officers  and  form- 
ing companies.  Morgan  reported  that  he  had  for- 
warded to  the  Executive  Council  an  exact  list  of 
the  field  officers,  captains,  subalterns  and  court-mar- 
tial men,  comprising  the  six  battalions  of  the  Berks 
county  militia,  or  one  battalion  for  each  district. 
This  list  appears  in  the  Pennsylvania  Associators, 
Vol.  2,  pp.  257  to  276.  The  several  battalions  were 
returned  on  May  16,  1777. 

Battalion  Section  of  County  Colonel 

1st  Eastern  Daniel  Hunter 

2d  Northeastern  Daniel  Udree 

3d  Northern  Michael   Lindenmuth 

4th  Central  Nicholas  Lotz 

.5th  Southern  Jacob  Weaver 

6th  Western  Henry  Spyker 

New  System. — After  the  foregoing  returns  had 
been  made,  the  Assembly  deemed  it  necessary  to 
provide  a  new  militia  system,  because  the  Associa- 
tors had  lost  their  effectiveness.     Shortly  after  the 


battle  of  Princeton,  whole  companies  deserted.     Ina 
this  behalf,  a  law  was  passed  on  June  13,  1777. 

Oath  of  Allegiance. — One  of  the  first  reqiiire-- 
ments  was  the  taking  of  an  oath  of  allegiance,.. 
which  had  to  be  done  before  July  1,  1777.  This 
was  allowing  only  seventeen  days;  but  in  this  time- 
■  its  provisions  had  become  thoroughly  known  in. 
Berks  county  for  the  time  for  deliberation  or  hes-- 
itation  had  passed,  and  prompt  action  was  neces- 
sary. 

Persons  who  neglected  or  refused  to  take  this- 
oath  were  declared  to  be  incapable  of  holding  any 
office;  serving  as  jurors;  suing  for  debts;  electing" 
or  being  elected;  buying,   selling,   or  transferring: 
real  estate;  and  they  were  liable  to  be  disarmed  by 
the  county  lieutenants  and  deputies.     If  they  were 
not  provided  with  passes,   they  were  liable  to  be 
arrested   as    spies,    upon   being   found   out  of   the. 
city  or  county  away  from  their  immediate  residence ;. 
and  forgery  of  a  certificate  was  punishable  with  a 
flogging  and  a  fine  of  i50. 

In  pursuance  of  the  Act,  over  forty-nine  hundred 
men  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  in  Berks  county 
during  the  years  1777  and  1778,  before  the  justices, 
of  the  peace  in  the  several  sections  of  the  county. 
The  greater  number  was  taken  from  June  to  Oc- 
tober in  1777. 

County  Districts  Established. — This  law  directed 
the  counties  to  be  divided  into  districts,  and  each 
district  was  to  contain  not  less  than  440  men,  nor 
more  than  680,  fit  for  duty,  to  be  arranged  in  eight 
companies.  The  officer  in  charge  of  a  county  was 
called  a  "lieutenant";  and  of  each  district,  a  "sub- 
lieutenant." It  was  the  duty  of  the  "lieutenant" 
to  enlist  the  people,  collect  the  fines,  and  execute  the 
details  of  the  law. 

Battalions,  Companies  and  Classes. — Each  dis- 
trict was  subdivided  into  eight  parts,  with  due  re- 
gard to  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants,  and 
elected  its  officers  from  lieutenant-colonel  down  to* 
subalterns.  The  term  of  service  was  thre6  years. 
A  company  was  set  apart  for  each  subdivision, 
and  this  was  also  divided  by  lot  into  eight  parts, 
called  classes,  as  nearly  equal  as  possible,  and  the 
several  classes  were  numbered  from  one  to  eight  in 
numerical  order.  Berks  county  was  divided  into- 
six  districts.  Accordingly,  the  county  had  six  'bat- 
talions, or  forty-eight  companies. 

The  rank  of  the  battalions  and  their  officers, 
also  of  the  captains  and  subalterns  was  determined 
by  lot.  The  precedence  of  the  officers  of  the  sev- 
eral counties,  as  to  rank,  was  arranged  according  to 
the  seniority  of  the  counties,  Philadelphia  being 
first. 

In  case  of  invasion,  or  assistance  were  asked  by 
Congress,  the  militia  was  called  out  by  classes.  The 
first  draft  consisted  of  class  one  of  each  company, 
and  if  insufficient,  then  class  two,  and  so  on,  as  oc- 
casion required.  Each  class  was  liable  to  serve  two 
months,  and  it  was  relieved  by  the  next  class  in 
numerical  order. 


143 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Pay  and  Rations. — The  pay  and  rations  were  the 
same  as  Continental  troops.  They  were  to  com- 
mence two  days  before  marching,  and  to  be  allowed 
at  the  rate  of  twenty  miles  a  day  till  the  men  re- 
turned home. 

Days  of  Drill — Days  of  drill  were  set  apart  in  the 
spring  and  fall  for  military  exercises ;  in  companies, 
on  the  last  Monday  of  April,  and  first  three  Mon- 
days of  May ;  also,  on  the  last  two  Mondays  of 
August,  the  last  two  Mondays  of  September,  and 
the  third  Monday  of  October ;  and  in  battalions,  on 
the  fourth  Mondays  of  May  and  October. 

Fines. — Enrolled  men  who  refused  to  parade 
were  fined  7s.  6d.  per  diem ;  absent  officers,  10s. ; 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  5s.  On 
field  days,  the  fine  for  non-attendance  was  £5,  and 
for  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  1.5s. 

Pensions. — Pensions  were  allowed  for  incapaci- 
tating injuries  not  exceeding  one-half  the  pay  re- 
ceived ;  and  for  persons  who  died  from  wounds, 
or  were  killed  in  service,  the  Orphans'  Court  was 
authorized  to  allow  support  to  the  families  in 
amounts  not  to  exceed  one-half  the  pay  of  such 
persons. 

Persons  Exempted  from-  Service. — The  excepted 
persons  from  bearing  arms  were  delegates  in  Con- 
gress, members  of  the  Executive  Council,  judges  of 
the  Supreme  court,  masters  and  faculty  of  colleges, 
ministers,  and  servants  purchased  bona  fide. 

Subsequent  Returns. — Militia  returns  were  made 
and  reported  for  the  succeeding  years  of  the  Rev- 
olution until  1783,  and  those  for  the  years  1778, 
1780,.  and  1783  have  been  published  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Archives. 

Since  Revolution. — The  military  spirit  of  the 
people  continued  to  prevail  after  the  Revolution, 
and  the  State  encouraged  it  for  the  purpose  of 
maintaining  familiarity  with  its  affairs.  Compan- 
ies, regiments  and  brigades  were  organized  and 
drilled  at  certain  fixed  times  and  places  within  the 
county.  The  meeting  was  commonly  called  "Bat- 
talion Day."  It  preserved  a  strong  general  interest 
in  public  affairs,  especially  in  public  defense.  This 
interest  enabled  the  several  organizations  to  re- 
spond promptly  to  calls  for  their  services,  and  their 
promptness  was  a  distinguishing  characteristic. 
Fortunately  for  them  and  especially  for  the  coun- 
try, their  services  were  not  needed  frequently.  Not 
to  mention  the  "Whiskey  Insurrection"  and  "North- 
ampton Affair"  as  of  any  military  consequence, 
there  were  'but  two  occasions  for  a  period  covering 
over  sixty  years  in  which  their  services  were  re- 
quired, one  having  been  the  English  war  of  1812-15, 
and  the  other  the  Mexican  war  of  1846-48,  each, 
by  a  strange  coincidence,  occurring  after  a  period 
of  about  thirty  years.  These  military  exercises  were 
continued  until  the  beginning  of  the  Rebellion ;  but 
this  outbreak  of  the  Southern  States  against  the 
Northern  was  of  such  a  serious,  long-continued  and 
costly  nature  that  the  spirit  for  a  return  to  military 
exercise  had  come  to  be  entirely  exhausted. 


Proffer  Services  to  President. — In  1798,  a  mis- 
understanding arose  between  our  National  govern- 
ment and  the  French  on  account  of  their  seizing  and 
detaining  many  of  our  vessels  for  examination,  to 
ascertain  whether  or  not  we,  as  a  neutral  govern- 
ment, were  carrying  English  commodities.  Some 
conflicts  arose  on  the  sea,  but  Napoleon,  upon  tak- 
ing control  of  the  French  government,  soon  estab- 
lished a  cordial  understanding  between  the  two 
countries  and  American  .vessels  were  no  longer  mo- 
lested; and  two  years  afterward  Louisiana  was 
purchased  by  the  United  States. 

During  this  excitment,  the  officers  of  the  Berks 
County  Brigade  met  at  the  Court-House  in  Read- 
ing on  June  30,  1798,  and  addressed  a  patriotic 
letter  to,  President  Adams,  offering  their  services 
to  assist  in  resenting  the  insult  of  the  French  to 
our  government ;  to  which  the  President  gave  them 
a  very  appreciative  acknowledgment. 

Military  Division. — In  1807  Berks  and  Dauphin 
counties  comprised  the  Sixth  Division.  In  1814  two 
new  counties,  Schuylkill  and  Lebanon,  were  added 
to  this  division,  Dauphin  and  Lebanon  forming  the 
1st  Brigade  and  Berks  and  Schuylkill  the  2d;  and 
in  1849,  Dauphin,  Lebanon  and  Berks  comprised 
the  5th  Division.  The  last  Act  before  the  Rebellion 
was  passed  in  1858,  by  which  Berks  was  still  a  part 
of  the  same  division. 

Encampment  at  Reading. — A  large  and  success- 
ful encampment  of  militia  was  held  at  Reading  in 
1842.  It  was  arranged  along  the  base  of  Penn's 
Mount  and  continued  from  May  18th  for  one 
week. 

The  following  troops  attended : 

Company  Men 

Reading    Troop 30 

Reading    Artillerists 52 

Washington    Grays    (Reading) 40 

National   Graj's    (Reading) 35 

National  Troop    (Ole}') 43 

Hamburg    Troop 30 

Hamburg  Artillerists 52 

Womelsdorf  Legion 46 

Bernville   Rifle   Grays 65 

Berks    Rifle    Rangers 54 

Pottsville  Cavalry 28 

Pottsville    Infantry 44 

Orwigsburg    Grays 40 

Allentown    Guards 34 

595 

Attendance   from   Reading,   157 ;   from  country  districts, 

292.     Brig.-Gen.    William   High   was   in    command   of   the 

Berks   County   Brigade.     The   commander-in-chief   of   the 

State  was  also  present. 

The  daily  duty  at  the  encampment  was  similar 
to  army  regulation  during  actual  war.  It  was  as 
follows : 

Morning  gun  at  daybreak       Grand  parade,  10  a.m. 

Reveille  Dinner,   12   M. 

Roll-call  Regular   parade,    4   p.m. 

Morning  parade  Evening   gun,   6  p.m. 

Breakfast  Tattoo  and   countersign,   10 

Detail  of  guards  p.m. 

Inspection  Lights  extinguished,  11  p.  m. 

And    from    11    p.m.  to    daylight   "the    sentry   walked   his 
lonely  roimd." 


WAR   PERIODS 


143 


A  review  of  the  trcxyps  was  held  on  Saturday, 
May  21st.  The  day  was  fine,  and  thousands  of 
persons  were  in  attendance. 

Gen.  Winfield  Scott,  accompanied  by  his  aids, 
arrived  at  Reading  on  the  day  of  the  review.  He 
was  met  at  the  "depot"  (Seventh  and  Chestnut 
streets)  by  a  detachment  of  mihtary  and  escorted 
to  "Herr's  Hotel"  (United  States,  north  side  of 
Penn  Square,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets), 
followed  by  many  citizens.  He  spent  Sunday  at 
Reading.  On  Monday,  33d,  he  reviewed  the  troops 
at  the  encampment  and  during  this  day  medals  were 
shot  for.  General  Scott  expressed  himself  as  highly 
pleased  with  the  discipline  and  appearance  of  the 
encampment  and  he  paid  a  special  compliment  to 
the  "Reading  Artillerists."  Whilst  here  he  presented 
each  of  the  Revolutionary  survivors  with  a  $20  gold- 
piece. 

Battalions  in  i8§6. — In  1856  there  were  in  the 
county  twenty-four  companies  of  militia,  arranged 
in  six  battalions,  which  comprised  the  1st  Brigade, 
of  the  Sth  Division  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers : 

Battalion        Section  Officer  Company  Men 

1st  Reading            Major  W.    H.    Keim  6  539 

2d  Hamburg    ,     Major  J.    A.    Beitenman  4  206 

3d  Maiden-creek  Major  D.  B.  Kaufman  3  133 

,  4th  Oley                   Major  Isaac  Schroeder  5  311 

5th  Union                 Major  W.  J.  Schoener  3  135 

6th  Marion              Major  John  Bechtold  3  139 

Total  men,   1,463 ;   total   force  of  troops   in   the  county, 

6,644. 

These  battalions  were  in  active  existence  when 
the  Civil  war  broke  out  in  1861. 

State  National  Guard. — In  1864,  a  new  sys- 
tem was  provided  which  still  prevails.  The  assess- 
ors of  the  county  are  required  to  enroll  "every  able- 
bodied  male  citizen  resident  within  the  State,  of  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years  and  under  the  age  of  forty- 
five  years,"  excepting  certain  persons  specified ;  and 
this  roll  of  persons  is  placed  on  record  in  the  office 
of  the  county  commissioners ;  and  the  whole  num- 
ber of  persons  liable  to  mihtary  duty  is  reported  by 
the  commissioners  to  the  adjutant-general  of  the 
State.  The  enrolled  militia  shall  be  subject  to 
no  active  duty  except  in  case  of  war,  invasion,  riot, 
etc.  The  commander-in-chief  may  order  the  militia 
to  be  drafted  from  the  persons  liable  to  duty  or  ac- 
cept as  many  volunteers  as  may  be  required.  The 
organization  is  similar  to  the  previous  systems, 
but  the  State  is  divided  into  twenty  divisions,  each 
county  to  form  a  separate  brigade.  Berks,  Leb- 
anon and  Dauphin  counties  comprise  the  5th  Di- 
vision.   Subsequent  modifications  have  been  made. 

The  active  militia  is  styled  the  "National  Guard 
of  Pennsylvania."  In  time  of  peace  it  shall  com- 
prise an  aggregate  not  to  exceed  ten  thousand  of- 
ficers and  men  and  "consist  of  two  hundred  com- 
panies, fully  armed,  uniformed  and  equipped,  to 
be  distributed  among  the  several  military  divisions 
of  the  State  according  to  the  number  of  its  taxable 
population."  And  provision  is  made  for  drilling, 
inspections  and  encampments.     This  system  is  car- 


ried on  successfully,  but  without  causing  any  public 
excitement,  excepting  during  the  time  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  any  encampment. 

Reading  Artillerists. — The  Reading  Artillerists 
is  one  of  the  most  prominent  military  organi- 
zations in  Pennsylvania.  It  was  organized  at 
Reading,  March  23,  1794,  and  has  continued  in  ac- 
tive existence  until  the  present  time,  excepting  from 
the  close  of  the  Civil  war  in  1865  until  1881,  when 
it  was  re-organized.  At  first  it  was  known  as  the 
Reading  Union  Volunteers,  and  in  the  English  war 
of  1812-15  as  the  Reading  Washington  Guards, 
and  about  1820  it  took  the  name  of  Reading  Artil- 
lerists which  it  has  retained  until  now.  The  first 
captain  was  Daniel  de  B.  Keim  and  he  served  as  such 
from  1794  to  1830.  It  was  engaged  in  the  Whiskey 
Insurrection  of  1794;  in  the  Northampton  riot  of 
1799;  in  the  English  war  of  1812-15;  in  the  Phil- 
adelphia religious  riots  of  1844;  in  the  Mexican 
war  of  1846-48;  in  the  Civil  war  of  1861-65;  in  the 
Homestead  riots  of  July,  1892;  in  the  Hazleton 
riots  of  September,  1897 ;  in  the  Spanish  war  of 
1898;  in  the  Schuylkill  riots  of  1900;  and  in  the 
Northumberland  and  Luzerne  riots  from  Septem- 
ber, 1902,  to  April,  1903. 

The  captain  of  the  company  since  Feb.  6,  1905, 
has  been  Dr.  H.  Melvin  Allen,  and  he  has  devel- 
oped the  company  to  a  high  grade  of  efficiency ; 
for,  in  the  first  year  the  company  ranked  fourth  in 
the  regiment,  the  second  year'  it  ranked  second,  and 
the  third  year  it  ranked  first,  having  in  1907  reached 
the  average  of  .99  55-100.  In  the  fourth  year,  how- 
ever it  dropped  to  second  place,  the  company  which 
it  had  si.irpassed  in  1907  having  reached  first  place 
in  1908  by  the  remarkable  average  of  .99  65-100 
(the  Artillerists  being  .99  60-100). 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  captains  of  the 
company : 

Daniel  de  B.  Keim,  1794-1830. 
George  May  Keim.  1830-34. 
William  H.  Miller,  1834-39. 
William  Strong,  1839-44. 
Thomas  S.  Leoser,  1844-49. 
Marks  John  Biddle,  1849-50;  1852-5.5. 
Daniel  R.  Clymer,  1850-52. 
William  I.  Clous,  1855-57. 
George  W.  Alexander,  1857-61. 
William  H.  Andrews,  1862. 
Thomas  M.  Richard,  1862-63. 
Robert  H.  Savage,  1881-82. 
William  H.  Souders,  1882-83. 
Samuel  H.  Stahr,  1883-85. 
Henry  J.  Christoph,  1885-95.   ' 
Samuel  Willits,  1895-99. 
Edward  E.  Machamer,  1899-1902. 
Reuben  C.  Potteiger,  1902-05. 
H.  Melvin  Allen,  since  1905. 

A  military  company  was  organized  at  Hamburg, 
April  13,  1875,  and  became  attached  to  the  N.  G.  P. 
as  Company  E,  4th  Regiment,  having  been  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  "Blue  Mountain  Legion."  It  was 
called  into  active  service  to  assist  in  quelling  the 
riots  at  Reading  in  July,  1877,  at  Homestead  in  July, 
1892,  in  Schuylkill  county,  in  1900,  and  in  North- 
umberland and  Luzerne  counties  from  September, 


14-1 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


1902,  to  April,  1903.  It  was  also  eng-aged  in  the 
Spanish  war  with  the  4th  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania 
A'ohmteer  Infantry,  having  been  mustered  into  the 
National  service  May  10,  1898,  and  mustered  out 
Nov.  16,  1898.  It  participated  in  the  movements  of 
the  army  in  Porto  Rico,  and  was  then  commanded 
by  Capt.  William  Kummerer.  [See  reference  to 
Company  and  Armory  in  description  of  Hamburg, 
Chapter  XL]  It  was  commanded  by  the  following 
captains : 

Edward  F.  Smith,  1875-83. 
Charles  F.  Seaman.*  1883-93. 
John  F.  Ancona,  1893-97. 
Benjamin  F.  Gehris,  1897-98. 
Dr.  John  R.  Wagner,  1898. 
William  Kummerer,   1898-1902. 
Monroe  M.  Dreibelbis,  1903-07. 
Wilson  S.  Lewis,  since  1907. 

Company  G,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantr}',  was  organized  at  Reading  by  Henry  D. 
Green  (a  prominent  attorney)  in  response  to  a  sec- 
ond call  of  President  McKinley  for  75,000  addi- 
tional troops,  and  mustered  into  the  National  service 
July  37,  1898.  It  was  encamped  in  Kentucky  dur- 
ing August  and  part  of  September,  and  was  mus- 
tered out  of  service  Oct.  29,  1908. 

These  three  companies  (Company  A,  Company  E, 
and  Company  G)  from  Berks  county  participated  in 
the  great  Peace  Jubilee  at  Philadelphia  on  Oct.  27, 
1898,  after  the  successful  termination  of  the  Spanish 
war. 

Company  I,  of  the  4th  Regiment,  N.  G.  P.,  was 
organized  in  1898  as  a  provisional  company  in  order 
to  maintain  a  military  organization  of  the  National 
Guard  at  Reading  during  the  absence  of  Company 
A,  and  mustered  in  June  9th,  with  a  full  cjuota.  It 
became  attached  to  the  National  Guard  of  the  State 
in  1900.  Harry  M.  Phillippi  was  the  captain  until 
he  resigned  in  1901 ;  Jerome  Seider  from  1901  to 

1903,  and  Ralph  R.  Koser  from  1903  to  i906. 

The  company  was  re-organized  by  Capt.  Charles 
G.  Miller  in  October,  1906,  after  it  had  been  allowed 
lo  retrograde  for  five  years  to  the  point  of  disband- 
ing, with  only  thirty-five  enlisted  men.  In  two  years 
he  brought  it  to  the  standard  of  sixty  men  and  three 
officers,  and  secured  for  the  company  an  average 
of  97,  and  a  rating  as  the  fifth  company  in  the  reg- 
iment ;  which  evidences  in  a  high  degree  his  superior 
character  and  ability  as  its  commanding  officer. 

The  company  was  called  out  to  assist  in  quelling 
the  labor  troubles  in  Schuylkill  county  in  1900,  and 
in  Northumberland  and  Luzerne  counties  in  1902-03. 

This  company  is  a  re-organization  of  the  historical 
company  known  for  many  vears  as  the  "Reading 
Rifles." 

The  4th  Regiment,  N.  G.  P.,  comprises  the  com- 
panies from  Berks,  Lancaster,  Lebanon,  Lehigh  and 
Schuylkill  counties. 

Enrollment  for  Milit.vry  Service. — In  Au- 
gust, 1908,  the  county  had  29,10,5  men  en- 
rolled for  military  service  as  reported  to  the  Com- 
missioners by  the  assessors  of  the  several  districts ; 

*  Elected    major   of    regiment    in    IflO.S. 


an  increase  of  2,198  over  the.  number  for  1905. 
Reading  contained  over  half,  16,383.  The  number 
for  the  several  districts  was  as  follows : 

Total' 
District  Enrolled 

Albany  156  Ontelaunee    157 

Alsace,  Lower  139  pjke     83 

Alsace    118  Penn  164 

Amity 187  Perry    2.50 

Bern   197  Richmond   262 

Bern,  Upper 106  Robeson    369 

Bethel  227  Rockland     141 

Brecknock  126  Ru.scombmanor   177 

Boyertown    317  Spring   585 

Bechtelsville  57  Xilden    163 


Bernville 


.56 


Topton  116 


Birdsboro,  E   W        . .  304       Xulpehocken     22S 

Birdsboro,    W.    W....  157       Tulpehocken,   U 353 

Centreport    20       Union     200 

Centre    209       Washington     225 

Caernarvon     8/       ^est  Leesport    76 

Cumr»i    ,•••; ®i!°       West  Reading  308 

Colebrookdale    237       Windsor    78 

Dpug.'ass    lo2       Womelsdorf     214 

5'^'"^'    ^^       WvQmissing     135 

E^--'    l~l  Reading- 

Fl^^t^°°d   217            5^^^,^^   ^^^j    „^ 

(jreenwich     189  tu-    i            i  ooi 

Hamburg,  W.W 203           l^''t           , lit 

Fourth  ward   346 


Fifth  ward 


479 


Hamburg,  E.  W 314 

Heidelberg,    N 101 

Heidelberg 236           Sixth  ward   1,722 

Heidelberg,    L 583           Seventh   ward   815 

Hereford    131           Eighth  Avard   866 

Jefferson     123           Ninth  ward 1,060 

Kutztown    375           Tenth    ward     910 

Lenhartsville    20           Eleventh  ward 875 

Longswamp    300           Twelfth  ward   1,349 

Maiden-creek     253  Thirteenth  ward  .  .  .  1,919 

Marion    135  Fourteenth  ward    . .  1,063 

Maxatawny    443  Fifteenth  ward   ....  1,791 

Mohnton    295  Sixteenth    ward    . .  .  1,038 

Muhlenberg    4.55                                                       

]\It.  Penn 131  Total  for  citv  and 

Oley    311               county    ' 29,105 


STATE  POLICE 

The  inefficiency  of  the  local  police  authorities 
throughout  Pennsylvania,  more  especiallv  in  the 
coal  regions  where  many  foreigners  from  different 
nations  had  come  to  be  residents,  was  a  subject  of 
serious  discussion  for  manv  years  without  any  re- 
lief or  satisfactory  protection,  notwithstanding  the 
gradual  increase  of  lawlessness  and  crime.  Finally, 
the  Legislature,  under  the  recommendation  of  Gov- 
ernor Pennypacker,  passed  an  Act  for  the  estab- 
lishment and  regulation  of  a  new  department  of  gov- 
ernment called  the  State  Police,  which  he  approved 
on  May  3,  1905.  In  pursuance  of  this  Act,  a  super- 
intendent was  appointed  by  the  Governor  and  four 
troops  were  carefully  qualified,  the  svstem  going 
into  operation  throughout  the  State  on  the  same 
day,  Dec.  15,  1905. 

The  superintendent,  Capt.  John  C.  Groome,  se- 
lected Reading  as  one  of  the  four  .stations  in  the 
State  for  the  location  of  Troop  C  from  which  to 
carrv  on  the  patrol  of  the  surrounding  country 
within  a  radius  of  thirty  miles,  in  the  performance 


WAR  PERIOD 


145 


of  their. duty;  and  he  established  a  "Barracks"  on 
the  Seitzinger  homestead,  situated,  along  the  Wy- 
omissing  road,  a  short  distance  west  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill river  (having  leased  the  premises  for  two  years, 
and  afterward  extended  the  term  for  two  years, 
more).  Ten  sub-stations  have  been  established  in 
the  district,  with  two  in  Berks  county,  one  at  Ham- 
burg and  the  other  at  Manatawny,  along  the  Cole- 
brookdale  railroad. 

William  P.  Taylor,  of  Reading,  was  appointed 
Nov.  11,  1905,  as  the  captain  of  Troop  C,  and  he 
filled  the  position  until  June  15,  1906,  when  he 
resigned.  The  Troop  comprised  a  captain,  a  lieu- 
tenant, four  sergeants  and  thirty  privates,  which 
were  subsequently  increased  to  fifty-seven.  Anoth- 
er trooper  was  selected  from  Reading,  C.  M.  Wil- 
helm,  first  sergeant. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Captain  Taylor,  the  lieu- 
tenant was  promoted,  and  he  discharged  his  duties 
as  the  captain  of  the  Troop  in  a  superior  manner 
until  Aug.  16,  1908.  He  was  succeeded  by  Capt. 
Lynn  G.  Adams,  who  was- transferred  from  Troop 
B  at  Wyoming;  and  at  the  same  time  Lieut.  Wil- 
liam Marsh  was  transferred  from  Troop  D,  at 
Punxsutawney,  to  Troop  C,  to  fill  the  same  posi- 
tion ;  and  they  have  discharged  their  trying  duties 
in  their  respective  positions  in  an  admirable  man- 
ner until  now. 

Immediately  after  establishing  its  quarters  at 
Reading,  Troop  C  began  to  patrol  the  district  and 
though  for  a  time  the  moving  troopers  along  the 
highway  in  different  directions  from  Reading  were 
more  or  less  objectionable,  and  excited  adverse 
criticism,  their  dignified,  straightforward,  cour- 
teous behavior  soon  won  the  respect  of  the  people, 
and  their  utility  came  to  be  appreciated  for  the  pro- 
tection to  life  and  property  which  they  cheerfully 
and  promptly  gave  whenever  required,  and  the  ap- 
preciation of  the  taxpayers  has  been  so  universal 
in  this  district  that  they  have  come  to  regard  the 
troopers  as  a  necessary  part  of  the  government. 

In  March,  1906,  a  strike  occurred  amongst  the 
laborers    at    a    stone-quarry  between  Lebanon  and 

10 


Cornwall,  and  serious  trouble  with  them  having 
been  anticipated,  the  "State  Police"  at  Reading  was 
notified.  A  detachment  of  thirty-five  troopers  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  Smith  was  sent  there 
and  they  soon  controlled  the  situation,  which  evi- 
denced their  influence  and  power  in  such  an  emer- 
gency and  justified  the  establishment  of  this  im- 
portant branch  of  the  government. 

A  month  afterward,  a  more  serious  incident  oc- 
curred at  Mt.  Carmel,  in  Northumberland  county, 
and  again  Lieutenant  Smith,  with  forty-three  troop- 
ers, was  dispatched  to  that  place,  and  the  troopers 
again  caused  the  threatening  excitement  to  subside ; 
however,  not  without  the  unavoidable  shooting  of 
twenty-two  rioters  and  the  injury  of  five  of  the 
troopers.  And  in  April,  1908,  a  detachment  was 
ordered  to  Chester  on  account  of  the  strike  of  the 
trolley-car  operators,  and  the  troopers  remained 
there  two  weeks,  until  their  assistance  and  presence 
were  no  longer  required. 

On  the  night  of  Sept.  15,  1907,  Timothy  Kelle- 
her,  one  of  Troop  C,  while  on  his  way  from  Read- 
ing to  the  "Barracks"  by  the  short  cut  over  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad  bridge,  was  stabbed  and 
killed  by  two  Italians,  who  were  apparently  assault- 
ing a  woman  along  the  railroad.  Kelleher,  hearing 
the  disturbance,  went  boldly  to  the  woman's  assist- 
ance, and  the  Italians,  thinking  that  he  was  interfer- 
ing with  them,  assaulted  him  with  fatal  result.  They 
were  caught  several  days  afterward,  while  trying 
to  escape,  tried  and  convicted ;  one  of  them  of  mur- 
der, he  being  hanged,,  and  the  other  of  man- 
slaughter, he  being  sentenced  to  the  Eastern  pen- 
itentiary for  twelve  years. 

The  State  Police,  in  four  ]'ears,  came  to  be  highly 
regarded  in  the  vicinity  of  Reading,  and  the  county 
officials  treated  the  troopers  with  the  utmost  con- 
sideration. 

On  May  31,  1909,  Company  C  was  removed  to 
Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county,  because  its  presence 
in  that  community  was  found  to  be  more  necessary. 


CHAPTER  IX-  CENSUS 


No  regular  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Pennsylvania  was  made  previous  to  1790.  The 
first  provision  for  enumeration  was  made  by  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  adopted  Sept. 
17,  1787.  Therein  provision  was  made  for  the 
apportionment  of  representatives  from  the  several 
States  to  Congress,  and  of  direct  taxes ;  and  to 
effect  a  just  apportionment  the  actual  enumeration 
was  required  to  be  made  within  three  years  after 
the  first  meeting  of  Congress,  and  within  every 
subsequent  term  of  ten  years,  in  such  manner  as 
they  shall  by  law  direct. 

It  has  been  ascertained  that  in  1741,  the  follow- 
ing taxables  were  situated  in  the  eastern  division 
of  the  county,  then  part  of  Philadelphia  county: 

Amity     70 

AllamiTigle*     37 

Colebrookdale     85 

Douglass     58 

Exeter     76 

Maiden-creek     75 

Manatawnyt    Ill 

Total     512 

Estimated    Population    2,500 


The  number  of  taxables  in  the  various  counties 
of  Pennsylvania  in  1760  and  1770  are  shown  as 
follows :  X 

1760  1770 

Philadelphia    8,321  10.445 

Bucks-   3,148  3,177 

Chester     4,761  5,483 

Lancaster     5,631  6,608 

York       3,302  4,436 

Cumberland    1,501  3,521 

Berks        3,016  3,303 

Northampton    1,987  3,793 

31,667     39,665 

The  first  census  of  Pennsylvania  was  taken  on 
Sept.  7,  1791 ;  and  within  every  ten  years  there- 
after, the  census  has  been  regularly  taken  to  the 
present  time.  The  result  of  each  enumeration 
is  set  forth  in  the  following  table.  The  figures 
were  taken  from  the  Census  Reports  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  published  by  order  of  Congress.  The 
blank  spaces  in  the  table  opposite  certain  districts 
indicate  non-existence  of  those  districts  at  the  time 
of  enumeration. 

Where  large  decrease  of  population  in  certain 
districts  for  a  succeeding  census  is  observable,  it 
indicates  reduction  of  the  districts  by  the  erection 

*  .Albany. 

t  Doubtless    intended   for    Oley, 

{14   Col.    Rec,   336. 


of  others.  For  instance,  Alsace  in  1850  had  a  pop- 
ulation of  2,697;  but  in  1860  it  had  only  1,299. 
The  township  of  Muhlenberg  was  cut  off  in  1850 
and  erected  into  a  separate  district.  Also,  Windsor 
in  1870  had  1,311,  but  in  1880  only  830.  The 
township  was  reduced  in  area  by  the  extension  of 
the  limits  of  the  borough  of  Hamburg.  This  ex- 
tension was  made  in  1871. 

For  convenience  in  making  comparisons,  the  fol- 
lowing statement  is  presented  in  order  to  show 
when  the  districts  with  the  blank  spaces  were 
erected,  and  from  which  districts  they  were  taken: 

Alsace,  Lower,  taken  from  Alsace 1888 

Bechtelsville,         "  "      Washington 1890 

Bern,  Upper,  taken  from  Bern  1789 

Bernville,  taken  from  Penn     1851 

Birdsboro,       "        "       Union    and    Robeson    1872 

Boyertown,     "        "      Colebrookdale    1866 

Centre,  "        "       Bern  and  Bern,   Upper   1842 

CentrepoTt,     "        "      Centre    1881 

Fleetwood,     "        "      Richmond     1873 

Hamburg,       "        "      Windsor     1830 

Heidelberg,  Lower,  taken  from  Heidelberg    1842 

Heidelberg,   North,     "  "  "        1844 

J'efferson,  taken  from  Tulpehocken    and    Tulpehocken, 

Upper     1851 

Kutztown,     "        "      Maxatawny     1815 

Lenh'rtsv'Ie, "      "      Greenwich     1887 

Marion,         "         "      Tulpehocken     1843 

Mobnton,       "         "      Cumru     1907 

Muhlenberg,  taken  from  Alsace     1850 

Ontelaunee,       "  "      Maiden-creek     1850 

Penn,  "  "      Bern  and  Bern,  Upper   .' 1840 

Perry,  "  "      Windsor     1849 

Pike,  "  "       District     1813 

Shillington,       "  "      Cumru     1908 

Spring,  "  "       Cumru     1850 

Tilden  "  "         Bern,    Upper     1887 

Topton,  "  "       Longswamp     1877 

Tulpehocken,  Upper,  taken  from  Tulpehocken  1820 

Washington,  taken  from'  Colebrookdiale     and     Here- 
ford      1839 

West  Reading,  taken  from  Spring     1907 

Womelsdorf ,  "  "       Heidelberg     1833 

Wyomissing,  "  "      Spring    1906 

In  1800,  Berks  county  included  three  organized 
townships  which  lay  north  of  the  Blue  Mountain, 
whose  enumeration  was  as  follows: 

Brunswick    1,214 

Manheim     1,072 

Pinegrove     959 

Unorganized   993 

Total    Population     4,238 

The  population  of  the  county  is  given  in  the  table 
at  32,407,  but  the  number  of  inhabitants  then  in 
that  part  which  lay  south  of  the  mountain  was 
28,169. 

In  1810,  the  county  included  seven  townships 
north  of  the  mountain,  whose  enumeration  was  as 
follows : 


CENSUS  147 

Brunswick    .     i,7T0  The  population  of  the  county  for  1810  is  given  at 

Mahantango,    Lower    637  ,  „  ^  ,  „    ,          ,                ,          ,          .      , ,     ,           °    r  ^, 

Mahantango,  Upper   489  *3,146,  but  the  number  then  in  that  part  ot  the 

Manheim    .'. 1,354  county  south  of  the  mountain  was  36,838.     The 

Norwegian     415  ■'.  .                   ,                    ^  ^      „  .        ,,  ...              .      . 

Pine-Grove    1,290  townships  named  were  cut  to  Schuylkill  county  in 

Schuylkill    ■  '353  its  erection  in  1811. 

Total    Population    6,308 


1800 

Reading    2,386 

Albany   858 

Alsace   890 

Alsace,   Lower    

Amity    817 

Bechtelsville    

Bern 2,049 

Bern,    Upper    

Bernville   

Bettel   817 

Birdsboro  

Boyertown  

Brecknock  338 

Caernarvon    541 

Centre  

Centreport  

Colebrookdale 671 

Cumru  1,413 

District  753 

Douglass    450 

Earl    489 

Exeter   802 

Fleetwood 

Greenwich   1,004 

Hamburg   329 

Heidelberg   1,569 

Heidelberg,  Ix)wer   

Heidelberg,  North   

Hereford   923 

Jefferson    

Kutztown    203 

Lenhartsville    

Longswamp  863 

Maiden-creek  770 

Marion    

Maxatawny    929 

Muhlenberg   

Oley  968 

Ontelaunee   

Penn  

Perry    

Pike    

Richmond   731 

Robeson    1,232 

Rockland    848 

Ruscombmanor    375 

Spring  

Tilden    

Topton   

Tulpehocken    2,119 

Tulpehocken,  Upper  

Union  669 

Washington   

Windsor     993 

Womelsdorf   370 


Census  of  County,  1800  to  1900 


1810 

1820 

1830 

1840 

1850 

1860 

1870 

1880 

1890 

1900 

3,462 

4,332 

5,856 

8,410 

15,743 

23,162 

33,930 

43,278 

58,661 

78,961 

995 

1,182 

1,129 

1,057 

1,406 

1,586 

1,510 

1,603 

1,491 

1,316 

1,275 

1,640 

1,942 

2,498 

2,697 

1,299 

1,294 

1,523 

1,691 

826 
1,157 
1,372 

381 

1,090 

1,279 

1,384 

1,664 

1,566 

1,596 

1,646 

1,598 

1,552 

2,266 

1,791 

2,154 

3,149 

1,734 

2,516 

2,124 

2,176 

1,935 

1,939 

1,342 

2,017 

2,117 

2,906 

1,747 

2,027 

2,008 
457 

2,179 
405 

989 
365 

904 

344 

924 

1,294 

1,482, 

1,458 

1,871 

2,159 

2,285 
690 

.    2,329 
1,705 
1,099 

2,139 
2,261 
1,436 

1,931 
2,264 
1,709 

495 

536 

866 

935 

876 

844 

813 

923 

949 

946 

723 

829 

862 

813 

977 

953 

927 

951 

942 

959 

1,216 

1,346 

1,392 

1,529 

1,627 

1,418 
133 

1,313 
141 

792 

1,046 

1,229 

1,124 

1,102 

1,359 

1,660 

1,150 

1,352 

1,395 

2,017 

2,462 

2,688 

2,939 

3,853 

■2,182 

2,573 

3,064 

3,927 

5,772 

805 

509 

562 

583 

842 

786 

724 

798 

715 

651 

660 

709 

839 

1,133 

1,018 

1,120 

1,072 

1,151 

1,143 

1,039 

794 

934 

990 

1,158 

1,047 

1,143 

1,022 

1,141 

927 

909 

1,194 

1,381 

1,455 

1,911 

2,074 

2,308 

2,239 

?  469 
802 

2,308 
878 

3,503 
978 

1,104 

1,337 

1,407 

1,620 

1,842 

2,041 

2,151 

1,988 

1,651 

1,470 

1,035 

1,334 

1,590 

2,010 

2,127 

2,315 

2,802 

3,605 

4,124 

3,539 

805 

1,013 

1,193 

1,281 

1,440 

1,611 

2,144 

2,398 

2,480 

2,862 

2,876 

3,896 

844 

956 

979 

950 

854 

736 

1,140 

1,431 

],709 

1,235 

1,244 

1,372 

1,260 

1,406 

1,357 

1,202 

1,122 

1,113 

1,072 

969 

840 

693 

640 

915 

945 

1,198 

1,595 
152 

1,338 
144 

998 

1,371 

1,695 

1,836 

1,868 

2,217 

2,910 

3,426 

3,007 

3,507 

918 

1,192 

1,350 

1,749 

1,284' 

1,531 

1,615 

1,714 

1,775 

1,639 

1,530 

1,628 

1,837 

1,392 

1.269 

1,163 

1,630 

1,847 

2,108 

1,897 

1,740 

2,093 

2,531 

2,843 

2,264 

3,407 

1,676 

1,547 

1,913 

2,069 

2,069 

1,284 

1,410 

1,469 

1,877 

1,799 

2,056 

1,986 

2,175 

2,098 

2,115 

1,045 

1,398 

1,339 

1,265 

1,129 

1,143 

1,476 

1,444 

1,515 

1,530 

1,282 

1,164 

1,320 

1,526 

1,680 

1,527 

1,575 

1,583 

645 

752 

790 

883 

1,178 

925 

921 

882 

806 

971 

1,135 

1,379 

1,997 

2,056 

2,575 

2,874 

2,226 

1,916 

1,737 

1,807 

2,065 

1,966 

2,016 

2,404 

2,461 

2,458 

2,322 

2,483 

3,475 

1,026 

1,130 

1,342 

1,649 

1,369 

1,707 

1,451 

1,527 

1,423 

1,340 

932 

1,057 

1,256 

1,189 

1,235 

1,566 

1,408 

1,466 

1,313 

1,302 

2,004 

2,253 

2,340 
515 

2,544 

1,082 

500 

4,064 

1,003 

542 

2,294 

3,238 

3,200 

2,941 

1,803 

1,956 

2,013 

2,093 

1,973 

1,764 

1,456 

1,581 

1,983 

1,125 

1.196 

1,274 

1,194 

1,006 

766 

921 

1,046 

1,272 

1,665 

1,968 

2,165 

1,540 

1,317 

1,330 

1.210 

1,154 

1,600 

1,609 

1,924 

2,173 

1.737 

1,358 

1,950 

2,298 

2,882 

1,115 

1,450 

1,211 

830 

686 

684 

849 

947 

1,076 

1,031 

1,097 

1,141 

1,136 

28,169     37,864     46,275     53,152     64,569     77,129     93,818      106.701     122,597     137,327     159.615 
Tn  1790,  Reading  had  a  population  of  2,235;  and  the  whole  county  of  Berks  had  30,179. 


148 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


TAXABLES 

Townships 

Albany   

Alsace   

Alsace, ,  Lower    

Amity    

Bern    

Bern,    Upper    

Bethel  

Brecknock 

Caernarvon    

Centre  

Colebrookdale 

Cumru  

District  

Douglass   

Earl   

Exeter   

Greenwich  

Heidelberg   

Heidelberg,  Lower  

Heidelberg,  North  

Hereford    

Jefferson   

Longswamp  

Maiden-creek  

Marion    

Maxatawny   

Muhlenberg   

Oley  

Ontelaunee  

Penn  

Perry    

Pike    '.  . . 

Richmond   

Robeson    

Rockland    

Ruscombmanor     

Spring   

Tilden    

Tulpehocken   

Tulpehocken,  Upper  

Union  

Washington   

Windsor      

Total    

Boroughs 

Bechtelsville    

Bernville   

Birdsboro   

Boyertown   

Centreport  

Fleetwood  

Hamburg    

Kutztown    

Lenhartsville    

Mohnton 

Mt.   Penn   

Shillington 

Topton  

West  Leesport 

West  Reading 

Womelsdorf 

Wyomissing 

Total 

City  of  Reading 

Total  of  Berks  County 34,158 


1S85 

1908 

378 

491 

397 

237 

334 

464 

532 

513 

826 

548 

325 

617 

784 

235 

396 

275 

304 

359 

439 

..337 

520 

770 

1,318 

187 

352 

312 

402 

294 

439 

637 

935 

475 

486 

309 

584 

737 

1,185 

220 

235 

348 

400 

268 

296 

839 

916 

499 

639 

446 

416 

673 

984 

504 

1,306 

605 

605 

335 

392 

389 

383 

441 

5,60 

260 

267 

509 

596 

630 

738 

399 

419 

348 

503 

688 

1,070 

346 

530 

573 

348 

399 

383 

510) 

545 

573 

180 

369 

18,331 

34,069 

1886 

1908 

77 

123 

151 

499 

885 

345 

761 

43 

48 

242 

497 

569 

913 

383 

658 

55 

495 

377 

434 

123 

297 

189 

598 

322 

608 

626 

2,648 

7,568 

13,279 

35,414 

67,051 


PROPERTY  VALUATION 

Townships  1885  1908 

Albany   $       734,446  $        588,785 

Alsaca      505,199  355,106 

Alsace,   Lower    390,803 

Amity                   966,646  800,859 

Bern                 1,264,862  1,069,740 

Bern,    Upper    1,338,166  428,530 

Bethel     1,303,383  850,969 

Brecknock   421,363  377,478 

Caernarvon    522,558  420,756' 

Centre  875,349  712,020 

Colebrookdale 709,090  605,959^ 

Cumru   1,415,878  2,050,003 

District  383,442  201,697 

Douglass   453,411  393,941 

Earl      293,252  231,983 

Exeter    1,432,830  1,476,449 

Greenwich    954,967  662,910 

Heidelberg   1,181,743  1,162,487 

Heidelberg,  Lower  ...■ 1,484,363  1,943,379- 

Heidelberg,  North  564,021  456,831 

Hereford   749,171  547,265 

Jefferson    592,774  480,354 

Longswamp  1,111,986  905,015 

Maiden-creek 1,057,563  982,615 

Marion    1,134,984  878,772 

Maxatawny    1,776,988  1,703,407 

Muhlenberg    1,237,837  1,430,410 

Oley   1,676,734  1,376,377 

Ontelaunee    866,987  669,473 

Penn   844,340  613,804 

Perry 901,359  801,358 

Pike    339,935  221,527 

Richmond    1,233,167  1,051,788 

Robeson    951,427  916,109 

Rockland    518,315  395,92i 

Ruscombmanor 419,727  354,455 

Spring    ., 1,698,004  1,646,661 

Tilden   '.' 488,083 

Tulpehocken    1,104,424  922,470 

Tulpehocken,    Upper    603,707  453,370 

Union   607,398  461,695 

Washington    941,451  607,060 

Windsor      473,828  401,944 

Total $  37,304,974  $  33,378,205 

Boroughs  1885  1908 

Bechtelsville    $  $       137,485 

Bernville   146,380  135,310 

Birdsboro    764,033  1,246,304 

Boyertown   648,780  1,188,444 

Centreport  45,600  48,910 

Fleetwood   295,233  609,514 

Hamburg    628,848  951,950 

Kutztown    430,833  793,175 

Lenhartsville   65,410 

Mohnton   3381910 

Mt.    Penn   426,705 

Shillington  « 

Topton   139,357  347,250 

West  Leesport 154,275 

West  Reading  658',725 

Womelsdorf   402,532  552,439 

Wyomissing    774,809 

Total $     3,501,596  $     8,429,515 

City  of  Reading $  33,780,222  $  50,488,000 

Total    of    County $64,586,792  $92,295,720 

Exempted  property  for  churches,  etc.,  in  1908:  City, 
$7,845,650;  Boroughs,  $652,036;  Townships,  $2,183,810; 
Total,  $10,681,496. 

•Included  in  Cumru. 


CENSUS 


149 


MONEY  AT  INTEREST 

Townships  1885  1908 

Albany $  195,126            $       153,493 

Alsace    135,954  63,532 

Alsace,   Lower 255,436 

Amity    215,582  152,697 

Bern    208,261  101,844 

Bern,    Upper    166,722  135,395 

Bethel   249,926  127,446 

Brecknock   68,011  60,060 

■Caernarvon    60,842  33,023 

Centre  104,682  66,876 

Colebrookdale 109,821  95,171 

Cumru  334,944  269,164 

District 41,323  16,170 

Douglass   31,012  34,480 

Earl    65,920  80,203 

Exeter   189,329  275,325 

■Greenwich   132,729  119,358 

Heidelberg   123,774  164,258 

Heidelberg,  Lower   289,014  395,834 

Heidelberg,  North   52,521  30,665 

Hereford    189,923  125,284 

Jefferson   76,572  57,401 

Longswamp  239,340  89,462 

Maiden-creek  159,683  112,420 

Marion    241,445  128,505 

Maxatawny    502,410  532,012 

Muhlenberg   216,996  295,385 

-Oley   657,240  642,818 

Ontelaunee   140,139  143,544 

Penn   159,666  132,092 

Perry    111,039  166,011 

Pike    54,243  60,691 

Richmond    175,014  177,200 

Robeson    117,688  141,432 

Rockland    80,062  79,763 

Ruscombmanor    111,257  48,900 

Spring    274,738  320,317 

Tilden    59,400 

Tulpehocken   190,019  114,077 

Tulpehocken,  Upper 123,508  48,950 

TJnion  136,493  105,121 

Washington   255,949  151,128 

"Windsor      76,003  41,650 

Total     : $  7,064,930             $     6,404,993 

Boroughs 

Bechtelsville    $  $         17,576 

Bernville    116,127  62,227 

Birdsboro   403,874  278,154 

Boyertown 242,678  398,048 

■Centreport 21,610  47,326 

Fleetwood  203,492  254,440 

Hamburg    188,917  314,486 

Kutztown    240,775  464,073 

Xenhartsville    1,520 

Mohnton 124,490 

Mt.   Penn 62,937 

Shillington 

Topton  ■ 77,008  86,001 

West  Leesport 102,127 

West  Reading 45,725 

Womelsdorf   182,420  358,990 

"Wyomissing   55,841 

Total     $  1,676,891             $     2,573,861 

City  of  Reading 5,049,482  13,434,847 

Total  of  Berks  County  $  13,791,303            $  23,412,701 

REGISTERED  VOTERS— 1908 

The  registered  voters  of  the  county  in  September, 

1908,  numbered  23,012.  The  number  in  the  sev- 
•eral  districts  was  reported  as  follows: 


District  Number 

Albany,  1st  Precinct   168 

Albany,   3d   Precinct    149—317 

Alsace    207 

Alsace,   Lower    201 

Amity  384 

Bern,  1st  Precinct    173 

Bern,    3d    Precinct " 115 

Bern,   3d   Precinct    125—413 

Bern,   Upper 199 

Bethel,  1st  Precinct   263 

Bethel,  2d  Precinct    ' 67 

Bethel,   3d   Precinct    93 

Bethel,   4th   Precinct    85—508 

Bechtelsville    119 

Bernville     HI 

Birdsboro,  East  Ward    464 

Birdsboro,  West  Ward  267 

Boyertown     592 

Brecknock,    1st    Precinct    Ill 

Brecknock,    2d    Precinct 136—237 

Caernarvon    229 

Centre     340 

Centreport      33 

Colebrookdale    394 

Cumru,  1st  Precinct   389 

Cumru,  3d  Precinct 195 

Cumru,    3d    Precinct    166 

Cumru,  4th   Precinct   118 

Cumru,    5th   Precinct    304-1,072 

District     156 

Douglass,   1st   Precinct 165 

Douglass,  2d  Precinct 121—286 

Earl,  1st  Precinct  92 

Earl,  2d  Precinct  169—261 

Exeter,  1st  Precinct  498 

Exeter,  2d  Precinct  196 — 694 

Fleetwood    364 

Greenwich,  1st  Precinct   137 

Greenwich,  2d  Precinct  219—356 

Hamburg,  North  Ward   337 

Hamburg,    South    Ward    338 

Heidelberg    447 

Heidelberg,   North    174 

Heidelberg,  Lower,   1st   Precinct    600 

Heidelberg,  2d  Precinct  220 

Heidelberg,  3d  Precinct   113—932 

Hereford     395 

Jefferson     317 

Kutztown     486 

Lenhartsville    46 

Longswamp,  1st  Precinct  242 

Longswamp,  2d  Precinct  256 

Longswamp,  3d   Precinct   135—633 

Maiden-creek    482 

Marion     304 

Maxatawny,  1st  Precinct   184 

Maxatawny,  2d  Precinct  216 

Maxatawny,  3d   Precinct   332 — 722 

Mohnton     ■ 405 

Mount    Penn 200 

Muhlenberg,  1st  Precinct 445 

Muhlenberg.  2d  Precinct 395 — 840 

Oley,    1st    Precinct    305 

Oley,  2d  Precinct  234—539 

Ontelaunee    295 

Penn,  1st  Precinct   150 

Penn,  2d  Precinct  156—306 

Perry     437 

Pike     191 

Richmond     433 

Robeson,  1st  Precinct   189 

Robeson,  2d  Precinct  338 

Robeson,    3d    Precinct     137 — 664 

Rockland     304 

Ruscombmanor    322 

Shillington   367 


150 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Districts  Number 

Spring,    1st    Precinct    56 

Spring,   2d   Precinct 452 

Spring,  3d  Precinct   257—765 

Tilden,   1st   Precinct    124 

Tilden,  2d  Precinct 157—281 

Topton    219 

Tulpehocken,    1st    Precinct    216 

Ttflpehocken,  2d  Precinct   180—395 

Tulpehocken,   Upper    287 

Union,   1st  Precinct   304 

Union,  2d  Precinct  79 — 383 

Windsor    157 

Washington,    1st    Precinct    215 

Washington,  2d  Precinct   211 — 426 

West    Leesport    136 

West  Reading    483 

Womelsdorf    375 

Wyomissing     205 

Total  number  registered    23,012 

Total  registered  February   22,542 

Increase     469 


PRESIDENTIAL  VOTE,  NOV.  3,  1908     • 

Taft 

Districts  Rep. 

Albany,   1st   Precinct    27 

Albany,  2d  Precinct  20 

Alsace    31 

Alsace,    Lower    57 

Amity     144 

Bern,    1st   Precinct    18 

Bern,  2d  Precinct  19 

Bern,    3d    Precinct    30 

Bern,    Upper     56 

Bethel,    1st    Precinct 44 

Bethel,  2d  Precinct 13 

Bethel,   3d   Precinct    19 

Bethel,  4th  Precinct   13 

Brecknock,    1st    Precinct    8 

Brecknock,  2d  Precinct 15 

Boyertown    149 

Bechtelsville    . . : 38 

Bernville     47 

Birdsboro,  West  Ward   158 

Birdsboro,    East'  Ward    312 

Caernarvon     133 

Centreport     7 

Centre  51 

Colebrookdale    65 

Cumru,    1st    Precinct    116 

Cumru,  2d  Precinct  47 

Cumru,  3d   Precinct    26 

Cumru,   4th   Precinct    52 

Cumru,   5th   Precinct   69 

District     24 

Douglass,    1st    Precinct     53 

Douglass,  3d  Precinct   10 

Earl,    1st    Precinct    9 

Earl,  3d  Precinct   17 

Exeter,    1st    Precinct    110 

Exeter,   3d   Precinct    59 

Fleetwood    108 

Greenwich,   1st  Precinct   13 

Greenwich,  3d  Precinct 15 

Hamburg,  North  Ward  115 

Hamburg,    South   Ward    107 

Heidelberg     134 

Heidelberg,  L.,  1st  Precinct  130 

Heidelberg,  L.,  3d  Precinct  31 

Heidelberg,  L..  3d  Precinct  42 

Heidelberg,    North    22 

Hereford    52 


Byran 

Dem. 

75 

87 

68 

104 

178 

103 

49 

52 

105 

138 

35 

29 

43 

72 

58 

248 

62 

39 

30 

59 

52 

23 

171 

168 

70 

55 

85 

30 

■46 

91 

57 

78 

55 

92 

337 

74 

180 

94 

114 

131 

145 

192 

261 

113 

43 

99 

129 


Taft  Byran 

Districts  Ren.  Dem. 

Jefferson     ; 23  142 

Kutztown     132  245 

Lenhartsville    9  31 

Longswamp,  1st  Precinct   60  97 

Longswamp,  2d  Precinct   98  92 

Longswamp,  3d  Precinct   30  69 

Maiden-creek     107  225 

Marion     50  162 

Maxatawny,   1st   Precinct    30  100 

Maxatawny,    2d    Precinct    40  133 

Maxatawny,  3d  Precinct  89  145 

Mohnton     168  87 

Muhlenberg,   1st   Precinct   78  184 

Muhlenberg,   2d   Precinct    57  175 

Mt.  Penn  56  82 

Oley.  1st  Precinct  86  145 

Oley,  2d  Precinct  40  153 

Ontelaunee     96  110 

Pike     14  112 

Penn,   1st   Precinct    14  92 

Penn,    2d    Precinct     11  102 

Perry     65  233 

Richmond     39  227 

Robeson,   1st   Precinct    85  39 

Robeson,    3d    Precinct     106  140 

Robeson,  3d  Precinct   24  72 

Rockland   28  173 

Ruscombmanor     58  119 

Spring,     1st    Precinct     3  24 

Spring,    2d    Precinct    117  216 

Spring,  3d  Precinct   34  104 

Shillington     162  113 

Tilden,   1st  Precinct   79  130 

Tilden,   2d    Precinct    39  77 

Topton     79  107 

Tulpehocken,   1st   Precinct    35  171 

Tulpehocken,    3d   Precinct    17  130 

Tulpehocken,    Upper    30  177 

Union,   1st   Precinct    159  94 

Union,    3d    Precinct    40  35 

Washington,   1st    Precinct    34  99 

Washington,    3d    Precinct    50  90 

West  Leesport    39  73 

West    Reading    128  191 

Windsor     12  116 

Womelsdorf    142  154 

Wyomissing     72  66 

Total    county     5,651  10,123 

Total  city    7,825  6,959 

13,476  17,082 

Bryan's    plurality    in    Berks 3,606 

Parker's   plurality   over   Roosevelt   in   the 

whole  county  in   1904  was 786 

The  plurality  of   Roosevelt  then  in  Read- 
ing,   however,    was    3  369 


STATE  APPROPRIATIONS  TO  COUNTY 
Received  by  County  from  State 

■D        ^°^     ID             .                                                     180*  1908 

Personal    Property    $  51,893.72  $  67,243.84 

Salaries— Judges       12,072.50  17,639.79 

Chanties — Hospitals  and  Asylums 

for   Insane    34,835.97  154,989.33 

—Hospitals     68,916.48  25,000.00 

c  u     1    — Womes     5,037.44  3,000.00 

bchools — Common     152,996.20  204,143  08 

—Normal     10,023.82  27,74'2.14 

—Superintendent's  Salary  ..       2,000.00  2,350.00 

$337,776.13  $502,008.18 


CENSUS 


151 


Received  by  State  from  County 


From  1904  1908 

Personal  Property  Tax   $  69,191.62    $  89,658.45 

Loans,   Municipal    3,307.76  3,448.66 

Writs,  Walls,   etc   4,370.16  4,499.49 

Loans,    County    441.94 

Collateral    Inheritance    8,396.08  30,927.73 

Miscellaneous    175.00  175.00 

Licenses 

Retail    Mercantile    15,500.84  17,835.90 

Wholesale    Mercantile    3,771.35  3,097.58 

Retail   Liquor    15,397.37  15,720.75 

Wholesale   Liquor    10,397.50  11,838.00 


From  1904 

Brewers'    $     8,407 

Distillers'     2,984 

Bottlers'    

Billiards       

Brokers'     '433 

Auctioneers'     

Peddlers'     

Theatre,  etc 

Eating  House   


1,469 
1,016 


50 
.75 
.75 
.50 
53 


313. 
439. 


1908 

9,900.00 
1,544.00 
1,717.25 
1,563.80 
318.35 


50 

40  167.41 


$144,461.61     $181,854.20 


BANKING    IN    BERKS    COUNTY— JANUARY,    1909 


Banks  and  Trust  Companies  .-.i, Resources 

City 

Farmers  National  Bank $  3,229,115.40 

National  Union  Bank 3,498,800.55 

First  National  Bank 1,491,663.67 

Second   National  Bank 1,898,653.05 

Penn  National  Bank 1,800,880.90 

Keystone   National   Bank 975,472.37 

Reading  National   Bank 1,580,840.45 

Schuylkill   Valley    Bank 684,536,53 

Neversink    Bank ■. 210,378.07 

Pennsylvania   Trust   Co 4,011,463.81 

Reading  Trust  Co 1,873,748.59 

Colonial  Trust   Co 1,144,979.01 

Berks  County  Trust  Co 1,380,930.55 

Commercial  Trust  Co 346,281.63 

Total,     City $23,126,743.58 

County 

Hamburg    Savings    Bank 642,710.49 

National   Bank   of   Boyertown 1,118,378.03 

Farmers  Nat.  Bank,  Boyertown 267,005.91 

First  Nat.  Bank  of  Birdsboro 358,896.33 

Kutztown  National  Bank 448,262.2V 

Womelsdorf   Union   Bank 405,984.70 

Wernersville    National    Bank 373,578.68 

National  Bank  of  Topton 137,484.46 

First  Nat.  Bank  of  Oley 141,277.43 

First  Nat.  Bank  of  Bernville 122,462.31 

First  Nat.  Bank  of  Fleetwood 143,675.47 

Mohnton   National   Bank 137,701.78 

First  Nat.  Bank  of  Hamburg 129,817.78 

Total,    County $  4,327,235.53 

Total,   City  and   County $27,453,979.11 


Surplus  and  Profits 
$      856,275.02 
796,064.03 

97,265.60 
541,966.46 
248,943.90 
193,645.98 
331,351.99 
172,746.00 

22,493.84 
527,333.80 
335,209.33 
197,404.91 
147,145.49 

16,381.86 

$  4,484,118.21 

87,300.07 

196,713.11 

4,738.98 

81,852.21 

86,186.63 

35,158.82 

13,254.14 

3,875.37 

3,159,97 

2,972.96 

3,395.52 

1,269.63 

1,508.95 

$      521,286.26 

$  5,005,404.47 


Deposits 
$  1,528,337.78 

1,341,400.57 
693,378.81 
785,220.04 

1,356,917.35 
605,573.86 
851,487.62 
411,790.53 
113,809.23 

2,829,072.37 

1,015,327.06 
697,574.10 
953,915.93 
204,899.77 

$13,387,694.03 

495,231.83 

690,852.31 

163,766.93 

177,844.13 

250,404.36 

316.597.79 

185,180.88 

83,149,54 

84,317.45 

83,059.25 

90,480.15 

91,432.15 

78,308.83 

$  3,788,635.59 

$16,176,319.61 


Loans,    Discounts 
and   Investments 

$  2,382,319.44 
1,988,143.13 

935,577.35 
1,369,116.37 
1,266,331.33 

636,944.86 
1,137,377.03 

533,849.17 

171,976.36 
3,539,859.17 
1,586,734.59 
1,067,783.57 
1,167,374.81 

308,119.48 

$18,061,395.71 

534,214.66 

896,646,18 

184,938.90 

357,363.86 

339,361.33 

341,883.31 

212,170.09 

82,356.65 

98,.541.25 

93,728.69 

93,118.06 

98,120.01 

89,318.33 

$  3,330,760.32 

$21,382,155.93 


15a  HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 

LAND   AND  LIVE   STOCK— 1908 


DISTRICTS 


Albany    14,267 

Alsace,  Lower  1,110 

Alsace    4,745 

Amity     11,143 

Bern     12,459 

Bern,  Upper  7,183 

Bethel     16,419 

Brecknock     8,831 

Boyertown  

Bechtelsville  

Bernville  

Birdsboro,  East  Ward 

Birdsboro,  West  Ward   336 

Centreport   

Centre     12,427 

Caernarvon     6,689 

Cumru    12,838 

Colebrookdale    5,063 

Douglass    6,794 

District     5,838 

Earl     : 4,599 

Exeter    15,139 

Fleetwood  

Greenwich     15,636 

Hamburg,  North  Ward  

Hamburg,  South  Ward   112 

Heidelberg,  North  8,658 

Heidelberg    7,394 

Heidelberg,   Lower    16,925 

Hereford   8,552 

Jefferson    10,009 

Kutztown  

Lenhartsville    95 

Lonigswamp    10,226 

Maiden-creek     8,274 

Marion     9,153 

Maxatawny     18,856 

Mohnton    118 

Muhlenberg    5,548 

Mt.    Penn    48 

Oley    15,233 

Ontelaunee    5,372 

Pike    4,576 

Penn     11,228 

Perry    11,239 

Richmond    ' 13,029 

Robeson     13,002 

Rockland    7,621 

Ruscombmanor     5,587 

Spring 11,947 

Tilden    8,005 

Topton  

Tulpehocken     14,288 

Tulpehocken,  Upper    9,166 

Union     ■. 7,234 

Washington    7,455 

West   Leesport    116 

West  Reading  

Windsor    8,017 

Womelsdorf     255 

Wyomissing  

Total     418,753 

Total  for  City  

Total  for  County   


7  C! 

3" 

■d 

T3  K  > 

■a  S 

c  K  ° 

C-"  >. 

1^1 

n 

V 

>> 

S 

fe; 

10,771 

465 

$ 

15,095 

619 

$  12,440 

1,670 

103 

5,630 

119 

2,300 

2,307 

248 

11,480 

323 

6,450 

158 

461 

26,425 

840 

21,000 

.  143 

582 

35,500 

785 

19,179 

4,453 

327 

33,970 

428 

10,825 

7,757 

652 

45,373 

936 

23,833 

1,653 

338 

20,805 

414 

8,000 

171 

12,305 

17 

435 

60 

3,715 

29 

860 

55 

4,120 

5 

115 

69 

3,900 

33 

575 

36 

58 

4,850 

31 

600 

16 

1,095 

5 

150- 

639 

508 

23,270 

785 

16,605 

849 

248 

11,275 

704 

6,650 

1,815 

772 

37,220 

820 

21,030 

392 

284 

18,060 

497 

12,594 

723 

291 

15,835 

493 

9,875 

729 

181 

8,690 

347 

5,399 

3,571 

217 

10,834 

414 

8,300 

1,519 

723 

40,436 

1,391 

35,085 

91 

7,335 

33 

480 

3,545 

592 

28,295 

878 

18,349 

58 

2,620 

32 

440 

93 

6,580 

14 

400 

330 

19,695 

498 

11,835 

1,577 

359 

23,475 

369 

10,305 

877 

865 

70,070 

1,112 

38,260 

1,351 

375 

25,732 

627 

16,470 

386 

375 

25,260 

559 

15,354 

104 

7,055 

15 

320 

14 

37 

2,165 

10 

265 

4,063 

453 

33,905 

618 

15,620 

355 

373 

18,325 

537 

13,480 

171 

453 

22,650 

643 

16,075 

273 

743 

51,615 

1,078 

24,756 

103 

4,875 

4 

100 

679 

360 

16,375 

393 

9,825 

45 

2,550 

8 

160 

154 

715 

40,000 

1,300 

32,730 

64 

274 

23,920 

377 

10,260 

3,518 

243 

9,791 

490 

11,063 

698 

493 

30,165 

617 

15,425 

368 

445 

17,990 

821 

14,440 

642 

554 

34,379 

957 

23,031 

7,597 

647 

37,196 

787 

14,510 

2,459 

335 

13,900 

620 

12,115 

3,170 

266 

11,122 

410 

10,430 

1,339 

754 

34,670 

857 

17,160 

269 

313 

21,940 

526 

13,125 

56 

2,890 

15 

350 

583 

593 

45,135 

818 

21,800 

3,466 

438 

34,030 

481 

12,400 

6.187 

351 

15,360 

892 

10,530 

1,140 

366 

30,590 

617 

15,885 

31 

1,300 

12 

350 

138 

8,075 

36 

520 

6,125 

271 

13,065 

481 

12,025 

71 

7,043 

18 

640 

49 

$1, 

2,425 

50 

1,250 

88,953 

28,493 

143,044 

28,493 

$654,613 

2,266 

150,010 

32 

1,200 

30,759 

$1,292,054 

28,525 

$655,813 

H 
ID 
bl 

s 

ill 

I 
I- 

s 

o 

DC 


O 

z 

o 

< 


5 

Ul 


CHAPTER  X- READING 


TOWN,  1748  TO  1783 

Grant  to  Penn. — The  English  came  to  own  the 
territory  comprising  Pennsylvania  by  conquest  from 
the  Dutch  in  1664;  and  King  Charles  II.  in  1681 
granted  the  province  to  William  Penn  in  satisfac- 
tion of  a  debt  due  to  his  deceased  father,  Admiral 
Penn,  for  meritorious  services.  Notwithstanding 
this  grant,  William  Penn  recognized  the  claim  of 
the  Indians  to  the  land,  and  therefore  obtained  their 
release.  He  died  in  1718,  possessed  of  this  section, 
and  devised  it  to  his  children. 

'First  Patents.— In  the  general  desire  to  dispose 
of  lands  in  this  section,  the  Penns  directed  surveys 
to  be  made  and  patents  issued,  which  will  appear  by 
the  following  statement: 


w   » 

N   70 

E 

J 

191 

PS. 

0) 

g 

^^■'' 

M 

O 

a 

3 

^^ 

^^r 

1- 

^ 

— 

V- 

en 

207 

BOO 

V^ 

lOD 

'A 

g 

24- 

Sr-^T^^^ 

■^         " 

c^^bs 

Q^ 

b»  g 

to^~~^<^ 

■^Q 

7       " 

N   70    E 

"^-^-l 

/ 

310 

IDE 

2S 

k                  ^ 

u 

[I 
Q 

D 

s^ 

3 

PATENTS 

1.  Richard  Hockley,  tract  for  1,150  acres ;  survey,  Feb. 
19,   1733. 

2.  Thomas  Lawrence,  tract  for  300  acres ;  survey,  March 
19,  1733;  patent,  Oct.  37,  1733. 

3.  Thomas  Lawrence,  tract  for  137 J  acres;  survey,  April 
22,   1738;  patent,  Feb.  16,  1739. 

4.  Samuel  Finney,  tract  for  150  acres;  survey,  Feb.  19, 
1733. 

5.  Proprietary  land,  tract  for  126  acres;  survey,  July  3, 
1741. 

6.  Part  of  tract  1 ;  on  which  lots  were  laid  out,  afterward 
called  "Hockley  Out-lots." 

The  tract  for  1,150  acres  adjoined  the  river  and 
extended  from  a  line  now  occupied  by  Hockley  and 
Woodward  streets  to  a  line  beyond  the  Charles 
Evans  cemetery,  known  for  many  years  as  Hiester's 
Lane. 

Some  years  after  these  patents  had  been  issued, 
about  1740,  while  efforts  were  being  made  to  erect 
a  county  (Berks),  the  Penns  conceived  the  idea  of 
laying  out  a  town  at  this  point,  but  finding  that  the 


land  had  been,  sold,  they  endeavored  to  re-purchase 
it.  Lawrence,  however,  declined  to  re-sell  his  two 
tracts.  Their  agent  then  investigated  the  matter, 
and  on  Sept.  38,  1743,  addressed  a  letter  to  them 
in  reference  to  the  proposed  "Town  of  Reading." 
This  is  the  first  mention  of  a  town  at  this  place.  In 
1745,  lots  were  laid  out  on  part  6,  and  this  ac- 
tion induced  Lawrence  to  re-convey  his  tracts. 

Town  Laid  Out. — During  the  fall  of  1748, 
Penn's  two  sons,  Thomas  and  Richard,  caused  a 
town  to  be  laid  out  by  Nicholas  Scull,  their  sur- 
veyor-general, on  the  land  adjoining  the  Schuylkill 
(Lawrence  tract),  at  the  "Ford,"  in  the  road  that 
extended  from  the  Tulpehocken  settlements  to  Phil- 
adelphia. It  was  named  Reading,  after  the  county- 
town  in  Berkshire,  England.  The  town-plan  com- 
prised 520  lots,  and  204  out-lots,  numbered  con- 
secutively. 

The  lots  between  the  river  and  King  (Third) 
street  were  laid  out  in  1776.  The  double  line 
through  these  lots,  on  the  accompanying  plan,  indi- 
cates the  canal  which  extended  through  that  part 
of  the  town  from  1822  to  1834.  At  that  time  there 
was  not  a  town,  not  even  a  village,  in  all  the  sur- 
rounding territory  for  many  miles.  The  nearest 
town  was  Lebanon,  twenty-eight  miles  to  the  west, 
which  had  been  laid  out  in  1740 ;  and  the  next  was 
Lancaster,  thirty-three  miles  to  the  southwest,  which 
had  been  laid  out  in  1728. 

Lots  Sold. — Penn's  sons  then  appointed  Conrad 
Weiser,  Francis  Parvin  and  WiUiam  Hartley  as 
commissioners,  to  sell  the  lots;  and  on  June  15, 
1749,  they  sold  a  large  number  of  them.  In  1751, 
1752,  1753  and  1754,  patents  were  issued  for  241 
lots,  and  if  the  conditions  of  sale  were  complied 
with,  there  were  in  the  town,  by  the  year  1755,  at 
least  two  hundred  dwellings  and  one  thousand  in- 
habitants. 

First  Patentees. — The  following  statement 
shows  the  years  in  which  the  builchngs  were  prob- 
ably erected,  and  to  whom  and  for  which  lots  pat- 
ents were  issued.  It  is  possible  that  buildings  were 
erected  in,  and  even  before,  1751,  and  the  patents 
taken  up  afterward. 


For  the  year  17 51 


Lot 


29. 


Patentee 
Conrad  Weiser    (justice) 
Daniel     Steinmetz      (mer- 
chant of  Philadelphia) 
Isaac    Levan    (Exeter,   yeo- 
jnan) 

For  the 
Conrad    Weiser 
Conrad    Bower    (shop    and 

inn-keeper) 
Martin   Gring 
Michael  Reis  (Tulpehocken, 

yeoman) 
Moses  Starr  (Maiden-creek, 
yeoman) 


Lot  Patentee 

34.   Conrad    Weiser 
106.  Adam    Witman    (shop   and 

inn -keeper) 
114.  Isaac    Levan 
120,   Conrad  Weiser 
year  1752 

8.  John     Epler     (Bern,     yeo- 
man) 

y^   J  Daniel   Steinmetz 

■  1  Jacob    Morgan    (inn-keep- 
er) 

13.  Jacob    Morgan 


154 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Lot 

14. 
15. 

18. 

19. 
20. 

21. 

24. 

25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

30. 
33. 
35. 
36. 
39. 

40. 

41. 

42. 
44. 

45. 
46. 
48. 
49. 

51. 

54. 
55. 

61. 
62. 
64. 


70. 
71. 
72. 
74. 
75. 
76. 

77. 
79. 
81. 
82. 

85. 

87. 
89. 

90. 
91. 

92. 
95. 


Patentee 

Peter   Haws    (inn-keeper) 

Daniel  Hiester  (Montgom- 
ery  Co.,  tanner) 

Francis  Parvin  (Maiden- 
cr.,    tanner) 

Conrad  Weiser 

John    Lepoe     (Tulp.,    yeo- 

Peter      Weidner       (Cumru, 

yeoman) 
David   Evans    (Cumru,  yeo- 

MiS'  Schmell     (Heidel- 

bere,   yeoman)         . 
Benjamin   Parvin    (Ma.den- 

WiUramVertordwain- 

^-fe^cou«,oS- 
William  Parsons    (Easto" 
Tobias    Waggoner    (clerk) 
George    Albert    (yeoman) 
Georle   Yoh    (yeoman) 
Isaac  Weidner  (Alsace,  yeo- 

Pete"^"vVeidner       (Alsace, 

PetJr^°Euth    (Cumru,    yeo- 
man) 
Simon    Scherker 
Conrad      Kissmger       (yeo- 

ChrStoVer   Gottschalk 
Jacob  Kissinger  (yeoman) 
Jacob  Kern  (Cumru,  gent.) 
Henry  Wolf   (Cumru,  cord- 

wainer)  , 

George     Daum     (cordwain- 

John" Schneider  (yeoman) 

Peter  Schneider  (Exeter, 
blacksmith) 

Conrad   Bower 

Reinhard  Waldtz 

Philip    Weiser 

William  Erman  (yeoman) 

Benjamin  Lightfoot  (shop- 
keeper) 

William   Parsons 

William   Parsons 

Conrad  Weiser 

Abraham  Brosius    (tailor) 

Jacob   Bollinger 

Michael  Graul  (Alsace,  yeo- 

"'='")  .       /     *•     ^ 

Wm.    Hottenstem    (potter) 

John  Weber. 

Philip   J.    Moyer    (baker) 

Andrew  Wolf  (Cumru,  yeo- 
man) 

Nich.  Kennell  (beer-brew- 
er) 

George  Sheirer 

Christopher  Witman  (cord- 
wainer) 

Christopher  Witman 

Michael    Zuster    (saddler) 

(ieorge  Douglass   (saddler) 

Fred'k  Marsteller 


Lot  Patentee 

96.  Henry     Melchior     Muhlen- 

berg  (minister) 

97.  Henry  Souter 

98.  Samuel  Brackman 

99.  Peter  Knorr 

100.  Benjamin  Pearson   (jomer) 
105.  Adam  S.  Kuhn  (Lancaster, 
esquire) 

107.  Eleanor   Waggoner 

108.  George     Hitner     (Philadel- 

phia,   merchant) 
111.  Adam  Gerhart  (Alsace,  yeo- 
man) 
113.  Henry    Reuthmyer     (wheel- 
wright) 

115.  Ernest    Kurtz     (Phila.,    to- 

bacconist) 

116.  Peter     Bingaman     (Alsace, 

yeoman) 

117.  Mary    Bishop 

118.  Henry   Boyle 

119.  Kraft   Hiiner    (baker) 
122.  Peter  Trumbour   (yeoman) 
124.  Jacob  Bucher 

130.  Charles    Fricker 

131.  Paul     Derst     (Exeter,     inn- 

keeper) 

132.  Andreas   Shack 

133.  Peter    Feder    (inn-keeper) 

135.  John  Early  (Lane,  joiner) 

136.  Henry   Boyle 

137.  Baltzer    Schwank     (Alsace, 

yeoman) 

139.  John    Wilson     (Lane,    mil- 

ler) 

146.  Peter    Muma 

147.  Hsnry   Hahn    (blacksmith) 

148.  Henry   Lick 

140.  Evan  Popkins    (cooper) 

151.  George      Mich.      Kreter 

(slaughterer) 

152.  Ulrich      Richard      (Heidel- 

berg, yeoman) 

153.  Paul  Parlet  (carpenter) 

154.  William  Miller  (carpenter) 

155.  Sebastian   Grauser    (carpen- 

ter) 

159.  Henry  Graul  (Green  tavn) 

160.  Philip     Ziegler     (Tulpehoc- 

ken,    yeoman) 

161.  Henry    Goodhart 

163.  John    Kissinger 

164.  Peter   Rapp    (butcher) 

165.  George    (^rumlauf 

166.  Jacob  _  Conrad     (Virg., 

smith) 

167.  Peter    Baum    (turner) 

168.  Fred'k     Goodhart     (Alsace, 

yeoman) 

175.  Peter  Baum 

180.  John    Kissinger 

190.  Henry  Gerritt  (Alsace, 
yeoman) 

196.  John  Nicholas  Yost  (Cum- 
ru,  inn-keeper) 

199.  George   Chris.   Spengler 

2S.^,   Franris   Fipher 

266.  Abraham    Brosius 

268.  Simon   Scherker 

271.  Henry    Graul 

275.  Joseph    Wilkinson 

278.   Isaac   Levan 


Lot. 


Patentee 


Lot. 


Patentee 


281.  Philip  Jacob   Moyer 

282.  Henry   Feedei 
288.   Conrad   Bowei 

296.   Christian     Bentzer     (Latic, 
county) 

298.  Fred'k  Weiser  (Heidelberg, 

yeoman) 

299.  Philip  Jacob   Moyer 
328.  Jacob    Morgan 

339.  Jacob    Leibrock    (baker) 
355.   Michael    Ludwig    (Amity) 
379.   Conrad   Bower 
382.  Conrad  Bower 


383.  Nicholas   Retschew 
386.  George   Yoh    (potter) 

389.  Abraham  Smith 

390.  Conrad  Bower 

391.  Philip       Erpf       (Lancaster 

county) 

400.  Adam  Reifell    (Alsace,   cor- 

tas.) 

401.  Geo.    Francis   Winter 

404.  Francis   Morgan    (yeoman) 

405.  Jacob   Erpf 
443.  Philip    Reaser 


For  the  year  1^53 


Lot 

9. 
10. 
23. 

31. 

47. 
50. 

53. 
59. 
60. 
67. 
68. 
73. 
78. 
83. 

84; 


Patentee 


Patentee 


104. 
109. 
116. 
121. 
126. 
134. 
138. 
143. 
156. 
171. 
172. 
174. 
179. 
188. 
189. 
195. 
197. 
198. 
201. 
203. 
204. 
208. 
209. 


George  Douglass 
Christopher    Witman 
Isaac      Weidner      (yeoman, 

Alsace) 
Jonas   Seely   (justice) 
Jonas    Seely 
William    Thomas     (Chester 

county) 
Nicholas  Werner 
Christopher  Camerer 
Philip   Erpf 
Mark    Starr 
James  Starr  (brewer) 
John     Smith     (shopkeeper) 
George    Douglass 
Peter    Weiser    (Heidelberg) 
Peter  Weiser 
Henry    Sheirer 
Frederick   Weiser 
Jost   H.    Sassamanhousen 
James  Biddle    (lawyer) 
James    Biddle 
Henry    Sheirer 
Simon  Sherker 
Isaac    Levan 
Abraham    Levan 
John   Steel 
Peter  Weiser 
Wendell    Hains 
George    Saurbrey 
Adam   Schlegell    (tailor) 
Hans    Martin    Garich 
George  Hiitner 
Michael   Rosch 
Lawrence    Spats 
Michael    Fichthorn 
William  Cluse 
Paul    Durst 
John   Philip  Klinger 
Alexander   Klinger 
Martin  Moll 
Andrew    Engel 


Lot 

217.  Hans   Geo.   Back   (baker) 

221.  Paul  Durst 

231.  Andrew   Steger 

234.  Everhard      Martin      (soap- 

maker) 

235.  Martin   Moll 

260.  Geo.   Mich'l  Kreter 
267.   Christopher   Witman 

272.  Casper  Zin 

273.  Jacob  Zin 

274.  Fredericka  Waggoner 

280.  Philip  Jacob   Erpf   (mason) 

284.  Andrew    Fuchs 

291.  Francis   Morgan 

294,295.  Conrad  Bower 

297.  William  Marck 

300.  William  Bird 

310.  Geo.  Mich'l  Kreter 

312.  Jacob    Morgan 

314.  Michael   Schrack 

318.  Conrad    Stichter    (weaver) 

319.  Valentine    Stichter 
329.  Isaac  Weidner 
331.  William  Marck 
333.  Jacob   Hetler 

341.  Joseph  Brendlinger 

349.  Peter  Klinger 

350.  Jacob   Morgan 

356,  357.  Frederick  Volant 

381.  Martin  E.  Kraft 

384.  Adam    Reifell 

387.  Nicholas  Sauter 

392,  397.  Adam  Reifell 

402.  Court-house    and    Prison 

409.   Christopher    Spengler 

413.  Henry    Schneider 

433.  George  Kappus    (Mason) 

438.  George  Kappus 

490,  491.   Francis   Creek 

493.   Francis  Wenrich 

498.  Elizabeth  Godschalk 


For  the  year  1754 


Lot 


Patentee 


Lot 


Patentee 


88.  Christian  Bussy 

123.  Philip    Breitenbach 

173.  Nicholas   Keim 

265.  Christopher  Godschalk 

270.  Frederick    Fernsler 

285.  Maria  Barbara  BishofE 

290.  John   Hartman    (tailor) 

293.  Jacob    Rappolt    (tiler) 


305.  Jacob  Morgan 

308.  Francis   Morgan 

388.  Nicholas  Seitzinger  (inn- 
keeper) 

406,  407.  Lutheran  Church 

421,424.  Calvinist  Church  (Re- 
formed) 

509,  512.  Peter  Haws 


5T  ll~  «l 

SB 61 

!» Si 

BO  M  6' 


T      MftRKET    [Z3 


TT 

=  -"j3J  =  =  = 

t— 

1       saJij                » 

Sl 

SJnis                    is 

1        sSHH                  so 

IKO 

4BI 

94 

— S|^ 

BB 

iQ 

iDl 

Sn3 

1 


_23« 


TOWN  PLAN 


READING 


155 


Ground-Rent.— When   the  lots  were  laid  out  leases  of  ground-rent  were  executed  by  the  attor- 

provision  was  made  that  each  lot  should  be  subject  ney,  and  these  were  placed  on  record.     In  1833,  he 

to  a  ground-rent  of   seven  shillings,  payable  an-  notified  the  public  that  he  would   not   settle   any 

nually  on  the  first  day  of  May ;  but  notwithstanding  further  claims  for  ground-rent,  and  his  agency  hav- 


this    provision 
the  charge. 


numerous   lots   were   sold   withoui    j^g  been  discontinued,  the  matter  was  dropped. 

County-Seat. — By  a  petition  presented  to  the 
Assembly  at  Philadelphia  on  Feb.  4,  1753,  in  behalf 
of  the  erection  of  a  new  county  (Berks),  it  ap- 
pears that  Reading  then  contained  130  dwelling- 
houses,  besides  41  stables  and  other  out-houses; 
and  160  families,  which  consisted  of  378  persons. 
It  is  believed  that  there  were  three  small  churches 
in  the  town  at  that  time,  Lutheran,  Reformed,  and 
Friends ;  all  erected  in  1751. 

Town  District  Established. — In  1760,  the 
town  and  part  of  the  township  adjoining  (Alsace) 
were  erected  into  a  district,  called  the  "Township 
and  District  of  Reading."  The  boundary  Hnes  were 
fixed  by  the  court  in  1761.  They  inclosed  about 
950  acres. 

First  Store. — The  first  business  place  was  the 

store  of  Conrad  Weiser  on  Penn  Square  above  Fifth 

street.     He  purchased  the  lot  (No.  3)  in  1749,  and 

obtained  a  patent  in  1751.     Under  the  conditions 

of    sale,    he    doubtless    erected   a   two-story    stone 

building  on  it  in  1750  and  started  a  general  store. 

He  carried  on  business  intercourse  there  with  the 

CONRAD  WEISER  STORE  ^         Indians,  and  on  this  account  the  stand  was  given 

By  an  Act  of  Assembly,  passed  Nov.  37,  1779,    particular   prominence.      In    1769,    Nicholas    Keim 

the   estates    of   the    Proprietaries    in    Pennsylvania    ^^^^^^  ^-^^  owner.     The  Keims  occupied  it  as  a 

became  vested  in  the  State  and  were  placed  at  the    ^gj^g^al  hardware  store   for  seventy  vears.     Then 

disposal    of    the    Legislature     the    qmt-rents    were    ^^^    Stichters    began,    and    they   have    been    there 

abolished,  and  a  donation  of  £130,000   was  made    ^.^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^ 

Public  Buildings. — A  Court-House  was  erected 


and  a  donation  of  £130,000   was  made 
to  their  devisees  and  legatees. 


in  1763 ;  a  market-house  in  1766 ;  and  a  county  jail 
in  1770 ;  and  in  1773,  a  fire  company  was  organized, 
called  the  "Rainbow,"  which  has  maintained  a  suc- 
cessful existence  until  now. 

Oldest  Buildings. — Three  old  buildings,  which 
were   erected   in  this  period  of  Reading,   are   still 
standing:    two   stories   of   the   large   hotel   on   the 
northwest  corner  of  Fifth  and  Washington  streets, 
erected  by  Michael  Bright  for  a  tavern  in  1760; 
two-story  stone  building  on  the  northwest  corner 
i  of  Penn  Square,  below  Fifth  street,'  erected  in  1763 
by  Adam  Witman   for  a  tavern   ("Federal   Inn") 
and  occupied  by  the   Farmers'   Bank  since   1814; 
and  two-story  stone  building  on  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of   Fifth   and  Washington  streets,  erected  by 
county  commissioners  in  1770,  occupied  as  a  county 
jail  until  1848,  and  since  then  for  store  purposes. 
Educational    Affairs. — Three    churches    were 
estabUshed  during  this  period:  Friends,  Lutheran 
itTecamraTuVecrSragitlted'Ae  lot-holders    and    Reformed.      The    Protestant    Episcopal    and 
for  a  number  of  years.    In  that  year,  and  again  in    Roman   Catholic   denominations  had  no  churches, 
1818    the  local  attorney  of  the  Penns  required  the    but  held  religious  services  in  the  homes  of  certain 
delinnuents  to  pay  the  rents  due,  otherwise  he  would    members.     .Secular    education    was    carried   on   in 
cause  their  lots  to  be  sold.    In  1830,  numerous  re-    schools  which  were  connected  with  the  churches. 


FEDERAL   INN 

After  the  Revolution,  this  ground-rent  on  the  lots 
in  Reading  was  disregarded  until  about  1815,  when 


U56 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


and  also  in  several  private  schools.  The  pupils 
paid  their  teachers  several  cents  a  day.  The 
Friends'  school  at  Washing-ton  and  Wood  (Madi- 
son) streets  was  conducted  for  English  education, 
the  other  schools  were  mostly  for  German  education. 
There  were  no  newspapers  published  at  Reading 

rthen.    The  Pennsylvania  Gazette  and  Sauer's  Jour- 

.nal  had  a  limited  circulation. 

Nationality  of  Inhabitants. — The  first  inhab- 
itants of  Reading  were  mostly  Germa.ns.  There 
were   some   English,   and  men   of   this   nationality 

■served  in  county  offices  through  the  influence  and 

■direction  of  the  Penns  until  the  Revolution;  then 
men  of  the  German  nationality  came  to  fill  them 
and  they  have  almost  entirely  continued  to  do  so 
until  now.  This  change  was  brought  about  by  the 
determined  action  of  the  Germans  in  behalf  of  inde- 
pendence and  representative  government,  the. Eng- 
lish having  favored  the  British  government,  and 
discouraged  the  Revolution,  on  which  account  they 
were  called  "Tories." 

French  and  Indian  War. — The  French  and 
Indian  war  affected  Reading  more  or  less  from  1755 
to  1760.  The  inhabitants  were  excited  and  fre- 
quently alarmed  for  their  safety  during  1755,  1756 

.and  1757.    But  the  Indians  in  their  incursions  never 

■reached  Reading.  They  confined  their  stealthy,  at- 
tacks  and   barbarous  cruelties   to   the    settlements 

■  along  the  Blue  mountains. 

The  prominent  men  from  Reading  who  were  ac- 
tively engaged  in  defensive  operations  were  Conrad 
Weiser,  Edward  Biddle  and  George  Nagel.  In 
1756,  a  company  of  grenadiers  was  stationed  here 
for  a  time ;  also  a  company  commanded  by  Conrad 
Weiser,  consisting  of  two  sergeants  and  twenty- 
eight  privates.  A  number  of  interesting  letters 
were  sent  from  Reading  during  these  years,  de- 
scribing thq,  dangerous    situation   of   affairs.      No 

-person  from  Reading  was  killed. 

Revolution.— The  first  public  action  at  Read- 
ing in  behalf  of  the  Revolution  was  taken  with 
m-uch  spirit  on  July  2,  1774,  and  from  that  time 
until   the  declaration  of  peace,  in   1783,   the   resi- 

-  dents  displayed  remarkable  zeal  for  political  inde- 
pendence and  representative  government.  On  the 
day  named,  a  public  meeting  was  held  in  the  Court- 
House  and  appropriate   resolutions   were   adopted, 

-expressing  sympathy  with  Boston  and  urging  such 
measures  as  would  settle  with  precision  the  rights 
and  liberties  of  America.  Delegates  were  appointed 
to  attend  the  different  conferences  and  earnest  co- 
operation was  manifested  at  all  times  for  carrying 

■on  the  war  successfully. 

In  April,  1775,  the  people  of  the  town  raised  two 
companies  of  infantry,  and  one  of  them,  com- 
manded by  Cap.  George  Nagel,  several  months 
afterward  marched  to  Cambridge  and  participated 

'in  the  campaign  at  that  place.     Numerous  other 


companies  were  raised  in  response  to  repeated  calls 
for  troops.  And  great  quantities  of  supplies  were 
forwarded  to  the  government,  amounting  to  sev- 
eral hundred  thousand  dollars. 

Reading  was  a  prominent  inland  place  for  storing 
supplies  of  all  kinds  during  that  period,  having  been 
selected  by  the  Board  of  War  for  its  admirable  sit- 
uation; and  prisoners  of  war  were  sent  here  in 
large  numbers.  The  locality  where  they  were  quar- 
tered was  called  "Hessian  Camp,"  after  the  Hes- 
sians taken  at  Trenton  in  December,  1776.  It  was 
situated  to  the  east  of  the  town,  along  the  Hill  road. 
In  1777,  when  the  British  entered  Philadelphia, 
many  residents  of  that  city  fled  to  Reading  for 
safety. 

Reading  furnished  many  men  who  became  very 
active  in  the  service.  Edward  Biddle  was  one  of 
the  representatives  from  Pennsylvania  in  the  First 
Continental  Congress ;  Bodo  Otto  and  Jonathan 
Potts  were  prominent  surgeons ;  Mark  Bird,  Henry 
Haller,  Nicholas  Lotz,  Joseph  Hiester  and  Daniel 
Brodhead  were  colonels;  and  George  Nagel,  John 
Spohn,  Peter  Decker,  Henry  Christ,  John  Diehl, 
John  Rightmyer  and  Peter  Scull  were  captains. 
Edward  Scull  was  secretary  of  the  Board  of  War; 
James  Read  was  an  Executive  Councillor,  and  reg- 
ister of  the  court  of  Admiralty;  and  Edward  Burd 
was  prothonotary  of  the  Supreme  court. 

BOROUGH,  1783  to  1847 

Borough  Erected. — The  town  of  Reading  was 
incorporated  into  a  borough  on  Sept.  12,  1783.  It 
contained  over  four  hundred  taxables,  and  about 
twenty-one  hundred  inhabitants;  and  it  was  gen- 
erally recognized  then  as  the  largest  and  most  pro- 
gressive inland  town  in  the  United  States.  Nine- 
tenths  of  the  inhabitants  were  German.  The 
principal  officers  were  the  chief  burgess  and  asso- 
ciate, four  assistant  burgesses,  two  justices  of  the 
peace,  high  constable,  treasurer,  clerk,  two  super- 
visors and  two  assessors. 

Surrounding  Towns. — The  county  of  Berks 
contained  about  twenty-five  thousand  population, 
and  the  surrounding  towns  in  the  county  were 
Womelsdorf,  fourteen  miles  west;  Hamburg,  sev- 
enteen miles  north;  Kutztown,  seventeen  miles 
northeast;  Birdsboro,  nine  miles  southeast;  and 
Morgantown,  fifteen  miles  south. 

Post-Office.— A  post-office  was  established  in 
1793.  A  daily  mail  by  stage  was  started  in  1793, 
which  continued  until  1838,  when  the  railroad  was 
introduced,  and  increased  faciUties  for  transporta- 
tion were  afforded. 

Stage-Coach. — The  stage-coach  was  introduced 
at  Reading  in  1789,  and  ran  from  Reading  to  Phila- 
delphia. Afterward,  lines  were  extended  in  differ- 
ent directions,  and  they  were  carried  on  until  the 
railroads  were  constructed.  The  business  was  very 
brisk  from  1826  to  1838. 


READING 


157.' 


Bridges. — A  ferry  was  carried  on  at  the  "Ford" 
from  1783  to  1815,  when  a  covered  wooden  bridge 
was  constructed  by  the  county  commissioners.  An- 
other covered  wooden  bridge  was  constructed  by 
the  commissioners  at  Levan's  Ferry,  at  the  foot  of 
Bingaman  street,  in  1831.  The  first  bridge  across 
the  river  near  Reading  was  on  the  road  to  Sunbury 
through  Bern  township,  erected  in  1810. 

Turnpikes. — While  the  subject  of  bridges  was 
discussed  by  the  people,  another  received  their  at- 
tention. It  was  that  of  turnpikes.  These  were  ex- 
tended over  prominent  highways,  one  to  the  north 
in  1805  called  the  "Centre,"  the  second  to  the  south- 
east in  1810  called  the  "Perkiomen,"  and  the  third 
to  the  west  in  1817,  called  the  "Berks  and  Dauphin." 

Public  Buildings. — The  Court-House  continued 
in  Penn  Square  until  1840 ;  and  the  prison  at  Fifth 
and  Washington  streets  until  1848.  The  "State 
House"  for  the  county  officers  was  erected  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  Fifth  street  and  Penn  Square 
in  1791  and  was  used  for  this  public  purpose  until 
1840.  A  second  market-house  was  erected  in  West 
Penn  Square  in  1799.  Both  market-houses  were 
rebuilt  in  1846.  They  had  seventy  stalls  and  116 
stands. 

Canals. — Two  canals,  leading  from  Reading, 
were  constructed:  The  Schuylkill,  extending  along 
the  river  north  to  Pottsville  and  southeast  to  Phila- 
delphia, in  1823;  and  the  Union,  extending  west 
to  Lebanon  and  Middletown,  in  1828.  Large  quan- 
tities of  goods,  especially  coal  and  lumber,  were 
shipped  over  these  canals.  The  enterprise  was  suc- 
cessful through  this  period,  and  contributed  much 
toward  the  development  of  the  borough. 

Railroad. — The  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad 
was  projected  a.long  the  Schuylkill  through  Reading 
from  Philadelphia  to  Pottsville  in  1833.  It  was 
completed  to  Reading  in  1838,  and  to  Pottsville 
in  1842;  and  then  it  became  an  additional  factor 
with  the  turnpikes  and  canals  for  great  local  pro- 
gress. 

Banks. — ^A  "Branch"  of  the  Bank  of  Pennsyl- 
vania was  established  at  Reading  in  1808  (in  the 
building  occupied  by  the  Union  Bank) ,  and  carried 
on  successfully  until  its  suspension  in  1857.  The 
Farmers  Bank  was  organized  in  1814,  and  it  has 
been  maintained  successfully  ever  since,  now  over 
ninety  years,  and  in  the  same  building.  The  Eck- 
erts  were  prominently  identified  with  it  from  1838 
to  1908.  A  third  bank  was  organized  in  1836,  but 
it  continued  only  eight  years.  It  was  called  the 
"Berks  County  Bank." 

Panic  of  1837. — A  money  panic  arose  in  the 
borough  in  1837,  owing  to  a  suspension  of  prom- 
inent banks  in  the  large  cities,  but  the  local  busi- 
ness men  published  a  notice  in  which  they  expressed 
entire  confidence  in  the  Reading  banks  and  a  will- 
ingness to  accept  their  notes  in  payment  of  debts 
and  merchandise.  But  the  scarcity  of  money  com- 
pelled certain  merchants  to  resort  to  an  expedient 
for  a  circulating  medium  by  issuing  notes  for  small 


sums,  which  were  called  by  the  people  "Shinplas- 
ters,"  "Rag  Barons"  and  "Hickory  Leaves."  And 
the  borough  council,  to  relieve  the  community  in. 
this  behalf,  issued  loan  certificates  in  denomina- 
tions of  five,  ten,  twenty-five  and  fifty  cents,  and 
one,  two  and  three  dollars,  redeemable  Aug.  1,. 
1838.  The  whole  issue  amounted  to  $25,000.  They 
were  loaned  to  business  men  on  approved  security 
and  subsequently  redeemed. 

Newspapers. — A  number  of  newspapers  were: 
started  in  this  period.  The  first  was  in  1789.  In 
1796,  there  were  three  others,  the  Reading  Herald 
(English)  ;  the  Reading  Adler  (German),  pubHshed. 
until  now;  and  the  Weekly  Advertiser  (English),, 
published  until  1816,  when  the  Berks  and  Schuylkill 
Journal  (English)  took  its  place,  which  is  still  is- 
sued. The  Reading  Courier  (German)  was  issued, 
from  1816  to  1826 ;  the  Chronicle  of  the  Times- 
(English),  from  1826  to  1835;  Berks  County  Press 
(EngHsh),  from  1835  to  1865;  Liberal  Observer 
(German),  from  1839  to  1864;  Reading  Gazette 
and  Democrat  (English),  from  1840  to  1878,  when 
the  Reading  Weekly  Eagle  was  substituted  in  its 
place,  and  this  has  been  pubHshed  until  now;  Old 
Berks  (German),  from  1840  to  1848,  when  it  was 
transferred  to  Pottsville  and  the  name  changed  to 
Pottsville  Adler.  Several  others  were  started  but 
they  had  a  short  existence.  The  spirit  for  writing 
and  publishing  during  this  period  was  very  strong. 
The  editors  exhibited  much  courage  in  ventilating 
their  opinions  on  jKilitical  and  social  topics. 

Churches  and  Schools. — Besides  the  three  de- 
nominations mentioned  in  the  first  period,  the 
Roman  Catholics  and  Protestant  Episcopalians 
came  to  erect  churches  in  the  second  period,  and 
also  the  Presbyterians,  Baptists,  Methodists,  Uni- 
versalists  and  English  Lutherans.  Schools  were 
carried  on  successfully,  as  before  until  W.835,  when 
the  public  system  was  introduced ;  and  in  1838  'the 
first  public  school  buildings  were  erected. 

Industrial  Affairs. — During  this  period,  indus- 
trial affairs  became  the  prominent  feature  of  Read- 
ing. The  small  shops  were  developed  into  large 
factories  and  mills,  and  the  capital  invested  in  such 
establishments  increased  from  several  hundred  dol- 
lars to  many  thousands.  The  energy  of  certain  in- 
fluential men  was  directed  chiefly  toward  the  manu- 
facture of  iron,  and  this  stimulated  various  other 
enterprises,  particularly  in  the  line  of  building  oper- 
ations. The  discovery  of  coal  and  the  application 
of  steam  to  motive  power  for  operating  machinery 
were  the  direct  causes  of  this  marked  improvement, 
and  the  canal  and  railroad  were  natural  results 
from  their  introduction  and  increasing  use.  The 
large  increase  in  population  must  be  attributed  to 
them,  the  growth  from  1830  to  1840  having  been 
over  43  per  cent,  and  from  1840  to  1850  over  87 
per  cent.  The  country  districts  of  Berks  county 
increased  only  21  per  cent,  during  the  former  de- 
cade, and  only  19  per  cent,  during  the  latter. 


158 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Water  CoMPANY.-In  1821,   a  water  company  of  legerdemain  performances  by  himse  f ,  tricks  by 

was  organized  to  supply  the  people  of  the  borough  a  learned  dog,  and  a  display  of  fire-works.    Tickets 

with  water.     A   reservoir  was   constructed   at  the  for  adults,  50  cents ;  for  children,  25  cents, 

head  of  Penn  street,  and  the  water  from  "Hamp-  In  >ne    1808,  an  elephant  eight  years  old  and 

den    Spring"    was    conveyed   into   it  by   means   of  ^^^^f ^^^^  ^'^^  ^^^J^?^^:}'^*^'^,^^^  *7"f  "r^^f.L^ 

wooden  pipes,  and  thence  distributed  through  the  Daniel  Feger;  advertised  as  the  only  elephant  then 


place.  In  1833,  the  investment  was  estimated  at 
$25,000,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  families  were 
supplied.  The  spring  had  a  daily  flow  of  one  hundred 
thousand  gallons,  and  the  reservoir  had  a  capacity 
of  one  thousand  hogsheads.  Pumps  continued  to 
be  used  in  all  parts  of  the  borough. 

Lighting. — The  light  was  obtained  from  tallow 
candles ;  also  from  oil  and  camphene  used  in  lamps. 
The  streets  were  not  lighted.  Public  buildings  were 
seldom  occupied  in  the  night  for  meetings  or  en- 
tertainments;  and  there  were  no  halls. 

Fire  Companies. — Three  fire  companies  were 
organized  in  addition  to  the  Rainbow :  Junior,  in 
1813;  Reading,  in  1819;  and  Neversink,  in  1829. 
Street  Names. — Upon  the  laying  out  of  the 
town,  the  streets  were  named  as  follows:  East  and 
West — ^Penn,  extending  through  the  center  of  the 
town;  north  of  Penn,  Thomas  and  Margaret;  and 
south  of  Penn,  Richard  and  Hamilton.  North  and 
South- — King,  Queen,  Callowhill,  Prince,  Duke, 
Earl,  Clement,  Lord  and  Vigour. 

These  names  were  changed  by  the  borough  coun- 
cil in  1833,  and  those  substituted  were  as  follows, 
Penn  having-  been  retained :    North  of  Penn — Lib- 


in  the  country.    Admission,  25  cents. 

In  November,  1813,  Purdy,  Carley  &  Bailey  ex- 
hibited a  menagerie  of  thirty  living  wild  animals,  in- 
cluding a  lion  and  lioness,  Arabian  camels  (male  and 
female),  llamas  (male  and  female),  hyena,  kanga- 
roo, tiger,  leopard  and  panther. 

On  Aug.  1,  1815,  a  whale  was  exhibited  at  the 
public  house  of  William  Jones ;  weight  five  thousand 
pounds.  Admission,  12^  cents ;  children,  half  price. 
This  whale  was  caught  in  the  Delaware  river  at 
Trenton,   on  Nov.   11,   1814. 

In  December,  1838,  William  Paulin,  accompanied 
by  a  lady,  ascended  from  Reading  in  a  balloon 
named  "Comet" ;  and  in  the  following  year  he  made 
two  successful  ascensions. 

Circuses  gave  numerous  exhibitions  and  they 
were  well  patronized;  and  traveling  dramatic 
troupes  visited  Reading,  remaining  a  week  at  a 
time. 

Distinguished  Visitors. — John  Penn  arrived  at 
Reading  on  April  7,  1788,  while  on  his  way  from 
Philadelphia  to  Harrisburg.  He  remained  two  days 
and  expressed  himself  as  much  pleased  with  the 
town.  He  stayed  at  Witman's  tavern  (southeast 
corner  Fifth  and  Franklin  streets),  and  he  regarded 


erty,  Washington  and  Walnut;  South  of  Penn —  the  accommodations  as  worthy  of  a  respectable 
Cherry,  Franklin  and  Qiestnut;  Across  Penn —  country  town.  He  dined  heartily  on  catfish,  which 
Third,  Fourth,  Fifth,  Sixth,  Seventh,  Eighth,  vvere  plentiful  in  the  river.  The  next  day,  he  dined 
Ninth,  Tenth  and  Eleventh;  and  what  had  been  ^ith  James  Biddle,  Esq.,  and  a  number  of  citizens 
called  for  a  time  Bridge  and  Treat,  were  changed  called  to  pay  their  respects.  He  came  here  to  look 
to  Front  and  Second.  after  his  property.     On  April  9th,  he  visited  Gen. 

In  1845,  council  named  the  following  alleys  ex-  Thomas  Mifflin,  on  the  latter's  farm  (now  Alms- 
tending  north  from  Liberty:  Pear,  Thorn,  Rose,  House)  and  took  breakfast  and  dinner  with  the 
A?h,  Church,  Reed,  Poplar,  Cedar,  Moss,  and  Black ;  family.  After  dinner,  he  proceeded  on  his  way. 
and  south  from  Cherry:  Oak,  Apple,  Carpenter,  President  Washington  visited  Reading  on  Oct. 
Wood,  Pear,  Plum,  Lemon,  Peach,  Orange,  and  i^  1794^  while  on  his  way  from  Philadelphia  to 
Maple.  Laurel  and  Willow  streets  were  also  named  Carlisle  during  the  Whiskey  Insurrection.  His 
then.  Bingaman  street  took  its  name  and  diagonal  presence  caused  much  social  excitement.  During 
direction  from  the  northerly  line  of  the  patent  to  his  sojourn,  he  stayed  at  the  "Federal  Inn,"  where 
Peter  Bingaman ;  that  part  beyond  Tenth  street  hav-  many  people  called  to  pay  their  respects.  A  mill- 
ing been  vacated  by  an  Act  of  Assembly,  passed  tary  parade  was  given  under  the  command  of  Col. 
May  8,  1850.  Nicholas  Lotz    (who  had  taken  an  active  part  in 

In  1832,  the  streets  were  graded  according  to  the  Revolution)  to  signalize  the  occasion,  and  the 
regulation  by  Enoch  Lewis,  under  the  direction  of  distinguished  visitor  reviewed  the  troops.  The 
council.  "Reading  Volunteers"   (a  company  of  militia)    es- 

Eaely  Exhibitions. — Exhibitions  were  given  at  corted  him  on  the  way,  and  at  Carhsle  they  were 
Reading  at  an  early  day.  retained   as   his   body-guard.     When   Washington 

In  October,  1791,  a  camel  was  exhibited  at  Jacob  died,  in  1799,  all  the  people  mourned  his  loss.  The 
Grant's  tavern.  newspapers  were  printed  with  heavy  black  borders ; 

In  January,  1792,  McGrath's  Company  of  comedi-  and  the  people  of  the  borough,  to  demonstrate  in 
ans  from  Maryland  and  Virginia  rendered  the  a  public  manner  their  great  sorrow  for  his  death 
"Tragedy  of  Douglass,"  "Farce  of  Barnaby  Brittle,"  and  great  reverence  for  his  name,  held  funeral 
and  other  plays.  services   in  Trinity   Lutheran   Church   on   Sunday, 

In  January,  1799,  a  man  named  Salanca  gave  a  Jan.  5,  1800.  A  procession  was  solemnly  formed 
"curious  exhibition"  in  Barr's  ballroom,  consisting  on  Penn  Square,  and  a  great  concourse  of  people. 


READING 


159 


under   the    head   of   the   miHtia   of   the   borough, 
marched  to  the  church. 

President  Van  Buren  visited  Reading  on  June 
25,  1839,  while  on  his  way  from  Harrisburg  to 
Easton.  A  special  committee  met  him  at  Womels- 
dorf ;  and  many  citizens  from  different  parts  of  the 
county  formed  a  procession  on  the  turnpike  some 
distance  west  of  the  Harrisburg  bridge,  and  joined 
the  committee  in  escorting  the  distinguished  visitor 
to  Reading.  He  was  pleased  to  receive  such  an 
expressive  welcome  from  the  thriving  town  on  the 
Schuylkill,  which  three  years  before  had  given 
him  a  strong  political  support,  nearly  four  to  one 
against  Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison.  The  procession 
paraded  through  the  principal  streets.  The  presi- 
dent rode  on  a  fine  cream-colored  horse,  and  his 
graceful  horsemanship  attracted  general  attention. 
He  sojourned  at  Herr's  hotel.  During  the  evening, 
a  reception  was  held  at  the  residence  of  Samuel 
Bell,  Esq.,  where  many  citizens  assembled  to  show 
him  honor.  He  left  for  Easton,  via  Kutztown, 
on  the  following  morning,  a  number  of  prominent 
citizens  having  accompanied  him  as  far  as  Kutz- 
town. In  the  previous  year,  he  had  paid  a  high 
compliment  to  the  borough  by  selecting  Hon.  Hen- 
ry A.  Muhlenberg  to  be  the  first  minister  plenipo- 
tentiary to  Austria. 

Gen.  Winfield  Scott  visited  Reading  on  Saturday, 
May  31,  1843,  during  a  great  "Military  Encamp- 
ment" comprising  fourteen  companies  of  militia 
from  Berks,  Lehigh  and  Schuylkill  counties,  of 
which  four  were  from  Reading,  numbering  157 
men.  He  was  accompanied  by  his  aids.  They  were 
met  at  the  railroad  station  (Seventh  and  Chest- 
nut streets)  by  a  detachment  of  militia,  and  escort- 
ed to  Herr's  hotel,  where  they  were  cordially  wel- 
comed and  properly  entertained.  Many  citizens 
followed  the  parade.  On  Monday  (33d),  he  re- 
viewed the  troops,  and  left  on  the  next  day  for 
Danville,  to  review  a  similar  encampment.  Dur- 
ing the  day,  medals  were  awarded  for  skillful 
shooting.  He  was  much  pleased  with  the  disci- 
pline and  appearance  of  the  encampment ;  and  he 
paid  a  special  compliment  to  the  Reading  Artil- 
lerists. The  encampment  was  held  on  Penn  Com- 
mon and  was  the  first  at  Reading. 

Liberty-Poles  of  1799. — During  the  administra- 
tion of  President  Adams,  Congress  caused  a  direct 
tax  to  be  levied  upon  houses,  which  was  objection- 
able to  many  persons.  In  eastern  Pennsylvania, 
an  insurrection  arose  in  1799,  and  liberty-poles 
were  erected  to  declare  the  feeling  of  opposition. 
A  number  of  them  were  erected  at  and  near  Read- 
ing. While  a  company  of  soldiers  were  on  their 
way  through  Reading  to  Bucks  county,  several  of 
these  poles  were  cut  down,  and  the  conduct  of  the 
soldiers  was  severely  criticised  by  an  editorial  in 
the  Adler.  When  the  company  reached  Reading 
on  its  way  back  to  Lancaster,  the  Captain,  hearing 
of  this  criticism,  demanded  the  name  of  the  author. 


It  was  refused,  and  the  proprietor  of  the  news- 
paper was  taken  to  Penn  Square  and  publicly 
flogged. 

English  War  of  1813-15. — After  the  Revolu- 
tion, the  British  government  conducted  itself  in  an 
ofifensive  manner  persistently  until  the  complaints 
became  too  loud  and  the  injuries  too  grievous  to 
be  endured  any  longer,  when  President  Madison 
made  them  subjects  for  his  message  to  Congress  on 
June  1,  1813,  and  a  declaration  of  war  was  issued. 
Berks  county  supplied  twelve  organized  companies 
in  response  to  the  call  for  troops.  The  companies 
of  Capt.  Thomas  Moore  and  Capt.  Daniel  deB. 
Keim  were  composed  entirely  of  men  from  Read- 
ing; and  the  greater  part  of  the  men  in  the  com- 
panies of  Capt.  Jacob  Marshall  and  Capt.  George 
Marx  were  also  from  Reading.  The  companies 
left  in  August,  1814,  and  performed  military  duty 
at  York,  Pa.,  but  they  did  not  participate  in  any  en- 
gagements with  the  enemy.  Some  of  the  men  re- 
mained four  months,  others  six  months.  Peace  was 
concluded  Dec.  34,  1814.  When  the  event  was 
made  known  at  Reading,  the  citizens  signalized  it 
by  shooting  off  cannon  during  the  day  and  by  a 
grand  illumination  at  night.  During  the  war,  when 
the  British  approached  Philadelphia,  a  number  of 
English  families  who  lived  there  were  compelled 
to  move  away  at  least  fifty  miles,  and  on  that  ac- 
count they  came  to  Reading.  This  was  in  August, 
1814. 

Mexican  War. — ^War  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico  was  declared  in  May,  1846.  The  chief 
burgess  of  Reading  presided  at  a  public  meeting, 
held  on  May  80th,  at  which  the  government  was  sus- 
tained. Three  companies  of  men  from  Reading 
tendered  their  services,  and  one  of  them  was  accept- 
ed, the  Reading  Artillerists,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Thomas  S.  Leoser.  This  company  left  on  Dec. 
26th  for  Mexico,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Vera  Cruz,  Cerro  Gordo,  Chapultepec  and  Belen 
Gate.  They  returned  July  39,  1848,  and  were  given 
a  brilliant  reception. 

CITY,  1847  TO  1909 

Reading  in  1847. — Reading  was  incorporated  in- 
to a  city  on  March  16,  1847.  At  that  time  it  was  in 
a  flourishing  state.  Shops,  factories  and  stores  were 
numerous.  The  population  numbered  about  twelve 
thousand.  The  tendency  of  local  development  was 
to  the  south  of  Penn  street  and  to  the  west  of  Ninth. 
At  that  time  there  Were  thirteen  churches,  seven  to 
the  north  of  Penn,  and  six  to  the  south. 

The  railroad  deserves  especial  mention.  A  de- 
cade had  not  fully  elapsed  since  its  introduction, 
yet  it  demonstrated  to  a  remarkable  degree  its  pow- 
er in  accelerating  the  growth  of  everything.  Anoth- 
er railroad  had  been  projected  in  1836  to  extend 
westward  to  Harrisburg,  but  it  was  not  as  yet  be- 
gun. The  canals  and  stages  occupied  a  prominent 
position.  The  former  consisted  of  two  lines,  the 
Schuylkill  and  the  Union;  and  the  latter  of  three 
lines,  to  Easton,  Harrisburg,  and  Lancaster. 


160 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


A  prominent  social  movement  was  then  percep- 
tible. This  was  the  secret  society,  and  thoug^h  first 
started  in  1794,  it  had  not  begun  to  rnake  a  marked 
impression  till  toward  the  close  of  the  second  per- 
iod of  Reading.  The  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  was  particularly  active.  As  a  beneficial 
organization,  it  extended  its  branches  in  various  di- 
rections with  remarkable  earnestness  and  success. 

The  fire  company  was  active.  Four  volunteer 
companies  were  conducted  successfully.  Rainbow, 
Junior,  Reading  and  Neversink,  partly  through  pe- 
cuniary assistance  from  the  municipal  government, 
but  mainly  from  the  spontaneous  efforts  of  their 
members. 

The  system  of  common  school  education  was  ac- 
tively conducted,  there  being  17  schools,  31  teach- 
ers, and  3,064  scholars.  Five  newspapers  were  pub- 
lished successfully.  Advertising  was  a  prominent 
feature  in  all  of  them.  The  political  sentiment  of 
the  inhabitants  was  favorable  to  the  Whigs  in  local 
affairs,  but  to  the  Democrats  in  State  and  nation- 
al. 

The  public  markets  were  largely  attended.  The 
market-men  came  regularly  twice  a  week,  Wednes- 
days and  Saturdays.  Councils  had  proposed  no  im- 
provement beyond  the  advantages  first  afforded  in 
1766;  and  rents  were  still  collected. 

The  semi-annual  fairs  were  kept  up.  Dancing, 
drinking  and  fighting  were  conspicuous  features. 
The  militia  spirit  maintained  its  activity ;  and  exer- 
cise was  carried  on  annually  in  May,  on  what  was 
known  as  "Battalion-Day." 

Most  of  the  people  were  domestic  in  their  daily 
Hfe.  Gardening  was  carried  on  either  in  lots,  upon 
which  the  dwellings  stood,  or  in  out-lots.  Fruit 
trees  were  numerous,  and  plums,  peaches,  pears, 
cherries,  quinces  and  apples  were  plentiful.  "Pre- 
serving" fruit  was  common,  not  "canning"  as  now. 
And  nearly  every  family  boiled  apple-butter  in  an 
open  fire  place  in  the  fall  of  the  year.  Home-made 
sausage,  pudding,  scrapple,  hams,  mince,  and  sauer- 
kraut were  in  every  household.  About  Christmas 
time  the  cellars  of  housekeepers  were  well  stocked. 

The  fuel  for  domestic  purposes  such  as  cook- 
ing and  heating  was  almost  wholly  wood,  and,  this 
was  consumed  in  a  "ten-plate"  stove ;  and  sawing 
of  cord-wood  by  hand  was  a  common  occupation. 
Coal  had  been  known  to  the  community  for  nearly 
forty  years,  but  it  was  not  used  for  domestic  pur- 
poses, its  consumption  having  been  principally  in 
public  places,  shops  and  factories. 

The  light  was  produced  from  fluid,  oil  and  tallow, 
even  common  fat,  the  first  two  having  been  used 
in  stores,  and  the  last  two  in  dwellings,  especially 
of  the  poorer  classes  of  inhabitants.  The  streets 
were  not  lighted  up  in  the  evening.  Lanterns  were 
carried  to  shed  light  upon  the  roadway.  There  were 
no  street-crossings.  The  customs  of  the  residents 
had  not  yet  come  to  convert  night  into  day  for 
amusements  of  various  kinds.  Dramatic  entertain- 
ments were  just  starting  out,  and  the  demands  for 
an  improved  light  were  gradually  growing  greater. 


The  town  was  not  large.  The  principal  portion 
lay  between  Walnut  street  on  the  north  and  Chest- 
nut on  the  south ;  Ninth  street  on  the  east  and  Third 
on  the  west.  Business  of  all  kinds  wlas  done  almost 
entirely  during  the  daytime,  and  merchants  derived 
their  chief  support  from  the  farmers.  Two  consta- 
bles were  watchmen  of  the  night,  and  for  several 
hours  before  and  after  midnight  they  called  out  the 
hour  and  the  condition  of  the  weather  in  a  monoton- 
ous, low  tone  of  voice. 

The  pump  was  used  throughout  the  place,  not- 
withstanding the  general  supply  of  superior  water 
afforded  by  the  Reading  Water  Company.  It  was 
convenient  in  every  block,  if  not  on  or  near  every 
street  corner.  At  least  one  hundred  pumps  were 
in  daily  use.  Penn  street  was  especially  well  sup- 
plied. Ice  had  come  to  be  furnished  in  small  quanti- 
ties for  about  ten  years,  but  not  for  drinking  pur- 
poses. 

The  events  which  have  transpired  since  the  incor- 
poration of  Reading  as  a  city,  have  been  so  numer- 
ous that  a  narration  of  them  must  be  necessarily 
brief.  They  will  be  mentioned  by  decades  in  the 
order  of  their  occurrence  as  near  as  possible,  re- 
ferring the  reader  to  other  parts  of  this  chapter 
for  a  more  extended  description  of  them. 

184/-3/.— During  the  decade  from  1847  to  1857; 
business  affairs  grew  more  active,  and  continued  to 
do  so  till  toward  the  close,  when  a  panic  ensued. 
Gas  was  introduced  for  lighting-  purposes  in  1848. 
The  first  large  hall  was  erected  by  the  Odd  Fellows 
in  1847,  which  provided  a  meeting  place  for  the 
society  and  accommodations  for  the  public  in  respect 
to  entertainments.  The  Charles  Evans  cemetery  was 
founded  in  1848 ;  the  Trinity  Lutheran  and  Roman 
Catholic  cemeteries  on  the  northern  slope  of  Mt. 
Neversink  were  laid  out  in  1849 ;  and  the  Aulenbach 
cemetery  in  1851.  Interments  were  then  made  in 
these  cemeteries;  and  the  remains  of  many  buried 
persons,  in  graveyards  in  the  central  parts  of  the 
city,  were  transferred  to  them.  Numerous  buildings 
were  erected,  both  dwellings  and  industrial  estab- 
lishm,ents,  the  latter  including  prominent  enterprises 
which  have  been  continued  until  now. 

Two  railroads  were  constructed  in  1857,  the 
East  Penn  to  the  northeast,  and  the  Lebanon  Valley 
to  the  west.  The  militia  system  was  active  and 
battalion  days  were  devoted  to  military  exercise. 
The  fair  days  at  the  market-houses  passed  away 
without  regret  from  any  one,  and  in  1852,  an  agri- 
cultural society  began  holding  a  county  fair  for  an 
improved  annual  exhibition  of  goods,  live  stock,  etc. 
An  exciting  topic  at  this  time  was  the  discovery  of 
gold  in  California,  and  several  parties  went  there 
from  Reading,  but  their  discouraging  letters  dis- 
pelled the  charm,  and  the  excitement  subsided.  Var- 
ious poHtical  questions  agitated  the  people,  and  one 
of  them,  that  of  slavery,  caused  the  Presidential 
campaign  of  1856  to  be  particularly  enthusiastic. 

A  public  high  school  was  established  in  1852,  and 
the  taxpayers  realized  the  promises  of  its  projectors 
in  affording  advanced  education  to  such  as  attended 


READING 


161 


the  common  schools.  The  greatest  freshet  in  the 
Schuylkill  Valley  occurred  in  1850,  and  the  people  of 
Reading  suffered  damages  estimated  at  more  than 
$500,000.  On  Jan.  8,  1854,  the  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  Railroad  Company  machine  shops  on  Sev- 
enth betwieen  Franklin  and  Chestnut  streets  were 
destroyed  by  fire,  causing  a  loss  of  $50,000,  which 
was  the  most  destructive  fire  at  Reading  until  that 
time:  and  on  April  20,  1857,  the  roof  of  the  same 
shop  broke  down  for  a  space  of  40  by  180  feet  by 
reason  of  a  great  fall  of  snow  on  the  day  before 
(Sunday),  followed  by  rain,  this  happening  while 
three  hundred  workmen  were  underneath,  all  of 
whom  escaped  unhurt. 

1857-67. — In  the  decade  from  1857  to  1867,  the 
Civil  wtar  was  the  most  engrossing  subject  which  en- 
gaged the  attention  of  the  people.  Many  companies 
of  men  were  enlisted  here,  and  the  excitement  on 
many  occasions  was  intense.  The  people  of  the  city 
supported  the  government  devotedly  and  liberally  in 
its  great  efforts  to  suppress  the  Rebellion.  •  In  1863, 
houses  were  numbered  by  councils  by  an  admirable 
system  through  the  efforts  of  Jacob  Knabb,  post- 
master, to  facilitate  and  dispatch  the  delivery  of  let- 
ters. The  streets  were  regulated  by  a  topographical 
survey  from  1864  to  1867,  and  the  fixing  of  lines  and 
grades  encouraged  building  operations,  especially  in 
the  northern  section  of  the  city.  The  waterworks 
were  purchased  by  Councils  in  1865.  Efforts  were 
made  to  improve  the  city  charter  by  amendments  in 
1861  and  1864. 

The  Firemen's  Union  was  organized  in  1861. 
The  co-education  of  boys  and  girls  in  the  high  school 
was  started  in  1859,  and  all  the  wards  were  consoli- 
dated into  one  district  for  school  purposes  in  1864. 
The  people  were  active  and  energetic  in  every  de- 
partment of  life,  and  the  wealth  of  the  community 
was  increased  millions  of  dollars.  Weekly  news- 
papers became  more  thoroughly  circtilated,  and  the 
daily  newspaper  was  successfully  established  in 
1858.  Postal  facilities  were  increased  to  the  great 
convenience  of  the  people ;  and  another  railroad  was 
extended  to  the  southwest  in  1864,  affording  direct 
communication  with  Lancaster  and  Columbia.  Poli- 
tical excitement  reached  the  highest  point  which  the 
community  was  able  to  bear  without  resulting  in 
a  public  disturbance. 

1867-77. — In  the  third  decade  from  1867  to  1877, 
general  enterprise  was  very  active  in  the  beginning 
and  continued  so  for  several  years,  but  then  it  began 
to  decline  and  finally  showtd  marked  effects  from 
the  financial  panic  which  prevailed  throughout  the 
country.  Great  fires  at  Chicago  in  1871,  and  at 
Boston  in  1873,  destroyed  much  property,  resulting 
in  losses  amounting  to  more  than  $200,000,000,  and 
a  large  proportion  had  to  be  paid  by  fire  insurance 
companies,  located  in  different  parts  of  the  country, 
which  caused  great  embarrassment.  It  seemed  that 
.some  evil  genius  hovered  over  this  community  also, 
because  there  were  many  acts  of  incendiarism  in 
the  most  populous  parts  of  the  city  about  that  time, 
11 


but  the  volunteer  fire  companies  by  their  vigilance 
prevented  serious  losses. 

In  1872,  two  steam  fire  engines  were  added  to  the 
fire  departm,ent,  and  in  1873  the  electric  fire  alarm 
system  was  introduced,  which  immediately  demon- 
strated its  great  value.  The  old  market-houses 
were  removed  in  1871,  and  private  buildings  for 
market  purposes  were  substituted.  The  limits  of 
the  city  were  extended  northward  in  1871,  increas- 
ing the  area  to  more  than  3,200  acres.  A  large 
modern  hall  for  amusements  was  erected  in  1872 
on  the  north  side  of  East  Penn  Square,  which  af- 
forded increased  opportunities  for  witnessing 
dramatic  and  operatic  performances.  The  postal 
card  was  introduced  in  1873,  and  the  business  of 
the  post-office  was  largely  increased.  The  P._  & 
R.  R.  Co.  erected  a  large  and  commodious  "Union 
Station"  at  the  junction  of  its  several  lines  of  rail- 
road, wliich  wias  opened  for  travel  on  Aug.  3,  1874. 

The  general  Act  of  1874,  for  the  government  of 
cities  of  the  third  class — which  included  Reading — 
was  accepted ;  the  water  of  Antietam  creek  was  ap- 
propriated by  the  city  and  a  storage  reservoir  was 
constructed  in  Alsace  township  with  a  capacity  for 
30,000,000  gallons.  Railroad  communication  was 
extended  by  completing  the  road  to  Wilmington  to 
the  south,  and  to  Slatington  to  the  north;  and  a 
street  railway  was  introduced  along  Penn  and  Sixth 
streets.  The  "Centennial  Exhibition"  at  Philadel- 
phia wlas  a  prominent  subject  for  several  years,  es- 
pecially from  May  10th  to  Nov.  10th,  1876 ;  and  the 
display  of  productions  by  Reading  manufacturers 
and  of  educational  work  by  the  Reading  school 
district  was  highly  complimented.  The  management 
of  the  schools  by  the  first  city  superintendent,  elected 
in  1867,  proved  very  successful,  and  during  the 
decade  ten  large  brick  buildings  were  erected. 

In  October,  1869,  there  was  an  unusual  freshet, 
the  river  rising  twenty-three  feet  and  inflicting 
damages  to  the  shops  along  the  river  amounting  to 
$50,000.  On  Sunday,  June  26,  1870,  the  P.  &  R. 
R.  Co.  car  shops  at  Sixth  and  Oley  streets  (168 
by  710  feet)  were  destroyed  by  fire,  causing  a  loss 
of  more  than  $100,000 ;  and  on  Jan.  16,  1872,  there 
was  another  large  and  costly  fire  at  Fifth  and  Penn 
streets,  which  destroyed  Stichter's  hardware  store, 
Ebner's  building,  old  "State-House,"  and  other 
buildings  on  Fifth  street,  resulting  in  a  loss  exceed- 
ing $100,000.  The  building  and  savings  associa- 
tions were  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

The  political  sentiment  of  the  people  manifested 
a  great  change,  and  the  process  of  changing  from 
the  Democratic  party  to  the  Republican  by  1876 
had  developed  a  high  degree  of  excitement,  the  elec- 
tion returns  of  that  year  causing  the  loudest  demon- 
strations ever  witnessed  at  Reading.  Enterprise 
reached  out  in  different  branches  of  industry,  giv- 
ing employhient  to  a  largely  increased  number^f 
mechanics  and  laborers.  Merchants  showed  a  high 
appreciation  of  the  value  of  advertising  in  local 
newspapers,  and  as  they  attracted  the  residents  to 
their  stores,  the  Philadelphia  merchants  did  the  same 


162 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


to  theirs  by  advertising  their  goods  in  the  Reading 
newspapers. 

1877-87.— The.  fourth  decade  from  1877  to  1887 
went  far  in  advance  of  the  previous  decades  in  putn 
lic  affairs,  private  enterprises  and  social  amuse- 
ments. It  started  with  a  serious  disturbance  on  ac- 
count of  the  labor  question,  which  culminated  in  a 
riot  on  July  23,  1877,  causing  the  death  of  ten  per- 
sons, and  the  wounding-  of  thirty-nine,  and  the  loss 
of  the  large  bridge  across  the  Schuylkill  on  the 
Lebanon  Valley  railroad.  The  riot  took  place  along 
Seventh  street  at  and  above  Penn.  The  strike  was 
general,  extending  through  Pennsylvania  and  other 
States.  In  the  previous  decade,  allusion  was  made 
to  the  panic,  but  it  did  not  seriously  affect  Reading. 
However,  conditions  generally  grew  worse  and  on 
Nov.  18,  1877,  the  Reading  Savings  Bank,  Bush- 
ong's  Bank,  and  Dime  Savings  Bank  suspended, 
which  caused  the  greatest  financial'  excitement  that 
Reading  ever  felt. 

An  earnest  beginning  for  a  city  park  was  made 
in  1878,  by  cleaning  up  and  improving  the  trian- 
gular part  of  the  Common  which  adjoined  Perki- 
omen  avenue  and  Hill  road,  this  having  been  done 
by  taxpayers  in  the  vicinity,  who  raised  over  $6,000 
by  voluntary  contributions;  and  in  1884,  councils 
instituted  legal  steps  to  recover  that  part  of  the 
Common  which  had  been  occupied  by  the  Berks 
County  Agricultural  Society  since  1852,  and  they 
were  successful.  The  co-education  of  boys  and 
girls  was  found  unsatisfactory,  and  in  1881,  after  a 
trial  of  twenty -two  years,  they  were  separated,  the 
girls  remaining  in  the  high  school  building.  In 
1883  the  commodious  Boys'  High  School  was  erect- 
ed, and  then  the  school  controllers  transferred  their 
meeting  place  and  offices  to  it.  In  that  year,  the 
county  bridges  at  Reading  were  declared  free,  and 
electric  power  began  to  be  supplied  for  shops  and 
factories. 

The  waterworks  were  much  enlarged  in  1880 
and  1884,  increasing  the  storage  over  fifty  million 
gallons.  The  building  and  savings  associations  were 
in  a  flourishing  condition,  twenty-five  having  been 
kept  up  whose  payments  and  investments  ran  into 
millions  of  dollars.  Societies  of  all  kinds  were 
very  active,  particularly  secret,  beneficial  and  social, 
numbering  altogether,  150,  and  their  membership  in- 
cluding almost  every  man  of  age  in  the  commun- 
ity. Factories  of  all  kinds  were  carried  on  exten- 
sively, especially  for  hats,  stoves,  cigars  and  build- 
ing materials.  And  one  of  the  most  important 
events  in  the  decade  was  the  construction  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Schuylkill  Valley  railroad  in  1884,  and 
the  direct  connection  with  the  Pennsylvania  rail- 
road system  thereby  afforded.  And  at  the  close 
of  the  decade,  three  additional  banks  and  two 
trust  companies  were  started;  the  street  rail- 
wiay  companies  were  consolidated  in  the  United 
Traction  Company  with  over  fifty  miles  of  track, 
carrying  annually  over  five  million  passengers, 
and  the  Reading  Hospital  and  St.  Joseph's  Hospital 


were  erected.'    The  major  part  of  the  population 
shifted  north  of  Penn  street. 

1887-97.— Tht  fifth  decade  from  1887, to  1897 
was  more  active  than  the  previous  decades  in  every 
department  of  life.  Progress  was  remarkable,  ex- 
ceeding everything  in  the  previous  history  of  the 
place.  The  supply  of  water  was  largely  increased 
by  the  introduction  of  the  water  from  the  Maiden 
creek;  Penn  Common  was  improved  year  after 
year  until  it  came  to  be  the  most  attractive  spot 
within  the  limits  of  the  city;  the  gohool  buildings 
were  increased  in  number  and  improved  in  charac- 
ter, and  so  were  the  churches  (twenty  new  build- 
ings having  been  erected),  the  moneys  appropriated 
and  collected  for  these  two  purposes  surpassing  all 
previous  efforts ;  the  United  States  government  sup- 
plied a  superior  building  for  post-office  purposes; 
the  subject  of  streets  and  sewers  was  agitated  for 
a  long  while  with  apparently  little  progress  in  be- 
half of  these  public  improvements,  but  it  prevailed 
eventually,  and  the  years  1896  and  1897  became 
notable,  .a  miUion  dollars  having  been  expended  in 
their  construction;  public  demonstrations,  parades, 
excursions,  and  conventions  were  unusual  in  num- 
ber and  character,  which  developed  the  reputation 
of  Reading  as  a  place  of  industry,  substantial  wealth 
and  superior  advantages  to  a  remarkable  degree. 

The  -street  railway  system  was  extended  very 
much,  and  the  mountain  roads  vrere  established. 
Electricity  as  a  motive  power  for  running  the  street 
cars  was  applied  to  the  cars  on  the  East  Reading 
and  the  Reading  and  South  Western  lines  of  street 
railway  in  1890  and  1891,  and  it  was  extended  to 
all  the  lines  in  the  city  in  1893 ;  and  it  came  to  be 
more  generally  used  for  lighting  public  and  private 
places  and  for  power  in  shops  and  stores.  It  caused 
the  extension  of  street  railways  into  the  rural  dis- 
tricts to  the  east  and  south  of  Reading. 
'  Industrial  establishments  for  the  manufacture 
of  various  articles  were  erected,  especially  for  steel, 
hosiery,  cigars  and  bicycles,  affording  employment 
to  several  thousand  additional  persons,  and  yield- 
ing to  the  community  over  a  million  dollars  in 
wages,  and  reaching  out  in  trading  relations  with 
all  parts  of  the  world.  Over  five  thousand  bicy- 
cles came  into  general  use  in  Reading.  The  great- 
est fires  in  the  history  of  the  city  occurred,  the 
losses  reaching  a  million  dollars,  three  worthy  of 
special  mention  being  the  Carpenter  Steel  Mill, 
Reading  Hardware  Works,  and  Sternbergh  Nut  and 
Bolt  Works ;  and  the  city  wlas  visited  by  the  great- 
est storm  in  1889,  it  having  demolished  the  silk  mill 
and  part  of  the  East  Penn  railroad  shop,  killing 
twenty-two  persons  and  injuring  more  than  one 
hundred. 

Steam  heating  came  to  be  supplied  in  the  cen- 
tral part  of  town  along  Sixth,  Fifth  and  Penn 
streets,  and  to  be  gradually  introduced  in  dwellings. 
General  laundry  work  received  encouragement ;  and 
the  washing  machine  was  being  substituted  in  the 
place  of  the  wash-board  and  tub  to  reduce  manual 
labor  in  domestic  life.    And  planing-mill  work  was 


READING 


163 


much  increased  in  supplying  doors,  windows, 
frames,  etc.,  for  building  operations.  Cold  stor- 
age was  introduced  and  the  use  of  artificial  ice  much 
appreciated ;  and  the  creamery  as  an  institution  re- 
ceived greater  recognition. 

Four  noteworthy  large  industrial  plants  were 
started,  the  Reading  Iron  Company,  Reading  Paper 
Mills,  the  Carpenter  Steel  Mill  and  the  Silk  Mill. 
Department  stores  were  enlarged.  Vitrified  brick 
began  to  be  used  for  buildings  and  pavements ;  and 
the  value  of  concrete  work  and  cement  more  ap- 
preciated. Telephone  wires  began  to  be  laid  in  con- 
duits in  the  central  portions  of  the  city  and  the  use 
of  the  telephone  was  very  much  increased  and  ex- 
tended; two  popular  amusement  halls  were  estab- 
lished, Rajah  Temple  and  Auditorium;  also  three 
more  charitable  institutions,  and  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
hall. 

Building  and  loan  associations  were  still  kept  up, 
over  fifty  having  been  in  successful  operation.  A 
board  of  city  assessors  was  established  for  the  uni- 
form assessment  of  real  estate ;  and  also  a  board  of 
public  works  for  the  supervision  of  public  improve- 
ments. Five  more  wards  were  erected,  making 
the  total  number  sixteen.  Building  operations  add- 
ed several  thousand  dwellings  to  the  city;  and  the 
great  increase  in  the  assessed  value  of  property 
caused  the  total  value  to  surpass  the  total  value  of 
all  the  country  districts  taken  together. 

Notwithstanding  this  apparent  improvement  ^nd 
enrichment  of  the  community,  the  financial  condi- 
tion of  the  country  was  extremely  distressing  dur- 
ing the  last  four  years,  owing  to  the  suspension 
of  manufactures  and  the  closing  of  industrial  plants 
of  every  description,  which  caused  innumerable  fail- 
ures and  enormous  losses.  This  was  brought  about 
by  a  change  in  respect  to  the  tariff.'  The  previous 
term  of  four  years  had  been  favorable  to  it,  but 
the  term  during  these  four  years  was  unfavorable. 
The  business  affairs  at  Reading  kept  moving  right 
along  nevertheless.  Fortunately,  the  large  iron 
plants  and  diversified  industrial  enterprises  were 
too  strong  and  sound  to  be  shaken. 

All  our  financial  institutions  had  the  unqualified 
confidence  of  the  people,  and  they  sustained  their 
patrons  with  commendable  courage  and  indulgence 
as  well  as  each  other,  thereby  displaying  in  a  re- 
markable manner  the  great  utility  of  well-conduct- 
ed banks  in  such  a  crisis.  In  looking  for  the  reason 
of  the  onward  movement  of  our  local  affairs  in 
spite  of  adverse  circumstances  during  that  trying 
period,  it  was  found  that  the  banks  were  the  strong- 
hold which  enabled  our  manufacturers  and  mer- 
chants to  stand  the  extraordinary  strain ;  and  there- 
fore this  special  mention  of  it  is  made. 

i8p^-ipop. — The  decade  just  closed  from  1897  to 
the  present  time  also  embraced  a  number  of  remark- 
able improvements  in  the.  further  development  of 
Reading. 

The  population  started  with  about  70,000,  and 
the  annual  increase  was  about  2,500.  An  earnest 
and  successful  effort  was  made  for  improved  streets" 


by  laying  down  asphaltum  and  vitrified  brick  on 
a  concrete  foundation  at  the  close  of  the  previous 
decade,  starting  on  Sixth  street  and  Court  street 
at  the  Court-House,  and  then  on  Penn  street,  and 
extending  to  other  streets  until  1903,  with  a  total 
expenditure  of  $350,000,  and  accomplishing  a  total 
length  of  ten  miles.  The  marked  improvement  was 
highly  appreciated  by  the  taxpayers. 

While  this  wias  going  on,  sewers  were  laid  for 
surface,  and  also  house,  drainage,  embracing  the 
city  from  Washington  street  south  and  Eleventh 
street  w,est;  the  former  having  been  paid  by  the 
public  at  an  expense  of  $350,000,  and  the  latter  by 
the  abutting  property  holders  at  an  expense  of 
$331,000  (excepting  the  cost  of  the  mains,  about 
$50,000).  This  was  necessary  on  account  of  the 
largely  increased  flow  of  water  in  heavy  rain-storms 
which  flooded  the  streets  and  damaged  the  adjoining 
properties ;  particularly  along  Third,  Fourth,  Fifth, 
and  Sixth  streets  to  the  south  of  Penn;  and  also  on 
account  of  the  commodious  and  costly  buildings 
for  business  purposes  then  erected,  in  which  many 
hundreds  of  persons  assembled  daily. 

The  enlarged  "Mansion  House,'"  and  the  depart- 
ment stores  of  C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co.  and  Dives, 
Pomeroy  &  Stewart,  and  the  office  buildings  of 
George  F.  Baer,  Esq.,  and  the  Colonial  Trust 
Company,  are  worthy  of  special  mention.  The 
Pennsylvania  Trust  Company  had  shortly  before 
put  up  the  first  five-story  building  and  Mr.  Milti- 
more  Morgan  had  enlarged  the  "Mansion  House" 
to  the  first  six-story  building;  but  Dives,  Pomeroy 
&  Stewart  reached  the  seventh  story  and  the  Colon- 
ial Trust  Company  the  ninth  story,  thereby  giving 
the  city  a  truly  metropolitan  appearance. 

In  the  erection  of  the  last  two  mammoth  build- 
ings, structural  iron  was  first  used  for  building 
purposes  at  Reading,  and  while  the  imposing  frame- 
work was  being  put  together,  hundreds  of  people 
looked  on  in  amazement  not' knowing  which  to  ad- 
mire most,  the  genius  of  the  contractor  or  the  skill 
and  composure  of  the  working-men.  And  here 
these  great  structures  stand  on  Penn  Square,  in 
the  very  center  of  mercantile  and  financial  affairs, 
as  monuments  to  local  foresight  and  enterprise. 

The  National  Convention  of  the  Patriotic  Order 
of  Sons  of  America  in  the  city  in  1897  was  a  note- 
worthy affair  and  until  then  certainly  the  grandest 
public  demonstration  ever  witnessed  in  the  history 
of  the  community.  But  in  1898  even  this  demon- 
stration was  eclipsed  by  the  celebration  of  the 
"Sesqui-Centennial  of  Reading."  The  local  pride 
of  the  people  asserted  itself  for  a  whole  week  in 
June,  and  the  very  sun  in  the  sky  seemed  to  co- 
operate with  their  joyful,  determined,  enthusiastic 
spirit  in  making  the  wonderful  and  praiseworthy 
undertaking  a  glorious  success.  Though  ten  years 
have  elapsed  since  then,  the  sights  were, so  pleasing 
and  the  sounds  so  inspiring  that  the  people,  both 
old  and  young,  here  and  elsewhere,  who  witnessed 
the  celebration,  still  talk  of  it  with  delightful  recol- 
lections. 


164 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


The  building  operations  were  active  through  the 
entire  period,  and  these  were  particularly  encour- 
aged in  the  northern  part  of  the  city  by  the  costly 
enlargement  of  the  P.  &  R.  R.  Co.  shops.  The 
annual  increase  of  new  dwelling-houses  was  main- 
tained from  year  to  year;  and  during  1905  more 
were  erected  in  the  city  than  in  any  year  before. 
The  extension  of  the  street  railw'ay  system  in 
all  directions  stands  out  prominently  in  this  period. 
Its  successful  management  undoubtedly  contributed 
a  large  share  in  our  local  prosperity.  Besides  busy 
industrial  plants  of  all  kinds  and  sufficient  dwelling- 
houses,  the  prompt  and  convenient  transportation 
of  the  working-people  and  their  families  in  and  to 
all  parts  of  the  city,  from  early  in  the  morning  until 
late  at  night,  had  been  a  subject  of  serious  consid- 
eration, but  it  was  appreciated  and  the  demand  sat- 
isfied. As  we  find  iron,  coal  and  steam  mter-re- 
lated  very  closely  in  our  early  local  development, 
so  do  we  also  find  shops,  homes  and  street  rail- 
ways equally  inter-related  in  our  most  recent  de- 
velopment. Trolley  extensions  were  made  to  the 
north,  east  and  south,  thereby  increasing  the  facili- 
ties to  the  country  people  for  reaching  the  county- 
seat  with  great  convenience  at  greatly  reduced  cost 
of  travel,  and  at  frequent  intervals,  and  quite  nat- 
urally they  led  to  the  laying  out  of  suburban  towns, 
and  many  persons  soon  appreciated  the  desirability 
of  these  towns  as  dwelling  places. 

The  Reading  Library  had  been  carried  on  with 
more  or  less  uncertainty  since  its  reorganization 
in  1868 ;  but  in  the  beginning  of  this  decade  it  be- 
came a  free  institution  through  the  liberahty  of 
some  of  our  citizens,  and  the  enthusiastic  spirit 
then  displayed  has  continued  until  now,  with  an 
ever  increasing  interest  in  its  success.  And  the 
Historical  Society  was  again  revived  and  a  strong 
interest  shown  in  its  welfare.  The  members  secured 
a  building,  after  having  held  their  meetings  for 
several  years  in  the  Court-House,  and  the  nucleus 
of  a  library  of  historical  works  was  collected. 

A  new  feeling  was  developed  for  outdoor  exer- 
cise which  culminated  in  the  organization  of  a  golf 
club  and  within  several  years  a  fine  property  was 
secured.  The  "Berkshire  Club"  became  recognized 
at  once  for  its  social  prominence.  Bowling  vVas 
also  prominent  and  several  new  alleys  were  estab- 
lished. It  was  indulged  in  by  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  young  and  middle-aged  men,  and  also  some 
young  women.  Clubs  were  organized  and  much 
rivalry  was  shown  in  competing  games.  Basket- 
ball was  another  indoor  sport  which  won  much  at- 
tention ;  and  there  was  a  revival  of  interest  in  base- 
ball. Card-playing  was  indulged  in  by  all  classes 
of  society,  with  many  devotees  at  progressive  eu- 
chre, duplicate  whist,  and  bridge.  And  the  patron- 
age of  the  theatre  and  of  amusements  of  all  kinds, 
such  as  fairs,  balls  and  athletics,  was  never  so  ex- 
tensive as  at  the  close  of  the  period ;  indeed,  it  had 
become  so  prominent  by  children  of  both  sexes  un- 
der fourteen  years  of  age  as  to  excite  public  criti- 
cism. 


The  one  great  channel  which  made  this  high  de- 
gree of  prosperity  so  continuous  was  the  satisfac- 
tory condition  and  superb  co-operative  management 
of  our  financial  institutions.  Their  total  resources 
had  multiplied  gradually  until  they  were  in  excess 
of  $23,000,000 ;  and  by  the  daily  handling  of  this 
large  sum  of  money,  both  in  receiving  it  and  then 
in  paying  it  out  by  checking  and  cashing,  in 
amounts  ranging  from  a  few  dollars  to  many  thou- 
sands, from  all  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  the 
United  States,  as  well  as  in  the  city  itself,  our  nine 
banks  and  five  trust  companies  had  come  to  do  an 
annual  volume  of  business  which  reached  the  enor- 
mous total  of  $600,000,000.  The  annual  check  ex- 
changes of  these  depositaries  at  their  clearing- 
house for  the  year  1908  footed  up  $64,652,121 ;  and 
the  exchanges  for  the  month  of  January,  1909, 
amounted  to  $5,770,561,  an  increase  of  one  million 
dollars  more  than  the  exchanges  for  the  month  of 
January,  1905.  For  an  inland  city,  competing  with 
metropolitan  places  at  tide-water  whose  resources 
are  superabundant  and  whose  influence  for  business 
is  both  powerful  and  far-reaching,  this  was  truly 
surprising. 

Paving  additional  streets  with  vitrified  brick  was 
continued  during  the  latter  half  of  this  decade;  ad- 
ditional sections  of  the  Rose  Valley  creek  sewer 
were  constructed ;  and  the  improved  beds  on  Fritz's 
Island  for  filtering  the  house-sewage  were  estab- 
lished, changing  from  sand  filtration  to  sprinkling 
filtration  at  an  expense  of  over  $300,000,  and  win- 
ning the  praise  of  the  best  sanitary  engineers  in  the 
country,  who  showed  much  critical  interest  in  their 
construction. 

Arrangements  were  made  by  the  water  board 
for  establishing  two  large  additional  filtering  beds 
for  filtering  the  water  of  Bernhart's  creek  and 
Maiden  creek  at  a  cost  of  $500,000,  which  will 
largely  increase  the  supply  of  good  and  clean  drink- 
ing water  for  the  citizens ;  and  the  Spring  street 
subway  was  constructed  in  1907-08-09  at  a  cost  of 
$150,000,  which  opened  a  safe  passageway  at  all 
times  between  the  northeastern  and  northwestern 
sections  of  the  city.  Building  operations  contin- 
ued active  and  extensive  during  the  decade,  but  in 
1908  they  fell  off  about  three-fourths  on  account 
of  the  depressed  condition  of  the  times. 

Roller-skating  was  revived  at  the  close  of  the 
decade  and  many  persons  became  as  enthusiastic 
on  the  subject  as  others  had  become  over  thirty 
years  before;  and  the  five-cent  moving  picture 
shows  and  cheap  vaudeville  entertainments  were 
introduced,  which  immediately  won  great  favor  and 
patronage. 

The  suburban  towns  (whose  occupants  are  almost 
entirely  employed  in  Reading)  have  shown  a 
marked  increase  in  dwellings  and  population,  and 
four  additional  boroughs  to  the  west  and  south- 
west have  been  erected. 

Riot  in  1877.— The  great  riot  at  Reading  was 
an  extraordinary  event  in  the  history  of  our  com- 
munity.   On  Saturday,  July  21,  1877,  great  excite- 


READING 


165 


zntm.  prevailed  in  fhe  city,  owing  to  the  general 
-Strike  of  railroad  trainmen  in  the  following  States : 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,' 
Maryland,  West  Virginia,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois 
and  Missouri.  The  central  point  of  excitement  here 
was  at  Seventh  and  Penn  streets,  where  many  men 
.gathered  to  discuss  the  situation.  At  that  time  the 
excitement  at  Pittsburg  was  intense,  ending  shortly 
thereafter  in  the  great  destruction  of  railroad  prop- 
^erty,  which  consisted  of  buildings,  cars,  etc.,  and 
in  the  loss  of  at  least  a  score  of  lives. 

On  the  next  day,  the  situation  was  naturally 
worse  owing  to  the  news  from  Pittsburg,  and  more 
jnen  crowded  at  the  point  named;  but  there  was  no 
•disorderly  demonstration  of  any  kind  during  the 
■day.  By  10  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  crowd  had 
moved  to  the  passenger  station,  where  the  men 
greeted  the  last  train  from  Philadelphia  (10:30) 
with  shouts  and  yells.  Then  the  excitement  became 
uncontrollable.  The  crowd  moved  westwardly  on 
the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad,  and  fire  and  destruc- 
tion of  property  followed.  Railroad  tracks  were 
■torn  up,  and  certain  cabooses  and  freight  cars  were 
set  on  fire  which  resulted  in  a  general  alarm  of 
fire,  and  the  response  of  the  fire  department;  and 
■during  the  terrible  excitement  in  and  about  the 
"cut,"  near  Sixth  street,  whither  all  attention  had 
been  directed,  the  costly  railroad  bridge,  which 
spanned  the  river  within  a  mile  to  the  west,  was 
set  on  fire  and  entirely  destroyed.  The  bright 
ilames,  which  flashed  high  into  the  darkness  of  the 
night,  attracted  thousands  of  people  to  the  place. 

The  news  shocked  the  whole  community.  Crowds 
had  gathered  on  Saturday,  innocently,  apparently, 
hut  unlawfully,  without  any  earnest  movement  from 
the  police  to  disperse  them,  and  property  had  been 
•destroyed  on  Sunday.  On  Monday,  the  newspapers 
were  almost  wholly  taken  up  with  vivid  descriptions 
•of  the  excited  condition  of  the  community  and  of 
the  destructive  work  of  incendiaries.  Throughout 
the  day,  great  excitement  prevailed,  and  as  the 
night  approached  it  grew  greater.  The  four  cor- 
ners of  Seventh  and  Penn  streets  were  again 
crowded  hour  after  hour,  subject  to  a  weak  pro- 
test; but  without  any  determined  effort  from  muni- 
cipal or  county  authorities  to  clear  the  highway. 
Trains  were  stopped,  coal  cars  detached  and  many 
tons  of  coal  dumped  upon  the  track  for  several 
hundred  feet. 

With  this  state  of  affairs,  the  6  o'clock  passenger 
train  approached  the  city  around  the  bend  of  "Nev- 
ersink,"  and  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  engine  never 
sounded  in  such  a  piercing  manner.  The  engineer 
remained  bravely  at  his  post;  the  command  was 
given  to  proceed  forward  at  full  speed,  and  for- 
ward indeed  he  directed  his  engine  at  the  rate  of 
forty-five  miles  an  hour  over  the  blockaded  track. 
Fortunately  the  train  passed  through  safely,  but 
the  people  scattered  pell-mell  for  their  lives,  coals 
were  thrown  high  into  the  air,  and  a  dense  cloud 
of  black  dust  obscured  everything  round  about  for 
a  time.    At  the  passenger  station,  great  excitement 


arose  immediately  after  the  arrival  of  this  train. 
The  next  down  train  was  stopped  in  the  cut,  and 
this  daring  proceeding  drew  the  crowd  from  the 
depot  and  intensified  the  excitement  at  Seventh  and 
Penn  streets.  And  the  people  remained  at  that 
point,  immovable.  Proclamations  by  the  sheriff 
and  earnest  appeals  by  the  policemen  did  not  make 
the  slightest  impression  upon  them.  The  vast  mul- 
titude were  in  sympathy  with  the  riotous  demon- 
strations. And  so  matters  remained  for  nearly  two 
hours,  apparently  growing  worse  as  the  darkness  . 
of  night  fell  upon  the  community.  Then,  however, 
a  sudden  change  arose.  -And  what  agent  was  this 
that  could,  as  it  were,  in  a  moment,  in  the  twink- 
ling of  an  eye,  separate  a  maddened,  threatening 
crowd,  when  sober,  sensible  appeals  to  citizens  who 
had  theretofore  been  a  law-abiding  people,  were 
wholly  unavailing?  It  was  the  bullet.  This  acted 
upon  them'  as  effectually  as  the  lightning  upon  rest- 
less, thickening  clouds  in  a  portentous  sky. 

About  8  o'clock,  seven  companies  of  the  4th 
Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  numbering 
about  two  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Franklin  Reeder,  arrived  at  the  railroad  sta- 
tion in  the  city,  viz. : 

Company  B,  Allen  Rifles,  Allentown;  Company 
D,  Allen  Continentals,  Allentown;  Company  E, 
Blue  Mountain  Legion,  Hamburg;  Company  F, 
Easton  Grays,  Eastonj  Company  H,  Slatington 
Rifles,  Slatington;  Company  I,  Catasauqua;  Com- 
pany K,  Portland,  Northampton  county. 

After  some  consultation  they  were  marched  down 
the  railroad  and  through  the  "cut"  toward  Penn 
street  to  liberate  the  train  there.  On  the  way,  they 
were  attacked  by  persons  on  the  elevated  pave- 
ments who  threw  stones  and  bricks  upon  them. 
They  did  not  fire  in  self-defense,  but  moved  on 
bravely.  Nearing  Penn  street,  the  situation  be- 
came so  dangerous  that  some  of  the  men,  by  some 
order  or  mistaken  command,  shot  off  their  rifles. 
Bricks  and  stones  were  thrown  with  increased  en- 
ergy, and  many  shots  followed.  The  crowd  immed- 
iately scattered,  and  men  were  seen  bearing  away 
the  wounded  and  killed.  With  the  dispersing 
crowd,  the  soldiers  also  became  disordered,  and 
the  companies  disorganized.  Their  conduct  was 
disgraceful,  and  the  whole  community,  and  espe- 
cially the  management  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Railroad  Company,  lost  confidence  in  them  as 
a  means  of  restoring  order  or  preserving  peace. 
A  battery  of  United  States  Regular  Artillery, 
equipped  as  infantry,  then  came  here  shortly  after- 
ward, under  the  command  of  General  Hamilton, 
and  remained  until  peace,  order  and  safety  were 
assured.  The  fidelity  of  G.  A.  Nicolls  and  George 
Eltz  as  officials  of  the  railroad  at  this  point,  in  the 
perilous  situation  of  affairs  then  existing,  was 
highly  commendable. 

This  riot  resulted  in  the  killing  of  ten  citizens 
(Milton  Trace,  James  J.  Fisher,  Ludwig  Hoffman, 
John  H.  Weaver,  Lewis  A.  Eisenhower,  John  A. 
Cassidy,  John  A.  Wunder,  Daniel  Nachtrieb,  Elias 


166 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Shafer  and  Howard  Cramp) ;  and  the  wounding  of 
twenty-seven  persons  (including  four  policemen) 
and  twelve  soldiers. 

Dr.  George  S.  Goodhart,  the  coroner  of  the 
county,  then  held  an  inquest  to  inquire  into  the  loss 
of  life;  and  after  hearing  a  number  of  witnesses 
reported  on  Aug.  7,  1877,  that  the  death  of  the  per- 
sons named  was  caused  by  the  military  who  were 
here  by  direction  of  the  State  authorities  firing  upon 
the  rioters,  and  the  terrible  tragedy  was  directly 
attributed  to  the  lawless  assembling,  of  persons  at 
Seventh  and  Penn  streets. 

Many  men  were  arrested  and  indicted  for  alleged 
implication  in  this  riot.  Two  of  them  pleaded 
guilty  and  were  sentenced  to  imprisonment  for  five 
years.  There  was  a  hotly  contested  trial  of  an- 
other, from  Oct.  2d  to  the  6th,  but  he  was  acquitted. 
The  following  week,  fourteen  were  tried  and  all 
were  acquitted  excepting  one,  who  was  convicted 
of  inciting  to  riot;  and  the  third  week,  forty  were 
called  for  trial  but  the  prosecution  was  abandoned. 
These  trials  caused  great  excitement.  F.  B.  Gowen, 
the  president  of  the  P.  &  R.  R;  Co.,  conducted  the 
prosecution  of  these  cases  in  person. 

Sesqui-Centennial. — The  town  plan  of  Read- 
ing was  laid  out  by  the  Penns  in  1748,  and  in  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years  the  place  was  developed  to 
great  proportions  in  every  department  of  life.  The 
Board  of  Trade,  appreciating  the  utility  and  impor- 
tance of  properly  observing  the  Sesqui-Centennial, 
took  action  at  an  annual  meeting  on  Feb.  18,  1897, 
and  on  Sept.  2d  following,  a  joint  committee  was 
appointed,  comprising  a  special  committee  from 
city  coimcils  and  the  committee  on  Municipal 
Affairs  of  the  Board.  This  General  Committee  held 
its  first  meeting  on  Sept.  9th,  and  in  several  months 
a  program  of  festivities  was  adopted  and  an  execu- 
tive committee  appointed  which  selected  thirty-two 
separate  committees  to  make  all  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements, and  authorized  the  compiler  of  this 
history  to  publish  a  concise  History  of  Reading 
including  the  proceedings  relating  to  the  Sesqui- 
Centennial.  Weekly  meetings  were  held  until  June 
3,  1898,  and  all  the  committees  co-operated  heartily 
toward  making  the  anniversary  a  grand  success. 
The  official  program  was  arranged  to  embrace  the 
second  week  of  June,  from  Sunday  the  5th  to  Sat- 
urday the  11th,  as  follows : 

Sunday,  June  5th,  Opening  Day,  with  church  services 
in  the  morning,  and  musical  concerts  in  the  afternoon. 

Monday,  June  6th,  Citizens'  Day,  with  public  reception 
in  the  court-house  in  the  morning,  Civic  Parade  in  the 
afternoon,  and  electric  illuminations  and  fireworks  in  the 
evening. 

Tuesday,  Jime  7th,  Women's  and  Children's  Day,  with 
public  receptions  at  Academy  of  Music  and  court-house  in 
the  morning,  School  Parade  in  the  afternoon,  and  grand 
illumination  and  choral  concert  in  the  evening. 

Wednesday,  June  8th,  public  reception  at  the  court-house 
in  the  morning  and  Firemen's  Parade  in  the  afternoon. 

Thursday,  June  gth,  public  reception  at  the  court-house 
in  the  morning,  and  Industrial  Parade  in  the  afternoon. 

Friday,  June  loth,  public  reception  at  the  court-house 
in  the  morning.  Cavalcade  and  Corso  and  Bicycle  Races  in 


the  afternoon,  and  Bicycle  Flambeau  Parade  in  the  even- 
ing. 

Saturday,  June  nth.  Regatta  and  Serenata  on  the  Schuyl- 
kill river  to  conclude  the  festivities. 

This  program  was  carried  out  in  an  admirable 
manner.  Most  of  the  stores,  business  places,  fac- 
tories and  dwellings  in  all  parts  of  the  city  were 
beautifully  decorated  with  the  national  flag  and 
with  bunting  in  national  colors,  and  many  places 
displayed  also  the  city  colors  and  city  flag_  which 
had  been  adopted  by  the  committee.  The  electric 
illumination  of  Penn  street .  was  superb  and  its 
unique  character  contributed  a  great  deal  toward 
the  success  of  the  celebration ;  and  for  the  first  time 
in  public  demonstrations  on  Penn  street  the  people 
remained  on  the  sidewalks.  The  decorations  on  both 
sides  of  Penn  street,  from  Third  to  Eleventh  streets, 
were  particularly  attractive.  All  the  receptions, 
parades,  concerts  and  exhibitions  were  successful 
beyond  the  expectations  of  everybody,  and  such 
orderly  and  appreciative  throngs  of  people  for  six 
successive  days  on  Penn  street  had  never  before 
been  witnessed. 

A  fire  on  Penn  Square  during  the  Firemen's 
Parade  caused  extraordinary  excitement  for  sev- 
eral hours.  Many  thousands  of  persons  were  in 
the  midst  of  admiring  the  brilliant  display  about  3 
o'clock,  but  at  the  first  tap  of  the  fire  alarm  the 
general  feeling  of  joy  and  congratulation  was  in- 
stantly turned  to  surprise  and  fear,  the  entire  line 
of  procession  flew  into  indescribable  disorder,  and 
all  the  firemen  with  their  apparatus  rushed  to  Penn 
Square.  The  dense  mass  of  humanity  presented 
a  most  impressive  sight,  but  notwithstanding  the 
great  congestion  and  confusion  there  the  Volunteer 
Fire  Department  displayed  remarkable  efficiency  in 
mastering  the  situation.  The  fire  was  at  No.  518, 
where  a  cheap  variety  store  was  carried  on,  and 
the  smoke  and  flames  from  that  store-room  were 
working  their  way  rapidly  into  Kefifer's  queens- 
ware  store  and  Kline,  Eppihimer  &  Co.'s  dry- 
goods  store,  with  indications  of  a  costly  conflagra- 
tion. Fortunately  the  air  was  calm  and  the  depart- 
ment got  control  of  the  fire  by  6  o'clock.  The  loss 
was  about  $60,000.  The  end  of  the  long  and  im- 
posing procession  had  just  reached  Penn  Square 
when  the  alarm  sounded,  so  the  multitudes  on  the 
sidewalks  saw  the  greater  part  of  it  before  it  was 
abandoned. 

Many  visiting  friends  and  strangers  were  hos- 
pitably entertained  by  numerous  families,  and  by 
associations  of  various  kinds.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George 
F.  Baer  displayed  a  remarkable  spirit  of  liberality 
in  wtelcoming  and  entertaining  many  distinguished 
visitors  at  their  superb  home  "Hawthorne." 

The  compiler  of  this  history  issued  a  compre- 
hensive volume  of  300  pages  as  a  suitable  memento 
of  the  occasion,  embracing  a  brief  history  of  the 
city  and  its  numerous  industrial  establishments, 
and  a  concise  narrative  of  the  Sesqui-Centennial, 
which^  was  highly  complimented  by  the  executive 
committee  and  given  a  wide  circulation. 


^Tsigq'^gii^f^^f^gp?^^^^ 


"SSf^ 


,.l:?A««^*: 


^lLua*it  rw'^SS.?? 


f  ^pt.'iS.*'  °]^THA'^^e.4  ^*tgt,?,;rc»'*  iSrfio'-^e'i!^  f  ^A--^s.«^S.  t*'?i'^55wAi 
'-.^-^■i^      ■MIT  I        "^      '.-^'-cf 


Iv+'l  V^ 


i^-1 


f^!Lt«H.|   ooO.-^i*60H|   e*,™^^j;-„V  ^    '■'^;,t^:5*»*•T'proH.:ei%,^|'=^^^ut2^UH,,.^ 


EXECUTIVE   COMMITTEE  OF   SESQUI   CENTENNIAL   OF   READING 


HEAD    OF    CIVIC    PARADE,   SESQUI    CENTENNIAL    OF   READING 


DIVISION    OF    INDUSTRIAL    PARADE,    SESQUI    CENTENNIAL    OF    READING 


168 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


trip  one  way  was  made  in  a  day,  both  by  boat  and 
by  stage,  that  is,  from  morning  till  evening.  This 
was  accomphshed  by  changing  the  teams  at  fixed 
stations,  from  six  to  eight  miles  apart. 

Reading  in  1840. — William  Stable,  a  store- 
keeper, published  a  small  book  of  68  pages  in  1841, 
relating  to  the  business  affairs  of  Reading  as  they 
'existed  in  1840.  More  than  sixty  different  em- 
ployments were  carried  on  at  that  time,  and  the 
manufacturing  establishments  numbered  sixty-four. 
The  enumeration,  briefly  stated,  was  as  follows : 


EMPLOYMENTS 

1  Artist 

3 

Locksmiths 

7  Bakers 

34 

Mantua-makers 

6  Barbers 

13 

Milliners 

16  Blacksmiths 

1 

Millwright 

1  Blind-maker 

3 

Painters  (coach) 

3  Boat-builders 

•  7 

Painters   (house) 

17  Brick-layers 

3 

Painters   (sign) 

14  Butchers 

3 

Plasterers 

8  Cabinet-makers 

3 

Plumbers 

30  Carpenters 

1 

Pump-maker 

4  Cigar-makers 

1 

Reed-maker 

9  Clock-makers 

4 

Saddlers 

6  Coach-makers 

1 

Scissors  Grinder 

6  Coach-trimmers 

26 

Shoemakers 

1  Coffee-mill   maker 

2 

Silver-platers 

2  Coopers 

5 

Slop-shops 

4  Coppersmiths 

5 

Stone-cutters 

.3  Curriers 

3 

Stone-masons 

4  Dentists 

34 

Tailors 

11  Doctors 

5 

Tallow-chandlers 

3  Drovers 

32 

Tavern-keepers 

4  Druggists 

7 

Tinsmiths 

4  Dyers 

4 

Turners 

2  Gunsmiths 

13 

Weavers 

1  Horse  Farrier 

6 

Wheelwrights 

3  lewelers 

1 

White  Sweep 

25  Lawyers 

MANUFACTORIES 

1  Auger  Factory 

1 

Gun  Barrel  Factory 

1  Blacking  Varnish  Factory 

1 

Iron  and  Nail  Works 

1  Brass  Foundry 

1 

Iron  Foundry 

3  Breweries 

1 

Lime  Kiln 

9  Brick  Kilns 

3 

Machine  Shops 

1  Brush  Factory 

1 

Piano  Factory 

1  Coffee-Mill  Factory 

1 

Rope  Factory 

1  Comb   Factory 

1 

Saw   Mill 

1  Distillery 

1 

Stove  Foundry 

3  Farming  Implement  Shops 

1 

White  and  Morocco 

8  Fur  Hat  Factories 

Tannery 

2  Glue  Factories 

5 

Windsor  Chair  Factories 

2  Grist-mills 

14 

Wool  Hat  Factories 

PUBLIC   BUILDINGS 

AND    ENTERPRISES 

3  Banks 

7 

Newspapers 

2  Bridges 

13 

Private  Schools 

2  Canals 

13 

Public  Schools 

12  Churches 

4 

Public  Libraries 

5  Coal  Yards 

1 

Railroad 

6  Fire   Companies 

4 

Store-houses 

1  Greenhouse 

89 

Stores 

4  Livery  Stables 

8 

Sunday-schools 

3  Lumber  Yards 

5 

Vineyards 

2  Market-houses 

1 

Waterworks 

3  Military  Companies 

4 

Wood  and  Coal  Yards 

The  foregoing  list  is  not  complete,  for  it  is 
known  that  many  men  were  engaged  in  other  oc- 
cupations which  contributed  their  share  toward  the 
enrichment  and  development  of  Reading,  such  as 


wool-hat-makers,  boot  and  shoe  makers,  molders, 
machinists,  chain-makers,  nail-makers,  potters, 
wheelwrights,  distillers,  brewers,  rope-makers,  and 
boat-builders. 

Development  of  Reading,  1/83-184/. — Be- 
tween 1783  and  1847  the  energy  of  the  people  was 
constantly  shown  in  various  directions.  In  the 
course  of  local  events,  it  appears  prominent  in 
patriotism,  in  religious  zeal,  and  in  business  inter- 
course. The  erection  of  churches  by  different  de- 
nominations would  seem  to  have  been  accompHshed 
mostly  by  first  efforts;  but  the  erection  of  bridges, 
turnpikes  and  canals  required  much  perseverance 
under  adverse  circumstances,  extending  through 
many  years. 

The  growth  of  the  population  of  Reading  was  sur- 
prising, especially  considering  it  as  an  inland  bor- 
ough. The  stage-coach  and  turnpike  contributed  the 
greater  proportion  of  this  growth  until  1835,  and  the 
canal  and  railroad  from  that  time  until  1847.  Coal 
became  the  principal  factor  in  this  development 
after  1825.  It  was  discovered  about  1770,  but  it 
was  not  appreciated  for  heating  purposes  until  after 
1810,  and  for  creating  steam  until  after  1825.  The 
first  practical  use  of  it  in  a  stove  at  Reading 
is  said  to  have  been  made  in  the  Branch  Bank 
about  1810.  When  the  canal  was  opened  for  trans- 
portation from  the  coal  regions  in  1824,  it  began 
to  be  introduced  in  large  quantities.  Then  factories 
were  erected  and  they  were  operated  by  steam 
power.  When  the  railroad  was  extended  to  Potts- 
ville  in  1842,  the  influence  of  coal  in  accelerating 
the  development  of  Reading  was  felt  in  a  marked 
degree.  Iron  must  also  be  mentioned  in  this  con- 
nection. It  was  the  great  constituent  in  machinery 
for  factories,  shops  and  furnaces,  and  in  a  substan- 
tial track  for  the  railroad.  Coal,  steam  and  iron 
were  each  necessary  to  complete  the  great  combina- 
tion for  power,  despatch  and  economy,  and  they 
contributed  largely  to  the  rapid  development  of 
Reading  from  1825  to  1850.  This  appears  from  the 
census  enumeration,  as  follows :  from  1820  to  1830, 
35  per  cent. ;  from  1830  to  1840,  46.6  per  cent,  and 
from  1840  to  1850,  87.2  per  cent. 

In  184/. — As  near  as  it  can  be  ascertained, 
Reading  in  1847  contained  37  different  kinds  of 
industrial  establishments  ;  also  130  mercantile  houses 
for  which  county  licenses  were  issued.  The  fol- 
lowing statement  includes  the  names  of  the  more 
prominent  persons  who  carried  on  business  here 
at  that  time: 

Bakeries :  Henry  Drum,  John  G.  Eben,  David  Mitchell, 
Daniel  Moyer. 

Blacksmith  shops:  John  Drenkel,  Aaron  Getz,  Peter  D. 
Getz,  Jacob  Jones,  Daniel  Miller,  Thomas  Rambo,  William 
Stoltz. 

Boat-yards:  William  Krick,  Samuel  &  Adam  Krauser. 
William  Hiester,   Savage  &  Call,  Corbett  &  Stratton. 

Brczveries:  Frederick  Lauer,  Nicholas  Felix,  John 
Borrell. 

Brick-yards :  John  Darrah,  Adam  Diehm,  Thomas 
Diehm,  John  Hoff,  Benjamin  Fink,  Jacob  Geiger,  Henry 
Graul,  George  S.  Levan,  William  Yeager,  Jacob  Young. 


READING 


169 


Brush  Factories:  Benjamin  Witman,  Helms  &  German, 
William  Sage. 

Cabinet  Factories:  John  Bertolet,  Henry  Haberacker, 
Josiah  Hearing,  Henry  Rhein.  Daniel  Spang. 

Candy  Factories:  P.  K.  &  H.  L.  Miller,  G.  W.  &  A.  M. 
Souders,  Amos  B.  Yeager 

Carriage  Factories:  Ephraim  Booth,  Samuel  Filbert, 
Jacob  Hessler,  Godfrey  Simon,  Isaiah  Thomas. 

Chain  Factory :     Nicholas  Rapp. 

Chair  Factories:  Owen  Bitting,  John  Brown,  Frederick 
Fox,  James  M.  Lewis,  Gustavus  Leslie. 

Cigar  Factories:  John  Beadencup,  Charles  Breneiser, 
J.  &  E.  Eyrich,  Franklin  Frantz,  J.  M.  &  G.  W.  Hantsch, 
John  Maltzberger. 

Clothing  Shops:  James  Jameson,  William  McFarlan, 
George  Newkirk. 

Comb  Factory :    Viven  &  Behm. 

Cooper  Shops :  Peter  Barbey,  Daniel  Engel,  Morton 
Righter,  William  Sands,  Henry  B.  Shearer,  Thomas 
Willson. 

Distilleries:    Philip  Bushong,  Riah  Gillson. 

Farming  Implement  Works:  Adam  Waid,  Montgom- 
ery &  Armstrong. 

Fire-Brick    Works:     William  Wells. 

Glue  Factories:     Daniel  Levan,   Samuel  Levan. 

Greenhouse :     Michael   Hauser. 

Grist-Mills:  Frees  &  Kissinger  (steam),  George  Smith 
(water). 

Hat  Factories :  Henry  Brown,  George  Drenkel,  Levi 
Hildebrand,  Henry  Henritze,  John  Kutz,  John  Lotz,  Isaac 
W.  Levan,  Jacob  Maurer,  Adam'  Rightmeier,  Charles  W. 
Ringgold,  Jacob  Sauerbier,  M.  &  J.  Siegel,  John  Yerger, 
William  Yerger. 

Iron  Works:  Bertolette's  Rolling  Mill  [Enterprise], 
Darling,  Dotterer  &  Co.'s  Machine  Shop,  Eckert's  Fur- 
nace [Henry. Clay],  Johnston's  Foundry  [Franklin],  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  R.  R.  Co.  Shops,  Sabbatin's  Forge,  Sey- 
fert,  McManus  &  Co.'s  Rolling  Mill. 

Locksmith  Shops:  John  Mellert,  John  Miller,  George 
Heilman. 

Marble  Works :  John  F.  Moers,  John  T.  Craig,  Ferui- 
nand  H.  Strecker. 

Nail-makers:     George  Heilman,  Frederick  Heilman, 

Organ  Factories:     Daniel  Bohler,  John  Schoener. 

Potteries:     Asaph  Shenf elder,  William  Wells. 

Rope  Walks:     Thomas  Jackson,   Stephen  Orth. 

Saddleries:  George  Frees,  Jacob  H.  Hain,  Andrew 
Fichthorn,   Henry  Hahs,   Gideon  Weiser. 

Sawmills:  Boas  &  Spangler,  J.  V.  Craig,  Foos  & 
Bingaman. 

Shoe  Factories:  H.  F.  Felix  &  Co.,  Henry  Fry,  Jacob 
Goodhart,  O'Brien  &  Foster. 

Silversmith  Shops:  Frederick  Grotevent,  Charles  L. 
Heizmann,  George  Heller,  Levan  Mannerback,  Otto  Ralle. 

Soap  and  Candle  Factories :  John  R.  Klein,  Albert 
Fischer. 

Tanneries:  Henry  Connard,  Andrew,  Charles  &  Wil- 
liam Fichthorn,  Abraham  Kerper,  George  Winters.  . 

Tin-  and  Copper-smith  Shops:  F.  &  W.  Bright,  Jacob 
Long,  Morris  Pauli,  Charles  K.  Snell,  Daniel  Smith. 

Turner  Shops:    Joseph  Bitting,  Charles  Young. 

Wheelwright  Shops :  Jacob  Goodman,  Henry  Goodman, 
Reuben  Goodman. 

Weaving  Shops:  George  Goodman,  George  Price, 
Philip  Rush. 

The  following  must  also  be  mentioned,  because 
they  contributed  a  great  deal  toward  the  prosper- 
ity of  Reading: 

Banks:    Farmers'  Bank;  Branch  Bank  of  Pennsylvania. 

Builders:  William  Call,  N.  M.  Eisenhower,  George 
Foos,  Benjamin  Fink,  John  Fink,  Jacob  Fritz,  William 
and  Joseph  Henry,  William  B.  Hertzel,  John  and  Frede- 
rick Printz,  Solomon  Spohn. 

Hotels :  Herman  Beard,  Wm.  Behm,  John  W.  Burk- 
hart,   John  Darrah,   Andrew   Davis,   Wm.   L.   deBourbon, 


Isaac  Enis,  Jacob  Frill,  George  Gernant,  Samuel  Graul, 
Daniel  Herr,  John  Mellon,  John  Messersmith,  John 
Moyer,  Michael  Nunnemacher,  Philip  Orth,  Peter  Phil- 
lippi,  Wm.  Rapp,  Solomon  Spohn,  Harry  Weldy. 

Merchants:  Philip  Albright,  John  Allgaier,  Marks  John 
Biddle,  Boas,  Lott  &  Co.,  D.  R.  Clymer,  William  and  Peter 
Coleman,  Lewis  Briner,  Baum  &  Sands,  Samuel  Ermen- 
trout,  Wm.  Ermentrout,  Fasig  &  Henry,  Wm.  S.  Fisher, 
Fricker  &  Stout,  John  Green,  Hoff  &  Bro.,  George  Feather, 
Hart  &  Mayer,  Johnson  &  Tejnplin,  Keely  &  Kerper,  Wm. 
&  John  Keim,  Michael  Kefler,  Frank  Miller,  J.  &  C.  M. 
Pearson,  Alexander  Peacock,  Wm.  Rhoads  &  Son,  Francis 
Roland,  Stichter  &  McKnight,  John  Ritter  &  Co.,  Seyfert  & 
Miner,  Frank  B.  Shalters,  David  R.  Schultz,  E.  D.  Smith, 
Weitzel  &  Bro.,  Philip  Zieber. 

The  following  women  were  in  business  then,  all  con- 
ducting millinery  establishments,  and  several  includmg 
trimmings  and  notions :  Mrs.  Catharine  Andrews,  (Bar- 
bara) Babb  &  (Catharine)  Wanner,  Mrs.  Rachel  Boyer, 
Helen  Dwight,  Mrs.  Amanda  Heller,  Mrs.  Mary  Marsh, 
Mrs.  Hannah  Phillippi,  Catharine  Price,  Deborah  Potts, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Reamer  (Norton),  Ellen  Richards,  Mrs. 
Red,  Mrs.  Runyeon,  (Mrs.  Susan)  Rapp  &  (Mrs.  Catha- 
rine) Harvey,  Mrs.  Harriet  Smith  (Kutz). 

Development  since  1847. — By  the  foregoing  de- 
tails it  is  apparent  that  the  community  then  pos- 
sessed a  remarkable  spirit  of  enterprise,  and  that 
this  spirit  caused  the  development  of  Reading  in 
its  industrial,  financial  and  social  affairs.  The  es- 
tablishments were  mostly  small,  and  employed  only 
several  mechanics.  The  iron  works,  however,  were 
large  and  afforded  employment  to  a  considerable 
number  of  hands,  especially  the  Philadelphia  & 
Reading  Railroad  Company  shops,  and  the  Seyfert, 
McManus  &  Company  rolling-mill.  The  major  part 
of  their  production  was  shipped  away  by  railroad, 
canal,  stage  and  private  conveyances,  more  par- 
ticularly cigars,  iron  articles  and  wool  hats. 

It  would  be  very  interesting  to  describe  in  detail 
the  development  of  the  industrial  life  at  .Reading 
in  its  various  channels  until  the  present  time,  but 
the  subject  cannot  be  exhaustively  treated  here. 
The  status  at  the  beginning  of  1909,  sixty 
years  after  the  incorporation  of  the  city,  is 
far  beyond  that  of  1847.  This  will  be  made  ap- 
parent by  comparing  the  foregoing  statement  with 
the  following.  The  improvement  is  truly  wonder- 
ful, and  the  people  of  Reading  can  show  a  pardon- 
able pride  in  its  manufacturing  concerns,  to  which 
it  is  chiefly  indebted  for  the  great  increase  of  its 
wealth  and  population. 

It  must  be  stated  in  this  connection  that  a  sim- 
ilar improvement  was  made  in  the  dry-goods  estab- 
lishments. Some  of  them  have  grown  into  large 
department  stores,  notably  Dives,  Pomeroy  &  Stew- 
art, C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co.,  Kline,  Eppihimer  Sz:  Co., 
J.  Mould  &  Co.,  and  Lord  &  Gage.  The  stores 
at  Reading  from  1760  to  1847  were  practically 
what  the  department  stores  are  today,  the  differ- 
ence being  in  the  amount  of  stock  carried.  Then 
the  value  was  from  $5,000  to  $50,000;  now  it  is 
from  $50,000  to  $1,000,000.  After  1847,  as  pop- 
ulation increased,  many  of  them  began  to  carry 
distinct  lines  of  goods,  and  this  has  been  continued 
until  now.  The  department  stores  began  here 
in  1876. 


iro 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


STATEMENT  OF  INDUSTRIES 

The  following  concise  description  of  the  numer- 
ous industrial  enterprises  at  Reading,  showing 
name  and  nature  of  business,  date  of  founding, 
etc.,  will  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  the  great 
variety  of  articles  manufactured.  The  compiler 
had  hoped  to  supply  particulars  showing  the  ex- 
tent of  the  Jjusiness,  persons  employed,  investments, 
etc.,  of  the  various  establishments  in  existence  at 
this  time,  whether  large  or  small,  but  he  found 
that  the  information  could  not  be  made  complete, 
or  reliable,  and  that  changes  in  the  firms  and  the 
business  were  constantly  going  on;  therefore  he 
confined  his  efforts  to  the  prepairation  of  a  simple 
statement.  The  list  indicates  truly  that  Reading 
has  been  and  is  a  great  industrial  center.  Its  trad- 
ing relations  extend  to  all  parts  of  the  world. 
Many  of  the  important  facts  will  be  found  in  the 
sketches  of  the  manufacturers  which  are  includ- 
ed in  the  biographical  part  of  this  pubhcation. 
The  iron  industries  have  been  described  in  a  class 
by  themselves,  at  the  end  of  the  alphabetical  list. 
Abattoirs  : 

Reading  Abattoir  Company,  1898,  60  to  75  men. 

Simon  &  Sherman,  1906,  3  to  4  men. 
Badges  : 

Reading  Ribbon  Badge  Company,  1896 ;  20  to  30 
hands. 

Keystone  Ribbon  Badge  Company,  1893 ;  8  to  10 
hands. 
Bakeries,  Bread,  Pies,  etc.   (the  more  important, 

which  employ  several  or  more  teams  for  deliver- 
ing their  products). 


Joel  A.  Arnold 
William  H.  Behrle 
Alfred   E.   Brossman 
Mrs.   Minnie   Brusch 
Mrs.  Lena  C.  Dallwig 
Charles   H.   DeHart 
Charles    G.    Fender 
Daniel  H.  Folmer 
Conrad  Gantert 
Samuel  A.  J.  Green 


Jacob  B.   Mertz 
William    Moyer 
Andrew   J.    Muntz 
Harry   Pappa 
John  W.  Pfautz 
John  F.  Rauch 
Conrad    Schamburg 
Henry  Schofer's  Sons 
James  A.  Schofer 
Samuel   Spadofora 


A.    J.    Howard    &    Andrew  Daniel  B.  Spatz 

Christian  Edwin  C.   Stahl 

Frederick   K.    Humrichouse  John   S.   Stegmann 

Robert   W.   Kingkinger  Edward  F.  Stoeber 

Frank  C.  Kclb  Mrs.  Kate  R.   Warfel 

John   P.  Luft  Michael   Wolicki 
Gottlieb  Mayer 

Bakeries,  Bretzels: 

Pennsylvania  Brctzcl  Company,  1900  (succeeded 
Lichtenthaeler  Bretzel  Company,  which  was  started 
in  1860). 

/.  T.  Adams  &  Co.,  1907  (succeeded  Hendricks 
&  Adams,  which  was  started  in  1893). 

Francis  J.  Baclnnan,  1884. 

Addison  Geyer,  1885. 

Frank  F   Nistle,  1903. 

American  Pretzel  Company  (William  L.  Schul- 
er),  1906. 

Bakeries,  Crackers: 

A.  Mitchell  Est.  (succeeded  David  Mitchell,  who 
started  in  1853). 

Reading  Biscuit  Company,  1903. 


Baskets  : 

George  S.  Cook,  1905  (having  succeeded  his 
father,  John  Cook,  1852-1905). 

William  L.  Wunder,  1883. 

Bending  Works  : 

Anchor  Bending  Works,  J.  Harry  and  Charles 
E.  Leippe,  1889    (succeeded  father,  1880-89). 

Boats : 

John  A.  Hiester,  since  1878. 

Previously,  Samuel  Krauser,  David  Ely,  William 
Hiester  (father  of  John),  Peter  Krick,  Adam  Waid, 
William  Call,  and  Jerome  Ringler,  covering  a  per- 
iod of  fifty  years. 
Bookbinding: 

Edward  Taenzer,  1889  (formerly  Taenzer  Broth- 
ers, and  Engel  Brothers,  1869-85). 

Heller  Bindery,  1908  (succeeding  Charles  F. 
Heller,  1883-1904,  and  H.  C.  Wonnberger,  1894- 
1907). 

Arnold's  Commercial  Book  Shop  (Augustus  W. 
Arnold),  1907  (succeeding  F.  P.  Heller,  1902-07). 

Previous  binders,  Isaac  W.  Harper  (1835-74}; 
George  Kesserling   (1858-86). 

National  Text  Book  Company,  at  Reading,  Pa., 
was  organized  in  1909  for  the  purpose  of  binding 
books,  manufacturing  text-books  and  tablets  of  all 
kinds,  and  publishing  magazines,  and,  when  fully 
established,  to  include  a  printing  department.  In 
this  behalf  the  company  purchased  the  Connard 
Brass  Foundry  at  Sixth  and  Chestnut  streets  and 
secured  possession  on  June  1,  1909.  The  building 
was  equipped  with  the  latest  machinery  and  opera- 
tions were  started  July  1st.  Its  trade  will  be  ex- 
tended throughout  the  United  States.  The  officers 
of  the  company  are:  President,  Hon.  L.  S.  Wal- 
ter, Mt.  Carmel,  Pa.;  vice-president,  J.  B.  Steiner, 
Reading,  Pa.;  secretary,  W.  W.  Ridge,  Centralia, 
Pa.;  treasurer,  Paul  K.  Leinbach,  Reading,  Pa. 
The  directors  are:  Hon.  Thomas  P.  Merritt, 
James  B..  Renninger,  F.  B.  Musser,  G.  L.  Klein- 
ginna,  Reading,  Pa. ;  Hon.  E.  M.  Herbst,  Oley,  Pa. ; 
Hon.  Leopold  Fuerth,  Honesdale,  Pa.;  J.  V. 
Lesher,  Esq.,  Sunbury,  Pa.;  E.  J.  Flynn,  Esq., 
Centralia,  Pa. ;  James  F.  Carline,  Mt.  Carmel,  Pa. ; 
Plarry  W.  Davis,  Esq.,  Wilmington,  Delaware. 
Bottling  Works: 

/.  Fett  &  Sons,  1887  (succeeding  John  Fehr, 
1850-55,  Herman  Floto,  1855-64,  Schick  &  Fett, 
1864-87). 

Empire  Bottling  Works,  1898  (Herman  J.  Croes- 
sant,  succeeding  Fries  &  Croessant,   1882-98). 

Excelsior  Bottling  Company,  1894  (Thomas  J. 
Fessler,  succeeding  Fessler  &  Dunkelberger) . 

Reading  Bottling  Works,  1906  (Reading  Brew- 
ing Company). 

Irvin  Hassler,  1908  (succeeding  A.  W.  Fisher, 
1887-1908). 

Union  Bottling  Works,  1902  (Walton  A.  Griese- 
mer). 

Mountain  Spring  Water  Company,  1892  (John 
Lawrence,  and  his  sons  Edward  and  Richard). 

Mt.  Laurel  Spring  Water  Company,  1908. 


READING 


171 


Boxes,  Cigar: 

A.  Thalheimer  Manufacturing  Compmvy,  1903 
(succeeding  John  Kaul,  1865-66,  Frederick  Brecht, 
1866-68,  Albert  Thalheimer,  1868-95,  A.  Thalheim- 
er &  Son,  1895-1903). 

E.  R.  Fichthorn  Est.,  1907  (succeeding  E.  R. 
Fichthom,  1878-1907). 

Lyman  P.  Kline,  1905  (succeeding  Boyer  &  Heil- 
ig,  1866-1905). 

Old  Honesty  Ciga/r  Box  Company,  1907  (J.  N. 
&  C.  W.  Bucks)  (succeeding  Bellman  Brothers, 
1905-07). 

Boxes,  Paper: 

Reading  Ribbon  Badge  Company,  1896  (suc- 
ceeding Julius  Webber,  who  manufactured  ribbon 
badges  etc.  from  1853  to  1896). 

Standard  Paper  Box  Company,  1894  (succeed- 
ing Albert  Trate,  1875-94). 

William  H.  Engel,  1886. 

■Reading  Paper  Box  Company,  1893. 

Mt.  Penn  Paper  Box  Company,  1894  (Ephraim 
G.  Wanner  &  Sons,  since  1907). 

Excelsior  Paper  Box  Company,  1908  (Charles 
C.  Miller  &  Harry  I.  Steiger). 

Boxes,  Packing  Cases: 

Abner  S.  Deysher,  1894  (succeeding  Jacob  H. 
Deysher,  1860-88,  and  his  vwidow,  1888-94). 

Leinbach  Box  Company,  1902. 

/.  F.  Kachline,  1904.  ' 

Brass  Works: 

Henry  Connard  Est.,  1907-May,  1909  (succeed- 
ing Douglas  &  Connard,  1854-96,  and  Henry  Con- 
nard, 1896-1907). 

Dick  Brothers,  1901  (succeeding  Miller  &  Buck- 
waiter,  1897-1901). 

Excdsior  Brass  Works,  1903  (succeeding  Charles 
Dick  &  George  A.  Wicklein,  who  started  in  1897). 

mine  &  Co.,  1897  (J.  W.  Kline). 

Crescent  Brass  Manufacturing  Company,   1904. 

Brass  Foundries  also  carried  on  by  P.  &  R. 
R.  Company,  Reading  Hardware  Company  and 
Penn  Hardware  Company. 

Breweries  : 

Lauer  Brewing  Company,  1883  (Frank  P.  Lauer) 
(succeeding  George  Lauer,  1826-35,  and  Frederick 
Lauer,  1835-83). 

Deppen  Brewing  Company,  1901  (succeeding  N. 
A.  Felix,  1847-79,  and  William  P.  Deppen,  1879- 
1901). 

P.  Barbey  &  Son,  1880  (John  Barbey)  (succeed- 
ing Peter  Barbey,  1861-97). 

Reading  Brewing  Company,  1886. 

Schneider  Brewing  Works,  1907  (August  Schnei- 
der)  (succeeding  Stocker  &.Roehrich,  1891-1907). 

Brick,  Fire: 

Reading  Fire  Brick  Works,  1889  (succeeding 
William  A.  Wells  &  Isaac  Bertolette,  1845-57,  and 
McHose  &  Thompson,  1857-89)  ;  plant,  Fifth  and 
Canal  streets.  /' 

George  J.  Eckert  manufactured  fire-brick  for 
many  years  on  Canal  street,  near  Bingaman. 


Brick,  Building: 

The  manufacture  of  building  and  paving  brick 
was  a  prominent  industry  at  Reading  from  the  be- 
ginning of  Reading  until  1907,  when  the  last  brick 
kiln  was  abandoned.  The  manufacture  is  carried 
on  prominently  by  parties  residing  in  Reading,  but 
the  plants  are  situated  in  West  Reading  and  ad- 
joining Wyomissing. 

Brooms  : 

Shanaman  Brothers,  1873  (Jacob,  William  F.  and 
Walter  Shanaman,  the  last  having  retired  from 
firm  in  1896). 

5".  E.  Nies  &  Co.,  1899  (Samuel  E.  Nies  and 
David  T.  Schmehl). 

Henry  H.  Krouse  manufactured  brooms  for  many 
years,  having  started  in  1840. 

Brushes  : 

George  Regenfuse,  1852. 

J.  0.  Flatt  &  Co.,  1895  (Joseph  and  George) 
(succeeding  their  father,  Joseph  O.  Flatt,  1873- 
95). 

Previous  brush-makers  were  Benjamin  Witman, 
Morris  Helms,  Peter  Steinel,  1847-70,  John  E. 
Steinel,  1870-1905. 

BUGGYAUTS  : 

In  1906  Charles  E.  Duryea  became  interested  in 
the  development  of  a  horseless  conveyance  .which 
he  named  the  "Buggyaut,"  a  carriage  propelled 
by  gasoline.  He  established  a  place  in  1908  on 
Cherry  street,  above  Third,  for  assembling  the 
several  parts,  which  are  made  by  different  parties 
here  and  elsewhere,  and  then  started  filling  orders. 
He  employs  4  hands. 

Cabinet  Works  : 

In  1907  John  Herb  and  Daniel  Rhoads  associated 
together  as  the  Reading  Cabinet  Works  for  the  pur- 
pose of  manufacturing  cabinets,  show-cases,  etc., 
having  succeeded  J.  Howard  Cutler,  who  had 
carried  on  the  business  for  a  number  of  years  at 
No.  834  Court  street.    They  employ  5  hands. 

The  Neversink  Planing  Mill  makes  a  specialty 
of  supplying  cabinets. 

Candy : 

/.  0.  Roller,  1880;  transferred  to  son  May,  1909. 

Luden  Candy  Factory — In  1882,  William  H.  Lu- 
den  began  modestly  making  candy  for  Christmas, 
with  thirty  pounds  of  sugar,  at  No.  37  North  Fifth 
street,  and  he  disposed  of  the  result  of  his  first  ef- 
forts in  his  store.  He  continued  there  for  ten  years, 
gradually  increasing  his  production,  and  then  he 
was  obliged  to  move  into  larger  quarters,  which  he 
established  in  a  four-story  building  on  the  northeast 
corner  of  Sixth  and  Washington  streets.  He  em- 
ployed then  140  persons  and  worked  up  a  carload 
of  sugar  weekly,  and  his  trade  came  to  extend 
through  the  Eastern,  Middle  and  Southern  States. 
By  the  year  1900  his  trade  had  been  developed  to 
euch  proportions  that  he  was  obliged  to  secure  still 
larger  quarters,  and  he  accordingly  located  his  plant 
on  Eighth  street  beyond  Walnut,  where  he  erected 
a  .four-story  Ibrick   structure,    165   feet   front  by 


173 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


110  feet  deep,  dedicating  the  building  in  June,  1900, 
and  taking  possession  shortly  afterward.  And 
there,  too,  his  business  has  been  increasing  from 
year  to  year  until  he  has  come  to  employ  from  400  to 
500  hands.  During  the  summer  of  1909  he  erected 
a  four-story  brick  addition  to  the  south  end,  60  by 
110  feet,  making  the  plant  altogether  325  feet  front 
by  110  feet  deep.  He  manufactures  all  kinds  of 
candies  in  very  large  quantities,  which  are  shipped 
throughout  the  United  States.  For  several  years 
he  has  made  a  specialty  of  "Luden's  Menthol  Cough 
Drops,"  which  have  become  very  popular,  the  an- 
nual sales  amounting  to  5,000,000  5-cent  packages. 

Mr.  Luden  has  endeared  himself  very  much  to 
all  his  employes  by  his  kindness  and  generosity. 
Annually  he  provides  an  outing  for  them  at  his  own 
expense,  which  is  highly  appreciated. 

John  M.  Fries,  1888. 

Reading  Confectionery  Company,  1893. 

W.  G.  Mollis,  1893-1905,  and  since  by  estate, 
tate. 

Numerous  other  parties  manufacture  candy,  but 
in  a  limited  way. 
Carpets  : 

Charles  Pf'lugfelter,  1883  (succeeding  his  father, 
John  Pflugfelter,  1855-97). 

Joseph  A.  Boyer,  1883. 

Charles  J.  Smith,  1887. 

Carpets  made  are  entirely  of  rags.     Ingrain  car- 
pets were  also  made  for  some  time  but  discontin- 
ued. 
Carriages  and  Wagons: 

W^etherhold  Brothers,  1891  (William  and 
George)  (succeeding  father,  William  H.  Wether- 
hold,  1862-91). 

Biehl  Carriage  and  Wagon  Works,  1903  (suc- 
ceeding George  W.  Biehl,   1877-1903). 

G.  H.  Smith  &  Son,  1902. 

Keystone  Vehicle  Company. — ^The  Keystone  Ve- 
hicle Company  was  incorporated  May  4,  1909,  with 
a  capital  of  $75,000,  for  the  manufacture  of  wagons 
and  automobile  bodies,  as  successor  of  the  Keystone 
Wagon  Works,  which  had  carried  on  a  large  busi- 
ness at  Reading  since  1890,  extending  to  all  parts 
of  the  United  States.  It  secured  the  established 
plant  along  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad  at  Third 
street,  consisting  of  a  four-story  brick  structure, 
200  by  325  feet,  equipped  with  first-class  modern 
machinery.  Operations  were  started  immediately 
and  employment  was  given  to  100  hands.  The  an- 
nual wages  will  amount  to  $50,000,  and  the  product 
to  $300,000.  The  officers  of  the  company  are  :  Ed- 
ward C.  Nolan,  president;  G.  Stanley  Hendel,  sec- 
retary ;  John  L.  Coxe,  treasurer  and  manager. 

Tobias  K.  Shenk  followed  general  contracting  at 
Reading  for  eight  years,  and  in  1903  embarked  in 
the  business  of  manufacturing  heavy  and  light 
wagons  and  carriages,  including  rubber  tires,  at 
No.  1139  Moss  street,  and  has  continued  until  the 
present  time,  employing  from  6  to  10  hands. 

David  L.  Rehcr  (engaged  in  local  express  and 
storage)  started  in  this  business  at  Buttonwood 
■and  Cedar  streets  in  1905  and  has  since  carried  it 


on  successfully  with  7  to  10  hands,  according  to 
the  demands  of  his  trade. 
Celluloid  Signs: 

The  General  Advertising  Company  was  incorpor- 
ated in  the  year  1900,  with  a  capital  of  $15,000,  by 
a  number  of  Reading  capitalists,  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  a  plant  at  Reading  for  the  manufacture 
of  steel  enameloid  signs  of  a  general  description. 
The  company  carried  on  business  successfully  at 
several  places  in  the  city,  and  in  October,  1907, 
erected  a  superior  four-story  brick  structure, 
30  by  100  feet,  at  Fourth  and  Franklin  streets, 
v/here  they  have  developed  a  very  large  trade, 
almost  wholly  engaged  in  manufacturing  steel 
celluloid  signs  for  paint  manufacturers,  and  for 
railroads,  which  are  sold  throughout  the  United 
States.  The  plant  employs  25  hands.  It  is  the  only 
one  of  the  kind  at  Reading.  The  officers  of  the 
company  are:  Walter  S.  Hamaker,  president;  How- 
ard J.  Potts,  secretary-treasurer. 
Cement   Paving: 

R.  L.  Wilson  &  Co. 

Dominic  Maiirer  (succeeding  Engelbert  &  Wag- 
onblast) . 

Franklin  Walters. 

Reading  Cement  &  Paving  Company  (Hover- 
ter  &  Hartman). 

Weller  Brothers   (Frederick  W.  and  Ephraim). 

Cement  paving  began  at  Reading  about  1876. 
The  first  large  pavements  were  put  down  at  the 
Boys'  High  School  in  1883,  and  the  Post-Office 
building  in  1887.  Cement  blocks  began  to  be  made 
at  Reading  in  1904  by  Weller  Brothers. 
Chewing  Gum  : 

The  Kola-Chemical  Company  was  incorporated 
in  the  year  1903  with  a  capital  of  $30,000,  for  the 
manufacture  of  chewing  gum  at  Reading,  and  since 
then  has  manufactured  "Richardson's  Kola  Chew- 
ing Gum"  in  large  quantities,  employing  25  hands. 
Its  quarters  are  located  in  the  Luden  Candy  Fac- 
tory. The  officers  of  the  company  are:  William 
H.  Luden,  president;  Miss  M.  M.  Boas,  treasurer; 
and  A.  N.  Bodey,  secretary. 
Cigars : 

The  manufacture  of  cigars  at  Reading  bega,n 
about  1800,  and  the  prominent  manufacturers  un- 
til the  Civil  wlar  were  James  Morris,  John  Ey- 
rich,  Samuel  Eyrich,  Isaac  James,  J.  &  E.  Eyrich, 
Philip  Albright,  John  Maltzberger,  J.  &  G.  W. 
Hantsch,  Charles  Breneiser  and  William  Hartman. 
In  1908  there  were  over  one  hundred  factories  at 
Reading  and  each  of  the  following  parties  made 
annually  upward  of  five  hundred  thousand: 


H.  G.  Burky 

Dibert  Bros.  (Samuel  D.) 

Otto  Eisenlohr  &  Bro. 

Fleck  Cigar  Company 

F.  Ganter 

Julius  G.  Hansen 

P.  Hilderbrand 

Heymann  Sons 

Haller  &  Whiteraft 

Industrial  Cigar  Mfg.  Co. 

E.  E.  Kahler  Cigar  Co. 


George  W.  Lehr 
N.  &  N.  Cigar  Co. 
A.  R.  Orth 
Penn  Cigar  Co. 
H.  H.  Roland 
John  H.  Riegel 
Charles    Ream 
Rush  Mfg.  Co. 
M.  Steppacher 
J.  G.  Spatz  &  Co. 
J.  W.  Sheridan  &  Co. 


READING 


17a 


W.  W.  Stewart  &  Son  Yocum   Bros. 

Valentine  Wiilk 

Ehiring  1908  the  number  of  cigars  manufactured 
in  the  Reading  district  exceeded  120,000,000;  and 
the  revenue  paid  wjas  $361,873 ;  and  the  revenue 
paid  on  manufactured  tobacco  was  $14,783. 
Clothing  : 

/.  P-  Sellers  &  Co.,  successors  of  James  Jameson, 
1844. 

Leinbach  &  Bro.,  1865  (Joseph  and  George), 
who  were  succeeded  by  Joseph  and  Charles  H. 
Leinbach. 

Reading  Pants  Manufacturing  Company  (Solo- 
mon Hirschland),  1895. 

A%ert  J.  Brumhach,  1895. 

There  are  numerous  custom  tailors  who  make 
suits  to  order;  also  upward  of  two  hundred  dress- 
makers who  are  constantly  engaged  in  making 
women's  and  girls'  dresses,  employing  from  sev- 
eral hands  to  ten  and  even  twenty.  Large  dress- 
making departments  are  carried  on  successfully 
by  C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co.,  KUne,  Eppihimer  &  Co., 
and  Dives,  Pomeroy  &  Stewart,  in  connection  with 
their  stores. 
Cotton  Factory: 

In  the  year  1849,  certain  capitalists  at  Read- 
ing organized  a  company  for  the  manufacture 
of  muslin  and  i^  1851  erected  a  large  plant  68  by 
274  feet  on  a  block  of  ground,  at  Ninth  and  Cotton 
streets,  which  has  continued  in  operation  almost 
constantly  until  the  present  time.  In  1886  it  was 
enlarged  to  360  feet.  Gamer  &  Co.,  of  New  York, 
have  operated  it  since  1860  in  a  very  successful 
manner,  in  connection  with  other  plants.  They 
have  employed  nearly  300  persons,  and  paid  out 
annually  in  wages  upward  of  $75,000,  evidencing 
the  important  character  of  this  enterprise  to  Read- 
ing. Ellis  L.  Castor  has  been  the  manager  of  this 
large  plant  since  1900.  His  predecessor  from  1884 
to  1900  was  Jonathan  Smith;  and  from  1857  to 
1884  the  manager  was  John  Gragg.  From  1872 
to  1900,  Mr.  Castor  served  as  clerk  under  the  man- 
agers named. 
Cotton  Goods,  Hosiery: 

The  following  list  embraces  the  active  manu- 
facturers of  hosiery  at  Reading: 

Reading  Knitting  Mills,  1883. 

Nolde  &  Horst  Company,  1888,  very  large. 

William  J.  Bobst,  1891. 

George  W.  Hawk  &  Co.,  1896. 

Harry  Hahn,  1896. 

Penn  Knitting  Mills,  1896. 

Kuersten  &  Rick,  1896. 

S.  S.  Miller,  1898. 

/.  H.  Loose,  1898. 

W.  H.  Lando,  1898. 

Hampden  Knitting  Mills  Company,  1899. 

East  Penn  Hosiery  Company,  1899. 

George  Guenther,  1900.  ■ 

Hv  R.  Epler  &  Son,  1901. 

Hawk  Knitting  Company,  1901. 

Consolidated  Knitting  &  Spinning  Mills,  1901. 


Albert  Weber,  1901,  formerly  of  L.  Weber  & 
Co.,  and  Weber  &  Hahn. 

Charles  L.  Oaks,  1904. 

Metropolitan  Knittinz  Mills.  1904. 

Rick  Hosiery  Company,  1905. 

A.  W.  WoKnger  Company,  1905. 

Colonial  Hosiery  Mills,  1906. 

Central  Knitting  Mills  Company,  1907. 

Reading  Knitting  Mill. — Hosiery,  both  cotton  and 
woolen,  was  commonly  made  by  hand  by  many 
females  at  Reading,  and  sold  to  the  stores.  Great 
quantities  were  made  elsewhere,  brought  here  and 
sold  at  retail  in  the  stores.  By  the  year  1876,  the 
custom  of  wearing  home-made  stockings  was  al- 
most entirely  abandoned. 

In  1883,  the  first  factory  was  established  at  Read- 
ing for  the  manufacture  of  hosiery  by  machinery, 
and  after  passing  through  several  hands,  the  plant 
in  1885  became  the  property  of  I.  C.  Hunsicker 
&  Co.,  who  traded  as  the  Reading  Knitting  Mills, 
and  were  the  first  firm  to  employ  upward  of  a 
hundred  hands  and  produce  daily. about  500  dozen. 
In  1891  they  erected  a  fine  large  plant,  incareased 
their  hands  to  250  and  their  daily  product  to  800 
dozen  daily;  which  evidences  the  growth  of  this, 
new  enter-prise  at  Reading.  In  1896,  J.  Gaenzle 
&  Co.  became  the  successors,  and  in  1898  Charles 
E.  Leippe  secured  an  interest  in  the  business,  when 
the  name  was  changed  to  Gaenzle  &  Leippe.  In 
1905  Charles  T.  Davies  succeeded  Gaenzle  and  the 
firm  became  Leippe  &  Davies,  but  trading  under 
the  same  name.  In  December,  1907,  Mr.  Leippe 
became  the  sole  owner,  and  he  has  since  operated 
the  plant  very  successfully,  employing  150  hands. 

Noldc-Horst  Hosiery  Mill. — Jacob  Nolde  and 
George  D.  Horst  began  to  manufacture  hosiery  on 
the  third  floor  of  the  Thalheimer  Power  building 
on  Cedar  street,  south  of  Walnut,  in  1888,  with  25 
hands.  Their  annual  product  amounted  to  $30,000. 
In  1890,  they  built  a  brick  factory  on  Cedar  street 
beyond  Walnut,  and  there  continued  the  business, 
in  connection  with  a  plant  which  they  carried  on  at 
Eighth  and  Spring  streets,  until  1892,  when  they 
took  possession  of  a  four-story  brick  building  on 
Moss  beyond  Douglass,  which  they  erected.  In  1896 
they  enlarged  the  building  by  adding  two  wings; 
and  in  1897  they  became  incorporated  as  The  Nolde 
&  Horst  Company,  with  a  capital  of  $250,000. 

In  December,  1899,  the  entire  plant  was  destroy- 
ed by  fire,  but  it  was  rebuilt  immediately  on  the 
same  site,  much  improved,  with  slow-burning  con- 
struction, fire  walls,  sprinkler  equipment,  stair- 
towers,  etc.  These  stair-towers  at  the  north  and 
south  end  of  the  large  structure  are  the  first  of 
the  kind  introduced  at  Reading  and  they  afford  ab- 
solutely safe  exits  in  case  of  fire. 

In  1906  they  added  the  Ninth  Street  Mill,  which 
practically  doubled  their  plant.  They  are  now  the 
largest  hosiery  manufacturers  in  the  eastern  sec- 
tion of  the  country,  if  not  in  the  entire  country.  They 
produce  annually  1,000,000  dozen  pairs  of  hose  and 
half-hose,  worth  $2,000,000,  and  employ  1,500  peo- 
ple.   Their  annual  pay-roll  is  $600,000.    Their  pro- 


174 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


duct  is  sold  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  but 
none  of   it  is   exported.     The  officers  are:    Jacob 
Nolde,  president ;  George  D.  Horst,  secretary-  treas- 
urer; John  D.  Horst,  superintendent. 
Cotton  Goods,  Underwear: 

Elijah  S.  Amnion,  1893. 

Lewis  Rothermel,  1898. 

Lewis  &  Schultz  Manufacturing  Company,  1907 ; 
running  another  factory  at  Tremont. 

Reading  Underzvear  Company,  1906  (succeeding 
C.  E.  Smith,  W.  W.  Moyer  and  R.  T.  Brown,  who 
started  in  1902)  ;  have  another  factory  at  Ephrata. 

Mt.  Penn  Underwear  Company,  1905  (Levi  M. 
Miller  &  James  M.  Stoudt). 

Eclipse  Knitting  Company,  1906. 

Dreisel  &  Ripka,  1907. 

Creameries: 

Peter  Zacharias,  1905  (succeeding  Spang  & 
Zacharias,  1893-1905). 

Keystone     Creamery,    1902     (William    M.    and 
Charles    D.    Toole)     (succeeding   Joseph    Stauffer, 
1893-97,  and  A.  S.  Clouser,  1897-1902). 
Dye  Works  : 

Nevcrsink  Dyeing  Company,  1906  (succeeding 
Nathan  S.  Althouse  and  Jam'es  H.  Knoll,  1894- 
1906). 

Liberty  Dye  Works,  1898  (Elias  Schulz  and  son 
Edward). 

Reading  Dyeing  Company,  1907. 

There  was   a  prominent  dyer  at  Reading  for  a 
number  of  years  before  and  after  the  Civil  war, 
named  Sebastian  Boehnlein. 
Electro-Plating : 

Franklin  Specialty  Company  carried  on  electro- 
plating, nickel-plating  and  the  manufacture  of  spe- 
cialties from  1901  to  1909,  when  Charles  Engel- 
meyer  became  the  proprietor  of  the  plant.  He  em- 
ploys from  10  to  15  hands. 
Express  and  Transfer  Companies  : 

Albright  Express. — Soon  after  the  opening  of 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad,  Philip  Al- 
bright established  an  express  line  for  the  delivery 
of  goods  and  merchandise,  and  he  continued  in  the 
business  until  1872.  •  For  a  long  time  he  had  an  ex- 
press car  attached  to  the  passenger  trains,  which 
enabled  him  to  despatch  shipments  to  Philadelphia 
and  delivery  at  Reading. 

Express  Companies. — The  Howard  Express  was 
the  first  company  to  locate  at  Reading,  having  es- 
tablished an  office  here  in  1849  and  continued  until 
1870;  the  Central  conducted  an  office  here  from 
1870  to  1880;  and  the  Adams  from  1880  to  the 
present  time.  The  P.  &  R.  R.  Co.  started  in  1872 
and  continued  until  1889,  when  the  business  was 
transferred  to  the  United  States  Ejcpress  Company. 

Local  Express. — Edwin  C.  Hiester  embarked  in 
the  local  express  business  at  Reading  in  1861  for 
delivering  baggage  and  freight  and  for  transferring 
passengers.  The  latter  was  discontinued  in  1888, 
when  the  Union  Transfer  Company  was  started 
expressly    for   this   branch   of   the   business.      The 


former  was  continued  until  1900,  when  Maurice  E. 
Roeder  became  the  successor,  and  Mr.  Roeder  has 
carried  on  the  business  until  the  present  time,  em- 
ploying 11  teams. 

A  number  of  other  persons  engaged  in  this  busi- 
ness, the  important  lines  being: 

H.  A.  Brown,  1873,  with  12  teams. 

O.  B.  Caller,  1873,  with  8  teams. 

C.  W.  Haas,  1885,  with  6  teams. 
John  Greth,  1892,  with  3  teams. 

D.  L.  Reber,  1895,  with  12  teams. 
Leibelsperger  &  Walborn,  1904,  with  4  teams. 
Ambrose  Dougherty,  1907,  with  3  teams. 
Union  Transfer  Company. — In  1888,  the  P.  &  R. 

R.  Co.  began  the  business  of  transferring  baggage 
and  travelers  at  Reading  with  C.  A.  Dougherty  as 
manager,  and  in  1889  cabs  were  added  to  the  sys- 
tem. In  1893  the  business  was  sold  to  the  Union 
Transfer  Company,  which  was  conducting  similar 
systems  at  Philadelphia,  Pottsville,  Atlantic  City, 
and  other  places.  In  1896,  this  company  erected  a 
large  stable  at  Court  and  Cedar  streets,  costing 
$25,000.  The  company  employs  20  nien,  25  horses, 
4  cabs,  2  coaches  and  2  baggage  wlagons.  Mr. 
Dougherty  died  in  1902  and  his  son  acted  as  man- 
ager until  1907,  when  Michael  C.  Quinn  became 
his  successor. 

Reading  Taxicab  Co. — The  automobile  having 
demonstrated  its  great  utility  in  the  matter  of  loco- 
motion with  increasing  success  at  Reading  since  its 
introduction  in  1891,  and  a  car  called  the  "taxicab" 
having  come  to  be  made  since  then  to  answer  the 
purposes  of  cab  service  in  and  about  Reading, 
Harry  O.  Koller  organized  the  Reading  Taxicab 
Company  with  a  capital  of  $20,000  on  Dec.  17,  1908, 
which  introduced  six  fine  taxicabs,  and  these  imme- 
diately came  into  general  demand  on  account  of 
their  quick,  neat  and  satisfactory  service. 

Fire  Apparatus : 

William  A.  Wunder,  1883  (succeeding  Spawn 
&  Dennison,  1880-83). 

Fixtures,  Bar,  Bank,  Store  and  Office: 
Loper  Brothers  (Joseph  and  Franklin),  1901. 
Schrader  &  Kline  also  provide  all  kinds  on  orders. 

Fixtures,  Gas  and  Electric  : 

Embree  &  Goodman,  1906  (succeeding  Egid 
Thoma) . 

Flour-mills: 

Aaron  Yocum  Sons  &  Co.,  successors  of  Aaron 
Yocum,  established  1870. 

Werts  Milling  Company  (Edward  S.  Wertz), 
1898. 

Three  prominent  mills  were  operated  along  the 
canal  for  many  years  after  it  was  opened  for  traffic : 
Krick's  (on  North  River  street),  Benson's  (at  foot 
of  Penn  street)  and  Packer's  (at  foot  of  Binga- 
man  street)  ;  and  there  w^re  two  old  mills  opposite 
Reading  at  the  mouth  of  Wyomissing  creek,  and 
one  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tulpehocken  creek  (con- 
verted into  a  paper-mill). 


READING 


175 


Galvanizing  : 

A.  Lincoln  Frame,  who  started  in  the  foundry 
business  in  1903,  trading  under  the  name  of  the 
Gray  Iron  Foundry  Company,  added  a  galvanizing 
department  to  his  works  in  1907,  and  has  since  em- 
ployed 12  men  in  this  branch  of  work.  It  is  the 
only  individual  enterprise  of  this  kind  at  Reading 
(galvanizing  by  the  Reading  Hardware  Works,  the 
Penn  Hardware  Works  and  the  P.  &  R.  R.  Works 
being  done  for  their  own  specialties) . 

Gloves : 

The  Reading  Glove  and  Mitten  Manufacturing 
Company  was  incorporated  in  1899  for  the  manu- 
facture of  silk  gloves,  and  its  large  plant  has  been 
carried  on  successfully  at  Tenth  and  Spruce  streets 
vintil  the  present  time,  employing  60  to  100  hands. 

E'.  Richard  Meinig  &  Co.  was  organized  in  1905 
for  the  manufacture  of  silk  gloves,  became  incor- 
porated in  1907  and  employs  from  500  to  700  hands. 
Its  large  plant  is  located  on  North  Front  street,  be- 
yond the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad. 

Greenhouses": 

Steckler  Brothers  (B.  Franklin  and  Leo),  1907 
(succeeding-  their  grandfather,  Michael  Hauser, 
who  started  in  1840  and  continued  until  1873,  when 
he  was  followed  by  his  son  Francis  and  his  son-in- 
law  D.  H.  Steckler). 

Hu  J.  Huessman,  1901  (succeeding  John  C.  Hep- 
ler,  1875-1901). 

G.  H.  Hoskin  Company,  1905  (succeeding  Hos- 
kin  &  Giles,  1875-1905). 

John  H.  Giles,  1905  (having  been  associated  with 
G.  H.  Hoskin  from  1875  to  1905). 

G.  W.  Beears,  1890. 

/.  C.  Bander,  1903. 

Alexander  Burnett  was  prominently  engaged  in 
the  business  at  Reading  from  1850  to  1880. 

Grocers'  Bags: 

The  Hercules  Paper  Bag  Company  was  organ- 
ized in  1891  and  incorporated  in  1906,  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  grocers'  bags,  w^hich  are  produced  jn 
great  quantities  and  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the 
country. 

Harness  : 

The  manufacture  of  harness  has  always  been  con- 
nected with  the  saddlery  shops  of  Reading.  In 
1909,  there  were  5  shops  carried  on  actively:  H. 
Luther  Frees,  with  6  hands  (succeeding  his  father 
and  they  together  carried  on  the  place  for  upward 
of  sixty  years)  ;  Samuel  Hartman,  with  2  hands ; 
Reading  Harness  Company,  with  4  hands;  Joseph 
H.  Lutz,  and  /.  A.  Tice. 

Horse-Collars  : 

Horse-collars  were  made  in  connection  with  sad- 
dlery at  Reading  from  the  beginning.  Gideon  Wei- 
ser  was  engaged  at  it  before  the  city  was  estab- 
lished in  1847  and  he  was  succeeded  by  an  em- 


ployee, Samuel  Donahower,  who  carried  on  the 
business  for  many  years.  Upon  his  decease,  his 
widow  continued  the  business  with  an  employee, 
L.  Kantner,  trading  as  Donahower  &  Co.,  and 
they  traded  until  her  death,  in  1905.  Kantner  then 
purchased  the  business  and  he  has  carried  it  on 
since  with  a  saddlery. 

George  Frees  carried  on  the  business  from  1848 
for  upward  of  twenty  years,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  his  son  Luther,  who  has  since  continued  at  it. 

Nathaniel  Gery  was  engaged  at  it  for  many  years 
until  1870.  He  was  succeeded  by  Christian  Grun- 
der,  and  Grander  by  John  M.  Kantner.  Samuel 
Hartman,  Joseph  Lutz  and  Adam  Oese  have  also 
followed  it  for  thirty  years. 

Hats  and  Caps  : 

The  manufacture  of  wool  and  fur  hats  at  Read- 
ing is  the  oldest  prominent  local  industry,  starting 
with  the  beginning  of  the  town.  They  were  hand- 
made until  1853,  when  machinery  was  introduced. 

Fur  Hats. — In  1860  John  Hendel  and  brother 
George  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wool  hats, 
at  Adamstown,  and  continued  there  until  1864, 
when  they  located  in  Exeter  township,  near  Black 
Bear.  They  carried  on  the  business  there  four 
years,  when  they  located  at  Reading.  In  1871  they 
purchased  the  Wyomissing  woolen-mill  at  Fifth 
and  Willow  streets  and  operated  a  large  and  im- 
proved plant  until  1895,  when  they  were  succeeded 
lay  John  Hendel' s  Sons  (Daniel,  Edwin  and  Harri- 
son).   In  1897  they  started  making  fur  hats. 

They  carried  on  the  business  in  a  very  successful 
manner  as  John  Hendel's  Sons  until  1907,  when 
Harrison  was  killed  in  the  Honda  wreck  in  Cali- 
fornia, and  his  interest  was  purchased  by  his 
brothers,  who  have  continued  the  business  until  the 
present  time.  They  employ  from  400  to  500  hands, 
depending  upon  the  condition  of  the  trade. 

Charles  W.  Hendel  started  making  -fur  hats  on 
South  Third  street  in  1889  and  has  continued  a 
large  plant  until  the  present  time. 

Reading  Hat  Manufacturing  Company  was  in- 
corporated in  1905  for  the  manufacture  of  stiff 
fur  hats  at  Reading  and  has  been  in  the  business 
since,  employing  about  100  hands.  This  plant  is 
the  successor  of  G.'  W.  Alexander  &  Co.  ^t 
Twelfth  and  Muhlenberg  streets. 

Wool  Hats. — The  manufacture  of  wool  hats  has 
been  continued  without  interruption  from  the  be- 
ginning of  Reading. 

/.  G.  Mohn  &■  Bros,  started  in  1,871  and  have 
continued  until  the  present  time,  employing  about 
300  hands  and  being  one  of  the  largest  plants  of 
the  kind  in  Pennsylvania. 

John  R.  Miller  and  brother  Henry  began  at  Read- 
ing in  1879  and  continued  until  1905,  when  John 
R.  retired.     Since  then  the  business  has  been  car- 


176 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


ried  on  as  Henry  R.  Miller  &  Co.,  with  about  200 
hands. 

C.  F.  Kessler  began  in  1876,  and  for  upward  of 
thirty  years  has  carried  on  the  plant  successfully 
under  the  name  of  C.  F.  Kessler  &  Sons  (William 
and  George,  who  were  admitted  as  partners),  em- 
ploying from  70  to  100  hands. 

Hendel  Hat  Company  is  composed  of  George 
Hendel  and  sons,  John  and  William,  and  Har- 
man  Haigh;  organized  in  1901  for  the  manufacture 
of  wool  hats.  They  employ  from  125  to  150  hands, 
having  succeeded  Wetherhold  &  Co.  Previously 
W.  H.  Reinoehl  &  Co.  had  carried  on  the  plant 
for  twenty  years. 

Caps.— The  Reading  Hat  &  Cap  Company  has 
been  engaged  in  making  cloth  hats  and  caps  since 
1897,  employing  from  10  to  20  hands. 

Hat  Blocks: 

In  1888  Matthias  C.  Sigmund  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  hat  blocks  of  all  kinds  and  has 
continued  until  the  present  time.  He  employs  6 
hands. 

Hooks  and  Eyes: 

John  W.  Granger,  who  was  employed  at  Phila- 
delphia for  twenty  years  in  the  manufacture  of 
hooks  and  eyes,  located  at  Reading  in  1908  and 
incorporated  a  company  for  their  manufacture,  be- 
sides other  metal  goods,  with  a  capital  of  $30,000, 
which  started  a  plant  in  January,  1909.  Hands 
employed,  from  25  to  30.  The  officers  are  John 
W.  Granger,  president;  J.  B.  Kaighn,  vice-presi- 
dent; F.  A.  Von  Boynebergk,  treasurer;  and  John 
Farrington,  secretary. 

Ice  and  Cold  Storage: 

The  business  of  supplying  natural  ice  at  Reading 
by  the  construction  of  a  dam,  erection  of  an  ice- 
house and  the  cutting  and  storing  of  ice  in  the 
winter,  was  begun  by  Abraham  Vivens  before  1840 
and  he  carried  it  on  successfully  for  many  years. 

William  I.  Clous  was  also  active  in  it  for  a  long 
while  before  1885.  The  dams  were  within  the  city 
limits.  Since  then  numerous  persons  have  come  to 
engage  in  the  business,  but  they  secure  their  sup- 
plies elsewhere. 

The  Mt.  Penn  Ice  Company  is  extensively  en- 
gaged in  supplying  natural  ice  which  is  secured  and 
stored  in  Cumru  township. 

Artificial  ice  was  first  made  at  Reading  in  1892 
by  the  Reading  Cold  Storage  Company,  which 
erected  a  large  plant  capable  of  producing  sixty 
tons  daily,  and  of  storing  100  cars  of  materials, 
such  as  apples,  eggs,  butter,  etc.,  and  has  operated 
it  since  very  successfully.  Other  plants  were  es- 
tablished subsequently  and  carried  on  for  a  time. 
Its  use  is  becoming  more  general  annually  on  ac- 
count of  its  recognized  purity. 

The  brewing  companies'  have  also  equipped  their 
plants  with  machinery  for  producing  artificial  ice 
in  great  quantities  for  their  own  use,  and  also  for 
certain  private  customers  according  to  demand. 


Ice-cream  : 

Ice-cream  was  made  in  limited  quantities  in  the 
early  history  of  Reading.  For  forty  years  before 
1876,  Alfred  M.  Souders  and  his  brother  George 
were'  active  and  successful  in  this  business,  besides 
making  different  kinds  of  candies  and  chocolates. 
During  the  past  thirty  years  the  following  persons 
have  been  prominently  identified  with  its  manufac- 
ture in  large  quantities  throughout  the  year,  more 
especially  in  the  summer  season:  /.  R.  Sharman 
(succeeded  by  A.  M.  Kershner),  C.  M.  Groff, 
John  M.  Fries,  J.  0.  Roller,  D.  E.  Houck  and  Isaac 
Barrett. 

Jewelry  : 

The  jewelers  at  Reading  always  manufactured 
various  articles,  but  almost  entirely  to  order,  and 
they  were  mostly  dealers.  After  members  of  dif- 
ferent secret  societies  began  to  make  frequent  de- 
mands for  badges,  charms  and  emblems  of  various 
designs,  the  business  of  manufacturing  them  was 
established.  Thomas  W.  Sweney  was  the  first  to 
engage  in  it  extensively,  having  started  about  1865, 
and  continued  it  for  forty  years. 

Charles  G.  Willson  engaged  in  the  business  for 
himself  in  1887,  being  the  successor  of  his  brother 
Thomas  A.  Willson,  who  started  in  1868.  He  man- 
ufactures many  articles  to  order  and  employs  6 
hands. 

G.  A.  Schlechter  has  been  in  the  business  since 
1870,  and,  besides  conducting  a  large  jewelry  busi- 
ness, carries  on  manufacturing  quite  extensively, 
more  especially  of  badges  and  charms  for  secret 
societies,  which  are  forwarded  to  all  parts  of  the 
country. 

Anderson' Jewelry  Company  was  started  in  1903 
by  L.  D.  Anderson  and  J.  H.  Snyder  for  manufac- 
turing jewelry  of  various  kinds,  but  mostly  badges, 
charms,  rings,  pins,  wire-work,  etc.,  and  they  em- 
ploy from  12  to  18  hands.  They  are  successors  of 
C.  T.  Anderson,  father  of  Mr.  Anderson,  who  be- 
gan at  Reading  in  1886. 

Upward  of  thirty  persons  are  engaged  in  the 
jewelry  business  as  dealers,  and  they  manufacture 
articles  to  order. 

Ladies'  Garments: 

In  1903,  the  Great  Eastern  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany started  manufacturing  ladies'  garments,  of 
various  kinds,  consisting  of  wrappers,  skirts,  dress- 
ing sacques  and  kimonos,  and  since  then  has  pro- 
duced large  quantities  which  have  been  shipped  to 
all  parts  of  the  country.  The  factory  is  situated  at 
Sixth  and  Washington  streets  and  employs  from 
30  to  50  hands;  in  brisk  times  over  100.  The 
officers  of  the  company  are:  D.  E.  Houck,  presi- 
dent; J.  W.  Weidner,  secretary-treasurer;  and 
Mrs.  M.  E.  Braungart,  superintendent. 

Laundries  : 

General  laundry  work  was  started  at  Reading  in 
1875,  and  the  first  Chinaman  came  here  about  1880. 
The  first  steam  laundry  was  started  in  1879  by 
Joseph  W.  Auchenbach. 


READING 


177 


Excelsior  Laundry  was  started  in  1884  by  Charles 
E.  Witman  and  his  brother  Morgan,  and  it  has 
been  continued  by  different  owners  until  the  pres- 
ent time;  by  William  F.  Wilkinson  since  1899,  and 
he  employs  35  haiids. 

Penn  Troy  Laundry,  by  William  Y.  and  Frederick 
Schmucker  in  1893,  and  continued  till  now,  employ- 
ing 48  hands. 

Snow-Flake  Laundry,  by  John  W.  H.  Harpst 
in  1896  and  operated  since  with  15  to  30  hands. 

City  Laundry  was  carried  on  by  Wesley  K.  Loose 
from  1897  to  1900,  when  P.  G.  Patton  became  the 
owner  "and  has  operated  it  since  with  14  hands. 

Modd  Laundry,  by  Frank  C.  Stringer  since  1897, 
employing  5  hands. 

Gem  Laundry,  by  Frank  M.  Heffner  until  his 
death  in  1908,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son 
Harry.     He  employs  12  hands. 

A.  S.  Templin  carried  on  a  laundry  from  1903  to 
February,  19,09,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Wil- 
liam Knabb,  who  continues  the  business  with  6 
hands.    His  laundry  is  called  the  "Bee  Hive." 

People's  Laundry,  by  Lewis  O.  Davis  in  1905, 
and  he  employs  from  7  to  10  hands. 

Snow  White  Laundry,  by  H.  G.  Ellis  in  1908,  and 
he  employs  10  hands. 

Reading  Overall  Supply  Company  was  organized 
by  John  B.  Bowers  in  1903  and  operated  since,  for 
washing  overalls,  with  3  to  5  hands. 

Four  Chinamen  are  also  engaged  in  the  business. 
Leather : 

The  tannery  business  was  prominent  in  Reading 
for  over  one  hundred  years,  with  plants  in  different 
parts  of  the  place,  but  then  it  began  to  decline  until 
the  tanning  by  bark  passed  away  entirely. 

Ferdinand  Goetz  Sons  Co. — This  plant  was 
started  by  Ferdinand  Winter  and  Anthony  Blatz 
in  1869  and  operated  by  them  until  1875 ;  then 
Ferdinand  Goetz  took  the  place  of  Blatz,  and  the 
business  was  carried  on  by  Winter  &  Goetz  in  a 
very  successful  manner  until  the  decease  of  Goetz, 
in  1904,  when  the  partnership  business  was  set- 
tled by  the  retirement  of  Winter,  and  the  sons  of 
Goetz  (Frederick  W.  and  Karl)  and  his  son- 
in-law,  W.  C.  Billman,  organized  the  firm  of  Fer- 
dinand Goetz  Sons  Co.  and  have  since  carried  on 
the  business  very  extensively,  employing  75  hands. 
They  prepare  cow,  calf  and  sheep  skins,  using  the 
alum  process.  It  is  the  only  industry  of  the  kind 
now  at  Reading. 
Leather  Goods: 

The  Reading  Saddle  Manufacturing  Company 
was  organized  by  Daniel  F.  Printz  and  incor- 
porated in  the  year  1900,  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  leather  goods,  consisting  of  bicycle  saddles, 
school  bags  and  cases,  lunch  boxes,  etc.  The  plant 
is  situated  at  Nos.  316-320  Maple  street,  and  in 
its  different  departments  (including  hardware  spe- 
cialties) employs  60  hands.  It  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful and  its  several  lines  of  goods  are  shipped 
to  all  parts  of  the  country.    The  officers  of  the  com- 

13 


pany  are :  Daniel  F.  Printz,  president ;  Samuel  H. 
Fulmer,  treasurer;  and  Miller  M.  Deam,  secretary 
and  manager. 
Malt: 

The  manufacture  of  malt  was  carried  on  quite 
extensively  at  Reading  for  about  forty  years  by 
different  parties,  having  been  started  in  1863  by 
Frederick  Schuldt  and  Moses  K.  Graeff. 

P.  Barbey  &  Son,  brewers,  began  in  1885  manu- 
facturing  malt    for   their    own   consumption   and 
have  carried  on  this  department  of  their  extensive 
plant  until  the  present  time. 
Mantels  : 

The  marble  mantel  business  was  started  at  Read- 
ing by  Daniel  Miller  about  1865,  he  having  been 
engaged  in  the  marble  business  at  Fourth  and 
Washington  streets  for  some  years;  and  about 
1875  Henry  C.  Geissler  and  Thomas  Watt  em- 
barked in  the  business  of  supplying  slate -mantels, 
which  they  carried  on  for  a  number  of  years  un- 
til the  decease  of  Watt.  Geissler  then  established 
the  Penn  Tile  and  Mantel  Company  with  his  sons 
as  partners  and  they  have  developed  a  large  trade, 
which  extends  to  all  parts  of  the  country.  About 
twenty  years  ago  wooden  mantels  began  to  be 
introduced  and  then  gradually  took  the  place  of 
marble  and  slate  mantels.  They  are  manufactured 
almost  entirely  in  the  West. . 
Marble,  Granite  and  Sandstone  Works: 

p.  F.  Eisenbrown  Sons  &•  Co\ — In  1875,  P.  F. 
Eisenbrown  located  at  Reading,  started  a  Marble 
and  Granite  Works  and  carried  on  the  business 
until  1889,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his 
sons.  The  firm  name  has  been  continued  until 
the  present  time.  The  works  were  located  at  Sixth 
and  Elm  streets  until  1906,  when  they  were  re- 
moved to  Muhlenberg  township,  along  the  P.  & 
R.  railroad,  a  short  distance  north  of  Reading. 
This  firm  is  extensively  engaged  in  preparing 
granite  work  of  all  kinds  and  its  trade  extends 
throughout  Berks  and  the  surrounding  counties. 
They  employ  from  50  to  60  men.  They  still  re- 
tain their  yard  in  Reading. 

Ernst  Epp  embarked  in  this  business  in  1891, 
and  has  been  actively  engaged  in  it  until  the  pres- 
ent time.     He  employs  from  25  to  30  hands. 

Spangier  Brothers,  from  Kutztown,  located  in 
Reading  in  1908,  having  purchased  the  marble 
yard  of  F.  F.  Bressler  after  his  decease.  • 
.  John  F.  Moers  and  his  son  Frederick  were  en- 
gaged in  the  marble  business  on  Penn  street,  above 
Second,  for  upward  of  one  hundred  years,  more 
especially  relating  to  cemetery  work.  Herman 
Strecker  and  his  father  were  also  identified  with 
this  business  in  a  prominent  manner  for  seventy 
years,  the  former  having  been  distinguished  as  a 
designer  and  sculptor  of  rare  talents.  One  of  his 
most  notable  pieces  of  work  is  "Christ  on  the  Cross" 
(also  called  the  "Crucifixion")  in  Charles  Evans 
cemetery. 

Flagstone. — Jacob  Mayer  has  been  engaged  at 
Reading,  putting  down  flagstone  pavement,   since 


178 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


1890,  securing  the  stones  from  the  Wyoming  Valley 
in  Pennsylvania;  also  concrete  and  cement  work. 
He  employs  from  10  to  30  hands. 

Sandstone  work  for  building  operations  was 
common  before  1890;  but  since  then  it  has  not 
been  popular,  being  used  only  in  a  limited  way. 

Mattresses  : 

In  1896,  Frederick  G.  Hodges  came  from  Wil- 
mington, Del.,  and  located  at  Reading  for  the 
manufacture  of  mattresses  and  springs  for  beds. 
He  has  carried  on  the  business  successfully  until 
the  present  time,  and  now  employs  16  hands. 

Metallic  Cornices: 

The  manufacture  of  metallic  cornice  and  orna- 
mental work  for  churches,  public  buildings  and 
dwellings  was  started  at  Reading  by  William  T. 
Hain  and  A.  J.  Geissinger  in  18'72  at  No.  824  Court 
street.  -In  1873,  Hain  became  the  sole  owner  of 
the  business  and  he  has  carried  it  on  since  at  the 
same  place.  His  work  is  forwarded  to  all  parts  of 
Pennsylvania.    He  employs  from  3  to  5  hands. 

William  B.  Y eager  started  in  1886  and  has  con- 
tinued till  now,  employing  from  6  to  10  hands. 

Daniel  H.  Sohl  started  in  1895,  and  employs  12 
hands.    He  is  also  engaged  in  manufacturing  sheet- 
metal   specialties    for   automobiles,   etc. 
Paints : 

Aaron  Wilhelm  began  the  manufacture  of 
paint  at  Easton,  Pa.,  in  1857,  and  continued 
the  business  there  until  1871,  when  he  removed 
to  Reading.  His  brother  William  H.  was  then  as- 
sociated with  him  under  the  name  of  A.  Wilhelm 
&  Bro.,  and  they  continued  the  business  until  1878, 
when  William  H.  retired  and  Walter  S.  Davis  was 
admitted  in  his  stead.  From  that  time  the  firm 
traded  as  A.  Wilhelm  &  Co.  In  1889  Aaron  Wil- 
helm died  and  a  company  was  incorporated  under 
the  name  of  "The  A.  Wilhelm  Co.,"  of  which 
Charles  W.  Wilhelm  became  president  and  Walter 
S.  Davis  secretary  and  treasurer,  they  serving 
these  positions  until  the  present  time.  They  manu- 
facture paints  of  every  description  and  ship  them 
to  all  parts  of  the  country  through  distributing 
houses  at  Boston,  Baltimore,  Buffalo  and  Pitts- 
burg. The  establishment  was  situated  on  Poplar 
street  beyond  Walnut  until  1902,  and  until  then 
was  the  largest  paint  enterprise  in  Pennsylvania 
outside  of  Philadelphia.  In  1902  it  was  removed 
to  Exeter  street,  in  Reading,  and  there  it  has  con- 
tinued in  active  and  successful  operation  until  the 
present  time.  The  average  number  of  hands  em- 
ployed is  75. 

B.  Frank  Ruth  was  employed  in  the  Wilhelm 
works  from  1873  to  1884,  when  he  organized  a 
company  for  the  manufacture  of  paints  of  all 
kinds,  fillers  for  wood  and  iron,  varnishes,  japans, 
putty,  etc.,  consisting  of  himself,  C.  Edward  Hecht 
and  Edward  Scull.  They  traded  as  B.  F.  Ruth 
&  Co.  and  established  a  mill  at  No.  229  South 
Eighth  street.  They  carried  on  the  business  until 
1894,  when  the  mill  was  removed  to  No.  210  South 


Eighth  street,  where  larger  facilities  were  provided 
and  Mr.  Ruth  became  the  sole  owner.  His  produc- 
tions are  forwarded  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States. 
He  has  continued  there  until  the  present  time,  em- 
ploying from  5  to  10  hands. 

In  1887  F.  H[.  Morgan,  after  being  in  the  employ 
of  the  Wilhelm  works  for  some  years,  began  the 
manufacture  of  paints  in  a  limited  way  with  James 
Ruth  as  a  partner,  on  Court  street  above  Second, 
and  in  1890  William  G.  Moore  became  associated 
with  them.  They  located  the  works  at  Eleventh  and 
Muhlenberg  streets  and  carried  on  the  same  exten- 
sively. In  1896  H.  H.  Jackson  and  Jenkin  Hill  be- 
came the  purchasers  when  Mr.  Morgan  established 
a  place  for  himself  at  No.  122  Wood  street,  where 
he  has  continued  until  the  present  time,  employing 
several  hands. 
Pants  Factories: 

In  the  year  1885,  Solomon  Hirshland  and 
Isaac  Samuel  started  a  pants  factory,  trading 
as  the  Reading  Pants  Manufacturing  Company,  and 
carried  it  on  until  1891,  when  Hirshland  became  the 
sole  owner.  In  1896  he  located  at  No.  533  Penn 
Square  and  has  continued  there  until  now.  He 
does  a  large  and  successful  business  and  employs 
from  25  to  30  hands. 

In  1895,  Albert  J.  Brumbach  established  a  fine 
three-story  brick  factory  at  Fourteenth  and  Muhl- 
enberg streets  for  the  manufacture  of  pants  out  of 
his  own  woolen  cloths  produced  at  the  St.  Law- 
rence Mills  in  Exeter  township.  He  employs  100 
hands. 

In  1904,  J.  G.  Leinbach  &  Co.  also  began  the 
manufacture  of  pants  and  vests  from  their  own 
cloths,  which  they  produced  at  the  Reading  Woolen 
Mills,  and  they  have  since  produced  great  quan- 
tities, employing  about  80  hands. 
Paper : 

The  Reading  Paper  Mills  is  a  corporation 
organized  in  1886  with  a  capital  of  $300,000, 
for  the  purpose  of  operating  three  superior  mills 
in  the  manufacture  of  fine  book  and  plate  paper. 
The  following  sketch  embraces  the  important  facts 
of  the  three  establishments : 

Penn  Street  Mill. — In  1841  Philip  Bushong,  a 
prominent  and  successful  distiller,  moved  from 
Reamstown  to  Reading,  purchased  a  large  brick 
building  at  the  foot  of  Court  street  on  the  west  side 
of  Front  (which  had  been  occupied  for  several  years 
previously  as  a  machine  shop)  and  converted  it 
into  a  distillery.  He  carried  on  the  business  of  dis- 
tilling whiskey  there  until  1865,  when  he  substi- 
tuted the  manufacture  of  paper,  equipping  the 
building  with  the  necessary  machinery  for  that  pur- 
pose. He  died  in  1868.  The  mill  was  then  carried 
on  for  several  years  by  his  son  George  and  his 
son-in-law  Alexander  Jacobs  for  the  estate,  and 
afterward  by  his  sons  Jacob  and  Henry  until  1887, 
when  it  was  sold  to  the  corporation  named. 

Packerack  Mill.— In  1838  Asa  Packer  and  Rob- 
ert W.  Packer  purchased  a  large  lot  of  ground  at 


READING 


179 


the  foot  of  Bingaman  street  adjoining  the  Schuylkill 
canal  from  Daniel  Seiders,  a  boat-builder,  and 
erected  thereon  a  large  warehouse  for  storing  mer- 
chandise in  connection  with  operating  boats  on 
the  canal.  In  1863  the  premises  were  sold  to  George 
R.  Frill,  who  then  converted  the  building  into  a 
large  gristmill,  and  he  and  Solomon  Brubaker  car- 
ried on  the  milling  business  until  1873,  when  it 
was  sold  to  Jacob  Bushong,  Henry  Bushong  and 
George  B.  Connard,  and  changed  into  a  paper-mill. 
This  mill  was  then  operated  by  Mr.  Connard  for 
some  years,  and  afterward  by  him,  Christopher 
Loeser  and  James  Symington,  trading  as  the  Read- 
ing Paper  Company  until  1882,  when  George  F. 
Baer  became  the  owner;  and  after  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Reading  Paper  Mills,  it  was  conveyed 
to  the  corporation.  The  building  was  enlarged  and 
improved  and  subsequently  an  addition  was  built 
to  it  to  supply  a  department  for  coating  paper. 

Tulpehocken  Mill. — Samuel  Bell  owned  and  op- 
erated a  gristmill  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tulpehocken 
creek,  in  Bern  township,  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  subsequently  until  1866  it  was  known  as  the 
Kissinger  Mill.  Then  Benjamin  F.  Schwartz  and 
William  H.  Schwartz  became  the  owners.  They 
converted  it  into  a  paper-mill,  and  carried  on  the 
manufacture  of  paper  for  two  years.  George  W. 
■Bushong  then  purchased  the  mill  and  operated  it 
successfully  until  1876,  producing  a  superior  grade 
of  paper  which  had  a  wide  reputation  and  came  to 
be  known  in  the  market  as  the  "Bushong  Paper." 
The  mill  was  afterward  operated  by  different  par- 
ties until  1883,  when  George  F.  Baer  became  the 
owner,  and  in  1887  he  conveyed  it  with  the  two 
mills  mentioned  to  the  Reading  Paper  Mills. 

The  three  mills  'have  been  operated  by  the  cor- 
poration named  very  successfully  until  now,  the 
Penn  Street  Mill  producing  fine  book  and  plate 
papers;  the  Packerack  Mill,  book  and  coated  pa- 
pers; and  the  Tulpehocken  Mill,  manila  paper  ex- 
clusively. The  product  of  the  first  two  mills  has 
been  disposed  of  principally  to  publishers  and  lith- 
ographers in  the  United  States  for  fine  book  work; 
and  of  the  last  in  the  United  States  and  England  for 
making  sandpaper.  Hands  employed  number  300, 
with  James  M'.  Miller  as  the  general  manager. 
The  ofBcers  of  the  company  are:  George  F.  Baer, 
president;  James  N.  Mohr,  vice-president;  Charles 
A.  Bushong,  treasurer;  and  Heber  Y.  Yost,  sec- 
retary. 
Pattern  Works: 

In  1900,  Howard  F.  Hawk  started  trading  un- 
der the  name  of  Reading  Pattern  Works  for  the 
manufacture  of  a,ll  kinds  of  patterns.  He  employs 
3  hands. 

In  1908,  Henry  Adams  and  William  Betz  began 
trading  as  the  Mt.  Penn  Pattern  Works  and  they 
employ  2  hands.  They  are  successors  of  Daniel 
Madlem,  who  started  at  Reading  in  1874  and  con- 
tinued until  his  decease  in  1906. 

In  1906,  J.  5".  Creitz  established  a  pattern  works 
for  supplying  patterns  of  all  kinds  for  machinery. 


automobiles   and   ornamental   work.     He   employs 
5  hands. 

Robert  McLean  started  trading  as  the  Ideal  Pat- 
tern Works  in  1905.    He  employs  3  hands. 
Picture  Frames  and  Gilding: 

Godfrey  Graeff,  a  German,  came  to  Reading  m 
1858,  and  carried  on  the  business  of  gilding  and 
manufacturing  picture-frames  of  all  kinds  at  No. 
635  Penn  street  until  1871,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  Francis  Woerner,  and  Mr.  Woerner  remained 
at  the  same  stand  until  1893,  when  he  located  at 
No.  33  North  Fifth  street,  where  he  continued 
actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  the  business 
until  his  decease  in  1903.  His  son  Oscar  L.  Woern- 
er succeeded  him  and  he  has  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness successfully  until  the  present  time.  He  made 
several  displays  of  paintings  by  local  artists,  which 
attracted  much  favorable  attention  and  his  enter- 
prise in  this  behalf  was  highly  appreciated.  He 
employs  from  5  to  7  hands. 

Reinhard  Rieger  learned  this  business  under  Mr. 
Woerner  and  continued  with  him  from  1874  to 
1879,  when  he  went  to  Philadelphia  to  learn  more 
about  it.  In  1883,  he  returned  to  Reading  and  be- 
gan business  for  himself  on  Sixth  street  below 
Penn,  where  he  continued  with  increasing  success 
until  1900,  when  he  .removed  to  No.  5  North  Fifth 
street,  where  he  has  continued  until  the  present  time. 
He  employs  4  hands. 

Jarius  W.  Ziegler  started  in  the  business  in  1900, 
and  he  employs  from  3  to  5  hands. 
Planing  Mills: 

In  the  year  1869,  George  Gasser,  Sr.,  came 
to  Reading  from  Myerstown,  established  a  plan- 
ing-mill  at  Ninth  and  Green  streets,  and  car- 
ried it  on  successfully  until  his,  decease  in  1887, 
having  traded  under  the  name  of  Northeastern 
Planing  Mill.  It  was  afterward  carried  on  by  dif- 
ferent parties  until  1903  when  the  Northeastern 
Planing  Mill  Company  became  the  owner  and  it 
has  since  operated  the  plant  in  a  successful  man- 
ner, with  45  to  50  hands.  John  L.  Rhoads  has 
been  the  president,  treasurer  and  manager  of  the 
company,  and  Daniel  C.  Roth  the  secretary. 

From  1835  to  1855,  William  B.  Hertzel  was  a 
prominent  builder  at  Reading  and  he  tihen  estab- 
lished a  planing-mill  which  was  operated  by  him 
successfully  until  1873.  It  was  afterward  run  by 
different  parties  until  1893,  when  the  F.  Shunk 
Planing  Mill  Company  became  the  owner,  and  it 
w^s  operated  by  this  company  until  1903,  when  it 
was  succeeded  by  tJhe  Penn  Planing  Mill  Company, 
which  has  carried  on  the  plant  until  the  present 
time,  employing  about  65  hands.  The  ofidcers  of 
the  company  are:  Harry  Shunk,  president;  Con- 
rad B.  High,  'secretary-treasurer. 

In  1874,  a  planing-mill  was  established  on 
Spruce  street  below  Third  by  Eisenhower,  Fink  & 
Co.,  and  operated  by  them  until  1877,  when  the 
firm  name  was  changed  to  Fink  &  Co. ;  it  was  op- 
erated by  this  company  until  1894,  and  afterward 
by  different  parties  until  1901,  when  it  came  into 


180 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


the  possession  of  the  Sheeder  Planing  Mill  Com- 
pany, with  Benjamin  F.  Sheeder  as  president, 
which  has  carried  on  the  plant  since  in  a  success- 
ful manner,  employing  15  hands. 

The  Neversink  Planing  Mill  Company,  Ltd. 
(Frederick  Hendricks,  Joseph  H.  Wade  and  John 
H.  Bechtel  as  partners),  was  organized  in  1901  for 
carrying  on  a  planing-mill  along  the  Lebanon  Val- 
ley railroad  at  Gordon  street,  and  has  since  oper- 
ated the  plant  successfully,  with  30  and  40  hands 
employed.  This  mill  is  equipped  for  cabinet  work 
as  well  as  general  mill  work,  which  is  a  specialty. 
Ropes,  Cords,  and  Twines: 

The  first  ropewalk  conducted  at  Reading  was 
established  there  in  the  year  1829  by  Thomas 
Jackson,  an  EngHshman,  along  the  southerly  side 
of  the  Schuylkill  canal  between  the  Lancaster 
bridge  and  Jackson's  lock.  He  then  employed  5 
hands  and  manufactured  all  kinds  of  ropes  and 
twines.  By  1850  he  had  developed  his  plant  so  as 
to  employ  from  15  to  30  hands.  The  superinten- 
dent of  the  Schuylkill  canal,  Samuel  Griscom,  pat- 
ronized him  extensively,  whereby  he  came  to  make 
nearly  all  the  ropes  for  the  company  and  for  per- 
sonal owners  of  boats. 

In  1850  the  large  freshet  swept  away  his  factory, 
and  he  located  on  First  Hockley  lane,  between 
Eighth  and  Ninth  streets  (now  beyond  Greenwich 
street),  transferring  the  plant  from  the  extreme 
southern  end  of  the  city  to  the  then  extreme  north- 
ern end.  He  erected  a  large  two-story  building 
and  continued  to  manufacture  ropes  and  twines 
by  hand-spinning.  About  1862  his  business  in- 
creased very  much  and  he  then  introduced  machin- 
ery, increasing  the  employes  to  25.  His  ropewalk 
was  built  to  the  length  of  1,450  feet.  In  1875  his 
son  Flenry  H.  was  admitted  as  a  partner,  and  from 
that  time  the  business  was  conducted  under  the 
name  of  Thomas  Jackson  &  Son. 

The  senior  partner  died  in  1878,  when  the  entire 
plant  became  the  property  of  Henry  H.  Jackson, 
but  the  firm  name  was  continued.  The  business 
has  been  carried  on  very  successfully  until  now. 
The  works  comprise  three  mills,  and  employ  150 
hands.  The  productions  are  fine  manila,  sisal  and 
jute  ropes  and  cordage,  twines  and  packing  yarns 
of  different  kinds,  which  are  forwarded  to  all  parts 
of  the  United  States. 

This  ropewalk  has  been  the  only  establishment 
of  its  kind  carried  on  at  Reading.  Other  persons 
were  engaged  in  the  business  of  manufacturing 
ropes,  cords  and  twines  at  different  times,  in  a  lim- 
ited way,  but  it  was  previous  to  1860. 

William  H.  German  has  been  connected  with  this 
plant  as  the  chief  clerk  since  1890. 
Rubber  Stamps  and  Stencils  : 

In  1873,  Francis  H.  Paff  began  making  rubber 
stamps,  stencil  work  of  all  kinds,  police  badges 
and  corporation  seals ;  and  in  1882  he  located  his 
shop  at  No.  60  South  Seventh  street,  where  he 
has  continued  since,  manufacturing  the  articles 
named  on  orders. 


Rugs: 

F.  S.  Kelley  started  manufacturing  rugs  out  of 
rags  in  1907,  at  Reading,  and  has  continued  until 
now,  employing  4  hands. 
Sand  and  Spalls: 

For  a  period  of  upward  of  forty  years  sand 
has  been  removed  from  the  base  of  Mt.  Penn, 
near  the  extension  of  Buttonwood  street,  and  the 
parties  who  engaged  in  the  business  of  supplying 
sand  from  that  vicinity  for  building  purposes  were 
Anthony  Brown  and  WilHam  Sweimler;  and  the 
son  of  the  former  is  still  engaged  in  the  business. 

Mr.  Sweimler  was  succeeded  by  John  Roth,  and 
Gallagher  &  Brisse,  and  since  1904  by  Gallagher- 
Brothers  (John  and  James),  who  employ  from  12 
to  15  hands  and  remove  annually  about  7,000  tons- 
of  superior  sand  for  all  purposes,  with  the  aid  of 
a  crusher. 

James  Gallagher  has  been  doing  business  there 
also  since  1905  as  the  Construction  Supply  Com- 
pany in  supplying  sand  and  spalls.  He  employs- 
from  10  to  15  hands. 

George  L.  Kestner,  Jr.,  has  operated  a  sand  works- 
adjoining,  for  upward  of  ten  years,  employing  sev- 
eral hands  and  a  crusher.  He  has  named  his  place 
"Alsando." 

Haak  Crusher. — Michael  Haak  owned  a  tract  of 
land  on  the  northern  declivity  of  Mt.  Neversink  and 
there  he  opened  a  place  in  1850  for  supplying  gravel 
and  building  sand.  Operations  were  carried  on  in  a 
Hmited  manner  until  1895,  when  the  heirs  of  Mr, 
Haak  with  George  E.  Haak  as  manager  put  up  a 
crusher  plant,  and  since  then  they  have  supplied 
large  quantities  of  sand  for  buildings  and  concrete 
paving,  also  large  quantities  of  sienna  paint. 

Sewer  Pipe: 

E.  S.  Fox  &  Co.  manufacture  large  quantities  of 
sewer  pipe  at  their  Terra  Cotta  Works  since  1870. 

Shirts  : 

The  manufacture  of  men's  and  boys'  shirts  at 
Reading  was  begun  by  Samuel  L.  McCulloch  about 
1872,  and  he  carried  on  the  business  for  a  number 
of  years;  and  during  that  time  it  was  carried  on 
also  by  William  Laramy. 

Nathan  N.  Sprecher  began  making  shirts  ex- 
tensively in  1886,  and  he  continued  until  1890, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  John  G.  JMcGowan. 
In  1895  he  established  a  large  gents'  furnishing 
store  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building.  No.  630  Penn 
street,  and  he  continued  there  until  his  decease  in 
1907,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  brother,  J. 
Wallace  R.  McGowan,  who  then  incorporated  The 
John  G.  McGowan  Company  to  continue  the  busi- 
ness, including  the  manufacture  of  shirts.  The 
company  employs  5  hands  in  this  department. 

In  1880,  James  S.  Brusstar  and  Albert  C.  Weile 
engaged  in  the  business  and  after  trading  together 
for  a  year  Mr.  Brusstar  became  the  sole  owner. 
He  then  operated  the  factory  until  Jan.  1,  1898, 
when  his  brother,  George  M. 'Brusstar,  and  Henry 


READING 


181 


M.  Rettew  were  admitted  as  partners.  Since  then 
they  have  traded  as  James  S.  Brusstar  &  Co.  The 
firm  soHcits  orders  for  custom  shirts  of  all  kinds 
in  Pennsylvania,  Virginia  and  West  Virginia,  in 
which  a  large  trade  has  been  established.  They 
•employ  50  hands. 

Albert  L.  Smith  came  from  Trenton  in  1882  and 
located  at  Reading,  opening  a  gents'  furnishing 
store  at  No.  431  Penn  Square.  In  1887,  he  began 
the  manufacture  of  men's  and  boys'  shirts,  which 
he  continued  until  his  decease  in  1904,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  his  son,  who  has  since  carried  on 
the  business,  employing  5  hands. 

6".  Liebovits  and  his  two  sons  located  at  Reading 
in  February,  1909,  for  the  manufacture  of  men's 
and  boys'  shirts,  and  on  April  1st  established  a 
factory  on  the  third  floor  of  the  P.  &  R.  R.  Co. 
shop  at  Seventh  and  Chestnut  streets,  where  they 
"have  become  extensive  manufacturers,  employing 
upward  of  150  hands.  They  are  interested  in  num- 
erous factories  of  this  kind,  the  largest  being  at 
Reading,  Pottstown,  Myerstown  and  New  York 
City. 

In  March,  1908,  George  H.  Kaufman  and  Charles 
H.  Wesley  began  trading  a^  Reading  Shirt  Com- 
J>any,  for  the  manufacture  of  men's  and  boys'  shirts 
■of  all  kinds,  made  out  of  woolens,  percales  and 
madras.  They  employ  from  40  to  50  hands  and 
their  factory  is  located  at  Seventh  and  Bingaman 
-Streets. 

In  October,  1908,  S.  K.  Cohn  and  I.  Sattenstein 
began  to  trade  as  Wide-awake  Shirt  Company,  for 
the  manufacture  of  men's  and  boys'  shirts.  They 
•employ  from  30  to  50  hands. 

Isaac  M.  Fidler  started  in  1889  at  No.  1043  But- 
tonwood  street,  and  has  continued  until  the  pres- 
ent time,  employing  from  10  to  12  hands. 

.Shoes  : 

Curtis  &  Jones  Co. — Frederick  W.  Curtis  and 
Frederick  S.  Jones  came  to  -Reading  and  embarked 
in  the  wholesale  and  retail  shoe  business  in  the  old 
Academy  Building  on  Penn  Square  and  continued 
for  three  years  when  they  sold  out  the  retail  depart- 
ment and  started  the  manufacture  of  infants'  and 
■children's  shoes  at  No.  527  Penn  Square,  occupying 
the  second,  third,  and  fourth  floors  of  the  building, 
in  connection  with  the  wholesale  business.  They 
remained  there  until  1883,  when  they  removed  their 
plant  to  the  Felix  Building,  northwest  corner  of 
Fifth  street  and  Penn  Square.  They  then  employed 
25  hands  and  produced  500  pairs  daily. 

In  the  year  1889  they  erected  a  substantial  four- 
story  brick  factory  at  Fifth  and  Court  streets 
which  they  supplied  with  the  latest  improved 
machinery  to  meet  the  demands  of  their  rap- 
idly increasing  business,  and  they  then  employed 
175  hands  a:nd  produced  3,000  pairs  daily.  In  1902, 
upon  the  incorporation  of  the  company,  the  plant 
was  removed  to  a  much  larger  and  more  improved 
:building    at    Nos.    724-732    North    Eighth    street. 


where  this  great  enterprise  has  continued  until  the 
present  time,  with  increasing  success.  The  employes 
have  come  to  number  700  and  the  daily  product  has 
been  increased  to  10,000  pairs  of  infants',  children's 
and  misses'  Goodyear-Turn  shoes,  which  are 
shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  country.  The  officers 
of  the  company  are:  Frederick  W.  Curtis,  presi- 
dent; Frederick  S.  Jones,  secretary-treasurer;  and 
Clement  H.  Quinn,  manager. 

Penn  Shoe  Company  was  incorporated  in  1902 
for  the  manufacture  of  infants'  shoes.  Its  plant 
is  located  at  No.  320  Maple  street,  and  employs 
100  hands.  It  has  been  operated  very  sucessfully, 
and  its  goods  are  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  world. 
The  officers  are  Daniel  F.  Printz,  president  and 
manager;  Samuel  H.  Fulmer,  treasurer. 

In  1906,  Charles  W.  Sharman  and  George  A. 
Raab,  trading  as  the  Crescent  Shoe  Company,  be- 
gan the  manufacture  of  children's  shoes  at  No.  222 
Pearl  street,  and  have  continued  until  now,  employ- 
ing about  50  hands. 

There  are  numerous  boot  and  shoe  makers  at 
Reading,   numbering  upward  of   150,   who  manu- 
facture for  customers  in  a  limited  way,  but  their 
attention  is   chiefly   directed   to  repairing. 
Silk: 

Grimshaw  Mill. — In  the  year  1887  John,  George 
and  David  Grimshaw,  trading  as  Grimshaw  Broth- 
ers, came  from  Paterson,  N.  J.,  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  a  silk-mill  at  Reading  and  operating 
it  in  connection  with  their  large  plant  at  that  place, 
if  properly  encouraged  in  their  proposed  enter- 
prise. In  this  behalf,  a  number  of  public-spirited 
citizens  organized  an  association  and  secured  sub- 
scriptions, amounting  to  $65,000.  The  building 
committee  comprised  Henry  Eppihimer,  George 
D.  Stitzel,  Lewis  Kremp,  Jerome  L.  Boyer  and 
William  Rosenthal,  who  purchased  a  half-block 
of  ground  at  Eleventh  and  Marion  streets  and 
erected  a  superior  three-story  brick  structure  50 
by  250  feet  and  leased  it  for  a  term  of  years,  with 
an  option  of  purchase,  to  the  Grimshaw  Brothers, 
who  then  equipped  it  with  machinery  for  the  man- 
ufacture   of    silk,    costing    about    $75,000. 

They  carried  on  the  mill  successfully  until  Jan. 
1,  1908,  producing  large  quantities  of  dress  goods, 
linings,  thrown  silk,  and  yarns,  which  were 
shipped  to  New  York.  Then  they  became  an  in- 
corporated body,  trading  under  the  name  of  Grim- 
shaw Brothers  Company,  and  the  plant  was  trans- 
ferred to  this  company  which  has  since  operated  it, 
employing  from  300  to  400  hands,  mostly  girls. 
The  officials  of  the  company  are:  John  Grimshaw, 
president;  David  H.  Grimshaw,  treasurer;  and 
George  Grimshaw,  secretary. 

On  Jan.  9,  1889,  the  building  was  blown  down 
by  a  tornado,  the  most  destructive  storm  that  ever 
visited  Reading.  The  mill  was  in  full  operation 
at  the  time.  Many  of  the  hands  escaped,  but  17 
were  killed  and  over  100  injured.    A  public  meet- 


183 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVAJSIIA 


ing  of  citizens  assembled  in  the  Court-House  on 
Jan.  10th  for  supplying  aid  to  the  suffering  fam- 
ilies, and  altogether  $12,000  was  received  from  the 
people  of  Reading  and  elsewhere,  which  was  judi- 
ciously distributed  by  a  committee  appointed  for  that 
purpose. 

In  1905,  Charles  Steiner  and  William  H.  Talcott 
associated  together  as  the  Steiner  &  Talcott  Silk 
Company,  for  the  manufacture  of  broad  silks,  3G 
inches  wide,  in  all  colors,  and  have  since  carried  on 
the  business  at  Nos.  234-240  Moss  street,  employ- 
ing 85  hands. 

Slate  Sinks: 

Martin  R.  Hoch  has  manufactured  slate  sinks  for 
dwellings  since  1894,  and  employs  3  hands.  His 
trade  is  mostly  local. 

Slate  mantels  constituted  a  prominent  industry 
for  thirty  years  until  about  1900 ;  then  they  became 
too  costly  and  the  business  was  discontinued. 

Soap: 

In  1883,  Franklin  K.  Miller  began  making  fulling, 
laundry,  scouring  and  toilet  soap,  and  also  wash- 
ing powders  for  local  customers.  His  factory  was 
established  on  Eighteenth  street,  near  Perkiomen 
avenue,  and  there  it  has  continued  until  the  present 
time.  He  employs  4  hands  and  produces  annually 
about  400  tons. 

Spectacles  : 

In  the  year  1871  Thomas  A.  Willson  erected 
a  three-story  brick  factory  for  the  manufacture 
of  spectacles  and  equipped  it  with  machinery  es- 
pecially designed  by  him.  He  began  operations  in 
1872  and  then  established  the  only  place  in  the 
world  at  which  were  made  all  the  parts  that  consti- 
tuted a  complete  pair  of  spectacles.  The  sand 
for  the  lenses  was  ;obtained  at  Berkshire, 
Mass.,  and  the  steel  wire  for  the  frame  was 
also  obtained  mostly  in  Massachusetts.  The 
lens  was  tinted.  All  kinds  of  spectacles  were 
made  and  a  large  business  was  developed  that  ex- 
tended throughout  the  world.  In  1885  employment 
was  giyen  to  240  persons,  and  the  average  daily 
production  was  3,800  pairs.  The  several  machines 
were  manufactured  in  the  factory  under  Mr.  Will- 
son's  direction  and  they  are  perfect  specimens  of 
superior  workmanship.  Owing  to  the  great  compe- 
tition in  trade,  the  manufacture  of  lenses  was  dis- 
continued in  1886,  and  these  are  now  imported 
from  Europe  in  great  quantities,  of  which  a  large 
stock  is  kept  constantly  on  hand.  Now  the  factory 
is  devoted  entirely  to  the  manufacture  of  low-priced 
and  medium  grades  of  spectacles  and  this  factory 
and  that  of  the  Pennsylvania  Optical  Company, 
also  at  Reading,  are  the  only  ones  in  the  United 
States  which  produce  exclusively  the  cheaper 
grades  of  steel  spectacles  and  eye-glasses.  The 
daily  production  is  10,000  pairs,  arid  the  average 
number  of  hands  employed  is  200.  The  proprie- 
tor's  son,    Frederick   Willson,   has   been   manager 


since  1893.  There  are  only  eight  other  factories 
in  the  United  States,  but  their  product  is  mostly 
gold  and  silver  frames. 

In  1886  William  W.  Essick  started  making  chea.p 
spectacles  and  eye-glasses  at  his  home  on  Third 
street,  near  Franklin,  and  continued  there  until 
1901,  when  he  moved  into  a  large  factory  which 
he  established  at  No.  125  South  Fifth  street.  He 
enlarged  this  plant  in  1906.  He  now  employs  120 
hands,  manufactures  daily  nearly  1,000  dozen,  in- 
cluding goggles,  and  ships  his  productions  to  all 
parts  of  the  world.  He  has  been  trading  from 
the  beginning  under  the  name  of  Pennsylvania  Op- 
tical Company. 

Spice  and  Roasting  Mills  : 

George  W.  Moyer  came  from  Easton,  and  in  1872 
associated  with  John  McKnight  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  spices  of  all  kinds.  In  1878  Mr.  Moyer 
started  for  himself  and  carried  on  the  business  until 
his  decease  in  1889,  when  the  mill  at  Rose  and  Elm 
streets  was  purchased  by  Kurtz  &  Mayers,  whole- 
sale grocers,  by  whom  it  has  been  operated  since. 
Employees,  4;  monthly  product,  30  tons,  which  is 
shipped  to  all  parts  of  Pennsylvania.  Large  quanti- 
ties of  coffee  also  are  roasted  in  the  establishment. 

In  1861  Francis  X.  Blessing  and  John  Shoemaker 
began  roasting  coffee  on  Carpenter  street  near 
Spruce.  In  1870  they  removed  to  No.  311  Chestnut 
street,  and  shortly  afterward  Mr.  Shoemaker -died. 
Mr.  Blessing  then  became  the  sole  owner  and  he 
carried  on  the  business  until  his  death  in  1902, 
when  his  son  Henry  succeeded  him,  carrying  on 
business  as  the  Reading  Steam  Coffee  and  Spice 
Mills.  He  employs  3  or  4  hands  and  roasts  1,500 
pounds  of  coffee  and  peanuts  weekly,  which  are  dis- 
posed of  in  Reading  and  different  paSs  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Augustus  C.  Kleinschmidt  was  engaged  in  this 
business  at  No.  27  Peach  street  for  many  yeairs, 
until  his  decease  in  1904,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
his  son  Charles,  and  the  son  and  son-in-law,  Irvin 
Schick,  have  carried  on  the  establishment  since 
under  the  name  of  Kleinschmidt  &■  Schick. 

George  Becker  has  also  carried  on  the  roasting 
of  coffee  and  peanuts  for  some  time,  but  in  a  lim- 
ited manner. 

Stained-Glass  Works  : 

J.  M.  Kase,  trading  as  /.  M'.  Kasc  &  Co.,  began 
making  stained-glass  work  in  1885  at  No.  511 
Washington  street,  and  has  continued  there.  He 
designs  and  manufactures  memorial  windows  for 
churches  and  artistic  work  for  private  residences, 
which  he  puts  up  in  different  parts  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  employs  20  hands. 

Stove  Lining: 

The  Terra  Cotta  Works  of  E.  S.  Fox  &  Co.  pro- 
duce stove  lining  at  their  plant  in  large  quantities. 
Terra  Cotta : 

Fo.r  Works. — John  Lotz  carried  on  a  hat  factory 
at  the  foot  of  Franklin  street  from  1800  to  1824; 


READING 


183 


then  Riah  Gillson  purchased  the  property  and  con- 
verted the  building  into  a  general  store  for  the  pur- 
pose of  supplying  boatmen  with  groceries,  provis- 
ions, etc.  It  was  continued  as  a  store  for  about 
forty  years.  In  1868  Eli.  S.  Fox,  Walter  K.  Hagy 
and  William  Keely,  trading  as  Fox,  Hagy  &  Co., 
established  a  terra  cotta  works  on  the  premises. 
In  1870  Hagy  and  Keely  sold  their  interests  in  the 
business,  and  George  K.  Whitner  became  a  partner, 
the  firm  trading  as  E.  S.  Fox  &  Co.  Eli  S.  Fox 
died  in  1890,  and  his  sons,  William,  Benjamin  F. 
and  Eli  W.,  succeeded  him.  In  1896  the  interests 
of  Mr.  Whitner  and  the  son  William  were  pur- 
chased by  Benjamin.  The  firm  manufactures  all 
kinds  of  terra  cotta  ware,  especially  stove  lining, 
sewer  pipe  and  vases,  which  are  shipped  to  all 
parts  of  the  United  States,  and  they  employ  from 
35  to  30  hands. 

Tobacco : 

The  following  persons  are  engaged  at  Reading 
in  manufacturing  shorts  for  chewing  and  smoking 
tobacco : 

Breneiser  Brothers,  trading  as  the  Atlas  Tobacco 
Company. 

George  W.  Green,  trading  as  the  Reading  Tobac- 
co Manufacturing  Company. 

Morris  Goldman. 

Hantsch  &  Rhein. 

George  W.  Lehr. 

George  Maltzberger. 

Walter  Orth,  trading  as  the  Pompey  Manufac- 
turing Company. 

Charlies  Shirk  &  Company. 

Trunks  : 

Joseph  J.  Weightman  started  making  trunks  at 
Reading  in  1888  and  continued  for  twenty  years. 
His  son  Burt  E.  started  for  himself  on  Jan.  1,  1906. 
Besides  making  trunks  of  various  kinds  to  order,  he 
also  manufactures  suit  cases. 

Umbrellas  : 

Leopold  Hirsch  located  at  Reading  about  1847 
and  manufactured  umbrellas  until  1860,  when  he 
removed  to  Philadelphia. 

In  1869,  August  Rolland,  a  Frenchman,  came  to 
Reading  and  embarked  in  the  business  and  it  was 
continued  successfully  by  him,  and  afterward  by  his 
wife  until  her  decease  in  1902,  when  their  sons 
Augustus  and  Charles  carried  it  on  together  until 
1905,  when  they  separated  and  established  places 
of  their  own.  Augustus  I.  Rolland  is  located  at  No. 
722  Penn  street  and  makes  a  specialty  of  a  "brass- 
tip"  umbrella,  employing  several  hands.  Charles 
L.  Rolland  is  at  No.  631  Penn  street  and  makes  a 
specialty  of  a  "silver-tip"  umbrella,  employing  5 
hands  to  meet  the  demands  of  his  trade. 

Wall-Paper  : 

In  1905,  a  plant  was  established  at  Reading 
in  one  of  the  large  buildings  of  the  P.  &  R.  R. 
Co.  at  Seventh  and  Chestnut  streets,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  manufacturing  a  medium  grade  of  wall- 
paper   by    a    number    of    enterprising    gentlemen 


who  organized  a  company  which  was  incorporated 
under  the  name  of  Sun  Wall  Paper  Manufacturing 
Company.  J.  W.  Screven  has  been  the  manager 
of  the  plant.  A  large  and  successful  business  has 
been  developed  which  extends  throughout  the  coun- 
try. 

Washing  Machines: 

In  1894,  James  H.  Knoll  and  Nathan  S.  Alt- 
house,  associating  together  as  Knoll  &  Althouse, 
designed  and  patented  an  improved  washing-ma- 
chine which  they  called  the  "Queen",  and  until 
1906  made  large  quantities  of  them,  when  Mr. 
Knoll  became  the  sole  owner  and  he  has  since 
carried  on  the  business.     He  employs  7  hands. 

In  1899,  Augustus  G.  Christman  designed  and 
secured  a  patent  for  the  "Royal"  washing-machine, 
and  large  numbers  of  them'  have  been  made  and 
sold  throughout  the  country.  He  died  in. July, 
1908,  and  since  then  his  son  H.  Herbert  Christ- 
man  has  conducted  the  business  for  the  estate. 

The  Reading  Manufacturing  Company  was  in- 
corporated in  1904  for  the  manufacture  of  wash- 
ing-machines and  since  then  has  manufactured 
them  in  large  quantities,  known  as  the  "Lehigh," 
"Five  Arrow,"  "Big  Five"  and  the  "Reading 
Motor."  The  manager  of  the  plant  is  James  A. 
Kalbach,  and  the  president  of  the  company  Paul 
K.  Leinbach.     The  company  employs  13  hands. 

In  1907,  Daniel  F.  Printz  designed  and  patented 
an  improved  washing-machine  called  the  "Printz," 
which  is  manufactured  in  large  quantities  at  the 
Reading  Wood  Pulley  Works. 

Window  Ventilators: 

In  the  month  of  December,  1908,  Wil- 
liam G.  Hintz,  William  E.  Althouse,  and  Howard  B. 
Heath  associated  together  under  the  name  of  Hintz 
&  Althouse  for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing  win- 
dow ventilators  out  of  wood  and  metal,  after  a  spe- 
cial desigft  of  their  own,  and  since  then  have  manu- 
factured large  quantities  of  them  at  No.  '640  Cherry 
street.     They  employ  3  hands. 

Wood  Pulley  Works  : 

In  the  year  1893,  the  Reading  Wood  Pulley 
Company  was  incorporated  and  its  factory  was 
established  at  No.  247  Poplar  street.  In  1899, 
the  plant  was  removed  to  Eleventh  and  Muh- 
lenberg streets,  where  it  has  continued  until 
the  present  time,  manufacturing  all  sizes  of  wood 
pulleys,  which  have  been  shipped  throughout  the 
United  States  and  foreign  countries.  The  hands 
employed  number  75.  The  officers  of  the  com- 
pany are:  Daniel  F.  Printz,  president;  Samuel  H. 
Fulmer,  treasurer;  and  Henry  J.  Glaser,  manager. 

Woolen  Goods: 

Robert  M.  Shouse,  of  Easton,  Pennsylvania, 
came  to  Reading  in  1859,  and  began  the  manu- 
facture of  gingham'  and  shirting  check.  Some 
months  afterward,  his  enterprise  was  destroyed 
by  fire.  He  then  selected  a  lot  on  Fourth  street 
beyond  Elm  as  a  suitable  location  and  erected  a 


184 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


two-story  stone  factory  with  basement,  where  he 
resumed  the  manufacture  of  the  articles  mentioned, 
and  continued  the  same  until  1864,  when  he  con- 
verted it  into  a  woolen-mill  for  manufacturing 
jeans,  plaids,  and  doe-skin  cloths.  Jonathan  G. 
Leinbach  became  the  manager  and  in  1867  he  was 
made  a  partner,  the  firm  trading  under  the  name 
of  R.  M.  Shouse  &  Co.  They  employed  50  hands, 
and  their  annual  production  amounted  to  $100,000, 
which  was  shipped  to  commission  houses  at  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  and  Baltimore.  The  firm  con- 
tinued operations  until  1875,  when  Mr.  Leinbach 
became  the  sole  owner.  Shortly  afterward  he 
formed  a  co-partnership  with  Aaron  S.  Leinbach 
and  William  F.  P.  Davis,  who  traded  as  J.  G.  Lein- 
bach &  Co.  In  1880  John  Shadel  became  a  part- 
ner. In  1887  Rev.  Mr.  Davis  died  and  his  interest 
was  purchased  by  Mr.  Leinbach. 

In  1889,  the  senior  member  gave  an  interest  in 
the  business  to  his  three  brothers,  Daniel,  Albert 
and  Mahlon;  and  in  1894,  appreciating  the  long- 
continued  fidelity  of  certain  of  the  older  employes 
who  had  worked  in  the  mill  from  twenty  to  thirty 
years,  he  also  gave  them  an  interest.  In  1896 
Aaron  S.  Leinbach  died,  and  the  surviving  partners 
(Leinbach  and  Shadel)  purchased  his  interest. 
After  the  firm  had  organized  in  1875,  improve- 
ments were  made  to  the  plant,  additional  ground 
was  purchased,  and  new  machinery  was  introduced 
from  time  to  time.  In  1880,  the  manufacture  of 
jeans  was  discontinued.  The  volume  of  business 
increased  steadily,  and  with  it  the  number  of  hands. 

The  plant  is  equipped  with  the  best  machinery, 
including  four  self-acting  spinning  machines  with 
1,508  spindles,  and  a  100-horse-power  Corliss  en- 
gine. The  enterprise  has  been  named  the  Reading 
Woolen  Mill,  and  the  manufactured  cloths  are  so 
known  in  the  market,  having  a  superior  reputation. 
This  is  the  only  enterprise  at  Reading  in  which  the 
older  and  more  experienced  hands  have  been  per- 
mitted to  share  in  the  profits  of  the  business.  The 
generosity  of  the  senior  member  has  been  appreci- 
ated and  it  has  resulted  in  mutual  benefits,  as  well 
to  the  firm  as  to  the  recipients. 

In  1904,  the  company  introduced  the  manufacture 
of  pants  and  vests  from  their  owns  cloths,  and  has 
since  been  very  successful.  In  all  the  departments 
of  this  enterprise,  the  employes  number  from  180 
to  200. 

The  officers  of  the  company  are :  J.  G.  Leinbach, 
president ;  A.  Ellsworth  Leinbach,  treasurer;  Samuel 
W.  Reiff,  secretary. 

Department  Stores. — The  dry-goods  merchants 
at  Reading  continued  to  handle  distinct  lines  of 
merchandise  in  their  respective  stores  until  about 
the  "Centennial"  year;  then  the  most  enterprising 
proprietors  began  to  add  different  lines  of  goods 
in  order  to  satisfy  the  demands  of  their  increasing 
trade. 

Kline,  Eppihivicr  &  Co. — In  1862,  Amos  K. 
Kline  and  Henry  Eppihimer  engaged  in  the  general 


dry-goods  business  at  No.  523  Penn  Square.  Jer- 
ome L.  Boyer  was  a  partner  from  1865  to  1869  and 
Calvin  K.  Whitner  from  1869  to  1877.  In  1888 
they  enlarged  their  store,  adding  the  greater  part 
of  the  adjoining  building  on  the  west,  four  stories 
in  height,  and  then  it  became  a  recognized  depart- 
ment store.  In  1892,  they  re-organized  the  firm 
by  admitting  William  W.  Khne  ( son  of  the  senior 
partner),  Richard  Lenhart  and  Franklin  Rieser  as 
partners,  and  thence  they  traded  as  Kline,  Eppi- 
himer &  Co. 

In  1905,  they  made  another  enlargement  of  their 
store  by  taking  in  the  adjoining  building  to  the 
west  (excepting  the  first  floor),  which  gave  them 
superior  accommodations  for  their  rapidly  increas- 
ing trade.  At  first  the  store  employed  5  hands  ; 
in  1900,  over  100,  and  in  1909,  upward  of  200; 
which  shows  the  development  of  their  business. 
Their  trade  extends  throughout  Berks  and  the  sur- 
rounding counties. 

C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co. — Calvin  K.  Whitner  began 
his  business  career  in  1861,  in  Oley  township, 
Berks  county,  not  far  from  the  place  of  his  birth, 
when  he  entered  the  country  store  of  Jacob  S. 
Spang  &  Son  at  Spangsville.  He  remained  there 
as  a  clerk  until  1865,  when  he  went  to  Friedens- 
burg  and  with  Edwin  S.  Bear  as  a  partner,  trad- 
ing as  Whitner  &  Bear,  carried  on  a  store  for  two 
years.  He  then  removed  to  Reading  and  was  em- 
ployed as  bookkeeper  with  Kline,  Eppihimer  &  Co. 
for  a  short  time,  when  he  became  a  partner.  After 
continuing  in  this  firm  until  1877,  he  started  a  dry- 
goods  store  for  himself  at  No.  432  Penn  Square, 
with  six  employes.  By  the  year  1883,  his  trade  had 
increased  so  much  that  he  was  obliged  to  obtain 
larger  quarters,  and  in  that  behalf  he  removed  to 
the  commodious  store  building  at  Nos.  442-444  Penn 
Square.  In  1887,  his  son  Harry  became  a  partner 
and  the  store  was  enlarged  to  iwice  its  previous 
capacity.  The  firm  traded  as  C.  K.  Whitner  & 
Son  until  the  son's  decease  in  December,  1890.  In 
1891,  Mr.  Whitner  added  other  fines  of  goods  and 
he  made  his  place  a  department  store;  and  by  way 
of  anticipating  additional  facilities  for  his  growing 
business,  he  purchased  two  properties  on  the  west, 
Nos.  438  and  440.  In  1896,  a  faithful  employe  for 
many  years,  John  A.  Britton,  was  admitted'  as  a 
partner,  and  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  C.  K. 
Whitner  &  Co.;  and  Jan.  1,  1907,  Mr.  Whitner's 
son-in-law,  John  Rick,  became  a  partner.  In  April, 
1898,  the  adjoining  buildings,  Nos.  438-440,  were 
attached  to  the  store  as  an  annex,  and  an  interior 
direct  connection  was  made,  evidencing  the  con- 
tinuous growth  of  the  firm's  trade.  In  1909  they 
employed  175  hands  and  upward,  and  the  stock 
comprises  many  lines  of  goods  generally  carried  in 
a  large  department  store.  Their  patrons  come  from 
all  points  in  the  Schuylkill,  Lebanon  and  East- 
Penn  Valleys. 

/.  Mould  &  Co.^ln  1872,  Jonathan  Mould  re- 
moved from  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  to  Reading,  and 
opened    a    general    dry-goods    store,    which    came 


READING 


185 


to  be  popularly  known  as  the  "Bee  Hive."  He 
then  employed  ten  hands  and  did  an  annual  business 
•of  $40,000.  As  his  trade  increased  he  made  several 
changes  in  location  for  enlarged  accommodations. 
In  1887  his  brother-in-law,  George  H.  Bell,  became 
a  partner  and  the  business  was  thence  carried  on 
under  the  name  of  J.  Mould  &  Co.  In  1892  the 
firm  erected  a  large  four-story  brick  building  at 
Nos.  647-649  Penn  street  and  made  it  a  department 
store  to  supply  all  kinds  of  articles,  such  as  dry 
goods,  notions,  laces,  furnishings,  chinaware,  jewel- 
ry, etc.,  and  placed  each  department  in  charge  of 
a  competent  manager.  Shortly  afterward,  they 
added  a  wholesale  departnient,  and  set  apart  the 
third  and  fourth  floors  of  the  building  for  this 
branch  of  their  business.  They  have  several  travel- 
ing salesmen  on  the  road,  supplying  many  orders 
to  merchants  in  Berks  and  the  surrounding  coun- 
ties. The  employes  number  100  hands  and  up- 
ward. 

Dives,  Pomeroy  &  Stewart. — Josiah  Dives, 
•George  M.  Pomeroy  and  John  Stewart  came  from 
Hartford,  Conn.,  in  1876  and  began  a  general  dry- 
goods  business  at  No.  533  Penn  Square,  trading  as 
Dives,  Pomeroy  &  Stewart.  Their  establishment 
was  known  as  "The  Globe  Store."  In  several 
years  they  removed  to  Nos.  443-444  Penn  Square, 
and  the  store  at  that  place  also  becoming  too  small 
in  a  short  time  they  secured  the  premises  at  Nos. 
•606-612  Penn  street  in  1882  and  established  a  large 
store  there.  From  that  time,  owing  to  increasing 
trade,  they  have  made  enlargements  in  the  various 
-departments  of  the  building,  more  especially  in 
1901,  when  they  secured  the  adjoining  premises  to 
the  corner  at  Sixth  street  and  erected  a  large  seven- 
story  building  as  an  extension.  They  employ  550 
hands. 

Lord  &  Gage. — Charles  Lord  and  R.  B.  Gage  of 
New  York  City,  trading  as  Lord  &  Gage  (incor- 
porated), located  at  Reading  in  1908,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  conducting  a  large  and  progressive  depart- 
Tnent  store  in  connection  with  a  syndicate  of  high- 
grade  stores,  now  numbering  twenty-nine,  which 
■extend  from  New  York  City  to  Tacoma,  State  of 
Washington,  and  they  established  a  superior  place 
-of  business  at  Nos.  432-426  Penn  Square,  in  a 
commodious  four-story  brick  structure  whose  di- 
mensions are  60  feet  wide  and  330  feet  deep,  with 
a  superficial  area  of  65,000  square  feet.  The  store 
was  opened  to  the  public  in  November  with  a  full 
line  of  goods  in  twenty-fouT  departments,  and  im- 
mediately attracted  great  public  attention,  and 
though  here  less  than  a  year  has  nevertheless  de- 
veloped a  large  volume  of  business.  The  appur- 
tenances of  the  store  are  of  a  superior  order,  the 
rosewood  show-cases  and  the  mahogany  shelving 
costing  $50,000.  The  store  employs  350  hands  and 
upward.  Mr.  Gage  (the  president  of  the  corpora- 
tion) is  general  manager  of  this  store,  having  moved 
with  his  family  to  Reading  and  made  the  city  his 
place  of  residence. 


Iron  Industries. — The  industries  at  Reading  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  iron  articles  before 
1836  consisted  entirely  of  blacksmith  shops  and  they 
were  limited  in  extent,  like  those  we  see  still  in  the 
country  districts  to-day,  employing  at  most  several 
hands ;  but  the  introduction  of  the  railroad  stimulat- 
ed iron  works  of  various  kinds.  More  and  more  from 
that  time  every  year  and  for  the  past  fifty  years  they 
have  been  the  most  prominent  in  the  industrial  life 
of  Reading  and  have  exceeded  the  other  establish- 
ments in  furnishing  constant  employment  to  the 
greatest  number  of  working-people.  The  P.  & 
R.  R.  Company  works  and  the  Reading  Iron  Com- 
pany .  works  started  "practically  together  in  the  de- 
velopment of  Reading  and  they  are  properly  placed 
at  the  beginning  of  the  description  of  the  iron  in- 
dustries. 

P.  &  R.  R.  Co.  Works. — The  extensive  works  of 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company  at 
Reading  deserve  special  mention  at  the  head  of 
this  part  of  the  chapter  detailing  the  industrial 
affairs  of  the  city,  on  account  of  their  continued 
existence  here  for  the  past  seventy  years,  the  large 
number  of  men  constantly  employed,  and  the  im- 
mense amount  of  wages  paid.  The  construction 
of  the  railway  in  1836  immediately  stimulated 
enterprises  of  various  kinds,  arid  caused  large  sums 
of  money  to  be  invested  in  manufacturing  concerns. 
On  that  account  not  only  capital  but  many  mechan- 
ics concentrated  here,  and  buildings  multiplied  rap- 
idly to  answer  the  demands  of  the  increasing  popu- 
lation. 

The  first  large  shop  was  erected  in  1838  on  the 
half-block  on  the  west  side  of  Seventh  street  be- 
tween Franklin  and  Chestnut  streets,  where  it  has 
continued  until  now,  and  each  decade  found  the 
company  with  additional  facilities  for  the  manu- 
facture and  repair  of  engines  and  cars,  and  for  the. 
handling  of  freight  not  only  in  the  vicinity  of  Sev- 
enth and  Chestnut  streets,  but  on  both  sides  of  the 
railroad,  extending  beyond  Walnut  street  for  nearly 
two  miles.  The  total  income  to  a  large  number  of 
working-people  of  Reading  from  this  source  since 
1836,  exceeds  $60,000,000,  and  it  can  be  stated 
that  a  great  proportion  of  the  substantial  growth  of 
Reading  in  buildings,  stores,  factories,  churches  and 
schools  is  directly  attributable  to  the  company's 
disbursements  here. 

The  possessions  of  the  company  at  Reading  are 
valued  at  an  enormous  sum;  from  which  it  is  ap- 
parent that  a  considerable  part  of  its  receipts  was 
also  expended  here  in  making  large  permanent  im- 
provements of  the  most  substantial  character.  The 
principal  office  of  the  company  at  Reading  is  sit- 
uated in  the  main  railroad  station  at  the  conjunc- 
tion of  its  several, branches  with  the  main  line,  and 
this  has  come  to  be  the  territorial  center  of  the  city. 
The  aggregate  number  of  hands  employed  in  the 
offices  and  shops  and  on  the  railroads  at  Reading 
in  December,  1908,  was  near  3,000 ;  and  the  monthly 
wages  exceeded  $125,000,  or  a  total  for  the  year 
exceeding  $1,500,000. 


18G 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


The  present  locomotive  shops  were  built  during 
1901  and  1902,  and  their  capacity  was  almost  dou- 
bled during  1905  and  1906. 

At  the  passenger  station  there  were  2,452  trains 
during  December,  1897,  which  carried  66,650  pas- 
sengers to  and  from  Reading;  at  the  freight  depots 
there  were  4,193  trains  which  moved  167,700  cars ; 
and  the  aggregate  tonnage  directly  affecting  local 
interests  at  the  several  freight  depots  was  127,000. 
The  following  statistics  are  supplied  in  this  con- 
nection for  the  year  1897  to  give  the  reader  an  idea 
of  the  wonderful  extent  of  the  business  done  by  the 
company  at  Reading : — Passenger  trains,  27,000 ; 
passengers  carried,  800,000;  freight  trains  over 
50,000;  freight  cars  moved,  over  2,000,000;  ton- 
nage, 1,500,000 ;  excursion  passengers,  80,338.  In 
1908,  these  figures  were  exceeded. 

Most  of  its  mechanics  in  the  several  departments 
have  been  recognized  during  the  last  forty  years, 
here  and  elsewhere,  for  their  skill  and  efficiency ; 
indeed  so  widespread  has  their  reputation  become 
that  a  statement  in  applying  for  work  that  they 
served  their  apprenticeship  with  the  company, 
worked  in  its  shops,  operated  an  engine,  or  con- 
ducted a  train,  has  been  regarded  as  a  sufficient 
recommendation.  This  can  also  be  said  of  its 
clerks,  many  of  whom  have  begun  as  messenger 
boys,  and  risen  to  the  highest  positions  of  different 
departments.  A  considerable  number  of  its  em- 
ployes have  been  in  continuous  service  for  thirty 
and  forty,  even  fifty  years.  This  feature  of  the 
history  of  the  company  is  particularly  noteworthy. 
Reading  Iron  Company: — The  Reading  Iron  Com- 
pany was  organized  Aug.  12,  1889,  and  purchased 
from  the  assignee  of  the  Reading  Iron  Works  its 
various  plants,  consisting  of  the  Tube  Works, 
Reading  Rolling  Mill,  Scott  Foundry,  Sheet  Mill 
and  Steam  Forge,  nearly  all  of  which  have  since 
been  rehabilitated,  enlarged  in  scope,  and  vastly 
improved  in  equipment. 

The  Keystone  Furnace  was  acquired  in  1889,  and 
the  Crumwold  Furnace  at  Emaus  in  1895.  The 
Oley  Street  RoUing  Mills  were  built  iii  1896 
and  the  Ninth  Street  Rolling  Mill  (formerly  the 
P.  &  R.  Rail  Mill)  was  added  in  1896,  and  re- 
modeled in  1899  and  1902.  The  Montour  Rolling 
Mills  at  Danville  (built  in  1845,  and  where,  in 
October  of  that  year,  the  first  T  rails  in  America 
were  rolled)  were  acquired  in  1895,  and  rebuilt 
in  1901.  The  Danville  Puddle  Mill  was  purchased 
and  repaired  in  the  early  part  of  1905.  The  pres- 
ent forge  on  North  Ninth  street  was  built  and 
equipped  with  powerful  machinery  and  electric 
cranes  in  1901-02,  and  took  the  place  of  the  old 
Steam  Forge,  built  in  1850.  The  Scott  Foundry 
(originally  built  in  1854,  aiid  where  guns  were 
miade  during  the  Civil  war,  as  well  as  several  since, 
including  the  Brown  Segmental  Wire  Wound  Gun) 
was  rebuilt  in  1905-06  and  equipped  (as  are  all 
the  other  plants)  with  modern,  up-to-date  machin- 
ery and  appliances.  The  company  owns  and  oper- 
ates 7,538  acres  of  coal  lands  in  Somerset  county. 


known  as  the  Somerset  Coal  Department,  which 
supplies  the  various  departments  with  bituminous 
coal. 

The  company  owns  a  large  interest  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Steel  Company,  one  of  the  largest  inde- 
pendent steel  companies  in  the  United   States. 

The  many  separate  departments  of  the  company 
enable  the  management  to  control  the  manufacture 
from  the  assembling  of  the  raw  materials  to  their 
conversion  into  the  finished  article,  the  largest  out- 
put of  which  is  tubular  goods,  consisting  of 
wrought-iron  pipe,  plain  or  galvanized,  for  gas, 
steam  and  water;  charcoal  iron  and  steel  boiler 
tubes  for  locomotive  and  other  uses;  oil  well  cas- 
ing and  tubing;  hydraulic  and  line  pipe,  etc.,  rang- 
ing from  1-8  inch  to  20  inches  in  diameter. 

The  two  Blast  Furnaces  have  a  total  annual  capa- 
city of  180,000  gross  tons  of  pig-iron  and  foundry- 
iron  of  superior  quality,  and  the  five  distinct  roll- 
ing-mill plants  have  an  annual  capacity  of  some 
200,000  gross  tons  of  finished  rolled  products,  skelp, 
bar-iron,  etc.,  in  the  manufacture  of  which  the 
mills  consume  over  170,000  tons  of  their  own  pud- 
dle-bar. Cotton  compressors,  sugar-mills,  ordnance 
and  general  machinery  are  made  at  the  Scott  Foun- 
dry, and  heavy  marine,  engine  and  general  forg- 
ings,  up  to  fifty  tons,  are  made  at  the  forge. 

The  Tube  Works  was  the  nucleus  from  which 
sprang  this  splendid  aggregation  of  industrial 
plants.  In  1836,  Benneville  Keim,  George  M. 
Keim,  Simon  Seyfert  and  James  Whitaker,  trading 
as  Keim,  Whitaker  &  Co.,  erected  a  rolling-mill  and 
nail  factory,  known  as  the  Reading  Iron  &  Nail 
Works,  at  the  foot  of  Seventh  street,  between  the 
Schuylkill  canal  and  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
railroad  (which  had  just  been  constructed).  It 
was  here  that  the  first  large  stationary  engine  in 
Berks  county  was  introduced  for  driving  machin- 
ery. Bar-iron  was  made  in  large  quantities;  also 
cut  nails  by  twenty-six  nail  machines.  The  em- 
ployes numbered  250.  In  1846,  the  firm  name  was 
changed  to  Seyfert.  McManus  &  Co.  (Simon  Sey- 
fert, and  his  son  Simon;  John  McManus,  a  rail- 
road contractor,  who  had  helped  to  build  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  railroad  in  the  earlv  forties ;  J. 
V.  R.  and  Nicholas  Plunter,  Horatio 'S.  Trexler, 
and  a  few  others,  were  at  various  times  members 
of  the  firm)  and  it  so  remained  up  to  1878,  when 
the  Reading  Iron  Works  was  incorporated.  The 
first  pipe-mill  was  built  in  1848.  Butt-weld  pipe 
was  made  by  the  old  tong  process,  drawing  first 
one-half,  and  then  the  other,  and  lap-weld  pipe  was 
made  shortly  after,  the  edges  of  the  skelp  being 
then  scarfed  with  sledge  hammers ;  but  these  meth- 
ods have  since  been  greatly  revolutionized.  Char- 
coal iron  tubes  were  made  a  few  years  later. 

There  has  arisen  from  this  modest  beginning  not 
only  one  of  the  largest  independent  tube  works  in 
the  country,  alone  comprising  nine  mills,  capable 
of  producmg  150,000  gross  tons  of  tubular  goods 
annually,  but  as  well  the  many  other  important 
plants   or  departments  above  mentioned,  some  of 


READING 


187 


which    comprise    several    estabhshmients    in   thenj- 
selves. 

The  products  of  the  company  have  an  unrivaled 
reputation  at  home  and  abroad,  and  there  is  a  con- 
stantly increasing  demand  for  them  in  all  sections 
of  the  world.  The  utmost  care  is  exercised  to  main- 
tain the  highest  standard  of  excellence  in  the  vari- 
ous lines  of  manufacture.  It  is  the  largest  indus- 
trial enterprise  in  Berks  county ;  in  fact,  one  of  the 
most  important  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  it  em- 
ploys in  the  neighborhood  of  5,000  men. 

The  success  of  the  Reading  Iron  Company  is 
largely  due  to  a  few  men.  George  F.  Baer,  pres- 
ident from  1889  to  1901  (now  president  of  the 
P.  &  R.  Ry.  Co.),  with  the  assistance  of  F.  C. 
Smink,  formerly  treasurer  and  general  manager, 
now  president,  financed  the  company  in  a  most  con- 
servative manner.  With  a  small  capital  at  their 
command,  by  careful,  judicious  and  economical 
business  management,  judgment  and  acumen,  there 
have  been  created  extensive  plants  and  valuable  as- 
sets with  art  aggregate  value  manifold  in  excess  of 
the  nominal  capital  upon  which  the  company  was 
founded.  The  rebuilding  and  reconstruction  of  the 
old  plants  and  erection  and  creation  of  new  ones, 
as  well  as  the  physical  management  of  the  various 
def>artments,  have  been  and  still  remain  under  the 
personal  and  efficient  direction  of  Mr.  Schuhmann. 

George  F.  Baer  is  chairman  of  the  board;  F.  C. 
Smink,  president ;  George  Schuhmann,  vice-presi- 
dent and  general  manager ;  Frederick  Butler,  treas- 
urer; George  W.  Delany,  secretary. 

Automobiles. — The  first  automobile  as  a  means 
of  improved  locomotion  in  the  United  States  by  the 
use  of  gasoline  was  made  at  Springfield,  Mass., 
by  Charles  E.  Duryea  in  1891.  In  February,  1900, 
he  located  at  Reading,  in  Berks  county,  and  es- 
tablished a  plant  on  River  Road  at  the  foot  of  Elm 
street,  for  the  purpose  of  building  automobiles 
driven  by  gasoline.  He  organized  a  company  and 
carried  on  the  business  for  about  seven  years,  in 
which  time  the  company  built  300  cars.  They  were 
named  "Duryea"  and  disposed  of  successfully, 
but  the  capitalists  associated  with  him  having  de- 
clined to  advance  the  necessary  money  to  carry 
on  the  plant  more  extensively  in  order  to  meet  in- 
creasing competition,  the  further  operation  of  this 
new  enterprise  at  Reading  under  the  management 
of  Mr.  Duryea  was  suspended.  He  was  then  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Middleby  Auto  Company,  which  had 
started  a  similar  enterprise  and  manufactured  an 
automobile  which  was  named  the  "Middleby."  The 
plant  has  been  made  very  successful,  turning  out 
weekly  a  number  of  popular  cars  and  affording 
employment  to  upward  of  70  men. 

About  or  shortly  before  this  time,  James  L.  Eck 
(who  was  engaged  in  manufacturing  knitting  ma- 
chines) began  the  manufacture  of  automobiles 
driven  by  steam,  in  a  limited  manner,  and  disposed 
of  several  cars. 

Soon  afterward,  James  C.  Reber  also  engaged 
in  the  enterprise  (having  previously  for  some  years 


been  very  prominently  identified  with  the  manufac- 
ture of  bicycles)  by  organizing  the  Acme  Motor 
Car  Company,  and  he  produced  a  popular  car, 
called  the  "Acme."  He  carried  on  the  plant  until 
1904;  then  it  passed  through  several  ownerships 
until  1907,  when  it  was  purchased  by  H.  M.  Stern- 
bergh  and  he  has  been  at  the  head  of  the  company 
since,  giving  the  car  great  popularity  throughout 
the  country.  The  plant  employs  from  135  to  150 
hands  and  produces  annually  about  one  hundred 
large  and  powerful  cars,  driven  by  gasoline. 

The  Relay  Bicycle  Company  was  also  changed  by 
Henry  C.  England  into  the  Relay  Motor  Company 
for  the  manufacture  of  automobijes,  and  the  plant 
was  carried  on  several  years. 

Arthur  H.  Yocum  and  his  father,  George  Y. 
Yocum,  started  manufacturing  the  "Speed-well"  au- 
tomobile and  motor  engines  in  1904.  Since  then 
they  have  enlarged  their  plant  and  formed  a  com- 
pany with  Isaac  Hollenbach  and  J.  S.  Homberger 
as  partners,  trading  as  A.  H.  Yocum  &  Co.  They 
employ  upward  of  20  hands. 

The  following  parties  manufacture  parts  relat- 
ing to  the  automobile: 

Parish  Manufacturing  Company,  steel  frames. 
,     Biiehl's  Carriage  Works,  metal  bodies. 

Keystone's  Wagon  Works,  bodies  (aluminum, 
steel,  and  wood). 

American  Die  &  Tool  Works,  transmission  and 
gear. 

A.  H.  Yocum  &  Co.,  motor  engines. 

Automobile  Frames. — N.  E.  Parish  organized 
the  Parish  Manufacturing  Company  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  pressed  steel  automobile  frames  and 
chrome  nickel  steel  specialties,  and  established  a 
plant  at  Reading  in  June,  1906,  in  the  P.  &  R.  R. 
Co.'s  machine  shops  at  Seventh  and  Chestnut 
streets,  where  the  company  has  since  carried  on 
the  'business  very  successfully,  employing  150  hands. 
Special  expensive  machinery  is  used  for  the  pur- 
pose. Its  production,  numbering  many  thousand 
frames,  is  shipped  to  all  the  leading  manufacturers 
of  automobiles  in  the  United  States.  The  officers  of  - 
the  company  are:  R.  E.  Jennings,  president;  N. 
E.  Parish  and  J.  E.  Sullivan,  vice-presidents;  W. 
B.  Kunhardt,  treasurer;  and  E.  J.  Jennings,  secre- 
tary. 

Bicycles. — The  manufacture  of  bicycles  was  a 
large  and  well-conducted  business  at  Reading  for 
about  ten  years  from  1890  to  1900,  and  thousands 
of  bicycles  were  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  world, 
which  gave  Reading  a  reputation  in  this  line  of 
business  equal  to  any  other  place ;  then  it  began  to 
decline  gradually  until  now  there  is  only  one  estab- 
lishment actively  engaged  in  the  business,  the  Read- 
ing Standard  Manufacturing  Company,  of  which 
the  active  spirit  since  1896  has  been  William  F. 
Remppis.  Several  parties  who  are  engaged  in  re- 
pairing bicycles  also  manufacture  them  in  limited 
quantities :  Rhode  Brothers,  John  G.  Nuebling,  and 
James  Mayo  (who  had  been  in  the  business  at  Potts- 


188 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


town  for  seventeen  years  and  became  the  successor 
■of  Charles  T.  Heckler  after  his  decease  in  1908). 

Boiler  Works. — West  Reading  Boiler  Works 
was  started  in  1870  by  Enos  M.  Reazor,  and  he 
was  succeeded  in  1878  by  Sterling,  Weidner  &  Co. ; 
in  1894  by  Thomas  K.  Dalzell,  and  in  1901  by 
Jacob  S.  Peipher  (Reading  Scale  &  Machine  Com- 
pany). In  this  department  of  the  works  25  men 
are  employed. 

Penn  Boiler  Works  was  started  in  1883,  and  is 
now  carried  on  by  Hiram  P.  Yeager  with  10  men 
•and  upward. 

Orr  &  Sembower,  who  started  in  business  in  1884 
and  moved  to  Millmont  in  1891,  are  also  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  boilers  in  connection  with 
■engines,  employing  upward  of  100  hands. 

Bolt  and  Nut  Works. — J.  H.  Sternbergh  located 
at  Reading  in  1865  and  established  a  large  bolt 
and  nut  works  which  he  carried  on  in  a  very  suc- 
'cessful  manner  until  1899,  employing  upward  of 
700  men;  then  the  American  Iron  &  Steel  Com- 
pany became' the  owner  and  has  since  operated  the 
plant  in  a  very  successful  manner  with  James  Lord 
•as  president  and  J.  L.  Swayze  as  the  local  manager, 
•employing  from  600  to  800  hands.  The  principal' 
'office  of  this  company  is  situated  at  Lebanon,  where 
a  similar  large  plant  is  operated. 

Car  Wheels.— In  1897,  the  Reading  Car  Wheel 
'Company  was  organized  and  incorporated  by  cer- 
tain persons  from  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  for  the  manu- 
facture at  Reading  of  chilled  iron  wheels  for  street 
and  steam  railway  cars,  and  the  plant  has  been  op- 
erated successfully  until  now.  H.  H.  Hewitt  has 
been  the  president  from  the  beginning,  and  the 
•plant  errtploys  from  50  to  75  men,  and  turns  out 
daily  upward  of  200  wheels. 

Chain  Block  W'jrks. — Herman  P.  Roeper  es- 
tablished a  hoist  works  at  Reading  in  1896,  and  in 
1904  sold  the  department  relating  to  the  manu- 
facture of  chain  blocks  to  F.  H.  Howard,  of  New 
York,  who  then  incorporated  a  company  for  this 
special  branch  of  business,  and  it  has  been  carried 
on  since  in  a  successful  manner,  employing  from 
25  to  40  hands. 

J.  G.  Speidel  has  also  been  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  chain  blocks  since  1896,  in  connection 
with  other  specialties,  such  as  cranes,  tramways, 
elevators,  dumb-waiters,  etc.,  and  in  his  establish- 
ment employs  from  20  to  40  hands. 

Coal  Buckets. — George  Focht  began  the  manu- 
facture of  iron  coal  buckets  or  tubs  for  the  loading 
and  unloading  of  coal  on  and  from  canal-boats, 
and  he  was  succeeded  by  Warreil  &  Addison  and 
'from  1893  to  1908  by  Robert  D.  Seidel,  who  then 
sold  the  factory  to  B.  Franklin  Biehl;  and  Biehl 
has  operated  it  since,  employing  from  6  to  10  hands. 

Coke  Ovens.- — ^The  American  Coke  and  Gas> 
Construction   Company  was   incorporated  in   1903 


as  a  branch  of  a  large  New  York  enterprise  for 
the  manufacture  of  by-product  coke  ovens,  accord- 
ing to  the  "United-Otto-Coke- System,"  and  has 
since  operated  a  plant  at  Reading  employing  from 
35  to  40  hands,  on  Court  street,  below  Second. 

Crane  and  Hoist  Works. — In  1888,  John  G. 
Speidel  began  the  manufacture  of  hoisting  machin- 
ery and  has  continued  in  the  business  until  the 
present  time,  excepting  for  two  years,  from  1894 
to  1896,  when  Herman  P.  Roeper  was  a  partner. 
In  his  iron  works  he  also  manufactures  tramways, 
elevators,  chain-blocks,  etc.,  which  are  sent  to  all 
parts  of  the  country.  He  employs  from  20  to  40 
hands. 

Herman  P.  Roeper,  under  the  name  of  Reading 
Crane  &  Hoist  Works,  since  1896  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  overhead  tramways, 
elevators,  hoisting  machinery,  etc.,  which  he  has 
forwarded  to  all  parts  of  this  country  and  foreig;n 
countries.     He  employs  from  20  to  50  hands. 

Die  Works. — The  American  Die  &  Tool  Com- 
pany was  organized  at  Wilmington,  Del,  in  1894,  for 
the  manufacture  of  tools,  dies  and  special  machin- 
ery, and  removed  to  Reading  in  1901 ;  incorporated 
under  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania  in  1906,  with  a 
capital  of  $60,000,  and  employs  upward  of  80  men. 
C.  S.  Dundore  is  the  secretary,  treasurer  and  gen- 
eral manager  of  the  company,  and  the  others  as- 
sociated with  him  are  J.  H.  Sternbergh  and  H.  M. 
Sternbergh.  Their  product  is  shipped  to  all  parts 
of  the  country.  This  is  an  important  industry  at 
Reading  for  its  exceptional  productions. 

Elevators. — John  G.  Speidel  and  Herman  P. 
Roeper  have  been  engaged  separately  in  the  manu- 
facture of  elevators  since  1896 ;  also  Adam  W. 
Haag  (under  the  name  of  A.  W.  Haag  &  Co.)  in 
connection  with  the  manufacture  of  milling  machin- 
ery, and  he  employs  15  hands. 

Engine  and  Boiler  Works. — In  1884,  W.  Harry 
Orr  and  Clarence  H.  Sembower,  trading  as  Orr  & 
Sembower,  began  the  manufacture  of  vertical,  hor- 
izontal and  hoisting  engines,  and  vertical  and  hor- 
izontal boilers  at  Second  and  Pine  streets,  but 
their  business  developed  so  rapidly  that  by  the  year 
1891  they  were  obliged  to  remove  into  larger 
quarters,  which  they  established  at  Millmont,  in 
Cumru  township.  Since  then  they  have  been  very 
successful,  their  productions  being  sent  to  all  parts 
of  the  world.  A  corporation  was  formed  in  1890 
with  a  capital  of  $150,000.  The  employes  number 
250.  W.  Harry  Orr  has  been  the  treasurer  and 
general  manager  from'  the  beginning,  and  Mr. 
Sembower  the  president. 

The  Reading  Oil  &  Gas  Engine  Company,  A. 
H.  Yocom  &  Company  and  John  G.  Xander  are 
also   engaged   in   manufacturing   engines. 

Expansion  Steam  Joints. — William  King  em- 
barked in  the  business  of  manufacturing  expansion 
steam  joints  and  has  been  successfully  engaged  un- 
til the  present  time,  employing  40  to  60  hands. 


READING 


IS* 


Fences. — The  first  to  engage  in  the  business  of 
manufacturing  plain  and  ornamental  iron  fences  at 
Reading  was  Louis  Nendoerflfer,  who  began  before 
1860  and  continued  until  his  decease  in  1884,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Frederick,  and  Fred- 
erick carried  on  the  business  for  twenty  years. 
William  L.  Remppis  has  also  carried  on  this  branch 
of  business  in  his  large  establishment  since  1896; 
and  William  L.  Kiefer,  in  his  works  since  1895. 

Fire  Escapes. — William  F.  Remppis  began  man- 
ufacturing ornamental  iron  work  at  Reading  in 
1885,  in  a  small  frame  building  and  by  the  year 
1892  his  trade  had  developed  to  such  an  extent  that 
he  was  obliged  to  erect  a  large  brick  building  and 
he  has  continued  actively  engaged  in  the  business 
until  the  present  time.  He  employs  from  40  to  70 
hands.  Besides  carrying  on  the  manufacture  of 
fire  escapes  extensively,  he  supplies  plain  and  orna- 
mental iron  work,  stairways,  elevator  inclosures, 
railings,  window  guards,  grill  work,  etc. 

William  L.  Kiefer  has  been  engaged  in  a  similar 
business  in  a  successful  manner  at  Reading  since 
1895,  and  employs  from  15  to  30  hands. 

Foundries. — A  number  of  iron  foundries  at 
Reading  are  carried  on  in  connection  with  estab- 
lished works  of  various  kinds,  such  as  the  Reading 
Iron  Company,  the  P.  &  R.  R.  Company,  the  Hard- 
ware Works  and  the  Stove  Works,  but  are  used  en- 
tirely in  carrying  on  their  own  business.  There  are 
three  foundries  which  take  in  outside  work  as  a 
regular  business :  the  Gray  Iron  Foundry  Company 
(A.  L.  Frame) J  which  employs  15  to  25  molders 
for  all  kinds  of  small  castings ;  the  Reading  Scale 
&  Machine  Company  (Jacob  S.  Peipher),  which  em- 
ploys 15  to  20  molders  for  heavy  and  light  castings 
of  all  kinds ;  and  Mohn  &  Kershner  ( W.  H.  Mohn 
&  E.  L.  Kershner),  who  embarked  in  the  general 
foundry  business  in  1908  (in  the  plant  of  the 
National  Brass  Works),  and  manufacture  all  kinds 
of  small  castings  for  the  trade  here  and  elsewhere, 
employing  from  50  to  75  hands. 

Furnaces. — Two  large  iron  furnaces  have  been 
very  prominent  industries  at  Reading  for  many 
years:  the  Henry  Clay,  erected  by  the  Eckerts  in 
1844,  and  latterly  owned  and  operated  by  the  Em- 
pire Iron  &  Steel  Company  (but  not  in  operation 
for  two  years) ;  and  the  Keystone,  erected  by  the 
Bushongs  in  1869,  which  has  become  a  part  of  the 
extensive  works  of  the  Reading  Iron  Company. 

Hardware. — Hardware  of  all  kinds,  for  build- 
ing and  other  purposes,  has  been  produced  at  Read- 
ing for  upward  of  fifty  years,  and  the  works  have 
been  very  prominently  identified  with  the  welfare 
and  development  of  Reading.  Three  large  plants 
are  carried  on,  the  Reading  Hardware  Company 
( founded  by  the  Harbsters  and  their  brother-in-law, 
William  M.  Griscom),  the  Penn  Hardware  Com- 
pany (founded  by  the  Heizmann  Brothers),  and  the 
Chantrell  Tool  Company ;  and  they  together  employ 
about  2,500  hands. 


Reading  Hardware  Works. — In  1851,  William 
Harbster  established  a  blacksmith  shop  at  the  foot 
of  Sixth  street  for  general  blacksmith  work,  and 
in  1852  his  brothers  Matthan  and  John  became  as- 
sociated with  him,  under  the  name  of  Harbster 
Brothers,  for  the  manufacture  of  builders'  hard- 
ware, such  as  locks,  bolts,  fasteners,  latches,  etc., 
when  they  erected  a  foundry.  Shortly  afterward 
their  brother-in-law,  William  M.  Griscom,  became 
associated  with  them  as  a  partner,  and  they  then 
traded  as  Harbster  Brothers  &  Co.  until  1872, 
when  the  name  was  changed  to  Reading  Hardware 
Company.  As  their  business  increased  their  plant 
was  gradually  enlarged  until  1895  and  by  that  time 
the  establishment  covered  five  acres  of  ground,  all 
substantial  buildings,  three  and  four  stories  high, 
with  their  employes  numbering  nearly  1,000  and 
the  annual  wages  paid  exceeding  $100,000.  Their 
productions  included  all  kinds  and  styles  of  hard- 
ware, both  plain  and  ornamental,  and  these  came 
to  be  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  world.  Their  trade 
was  largely  increased  by  making  a  specialty  of  fur- 
nishing all  the  necessary  hardware  in  the  construc- 
tion of  large  hotels  and  office  buildings  at  New  York, 
Philadelphia,  Boston,  Chicago,  San  Francisco  and 
other  large  cities  in  this  country  and  foreign  coun- 
tries, their  unique  and  artistic  designs  in  fine  bronze 
obtaining  the  preference  with  the  most  prominent 
architects  and  builders,  and  in  this  behalf  they  es- 
tablished branch  offices  in  the  cities  named.  Their 
volume  of  business  for  some  years  has  exceeded 
a  million  dollars,  the  number  of  employes  1,500, 
and  the  annual  wages  $500,000,  which  truly  evi- 
dences the  wonderful  development  of  this  great 
industrial  establishment  from  an  ordinary  black- 
smith shop,  and  its  importance  and  influence  in  the 
history  of  Reading  during  the  past  fifty  years.  Its 
productions  have  been  displayed  at  all  the  great 
expositions  in  the  United  States  and  Europe,  and 
their  superiority  was  recognized  by  the  awarding 
of  medals  and  diplomas. 

The  business  was  incorporated  in  1886.  In  1887, 
the  greater  part  of  the  plant  was  destroyed  by  fire, 
but  it  was  immediately  rebuilt  and  much  improved 
in  arrangement  and  equipment,  making  it  one  of 
the  finest  industrial  plants  in  the  United  States. 

The  officers  of  the  corporation  are:  Matthan 
Harbster,  president ;  William  M.  Griscom,  vice- 
president;  S.  Y.  Reigner,  treasurer  (since  1903 
and  also  secretary  since  1907)  ;  and  John  E.  Harb- 
ster has  been  the  manager  for  upward  of  twenty 
years. 

Penn  Hardware  Works. — In  1877,  C.  Raymond 
Heizmann  and  his  brother  Albert  A.  Heizmann  be- 
gan the  manufacture  of  builders'  hardware  and 
specialties  of  all  kinds,  at  the  foot  of  Spruce  stree|, 
between  the  canal  and  river  and,  like  the  forego- 
ing, grew  in  size  and  importance  until  their  plant 
came  to  cover  several  acres  of  ground,  their  em- 
ployes to  number  1,000  and  their  annual  wages  to 
exceed  a  quarter  of  a  million  dollars.    Their  goods 


190 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


likewise  have  found  a  market  all  oyer  the  world. 
A  nail  department  was  added  in  1898. 

The  business  was  incorj>orated  under  the  name 
of  Penn  Hardware  Company  in  1896.  The  officers 
of  the  company  are:  C.  Raymond  Heizmann,  presi- 
dent; Theodore  I.  Heizmann,  vice-president;  W. 
A.  Heizmann,  treasurer;  and  I.  S.  Ermentrout, 
secretary. 

The  Reading  Saddle  Manufacturing  Company 
also  manufactures  large  quantities  of  hardware 
specialties,  cast-hammers,  hatchets,  ice-picks,  shears, 
pincers,  pulleys,  can  openers,  glue  pots,  vises, 
clamps,  tongs,  etc.  A  specialty  is  made  of  nickel- 
plating.  The  plant  is  at  Nos.  316-320  Maple  street. 
The  company  employs  60  hands.  It  was  incor- 
porated in  1900. 

Chantrcll  Hardware  and  Tool  Company  (Inc.) 
was  organized  in  1888  (being  named  after  John 
Chantrell,  an  EngHshman,  who  designed  certain 
improved  tools)  and  the  business  was  conducted 
successfully  on  Seventh  street  near  Chestnut  for 
several  years,  when  the  plant  was  removed  to  Mill- 
mont,  where  large  brick  buildings  were  erected  to 
meet  the  demands  of  increasing  trade.  The  company 
manufactures  screw  drivers,  nail  pullers,  and  some 
hardware  specialties,  but  its  principal  line  is  build- 
ers' hardware,  consisting  of  locks  and  design  goods. 
It  has  a  large  domestic  and  foreign  trade.  Hands 
employed,  165.  Harry  C.  Shaaber  has  been  man- 
ager since  1903. 

Knitting  Machinery. — James  L.  Eck  located  in 
Reading  in  1891  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
knitting  machines  after  a  pattern  with  improve- 
ments designed  and  patented  by  himself,  being  a 
"new  improved  15-16  automatic  and  plain  seamless 
rnachine,"  and  known  as  the  "Boss" ;  and  in  1898 
be  established  a  factory  at  Reed  and  Elm  streets. 
He  has  continued  in  a  successful  manner  until  the 
present  time,  employing  from  30  to  50  hands,  and 
turning  out  about  600  machines  annually.  In  1898 
he  built  the  first  steam  automobile  in  Reading  and 
operated  it  successfully. 

Windsor  Knitting  Machine  Works. — The  Wind- 
sor Machine  Company  w^s  incorporated  in  1903 
with  a  capital  of  $100,000  for  the  manufacture  of 
full-automatic  split-foot  knitting  machines  and  full- 
automatic  striping  machines,  as  a  specialty,  and  a 
large  trade  has  been  developed,  the  machines  being 
sent  to  all  parts  of  this  country,  and  from  70  to  80 
hands  are  employed.  John  B.  Hipwell  is  president 
of  the  company;  George  D.  Horst,  secretary-treas- 
urer; and  William  W.  Hout,  manager. 

Lawn-mowers. — The  manufacture  of  lawn-mow- 
ers is  included  with  the  hardware  specialties  of  the 
Reading  Hardware  Works. 

The  American  Die  &  Tool  Company  is  also  en- 
gaged in  their  manufacture. 

Machine  Specialties. — A  number  of  shops 
and  factories  are  carried  on  constantly  for  the  man- 


ufacture of  specialties  in  the  line  of  machinery  and 
they  employ  from  several  to  a  dozen  hands : 


King  Machine  Works 
Samuel  Davis 
W.  D.  Mohn 


Jacob  S.  Peipher 

A.  W.  Haag  &  Company 

G.  W.  Francis 

Gretli  Machine  Company 

Motor  Cycles. — In  1896,  William  F.  Remppis 
organized  the  Reading  Standard  Manufacturing 
Company  for  the  manufacture  of  the  "Reading 
Standard"  bicycles,  and  this  company  has  since 
carried  on  the  business  very  extensively,  shipping 
thousands  of  its  bicycles  to  all  parts  of  the  coun- 
try and  the  world.  In  1903,  the  company  began 
the  manufacture  of  motor  cycles,  with  the  same 
name,  and  this  branch  has  also  become  very  suc- 
cessful. In  1908,  the  company  produced  2,700  of 
them,  and  for  the  year  1909  has  arranged  to  pro- 
duce from'  4,000  to  4,500.  Over  6,000  bicycles 
were  manufactured  in  1908.  From  300  to  400 
hands  are  employed.  B.  Frank  Royer,  of  Phila- 
delphia, is  president  of  the  company  and  Mr.  Remp- 
pis is  general  manager. 

Motor  Engines. — Arthur  H.  Yocum  designed  a; 
special  engine  for  automobiles  which  has  become 
very  popular,  and  since  1904  he  has  been  manufac- 
turing many  of  them,  having  formed  a  company 
with  his  father,  George  Y.  Yocum,  and  traded  un- 
der the  name  of  A.  H.  Yocum  &  Co. 

Nails. — The  Penn  Hardware  Co.  manufactures 
great  quantities  of  nails  in  connection  with  general 
builders'  hardware.  This  was  one  of  the  iron  pro- 
ducts of  Seyfert,  McManus  &  Co.  and  their  suc- 
cessors, the  Reading  Iron  Company,  for  many 
years. 

Pipes  and  Tubes. — ^A  large  and  principal  depart- 
ment of  the  extensive  Reading  Iron  Woorks  is  the 
manufacture  of  large  quantities  of  wrought-iron 
pipes  and  tubes,  of  various  sizes ;  which  is  men- 
tioned in  connection  with  the  description  of  the 
Reading  Iron  Company. 

Plumbers'  Supplies. — ■  J.  W.  Van  Meter  began 
making  plumbers'  supplies  at  Reading  in  1907,  and 
after  a  year  was  succeeded  by  W.  S.  Cooper, 
of  Philadelphia,  who  has  carried  it  on  in  connection 
with  similar  works  at  Philadelphia.  He  employs 
from  45  to  50  hands,  his  plant  being  established  in 
the  old  Johnson  Foundry  at  Eighth  and  Chest- 
nut streets. 

Radiator  Works. — In  1883,  Daniel  L.  Adams  be- 
gan the  manufacture  of  steam  and  hot  water  radia- 
tors and  boilers  at  No.  212  South  Eighth  street, 
Reading,  and  continued  the  business  at  that  place 
until  1892,  when  the  plant  was  removed  to  a  larger 
and  much  improved  building  along  the  Lebanon 
Valley  railroad  at  Front  street,  and  there  it  has  con- 
tinued until  the  present  time  with  increasing  suc- 
cess. In  1896  he  organized  and  incorporated  a"  com- 
pany under  the  name  of  Reading  Radiator  Com- 


READING 


191 


pany.  Its  radiators  and  boilers  are  shipped  to  all 
parts  of  the  country.  The  employes  number  110. 
Mr.  Adams  has  been  the  manager  of  the  works 
from  the  beginning,  and  Grant  Nagle  has  been 
the  secretary -and  treasurer  since  1897. 

Razors. — Frederick  H.  Arnold  of  Reading  de- 
signed and  patented  a  fountain-pen  safety-raz- 
or, and  then  organized  a  company  for  its  extensive 
manufacture.  The  company  was  incorporated  in 
1907,  and  capitalized  at  $200,000 ;  and  it  has  been 
successful  in  shipping  its-  razors  to  all  parts  of  the 
world.  It  employs  25  hands,  and  is  located  at 
Third  and  Buttonwood  streets.  The  officers  are: 
Edward  C.  Nolan,  president;  John  H.  Keppelman, 
secretary  and  treasurer;  Robert  B.  Lance,  man- 
ager. 

Rotary  Meters. — The  Rotary  Meter  Co.  of  New 
York  City  established  a  plant  at  Reading  in  1906 
for  the  manufacture  of  rotary  meters,  intended 
for  large  gas  consumers  who  wish  to  measure 
their  consumption.  It  is  the  only  industry  of  the 
kind  in  the  United  States,  and  its  product  is.  shipped 
to  all  parts  of  North  and  South  America.  These 
meters  weigh  from  seventy-five  pounds  to  five  tons. 
Hands  employed,  from  6  to  8.  Charles  T.  Mayers 
has  been  the  superintendent  here.  It  is  located  at 
Seventh  and  Franklin  streets  in  a  portion  of  the 
P.  &  R.  R.  Co.  machine  shop. 

Scales. — In  1845,  Levi  K.  Mohr  and  Andrew  De- 
hart  began  manufacturing  large  scales,  estab^lishing 
a  factory  at  the  corner  of  Cherry  and  Carpenter 
streets.  Dehart  retired  in  1850  and  Mohr  carried 
on  the  business  until  1872.  Different  parties  oc- 
cupied the  plant  in  the  production  of  scales  with 
turbine  water-wheels  and  general  machinery  until 
1887,  when  the  Reading  Scale  &  Machine  Company 
was  organized  by  Jacob  S.  Peipher,  Levi  M.  Fran- 
cis and  J.  L.  Balloch,  and  this  company  continued 
their  manufacture  in  connection  with  engines  and 
boilers.  The  plant  was  removed  to  the  foot  of 
Chestnut  street  in  1903  and  Peipher  became  the 
sole  proprietor.  He  has  continued  the  manufacture 
of  scales,  engines,  boilers,  etc.,  in  large  quantities 
until  the  present  time,  under  the  same  name,  em- 
ploying from  50  to  75  hands. 

Levi  M.  Francis,  who  was  connected  with  this 
company  for  a  number  of  years,  is  also  engaged 
in    the    manufacture    of    large    scales    on    orders. 

Shears. — In  1895,  the  Wilkinson  Shear  Co.  was 
incorporated  for  the  manufacture  of  shears  of  all 
kinds  for  shearing  sheep,  horses,  grass  and  hedge, 
and  located  a  plant  at  Ninth  and  Bingaman  streets, 
where  the  business  was  continued  in  a  successful 
manner  until  1903,  when  the  plant  was  removed  to 
a  new  and  improved  building  erected  by  the  com- 
pany on  Laurel  street,  below  Fifth.  The  trade 
extends  to  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  30  hands 


are  employed.  The  company  also  produces  scythes 
for  cutting  grain,  grass  and  bushes.  The  officers 
are :  John  J.  Kutz,  president ;  Cyrus  G.  Derr,  treas- 
urer; and  Philip  Bushong,  secretary. 

The  Reiser  Manufacturing  Company  (David  H. 
Keiser)  produces  shears,  besides  metal  fixtures,  he 
having  been  connected  with  the  Wilkinson  $hear 
Company  for  a  number  of  years.  His  plant  is  sit- 
uated in  West  Reading. 

D.  P.  Harris  and  Samuel  Monroe  of  New  York 
City,  and  W.  M.  Sillhart  and  Melot  Deam,  of  Read- 
ing, associated  together  and  established  the  Penn 
Shear  Works  at  Reading  in  1904,  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  shears  of  all  kinds,  and  since  then  have 
produced  large  quantities  which  have  been  shipped 
to  all  parts  of  the  country.    They  employ  5  hands. 

Sheet  Iron  is  made  in  great  quantities  by  the 
Reading  Iron  Company  in  its  sheet-mill,  which  is 
situated  along  the  Schuylkill  river  between  Chest- 
nut and  Spruce  streets.  This  mill  became  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Reading  Iron  Works  (afterward  the 
Reading  Iron  Co.)  in  1865.  It  had  been  put  up 
several  years  before  by  Lauth,  Berg  &  Co.  as  an 
individual  enterprise. 

Special  Machinery. — In  the  year  l901  Messrs. 
W.D.Mohn,  Austin  Riegner  and  Robert  Riegner,  of 
Mohnton,  located  at  Reading  for  the  manufacture 
of  special  machinery,  established  a  plant  at  Cherry 
and  Carpenter  streets  (where  the  Reading  Scale 
&  Machine  Company  had  been),  and  have  since 
carried  on  the  business  under  the  name  of  W.  D. 
Mohn  &  Co.     They  employ  10  men. 

Steel  Cabitjets. — This  new  product  is  man- 
ufactured by  the  Keiser  Manufacturing  Company 
in  connection  with,  sheep  shears,  in  its  plant  at  the 
west  end  of  the  Penn  street  bridge,  opposite  Read- 
ing; which  is  mentioned  in  the  description  of  the 
Borough  of  West  Reading,  Chapter  XL 

Steel  Works. — Carpenter  Steel  Company. 
James  H.  Carpenter  located  in  Reading  in  the 
year  1889  and  with  the  aid  of  New  York  cap- 
italists organized  a  steel  company  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  armor-piercing  projectiles  for  the 
United  States  government.  A  large  plant  was  es- 
tablished along  the  Pennsylvania  Schuylkill  Valley 
railroad  at  the  foot  of  Exeter  street  and  in  1890 
the  company  began  to  supply  the  government  with 
large  numbers  of  projectiles  ranging  in  diameter 
from  four  inches  to  thirteen  inches,  and  weighing 
from  a  few  pounds  to  half  a  ton,  and  continued  to 
furnish  them  for  nearly  ten  years,  when  the  plant 
was  gradually  changed  to  the  manufacture  of  com- 
mercial crucible  tool  steel  of  a  superior  character, 
for  which  a  large  trade  has  been  developed.  This 
plant  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  important  in 
Reading,  and  employs  from  600  to  1,000  hands, 
which  evidences  the  importance  and  value  to  the 
community  of  this  local  enterprise.  The  company 
was  reorganized  in  1904  with  a  capital  of  $1,300,- 
000.     The  officers  are  Robert  E.  Jennings,  presi- 


193 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


dent;  W.  B.  Kunhardt,  secretary  and  treasurer  and 
general  manager. 

Reading  Steel  Casting  Company. — In  1906  the 
Reading  Steel  Casting  Company  was  incorporated 
with  a  capital  of  $125,000  for  the  manufacture  of 
steel  castings  for  the  general  trade  and  then  pur- 
chased the  Brylgon  Steel  Works  at  the  foot  of  La- 
fayette street  for  its  plant,  and  it  has  since  carried 
on  a  very  successful  business,  employing  150  hands. 
Arrangements  are  now  being  made  to  double  the 
capacity  of  the  plant  to  meet  the  increasing  demands 
for  its  product.  The  officers  of  the  company  are 
W.  D.  Seargent,  president ;  D.  W.  Yeckley,  secre- 
tary-treasurer ;  and  J.  Turner  Moore,  vice-presi- 
dent and  general  manager. 

Stoves  and  Heaters  are  made  in  great  quanti- 
ties by  the  Reading  Stove  Works,  the  Mt.  Penn 
StO've  Works^  and  the  Prizer-Painter  Stove  and 
Heater  Works  (the  last  situated  at  Millmont  oppo- 
site Reading),  which  are  sold  to  all  parts  of  the 
world. 

Reading  Stoz'c  Company.  In  the  year  1866, 
Jesse  Orr,  John  R.  Painter,  Peter  W.  Nagle, 
William  Grander,  Henry  C.  Posey,  Elijah  Bull, 
William  H.  Schick,  Jasper  Slieeler  and  Charles 
Egolf  associated  together  under  the  name  of 
Orr,  Painter  &  Company  for  the  manufacture 
of  stoves,  furnaces  and  heaters  of  all  kinds, 
and  located  their  foundry  on  Canal  street,  be- 
tween Chestnut  and  Spruce  streets,  beginning 
with  fourteen  molders.  They  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness in  a  very  successful  manner  with  increasing 
success  for  twenty  years,  when  they  became  incor- 
porated under  the  name  "The*  Reading  Stove 
Works,  Orr,  Painter  &  Co.,"  with  a  capital  of 
$400,000.  The  business  has  been  so  developed  that 
branch  offices  have  been  established  in  different 
parts  of  the  United  States,  at  the  large  cities,  Phil- 
adelphia, New  York,  Boston,  Buffalo  and  Chicago, 
for  the  distribution  of  their  productions.  For  a 
number  of  years  this  company  supplied  the  Postal 
Department  of  the  United  States  with  the  postal 
boxes  for  the  street  collection.  The  employes  num- 
ber from  275  to  300.  Daniel  F.  Printz  has  been 
the  president  since  1902,  and  Edgar  Amole  the 
secretary  and  treasurer  since  1900. 

Mt.  Penn  Stove  Company. — William  M.  Stauffer 
was  connected  with  Orr,  Painter  &  Co.  from  1869 
to  1881  and  then  retired  from  the  firm  for  the  pur- 
pose .of  organizing  another  stove  company  in  Read- 
ing and  with  John  McKnight  established  a  plant 
along  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad  at  Third  street. 
In  1882,  a  company  was  incorporated  by  them  un- 
der the  name -of  Mount  Penn  Stove  Company  and 
this  company  has  conducted  a  successful  business 
since  then,  enlarging  the  plant  and  increasing  the 
employes  as  the  developing  trade  demanded.  They 
manufacture  superior  stoves  and  heaters  and  their 
trade  extends  throughout  the  country.  They  em- 
ploy from  100  to  125  hands.  M.  Brayton  Mc- 
Knight was  one  of  the  organizers  with  his  father, 


and  served  the  company  as  secretary  and  treasurer 
from  1882  to  1907,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his 
nephews,  John  R.  McKnight,  as  the  treasurer,  and 
William  R.  Schaeffer,  as  the  secretary,  and  he  be- 
came the  president. 

P riser-Painter  Stove  &  Heater  Company. — Orr, 
Painter  &  Co.  established  a  large  stove  works  in 
Millmont  as  an  addition  to  their  plant  at  Reading, 
to  meet  the  demands  of  their  trade,  and  it  was  used 
by  them  until  1899,  when  a  new  company  was 
formed  and  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Prizer- 
Painter  Stove  &  Heater  Company,  with  a  capital 
of  $350,000,  for  the  manufacture  of  stoves  and 
heaters  of  all  kinds  and  sizes,  and  this  company 
then  became  the  owner  and  has  carried  it  on  suc- 
cessfully until  the  present  time.  They  employ  150 
hands  and  have  a  large  trade.  The  officers  are 
C.  S.  Prizer,  president;  E.  T.  Painter,  vice-presi- 
dent; R.  L.  McCall,  treasurer;  and  W.  W.  Light,, 
secretary. 

Occupations.* — ^The  following  list  is  presented 
to  show  the  number  and  character  of  the  several 
occupations  at  Reading  in  April,  1909 : 


Architects    

Artists    

Attorneys-at-law   

Auctioneers   

Automobiles   or  parts.., 

Barbers  

Baths    (Turkish)    

Bell  Hangers   

Bicycles    

Billiards  and  Pool 

Bill  Posters  

Birds,  etc 

Blacksmiths     

Bleaching  Straw  Goods. 

Boarding  Houses    

Book-sellers,  etc 

Bootblacks  

Bowling  Alleys    

Bricklayers    

Brokers    

Building  Contractors  . . . 

Butchers  

Carpet  Cleaners  

Carpet  Dealers 

Caterers   

Chair  Caners 

Chair  Makers  

Chewing  Gum 

Chinaware,  etc 

Chiropodists    

Cigars  and  Tobacco 

Civil  Engineers   

Clothiers    

Coal,  Wood,  etc 

Commission  Agents   ... 

Confectionery     

Coopers    

Coppersmith    

Cough  Drops   

Dancing  Masters  

Dentists    

Detectives    


10 

119 

7 

16 
134 
2 
4 
9 
6 
2 
5 

27 
1 

65 
7 

20 

4 

135 

41 
'37 

88 
3 
7 
5 
2 
2 
1 
3 
2 

76 
5 

41 

40 
7 

75 
4 
1 
2 
4 

50 
2 


Directorv  Publisher  ....  1 

Dressmakers   290 

Druggists   44 

Dry   Goods,   etc 71 

Dyeing    12 

Electrical  Contractors   . .  10 

Electrotypers    2 

Embalmers    6 

Emplovment  Bureaus  ...  2 

Engraving    3 

Express  Companies   ....  2 

Fish,   Truck,   etc 21 

Flag   Stones,  etc 12 

Florists  20 

Flour,  Feed,  etc 29 

Fruit    15 

Furniture   22 

Furrier   1 

Gas  Fixtures 3 

Gents'  Furnishings,  etc..  20 

Grain  Shippers 4 

Grocers,  Retail 367 

Grocers,  Wholesale 7 

Gunsmiths    2 

Hardware    18 

Hair   Workers    (human)  5 

Harness-makers    10 

Hides    4 

Hotels  and  Saloons 174 

Ice  Dealers   13 

Installment  Houses    ....  7 

Insurance,  Fire   30 

Insurance,   Life    15 

Jewelers     31 

lunk  Dealers   18 

Layers-out  of  dead 10 

Leather     4 

Liquors     18 

Live  Stock    3 

Local  Express   18 

Locksmiths    2 

Lumber     15 

Machine-shops    20 


*  For  Table,  Nature  of  I; 
States   Census   Department, 


ndustries,  1900,  published  by  the  United 
see  page  237. 


PENN     SQUARE,    LOOKING   WEST    FROM    FIFTH    STREET 


PENN     SQUARE,    LOOKING    EAST    FROM    FIFTH    STREET 


SOUTH     SIDE  OF    PENN     SQUARE,    LOOKING    iVEST    FROM     FIFTH     STREET 


PENN     SQUARE,    LOOKINO    EAST    FROM    FOURTH    STREET 


READING 


193 


Manicures    5 

Map  Publisher 1 

Marble  Yards 8 

Massage  4 

Mercantile  Agencies    ...  6 

Milk  Dealers   30 

Milliners    32 

Millwrights   2 

Music  Teachers  89 

Newspaper 'Dealers    ....  4 

Newspapers,  etc 27 

Notaries  43 

Notions,  Wholesale   ....  1 

Novelties   3 

Nurses   (Trained)    33 

Oculists    6 

Opticians    12 

Painters,  etc 125 

Patent  Solicitors  2 

Pattern-makers    5 

Pavers    4 

Pawn  Brokers  5 

Pension  Attorneys   6 

Photographers   9 

Physicians   157 

Piano  Dealers   15 

Piano  Tuners  14 

Picture  Frames,  etc 5. 

Plasterers    75 

Plumbing,  etc 40 

Printers    30 

Produce  Dealers  7 

Publishers   10 

Rags,  Paper,  etc 10 

Real  Estate  Agents 50 

Restaurants  62 


Roofers  (Slate)    6 

Roofers  (Tin)   10 

Saddlery,  etc 10 

Sewing  Machines   4 

Shoe  Dealers   34 

Shoemakers  120 

Shoe  Uppers 1 

Sign-makers   6 

Stables,  Boarding  26 

Stables,  Livery,  etc 12 

Stables,  Sale  4 

Stair  Builders    3 

Stamping   2 

Steamship  Agents 4 

Stenographers    8 

Stock  Dealers    4 

Stone  Masons 80 

Stone  Yards  12 

Storage    7 

Tailors    100 

Teachers,  Music   92 

Teachers,  School 331 

Tea  and  Coffee 4 

Telegraphers    48 

Telephoners    100 

Theatres    4 

Ticket  Offices  5 

Tinsmiths    40 

Tool  Sharpeners,  etc ... .     2 

Toys    3 

Typewriter  Dealers   ....     6 

Undertakers    9 

Upholsterers   10 

Veterinary  Surgeons   ...     7 

Wall  Paper  16 

Wax   Workers,   etc 4 

Wheelwrights    7 


Mercantile  Licenses  for  1909. — The  mercan- 
tile appraiser,  John  G.  Her.bine,  reported  the  fol- 
lowing retail  and  wholesale  licenses  for  business 
places  in  the  county  for  the  year  1909 : 


Retail 

Reading 1,546 

Boroughs    491 

Townships    894 


Wholesale 

Reading    108 

Boroughs   5 

Townships  9 

Total     ..N. 122 


appraiser 


Total 2,931 

Pool   and    Billiards. — The    mercantile 
reported  for  1909  the  following  tables: 

Reading   47 

Boroughs     18 

Townships 4 


69 


INTERNAL  IMPROVEMENTS 


The  internal  improvements  of  Reading  comprise 
those  buildings  and  constructions  of  a  public  nature, 
whether  paid  for  by  the  government  or  by  private 
individuals  and  corporations.  The  following  com- 
prise those  that  have  contributed  to  the  general  wel- 
fare, whose  total  cost  to  the  community  and  to  the 
projectors  amounts  to  many  millions  of  dollars. 

Market-Houses. — In  1766,  the  Penns  granted  a 
charter  -to  the  town  for  holding  semi-weekly  mar- 
kets; also  semi-annual  fairs  on  June  4th,  and  Oct. 
Z'i'th;  and  then  a  market-house  was  erected  in  East 
Perm  Square.    It  was  a  building  about  120  feet  long 

13 


and  20  feet  wide,  consisting  of  a  double  row  of 
square  brick  pillars,  covered  by  a  double-pitched 
shingle  roof,  and  contained  32  stalls.  A  similar 
building  was  erected  in  West  Penn  Square  in  1799, 
which  contained  38  stalls.  They  were  rebuilt  in 
1846  with  iron  columns  and  paved  extensions  for 
increased  accommodations  at  a  cost  of  $6,400,  and 
abandoned  in  1871,  when  they  were  sold  and  re- 
moved. The  semi-annual  fairs  were  discontinued 
in  1853,  when  the  Berks  County  Agricultural  So- 
ciety was  organized  to  give  annual  exhibitions  in 
their  stead. 

Private  Market-Houses. — In  1871,  three  large 
private  market-houses  were  substituted  in  the 
place  of  the  public  buildings  on  Penn  Square: — ■ 
South  Reading,  West  Reading,  and  Farmers'.  In 
1874,  two  more  were  erected: — Northeast,  and 
Keystone;  and  in  1884,  another,  Tenth  and  Chest- 
nut. In  1886,  the  Keystone  market-house  was  con- 
verted into  the  Academy  of  Music,  and  the  Fifth 
street  market-house  substituted,  having  been  altered 
from  a  skating-rink,  now  Woodward  and  Church 
streets;  it  was  discontinued  in  1904.  In  1894,  the 
Tenth  and  Windsor  was  erected;  in  1897,  the  West 
Buttonwood,  near  Schuylkill  avenue;  and  in  1903, 
the  rear  part  of  the  "Crystal  Palace  Hotel"  was 
converted  into  a  market-house.  There  are  now 
nine  in  the  city.  The  Farmers'  has  three  annexes 
and  is  the  largest  in  Reading,  having  altogether  414 
stalls.  The  West  Reading  had  the  Potteiger  An- 
nex from  1895  to  1906. 

Waterworks. — The  inhabitants  were  supplied 
Yith  water  from  wells  and  cisterns  until  1821.  The 
first  pump  at  Reading  was  erected  in  East  Penn 
Square  in  1750  by  direction  of  the  Penns,  and 
when  the  market-house  was  built  in  1766,  this 
pump  occupied  a  position  in  the  center.  The  well 
was  fifty-three  feet  deep,  and  the  water  was  of  a 
limestone  character.  It  was  abandoned  in  1871, 
when  the  market-house  was  removed. 

In  1821,  a  water  company  was  formed  to  supply 
the  inhabitants  with  water,  and  then  a  reservoir 
was  constructed  at  the  head  of  Penn  street  with  a 
storage  capacity  of  100,000  hogsheads.  In  1865 
the  city  purchased  the  plant  for  $300,000.  The 
sources  of  supply  then  were  Hampden  spring,  Egel- 
man  spring,  and  Bernhart  creek.  The  supply  was 
largely  increased  by  introducing  the  water  of  Antie- 
tam'  creek  in  1874,  and  of  Maiden  creek  in  1889, 
the  former  flowing  by  gravity  through  large  iron 
pipes  about  three  miles  to  the  city  line,  and  the 
latter  being  forced  through  similar  pipes  about  six 
and  a  half  miles  to  the  city  line,  by  three  Worth- 
ington  pumps,  with  a  total  capacity  of  30,000,000 
gallons.  Total  net  cost  of  water  supply  to  April 
6,  1908,  $3,060,934;  debt,  $280,806.  Total  storage 
capacity,  186,000,000  gallons ;  daily  possible  sup- 
ply, 17,392,000  gallons ;  average  daily  consumption, 
12,242,564  gallons.  Total  quantity  consumed  for 
year  1907-08,  4,480,778,545  gallons.  Supply  is  from 
six  sources,  which,  with  per  centum,  is  as  follows: 


194 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Antietam,  36.35;  Bernhart,  20.54;  Maiden  creek, 
50.35;  Egelman,  1.78;  Hampden  and  Hampden 
drift,  0.98. 

Filtration. — Sand  filtration  of  Egelman  supply 
was  begun  in  1903,  of  Antietam  in  1905,  and  of 
Bernhart  in  1909.  Total  daily  capacity,  7,000,000 
gallons;  estimated  cost,  $250,000.  The  Maiden 
creek  supply  will  be  filtered  in  1910;  estimated 
daily  supply,  10,000,000  gallons,  and  cost,  $400,- 
000. 

Public  Roads. — The  public  roads  figured  prom- 
inently in  connection  with  Reading  from  the  begin- 
ning of  its  history.  The  ford  at  the  Schuylkill  was 
a  central  point  from  which  they  were  extended  in 
various  directions.  When  the  town  was  laid  out, 
there  were  regular  highways ;  north  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Maiden  creek,  almost  in  a  straight  line  for 
six  miles ;  northeast  through  Alsace ;  southeast 
through  Exeter  to  Philadelphia ;  southwest  through 
Cumru  to  Lancaster ;  and  west  through  Cumru  and 
Heidelberg,  also  in  a  straight  line,  to  Lebanon. 
And  afterward  others  were  established  to  facilitate 
travel  from  Reading  to  the  diflFerent  sections  of  the 
county. 

Streets. — The  streets  were  estabhshed  when  the 
town  was  laid  out;  and  the  personal  and  royal 
names  given  to  them  by  the  proprietaries  were  con- 
tinued until  changed  by  the  borough  council  in 
1833.  The  numeral  system  was  then  substituted 
for  the  streets  running  north  and  south ;  and  those 
running  east  and  west,  excepting  Penn,  Washing- 
ton ■  and  Franklin,  were  named  after  trees ;  and 
those  subsequently  laid  out,  after  the  townships 
of  the  county.  They  are  at  right  angles  with  one 
another.  Some  of  them,  however,  run  at  an  ob- 
lique angle,  the  most  prominent  being  Bingaman 
street,  Perkiomen,  Centre  and  Schuylkill  avenues. 
The  total  number  of  miles  of  projected  streets  is 
135 ;  of  which  83  miles  are  open  for  pubHc  use. 

The  first  grading  of  the  streets  was  made  in 
1833.  A  topographical  survey  was  made  from  1864 
to  1868.  The  plans,  in  eleven  sections,  are  on 
file  in  the  Quarter  Sessions'  office  of  Berks  county. 
In  1863,  the  system  of  numbering  the  houses  along 
the  streets  was  adopted  by  councils,  allowing  100 
for  each  square  from  Front  street  eastward,  and 
also  for  each  square  north  and  south  of  Penn  street. 
This  was  effected  by  Jacob  Knabb  while  postmas- 
ter, to  facilitate  and  dispatch  the  delivery  of  let- 
ters, having  had  numerous  petitions  signed  by  the 
citizens  recommending  it. 

After  considering  for  a  long  while  the  subject 
of  permanent  street  improvements,  councils  even- 
tually, in  1883,  purchased  a  steam  road-roller, 
weighing  fifteen  tons,  and  began  a  gradual  im- 
provement of  the  streets  in  the  interior  sections 
of  Reading  by  macadamizing  the  surface,  and  they 
kept  at  it  year  after  year  until  1897,  spending 
annually  about  $35,000.  This  not  proving  satis- 
factory, they  then  determined  to  lay  sheet  asphal- 
tum,  and  during  that  year  expended  over  $120,000 


on  Penn  street  and  Perkiomen  avenue  from  Front 
street  to  Thirteenth,  and  on  south  Fifth  street  from 
Penn  to  Pine.  During  the  next  five  years,  other 
streets  were  paved  with  asphaltum  and  vitrified 
brick,  covering  a  total  length  of  ten  miles,  and 
costing  altogether  $350,000.  In  1908  there  were 
fifty-two  miles  of  macadam  street,  six  miles  of  as- 
phaltum, fourteen  miles  of  vitrified  brick,  and  six 
miles  of  rubble  stone. 

Sewers. — In  1893,  the  West  system  of  house 
sewers  was  adopted  by  councils.  The  city  was  di- 
vided into  eight  districts,  and  the  first  four  were 
constructed  at  the  expense  of  the  abutting  property 
holders,  amounting  to  $231,000,  of  which  the  city 
paid  for  the  mains,  about  $50,000.  The  pumping 
station  was  erected  at  the  foot  of  Sixth  street  at  a 
cost  of  $60,000 ;  and  the  disposal  plant  one  and  one- 
half  miles  below  Reading  along  the  west  bank  of 
the  river  at  a  cost  of  $79,600,  which  was  paid  by 
the  city  without  increasing  the  tax  rate.  The  sew- 
age is  purified  to  99  per  cent.  The  cost  of  the  three 
districts  was  $350,000. 

The  first  storm-water  sewer  was  constructed  grad- 
ually in  small  sections  from  the  foot  of  Court  street 
to  Buttonwood,  to  Eighth,  to  Walnut,  and  to  Elev- 
enth, the  beginning  having  been  made  forty  years 
ago.  The  Bassett  system  was  adopted  by  councils 
in  1889,  comprising  twenty  districts.  In  1897,  the 
North  Reading  sewer  was  made  out  of  concrete, 
in  oval  shape,  starting  at  Eleventh  and  Douglass, 
and  ending  at  the  river  near  the  Carpenter  Steel 
Works,  a  distance  of  two  miles.  The  dimension 
at  the  east  end  begins  at  five  feet,  and  ends  at  the 
west  end  at  fourteen  feet.  The  depth  below  the 
surface  varies  from  ten  to  twenty-five  feet.  It 
is  now  the  largest  and  longest  concrete  sewer  in 
America.  The  total  cost  was  over  $300,000,  paid 
mostly  by  a  loan  granted  by  a  vote  of  the  elec- 
tors. In  1908,  there  were  one  hundred  and  two 
miles  of  house  sewers ;  and  fourteen  miles  of  storm- 
water  sewers,  with  eleven  additional  miles  pro- 
jected. 

Subway. — The  subject  of  a  "crossing"  over  the 
P.  &  R.  railroad  at  Spring  street  was  agitated  un- 
successfully for  many  years  until  1904,  when  the 
city  authorities  and  the  railroad  company  reached 
an  understanding  and  the  necessary  steps  were 
instituted  for  its  construction.  The  work  was  giv- 
en to  Hawman  Brothers,  contractors  of  ReadTng, 
and  they  started  Nov.  18,  1907,  with  an  allowance 
of  three  hundred  working  days  for  its  comple- 
tion. It  was  a  difficult  undertaking  on  account  of 
the  very  heavy  traffic  on  the  railroad  constantly 
passing  and  repassing  that  point,  but  they  succeed- 
ed in  finishingthe  bridge  within  the  limited  time. 

The  bridge  is  constructed  of  cement  work  and 
when  completed  will  cost  about  $150,000.  A  large 
bronze  tablet,  five  feet  high,  is  set  in  the  face  of 
the  arches  on  both  sides,  in  the  form  of  a  keystone. 
It  was  opened  to  travel  in  April,  1909,  and  the 
grc-at  convenience  of  passing  at  all  times  from  the 


POST    OFFICE    AT    READING 


READING 


195 


northeastern  section  of  the  city  to  the  northwest- 
ern, or  in  an  opposite  direction,  without  detention, 
was  immediately  appreciated.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
important  improvements  to  the  city  in  recent  years. 

Ferries  and  Bridges. — The  ford  was  used  in 
crossing  the  Schuylkill  for  many  years ;  then  a  ferry 
was  introduced  to  facilitate  passage  to  and  fro. 
In  1795,  the  first  steps  were  taken  to  establish  a 
bridge  at  this  point;  and  repeated  and  persistent 
efforts  were  made  by  legislation,  lottery  schemes, 
and  county  appropriations  for  twenty  years  be- 
fore this  great  improvement  was  accomplished- 
A  roofed  wooden  structure  became  passable  in 
1815 ;  and  it  was  finally  completed  in  1818.  The 
cost  was  $50,000.  It  took  the  name  of  "Harris- 
burg  Bridge"  from  the  public  road  to  Harrisburg. 
There  was  also  a  ferry  at  the  foot  of  Bingaman 
street.  The  first  privilege  was  granted  by  the 
Penns  to  a  man  named  Levan,  and  it  was  contin- 
ued until  a  roofed  wooden  bridge  was  erected  by 
the  county  in  1831,  at  a  cost  of  $10,000.  It  took 
the  name  of  "Lancaster  Bridge,"  being  on  the  road 
to  Lancaster. 

Toll  was  charged  at  both  bridges  until  1883, 
when  they  were  declared  free.  The  subject  of 
free  bi^idges  had  been  agitated  as  early  as  1831 ; 
and  in  1848  a  special  effort  was  made  in  this  behalf, 
but  without  success,  because  the  county  commis- 
sioners alleged  that  the  expenses  exceeded  the  in- 
come, by  nearly  $30,000.  In  1883,  the  city  coun- 
cils took  the  matter  in  hand,  and  by  application 
to  court,  the  purpose  was  at  last  accomplished 
March  28,  1883. 

Both  bridges  were  swept  away  by  the  great 
freshet  of  1850,  and  immediately  rebuilt.  In  1876, 
the  latter  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  an  iron  struc- 
ture was  erected  in  its  stead,  which  was  the  first 
large  iron  bridge  in  the  county.  And  in  1884,  a 
superior  iron  bridge  was  erected  in  place  of  the 
former  at  a  cost  of  $100,000. 

The  first  bridge  across  the  Schuylkill  in  this  vi- 
cinity was  "Kissinger's."  It  was  on  the  road  to 
Sunbury  through  Bern  township.  An  Act  was 
passed  in  1810,  authorizing  Ulrich  Kissinger  to 
erect  and  maintain  a  toll  bridge  at  that  point  where 
this  road  crossed  the  river,  and  he  then  put  up  a 
chain  bridge  in  two  spans.  A  covered  wooden 
bridge  was  substituted  in  1830.  This  was  also 
swept  away  by  the  freshet  of  1850,  and  rebuilt.  It 
was  known  for  many  years  as  "Bushong's,"  and 
last  as  "Ahrejis'."  The  Schuylkill  avenue  bridge 
near  by  was  erected  by  the  county  commissioners 
in  1893  to  take  its  place. 

The  Lebanon  Valley  railroad  bridge  was  erect- 
ed in  1857,  and  it  was  then  regarded  as  one  of 
the  finest  structures  in  the  State.  It  was  destroyed 
by  fire  by  the  rioters  in  July,  1877,  and  rebuilt  by 
the  company.  The  Wilmington  &  Northern  rail- 
road bridge  was  erected  in  1874;  the  Pennsylvania 
Schuylkill  Valley  in  1884;  and  the  Reading  & 
Southwestern  in  1891.  Altogether  ten  fine  bridges 
span  the  river  within  a  distance  of  three  miles. 


Schuylkill  River. — The  river  Schuylkill  is  a 
prominent  feature  of  Reading,  and  has  always,  con- 
tributed many  advantages  to  the  place.  In  res- 
pect to  carrying  away  the  surface  drainage  from 
all  the  streets,  its  value  has  been  incalculable.  Its 
improvement  for  navigation  was  a  subject  for  the 
inhabitants  as  early  as  1807,  when  a  society  was 
formed  for  this  purpose.  It  was  forded  until 
about  the  time  when  the  borough  was  erected,  then 
the  ferries  were  introduced,  and  these  were  car- 
ried on  utitil  the  two  bridges  were  built. 

Freshets. — The  freshets  of  this  water-course 
occupy  a  noteworthy  place  in  local  history  for  over 
one  hundred  years.  The  most  important  of  them 
occurred  in  1757,  1786,  1823,  1839,  1841,  1850, 
1862  and'  1869.  The  one  which  caused  the  most 
damage  was  in  1850,  when  the  water  rose  twenty- 
five  feet  above  its  ordinary  level,  nearly  six  feet 
higher  than  the  great  freshet  of  1786. 

Fire  Compajjy  Buildings. — ^For  many  years, 
the  fire  companies  owned  the  buildings  in  which 
they  kept  their  apparatus,  but  when  the  city  began 
to  appropriate  liberal  sums  annually  for  maintain- 
ing them,  it  became  the  owner  of  all,  excepting 
that  of  the  Liberty  Fire  Company.  The  buildings 
number  thirteen.  They  are  all  substantial  struc- 
tures, finely  furnished. 

Public  Parks. — Penn  Common  was  reserved 
by  the  Penns  for  the  dwellers  of  the  town  when 
the  plan  was  laid  out.  But  it  was  not  improved 
for  park  purposes  until  1878 ;  then  a  strip  along 
-Perkiomen  avenue  was  ornamented  by  private 
subscription.  In  1884,  legal  proceedings  were 
instituted  by  councils  to  recover  possession  of 
the  entire  tract  (fifty  acres)  from  the  county  com- 
missioners, Wayne  Hayman,  Esq.,  city  solicitor, 
Richmond  L.  Jones,  Esq.,  .and  George  F.  Baer, 
Esq.,  appearing  as  counsel  for  the  city.  The  court 
refused  to  award  a  writ  of  mandamvrS  to  .compel 
them  to  execute  a  deed  to  the  city  for  the  land, 
but  the  Supreme  court  ordered  it  to  be  done^  and 
the  transfer  was'  made  in  1886.  Then  councils  es- 
tablished a  park  commission,  and  annual  appropria- 
tions have  been  made  since  that  time  for  its  im- 
provement. Until  1909  about  $250,000  was  ex- 
pended. Besides  Penn  Common,  the  city  owns 
Mineral  Spring'  park,  sixty-four  acres,  which 
has  also  been  beautified  by  annual  appropriations, 
exceeding  $15,000;  Egelman  park,  thirty  acres; 
Hessian  Camp,  thirty-two  acres ;  and  other  tracts, 
twenty-two  acres — altogether  nearly  two  hundred 
acres,  highly  appreciated  by  the  people. 

Post-Office. — The  post-office  was  established 
at  Reading  in  1793.  Since  then  there  have  been 
eighteen  postmasters.  The  letters  were  called  for 
until  1835,  when  they  began  to  be  delivered  by  pri- 
vate enterprise  at  a  cent,  and  subsequently  two  cents, 
a  letter.  This  practice  continued  until  the  free 
delivery    system   was   introduced    in    1864.      Mail 


196 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


boxes  were  put  up  in  1864  for  dropping  letters 
to  be  collected  by  carriers,  and  boxes  and  carriers 
were  increased  as  demands  required.  The  money 
order  system  was  introduced  in  1864;  postal  cards 
in  1873 ;  two-cent  postage  in  1883 ;  and  the  special 
delivery  of  letters  in  1885.  In  February,  1909,  there 
were  240  boxes  and  43  carriers ;  8  sub-carriers  and 
2  rural  carriers.  The  office  employed  25  clerks, 
and  3  sub-clerks.  The  total  business  for  1908  was 
$180,709.  On  Oct.  1,  1891,  seven  stations  were 
established  in  different  sections  of  Reading  for 
the  sale  of  stamps,  registering  letters  and  issumg 
money  orders. 

The   post-office   was   located   at   No.    16    South 


CITY    HALL 


Fifth  street  from  1793  to  1801;  No.  146  North 
Fifth  street,  1801  to  1829;  No.  504  Penn  Square, 
1829  to  1841;  No.  423  Penn  Square,  1841  to  1845; 
No.  508  Penn  Square,  1845  to  1849  ;  No.  533  Penn 
Square,  1849  to  1852;  "State-house"  (Fifth  and 
Penn),  1852  to  1866;  Sixth  and  Court  streets, 
1866  to  1889;  Federal  building,  Fifth  and  Wash- 
ington streets,  since  1889.  In  1887  the  United 
States  government  commenced  the  erection  of  a 
fine,  large  building  for  a  permanent  post-office. 
The  department  took  possession  Sept.  16,  1889. 
The  total  cost  was  $180,000.  In  1908,  Congress 
appropriated  $60,000  for  an  addition  to  the  build- 
ing. 

City  Hall. — There  was  no  separate  building  for 


town  officials  until  1870.  A  city  hall  (three-story 
brick  building)  was  then  erected  at  Fifth  and  Frank- 
lin streets  to  supply  at  one  place  a  "lock-up,"  city 
offices,  and  council  chambers,  costing  $36,000.  Pre- 
viously the  councils  had  met  in  the  Court-House. 

Cemeteries. — From  the  beginning  of  Reading 
until  1846,  interments  were  made  in  burying- 
grounds  which  adjoined  the  several  churches; 
then  a  cemetery  was  established  by  Charles  Evans. 
He  was  authorized  by  law  to  organize  a  company 
for  its  perpetual  management,  and  when  this  was 
done  he  transferred  to  the  "Charles  Evans  Cerne- 
tery  Company"  a  tract  of  twenty-five  acres  in  the 
northern  section  of  the  city,  with  the  buildings 
thereon  erected,  representing  an  expenditure  of 
$84,000.  The  present  area  embraces  127  acres, 
laid  out  in  lots,  and  those  sold  6,000 ;  and  burials 
to  Jan.  1,  1909,  28,230.  A  fine  bronze  statue  of 
the  founder  stands  inside,  facing  the  entrance. 
Many  costly  monuments  have  been  erected,  the 
most  prominent  being  the  "Soldiers'  Monument" 
in  granite,  and  "Christ  on  the  Cross"  in  Italian 
marble. 

In   1849,  two  cemeteries   were  laid  out  and  es- 
tablished on  the  northern  slope  of  Mt.  Neversink, 
the    "Trinity    Lutheran"    by    the    congregation    of 
that-  name,  and  the  "Roman  Catholic"  by  St.  Peter's 
congregation.     And   in   1851,   the   "Aulen- 
bach"    was    laid    out    along    the    southeast 
border    of    Reading.      When    these    ceme- 
teries were  established,  burials  in  them  were 
encouraged,  and  the  remains  of  numerous 
persons   in   the   different   burying  grounds 
were  transferred  to  them. 

Turnpikes. — Turnpikes  were  projected 
along  the  prominent  highways  which  ex- 
tended to  the  north,  to  the  southeast  and 
to  the  west  of  Reading  to  enable  business 
men,  farmers  and  travelers  to  carry  on  in- 
tercourse more  quickly  with  near  and  dis- 
tant places.  In  1805,  the  Centre  Turnpike 
Company  was  incorporated  to  maintain  a 
^  turnpike  on  the  road  to  the  north,  leading 

to  Sunbury,  and  before  1812  it  was  com- 
pleted. Tolls  were  collected  until  1885, 
when  it  was  abandoned  and  the  charter  for- 
feited. In  1810,  another  was  incorporated 
for  a  turnpike  southeast  to  Perkiomen  Mills  and 
Philadelphia;  which  was  completed  in  1814.  It 
was  conducted  until  1902  when  it  was  declared 
free,  the  county  having  paid  damages  for  appropri- 
ating it.  And  in  1805,  a  third  was  incorporated  for 
a  turnpike  west  to  Harrisburg;  which  was  finished 
in  1817,  and  has  been  conducted  until  now.*  Their 
connection  with  and  value  to  Reading  are  not  fully 
appreciated  at  this  time,  but  for  fifty  years,  from 
1810  to  1860,  they  contributed  a  great  deal  toward 
its  prosperity.  To  the  stage  business  they  were 
indispensable. 

*  Part    made    free    from    Reading    to    Wernersville. 


McKlNLEY   MONUMENT   IN    PENN   COMMON 


MONUMENT  TO    FIRST   DEFENDERS    IN   PENN   COMMON 


FIREMEN'S    MONUMENT   IN    PENN   COMMON 


G.  A.   R.  MONUMENT    IN    CHARLES    EVANS    CEMETERY 


READING 


197 


Stage-Coaches. — The  stage-coach  was  intro- 
duced as  the  first  public  conveyance  at  Reading 
in  1789  by  Martin  Hausman.  It  made  weekly 
trips  to  and  from  Philadelphia,  distance  fifty-one 
miles;  fare  $2;  letters  3d.  The  round  trip  was 
made  in  two  days.  William  Coleman  became  the 
owner  of  the  line  in  1791,  and  from  that  time  for 
seventy  years  the  Coleman  family  was  prominent- 
ly identified  with  the  stage  enterprise  at  Reading 


STAGE-COACH 


and  in  eastern  Pennsylvania.  This  business  was 
active  for  a  long  time,  especially  from  1810  to  1858 ; 
but  it  was  discontinued  as  the  railroads  were  ex- 
tended in  different  directions  from  Reading.  Six 
stage  lines  still  carry  passengers,  merchandise  and 
mail  as  follows:  northwest  to  Krick's  Mill,  and 
Bernville;  south  to  Angelica  and  Terre  Hill,  and 
also  to  Plowville,  Alleghenyville,  and  Hummel's 
Store;  east  to  Boyertown,  to  Pleasantville,  and  to 
Friedensburg. 

Canals. — The  canal,  as  a  means  of  transporta- 
tion to  and  from  Reading,  was  started  in  1811. 
It  was  constructed  along  the  Tulpehocken  creek 
to  its  source,  and  thence  along  the  Swatara  creek 
to  the  Susquehanna  river,  being  finished  in  1838. 
It,  was  known  as  the  Union  canal.  It  was  very 
prosperous  for  a  time,  and  many  boats  ran  to  and 
fro,  carrying  lumber,  merchandise  and  passengers,, 
but  railroad  competition  caused  it  to  be  abandoned. 
The  Schuylkill  canal  was  constructed  alorig  the 
Schuylkill  river  from  Pottsville  to  Philadelphia, 
especially  for  transporting  coal.  It  was  begun 
in  1817  and  completed  in  1833;  and  it  was  suc- 
cessfully carried  on  for  over  fifty  years.  It  is  now 
controlled  by  the  P.  &  R.  R.  Company  but  little 
used.  •        i. 

Steam  Railroads. — Railroads  were  extended 
in  directions  to  correspond  with  the  public  roads ; 
southeast  to  Philadelphia,  58  miles,  in  1838 ;  north- 
west to  Pottsville,  35  miles,  in  1843;  west  to  Har- 
risburg,  54  miles,  in  1858;  northeast  to  Allentown, 
35  miles,  in  1859 ;  southwest  to  Lancaster^  43  miles, 
and  to  Columbia,  46  miles,  in  1864;  south  to  Wil- 
mington, 73  miles,  in  1874;  and  north  to  Slating- 
ton,  44  miles,  in  1874.  The  "West-Reading"  was 
constructed  in  1863,  from  the  "Lebanon  Valley" 
via  Third  street  to  and  along  Canal  street,  to  ac- 
commodate the  numerous  enterprises  in  the  west- 
ern section  of  the  city.  It  was  operated  by  the 
company  for  ten  years;  then  transferred  to  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  Company. 

The  P.  &  R.  R.  Co.  operate  all  the  lines  concen- 
trating at  Reading,  excepting  the  Pennsyltvania 
Schuylkill  Valley  railroad.  The  passenger  sta- 
tion was  located  at  Seventh  and  Chestnut  streets 


from  1838  to  1874,  when  it  was  removed  to  the 
"Junction"  where  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad  and 
East  Penn  railroad  connect  with  the  P.  &  R.  rail- 
road. The  volume  of  business  is  enormous.  In 
1884,  a  station  was  established  also  at  Franklin 
street. 

The  Schuylkill  Valley  railroad  was  extended 
along  the  Schuylkill  river  from  Philadelphia  to 
Reading  in  1884,  and  to  Pottsville  in  1885.  It 
is  under  the  control  of  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road Company. 

Street  Railways. — There  was  no  street  rail- 
way in  Philadelphia  until  1857,  but  during  that 
year  the  first  line  was  put  down,  and  cars  began 
to   run   in  January,   1858. 

The  first  move  in  this  behalf  at  Reading  was 
in  1865,  when  an  Act  was  passed  incorporating 
the  "Reading  Passenger  Railway  Company,"  to 
construct  and  operate  street  railways  on  Penn 
street,  from  Front  to  the  Mineral  Spring;  on  Fifth 
and  Centre  avenue,  and  also  on  Sixth  from  Canal 
street  northward  to  Hiester's  Lane,  beyond  the 
cemetery;  and  ninety-six  of  the  most  prominent 
business  men  and  capitalists  subscribed  for  stock. 
The  construction  was  to  be  begun  within  one  year 
and  to  be  ended  in  five  years,  and  the  fare  was 
to  be  five  cents ;  but  nothing  was  done.  Several 
years  afterward,  an  effort  was  made  to  establish 
an  omnibus  line,  which  was  to  run  from  the  foot 
of  Fifth  street  to  the  cemetery,  but  this  also  failed, 
after  being  operated  for  a  while. 

In  1873,  another  Act  was  passed,  incorporating 
the  Penn  Street  Passenger  Railway  Company,  to 
construct  and  operate  the  Penn  street  line  from 
Front  street  to  Nineteenth.  The  construction  was 
commenced  early  in  1874,  working  eastward  and 
westward  from  Sixth  street,  and  by  August  the 
road  was  open  for  travel  with  a  single  track.  The 
cars  were  drawn  by  one  horse,  but  soon  afterward 
by  two  horses. 

In  one  year,  the  road  was  sold  by  the  sheriff 
and  reorganized  under  the  name  of  the  Cen- 
tral Passenger  Railway  Company  of  Reading;  but 
in  1878,  this  was  also  sold  out  by  the  sheriff,  and 
for  a  time  the  road  was  not  operated. 

In  April,  1880,  another  reorganization  was  ef- 
fected under  the  name  of  the  Perkiomen  Avenue 
line.  New  cars  were  placed  on  the  road,  and  its 
operation  proved  so  successful  that  extensions 
were  made  along  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets,  and  then 
to  the  Mineral  Spring,  where  a  barn  was  erected 
for  the  cars  and  horses. 

After  all  these  lines  had  been  laid,  a  consolida- 
tion of  the  two  companies  was  effected  in  1889 
under  the  name  of  the  Reading  City  Passenger 
Railway  Company.  In  1890,  the  Penn  street  line 
was  extended  along  Perkiomen  avenue  to  Nine- 
teenth street  from.  Thirteenth;  and  in  1891,  a  line 
was  laid  along  Bingaman  and  Eighth  streets. 

At  the  same  time  that  the  Act  was  passed  in 
1873  for  the  Penn  street  line,  another  Act  was 
passed  for  the  Sixth  street  line,  and  the  construe- 


198 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


tion  of  it  was  then  also  started.  Extensions  were 
made  as  follows :  In  1885,  to  the  cemetery ;  in  1886, 
to  East  Reading,  via  Laurel  and  Cotton  streets, 
and  also  along  Third,  Fourth,  Washington  and 
Walnut  streets;  and  in  1887,  along  Fifth  street 
and  Centre  avenue,  and  along  North  Eleventh 
street. 

In  1893,  electricity  was  substituted  for  horses 
and  a  marked  improvement  in  the  service  was  irn- 
mediately  appreciated  by  the  public,  and  the  travel 
was  increased  very  much. 

The  United  Traction  Company  was  organized  in 
1895  for  the  purpose  of  leasing  and  operating  all 
the  lines. 

The  East  Reading  line  from  Ninth  street  to 
the  Black  Bear  Inn  and  to  Stony  Creek  was  con- 
structed in  1890,  the  Reading  Electric  Light  and 
Power  Company  supplying  the  electric  power  to 
propel  the  cars.  This  Hoe  was  the  first  at  Reading 
to  use  electricity  for  street  car  service. 

The  Reading  and  Southwestern  Railway  Com- 
pany was  organized  in  1890  to  operate  a  street  rail- 
way from  Third  and  Penn  streets  to  Mohnsville 
by  way  of  Shillington,  a  distance  of  five  miles,  and 
this  was  constructed  in  1891  with  an  electric  power 
plant  at  the  foot  of  Chestnut  street  to  propel  its 
cars.  In  1894  a  branch  was  extended  to  Eleventh 
and  Penn  streets,  by  way  of  Franklin  street,  and 
to  Nineteenth  street  by  way  of  Eleventh,  Spruce 
and  Haak  streets,  for  the  purpose  of  making  con- 
nection with  the  Mt.  Penn  Gravity  Railroad.  In 
1894,  a  steam  railroad  was  constructed  from  the 
terminus  at  Mohnsville  to  Adamstown.  In  1901 
the  Mohnsville  line  and  its  connections  were  leased 
to  the  United  Traction  Company,  and  since  then 
have  been  operated  by  this  company. 

In  1894,  a  street  railway  line  was  extended  from 
Reading  west  to  Womelsdorf,  a  distance  of  fifteen 
miles,  and  since  then  has  been  operated  by  the  Unit- 
ed Traction  Company. 

In  1902,  a  line  was  extended  to  Temple,  five  miles 
to  the  north,  by  the  Reading  and  Temple  Company, 
and  another  to  Boyertown,  eighteen  miles  to  the 
east  by  way  of  Jacksonwald,  Friedensburg  and 
Shanesville,  by  the  Oley  Valley  Railway  Com- 
pany, from'  a  point  near  the  Stony  Creek  terminus 
of  the  East  Reading  line,  both  also  operated  by 
the  United  Traction  Company.  And  in  1904,  the 
Temple  line  was  extended  to  Kutztown,  thereby 
opening  connection  with  the  Allentown  and  Kutz- 
town line  of  street  railway,  which  had  been  con- 
structed through  Maxatawny  township  to  Kutz- 
town in  1898. 

Shortly  before  the  line  was  laid  along  North 
Ninth  street  in  1886,  Abraham  F.  Reeser  and  Lewis 
Kremp  projected  a  line  of  herdic  coaches  to  run 
the  entire  length  of  Ninth  street  and  these  coaches 
were  run  for  a  while,  but  not  proving  successful 
the  enterprise  was  discontinued. 

Mountain  Railroads. — In  1889,  the  Mt.  Penn 
Gravity  Railroad  Company  was  organized,  and  in 
1890  it  constructed  a  railroad  from  the  east  end 


of  the  street  car  lines  to  the  top  of  Mt.  Penn  and 
thence  by  a  circuitous  route  to  the  point  of  begin- 
ning, altogether  eight  miles  long.  The  cars  are 
drawn  to  the  top  one  and  a  half  miles  by  a  steam 
engine,  and  also  by  electric  power,  but  they  des- 
cend by  gravity  six  and  two-thirds  miles.  In 
April,  1898,  an  electrical  equipment  was  supplied  to 
propel  the  cars  by  trolley.  A  stone  tower  fifty  feet 
high  is  at  the  top.  Total  elevation,  twelve  hun- 
dred feet  above  the  sea,  and  one  thousand  feet 
above  Reading.  The  view  from  this  tower  em- 
braces an  area  of  territory  thirty  miles  square. 
Prominent  points  can  be  seen  in  the  six  adjoin- 
ing counties,  Montgomery,  Chester,  Lancaster, 
Lebanon,  Schuylkill  and  Lehigh.  A  large  pavil- 
ion for  dancing  is  connected  with  the  tower;  and 
to  the  north,  near  by,  there  is  another  for  playing 
ten-pins,  shuffle-boards,  and  billiards.  Investment, 
$150,000. 

The  "Summit  House,"  a  three-story  stone  build- 
ing, was  erected  in  1890,  near  the  tower,  by  Henry 
and  William  Schwartz.  The  railroad  in  descend- 
ing passes  four  other  resorts :  "Kuechler's,"  "Stei- 
gerwald's,"  "Spuhler's,"  and  "Mineral   Spring." 

The  Neversink  Mountain  Railroad  Company  was 
organized  in  1889,  and  in  1890  the  company  laid 
a  track  eight  miles  long  from  Ninth  and  Penn 
streets  around  and  across  the  mountain  to  Klap- 
perthal.  It  has  an  investment  of  $250,000.  Su- 
perior views  from  different  points  overlook  Read- 
ing and  the  surrounding  country  for  many  miles. 
A  power-house  was  erected  at  the  Big  Dam  at 
the  same  time  to  propel  the  company's  cars  with 
electricity,  but  it  was  leased  to  the  Metropolitan 
Electric  Company,  which  now  provides  the  neces- 
sary power  for  the  cars.  A  fine  pavilion  for  danc- 
ing was  erected  by  the  company  along  the  road, 
opposite  the  "Highland  House." 

Telegraph. — Reading  was  reached  by  telegraph 
in  1847  along  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad, 
thereby  opening  communication  with  Philadelphia 
to  the  south  and  Pottsville  to  the  north,  and  inter- 
vening points.  As  the  other  railroads  were  es- 
tablished, additional  telegraph  lines  were  extend- 
ed in  the  same  directions  from  Reading.  In  1879, 
this  concentrated  system  was  connected  with  the 
Western  Union  lines,  thereby  opening  direct  corn- 
munication  with  all  parts  of  the  United  States. 
The  office  at  Reading  has  come  to  do  an  enormous 
business,  the  commercial  messages  alone  (not  in- 
cluding the  railway  business  and  the  extensive 
newspaper  service)  averaging  one  thousand,  eight 
hundred  every  day.    It  is  open  all  the  year. 

There  are  in  use  in  Reading  by  this  company 
sixty  wires  with  a  total  length  of  two  hundred 
miles;  also  the  call  bell  system  for  messenger  and 
cab  service  and  to  deliver  letters  and  packages ; 
and  a  storage  battery  and  motor  generator  have 
been  substituted  in  the  place  of  the  gravity  bat- 
tery. This  company  enjoys  the  distinction  of  be- 
ing the  oldest  in  continuous  service  in  the  United 
States. 


l/,___ 


READING 


199 


To  accommodate  the  increasing  business,  a  "du-" 
plex"  of  the  largest  kind  was  introduced  in  1897 
on  the  direct  wire  between  Reading  and  New 
York,  by  which  two  messages  can  be  sent  over 
the  same  wire  at  the  same  time  in  opposite  direc- 
tions. Another  is  in  daily  use  between  Reading 
and  Philadelphia  for  the  exclusive  accommodation 
of  the  railroad  business. 

The  company  operates  at  this  office  one  hundred 
self-winding  synchronizing  clocks,  distributed  in 
different  parts  of  Reading,  and  regulated  hourly 
by  observatory  time  from  Washington,  D.  C.  These 
clocks  were  first  introduced  here  in  1891. 

In  1880,  the  Lehigh  Telegraph  Company  was 
organized  and  formed  connection  with  Reading. 
The  line  passed  through  several  hands.  Now  it  is 
known  as  the  Postal  Telegraph  Cable  Company. 
It  has  at  Reading  twenty  miles  of  wire,  three  op- 
erators, six  messengers,  transmits  and  receives  100, 
000  messages  annually,  and  has  connection  with 
39,756  places. 

Telephone. — The  first  telephone  company  in 
Pennsylvania  was  organized  at  Philadephia  in  1878, 
and  in  1879  Henry  W.  Spang  introduced  the  in- 
strument at  Reading.  Obtaining  from  councils  the 
right  to  maintain  overhead  wires,  he  established 
an  exchange  in  the  Eagle  building,  Sixth  and  Penn 
streets,  in  October,  1879.  He  began  with  ten  in- 
struments and  after  carrying  on  the  business  until 
January,  1881,  he  sold  it  to  the  East  Pennsylvania 
Telephone  Cornpany.  By  that  time  he  had  intro- 
duced one  hundred  and  twenty-four  instruments 
at  Reading,  seventy-four  at  Pottsville,  and  twenty- 
three  at  Lebanon. 

In  December,  1882,  the  Pennsylvania  Telephone 
Company  became  the  owner.  By  1895,  the  wires 
overhead  had  become  so  numerous  that  the  com- 
pany prepared  to  put  them  underground  where 
most  numerous  in  the  central  part  of  the  city,  and, 
anticipating  this  undertaking,  purchased  a  prop- 
erty at  Nos.  31-33  North  Fifth  street,  altered  it  to 
meet  the  demands  of  the  business  and  equipped  it 
with  the  most  improved  electrical  appliances. 

During  1895,  1896  and  1897  the  first  conduits 
were  laid  along  Fifth,  Court,  Penn  and  Cherry 
streets,  together  measuring  seventy  thousand  feet 
and  containing  one  thousand  miles  of  copper  wire 
(there  being  eight  cables,  each  comprising  two  hun- 
dred and  two  wires).  Reading  was  the  third 
city  in  Pennsylvania  where  wires  were  laid  under- 
ground, Pittsburg  being  the  first,  and  Philadelphia 
the  second.  The  company  took  possession  of  its  new 
quarters  in  February,  1896. 

In  1879,  the  service  was  conducted  on  a  single 
iron  wire,  and  the  longest  distance  over  which  a 
conversation  could  be  carried  on  successfully  was 
from  thirty  to  fifty  miles,  but  the  introduction  of 
electricity  for  propelling  street  cars  and  for  public 
lighting  rendered  the  telephone  service  on  the  sin- 
gle wire  system  practically  useless,  and  the  company 
was  obliged,  at  great  expense,  to  substitute  the  two- 
wire    system,   which   necessitated   a   reconstruction 


of  the  whole  plant  and  the  use  of  hard-drawn  cop- 
per wire  and  of  imported  superior  cedar  poles. 

The  Reading  Exchange  in  February,  1908,  com- 
prised 3,332  subscribers  at  Reading,  and  444  in  the 
surrounding  districts  of  Berks  county.  It  is  open 
day  and  night  throughout  the  year;  employs  45 
operators  and  answers  from  20,000  to  25,000  calls 
daily;  total  employes  in  the  county,  115.  The  en- 
tire territory  of  the  company  embraces  38  counties 
(36  in  Pennsylvania  and  2  in  New  Jersey),  and 
about  1,000  persons  are  constantly  employed.  The 
company  has  altogether  nearly  36,000  subscribers, 
with  communication  in  all  the  States  reached  by  the 
long  distance  telephone,  from  the  lakes  to  the  gulf 
of  Mexico,  and  from  Maine  to  Colorado. 

The  Consolidated  Telephone  Company  of  Penn- 
sylvania established  an  exchange  at  Reading  in 
1902,  and  since  then  has  introduced  all  the  latest 
improvements. 

[See  Chapter  II,  Industry  of  County,  under 
head  of  Telegraph  and  Telephone  lines.] 

Gas  Light. — The  inhabitants  of  Reading  used 
tallow  candles  and  oil  for  producing  light  during 
the  first  and  second  periods  of  its  history.  In  1848 
the  Reading  Gas  Company  was  formed  by  a  num- 
ber of  enterprising  citizens  for  introducing  gas, 
and  it  supplied  many  dwellings,  stores,  shops,  the 
Court-House  and  streets  and  the  City  Hall  until 
1885,  when  the  plant  was  leased  to  the  Consumers 
Gas  Company.  The  works  are  situated  at  the  foot 
of  Fifth  street.  In  1861  a  telescope  gasometer  was 
erected  at  the  works  with  a  capacity  of  75,000 
feet ;  in  1873,  another  on  Elm  street,  near  Fourth, 
with  a  capacity  of  360,000  feet;  and  in  1901  a 
third,  at  the  foot  of  Fifth  street,  with  a  capacity 
of  500,000  feet.  The  total  capacity  of  the  company 
is  now  over  two  million  feet.  The  total  length 
of  main  pipe  in  usp  covers  seventy-eight  miles, 
and  all  the  consumers  number  fifteen  thousand. 
David  Fox  was  the  superintendent  from  1857  to 
1887,  and  John  H.  Keppelman  from  1887  to  the 
present  time. 

Electric  Light  and  Power.— In  1883,  the  Read- 
ing Electric  Light  and  Power  Company  was  formed 
to  supply  electric  light  and  power  to  the  local  gov- 
ernment and  to  private  consumers,  and  then  it  es- 
tablished a  plant  at  Eighth  and  Cherry  streets, 
where  it  remained  for  some  years.  The  company 
afterward  erected  a  superior  power-house  on  South 
Seventh  street,  near  Chestnut,  and-  in  1894  leased 
the  plant  to  the  Metropolitan  Electric  Company, 
which  had  been  organized  shortly  before.  The  lat- 
ter company  largely  increased  the  plant  and  equip- 
ment. It  has  in  use  twenty  ,  engines  whose  com- 
bined horse-power  is  10,000.  It  supplies  the  city 
with  800  arc  lights  and  300  incandescents ;  and 
private  consumers  with  950  arc,  and  20,000  incan- 
descents. 

A  storage  system  was  established  on  Chestnut 
street,  east  of  Seventh,  in  1903,  with  capacity  of 
740  amperes. 


200 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


A  new  power  plant  is  being  erected  at  the  out- 
let of  the  Wyomissing  creek  opposite  Reading 
which  will  be  completed  by  the  end  of  1909,  and 
the  total  cost  of  the  improvement  to  the  traction 
and  lighting  systems  is  estimated  at  $3,000,000. 

Steam  Heat.— In  1887,  Isaac  McHose,  William 
Mcllvain,  Levi  Quier,  John  R.  Miller,  James  Nolan 
and  others,  organized  the  Reading  Steam  Heat  and 
Power  Company  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  pubHc 
and  private  buildings  in  Reading  with  steam  heat, 
and  a  large  plant  was  established  on  Elm  street, 
near  Reed,  comprising  ten  boilers  with  a  capacity 
of  1,800  horse-power.  Mains  were  put  down  alon^ 
Fifth,  Sixth,  Elm,  Walnut,  Washington  and  Penn 
streets,  with  total  length  exceeding  ten  thousand 
feet,  and  three  hundred  patrons  were  secured.  The 
plant  has  been  improved  and  the  patrons  have  been 
increased  under  the  management  of  Jerome  L. 
Boyer  since  1905.  John  R.  Miller  has  been  the 
president  of  the  company  since  its  incorporation, 
and  Lewis  Crater  the  secretary  and  treasurer. 

Halls. — Before  1846,  there  were  no  public  halls 
at  Reading  for  public  meetings  or  amusements.  A 
large  room  on  the  second  floor  of  the  State-House 
at  Fifth  and  Penn  streets  was  used  for  these  pur- 
poses from  1793  to  1840  and  then  the  large  audi- 
torium in  the  Court-House  began  to  be  used. 

In  1846  the  Odd  Fellows  (a  beneficial  society  of 
Reading)  erected  a  four-story  brick  building  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Fifth  and  Franklin  streets,  to 
provide  a  meeting  place  for  their  lodges,  on  the 
third  and  fourth  floors,  and  also  a  large  hall  for 
amusement  purposes,  on  the  second  floor.  It  was 
a  popular  place  for  receptions,  assemblies,  balls,  and 
public  meetings  for  fifty  years.  In  1868  it  became 
the  property  of  the  Reading  Library  Company. 

During  the  succeeding  twenty-five  years,  several 
other  halls  were  erected,  notably  the  "Keystone,"  at 
Sixth  and  Court,  the  "Aulenbach,"  on  Penn  above 
Sixth,  and  "Breneiser's,"  at  Eighth  and  Penn. 

Joseph  Mishler  erected  the  first  modern  hall  at 
Reading  in  1872.  It  was  at  No.  533  Penn  Square 
and  many  high  class  entertainments  were  given 
there  until  1886.  It  was  called  the  "Academy  of 
Music,"  and  had  a  seating  capacity  of  1,800. 

There  are  numerous  halls  at  Reading  for  social 
meetings  of  all  kinds,  but  only  those  for  amuse- 
ment and  balls  can  be  mentioned. 

For  amusement :  Grand  Opera-House,  1873 ; 
Academy  of  Music,  1886  (North  Sixth  street)  ;  Y. 
M.  C.  A.  Hall,  1895;  Masonic  Hall,  1897;  Bijou 
Theatre,  1894. 

For  balls:  Maennerchor  Hall,  1874;  Deppen's 
Hall,  1884;  Rajah  Temple,  1892;  Auditorium,  1895. 

Location  of  City. — The  lines  enclosing  the  plan 
of  Reading  form  an  irregular  figure,  about  three 
miles  long  and  two  and  one-half  miles  wide;  and 
the  tract  contains  about  four  thousand  acres.  The 
eastern  boundary  line  is  along  the  base  of  Mount 
Penn,  and  the  western  along  the  west  bank  of  the 
Schuylkill,  the  latter  being  nearly  five  miles  long. 


The  greater  part  of  the  area  has  a  gentle  declination 
westward  from  Mount  Penn  to  the  river  and  affords 
superior  drainage.  The  territory  to  the  northward 
and  southward  comprises  the  Schuylkill  Valley  and 
that  to  the  westward  the  Lebanon  Valley. 

ELEVATIONS  ABOVE  SEA  LEVEL 

Mount  Penn ' 1,110  feet 

Mount  Neversink 800  feet 

Egelman   Reservoir 673  feet 

Antietam  Lake 510  feet 

Hampden  Reservoir 415  feet 

Charles  Evans  Cemetery 373  feet 

Penn  Street  Reservoir   345  feet 

Fifth  and  Penn  Streets 339  feet 

Front  and  Penn  Streets 180  feet 

RELIGION  AND  EDUCATION 

CHURCHES 

Three  religious  congregations  were  organized  at 
Reading  in  1751,  Friends,  Lutherans  and  Reformed, 
and  they  then  caused  churches  to  be  erected.  The 
last  two  still  maintain  their  churches  in  the  same 
locality  with  a  large  membership.  The  Roman 
Catholics  began  in  1755,  and  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copalians in  1763.  These  and  other  congregations 
together  contributed  an  influence  in  behalf  of  the 
moral  and  social  welfare  of  the  community  that  can- 
not be  fully  measured.  The  major  part  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Reading,  connected  with  the  denominations, 
have  always  been  Lutherans  and  Reformed,  these 
two  having  the  largest  proportion  of  congrega- 
tions, and  the  Reformed  denomination  having  the 
greatest  number  of  members. 

There  are  twenty-three  different  religious  denom- 
inations at  Reading,  which  have  altogether  seventy- 
six  churches.  In  the  statement  which  follows,  they 
are  arranged  in  the  order  of  priority,  and  the  year 
mentioned  after  each  congregation  signifies  the  time 
when  it  was  organized,  or  when  the  church  was 
improved.  Sunday-schools  are  conducted  with  the 
several  congregations. 

STATEMENT  OF  CHURCHES  AT  READING 
Lutheran 

Name  Founded               Pastor                            Members 

Trinity  1751-1791  Edward    T.    Horn  1,625 

Chapel  1873-1891 

St.  Matthew's  1844-1890  G.    W.    Nicely  425 

St.  James  1850-1892  M.    L.    Zweizig  660 

St.  John's  1860-1896  J.   J.   Kuendig  1,520 

Chapel  1874  Philip   Kirchner   (Junior  Pastor) 

St,   Luke's  1868-1886  F.    K.    Huntzinger  1,600 

Grace  1877-1888  W.   H.   Myers  1,200 

Peace  1885  J.  F.   Snyder  50 

Hope  1885-1904  H.    W.   Warmkessel  676 

St.  Mark's  1890-1900  E.    S.    Brownmiller  490 

St.  Paul's  1900  M.    H.    Stettler  295 

St.    Peter's  1908  H.   C.   Shindle  50 

8,591 
Reformed 

Name  Founded              Pastor                          Members 

First  1753-1761-1.8.S2  T.    F.    Moyer  1,.S37 

Second  1848-1853-1898  S.    R.    Bridenbaugh  690 

St.  John's  1865-1871-1876  T.    H.    Leinbach  680 

St.  Paul's  1872-1905  B.   Bausman  900 

Zion's  1881-1883  C.   H.   Gramm  600 

St.  Stephen's  1883-1899  T.   W.   Dickert  1  152 

Calvary  1889  A.  V.  Casselman  556 

North    Reading  1S90  Trvin    M.    Beaver  112 

St.  Thomas'  1891  Lee   M.    Erdman  461 

St.    Andrew's  1891-1904  H.   H.  Ranck  889 

St..   Mark's  1891-1904  C.     E.     Schaeffer  1,230 

Faith  1891  W.    E.    Harr  410 

9.017 


.g£5£3s3 


NORTH    SIDE    OF    PENN    SQUARE,  LOOKING    WEST    FROM    FIFTH    STREET 


V  , — i_^  iiiffeia 


NORTH    SIDE    OF    PENN     SQUARE,  LOOKING    EAST    FROM     FIFTH     STREET 


READING 


201 


Friends 

1751-1765-1867 
Protestant  Episcopal 


Name  Founded 

-Christ                       1760-1825-1873 
Parish  Building  1884 

St.  Barnabas  1860-1889 

5t.  Luke's  Chapel  1894 

- 1905 


Pastor 
William    P.    Orrick 
Franklin  J.    Clark 
Franklin    J.    Clark 
William  B.  Burk 
Harvey   P.   Walter 


Members 
427 

409 
95 

77 


1,008 

Roman  Catholic 

Name 

Founded 

Pastor 

Members 

St.  Peter's 

1755-1791 ) 
1845-1904J 

Thomas  S.  McCarty 

1,500 

St.  Paul's 

1860 

George   Bornemann 

3,500 

St.  Joseph's 
St.  Mary's 

1887 

James  Flanagan 

1,200 

1888 

A.    Maluseckl 

3,000 

Italian 

1904 

A.  Varelli 

300 

Slavonic 

1907 

500 

10,O0U 

Presby 

terian 

Name 

Founded 

Pastor 

Members 

First 

1812-1823-1847 

R.   M.    Blackburn 

460 

Washington   St. 

(Colored)   1823 

William  R.  Templetor 

77 

'Olivet 

1889-1892 

R.  H.  Kirk 

298 
835 

Methodist  Episcopal 

Name 

Founded 

Pastor 

Members 

Fourth    Street 

(  1822-1827 
1  1868-1900 

H.  E.  Walhey 

154 

(People's) 

St.  Peter's 

1848-1883 

W.   A.    Ferguson 

463 

Covenant 

1869 

W.    H.    Smith 

405 

Memorial 

1890 

J.    Richards    Boyle 
H.    T.    Isenberger 

553 

Windsor   Street 

1904 

236 

•Grace 

1909 

Vacant 

Baptist 

Name 

Founded 

Pastor 

Members 

First                1829-1836-1845-1893 

James  A.   Maxwell 

790 

Berean 

'      1869-1879 

H.  J.  Roberts 

235 

Zion 

1905 

W.    H.    Dabbs 

46 

Memorial 

1908 

Henry    P.    Hoskins 

65 

Shiloh    (Colored) 

Moses   Braxton 

Universalist 

Name 

Founded 

Pastor 

Members 

Church  of  Our 

Father  1831-1889 

Hendrick   Vossemer 

250 

Evangelical 

Name 

Founded 

Pastor 

Members 

Salem 

1846-1877 

A,   N.    Metzger 

221 

Immanuel 

1862-1884 

W.    F.    Kline 

275 

Ebenezer 

1870-1885 

J.    I.    Yotter 
H.  E.  Harner 

350 

St.  Matthew's 

1883 

100 

Christ 

1901 

W.   L.  Bollman 

100 
1,046 

United  Evangelical 

Name 

Founded 

Pastor 

Members 

First 

1894 

A.    W.    Brownmiller 

858 

"Grace 

1894 

F.   S.  Borkey 

398 

Trinity 
St.  Paul's 

1898 

A.    G.   Flexer 

155 

1900 

George  W.  Hangen 

500 

Bethany 

1908 

J.    S.    Harper 

125 
2,036 

United  Brethren 

Name 

Founded 

Pastor 

Members 

"Zion's 

1847-1898 

G.   D.   Batdorf 

310 

Otterbein 

1856-1879 

C.    J.    Brane 

194 

Salem 

1886 

W.    B.    Fridinger 

407 

Memorial 

1894 

H.  Jones 

196 

Church  A  ttendance  at  Reading,  1905. — ^At  a  meet- 
ing of  the  executive  committee  of  the  Thirteenth 
District  of  the  Berks  County  Sunday  School  Asso- 
ciation, in  October,  the  committee  appointed  several 
months  before  to  make  a  house-to-house  canvass 
of  the  city  for  the  purpose  of  gathering  statistics 
of  persons  attending  or  not  attending  church  or 
Sunday-schools  and  the  denominations  to  which 
they  hold,  if  any,  presented  its  report. 

The  canvass  was  made  under  the  supervision  of 
sixteen  superintendents,  one  for  each  ward,  and 
each  superintendent  had  charge  of  a  corps  of  vol- 
unteer visitors,  the  whole  number  being  231.  Each 
ward  superintendent  laid  out  the  districts  of  visita- 
tion so  as  to  equalize  the  work  of  the  canvassers. 
As  each  visitor  completed  the  task  assigned,  re- 
turns were  made  to  the  superintendents,  who,  in 
turn,  tabulated  the  cards  for  the  different  denom- 
inations, with  the  following  result: 


Name 
Oheb    Sholem  _ 
Shomro    Habrith 


Name 


Name  Founded 

Bethel  African  M.  E.  1837-1869 


Hebrew 

Founded  Pastor 

1864-1885       Julius    Frank 

1888        E.    Mayer    Kaplan 

German  Baptist  Brethren 

Founded  Pastor 

1895        David   W.    Weaver 

Miscellaneous 


Friendship    Reformed 
Disciples  of  Christ 
Mennonite    Brethren 
Gospel  Tabernacle 
People's  -Mission 
Holiness    Christians 
Christian  Missionary 

Alliance 
ChnrcTi   of  God 
Scronth    Day   Adventist 


1873 
1897 
1884 
1901 


1904 


Pastor 
J.  R.   Reed 
J.  Addison   Kutz 
Horace   G,   Weaver 
C.    H.   Brunner 
J.  H.  Von  Neida 
H.    M.    Lengel 
Adam    Sommers 

H.    Miller   Herr 
Isaac   Becker 
J.   H.   Krumm 


1,107 


Members 
240 


Members 
■70 

Members 

76 

85 

115 


DENOMINATIONS  ^ 

Advent   37 

Baptist    , 866 

Catholic,  Roman  6,551 

Christian    (Disciple)     85 

Christian  Science  21 

Church  of  God 101 

Congregational    7 

Dunkard    80 

Episcopal    (Protestant)    . .  1,088 
Evangelical  Association...   1,180 

Friends    (Quaker) 19 

Friendship    Mission 64 

Gospek  Tabernacle 44 

Hope   Rescue   Mission....        46 

Holiness  Christian 76 

Hebrew 581 

Lutheran    14,653 

Mennonite 105 

Methodist    Episcopal 3,129 

Methodist,  Primitive  . : . . .        10 

Moravian  3 

Neversink  Mission 81 

No  preference 849 

Not  at  home 7,192 

Presbyterian   1,473 

Reformed    Church 13,912 

Refused  information 166 

Salvation    Army 53 

Spiritualist 28 

United   Brethren 1,577 

United  Evangelical 3,052 

Universalist    306 

Home  Department 

Cradle  Roll 


a 
3  o 


252 

2,212 

35 

3 

43 

23 

390 

399 

2 

33 

16 

15 

35 

343 

4,917 

56 

944 


29 

359 

2,384 

464 

4,358 

55 

16 

6 

577 

1,107 

73 


ho  rt 


28 
495 
4,130 
71 
17 
67 

34 

685 

803 

12 

46 

18 

8 

25 

283 

8,474 

60 

1,960 

3 

24 

281 

4,046 

853 

7,389 

83 

28 

7 

946 

1,826 

109 


a 

ho.2 

c  3 
'■Zl  bo 

C  u 

V 


17 

419 

1,853 

60 

3 

45 

21 
405 
740 

43 

34 

12 

38 

77 

5,677 

52 

1,470 

1 

1 

28 

268 

3,414 

553' 

5,638 

63 

9 

11 

760 

1,678 

133 

1,509 

1,446 


57,435       18,850       33,611       36,446 


203 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS'  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


SCHOOLS 

Early  Education. — Education  was  encouraged  at 
Reading  from  the  beginning  of  its  history.  It  was 
carried  on  mostly  in  connection  with  the  churches. 
Two  of  the  earliest  teachers  connected  with  the 
Lutherans,  who  taught  for  many  years,  were  Jo- 


.1". .  "  '  ■  -^■'  '■  '?■' 


FIRST    SCHOOL    HOUSE    AT    READING 

seph  Fleischer  and  Paul  Fuegner.  John  Philip 
Foesig  was  the  teacher  with  the  Reformed  for  over 
fifty  years,  having  begun  in  1751.  The  Trinity 
Lutheran  school  at  Sixth  and  Washington  streets 
was  used  for  educational  purposes  for  nearly  one 
hundred  years,  1765  to  1855. 

The  Reading  Academy  was  a  prominent  school 
for  sixty  years.  It  was  incorporated  in  1788  and 
given  aid  by  the  State.  The  building  stood  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Seventh  and  Chestnut  streets. 
The  trustees  sold  it  in  1838,  and  then  erected  an- 
other at  Fourth  and  Court  streets  (site  of  Girls' 
High  School),  which  was  occupied  as  a  private 
school  until  1853,  and  since  then  as  a  public  high 
school 

'',  %^    )  ■^n^™   F         til  U3HI    T^ 


FIRST    PUBLIC    SCHOOL 

Common  School  System. — The  common  school 
system  of  1834  was  adopted  at  Reading  in  1836. 
The  first  directors  had  been,  however,  elected  in 
1835.  Then  there  were  seventeen  schools,  seven- 
teen teachers,  and  1,439  scholars.  The  first  public 
school  buildings  were  erected  in  1838,  four  in  num- 
ber, and  the  illustration  given  represents  the  build- 
ing at  Sixth  and  Walnut  streets. 


The  High  School  was  organized  in  1853,  and 
the  co-education  of  boys  and  girls  was  carried  on 
from  1857  to  1881.  The  Boys'  High  School  was 
erected  in  1883  at  a  cost  of  $65,500;  the  Girls'  (iii 
place  of  the  Reading  Academy)  in  1895,  at  a  cost 
of  $110,000;  and  the  new  Boys'  High  School  in 
1905,  at  a  cost  of  $375,000. 

The  revised  char;ter  of  1864  for  the  city,  consoli- 
dated the  five  wards  into  one  district,  under  the 
name  of  the  Reading  School  District.  The  city 
charter  of  1874  made  provision  for  school  affairs, 
but  it  was  not  accepted.  The  district  is  therefore 
a  separate  organization.  Under  the  provisions  of 
the  Act  of  1864,  the  district  is  authorized  to  assess 
and  collect  taxes  for  school  purposes.  The  manage- 
ment of  the  school  affairs  by  the  board  since  then 
has  'been  very  successful. 

A  local  normal  school  was  organized  in  1853. 
The  first  city  superintendent  was  elected  in  1867. 
COMPARATIVE  TABLE,  1854-1908 


-3 

u 

i  - 

m 

aj 

ti) 

a, 

rt 

<u 

<; 

' 

J= 

rt 

Pi 

J 

■  u 

o 

X 

X 

OJ 

rt 

rt 

H 

m 

H 

H 

m 

1854 

38 

1,976 

$  10,764 

$      746 

1865 

83 

6,449 

.008 

26,238 

1,791 

1875 

128 

6,328 

.015 

74,733 

6,750 

1885 

162 

7,113 

.004 

98,000 

10,266 

1895 

233 

10,235 

.004 

145.707 

58,047 

1908 

353 

13,869 

.004 

230,939 

64,156 

The  city  superintendent  reported 
attendance  in  the  schools  during  the 
ruary,  1909:' 

Male 

High  School  for  Boys  484 

High  School  for  Girls 

Eighth   grade    262 

Seventh  grade 333 

Sixth  grade  . ; 533 

Fifth  grade 801 

Fourth  grade 834 

Third  grade  799 

Second  grade  .-...., 856 

First  grade  : 1,072 

Ungraded  schools    34 

Normal  senior  class  0 

Normal  junior  class   0 

Total        6,008 

Evening   High    218 

Evening  Grammar  m 

Evening  Elementary  139 

Total      468 

Grand  Total    , 6,476  5,993       12,468 

The  annual  expenditures  were  reported  at  $400,- 
561 ;  of  which  $196,237  were  for  teachers'  salaries, 
and  $14,494'  for  'books  and  supplies. 

Institutes. — The  first  County  Institute  comprising 
the  teachers  of  the  county  was  held  at  Reading  in 
1867,  and  annually  thereafter. 

The  first  City  Institute,  comprising  only  the 
teachers  of  Reading,  was  held  in  1 885  and  annually 
thereafter. 

The  Pennsylvania  State  Educational  Association 


the   following 

month  of  Feb- 

Female 

Total 

484 

508 

508. 

305 

567 

376 

709 

483 

1,016 

658 

1,459 

847 

1,681 

783 

1,582 

810 

1,666 

978 

2,050 

3 

37 

28 

28 

27 

27 

5,806 

11,814 

96 

314 

54 

165 

36 

175 

186 


654 


GIRLS'    HIGH    SCHOOL,    READING 


BOYS'    HIGH    SCHOOL,    READING 


PUBLIC    SCHOOL    BUILDING,    ELEVENTH    AND    PIKE    STREETS,    READING 


ftfiXi! 


■  •  J  i 


tt-ii 


:*<»  IiiS  fo 


II   1 1    ■  ■    ■ 


^yg  M 


I'       I 


-.«ae«..^='.^.-ii^fc^  ^'  ^- 


PUBLIC    SCHOOL    BUILDING,    FIFTH    AND    SPRING    STREETS,    READING 


READING 


303 


held  three  meetings  or  conventions  at  Reading,  in 
1863 ;  in  1878 ;  and  in  1905.  And  to  show  the  won- 
derful increase  in  attendance  of  the  delegates,  in 
1863  there  were  only  80 ;  in  1878,  348 ;  and  in  1905, 
1,306. 

Prof.  Samuel  A.  Baer,  of  Reading,  was  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Association  in  1884;  and  Prof.  E.  Mac- 
key,  of  Reading,  in  1899. 

City  School  Buildings. — In  1908,  the  school  de- 
partment had  forty-six  buildings  which  were  occu- 
pied by  schools,  and  one  (formerly  the  Boys'  High 
School)  for  administration  purposes.  Their  total 
value,  including  furniture,  was  about  one  and  one- 
half  milHons  of  dollars.  Their  situation,  value,  and 
capacity  appear  in  the  following  table : 


BUILDINGS 

-^ 

ft 

3—  ri 

=1 

rt 

at 

i& 

rt  u  w 

H  3 

^ 

RW 

wU 

>«« 

>f^ 

Jesse   Orr 

1 

189-0 

360 

$        20,000 

$  1,200 

Thomas    Severn 

2 

1880 

360 

15,000 

1,200 

Ninth  &  Spruce 

2 

1896 

360 

20,000 

1,200 

Bingaman  &  Orange. 

a 

1854 

270 

15,000 

900 

J.   H.   Hagenman .... 

3 

1875 

360 

16,000 

1,000 

Park   

3 

1898 

270 

24,000 

900 

George  Lerch    

4 

1868 

450 

23,000 

1.200 

Chestnut   Street    

5 

1890 

360 

20,000 

1,000 

Franklin   Street    . . .  •. 

5 

1868 

360 

18,000 

1,000 

Washington  Street  . . 

6 

1886 

540 

27,000 

1,800 

Ricktown    

6 

1889 

360 

18,000 

800 

Buttonwood  &  Pear. 

6 

1897 

360 

23,000 

1,300 

High  School  for  Girls. 

7 

1896 

600 

125,000 

6,000 

Lewis  Briner  

7 

1873 

360 

19,000 

1,300 

Elm  &  Madison  Ave. 

7 

1899 

180 

9,800 

400 

Administration    

8 

1883 

61.500 

600 

High  School  for  Boys. 

8 

1906 

1,000 

329,000 

45,000 

Poplar   Street    

8 

1891 

360 

16,000 

1,200 

Henry  S.  Eckert 

8 

1873 

360 

16,000 

1,200 

Elm  and  Moss 

9 

1901 

500 

35,000 

1,300 

12th  &  Buttonwood.. 

9 

1895- 

360 

21,000 

1,200 

John  S.  Richards ' 

10 

1872 

360 

13,000 

1,200 

Maple  &  Cotton 

10 

1904 

180 

16,800 

650 

Mulberry  Street   

11 

1892 

360 

23,000 

1,200 

Tenth  &  Green 

11 

1904 

540 

40,000 

2,000 

Mount  Penn '. 

11 

1899 

180 

13,600 

600 

Edwin  Ziegler  

12 

1882 

360 

18,000 

1,200 

12th  &  Greenwich . . . 

12 

1895 

360 

26,000 

1,200 

Ninth   &  Windsor... 

12 

1900 

360 

23,600 

1,200 

Spring  &  Moss 

13 

1899 

360 

23,000 

1,000 

Eleventh  &  Pike.... 

13 

1898 

360 

19,100 

1,200 

Marion  

13 
13 
13 

1870 
1889 

860 
360 

16,000 
20,000 
16,000 

800 

Site   

Twelfth  &  Windsor. 

1,000 

Tenth   &  Union 

13 

1890 

360 

21,200 

;,200 

C.  B.  McKnig-ht 

14 

1880 

180 

6,000 

600 

Spring  &  Church 

14 

1894 

180 

12,000 

600 

Site   

14 
14 

1900 

360 

1,200 
25,000 

Fifth  &  Spring 

1,200 

2d  &  Oley,  No.  1 

14 

1894 

180 

9,000 

600 

2d  &  Oley,  No.  2 

14 

1898 

360 

18,000 

1,000 

J.   H.  Jacobs 

15 

1880 

180 

7,000 

400 

SchuylkillAve.,  No.  1, 

15 

1894 

180 

10,000 

600 

SchuylkillAve.,  No.  a. 

15 

1898 

360 

21,300 

1,200 

Douglass  &  Weiser. . 

15 

1903 

360 

23,000 

1,200 

Site   

15 
16 

1875 

360 

4,600 
15,000 

Samuel  Frees   

1.000 

17th  &  Cotton 

16 

1884 

.180 

10,000 

600 

Sixteenth  &  Haak. . . 

16 

1898 

360 

■    20,700 

1,200 

Perkiomen  Ave 

16 

1892 

360 

38,000 

1,200 

Total    

16,230 

$1,381,400 
$ 

$97,450 
1,381,400 

Total  Valuations    . 

' 

$ 

1,478,850 

Private  Schools. — Private  schools  have  been  car- 
ried on  at  Reading  since  the  beginning  of  the  town- 
They  were  well  patronized  until  1840,  when  the 
effect  of  the  common  system  began  to  be  felt.  But 
the  growth  of  the  public  system  did  not  cause  the 
private  schools  to  be  abandoned,  for  patronage  of 
them  has  continued  to  be  more  or  less  active.  Of 
the  non-secular  class,,  there  are  the  Bena^de  school 
for  children,  started  in  1870;  and  Mrs.  Adele 
Ruenzler's,  in  1877;  Stewart  Academy,  founded  by 
J.  A.  Stewart  in  1881,  and  conducted  successfully 
by  his  daughter  Anna  since  his  decease,  iti  1890; 
Inter-State  Commercial  College,  founded  by  Rev- 
Henry  Y.  Stoner  in  1885;  Schools  of  Stenography 
by  Eteer  W.  Deck  in  1890,  by  J.  T.  Kerst  in  1898- 
and  Rev.  J.  V.  George  in  1900 ;  and  L.  C.  McCann> 
The  last  named  has  been  at  Reading  since  March, 
1908;  pupils,  thirty-six;  came  from  Mahanoy  City, 
where  he  had  conducted  a  school  for  thirteen  years. 
His  place  was  former  School  of  Commerce  (con- 
ducted by  Strickler  &  Shoop)  and  George  F.  Klein- 
ginna's  Business  College,  carried  on  altogether  up- 
ward of  ten  years. 

The  sectarian  schools  are  Academy  of  Immacu- 
late Heart,  founded  in  1859 ;  St.  Peter's  Roman 
Catholic,  in  1859 ;  St.  John's  German  Lutheran,  in 
1865;  St.  Paul's  Roman  Catholic,  in  1869;  St. 
Mary's  Polish  Roman  Catholic,  in  1895 — all  of 
which  are  largely  attended  and  successfully  con- 
ducted. 

Schuylkill  Seminary. — The  institution  was  found- 
ed by  the  East  Pennsylvania  Conference,  in  the  city 
of  Reading,  August  19,  1881,  and  removed  to  Fred- 
ericksburg, Pa.,  in  September,  1886.  The  location 
of  the  institution  there  was  due  to  the  liberality 
of  Col.  John  H.  Lick,  a  native  of  the  place,  by 
whose  munificence,  together  with  the  contribu- 
tions of  the  Conference  and  of  the  community, 
a  large  and  beautiful  structure  was  erected,  iEur- 
nished  with  apparatus,  supplies  and  furniture,  and 
made  attractive  by  the  beautifying  of  the  grounds.. 
The  institution  remained  at  Fredericksburg  un- 
til the  close  of  the  academic  year,  June  19,  1902. 

A  few  weeks  prior  to  this,  the  property  known 
as  the  Selwyn  Hall  School,  comprising  over  seven 
acres  of  land  at  Thirteenth  and  Exeter  streets, 
Reading,  Pa.,  was  taken  under  consideration  by 
the  trustees  of  Schuylkill  Seminary  as  a  profit- 
able investment  and  a  providential  opportunity  for 
removing  the  school  to  Reading.  The  trustees  and 
the  entire  Conference  had  thought  for  some  time 
that  the  school  would  have  a  larger  sphere  and 
greater  patronage  in  the  vicinity  of  a  city,  made 
easily  accessible  by  good  railroad  facilities.  They 
accordingly  secured  an  option  on  the  property, 
■  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  voting  members  of  the 
.East  Pennsylvania  Conference,  held  July  1,  1903, 
on  the  proposed  site,  it  was  unanimously  decided 
to   purchase   the  property.     The  members   at  the 


204 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


same  time  requested  the  city  of  Reading  to  raise 
a  certain  sum  of  money  needed  to  purchase  the 
property  and  make  the  necessary  repairs.  An  ac- 
tive canvass  had  been  instituted  presumptive  of 
favorable  action  by  the  members  of  the  Confer- 
ence for  the  removal  of  the  school.  A  large  por- 
tion of  the  sum  had  already  been  subscribed.  It 
was  decided  that  the  canvass  should  be  continued, 
the  assurance  being  given  that  the  city  would  meet 
every  expectation,  thus  reflecting  great  credit  up- 
on its  liberal  citizens  and  thereby  showing  an  in- 
tense zeal  in  the  cause  of  education  and  the  wel- 
fare of  its  promising  youth. 

Schuylkill  Seminary  is  uniquely  located  at  the 
base  of  Mt.  Penn,  near  Thirteenth  and  Exeter 
streets,  Reading.  The  campus,  consisting  of  nearly 
■eight  acres,  is  admirably  adapted  for  school  pur- 
poses. The  excellent  tennis  courts,  the  baseball 
diamond,  and  the  croquet  plot,  furnish  ample  op- 
portunity for  the  necessary  outdoor  exercise  of  the 
student.  On  the  grounds  is  a  spring  of  the  purest 
water.  That,  in  itself,  is  an  invaluable  aid  to  the 
institution. 

The  buildings  are  three  in  number,  consisting 
of  the  main  building,  the  chapel  and  the  gymna- 
sium. In  the  main  building  are  the  office,  the  li- 
brary, class-rooms,  the  dining-room,  dormitories 
for  ladies,  etc.  The  second'  floors  of  both  the 
chapel  and  the  gymnasium  are  used  as  dormitor- 
ies for  men.  All  the  buildings  are  lighted  with 
electricity,  heated  with  steam  and  provided  with 
'hot  and  cold  water.  These  well-equipped  build- 
ings, together  with  the  beautiful  grounds,  make 
-the  Seminary  a  very  attractive  institution.  It  has 
an  endowment  of  $65,000. 

The  purpose  of  Schuylkill  Seminary  is  to  pre- 
pare young  men  and  women  for  college  and  for 
life.  For  those  who  do  not  intend  to  enter  col- 
lege, the  courses  offer  special  advantages  to  those 
preparing  to  enter  theological  or  other  professional 
schools.  Though  originally  opened  as  a  Seminary 
of  a  higher  grade,  which  nature  it  still  retains,  it 
was  the  desire  of  its  founders  that  it  should  grad- 
ually mature  into  a  college,  by  raising  the  standard, 
of  scholarship  for  admission,  extending  its  courses 
of  study,  and  completing  its  equipment  in  the  way 
of  increased  apparatus  and  facilities  for  instruc- 
tion. This  plan  has  met  with  a  marked  degree 
of  public  favor,  and  is  now  in  progress  of  ful- 
fillment. 

The  Seminary  is  under  the  patronage  of  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Conference  of  the  Evangeli- 
cal Association.  Bishop  S.  C.  Breyfogel,  D.  D., 
is  president  of  the  trustee  board.  Rev.  W.  F. 
Teel,  Ph.  M.,  is  principal. 

NEWSPAPERS 
From  the  beginning  of  the  town  until  1800,  som.e 
inhabitants  received  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  pub- 


lished at  Philadelphia,  which  gave  them  foreign 
news,  and  events  of  surrounding  places  which  oc- 
curred weeks  before.  Local  news  was  not  reported. 
An  occasional  letter  from  Reading  was  published; 
but  the  important  happenings,  such  as  we  are  now 
accustomed  to  read  daily,  were  not  noticed,  for 
they  were  communicated  by  social  intercourse  at 
stores  and  taverns. 

The  first  newspaper  at  Reading  was  issued  in 
1789,  but  did  not  continue  long.  It  was  printed 
in  the  German  language  and  was  called  Der  Neue 
Unparteiische  Readinger  Zeitung  (The  New  Impar- 
tial Reading  Newspaper).  The  next  appeared  in 
1796.  In  that  year  several  were  begun  and  one  of 
them  has  been  published  until  now,  the  Reading 
Adler.  Another,  the  Weekly  Advertiser,  was  pul> 
lished  until  1816,  when  the  Berks  and  Schuylkill 
Journal  took  its  place.  Afterward,  for  forty  years, 
many  were  issued,  but  with  few  exceptions  they 
were  not  published  many  years.  They  were  all 
weekly  publications,  issued  on  different  days  of  the 
week,  but  mostly  on  Saturday.  Until  1847,  the 
daily  newspaper  was  not  issued,  not  even  suggested. 
The  first  English  daily  was  established  in  1858, 
and  the  first  Gemian  daily  in  1868.  [For  list  of 
Newspapers  of  County,  see  Chapter  III.] 

ASSOCIATIONS 

Associations  have  occupied  a  prominent  place  in 
the  social  life  of  Reading  for  over  a  hundred  years. 
At  first  they  were  few  in  number,  but  as  the  popu- 
lation increased  a  desire  to  organize  bodies  of  vari- 
ous kinds  and  for  different  purposes  manifested 
itself  more  and  more,  particularly  after  the  incor- 
poration of  Reading  as  a  city.  Then  the  secret  so- 
ciety became  very  active,  and  this  activity  has  been 
kept  up  until  the  present  time.  They  are  classified 
and  treated  in  the  following-  order: 


Military 
Protective 
Secret 
Financial 


Industrial 
Literary- 
Patriotic 
Professional 


Musical 

Charitable 

Religious 


MILITARY 

The  first  association  at  Reading  was  organized 
in  1754  for  purposes  of  defense  against  the  Indians. 
It  was  during  the  French  and  Indian  war,  which 
affected  this  section  of  Pennsylvania  from  that  time 
until  1763.  Conrad  Weiser  was  the  most  promi- 
nent military  officer.  Small  companies  of  men  were 
constantly  quartered  here,  and  the  spirit  of  co-op- 
eration was  shown  until  peace  was  declared  and  the 
Indians  departed. 

Associations  of  this  character  were  again  organ- 
ized in  1774,  and  they  prepared  the  way  for  a  long 
and  costly  participation  in  the  Revolution.  They 
became  compulsory  in  1775  by  legislation.  The 
system,  which  was  established  during  that  trying 
.period  for  eight  years,  was  preserved- and  thereby 
a  mditary   spirit  became  a  noteworthy   feature  of 


READING 


205 


the  social  life  of  the  people.  Whenever  a  call  for 
troops  was  made,  they  responded  with  such  alac- 
rity as  to  be  among  the  very  first  of  the  Nation's 
defenders. 

From  the  close  of  the  Revolution  until  the  Civil 
war  of  1861-65,  the  "Militia  System"  was  very 
active  both  in  the  city  and  county.  In  1856  the 
militia  comprised  altogether  twenty-four  companies 
with  a  total  enrollment  of  1,463  men,  of  which 
six  companies  were  from  Reading  with  a  total  en- 
rollment of  539  men.  At  the  close  of  the  Civil  war, 
the  military  spirit  was  greatly  reduced,  but  the 
system  was  nevertheless  continued  by  virtue  of  an 
Act  passed  in  1864  under  the  name  of  the  "National 
Guard  of  Pennsylvania,"  with  a  limited  representa- 
tion from  the  city  and  the  county. 

Since  1865,  there  have  been  three  companies, 
which  were  engaged  in  the  Spanish  war  of  1898, 
two  from  Reading,  and  one  from  Hamburg.  [See 
Chapter  VIII.] 

Armory. — Capt.  H.  Melvin  Allen,  of  Company 
A,  4th  Regiment,  N.  G.  P.,  revived  the  subject  of 
providing  an  Armory  for  the  National  Guard  at 
Reading.  He  raised  $12,000  by  soliciting  subscrip- 
tions from  the  business  people  of  Reading  and  pur- 
chased a  lot  (77  feet  by  155  feet)  at  the  northeast 
corner  of  Walnut  and  Rose  streets,  and,  with  the 
encouragement  of  the  State  authorities,  a  superior 
and  commodious  building  was  erected  in  1908  and 
1909,  costing  $50,000. 

PROTECTIVE 

Before  1773,  the  inhabitants  of  Reading  were 
in  a  primitive  state  with  respect  to  their  ability  to 
extingfuish  fires,  but  the  town  was  small,  the  build- 
ings were  limited  and  comparatively  scattered  and 
the   investments   in   property   were    inconsiderable. 


FIRE   ENGINE 


A  fire,  therefore,  seldom,  if  ever,  occasioned  great 
loss  to  the  community.  Leathern  buckets  were 
commonly  used  in  which  to  carry  water  from  the 
nearest  pumps  for  the  purpose  of  extinguishing 
fires;  and  they  sufficed  for  a  score  of  years.  But 
the  progress  and  increasing  compactness  of  the 
town  required  an  improved  method.  The  demand 
was  satisfied  by  the  introduction  of  a  forcing  en- 
gine, operated  by  manual  labor,  in  1773,  when  the 
Rainbow  Fire  Company  was  organized,  and  it  was 
used  until  1860.  Buckets  were  then  not  entirely 
dispensed  with ;  they  were  useful  still  in  filling  the 


body  of  the  engine  with  water,  from  which  it  was 
pumped  upon  the  fire.  Water  was  thus  carried  until 
1831,  when  the  Reading  Water  Company  laid  pipes 
through  the  streets  for  the  purpose  of  supplying 
water  by  gravity.  Then  the  hand  engine  was  placed 
at  the  plug  nearest  the  fire,  and  water  was  con- 
veyed into  it  by  a  short  hose.  A  long  hose  ex- 
tended from  the  engine  to  a  point  near  the  burn- 
ing building,  and  the  water  was  forced  through 
it  upon  the  fire. 

The  steam  fire-engine  was  introduced  here  in 
1860  by  the  Reading  Hose  Company,  and  within 
the  next  few  years  four  additional  engines  were 
added  to  the  Fire  Department.  The  following  table 
shows  the  organization  of  the  several  companies 
and  their  membership: 

FIRE  COMPANIES 
Company  Instituted  Members 

Rainbow 1773  587 

Junior  . . ., 1813  690 

Reading  Hose   1819  432 

Neversink    1S29  261 

Friendship  1848  620 

Liberty   1854  875 

Washington  Hook  &  Ladder 1855  386 

Keystone  Hook  &  Ladder 1856  187 

Hampden  1867  320 

Marion   1881  175 

Riverside   1890  205 

Schuylkill    1892  350 

Union   1898  350 

Soon  after  the  introduction  of  the  steam  fire- 
engine,  the  companies  considered  the  propriety  of 
forming  an  association  for  more  readily  accom- 
plishing the  object  of  their  existence.  Representa- 
tives from  eight  companies  assembled  on  March 
18,  1861,  and  formed  a  "Firemen's  Union."  This 
was  an  ordinary  association  for  four  years,  com- 
posed of  five  delegates  from  each  company;  but 
finding  its  powers  inadequate,  it  was  incorporated 
on  March  15,  1865,  under  the  name  of  "Firemen's 
Union  of  the  City  of  Reading,"  and  the  Union  has 
since  acted  under  this  charter.  The  management 
is  vested  in  a  board  of  trustees,  elected  by  the 
Union  annually,  composed  of  one  member  from 
each  company  represented  in  the  Union. 

In  1873,  the  electric  fire-alarm  was  introduced 
into  the  city.  Previously,  the  alarm  was  sounded 
on  the  bells  of  the  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  for 
many  years,  till  1840 ;  then  upon  the  bell  of  the 
Court-House  for  a  period  of  thirty-three  years. 
The  locality  of  the  fire  was  indicated  by  a  number 
of  strokes  on  the  bell  to  correspond  with  the  num- 
ber of  the  ward  where  the  fire  was.  Now,  the 
alarm  is  given  publicly  in  different  sections  of 
Reading.  Alarms  are  also  struck  in  the  buildings 
of  the  respective  fire  companies. 

During  1871  and  1872,  there  were  numerous 
false  alarms  of  fire,  and  these  became  so  annoying 
that  a  remedy  had  to  be  provided.  Henry  W. 
Spang  advocated  the  Gamewell  fire-alarm  system, 
and  through  his  efforts  councils  adopted  it  in  1873. 
The  battery,  m'^chanical  apparatus  and  switchboard 
are  located  in  the  City  Hall.    This  system  embraces 


206 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


89  boxes,  distributed  in  seven  circuits,  connected 
with  43  miles  of  copper  wire.  The  circuits  are  as 
follows : 

No.  1  fire-alarm  circuit  is  7.022  miles  long  and  has 
•eighteen  alarm  boxes,  two  engine  houses  and  one  tower 
striker  connected  with  it. 

No.  2  fire-alarm  circuit  is  5.73  miles  long  and  has  on  it 
seventeen  fire-alarm  boxes,  five  house  gongs,  two  engine 
houses  and  two  tower  strikers. 

No.  3  fire-alarm  circuit  is  3.56  miles  long  and  has  on  it 
ten  fire-alarm  boxes,  two  engine  houses  and  one  tower 
■striker. 

No.  i  fire-alarm  circuit  is  4.48  miles  long  and  has  on  it 
■eleven  fire-alarm  boxes,  two  engine  houses  and  one  tower 
striker. 

No.  5  fire-alarm  circuit  is  2.02  miles  long  and  has  on  it 
seven  fire  alarm  boxes,  one  office  gong,  one  engine  house 
and  two  tower  strikers. 

No.  6  fire-alarm  circuit  is  17.19  miles  long  and  has  on 
it  sixteen  fire-alarm  boxes,  one  engine  house  and  one 
tower  striker. 

No.  7  fire-alarm  circuit  is  3.41  miles  long  and  has  on  it 
ten  fire-alarm  boxes,  one  engine  house  and  one  tower 
striker. 

The  first  State  convention  of  the  Firemen's  Asso- 
ciation of  Pennsylvania,  held  at  Reading,  was  in 
September,  1881,  and  the  second  in  October,  1895. 
On  both  occasions  there  were  great  parades,  the 
latter  having  been  particularly  distinguished  for 
the  great  number  of  companies  and  men  in  line. 

Growing  out  of  the  Firemen's  Union,  two  asso- 
ciations of  great  utility  were  organized,  the  Vol- 
unteer Firemen's  Association,  and  the  Reading 
Firemen's  Relief  Association,  which  hold  monthly 
meetings. 

The  Veteran  Firemen  of  Reading  have  also 
formed  an  association  which  meets  regularly  every 
month.  The  membership  is  at  present  440 ;  presi- 
dent, Charles  F.  Brissel. 

The  Firemen's  Union  caused  a  fine  granite  mon- 
ument to  be  erected  on  Penn  Common,  at  the  Penn 
street  entrance;  it  was  dedicated  Sept.  2,  1901.  It 
occupies  a  prominent  position  and  represents  a  vol- 
unteer fireman  on  a  shaft. 

The  fire  department  in  1909  had  the  following 
equipment,  valued  at  $138,000: 


Fire   Engines   11 

H.  &L.  Trucks 2 

Chemical  Engines   3 

Chemical  Comb'n 

Wagons   11 

Fire  Extinguishers  26 

Horses    62 


Ambulances  2 

Feet   of   Hose 20,000 

Hose  Wagons 4 

Hose  Cart   1 

Patrol  Wagon   1 

Smoke  Protectors  60 

Life  Saving  Nets   7 


Chief  Engineers. — The  following  persons  have 
■officiated  as  chief  engineers : 

David  A.  Stout 1867-1868 

John  A.  Buch 1860 

John  F.  Weitzel ]  870 

Henry  A.  Albright 3870-1871 

Lewis  L.  Moj'er 1 873 

Howard  F.  Boyer 1873-1885 

George  W.  Miller 1885-1909 

SECRET 

The  secret  society  was  started  as  a  distinct  or- 
ganized body  by  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
at  Reading  in  1780,  but  it  was  not  maintained.     It 


was  started  a  second  time  in  1794  and  has  contin- 
ued until  the  present  time.  The  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  was  started  here  in  1838.  These 
two  were  the  only  secret  orders  carried  on  at  Read- 
ing when  it  became  a  city  in  1847.  Since  then  num- 
erous other  societies  have  been  organized  and  car- 
ried on  with  each  succeeding  decade  and  each  order 
has  come  to  include  various  bodies  with  a  large 
total  membership.  A  brief  description  of  all  of 
them  cannot  be  attempted  in  this  compilation. 

F.  and  A.  M.— In  1894,  Lodge  No.  62,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  celebrated  the  centennial  of  its 
institution,  and  caused  a  souvenir  history  to  be 
published.  The  order  has  six  lodges  at  Reading. 
These  lodges,  two  Royal  Arch  Chapters,  and  two 
Knight  Templar  Commanderies,  erected  a  superb 
four-story  granite  front  Masonic  Temple  on  North 
Fifth  street  beyond  Washington,  at  a  cost  exceed- 
ing $150,000.  The  first  Knight  Templar  State  • 
Conclave  at  Reading  convened  in  1872,  and  the 
second  in  1895.  On  both  occasions,  the  event  was 
signalized  by  a  superb  parade. 

Shrine  Reception. — The  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  No.  50,  at  Reading,  gave  a  public  recep- 
tion in  Penn  Square  to  a  number  of  distinguished 
Nobles  on  Wednesday,  May  19,  1909,  including 
Rear  Admiral  Winfield  Scott  Schley  (member  of 
Alma  Temple  of  Washington,  D.  C,),  Maj.  Gen. 
J.  P.  S.  Gobin  (member  of  Zembo  Terhple  of 
Harrisburg,  Pa.),  and  Rt.  Rev.  Ethelbert  Talbot 
(member  of  Irene  Temple  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.), 
whilst  on  a  fraternal  visitation.  The  pupils  of  the 
public  schools,  of  the  several  grades,  numbering 
about  9,000,  participated  in  the  parade.  Their 
behavior  during  the  public  reception  was  highly 
creditable,  and  their  singing  of  the  "Star  Spangled 
Banner,"  "America,"  and  "Onward,  Christian 
Soldiers,"  with  the  accompaniment  of  the  Ring- 
gold, Philharmonic  and  Allentown  bands  of  music, 
was  truly  inspiring,  more  especially  during  the  re- 
peated waving  of  small  American  flags  by  the  thou- 
sands of  pupils  in  the  center  of  the  Square.  A 
larger  public  assemblage  was  never  before  witness- 
ed in  Reading.  The  weather  was  ideal  and  the 
orderliness  of  the  great  throngs  of  people  whilst 
moving  into  and  out  of  the  Square  was  remarkable. 

At  Rajah  Temple,  in  the  evening,  a  regular 
meeting  of  the  Shrine  was  held  at  which  a  large 
number  of  applicants  for  membership  were  ini- 
tiated, and  afterward  the  distinguished  guests  and 
members  were  entertained  at  "a  banquet,  nearly 
a  thousand  having  participated. 

/.  O.  0.  F. — The  first  lodge  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  was  instituted  at  Reading  in 
1838.  An  association  was  incorporated  in  1845 
for  erecting  a  hall  for  use  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and 
all  other  benevolent  societies  of  the  place ;  a  lot  was 
purchased  at  Fifth  and  Franklin  streets,  and  a  four- 
story  brick  building  was  erected  thereon.  At  the 
dedication  on  Oct. '26,  1847,  dignitaries  of  the  Su- 
preme Lodge,  and  of  the  Grand  Lodges,  of  the 
order  of  this  and  other  States  were  in  attendance. 


READING 


207 


In  1868,  this  hall  was  purchased  by  the  Reading 
Library  Company.  In  1880,  the  Grand  Lodge  met 
at  Reading,  and  again  in  1893.  At  the  latter  con- 
-vention,  John  Wunch,  a  resident  of  Reading,  was 
elected  Grand  Master,  and  in  that  year  he  laid  the 
corner-stone  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Temple  at  Phila- 
delphia. Since  1847,  only  one  grand  parade  has 
been  given  by  the  order  at  Reading,  and  this  was 
in  1882. 

K.  G.  E. — The  first  castle  of  the  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Eagle  was  instituted  at  Reading  in  1885. 
The  Grand  Castle  convened  at  Reading  in  1886, 
and  the  Supreme  Castle  in  1897. 

G.  A.  R. — The  following  bodies  have  been  organ- 
ized at  Reading  by  men  who  were  enlisted  in  the 
Civil  war,  or  by  members  of  their  families: 

McLean  Post,  No.  16,  ipstituted  1866;  and  Womans  Re- 
.lief  Corps. 

Keim  Post,  No.  76,  instituted  1878. 

Meade  Camp,  No.  16,  Sons  of  Veterans,  instituted  1881; 
and  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  No.  6. 

Union  Veteran  Legion  Encampment,  No.  43,  instituted 
1889 ;  and  Ladies'  Auxiliary. 

Ladies  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  instituted  1883. 

Ringgold  Light  Artillery,  First  Defenders,  organized  at 
Reading  in  1892  with  the  four  other  corripanies  which  were 
the  first  to  respond  to  the  call  of  President  Lincoln  for 
troops  in  1861.  They  caused  a  granite  monument  to  be 
■erected  on  Penn  Common  which  was  dedicated  on  July 
4,  1901. 

Through  the  efforts  of  the  members  of  the  two 
posts  an  imposing  granite  soldiers'  monument  was 
■erected  in  Charles  Evans  Cemetery,  and  dedicated 
with  interesting  ceremonies  in  1887. 

P-  O.  S.  of  A. — The  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  Amer- 
ica was  instituted  at  Reading  in  1860,  and  has  come 
to  be  the  strongest  secret  beneficial  society  here,  com- 
prising fourteen  camps,  with  a  total  membership  ex- 
ceeding 3,835.  In  June,  1888,  the  National  and 
State  Camps  held  their  conventions  at  Reading,  and 
to  signalize  the  extraordinary  occasion,  the  Order 
gave  a  monster  parade,  which,  in  respect  to  the 
great  number  in  line,  and  to  the  public  decorations, 
exceeded  all  demonstrations  of  every  kind  thereto- 
fore given.  In  the  latter  part  of  August,  1897,  the 
National  convention  was  held  at  Reading,  and  the 
semi-centennial  of  the  order  was  celebrated.  The 
first  camp  had  been  instituted  at  Philadelphia  in  1847, 
but  it  was  obliged  to  suspend  on  account  of  the 
members  enlisting  in  the  Civil  war.  Camp  No.  61, 
at  Reading,  maintailned  its  organization,  notwith- 
standing many  of  its  members  had  enlisted  also, 
and  kept  the  order  in  existence,  for  which  reason 
Reading  was  selected  by  the  State  Camp,  and  also 
by  the  National  Camp,  as  the  proper  place  for  the 
celebration. 

To  signalize  the  extraordinary  occasion,  a  mon- 
ster parade  of  the  Order  was  given  on  Aug.  26th, 
in  which  over  nine  thousand  menibers  participated. 
The  local  camps  of  Reading  and  the  country  dis- 
tricts manifested  much  enthusiasm  and  were  un- 
tiring in  their  combined  efforts  to  make  the  dem- 
onstration a  grand  success.     The  streets  along  the 


route  of  the  parade,  more  especially  Penn  street, 
were  profusely  decorated. 

/.  0.  R-  M. — This  society  was  established  at  Read- 
ing in  1854  by  the  name  of  Ancient  Order  of  Red 
Men,  but  this  was  changed  to  Improved  Order  in 
1867. 

Jr.  0.  U.  A.  Af.— The  Junior  Order  United 
American  Mechanics  was  instituted  at  Reading  in 
1867.  For  some  years  it  was  noted  for  presenting, 
the  national  flag  to  the  school  authorities  for  dis- 
play over  the  public  school  buildings. 

Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  was  insti- 
tuted at  Reading  March  10,  1889.  It  established 
superior  quarters  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Fifth 
and  Franklin  streets  in  1904,  costing  $30,000 ;  and 
in  1908  erected  a  large  and  costly  addition.  "Elks' 
Hall"  is  a  complete  establishment  in  all  its  depart- 
ments;  the  total  cost  is  $90,000..  The  membership 
in  February,  1909,  was  402;  of  which  fifty  were 
not  resident  in  Berks  county.  ,  It  is  the  only  society 
of  the  kind'  now  in  the  county. 

Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles. — This  beneficial  so- 
ciety was  organized  at  Reading  in  1900,  as  Aerie 
No.  66,  and  since  then  has  been  very  successful, 
having  in  May,  1909,  1,075  members.  In  1903, 
the  Order  established  a  superior  place  in  Lower 
Alsace  township,  a  short  distance  beyond  the  Min- 
eral Spring  Hotel,  as  a  resort  for  the  members, 
costing  $20,000.  It  comprises  a  substantial  build- 
ing and  six  acres  of  land.  The  Aerie  also  secured 
a  fine  property  on  Penn  street.  No.  1040,  for  the 
members,  which  has  been  much  improved,  at  a 
total  cost  of  $30,000.  The  president  of  the  Aerie 
is  William  J.  Moore,  and  the  secretary  William 
H.   Croessant. 

Other  Societies. — Other  secret  societies,  worthy 
of  mention,  with  the  time  when  first  instituted  at 
Reading,  are  the  following:  Order  United  Ameri- 
can Mechanics,  1847;  German  Order  of  Harugari, 
1849  ;  American  Protestant  Association,,  1857  ;  In- 
dependent Order  of  Good  Templars,  1858 ;  Brother- 
hood of  the  Union,  1864 ;  Knights  of  Pythias,  1867  ; 
Knights  of  Friendship,  1871 ;  Knights  of  Mystic 
Chain,  1871;  Royal  Arcanum,  1880. 

SOCIETY  STATISTICS 

In  the  following  table  the  various  bodies  of 
these  orders  are  enumerated,  showing  membership, 
date  of  institution,  assets,  etc.: 

Free  and  Accepted  Masons 

Members 

Lodge  No.  62  .1794  318 

Lodge  No.  227,  Chandler ' 1848  416 

Lodge  No.  367,  Teutonia 1866  109 

Lodge  No.  435,  St.  John's 1869  239 

Lodge  No.  549,  Reading 1876  266 

Lodge  No.  660,  Isaac  Hiester 1908  123 

Reading  Chapter,  R.  A 1827 

Excelsior  Chapter,  R.  A. 

De  Molav  Commandery,  No.  9,  K.  T 1854 

Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T. 1871 

Nobles  of  Mystic  Shrine,  No.  50 1892 

COLORED  LODGES,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Lodge  No.  73,  Victor,  1890 
Mt.  Olive  Chapter,  R.  A.,  No.  23,  1891 
King  David  Commandery,  K.  T.,  No.  15,  1893 


208 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Patriotic  Order   Sons   of   America 

Members  Assets 

Camp  No.  61  188  $  3,060 

Camp  No.  89  400  45,915 

Camp  No.  163  1,113  30,514 

Camp  No.  312  347  11,939 

Camp  No.  339  314  6,380 

Camp  No.  330  177  4,411 

Camp  No.  509  306  3,280 

Camp  No.  553  90  448 

Camp  No.  560  287  8,395 

Camp  No.  663  309  3,032 

Camp  No.  676  44  784 

Camp  No.  678  145  995 

Camp  No.  689  243  3,398 

Camp  No.  691  74  1,847 

3,835  $113,398 

Boroughs,   11  camps  2,115  81,454 

Townships,   28  camps  3,419  148,152 

Total  9,369  $343,004 

Patriotic  Order  of  Americans 
Camps  No.  17,  No.  117,  and  No.  131. 

Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 

Members        Assets 

Germania    Lodge,    No.    158 1846          30  $1,800 

Emblematic  Lodge,   No.   169 1846         190  9,200 

Vigilance   Lodge,   No.   194 1884        258  21,600 

Oky  Lodge,   No.  218 1846         311  12,853 

Progressive  Lodge.   No.   470 1889         264  12,840 

Mt.  Penn  Lodge,  No.  518  1874        250  9,200 

Muhlenberg  Lodge,  No.   1085 1895         198  6,300 

Reading  Encampment,   No.  43....  1846 

Mt.   Penn  Encampment,   No.   152 

Esther  Lodge,   No.  4,  Daughters   of   Rebekah,  1886,  400 

Improved  Order  of  Red  Men 

Members 

Juniata   Tribe,    No.   74 1867  855 

Opekasset   Tribe,    No.    122 1870  210 

Ogalala  Tribe,   No.   186 345 

Wyanet  Tribe,   No.  301 365 

Manangy   Tribe,    No.   316 223 

Unamis    Tribe,    No.    330 257 

Neversink   Tribe,    No.   351 242 

Metacomet  Tribe,   No.  416 335 

Narragansett  Council,  No.  67,  Degree  of  Pocahontas 
Indianola  Council,   No.  70,  Degree  of  Pocahontas 
Opitsah  Council,  No.  117,  Degree  of  Pocahontas 

Knights  of  Friendship 

Fidelia  Chamber,  No.  5,  1880 
Charity  Chamber,  No.  23,  1886 
Reading  Chamber,  No.  26,  1888. 
Friendship  Chamber.   No.  28,  1889. 
Lincoln   Chamber,    No.   36,   1892. 
Prosperity  Chamber,   No.  48,   1899. 

Knights  of  Golden  E.a.gle 

Members 

Reading    Castle,    No.    49 1885  323 

Mt.   Penn   Castle,   No.   51 1885  244 

Sirius  Castle,   No.  63 1885  255 

Fraternity  Castle,   No.  302 1889  172 

Muhlenberg   Castle,    No.   372 1890  268 

Victory   Castle,    No.    433 1893  96 

Prosperity  Castle,   No.  481 1894  77 

West  Reading  Castle,  No.  487 1895  116 

Columbian  Temple   (Ladies),  No.  17 
St.  Bernard  Temple   (Ladies),  No.  21 
Lady  Bayard  Temple  (Ladies),  No.  78. .  .1895 
Mt.  Penn  Comimandery,  No.  51,  Company  B. 
St.  Bernard  Commandery,  No.  0,  Company  C. 


Knights  of  Pythias 

Friendship  Lodge,  No.  5 1867 

Mt.  Penn  Lodge,  No.  65 1868 

Endowment  Rank,  No.  9 1877 

Cashmere   Temple,    No.   37 

United  American  Mechanics 

Reading  Council,  No.  46. 
Seminole  Council,  No.  88. 
Reading  Council,  No.  122  (Daughters  of  Liberty). 

Independent  Americans 

Perseverance  Council,  No.  19. 
Resolute   Council,    No.   27. 
Thaddeus    Council,    No.    252. 
Neversink  Council,   No.   371. 
Randall   Council,   No.  448. 
Laing  Council,  No.  995. 

United  Americans 

Leona  Evelyn  Smith  Temple,  Vo.  78. 
Old  Glory  Temple,  No.  80. 
Riverside  Temple,   Na   81. 

Protestant  Societies 

Charity  Lodge,   No.  34. 
Lady    Ruth,    No.    36. 
Aaron  Lodge,  No.  95. 
Neversink  Lodge,   No.  104. 
Aaron  Juvenile  Lodge,   No.  13. 

Brotherhood  of  the  Union 

Freedom  Circle,   No.   7,   1864. 

Lady  Jefferson  Home  Communion,   No.  5,  1867. 

Foresters  of  America 

Members- 
Court    Progress,    No.    115 1895  265 

Court   Wyomissing,    No.    130 1897  192 

Court  Conrad  Weiser,  No.  199 1899  193 

Court  Victory,  No.  123 

German  Order  of  HARUG.^RI 

Members 

Goethe  Lodge,   No.  60,  D.   O.   H 1857  12 

Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs 

Reading  Conclave,   No.  67. 
Berks   Conclave,    No.    133. 

^Modern  Woodmen  of  America 

Neversink  Camp,  No.  7634. 
Reading  Camp,   No.  9289. 

Roman  Catholic  Societies 

Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  No.  1  and  No.  2. 

Bonifacius  Brotherhood,  1866. 

Holy  Cross,  1868. 

Emerald  B.  A.  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  1869. 

American  Catholic  Union,  Reading  Assembly,  No.  28. 

Reading  Knights  of  St.  John. 

Knights  of   St.   Casimir,   1898. 

Knights  of  St.  John. 

Knights  of  Columbus. 

St.   Peter's   T.   A.   B.   Society,   1883. 

St.   Stanislaus  Beneficial  Society. 

Royal  Arcanum 

Members 

Mt.  Penn  Council,  No.  495 1880  440 

Reading  Council,  No.  1104 1889  136 

Wyomissing  Council,  No.  1584 1894  .".or 


READING 


209 


Club  Houses. — Five  club  houses  have  been  estab- 
lished at  Reading:  Wyomissing,  1890;  Ivy  Leaf, 
1891;  Independent  Gun  Club,  1891;  Combine,  1891; 
Nursery,   1893;  Elks,  1908;  and.  Eagles,  1909. 

FINANCIAL 

Banks. — The  first  bank  at  Reading  was  estab- 
lished in  1808.  It  was  a  branch  of  the  Pennsylvania- 
Bank  and  continued  until  1857,  when  it  sus- 
pended. Its  place  of  business  was  in  the  building 
now  occupied  by  the  National  Union  Bank. 

The  next  was  the  Farmers,  organized  in  1814, 
which  has  been  continued  in  the  same  building 
where  it  started.  The  Eckert  family  was  promin- 
ently identified  with  it  from  1836  to  1908. 

The  following  list  embraces  the  banks  and  trust 
companies  at  Reading,  showing  the  time  of  organ- 
ization, capital  stock,  resources,  deposits,  etc.,  in 
November,  1908.  The  banks  are  all  national  banks, 
excepting  the  last  two,  which  are  State  banks : 


and  it  has  been  kept  up  over  sixty  years.  But  it 
has  not  been  so  successful  for  the  past  ten  years. 
Previous  to  1876,  the  associations  received  moneys 
only  and  made  them  profitable  on  mortgage  securi- 
ties; then  they  begai)  not  only  to  erect  dwellings, 
but  also  market-houses  and  business  places.  In 
1897,  there  were  53  associations  at  Reading,  but 
in  1905,  only  8,  and  in  1908,  2.  . 

Insurance  Companies. — The  first  fire  insurance 
company  in  Berks  county  was  organized  in  1844; 
and  the  first  at  Reading  was  in  1867.  The  Read- 
ing Fire  Insurance  and  Trust  Company  was  incor- 
porated in  1868;  the  Trust  company  was  incorpor- 
ated as  a  separate  institution  in  1886.  The  Insur- 
ance company  carried  policies  on  properties  through- 
out the  United  States  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
with  risks  exceeding  forty  million  dollars.  _  It  was 
discontinued  in  1903,  having  transferred  its  risks 
to  the  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company. 

The  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Reading 
was  organized  in  1870,  and  since  then  it  has  not 


Trust  Companies  at  Reading 


w 


« 


Pennsylvania   Trust  Company 

Reading  Trust   Company    

Berks  County  Trust  Company 

Colonial  Trust  Company  

Commercial  Trust  Company    

*  $128,000  paid  in. 

Banks  at  Reading 


1886 
1886 
1900 
1900 
1904 


$250,000 
500,000 
250,000 

*250,000 
125,000 


$4,011,464 

1,872,749 

1,380,931 

1,144,979 

346,282 


$2,831,169 

1,035,427 

982,240 

697,575 

204,900 


$  527,224 

335,209 

147,145 

197,405 

16,382 


$2,820,175 

4,207,644 

337,822 

'  151,505 

2,542 


5,751,311 


$1,223,365 


$7,519,688 


Name 

•3 
3 

u 
o 

u5 

s 

o 

o 

a 

V 

a 

u 

V 

'a 

u 
3 

Farmers    '. 

1814 
1857 
1863 
1871 
1881 
1883 
1893 
1890 
1901 

$400,080 
200,000 
500,000 
100,000 
300,000 
100,000 
200,000 
100,000 

.   50,000 

$3,229,115 

2,498,801 

1,491,664 

975,472 

1,898,652 

1,800,881 

1,580,840 

684,537 

201,378 

$1,513,347 
1,341,147 
693,378 
605,568 
785,373 
1,356,917 
830.661 
411,791 
113,809 

$856,275 
796,064 

First  National  . . 

Keystone    

Second    Nat'l . . . 
Penn    

97,266 
193,646 
541,966 
248,944 

Reading:    

Schuylkill    Val.. 
Neversink    

331,352 

172,74tS 

22,494 

7.651,991  3,260,753 

Channing  Bingham  was  the  bank  examiner  of 
the  national  banks  of  the  city  and  county  for  up- 
ward of  ten  years,  until  November,  1908,  when, 
owing  to  illness,  he  was  succeeded  by  Lloyd  M. 
Tillman,  who  for  thirteen  years  had  been  connect- 
ed with  the  Treasury  Department  at  Washington, 
D.  C.   ' 

B.  &  S.  A. — The  building  and  sayings  associa- 
tion as  an  institution  for  the  acquisition  of  prop- 
erty or  accumulation  of  money  out  of  savings  by 
working  people  was  organized  at  Reading  in  1848, 

14 


levied  a  single  assessment.  Its  insurance  extends 
throughout  Pennsylvania,  and  amounts  to  $3,900,- 
000;  the  policies  number  3,000. 

INDUSTRIAL- 

Board  of  Tra,de. — The  first  Board  of  Trade  at 
Reading  was  formed  in  1807,  for  the  purpose  of 
considering  the  possible  navigation  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill, a  number  of  prominent  men  having  at  that  time 
founded -an  association  under  the  name  of  The  So- 
ciety for  Promoting  and  Cleaning  the  River 
Schuylkill.  The  same  men  were  interested  in  other 
local  improvements,  such  as  turnpikes,  canals, 
bridges,  and  railroads ;  and  they  accompHshed  great 
good  in  the  development  of  Reading. 
'  A  second  board  was, started  in  1870,  but  it  had 
a  short  existence.  The  third,  which  is  the  present 
board,  was  organized  in  1881,  and  it  has  kept  up 
a  successful  existence  until  now.  It  was  incorpor- 
ated in  1889.  The  membership  in  March,  1909, 
was  350. 

Unions. — All  classes  of  working-people  have 
formed  unions  for  maintenance  in  sickness  and  co- 
operation in  reference  to  employment,  wages,  etc., 
and  they  have  had  an  active  existence  at  Reading 


210 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


for  many  years.     Over  thirty  societies  have  been 
organized. 

LITERARY 

Libraries. — The  Reading  Library  was  organized 
in  1808.  It  contained  1,000  volumes  in  1842,  and 
1,500  vohimes  in  1850.  A  reorganization  was 
effected  in  1868,  when  it  purchased  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows' Hall.  It  was  made  free  Jan.  1,  1898,  through 
the  liberality  of  twenty-three  men  who  each  con- 
tributed $500  toward  extinguishing  the  debt  on  the 
hall.  The  present  number  of  volumes  is  over 
37,000.  Dr.  A.  R.  Durham  was  a  most  efficient 
librarian  from  1898  until  his  decease  in  March, 
1907,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  E.  A.  Howell  as 
the  librarian. 

Reading  German  Library  was  organized  in  1808, 
and  began  with  685  volumes.  Subsequent  addi- 
tions were  made  until  it  had  1,500.  The  society 
disbanded  in  1847,  and  the  books  were  distributed 
amongst  its  members. 

Berks  County  Law  Library  v^ras  organized  in  1843 
and  kept  up  by  appropriating  certain  fines  allowed 
by  law.  The  books  are  on  the  third  floor  of  the 
Court-House.  The  collection  of  reports,  text  and 
miscellaneous  books  numbers  6,500. 

Harmonie  Maennerchor  Library  was  started  when 
the  Reading  Maennerchor  was  organized  in  1847. 
The  nucleus  was  the  collection  of  books  of  the 
German  Library,  which  disbanded  about  that  time. 
An  addition  of  1,200  volumes  was  made  in  1877  by 
the  disbanding  of  the  Schiller  Verein. 

Historical. — ^A  historical  society  was  formed  in 
1840,  but  no  record  of  its  transactions  was  pre- 
served. In  1869,  a  second  society  was  incorporated 
under  the  name  of  Historical  Society  of  Berks 
County,  but  only  several  meetings  were  held.  In 
February,  1898,  a  reorganization  was  effected  with 
A.  G.  Green,  Esq.,  as  president,  and  George  M. 
Jones,  Esq.,  as  secretary,  and  quarters  were  secured 
in  the  Court-House,  third  floor,  for  its  meetings 
and  for  storing  its  papers.  In  1904,  a  building  was 
purchased  at  No.  519  Court  street  and  a  collection 
of  historical  publications  was  then  begun.  Mr. 
Green  continued  as  president  until  his  decease  in 
1903.  He  was  succeeded  by  Louis  Richards,  Esq., 
who  has  served  since.  The  library  contains  about 
1,500  volumes,  and  the  collection  now  includes 
many  curios. 

PATRIOTIC 

Daughters  who  were  descendants  of  soldiers  en- 
listed in  the  Revolutionary  war  organized  a  society 
at  Reading  in  1893,  which  they  called  the  Berks 
County  Chapter  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American 
Revolution.  A  national  society  was  organized  at 
Washington  in  1890 ;  and  in  1897  a  State  Associa- 
tion. 

The  niembers  of  the  local  society  in  1909  num- 
bered ninety-seven.  The  principal  officers  then  were 
as  follows : 


Mrs.  de  B.  Randolph  Keim,  Regent. 
Mrs.   John   C.   Illig,   Secretary. 
Mrs.  John  B.  Dampman,  Historian. 
Miss  Addie  Owen,  Registrai. 

A  children's  branch  of  the  D.  A.  R.,  called  the 
Conrad  Weiser  Branch,  was  organized  in  1895,  and 
in  1909  it  had  forty  members. 

In  October,  1905,  the  Eighth  Annual  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Conference  of  the  D.  A.  R.  met  at 
Reading  and  was  largely  attended. 

PROFESSIONAL 

Medical. — ^A  medical  society  was  organized  at 
Reading  in  1824.  It  was  the  second  society  of 
this  nature  formed  in  Pennsylvania,  the  first  hav- 
ing been  at  Philadelphia.  Dr.  Isaac  Hiester  was 
the  first  president  and  he  continued  to  fill  this  po- 
sition for  twenty-five  years.  In  1849,  the  second 
annual  convention  of  the  State  Medical  Society 
was  held  at  Reading,  and  in  1891  another  was  held 
here.  In  1866,  the  name  was  changed  to  Berks 
County  Medical  Society,  which  it  has  held  until 
now.  The  transactions  began  to  be  published  in 
1896. 

The  Reading  Medical  Association  was  organized 
by  physicians  of  Reading  in  18.50.  It  was  chiefly 
instrumental  in  establishing  the  Reading  Dispen- 
sary, and  the  Reading  Hospital.  For  some  years, 
the  meetings  of  both  societies  have  been  held  in 
the  Raser  D:rug  Store  at  Sixth  and  Walnut  streets. 

A  Homoeopathic  Practitioners  Association  was 
organized  and  it  was  instrumental  in  estabhshing 
the  Homoeopathic  Hospital  in  1887.  It  was  re- 
organized in  1896,  and  in  1908  the  name  was 
changed  to  Berks  County  Homoeopathic  Medical 
Society. 

Legal. — Men  learned  in  the  law  have  been  ad- 
mitted to  practice  in  the  several  courts  of  Berks 
county  since  1752,  but  no  society  was  organized 
until  1867;  then  the  Legal  Association  of  Berks 
County  was  established.  Nearly  all  of  the  members 
of  the  Bar  have  resided  and  continue  to  reside  at 
Reading,  some  of  them  having  their  residences  and 
offices  in  the  more  prominent  boroughs. 

VOCAL  MUSIC 

Beethoven  Society. — The  first  singing  society  at 
Reading  was  organized  about  1832.  It  as  called 
the  Beethoven  Society.  The  first  concert  was  given 
in  the  "State-House"  which  was  a  great  success. 
Concerts  were  given  by  the  society  for  a  number 
of  years  afterward. 

Harmonie  Maennerchor. — The  second  society 
was  the  Reading  Maennerchor,  organized  in  1847. 
This  has  maintained  an  active  existence  ever  since, 
and  is  now  one  of  the  oldest  singing  societies  in 
the  United  States.  The  first  National  Saengerfest 
was  held  at  Philadelphia  in  1850,  and  William  Ros- 
enthal (then  living  at  Philadelphia,  but  at  Reading 
since  1860)  was  the  presiding  officer.     There  were 


READING 


211 


only  four  societies  in  attendance,  the  Reading  Maen- 
nerchor  being  one  of  them.  The  first  Saengerfest 
at  Reading  was  given  under  the  auspices  of  the 
society  in  1868.  It  was  attended  by  seventeen 
German  singing  societies.  In  1874,  the  Harmonic 
Maennerohor  (which  was  organized  in  1866)  con- 
solidated with  the  Reading  Maennerchor,  and  the 
former  name  was  adopted.  In  1878,  the  society 
secured  quarters  in  the  large  structure  on  Sixth 
street  near  Walnut,  on  which  account  the  building 
was  named  Maennerchor  Hall,  and  there  the  so- 
ciety has  remained  until  now.  In  1884,  the  second 
Saengerfest  was  given  at  Reading  and  it  was  at- 
tended by  several  thousand  Germans  from  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  country.  The  National  Saenger- 
fests  at  Newark  in  1891.  at  New  York  in  1894, 
and  at  Philadelphia  in  1897,  were  attended  by  the. 
society  and  the  members  acquitted  themselves  most 
creditably.  The  third  Saengerfest  at  Reading  was 
in  1892,  known  as  the  "First  Pennsylvania  Saen- 
gerfest," because  only  societies  from  the  State 
■were  allowed  to  participate.  On  Aug.  5,  1897, 
the  society  celebrated  its  fiftieth  anniversary,  there 
being  present  many  delegates  from  German  sing- 
ing societies  from  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States, 
besides  delegations  from  all  the  German  societies 
at  Reading. 

Reading  Musical  Society. — The  third  society  was 
formed  in  1855  by  H.  D.  Torrey,  an  artist,  and 
named  the  Reading  Musical  Society.  Annual  con- 
certs were  given  and  the  organization  \yas  main- 
tained until  1860. 

Mozart  Musical  Union. — The  fourth  society  was 
formed  in  1862,  and  called  the  Mozart  Musical 
Union.  Concerts  were  given  annually  here  and 
elsewhere  until  *1872. 

Reading  Chorall  Society. — In  1875,  Prof.  Edward 
A.  Berg  organized  the  fifth,  by  the  name  of  Read- 
ing Choral  Society.  It  participated  in  thfe  May 
Musical  Festival  at  New  York  City  in  1882,  which 
was  given  under  the  leadership  of  Theodore  Thom- 
as. The  grand  chorus  comprised  3,500  voices,  and 
in  rendenng  one  of  the  pieces  on  the  program, 
the  tenor  part  was  sustained  by  the  Reading  Choral 
members  so  effectually  as  to  win  the  special  com- 
mendation of  Thomas  himself.  The  society  was 
represented  on  that  occasion  by  103  members.  Num- 
erous concerts  were  given  by  the  society  at  great , 
expense,  at  which  nearly  all  the  renowned  oratorios 
were  rendered.  The  members  reorganized  in  Octo- 
ber, 1897,  and  participated  in  the  Eisteddfod  at 
Allentown,  Pa.,  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  where  they 
won  four  cash  prizes. 

Reading  Church  Choral  Society  was  organized 
from  the  Reading  Choral  Society  shortly  after  E. 
A.  Berg's  decease  in  1897,  and  Edward  H.  Knerr 
has  been  the  director  until  the  present  time.  It 
numbers  100  miembers  and  gives  three  concerts  each 
year,  which  are  largely  patronized.  Its  rehearsal 
meetings  are  given  in  the  First  Baptist  Church. 

Reading  Liederkranz  was  organized  in  1885.  Its 
first  festival  was  held  in  Deppen's  Hall  in  1890 ;  on 


which  occasion  German  societies  were  in  attendance 
from  Reading,  Pottsville,  Allentown  and  Wilming- 
ton. In  1891  its  quarters  were  established  in  Li- 
brary Hall.  In  1894  the  society  participated  in  the 
singing  contest  at  Allentown  and  won  the  first  prize, 
scoring  the  highest  number  of  points.  The  quar- 
ters of  the  society  were  continued  in  Library  Hall 
until  1901,  when  it  purchased  a  property  at  No.  834 
Chestnut  street  and  remodeled  the  building  to  suit 
its  purposes,  where  it  has  continued  in  very  active 
and  successful  existence  until  the  present  time. 
It  has  given  annual  concerts  here  and  elsewhere 
which  were  largely  patronized  and  heartily  appre- 
ciated. The  membership  in  1909  was  forty-five 
active  members,  and  250  passive. 

The  society  attended  the  State  Saengerfest  at  Al- 
lentown in  1905,  and  at  Wilkes-Barre  _  in  1907, 
winning  at  the  latter  place  the  second  prize  in  the 
first  class. 

During  the  "German  Week"  in  1908  at  Pendora 
Park,  the  society  gave  three  concerts  on  alternate 
days,  assisted  by  the  Germania  Orchestra,  and  the 
attendance  at  the  secondconcert  was  estimated  at 
15,000,  evidencing  the  great  popularity  of  the  so- 
ciety and  its  superiority  as  a  musical  organization. 
Prof.  George  D.  Haage  has  filled  the  position  of 
director  in  a  superior  manner  since  February,  1903. 
Previous  prominent  directors  were  John  Dersch  and 
Jacob  Schmidt.  The  officers  for  1909  were :  Presi- 
dent, William  Aisdorf;  secretary,  Henry  Schorn; 
treasurer,  Levi  Weitzenkorn. 

INSTRUMENTAL  MUSIC 

The  first  brass  band  at  Reading  was  organized 
in  1814.  From  that  time  until  1852,  several  bands 
flourished  for  a  while,  the  Reading  Military  Band, 
and  afterward  the  Mechanics'  Brass  Band,  having 
been  quite  prominent. 

RinggoM  Band. — In  1852,  eighteen  men  of  Read- 
ing, rtiostly  mechanics  but  fond  of  instrumental 
music,  associated  together  and  organized  a  band, 
which  they  named  the  Ringgold  Brass  Band,  after 
the  Ringgold  Light  Artillery,  of  which  the  men 
were  members.  John  A.  Hook  was  the  leader. 
When  the  Civil  war  broke  out,  its  services  were 
tendered  to  the  government.  It  was  connected  with 
the  25th  Regiment,  P.  V.,  and  served  the  term 
of  its  enlistment,  three  months.  Joseph  Winter 
became  the  musical  director  in  1868,  and  filled  this 
position  for  thirty  years,  and  brought  it  to  a  high 
state  of  efficiency.  It  accompanied  the  State  Fen- 
cibles  of  Philadelphia  to  the  centennial  celebration 
of  Bunker  Hill;  and  by  special  request  of  the  com- 
missioners, it  participated  in  the  opening  ceremon- 
ies of  the  Centennial  at  Philadelphia  in  1876.  In 
1878,  it  took  part  in  the  centennial  celebration  at 
Valley  Forge.  In  1881,  it  was  attached  to  the  1st 
Brigade,  N.  G.  P.,  with  35  members;  and  in  that 
year  it  was  detailed  to  accompany  a  provisional 
brigade  as  an  escort  to  the  Governor  and  members 
of  the  Legislature  at  the  centennial  celebration  at 


212 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Yorktown,  Va.  In  1888,  it  participated  in  the  one 
hundredth  anniversary  of  constitutional  govern- 
ment at  New  York  City;  in  189G,  in  the  centennial 
celebration  at  Huntingdon,  Pa. ;  and  in  1897,  in  the 
centennial  celebration  at  Waynesboro,  Pa.  Besides 
these  great  occasions,  it  led  political  clubs  in  parades 
at  nearly  all  the  inaugurations  of  the  Presidents 
of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  Governors  of  Penn- 
sylvania, since  1852.  Its  annual  concerts  are 
superb  and  well  patronized.  It  furnished  the  music 
at  the  Princeton  College  reunions  in  1903  and  1906. 

Germania  Band  was  organized  in  1887  with  Mon- 
roe A.  Althouse  as  leader  and  had  a  very  success- 
ful existence  for  fourteen  years  under  his  leader- 
ship, when  it  was  consolidated  with  the  Ringgold. 
Prof.  Althouse  has  been  the  leader  since  then. 

Other  bands  organized  within  the  past  ten  years : 

Cadet,  1898,  40  members;  Arthur  Yocum,  leader 
since  1907. 

White  Eagle  (Polish),  1899. 

Colonial,  1901,  Archie  Boyer,  leader. 

Philharmonic,  1903,  Harry  E.  Fahrbach,  leader. 

Italian,  1905,  Ignatius  Sparagana,  leader,  30 
members. 

Municipal. 

Prof.  0.  H.  Unger  has  been  teaching  and  or- 
ganizing bands  since  1865.  In  1876  he  had  on  hand 
thirty-two  bands  in  Berks  and  surrounding  coun- 
ties. He  directed  the  Liberty  Band  from  1877  to 
1889;  and  the  Philharmonic  (formerly  Athletic) 
for  seven  years.  He  also  organized  a  Symphony 
Orchestra  in  1904  with  15  members.  It  has  been 
gradually  enlarged  to  50  members,  and  its  concerts 
have  been  very  popular. 

Drum  Corps. — The  fife  and  drum  corps  was  a 
musical  institution  at  Reading  from  the  time  of 
the  Revolution  and  its  identity  has  been  preserved 
until  the  present.  It  constituted  three  pieces:  fife, 
small  drum  and  large  drum.  When  the  Civil  war 
was  carried  on  from  1861  to  1865,  several  fifes  and 
small  drums  were  included  in  the  corps,  which  made 
the  "martial  music"  more  demonstrative  and  effec- 
tive. Since  then  the  pieces  have  been  gradually  in- 
creased until  they  number  twenty  and  more,  in- 
cluding cornets  and  slide-trombones. 

The  "Big-Six"  Drum  Corps  are  old  soldiers  who 
were  enlisted  in  the  Civil  war  and  they  have  main- 
tained their  musical  organization  until  the  present 
time.     The  leader  is  William  Klineyoung. 

There  are  now  three  other  corps  at  Reading: 

Military,  organized  in  1898,  embracing  20  pieces; 
leader,  Daniel  Raudenbush. 

Schuylkill,  21  pieces ;  leader,  Harry  Rickenbach. 

Liberty,  16  pieces ;  leader,  William  Weidman. 

CHARITABLE 

Soup  Society. — The  first  public  association  for 
indigent  persons  of  Reading  was  formed  in  1823. 
Owing  to  the  construction  of  the  Schuylkill  canal, 
much  sickness  and  distress  arose  in  numerous  fam- 
ilies at  Reading,  and  also  along  the  canal  to  the 
county   line  beyond   Birdsboro.     The  organization 


was  called  a  "soup  society,"  and  much  relief  was 
afforded.  After  the  prevailing  epidemic  subsided, 
the  society  disbanded. 

Benevolent  Society. — In  1835,  the  Reading  Be- 
nevolent Society  was  established.  The  first  annual 
meeting  was  held  on  Jan.  1,  1836,  and  annual  meet- 
ings have  been  held  regularly  ever  since.  The  reg- 
ular meetings  of  the  managers  were  held  in  private 
houses  until  1874;  since  then  the  building  of  the 
Relief  Society  has  been  occupied. 

Relief  Society.— In  1866,  the  Reading  Relief  So- 
ciety was  organized  for  distributing  soup  to  the 
poor.  It  co-operates  with  the  Benevolent  Society. 
In  1874,  a  fine  building  at  Franklin  and  Plum  streets 
was  erected  for  the  society.  It  operates  two  build- 
ings during  the  winter  months,  the  other  being  on 
Spring  street  at  Moss. 

Bureau  of  Employment. — The  Bureau  of  Employ- 
ment was  formed  in  1875  by  a  number  of  women 
who  were  connected  with  the  Benevolent  Society, 
for  employing  deserving  and  self-respecting  women 
at  sewing  and  paying  them  fair  prices  for  their 
work,  either  in  money  or  clothing.  Quarters  were 
established  in  the  Relief  Society  building.  Dur- 
ing the  first  winter,  over  two  hundred  women  were 
supplied  with  work. 

This  society  has  had  a  successful  existence  until 
the  present  time.  William  M.  Staufifer,  a  generous 
and  public-spirited  man,  has  served  as  president 
since  its  organization,  and  the  society  has  had  its 
quarters  in  his  building  at  Sixth  and  Franklin 
streets  since  its  erection  in  1898.  The  society  an- 
nually secures  employment  at  household  work  for 
upward  of  five  hundred  women,  which  evidences 
the  extent  of  its  usefulness  to  the  community.  Mrs. 
James  B.  Brusstar  has  been  its  secretary  since  1900 ; 
and  its  superintendent,  since  1907,  Miss  Sarah 
Wentzel.  The  previous  superintendent  for  seven 
years  was  Mrs.  Anna  E.  Weissfiog. 

Reading  Hospital. — A  society  was  organized  in 
1868  to  provide  medical  aid  to  the  indigent  sick  and 
wounded  people  of  Reading,  and  in  1869  it  was  in- 
corporated under  the  name  of  Reading  Dispensary. 
In  1883,  this  name  was  changed  to  the  Reading 
Hospital.  Then  the  directors  raised  $25,000,  and 
the  State  appropriated  $20,000  toward  a  building 
which  was  erected  in  1884  at  Front  and  Spring 
streets,  which  was  opened  in  1886.  An  addition 
was  made  to  it  in  1890,  called  the  Wootten  Wing 
(John  E.  Wootten)  at  a  cost  of  $20,000,  and  a 
Training  School  was  erected  on  the  lot  for  student 
nurses  in  1896,  by  the  efforts  of  the  Ladies'  Aux- 
iliary. Annual  contributions  have  been  received 
from  the  State  since  its  erection.  The  medical 
staff  is  selected  from  the  Reading  Medical  Associa- 
tion and  consists  of  six  surgeons,  six  physicians 
and  a  resident  physician,  who  are  elected  annu- 
ally. Total  cost,  $75,000.  Annual  reports  have 
been  issued  showing  its  guperb  management.  The 
board  of  managers  comprise  some  of  the  most  in- 
fluential men  of  Reading. 


< 

a. 
in 
o 

X 

o 

z 

Q 
< 
Ul 
K 


o 

z 

Q 

< 


S 
o 

I 

U) 

o 
o 


READING 


213 


A  training  school  was  established  in  1890  for 
professional  nurses  and  since  1891  there  have  been 
graduates  annually,  numbering  altogether  eighty- 
three.  The  number  of  beds  in  the  hospital  is 
sixty-five. 

Patients  treated  during  1908  numbered  886,  the 
largest  since  the  opening  of  the  hospital  in  1869. 
The  next  largest  number  was  769,  in  1898. 

The  number  of  patients  treated  have  been  as 
follows : 

In-patients   previously   reported    11,038 

During    1908     886 

11,924 

Out-patients  previously  reported  27,418 

During   1908    1,405 

28,823 

Total  treated    40,747 

Officers  of  the  Hospital : 

President,  Charles  Kessler,  1867-72 ;  Dr.  Joseph  Coblentz, 

1872-81;  W.  E.  C.  Coxe,  1881-91;  William  D. 

Smith,  since   1891. 
Treasurer,  H.  H.  Muhlenberg,  1867-69;  A.  F.  Boas,  1870- 

72;  Dr.  W.  M.  Weidman,  1873-74;  Dr.  P.  M. 

Ziegler,    1875-88;    P.    R.    Stetson,    1889-1905; 

Frank  S.  Livingood,  since  1905. 
Secretary,  Dr.  P.  M.  Ziegler,    1867-72 ;  Dr.  J.  B.  Brooke, 

1872-81;    Dr.    William    F.    Muhlenberg,    1882; 

Dr.  Israel  Cleaver,  since  1883. 

St  Joseph's  Hospital— In  1873,  the  Vollmer 
property  at  Twelfth  and  Walnut  streets  was  pur- 
chased for  hospital  purposes  by  Rev.  George  Borne- 
mann,  and  a  small  brick  dwelling  thereon  was 
placed  under  the  charge  of  the  Sisters  of  St.  Fran- 
cis. In  1885,  a  superior  large  brick  building  was 
erected  costing  $60,000,  and  in  1895,  an  addition 
was  made  to  it  costing  $85,000,  all  paid  by  contribu- 
tions from  the  community,  solicited  by  the  Sisters. 
A  large,  superior  and  attractive  annex  was  built  in 
1904.  The  medical  attendance  is  supplied  from  the 
physicians  at  Reading. 

The  total  number  of  patients  treated  has  been 
14,512   (in  1908  being  992,  and  in  1907,  975). 

Sister  Anastasia  was  the  Mother  Superior  from 
1885  to  1887 ;  Sister  Julianna,  from  1887  to  1907 ; 
and  Sister  Fulgentia,  from  1907  to  the  present 
time. 

A-  training  school  for  graduating  nurses  was 
established  in  1905 ;  three  nurses  were  graduated 
in  1906,  two  in  1907,  and  three  in  1908. 

James  Nolan  has  officiated  as  president  of  the 
hoard  of  managers  since  1908,  and  Frederick  Steph- 
an  as  secretary  since  1901. 

Homoeopathic  Hospitdl. — In  August,  1887,  sev- 
enteen womp.n  started  the  Homoeopathic  Hospital 
and  Dispensary  Association,  and  for  its  maintenance 
funds  were  obtained  from  parlor  entertainments, 
donations  and  membership  duel  The  demands 
for  treatment  increasing,  a  board  of  trustees  was 
organized  two  years  afterward,  and  premises  No. 
126  Nofth  Sixth  street  were  purchased  for  $21,- 
000.  The  building  was  completely  furnished  by 
the  Ladies'  Auxiliary,  and  the  hospital  was  formally 


opened  July  1,  1891.  A  fine,  large  and  substan- 
tial annex  was  built  in  1905. 

Total  number  of  beds  in  the  hospital  is  seventy- 
five.  There  are  four  public  wards;  two  private 
wards;  and  thirteen  private  rooms;  also  a  con- 
tagious ward. 

It  is  equipped  with  all  the  most  recent  medical 
and  surgical  appliances.  Cost  of  institution,  $75, 
000. 

The  following  statistics  are  presented  to  show 
the  extent  of  its  services  to  the  community: 

In-patients,  1905  to  1908   1,241 

Out-patients,   1905   to   1908    8,048 

Prescriptions,  etc.,   1905  to  1908    16,548 

Accident  cases,  1900  to  1908  8,146 

A  training  school  for  nurses  was  established  at 
the  Hospital  in  1895,  and  since  then  annually,  ex- 
cepting   1896,    1903    and    1907,    nurses   have   been 
graduated,  numbering  altogether  twenty-six. 
,  Officers  of  the  Hospital : 

President,  Isaac  McHose,  1890-94;  C.  H.  Ruhl,  since  1894. 
Treasurer,  James  L.  Douglas,  1890-92;  Jerome  L.  Boyer, 

1892-1896;   Charles   E.  Leippe,  since  1896. 
Secretary,  C.  H.  Ruhl,  1890-94;  W.  W.  Light,  since  1894. 

Dr.  Lewis  A.  Shollenberger  has  been  the  super- 
intendent of  the  hospital  since  1897 ;  and  he  has 
been  serving  on  the  medical  staff  since  1887. 

Widows'  Home. — The  Society  of  the  Home  for 
Widows  and  Single  Women  was  established  in 
1874,  for  the  purpose  of  affording  humane  and 
charitable  relief,  assis'tance  and  support  to  widows 
and  single  women  of  Reading,  and  incorporated 
Jan.  11,  1875.  A  building  was  rented  for  a  time; 
then  a  property  on  Eighth  street  near  Chestnut 
street  in  which  a  "Home"  was  established,  and  there 
it  continued  until  July  7,  1886,  when  it  was  re- 
moved to  the  present  place  at  Sixteenth  and  Haak 
streets.  The  superior  building  then  erected  was 
occupied  until  Feb.  5,  1905,  when  it  was  destroyed 
by  fire.  It  was  immediately  rebuilt  at  a  cost  of 
$15,000.  It  has  been  managed  in  a  most  success- 
ful manner,  many  people  of  the  city  contributing 
annually  toward  its  support,  and  the  spirit  con- 
stantly displayed  is  truly  admirable.  The  officials 
from  1875,  who  have  carried  on  this  charitable 
institution,  are  the  following: 

First  Directress,   Mrs.    M.   A.    DeWolfe   Howe,    1875-94; 

Mrs.  H.  H.  Muhlenberg,  1895-1901;  Susan  E. 

Benson,   1902-09. 
Treasurer,  Susan  E.   Benson,  1875-1900;   Mrs.  Jerome  L. 

Boyer,  1901-07;   Mrs.  G.  A.  Schlechter,  1908- 

09. 
Secretary,  Rachel  D.  Griscom,  1875-89;  Mrs.  P.  M.  Ziegler, 

■     1890-1909. 
Matron,  Elizabeth  R.  Lea,  1877-78;    Mrs.  Elizabeth  Knox, 

1878-80;     Mrs.     Emma     Silheimer,     1880-81; 

Pamelia   P.   Draper,    1881-84;    Mrs.   Mary  A. 

Filbert,  1884-87;  Miss  Sarah  R.  Filbert,  1887 

(June-Nov.)  ;  Emily  T.  Hamlin,  1887-98;  Mrs. 

Margaret  Nevin,  1899-1903;  Mrs.  Belle  Wor- 
rell, 1904-09. 

From  1875  to  1908,  the  society  had  secured  forty- 
three  life  members.  The  inmates  who  died  in  this 
time  were  56;  and  the  inmates  during  the  year 
1908  were  36. 


214 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Home  for  Friendless  Children. — The  Home  for 
Friendless  Children  began  as  a  day  nursery  in  May, 
1884,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Bureau  of  Employ- 
ment at  No.  236  Franklin  street,  and  a  widow  as 
matron,  and  five  children  were  then  placed  there. 
The  Home  becoming  too  small,  a  lot  was  purchased 
on  Centre  avenue  near  Spring  street,  and  a  fine 
double  two-story  building  erected,  which  was  ded- 
icated on  Thanksgiving  Day,  1888.  The  number 
of  children  averages  from  35  to  40.  The  society 
endeavors  to  secure  private  homes  for  these  chil- 
dren, and  theire  they  are  kept  until  eighteen  years 
of  age.  Two  additions  were  built  to  it,  the  north 
wing  in  1903,  "the  gift  of  that  staunch  friend  of 
the  Home,  Mr.  William  D.  Smith,"  and  the  south 
wing  in  1906,  also  the  gift  of  Mr.  Smith,  who,  at 
the  same  time,  presented  a  kindergarten  outfit  and 
swings  for  outdoor  amusement. 

The  incorporators  in  1888  were  Margaretta  C. 
Ermentrout,  Elizabeth  S.  Richards,  Emma  A.  End- 
lich,  Amelia  D.  Leaf  and  Hannah  Cotterel. 

The  first  named  served  as  president  from  1888 
to  1894,.  and  the  second  from  1804  to  1898.  Mrs. 
Rev.  B.  Bausman  has  served  this  position  since 
1898.  Miss  Cotterel  has  served  as  treasurer  since 
1888;  and  Miss  Endlich  served  as  the  secretary 
from  1888  to  1908,  when  she  was  succeeded  by  Miss 
Addie  C.  Owen. 

The  matrons  of  this  most  commendable  insti- 
tution have  been:  Mrs.  Lucy  Frankum,  1888-96; 
Miss  Kate  Williams,  1896-98;  Miss  S.  R.  Hem- 
perly,  1898-1904;  Mrs.  Flora  C.  Bricker,  1904-06; 
Miss  Margaret  J.  Durr,  1906-10. 

St.  Catharine's  Female  Orphans'  Asylum  was 
founded  by  Mrs.  Catharine  Madary,  who,  in  1871, 
devised  her  property  at  Franklin  and  Maple  streets 
to  Archbishop  Wood  in  trust  for  the  rulers  of 
the  Mother  House  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  at  Em- 
mittsburg,  Md.  Three  sisters  came  from  Emmitts- 
burg,  and  took  possession  in  April,  1872.  In  1873, 
a  superior  large  brick  edifice  was  erected,  and  in 
1887,  a  large  addition  was  built  to  it.  The  pres- 
ent number  of  girls  in  the  asylum  is  90 ;  total 
number  cared  for  is  410.  Eight  sisters  are  in 
the  institution. 

House  of  Good  Shepherd  was  established  at 
Fourth  and  Pine  streets  in  1889  by  the  Roman 
Catholics  at  Reading,  and  a  colony  of  sisters  from 
the  Provincial  House  at  Philadelphia  came  to 
Reading  to  take  charge  of  it.  It  continued  there 
until  January,  1900,  when  it  was  removed  to  Glen- 
side,  where  a  superb  institution  was  established  on 
eight  acres  of  ground  at  a  cost  of  $180,000.  The 
object  is  to  reclaim  fallen  girls  and  women,  and 
teach  them  sewing  and  laundry  work,  so  that  when 
they  leave  the  place  they  can  earn  a  living.  They 
are  allowed  to  remain  if  they  wish  to  do  so,  and 
then  they  become  Magdalens.  There  are  25 
cloistered  sisters,  3  outdoor  sisters  and  13  Mag- 
dalens connected  with  the  institution.  Total  num- 
ber of  girls  cared  for  is  228 ;  present  number,  160. 

.S'^  Paul's  Orphan  Asylum  for  Boys  was  estab- 
lished at  No.   137  North  Ninth  stree't  in  1889  by 


the  St.  Paul's  Roman  Catholic  congregation,  and 
16  boys  became  its  first  inmates.  Now  it  harbors 
70  boys;  total  number  cared  for,  200.  In  1897, 
the  institution  was  enlarged.  It  is  supervised  by 
the  rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church  and  supported  by 
voluntary  contributions;   10  sisters  are  in  charge. 

Canstatter  Volks-Fest  Vcrein  was  organized  in 
1882,  for  celebrating  annually  the  "Canstatter 
Volks-Fest,"  and  for  fourteen  years  was  very  suc- 
cessful, the  celebrations  attracting  many  people, 
contributing  much  pleasure,  and  developing  great 
sociability.  The  members  were  almost  entirely 
Germans  and  at  one  time  numbered  275.  It  was 
discontinued  in  1903. 

5".  P.  C.  A. — The  Society  for  the  Prevention  of 
Cruelty  to  Animals  was  organized  in  1891.  It  has 
been  maintained  successfully  until  now.  Thereto- 
fore cruelty  to  animals  was  a  common  occurrence  in 
Reading,  but  after  a  number  of  inhuman  persons 
had  been  prosecuted  and  fined  for  their  cruelty 
to  horses  and  cattle  (about  one  hundred,  mostly 
persons  from  the  country  districts,)  a  much  im- 
proved public  sentiment  followed.  As  a  consequence, 
cruelty  to  animals  is  seldom  seen  upon  the  streets 
and  complaints  on  that  account  are  rare.  This 
was  succeeded  by  the  "Humane  Society  of  Berks 
County,"  incorporated  in  1900  to  protect  children,  as 
well  as  animals,  from  cruel  treatment;  it  has  since 
exerted  much  influence.  Hon.  H.  Willis  Bland 
was  president  until  1903,  and  George  J.  Gross  has 
filled  this  office  since  then.  The  society  established 
comfortable  quarters  at  No.  114  South  Sixth  street ; 
its  membership  is  250. 

Beulah  Anchorage. — This  noble  institution  was 
founded  at  Reading  in  1907  by  Mrs.  M.  L.  Lan- 
dis.  Its  purpose  is  to  rescue  wayward  and  erring 
girls  and  women,  and  help  them  to  secure  positions 
of  honorable  self-support.  The  building  is  situated 
on  Fifth  street  below  Bingaman,  having  been 
secured  at  a  cost  of  $6,000.  Mrs.  Kate  L.  Schultz 
is  the  matron.  It  has  upward  of  six  hundred  con- 
tributing members  and  is  generously  assisted  by 
donations.  Through  its  influence,  many  girls  and 
women  have  been  reformed  and  found  comfortable 
homes. 

RELIGIOUS 

Y.  M.  C.  /4.— The  Young-  ]\Ien's  Christian  As- 
sociation began  at  Reading  m  1860,  but  it  did  not 
continue  long  in  existence.  A  second  attempt  was 
made  in_  1869,  and  the  organization  then  effected 
has  continued  until  the  present  time.  From  1879 
to  1895,  it  was  situated  in  the  Breneiser  building 
at  Eighth  and  Penn  streets.  Its  quarters  were  es- 
tablished at  No.  626  Penn  street  in  1895,  at  a  total 
cost  of  $75,000._  The  exterior  appearance  is  im- 
posing and  the  interior  compartments  for  reading, 
lecturing,  educational,  athletic  and  entertainment 
purposes  are  complete.  F.  S.  Livingood,  Esq.,  has 
been  president  since  1886;  James  H.  Edwards, 
secretary  since  1889.  Special  efforts  were  made  to 
increase  membership  in   1909,  with  great   success. 

W.  C.  T.  C/.— In  1884,  Frances  E."  Wlllard  vis- 
ited Reading  in  behalf  of  the  Women's  Christian 


HOME    FOR    FRIENDLESS    CHILDREN,    READING 


PLAY    GROUNDS-HOME    FOR    FRIENDLESS    CHILDREN,    READING 


READING 


215 


Temperance  Union  and  through  her  influence  a 
society  was  formed  which  has  been  kept  up  since. 
The  members  number  360.  In  1904  a  granite  drink- 
ing fountain  was  erected  on  the  north  side  of  Penn 
Square  in  memory  of  Miss  Willard. 

The  Boys'  Brigade  was  originally  started  in  Scot- 
land in  1883.  The  first  company  in  the  United 
States  was  organized  in  California  in  1889,  and 
the  first  at  Reading  in  1895.  The  object  of  the 
brigade  is  to  advance  Christianity  amongst  boys 
through  military  organization.  All  religious  de- 
nominations are  represented  in  it.  Some  years 
ago,  there  were  at  Reading  eighteen  companies, 
which  constituted  the  5th  Regiment  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  the  total  membership  was  800  boys 
over  eleven  years  of  age.  Each  church  supplied 
the  equipment  for  its  respective  companies.  Re- 
cently, however,  the  enthusiasm  has  subsided  and 
the  regiment  has  dwindled  to  two  companies  con- 
nected with  the  First  Baptist  Church,  numbering 
about  125  members. 

P.  &  R.  Y.  M.  C.  A.— On  March  15,  1896,  ten 
men  met  at  the  home  of  Samuel  Monasmith'  in 
response  to  a  call  from  Edward  A.  Homan  to 
discuss  the  question  of  engaging  in  religious  work 
among  their  fellow  employees  of  the  P.  &  R.  Rail- 
way Company,  and  of  providing  a  place  where 
influences  and  surroundings  would  prove  morally 
and  physically  beneficial. 

Through  the  kindness  of  George  F.  Baer,  Esq., 
then  president  of  the  Reading  Iron  Company,  the 
building  and  grounds  familiarly  known  as  "Green- 
Willow  Park"  (on  Eighth  street,  just  beyond 
Green)  were  set  aside  for  the  use  of  the  new  or- 
ganization, which  became  the  P.  &  R.  Railway 
Department,  Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

The  purpose  of  the  Association  was  to  provide 
an  attractive  place  for  the  intellectual,  social,  physi- 
cal and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  employees  and  it 
has  been  productive  of  beneficent  results  to  all 
such  individuals  who  have  come  under  its  influ- 
ence. The  Association  is  controlled  by  a  Com- 
mittee of  Management,  elected  annually  by  the 
members. 

Any  male  employee,  or  male  member  of  his  fam- 
ily, in  the  service  of  the  Reading  Railway,  Read- 
ing Iron  Company,  or  affiliated  lines  of  service, 
resident  in  or  near,  or  running  into  Reading,  not 
less  than  sixteen  years  of  age,  may  become  a  mem- 
ber. On  March  1,  1909,  there  were  524  memibers, 
including  men  of  all  creeds. 

E.  J.  Dunlap  became  the  first  secretary  in  March, 
1898.  He  was  succeeded  by  James  W.  Leach  in 
September,  1902;  by  Henry  E.  W.  Simon  in  Jan- 
uary, 1905  7  and  by  Edwin  R.  Gobrecht  on  Oct. 
1,  1908,  who  served  efficiently  until  March  31, 
1909,  when  he  resigned  to  become  the  general  sec- 
retary of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  at  Empire,  Panama 
Canal  Zone,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Panama 
Canal  Commission. 

Variety  of  Associations. — In  order  to  show 
the  great  variety  of  the  associations   at  Reading, 


they  have  been  presented  in  the  following  class- 
ification. They  are  indeed  numerous  and  it  is 
apparent  from  the  extent  of  the  variety  that  very 
few  of  the  citizens  are  not  connected  with  any  of 
them.  No  attempt  has  been  made  to  give  the 
membership;  and  the  compiler  can  not  even  pre- 
tend to  have  given  the  names  of  all  the  associa- 
tions. 
Agricultural 

Athletic  and  Sporting 

Baseball  Golf 

Basket-ball         '  Gunning 

Bicycle  Gymnastic 

Boating  Quoiting 

Bowling  Tennis 
Foot-ball 


Charitable 
Associated  Charities 
Home  for  Friendless  Chil- 
dren 
Home    for    Widows    and 

Single  Women 
Hope  Rescue  Mission 
Hospitals,  Reading,  Hom- 
eopathic, St.  Joseph's 
Financial 

Banks    9 

B.  &  S.  Associations  ...  .2 

Historical  ■ 

Historical  Society  of 
Berks  County 

Medical 
Berks   County   Medical 
Reading  Medical 

Military 

Baptist  Boys'  Brigade 
Reading  Artillerists  (Com- 
pany A,  4th  Regt.,  N. 
G.  P.) 
Miscellaneous  50 

Musical — Instrumental 
Amphion's    Musical    Club 
Big   Six   Drum  Corps 
Cadet  Band 
Colonial  Band 
Drexel's   Orchestra 
Fahrbach's  Orchestra 
Germania  Orchestra 
Italian  Band 

Ladies'  Symphony  Or- 
chestra 

Musical — Vocal 
Harmonie  Maennerchor 
Reading   Choral    Society 

Patriotic 

Daughters  of  American 
Revolution 

Political 

Americus  Club 

Eleventh  Ward  Democra- 
tic Club 

Fifth  Ward  Democratic 
Club 

Jackson  Democratic  Club 

Lincoln  Republicans 

McKinley  Club 

Protective 
Reading  Underwriters 


Humane 

Reading   Benevolent 

Reading  Relief 

W.  C.  T.  U. 

Woman's  Employment 

Y.  M.  C.  A. 

Y.  W.  C.  A. 


Trust  Companies    5 


Berks     County    Homoeo- 
pathic 
Reading  Dental 

Reading  Rifles  (Company 
I,  4th  Regt.,  N.  G.  P.) 


Liberty  Drum  Corps 
Military  Drum  Corps 
Philharmonic   Band 
Polish  Band 
Ringgold  Band 
Schuylkill    Drum    Corps 
White  Eagle  Band 


Reading  Liederkranz 


Conrad  Weiser  Branch  of 
D.  A.  R. 

Northeast  Democratic  As- 
sociation 

Northeast  Republican 
League 

Sixth  Ward  Democratic 
Club 

Southeast  Republican 
League 

Volunteer  Fire  Companies 
13 


216 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Religious 

All  the  different  denominations  have  societies  of  a 
literary,  sociable  or  charitable  nature,  numbering  about 
one  hundred. 

Secret  and  Beneficial 
American   Protection   As- 
sociation     6 

American  Mechanics ...  10 

Elks 

F.  and  A.  M 11 

F.  O.  E. 
Foresters  of  America 

G.  A.   R 2 

German    Order    of    Har- 

ugari   2 

Heptasophs 

Knights  of  Friendship..  7 

Knights   of  Golden  Eagle 

10 


Knights  of  Labor  32 

Knights  of  the  Maccabees 

Knights  of  Malta  3 

Knights  of  Mystic  Chain 
Knights  of  Pythias  ...  5 
Modern  Wbodmen  ....  2 

Odd   Fellows    7 

P.  O.  S.  of  A 17 

P.  O.  of  Americans...  4 

Red  Men  11 

Roman  Catholic    25 

Royal   Arcanum    3 

Temperance    4 

Temple  Club 


Social 
Alumni 

Berkshire  Country  Club 
Combine  Club 
Elm  Leaf  Club 
Ivy  Leaf  Club 
Letter   Carriers' 


Nursery  Literary  Associa- 
tion 
Reading  Reading  Club 
West  End  Club 
Woman's   Club 
Wyomissing  Club 


f':  ,^      GOVERNMENT  AND  OFFICIALS 

STATE    REPRESENTATIVES 

Under  the  provisions  of  the  Act  of  ■  May  19, 
1874,  the  State  was  apportioned  into  senatorial  and 
representative  districts.  By  this  apportionment,  the 
■city  of  Reading  was  made  a  separate  district  for 
representatives,  and  authorized  to  elect  two  mem- 
bers. Previously  the  county,  including  the  county- 
seat,  was  one  district  and  the  Assemblymen  chosen 
from  the  city  are  therefore  included  with  the  coun- 
ty officials.  The  following  persons  were  repre- 
sentatives  from  Reading: 

Name  Term 

Amos  B.  Wanner   1875-76 

Jacob    Miller     1875-78 

Jeremiah    Boone    ' 1877-80 

George  McFarlan    1879-82 

John  S.  Wagner   1881-83 

Asa   G.   W.   Smith    1883-86 

Henry  D.  Green    1883-86 

Spencer  H.  Smith   1887-88 

James  L.   Douglas    1887-88 

Allen  S.   Beck   1889-92 

Samuel    D.   Missimer    1889-92 

John  R.  Laucks   1893-94 

John  B.   Goodhart   1893-94 

Edward    HI    Luden    1895-98 

David  West   1895-98 

Daniel  K.  Hoch    1899-1902 

Harry    E.    Drase     1899-1902 

W.   Frank    Mohr    1903-06 

James   B.    Gabriel    1903-06 

W.  Wayne  Weber    1907-08 

John   W.    Morrison    1907-08 

Richard   W.   F.   Reuther    1909-10 

Robert  G.   Bushong   1909-10 

RE.ADING    OFFICIALS 

Town. — The  local  government  at  Reading  from 
1748  to  1783  was  that  commonly  incident  to  a 
township  for  the  regulation  of  road  affairs.  Un- 
til 1760,  it  was  included  in  Alsace  township;  then 
it  was  established  into  a  separate  district. 


Borough. — On  Sept.  13,  1783,  the  town  was 
incorporated  into  a  borough,  and  the  people  were 
invested  with  enlarged  powers  for  local  affairs, 
which  related  chiefly  to  the  streets  and  the  public 
peace.  Provision  was  made  for  the  annual  elec- 
tion of  two  burgesses,  four  assistants  (who  with 
the  chief  burgess  constituted  the  council),  high 
constable,  town  clerk,  two  supervisors  and  two 
assessors.  The  charter  continued  the  same,  ex- 
cepting  several   modifications   about  elections. 

City. — The  borough  was  incorporated  into  a 
city  on  March  16,  1847.  The  Act  preserved  the 
wards  previously  created:  Northeast,  Northwest, 
Southeast,  Southwest  and  Spruce,  and  it  provided 
for  the  election  of  one  select  and  one  common 
councilman  from  each  ward  by  the  electors,  the 
former  for  three  years  and  the  latter  for  one  year; 
for  the  annual  election  of  a  mayor,  treasurer,  and 
three  auditors;  for  the  election  of  select  and  com- 
moii  councilmen  from  the  several  wards,  the  for- 
mer for  three  years  and  the  latter  for  one  year; 
and  it  provided  further  for  the  annual  appoint- 
ment by  councils  of  a  solicitor,  street  regulator, 
SLirveyor,  two  street  commissioners,  market  com- 
missioner, high  constable,  and  scavenger,  and  pres- 
idents and  clerks  of  councils.  It  created  two  dis- 
tricts for  aldermen  (Penn  street  being  the  divid- 
ing _  line),  with  two  aldermen  for  each  district, 
having  similar  term  of  office  and  powers  as  jus- 
tice of  the  peace;  and  the  day  of  election  was 
fixed  for  the  third  Friday  of  March. 

The  Act  was  modified  March  13,  1861,  and  among 
other  things  provided  by  this  second  charter  the 
terms  of  mayor  and  treasurer  were  extended  to 
two  years,  and  of  auditor  to  three  years ;  and  it  was 
again  modified  April  26,  1864,  when  a  third  char- 
ter was  provided,  changing  the  day  of  election  to 
the  second  Friday  of  February,  and  increasing  the 
term  of  common  councilmen  to  two  years,  one-half 
of  the  number  to  be  chosen  every  two  years  alter- 
nately. 

The  general  Act  of  May  23,  1874,  accepted  by 
the  people  as  a  fourth  charter,  made  a  num- 
ber of  changes  in  the  local  government  of  Read- 
ing. The  day  of  election  was  changed  to  the  third 
Tuesday  of  February.  Each  ward  became  en- 
titled to  an  alderman  for  five  vears,  and  a  consta- 
ble and  assessor  for  three  years.  It  substituted 
a  controller  in  the  place  of  "the  auditors,  with  a 
term  of  two  years;  and  increased  the  term  of  en- 
gineer and  solicitor  to  two  years.  All  the  com- 
mon councilmen  were  to  be  elected  every  two 
years. 

A  general  Act  was  passed  May  23,  1889  for 
cities  of  the  third  class  (which  included  Reading) 
and  the  terms  were  made  as  follows :  Mayor,  treas- 
urer, controller,  three  assessors  and  engineer,  three 
years ;  solicitor,  two  years ;  select  councilmeri,  four 
years,  and  common  councilmen,  two  years  The 
Act  of  May  16,  1901,  increased  the  term  of  solici- 
tor to  three  years. 


READING 


5217 


Wards. — The  first  sub-division  of  Reading  was 
made  in  1817'  for  election  purposes.  The  divisions 
were  two,  North  ward  and  South  ward,  with  Penn 
street  as  the  dividing  line.  In  1840,  it  was  sub- 
divided into  four  wards,  Northeast,  Southeast, 
Northwest  and  Southwest,  with  Penn  street  and 
Sixth  street  as  the  dividing  lines.  And  in  1844, 
a  fifth  ward  was  established  called  Spruce,  com- 
prising that  part  of  Reading  which  lay  between 
the  Schuylkill  and  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  rail- 
road south  of  Spruce  street. 

In  1861,  the  names  of  the  wards  were  changed 
to  numerals :  Spruce  vvard  to  First ;  Southwest  to 
Second';  Southeast  to  Third;  Northeast  to  Fourth; 
and  Northwest  to  Fifth.  In  1864,  the  city  was  di- 
vided into  nine  wards.  In  1876,  two  wards  were 
added,  the  Tenth  ward  having  been  taken  from  the 
Second  (constituting  that  portion  lying  east  of 
Tenth  street)  and  the  Eleventh  from  the  Ninth, 
constituting  that  portion  lying  north  of  Button- 
wood  street.  In  November,  1885,  two  additional 
wards  were  created  out  of  parts  of  the  Eleventh 
ward,  the  Twelfth  constituting  the  portion  between 
Greenwich  and  Windsor  streets,  and  the  Thirteenth 
constituting  the  portion  north  of  Windsor.  In 
November,  1893,  two  additional  wards  were  created 
out  of  parts  of  the  Sixth  and  the  Seventh  wards, 
the  Fourteenth  constituting  that  portion  of  the 
Seventh  north  of  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad,  and 
also  that  portion  of  the  Sixth  north  of  the  Lebanon 
Valley  railroad  and  east  of  Second  street  and 
Centre  avenue;  and  the  Fifteenth  constituting  the 
remaining  portion  of  the  Sixth,  north  of  the  Leb- 
anon Valley  railroad.  And  in  November,  1894,  the 
Sixteenth  was  created  out  of  that  portion  of  the 
Eighth  which  lay  east  of  Eleventh  street,  and  that 
portion  of  the  Tenth  east  of  Thirteenth  street. 

The  Act  of  March  23,  1889,  provided  for  repre- 
sentation from  the  wards  in  councils  as  follows: 
In  select,  one  member  for  four  years;  in  common, 
two  members  for  two  years  until  the  city  came  to 
comprise  fifteen  wards,  when  the  representation  in 
common  should  become  one  member. 

Elective  Officials. — The  following  officials  are 
elected  by  the  electors  of  the  entire  city  every  three 
years  at  the  municipal  election  on  the  third  Tues- 
day in  February :  Mayor,  controller,  treasurer,  and 
three  assessors;  and  the  following  by  the  electors 
of  the  sixteen  respective  wards :  select  councilmen 
for  four  years  and  common  councilmen  for  two 
years. 

Appointive  Officials. — The  following  are  ap- 
pointed : 

By  the  mayor:  Chief  of  police,  four  sergeants, 
sixty-five  patrolmen,  two  operators  of  the  police 
telegraph,  two  turnkeys,  two  patrol  drivers,  elec- 
trician, police  clerk,  commissioner  of  markets  and 
city  property,  and  scavenger,  all  subject  to  approval 
of  councils. 

,  By  council:  City  clerk  (four  years)  ;  four  water 
commissioners  ,(four  years)  ;  city  engineer  (three 
years)  ;  city  solicitor   (three  years)  ;  five  members 


board  of  health,  who  select  two  physicians  (indefin- 
ite period) ;  four  common  commissioners  (four 
years)  ;  four  commissioners  of  public  works  (four 
years) ;  superintendents,  clerks,  assistants,  etc.,  for 
the  several  departments.  Matron  appointed  since 
March,  1898. 

Officials  for  Wards. — Officials  are  elected  at  the 
municipal  election  in  February  by  the  voters  of 
each  ward:  Alderman  (term  five  years)  ;  constable 
(three  years)  ;  and  assessor  (three  years)  ;  besides 
the  representatives  in  the  select  and  common  coun- 
cils, and  in  the  school  board. 

Officials  for  Precincts. — All  the  wards  of  Read- 
ing, excepting  the  Fourth,  are  divided  into  precincts, 
numbering  altogether  fifty.  Each  of  these  pre- 
cincts is  an  election  district,  and  annually,  on  the 
third  Tuesday  in  February,  the  voters  elect  a 
judge,  two  inspectors  and  a  registry  assessor.  The 
Fourth  ward  constitutes  an  election  district  by 
itself;  as  to  this  district,  there  is  no  registry  as- 
sessor, the  ward  assessor  performing  the  duties  of 
that  office  also. 

BURGESSES 

The  Act  of  Sept.  13,  1783,  provided  for  the  an- 
nual election  in  May  of  two  burgesses  and  four  as- 
sistants, the  first  appointees  until  May  1,  1784,  hav- 
ing been:  burgesses,  Daniel  Levan  and  William 
Scull ;  assistants,  Peter  Nagle,  John  Spohn,  Benja- 
min Spyker,  Jr.,  and  James  Mjay. 

A  complete  list  of  the  burgesses  from  1783  to 
1847  was  not  obtainable.  After  dihgent  search  the 
names  of  the  following  persons  who  officiated  were 
discovered  (no  minutes  between  1786-89,  1791-93, 
1795-96-97-98)  : 

Name  Term 

Daniel  Levan  and  William  Scull   1783 

Charles  Biddle  and  John  Mears 1784 

James  Diemer  and  Jacob  Winey   1785 

James   May  and  William  Green    1790 

Christian  Barrenstine  and  John  Otto  ,. . .  .1793-94 

Jacob   Bright ' 1799-1800 

Henry  Hahn  a:nd  Peter  Stichter   1803 

Jacob  Bright  (Brecht)  and  John  Strohecker   1804 

Fred'k    Fritz     1807-08 

Nicholas    Dick    1810 

John    Spayd    1815-22 

William   Witman    1822-25 

Peter   Nagle,  Jr 1825-31,   1832,-33,   1837-39 

Henry    A.    Muhlenberg    1831-32 

George    M.    Keim    1833-34. 

Anthony    Bickel    1834-35 

Thomas    Keppel    1835-36 

William    Schoener 1836-37,    1839-43 

William    High 1843-44 

William    Betz     1844-47 


Name  Term 

Peter    Filbert    ,. .  .  1847-48 

William  H.  Keim   • 1848-49 

George    Getz    ,. 1849-53 

Daniel   R.    Clymer 185i3-54 

John   S.   Richards    1854-55 

William   M'.   Baird    , 1855-56 

Joel   B.   Wanner    1856-57 

A.   Jordan  Swartz    1857-58 

Benneville  Keim   1858-61 

Joel   B.   Wanner    1861-63 


>A8 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Joseph   S.   Hoyer    1863-63 

Nathan    AI.    Eisenhower     •■ .  1865-67 

William    H.    Gernand    1867-71 

Samuel    C.    Mayer    1871-73 

Charles    F.    Evans    1873-79 

Henry   A.   Tyson    1879-81 

William  G.  Rowe   . . .' 1881-85 

James    K.    Getz    1885-87 

James    R.    Kenney    1887-90 

Thomas   P.   Merritt    1890-93 

William    F.   Shanaman    1893-96 

Jacob  Weidel    1896-99 

Adam  H.   Leader    1899-1903 

Edward    Yeager    1902-05 

Edwin  R.  Gerber   1905-08 

William    Rick    1908-11 

CHIEFS    OF    POLICE 
Name  Term 

John   L.    Morris    1847-49;    1858-59 

Henry  Seitzinger   1849-51 

John    H.    Nagle    1851-54 

Reuben  Goodhart  1854-55 

William   Y.   Lvon    lS5r>-.-,T ;    1860-61 

Samuel   Folk    1857-58 

Henry    Wunder    1859-60 

Howard    L.    Aliller    1861-63 

Jacob   B.   Mast    1863-65 

Joseph    Deysher    1865-67 

William  McNall  1867-71 

Peter    Cullen     '. 1871-79;    1893-96 

Daniel   Housum   1S79-81 

Raymond  B.  Lewis  1881-85 

Frederick    H.    Fleck    1885-87 

Mahlon    Shaaber     1887-90 

Richard  M.  Whitman    1890-93 ;   1902-08 

John    F.   Albrecht    1896-98 

Jacob   Etzel   1898-99 

Milton   J.   Miller    1899-1902 

Charles   E.  Auman    1908-11 

TREASURERS 
Name  Term 

George  Feather   1847-55 

George    R.    Frill    1855-56 

Daniel    S.    FIoU    1856-57 

George  W.  Bruckman   1857-58 

Miichael    Kraemer     1858-59 

Peter   Cleaver   1859-61 

Peter   Shaneman    18G1-63 

William   Heidenreich    1863-71 

John  E.  Arthur .■ 1871-85 

Horatio   Jones    1885-87 

John    Obokl    1887-03 

John   M.    Bertolet    1893-96 

Henry   G.   Young    1896-98 

John  Y.   Hoffman    1898-1903 

Walter  M.  Tyson   1902-08 

Edward  H.  F'ilbert  1908-11 

AUnlTORS 
Name  Term 

Lewis  J.  Hanold    1847-48 

Nathan   Eisenhower    1847-49;    185.9-61 

John   L.   Reifsnyder    1847-49 

Frank   B.   Miller    1848-49 

Jacob    B.    Smith     1849-50 

Z.  H.  Maurer   1849-51 ;   18o4-:.rj 

Jeremiah  Bitting   1849-50 

John  Darrah   1850-53 

George    Heckman    1850-51 

James  L.  Rightniyer  1851-52 

John  F.  Evans   1851-54 

John    F.    Moers    1852-53 

A.  W.   Nagle   1852-53  ;   1 854-55 

John   Pfleager   1853-54 

William    Briner     1853-54 

John  J,  Tyson 1854-55 


Peter  Cleaver   1855-56 

William   Geiger    1855-56 

John   A.   Banks    1855-56 

Matthias    Babb     1856-57 

William    Henry     1856-57 

Albert   G.   Green    1856-57 

William  Umbenhower   1857-58 

Wharton   Morris    1857-58;    1861-62 

James  Van   Horn    1858-59 

Amos    B.    Wanner    1858-59 

John  O.  Schoener   1858-59 

Peres    Hain     1859-60 

Charles    Scull     1859-60 

Henry  Eppihimer    1860-61 

James    A.    Fasig    1860-61 

B.  Frank  Haas   1861-63 

Charles   F.   Smith    1861-64 

Lewis    Briner    1863-65 

Henry  Kerper    1863-66 

Isaac  R.  Fisher   1864-67 

John  S.  Aulenbach   1865r-68 

William   M.    Goodman    1866-69 

John   E.   Arthur    1867-71 

Hiester  j\L   Nagle    1868-71 

W.   Murray  Weidman    1869-73 

Levi   H.   Liess    1871-74 

JJohn    Keppelman    1873-73 

Jacob    Lenhart     1873-75 

Isaac   T.   James    1ST3-75 

Henry   M'.    Keim    1874-75 

CONTROLLERS 
Name  Term 

William  Briner    

Chester  N.   Farr,  Jr 1875-76 

Henry  A.  Tyson   1876-79 

William   A.    Runkel    1879-81 

Joseph    Housum     1881-88 

J.   Lawrence   Getz    1888-93 

Samuel   R.   Kerper    1892-93 

Walter   B.   Koch    1893-96 

Adam   H.    Leader    1896-99 

Charles   L.    Moll    1899-1908 

Obadiah   B.    Dorward    1908-11 

Water  Boaed. — The  city  was  divided  into  four 
districts  for  the  election  of  commissioners  of  water 
by  an  Act  passed  March  21,  1865.  Sixth  street 
and  Penn  street  were  made  the  dividing  hnes ;  and 
city  councils  were  required  to  elect  four  persons, 
one  from  each  district.  Of  the  first  board,  two 
were  to  hold  office  for  two  years  and  the  remaining- 
two  for  four  years.  Thereafter  every  two  years, 
councils  have  elected  two  members  for  four  years. 
The  office  is  without  compensation.  The  'board 
is  authorized  to  employ  a  superintendent  and  work- 
men for  carrying  on  the  department.  The  follow- 
ing have  been  the  commissioners  : 

COMMISSIONERS 

First  District 
N^me  Term 

David  A.  Stout   1865-73 

Solomon    L.    Snyder    1873-77 

George  K    Levan    '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.  1877-80 

Matthias    Mengel    1880-81 

Charles  K.  Hillegas   '  is81-83 

Jacob    Holl    .■.'.'.■.'.'.'.■.■.'::  1883-90 

Frank  A.  Tyson    1891-98 

i;  ,^-    ■^.'■y  ;  ■ 1898-1901 

Edward    Elbert    1901* 

Second  District 

Tohn  Malzberger   1865-67 

Thomas  L.  Addison   1867-73  ;   lS77-s.-> 


READING 


219 


Aug.  C.  Greth  1873-77 

Charles   Melcher    1877-77 

Albert  A.  Heizmann   1885-&2 

Jesse   Orr    1892-92 

Abner  S.  Deysher  1893-93 

Frederic   P.   Heller    1893* 

Third  District 

Jacob    Bushong    .* 1865-67 

Jacob  C.  Hoflf  1867-71 

William  -R.  Mcllvain 1871-83 

Isaac    McHiose    1883-87 

James  Rick    1887-91 

M'atthan  Harbster    1891-1907 

A.  Ellsworth  Leinbach   1907  

Fourth  District 

Joseph   Mishler    1865-67 

Levi  J.   Smith    1867-75 ;   1879-83 

Addy   Gehry    '. 1875-79 

F.  S.  Jacobs   1883-91 

George  H.  Felix    1891-1904 

Solomon   H.    Close    1904* 

SUPERINTENDENTS 
Name  Term 

Marks   B.   Scull    1865-82 

William  B.  Harper   1882-92 

William  B.  Albright  1892-95 

Emil   L.    Nuebling    1895-1909 

Park  Commissioners. — The  board  of  common 
commissioners  was  established  by  an  ordinance 
passed  Sept.  28,  1887,  and  the  councils  in  joint 
convention  were  authorized  to  elect  four  commis- 
sioners, for  four  years,  one  from  each  section,  with 
Sixth  and  Penn  streets  as  the  dividing  lines.  At 
the  first  election,  the  two  having  the  highest  num- 
ber of  votes,  and  the  two  having  the  lowest,  were 
to  be  declared  as  elected,  and  one  of  each  was  to 
be  elected  for  four  years,  and  one  of  each  for  two 
years ;  and  thereafter  every  two  years  two  commis- 
sioners were  to  be  elected  for  four  years.  The  elec- 
tion was  to  take  place  on  the  first  Monday  of  Sep- 
tember. The  following  persons  have  been  mem- 
bers of  the  board;  and  the  board  was  empowered 
to  appoint  a  superintendent  and  employ  laborers. 

Name  Term 

George   F.    Baer    1888-1910 

Walter  S.  Davis   1888-1910 

Thomas   P.  Merritt    1888-92 

David  F.  Lotz   1888-92 

David   E.    Benson    1892-1902 

Philip   Bissinger    1892-98 

Jacob  A.  Strohecker   1898-1909t 

James  L.   Douglas    1902-10 

PARK    SUPERINTENDENTS 
Name  Term 

William  H.   Burke    1887-1906 

William  I.  Hoch 1906-10 

ASSESSORS 

From  1874  to  1889,  the  voters  of  each  ward 
elected  an  assessor  for  three  years  to  assess  real 
and  personal  property  for  purposes  of  taxation. 
Then,  under  the  Act  of  May  23,  1889,  cities  of  the 
third  class  were  authorized  to  elect  three  persons 
as  a  board  of  city  assessors  to  serve  from  the  first 

*  Continued  by  re-election. 

t  Died  Feb.  27,  1909,  and  William  K.  Leithiser  appointed  suc- 
cessor. 


Monday  in  April  for  three  years.  This  board  has 
accordingly  from  that  time  assessed  the  property 
in  Reading  for  city  purposes,  and  city  councils  have 
fixed  the  rate  of  taxation  according  to  the  demands 
for  revenue.  Ward  assessors  are  still  elected,  how- 
ever, at  the  municipal  election  every  three  years, 
for  county  purposes.  The  following  have  been  the 
assessors : 

Name  Term 

Frederick   Stephan    1890-93 

William  W.   Werner    1890-93 

Henry  A.   Ruth    1890-93 

Christian   C.   Frantz   1893-96 

Daniel    Beidler     1893-99 

Adam  H.  Leader  1893-96 

Abraham    H.    Reeser     1896-99 

Aaron    H.    Dunkle    1896-99 

Charles    F.    Yeity    1899-1902 

Henry  S.  Young   1899-1902 

Mlahlon  Fies   1899-1908 

Howard  O.  Sharman 1902-05 

J.  Peter  Koch  1902-08 

William    Luppold    1905-11 

Charles  J.  Hoff   ' 1907-10 

Charles  M.  Brissel 1909-12 

BUILDING    INSPECTORS 

The  office  of  building  inspector  was  established 
by  ordinance  passed  on  Jan.  5,  1889,  and  the  mayor 
was  authorized  to  appoint  a  suitable  person  for  a 
term  of  three  years.  The  following  persons  have 
officiated : 

Name  Term 

Joseph  A.  -Heine   1891-92 

Monroe  A.  Moser  1892-93 

Abraham   Seiverd    1893-96 

John  S.  Wagner   1896-1902 

Harry  A.  Heckman    1903-08 

Oscar  D.  H'enne  ; 1908-11 

BOARD   OF  PUBLIC    WORKS 

A  board  of  public  works  was  established  by  city 
councils  Nov.  30,  1895,  for  the  purpose  of  super- 
vising the  grading,  paving,  repairing  and  regulat- 
ing of  the  streets,  and  of  controlhng  the  house 
sewerage,  pumping  and  disposal  system ;  which  was 
to  comprise  four  commissioners,  who  were  to  be 
appointed  by  city  councils,  the  appointees  to  be  se- 
lected from  the  electors  of  the  four  districts  of 
Reading,  and  the  dividing  lines  of  the  districts  to 
be  Chestnut,  Walnut  and  Douglass  streets.  This 
board  has  officiated  since  that  time,  having  directed 
its  attention  more  particularly  toward  the  establish- 
ment of  sewers  for  surface  and  house  drainage, 
and  of  paved  streets.  The  following  have  been 
members  of  this  board: 

First  District 
Name  Term 

Henry  Eppihimer   1896-98 

James   L.   Douglas    1898-1900 

Charles   E.   Leippe   1900-02 

John   M.   Archer    1902-04 

Andrew  J.  Fink,  Jr. • 1904-10 

Second  District 

Jerome  L.  Boyer  1896-98 

Charles  W.   Potteiger   J.898-1906 

Walter   Essick    1906-10 


220 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Third  District 

George   Eltz    1S96-1906 

Frank  A.  Schofer    1906-10 

Fourth  District 

Ferdinand  Goetz   1896-1901 

Edwin  R.  Gerber    1901-05 

Charles   H.    Hunter    1905-10 

SELECT    COUNCILMEN 
UNDER   CHARTERS   OF   1847   AND   1861 

Northeast   Ward 
Name  Term 

John   Y.    Cunnius    1847-51 

Peter   F.   Na^le    1851-54 

Joseph    Henry 1854-57 

Joseph   Ritter    1857-60 

George   Foos    1860-63 

Levi  J.   Smith    1863-65 

Northwest  Ward 

Hiester   H.    Muhlenberg    1847-49 

Joel  Ritter   1849-52 

Tobias   Barto    1853-5'5 

Ivens   Benson    '. 1855-58 

Francis    Bright    1858-61 

Jacob    C.   Hoff   1861-64 

Jacob     Bushong     1864-65 

Southeast  Ward 

Henry  Nagle    1847-50;   1854-56 

Frederick  Printz    1850-53 

Joshua   Keely    1853-54 

Hiram   C.   Ritter    1856-59 

Robert    Caldwell    1859-62 

David  Levan  1862-65 

Southzucst  Ward 

Richard    Boone    1847-49 

Charles  H.  Hunter  1849-52 

Augustus  Boas   1852-55 

Samuel    Frees    1855-58 

Frederick  S.  Boas  1858-61 

Isaac  McHose    <-. 1861-64 

Peter    Hoch    1864-65 

Spruce   Ward 

John  Darrah   1847-49 

Thomas  Hill   1849-53 

Henry  W.   Raudenbush    1853-56 

John    D.    Mlorris    1856-62 

Samuel   Robinson    1862-65 

UNDER    CHARTERS    OF    1864    AND    1874 

First    Ward 
Name  Term 

Amos  H.  Deysher   1865-68 

John  D.  Morris   1868-71 

Matthan    Harbster    1871-74 

Jesse    Orr    1874-80 

Glauser    Miller     1880-88 

Matthew    Rhoda    1888-1908 

Frederick  H.   Robitzer    1908-12 

Second   Ward 

Zeno    Hoffmaster    1865-69 

Henry   C.   Hain    1869-73 

Henry  Seiders    1873-75 

Levi    Richards    ; 1875-77 

Simeon   S.   Sands    1877-80 

Samuel  -Robinson    1880-83 

Michael   MtCullough    1 883-87 

Israel   S.   Fry    1887-88 

Daniel   Auchenbach    1888-90 

John  H.  Thamm    1890-94 

William  R.  Madden    '..1894-1902 

Joseph  MicCulloueh    1902-06 

James  M.  Cummings   1906-10 


Third    Ward 

Adam  Kutz   1865-67 

John  S.   Schroeder    1867-70 

Calvin   Goodman   1870-73 

Charles   S.   Herb    1873-76 

William  G.  McGowan   1876-79 

Jacob  Goodman   1879-83 

Richard  S.   Dunkel   .  . . '. 1882-85 

Jeremiah  G.  Mohn   1885-87 

Charles   B.   WeIIs    ; .  1887-89 

Samuel    G.    Heinly 1889-90 

Henry  C.  Schroeder   1890-94 

Jacob  B.  Stout  1894-1900 

John  R.  Mast   1900-13 

Fourth   Ward 

Peter    Hoch    1865-67 

J.  Timothy  Jackson    1867-70 

George    W.    Morgan    1870-73 

James  L.  Douglas   1873-76 

William    S.    Monyer    1876-79 

James    Lord     1879-82 

Albert  A.   Heizmann    1882-85 

John    A.    Rigg    188di-94 

Dr.    H.    L.   Johnson    1894-1902 

Dr.   F.  W.  Frankhouser   1903-06 

E.  B.  Slichter  1906-10 

Fifth    Ward 

Frederick   Lauer    1865-71 

William    Call    1871-74 

F.  P.    Heller    1874-77;    1883-86 

Benjamin    Lichtenthaler     1877-80 

Harrison  Harner  1880-83 

Frederic  P.  Heller   1883-86 

John   R.    Miller    1886-88 

William   H.    Bitting    1888-1913 

Sixth    Ward 

George  W.   Garst   1865-70 

George  W.   Bushong   1870-76 

George   Rader    1876-82 

Levi   J.   R.    Krick    1883-87 

Edward    Yeager    1887-88 

Francis  M.   Henning    1888-89 

William    F.   Shanaman    1889-90 

John    H.    Keppelman    1890-98 

William  W.  \Vunder   1898-1910 

Seventh   Ward 

Levi   J.    Smith    1865-66 

George  J.  Eckert    1866-69 

Frederick  W.  Lauer  1869-72 

Henry  R.   Hawman    1873-75 

George    Foos    1875-77 

John  H.  Maltzberger  1877-80 

F.  Snyder  Jacobs  '_  1880-83 

J.    G.    Leinbach    1883-90 

b.    F,    Bressler    1890-93 

Dr.  G.  Benton  Beaver  , 1892-96 

Howard  L.  Boas   "...'.!!  !i896-1906 

Ira   W.    Stratton    1906-10 

Eighth    Ward 

Joseph    Henry    1865-66 

Eh   S.    Fox    1866-67 

Franklin  S.  Bernhart   1867-69 

Charles    Breneiser    , 1869-72 

Henry   S.    Eckert    1873-75 

Joseph   Ganser 1875-80 

George   W.    Bruckman    1880-83 

J.    A.    Strohecker    '.','.'.'.  1883-86 

Solomon   S.   Kind    1886-90 

William   B.    Laucks 1890-94 

William    H.   Wetherhold    ..1894-98 

John  H.   Close   \,\  1898-1910 


READING 


321 


Ninth   Ward 

Frederick  Printz   1865-68 

Isaac  R.  Fisher   1868-71 

Mahlon   Kline 1871-77 

Jacob   B.   Mast    1877 

John.   Stark    1877-80 

Dominic   Kremp    • 1880-86 

John   Sauer    1886-88 

Charles   F.   Fink    1888-90 

Joseph  Goldsmith    1890-92;   1900-04 

George  W.   Romig    1893-1900;   1904-13 

Tenth    Ward 

Owen  S.  Swartz   1876-83 

John   L.   Lawrence    1883-89 

Peter  S.  Holl   1889-98 

John  A.   Rauen    1898-1902 

Edward  Taenzer   1902-05 

Harry   C.   Weber    1905-10 

Eleventh  Ward 

William    Geiger     1876-79 

William   H.   Kelly    1879-83 

Hayward    H.    Heckman     1882-87 

George  B.  McC.  Hess    1887-96 

Harry  J.  Wentzel   1896-1900 

Elmer    E.    Hess    1900-04 

Jacob  F.  H'ollenbacher   1904-06 

John   H.   Stoner    1906-13 

Twelfth  Ward 

Harrison  S.  Hartman   1886-88 

Samuel   Millmore    1888-90 

Amos   H.   Beard    1890-1910 

Thirteenth  Ward 

M.  Leroy  Wenger    1886-90 

John  S.  Wagner    1890-93 

Charles  H.  Ramsey   1892-95 

W.  Abbott  Whitman    1895-1900;   1904-08 

Edwin  K.  Mersinger  1900-04 

Irwin    S.   Riegel    1904-12 

Fourteenth  Ward 

Isaac    W.    Hull    1893-1906 

John   B.   Raser   , 1906-10 

Fifteenth  Ward 

Henry   S.   Young    1893-96 

P.  Monroe  Krick   1896-1904 

A.    E.    Keeport    1904-08 

William  M.  Smeck  1908-13 

Sixteenth  Ward 

Paul   D.   Millholland    1895-97 

George  B.   Qouser    1897-1902 

Lyman   H.  Ruth    1903-06 

Richard   Hull    1906-10 

PRESIDENTS     OF    SELECT     COUNCIL 
Name  Term 

Henry   Nagle    18^7-50;    1854-5.5 

Joel    Ritter    ! 1850-52 

Peter  F.  Nagle 1852-54 

Samuel  Frees   1855-58 

Hiram    C.    Ritter    1858-59 

John  D.  Morris  1859-60;  1861-62 

Frederick  S.   Boas    1860-61 

Jacob   C.   Hoflf   1862-64 

Jacob   Bushong    1864-65 

Levi   J.    Smith    1865-66 

George  W.   Garst   1866-67 ;   1868-70 

Frederick  Lauer 1867-68 

George  W.  Morgan   :  . .  1870-71 ;  1872-73 

Frederick    W.    Lauer    1871-72 

Henry  S.  Eckert   1873-75. 

James   L.   Douglas    1875-76 

Frederic    P.    Heller    1876-77 

Jesse    Orr 1877-79 

Joseph   Ganser   1879-80 

William    H.    Kelly    1880-83 

F.    Snyder  Jacobs    1883 

Levi  J.   R.   Krick      1882-83 


John    L.    Lawrence    1883-84 

Michael  McCulIough    1884-85 

Hayward   H.   Heckman    1885-86 

John   A.    Rigg    ' 1886-89 

George   B.   McC.   Hess    1889-92 

George  W.  Romig   1892-94 

Peter   S.    Holl    1894-95 

Amos  H.  Beard  1895-96 

Isaac  W.  Hull 1896-97 

Jacob  B.  Stout   1897-98 

George  B.  Clouser 1898-99 

Matthew  Rhoda  . . '. 1899-1900 

William  H.  Bitting  1900-01 

Howard  L.  Boas   -.1901-03 

John  H.  Close 1903-09 

Ira  W.  Stratton 1909-10. 

CLERKS    OF    SELECT    COUNCIL 
Name  ,  Term 

John  L.  Rightmyer   1847-51 

James  L.  Rightmyer    1851-52 

Nathan  M.  Eisenhower   1853-61 

A.  Lucius  Hennershotz 1861-63 

Adam  Waid 1862-64 

B.  Frank  Haas   ". 1864-73 

Edward  A.  Howell 1873-79 

John  H.  Keppelman  1879-84 

George  H.  Felix 1884-88 

Cyrus  T.  Fox 1888-89 

I.  Comley  Fetter 1889-95 

Edwin  L.  Lindemuth   . ' 1895-98 

John   H.   Thamm    1898-1901 

Lincoln  S.  Ram,sey   1901-04;  1908-10 

James  J.  Burns   1904-08 

Harry  R.  Zimmerman   1909-10 

COMMON     COUNCILMEN 
UNDER  CHARTERS   OF   1847   AND   1861 

Northeast    Ward 
Name  Term 

Jacob  Malsberger   1847-51 ;   1853-55 

Daniel   Spang    1847-49  ■ 

Henry    Herbold    1849-50 

Christian    Filer    1850-51 

William   Fricker    1851-52 

Joseph    Henry    1851-53 

Joseph    Ritter    .' 1852-53 

Mbrris   Rambo    1853-55;    1859-60 

Francis    Roland 1853-55;    1856-57 

George  Cutler 1855-56 

David   Gross    1855-56;  1860-61 

Henry  Hahn   1855-56 

Henry  Heckman   .• 1856-57 

George   A.   Struben    1856-57 

Henry  A.  M.  Filbert   1857-59 

Jacob  B.  Mast 1857-59 

Christian  Schultz 1857-58 

Isaac  R.  Fisher    1858-59 

Henry   Grouse    185.9-60 

George  Foos   1859-60 

Daniel    Kline    ,, 1859-61 

Henry  P.  Herb  1860-62 

Jacob  Donahower   1861-63 

Ferd.  S.  Ritter  1860-62;  1863-64 

William   Umbenhower    186  1-r:j 

William    Heidenreich    1863-63 

Joseph  S.  Hoyer   1862-63 

Levi  J.  Smith   1862-63 

Peter  Tinsman  1863-64 

James  Donagan   , 1863-64 

James  T.   Reber    1863-64 

Frederick  R.  Fritz   ■.  .1864-65 

Henry  Miller    1864-65 

George  K.  Levan 1864-65 

Amos  B.  Wanner   1864-65. 


222 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Northwest    Ward 

Lewis     Briner  1847-49 

Herman    Beard    1847-49 

William    Henry    1849-50 

Peres  Hain    1849-50 

Charles  F.  S.   Fisher   1850-51 

Levi  Malsberger    1850-51 

Adam  Moyer 1851-54 

William  Yeich    1851-53 

M.  A.  Bertolet   1853-54;  1856-58 

Charles   Seiders    1854-55 

D.    Bright    Yerger    1854-56 

Jacob   C.   Hoff   1855-56 

Henry    Riegel     1856-57 

Jacob   Bushong    1857-58 

William   Rhoads,   Sr 1857-58 

Jacob  Boyer   1858-59 

Franklin  S.   Bickley   1858-59 

William     Krick     1858-59;     1862-63;     1864-65 

D.  Llewellyn  Beaver   1859  -60 

George    de    B.    Keim     1859-60 

Adam    Plank     1859-61 

George   Frees    1860-61 

Samuel  U.  Hollenbach  1860-61 

Frank  M.   Cooley   1861-62 

Amos  W.  Potteiger   1861-62;   1863-64 

Benjamin    Weis     1  S61-'32 

Charles    Seiders     1SU2-63 

Augustus    S.    Thompson     1852-63 

Jacob  Bushong 1  S63-b4 

Casper   Reifsnyder    18i".3-65 

Jacob   Mishler    1S64-65 

Southeast    Ward 

John   Goodman    1847-49 

Jacob  Young 1S47-50 

Thomas    Barret     1S49-50 

Daniel  Borkert 1850-51;  1564-65 

Matthias  Babb   1850-51 

D.   M.   Eisenhower    , 1851-52 

Frederick  H.  Miller   1 851-52 

Matthias    Eisenbeis    1852-53 

Jacob     Geiger     1852-53 

Hiram   C.   Ritter    1853-55 

Robert   Caldwell    1853-54 

Joseph   Rambo    1854-55i 

John  Shaaber    1855-56 

Solomon  L.  Snyder 1855-56;  1862-63 

Aaron  Steinbach    1855-56 

Jacob  Geiger  1856-57 

Adam    Kutz    1856-57 

William  S.  Young   1856-58 ;  1861-62 

Michael     Rightmyer     1857-58 

David  A.  Stout  1857-58 

Nicholas   A.   Felix    '. 1858-59 

Isaiah    Jennings 1858-59 

William    Harden    1858-59 

James  M.  Roland   1859-60 

Amos    Seidel    1859-60 

John  Yerger   1859-50 

Daniel     Beyerle     1860-61 

Joseph     Shearer     1860-61 

George  W.   Ubil    1860-61 

William    Eisenbise    1861-62 

William    S.    Ritter    1861-62 

Charles    Breneiser     1862-63 

Andrew   Davis    1862-63 

Jacob  Goodman   1863-64 

Henry    Seidel     1863-64 

John   Tigh    1863-64 

Sebastian  Lieber   1864-65 

Jacob   Ringgold    ■ 1864-65 

Southwest    Ward 

Isaac  T.  James  1847-48 

Samuel    Frees    1847-50 

Philip   K.   Miller    1847-50 

Reuben   Haus    1848-50 


Nathan  M.  Eisenhower 1850  5 1 

William  Peacock  1850-51 

John   Malsberger    1850-51;  1854-55 

M.   H.    Nimnemacber    1851-52 

Augustus    C.    Ho£f    1851-53 

N.  V.  R.  Hunter   1851-52 

Daniel  Housum   1852-54 

Peter  D.  Getz   1852-53;   1857-58 

Howard  L.   Miller    1853-54 

Adam  Waid    1853-54;   1859-61 

George    Heckman     1854-56 

Cyrus   J.   Hunter    1854-55 

John   Fink    1855-57 

Peter  R.   Lotz    1855-56 

Peter  Hoch 1856-57;  1858-60;  1862-64 

Philip   Lotz    1856-57 

Isaac   Bertolet    1857-58 

Reuben   Goodhart    1857-58 

J.  Frederick  M'oers   1858-59 

David  Rhein   1858-59 

Henry  Eppihimer 1859-60 

William    Call     1860-62 

J.   Timothy   Jackson    1860-61 

Frederick  S.   Hunter    1861-62 

Arnold    Mellert     1861-62;  1863-64 

William    B.    Hertzel    1862-63 

John    H.    Kelly    1862-63 

James   L.   Douglas    1863-65 

William  I.  Clous   1864-65 

Hiram    S.    Getz     1864-65 

Spruce    Ward 

George   W.    Bruckman    1847-48 

Jacob   H.    Boyer    1848-49 

Abraham   S.   Whitman    1849-50 

William    Yeager    1849-50 

William  A.  Wells   1850-51 

Edmund    Morris    1850-52 

George  Newkirk    185.1-53 

Samuel    Spatts     1852-53 

David   E.   Evans    1853-54 

William  Call   1853-55 

John    D.    Morris    1854-56 

Joseph  A.  McLean   1855-56 

Jacob   H.   Deysher    1856-57 

William  L.  Lotz   1856-57 

Wm.  B.  Albright 1857-59;  1861-62 

Lewis    Hagenman     1857-58 

Zeno  Hoffmaster 1857-58;  1860-62 

Wile   Bright    1858-59 

Miartin    Deysher    1858-60 

Samuel    Craig    1859-60;    1862-63 

Smith    P.   Ubil    1859-61 

Samuel    M.    Fillman     1860-62 

Philip  Albright  [  1862-63 

John     Hetrich     1862-65 

Amos    Deysher     1863-65 

Redmond    MtManus    1863-64 

Henry  Seiders    ,',[[  1864-65 

UNDER   CHARTERS    OF   1864   AND    1874 

First  Ward 
Name  Xerm 

Charles  Ringel   1865-66 

Marks   Drumheller    1865-67 

Enos  M   Reazor  ][[  1866-68 

Daniel   B.    Rhoads    1867-69 

Solomon  Brubaker   1868-70 

Matthan    Harbster    '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'.V.  1869-71 

William   J.    Frame    1870-72 

D.   Young  Jones    1871-73 

■Ix°r''n-  ^-  V^'X^^U-  ; 1872-74;   1878-80 

Wilham  A.   C.   Oaks    1873.-5 

Henry   W.    Corbit    1874  76 

John  stieff ■..'.■.::;;;  is75-8o 

Louis    Richards     1875-78 

George  J.   Kilmer    .'.'....'....!."!.'!.".'  1875-76 

Amos   H.   Deysher    1876-78 


READING 


333 


George   H.   Corbit   ...1876-78 

Henry  S.  Gaul   1878-80 

Glauser    Miller    1878-80 

G.   M.    D.   Albertson    1880-83 

William    Morris    1880-82 

William  J.   Bobst    1880-86 

Charles  Broschkowsky   ' 1880-81 

Amos  Huyett    1881-84;   1885-86 

B.  Frank  Kupp  . , 1883-84 

James    E.    Yoder    1883-84 

Matthew   Rhoda    1884-87 

Albert   Moore 1884-86 

D.  Elmer  Dampman    1887-95 

Theodore   Dickinson    1886-87 

Aaron   E.   Killmer    1887-89 

Daniel  A.  Kreisher 1887-89 

Charles   N.   Frame    1889-89 

W.  Harry  Orr   1889-90 

Morris  E.  Barber 1889-90 

James  B.  Gabriel  1890-91 

Wellington  G.   Woods    1891-93 

William  Templin 1895-1905 

James   A.    Clark    1905-07 

George    J.    Butter    1907-11 

Second   Ward 

Mallory    Geiger     1865-66 

Henry    Schroeder     1865-66 

Michael  McCullough   1865-69 

Valentine  Wilk    1866-68 

William   Eisenbeis    1866-68 

William    Denhard     1868-70 

Jacob  Harner,  Jr 1868-70 

William   Fix    1869-71 

George  W.  Grant 1869-71 

Henry  Seiders    1870-72 

George    Field     1870-73 

Fidel  Weber   1871-73 

Michael   Hasson    1871-73 

Gregory  Heine 1872-76 

James  J.  Driscoll  1872-74 

Philip  Y.   Gilham    1873-75;  1882-84;  1885-86 

George  D.  Boyer ; .  . .  1873-75 

Edward  A.  Howell 1873-75 

Wesley   C.    Hall    1874-78 

George   G.   Hoflfmaster    1875-76 

Simeon  S.  Sands  1875-76 

H.  A.  M.  Obold    1876-78 

Samuel  D.   Missimer    1876-78 

Daniel  Whitman    1876-78 

Isaac  B.  Greenleaf   1876-78 

William  C.  Becker 1878-80 

Philip    Leisz     ■ 1878-80 

Joseph    B.    Reinhart    1878-80 

Peter  M.  Snyder   1878-80 

Paul    Young     1878-80 

John  P.  Miller   1880-82 

Ellis  L.  Castor  1880-85i 

Marks    Boyer    1880-83 

Rufus  Wolfskin   1880-82;  1898-99;   1900-02 

William  A.  Thompson   1880-82 

William    Troop     1880-85 

Isaac    D.    Whitman     1882-85 

Thomas  J.   Dott   1882-85 

Israel  S.  Fry 1885-86;  1890-94;  1896-98 

H.   A.    Harner    1885-88 

Tames  M.  Roland 1885-87 

F.    X.    Wolf    1885-87 

John    Smith     1887-88 

George    Beyerle     1887-88 

Charles  W.  Kieflfer  1887-88 

Frank   A.    Tyson    1888-90 

Richard    M.    Whitman    1888-89 

Henry  Whitman    1888-89 

William  R.   Benninger   1888-90 

John  H.  Thamm  1889-90 

Aaron  P.  Arnold 1890-94 

Griffith  W.  Jones  1894-96 


Reuben  D.  Boas  " 1903-06 

James   J.    Flemming    1906-08 

Irvin    Cramp    1908-10 

Third    Ward 

Isaac  Levan    1865-66 

Charles  M'elcher   1865-67 

Michael  Shultz   1866-68 

Jacob  Mjiller   1867-71 

Calvin  Goodman   1868-70 

John    H.    Printz    1869-71 

Charles  B.  Wells  1870-76 

Frederick    R.   Fritz    1871-73 

Charles  S.  Herb   1871-73 

William    Lott     1873-75 

Daniel    Beyerle     1873-75 

William    S.    Ritter    1874-76 

John    G.    Mohn    1875-76 

David  F.  Lotz   1875-76 ;  1878-82 

Charles    Henninger    1875-76 

Amos  Miller 1876-78 

George    Mast 1876-78 

William    Dease     1876-78 

Albert    Babb     1876-78 

Abraham  B.   Bechtel    1878-83 

Conrad  F.  Kessler   1878-80 

Isaac  W.   Levan    1878-80 

Jacob  Hillegas   1880-82 

Edward  O.   Immel   1880-83 

Albert   C.   Borgert    1883-85 

David    J.    Greth     1882-83 

Milford    N.    Ritter    1882-85 

Frederick  W.  Lehman    1883-85i 

John  S.  Boas   1883-85 

A.   J.   Fricker    ....'. 1885-86 

William   High    1885-86 

Levi    W.   Coller    1885-86 

Thomas   Leinbach    1886-87 

John  H.  Printz  1886-87 

Cyrus  G.  Schultz  . .  ." 1886-87 

Samuel  M.  Hartman    1886-88 

Charles  B.  Wells  1886-87 

Samuel  D.  Missimer   1887-89 

Richard  H.   Pawling    1887-88 

George   W.   Hassinger    1887-88 

Samuel  G.  Heinly  1888-89 ;   1903-07 

Richard  H.  Savage 1888-89 

Henry   M.   Ahrens    1888-89 

Monroe  S.   Eby   1889-90 

Alfred  L.  Weitzel   1889-90 

James    Hangen     1889-91 

Henry  ML  Heller 1889-90 

Henry  Dick  1890-91 

Charles   H.   Fisher   1891-93 

Oliver  S.   Geiger    1892-93 

Peter  J.  L.   McKinney   1893-97 

James   M.   Morgan    1897-99 

Fred   H.   Witman 1899-1902 

Edward  Fritz 1907-09 

C.    P.    Pfaffman    1909-11 

Fourth   Ward 

Henry  Fry  1865-66 

Daniel  Spohn    1865-67;   1868-73 

Edwin    C.    Hiester    1866-68 

Harrison    Mlaltzberger    1867-71 

George  L.  Jenkins   1871-73 

Adam    Bard    " 1872-74 

Abner  K.  Stauflfer   1873-76;  1882-85 

Thomas   D.    Stichter    1874-76 

William  S.   Monver    1875-76 

Amon    L.    Boyer    ." 1875-76 

William    H.    Houck     1876-78 

Henry  D.  High 1876-77 

Joseph    Shirey     1876-77 

Davis  P.  Harden  1876-78 

William  H.  Clous   1877-78 

John    Jones     1877-78 


'.2i 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Benneville  H.  Brown   187S-80 

Albert  A.   Heizmann    1878-80 

Henry  Koch   1878-80 

Prince    R.   Stetson    1878-80 

Horcatio  R.  Trexler,  Jr 1880-82 

Wellington   M.    Saylor    1880-83 

Edwin  A.   Wilkinson    1880-83 

John    H.    Printz    1880-83 

Joshua   K.   Righter    1883-85 

Calvin  K.  Whitner   1883-85 

William    Brandt     1882-85 

James  A.   O'Reilly    1885-87 

William  A.  Fink   1885-SS;   1889-93;   1900-03 

Isaac  Geiger  1885-86 

Samuel   Hantsch    1885-86 

Harrison  T.  Witman    1886-87 

Jeremiah  S.  Benner 1886-87 

Milton   H.   Schnader    1887-88;   1889-90 

Charles    W,    Hendel    1887-88 

Georate  W.  Raudenbush    1888-89 

Henry  A.  Zieber   1888-89 

Amos  H.   Phillippi    1889-90 

Dr.   H.   L.  Johnson    1890-93 

Frank    W.    Eben    1893-94 

William  F.  Reeser   1893-91 

Otto  Mellert   1894-97 

John  M.  Archer   1897-1900 

Harvey  C.  Johnson  1903-06 

Charles  H.  Krouse   1906-10 

Fifth    Ward 

Jacob   Lehman    1865-66 

Levi   Wimder    1865-67;    1869-71 

Peter  Brown   1866-68 

Jacob    Schwenk    .  .  .' 1867-69 

William.  L  Clous    1868-70 

John    F.   Orth    1870-73 ;    1873-75 

George  W.  Yeager   1871-73 

Frederic  P.   Heller    1873-74 

Harrison    Harner    . 1873-76 

J.   Henry   Cheetham 1874-76 

Jeremiah  H.  Boone 1875-76 

Charles  Spangler  1875-76 

William    Call'  1875-76 

William    Grander    1876-80 

William  P.  Reid    1876-80 

John   Kissinger    1876-80 

John   R.   Bechtel    1876-78 

John  B.  Goodhart   1878-80 

Daniel  Moser   1880-82 

Thomas    Seiders    1880-82 

James   K.   Getz    1880-83 

August  C.  Wertz   1880-83 

John   R.   Miller   1883-85 

William   S.   Monyer    1883-86 

Thomas   O.   Yarington,  Jr 1882-86 

Frederick   Shunk    1882-85 

C.    A.    Golding    1885-86 

John   Strouse    1886-87;   1891-93 

Alfred    Franks    1886-87 

Henry    Loeb     1SS6-R8:     1899-1901 

William   H.   Bitting    1887-88 

George  E.   Haak    1887-88 

Luther  Schick  1888-89 

Edward    C.    Eben    1888-90 ;    1897-99 

Augustus     Potteiger     1888-90 

Edward    Yeager    1889-90 

James  Cotterel   1890-91 

Marion  Larkin   1890-93 

Samuel  A.  Buckley  1893-95 

Edward  W.  Alexander    ■ 1895-97 

Harrison    Posey    1901-05 

John  S.  Matthias  1905-11 

Sixth  Ward 

George  B.  Connard 1865-66 

Daniel    Mliller     1865-73 

Aaron   Getz    1866-68 


Adam   Frees    1868-70 

Edward   Frill    1870-73 

John    McKnight    1873-74 

Cornelius  Stamm  1873-75. 

Levi  J.  R.  Krick   1874-76 

Joseph  S.  Riegel    1875-76 

William  G.  Rowe  1875-78 

Charles  Rick,  Jr 1875-76 

George  M.  Krick  1876-78 

William  G.  Lash 1876-78 

Charles    Miller    1876-78 

Jeremiah   Y.   Bechtel    1878-80 

Benneville    Hemmig    1878-80 

William    Keppelman     1878-80 

Charles   Miller    1878-82 

Wm.   G.  Robinson   1880-82 ;  1883-84 

James    Weitzel    1880-86 

Ferdinand    Winter    1880-84 

Frederick  B.  Roe  1882-84 

George  W.  Grouse   1882-83 

C.   Kaltenbach 1884-86 

J.    H.   Schaeffer    1885-86 

Alvin  S.  Schroeder  1885-86 

John   H.   Keppelman    1886-90 

Edward    Yeager    1886-87 

Howard    E.    Ahrens     1886-87 

Charles   W.    Bechtel    1886-87 

William  T.  Snyder   1887-89 

W.  Howard  Wells   1887-88 

William   F.    Shanaman    1887-89 

Wellington  M.  Hiester   1888-90 

Howard    O.    Sharman    1889-90;    1891-92 

Israel    L.    Groman    1889-92 

John  S.  Thompson   1892-94 

B.    Franklin    Fink     1893-93 

Michael    'Coller     1894-96 

R.   B.  Harris    1896-1900 

Theodore    F.    Hayman    1900-03 

Adolph    Eichner    1903-06 

W.   E.   Mills    1906-07 

J.    William    Roe    1907-10 

Seventh   IVard 

William    Brison    1865-68 

Jacob  Schmucker  1865-67 

Henry  R.  Hawman  1867-69 

Samuel  C.  Mayer  1868-70 

Abner   K.    Stauffer    1869-71 

William  A.   Medlar    1870-73 

William    Stoltz     1870-73 

Lew   Wanner    1871-73 

Charles  A.  Saylor   1873-74 

Edward  Scull    1873-76 

Charles  H.  Schaeffer   1873-75 

Frank   C.   Smink    1874-76 

Henry   Bennethum    1875-76 

Samuel    Weitzel     1875-76 

George  J.  Eckert   1876-78 

J.   Heyl   Raser    1876-78 

B.  Frank  Nagle 1876-78 

William   Reiff    1876-78 

B.   Frank    Dettra    1878-80 

Daniel  Housum   1878-79 

Joseph   W.    Richards    187S-S0 

George  P.   Zieber   lS7S-so 

Jonathan  G.  Leinbach   1879-83 

George   L.   Kestner    1880-83 

Casper  H.  Lotz   1880-S4 

Wellington  S.  Levan   1880-83 

Amos   B.  Wanner   1883-84 

James  P.  Sellers    '  .  ,  '  1883-84 

John  C.  Hepler   1883-84;   1886-88;  1888-90 

Le™0"    B"=h    18S4-86 

E.   S.   Miller    .      1386-88 

Harry    Whiteside     .  jggg 

L'^T>  ^?^"* '.'.■.  ■.'.'.  ■.'.■.'. '.v. '.■.1886-87 

W.  B.  Aloser igse^g^ 

John   H.   Ruth    1886-88 


READING 


•    335 


Thomas  D.  Bausher   1886-88 

Thomas  B.  O'Brien   1888-90 

George  B.  Clouser   1888-89 

John  Luigard   1888-91 

Maurice  A.  Arnold   ,  .1888-90;  1891-93 

Isaac    W.    Keim    1890-91 

Adam  B.  Waid  1891-93 

Wellington  W.   Light   1893-95 

Charles  G.   Willson   1895-97 

John  H.  Millhollana   : 1897-98 

Robert  D.  Millholland  ^ 1898-99 

Evan  L.  Shomo 1899'-1903 

George  W.  Sassaman   1903-09 

L.  Howard  Gehris   1909-11 

Eighth  Ward 

George    Gehman,   Jr 1865-66 

Charles   Hill   1865-67 

Franklin  S.  Bernhart   1866-68 

Christian   Schick    1867-69;    1882-86 

Henry  Hiller    1868-70 

Jacob  R.  Ritter 1869-71 

Nicholas  Heckman  1869-71 

Daniel  Mast 1870-72 

B.  Frank  Boyer  1871-73 

Andrew  J.  Fricker   1872-74 

David   C.   Keller    1873-75 

Charles  E.  Wannamacher   1873-75 

Solomon  S.  Kindt   1874-76 

Francis  Roland  1875-78 ;  1884-86 

George   Reisinger    1875-76 

Christian   Geissler    1875-76;   1878-80 

Mayberry    M!oser    1876-78 

Charles   Orth    1876-78 

William    Griesemer    1876-78 

Daniel  S.  Francis    1878-80 

William  K.    Leithiser    1878-80 

Hiester  M.  Nagle   1878-80 

John  P.  Dauth   1880-82 

Peter  Helfrich    1880-84 

•  Henry  Reiger  1880-82 

Jervice   W.    Edes    1880-82 

Lewis  Heilman    1882-86 

John  F.  Rote   1882-84 

John   Moyer 1884-88 

Frank  Aulenbach    1884-86 

Frank   P.  Esterly    1836-89 

William  B.  Laucks   1886-90 

W.  A.  Witman    1886-88 

Adam  D.  Fasig   1888-89 

Abraham    Briel    1889-90 

Thomas  C.  Ancona  1889-90 

Adam  K.  Drexel   1889-92 

George  B.   Clouser   1890-94 

William  F.  Re^sler  1892-94 

John  M.   Fritch    1894-96 

John  H.   Close   1896-98 

Kilbern   H.   Cleaver    1898-1900 

William   F.   Remppis    1900-02 

William   A.    Smith    1902-07 

Harry  G.  Davis   1907-10 

Ninth  Ward 

Henry    Miller     1865-66 

John   Barth    1865-67 

Theodore  Homan   ;  . .  1866-68 

Addy    Gehry    1867-71;   1873-75 

Harrison    Smith     1867-69 

John   Stark   1868-72;  1873-76 

D.    S.    Himelreich    1869-71;  1873-75' 

Daniel   Ritter    1870-72 

John  S.  Wagner    1871-73 

John  H.   Clay   1871-73 

Joseph  A.   Frees    1872-74 

William  J.  Woodland   1872-74 

Christ.  Bauknecht  1874-76;  1878-80;  1882-85 

James   Y.   Hartman    1874-76 

Thomas  McGovern  1875-76 

15 


David   Henry   1876-78 

Isaac  Rohrbach 1876-78 

Leonard   Herbst    1876-78 

Edward  M.  Castor   1876-78 

John  C.  K.  Heine  1878-79 

Henry  P.  Herb   1878-80 

Daniel  L.  Strunk  1878-82 

Lewis   L.  Moyer    1879-80 

John   Babst .1880-82 

Henry  Schofer   1880-82 

Obadiah  Romig 1880-82 

John  E.  Steinel   1882-85 

William   Loyd    1882-85 

Thomas  D.  Castor   1882-85 

John    Sauer     1884-86 

John  H.  Kline    ...1884-86 

Conrad  Bower   •  ■  ■  1884-86 

E.  N.  Kline  1884-86 

A.  H.    Kretz    (resigned)    1884 

George  J.  Hain   1884-86 

M.   S.   Umbenhauer    1886-88 

John  P.  Martin   1886-87 

I.   Comley  Fetter    1886-89 

Joseph   Goldsmith    1886-90;  1893-95 

B.  F.   Hunsicker    1887-88 

Augustus    Resch    1888-89 

W.   M.  Smith   1888-89 

Walter  B.   Craig   1889-90 

Jefferson   Quinter    1889-90 

Harry  Dungan 1889-90 

E.  B.  Wingert   1890-91 

George  L.  Mast  1891-93 

Howard    Thompson     1891-93 

Joseph  Witman   1895-99 

William  F.  Ritter 1899-1900 

John  F.   Larkin   1900-03 

Joseph  N.  Vogel   1903-05 

Jacob    Duser,   Jr 1905-09 

Herman  J.  Croessant  1909-11 

Tenth    Ward 

Hiram   M.   Trout    1876-78 

Charles   W.    Hulshizer    1876-78 

Thomas    Lillis    1876-78 

Edward   W.    DeHaven    1878-80 

Isaiah   Hoyer    1878-80 

George   E.  Wisner    ' .  .  1878-79 

Tames  D.  Long   1879-80 

Eli  W.  Fox  1880-84 

William  F.  Weber   1880-81 

Joseph  K.  Bauman   1880-82 

John   L.   Lawrence    1881-82 

William  H.  Sproesser   1882-84 

Thomas  West  1882-83 

Luther  Seiders   1883-84 

William  H.  Bellman  1884-86 

William   Kensil    1884-86 

James    Matz    1884-88 

B.    F.   Sheeder    1884-86 

Daniel   Auchenbach    1886-87 

Robert  Smith   1886-87 

Zacharias   D.   Saylor    1887-96 

Harry  Hines   ' 1887-88 

Charles  F.  Yeity  1888-90 

Jacob    Hunsberger    1888-89 

John   M.   Weber    1889-94 

John   B.  Houp    1889-90 

John  A.   Rauen    1896-98 

Richard  L.  Lawrence 1898-1910 

Eleventh  Ward 

Daniel  K.  Zwoyer   1876-79 ;  1883-86 

Charles  Rohrbach  1876-78 

David  Rauenzahn   1876-78 

Samuel  P.  Mays    1876-77 

William  H.  Klineyoung 1877-78 

Frederick  M.   Fisher   ■ 1878-79 

John   K.   Howden    1878-80 

John    S.    Wagner     1878-80 


236 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Christian    Stolz    1879-80 

Thomas   Croiian    1879-80 

Daniel  Dillon   1880-83 

Hayward  H.  Heckman   1880-82 

Engrlebert    L.    Missimer    1880-82 

Ernst  Nuebling   1880-82 

James  Y.  Hartman   1882-84 

Charles   H.   Koch    1882-84 

Charles   Eck    1883-84 

Reuben   Matz    1883-83 

Charles   M.   Clouse    1884-86 

H.   S.  Hartman    1884-86 

Leo  Rehr   1884-86 

Lavinus   Rhoads    1884-86 

Henry   Seibert    1884-86 

George  M.  Hess   1886-87 

Lender  Trickel  1886-88 

Paul  Kerschner   1886-88 

William  F.  Weber   1887-88 

Alfred   Gunkel    1888-91 

William  H.  Hippler   1888-90 

John   R.  Laucks   1889-90 

Charles    Gorkes    1890-91 

H.   G.  Johnson    1891-93 

John    Rock    1891-93 

Samuel   E.    Cumrai'ngs 1893-99 

Jacob  F.  Hollenbacher   1899-1903 

John   M.   Alt    Z 1903-07 

John    Gallagher    1907-09 

Isaac  Haller    1909-11 

Twelfth  Ward 

Samuel    Millmore    1886-88 

Spencer  H.  Smith   1886-88 

Eugene   C.   Flemming    1887-94 

George    W.    Kinsey    1888-89 

Adam   H.   Fies    1889-92 

Adam   H.    Beard    1889-90 

James    P.    Yorgy    1892-1900 

Charles  J.   Kestner    1900-02 

Daniel   Smith    1902-06 

Michael   Kestner   1906-08 

Joseph    W.    Kellar    1908-10 

Thirteenth  Ward 

Henry   Seidel    1886-88 

Benneville   Rohrbach    1886-88;  1903-05 

Joseph  Borky   1888-90 

Jacob   Bower,  Jr 1888-90;   1891-93 

John  B.  Weidner 1890-93 

Charles  H.  Ramsey   1890-91 

Mayberry  K.   Spatz    1893-97 

J.  Ashton   Parker   1897-1903 

Levi  F.  Templin   1905-08 

B.   Frank  Bott   1908-11 

Fourteenth  Ward 

Morris  Arnold   1893-94 

William  R.  Dunn    1894-96 

John  H.  Mast  1896-1902 

M.   M.  Lenhart    1903-04 

Earnest  V.   Bechtel    1904-06 

George  A.  Rick   1906-10 

Fifteenth   Ward 

George  W.  Shaffer   1893-1901 

Isaac  Hollenbach 1901-03 

Heber  Ermentrout   1903-08 

George  A.  Ritter  .'.'.'.'.'.  1908-11 

Sixteenth   Ward 

Alfred  Will    1895-96 

John   H.   Bach    1896-1900 

James  M.  Hutchison   1900-02 

Howard  R.  Brown '.'.'.'..'.'.'.  1902-04 

William    G.    Hmtz    1904-06 

Charles   M.  Smeck   1906-08 

j  ohn  A.  L.  Flemmmg 1908-10 


PRESIDENTS    OF    COMMON    COUNCIL 
Name  Term 

Lewis    Briner    1847-49 

Samuel  Frees    1849-50 

William  A.  Wells    1850-51 

Augustus  C.  Hoff   1851-53 

Adam  Waid    1853-54;  1859-60 

Hiram   C.   Ritter    1854-55 

Joseph   A.   McLean    1855-56 

John   Fink   1856-57 

Henry  A.  M.  Filbert   1857-59 

J.  Timothy  Jackson    1860-61 

Samuel  M.  Fillraan 1861-62 

William   B.   Hertzel    1863-63 

James  Donagan   1863-64 

William   S.   Ritter    1864-65 

George  B.  Connard 1865-66 

Levi   Wunder    1866-67 

Michael  McCullough    1867-69 

Addy  Gehry  1869-71;  1874-75 

Lew.    Wanner    1871-73 

Abner   K.   Stauffer    1873-74 

Charles  B.  Wells  1875-76 

Wesley   C.   Hall    1876-77 

William   G.   Rowe    1877-78 

Hiester  M.  Nagle   1878-79 

Christian  W.   Geissler   1879-80 

Edward  O.   Immel    1880-81 

James  K.  Getz 1881-82 

Amos  B.  Wanner 1882-83 

Ellis   L.   Castor    1883-84 

Lewis   Heilman    1884-85 

James  A.  O'Reilly 1885-87 

I.    Comley   Fetter    1887-88 

Samuel   D.   Missimer   1888-89 

Alfred    Gunkel    1889-90 

Israel  S.  Fry   1890-92 

George   B.    Clouser    1892-94 

D.   Elmer  Dampman    1894-95 

Griffith    W.    Jones    1895-96 

James  P.  Yorgy    1896-98 

Samuel   E.   Cummings    1898-99 

John   H.    Bach    1899-1900 

Rufus  W.   Wolfskin    1900-01 

Charles  J.  Kestner   1901-02 

Jacob    F.    Hollenbacher    1902-03 

Richard   L.   Lawrence    1903-08 

George   A.    Rick    1908-10 

CLERKS    OF    COMMON    COUNCIL 
Name  Term 

John  W.  Tyson   1847-52 

A.  L.  Hennershotz   1852-58;   1859-61 

Michael    P.    Boyer    1858-59 

B.  Frank  Haas   1861-62 

Nathan   M.   Eisenhower    1862-63 

John   Ralston    1803-72 

Solomon  A.  Stout  1872-73 

Charles   S.   Butler   1873-74;   1875-76 

John  C.  K.  Heine   1874-75 

Jonathan   Holt    : 1876-78 

Henry  H.   Holl    1878-79 

Luther    Seiders    1879-80 

George  PI.  Felix    1880-83  ;   1889-90 

Charles   J.   Tyson    1883-86 

John   H.   Focht    1886-89 

William   F.  Weber    1890-91 

Alfred   Gunkel    1891-94 

Edward  C,  Eben    1894-95 

Howard  N.  Goodman   1895-98;  1902-04 

Luther  Seiders   1898-99 

Lincoln  S.  Ramsey  1899-1901 

Rufus    W.    Wolf  skill    1901-03 

Edward  McCann   1904-09 


READING 


237 


CITY    CLERKS 
Name  Term 

George  H.  Felix  1884-89 

Cyrus  T.  Fox  1889-90 

I.    Comley  Fetter    1890-96 

Horace  H.   Hammer   1896-99 

Edwin   L.   Lindemuth    1899-1902 

Charles  C.  Weltmer ■ 1902-08 

Caleb   Weidner -, 1908-09 

SOLICITORS 
Name  Term 

James  Donagan   1847-48 

George   G.    Barclay    1848-50 

J.  Bright  Smith   1850-52 

William  F.  Filbert  1852-53 

Edmund  L.  Smith  1853-55 

Charles  K.  Robeson  1855-57 

Albert  G.  Green 1857-59 

A.   Lucius   Hennershotz    1859-61 

Wharton  Morris   1861-62 

George  j.  Eckert    1862-63 

James  B.   Bechtel    1863-64 

Edward   H.    Shearer    1864-65 

J.  Glancy  Jones  1865-67 

Daniel  Ermentrout  1867-70 

Edwin  Shalter    1870-73 

J.   Howard  Jacobs    1873-74 

William  M.  Rightmyer   1874-75 

Harrison  Maltzberger   1875-77 

Daniel  H.  Wingerd 1877-79 

Christian  H.  Ruhl  1879-81 

Benjamin   F.   Dettra    1881-83 

Wayne   Hayman    1883-85 

William  J.  Rourke   1885-96;  1897-1903;  1904-08 

W.   Kerper  Stevens    1896-97 

Walter    S.    Young    1903-04 

Henry  P.  Reiser  1908-H 

ENGINEERS 
Name  Term 

Matthias  S.  Richards  ' 1847-48 

Aaron  Albright   1848-57;  1859-61;  1862-63 

William    Davis    1857-58 

Christian    Stolz 1858-59 

D    S.  Zacharias   1861-62;  1863-68;  1874-76 

Samuel    M.    Rea    1868-74 

Henry   T.    Kendall    1876-79 

Levi  Wunder 1879-81 

A.  Harvey  Tyson    1881-85 

Daniel    Housum    1885-88 

J.  Gerhart  Young  1888-89 

Samuel   S.   Hoff    1889-94;  1897-99 

Edwin  C.  Chamberlain   1894-97 

Alexander    Murdoch    1899-1902 

Elmer   H.    Beard    1902-09 

Edmund  B.  Ulrich 1909-12 

MARKET    COMMISSIONERS 
Name  Term 

John  Boyer   1847-49 

William   Keen    1849-50 

J.    H.    Griesemer    1850-51 

John   Moyer    1851-52 

William   E.   Wilson    ; 1852-55 

Daniel  M.  Weand  1855-56 

John  E.  Yeager   1856-57 

Isaac    Heckman    1857-59;  1861-62 

Daniel    Setley    1859-60 

B.  F.   Ermentrout    1860-61;  1862-63 

William  S.  Young  1863-66 

Jacob    Goodhart    1866-68 

Jacob  Goodhart,  Jr 1868-70 

Henry  J.  Smith   1870-73 

Benj.  Weiss  1873-74 

John   Denhard    1874-75 

Peter  Texter  1875-76 

James  W.   Longacre 1876-77 

William   Clark 1877-78 


Lawrence   P.   Ressler    1878-79 

Levi  J.  R.  Krick 1879-80 

Bertolet  Grant  ■ 1880-84 

Jacob  Rapp  1884-86 

Daniel   Baus    1886-89 

Charles  M.  Clous    1889-93 

Adrian    S.    Loewen    1893-96 

Albert  Merz    1896-1900 

Peter  Texter,  Jr 1900-02 

Martin    Hauck    1902-05 

Frank  Menges   1905-08 

Howard  S.  Weaver   '. 1908-11 

Board  of  Health. — ^An  Act  of  Assembly  was 
passed  on  April  22,  1873,  specially  authorizing  the 
establishment  of  a  board  of  health  for  Reading, 
with  powers  for  the  preservation  of  the  public 
health.  The  board  was  made  to  consist  of  seven 
members,  with  an  indefinite  term  of  service  and 
without  compensation,  who  were  to  be  appointed 
by  the  presidents  of  the  city  councils.  The  city 
was  divided  into  four  districts,  with  Sixth  and 
Penn  streets  as  the  dividing  lines.  One  member 
was  to  be  appointed  from  each  district  and  one 
from  the  city  at  large ;  and  these  five  were  to  select 
two  physicians.  And  provision  was  made  for  the 
annual  appointment  of  a  health  commissioner  by  the 
board,  with  a  compensation  to  be  fixed  by  councils. 

The  board  of  health  effected  a  permanent  organ- 
ization on  March  10,  1874.  The  following  persons 
have  been  members: 

First  District 
Name  Term 

Charles  Breneiser   1874-80 

Dr.   Wm.   F.   Marks    1880 

Second  District 

David    Ermentrout     1874-82 

Garrett  B.  Stevens   1882-83 

Charles   H.    Schaeffer    1883-1902 

D.  N.  Schaeffer   1902-05 

B.  F.  Dettra   1905 — - 

Third   District 

Dr.  W.  Mlirray  Weidman   1874-82 

Thomas   P.   Merritt    1882 

Fourth  District 

Dr.  S.  S.  Stevens   1874-82 

David   P.   Schlott    1882-1902 

Daniel  S.  Esterly   1903 — 

At  Large 

Dr.    Martin    Luther    1874-94 

Dr.  John   N.   Becker    1894 — 

PHYSICIANS 
Name  Term 

Dr.    Israel    Cleaver    ^ 1874-79 

Dr.   Frank  Rieser    1874-80 

Dr.  M.  Albert  Rhoads  1879-94 

Dr.  William  F.  Muhlenberg  1880-83 

Dr.  Adam  B.  Dundor    1883-1902 

Dr.   S.   L.  Kurtz    1894 — 

Dr.  Charles  Roland   1902 — 

HEALTH     COMMISSIONERS 
Name  Term 

Charles  F.  Frick  1874 

Howard  L.  Miller   1874-82 

Roland  Laing  1882 — 

Note. — The  dash  after  the  year  indicates     continuance    in    office. 

PLUMBING    INSPECTORS 

At  the  request  of  the  board  of  health,  the  office  of 
plumbing  inspector  was  created  by  an  ordinance 
passed  Nov.  9,  1895,  which  was  modified  by  an- 


228 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


11,   1896.      The   ap- 


other   ordinance   passed   Jan. 
pointees  have  been : 

Name  Term 

Thomas  E.  Weber   l^l'i'll 

John   E.   Drexel    1899-1902;  1905-08 

T.   Edward   Dehier    1902-05 

John  D.   Corbit   1908-11 

TRUSTEES   OF   PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

By  ordinance,  approved  Feb.  23,  1899,  whereby 
the  city  of  Reading  accepted  the  donation  of  the 
Reading  Library  (including  the  real  estate  and  all 
books  and  manuscripts),  situated  on  the  southwest 
corner  of  Fifth  and  Franklin  streets,  a  board  of 
sixteen  trustees  for  the  management  thereof  was 
established,  to  be  constituted  as  follows :  The 
Mayor  to  be  an  ex-oMcio  member ;  ten  members  to 
be  appointed  by  the  city  councils  in  joint  conven- 
tion ;  and  five  members  to  be  appointed  by  the 
"Reading  Library."  The  first  board  was  consti- 
tuted as  follows : 

Adam  R.  Leader,  Mayor,  cx-officio. 

Appointed   by   Councils 

George  M.  Ermentrout 
Peter  S.  HoU 
Charles  S.  Hunter 
John  H.  Keppehnan 
Frank  S.  Livingood 
James  A.   O'Reilly 
John  A.  Rigg 
William  Rosenthal 
Reuben  G.  Shaker 
W.  Kerper  Stevens 

Appointed   by  Reading  Library 
George  F.   Baer 
Nathaniel  Ferguson 
Richmond  L.  Jones 
John  R.  Kaiicher 
Abner 


The  following  is 
since  1899: 


K.    Stauffer 

complete  list  of  the  trustees 

Term 


Name 

George    F.    Baer     1899 — 

George   M'.   Ermentrout    1899 — 

Nathaniel  Ferguson    1899 

Peter  S.  Holl   1899 — 

Charles  S.  Hunter   1899 — 

Richmond    L.   Jones    1899 — 

John    R.    Kaucher    1899 — 

John     H.    Keppelman     1899 — 

Frank   S.   Liyingood    1899 — 

James    A.    O'Reilly    1899-1903 

John  A.   Rigg    1899— 

William    Rosenthal    1899-1900 

Reuben  G.  Shalter 1899-1902 

Abner  K.  Stauffer  1899-1907 

William  Kerper  Stevens   1899-1903 

Adam  R.  Leader,  Alayor  1899-1903 

Isaac    Hiester    igoi 

Albert  S.  Ibach  1903 

Thomas   P.   Merritt    .' 1903 — 

Henry  W.   Snyder    1903 — 

Edward  Yeager,  Mayor   1902-05 

Thomas  C.  Zimmerman   1904 — 

Edward  R.   Gerber.  Mayor   1905-08 

William  Rick,  Mayor  1908-11 


Officers  since  Organization  of  Library 
Richmond  L.  Jones,  president;  Charles  H.  Hun- 
ter, secretary  and  treasurer. 

Number  of  volumes  in  library,  July  1,  1909, 
27,000.  Books  loaned  during  1908,  125,658.  Bor- 
rowers registered,  18,553.  This  shows  the  suc- 
cessful management  of  the  library. 

JUSTICES    OF   THE    PEACE 

Under  the  Act  of  1783  Reading  became  entitled 
to  elect  two  justices  of  the  peace  as  a  separate  dis- 
trict. In  1803,  the  County  Commissioners  divided 
the  county  into  fifteen  districts.  They  made  Read- 
ing the  First  District,  and  under  the  Act  of  April 
4,  1803,  it  was  entitled  to  four  incumbents.  _  In 
1840,  Reading  was  divided  into  two  wards  for  just- 
ices, with  Penn  street  as  the  dividing  line. 

The  names  of  the  following  officials  and  time  of 
appointment  were  secured  from  the  records  at  Har- 
risburg : 

Valentine  Eckert  l'^84 

Henry  Christ   l'''^* 

John    Otto     '""' 

James  Diemer   

Peter  Nagle    Aug.   3, 

James  May  (did  not  act) Aug.  31. 

John  Christ   Oct.  3, 

Peter  Frailey   

Matthias  Richards 

Henry  Hahn April  1, 

Frederick  Heller    Jan.   1, 

Jacob  Miller  Nov.  13, 

John  M.  Hyneman   Sept.  3,  1S13 

Christopher  Scherrer    Sept.   17,  1813 

John  Addams   May  13, 

William  Schoener    March  24, 

John  Frantz March  24, 

Frederick  Fritz June  38, 

John  Spayd  June  3S, 

Matthias   Richards    Nov.  S, 

Edward  B.  Hubley   Dec.  3, 

Joseph  Tyson   Dec.  8. 

Curtis  Lewis   Dec.  8. 

Peter  Aurand    Dec.   13. 

John   Miller    Dec.    12. 

Henry  Betz   Dec.  12. 

Matthias  Richards    April  4. 

Jonathan   D.  Hiester    June  5, 

Peter  Nagle.  Jr Aug.  1, 

Jacob  Sallade    March  5, 

David    Rightmyer     July    35, 

Lloyd  Wharton    Oct.   19, 

Lewis   Rees    April  3, 

Thomas  Morris  Jan.  4, 

Jacob    Fritz    Feb.    12, 

Henry   Tothers    Sept.    22, 

Henry   Bowman    iNIarch   26, 

North    Ward 

Wm.    Schoener    April    14. 

Henry   Betz    April  14, 

William    Betz    April   13, 

William  Schoener April  15. 

William  Betz  April  14^ 

South    Ward 


1785 
1788 
1791 
1791 
1799 


1806 
1807 
1811 


1816 

1818 

1818 

1831 

1831 

1833 

1823 

1823 

1823 

1823 

1823 

1833 

1837 

1837 

1838 

1830 

1831 

1831 

1832 

1836 

1838 

1838 

1839 


1840 
1840 
1841 
1845 
1846 


Charles    Troxell    April    14.1840 

William  A.  Wells .A.pril  14,  1840 

Marks  B.  Eckert April  13,  1842 

David   Medary    April   9,  1844 

Matthias  Mengel   April  15,  1845 


READING 


329 


ALDERMEN 

In  1847  the  city  was  divided  into  two  districts  for 
aldermen,  that  portion  north  of  Penn  street  com- 
prising the  Northern  District,  and  that  portion 
south,  the  Southern ;  and  each  district  was  given 
two  aldermen  with  a  term  of  five  years.  An  addi- 
tional alderman  was  given  to  the  Northern  District 
by  a  special  Act  of  Assembly,  passed  Jan.  31,  1873, 
by  reason  of  its  extent  and  large  population.  In 
1874  the  new  charter  gave  each  of  the  nine  wards 
an  alderman.  Two  wards  were  erected  in  1876  ; 
two  in  1885;  two  in  1893;  and  one  in  1894;  and 
thence  the  electors  of  those  wards  also  elected  an 
alderman. 

FROM  1847-75 
Northern  District 

Name  Term 

William  Betz    . . : 1847-51 

William  Schoener  1847-51 

Frank  B.  Miller  1851-65 

William   B.   Schoener    1851-75 

Washington  Richards    1865-73 

Lewis  Kremp   1873-75 

Israel  C.  Becker   1874-75 

Southern  District 

David   Medary   1847-55 

Matthias  Mengel   1847-60;  1868-73 

George    Printz     1855-75 

John  Quimby   1860-63 

Peter  Cleaver   1863-68 

Ezekiel  Jones   1873-75 

UNDER    CHARTER    OF    1874 

First  Ward 
Name  Term 

Enos  Morris   1875-78 

John    B.    Maxton    1878-84 

John    W.    Ringler    , 1884-89 

George   W.   Mannerback    .' 1889-94 

Charles    E.    Stout    1894-1902 

Charles    E.    Stout    (Jr.) 1903-13 

Second   Ward 

Joseph   R.   Pawling    1875-80 

Christian  M'.  Deem  1880-85 

George  W.  Ritner 1885-90 

Henry  H.  Wentzel   1890-95;  1897-1902 

Georg-e  H.  McFatridge  1895-97 

John  Undheim   '. 1902-12 

Third  Ward 

Ezekiel  Jones  1875-83 

John  Hippie    1883-88 

Frederick  H.   Printz    1888-93 

Monroe   S.    Eby    1893-98 

Howard   Koch    1898-1913 

Fourth   Ward 

Matthias    Mengel    1875-85 

Edmund    Sheetz    1885-95 

Llewellyn  S.  Levan   1895-97 

William   H.    Houck    1897-1903 

Milton  C.  Kreider  1903-13 

Fifth  Ward 

Daniel  Potteiger    1875-86 

C.  A.  Griesemer  1886-97 

Lyman  H.  Wilson    1897-98 

C.    W.    Yarnell    1898-1913 

Sixth  Ward 

Jonathan  L.  Reber   1875-77 

George    M.    Ermentrout    1877-93 


Francis  C.  Clemson 1893-1903;  1908-09* 

John   A.    Hiester    1903-08 

Seventh  Ward 

William'  B.  Schoener  1875-81 

Israel    C.    Becker    1875-78 

John  G.  L.  Brownwell   1881-1901 

George  M.  Miller   1901-11 

Eighth   Ward 

Lewis    Kremp    1875-78 

William  L.  Graul    1878-83 

John  Denhart   1883-90 

Henry  O.  Schrader   > 1890-95 

Albert  H.  Fegley 1895-1900 

Eugene    I.    Sandt    1900-08 

William  H.  Thornburg  1908-09 

Clarence   C.   Dumn    1909-14 

Ninth  Ward 

Isaac   R.    Fisher    1875-90 

Edward  C.  Kirschman   1890-1905 

George  L.  Mast  1905-10 

Tenth    Ward 

Henry  H.   Holl    1876-94 

John  A.  Mfcrkel   1894-1909 

Herman   Hermann    1909-14 

Eleventh  Ward 

Israel  M.  Bertolet  1876-80 

David  Rink   1880-81 

George  H.  Long  1881-90 

George    Kreamer    1890-91 

William  F.  Weber 1891-1913 

Twelfth  Ward 

John   K.   Howden   1886-96 

Henry  S.   Yocum    1896-1901 

Henry   L.    Wickel    1901-11 

Thirteenth  Ward 

Peter  T.  Phillippi   1886-92 

Daniel  C.  Boyer   1892-1902 

Jacob    H.    Scheifele    1903-07 

George  W.  Millmore  1907-12 

Fourteenth  Ward 

Edwin   P.  Van   Reed 1893-1903 

Joseph  E.  Bruce   1903-13 

Fifteenth  Ward 

George  M.  Ermentrout   1893-94 

William  T.  Snyder   : ' .  1894-1914 

Sixteenth  Ward 

George  W.  Brown    1895-1902 

N.  Robert  Tomlinson    1902-07 

George  B.  Clouser   1907-13 

CONSTABLES 

Two  constables  were  elected  annually  for  the 
city  from'  1847  to  1875.  The  new  charter  of  1874 
required  the  election  of  one  constable  for  each  ward 
for  three  years.  Since  1875  constables  for  the  city 
have  been  elected  accordingly. 

FROM    1847-75 
Name  Term 

Peter  J.  H.  Griesemer  1847-51 

Reuben    Goodhart    1847-51 ;  1860-72 

William  B.  Yahn   1848-50;  1854-55 

Christian    Snyder     1850-54;  1860-62 

William  Keen    1851-54;  1857-60 

William  Y.  Lyon    1854-55 

Jeremiah    Griesemer    1855-56 

William   Fasig    1855-57 

John  W.  Lash   1856-60 

*  Resigned  May,  1909,  and  Irvin  H.  Tobias  appointed. 


230 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Joseph    Deysher    1862-63 

Benj.    F.    Ermentrout 1862-63 

Wood   M.   Schwartz 1863-65;  1866-73 

James   Sheidy    1863-65;  1867-68 

John  H.   Printz    1865-66 

John    Guiles    1865-66 

Charles  Frederick  1866-67 

W.   W.   Diehl    1868-74 

W.  L.   Graul   1873-75 

Alfred  W.  Glase    •  •  ■  •  •  1874-75 

UNDER    CHARTER    OF    1874 

First    Ward 
Name  Term 

George   Harner    ■ 1875-81 

George    Mannerback    1881-87 

William  C.  Graul   1887-90 

Lewis  M.  Rhoads   1890-1905 

Harry  M.   Ould   1905-11 

Second    Ward 

Zacharias  Oswald   1875-78 

Michael    McGrann    1878-82 

John   Ehrgood    1882-85 

Henry  Witman    ■ 1885-89 

George  McFatridge    1889-96 

Jacob  S.  Wentzel 1896-99 

George  M.   Gehret    1899-1905 

Francis  W.  Ganter   1905-11 

Third  Ward 

Aaron    Roland    1875-7? 

William  P.   Graul    1878-81 

Richard  h.  Adams   1881-84 

Benneville  Ehrgood   ' 1884-90 

Samuel  Shirey   1890-93 

Charles  H.  Derr    1893-99 

Charles  H.  Dietrich   1899-1905 

William   Miles    1905-11 

Fourth   Ward 

Alfred  W.  Glase   1875-89 

Henry  A.  Maurer   1890-93' 

William  Y.   Lyon    1893-96;1903 

Milton   C.   Kreider    1896-1902 

Jacob   Royal    1903-05 

Franklin   E.   Kreider    1905-11 

Fifth  Ward 

Thomas    Shunk    1875-77 

Joseph   Heifer    1877-83 

Lyman  H.  Wilson    1883-87 

Charles  H.  Fisher  1887-96 

Charles  M.  Deem   1896-99 

John  F.   Feger   1899-1905 

William  F.   Stehman    1905-11 

Sixth  Ward 

Lewis    Neuland    1875-78 

Augustus   Lessig    1878-80 

John   M.   Sharp    1880-1899 

Harry  J.   Focht    1899-1908 

Heber   F.   Buckwalter    1908-11 

Seventh  Ward 

Wood  M.   Schwartz    1875-78 

Raymond  B.  Lewis    1878-80 

Henry  W.   Lash    1880-83 

Leslie  Strubell 1883-1911 

Eighth   Ward 

William  L.   Graul    1875-78 

John   Denhard    1878-83 

Lawrence  P.  Ressler   1883-87 

George   B.   Wagner    1887-1908 

Seneor  A.  Phillippi    1908-11 


Ninth  Ward 

George  Kreamer   1875-87 

George   Miller    1887-96 

Harry  T.    Beck    ■. 1896-1905 

John  J.  Sparely         1905-11 

Tenth    Ward 

Michael  Doyle    1876-79 

James   Malson    1879-83 

Henry   C.   W.   Matz    1882-87 

John   H.    Bobst    1887-88 

Jacob  Matz    1888-89 

George  H.  Goodwin    1889-90;  1893-96 

Augustus   Luebka    1890-93 

Harry   Wise    1896-1902 

George  J.   Brown    1902-11 

Eleventh  Ward 

Jacob  F.  Hollenbacher   1876-79 

Amos  A.   Bechtold   1879-86 

Jacob   B.   Reifsnyder    1893-1905- 

J.   Edward   Reifsnyder    1905- 

George   S.   Straub    1905-11 

Twelfth   Ward 

Samuel   James    1886-87 

Augustus    Buchter    1887-90' 

Tohn  Borrell   1890-1911 

Thirteenth  Ward 

Samuel  Bechtold   1886-94- 

Oscar  Detwiler    1894-96 

Isaiah  J.    Beck    1896-99;  1902-11 

Franklin   E.    Kreider    1899-1902 

Fourteenth  Ward 

John  Gottshall   1893-99 

Williarn  W.  Hinkle    1899-1902 

Frederick  J.   Fegley   1902-11 

Fifteenth    Ward 

Edward   O'Connor    1893-1903 

John   F.   Fisher    1902-11 

Sixteenth  Ward 

Samuel    Focht    1895-96 

Irwin    S.    Close    1896-99 

Robert  Graul    .1899-1907 

Howard  Brown    1907-08 

John  W.   Smith    ; 1908-11 

SCHOOL   CONTROLLERS 

From  the  beginning  of  the  school  system  in  1834 
to  1854,  the  several  wards  of  Reading  were  separ- 
ate organizations  for  carrying  on  school  affairs; 
but  there  were  so  many  inconveniences  in  the  system 
that  in  the  latter  year  another  was  provided  by  law, 
by  which  the  boroughs  and  cities  in  Pennsylvania 
were  constituted  single  school  districts.  Reading 
having  then  been  a  city,  the  school  controllers  of 
the  five  wards  held  a  joint  meeting,  May  16,  1854, 
and  effected  an  organization  by  electing  John  Banks 
as  president,  John  S.  Richards  as  secretary,  and 
Samuel  Frees  as  treasurer. 

The  first  school  board,  after  this  organization,, 
was  composed  of  the  following  controllers: 

Northwest  Ward  Southeast  Ward 

J.  S.  Richards  John  Banks 

W.  H.  Strickland  Ezekiel  Jones 

Ephraim  Armstrong  Isaac  Brenholtz 

William  Ermentrout  George  Printz 

Ivens  Benson  Frederick  Printz 

Charles  Fritz  George  W.  Graul 


READING 


231 


Northeast  Ward  Southwest  Ward 

George  Foos  Samuel  Frees 

C.  W.  Shultz  A.  G.  Green 

Samuel  L.  Young  William  B.  Hertzel 

J.  Bowman  James  Van  Horn 

Jacob  Mast  David  McKnight 

Daniel  Zacharias  Benjamin  M.  Hoag 

Spruce   Ward  • 

Amos  Hooker  Evan  B.  McCord 

A.  S.  Whitman  John  Miles 

Jacob  H.  Deysher  Thomas  Barnet 

On  April  36,  1864,  the  charter  of  Reading  was 
revised,  and  in  this  revision  the  consolidation  of 
the  five  wards  into  one  school  district  was  pre- 
served. Each  ward  became  entitled  to  four  con- 
trollers; with  a  term  of  four  years;  and  two  of 
them  were  to  be  elected  alternately  every  two  years. 
The  voters  at  the  biennial  elections  after  1865  were 
to  vote  for  one  person,  and  the  two  persons  hav- 
ing the  largest  number  of  votes  were  to  be  declared 
elected.  This  provision  was  made  to  preserve  the 
political  equipoise  of  the  board.  The  first  control- 
lers were  elected  in  February,  1865,  and  the  school 
affairs  of  Reading  have  been  carried  on  ever  since 
under  the  Act  of  1864.  The  board  was  authorized 
to  assess  and  collect  taxes  for  school  purposes. 

A  revision  of  the  city  charter  was  again  made 
by  the  geneml  Act  of  1874,  including  a  provision 
for  school  affairs,  but  it  was  not  accepted  by  Read- 
ing. Therefore,  the  school  affairs  of  Reading  are 
carried  on  separately  from  the  city  afifairs. 

The  names  of  the  controllers  of  the  several  wards 
are  given  in  the  following  statement,  from  1873  to 
the  present  time — the  names  for  the  years  from 
1865  until  1873  not  having  been  obtainable,  because 
the  reports  are  missing: 

First    Ward 
Name  Term 

Jesse  G.  Hawley   1873-75 

John   B.   Maxton    1873-75 

Solomon   Sprecher    1873-77 

Henry  J.   Fink    1873-77;  1883-87 

William   B.   Albright    .' 1875-79 

James  E.   Yoder    1875-79 

H.   A.   Corbit    1877-79 

•  A.  J.   Darlington    1877-79 

J.   Henry   Hoffmaster    1879-81 

Matthan    Harbster    1879-81 

Albert  D.   Boas    1879-81 

Josiah   H.   Hiltebeitel    1879-83 

Joseph   R.    Robison    1881-83 

Jesse    Orr    1881-93 

William  S.   Humbert 1881-85 

Isaac  W.  Hull   1883-86 

Georsre  B.  Albright   1885-89 

Frank   W.    Eben    1886-87 

William   D.   Wolfinger    1887-91 

Franklin  Heifer   '. 1887-93 

John   M.  Adams    1889-97 

Frank  K.   Flood    1891-95 

Harry  W.  Orr   1893-98 

John  E.  Harbster   1893-97 

George  E.  Tyson 1895-1910 

WiUiam  A.   Barber    1897-1905 

George  F.  Hagenman   1897-1907 

Henry  T.  Melcher    1898-1910 

Frank  G.  Wilson    1905-10 

Jeremiah  G.  Hagenman   1907-10 


Second   Ward 

Henry  W.  Moyer    1873-75 

Daniel  Shaaber    1873-79 

Redmond  McM'anus   1873-74 

Henry  C.   Hain    1873-77;  1879-83;  1887-91 

Samuel  Holl   1874-77 

J^mes  J.  Driscoll    1875-83 

A.  J.   Fink 1877-85 

Peter  N.  Snyder    1877-81 

Griffith  W.  Jones   1881-89 

John  Morris    1882-1907 

John  P.  Miller 1883-87 

Ellis   L.   Castor    1885-93 

Edward  A.  Howell   1889-97' 

Edward  H.  Kreamer   1891-95 

Henry  A.  Harner   1893-1901 

Elmer  A.  German  1895-1903 

Frank  Kissinger    1897-1905 

Peter   Schlarb,   Jr 1901-10 

George  W.  Ubil    1903-07 

Edward  C.  Price   1905-10 

Henry  E.  Keeler  1907-10 

Edward  S.  High   1907-10 

Third    Ward 

Henry  Johnston    1873-75 

William  G.  McGowan    1873-75 

E.   J.   Ranch    1873-74 

John  Wise 1873-77 

Henry  H.   Holl    1874-76 

James   M.    Lyons    1875-79 

Levi   H.   Liess    1875-79 

Charles   Scull    1876-77 

John  G.  Mohn   1877-89 

Henry   D.   Schoedler    1877-79 

Frank  Schaeffer  1879-81 

Joshua   Clouser    1879-83 

Jacob  Holl  1879-87 

William  Kerper   1881-89 

James  R.  Kenney   1883-87* 

William    High    1887-91. 

Alfred  Snavely  1887-91. 

Chester    B.    Jennings    1889-1901 

B.  Frank  Ruth   1889-1901 ;  1903-10' 

Fred  H.  Witman 1891-95 

Thomas   G.   Printz    1891-9&' 

Henry  W.  Schick   1895-1910-' 

Oscar   B.  Wetherhold    1899-1903 

William   B.    Harper    1901-04 

John  W.  Morrison   1901-OT 

Ira  G.  Shoemaker  igod-lOi 

John  G.  Rhoads    1907-ia 

Fourth   Ward 

Jeremiah   Hagenman    1873-83 

William  M.  Rightmyer   1873-77 

Charles   McKnight    1873-79 

Harrison   Maltzberger    1873-83;  1889-93 

William  H.  Kelley   1877-81 

Levi    Quier    ',[',',',  !i879-89 

Jefferson  M.   Keller    1881-1900 

Henry   G.   Young    1883-87 

Henry  D.  High   1883-91 

John  H.   Obold    1887-1910 

William  J.   Bobst    1891-99 

Edward  W.  James    1893-1908 

Walter  A.  Rigg  1899-1907 

Cha'''es  Jv,^,°^   ■  •  ; 1900-05 

John  H.   Rothermel    ,        1905-06 

Henry  H    Herman   ]  ,\ '.  !l907-08 

Thomas   H.   Morgan    1908-10 

Henry  S.  Fichthorn 1909-10 

William  S.  Dickinson   "  1909-10 

Fifth    Ward 

James  Mulligan   j         1873-79 

John  F.  Moers   ;i873-75 

Samuel  Frees ig^.g^ 

George  W.  Phelps   1873-79 


233 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Henry  D.  Schoedler   1875-7'6 

Wellington  Van  Reed  1876-1910 

Ephraim   Armstrong    1879-81 

John  F.  Orth   1879-82 

William  H.  Wilhelm   1881-89 

Charles  A.  Z.  Griesemer   1881-89 

Edgar  W.   Alexander    1883-83 ;  1887-90 

Peter  W.  Nagle  1883-87 

John  B.  Goodhart   1889-93 

Peter  A.  Fritch    1889-93 

Frederic  P.  Heller    1890-95 

John   R.    Miller    1893-97 

John   C.   Wollison    1893-97 

Harry  F.  Hahn   1895-1903 ;  1904-10 

Alvin    N.    Beyer 1897-1904 

Lloyd  M.  Nunnemacher   1897-1905 

George   Y.   Yocum    1903-06 

Emanuel  Loeb   1905-10 

John    B.    Kre'bs    1907-10 

Howard  F.  Hawk   1909-10 

Sixth   Ward 

George  W.  Bushong   1873-75 

Alexander  Jacobs    1873-75 

Daniel   P.    Shenfelder 1873-77;   1879-83 

Lewis   Briner    1873-77 

Wharton   MIorris    1875-79 

John  McKnight   1875-83 

John   M.   Sharp    1877-81 

Jacob    Snell    1877-81 ;   1883-91 

George  W.  Boas   1881-87 

Jones  O.  Thomas    1881-89 

Stephen   M.   Meredith    1883-84 

Joseph  S.  Riegel   1884-91 

Daniel   E,   Schroeder    1887-93 

Daniel   Beidler    1889-93 

John  S.  Thompson   1891-95 

Walter  Prutzman    1891-99 

Charles  N.   Seitzinger    1893-1901 

William    Hutchinson    1893-97 

John   G.   Beck   1895-1902 

Charles  H.  Frederick   1897-1901 ;  1903-05 

Daniel  P.  Kramer  1899-1903 

John  A.   Britton    1901-03 

Charles   O.  Ream    1901-06 

John   H.  Riegel    1902-10 

Jacob   Diener    1903-07 

William   Prutzman    1905-10 

Harry  P.  Yost   1907-10 

■Edward    S.   Wertz    1907-10 

Seventh    Ward 

Edwin   Shalter    1873-79 

Daniel  Ermentrout  1873-77 

Joseph  T.  Valentine   1873-77 

J.    Howard   Jacobs    1873-75;   1877-85;   1887-91 

Charles  A.  Saylor   1875-83 

Daniel  D.  Lerch   1877-89 

W.  Benton  Stoltz   1879-82 

Frank   C.   Smink    1882-86 

J.    C.    A.    Hoffeditz 1883-87;   1891-95 

Henry  B.   Hendel    1885-89 

William  M.  Goodman   1886-90 

Stephen   M.   Meredith    1889-97 

John  H.  Maltzberger  1889-1901 

J.  Harvey  Tyson   1890-94 

J.    Edward  Wanner    1894-1910 

Ellsworth  A.  Leinbach   1895-99 

Howard  Keppelman   1897-1906 

Harry  T.  Shick   1899-1903 

Reuben   H.  Spangler    1901-10 

Charles  H.  R.  Leinbach   1903-06 

James  F.  Mohn   1907-10 

J.  Newton  Rhoads    1907-10 

Eighth   Ward 

Nicholas  Heckman   1873-77 

Mahlon  K.  Taylor    ] .  1873-74 


A.  T.  C.  Keffer   1873-61 

Henry  S.   Eckert   1873-89 

Henry  W.   Burkey   1874-75 

Harrison  Shultz  1875-79 

S.   E.   Ancona    ' 1877-83  ;   1887-95 

James  M.  Lyons   1879-86 

Jacob   H.    Goodman    1881-89 

Christian  \\/.   Geissler    1883-87 

Adam   W.    Schwartz    1886-87 

George    Foos        1887-95 

Eugene  L  Sandt   1889-93 

Hiester  M.  Nagle    1889-93 

Thaddeus  A.  Hoyer  1893-97 

Edwin  B.   Gettis    1893-1901 

James  R.   Mercer    1895-99 

Charles   S.   Prizer    1895-99 

Cyrus   Wertz    1897-1901 

Abram  Herr    1899-1910 

Seymour  T.  Schmehl   1899-1910 

J.  Wilmer   Fisher    •■  1901-08 

Eugene    Rhein    1901-08 

Thomas  K.  Leidy   1909-10 

George   E.   Dillon    1909-10 

Ninth    JJ'ard 

William    Geiger    1873-76 

Levi    H.    Liess    1873-74 

Jacob    Bissikumer    1873-77 

William   Beardsworth    1873-76 

David  Rhein    1874-76 

Edwin  Ziegler    1876-81 

Nathan  Rohrbach    1876-79 

J.   William   Landis    1876-81 

Ferdinand  Goetz   1877-81 

Joseph   T.   Smith    ■. 1879-83 

Abram    Herr    1881-83 

Hermann  C.  Rees   1881-91 

John  B.  Snyder   1881-89 

August    H.    Bartels     1883-87 

William  Weis 1883-92 

Augustus  M.  High   1887-91 

Henry  S.  Bard   1889-93 

Harrv  A.  Heckman    1891-1900 

Eli   D.    Emerich    1891-99 

John   M.   Becker    1892-95 

Jonathan  S.   Ebling    1893-97 

EUas   H.   Frantz    1895-1904 

Benjamin   F.   Hunsicker 1897-1905 

George   Scheirer    1899-1910 

William  H.   Luppold    1900-04 

John  M.   Smith    .' ' 1904-10 

Robert  Strasser   1904-05 

William    Bauknecht i905-09 

Peter    Eyrich      ;;;;;;  1905-10 

Robert  B.  Machemer   1909-10 

Tenth    Ward 

Fidel  Weber   1876-78 

Samuel  B.  Ruth  1876-77 

John  A.   Neidert 1876-79 

George  W.  Johns    1876-80 

James   Vanstavoren    1877-78 

Wellington    Boyer.   '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'.'.  1879-83 

Hiram  M    Trout   1878-82 

John   D    Witman    1878-82 

Charles  Y    Levan   1880-82 

James  D    Long   1882-84 

Herman   Hermann    •. 1882-86 

Edward  W  De  Haven    1882-90 

Isaac  J.  Hale    1883-88 

Richard   Mohn    "    igg^  gg 

Michael  A    Buckley    '.'.■.'.'.'.■.■.'.'iVse-gS;"  1900-04 

Luther  Seiders   ; iggg-go 

Joseph  A    Byers    iggp.gg 

James  E.  Howe   .      1893.94 

Ben  am.n   F    Sheeder    1893,95 

William  HLongacre   1894.99 

Daniel  W.  Levan    1395-99 


READING 


233 


Henry  H.  Weitzel    1896-1900 

Charles  F.  Brissel  1898-1910 

John  J.   Phillipson 1899-1904 

William  L.   Moser    1899-1900 

Edward  Taenzer   1900-02 

Walter  D.  Fichthorn   1902-10 

Joseph   L.   Gehris    1904-10 

Albert  F.  East  1904-10 

Eleventh   Ward 

W.  H.   Chapman   1876-78 

Griffith  W.  Jones    1876-77 

John  F.  Bellemere   1876-78 

Samuel  M.   Guss    1876-78 

Frederick  Setley   1877-78 

James   Mendenhall    1878-80 

William  H.  Kelley 1878-80 

John   G.   Kalbach    1878-82 

Alfred  S.  Jones   1878-82 

Frank  Menges   1880-86 

Henry  H.  Hartman    1880-84 

Henry  M.  Spuhler 1882-83 

Jeremiah  Seiders   1882-86 

Daniel  Dillon   1883-84 

Adam  Filbert   1884-94 

Henry  H.  Jackson    1884-86 

Isaac   M.   Bechtel    1886-89 

Calvin  S.  Gerhard  1886-88 

Peres  S.  Fisher   1886-94 

Thomas  G.  Harper  1888-95 

James  A.   Fisher    1889-98 

Alfred   Gunkel    1894-1900 

Milton  J.  Miller  1894-98 

Charles  R.  Haman   1895-96 

Charles  A.  Hawk   1896-1910 

Urias  A.  Fisher   1898-1904 

Howard  G.  Becker   1898-1910 

Charles  P.  Saylor 1900-01 

Harry  M.  Laucks   1901-10 

George  C.  Straub    1904-08 

Thomas  M.  Richardson   1908-10 

Twelfth   Ward 

Henry  H.  Jackson    1886-88 

George  W.   Reisinger    1886-91 

Franklin  Menges   1886-98 

Jeremiah  Seiders   ' 1886-94 

George  W.  Ketner   1888-92 

Henry  Stine    1891-92 

William  R.  Kirn    .' 1892-96 

Jenkin   Hill    1892-96 

Harry  S.  Levan   1894-1910 

John   T.    Seiders    1896-1910 

Daniel  K.  Biehl 1896-1904 

Albert  G.  Bauman 1898-1902 

Thomas  A.  Shoemaker   1902-10 

Eph.  S.  Browrlmiller   1904-10 

Thirteenth  Ward 

George   C.   Suender    1886-90 

William  B.  High  1886-87 

Franklin   S.   Shimer    1886-88 

Henry   Seibert    1886-88 

William  A.   Mengel    1887-90 

H.  Bouchat   1888-95 

Abr.  Whitman    1888-1908 

Frederick  W.   Cranston    1890-93 

Llewellyn   Gehret    1890-94 

Albert  J.  Frezeman    1892-94 

Albert  S.   Ibach 1894-98 

Reuben  G.   Shalters    1894-98 

Wesley  B.  Marcks   1895-98 

Evan   C.  Wentzel    1898-99 

Hiram  M.  Trout   1898-1902 

George  J.  Trievel   1898-1910 

William  W.  Britten   1899-1900 

Charles  H.  Ramsay   1900-04 

William  R.  Eaches   1903-06 


George  W.  Millmore   1904-08 

Huysinga  Bouchat   1906-10 

Harry  C.  Wanner  : .  . .' 190S-10 

David  J.  Moyer  1908-10 

Fourteenth  Ward 

Henry  S.   Keffer    1893-95 

William  W.  Fetter   1893-99 

Daniel   E.   Schroeder    1893-97 

William  P.   Keim    1893-97 

Samuel   J.   Waid    1895-1910 

B.  Frank  Fink   1897-99 

George  R.  Hoover   1897-1901 

Morris    Arnold    : 1899-1903 

John  E.  Harbster   1899-1901 

Frank  Bendel   : 1901-03 

Charles   S.   Shalters    1901-03 

James  F.  Mohn   1903-07 

Joseph  E.  Hess   1903-05 

Walter   B.   Koch 1903-05 

Henry   M.   Obold    1905-09 

John  M.  Frame   1905-09 

C.  Clarence  Long  1906-10 

James  A.  Kalbach    1909-10 

Frank  H.  Doremus 1909-10 

Fifteenth   Ward 

George  W.  Wagner   1893-99 

David  K.  Kaufman    1893-99 

Charles   H.   Kiesling    1893-1910 

Howard   E.   Ahrens    1893-1904 

Ezra  Schmehl  1899-1910 

James   M.   Smith    1899-1910 

Robert   L.  Wilson    1904-09 

W.   Irvin   Renninger    1909-10 

Sixteenth  Ward 

Daniel  F.  Printz   1895-1901 

John   B.   Houp    '. 1895-1900 

Samuel  H.  Fulmer   1895-99 

S.   E.  Ancona    1895-99 

Andrew  J.   Fink,  Jr 1899-1904 

Frederick   C.    Printz    1899-1907 

John   H.   Giles    .• 1900-10 

N.   Robert  Tomlinson    1901-04 

John   E.   Clouser    ' 1904-10 

David  C.  Lotz   1904-10 

Nevin  M.  Davis*   1907-09 


The  following  persons  have  been  officers  of  the 
board'  from  1865  to  the  present  time : 

PRESIDENTS 
Name  Term 

J.   K.   McCurdjf    1865-67 

John   S.   Richards    1867-73 

Henry   S.    Eckert    1872-88 

J.   Howard  Jacdbs    1888-90 

S.    E.    Ancona    1890-93 

E.  A.  Howell   1893-97 

George  W.  Wagner   1897-98 

J.  Edward  Wahner   1898-99 ;  1905-10 

B.  F.  Hunsicker   1899-1905 

SECRETARIES 
Name  Term 

Lewis   Briner    1865-67 

John  L.  Barnes   1867-70 

Charles  Scull    1870-72 

Thomas  Severn    1872-73 

William   M.    Rightmyer    1873-77 

A.  J.   Darlington    1877 

Harrison   Shultz    1877-79 

James   M.   Lyon    1879-92 

Francis  Roland',  Jr 1892-1910 

*  Died  April  11,  1909,  and  Bohlke  Luersson  appointed  successor. 


234 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


TREASURERS  , 

Name  Term 

James  Bell   1865-06 

Matthias  Mengel  1866-68 

Peter  Jones  1868-69 

William   Ermentrout    1869-77 

Levi   H.    Liess    ,. .  . .  1877-80 

Ephraim   Armstrong 1880-92 

James  M.  Lyons   1892-94 

Albert  R.  Hoover   1894-1900 

John    B.    Renninger 1900-10 

CITY    SUPERINTENDENTS 

In  1867  the  school  directors  of  cities  containing 
a  population  exceeding  10,000  were  authorized  to 
elect  a  city  superintendent  of  the  common  schools 
for  the  term  of  three  years.  The  directors  oi 
Reading  elected  the  first  superintendent  in  1867, 
Thence,  till  now,  the  superintendents  have  been : 

Name  Term 

John   L.   Barnes    1867-69 

Thomas  Severn    1869-78 

Robert  K.  Buehrle   1878-80 

David  B.  Brunner   1880-81 

Samuel  A.   Baer    1881-84;    1889-96 

Joseph   T.   Valentine    1884-85 

Thomas  M.   Balliet    1885-88 

Z.   X.   Snyder    1888-89 

Ebenezer   Mackey    1896-1903 

Charles   S.   Foos    1902-10 

MEAT  AND   MILK  INSPECTOR 

A  new  office  was  established  by  councils  on  Feb. 
4,  1909,  for  the  inspection  of  meat  and  milk,  and 
the  mayor  selected  as  the  first  appointee  Dr.  George 
R.  Fetherolf,  a  resident  veterinary  surgeon  for 
ten  years  and  a  graduate  of  the  Ontario  Veterinary 
College.  His  legal  authority  extends  throughout 
the  city  and  into  the  surrounding  district  for  twenty 
miles  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  all  butcher-shops 
and  dairy  farms  which  furnish  meat  or  milk  to 
consumers  in  Reading. 

CENSUS 
The  first  correct  enumeration  of  the  population 
of  Reading  was  made  by  the  national  government 
in  1790 ;  and  subsequently  every  ten  years.  The 
numbers  at  the  several  periods  whilst  Reading  was 
a  borough   were  as  follows  : 

1790  2,335   1820  4,332 

1800  3,386   1830  5,856 

1810  3.463   1840  8,410 

CENSUS   ENUMERATION— 1850-1900 


Ward             1     1850   |    1860 

1870 

1880  ■. 

1890 

1900 

]st     

2d     

2,963 
3,774 
3,165 
3,204 
2,038 

4,019 
4,189 
4,905 
5,760 
4,389 

3,834 
5,530 
3,732 
3,611 
3,305 
3,763 
3,541 
3,690 
6,034 

3,044 
5,553 
4.455 
3,836 
3,399 
3,763 
4,130 
3,874 
4,206 
3,834 
5,195 

3,694 
5,947 
4,665 
3,758 
3,467 
5,977 
5,185 
4,403 
4,800 
6,156 
3,899 
4,110 
3,600 

3,993 
6  656 

3d    

4th     

5th     

6th     

7th     

8th     

9th     

10th     

nth     

12th     

13th     

14th     

15th     

16th     

4,717 
3,631 
3,433 
8,011 
3,861 
3,789 
5,454 
4,759 
5,460 
6,617 
6,811 
4,005 
3,874 
4,911 

15,743 

33,163     33,930 

43,378 

58.661 

78,963 

Sexes  of  Population. — The  population  of  Read- 
ing by  sexes  was  as  follows : 

Male  Female 

1830  2,785  2,846 

1840  4,098  4,837 

1850  7,760  7,983 

1860  11,183  11,979 

1870  16,535  17.405 

1880  21,099  32,179 

1890  39,126  39,535 

1900  39,128  39,833 

Population  North  and  Soutpi  of  Penn 
Street. — By  the  following  table  it  appears  that 
the  major  part  of  the  population  of  Reading  was 
south  of  Penn  street  from  1840  to  1880;  and  by 
averaging  the  increase  from  1880  to  1890,  it  is 
evident  that  the  major  part  had  shifted  north  of 
Penn  street  in  the  year  1882. 


1     1840   1     1850   1     I860   1     1870   |     1880    |     1890   i     1900 

South 
Xorth 

4,991 
3,419 

9,901 
5.842 

13,113 
10,049 

17,912 
16,018 

33,111 
31,167 

26,687 
31,974 

31,080 
47,881 

1      1,573|      4,059|      3,064|      1,894|         944|                | 

Colored  Population. — The  colored  population 
at  Reading  since  1830,  by  the  United  States  census 
enumeration,  has  been  as  follows:  1830 — 192;  1840 
—221;  1850—357;  1860—285;  1870—311;  1880— 
350;   1890—390;   1900—534. 

Gctc  Enumeration. — In  1847,  J.  Lawrence  Getz, 
publisher  of  the  Reading  Gazette  and  Democrat, 
made  an  enumeration  of  the  population  at  Read- 
ing, with  the  following  result ;  M-ales,  6,641 ;  fe- 
males, 6,403;  total,  13,044;  houses,  2,138;  families, 
2,398.  There  were  then  nearly  twice  as  many  per- 
sons south  of  Penn  street  as  there  were  north. 

Lez'an  Enumcratioii. — In  1877,  Edgar  M.  Levan, 
an  attorney  at  Reading,  published  a  directory  of 
the  city.  While  registering  the  names  of  the  in- 
habitants, he  collected  interesting  facts,  showing 
the  number  and  sex  of  the  population,  stores, 
dvv'ellings,  etc.,  with  the  following  result: 

j\Iales  over  21  years,  9,765;  under  21  years,  9,- 
787;  females  over  21  years,  10,784;  under '21  years, 
9,773:  total,  -10,109;  stores,  1,044;  dwellings,  8,186; 
manufactories,  117.  Number  of  persons  to  each 
inhabited  dwelling,   5.19. 

Comparative  Statistics. — The  following  statis- 
tics are  submitted  to  show  the  relative  growth  of 
Reading  as  compared  with  the  country  districts 
of  Berks  county  at  three  different  periods. 


Reading 

1856 

1885 

1908 

Taxables 
Property  assessed 
Money  at  interest 

4.094 

$4,011,763 

380,853 

13,279 

$23,780;222 

5,049,482 

35,414 

$53,724,600 

13,434,847 

Country  Districts 

1856 

1885 

1908 

Taxables 

Property  assessed 
Money  at  interest 

13,480 

$19,691,1:20 

2,020,575 

20,879 

$40,806,570 

8.741.821 

31,337 

$40,545,193 

8,977.903 

Assessment  for  1898.— The  city  assessors  of 
Reading  made  an  assessment  of  property  in  the 
several  wards  from  September  to  December,  1897, 
which  was  revised  by  city  councils  from  January 
to  March,  1898,  with  the  following  result :  " 


READING 


235 


Wards 

1 
n 

o 
> 

Property 
Assessed 

II 

1st    

1,272 
1,992 
1,600 
1,040 
1,173 
2,291 
1,887 
1,269 
1,661 
1,524 
1,742 
1,805 
1,899 
1.126 
931 
1,227 

983 

1,407 

1,306 

682 

881 

1,874 

1,079 

996 

1,381 

1,100 

1,319 

1,606 

1,450 

872 

659 

1,048 

$  2,046,200 
2,311,500 
3,682.000 
3,370,250 
2,074,300 
3,688,225  ■ 
5,266,100 
2,902,550 
2,144,100 
1,270,300 
1,773,300 
2,277,875 
2,345,850 
2,806,808 
1,957,291 
2,168,884 

$    250,400 

30,000 

357,700 

238,500 

42,000 

88,000 

1,101,000 

499,500 

2d     

3d     

4th    

5th     

6th    

7th    

8th     

9th    

342,800 
76  800 

10th    

11th    

192,400 
443,800 
244,800 
187,650 
149,600 
451,700 

12th      

13th    

14th     

15th 

16th    

Total 

24,439   1   18,643 

$42,085,533   |   $4,696,650 

The  property  exempted  from  local  taxation  em- 
braces all  churches,  parsonages,  school-houses,  pub- 
lic buildings,  charitable  institutions,  and  corpora- 
tion buildings  not  including  establishments  that  pro- 
duce revenue. 


PRESIDENTIAL  VOTE,   NOV.   3,   1908 

Taft 
Rep. 

1st  Ward,  1st  Precinct 154 

2d  Precinct 135 

3d  Precinct 130 

2d   Ward,  1st  Precinct 57 

2d  Precinct 75 

3d  Precinct 64 

4th    Precinct 128 

3d    Ward,  1st  Precinct 143 

2d  Precinct .,..188 

3d  Precinct 129 

4th  Ward,   295 


Bryan 

Dem. 

75 

75 

66 

79 

104 

69 

140 

140 

205 

84 

156 


5th  Ward,  1st    Precinct 163  127 

2d  Precinct 127  50 

6th  Ward,  1st    Precinct 128  71 

2d  Precinct '204  141 

3d  Precinct 181  244 

4th   Precinct 97  61 

5th  Precinct 73  86 

7th  Ward,  1st    Precinct 174  112 

2d  Precinct 299  126 

8th  Ward,  1st    Precinct 176  133 

2d  Precinct 217  183 

9th  Ward,  1st    Precinct 78  122 

2d  Precinct 93  123 

3d  Precinct 79  133 

4th   Precinct 80  240 

10th  Ward.  1st    Precinct 138  195 

2d  Precinct 198  309 

11th  Ward,  1st    Precinct 149  161 

2d  Precinct 110  335 

3d  Precinct 122  151 

12th  Ward,  ^st    Precinct 118  93 

3d  Precinct 133  169 

3d  Precinct 303  364 

4th   Precinct 132  134 

13th  Ward,  1st    Precinct .° 143  140 

2d  Precinct 200  175 

3d   Precinct ; 323  309 

4th   Precinct 170  197 

14th  Ward,  1st    Precinct 169  57 

3d  Precinct 135  75 

3d  Precinct 51  40 

4th   Precinct 225  116 

15th  Ward,  1st    Precinct 149  156 

2d  Precinct 43  44 

3d  Precinct 285  136 

4th   Precinct 269  Sl.^i 

'                     5th   Precinct 121  92 

16th  Ward,  1st    Precinct 150  131 

2d  Precinct 250  140 

3d  Precinct 172  176 

Totals 7,825  6,959 

Taft's  plurality    866 

Roosevelt's   plurality   over    Parker   in   1904    3,369 


TABLE  OF  STATISTICS* 


Property 

READING                        Taxables            Real  Estate  Real  Estate  Taxable 

Exempt  Taxed  by  County 

1st   Ward    1,436                    $      395,500  $  1,855,550  $1,983,650 

2d    Ward    2,235                             44,800  2,292,500  2,497,475 

3d    Ward    1,826                      2.799,200  3,386,400  3,486,100 

4th    Ward    966                           423,000  3,621,050  3,757,600 

5th    Ward     1,161                             20,000  1,763,325    .  1,883,465 

6th.  Ward    3,373                            93,700  3,660,000  3,993,520 

7th    Ward     1,714                        1,260.000  5,463,825  5,737,250 

8th    Ward    1,567                         697,400  2,792,435  2,963,875 

9th    Ward    1,945                         390,000  2,078,275  3,269,080 

10th    Ward    1,827                            97,000  1,230,820  1,389,055 

11th    Ward    1,921                        172,700  1,817,395  1,992,440 

12th    Ward    2,698                          104,000  2.392,850  2,645,375 

13th    Ward    4,761                          338,450  4,004,490  4,409,180 

14th    Ward    3,476                         348,500  4,170,440  4,445,990 

15th    Ward    3,315        ,                  264,000  3.823,650  4,160,500 

16th    Ward    3,303        '                  507,400  2,660,145  2,884,445 

Total   for   City    35,414                  $7,845,650  $46,913,150  $50,488,000 

County     31,337                       2,835,846  37,709,346  41,807,680 

Total   for   County    66,751                  $10,681;496  $84,622,496  $93,395,680 

Horses,  2,266 ;  assessed  at  $150,010.     Cows,  32 ;  assessed  at  $1,200. 
♦Assessment  reported  by  County  Commissioners  to   State,  August,  1908. 


Tax 

Money 

Levied 

at  Interest 

$  5,948 

$    754,338 

7,492 

126,085 

10,458 

816,515 

11,273 

1,781,995 

5,650 

600,422 

11,981 

384,732 

17,182 

4,626,043 

8,893 

573,006 

6,807 

187,845 

4,167 

91,115 

5,977 

95,633 

7,936 

170,432 

13,228 

170,600 

13,338 

2,143,325 

12,481 

300.012 

8,653 

613,751 

$151,463 

$13,434,847 

125,476 

8,977,902 

$276,939 

$33,413,749 

236 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 
COMPARATIVE  STATEMENT— 1898 


Not  including  exempted  real  estate,  $4,696,650. 


**  One-fifth  valuation. 


Popula- 
tion 

Taxa- 
bles 

Property 
Assessment 

Total 
Debt 

Tax  Rate  in  Mills 

City 

School 

County 

Allentovvn    

35,000 
30,000 
40,000 
16,000 
60,000 
73,000 
106,000 
55,000 
33,000 

9,000 

4,738 
13,750 
34,439 
38,789 
11,200 

7,000     • 

$19,500,000 

11,000,000 

15,416,646 

8,680,000 

24,000,000 

*42,085,533 

33,452,916 

**7,000,000 

9,150,060 

$    433,200 
305,900 
044,500 
267,600 
1,000,000 
1,352,500 
579,538 
464,500 
729,500 

31 

6J 

9 

4i 

7 

6 
13.8 
23 
15 

6 
6 
4 

31 
6 
4 
4 
18 
7 

24 

Easton    

2.8 

Lancaster    

3 

Lebanon     

2 

4 

Reading   .... 

2i 

Scranton    

7 

Wilkes-Barre       

7 

Williamsport    

5 

NUMBER  OF  BUILDINGS 

Statement  showing  number  of  buildings  in  Reading 
Dec.  31,  1908: 

Brick  buildings  18,993 

Stone  buildings  1,552 

Iron  and  frame 2,195 

Iron    402 

Cement    37 

Grand  total; 33,179 

The  following  statement  gives  a  comparative  list  of  the 
buildings  erected  during  1907  and  1908 : 

(D 

t^  00         o      ■;;  Pi  OO 

WARDS  "q     4-.    S      i    1^.51 

V      M  j;     „-       „-      O  S^  bo 

^"C  ■   c   ^ 

S  'u  p  (V      'o  o  6---- 

t/3  m  ^^5  U     H  H  ^ 

1st    6  0  1  13  7  1,014 

2d    2  4  6  10  1,510 

3d    1  3  1  4  8  1,218 

4th     1  2  3  13  1,009 

5th     4  4  4  1,003 

6th     9  13  9  31  50  3,526 

7th     7  7  3  1     17  3  1,171 

8th     4  4  1       9  5  934 

9th     2  4  6  37  1,356 

10th     10  4  14  20  1,169 

11th    17  2  3     21  46  1,376 

13th  3  4  6  37  1,643 

13th  2  8  11  1  S3  139  2,326 

14th  2  1  2  5  102  1,508 

15th  19  3  5  1  27  153  1,881 

16th  2  14  4  1  21  156  1,546 

Total  48  95  59  7  209  790  33,179 

BUILDINGS,  1908 

Statement  showing  the  amount  of  money  invested  in  the 
construction  of  buildings  in  the  several  wards  in  the  city 
during  1908 : 

1st  Ward    $  20,400 

3d    Ward    8,775 


3d    Ward  13,900 

4th  Ward  30,150 

5th  Ward  17,500 

6th  Ward  114,850 

7th  Ward  64,700 

8th  Ward  10,650 

9th  Ward  3,800 

10th  Ward  30,935 

11th  Ward  37,500 

12th  Ward  6,750 

13th  Ward  19,450 

14th  Ward  7,550 

15th  Ward  58,750 

16th  Ward  36,300 


Grand  Total $459,950 


LIQUOR  LICENSES  FOR  1909 


1st  Ward  5 

2d  Ward  17 

3d  Ward  19 

4th  Ward  11 

5th  Ward lo 

6th  Ward  14 

7th  Ward  25 

Sth  Ward  13 

9th  Ward  15 


10th  Ward 4 

11th  Ward 9 

13th  Ward 7 

13th  Ward 13 

14th  Ward  3 

15th  Ward 4 

16th  Ward 5 

174 


In     Boroughs     49 

In   Townships    gj 

Total     314 

Variety  and  Value  of  Industries  in  1900. — 
The  great  extent,  variety  and  value  of  the  indus- 
trial affairs  at  Reading  in  1900  are  exhibited  in  the 
accompanying,  comprehensive  table.  The  inforhia- 
tion  was  secured  and  published  by  the  Census 
Department  of  the  United  States  Government,  and 
it  is  the  first  time  that  this  important  subject  re- 
ceived so  much  attention  at  Reading,  showing  the 
exiact  situation  as  it  then  existed.  It  is  extremely 
valuable  for  reference. 


READING 


237 


Nature  of  Industries,  1900 


M 


I 
W 


feW 


J3   fc! 


u 


3 

■a 
o 


3 


Bicycles •. 

Bicycle  Repairs  

Blacksmiths  and  Wheelwrights. 

Book-binding  

Boot  and  Shoe  Repairs 

Bottling    . . , 

Boxes — Cigar    

Paper  

Brass  Castings   

Bakeries    

Breweries   

Brick  and  Tile 

Brooms  and  Brushes 

Carpenter  Shops    

Carpet  Works  

Carriages  and  Wagons 

Car  Shops   

Cigar  Factories  and  Tobacco. . . 

Clothing  Factories — Men's   . . . . 

Women's . . 

Clothing,  Custom — Men's 

Women's. . . 

Coffee  and  Spice  Roasting 

Confectionery    

Dyeing 

Electrical  Construction   

Foundry  and    Machine 

Furniture,  etc 

Hats — ^Fur    

Wool  

Hardware  

Hosiery  . . '. 

Iron  and  Steel 

Ironwork — Architectural    

Jewelry   

Lime  and  Cement 

Marble  Works   

Masonry — Brick  and  Stone.... 

Millinery  

Newspapers   

Optical  Works ". 

Painters  and   Paper  Hangers.. 

Paint  Works  

Paper  Factories   

Pattern-makers     

Picture  Frames    

Paving  Materials  

Photography    

Planing  Mills  

Plastering     

Plumbing,   etc 

Pottery  and  Terra  Cotta 

Printing    

Roofing   ; 

Saddleries    

Shirts    

Tin  and  Copper  Smiths 

Other  Industries  


4 

7 

27 

3 

52 

6 

3 

5 

3 

51 

6 

3 

7 

47 

8 

12 

4 

76 

4 

5 

41 

11 

3 

21 

4 

6 

27 

14 

3 

4 

4 

31 

7 

4 

22 

3 

15 

14 

11 

10 

3 

45 

5 

3 

4 

4 

9 

9 

5 

8 

25 

3 

17 

8 

7 

5 

38 

67 


354 

7 

27 

14 

12 

28 

35 

26 

15 

213 

119 

19 

35 

367 

5 

203 

1,963 

526 

46 

4 

129 

4 

3 

191 

21 

13 

1,565 

18 

498 

157 

1,380 

183 

3,733 

49 

•25 

5 

108 

275 

81 

147 

14 

167 

21 

90 

5 

7 

'57 

30 

146 

40 

138 

84 

54 

43 

15 

3 

82 

1,056 


26 

19 
3 

35 
66 

3 
5 


541 
114 

39 
185 

50 

111 


198 

104 

80 

1,184 


14 
126 


3 
39 


17 


71 
675 


27 


4 
19 


41 

12 

6 

1 

26 


35 

34 

237 

300 


1 

197 


656,816 

7,276 

21,640 

37,100 

21,065 

63,150 

67,030 

66,109 

81,763 

284,713 

1,032,510 

9,750 

27,550 

194,492 

11,425 

443.731 

2,069,203 

750,497 

185,292 

18,465 

336,094 

9,850 

12,158 

164,191 

36,771 

15,311 

2,799.240 

28,326 

623,408 

450,149 

1,734,544 

710,128 

8,132,619 

50.663 

34,326 

950 

169,045 

87,903 

64,547 

391,723 

268,090 

99.273 

154,776 

549,913 

7,517 

9,675 

11,911 

49,287 

178,949 

12,170 

125,583 

248,815 

.  121,607 

24,945 

25,235 

41,456 

158,281 

4,154,734 


$  165,106 

3,508 

13,721 

10,671 

6,642 

12,478 

19,892 

37,444 

9.170 

104,413 

66,361 

7,887 

13,805 

132,190 

1,910 

83,115 

1,045,675 

431,775 

53,583 

12,013 

111.504 

15,109 

1,728 

71,076 

9,050 

6,805 

681,574 

9,272 

283,000 

136,558 

600,861 

390,857 

1,613,011 

31,299 

15,735 

1,605 

55,788 

139,945 

26,136 

88,999 

34,640 

75,671 

9,484 

52,031 

1,738 

3,778 

19.353 

16,354 

69,467 

18,179 

58,808 

27,011 

27.485 

19,995 

6,116 

16,905 

37,585 

585,300 


■  816,332 

16,306 

48,318 

26,071 

57,526 

88,541 

104,456 

99,544 

34,503 

501,197 

881,665 

17,525 

73,604 

^82,571 

13,529 

307,859 

6,315,128 

1,683,466 

359,771 

55,341 

407,149 

30,869 

24,761 

420,169 

32,942 

61,163 

2,437,355 

37,010 

1,133,688 

328,150 

1,611,268 

1,326,397 

9,530,286 

113,267 

46,327 

6,100 

148,217 

314,184 

163,102 

309,266 

184.770 

208,786 

168,846 

429,305 

7,61'J- 

11,195 

57,837 

52,116 

302,339 

43,966 

249,163 

105,128 

99,447 

73,725 

28,261 

76,155 

300,746 

3,682,006 


Reading,  1900 |  843 


34,443 


Reading,  1890 |    435 


3,706     I     955     I    $27,975,628     |    $7,544,950    |    $36,902,511 


I 


I       14,083.374    1       4,780,470     |       20,855.165 


238 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY.   PENNSYLVANIA 


Other  Industries 
Other   industries  of  Reading  in  1900,  as  enumerated  by 
the  U.   S.  Census,  were  as  follows : 


Artificial      Feathers      and 

Flowers    1 

Bags — Paper  2 

Baskets  and  Willow  Ware  2 

Boots   &   Shoes — Factory.  1 

Boxes — Wood    Packing..  1 

Brassware   1 

Carriage  and  Wagon 

Material   1 

Cars— Street  Ry.,   etc....  2 

Cheese  &  Butter 2 

Condensed  Milk 1 

Cordage  &  Twine 1 


Cotton  Goods  1 

Cotton  Small  Wares 1 

Cutlery  &  Edge  Tools  ...  1 

Dveing  and   Cleaning....  1 

Electroplating  1 

Fancy  Articles   1 

Flour-mill    1 

Food  Preparations   1 

Furnishing  Goods   for 

Men   1 

Gas    Illuminating    1 

Glass   1 

Glass,  Ornamental,  etc. . .  1 


Grease  and  Tallow  1 

Hairwork  1 

Hand  Stamps  1 

riats  and  Caps 3 

House  Furnishing  Goods.   2 

Ice    1 

Iron  Bolts  and  Nuts 1 

Iron  and  Steel  Forgings. .   1 
Lamps  and  Reflectors....   1 

Leather  Curried,  etc 1 

Lock  and  Gun  Smith ....   1 

Malt  1 

Mattress  1 

Mirrors  1 

Patent  Medicines 1 

Photolithographing,  etc.       1 


Regalia  and  Society 

Banners 1 

Sewing  Machine  Repairs.  1 

Silk  Mill 1 

Slaughtering  and  Meat 

Packing 1 

Soap    1 

Stereotyping,    etc 1 

Tobacco,   Chewing,  etc. . .  2 

Toys   and  ^  Games 1 

Trunks    and   Valises 1 

Umbrellas    1 

Washing   Machines    1 

Window  Shades    1 

Wire-rope,  Cable,  etc....  1 

Wood   Carving' 1 

Woolen    Goods    1 


CHAPTER  XI -BOROUGHS 


ERECTION 

The  county  of  Berks  was  erected  in  1752.  All 
the  districts  in  the  county  at  that  time  were  town- 
ships, the  simplest  form  of  local  government,  and 
it  was  not  until  1783  that  the  first  borough  was 
established.  This  was  Reading,  the  county-seat, 
and  it  was  erected  by  a  special  Act  of  Assembly. 
The  next  was  Kutztown,  in  1S15,  situated  six- 
teen miles  northeast  froan  Reading,  and  the  third 
was  Womelsdorf,  in  1833,  fourteen  miles  west 
from  Reading ;  which  were  also  established  by  Act 
of  Assembly. 

In  1834,  the  State  Legislature  empowered  the 
courts  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  several  coun- 
ties, with  the  concurrence  of  a  grand  jury,  to  es- 
tablish boroughs,  but  the  territory  to  be  set  apart 
was  to  include  three  hundred  inhabitants ;  this 
was  modified  by  the  Act  of  1851,  since  when  appli- 
cation and  decree  have  been  made  without  regard 
to  population.  From  that  time,  the  boroughs  in 
the  county  have  been  established  in  this  manner, 
and  until  1909,  fifteen  additional  boroughs  have 
been  created. 

Reading  was  advanced  to  a  city  in  1847,  but 
no  other  borough  in  the  county  has  been  similarly 
advanced. 

The  boroughs  are  seventeen  in  number.  The 
following  table  shows  their  names,  when  estab- 
lished, the  taxables,  the  voters  and  assessment  of 
property.  Other  facts  might  be  mentioned  in  con- 
nection with  the  several  boroughs,  especially  of 
an  industrial  nature,  but  they  have  been  omitted 
to  avoid  repetition,  because  they  are  mentioned 
in  the   sketches  of  resident  patrons  of  this  work. 

General  statistical  information  relating  to  the 
boroughs  will  be  found  in  the  tables  which  include 
the  whole  county,  in  Chapter  IX. 


COMPARATR'E   TABLE— 1908 


Boroughs 
Eastern  Division 

•3 

3 
o 

CJ 

CO 
U 

o 

> 

s 

Ul 

en 
OJ 
en 
en 

< 

Kutztown     

1779 
1779 
1835 
1800 
1859 
18.54 
1852 
1800 

1815 
1837 
1866 
1873 
1875 
1887 
1890 
1902 

658 
912 
761 
497 
,297 
55 
77 
277 

486 
675 
592 
364 
219 
46 
119 
200 

$    793,175 
951,910 
1,188,444 
609,514 
347,250 
65,410 
137,485 
426,705 

Hamburg    

Bovertown    

Fleetwood  *     

Topton    

Lenhartsville     

Bechtelsville     

Mount    Penn  **    

Western  Diinsion 

Womelsdorf     

Bernville     

Birdsboro     

Centreport    

West  Leesport    

Wyomissing     

West  Reading 

Mohnton     

Sbillingtonf 

*  Formerly   Coxtovvn. 
**  Formerly    Dengler's- 

t  May,   1909. 


1762 

1833 

608 

375 

552,439 

1819 

1851 

151 

111 

135,310 

1760 

1872 

885 

731 

1,246,204 

1868 

1884 

48 

32 

48,910 

1842 

1901 

189 

136 

154,275 

1896 

1906 

626 

205 

774,809 

1873 

1907 

598 

483 

658,725 

1850 

1907 

495 

405 

338,910 

1860 

1908 

461 

387 

431,765 

INDUSTRIES 

CiG.AES. — ^The  manufacture  of  cigars  is  a  large 
industry  in  all  parts  of  the  county.  Nearly  one 
hundred  establishments  are  carried  on  in  the  coun- 
try districts,  almost  wholly  in  the  boroughs.  The 
largest  plants,  producing  over  500,000  annually, 
are : 

Christian  Brothers,  in  Womelsdorf. 

John  J.  Eshelman,  in  Mohnton. 

Otto  Eisenlohr  &  Bro.,  in  Boyertown. 

H.  F.  Fidler,  in  Womelsdorf. 

George  Gruber,  in  Stouchsburg. 

W.  H.  Goodman,  in  Millersburg. 


BOROUGHS 


239 


Henry   Hackman,   in  Womelsdorf. 

Kramer  Brothers,  in  Shillingjton. 

C.  S.  Peiffer,  in  Stouchsburg. 

Pioneer  Union  Cigar  Company,  in  Shillington. 

John  J.  Seiz,  in  Stony  Creek. 

A.  S.  Valentine  &  Son,  in  Womelsdorf. 

C.  M.  Yetter,  in  Shillington. 


The 


STATEMENT  OF  BANKS 
following    statement    exhibits    the    financial 


tion  of  the  banks  in  the  boroughs  in  November, 


condi- 
1908. 


•a 

•g. 

J3 
in 

w 

a  o 

en  PL^ 

3 
O 

1-1 

J3 

'S. 

3 
O 

en 
O 

e-o" 

o 

en 

3   C 

m 

a 

U 

et; 

Q 

wtD 

Bernville    . . . 

1907 

$  25,000 

$    122,462 

$  81,405 

$     2,973 

Bjrdsboro    . . 

1888 

50,000 

358,896 

177,844 

81,852 

Boyertown 

National  . . 

1874 

100,000 

1,118,378 

690.760 

196,713 

Farmers   . . 

1883 

50,000 

267,006 

162,756 

4,739 

Fleetwood    . . 

1907 

25,000 

143,675 

90,479 

3,296 

Hamburg    . . . 

Savings 

1872 

50,000 

642,710 

495,232 

97,300 

First  Nat'l. 

1908 

25,000 

129,818 

78,176 

1,509 

Kutztown    . . 

1897 

50,000 

448,262 

250,404 

86,187 

Mohntqn    . . . 

1907 

25.000 

137,702 

91,422 

1,270 

Topton    

1906 

25,000 

137,484 

82,750 

3,875 

Womelsdorf 

1903 

50,000 

405,985 

316,352 

35,159 

MERCANTILE  LICENSES 

The  mercantile  appraiser,  John  G.  Herbine,  appointed 
by  the  county  commissioners  for  the  year  1909,  reported 
the  business  places  in  the  several  boroughs  of  Berks  county, 
liable  to  county  tax,  their  number  being  as  follows : 

Bechtelsville    14 


Bernville    19 

Birdsboro     49 

Boyertown     70 

Centreport     6 

Fleetwood    32 

Hamburg     61 

Kutztown     65 

Lenhartsville    12 

.  Mohnton    12 

Mount  Penn  11 


491 


Reading     1,546 

Townships    894 


Total    2,931 


LIQUOR  LICENSES 


Bernville    2 

Birdsboro 3 

Boyertown    4 

Bechtelsville    2 

Centreport  0 

Fleetwood    4 

Hamburg   8 

Kutztown    6 

Lenhartsville  2 


Mohnton    2 

Mt.  Penn  2 

Shillington    1 

Topton   3 

Womelsdorf    4 

West  Reading   2 

West  Leesport  2 

Wyomissing    2 

49 


Bernville: 
Name 

Founded 

Pastor 

Members 

Friedens     (L.), 
S't.  Thomas   (U.) 

1739-1791-1897 
1897 

(Vacant) 
■   T.    C.    Leinbach    (R.), 

450 

Birdsboro: 

St.   Paul's   (R.), 

St.   Mark's   (L.), 

Chapel 

1881 
1877 
1899 

J.   V.    George, 
Z.   H.   Gable, 

30 
230 

BoyertOTsni: 

St.  John's   (L.),  1811 

(Union,    1811    to    1871) 
Good   Shepherd    (R.),  1871 

Fleetw'ood: 

St.    Paul's    (^U.),  1841 


Chapel    (U.), 

Hamburg: 


1884 


A.    M.    Weber,  1,046 

G.    G.   Greenwald,  428 


M.     H.     Brensinger     (R.),       840 
J.   O.   Henry   (L.),  375 


Shillington     20 

Topton    20 

West    Leesport    10 

West  Reading   30 

Womelsdorf    29 

Wyomissing    18 


St,  John's    (L.),1789-1811-'57-'98 
(tjnion      from      1789      to 
1898,    when   destroyed    by 
fire   and   rebuilt   by   Luth- 

H.   C.    Kline, 

571 

erans.) 
First     (R.), 

1888 

(Vacant), 

312 

Kutztown: 

St.    Paul's    (R.), 
St.   John's    (U.), 

Trinity    (L.), 

1753-1790-1876 
1874-1894 

G.    B.    Smith, 
E.  H.  Leinbach   (R.), 
J.    J.    Cressman    (L.), 
R.    B.    Lynch, 

1,120 
451 
315 
296 

Lenhartsville 

Friedens    (U.), 

1856-1892 

R.    S.    Appel    (R.), 
D.  D.  Trexler   (L.), 

110 
110 

Mohnton: 

St.   John's    (L.), 

1900 

M.  H.   Stetler, 

393 

Mt.  Penn: 

Faith    (L.), 
Trinity    (R.), 

1885 

J.    F.    Snyder, 
M.   L.   Herbein, 

93 
112 

Shillington: 

Emanuel     (R.), 
Grace    (L.), 

1874-1908 
1902 

W.    J.   Kershner, 
F.  F.  Buermyer, 

80 
40 

Topton: 

St.     Peter's     (U.) 

1869-1881 

G.    B.    Smith    (R.), 
J.   O.   Henry   (L.), 

130 

West  Reading) 

St.   James    (R.), 
Bethany    (L,), 

1R93 
1896 

George    W.  .Gerhard, 
W.    6.    Laub, 

204 
238 

Womelsdorf: 

Zion's    (U.), 

1793-1867-1803 

L.    D.    Stambaugh    (R.), 
O.   E.   Pflueger,    (L.), 

245 
357 

Wyomissing: 

Reformed 

1909 

H.   H.    Rupp 

Other  Churches 
Mennonite 

Boyertown:   Old,   1790-1819-1879 
New,  1883 


i  Andrew  Mack 
-  John  Ehst 
A.    S.    Shelly, 


Protestant  Episcopal 

Birdsboro  1852-1885 

Methodist  Episcopal 

Birdsboro  1839-1869 

Boyertown 

Hamburg 


1876 
1854 


CHURCHES  OF  BOROUGHS 

Lutheran  and  Reformed 


Evangelical 

Birdsboro     (Trinity),  1904 

Mohnton   (Salem),         1849-1872 


United  Evangelical 

1874 
18— 
1866 


(L..    indicating    Lutheran; 
•         ■        •      ch 


using   the   church 

Bechtelsville: 

Name 
Trinity    (U.), 


R., 

alternately.) 


Reformed ;    and    U.,    Union,    both 


Founded  Pastor  Members 

1886       George  W.   Roth    (R.),  65 

J.  J.   Kline   (L.), 


Birdsboro 
Boyertown 
Fleetwood 
Hafnburg 

Ktttstown 

Mohnton 

Shillington 

Topton 

West  Leesport 

Womelsdorf 


1872. 
1850-1885. 


1872 
1835-1867 


1895 
1895 
■1895 
1895 

■1895 
1895 
1904 
1895 
•1895 
■1895 


Francis    Yarnali, 


A.   F.   Collom, 

F.    Herson, 

E.  F.  Hoffman, 


B.   W.    Luckenbill, 
F.   Solver, 


George    S.    Kauffroth, 
C.    W.    Heffner, 
C.   E.   Hejs, 

(I.    J.    Reitz 

I  A.   S.  Mengel 
H.  J.   Kline, 
J.   R.  Hensyl, 
C.  D.  Haman, 
J.   R.    Hensyl, 

(  I.  T.  Reitz 

I  A.  S.  Mengel 
F.  B.  Yocum 


26 


145 


185 

54 

113 

352 


150 
145 


155 

65 

161 


125 
303 
125 
303 


240 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


United  Brethren 

Name 
Birdsboro 

Church  of  God 

Fleetwood    (United), 


Founded 
1886 


1868 


SCHOOL  AFFAIRS— 1908 


Borough 


Bechtelsville    . . 

Bernville     

Birdsboro   

Boyertown  . . .  . 
Centreport  .... 
Fleetwood    . . . . 

Hamburg    

Kutztown   

Lenhartsville   . . 

Mohnton   

Mount  Penn  . . 
Shillington  * 

Topton    

West  Leesport 
West   Reading 
Womelsdorf    . . 
Wyomissing     . . 


2 

2 
11 

9 

1 

5 
12  . 

4 

1 

7 

3 

3 
3 
7 
6 
3 


to 

;-! 

a 

O 

o 

^ 

(J 

m 

y-i 

u 

dj 

rt 

rt 

;n 

fA 

LLi 

151 

129 

22 

24 

236 

222 

185 

217 

14 

19 

103 

120 

240 

226 

97 

106 

11 

12 

148 

151 

73 

62 

77 

65 

30 

43 

161 

144 

89 

124 

52 

65 

o 


$  1,176 

1,369 

10,206 

7,695 

429 

4,808 

16,110 

5,220 

517 

4,361 

2,774 

2,773 
1,549 
4,323 
5,195 
30,486 


^    320 

337 

1,988 

1,561 

120 

707 

1,866 

1,041 

137 

1,909 

495 

513 
424 
2,022 
981 
859 


■  Established   after   report  published   and   appropriations  made. 


ODD  FELLOWS 


6 

bo 
3 

Borough 

in 

u 

s 

Value  of 
Property 

122 

65 
295 
118 
260 
160 

$  4,000 
7,000 
1,500 

514 
708 

Birdsboro     

103 

Hambur"*     .      ...               

12,000 

159 

Womelsdorf    

3,000 

Reading,  seven  lodges   . .  .  . 
Townships,    eleven    lodges. 


$26,500 
.  73,792 
.    36,400 


$136,692 


P.  O.  S.  OF  A.  CAMPS 


z; 


07 
78 
103 
104 
113 
172 
211 
324 
417 
446 
531 


Borough 


Xi 

a 


Womelsdorf 
Hamburg  . . 
Fleetwood  ■  • 
Boyertown  . 
Bernville  .  . . 
Topton  .... 
Mohntpn  .  . . 
Bechtelsville 
Birdsboro  . . 
Centreport  . 
Lenhartsville 


136 
321 
180 
224 
207 
211 
233 
130 
293 
116 
64 


7,440 

11,901 

6,994 

8,668 

10,270 

6,262 

7,791 

5,931 

11,134 

3,393 

1,670 


Camps   at   Reading    (14) 
Camps  in  townships   (28) 


2,115 
3,835 
3,419 


$  81,454 
113,398 
148,152 


9,369      I      $343,004 


KUTZTOWN 

Incorporation. — ^Kutztown  was  the  second  bor- 
ough erected  in  Berks  county,  Reading  having 
been  the  first.  It  was  incorporated  by  a  special 
Act  of  Assembly  in  1815,  the  Act  having  been 
framed  after  the  Act  of  1783,  by  which  Reading 
was  incorporated.  It  is  situated  in  the  northeast- 
ern section  of  the  county  along  the  Sacony  creek, 
and  the  territory  within  the  boundary  lines  was 
taken  from  Maxatawny  township. 

The  lands  in  this  vicinity,  embracing  one  thou- 
sand acres,  were  patented  to  Peter  Wentz  in  1728 ; 
and  he,  in  1755,  conveyed  130  acres  to  George 
Kutz.  In  1779,  Kutz  laid  out  a  town  and  named 
it  Kutztown,  and  soon  afterward  the  first  dwell- 
ings were  erected.  In  1817,  there  were  106  tax- 
ables,  with  a  total  valuation  of  $56,465.  The  tax- 
rate  was  U  mills.  In  1835,  there  were  159  tax- 
ables;  105  "dwelhngs ;  800  population.  In  1908, 
there  were  622  resident  taxables,  with  a  total  val- 
uation of  $670,500. 

Proceedings  were  instituted  in  the  councd  to 
add  to  the  borough  the  improved  aiid  connected 
portions  of  Maxatawny  township  which  adjoin  it 
on  the  east,  north  and  west,  comprising  567  acres 
and  making  the  total  area  of  the  borough  742 
acres;  and  these  proceedings  were  filed  in  court 
on  March  1,  1909,  for  legal  action. 

Taxables  of  1817.— The  first  list  of  taxable  in- 
habitants, of  the  borough  was  prepared  in  1817, 
and  the  following  list  comprises  their  names,  with 
their  rating,  numbering  altogether  106 : 

Angstadt,   Joseph,   gunsmith $     20 

Baity,  Jacob,  Sr.,  blacksmith 592 

Biehl,    Daniel,    tinman 905 

Baity,  Jacob,  Jr.,  blacksmith 32 

Bryfogel,  George.   Sr.,   farmer 932 

Busby,   Samuel,   shoemaker 20 

Bieber,   Dewald,   merchant 1,617 

Bast,   Dewald,   farmer 2.904 

Becker,   Ephraim,   doctor 705 

Barner,    Michael    390 

Benjamin,  John,  hatter 20 

Cupp,    Conrad,    town-crier 600 

Cupp,   Andrew    150 

Cupp,    Christian,   cabinet-maker 20 

Dennis,   John,  shoemaker 752 

Dum,   Thomas    813 

Deisher,  John   350 

Dennis,    Jacob    

Ernst,  Nicholas,   farmer 1.123 

Essert,    Jacob,    cabinet-maker 1,384 

Essert,    Daniel,    cabinet-maker 30 

Essert,   George,   cabinet-maker 20 

Fister,  George,  inn-keeper 1.573 

Fister,   John,   saddler 20 

Fritz,   Peter,  cabinet-maker 532 

Gross,  Joseph   92 

Geehr,  Philip,  Esq.,  justice 33 

Gifft  Peter,  clock-maker   103 

Geehr,    Benjamin,    saddler 20 

Graeff,  Jacob,  blacksmith   760 

Grube,   Christina    350 

Glasser,   Daniel,   hatter 420 

GeS'chwind,  John  

Geehr,  Samuel,  and  Levan,  Jacob 580 

Grim,   Jonathan    , 2,852 


BOROUGHS 


241 


Geisweit,  Peter,  laborer 32 

Herbine,   Samuel,   cooper 954 

Humberd,  Jacob,  carpenter 32 

Hottenstine,    Catharine    682 

Heist,   Henry    962 

Heist,  Hannah,  widow   500 

Heninger,    John,    shoemaker 882 

Harmony,  Benjamin,  tailor 32 

Jung,  John,   laborer 20 

Kutz,  Peter,  tinman 1^272 

Kutz,  Adarri^  carpenter 1,762 

Kutz,  Jacob,  mason 33 

Knoske,  John,  minister 772 

Keaffer,  Joseph   302 

Kutz,  John,  tailor 1,077 

Keiser,  Joseph   1,037 

Kutz,  Peter,  Revolutionary  soldier 1,209 

Kutz,  Daniel   462 

Kemp,  George,  Jr 900 

Kohler,  Henry,  proprietor  of  Kutztown  Hotel 1,600 

Klein,  Philip  500 

Kaup,  Andrew,  wheelwright 20 

Klein,  Jacob,  tailor 20 

Klein,  Isaac  430 

Keller,  Israel,  shoemaker 20 

Kutz,   Solomon,  butcher 722 

Kister,  George,  tailor 820 

Keiser,  Jacob,  weaver 433 

Levan,   Jacob,    Esq 1,107 

Levan,  Daniel,   inn-keeper 1,602 

Levan,  Jacob,  inn'-keeper 1,923 

Lehman,  Jacob,  tinman 20 

Levan,   Charles,  inn-keeper 95 

Levan,   Isaac,   inn-keeper 44 

McCandless,  Robert 

Neff,   John,   mason 1,494 

Nevel,  Jacob,  laborer 

Neff,  Henry,  mason 692 

Neff,    Peter    1,464 

Neudorf,  Susanna,  widow 420 

Owerbeck,  Jacob,  tobacconist 140 

Old,  Gabriel,  carpenter 32 

Palsgrove,  John,   weaver    854 

Rudenauer,  Samuel  52 

Reifsnyder,  Abram  20 

Rever,  Adam   760 

Sharodin,  John,  hatter 1,072 

Sander,  Henry   820 

Strasser,  Michael,   carpenter. .  ■. 70 

Seigfried,   John,    Sr 490 

Seigfried,  John,  Jr 50 

Selfridge,   Mathias,  merchant 32 

Schofield,  Ebenezer,  shoemaker 232 

Smith,  Catharine  (estate  of) 300 

Till,  Jacob,  teacher 40 

Wolff,  P«ter,  laborer 20 

Wickert,  Jacob,  tailor 20 

Wilson,   Motheral    2,110 

Winck,  Dewald,  hatter 744 

Wanner,  Abram,  hatter 1,052 

Rate  of  taxation,  li  mills  on  the  dollar. 

Single  Freemen,  each  75  c.ents 

Bast,    Jacob  Mehrman,  William 

Becker,  Samiuel  Owerback,    Henry 

Becker,  Benjamin  O'Neal,  David 

Essert,  Jacob  ,      Odenheimer,  George 

Glasser,  Jonathan  Smith,  James 

Harmony,   Jonathan 

Total   valuation    $56,465 

.  Houses,  69 ;  horses,  47 ;  cows,  63. 

Geoege  Breyfogle,  Assessor. 
16 


List  of  Officials. — The  names  of  the  chief 
burgesses,  town  clerks  and  justices  of  the  peace 
from  the  beginning  of  the  borough  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  and  the  time  when  the  incumbents  filled 
their  respective  positions,  are  as  follows : 

CHIEF  BURGESSES 

Dewalt  Bieber   1816-17 

Daniel  Levan  18I8 

George  Breyfogle  1819-21 

Henry  Heist 1822 

John  Kutz  ; 1823 

Jonathan   Prime    1824 

John   Palsgrove   1825-26 ;  1831 

Jacob  Esser   1827 

Geo.  A.  Odenheimer 1828 

John  Fister 1829 ;  1832 ;  1834-35 ;  1854 

Daniel  Bieber  1830;  1846;  1848 

Peter   Gifft    ' 1833  ;  1837 

William  Heidenreich 1836 ;  1842-43 ;  1847 

George  Bieber   1838-39 ;   1845 

John  V.  Houck 1840 

Dr.  William  Bieber 1841 

Jacob  Graeff 1844 ;  1852 

David  Fister 1849;  1865-67;  1871 

Daniel  B.  Kutz 1850;  1855 

David  Levan 1851 

Reuben  Sharadin 1853 

Fayette  Schaedler 1856 

Hiram  F.  Bickel 1857-58 

J.  S.  Trexler. 1859 

B.  H.  Kutz 1860 

William   Helfrich   1861 

Jacob  Sunday 1862 

C.  H.  Wanner 1863-64 

Paul  Hilbert 1868-69 

John  Humbert  .' 1870 

Lewis   Hottenstein   1873 

J.  D.  Wanner 1873-74 

David  Hinterleiter   '. 1875 

S.  S.   Schmehl 1876 

John  M.  Graeff , 1877 

R.  Dewalt  1878 

Walter  B.   Bieber 1879-80 

D.  W.  Sharadin 1881-82 

D.  F.  Bieber 1883-86 

J.  D.  Sharadin ' 1887 

Jacob  B.  Esser 1888 

Dewalt  F.  Bieber ; 1889 

Reuben  Dewalt   1890 

Conrad  Gehring 1891-97 

John  R.  Gouser 1897-1900 

Charles  D.  Herman 1900-03 

Charles  J.  G.  Christian 1903-06 

Jeremiah  T.  Fritch 1906-09 

H.   W.   Saul 1909-12 

TOWN  CLERKS 

James  Scull  1816-17 

John  Fister  1818-19 

James   Donagan    1820-33;   1825-32;   1834 

Lloyd  Wharton  1824 

Henry  Heist 1833 

George  Bieber    1835-36 

Wm.  F.  Sellers 1837-40 

David  Neff 1841-42 

George  Hartzell   1343 

Wm.  S.  Bieber 1844-51;  1853 

Henry  C.  Kutz 1852 

James  M.  Gehr 1854;  1859 

H.  B.  Van  Scheetz 1355 

J.  David  Wanner 1856-58;  1860-66;  1871;  1879;  1881-96 


243 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY.    PENNSYLVANIA 


A.  C.  Beidelman 1867 

H.  H.  Schwartz 1868-70 ;  1873-74 

Jonas   Hoch    1872 

E.  D.  Bieber 1875 

J,    H.  Marx 1876-78 ;   1880;   1899-1901 

Oliver  H.  Sander 1897 

Dr.  Henry  W.  Saul 1898 

Charles  H.  Wanner 1903 

Albert  S.  Heffner 1903-10 

JUSTICES   OF  THE   PEACE 

Jacob  Levan   1814-23 

Benjamin  Gehr   1818 

James    Donagan    1820 

John  Wanner   1830-23 

Lloyd  Wharton   1828 

Henry  Heist   1840-45 

Jacob  Graeff  1840-44 

Charles  Weirman    1844-47 

William  S.  Bieber 1845-55 

John   B.    Scbeutz 1847-52 

H.  B.  Von  Scheutz 1852-56 

James  M.  Gehr 1855-60 

J.  Daniel  Wanner 1856-67 

Charles  W.  Esser 1860-64 

Hiram  H.  Schwartz 1864-83 

Allen  K.  Hottenstein 1867-71 

John  Humbert 1871-76  ;  1883-94 

John  H.  Marx 1876-1906 

A.    S.    Heffner    1894-1904 

H.   S.   Sharadin   1906-11 

A.J.Rhode 1904-09     ,        r-,       ,        ,^     x^-. 

George  H.  Smith 1905-14    °y   Charles  M.   Richardson    (Bernville). 

POSTMASTERS  Wcntc  Marble  Works,  15  to  20  hands;  carried 

The  postmasters  for  the  past  thirty  years  have  been:  °"  ^^   father,   Philip,   until   1895,  and   since  by  his 

Jonathan  Bieber  son  William  as  Wentz  &  Co. 

Christian  Bieber  Keystone  Shoe  Factory  (1885),  100  hands;  car- 

1893-97  ried  on  by  Dr.  J.  S.  Trexler,  \\-ilHam  Stimmel  and 
Charles  Miller  until  1902,  and  since  b^^  Lewis 
Stein. 


ious  trades  incident  to  every  community  were  car- 
ried on  with  more  or  less  activity,  but  without  any 
marked  improvement.  Some  establishments  were 
operated  for  a  number  of  years  and  then  discon- 
tinued. The  introduction  of  the  steam  railway 
in  1870  was  a  great  assistance.  The  East  Penn 
railroad  was  opened  for  travel  from  Reading  to 
Allentown  in  1859,  and  in  1870  a  branch  was  con- 
structed from  Topton  to  Kutztown.  This  facility 
for  the  shipment  of  goods  stimulated  manufactures 
and  the  erection  of  different  kinds  of  shops  and 
factories.  This  industrial  activity  has  been  kept 
up  with  increasing  success  until  the  present  time. 
In  1909  all  the  places  employed  about  four  hun- 
dred hands,  and  their  productions  were  sent  to  all 
parts  of  the  United  States. 

Estahlishments 

Sharadin  Shirt  Factory  (1896),  30  to  35  hands; 
carried  on  by  Howard  Sharadin  from  1896  to  1902 ; 
by  his  brother  Francis  from  1902  to  1907;  and 
by  S.  Liebowitz  since  1907. 

H.  K.  Dcisher  Knitting  Mill  (1890),  45  to  50 
hands. 

Knt::tozvn  Creamery  Compan\  (1881-1907)  ; 
milk  depot  established  near  railroad  station  in  1907 


Tczi.'n  Council, 


William  Sander ]___ 

Michael    T.    Donmoyer 1889-93 

John  P.  S.  Fenstermacher Since  1897 

BOROUGH   OFFICIALS— 1909 
Chief  Burgess,     Dr.  H.  W.   Saul 

L.  A.  Stein,  President 
James   S.   Heffner 
Nicholas   M.  Rahn 
William  F.  Stimmel 
Stephen  W.  Keinert 
William  B.  Schaeffer 
Pierce   Schell 
A.  S.  Heffner,  Clerk 
Walter  B.   Bieber,   President 
George  C.  Bordner,  Secretary 
A.  W.  Fritch,  Treasurer 
George  Glasser 
Dr.  N.  Z.  Dunkelberger 
John  H.  Barto 
C.  L.  Gruber 
J.  H.  Marx 
A.  F.  DeLong 
Llewellyn  Angstadt 
Charles  A.  Frey 
N.  S.  Schmehl 
Justices  of  file  Peace,    Howard  S.  Sharadin 

George  H.   Smith 
Constable,   Charles  Glasser 
Board  of  Health,  Dr.  E.  K.  Steckel,  President 
Solon  A.  Stein,  Secretary 
George  H.   Smith,  Treasurer 
Fred  T.  Williamson 
David  James,  Health  Officer 

Industries.— The  place  being  inland,  for  nearly 
one  hundred  years  its  development  was  slow.   Var- 


School  Board, 


Auditors, 


Assessor, 
Collector, 
Treasurer, 


Sacony  Shoe  Factory,  Inc.   (1897),  40  hands. 

James  S.  Heffner  Roller  Flour  Mill  (1887)  ;  al- 
so lumber,  coal  and  grain. 

Kutztown  Foundry  and  Machine  Works  Inc 
(1896),  90  to  110  hands. 

U.  B.  Ketner  Paper  Box  Factory  (1906),  10  to 
12  hands ;  carried  on  by  Charles  Ahn  from  1906  to 
1907. 

R.  Miller's  Son  Carriage  Factory,  10  to  12  hands  • 
Richard  Miller  started  before  1850,  and  succeeded 
by  son  Charles. 

Bieber s  Brick  Yard.  10  to  15  hands;  started  by 
Jonathan  Bieber  before  1860,  and  succeeded  by 
son  William. 

Stimmel  Brick-Yard  (1906).  20  to  30  hands; 
brick  machinery  driven  by  steam 

Kutatown  Silk  Aim  (1900),  70  to  80  hands; 
started  by  Hartley  Brothers  and  operated  until 
1907,  and  since  by  the  Merchants'   Silk  Company. 

And  then  there  were  at  Kutztown,  besides  the 
industries  named,  the  following: 

Cigar  factories 2      Hat  and  shoe  stores 4 

Blacksmith  shops   2      General  stores   . .  5 

Wheelwright  shops    3      r,        ,        ,  \.    

Carpet  weaving  shop 1      Department  store 1 

Book-making  factories   ...2       Printing  office   1 

Millinery  shops   5      Hotels  7 

Hardware  stores  2      Law  office    1 


BOROUGHS  343 

Physicians  r>     Drug  store 1  excavations   are   still   visible   at   numerous   places 

Dent'sts  2     Amusement  Halls  2  along   the   route,   evidencing   the   fruitless    expen- 

diture  of  large  sums  of  money  in  behalf    of  an  at- 

_,              .         .       ,  .      .                     ■     ,       Tr  tempted  establishment  of  this  much  needed  enter- 

Bank. — A  national  bank  was  organized  at  Kutz-  pj-jgg 

town  in  1871  and  carried  on  twelve  years,  when  previous  to  1857  the  mode  of  public  travel  to 

It  was   removed  to  Reading  and  there  re-organ-  ^nd  from  this  place  was  by  stage-coach,  and  its 

ized   as   the   Keystone   National   Bank._    In   1897,  ^^-^    ^^.^j^^j  ^^^  departure  were  a  matter  of  much 

another  national  bank  was  organized  in  the  bor-  -^^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^  comnuinity. 

ough  under  the  narne  of  Kutztown  National  Bank  Strcets.-The  principal  streets  have  been  macad- 

with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  and  it  has  been  carried  ^^-^^^    ^^^  ^^  ^^^^^^         ■       ^-^^  nitrified  brick 

on  in  a  very  successful  nianner      In  June    1906  ^r   asphaltum   has   been   introcjuced   as   yet.     The 

the   total   resources   were   $458,480;   par   value   of  ^ct  of  1815,  establishing  this  borough,  was  found 

shares,  of   stock    $100    market  value    $218 ;  loans  defective  in  respect  to  the  improvement  of  streets, 

and   discounts    $369  598;   deposits,   $376,745;   sur-  ^nd  therefore  nothing  was  done  in  this  behalf  for 

plus    and   profits,   $65,966      John    R.    Gonser   has  f^.^y   years.      In    1854,    by  petition   to   court,   the 

been  the  president  since  its  organization ;  and  O  provisions  of  the  amended  Act   of  1851,   relating 

P.  Gnmley  the  cashier.     In  1908.  the  bank  erected  f^  boroughs,  were  accepted;  and  in  1855  an  ordi- 

a   superior   building   with   an   attractive   sandstone  ^^nce  was  passed  by  the  council  to  effect  this  local 

front  and  all  the  latest  improvements  for  protec-  improvement,  but  it  was  enforced  more  especially 

tion  against  fire  and  burglary,  at  a  cost  of  $20,-  for  Securing  better  sidewalks. 

000.      ihe   directors  took  possession  in  February,  ~     „       °.            >■■,,■                         j 

1909,  and  its  financial  status  then  was  as  follows:  ,   Tro'lleyLmes.-A  street  railway  line  was  opened 

Resources,    $464,388;    deposits,    $378,434;    surplus  for  travel   from   Kutztown  to  Allentown  m   1903 

and  undivided  profits,  $86,000.  and  from  that  time  dwellings  began  to  be  erected 

A  new  State  bank  is  about  being  established  in  V'  Maxatawny  township,  east  of  the  Sacony  creek, 

the  borough  by  the  name  of  the   Farmers'   Bank  fornriing  until  1909  a  large  and  valuable  addition 

of  Kutztown,  v^rith  a. capital  of  $50,000.  1°  ^nnJ'^'^"^'';  ^    y^     ^^^""'^  '*',  ^^""^^^y  i'"^- 
In   1903,  a  trolley  line  was  extended  to  the  bor- 
ough from  Reading,  thereby  opening  through  trav- 
PuBLic  Improvements  el    from   Reading  to   Allentown,    Bethlehem   and 

Water  Supply. — In  1889,  the  Kutztown  Water  Easton,  via  Kutztown. 
Company  was  organized  and  incorporated  by  Dr.  Similar  building  operations  have  been  carried 
J.  S.  Trexler,  Sell  D.  Kutz,  J.  Daniel  Sharadin  and  on  beyond  the  western  limits  of  the  borough,  op- 
Peter  D.  Wanner  for  supplying  the  town  with  wat-  posite  the  Keystone  State  Normal  _  School,  mak- 
er. They  established  a  reservoir  on  Kutz's  Hill,  ing  that  section  also  very  attractive.  As  else- 
a  mile  west  of  the  town,  with  a  capacity  of  1,000,-  where,  the  influence  of  this  railway  has  been  felt 
000  gallons,  and  put  down  mains  to  and  through  in  the  general  development  of  the  place.  A  power- 
the  borough.  The  water  was  secured  from  springs,  house  was  established  at  Kutztown  in  1903,  and 
Kemp's  run,  and  an  artesian  well,  800  feet  deep,  this  has  supplied  the  power  to  and  from  Trexler- 
with  a  flowing  daily  capacity  of  100,000  gallons,  town,  and  to  and  from  Temple  since  the  exten- 
Dr.   Trexler   was'  president   of  the  company  until  sion  from  Reading. 

his  death  in  1902;  and  Mr.  Wanner  has  officiated  Fire  Protection. — An   association   was   incorpor- 

since.     Theretofore,   wells   had   been   used  by   the  ated  in  1844  for  the  purpose  of  affording  protec- 

residents  from  the  beginning  of  the  place.  tion   to   the    inhabitants    of    the    borough    against 

Light. — In  1905,  the  council  established  a  muni-  fire,    and   the    necessary   apparatus    was    procured, 

cipal    electric    light    plant    to    supply    the   borough  In   1871,   the   borough   council   erected   a  building 

with  light  along  the  public  highways.     Previously,  for  the  apparatus.     The  association  was  not  reg- 

coal-oil  lamps  had  been  used.     Many  persons  have  ularly  kept  up  until  recently;  then  a  reorganiza- 

adopted   its    use   in    their    dwellings    and    business  tion  was  effected  and  a  new  building  is  being  put 

places.  up,    costing   $7,000.      When    an    alarm    of   fire    is 

i?at7road.— Railroad   communication  was  opened  given,  the  community  respond  in  general  and  all 

with  Kutztown  from  Topton  in  1870.     From  1859  able-bodied  men  are  expected  to  lend  their  aid  in 

to  that  time  the-  nearest  railroad  station  was  Ly-  extinguishing  the  fire.     Fortunately,  no  costly  fires 

ons,    on   the   East    Penn   railroad,   to   which   place  have  arisen  to  require  organized  effort  under  ex- 

the  residents  went  by  conveyance  for  the  purpose  pert    direction.      The   pressure   of   water    fom   the 

of  visiting  Reading  to  the  westward  by  train,  and  reservoir  is   strong  owing  to  the  elevation  of  the 

Allentown  to  the  eastward.  water-supply.     The  fire  ai)paratus  consists  of  two 

A  railroad  had  been  projected  from  Allentown,  hand-engines,    hose-carriage,    and    hook    and   lad- 

by   way   of  Kutztown   to   Hamburg   and   Auburn,  der  truck. 

in   1854,  and  subsequently  the   road-bed  was  par-  Fair-Ground. — 'A  local   fair-ground,   situated  on 

tially   constructed   between    Kutztown   and   Ham-  the  south  side  of  the  borough,  was  carried  on  by 

burg,  but  never  completed.    The  embankments  and  a   society   for  upward  of  thirty  years   from  1870. 


244 


HISTORY    OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Then  the  society  was  obliged  to  vacate  the  pre- 
mises, and  it  purchased  a  superior  site  on  the  north. 
In  1905,  it  erected  the  necessary  buildings  and 
constructed  a  fine  half-mile  track;  and  in  the  fall  of 
that  year  the  first  exhibition  was  given  on  the  new 
ground. 

Park. — A  large  park,  comprising  ten  acres,  was 
established  in  1903  by  a  private  corporation.  It 
is  situated  in  the  eastern  addition  to  the  borough, 
along  the  main  thoroughfare  to  Allentown,  and 
since  then  it  has  attracted  much  public  attention. 
It  has  been  improved  by  the  planting  of  selected 
shade  trees  and  shrubbery  under  the  supervision 
of  H.  K.  Deisher,  who  served  as  a  director  for  a 
time  and  continues  an  active  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  park.  A  ball-field  is  included  in  the 
park  improvement. 

The  small  monument,  which  had  been  erected  be- 
fore the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  in  1876, 
was  removed  to  the  park  in  190C. 

Auditorium. — An  improved  and  modern  amuse- 
ment hall  was  provided  by  the  Kutztown  Audi- 
torium Compan}^  in  1907,  and  a  superior  brick 
building  was  erected  and  equipped  at  a  cost  of 
$30,000,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  one  thousand 
persons,  which  has  been  well  patronized  by  the  com- 
munity. 

A  frame  music  hall,  with  a  seating  capacity  of 
five  hundred,  was  established  in  1890,  and  various 
entertainments  there  have  been  much  encouraged. 

Band  of  Music. — A  band  of  music  has  been  main- 
tained at  Kutztown  for  many  years,  which  devel- 
oped a  great  reputation  for  the  rendition  of  classi- 
cal music  in  a  superior  manner.  The  instructors 
and  leaders  have  been  James  Sander,  Henry  Druck- 
enmiller,  Theophilus  Wagonhorst  and  Preston 
Wagonhorst. 

B.-VTTALiONS. — Kutztown  was  a  prominent  center 
for  seventy  years  after  the  Revolution  in  the  mat- 
ter of  assembling  of  the  local  militia  companies 
for  the  purpose  of  keeping  up  familiarity  with 
military  exercise,  and  the  dav  was  commonly 
known  as  "Battalion  Day."  Multitudes  of  people 
went  from  the  surrounding  districts  for  ten  miles 
to  witness  the  exhibition  and  the  day  came  to  be 
recognized  as  a  holiday  for  amusement  and  .hilar- 
ity. The  following  announcement  made  in  1831  will 
give  a  correct  idea  of  its  character  at  that  time, 
over  seventy-five  years  ago  : 

"The  yearly  fair  will  be  held  August  12th  and  13th, 
1831.  Persons  fond  of  military  parade  will  see  Capt. 
Grim's  company  of  Horse,  and  Capt.  Bieher's  company  of 
Infantry,  and  the  Kutztown  Band  of  Music  parade  on 
these  days.  Shows  and  pastimes  of  all  kinds  will  be  ex- 
hibited. Hucksters  will  be  well  provided  with  beer,  mead, 
sweet-meats,  and  all  the  fruits  in  season.  The  youth  are 
informed  that  there  will  be  an  abundance  of  good  music, 
and  plenty  of  pretty  girls  to  dance  to  it." 

For  sorne  years  after  the  Revolution,  these  an- 
nual meetings  in  May  and  September  were  rec- 
ognized as  of  a  serious  nature  in  order  to  main- 
tain a  preparation  for  war  in  time  of  peace,  but 
then   they  gradually  drifted   away   from   its  bene- 


ficent purpose.  By  1840,  more  especially  by  1850, 
they  had  come  to  be  particular  occasions  for  rev- 
elry and  dissipation;  and  this  peculiar  character 
was  observable  all  over  the  county.  They  were 
discontinued  before  the  Civil  war. 

Cultivation  of  Ginseng. — The  cultivation  of 
ginseng  at  Kutztown  was  begun  by  Henry  K> 
Deisher  in  1904  and  he  has  been  very  successful. 
The  beds  cover  several  acres  of  ground  situated 
at  the  rear  of  the  premises,  where  he  resides  on 
Noble  street,  and  they  contain  upward  of  fifty  thou- 
sand roots.  He  is  also  cultivating  beds  several 
miles  from  Kutztown  which  contain  upward  of 
fifteen  thousand  roots. 

Newspapers. — The  Kutztown  Journal,  a  Ger- 
man newspaper,  was  begun  in  1870  by  Isaac  F. 
Christ  and  published  by  him  until  1875,  when 
Conrad  Gehring  and  A.  B.  Urich  became  the  pur- 
chasers. In  1877,  Mr.  Gehring  bought  the  interest 
of  Mr.  Urich  and  continued  publishing  the  paper 
until  1887,  when  he  sold  the  plant,  including  a  book 
and  wall-paper  store,  to  Jacob  B.  Esser,  who  had 
learned  the  printing  business  there ;  and  Mr.  Esser 
has  continued  its  successful  publication  until  now. 

The  American  Patriot,  an  English-German  news- 
paper, was  also  started  by  J\Ir.  Christ  in  1874.  He 
sold  it  to  Gehring  and  Urich  in  1875,  and  Urich 
sold  his  interest  to  Gehring  in  1877.  In  1887  Geh- 
ring sold  it  to  Esser,  who  has  published  it  since.  In 
1888  the  use  of  the  German  department  in  the  news- 
paper was  discontinued.  It  has  been  issued  con- 
tinuously from  the  Journal  office.  In  1905,  Mr. 
Esser  introduced  the  linotype  machine,  with  mat- 
rices for  English  and  German  composition;  and  he 
enlarged  the  Patriot  to  eight  pages.  Both  newspap- 
ers have  a  large  circulation,  but  that  of  the  Patriot 
has  been  the  larger  of  the  two  since  1895. 

The  National  Educator  was  published  at  Kutz- 
town as  an  English  educational  journal  by  Rev. 
Dr.  A.  R.  Home  from  1872  to  1877,  when  it  was 
transferred  to  Allentown.  He  had  removed  to 
that  place  in  1877.  The  newspaper  was  printed 
in  the  Journal  office. 

The  Normal  Vidcttc  was  first  issued  in  INIarch, 
1894;  and  has  been  published  quarterly  in  Octo- 
ber, January,  April  and  July.  It  is  mailed  to  the 
majority  of  the  graduates  and  former  students 
of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  to  school 
teachers,  to  school  superintendents,  and  to  school 
directors ;  and  sent  as  an  exchange  to  a  great  many 
colleges,  normal  schools,  academies,  and  high 
schools  of  Pennsylvania  as  well  as  to  other  States. 

Its  staff  consists  of  Prof.  Harry  T.  Stein,  man- 
ager; Prof.  James  S.  Grim,  editor;  Prof.  George 
C.  Bordner,  alumni  editor ;  Caroline  V.  Hov,  editor 
of  school  news;  and  Prof.  PI.  W.  Sharadin,  art- 
ist. Professor  Stein  has  been  connected  with  it 
almost  from  its  very  inception.  It  has  proved  a 
strong  medium  in  bringing  alumni  in  closer  touch 
with  their  alma  mater.  It  has  been  printed  and 
issued  by  the  publisher  of  the  Journal. 


o 
o 

I 
o 

(0 


DC  S 
O   Z 

z  z 

<l 

0)  o 


BOROUGHS 


245 


_  Secret  Societies. — The  following-  Secret  So- 
cieties have  been  instituted  and  carried  on  at  Kutz- 
town: 

F.  &  A.  M.,  Huguenot  Lodge,  No.  ^77, 1866 ;  141 
members. 

K.  G.  E.,  Adonai  Castle,  No.  77,  1886 ;  350  mem- 
bers. 

Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  Charles  A.  Gerasch  Council, 
No.  1004,  1895;  325  members. 

Ladies  Golden  Eagle,  Purity  Temple,  1900;  80 
members. 

Royal  Arcanum,  Maxatawny  Council,  1900. 

Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  Kutstown  Aerie, 
1903 ;  200  members. 

Churches. — In  1790,  a  union  church  was  erect- 
ed of  frame  material  by  members  of  the  Luther- 
an and  Reformed  denominations  of  the  vicinity, 
and  this  was  maintained  until  1891,  when  a  su- 
perior stone  church  was  substituted.  But  mem- 
bers of  these  respective  denominations  have  since 
erected  beautiful  denominational  churches,  known 
as  the  Trinity  Lutheran  (1892),  and  the  St.  Paul's 
Reformed  (1885).  In  the  old  church,  a  Sunday- 
school  was  organized  in  1826,  and  this  has  been 
carried  on  successfully  until  now. 

The  Evangelical  Association  erected  a  church  in 
1850,  and  organized  a  Sunday-school  in  1851;  and 
the  members  have  maintained  both  until  now. 
They  erected  a  fine  new  building  in  1885. 

Cemeteries. — Besides  the  burying-ground  con- 
nected with  the  old  Union  Church,  Hope  cemetery 
was  established  near  by  in  1871 ;  and  the  Fair- 
view  cemetery  along  the  road  to  Reading,  a  short 
•distance  west  of  the  Normal  School,  in  1861.  The 
latter  was  enlarged  in  1905  by  the  purchase  of 
twelve  acres  as  an  annex,  situated  on  the  west  side 
of  the  public  road.  There  are  a  number  of  costly 
monuments  in  these  cemeteries. 

Schools. — The  subject  of  education  received, 
the  earnest  attention  of  the  inhabitants  from  the 
beginning  of  the  town.  While  a  union  church 
was  being  erected  by  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
denominations,  rules  were  framed  for  the  govern- 
ment of  a  school,  and  it  was  carried  on  under  the 
supervision  of  the  church  council  until  the  intro- 
duction of  the  common  school  'system  in  1838. 

In  1892  the  borough  erected  a  large  and  superior, 
■school  building  with  eight  rooms  at  a  cost  of  $25,- 
000.  It  embraces  five  schools.  The  total  annual 
■expenditures  are  $5,000. 

Keystone  State  Normal  School. — This  institu- 
tion, though  not  situated  within  the  corporate  lim- 
its of  Kutztown,  is  nevertheless  so  thoroughly  iden- 
tified with  the  borough  as  to  justify  a  description' 
of  it  in  connection  with  the  historical  narrative  of 
the  borough.  Proceedings  are  now  pending  in 
court  relating  to  the  annexation  to  the  borough  of 
adjoining  property,  which  includes  the  Normal 
School.  The  article  which  follows  was  prepared 
Ijy  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Deatrick,  A.  M.,  Sc.  D. 


The  buildings  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  are 
admirably  located  on  elevated  ground  along  the  "Easton 
Road"  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Kutztown,  midway 
between  Reading  and  Allentown.  "  The  landed  property 
of  the  institution,  now  embracing  some  fifty  acres,  ex- 
tends on  both  sides  of  this  noted  highway  for  quite  a  dis- 
tance. 

This  normal  school  is  the  direct  outgrowth  of  two  ear- 
lier schools,  Fairview  Seminary  and  its  predecessor,  the 
old  Franklin  Academy.  This  earliest  school  was  housed 
first  in  the  old  stone  parochial  school-house  and  later  in 
the  small  wooden  building  still  standing  at  the  intersec- 
tion of  Walnut  and  Whiteoak  streets,  in  the  heart  of  the 
town.  It  was  founded  in  1836;  and  in  1838,  in  order  to 
secure  an  annual  appropriation  of  $400  which  the  State 
then  offered  to  an  academy  having  on  its  roll  twenty- 
five  students,  it  was  incorporated.  The  first  trustees  were 
Daniel  B.  Kutz,  Daniel  Bieber,  Col.  John  Wanner,  David 
Kutz,  Dr.  C.  L.  Schlemm,  David  Deisher  and  Henry  Heflf- 
ner.  The  number  of  pupils  was  limited  to  thirty-three 
and  no  one  was  received  for  a  shorter  period  than  six 
months,  for  which  time  the  tuition  charges  were  $10.00. 
The  school  had  quite  an  extensive  library  for  the  time. 
Hon.  Alexander  Ramsey  (in  later  years  a  prominent  states- 
man of  Minnesota)  was  at  one  time  a  teacher  in  this 
academy.  After  rendering  excellent  service  to  the  com- 
munity Franklin  Academy  closed  its  doors. 

In  1860,  another  attempt  was  made  to  provide  oppor- 
tunities for  advanced  instruction.  In  that  year,  mainly 
through  the  efforts  of  the  Rev.  J.  Sassaman  Herman, 
a  clergyman  of  the  Reformed  Church,  Fairview  Seminary 
was  established.  This  school  was  opened,  and  for  sev- 
eral years  was  conducted  in  the  building  now  known  as 
"Fairview  Mansion,"  the  present  residence  of  Col.  Thom- 
as D.  Fister,  at  the  extreme  western  end  of  the  town. 
Prof.  H.  R.  Nicks,  A.  M.,  was  the  first  teacher.  He 
opened  the  school  with  five  pupils :  Erastus  Bast,  O.  C. 
Herman,  Jefferson  C.  Hoch,  Nathan  C.  Schaeffer  (later 
for  sixteen  years  principal  of  the  Keystone  State  Nor- 
mal School  and,  since  1893,  superintendent  of  public  in- 
struction of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania),  and  Miss  Clara 
Wanner.  The  school  prospered  under  Professor  Nicks. 
By  April,  1861,  he  had  forty-one  pupils  on  the  roll,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1863  there  were  eighty-five,  of  whom 
a  large  number  were  boarding  students.  This  number 
taxed  the  capacity  of  the  building,  and,  in  1863,  through 
the  influence  of  Professor  Nicks,  five  acres  of  land 
were  purchased,  where  part  of  the  Normal  buildings 
now  stand,  and  on  that  tract  was  begun  the  erection 
of  a  larger  brick  building.  This  structure  cost  $6,500, 
and  later  became  the  old  northeastern  wing  of  the  Key- 
stone State  Normal  School,  making  way  in  time  for 
the  present  Boys'  Dormitories.  In  the  fall  of  1864,  Fair- 
view  Seminary  was  moved  into  this  building  and  there 
conducted  under  the  new  name  of  Maxatawny  Seminary. 
Professor  Nicks  continued  as  principal,  associating  with 
himself,  in  1865,  as  assistant,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Transeau, 
who  remained  with  the  school  till  1867,  and  in  1873  re- 
moved to  Williamsport,  where  for  a  number  of  years 
he  served  as  city  superintendent  of  public  schools. 

As  early  as  1857  the  location  of  the  State  Normal  school 
for  the  Third  district,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Berks, 
Lehigh  and  Schuylkill,  was  discussed.  In  that  year,  in 
an  address  delivered  at  Reading,  the  Hon.  H.  H.  Schwartz, 
then  superintendent  pf  schools  of  Lehigh,  advocated  the 
claims  of  Kutztown  as  the  site  for  the  proposed  institution. 
In  1862,  the  Rev.  B.  E.  Kramlich  suggested  that  Professor 
Nicks's  "Fairview  Seminary"  be  converted  into  a  State  Nor- 
mal. The  Rev.  John  S.  Ermentrout,  superintendent  of  the 
Berks  county  public  schools,  favored  Hamburg,  as  a  better 
locality.  Professor  Nicks,  however,  was  the  individual  who 
worked  hardest  and  did  most,  accomplishing  what  others 
merely  talked  about.  In  1863  he  entered  into  corres- 
pondence with  the  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Burroughs,  State  sup- 
erintendent, in  order  to  ascertain  what  steps  were  to  be 
taken  to  secure  recognition  of  his  school  as  a  State  Normal 


2-lG 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


school.  In  the  spring  of  1865  a  number  of  public  school 
teachers  were  gathered  into  Maxatawny  Seminary,  where 
they  were  given  formal  pedagogical  instruction  by  County 
Superintendent  Ermentrout.  When  the  success  of  Maxa- 
tawny Seminary  had  been  assured,  Professor  Nicks  pro- 
ceeded to  interest  the  community  in  the  greater  project. 
As  the  direct  result  of  his  advocacy  of  the  measure  and 
of  his  persistent  energy,  an  organization  was  effected  in 
the  summer  of  1S65  and  funds  were  speedily  subscribed 
for  the  erection  of  two  additional  buildings,  a  central 
building  and  a  wing  on  the  north-west  similar  to  the  Max- 
atawny Seminary  building,  which,  after  the  erection  of  the 
two  new  edifices,  formed  the  northeast  wing  of  the  com- 
pleted structure,  the  whole  then  presenting  a  frontage  of 
240  feet,  "with  boarding  accommodations  for  300  and  school 
accommodations  for  400  students."  The  corner-stone  of 
this  structure  was  laid  Sept.  17,  1865,  by  Superintendent 
Ermentrout.  In  the  corner-stone  "were  deposited,  among 
other  things,  the  Bible  and  the  Apostles'  Creed.''  .Addresses 
on  this  occasion  were  delivered  by  Hon.  J.  Lawrence  Getz, 
William  Rosenthal,  Esq.,  Daniel  Ermentrout,  Esq.,  Llewel- 
lyn Wanner,  Esq.,  and  Prof.  Albert  N.  Raub.  The  building, 
erected  by  Messrs.  Garst  and  Mast,  of  the  city  of  Read- 
ing, was  completed  within  a  year  at  a  cost  of  about 
$40,000. 

The  people  of  the  community,  notably  the  Hottensteins, 
the  Biebers,  Dr.  Charles  A.  Gerasch,  Solomon  Christ,  and 
David  Schaeffer,  by  liberal  contributions,  made  the  under- 
taking a  success.  For  the  Normal  there  was  subscribed 
$18, .300;  which  with  the  $6,500  given  for  the  seminary 
previously,  made  a  total  of  $24,800. 

The  first  board  of  trustees  was  composed  of  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  :  Henry  Bushong,  Egidius  Butz,  Daniel 
Deatrich,  Rev.  J.  S.  Ermentrout,  David  Fister,  John 
H.  Fogel,  Jonas  Hoch,  Edward  Hottenstein,  M.  D., 
J.  Clancy  Jones,  Rev.  B.  E.  Kramlich,  Diller  Luther,  M. 
D.,  Jonas  Miller,  Ullrich  Miller,  Rev.  H.  R.  Nicks,  H. 
H.  Schwartz,  Esq.,  David  Schaeffer,  Adam  Stein,  Lesher 
Trexler,  M.  D.,  and  J.  D.  Wanner,  Esq.  Lewis  K. 
Hottenstein  was  president  of  the  board  of  trustees,  David 
H.  Hottenstein  its  secretary;  Lesher  Trexler,  M.  D.,  was 
president  of  the  board  of  stockholders  and  Jonas  Hoch 
secretary.  Charles  Gerasch,  M.  D.,  was  treasurer  of  the 
new  school. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees,  held  Aug.  4,  1866. 
formal  application  was  made  to  the  Hon.  Charles  R.  Co- 
burn,  State  superintendent  of  common  schools,  for  the 
recognition  of  the  school  as  the  State  Normal  School  for 
the  Third  District.  On  Thursday,  Sept.  13,  1866,  W. 
Worthington^  George  Landon,  S.  Elliott,  Thaddeus  Banks, 
J.  S.  Ermentrout  (superintendent  of  Berks  county), 
Jesse  Newlin  (superintendent  of  Schuylkill),  and  E.  J. 
Young  (superintendent  of  Lehigh),  inspectors  appointed 
by  the  State  superintendent,  inspected  the  school  and  rec- 
ommended its  recognition,  and  on  Sept.  15th,  two  days 
later.  Superintendent  Coburn  issued  a  proclamation  recog- 
nizing the  school  by  the  name  of  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School,  the  corporate  name  borne  by  it  to  the 
present  time. 

The  officers  of  instruction,  as  given  by  the  first  catalog, 
were:  Rev.  J.  S.  Ermentrout,  A.  M.,  Principal,  and  Pro- 
fessor of  Mental  and  Moral  Science,  and  of  Theory  and 
Practice  of  Teaching;  Rev.  H.  R.  Nicks,  A.  M.,  Associate 
Principal,  and  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Physics; 
Albert  N.  Raub,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  English  Language 
and  Literature,  and  of  Vocal  Music;  Rev.  Samuel  Tran- 
seau,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Ancient  Languages  and  His- 
tory; Edward  T.  Burgan,  M.  E.,  Superintendent  of  the 
Model  School  and  Professor  of  Penmanship  and  Book- 
keeping; Rev.  G.  F.  Spieker,  Professor  of  German  Lan- 
guage and  Literature;  Lesher  Trexler,  M.  D.,  Lecturer 
on  Anatomy.  Physiology,  and  Hygiene;  Miss  Julia  E. 
Bullard,  M.  L.,  Teacher  of  Instrumental  Music,  French, 
Painting  and  Drawing;  Miss  Mary  Morrison,  Teacher  of 

Reading  and  Geography;    ^ (not  filled),  Teacher  of 

Elocution;    Peter   S.   Umbenhauer.    Pupil   Assistant.     The 


first  catalog,  1866-1867,  contains  the  names  of  318  pupils: 
263  of  them  male,  55   female. 

Rev.  John  S.  Ermentrout  served  as  principal  until  1871 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  A.  R.  Home,  A.  M. 
After  an  absence  of  three  years.  Professor  Ermentrout 
returned  in  1874  and  served  as  Professor  of  Mental  Science 
and  English  Literature  (or  "Belles  Lettres,"  as  it  was 
called  at  first)  until  1881.  In  1877  Dr.  A.  R,  Home  was 
succeeded  in  the  principalship  by  the  Rev.  Nathan  C. 
Schaeffer,  A.  M.,  who,  after  winning  unusual  distinction 
and  receiving  honorary  degrees  from  eminent  institutions 
of  learning,  severed  his  connection  with  the  school  in  1893 
to  become  State  superintendent  of  public  instruction  of 
Pennsylvania.  Rev.  George  B.  Hancher,  Ph.  D.,  became 
principal  in  1893  and  served  till  1899 ;  since  that  time  to 
the  present,  the  Rev.  A.  C.  Rothermel,  Pd.  D.,  has  been 
the  efficient  head  of  the  institution. 

The  growth  of  the  school  has  been  steady  and  substan- 
tial. For  more  than  twenty  years  past,  building  opera- 
tions have  been  almost  continuous.  The  earlier  struc- 
tures were  soon  outgrown  and  larger  edifices,  one  by  one. 
have  taken  their  place  until  now,  with  the  exception  of 
a  single  three-storied  brick  building,  known  as  "The 
Steward's  Building,"  overshadowed  by  massive  piles 
around  it,  not  one  of  the  first  erections  remains.  In  1880 
the  "Ladies'  Building"  or  Girls'  Dormitory  was  put  up ; 
in  1887  the  "Chapel  Building"  was  erected ;  in  1891  the 
extensive  northeast  wing  or  "Boys'  Dormitory"  followed ; 
in  1893  the  old  "Main  Building"  was  demolished  to  give 
place  for  the  great  six-story  "Center  Building,"  costing 
$75,000;  in  1896,  the  necessities  of  the  school  produced  a 
fine  kitchen  and  laundry  with  a  superb  equipment:  in 
1898  a  powerful  electric  light  plant  made  coal-oil  illumina- 
tion an  incident  of  history;  in  1900  the  foundations  were 
laid  for  a  new  "Model  School  Building"  with  an  annex 
containing  physical,  chemical  and  biological  laboratories, 
and  an  ample  auditorium  (the  two  costing  $100,000);  in 
1908  a  splendidly  equipped  gymnasium,  ornately  designed, 
and  erected  at  a  cost  of  $50,000,  was  opened  for  use : 
while  the  early  months  of  1909  witness  the  completion 
of  a  fine  two-story  brick  hospital  or  infirmary,  for  the 
isolation  and  treatment  of  pupils  who  may  fall  ill  while 
at  school  (a  provision  for  which  it  is  hoped  there  may 
be  little  need). 

Besides  this,  there  is  a  great  boiler  house,  which  has 
been  enlarged  from  time  to  time  in  order  to  furnish 
steam  heat  to  recitation  rooms  and  dormitories  and  power 
to  run  the  machinery  of  the  hydraulic  passenger  elevator, 
the  apparatus  of  the  laundry,  the  electric  dynamos,  and 
the  pumping  engine  at  the  artesian  well  and  water  tower. 

The  buildings  are  in  some  respects  unique  as  being, 
with  the  exception  of  boiler  house,  electric  plant,  gymnas- 
ium, infirmary,  and  steward's  house,  practically  under  one 
roof,  being  connected  by  covered  bridges,  supported  on 
beams  of  steel.  The  dormitories  and  recitation  halls  are 
large   and   abundantly  lighted. 

The  equipment  of  the  school  in  the  way  of  scientific 
apparatus  is  select  and  complete,  and  each  vear  large  ex- 
penditures are  made  for  the  physical,  chemical,  biological, 
and  psychological  laboratories,  as  well  as  for  the  Other 
departments  of  the  institution ;  by  which  means  the  edu- 
cational facilities  afforded  by  the  school  are  kept  abreast 
of  the  demands  of  the  times. 

There  are  three  principal  libraries,  each  containing  sev- 
eral thousand  volumes.  One  is  the  general  reference  li- 
brary, the  other  two  are  the  property  of  the  two  literary 
societies  maintained  by  the  students.  These  societies  are 
the  Philomathean  Literary  Society,  organized  early  in  the 
year  1865,  and  the  Keystone  Literary  Society,  originally 
named  the  Kalliomathean  Society,  which,  in  September  of 
the  same  year,  was  organized  by  students  dismissed,  for 
the  purpose  of  starting  a  rival  society,  by  the  elder  organ- 
ization. Besides  these  collections  of  books,  several  de- 
partmental or  working  libraries,  housed  in  various  recita- 
tion rooms,  are  maintained  bv  several  of  the  departments 
of  the  school.  AH  these  collections  are  generously  aug- 
mented from  time  to  time. 


BOROUGHS 


247 


The  course  of  study  is  that  prescribed  by  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  but  in  some  matters  this  school  leads 
its  compeers.  At  the  instigation  of  Dr.  Nathan  C.  Schaef- 
fer  (who  was  principal  at  the  time  and  had  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Pennsylvania  Industrial  Commission),  a  man- 
ual training  department,  directed  by  Dr.  W.  W.  Dea- 
triok,  was  established  in  1891,  the  first  in  Pennsylvania 
Normal  Schools.  .Instruction  in  this  department  is  given 
on  pedagogic  lines  but,  nevertheless,  the  course  is  eminent- 
ly practical,  having  obtained  marked  recognition  in  the 
reports  of  the  United  States  commissioner  of  education. 
Specimens  of  work  done  in  accordance  with  this  course, 
exhibited  with  other  work  of  the  school,  won  medals 
and  diplomas  at  two  great  world's  fairs.  Among  other 
exercises  in  this  department,  there  may  be  mentioned  plain 
sewing  (for  female  pupils),  construction  of  apparatus, 
clay-modeliBg,  and  mechanical  drawing.  The  fine  arts 
are  not  neglected :  drawing,  crayoning,  and  painting  in 
water  and  oils  and  on  china,  are  thoroughly  taught. 

But  brains  are  better  than  bricks  and  the  mainstay  of 
a  great  school  must  ever  be  the  excellence  of  its  teaching 
force.  In  this  particular  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  has  been  especially  fortunate :  it  has  always  had 
forceful  instructors,  and  never  more  of  them  than  now. 
The  roster  of  teachers  in  the  last  catalog  contains  thirty- 
four  names ;  and  among  them  a  considerable  proportion 
is  of  names  of  college  and  university  trained  instructors. 
In  this  way  the  desired  breadth  and  accuracy  in  instruc- 
tion are  secured. 

The  school  is  crowded  with  pupils  to  the  point  of  tax- 
ing the  capacity  of  the  present  ample  buildings.  The  last 
catalog  contained  the  names  of  929  pupils.  The  list  of 
alumni  of  the  institution  now  totals  2,564  names,  among 
which  are  men  and  women  prominent  in  every  sphere  of 
wholesome  and  serviceable  human  activity.  A  recent  report 
of  the  trustees  made  to  the  Department  of  Public  Instruc- 
tion shows  that,  at  present,  there  are  about  10,000  volumes 
in  the  combined  libraries  and  that  the  value  of  the  build- 
ings and  equipment  approximates  half  a  million  dollars. 

Deisher  Indian  Relics. — The  collection  of  In- 
dian relics  owned  by  Henry  K.  Deisher,  manufac- 
turer, is  worthy  of  special  mention  in  connection 
with  the  history  of  Kutztown.  He  began  collect- 
ing arrow-heads  in  the  vicinity  of  the  borough 
when  only  a  boy  six  years  old,  at  the  suggestion 
of  his  teacher,  and  as  he  grew  older  he  gradually 
extended  his  excursions  into  the  surrounding  terri- 
tory in  search  of  relics.  When  plowing  operations 
on  the  farms  were  going  on,  he  was  particularly 
zealous,  and  his  industry  and  perseverance  were 
rewarded  by  the  acquisition  of  all  kinds  of  speci- 
mens. In  this  way  his  collection  grew  larger  and 
larger  and  with  it  the  development  of  his  knowl- 
edge on  the  subject,  until  Re  came  to  possess  su- 
perior specimens  from  all  parts  of  Berks  county 
and  from  the  counties  in  the  eastern  and  interior 
parts  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  also  num- 
erous publications  relating  to  Indian  affairs,  which 
together  comprise  a  considerable  library  of  much 
valu(e  on  the  subject.  Then  he  began  to  purchase 
specimeijs  from  different  States,  and  so  he  con- 
tinued his  accumulations  until  he  now  has  upward 
of  22,000,  consisting  of  arrow-heads,  spear-heads, 
knives,  scrapers,  axes,  celts,  pestles,  and  ceremonial 
or  banner  stones.  Much  skill  has  been  displayed  in 
their  arrangement  in  cases  specially  prepared.  Since 
1900,  he  has  added  two  rare  collections  of  all  kinds 
of  relics  from  the  Pacific  coast,  carefully  packed  and 
weighing  two  tons,  which  embraced  all  kinds  of 
stone,  bone  and  horn  implements,  and  many  strings 


of '  beads  and  wampum.  The  collection  includes 
17,000  specimens  of  various  kinds  from  different 
parts  of  Berks  county. 

Mr.  Deisher  has  also  collected  many  baskets  of 
all  kinds,  shapes  and  sizes,  made  by  the  Indians 
of  California,  Arizona  and  Alaska,  varying  in  di- 
ameter from  one-quarter  of  an  inch  to  two  and  a 
half  feet,  and  showing  unique  designs  of  perfect 
regularity,  in  different  colors. 

The  collection  is  worth  many  thousands  of  dol- 
lars, and  Mr.  Deisher's  enterprise,  devotion,  and 
determination  in  this  behalf  since  1873,  a  period 
covering  thirty-six  years,  are  truly  commendable. 


HAMBURG 

Hamburg  is  a  prosperous  borough  in  the  north- 
ern section  of  the  county,  near  the  eastern  bank 
of  the  Schuylkill  river,  sixteen  miles  north  of  Read- 
ing. The  land  embraced  in  the  limits  of  the  bor- 
ough was  taken  up  by  warrant  as  early  as 
1732,  immediately  after  the  territory  was  re- 
leased by  the  Indians,  and  a  patent  was  is- 
sued in  1772  to  Martin  Kaercher  for  250 
acres,  the  tract  having  been  named  "Ham- 
burg" at  that  time.  In  1779,  Kaercher  conveyed 
the  tract  to  his  son,  Martin,  and  the  son  then  laid  ' 
out  a  town.  It  came  to  be  publicly  known  by  the 
name  of  Kaerchertown,  which  it  held  for  many  > 
years. 

The  first  public  enterprise  affecting  this  place 
was  the  construction  of  the  Centre  Turnpike  from 
Reading  to  Pottsville.  It  was  completed  in  1812, 
and  operated'  until  1885,  when  it  was  abandoned. 
Stages  ran  to  and  fro  on  this  turnpike  until  1842. 

A  canal  was  constructed  along  the  eastern  bank 
of  the  Schuylkill  from  1815  to  1822,  which  was 
opened  for  traffic  in  1824.  Active  operations  were 
carried  on  until  about  1895,  with  a  large  annual 
tonnage,  but  then  they  almost  entirely  ceased  be- 
cause the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  Com- 
pany (which  had  become  its  lessee)  diverted  the 
coal  and  merchandise  traffic  to  the  railroad.  Boat- 
building at  Hamburg  was  a  prominent  industry  for 
forty  years. 

Railroad  communication  with  Reading  and  Phil-, 
adelphia  to  the  south,  and  Pottsville  to  the  north, 
was  opened  in  1842  by  the  extension  of  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  railroad  along  the  we,stern  bank 
of  the  Schuylkill.  In  December,  1885,  additional 
railroad  facilities  were  afforded  to  Reading  and  to 
Pottsville  by  the  completion  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Schuylkill  Valley  railroad  along  the  eastern  bank 
of  the  river.  The  company  estabhshed  a  station 
at  the  crossing  on  State  street,  where  a  superior 
and  attractive  building  was  erected  to  accommodate 
the  patrons  of  the  road. 

Telegraph  communication  was  opened  in  1847 ; 
and  telephone,  in  1881. 

Incorporation. — The  borough  was  erected  by  a 
special  Act  of  Assembly,  passed  April  3,  1837. 
Several  previous  attempts  had  been  made  in  this 
behalf    (the  first  having  been  in  1830),   but  they 


248 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


were  not  successful.  This  movement  was  encour- 
aged by  the  operation  and  increasing  importance 
of  the  canal. 

The  borough  was  divided  into  two  wards  m 
1886:  North  and  South. 

Early  Inhabitants.— Among  the  early  inhabi- 
tants of  Hamburg,  whilst  a  town,  from  1800  to 
1820,  were  the  following,  whose  employments  are 
indicated  in  the  statement: 


John  Meyer,  broker 

Henry  Heinly,  tailor 

John  De  Wald,  hatter 

John  Shomo,  Jr.,  teacher 

David  Newhart,  tobacconist 

George  Miller,  miller 

Charles  Guss,  mason 

William    Feather,    tanner 

Moses  Levy,  store-keeper 

Daniel  Levan,  tavern-keeper 

Jacob   Snell,   butcher 

Joseph  Shorao,  St.,  tinsmith 

Abraham  Wolff,  saddler 

Henry    Groh,   yeoman 

Adolphus  Hatzfield,  justice 

Dr.    Klein,   physician 

Philip  Sousley,  cordwainer 

Andrew   Helwig,  yeoman 

Penry  Schoener,  chair- 
maker 

Wm.   Coulter,   chair-maker 

Henry  Lewers,  tinsmith 

Henry  Fister,  hatter 

John   Schenk,  tailor 

John  Beideman,  clock-maker 

Mrs.  Peter  Schatz,  cake 
baker 

Henry  Lindenmuth.  shoe- 
maker 

Abraham  Bailey,  tavern- 
keeper 

William  Schau,  tailor 

Abraham  De  Wald,  cigar- 
maker 

Dr.  Benj.  Becker,  physician 

Philip  Hummel,  farmer 

Frederick   Felix,   shoemaker 

Michael  Reese,  cooper 

John  Eherhard,  carpenter 

William  Machemer,   dyer 

John  Moyer,  tobacconist 

John  Shomo,  St.,  inn-keeper 

Andrew  Smith,  blacksmith 

First  T.\xables. — The  resident  taxables  of  Ham- 
burg, at  the  time  of  its  erection  into  a  borough, 
were  as  follows: 


John  Derr,  tanner 
Robert  Scott,  store-keeper 
Jacob  Glatt,  laborer 
John  Miller,  cabinet-maker 
Andrew  Forsyth,  merchant 
Jacob    Fisher,     coffee-mill- 
maker 
Capt.      Leitheiser,      Revolu- 
tionist 
Sebastian    Leonard,    black- 
smith 
Daniel  Kern,  store-keeper 
David   Davidheiser,   tavern- 
keeper 
Andrew  Hummel,  laborer 
Jacob  Hains,  carpenter 
Christian  Lochman,  weaver 
John  Miller,  cooper 
Peter  Dile,  laborer 
Henry  Roi,  watchmaker 
Wra.    Lochman    (Hessian), 

laborer 
John     Scharff     (Hessian), 

hostler 
Abraham    ShoUenberger, 

potter 
John    ShoUenberger,    black- 
smith 

Hetrich,  cooper 

Silliman,   ferryman 

Fred'k  ShoUenberger, 

butcher 
Abraham  Keiser,  butcher 

Kennedy,    mason 

Killian  May,  cooper 
Joseph   Miller,   farmer 
Wm.      V/illiamson,      wheel- 
wright 

Casper  Diehl,  tavern-keeper 
Jeremiah  Shappell,  farmer 
Ab'm  Williamson,  spinning- 
wheel-maker 


Benjamin  Harman 
Widow   Humel 
Henry  Heinly  Est. 
Jacob  Heins 
John  Hartzel 
Henry    Hoffman 
Charles   Harthne 
William  Hensher 
Enoch  Jones 
Conrad  Kolp 
Benjamin  Kline 
Peter  Kern  Est. 
Daniel  Kern 
William  Keiser 
Abraham  Keiser  Est. 
Samuel  Kline 
Charles    Keller 
Solomon   Klein 
John  Leise 
Christian  Lochman 
Sebastian  Lenhart 
Henry  Lindemuth 
William  Lochman 
Jacob  Lindemuth 
Henry  Lewars,  Esq. 
Jacob  Laub 
Charles  Loy 
Daniel   Laub 
Samuel  Lilly 
Widow  Leitheiser 
Frederick  Miller 
John  Miller 
George   Miller 
John  Moyer  Est. 
Peter  Miller 
James  G.  Moyer 
William  Neyer 
John  Naragang,  Sr. 
David  Nice  Est. 
Benjamin  R.  Nice,  M.  D. 
Lewis  J.   Pauli 
Josiah  H.  Reichelderfer 
John  F.  Reeser 
Benjamin   Reeser 

Solomon  Reese 
Michael  Reese 
John    Roth 

John  Roth,  Jr. 


Frederick  Albright 
William    Ames 
John    Baily 
William  Berger 
Augustus   Bailer 
Peter  C.  Baum 
Peter   Baucher,  Jr. 
John    Beiteman 
John  Boyer  Est. 
Jacob  Buck 
Widow  Benseman    ' 
Jacob  Billman 
Solomon   Borrel 
Jacob  Cramp 
David  Dewald 
Israel  Derr,  Esq. 
Jesse  Dewalt 


Isaac  Dewalt 
William  Evans 
Casper   Ehman 
Jacob   Fisher 
William  Feather 
Henry  Fister 
Simon  Fister 
Joseph   Filbert 
Arthur  Fesig 
Reuben  Freed 
Henry  Groh  Est. 
Joseph   Groh 
William   Gifft 
Joseph  Geiger 
Tacob  Geiger 
Felix  Hartman 
Adolph   Hatzfield 


Single 


Samuel   Burns 
Frederick  Beitenman 
Samuel  Bauch 
Daniel   Cremer 
Jacob   .-K.    Dietrich 
Peter  Feather 
Daniel  Feather 
Alexander  Gross 
Henry    Kern 
Peter   Longalow 
Nathan  Levi 


Charles   Roth  '  ^ 

Henry  Rapp 
William  Rothenberger 
Lewis  Rhubear 
Barbara   Savage 
John   W.   Scott 
Israel  Smith 
Boas  Smith 
Egedius  Smith 
Andrew  Smith  Est. 
WUham  Shomo 
Joseph  Shomo 
Jacob  Snell 
John  Schwoyer 
Godfrey  Seidel 
Samuel  ShoUenberger 
John  Shenk 
Joseph  Smith 
Jacob   Siegfried 
Jonathan  Sweitzig  (of  Jacob) 
Jacob  SchoUenberger 
John  ShoUenberger 
John  ShoUenberger  (bl.  sm.) 
Dewald  ShoUenberger  Est. 
Fred'k  ShoUenberger 
Peter   ShoUenberger 
Augustus  Shultz,  M.  D. 
Joseph  ShoUenberger 
Philip  Shatz 
John  Sunday 
William  Smith 
Benjamin  Stitzel 
Jacob  Smith 
Joseph   Seidel 
Jacob    Shaeffer 
Thomas    Smith 
Casper   Snell 
John  Tolbert 
Isaac  Thompson 
Jonathan  Waidman 
Christian  Wild 
Abraham  Williamson 
Daniel  Wolf 
John  Wehren 
George  Wagner,  Jr. 
John   Williams 
Benjamin  Williams 
Joseph  Weidman 

Freemen 

John   P.   ^Tiller 

\\'illiam  Mengel 

Martin  Pauter 

Jacob  Roth 

John  Ring 

Daniel  Stambach 

WiUiara  Smith    (of  Michl.) 

Thomas  Smith   (of  Andw.) 

Charles  ShoUenberger 

Joseph  Yeager 


Property  in  1906.^The  amount  of  the  assessed 
property  of  Hamburg  in  1906,  and  the  number  of 
ta.xables,  were  as  follows : 


Property 

Money 
at  interest 

Taxables 

$334,403               $121,138 
580,053                 204,826 

458 

South  ward 

456 

$914,456     1         $325,964     |         914 

List  of  Officials. — The  early  minutes  of  the 
town  council  have  been  lost.     The  names  of  the 


BOROUGHS 


349 


chief  bvrrg^SBes,  town  clerks  and  justices  of  the 
peace  since  1867  are  as  follows: 

CHIEF  BURGESSES 

John   Sunday    1867-68 ;   1874-75 

James    Prutzman    1869-71 

Reuben   Seidel    1872-73 ;    1880 

Jacob  Geiger  1876 

Fred.  Gordfleck  1877-78 

John  A.   Tobias    1879 

Dr.  William  Harris  1881-83 

Solomon  K.  Dreibelbis    '. 1883  ;   1885-86 

Alton  F.  Luburg 1884;  1887;  1897-1900;  1903-06 

Dr.  Jonathan  B.  Potteiger  1888 

Christian   Baum    1889 

Frank  R.  Wagner  1890-91 

J.  Albert  Sunday  1892 

Thomas  M.  Raubenhold    1893 ;  1903-06 ;   1909-12 

William  K.  Miller 1894-97 

John  R.  Wagner   1900-03 

Dr.  Frank  M.  Nice 1906-09 

TOWN  CLERKS 

George  A.  Xander 1867-73  ' 

J.  Jerome  Miller  1874-77 

B.  S.  Gardner   1878-80 ;  1882 

R.  J.  M.  Miller  1881 ;  1884-90 

B.  F.  Bean   1883 

Monroe  M.  Dreibelbis    1890-93 

Benneville   Derr    1893-98 

Frank  I.  Tobias   1898-1910 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE* 

Ephraim  Dreibelbis  1873-78 

Oliver  J.  Wolff  1875-88 

JacksonLevan 1878-88;  1893-98 

Solomon   K.   Dreibelbis    1888-93 

M.  M.  Dreibelbis    1898-1903 

;Solomon  K.  Hoffman  .  .■ 1888-1913 

"W.  A.  B.  Ketner  1903-13 


Post-Office. — A  post-office  was  established  at 
Hamburg  in  1798.  The  postmaster  since  1897  has 
"been  Abel  H.  Beyers.  Previous  postmasters  back 
to'  1870  were:  B.  Frank  Bean,  Allen  L.  Shomo, 
Dr.  William  Harris,  Elias  Shomo,  Henry  Rothen- 
l)erger,  Peter  S.  Haintz. 

Industries. — The  oldest  recognized  industry  in 
the  town  was  the  gristmill  established  about  the 
"beginning  of  the  town  by  Martin  Kaercher,  Jr.,  and 
the  site  is  still  occupied  as  a  mill  by  the  Savage 
Brothers.  ,It  has  been  operated  for  upward  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  years  by  different  parties. 

Numerous  industries,  such  as  for  the  'distillation 
of  whiskey,  the  brewing  of  beer,  the  building  of 
boats,  the  manufacture  of  leather,  bricks,  chains, 
nails,  wool  hats,  etc.,  were  carried  on  for  many 
years  in  the  early  history  of  the  place  as  a  town 
and  afterward  as  a  borough,  but  these  have  been 
abandoned  for  many  years. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  plants  is  the  Ham- 
burg 'Plow  Works  on  Main  street,  operated  by  S. 
A.  Loose  &  Son.  It  was  first  started  as  a  tannery 
by  Israel  Derr  and  operated  till  near  1850.  Then 
it  was  converted  into  a  foundry  by  his  son  Benne- 
ville for  the  manufacture  of  stoves  and  the  "Derr 
Plows."  He  employed  from  ten  to  fifteen  men.  It 
was  carried  on  by  him  until  1881,  when  he  was 
:  succeeded  by  S.  A.  Loose,  C.  F.  Seaman  and  P.  M. 

*  Record  previous  to  1873  -not  on  file. 


Shollenberger,  who  traded  as  Loose,  Seaman  &  Co., 
and  they  changed  the  name  of  the  plant  to  the 
Hamburg  Plow  Works.  They  manufactured  ex- 
tensively the  "Champion"  plow,  and  the  "Bower" 
slip-point  plowshare,  which  they  shipped  to  all  parts 
of  this  country  and  foreign  countries  including  South 
America  and  Spain.  Loose  became  sole  owner  in 
1893,  and  his  son  was  admitted  as  a  partner  in  1903. 

The  Keystone  Foundry  on  State  street  was  erec- 
ted in  1841  by  Reuben  Lins  for  manufacturing 
farming  implements,  rolling-mill  castings,  and 
stoves.  He  and  others  in  succession  carried  it  on 
extensively  until  1881,  when  Henry  Seivert  became 
the  owner,  and  he  operated  it  successfully  until 
1905,  when  he  sold  the  plant  to  William  Neiman 
and  Llewellyn  K.  Saul,  who  have  since  manufac- 
tured all  kinds  of  engine  and  elevator  castings,  em- 
ploying twenty-five  hands. 

The  manufacturing  of  building  brick  was  started 
at  Hamburg  about  1845  by  John  Tobias.  The 
yard  and  kiln  were  operated  by  him  and  his  brother, 
and  then  by  his  son  Charles  and  son-in-law  William 
G.  Sheradin  until  1902,  when  they  were  removed 
to  Tilden  township  on  the  farm  of  Jeremiah  A. 
Bausher. 

The  industrial  affairs  at  Hamburg  in  1909  were 
in  a  flourishing  condition.  Twenty-seven  plants 
were  in  operation.  The  following  statement  shows 
the  nature  of  the  several  plants  and  the  names  of 
the  proprietors,  the  year  when  started,  and  the 
number  of  employees : 

W.  Irving  Wilhelm  established  a  large  bicycle 
works  at  Hamburg  in  the  year  1893  and  carried 
it  oh  with  great  success  several  years  until  it  was 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1898.  The  plant  was  rebuilt 
and  afterward  converted  into  a  silk-mill. 

B'leachery    Works:   Allen   J.    Kummerer    (1897- 

1907)  with  4  hands;  W.  Scott  Fisher  &  Son  (1899- 

1908)  with  6  hands;  Solon  D.  Bausher  (1904),  with 
8  to  10  hands;  Hamburg  Knitting  Mills    (1909). 

Boiler  Works:  Henry  Seider'?  (1901)  ;  30  to 
30  hands. 

Bottling  Works:  W.  H.  Raubenhold  (1899),  3 
hands  (formerly  operated  by  J.  W.  Heinly  from 
1880  to  1898). 

Broom-handle  Factory:  William  E.  Schmick 
carried  on  the  manufacture  of  broom  handles  at 
Hamburg  in  1905  and  1906,  when  he  and  five 
other  persons  of  the  place  organized  the  Schmick 
Handle  &  Lumber  Co.  with  a  capital  of  $35,000 
for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing  broom-handles 
and  chair  stock  and  transferred  the  industry  to  a 
town  called  William,  in  West  Virginia,  where  they 
have  since  carried  on  the  business  in  an  extensive 
and  successful  manner,  employing  from  forty  to 
fifty  hands,  and  producing  daily  35,000  handles, 
which  are  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  country.  The 
parties  from  Hamburg,  interested  in  this  industry, 
are  Mr.  Schmick  (president),  Charles  D.  Burkey 
(vice-president),  J.  Jerome  Miller  (treasurer),  J. 
Edward  Miller  (secretary),  J.  A.  Bausher  and  his 
son  Solon,  who  constitute  the  board  of  directors. 


250  HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 

Broom  Factories:  W.  E.  Schmick  (1803),  40  to  &  Co.  of  Reading  in  1903  and  operated  until  1905, 

60  hands;  John  H.  Miller  (1899),  10  hands;  A.  B.  when  discontinued.  A  previous  industry  had  been 

Heller   (1900),  l:i  hands.  carried  on  in  this  building  by  the  Byers  Hat  Co. 

Carriage    Factories:      Samuel    Scott   and   James  (Inc.),    for   the   manufacture   of   hats,    from   1891 

Kemmerer,  trading  as  Scott  &  Kemmerer   (1901),  to  1902. 

5  hands  (previously  carried  on  by  \V.  A.  Scott,  Silk  Mill:  Incorporated  in  1902,  with  capital  of 
from  1865  to  1902,  when  he  died).  William  G.  $25,000,  by  Irwin  A.  Diener  and  Henry  J.  Diener 
Hahn  (1898)  ;  his  brother  Adam  became  a  partner  of  Hamburg,  Lee  D.  Madeira  of  Fleetwood,  and 
in  1902,  and  they  have  carried  on  the  business  since  four  non-residents.  The  Dieners  sold  their  inter- 
as  W.  G.  Hahn  &  Bro.,  with  15  hands.                _  est  in  September,  1906,  to  New  York  dealers  who 

Chain    Hoists:      The    Hamburg    Manufacturing  have  carried  it  on  since;  70  hands. 
Company    was    organized    in    19(J7    by    Henry    J.         In  1909,  besides  the  plants  named,  there  were  two 

Schmick    and   others   of    Hamburg    (who   had   se-  lumber   yards,    five    general    stores,    two    furniture 

cured  several  valuable  patents)    for  the  manufac-  stores,    four   hotels,    four   saloons,    and   one   liquor 

ture   of    chain   hoists,   with    a   capital   of   $50,000.  store. 

The  company  established  a  plant  and  since  then  Vocations  in  1909. — The  miscellaneous  employ- 
has    been    very    successful    in    producing    a    hoist  ments  at  Hamburg  in  1909  were  as  follows: 

which    has    become      very      popular.      The    United  p^y^ieians   5      Undertakers    2 

States   government  has   placed  a   number  of   them  Dentists    2      Milliners    3 

on   some   of   the   battle-ships   and   also   in   the   con-  Blacksmiths  3      Butchers     2 

struction   work  of   the    Panama   canal,   which   evi-  Tinsmiths    3      Builders   2 

deuces    the    superior    character   of    this    particular  Wheelwright  1 

hoist.  B.-vNKS. — The   Hamburg   Savings   Bank    (State) 

Cigar  Factory:     John  W.  Wertley  (18G1)  ;  son,  was  chartered  in   1872  with  a  capital  of  $50,000. 

John  H.,  was  a  partner   from   1905  to   1907,  and  The  par  value  of  the  stock  was  fixed  at  $20,  but 

then  became  sole  proprietor ;  G  hands.  it  gradually  increased  until  November,  1908,  when 

Creamery:     Nathan   A.    Confer    (1892-1906),    2  the  market  value  was  nearly  $60,  which  evidences 

hands    (converted  into  nickel-plating  works)  ;  Al-  the  superior  management  of  this  financial  institu- 

fred  P.  Wertley  (1899),  10  hands.  tion.     Then  the  resources  were  $642,710,  with  de- 

Electric  Light  and  Pozt'er  Company:     Incorpor-  posits  at  $495,232,  and  the  surplus  and  undivided 

ated  in  1892;  27  arc  lights   for  borough  use,  and  profits  at  $97,300.     It  occupies  a  superior  building 

1,000  incandescents;  John  Snell,  president;  George  on  Main  street,  which  is  worth  about  $15,000.     J. 

F.  Meharg,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Jerome  Miller  has  been  the  cashier  since  1877 — a 

Engine  Works:    John  Snell  and  George  F.  Me-  continuous    period    covering   thirty-two   years — the 

harg,  trading  as  Snell  &  Meharg  (1889)  ;  40  hands  previous  cashier  having  been  Charles   S'homo.     It 

(formerly  at  Reading  from  1880  to  1889).  has  been  placed  on  the  State  Bank  Roll  of  Honor, 

Flour  Mills:     George   Walter    (1884),   6   hands,  being  the  twenty-sixth  in  Pennsylvania. 
50  barrels  daily;   Bausher   &   Seaman*    (1S99),   5        ^j^    second    bank    was    instituted    Feb.    13,    1008, 

hands,  50  barrels  daily;  Savage  &  Bro.   (1901),  5  called  the  First  National  Bank  of  Hamburg,  with 

hands,  18  barrels  daily.  .,..,.    o^,       ,  a  capital  of  $25,000.     In  November,  1908,  die  re- 

Fomidrics:    S.  A  Loose  &  Son  (190b),  30  hands;  ^^^^^^^^  ^^^^.^  $129,818,  with  deposits  $78,176   and 

Will.  Neiman  and  L.  K.   Saul    trading  as  Neiman  .undivided  profits  $1,509.     It  secured  a  property  on 

6  Saul  (lOOo),  22  hands;  Nathan  Confer,  Jr.,  ^j^j,^  3^,^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^,^^^.^  ^^.^  post-office' had 
Thomas  L.  Smith  and  N  A  Confer,  trading  as  ^een  located  for  ten  years),  and  erected  a  bank 
Confer,  Smith  &  Co.  (1903),  40  hands.  building  with  an  attractive  front,  worth  $12,000. 
on^nn  ^V  ?\  Incorporated  '"  lOQ- :  holder,  jo^  ,,-3.  Hepner  has  been  the  president,  and  H. 
20,000  cubic  feet ;  200  consumers ;  H    F.  Pnntzen-  R^vmond  Shollenberger  the  cashier. 

hoff    president  of  the  company  to  1908,  then  sue-        ^^^^^  ^^  Tr.vde.-Iu   1889   a   Board   of   Trade 

ceeded  by  William  O.  Hemly  ,,,^3  organized  at  Hamburg  by  the  merchants  and 

Gr.c;«/,o»...  Stephen  Sousley    1904.  business  people,  and  James  L.' Merkel,  a  prominent 

Hosiery    Mill:      James    L.    Merkel    (1903),    25  and  successful  merchant,  was  selected  as  its  presi- 

Tee'Cream  Factories:    Alfred  P.  Wertlev  (1888;  .t"!"  ,Jj  Z'^fj^^  '"  f  ^f  -'"^'f ""  !°'  f  "^ 

started  by  father  in  1861)  ;  D.  M.  Baer   (1892).  ^^^rf^t       ,  ^         successful  in  stimulating  local 

Knittil,  Mills:    Dr.  Alkn  J.  Fink,  Solomon  K.  f"To'o6  fv^tlf  Air    M.H  :',  ^'  was   re-orgamzed 

TT   /v         ^iT  I  T^i  aV    T)     u     1    r  1    i     J  '"  190(1  with  i\ir.  Merkel  as  president  and  he  has 

Hoftman,  Esq.,  and  Thomas  M.  Raubenhold,  trad-  r,^-,    ,.^   „     ■,.■         ■  rr.,^  .  ut  na^ 

ing  as  Hambii;g  Knitting  Mills  (1896),  40  hands;  S"'!''?"   ^uT.l  J  '   "^^et'ngs   are   held 

Solon   D.   Bausher    (1895),   90  hands;    W.    Scot(  '"  '''"  *°*"  ^^^^'  ^^^  members  number  about  150. 

Fisher  &  Son  (1903  to  1908),  30  hands.  Public  Improvements 

Shoe  Factory:    Bigney,  Sweeny  &  Geiger  (1905        Water  Company. — In  1889,  the  Windsor  Water 

and  1906).     The  plant  was  started  by  Curtis,  Jones  Company  was  organized  and  incorporated  by  Peter 

*  Bausher  &  Belong  previously,  from  1886  to  1899,  having  in-  D.    Wanner    of    Readinsf,    T.    Terome    Miller    and 

troHnced     the    first    roller    process    machinery    in    northern    section  r-i.       i         t^     c  ,-   tt         <  ,  "hva 

of  the  county.  Lharlcs  t.  Seaman  of  Hamburg,  and  several  other 


BOROUGHS 


351 


persons,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  for  the  purpose 
of  supplying  Hamburg  with  water.  They  estab- 
lished a  reservoir  with  a  capacity  of  1,000,000  gal- 
lons at  the  base  of  the  Blue  Mountain,  three  miles 
northeast  of  Hamburg  on  Mill  creek,  a  short  dis- 
tance below  the  old  Windsor  iron  furnace;  also  an 
auxiliary  artesian  well,  300  feet  deep,  with  a  daily 
capacity  of  100,000  gallons  by  means  of  a  com- 
pressed-air purriping  engine.  Peter  D.  Wanner  was 
president  of  the  company  until  1901,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  George  F.  Meharg. 

Fire  Company. — In  1838,  shortly  after  the  in- 
corporation of  the  borough,  a  fire  company  was 
organized  to  afford  the  inhabitants  protection 
against  fire.  It  was  a  private  association  and  it 
was  not  until  1866  that  the  borough  authorities 
supplied  a  building  for  its  apparatus.  The  second 
story  of  the  building  was  set  apart  as  a  town  hall 
for  the  meetings  of  the  town  council.  In  1906, 
the  company  had  193  members;  a  Silsby  steam 
fire-engine ;  hook  and  ladder  truck ;  and  three  hose 
carriages,  with  1,000  feet  of  the  best  cotton  hose 
(one  carriage  being  located  in  the  North  ward,  and 
two  in  the  South  ward  where  the  building  is  situ- 
ated). 

Newspapers. — A  number  of  newspapers  have 
been  issued  at  Hamburg.  The  Schnellpost  was 
started  in  1841  and  continued  until  1897 ;  the 
Advertiser,  in  1865,  and  continued  until  18G8,  when 
it  was  removed  to  Pottstown;  the  Rural  Press,J\n 
187.3,  and  continued  until  1875,  when  it  was  re- 
moved to  Ohio ;  the  Berichtcr,  in  1 873,  and  contin- 
ued until  1874,  when  it  was  removed  to  Reading. 

The  Hamburg  Weekly  Item  was  started  by  Sam- 
uel A.  Focht  in  1875,  in  the  country  three  miles 
east  of  Hamburg,  but  in  1876  the  publication  office 
was  removed  to  the  borough  and  here  it  has  con- 
tinued until  now.  Focht  continued  its  publication 
until  his  death  in  1887;  then  (Jan.  1,  1888)  Wil- 
liam O.  Heinly  purchased  the  plant  and  he  has 
since  issued  the  newspaper  with  increasing  success. 
A  printing  office  is  carried  on  in  connection  with 
the  newspaper. 

Hamburg  Motor  Club. — In  1908,  the  automo- 
bilists  of  Hamburg  and  the  surrounding  towns 
within  a  radius  of  seventeen  miles  organized  an 
association,  called  the  Hamburg  Motor  Club.  In 
May,  1909,  there  were  upward  of  thirty  automo- 
biles at  Hamburg;  and  then  the  club  had  eighty- 
two  members.  Hamburg  is  generally  recognized 
as  having  more  automobiles  in  proportion  to  pop- 
ulation than  any  other  town  in  Pennsylvania. 

Churches. — ^There  are  four  churches  at  Ham- 
burg. The  fir^t  was  erected  in  1790  as  a  "union" 
church,  comprising  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
denominations.  The  land  for  the  purpose  had  been 
donated  and  set  apart  by  Kaercher  in  1773.  The 
building  was  of  logs,  two  stories,  the  lower  story 
being  used  for  school  purposes  and  the  upper  for 
religious  services.  Within  twentv  years,  it  became 
too  small  to  accommodate  the  increasing  attend- 
ance, and  arrangements  were  made  to  erect  in  its 


stead  a  larger  building;  but,  not  being  able_  to 
collect  the  necessary  amount  by  personal  solicita- 
tion, a  lottery  scheme  to  raise  $3,000  was  granted 
by  an  Act  of  Assembly  passed  in  1807.  The  cor- 
ner-stone was  laid  in  1811;  the  final  drawings  in 
the  lottery  were  made  in  1813 ;  and  the  church 
was  consecrated  in  1815.  In  1857,  the  building 
was  remodeled.  In  1898  it  was  destroyed  by  fire, 
a  large  burning  ember  from  the  Wilhelm  Bicycle 
Works  (then  on  fire)  having  been  blown  several 
squares  and  fallen  on  the  roof  of  the  church.  Many 
devoted  members  ran  to  the  rescue,  but  their  ef- 
forts were  futile,  because  water  was  not  then  avail- 
able. 

St.  John's  Lutheran  Church. — Immediately  after 
the  fire,  the  members  of  the  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion purchased  the  interest  of  the  Reformed  con- 
gregation in  the  premises  and  erected  a  magnifi- 
cent church  on  the  old  site,  costing  upward  of 
$40,000.  In  this  great  and  successful  undertaking 
the  pastor.  Rev.  Harry  C.  Kline,  was  particularly 
active  and  persevering,  for  which  he  has  been  high- 
ly complimented. 

Trinity  Reformed  Chitrch. — The  members  of  the 
Reformed  congregation,  having  separated  from  the 
Lutheran  congregation,  on  account  of  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  church  as  mentioned,  they  also  exerted 
themselves  in  erecting  a  modern  structure,  and  in 
this  they  were  equally  successful.  They  secured 
a  lot  on  Third  street  at  the  corner  of  Pine,  and 
thereon  erected  a  superior  building,  costing  up- 
ward of  $30,000. 

Roman  Catholic  Church. — A  Roman  Catholic 
church  was  erected  in  1853  and  services  were  held 
in  it  for  nearly  fifty  years,  without  a  resident 
priest.  The  congregation  was  at  no  time  large. 
The  members  of  this  church  who  continue  to  re- 
side at  Hamburg  attend  services  at  Port  Clinton, 
several  miles  to  the  north. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — In  1859,  Rev.  H. 
H.  Davis  began  to  preach  in  behalf  of  establish- 
ing a  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Hamburg. 
About  a  year  afterward,  a  lot  was  secured  and  a 
brick  building  was  erected  on  it,  which  was  dedi- 
cated on  Nov.  29,  1860.  It  has  been  improved 
several  times  since.  The  congregation  maintains  a 
successful  organization. 

United  Evangelical  Church. — The  Evangelical 
Association  established  a  church  at  Hamburg  in 
1873  and  a  congregation  was  maintained  for  up- 
ward of  twenty  years.  Then  the  factional  distur- 
bance in  the  national  association  showed  itself 
here  and  in  the  settlement  of  the  legal  contro- 
versy in  1894  this  church  became  the  property  of 
the  United  Evangelical  Association,  and  as  such  it 
has  been  occupied  for  religious  purposes  until  now. 

Schools. — When  the  Union  Church  was  built 
in  1791,  provision  was  made  for  the  education  of 
the  children  at  Hamburg  in  the  building;  and  af- 
ter a  new  church  was  erected  in  1815  to  take  its 
place,  the  first  floor  was  used  for  school  purposes. 
The  public  school  system  was  accepted  in   1838. 


253  HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 

In  1854,  there  were  5  schools  and  236  scholars;  in  E,   4th  Regiment,  N.   G.   P.)    and  those  most  ac- 

1884,    8    schools    and   400    scholars;   and   in    1905,  tive    in    the    matter    were    Monroe    M.    Dreibelbis 

10   schools   and   428   scholars.     In   1889,   the   bor-  (Captain),  Wilson  H.  Lewars   (First  Lieutenant), 

ough   erected   a   superior   three-story   brick   school  Wilson    I.    Lesher    (Second   Lieutenant),    Mandon 

building  in  the  center  of  a  large  lot  of  ground  at  l_    Machemer     (Sergeant),    William    H.    Yeager 

the  corner  of  Third  and  Island  streets.  (Sergeant),  William  Bailey  and  Franklin  Sterner. 

Public  Library. — A  public  library  building  was  Company    E   has    had    its    meetings    and    drilling 

erected  in  1903  by  a  committee  of  prominent  men  exercises  there  since  its  erection.  The  cost  is  about 

of  Hamburg,  by  reason  of  a  donation  of  $10,000  $7,000.     It  adjoins  the   Carnegie  Free   Library, 
from   Andrew    Carnegie;    and    this    building    was         Band   of   Music. — A  band   of   music   has   been 

named   after  the  donor.     It  is  one-story,  built  of  maintained    for    upward    of    thirty    years.      For   a 

brick,   and   presents   a  fine  appearance.     It  is   sit-  ^j^ig  j^  was  called  the  Citizens'  Cornet  Band,  and 

uated  on  Third  street,  north  of  State.     A  collec-  afterward   it   took   the   name    of   Burkey's    Cornet 

tion  of  miscellaneous  books  was  then  made  by  pur-  g^^^      ^j^^  directors  and  instructors  of  the  band 

chase  and  donation.     In  April,   1909,  it  embraced  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^  Shollenberger,  Dr.  William  Har- 

over    twenty-five    hundred    vo  unies.      J     Edward  [  ^^^   Wellington    J.    Confer, 

Miller,    Esq.,    has    been   president    of     he   Library  ^^  j^^^  ^^^  f^^^,^^  ^-^^^  ^^^^^     j^  j^^^ 

Commission   since   190o,   and  he   has   taken   much  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^-      members, 
interest  m  its  success.  ^^  -'  „  ™,  ^^^  ^■- 

Secret   SociETiES.-The   secret   societies   which        Destructive  FLOOD.-There  was  a  severe  ram- 
have   carried   on   an   active  organization   at   Ham-  storm  of  short  duration  at  Hamburg  and  vicinity 
burg   for   a  number   of   years   are   the    following:  «"  Friday  afternoon    Aug.  3    1906,  which  shock- 
*                                      ■'  ed  the  community  and  caused  losses  which  amount- 
Odd  Fellows  gjj    jQ    ^^^^^^   $30,000,    one-third    to    the    borough, 
Kn?ghfs°offhe  SolTen  Eagle  and   two-thirds   to   property   holders.      The    down- 
Knights  of  Friendship  pour  of  ram  to  the  north  and  east  of  the  borough 
Red  Men  collected    in    a    depression    of    the    Surface    of   the 
American  Mechanics  g^^^h,  which  extends  from  the  eastern  portion  of 
Maccabe^^''       '  the  borough  in  a  northeasterly  direction   for  sev- 
Royal  Arcantim  eral   miles,    forming   the   bed   of   a   creek,   but   the 
Military  Company.-A  military  company  was  ^^^""^1  *™"gl^  the  borough,  by  way  of  the  Sho- 
organized  at  Hamburg  in  1875  with  100  men  and  ^°  mill-dam,  was  too  narrow  to  allow  the  unus- 
E    F.   Smith  as  captain,  and  it  became  a  part  of  "al  quantity  of  water  to  flow  away  and  as  a  nat- 
the  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania  as  Company  ^''^1  ,'?T'!'^"f"'^i^    ^^'^^'^    away    the    dam.   and 
E,    4th    Regiment.      In    1877,    the    company    was  demolished  altogether  a  dozen   dwellings,  and  in- 
called  out  to   render   service  in  assisting  to  quell  J">'ed  fifty  others      The  most  serious  damage  was 
the   riot  at  Reading  in  the  month  of  jSly,  occas-  "^   the   vicinity   of   the    Savings    Bank,    where   the 
ioned   by   the   strike   of  the   locomotive   engineers,  street  was  flooded  to  the  depth  of  three  feet.    One 
While    there    it   led    the   march    through  the   cut  "^^n-  ,^11"^   j-    ^°'^'^^''   '"   attempting   to    escape, 
along  Seventh  street,  from  Walnut  to  Penn;  and  7"^]    drowned       The,  water    and   gas    mams    were 
in   its    movement    down    Penn    street,    the    captain  broken,    which    deprived    the    inhabitants  _  of    the 
was   knocked   down   three   times,    and   one   of   the  "^e  of  drinking  water,  and  gas  lor  lighting  pur- 
privates    was    seriously   injured.      It    was    engaged  PO^es-      Many    persons    had    narrow    escapes,    the 
in    the    Spanish   war   of    1898;    and    responded    to  most  prominent  being  the  bank  directors  who  were 
the  several  calls  of  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  ^^oMmg  their  regular  meeting  at  the  tmie  of  the 
in  assisting  to  quell  the  riots  in  the  coal  regions,  -'"^den  visitation.     A  change  m  the  drinking  wat- 
rSee   Chapter  VIII  1                                            "  ^^    caused    a    typhoid    epidemic    and    ten    persons 

The   company   was    a   continuation   of   a   distin-  died   from   the   affliction, 
guished  company  called  the   "Blue   Mountain   Le- 

gion,"  which  had  kept  up  its  organization  in  a  BOYERTOWN 
successful  manner  for  upward  of  fifty  years.  It  The  first  settlement  atBoyertown  was  one  of  the 
was  originally  an  artillery  company  and  then  oldest  in  the  countv.  David  Powell  secured  two 
changed  to  infantry.  Whilst  the  former,  it  parti-  hundred  acres  bv  patent  in  1718,  and  this  land 
cipated  m  a  parade  at  Pottsville  and  won  the  ig  now  embraced' in  the  northern  and  western  sec- 
first  prize  for  its  perfect  maneuvers.  tions  of  the  borough.  About  that  time,  iron  ore 
Armory  Hall  was  erected  on  Third  street,  north  was  discovered  on  this  land  and  shortly  after- 
of  State,  in  1889,  by  the  military  company  called  ward,  about  1720,  a  furnace  was  erected  near  by. 
the  Blue  Mountain  Legion,  and  the  title  to  the  As  a  consequence,  this  land  came  to  be  known  as 
premises  was  taken  in  the  name  of  the  Hamburg  the  furnace  tract.  The  furnace  was  called  Cole- 
Athletic  and  Military  Association,  which  became  brookdale,  named  after  a  town  in  England,  and 
an  incorporated  body  in  1903.  The  members  were  it  was  the  first  iron  furnace  erected  in  Pennsyl- 
connected   with    the   military    company    (Company  vania.      Upon    the    creation    of    the    township,    in 


BOROUGHS 


353 


1741,  it  was  named  after  the  furnace.     This  in- 
dustry was  carried  on  for  about  fifty  years. 

Incorpoeation. — Boyertown  is  situated  along  the 
Colebrookdale  railroad,  eight  miles  northwest  from 
Pottstown.  By  public  road  it  is  about  seventeen 
miles  east  of  Reading,  not  far  from  the  Mont- 
gomery county  line.  Henry  Boyer  was  among 
the  early  settlers,  he  having  secured  a  tract  of 
land  from  Henry  Stauffer,  who  in  1769  had  pur- 
chased a  large  farm  which  embraced  this  section 
of  country.  Boyer  established  a  tavern  and  gen- 
eral store  and  in  time  a  settlement  was  formed, 
which  took  the  name  of  Boyertown.  His  descend- 
ants have  occupied  great  prominence  in  the  business, 
financial  and  social  affairs  of  the  place  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  In  1835  the  place  was  regularly  laid 
out  in  town  lots;  and  in  1866  it  became  an  incor- 
porated borough. 

In  1851,  an  effort  had  been  made  to  establish 
a  borough,  but  it  was  unsuccessful.  A  second  at- 
tempt was  made  in  April,  1866.  which  received 
the  favorable  consideration  of  the  ^rand  jury 
and  the  court,  and  in  October  of  that  year  the 
decree  of  incorporation,  was  made.  The  first  town 
council  was  composed  of  William  Fegley,  Sam- 
uel Shaner,  Dr.  John  Todd,  Samuel  Lefevre,  and 
William  Binder. 

In  1869  the  Colebrookdale  railroad  was  con- 
structed from  Pottstown  through  the  borough  to 
Barto  and  this  stimulated  enterprises  of  various 
kinds,  the  increase  of  buildings  and  population. 

In  1895  the  limits  of  the  borough  were  ex- 
tended by  the  addition  of  forty-three  acres,  forty 
perches. 

In  1909  the  borough  contained: 
Dry  goods  stores   3       Fire    companies     3 


Large  general  store  1 

Grocery    stores     10 

Clothing  store   1 

5  and  10  cent  store   ....  1 

Hotels     4 

Liquor  store  1 

Drug  stores    2 

Printing  offices 2 

Livery    stables    2 

Millinery   stores    2 

First  Taxables. — The  names  of  the  first  tax- 
ables  of  the  borough  were  as  follows: 

.     William  Fegely 


Halls 3 

Newspaper    office     1 

Photographer     ^.   1 

Local  Insurance  Co 1 

Tinsmith  shops   3 

Carpet    weaver    1 

Barbers     5 

Church.es    6 

Banks    2 


John  Addams 
Mrs.   Bechtel 
Sophia  Lafayette  Bleyler 
Henry  H.  Borneman 
Daniel  B.  Boyer 
Daniel    Boyer,    Sr. 
George  Bliem 
John  H.  Borneman 
William  Bender 
Daniel  Borneman 
Joseph  H.  Borneman 
Franklin  Buchert 
John-Deysher 
David   K.   East 
William    Fegley 


Jacob  Freed 
David  H.  Fox 
William  Grim 
Philip  Gable 
Frederick  W.  Graff 
Daniel    Heller 
I.  B.  Hankey 
Harrison  Houck 
Jonathan  Kepler 
Mrs.  Koch 
William  A.  Kehl 
Samuel  Leaver 
David  H.  Leaser 
George  Mull 
Anna  Neidig 


Catharine  Rhoads  Guard  Shaner 

Peter  Reidenauer  Jacob  K.  Stauffer 

Henry  B.  Rhoads  Frank    Stauffer 

Sarah  Reidenauer  Henry  Stauffer 

Elam  C.  Rhoads  Jeremiah  Staffer 

Jeremiah  Schweinhart  Henry  Schwartz 

William  K.  Stauffer  John  Todd,  M.  D. 

Guard    Stauffer  Zepheniah  Undercefler 

Levi  B.  Stauffer  Stover  Worman 

Christian  Stauffer  Lewis  Worman 

Frederick    Stauffer  Jacob  L.  Weidner 

-Frederick  Schweinhart  George  Yahn 

Samuel    Shaner  Conrad  Yerger 

John   K.    Stauffer  Joseph  Yo.ung 
Thomas  Shaner 

Tenants 

Maybury  Brumbach  Henry  Nice 

Josiah  Bear  Benneville  Prutzman 

Samuel  Connard  Albert  Pennypacker 

George  Endy     ,  Franklin  Pennypacker 

Henry  H.  Eshbach  Samuel  Pennypacker 

Jonathan  Engel  Richard  Richards 

Alfred  Fritz  J.  T.  Rhoads 

Aaron  Fisher  Jonas  Reifsnyder 

George  Fegely  Jonas  Reitenauer 

John  H.  Funic  Benjamin  Riegner 

John  Fegely  James  Sands 

Charles  Grant  Frederick  Steltz 

Joel  Grim  Ephraim  Sands 

Isaac  Gehris  Edwin  Schuler 

Gabriel  Ganser  John  Steinneck 

Mahlon  Grant  Jacob  R.  Shaner 

Henry  Hoffman  William  Shaner 

Frederick  M.  Heller  Jacob  Shaeffer 

Henry  M.  Heller  Henry  Siesholtz 

Abner  M.  Heller  Henry  Shaner 

Mrs.   HoUenbach  Jonathan  Siesholtz 

Charles  Kline  Joseph  Turner 

Daniel  Moyer  Joseph   Terrill 

Moses  Moses  Augustus  Wentzel 

Joseph  Moses  Samuel  Wentzel 

Aaron  Mory  William  Weller 

Susan  Neidig  •  Ephraim  Yorgey 

Single  Men 

Joel  B.  Bauer  Ephraim  Ganser 

Franklin  Brendlinger  Adam  R.  Gilbert 

Joseph  Case  Thomas  Henrich 

Henry  Eshbach  I.  C.  Hankey 

Jonathan   East  Andrew  Krobgewicht 

David  Erb  Samuel  Moses 

Charles  Frey  John  Sassaman 

Orlando  Fegely  Jacob  B.  Stauffer 

Alfred  Ludy  Leonard  Shilling 

Urias  Ludy  John  Siesholtz 

Jeremiah  Gehris  Frederick  Weaver 

List  of  Officials. — The  following  list  embrac- 
es the  names  of  the  chief  burgesses  and  the  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  who  have  served  the  borough: 

CHIEF  BURGESSES 

Jonathan  Kepler  1866-68 

Samuel    Shaner    1869 

Dr.  Thomas  J.  B.  Rhoads  1870-75 

William  K.  Grim  1876-81 ;  1884-85 

John  Stauffer  1883 

John  Deysher  1883 ;  1890-94 

Franklin  Hartman   1886 

Richard  Richards  1887 

John  Schaeffer  1888-89 

John  G.  Schealer 1894-97;  1900-03 

George  G.  Hartman  1897-1900 

Dr.  Reuben  B.  Rhoads 1903-06 

Dr.  D.  R.  Kohler 1906-09 

Levi  E.  Lef eaver   1909-12 


254 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


JUSTICES   OF   THE   PEACE 

William  K.  Stauffer  1857-72 

Jeremiah   K.   Grant    1870-75 

Isaac   B.    Hankey    1873-81 

Levi    M.    Koons    1875-83 

Henry   B.    Rhoads    1881-86 

William   H.   Fox    1886-1911 

Calvin    F.    Eames     1883-92 

V.  B.  Emery  1892-93 

Irvin  T.  Ehst  1893-98 

Charles   R.  Buck   1898-1903 

Lewis    M.    Wartman    1903-08 

Oswin  A.  H.  Jacobs  1908-13 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909 

Chief  Burgess,  Levi  E.  Lefeaver 

Town  Council,  George  K.  Moore,  President 

John  G.   Schwenk 

Jacob   H.   Sassaman 

Conrad  Lochman 

B.  F.  Nyce 

Raymond  Schaeffer 

Dr.  Charles  B.  Dotterrer 
School  Board,  Henry  H.   Reinert 

Effinger  W.   Leaver 

Wallace  Y.  Reigner 

William  W.  Wren 

William  L.  Rhoads 

John  L.  Bauer* 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  William  H.  Fox 
O.  A,  H.  Jacobs 
Constable,   Charles   E.   Kline  < 

Auditors,  George  P.  Rahn 
Thomas  R.  Houck 
William  D.   Schoeney 
Assessor,  Lewis  M.  Wartman 
Collector,  Richard  B.   Rhoads 

Post  Office.— The  post-office  at  Boyertown  was 
established  in  1828.  It  has  daily  twenty  mails. 
There  are  two  -rural  free  delivery  routes  from 
this  office— one  to  Englesville,  and  the  other  to 
Greshville  and  Gablesville ;  and  three  "Star"  routes 
by  stage— to  Reading,  to  Limerick  Square,  and 
to  New  Hanover.  Postmasters  since  1885:  Wil- 
liam K.  Grim,  1885  to  1889;  William  W.  Wren, 
1889  to  1893;  Benjamin  J.  Rhoads,  1893  to  1897; 
and  William  W.  Wren,  since  1897. 

Industries 
Iron  Ore  Mines. — Iron  ore  has  been  mined  in 
the  Boyertown  mines  for  upward  of  150  years. 
The  deposit  is  a  high-grade  Bessemer  magnetic 
ore,  pronounced  by  experts  as  superior  in  quality 
and  yielding  55  per  cent  of  metalHc  iron.  Four 
shafts  have  been  sunk  in  the  operations  and  their 
depth  is  respectively  500,  515,  615  and  720  feet. 
Large  engines  were  used  to  raise  the  ore  and  pump 
out  the  water.  H:orse-power  applied  to  large 
drums  was  used  until  1855.  The  mines  were  op- 
erated extensively  by  different  parties ;  ajnong  them 
Gabel,  Jones  &  Gabel,  and  the  Phoenix  Iron  Com- 
pany. In  1901  the  Boyertown  Ore  Company  was 
organized  to  carry  on  the  mines,  with  a  capital 
of  $300,000,  and  it  was  in  active  operation  until 
Januar_\',  1902,  when  Wm.  G.  Rowe,  a  practical  mine 

*  Dr.    Charles    A.    Smith    resigned    as    a    school    director    in    Feb- 
ruary,  and  John   L.   Bauer  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 


operator,  and  identified  with  this  plant  for  many 
years,  became  the  purchaser  for  a  syndicate  of 
capitalists.  The  property  was  then  put  in  condition 
for  operating  the  works  and  since  then  over  17,000 
tons  have  been  taken  out.  It  is  estimated  that  over 
eight  hundred  thousand  tons  of  ore  have  been  re- 
moved from  this  deposit.  Next  to  Cornwall,  it 
is  the  largest  mine  opened  in  Pennsylvania. 

Cigar  Factories. — D.  S.  Erb  started  the  manu- 
facture of  cigars  in  1864  and  he  has  continued 
with  increasing  success  until  the  present  time.  For 
some  years  past  he  has  traded  under  the  name  of 
D.  S.  Erb  &  Co.  with  his  sons  as  partners.  He 
erected  a  fine  three-story  brick  building  for  his 
business  in  1882.  He  employs  about  one  hundred 
hands  and  produces  400,000  cigars  monthly. 

Otto  Eisenlohr  &  Bros.,  of  Philadelphia,  located 
at  Boyertown  in  1902,  erecting  a  large  three-story 
brick  factory,  40  by  175  feet.  In  1906  they  erect- 
ed an  addition  40  by  80  feet.  They  employ  from 
425  to  450  hands  and  produce  annually  over  20,- 
000,000  cigars.  Alfred  P.  Graver  is  their  manager. 
They  started  at  Philadelphia  in  1850.  This  firm 
also  operates  a  large  factory  at  Reading. 

Cigar-box  Factory.— hi  1876,  William  W.  Wren 
started  the  manufacture  of  cigar  boxes  at  Boyer- 
town and  carried  on  the  business  until  1897,  when 
F.  S.  Koons  became  associated  with  him  under 
the  firm  name  of  Wren  &  Koons.  They  operated 
the  factory  in  a  'Successful  manner,  employing 
from  twenty-five  to  thirty  hands  and  producing 
weekly  from  12,000  to  15,000  boxes,  until  Feb- 
ruary,' 1909,  when  Mr.  Wren  was  obliged  to  re- 
tire on  account  of  the  condition  of  his  health  and 
of  his  position  as  postmaster,  and  he  sold  his  in- 
terest in  the  business  to  his  partner. 

Machine  Sliops. — Daniel  Schlegel  has  operated 
a  machine  shop  since  1875,  and  also  dealt  in  en- 
gines, pumps   and   machinery   supplies. 

Charles  O.  Megerly,  after  learning  the  trade  of 
machinist  under  Mr.  Schlegel  and  remaining  with 
him  several  years,  started  a  shop  for  himself  in 
1907. 

Bakeries. — Albert  S.  Leidy  embarked  in  the  bak- 
ing business  at  Boyertown  about  twenty-five  years 
ago  and  carried  on  the  bakery  until  1906,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Albert.  Six  hands 
are  employed  and  two  delivery  teams. 

George  W.^  Carver  started  a  bakery  in  1898,  and 
has  carried  it  on  since.  He  employs  ten  hands 
and  four  delivery  teams. 

Besides  supplying  the  borough  with  bread,  pies 
and  cakes,  a  large  quantity  is  distributed  daily  in 
the  surrounding  country  districts. 

Furniture.— Tht  D.  C.  Brumbach  Furniture 
Company  was  organized  in  1880  for  the  purpose 
of  dealing  in  _  furniture,  carpets,  rugs,  oil-cloth, 
etc.,  and  has  since  carried  on  a  large  and  success- 
ful business  with  J.  J.  Brown  as  its  efficient  man- 


BOROUGHS  255 

ager.     It  carries  a    large  and    valuable  stock  on  establishment   in   December,    1908,   to   the   Boyer- 

hand.     An  undertaking  department  has  been  con-  town   Paper  Box  Company,   which  was  then  ,or- 

nected  with  the  enterprise.  ganized  by  a  number  of  business  men  from  Potts- 

Nyce  Planing-Mill  was  established  by  Benjamin  town.     J.   A.    Parker   became   the   general   man- 

F.  Nyce  in  1886  and  he  has  carried  it  on  since,  ager  and  Mr.  Hartman  the  foreman.     The  plant 

He  employs  from  ten  to  fifteen  hands.  was  much  enlarged.    Twenty  hands  are  employed. 

Hartman    Carriage    Factory.— Frank    Hartman  Marble    Fard.— William    Shollenberger    carried 

and  M.  R.  Strunk  started  the  manufacture  of  car-  ^^  ^  rmLvhle  yard   for  some  years  until   he  was 

riages  and  business  wagons  m  1887   but  after  op-  i^jued  in  the  Boyertown  &re;  then  he  was  succeed- 

eratmg  the  works  for  a  year,  Mr.  Sbrunk  retired,  ^^  ^     ^-^  ^^^^^'^^  Franklin. 

to  become  manager  of  the  Boyertown  Burial  Cas-  „,        ^,          vt        ,,.,.,          i              j    ^ 
ket   Company.     Mr.   Hartman  has  been   carrying  ^M^c/^^r  Shop.-ilzm  Y.  Lechner  has  conduct- 
on  the  plant  in  a  successful  manner  until  the  pres-  ed  a  butchering  establishment   and  general   meat 
ent  time.  He  employs  from  twenty  to  thirty  hands  shop  since  1890. 

and  disposes  of  his  product  in  Berks  and  the  sur-  Horse   Market. — Boyertown   has   been   a   prom- 
rounding  counties,  inent  horse  market  for  fifty  years.     William  Bind- 

Burial    Casket    Works.— The   largest    industrial  er   was   the   first    dealer   to    develop   an    extensive 

plant  at  Boyertown  is  that  of  the   Burial   Casket  trade  and  he  was  succeeded  by  his  sons  Henry  M. 

Company.     This   was  organized  and  incorporated  and    Franklin,    who    followed    the    business     for 

in  1893  with  a  capital  of  $20,000.     Since  then  the  twenty  years. 

management  of  this   great   enterprise  has   been   a  Jacob  Wallach  started  as  a  dealer  in  horses  at 

continuous    and    increasing   success.      The    capital  Eshbach   in   1866.      He   located    at   Boyertown   in 

wa's   increased   to   $100,000    and   four   large    four-  1870  and  since  then  has  been  very  active  and  suc- 

story  brick  structures  have  been  put  up  tp  answer  cessful  in  the  business,  more  especially  in  supply- 

the  demands  of  its  trade.     Now  it  is  next  to  the  ing   heavy    draught   horses,    weighing   upward    of 

largest  concern  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States,  1,800    and    2,000    pounds,    to    New    York    parties, 

with  a   complete   equipment  in   every   department.  In  1904  he  and  his  sons-in-law,  Mark  Rosenberg 

The  company  employs  over  three  hundred  hands,  and  Moses  Deegan,  established  a  large  stock  stable 

ships   daily   about   one   hundred   caskets   and   con-  several   miles   from   Boyertown   near   Grim's   Mill, 

sumes  annually  over  three  million  feet  of  lumber,  where  they  have  on  hand  from  fifty  to  two  hun- 

It  has  always   on  hand  a  large  stock  of  caskets,  dred   heavy   horses,   which   command   large   prices 

lumber,  and  furnishing  materials.     A  large  branch  on   account  of  their  exceptional   size,   weight  and 

establishment  is  maintained  at  Philadelphia.    The  strength. 

manager  of  the  plant  is  M.  R.  Strunk,  and  he  has  Orchards. — Dr.   John  H.   Funk  started  the   cul- 

filled  the  position  most  satisfactorily  since  its  in-  tivation    of    fruit    at    Boyertown    about    1881    and 

corporation.  continued  until   1892,  when  John  G.   Schealer  be- 

Union  Foundry. — The  Union  Manufacturing  came  his  successor  and  he  has  operated  the  or- 
Company  was  organized  in  1894  with  a  capital  of  chard,  containing  about  eighteen  acres,  until  the 
$50,000  for  manufacturing  all  kinds  of  castings,  present  time.  His  crops  are  almost  entirely  apples 
but  more  especially  sad-irons.  It  has  been  op-  and  pears,  though  he  cultivates  large  quantities  of 
erated  since  in  a  successful  manner,  employing  strawberries.  He  also  manufactures  annually  in 
from  fifty  to  sixty  hands.  John  G.  Schealer  (ex-  the  fall  of  the  year  about  twenty-five  hundred  bar- 
burgess,  an  enterprising  builder  of  the  place),  has  rels  of  cider. 

teen   its   president   since    1897.      Sixty  .hands    are  In    1894,   Dr.   Funk   started   a  large   peach   and 

employed.  apple  orchard  on  the  Jacob  K.  Stauffer  farm,  con- 

Knitting  Mills. — In  1895  George  W.  Unger  re-  taining  sixty  acres,  and  since  then  has   produced 

moved    from    Shoemakersville   to    Boyertown    and  great  quantities  of  peaches  and  apples.     His  son 

erected   a   knitting-mill    for   manufacturing   ladies'  is  engaged  in  the  truck  business;  also  in  the  cul- 

tmderwear.     He  has  carried  it  on  since,  ■  and  em-  tivation  of  flowers. 

ploys  from  fifty  to  sixty  hands.     In  1900  Dr.  L.  Hotels. — The  first  pubHc  house  was  opened  here 

K.  Francis  &  Son  erected  a  similar  plant  and  they  in  1805  by  Michael  Boyer  and  it  occupied  the  site 

employ,  from  forty  to  fifty  hands.  of   the    Union    House.      The    present    large    brick 

Paper  Box  Factory. — Mahlon  J.  DeUicker  start-  building   (three   stories)    was  erected  in  its  stead 

ed   making  paper  boxes   in   1896   in  the  Rhoads  by  William  Binder.    Daniel  B.  Boyer  purchased  it 

building.     After  operating  the  enterprise  in  a  lim-  in  1861,  and  owned  it  until  he  died  in  1890,  when 

ited  way  for  several  years  he  sold  out  to  Amos  it  became  the  property   of  his   two   sons,   James 

Hartman   and  the   industry   was    removed   to  the  and   Horace.     The   Keystone   House   was   erected 

old  school  building  opposite  the  railroad  station,  by  Henry  Boyer  in  1850;  and  the  William  Penn 

which  was  leased  for  that  purpose.     In  1904,  Mr.  (afterward  called  the  Mansion  House)  by  Charles 

Hartman's  son  Augustus  became  the  owner.     The  Fegley  in  1870.     Subsequently  other  places  were 

factory    was    finely    equipped    and    provided  em-  licensed  and  for  a  time  the  borough  had  six;  but 

ployment  for  ten  to  fifteen  hands.     He  sold  the  for  several  years  it  has  had  only  four.   , 


256  HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 

National  Banks. — The  National  Bank  of  Boy-  reached   in   efforts   to   extend   the   line   to   Potts- 

ertown   was   chartered   in   1874   with   a  capital   of  town,    through   the   borough    by    way    of   Ringing: 

$100,000.      In    November,    1908,   the   resources    of  Rocks     Park    and     Gilbertsville,     this    line    being: 

the  bank  were  $1,118,378.     The  individual  depos-  opened  for  travel  Oct.  1,  1906;  and  the  line  from 

its  then  were  $255,525,  and  the  time  deposits  $434,-  Reading   to   the   borough  boundary  was   extended' 

403,  with   undivided  profits  of  $21,713.     The  par  to  the  railroad  crossing  on  Philadelphia  street  in, 

value  of  the  stock  is  $100,  but  the  market  value  1908   while   the   vitrified  brick   pavement  was  be- 

was  then  over  $300,  evidencing  the  superior  man-  ing  laid,  and  the  transfer  of  passengers  was  start- 

agement    of     this     banking     institution.       E.    _K.  ed   June    1,    1908,    affording   through   travel    froni'i 

Schultz  is  president,  and  M.  H.  Schealer  cashier.  Reading  to  Pottstown. 

Daniel  L.  Rhoads  was  the  first  president,  until  his  p-^^  Companies.— In  1865,  a  volunteer  fire  com- 

death  in  1896 ;  the  second  was  Jacob  Wallach,  who  ^^^^^  ^^^  organized  for  protection  from  fire,  and: 

served   until   1904.  ^    small    hand-engine    was    secured    by    a    popular 

The  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Boyertown  was  g^ibscription,  but  in  a  few  years  the  borough  pur- 
chartered  m  1883  with  a  capital  of  $o0,000.  In  chased  the  apparatus.  In  1873,  a  second  company 
November,  1908,  the  resources  were  $267,005 ;  in-  ^^^  formed  by  the  name  of  Keystone  Fire  Corn- 
dividual  deposits,  $113,742;  and  certificates  of  de-  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^  ^^^  supplied  with  a  Silsby  steam  fire- 
posits,  $49,013.  Dr.  Thomas  J.  B.  Rhoads  has  j^g^  h^se  carriage  and  truck,  with  600  feet  of 
been  the  pTCSident  since  1883;  and  Dr.  Edwin  le^^her  hose.  A  leased  propertv  was  used  un- 
M.  Herbst  the  cashier  sin^  1907.  .jj   ;^8^8,   when   the  borough  purchased  a  lot  and' 

Insurance  Company.— The  Boyertown  Mutual  ejected    thereon    a    two-story    frame    building    for 

Fire    Insurance    Company   was    incorporated    Jan  ^j^^    apparatus,    and   this   has   been   occupied   until 

2,    1886,    and    has    been    successfully    maintained  ^,^g  present  time.     The  upper  story  was  set  apart 

until    now,    levying   only    twenty    assessments    m  ^^  ^  town-hall,  and  it  has  been  used  since  by  the 

twenty-four  years.     The   total   insurance  in   force  (-q^^^^-ji 

amounts  to  four  millions  of  dollars.    L   P.  G.  Feg-  j^   jggg^   ^  ^^^^  ^,^j   j^jj^j.  company  was   or- 

ley  was  the  orgamzer  and  has  been  the  secretary  ^j^ed,  which  was  named  "Friendship" ;  and  this- 

from    the    beginning;    and   Dr._  T.    J.    B.    Rhoads  ^^^    ^^^^    maintained    since.      In    1902    this    com- 

the  treasurer.     William  K.   Grim  officiated  as  the  ^^^^^^j   ^   ^^^^   two-story   brick   building   for 

president   until   he   died  in   August,   190o    and   he  j^^  apparatus.     The  second  story  has  been  used  as 

was  succeeded  by  William  D.  Kehl,  who  has  serv-  ^^^    amusement    hall,    and    for    fairs,    lectures,    etc. 

ed  since.  Newspapers.— In  1858,  O.  P.  Wink  started  the- 

Public  Improvements  publication    of    a    German   newspaper   called   the 

Water    Company.— A   water    company    was    or-  Boyertown    Bauer    {Farmer.).      It    was    continued 

ganized  and  incorporated  in  1856  to  supply  Boy-  until  1868,  when  George  Sassaman  purchased  the 

ertown    with    water,    and    it    established    a    res-  publication   and   changed   the   name   to  Bovertown 

ervoir  on  the  hill   west  of  the  town.     The  plant  Democrat.      In    1860,    Charles    Spatz    became   the 

was  carried  on  by  the  company  until  1902,  when  proprietor.      Some   years   afterward,   he   added   an 

it  was  transferred  to  the  borough,  and  enlarged.  English    department.      He    continued    the    publica- 

Light. — The  streets  were  lighted  for  many  tion  in  a  successful  manner  until  his  decease  in 
years  by  oil  lamps  on  posts  along  the  sidewalks,  1884,  when  his  son  Charles  became  the  proprie- 
until  Dr.  Reuben  B.  Rhoads  became  the  burgess  tor,  and  the  son  has  issued  it  with  increasing  sue- 
in  1903,  and  in  his  term  gasoline  lamps  were  sub-  cess  until  the  present  time.  The  use  of  the  Ger- 
stituted,  which  made  a  great  improvement.  In  man  language  was  discontinued  in  1889.  It  has 
1906  a  gas  company  was  organized  to  introduce  been  a  consistent  advocate  of  Democratic  princi- 
illuminating  gas  for  lighting  the  streets  and  build-  pies  from  the  beginning.  In  1906  a  linotype  ma- 
ings,  and  the  pipe-mains  were  put  down  just  be-  chine  was  introduced  to  facihtate  the  printing  of 
fore  the  streets  were  paved  with  vitrified  brick.  the  newspaper.  A  job  printing  office  is  connect- 
In  1908  an  electric  company  was  incorporated  ed  with  the  establishment.  He  also  published  the 
and  the  streets  began  to  be  lighted  by  electricity  Boyertown  Bauer  in  the  German  language  from^ 
on  April  1,  1909,  under  contract  with  the  borough.  1889  until  1907,  when  it  was  discontinued. 

Trolley  Line. — The  Oley  Valley  railway  was  Churches. — The  first  church  was  erected  here- 
constructed  from  Reading  to  Boyertown,  by  way  in  1790  by  the  Mennonites  on  land  donated  by 
of  Friedensburg,  Pleasantville  and  Shanesville,  Henry  Stauffer.  In  1819  a  brick  building  was 
and  opened  for  travel  by  means  of  electric  pro-  erected  in  its  stead.  In  1847  a  dissension  ■  arose 
pulsion  in  1902.  The  subject  of  this  railway  line  in  the  congregation  on  account  of  dress  and  some 
had  been  agitated  unsuccessfully  for  many  years,  of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  this  denomina- 
The  eastern  terminus  was  fixed  at  a  point  in  the  tion,  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of  two  con- 
southerly  end  of  the  borough  on  account  of  cer-  gregations,  called  the  old  church  and  the  new. 
tain  conditions  exacted  by  the  council  for  reach-  The  two  congregations,  however,  occupied  the 
ing  the  center  of  the  borough  which  the  company  same  church  on  alternate  Sundays  unltil  1'87'?', 
could  not  accept,  but  in  1906  an  agreement  was  when  the  old  body  determined  to  tear  down  the 


BOROUGHS  257 

church  and  erect   a  larger  building  in  its   stead,  the  leader  for  several  years,  until  1906,  when  he 

The  new  body  tried  to  restrain  them  by  proceed-  was  succeeded  by  John  Heydt. 
ing  at  law,  but  failed,  and  then  they  also  erected        Physicians. — iThe    active    and   prominent   phy- 

a   building  which   was   dedicated   in   1884.     The  sicians   at   Boyertown   since   1840   have  been  Dr. 

two   bodies   still   maintain   separate   organizations  Henry  W.  Johnston,  Dr.  William  Keely,  Dr.  Eras- 

with  a  small  membership.  tus    R.    Scholl,    Dr.    Thomas   J.    B.    Rhoads,    Dr. 

Members  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  denom-  John  Todd,  and  Dr.  John  S.  Bornemann. 
inations  united  in  erecting  a  "Union  Church"  in  Local  Author. — Dr.  Thomas  J.  B.  Rhoads, 
1811  on  land  donated  by  Henry  StaufEer,  adjoin-  notwithstanding  a  very  active  medical  practice  cov^ 
ing  the  Mennonites.  It  was  occupied  by  them  ering  the  surrounding  country  for  many  miles, 
jointly  until  1873,  when  the  Reformed  became  and  an  enterprising  disposition  in  forwarding  the 
the  sole  owner  and  they  proceeded  to  erect  a  new  industrial  and  financial  affairs  of  Boyertown,  _  for 
building  in  1874,  which  was  dedicated  in  1876,  forty  years,  devoted  some  of  his  time  to  reminis- 
the  total  cost  reaching  $35,000.  The  Lutherans  cence  and  authorship,  which  resulted  in  the  pub- 
had  determined  in  1870  to  erect  a  new  building,  lication  of  two  very  interesting  octavo  volumes. 
They  started  in  1871  and  the  church  was  formal-  entitled  "Onkel  Jeff's  Reminiscences  of  Youth  and 
ly  dedicated  in  1873,  the  cost  being  also  $35,-  Other  Poems,"  the  first  having  been  issued  in 
000.  1904,  and  the  second  in  1906.     They  display  keen 

Adherents    of   the   Methodist   Episcopal   denom-  observation,    much    humor    and   pleasing   original- 

ination    organized    a    congregation    at    Boyertown  ity. 
and  erected  a  church  in  1876.  Opera  House  Fire.— An  exhibition  v(^as  being 

The  United  Evangelical   Association   erected   a  held  in  the  Rhoads   Opera  House  of  Boyertown 

small  one-story  brick  church  in  1895  in  the  east-  for  the  benefit  of  the   Sunday-school  attached  to 

em    section    of    the   town,    and   the    congregation  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church,  on  Monday  evening, 

has  maintained  its  organization  until  now.  Jan.    13,    1908,   and   the   performance,    relating   to 

Schools. — Education   was    encouraged   by   the  "The  Scottish  Reformation,"  was  being  produced 

people   from    the    beginning  of    the    town.      The  under   the    direction   of   Mrs.    H.    E.    Monroe,    of 

township  accepted  the  free  school  system  in  1838.  Washington,  D.  C.    The  auditorium  on  the  second 

A  township  school  was  in  the  borough  when  es-  story    was   crowded   with   an   interested   audience, 

tablished   in   1866,    which   was    enlarged   in    1876,  A  large  calcium  light  was  being  used  for  the  pur- 

and  in  1887  a  second  building  was  erected,  on  the  pose  of  showing  the  tableaux  effectively  and  sud- 

rear  of  the  lot,  which  ■w^as  used   for  high  school  denly  a  cap  on  one  of  the  tanks  exploded  which 

purposes.      These   two   buildings   were   used   until  startled    the    audience.      Immediately    there    were 

the   new   and   commodious   two-story  brick   build-  shooting    flames   and    instantaneous    shrieks    and 

ing   was   erected  by   the   borough   in   1898,   whqn  cries,  when  a  sudden  movement  of  the  audience 

all   the    schools    excepting   the   high    school,   were  was  made  for  the  front  door.     The  calamity  that 

transferred  to  this  building.     The  property  is  still  followed  is  indescribable,  for  171  persons  lost  their 

owned  by  the  borough,  the   front  building  being  lives   by  the  fire,   123   from  Boyertown,   48    from 

rented.      The    schools   were   graded    in    1878.      In  other  places. 

1906,   there  were  ten  schools,   with   428   scholars.        Victims  of  Fire. — The  following  Hsts  show  the 

By   a   special   election   in   February,    1909,   it   was  names  and  residences  of  the  victims, 
decided   to    erect   a   new    school   building    in   Ithe  Boyertown^i^s        .      Edwin   C.   Emrick 

western   section   of   the   borough   to   accommodate  Emma  Engle 

the  children  in  that  vicinity.  James   Anderson  Esther  Erb* 

Several   select   schools   were  carried   on   here  in  ^"■.  J^^^^  Anderson  Lulu  Fegley 

tJ'T/t '"""f  p/"^    manner    for   about    forty    years.  Morr!s°  M.  AnderTon*  MrTHfr°ry  Foreman 

The    Mount    Pleasant    Seminary   was    founded   by  Mrs.  Morris  M.  Anderson         Sophia  Foreman 

John    Stauffer   in    1842.    Jacob   Whitman   vvas   the  Norman  Anderson  Nellie  Foreman 

first  principal.     The  Hankeys  were  prominent  ed-  Annie  Bauman  Irene  Foreman 

ucators   here    for   thirty   years.      The   building   af-  Walter  Bauman  Mrs.  L.  K.  Francis 

forded    accommodations    for   fifty    resident    schol-  ^^nrBaumTn"  ShTs'  frftz*" 

ars.      Day    scholars    were    also    in    attendance.      It  Mrs.  John  Becker  Ida  Fritz* 

was  a  popular  institution  for  both  sexes,  and  had  Alma  Becker  Abraham  Gabel 

a  wide  and  excellent  Teputation.  Mary  Becker  Daniel  Gabel 

When  Prof.  Isaac  B.  Hankey  severed  his  con-  Mrs\r'annl  Bort  m"'  r^"'^'  ^^^^^ 

nection,    in    1866    he   opened   ariother   and   similar  ^d'na  B^oye""^      °'  '  Herbert"  Gottshall 

academy  which   he   named   "Kallynean,      and   car-  j.  Keely  Boyer'^  Mrs.  Herbert  Gottshall 

ried  it  on   for  nearly  twenty  years.  Clara    Brendlinger  Ellen  Gottshall 

Keystone  Cornet  Band  was  organized  in  1875  ?^''?-  ^f '^  Christman  Mabel  Graeff 

J   ,        ,  ,      ^  i-1   ^1.  i  i-  ^1.  Irvin   Clemmer  John  Gravert 

and  has  been  kept  up  until  the  present  time,  the  Mrs.  Esther  CuUen*  Lottie  Graver! 

performers      numbering      twenty      and      upward.  Rosie  Diamond  Lillie  Grim 

Charles    O.    Megerly  was   a   recent  instructor  and  Florence  Eddinger  Ruth  Guard 

17 


258 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Mrs.  Amos  Hartman 

Carrie   Hartman 

Vernia  Hartman 

Charles    Hartman 

Charles  Hess 

Mrs.  Wallace  Hoffman 

Lottie  Hoffman* 

John  Hoffman 

Russell  Houck 

Ephraim   Johnson* 

Mrs.  Ephraim  Johnson 

Jacob  Johnson  J 

Mrs.  Charles  Kline,  Jr.t 

Mabel   Kochel 

Blanche  Kochel 

Stella  Kolb 

Mrs.  William  Krause 

Stella  Krause 

Daniel  Krause 

Robert  LaPish* 

Marie  LaPish* 

Maggie  Lefever 

Hiram  Leidy* 

Laura  Leidy 

Horace  Leidy 

Mrs.   Horace   Leidy 

Franklin  Leidy 

Howard  Leidy 

Mrs.   Harry  Leinbach 

Mrs.   Isaac  Lichtel-* 

Newton   Lichtel* 

Mary  Ludwig 

Charles  W.  H.  Maurer 

Charles   E.    Mayer 

Guendolyn   Mayer 

Mrs.  George  Moore 

Mrs.  Harry  Moyer 

George    Moyer 

Charles  Nuss 

Mrs.  Charles  Nuss 

Harold  Nuss 

Aaron  Ochsenford 

Mrs.  Aaron  Ochsenford 

George  Parsons 

Mrs.  George  Parsons 

Stella  Peters 

Laura  Rhoads 

Edith  Rhoads 

Annie  Ritter 

Mrs.  George  Romig 

Mrs.    Addison    Schmoyer 

William   S.   SchoUenberger 

Mrs.  W.  Shollenberger 

Mrs.  F.  Shollenberger 

Mrs.  George  Schoenly* 

Mrs.  Henry  Shaner 

Charles   Shaner 

Paul  Shaner 

Ira  Shober 

Mrs.  Ira  Shober 

Mrs.  George  J.  Smith 

Edwin   B.   Stauffer 

Emma   Stauffer 

Lulu  Stauffer 

Mrs.  Isabella  Tabor 

Mrs.   Amos   Thompson 

Mrs.   R.   Turner,  Jr. 

J.  Warren  Van  Reed 

Venia   Weand    ' 

Martha  Weber 

Mrs.  Henry  Wien* 

Carrie   Wien 


Florence  Wien 
Elizabeth  Yoder 
Carrie   Verger 

Amityville 
Mrs.   Rebecca  Francis 

Eshbach 
Dr.  Frank  F.  Brunner 
Carrie  Leaver* 

GabeUville 
Mrs.  Henry  Johnson 

Cilberisville 
Mrs.  Reuben  Hoffman* 
Alice  Hoffman* 
Austin  Mensch 
Sallie  Romig 
Robert  Taggert* 
Mrs.  Robert  Taggert* 
Rose  Taggert* 
Lizzie  Ziegler 

Hill  Church 
Jacob    Weller 
Mrs.  Jacob  Weller 
Ida  Weller 

Landis  Store 
Nora  Herbst 

Lobachsville 
Edwin  Fry 

M  orysvillc 
Mary  Fisher 
Matilda  Grabert 
Sallie   Hartman 
Bertha   Reinhart 
Mamie   Toms 
Mrs.  William  TomsJ 
Nezv  Berlinville 
Mrs.  Martin  Bauman 
Mrs.  Oswin  Bauman* 
Carrie  Bauman* 
Mrs.  Hiram  Clouser* 
Annie  Derr 

Mrs.  Willoughby  Engel 
Hannah  Haring 
Mrs.  C.  Ephraim  Johnson 
Mrs.  Herbert  Johnson 
Alice  Moyer 
Edna  Moyer 
Florence  Moyer 
Frances  Moyer 
Stella  Moyer 

New  Hanover 
Catharine  Knipe 
Lizzie  Knipe 
Emily  Knipe 
Jeremiah  Rhoads 

Passmorc 
Mrs.  John  Glase 
Reading 
Clarence  Miller 

Sassamansville 
Stella  Heinbach 
Mamie  Jones 

Shanesville 
Willoughby  Bucher 

Washington,  D.  C. 
Mrs.  Delia  E.  Mayers 

W  orman 
Wayne  Romig 


*  Unidentified. 

t  Run  over  by  a  fire  engine  tl"ie  evening  of  the  fire  and  died  from 
injuries  received. 

t  Died  after  tiie  fire. 


Coroner's  Inquest. — 'The  coroner  of  the  county, 
Dr.  Robert  E.  Strasser,  impaneled  the  following- 
jury  of  inquest:  William  H.  Fox,  Levi  S.  Delleck- 
er,  Edwin  K.  Shultz,  Irvin  T.  Ehst,  Daniel  K. 
Hoch,  and  William  Y.  Levan  (the  first  four  from 
Boyertown,  and  the  last  two  from  Reading),  to 
inquire  into  the  cause  of  the  deaths  of  the  victims 
of  the  fire.  The  jury  held  six  sittings,  viewed  the 
remains  of  170  victims  (which  were  not  named), 
examined  48  witnesses,  and  on  Jan.  30,  1908, 
agreed  to  the  following  report,  which  was  filed 
in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  court  of  Quarter 
Sessions  on  March  10th : 

"That  they  (the  170  persons)  came  to  their  death  on 
Jan.  13,  1908,  at  about  9 :30  p.  m.,  during  a  rendition 
[performance]  under  the  auspices  of  St.  John's  Lutheran 
Church,  Boyertown,  in  which  a  stereopticon  picture-ma- 
chine was  used  in  Rhoads's  Opera  House,  by  stupefaction, 
suffocation,  and  fire. 

"We  find  the  primary  cause  thereof  to  have  been  the 
employment,  by  Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Monroe,  of  an  inex- 
perienced and  incompetent  operator  of  the  calcium  light 
in  the  person  of  Henry  Fisher,  and  the  laxity  of  the 
Department  Factory  Inspector  of  this  District,  and  the 
Department  of  Factory  Inspector  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  the  failure  to  enforce  proper  and  adequate  fire 
escapes  and  fire  appliances,  as  well  as  its  failure  to  en- 
force existing  laws  insuring  public  safety. 

"We  request  the  prosecuting  attorney  of  Berks  county 
to  arrest,  and,  if  possible,  convict  Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Mon- 
roe, and  Harry  McBechtel,  the  Deputy  Factory  Inspector 
of  this  District,  on  the  charge  of  criminal  negligence. 

"We  recommend  the  enactment  of  laws  as   follows : 

"1 — Creating  Departments  of  Public  Safety  and  Build- 
ings whose  province  shall  be  to  provide  for  means  and 
appliances  to  insure  public  safety  in  the  Boroughs  of  this 
Commonwealth. 

"S — Requiring  that  all  operators  of  lights  used  in  stere- 
opticon and  moving  picture  machines  be  obliged  to  under- 
go an  examination,  and  if  found  competent  certificates 
be  issued  to  them  by  the  Department  of  Factory  Inspector." 

Relief  Committee. — The  next  day  after  the  fire, 
the  citizens  held  a  meeting  at  Boyertown,  and  the 
following  Relief  Committee  was  appointed  to  look 
after  the  suffering  families  and-  provide  the  neces- 
sary relief: 

Irwin   T.    Ehst,    Chairman  Samuel    I.    Henry 

O.  A.  H.  Jacobs,  Secretary  James   S.   Fryer 

Wm.   D.   Schealer,  Treas.  Ephraim  S.  Gehris 

Milton    R.    Strunk  Daniel   Fritz 

Daniel   B.    Bower  Benjamin  F.   Nice 

The  total  relief  forwarded  to  the  Relief  Commit- 
tee was  as  follows : 

From   Reading   $6,375       From   Philadelphia    ..   2.708 

From  Kutztown   333       From    Allentown     ...      370 

From  Fleetwood    230      From  Ashland    100 

From  Hamburg   200  

From    Pottstown     ...   2,868  Total     $13,184 

From    Eisenlohr    Brothers $1,000 

From  Burial   Casket  Company 'eoo 

From  sundry  persons,  including  Boyertown  7,391         $8,891 

Total    relief    forwarded    $22,075 

Part  of  this  money  was  expended  for  the  burial 
of  the  victims  and  the  payment  of  various  expenses ; 
and  certificates  were  issued  by  the  National  Bank 
of  Boyertown  (which  was  the  depositary)  in  trust 
for  the  following  orphans : 


BOROUGHS 


359 


Wayne  Bauer   '.  $300 

Leonard   Bowman    300 

Paul  Bowman   200 

Emma  Bucher  275 

Irene    Bucher    175 

Edna    Bucher    150 

George    Bucher    100 

Mary    Bucher    100 

Helen  May  Bucher 300 

Esther    Cullen    3O0 

George    Cullen    175 

John    Cullen    100 

Francis   Cullen    100 

Florence   Cullen   100 

Annie   Foreman    100 

Frederick  Foreman   ...  125 

Florence  Foreman   100 

John   Graver    275 

William   Graver    250 

Rebecca  Hoflfman  175 

Ernest   Johnson    150 

Mary  Johnson   100 

Ella    Krause    100 

William   Leidy    100 

Paul    Leinbach    200 


Florence  Leinbach   ....   175 

Royden  Mayer    250 

Leon    Mayer    100 

Henrietta    Moore    125 

Ruth    Moyer    250 

Paul    Moyer    200 

Leonard   Moyer    150 

Grace    Moyer    125 

Gladys    Moyer    100 

Edna    Moyer    100 

Mabel    Nester    125 

Ethel    Peters    300 

Norman   Schoenly    125 

Lawrence  Schoenly   . . .  100 

Russell    Tabor    250 

Lloyd   Tabor    250 

Beulah    Tabor    200 

Mabel  Tabor   200 

Anna   Thompson    250 

Alfred   Thompson    ....  125 

Helen   Wien    100 

Stuart   Wien    100 

Total $7,950 


Public  Sympathy.-^Fuhlic  sympathy  was  express- 
ed by  people  everywhere  in  a  truly  Christian  man- 
ner, and  thousands  of  persons  from  the  surround- 
ihg  districts  and  places  for  many  miles  went  to  Boy- 
ertown  in  appreciation  of  the  awful  visitation.  The 
display  of  mourning  on  all  the  streets,  the  funerals 
day  after  day  for  a  week,  and  the  solemnity  of  the 
whole  town,  were  most  affecting ;  but  the  order,  dig- 
nity and  composure  of  the  people  under  these  extra- 
ordinary circumstances  displayed  in  a  remarkable 
degree  the  Christian  character  of  the  community. 

Indian  Conflict. — In  1728,  the' early  settlers  of 
this  section  of  the  county  had  a  conflict  with  the 
Indians  and  therefore  a  petition  was  subscribed  by 
a  number  of  the  inhabitants  who  presented  it  to  the 
Governor,  having  referred  particularly  to  their  suf- 
ferings and  prayed  for  relief.  The  Governor  visited 
the  place  and  reported  to  the  Executive  Council  that 
the  Indians  had  been  there  for  a  number  of  days, 
and  were  well  armed  under  the  command  of  a  cap- 
tain. Some  shots  were  fired,  several  were  wounded 
and  then  the  Indians  left. 


FLEETWOOD 

The  borough  of  Fleetwood  is  situated  along  the 
East  Penn  railroad,  in  Richmond  township,  twelve 
miles  northeast  from  Reading.  The  settlement  was 
first  known  as  Coxtown,  having  been  so  called  from 
a  time  anterior  to,  1800  until  the  establishment  of 
the  railroad  in  1859,  when  the  increasing  settle- 
ment took  the  name  of  Fleetwood,  after  a  promi- 
nent English  capitalist  who  encouraged  the  con- 
struction of  the  railroad.  The  first  considerable 
town  plan  was  laid  out  and  acknowledged  by 
Thomas  Mellon  on  May  11,  1868,  the  lots  lying 
wholly  to  the  east  of  the  railroad. 

The  growth  of  the  town  was  very  slow,  the  total 
number  of  buildings  erected  there  until  the  con- 
struction of  the  railroad  not  having  been  thirty; 
then  there  was  a  perceptible  increase  on  account  of 
the  concentration  of  trade  at  that  point,  farmers 


coming  for  many  miles  from  the  southeast  and  the 
northwest  for  the  shipment  of  their  freight  and  the 
purchase  of  their  coal  and  lumber,  and  this  increase 
has  been  kept  up  by  the  enterprising  spirit  of  the 
place  until  the  present  time.  During  tha  past  ten 
years  there  was  a  marked  improvement  in  the  erec- 
tion Of  dwelling-houses,  which  included  a  number  of 
costly  and  attractive  houses. 

Incorporation  and  First  Taxables. — The  town 
was  incorporated  into  a  borough  on  Oct.  4,  1873. 
The  names  of  the  first  taxables  were  as  follows : 


William   Adam 
John   Angstadt 
Gideon  Bridegam 
Franklin  Barto 
William  Bernhart 
Leinbach    Bernhart 
Augustus   Bierman 
Levi  Boyer 
Bushong  &  Co.  Manf . 
Becker  &  Keller 
George  Cox  &  Co. 
Adam  Delp 
Jairus  Deisher 
George  Dewees 
Samuel  Dumn 
Jacob  Dengler 
Moses  Folk 
Daniel  Focht 
Peter   Gehris 
Solomon  Hoch 
Conrad    Hill 
Benjamin  Hilbert 
George  Heydt 
William  Kline 
Isaac  Koch 
Jacob  Kelchner 
Samuel   Kelchner 
EliaS  Kline 
George  Knoll 
George    Kline 
Jonathan  Kutz 
Joel   Kelchner 
Kline,  Wanner  &  Co. 
Amandus  Kerns 
Thomas   Kreidler 
Daniel  Koch 
Koch  Mill 
Samuel  Kieffer 
George  Keller 
Israel  Kline  Est. 
Charles   Leise 
Christian  Laudenslager 
Dr.  L.  R.  Lentz 
Lentz  &  Maurer 
John  W.  Leise 
Abby  Leaman 
Thomas   Leinbach 
Mary  Messersmith 
Messersmith   &   Shafer 
Charles  A.  Messersmith 
John  Maurer 
John   Madeira 
Amos   Melot 
Daniel  Melot 
Levi   Madeira 
Madeira  Shop 
William  Madeira 
Melot   &  Hilbert 
Melot,  Kline  &  Co. 

Daniel    Barnet 


Nicodemus  Noll 
Maria  Peter 
Reuben  Rauenzahn 
Betty  Rothermel 
Elizabeth  Reifsnyder 
Peter   Rothermel 
Samuel  Rothermel 
Cyrus   Reifsnyder 
Joshua  Reber 
William  Reifsnyder 
Reifsnyder  &  Snyder 
Widow  Resler 
Isaac  Reiser 
Amos  Rider 
Jacob  Rothermel 
Edwin   Shollenberger 
William   Scholl 
Leonard  Sweitzer 
George   Scholl 
Solomon    Schlegel 
Henry  Schaefler 
H.  W.  Schaeflfer 
William   S.  Schaefler 
James  Schaeflfer 
John   Swartz 
Daniel  Schaeflfer,  Sr. 
Widow    Schlegel 
George   B.   Schaefler 
Samuel   Schaeflfer 
Joseph    Slegel 
Lewis   Schaeflfer 
George  D.  Schaeflfer 
Moses    Sayer 
George  Sanders 
Henry   Sanders 
Shaeflfer,  Merkel  &  Co. 
Cyrus   Staudt 
Widow  Schugar 

D.  K.  Snyder 
Samuel  -  Schlegel 
Widow  Strohm 
Henry  Schlegel 
William  Schlegpl 
John    SchoUenberger 
William    Schaeflfer 
Levi  Templin 
Templin   Shop 
Melot  Templin 
Jolin  Weiandt 
Lucy  Weston  ' 
Jonas  Weaver 
Weaver    Shop 
Peter  Wentzel 
Kelchner  Wanner 
Widow  Wanner 

E.  C.   Weston 
Lewis  Wanner 
Joel  Wartzenluft 
John  Yoder 

Tenants 

P.  T.  Brumbach 


260 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


George  Krick 
Peter  Koch 
Kline   &    Bros. 
Jacob  Lutz 
Peter   Leise 
John  Merkel 
E.  M.  Mill 
Jonathan  Mertz 
Lucian  Miller 
'Jacob   Noll 
Ephraim   Peter 
John  Rothermel 
James  Readinger 
Amos    Rothermel 
William   Reiff 
Jacob  Reaser 
Jacob   Rightenour 
Henrv  Reifsnyder 
John   Shadier 
P.   P.   Schaeffer 
Joshua  Schlegel 
James   Templin 
Monroe   Weaver 
Davis   Weidner 
Peter  Yoder 
E.  D.  G.  Yorgey 
Jacob  Zern 

Single  Men 

Wilson  Leiby 
Amos    Madeira 
Peter   Mertz 
William    Melot 
Samuel  Madeira 
Daniel  K.  Rothermel 
Peter  Rothermel 
Jacob    Schlegel 
Henry    Schlegel 
Daniel    Schaefifer 
Edwin   Strohm 
Zacharias  Schugar 
Levi   Wartzenluft 
Henry  Wartzenluft 
Peter  Wanner 


John   Boyer 
Benneville  Buskirk 
Martin  Boyer 
William    D.    Becker 
Jacob    Becker 
Benneville'  Brown 
Solomon   Billman 
Levi  Dumn 
Benneville  Dewees 
Davis  Dieffenderfer 
William  Ehring 
Clinton   Ely 
Samuel  Fisher 
William  Folk 
Henry  Gehris 
Jacob   Gift 
Samuel   Gruber 
Hiram    Gamier 
Daniel  Heydt 
Abraham   Heck 
Nathaniel  Heck 
Isaac  Heydt 
Mandon  Hawk 
John   Kline 
Adam    Kline 
Alfred  Kamp 
Jacob  Koch 
Jacob  Kline 

Aber  Adam 
John   Boyle 
Joel  Bushey 
William   Becker 
William  R.  Becker 
Daniel    Coller 
Levan    Chauncey 
James  Dumn 
Gideon  Deisher 
Daniel    Krainer 
Obediah  Keller 
Jacob   Keim 
Isaac    Kline 
John  B.  Keller 
Daniel  Kelchner 
Cosmus  Leise 

In  1906  the  taxables  numbered  251 ;  the  taxable 
property  was  assessed  at  $452,980 ;  money  at  in- 
terest was  $198,734;  and  the  boroug-h  then  included 
the  f ollowinsf : 


Physicians    2 

Churches    4 

School    Buildings    2 

Restaurants   3 


Industries    12 

General    Stores    4 

Hardware   Store    1 

Drug    Store    1 

Coal  and  Lumber  Yards.   2 

List  OiF  Officials. — The  names  of  the  chief 
burgesses,  town  clerks  and  justices  of  the  peace 
from  the  beginning  of  the  borough  to  the  present 
time,  and  the  time  when  the  incumbents  filled  their 
respective  positions,  are  as  follows : 
CHIEF   BURGESSES 

Levi    Templin    1874 

John   E.   Maurer    1875-76 

Lewis    Schaeffer     1877 

William  H.  Madeira   1878 

William  S.  JNIerkel   1879-80 

Cosmus   Schwoyer    1881 

A.  C.  Kemp   1882 

E.    :M.    Shollenberger    1883 

John    Herbein    1884 

J.   P.  Hoch    1 88:)-86 

Isaac    R.    Merkel    1887-88 


George  D.   Schaeffer   1889 ;   1903-06 

John  E.  Maurer   1890 

Isaac  Mertz    1891-93 

John  B.  Bertolette    1894-1900 

Nathan   Henry   Gehris    1900-08 

Cyranus    F.    Boyer    1906-09 

Charles   F.    Hill    1909-12 

JUSTICES   OF  THE   PEACE 

Samuel   Dumn    1873-76 

George  D.  Schaeffer  1873-79 ;  1904-05 

James   F.   Dumn 1876-99 

William    Bernhart    1879-87 

Dr.   A.    N.   Fretz    1887-1912 

John   H.   Reifsnyder    1899-1900 

Harry   D.    Schaeffer    1900-04 

David  K.  Kline   1905-10 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909 

Chief  Burgess,  Charles  F.  Hill 
Town  Council,  Ambrose  Hoffman,   President 
M.   H.   Brensinger,   Treasurer 
Titus  H.   Schaeffer 
Uriah  Eisenhart 
John  W.   Lease 
William  R.  Down 
Calvin    H.    Adams,    Secretary 
School  Board,  D.  M.  Herbine,  President 
O.   M.   Roller,   Secretary 
E.   D.   Dengler,   Treasurer 
Simon   B.   Stoudt 
John  Brown 
N.    S.    Schaeffer 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  Dr.  A.  N.  Fretz 
F.  W.  Balthaser 
Constable,   George   Herring 
Auditors,  George  Schlegel 
Howard  Herbine 
Assessor,   Elias   Dries 
Collector,     Elias   Dries 

Post-Office. — The  post-office  was  established  in 
]  852,  and  was  named  after  the  place,  Coxtown ; 
which  name  was  continued  until  Fleetwood  was  in- 
corporated. 

Industries. — The  first  important  industry  at 
Fleetwood  was  the  large  foundry  erected  by  the 
Schaefifer  BTOthers  (Lewis,  George  D.,  Daniel,  and 
Jonathan)  in  18G4  for  the  manufacture  of  farm- 
ing implements  and  mining  machinery,  and  they 
carried  on  the  plant  successfully  until  ISTS.  The 
firm  name  was  then  changed  to  Schaeffer,  ]\Ierkel 
&  Co.,  and  they  carried  on  the  business  for  thirty 
years,  employing  from  125  to  150  hands.  In  1903 
the  buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire. 

The  industrial  establishments  now  at  Fleetwood 
are  the  following,  the  number  of  hands  employed  in- 
dicating the  large  extent  of  the  business : 

Rcadins;  Metal  Body  JJ'orks,  175  hands. 

York  Silk  Mill,  lOO'to  150  hands. 

Hosiery  Alills :  D.  F.  Kelchner,  75  hands ;  Wan- 
ner &  Madeira,  GO  hands;  Kutz  Hosiery  ]\Iill,  35 
hands. 

Charles  F.  Hill  Granite  JVorks,  50  hands. 

Seaman  &  Merkel  Implements  Works,  12  hands. 

Eagle  Roller  Mills  (carried on  by  Webster  D.  and 
Llewellyn  D.  Schaefler,  trading  as  Schaeffer,  Wan- 
ner &  Co.,  whose  business  includes  a  large  coal 
and  lumber  yard)  ;  8  hands. 

Jacob  C.  Goitshall  Bakery.  3  hands. 


BOROUGHS 


361 


D.  F.  Kelchner  Creamery. 

William  Down  Tool  Works,  3  hands. 

Wesley  Kern  Pick  Works,  2  hands. 

Schlegel,  Adam  &  Co.,  coal  and  lumber,  4  hands. 

Fleetwood  Metal  Body  Company. 

National  Bank. — The  First  National  Bank  of 
Fleetwood  was  chairtered  on  June  30,  1907,  with  a 
capital  of  $25,000  and  the  business  was  started  Dec. 
7,  1907.  In  November,  1908,  the  resources  of  the 
bank  were  $143,675;  and  the  loans  and  discounts, 
$67,924;  individual  deposits,  $56,429;  and  the  sav- 
ings deposits,  $34,050.  The  president  from  the  be- 
ginning has  been  Daniel  F.  Kelchner  (a  prominent 
manufacturer  at  Fleetwood)  ;  and  the  cashier,  War- 
ren G.  Hartman. 

Public  Improvements 

Water  Works. — In  1889  water  works  were  estab- 
lished, for  supplying  the  inhabitants  of  the  borough 
with  water,  by  George  B.  Schaeffer,  Dr.  Levi  R. 
Lentz  and  Peter  D.  Wanner,  who  organized  and  in- 
corporated a  company  for  that  purpose  with  a  capital 
of  $25,000.  The  reservoir  was  located  a  mile  east 
of  the  town  in  an  elevated  position,  with  a  capacity 
of  300,000  gallons,  and  since  then  the  town  has  been 
supplied  with  an  abundance  of  pure  spring  water. 
Steps  have  been  instituted  by  the  borough  authorities 
for  the  purchase  of  the  works. 

Trolley  Line. — The  trolley  line  was  extended 
from  Temple  to  Kutztown,  passing  through  Fleet- 
wood, in  1904. 

Churches. — There  are  four  churches  at  Fleet- 
wood : 

St.  Paul's  Union  Church  (Lutheran  and  Reform- 
ed) is  situated  'a  short  distance  west  of  the  borough 
on  the  road  to  Blandon.  It  is  a  two-story  stone 
building,  plastered,  which  was  erected  in  1841.  Ser- 
vices have  been  held  regularly  in  it  until  the  present 
time.     It  has  a  large  membership. 

The  Evangelical  Association  erected  a  two-story 
brick  church  on  Franklin  street  in  1866  and  worship- 
ed there  until  1890,  when  they  sold  it  and  erected 
another  on  Washington  street.  In  this  the  members 
continued  until  the  separation  occurred  in  1894, 
when  the  United  Evangelical  Association  became  the 
owner,  and  the  latter  organization  has  since  main- 
tained a  congregation  in  it. 

The  United  Mennonite  Church  was  erected  in 
1868  by  a  small  number  of  zealous  Christians  of 
that  faith  and  they  have  shown  much  devotion  un- 
til the  present  time. 

A  fourth  church  was  erected  in  the  borough  by 
a  number  of  members  of  the  St.  Paul's,  Union 
Church,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  worship  as 
an  organized  Christian  body  not  connected  with 
any  synod.  The  movement  was  started  in  1883  and 
culminated  in  the  erection  of  a  fine  brick  building 
on  Franklin  street,  which  was  formally  dedicated 
in  1884.  The  premises  cost  upward  of  $7,000.  It 
was  named  St.  Paul's  Chapel.  The  organization, 
under  the  direction  of  a  board  of  trustees,  has  been 
carried    on    successfully    until    the    present    time. 


Church  services  are  held  regularly.  A  flourishing 
Sunday-school  is  also  maintained  and  heartily  en- 
couraged by  the  members. 

Cemetery. — In  1867  a  large  cemetery  was  laid 
out  in  the  place  on  a  lot  231  feet  by  769  feet,  situate 
ed  on  the  main  thoroughfare,  and  it  has  been  made 
very  attractive. 

Schools. — In  1877,  the  borough  erected  a  fine 
two-story  brick  school  building  on  a  large  lot  of 
ground  at  a  cost  exceeding  $6,000.  A  superior  ad- 
dition was  built  to  it  in  1908-09,  costing  $10,000, 
with  all  the  modern  improvements.  The  schools 
are  graded,  well  managed,  and  the  scholars  nurnber 
over  500. 

TOPTON 

Topton  is  situated  along  the  East  Penn  railroad, 
in  Longswamp  township,  near  the  line  of  Maxa- 
tawny.  It  was  started  with  the  construction  of  the 
railroad  in  1859  and  derived  its  name  from  its  lo- 
cation at  the  highest  point  on  the  railroad  between 
Reading  and  Allentown.  A  branch  railroad  to 
Kutztown  was  opened  for  travel  in  1870,  the  length 
being  five  miles. 

When  the  railroad  was  completed  in  1859,  Top- 
ton  became  a  prominent  shipping  point,  more  es- 
pecially for  great  quantities  of  iron  ore  mined  in 
that  vicinity,  and  this  induced  the  immediate  erec- 
tion of  a  hotel  and  several  business  stands.  The 
coal  and  lumber  yards  are  patronized  extensively 
and  have  developed  a  large  trade. 

Incorporation  and  First  Taxables. — (The  town 
was  incorporated  into  a  borough  in  1877,  and  the 
following  list  shows  the  names  of  the  first  taxables : 
Bear  &   Miller  Adam  J.  Lighty 

Charles  Bear  Michael  H.   Miller 

Benjamin  C.  Bear  Lewis   Moll 

James   Butz  David  Merkel 

Henry  Butz  John  H.   Miller 

Henry   C.   Bear  James   Madarey 

John  Bobst  Michael   H.   Miller 

Bear  &  Merkel  Co.  Benjamin  Raut 

Manoah  Carl  Henry  C.   Raut 

Peter  L.  Diener  Joshua    Smith 

Tilghman  DeLong  J.  D.  Sander 

Philip  Delong  Casper  Seyebartyn 

William  Fenstermacher  Abraham  Siegfried 

Frank    Fenstermacher  Peter  Sterner 

Henry  M.  Freed  Eugene  Sholl 

Peter  W.  Fisher  Llewellyn  Shabbel 

Fenstermacher,  Trexler  &  Co.     Joshua  Smith 
James   George  Sallie    Siegfried 

William  M.  Hoffman  Charles  D.   Trexler 

Abraham   Hilbert  Daniel  Trump 

John  Hemmig  Jonas  Trexler 

Daniel    D.   Hinterleiter  William  Trexler,  M.  D. 

Hilbert  Hinterleiter  Charles  D.  Trexler 

Hannah  Hinterleiter  Trexler  &  Moll 

Nathan  Heffner  Benjamin  Wisser 

Levi  Kunes  Esther  Zangley 

Reuben  S.  Leibelsperger 

Tenants 
William  Baus  Matthias  Deckert 

Bear,  Dieroft  &  Miller  Henry  Diener 

Samuel  Baus  Stephen  Dankle 

Jacob  Bechtel  Diener  &  Carl 

Bear  &  DeLong  John  Delp 

Peter  C.  Conrad  Thomas  Eck 

John   Drollinger  Josiah  Fisher 


262  HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

Herman  Fetterman  William  F.  Kerchner  Assessor,   Lewis    Keller 

Wilhelm  Frederick  James  Miller  Collector,  Charles  H    Wisler  ,    ^    ^  ^  t,      ^    r 

Isaac  Fegley  John  J.  Reader  Auditors,   I.    R.    Madeira,   Elwood   F.    DeLong,    Frank   J. 

John   Gamier  William  Reinhard  Fister 

Charles  A   K   Grime  Thomas  Reichelderfer  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Harvey  A.  Miller,  George  E.  Moll 

David  Ge^han  William   Scheerer  Constable,  Jacob  H.  Wisler  ■ 

Joshua  Hinterleiter  Henry  Sox  Road  Commissioner,  Frank  Fenstermaker 

Jonathan  Herring  Amentes  Sterner  JJ'ater  Commissioner,  John  G.  Miller 

William  Halman  Jj,^"^}^^  fxT^°^^  Post-Office.— A  post-office     was  established  at 

Tf7  Hoch"""  ™Twi.r''  Topton  in  1861.    Daniel  D.  Hinterleiter  became  the 

William  Hubert  J.  S.  Ward  postmaster  in  1897  and  he  served  until  his  decease. 

Single  Men  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  widow,  and  then  by 

Charles  Butz  Solon  H.  Fisher  his   daughter   Hannah,   evidencing   the   satisfactory 

Benjamin  Carl  Jonathan  Sterner  service  to  the  community  rendered  by  his  family. 

Henry  Ebert  Henry  Wiser        ^  INDUSTRIES.— After  the  Kutztown  branch  of  rail- 

LiST     OF  Officials. — The  following  lists  show  j-q^^  was  opened,  steps  were  taken  to  establish  an 

the  names  of  the  chief  burgesses,  town  clerks  and  jj-on  furnace  along  the  main  line,  a  short  distance 

justices  of  the  peace  since  the  incorporation  of  the  gag)-  gf  the  junction,  and  this  was  put  in  operation 

borough:  in  1S71  by  a  company,  of  which  Isaac  McHose,  of 

CHIEF  BURGESSES  Reading,  was  the  president.     It  was  operated  sev- 

Petc-r  W   Fisher  18'''''  I  1891  era!  years  but  then,  owing  to  the  panic,  suspended. 

John    Henning    1878-82  The  Eckert  Brothers  at  Reading  carried  it  on  suc- 

S.  H.  Fisher   1883-86  cessfully  for  about  ten  years  until  the  decease  of 

A.  C.  S.  Herman  ^^^^889  Henry  S.  Eckert ;  then  it'was  purchased  by  the  Em- 

TilghmM'^DeLon.^ ' '^'///^y^y^y^y.'.'.'.'■'■'.'.'■'■'.'■'■'.■.  AS^O  Pire  Steel  &  iron  company,  which  since  1894  has 
Charles  H.  Wisler! 1892  operated  it  successfully.  This  was  the  only  prom- 
Daniel   B.   Heist    1893-96  inent  industry  at  the  place  for  upward  of  twenty 

Cyrus  Lessig   1897-1900  years.     Then   the  DeLong  Furniture  Factory   was- 

w"" e"   Ebe"    1903-06  started  in  1880,  and  the  Rohrbach  Roller  Flour  Mill 

Benjamin  E.  Biehev' '.'//.'.'.'.'...'...■.■■■.■..■■  ■■.■AQ06-09  in  1885,  both  of  which  have  been  kept  in  active 

James  McKeever  1909-12  operation    ever    since,    with    their   trade    extending- 

TOWN  CLERKS  many   miles    into   the   surrounding    counties.      The 

E    T   S    Hoch  18"8  store,  office  and  bar  fixtures  of  the  former  have  be- 

(Record  lost  from  1879  to  1888)  come  very  popular  for  their  neatness  and  durabil- 

C.  D.    Trexler    1888  ity. 

F.  H.  Moyer  1889-93        Since  1900,  o-reat  improvements  have  been  made 

A.-  ^1   „  ""'r.'^.  lOQi  ian=;  here  in  the  erection  of  industrial  establishments  and 

M.  H.  Brendlinger   1894-1900  in-  -n     •  i        ^u      •     i      ^  •  i     ^i 

Charles  H    Schlenker  1905-1910  hue  dwelhngs.      Besides  the  industries  named,  the 

JUSTICEs'oF  THE 'peace  boTough  includes  the  following : 

L    F    Kuhns    1877-85        Underzvcar  Factory,  carried  on  by  O.  C.  Rohr- 

E.  J.' S.  Hoch  .'."...! ... '. 1877-83  bach;   Silk   I\IiU,   by   the    Hartley     Manufacturing- 

Dr.  W.'  D.   Trexler    1883-89  Company ;  Hosicrv  Mill,  by  the  "  Crown    Knitting: 

John   H    Miller •  iff-^o  Company ;   Creamery,  by  A.    S.    H  eflfner ;   Bakcrv. 

Daniel    H.    Heffner 1  sqn  04  by  F.  A.  Trexler  ;fo/>ioH    Fonndrv    and    Machine 

Cyrus    Lessig    1890-94  r//      ,        ,t        n     /^  r  1    j:  --n  -n    x 

D.  D.  Hinterleiter  1894-99  vv orks    (Inc.)    (transferred   from   Bernville)  ;   two 

Harvey  A.  Miller  1899-1914  lumber  and  coal  yards ;  three  general  stores ;  three 

Eldridge    Zimmerman* 1901-06  hotels. 

George  E.  Moll  1907-13        'pj.jg  number  of  employees  in  the  several  industries 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS  FOR  1909  will  indicate  the  extent  of  the  business  affairs  in  the 

Chief  Burgess,  James  McKeever  borough  in  1909  :   Furnace,  100  hands  ;  DeLong  fac- 

Town  Council,  Jacob  M.  Gery,  President  tory,  60 ;  silk  mill,  100 ;  hosiery  mill,   100  •  under- 

Idfm  h"  Folk    ^^  "•^^"-  "^ill'  30:  Topton  foundry,  25. 
Jeremiah' Titlow  In  1907,  twenty  new  dwelling  houses  were  erec- 

C.  H.  Schwartz  ted;  in  1908,  six;  and  arrangements  have  been  made 

Irwin  Madeira  for  erecting  twenty  in  1909. 

William  H.  Smith  William   T    Fritz  has  been  nneratino-  a   laro-P  anrT 

Charles  H.  Schlenker.  Clerk  v\  luiam  j.  rruz  nas  oeen  operating  a  large  ana 

School  Board,  Dr.  C.  D.  Werley  successful    saddlery    for    several    years,    which    is 

Levi  Walbert  equipped  with  the  latest  machinery  for  the  manu- 

Frank  Moyer  facture  of  harness,  affording  constant  employment 

Jacob  Gallmoyer  for    six   hands. 

Ew^cJ^lf"  Business  in  mining  and  shipping  iron  ore  here- 

,  „   .      ■  , , .       fl-      ,  T,   .u     ,       ,      .. ,   ^  is  gradually  resuming  in  1909  after  having  beem 

Resigned    upon   takinf?   office   or   Prothonotary,   to   which    he   was  i     i     r  i         .     r-  ^,  ^ 

elected  in  November,  1906.  suspended  lor  about  fifteen  years. 


BOROUGHS 


263 


Josiah  Fisher  carried  on  the  manufacture  of 
building  brick  for  upward  of  thirty  years  until  in 
the  spring  of  1909,  when  the  plant  was  sold  to 
George  Keiser. 

Practising  physicians  at  Topton  are  Dr.  C.  D. 
Werley  and  Dr.  George  Pflueger,  the  former  hav- 
ing been  here  upward  of  twenty  years. 

The  following  persons  prominent  in  business  at 
Reading  reside  at  Topton: 

Martin  S.  Croll  and  William  H.  Smith,  extensive 
wholesale  dealers  in  hats  since  1900.  Mr.  Croll  had 
been  the  deputy  Internal  Revenue  collector  of  the 
district  comprising  Berks  county  from  1893  to  1899. 

James  Trexler  has  been  filling  the  office  of  stamp 
clerk  in  the  Internal  Revenue  office  at  Reading  since 
1900. 

Eldridge  Zimmerman  has  been  officiating  as  pro- 
thonotary  of  the  county  since  January,  1907. 

National  Bank. — A  national  bank  was  estab- 
lished in  the  borough  in  1885  with  a  capital  of 
$50,000,  and  carried  on  for  several  years.  A  sec- 
ond was  organized  in  1906  with  a  capital  of  $35,- 
000,  and  since  then  Martin  S.  Croll  has  been  its 
president,  and  Albert  H.  Smith,  cashier.  In  Nov- 
ember, 1908,  the  total  resources  were  $137,484 ;  the 
individual  deposits,  56,023 ;  and  time  deposits,  $25,- 
427. 

Public  Improvements 

Water-Works. — In  1893,  the  borough  established 
water-works,  embracing  two  reservoirs  with  a  total 
capacity  of  350,000  gallons,  in  an  elevated  situation 
one  mile  south  of  the  place,  having  secured  a  large 
supply  of  superior  spring  water. 

The  streets  are  lighted  by  oil  lamps.  A  fire  com- 
pany was  organized  by  citizens  of  the  town  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1909,  and  named  the  Topton  Hose  Company. 
It  has  secured  a  hose  carriage  with  several  hundred 
feet  of  hose  and  over  fifty  taxpayers  have  been  en- 
rolled as  members. 

Trolley  Line. — ^A  trolley  line  of  railway  is  about 
being  constructed  from  Lyons  to  Allentown  by  way 
of  Topton  and  Alburtis. 

Auditorium. — In  1905,  M.  T.  Butz  erected  a 
frame  auditorium  for  entertainments.  It  has  a 
seating  capacity  of  several  hundred,  and  is  well 
patronized  by  church  festivals,  fairs,  lectures  and 
local  institutes. 

Churches. — iln  1872,  members  of  the  Lutheran 
and  Reformed  denominations  residing  at  Topton 
united  in  erecting  a  brick  church,  and  the  congrega- 
tions have  been  carried  on  successfully  since  then, 
over  180  of  the  former  having  taken  communion  on 
Easter  Day,  1909,  and  over  160  of  t'he  latter.  Ar- 
rangements are  being  made  for  the  erection  of  a 
larger  building.  The  members  formerly  attended  re- 
ligious services  in  churches  at  Bower's,  Mertztown 
and  Longswamp. 

The  Evangelical  Association  organized  a  congre- 
gation in  1885  and  caused  the  erection  of  a  church 
in  1886,  which  has  been  maintained  until  now. 


Schools. — The  borough  supports  three  schools 
in  a  superior  two-story  brick  building.  The  scholars 
number  more  than  one  hundred  and  the  annual  ex- 
penditures exceed  $1,200. 

Orphans'  Home.— In  1897,  the  Lutheran  Church 
established  a  fine  home  for  orphans  in  an  elevated 
position  a  short  distance  south  of  Topton,  which 
has  been  managed  in  a  very  successful  manner.  It 
was  started  with  three  inmates;  now  it  has  ninety 
(49  boys,  41  girls).  Annual  excursions  in  the  fall 
of  the  year  for  the  benefit  of  this  worthy  institution 
are  very  largely  patronized.  A  similar  home  is 
maintained  by  the  Reformer  Church  at  Womelsdorf. 
[Mentioned  in  Ontelaunee  Section,  Chapter  XII.] 

LENHARTSVILLE 

Incorporation. — Lenhartsville  is  the  second 
smallest  borough  in  the  county.  It  is  situated  along 
the  Ontelaunee  creek  in  the  western  end  of  Green- 
wich township,  from  which  it  was  taken  at  the 
time  of  its  incorporation  in  1887.  It  embraces  48 
dwellings,  2  hotels,  3  stores  and  a  blacksmith  shop, 
with  a  population  of  140,  the  number  having  grad- 
ually decreased  for  the  last  twenty  years.  The  ho- 
tels are  supplied  with  superior  running  spring 
water. 

The  place  was  named  after  the  Lenhart  family 
which  Settled  in  the  township  at  this  point  before 
the  erection  of  the  county.  It  has  been  known  by 
this  name  for  over  a  hundred  years.  The  opera- 
tion of  several  large  grist-mills  in  the  vicinity  gave 
it  prominence ;  and  its  situation  on  the  "State  Road" 
(which  extends  across  the  northern  section  of  the 
county  parallel  with  the  Blue  Mountains)  contrib- 
uted toward     its  importance  as  a  business  center. 

First  Taxables  of  Borough. — The  taxable  res- 
idents of  the  borough  at  the  time  of  its  incorpora- 
tion were  as  follows : 
Daniel  Adam  John  B.  Levan 

Daniel  Fenstemaker  Mrs.  George  Leiby 

James  S.  Focht  Mrs.  James  Leiby 

Mrs.   Peter  Fister  John  Miller,  Sr. 

Malinda  Greenawalt  Joseph  Mattern 

Samuel   Gehret  J.  William  A.  Mattern 

George  F.  Huy  John    Pfeifly 

Henry  Hardinger  Benjamin   Riegelman 

Jonathan  G.  Hinkle  John  K.  Seaman 

Frank   Kramer  Moses   Stein 

Charles    A.    Leiby  William   Waxwood 

Allen  B.  Levan  Benjamin   Weiss 

Fraftcis  B.  Levan  Wilson  M.  Werley 

William  B.  Levan  Mrs.    Seth   Ziegler 

Jacob  B.  Levan 

Tenants 


William  Adam 
Glancy  Dry 
William   Eberly 
James  Grayham 
Frank  Hill 
Benjamin  Leiby 
John   Miller,   Jr. 
John   W.   Reber 

Single  Men 
Clayton  Adams  Irwin  W.  Leiby 

George  De  Long  i  George   W.   Ziegler 

List  of  Officials. — The  following  lists  comprise 
the    names    of    the    principal   officials   who  have 


Jacob   Rhoads 
Daniel  Reidenaur 
Daniel  B.  Seip 
O.  G.  Yenser 
Lafayette  Zettelmoyer 
Allen    Zettelmoyer 
Charles  D.   Ziegler 


204 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


served  since  the  incorporation  of  the  borough.  On- 
ly one  justice  of  the  peace  has  been  elected  (though 
entitled  to  two  as  a  district),  owing  to  the  small- 
ness  of  the  place  : 

CHIEF   BURGESSES 

George  F.  Huy 18S7-91 

Charles  D.  Ziegler 1891-92 

James   S.   Focht 1892-95 

Charles  A.  Leiby 1895-98  ;   1902-05  ;  1909-12 

Daniel  J.   Seip 1898-1902 

William   V.    Herring 1905-09 

TOWN  CLERKS 

Oliver   G.   Yenser 1887-89 

Wilson  AI.  Werlev 1889-91 

George  F.   Hiiv 1891-94 

J.   Wm.  A.   Slattern 1894-1905  ;    1907-09 

Dr.  O.  F.  Kunkel 1905-07 

Dr.  L.  R.  Rothermel 1909-10 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE 

James  S.  Focht 1887-95 

J.  Wm.  A.  Mattern 1895-1910 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909 

Chief   Burgess,     Charles   A.   Leiby 

Tozvn  Council,    William  F.  Peters,   President 

Albert  Hein,  Treasurer 

William  Wa.xvvood 

Benjamin  Leiby 

.Alfred   Balthaser 

F.   B.   Levan 

Dr.  L.  R.  Rothermel.  Secretary 
School  Board,     Dr.  L.  R.  Rothermel,  President 

J.  William  A.  Mattern,  Secretary 

Jacob  Levan,  Treasurer 

Glancy  L.  Dry 

Harvey  A.   Sarig 

Alfred  F.   Hein 
Justice  of  the  Peace,    J.  William   A.   Mattern 
Constable,     C.   Clayton   C.  Adams 
Auditors,     George   F.   Huy 
Jacob   Rhoad 
G.  Frank  Eberly 
Assessor,     Robert  J.  Peters 
Collector,     (Vacant) 

Post-Office. — The  post-office  was  established 
in  1854,  at  the  furnace  store,  east  of  the  creek. 
When  the  borough  was  erected,  it  was  removed  to 
this  place,  and  since  then  Glancy  L.  Dry  and  John 
W.  Reber  have  been  the  postmasters. 

Business. — F.  B.  Levan  has  been  successfully 
and  extensively  engaged  in  the  general  store  busi- 
ness for  upward  of  twenty  years.  He  is  also  oper- 
ating a  creamery  and  butcher  shop. 

A.  F.  Hein  for  several  years  has  carried  on  a 
wheelwright  shop  and  blacksmith  shop.  He  is  also 
engaged  as  a  dealer  in  farming  implements. 

Stage  lines  were  operated  from  Lenhartsville  to 
Strausstown  to  the  west  and  to  Allentown  to  the 
northeast,  for  upward  of  twenty  years  until  1904, 
when,  on  account  of  the  Rural  Free  Delivery,  the 
former  line  was  discontinued,  and  the  latter  was 
limited  to  Weisenburg. 

The  Maiden-creek  charcoal  furnace  was  erected 
in  1854  by  George  Merkel  a  short  distance  east  of 
the  village,  and  successfully  operated  for  thirty 
years,  the  last  proprietor  having  been  Jacob  K. 
Spang  of  Reading.     When  the  Berks  County  rail- 


road was  constructed  along  the  creek  in  1874,  the 
Lenhartsville  station  became  a  busy  shipping  point. 

[Statistics  relating  to  the  borough  will  be  found 
in  Chapter  IX.] 

Education.— iA  school  building  was  established 
upon  the  erection  of  the  borough,  and  this  has  been 
occupied  since  for  school  purposes.  But  the  num- 
ber of  pupils  has  been  small,  being  now  33.  There 
is  no  church  in  the  place  and  no  factory,  the  spirit 
of  manufacturing  enterprise  never  having  been  en- 
couraged by  the  property  holders. 

The  "Sons  of  America"  (Camp  No.  531)  organ- 
ized here  in  1893,  and  they  erected  a  fine  hall  for 
their  meetings,  costing  $1,400 

"Blue  Rocks"  is  a  point  of  interest  within  two 
miles  northwest  of  the  town.  It  comprises  a  depos- 
it of  large  rocks,  blue  in  appearance  from  exposure, 
which  cover  an  area  of  thirty  acres.  The  rum- 
bling of  hidden  waters  underneath  is  distinctly  aud- 
ible. The  formation  has  the  appearance  of  having 
been  caused  by  a  washout  on  the  hillside  many 
years  ago,  and  is  situated  several  hundred  yards 
below  the  top  of  the  hill. 


BECHTELS\TLLE 

Incorporation. — The  borough  of  Bechtelsville 
was  incorporated  on  Sept.  11,  1890,  the  boun- 
dary lines  including  194  acres.  The  territory  was 
taken  from  Washington  township.  It  was  named 
after  the  John  S.  Bechtel  famity  which  has  been 
prominent  in  that  immediate  vicinity  from  the  time 
of  the  first  settlements  before  the  erection  of  the 
county.  It  is  situated  along  the  Colebrookdale- rail- 
road, three  miles  beyond  Boyertown.  The  construc- 
tion of  this  railroad  in  1869  was  the  direct  cause  of 
the  formation  of  a  considerable  settlement  at  this 
point;  and  the  erection  of  a  large  iron  furnace  here 
in  1875  also  encouraged  building  operations. 

First  Taxables. — The  first  taxables  of  the  bor- 
ough were  as  follows : 


Elam  Bechtel  Est. 
Marv  Bechtel  Est. 
EH   Bechtel 
David   H.    Bechtel 
Oliver  Brtmner 
James    Bechtel 
Sarah   Bechtel 
Jacob   Bowman 
William   Conrad 
John    Conrad 
Allen  F.  Deysher 
Jeremiah    Dierolf 
Nathaniel   Dengler 
Mathias    Dotterer 
Sarah  Deysher 
Horace  Fisher 
Walter  Fisher 
Ezra    Frey 
Elizabeth   Frehn 
Henry  Geist 
William  Groff 
Henry  S.  Geist 
Henry  S.   Gilbert 
Joseph  Heydt 
John   Hoffman 
Jacob  F.  Heydt 


Orlando   Haas 
William  Haas,  Sr. 
Thomas   Hofifman 
William  F.   Knerr 
Frank   Minner 
Thomas  R.   Miller 
Tobias  Moyer 
Joseph   H.   Moyer 
Jeremiah  Moyer 
Charles  Mover 
Henry  W.   Miller 
David   Miller 
Jacob  Moyer 
Amelia   Moyer 
Amanda  Morey 
Jacob    B.    Oberholtzer 
Amos  Oberholtzer 
Lizzie  Oberholtzer 
Henry   F.    Sheiry 
Henry  H.  Stauffer 
Charles  E.  Stangier 
Harrison   Schoenly 
Daniel  Shollenberger 
John  S.  Stauffer 
Henry  Young 


BOROUGHS 


265 


Tenants  , 

Ambrose  Ackerman  Henry   Kehl 

David   O.   Bechtel  Daniel  Keller 

Fremont  Borneman  George   Moser 

William  Bechtel  Henry  Miller 

Amos   Conrad  Horace  Miller 

Nathaniel  Erb  Samuel   Mest 

Allen  Fretz  Joseph   Morey 

Horace  Fisher  Jacob  L.   Reif 

James  Fronheiser  John  Reitenauer 

Jacob  Gottschalk  Augustus  Reinhart 

Reuben  Glaes  Joseph  Reitenauer 

Oliver  Hoffman  William  Specht 

Henry  R.  Herb  Frank  Specht 

Henry  Houck  Anthony  Sharp 

Jacob  Haas  Reuben  Styer 

J.  K.   Hinkel  Lewis  Weller 

Josiah  Hunsberger  Irwin    Yoder 

Single  Men 

John    Kehl  David  Stangier 

Samuel  Kehl  Samuel  Stauffer 
Menno  wberholtzer  , 

In  1906,  there  were  83  dwellings  in  the  place,  and 
147  taxables.  The  total  assessed  property  amounted 
to  $133,700 ;  and  the  money  at  interest,  $36,365. 

List  of  Officials. — The  following  persons  filled 
the  positions  of  chief  burgess  and  justice  of  the 
peace : 

CHIEF  BURGESSES 

Orlando  Haas    1891-97 

Irvin  Yoder 1897-1900 

Jacob   B.   Oberholtzer 1900-03 

Guldin   G.    Yoder .' 1903-06 

Jeremiah   Dierolf    1906-09 

Amos   B.   Oberholtzer 1909-12 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE 

M.  H.  Dotterer 1891-1907 

H.  C.  Schoenly 1891-93 

Frank  H.  Minner 1893-96 

Franklin  M.  Glaes 1896-1903 

William  A.  Henry 1903-13 

Bernard  L.  Kutz 1907-13 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909 
Chief  Burgess,     Amos   B.    Oberholtzer 
Town  Council,     Henrv  W.  Miller,  President 

George  Bartholomew,  Treasurer 

Orlando   Haas 

Adam   Hess 

Reuben   Kramer 

Henry  H.   Stauffer 

Henry    Shirey 

Peter  Brumbach 

Irwin  B.  Kehs,  Secretary 
School  Board,    Jacob  F.   Moyer,   President 

Allen   Erb,    Secretary 

James   Fronheiser,   Treasurer 

William  A.   Henrv 

Isaac  Moyer 

George   Bartholomew 
Justices  of  the  Peace,    William  A.  Henry 

Bernard  Kutz 
Constable,  William  M.  C.  Grofe 
Auditors,    Abraham  Heydt 
Charles   Hirsch 
Assessor,    Jacob   F.    Moyer 
Collector,    Horace   B.   Fisher 

Post-Office. — The  post-office  was  established  in 
1852  by  the  name  of  Bechtelsville,  evidencing  that 
the  place  was  so  known  at  that  time.  David  Lat- 
shaw  has  been  postmaster  since  1903.  He  succeeded 
Jacob  L.  Reiff. 


Business. — In  April,  1909,  the  borough  contained 
the  following: 

Hotels  2  Tinsmith   shop 

Stores   2  Shoemaker   shop 

Hardware  store  Coal  yard 

Liveries    2  P'lour  and  feed  store 

Millinery  store  Blacksmith  shops 2 

Saddlery  Painters  &  paper  hangers.  .2 

Barber  shop  Tailor 

Printing  office  Restaurant 

Butcher   shop  Physician 

The  estimated  population  then  was  500 ;  dwelling- 
houses,  100. 

Since  the  erection  of  the  borough,  the  streets  have 
been  Hghted  at  night  by  oil  lamps  set  on  posts. 

Pumps  are  still  used  for  water  supply. 

Industries. — The  oldest  industrial  plant  at  Bech- 
telsville is  the  three-story  stone  grist  mill  which  was 
operated  as  such  for  upward  of  seventy  years,  hav- 
ing been  started  by  Alfred  Siesholtz.  It  is  equip- 
ped with  roller  process  machinery  for  the  manu- 
facture of  flour.  But  for  the  last  several  years 
it  has  been  engaged  in  chopping  feed  for  the  farm- 
ers of  the  vicinity.  Previously  it  had  been  a  prom- 
inent oil-mill  for  many  years.  It  is  now  operated 
by  Abraham  Heydt  (since  19.05),  with  two  hands. 

Another  chopping-mill  is  run  at  the  southern 
end  of  the  town  by  Mahlon  Reidenauer  (since 
1901)  ;  which  had  previously  been  a  grist-mill 
for  many  years.  In  connection  with  this  mill,  Mr. 
Reidenauer  established  a  planing-mill  in  1908, 
which  he  has  been  operating  with  four  hands. 

Near  this  mill,  Hen-ry  Young  started  a  cream- 
ery about  1885  and  carried  on  business  extensive- 
ly for  a  number  of  years.  It  has  been  operated 
by  H.  H.  Stauffer  for  about  fifteen  years. 

William  Conrad  engaged  in  the  undertaking  bus- 
iness about  1875,  and  several  years  afterward  es- 
tablished a  large  cabinet-making  shop,  which  he 
carried  on  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of  fur- 
niture. He  is  still  in  the  business,  and  also  deals 
in  furniture  and  household  goods. 

Fisher  Brothers  (Walter  and  Horace)  have  been 
engaged  in  manufacturing  carriages  at  Bechtels- 
ville since  1887.  They  employ  five  hands.  A 
wheelwright  shop  is  also  carried  on  at  this  plant 
for  heavy  wagons  and  repairs. 

Nathaniel  G.  Erb  started  a  bakery  here  in  1886 
and  since  then  has  developed  a  large  trade  which 
extends  into  the  surrounding  country  for  many 
miles.  He  manufactures  and  distributes  daily 
about  a  thousand  loaves  of  bread ;  also  large  quan- 
tities of  cakes  and  pretzels.  He  employs  nine 
hands  and  requires  three  delivery  teams.  During 
the  summer  season  he  manufactures  many  tons 
of  ice-cream  and  candy  for  picnics. 

Owen  Hoffman  has  carried  on  a  marble  yard  for 
upward  of  twenty  years.  He  located  at-  Bechtels- 
ville in  1877. 

Effinger  Erb  started  a  cigar  factory  in  1908  and 
employs  two  hands.  He  also  manufactures  chew- 
ing tobacco. 


366 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Kutz  Knitting  Mill.— In  1905  S.  Jairus  Kutz  of 
Reading-  located  at  Bechtelsville  and  started  the 
manufacture  of  men's  and  ladies'  hosiery  on  the 
second  floor  of  the  tinsmith  shop,  but  his  busi- 
ness grew  so  rapidly  that  he  was  obliged  to  put 
up  a  building.  In  1907  he  erected  a  fine  three- 
story  cement  block  factory  and  equipped  it  with 
machinery.  His  two  sons  Calvin  J.  and  Bernard 
L.  are  associated  with  him,  and  they  are  trading 
under  the  name  of  Kutz  Knitting  Mill.  They  em- 
ploy from  forty  to  fifty  hands. 

Dicrolf  Orchard. — Jeremiah  Dierolf  was  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  pants  at  Bechtelsville  for 
upward  of  fifteen  years  until  1905,  when  his  hands 
left  and  entered  the  hosiery  mill.  He  then  direct- 
ed his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  fruit  and  ber- 
ries on  a  tract  of  land  adjoining  the  borough  and 
he  has  been  very  successful.  He  planted  upward 
of  2,500  trees — apple,  peach  and  plum. 

Crusher. — In  1875,  a  large  blast  furnace  was 
erected  here  at  a  cost  exceeding  $150,000,  and  it 
was  operated  for  ten  years  by  the  Pottstown  Iron 
Company  and  the  Gabel  Brothers  from  Pottstown. 
Some  years  afterward  it  was  dismantled  and  torn 
down  by  the  P.  &  R.  R.  Co.  The  large  and  val- 
uable cinder  bank  induced  the  erection  of  a  crush- 
er plant  by  Jacob  V.  R.  Hunter  and  William  Kline, 
who  operated  it  until  1904,  when  Mr.  Kline  be- 
came the  sole  owner,  and  in  1907  he  sold  it  to  the 
Ehret  Slag  Company.  The  estimated  deposit  of 
cinder  there  is  100,000  tons,  superior  for  concrete 
work. 

Church  and  Schools. — A  fine,  large,  two- 
story  brick  church  was  erected  in  1886  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  denominations, 
and  services  have  been  conducted  since.  The  mem- 
bers support  a  flourishing  Sunday-school.  The 
Lutheran  members  number  150 ;  the  Reformed, 
75. 

Two  schools  are  maintained  in  the  borough. 
The  scholars  number  73.  A  one-story  brick  build- 
ing was  erected  by  the  borough  in  1890. 

Hall. — The  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America, 
Camp  No.  324,  erected  a  fine  three-story  cement- 
block  building.  The  first  and  second  floors  are 
occupied  for  dwelling  purposes ;  and  the  third  floor 
is  set  apart  as  the  Camp's  Hall.  An  auxiliary  camp 
meets  there  also — the  Patriotic  Order  of  Ameri- 
cans, No.  40,  composed  of  women ;  it  has  upward 
of  fifty  members.  The  cost  of  the  building  was 
$6,000.  

MOUNT   PENN 

Incorporation. — Mount  Penn  was  established 
as  a  borough  out  of  a  small  portion  of  Lower  Al- 
sace township  on  Nov.  7,  1902.  The  boundary 
lines  inclose  242  acres,  116  perches.  It  adjoins 
Reading  on  the  southeast. 

The  place  was  known  as  "Dengler's"  from  1841 
to  1902,  having  been  named  after  George  Den- 
gler,  Esq.,  the  first  prominent  citizen  of  that  vicin- 
ity ;    who,   in    1 840,    purchased    the    Keehn    tavern 


and  fifty-six  acres  of  land  there  and  took  posses- 
sion in  1841.  He  conducted  the  tavern  several 
times  himself,  altogether  about  ten  years,  but  the 
premises  were  mostly  rented  until  his  decease  in 
1866.  He  served  in  the  office  of  justice  of  the 
peace  from  1855  to  1865,  and  was  highly  respect- 
ed in  the  community.  The  tavern  was  an  old- 
established  stand  in  1840,  and  had  been  a  popular 
stopping  place  for  teamsters  on  their  way  from 
upper  sections  of  the  county  to  Philadelphia  with 
grain,  etc.,  before  the  opening  of  the  railroad  in 
1838. 

After  the  East  Reading  Street  Railway  line  was 
extended  to  Black  Bear  and  to  Stony  Greek  in 
1890,  more  especially  after  the  opening  of  Car- 
sonia  Park,  dwelling-houses  at  this  place  began 
to  increase  rapidly.  When  the  trolley  line  to  Black 
Bear  was  extended  to  Birdsboro,  the  street  cars 
to  that  place  from  Reading  proceeded  by  way  of 
Mount  Penn. 

In  1909,  the  borough  included  140  dwellings; 
about  400  inhabitants;  two  churches  (Lutheran  and 
Reformed),  two-story  brick  school  building,  two 
carriage  factories,  organ  factory,  paper-sack  fac- 
tory, coal  yard,  two  hotels,  four  stores,  and  a  res- 
taurant ;  there  were  three  painters,  a  large  con- 
tractor, and  a  physician.  Many  of  the  houses 
are  attractive,  and  one  is  particularly  worthy  of 
notice,  John  G.  Speidel's,  formerly  Dr.  D.  B.  D. 
Beaver's,  erected  by  Edward  S.  Kremp,  Esq. 

The  Aulenbach  cemetery  is  situated  in  the  west- 
ern section ;  also  the  Antietam  filtering  beds  of 
the  Reading  Water  Works.  The  former  was  es- 
tablished in  1851 ;  the  latter  in  1905. 

In  1884,  A.  F.  Reeser  and  Kendall  Brothers 
laid  out  a  town,  including  Dengler's,  and  named 
it  "Woodvale."  Many  lots  were  sold,  and  a  num- 
ber of  dwellings  were  erected,  but  the  name  was 
not  adopted  by  the  public. 

A  post-office,  by  the  name  of  "Dengler's,"  was 
established  in  1884,  and  this  was  continued  until 
the  borough  was  erected  in  1902. 

The  streets  are  lighted  by  arc  electric  lights  un- 
der contract  with  the  Metropolitan  Electric  Com- 
pany. 

A  hose  company,  with  hook  and  ladder  truck, 
chemical  engine,  and  modern  appliances,  was  or- 
ganized in  1903,  and  it  has  eighty  members.  A 
town  hall  was  erected  in  1906. 

Water  Company. — In  1903,  the  Mt.  Penn  Sub- 
urban Water  Company  was  organized  and  incor- 
porated with  a  capital  of  $12,000,  for  the  purpose 
of  supplying  the  citizens  of  Mt.  Penn  and  vicinity 
with  water  for  domestic  uses  and  for  protection 
against  fire.  The  Adams  farm,  a  mile  east  of  Den- 
gler's, was  secured  and  there  the  company  estab- 
hshed  a  reservoir  with  a  capacity  of  600,000  gal- 
lons, and  a  large  dam  with  a  capacity  of  3,000,- 
000  gallons.  Mains  were  then  put  down,  in  length 
about  six  miles.  The  patrons  number  210.  The 
organizers  were  Dr.  M.  L.  Bertolette,  Martin  D. 
Hunter,   Louis   Kraemer,   E.   D.   Nein,   and   H.    S. 


BOROUGHS 


267 


Hinnershitz-T-the  first  having  been  the  president 
of  the  company,  and  the  second  the  secretary  and 
treasurer,  since  its  organization.  Pipe  lines  are 
extended  to  Stony  Creek  and  Black  Bear.  The 
sanitary  conditions  are  superior  and  highly  com- 
mended by  the  State  authorities. 

First  Taxables. — The  names  of  the  first  taxa- 
bles  of  the  borough  were  as  follows: 


Charles  W.  Hinnershitz 
William  P.  Hilbert 
Jacob  L.  Ketterer 
Charles   O.  Levan 
Blasius  Leightham 
Charles  H.  Longacre 
Howard  Longacre 


George  Irvin  Longacre 
Samuel  Nein 
Wilson   Nein 
John   Schlegel 
Albert  Schlegel 
Morris  Trout 
Samuel  Texter 


Daniel  N.  Albright 
Marguerite   Albright 
William  H.  Albright 
John   D.   Barth 
Andrew  Bernhart  Est. 
Henry  E.  Barth 
Elizabeth  M.   Brown 
James   D.    Bady 
Catharine    Bertolet 
Dr.  M.  L.  Bertolette 
Julia  L.  Brown 
Dr.    Beaver 
John  H.  Clark 
David  D.  Dundore 
Howard   Deysher 
Emma  A.  Endlich 
Henry   C.    Esterly 
John  S.  Esterly 
John   R.   Folk 
Herman    Fisher 
Annie  Griesemer 
Elizabeth  Glasser 
H.   S.   Hinnershitz 
Gregory  Heine 
George  B.  Hartman 
Christian  Hartman 
George  C.  Hartline 
L.  W.  Hinnershitz 


Loyal  Burkholder 
Charles  Broodman 
Wesley  M.   Burd- 
A.  Mason  Bright 
George   T.   Brown 
Amos  Boyer 
John  W.  Barth 
Christian  Conz 
Sarah  A.   Canfel 
Joseph  Davis 
Jacob  Esterly 
J.  W.  Eyrich 
Michael  Eyrich 
George  Fox 
Jacob   Folk 
William  O.  Fry 
Daniel  D.   Gehras 
Peter  Glasser 
Valentine  Graeff 
Howard  E.  Gerhard 
Edward    Howard 
Thomas  Hartrrian 
William  Homan 
Jacob   Hilbert 
William  Massen 
James  H.  Harner 
J.  F.  M.  Koch 
Charles   A.   Keehn 
Charles  Keffer 

Louis   Bernhart 
Harry   Barth 
Harry  Bitzer 
Charles  Barth 
Harvey  Bernhart 


Daniel  B.  Keehn 
Peter   B.   Keehn 
John  B.   Keehn 
Emily  D.  W.  Kline 
William  O.  Leinbach 
Percival  Leinbach 
George  A.  Levan 
Henry   S.  Lutz 
Philip   Louman 
James   Longacre 
John  T.  Miller 
Irvin   Manwiller 
J.   H.   Mohn 
David  Nein 
Jonathan  Nein 
Elmer  E.  Palm 
Adam  Palm 
Daniel    Q.    Reider 
Samuel   Steiger 
Charles  R.  Seyfert 
Mrs.    Solomon   Stoner 
Adam    Schlegel 
Charles  Schlegel 
Amos  Schlegel 
Mrs.  Ellen  Trout 
James  Texter 
John  Zechman 
Joseph   Zuber 

Te7tants 

Charles   M.  Kline 
Frank  E.  Kauffman 
Edward  Kiebach 
Harry  Kemp 
Harvey  Keehn 
John  Lindemuth 
Levi  Lessig 
Reuben  Moyer 
Charles  Miller 
James    J.    Madeira 
Samuel   Nein 
Milford    Nein 
Daniel   R.   Quinter 
Charles    B.    Prutzman 
Francis    B.    Palm 
Charles  H.  Ruppert 
George  W.  Russel 
John  Rudy 
Benjamin  E.  Rake 
Mrs.  Sarah  S.  Reider 
Ira  J.  J.  Reber 
John  J.  Scarlet 
John  Sutters 
Alvah  O.  Schaefifer 
Boyd  W.  Von   Neida 
G.  W.  Wagner 
Thomas  Weidner 
Edward  Yergey 
Charles   Youse 
Single  Men 

Frank  Clark 
Jacob  B.  Esterly 
Harry  S.  Esterly 
George  S.  Esterlv 
James   Finerfrock 


First  Officials. — The  first  officials  were  elect- 
ed in  February,  1903,  and  their  names  were  as 
follows : 

Chief  Burgess,  George  C.  Hartline 
Town  Council,    John   Clark,    (3   years) 
D.  D.  Nein   (3  years) 
Dr.  M.  L.  Bertolette  (3  years) 
W.  O.  Leinbach   (2  years) 
G.  A.   Levan    (2  years) 
David  D.  Dundore  (1  year) 
J.  D.  Brady  (1  year) 
Auditor,    I.    N.    Manwiller 
Tax  Collector,    John  R.  Folk 
School  Director,     E.  W.  Hinnershitz  (3  years) 
Elmer  E.   Palm   (3  years) 
John  G.  Esterly   (2  years) 
George  C.  Hartline  (2  years) 
Samuel  Reifsnyder   (1  year) 
David  D.  Dundore  (1  year) 
Judge  of  Election,    Milford  Nein 
Inspectors,     Samuel   Nein,   Sr. 
Peter  B.  Keehn 

In  1906,  H.  S.  Hinnershitz  was  elected  as  the  sec- 
ond chief  burgess  for  a  term  of  three  years. 

BOROUGH   OFFICIALS— 1909 
Chief  Burgess,    George   L.   Dengler 
Town  Council,     Irvin  N.  Manwiller 
George   Hartman 
Henry  Barth 
Henry   Esterly 
Ira  Reber 
William   Albright 
William    Leinbach 
Town  Clerk,    George  C.  Hartline- 
School  D'irectors,    H.   S.   Beiteman,   President 
George  C.  Hartline,  Secretary 
John  Keehn 
Mason  A.  Bright 
Edward  G.  Christian 
Albert    R.    Schlegel 
Auditors,    Joseph   B.   Gauter 
W.  Hinnershitz 
R.  Tomlinsen 
Assessor,    John    Leedom 
Tax  Collector,    John  Folk 
Justice  of  the  Peace,    George  C.  Hartline 
Constable,    Harry   Neff 

Industries 

Carriage  Factory. — The  first  industry  at  this 
place  was  the  carriage  factory  of  Joseph  Albright. 
He  had  been  engaged  in  carriage-making  at  Kutz- 
town  and  Pottsville  for  some  years  and  removed  to 
Dengler's  about  1867,  where  he  continued  in  the 
business  until  1886,  when  his  sons  William  and 
Daniel  succeeded  him.  After  being  together  for 
a  year,  William  retired  and  he  then  worked  at 
different  places  as  a  journeyman  coach-maker  for 
several  years,  when  he  returned  to  Dengler's.  His 
father  dying  then,  William  became  the  owner  of 
the  property,  and  he  has  since  carried  on  the  busi- 


268 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


ness,  manufacturing  carriages  and  light  business 
wagons  and  making  a  specialty  of  rubber  tiring. 
When  he  took  the  old  place,  his  brother  Daniel 
established  a  carriage  factory  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  street,  and  he  too  has  been  engaged  in  the 
business  until  the  present  time. 

Organ  Factory. — Samuel  Bohler  was  engaged 
in  manufacturing  pipe-organs  at  Reading  from 
1850  to  1890.  Elmer  Palm  learned  organ-building 
under  Bohler  and  continued  with  him  until  his 
death  when  he  established  a  factory  at  Dengler's, 
and  here  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  business  un- 
til the  present  time,  manufacturing  organs  accord- 
ing to  orders  Teceived,  for  private  dwellings  and 
for  churches.  His  trade  is  confined  almost  en- 
tirely to  Pennsylvania.  He  employs  from  six  to 
ten  hands. 

Paper  Bag  Factory. — Wellington  Hinnershitz 
started  the  manufacture  of  paper  flour-sacks  at 
Mt.  Penn  in  1904  and  has  continued  until  the 
present  time. 

Nein  Coal  Yard.— In  1887,  Augustus  H.  Went- 
zel  and  D.  D.  Nein  established  a  large  coal  yard 
and  a  flour,  feed  and  grain  business.  After  con- 
ducting them  for  two  years  Wentzel  retired  and 
Mr.  Nein's  brother  Joseph  D.  took  his  place.  Since 
then  the  business  has  been  carried  on  by  them  in 
a  successful  manner  under  the  name  of  Nein 
Brothers. 

General  Store. — Irvin  N.  Manwiller  established 
a  general  store  at  the  place  in  1893  and  has  con- 
tinued in  business  there  until  the  present  time. 

Building  Contractor. — Charles  Schlegel  located 
here  in  1903,  in  the  business  of  ejecting  houses, 
and  has  been  successfully  engaged  until  now,  em- 
ploying upward  of  thirty  hands. 

Churches. — In  1885,  the  Trinity  Lutheran  Con- 
gregation of  Reading  erected  a  one-story  frame 
chapel  at  Dengler's,  which  was  called  "Faith,'' 
and  church  and  Sunday-school  services  have  been 
conducted  in  it  until  now. 

In  1897,  many  adherents  of  the  Reformed  de- 
nomination (about  thirty  in  number),  who  resid- 
ed at  and  near  Dengler's,  organized  a  congrega- 
tion and  erected  a  fine  one-story  brick  church;  and 
since  then  they  have  held  regular  services. 

School. — The  school  board  of  Lower  Alsace 
township  erected  a  fine,  two-story  brick  school 
building  at  Dengler's  in  1898,  and  when  the  bor- 
ough was  established  in  1903  it  became  the  prop- 
erty of  the  borough.  In  1906  an  addition  was 
made  to  the  building.  It  has  three  graded  schools 
and  130  scholars. 

Stony  Creek  is  a  flourishing  village  which  ad- 
joins Mount  Penn  on  the  east.  It  took  its  name 
from  the  Stony  Creek  Mills,  which  were  estab- 
lished there  in  1864.  In  April,  1909,  it  contained 
fifty  single  houses  and  fifteen  double  houses,  three 
stores,  wheelwright  shop,  blacksmith  shop,  cider- 
mill,  grist-mill,  broom  factory,  barber  shop,  and 
the  Kraemer  Woolen  Mills ;  also  a  superior  two- 
story    brick    school    building    (erected    in  1905), 


hotel,  bowling-alley,  and  a  hose  company  for  pro- 
tection against  fire.  A  beautiful  stone  chapel  has 
been  maintained  since  1900  for  Sunday-school  pur- 
poses. The  place  is  suppHed  with  water  by  the 
Mt.  Penn  Suburban  Water  Company,  the  pipe 
having  been  laid  in  1908.  It  is  the  eastern  termi- 
nus of  the  East  Reading  street  railway,  situated 
a  short  distance  from  Carsonia  Park.  Many  years 
ago,  the  Burkhart  Forge  was  carried  on  along  the 
creek  near-by;  and  afterward,  the  Feger  Paper 
Mill.  The  Antietam  Lake,  of  the  Reading  Water- 
works, whose  capacity  exceeds  100,000;000  gal- 
lons, is  situated  half  a  mile  to  the  north.  The 
growth  and  improvement  of  the  place  are  attribut- 
able to  the  influence  of  the  woolen  mills.  The 
estimated  population  is  400. 


WOMELSDORF 

The  borough  of  Womelsdorf  is  situated  in  the 
western  section  of  the  county,  about  a  mile  from 
the  line  of  Lebanon  county.  The  town  was  laid  out 
by  John  Womelsdorf  in  1763  and  from  him  it  takes 
its  name.  In  that  year  the  first  house  was  erected 
by  Jacob  Seltzer;  which  afterwaid  came  to  be  oc- 
cupied as  a  tavern  and  it  has  continued  as  such  until 
the  present  time.  It  is  the  oldest  tavern  in  the 
county.  Whilst  President  Washington  was  on  his 
way  through  Berks  county  to  Carlisle,  in  1794,  he 
stayed  over  night  at  this  tavern.  The  town-plan 
comprised  seventy-five  lots.  The  place  was  then 
called  Middletown,  because  it  was  situated  midway 
between  Reading  and  Lebanon,  and  it  was  known 
by  this  name  for  upward  of  fifty  years. 

The  following  list  comprises  the  taxable  inhabi- 
tants in  1790: 


Wm.   Bergenhoff 
Christian    Bricken 
Imhoff   Benedict 
John   Bonawitz 
George   Bodle 
Jacob    Egle 
John   Fleisher 
John   German 
Daniel  Graeff 
Henry   Hersh 
John   Henry- 
Christian  Miller 
Elizabeth  Newman 


Jacob    Pleini 
George  Rapp 
John  Rose 
George  Seidle 
Conrad   Stouch 
John    Smith 
Jacob   Seltzer 
Weyrich  Seltzer 
Maria  Sherman 
Nichola  Saladin 
Andrew  Saladin 
Michael  Wolford 


Incorporation. — The  town  was  incorporated  in- 
to a  borough  in  1833,  by  an  Act  of  Assembly,  and 
the  taxables  assessed  that  year  were  as  follows: 
Adam  Anspach  Geo.  Brownwell   (of  John) 

George  Anspach  Daniel  Claus 

William  Arnold  Est.  Conrad  Claus 

John  Arnold  Hannah  Clark 

Jacob  Arnold  Est.  George  Conrad 

Abraham  Arnold  Henry  Cornwell 

George    Brownwell  Thomas  Cox 

Lot    Benson  Elizabeth  Deppen 

Benjamin   Bressler  Emanuel  Deininger 

Joseph  D.  Biles  Isaac  Deppen 

Magdalena    Brownwell  Daniel  Diehl 

John    Bennethum  Samuel  Dechert 

David  Bennethum  Elizabeth  Dreon  (Tryon) 

Michael   Bennethum  Peter   Eckert 

James    Bryan  John  Ermcntrout 


BOROUGHS 


269 


Samuel  Ermen'trout 
Mrs.  George  Ege  (widow) 
Abraham  Fisher 
-  George  Fry 
Henry    Fidler 
Adam  Fidler 
William  Gries,  M.  D. 
Abraham  Guldin 
John  Goodman 
John  German 
Benjamin  German 
Mary  German 
William  Hendel 
John  Haak 
William  Hoff 
Catharine  HefBy 
Widow  Hirsh 
John  Horn 
Thomas  Horn 
Frederick  Herman 
Jacob  Ilger 
Conrad  lauch 
Leonard  lUick 
George  Keiser 
Adam  Kalbach 
Henry  Kendall 
Adam  Kantner 
Valentine  Kantner 
Esther   Krist 
Peter  Lousdorf 
Jonathan  Leas 
Peter  Leininger 
William  Laucks 
Phillip  Lippel 
Daniel  Leininger 
John  Levengood 
Peter  Levengood 
Jacob  Lesher 
Henry  Moyer 
Valentine  Miller 
George  Miller,  Jr. 
Jacob   Miller 
Jacob  Moyer  (Inkpr) 
George  Martin 
Jacob   McCally 
Francis   Moore 
John  Mountz 
Jonathan  Mover 
John    Moyer 
Michael  Nunemacher 
Elizabeth   Oswalt 
Samuel  Petry 
William   Petry 
Michael   Petry 
Samuel  Parson 
William    Poff 

Single 
John    Aulenbach 
Daniel    Brady 
William  Fisher 
Daniel  Fidler 
John  Fidler 
Henry  Kendall 
Adam  Kantner 
Adam  Kantner  (of  Val.) 
Reuben  Long 
Michael  Nunemacher 
Isaac    Petree 

Officials. — The  following  persons  have  filled 
the  positions  of  chief  burgess,  town  clerk  and  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  from  the  incorporation  of  the  bor- 
ough until  now. 

CHIEF  BURGESSES 
Lewis    Richards    1833 


George   Parson 
William   Price 
Lewis  Richard 
Joseph  Reutter 
Samuel  Reifsnyder 
John  Rees 
George  Redman 
Casper   Reed 
Henry   Reed 
John    Reber 
Frederick   Shulze 
Conrad   Stouch 
William,  Seivert 
Michael  Seltzer 
Peter  Stahl 
Catharine  Seltzer 
John   Sallade 
Christian   Seiverd 
Philip  Swalm 
John  Smith,  Jr. 
Walker  Steven 
Daniel    Smith 
George  Sallade 
Andrew   Stouch 
Isaac   Stouch 
John  Simon 
Daniel   Snyder 
John   Smith,   Sr. 
Jacob    Sallade 
George   Seltzer 
Leonard  Seltzer 
George  Sea 
Samuel    Shulze 
John  Schoener 
Peter  Sholl 
Henry   Shaner 
John    Swalm 
John   Sell 
John    Smith,    Est. 
William  Sallade 
John   Schoener 
Solomon  Sea 
John   B.    Smith 
Jacob  Shartel 
George   Von   Neida 
John  Von  Neida  Est. 
John  Vanderslice,  Esq. 
Peter  Womelsdorf 
Godfrey  Wiegerunan 
William  Witmyer 
Solomon  Weiser 
George  Wiegenman 
Daniel  Womelsdorf 
Adam  Weber 
John  Yost 

Freemen 
John  Price 
Isaac  Reber 
Samuel  Stahl 
Benjamin  Seltzer 
Samuel    Seltzer 
Hamilton  Stouch 
Henry  Vanderslice 
William  Vanderslice 
Aaron  Weiser 
Jabetz    W'eiser 


John   Vanderslice    1834-38 

Peter  Womelsdorf   1839-43 

Henry    Kendall     '  • 1844-45 

George  Von  Neida    1846 

John   Miller    •  • . .  1847-50 

James  Moore   1851-52 ;  1874 

William   Bennethum    1853 

Joseph  Smith  1854 

Henry   Brinkley    1855 ;   1860 

J.  A.  Claus. 1856 

William  Anderson   1857 

Martin  Manderbach  1858-59 

Henry   H.    Manderbach 1861 

John  G.  Keiser 1862 

William   Smith    1863 

E.  Penn  Smith 1864-65;   1869 

William  G.  Moore 1866  ;  1868 

Isaac  Y.   Kintzer 1867 

B.  Frank  Shortell 1870-71 ;  1879 

John  A.  Matthew 1872 

Charles  B.  Fisher 1873 

Michael  Kolbach  1875 

Jacob  A.  Wolf 1876 

Samuel  Mowry   1877 

George  K.  Valentine 1878 

Franklin  S.  Haak 1880-81;   1886-87 

Frederick   A.   Fidler 1882 

Simon  P.  Moyer 1883 

Samuel  Kurtz 1884 

John  F.  Petree 1885 

John  W.  Petree,  Jr 1888-89 

Henry  Eberly    1890 

Thomas  L.  Reed 1891-94 

John  M.   Smith 1894-97 

C.  Lewis  Kintzer 1897-1900 

Franklin  Kreitzer   1900 

Daniel  Bobb   1901-03 

Charles  J.  Good 1903-06 

Harry  D.  Noll ' 1906-09 

Dr.  Horace  F.  Livingood 1909-12 

TOWN  CLERKS 

Francis  Wessels    1834-43 

David  Steach   1844-65 

Franklin  Zerby   1866 

Wm.  M.  Sallade 1867-69 ;  1872 

Isaac  Y.  Kintzer 1870-71 ;  1873-86  ;•  1888-89 

John  M.  Smith 1887 

Thomas  E.  Haak 1890-1901 

William  W.  Lengel 1902-10 

JUSTICES   OF  THE   PEACE 

William  F.  Duncan 1829 

Frederick  Foltz  1829 

David  Steach   1846-71 

Isaac  Womelsdorf    1850-76 

Isaac   Y.   Kintzer 1871-86 

James  Moore   1876-81 

John  M.  Smith 1881-89 

Charles  B.  Kintzer 1886-96  ;  1899-1904 

John  H.  Kintzer 1889-94 

Thomas  E.  Haak 1894-99  ;  1909-14 

John    J.    Sallade 1896-1911 

Jacob  H.   Mays .  . : 1904-09 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909 
Chief  Burgess,    Dr.  Horace  F.  Livingood 
Town  Council,    Samuel  H.  Illig,  President 

Howard  M.  Hafer 

Stephen  Kintzer 

Wilson  Dundore 

Jefferson  T.  Good 

I.  C.  Christman 

Samuel  Hoffa 

W.  W.  Lengel,  Clerk 
Assessor,    Adam  Lengel 
Collector,    George   Bright 


270 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Justices  of  the  Peace,  John  J.  Sallade 

Thomas  E.  Haak 
Constable,    Jacob  Kintzer 
School  Board,  Charles  P.  Kreitzer 

Calvin  Christman,  Secretary 

Rev.  Edwin  Leinbach,  Treasurer 

John  I.  Filler 

Thomas   Wilhelm 

William  Moore 
Post-Office. — A  post-office  wa«  established  here 
in  1807.  The  postmaster  since  1897  has  been  Wal- 
lace W.  Oberly.  Previous  postmasters  were  Charles 
Petree,  Cyrus  Oberly,  George  Miller,  Isaac  Miller 
and  William  W.  Petree. 

Industry. — ^Besides  the  usual  vocations  incident 
to  a  country  town,  some  of  the  inhabitants  were  en- 
gaged in  the  making  of  wool  hats  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  place  for  nearly  an  hundred  years.  A 
tannery  was  operated  for  a  longer  time,  and  a  gun 
factory  was  a  successful  enterprise  for  many  years. 
The  product  was  shipped  by  teams  to  Reading  and 
Philadelphia.  About  the  time  of  the  opening  of  the 
Lebanon  A^alley  railroad  in  1857,  the  manufacture 
of  these  articles  was  gradually  discontinued  and  the 
extensive  manufacture  of  cigars  was  begun,  though 
these  had  also  been  made  here  and  in  the  vicinity 
for  a  while  in  limited  quantities.  Unfortunately  for 
the  borough,  the  route  of  the  railroad  was  selected 
a  mile  to  the  south  because  of  an  alleged  indifference 
of  certain  capitalists  at  Womelsdorf  to  encourage 
the  enterprise  by  subscribing  for  the  stock;  hence 
industrial  shops  were  not  developed  from  that  time 
for  about  forty  years.  The  articles  now  produced 
which  are  worthy  of  special  mention  are  cigars,  ci- 
gar-boxes and  hosiery. 

Cigars. — !A.  S.  Valentine  began  the  manufacture 
of  cigars  in  a  modest  way  in  1852,  and  within  thirty 
years  he  had  become  one  of  the  largest  manufac- 
turers in  the  county  with  trading  relations  extend- 
ing throughout  the  Middle  and  Western  States. 
He  died  in  1899.  His  son,  George,  succeeded  him ; 
and  he  has  kept  up  the  business  in  a  very  success- 
ful manner  until  the  present  time.  He  also  operates 
a  large  plant  at  Philadelphia.  In  1900,  a  grandson, 
Roy  Valentine,  became  associated  in  the  business 
with  his  father,  retaining  the  old  name  of  A.  S. 
Valentine  &  Son ;  hands  employed,  from  125  to  150. 
Henry  F.  Fidler  started  in  1880  and  continued 
until  1903,  when  he  retired  from  the  business,  then 
transferring  it  to  his  sons,  Plarry  I.  and  Edgar  G., 
and  his  nephew,  John  I.,  who  have  been  trading 
since  under  the  name  of  H.  F.  Fidler  &  Co.  They 
employ  75  hands  and  manufacture  annually  three 
million  cigars. 

In  1891  Henry  D.  Hackman  began  making  cigars 
in  limited  quantities.  In  1906  he  employed  from 
40  to  50  hands  and  produced  over  1,500,000  cigars, 
all  hand-made,  Havana  filled;  which  were  disposed 
of  at  retail  in  Pennsylvania,  New  York  and  New 
Jersey.     His  several  bra-nds  are  very  popular. 

Other  manufacturers  who  have  started  business 
more  recently  are  George  Moyer,  Christman  Broth- 
ers, E.  A.  Schenk,  Claude  Taylor,  and  Charles  M. 
Petree. 


Cigar-boxes. — In  1890,  M.  S.  Weidman  started 
a  cigar-box  factory  with  4  hands  and  produced  500 
boxes  weekly.  In  1892,  S.  P.  Moyer  became  a  part- 
ner and  he  continued  in  the  firm  until  1905,  when 
Mr.  Weidman's  brother  took  his  place  and  they  have 
since  been  trading  as  Weidman  Brothers.  In  1906 
they  employed  30  hands  and  produced  weekly  10,- 
000  boxes.  In  1905,  they  estabHshed  an  additional 
factory  at  Sinking  Spring,  with  15  hands,  and  a 
weekly  capacity  of  5,000  boxes. 

Hosiery. — In  1900  Darius  H.  Hiester  and  John 
D.  Horst  began  the  manufacture  of  hosiery.  In 
1906,  they  employed  25  hands  and  produced  daily 
115  dozen,  which  they  shipped  directly  from^  the 
factory  to  all  parts  of  the  country  upon  orders 
received  through  their  office  in  New  York  City. 
In  1907,  Wilson  Dundore  and  William  Dundore 
became  the  owners  and  have  since  carried  on  the 
business  under  the  name  of  Dundore  &  Dundore. 

J.  J.  J.  Moyer  carried  on  this  business  for  up- 
ward of  twenty  years  until  his  death,  in  March, 
1909,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son-in-law, 
Howard  V.  Fitler. 

Creamery. — Frank  N.  Moyer,  of  New  Berlin- 
ville,  established  a  creamery  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Womelsdorf  about  1890,  and  it  has  been  carried 
on  since  by  different  owners ;  since  1902  by  Wilson 
Degler.     Three  hands  are  employed. 

General  Business. — In  April,  1909,  the  following 
business   places   were   carried   on   at   Womelsdorf : 

General  stores   4  Blacksmith  shops    3 

Hardware   store    1  Printing  office    1 

Flour  and   feed  store 1  Ice  houses   2 

Leather    store    1  Hotels     4 

Agricultural   implement  Restaurant     1 

store   1  Printing  office    1 

Liquor    stores    3  Barber  shops    3 

Wheelwright   shops    3 

Bank. — In  1903,  a  bank  was  established  in  the 
place  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  under  the  name 
of  Womelsdorf  Union  Bank  (State).  The  presi- 
dent from  the  start  has  been  John  M.  Schonour. 
A  superior  and  attractive  building  was  erected 
as  the  place  for  the  transaction  of  its  business,  in- 
cluding a  fire-proof  and  burglar-proof  vault.  In 
November,  1908,  the  resources  were  $405,985 ;  the 
deposits,   $316,598;   the   surplus,   $35,159. 

Public  Enterprises 

Turnpike. — The  first  public  enterprise  here  was 
the  construction  of  the  Berks  and  Dauphin  turn- 
pike through  the  town  in  1817;  and  this  has  been 
maintained  until  now. 

Canal. — The  next  was  the  extension  of  the  Un- 
ion canal  along  the  Tulpehodcen  creek  about  a  mile 
north  of  the  town  in  182S;  and  this  was  carried 
on  successftilly  for  forty  years,  when  its  traffic  be- 
gan to  decline  on  account  of  the  Lebanon  Valley 
railroad,  which  was  constructed  in  1857  through 
Heidelberg  township  a  mile  south  of  the  town. 

Trolley  _  Line. — A  trolley  line  of  street  railway 
was  supplied  in  1894,  having  been  constructed  along 
the  turnpike  from  Reading.     Upon  its  completion 


BOROUGHS 


271 


the  passenger  traffic  was  almost  wholly  transferred 
to  it  from  the  railroad  on  account  of  the  inconven- 
ience in  reaching  the  railroad  station.  A  car-barn 
was  established  at  the  western  end  of  the  bor- 
ough. 

Water  Supply. — ^A  water  company  was  organized 
and  incorporated  in  1895.  The  water  was  at  first 
secured  from  the  Manderbach  spring,  near  the 
Orphans'  Home,  and  pumped  into  a  reservoir  in 
the  northern  section  of  the  town  near  the  Union 
church.  This  supply  was  used  several  years,  then 
a  larger  reservoir  was  established  in  the  "gorge" 
of  the  South  Mountain,  east  of  Newmanstown  ; 
whence  the  town  has  since  been  supplied  by  grav- 
ity with  flowing  water  taken  from  springs  and  runs 
on  the  mountain.  Peter  D.  Wanner  was  president 
of  the  company  until  1900,  and  he  was  succeeded 
by  Martin  D.  Filbert. 

This  company  began  to  supply  the  residents  of 
Robesonia  with  water  in  1904,  and  of  Sheridan 
in  1908,  mains  having  been  extended  to  these  plac- 
es. On  account  of  the  elevation  of  the  reservoir, 
the  pressure  is  very  strong. 

Town-Hall. — In  1897  the  borough  erected  a  two- 
story  brick  town  hall  on  the  square,  costing  $6,- 
500.  It  was  established  mostly  to  accommodate 
the  Volunteer  Fire  Company  with  a  convenient 
building  for  its  fire  apparatus. 

Fire  Company. — A  fire  company  was  incorpor- 
ated in  1897  and  supplied  with  hose  carriage,  hook 
and  ladder  truck,  and  chemical  engine.  It  has  up- 
ward of  fifty  members.  H.  H.  Hafer  has  since 
been  the  chief  of  the  fire  department.  It  is  sup- 
ported by  voluntary  contribution. 

Electric  Plant. — The  borough  established  a  su- 
perior electric  plant  in  1907  at  an  expense  of 
$30,000.  It  has  been. located  on  the  old  and  his- 
toric Charming  Forge  property  which  is  situated 
along  the  Tulpehocken  creek,  three  miles  north- 
east of  the  borough.  It  supplies  the  light  for 
the  streets,  hotels,  and  many  of  the  stores  and 
dwellings.  Its  management  by  the  town  council 
is   highly  praiseworthy. 

Churches. — In  1793,  members  of  the  Lutheran 
and  Reformed  denominations  united  in  erecting 
a  stone  church  in  the  town.  It  was  improved  in 
1805  by  means  of  a  lottery  authorized  by  an  Act 
of  the  Legislature;  and  it  was  rebuilt  in  1867. 
It  is  still  maintained  as  a  union  church,  with  a 
large  regular  attendance. 

In  1834,  members  of  the  Presbyterian  denomin- 
ation established  a  church  in  the  town,  and  the 
congregation    was    maintained    for   twenty    years. 

About  the  same  time,  certain  Universalists  erect- 
ed a  small  church  and  encouraged  services  for  a 
number  of  years,  but  the  society  was  disbanded 
and  the  building  was  sold  to  the  school  board  for 
educational  purposes. 

Some  years  before,  adherents  of  the  Evangelical 
denomination  had  effected  an  organization  and 
erected    a   meeting-house.      They    conducted    their 


meetings  in  a  successful  manner  until  1867,  when 
they  erected  a  more  pretentious  church  and  in  this 
they  have  carried  on  services  until  the  present 
time. 

A  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  was  or- 
ganized in  May,  1907,  and  since  then  has  held  its 
meetings  in  the  old  Presbyterian  Church  building 
and  been  managed  in  a  successful  manner  with  an 
increasing  membership.  Henry  D.  Hackman  has 
been  its  president  and  most  active  and  influential 
member. 

Cemeteries. — In  1858,  an  association  was  formed 
for  establishing  a  Union  cemetery,  a  tract  of  three 
acres  of  land  having  been  purchased,  adjoining 
the  Union  church,  and  laid  off  in  burial  lots. 

In  1883,  a  tract  of  three  acres  was  purchased 
by  the  Zion's  Reformed  church  and  laid  off  into 
lots  for  burial  purposes.  Several  costly  monu- 
ments have  been  erected,  including  those  to  David 
Laucks  and  Dr.  James  C.  Livingood.  The  re- 
mains of  Hon.  George  Ege  (a  prominent  iron  man- 
ufacturer and  county  official  for  many  years)  were 
buried  in  this  cemetery,  and  his  grave  is  marked 
by  a  marble  shaft. 

Schools. — Education  was  encouraged  from  the 
beginning  of  the  town.  The  first  teacher  was  Bar- 
on Stiegel,  the  earliest  manufacturer  of  iron  in 
the  western  section  of  the  county,  he  having  di- 
rected his  attention  to  teaching  after  his  failure  in 
business.  Walker  Stephen  was  the  most  promi- 
nent teacher  and  the  longest  in  continuous  service, 
having  taught  the  children  of  the  town  for  over  sixty 
years,  from  1800.  Higher  education  was  encour- 
aged as  early  as  1828  by  establishing  an  academy 
in  the  town.  The  institution  became  incorporated 
in  1834,  and  it  was  conducted  successfully  for  thir- 
ty years. 

In  1880,  the  borough  erected  a  superior  two-story 
brick  high  school  on  the  site  of  the  academy,  at  a 
cost  of  $4,500.  In  1906  there  were  six  graded 
schools  in  the  place,  with  over  two  hundred  schol- 
ars. 

Band  of  Music — In  1906,  Calvin  Reinhold  or- 
ganized a  band  of  music  which  was  called  the  Min- 
nehaha Cornet  Band  and  he  has  since  been  the 
leader,  with  upward  of  twenty  members  whom  he 
has  instructed. 

Washington's  Visit. — In  1794,  President  Wash- 
ington, while  on  his  way  to  Carlisle,  in  reference  to 
the  Whiskey  Insurrection,  stayed  over  night  at 
Womelsdorf,  and  the  extraordinary  occasion  was 
celebrated  in  a  proper  manner  by  the  inhabitants. 
In  the  proceedings,  Capt.  Samuel  Dewees  took  a 
prominent  part  on  account  of  his  personal  acquain- 
tance with  the  President,  which  he  had  made  dur- 
ing his  services  in  the  Revolution.  In  a  published 
biography  of  Captain  Dewees  (1844)  this  event 
and  his  connection  with  it  are  mentioned  quite 
extensively. 

BERNVILLE 
Bernville  was  laid  out  as   a  town   in  1819  by 
Thomas  Umbenhauer,   on  land  which   he  owned. 


272 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


It  was  situated  in  Bern  township  on  a  public  road 
from  Reading,  by  way  of  the  Bern  Church,  to  the 
Blue  Mountains.  The  projection  of  the  Union  can- 
al near  by,  along  the  Tulpehocken  creek,  led  to  the 
selection  of  this  locality  as  a  convenient  place  for 
a  town.  It  was  named  in  1820  after  one  of  the 
principal  towns  of  Switzerland,  the  native  place 
of  the  founder's  father. 

In  1828,  the  canal  was  opened  for  traffic,  and  it 
was  operated  successfully  for  thirty  years  until  the 
establishment  of  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad,  and 
then  its  business  began  to  decline  rapidly.  During 
this  time,  Bernville  was  a  great  shipping  point  and 
business  of  all  kinds  was  in  a  flourishing  condi- 
tion ;  but  the  final  abandonment  of  the  canal  caused 
a  great  change  to  take  place,  ending  in  deprecia- 
tion of  property  and  values,  and  the  discontinu- 
ance of  various  successful  enterprises. 

The  nearest  railroad  station  is  Robesonia,  on 
the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad,  seven  miles  to  the 
south. 

A  branch  of  the  South  Mountain  railroad -was 
projected  from  Strausstown  to  Reading  by  way 
of  Bernville,  and  it  was  partly  constructed  along 
the  North-kill  through  the  western  section  of 
the  borough,  but  it  was  not  finished.  Many  per- 
sons of  this  vicinity  responded  liberally  in  sub- 
scriptions and  credits,  which  became  a  total  loss 
to  them.     The  projected  roadway  is  still  visible. 

Purchasers  of  First  Lots. — The  following  per- 
sons purchased  lots  of  the  town  which  were  sold 
on  March  7,  1820: 

Philip  Filbert  Nicholas  Haas 

John  Umbenhauer  Samuel  Filbert 

Matthias  Stoudt  John  Heck,  Jr. ' 

Henry  Waters  John   Miesse 

Peter  Filbert  Jacob  Wagner 

Philip  A.  Good  John  Wagner 

Samuel  Umbenbauer  Daniel  Strause 

Catharine  Stoudt  John  Aulenbach,  Jr. 

Joseph    Seybert  John  Heck,   Sr. 
Samuel  Seybert 

Occupants  of  First  Dwelling-houses. — The 
first  houses  were  occupied  by : 

Henry  Witman    tinsmith 

William    Runkle    merchant 

Abraham  Reber  merchant 

Andrew  Greth   blacksmith 

John   Haag    wheelwright 

Joseph  Burkhart    chair-maker 

Jacob  Allenbach    hatter 

Rev.   Bover    minister 

Peter  Bennethum   tanner 

Michael  Parst  paper-box  maker 

Benj.  L.  Kerschner , .  .coach-maker 

Jacob  Wagner  butcher 

Joseph   Kauffman    hatter 

Catharine   Stoudt    cake-baker 

Lewis    Porr    tailor 

John  Umbenhauer  weaver 

William  Umbenhauer tavern-keeper 

Daniel  Klopp   tavern-keeper 

John   Daniel tinsmith 

Incorporation. — The  town  was  advanced  in- 
to a  borough  in  1851.  The  taxables  at  that  time 
were  as  follows: 


Abraham   Andrews  Samuel  W.  Miller 

Tohn  Boyer  John    Miller 

Henry   Byerle  Jonathan  Miller 

Daniel    Bentz  Dr.  A.  A.  McDonough 

Enoch  Burkhart  Rev.  George  Minnig 

Adam  Bohn  Est.  Samuel  Madden 

Maria    Brossman  Catharine  Mohn 

Rebecca   Brossman  Ludwig  Porr 

Enoch  Bricker  Est.  John  Runkle 

John   Burkhart  Elijah  Richardson 

Joseph  B.  Conrad  Joseph    Renno 

Elizabeth    Conrad  Runkle  &  Son 

Daniel  Deppen  William  Runkle 

Samuel   K.   IHindore  George   Rick 

Valentine  Epler  Est.  Jacob  Strouse 

Edward  B.  Filbert  Catharine  Stoudt 

Daniel  R.  Faust  Benjamin  Seyfert 

Solomon  Faust  William  Sheidy 

William  Greim  Rev.  John  C.  Smith 

John  Heck  Adam   Snyder 

William  Huber  Daniel  Umbenhower 

Jonas  Hetrich  Thomas  Umbenhower  Est. 

John    Haag  John  Umbenhower 

Samuel    Hicks  Henry  Witman 

Joseph  Hertzler  John  Wenrich 

Henry  Kleim  John  Yeager 

William  Kalbach  Rev.  Jacob  Zehring 

Benjamin  Kershner  Lenhart  Zerbe 
Abraham  Koenig 

Tenants 

Jacob  Adam  Jacob  Riegel 

John  Daniel  John  Rick 

Lewis  Fair  Jacob  Rieser 

John    Greiner  J°hn  Resh 

Andrew  Heilman  J?^"  ^"dy 

Benjamin  Himmelberger  p  ^".''y  .^'|"^^  , 

John  Harbach  ^r^hT  ^"'''" 

iir    I,-     i       Tj  •  Jacob  Werner 

Washmgton  Hem  ^adock  Weber 

^Y  TjJ'^^  J°^«Ph  Wolfinger 

John  Heffelfinger  John  Witman 

fe^n-^'"^?*,  John   Walter 

William  Noll  Joshua  Yeager 

Single  Men 
Adam  Bohn  Jonathan  Snyder 

Alfred  Kershner  Matthias  Trompater 

Jonathan  Spengler  Jacob  Werner 

In  1906,  the  taxables  numbered   134;  and  then 
the  taxable  property  was  assessed  at  $123,690. 

Officials. — The    following    lists    comprise    the 
names    of    the    chief   burgesses,    town    clerks    and 
justices  of  the  peace  from  1851  to  1909 : 
CHIEF  BURGESSES 

E.  B.  Filbert -^gj^ 

A.  R.  Koenig ] ^^gjg 

William   Runkle    -j^ggg 

Henry  Witman 1354 

Abraham  Andrews j^gjg 

Joseph  B.  Conrad ■.'.'.'.■.■.'.■.■.  ISog';'  1872';'  1887-88 

ti.   iiarner   ^f..„ 

Adam  Stoudt   "" 

Paul  Wenrich   ]lll 

Levi   M.    Gerhard i860  61 

D-D-  Deppen   1862V  I868 ; '  1889-90 

John  F.  Burkhart irr^ •  issr 

A.  M.  Bright ^^^^'  ]lll 

David  R.  Koenig. .  .■ ]lll 

Adam  M.  Dundore isfifii'is?? 

Jefferson  Haag  :; ^^"^ ■   HH 

Abraham  Witman ,111 

F.  M.  Harbaugh [W;; ]^J,l 

Ephraim  Witman   ,„° 

Jacob  S.  Werner HH 


BOROUGHS 


273 


Charles  F.  Rentchler 1875 

John  A.  Hiester 1876 

Lewis   P.  Kerschner 1877 ;   1899 

Levi  Ludwig  1878-80 ;  1900-03 

Levi  Berger   1881 

John  S.  Wenrich 1883-85 

Edwin  Umbenhauer  1891-93 

Jonathan  B.  Miller 1894-96 

Levi  S.  Bright 1897-98 

Levi  D.  Kalbach 1903-06 

Ephraim  Miller  ; 1906-09 

Charles  M.  Richardson  1909-12 

TOWN  CLERKS 

A.  R.  Koenig 1851 

John  S.   Rick 1852-54 

Harrison  Harner 1855-56 ;  1858-63 

Wm.  H.  Kintzle 1857 

C.  W.  Hetrich 1864;  1866;  1868-70;  1874-76;  1881-96 

Peter  Sands   1865 

L.  W.  Rentchler 1867 

John  H.  Riegel   1871-73 

H.  S.  Machemer   1877-80 

Charles  M.  Harbach 1897 

Charles   P.'  Kalbach 1898-1900 

H.  C.  Kerschner 1900-03 

Geo.  C.  Kline 1903-08 

P.  F.  Burkhart 1908-10 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE 

John  H.  Riegel 1869-74 

Simon  Riegel   1872-77 

Charles  W.  Hetrich 1874-99 

Henry  S.   Machemer 1877-82 

Benjamin  Klahr 1882-97;  1898-1913 

James  F.  Talley 1897-98 

Samuel  T.  Bordner 1899-1908 

S.  P.  Wilhelm 1908 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909 

Chief  Burgess,    Charles  M.  Richardson 
Town  CouncU,    George  Moll,  President 

S.  P.  Wilhelm,  Treasurer 

John  Snyder 

John    Haag 

Frank    Stamm 

Willis  Bright 

Paul  F.  Burkhart,   Secretary 
School  Board,  William  Heffelfinger 

Dr.  C.  E.  Schloppig 

Thomas  Kalbach 

James  Burns 

Joeah  Sheidy 

Howard  Dietrich 
Justices  of  the  Peace,    Benjamin  Klahr 
S.   P.   Wilhelm 
Constable,    John  Christ 
Auditors,    Willis   Bright 

Alfred  Rentschler 
J.  Paul  Burkhart 
Assessor,    James   Grofif 
Collector,    Levi  Ludwig 

Industries. — Previous  to  1819,  this  locality  was 
entirely  a  farming  community.  Industrial  estab- 
lishments could  not  be  encouraged  because  there 
were  no  facilities  for  shipping  manufactured  ar- 
ticles. The  prospects  of  a  canal  stimulated  en- 
terprise, and  then  different  industries  were  start- 
ed, which  were  operated  successfully  for  about 
forty  years.  Some  were  continued  longer,  but 
they  too  had  to  succumb.  Tanning  was  intro- 
duced in  1830,  and  was  actively  carried  on  for  six- 


ty  years,  but  it  finally  passed  away  in  1900.  Sev- 
eral foundries  were  operated  for  a  number  of 
years.  The  last  was  removed  in  1906,  having 
been  taken  to  Topton. 

Creamery  Business. — (Charles  M.  Richardson 
(the  burgess  of  Bernville)  has  been  very  success- 
fully engaged  in  conducting  creameries  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  Berks  county  for  a  number  of  years, 
having  directed  their  affairs  from  Bernville  as  a 
central  office  under  two  firms  with  which  he  is 
connected,  Ahrens  &  Richardson  and  Richardson 
Brothers,  the  former  controlling  eight  creameries 
and  the  latter  six.  Those  in  the  county  are'  situated 
at  Bernville,  Strausstown,  Mount  Pleasant,  Wer- 
nersville,  Berne,  Mertztown,  Longswamp,  Maxa- 
tawny,  Topton,  Schofer,  Kutztown,  Bowers,  Ly- 
ons and  Dryville.  He  is  also  connected  with  the 
Harford '  Dairy  Company,  at  Harford,  Pa.,  which 
controls  eight  creameries. 

A  creamery  was  erected  by  Jonathan  B.  Miller 
at  Bernville  in  1889  and  operated  by  different  par- 
ties. It  has  been  carried  on  successfully  since  1891 
by  Ahrens  &  Richardson. 

Electric  Light  Plant. — ^An  electric  light  plant  was 
established  by  Harrison  Kalbach  of  Lebanon  in 
1904  for  supplying  the  borough  with  an  improved 
light.  It  is  managed  by  Dr.  Charles  P.  Kalbach. 
The  lights  supplied  number  300. 

Bakeries. — Two  bakeries  have  been  established, 
one  by  J.  B,  Miller  in  1894,  carried  on  by  Harry 
Sheetz;  and  the  other  in  1896  by  J.  D.  Reeser,  who 
after  operating  it  ten  years  was  succeeded  by  his 
brother  Charles  C.  Reeser,  who  has  carried  it  on 
since  1906  with  increasing  success. 

Recently  two  additional  industries  were  started: 
a  shirt  factory  by  Hoffman  Brothers,  and  a  hosiery 
mill  by  High  &  Son. 

Stores. — Several  stores  in  the  place  have  been 
continued  in  a  successful  manner  until  now,  not- 
withstanding adverse  circumstances.  The  Miller 
store  was  started  in  1847  by  Samuel  W.  Miller. 
His  son  Jonathan  B.  succeeded  him  in  1878,  after 
being  a  partner  for  fourteen  years.  It  was  then 
much  enlarged  and  improved  by  the  son  and  came 
to  be  recognized  as  one  of  the  largest  and  best 
stocked  country  stores  in  Pennsylvania.  James 
F.  Talley  became  the  purchaser  in  1903  and  he  has 
carried  it  on  since. 

Albert  F.  Schock  began  the  store  business  here 
in  1872.  He  established  a  ,  larger  stand  on  the 
opposite  corner  in  1884,  with  a  costly  stock,  and 
continued  until  a  few  years  before  his  death,  in 
1908. 

John  F.  Burkhart  began  the  stove  and  tinsmith 
business  in  1848,  and  he  and  his  sons  have  kept 
it  up  successfully  until  now.  Their  trade  extends 
throughout  the  surrounding  townships. 

There  are  three  practicing  physicians  in  the  bor- 
ough; thyee  hotels;  a  drug  store;  and  a  saddlery^ 

Physicians. — A  num'ber  of  medical  practition- 
■ers  lived  at  Bernville  who  were  very  successful 
and  won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  sur- 
1 


374 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


out  Aug.  8,  1862,  by  reason  of  an  Act  of  Congress 
which  was  passed  to  dispense  with  regimental 
bands. 


rounding  community  for  many  miles:  Dr.  George  Ham  H.  Keim.  The  grand  review  of  all  the  com- 
Beyerle,  Dr.  Enoch  Bricker,  Dr.  Daniel  Deppen,  panies  in  dress  parade  was  witnessed  by  Gov.  David 
Dr.  A.  A.  McDonough,  Dr.  Philip  R.  Palm,  Dr.  R-  Porter.  Many  persons  were  m  attendance.  The 
George  W.  Ditzler,  Dr.  Wellington  G^  B eyerie  ^ jr^Tr^rc"  rmH.-The  Bernville 
Dr.  Danus  D.  Deppen,  and  Dr.  John  A.  Brobst.  ^omet  Band  with  Henry  Grime  as  leader  and  thir- 
National  Bank.— a  national  bank  was  organ-  ^^^^  musicians,  was  enlisted  in  the  Civil  war  for 
ized  at  Bernville  in  October,  1907,  with  a  capital  j-^g^rly  a  year.'  It  was  mustered  into  the  service 
of  $25,000,  with  James  F.  Talley  as  president  5gpt_  26,  1861,  with  the  26th  Regiment,  Pennsyl- 
and  Augustus  M.  Brown  as  cashier.  In  Novem-  yania  Volunteers,  as  the  regimental  band,  and  con- 
ber,  1908,  the  total  resources  were  $122,462;  in-  tinued  with  the  regiment  until  it  was  mustered 
dividual  deposits,  $57,590;  time  deposits,  $20,607;  '         ■         -  - 

loans  and  discounts,  $77,585. 

Stage  Lines. — iTwo  daily  stage  lines  maintain 
business  intercourse  with  other  places :  From  Read- 
ing by  way  of  Bernville  to  Millersburg;  and  from 
Robesonia  to  Bernville   (twice  daily). 

Two  rural  free  deliveries  have  been  established 
from  Bernville. 

Churches. — The  first  church  was  established 
here  by  the  Lutherans  in  1745,  and  worship  was 
continued  by  them  alone  until  1834,  when  the 
Reformed  members  were  permitted  to  unite  with 
them.  The  union  character  of  the  church  was 
maintained  until  1897,  when  they  separated.  The 
Lutherans  erected  a  superior  church  at  a  cost  of 
$16,000 ;  and  the  Reformed,  with  the  co-operation 
of  the  New  School  Lutheratis,  also  erected  a  sim- 
ilar church,  in  the  same  vicinity,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  public  highway,  at  a  cost  of  $18,000. 

The  Evangelical  Association  also  established  a 
church  here  in  1852  and  the  limited  membership 
was  active  for  a  number  of  years. 

Schools. — Education  received  early  encourage- 
ment. In  1878,  a  large  two-story  brick  building 
was  erected  to  take  the  place  of  two  small  build- 
ings, and  this  is  still  used.  Three  schools  are 
graded,  with  over  seventy  scholars. 

Secret  Societies. — The  first  secret  society  es- 
tablished at  Bernville  was  a  lodge  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, No.  122,  instituted  Sept.  6,  1845,  and  the 
members  have  maintained  the  organization  un- 
til the  present  time,  the  membership  being  65.  This 
was  one  of  the  first  lodges  of  the  order  established 
in  Berks  county.  They  dedicated  a  hall  in  1851. 
The  assets  of  this  body  are  $4,000. 

Another  society  here  which  has  been  quite  suc- 
cessful and  whose  members  have  exerted  consid- 
erable social  and  political  influence  in  the  communi- 
ty is  Camp  No.  113,  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  Amer- 
ica, which  was  instituted  in  1869,  with  12  charter 
members.  On  Dec.  31,  1908,  the  members  num- 
bered 208,  and  the  total  assets  of  the  camp  were 
reported  as  $10,270. 

Military  Encampment. — A  large  military  en- 
campment was  held  at  Bernville  on  Aug.  27,  1841, 
comprising  seventeen  companies  of  militia,  almost 
entirely  from  Berks  county.  Several  companies 
were  from  Lebanon  and  Schuylkill  counties.  At 
that  time,  Berks  county  had  altogether  twenty- 
three  companies,  indicating  that  the  majority  of 
the  local  companies  were  present  upon  that  occasion. 
The  principal  officer  in  command   was  Gen.   Wil- 


BIRDSBORO 

Birdsboro  is  a  flourishing  borough  in  the  county 
through  the  influence,  encouragement  and  great 
success  of  the  Brooke  iron  works.  William  Bird 
established  at  this  place  one  of  the  first  iron  in- 
dustries in  the  State.  This  was  in  1740.  It  was 
a  forge.  He  erected  additional  forges  here;  also 
a  grist-mill  and  saw-mill.  He  took  up  several  thou- 
sand acres  of  land  in  the  vicinity  south  of  the 
Schuylkill,  stretching  along  Hay  creek.  Upon  his 
decease,  in  1762,  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 
Mark.  Within  twenty  years,  the  son  became  one 
of  the  largest  producers  of  iron  in  the  country 
at  that  time.  He'  was  particularly  prominent  in 
the  Revolution. 

The  development  of  the  Bird  industries  caused 
the  formation  of  a  considerable  settlement  on  both 
sides  of  the  creek  near  its  outlet  into  the  river, 
and  it  naturally  took  the  name  of  Birdsboro.  At 
the  time  of  the  erection  of  the  county  in  1752, 
besides  the  township  names  for  local  districts,  there 
were  only  two  named  towns,  Reading  and  Birds- 
boro. After  1762,  this  town  became  more  prom- 
inently known  through  the  industrial  energy  of 
Mark  Bird,  and  it  has  continued  to  be  the  most 
prominent  center  in  the  county  next  to  Reading 
in  respect  to  population  and  wealth  from  that  time 
until  now. 

The  Brooke  family  came  to  be  identified  with 
the  place  before  1800,  and  its  greatest  development 
is  owing  to  the  enterprise  of  Edward  Brooke"  and 
George  Brooke  (sons  of  Matthew  Brooke),  be- 
tween 1837  and  1878,  when  the  former  died.  Since 
1878,  George  Brooke  has  been  at  the  head  of  the 
works  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  of  the  entire 
community. 

Incorporation. — The  town  was  incorporated  as 
a  borough  in  November,  1872,  the  limits  includ- 
ing territory  one  mile  square,  with  the  northerly 
line  along  the  Schuylkill  river.  It  embraces  sec- 
tions which  are  known  locally  as  Lincoln-town, 
Brooklyn,  Texas,  and  Mexico.  The  streets  were 
regularly  surveyed  and  graded  in-  1883.  A  wat- 
er department  was  then  established,  the  water  be- 
ing supplied  by  the  Brooke  Iron  Company  from 
a  large  reservoir  containing  37,000,000  gallons, 
constructed  on  Indian  run  two  miles  south  of 
Birdsboro.      In    1900    the    Birdsboro   \\''ater    Com- 


BOROUGHS 


275 


pany  was  incorporated  by  the  Brookes,  which  pur- 
chased the  plant  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the 
growing  town  with  water.  In  1906  the  company 
enlarged  the  main  pipe  to  sixteen  inches.  The 
small  mains  were  also  enlarged,  thereby  increas- 
ing the  daily  supply  and  improving  the  service  to 
meet  the  demands  of  the  community. 

In  1885  the  streets  were  first  lighted  by  naph- 
tha gas  lamps;  and  in  1896  by  electric  lights,  the 
plant  being  run  by  water  power  from  the  canal. 
A  fire  company  was  organized  in  1883.  A  build- 
ing for  the  apparatus  was  supplied  by  the  bor- 
ough in  1884,  and  enlarged  in  1905.  The  upper 
story  is  occupied  as  a  town  hall.  Two  wards 
(East  and  West)  were  erected  in  1889. 

In  1906,  the  taxables  numbered  969;  the  total 
assessed  property  amounted  to  $1,233,264;  and 
the  money  at  interest,  $472,534.  The  buildings 
numbered  450 ;  East  ward,  280,  and  West  ward, 
170. 

First  Taxables. — The  following  list  embraces 
the  first  taxable  inhabitants  of  the  borough : 


Enoch  Alderman 
James  Brusstar 
Dr.  B.  F.  Bunn 
George   Brinly 
Jeremiah  Beard 
John  R.  Bechtel 
Edward  Brooke 
George  Brooke 
Zacharias  Bishop 
Augustus  Britton 
Henry   Biedencup 
Richard   Bull 
Reuben  Beidler 
Samuel  Bland 
Lewis  R.  Bland 
Daniel  Bower 
John  Bechtel 
James  Bradley 
John    Britton 
Effenger  Dengler 
William  DeWitt 
Ferdinand  Egelman 
Henry  A.  Esterly 
Reese  Evans 
Benjamin  Grubb 
Samuel   Goheen 
Charles  Glass 
Jacob  Geiger 
Joseph  Hale 
Michael  Hoffman 
Jacob  R.  Hunter 
Henry  Houck 
Elisha  B.  Houck 
Hannah  Huyett 
G.  W.  Harrison 
Dr.  Isaac  B.  Hallman 
Caleb    Harrison 
Jacob  E.  Hook 
Susan  Hale 
Adam   Hoyer 


Robert  Arnold 
Daniel  Aldenderfer 
Ammon   Albright 
Henry  Albright 
Albert    Borden 


William  Hart 
John  E.  Hook 
Levi  E.   Hook 
Henry   E.    Hook 
Henry   M.   Houck 
George   W.   Hains 
William  Hayflicker 
Anna   Kline 
John  Keinard 
Joseph  R.  Kerst 
George  W.  Knabb 
James  Liggett 
David  J.  Lincoln 
Michael   Lacy 
Ellen  Luft 
Peter   Moll 
Raymond  Mohr 
Daniel   R.   Miller 
John  T.   Miller 
Enos  Morris 
James  Price 
Cyrus    Painter 
Edward  Parlaman 
Isaac  L.   Pauling 
Andrew   Painter 
John  Rork 
Cyrus   Rhoads 
Samuel  Rhoads 
Augustus  Redcay 
Moses  Stubblebine 
Hannah  Steinmetz 
Elijah  Shirey 
Augustus  Schlichter 
Daniel   Spencer 
David  Vanneman 
George  Wert 
Elizabeth   Wood 
George  Yocum 
Henry  Yeager 
John  Yeager 

Tenants 

Reuben  Breidegam 
John  Bailey 
John  H.  Brinley 
Jeremiah   Babb 
Williaih  Bortz 


Andrew  Bivens 
Joseph  Bigley 
John  Boyer 
John  Brown 
William  Bishop 
Thomas  Conner 
Edward  Conner 
Jacob  Cramp 
Charles  Coughlen 
Uriah    Carson 
Peter  Detemple 
William   Davis 
James  Doaty 
Jeremiah  Dieter 
John  Deeds 
John   Davis 
James  Davis 
William  Davis,  Jr. 
Henry    Davis 

Tames  Daub 
David  Dieffenderfer 
Aaron  Ellis 
Lacy  Epstein 
Joseph  H.  Fisher 
David    Focht 
John   Fillman 

Samuel  Fair 

Isaac  Fair 

Peter  Frymoyer 

William  Fosnacht 

Jacob  Fry 

John  Geary 

George  Grubb 

Samuel  Goheen 

John    Goheen 

Frederick  Garrick 

William  Haggins 

Rudolph  Hayflirker 

William    Harbeson 

Thomas  Hesser 

Owen  Hamilton 

John  Hoffman,  Sr. 

John  Hoffman,  Jr. 

Charles    Hoyer 

James  Henry 

Henry   Henry 

Daniel  Hoyer 

Amos  Harner 

Henry  Haws 

William  D.   Homan 

James  Homan 

Charles  Hoffman 

Levi    Hartman 

Isaac   Hahn 

Charles   Hoyer 

Joseph  M.  Hale 

Henry    Hoffman 

William    Ives 

John  Incheliff 

George  Irey 

David  Johnson 

Perry  Jones 

Samuel  Kachel 

Henry  Kline 

David   Kline 

Samuel   Kring 

John  Kutz 

Charles   Lacy 

Edward  F.  Alderman 
James   Biedencup 
Samuel  Bland 
Edward  Bland 
Charles  Bland 
Henry  Bechtel 


John  Lacy 
Jacob  Lichty 
Henry  Lichty 
Joel  Moore 
Benjamin  McCord 
Edward  Mohr 
David  McCord 
Joseph  McKim 
William  Morris 
Adam  McMullen 
James    H.    Minker 
Isaac  Minker 
Augustus  Minker 
Levi  Mover 
John  Mock 
John  Mills 
Caleb  W.  Mann 
William  March 
John  Nichols 
William  Nagel 
George  Painter 
Lewis   Phillips 
Henry  Quimby 
Colbert  Reamstein 
David  Rhoads 
B.  F.  Rorke 
Franklin  Reed 
Caleb  R.  Rhoads 
Augustus  Redge 
Benjamin   Roberts 
George   Rotz 
Robert  Rhoads 
John   Rhoads 
Peter  Rorke 
Henry  Reimert 
George  Siegfried 
William  Seidel 
Daniel  Spencer 
Jacob  Steinmetz 
Aaron  'Sloyer 
James  Schule 
Henderson  Sample 
William  Stanley 
John   Siegfried 
Edward  Siegfried 
William  Siegfried 
George  ichirey 
Ezra   Smith 
Isaac  Steinruck 
Samuel   Shealer 
J.  S.  Scheffey 
Samuel  Troop 
James  Tolbert 
William  Thompson 
Charles  Vanderslice 
Hugh  Vaneman 
Owen  WoJff 
David  Watts 
Daniel  Witman 
John   White 
Jonathan  Woomer 
Oliver  C.  Wilson 
Benjamin  Weidner 
George  Wert 
Francis  M.  Weaver 
A.   B.  Young 
John  H.  Yeager 
Peter    Zeller 


Single  Men 


William  Britton 
George  Britton 
William  Dengler 
Lewis   Delavan 
George   Engelman 
Edward    B.   Evans 


376 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Levi  Focht  William  March 

Aaron  Francis  Amos  Miller 

Lot  B.  Foreman  George   Mohr 

Samuel  Green  John   Phillips 

Joseph  Henderson  Benjamin  F.  Rork 

Edward  Hesser  Enoch   Rhoads 

Caleb  Harrison,  Jr.  John  Shiner 

Samuel  M.  Harrison  ^acob    Steinmetz 

William  H.  Harrison  Andrew  Steinmetz 

John  Haws  Albert  Shirey 

Joseph  Lacy  Samuel  Westley 

Peter    Luft  David  Waltz 

George   C.    Mohr  Thomas  White 

Officials. — The  following  chief  'burgesses,  town 
clerks  and  justices  of  the  peace  have  officiated  from 
the  beginning  of  the  borough  to  the  present  time : 

CHIEF  BURGESSES 

George  W.    Hain 1873 

James  Ligget   1874-75 

George   Beard    1876 

D.  K.  Miller  1877 

George  W.  Hook 1878 

Dr.  Henry  B.  Brusstar  1879-80 

C.    B.    Beard    1881-83 

Cyrus   Painter   1883 

Michael    Hoffman    1884 

Abner    S.    East 1885-89 

Jacob    M    Prutzman 1889-92 

Isaac  W.   Miller ■. 1892-93 

David  Kline   1893-94 

Julius  R.  Langner*  1894-97 

James   A.    Hoffman 1897-1900 

Jacob  Derr    1900-03 

Oliver    W.    Eck 1903-06 

John   W.   Davis 1906-09 

Elmer   E.   Squibb 1909-12 

*  First  elected   for  three  years  u'nder  Act  of   1893. 

TOWN   CLERKS 

Caleb   K.   Rhoads 1873-1903 

Albert   Fritz    1903-06 

Howard   Deam    1906-10 

JUSTICES -OF  THE   PEACE 

Joseph  R.   Kerst 1873-88 

James   S.   Brusstar 1873-90 

Jeremiah  Beard  1888-93 

Jacob   Prutzman    1890-1911 

Oscar  S.   Hertzog 1893-98 

Zacharias   Bishop    1898-1903 

Harry  E.   Flart* 1903 

James  A.  Hoffman* 1903-09 

John  Wells,   Sr 1909-14 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909 

Chief  Burgess,     Elmer  E.  Squibb 

Toiun   Council,     Howard   L.  Hook,   President 

Enos   Rhoads,   Treasurer 

Samuel   C.   Ward 

George  Brooke,  Jr. 

John  W.  Slipp 

W.  Oliver  Geiger 

Horace  Fry 

Howard  C.  Deam,  Clerk 
School   Board,    Robert  F.  Brooke,  President 

Harry  A.  Beard,  Secretary 

Jacob   Shaner,   Treasurer 

Lyman   B.  Umstead 

William  K.  Young 

Philip  Brown 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  Jacob  M.  Prutzman 
James  Hoffman 

*  Hart   resTRlied   shortly   after   receiving  his   commission;    Hoffman 
was  appointed  in  his  stead  and   elected  in   1904. 


Constables,    Samuel  Kirby 

Mahlon  Donner 
Auditors,     D.  Harvey  Whitman 
Daniel  Meinder 
George  F.  Bierman 
Assessors,    John  H.  Beidler 

George  W.  Reeser 
Collector,     Charles  H.  Miller 

Board  of  Health,    Frank  P.  Lytle,  M.  D.,  President 
Frank  Arters,  Secretary 
Charles   H.    Miller 
Henry  H.  Davis 
Harry  Henderson 
John  Murray 

Industries. — The  industries  at  Birdsboro  are  nu- 
merous and  together  make  the  place  the  most  pros- 
perous town  in  the  county  next  to  Reading.  The 
lairge  and  flourishing  works  of  the  E.  &  G.  Brooke 
Company  constitute  the  conspicuous  industrial  life 
of  the  place  and  its  chief  support. 

WilHam  Bird  established  the  first  iron  works  here 
in  1740  and  upon  his  decease  in  1763  they  passed 
to  his  son  Mark,  who  operated  them  until  his  fail- 
ure in  1788.  They  embraced  several  forges,  roll- 
ing-mill, slitting-mill,  nail-mill,  grist  and  saw-mill, 
and  about  eight  thousand  acres  of  land,  which  lay 
to  the  east,  south  and  west  of  the  works  for  sev- 
eral miles.  John  Nixon,  Cadwallader  Morris,  James 
Old,  and  James  Wilson  then  became  owners.  John 
Louis  Barde  (the  grandfather  of  Edward  and 
George  Brooke)  had  located  here  in  1788  and  run 
the  .forges  until  1796,  when  James  Wilson  sold 
them  to  him,  including  2,200  acres  of  land,  and  upon 
his  decease  in  1799,  Matthew  Brooke  (the  father 
of  Edward  and  George)   became  the  owner. 

Brooke  Works. — In  1837,  the  two  sons  named 
purchased  the  plant,  and  they  and  their  sons  have 
been  operating  it  successfully  until  now,  covering 
a  period  of  more  than  seventy  continuous  years  and 
altogether  in  the  family  for  more  than  a  hundred 
years.  In  1846  a  charcoal  furnace  was  erected  by 
them  along  the  creek  about  a  mile  to  the  south,  to 
take  the  place  of  the  "Hampton  Forge";  in  1848, 
an  enlarged  rolling  mill  and  nail  factory;  in  1852, 
an  anthracite  furnace  (known  as  No.  1  and  operated 
until  recently  when  it  was  dismantled)  ;  in  1870, 
another  anthracite  furnace,  No.  3,  and  in  1873  a 
third,  No.  3,  both  of  which  are  still  in  active 
operation.  No.  2  aiTords  constant  emplovment  to 
100  hands,  and  No.  3,  to  200  hands. 

In  1878,  Edward  Brooke  died,  and  the  E.  &  G. 
Brooke  Iron  Company  was  organized,  which  be- 
came the  owner  of  the  extensive  plant.  The  capac- 
ity has  been  gradually  enlarged  until  the  present 
time.  Now  the  works  produce  annually  80,000  tons 
of  pig  iron,  and  250,000  kegs  of  nails ;  and  furnish 
employment  to  775  men  and  boys.  The  company 
own  altogether  250  dwelling-houses,  which  are  oc- 
cupied by  its  employees ;  and  150  are  owned  by  em- 
ployees, which  evidences  their  industry  and  tbri'ft. 

In  1867,  a  foundry  company  was  organized  for 
manufacturing  stoves  and  machine  castings,  but 
it  was  operated  only  several  years  when  the  Brookes 
purchased  the  large  building.     In  1885  the  Penn- 


BOROUGHS 


277 


sylvania  Diamond  Drill  Company  removed  their 
plant  from  Pottsvil-le  to  this  building  and  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  diamond-drilling  machinery, 
mining  tools,  and  high-speed  electric  light  engines. 
Owing  to  the  increasing  business  a  new  stone  build- 
ing was  erected  in  1888,  and  equipped  with  the 
finest  machinery  for  manufacturing  machinery  for 
■rolling  mills,  blast  furnaces  and  steel  plants;  and 
subsequently  the  old  building  was  enlarged  and 
changed  to  a  cast-iron  foundry  for  producing  all 
kinds  of  grey-iron  castings. 

In  1903,  the  plant  was  destroyed  by  fire;  but  it 
was  immediately  rebuilt,  with  a  modern  equipment 
to  produce  the  largest  and  most  difficult  castings. 
In  1903,  a  steel-casting  branch  was  added.  The 
total  cost  of  this  great  industry  exceeds  $1,000,- 
000,  and  over  four  hundred  hands  are  afforded 
constant  employment.  The  Brookes  became  the 
owners,  and  they  operated  the  plant  under  the  name 
of  the  Birdsboro  Steel  Foundry  &  Machine  Com- 
pany. 

It  is  estimated  that  150  men  from  Reading  are 
employed  in  the  different  works  at  Birdsboro,  who 
travel  by  train  to  and  fro  daily. 

Bird  Mill. — Next  to  the  iron  works,  the  oldest 
industry  in  long-continued  operation  is  the  large 
stone  grist-mill  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Mill 
streets,  along  Hay  creek.  It  was  first  erected  by 
William  Bird  about  the  time  he  started  in  the 
iron  business,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  flour 
and  feed  to  his  working-people  and  live  stock. 
In  1844,  the  third  building  was  put  there.  In 
1879,  this  was  remodeled  with  roller-process  ma- 
chinery, and  flour  was  manufactured  until  1898; 
since  then  it  has  been  used  as  a  chopping-mill, 
operated  by  George  C.  Riegner. 

Shoe  Factories. — In  1881,  H.  M.  Willits  started 
the  manufacture  of  infants'  shoes  and  has  con- 
tinued until  the  present  time,  employing  upward 
of  sixty  hands;  and  in  1890  Albert  H.  Huyett 
and  Charles  S.  Rhoads,  trading  as  Huyett  & 
Rhoads,  sta/rted  in  the  same  business  and  have 
since  employed  from  sixty  to  seventy-five  hands. 

Hosiery  Mill. — William  B.  .Byers  and  son  Charles 
have  been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  hosiery 
since  1904,  employing  twenty  to  thirty  hands. 
They  succeeded  William  Cavanaugh,  who  had  car- 
ried on  the  factory  for  about  ten  years. 

Creamery. — A  creamery  was  started  at  Birds- 
boro about  1895  by  Herbine  &  Khne  and  they  oper- 
ated it  until  March,  1909,  when  they  sold  it  to 
Harry  Koch,  who  has  been  operating  it  since, 
with  his  brother  Roy  Koch  as  manager. 

Glove  Factory. — A  new  enterprise  for  the  manu- 
facture of  canvas  gloves  has  been  recently  start- 
ed by  James  Sponagle  and  his  son. 

Besides  the  industries  named  the  borough  con- 
tained in  April,  1909,  two  bakeries,  two  tinsmith 
shops,  eight  grocery  stores,  one  drug  store,  one 
bottling  works,  and  four  physicians. 

Bank. — ^A  national  bank  was  organized  and 
chartered  in  1888  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  which 


has  been  managed  very  successfully.  In  1901,  a 
new  and  attractive  building  was  erected  for  the 
transaction  of  its  business.  In  November,  1908, 
the  resources  of  the  bank  were  $358,896,  with  in- 
dividual deposits  $177,844.  Edward  Brooke  has 
been  the  president  since  its  organization. 

Railroads. — The  Philadelphia  &  Reading  rail- 
road was  constructed  along  the  northerly  bank 
of  the  Schuylkill  river  opposite  Birdsboro  in  1838; 
the  Wilmington  &  Northern,  through  the  central 
section  of  the  town  and  thence  southward  along 
Hay  creek,  in  1874;  the,  Pennsylvania  Schuylkill 
Valley,  also  through  the  central  section,  extend- 
ing east  and  west,  in  1884;  and  a  trolley  line  of 
electric  railway  was  extended  from  the  Black  Bear 
Inn,  via  Seyfert  and  Gibraltar  to  Birdsboro,  in 
1904.  They  are  all  of  great  impoitance  to  the  place, 
not  only  In  respect  to  its  industries  but  also  to  the 
convenience  and  encouragement  of  its  inhabitants 
in  visiting  the  county-seat  for  business,  political, 
social  and  amusement  purposes. 

Fire  Company. — 'In  1883,  a  fire  company  was 
organized  at  Birdsboro  to  afford  the  place  protec- 
tion against  fire,  named  Friendship  Fire  Company 
No.  1.  In  1884  the  company  erected  a  fine  two- 
story  engine-house,  on  a  lot  donated  by  George 
Brooke,  in  which  to  place  its  apparatus.  It  was 
enlarged  in  1905.  The  equipment  comprises  two 
hose  carriages  with  1,000  feet  of  hose;  and  the 
membership  numbers  120.  The  building  includes 
all  modern  improvements,  with  four  bath-rooms  and 
pool-room  for  the  convenience  and  entertainment 
of  the  members. 

Newspapers. — The  Birdsboro  Pioneer  was  the 
first  newspaper  published  at  Birdsboro.  It  was  an 
English  weekly  started  by  B.  F.  Fries  on  April 
27,  1873,  and  he  continued  its  publication  until  Jan- 
uary, 1876,  when  he  moved  to  Reading,  changed 
the  title  to  Industrial  Pioneer,  and  continued  its 
publication  for  several  months. 

The  Birdsboro  Dispatch  was  started  by  Rapp  & 
Ryan  in  1884  as  an  English  weekly  and  they  carried 
on  its  publication  until  Jan.  1,  1894,  when  Luther 
S.  Mohr  became  the  purchaser  and  he  continued 
its  publication  until  July  1,  1908,  when  he  sold  it 
to  Harry  E.  Hart,  who  has  issued  it  since  in  con- 
nection with  The  Birdsboro  Review,  which  he  had 
founded  in  1893  and  published  successfully  until 
the  consolidation. 

Churches. — The  first  church  in  this  locality  was 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  erected  in  1839 
near  Mt.  Airy,  several  miles  to  the  east.  The  ad- 
herents of  this  denomination  at  Birdsboro  attend- 
ed services  there  and  continued  to  do  so  until  1869, 
when  a  church  was  established  in  the  town;  and 
this  has  been  maintained  until  now. 

Members  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  at- 
tended services  at  Douglassville  until  1853,  when 
they  secured  a  church  at  Birdsboro,  which  was 
named  "St.  Michael's."  The  building  was  remod- 
eled in  1885  and  made  one  of  the  mpst  attractive 


278 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


churches  in  the  county,  A  fine  rectory  was  added 
to  the  property  in  1877 ;  and  also  a  library  hall  in 
1884.  The  members  of  this  denomination  were 
mostly  instrumental  in  laying  out  a  cemetery  a  mile 
east  of  the  town  in  1870.  A  soldiers'  monument 
was  erected  there  in  1905,  and  dedicated  with  im- 
posing ceremonies  on  July  4th. 

The  Evangelical  Association  erected  a  small 
church  in  1874;  the  Lutherans,  in  1877  (after  main- 
taining an  organization  since  1873)  ;  and  the  Re- 
formed, in  1880.  Members  of  the  last  two  denom- 
inations until  then  had  generally  attended  church 
services  either  at  the  "Plow  Church"  to  the  south; 
or  at  the  "Schwartzwald"  to  the  north,  or  at  the 
"St.  John's"  to  the  west. 

In  South  Birdsboro,  there  are  two  brick  church 
buildings,  one  erected  by  Grace  United  Brethren 
Association  in  1886,  and  the  other  by  Trinity  Evan- 
gelical Association  in  1904. 

Schools. — The  citizens  of  the  community  adopt- 
ed the  free  school  system  in  1836.  Previously  there 
were  pay  schools,  as  elsewhere  in  the  county. 

An  academy  for  higher  education  was  established 
in  1855  by  Prof.  B.  F  Boyer,  a  graduate  of  Yale 
College,  who  afterward  practised  law  at  Reading. 
The  site  is  now  included  in  the  cemetery.  It  was 
carried  on  for  about  twenty  years,  and  commonly 
known  as  the  "Philomathean  Academy."  Educa- 
tional matters  have  been  much  encouraged,  as  evi- 
denced by  the  superior  and  costly  school  buildings 
in  the  town.  A  fine  modern  structure  was  erected 
'  in  1896.  In  1906,  there  were  eleven  graded  schools, 
with  459  scholars. 

Bands. — There  are  three  popular  bands  of  music 
at  Birdsboro:  The  46th  Regiment  Band  (organized 
before  the  Civil  War)  ;  the  Birdsboro  Band,  with 
twenty  performers ;  and  the  Orpheus  Band,  with 
twenty  performers.  The  Birdsboro  Drum  Corps, 
with  fifteen  members,  has  also  been  a  popular  or- 
ganization for  a  number  of  years. 

Cornet  Band  in  Civil  War. — iThe  Birdsboro 
Cornet  Band  was  enlisted  in  the  Civil  war,  and  the 
musicians  were  R.  J.  Stanley,  leader,  Augustus 
Dewitt,  John  W.  Deeds,  Benneville  Evans,  Dan- 
iel Fix,  Isaac  Hoyer,  George  W.  Horner,  John 
H.  Karch,  William  V.  Light,  Joseph  Lacey,  Au- 
gustus Minker,  James  H.  Minker.  It  was  mus- 
tered into  service  Aug.  27,  1861,  for  three  years, 
as  the  regimental  band  of  the  46th  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  It  accompanied  the  reg- 
iment in  its  movements  but  was  mustered  out  of 
service  Aug.  16,  1862,  in  pursuance  of  an  order 
dispensing  with  regimental  bands.  It  was  rec- 
ognized as  a  superior  band.  It  has  kept  up  an 
active  organization  until  the  present  time,  known 
as  the  46th  Regimental  Band.  The  members  num- 
ber forty,  all  expert  players  on  their  respective 
instruments.  Samuel  Nagle  has  been  the  leader 
for  the  past  twenty  years.  It  is  popular  and  parti- 
cipates in  many  public  demonstrations. 

Lodge  Hall.— In  1904,  the  Knights  of  the  Gold- 
en Eagle  and  the  Odd  Fellows  jointly  erected  a 


fine,  large,  three-story  brick  building  to  provide 
a  hall  for  their  meetings,  and  all  the  secret  socie- 
ties (including  Sons  of  America,  Mechanics,  Mac- 
cabees and  Red  Men)  meet  there,  excepting  the 
Freemasons,  which  meet  in  Brooke  Hall.  The 
Auditorium  for  public  meetings  and  amusements 
was  erected  in  1892,  and  has  been  patronized  lib- 
erally. 

Hotels. — There  are  three  licensed  hotels  in  the 
borough,  Washington,  Mansion,  and  St.  Elmo. 
The  first  was  rebuilt  in  1904  by  John  Barbey  of 
Reading  to  supply  a  modern  hotel;  the  Reading 
Brewing  Company  secured  the  second  also  in  1904, 
and  made  costly  improvements. 

Homes. — Birdsboro  is  remarkable  for  beautiful 
homes,  more  especially  in  the  sections  known  lo- 
cally as  Lincoln-town  and  Brooklyn.  The  Brooke 
homes  are  palatial. 

First  Bridge. — In  1778,  a  ford  was  reported  at 
Jacob  Huyett's  farm  along  the  Schuylkill  river 
which  was  above  the  mouth  of  Hay  creek,  and  then 
the  water  was  eight  inches  in  depth.  This  ford 
was  used  until  1845,  when  a  covered  wooden  bridge 
was  erected  by  a  stock  company  and  it  was  main- 
tained as  a  toll-bridge  until  1887,  when  it  became 
a  free  county  bridge.  In  1850,  it  was  swept  away 
by  the  great  freshet.  It  was  immediately  Tebuilt 
and  is  still  in  daily  use. 

Flood  of  1902. — In  February,  1902,  there  was 
a  considerable  fall  of  rain  and  on  account  of  the 
rushing  swollen  waters  in  Hay  creek  the  dam  above 
the  Brooke  nail-mill  was  swept  away  and  the  lower 
section  of  Birdsboro  along  Main  street  was  flood- 
ed to  the  depth  of  seven  feet.  After  the  waters 
had  passed  away,  there  was  a  deposit  of  fourteen 
inches  of  mud  on  the  street  and  six  inches  in  the 
dwellings. 


CENTREPORT 

Incorporation. — Centreport  was  incorporated  as 
a  borough  in  1884,  having  been  taken  from  Centre 
township,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  better  school 
facilities.  The  borough,  which  is  the  smallest  in 
the  county,  includes  one  school  building,  with  35 
scholars;  38  dwellings;  and  a  population  of  150. 

First  Taxaules.— ^The  taxable  residents  at  the- 
time  of  incorporation  were  as  follows : 
William   B.    Borkey 
Marv    Blatt 
William  W.  Haag 
George  W.   B.   Kauffman 
Daniel   H.   Kline 


William  R.  Kline 
Alfred  A.  Lesher 


George  P.  Rentschler 
David    Stepp 
John  H.   Stepp 
Henry    Stover 
Benjamin  Schlappig 
Esther  Stoudt 


Joshua    Bucks 

Elias    Boltz 

James  Dunkelberger 

William  Deweese 

Samuel  Heffner 

Tames  A.  Hoffman,  M.  D. 

Samuel  B.  Kantner 

William    Knauer 

James    W.   Klapp 

James   T.   Kline 

Ephraim  C.  Moyer 


Tenants 

David  Myers 
James  H.  Moll 
Daniel  H.  Noecker 
John  E.   Pautsch 
Elias  S.  Rentschler 
IMorris  Reeser 
John  H.   Soatz,   M. 
Elizabeth    Seaman 
Adam  S.  Williams 
Charles  S.  Yoder 


D. 


BOROUGHS 


379 


Officials. — The  following  have  served  as  chief 
burg-esses  and  justices  of  the  peace  since  the  incor- 
poration of  the  borough: 

CHIEF  BURGESSES 

Morris  Reeser   1884-85 

James   Kauffman    1886 

Darius  E.  Sheidy 1887 ;  1890-91 

William  Knauer  1888 

M.  G.  Rentschler 1889 

James  Lengel   ■ 1892-97 

Frank  Dewees   1897-1900 

James  H.  Moll 1900-03 

Frank  H.  Borkey 1903-06 

P.   S.   Ludwig    1906-09 

James   S;  Miller 1909-13 

Justices  of  the  peace 

James   Klapp    1884-89 

George  W.  B.   Kauffman   1884-88 

I>arius  E.  Sheidy 1888-92 

Michael   S.   Rentschler 1889-1909 

J.  M.  Yerger 1892-93 

M.   D.   Winter 1894-1909 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909 

Chief  Burgess,    James    S.    Miller 
Town  Council,  H.  E.  F.  Deitz,  President 

David  Porter 

John   Bagenstose 

William  Reber 

Levi   Haag 

M.   S.   Rentschler,   Secretary 
School  Board,    James  S.  Miller,  President 

M.  D.  Winter,  Secretary 

Thomas  D.  Moyer,  Treasurer 

William  Rick 

M.  S.  Rentschler 

H.   E.   F.   Deitz 
Assessor,    M.  D.  Winter 
Collector,    H.  E.  F.  Deitz 
Auditors,  D.  B.  Rentschler 
Thomas  Moyer 
William  Reber 
Justice  of  the  Peace,    M.   S.   Rentschler 
Constable,    T.  D.  Moyer 

Industries. — Before  1890  there  vs^ere  no  indus- 
tries at  the  place.  The  first  was  a  creamery  es- 
tablished by  M.  S.  Rentschler,  Esq.,  in  1891.  It 
has  been  operated  since  1900  by  H.  S.  Frauenfel- 
der,  of  Mohrsville,  in  connection  with  three  other 
creameries'. 

In  1893,  Jonathan  G.  Reber  started  the  manu- 
facture of  light  and  heavy  farm  wagons  at  this 
place  and  he  has  continued  until  the  present  time, 
employing  from  ten  to  fifteen  hands,  with  a  capi- 
tal of  $8,000.  His  wagons  are  sent  to  all  parts  of 
the  county,  being  appreciated  for  their  strength 
and  durability. 

The  same  year  F.  R.  Hiester  began  the  manu- 
facture of  cigars,  moving  here  from  Shartlesville, 
where  he  had  been  in  the  business  from  1885.  He 
and  his  son  produced  annually  about  200,000,  which 
were  sold  mostly  in  the  coal  regions  oi  Pennsyl- 
vania.    They  discontinued  in  1906. 

In  1895,  a  knitting-mill  was  established  by  J. 
E.  Pautsch,  M.  M.  Kline  and  D.  E.  Noecker  for 


making  ladies'  and  children's  underwear.  In  1901, 
Mr.  Pautsch  became  the  sole  owner,  and  he  oper- 
ated the  plant  for  five  years  ih  a  successful  man- 
ner, employing  from  eighteen  to  twenty-five  hands, 
with  an  investment  of  $10,000;  then  it  was  des- 
troyed by  fire,  and  Mr.  Pautsch  died  shortly  after- 
ward. 

In  1895,  C.  K.  Miller  opened  a  marble  yard 
for  supplying  gravestones  and  marble  work,  and 
has  continued  it  since.  Itr  that  year  M.  D.  Win- 
ter began  the  making  of  ice-cream  and  confec- 
tionery, enlarging  his  business  in  1903  by  the  addi- 
tion of  a  gasoline  engine.  His  trade  extends  in- 
to the  surrounding  townships. 

In  1900,  Joseph  D.  Naftzinger  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  kitchen  furniture,  continuing  un- 
til now  \yith  three  hands.  The  top  floor  of  his 
factory  building  is  used  for  lodge  purposes.  He 
also  deals  in  furniture  and  carpets.  He  is  the 
undertaker  for  this  vicinity. 

In  1902,  William  Boyer,  began  a  small  saddlery 
for  the  manufacture  and  repair  of  harness.  A 
similar  shop  had  been  at  the  place  for  many  years. 
M.  D.  Winter  started  a  shirt  factory  in  1908 
with  eighteen  hands ;  and  J.  S.  Balthaser  an  imple- 
ment store  in  1907  with  five  hands. 

M.  D.  Winter  has  been  the  postmaster  for  six-, 
teen  years.     The  previous  postmasters  were  J.  E. 
Pautsch  and  William  B.  Borkey. 

The  enterprise  of  the  place  is  commendable,  con- 
sidering its  smallness  and  situation  from  the  rail- 
way. [Statistics  relating  to  the  borough  will  be 
found  in  Chapter  IX.] 

About  1818,  a  public  house,  including  a  general 
store,  was  opened  at  this  point  by  John  Haag,  and 
from  this  time  forward  it  gradually  became  a  center 
for  the  transaction  of  business.  The  store  was  sep- 
arated from  the  tavern  in  1857,  and  William  Bor- 
key was  the  first  store-keeper.  M.  S.  Rentsch- 
ler's  father  carried  on  this  store  for  many  years. 
The  son  succeeded  him  in  1886,  and  has  operated 
a  large  general  store  in  a  successful  manner  ever 
since. 

In  the  erection  of  the  borough,  the  tavern  was 
excluded,  though  the  premises  adjoined  the  line. 
A  post-office  was  established  there  in  1868.  Curb- 
stones were  set  along  the  gutters  in  1895 ;  and  the 
streets  came  to  be  lighted  in  the  night-time  by  large 
oil  lamps  set  on  posts.  The  nearest  railroad  point 
is  at  Shoemakersville  about  two  miles  to  the  east, 
but  the  station  generally  taken  is  Mohrsville,  though 
farther  distant,  on  account  of  the  shorter  distance 
to  Reading. 

Physicians. — The  medical  practitioners  at  this 
place  have  been  Dr.  William  Palm,  Dr.  J.  H.  Spatz, 
Dr.  C.  G.  Loose,  Dr.  James  A.  Hoffman,  and  Dr. 
J.  G.  Matternes. 

Band  of  Music. — A  band  of  music  was  organ- 
ized in  the  borough  in  1906,  with  upward  of  fif- 
teen members,  who  are  instructed  by  Byron  Miller, 
of  Bernville. 


280 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


WEST  LEESPORT 

When  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad  was 
being  extended  from  Reading  northward,  Samuel 
Lee  laid  out  a  town  along  the  Centre  Turnpike  in 
Maiden-creek  township  (now  Ontelaunee)  a  short 
distance  east  of  the  Schuylkill  river,  nine  miles 
from  Reading,  and  named  it  "Leesport."  But  the 
railroad  was  constructed  on  the  western  side  of 
the  river,  and  the  station  was  located  at  the  point 
where  the  public  road  from  Leesport  into  Bern 
township  crossed  the  railroad.  This  station  was 
named  Leesport  by  the  railroad  company  in  1842; 
and  the  name  has  been  continued  until  the  present 
time. 

The  business  at  the  station  encouraged  the  for- 
mation of  a  settlement  at  this  place  and  in  time 
it  developed  into  an  important  and  popular  trading 
center.  Samuel  H.  Lenhart  was  actively  and  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  the  general  store  business 
here  for  fifty  years,  taking  great  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare and  enrichment  of  the  community;  Leonard 
F.  Schock  was  the  railroad  station  agent  from  1870 
until  his  decease  in  1908;  and  Isaac  H.  Rahn  the 
justice  of  the  peace  from  1868  until  his  decease  in 
1907. 

The  Lenhart  store  was  established  by  Abraham 
Herbein  about  1850,  and  in  1858  he  sold  it  to  Mr. 
Lenhart.  In  1890  Harry  Lenhart  became  associat- 
ed with  his  father,  and  they  have  since  traded 
under  the  name  of  S.  H.  Lenhart  &  Son.  Sam- 
uel Bell  has  been  here  as  a  tinsmith  and  stove 
■dealer  since  1862,  having  removed  from  Reading. 

Incorpoeation. — In  May,  1901,  an  application 
was  made  to  the  court  of  Quarter  Sessions  for  the 
incorporation  of  the  settlement  west  of  the  river 
into  a  boroug'h,  and  the  decree  v.'as  made  on  Dec. 
30,  1901,  with  the  name  West  Leesport,  because  the 
place  was  situated  west  of  the  river.  Immediately 
after  a  municipal  organization  was  effected  in 
March,  1902,  local  improvements  began  to  be  made 
in  the  streets  and  sidewalks  and  also  in  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  dwellings,  showing  the  beneficial 
influence  of  an  elevated  political  status. 

In  1906,  there  were  in  the  borough  100  dwell- 
ings; 185  taxables ;  3  stores;  2  hotels;  a  church; 
a  school  (4  rooms)  ;  a  wheelwright  and  a  black- 
smith shop  ;  a  knitting-mill ;  -  a  physician  ;  and  a 
veterinary  surgeon.  The  taxable  property  was  as- 
sessed at  $138,385;  money  at  interest,  $72,055; 
estimated  population,  550. 

First  Taxables. — Names  of  resident  taxables  of 
West  Leesport,  when  first  established  as  a  borough 
in  1902: 


George  B.  Hoyer 
Samuel   Haines 
Abraham   Kaiifman 
Charles  Ketner 
Isaac  Keener 
Francis  Kavifman 
S.   H.   Lenhart 
Benjamin  Leinbach 
Mrs.  Esther  Lengel 
Reuben   Loose 
George  B.  Moser 
William   Mengel 
Charles   E.   Mengel 
Mrs.  John  Riley  Est. 
Mrs.  Lovine  Ruth 
"Levi    Reeser 
Isaac    Rahn 
D.   H.   Reeser 
James  Rentchler 
Morris  Rieser 
William   F.    Radey 
William  Z.  Rahn 


Esther  Richard 
Tacob   Rickenbach 
Kate  Seaman 
Charles    Schock 
L.   F.    Schock 
Reuben    schock 
Mrs.  Levi  Snyder  Est. 
Mrs.  Samuel  Spayd,  Est. 
Emanuel  Straus 
William  Spayd 
Aaron  Schrack 
Mandus    Schloppig 
Gideon   Stoudt 
Samuel   Spayd,  Jr. 
Edward  C.  Spayd 
Mrs.  Leah  Spatz 
Elias  Spatz 
Benneville  K.  Seidel 
Mrs.  Angelina  Strauser 
Wilson  Strauser 
Jacob  H.  Wangee 


Tenants 


Charles  Adams 
Samuel   Bagenstoes 
Bagenstoes  &  Loose 
James  G.   Bear 
Samuel  Bell 
William   Bell 
Wallace  Blatt 
Frank  Brown 
Edward  Brobst 
Jacob  Bagenstose 
Mary  Bagenstose 


Thomas  R.  Christ 
Franklin  Dundore 
Samuel  Z.  Deck 
William  Epler  Est. 
Charles  Fisher 
Mary  Fisher 
Edward   Gromis 
Reuben   Huff 
Samson   Hoyer 
John    Hans 
George  C.  Hartman 


Frank  W.   Adam 
Howard  S.  Blatt 
i^harles  S.  Becker 
Harry  Balthaser 
Oscar  Clay 
Charles  O.  Collins 
Thomas  R.  Dunkel 
Benneville   K.   Dundore 
Charles  R.  Deisher 
Jacob  Dimkelberger 
Samuel  M.  Deck 
James  B.  Freeman 
Isaac  Freeman,   Sr. 
Robert  H.  Freid 
Silas  Gass 
Milton  G.  Grater 
Aaron  L.  Graff 
James  H.  Gauker 
Tacob  H.  Hollenbach 
William  C.  Hafer 
John  J.  Keim 
Charles  E.  Keller 
Charles   L.   Ketner 
John  G.  Kramer 
Adam  W.  Kendell 
Harry  G.  Lenhart 
George  Lerch 
Francis  B.  London 
William  L.  Loose 
Solomon  E.  Moser 
Lewis  D.  Mervine 

First  Officials. — At  the  February  election  of 
1902,  the  first  borough  officials  were  elected,  and 
the  following  list  comprises  the  names  of  the  per- 
sons chosen  to  fill  the  several  positions : 
Chief  Burgess,    Morris  Reeser     ' 
Town  Council,    Gideon  Stoudt 
D.   H.  Reeser 
Silas  Reeser 
Samuel  H.  Lenhart 
Charles  Fisher 
F.  P.  Dundore 
Auditor,  Oscar  Mengel 
Assessor,     Samuel  Spayd 
School  Directors,    J.  J.  Kieni 

Wallace  Blatt 
Samuel  Roth 
Wilson  Strauser 
Charles  D.  Snyder 
Cliarles  Reeser 


Franklin    Mengel 
Morris  Miller 
Rufus  C.  Marks 
Wilson   Mens 
Frank  P.  Nocker 
James  Naragan 
Ephraim  Nettinger 
Charles  L.  Reeser 
John  Z.  Reeser 
Samuel   Roth 
Levi  R.   Roth 
Sallie  Reeser 
Sarah  Reeser 
George  A.  Rahn 
Owen   Reeser 
Alfred  H.  Strause 
Rev.  D.  E.  Schaffer 
Israel  Strause 
James    Shade 
Alvin   Snyder 
Girtie   Strause 
Wash  Shell 
Austin  Smith 
John   Shell 
Joseph  Spangler 
Elias  Spatz 
Charles  B.  Snyder 
EUenie   Schrack 
Rufus   P.   Ulrich 
James  Unger 
William  P.  Unger 


BOROUGHS 


281 


Justice  of  the  Peace,*  B.  F.  Leinbach 
Constable,    George   B.    Moser 
Judge  of  Election,    George  A.  Rahn 
Inspectors,    C.  E.  Keller 

Frank  A.  Adam 

The-  second  chief  burgess  was  elected  in  1905 
for  three  years,  Samuel  H.  Lenhart  (Republican). 
Pohtical  status  of  council:  four  RepubHcans  and 
three  Democrats.  The  third  burgess  elected,  in 
1908,  was  Gideon  Stoudt. 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909 
Chief  Burgess,  Gideon  Stoudt 
Town  Council,    James   B.  Rentschler,   President 
Samuel  H.  Lenhart 
John  Z.  Rieser 
M.  T.  .Schlappig 
Wilson  Strauser 
George  C.  Hartman 
Dr.  C.  O.  Collins,  Secretary 
School   Board,  Samuel  Roth,  President 
D.   E.   Shaffer,   Secretary- 
Charles   L.   Ketner,  Treasurer 
Edward  Gromis 
Jacob  Bagenstose 
Jacob   Rickenbach 
Auditors,    Owen  Reeser 

John    Rickenbach 
Wirt  R.  Rahn 
Assessor,    Morris  Rieser 
Collector,    Samuel  Z.  Deck 
Justice  of  the  Peace,    B.  F.  Leinbach 
Constable,    George  B.  Moser 
Board  of  Health,    S.  M.  Deck,  President 
Rufus  Marks,  Secretary 
George  B.  Hoyer 
Samuel  Bell 
Dr.  F.  P.  Dundore 

Industry. — Before  1890,  there  was  no  manufac- 
turing establishment  at  West  Leesport;  but  in  that 
year  the  subject  was  discussed  in  the  stores  and 
taverns,  and  the  discussion  resulted  in  a  public  meet- 
ing in  February,  1891,  which  was  addressed  by  Mor- 
ton L.  Montgomery,  Esq.,  at  the  request  of  S.  H. 
Lenhart,  R.  Wanner  &  Son,  Isaac  H.  Rahn,  L.  F. 
Schock  and  others  for  the  purpose  of  stimulating 
enterprise.  Some  time  afterward,  a  company  was 
organized  by  the  citizens  named  for  manufacturing 
hosiery,  and  the  factory  was  located  in  the  ware- 
house of  S.  H.  Lenhart.  It  was  operated  several 
years,  then  abandoned  on  account  of  competition 
and  scarcity  of  .hands.  In  1899  the  machinery  was 
sold  to  Samuel  L.  Miller  and  Charles  Balthaser, 
who  then  revived  the  industry  as  a  knitting-mill  and 
after  operating  it  for  a  year  removed  the  plant  to 
the  Evangelical  Church  building  which  they  had 
purchased.  Here  they  have  been  manufacturing 
ladies'  underwear  and  misses'  hosiery  until  now. 
They  employ  forty  hands. 

Franklin  Baer  is  engaged  as  a  wheelwright  and 
blacksmith ;  and  John  Narragang  as  a  pump-maker. 

The  Eagle  Knitting  Mill  (carried  on  by  parties 
from  Hamburg  in  the  manufacture  of  underwear) 
is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  opposite  the 
borough,  and  employs  from  forty  to  fifty  hands. 

The  post-office  was  established  in  1872. 

*  The  other  official  was  Isaac  H.  Rahn,  elected  as  of  the  borough 
in  1904,  after  having  served  as  of  Bern  township  continuously 
since  1868.     He  died  March  15,   1907. 


Water  and  Light. — Waterworks  have  not  yet 
been  established  and  the  community  still  adheres 
to  the  use  of  wells  and  pumps.  The  streets  are  not 
lighted  at  night. 

Secret  Societies. — ^A  lodge  hall  has  been  main- 
tained on  the  third  floor  of  the  Lenhart  store  since 
1858.  Four  beneficial  organizations  hold  their  meet- 
ings in  it:  American  Mechanics  (No.  141)  ;  Odd 
Fellows  (No.  141);  Daughters  of  Rebekah;  and 
Daughters  of  Liberty.  The  first  society  has  $10,000 
at  interest;  and  the  second,  $6,000. 

Church. — ^A  brick  church  was  erected  on  the 
main  street  in  1873  by  Salem's  Evangelical  Asso- 
ciation which  was  dedicated  in  1873.  The  congre- 
gation continued  to  worship  in  harmony  for  about 
twenty  years,  but  then  the  religious  disturbance  of 
the  national  body  reached  this  congregation  also 
and  in  the  final  adjustment  this  church  was  retain- 
ed by  the  original  association.  Its  membership, 
however,  was  too  weak  to  survive  and  in  1900  the 
building  was  sold  to  Miller  &  Balthaser,  who  con- 
verted it  into  a  factory.  The  other  faction,  Bethany 
United  Evangelical,  maintained  their  organization, 
erected  a  church  in  1896  and  have  supported  it  until 
now;  membership,  35. 

The  members  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  de- 
nominations attend  religious  services  at  Epler's 
Church  in  Bern  township  or  at  Belleman's,  in  Cen- 
tre, or  at  Trinity,  in  Leesport. 

School. — The  school  in  the  borough  was  erected 
by  the  township  and  became  the  property  of  the 
borough  in  its  establishment.  It  is  a  two-story  brick 
building,  with  four  rooms,  and  a  graded  system  of 
education.     The  scholars  number  about  ninety. 

WYOMISSING 

Incorporatiion. — The  borough  of  Wyomissing 
was  erected  on  July  22, 1906.  It  takes  its  name  from 
the  stream  which  flows  near  the  dividing  line  be- 
tween Cumru  and  Spring  townships  for  several 
miles.  It  is  situated  along  the  main  thoroughfare 
which  extends  westwardly  from  Reading,  two  miles 
from  the  city.  The  area  embraced  510  acres,  92 
perches  of  land  (taken  from  Spring  township), 
when  incorporated,  and  included  sixty-one  resident 
taxables  and  eleven  non-residents. 

Ten  years  before  its  erection,  Thomas  P.  Merritt, 
an  enterprising  lumber  dealer  and  capitalist  of 
Reading,  purchased  several  farms  exceeding  six 
hundred  acres,  organized  the  Reading  Suburban 
Real  Estate  Company  with  a  number  of  other  per- 
sons, principally  from  Reading  (among  them  Albert 
Thalheimer,  David  Keiser,  David  H.  Keiser,  Mat- 
thias Mengel  and  Levi  W.  Mengel,  who  were  the 
largest  subscribers  of  stock),  laid  off  the  land  into 
a  large  number  of  lots  with  boulevards  and  side- 
walks, planted  25,000  shade  trees,  and  called  the 
place  "Wyomissing."  They  advertised  the  subur- 
ban place  extensively  and  sold  many  lots.  Some  of 
the  purchasers  erected  dwelling-houses  for  them- 
selves immediately  and  located  there  with  their 
families,  which  popularized  the  place  very  much. 


282 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


In  this  way  it  soon  came  to  be  the  most  attractive 
suburban  town  in  the  vicinity  of  Reading. 

The  first  real  impetus  in  the  development  of  the 
place  was  given  by  Ferdinand  Thun  and  Henry 
Janssen  in  1896,  who  selected  a  site  along  the 
railroad  for  establishing  a  new  enterprise  in  the 
manufacture  of  textile  machinery,  and  erected  a 
large  building  45  feet  wide  and  225  feet  long,  with 
an  office  building  adjoining,  capable  of  employing 
over  one  hundred  hands,  and  shortly  afterward 
dwelling-houses  came  to  be  put  up  for  the  accom- 
modation of  some  of  the  employees.  The  dwelHng 
of  Mr.  Thun  near  the  main  thoroughfare  was  made 
particularly  attractive  which  showed  his  strong  faith 
in  the  future  development  of  the  place  as  well  as 
of  his  own  industrial  enterprise.  Since  then,  the 
growth  of  the  town  has  been  truly  remarkable,  both 
in  manufacturing  establishments  and  dwellings  of 
a  suj>erior  character. 

Several  years  afterward,  the  subject  of  establish- 
ing a  borough  began  to  be  agitated  for  the  purpose 
of  securing  the  regulation  of  the  streets  and  the  ad- 
vantages of  municipal  government,  and  public  sen- 
timent in  its  behalf  was  developed  gradually  in 
spite  of  much  opposition.  Several  petitions  were 
presented  to  the  court  in  1904  and  1905,  and  the 
decree  was  made  on  July  22,  1906.  The  boundary 
lines  embrace  territory  about  one  mile  square,  ex- 
tending from  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad  on  the 
north  to  the  Wyomissing  road  on  the  south,  and 
from  Smith  street  on  the  east  (now  the  western 
boundary  line  of  West  Reading)  to  a  public  road 
on  the  west  commonly  known  as  "Mengels'  Mill 
Road." 

A  reservoir  with  a  capacity  of  1,000,000  gallons 
was  constructed  on  the  top  of  "laeger  Hill,"  north 
of  the  railroad,  elevated  about  three  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  borough,  and  spring 
water  was  forced  into  this  reservoir  from  a  large 
spring,  situated  near  the  Wyomissing  road,  which 
was  provided  as  the  water  supply  for  the  inhabi- 
tants ;  but  the  water  having  been  condemned  after- 
ward by  the  State  authorities,  it  has  been  set  apart 
for  fire  purposes  only,  and  the  borough  has  made 
arrangements  with  the  Sinking  Spring  Water  Com- 
pany for  its  water  supply,  the  water  mains  having 
been  recently  (1908)  extended  along  the  public 
road  to  the  borough. 

Since  the  establishment  of  the  borough,  great 
improvements  have  been  made  in  the  grade  and  ap- 
pearance of  the  streets  and  in  the  sidewalks. 

A  large,  superior  and  very  attractive  two-story 
brick  school  building  was  erected  by  the  borough 
in  1907-08,  costing  $25,000.  It  occupies  a  promi- 
nent position.  And  an  attractive  "Town  Hall" 
is  now  in  course  of  erection  along  the  main 
thoroughfare. 

Post-Office  was  established  May  27,  1899;  and 
the  postmasters  have  been:  William  Romberger, 
Aaron  S.  Hieter,  Allen  U.  Baer  (1901-03),  George 


W.  Hefifelfinger  (1903-06),  Alfred  B.  Yorgey 
(since  May  1,  1906). 

In  April,  1909,  the  borough  contained  the  follow- 
ing improvements:  Textile  Machine  Works,  NaT- 
row  Fabric  Mill,  Berkshire  Knitting  Mills,  Lein- 
bach's  Hosiery  Mill,  Paul  K.  Leinbach's  Planing 
Mill,  Ruth's  Coal  Yard,  Stetler's  Apartment  House, 
four  green-houses  (Farr's,  Hoskin's,  Shearer's,  and 
Heck  Brothers'),  two  hotels,  and  two  stores. 

The  Reading  Shale  Brick  Works  and  the  Mon- 
tello  Brick  Works  are  situated  outside  of  the  bor- 
ough limit,  along  the  northern  boundary  line. 

First  Taxables. — Names  of  resident  taxables  of 
Wyomissing,  when  first  established  as  a  borough 
in  1906: 


Charles  Brehner 
Napoleon    Bickelman 
John  Bitler 
Nelson  J.   Boltz 
Alvin    Becker 
James   N.  Brannan 
Clarence  H.   Dittes 
H.  D.  Dimkelberger 
Adam  G.  Eyrich 
Henry  Faust 
Bertram  H.  Farr 
H.   M.  Fry 
Jacob    Graefif 
CUnton   Grimes 
Henry  Ganter 
Robert    Ganter 
Ernst  L.  Hahn 
Harry  H.  Huyett 
George  W.  Heffelfinger 
Adam   D.    Heffelfinger 
Mrs.  Aaron  Heiter 
Caleb  Harrison 
Edward  L.  Hart 
Charles  Hart  Est. 
Charles  A.  Henning 
J.  Fred  Hartgen 
Henry  K.  Janssen 
Harvey  P.   Kline 
William  E.  Keyte 
E.    D.   Kains 
Frank  D.   Leinbach 
Harvey  D.  Leinbach 
Richard    A.    Leinbach 
Mrs.   George  F.   Lance 
Henry    Lorah 
Edwin  Lichtenthaler 
Charles  H.  Mathias 
Henry   A.    Miller 
Charles   H.   Meyer 
John    Miner 
Harvey  L.  Noecker 


Thomas  H.  Becker 
Monroe  Balmer 
Rudolph  Binckey 
William  Bewley 
Edward   Beam 
Charles  Brannan 
Chester  Baer 
Elijah   Brossman 
George  Brossman 
William  Buchman 
Charles  M.  Culver 
Elmer  Carlson 
Ammon  Dearolf 


Daniel   Noecker 
Mrs.   Anna   Nyce 
Joseph  Ohlinger 
Christopher    Prill 
Samuel   B.    Palm 
A.    B.    Pott 
Charles  Reifsnyder 
Calvin   Ruth 
Robert  Carl  Rahm 
James  P.  Ruth 
Marx  Reimer 
John    Rentz 
Adam  H.  Schroeder 
John    Stroup 
William  E.   Sheidy 
Mrs.  Joel  Steffy 
Daniel  Spatz 
Howard  L.  Seidel 
Mrs.  Ida  Simmons 
Henry   Y.    Stoner 
R.  R.   Snyder 
Charles  C.  Stetler,  Sr. 
Henry  M.   Stetler 
Obadiah  F.  Sander 
Jacob   B.    Sweitzer 
Frank  D.   Schearer 
Jacob  R.  Sonon 
Robert   Starke 
Samuel   Shaub 
Lender   Trickel 
Andrew  1.   Torbert 
Charles   M.   Tiehel 
Ferdinand   Thun 
Allen  Van  Steffv 
Paul  L.  Walter" 
Thomas  V.  Willson 
John  A.  Watson 
Evelyn  Williams 
William  A.  Walter 
A.  B.  Yorgey 
James  R.  Yost 


Tenants 


Albert  Dunkelberger 
George  W.  Daniels 
William  Diamond 
Feli.x   Degner 
Norbert  Dornhecker 
Edward  Eschbach 
Robert  Eschbach 
Josiah  Eschbach 
George   W.    Endy 
Paul  Eifert 
James  A.  Eyrich 
Alexander  Ender 
Mrs.  Daniel  Ermentrout 


BOROUGHS 


283 


Cyrus    Ferker 
Otto  Floren 
.Edwin  Gougler 
Allen  Gaul 
Adam  Z.  Geiss 
William  Grohs 
William  Grim 
Thomas  E.  Hornberger 
William  J.  Hornberger 
Lester  R.  Heffelfinger 
Ernest  Hoffman 
Lewis  C.   Hulshizer 
Charles  M.  Huber 
Fritz    Hoover 
James  Hill 
Frederick    Heath 
George  H.  Hoffman 
Elias  Y.  Johnson 
Robert  F.  Kinzer 
Albert  Kutz 

Ernst  Kolditz 

Joseph  Koontz 

Howard  Keener 

Herman  KotternbacK 

William  Loehrig 

August   Lippke 

William  Long 

Isaac  Lessley 

Daniel  Lorah 

Joseph  C.  Lance 

August  Lumbert 

Robert  Lance 

Harvey  Master 

William  McGuire 

John   McNabb 

William  Moyer 

Ambrose  Madeira 

Irenaeus   Miller 

William  Mohn 

Alvin  Moyer 

Howard  Moyer 

Edward  Moyer 


S.  D.  Mullinux 
Charles  Molly 
Robert   Molly 
Monroe  Naftzinger 
Gustav  Oberlaender 
Wilson  C.  Price 
Carl  Peterson 
Daniel  Pleam 
Jacob  Ruth 
Adam  Ruth 
Richard  Reese 
Jesse  Ritter 
Julius  Rettberg 
Albert  H.  Rentz 
Otto  Riese 
Augustus   Rill 
John  G.  Reigner 

Henry  A.  Stetler 

Allen  V.   Steffy 

Cleaven  Steffy 

George  A.  Stely 

John    N.    Stillinger 

William   B.   Sheidy 

Steward  Smith 

Harry   Smith 

George  Schmidt 

Frank  Shappel 

George  Shaub 

Charles   C.    Stetler,  Jr. 

Charles    Sheidy 

Charlie  Thus 

Francis  Tiehel 

Ezra  Triest 

William  Vanreed 

Peter  Wanner 

Thomas  Weichard 

George   Wilson 

Robert  WoUer 

Thomas  K.  Watson 

Harry  Weik 

Charles  Wieand 

Melchoir  Zwicky 


First  Officials. — In  the  decree  of  incorporation, 
the  court  fixed  Aug.  28,  1906,  for  the  election  of 
borough  officials,  and  the  following  persons  were 
elected : 

Chief  Burgess,  Bertrand  H.  Farr 
Toziin  Council,  Ferdinand  Thun   (3  years) 
Henry  Y.  Stoner  (3  years) 
James  H.   Brennan    (3  years) 
George  W.  Endy  (3  years) 
Henry  M.    Stettler    (2  years) 
Henry  K.  Janssen    (1  year) 
R.  R.  Snyder  (1  year) 
Assessor,  Henry  A.  Stetler 
Auditor,  Allen  V.  Steffy 
Constable,  Jacob  K.  Graeff 
School  Directors,  H.  M.  Fry  (3  years) 

A.  H.  Schroeder  (3  years) 
Max  Reimer   (2  years) 
Frank  Leinbach   (2  years) 
Robert  C.  Rahn   (1  year) 
John  Stroup   (1  year) 
Judge  of  Election,  Charles  M.  Huber 
Inspectors,  Eugene  Bowers 
George  Brossman 
At  this  election,  the  electors  voted  in   favor  of  making 
a  debt  for  local  improvements  (95  having  voted  for  it  and 
19  against  it). 

In  the  organization  of  the  town  council,  Ferdi- 
nand Thun  was  chosen  president,  and  he  filled  this 


then  continued  as  the  president.  Charles  M.  Hu- 
ber has  served  as  clerk  of  the  council  since  1906. 

The  justices  of  the  peace  for  the  borough  were 
elected  in  February,  1907,  for  five  years:  Charles 
M.  Huber  and  A.  B.  Madeira. 

Thomas  V.  Willson  officiated  as  treasurer  from 
1906  to  1909 ;  and  Prof.  Henry  Y.  Stoner  was  elect- 
ed to  succeed  him. 

The  second  chief  burgess  was  elected  in  1909, 
Horace  G.  Riegner,  t-o  serve  three  years. 

BOROUGH  OFFICIALS— 1909  . 

Chief  Burgess,  Horace  Riegner 

Town  Council,  Ferdinand  Thun,  President  , 

H.  Y.  Stoner,  Treasurer 
Henry  K.  Janssen 
Henry   M.   Stetler 
R.  R.  Snyder 
George  Endy 
Henry  A.  Miller 
Thomas  Watson 
Charles  M.  Huber,  Secretary 
School  Board,  Robert  Carl  Rahn,   President 
John  McNabb 
John   Stroup 
Norman  B.  Wamsher 
Harry  Weik 
Harvey  Noecker 
Auditors,  Allen  V.  Steffy 
W.  C.  Loehrig 
Paul  Moyer 
Assessor,  Henry  A.  Stetler 
Collector,  A.  I.  Torbert 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  Charles  M.  Huber 

A.  B.  Madeira 
Constable,  Jacob  R.  Graeff 

Board  of  Health,  Gustav  Oberlaender,  President 
Thomas  V.  Willson,  Secretary 
Dr.  C.  E.  Lerch 
John  Stroup 
Norman  Wamsher 
Lender  Trickel,  Health  OfRcer 

Industries 


Textile  Machine  Works. — The  most  important  in- 
dustry in  Wyomissing  is  the  large  plant  of  the  Tex- 
tile Machine  Works,  operating  a  pattern  shop,  foun- 
dry, and  machine  shop,  and  employing  over  three 
hundred  hands.  In  1892,  Ferdinand  Thun  and  Hen- 
ry K.  Janssen,  after  having  been  employed  in  New 
York  City  for  several  years,  located  at  Reading  and 
established  a  small  machine  shop  in  a  rented  build- 
ing at  Nos.  230  and  222  Cedar  street,  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  braiding  machines.  They  started  with 
about  a  dozen  hands,  but  in  a  few  years  increased 
their  business  to  such  an  extent  that. they  employed 
from  forty  to  fifty  hands  and  their  quarters  in  town 
becoming  too  small  another  location  with  greater 
facilities  was  necessary.  They  selected  a  site  at 
Wyomissing  along  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad  and 
secured  a  tract  of  several  acres  of  land  where  the 
Van  Reed  road  crosses  the  railroad  and  there  they 
erected  a  large,  substantial  building,  45  feet  wide  by 
325  feet  long,  and  a  two-story  office-building  ad- 
joining, which  enabled  them  to  employ  over  one 
hundred  hands. 

When  the  business  was   organized  in  1892,  the 
position  until  his  re-election  to  council  in  1909,  and    braid  industry  in  .this   country  was  comparatively 


284 


HISTORY   OF  , BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


unimportant.  Mr.  Thun  had  for  four  years  prior 
to  1892  been  the  superintendent  of  the  Sutro  Broth- 
ers Braid  Company  factory  in  New  York  City,  and 
had  become  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  manufac- 
ture of  high-grade  braids  and  dress  trimmings.  Mr. 
Janssen  had  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Castle  Braid 
Company  of  BTOoklyn,  N.  Y.,  as  the  foreman  of 
their  machine  shop,  and  had  been  the  first  builder 
of  braiding  machinery  of  the  German  system  in 
the  United  States.  When  the'partnership  of  Thun 
& -Janssen  was  formed,  it  was  done  with  the  idea 
of  supplying  the  demands  for  high-grade  machin- 
ery for  manufacturing  braids  and  dress  trimmings 
in  this  country  to  a  growing  business.  Previously, 
this  class  of  machines  had  always  been  imported 
from  Barmen,  Germany,  from  which  place  both  Mr. 
Thun  and  Mr.  Janssen  came  originally. 

During  the  first  fifteen  years,  a  great  many  new 
factories  for  braids,  dress  trimmings,  millinery 
trimmings,  laces,  etc.,  were  established  in  the  Uni- 
'  ted  States,  and  all  of  them,  without  exception,  were 
supplied  with  machinery  from  their  plant,  known 
as  the  Textile  Machine  Works  (Inc.).  A  thor- 
ough knowledge  of  the  needs  of  the  business  en- 
abled this  company  to  ■  make  important  improve- 
ments in  the  construction  of  the  machines  and  to 
produce  a  great  variety  of  new  patented  machines 
upon  which  new  lines  of  business  were  built  up.  The 
millinery  braid  business,  for  instance,  is  only  twelve 
years  old  and  today  nearly  all  the  hats  worn  by  lad- 
ies are  manufactured  on  braiding  machines,  or 
rather,  are  made  out  of  braids  produced  almost 
exclusively  on  machines  built  by  this  establish- 
ment. The  concern  owns  over  twenty  patents  cov- 
ering new  machines  or  elements  thereof,  and  it 
is  the  recognized  headquarters  for  braiding  ma- 
chines and  auxiliaries  used  in  the  manufacture  of 
dress  and  millinery  trimmings. 

In  1900,  a  large  addition  to  the  original  plant 
was  built,  extending  the  main  building  to  a  width 
of  105  feet,  so  as  to  embrace  a  main  erecting  floor, 
and  basement  used  for  storage.  A  foundry  was 
also  erected  in  which  an  average  of  five  thousand 
pounds  of  castings  were  made  daily  for  the  construc- 
tion of  textile  machinery.  At  that  time,  the 
manufacture  of  "full-fashioned"  knitting-machines 
was  commenced,  an  industry  also  entirely  new  in 
the  United  States.  On  this  machine,  the  highest 
grade  of  hosiery  is  manufactured.  It  is  the  ma- 
chine invented  about  sixty  years  ago  in  England, 
and  afterward  sent  to  Chemnitz,  Germany,  and  up- 
on it  the  entire  British  and  German  hosiery  trade 
has  been  founded.  The  production  of  this  depart- 
ment is  about  equal  to  that  of  the  braiding  ma- 
chines. 

In  1903,  a  large  factory  building.  50  feet  by  200 
feet,  four  stories  high,  was  erected,  of  re-inforced 
concrete  construction.  This  building  is  partially  used 
by  some  of  the  departments  of  the  Textile  Ma- 
chine Works,  but  the  other  floors  are  occupied  by 
the  Narrow  Fabric  Company,  which  is  the  largest 
manufacturer  of  high-grade  shoe  laces  in  the  Uni- 


ted States.  It  makes  a  specialty  of  silk  shoe  and 
corset  laces,  using  exclusively  machines  built  by  the 
Textile  Machine  Works. 

Across  the  public  road,  on  Frill  avenue,  there  is 
situated  one  of  the  finest  factory  buildings  in  Berks 
county.  It  was  built  for  the  Berkshire  Knitting 
Mills,  being  constructed  of  dark  red-faced  shale 
bricks  with  elaborate  terra-cotta  ornamentations. 
It  is  three  stories  high,  with  a  basement  for  yarn 
storage.  The  dimensions  of  the  building  are  84 
feet  wide  by  180  feet  long.  In  addition  to  the  main 
building,  there  is  a  one-story  building  80  feet  by 
150  feet,  used  for  dyeing,  boarding  and  pressing. 

These  three  industries  at  Wyomissing  together 
employ  nearly  eight  hundred  hands  and  their  com- 
bined pay  rolls  amount  to  over  $350,000  annually. 
Another  important  product  of  the  Textile  Ma- 
chine Works  is  machinery  for  insulating  electrical 
wires.  The  principal  machines  used  for  this  pur- 
pose are  braiding  machines,  similar  to  machines  used 
by  trimming  industries,  but  specially  adapted  for 
handling  wires  and  covering  the  same  with  insu- 
lating materials.  The  Textile  Machine  Works  have 
succeeded  in  introducing  their  machines  into  all  the 
impiortant  plants  which  make  insulating  wires  in  the 
United  States  and  they  have  won  the  reputation  of 
making  the  best  grade  of  machinery  of  this  kind. 
They  also  manufacture  cabling  machinery,  rubber 
covering  machines  for  electrical  wires,  telephone 
cord  machines,  and  a  great  variety  of  special  ma- 
chinery for  insulating  copper  wires  and  cables 
which  are  used  by  the  electrical  industries. 

Narrow  Fabric  Company. — This  company  was  in- 
corporated under  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania  in  1900, 
by  Ferdinand  Thun,  Henry  K.  Janssen  and  Harry 
Feder  of  New  York  City,  and  was  started  in  Read- 
ing in  the  building  formerly  occupied  by  the  Acme 
Bicycle  Works  at  No.  920  Court  street.  In  1904 
the  plant  was  removed  to  Wyomissing,  in  order  to 
secure  more  room,  the  plant  having  outgrown  the 
limited  dimensions  of  the  Court  street  factory. 

The  main  product  consists  of  shoe  laces,  and  only 
the  highest  grade  is  made.  A  large  portion  of  its 
product  consists  of  silk  laces  which  are  used  for 
low  shoes,  but  a  great  many  skirt  braids  are  made, 
which^  can  be  found  on  sale  in  nearly  every  retail 
store  in  the  country.  The  factory  is  a  model  plant, 
inasmuch  as  the  machinery  is  driven  electrically  by 
direct-connected  motors.  There  is  not  a  belt  in 
the  building,  and  everything  is  scrupulously  clean. 
The  company  employs  much  female  help,  drawn 
largely  from  the  surrounding  country  (West  Read- 
mg,  Sinking  Spring  and  Wernersville).  Commodi- 
ous wash-rooms  and  dining-rooms  are  provided  for 
the  comfort  of  the  employees,  the  management  de- 
sirmg  to  have  the  equipment  of  the  factory  unsur- 
passed by  any  of  the  textile  plants  in  this'  part  of 
the  State.  Ploward  M.  Fry  is  the  superintendent 
of  the  factory,  Ferdinand  Thun  is  treasurer  of 
the  company,  and  Harry  Feder  is  president. 

Berkshire  Knitting-Mills.^This  company  was  in- 
corporated under  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania  in  1906, 


BOROUGHS 


385 


for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing  the  highest  class 
of  "full-fashioned"  hosiery  (ladies'  and  men's  half- 
hose)  and  it  met  with  marked  success  immediately. 
In  April,  1906,  Gustav  Oberlaender  (of  Indian- 
apoHs,  Ind.)  became  a  stockholder  and  director  and 
he  has  since  been  serving  as  secretary,  treasurer 
and  general  manager. 

The  building  is  84  feet  by  170  feet,  on  Frill  ave- 
nue, together  with  a  dye  and  finishing  house.  It 
is  equipped  with  eighty  machines,  each  of  which  is 
30  feet  long  and  makes  eighteen  stockings  at  a 
time.  From  350  to  300  hands  are  employed,  and  its 
product  is  approximately  five  hundred  dozen  per 
day. 

The  principal  product  is  lisle  and  mercerized 
ladies'  hose,  which  are  equal  to  and  sold  in  direct 
competition  with  the  finest  goods  imported  from 
Europe.  The  machines  are  built  by  the  Textile 
Machine  Works.  This  "full-fashioned"  hosiery  is 
superior  to  the  seamless  hosiery  made  in  this  dis- 
trict, inasmuch  as  it  is  of  finer  texture  and  so  made 
as  to  conform  to  the  leg  and  foot. 

PaiM  K.  Leinbach's  Planing  Mill  (1908)  employs 
10  men  (had  been  operated  previously  from  1904 
by  William  A.  Walters,  and  was  destroyed  by  fire) . 

Leinbach's  Hosiery  Mill  (1905),  35  men. 


erected  for  the  convenience  of  the  people  who  were 
employed  in  the  factories  established  along  the  creek, 
and  the  thriving  settlement  came  to  be  known  as 
Mohnsville.  For  fifty  years  it  has  been  recognized 
as  a  most  flourishing  settlement,  notwithstanding 
its  distance  from  the  railroad.  In  this  respect,  it 
has  been  an  exceptional  community.  Its  success 
under  adverse  circumstances  is  attributable  to  the 
superior  character  of  the  men  who  located  there. 

Shortly  after  the  beginning  of  the  settlement,  a 
wool-hat  factory  was  erected  by  Absalom  Ruth 
near  the  Mohn  grist-mill.  His  successor  was  John 
Spatz,  who  operated  the  plant  for  twenty  years  in  a 
very  successful  manner  until  his  decease  in  1898, 
when  it  was  purchased  by  his  son,  Isaac  S.  Spatz, 
who  has  carried  on  the  business  since  that  time. 

Subsequently,  other  wool-hat  factories  were  es- 
tablished along  the  stream  higher  up,  by  Cyrus 
D.  Hornberger,  Jacob  Kessler,  and  Henry  Wer- 
ley.  And  about  this  time,  William  Pennepacker 
erected  a  gun-barrel  factory,  also  along  the  stream 
but  below  the  Mohn  mill,  which  he  carried  on  for 
a  number  of  years.  All  the  plants  were  operated 
by  water-power,  supplied  by  the  Wyomissing  creek. 

First  Taxables. — The  following  list  contains  the 
names  of  the  first  taxables  of  the  borough  when 
first  established,  in  1907: 


MOHNTON 

Incorporation. — The  borough  of  Mohnton  was 
established  by  a  decree  of  the  court  of  Quarter 
Sessions  of  Berks  county  on  March  18,  1907,  and 
the  boundary  lines  embraced  391  acres,  116  perches. 
The  petition  for  the  borough,  signed  by  117  free- 
holders, was  presented  to  court  on  Oct.  31,  1904, 
and  shortly  afterward  an  earnest  remonstrance  was 
filed  against  it.  Depositions  were  taken  and  filed, 
for  and  against  the  granting  of  the  petition,  and 
the  matter  was  before  the  couct  at  different  times 
until  favorable  action  was  finally  secured  on  the  day 
first  named.  The  freeholders  of  the  town  number- 
ed 313. 

Benjamin  Mohn,  from  Mohn's  Hill  in  the  south- 
ern section  of  Cumru  township,  purchased  a  farm 
in  1846  from  John  Schwartz.  This  was  situated 
along  the  Wyomissing  creek  and  embraced  the  land 
which  afterward  came  to  be  known  as  Mohnsville. 
He  then  erected  a  dwelling-house,  and  some  years 
afterward  this  was  converted  into  a  tavern  by  John 
Griner^  It  is  now  owned  and  carried  on  by  Aug- 
ustus R.  Anderson. 

About  the  same  time  his  cousin,  Samuel  K.  Mohn, 
opened  a  general  store  in  a  grist-mill  along  the 
creek,  erected  by  Benjamin  Mohn;  and  a  few 
years  afterward  he  erected  a  store  building  opposite 
the  mill  along  the  public  road  which  was  laid  out 
through  this  section  on  the  way  from  Reading  to 
New  Holland,  and  at  this  stand  he  carried  on  busi- 
ness for  many  years. 

The  character  of  the  surface  here  is  very  hilly, 
and  Benjamin  Mohn  sold  off  lots  without  first  mak- 
ing a  regular  plan  or  survey;  but,  in  spite  of  these 
uninviting  circumstances,  many  houses  came  to  be 


Aug.  R.  Anderson 
Daniel  Anthony- 
John  K.  Binkley 
Henry  Bechtel 
Savilla  Slimline 
Hiram  J.  Bigony 
Barton  Z.  Bealer. 
John  M.  Bicher 
Alfred   Burley 
Albert   Burley 
Amanda  Blankenbiller 
Frank  H.  Bitler 
Mary  Binkley 
John  T.   Beidler 
Henry  Blimline 
Franklin  B.  Bickel 
William  D.   Bickel 
Reuben  K.  Bucher 
Archibald  Boyer 
William  R.  Blankenbiller 
Oscar  Blankenbiller 
Adison  D.  Clark 
Jacob  De  Tambel 
Nelson  W.  Dickenson 
Wilson  A.  Dunkelberger 
Nelson  H.  Dickenson 
Samuel  De  Long' 
John  R.  De  Hard 
James  Epler 
John  Epler 
John  J.  Eshelman 
Arabella  Eshelman 
Electric  Hose  Co. 
Frank  T.  Eckenroth 
Peter  F.  Eberly 
Charles  T.  Eckenroth 
Charles  S.  Epler 
Daniel  S.  Epler 
Levi  Edwards 
James  B.  Fleisher 
Albert  O.  Fisher 
John  Fry 


Adam  G.  Fox 
Samuel  P.  Frankhouser 
Aug.   M.   Griffith 
Hiram  M.   Griffith 
Charles  R.  Groff 
Martin  D.  Grill 
Charles  W.  Gaul 
Harriet  Godshak 
James  I.  Gougler 
John  Gramer 
William  R.  Glassmoyer 
Biram  M.  Griffith 
Amelia   Godshalk 
William  D.  Grill 
Adam  M.  Grill 
William  S.  Groff 
Tyson  L.  Huyett 
James  R.  Hoffert 
Abraham  Hoffert 
James  W.  Harting 
A.  Chas.  Harting 
John  T.  Hertzog 
Chas.  B.  Hornberger 
James   Hornberger 
A.  S.  Hornberger 
Josephus  S.  Hornberger 
Emma  D.  Hornberger 
'Milton  G.  Hornberger 
Harry  G.  Hornberger 
Priscilla   Hemmig 
Henry    Haas 
Adeline  Hoover 
John  R.  Hornberger 
Sarah  Y.   Hill 
George   S.   Hill 
.  Wellington    Harting 
William  M.  Hartman 
Amilia  Hill 
Emma  B.  Hinnershitz 
George  W.  Hatt 
Harrison   S.  Krick 
Calvin  S.  Krick 


286 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Monroe   C.   Killian 

John  J.   Klopp 

Daniel    Krick 

Sallie  A.  Kleinginna 

Isaac  Krick 

Daniel  M.  Kindt 

C.   D.   B.   Kindt 

Walter  S.  Kleinginne 

Sarah  Karternian 

Frank  Kleinginna 

Clayton   Killian 

Adam  H,  Lutz 

George  H.  Leininger 

James  H.  Lutz 

Martin  H.  Lutz 

John   D.   Leininger 

Frank   S.   Leininger 

Wm.  G.  Leininger 

Carolina  Leininger 

Howard  S.  Leininger 

Irvin  R.  Musser 

B.  K.  Mayberry 

Harvey  W.  Mohn 

Hiram  Matz  Est. 

John  G.  Mosser 

John   S.   Mohn 

Westley  D.  Mohn 

Mohnton  Water  Co. 

Maggie  Mohn 
John  Musselman 

Harry  W.   Miller 

Henry  Miller  Est. 

Emma  K.  Mohn 

Dr.  M.  L.  Miller 

Robert  L.  Miller 
William  C.  Miller 

Dr.   B.   H.   Miller 
Jonathan  H.  Miller 
Richard   Marks 
Jacob  W.  Miller 
William  H.  Muckel 
Frank  W.  Matz 
Adam  S.  Miller 
Adam  L.  Matz 
Martin  L.   Matz 
Jonathan  K.  Miller 
Albert  G.  Miller 
Luke  H.  Marks 
Charles   S.    Mohn 
Reese   Muckel 
Charles   W.   Miller 
Harry  L.  Musser 
William  J.  Marks 
Chas.   F.   Madeira 
Caroline  Musser 
H.  Irvin  Mohn 
Susanna  Mohn 
Aug.  S.  Mosser 
Samuel  K.  Miller 
Samuel  H.  Musser 
Mohnton  K.  of  P.  Hall 
Harry    N.   Noll 
James  O'Neal 
Jacob  Palm 
Jacob  Peters 
Daniel   N.   Peifer 
George  K  Pawling 


John  A.  Auchenbach 
Wim.   R.  Auchenbach 
James  G.  Boate 
Edward  Blankenbiller 
Edward  Bennetts 
Homer  Blimline 


Samuel  Palm 
David  Reider 
Charles   S.   Richwine 
Robert  E.  Ri-egner 
Austin  H.   Riegner 
Henry  E.  Remp 
Henry   K.   Ruth 
Hiram  W.  Reigner 
James   G.  Ruth 
William  G.  Ruth 
John  R.  Regar 
Irvin  L.   Shonour 

D.  S.    Sensenig 
Samuel  Steffey 
John  R.  Slote 
John  N.  Steffey 
George  Sheaffer 
John  H.  Spatz  Est. 
Isaac  S.  Spatz 
William  E.   Shirk 
WiUiam  H.  Seifrit 
Pierce    S.   Strunk 
Dr.  A.  A.  Stamm 
John   A.    Seitzinger 
Howard  W.   Sheaffer 
Frank  W.^  Slichter 
Katie   Smith 
George  W.   Strunk 
Levi  Strunk 
Benjamin  K.  Steffey 
William   P.   Stoner 
Frank    Sweigard 
George  Tothero 
Isaac    Tro'stel 
William  S.  Trostel 
George   Vogel 
Bessie  Werner 
William  H.  Weber 
Walter  S.  Werner 
John  C.  Werner 
Walter  Weber 
James   L.  Weber 
Adeline  Wenrich 
William  Weber  Est. 
Wesley  M.  W'orley 
Alice   M.   Worley 
Worley    Brothers 
Isabella   Worley 
Charles  M.  Worley 
Charles  G.  Werner 
Frank  M.  White 
Henry  H.  Wise 
Frank  K.  Wal  finger 
Aaron   K.   Warner 
Annie  S.  Warner 

E.  J.   Werner 
H.  H.  Worley 
William    G.   Werner 
Jeremiah   Werner 
John  G.  Werner 
Samuel  F.  Westlev 
Ellen  R.  White 
John  Y.  Weidner 
Frank  R.  Warner 
Daniel  W.  Young 
John  S.  Zeller 


Tenants 


Harry  Blimline 
Harvey   Boone 
Cyrus   Brendel 
James   Blankenbiller 
John  A.   Blankenbiller 
Jerome  Boyer 


George  G.   Baker 
Jacob  E.  Baker 
S.    S.    Burkholder 
Christian  Burkhart 
Nathaniel   Bickel 
William  G.  Beam 
George  Bush 
William  H.  Bicher 
Harry  S.  Bicher 
Edwin  Binkley 
Charles  F.  Boyer 
Chester  W.  Baer 
Harvey  J.  Clay 
William   Coleman 
John  R.  Dehart 
Christian  De  Binder 
Felix  K.  De  Binder 
George  W.  Delong 
Wayne  Epler 
David  S.  Edwards 
Fred  Eckenroth 
Curtis    Eberly 
Harry   M.    Embich 
Monroe  Ebling 
Howard  Eckenroth 
George  S.  Epler 
Reuben    Eckenroth 
Harry  H.  Eckenroth 
H.  T.  Epler 
William  M.   Fry 
Elmer  E.  Fox 
John  J.  Frankhouser 
John  H.  Fichthorn 
Charles  K.  Frymoyer 
Dr.  J.  W.  Frankhouser 
Harry  H.  Fritz 
William    F.    Gaul 
Walter  M.  Griffith 
Richard  Gehman 
William  Gehman 
Henrv  R.  Groff 
William  Groff 
John  W.  Glass 
Benjamin  Griffith 
J.  B.  Gougler 
Harry  H.  Gring 
John    S.    Gring 
Albert  A.  Griffith 
Abraham  Godshalk 
Harry   Gehman 
Harry  D.  Godshalk 
Frank  R.  Good 
Charles  S.  Holtry 
James  M.  Hartz 
Henry  Hoster 
Samuel  Hoster 
Harry  W.  Hughes 
William  E,   Hughes 
John  H.  Hartman 
Harry  L.  Hill 
Rudy  Hoffert 
Henrv  Hoffert 
William   Hoffert 
Flarry   High 
Freeland  J.  Houghton 
David  Hoffert 
William  S.  Hower 
Herbert  Hornberger 
George  L.  Happ 
C.  C.  Houck 
Peter  F.   Hartman 
Jonathan  B.  Hatt 
Daniel  B.  Hill 
Samuel  B.  Hill 
Wm.  E.  Huvett 


Edwin  M.  Hatt 
Aaron  Hagy 
Joseph  S.  Hornberger 
Frank  B.  Hartman 
Frank  L.  Hartman 
John  F.  Herb 
Robert  B.  Hatt 
Edward  Hartman 
Martin  B.  Hill 
Walter  G.  Hill 
Harry  G.  Hill 
Pierce  B.  Hatt 
J.  R.  Hensyl 
Lewis   Hartranft 
Webster  G.  Hertzog- 
Martin  D.  Kohl 
Howard  F.  Kindt 
Michael  D.   Kegerise 
Howard  Krick 
Miles   Keller 
Samuel  S.  Keyser 
Harry  S.  Krick 
Frank  F.  Kline 
David  Long 
William  I.  Lebo 
Daniel   S.  Lutz 
David  Longenecker 
Israel  Longenecker 
Adam  Long 
Benjamin  H.  Lorah 
William  M.  Leininger 
Samuel   Longenecker 
Leon  Miller 
William  R.  Musser 
Adam   B.   Mayer 
Charles   J.   Mosser 
Nicholas   Mosser 
Edwin  F.   Miller 
Matthew  F.   Miller 
Henry  G.   Matz 
Solomon  D.  Mohn 
Levi   H.   Miller 
Samuel   K.   Mohn 
Elmer  D.  Miller 
David  D.  Mell 
Harry    G.    Mohn 
John  P.  Marks 
Charles  E.  Mohn 
Wayne   L.    IMusser 
Thomas    j\Tohr 
Raymond  W.  Musselman 
David  F.  Mohn 
George   Muckel 
Nicholas  H.  Mosser 
William  R.  Mosser 
Carroll   A.   Miller 
John  B.  Pawling 
Thomas  Palm 
Harry   C.   Peters 
Frank  Peters 
Howard  Remp 
Henry  S.  Riegel 
Frank  A.   S.   Riegel 
Edward  Rudy 
John  F.   Reber 
John  C.  Reber 
Henry    Reitz 
Frank  D.   Ruth 
William  H.  Ruth 
Augustus  C.  Rohland 
Wallace   Resh 
Joseph  Ressler 
Jacob  S.  Riegel 
William  E.  Riegel 
Charles    Staudt 


BOROUGHS 


287 


Israel    Saylor 
Wayne  Steffey 
George  W.  Smith 
Alfred  H.   Stuber 
Willis  Stirk 
Adam  F.  Showalter 
Elmer  G.  Spatz 
William  E.  Showalter 
Jeremiah  V.  Shonour 
Zenas  M.  Shonour 
George   Shutter 
Daniel  F.  Spatz 
Elwood  Sensenig 
Edward  H.   Smith 
Edward    Strunk 
Claude    Strauss 
Benton  E.   Shonour 
F.   W.   Solver 
Charles    Steffey 
Frank    Sweigaft 
Edward   Smith 
M.  K.  Sponagle 
Charles    Trostel 
Frank  Trostel 


James   G.  Vierling 
George    W.    Vogel 
William   Vogel 
Charles    L.    Vogel 
Charles  T.  Valentine 
Aaron  M.   White 
Harry  Wise 
Paul   S.   Warner 
Elmer  Werley 
John  S.  Wenger 
Harry  H.   Witmer 
David    W.    Weiler 
L.    Tyson    Warner 
James  E.  Werley 
M.   H.  Werner 
J.    B.    Werner 
Jeff   P.   Wolfskin 
Pierce  Wenrich 
Joseph  M.  Wenrich 
William    F.    Werner 
George  D.  Wolfskill 
Francis    S.   Wolf 
George    L.    Wolfskill 
Charles    S.   Wenrich 


Officials. — The  following  persons  served  the 
offices  named  for  the  year  1909 : 

Chief   Burgess,  Aaron   R.   Wanner 
Town  Council,  William  Leininger,  President 
Charles    Miller,   Treasurer 
Frank  Kleinginna 
Irwin   Shonour 
John  Mosser 
John  Beidler 

A.   S.  Hornberger,   Secretary 
School  Board,  Dr.  A.  A.  Stamm,  President 
Allen  Fisher,  Secretary 
Dr.  M.  L.  Miller,  Treasurer 
Harry  Noll 
Charles   T.   Eckenroth 
Charles  Werner 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  D.  N.  Peifer 

Frank   W.   Matz 
Constable,  John  L.  Seitzinger 
Auditors,  Albert  Miller 

Charles  Madeira 
John  Eshelman 
Assessor,  John  B.  Werner 
Collector,  Joseph  S.  Hornberger 
Board  of  Health,  Dr.  B.  H.  Miller 
Reuben  Bucher 
John  Zeller 
William   Miller 
Ellis  Werley 

Post-Office. — A  post-office  was  established  in 
the  store  of  Samuel  K.  Mohn  in  1857  by  the  name  of 
Mohn's  Store  and  this  name  was  continued  until  the 
erection  of  the  borough,  when  it  was  changed  to 
Mohnton.  Mr.  Mohn  was  the  postmaster  for  fif- 
teen years.  John  Yocom  Weidner  has  filled  the 
position  since  1897.  He  has  been  engaged  in  the 
general  store  business  at  this  place  for  forty  years. 
He  started  the  business  of  cutting,  storing  and  sup- 
plying ice  in  this  section  of  the  county  and  has  been 
engaged  in  it  for  thirty  years. 

Industries. — The  following  varied  industries 
were  carried  on  at  Mohnton  in  1909 : 

Bakeries,  by  Augustus  Griffith  (established  1892), 
with  4  hands ;  Groff  &  Ressler  (1898) ,  with  4  hands. 

Cigar  Factory,  by  J.  J.  Eshelman  (1886) ,  with  40 
hands. 


Cotton  Lap  Factory,  by  Werley  Brothers  (1908), 
with  4  hands. 

Grist  Mill,  by  John  Spatz  Estate  (1888),  with  2 
hands. 

Hosiery  Mills,  by  George  Leininger  (1898),  with 
75  hands;  Wm.  G.  Leininger  (1898),  with  120 
hands;  Isaac  S.  Spatz  (1903),  with  35  hands;  Wer- 
ley Brothers  (1904),  with  25  hands. 

Paper  Box  Factory,  by  E.  G.  Werner  &  Sons 
(1894),  with  35  hands. 

Planing  Mills,  by  Frank  Wanner  (^now  son  Ty- 
son) (1880),  with  8  hands;  Isaac  S.  Spatz  (1901), 
with  6  hands. 

Saw  Mill,  by  John  Y.  Weidner  (1903),  with  3 
hands. 

Shirt  Factories,  by  William  Werner  (1897),  with 
30  hands;  Biram  Griffith  (1908),  with  18  hands; 
Dr.  A.  A.  Stamm*  (1900),  with  30  hands. 

Underwear  Mill,  by  Hornberger  &  Killian 
(1908),  with  25  hands. 

Wool-hat  Factories,  by  Jacob  Kessler  (1878), 
with  40  hands;  Isaac  S.  Spatz (1898), with 50 hands. 

Wheelwright  Shops,  by  Henry  Knoll  (1880),  with 
4  hands;  Henry  Wise  (1895),  with  3  hands. 

Besides  the  industries  named,  the  borough  con- 
tained then  five  stores,  two  hotels,  three  doctors,  two 
barbers  and  an  undertaker. 

These  industries  demonstrate  the  importance  and 
great  value  of  the  stream  to  the  community  by 
affording  constant  employment  to  several  hundred 
hands.  Besides  the  water-power,  coal  is  also  used 
for  steam-power  and  heating;  it  is  hauled  by  teams 
from  Reading.  , 

Local  Express. — Howard  H.  Leininger  started  a 
local  expi^ss  business  at  Mohnton  in  1902  for  haul- 
ing manufactured  goods,  merchandise,  coal,  etc.,  for 
the  local  industries  to  and  from  Reading,  and  since 
then  has  required  the  constant  use  of  twenty-five  to 
thirty  horses  to  fill  the  orders  of  his  patrons. 

The  manufacturers  also  do  much  hauling  to  and 
from  Reading  in  their  business,  and  employ  upward 
of  seventy  horses.  Their  nearest  shipping  point  on 
the  railroad  is  at  Reading. 

Bank. — The  Mohnton  National  Bank  was  char- 
tered Dec.  7,  1907,  with  a  capital  of  $25,000,  and  it 
was  opened  for  business  Jan.  21,  1908,  with  the 
following  directors:  George  H.  Leininger,  L.  G. 
Hain,  John  Von  Neida,  M.  C.  Kauffman,  Jeremiah 
Horning,  Augustus  R.  Anderson,  Charles  M.  Yet- 
ter,  Jacob  C.  Kessler,  E.  G.  Werner,  William  G. 
Leininger,  Henry  H.  Werley,  Harry  Dumn,  S,  K. 
Remp  and  Aaron  A.  Hornberger;  of  whom  George 
H.  Leininger  was  elected  president. 

Public  Improvements 

Mill  Dams. — The  Wyomissing  creek,  which  flows 
through  the  southern  section  of  the  borough,  has 
been  a  valuable  water-power  to  the  residents  of 
this  vicinity  from  the  time  of  the  earhest  settle- 
ments dating  back  to  about  1735.  Within  the  dis- 
tance of  two  miles  at  and  above  the  borough,  seven 
dams  have  been  constructed,  which  have  been  very 

*  Sold  to  Mary  Strouse  in  February,  1909. 


288 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


useful  in  supplying  water-power  to  the  industries 
erected  along  the  banks  of  the  creek.  These  dams 
are  operated  by  the  following:  Josephus  Horn- 
berger  (covering  several  acres  of  ground  and  used 
for  swimming  and  pleasure  purposes  in  the  sum- 
mer time  and  skating  in  the  winter  time)  ;  Mohn- 
ton  Knitting  Mill;  Isaac  S.  Spatz  Planing  Mill  and 
Hat  Factory;  Werley  Hosiery  Mill;  Kessler  Hat 
Factory. 

Electric  Plant. — In  1894,  Isaac  S.  Spatz  establish- 
ed a  plant  at  Mohnton  for  supplying  electric  light 
in  the  residences  and  along  the  streets.  He  oper- 
ated the  plant  until  1901  when  he  sold  it  to  Aaron 
R.  Wanner,  who  increased  its  capacity  and  has 
operated  it  since.  Besides  supplying  electric  light, 
it  is  used  also  for  pumping  water  into  the  local 
reservoirs  which  furnish  the  town  with  drinking 
water. 

IVdtervLiorks. — Samuel  K.  Mohn  started  water- 
works at  this  place  in  1883  for  supplying  the  town 
with  water,  and  he  carried  on  the  plant  until  1901, 
when  he  sold  it  to  Howard  Ahrens  and  W.  D. 
Mohn,  who  enlarged  the  plant  and  have  carried  it 
on  since.  They  put  down  an  8-inch  main.  The 
inhabitants  of  Shillington  receive  their  water  from 
this  plant.  The  water  is  obtained  from  Klein- 
ginne's  creek.  The  draft  of  the  water  pipes  of  the 
Mohnsville  Water  Company  was  acknowledged  and 
filed  July  1,  1886;  Charles  S.  Mohn,  president; 
John  A.  Bohler,  secretary. 

Additional  reservoirs  were  established  on  the 
Betzler  property,  south  of  the  borough,  and  on  the 
Binkley  propei^y  to  the  north,  each  holding  about 
500,000  gallons.  They  occupy  elevated  positions 
above  the  borough  and  afford  a  sufficient  supply 
at  all  times.  At  the  latter  place,  an  artesian  well, 
about  150  feet  deep,  has  been  provided  for  an  ex- 
tra supply  of  pure  water. 

Trolley  Line. — The  Reading  &  Southwestern 
Street  Railway  was  constructed  from  Reading  to 
Mohnsville  in  1890,  and  since  then  has  been  oper- 
ated successfully.  In  1894:,  a  steam  railroad  was 
constructed  from  Mohnsville  to  Adamstown.  A 
small  engine  was  used  for  several  years ;  then  elec- 
tric power  was  substituted. 

Pennwin.— In  1904,  WiUiam  High  purchased  a 
tract  of  farming  land  near  the  eastern  border  of 
the  borough  from  Jesse  Matz,  laid  it  off  in  lots  and 
named  the  place  Pennwin.  Pie  sold  some  of  the 
lots,  on  which  a  number  of  dwellings  have  been 
erected;  also  a  fine,  two-story  brick  school  build- 
ing. 

Churches. — There  are  three  churches  at  Mohn- 
ton: Salem's  Evangelical  Reformed,  established  in 
1872,  and  rebuilt  of  sandstone  in  1897;  Zion's 
United  Evangelical  in  1892,  built  of  brick,  with 
a  sandstone  base ;  and  St.  John's  Lutheran  in  1900, 
built  of  sandstone. 

Schools. — The  first  school-house  in  the  vicinity 
of  Mohnton  was  on  "Cedar  Top,"  a  short  distance 
east  of  the  village.  The  first  township  school  in 
the   village    (one-story    stone)    was    erected   about 


1850,  where  the  church  stands,  opposite  the  post- 
office,  and  continued  there  until  1890,  when  it  was 
removed  to  the  place  where  it  now  stands.  Several 
additions  were  made  to  it.  It  has  six' rooms.  Two 
additional  rooms  have  recently  been  supplied  in 
another  building  to  accommodate  the  increasing 
number  of  children.  Some  of  the  teachers  during 
the  past  forty  years  have  been  Valentine  Guldin, 
Leo  Hess,  A.  F.  E.  Grill,  Mrs.  B.  H.  Miller,  Miss 
Kate  Lewis,  Hiram  J.  Bigony  and  William  F.  Big- 
ony.  In  .1908,  there  were  seven  schools  and  300 
scholars ;  and  the  total  expenditures  for  school 
purposes  were  $4,360. 

Secret  Societies. — Different  secret  societies 
have  been  instituted  here,  prominent  among  them 
being  the  American  Mechanics,  Knights  of  Friend- 
ship, Knights  of  Pythias,  Modern  Woodmen,  and 
P.  O.  S.  of  A. 

Auditorium. — In  1906,  Augustus  R.  Anderson 
erected  a  fine  large  two-story  frame  auditorium  op- 
posite the  trolley  station  with  a  seating  capacity  of 
800,  in  which  various  entertainments  have  been 
held.  

WEST    READING 

Town  Plan. — In  1864,  Frederick  R.  Frill  pur- 
chased from  William  Leinbach  a  farm  of  116  acres, 
which  now  comprises  the  eastern  section  of  West 
Reading.  In  1873,  he  laid  this  land  off  into  lots, 
and  most  of  the  lots  in  the  blocks  south  of  Penn 
street  (West  Penn  avenue)  were  numbered  con- 
secutively from  1  to  200.  The  surveyor  was  Dan- 
iel S.  Zacharias,  who  prepared  the  draft,  dating  it 
Oct.  21,  1873. 

Mr.  Frill  sold  many  of  these  lots  during  the  sum- 
mer of  that  year,  and  delivered  the  deeds  in  Oct- 
ober. The  first  purchaser  was  James  F.  Matz,  car- 
penter (now  superintendent  of  the  West  Reading 
Water  Company).  He  erected  the  large  three-story 
brick  building  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Second 
and  Penn  streets,  which  became  the  Farmers'  Hotel. 
The  first  row  of  dwelling-houses  was  erected  in 
1873  on  Franklin  street,  between  Third  and  Fourth 
streets,  by  Abraham  F  Reeser  and  William  Geiger, 
of  Reading. 

In  1883,  George  F  Baer,  Charles  F  Smith  and 
Reuben  E.  Demmon  laid  off  into  lots  a  consider- 
able part  of  the  Jacob  W.  Seitzinger  farm  which 
they  had  purchased,  and  the  first  blocks  of  lots 
then  sold  lay  between  Fifth  and  Sixth  streets, 
south  of  West  Penn  avenue  to  Spruce  street,  the 
sales  having  been  effected  through  the  Pennsyl- 
vania  Trust   Company. 

Builders. — The   first   builders    of   the  town   who 
erected  the   dwelling-houses  were: 
Reeser  &  Geiger  Harrv  Auman 

James  F.   Matz  Henry  Trostel 

Jared  G.  Yam  ell  James  M.   Hain 

Simon  Kline  Franklin  Leinbach 

Incoeporation. — After  the  town  of  West  Read- 
ing had  come,_ through  the  course  of  thirty  years, 
to  be  a  flourishing  community,  with  a  number 
of  important  industries   and   an  estimated  popula- 


BOROUGHS 


389 


tion  of  700,  steps  were  taken  in  March,  1903, 
to  establish  a  borough,  but  the  remonstrance  of 
many  property  holders  was  so  vigorous  during 
a  course  of  six  months  that  the  proceedings  were 
dropped.  A  second  effort  was  made  in  Novem- 
ber, 1906,  with  the  conditions  greatly  improved, 
and  though  earnest  objections  were  again  present- 
ed the  court  made  the  -decree  of  incorporation 
March  18,  1907.  The  boundary  lines  inclosed 
373  acres,  extending  from  the  Wyomissing  creek 
on  the  south  to  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad  on 
the  north,  and  from  the  western  bank  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill river  on  the  east  to  the  eastern  boundary  line 
of  the  borough  of  Wyomising  on  the  west. 

The  first  public  election  was  held  May  7,  1907, 
when  the  first  borough  officials  were  elected.  F.  R. 
Himmelberger,  a  prominent  carriage  manufactur- 
er of  the  town  for  upward  of  twenty  years,  was 
chosen  the  first  burgess,  and  this  election  started 
the  community  in  its  political  career  as  a  separ- 
ate district. 

First  Taxables. — Names  of  resident  taxables 
of  West  Reading,  when  first  established  as  a  bor- 
ousfh  in  1907: 


Gustav  Albrecht 
Milton  A.   Albright 
William  Alvine 
Aaron  F.   Adams 
Aaron  Adams,   Sr. 
William  F.  Adams 
David  F.  Brown 
Michael  M.  Baker 
Thomas  J.  Brossman 
Simon  Blankenbiller 
Walter  A.  Bleiler 
Valentine  Behringer 
John   Blankenbiller 
Adam  R.  Blatt 
Harry  B.  Blankenbiller 
Daniel   B.    Blankenbiller 
William  B.  Blankenbiller 
P.    W.    Brubaker 
Charles    H.    Boyer 
William  F.  Brobst 
Charles  Clark 
Benjamin   Cohn 
Theodore   M.   Deck 
Lloyd  F.  Dunkelberger 
J.  Adam  Dieffenbach 
Wellington  Dunkelberger 
Michael  Eckenroth 
Therese  Engels 
D.  L.  George  Ellis  Est. 
John  Eyrich  Est. 
Clara   Esterline 
William  M.  Edris 
Robert  C.  Etchberger 
Mrs    George  Eckert 
J.  W.  Forry  &  Son 
John  Fisher 
Sarah  Freeman 
John   Fox 
George  F.  Fritz 
William  Foreman 
George  W.  Fisher 
Claudius  J.  F.  Gruber 
Joseph  A.  F.  Ganster 
Daniel  K.  Graeflf 
Daniel  S.  Good 
19 


John  J.   Geiger 
Augustus  Glaser 
John  Gerhart 
Milton  A.  Gring 
William    S.   Gruber 
William   H.   Gring 
Morris  J.  Geiss 
John  P.  Ggjff 
Fred  K.  Graeff 
John    H.    C.    Heflner 
Jefferson  B.  Himmelberger 
Benjamin  F.   Holl 
John  J.  Haederle 
Jacob   S.  Hill 
Thomas  A.  Hechler 
James  F.  Holl 
Jacob  D.  Hilbert 
Albert  B.  Heist 
John  Holzinger 
Oscar  P.  Holl 
Charles  M.  Hain 
George  M.  Hain 
John   H.    Hinnershitz 
Francis  Y.  Hemmig 
William  E.  S.  Hinnershitz 
Peter   Horn  rich 
Frank  R.  Himmelberger 
James  M.  Hain 
Abraham  W.  Hain 
Cornelius   Himmelberger 
John  Hollenbach 
Augustus  Hushower 
Elizabeth  Hechler 
Hilbert  &  Lamm 
William  F.   Hechler 
William  A.  Hechler 
Levi  Jones 
Thomas  Kocher 
John  J.  Kocher 
Martin  Kussler 
George  W.  Kaucher 
Annie  S.  Krick 
Mary  H.  Kutz 
J.  Frank   Kline 
John  Keener 


William  Latshaw  Est. 

Otto  Lind 

Jacob  D.  Leinbach 

Howard  Leinbach 

Charles  G.  Labe 

Walter  Xarkin 

J.  Calivin  Leinbach 

J.  P.  Lee 

William  W.  Leinbach 

Charles  H.  Lotz 

Charles  J.  Link 

Jacob  A.  Leightheiser 

Calvin  A.  Leinbach 

George  F.  Mertz 

Elizabeth  Matz 

William  W.  Matz 

Nathan  H.  Miller 

William  H.  Moyer 

John  Mish 

Thomas   Mogel 

WilHam  A.  Miller 

John  Miller 
George  Manning 
Ezra  O.  Miller 
Frank  J.  Moyer 
Wilson  E.  F.  Miller 
Daniel  M.   Miller 
Peter   F.    Mogel 
McQuade  Bros. 
Henry  F.  Miller 
Frank  P.  Matz 
William  W.  Machemer 
Lizzie  E.   Markley 
Charles  Mee 
Daniel  A.  Mosser 
Christian   Ortmiller 
Patrick  M.  Odear 
Jacob  D.  Potts 
Irvin  W.  Potteiger 
William  H.   Quinter 
Charles  R.  Quinter 
Howard   N.  Rishel 
James  M.  Reifsnyder 
John  H.  Reinert 
J.   S.  Reber 
Mary   Ringler 
Solomon  Ringler 
Arus  Rhode 
William  H.   Riegel 
Ralph  L.  Ritzman 
James    L    Rishel 
C.  Milton  Rintz 


Frank  Anderson 
William  J.   AUgaier 
Harry  Anderson 
Dr.   Silas  Bums 
Claude  R.  Bright 
Raymond   C.   Bright 
Edwin   J.    Bixler 
Edgar  J.  Becker 
Irvin  M.  Becker 
Charles  D.  Bailey 
Charles  L.  Becker 
Adam  E.  Baer 
Herbert  S.  Bryson 
A.  H.  Bright 
Levi   F.   Clay 
Charles  R.  Clay 
S.   Irvin   Christman 
Fred  Crossland 
Harry  E.  Clark 
David  Care 


Reuben  Roth 
Clarence   L.   Rahn 
Thomas   P.   Rahn 
Martin   L.   Ruth 
David  Roth 
Conrad   S.   Reber 
Edwin  G.  Ruth 
Fred  V.  Shearer 
Elijah  B.   Smith 
Jacob   P.   Struble 
Henry  Schlegel 
Joseph  K.   Strause 
James  C.   Seltzer 
Henry  J.  Smith 
Angline   Jane   Shunk 

Paul    Schnabel 
William  J.   Stamm 
Mary  M.  Shanaman 

Cletus  Setley 
Victor  Setley 

Reuben  W.  D.  Schell 

Lando  Seitzinger 

Charles  H.   Seiders 

George  H.   Schwartz 

George   W.    Swartz 

Jacob  Snyder 

Monroe    Stauffer 

Ed.  Spatz  &  John  E.  Hain 

Benjamin  H.  Seidel 

Joseph  W.  Shanaman 

James  G.   Spatz 

Isaiah   B.   Seibert 

Mary  A.  Seibert 

Mary  A.  Tobias 

Henry  F.   Trostle 

William  F.  Texter 

John  A.  Ulrich 

Ezra  Von  Neida  &  Bro. 

Charles  Voelker,  Sr. 

William  F.   Welder 

Joseph  Wounderly 

Eva  F.  Weil 

John   H.   Wise 

Ernst  Wolschendqrf 

Stephen   S.  Wisser 

Wisser   &  Lesher 

Frank   Wanner 

John  B.  Withers 

Florence  Frey  Weidner 

Jonas  Weaver 

Jacob   C.   Wolf 

Homer  S.  Yost 

J.   G.  Yarnell 


Tenants 


H.  Walter  Care 
John  F.  Crouse 
Thomas  J.  Crimmins 
Henry  I.   Clay 
Lewis  L.  Conrad 
John  R.  Dellicker 
Harry  D.  Dean 
Walter  Y.  Dauber 
Howard  R.  Deisher 
William   G.   Dierolf 
J.   Frank   Dohner 
Frank  Day 
Albert  H.  Deeds 
George  Dundore 
Harvey  Y.  Dauber 
Thomas  Eckenroth 
John  H.  Ellis 
John  H.  Eyrich 
Stewart  Esterline 
Charles   H.   Ellis 


290 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Ezra    P.    Etchberger 
Charles  A.  Eyrich 
Harry   East 
R.  Resley  Eckert 
John  J.  Freyberger 
William  I.  Fritz 
Harry   J.   Fisher 
Charles   Folk 
E.  M.  Feltenberger 
Alfred  B.  Fies 
George  K.  Fox 
Charles  J.  Feather 
Milton    Fisher 
Newton  W.  Fry 
W.    Calvin    Fisher 
Nathan  F.  Fisher 
Irvin  P.  Fessler 
Frank  S.  Forry 
Harry  Good 
George  W.  Geiger 
Jacob   A.   Geiger 
Joseph    Gahbler 
John  H.  Gerhart 
James  A.  Gerrett 
John  Grady 
William  A.  Gring 
Howard   Groff 
R.  H.  Gibson 
Elmer  L,  Henne 
William  C.  E.  Herman 
John    E.    Rain 
Oliver    S.    Heck 
Jacob  Oscar  Hill 
Herbert  W.  Hechler 
Henry    Hoyer 
John  H.  Hoyer 
Wellington  R.  Hiester 
Walter  W.  Heist 
Charles  Himmelberger 
Stephen  Holzinger 
Jacob  S.  Heft 
James  M.  Huber 
Bert   Heffelfingei 
George  Huffnagle 
George  R.   Himmelberger 
Irvin  D.   HefBeger 
Irvin  D.  Hinnershitz 

Charley  A.   Hinnershitz 
William  J.   Hemniig 
Frank  M.  Hain 
John  Himmelberger 

George  W.   Hechler 

Jacob  A.   Flechler 

William   C.   Hechler 

Curtis   M.   Flertz 

Frank  K.  Hertz 

Harry   W.    Hinnershitz 

George    Haldeman 

Henry  W.   Haupt 

George  Jones 

Henry  A.   Kemp 

Simon  S.  Kline 

Walter   S.   Kline 

Elias   Kunkelman 

Charles   Kalbach 

Evan   F.   Kalbach 

William  G.  Klopp 

Granville  M.  Keim 

Samuel  Kummerer 

Harry  J.   Kramer 

Charles  W.   Koch 

H.    Urias    Kliem 

John  H.   Klopp 

Charles  A.  Keller 

William  Killinger 


Lewis   O.   Kantner 
John  A.  Kintzer 
Irvin  D.  Klopp 
Thomas    C.    Lott 
Joseph   Livinghouse 
Frank   S.   Lebo 
Jeremiah  H.  Lebo 
John  Lind 
Thomas  Latshaw 
Charles  C.  Lamm 
Jonathan  Lesher 
John  E.  Leibensberger 
Henry   E.   Leader 
Robert  W.  Latshaw 
William   C.  Lewars 
Edward   Law 
Marion   Larkin 
George   E.   Leisey 
Nathaniel  W.  Lieb 
George  R.  Lieb 
J.   Edwin   Lieb 
Richard  Leinbach 
Milton   Lamm 
Harry  S.  Lobach 
Nelson    J.    Leinbach 
George  W.   Magargle 
Samuel  A.  Machmer 
William  JNIadeira 
James  F.  Matz 
Robert  B.  Moyer 
Isaac    Moyer 
George  E.  Moyer 
John  F.  Morgan 
William   H.   Martin 
I.  Lawrence  Moyer 
Harvey  W.  Moyer 
Jacob  E.  Mnrry 
Charles  F.   Mover 
Charles   B.   Miller 
Edwin    Malev 
Edward   M.   Miller 
Howard  G.  ]\Tercer 
Franklin    S.    Miller 
William    J.    Mays 
Isaac   K.    ^Miller 
David   Miller 
David  J.  Miller 
Charles    Miller 
Oscar  E.  Miller 
George   C.   IMiller 
George   ^Mnimtz 
William  McAdoo 
William  H.  Mays 
Harry  W.  Moser 
John  L.   Moser 
Frederick  G.  Nunnemacher 
Thomas   G.   Noll 
Charles   Noecker 
John   W.    Noll 
David    Oswald 
Patrick    Odear 
Charles  E.   Painter 
Frank   Peiffer 
Charles   F,   Reichert 
Howard   H.   Ritter 
Wellington  Reber 
Edwin  W.   Ritz 
Harvey   C.   Ritz 
William  J.  Ritz 
Howard  H.  Reifsnyder 
Henry    Ruffner 
FT 0 ward  S.  Rentz 
Albert   Rollman 
Christian   A.   Reese     ■ 
Charles    P.    Riegel 


S.   W.    Rhoads 
Samuel    Rhoads 
Henry  H.  Reber 
Webb  J.   C.   Rightmyer 
John  M.   Shiffer 
Harry    Stuber 
Thomas    Stables 
Walter  C.   Snyder 
Howard  J.  Siegfried 
William   Stadelmyer 
Benjamin  F.    Staram 
Reginald  E.  Smith 
Franklin   H.   Stoudt 
John  A.   Stoudt 
Martin    Sweigert 
Benjamin  F.   Spatz 
Harvey   E.    Swisher 
Eugene    Sterner 
John  L.   Shuler 
Charles   Y.   Shaner 
Alvin   S.   Schlegel 
David  H.   Shunk 
David  F.    Shunk 
John   Shunk 
George   A.    Spavd 
Frank  H.   Struble 
John  L.   Steckler 
Wilson   K.   Strauss 
Charles   Schaeffer 
Oscar    C.    Schaeffer 
Richard   J.    Stein 
J.   David   Schaeffer 
John  Jacob  Shanaman 
Albert    Stoudt 
Irvin    Stoudt 
Charles   H.   Stoudt 
Frederick  S.   Seidel 
Frank  B.   Steigerwald 
T.  William   Stamm 
Levi   S.   Stamm 
Edward    Sohl 


Harry  A.   Schneider 
Charles  A.   Strunk 
William  H.  Spatz 
Howard  S.  Schaeffer 
Oscar    S.    Schaeffer 
Charles  M.   Schaeffer 
William  S.   Schaeffer 
William   H.   Tyson 
Edward  F.   Thiele 
Samuel  A.   Trupp 
William  B.  Thomas 
Frank  P.  Ulrich 
Lewis   Z.  Voelker 
Charles  T.  Voelker 
John  M.  Wilson 
Isaac  Wolfinger 
Harvey   C.   Wayne 
Wellington   B.   Wayne 
Joseph   Weitzel 
John    Weitzel 
Adam    Weitzel 
Cyrus    W.    Weller 
Oscar  W.   Weil 
Charles  E.  Wiedinmyer 
William    E.    Wounderly 
H.   William   Wagner 
Clarence   Wennell 
Charles    Waesner 
John   A.    Wails 
John    T.    Wails 
Jacob   Wenrich 
John   Woundly 
_  Charles  A.  Weidner 
Howard  W.  Whitmoyer 
Samuel  Weaver 
Oscar   Weible 
William    Weathers 
Amel   Ernst  Wolf 
Joel    Ziemer 
John   Ziemer 
John  Ziegler 
William   Zechman 


Paul  P.  Spahn 
Arthur  G.  Smith 

Officials  for  1909. — The  following  list  com- 
prises the  officials  of  the  borough  for  the  year 
1909: 

Chief  Burgess,  Arus  Rhode 
Toivn    Council,    Benjamin    Seidel,    President 
Thomas   Brossman.  Treasurer 
William   Machmer 
Walter   Heist 
Morris  Geiss 
William  Hechler 
Wilson  Miller 
Charles  Voelker 
Charles    Miller,    Secretary 
School  Board.  Milton  A.   Gring,   President 
Thomas  Flechler,  Secretary 
R.  W.  D.  Schell,  Treasurer 
James  T.  Rishel 
Wm.  E.  S.  Hinnershitz 
John  Hetterly 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  Frank  Dohner 

Ezra  Etchberger 
Constable,  Flamilton  Brown 
Assessor,  Claude  Gruber 
Collector,  William  H,  Riegel 
Auditors,  Frederick   Nunnemacher 
Richard  J.  Stein 
Irvin  P.  Fessler 
Post-Office.— The    post-office    was    established 
June  23,  1,S92.     The  postmasters  have  been:  S.  S. 
Wisser,    William    Tyson,    Charles    Schaeffer,    and 
Blankenbiller  Brothers  (the  last  named  since  1904). 


BOROUGHS 


391 


Industries 

Brick  Yards. — ^About  1847,  Drexel  Brothers 
(John,  Reuben  and  Jacob)  started  the  manufac- 
ture of  common  clay  brick  on  a  tract  of  land  along 
the  Tulpehocken  road  several  hundred  feet  north 
of  West  Penn  avenue  and  carried  on  the  yard 
for  many  years.  George  W.  Drexel  (a  brother 
of  those  named)  was  the  last  of  this  family  to  en- 
gage in  the  business  and  he  ceased  in  1904. 

Moyer  &  Co.,  of  Reading,  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  clay  brick  in  West  Reading  in  1885,  and 
have  continued  until  the  present  time.  They  start- 
ed with  a  limited  annual  production,  but  gradually 
developed  their  business  until  they  came  to  em- 
ploy from  seventy  to  one  hundred  hands  and  to 
produce  annually  5,000,000;  which  are  sold  almost 
entirely  to  local  trade  for  building  and  paving 
purposes  at  Reading  and  West  Reading. 

Conrad  Kaltenbach  started  in  1894  and  estab- 
lished a  large  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  brick 
by  machinery  and  carried  on  the  business  exten- 
sively until  1900,  when  he  sold  it  to  Simon  Kline; 
and  Mr.  Kline  has  continued  until  the  present 
time.  His  trade  is  local.  He  employs  twenty- 
five  to  thirty  hands,  operates  the  plant  the  whole 
year,  and  produces  about  5,000,000  annually.  He 
owns  in  a  connected  tract  about  twenty-five  acres 
of  land,  which  lie  betwen  Third  and  Sixth  streets, 
south  of  Chestnut. 

Crusher  Plants. — ^About  1870,  while  the  project- 
ed South  Mountain  railroad  was  being  extended 
from  Strausstown  by  way  of  Bernville  to  a  point 
opposite  Reading,  a  quarry  was  opened  at  "Lein- 
bach's  Hill,"  adjoining  the  west  end  of  the  Penn 
street  bridge.  Different  parties  operated  the  quarry 
and  a  crusher  to  supply  crushed  stone  with  more 
or  less  success  for  upward  of  thirty  years,  when 
the  property  was  leased  from  the  owner.  Rev. 
George  Bornemann,  by  the  McQuade  Brothers 
(James  P.  and  Michael),  of  Pottstown,  in  1906, 
when  they  substituted  a  larger  and  more  improved 
crusher  with  a  daily  capacity  of  six  hundred  tons 
and  have  since  operated  it  very  successfully.  Ar- 
rangements are  now  being  made  (April,  1909)  to 
enlarge  the  daily  capacity  to  nine  hundred  tons, 
to  meet  the  demands  of  their  business.  Most  of' 
their  product  is  supplied  to  the  city  of  Reading. 
They  employ  fifty  hands  and  ten  teams. 

In  1906, .  Simon  Kline  established  a  crusher  on 
his  premises  and  has  since  carried  it  on  in  con- 
nection with  his  brick  works.  He  employs  ten 
men  and  produces  about  an  hundred  tons  daily. 

Hat  Factory. — In  1880  George  W.  Alexander 
erected  a  large  three-story  brick  factory  for  the 
manufacture  of  wool  hats  and  equipped  it  with 
the  necessary  machinery,  and  after  carrying  on 
business  in  a  very  successful  manner  for  ten  years 
the  plant  was  destroyed  by  fire.  He  immediately 
rebuilt  the  factory  and  equipped  it  with  the  most 
improved  machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  soft 
fur  hats.  His  son  Edgar  then  became  a  partner 
and  they  traded  under  the  name  of   George  W. 


Alexander  &  Son.  In  1903  the  father  died  and 
since  then  the  son  has  continued  the  business  in 
the  same  firm  name.  This  enterprise  provides 
employment  for  about  three  hundred  hands. 

Keiser  Manufacturing  Company. — David  PI. 
Keiser,  after  having  been  connected  with  the 
Wilkinson  Shear  Company  at  Reading  for  upward 
of  ten  years,  embarked  in  the  business  of  manu- 
facturing sheep  and  grass  shears  at  West  Reading 
in  1903.  He  established  a  plant  and 'has  since  de- 
veloped a  large  trade  which  extends  to  all  parts 
of  the  world.     He  employs  twenty-five  hands. 

Himmelberger  Carriage  Works. — F.  R.  Himmel- 
berger  started  making  buggies  and  wagons  at 
Reading  in  1883,  and  carried  on  business  two 
years,  when  he  located  in  West  Reading,  a  short 
distance  beyond  the  Penn  street  bridge,  and  oper- 
ated a  plant  there  with  George  H.  Smith  as  a 
partner,  trading  as  Himmelberger  &  Smith,  for 
thirteen  years.  Then  Smith  withdrew,  to  engage 
in  the  same  business  at  Reading,  and  Himmel- 
berger established  a  larger  plant  on  Second  street, 
which  he  has  conducted  in  a  very  successful  man- 
ner until  the  present  time,  manufacturing  all  kinds 
of  buggies,  light  wagons  and  heavy  wagons,  which 
are  forwarded  to  all  parts  of  this  and  the  sur- 
rounding counties.  In  1907,  he  erected  another 
large  building  to  meet  the  demands  of  his  trade. 
His  plant  is  equipped  with  the  latest  improved 
machinery.  He  has  superior  drying  lumber  sheds, 
with  upward  of  75,000  feet  of  lumber  (hard  and 
soft)  on  hand.  He  employs  upward  of  thirty 
mechanics  and  laborers.  It  is  the  largest  works 
of  the  kind  in  the  county  outside  of  Reading. 
Mr.  Himmelberger  is  interested  in  the  local  gov- 
ernment, having  served  as  the  first  chief  burgess. 

George  M.  Hain  started  a  wagon  works  at  Sink- 
ing Spring  in  1894,  and  after  carrying  on  busi- 
ness for  five  years  located  at  West  Reading,  where 
he  has  been  engaged  until  the  present  time,  mak- 
ing carriages  and  wagons  to  order.  He  employs 
five  hands. 

Bonnet  Factory  was  established  in  1907  by 
Charles  Voelker  and  his  son  Charles,  trading  as  ' 
the  Berks  Manufacturing  Company.  They  erected 
a  three-story  brick  building  and  equipped  it  with 
machinery  adapted  to  the  making  of  sunbonnets, 
children's  plain  suits,  aprons,  and  dry-goods  speci- 
alties; with  a  complete  laundry  in  the  basement. 
They  employ  from  thirty  to  thirty-five  hands,  most- 
ly females.  Previously  they  had  been  engaged  in 
this  business  at  Reading  for  several  years. 

Flour-mill. — In  1884,  the  large  brick  flour-mill 
of  Irving  Shaneman  at  the  foot  of  Penn  street, 
adjoining  the  bridge  on  the  south,  was  removed  in 
the  construction  of  the  Pennsylvania  Schuylkill 
Valley  railroad,  and  he  then  purchased  a  lot  of 
ground  from  Frederick  R.  Frill  at  the  intersec- 
tion of  the  river  road  with  the  turnpike  and  erect- 
ed a  large  stone  grist-mill  to  take  its  place  for 
carrying  on  his  established  trade.  In  1891  Dan- 
iel F.  Dietrich  became  the  owner  and  he  equipped 


292 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


the  building  with  the  latest  improved  roller-process 
machinery.  He  carried  on  the  business  extensive- 
ly with  his  son  Wellington  as  a  partner  until  1898, 
when  he  sold  the  plant.  It  was  afterward  owned 
and  operated  by  different  parties  until  1905,  when 
Benjamin  Cohen  becamie  the  purchaser  and  since 
then  the  mill  has  been  carried  on  by  him.  Five 
hands  are  employed.     He  lives  at  Altoona. 

Sausage  Factory. — -In  1890  Thomas  Rahn  estab- 
lished a  sausage  factory  at  West  Reading  and  has 
since  manufactured  many  tons  of  "summer"  sau- 
sage annually,  which  he  disposes  of  at  wholesale. 
He  started  in  the  business  at  Shoemakersville  and 
was  engaged  there  one  year  and  in  Muhlenberg 
township  several  miles  north  of  Reading  four 
years,  when  he  located  at  West  Reading. 

Eagle  Soap  Works  has  been  carried  on  since 
1906  by  Theodore  M.  Deck,  manufacturing  hard 
and  soft  soaps,  with  several  hands. 

Holl  Bakery  has  been  carried  on  since  1894  by 
Oscar  P.  Holl,  employing  several  hands  and  de- 
livery teams.  He  produces  from  two  hundred 
to  five  hundred  loaves  of  bread  daily  and  serves 
many  families.  He  also  bakes  pastry  and  cakes 
of  all  kinds. 

Brass  Works  was  established  at  the  west  end  of 
the  Penn  street  bridge  in  1906  by  John  Fasig  and 
it  has  been  occupied  by  several  parties.  It  is  a  two- 
story  brick  building. 

Crew-Levick  Company  established  an  oil  station 
at  Wyomissing  in  1900  and  removed  it  to  West 
Reading,  adjoining  the  Belt  Line  railroad,  in  1902. 

Heck  Coal  Chutes. — In  1904,  H.  J.  Heck,  of 
Reading,  established  large  coal  chutes  along  the 
"Belt  Line"  which  he  has  since  enlarged,  develop- 
ing their  total  capacity  to  20,000  tons.  He  sup- 
plies a  large  trade  at  Reading  as  well  as  his  patron- 
age in  West  Reading. 

First  Store. — WilHam  E.  S.  H^innershitz  estab- 
lished the  first  grocery  store  here  in  1880,  and  has 
carried  it  on  since,  though  latterly  in  a  limited  way. 
He  has  served  as  a  school  director  of  Spring  town- 
ship and  the  borough  for  twenty  years  and  was 
chiefly  instrumental  in  securing  a  large  and  modern 
school  building  for  the  eastern  end  of  the  township, 
to  answer  the  demand  of  the  rapidly  increasing  pop- 
ulation. [See  biographical  sketch  in  this  publi- 
cation.] 

Wisser  Store. — S.  S.  Wisser,  after  being  in  busi- 
ness at  Reading  f6r  several  years,  located  in  West 
Reading  in  1883  and  established  a  grocery  store 
which  he  developed  into  a  large  and  successful 
stand.  In  1902  he  added  a  furniture  department. 
[See  biographical  sketch  in  this  publication.] 

In  April,  1909,  there  were  in  the  borough,  besides 
the  industries  and  improvements  detailed,  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Grocery    stores    8       Hotels     2 

Drug  store    1      Restaurant     1 

Retail  meat  shops  3       Barber    shops    2 


Blacksmith    shops    2       Shoemaking   shop    1 

Wheelwright   shops    3  Painter  and  paper-hanger  1 

Carpet  weaving  shop    ....  1       Physicians     2 

Saddler  and  harness  shop  1       Minister    1 

Puhlic  Improvements 

Water  Company. — George  R.  Frill  and  Charles 
H.  Schaeffer  estabHshed  the  West  Reading  Water 
Company  in  1886,  locating  a  pumping  station  and 
filtration  plant  at  the  foot  of  Chestnut  street,  and  the 
reservoir  (consisting  of  two  cedar  tanks)  with  a 
total  capacity  of  50,000  gallons,  where  the  large  iron 
stand-pipe  was  substituted  in  1902^  60  feet  high  and 
20  feet  in  diameter,  with  a  capacity  of  150,000  gal- 
lons. Mr.  Frill  was  president  until  his  decease  in 
1894  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Schaeffer  (who 
had  served  as  secretary)  and  Mr.  Schaeffer  has  of- 
ficiated since.  Mr.  Schaeffer's  son,  E.  Carroll 
Schaeffer,  Esq.,  is  the  secretary  and  James  F.  Matz, 
superintendent. 

The  company  has  about  four  hundred  patrons. 
It  also  supplies  the  inhabitants  of  the  borough  of 
Wyomissing  whose  residences  are  situated  east  of 
the  Bernville  road. 

Fire  Company. — The  West  Reading  Fire  Com- 
pany was  organized  in  1901,  secured  a  chemical  en- 
gine and  erected  a  frame  building  with  a  bell  tower. 
It  has  one  hundred  members. 

Belt  Line. — A  line  of  railroad  was  constructed 
through  the  eastern  section  of  West  Reading  and 
opened  for  traffic  in  1902  for  the  purpose  of  running 
coal  and  freig-ht  trains  around  Reading,  in  order  to 
avoid  the  congestion  of  trains  at  the  depot  and  limit 
the  interruption  to  business  at  the  Penn  street  cross- 
ing. 

Halls. — The  third  floor  of  the  West  Reading  Ho- 
tel has  been  set  apart  for  amusement  purposes. 

The  old  one-story  brick  school  building  with  its 
extension,  situated  on  Franklin  street  between  Sec- 
ond and  Third  streets,  was  purchased  by  William  F. 
Behringer,  retail  butcher,  upon  its  abandonment  by 
the  school  directors  when  they  took  possession  of 
the  new  school  building,  and  he  converted  it  into  a 
hall  for  entertainments  of  all  kinds.  It  is  convenient 
of  access  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  several  hun- 
dred. 

Churches  .-vnd  ScHOOLS.^JMembers  of  the  Re- 
formed denomination  residing  in  West  Reading  or- 
ganized a  congregation  in  1891  and  erected  a  one- 
story  brick  church  building  where  they  have  held 
services  until  the  present  time.  A.rrangements  are 
being  made  to  erect  a  superior  new  church  in  a 
more  prominent  locality. 

Members  of  the  Lutheran  denomination  also 
formed  an  organization  and  erected  a  one-story 
brick  church  building  in  1896,  where  they  have 
held  services  since. 

In  1898  a  large  double  two-story  brick  school 
building  was  erected  by  the  school  district  of  Spring 
township,  which  displayed  the  enterprise  of  the 
directors  and  their  appreciation  of  the  future  prom- 
ise of  West  Reading,  and  when  the  borough  was 


BOROUGHS 


293 


established  this   school  building  became  its  prop- 
erty.    The  total  cost  was  near  $30,000. 

EcKERT  Residence. — George  J.  Eckert  (fire 
brick  manufacturer  of  Reading)  was  one  of  the 
first  purchasers  of  lots  in  West  Reading,  having 
in  1874  purchased  a  block  of  lots  along  Penn  ave- 
nue extending  from  Second  to  Third  streets,  and 
several  years  afterward  erected  on  a  knoll  a  fine 
two-story  mansion  for  his  residence  which  has  oc- 
cupied much  prominence  in  the  town  until  the 
present  time. 


SHILLINGTON 

Incorporation. — The  borough  of  Shillington, 
embracing  an  area  of  284  acres  of  land,  was 
erected  by  the  court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of 
Berks  county  on  Aug.  18,  1908.  The  application 
was  presented  on  Sept.  9,  1907,  and  signed  by  160 
citizens  of  Cumru  township,  who  resided  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  "Three-Mile  House,"  a  long-es- 
tablished public  place  at  the  intersection  of  the 
Lancaster  road  with  the  thoroughfare  commonly 
known  as  the  "Philadelphia  road,"  three  miles 
southwest  from  Reading.  Many  property  holders 
had  entered  a  determined  protest,  but  without 
avail. 

In  1844,  John  Beidler  secured  the  farming  land 
there  from  the  Valentine  Stroup  estate,  upon  which 
the  "Three-Mile  House"  came  to  be  established  as 
a  hotel,  and  the  Beidlers  have  continued  to  own 
it  until  the  present  time.  In  1848,  Samuel  Shil- 
ling purchased  128  acres,  part  of  the  same  farm. 
In  1860,  he  laid  off  part  of  the  land  into  lots,  and 
soon  afterward  the'  place  came  to  be  known  as 
Shillington.  James  G.  Lash  purchased  part  of 
the  farm  and  in -1891  laid  it  off  into  lots;  after 
which  time  the  place  grew  rapidly  by  the  erection 
of  dwellings.  The  post-office  was  established  in 
1884. 

In  1893,  the  heirs  of  Jonathan  Miller,  deceased, 
sold  seventy-two  acres,  107  perches  of  land  to  the 
west  of  Shillington  to  Henry  Ahrens,  George  Eltz 
and  J.  B.  Sterley,  of  Reading,  and  they  laid  it 
off  into  lots,  which  they  called  Edison,  and  then 
that  section  came  to  be  improved  rapidly.  _ 

The  hotel  was  a  popular  resort  for  many  years, 
more  especially  after  a  racing  track  had  been  es- 
tablished there  in  1868.  Previously  the  highway 
from  that  point  toward  Reading  was  occasionally 
used  in  spirited  running  races  by  ambitious  own- 
ers of  speedy  horses,  which  attracted  much  public 
attention. 

This  section  of  road  from  the  hotel  to  the  bridge 
(crossing  the  Schuylkill  river)  was  the  first  in  the 
county  to  be  improved  by  the  State  Highway  de- 
partment. The  improvement  was  made  in  1904-07, 
at  a  cost  of  $18,326. 

Shillington  became  connected  with  Reading  by 
trolley  line  in  1890;  and  the  same  year  the  line 
was  extended  to  Mohnsville   (now  Mohnton). 

First  Officials. — The  first  election  of  borough 


officials   was   held  on   Sept.   1,   1908,   resulting  in 
the  election  of  the  following  officials : 

Chief  Burgess,  Adam  Rollman 
Council,   Martin  Fritz  (3  years) 

Geo.  E.  Schupp  (3  years) 
A.  Harry  Boyer  (3  years) 
James  Fry  (2  years) 
John  T.  Strunk  (3  years) 
Oswin  F.  Kroyer  (1  year) 
Albert  T.obias   (1  year) 
School  Directors,  William  A.  Miller  (3  years) 
Chas.  M.  Yetter  (3  years) 
Levi  Lausch  (2  years) 
W.  H.   Dankle    (2  years) 
Frank  Miller  (1  year) 
Harry  G.  Hain  (1  year) 
Auditors,  Calvin  Wise   (3  years) 

Enos  Messner   (2  years) 
Judge  of  Election,  Frank  M.  Grill 
Inspectors,  Charles   Weiders 
Oscar  B.  White 

On  Feb.  16,  1909,  the  regular  spring  election 
was  held  and  the  following  officials  were  elected 
to  complete  the  local  government  established  the 
previous   September : 

Chief  Burgess,  H.  L.  Hartman 
Town  Council,  Oswin  F.  Kroyer 

Irwin  Bitting 
School  Directors,  William  Fichthorn 

Harry  G.  Hain 
Collector,  Henry  G.  Fritz 
Auditor,  John  W.  Wertz 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  Cyrus  Brendle  , 

Cyrus  Hemmig 
Constable,  Charles  Bossier 

First  Taxables. — The  following  list  embraces 
the  names  of  the  first  taxables  of  the  borough: 


Joseph  F.  Artz 
Cyrus  D.  Althouse 
Howard  W.  Althouse 
Caroline   Artz 
David  U.  Bortz 
A.  Harry  Boyer 
James  Beckey 
David  B.  Becker 
Harry  A.  Beyler 
Frank  W.  Bitting 
David  B.  Becker 
Lillie  M.  Baer 
Emeline  Body 
Annie  M.  Bitting 
Cornelius  Beechert 
Esther  J.  Bickel 
Aaron  E.  Baer 
Sophia  Burkhart 
Samuel  G.  Burkhart 
Lydia  Bickel 
Irwin  W.  Bitting 
Monroe  Blankenbiller 
Wellington  Bickel 
James  M.  Bartron 
David  A.  Brensinger 
Andrew  G.  Burkhart 
Adam  Brown 
William  H.  Bohn 
Augustus  G.  Body 
William  S.  Bachman 
Orville  F.  Becker 
Frank  F.  Royer 
Charles  Bassler 
Henry  L.  Clouser 
Rosa  Coldren 


Samuel   Curley 
Elias  H.  Coldren 
William  B.  Conrad 
Addison  F.  Dietrich 
Henry  P.  Deeds 
Mary  Deeds 
William  H.  Dankle 
Edward  Dehart 
Christian  W.  Erb 
George  B.  Erb 
Frank  R.  Eshelman 
Lizzie  Frees 
John  L.  Fritz 
Annie  E.  Fastnacht 
Cyrus  W.  Fastnacht 
Hannah  Fry 
James  H.  Fry 
Charles  H.  Fisher 
Annie  Fromm 
Matilda  Fritz 
William  H.  Fichthorn 
Catharine  Foreman 
Harry  T.  Fritz 
Catharine  Fritz 
Mary  Flickinger 
Henry  Fritz 
Henry  G.  Fritz 
Martin  H.  Fritz 
Harrison  D.  Foreman 
L.  W.  Frankhouser 
Ella  C.  Goodman 
George  H.  Gaul 
Franklin  P.  Gaul 
Benneville  M.  Gaul 
Frank   M.    Grill 


294 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Adam  iF.  E.  Grill 
John  M.  Grill 
Howard  G.  Gettis 
Daniel  D.  GoU 
Annie  M.  Hartman 
Nelson   Hoffert 
Benton  L.  Hemmig 
Abner  M.  Harding 
Harvey'  T.  Huyett 
Cyrus  H.  Hemmig 
Annie  Houser 
Nicholas  J.  Hoffert 
Grace  T.  Hoffert 
Jacob  C.  Hoshauer 
Dr.  M.  Luther  Huyett 
Henry  T.   Hofifert 
Martin  H.  Hertzog 
Ella  R.  Hornberger 
Benneville   H.   Hemmig 
Mary  M.  Hill 
Harry  G.   Hain 
Dr.  L.  G.  Hain 
William  P.  High 
Sallie  A.  High 
Amelia  Hill 
Sallie  Knauer 
Oswin  F.  Kroyer 
Susan  Kring 
Harvey  Kring 
William  S.  Krick 
Wellington  S.  Krick 
Amos  Kurtz 
Levi  W.  Kachel 
George  S.  Kleinginna 
Henry  K.  Kieffer 
Elizabeth  Kurtz 
Wellington  Kachel 
John  Kefifer 
Pierce  Killian 
S.  B.  Klopp 
Frank  J.  Klopp 
Charles  W.  Lorah 
Isaac  G.  Leininger 
Mrs.   Gordon   Lutz 
James  G.  Lash  Estate 
Charles  Marks 
Priscilla   Marks 
Ella  A.  Matz 
Rachel  Moyer 
F.  P.  Matz  Estate 
Charles  G.  Moser 
David   Matz 
Henry  V.  Mohn 
William    V.    Mohn 
Frank  H.   Miller 
John  Y.  Matz 
Louisa  Matz 
Jacob  U.  Matz 
Mary  H.  Mohn 
S.  H.  Miller  Estate 
James  N.  Miller 
Lillie  W.  Miller 
Amanda  Moore 
Rhein  B.  Messner 
William  W.   Miller 
Harrv  O.  Moyer 
William  A.  Matz 
William  A.  Martin 
Henry  B.  Matz 
George  H.  Matz 
Ida  R.  Miller 


Eugene  H.  G.  Arnold 
Jacob  B.  Artz 


Joseph  R.   Naugle 
A.  Frank  Naugle 
Elizabeth  Oberholtzer 
Mary  Ott 

James  H.  Pennapacker 
James  F.  Pennapacker 
William  H.  Palm 
John   H.    Price 
Katharyne  J.  Porter 
Charles  Rintz 
Cyrus  Reber 
Ella  Reber 
Rebecca  Reber 
Francis  Ruflner 
Adam  Rollman 
Henry  R.   Ruth 
Howard  E.  Ruth 
Amos  E.  Ruth 
John  H.  Romig 
Mary  N.  Savage 
John    Streitberger 
George  Shupp 
Amanda  Schnader 
Catherine  Schnable 
Wilson  Sweitzer 
James  A.   Stafford 
Maria  Schaeffer 
Charles  T.   Scott 
Maria  Schweitzer 
Anna  Schweitzer 
Jacob  Schadle 
L.  W.  Spires 
Samuel  B.  Schweitzer 
Herman  G.  Sowa 
Amelia  Spears 
George  E.  Schaefifer 
Jacob   S.    Steininger 
Levi   D.   Stetler 
Clinton  E.  Shilling 
Frederick  E.  E.  Shilling 
Howard  M.  Shilling 
William  M.   Stetler 
John  T.   Strunk 
David  L.   Stoner 
Edwin   E.   Smith 
George  H.  Trout 
Albert  H.  Tobias 
Jacob  S.  Tothero 
Isaac  Tothero 
Lucy  N.  Tothero 
James   R.   Trout 
Iilichacl   Thiry 
Elmer  F.  Trostel 
William  Trostel 
James  Von  Neida  . 
Ezra  G.  Von   Neida 
William  A.  Wentzel 
John  M.  Wertz 
Carolina  Wertz 
Jonathan  Wanger 
Oscar  B.  White 
Mary  H.  White 
Sarah    B.    Wilson 
John  Wolfkill 
J.  Calvin  Weiss 
Peter  White 
Charles  M.  Yetter 
Emma  B.  Yetter 
Harry  W.   Zwally 
Matilda  B.  Zellers 


Tenants 


Edwin  L.  Artz 
Irvin   Artz 


Nathan  Althouse 
William  H.  Arnold 
Jacob  R.  Artz 
Frank  Althouse 
William  H.  Bitting 
Marvin  C.  Beck 
Alvin  Binkly 
Daniel  D.  Brendel 
Dyson  S.  Bradley 
Irvin  Bright 
Howard  H.  Bitting 
John  H.  Behm 
William  K.  Brendel 
Jesse  M.  Bauder 
George  W.  Bushman 
Samuel  M.  Bitting 
David  C.  Bohn 
John  G.  Body 
Harvey  C.  Boone 
John  T.   Behler 
Hiram  W.  M.  Bickel 
Cyrus  U.  Bensing 
Richard  S.  Bitter 
Cyrus  K.  Brendel 
Jacob  M.   Bickel 
Adam  S.  Body 
Raymond  F.  Becker 
John   Bitting 
Augustus  M.  Brown 
Champion  B.  Bartron 
Christian  E.  Coller 
Benjamin  F.  Coller 
Clair  B.  Cooper 
Lemon  Conrad 
Frank  B.  Conrad 
John  K.  Coldren 
Walter  F.  Curley 
James   Coleman 
Owen   P.  Deeds 
Dr.  L.  V.  Dillon 
Charles  M.  Englert 
John   Eckert 
William  Eyrich 
Frank  H.   Eshelman 
John  D.  Erb 
Daniel  J.  Erb 
Isaac  H.  Eshelman 
John   H.   Evans 
William  P.  Fleisher 
Nathan  T.  Fritz 
Abraham  S.  Foltz 
Bentley  G.  Foreman 
Elmer  E.  Fair 
Abraham    Foltz 
Christ  S.   Flickinger 
Clinton  F.  Flickinger 
Wallace  C.  Fritz 
Daniel  Fry 
Harry  Fitterling 
Daniel  S.  Freeman 
Thomas  H.  Fromm 
David  T,  Field 
John  S.  Farrell 
Ploward  F.  Folk 
Henry  B.  Freese 
John  Fisher 
Alvin  J.  Griffith 
Fred  A.   Gehret 
Thomas  J.  Goodman 
Charles  A.  Goodman 
Gottlieb  Gouse 
Harry  G.  Gouse 
John  A.  Gaul 
Walter  M.  Geiger 
Samuel  J.  Gerhard 


Levi  M.   Grill 
Howard  F.  Goodman 
Daniel  Hummel 
Elmer  J.  Heinly 
Carolina   Hatt 
Charles  Himmelberger 
William  B.  Hendel 
Jesse  Herneisen 
George  W.  Hartman 
Ezra  Homan 
Lester  A.  Hemmig 
Jacob   Hoffert 
Howard  L.   Hartman 
Zacharias  H.  Hornberger 
William  A.  Hofifman 
Pierce   B.   Hatt 
Rev.  C.  S.  Haman 
William  A.  Huyett 
John  J.  Hoffert 
Irvin   B.   Huyett 
Charles  Haag 
William  T.  Hill 
Walter   G.   Hill 
Harry  G.  Hill 
Adolph  Jalin 
John  L.  Knauer 
William  T.  Keffer 
Jacob  T.   Kline 
Frank  G.  Keffer 
Charles  A.  Klopp 
James  P.  Kleinginni 
Milton  Kachel 
Lewis  A.   Lehman 
Jacob  A.  Lesher 
John  T.  Lotz 
Lester  A.  Lutz 
Gordon  Lutz 
Washington  Leinbach 
George  F.  Lee 
Almah   S.   Lutz 
Levi  H.  Lausch 
John  Lessley 
Harry   Lausch 
Walter  IT    Lantz 
Vallie   A.    Matz 
Evan  Mover 
John  FI.  "]\Iarks 
Bentley  Aloore 
John  S.   ]\Iiller 
John  M.  Miller 
Robert  W.  Moyer 
Frank   Moyer 
Daniel  H.  Miller 
Charles   G.   Miller 
William  H.  Miller 
Harvey  C.  Miller 
Samuel    S.    Miller 
Adam   Miller 
Frank  P.   Mohn 
Charles  S.  Mohn 
William  M.  Mohn 
Chester    A.    Mohn 
William  H.  Mohn 
Katie  Matz 
Frank  R.  Myers 
Chester  A.   Martin 
Edwin    P.    Moyei' 
John   Mahley 
Harry  R.  Mahlschnee 
Charles   Matz 
James  W.  Messner 
William  Manabeck 
Reuben  H.   Nye 
George  Newkirk 
Martin  Ott 


BOROUGHS 


395 


Joseph  W.  Oberholtzer 
Benjamin  Putt 
Thomas  Putt 
Harry  Putt     ' 
Charles  Putt 
Daniel  Pleam 
Claude    W.'-  Palm 
Richard  H.  Porter 
Franklin  E.  Phillips 
Herbert   V.   Ruth 
William  H.  Rollman 
Harry  Reber 
Aldus  K.  Royer 
Samuel  A.  Richard 
John  Rupp 
Charles  Ritzman 
Wallace  Reddig 
Mary  Rollman 
Warren  Reifsnyder 
Hiester  Rhime 
Harry  Rhime 
Augusta  C.  Rohland 
Howard  C.  Remp 
Edwin  C.  Rollman 
John  Reiner   *     ' 
Emlein  K.  Royer 
Wesley  Rollman 
Elbina  Sweitzer 
Albert  C.  Savage 
Francis  Savage 
Alvin  J.   Savage 
John  R.   Schnabel 
Adolph  Schwetzke 
Harry  C.  Schaeffer 
Howard  D.  Sitler 


Isaac  Schaeffer 
Charles  J.  Strause 
Edward  Sweitzer 
John  A.  Spears 
Berton  Schonour 
Pearson  Schaeffer 
Morris  S.  Schaeffer 
Zenas  W.   Schonour 
Martin  L.  Steffy 
Irvin  Savage 
John   G.    Stutzman 
Oliver  Titton 
Fred  J.  Thurrow 
B.  F.    S.   White 
Thomas  White 
Charles  F.  Wieder 
Frank  Wieder 
Thomas  Wieder 
William   S.  Willis 
Daniel  I.  Wentzel 
John  G.  Wentzel 
Evan  J.  Wentzel 
Charles  W.  Wentzel 
Harry  W.  Wertz 
John  W.  Wertz 
John-  Wertz,  Sr. 
John   Weiss 
Jeremiah  F.  Wanner 
Milton  Wanner 
Francis  S.  Wolf 
William  H.  Watt 
James  Wieder 
John   White 
Elmer  E.  Yoder 
Charles  Yoh 
William  M.  Zellers 


Levi  H.  Snyder 

Property-holders     ^^^ 

Tenants     ®30 

Total  valuation    $421,765 


Luke  Deeds  started  in  1905  and  after  carrying 
on  the  plant  a  year  died,  when  his  wife,  Aaron 
Stein  and  A.  J.  Fink  incorporated  the  business. 
They  have  seven  houses. 

Cigars. — Charles  M.  Yetter  started  manufactur- 
ing cigars'  at  Mohnsville  in  1889.  After  carrying 
on  the  business  eight  years  he  located  at  Shilling- 
ton,  where  he  erected  a  large  three-story  brick 
factory,  and  has  carried  on  the  business  quite  ex- 
tensively since  then,  employing  from  eighty  to 
ninety  hands,  manufacturing  about  100,000  cigars 
weekly.    The  business  was  incorporated  in  1905. 

The  members  of  the  Cumru  Cornet  Band  start- 
ed manufacturing  cigars  at  Shillington  about  1890, 
and  after  carrying  on  the  business  several  years 
the  Kramer  Brothers  of  Lancaster  county  (who 
were  engaged  in  the  leaf  tobacco  business)  be- 
came their  successors  and  have  since  carried  on 
the  business,  employing  from  eight  to  ten  hands. 

Howard  Gettis  and  Irvin  Bright  have  been  en- 
gaged separately  for  some  years  manufacturing 
cigars  in  a  limited  way. 

Planing  Mill. — David  Becker  established  a  small 
planing-mill  at  Edison  in  1898  and  has  since  done 
various  kinds  of  planing-mill  work  by  himself. 

Bakery. — Charles  Strauss  began  a  bakery  busi- 
ness in  1901  and  has  since  carried  on  an  increas- 
ing business  with  several  hands  to  assist  him. 

Scenic  Painter. — Dyson  Bradley  and  Clinton 
Shilling  erected  a  large  frame  building  in  1897 
on   the   premises    of   George  W.    Shilling   for   the 


Business  in  Borough. — The  borough  contained  purpose  of  painting "  theatrical  scenery  and  have 
in  April,  1909,  the  following:  since  carried  on  the  business  successfully.  Mr. 
gj^j.gg  g  Hotel  1  Shilling  has  also  shown  considerable  skill  as  a  car- 
Flower  Houses  3      Machine  Shop  1   toonist  on  political  and  other  subjects. 

Cigar  Factories  2     Yu*^""^"^"!.,;;: \       Howry.— Martin   Fritz   began   the  manufactur- 

fhiirches  3      Shoemaker  Shops  i   .  ,  ,  -^  .  ^  oi  -n-      ^       ■     -,r^r^-,        ji 

Hat   Factory'    1      Cemeteries  3  mg  of  hosiery  at  Shillmgton  m  1901  and  has  smce 

Grist-mill ' '  ■  ■  • 1     'Rs.ct  Course  1  carried  on  the  business  sucessf  ully,  making  men's 


Grist- 
Butclier  Shops 


Barbers 


±juL^i>.i  ^"v.^,..  J  half-hose,  employing  fifty  hands. 

Blacksmith   Shops    3      ^^''^|^(g^j,(i;'j,g  •;;;;;;;;;  i       Telephone.— The^    Ephrata    Telephone    Company 


Wheelwright  Shop  1 

Tinsmith  Shop  1 


Doctors  3  established  a  telephone  exchange  at  Shillington  in 

1908. 
,  Churches. — (Members  of  the  Reformed  and  Lu- 

Grist-Mill.—A   grist-mill   was    established   alon^  theran  denominations  associated  together  in  1874 
the   Lancaster   road,   near  the   Wyomissing  creek,  ^^^  erected  a  brick  church,  but  after   remaining 


Industries 


Lilt      xja.i*.\.-c«.^  i.—*       *" J      -  -  ,  —  .  ainav-i  »_»^Lv-u.     a,      t^x  j.^_i.v     v-i-n-**  %-.i±j      t^i-ti.     ti-j.  i-^-^       j.  v-ij.At4.*j.ii.»*^ 

many  years   ago.     It  was   converted  into   a  plan-  ^pg,gjjjgj.  ^jjj.gg  years,  occupying  the  building  alter- 

ing-mill  by  John  Waren,   and  then   destroyed   by  ^^^^^^^   ^^^   Lutherans   withdrew.      The   Reformed 

fire.    Jacob  Shadel  became  the  owner  of  the  prem-  ^.^ngregation,  under  the  name  of  Immanuel,  have 

ises,    including   the   water   right,    and   he   restorea  ^^^^j^^^g^  ^j^g^g  ^^^^y  ^^it  present  time.     The  edifice 


the  building  as  a  gnst-mill.  ^^^   rebuilt   in   1908.     Rev.   W.   J.    Kershner  has 

Flower-Houses.-^UowiiTd  M.  Shilling  estabhshed  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^  ^j^^^g  T^gge. 
a  hothouse  for  the  raising  of  all  kinds  of  flowers       ^^^^^   Lutheran   congregation    erected    a    brick 
in   1880,   and  he   has    carried   on   the  plant   until             ^^  .^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^  organization 

now.  excepting  whilst  enhsted  m  the  Spanish  War,  


now,  excepting 

kSed''his'^plant"'and  has  now   17,000   feet  under       Members  ottne  unuea  ^vangeiicai  laimunaer 
largeu  Ilia  Fi  ^jjg  name  of  St.   Luke's,  erected  a  fine  sandstone 

Harry  A.   Beyler  started  in  1898  and  has  five  church  in  1904  and  have  since  been  worshipping^- 
houses  in  use. 


when  his  wifi  attended  to  the  busmess.     He  en-  ^"J;J^^°J;^  ^^  ^^^  ^^.^^^  Evangelical  faith,  under 


there. 


296 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Cemeteries. — Three  cemeteries  have  been  es- 
tablished along  the  southern  border  of  Shilling- 
ton:  The  Fairview,  in  1876,  for  members  of  the 
Protestant  denominations  in  the  vicinity ;  Mt.  Si- 
nai, in  1897,  for  the  Reformed  Jews  at  Reading 
who  had  maintained  a  small  cemetery  along  South 
street  for  upward  of  fifty  years ;  and  the  Russian 
and  other  Orthodox  Jews  several  years  afterward, 
having  secured  the  land  from  Jacob  Lash. 

Graded  School. — The  Cumru  school  board  erect- 
ed a  fine  two-story  brick  building  in  1901,  and  upon 
the  erection  of  the  borough  it  became  the  property 
of  Shillington. 

Poorhouse. — The  Poorhouse  of  the  county  ad- 
joins  the   borough.      It   was    established   there   by 


the  county  authorities  in  1825,  and  has  been  main- 
tained since  then  at  the  public  expense. 

Miller  Monument. — In  the  center  of  the  street 
leading  to  Mohnton,  near  the  southerly  line  of 
the  borough,  a  unique  monument  was  erected  in 
1900  by  the  grandchildren  of  Christian  Miller,  who 
had  for  many  years  owned  the  farming  land  in 
that  vicinity,  and  when  he  died  his  remains 
were  interred  in  a  private  burying-ground  on 
the  farm  adjoining  the  pubHc  road.  It  is 
a  large  dark  granite  stone  about  six  feet  high 
and  is  surrounded  by  a  stone  wall  inclosing  a  lot 
about  twenty  feet  square.  The  inscription  on  the 
stone  reads  thus :  "In  Memory  of  Christian  Mil- 
ler, Family  and  Friends." 


CHAPTER  XII  -TOWNSHIPS 


The  Schuylkill  river  divides  the  county  of  Berk.'; 
into  two  nearly  equal  divisions  of  territory,  the 
eastern  containing  about  280,000  acres  and  the 
western  about  246,000  acres,  together  526,000 
acres,  or  822  square  miles. 

Four  Sections. — The  eastern  division  can  be 
divided  into  two  sections  by  an  irregular  line  ex- 
tended eastwardly  from  the  Great  Bend  of  the 
river,  along  the  upper  boundary  lines  of  Muhlen- 
berg, Ruscombmanor,  Rockland,  District  and  Here- 
ford townships,  to  Lehigh  county.  The  southern 
section  embraces  about  133,000  acres,  and  the  north- 
ern about  147,000  acres.  Each  section  was  iden- 
tified from  the  earliest  settlements  by  conspicuous 
streams  of  water,  the  southern  section  having  come 
to  be  generally  known  by  the  name  of  Manatazvny, 
and  the  northern  section  by  Ontelaunce.  Both  these 
words  are  of  Indian  origin.  The  Indians  having 
first  possessed  the  entire  territory,  their  names 
naturally  became  attached  to  it.  These  streams 
extend  northwardly  through  the  respective  section.s 
and  drain  the  greater  part  of  the  territory. 

The  western  division  can  be  similarly  divided, 
for  a  natural  boundary  line  divides  it  also  into  two 
sections.  It  extends  from  the  outlet  of  the  Tulpe- 
hocken  at  the  Schuylkill  river  along  the  northern 
and  western  boundary  lines  of  Spring  township 
to  Lancaster  county,  and  is  formed  by  the  creek 
named  and  its  first  tributary,  the  Cacoosing.  The 
upper  section  was  called  Tulpehocken  by  the  first 
settlers,  a  word  also  of  Indian  origin.  This  creek 
extends  westwardly  and  northwardly,  then  again 
westwardly  and  drains  the  section  almost  entirely. 
And  the  lower  section  was  called  Schuylkill,  from 
its  connection  with  a  large  district  of  territory  in 
Chester  county  which  was  known  by  this  name. 
This  latter  section  has  two  prominent  creeks  which 
are  known  by  Indian  names,  Wyomissing  and 
Allegheny,  but  neither  of  them  was  large  enough 
to  give  identity  to  the  entire  section.     The  upper 


section  embraces  about  130,000  acres,  and  the  lower 
about  116,000  acres. 

Erection  of  Townships. — The  townships  estab- 
lished in  the  county  number  altogether  forty-three. 
In  the  descriptions  of  the  respective  Sections  in  this 
chapter  they  have  been  arranged  to  show  the  origi- 
nal townships  at  the  erection  of  the  county  and 
the  time  when  settled  and  established ;  and  the  ad- 
ditional townships  established  since  1752,  and  from 
which  districts  they  were  taken.  This  arrangemenc 
has  been  adopted  for  convenience  of  reference,  as 
well  as  to  avoid  much  repetition  in  description. 

The  names  of  the  first  taxpayers  have  been  given 
in  Oiapter  I,  relating  to  the  erection  of  the  county : 
but  the  names  of  the  taxpayers  of  the  townships 
subsequently  established,  before  1800,  have  also 
been  included  in  this  Chapter,  in  connection  with 
the  Section  where  situated. 

Development. — When  the  county  was  erected  in 
1752,  there  were  twenty-three  townships — eighteen 
regularly  established  and  five  commonly  recognized ; 
and  one  town,  Reading,  the  only  place  where  a 
considerable  number  of  dwellings  had  collected. 
Prominent  highways  extended  from  Reading 
through  the  several  sections  to  the  extreme  limits 
of  the  county  in  eight  diflferent  directions,  to  enable 
the  taxpayers  to  visit  the  county-seat  conveniently 
for  the  transaction  of  business  relating  to 
their  own  personal  affairs  and  to  affairs  con- 
nected with  the  government  of  the  county.  As 
time  advanced,  decade  after  decade,  intersecting 
highways  were  laid  out;  new  townships  and  bor- 
oughs organized:  post-offices  established;  newspa- 
pers issued;  turnpikes,  canals  and  railroads  con- 
structed ;  manufactures  of  all  kinds  encouraged ;  and 
numerous  schools  and  churches  erected.  Now, 
after  the  lapse  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  years', 
there  are  sixty-one  political  divisions,  comprising 
one  city,  seventeen  boroughs  and  forty-three  town- 
ships, with  a  population  of  about  175,000,  and  a 
total  valuation  of  property  exceeding  $100,000,000. 


TOWNSHIPS 


297 


And  fifty  towns  are  scattered  throughout  the  coun- 
ty, each  of  whose  population  exceeds  one  hun- 
dred. 

Government. — The  townships  are  under  the  gen- 
eral government  of  the  county.  For'  local  affairs, 
they  have  a  government  of  their  own,  the 
elected  officers  being  two  justices  of  the  peace, 
a  constable,  six  school  directors,  an  assessor,  three 
supervisors  of  roads,  and  three  auditors.  Their 
government  is  government  in  the  simplest  form 
and  it  is  practically  the  unit  of  government. 
It  is  thoroughly  democratic.  There  are  only  two 
purposes  which  it  serves,  the  maintenance  of  roads 
and  schools,  and  without  these  there  would  be  no 
necessity  for  its  existence.  Being  so  simple,  it  is 
not  seen  or  felt  until  the  payment  of  taxes  for  road 
and  school  purposes  is  demanded.  The  taxpayers 
thus  take  a  direct  interest  in  their  local  government 
and  are  closely  connected  with  it.  But  the  higher 
the  government  advances,  as  into  a  borough,  city, 
county.  State,  or  nation,  the  farther  they  become 
removed  from  it,  and  their  connection  is  necessarily 
only  by  representation.  It  is  apparent  that  the 
township  is  the  beginning  of  our  system  of  free 
government,  just  as  the  nation  is  the  end  of  it.  The 
aggregation  of  townships  compose  our  county; 
of  counties  our  State ;  and  of  States  our  nation. 

Railway  and  Telegraph. — Besides  the  public 
thoroughfares  for  teams,  the  county  is  also  well 
supplied  with  prominent  railways  which  run  gener- 
ally parallel  with  them ;  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading, 
and  the  Pennsylvania  Schuylkill  Valley,  along  either 
side  of  the  river  Schuylkill,  from  the  southern  ex- 
tremity to  the  northern;  the  Lebanon  Valley  to  the 
west,  the  East  Penn  to  the  northeast,  the  Schuylkill 
and  Lehigh  to  the  north,  the  Reading  &  Columbia 
to  the  southwest,  and  the  Wilmington  &  Northern 
to  the  south — all  of  these  five  from  Reading;  and 
the  Colebrookdale,  to  the  north,  from  Pottstown  ^o 
Barto,  through  the  eastern  portion.  The  eight 
railroads  cover  a  .total  length  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles. 

The  street-car  lines  were  confined  to  Reading 
from  1874  to  1890.  Then  electricity  was  introduced 
for  propelling  the  cars,  and  trolley  lines  began 
to  extend  from  Reading  into  the  surrounding  coun- 
try; first,  southeast  to  Exeter  township,  and  south- 
west to  Mohnsville  (now  Mohnton)  ;  then  west 
to  Womelsdorf,  and  east  to  Boyertown,  and  north 
to  Temple;  and  then  the  line  to  Mohnsville  was 
extended  to  Adamstown  and  Lancaster;  the  line 
to  Temple,  to  Kutztown  and  Allentown;  and  the 
line  to  Exeter,  to  Birdsboro;  thus  reaching  out  in 
every  direction,  excepting  to  the  north  to  Ham- 
burg and  to  the  northwest  to  Bernville  and  Mil- 
lersburg,  and  covering  a  total  distance  of  seventy- 
five  miles  in  the  county. 

The  introduction  of  electricity  as  the  motive 
power  was  the  direct  cause  of  these  extensions. 
Horses  were  the  motive  power  for  sixteen  years 
from  the  time  that  street  railways  were  introduced 


at  Reading.  Before  1890,  the  extensions  of  the  sys- 
tem into  the  rural  districts  for  ten  and  twenty 
miles  were  not  encouraged  because  of  the  cost  and 
impracticability  of  running  them;  but  by  that  time 
the  feasibility  of  introducing  electricity  became 
more  apparent  and  then  the  extdnsions  began  to 
reach  out  in  the  several  directions  from  Read- 
ing as  mentioned. 

And  just  as  connections  were  made  for  travel 
by  railways,  communication  was  opened  to  all  parts 
of  the  county  by  telegraph  and  telephone,  the 
former  having  started  in  1848  and  the  latter  in 
1879.  Through  these  channels,  the  energy  of  steam, 
and  electricity  is  displayed  in  a  wonderful  manner; 
and  when  we  come  to  compare  the  methods  and 
customs  of  the  first  settlers  in  respect  to  transpor- 
tation and  communication  with  the  facilities  and 
conveniences  which  we  now  have,  we  cannot  help 
but  be  amazed  at  our  social  progress  as  a  com- 
munity. But  another  feature  of  this  social  progress, 
equally  surprising,  is  the  fact  that  so  few  per- 
sons were  actually  engaged  in  devising  and  creat- 
ing the  agencies  by  which  this  progress  was  ac- 
complished. 

The  roads  and  railroads,  arid  also  the  telegraph 
and  telephone,  have  been  referred  to  more  fully  in 
Chapter  II. 

Industrial  Situation. — In  respect  to  the  farm- 
ing operations,  there  has  been  a  gradual  diminution 
in  the  past  twenty  years,  and  the  condition  of  the 
farmers  has  been  generally  more  or  less  depressed. 
All  the_  numerous  furnaces  and  forges,  with  a  few 
notable  exceptions,  have  been  abandoned.  The  num- 
ber of  grist-mills  in  all  the  sections  has  been  greatly 
reduced,  and  most  of  them  have  been  converted 
into  chopping-mills,  if  not  altogether  discontinued. 
In  many  places,  creameries  have  been  substituted ; 
and  where  heretofore  great  quantities  of  flour  were 
ground  from  wheat  and  rye  raised  in  the  vicinity, 
now  great  quantities  of  fine  butter  are  being  manu- 
factured and  shipped  to  large  centers  of  population ; 
or  many  thousands  of  gallons  of  milk  are  delivered 
at  railroad  stations  and  forwarded  to  Philadel- 
phia and  other  places. 

Religion  and  Education. — The  religious  senti- 
ment of  the  people  has  remained  about  the  same. 
At  a  number  of  places  throughout  the  county,  fine 
new  churches  or  chapels  were  erected,  reflecting 
the  earnest  spirit  of  the  several  denominations, 
and  the  two  most  prominent  denominations, 
Lutheran  and  Reformed,  have  been  particularly  ac- 
tive and  successful.  As  to  the  common  school  system, 
fine,  graded  schools  were  established,  but  the  ten- 
dency has  been  to  lessen  the  number  of  buildings 
in  some  of  the  townships  on  account  of  the  decrease 
of  population ;  and  where  certain  children  became 
too  far  removed  from  school-houses  in  consequence 
of  the  abandonment  of  some  of  the  buildings,  the 
local  directors  made  provision  for  conveying  them 
to  and  from  school,  if  not  able  to  get  there  by 
themselves. 


^98 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Towns. — In  the  county  there  are  one  hundred 
and  three  towns  and  villages,  and  the  names  of  the 
greater  number  have  been  given  after  individuals. 
They  are  distributed  in  the  several  sections  as  fol- 
lows: 

Manatawny     43      Tulpehocken   18 

Ontelaune-e    27       Schuylkill     16 

Their  names  are  given  in  connection  with  the 
sections.  The  figures  opposite  the  names  indicate 
the  number  of  dwellings,  and  the  population  can  be 
estimated  by  multiplying  these  figures  by  four.  The 
figures  adjoining  the  names  indicate  the  year  when 
the  town  was  started.  Fifty  of  the  towns  have 
over  one  hundred  inhabitants. 

Statistics. — Statistics  relating  to  population, 
property,  taxables,  voters,  etc.,  of  the  several  town- 
ships will  be  found  in  the  tables  which  embrace 
the  entire  county,  in  Chapter  IX,  Census. 

Mercantile  Licenses. — The  mercantile  ap- 
praiser reported  the  number  of  licensed  retail  busi- 
ness places  in  the  several  townships  of  the  county 
for  the  year  1909  as  follows  : 

Albany    24 

Alsace     4 

Alsace,  Lower 14 

Amity     39 

Bern    IS 

Bern,  Upper   18 

Bethel     27 

Brecknock     10 

Caernarvon    19 

Centre     34 

Colebrookdale    15 

Cumru    33 

District 8 

Douglass  15 

Earl    2 

Exeter    34 

Greenwich     26 

Heidelberg    30 

Heidelberg,  Lower   40 

Heidelberg,   North    8 

Hereford    25 

Jefferson    9 

Longswatnp     31 

Maiden-creek    32 


Washington    7 

Windsor     i 


In  Boroughs  49 

In  City  of  Reading 174 


191 


Total 


.414 


Marion     16 

Maxatawny     37 

Muhlenberg     32 

Oley    37 

Ontelaunee    13 

Penn     17 

Perry     24 

Pike     16 

Richmond    17 

Robeson     28 

Rockland    14 

Ruscombmanor    13 

Spring     45 

Tilden     9 

Tidpehocken   28 

Tulpehocken,   Upper    ...  15 

Union    16 

Washington    32 

Windsor     6 


Boroughs   491 

Reading     1,546 


Total     2,931 

LIQUOR    LICENSES    IN    TOWNSHIPS    FOR    1909 


Albany    4 

Alsace     3 

Alsace,  Lower   7 

Amity     5 

Bern    4 

Bern,  Upper  2 

Brecknock     1 

Bethel     7 

Caernarvon     3 

Cumru    . .  .■ 9 

Centre    3 

Colebrookdale    2 

District     3 

Douglass    3 

Earl    3 

Exeter    11 

Greenwich    4 

Heidelberg    4 

Heidelberg,   North   1 

Heidelberg,    Lower    ....  10 

Hereford     4 


Jefferson    3 

Longswamp     9 

Maiden-creek     4 

Maxatawny     10 

Marion   3 

Muhlenberg     9 

Oley    4 

Ontelaunee    5 

Penn    4 

Perry     | 3 

Pike     3 

Rockland     2 

Richmond    7 

Robeson    6 

Ruscombmanor    3 

Spring    7 

Tilden    2 

Tulpehocken     7 

Tulpehocken,  Upper    ...  3 

Union    1 


P.  O.  S.  OF  A.  Camps.— The  Patriotic  Order 
Sons  of  America  has  estabhshed  camps  at  the  fol- 
lowing places  in  the  county,  outside  of  the  city  and 
the  boroughs : 


No. 
68 
69 
99 
107 
128 
133 
141 
365 
213 
214 
231 
230 
237 
240 
250 
278 
382 
347 
375 
388 
399 
427 
470 
480 
592 
597 
664 
679 


Place  Members     Assets 

Hyde  Park  316     $     9,172 

Mt.  Aetna   77  4,360 

Wernersville  186  7,818 

Temple  110  831 

Grimville   35  915 

Shartlesville   161  8,075 

Maxatawny     55  1,193 

Leesport     342  8,150 

Amityville     71  5,273 

Millersburg  130  6,592 

Lime    Kiln    362  13,653 

St.  Lawrence 249  28,319 

Stouchsburg  206  8,277 

Douglassville    60  2,015 

Blandon    88  7,196 

Virginville    95  2,998 

Sinking   Spring    198  9,750 

Henningsville     65  831 

Robesonia    115  3,508 

Geigertown     72  3,563 

Bagenstose    56  1,471 

Molltown     36  762 

Siesholtzville    53  1,504 

Pleasantville     117  2,441 

Gibraltar   146  6!965 

Rehrersburg    52  1,905 

Strausstown    96  1,368 

Morgantown     71  1,046 


3,419     $148,152 


Reading    3,335       113,398 

Boroughs     2,115         81,454 


Total    9,369       343,004 

P  O.  S.  of  A.  Halls. — Camps  in  the  countv  which 
own  their  respective  halls  where  the  meetines  are 
held : 


Bechtelsville 
Oley  Line 
St.    Lawrence 
Hyde  Park 


Lenhartsville 

Shartlesville 

Gibraltar 


MANATAWNY  SECTION 

The  Manatawny  Section  comprises  fifteen  town- 
ships, and  the  time  of  their  settlement  and  erection 
is  set  forth  in  the  following  table. 


ORIGINAL 


Alsace     

Amity   

Colebrookdale    , 

Douglass    

Exeter,   

Hereford   

Oley    

Ruscombmanor 


Settled 
1735 
1701 
1730 
1720 
171S 
1732 
1712 
1749 


Erected 
1744 
1719 
1741 
1736 
1741 
1753 
1740 
1752 


TOWNSHIPS 


}i99 


ADDITIONAL 
Taken   from  Erected 

Rockland  Oley    1758 

District  Oley    1759 

Earl  Oley    1781 

Pike  Oley    1812 

Washington  Colebrookdale    

and   Hereford    1839 

Muhlenberg  Alsace    1851 

Alsace,  Lower  Alsace 1888 

Derivation  of  Names.— The  derivation  of  the 
names  was  as  follows : 

Alsace,  from  the  name  of  the  principality  in  Ger- 
many whence  the  first  settlers  had  emigrated  on 
account  of  long  continued  religious  intolerance  and 
persecution. 

Amity,  from  the  friendliness  of  the  Indians  with 
the  Swedes,  the  first  settlers  who  had  been  in- 
duced to  locate  here  by  the  persuasion  of  William 
Penn. 

Colebrookdale,  from  a  district  of  territory  in  Eng- 
land, called  Colebrook,  whence  some  of  the  first 
settlers  had  emigrated.  They  were  Englishmen, 
familiar  with  the  manufacture  of  iron,  and  the 
early  discovery  of  iron  ore  in  this  region  led  to 
the  taking  up  of  grants  of  land  here  and  to  its 
-settlement  and  improvement  by  them.  The  first 
iron  furnace  was  established  here  about  1717  along 
the  Ironstone  creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Manatawny 
(the  locality  being  now  within  the  southern  por- 
tion of  Boyertown)  ;  and  the  first  forge  was  estab- 
lished several  miles  to  the  southwest  along  the 
Manatawny  at  the  same  time,  the  selection  of  the 
place  having  been  made  on  account  of  the  strong 
flow  of  water  for  power  to  carry  on  the  process 
of  forging. 


German,  but  the  name  was  doubtless  suggested  by 
English  ironmasters  who  were  interested  in  the 
territory. 

Oley,  commonly  supposed  to  have  originated  from 
an  Indian  word,  Olink,  meaning  a  hollow,  the  prin- 
cipal portion  of  land  being  rich  and  productive,  al- 
most surrounded  by  hills;  but  it  may  have  been 
taken  from  Oleye,  the  name  of  a  community  in 
Waremme,  a  province  in  Belgium,  and  some  of 
the  early  settlers  may  have  emigrated  from  that 
vicinity. 

Ruscombmanor,  from  the  name  of  a  district,  Rus- 
comb,  in  Wales.  The  Penns,  in  1739,  had  directed 
10,000  acres  in  this  vicinity  to  be  set  apart  for 
their  use,  and  this  having  been  done,  the  land  was 
called  "Manor  of  Ruscomb." 


DANIEL  BOONE'S  BIRTHPLACE 

Douglass,  from  a  distinguished  name  in  the  an- 
nals of  Scotland,  and  supposed  to  have  been  sug- 
gested to  the  court  at  Philadelphia  by  the  petition- 
ers. 

Exeter,  from  the  name  of  a  district  in  Englajid, 
whence  the  first  settlers  emigrated.  They  were  in- 
fluential Friends,  named  Boone,  Ellis,  Hughes, 
Lincoln  and  Webb; 

Hereford,  from  the  name  of  a  district  also  in 
England.     The  first  settlers  were  almost  entirely 


■i^piy  fTome  ?■? 


Rockland,  from  the  character  of  the  land,  many 
large  rocks  having  been  found  here;  which  are 
still  standing  like  great  monuments,  undisturbed. 
They  are  very  hard  granite,  and  therefore  capable 
of  resisting  the  "tooth  of  time." 

District,  from  the  locality  of  the  land  as  lying 
between  Oley  and  Colebrookdale,  by  way  of  de- 
scription. 

Earl,  from  a  title  of  nobility.  For  a  number  of 
years  before  1781,  District  was  called  "East  Dis- 
trict," and  Earl  "West  District,"  designated  by  the 
county  commissioners  to  facilitate  the  assessment 
of  real  property. 

Pike,  from  the  name  of  a  species  of  fish  which 
abounded  in  the  local  streams  before  1813. 

Washington,  from  the  name  of  General  George 
Washington,  out  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the 
first  President  of  the  United  Staies. 

Muhlenberg,  from  the  name  of  the  family  which 
owned  a  large  area  of  land  in  the  proposed  town- 
ship at  the  time  of  its  erection. 

Alsace,  Lower,  from  the  locality,  as  distinguish- 
able from  the  remaining  or  upper  portion  of  the 
original  township. 

Boroughs. — The  following  boroughs  have  been 
established  in  this  section: 
Boyertown,-  in  1851. 
Bechtelsville,  in  1890. 
Mt.  Penn,  in  1902. 


300 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Waterworks  and  electric  lighting  have  been  sup- 
plied at  the  first  and  last;  but  pumps  and  springs 
and  oil  lamps  are  still  used  at  the  second. 

Towns. — The  following  towns  are  situated  in 
this  section : 


Name  Houses 

Amityvillel     (17S2)     16 

Bally2     (1800)      .So 

Barto     (1869)     19 

Baumstown    (1796)     60 

Black    Bear    (ISIO)     iO 

Douglassville     (1829)      '-9 

Dryville    (1853)     13 

Engelsville    (1360)    45 

Eshbach    (1858)    15 

Friedensburg     (1831)     145 

Frush    Valley    (1858)     52 

Gablesville    (1850)    12 

Glendale    (1871)     30 

Greshville     (1853)     6 

Herefordville    (1830)     15 

Huff's    Church    (1874)    15 

Hyde    Park    (1870)     1.90 

Tacksonwald     (1870)     8 

Junctions     (1870)     15 

Little  Oley   (1871)    .10 

LobachsviUe   (1835)    7 


Name  Houses 

Lorane*    (1838)     30 

Monocacy   Station    (1870)     .  .    12 

Morysville    (1850)     55 

New    Berlinville    (1835)     87 

New   Jerusalem   (1828)    30 

Oley  "Line    (1870)     7 

Pikeville     (1834)     20 

Pleasantville    (1850)     14 

Pricetown     (1780)      63 

Schultzville    (1833)     7 

Shanesville     (1867)     16 

Siesholtzville    (1849)    5 

St).    Lawrence    (1856)     80 

Stonetown         10 

Stonersville      (1847)      14 

Stony    Creek    Mills    (1804)..    45 

Temple    (1857)     126 

Treichlersville     (1830)     10 

Tuckerton    (1843)     47 

Weavertown    (1775)     33 

Yellow    House    (ISOO)     10 


ROCKS    OF    ROCKLAND 


First  Settlers. — The  first  settlement  in  this  sec- 
tion was  made  b}'  a  small  colony  of  Swedes  in 
1701  along  the  Schuylkill  river,  four  miles  above 
the  outlet  of  the  Manatawny  creek,  in  the  vicinity 
of  where  Douglassville  is  now  situated.  They  took 
up  large  tracts  of  land,  which  extended  from  the 
river  northward  for  five  miles.  Some  of  their 
descendants  are  still  there,  notably  the  Joneses,  Lud- 
wigs,  and  Yocoms. 

The  second  settlement  was  made  in  the  central 
portion  by  Huguenots,  English,  and  Germans,  from 
1712  to  1730,  who  also  took  up  large  tracts  and  then 
extended  their  movements  to  the  north,  even  to 
the  Blue  Mountain,  and  to  the  west  toward  Read- 
ing. Many  of  their  descendants  are  still  in  the 
vicinity;  and  in  several  instances  (Bertolets,  Boones, 
Deturcks  and  Lees)  the  land  has  been  transmitted 
in  a  direct  line  of  descendants  of  the  first  settlers, 
from  generation  to  generation,  from  the  beginning 
until  now,  a  period  covering  one  hundred  and  eighty 
years. 

And  the  third  settlement  was  made  in  the  portion 
along  what  is  now  the  eastern  line  of  the  county 
and  within  several  miles  of  it,  by  English  and  Ger- 
mans, for  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles ;  and  here,  too. 


^Formerly    New    Storeville.      -Churchville.      ^Towerville. 
Station. 


^Exete 


there  are  many  of  the  first  settlers,  notably  the 
Bauers,  Bechtels,  Livingoods,  Rhoadses,  Stauflers 
and  Schultzes. 

The  hilly  country  of  Earl  township  is  the  habita- 
tion of  more  old  residents  than  any  other  district 
in  the  county.  To  the  pure  fresh  air  and  most 
excellent  water  the  old  residents  attribute  their 
longevity.  This  township  was  the  birthplace  and 
home  of  Betzy  Trout,  who  lived  to  be  101  years 
old.  In  the  spring  of  1909  the  following  were 
among  the  oldest  residents  in  the  township :  Matil- 
da (Weller)  Motz,  aged  87;  Aaron  Weller,  86; 
Henry  Clauser,  86 ;  Philip  Haring,  85 ;  Joseph 
Heckman,  85 ;  Ezra  HartHne,  84 ;  Isaac  Heydt,  84 , 
Charles  Clauser,  83 ;  Mary  Mathias,  83 ;  Jonathan 
Swavely,  82,  and  wife,  Emmeline  (Shollenberger) 
Swavely,  77 ;  William  Dilliplane,  80,  and  wife,  Sarah 
(Clauser)  Dilliplane,  79;  Catharine  (Swavely) 
Mathias,  80;  Mary  (Focht)  Clauser,  78;  Samuel 
Rhoads,  78 ;  Jacob  Rhoads,  76,  and  wife,  73 ;  David 
M.  Mathias,  76;  Simon  Clauser,  73;  WiHiam  Rei- 
chart,  73;  Hannah  (Mathias)  Clauser,  73;  Ephraim 
Weidner,  73. 

Among  the  old  residents  immediately  outside  of 
Earl  township  in  the  county  are :  Adam  Levengood, 
95  ;  Abraham  Ehst,  93  ;  Jacob  Bechtel,88  ;  Levi  Hess, 
86  ;  Godlieb  Falkenstein,  82. 

Industrial  Prominence. — This  section  was  par- 
ticularly active  for  over  an  hundred  years  in  the 
successful  operation  of  numerous  large  industries 
for  the  manufacture  of  iron,  every  township  hav- 
ing had  one  or  more  furnaces  or  forges ;  but  shortly 
after  the  close  of  the  Civil  war,  and  more  especially 
before  1880,  they  passed  away  like  the  dying  twi- 
light of  evening.  It  may  well  be  asked,  "What  was 
the  cause,  or  what  were  the  causes,  of  this  great 
change?"  Iron  industries  at  comparatively  few  pop- 
ulous centers  have,  since  1880,  developed  extraordi- 
nary capacities  whose  annual  production  runs  into 
thousands  of  tons,  whereas  the  earliest  industries 
together  produced  only  limited  quantities;  and  the 
general  prosperity  of  the  State  and  nation  (1909), 
as  evidenced  by  congested  railroads  and  overflow- 
ing banks,  surpasses  everything  heretofore  known 
or  experienced  in  industrial  affairs.  And  yet  these 
great  centers,  with  all  their  success,  wealth  and 
power,  are  apparently  as  helpless  in  directing  and 
controlling  political  policies  and  municipal  matters 
as  the  depopulating  centers  in  the  townships,  with 
exterminated  plants  of  various  kinds  (furnaces, 
forges  and  grist-mills),  are  in  improving  their  en- 
vironment, social  as  well  as  financial ! 

Various  and  opposing  causes  .are  assigned  for  the 
peculiar  and  inexplicable,  if  not  inextricable,  condi- 
tion ;  but  the  one  great  overshadowing  cause  is  the 
manipulation  of  the  ramifying  railway  systems  in 
the  interest  of  stock  speculation  for  the  enrichment 
of  managing  financiers. 

The  three  other  sections  were  similarly  situated 
as  to  iron  industries  and  grist-mills,  though  the  num- 
bers were  not  so  large ;  and  they,  too,  became  sim- 
ilarly affected. 


TOWNSHIPS 


3.01 


Iron  Ore  Mines. — In  Colebrookdale  township 
(now  within  the  limit  of  Boyertown),  the  mining  of 
iron  ore  was  started  at  the  very  beginning  of  the 
settlements  in  connection  with  the  manufacture  of 
iron,  and  operations  have  been  carried  on  there  until 
now.  The  main  shaft  of  the  mine  has  been  sunk 
to  a  depth  of  seven  hundred  feet.  The  deposit  is 
inexhaustible  notwithstanding  the  removal  of  many 
hundred  thousand  tons. 

Operations  were  carried  on  also  at  Barto  for  fifty 
years,  and  for  half  of  this  period  quite  extensively. 
The  shaft  was  sunk  to  a  depth  of  five  hundred  feet. 
The  mine  was  abandoned  about  1900.  The  ore  was 
rich  in  character  and  many  thousands  of  tons  were 
removed. 

Highways. — Numerous  roads  have  been  laid  out 
in  this  section  and  consequently  each  township  is 
well  supplied.  The  most  prominent  are  the  follow- 
ing: Four  from  Reading,  to  Boyertown,  seventeen 
miles;  to  Friedensburg,  nine  miles;  to  Pricetown, 
nine  miles ;  and  to  Kutztown  via  Temple,  seventeen 
miles.  jOne  from  Douglassville,  via  Amityville  and 
Pleasantville,  to  Kutztown,  with  a  branch  at  Yellow 
House,  via  Friedensburg  to  Pricetown  and  Blandon. 
And  one  from  Boyertown  via  Barto  to  Alburtis  in 
Lehigh  county. 

Four  turnpikes  were  constructed  in  the  section: 
the  Perkiomen,  from  the  southern  county  line,  via 
Douglassville  and  Baumstown,  to  Reading;  the 
Douglassville,  from  Douglassville,  via  Amityville,  to 
Yellow  House ;  the  Oley,  from  Pikeville,  via  Pleas- 
antville and  Oley  Line,  to  Black  Bear ;  and  the  Cen- 
tre, from  Reading  to  Tuckerton,  which  extended 
northwardly  through  Ontelaunee  Section,  via  Lees- 
port  and  Hamburg;  beyond  the  county  line  to  Potts- 
ville  and  Sunbury.  The  Centre  turnpike  was  aban- 
doned as  a  toll-road  in  1885 ;  the  Douglassville  in 
1898 ;  and  the  Perkiomen  in  1902. 

Additional  Taxables. — The  names  of  the  first 
taxables  of  the  several  townships  at  the  erection  of 
the  county  are  given  in  Chapter  I ;  but  the  names  of 
those  in  Douglass,  Rockland  and  District  are  given 
in  this  connection  because  the  townships  were  sub- 
sequently established.  Previously,  the  taxables 
within  their  limits  had  been  included  with  Amity 
and  Oley.  They  are  given  to  show  the  place  in  the 
section  where  the  earliest  settlers  were  located. 

DOUGLASS 


First    list    of    taxables, 

Christian  Bender 
James  Burns 
Samuel  Buzzard 
Derick   Clever 
John  Clous 
Michael   Cougler 
Christian  Conrad 
Jacob  Davidheiser 
Valentine  Foght 
George  Fritz 
George  Gearinger 
George  Hanselman 
Philip  Hapelbaker 
Leonard  Hersger 
Michael   Hoffman 


prepared    in    1756 
Andrew  Huling 
Christian  Kasebeer, 
Michael   Kaspotz 
Valentine  Keely 
William  Keepers 
John  Keffer         ^ 
Peter  Leyengood 
Adam  Miller 
Andrew  Miller 
Jacob  Nagle 
Yoakam   Nagle 
Martin  Nahr 
Philip   Parthner 
John  Potts,  Jr. 
Nicholas  Reem 


Sr. 


Andrew  Ringberry 
Simon  Ringberry 
George  Shadier 
Christian  Sheeler 
Peter   Sheener 
Henry  Shomberger 
John  Slice 


First     list     of 
John  Albrecht 
George  Angstadt 
John  Angstadt 
Peter  Anstat 
Conrad    Bair 
Mathias   Beck 
Nicholas  Benninger 
Lorentz  Berig 
Philip   Berminger 
Charles  Bernhard 
Gasper  Bicking 
Peter  Breifogel 
Ludwig    Bitting 
Nicholas  Blatner 
Jacob  Boger 
Jacob   Boral 
John  Bot 
William    Bot 
Ludwig  Brem 
Nicholas   Clementz 
William    Dabitsch 
Nicholas  Debb 
Henry  DeLong 
Melchoir   Donner 
Michael  Dressier 
Jacob  Drog 
Deobald  Drumheller 
John  Eck 
Jacob    EUinger 
Herman  Emrich 
Peter  Ernst 
George  Fleck 
Peter  Folck 
William   Folck 
George   Hefner 
Jacob   Hefner 
Christian    Henry 
Frederick    Hersch 
George  Hoffman 
Jacob   Hoffman 
Michael  Jacobi 
Nicholas    Jacobi 


Hieronimus  Spies 
Philip  Walter,  Sr. 
Frederick  Wambach 
Christian    Wigle 
Daniel    Wills,    Sr. 
Peter  Yoakam 


ROCKLAND 

taxables,  prepared  in    1758 
Jacob  Keim 
Michael   Keim 
Michael  Kerber 
Simon  Kerber 
Peter  Kieflfer 
Peter  Klassmoyer 
Michael  Klein 
Christian  Kobb 
Jacob  Krebs 
Andreas  Krett 
Peter   Lobach 
Henry  Long 
Ludwig   Long 
Michael   Long 
Nicholas   Long 
Peter  Luder 
Henry  Mertz 
Henry  Mertz 
John   Moll 
Nicholas    Moyer 
George   Oberdorfl 
Casper   Rap 
George   Reif 
Frederick  Reish 
Peter  Remer 
Conrad  Roth 
Ludwig   Rouzanner 
Peter  Rufif,   Jr. 
Peter  Ruff,   Sr. 
Casper  Rubbert 
Frederick    Schackler 
George    Scheffer 
Michael  Scheflfer 
John   Scheuerer 
Christian    Schumacher 
George   Schumacher 
George    Seibert    (Seuwert) 
Henry   Showash 
Frederich    Ubrick 
Adam  Wagner 
Adam  Wecht 
Jacob  Ziegemfuss 

DISTRICT 


First    list    of    taxables 

Conrad   Arnold 
Jeremiah   Bacon 
Thomas  Banfield 
John   Barns 
Jacob  Bernhard 
Chrisiian    Brensinger 
George    Brown 
Israel   Burget 
Jacob   Bush 
John    Colron 
Joshua   De  La   Plain 
Henry  Dener 
George  Dotterer 
Nicholas   East 
Daniel   Eyst 
John   Fare 
Jacob  Frey 

Jacob   Fridpre    (Fretts) 
Bernhard    Gembling 
Jacob  Gross 
Andreas  Hacker 
George  Haltzshoe 


prepared    in    1756 

Jacob  Hard 
Peter  Hardman 
George   Hartlein 
Michael   Hartman 
Paul  Hartman 
Lorentz  Hauck 
Stephen   Hauck 
Jacob  Herb 
Jacob  Hill 
Michael  Hoffman 
John  Kabron' 
Conrad    Keim 
Adam   Kildan 
George  Klauser 
George   Koutz 
Michael  Klein 
Nicholas    Koutz 
George  Lantz 
Henry  Machanet 
William  Mackey 
Tobias   Mauck 
Frederick    Martin 


302 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


Dietrich    Mathias 
Jacob   Mathias 
S.   Mayberry 
Frederick    Mayer 
John   Miller 
Peter    Miller 
William    ]\Iiller 
John   Moatzer 
Frantz    Moser 
Andreas    Norgang 
George    Oyster 
Samuel    Oyster 
Frederick   Potts 
Michael  Radecher 
John    Reidenauer 
Jacob  Roth 
Valentine    Schaeffer 
George   Schall 


Nicholas    Schlister 
Christopher    Schock 
Henry    Schoerham 
Michael  Schnhmacher 
Jacob    Schweitzer 
Laurence    Sheeler,    Jr. 
Laurence   Sheeler,   Sr. 
Jacob   Steinbrenner 
George   Stevenson 
William   Stork 
George   Trust 
Adam  Ulrich 
Jacob  Walter 
George  Adam  Weidner 
Charles   Weis 
Philip   Weismiller 
Casper  Weisner 
Peter  Weller 


NOTEWORTHY    ENTERPRISES 

Friedensburg  Bank. — The  First  National  Bank 
of  Oley  was  chartered  April  27,  1907,  with  a  capi- 
tal of  $25,000,  and  located  at  Friedensburg.  Israel 
M.  Bertolet  was  selected  as  president  and  Sydney 
J.  Flartman  as  cashier.  In  November,  1908,  the 
total  resources  were  $141,277. 

Reading  A^'ater  Supplies. — The  Egelman  sup- 
ply, appropriated  in  1838,  and  the  Antietam  supply, 
in  1874,  both  from  Lower  Alsace ;  and  the  Bernhart 
supply,  in  18.58,  from  Muhlenberg.  The  first  filtra- 
tion plant  was  established  at  the  Egelman  reservoir 
in  1904,  with  a  capacity  of  500,000  gallons  daily; 
the  second  plant  in  East  Reading,  in  1905,  with  a 
capacity  of  3,500,000  gallons  daily ;  and  the  third 
plant  at  the  Bernhart  reservoir  in  1009,  with  a  ca- 
pacity of  3,000,000  gallons  daily. 

MouNT.viN  Railro,\ds. — j\It.  Penn  Gravity  rail- 
road was  constructed  on  Penn  Mountain  in  1890, 
length  eight  miles ;  and  the  Neversink,  in  1890, 
length  eight  miles ;  both  in  Lower  Alsace.  They 
have  had  increasing  success  for  the  past  ten  years, 
thereby  popularizing  Reading  very  much. 

Carsoni.v  Park,  established  by  the  United  Trac- 
tion Company  in  Lower  Alsace  in  1896,  embracing 
150  acres.  It  has  become  a  popular  resort,  there 
having  been  250,000  visitors  during  the  season  of 
1908. 

Brumbacii  AIills,  established  in  1853  in  Exeter 
bv  William  Brumbach  for  manufacture  of  woolen 
goods,  and  operated,  since  1862,  by  his  son  Albert 
J.,  who  rebuilt  and  enlarged  the  plant. 

Stony  Creek  Mills,  established  in  18G4  in 
Lower  Alsace  by  Louis  Kraemer  &  Co.,  for  manu- 
facture of  woolen  goods,  and  operated  successfully 
since  then. 

Temple  Furnace,  established  in  Muhlenberg  in 
1867  by  Clymer  &  Co.  In  1873,  the  company  se- 
cured a  special  charter.  In  1900  it  was  re-organized 
with  a  capital  of  $30,000,000  ior  the  purpose  of  op- 
erating anthracite  coal  mines.  On  account  of  its 
extraordinary  powers  it  occupies  great  prominence 
in  financial  and  industrial  circles.  The  furnace  pro- 
duces 40,000  tons  of  pig  metal  annually. 

Seidel  Forge,  established  in  Exeter  in  1870  by 
John  Hennon.    In  1872,  Harry  Seidel  purchased  the 


plant  and  has  carried  on  operations  since  then.     It 
produces  forged  iron  for  locomotive  engines. 

Brooke  Furnace,  No.  3,  established  in  Exeter 
along  the  P.  &  R.  R.  by  the  E.  &  G.  Brooke  Iron 
Company  in  1872.  Annual  product,  21,000  tons. 
Carried  on  with  the  Birdsboro  works. 

Neversink  Distillery,  estabhshed  by  John  H. 
Close  and  A.  H.  Kretz  at  Exeter  Station  (Lorane) 
in  1892.  Plant  was  enlarged  in  1899  by  Neversink 
DistilHng  Company.   Jilashing  capacity,  434  bushels. 

The  Muhlenberg  Brewing  Company  was  or- 
ganized in  1895  and  a  large  plant  was  erected  along 
the  Kutztown  road  in  the  southern  end  of  Hyde 
Park,  with  annual  production  exceeding  10,000  bar- 
rels. Simson  Becker  served  as  president  of  the 
company  for  fourteen  years. 

Colebrookdale  Iron  Works,  established  in 
Douglass  by  Brendlinger  &  Co.,  in  1867.  Thirty 
years  before,  W.  W.  Weaver  had  started  a  foundry 
and  tilt-hammer  for  the  manufacture  of  wood-burn- 
ing stoves.  The  works  were  enlarged  several  times. 
They  produced  sad-irons,  kettles,  fixtures,  etc. 

Railroads. — The  Reading  Raikvay  was  con- 
structed in  this  section  in  1837-38  from  Reading  to 
the  Montgomery  county  line  along  the  Schuylkill 
river,  a  distance  of  fourteen  miles ;  and  the  Cole- 
brookdale Railroad  in  1869  from  the  county  line  via 
Boyertown  northwardly  to  Barto,  a  distance  of 
eleven  miles. 

Street  Railway. —  The  trolley  line  to  Stony  Creek 
was  constructed  in  1890,  and  extended  to  Boyer- 
town, via  Oley  Line,  Friedensburg  and  Shanesville, 
in  1902. 

State  Roads. — ^A  section  of  State  Road  was  put 
down  from  Barto  to  Bally,  two  miles,  and  thence 
to  Schultz's  Mill,  two  miles,  in  1907  and  1908,  being 
the  second  in  Berks  county  and  the  first  in  this  sec- 
tion. And  another  section  was  put  down  from 
a  point  near  the  Exeter  meeting-house  to  Amity- 
ville,  four  miles  in  length,  in  1908,  which  was  the 
third  in  the  county. 

Colebrookdale  Mines. — Iron  ore  was  discov- 
ered in  Colebrookdale,  now  within  the  southern 
portion  of  Boyertown,  as  early  as  1720,  but  it  was 
not  worked  extensively  until  about  1845.  In  1854 
the  first  engine  was  put  there  by  the  Phoenix  Iron 
Company  to  lift  the  ore,  and  from  that  time  until 
now  the  mines  have  been  in  almost  continuous  oper- 
ation. During  this  period  of  fifty  years,  it  is  believed 
that  fully  800,000  tons  were  removed.  It  is  one  of 
the  best  ec|uipped  underground  plants  in  the  coun- 
try; and  next  to  the  great  "Cornwall,"  near  Leban- 
on, it  is  the  largest  mine  opened  in  Pennsylvania. 
There  are  four  fire-proof  shafts  in  operation:  Phoe- 
nix slope,  500  feet  deep ;  AVarwick  four-compart- 
ment shaft,  720  feet ;  Gable  No.  2,  four-compart- 
ment shaft,  665  feet;  and  Gable  No.  1,  three-com- 
partment shaft,  515  feet.  The  character  of  the  ore 
is  "Bessemer  Magnetic,"  yielding  55  to  56  per  cent 
of  metallic  iron.  On  account  of  the  great  depth  of 
the  shafts,  enormous  quantities  of  water  must  be 


TOWNSHIPS 


303 


pumped  out ;  for  which  purpose  four ,  large  pumps 
were  put  there  at  great  expense. 

Prospecting  for  Ore. — In  1907  certain  persons 
from  Philadelphia  organized  the  Berks  Develop- 
ment Company  for  prospecting  for  iron  ore  in  the 
eastern  j>ortion  of  the  county.  They  secured  min- 
eral rights  on  different  tracts  of  land  in  Earl  town- 
ship in  the  vicinity  of  Shanesville,  aggregating  fif- 
teen hundred  acres,  and  have  discovered  consider- 
able quantities  of  ore.  They  sank  a  number  of 
shafts  and  found  the  best  grade  of  magnetic  ore. 
The  general  superintendent  of  the  company  is  Jacob 
Schupp,  of  Reading.  They  employ  twenty-four 
men.  Aside  from  agriculture  this  is  the  only  indus- 
try in  the  township.  The  company  has  its  office 
in  Philadelphia.  Similar  companies  are  being  or- 
ganized to  secure  such  rights  in  District,  Hereford 
and  Longswamp  townships,  where  large  quantities 
of  iron  ore  are  also  sujjposed  to  exist. 

Oil  Pumping  Station,  established  at  Barto  in 
October,  1908,  on  tract  of  land  covering  twenty 
acres,  for  propelling  oil  along  pipe-line.. 

Manatawny  Iron  Works,  established  along 
the  Colebrookdale  railroad  in  1883  to  take  the  place 
of  the  Pine  Iron  Works  on  the  Manatawny  creek, 
where  the  Bailey  family  had  been  prominently  iden- 
tified with  the  iron  business  for  nearly  forty  years. 
The  site  of  the  "Pool  Forges,"  started  about  1730, 
was  near  the  latter. 

St.  Michael's  Seminary  was  founded  by  direc- 
tion of  the  last  will  of  Henry  F.  Felix  at  Hyde 
Park,  in  Muhlenberg  township,  in  1894,  for  the 
education  of  young  ladies  by  the  Sisters  of  the 
Immaculate  Heart  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  they  hav- 
ing secured  fifty  acres  of  ground  and  erected  a 
superior  building  for  that  purpose. 

Telephone  Exchange. — The  long  distance  tel- 
ephone exchange  of  the  Pennsylvania  Telephone 
Company,  is  situated  at  the  cross-roads  on  the  Kutz- 
town  road,  at  the  upper  end  of  Hyde  Park  in  Muh- 
lenberg township,  about  three  miles  north  of  Read- 
ing. It  was  established  in  the  "Centre  Hotel"  in 
December,  1889;  the  first  building  was  erected  Aug- 
ust, 1896 ;  and  a  brick  fire-proof  two-story  building- 
was  substituted  Jan.  1,  1905,  with  latest  switch- 
board improvements.  Annual  messages  outward 
from  Reading,  about  30,000;  inward  to  Reading, 
35,000. 

Fair  Ground,  established  in  Muhlenberg  town- 
ship along  northern  city  line  in  1888,  with  area  of 
twenty-four  acres,  at  an  expense  of  $40,000 ;  for 
annual  exhibitions  of  the  Agricultural  Society,  in 
place  cf  the  Fair  Ground  at  the  head  of  Penn 
street,  Reading,  where  they  had  been  held  for  thirty 
years. 

Suburban  Towns. — Edward  A.  Larter  and  Sig- 
mund  Morris  purchased  120  acres  of  land  in  Muh- 
lenberg township,  along  the  Kutztown  road,  beyond 
Hyde  Park,  and  laid  off  eighty  acres  'in  1903,  and 
forty  acres  in  1907,  comprising  altoarether  1,200 
lots,  which  they  named  Rose  Dale.     The  plan  ex- 


tends from  the  road  eastward  beyond  the  East 
Penn  railroad.  Up  to  June,  1909,  1,100  lots  were 
sold,  forty  dwellings  erected,  and  also  a  public 
school-house  and  Union  Chapel. 

They  also  laid  off  forty-two  acres  of  land  in  Low- 
er Alsace,  east  of  Carsonia  Park,  into  lots  (400), 
which  they  named  Melrose.  They  had  sold  oy 
June,  1909,  upward  of  300  of  them.  Several  dwell- 
ings have  been  erected  there. 

Chapel  Rock,  a  remarkable  collection  of  rocks, 
in  Alsace  township,  two  miles  north  of  Antietam 
Reservoir,  exceeding  any  other  natural  wonder  in 
the  county ;  visited  by  many  pedestrians  from  Read- 
ing in  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

Oldest  Buildings. — The  oldest  buildings  in  the 
county  are  in  this  section.  The  Mounce  Jones  build- 
ing was  erected  in  1716,  in  Amity,  near  Douglass- 
ville,  along  the  Schuylkill,  and  it  is  still  standing, 
though  somewhat  altered. 

A  Moravian  church  was  erected  in  Oley  in  1743 
and  this  also  is  still  standing.  The  walls  and  win- 
dows are  as  they  were  then ;  but  the  roof  has  been 
removed  and  the  interior  altered. 

Dwelling-house  on  the  eastern  half  of  the  Ber- 
tolet  farm  in  Oley,  erected  in  1754. 


ONTELAUNEE   SECTION 
The  Ontelaunee   Section  comprises    nine    town- 
ships, and  the  time  of  their  settlement  and  erection 
is  set  forth  in  the  following  table : 

ORIGINAL 

Settled  Erected 

Albany    1740  1752 

Longswamp     1734  1761 

Maiden-creek     . .' 1732  1746 

Maxatawny     1732  1742 

Richmond    1732  1752 

Windsor     1740  1752 

ADDITIONAL 

Taken    from  Erected 

Greenwich                     Albany    1755 

Perry                              Windsor  1821 

Ontelaunee                    Maiden-creek    1849 

Derivation  of  Names. — The  derivation  of  the 
names  was  as  follows: 

Albany,  from -the  name  of  a  place  in  England. 

Longsmamp,  from  the  peculiar  condition  of  the 
soil  of  a  large  portion  of  the  township. 

Maiden-Creek,  from  the  stream  which  flows 
through  the  township. 

Maxatawiiy,  from  an  Indian  word,  Machksi- 
thanne,  which  means  a  bear's-path  creek. 

Richmond,  from  the  name  of  a  ^lace  in  England. 

Windsor,  from  the  name  of  a  place  in  England. 

Greenwich,  from  the  name  of  a  place  in  England. 
These  English  names  were  suggested  by  the  Friends, 
who  exerted  a  controlling  influence  in  the  local 
government. 

Perry,  from  the  name  of  a  distinguished  naval 
officer  in  the  United  States  Navy,  Commodore  Oli- 
ver Perry,  who  said,  after  the  successful  battle  on 
■Lake  Erie,  Sept.  10,  1813,  "We  have  met  the  enemy 
and  they  are  ours."  One  of  the  companies  in  the 
English  war  of  1813-15  was  commanded  by  Capt. 


304 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


John  May  from  Windsor  township,  which  included 
thirty-five  men  also  from  this  township:  and  the 
political  influence  of  these  men  led  to  the  selection 
of  the  name  for  the  new  township. 

Ontelaunee,  from  an  Indian  word,  Ontelaunee, 
which  means  a  little  maiden;  and  from  this  transla- 
tion Maiden  creek  was  derived. 

Boroughs. — The  following  boroughs  have  been 
established  in  this  section : 

Kutztown,  in  1815. 

Hamburg,  in  1837. 

Fleetwood,  in  1873. 

Topton,    in   1875. 

Lenhartsville,  in  1887. 

Waterworks  have  been  supplied  at  the  first  four, 
and  electric  hghting  at  the  first  three. 

Towns, — The  following  towns  are  in  this  section : 

Name  'Houses  Name  Houses 

Blandon     (1869) 135  Mertztown     (1857)      54 

Bolwers      (1860) 20  Mohrsville     (1836)      20 

Buena    Vista 8  Molltown     (1S39)      16 

Eagle     Point     10  Monterey     (1830)      13 

East     Bankley     (1820)      7  Moselem     (1856)      10 

Farmington     15  Rothrocksville     (1830)      ....   23 

Hancock     (1870)      16  Shamrock     (1859)      26 

Halfway     House     (1800)      . .    12  Shoemakersville     (1833)      .  .    140 

Kempton      (1874)      22  Virginville    (1874)     33 

Klinesville     (1825)      10  Walnut-town     B 

Krurasvillel     (1885)      18  Weilersville     (1812)      28 

Loesport     (1840)      131  Wessnersville     (1858)      24 

Lyons     (1860)      95  Windsor  Castle    (1856)    6 

Maple    (jrove     12 

First  Settlers. — The  territory  embraced  in  this 
section  was  not  released  by  the  Indians  to  the  heirs 
of  William  Penn  until  1732,  and  on  that  account 
there  was  no  general  influx  of  immigrants  before 
that  time.  Immediately  afterward,  a  number  of 
Friends  entered  and  took  up  large  tracts  of  land 
in  localities  now  included  in  Ontelaunee  and  Maid- 
en-creek townships.  About  1752,  nearly  the  entire 
area  of  these  two  townships  was  owned  and  occu- 
pied by  Friends.  The  names  of  the  more  promi- 
nent families  were  Meredith,  Parvin,  Penrose, 
Lightfoot,  Starr,  Wily  and  Willits;  and  some  of 
the  descendants  are  still  in  this  vicinity.  These 
settlers  went  there  by  way  of  the  Schuylkill  Valley. 

About  the  same  time,  a  considerable  number  of 
immigrants  of  different  nationalities,  but  mostly 
Germans,  entered  the  section  by  way  of  the  Mana- 
tawny  creek  and  the  Oley  hills,  and  also  by  way 
of  the  West  Branch  of  the  Perkiomen  creek 
and  the  Hereford  hills,  and  they  took  up 
great  quantities  of  land  which  reached  from 
one  end  of  the  section  to  the  other;  indeed, 
they  were  so  numerous  and  energetic  that  by  1740, 
within  the  short  period  of  eight  years,  they  had  es- 
tablished six  townships,  embracing  the  entire  sec- 
tion. There  are  numerous  descendants  of  the  first 
settlers  in  the  several  townships,  notably  the  Mer- 
kels,  Rothermels,  Greenawalds,  Dunkels,  Heffners, 
Kutzes,  Belongs,  Hottensteins,  Levans,  Wanners, 
Kemps,  Steins,  Sells,  Winks,  Sharadins,  Schaeffers, 
Zimmermans,  Fenstermachers,  Longs,  Mertzes' 
Luckenbills,  Mayberrys,  Shappels,  Grims,  Smiths, 
Wessners,  Dietrichs  and  Kistlers,  as  will  be  readily 
seen  by  comparing  the  taxables  of  1909  with  the 
lists  of  the  taxables  published  in  Chapter  I. 

^Formerly    Smithsvillc. 


Indian  Atrocities. — Along  the  Blue  Mountain 
in  Albany,  in  1755  and  1756,  Indian  cruelties  were 
inflicted  upon  the  settlers  during  the  progress  of 
the  French    and  Indian  war.     [See  Chapter  VIII. ] 

Blue  Rocks. — There  is  a  natural  curiosity  lo- 
cated in  Albany  township,  near  the  Greenwich  town- 
ship line,  about  three  miles  northwest  from  Len- 
hartsville, which  has  attracted  much  local  attention 
from  the  time  of  the  first  settlements  in  the  county 
in  that  vicinity.  It  consists  of  a  large  collection 
of  rocks  tumbled  together  irregularly,  covering  an 
area  of  thirty  acres,  which  have  a  bluish  appear- 
ance. They  are  surrounded  by  trees  and  vegeta- 
tion, and  visitors  can  distinctly  hear  the  roll- 
ing and  splashing  of  waters  underneath,  though 
invisible.  The  rocks  can  be  seen  from  the  State 
road,  and  the  origin  of  the  peculiar  formation  has 
excited  much  comment. 

Iron  Ore  was  discovered  in  Richmond,  Maxa- 
tawny  and  Longswamp  townships  before  the  erec- 
tion of  the  county  in  1752.  Active  and  successful 
operations  in  mining  ore  and  manufacturing  iron 
were  carried  on  here  for  over  an  hundred  years ; 
but  the  industries  were  not  so  numerous  as  in  the 
Manatawny  Section.  The  Moselem  Forge  was  one 
of  the  early  iron  industries. 

Highways. — This  section  is  intersected  by  many 
roads  in  all  the  townships.  Three  prominent  high- 
ways are  worthy  of  particular  mention :  Centre 
Turnpike,  from  Reading  via  Leesport  to  Hamburg 
and  beyond  the  county  line,  which  was  abandoned 
as  a  toll-road  in  1885,  after  having  been  maintained 
for  over  seventy  years;  the  Kutztown  Road,  from 
the  Centre  Turnpike  at  Berkley,  via  the  Halfway 
House  and  Kutztown  to  Allentown ;  and  the  "State 
Road,"  across  the  upper  section,  from  Hamburg 
via  Lenhartsville  to  the  Lehigh  county  line,  being 
a  continuation  of  the  highway  from  Harrisburg  and 
Jonestown,  in  Lebanon  county,  to  Millersburg  and 
Hamburg,  in  Berks  county. 

Canal. — The  Schuylkill  canal  was  constructed 
in  1822  along  the  river  from  Leesport  to  the  county 
line,  twelve  miles  in  length,  and  operated  success- 
fully for  fifty  years  with  numerous  boats  owned 
by  private  individuals. 

R-'ULROAD. — Five  railroads  have  been  constructed 
in  this  section : 

The  East  Pciiii,  in  18.57,  from  Temple  northeast- 
wardly to  the  Lehigh  county  line,  a  distance  of 
twenty  miles. 

The  Kiifz:tozvn  Branch,  in  1870,  from  Topton, 
about  five  miles  in  length,  on  the  bed  of  the  pro- 
posed line  from  Allentown  to  Auburn,  by  way  of 
A'irginville,  \A"indsor  Castle,  and  Hamburg,  partly 
constructed  about  that  time. 

The  Red  Lion  Branch  of  the  Catasauqua  &  Fog- 
elsville  railroad,  about  1880,  two  miles  in  length,  in 
Longswamp,  for  shipping  iron  ore. 

The  Schuylkill  and  Lehigh  Railroad  (formerly 
Berks  county),  in  1871,  from  near  Tuckerton  to 
the  Lehigh  county  line  along  the  Ontelaunee  creek, 
a  distance  of  eighteen  miles. 


TOWNSHIPS 


305 


The  Pennsylvania  Schuylkill  Valley  Railroad  in 
1885,  from  near  Tuckerton  to  Hamburg,  along  the 
Schuylkill' river,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles. 

Early  Iron  WoEKS.^-The  Moselem  Forge,  in 
Richmond,  the  Brobst  Forge,  in  Albany,  the  Dela- 
plank  (Union)  Furnace,  in  Windsor,  and  the 
Mary  Ann  Furnace  in  Longswamp,  were  operated 
for  nearly  a  hundred  years  from  the  time  of  the 
Revolution. 

NOTEWORTHY   ENTERPRISES 

Leesport  Furnace,  established  in  Ontelaunee  at 
Leesport  in  1853,  and  carried  on  for  about  forty 
years.  The  plant  was  sold  in  1899  and  it  has  been 
carried  on  since  by  the  Leesport  Furnace-  Com- 
pany. 

Blandon  Rolling  Mill  was  built  in  Maiden- 
creek  along  the  East  Penn  railroad  in  1867.  It 
has  been  successfully  operated  since  1892  by  Simon 
Seyfert.  Annual  product,  33,000  tons;  hands  em- 
ployed, 335. 

Topton  Furnace,  erected  at  Topton  in  1871, 
and  in  operation  since  then,  excepting  several  inter- 
vals. The  Empire  Iron  &  Steel  Company  has 
owned  and  operated  it  since  1900.  Production,  500 
tons  of  iron  weekly. 

Shoemakersville  Clay  Works,  established  in 
Perry,  near  Shoemakersville,  in  1897,  for  manufac- 
turing glazed  sewer-pipe,  and  the  Schuylkill  Valley 
Clay  Manufacturing  Company  conducted  opera- 
tions there  for  ten  years. 

Brick  Company. — The  Clay  Works  were  pur- 
chased in  1908  by  A.  A.  Gery  and  W.  A.  Gery, 
who  organized  the  Glen-Gery  Brick  &  Cement 
Company,  for  the  manufacture  of  vitrified  brick 
for  building  and  paving  purposes,  and  established 
a  plant  with  a  daily  capacity  of  60,000. 

Inlaid  Tile  Company. — In  1907,  the  Reading 
Cement  Inlaid  Tile  Company  was  incorporated  by 
a  Greek  from  Patras,  in  Greece,  named  Constan- 
tinn  H.  Geannakopoulos,  and  he  established  a  small 
plant  in  Reading  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Seventh 
and  Chestnut  streets.  In  June,  1908,  it  was  trans- 
ferred to  Shoemakersville,  where  a  place  was  se- 
cured with  a  capacity  of  300  square  yards.  The 
company  manufactures  all  styles,  colors  and  designs, 
and  employs  six  hands.  The  machinery  was  im- 
ported. It  is  the  only  enterprise  of  the  kind  in  the 
United  States. 

Cement  Works.— A  large  cement  works  was 
established  in  Richmond  township  in  1899  by  the 
Reading  Cement  Company  (composed  of  Reading 
capitalists),  at  a  cost  of  $350,000.  The  property 
comprised  100  acres,  in  which  there  is  a  large  de- 
posit of  superior  limestone,  and  the  plant  was 
equipped  with  machinery.  It  continued  in  opera- 
tion for  several  years  and  employed  from  eighty- 
five  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  men  and  produced 
daily  450  barrels  of  cement.  It  was  succeeded  by 
the  Vindex  Portland  Cement  Company,  which  im- 
proved the  plant  and  carried  on  operations  several 

30 


years  with  a  daily  capacity  of  600  barrels.  In  1908 
the  plant  was  leased  to  the  Vindex  Corporation, 
under  the  control  of  Charles  Matcham,  of  Allen- 
town,  an  experienced  manufacturer  of  cement. 

Mr.  Matcham  also  organized  the  AHentown  Port- 
land Cement  Company  and  secured  a  large  adjoin- 
ing tract  to  the  north  and  west  with  intention  of 
'  establishing  a  costly,  modern  plant  with  a  daily 
capacity  of  3,500  barrels. 

Pumping  Station,  established  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Maiden  creek  in  Ontelaunee,  seven  miles  from 
Reading,  in  1889,  for  increasing  the  water  supply 
of  Reading.  Daily  capacity,  30,000,000  gallons.  A 
large  and  costly  filtration  plant  is  being  established 
at  East  Berkley  by  the  Reading  Water  Board  to 
be  operated  in  connection  with  the  Pumping  Sta- 
tion. 

Keystone  State  Normal  School,  established 
in  1866,  ii;i  Maxatawny,  adjoining  Kutztown.  The 
buildings  are  large  and  commodious  apd  the  man- 
agement has  been  very  successful.  [See  Kutztown, 
Chapter  XL] 

Clay  Works. — A  number  of  clay  works  have 
been  operated  in  Longswamp  at  and  near  Mertz- 
town,  during  the  past  thirty  years.  Ochre  has  been 
produced  in  large  quantities  since  1883;  and  gra- 
phite since  1880. 

Iron  Ore  Mines. — Twenty-five  years  ago  over 
one  hundred  iron  ore  mines  were  carried  on  in 
Longswamp,  Maxatawny  and  Richmond  town- 
ships, yielding  very  large  quantities  of  ore,  but 
nearly  all  have  been  shut  down.  Only  five  are  now 
in  operation,  with  100  hands  and  a  production  of 
4,000  tons  of  hematite  ore  monthtly. 

Gery  Country  Home. — In  1904,  A.  A.  Gery,  of 
Reading,  erected  a  costly  country  home  in  Onte- 
launee, along  the  Maiden  creek,  on  the  old  Wily 
Mill  property,  which  has  become  known  as  Glen- 
Gery. 

Topton  Orphans'  Home,  established  in  1897  by 
the  Reading  Conference  of  the  Lutneran  Minister- 
ium  of  Pennsylvania,  on  a  commanding  site  in 
Longswamp,  near  Topton.  The  property  comprises 
115  acres.  The  Home  is  a  three-story  brick,  com- 
modious structure,  with  modern  improvements. 
Inmates,  boys  and  girls,  90;  all  denominations. 

Kutztown  Fair  Ground,  established  in  1870, 
in  Maxatawny,  adjoining  Kutztown,  on  the  south, 
and  the  local  Agricultural  Society  held  exhibitions 
there  for  about  thirty  years.  In  1905  a  new  place 
was  established  on  the  north  side  of  Kutztown, 
with  a  superior  half-mile  track,  and  the  first  ex- 
hibition was  held  there  in  October. 

Leesport  Bane. — A  number  of  enterprising 
business  men  of  Leesport  and  vicinity  org'anized 
a  bank  with  a  capital  of  $35,000,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  neighborhood,  and  named  it  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Leesport.  The  following 
directors  were  elected  as  the  first  board  and  the 
bank  was  opened  for  business  in  July,  1909 :     A. 


306 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


F.  Mogel,  president;  S.  M.  Deck,  cashier;  Charles 
Dunkel,  D.  H.  Reiser,  Jacob  Bagenstose,  Charles 
O.  Collins,  James  A.  Reiser,  O.  A.  Keim,  James 
H.  Wagner,  James  R.  Keim,  M.  S.  Rentschler, 
Joseph  Naftzinger,  Sassaman  Schappell,  Lloyd 
Miller,  James  R.  Weisner. 

Electric  Plant. — William  F.  Krick  established 
an  electric  plant  at  Sinking  Spring  in  1903  for  sup- 
plying light  to  the  residents  of  that  town  and  also 
at  Wyomissing  and  Shillington  and  extended  wires 
in  and  to  the  places  named.  George  F.  Wertz,  of 
Wernersville,  established  a  similar  plant  at  that 
place  in  1904. 


TULPEHOCKEN   SECTION 

The  Tulpehocken  Section  comprises  thirteen 
townships.  The  time  of  their  settlement  and  erec- 
tion is  set  forth  in  the  following  table : 

ORIGINAL 

Settled  Erected 

Bern    1733  1738 

Bethel    1733  1739 

Heidelberg    1733  1734 

Tulpehocken   1723  1739 

ADDITIONAL 

Taken    from  Erected 

Bern,  Upper                  Bern    1789 

Tulpehocken,   Upper    Tulpehocken     1820 

Penn                               Bern  and  Bern,  Upper   . . .  1841 

Heidelberg,    Lower     Heidelberg    1842 

Centre                             Bern  and  Bern,  Upper   .  . .  1843 

Marion                            Tulpehocken     1S43 

Heidelberg,  North        Heidelberg     1845 

Jefferson                        Tulpehocken     1851 

Tilden                             Bern,    Upper    1887 

Derivation  of  Names. — The  derivation  of  the 
names  was  as  follows  : 

Bern,  from  the  name  of  a  canton  in  Switzerland, 
whence  some  of  the  early  settlers  emigrated. 

Bethel,  from  the  name  of  a  Moravian  meeting- 
house in  this  vicinity,  showing  the  religious  nature 
and  influence  of  the  inhabitants. 

Heidelberg,  from  the  name  of  a  distinguished 
place  in  the  southern  portion  of  Germany,  whence 
a  large  number  of  the  earliest  settlers  emigrated. 

Tulpehocken,  from  an  Indian  word,  Tulpewihaki, 
which  means  a  land  of  turtles. 

Bern,  Upper,  from  its  location,  being  the  upper 
portion  of  the  township  from  which  it  was  taken. 

Tulpehocken,  Upper,  named  for  the  same  reason. 

Penn,  from  the  name  of  William  Penn,  who  had 
been  the  proprietor  of  all  the  land  in  Berks  county. 

Heidelberg,  Lower,  from  its  location,  being  the 
lower,  or  eastern  portion  of  the  township  in  its 
division ;  and 

Heidelberg,  North,  from  its  location. 

Centre,  from  its  location. 

Marion,  from  the  name  of  a  distinguished  gen- 
eral, Francis  Marion,  in  the  United  States  Army. 

Jefferson,  from  the  name  of  the  first  Democratic 
President  of  the  United  States,  Thomas  Jefferson, 
indicating  the  political  opinion  of  the  petitioners. 

Tilden,  from  the  name  of  the  unsuccessful  candi- 
date for  President  of  the  United  States  on  the  Dem- 


ocratic ticket  in  1876,  Samuel  J.  Tilden,  who  was 
supposed  by  the  Democrats  to  have  been  elected, 
but  counted  out.  This  was  a  firm  conviction  of 
the  Democrats  in  this  township. 

Boroughs.- — -The  following  boroughs  were  estab- 
lished in  this  section: 

Womelsdorf,  in  1833. 
Bernville,   in   1851. 
Centreport,  in  1884. 
West  Leesport,  in  1901. 

Towns. — The   following  towns   are   situated   in 
this  section : 


Name  Houses 

Bern     (18S0)      18 

Blue    Marsh    (1776) 18 

Brownsville    (1864)     5 

Fritztown    (1813)    50 

Freystown    (1830)     13 

Lorahl     (1884)      10 

MjUersburg     (1814)      76 

Mohrsville    Station    (I860)..   45 
Mt.    Aetna2     (1810)     55 


Name  Houses 

OboldS    (1835)     50 

Rehrersburg     (1818)     76 

Eobesonia    (1855)     190 

Schaefferstown     (1836)      21 

Shartlesville     (1860)     50 

Stouchsburg    (1833)     83 

Strausstolwn     (1840)      84 

Wernersville     (1855)      200 

West    Hamburg    (1860)     12 


First  Settlers. — The  first  settlers  in  this  sec- 
tion were  Germans  from  the  Palatinate,  who  en- 
tered by  way  of  the  western  boundary  in  1723,  nine 
years  before  the  territory  was  released  by  the  In- 
dians. They  ha(i_landed_at  New  York  in  1712,  and 
gone  up  the  Hudson  river  about  an  hundred  miles, 
but  having  been  grossly  deceived  and  imposed  upon 
there,  they  migrated  by  way  of  the  Susquehanna 
river  and  the  Swatara  creek  to  the  headwaters  of 
the  Tulpehocken  creek  and  settled  in  the  vicinity  of 
what  is  now  Womelsdorf  and  Stouchsburg.  The 
colony  comprised  thirty-three  families,  and  among 
them  were  the  Rieths,  Fitlers,  Scharfs,  Walborns, 
Schaeffers,  Zerbes,  Fischers,  Lashes  and  An- 
spachs.  And  five  years  later,  there  were  other 
German  families  who  migrated  from  New  York,  by 
the  same  course,  to  the  Tulpehocken  settlement ; 
among  them  being  the  Hains,  Schneiders,  Loewen- 
guths,  Noeckers,  Werners,  Schmidts,  and  Katter- 
mans.  Numerous  descendants  of  these  families  are 
still  in  this  section. 

In  1729  Conrad  Weiser  and  his  family  also  mi- 
grated from  New  York  to  the  Tulpehocken  settle- 
ment and  his  presence  was  a  great  help  to  the 
Penns  in  pacifying  the  Indians  and  preventing  them 
from  slaughtering  the  settlers.  He  was  an  accom- 
plished interpreter  and  a  very  useful  man  in  var- 
ious waj'S.  He  took  an  active  part  in  all  local  af- 
fairs, and  he  was  chiefly  instrumental  in  securing 
the  erection  of  Berks  county  in  1752  out  of  the 
townships  which  bad  heen  previously  established 
to  the  east  and  west  of  the  Schuylkill  river. 

The  pressure  of  immigrating  German  families 
was  so  great  that  they  entered  the  territory  in  spite 
of  the  protest  of  the  Indians.  The  Proprietaries 
apologized  and  made  various  excuses  and  finally  in 
1732  secured  a  release  from  them.  By  that  time, 
numerous  settlers  were  in  every  part  of  the  section ; 
and  before  1740,  four  townships  had  been  estab- 
lished by  the  court  at  Lancaster,  which  embraced  the 
entire  section. 

Highways. — This  section  is  intersected  by  num- 
erous roads,  three  of  them  being  especially  promi- 

^Formcrly    State    Hill.     ''Wohleberstown.      "Hetrichstown. 


■ab<3!jrei 


a- 


■3PS'"^'"1'£^ 


TOWNSHIPS 


307 


nent:  the  Berks  and  Dauphin  Turnpike,  from 
Reading,  via  Sinking  Spring  and  Wornelsdorf,  to 
Lebanon  (occupying  the  old  "Tulpehocken  Road" 
to  Wornelsdorf,  which  had  been  laid  out  in  1737, 
and  subsequently  extended  northwestwardly,  via 
Rehrersburg,  to  Pine  Grove) ;'  the  State  Road, 
across  the  upper  portion  from  Lebanon,  via  Millers- 
burg,  Rehrersburg,  Strausstown  and  Shartlesville, 
to  Hamburg;  and  the  Bernville  Road,  from  Read- 
ing, via  State  Hill  and  Bernville,  to  Millersburg. 

Canal. — The  Union  canal  was  constructed  in 
1828  along  the  Tulpehocken  creek  in  this  section, 
via  Bernville  and  Wornelsdorf,  to  the  Lebanon 
county  line,  a  distance  of  about  twenty-five  miles, 
and  operated  very  successfully  for  thirty  years, 
with  prominent  store-houses  at  the  two  places  men- 
tioned. 

Railroads. — The  Lebanon  Valley  Railroad  was 
constructed  in  1857  in  this  section  from  Sinking 
Spring  westward  to  the  Lebanon  county  line  at 
Newmanstown,  a  distance  of  ten  miles. 

The  Reading  Railway,  from  the  Schuylkill  bridge 
above  Tuckerton,  to  the  Schuylkill  county  line, 
along  the  river,  a  distance  of  thirteen  miles. 

Trolley  Line. — A  trolley  line  of  street  railway 
was  constructed  in  1894  from  Sinking  Spring  to 
Wornelsdorf  on  the  turnpikfe,  a  distance  of  nine 
miles. 

NOTEWORTHY    ENTERPRISES 

Charming  Forge,  established  in  1749,  in  Tulpe- 
hocken (afterward  Marion)  township,  along  the 
Tulpehocken  creek,  three  miles  north  of  Wornels- 
dorf; operated  by  George  Ege  from  1774  to  1824; 
and  by  Andrew  Taylor  and  his  sons  William  and 
B.  Franklin  from  1855  to  1885.  A  part  of  the 
forge  site,  including  the  water-power,  was  pur- 
chased by  the  borough  of  Wornelsdorf  in  1906,  and 
an  electric  plant  was  established  for  supplying  the 
inhabitants  with  electric  light  on  the  streets  and  in 
their  dwellings. 

Robesonia  Furnace,  established  in  Heidelberg 
on  Spring  creek  in  1794  by  George  Ege  and  known 
for  fifty  years  as  the  "Reading  Furnace,"  during 
which  time  charcoal  iron  was  manufactured.  The 
^•rst  anthracite  furnace  was  erected  in  1845.  Since 
then  it  has  been  much  enlarged  and  improved  by 
the  Robesonia  Iron  Company.  Daily  capacity,  160 
tons;  men  employed,  200. 

Hamburg  Vitrified  Brick  Company,  established 
in  Tilden,  above  West  Hamburg,  near  the  Reading 
railway,  in  1891,  as  a  common  brick  plant  and  car- 
ried on  as  such  until  1896,  when  the  Mack  Broth- 
ers of  Philadelphia  purchased  it  and  began  the 
manufacture  of  vitrified  brick.  They  have  oper- 
ated it  since  then,  running  nine  kilns,  producing 
10,000,000  bricks  annually,  and  employing  75  men. 

Paper-Mills. — Henry  Van  Reed  started  a  pa- 
per-mill near  the  mouth  of  the  Cacoosing  creek, 
about  1825,  and  it  continued  in  the  family  in  a  direct 
line  from  him,  through  his  son,  Charles,  and  his 
grandson,     Henry     Z.,     to     his     great-grandson 


Charles  L.,  for  a  period  of  over  seventy  years.  The 
plant  was  then  sold,  remodeled,  and  operated  since 
by  different  parties. 

The  Tulfehocken  Paper  Mill  is  a  branch  of  the 
Reading  Paper  Mills,  started  by  Jacob  Bushong,  in 
1856,  on  the  site  of  the  old  Kissinger  grist-mill  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Tulpehocken  creek,  and  operated 
by  him  for  twenty  years. 

Dauberville  Ice  Plant. — Henry  Ahrens  and 
John  R.  Gonser  established  a  large  ice  plant  in  1888 
in  the  lower  eastern  portion  of  Centre  township  on 
the  Irish  creek  near  its  outlet  into  the  Schuylkill. 
The  dam  covers  thirty  acres  and  the  storage-house 
has  a  capacity  of  25,000  tons.  It  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1893  and  immediately  rebuilt. 

Health  Resorts. — Lower  Heidelberg  township 
has  tecome  famous  for  its  costly  and  successful 
resorts,  established  on  the  South  Mountain  for  the 
restoration  and  preservation  of  health.  In  the  or- 
der of  priority  they  are  as  follows : 

Wenrich's  Grand  View,  first  established  by  Dr. 
Charles  F.  Leisenring,  in  1849.  Greatly  improved 
and  operated  by  Dr.  R.  D.  Wenrich  since  1897. 

The  Wdlter  Sanitarium,  established  by  Dr.  Rob- 
ert Walter  in  1877,  and  enlarged  several  times,  and 
become  within  .thirty  years,  under  his  management, 
one  of  the  greatest  resorts  of  the  kind  in  the  coun- 
try. 

Preston's  Sunnyside,  established  by  Dr.  James  S. 
Preston,  in  1880,  and  operated  by  his  son  James 
since  1883. 

Grosch's  Sunset  House,  by  Francis  Grosch,  in 
1876,  and  subsequently  enlarged.  His  son-in-law, 
Dr.  J.  D.  Moyer,  has  conducted  the  place  since  1892. 

Hassler's  Highland  House,  started  in  1890  by 
James  Schaeffer,  and  after  he  operated  it  for  some 
years,  purchased  by  Richard  Hassler,  who  has  car- 
ried it  on  since. 

Bethany  Orphans'  Home,  established  in  1867 
in  Heidelberg,  one  mile  south  of  Womelsdorf,  by 
the  German  Reformed  Church.  It  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1881,  and  immediately  rebuilt.  The  man- 
agement by  the  Board  of  Trustees  has  been  very 
successful.  In  1909  there  were  155  orphans  in  the 
Home;  thirteen  from  Berks  county. 

Wernersville  State  Asylum,  established  in 
1894,  in  Lower  Heidelberg,  west  of  Wernersville. 
This  is  a  very  large  and  successful  institution.  [See 
Chapter  VII.] 

House  of  Good  Shepherd,  first  established  at 
Fourth  and  Pine  streets,  Reading,  in  1889,  by  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  for  the  care  of  young 
girls ;  and  transferred  to  Glenside  in  Bern  town- 
ship, where  a  superior  structure  was  erected,  in 
1900,  on  a  commanding  site  along  the  river  opposite 
North  Reading.  Inmates  in  1909  were  180  girls; 
47  Magdalens,  and  30  Sisters.  The  property  in- 
cludes four  acres  of  ground. 

Berkshire  Country  Club. — The  Berkshire 
Country  Club  owes  its  inception  to  Alexander 
,F.  Smith,  John  J.  Kutz  and  a  few  other  gentle- 


,308 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


men,  who  in  1897  obtained  some  golf  clubs  and 
balls,  and  essayed  to  play  "the  royal  game  of  golf" 
on  a  six-hole  course  which  John  Reid,  a  profes- 
sional golfer  from  Atlantic  City,  laid  out  on 
grounds  at  Carsonia,  where  the  present  park  is 
located.  The  Club  was  formally  incorporated  on 
May  10,  1899,  by  Wilson  Ferguson,  Wilham  Ker- 
per  Stevens,  Herbert  R.  Green,  F.  C.  Smink, 
George  F.  Baer,  G.  Howard  Bright,  M.  Brayton 
McKnight,  J.  Lancaster  Repplier,  John  M.  Archer, 
William  Seyfert  and  E.  L.  Parvin. 

Owing  to  numerous  streams  and  marshes,  it  was 
found  that  the  grounds  at  Carsonia  were  ill  adapted 
for  the  purposes  of  a  country  club,  and  in  1899  ar- 
rangements were  made  with  the  Reading  Suburban 
Real  Estate  Company  to  occupy  vacant  land  sur- 
rounding the  suburban  town  of  Wyoraissing,  where 
a  nine-hole  course,  2,159  yards  in  length,  was  laid 
out  by  Alexander  F.  Smith  (architect),  and  where 
the  Club  flourished  until  the  end  of  1903.  The  house 
built  by  John  B.  Mull  along  the  Wyomissing  boule- 
vard was  occupied  as  a  clubhouse. 

In  May,  1902,  the  Club  purchased  from  George  F. 
Baer  sixty  acres  of  farming  land,  situated  in  Bern 
township,  near  Reading,  between  the  Schuylkill 
river  (just  north  of  Hain's  Looks)  and  the  Bernville 
road.  A  nine-hole  golf  course,  3,090  yards  long, 
abounding  in  interesting  features,  was  laid  out  by 
John  Reid,  as  well  as  five  tennis  courts.  In  addi- 
tion, there  is  a  swimming  pavilion,  with  bathhouses, 
and  shooting  grounds  and  traps,  also  a  fine  base-ball 
diamond  and  grounds.  A  spacious  clubhouse,  equip- 
ped with  all  the  essential  comforts  and  conveniences, 
lockers,  shower-baths,  etc.,  including  furnished 
rooms  for  members,  occupies  a  commanding  site 
(110  feet  above  the  river  level)  within  2,500  feet 
of  the  Schuylkill.  It  is  surrounded  by  broad  porches, 
and  affords  an  extended  view  of  the  grounds  and 
of  the  charming  scenery  of  the  surrounding  country. 
It  is  located  upon  an  ideal  spot.  The  reception  hall, 
parlor  and  dining  rooms  are  large  and  splendidly 
furnished,  and  well  adapted  for  luncheons,  teas,  din- 
ners, dances  and  all  social  purposes.  There  is  also  a 
first-class  cafe  in  charge  of  an  experienced  steward. 
Ample  stable  and  shed  accommodations  are  provided 
for  horses,  vehicles  and  automobiles.  A  private 
road  has  been  constructed  from  the  Bernville  road 
direct  to  the  clubhouse.  The  club  automobile  con- 
veys members  from  the  clubhouse  to  the  Schuylkill 
avenue  cars  at  Windsor  street.  Many  members  are 
conveyed  by  launch  or  boat  from  Hain's  Locks.  The 
grounds  and  clubhouse  were  formally  opened  to  the 
members  on  June  13,  1903,  and  instantly  met  with 
approval.    In  May,  1909,  there  were  360  members. 

The  Silver  Cup,  presented  by  George  F.  Baer, 
Esq.,  for  the  Women's  Golf  Championship,  was  won 
in  1902,  1903,  1904,  1905,  and  1906  by  Miss  EHza- 
beth  Smink;  in  1907  by  Miss  Margaret  Moss,  and 
in  1908  by  Mrs.  Caroline  Derr  Archer ;  and  the  Sil- 
ver Cup  presented  by  F.  C.  Smink,  for  the  Men's 
Golf  Championship,  was  won  in  1902,  1905  and  1907 
by  Alexander  F.  Smith ;  in  1903  and  1904  by  A.  Ellis 


Barron  and  in  1906  and  1908  by  T.  laeger  Snyder. 
F.W.  Nicolls  won  the  Tennis  Championship  in  1903, 
and  Robert  E.  Brooke  in  1904.  The  Silver  Cup, 
presented  by  George  F.  Baer,  Esq.,  for  the  Tennis 
Championship,  was  won  by  Robert  E.  Brooke  in 
1905,  and  by  Randolph  StaufFer  in  1906,  1907,  and 
1908.  In  the  Handicap  Shooting  Match,  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Seyfert  won  the  1905  Silver  Cup,  presented 
by  E.  E.  Stetson,  Hunter  Eckert  and  Samuel  R. 
Seyfert. 

The  officers  of  the  Club  are:  F.  C.  Smink,  presi- 
dent ;  Wilham  Seyfert,  vice-president ;  Frederick  W. 
Nicolls,  treasurer;  George  W.  Delany,  secretary. 

Glenside. — In  1902,  George  O.  Runyeon,  C.  Q. 
Guldin  and  A.  J.  Brumbach  laid  off  seventy-five 
acres  into  about  1,700  building  lots  along  the  Bern- 
ville road  in  Bern  township,  near  the  Schuylkill 
avenue  bridge,  and  called  the  place  "Glenside." 
About  sixty  dwelling-houses  have  been  erected 
since.  Some  years  before,  a  previous  attempt  had 
been  made  to  establish  a  suburban  town  here. 

Wernersville  Bank. — The  Wernersville  Na- 
tional Bank  was  chartered  March  10,  1906,  with  a 
capital  of  $50,000.  George  W.  Wertz  was  selected 
as  president,  and  Leonard  M.  Ruth  as  cashier.  In 
November,  1908,  the  total  resources  were  $273,579. 


SCHUYLKILL  SECTION 

The  Schuylkill  Section  comprises  six  townships 
and  the  time  of  their  settlement  and  erection  is  set 
forth  in  the  following  table : 

ORIGINAL 

Settled  Erected 

Brecknock    1729  1741 

Caernarvon    1700  1729 

Cumru     1732  1737 

Robeson    1720  1739 

Union    1705  1752 

ADDITIONAL 
Taken    from  Erected 

Spring  Cumru    1850 

Derivation  of  Names. — The  derivation  of  the 
names  was  as  follows: 

Brecknock,  from  the  name  of  a  distr':t  in 
Wales ;  but  the  name  had  been  given  to  a  township 
in  Lancaster  county,  of  which  the  portion  cut  off 
in  the  erection  of  Berks  county  was  a  part. 

Caernarvon,  for  the  same  reasons,  as  above 
stated. 

Cnnw'u,  from  the  name  of  a  district  in  Wales, 
whence  the  first  settlers  had  emigrated. 

Robeson,  from  the  name  of  Andrew  Robeson, 
the  first  settler  of  this  vicinity,  who  had  taken  up 
a  large  area  of  land. 

Union,  from  the  circumstance  of  uniting  two  por- 
tions of  territory  in  forming  the  township,  one  from 
Lancaster  county,  embracing  about  5,600  acres,  and- 
the  other  from  Chester  countv,  embracing  about 
7,500  acres. 

Spring,  from  the  circumstance  of  a  large  spring 
of  water,  situated  near  the  central  portion  of  the 


TOWNSHIPS  309 

township,  which  frequently  disappeared  or  sank  Railroads. — The  Reading  &  Co'lumbia  Railroad' 
away  in  dry  weather,  on  account  of  the  limestone  was  constructed  in  1864,  extending  from  Realding 
fissure.  westwardly  through   Spring  township  to   Sinking 

This  formation  was  the  only  new  township  estab-    Spring,  and  southwardly  to  the  Lancaster  county 
lished  in  this  section.    A  previous  effort  had  been    line,  a  distance  of  eight  miles. 
made  in  1845  for  the  division  of  Robeson  township,.       The    Lebanon    Valley    Railroad    was    extended 
and  though  successful  by  petition  to  the  court,  the    through  Spring  township  in  1857. 
proceedings  were  set  aside  by  a  public  election,  which       The  Wilmington  &  Northern  Railroad,  in  1870, 
was  held  on  March  7,  1846.    The  establishment  of    extending  from  Birdsboro    southwardly  to  Chester 
the  new  township,  named  Hay-creek  by  the  court,    county  line,  a  distance  of  ten  miles;  and  in  1874 
after  the  strong  stream  of  water  in  this  vicinity,    to  "Poplar  Neck"  on  the  High   farm  northwest- 
developed  so  much  opposition  that  the  objectors,    wardly^a  distance  of  six  miles, 
headed  by  Levi  B.  Smith,  of  Joanna  Furnace,  se-        j^^^^      Lines. -The  Reading  and  Southwestern 
cured  the  passage  of  an  Act  of  Assenibly  by  the    gtreet  Railway  was  constructed  in  1890,  in  Cumru 
State  Legislature  which  directed  the  submission  of    township,   from  Reading  to  Mohnton,  a  distance 
the  question  to  public  vote,  and  the  vote  was  unan-    ^f  ^^^  ^^j^^    ^^^  ^^  ^gg^  extended  to  Adamstown, 
imous  against  the  division  of  the  towUship.  ^  ^j^^^^^g  ^^  ^^^  ^-^^^^ 

Boroughs.— The   following  boroughs   were   es-        ^he  Black  Bear  line  extended  in  1904  to  Birds- 
tabhshed  m  this  section:  ^,^^0,  via  Seyfert,  in  Robeson  township,  a  distance 

WoSn'"in%6  of  four  miles. 

West^Rea^ng"  in  1907.  Canal.— The   Schuylkill  canal  was   constructed 

Mohnton,  in  1907.  in  1838,  in  Robeson  and  Union  townships   along 

Shillington,  in  1908.  the  river  to  the  Chester  county  line,  a  distance  of 

Waterworks   have   been   established ,  at  the  bor-    nine   miles ;  one  level  of  six  miles   from  the  Big 

oughs  named,  excepting  the  last,  which  is  supplied    Dam  to  Birdsboro ;  and  another  level  of  eight  miles 

from  Mohnton.  to  Laurel  Hill,  some  distance  beyond  the  county 

Towns. — The   following  towns   are   situated   in    line, 
this  section:  Early  Industries. — Three  iron  works  were  es- 

Name                           Houses      Name                           Houses    tablished   in   Robeson,   and  One   in  Union,   before 
AUeghenyviUe   (18T0)    SO     Monocacy  (1852)   44    1800,  as  f oUows :     Bird's  Forge,  1740;  Gibraltar 

Beckersville     (1852)     8        Montello     (1896)     18     „  -i  ivpvn     t  tt  -irinn     tt  ii  t? 

Browerviiie  (1820) 8      Mocgantown    (1770)    48    Forge,  1770 ;  Joanna  Fumace,  1790 ;  HopewcU  Fur- 

Geigertown    (1828)     S2        Oakbrookl     (1885)     116     „„-„    1 7Rt; 

Gibraltar     (1836)      75        Seyfert     (1881)      40     "acC,    -I'OO. 

Gougiersviiie    (18555    30      Sinking  Spring  (1831)    ....230        Estabhshments  at  the  first  two  places  have  con- 

Mmmont" (1885*)°\ .'.!'.'.!;' !  05      wSfz^ffll  ^}^^^^... '.'.'.'.'.'.'  H  tinued  in  operation  until  the  present  time,  but  the 

First  SETTLERS.-The  first  settlers  in  this  sec-  ^''^^''^^   "^^'^   abandoned    and    dismantled   many 

tion  were  Welsh,  and  it  is  believed  that  they  took  y^^^  ^^o-  .  .      .„  ,    .  ^-       u 

up  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Morgantown  before  1700,  .  ^""',^''°"'.  ^"'*:"^'"'.  ^"/,^.  P"*  "?  <'P^'^l°f  by 

having  migrated  up  the  Schuylkill  Valley  from  the  *e  early  settlers  along  the  Wyomissing  creekfor  a 

tir  1  u      4.ri         i    •     nu  r.1.        +,.      Ttc  <.o,-i;ocf  distance  of  seven  miles,  which  evidences  their  ap- 

Welsh  settlements  m  Chester  county.     Its  earliest  ■  .•  .   ,,        .     '       r       ■.     ^„-,...u,]p  .^^ter 
settlers  along  the  western  bank  of  the  river  were  preciation   of  the   stream   tor  its  valuable  water- 
Swedes,  they  having  entered  the  section  opposite  PO'^^^e  . 

the  Molatton  settlement  in  Amity  township  shortly        Suburban  Towns. — ^The  first  attempt  at  estab- 

after  1700.    The  Welsh  settlers  were  numerous  and  lishing  suburban  towns  in  this  section  was  made 

took  up  large  quantities  of  land  before  1740.    The  by  George  Frill,  about  1870,  he  having  purchased 

township  of  Caernarvon  was  erected  in  1729;  Cum-  the  Leinbach  (formerly  Bell)   farm,  situated  along 

ru,  in  1737 ;  and  Brecknock,  in  1741,  the  names  the  Schuylkill  river,  to  the  west  of  Reading,  which 

evidencing  the  nationality  of  the  settlers.    A  num-  came  to  be  called  West  Reading,  and  as  such  it 

ber  of  English  settlers  also  found  their  way  to  the  was  established  as  a  borough  in  1907. 
central  portion  of  Robeson  before  1740.  Shortly  afterward    (1874)     a    number    of  cap- 

HiGHWAYS.— This  section  is  intersected  by  many  italists    at    Reading    purchased    the    Muhlenberg 

roads,   the   following  being  the   most   prominent:  farm  along  the  Schuylkill  river,  to  the  south  of 

Schuylkill  road,  along  the  west  bank  of  the  Schuyl-  Reading,   which  they  laid   off  into  building   lots 

kill,   from  the   mouth  of  the  Tulpehocken   creek,  (about  500)    and     called     Millmont     (translation 

via    Flying    Hill    and    Birdsboro    to    the    Chester  of     the      name     Muhlenberg,      mill-at-the-moun- 

county  line ;  the  Morgantown  road,  via  Green  Tree  tain) .      Some    lots    were    sold,    but    the    county 

Tavern  and  the  Plow  Tavern,  to  Morgantown;  New  authorities  then  refusing  to  erect  a  bridge  across 

Holland   road,    from  Reading,   via   Angelica   and  the  river  at  the  foot  of   South  Sixth  street,  the 

Knauer's,  to  New  Holland;  and  the  Lancaster  road,  establishment  of  a  town  there  was  not  a  success, 

from  Reading  via  Shillington,  Five-mile  House  and  and  their  continued  refusal  has  kept  the  place  back- 

Gouglersville  to  Adamstown.  ward.      The    construction    of    the    Pennsylvania 

1  Laid  out  as  Oakland.  Schuylkill   Valley   railroad   through   the   proposed 


310 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


town  in  1884  encouraged  the  erection  of  industries 
and  a  large  natural  ice  plant  there.  The  rail- 
road company  named  the  station  "Orrton"  after 
Jesse  Orr,  one  of  the  founders  of  Orr,  Painter  & 
Co.  The  city  "Disposal  Plant"  is  near  by  along 
the  river. 

While  this  was  going  on  at  Millmont,  Henry 
T.  Kendall  and  George  Brooke  laid  off  about 
seventy  acres  along  the  Lancaster  road,  two  miles 
from  Reading,  into  lots,  which  they  named  Brook- 
side  ;  the  George  Bechtel  Estate  laid  off  about  forty 
acres,  and  named  it  Oakbrook,  where  a  post-office 
was  established  in  1897  but  discontinued  in 
1906  on  account  of  the  rural  route;  and 
Mrs.  Mary  A.  Boyer  laid  off  about  fifty-five 
acres  (234  lots)  which  came  to  be  called  "Boyer 
Heights."  Along  the  river,  George  A.  Boyer  es- 
tabUshed  in  1898  a  bathing  place  with  100  booths 
for  bathers,  which  came  to  be  very  popular.  It  was 
washed  away  by  a  freshet  in  1902,  and  rebuilt.  For 
several  years  past  efforts  have  been  made  to  annex 
the  land  embracing  these  suburban  improvements 
to  Reading. 

Springmont,  in  Spring  township,  along  the  turn- 
pike near  Sinking  Spring,  was  laid  out  by  Benja- 
min Knowles  in  1895,  and  embraced  950  lots. 

Arlington  Place  was  laid  out  in  Union  township, 
along  Schuylkill  road,  near  Monocacy,  in  1895. 

West  Lawn,  in  Spring  township,  along  the  turn- 
pike beyond  Wyomissing,  was  laid  out  by  Irwin  B. 
Dill,  Warren  H.  and  Frank  H.  Fenstermacher  in 
October,  1907,  and  embraced  567  lots. 

NOTEWORTHY   ENTERPRISES 

Hendel  Hat  Factory  was  established  in 
Cumru  near  Mohnsville,  in  1878,  and  has  been 
operated  by  George  Hendel  and  sons  since  then. 
Hands  employed,  250. 

Millmont  Works.— Orr  &•  Sembower  erected 
a  plant  in  Cumru  in  1884,  for  the  manufacture  of 
engines,  and  have  been  very  successful.  The  firm 
was  incorporated  in  1890.  They  employ  from  220 
to  250  hands. 

The  Prizer-Painter  Stove  Company  started  the 
manufacture  of  stoves,  ranges  and  heaters  at  Mill- 
mont in  1899  in  a  large  building  previously  occu- 
pied by  Orr,  Painter  &  Co.,  in  the  same  business. 
They  employ  300  hands. 

The  Chantrell  Tool  Company  was  first  started  in 
1888,  at  Reading,  and  after  carrying  on  business 
there  for  four  years,  removed  to  Millmont.  They 
manufacture  household  specialties,  and  builders' 
hardware.     Hands    employed,  160. 

Belt  Line,  extended  through  Spring  and  Cumru 
townships,  along  and  crossing  the  Schuylkill,  in 
1901,  and  opened  for  traffic  in  1902,  for  the  purpose 
of  relieving  the  great  congestion  of  traffic  on  the 
main  line  of  the  P.  &  R.  R.  The  length  through 
this  section  is  five  miles. 

Ice  Plants. — The  Angelica  Ice  Company  was 
organized  in  1886  and  then  established  its  first 
plant   at   Millmont   for  storing  natural   ice.      Sub- 


sequently it  secured  additional  plants  along  the  An- 
gelica creek;  total  storage  capacity,  60,000  tons. 

Mt.  Penn  Ice  Company  established  a  plant 
on  the  farm  of  William  J.  Shalter  in  Cumru,  on 
Flying  Hill  creek,  in  1903,  and  enlarged  it  in  1904. 
Total  storage  capacity,  7,000  tons. 

Gibraltar  Iron  Works^  established  about  1770 
in  Robeson  and  maintained  ever  since.  The  Sey- 
fert  family  became  connected  with  the  plant  in 
1835,  and  has  operated  it  with  the  rolling-mill  at 
Seyfert  on  the  W.  &  N.  railroad  since  1882. 

Trap  Rock. — A  large  quarry  was  opened  a  mile 
south  of  Birdsboro  in  1893  by  Dyer  &  Company,  of 
Norristown,  on  property  of  the  E.  &  G.  Brooke 
Iron  Company,  and  has  been  carried  on  very  exten- 
sively ever  since.  They  operate  four  crusher  plants 
and  produce  daily  from  2,000  to  2,500  tons 
of  crushed  material,  of  various  sizes,  which  is 
shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  country.  They  employ 
from  120  to  150  hands. 

The  Schuylkill  Valley  Stone  Company  was  or- 
ganized in  1907,  by  capitalists  of  Birdsboro,  Nor- 
ristown and  Philadelphia,  who  established  a  large 
crusher  plant  in  Union  township,  one  mile  south  of 
Monocacy,  with  a  complete  equipment  for  supply- 
ing crushed  stone  and  Belgian  blocks  in  great  quan- 
tities. A  railroad  siding  has  been  extended  from 
the  Pennsylvania  railroad  to  the  plant.  Over  half 
a  million  dollars  has  been  expended  thus  far  in 
this  enterprise. 

Montello  Brick  Works  was  started  by  A.  A. 
Gery  in  1891  at  Montello,  in  Spring  township,  a 
mile  south  of  Sinking  Spring,  for  the  manufacture 
of  vitrified  brick.  In  1899,  a  second  plant  was  es- 
tablished at  Wyomissing;  and  in  1905  the  adjoin- 
ing plant  of  the  Reading  Shale  Brick  Company 
was  purchased. 

Garbage  Plant. — In  1902,  a  plant  was  estab- 
lished in  Cumru,  a  mile  south  of  Grill  village,  to 
dispose  of  the  garbage  collected  at  Reading,  which 
is  delivered  there  by  teams. 

Electric  Plant.— ^The  Metropolitan  Electric 
Company  has  secured  property  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Wyomissing  creek  and  has  arranged  to  establish  a 
large  and  powerful  plant  on  this  side,  opposite 
Reading  in  this  section,  for  supplying  power  and 
light. 

PooRHOUSE,  established  in  Cumru  in  1825,  by 
the  county  of  Berks,  for  the  poor  people  of  the 
county.  Various  improvements  were  made  until 
1874.  The  farm  contains  over  400  acres.  It  has 
been  maintained  there  ever  since  by  county  appro- 
priations. 

Reading  Disposal  Plant,  estabhshed  in  Cumru 
along  the  river  below  the  city,  in  1894,  at  a  cost  of 
$130,000,  for  the  purpose  of  disposing  of  the  sew- 
age by  a  process  of  filtration,  pumped  there  from 
the  foot  of  Sixth  street. 

Fertilizer  Works,  erected  in  Cumru  township 
near  the  "Big  Dam"  in  1905.  A  phosphate  works  had 
been  carried  on  previously  for  several  years  at  Wy- 


FAMILY  REUNIONS 


311 


omissing,  which  was  discontinued  on  account  of  ad- 
verse Htigation. 

Globe  Rendering  Company. — In  January,  1909, 
Dr.  M.  R.  Adam,  Dr.  G.  S.  Rothermpl,  John  G. 
Rhoads  and  Wilson  Rothermel  organized  this  com- 
pany for  manufacturing  various  oils,  fertilizer  pro- 
ducts and  poultry  food  out  of  slaughter-house  oflFals 
and  the  carcasses  of  dead  animals.  They  estab- 
lished their  plant  in  the  Angelica  barn  at  Millmont, 
adjoining  the  "Disposal  Plant,"  one  mile  south  of 
Reading.  They  employ  four  hands  and  ship  their 
productions  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 

Country  Homes. — Costly  country  homes  of  Jo- 
siah  Dives,  Richmond  L.  Jones,  Mrs.  Catherine 
Archer,  Herbert  M.  Sternbergh,  George  Horst  and 
Jacob  Nolde,  in  Cumru  township,  are  worthy  of 
special  mention. 

Polish  Convent.-^A  large  institution  was 
founded  in  Cumru  township,  beyond  Millmont,  by 
the  "Bernardine  Sisters  of  The  Third  Order  of  St. 
Francis,  of  Reading,  Pa.,"  in  1905,  for  the  purpose 
of  educating  teachers  for  Polish  parochial  schools, 
in  different  parts  of  the  United  States,  being  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  Convent  which  had  been  carried  on 
several  years  on  "Flying  Hill."  An  orphanage  is 
included,  which  had  fifty  girls  in  1909.  Sixty-five 
teachers  are  connected  with  this  worthy  institution, 
who  are  sent  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States  where 
needed  to  carry  on  Polish  schools.  This  is  the 
"Mother  House"  of  the  Order  in  the  United  States. 


The  property  embraces  twenty  acres  of  land,  and  the 
value  is  about  $65,000. 

Stock  Farms.— rAe  Hillside  Stock  Farm  of 
W.  Harry  Orr,  of  Reading,  was  established  in 
Spring  township  in  1893,  for  the  purpose  of  rais- 
ing high-bred  horses,  breeding  from  the  Ashland- 
Wilkes  stallion  particularly,  whose  colts  have  de- 
veloped remarkable  speed  on  the  track.  The  farm 
embraces  160  acres,  situated  along  the  Cacoosing 
creek,  two  miles  south  of  Sinking  Spring. 

The  Spring  Valley  Stock  Farm  of  Abner  S.  Dey-  ' 
sher,  of  Reading,  was  established  in  1902,  in  the 
southern  portion  of  Spring  township,  a  mile  west 
of  Gouglersville,  along  the  head  waters  of  the  Little 
Muddy  creek.    The  farm  comprises  nearly  200  acres. 

State  Police. — A  "Barracks"  was  established  in 
Cumru  in  1905  by  the  State  Police  for  Troop  C,  but 
was  removed  to  Pottsville  May  31,  1909. 

State  Road. — ^A  section  of  State  Road,  three 
miles  in  length,  was  constructed,  in  1906,  in  Cumru 
on  the  road  from  Reading  to  Shillington.  It  was 
the  first  public  improvement  of  this  kind  in  Berks 
county.     [See  Chapter  II.] 

Milk  Station. — H.  Dolfinger,  of  Philadelphia, 
established  a  superior  milk  station  at  Joanna  on  the 
W.  &  N.  railroad,  in  July,  1909.  It  is  a  large  two 
story  brick  building,  equipped  with  the  latest  im- 
provements for  cooling  the  milk.  A  large  ware- 
house and  ice-house  are  connected  with  the  plant; 
also  a  dam.  John  W.  Jacobs  (who  had  been  in  the 
coal  and  ice  business  there  for  many  years)  is  the 
manager. 


CHAPTER  XIII ^FAMILY  REUNIONS 


FIRST  FAMILIES 

The  following  article,  prepared  by  the  compiler 
of  this  history  and  published  in  the  "Historical 
Register  of  Interior  Pennsylvania,"  January,  1883, 
is  regarded  as  applicable  to  this  important  chapter : 

You  have,  no  doubt,  been  already  in  a  forest.  There, 
in  looking  over  the  vast  collection  of  trees,  you  saw,  at 
different  places,  great  oaks  standing  like  hoary  sentinels 
that  witnessed,  as  It  were,  the  coming  in  and  going  out 
of  years  until  they  numbered  a  century.  Their  wonder- 
ful arms  overshadowed  the  earth  below  for  a  hundred 
feet,  and  their  magnificent  tops  stood  high  above  the  many 
trees  surrounding.  Have  you  not  compared  with  one  of 
these  a  great  family,  whose  progenitor,  by  his  powerful 
manhood,  gave  to  society  vigorous  sons  and  daughters, 
who-,  like  the  branches  of  the  mighty  oak,  scattered  their 
seed  and  their  strength  all  over  the  land? 

In  every  forest  there  are  such  trees.  In  every  county 
there  are  such  families.  The  giant  oaks  are  conspicuous 
for  their  strength  and  breadth  and  height.  So  are  the 
families  conspicuous  in  similar  respects — strength  of  phy- 
sical character,  breadth  of  mind  in  the  various  affairs  of 
life,  height  of  moral  grandeur.  The  former  are  the 
pride  and  glory  of  the  forest;  so  are  the  latter  of  the 
counties  which  comprise  our  great  Commonwealth.  Nature 
and  time  have  been  from  the  beginning  creating  and  de- 
stroying both,  but  both  are  still  living  and  flourishing. 
And  as  the  one  is  necessary  for  the  mountains  and  the 
valleys  in  respect  to  water  and  air  and  the  intercourse  of 


mankind,  so  is  the  other  necessary  for  the  counties  in  re- 
spect to  government,  growth,  dignity,  wealth  and  power. 

Pennsylvania  is  a  great  State.  She  comprises  a  vast 
area  of  territory,  rich  in  forests,  fields  and  mines,  and 
especially  rich  in  internal  improvements;  and  she  is  pos- 
sessed by  a  magnificent  people.  She  is  proud  of  all  these; 
and  she  can  well  be  proud,  for  her  possessions  are  well 
possessed.  At  the  beginning  of  her  history,  her  soil  at- 
tracted energy  and  industry.  Through  these  she  has  been 
developed  to  her  present  greatness,  and  these  are  still  im- 
proving her  by  an  ever-increasing  greatness.  It  was  a 
fortunate  circumstance  for  her  that  such  characteristics 
first  found  lodgment  on  her  territory;  and  fortunate,  too, 
that  they  transmitted  their  virtues,  without  wandering  away, 
from  generation  to  generation.  She  still  holds  to  herself 
the  blood  of  the  first  settlers.  She  is  therefore  distinctive- 
ly Pennsylvanian  in  settlement,  in  growth,  in  wealth,  and 
in  government.  Her  sons,  to  a  very  great  degree,  possess 
all,  control  all.  These  constitute  her  great  families.  They 
are  all  distinctive  as  they  are  conspicuous.  They  appear 
in  manufactures  and  trade  as  well  as  in  agriculture ;  and 
they  are  as  distinguished  in  jurisprudence  as  in  legisla- 
tion. 

Pennsylvania  was  formed  and  named  in  1683.  Then 
three  counties  were  set  apart — Bucks,  Chester  and  Phila- 
delphia. Within  a  score  of  years  afterward  a  great  feeling 
in  her  behalf  was  developed,  attributable  mainly  to  the 
wisdom  and  excellence  of  the  policy  of  William  Penn.  It 
induced  hundreds,  even  thousands,  to  immigrate  hither. 
Upon  landing,  many  proceeded  northwardly  and  north- 
westwardly.     Settlements    succeeded    each    other    rapidly, 


312 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


and,  for  convenience  in  local  government,  township  or- 
ganizations followed.  For  a  period  of  forty-seven  years, 
no  additional  counties  had  been  formed.  Then  settlers 
began  to  formulate  them.  In  1729,  Lancaster  was  erected : 
in  1749,  York;  in  1750,  Cumberland;  in  1753,  Berks  and 
Northampton;  in  1771,  Bedford;  in  1772,  Northumberland; 
and  in  1773,  Westmoreland.  These  were  erected  in  her 
history  as  a  colony  of  Great  Britain.  As  an  independent 
State,  they  multiplied  in  rapid  succession,  numbering  to 
the  present  time  fifty-six,  or  averaging  nearly  one  every 
other  year.  Altogether,  the  counties  number  sixty-seven. 
In  each  of  these  counties,  local  history  is  dependent  upon 
families.  Especially  in  the  Provincial  counties,  prominent 
historical  facts  are  inseparable  from  their  respective  first 
families.  This  feature  is  as  plainly  perceptible  as  the 
mountain  ridges  which  extend  through  their  territory. 

In  the  several  respects  mentioned,  Berks  county  is  con- 
spicuous. Her  first  settlers  began  to  establish  themselves 
along  the  Schuylkill  river,  several  miles  westward  from  the 
Manatawny  creek,  between  1700  and  1705.  This  district  of 
territory  did  not  then  have  a  name.  It  was  identified  bv 
being  near  the  Manatawny.  Now  it  is  called  Amity.  It 
has  been  so  called  since  1720.  In  1713,  settlers  began  to 
locate  in  Oley.  Then  this  district  was  so  called.  It  in- 
cluded a  large  area  of  territory,  at  least  sixty  thousand 
acres.  In  Caernarvon,  along  the  head-waters  of  the  Con- 
estoga,  they  began  as  early  as  1730 ;  along  the  Tulpehocken 
in  1723,  and  along  the  Maiden  creek  in  1733.  They  took 
up  the  lands,  first  by  warrant  and  survey,  then  followed 
by  patent.  They  possessed  and  improved  them  by  cultiva- 
tion, and  they  generally  remained  upon  them  until  their 
decease,  when  they  were  transmitted  by  devise  or  con- 
veyance to  their  children.  In  many  instances  they  have 
been  handed  down  to  the  third,  and  fourth,  even  fifth 
generation. 

In  the  several  quarters  mentioned,  east,  south,  west,  and 
north,  the  descendants  of  many  of  the  first  settlers  are 
still  flourishing  in  number,  in  industry,  in  wealth,  and  in 
social,  religious,  and  political  influence.  In  taking  a 
hasty  glance  over  its  broad  territory,  I  can  mention  in  the 
eastern  district,  along  the  Manatawny  and  its  tributaries, 
the  Baums,  Bertolets,  Boones,  DeTurks,  Egles,  Griesemers, 
Guldins,  Hartmans,  Herbeins,  Hochs,  Hunters,  Kauffmans, 
Keims,  Knabbs,  Lees,  Leinbachs,  Leshers,  Levans,  Lin- 
colns,  Lobachs,  Ludwigs,  Peters,  Pottses,  Reiffs,  Rhoadses, 
Ritters,  Schneiders,  Spangs,  VanReeds,  Yocums,  Yoders, 
Weavers,^  and  Witmans ;  and,  on  the  border  along  the 
headwaters  of  the  Perkiomen,  the  Bauers,  Bechtels,  Ben- 
fields,  Boyers,  Clemmers,  Ehsts,  Funcks,  Gabels,  Gerys,  Greg- 
orys, Reidenaurs,  Rohrbachs,  Rushes,  Sassamans,  Schalls, 
Schultzes.  Staufifers,Wagoners,  Walters  and  Wellers ;  in 
the  southern  district  along  the  Allegheny,  play  creek, 
Little  Conestoga,  and  Wyomissing,  the  Blands,  Clymers, 
Eschelmans,  Evanses,  Gauls,  Geigers,  Grings,  Harrisons, 
Huyetts,  Joneses.  Kurtzes,  Morgans,  Pennepackers,  Planks, 
Redcays,  Robesons,  Scarlets,  Smiths  and  Ziemers ;  in  the 
western  district,  along  the  Tulpehocken  and  its  tributaries, 
and  the  Little  Swatara,  the  Adamses,  Althouses,  Batdorfs, 
Bergers,  Boeshores,  Bordners.  Brechts,  Conrads,  Eckerts, 
Eplers,  Deppens,  Dimdores,  Ermentrouts,  Fishers,  Fillers, 
Frantzes,  Groffs,  Hains,  Hiesters,  Keysers,  Kissingers. 
Klingers,  Kricks,  Kurrs,  Livingoods,  Millers,  Newcomets, 
Obolds,  Potteigers,  Rebers.  Reeds,  Relirers,  Riegels,  Scharfs, 
Seiberts,  Seltzers,  Shaeffers,  Speichers,  Spohns,  Tryons,  Um- 
benhauers,  Walborns,  Weisers,  Wenrichs,  Wilhelms, 
Womelsdorfs,  and  Zerbes;  and,  in  the  northern  district, 
along  the  Maiden  creek  and  its  tributaries,  the  Brobsts, 
Davises,  Dietrichs,  Belongs,  Dreibelbises,  Dunkels,  Ger- 
nants,  Greenawalds,  Grims,  Hahns,  Heffners,  Heinlys, 
Hottensteins,  Kaufifmans,  Kaerchers,  Kellers,  Kemps,  Kief- 
fers,  Kirbys,  Kutzes,  Leibys,  Lenharts,  Levans,  Merkels, 
Mertzes,  Parvins,  Penroses,  Piersons,  Prices,  Rothenberg- 
ers,  Rothermels,  Saylors,  Schaeffers,  Shalters,  Shappels, 
Shomos,  Starrs,  Trexlers,  Wanners,  Weilers,  and  Zach- 
ariases.  Others  could  be  mentioned,  but  these,  however, 
stand  out  prominently  iii  the  development  of  the  county 
from  the  first  settlements  of  the  several  districts  to  the 
present  time. 


The  great  majority  of  the  descendants  have  continued 
persistently  engaged  in  agriculture  upon  or  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  original  settlements.  Some  moved  to  other  dis- 
tricts of  the  county;  others  to  Reading.  Many  sons  and 
daughters  migrated  to  the  West  and  settled,  particularly  in 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Iowa,  Wisconsin,  Kansas  and  Colorado. 
Some  of  the  sons  turned  to  the  professions — divinity, 
law,  and  medicine,  in  which  they  shone  with  more  or  less 
distinction ;  others  to  trades  and  manufactures,  in  which 
they  realized  rich  rewards  for  their  industry  and  well- 
directed  energy.  In  tracing  down  all  the  pursuits  of  life 
carried  on  in  the  county,  it  is  only  occasionally  that  a 
complete  stranger  appears  and  identifies  himself  with  her 
onward  movements  for  any  considerable  period  of  time. 
This  is  especially  the  case  in  our  politics.  The  names  of 
the  old  families  are  continually  on  the  surface.  Not  par- 
ticularly demonstrative,  they  are  like  expert  swimmers  in 
deep  water.  They  float  onward  majestically  in  the  great 
stream  of  time;  their  heads  are  always  visible;  their 
endurance  prevails. 

In  the  development  of  the  county  through  internal  im- 
provements, the  turnpikes,  canals,  and  railways,  they  are 
likewise  conspicuous.  They  began  early,  if  not  ahead  of 
time,  not  behind  it.  Their  correspondence  in  reference  to 
the  improvement  of  the  Schuylkill  river  for  navigation 
began  before  1770,  and  their  enterprise  brought  coal  to 
light  during  the  period  of  the  Revolution.  Transportation 
and  its  facilitation  were  always  encouraged  by  them.  Some 
opposition  was  develop^ed  in  the  general  endeavors  to  es- 
tablish new  motive  power,  as  there  is  in  most  enterprises 
everywhere;  but  they  were  successful.  In  laying  them 
down,  they  actually  walked  in  the  footsteps  of  their  fath- 
ers ;  for  the  early  settlers,  in  following  the  streams  to 
locate  their  settlements,  marked  out,  as  it  were,  the 
courses  for  turnpikes,  canals,  and  railways,  which  were 
to  come  after  them,  to  facilitate  the  business  intercourse 
of  their  children.  In  some  respects,  these  improvements 
were  slow ;  but  a  consideration  of  all  things  leads  us  to 
the  conviction  that  they  came  to  us  just  when  they  were 
needed. 

In  a  political  sense  they  have  exhibited  a  persistent  at- 
tachment to  one  leading  principle.  At  first  they  were 
anti-Federal  by  a  large  majority.  They  opposed  the  great 
pohtical  movement  whose  object  was  the  establishment  of 
a  Federal  government  and  constitution.  They  preferred 
the  right  of  States,  as  States  united  by  a  confederation,  and 
of  local  self-government.  Of  these  rights  they  were  firm 
advocates,  and  though  their  political  sentiments  have  been 
transmitted  through  three  generations  of  government  of, 
by,  and  for  the  people,  and  though  party  names  have  to  a 
great  extent  been  transposed,  they  have  preserved  this 
principle.  Through  this  period,  and  through  all  the  ex- 
citement of  party  strife  for  power  and  policy,  they  have 
been  thoroughly  patriotic.  Now  the  great  majority  are 
"Democrats,"  a  political  name  created  by  partv  leaders, 
and  by  it  they  are  known.  But,  in  reality,  with  "them  it  is 
not  name;  it  is  principle— it  is  self-government.  This  has 
their  devotion,  their  love,  their  admiration.  If,  in  a  hun- 
dred years  to  come,  party  names  should  be  re-transposed 
to  what  they  were  a  hundred  vears  ago,  the  succeeding 
generations  will  neverthekss  be  found  on  the  side  of  this 
principle  which  was  advocated  and  sustained  bv  their  an- 
cestors. 

This  idea  of  local  self-government  won  the  first  families, 
and  induced  them  to  locate  here.  It  was  simple.  They 
soon  understood  it,  and  thev  carried  it  on  successfully  in 
their  various  local  affairs,  their  children  took  to  it  natur- 
ally, and  naturally  retained  it.  After  the  lapse  of  a  cen- 
tury, it  is  now  a  fixed  idea  with  them.  Education  has 
not  changed  it.  The  education,  as  dictated  bv  the  State, 
has  not  even  changed  it.  But  this  educational  policy  is,  how- 
ever, making  apparent  one  consequence — a  general  ten- 
dency in  many  men  for  political  preferment.  It  is  produc- 
mg  many  professional  men  of  various  kinds.  All  of  them 
manifest  a  desire  at  some  period  or  other  to  serve  the 
State  in  one  capacity  or  another.  Of  course,  this  is  com- 
mendable;   the   State   expects   it— she   encourages   it.     But 


FAMILY  REUNIONS 


313 


are.  they  seeking  preferment  for  emolument,  or  distinction 
through  earnest  labor  for  the  public  weal?  They  obtain 
the  one  with  ease,  because  it  is  common,  because  the  State 
is  generous.  But  they  seldom  obtain  the  other,  because  it 
is  not  common — because  it"  is  not  the  gift  of  the  State ;  it  is 
rather  the  gift  of  nature,  improved  by  time  and  well- 
directed  efforts.  As  yet  this  principle  of  government  in 
them  has  not  been  affected.  Its  virtue  still  prevails.  In 
politics,  therefore,  as  in  agriculture  and  religion,  the  great 
majority  of  these  first  families  have  preserved  their 
strength  and  greatness.  This  idea  is  not  the  notion  .of 
"State  Rights,"  which  the  late  Civil  war  settled.  That 
fallacious  doctrine  had  not,  in  fact,  their  advocacy,  though 
they  had  been  identified  with  the  party  that  was  led  on  by 
certain  leaders  who  claimed  it  as  a  most  material  part 
of  their  political  creed.  They  promptly  denounced  seces- 
sion, and  adrnirably  sustained  the  National  Government 
in  her  gigantic  efforts  to  preserve  the  union  of  all  the 
States.  Their  patriotism  was  then  conspicuous  as  it  had 
theretofore  been  in  all  the  military  periods. 


For  upward  of  ten  years  the  descendants  of  some 
of  the  "First  Families"  above  mentioned  have 
formed  arid  held  "Reunions"  at  different  places  in 
the  county,  which  have  developed  not  only  great 
interest  in  genealogy  and  genealogical  research,  but 
also  much  sociability  and  acquaintanceship  amongst 
members  of  the  respective  families  from  all  parts 
of  the  county,  indeed,  from  all  parts  of  the  United 
States.  The  following  families  are  among  the  more 
prominent  which  have  kept  up  their  reunions  with 
muth  success  and  are  therefore  worthy  of  special 
mention : 

Baer. — The  Baer  family  of  Berks  and  surround- 
ing counties  is  one  of  the  very  large  families,  which 
has  had  large  annual  gatherings  since  its  reunion 
was  first  organized,  in  1899.  The  place  of  meeting 
has  been  Kutztown  Park,  and  the  historian  is  Dr. 
Samuel  A.  Baer,  A.  M.,  Ph.  D.,  who  with  the  aid 
of  assistants  and  secretaries  has  collected  many 
valuable  records. 

John,  Melchior  and  Chri'stophel  (or  Stoffel) 
Baer  came  -across  the  ocean  on  the  ship  "Phoenix" 
in  1743.  They  settled  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  and 
their  descendants  number  today  several  thousand. 
The  exact  relationship  between  these  three  immi- 
grants is  uncertain,  but  the  fact  is  established  that 
they  came  to  America  on  one  ship,  settled  in  the 
same  section  of  the  State,  spoke  the  same  language, 
and  adhered  to  the  same  religious  faith.  Some 
think  they  were  brothers,  or  at  least  close  relatives. 

Most  of  the  Baers  of  Berks  and  Lehigh  counties 
claim  John  (or  Hans)  Baer  as  their  ancestor.  Be- 
fore 1750,  he  settled  in  Weisenburg,  which  is  now 
in  Lehigh  county.  He  had  four  children:  John, 
Adam,  Jacob,  and  Barbara  (who  married  Henry 
Fetter).  John  moved  to  Windsor  township, 
Berks  county,  and  his  descendants  live  in  Hambui:g, 
and  Windsor,  Perry  and  Bern  townships. 

Melchior  Baer,  the  second  of  this  trio  of  immi- 
grants, settled  at  Macungie,  Lehigh  county,  and  had 
several  large  farms.  He  had  eight  children,  and 
made  special  bequests  to  Melchior  and  Jacob. 

Of  these,  Melchior  Baer  married  Catharine  Desch, 
and  they  had  ten  children:  David,   Jacob,   Polly, 


Ehzabeth,  Charles,  George,  Samuel,  Henry,  Susan 
and  Catharine. 

Jacob  Baer  (son  of  Melchior,  Sr.)  likewise  had 
a  numerous  offspring.  He  had  eleven  children: 
Rachel,  George,  Joseph,  Melchior,  Samuel,  Susan, 
Judith,  Ephraim,  Elizabeth,  Manasses  and  Benjamin. 

The  third  of  the  group  of  immigrant  Baers  was 
Christophel  Baer,  who  prior  to  his  coming  to  Amer- 
ica patented  560  acres  of  land  in  what  is  now  White- 
hall, Lehigh  Co.,  Pa.  liis  history  is  complete.  The 
records  at  Easton  show  that  he  was  a  systematic 
business  man  and  possessed  of  great  force  of  char- 
acter. He  was  the  great-grandfather  of  George  F. 
Baer,  the '  distinguished  lawyer  and  railroad  presi- 
dent. His  family  consisted  of  six  children:  Hein- 
rich,  Melchior,  John,  Salome,  Apollonia  and  Jacob. 

The  Baer  family  traces  its  ancestors  to  Zwei- 
briicken,  Germany,  where  a  place  known  for  gener- 
ations as  "Baren  JHiitte"  ("Bruin's  Rest")  is  still 
pointed  out.  Tradition  in  connection  with  the  home- 
stead at  Zweibriicken  has  it  that  one  Peter  von  Baer, 
in  the  distant  past,  married  the  daughter  of  a  count 
palatine,  thus  establishing  rank.  The  family  coat 
of  arms  is  in  the  possession  of  American  descend- 
ants. 

The  Baers  have  large  reunions  and  render  inter- 
esting programs.  They  expect  to  have  their  reunion 
incorporated  and  to  publish  a  family  history.  The 
following  are  their  permanent  officers : 

President,   Henry   C.    Baer,   Reading,    Pa. 

Vice-Presidents,  Rev.  John  B.  Stoudt,  Macungie,  Pa., 
George  E.  Baer,  Schwenkville,  Pa., 
John  P.  Baer,  AUentown,  Pa. 

Secretary,  Fred  N.  Baer,  Kutztown,  Pa. 

Treasurer,  J.  W.  Baer,   Phoenixville,   Pa. 

Historian,  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Baer,  Graham,  Va. 

Beetolet. — The  Bertolet  family  of  Pennsylvania 
was  founded  in  Oley  township,  Berks  county,  by 
two  brothers,  Peter  (Pierre)  and  John  (Jean) 
Bertolet.  The  family  in  France  has  beeh  for  cen- 
turies one  of  the  highest  and  most  honorable  in 
that  country,  many  of  the  name  having  been  dis- 
tinguished" personages.  They  are  of  noble  rank, 
and  the  family  seat  was  originally  in  Picardy.  Dur- 
ing, the  Reformation  the  Bertolets  were  strongly 
Protestant,  and  many,  owing  to  Papist  persecution, 
took  refuge  in  other  lands.  Some  time  during  the 
Revocation  period  a  family  of  this  name  fled  from 
Picardy  to  Chateau  d'Oex,  in  Switzerland,  and  to 
it  belonged  the  Peter  and  John  who  came  to 
Pennsylvania,  the  former  in  1719,  and  the  latter 
in  1726.  Both  settled  in  Oley.  The  large  old  fam- 
ily Bible  brought  to  the  New  World  was  sold  in 
]  906  or  1907,  at  public  vendue,  to  Sarah  Bertolet,  a 
maiden  lady  of  Oley,  for  $183.  This  valuable  book 
contains  the  family  genealogy  for  several  centuries. 
The  family  is  traced  back  to  1470. 

In  1730  Peter  Bertolet  signed  the  petition  for 
the  erection  of  Oley  township.  He  died  about  1727, 
as  is  recited  in  an  application  for  a  patent  of  his 
land  in  1734.  His  wife  Elizabeth  and  several  chil- 
dren survived  him. 


314 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


President,   Charles   Boyer,   Tatamy,    Pa. 
Secretary,  Jacob  L.  Drumheller,   Reading,   Pa. 
Treasurer,  Abraham  Boyer,  Schofer,  Pa. 
Historian,  Dr.  C.   C.  Boyer,  Kutztown,   Pa. 

Croll. — The  descendants  of  John  Croll  held  their 
fifth  biennial  reunion  in  Hancock  Park  in  1908.  At 
this  reunion  Martin  S.  Croll,  of  Topton  (father  of 
William  A.  Croll,  the  present  treasurer  of  Berks 

re- 


in 1711  Jean  Bertolet  married  Susanna,  daughter  Dr.  Boyer's  historical  address  at  the  last  meeting 

of  Duke  Henri  De  Harcourt   (1653-1703),  a  gen-  was  a  feature  and  gave  evidence  of  careful  research. 

eral  and  marshal  of  France.    Jean  Bertolet,  owing  He   has    a   deserved   reputation    for    always    domg 

to  political  unrest  and  religious  persecution,  fled  to  things  well. 

Selz,  in  Alsace,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  The  officers  of  the  reunion  are  as  follows : 
for  fourteen  years,  during  which  time  five  of  his 
children  were  born.  Thence  he  came  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, locating  in  Oley,  near  the  Exeter  line.  Here 
in  1754  he  built  a  large  stone  house  which  is  still 
standing  and  occupied  by  a  descendant,  David  Ber- 
tolet. On  this  original  farm  is  a  private  Bertolet 
burial-ground  where  many  generations  are  buried. 

Jean  Bertolet  was  a  man  of  great  piety  and  benev-  •          -^    r, 

olence.    He  prayed  with  the  Indians  and  performed  county),   read   a  paper   on   the  previous   Croll 

missionary  work  in  his  section  among  all  classes  unions,  the  first  of  which  was  held  in  1895,  being 

of  men  that  lived  there.     He  was  one  of  the  first  one  of  the  very  first  meetings  of  this  character  in 

Moravians  of  Oley,  and  was  on  terms  of  close  in-  this  county.      • 

timacy  with  leading  men  of  the  church,  especially  The  Crolls  are  descended  from  Phihp  and  Ulrich 

Count  Zinzendorf,   who  preached  in  his  house  in  Croll,  who  came  to  this  country  on  the  same  ship, 

1741  and  1742.     This  noble  man  and  pioneer  died  [^  1728,  on  which  Egidius  Grim  (the  forebear  of  a 

in  1754.     He  founded  a  numerous  and  honorable  l^rge  family)    also  emigrated. 

posterity  and  many  of  his  descendants  have  been  John   Croll,   whose  posterity   held   the   reunions, 

eminent  in  various  walks  of  life,  Bishop  N.  Bertolet  ^-^g  a  descendant  of  Philip  Croll.    He  was  a  son  of 

Grubb  and  Jacob  Bertolet  (deceased)  being  notable  Joseph  and  Ehzabeth    (Schlenker)    Croll  and  was 

examples.  born  in  Greenwich  in  1814,  being  of  the  third  gen- 

The     family  of     Jean  Bertolet  was  as   follows :  eration  of  American  Crolls.    The  Grimville  Church, 

Abraham  (1712-1776)     married    Esther  De  Turk;  in  Greenwich  township,  is  mentioned  in  old  docu- 

Maria  (1715-1802)  married  Stephen  Barnett;  John  rnents  as  the  "Crolle  Kirche,"  so  named  after  this 

(1717-1789)    married  a  daughter  of  Peter  Pallio;  family. 

Esther  (1720-1796)  married  Dr.  George  De  Benne-  Rev.  P.  C.  Croll,  A.  M.,  in  1887,  pubHshed  "The 

ville;    Susanna    (1722-1800)    married    Jacob    Fry;  Croll  Family,"  a  volume  of  106  pages,  as  a  souvenir 

Frederick  (1727-1779)  married  Esther,  daughter  of  of  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  marriage  of  John 

Abraham  Levan.  and  Catharine  Croll. 
The  Bertolet  family  was  one  of  the  very  first  to 


hold  a  reunion  in  the  county.  Its  first  gathering 
was  held  in  1897  on  ancestral  grounds  in  Oley, 
and  annually  since  then  at  different  popular  places. 
The  eighth  reunion  was  held  at  Carsonia  Park  in 
1905.  The  officers  of  the  Bertolet  Family  Associa- 
tion are: 

President,  Levi  A.   Bertolette. 
Vice-Presidents,  Israel  M.  Bertolet, 
Benjamin  Bertolet. 
Recording  Secretary,   Samuel   E.   Bertolet,   Esq. 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Daniel  H.   Bertolet. 
Treasurer,  Dr.  Isaac  B.  Yeakel. 

BoYER. — The  Boyer  Family  Reunion  of  Berks 
county  was  founded  by  Dr.  Charles  C.  Boyer,  A.  M., 
Ph.  D.,  of  Kutztown,  in  1907,  having  then  held  its 
first  reunion  in  Kutztown  and  the  second  at  the 
Black  Bear  Inn  (near  Reading)  in  1908.  Both 
reunions  were  very  largely  attended  and  proved  a 
success  in  every  way. 

The  historian,  Dr.  Boyer,  of  Kutztown,  is  a  man 
of  cultured  mind,  energetic  and  indefatigable,  and 
his  researches  will  undoubtedly  result  in  the  produc- 
tion of  a  concise  history  of  the  "Boyer  Family  in 
.-\merica."  Its  history  dates  back  to  ancient  times, 
and   is   traced   to    many   countries.     The   name    is 


DeLong. — The  DeLong  family  of  Berks  county 
was  founded  here  by  Peter  DeLong,  who  was  a 
pioneer  of  the  county  and  a  settler  in  Maxatawny 
township,  near  Bowers  Station.  He  was  a  free- 
holder of  Maxatawny  prior  to  1745  and  his 
neighbor  was  Henry  Luckenbill.  Peter  DeLong 
lived  near  the  present  Christ  Reformed  (DeLong's) 
church,  at  the  place  later  owned  by  Reuben 
Grim.  He  died  about  1760,  and  his  remains 
rest  at  the  church  named  after  his  descendants.  He 
reared  a  family  of  seven  children,  namely:  John, 
Henry,  Jacob,  Michael,  Abraham,  Barbara  and 
Frederick. 

The  DeLong  family  is  most  numerous  in  Maxa- 
tawny township.  It  is  thrifty  and  thoroughly  rep- 
resentative of  the  pioneer  stock  of  this  region.  Its 
members  have  been  holding  reunions  since  1900, 
with  interesting  proceedings.  The  sixth  meeting 
was  held  at  Kutztown  Park  in  1906,  and  the  his- 
torical address  on  this  occasion  was  delivered  by 
Rev.  Preston  A.  DeLong,  of  Chambersburg.  Ad- 
dresses were  also  delivered  by  Rev.  William^  F. 
DeLong,  of  Annville,  and  Richard  J.  DeLong,  of 
Philadelphia. 

At  the  third  reunion  Rev.  John  F.  DeLong  de- 
ivered  an  able  address  on  the  pioneer,  who  came 


variously  spelt.     The  historian  has  prepared  fam- 
ily charts  and  trees  of  the  different  branches  which    to  Berks  county  from  Ulster  county,  New  York, 
were  on  exhibition  at  the  reunion  in  1908.  The  officers  of  the  reunion  are : 


FAMILY  REUNIONS 


315 


President,  Joseph  DeLong,  Topton,  Pa. 

Secretary,  Irwin  DeLong,  Topton,  Pa. 

Treasurer,  A.  F.  DeLong,  Kutztown,  Pa. 

Executive    Committee,    Dr.    W.    D.    DeLong. 
James  DeLong, 
Rev.  Calvin  M.  DeLong, 
Solomon   DeLong, 
Martin   S.   CroU, 
Rev.   William   F.   DeLong. 

DiEROLF. — The  fourth  annual  reunion  of  this 
family  was  held  at  Bechtel's  Park,  near  Gabelsville, 
July  24,  1909,  and  over  three  hundred  descendants 
were  present  from  Boyertown,  Reading,  and  other 
places  in  Berks  county,  also  from  Pennsburg,  East 
Greenville,  Harrisburg  and  other  places  in  Pennsyl- 
vania.   The  following  officers  were  elected : 

President,  John  H.  Dierolf,  Barto,  Pa. 

Vice-Presidents,   John   Strunk,   Gilbertsville,    Pa., 

Samuel  Dierolf,  East  Greenville,  Pa. 

Secretaries,    Mrs.   Henry   Mertzler, 

Benjamin  dinger,  Potts^own,  Pa., 
Ammon   Dierolf,   Wyomissing,    Pa., 
Francis    Saltzer,    Pottstown,    Pa., 
William  Derolf,-  Gilbertsville,   Pa. 

Corresponding  Secretary,  Levan  Dierolf. 

Treasurer,  William  Dierolf. 

Dietrich. — The  Dietrich  family  held  its  first  re- 
union at  Lenhartsville,  Pa.,  Sept.  26,  1903.  This 
meeting  was  well  attended  and  much  interest  was 
manifested.  A  permanent  organization  was  effected, 
and  at  the  instance  of  the  founder,  William  J.  Diet- 
rich, the  name  "Dietrich  Family  Association"  was 
adopted.  The  second  reunion  was  held  in  Kutztown 
Park  in  1904,  more  than  two  thousand  five  hundred 
people  being  present — ^reputed  to  have  been  the 
largest  family  gathering  ever  held  in  Pennsylvania. 
Eight  States  and  the  Dominion  of  Canada  were 
represented.  At  the  third  reunion,  held  in  Kutz- 
town Park  in  1906,  over  three  thousand  people  were 
in  attendance.  Seventeen  States,  as  well  as  Canada 
and  Mexico,  were  represented.  "The  Dietrichs  in 
Europe  and  America,"  an  address  by  Rev.  W.  W. 
Deatrick,  A.  M.,  Sc.  D.,  was  a  feature  at  this 
gathering.  This  Family  Association  is  not  merely 
a  local  organization,  but  it  has  members  in  most  of 
the  States  of  the  Union.  It  has  been  the  means  of 
arousing  much  enthusiasm  in  the  matter  of  re- 
unions of  other  families  and  of  stimulating  research 
into  family  genealogy. 

The  Dietrichs  trace  their  origin  to  Dietrich  Von 
Bern,  454-526,  the  Champion  of  Civilization,  and 
King  of  the  Ostrogoths  in  southern  Europe.  Mern- 
bers  of  the  family  were  leaders  in  the  Crusades,  in 
peace  and  in  war,  and  in  the  Reformation,  they 
helped  to  make  history.  The  Dietrichs  are  promi- 
nently mentioned  in  the  annals  of  Germany,  and  six 
distinct  families  in  the  German  Empire  have  coats 
of  arms. 

The  association,  having  collected  considerable 
data,  has  nearly  complete  records  of  the  following 
immigrant  forebears:  Johannes,  Adam,  John  Lud- 
wig,  Elias  and  John  Jacob  Dietrich. 

The  Dietrichs  of  Berks  county  are  descendants 
of  Johannes,  Adam  and  Conrad  Dietrich. 

Johannes  Dietrich  came  to  America  on  the  ship 
"Phoenix"  in  1751,  and  about  1760  settled  in  Green- 


wich township,  where  he  died  in  1785,  in  which 
year  his  widow,  Barbara,  took  out  letters  of  admin- 
istration. They  had  three  sons:  Johannes,  Jacob 
and  John  Adam.  The  first  two  located  in  the  upper 
end  of  this  State,  and  John  Adam  lived  and  died 
in  Greenwich  township,  where  he  was  a  farmer.  His 
wife  Susanna  Arnold  bore  him  twelve  children,  as 
follows:  Maria,  Rebecca,  Jacob,  Isaac,  EHzabeth, 
Annie,  Gideon,  Adam,  Moses,  Rufena,  Catharine 
and  Reuben. 

Adam  Dietrich  (1740-1817),  a  brother  of  Johan- 
nes, crossed  the  ocean  on  the  "Britannia,"  landing 
at  Philadelphia,  Oct.  26,  1767.  He  was  accompanied 
by  his  brother,  Casper  Dietrich,  who  first  located  in 
Northampton  county.  Pa.,  and  some  time  after  the 
Revolutionary  war  settled  in  Virginia.  Adam  Diet- 
rich was  a  sergeant  in  Capt.  Jacob  Baldy's  Company 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  located  in  Maxa- 
tawny  first,  but  later  because  of  good  water  settled 
in  Greenwich  township.  He  was  a  farmer.  His 
wife,  Maria  Barbara  Steinbruch,  bore  him  the  fol- 
lowing twelve  children:  Adam,  Georg,  Maria  Bar- 
bara (married  Johannes  Zimmerman),  Catharine 
married  Rev.  Johann  Michael  Schmidt),  Jacob, 
Michael,  Heinrich,  Johan,  a  daughter  that  died  in 
infancy.  Christian,  Polly  (Maria  Magdalena)  (mar- 
ried a  Becker),  and  Beckie  (Anna  Margaret)  (mar- 
ried Jacob  Heffner). 

Conrad  Dietrich  (1763-1841)  was  born  in  Balti- 
more, Md.,  and  came  to  Berks  county,  locating  in 
Hereford  township.  Here  he  married  Elizabeth 
Seisholtz,  from  Longswamp  township.  About  1795 
he  and  his  family  came  to  Reading,  where  he  died 
and  is  buried.  The  following  are  four  of  their  nine 
children:  George,  Jacob,  Susan  (married  Henry 
Fry),  and  Conrad  (born  1798,  died  1861,  who  had 
sons  Conrad  and  William  H.,  the  latter  now  living 
in  Reading). 

The  Dietrich  Family  Association  is  a  flourishing 
organization.  Its  success  in  large  measure  is  due 
to  the  efforts  of  the  founder.    The  officers  are : 

President,  Lawson  G.  Dietrich,  Esq.,  Kutztown,   Pa. 
Vice-President,  Henry  O.  K.  Dietrich,  Lenhartsville,  Pa. 
Secretary,  William  J.  Dietrich,  Reading,  Pa. 
Treasurer,   Daniel   F.    Dietrich,   Reading,    Pa. 
Executive  Comndttee,  Mahlon  C.  Dietrich,  Kempton,  Pa., 
Rev.  W.   W.   Deatrick,  Kutztown, 

Pa., 
C.  H.  Dietrich,  Hopkinsville,  Ky., 
Jonathan  P.  Dietrich,  Klinesvill^ 

Pa., 
C.  Joseph  Dietrich,  La  Grange,  111., 
Charles    H.    Dietrich,    Kutztown, 

Pa., 
A.   M.   Dederick,   Albany,   N.   Y., 
Samuel   Detrick,   Sunbury,   Pa., 
Harry  A.  Dietrich,  South  Bethle- 
hem, Pa., 
Joel  D.  Dietrich,  Virginville,  Pa., 
Dr.  Charles  J.  Dietrich,  Reading, 
Pa. 

The  Association  has  also  ten  active  Assistant  Sec- 
retaries. An  illustrated  pamphlet,  really  a  finely 
gotten  up  souvenir  program,  contains  a  history  of 
the  Association,  names  of  its  officers,  and  the  names 
and  dates   of  emigration  of  the   sixty-two  immi- 


31(D 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


grants;  also  a  copy  of  the  coat  of  arms  with  an  ex- 
planation of  same. 

Dries. — ^The  Dries  family  held  its  first  reunion 
in  1906,  in  Kutztown  Park.  It  hails  from  the 
upper  end  of  the  county.  The  ancestor  is  said 
to  have  settled  in  Albany  township.  The  second 
reunion  was  held  in  1908,  also  at  Kutztown.  Be- 
sides a  large  number  of  vice-presidents  and  assist- 
ant secretaries,  the  following  are  officers : 

President,  Worths  A.  Dries,  Kutztown,   Pa. 
Vice-President,  James  C.   Driess,  Oley,   Pa. 
Secretary,  Charles  A.   Dries,   Maiden-creek,   Pa. 
Manager,  W.  A.  Dries,  Reading,  Pa. 
Historian,   J.   Heber   Dries,    Molltown,   Pa. 

Fisher-Hartman. — The  Fisher-Hartman  fami- 
lies hold  joint  reunions  because  of  the  inter-mar- 
riages of  their  members.  They  hold  annual  meetings 
at  Boyertown,  Pa.  They  have  succeeded  in  collect- 
ing many  records.  Their  first  meeting  was  held  in 
1907,  and  the  second  on  Labor  Day,  1908.  The 
officers  of  the  Association  are: 

President,  George  W.   Hartman. 
Vice-President,    Charles    T.    Davies. 
Treasurer.  George   H.   Hartman. 
Secretary,  P.  Henry  Fisher. 
Historian,  William  Kehl. 

Furry. — John  Furry,  a  native  of  Europe,  came  to 
America  in  1727.  In  1744  he  located  in  Tulpe- 
hocken  township,  Berks  county,  on  a  tract  of  346 
acres  of  land.  He  had  two  sons  and  two  daughters, 
namely:  Michael,  John,  Rosina  (wife  of  Henry 
Berger)  and  Catharine  (wife  of  Leonard  Emerich). 

John  Furry,  son  of  the  forebear,  settled  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Susquehanna  river.  Four  sons 
and  two  daughters  were  born  to  him,  the  sons  being 
as  follows :  John,  Jonas,  Lawrence  and  Henry.  The 
first  three  upon  their  return  from  a  grist-mill  at 
Sunbury,  Pa.,  found  to  their  horror  that  the  Oneida 
Indians  had  killed  and  scalped  their  parents  and 
two  sisters,  and  also  burned  down  the  house  and 
taken  a  horse  with  them.  The  youngest  son, 
Henry,  they  took  with  them  to  Canada,  where  he 
was  afterward  found.  The  three  brothers  buried 
their  parents  and  sisters  under  an  apple  tree  and 
came  to  Reading  where  some  of  the  posterity  now 
live. 

The  family  held  the  first  reunion  in  1904  and  the 
fourth  at  Carsonia  Park  in  1908.    The  officers  are : 

President,  Henry  S.  Furry,  of  Reading,  Pa. 
Vice-President,  John  C.  Furry,  New  Cumberland,   Pa. 
Secretary,  G.  H.  Furry,  Coopersburg,  Pa. 
Treasurer,   Ulysses   Furry,   Bethlehem,    Pa. 
Executive   Committee,  Thomas  Furry,   Lionville,   Pa., 

Harry  and  William  Furry,  Leban- 
on, Pa., 
D.  C.  Furry,  Newmanstown,  Pa., 
Mrs.  Charles  Furry,  Lebanon,  Pa., 
Mrs.  Adam  Furry,  Richland,  Pa., 
Mrs.    Sallie    Stephens,    Allentown, 

Pa., 
Mrs.   Jennie   Shunk,   Phoenixville, 
Pa. 

Gery. — The  Gery  family,  numerous  in  Plereford 
township,  Berks  county,  and  in  Montgomery  county, 


where  the  forebear  settled  before  the  middle  half 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  has  been  holding  annual 
meetings  since  1908.  The  last  reunion  of  the  family 
was  held  at  Siesholtzville.  The  family  traces  its 
history  to  one  Jacob  Geary  (Gery),  who  was  a 
redemptioner,  and  came  into  the  Griesemer  family 
to  work  out  his  passage.  Later  he  married  his 
master's  daughter,  and  they  reared  a  family  whose 
descendants  are  now  many,  scattered  over  Berks, 
Montgomery  and  Lehigh  counties.    The  officers  are : 

President,  Irvin  C.  Gery,  Siesholtzville,  Pa. 
Vice-President,  William  H.  Sallada,  Hereford,   Pa. 
Secretary,  Jacob  M.  Gery,  Topton,  Pa. 
Assistant  Secretary,  Charles  O.  F.  Treichler,  East  Green- 
ville, Pa. 

Corresponding  Secretary,  Milton  M.  Gery,  Zionsville,  Pa. 
Financial  Secretary,  William  B.  Moll,  Seisholtzville,  Pa. 
Treasurer,  Michael   N.   Gery,   Hereford,   Pa. 

Grim. — The  Grim  family  of  eastern  Pennsylvania 
was  founded  by  three  brothers,  natives  of  Wurtem- 
berg,  Germany.  Gideon  Grim,  also  known  and 
name  written  as  Gitti  and  Egidius  Grimm,  was  the 
first  to  emigrate,  landing  in  Pennsylvania  in  1738. 
His  brothers  Henry  and  Jacob  followed  in  1730. 

Gideon  Grim  located  in  Macungie  township,  Le- 
high county,  at  a  point  where  Macungie  and  Weis- 
enburg  townships,  in  Lehigh  county,  meet  Maxa- 
tawny  township  in  Berks  county.  Here  he  owned 
1,000  acres  of  land,  which  was  situated  in  the  three 
townships  mentioned.  It  is  supposed  that  he  sold 
part  of  this  land  to  his  brothers,  who  reared  large 
families.  Gideon  Grim  crossed  the  ocean  on  the 
same  vessel  in  which  the  noted  pioneer  minister  of 
the  Lutheran  Church,  Rev.  John  Casper  Stover, 
came  to  this  country. 

The  Grim  family  is  of  patrician  origin  and  long 
seated  in  Normandy.  One  branch  established  itself 
in  Alsace,  whence  "Egidus  Grimm"  came  because 
of  religious  persecution  and  as  the  result  of  reading 
an  English  book  containing  fabulous  accounts  of 
the  New  World.  An  interesting  circumstance  at- 
taches to  this  family  from  the  fact  that  an  ancient 
pedigree,  tracing  the  family  back  to  a  Norman  baron 
who  lived  in  the  days  of  William  the  Conqueror, 
was  brought  by  the  emigrant  to  America. 

The  first  Grim  family  reunion  was  held  at  Han- 
cock, this  county,  in  1897,  at  which  time  the  connec- 
tion numbered  over  one  thousand  souls.  The  reg- 
ular annual  reunions  in  1907  and  in  1908  were  held 
at  Kutztown  Park,  both  well  patronized.  Prof.  Geo. 
A.  Grim,  superintendent  of  schools  in  Northampton 
county,  Pa.,  delivered  an  historical  address  at  the 
last  gathering.  The  organization  has  succeeded  in 
discovering  a  considerable  number  of  records. 
Miss  Anna  M.  Grim,  of  Allentown,  Pa.,  as  secre- 
tary, deserves  commendation  for  her  efforts  in 
establishing  a  family  tree. 

Most  of  the  Grims  in  Berks  county  live  in  Maxa- 
tawny  and  Greenwich  townships  and  in  Kutztown. 
Grimville,  a  village  in  Greenwich  township,  perpet- 
uates the  family  name.  It  contains  a  store,  hotel, 
tannery,  church  and  school.  The  village  was 
founded  by  "Col."  Daniel  Grim,  locallv  known  as 


FAMILY  REUNIONS 


317 


"Der  Hellwedder  Grim."  He  was  colonel  of  the  mil- 
itia of  his  district. 

The  officers  of  the  Grim  reunion  are : 

President,  J.  Peter  Grim,  Allentown,  Pa. 

First  Vice-President,  A.  S.  Grim,  Allentown,  Pa. 

Second  Vice-President,  A.  B.  Grim,  Allentown,   Pa. 

Secretary,  Anna  M.  Grim,  Allentown,  Pa. 

Treasurer,  C.  R.  Grim,  Monterey,  Pa. 

Executive  Committee,  Stanley  Grim, 

Oscar  S.  Grim, 

Dr.   Charles   E.  Grim, 

William  H.  Grim, 

Charles  A.  Grim, 

Jacob  L.  Grim, 

Harry  E.  Grim, 
Walter  J.  Grim, 

William  A.  Grim. 

Hafer. — The  Hafer  family  held  its  first  re- 
union at  Carsonia  Park,  Reading,  in  1908.  Much 
interest  was  manifested.  It  traces  its  history 
to  Mathias  Hafer,  or  Hoefer.  He  was  a  German, 
and  emigrated  in  1773  to  Pennsylvania,  locating  in 
what  is  now  Ruscombmanor  township,  Berks  county. 
He  first  settled  in  Alsace  township,  and  was  married 
to  Julia  Schmid.  They  had  eight  children,  viz. : 
John,  Matthias,  George,  Benjamin,  Isaac,  Daniel, 
Henry  and  Maria.  This  is  a  long-lived  family.  The 
early  Hafers  were  strong,  robust  people.  The  fam- 
ily is  mostly  settled  in  Reading,  and  the  townships 
to  the  east  of  Reading,  including  Alsace,  Exeter 
and  Oley. 

Mr.  E.  E.  Hafer,  photographer,  Reading,  is  the 

president  of  the  permanent  reunion  committee,  and 

^much  credit  is  due  him  for  the  interest  taken  in 

tracing  the  early  history.     The  list  of  officers,  all 

from  Reading,  is  as  follows : 

President,  E.   E.  Hafer. 
First  Vice-President,  Adam  E.  Hafer. 
Sedond  Vice-President,  George  M.  Hafer. 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Samuel  G.  Hafer. 
Recording  Secretary,  William  M.  Hafer. 
Treasurer,  Samuel  L.  Hafer. 

Heffner. — Descendants  of  Heinrich  Haeffner 
(Heiifner)  in  1901  celebrated  the  15Sd  anniversary 
of  his  landing  in  America  at  Moselem  Church  in 
Berks  county.  Heinrich  Haeffner  was  a  son  of  An- 
draes  Haeffner,  of  Eberstadt,  Germany.  His  wife, 
Maria  Eva  Kelchner,  bore  him  six  children,  namely : 
John  Henry,  Hans  Georg,  Eva  Catharine,  Elizabeth, 
Eva  Magdalene  and  Catharine. 

James  S.  Heffner,  Esq.,  of  Kutztown,  was  the 
president  of  the  anniversary  ceremonies. 

Prof.  George  H.  Heffner,  son  of  George,  son  of 
Jacob,  son  of  Hans  Georg,  in  1886  wrote  a  complete 
genealogy  entitled  "Heffner  Records."  This  was 
the  first  history  compiled  of  an  upper  Berks  county 
family,  and  its  influence  upon  other  families,  to 
trace  their  forebears,  was  most  valuable.  Professor 
Heffner  rendered  a  service  to  posterity.  His  un- 
selfish life  has  endeared  him  to  the  people  of  Berks 
county,  among  whom  he  lived  and  labored  as 
teacher. 

The  pioneer  Heffner  came  to  America  in  1749. 
The  family  is  mostly  scattered  in  the  upper  part  of 
Berks  county,  and  about  Kutztown  and  Virginville. 


Heinly. — The  Heinly  Family  Association  was 
organized  in  August,  1898.  Its  members  are  the 
descendants  of  David  Heinly,  who  emigrated  from 
the  Duchy  ,of  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  sailing  in  the 
ship  "Patience,"  Hugh  Steel,  Captain,  and  landing 
in  Philadelphia  Sept.  19,  1749.  On  July  31,  1774, 
he  received  from  Thomas  and  John  Penn,  sons  of 
William  Penn,  a  patent  for  about  300  acres,  now 
ir  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county,  a  portion  of 
which  land  is  still  owned  by  his  descendants. 

The  original  ancestor  lies  buried  in  Dunkel's 
Church  cemetery,  about  three  miles  from  Virgin- 
ville, and  the  original  tombstone  of  sandstone  still 
remains,  in  a  fair  state  of  preservation.  On  the 
obverse  side  the  following  appears,  in  German  with 
English  letters:  "Hir  ligd  Dafid  Heinle,  1st  ge- 
boren  1728  den  17  Ockdober  und  gestorben  den 
3rd  Ockdober,  1784-."  On  the  reverse  side  appears 
the  following  from  an  old  German  hymn  published 
in  the  "Leipsiger  Gesangbuch,"  written  in  1638 : 

"Die  Krone  des  Gerechdigkeid 
1st   mein    schmuck   und    ehrenkleid, 
Damid  will  ich  for  Got  bestehen, 
Wan  ich  werd  in  himmel  eingehen.'' 

On  Aug.  15, 1903,  the  descendants  erected  a  mem- 
orial to  their  first  ancestor,  adjacent  to  the  old  tomb- 
stone. It  consists  of  a  granite  base  rough  hewn 
and  a  granite  top  in  the  shape'  of  a  large  book 
with  old-fashioned  clasps,  on  the  open  pages  of 
which  appear  the  following  inscriptions : 

On  the  left-hand  page — 

"In  memory  of 

David  Heinly, 

Born   October  17,   1728. 

Died   October  12,   1784. 

Emigrated  from  Germany  in  1749." 

On  the  right-hand  page^ 

"Erected  by  his  descendants,  to  their 

First  American  Ancestor, 

August  15,   1903, 

at  the 

Fifth  Annual   Heinly  Family   Reunion.'' 

The  Family  Reunion  was  first  held  along  the 
banks  of  the  Maiden  creek  on  the  original  home- 
stead, but  latterly  at  Kutztown  Park,  Kutztown, 
Pa.  It  is  held  annually  in  August,  and  attended 
by  from  400  to  500  descendants.  The  Association 
was  organized  mainly  through  the  efforts  of 
David  Heinly,  fonnerly  of  Albany  township,  lat- 
terly of  Kutztown,  who  was  its  treasurer  until  his 
death  in  1907.  A  complete  Family  Record  has 
been  compiled.  . 

The  present  officers  of  the  Association  are  as  fol- 
lows: 

President,  David  L.  Heinly,  Reading,  Pa. 

First    Vice-President,    G.    Henry    Heinly,    Blandon,    Pa. 

Second  Vice-President,  Chas.  H.  Heinley,  East  Texas,  Pa. 

Third  Vice-President,  Henry  Heinly,  Schnecksville,  Pa. 

Secretary,  Harvey  F.  Heinly,  Reading,  Pa. 

Assistant  Secretaries,  Calvin  H.  Adam,  Fleetwood,  Pa., 
Charles  H.  Heinly,  Klinesville,  Pa., 
Titus  Heinly,  Reading  Pa., 
Phares   S.   Heller,  Allentown,   Pa. 

Treasurer,  Prof.   Charles  B.  Heinly,  York,  Pa. 


318 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Executive  Committee,  William  Heinly,  Manatawny,  Pa., 
Enoch  Heinly,   Virginville,   Pa., 
Samuel   D.   Heinly,   Reading,   Pa., 
John  W.  Adam,  Fleetwood,  Pa., 
Jarius    Heffner,    Kutztown,    Pa. 
Historian,   Samuel  G.   Heinly,  Reading,   Pa. 
Director    of   AiiMsements,    William    O.    Heinly,    Ham- 
burg, Pa. 

KiSTLEE. — The  Kistler  family  is  numerous  in 
Albany  and  Greenwich  townships,  Berks  county, 
and  especially  in  the  upper  end  of  Lehigh  county. 
The  family  traces  its  ancestry  to  George  Kistler, 
called  Jorg  or  Hanjorg  (that  is,  Hans  Jorg) — ^John 
George  Kistler.  He  was  from  the  Palatinate.  In 
1737  he  came  to  the  New  World,  and  located  in  the 
Falkner  Swamp,  or  Goshenhoppen,  Montgomery 
Co.,  Pa.  No  doubt  he  brought  his  wife,  Anna 
Dorothy,  and  his  oldest  children  with  him  from 
Germany.  In  1747  he  settled  in  Albany  township, 
Berks  county.  He  died  in  1767  and  is  buried  at  the 
New  Jerusalem  Church,  in  Albany  township, 
where  many  of  his  descendants  are  buried.  He 
left  nine  children,  as  follows:  Jacob,  John,  Samuel, 
George,  Philip,  Michael,  Barbara,  Dorotha  and  Eliz- 
abeth. Nearly  all  of  these  moved  to  Lynn  township, 
Lehigh  county.  Like  the  seed  of  Abraham  of  old, 
they  multiplied,  and  soon  populated  the  fine  valley 
extending  from  Kempton,  in  Berks,  to  Lynnville,  in 
Lehigh  county,  a  distance  of  six  miles.  This  valley 
is  called  Kistlers  Valley. 

John  Kistler,  son  of  the  pioneer,  in  1768,  lived  in 
Albany,  and  it  appears  remained  on  the  homestead. 
He  had  sons,  John  William,  born  1757,  and  Abra- 
ham, born  1761,  The  Kistlers  have  intermarried 
with  the  Dietrichs,  Fetherolfs,  Brobsts,  and  other 
old  families  of  that  section. 

The  family  has  been  holding  successful  reunions 
since  1899.  It  held  the  fifth  annual  meeting  at 
Neffsville,  Pa.,  in  1904.  The  officers  of  the  associa- 
tion, besides  an  executive  committee  of  eleven  mem- 
bers, are: 

President,  Henry  D.  Kistler. 
I'icc-Prcsidcnt,  Edwin  D.  Kistler. 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Dr.  W.   P.  Kistler. 
Recording  Secretary,  Elmer  C.  Kistler. 
Assistant  Secretary,  P.  VV.  Kistler. 
Treasurer,  C.  K.  Kistler. 

Kline. — The  Elder  Georg  Klein  Association 
was  formed  at  Reading,  Pa.,  in  1904,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  raising  funds  to  erect  a  fitting  memorial  in 
honor  of  the  ancestor  after  whom  the  association 
was  named,  and  to  properly  care  for  a  much  neg- 
lected private  graveyard  where  Elder  Georg  Klein, 
with  others,  is  buried.  The  second  meeting  was 
held  in  1906,  at  West  Hamburg.  The  officers  of 
the  association  are : 

President,  David  R.  Kline,  Allentown,  Pa. 

Secretary,  William  B.  Kline,  Berks,  Pa. 

Assistant  Secretary,  A.   S.  Kline,  Upper  Bern,   Pa. 

Treasurer,   Newton   Kline,   Pottstown,   Pa. 

Executive   Conwiittce.   C.   K.   Whitner,   Reading,   Pa., 
F.  F_.  Kline,  Reading,  Pa., 
A.  K.  Kline.  Reading,  Pa., 
Dr.    John    K.    Seaman,    Rdg.,    Pa. 
Dr.   Warren   Kline,  Lebanon,   Pa. 


Improvement  Committee,  Jerome  I.  Kline,  Reading,  Pa., 
C.   K.   Whitner,   Reading,   Pa., 
A.  K.  Kline,  Reading,  Pa., 
A.   S.   Kline,   Upper   Bern,   Pa. 

Elder  Georg  Klein  was  born  at  Zweibriicken, 
South  Germany,  Oct.  9, 1715,  immigrated  to  America 
in  1738,  and  located  at  Amwell,  N.  J.  Becoming 
acquainted  with  the  Brethren  of  the  Dunkard 
Church,  in  1739  he  was  baptized  in  that  faith  at 
Amwell,  and  soon  after  was  chosen  an  assistant  in 
the  ministry.  In  1750  he  moved  to  North-kill  on 
the  Tulpehocken,  in  Berks  county,  and  there  took 
charge  of  "North-kill  Meeting  House."  He  is  buried 
in  upper  Berks.  He  left  a  number  of  children, 
whose  descendants  are  very  numerous. 

Krick. — The  descendants  of  Frantz  Krick  and 
his  wife  Catharine  were  organized  into  a  reunion  by 
Rev.  Thomas  H.  Krick,  in  1907,  when  the  first  meet- 
ing was  held  at  Sinking  Spring;  the  second  was 
also  held  there,  in  August,  1908.  This  is  one  of 
the  earliest  and  largest  families  of  the  Tulpehocken 
Valley,  Berks  county.  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Krick, 
a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church,  now  sta- 
tioned at  Coplay,  Pa.,  spent  considerable  time 
and  money  in  ascertaining  the  true  history  of  the 
progenitor,  Frantz  Krick,  who  came  to  America 
from  Germany  in  1731,  and  about  that  time  located 
in  Spring,  then  a  part  of  Cumru  township.  He 
reared  a  large  family,  thirteen  children,  and  his 
descendants  are  numerous  in  Berks  county.,  The 
ancestral  homestead  has  remained  in  the  family 
name  to  this  date.  Tradition  states  that  Frantz 
Krick  obtained  his  land  from  the  Indians. 

The  Krick  family  is  exceedingly  patriotic  and  it 
has  had  members  serving  in  every  war  fought 
in  this  country.  John,  Frantz,  Adam,  Peter  and 
Jacob  Krick,  sons  of  the  pioneer,  fought  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  In  the  War  of  1812  were  Fran- 
cis and  Peter  Krick.  In  the  Civil  war  seventeen 
members  of  the  family  participated.  In  the  Spanish 
war  there  were  four  members  of  the  family. 

The  officers  of  the  Krick  Family  Association  are : 

President,  Daniel  Krick,  Robesonia,  Pa. 

Vice-Presidents,  William  F.  Krick,  Sinking  Spring,  Pa., 
Daniel  B.  Krick,  Sinking  Spring,  Pa., 
Benjamin    K.    Hunsicker,    Wernersville, 

Pa., 
Isaac  Krick,  Sinking  Spring,  Pa., 
Daniel   H.   Krick,   Ephrata,    Pa., 
George  Krick,  Hamburg,  Pa 

Secretary,  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Krick,  Coplay,  Pa. 

Treasurer,   William   F.   High,   Reading,    Pa. 

Historian,  Rev.   Thomas   H.   Krick,   Coplay,   Pa. 

Levengood  (Liven good,  Livingood).  The  first 
reunion  of  the  Levengood  family  was  held  in  the 
fall  of  1906  to  celebrate  the  ninety-third  birthday 
anniversary  of  its  oldest  living  member,  !Adam 
Levengood,  and  the  gathering  took  place  at  the 
home  of  his  son,  Jacob  S.  Levengood,  in  Oley,  near 
Friedensburg.  The  second  and  third  meetings  were 
held  at  the  same  place,  the  third  on  September  7, 
1908,  and  the  fourth  is  to  be  held  in  Friedensburg 
Park  on  Labor  Day.  1909.     The  venerable  man  in 


FAMILY  REUNIONS 


319 


whose  honor  the  first  meeting  was  held  was  present 
at  the  second  and  third  meetings  also,  well  preserved 
and  hearty.  The  organization  was  decided  upon  at 
the  first  gathering.  ,  In  1908  the  following  officers 
were  elected: 

President,  David  D.  Livingood,  Pottstown,  Pa. 
Vice-Presidents,  William  Livingood,  Pottstown,  Pa., 
John  Stitzer,  Reading,  Pa., 
Casper  Livingood,  Birdsboro,  Pa., 
James  Eck,  Reading,  Pa., 
Abner    Livingood,    Millersville,    Pa., 
Jacob  Livingood,  Elverson,  Pa, 
Secretary,  Howard  M.  Livengood,   Birdsboro,   Pa. 
Assistant  Secretary,  Oscar  Levengood,  Gilbertsville,  Pa. 
Treasurer,  Jacob  S.  Levengood,  Oley,  Pa. 
Historian,  Howard  M.  Livengood,  Birdsboro,  Pa. 
Assistant  Historians,  John  Stitzer,  Reading,   Pa., 

Irwin  Livingood,  Pottstown,  Pa. 
Executive  Committee,  Adam  Livingood,  Birdsboro,  Pa., 
Jacob  S.  Levengood,  Oley,  Pa., 
Elsworth   Spohn,   Oley,   Pa., 
Monroe   Shive,   Reading,   Pa. 

After  the  business  meeting  the  assembly,  which 
included  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  representatives 
of  the  family,  was  addressed  by  ex-Representative 
Jacob  R.  Herzog  and  by  Mr.  Howard  M.  Liven- 
good. 

The  Levengood  family  traces  its  ancestry  back 
to  Ulrich  and  Susanna  Liebenguth,  who  came  to 
America  from  the  Palatinate  about  1733,  in  the  ship 
"Charming  Betsy,"  landing  at  Philadelphia,  Oct. 
12,  1733.  At  that  time  he  was  forty-five  years  old, 
his  wife  thirty-six.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  quali- 
ties, and  his  descendants  belong  to  the  best  of  the 
sturdy  Pen/isylvania  German  element  in  their  sec- 
tion. Many  of  those  who  bear  the  name  have  made 
a  reputation  in  the  learned  professions,  and  they  are 
generally  known  for  the  substantial  qualities  that 
distinguished  the  early  representatives  of  the  family. 

Ulrich  and  Susanna  Liebenguth  brought  five  chil- 
dren with  them :  Peter,  aged  sixteen ;  Adam,  aged 
thirteen;  Jacob,  aged  ten;  Maria,  aged,  eight;  and 
Anna,  aged  five.  From  Philadelphia  the  family 
proceeded  to  New  Hanover  township,  where  they 
settled. 

Jacob,  third  son  of  the  emigrant  ancestors,  was 
born  in  Alsace,  Germany,  and  was  the  progenitor 
of  the  Levengood  family  of  which  this  article  treats. 
He  died  April  1,  1804,  and  his  remains  are  interred 
in  the  cemetery  adjoining  the  Swamp  Reformed 
Church.  He  had  one  son,  Matthias,  who  married 
Catharine  Shuster,  and  they  had  five  children. 

Adam  Levengood  is  the  father  of  four  sons: 
Jacob  S.,  at  whose  home  the  first  three  reunions 
were  held ;  James,  of  Elverson,  Pa. ;  Solomon,  of 
Joanna  Heights,  Pa.;  and  Adam,  of  Friedensburg. 

LuDWiG. — The  Ludwig  family  traces  its  origin 
to  Michael  Ludwig,  who  came  from  the  Rhenish 
Palatinate  to  Oley  township  in  1733.  He  was  a 
Pietist.  The  early  generations  in  St.  Gaul,  Switzer- 
land, were  profound  scholars  and  a  number  were 
ministers. 

The  Ludwigs  in  Berk§  county  are  numerous. 
They  held  their  first  reunion  in  1903,  and  the  seventh 
in  1908,  at  Friedensburg.     They  have  been  a  cor- 


porate body  since  1908.  The  historian  of  the  family, 
the  late  Isaac  W.  Guldin  (1834-1907),  traced  the 
family  to  Bohemia,  in  1536.  The  forerunners  of  the 
Oley  township  branch  in  1700  were  seated  at  Dres- 
den, Germany.  Mr.  Guldin  worked  faithfully  for 
years  to  establish  the  ancestral  history.  He  was 
eminently  successful.  In  1905  he  collected  his  rec- 
ords, in  type-written  form,  in  a  book.  The  officers 
of  the  organization  are: 

President,  David  V.  R.  Ludwig. 
Vice-Presidents,  Jacob  D.  Ludwig, 

Wilson  P.  Ludwig. 
Secretary,  Dr.  J.  Harry  Ludwig. 
Treasurer,  Eli  V.  R.  Ludwig. 
Board  of  Directors,  Jerome  Ludwig, 

George  S.  Ludwig, 

Mrs.  Edwin  Rhoads, 
.Mrs.  Alex.  B.  Earhart, 

Cyrus    D.    Moser. 

LuTZ. — In  Albany  township  is  an  old  family  by 
the  name  of  Lutz  whose  ancestors  were  Frederick 
and  Jacob  Lutz.  The  latter,  was  a  resident  in  the 
district  as  early  as  1754.  His  descendants,  who 
are  quite  numerous  about  Kempton  and  Steinsville, 
hold  annual  gatherings.  The  elaborate  dinners  and 
suppers  are  a  feature  at  these  reunions.  The  last 
reunion  was  held  at  Kempton  in  1908.  The  officers 
are : 

President,  John  C.  Lutz. 
Vice-President,  James  S.  Lutz. 
Secretary,  Frank  E.  Lutz. 
Treasurer,  Allen  Lutz. 

Reedy. — The  first  reunion  of  the  Reedy  family  of 
Berks  and  Lebanon  counties  was  held  in  1908,  near 
Millbach,  Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.  Jonathan  B.  Reedy, 
aged  seventy-three  years,  is  one  of  the  leading  spir- 
its in  the  movement  to  have  regular  annual  gather- 
ings. No  regular  officers  have  been  elected  thus 
far.  -t>A 

William  Reedy,  father  of  Jonathan  B.,  married 
Maria  Bensing  and  they  had  five  children,  namely: 
George,  Annie  (m.  Henry  Engelhart),  Catharine 
(m.  Jonathan  Strauss),  Samuel  and  Jonathan  B., 
the  last  named  only  surviving. 

RiTTEE. — The.  Ritter  family,  which  is  numerous 
in  Berks  county  and  also  in  the  adjoining  county 
of  Lehigh,  where  the  town  Rittersville  perpetuates 
the  name,  dates  back  to  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  This  family  has  been  holding  annual  re- 
unions since  1898.  The  last  was  held  in  Dorney's 
Park,  Allentown,  in  1908.  The  meetings  are  well 
attended.  A  history  of  the  family  is  expected  in 
book  form  for  distribution  at  the  eleventh  reunion, 
in  1909.  The  ancestry  is  traced  to  Casper,  Martin 
and  Philip  Ritter,  who  were  German  Palatinates. 
Their  descendants  are  numerous  and  scattered  over 
eastern  Pennsylvania. 

Exeter  township,  in  Berks  county,  was  the  home 
of  the  Ritters  of  this  section.  There,  in  1754,  lived 
George  Ritter,  and  in  1759  Francis  (also  mentioned 
in  documents  as  Ferdinand)  Ritter  was  one  of  the 
largest  taxpayers  in  the  township.  He  owned 
much  land  below  Jacksonwald,  where  the  old  Rit- 


32Q 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


ter  graveyard  is  located  along  the  Oley  Valley  trol- 
ley line. 

Francis  or  Ferdinand  Ritter,  born  in  1741,  died  in 
1825.  His  children  were  Daniel,  John,  Jacob  and 
Samuel.  John  was  a  representative  in  Congress 
from  Berks  county,  refusing  a  third  nomination  to 
that  office. 

Tradition  says  the  pioneer  Ritter  obtained  his  land 
originally  from  the  Indians.  Some  of  this  tract  is 
still  is  the  family.  The  ancestor  Ritter,  the  father 
of  George  and  Ferdinand,  tradition  says  was  mar- 
ried to  an  Indian  woman,  who  was  buried  on  the 
farm  owned  by  Daniel  Ritter,  later  by  Benjamin 
Ritter  and  now  by  Charles  Breneiser,  of  Read- 
ing.   The  officers  in  1908  of  the  Ritter  Family  were : 

President,  H.   S.  Ritter,  AUentown,   Pa. 
Vice-President,  J.   R.  Ritter,   Reading,   Pa. 
Recording  Secretary,  I.  J.  Ritter,  AUentown,  Pa. 
Secretary,  M.  T.   Ritter.  Northampton,   Pa. 
Treasurer,   Mrs.   Edw.    Diefenderfer,    Catasauqua,    Pa. 
Committees,  Historical, 

Program, 

Ways    and    Means, 

Executive. 

RoHRBACH. — The  descendants  of  John  Rohrbach, 
who  emigrated  to  America  about  the  middle  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  and  settled  in  Berks  county,  in 
the  territory  now  embraced  in  District  township, 
held  a  reunion  at  Hancock  Park  in  1908.  A 
committee  of  arrangements,  a  history  committee, 
and  a  committee  on  program  were  appointed  and 
the  following  officers  were  elected : 

President,  D.  R.  Rohrbach,  Williamstown,   N.  J. 
Vice-President,  Frederick  Rohrbach,  AUentown,  Pa. 
Secretary,   W.   B.   Rohrbach,   Macuiigie,   Pa. 

The  ancestor  had  sons  Lawrence  and  John,  Jr. 
The  family  is  quite  numerous  in  the  eastern  end 
of  the  county,  where  the  first  of  the  name  settled. 
The  ancestral  homestead  is  still  in  the  family. 

Saul. — ^Samuel  Saul,,  who  came  to  this  country 
in  1716,  was  a  native  of  Alsace-Lorraine.  After 
some  years  in  America  he  returned  to  his  native 
land  and  remained  about  one  year  with  his  family. 
He  came  to  America  a  second  time,  expecting  to 
prepare  a  home  for  the  family,  who  were  to  follow. 
He  died,  and  his  wife,  not  hearing  from  him,  de- 
cided to  follow  him  to  the  New  World,  making  the 
journey  with  her  three  children,  Johann  Nicholas, 
Leonard  and  Christian,  in  1753.  They  located  at 
or  near  Pottstown,  Pa.,  and  Johann  Nicholas  Saul 
there  made  his  permanent  home.  Leonard  moved 
to  Maxatawny  township,  Berks  county;  and  Chris- 
tian settled  in  Lancaster  county  at  what  is  now  Lin- 
glestown,  Dauphin  county.  Each  of  the  sons  reared 
a  large  family,  and  owned  his  own  home. 

Johann  Nicholas  Saul,  born  Dec.  16,  1726, 
died  Aug.  14,  1795,  and  is  buried  at  the  Swamp 
Church.  In  1766  a  son,  Nicholas,  was  born  to  hiir.. 
In  1792  the  latter  married  Rosina  Hartman,  of  Dis- 
trict township,  Berks  county.  Nicholas  Saul  was 
first  taxed  in  Douglass  township,  Berks  county. 
In  1779  he  moved  to  West  District  township,  Berks 


county.  He  was  a  rake-maker.  He  and  his  wife 
had  these  six  children:  Salome,  Samuel,  John, 
Jacob,  Hannah  and  Esther.  Nicholas  Saul  .diedin 
1823,  aged  fifty-six  years.  His  wife,  Rosina,  died 
in  1843,  aged  eighty  years.  After  their  death  their 
son,  Jacob,  built  a  house,  in  1844,  upon  the  home- 
stead where  he  lived  and  died,  his  death  occurring 
in  1890,  when  he  was  aged  eighty-eight  years. 
His  children  were:  Mary,  Nicholas,  Daniel, 
Catharine,  Jacob,  Franklin,  Sanah,  Lydia,  Theresa 
and  Thomas.  John  Saul,  son  of  Nicholas,  died  on 
the  homestead  in  1867,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  He 
had:  Wilham,  Daniel,  John,  Jacob,  Elizabeth,  Si- 
mon, Elias,  Sarah  Ann  and  Ephraim. 

Salome,  daughter  of  Nicholas,  married  Jacob 
Rothermel  and  had  ten  children.  Hannah,  daughter 
of  Nicholas,  married  John  Rubright;  no  issue. 
Esther,  daughter  of  Nicholas,  married  Peter  Roth- 
ermel and  had  eight  children.  Samuel,  the  eldest 
child  of  Nicholas,  was  in  the  United  States  navy, 
and  was  never  married. 

The  Saul  family  held  its  first  reunion  in  1902 
and  the  sixth  in  1908,  at  Pendora  Park,  Reading. 
It  has  successful  reunions,  and  has  collected 
considerable  data,  to  be  published  in  a  private  his- 
tory.   The  officers  of  this  reunion  are : 

President,  Rev.  J.   Elmer   Saul,   Norristown,   Pa. 

Vice-Presidents,  Samuel  H.  Fegley,  Reading,  Pa., 
Dr.  Charles  K.  Saul,  Steelton,  Pa., 
F.    K.    Miller,    Reading,    Pa. 

Secretary,  Jacob  I.  Saul,  Pottsville,  Pa. 

Treasurer,  Elias  G.  Saul. 

ScH.vEFFER. — 'George  Schaefifer,  the  pioneer  of 
the  Schaefifers,  came  to  this  country  from  the  Ger- 
man Palatinate,  in  August,  1750,  and  settled  in 
Richmond  township,  this  county,  soon  after  his 
landing.  His  wife  was  Catharine  Reib.  They  had 
the  following  five  children:  Elizabeth,  the  eldest, 
married  John  Bieber ;  Margaret,  the  next  eldest, 
married  Dewald  Bieber;  Maria  married  IMichael 
Christman;  Peter  was  the  next  and  Philip,  who 
married  Elizabeth  Fetherolf,  was  the  youngest  of 
the  family  and  remained  upon  the  homestead  near 
Fleetwood.  He  had  eight  sons  and  four  daughters, 
all  of  whom  were  well-formed,  large  and  strong. 
Father  Schaefifer  died  in  1792  and  is  buried  in  a 
private  burial-ground  on  the  farm  where  he  lived 
and  died. 

The  family  held  its  first  reunion  in  1903,  and  the 
second  in  1906,  both  in  Kutztown  Park.  They 
were  well  attended.  At  both  meetings  D.  Nicholas 
SchaefTer,  Esq.,  of  Reading,  delivered  an  historical 
address  on  the  pioneer  Schaefifer.  The  second  ad- 
dress was  published  in  the  December,  1906,  number 
of  "The  Pennsylvania  German."  At  the  first  re- 
union Rev.  Dr.  N.  C.  Schaefifer,  superintendent  of 
public  instruction  of  Pennsylvania,  delivered  an  ad- 
dress, "Wlicre  Did  the  Pennsylvania  Germans  Come 
From  and  Why  Did  They  Leave  Their  Fatherland?" 
At  the  second  reunion  Flarry  D.  Schaefifer,  Esq.,  of 
Reading,  delivered  an  address,  "Some  Character- 
istics of  the  Schaeffer  Family,"  and  Rev.  William 


FAMILY  REUNIONS 


321 


C.  Schaeffer,  a  professor  of  the  Theological  Semin- 
ary at  Lancaster,  delivered  an  address  entitled, 
"My  Recent  Trip  Through  Germany";  Rev.  David 
I.  Schaeffer  delivered  an  address  entitled,  "Histori- 
cal Side  Lights." 

The  Schaeffer  family  holds  its  reunions  triennial- 
ly.  It  is  one  of  the  largest,  most  honored  and  intel- 
lectual families  of  the  county.  The  officers  of  1908 
were: 

President,  George  D.   Schaeffer,  Fleetwood,   Pa. 

Secretary  and  Historian,  Rev.  David  I.  Schaeffer. 

Executive  Committee,  Rev.  C.  E.  Schaeffer, 
James    D.    Schaeffer, 
Joel    M.    Schaeffer, 
Daniel  B.   Schaeffer, 
James   Schaeffer. 

Seaman. — The  Association  of  Descendants  of 
Johan  Ludwig  Seaman  was  formed  in  1903,  and 
held  its  first  reunion  on  ancestral  grounds  in  Tilden 
township. 

Johan  Ludwig  Seaman,  the  progenitor,  was  a 
native  of  Alsace,  France.  At  the  age  of  twenty 
he  enlisted  in  the  service  of  Frederick  the  Great, 
of  Prussia,  as  body-guard.  After  efglit  years  he 
married,  and  in  1748  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania, 
locating  in  Bern  township,  in  that  part  of  the 
district  now  embraced  in  Tilden  township.  He  was 
a  large  land  owner  and  owned  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  the  township,  which  his  descendants  colon- 
ized in  large  measure.  His  remains  are  interred  at 
St.  Michael's  Church.  His  wife,  Catharine,  bore 
him  three  sons,  namely :  Eberhart,  John  and  Lud- 
wig, each  of  whom  reared  families.  John  located  in 
western  Pennsylvania,  where  his  descendants  are 
very  prosperous  people,  while  Eberhart  and  Lud- 
wig remained  on  ancestral  homesteads.  The  Sea- 
mans  are  very  numerous  in  upper  Berks  county 
and  are  a  very  representative  and  enterprising  fam- 
ily. The  second  reunion  was  held  at  West  Ham- 
burg in  1904,  and  was  largely  attended.  The  family 
expects  to  publish  a  genealogical  history.  The  per- 
manent officers  of  the  Association  are : 

President,  Maj.  Charles  F.  Seaman,  Hamburg,  Pa. 

Secretary  and  Historian,  A.   S.  Klein,   Upper  Bern,  Pa. 

Treasurer,  William   Seaman,  Fleetwood,   Pa. 

Executive  Committee,  Dr.  J.  K.  Seaman,  Reading,  Pa., 
Levi   B.   Seaman,   Berks,   Pa., 
A.  S.  Seaman,  Frackville,  Pa., 
Joseph  S.  Seaman,  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
A.   S.   Becker,  Berks,  Pa. 

Schneider  (Snyder). — Reunion  of  descendants 
of  Hans  (Johann)  Schneider. 

The  Snyder  family  reunions  were  begun  by  the 
descendants  of  David  Snyder,  a  great-grandson  of 
the  first  settler  of  the  Snyders,  Hans  (Johann) 
Schneider.  The  first  reunion  was  held  on  the  old 
David  Snyder  estate,  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
Jackson  Snyder,  one  mile  northeast  of  Oley  Line, 
in  September,  1904.  In  1906,  at  the  annual  reunion, 
a  historian  was  elected.  Rev.  Elam  J.  Snyder  being 
chosen.  The  first  history  of  the  Snyders  was  read 
in  connection  with  the  reunion  in  1907.  At  the 
same  time  it  was  decided  to  embrace  in  the  reunion 

31 


not  only  the  descendants  of  David  Snyder,  but  all 
Snyders  who  trace  their  ancestry  to  Hans  Schnei- 
der. 

The  old  family  burial  plot  near  Oley  Line,  in 
which  are  buried  the  first  generations  of  the  Sny- 
ders, was  recently  improved.  It  is  the  purpose  of 
the  organization  to  keep  it  in  excellent  order. 

The  officers  at  present  are: 

President,  Harrison  Yoder. 
Vice-President,  D.  S.  Brumbach. 
Secretary,  Samuel  Reiff. 
Treasurer,  George  W.  Brumbach. 
Historian,  Rev.  Elami  J.   Snyder. 

Strauss. — The  reunion  of  the  descendants  of 
Albrecht  and  Philip  Strauss,  who  emigrated  from 
Wurtemberg  in  1732,  was  founded  by  B.  Morris 
Strauss,  Esq.,  of  Reading.  The  organization  com- 
mittee met  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  1902,  at  the  home 
of  Joseph  Strause,  near  Bernville.  In  September, 
1903,  on  the  Albrecht  Strauss  homestead,  now  em- 
braced in  Penn  township,  the  first  Strauss  reunion 
was  held  on  the  one  hundred  and  seventy-first  an- 
niversary of  the  landing  at  Philadelphia  of  Albrecht 
and  Philip  Strauss,  who  located  in  Bern  township, 
in  Berks  county,  soon  after  their  coming  to  Amer- 
ica. They  were  farmers,  and  reared  large  and 
honorable  families,  record  of  whose  progeny  is 
found  in  these  volumes.  The  reunions  of  1905, 
1907  and  1909  were  held  at  Strausstown,  in  Upper 
Tulpehocken  township.  This  town  perpetuates  the 
family  name  in  the  county. 

The  historian  has  found  practically  complete  re- 
cords of  these  two  pioneers,  which  will  finally  be 
published  in  book  form.  The  officers  of  the  reunion 
are: 

President,  James  W.  S.  Strause,  Reading,  Pa. 
Secretary,  Cameron  E.   Strauss,  Reading,   Pa. 
Treasurer,  Adam  W.  Strause,  Bernville,  Pa. 
Historian,  B.  Morris   Strauss,  Esq.,  Reading,   Pa. 
Executive    Committee,    Henry    N.    Haas,   Bernville,    Pa., 
Milton     M.     Strauss,     Strauss- 
town, Pa., 
Frank    B.    Saul,    Reading,    Pa., 
J.  Morris  Strause,  Auburn,  Pa., 
Charles   Ney,    Schuylkill   Haven, 

Pa., 
Josiah  K.   Strause,   Strausstown, 
Pa. 

Trexler. — The  first  reunion  of  the  Trexler  fam- 
ily was  held  at  Kutztown  Park,  Berks  county.  Pa., 
on  Aug.  28,  1907.  It  was  largely  attended.  The 
officers  of  this  reunion  are: 

President,  James  B.  Trexler,  Lewistown,  Pa. 

Vice-Presidents,     Dr.  Jacob  Trexler,  Lancaster,   Pa., 
B.    F.    Trexler,    Allentown,    Pa., 
J.  Allen  Trexler,  Allentown,  Pa. 

Secretary,   Claude   Trexler  Reno,   Allentown,   Pa. 

Treasurer,  Morris  D.  Trexler,  Topton,  Pa. 

Historian,   Hon.   Frank   M.   Trexler,   Allentown,    Pa. 

This  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Claude  Trex- 
ler Reno,  Esq.,  and  the  history  of  the  family  was. 
then  read  by  Judge  Trexler,  the  historian.  His 
paper  showed  considerable  research  and  gives  to 
posterity  a  true  record  of  the  Trexler  family,  which 
is  an  honored  family  of  the  State,  a  number  of  no- 


■i;i-i 


HISTORY   OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


table  personages  being  found  among  its  members. 

Peter  Trexler,  the  forebear,  came  to  America 
prior  to  1730,  and  located  in  Oley  township,  Berks 
county.  His  name,  among  others,  appears  upon 
the  petition  for  the  erection  of  Oley  township  in 
1720.  Shortly  afterward  he  removed  to  what  is 
now  Upper  Macimgie  township,  Lehigh  county. 
In  1729  he  obtained,  through  Casper  Wister,  land 
agent,  a  patent  for  land  upon  which  he  lived.  He 
died  in  1758.  His  last  will  bears  date  1744.  He 
disposes  of  his  estate  to  his  widow,  Catharine,  and 
his  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  named,  respec- 
tively :  Jeremiah,  John,  Peter,  Anna,  Catharine  and 
Margaret. 

Jeremiah  Trexler  (son  of  Peterl  as  early  as  1732 
had  a  public  house  at  Trexlertown.  He  and  wife, 
Catharine,  had  sons  John  and  Peter. 

Peter  Trexler,  the  second  son  6f  the  first  Peter, 
occupied  a  tract  near  Breinigsville.  He  was  justice 
of  the  peace  from  1752  to  1776,  and  in  the  Colonial 
system  sat  at  the  courts  at  Easton.  His  son,  Peter, 
the  third  Peter  in  line  of  descent  from  the  first  set- 
tler, was  known  as  the  Mertztown  Peter.  In  1783 
he  was  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  militia.  Pie  had 
eleven  children,  and  his  posterity  is  known  as  the 
Berks   county  branch   of  the   family.     The  names 


of  his  children  as  they  appear  in  the  family  Bible 
(in  the  possession  of  Edwin  H.  Trexler,  of  Mertz- 
town) are  as  follows:  Maria,  John  Peter,  Jacob, 
Reuben,  Benjamin,  Catharine,  Jonas,  Anna,  Nathan, 
Daniel,  Judith. 

The  minutes  and  proceedings  of  the  first  re- 
union of  the  Trexler  family  are  published  in  pamph- 
let form.  They  were  compiled  by  Claude  Trexler 
Reno,  of  Allentown,  Pa.,  and  are  valuable. 

Wamsher. — The  Wamsher  family  has  been 
holding  annual  reunions  or  picnics  since  1906.  It 
held  its  last  meeting  at  Monocacy,  in  1908.  An 
effort  is  to  be  made  to  trace  the  family  to  the  an- 
cestor, and  ultimately  to  publish  a  book.  The  of- 
ficers of  the  reunion  are : 

President,  Jasper  Wamsher,   Monocacy,    Pa. 

Secretary,   Norman   B.  Wamsher. 

Treasurer,  Frank   McDermond. 

Executive  Conanittee,  Harry  A.  Riegel, 
Howard  Seidel, 
Eugene   Manger, 
Rev.   Ruddy  Millard. 

Yeich. — The  Yeich  family  held  a  reunion  at 
Mineral  Spring  in  the  summer  of  1908.  Four  gen- 
erations of  the  family  were  represented  in  Mrs. 
William  Yeich,  Mrs.  William  Mauger,  Mrs.  Flor- 
ence Miller  and  Miss  Evelyn  Miller. 


»% 

■% 


€^/^'^^  ^-^'7^^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


J.  GLANCY  JONES  was  born  Oct.  7,  1811,  in  Caernar-  your  name  to  the  Senate  for  that  highly  respectable 
von  township,  Berks  county.  His  ancestors  were  of  and  important  mission  immediately  after  my  cabinet  shall 
Welsh  origin.  His  great-grandfather,  David  Jones,  set-  have  been  confirmed.  And  permit  me  here  to  add  that 
tied  in  1730  upon  the  Conestoga  creek,  near  Morgan-  I  think  your  mind  and  qualities  are  admirably  adapted 
town,  and  there  he  erected  and  carried  on  one  of  the  to  that  branch  of  the  public  service."  This  position  Mr. 
first  forges  in  that  section  of  the  State.  His  grand-  Jones  declined.  He  continued  his  service  in  Congress 
father,  Jonathan  Jones,  was  captain  of  a  company  of  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Ways  and  Means, 
troops  belonging  to  the  Continental  Line,  enlisted  by  and  was  the  zealous  advocate  and  supporter  of  President 
authority  of  Congress,  and  rendered  distinguished  ser-  Buchanan's  administration  on  the  floor  of  the  House, 
vices  in  the  expedition-  against  Canada  in  1776.  After-  In  the  year  1858  he  was  unanimously  renominated  for 
ward  he  was  lieutenant-colonel.  His  death  was  occas-  Congress,  his  opponent  being  Maj.  John  Schwartz,  the 
ioned  by  the  hardships  of  that  campaign.  Jehu  Jones,  candidate  of  the  anti-Lecomptori  Democracy,  which  unit- 
son  of  Jonathan  and  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  ed  with  it  the  strength  of  the  Republican  party.  Mr. 
was  for  many  years  engaged  in  the  profession  of  teach-  Jones  being  the  special  representative  of  the  policy  of 
er,  for  which  he  was  qualified  by  a  classical  education,  the  Federal  administration,  the  contest  in  Berks,  as  else- 
He  died  in  1864,  at  an  advanced  age.  where,  was  conducted  largely  upon  national  issues.     One 

J.  Clancy  Jones  was  educated  at  Kenyon  College,  Ohio,  of  the  most  exciting  campaigns  in  the  history  of  the 
and  in  1833  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  Pro-  county  ensued,  which  resulted  in  the  election  of  Maj. 
testant  Episcopal  Church,  to  which  his  family  had  for  John  Schwartz  by  a  majority  of.  nineteen  votes.  The 
generations  belonged.  His  inclinations,  however,  led  him  total  vote  in  the  district  was  upward  of  fourteen  thou- 
to  prefer  the  profession  of  the  law;  and  having  under-  sand.  Immediately  after  the  result  of  the  contest  was 
gone  the  necessary  course  of  preparation  he  was  ad-  known,  President  Buchanan  tendered  to  Mr.  Jones  the 
mitted  to  the  Bar.  He  commenced  practice  in  1842,  at  Austrian  mission,  which  he  accepted.  Upon  his  con- 
Easton,  Pa.  The  judicial  district  was  composed  at  that  firmation  by  the  Senate,  he  resigned  his  seat  in  Con- 
time  of  the  counties  of  Berks,  Lehigh  and  Northamp-  gress,  and  left,  with  his  family,  for  his  post  in  Janu-  ■ 
ton,  and  was  presided  over  by  Hon.  John  Banks.  After  ary,  1859.  Upon  the  accession  of  the  Republican  party 
a  residence  of  three  years  at  Easton  he  removed  to  Read-  to  power,  in  1861,  Mr.  Burlingame  was  appointed  by 
ing,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Berks  county  Jan.  President  Lincoln  to  succeed  Mr.  Jones  at  the  court  of 
7,  1845.  He  was  appointed  district  attorney  for  Berks  Vienna;  but,  having  been  almost  immediately  recalled, 
county,  under  the  administration  of  Governor  Shunk,  Mr.  Jones,  at  the  request  of  the  administration,  remain- 
in  March,  1847,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  Janu-  ed  in  the  embassy  until  the  arrival  of  his  successor,  Hon. 
ary,  1849.  During  that  period  he  was  tendered  by  the  John  Lothrop  Motley,  in  the  month  of  December.  At 
Executive  the  president  judgeship  of  the  Chester  and  the  period  of  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  in  the  Unit- 
Delaware  District.  ed   States  the   subject  of  the  belligerent   relations   of  the 

Though  successful  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  he  two   contending  sections   devolved  duties   of   a   peculiarly 

very   early  inclined   to   politics.     Being   a   decided   Demo-  delicate   and   responsible   nature   upon   our   diplomatic   re- 

crat,    he    became   active   in    the   affairs    of    the    dominant  presentatives  abroad,   and,   so   far   as  Mr.   Jones's   sphere 

party   in    his   native   county,    as   well    as   in   the    State    at  of    service   was   concerned,   he   sustained   his   official   trust 

large.      He   was    the   warm   personal    friend   and   poHtical  in  a  manner  highly  satisfactory  to  the  administration  and 

supporter    of   Morris   Longstreth,    the    unsuccessful    com-  the  government  of  the  country. 

petitor   of    Governor   Johnston   in    1848,    and   the    follow-        Upon   his   return   home,   where   he   arrived   in   January, 

ing  year   was    chairman   of   the   Democratic   State   Com-  1862,    the   period    of    Mr.    Jones's    public    life    practically 

m'ittee.     Irr   1850   he   was   elected   to   Congress   from   the  terminated,    though    he    did    not    cease    to    participate    in 

Berks    District.      Having    declined    a    renomination,    the  the    councils    of    his    party    for    many    years    afterward. 

Hon.    Henry   A.    Muhlenberg,    the    younger,    was    chosen  He   resumed  the  practice   of  the  law,  and  carried   it  on 

as    his    successor    for   the   term   beginning   in    December,  for    about    ten    years,    when    declining    health    compelled 

1853.  Mr.  Muhlenberg  having  died  shortly  after  tak-  him  to  retire  from  all  employments  of  a  public  nat- 
ing   his    seat,    a    special    election   was    held   in    February,  ure. 

1854,  to  fill  the  vacancy,  when  Mr.  Jones  was  chosen  Mr.  Jones  was,  for  a  long  period,  prominent  in  the 
for  the  unexpired  term.  He  was  reelected  for  two  sue-  councils  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  having  been 
ceeding  regular  terms,  in  1854  and  1856,  thus  holding  frequently  a  delegate  to  diocesan  conventions,  and  hav- 
the  position  of  representative,  with  but  a  brief  inter-  ing  taken  a  leading  part  in  the  measures  which  led  to 
mission,  for  the  period  of  eight  years.  As  a  member  the  establishment  of  the  new  diocese  of  Central  Penn- 
of  the  committee  on  Claims,  he  was  author  of  the  bill  sylvania  in  1871.  During  his  entire  political  and  pro- 
establishing  the  United  States  Court  of  Claims.  In  1857  fessional  career  he  preserved  a  character  of  unblem- 
he  'was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Ways  and  Means,  ished  integrity,  and  in  his  private  relations  to  his  fellow- 
a  position  of  leadership  which  necessarily  secured  for  its  men  was  equally  above  reproach.  He  had  many  warm 
incumbent  a  national  reputation.  and    zealous   friends,   and   succeeded,    as   few   public  men 

After  the  election  of  Mr.  Buchanan  to  the  Presidency,  succeed,,  in  preserving  the  personal   esteem   of  his  politi- 

in    1856,    Mr.    Jones    was    selected    as   a    member    of   his  cal    opponents,    against    whom    he    never    cherished    ani- 

cabinet.     This    selection,  was   ratified   by   the   Democratic  mosity  or  resentment.     He  was  well  fitted  to  be  a  leader 

press^  and   party   throughout  the   country  with  great  un-  of  men,  and  those  who  differed  most  radically  from  him 

animity,    but    Mr.    Jones    declined    the    appointment.      In  in  poHtical   opinion   did   not  hesitate   to   acknowledge  the 

February,    1857,    he    tendered   to   Mr.    Jones    the   mission  winning    power    of    his    personal    influence.      He    was    a 

to    Berlin.      "It    is    my   purpose,"    he    wrote,    "to    present  very  social  man.     His   domestic  life  was   especially  hap- 


:!-34 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


py  and  attractive.  His  wife,  Anna  Rodman,  a  daughter 
of  the  Hon.  William  Rodman,  of  Bucks  county,  for- 
merly a  representative  of  that  district  in  Congress,  was 
a  lady  of  superior  refinement  and  most  estimable  Christ- 
ian character,  and  her  decease,  in  1871,  severed  the  ties 
of  a  peculiarly  united  and  affectionate  household. 

Mr.  Jones  died  at  Reading,  March  24,  1878,  in  his  sixty- 
seventh  year,  and  upon  that  occasion  the  Bar  of  the 
county  united  in  a  testimonial,  of  marked  respect  to  his 
memory   and   appreciation   of   his   public   services. 

Two  of  his  sons,  Charles  Henry  and  Richmond  L. 
Jones,  were  admitted  to  the  Berks  county  Bar  in  1863, 
having  studied  law  in  their  father's  office.  The  latter 
was  a  representative  from  the  county  in  the  Legisla- 
ture from  1867  to  1869,"  and  the  former  became  a  resi- 
dent and  practitioner  at  the  Bar  of  Philadelphia.  Mr. 
Jones's  eldest  daughter,  Anna  Rodman,  married  Far- 
relly  Alden,  of  Pittsburgh,  and  died  there  in  December, 
1885.  His  youngest  daughter,  Katharine,  married  Wil- 
liam  Thomas    Wallace,    of    Pittsburgh,    Pennsylvania. 

BERKS  COUNTY  ANCESTRY  OF  ABRAHAM 
LINCOLN.  Concerning  the  historical  fact  that  the  pa- 
ternal ancestors  of  President  Abraham  Lincoln  were  resi- 
dents in  the  Eighteenth  Century  of  Berks  county,  whence 
they  migrated  to  Virginia,  Louis  Richards,  Esq.,  president 
of  the  County  Historical  Society,  in  a  recent  paper  read 
before  it,  wrote  in  part  as  follows : 

Among  the  early  immigrants  to  the  Colony  of  Massa- 
chusetts— or  Massachusetts  Bay,  as  it  was  called  in  colonial 
times — were  the  Lincolns  from  old  England.  The  first  of 
the  name  from  whom  the  President's  descent  can  be  traced 
was  Mordecai  Lincoln,  who  is  said  to  have  been  born 
at  Hingham,  near  Boston,  in  1657.  The  tradition  that  he 
was  an  "ironmonger"  is  strengthened  by  the  fact  that  his 
son  Mordecai  follov«d  that  occupation.  The  latter,  who 
was  by  the  first  wife,  was  born  in  1686,  and  had  two 
brothers,  Abraham,  born  1689,  and  Isaac,  born  1691.  The 
preference  for  Scriptural  Christian  names  was  followed 
in  the  family  through  many  succeeding  generations.  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  writing  a  brief  autobiography  in  1860,  said 
that  an  effort  to  identify  his  Quaker  ancestors  in  Pennsyl- 
vania with  the  New  England  family  of  the  same  name 
ended  in  nothing  more  definite  than  a  similarity  of 
CTiristian.  names  in  both  families.  4uch  as  Enoch,  Levi, 
Mordecai  and  Solomon.  Since  that  date  the  connection 
of  the  families  has  been  reliably  established.  By  a  second 
marriage,  Mordecai,  Sr.,  had  other  children,  some  of  whose 
descendants  remain  in  Massachusetts  at  this  day.  The  son 
Mordecai,  Jr.,  removed  with  his  brother  Abraham  to  East 
Jersey  about  1717,  acquiring  lands  in  Monmouth  county. 
He  resided  there  until  probably  1720,  at  which  date,  and 
down  to  1726,  he  is  found  assessed  as  a  taxable  in  Nant- 
meal  and  Coventry  townships,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.  That  he 
was  possessed  of  considerable  estate,  and  was  an  iron- 
master, appears  from  record  evidence  of  his  association 
with  Branson  and  Nutt,  pioneers  of  the  iron  industry  in 
that  State,  in  the  erection  of  a  forge  at  Coventry,  on  French 
creek.  His  one-third  interest  in  that  establishment,  and  the 
lands  appurtenant,  he  sold  to  Branson  for  £500,  in  De- 
cember, 1725.  In  1726  he  is  designated  as  a  resident  of 
Chester  county  in  a  conveyance  to  him  in  that  year  of 
certain  lands  in  New  Jersey.  On  May  10,  1732,  he  obtained 
from  Thomas  Millard,  of  Coventry,  a  conveyance  of  one 
thousand  acres  of  land  in  that  part  of  Amity  township, 
Philadelphia  county,  now  included  in  Exetef  township. 
Berks  county;  the  tract  being  a  portion  of  sixteen  hundred 
acres  formerly  belonging  to  Andrew  Robeson.  The  date 
of  this  deed  is  conjecturally  that  of  his  first  residence 
in  what  is  now  Berks  county,  though  it  is  possible  that  he 
may  have  come  there  earlier.  In  1733-33  he  is  found  in 
commission  as  one  of  His  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace. 

His  will  dated  Feb.  22,  1735  (O.  S.),  was  proved  June 
7,  1736,_  indicating  very  nearly  the  date  of  his  death.  By 
it  he  divided  his  land  in  Amity  township  equally  between 
his  sons,  Mordecai  and  Thomas,  making  provision  con- 
tingently for  an  expected  child,   which,  if  a  son,  was  to 


share  the  inheritance  with  his  two  brothers,  each  to  take  a 
third  part.  A  certain  tract  of  three  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  the  Jerseys  he  devised  to  his  son  John,  and  other  lands 
in  the  same  Province  to  his  daughters  Ann  and  Sarah, 
leaving  bequests  to  his  remaining  daughters,  Hannah  and 
Mary.  His  wife  Mary  received  the  residue  of  his  personal 
estate,  and  the  use  of  his  plantation  for'  life,  being  also 
constituted  executrix.  His  friends  Jonathan  Robeson  and 
George  Boone  were  designated  as  her  assistants  in  that 
office,  according  to  a  custom  then  prevalent. 

The  son  John,  who  was  by  a  former  wife,  was  the  lineal 
ancestor  of  President  Lincoln.  He  subsequently  sold  his 
land  in  New  Jersey,  ani  emigrated  to  Rockingham  county, 
Va.,  in  1765.  This  date  is  established  from  the  tax  lists 
of  Berks  county  and  the  local  records  in  Virginia  in  cor- 
respondence therewith.  John  had  a  son  Abraham  who 
went  to  Kentucky  in  1782,  and  two  y-ears  latei-  was  killed 
there  by  the  Indians.  Abraham  left  three  sons,  Mordecai, 
Josiah  and  Thomas.  The  president  was  the  son  of  the  last 
named,  by  his  first  wife,  Nancy  Hanks. 

The  posthumous  son  of  Mordecai  of  Exeter,  named 
Abraham,  half-brother  of  John,  was  born  Oct.  29,  1736. 
He  became  the  most  prominent  member  of  the  Berks  county 
family  in  public  life.  From  1773  to  1775  he  was 
a  County  Commissioner;  served  as  sub-lieutenant 
of  the  coiinty  in  1777,  was  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  General  Assembly  from  1772  to  1786 ; 
delegate  to  the  Pennsylvania  Convention  of  1787  to 
ratify  the  Federal  Constitution,  and  a  member  of  the 
convention  which  devised  the  State  Constitution  of  1790. 
He  died  at  his  residence  in  Exeter  township  Jan.  31,.  1806,  in 
his  seventieth  year.  He  married  in  1761  Anne  Boone, 
daughter  of  James  Boone,  and  his  wife  Mary  Foulke.  Her 
father's  brother.  Squire  Boone,  was  the  father  of  Daniel 
Boone,  the  pioneer  of  Kentucky,  and  a  native  of  Berks 
county,  to  whom  she  was  thus  first  cousin.  Thomas  Lincoln, 
brother  of  Abraham,  was  a  thrifty  landholder,  and  was 
sheriff  of  the  county  in  1758  and  1759.  Mordecai  Lincoln, 
the  other  brother,  remained  a  resident  of  Berks  county  up 
to  about  1789,  removing  to  Dauphin  and  subsequently  to 
Fayette'  county,  Pennsylvania. 

President  Lincoln  referred  to  his  Pennsylvania  ancestors 
as  Quakers.  There  is  no  evidence  of  the  connection  of 
the  New  England  Lincolns  with  the  Friends.  Some  of  the 
members  of  the  branch  which  came  to  Pennsylvania  became 
affiliated  with  that  denomination  through  intermarriage. 
Anne  Boone,  wife  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  the  county  com- 
missioner, was  brought  under  mild  censure  for  marrying 
out  of  meeting.  The  Boones  were  of  English  descent,  and 
staunch  Quakers.  George  Boone,  a  native  of  Devonshire, 
who  emigrated  to  the  Province  in  1717,  belonged  for  a  time 
to  the  Gwynedd  Monthly  Meeting,  in  Philadelphia  county. 
Having  acquired  lands  in  what  is  now  Exeter  township, 
Berks  county,  in  1718,  and  settled  there,  he  was  appointed 
in  i723  by  the  Gwynedd  Meeting  to  keep  the  accounts  of 
births  and  marriages  of  Friends  in  his  vicinity.  He  do- 
nated the  ground  for  the  meeting-house  and  burial-place  of 
thfe  Oley  Monthly  Meeting,  since  called  the  Exeter  Monthly 
Meeting,  constituted  in  1737.  The  Boones  were  a  prolific 
race,  and,  together  with  the  Lincolns,  left  numerpus  d-e- 
scendants,  who  were  among  the  most  intelligent'  and  re- 
spectable of  the  county  stock.  The  two  families  were  close- 
ly associated,  and  in  the  Exeter  Meeting  Ground  the  earlier 
generations  of  both  lie  buried. 

Squire  Boone,  father  of  Daniel,  removed  in  1750  with 
his  family  to  North  Carolina,  on  the  Yadkin  river.  Thence 
after  he  had  grown  to  manhood,  Daniel  went  to  Kentucky, 
and  entered  upon  his  famous  career  as  pioneer  of  that 
remote  border  land  of  civilization.  From  the  connection  of 
the  Boones  and  Lincolns  in  Berks  county,  the  inference  is 
reasonably  certain  that  the  Southern  migration  of  John, 
the  President's  ancestor,  in  1765,  was  the  direct  result  of 
that  of  the  Boones,  fifteen  years  previously. 

A  theory  regarding  the  maternal  ancestry  of  President 
Lincoln  is  that  his  mother,  Nancy  Hanks,  was  descended 
from  a  family  of  that  name  traceable  in  Berks  county  at 
the  period  when   the  earlier  generations   of   the   Lincolns 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


325 


were  seated  there.  Nancy  Hanks  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
Hanks,  of  Nelson  county,  Ky.,  and  one  of  her  aunts  on 
the  maternal  side  married  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  Virginia, 
the  grandfather  of  the  President  and  son  of  John.  All 
that  is  positively  known  upon  this  head  is  that  a  family 
by  the  name  of  Hanks  appears  in  the  records  of  the  Gwy- 
nedd  Monthly  Meeting  of  an  early  date,  and  that  the  name 
of  one  Joseph  Hanck  is  found  upon  the  list  of  taxables  of 
the  town  of  Reading  between  1758  and  1763.  Whether  the 
latter  was  identical  with  the  Joseph  Hanks  of  Kentucky, 
father  of  Nancy,  is  a  matter  of  conjecture.  In  the  absence 
of  more  definite  facts,  either  for  or  against  the  supposition, 
no  positive  conclusion  can  be  reached  upon  the  subject. 

[On  page  299  may  be  seen  a  cut  of  the  building  where 
the  children  of  Mordecai  Lincoln.  Sr.,  were  born.  It  is 
situated  about  a  mile  below  Lorane  Station,  several-  hun- 
dred feet  north  from'  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad, 
near  a  small  stream.  An  extension  was  built  to  the  west 
end.] 

HON.  THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jr.,  the  first  Governor 
of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  under  the  consti- 
tution of  1776,  was  born  in  1735,  in  Chester  county.  Pa., 
a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Dobbins)  Wharton,  grandson 
of  Thomas  and  great-grandson  of  Richard  Wharton. 

Richard  Wharton,  who  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  from 
KelliVorth,  in  the  parish  of  Overton,  Westmorelandshire, 
England,  at  an  early  date,  was  the  emigrant  ancestor  of 
the  Wharton  family  in  America. 

Thomas  Wharton,  who  later  achieved  so  great  a  distinc- 
tion in  his  native  State,  spent  his  boyhood  attending 
school  in  the  primitive  institutions  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
his  home,  and  assisting  on  the  paternal  farm,  and  he  be- 
came a  young  man  of  sterling  character.  In  1755  he 
moved  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  apprenticed  himself  to  an 
employer  by  the  name  of  Reese  Meridith  and  later  was 
associated  with  Anthony  Stocker.  With  the  latter  he 
formed  a  partnership,  under  the  firm  name  of  Stocker  & 
Wharton,  in  the  mercantile  line.  This  firm  became  very 
strong,  and  according  to  the  custom-house  bonds  of  1762, 
was  one  of  the  heaviest  importers  in  the  city. 

Governor  Wharton,  then  but  a  prosperous  merchant, 
was  married  Nov.  4,  1762,  at  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia, 
to  Susannah  Lloyd,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Susannah 
(Kearney)  Lloyd,  and  they  had  the  following  children : 
Lloyd,  Kearney,  William  M.,  Sarah  N.  and  Susannah. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  Oct.  24,  1772.  On  Dec. 
7,  1774,  Thomas  Wharton  married  (second)  Elizabeth 
Fishbourne,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Tallman) 
Fishbourne,  and  they  had  three  children,  viz. :  Mary, 
Thomas  F.  and  William  Fishbourne.  Governor  Wharton 
was  an  Orthodox  Friend. 

It  is  passing  strange  that  the  history  of  Thomas  Wharton, 
Jr.,  a  man  whose  life  was  so  closely  linked  with  that  of 
the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  affairs  he  ad- 
ministered during  the  darkest  struggle  in  which  she  and 
her  sister  colonies  ever  engaged,  is  not  more  widely  and 
more  intimately  known.  One  most  obvious  reason  for 
this  is  to  be  found  in  the  circumstance  of  his  early  death, 
which  abruptly  terminated  a  useful  and  honorable  career; 
for,  considerable  as  were  the  services  which  he  had  already 
rendered  his  country,  the  potentialities  of  the  future  were 
even  greater,  and  without  doubt  he,  who  had  acquitted 
himself  so  creditably,  would,  had  he  lived  to  see  the  new 
government  permanently  established,  have  continued  to 
hold  positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  native  State.  To 
quote:  "Full  justice  has  never  been  done  to  the  magna- 
nimity and  ability  of  Pennsylvania's  statesmen  and  war- 
riors during  the  Revolutionary  contest.  The  quiet  and 
unassuming  character  of  her  population  has  caused  the 
historians,  in  a  measure,  to  overlook  their  merit  in  the 
council  and  in  the  field." 

By  reading  the  history  of  Pennsylvania  during  those 
momentous  years  from  1774-1775  and  up  to  1778,  we  recog- 
nize the  worth  of  Governor  Wharton,  from  the  pages  of 
her  records  and  archives,  full  of  important  orders  emanat- 
ing from  him  at  trying  crises;  or,  in  glancing  over  the 
journals  of  the  day,  which  abound  in  proclamations  that 


even  now  stir  us  by  their  tone  of  deep  and  earnest  pa- 
triotism. Through  ringing  calls  to  arms  and  eloquent 
appeals  to  the  nobler  impulses  of  mankind,  we  gain  some 
insight  into  the  character  of  the  man  of  whom  few 
written  expressions  are  left  us.  He  was  a  man,  however, 
who  had  impressed  his  personality  in  such  a  way  that 
we  know  he  was  universally  beloved. 

Thomas  Wharton  had  been  called  to  numerous  posi- 
tions of  trust,  had  served  with  honor  and  capacity  on  the 
committee  of  Safety,  and  in  1776,  when  the  Commonwealth 
of  Pennyslvania  called  together  a  convention  to  frame  a 
new  Constitution,  for  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
accordance  with  the  Resolve  of  Congr.ess  (on  May  10th  of 
that  year),  on  July  24th  a  Council  ojf  Safety  was  estab- 
lished, in  which  the  convention  vested  the  executive  author- 
ity of  the  government  until  the  new  Constitution  should 
be  put  in  operation.  Thomas  Wharton,  Jr.,  who  had  given 
abundant  proof  of  his  zeal  and  ability  when  a  member  of 
the  late  committee  of  Safety,  was  now  chosen  president 
of  the  newly  formed  council  and  again  distinguished  him- 
self in  a  most  creditable  manner.  In  February,  1777,  an 
election  was  held  for  the  choice  of  assemblyman,  in  place 
of  several  who  had  declined  to  act.  Thomas  Wharton, 
Jr.,  was  elected  councilman  from  Philadelphia  and  later, 
as  such,  assisted  to  organize  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council  and  thus  complete  the  new  government.  This 
was  done  and  the  General  Assembly  and  Council  united 
and  elected  Mr.  Wharton  president  of  the  latter  body.  As 
president  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  Mr.  Wharton  had 
filled  with  honor  a  position  of  trust,  hence,  it  is  not 
strange  that  he  should  have  been  offered  one  of  greater 
responsibility  under  the  new  government.  It  seemed, 
indeed,  as  if  by  mutual  attraction,  the  best  minds  of 
the  country  were  drawn  together,  and  that,  with  an  insight 
born  of  the  necessities  of  the  hour,  men  recognized  each 
other's  worth  and  discerned  in  what  field  their  talents 
would  be  best  developed  for  the  good  of  the  common 
cause. 

Thus  Thomas  Wharton,  Jr.'s  talents  were  pre-eminently 
administrative,  and  from  one  important  position  in  his 
State  he  was  raised  to  another  until  finally  called  upon, 
amid  the  bitter  political  dispute  of  1777,  to  fill  the  most 
elevated  position  his  proud  State  could  offer  him,  that 
of  president  of  the  the  newly  formed  Supreme  Executive 
Council.  On  March  5,  1777,  the  new  president  was 
duly  inaugurated  as  president  of  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  captain- 
general  and  commander-in-chief,  and  served  as  such  until 
May  23,  1778,  when  his  death  occurred  in  the  city  of 
Lancaster.  His  funeral  was  solemnized  with  civil  and 
military  honors  and  his  remains  were  interred  at  the 
Evangelical  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  at  Lancaster.  His 
fame  rests  with  posterity. 

William  Fishbourne  Wharton,  the  third  child  of  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  (Fishbourne)  Wharton,  was  born  Aug.  10, 
1778,  and  was  married  (first)  May  10,  1804,  to  Susan 
Shoemaker,  who  died  Nov.  3,  1821.  She  was  the  mother 
of  nine  children  as  follows :  Thomas,  George  M.,  Fish- 
bourne, Henry,  Joseph,  Deborah,  William,  Edward  and 
Elizabeth.  He  married  (second)  Mary  Ann  Shoemaker, 
a  s4ster  of  his  first  wife,  by  whom  he  had  two  children, 
namely:  Susan  F.  and  Philip  Fishbourne.  Two  of  these 
children,  George  M.  and  Philip  F.,  attained  distinction 
in  legal  and  artistic  circles. 

Besides  Miss  Susan  F.  Wharton,  who  is  the  only  living 
grandchild  of  Governor  Wharton,  several  of  his  great- 
grandchildren have  resided  in  Berks  county,  namely: 
Wharton  Morris,  grandson  of  Kearney,  who  was  a 
son  of  the  Governor  by  his  first  marriage ;  Maria  Wharton 
Brooke,  widow  of  Dr.  Brooke  and  a  granddaughter  of 
Kearney  Wharton;  and  Robert  Wharton  Bickley,  also  a 
grandson  of  Kearney  Wharton.  Mrs.  Brooke  and  Mrs. 
Bickley  are  living  in  Reading  at  the  present  time,  both 
widows.  Miss  Susan  F.  Wharton,  who  until  lately  re- 
sided at  No.  138  North  Fourth  street,  Reading,  is  now 
living  at  "The  Poplars,"  Wyomissing,  esteemed  for  her 
ancestry  and  also  for  her  personal  characteristics. 


336 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


EDWARD  BIDDLE,  representative  from  Berks  county 
in  the  First  Congress,  was  born  in  1732.  He  was  the 
fourth  son  of  William  Biddle,  a  native  of  New  Jersey, 
whose  grandfather  was  one  of  the  origmal  proprietors 
of  that  State,  having  left  England  with  his  father  m 
1681.  His  mother  was  Mary  Scull,  the  daughter  of  Nich- 
olas Scull,  Surveyor-General  of  Pennsylvania  from  1748 
to  1761.  James,  Nicholas,  and  Charles  Biddle  were  three 
of  his  brothers.  .     .        , 

In  1758,  Edward  Biddle  was  commissioned  an  ensign 
in  the  Provincial  Army  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  present 
at  the  taking  of  Fort  Niagara  in  the  French  and  Indian 
War  In  1759  he  was  promoted  to  lieutenant,  and  in 
1760 'commissioned  as  a  captain,  after  which  he  resigned 
from  the  army  and  received  5,000  acres  of  land  for  .lis 
services.  He  then  selected  the  law  as  his  profession,  and 
after  the  usual  course  of  study  at  Philadelphia  in  the 
office  of  his  eldest  brother,  he  located  at  Reading,  where 
he  soon  established  himself  as  a  lawyer.  In  1767,  he 
represented  Berks  county  in  the  Provincial  Assembly,  and 
he  was  annually  re-elected  until  1775,  and  again  elected 
in  1778.  In  1774  and  1775,  he  officiated  as  speaker,  having 
previously  been  placed  upon  the  most  important  com- 
mittees, and  having  taken  an  active  part  in  all  the  current 
business. 

When  the  citizens  of  Reading  held  a  pubhc  meeting 
Oil  July  2,  1774,  to  take  initiatory  steps  in  behalf  of  the 
Revolution,  they  selected  him  to  preside  over  their  delib- 
erations, and  the  resolutions  adopted  by  them  were  doubt- 
less drafted  by  him.  His  patriotic  utterances  won  their 
admiration,  and  they  unanimously  gave  him  a  vote  of 
thanks  and  appreciation  of  his  efforts  in  the  cause  of 
the  rights  and  liberties  of  America.  On  the  same  day, 
while  presiding  at  this  meeting,  the  Assembly  of  Penn- 
sylvania was  in  session  and  elected  eight  delegates  as 
representatives  to  the  First  Continental  Congress,  and 
among  them  was  Edward  Biddle  of  Reading.  He  was 
again  elected  as  one  of  the  delegates  tp  the  new  Congress, 
which  was  held  in  May,  1775;  and  he  was  elected  the 
third  time.  The  first  two  terms  extended  from  Sept.  5, 
1774,  to  Dec.  12,  1776,  and  the  last  from  1778  to  1779. 
The  public  records  in  the  county  offices,  especially  in 
the  prothonotary's  office,  disclose  a  large  and  lucrative 
practice  by  him  as  an  attorney-at-law,  and  this  extended 
from  1760  to  the  time  of  his  decease  in  1779.  It  seems 
to  have  been  as  much  as,  if  not  more  than,  that  of  all  the 
other   attorneys   taken   together. 

He  died  Sept.  5,  1779,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  whither  he 
had  gone  for  medical  treatment.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Ross,  daughter  of  Rev.  George  Ross,  of  New  Castle,  Del., 
by  whom  he  had  two  daughters,  Catharine  (m.  George 
Lux,  Esq.,  of  Baltimore)  ;  and  Abigail  (m.  Capt.  Peter 
Scull   of   Reading).     We    conclude   this    article   with    Mr. 

Biddle's   autograph. 


In  the  popular  demonstrations  at  Reading  for  the 
Revolution,  he  took  an  active  part.  At  the  meeting  Dec.  5, 
1774,  he  was  selected  as  one  of  the  committee  on  Obser- 
vation, recommended  by  Congress,  and  Jan.  3,  1775,  he  was 
chosen  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Provincial  Conference, 
and  placed  on  the  committee  of  Correspondnce.  He 
was  also  prominently  identified  with  the  military  move- 
ments, having  in  1775  and  1776  served  as  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  the  2d  Battalion  of  the  county  militia,  which 
was  formed  out  of  companies  in  the  vicinity  of  Birds- 
boro  In  August,  1776,  as  a  colonel,  he  fitted  out  300 
men  of  his  battalion  with  uniform,  tents,  and  provisions 
at  his  own  expense.  They  were  in  service  at,  or  near. 
South  Amboy  in  the  fall  of  1776,  and  may  have  constituted 
a  part  of  the  "Flying  Camp."  In  1775  and  1776  he  offici- 
ated as  one  of  the  judges  of  the  County  courts  In  178d 
his  landed  possessions  in  Berks  county  included  eight 
thousand  acres,  upon  which  were  the  extensive  iron  works 
at  Birdsboro,  and  also  the  Hopewell  Furnace  on  Six- 
penny creek,  which  he  had  erected  about  1765.  And 
it  is  said  that  he  owned  large  property  interests  "i  New 
Jersey  and  Maryland.  About  1788,  he  removed  to  North 
Carolina,  where  he  died  some  years  afterward.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Ross,  daughter  of  Rev.  George  Ross.  He 
was  a  brother-in-law  of  Edward  Biddle;  and  also  of 
George  Ross,  of  Lancaster,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.     His  own  signature  is  herewith  reproduced. 


MARK  BIRD,  distinguished  ironmaster  and  patriot  of 
Berks  county,  was  a  son  of  William  Bird,  one  of  the  most 
prominent  iron  men  of  Berks  county  from  1740  to  1762, 
whose  works  were  situated  near  the  mouth  of  Hay  creek, 
in  Union  township.  He  was  born  at  that  place  in  Jan- 
uary, 1739,  and  learned  to  carry  on  the  iron  business. 
After  his  father's  death  in  1762,  he  took  charge  of  the 
estate,  and  by  partition  proceedings  in  the  Orphans'  court 
came  to  own  the  properties,  which  consisted  of  3,000  acres 
of  land,  three  forges,  a  grist  mill,  and  a  saw  mill.  About 
that  time  he  laid  out  a  town  there  and  named  it  Birds- 
boro. By  the  time  the  Revolution  broke  out,  he  had 
enlarged  his  possessions  very  much,  and  come  to 
be  one  of  the  richest  and  most  enterprising  men  in  this 
section  of  the  State.  The  recorder's  office  shows  that 
he  also  owned  at  different  times  various  properties  at 
Reading. 


GABRIEL  HIESTER  (son  of  Hon.  Gabriel  Hiester,  a 
prominent  representative  man  of  Berks  county)  was  born 
in  Bern  township  Jan,  5,  1779.  He  was  given  a  good 
English  and  German  education,  and  his  youth  was  spent 
on  his  father's  farm.  His  father  having  taken  an  active 
and  successful  part  in  local  politics,  he  naturally  exhib- 
ited the  same  spirit  at  an  early  age.  By  appointment 
from,  the  Governor,  he  was  prothonotary  of  the  county 
from  1809  to  1817 ;  clerk  of  the  Quarter  Sessions  from 
1809  to  1812,  and  1814  to  1817;  and  associate  .judge  from 
1819  to  1823.  During  the  War  of  1813-15  he  served  as 
brigade-major  in  the  campaign  at  Washington  and  Balti- 
more. He  served  as  a  Presidential  elector  in  1817  and 
in  1821,  casting  his  ballot  upon  both  occasions  for  James 
Monroe.  Governor  Shulze  appointed  him  surveyor-gen- 
eral of  the  State  in  1824,  when  he  removed  to  Harris- 
burg,  and  he  officiated  in  that  position  for  six  years. 
While  at  Harrisburg  he  became  interested  in  the  iron  bus- 
iness, and  he  erected  the  first  rolling-mill  in  that  vicinity, 
continuing  actively  engaged  in  it  till  his  decease  there  in 
1834.  He  married  Mary  Otto  (daughter  of  Dr.  John  Otto, 
of  Reading),  and  she  died  in  1853.  They  had  the  following 
children:  Louisa,  Harriet  (m.  C.  B.  Bioren),  Augustus 
O.,    Gabriel    and    Catharine. 

JOSEPH  HIESTER,  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  was 
born  in  Bern  township,  Berks  county,  Nov.  18,  1752. 
His  father,  John  Hiester,  emigrated  to  this  country  in 
1732,  from  the  village  of  Elsoff,  in  the  province  of  West- 
phalia, Germany.  Some  years  afterward,  he  settled  in 
Bern  township,  where  he  was  married  to  Mary  Barbara 
Epler,  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  that 
section  of  the  county.  He  and  his  two  brothers,  Joseph 
and  Daniel  (who  had  emigrated  in  1738),  took  up  large 
tracts  of  land  comprising  several  thousand  acres,  which  ex- 
tended from  the  Bern  church  to  the  Tulpehocken  creek. 
He  died  in  1757,  aged  fifty  years.  His  wife  was  born  in 
1733;  and  she  died  in  1809. 

Joseph  Hiester  grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm.  In  the 
intervals  of  farm  labor,  he  attended  the  school  which  was 
conducted  at  the  Bern  church,  and  there  he  acquired  the 
rudiments  of  an  English  and  German  education.  The 
homestead    was    situated    about    a    mile    north    from    the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


327 


church.  He  removed  to  Reading  before  he  was  of  age, 
and  entered  the  general  store  of  Adam  Witman.  While 
there  he  became  acquainted  with  Witman's  daughter,  Eliz- 
abeth, and  he  was  married  to  her  in  1771.  He  continued 
with  his  father-in-law  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rev- 
olution ;  then  he  raised  a  company  of-  eighty  men  in  July, 
1776,  which  became  a  part  of  the  "Flying  Camp,"  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  Long  Island.  He  was  taken 
prisoner  in  the  engagement,  and  he  and  the  other  prisoners 
endured  many  hardships  for  several  months  before  they 
were  exchanged.  He  then  remained  at  home  only  a  short 
time,  suificient  to  regain  his  health  and  strength,  when 
he  again  joined  the  army,  near  Philadelphia,  returning 
in  time  to  participate  in  the  battle  of  Germantown.  He 
continued  in  active  service  till  the  close  of  the  war.  Upon 
his  return  from  the  Revolution,  he  entered  into  part- 
nership with  his  father-in-law,  and  some  years  afterward 
became  sole  proprietor  of  the  store.  He  conducted  his 
business  operations  very  successfully  for  a  number  of 
years.  Public  affairs  also  received  much  of  his  attention, 
not  only  relating  to  political  government,  but  also  to  the 
development  of  Reading  and  the  county  by  internal  im- 
provements. He  served  in  the  General  Assembly  from 
1787  to  1790,  being  there  when  that  body  ratified  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States.  He  was  one  of  the 
delegates  to  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  Pennsylvcmia 
in  1789,  and  assisted  in  framing  the  Constitution  of  1790. 
He  was  the  first  State  Senator  from  Berks  county  from 
1790  to  1794.  In  1797  he  was  elected  to  represent  the 
county  in  Congress,  and  he  was  continued  as-  the  repre- 
sentative from  1797  to  1807.  After  an  intermission  of 
eight  years,  which  he  devoted  entirely  to  business  at 
Reading,  he  was  again  sent  to  Congress  in  1815,  and  re- 
elected twice.  While  holding  this  office  he  was  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  political  affairs  of  Pennsylvania, 
so  much  so  that  in  1817  he  became  the  nominee  of  the 
Federal  party  fo^'  Governor,  though  not  elected  then. 
The  party  selected  him  in  1820  as  the  most  available  can- 
didate, and  he  was  elected.  This  was  a  great  victory  for 
him,  but  especially  for  his  party,  inasmuch  as  he  was  the 
the  first  succe'isful  candidate  which  the  Federalists  had 
placed  in  the  field  against  the  Democrats. 

The  administration  of  Governor  Hiester  was  charac- 
terized by  great  activity  in  promoting  the  growth  of  the 
Comimonwealth,  especially  through  internal  improvements. 
He  suggested  that  the  sessions  of  the  Legislature  might  be 
shortened  without  detriment  to  the  public  good,  that  pub- 
lic improvements  could  be  made  advantageously  and  do- 
mestic manufactures  encouraged  with  success,  and  that 
there  existed  an  imperative  duty  to  introduce  and  support 
a  liberal  system  of  education  connected  with  general  relig- 
ious instruction.  While  he  occupied  the  gubernatorial  chair, 
the  State  capital  was  removed  from  Lancaster  to  Harris- 
burg.  The  building  was  begun  in.  1819  and  finished  in  1821, 
and  the  General  Assembly  convened  in  it  for  the  first  time 
on  Jan.  3,  1822.  The  capital  had  been  at  Lancaster  since 
1799,  and  previously  at  Philadelphia.  Upon  the  expiration 
of  his  term  as  governor  he  lived  in  retirement  at  Reading. 
His  residence  was  situated  on  the  northern  side  of  Penn 
street  (No.  437)  midway  between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets. 
He  owned  a  number  of  farms  in  Alsace  (now  Muhlenberg), 
Cumru  and  Bern  townships,  tracts  of  woodland  on  Mount 
Penn  (altogether  numbering  nearly  two  thousand  acres), 
seven  prominent  business  stands  and  dwellings  in  Reading, 
and  also  out-lots.  He  occupied  and  farmed  the  out-lots 
for  his  own  use — a  custom  then  carried  on  by  the 
more  prominent  inhabitants,  in  order  to  supply  their  fami- 
lies with  vegetables — and  kept  horses  and  cows. 

Governor  Hiester  was  a  man  of  commanding  presence 
and  pleasing  address.  He  was  about  six  feet  tall  and 
weighed  about  200  pounds.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Reformed  Church.  His  wife  died  in  1825,  aged  seventy- 
five  years.  He  died  in  1832,  aged  seventy-nine  years.  His 
surviving  children  and  grandchildren  were :  a  son,  John  S. 
Hiester;  two  daughters,  Catharine  (widow  of  Hon.  John 
Spayd),  and  Rebecca  (married  to  Rev.  Henry  A.  Muhlen- 
berg) ;  a  granddaughter,  Mary  E.  Muhlenberg  (daughter  of 


Mary  Hiester,  who  had  married  Rev.  Henry  A.  Muhlen- 
berg), and  the  children  of  Elizabeth  Hiester  (who  married 
Levi  Pauling),  Joseph,  Henry,  Elizabeth  (married  Thomas 
Ross),  James,  Rebecca,  Ellen  and  Mary.  Governor  Hies- 
ter's   autograph   is  shown  herewith. 


JOHN  PRINGLE  JONES,  first  President  Judge  of 
Berks  county  under  the  amended  Constitution  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  1851  to  1861,  was  born  near  Nevrtown,  Bucks 
county,  in  1812.  His  father  died  when  he  was  young.  His 
mother  was  of  an  English  family  in  Philadelphia.  His  ed- 
ucation was  acquired  at  the  Partridge  Military  Academy  in 
Middletown,  Conn.,  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
the  College  of  New  Jersey  at  Princeton,  from  which  last  he 
was  graduated  in  1831.  He  studied  law  in  the  office  of 
Charles  Chauncey,  Esq.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Philadel- 
phia Bar  in  1834.  While  in  Berks  county,  in  1835,  he  de- 
termined to  locate  at  Reading.  In  1839  he  was  appointed 
deputy  attorney  general  of  Berks  county  ■  and  served  in 
that  office  until  1847.  During  this  time  he  was  associated 
in  the  practice  of  law  with  Robert  M.  Barr,  Esq.,  who  in 
1845,  was  appointed  reporter  of  the  decisions  of  the 
Supreme  Court.  At  the  expiration  of  the  official  term  of 
the  Hon.  John  Banks  in  1847,  he  was  appointed  to  fill 
this  position.  By  an  Act  of  the  Legislature,  passed  in 
1849,  Berks  county  was  erected  into  a  separate  judicial 
district,  of  which  David  F.  Gordon,  Esq.,  was  appointed 
president  judge,  and  Judge  Jones  continued  to  preside  in 
Lehigh  and  Northampton  counties  until  1851. 

In  1849,  Mr.  Barr,  the  State  reporter,  died  and  Judge 
Jones  completed  two  of  the  State  Reports,  known  as  the 
"Jones  reports."  In  1851  he  was  elected  president  judge 
of  Berks  county  for  ten  years.  After  the  expiration  of 
his  term  he  devoted  himself  to  literary  pursuits  and  to 
the  management  of  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery  Company, 
of  which  he  was  elected  president. 

In  1867,  Judge  Maynard  (of  the  3rd  Judicial  District, 
then  composed  of  Lehigh  and  Northampton  counties),  died, 
and  Judge  Jones  was  appointed  his  successor  for  the  un- 
expired term.  This  was  the  last  official  position  he  occu- 
pied. In  1872,  he  sailed  for  Europe,  accompanied  by  his 
wife,  and  traveled  through  Franoe,  Italy,  Germany  ^nd  a 
part  of  Russia.  He  was  taken  sick  and  died  in  London 
on  March  16,  1874.  His  remains  were  brodght  to  Reading 
and  buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery.  He  married 
(first)  in  1840,  Annie  Hiester,  daughter  of  Dr.  Isaac 
Hiester,  of  Reading.  After  her  death,  he  married,  in  1851, 
Catharine  E.  Hiester,  daughter  of  John  S.  Hiester. 

GEN.  WILLIAM  H.  KEIM  was  born  at  Reading  June 
13,  1813,  eldest  son  of  Benneville  Keim  (president  of  the 
Farmers  Bank  ifor  a  number  of  years,  Mayor  of  Reading 
for  three  terms,  and  enterprising  business  man  of  the 
county),  and  his  wife,  Mary  High  (daughter  of  Gen.  Wil- 
liam High,  wealthy  farmer  at  "Poplar  Neck,"  of  Cumru 
township,  and  prominent  in  the  military  affairs  of  the 
county). 

At  the  age  of  twelve  years  William  H.  Keim  entered 
the  Military  Academy  at  Mount  Airy,  near  Philadelphia, 
then  one  of  the  foremost  educational  institutions  in  the 
United  States,  and  was  graduated  with  honor  in  1829. 
Upon  returning  home,  he  entered  the  store  of  his  father, 
one  of  the  largest  general  hardware  stores  in  Reading,  and 
continued  actively  engaged  in  this  pursuit  for  nearly  thirty 
years.  The  greater  part  of  the  time  he  was  a  proprietor 
of  a  large  store,  in  co-partnership  with  his  brother,  John 
H.  Keim.  Besides  the  store  business,  he  encouraged  en- 
terprises generally  for.  the  development  of  Reading.  His 
early  military  training  gave  him  a  natural  taste  for  mili- 
tary affairs  and  he  found  much  gratification  in  the  volun- 
teer service  of  the  State  militia.  Before  the  age  of  seven- 
teen years  he  was  an  orderly  sergeant  of  the  "Washington 
Grays,"   and   in   1837   he   became   captain    (succeeding  his 


■■y>ii 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


cousin,  Capt.  Daniel  M.  Keim).  He  was  promoted  rapidly 
till  1842  when  he  was  elected  major-general  of  the  5th  Di- 
vision of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  composed  of  Berks, 
Lebanon,  Dauphin  and  Schuylkill  counties.  In  that  year 
he  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  military  encampment  held 
at  Reading,  which  was  an  eventful  occasion  in  the  history 
of  military  affairs  in  Berks  county.  In  1844,  during  the 
religious  riot  at  Philadelphia,  he  was  ordered  to  assist  in 
quelling  the  disturbances.  His  services  in  organizing  the  local 
militia  and  in  bringing  them  under  proper  discipline  were 
both  untiring  and  successful,  and  they  were  placed  in  the 
front  rank  of  the  volunteer  soldiers  of  the  State.  In  1848 
he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Mayor  of  Reading 
for  one  term,  becoming  the  second  Mayor  of  the  city. 
Several  years  afterward,  he  took  great,  if  not  the  principal, 
interest  in  establishing  at  Reading  the  Pennsylvania  Mili- 
tary Institute,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  young  men 
to  obtain  education  in  military  matters.  In  November, 
1858,  he  was  elected  to  Congress  to  fill  the  vacancy  till 
March  following,  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Hon.  J. 
Glancy  Jones — being  the  first  and  only  Republican  elected 
to  represent  Berks  county  in  Congress.  In  1859,  he  was 
elected  Surveyor-General  of  the  State  for  the  term  of 
three  years,  at  that  time  holding  the  office  of  Major-Gen- 
eral of  militia,  and  while  at  Harrisburg,  in  1860,  he  sug- 
gested to  Governor  Curtin  that  the  Comimonwealth  should 
be  put  in  a  condition  of  defense,  inasmuch  as  the  signs  of 
political  discontent  over  the  election  of  Lincoln  indicated 
civil  strife;  and  he  recommended  in  that  behalf  a  general 
encampment  of  the  militia  oif  the  State.  Governor  Curtin 
accepted  this  timely  suggestion,  and  an  encampment  was 
held  at  York  in  September,  1860,  with  General  Keim  as 
the  chief  in  command.  In  January  following,  upon  visiting 
his  home  at  Reading,  he  called  upon  Capt.  James  McKnight 
(who  commanded  the  Ringgold  Light  Artillery,  a  company 
of  volunteers  in  his  brigade),  and  asked  him  to  keep  his 
company  in  readiness  so  as  to  be  able  to  respond  promptly 
to  any  order  that  might  be  given.  Through  this  notice, 
the  Ringgold  Light  Artillery  came  to  be  the  first  com- 
pany that  responded  to  the  President's  call  for  troops  in 
the  Civil  war  and  reported  for  duty  at  Harrisburg  in 
April,  1861.  General  Keim  offered  his  service  when  the 
crisis  arose,  and  Governor  Curtin  appointed  him  to  a 
command  of  the  State  troops  under  the  first  requisition 
of  the  President.  After  the  campaign  on  the  upper  Po- 
tomac, he  received  from  the  President  the  appointment 
of  Brigadier  General  of  National  troops.  Resigning  the 
office  of  Surveyor-General,  he  obeyed  the  order  to  join 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  At  the  battle  of  Williamsburg, 
one  of  the  most  severe  contests  of  the  war,  he 
distinguished  himself.  Although  too  sick  to  be  on  duty, 
he  could  not  be  prevented  from  leaving  the  hospital,  and 
having  mounted  his  horse  he  led  his  brigade  on  the  field. 
His  coolness,  judgment  and  great  bravery  during  the  action 
were  conspicuous.  Though  under  fire  nearly  the  whole 
time,  he  was  perfectly  calm.  A  bomb  fell  almost  under  his 
horse.  Every  one  about  him  turned  pale  with  fear.  The 
explosion  covered  him  with  mud.  After  the  battle,  General 
McClellan  called  on  him,  complimented  him  for  the  great 
service  which  he  had  rendered,  and  ordered  him  to  the 
post  of  honor  in  advance  of  the  army.  But  the  excite- 
ment incident  to  this  battle  aggravated  his  illness,  and 
he  was  obliged  to  ask  for  a  furlough.  This  was  granted 
and  he  returned  to  Harrisburg,  where  his  family  had 
taken  up  a  temporary  residence.  Unfortunately  his 
health  was  too  far  gone,  and  he  died  May  18,  1862,  in  the 
very  prime  of  life  and  usefulness,  aged  forty-eight  years, 
The  news  of  his  death  produced  a  profound  sensation  of 
regret  throughout  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  General 
McClellan  was  deeply  affected  by  the  loss  of  this  faithful 
commander,  and  he,  on  May  26th  following,  issued  gen- 
eral orders  announcing  his  death  and  complimenting  his 
faithful,  patriotic  services  to  his  country,  and  these  were 
read  to  every  regiment  in  the  army.  His  remains  were 
brought  to  Reading,  and  burie-d  with  military  honors  in 
the  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 


JACOB  RUSH,  the  first  President  Judge  of  Berks  coun- 
ty, was  born  near  Philadelphia  in  1746.  and  was  a  brother 
of  the  celebrated  artist  and  physician.  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush. 
He  received  an  excellent  preparatory  education  and  then 
entered  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  at  Princeton,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1765.  Immediately  after  the 
State  Constitution  of  1790  was  adopted,  he  was  appointed 
to  preside  over  the  Courts  of  the  Third  Judicial  District, 
which  included  the  county  of  Berks.  He  afterward  be- 
came president  judge  of  the  First  District  (of  which  Phila- 
delphia formed  a  part),  and  held  that  position  for  many 
years  until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a  patriot  of 
the  Revolution,  and  in  its  darkest  days  stood  firm  to  its 
principles.  While  president  judge  of  the  county  he  re- 
sided in  Reading,  on  the  west  side  of  South  Fifth  street, 
between  Cherry  and  Franklin  streets.  He  died  at  Phila- 
delphia Jan.  5,  1820. 

GEN.  GEORGE  MAY  KEIM  was  actively  engaged  in 
the  financial,  industrial,  political,  military  and  social  life 
of  Reading  for  upward  of  thirty  years,  dying  suddenly  in 
1861,  while  co-operating  in  the  organization  of  troops  at 
Reading  for  service  in  the  Civil  war.  He  was  born  at 
Reading,  March  23,  1805,  and  was  a  member  of  a  family 
which  has  been  settled  in  Berks  county  for  over  two  cen- 
turies, being  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Keim,  who 
emigrated  to  America  in  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Oley  township, 
this  county.  He  took  up  land  before  1718,  and  located 
in  the  upper  section  of  the  township,  near  what  is  now 
the  village  of  Lobachsville,  carrying  on  farming  there 
until  his  death  in  1732.  In  religion  he  was  a  Friend,  a 
follower    of    Pastorius. 

Nicholas  Keim,  son  of  John,  was  one  of  the  earliest 
successful  merchants  of  Reading.  He  was  born  in  Oley 
township  April  2,  1719,  and  engaged  in  farming  until 
1755,  when  he  moved  with  his  wife  and  only  son  to  Read- 
ing, where  he  opened  a  general  hardware  store  and  also 
engaged  in  grain  dealing,  etc.  In  1769  he  purchased  from 
Mark  Bird  the  W'eiser  store  stand,  familiarly  known  as 
the  "Old  White  Store,"  on  Penn  street,  near  Fifth,  where 
he  continued  to  do  business  successfully  for  a  number  of 
years.  During  that  time  he  was  one  of  the  principal  mer- 
chants of  the  place,  and  he  had  extensive  transactions  with 
the  leading  merchants  of  Philadelphia  and  Germantown, 
many  prominent  names  appearing  on  his  receipt  books. 
In  about  1785  he  transferred  the  business  to  his  only  son, 
John,  and  retired  from  active  life.  He  died  Aug.  3.  1802, 
after  a  lingering  illness.  Mr.  Keim  was  a  progressive  man, 
not  only  in  the  conduct  of  his  own  affairs,  but  also  in  the 
promotion  of  every  cause  affecting  the  develooment  of  the 
community  in  which  he  lived.  He  married  Barbara  Sny- 
der, and  they  had  one  son,  John.  They  lived  in  a  large 
two-story  stone  dwelling  located  on  the  Northwest  corner 
of   Penn   and   Ninth   streets. 

John  Keim  continued  in  his  father's  footsteps  as  a  suc- 
cessful merchant,  but  surpassed  him  greatly  in  the  accum- 
ulation of  property.  He  was  born  in  Oley  township  July 
6,  1749,  and  was  six  years  old  when  the  family  removed 
to  Reading,  in  whose  development  and  commercial  life  he 
was  destined  to  play  so  prominent  a  part.  In  the  fall  of 
1777  he  marched  with  the  battalion  of  Lieut.-Col.  Nicholas 
Lotz  to  reinforce  the  army  under  Washington,  and  was 
honorably  discharged  in  1782,  after  five  years'  service. 
After  his  return  from  the  war  he  joined  his  father  in 
the  conduct  of  the  general  hardware  store,  of  which 
he  became  sole  proprietor  in  1785,  as  previously  related. 
AlDout  the  year  1800,  he  took  into,  partnership  his  two 
sons,  Daniel  and  George,  under  the  firm  name  of  Keim 
&  Sons,  and  they  carried  on  the  business  for  a  number 
of  years.  Meantime  John  Keim  was  acquiring  new  and 
varied  mterests,  and  became  prominentlv  identified  in 
different  ways  with  the  life  of  his  adopted  city.  In  1787-90 
he  served  a  term  as  county  commissioner,"  and  he  was 
also  burgess  for  a  time.  He  became  a  large  property 
owner,  and  in  the  improvement  of  his  own  holdings 
saw  the  value  of  internal  improvements  in  the  city,  of 
which  he  was  an  enthusiastic  advocate.     He  built  a  num- 


£"■7^  bu  £  G  '^''M>''ns  S.-  Brc    A/"  5-^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


339 


ber  of  dwelling-houses  and  put  up  the  first  three-story 
brick  building  in  Reading,  and  he  was  accounted  one  of  the 
wealthy  men  of  Berks  county  in  his  day.  In  1806  he 
leased  to  Charles  Evans,  Esq.,  the  three-story  brick 
building  on  South  Fifth  street  which  afterward  became 
the  property  of  Mr.  Evans,  who  resided  there  for  many 
years.  Mr.  Keim  was  prominently  identified  with  the 
first  steps  taken  toward  the  building  of  the  Penn  street 
bridge,  lending  all  his  influence  to  the  project.  He  was 
a  man  highly  respected  and  well  thought  of,  for  though 
strict  in  business  and  of  the  highest  integrity  he  was 
never  stern  or  unreasonable  in  his  transactions.  In  an 
obituary  notice  which  appeared  in  the  Berks  and  Schuyl- 
kill Journal  it  was  said :  "He  had  resided  in  this  borough 
for  sixty-four  years,  during  which  time  he  amassed  a 
large  fortune,  which  never  caused  a  widow's  tear  nor 
an  orphan's  execration  .  .  .  What  he  has  left  behind 
him  was  justly  his  own.  As  a  creditor  he  was  ever  lenient 
and  his  numerous  tenantry  can  testify  to  his  goodness  as 
a  landlord."  He  died  Feb.  10,  1819,  in  his  seventieth 
year,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Episcopal  burial  ground. 

On  Oct.  15,  1771,  John  Keim  married  Susanna  de  Benne- 
ville,  through  whom  General  Keim  is  of  French-Hugue- 
not extraction,  she  having  been  a  daughter-  of  Dr.  George 
de  Benneville.  They  had  four  children:  Daniel  de  B., 
bom  Sept.  8,  1772,  who  died  in  1833 ;  George  de  B.,  who 
is  mentioned  further  on;  Benneville,  born  at  Reading, 
Nov.  30,  1790,  who  died  there  Oct.  30,  1872;  and  Esther 
de  B. 

Dr.  George  de  Benneville  was  one  of  the  early  prac- 
'  titioners  of  medicine  in  Oley  township,  where  he  was 
located  before  1750.  He  was  born  in  London  July  26, 
1703.  a  descendant  of  George  de  Benneville,  a  Frenchman 
of  Normandy,  born  in  the  city  of_Rouen.  The  Doctor's 
father,  who  bore  the  same  name,  wa-s~a~  "French  refugee, 
who,  being  persecuted  for  his  religion,  retired  with  his 
family  and  connections  into  England  upon  invitation  of 
His  Majesty  King  William,  who  took  a  tender  care  of 
them  and  employed  them  at  his  court."  After  a  varied 
career,  in  his  thirty-eighth  year  (1741),  with  the  aid 
of  Queen  Anne,  of  England,  Dr.  de  Benneville  came  to 
Philadelphia.  He  was  in  failing  health  at  the  time  of 
his  arrival,  but  the  changed  environment  was  to  bring 
renewed  strength.  Benneville  was  met  at  the  whdrf 
by  Christopher  .Saner,  the  printer  of  the  oldest  Bible  in 
this  country,  who  did  not  know  him  but  was  led  to  meet 
him  by  the  influence  of  a  dreajn.  He  took  the  stranger 
home  with  him  and  there" Benneville  met  Jean  Bertolet, 
of  Oley,  Berks  county,  where  a  colony  of  Huguenots 
had  settled.  The  Bertolets  had  located  there  as  early 
as  1726.  Bertolet  persuaded  the  Doctor  to  settle  near  him 
in  the  forest,  and  in  1745  he  married  Es'ther  de  Bertolet, 
daughter  of  Jean.  While  in  Oley  he  taught  school,  prac- 
tised m'edicine  and  preached  the  gospel,  becoming  the 
founder  of  the  Universalist  Church  in  America.  He  held 
the  first  meetings  in  the  home  which  he  had  built  (on 
the  farm  at  one  time  owned  by  Daniel  Knabb)  near 
the  "Oley  line,"  for  teaching  the  doctrines  and  beliefs 
of  that  religious  denomination.  The  walls  of  this  historic 
old  de  Benneville  house  in  Oley  township  are  still  stand- 
ing, although  it  was  erected  in  1745.  He  was  there  until 
1755,  when  he  moved  to  Branchtown,  on  the  old  York 
road,  Philadelphia  county,  where  he  acquired  an  ex- 
tensive medical  practice.  He  died  there  in  1793,  aged 
ninety  years,  and  his  wife  died  in  1795,  aged  seventy-five 
years. 

Gen.  George  de  Benneville  Keim,  second  son  of  John 
Keim,  was  born  at  Reading  Dec.  16,  1778,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  school  held  in  the  old  Friends'  meet- 
ing house.  He  was  then  sent  by  his  father  to  Phila- 
delphia, entering  the  large  hardware  establishment  of  the 
Chancellors,  in  order  to  familiarize  himself  with  the  bus- 
iness. When  he  returned  to  Reading,  in  his  twentieth 
year,  he  was  taken  into  partnership  by  his  father,  who 
carried  on  the  business  established  at  what  was  known 
as  the  "old  white  store."  This  building  was  the  first 
business  place  at  Reading.  In  addition  to  merchandising 
George   de   Benneville   Keim   also   engaged   in   the   manu- 


facture of  iron,  being  interested  in  the  Reading  Furnace 
and  various  forges.  From  1809  to  1814  he  did  business 
in  Philadelphia  in  connection  with  the  export  of  bread 
stuffs.  Many  of  his  business  interests  were  of  direct 
benefit  to  this  region,  not  only  in  the  way  of  furnishing 
profitable  employment  to  a  large  number,  but  also  in 
introducing  new  industries,  thus,  increasing  the  resources 
of  the  section  materially.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to 
attempt  the  cultivation  of  -the  grape  and  the  manufacture 
of  wine;  he  used  his  means  and  influence  in  raising  the 
quality  of  the  live  stock  in  Berks  county;  and  was  active 
in  promoting  agricultural  interests  generally,  owning  sev- 
eral farms  in  Exeter  township  and  vicinity.  Mr.  Keim 
served  as  president  of  the  Branch  Bank  of  Pennsylvania 
for  over  thirty  years;  he  was  one  of  the  promoters  of 
the  Reading  Water  Company  and  its  first  president,  fill- 
ing that  position  for  a  long  period. 

Mr.  Keim  was  the  chief  burgess  of  Reading,  served  as 
president  of  the  town  council  for  many  years,  and  was 
prominent  in  the  development  of  the  county  and  of  Read- 
ing, not  only  in  business  afl[airs  and  as  a  factor  in  the 
local  civil  government,  but  also  in  the  promotion  of  edu- 
cation and  other  matters  affecting  the  broader  develop- 
ment of  the  community.  He  took  an  earnest  interest 
in  the  establishment  of  the  Reading  Academy  and  the 
Reading  Female  Seminary,  both  of  which  held  an  im- 
portant place  in  the  literary  training  of  the  young  peo- 
ple of  that  day.  The  matter  of  local  public  improve- 
ments always  received  his  hearty  support,  and  he  was 
active  in  the  erection  of  bridges  and  the  building  of  good 
roads,  being  for  many  years  one  of  the  managers  of 
both  the  Perk'iomen  and  Reading  &  Sunbury  turnpikes. 
He  was  a  zealous  worker  in  Christ  Church,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  the  building  of  same,  the  lot  for  which  was 
donated  by  a  member  of  the  Price  family,  to  which  his 
wife  was  related.  All  benevolent  objects  and  worthy 
charities   were   encouraged   and   supported  by  him. 

When  the  whiskey  insurrection  broke  out,  in  1794,  Mr. 
Keim  volunteered,  serving  in  the  government  forces,  and 
he  always  took  the  keenest  pleasure  in  military  matters. 
In  1821  he  received  the  appointment  of  aid  on  the  staff 
of  Governor  Hiester,  with  the  rank  of  colonel;  in  1830 
he  was  elected  major-general  of  the  6th  Division,  Penn- 
sylvania Militia,  succeeding  his  brother-in-law,  Hon.  Sam- 
uel D.  Franks,  and  when  he  retired,  five  years  later,  was 
succeeded  by  his  son,  George  M.  Keim,  who  in  turn  was 
succeeded  by  his  cousin.  Gen.  William  H.   Keim. 

On  Feb.  4,  1799,  Mr.  Keim  married  Miss  Mary  May, 
daughter  of  James  May,  and  to  them  were  born  seven 
children,  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  namely :  John 
M.,  George  M.,  Daniel  M.,  Ann,  Susan,  Catharine  and 
Rebecca  (m.  Wirt  Robinson,  an  eminent  civil  engineer 
of  Richmond,  Va.).  George  de  B.  Keim  passed  away 
Aug.   20,   1853,   a.nd   his   wife  died  in   1854. 

James  May,  father  of  Mrs.  Mary  (May)  Keim,  and 
maternal  grandfather  of  Gen.  George  May  Keim,  was  a 
well-known  citizen  of  Reading.  He  was  born  March  20, 
1749,  in  Coventry  township,  Chester  county.  Pa.,  son  of 
Robert  and  Elizabeth  May,  and  grandson  of  Robert  May, 
who  came  to  this  province  before  the  year  1700,  and 
married  a  daughter  of  John  Brooke.  Mr.  May  was  of 
Quaker  ancestry.  Prior  to  the  Revolution  he  moved  to 
Reading,  where  he  ever  afterward  made  his  home,  be- 
coming one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  that  place.  In 
the  Act  of  1783,  incorporating  Reading  into  a  borough,  he 
was  named  as  one  of  the  assistant  burgesses,  and  he 
was  particularly  well  known  as  an  early  advocate  of 
public  improvements  in  this  section,  being  identified  orom- 
inently  with  such  ventures  as  the  Union  canal.  Centre 
turnpike,  etc.  He  was  a  general  merchant  and  also  dealt 
extensively  in  grain,  lumber,  etc..  and  was  connected  with 
various  important  institutions,  being  a  director  of  the 
Branch  Bank  and  a  member  of  the  first  Board  of  Trade 
at  Reading.  He  was  one  of  the  two  wardens  of  the 
Episcopal  Chvrch,  the  other  having  been  Marks  John 
Biddle,  Esq.     His  death  occurred  at  Reading  in  1819. 

James  May  married  Bridget  Douglass,  daughter  of 
George  Douglass,  and  by  this  union  lost  his  birthright  in 


830 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  Society  of  Friends,  the  Douglass  family  being  Episco- 
palians. Their  children  were:  Mary  (m.  George  de  B. 
iCeim),  George,  Sarah  (m.  Hon.  Samuel  D.  Franks), 
Thomas  and  Elizabeth. 

George  May  Keim  received  his  early  education  at  home 
and  at  Bentley  Hall,  the  school  conducted  by  Joshua 
Hoopes,  at  Downington,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.  In  1833  he 
was  graduated  at  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  Pa.  He 
studied  law  under  Charles  Chauncey,  Esq.,  at  Philadelphia, 
where  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  June  5,  1826,  being 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  Berks  county  on  Aug.  11th  fol- 
lowing. As  a  leader  in  important  public  affairs,  in  var- 
ious business  enterprises  of  note,  and  in  the  government 
of  his  country,  he  found  this  preparation  of  immense 
value.  In  fact  he  used  his  legal  knowledge  more  in  such 
ways  than  in  direct  professional  labors.  At  the  early  age 
of  twenty-two,  in  1837,  he  was  elected  cashier  of  the 
Farmers'  Bank  of  Reading,  of  which  his  uncle,  Benneville 
Keim,  was  the  president,  and  held  that  position  until  1836. 
He  held  a  substantial  interest  in  many  projects  tending 
toward  the  commercial  development  of  Reading,  and  en- 
couraged the  establishment  of  others.  He  aided  in  the 
erection  of  the  first  rolling-mill  and  nail  works,  owned 
by  Keims,  Whittaker  &  Co.,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Jones,  Keim  &  Co!,  who  carried  on  the  Wind- 
sor Furnace,  in  Windsor  township.  This  firm  had  a  re- 
putation for  its  fine  castings,  made  directly  from  the  iron 
ore,  notable  among  which  was  "The  Last  Supper,"  after 
Leonardo  da  Vinci.  He  understood  thoroughly  the  val- 
ue of  agriculture  in  the  economy  of  the  county,  and  used 
his  influence  and  means  in  raising  the  standards  in  var- 
ious branches  of  farming.  He  introduced  imported  thor- 
oughbred cattle  into  the  county,  and  was  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers of  the  Berks  County  Agricultural  Society,  de- 
livering the  address  at  its  first  annual  meeting,  Oct. 
28,  1852.  He  was  the  second  president  of  the  society, 
serving  as  such  for  several  years,  and  it  was  during  his 
administration  that  the  county  commissioners  leased  to  the 
society  for  ninety-nine  years  the  "Commons"  for  the 
annual  exhibitions.  He  made  agricultural  addresses  in 
variotis  parts  of  the  State  by  request.  Another  source 
of  revenue  which  he  considered  valuable  in  the  State 
led  him  to  an  early  investigation  of  her  mineral  resour- 
ces, and  he  made  a  thorough  study  of  the  geology  and 
mineralogy  of  the  State,  in  the  course  which  he  acquired 
a  comprehensive  collection  of  minerals,  including  valuable 
specimens  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  In  this  connec- 
tion might  be  mentioned  his  Indian  relics,  which  were 
principally  from  central  Pennsylvania,  and  which  after 
his  decease  were  presented  to  the  Smithsonian  Institute. 
The  minerals  were  given  to  Lehigh  University.  In  1829 
General  Keim  was  commissioner,  and  later  for  some  years 
manager,  of  the  Mill  Creek  and  Mine  Hill  Navigation 
and  Railroad  Company. 

General  Keim  early  became  identified  with  public  af- 
fairs. He  represented  Berks  county  at  the  convention 
called  to  amend  the  State  Constitution  held  during  1837- 
38,  and  his  speech  on  banking  attracted  considerable  and 
most  favorable  notice.  His  name  appears  among  such 
distinguished  ones  as  John  Sergeant,  Charles  Chauncey, 
Thaddeus  Stevens  and  George  W.  Woodward  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  committee  of  nine  who  issued  a  stirring  ad- 
dress concerning  the  ways  and  means  of  providing  for 
common  school  education  and  the  general  diffusion  of 
useful  knowledge,  as  well  as  the  industry  and  pecuniary 
prosperity  of  the  State.  In  1838,  when  a  vacancy  oc- 
curred in  Congress  because  of  the  resignation  of  Hon. 
H.  A.  Muhlenberg,  who  accepted  the  mission  to  Aus- 
tria, General  Keim  was  elected  to  fill  out  the  term,  and 
he  was  subsequently  re-elected  for  two  terms,  remain- 
ing in  Congress  until  March,  1843.  At  the  election  for 
Speaker  of  the  House  in  the  XXVIth  Congress  he  re- 
ceived a  complimentary  vote.  During  the  XXVIIth  Con- 
gress he  distinguished  himself  in  a  patriotic  speech  against 
a  petition  praying  for  the  dissolution  of  the  Union. 
He  declined  renomination  for  a  fourth  term.  In  1843, 
toward  the  close  of  his  Congressional  career,  he  pre- 
sided at  a  dinner  given  to  Charles  Dickens  in  Washing- 


ton, in  March  of  that  year,  when  many  men  prominent 
in  politics  and  letters  were  present  to  welcome  the  great 
author. 

Upon  his  retirement  from  Congress  the  General  was 
offered  his  choice  of  three  positions  by  President  Ty- 
ler, and  he  selected  that  of  United  States  marshal  for 
the  Eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania  in  order  to  remain 
at  home.  In  1844  he  was  re-appointed  by  Polk.  Mean- 
time he  found  his  popularity  throughout  the  State  in- 
creasing steadily,  and  such  was  the  confidence  in  his 
ability  and  integrity  that  he  could  have  had  the  Dem- 
ocratic nomination  for  governor  in  1848,  but  he  would 
not  consider  the  proposal.  In  1853,  upon  the  death  of 
Mayor  Getz,  he  was  elected  to  fill  the  unexpired  terjn„ 
entirely  without  sohcitation.  In  1860,  at  the  Democrat- 
ic convention  in  Reading,  he  was  elecrea  a  Presidential 
elector   at   large. 

From  early  manhood  General  Keim  manifested  his  in- 
terest in  military  matters.  In  1830  he  was  elected  cap- 
tain of  the  Reading  Artillerists,  to  succeed  his  uncle, 
Capt.  Daniel  de  B.  Keim,  and  not  long  afterward  he 
became  colonel  of  the  53d  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Mili- 
tia. In  1835  he  became  major-general  of  the  6th  Divis- 
ion, Pennsylvania  Militia,  which  included  the  compan- 
ies of  Berks,  Schuylkill,  Dauphin  and  Lebanon  coun- 
ties, succeeding  his  father  in  tliat  position.  When  the 
Civil  war  broke  out  he  immediately  identified  himself 
with  the  Union  cause,  and  he  labored  faithfully  and 
zealously  to  hold  the  Democratic  party  in  his  county 
together  in  the  trying  period  immediately  preceding  the 
war.  In  the  spring  of  1861  he  raised  a  company  of 
volunteers  for  home  defense,  and  he  was  active  and 
enthusiastic  in  drilling  and  preparing  them  for  actual 
duties.  One  of  the  last  acts  he  performed  was  to  head 
a  paper  with  his  name,  offering  the  services  of  this 
coiTLpany  to  the  government.  It  was  undoubtedly  the  un- 
usual exertion  of  this  undertaking  that  brought  on  the 
stroke  of  paralysis  from  which  his  death  soon  ensued, 
on  June  10,  1861,  when  he  was  fifty-six  years  old.  He 
was  buried  at  sunset  on  the  12th,  in  the  Charles  Evans 
cemetery,  with  military  and  Masonic  honors.  His  fun- 
eral was  one  of  the  largest  ever  seen  in  Reading  up 
to  that  time,  his  death  being  sincerely  mourned  through- 
out the  State.  The  numerous  enterprises  he  encouraged 
and  supported  won  him  friends  in  every  walk  of  life, 
and  his  genial  disposition,  open-hearted  and  companion- 
able nature,  i"etained  them  forever. 

General  Keim  married  in  1837  Julia  C.  Mayer,  youngest 
daughter  of  Hon.  Christopher  Mayer,  of  Lancaster,  and 
si.x  children  survived  them:  George  de  Benneville.  Charles 
Wetherill,  Henry  May,  Julia  Mayer  (Mrs.  Gustavus  Au- 
gustus Behne),  Susan  Douglass  and  Mary  May.  .  Mrs. 
Keim  died  May  12,  1857.  The  sons  have  attained  an 
eminence  in  the  public  life  of  the  State  worthy  of  the 
name  and  family  traditions. 

CONRAD  WEISER  was  the  most  prominent  historical 
character  in  the  county  of  Berks  previous  to  1760.  His 
great  prominence  arose  from  his  intimate  connection  with 
the  provincial  government  of  Pennsylvania  for  thirty 
years.  He  was  the  principal  judge  of  Berks  county  from 
17S2  to  1760.  He  was  born  Nov.  2,  1696,  at  Afstaedt,  a 
small  village  in  the  County  of  Herrenberg,  in  Wurtem- 
berg,  Germany,  and  there  he  acquired  a  general  education, 
wliich  included  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion 
according  to  the  catechism  of  Martin  Luther.  Whilst  in 
his  fourteenth  year  he  emigrated  with  his  father  and  fam- 
ily (which  included  himself  and  seven  other  children) 
to  New  York,  landing  June  17,  1710.  At  that  time  several 
thousand  Germans  were  sent  to  America  by  Queen  Anne. 
Shortly  after  their  arrival  they  were  removed  to  Livings- 
ton Manor  by  the  Governor  of  New  York,  to  burn  tar 
and  cultivate  hemp  to  defray  the  expenses  incurred  by 
Queen  Anne  in  conveying  them  from  Holland  to  England 
and  from  England  to  America.  They  labored  till  1713  in 
this  employment  under  the  direction  of  commissioners; 
then,  finding  that  they  were  existing  under  a  form  of 
bondage,    they    protested    against    the    treatment    and    this 


GRAVE    OF    CONRAD    WEISER    IN    HEIDELBERG    TOWNSHIP 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


331 


effected  their  release.  About  150  families  of  them,  in- 
cluding the  Weiser  family,  removed  to  Schoharie,  forty 
miles  west  of  Albany.  Whilst  spending  the  winter  of 
1713-14  at  Schenectady,  the  elder  Weiser  was  frequently 
visited  by  an  Indian  chief  of  the  Mohawk  tribe,  and  dur- 
ing one  of  these  visits  the  chief  proposed  to  Conrad  to 
visit  the  Mohawk  country  and  learn  the  language  of 
that  tribe.     This  proposition  was  agreed  to. 

Conrad  Weiser  was  in  .  his  eighteenth  year  when  he 
went  to  live  with  the  Indians.  He  was  a  strong  young 
man,  but  all  of  his  strength  was  necessary  to  endure  the 
sufferings  which  he  was  compelled  to  undergo  whilst  living 
with  them.  He  had  scarcely  clothing  sufficient  to  cover 
his  body  during  the  winter  of  that  trying  year.  Besides 
much  suffering,  he  was  frequently  threatened  with  death 
by  the  Indians  during  a  state  of  intoxication.  In  July, 
1714,  he  returned  to  his  father's  home  at  Schoharie.  In 
this  time  he  had  acquired  a  considerable  knowledge  of  the 
Mohawk  language,  and  while  at  home  he  increased  this 
knowledge  by  acting  as  interpreter  between  the  German 
settlers  of  that  vicinity  and  the  Mohawk  Indians.  The 
settlers  having  been  disturbed  in  their  possessions,  Conrad 
Weiser's  father  and  a  number  of  others  migrated  to  Pena.- 
sylvania.  They  located  in  Tulpehocken  in  the  spring  of 
1723,,  in  the  midst  of  the  Indians;  and  there  they  also 
commenced  the  improvement  of  the  land  without  permis- 
sion from  the  land  commissioners.  The  Indians  com- 
plained but  the  settlers  were  not  disturbed.  Subsequently 
the  Indians  released  their  rights  and  about  1733  they  re- 
moved beyond  the  Blue  Mountains. 

Conrad  Weiser  was  married  to  a  young  woman  of 
Schoharie  in  1720.  He  continued  at  that  place  till  1729, 
when  with  his  wife  and  five  children  he  removed  to  the 
Tulpehocken  settlement,  locating  on  a  tract  of  land  near 
the  present  borough  of  Womelsdorf.  Shortly  after  his 
arrival,  his  ability  and  success  as  an  Indian  interpreter 
became  known  to  the  Provincial  government,  and  the 
Governor  employed  him  iri  negotiation  with  the  Indians. 
His  first  services  in  this  capacity  were  performed  in  1731, 
and  from  that  time  for  nearly  thirty  years  he  was  almost 
constantly  engaged  in  this  important  work.  He  assisted 
at  numerous  treaties,  and  in  the  published  proceedings 
of  these  treaties  his  name  appears  prominently.  His  in- 
tegrity was  particularly  recognized  and  publicly  compli- 
mented. 

He  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  French 
and  Indian  War.  His  numerous  letters  indicate  his  zeal, 
courage  and  patriotism.  He  served  in  the  war  as  a  colonel, 
and  his  services  were  of  great  value  to  the  government 
and  to  the  people  of  Berks  county. 

The  first  proceedings  for  the  erection  of  Berks  county 
were  instituted  in  1738.  In  this  behalf  Mr.  Weiser  was 
very  active,  and  he  continued  active  till  the  county  was 
established  in  1752.  The  town  of  Reading  was  laid  out  by 
thePenns  in  1748,  and  in  the  sale  of  the  town  lots  Mr. 
Weiser  acted  as  one  of  the'commissioners.  He  was 
prominently  identified  with  the  first  movements"  in  building 
up  the  town,  and  in  developing  the  business  interests  of 
the  place. 

The  Governor  of  the  Province,  in  1741,  appointed  him 
as  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  he  filled  this  office  for  a 
.  number  of  years.  When  the  county  was  erected  in 
1752,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  first  judges.  He  acted 
as  president  judge  of  the  courts  till  his  decease  in  1760. 
He  lived  at  Reading  mostly  during  the  latter  part  of  his 
'  life. 

Conrad  Weiser  died  on  his  Heidelberg  farm  July  13. 
1760,  and  his  remains  were  buried  in  a  private  burying- 
ground  on  the  place,  where  they  have  remained  since. 
He  left  a  widow  and  seven  children:  five  sons,  Philip, 
Frederick,  Peter,  Samuel  and  Benjamin;  and  two  daugh- 
ters, Maria  (m.  Rev.  H^ry  Melchior  Muhlenberg)  and 
Margaret  (im.  a  Finker).  He  was  possessed" of  a  large 
estate,  consisting  of  properties  at  Reading,  and  lands  in 
Heidelberg  township  and  in  the  region  of  country  beyond 
the  Blue  Mountains.  In  Heidelberg  he  owned  a  tract 
which  included  the  privilege  of  a  "Court-Baron,"  granted 
to  him  in  1743,  the  tract  having  originally  contained  5,165 


acres  as  granted  to  John  Page  in  1735,  and  having  then 
been  erected  into  a  manor,  called  the  "Manor  of  Plum- 
'°"'j  ■^^  Reading  one  of  his  properties  was  a  business 
stand,  and  it  has  continued  to  be  a  prominent  business 
location  from  that  time  till  now,  a  period  embracing  over 
150,years. 

For  upward-  of  fifty  years,  various  unsuccessful  efforts 
were  made  in  behalf  of  erecting  a  suitable  memorial  to 
Conrad  Weiser.  In  1892  and  1893,  the  compiler  of  this 
history  delivered  a  lecture  before  local  teachers'  institutes 
m  different  parts  of  the  county  entitled  "Life  and  Times 
of  Conrad  Weiser"  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  memo- 
rial, and  the  Reading  Board  of  Trade  led  the  school 
authorities  of  the  county  to  set  aside  November  2,  1893, 
for  observance  by  the  teachers  and  scholars  as  "Weiser 
Day,"  and  to  facilitate  this  observance  3500  copies  of  the 
lecture  were  distributed  gratuitously  to  all  the  schools  of 
the  city  and  county.  It  was  not  until  October  30,  1907," 
that  a  modest  tablet  was  placed  in  the  west  wall  of 
the  Stichter  Hardware  Store  on  Penn  Square  by  the 
Historical  Society  ol  Berks  County,  which  reads  as  fol- 
lows : 

Posterity  Will  Not  Forget  His  Services.— Washington. 

In  Memory  of 
COL.   CONRAD  WEISER, 

pioneer,    soldier,   diplomat,   judge,     as   interpreter   and 

indian   agent    pie   negotiated   every  treaty 

from  1732  until  near  the  close  of 

the  french  and  indian  war. 

the  weiser  building,  where  he  often  met  " 
the  indians 
in  conference,  was  erected  by  him 
on  this  site  in  1751. 

born  in  germany  in  1696,  arrived 

in  berks  in  1729,  died 

in  1760,  near  womelsdorf,  where 

his  remains  are  buried. 

his  unswerving  honesty  set  a  shining 

example  to 

future  generations. — under  the  auspices  of  the 

historical  society  of  berks  county  this 

tablet  was  erected  in  1907  by  the 

school  children  of  the  county. 

We  append  the  autograph  of  this  noted  pioneer : 


/^>-?^xJ>'*-^^-<y    ;^^^.<.c#^ 


<e><.<^('S^i^ 


WILLIAM  MUHLENBERG  HIESTER,  son  of  the 
celebrated  physician.  Dr.  Isaac  Hiester,  was  born  in  Read- 
ing, May  15,  1818.  His  maternal  grandfather  was  Gen. 
Peter  Muhlenberg,  of  Revolutionary  fame.  His  mother, 
Hetty  Muhlenberg,  died  in  1872,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-eight  years.  He  received  a  preparatory  training 
at  the  West  Nottingham  Academy  in  Maryland,  and  sub- 
sequently entered  .Bristol  College  in  Pennsylvania,  gradu- 
ating in  1837,  in  the  second  and  last  class  of  graduates 
from  that  institution.  He  read  law  in  the  office  of  Judge 
Banks,  attended  a  course  of  lectures  in  the  Law  Depart- 
ment df  Harvard  College,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar 
at  Reading,  Jan.  7,  1840.  The  honorary  degree  of  A.  M. 
was  conferred  upon  him  in  1843  by  Harvard  College.  He 
practised  his  profession  four  years  in  Erie,  Pa.,  in  1845 
returning  to  Reading,'  and  associating  himself  with  the 
Hon.  Henry  A.  Muhlenberg,  and  soon  acquired  a  large 
practice.  In  1853  he  was  elected  by  the  Democratic  party 
as  a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  and  served  until  1855, 
taking  foremost  rank  among  the  Democratic  members. 
At  the  opening,  of  the  session  of  1855,  after  an  exciting 


333 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY.  PENNSYLVANIA 


contest,  he  was  elected  speaker  of  the  Senate  on  the 
twenty-seventh  ballot.  His  career  as  speaker  was  dig- 
nified, firm  and  impartial.  In  January,  1858,  he  was 
appointed  secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  by  Gov.  Wil- 
liaili  F.  Packer,  and  continued  in  that  office  during  the 
administration  of  three  years.  He  supported  Stephen 
A.  Douglas  for  President  of  the  United  States  in  the 
campaign  of  1860,  but  subsequently  earnestly  advocated 
the  administration  of  Abraham  Lincoln  and  was  a  warm 
friend  of  the  Union.  In  the  summer  of  1863,  when  Penn- 
sylvania was  being  invaded  by  General  Lee,  Mr.  Hiester 
■was  appointed  by  Gov.  Curtin  one  of  the  mustering  offi- 
cers, with  the  rank  of  major,  to  muster  in  troops  that 
volunteered  for  ninety  days'  service,  in  response  to  the 
Governor's  proclamation  of  June  26,  1863,  calling  for  sixty 
thousand  men.  He  was  assigned  to  duty  at  the  tem- 
porary rendezvous  on  the  Agricultural  Fair  Grounds  at 
Reading,  which,  in  compliment  to  him,  was  designated 
Camp  Hiester.  In  the  execution  of  his  military  com- 
mission he  mustered  into  the  State  service  eight  full 
regiments  of  volunteers,  comprising  an  aggregate  force 
of  eight  thousand  men.  After  the  war  he  supported  the 
Republican  party,  and  in  1864  was  the  Republican  candi- 
date for  Congress  in  the  Berks  county  District.  After 
this  event,  he  retired  from  participation  in  public  affairs, 
and  devoted  his  attention  to  the  benevolent  and  business 
interests  of  his  native  city.  He  was  a  director  in  the 
Reading  Library  Company,  in  the  Charles  Evans  Cem- 
etery Company  and  the  Reading  Gas  Company,  and  a 
liberal  supporter  of  the  public  and  private  charities  of 
the  city.  He  died  in  Reading  Aug.  16,  1878,  leaving  a 
widow  and  a  son  Isaac,  who  is  a  practising  attorney 
at  Reading. 

JACOB  SALLADE,  son  of  Andreas  and  Eva  (Schmidt) 
Sallade,  was  born  at  Womelsdorf  (Middletown)  July 
13,  1789,  and  there  educated.  He  was  employed  for  a 
time  as  clerk  in  a  general  store  of  a  brother  of  Gover- 
nor Shulze,  at  that  place,  and  also  officiated  as  justice 
of  the  peace.  In  1824  he  received  from  Governor  Shulze 
(with  whom  he  was  upon  intimate  terms,  they  having 
been  brought  up  together  in  the  same  town)  the  appoint- 
ment of  clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court  and  clerk  of  the 
Court  of  Quarter  Sessions,  and  then  he  removed  to  Read- 
ing. He  held  these  offices  for  three  years,  after  which  he 
filled  the  office  of  prothonotary  for  three  years — from 
1826  to  1829 — by  appointment  also  from  Governor  Shulze. 
During  the  next  ten  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  general 
merchandise  business  at  Reading,  and  he  also  served  as  a 
justice  of  the  peace  for  a  time. 

In  1839  Gov.  Joseph  Ritner  appointed  him  surveyor- 
general,  and  he  continued  to  serve  in  this  position  for 
six  years.  During  that  time  he  resided  at  Harrisburg, 
and  he  died  there  shortly  after  his  term  expired.  His  re- 
mains were  brought  to  Reading  and  buried  in  the  Charles 
Evans  cemetery.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  personal  appear- 
ance and  enjoyed  much  popularity  during  his  official  career. 

Mr.  Sallade  married  Susanna  Mayer  and  they  had 
seven  children,  Maria  Catharine,  Andrew  M.  (an  attorney 
at  Reading),  Charles  M.,  Sarah,  Susanna,  Rebecca  and 
Jacob  M'.   (an  attorney  at  Reading). 

GOV.  JOHN  ANDREW  SHULZE  was  not  a  resi- 
dent of  Berks  county  when  elected  Governor,  but  his  birth 
and  earlier  life  in  the  county  entitle  him  to  a  place  in  this 
work.  He  was  born  in  Tulpchocken  township,  Berks 
county,  July  19,  1775,  son  of  Rev.  Christian  Shulze,  a 
Lutheran  clergyman.  His  mother  was  Eve  Elizabeth 
Muhlenberg,  the  oldest  daughter  of  Rev.  Henry  Alelchior 
Muhlenberg.  He  was  liberally  educated  in  the  ministry, 
and  regularly  ordained  as  a  minister  in  1796,  and  he  as- 
sisted his  father  for  eight  years  in  the  discharge  of  pas- 
toral duties  to  several  congregations  in  Berks,  Lebanon 
and  Lancaster  counties.  Owing  to  a  rheumatic  affection, 
he  was  obliged  to  relinquish  preaching  in  1804.  He  then 
moved  to  Myerstown,  then  in  Dauphin  county,  and  pur- 
sued the  business  of  merchant.  In  1806  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  afterward  twice  re- 


elected, serving  his  constituents  with  distinction  for  three 
terms.  In  1813,  upon  the  erection  of  Lebanon  county, 
he  was  appointed  to  fill  the  office  of  prothonotary,  in 
which  he  continued  for  eight  years.  In  1821  he  was 
again  elected  to  the  Legislature,  and  in  1822  he  was 
chosen  senator,  to  represent  the  Senatorial  district  com- 
posed of  Dauphin  and  Lebanon  counties.  Whilst  serving 
as  a  senator  he  received  the  Democratic  nomination  for 
Governor,  and  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  25,706  over 
Andrew  Gregg,  the  Federal  candidate;  and  in  1826  he 
was  re-elected  governor  with  little  opposition.  In  1829 
he  was  again  brought  out  as  a  candidate,  but  for  the  sake 
of  harmony  in  the  party  he  withdrew,  and  George  Wolf 
was  nominated  and  elected.  Whilst  acting  as  Governor 
he  had  the  honor  of  tendering  the  courtesies  of  the  State 
to  General  LaFayette,  who  was  then  upon  his  celebrated 
tour  through  the  country.  His  administration  of  the 
affairs  of  the  State  government  during  his  official  career 
was  distinguished  for  integrity,  wisdom  and  statesman- 
ship. 

During  President  Jackson's  opposition  against  the  Bank 
of  the  United  States,  Governor  Shulze  left  the  Demo- 
cratic party.  But  he  was  not  active  in  political  life  after 
his  retirement  from  the  office  of  governor  excepting  on 
one  occasion,  in  1840,  when  he  was  a  member  of  the  Har- 
risburg Whig  convention,  which  nominated  General  Har- 
rison for  President.  In  this  connection  he  ran  as  a 
Senatorial  elector  upon  the  Harrison  ticket,  and  was 
elected,  and  afterward  officiated  as  president  of  the  State 
Electoral  College. 

Upon  retiring  from  office  he  removed  to  Lycoming 
county,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  1846.  During 
that  period  he  was  engaged  in  certain  extensive  specu- 
lations in  this  great  and  enterprising  county,  but  he  was 
not  successful  in  them.  Then  he  moved  to  Lancaster, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  till  his  death,  Nov.  18,  1852. 
He  -was  a  superior  man,  and  he  enjoyed  the  high  esteem 
of  his  fellow-citizens  for  his  many  excellent  personal 
and  social  characteristics.  He  was  one  of  the  few  really 
prominent  men  whom  this  county  has  produced.  His  pre- 
decessor in  the  gubernatorial  chair  of  this  State  was 
Joseph  Hiester,  who  was  elected  to  this  high  office  from 
Berks  couiity. 

GEORGE  EGE  was  born  March  9,  1748,  and  died 
Dec.  14,  1829,  aged  eighty-one  years,  nine  months.  During 
his  long  and  active  business  career  he  was  extensively 
known  as  the  largest  landowner  of  his  time  in  Berks 
county,  and  prominently  identified  with  the  iron  interests 
of  the  county  for  a  period  of  half  a  century.  In  1774 
he  purchased  an  interest  in  Charming  Forge  for  eight 
hundred  and  thirty-eight  pounds.  Nine  months  later  he 
bought  the  remaining  interest  for  one  thousand  six  hundred 
and  sixty-three  pounds,  and  became  its  sole  owner  and  man- 
ager. In  1804  he  built  and  operated  Schuylkill  County 
Forge,  near  Port  Clinton,  then  in  Berks,  now  in  Schuyl- 
kill county.  At  that  time  he  was  possessed  of  the  fol- 
lowing landed  estates :  Charming  Forge,  with  four  thous- 
and acres;  Reading  Furnace,  with  six  thousand  acres; 
Schuylkill  Forge,  with  six  thousand  acres ;  and  four  large 
farms  in  Tulpehocken  and  Heidelberg  townships,  embrac- 
ing one  thousand  acres.  The  names  of  these  farms  were 
"Spring,"  "Sheaff,"  "Leiss"  and  "Richards."  In  1824  the 
assessed  value  of  his  personal  and  real  estate  was  three 
hundred  and  eighty  thousand  dollars.  During  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  he  was  an  ardent  patriot,  and  in  1783  was  ' 
a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania.  In 
1791  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  first  associate  judges 
of  Berks  county  under  the  Constitution  of  1790,  and 
served  continuously  with  marked  ability  until  1818,  a  pe- 
riod of  twenty-eight  years,  when  he  resigned  the  position 
to  devote  himself  exclusively  to  his  extensive  business 
interests.  He  died  at  his  home  at  Charming  Forge,  in 
Marion  township,  Berks  county,  and  his  remains  were 
interred  in  the  cemetery  of  Womelsdorf. 

Judge  Ege  married  Elizabeth  Oberfeldt,  of  Amboy,  N. 
J.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  George,  Rebecca  and 
Michael,     There  are  no  descendants   of   George  now  liv- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


333 


ing;  Rebecca  married  Joseph  Old  and  died  without  issue; 
Michael  married  Maria  Margaretta  Shulze,  daughter  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Shulze,  pastor  of  Tulpehocken  church.  One  of 
the  grandchildren  of  Michael  and  Margaretta  Ege,  Har- 
riet, married  John  Ermentrout,  and  lived  at_  Reading  to 
an  advanced  age. 

CHARLES  EVANS,  founder  of  the  superb  cemetery  at 
Reading  which  bears  his  name,  was  born  in  Philadelphia 
March  30,  1768.  His  parents  were  David  Evans,  of 
Philadelphia,  and  Letitia  Thomas,  of  Radnor,  both  mem- 
bers of  the  Society  of  Friends.  He  received  a  good  edu- 
cation, and  when  twenty  years  of  age,  entered  the  office 
of  Benjamin  Chew,  Esq.,  a  distinguished  lawyer  at  Phila- 
delphia, for  the  purpose  of  reading  law.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  in  June,  1791,  and  two  months  afterward  went 
to  Reading  to  practice  law.  In  his  profession  he  was 
faithful,  capable  and  diligent.  He  continued  in  active 
business  till  1828,  and  then  retired  with  an  ample  for- 
tune. In  1846  he  founded  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery, 
situated  in  Reading,  and  estajilished  it  firmly  by  large 
donations  of  money  and  grants  of  property.  He  died 
Sept.  5,  1847,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  his  en- 
dowment. He  married  Mary  Keene,  daughter  of  Reynold 
Keene  and  Christiana  Stille,  his  wife,  both  of  Philadelphia. 
He  was  the  first  philantrophist  at  Reading.  Strange  to 
say,  notwithstanding  this  incentive  to  others  who  have 
been  engaged  in  business  at  Reading .  and  accumulated 
fortunes,  not  a  single  individual  since  then  has  been  moved 
to  make  a  similar  gift,  donation  or  grant  for  a  public 
cause. 

GEN.  JACOB  BOWER,  prominent  Revolutionary  hero 
and  county  official  of  Berks  county,  was  born  at  Reading 
in  September,  1757.  When  eighteen  years  old,  he  enlisted 
in  the  stirring  cause  of  the  Revolution,  becoming  sergeant 
in  the  company  of  Capt.  George  Nagel  (the  first  com- 
pany raised  at  Reading).  He  marched  with  this  company 
to  Cambridge,  Mass.,  in  July,  1775,  and  participated  in  the 
first  battles  for  freedom  in  that  vicinity.  In  July,  1776, 
he  became  captain  of  a  company  of  the  "Flying  Camp"  in 
the  Pennsylvania  line;  and  he  afterward  served  as  captain 
of  different  companies  in  the  Continental  line,  until  the 
close  of  the  war  for  independence,  in  1783.  He  was  one 
of  the  American  officers  who  organized  the  General  So- 
ciety of  the  Cincinnati,  May  13,  1783,  in  the  Cantonment 
of  the  Hudson  river ;  and  he  was  one  of  the  original  mem- 
bers in  the  formation  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Society 
of  the  Cincinnati,  which  convened  at  Philadelphia,  Oct. 
4,  1783. 

When  the  war  was  over,  Captain  Bower  returned  to 
Reading.  After  serving  for  some  years  as  a  clerk  in  the 
county  offices,  the  Governor  selected  him  to  fill  various 
local  positions,  in  which  he  was  active  for  some  ten  years, 
serving  as  sheriff  from  1788  to  1790;  as  county  com- 
missioner, 1790-1793;  as  recorder,  registrar  and  clerk  of 
the  Orphans'  Court,  1793-1798;  and  as  county  auditor 
from  1799  to  1800.  He  was  also  delegated  by  the  Governor 
in  1793  to  act  as  one  of  the  commissioners  in  the  establish- 
ing of  a  branch  bank  of  Pennsylvania  at  Reading. 

Immediately  after  the  Revolution,  a  complete  system 
of  militia  was  organized  in  Pennsylvania,  and  Captain 
Bower,  on  account  of  his  former  services,  was  selected 
as  major  of  the  1st  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Militia,  in 
Berks  county.  He  kept  up  an  active  interest  in  the  mili- 
tary affairs  of  the  country  until  his  decease.  He  partici- 
pated also  in  the  war  of  1813-15,  serving  as  brigadier- 
general  of  the  1st  Brigade,  6th  Division,  Pennsylvania 
Militia,  by  appointment  of  Governor  Snyder.  During  the 
trying  winter  of  1777-78  at  Valley  Forge,  General  Bower 
was  stationed  there  and  his  "Orderly  Book,"  in  which 
he  kept  a  record  of  the  transactions  of  the  officers  from 
April  9,  1778,  to  June  17,  1778,  is  an  interesting  relic,  con- 
sisting of  two  small  volumes,  and  is  still  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  family. 

General  Bower  resided  at  Reading  until  after  1800,  when 
he   removed   to    Womelsdorf,   and    he    died   at   the   latter 


place,  Aug.  3,  1818.  The  following  obituary  appeared  in 
the  Berks  and  Schuylkill  Journal,  published  at  Reading, 
Aug.  8,  1818: 

"Died  at  Womielsdorf,  in  this  county,  on  Monday  last, 
after  a  tedious  and  severe  illness,  aged  sixty-one  years, 
Gen.  Jacob  Bower.  The  deceased  was  a  faithful  and 
active  officer  during  the  whole  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 
He  sacrificed  at  the  shrine  of  Liberty  a  large  patrimony, 
but,  like  many  other  veterans  of  the  Revolution,  was 
doomed  to  feel  the  stings  of  adversity  in  his  old  age." 

Gen.  Bower  married  Rebecca  Wood,  daughter  of  Col. 
Joseph  and  Mary  (Scull)  Wood,  the  latter  of  Phila- 
delphia. Colonel  Wood  died  from  wounds  received  at 
Fort  Ticonderoga,  in  the  Revolution.  To  this  union  were 
born  six  children.  Among  the  many  descendants  still 
living  are:  Mr.  Robert  Scott  Bower,  of  Philadelphia;  Dr. 
William  Bower  and  Mr.  Addison  Bower,  of  Myerstown, 
Pa.;  Col.  Thomas  Potter,  Jr.,  Quartermaster-General  of 
Pennsylvania;  Hon.  William  Potter,  President  of  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College  of  Philadelphia  and  ex-United  States 
Minister  to  Italy;  Mr.  Charles  A.  Potter,  of  Philadelphia; 
and  Col.  Henry  A.  Potter  and  Mrs. -Stephen  Jones  Meeker, 
of  Orange,  N.  J.  We  present  General  Bower's  autograph 
herewith. 


The  father  of  General  Bower  and  the  ancestor  of  this 
prominent  family  of  Pennsylvania  was  Conrad  Bower,  a 
pioneer  settler  of  Reading,  who  became  one  of  the  city's 
largest  property  holders.  He  married  Catherine  Hoover, 
and  they  had  the  following  children :  Jacob ;  George ; 
Catherine,  m.  John  Spohn ;  Barbara,  m.  Henry  Miller; 
Susanna,  m.  John  Truckenmiller ;  and  Eve,  m.  Michael 
Harvey.  After  the  (Jeath  of  Conrad  Bower  in  1765,  in 
the  following  year,  his  widow  became  the  second  wife  of 
Michael  Bright,  a  man  of  substance,  and  she  died  in 
1814. 

JEREMIAH  HAGENMAN,  third  elected  President 
Judge  of  Berks  county,  from  1875  to  1889,  was  born  at 
Phoenixville,  Pa.,  Feb.  6,  1830.  He  obtained  a  preparatory 
education  in  the  schools  of  that  town,  and  when  sixteen 
years  of  age  engaged  in  teaching;  then  he  removed  to 
Reading,  where  he  entered  the  public  schools  and  prose- 
cuted higher  branches  of  study  till  he  was  nineteen  years 
old.  He  then  began  the  study  of  law  under  Peter  Filbert, 
Esq.,  teaching  occasionally  while  pursuing  his  legal 
studies,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  April  7,  1842.  He 
opened  an  office,  and  soon  entered  upon  an  active  prac- 
tice, which  he  conducted  successfully  for  seventeen  years, 
when  he  was  elected  additional  law  judge  of  Berks 
county.  In  1875,  upon  the  elevation  of  the  Hon.  Warren 
J.  Woodward  to  the  Supreme  Bench  of  the  State,  he  was 
promoted  to  the  office  of  president  judge,  and  in  1879 
he  was  re-elected  for  another  term  of  ten  years.  The 
attorneys  always  appreciated  his  courtesy  on  the  Bench, 
and  the  younger  attorneys  found  him  possessed  of  a  kindly 
spirit  and  great  indulgence.  He  became  interested  in 
politics  soon  after  his  admission  to  the  Bar,  and  was 
prominently  identified  with  the  movements  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party  from  1850  till  1869.  He  attended  many  State 
Conventions  as  a  delegate ;  and  in  1868  was  a  delegate  to 
the  Democratic  National  Convention.  In  1850  he  was 
elected  the  first  district  attorney  (under  the  act  then 
passed  creating  the  office),  and  after  serving  three  years 
was  elected  for  a  second  term.  The  public  school  affairs 
of  Reading  received  his  earnest  attention  for  nearly  forty 


334 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


years,  he  having  first  become  a  director  about  1846.  He 
advocated  the  erection  of  more  commodious  and  attrac- 
tive school  buildings;  and  in  1865  he  first  suggested  the 
practicability  of  heating  the  buildings  by  heaters  m  the 
cellars  He  served  the  county  commissioners  as  solicitor 
for  a  number  of  years.  About  1860  he  was  instrumental 
in  having  them  to  allow  half  of  the  court  fines  to  be 
appropriated  toward  establishing  a  Law  Library  for  the 
Bench  and  Bar  in  the  court-house.  John  S.  Richards, 
Esq.,  an  attorney  at  the  Bar,  suggested  the  idea.  Sub- 
sequently legislation  was  obtained  allowing  this  to  be  done, 
and   a   Law   Library   Association   became    incorporated. 

In  1850  Judge  Hagenman  married  Louisa  A.  Bo3'er, 
daughter  of  George  Boyer,  who  was  a  descendant  of  one 
of  the  first  families  in  the  county  and  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  Trinity  Lutheran  congregation,  having  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  erection  of  its  church  building  in  1791. 
They  had  one  son,  George  F.  Hagenman,  a  practising 
attorney  at  the  Reading  Bar,  who  was  killed  in  the 
Honda  wreck,  in  California,  May  11,  190?.  Judge  Hagen- 
man died  March  6,  1904,  and  his  wife  in  190—. 

EDWARD  B.  HUBLEY  was  born  at  Reading  in  1792, 
son  of  Joseph  Hubley,  a  practising  attorney  of  the  Berks 
county  Bar.  He  studied  law  with  his  father  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  April  5,  1830.  After  practising  at 
Reading  for  a  while  he  moved  to  Orwigsburg,  then  the 
county-seat  of  Schuylkill  county,  and  there  continued 
his  profession  for  a  number  of  years.  He  represented 
that  district  in  Congress  for  two  terms,  from  1835  to 
]839,  He  held  the  appointment  of  canal  commissioner  of 
this  State  for  several  years,  under  Gov.  David  R.  Porter, 
and  acted  as  a  commissioner  of  Indian  affairs  under 
President  Polk.  In  all  these  positions  he  discharged  his 
duties  with  ability  and  fidelity,  .\bout  1848  he  returned 
to  Reading  and  continued  to  reside  here  for  eight  years ; 
he  then  removed  to  Philadelphia,  and  died  there  shortly 
afterward,  Feb.  2?>,  1856.  aged  sixty-four  years.  He  mar- 
ried Catharine  Spayd,  eldest  daughter  of  Judge  Spayd. 

GEN.  DAVID  McMURTRIE  GREGG,  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  and  widely  known  residents  of  the  city  of 
Reading,  occupies  an  enviable  place  in  the  esteem  of  the 
people  of  the  county  and  State  as  one  of  the  best  and 
most  efficient  officers  from  Pennsylvania  in  the  Civil  War. 
Educated  at  West  Point  and  trained  by  actual  experience 
in  the  United  States  regular  army  for  a  number  of  years, 
he  was  fully  prepared  to  perform  his  part  in  preserving 
the  Union.  And  in  thus  acting  the  part  of  a  patriotic 
son  of  the  nation,  he  rose  to  a  high-  rank,  creditable 
alike  to  his  early  training  and  his  natural  ability  as  a 
director  and  leader  of  men.  General  Gregg  served  during 
the  entire  war,  and  won  promotion  after  promotion,  be- 
ing finallv  breveted  Major  General  U.  S.  Volunteers,  Aug. 
1,   1864. 

General  Gregg  was  born  in  Huntingdon,  Pa.,  April  10, 
1833,  son  of  Matthew  Duncan  and  Ellen  (McMurtrie) 
Gregg.  On  both  sides  of  the  house  he  comes  of  an- 
cestors of  whose  records  in  civil  and  military  life  he 
may  well  be  proud.  The  Gregg,  Potter,  McMurtrie  and 
Elliott  families,  from  whom  General  Gregg  is  directly 
descended,  all  settled  in  the  colony  of  Pennsylvania  at  a 
very  early  date,  and  had  much  to  do  with  the  develop- 
ment and  improvement  of  the  Keystone  State.  The  first 
Gregg  ancestor  of  whom  there  is  any  sure  knowledge 
was  David  Gregg,  who  was  born  at  Ayrshire,  Scotland, 
about  1630.  He  was  a  Captain  in  Cromwell's  army  in 
1655,  and  was  within  the  walls  of  Londonderry  during 
the  great  siege  of  D 688-89  as  a  faithful  supporter  of  the 
Prince  of  Orange,  Wilham  III.,  against  the  exiled  King 
of  England,  James  TI.  Both  David  and  his  son  John, 
who  was  born  near  Londonderry  in  1665,  were  killed  by 
a  party  of  Roman  Catholics  in  one  of  the  conflicts  that 
were  constantly  occurring  between  the  Orangemen  and 
the  Romanists  in  the  North  of  Ireland. 

John  Gregg's  two  sons,  David  and  .^ndrew,  and  their 
sister  Rachel,  Mrs.  Solomon  Walker,  and  her  husband, 
came   to   America   in    1726,    first   settling   in    New    Hamp- 


shire, where  David  remained.  Andrew  and  Mr.  Walker, 
becoming  dissatisfied,  left  there  and  landing  at  Newcastle, 
Del.,  finally  located  on  a  tract  at  Chestnut  Level,  Lancaster 
county,  Pa.  In  1748,  he  purchased  and  moved  to  a 
plantation  near  Carlisle,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death,  that  event  occurring  in  1789.  His  first  wife  having 
died  at  Chestnut  Level,  leaving  six  children,  he  married 
Jean  Scott  (1725-1783).  To  the  second  union  were  born 
Andrew  and   Matthew. 

Andrew  Gregg,  grandfather  of  General  Gregg,  was 
born  June  10,  1755,  near  Carlisle,  Pa.,  and  died  May  30, 
1835,  at  Bellefonte,  Pa.  He  received  his  eary  training  at 
Rev.  John  Steel's  Latin  school  in  Carlisle,  and  completed 
his  education  at  Newark,  Del.  While  a  resident  of  that 
place  he  served  a  considerable  period  in  the  militia  of  the 
Revolution.  In  1779,  he  accepted  a  tutorship  in  a  col- 
lege, now  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1787  he 
married  Martha  Potter,  daughter  of  General  James  Pot- 
ter, and  in  1789  removed  to  Penn's  Valley,  Center  county. 
In  1791,  he  was  elected  to  the  Lower  House  of  Con- 
.gress,  and  remained  a  mernber  until  1807,  when  he  was 
chosen  United  States  Senator,  his  term  of  office  ending 
in  18]  3.  In  1820,  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania  by  Gov.  Joseph  Fliester.  and  in  1823 
was  nomin.ited  for  Governor  on  the  Federal  ticket  in 
opposition  to  John  Andrew  Shulze,  but  was  defeated  in 
the  ensuing  election.  There  were  born  to  Andrew  Gregg 
and  wife.  Martha  Potter,  ten  children,  as  follows:  Mary 
married  William  McLanahan;  Jean  m.  Roland  Curtin  (of 
their  children,  Andrew  Curtin  was  the  war  Governor  of 
Pennsylvania)  ;  Martha  m.  Dr.  Constans  Curtin,  brother 
of  Roland ;  Eliza  m.  David  Mitchell ;  Juliana  m.  General 
James  Irvin;  Andrew  m.  Margaret  Irvin,  sister  of  Gen- 
eral Irvin ;  James  P.  m.  Eliza  Wilson  ;  Matthew  Duncan, 
Gen.  Gregg's  father,  m.  Ellen  iMcMurtrie ;  Sarah  m.  Henry 
Kinney;  and  Margery  m.  Rev.  Charles  Tucker.  The 
mother  of  this  large  and  illustrious  family,  Martha 
(Potter)  Gregg,  was  born  April  10,  1769,  and  died  Aug. 
20,   1815. 

John  Potter,  grandfather  of  Martha  (Potter)  Gregg, 
emigrated  from  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  in  1741,  being 
accompanied  by  his  sister  Isabella,  and  her  husband  John 
Hamilton.  They  landed  in  Newcastle,  Del.,  in  September, 
1741.  In  1746,  Mr.  Potter  settled  in  Antrim  township, 
Franklin  countj'.  Pa.,  near  the  village  of  Greencastle.  He 
was  the  first  sheriff  of  Cumberland  county.  In  September, 
1756,  he  became  a  captain  in  Lieutenant  Colonel  Arm- 
strong's expedition  against  Kittanning.  The  date  of'  his 
death  is  unknown.  His  wife  died  in  1778.  Of  their  eight 
children,  James  was  born  on  the  bank  of  the  Fovle,  Tyrone, 
Ireland,  in  1729,  and  came  to  America  with  his  father  in 
1741,  On  Feb.  17,  1756,  he  was  commissioned  ensign  in 
his  father's  company,  Lieut.  Armstrong's  Battalion,  and 
served  in  the  Kittanning  expedition,  in  which  campaign 
he  was  wounded.  He  was  promoted  to  the  position  of 
Captain  Feb.  17,  1759,  and  commanded  three  companies  on 
the  northern  frontiers.  Captain  Potter  removed  to  Sun- 
bury  in  1768.  In  1775  occurred  the  stirring  events  of 
Lexington,  Concord  and  Bunker  Hill,  which  aroused  every 
patriotic  son  of  Pennsylvania,  and  hurried  them  into  a 
conflict  which  finally  resulted  in  the  recognition  of 
American  Independence.  Captain  Potter  was  among  the 
first  to  offer  his  services  for  the  struggle  then  so  doubtful, 
and  on  Jan.  24,  1776,  he  was  elected  Colonel  of  the  Upper 
Battalion,  and  in  July  of  that  year  he  became  a  member  of 
the  Constitutional  convention.  -He  was  in  command  of  a 
Battalion  of  Northumberland  County  militia  in  the  battle 
of  Trenton,  Dec.  26,  1776,  and  at  Princeton  Jan.  3,  1777; 
and  on  April  5,  1777,  was  appointed  third  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral of  the  militia  of  the  State,  commanded  a  brigade 
at  Brandywine  and  Germantown,  and  served  in  the  out- 
posts at  Valley  Forge.  In  1780,  when  residing  at  Middle 
Creek,  Snyder  county,  he  became  a  member  of  the  State 
council,  and  on  Nov.  14,  1781,  was  elected  Vice-President 
of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  unanimously  elected  Alajor  Gen- 
eral May  23,  1782,  and  in  1784  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  council  of  Censors. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  335 

General  James  Potter  first  married  Elizabeth  Cathcart.  pose  of  framing  the  first  constitution  of  the  Common- 
His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Mary  Chambers,  daughter  of  wealth  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  sheriff  of  Bedford 
James  and  Mary  Patterson.  Mary  Patterson,  whose  maiden  county  in  1784-85,  and  became  the  first  sheriff  of  Hunting- 
name  was  Stewart,  was  a  granddaughter  of  George  Stew-  don  county  in  1787.  In  that  year  he  was  also  elected 
art,  who  settled  in  Conestoga  township,  Chester  county,  a  delegate  from  Huntingdon  county  to  the  Pennsylvania 
in  1717.  To  General  Potter  and  his  wife  Mary  were  convention  which  ratified  the  Federal  constitution.  He 
born  three  daughters  and  one  son;  of  this  family  Martha  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Coim- 
became  the  wife  of  Andrew  Gregg,  and  was  the  grand-  cil  from  Huntingdon  county,  Oct.  31,  1789,  and  served 
mother  of  General  David  McM.  Gregg.  At  his  death  until  Dec.  20,  1790,  when  the  Council's  term  of  office  ex- 
General  Potter  possessed  an  fmmense  landed  estate  in  pired  by  reason  of  the  election  of  Governor  Mifflin.  He 
Penn's  Valley,  Center  county.  held  several  county  offices  in  Huntingdon  county,  in- 
Matthew  Duncan  Gregg  was  born  April  5,  1804,  in  eluding  that  of  Associate  Judge.  He  died  in  Huntingdon, 
Penn's  Valley,  Center  county,  and  fitted  himself  for .  the  March  15,  1835,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Fairview  cemetery. 
legal  profession,  being  admitted  to  the  Bar  at  Huntingdon  He  was  thrice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Mary  Carpen- 
in  1825.  In  1838,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Ellen  ter,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Herr)  Carpenter, 
McMurtrie,  daughter  of  David  and  Martha  (Elliott)  and  a  granddaughter  of  Heinrich  Zimmerman,  who  was 
McMurtrie,  of  Huntingdon.  From  that  place  he  moved  born  in  Switzerland,  in  1675,  and  who  made  his  first  trip 
first  to  Pine  Grove  Mills,  Center  county,  and  in  1838  to  America  in  1698,  returning  to  his  native  place  in  1700. 
took  up  his  residence  in  Belief onte,  where ,  he  engaged  This  gentleman  married  Salome  Ruffner,  Being  a  phy- 
in  the  iron  business.  In  1845,  in  connection  with  his  sician,  he  practised  his  profession  until  1706,  when  hav- 
brother  James  P.,  and  his  brother-in-law  David^Mitchell,  ing  engaged  in  a  conspiracy  against  the  government  he  was 
he  purchased  the  Potomac  Furnace,  in  Loudoun  county,  compelled  to  flee  the  country  for  safety.  He  according- 
Va.  Nine  children  were  born  to  the  unipn  pf  Matthew  ly  came  to  America,  where  he  settled  in  Germantown. 
D.  Gregg  and  Ellen  McMurtrie,  as  follow^':  Martha,  born  In  1710,  he  began  to  acquire  lands  in  Lancaster  county. 
May  28,  1829,  m.  Richard  R.  Bryan ;  An8rew,  bqrn  May  and  in  1717,  he  moved  there.  He  died  about  1750,  leaving 
28,  1831;  Gen.  David;  Mary,  born  Aug.  20,  1834,  m.  G.  a  large  estate  to  his  heirs.  Benjamin  Elliott  and  his  wife 
Dorsey  Green ;  Ellen,  born  Dec.  24,  1836 ;  George,  born  Mary  had  three  children,  namely :  Martha,  born  in  1779,  m. 
Feb.  10,  1838;  Henry  H.,  born  March  19,  1840,  m.  Rose  David  McMurtrie,  and  died  in  1841;  Mary,  born  in  1781, 
Mitchell;  Thomas  I.,  born  Oct.  8,  1842,  m.  Bessie  D.  m.  Robert  Allison;  and  James  prepared  for  the  legal 
McKnight;  and  Olitipa,  born  Aug.  10,  1844,  died  Dec.  profession,  but  died  young  and  unmarried.  Benjamin 
28,  1848.  On  July  25,  .1845,  Matthew  Duncan  Gregg  died,  EUiott's  second  wife  was  Sarah  Ashman,  and  his  third 
and  in  August  of  the  same  year  occurred  the  death   of  Susan  Haines. 

his  brother,  James  P.,  both  being  buried  in  a  churchyard  General  Gregg  spent  his  earlier  boyhood  with  his 
between  Leesburg  and  Point  of  Rocks,  Va.  Ellen  Gregg,  father's  family  in  Bellefonte,  Harrisburg  and  HoUidays- 
the  mother,  died  at  Bedford,  Aug.  17,  1847,  and  is  bur-  burg.  In  April,  1845,  the  family  removed  to  Potomac 
ied  at  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania.  Furnace,  Loudoun  county,  Va.  When,  in  the  following  Ju- 
David  McMurtrie,  Ellen  McM.  Gregg's  grandfather,  ly,  the  father  died,  the  widowed  mother,  with  her  nine  chil- 
was  born  at  Ayr,  Scotland,  about  1709,  and  came  to  dren  returned  to  Hollidaysburg;  her  death  occurred  at  Bed- 
America  in  1735,  settling  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  en-  ford  in  August,  1847.  David  then  became  a  member  of 
gaged  in  selling  merchandise.  On  March  18,  1754,  he  mar-  the  family  of  his  uncle,  David  McMurtrie,  living  in 
ried  Margery  Fisher  at  Cooper's  Ferry,  now  a  part  of  Huntingdon,  and  for  two  years  attended  the  school  of 
Philadelphia,  and  his  children  were  as  follows :  William,  that  excellent  teacher,  Mr.  John  A.  Hall.  From  this 
born  May  15,  1757;  David,  Jan.  14,  1764;  Charles,  July  school  he  went  to  Milnwood  Academy,  in  the  lower  end 
21,  1766;  and  James,  Dec.  16,  1768.  Just  before  the  of  Huntingdon  county,  and  a  year  later  joined  his  elder 
Revolution  David  McMurtrie  moved  to  Bedford,  now  brother  Andrew  at  the  University  at  Lewisburg.  While 
Huntingdon  county,  and  began  the  improvement  of  large  at  the  University  he  received  an  appointment  as  cadet 
tracts  of  land,  owned  by  him  on  Shaver's  creek  and  in  the  at  the  United  States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point, 
town  of  Huntingdon.  He  died  in  1782.  which  he  entered  July  1,  1851.  He  graduated  in  June, 
David  McMurtrie,  the  son  of  the  above-mentioned  1855,  standing  eighth  in  a  class  of  thirty-four  members ; 
pioneer,  was  born  in  Philadelphia  and  went  to  Hunting-  among  his  classmates  being  Generals  Averill,  Webb,  Rug- 
don  with  his  father,  where  he  became  a  merchant,  car-  gles  and  Comstock,  all  prominent  officers  in  the  Union 
_rying  on  his  business  first  in  Huntingdon,  then  in  Peters-  Army  in  the  War  of'  the  Rebellion,  and  General  Nichols, 
burg,  and  again  in  Huntingdon.  He  was  a  member  of  the  of  the  Confederate  army.  He  became  Second  Lieutenant 
General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  in  1802.  He  married  of  Dragoons,  July  1,  1855,  and  served  in  garrison  at  Jef- 
Martha  Elliott,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  (Carpen-  ferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  in  1855-56,  being  commissioned 
ter)  Elliott,  and  they  had  the  following  children :  James  Second  Lieutenant  of  First  Dragoons,  Sept.  4,  1855. 
E. ;  Anna  m.  (first)  Ed.  Patton,  (second)  Thomas  Jack-  In  1856,  he  was  assigned  to  frontier  duty  in  the  West 
son;  Mary  m.  James  Gwin;  Ellen,  born  Jan.  3,  1803,  m.  and  on  the  Pacific  coast,  and  remained  there  until  the 
Matthew  D.  Gregg,  and  died  Aug.  17,  1847;  David  m.  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  recalled  him  to  the  East.  He 
Martha  McConnell;  Benjamin  E.  (first)  m.  Sarah  H.  was  stationed  at  Fort  Union,  New  Mexico,  in  1856,  took 
Orbison,  and  (second)  Mrs.  Ellen  Patton  Dorsey;  Mar-  part  in  the  march  to  California  in  the  same  year;  was  at 
gery;  Robert  Allison  m.  (first)  Sarah  Briscoe,  (second)  Fort  Tejon,  Colo.,  in  1856-57;  Fort  Vancouver,  Wash., 
Mrs.  Maria  Dennison;  Martha  m.  James  McCahen;  and  in  1857-58;  and  at  Fort  Walla  Walla,  Wash.,  in  1858.  He 
William  m.  Margaret  Whittaker.  took  part  in  the  Spokane  expedition  of  1858,  being  en- 
Robert  Elliott,  great-grandfather  of  General  D.  McM.  gaged  in  a  desperate  combat  with  the  Indians  at  To-hols- 
Gregg's  mother,  through  Martha  Elliott  McMurtrie,  was  nimme.  Wash.,  May  17,  1858 ;  was  present  at  the  combat  of 
born  prior  to  1730,  but  it  is  uncertain  whether  his  birth-  Four  Lakes,  Wash.,  Sept.  1,  1858 ;  and  skirmish  on  Spo- 
place  was  in  America  or  Ireland.  His  home  was  in  kane  river  Sept.  8,  1858.  He  was  on  frontier  duty  at  Fort 
Peters  township,  Cumberland  (formerly  Lancaster)  county.  Walla  Walla,  in  1859;  at  Fort  Dallas,  Oregon,  1859- 
He  was  twice  married;  the  issue  of  his  first  marriage  be-  60;  was  scouting  against  the  Snake  Indians  in  1860,  being 
ing  two  sons — Benjamin  and  George — and  his  two  daugh-  engaged  in  a  skirmish  near  Hamoy  Lake,  Oregon,  May 
ters — Barbara  and  Jane.  Benjamin  Elliott  was  born  in  24,  1860.  The  winter  of  1860-61  was  spent  in  duty  on  the 
1753,    in    Peters    township,    Cumberland    (now    Franklin)  Warm  Spring  reservation. 

county,    and   became   a   resident   of    Huntingdon   in    1775.  General    Gregg    became    first    Lieutenant    of    the    First 

When  but  twenty-four  years  of  age,  he  was  elected  one  Dragoons  on  March  21,  1861,  and  was  made  Captain  in  the 

of  the  delegates  from  Bedford  county,  Huntingdon  being  Sixth  Cavalry  on  May  14,  1861.     During  the  first  months 

then    in  that   county,   to   the   convention,   which   met  July  of  the  war  he  saw  duty  in  the  defenses  of  Washington,. 

15,    1776,   at   Carpenters   Hall,   Philadelphia,   for  the   pur-  D.  C,  and  throughout  the  remainder  of  the  war  was  con- 


336 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


nected   with  the   Army   of   the    Potomac.     From   Oct.    12, 

1861,  till  January,  1862,  he  was  on  sick  leave.  He  be- 
caime  Colonel  of  the  Eighth  Regiment,  Pa.  Vol.  Cavalry, 
Jan.  24,  1862,  and  took  part  in  the  Virginia  Peninsular 
campaign.  He  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Seven  Pines 
and  Fair  Oaks,  May  31  and  June  1,  1863,  skirmishes  at 
New  Kent  Courthouse,  Savage  Station,  Bottom's  Bridge, 
and  White  Oak  Swamip,  June,  1862,  battle  of  Glendale, 
June  30,  1862,  Malvern  Hill,  July  1,  1862,  and  covering 
the  movement  from  Harrison's  Landing  to  Yorktown, 
August,  1862.  He  was  in  the  Maryland  campaign  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  which  extended  from  September 
to  November,  1862,  being  engaged  in  several  skirmishes 
on  the  march  to  Falmouth,  Va.,  in  October  and  Novem- 
ber. On  Nov.  29,  1862,  General  Gregg  was  commissioned 
Brigadier    General    U.    S.    Volunteers.      From    December, 

1862,  to  June,  1863,  he  commanded  a  Division  of  Cavalry, 
being  engaged  in  the  skirmish  at  Rappahannock  bridge, 
April  4,  1863,  and  "Stoneman's  Raid"  toward  Richmond, 
April  13  to  May  2,  1863.  The  Pennsylvania  campaign 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  participated  in  by 
General  Gregg  still  as  a  division  cavalry  commander;  he 
was   engaged   in   the   combat   of    Brandy   Station,   June   9, 

1863,  skirmish  at  Aldie,  June  17,  Middleburg,  June  19, 
Upperville,  June  21,  and  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  1, 
2  and  3.  He  was  in  the  skirmish  at  Shepherdstown,  July 
16,  and  took  part  in  the  pursuit  of  the  Confederates  to 
Warrenton,  Va.,  closing  the  campaign  in  the  latter  days 
of  that  busy  month. 

Central  Virginia  then  became  the  scene  of  operations  for 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  General  Gregg  there  par- 
ticipated in  the  action  at  Rapidan  Station,  Sept.  14,  Bever- 
ly Ford,  Oct.  12,  Auburn,  Oct.  14,  and  New  Hope  Church, 
Nov.  27,  1863.  From  March  26  to  April  6,  1864,  General 
Gregg  was  in  command  of  the  Cavalry  Corps  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  and  in  the  Richmond  campaign  from 
April  6,  1864,  to  Feb.  3,  1865,  was  in  command  of  the 
Second  Cavalry  Division  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  be- 
ing engaged  in  the  skirmishes  at  Todd's  Tavern  May 
3-7,  1864,  where  he  was  in  command,  Ground  Squirrel 
Church  May  11,  combat  at  Meadow  Bridge  May  13,  bat- 
tle of  Flaws  Shop  May  28,  skirmish  of  Gaines  House  June 
2,  battle  of  Trevillian  Station  June  11,  action  of  St.  Mary's 
Church  June  24,  where  he  was  in  comonand,  skirmish  at 
Warwick  Swamp  July  12,  combat  of  Darbytown  July  28, 
skirmish  at  Lee's  Mills  July  30,  1S64.  On  Aug.  1,  1864, 
General  Gregg  came  into  command  of  the  cavalry  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  being  brevetted  on  that  date  Major 
General  U.  S.  Volunteers,  for  "highly  meritorious  and 
distinguished  conduct  throughout  the  campaign,  par- 
ticularly in  the  Reconnaissance  on  the  Charles  City  road." 
On  Aug.  17,  1864,  he  was  in  the  action  at  Deep  Bottom, 
skirmishes  and  battle  of  Ream's  Station  Aug.  23-35,  combat 
of  Peebles'  Farm  Sept.  29  and  30,  of  the  Vaughan 
Road  Oct.  1,  where  he  was  in  command,  the  battle  of 
Boydton  Plank  Road  Oct.  27,  destruction  of  Stony 
Creek  Station  Dec,  1,  and  skirmish  at  Bcllclicld  Dec. 
9,  18G4,  which  terminated  General  Gregg's  active  work 
in  the  army.     Fie  resigned  from  the  service  Feb.  3,  1865. 

General  Gregg's  brothers,  Flenry  H.  and  Thomas  L,  were 
both  in  the  Union  army  and  served  three  years,  the  form- 
er as  Captain  in  the  125th  P,  V.  L,  and  as  Major  in  the 
13th  P.  V,  C,  the  latter  as  Lieutenant  in  the  6th  P.  V.  C, 
and  as  Aide-de-camp  on  his  brother's  staff. 

In  February,  1874,  President  Grant  appointed  General 
Gregg  U.  S.  Consul  at  Prague,  Bohemia,  which  position 
he  resigned  and  returned  to  Reading  in  the  following 
August,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  In  1891,  he 
was  nominated  by  the  Republican  party  as  its  candidate 
for  Auditor  General  of  Pennsylvania,  was  elected,  and 
made  a  splendid  record  in  his  three  years  of  service.  He 
was  elected  Commander  of  the  Pennsylvania  Commandery 
of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  United 
States  in  1886,  and  was  continued  in  office  by  successive 
elections  every  year  until  1904.  when  he  was  elected 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Order.  He  is  President  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery  Com- 


pany of  Reading,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  the  State  Lunatic  Hospital  at  Harrisburg.  General 
Gregg  has  the  right  to  append  LL.  D.  to  his  name,  that 
honor  having  been  conferred  on  him  by  the  Pennsylvania 
A'lilitary   College,   at   Chester,    Pennsylvania. 

On  Oct.  6,  1862,  General  Gregg  married  Ellen  F.  SheSff 
of  Reading,  a  great-granddaughter  of  Frederick  A.  Muhlen- 
berg, as  also  of  Gov.  Joseph  Hiester.  They  have  two 
sons,   namely :   George  She^aff  and  David  McMurtrie. 

Thus  is  presented  in  m'easurably  full  detail  the  career 
of  one  of  the  most  noted  of  Reading's  citizens,  belonging 
to  Reading  first,  but  in  a  larger  and  better  sense  to  the 
State  and  nation.  With  a  glorious  record  of  duty  faith- 
fully done.  General  Gregg  is  serenely  passing  the  evening 
of  life  amid  the  scenes  of  its  former  activities,  and  is 
showered  on  every  side  with  the  plaudits  of  a  grateful 
people. 

GEORGE  BROOKE  bears  a  name  so  intimately  con- 
nected with  the  development  of  Birdsboro  that  a  history 
of  the  recent  generations  of  the  Brooke  family  would 
be  a  nearly  complete  history  of  that  borough.  And  no 
account  of  that '-borough,  in  the  last  hundred  and  more 
years,  could  be  written  without  frequent  reference  to  the 
achievements  and  efforts  of  the  Brookes  in  every  phase 
of  its  evolution  from  a  settlement  of  a  few  houses  to 
one  of  the  finest  boroughs  in  Berks  county.  The 
Brookes  have  ever  been  noted  for  intelligence  and  general 
excellence  of  character,  proved  in  the  wise  administration 
of  large  interests,  whose  prosperity  has  had  a  direct 
bearing  upon  the  public  moral  and  material  welfare  as 
well  as  upon  their  own  fortunes.  They  have  also  been 
noted  for  their  unselfish  public  spirit,  their  means  and 
influence  having  always  been  given  liberally  to  the  pro- 
motion of  all  projects  tending  toward  progress,  enlight- 
enment and  the  general  improvement  of  the  conditions 
affecting  the  daily  life,  comfort  and  happiness  of  the 
mass  of  humanity.  To  the  brothers,  Edward  and 
George  Brooke,,  especially,  is  the  borough  indebted  for 
many   of   its   best   advantages. 

The  Brookes  are  of  English  descent,  the  founders  of  the 
family  in  this  country  having  come  hither  from  York- 
shire, England,  in  1698.  John  and  Frances  Brooke,  with 
their  two  sons,  James  and  Matthew,  arrived  in  the  Del- 
aware river  that  year,  but  because  of  a  contagious 
disease  aboard  their  vessel  the  passengers  were  not 
allowed  to  come  to  Philadelphia,  disembarking  lower 
down  the  river.  The  parents  died  there,  soon  afterward, 
and  were  buried  in  the  graveyard  at  Haddonfield,  N.  J. 
They  belonged  to  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  before 
leaving  England  John  Brooke  had  purchased  of  William 
Penn  2,500  acres  of  land,  to  be  taken  up  anywhere  where  , 
vacant  land  might  be  found  between  the  Delaware  and 
Susquehanna  rivers.  Accordingly  the  sons  Jam.es  and 
Matthew  took  up  the  land  in  what  is  now  Limerick 
township,    Montgomery    county,    Pa.,    where    they    settled. 

Matthew  Brooke,  grandson  of  the  iMatthew  who  came 
over  with  his  father  in  KJ'.iS,  was  the  third  in  direct 
line  to  bear  the  name.  He  was  the  father  of  Edward 
and  George  Brooke,  and  was  reared  near  Limerick.  In 
1796  he  purchased  a  farm  at  Birdsboro,  Berks  county, 
and  in  1800,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Thomas 
Brooke,  and  their  brother-in-law,  Daniel  Buckley,  pur- 
chased the  Hopewell  Furnace.  From  that  time  to  the 
present  the  family  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  locality.  Matthew  Brooke  occupied  the  old  man- 
sion house  built  by  William  Bird,  the  original  pro- 
prietor of  this  property,  in  1751,  a  beautifullv  located 
residence  facing  the  Schuylkill  river,  to  whose  banks  the 
lawn  stretched.  On  the  side  of  the  estate  which  lav 
along  the  shores  of  Hay  creek,  just  where  it  emptied 
into  the  Schuylkill,  was  a  grove  of  beautiful  old  trees, 
wliich  one  of  the  Birds  fenced  in  and  used  as  a  deer 
park.  When  the  canal  was  built  in  front  of  the  house 
the  place  was  no  longer  desirable  for  residential  pur- 
poses, and  the  family  moved  to  a  house  down  near  the 
lower  for.ge,  which  was  torn  down  in  1S79  to  make  room 
for  the  enlargement  of  the  rolling-mill,     Matthew  Brooke 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


33? 


continued  to  operate  the  iron  industries  successfully  pig-iron  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  kegs  of  nails, 
until  his  death,  in  advanced  age,  He  had  kd  an  active  besides  muck-bar  and  skelp  iron.  In  the  laj;ter  eighties 
life  in  many  ways,  having  served  the  Colonial  forces  dur-  a  steel  plant  was  erected  at  No.  3  Blast  Furnace,  to  con- 
ing the  Revolution  when  'a  mere  boy,  and  while  in  the  vert  the  molten  iron  directly  into  steel  for  the  manufac- 
army  was  captured  and  held  prisoner,  but  finally  ex-  ture  of  nails.  A  new  train  of  rolls  was  also  put  into 
changed.  His  business  energies,  while  devote^  chiefly  the  rolling-mill,  as  well  as  other  devices  for  the  working 
to  the  iron  works,  were  not  confined  to  any  one  channel,  of  steel. 

and  he  was  one  of  the  first  .stockholders  of  the  Farmers  In  alliance  with  their  furnaces  the  firm  of  E.  &  G. 
National  Bank  of  Reading,  one  of  the  most  important  Brooke  acquired  a  half  interest  in  the  French  Creek, 
financial  institutions  of  that  city  at  the  present  day.  Warwick  and  Jones  mines,  which  lie  between  ten  and 
He  was  an  Episcopalian  in  religious  connection.  He  fifteen  miles  south  of  Birdsboro,  and  whence  the  great- 
married  Elizabeth  Barde,  like  himself  a  native  of  Penn-  er  part  of  the  raw  product  comes,  the  Wilmington  & 
sylvania,  daughter  of  Captain  John  Louis  Barde,  who  Northern  road  connecting  the  two  properties.  In  1864 
came   to    Birdsboro    m    1788,    and    for   several   years   ran  g,   &   q_   Brooke,    associated   with    Seyfert,    McManus    & 

'•"•tu"!''    ^°1^^^  "5"^^''   ""  ^T:""'  r/^      T^"'"''  ^\rf   *T  Co.   and   Samuel   E.    Griscom,   opened  the   William   Penn 

with  two  thousand  acres  of  land  from  James  Wilson   (a  /-■„ii:  _      „         cu         j     u    ■     c  i,     ir  -n  ^      r^    s    r- 

son-in-law  of  Mark  Bird),  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Dec-  S°"'t^y'  "f/  Shenandoah,  in  Schuylkill  county    E    &  G. 

laration   of   Independence      This   land   formed   a  part   of  w°°''!,J"u^''?/"''?;   bec°ming   sole    owners    of   the   col- 

the   original    Bird   properties    of   Birdsboro,    and    Captain  ^ZV  r.^'nu      Tn  f«%    tl\J^  t}  L^^^f^r  ^ 

T3     J     , ■     J  •.        ,.-i  u-     J     1.1.  •     ^r^nn      I-     4.  ■     T>     J  ^031   regioH.     lu   1887   tncy   sold   the   colliery   to   interests 

Barde  lived  on  it  until  his  death  in  1799.     Captain  Barde  identified   with    the    Pennsylvania    Railroad.      These    iron 

S    w^  'Hn.?t.r?n  ""ZL  ^UiV^L     ^T'AJ'"'}^^^Z^•  ^«^ks  ^"d  mines   form  one  of  the  most  valuable  Indus- 

he  was  eaucatea  in  the  Koyal  Military  Academy  at  Wool-  j.,-  i    { <. „    ■      ,.i,-„    „    i-  i    t>  i  „   •         a    a: 

,.,;.-v,     TT^^io^^     „„t<„..j    (-i;„    ■tr„„i:oU    .,,™„     „i,A    ™  trial    factors    in    this    section    of    Pennsylvania,    affording 

^nkd  thf  exoedilTi  Amen^cf  to  ooer^^^  P^"^'^^'^    employment    to    thousands    of    hands.      Many 

rpanfard^^nXef;'XcV%^"p\'"sacola?n"abo^^^^^^^^^^      ul  °^   *e  houses   occupied  by  the   employees   are   owned   by 

m'arried  the  daughter  of  Maj.  Robert  Farmar,  the  English  t'^^.^Zt'^.T JllJ'^fL'L'^lI'l?  \7.il\^''T:.t 


governor    of    West    Florida,    came    north    in    1783,    and 


by  the  men  are  owned  by  the  company.     After  the  death 


telling   his    commission   became   a    citizen   of   the    United    °L!l-!I^?:°°'^e  the  concern   was   organ^^^^^^^^ 


His    property    came    into   the    hand    of    his    son- 


companies,   the   E.   &  G.   Brooke   Iron   Company  and   the 


States.        ±±ia     yiuuciLV      (.:ciiiic     liiLU     Liic     ildiiu     ui     ma     ovjii-  rr       p      /-•  -d  i  t         J     /-■  r  "ii_  '  i 

in-law,      Matthew      Brooke.       Matthew     and      Elizabeth  ^-   ^  G.  Brooke   Land   Company,   none  of   the  property, 

(Barde)     Brooke    had    a    family    of    five    children,    two  however  changing  hands.     George   Brooke  became  pres- 

H=.,rcrV,t/r«    H^ino-    vn,in<r      T1nP    ntV,Pr<:    wprp  •      F.li^hptln.  "^ent    of  both   Companies,  _with    George   W.    Harrison    as 


daughters  dying  young.  The  others  were :  Elizabeth 
who  became  the  wife  of  the  Hon.  Hiester  Clymer  of 
Reading;   Edward,  deceased;   and  George 


treasurer  and  Richard  T.  Leaf  as  secretary. 

Mr.    Brooke    has   been   identified    with   numerous    other 


George   Brooke  was   born   July   36,    f818,   at  Birdsboro,     ["terests  in  Berks  county  and  also  in  other  localities    his 
.A  1,.,°  „ooo„^  .,11  wjo  y,f^  ;„  ^■d^^  ^u^^     M»  oi.„  v,n=  ,    busmess  affairs  covering  a  wide  range,  and  he  has  like- 


and  has  passed  all  his  life  in  that  place.     He  also  has  a 


wise    found    time    for    active    participation    in    the    public 


residence    in     Philadelphia,    where    he    sometimes    passes  ^'f    '"."""."^e    xor    acuve    parocipauon    m    me    puuin; 
a  few  winter  months.    He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  and  social  life  of  his  sec  ion.     He  and  his  brother  were 
Reading,    Lititz    and   West    Chester,    Pa.,    and    afterward  among  the  original  projectors  of  the  First  National  Bank 
attended  at  Burlington,   N.  J.,   finishing  his   education   at  °f  Reading,   of  which   he  has  been  president  these  many 
a    private    school    in    Philadelphia.     .He    ranked    well    in  y?ars ;   he  was  one  of  the   founders   of  the   Pennsylvania 
English,   Latin  and   French,   but  showed   a  marked  profi-  Tjust    Company,    another,  substantial    financial    institution 
ciency  in  mathematics,   drawing,  mineralogy  and  mechan-'  ?/„.,^^?ding,  of  which  he  is  president;  is  a  director  of  the 
ics.     The  close  of  his   school  days  marked  his  return  to  Wilmington  &  Northern  Railway  Company  and  the  Schuyl- 
Birdsboro,  and  he  at  once  plunged  into  the  iron  business,  kill  Navigation  Company,  treasurer  of  the  Keystone  Coal 
learning  every  detail  of  the  immense  concern  ruled  over  Company  of  West  Virginia,   and  president  of  the  Birds- 
by    his    father.      On   April    1,    1837,    he    and    his    brother  boro  Steel  Foundry  &  Machine  Company.,    The  last  named 
Edward   succeeded   to  their   father's  interests   in  the   iron  company  in  1885-then  known  as  the  Diamond  Drill  and 
industry  at  that  point,  the  works  at  that  time  comprising  Machine,  Company-was  moved  to  Birdsboro  from  Potts- 
two   forges— one   the   "refinery,"   where   the   pig-iron   was  Y^le,    bemg   located    m   the    old   plant    of    the    Birdsboro 
converted  into  "anchovies"   (blooms  hammered  down  into  Iron    Fomidry    Company,    whose    buddings    were    sold    to 
a  bar  at  one   end  for  convenience   in  handling),   and  the  E    &  G.  Brooke  in  1871,  standing  idle  from  that  time  un- 
"chafery,"   where   they   were   heated    and   hammered   into  til   their   occupation    by   the    present    company.      From    a 
various  kinds   of  bar-iron.     At  that  time  the  entire  out-  small    concern    whose   business    was    the   manufacture    of 
put  amounted  to  only  two  hundred  tons  annually.     Under  diamond   drills   it   has   grown   to   its   present   size.     It   is 
the  firm  name  of  E.  &  G.  Brooke,  the  brothers  developed  now  one  of  the  largest  machine  shops  m  _  eastern   Penn- 
the  property,  continuing  to  do  business  together  until  the  sylvania,    comprising   machine   shops    and   iron    and   steel 
death    of    Edward    Brooke,    Dec.    35,    1878.      They    built  foundries      The  steel  foundry  was  added  in   1903  and,  is 
the  Edward  Brooke  residence  and  a  large  flour  mill,  the  one    of    the    largest    and    most    modern    of    steel    casting 
latter  begun   in   1844  and   completed  in  1845.     In  the  fall  plants.      All    manner    of    steel    casting,   ifor    both    private 
of  1844,  while  it  was  in  course  of  construction,  a  Henry  and    government    work,    is    turned    out.      The    company 
Clay   meeting   was   held   in  the   mill,   there   being  no  hall  manufacture  all  kinds  of  machinery,  taking  contracts  ,for 
here  at  the  time  large  enough  for  the  purpose.     In  1879  the  building  of  rolling-mills  of.  the  largest  sizes,  ^besides 
and  again  in  1883  the  mill  was  remodeled,  being  supplied  building  a   numher  of   special  machines.     They  also  still 
with    modern    machinery    and    steam-power,    and    mean-  make    the   celebrated    diamond   drills,   which   are   sold ,  in 
time    had    been    greatly    enlarged,    the    present    structure  all  parts  of  the  world.     When  these  works  are  running 
being   the  third  to   occupy  the  site.     Following  the   erec-  full  they  employ  about  eight  hundred  men. 
tion    of    the    mill    the    brothers    extended    the    iron    busi-  Mr.    Brooke    also    was    the    originator    of    the   borough 
neas.   in  1846   putting  up   a  charcoal   furnace   on  the  site  water  supply.     Through  the  E.  &  G.  Brooke  Iron  Com- 
of  the   old  Hampton   forge,  in   order  to  use  their   wood  pany  large   reservoirs   were  built  about  two  miles   south 
in  the  manufacture  of  pig-iron  instead  of  operating  the  of  the  town  up  in  the  hills  and  an  abundant  water  sup- 
forges.     In  1848  t^ey  commenced  to  build  the  rolling-mill  ply  of  the  purest  kind  was   obtained  from  the  mountain 
and  nail  factory,  which  were  completed  and  put  in  opera-  streams  and  brought  to  the  borough  in  two  large  water 
tion  the  following  year.     In  1853   No.  1  Anthracite  Fur-  mains.     For   the    better    conducting    of   its    business    this 
nace  was  built,   and  two  more  furnaces  were  erected  in  water  department  of  the  Iron  Company  was  in  1900  turn- 
1870  and  1873,  respectively,  the  capacity  of  the  plant  be-    ed    into    a    separate    company,    known    as    the    Birdsboro 
ing    increased    steadily    until    the    annual    product    now    Water  Company.     The  town  of  Birdsboro  is  surely  most 
amounts   to   more    than    one   hundred   thousand    tons    of  fortunate    in    having   such    a    pure    and    abundant    supply 
2:i 


338 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  water.  The  pressure  is  so  great  that  a  stream  of 
water   can  be  thrown  over  the  tallest  buildings. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Brooke's  interests,  though 
covering  so  wide  a  range,  are  all  more  or  less  closely 
allied,  his  connection  and  familiarity  with  the  various 
side  industries  concerned  in  the  successful  operation  of 
his  main  business   facilitating  its  conduct  greatly. 

In  1837  the  Brookes  opened  a  store  in  the  old  mansion, 
soon  afterward  removing  to  a  regular  store-room  which 
they  erected  at  the  canal  lock,  and  in  1875  they  erected 
a  fine  store  property,  which  was  burned  out  when  near- 
ly ready  for  business.  It  was  immediately  rebuilt,  and 
not  only  affords  spacious  store  room  but  also  contains 
the  large  auditorium  known  as  Brooke  Hall,  located  in 
the  third  story  of  the  building.  George  Brooke  was  also 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Birds- 
boro,  of  which  he  served  as  president  for  a  time,^  be- 
ing succeeded  by  his  son  Edward.  Mr.  Brooke  is  a 
member  of  the  Manufacturers  Club,  and  also  of  the 
Union  League,  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution  and  the  So- 
ciety of  Colonial  Wars.  He  is  also  affiliated  with  the 
Masonic  fraternity. 

When  the  borough  of  Birdsboro  was  incorporated  Ed- 
ward Brooke  was  elected  burgess,  and  George  Brooke 
has  served  repeatedly  in  the  town  council,  of  which 
he  was  president  for  many  years.  He  has  also  given 
efficient  service  on  the  borough  school  board,  taking 
especial  interest  in  the  question  of  public  education,  and 
in  this  connection  may  also  be  mentioned  his  services 
on  the  board  of  directors  of  the  library  opened  and 
conducted  under  the  auspices  of  St.  Michael's  Episco- 
pal Church.  He  was  influential  in  the  establishment 
of  that  church,  which  grew  out  of  a  mission  estab- 
lished at  Birdsboro  by  St.  Gabriel's  Church,  Douglass- 
ville,  and  was  one  of  its  first  vestrymen,  still  serving 
as  such.     In  politics  he  is  an  ardent  Republican. 

Mr.  Brooke  is  a  courteous,  affable  gentleman,  a  type 
of  the  highest  American  citizenship,  active  and  useful 
in  every  enterprise  with  which  he  has  been  connected, 
and  serving  his  fellow-men  while  forwarding  his  own 
interests.  He  has  traveled  extensively  in  Europe,  and 
has  visited  .every  State  in  the  Union.  He  has  always 
been  fond  of  outdoor  life,  and  in  his  early  days  was  pro- 
ficient in  all  kinds  of  sport.  Though  over  ninety  years 
of  age  he  "virtually  oversees  all  of  his  vast  business  in- 
terests, finds  time  to  assist  in  the  advising  of  other  op- 
erations and  maintains  complete  control  of  the  details 
incident  to  the  management  of  his  large  private  for- 
tune." 

In  1862  Mr.  Brooke  married  Mary  Baldwin  Irwin, 
daughter  of  John  H.  Irwin,  and  granddaughter  of  Capt. 
Stephen  Baldwin,  a  ship  owner  and  merchant  of  Phil- 
adelphia. Mrs.  Brooke's  father  was  a  grandson  of  Fred- 
erick Augustus  Muhlenberg,  first  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Representatives.  Two  sons  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Brooke,  Edward  and  George.  The  family  are 
all  identified  with  the  Episcopal  Church.  They  occupy 
one_  of  the  most  magnificent  homes  in  this  beautiful 
section  of  Berks  county,  Mr.  Brooke  having  erected  suit- 
able residences  for  himself  and  the  members  of  his  fam- 
ily at  a  spot  overlooking  Birdsboro  and  the  surround- 
ing country,  which  has  been  beautified  as  well  as  devel- 
oped principally  through  his  enterprise  and  that  of  other 
members  of  the  Brooke  family.  Mr.  Brooke's  ninety- 
years  "have  been  filled  with  varying  experiences,  but  with- 
al have  been  favored  with  a  due  measure  of  sunshine, 
the  brightest  ray  of  which  to  him  must  be  the  rever- 
ence and  affection  of  his  townspeople,  which  is  almost 
filial." 

EDWARD  BROOKE  was  until  his  death  the  senior  part- 
ner of  the  firm  of  E.  &  G.  Brooke,  mentioned  at  length 
in  the  sketch  of  George  Brooke.  He  was  born  Feb. 
28,  1816,.  at  Birdsboro,  son  of  Matthew  Brooke,  and  like 
other  members  of  his  family  was  all  his  life  identified 
with   the   advancement   of   its   best   interests. 

Highly  educated,  his  scientific  attainments  played  a 
large  part  in  the  success  of  the  various  enterprises  with 


which  he  was  connected,  and  his  ability  and  ambition 
rounded  out  a  nature  unusually  complete  in  intellectual 
force  and  practical  knowledge.  Industry,  perseverance 
and  faith  in  his  ventures  made  his  eiiergetic  course  one 
of  remarkable  success.  His  progressive  mind  and  far- 
seeing  judgment  enabled  him  to  enter  confidently  into 
many  fields  where  men  of  less  strength  would  have  hes- 
itated to  venture,  yet  his  prudence  in  management  and 
care  in  looking  after  details  kept  his  undertakings  al- 
ways wjthin  conservative  bounds  and  made  him  trusted 
among  all  his  business  associates. 

Incidental  to  his  own  interests,  and  beyond  them,  Mr. 
Brooke  was  always  active  in  promoting  the  welfare  of 
his  home  town,  and  many  of  the  most_  efficient  measures 
for  its  prosperity  in  his  day  were  originated  or  support- 
ed by  him.  The  Wilmington  &  Reading  railroad,  which 
passes  through  Birdsboro,  was  constructed  through  his 
efforts,  and  he  was  the  first  president  of  that  road.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  projectors  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Reading,  and  served  as  a  director  until  his 
death.  By  nature  kindly  and  genial,  honorable  and  up- 
right in  all  his  dealings,  he  was  a  man  not  only  res- 
pected but  beloved  by  all  with  whom  he  came  in  con- 
tact. His  death,  at  Birdsboro,  Dec.  35,  1878,  was  the 
occasion  for  general  mourning  throughout  the  commu- 
nity in  which  his   entire   hfe  had  been  spent. 

Mr.  Brooke  married  Annie  M.  Clymer,  daughter  of 
Daniel  R.  Clymer.  of  Reading,  and  four  children  sur- 
vived him :  Annie  Clymer  (who  married  Blair  Lee, 
of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  died  in  1903),  Robert  Ed- 
ward,   George   Clymer   and   Frederick   Hiester. 

DAVID  B.  BRUNNER,  prominent  educator  and  con- 
gressman of  Berks  county,  was  born  March  7,  1835,  in 
Amity  township.  His  father  was  John  Brunner,  a  car- 
penter in  that  township,  and  a  descendant  of  Peter  Brun- 
ner, a  native  of  the  Palatinate,  who  emigrated  to  this 
country  before  1736,  settling  in  Douglass  township,  Berks 
county,  about  1765.  During  his  boyhood  he  attended  the 
common  schools  in  the  township  till  the  age  of  twelve 
years,  when  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  under  his 
father.  At  this  occupation  he  continued  until  the  age  of 
nineteen  years,  attending  school  during  the  winter,  study- 
ing higher  branches  for  a  time,  and  from  1852  to  1855,  he 
taught  public  schools.  During  that  time  he  prepared  him- 
self for  college  at  the  Freeland  Seminary.  In  1856  he  en- 
tered Dickinson  College  and  took  a  complete  classical 
course,  graduating  in  1860.  He  then  opened  a  private 
school  at  Amityville,  and  conducted  it  successfully  in  1860 
and  1861.  With  this  preparation  he  located  at  Reading  in 
1862,  having  purchased  the  Reading  Classical  Academy, 
which  had  been  founded  by  the  Rev.  William  A.  Good  in 
1854.  He  conducted  this  institution  with  increasing  suc- 
cess year  after  year  till  1869,  when  he  was  elected  county 
superintendent  of  common  schools  of  Berks  county,  and 
at  the  end  of  his  term  of  three  years  was  re-elected  with- 
out opposition.  These  circumstances  indicate  the  deep 
and  favorable  impression  which  he  had  made  upon  the 
people.  Upon  his  first  election,  he  continued  the  classical 
academy  with  the  aid  of  assistants ;  but  upon  his  re- 
election he  closed  it  so  as  to  be  able  to  devote  his  entire 
attention  to  the  schools  of  the  county.  At  the  end  of  his 
second  term  as  county  superintendent,  he  re-opened  the 
institution  under  the  name  of  Reading  Scientific  Academy. 
This  change  was  made  to  signify  that  the  study  of  the 
sciences  was  an  important  part  of  the  course  of  education 
under  him.  Besides  the  daily  study  of  scientific  branches, 
frequent  lectures  were  delivered  by  him  to  the  scholars, 
his  subjects  illustrated  by  philosophical  experiments,  etc., 
with  the  aid  of  instruments  manufactured  by  himself. 

In  1875  and  1876,  he  conducted  a  business  college  at 
Reading;  and  in  1880  and  1881  he  acted  as  citv  superin- 
tendent of  the  common  schools  in  Reading.  From  1889 
to  1893  he  represented  Berks  county  in  Congress.  For 
a  number  of  years  Prof.  Brunner  manifested  a  strong 
interest  in  the  history  of  the  Indians  of  Berks  county. 
He  collected  many  relics,  and  narrated  the  results  of  his 
investigations  for  the  Reading  Societv  of  Natural  Science. 


m 


^a^^r 


xl<- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


339 


His  essays  were  published  in  1881.  In  the  course  of  his 
labors,  he  made  many  wood-cuts  to  show  the  size,  form, 
and  appearance  of  Indian  relics,  such  as  arrow  and  spear- 
heads, axes,  knives,  hammers,  plates,  pottery,  beads,  shells, 
pestles,  mortars,  ornaments,  etc.,  for  which  he  received 
much  praise.  He  published  an  interesting  book  on  this 
subject  in  1881. 

Prof.  Brunner  was  a  thorough  mineralogist.  He  in- 
vestigated the  entire  county  in  respect  to  its  minerals 
with  great  success,  and  prepared  a  catalogue  of  the  dif- 
ferent varieties.  The  birds  of  the  county  also  received 
his  earnest  attention,  and  he  collected  and  mounted  a 
number  of  fine  specimens.  His  collection  included  100  of 
the  rarest  specimens.  He  also  gave  much  attention  to 
microscopy,  using  in  his  researches  a  fine,  large  micro- 
scope, with  lenses  magnifying  from  10  diameters  to  1,300. 
The  intervals  in  his  school  teaching  were  largely  devoted 
to  the  production  of  scientific  apparatus,  and  to  the  addition 
of  natural  curiosities;  and  with  the  aid  of  a  lapidary's 
mill,  he  polished  a  large  variety  of  the  best  and  most  beau- 
tiful minerals  of  the  county  which  he  mounted  upon 
glass  slides  for  microscopic  examinations.  His  extensive 
cabinet  included  a  thousand  mounted  specimens.  Two 
degrees.  Bachelor  of  Arts  and  Master  of  Arts,  were  con- 
ferred upon  him  by  Dickinson  College,  the  former  at  the 
time  of  his  graduation,  and  the  latter  in  1863.  In  1877, 
he  published  an  elementary  work  on  English  grammar, 
and  in  1883  issued  a  second  and  revised  edition.  Many 
thousand  copies  were  sold  and  used  throughout  Berks 
county  and  in  adjoining  counties. 

In  1861  Prof.  Brunner  married  Amanda  L.  Rhoads, 
daughter  of  Abraham  Rhoads,  of  Amity  township,  who 
was  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the 
county.  They  had  five  children — Daniel  Edwin,  Elizabeth 
(m.  Edwin  L.  Moser),  Edgar  Alfred,  Mary,  and  Henry 
Philemon. 

ROBERT  M.  BARR  was  born  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Berks  county  on  Jan.  3,  1831, 
about  which  time  he  moved  to  Reading.  He  acquired  an 
extensive  practice  and  was  recognized  as  a  superior  law- 
yer. A  man  of  fine  appearance,  he  was  possessed  of  a  high 
order  of  eloquence.  He  represented  Berks  county  in  the 
Assembly  for  the  year  1841,  and  in  1845  re(Seived  the  ap- 
pointment of  State  reporter  from  Governor  Shunk,  the 
office  having  been  created  in  the  year  named.  The  pre- 
scribed term  of  office  was  five  years.  -He  died  whilst 
filling  his  appointment,  having  compiled  and  published  the 
first  ten  State  reports  commonly  known  as  "Barr's  Re- 
ports." His  friend,  J.  Pringle  Jones,  Esq.  (who  subse- 
quently filled  the  office  of  president  judge  of  Berks  county), 
completed  the  compilation  of  the  cases  adjudicated  during 
his  term  and  published  them  in  two  volumes,  commonly 
known  as  "Jones'  Reports."  He  died  at  Reading,  Dec. 
25,  1849,  aged  forty-seven  years. 

Mr.  Barr  married  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Holmes,  of  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  and  left  a  daughter. 

HON.  JAMES  K.  GETZ,  former  mayor  of  the  city  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  and  an  influential  citizen  and  leading  busi- 
ness man,  president  of  the  Reading  Shale  Brick  Company 
for  the  first  ten  years  of  its  existence — 1896  to  1906 — 
and  a  member  of  the  firm  of  H.  S.  Getz's  Sons,  pro- 
prietors of  the  Reading  Steam  Marble  Works,  was  born 
in  Berks  county,  Pa.,  Jan.  19,  1848,  son  of  Hiram  S.  and 
Sarah  B.    (Kistler)    Getz. 

James  K.  Getz  comes  of  German  ancestry.  John  Getz, 
the  founder  of  the  family  in  America,  came  from 
Rheinpfalz,  Germany,  and  settled  on  a  grant  of  land 
in  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  received  from  King  George. 
His  son,  Nicholas,  who  became  the  great-grandfather  of 
James  K.,  followed  farming  in  Berks  county,  married  and 
reared  his  children,  one  of  these  being  Jacob  Getz,  our 
subject's  grandfather.  The  latter'  was  born  in  Berks 
county,  and  followed  an  agricultural  life,  becoming  one 
of  the  prosperous  and  substantial  citizens  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lived.  He  married  Hannah,  youngest 
daughter   of   John   Soder,   who   served   as   captain   in  the 


Continental  army,  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  was 
a  stanch  Democrat  in  his  political  views,  and  his  de- 
scendants have  been  identified  with  the  same  party. 

Hiram  S.  Getz,  father  of  James  K.  Getz,  was  born  at 
Sunbury,  Pa.,  in  1833,  but  was  reared  in  Berks  county, 
the  family  having  returned  there.  He  was  educated  in 
the  schools  of  Reading.  From  1857  to  1870  he  was  en- 
gaged in  a  wholesale  grocery  business  at  Reading,  and 
in  1874  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his  son,  James  K. 
Getz,  and  they  began  the  operation  of  the  Steam  Marble 
Works  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  S.  Getz  &  Co.  This 
continued  until  his  death  in  1886,  when  his  son  Hiram  K 
received  by  will  his  half  interest.  The  business  is  now 
conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  S.  Getz's  Sons. 

From  1854  until  1857  Hiram  S.  Getz  was  Recorder  of 
Deeds  for  Berks  county;  was  Registrar  of  Wills  from 
1869  to  1873; -and  for  a  number  of  years  was  a  valued 
member  of  the  City  Council.  He  died  in  September, 
1886.  He  was  survived  by  his  wife  but  a  few  months. 
Mr.  Getz  married  Sarah  B.  Kistler,  daughter  of  John  S. 
Kistler,  who  was  the  eldest  son  of  Samuel  Kistler  by  his 
second  wife  Caroline  Brobst — Samuel  Kistler  was  the 
fourth  son  of  George  Kistler,  the  emigrant  ancestor. 
George  Kistler  came  from  Switzerland  to  this  country 
and  moved  from  Montgomery  county  to  Lehigh  county, 
Pa.,  in  1735.  The  children  of  Hiram  S.  Getz  and  wife 
were:  Amelia,  James  K. ;  Sarah;  John;  William;  Emma; 
Charles  K. ;  Hiram  K.,  and  Laura. 

James  K.  Getz,  who  occupies  a  conspicuous  place  in  the 
business  world  of  Reading,  was  born  in  Albany  town- 
ship, and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Read- 
ing. When  his  father  was  elected  county  recorder  in 
1853,  the  family  moved  into  Reading,  and  thus  Mr.  Getz 
had  more  advantages  than  if  he  had  grown  to  manhood  in 
the  country.  It  was  his  intention  to  enter  college,  and 
he  spent  a  season  in  Philadelphia  in  preparation,  but  his 
ambition  was  not  realized.  His  father  had  on  his  hands 
a  large  wholesale  grocery  business  just  at  a  time  when  he 
was  left  almost  without  clerks  on  account  of  their  enlist- 
ing for  the  Civil  war  in  1863,  and  it  became  necessary 
for  James  K.  to  enter  the  store.  In  1869,  on  attaining 
his  majority,  his  father  sold  the  business  to  him  and 
Jonathan  Grim,  and  they  maintained  that  partnership, 
trading  as  Getz  &  Grim,  for  five  years,  when  it  was 
dissolved,  and  Mr.  Getz  entered  into  partnership,  in 
1874,  with  his  father,  forming  the  firm  of  H.  S.  Getz  & 
Co.,  as  proprietors  of  the  Reading  Steam  Marble  Works, 
of  which  he  is  still  the  joint  owner  with  his  brother, 
Hiram  K.  In  1896  the  Reading  Shale  Brick  Company 
was  organized,  and  Mr.  Getz  became  its  president.  The 
business  has  proved  one  of  great  success,  the  market 
extending  to  a  number  of  other  States,  large  sales  being 
realized  in  New  York.  The  different  business  concerns 
which  have  found  favor  'with  Mr.  Getz  have  been  those 
of  the  utmost  merit,  and  their  conduct  has  been  along 
lines  of  constant  expansion  but  with  methods  only  of  the 
most  honorable  character. 

Since  young  manhood  Mr.  Getz  has  been  more  or 
less  interested  in  politics,  and  has  always  been  thoroughly 
informed  concerning  public  issues.  Like  his  father  and 
grandfather,  he  is  an  out  and  out  Democrat,  believing 
firmly  in  the  old  time  principles  of  this  great  party.  That 
he  is  looked  upon  as  a  man  in  whom  confidence  can  be 
placed  for  his  personal  qualities,  has  been  frequently 
shown  when  he  has  been  elected  to  offices  of  responsi- 
bility by  the  votes  of  both  parties.  Such  was  the  case 
in  1880  when  he  was  elected  councilman  from  the  Fifth 
ward,  Reading.  He  "scored  a  great  victory,  being  returned 
in  a  district  which  had  formerly  given  good  majorities 
to  Republican  candidates.  He  continued  a  member  of 
the  council  two  years  and  served  the  second  year  of  that 
time  as  its  president.  In  1885  Mr.  Getz  was  the  popular 
choice  for  mayor,  and  he  served  through  the  term  of  two 
years  with  complete  success,  his  administration  adding  to 
his  former  laurels. 

In  1868  Mr.  Getz  was  married  to  Mary  Agnes  Jones, 
daughter    of    John    H.    Jones,    a    prominent    farmer,    and 


340 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


granddaughter  of  Samuel  Jones.  She  comes  of  distin- 
guished ancestry  and  Revolutionary  valor.  Her  great- 
great-grandfather,  Rev.  Thomas  Jones,  was  a  Baptist 
clergyman,  a  native  of  Wales,  who  took  up  land  in 
Cuniru  township,  in  1735.  Thomas  Jones,  Jr.  (father  of 
Samuel  Jones),  born  in  Cumru  township  in  1742,  was  an 
organizer  of  the  patriotic  society  known  as  the  "As- 
sociators.''  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  died  in  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  county,  in  March, 
1800.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  Constitutional  Con- 
vention. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Getz  is  pronranent  in  Masonic  organiza- 
tions. He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M. ; 
Reading  Chapter  No.  152,  R.  A.  M.;  Creigh  Council  No. 
16,  R.  &  S.  M.;  De  Molay  Commandery,  No.  9,  K.  T.;  and 
the  Philadelphia  Consistory,  32d  degree,  A.  A.  S.  R. ;  and 
Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. 

On  many  occasions  Mr.  Getz  has  been  importuned  to 
accept  a  directorship  in  some  bank  or  other  large  finan- 
cial body,  but  such  honors  and  emoluments  he  has 
declined,  in  all  cases  stating  that  he  preferred  to 
devote  his  whole  time,  outside  his  public  and  social  duties, 
to  the  development  of  the  Reading  Shale  Brick  Company 
and  the  Reading  Steam  Marble  Works ;  but  in  the  early 
part  of  1906  he  became  a  member  of  the  directorate  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Trust  Company. 

JOHN  SPAYD,  second  President  Judge  of  Berks  county, 
was  born  in  Dauphin  county.  Pa.,  in  January,  1764.  He 
acquired  a  classical  education,  read  law  and  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  Feb.  14,  1788,  and  began  practising  at  Reading, 
where  he  attained  great  prominence.  He  was  appointed 
judge  of  the  courts  of  Berks  county  in  1806,  and  officiated 
three  years.  Between  the  years  1795  and  1810  he  was  a 
member  of  the  General  Assembly.  The  remainder  of  his 
life  was  devoted  to  the  practice  of  law  at  Reading.  In 
1832  he  went  to  Philadelphia  for  surgical  relief,  undergoing 
an  operation,  but  his  case  was  beyond  human  skill,  and 
he  died  there  October  13th,  in  the  fifty-ninth  year  of 
his  age.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  Lutheran 
graveyard,  and  subsequently  transferred  to  the  Charles 
Evans  Cemetery.  The  judges  of  the  court,  members  of 
the  Bar,  and  the  borough  council  each  passed  appropriate 
resolutions  commendatory  of  his  life  and'  character  as  a 
lawyer,  as  a  judge,  and  as  a  public-spirited  citizen.  Mem- 
bers of  the  Philadelphia  Bar  held  a  meeting  in  the  Dis- 
trict Court-room  and  also  adopted  appropriate  resolu- 
tions. 

Judge  Spayd  married  Catharine  Hiester,  eldest  daughter 
of  Governor  Joseph  Hiester.  Their  children  were  :  Eliza- 
beth (m.  Edward  B,  Hubley,  member  of  Congress  from 
Schuylkill  county)  ;  John  (graduated  from  the  Medical 
Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania)  ;  Catha- 
rine B.  (m.  John  B.  Brooke,  merchant  of  Reading,  and 
father  of  Dr.  John  B.  Brooke)  ;  Joseph  H.  (member  of 
the  Berks  County  Bar)  ;  George  W.  (burgess  of  Read- 
ing) ;  Henry  (graduated  from  the  Medical  Department  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and  died  soon  after 
graduation);  Amelia  (m.  Dr.  Diller  Luther,  of  Reading). 
At  the  time  of  his  death.  Judge  Spayd  resided  in  Penn 
Square,  next  house  west  of  the  Farmers'  Bank. 

PENROSE  F.  EISENBROWN,  who  died  suddenly  at 
his  home  in  Allentown,  July  4,  1898,  was  one  of  the  oldest 
business  men  of  Berks  county,  and  a  man  whose  life  had 
been  so  ordered  as  to  merit  the  high  esteem  and  affection 
of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  born  near  Allentown  April 
3,  1831,  son  of  John  Daniel  and  Charlotte  Barbara 
(Wolf)    Eisenbrown. 

John  Daniel  Eisenbrown  was  born  in  Adelberg,  Ger- 
many. He  came  to  this  country  when  sixteen  years  of 
age,  landing  at  Philadelphia.  He  was  an  organist  and  also 
followed  tombstone  cutting,  and  taught  in  a  parochial 
school.  He  moved  to  Allentown  in  the  fifties  and  lived 
there  until  March,  1874,  when  he  died  suddenly  of  apo- 
plexy, just  as  he  was  preparing  to  move  to  Greenbrier, 
Northumberland  county.     His  remains  rest  in  Union  ceme- 


tery, Allentown.  Mr.  Eisenbrown  was  twice  married. 
His  first  wife  was  Charlotte  Barbara  Wolf,  daughter  ot 
John  George  and  Anna  Maria  (Bauer)  Wolf.  She  died  in 
1833,  the  mother  of  eight  children,  and  is  buried  in  a 
graveyard  at  Egypt  Church  in  Northampton  county.  The 
children  born  to  John  Daniel  and  Charlotte  Barbara 
(Wolf)  Eisenbrown  were:  (1)  Frances  m.  (first)  a  Mr. 
Kuhl,  a  lithographer  in  Philadelphia,  and  had  two  chil- 
dren, George  and  Mary.  She  m.  (second)  Peter  Hauck, 
of  Philadelphia,  who  owned  a  large  confectionery  estab- 
lishment and  considerable  property  in  Allentown.  There 
were  no  children  born  to  the  second  marriage.  (2) 
Edward  Constantine  m.  the  only  daughter  of  a  well- 
to-do  farmer  named  Keiffer,  near  Milton,  and  they  had 
one  child  who  died  just  ten  days  before  his  father.  The 
latter's  death  was  the  result  of  an  accident.  He  had  sold 
some  cattle  and  was  on  his  way  home  when  he  was 
caught  by  a  train  on  a  bridge  and  was  killed.  (3)  Mary 
Ann  m.,  lived  and  died  in  Whitehall,  Pa.  (4)  Charlotte, 
deceased,  m.  Joseph  Beitel,  who  lives  in  Allentown.  (5) 
Wilhelmina  m.  Charles  H.  Eggert,  and  lived  in  Bethlehem. 
She  died  and  is  buried  in  the  Moravian  cemetery  there. 
Her  husband  died  in  1907.  Two  children  survive.  (6) 
Matilda,  Mrs.  Steinbach,  lived  at  Limestoneville,  Mon- 
tour county,  where  she  is  buried.  Her  husband  was  a 
shoemaker  by  trade.  He  enlisted  in  the  Civil  war.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children.  (7)  Penrose  Frederick 
was  born  April  3,  1831.  (8)  William,  born  in  1833,  was 
but  two  weeks  old  when  his  mother  died  and  he  was 
adopted  at  Egypt  by  a  family  named  Troxel,  who  after- 
ward moved  to  Carroll  county,  Md.  He  became  a  painter 
by  trade.  He  m.  Mary  Fuhrman  and  they  now  live  on 
her  father's  homestead,  which  they  own.  They  have  no 
children.  John  George  Wolf,  father  of  Mrs.  John  Daniel 
Eisenbrown,  was  bom  in  January,  1774,  and  died  June  27, 
1842;  his  wife,  Anna  Maria  Bauer,  was  born  July  17, 
1775,  and  died  in  1843.  Their  family  consisted  of  two 
sons  —  Fred  and  George  —  and  four  daughters  —  Mrs. 
Christiana  Grossholz,  Mrs.  Souders,  Mrs.  Hofifman  and 
Mrs.  Eisenbrown.  John  George  Wolf  was  a  wood  turner, 
making   a    specialty   of    spinning   wheels. 

John  Daniel  Eisenbrown,  for  his  second  wife,  m.  Mary 
Troxel.  They  were  members  of  St.  Paul's  New  School 
Lutheran  Church,  at  Allentown,  and  both  are  buried  in 
the  cemetery  there.  Of  the  children  of  this  marriage, 
Emma  m.  James  Myers,  a  shoemaker,  and  they  live  at 
the  corner  of  Jordan  and  Liberty  streets,  opposite  the 
thread  mill  in  Allentown ;  Pauline  m.  a  Mr.  Knaus,  a 
cabinet-maker  of  Philadelphia;  Theresa  died  when  eighteen 
years  old;  Christine  became  Mrs.  Scheffer,  and  died  a 
year  after  her  marriage;  Alfred  was  a  drummer  boy  in 
the  Union  army,  and  died  in  the  service;  Otto  m.  Amanda 
Scheffer,   and   is  deceased. 

Penrose  F.  Eisenbrown  was  but  a  year  and  a  half  old 
when  his  mother  died,  and  he  was  taken  to  the  home  of 
his  grandfather  Wolf.  Mr.  Wolf  was  a  wood  carver  by 
trade,  and  he  early  trained  his  grandson  in  that  line,  at 
the^  same  time  cultivating  in  him  habits  of  industry  and 
thrift.  Mr.  Eisenbrown  was  ambitious,  and  determined 
to  enter  business  for  himself.  He  began  at  Minersville, 
with  a  small  establishment  and  a  few  hands,  and  there  he 
was  very  successful.  Thence  he  went  to  Pottsville,  where  he 
met  with  equal  success,  but  his  health  failed,  artd  he 
sold  out  m  1870,  to  engage  in  farming.  About  three 
years  later  he  came  to  Reading,  and  he  entered  the  marble 
business,  building  up  a  trade  and  reputation  second  to 
none.  Monuments  public  and  private,  the  work  of  his 
establishment,  have  been  distributed  all  over  the  State 
His  taste  was  excellent  and  his  workmanship  the  best. 
About  1896  he  gave  up  active  workmanship  in  the  firm, 
which  of  late  years  was  known  as  P.  F.  Eisenbrown  Sons 
&  Co.,  and  moved  to  Allentown,  where  his  death  occurred. 

Mr.  Eisenbrown  was  a  great  lover  of  literature,  and  his 
library  was  large  and  well  chosen.  He  possessed  no  little 
poetical  talent,  and  produced  many  German  and  English 
poems,  some  of  which  were  published  in  the  Allentown 
and   other   papers,   while   many   remained   unprinted,    only 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


341 


to  be  found  among  his  papers  at  his  death.  He  was  an 
earnest  Christian.  In  1848  he  organized  a  Sunday-school 
at  Lehigh  Church  and  superintended  it  many  years.  This 
school  was  very  successful,  and  only  a  very  short  time 
before  his  death  Mr.  Eisenbrown  participated  in  the  ex- 
ercises celebrating  its  fiftieth  anniversary.  He  was  _  a 
kind  and  symipathetic  man,  and  as  an  instance  of  this, 
while  he  was  teaching  in  the  Lehigh  Church  and  still  a 
young  man,  an  epidemic  broke  out,  and  the  people  were 
being  swept  before  it  in  great  numbers.  He  saw  the 
need  of  assistance,  and  at  once  entered  upon  the  task  of 
nursing  and  tending  those  afflicted,  and  remained  steadfast 
at  this  until  the  scourge  abated.  For  his  fidelity  and  kind- 
ness he  was  ever  after  held  in  grateful  remembrance  by 
those  people.  When  he  was  a  little  boy  some  five 
years  of  age,  and  living  with  his  grandfather,  an  uncle 
Frederick  Wolf  donated  the  land  for  the  church  and 
cemetery  since  known  as  Zion's  Hill,  Bucks  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
Mr.  Eisenbrown  had  the  great  pleasure  of  lifting  the  first 
shovelful  of  earth  at  the  excavating  for  the  erection  of 
the  first  church  there.  It  was  his  delight  all  through  life 
to  labor  for  and  assist  any  and  all  matters  for  the 
Church  arid   Sunday-school. 

On  July  3,  1859,  at  Greenbrier,  Northumberland  coun- 
ty, by  the  Rev.  Jared  Fritzinger,  Mr.  Eisenbrown  was 
married  to  Sarah  S.  Smith,  born  Oct.  25,  1839,  only 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Sally  (Snyder)  Smith.  The 
folio-wing  children  were  born  of  this  union:  Harvey 
Jonathan,  born  Sept.  22,  1860,  at  Greenbrier,  baptized 
Nov.  22,  1860,  died  July  22,  1861,  aged  ten  months;, 
Alice  Charlotte,  born  Aug.  26,  1862,  at  Minersville,  m, 
Edward  Christian,  who  is  connected  with  the  marble  busi- 
ness; Harry  Wolf,  born  in  Minersville,  Sept.  16,  1864,  bap- 
tized Nov.  14,  1864,  is  deceased;  Charles  Smith,  born 
in  Pottsville,  Oct.  19,  1866,  baptized  June  28,  1867,  m. 
Alice  Kauffman,  and  is  the  senior  member  of  the  firm ; 
Annie,  born  in  Pottsville,  Sept.  18,  1868,  died  Dec.  29, 
1870;  George  Franklin,  born  in  Pottsville,  Oct.  31,  1870, 
baptized  Feb.  27,  1871,  m.  Rosa  Fix,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  firm;  Wilson  Henry,  born  Aug.  24,  1872,  baptized 
April  29,  1873,  m.  Annie  Faust,  daughter  of  J.  B.  Faust 
(superintendent  of  the  lettering  department  in  the  plant) 
and  is  in  the  Biehl  Carriage  and  Wagon  Works;  Edward 
Penrose,  born  in  Reading,  April  15,  1875,  baptized  July 
4,  1875,  m.  Sarah  Reeser,  and  is  superintendent  of  the 
Granite  Department  at  the  North  Reading  Granite  Works; 
Mary  Henrietta,  born  May  8,  1877,  in  Reading,  baptized 
Oct.  1,  1877,  died  Dec.  4,  1879;  Samuel  Frederic,  born  in 
Reading,  Sept.  16,  1879,  baptized  Jan.  4,  1880,  m.  Rosa 
Wentzel,  widow  of  Harry  Eisenbrown,  and  is  a  sales- 
man for  the  firm;  Martha  Sarah,  born  in  Reading,  March 
4,  1882,  baptized  July  2,  1882,  m.  Dr.  Samuel  B.  Geise, 
of  Jersey  Shore,  Lycoming  Co.,  Pa.;  and  John  Daniel, 
born  June  12,  1886,  baptized  Oct.  3,  1886,  is  unmarried 
and  is  engaged  in  the  firm  as  bookkeeper. 

Mrs.  Eisenbrown  resides  at  No.  522  Elm  street,  Read- 
ing. She  owns  the  old  homestead  of  125  acres  in  Green- 
brier— a  farm  once  the  property  of  her  grandfather.  Her 
sons  have  continued  the  marble  and  granite  business 
so  substantially  successful  under  the  father's  manage- 
ment, and  they  are  meeting  with  that  prosperity  that 
attends    well-directed   effort   and   honorable   dealings. 

JAMES  HERVEY  STERNBERGH,  of  Reading,  Pa., 
former  president  of  the  American  Steel  &  Iron  Manufac- 
turing Company,  of  Lebanon  and  Reading,  pioneer  in  the 
manufacture  of  nuts  and  bolts  in  America,  is  one  of 
the  most  notable  figures  in  the  steel  and  iron  trade  in 
Pennsylvania,  if  not,  indeed,  in  the  United  States.  Mr. 
Sternbergh  was  born  in  Henrietta,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y., 
May  20,  1834.  His  father,  a  Genesee  Valley  farmer, 
was  descended  from  German  ancestry,  who  settled  in 
America  in  1703 ;  in  that  year  four  unmarried  brothers 
came  over,  David,  Adam,  Nicholas  and  Lambert,  who 
were  driven  out  of  the.  Rhine  Valley  at  the  time  of  the 
religious  troubles  in  the  Palatinate.  They  were  the  first 
to   raise   wheat    in    Schoharie    county,    in    the    Mohawk 


Valley,  where  they  became  large  agriculturists.  William 
Sternbergh,  father  of  James  Hervey,  died  at  the  age  of 
eighty-six  years;  the  forefathers  for  several  generations 
had  reached  advanced  age. 

The  Sternbergh  family  removed  to  Saratoga  Springs 
and  lived  there  until  James  H.  was  thirty-one  years 
ol'd.  He  spent  a  number  of  these  years  as  general  pas- 
senger agent  of  the  railroad  running  through  Saratoga. 
His  choice .  had  been  to  become  a  professional  man,  but 
study  affected  his  sight,  and  in  1865,  he  removed  to  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  where  he  became  interested  in  the  manufacture 
of  bolts,  nuts,  .rivets,  etc.  In  1867  Mr.  Sternbergh  in- 
vented and  patented  a  machine  for  making  hot-pressed 
nuts,  and  this  machine  has  been  in  use  ever  since,  its 
inventor  and  maker  even  having  demands  for  it  from 
competitors  in  business  at  home  and  abroad.  This  is  only, 
one  of  many  important  and  useful  inventions  of  Mr. 
Sternbergh.  He  invented  a  superior  grinding  machine 
for  grinding  hard  metals,  doing  the  work  much  miore 
effectively  than  before,  and  at  much  less  cost.  There 
were  only  two  or  three  other  establishments  of  the  kind 
in  the  United  States,  and  Mr.  Sternbergh  may  be  justly 
called  the  pioneer  in  the  business   of  nvit  manufacturing. 

In  1886,  when  his  son  Philip  attained  his  majority, 
Mr.  Sternbergh  took  him  into  partnership,  and  the  latter 
subsequently  became  the  manager  of  the  branch  works 
in  Kansas  City,  Mo.  There  he  died  April  2,  1903,  in  the 
thirty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  just  in  the  prime  of  man- 
hood, with  every  promise  bright  for  a  great   future. 

On  Feb.  6,  1891,  during  Mr.  Sternbergh's  absence  in 
New  York,  his  works  caught  fire  and  were  totally  de- 
stroyed, save  the  rolling  mill  buildings  and  part  of  the 
large  machinery.  It  was  a  heavy  financial  blow,  but  with 
characteristic  energy  he  went  about  immediately  getting 
things  in  shape,  and  within  ten  days  after  the  fire  the 
works  were  again  in  operation,  and  in  the  May  following 
were  turning  out  more  goods  than  ever  before.  The 
Reading  Bolt  and  Nut  Works  is  a  plant  extending  over 
some  eight  acres  of  land,  lying  between  Third  and 
Fourth  streets,  and  between  the  Lebanon  Valley  Railroad 
and  Buttonwood  street.  This  large  and  important  in- 
dustry had  its  inception  in  1865,  when  Mr.  Sternbergh 
established  it.  From  modest  beginnings,  in  temporary 
buildings  at  the  foot  of  Pine  street  and  the  leasing  of 
necessary  power  from  an  adjoining  concern,  and  the 
employment  of  from  eight  to  ten  men,  to  the  present 
day,  when  a  large  tract  of  land  is  covered  with  the  com- 
modious buildings  and  a  force  of  1,500  men  find  em- 
ployment, is  a  story  of  commercial  success  and  indus- 
trial progress  which  holds  much  matter  of  interest. 

The  present  substantial  buildings  are  located  on  North 
Third  street,  above  Buttonwood,  and  were  first  occu- 
pied in  January,  1869.  Since  the  fire  above  mentioned 
every  new  building  has  been  made  larger  and  more 
convenient  than  the  old  ones  and  the  machinery  and 
equipments  are  those  of  a  first-class,  modern  plant.  One 
building,  456  x  110  feet  in  dimensions,  supplied  with  all 
kinds  of  improved  machinery,  is  used  for  the  manufacture 
of  nuts,  bolts,  washers,  rivets  and  rods  for  bridges,  build- 
ings, etc.  Another.  325  x  90  feet  in  dimensions,  is  used 
as  a  rolling  mill  building  and  contains  three  trains  of 
rolls,  four  heating  furnaces,  three  upright  steam  engines, 
in  addition  to  steam  shears,  lathes,  pumps',  etc.  Another, 
the  new  rolling  mill  building,  200  x  80  feet,  contains  two 
trains  of  rolls,  two  heating  furnaces  and  other  machinery. 
The  capacity  of  these  mills  is  about  40,000  tons  of  rolled 
iron  annually,  embracing  all  sizes  of  merchant  bar  iron 
in  common  use. 

Mr.  Sternbergh's  own  articles  of  manufacture  are  dis- 
posed of  to  merchants  and  consumers  of  refined  bar  and 
band  iron.  At  all  times  it  is  necessary  to  carry  a  large 
stock  in  order  to  meet  the  demands,  and  this  need  was 
recognized  by  the  erection  in  1880  of  a  large  warehouse 
150  X  40  feet,  four  stories  high.  The  railroad  facilities 
are  of  the  best,  three  tracks  running  into  the  works, 
the  first  for  the  delivery  of  coal,  the  second  for  the 
delivery  of  crude  iron,  and  the  third  for  shipments.  Mr. 
Sternbergh's  goods  were  awarded  medals  at  the  Centen- 


342 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


nial  Exposition  at   Philadelphia  in  1876 ;     at  the  Chicago    suing  county  election.     He  was  re-elected  in  1895,  and  in 
Exposition    in   1883;    at  the    New    Orleans    Exposition,  in     """"       ■""      ••    •     ■  -  ... 

1885;  at  the  Paris  Exposition  in  1889;  and  at  the  Colurn- 
bian  Exposition  in  1893,  where  they  had  three  exhibits. 

On  Sept.  1,  1899,  J.  H.  Sternbergh  &  Son  consolidated 
their  works  with  the  Pennsylvania  Nut  &  Bolt  _Company, 
of   Lebanon,   the  Lebanon   Iron   Company,   the   East   Let 


1905.     He   died  Aug.   19,   1908,  after  having  served   as   a 
judge  of  the  courts   of  the  county  twenty-two  years. 

JAMES  W.  YOCUM,  late  of  Reading,  was  one  of  the 
most  successful  business  men  of  that  city  for  a  number 
of  years  before  his  death.     He  was  a  member  of  the  firm 


anon  Iron  Company,  of  Lebanon,  and  the  National   Nut,  of  Yocum   Brothers,   the   largest  manufacturers   of  cigars 

Bolt    &    Rivet    Works,    of    Reading,    thus    forming    what  m  Berks  county,  and  the  busmess  is  still  conducted  under 

is  known   as   the  American   Iron  &  Steel   Manufacturing  that  name  and  ranks  among  the  leading  mdustries  of  this 

Company,  of  which  Mr.  Sternbergh  was  president  during  prosperous  section  of  Pennsylvania. 

the    six    years    ending    February,    1907,    when    he    retired.         Mr.    Yocum  was   born   May   24,    1854,   m   Spring  town- 
It     is     capitalized    at     $5,550,000,     $3,000,000     being     full  ship,   Berks   county,   and  was   descended   on  both   paternal 


paid  preferred  stock,  and  $2,550,000  full  paid  common 
stock.      The  works  now  give  employment  to  4,000  men. 

J.  H.  Sternbergh,  in  addition  to  being  the  head  of  this 
vast  concern,  in  a  director  in  the  Second  National  Bank 
of  Reading;  a  director  in  the  Reading  Trust  Company; 
and  ^president  of  the  Kansas  City  Bolt  &  Nut  Company, 
which  was  founded  by  him  in  1887.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Reading  Board  of  Trade,  and  its  presi- 
dent for  the  first  three  years,  and  he  was  also  one  of 
the  founders  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
and  served  as  its  president  many  years. 

Mr.  Sternbergh  has  been  twice  married.  In  1863  he  was 
married  (first)  to  Harriet  M.  May,  of  Southbridge,  Mass., 
who  bore  hinij  five  children,  two  of  whom  survive,  Her- 
bert M.  and  Hattie  May.  He  married  (second)  Mary 
Candace  Dodds,  of  North  Hero,  Vt.,  and  they  had  six 
children  born  to  them,  namely :  James  Hervey,  born 
May  26,  1890;  Helen,  Aug.  18,  1891  (who  died  Nov.  11, 
1894)  ;  David,  Dec.  29,  1892 ;  Lambert,  March  29,  1895 ; 
Margaret,  May  30,  1897;  and  Gertrude,  May  8,  1899. 


and  maternal  sides  from  old  Berks  county  stock,  being  a 
son  of  William  and  Mary  (Potteiger)  Yocum.  George 
Yocum,  his  grandfather,  was  born  at  Yocum's  Forge,  this 
county,  and  there  passed  all  his  life,  dying  at  the  age  of 
seventy-eight. .  He  was  an  iron  manufacturer,  and  a  man 
of  substance  and  standing,  highly  respected  in  his  com- 
munity. His  family  consisted  of  six  children,  four  sons 
and  two  daughters. 

William  Yocum,  son  of  George,  was  also  born  at 
Yocum's  Forge,  and  was  reared  at  his  native  place.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  local  public  schools,  and 
learned  the  milling  business,  but  he  soon  went  to  farming, 
in  which  he  found  a  congenial  and  profitable  field  for  his 
energies  throughout  his  active  career.  He  died  in  1905  at 
Stouchsburg,  this  county.  Mr.  Yocum  was  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  in  which  he  had  held 
all  the  official  positions.  In  political  matters,  he  was,  like 
his  father,  a  strong  Republican.  He  married  Mary  Pot- 
teiger, and  to  them  were  born  five  children:  Clara;  James 
W. ;  William  H.,  who  was  in  partnership  with  his  brother 


Mr.  Sternbergh  is  an  honorary  member  of  the  Academy    James  for  many  years;  Velaria;  and  George  J, 


of  Inventors  and  Manufacturers  of  Paris,  and  the  Euro- 
pean Society  of  Brussels,  Belgium.  He  is  a  ruling  elder 
in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Reading,  and  for 
eighteen  years  with  all  his  many  and  onerous  duties  found 
time  to  serve  as  Sunday-school  superintendent.  A  re- 
markable fact  about  Mr.  Sternbergh  is  that  his  years  of 
strenuous  work  have  been  endured  without  a  day's  illness, 
and  he  stands  today  as  an  example  of  manly  strength  and 
mental  superiority. 


James  W.  Yocum  was  reared  in  the  locality  of  his  birth 
and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  that 
section.  He  was  an  ambitious  student,  and  succeeded 
so  v/ell  that  he  was  able  to  teach,  being  thus  engaged  for 
six  terms  during  his  young  manhood.  His  first  business 
venture  was  as  a  general  merchant,  in  partnership  with  S. 
F.  Fisher,  with  whom  he  did  business  at  Stouchsburg 
under  the  firm  name  of  Fisher  &  Yocum,  for  two  and  a 
half  years.  On  Jan.  1,  1885,  he  entered  into  partnership 
with  his  brother,  William  H.  Yocum  under  the  name  of 
JAMES  NEVIN  ERMENTROUT,  fourth  elected  Yocum  Brothers,' and  they  continueTtogether  L  the  manu- 
President  Judge  of  Berks  county,  from  1889  to  1908,  facture  of  cigars  until  the  death  of  Mr  James  W  Yocum 
youngest  son  of  William  and  Justina  (Silvis)  Ermentrout,  building  up  their  business  until  it  became  the  most  ex- 
was  born  at  Reading,  Oct.  25,  1846.  After  a  preparatory  tensive  of  the  kind  in  Berks  county  Five  hundred  skilled 
education  in  the  common  schools  he  was  graduated  from  workers  found  employment  in  the  immense  factory  at  the 
the  high  school  in  1862,  first  m  his  class.  He  then  taught  corner  of  Walnut  and  Seventh  streets,  the  vearly  product 
school  for  several  terms,  and  assisted  his  brother  (Prof,  amounting  to  as  much  as  20,000,000  cigars  disposed  of  in 
J.  S.  Ermentrout,  County  Superintendent  of  public  schools)  various  markets  throughout  the  United  States 
until   1868.     While  deputy  superintendent,  he  conducted  a        At   the  time  of  his   death  no  business 


course  of  reading  and  study,  under  his  brother,  Daniel 
Ermentrout,  Esq.,  a  practicing  attorney  at  Reading  till 
Nov.  27,  1867,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar.  He 
then  directed  his  earnest  attention  to  the  legal  profession 
and  soon  became  actively  engaged  in  practice.  In  1869  he 
formed    a    law    partnership    with    his    brother,    under    the 


J    ,  man   in  Reading 

enjoyed  better  standing  than  James  W.  Yocum.  His 
integrity  had  stood  the  test  of  many  years  of  business 
success,  and  his  ability  was  unquestioned.  He  had  the  true 
business  instinct,  understanding  the  art  of  making  business, 
and  he  had  the  basic  honesty  which  always  proved  sufficient 
to   hold   trade   after   it   had   been   won,   his   product   being 


firm  name  of  Daniel  &  James  N.  Ermentrout.     Their  law  exactly  as  represented.     He  was  ^Ihble,  conserva  ive   con^ 

business   increased   rapidly  and  embraced   a   general  prac-  siderate  of  all  his  associates,  and  a  man  of  earnest  Dublir 

tice,   including   important   litigation   and  the   settlement   of  spirit,  and  he  won  the  unfailing  respect  of  all  who  knew 

numerous  valuable  estates.    In  1874  his  brother  was  elected  him,  whether  in  business  or  personal  rela  ioi  s      His  ris^ 

State   Senator  from  this  district,  and  re-elected   for  three  in  the  manufacturing  world  was  due  solely  to  merit   ind  he 

successive  terms  till  1880;  and  then  he  was  chosen  a  mem-  enjoyed   universal   |ood-will.     Hi^ deatirXh   occurred 


firm  was  conducted  almost  entirely  by  the  junior  partner , 
and  this  constant  engagement  in  legal  business  gave  him  a 
large^  and  valuable  experience.  When  the  term  of  the 
additional  law  judge  of  the  county  was  about  to  expire, 
the  members  of  the  Bar  directed  their  attention  toward 
Mr.  Ermentrout,  and  in  April,  1885,  a  letter  was  addressed 


On  Oct  14  1875,  Mr.  Yocum  married  Agnes  G.  Schaffer, 
and  SIX  children  were  born  to  them:  Charles;  John,  who 
married  Alice  N.  Weand ;  Frank,  who  married  Nettie 
Newmark  and  has  a  daughter  Frances  E. ;  Paul;  Ralph- 
and   Sadie.       The  family  reside  at   No.   619   North   Fifth 


to  hmi  subscribed  by  eighty  attorneys,  without  regard  to  street.     Mrs.   Yocum  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Gust-ina 

political   party,    requesting   him   to   permit    the   use   of   his  (Schlaseman)    Schaffer,   the   former  a   native   nf   Pp.ncY 

name  as  a  proper  person  to  fill  this  office.     This  proceed-  vania    where  he  carried  Z\lr?rluJJ  ■?     \^""^yl- 

ing  created_a  strong  public  sentiment   in   his_  behalf,   and  life,  hoy^^ZXT^ZtZ^^^^  '^^^ 


when  the  Democratic  convention  assembled  he  was  nom-    was  twice  married    first  t^  r„cf.,i^7"''c;  i.V"''  "''  't'"'^'  , ''''^ 
inated  by  acclamation,   and   afterward   elected   at  the   en-    he  had 't^o'chiidra'^jVmes'^Tf' B^o't'Tnd'rand' Agne" 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


343 


C,  who  became  Mrs.  Yocum.  His  second  marriage  was 
to  Sarah  Schlaseman,  sister  of  his  first  wife,  and  there 
were  two  children  born  to  this  union  also,  Melinda  and 
Wilson,  both  residents  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Schaffer  was  an 
industrious,  hard-working  man  all  of  his  life,  and  died  in 
1891,  aged  about  seventy  years. 

Mr.  Yocum  was  a  3ad-degree  Mason,  belonging  to  Wil- 
liamson Lodge,  No.  307,  F.  &;  A.  M.,  and  he  was  also  a 
member  of  Camp  No.  237,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  His  religious 
membership  was  in  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  in  political 
faith  he  was  a  Republican. 

WILLIAM  H.  LIVINGOOD,  long  an  eminent  member 
of  the  Bar  in  Berks  county,  where  he  practised  for  a 
period  of  forty  years,  passed  away  Oct.  22,  1906,  in  his 
seventieth  year.  From  1860  until  his  death  he  maintained 
a  high  standing  in  the  legal  fraternity  and  had  a  reputation 
not  only  in  his  own  county  but  also  in  Philadelphia,  where 
he  was  located  for  six  years. 

Mr.  Livingood  was  born  April  5,  1837,  at  Womelsdorf, 
this  county,  son  of  Dr.  John  B.  Livingood,  a  distinguished 
physician  of  that  place,  and  grandson  of  John  Livingood. 
He  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  place,  at- 
tending the  Union  Academy  at  Womelsdorf,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1851.  He  continued  his  literary  studies  at 
the  Phillips  Academy,  Andover,  Mass.,  where  he  completed 
the  course  in  1855,  after  which  he  took  his  special  prepara- 
tion for  his  profession,  at  the  Law  School  of  Harvard 
University.  He  was  accordingly  admitted  to  the  Bar  at 
Lowell,  Mass.,  and  returning  home  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice in  Berks  county  on  Jan.  19,  1860.  With  the  exception 
of  the  six  years  he  spent  in  Philadelphia,  he  was  from  that 
time  until  his  death  engaged  in  general  legal  practice  in 
Reading.  For  the  first  three  years  he  was  in  partnership 
with  his  brother,  and  then  for  about  ten  years  he  had  an 
office  of  his  own  in  Reading,  where  he  built  up  a  practice 
which  was  a  decided  tribute  to  his  ability,  fidelity  and 
intelligent  attention  to  the  interests  of  his  clients.  In  1873 
he  moved  to  Philadelphia,  where  his  expectations  were 
fully  realized,  his  patronage  being  all  that  could  be  de- 
sired. During  his  residence  there,  in  1874,  he  was  admitted 
to  the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  at  Washington,  D.  C, 
the  motion  for  which  action  was  made  by  Hon.  Jeremiah 
S.  Black,  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  1879  Mr.  Livingood,  feeling  that  his  original  field  was 
more  congenial  in  many  ways,  returned  to  Reading,  where 
he  ever  after  remained.  Except  for  a  comparatively  brief 
connection  with  the  Staten  Island  Terra  Cotta  Company, 
which  he  formed  upon  his  return  to  Reading,  he  devoted 
himself  wholly  to  his  profession.  He  was  for  a  few  years 
treasurer  of  the  company,  which  carried  on  the  manufac- 
ture of  fire  brick  at  Staten  Island,  N.  Y.,  but  disposed  of 
his  interest  in  order  to  give  all  his  time  to  legal  work. 
As  a  pleader  Mr.  Livingood  had  no  superior  at  the  Berks 
county  Bar.  His  learning,  his  accuracy,  his  thorough 
comprehension  commanded  the  attention  of  his  fellow 
practitioners  whenever  he  gave  utterance  to  an  opinion, 
and  these,  combined  with  ready  eloquence  and  unrivalled 
ease  of  delivery,  won  him  an  interested  and  sympathetic 
audience  in  the  courtroom,  no  matter  which  side  retained 
him.  He  was  a  man  whose  personal  character  and  habits 
were  above  reproach,  winning  him  the  esteem  and  ad- 
miration of  all  his  associates,  his  co-workers  as  well  as 
his  clients.  His  private  affairs  demanded  all  his  attention, 
and  he  neither  sought  nor  held  public  office,  his  only 
services  of  such  nature  being  given  as  solicitor  for  the 
almshouse,  which  position  he  held  three  years.  He  was, 
however,  both  interested  and  active  in  politics,  as  an  ardent 
member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  was  president 
of  the  Keystone  Club  during  the  McClellan  campaign.  His 
church  connection  was  with  the  Presbyterians,  and  he  held 
membership  in  a  Masonic  lodge  at  Reading,  being  past 
master  of  the  same.  His  death  carried  mourning  into 
many  circles  outside  his  home,  for  he  was  universally 
liked. 

■  On  Aug.  20,  1863,  by  the  Rev.  E.  J.  Richards,  pastor 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Mr.  Livingood  married  Anna 
H.  Jameson,  of  Reading,  and  to  them  were  born  four  sons. 


namely:  (1)  James  J.  is  manager  of  the  Spa  Spring  Clay 
and  Brick  Works,  and  makes  his  home  in  New  York  City. 
He  m.  Miss  Elizabeth  Potter,  of  Woodbridge,  N.  J.,  and 
they  have  one  son,  James  J.  (2)  Albert  J.  m.  Irene 
Rhoads,  and  died  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-seven  years, 
leaving  one  son,  James  S.,  who  is  in  Philadelphia.  (3) 
Paul,  a  druggist,  was  previously  in  business  in  Allen- 
town,  Pa.,  but  is  now  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  with  the 
Owl  Drug  Company.  He  m.  Laura  Smith,  who  died  in 
1905,  the  mother  of  two  children,  John  and  Ruth.  (4) 
William  W.,  M.  D.,  received  his  medical  education  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is  now  located  in  prac- 
tice at  Reading.  He  m.  Stella  Ziegler,  daughter  of  Dr.  P. 
M.  Ziegler,  of  Reading. 

WILLIAM  STRONG,  associate  justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States  from  1870  to  1878,  was  born 
at  Somers,  Conn.,  May  6,  1808.  When  sixteen  years  of  age 
he  entered  Yale  College,  and  was  graduated  in  1828.  He 
subsequently  taught  a  classical  and  mathematical  school, 
occupying  his  leisure  hours  in  the  study  of  the  law,  and 
so  continued  until  February,  183'2,  when  he  entered  the 
Law  Department  of  Yale  College.  In  October,  1832,  he 
was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Con- 
necticut; and  in  November  of  the  same  year  he  opened 
a  law  oifice  at  Reading,  and  ^made  that  place  his  resi- 
dence. In  political  faith  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  as  such 
served  several  terms  as  a  member  of  the  city  councils 
and  as  one  of  the  controllers  of  the  public  schools.  In 
1846  he  was  elected  as  the  representative  to  Congress  from 
the  Berks  county  district  and  re-elected  in  1848.  In 
1850,  he  declined  a  re-election  and  returned  to  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  In  1857,  he  was  elected  a  judge 
of  the  Supreme  Cour.t  of  Pennsylvania  for  the  term  of 
fifteen  years,  but  he  resigned  this  position  Oct.  1,  1868, 
to  resume'  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Philadelphia. 
On  Feb.  18,  1870,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Grant 
an  associate  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States,  which  high  position  he  held  till  1878,  when  he  was 
retired  under  the  Act  of  Congress.  While  a  resident 
of  Reading  he  was  for  many  years  a  director  of  the 
Farmers  Bank.  He  was  counsel  for  the  Philadelphia 
&  Reading  Railway  Company  until  he  was  elevated  to 
the  Supreme  Bench.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a 
Presbyterian,  and  for  many  years  a  ruling  elder.  For 
several  years  he  was  one  of  the  vice  presidents  of  the 
American  Bible  Society  and  also  of  thfe  American  Sunday- 
school  Union;  and  in  1873  he  was  elected  president  of  the 
American  Tract  Society.  He  received  in  1867  the  hon- 
orary degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  from  Lafayette  College, 
at  Easton,  and  in  1870  the  same  honorary  diploma  was 
granted  himi  by  Nassau  Hall,  Princeton,  N.  J.,  and 
also  by  his  Alma  Mater,  Yale  College.  His  remains  were 
brought  to  Reading  and  buried  in  the  Charles  Evans 
Cemetery. 

JAMES  T.  REBER,  President  of  the  Reading  National 
Bank,  and  one  of  the  city's  men  of  capital,  business  and 
social  importance,  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  very  old 
families  of  Berks  county.  Pa.  On  account  of  its  promi- 
nence and  its  numbers  and  wide  distribution,  some  of  its 
members  have  taken  a  justifiable  pride  in  looking  up  its 
early  records.  A  well  known  citizen  of  Reading  and  a 
member  of  this  family,  Morris  B.  Reber,  has  with  careful 
research  compiled  a  volume  which  bears  the  title 
"Genealogy  of  the.  Reber  Family,  descended  from  Johan 
Bernhard  Reber,  1738."  From  this  interesting  work  we 
quote  as  follows : 

"The  idea  of  preparing  a  genealogy  of  the  Reber  family 
was  probably  suggested  by  the  finding  of  the  original 
passport  of  Johannes  Reber  still  preserved,  who  was,  for 
a  long  time,  believed  to  be  the  first  one  of  the  large 
family  of  Rebers  who  emigrated  to  this  country.  This 
passport  shows  that  he  came  from  Langenselbold,  Ger- 
many, which  is  situated  in  Kreiz  Hanau,  Regierungsbezirk 
Cassel,  Konigreich  Prussia.  While  visiting  in  that  part  of 
the  country,  in  1883,  Mr.  James  T.  Reber  found  re- 
corded in  the  old  church  book  of  the  Evangelical  Church 


344 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(Rev.  Frederick  Hufnagle,  Pastor),  the  names  of  four 
brothers,  Johan  Bernhard,  Hans,  Johan  Conrad  and  Mi- 
chael Reber. 

"This  church  boolc  dates  back  to  the  year  1563,  so  that  it 
might  be  possible  to  obtain  the  ancestors  of  these  four 
brothers  since  the  sixteenth  century.  However,  we  have 
been  satisfied  to  make  a  record  only  from  the  earliest 
emigrant  to  this  country. 

"Johan  Bernhard  Reber,  the  first  of  these  brothers,  is 
recorded  in  this  same  book  as  having  one  son,  Johannes, 
mentioned  below.  The  Pennsylvania  archives,  containing 
the  names  of  30,000  early  emigrants,  mention  the  arrival 
of  John  Bernhard  Reber,  from  Rotterdam,  Holland,  on 
the  'Snow  Two  Sisters',  landing  in  Philadelphia  and 
qualifying  Sept.  9,  1738,  by  swearing  allegiance  to  Great 
Britain.  We  can  learn  of  nothing  pertaining  to  his  where- 
abouts or  life  after  his  arrival  in  this  country.  The  pass- 
port, however,  of  the  son  who  came  to  this  country  in  1742 
is  still  intact. 

"Johannes  Reber,  whose  date  of  birth  is  unknown,  son 
of  Johan  Bernhard,  was  married  Feb.  8,  1736,  to  Johanna 
Magdalena  Hahn,  daughter  of  Conrad  Hahn.  They  had 
two  sons  born  in  Germany,  Johannes,  Dec.  16,  1736,  and 
Ludwig  Friedrich  August,  Sept.  11,  1740.  According  to 
his  passport,  he  left  his  native  country  for  America,  April 
23,  1742,  bringing  his  family  with  him,  although  it  is  known 
that  the  second  son,  Ludwig,  died  on  board  the  ship.  Be- 
ing a  member  of  William  Penn's  colony,  his  first  object 
was  to  find  a  desirable  location.  Having  selected  some 
acres  of  land  about  six  miles  west  of  Reading,  in  Lower 
Heidelberg  township,  at  the  big  bend  of  the  Tulpehocken, 
in  a  beautiful  though  desolate  valley  known  afterward  as 
the  'Blue  Marsh',  he  moved  thither  with  his  wife  and 
son,  built  himself  a  home  which  served  the  double  pur- 
pose of  shelter  and  protection  against  the  Indians  and 
wild  animals,  his  only  neighbors.  This  quaint  old  build- 
ing, with  its  large,  square  fire-place  in  the  center  is  still 
standing  on  the  farm  formerly  occupied  by  Mr.  Henry 
Shofer,  of  Reading. 

"We  find  recorded  in  the  Pennsylvania  archives,  that 
John  Reber  was  naturalized  May  13,  1768,  and  also  that  he, 
like  many  others  of  the  early  settlers,  was  concerned  in 
numerous  disputes  regarding  the  rights  of  ownership  of 
their  land.  During  the  time  that  he  resided  in  this  locality, 
he  was  blessed  with  an  increase  to  his  family  of  three 
sons   who   were   nam,ed  Thomas,   Valentine   and   Peter." 

James  T,  Reber  is  a  descendant  of  John  or  Johannes 
Reber  mentioned  above,  who  was  the  eldest  son  of  Johan 
who  emigrated  in  3  742,  and  who  continued  to  live  in 
Pennsylvania  after  his  father's  death.  Johan  Reber  was 
twice  married  and  had  six  children.  Two  of  the  brothers, 
Peter  and  Valentine,  settled  in  the  west  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Lancaster,  Ohio,  where  numbers  of  their  de- 
scendants may  be  found.  The  remaining  brother,  'Thomas 
Reber,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1746,  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Kerschner,  born  Nov.  1,  1747,  died  Dec.  22, 
1823,  and  he  left  ten  children. 

James  T.  Reber,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  April  29,  1834,  at  Sinking  Spring,  Berks  Co., 
Pa.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  after- 
ward engaged  in  the  hardware  business  for  forty  years, 
from  1853  until  1893,  trading  as  Bard,  Reber  &  Company. 

James  T.  Reber  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  W.  Potteiger, 
Oct.  3,  1854.  They  have  had  seven  children  born  to  them, 
of  whom  Benjamin  died  aged  nine  years,  the  survivors 
being:  C.  Alice,  wife  of  Joseph  F.  Templin,  of  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.;  Valeria  E.,  wife  of  Isaac  L.  Deeter,  in  the  Read- 
ing railroad  service  at  Reading ;  Morris  B.,  for  a  time  en- 
gaged in  the  real  estate  business  branch  house,  represent- 
ing a  large  New  York  concern ;  Clara  R. ;  and  James  C,  a 
manufacturer  of  Reading.  The  mother  of  these  children 
died  Jan.   31,   1903,   aged  sixty-seven   years. 

In  addition  to  the  business  interests  already  mentioned, 
Mr.  Reber  has  been  president  of  the  Reading  National 
Bank  since  March  14,  1893,  the  date  of  its  organization. 
As  one  of  the  city's  most  responsible  citizens  he  has  been 
chosen    for    offices    of    responsibility    as    his    leisure    time 


permitted,  serving  for  three  years  in  the  common  council 
and  for  three  years  an  unexpired  term  as  prison  inspector. 
He  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow. 
Mr.  Reber  is  prominent  in  the  Reformed  Church,  in  which 
he  has  been  an  elder  for  many  years,  and  for  six  years 
he  has  been  treasurer  of  the  board  of  Home  Missions. 
For  more  than  twenty  years  he  has  been  a  trustee  of  the 
Bethany  Orphans'  Home;  was  treasurer  of  the  board  of 
publication  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  the  United  States 
for  over  twenty  years ;  and  has  been  a  member  of  the 
board  of  Home  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Church  for 
many  years.  In  1907  he  was  elected  trustee  of  Franklin  & 
Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania. 

GEORGE  FREDERICK  BAER,  President  of  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  Railway  Company  since  1901,  and  the 
leading  attorney  at  Reading  for  the  thirty  years  preceding, 
vvas  born  Sept.  26,  1842,  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.  When 
six  years  old,  his  parents  removed  to  the  county-seat 
from  a  farm  situated  three  miles  distant.  He  received 
his  preliminary  education  at  the  Somerset  Institute.  When 
thirteen  years  old,  he  manifested  an  interest  in  the  print- 
ing business,  and  entering  the  office  of  the  Somerset 
Democrat  worked  at  setting  type  for  upward  of  two 
years.  Appreciating  then  the  importance  of  a  better 
education,  he  resumed  his  studies  in  an  earnest  man- 
ner at  the  Somerset  Academy ;  but  he  continued  there 
only  a  year  when  he  accepted  the  position  of  chief  clerk 
and  bookkeeper  of  the  Ashtola  Mills,  a  large  lumber 
manufacturing  establishment  located  ten  miles  from  Johns- 
to\yn,  a  position  he  filled  for  about  a  year,  when  his  am- 
bition for  a  more  thorough  education  again  asserted 
itself,  and  he  entered  the  Sophomore  class  of  Frank- 
lin and  Marshall  College  at  Lancaster,  Pa.  This  was 
in  the  fall  of  1860,  but  his  course  there  was  terminated 
by  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war.  He  and  his  broth- 
er Harry  then  purchased  the  newspaper  mentioned  and 
they  conducted  the  publication  in  a  successful  manner 
until  the  following  September,  when  Harrv  enlisted  in 
the  Union  army,  becoming  an  officer  of  Company  B, 
54th  Regt.,  P.  V.  I.,  and  he  was  left  in  sole  charge  of 
the  newspaper.  He  worked  assiduously  at  the  case  dur- 
ing the  daytime,  and  edited  the  paper  at  night,  having 
been  frequently  so  pressed  for  time  as  to  be  compelled 
to  compose  the  editorials  and  set  them  up  in  type  while 
standing  before  the  case.  During  this  interes'ting  per- 
iod of  his  life,  he  continued  a  private  course  of  studies 
with  the  expectation  of  returning  to  the  college  which 
he  had  left  so  abruptly,  and  it  was  this  course,  with  the 
earnest  and  persistent  exercise  of  his  concentrative  pow- 
ers before  the  printer's  case,  which  unwittingly  pre- 
pared him  so  thoroughly  for  the  arduous  labors  of  pro- 
fessional and  business  life.  He  edited  and  published 
the  Democrat  until  August,  1862,  when  his  patriotic  spir- 
it also  asserted  itself  for  suppressing  the  Rebellion,  with 
the  enemy  approaching  the  border  of  his  own  county, 
and  he  raised  a  company  of  volunteers  from  Somerset 
and  vicinity,  which  was  mustered  into  the  national  ser- 
vice as  Company  E,  133d  Regt.,  P.  V.  I.,  and  of  this  com- 
pany he  was  commissioned  captain,  though  not  yet  twen- 
ty years  old.  He  served  for  the  period  of  his  enlist- 
ment (nine  months),  and  was  mustered  out  of  service 
with  his  company  on  May  26,  1863.  For  part  of  the 
time,  he  acted  by  detail  as  Adjutant-General  of  the  2d 
Brigade,  m  Humphrey's  Division.  His  regiment  joined 
tlie  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  the  second  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  and  his  company  participated  in  the  battles  of  An- 
tietam,  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  Its  most 
distinguished  service  was  in  forming  the  advance  line 
of  the  army  in  the  famous  charge  on  Fredericksburg 
Heights,    Dec.    13,    1862. 

Upon  returning  home  from  the  armv,  Mr  Baer  select- 
ed the  law  as  his  profession,  and  after  pursuing  a  reo-ular 
course  of  legal  studies  in  the  office  of  his  brothers  Wil- 
liam and  Herman  ("both  attornevs  at  the  Somerset  Bar) 
he  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  April  term,  1864  He 
began  immediately  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and 
under    the    guidance    of    his    brothers    for    the    following 


C  9^3. 


CuZyy^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


345 


four  years  was  made  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  in- 
tricacies of  the  profession  in  all  its  branches,  more  es- 
pecially in  the  department  which  related  to  pleading 
and  the  trial  of  cases.  He  then  removed  >  to  Reading 
for  the  purpose  of  locating  there,  having  visited  the 
place  several  months  before,  and  on  Jan.  23,  1868,  was 
admitted  to  the  Berks  county  Bar.  In  a  few  years  af- 
ter his  location  at  Reading,  his  practice  began  to  in- 
crease rapidly,  and  each  succeeding  year  found  him 
more  successful.  The  trial  of  cases  gradually  became 
the  prominent  part  of  his  practice,  and  within  a  de- 
cade his  services  were  engaged  in  every  important  case 
in  the  local  courts.  This  is  shown  on  the  records  in 
the  prothonotary's  office,  and  in  the  published  reports 
of  cases  taken  to  the  Supreme  court  of  Pennsylvania. 
This  ext-ensive  and  highly  remunerative  practice  before 
the  courts,  local  and  Supreme,  both  State  and  national, 
continued  for  thirty  years,  when  his  important  services 
as  solicitor  to  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Com- 
pany during  this  period  eventually,  resulted  in  his  selec- 
tion as  president  of  the  re-orgaiiized  corporation,  and 
he  has  been  re-elected  annually  for  the  past  eight  years, 
evidencing  the  highly  satisfactory  character  of  his  ser- 
vices in  its  management.  During  the  same  time  (since 
1901)  he  has  officiated  as  president  of  the  Central  Rail- 
road   of    New    Jersey. 

On  account  of  his  prominent  connection  with  the  Phil- 
adelphia &  Reading  Railway  Company,  Mr.  Baer  quite 
naturally  became  an  important  factor  in  the  management 
of  the  Reading  Iron  Company,  the  largest  industrial 
enterprise  at  Reading  next  to  the  shops  of  the  railway 
company,  and  after  having  advised  this  great  corporation 
(whose  costly  establishments  are  situated  in  different 
parts  of  Pennsylvania,  and  give  employment  to  thousands 
of  men)  during  the  same  period  of  time  while  acting  as 
solicitor  of  the  railway  company,  he  became  its  president 
and  directed  its  extensive  business  affairs  in  a  most  suc- 
cessful manner  for  twelve  years.  On  account  of  his 
labors  in  connection  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
and  other  railroads,  he  retired  as  president,  but  he  has 
been  officiating  since  as  the  chairman  of  its  board  of 
directors.  His  management  resulted  in  making  the  cor- 
poration one  of  the  largest  producers  of  wrought-iron 
pipe  of  all  sizes,  bar-iron,  sheet-iron,  etc.,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, with  large  trading  relations  extending  all  over 
the  world.  He  has  also  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  management  of  the  Temple  Iron  Company,  the  Penn- 
sylvania Steel  Company,  and  the  Cambria  Steel  Com- 
pany, for  a  number  of  years  as  a  director,  acting  as 
president  of  the  first  named  since  Jan.l,  1901. 

In  1886,  Mr.  Baer  organized  and  established  the  Read- 
ing Paper  Mills,  and  since  then  has  operated  them  in  a 
most  successful  manner.  The  corporation  comprises  three 
plants  (one  at  the  foot  of  Bingaman  street,  one  at  the 
foot  of  Court  street,  Reading,  and  the  third  opposite 
Reading  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tulpehocken  creek),  all 
■  equipped  with  the  best  machinery  for  the  production 
of  the  finest  book'  and  manilla  papers,  which  are  in  con- 
stant demand.  They  employ  three  hundred  hands  and 
constitute    one    of    Reading's    important    industries. 

Mr.  Baer  co-operated  with  other  public-spirited  men 
of  Reading  in  establishing  the  Penn  National  Bank  in 
1883;  the  Reading  Hospital  in  1884;  the  Reading  Trust 
Company  in  1886 ;  the  Penn  Common  in  1887 ;  the  Wy- 
omissing  Club  in  1890 ;  the  Reading  Free  Library  in 
1898;  the  Berkshire  Club  in  1899;  and  he  has  continued 
to  take  an  active  part  in  the  management  of  all  of 
them  excepting  the  Penn  Bank.  His  services  were  par- 
ticularly important,  in  securing  Penn  Common  as  the 
property  of  Reading  from  the  possession  of  the  (bounty 
of  Berks,  and  he  has  officiated  as  president  of  the  Board 
of  Park  Commissioners  since  its  creation  by  the  City 
Council.  Since  1895,  he  has  served  as  one  of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery. 

In  1900,  Mr.'  Baer  erected  the  first  large  modern  fire- 
proof office-building  in  Reading,  situated  at  the  corner  of 
Court  and  Church  streets,  seven  stories  high,  and  em- 
bracing   eighty    rooms,    adjoining   the    rear    of   his    office 


building  on  Washington  street.  The  first  two  floors 
are  occupied  by  the  business  offices  of  the  Reading  Iron 
Company. 

During  this  long  period  of  time,  the  services  of  Mr. 
Baer  as  a  public  speaker  were  in  constant  demand.  Many 
of  his  more  important  addresses  have  been  published  in 
pamphlet  form.  They  display  the  great  scope  of  his  learn- 
ing, the  forcible  and  precise  character  of  his  rhetoric, 
and  the  boldness  of  his  convictions.  His  diction  is  clear; 
his  manner  of  speaking  straightforward,  always  extem- 
poraneous, void  of  dramatic  flourish,  and  it  commands 
the  close  attention  of  his  audience  from  start  to  finish; 
and  his  logic  leads  to  an  inevitable  conclusion  which  wins 
admiration  if  not  approval.  His  numerous  paper-books 
in  carrying  on  litigation  before  the  higher  courts,  both 
State  and  national,  show  great  care,  thorough  prepara- 
tion, and  complete  knowledge  of  the  respective  cases; 
and  they  evidence  in  a  high  degree  his  superior  literary 
culture  as  well  as  his  comprehensive  legal  attainments. 
Among  the  numerous  addresses  and  lectures  delivered 
by  him,  the  following  may  be  mentioned: 

Land  Tenure — Before  the  Law  Department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  Oct.    25,  1887. 

Relation  of  Tariff  to  Wages — Before  Single  Tax  So- 
ciety of   Reading,  Jan.   19,   1891. 

Address  of  Welcome — Formation  of  Pennsylvania  Ger- 
man Society  at  Lancaster  (of  which  he  was  elected  the 
first  president),  April   15,  1891. 

Influence  of  Reformed  Church  on  Civil  Government 
— At  dedication  of  new  Theological  Seminary  of  Frank- 
lin and  Marshall  College  at  Lancaster,   May  10,  1894. 

Germans  in  Pennsylvania — Before  Teachers'  Insti- 
tute of  Berks  county  at  Reading  on  Sept.  26,  1895. 

Bechstein  Germanic  Library — At  opening  of  it  for 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  March  21,  1896  (being  first 
of   four   addresses   on   that   occasion). 

Appeal  to  Democrats — Issued  in  summer  of  1896,  which 
resulted  in  organization  of  the  "Gold  Democrats"  and 
aided  materially  in  the  defeat  of  the  "Silver  Democrats" 
who  controlled  the  National  Convention  and  nominated 
Bryan   for  President  of  the  United   States. 

Oration — Unveiling  of  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Monu- 
ment at  AUentown  Oct.  19,  1899. 

Work  is  Worship^— Before  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  of  Read- 
ing, on  Jan.  1,  1900,  and  amplified  and  delivered  before 
Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  on  Jan.  16,  1902  (Mr. 
Baer  having  been  then,  and  -is  still,  president  of  the 
Board   of   Trustees). 

Address — Laying  of  corner-stone  for  new  Science  build- 
ing of   Franklin  and   Marshall  College,  June  13,  1900. 

Pennsylvania  Theories  of  Government — Before  Penn- 
sylvania Society  of  New  York  Dec.  12,  1902. 

Argument  before  the  Anthracite  Coal  Strike  Commis- 
sion— made      at   Philadelphia  April   8,   1904. 

Mining  of  Coal — Last  lecture  of  a  popular  course  of 
eighteen  lectures  delivered  at  different  places  in  Schuyl- 
kill county,  at  Pottsville,  April  8,   1905. 

Dedication  of  Boys''  High  School — Reading,  Thanks- 
giving Day,  1906. 

Railroad  Legislation — Open  letter  to  Pennsylvania 
Legislature,  issued  Feb.  7,  1907. 

Mr.  Baer  has  been  prominently  identified  with  Franklin 
and  Marshall  College  since  1872,  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees,  officiating  as  president  of  the  board 
since  1894.  During  this  time  he  has  labored  efficiently 
for  the  advancement  of  the  institution  and  contributed 
liberally  toward  its  financial  support.  In  1886,  the  Col- 
lege conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws, 
and  the  Alumni  Association,  at  its  annual  meeting  in 
1895,   elected  him   as   its  vice-president. 

Mr.  Baer  was  brought  up  as  a  firm  believer  in  the  ster- 
ling principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  has  shown 
himself  to  be  their  fearless  advocate.  Upon  locating  at 
Reading,  he  interested  himself  in  local  politics,  and  gave 
narty  welfare  much  of  his  time;  but  he  was  never  am- 
bitious to  fil'  ?ny  public  office  because  he  was  too  busily 
engaged  with  nis  large  legal  practice  and  business  enter- 
prises.    He  has  at  all  times  been  a  generous  contributor 


346 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


toward  the  campaign  expenses,  and  he  has  exerted  a 
powerful  influence  in  national  politics,  as  well  as  in 
the   county  and   State. 

Immediately  after  coming  to  Reading  Mr.  Baer  and 
his  wife  identified  themselves  with  the  Second  Reform- 
ed Church,  and  they  and  their  children  have  been  de- 
voted members.  When  the  church  was  rebuilt  they  were 
generous  contributors.  On  all  special  occasions,  the  au- 
ditorium is  profusely  decorated  with  costly  flowers  from 
their  conservatory,  which  elicit  m'uch  praise  and  admira- 
tion. 

In  1866,  Mr.  Baer  was  married  to  Emily  Kimmel,  daugh- 
ter of  John  O.  Kimmel,  attorney  at  Somerset,  and  Mary 
Parker,  his  wife.  To  this  union  have  come  five  children : 
Marion  married  William  N.  Appel,  an  attorney  at  Lan- 
caster; Helen  married  William  Griscom  Coxe,  of  Wil- 
mington, Del. ;  Mary  married  Isaac  Hiester,  an  attorney 
at  Reading;  Emily  married  Frank  L.  Connard,  at  Reading 
(he  dying  Jan.  21,  1908)  ;  Nellie  married  Heber  L.  Smith, 
of   Philadelphia. 

Mrs.  Baer  has  taken  a  very  active  part  in  local  chari- 
ties, more  especially  in  the  successful  management  of  the 
Widows'  Home,  from  its  foundation  in  1876.  She  has 
also  taken  much  interest  in  the  Woman's  Club,  the  Book 
Club,  and  the  Needle-Work  Guild,  serving  each  society 
as  president.  In  social  affairs  she  has  been  the  acknowl- 
edged leader  for  many  years.  Her  receptions  in  their 
costly  and  beautiful  home  "Hawthorne,"  on  Mineral 
Spring  road,  have  been  superb;  and  it  was  there,  during 
the  popular  demonstrations  in  the  historical  celebration 
of  the  "Sesqui-Centennial  of  Reading,"  June,  1898,  that 
she  and  her  husband  "displayed  a  remarkable  spirit  of  lib- 
erality in  welcoming  and  entertaining  distinguished  visi- 
tors, and  affording  them  unusual  opportunities  of  seeing 
and  knowing  the  social,  industrial  and  municipal  affairs 
of  Reading,  and  of  realizing  its  growth,  wealth  and  im- 
portance as  a  promising  centre  of  population."  When  Mr. 
Baer  became  president  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Railway  Company  in  1901,  he  secured  a  home  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  he  and  his  family  have  occupied  it  since, 
during  the  winter  and  spring  of  each  year.  Their  home 
is  embellished  with  a  rare  collection  of  books  and  paint- 
ings. 

Mr.  Baer's  father  was  Major  Solomon  Baer.  He  was 
born  in  1794,  in  Northampton  (now  Lehigh)  county,  near 
Unionville,  and  when  six  years  old  he  accompanied  his 
parents  in  their  removal  to  a  farm  in  Maryland,  near 
Cumberland.  They  remained  there  sixteen  years,  then 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  about  twenty- 
five  miles  farther  west.  He  died  in  1882,  aged  eighty- 
eight  years,  having  lived  at  Somerset  from  1848. 

His  grandfather  was  John  Jacob  Baer,  of  Northamp- 
ton county,  where  he  was  born  on  the  homestead  in  1761. 
He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  followed  farming 
there  until  1800,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Maryland,  and  there  carried  on  farming  until  his  decease 
in  1823. 

His  great-grandfather  was  Christophel  Baer,  who  emi- 
grated from  Zweibruecken  in  1743.  Upon  his  arrival 
in  Philadelphia,  September  30th,  he  immediately  proceeded 
to  Northampton  county,  where  he  had  purchased  several 
tracts  of  land.  The  original  patent  issued  to  him  de- 
scribes one  of  the  tracts  as  "Bruin's  Choice,"  a  free  trans- 
lation of  the  name  of  his  ancestral  home. 

ISAAC  ECKERT,  until  lately  president  of  the  Farmers 
National  Bank  of  Reading,  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  that  place,  a  man  of  distinctive  prominence  in  its  com- 
mercial life,  in  which  he  maintains  a  name  which  has 
long  been  a  synonym  for  worth  and  integrity,  as  well 
as  marked  business  ability,  in  this  part  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  Eckert  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  Berks  county, 
having  been  located  here  for  almost  two  centuries.  As 
the  name  implies,  the  Eckerts  are  of  German  origin. 

Valentine  Eckert,  born  in  Langensalza,  Hanover,  Ger- 
many, in  1733,  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1740, 
the  family  settling  in  the  Tulpehocken  Valley,  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  Berks  county.     He  became  quite  a  prominent 


man  in  his  day,  becoming  a  citizen  of  this  country  after 
twenty-one  years'  residence  here.  He  took  a  leading  part 
in  the  Revolution  and  the  events  leading  up  to  and  follow- 
ing that  struggle.  In  June,  1776,  he  was  one  of  ten  who 
represented  Berks  county  in  the  Provincial  Conference, 
and  the  next  month  was  one  of  a  delegation  of  eight 
members  from  Berks  county  to  the  Provincial  convention 
convoked  for  the  purpose  of  framing  a  new  form  of 
government,  founded  on  the  authority  of  the  people,  to 
succeed  the  old  proprietary  form.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Provincial  Assembly  in  both  1776  and  1777.  During 
the  war  he  commanded  a  cavalry  company,  was  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Germantown,  became  sub-lieutenant  of 
the  county  in  1777,  and  served  as  such  until  he  became 
lieutenant  of  the  county,  in  the  year  1781.  In  1784  he  was 
appointed  a  judge  of  the  court  of  Common  Pleas,  holding 
that  office  for  seven  years,  until  by  the  Constitution  of 
1790  a  president  judge  took  the  places  of  the  various 
judges.  In  1816,  though  then  very  advanced  in  age,  he 
removed  to  the  State  of  Virginia,  where  he  died,  at  Win- 
chester, in  December,  1831,  in  his  eighty-eighth  year. 

Peter  Eckert,  son  of  Valentine,  passed  all  his  life  in 
Berks  county,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  merchandising 
near  Womelsdorf,  the  family  home. 

Isaac  Eckert,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  in  January,  1800, 
in  Womelsdorf,  and  there  received  his  early  education  in 
the  public  schools,  later  attending  the  grammar  schools  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  Before  reaching  his 
majority  he  became  associated  in  business  with  his  older 
brother,  William,  the  sons  succeeding  their  father  in  the 
grocery  business,  which  they  continued  at  Womelsdorf 
until  1828,  in  which  year  they  moved  their  establishment 
to  Reading.  There  they  continued  it  until  the  year  1836, 
when  Isaac  Eckert  withdrew  from  the  firm  to  enter  the 
iron  manufacturing  business  in  partnership  with  his  young- 
er brother.  Dr.  George  N.  Eckert.  In  1842-44  they  erected 
the  Henry  Clay  Furnace,  at  that  time  one  of  the  largest 
anthracite  furnaces  in  the  country,  and  in  the  year  1855 
a  second  stack  was  completed.  After  Dr.  Eckert  died, 
on  June  28,  1865,  Isaac  Eckert  became  sole  proprietor  of 
these  works  until  his  retirement,  in  1873,  when  he  passed 
them  over  to  his  sons,  Henry  S.  and  George  B.  This  was 
not  his  only  connection  in  the  iron  manufacturing  line, 
for  in  1852  he  became  president  of  the  Leesport  Iron 
Company,  of  which  he  remained  the  executive  head  until 
his  death,  thus  controlling  and  managing  extensive  iron 
interests,  in  which  he  was  one  of  the  largest  stockholders. 
Naturally  his  influence  extended  to  other  business  enter- 
prises, and  he  became  especially  well  known  as  president 
of  the  Farmers  Bank,  an  institution  .founded  in  1814,  of 
which  he  was  chosen  president  in  1838.  He  served  as  such 
for  the  unusually  long  period  of  thirty-five  years,  and 
upon  his  death,  which  occurred  Dec.  13,  1873,  was  suc- 
ceeded therein  by  his  son  Henry  S.  Eckert. 

Mr.  Eckert  was  just  as  active  in  matters  affecting  the 
general  welfare  as  he  was  in  commercial  circles.  He 
served  many  years  as  president  of  the  Berks  County 
Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Society,  of  which  he  was 
one  of  the  founders,  and  was  interested  deeply  in  other 
enterprises  calculated  to  advance  the  best  industries  of 
this  section.  Originally  a  Whig  in  politics,  he  became  a 
Republican  upon  the  organization  of  the  party,  and  in 
ISSO  was  a  delegate  to  the  Republican  National  Convention, 
held  at  Chicago,  which  placed  Abraham  Lincoln  at  the 
head  of  the  ticket;  in  1864  he  was  a  Presidential  elector 
from  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Throughout  the  war 
he  did  his  utmost  to  aid  the  Union  cause, 'both  bv  liberal 
contributions  and  by  his  influence  in  directing  public  senti- 
ment in  his  city. 

Isaac  Eckert  married  Judith  Hahn,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Hahn,  of  Montgomery  countv,  and  he  was  survived  bv 
his  widow  and  three  children,  Henry  S.,  George  B  and 
Rebecca,  the  last  named  the  wife  of  P.  R.  Stetson,  of  New 
York  City.  As  a  memorial,  after  Mr.  Eckert's  death 
this  family  presented  a  full  chime  of  ten  bells  to  Christ 
Episcopal  Church  of  Reading,  of  which  Mr,  Eckert  had 
been  a  member. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


347 


Henry  S.  Eckert,  son  of  Isaac,  was  born  in  Reading, 
where  he  received  his  preparatory  education  in  the  public 
schools.  He  then  became  a  student  at  Franklin  and 
Marshall  College,  from  which  he  graduated,  after  which 
he  entered  business  life.  Becoming  associated  with  his 
father  in  the  iron  business,  he  soon  qualified  so  thor- 
oughly for  its  demands  that  he  was  able  to  take  the 
management  of  the  works  himself,  and  on  July  1,  1873,  the 
,year  of  their  father's  death,  but  shortly  before  that  event, 
he  and  his  brother  George  B.  formed  a  partnership  to 
engage  in  the  iron  business,  under  the  £rm  name  of 
Eckert  &  Brother.  Before  long  the  Henry  Clay  Furnace 
became  their  property,  but  with  all  their  new  responsibili- 
ties they  passed  successfully  through  the  financial  panic 
of  1873.  They  not  only  carried  on  the  manufacturing 
business,  but  also  owned  the  iron  mines  which  supplied 
their  works  with  the  necessary  ore,  employing  altogether, 
in  the  mines  and  works,  over  two  hundred  and  fifty  men. 

Besides  his  important  connection  with  the  firm  of 
Eckert  &  Brother  Mr.  Eckert's  iron  interests  led  him 
into  other  associations  of  even  greater  prominence,  and 
he  served  as  president  of  the  Eastern  Pig  Iron  Association, 
as  president  of  the  Topton  Furnace  Company  of  Topton, 
and  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  Bolt  &  Nut  Works  of 
Lebanon.  As  to  local  enterprises,  it  has  already  been 
stated  that  he  succeeded  his  father  in  the  presidency  of 
the  Farmers  Bank  in  1873,  and  he  continued  to  hold  that 
position  until  his  own  death,  in  1893,  when  his  son  Isaac 
succeeded  to  the  incumbency.  He  was  also  a  trustee  of 
the  Union  Trust  Company  and  of  the  Penn  'Mutual  Life 
Insurance  ,  Company,  the  latter  a  Philadelphia  institution. 
He  was  one  of  the  promoters  of  the  Penn  Street  Passenger 
Railway,  which  was  put  into  operation  in  1874,  and  which 
played  so  important  a  part  in  the  improvement  of  East 
Reading.  He  was  one  of  the  projectors  of  the  Berks 
County  railroad,  from  Reading  to  Slatington,  becoming 
a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  upon  the  organization 
of  the  company,  and  he  also  served  as  a  director  of  the 
Wilmington  &  Northern  Railroad  Company.  He  was  a 
director  of  the  Reading  Hospital  and  of  the  Charles  Evans 
cemetery.  For  over  twenty  years  he  gave  his  services 
as  president  of  the  school  board  of  control,  and  in 
recognition  of  his  valuable  work  the  Eckert  school,  erected 
in  1873,  was  named  in  his  honor. 

As  a  large  manufacturer  Mr.  Eckert  was  naturally  in- 
clined to  a  belief  in  the  principles  of  protection,  and  ac- 
cordingly upheld  the  tenets  of  the  Republican  party,  in 
whose  workings  he  took  an'  active  and  efficient  part.  In 
1866  he  was  the  Republican  nominee  for  Congressman 
from  his  district,  running  against  J.  Lawrence  Getz,  but 
although  supported  handsomely  by  his  .home  city,  which 
gave  him  a  majority,  he  could  not  overcome  the  normal 
Democratic  vote  in  the  district. 

In  1857  Mr.  Eckert  married  Carrie  Hunter,  daughter 
of  Nicholas  Hunter,  an  ironjnaster  of  Reading,  and  four 
children  were  born  to  them,  viz.:  Isaac,  Helen  (Mrs. 
Herman  Meigs),  Hunter  and  Kate  M.  (Mrs.  Reeves). 
The  mother  passed  .away  March  28,  1880.  Mr.  Eckert 
was  a  member  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  he 
served  as  vestryman  for  a  number  of  years  before  his 
death,  and  he  was  a  zealous  worker  in  all  its  enterprises. 

Isaac  Eckert,  at  present  one  of  the  most  notable  figures 
in  the  business  life  of  the  city  of  Reading,  was  born  there 
May  27,  1859.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  city  and  at  Lafayette  College,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  1879,  after  which  he  im- 
mediately turned  his  energies  to  the  line  of  business  which 
his  ancestors  have  followed  for  generations.  The  business 
was  sold  to  the  Empire  Iron  &  Steel  Company.  Mr. 
Eckert  served  from  1893  until  1908,  when  he  resigned 
owing  to  ill  health,  as  president  of  the  Farmers  Bank, 
now  the  Farmers  National  Bank,  which  was  presided 
over  by  a  .miember  of  this  family  for  almost  seventy 
years,  •  Isaac  Eckert  being  of  the  third  generation  of  the 
family  to  occupy  that  office.  The  circumstance  is  remark- 
able, not  only  for  the  unusual  length  of  time  the  posi- 
tion was  held  in  the  family  but  as  indicative  of  contin- 


ued moral  and  mental  strength.  Mr.  Eckert  was 
also  president  of  the  Deppen  Brewing  Company, 
an  imiportant  business  concern  of  the  city,  but 
this,  too.  he  resigned  on  account  of  failing  health; 
he  occupies-  a  high  position  among  the  most  substantial 
citizens  of  the  present  day.  However,  he  is  not  active 
in  either  politics  or  outside  matters  to  the  extent  his 
father  and  grandfather  were,  though  he  is  a  man  of  high 
public  spirit  and  ready  to  lend  his  influence  or  financial 
aid  to  worthy  projects  which  have  the  advancement  of 
the  city  or  the  general  welfare  as  their  object.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  political  sentiment,  and  interested  in  local 
government,  particularly  municipal  affairs. 

In  1879  Mr.  Eckert,  married  Eliza  Kaufman,  daughter 
of  William  M.  Kaufman,  and  they  have  had  two  children, 
William  K.  and  Carrie. 

William  K.  Eckert,  of  Reading,  is  interested  in 
numerous  enterprises  in  the  city.  He  is  a  native  of  Read- 
ing, born  in  1879,  son  of  Isaac  and  Eliza  (Kaufman) 
Eckert.  In  his  youth  he  attended  the  local  grammar  and 
high  schools,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  1898,  when 
he  went  to  Cornell  University.  There  he  spent  two  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  Reading  and  read 
law  with  Isaac  Hiester.  On  Dec.  12,  1901,  he  took  the 
position  of  secretary-treasurer  and  general  manager  of 
the  Deppen  Brewing  Company,  which  position  he  resigned 
in  1908,  to  enter  the  banking  business,  which  is  his  present 
occupation.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Farmers  National 
Bank  and  of  the  Colonial  Trust  Company,  two  of  the 
strongest  financial  institutions  of  the  city,  and  in  1906  was 
chosen  second  vice-president  of  the  former  institution,  with 
which  his  family  have  been  so  long  associated.  He.  is  one 
of  the  most  successful  young  business  men  of  his  native 
city,  where  he  has  a  host  of  friends. 

Mr.  Eckert  married,  Dec.  12,  1905,  in  Reading,  Miss 
Mary  L.  Barbey,  whose  family  is  mentioned  else- 
where, the  Barbeys  being  among  the  old  and  prominent 
families  of  the  city.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eckert  reside  at  No. 
812  North  Fifth  street,  Reading,  and  are  well  known  and 
much  esteemed  in  that  locality.  They  are  members  of 
the  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  A.  GOOD,  first  County  Superintendent  of 
Public  Schools  of  Berks  county,  from  1854  to  1860,  was 
born  in  Philadelphia  in  1810.  He  was  educated  in  the 
Reading  Academy,  studied  theology  in  the  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  Reformed  Church  at  York,  Pa.,  and  was 
regularly  ordained  and  licensed  to  preach  in  1833.  Soon 
afterward  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Reformed  Church 
at  Hagerstown,  Md.,  where  he  officiated  as  pastor  for  sev- 
eral years.  From  that  congregation  he  went  to  Mercers- 
burg,  Pa.,  to  serve  as  rector  of  the  Preparatory  Depart- 
ment of  Marshall  College.  After  remaining  there  six 
years,  he  returned  to  Hagerstown  and  served  as  principal 
of  the  Hagerstown  Academy  for  five  years.  He  was  then 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Reformed  Church  at  York, 
Pa.,  in  which  field  he  labored  earnestly  for  six  years. 

He  next  removed  to  Reading  and  assumed  charge  of  a 
select  school  for  young  ladies.  At  the  expiration  of  the 
fifth  year  he  became  principal  of  the  Reading  Institute 
and  Normal  School,  and  remained  there  three  years.  In 
the  meantime  he  was  elected  superintendent  of  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Berks  county,  being  the  first  to  fill  that 
office.  Most  of  the  people  of  the  county  were  members 
of  the  Reformed  and  Lutheran  Churches,  and  averse  to 
the  new  order  of  things.  It  was  feared  that  in  the  rural 
districts  the  superintendent  would  encounter  much  oppo- 
sition, but  he  understood  the  peculiarities  of  the  people, 
and  instead  of  raising  a  storm  of  opposition  won  their 
confidence  and  support,  and  he  was  re-elected  for  a  second 
term.  While  thus  engaged  in  the  school  affairs  of  the 
county,  he  also  officiated  as  pastor  of  the  Bernville,  North 
Heidelberg  and  Princeton  congregations,  serving  these 
churches  altogether  for  eight  years.  He  was  one  of  the 
most  zealous  Sunday  school  workers  in  Berks  county, 
and  while  superintendent  of  the  common  schools,  en- 
deavored, in  his  private  intercourse  with  the  people,  to 
interest  them  in  the  cause  of  Sunday  schools,  in  this  man- 


348 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ner  coming  to  be  instrumental  in  founding  many  of  the 
Sunday  schools  of  the  county.  He  was  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  St.  John's  Reformed  Mission  Sunday  school,  and 
this  he  conducted  with  the  aid  of  his  wife  for  nearly  six 
years,  and  it  eventually  became  a  self-supporting  and 
flourishing  congregation. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Good  married  in  1840,  Susan  B.  Eckert, 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Susan  Eckert,  of  Womelsdorf, 
Berks  county.  He  died  in  1873.  He  had  two  sons,  Wil- 
liam Eckert  and  James  Isaac. 

WARREN  J.  WOODWARD,  second  President  Judge 
of  Berks  county,  from  1861  to  1874,  under  the  amended 
Constitution  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  Sept.  24,  1819,  at 
Bethany,  Wayne  Co.,  Pa.  His  father,  John  K.  Woodward, 
was  a  civil  engineer  and  journalist,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  decease,  in  1835,  was  prothonotary  of  Wayne  county. 
His  grandfather  was  an  associate  judge  of  that  county 
for  fifteen  years,  and   sheriff  in  1807. 

After  acquiring  an  academic  education  at  Wilkes  Barre, 
Warren  J.  Woodward  taught  school  for  several  terms  in 
his  native  county.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he 
directed  his  attention  to  newspaper  publications,  and  con- 
tinued his  connection  with  them  till  1840.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Wilkes  Barre,  and  selecting  the  law  as  his 
profession,  entered  the  office  of  his  uncle,  George  W. 
Woodward,  a  practising  attorney  at  the  Luzerne  county 
Bar,  for  the  purpose  of  pursuing  the  necessary  course  of 
study.  Whilst  in  this  office  his  uncle  was  elected  to  the 
Bench  as  president  judge  of  the  4th  Judicial  District  of 
Pennsylvania.  His  preparation  was  completed  under  the 
preceptorship  of  Hon.  Edmund  L.  Dana,  and  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar  Aug.  1,  ]842.  He  continued  in  active 
and  successful  practice  for  fourteen  years.  In  April,  1836, 
the  Legislature  erected  a  new  judicial  district  out  of  Co- 
lumbia, Sullivan  and  Wyoming  counties — the  26th  in  the 
State — and  the  Governor  appointed  him  to  the  position  of 
president  judge;  and  in  October  following  he  was  elected 
for  the  terra  of  ten  years.  His  reputation  spread  rapidly 
into  adjoining  districts.  Half  of  his  term  had  not  ex- 
pired, yet  some  of  the  old  districts  offered  him  the  nomina- 
tion for  the  president  judgeship  on  the  Democratic  ticket. 
This  was  a  flattering  recognition  of  his  judicial  character 
and  ability ;  but  he  declined  the  honor.  In  1861,  the  term 
of  the  president  judge  in  Berks  county  was  about  to  ex- 
pire, and  the  major  part  of  the  attorneys  gave  him  a 
pressing  invitation  to  become  his  successor.  The  Demo- 
cratic convention  held  at  Reading,  Aug.  31,  1861,  gave  him 
the  nomination  by  acclamation,  and  this  he  accepted.  In 
his  letter  of  acceptance,  besides  expressing  his  gratitude 
for  the  high  honor  conferred  upon  him,  and  his  opinion 
about  the  impropriety  of  law  judges  participating  in 
political  struggles,  he  informed  the  committee  that  in  the 
matter  of  the  Civil  War  then  raging  he  was  most  positive- 
ly for  the  preservation  of  the  Union  of  all  the  States,  and 
for  the  enforcement  of  the  Constitution.  His  sentiments 
were  highly  approved,  and  in  October  following  he  was 
elected  by  a  large  majority  over  a  local  candidate  for  the 
same  position. 

Judge  Woodward  moved  to  Reading  and  took  his  seat 
upon  the  Bench  in  December,  1861.  His  judicial  and  social 
deportment  at  once  inspired  the  citizens  with  unqualified 
confidence.  The  Civil  War  caused  much  commotion  in 
the  county.  The  Democrats  were  displeased  with  the  ex- 
treme course  of  the  Republican  administration  in  national 
affairs,  but  he,  notwithstanding  his  election  by  them,  ad- 
vised co-operation  and  the  enforcement  of  law  to  restore 
peace.  His  earnest  public  actions  in  behalf  of  the  war, 
in  conjunction  with  prominent  and  influential  professional 
and  business  men,  contributed  a  powerful  influence  toward 
the  creation  of  a  proper  spirit  in  that  alarming  period. 
His  patriotic  conduct  as  a  man  of  Democratic  principles 
and   association   is  -worthy   of   special   mention. 

During  his  term  he  was  unusually  devoted  to  his  office, 
and  his  administration  of  its  responsible  duties  gave  en- 
tire satisfaction ;  and  he  became  thoroughly  identified  with 
the  interests  and  welfare  of  the  county.  His  re-election 
was   therefore  assured.     Shortly  before  the   expiration   of 


his  term,  the  Legislature  had  established  a  District  Court 
for  Luzerne  county,  and  the  Bar  of  that  county  unani- 
mously invited  him  to  accept  the  office  of  president  judge 
of  the  new  court.  When  the  movement  became  known  to 
the  attorneys  of  Berks  county  they  held  a  special  meeting 
and  passed  resolutions  expressing  the  highest  regard  and 
affection  for  him,  and  inviting  him  to  remain  with  them. 
The  thorough  appreciation  of  his  course  upon  the  Bench 
by  the  entire  community,  and  the  earnest  expressions  of 
good  will  by  all  the  attorneys  who  practised  under  him, 
induced  him  to  remain  in  the  county.  He  was  nominated 
by  acclamation  at  the  Democratic  convention  in  June, 
1871,  and  re-elected  for  a  second  term  of  ten  years  by  a 
large  majority. 

The  new  Constitution  of  the  State  increased  the  number 
of  the  justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  from  five  to  seven 
members,  and  the  two  new  members  were  to  be  elected  in 

1874,  one  by  the  Democratic  party  and  the  other  by  the 
Republican.  The  superiority  of  Judge  Woodward's  judicial 
qualifications  and  experience  brought  him  prominently  be- 
fore the  Democrats  of  the  State  as  a  worthy  candidate 
for  this  important  position,  and  he  received  the  nomination 
of  their  State  Convention.  This  honor  was  given  to  him 
without  solicitation  of  any  kind  on  his  part.  The  office 
truly  sought  the  man.  Upon  his  nomination  he  received 
numerous  congratulatory  letters,  and  the  people  of  Berks 
county  rejoiced  at  this  honor,  though  by  it  they  would 
suffer  the  loss  of  his  valuable  services. 

Shortly  after  the  election,  the  Hon.  Edward  M.  Paxson, 
the  Republican  candidate,  elevated  at  the  same  time  to  the 
Supreme  Bench,  visited  Judge  Woodward  at  Reading. 
While  here  they  cast  lots  for  precedence  in  the  order  of 
succession  to  the  position  of  chief  justice,  and  Judge 
Paxson   won   it.     Judge   Woodward   took  his   seat  Jan.   1, 

1875,  and  filled  the  office  with  honor  and  distinction  till 
his  decease,  Sept.  23,  1879.  He  was  particularly  regarded 
for  devotion,  ability  and  conscientiousness  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties.  Plis  remains  were  buried  at  Wilkes 
Barre. 

Judge  Woodward  was  elected  president  of  the  Reading 
Benevolent  Society  at  Reading  in  1871,  and  he  filled  this 
office  until  his  decease.  He  took  a  deep  interest  in  the 
benevolent  affairs  of  the  community,  and  gave  generously 
toward  the  relief  of  poor  people.  In  1875  he  received  the 
honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  from  Franklin  and 
Marshall  College.  While  upon  the  Bench  in  Berks  county, 
he  adjudicated  many  cases  and  his  opinions  were  not 
questioned  by  writ  of  error  or  appeal.  These  cases  were 
compiled  by  G.  A.  Endlich,  Esq.,  an  attorney  of  the  Berks 
county  Bar,  and  published  in  two  volumes  in  1885.  They 
are   known   as   "Woodward's    Decisions." 

Judge  Woodward  married  Katharine  Scott,  daughter 
of  Hon.  David  Scott,  of  Wilkes  Barre,  and  bv  her  had 
three  children:  Henry  and  Warren  were  both  admitted  to 
the  Bar,  but  are  now  deceased,  and  Katharine  Scott  m. 
Frank  Perley  Howe,  son  of  Rev.  M.  A.  DeWolfe  Howe 
D.  D.,  deceased,  and  resides  at  Philadelphia. 

.i-.^^^^^T..^-  KRAEMER.  son  of  Louis  and  Catherine 
(PteiU  Kraemer,  was  born  at  Greeneville,  a  suburban 
town  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  July  30,  1854,  and  was  edu- 
cated m  the  schools  of  that  place,  at  Trenton  N  J 
and  at  Myerstown,  Pa.  Upon  arriving  of  age  in  ■  1875 
his  father  gave  him  an  interest  in  Stony  Creek  Mills 
which  the  father  had  established  in  Berks  county,  three 
miles  east  of  Reading,  in  1865,  and  was  operating  suc- 
cessfully at  that  time.  There  the  son  began  his  active 
career  in  connection  with  this  prominent  manufacturing 
plant,  and  has  continued  with  it  until  now. 
■  ^",ji^^.^  Mr  Kraemer  assisted  in  organizing  the  Read- 
ing National  Bank,  and  became  one  of  its  first  directors 
serving  as  such  up  to  the  present  time.  In  1900  he  co- 
operated with  capitalists  in  establishing  the  third  trust 
company  at  Reading,  and  upon  its  organization  under 
the  name  of  the  Colonial  Trust  Company  he  was  elected 
president,  and  this  responsible  position  he  is  still  fill- 
ing. After  an  existence  of  but  a  few  years,  the  com- 
pany erected  a  nine-story  office  building  on  Penn  Square 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


349 


toward  securing  a  convenient  and  prominent  place  for  its 
business,  and  the  building  is  not  only  the  finest  and  lar- 
gest of  its  kind  at  Reading,  but  also  one  of  the  finest 
in  Pennsylvania,  truly  a  monument  to  the  enterprise  and 
management  of  this  financial  institution  and  proving  a 
most  substantial  investment. 

Mr.  Kraemer  married,  in  1877,  Ella  Hall,  of  Hunting- 
don, Pa.  They  are  active  members  of  St.  Paul's  Memor- 
ial Reformed  Church  at  Reading,  and  since  their  mar- 
riage have  resided  at  Stony  Creek.  He  has  been  serv- 
ing as  an  elder  of  the  congregation  since  January,  1906, 
filling  a  position  which  his  father  had  filled  for  many 
years. 

Louis  Kraemer,  the  father,  was  born  at  Berleberg,  in 
the  province  of  Westphalia,  Germany,  on  Jan.  2,  1828, 
and  was  brought  up  and  educated  in  that  place. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  dyeing  at  Barmen  on  the  Rhine 
river,  a  prominent  textile  manufacturing  town.  Upon 
completing  a  thorough  apprenticeship,  he  emigrated  to 
Pennsylvania  in  1848,  while  still  under  age,  and  located 
at  Manayunk,  where  he  secured  the  position  of  dyer  in 
the  manufacturing  plant  of  Joseph  Ripka.  He  remained 
at  this  place  three  years,  and  then  went  to  Norwich,  Conn., 
to  assume  charge  of  two  large  dyeing  establishments,  one 
at  that  city  and  the  other  at  Greeneville,  an  adjoining  town. 
After  continuing  there  nearly  fifteen  years,  he  vis- 
ited Reading,  Pa.,  and  becoming  favorably  impresseidl 
with  this  growing  city  as  a  promising  center,  he  selected 
a  site  for  a  mill  on  the  Antietam  Creek,  at  a  point  three 
miles  east  from  Reading.  In  1864  they  commenced  mak- 
ing woolen  goods  under  the  name  of  Kraemer,  Schaefer 
&  Co.  In  1879  the  company  was  re-organized  under  the 
name  of  Louis  Kraemer  &  Co.,  and  the  works  have  been 
operated  under  this  name  ever  since.  This  industry 
has  been  very  successful  for  over  forty  years,  the  goods 
manufactured  obtaining  a  high  reputation,  and  being  ship- 
ped to  all  parts  of  the  United  States.  Quite  naturally 
a  thriving  settlement  was  formed  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
plant  by  its  employes,  and  this  came  to  be  known  as 
Stony  Creek,  comprising  nearly  fifty  dwellings,  and  a 
population  exceeding  200.  The  leading  spirit  in  the  com- 
munity was  the  founder  of  the  plant  which  supports 
the  people,  all  of  whom  respected  him  highly  for  his 
simple  but  noble  nature  and  true  Christian  character 
His  love  of  people  under  and  about  him  and  the  reciprocity 
between  them  was  "as  admirable  as  it  was  appreciable. 
Mr.  Kraemer,  the  father,  was  married  in  1852  to  Cath- 
erine Pfeil,  daughter  of  John  Pfeil,  of  Westphalia.  They 
were  the  parents  of  four  children,  of  whom  the  son 
named  is  the  only  survivor.  They  w.ere  members  of  St. 
Paul's  Memorial  Reformed  Church  of  Reading,  being 
among  the  first  members  at  its  organization,  when  they 
withdrew  from  the  First  Reformed  Church.  The  wife 
died  in  1872,  and  the  husband  in  1903. 

During  the  last  twenty-five  years  of  his  life  Mr.  Krae- 
mer made  several  trips  across  the  ocean,  giving  special 
attention  to  Switzerland  and  Germany,  for  which  coun- 
tries he  had  a  strong  affection.  The  establishing  of 
"Textile,"  a  promising  industrial  suburban  town  (since 
absorbed  by  Wyomissing),  a  mile  west  of  Reading  by 
young  German  manufacturers  from  Barmen  on  the  Rhine, 
is  directly  attributable  to  his  great  success  and  influence. 

SAMUEL  BELL,  clerk  of  the  United  States  Circuit 
court  at  Philadelphia,  for  thirty-seven  years,  was  born 
at  Reading,  Berks  county,  April  25,  1827.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  private  schools  and  at  Yale  College  until  his 
eighteenth  year,  when  he  went  to  Philadelphia  to  engage 
in  the  wholesale  dry  goods  business.  He  served  as  a 
salesman  until  1851,  and  then  became  a  partner  of  B. 
A.  Knight,  trading  under  the  name  of  Knight  &  Bell,  for 
a  number  of  ■■•er'-s. 

When  the  Civil  war  broke  out,  Mr.  Bell  enlisted  and 
served  three  months.  Afterward  he  acted  as  one  of 
the  commissioners  to  conduct  the  draft  at  Philadelphia: 
and  he  served  as  paymaster  in  the  United  States  Regu- 
lar Army  bv  the  appointment  of  President  Lincoln.  In 
February,   1865,  he  was   elected  a  member  of  the  Union 


League,  and  he  has  been  prominently  identified  with  this 
influential  organization  until  the  present  time.  ,  He  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Meade  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Philadel- 
phia, in  1868,  and  of  the  Loyal  Legion  in  1874,  retaining 
his  membership  until  now.  He  was  elected  as  a  member 
of  the  First  City  Troop  of  Cavalry  at  Philadelphia  in 
1851,  and  he  is  now  the  oldest  surviving  member  of  this 
popular  and  historic  military  society. 

In  1870  Mr.  Bell  was  appointed  by  Judge  McKenna  as 
the  clerk  of  the  United  States  Circuit  court  for  the 
Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania,  and  he  filled  this  im- 
portant office  with  great  success  for  thirty-seven  years, 
resigning  Jan.  1,  1907,  on  account  of  his  age.  He  was 
appointed  United  States  Commissioner  at  Philadelphia 
in  1874,  and  he  is  still  serving  this  office,  notwithstand- 
ing his  advanced  years.  He  was  elected  a  member  _  of 
the  board  of  school  controllers,  and  filled  the  position 
by  re-election  for  twenty-seven  years,  officiating  as  pres- 
ident of  the  board  for  twenty-two  years. 

His  father  was  the  Hon.  Samuel  Bell,  merchant  at 
Reading  and  associate  judge  of  the  courts  of  Berks  coun- 
ty. He  was  born  at  Reading  in  1797.  For  many  years 
until  his  decease  in  1863  he  was  a  prominent  member 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  •  He  married  Louisa 
Bowman,  daughter  of  Jacob  Bowman,  of  Brownsville, 
Pa.,  and  their  children  were :  Mary  Greer,  Jacob  B., 
Samuel  (above).  Sterling,  Goodloe  B.,  Arthur  G.,  James 
Lowrie,  Mary  Louisa  and  William  Arthur. 

His  grandfather  was  William  Bell,  born  in  Ireland  in 
1763.  He  emigrated  in  1791,  and  settled  at  Reading,  Pa., 
where  he  was  successfully  engaged  in  the  dry  goods 
business  and  the  manufacture  of  flour  in  several  grist- 
mills for  many  years,  until  his  decease  in  1838.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Greer,  also  born  in  Ireland,  daughter  of  Ar- 
thur Greer,  and  they  had  an  only  child,   Samuel. 

DR.  CHARLES  MECK  SELTZER,  physician  at  Phil- 
adelphia for  thirty  years,  was  born  at .  Philadelphia  March 
7,  1857.  He  received  his  preliminary  education  in  private 
schools  and  in  the  Eastburn  Academy,  which  he  attend- 
ed until  1875,  when  he  took  up  the  study  of  medicine 
in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  graduating  and  re- 
ceiving his  diploma  in.  1878.  He  traveled  abroad  for  a 
year,  attending  the  hospitals  in  England,  France,  Italy 
and  Germany,  and  upon  his  return  was  appointed  resi- 
dent physician  of  the  Episcopal  Hospital,  which  position 
he  filled  successfully  for  two  years ;  afterward  he  at- 
tended the  hospital  as  visiting  surgeon  from  1881  to  1887. 
In  his  private  practice  he  was  associated  with  Dr.  Horace 
Y.  Evans  from  1883  to  1885,  but  since  1885  has  been  ac- 
tively engaged  in  practice  by  himself.  For  fifteen  years 
he  lectured  on  Anatomy,  Physiology  and  Hygiene  in  the 
Eastburn  Academy  and  during  the  year  1894  he  filled  the 
position  of  professor  of  Hygiene  in  the  Medico-Chirur- 
gical  College.  During  his  first  ten  years  of  private  prac- 
tice he  was  visiting  physician  and  surgeon  to  numerous 
institutions,  including  the  Charity  Hospital,  Northern 
Home,  •  Odd  Fellows  Home,  Angora  Home,  and  several 
others.  Since  1895  he  has  been  acting  as  the  supervis- 
ing medical  ex.aminer  of  the  Travelers  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  Hartford,  at  Philadelphia,  with  many  physicians 
under  him.  Of  late  years  Dr.  Seltzer  has  gradually  been 
withdrawing  from  active  practice  of  medicine  and  de- 
voting his  time  and  energies  to  matters  of  hygiene — es- 
pecially to  the  production  of  pure  milk  and  scientific  agri- 
culture, also  to  the  disposal  of  the  waste  of  large  cities, 
particularly  garbage  and  its  reduction  to  sanitary  by-pro- 
ducts. 

In  1885  he  was  married  to  Emilv  Stulb,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Stulb,  of  Philadelphia,  and  thev  have  a  daughter, 
Mary  Louise.  His  father  was  Franklin  Peter  Seltzer 
(cousin  of  Jonathan  F.  Seltzer,  whose  sketch  appears  in 
this  publication),  born  at  Womelsdorf  in  1823.  When  he 
was  a  bov  six  years  old  his  parents  removed  West,  driv- 
ing all  the  way  ai-'d  settling  at  Crestline,  in  Ohio,  where 
thev  were  amontr  <-he  first  settlers.  He  was  educated  there 
and  remained  i"  that  vicinity  at  farming  until  1845,  when 
he  went  to  Philadelphia  and  entered  a  wholesale  grocery 


350 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


store  as  a  clerk,  where'  he  continued  until  1847.  He 
then  formed  a  partnership  with  his  cousin,  Jacob  Sheetz, 
for  conducting  a  wholesale  grocery  and  liquor  business, 
and  they  were  partners  for  fifteen  years.  Their  store 
was  at  Third  and  Callowhill  streets.  In  1863  he  became 
the  sole  owner  and  he  continued  at  the  same  stand  with 
increasing  success  until  1873,  when  he  removed  to  a  larg- 
er and  more  central  property.  No.  1017  Market  street, 
which  he  had  purchased.  At  this  stand  he  became  still 
more  successful,  with  .his  trading  relations  extending 
throughout  Pennsylvania  and  into  the  adjoining  States; 
and  he  continued  actively  engaged  until  his  decease  in 
1886,  having  been  identified  with  the  mercantile  life  of 
Philadelphia  for  forty  years.  He  was  largely  interested 
for  twenty  years,  in  the  "Continental  Hotel,"  then  the 
leading  hotel  of  Philadelphia,  and  at  his  decease  he  was 
succeeded  by  his  son  Charles,  who  became  president  of 
the  board  of  managers  and  officiated  until  1903.  He  was 
married  to  Louisa  Meek,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  Meek,  of 
Liverpool,  in  Perry  county.  Pa.,  and  they  had  eleven 
children:  Charles  M. ;  Anna  Maria,  married  to  Dr.  Hen- 
ry A.  Smith;  Alice  Louise;  Susan  May,  married  to  John 
H.  Zebley;  Henry  Fister,  married  to  Margaret  Moore; 
Ralph  Edgar,  married  to  Helen  Thomas;  Elizabeth 
Maud ;  Walter  Harold,  who  died  in  1905,  aged  twenty- 
six  years;  and  three  who  died  in  infancy. 

Dr.  Seltzer's  grandfather  was  David  Seltzer,  born  in 
Heidelberg  township,  Berks  county,  at  Womelsdorf,  and 
he  assisted  his  father  at  farming  until  1829,  when  he  mov- 
ed with  his  family  to  Ohio.  He  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Sheetz,  while  at  home,  and  they  had  five  children,  in- 
cluding a  son  Franklin  Peter.  Upon  his  first  wife's  death 
he  married  Margaret  Kuntz,  by  whom  he  had  two  chil- 
dren, and  after  her  decease  he  married  a  third  wife,  whose 
name  was  Kuhn.  [For  antecedents  see  sketch  of  J.  R. 
Seltzer,  in  this  publication.] 

COL.  NICHOLAS  LOTZ  was  born  Feb.  20,  1740,  and 
emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  when  a  young  man.  He  first 
settled  in  the  western  section  of  the  county,  and  there 
married  a  young  woman  by  the  name  of  Meyer.  Some 
time  previous  to  the  Revolution  he  located  at  Reading, 
and  became  the  owner  of  the  two  mills  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Wyomissing  Creek,  which  he  conducted  very  success- 
fully. When  the  struggle  for  independence  began,  he  was 
prominently  identified  with  the  patriotic  movements  at 
Reading.  He  served  as  one  of  the  ten  delegates  from 
Berks  county  to  the  Provincial  Conference,  which  assem- 
bled at  Philadelphia  in  June,  1776,  and  upon  his  return 
home,  he  took,  an  active  part  in  the  enlistment  of  men. 
He  was  commissioned  a  Lieutenant-colonel,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  movement  of  the  "Flying  Camp"  from  Phil- 
adelphia to  New  York,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Long  Island  and  taken  prisoner.  He  was  admit- 
ted to  parole  within  certain  bounds  on  April  16,  1777,  and 
exchanged  on  September  10,  1779.  In  1780  he  was  ap- 
pointed commissioner  of  Forage,  and  whilst  serving  this 
appointment  he  purchased  a  large  amount  of  supplies  for 
the  army,  consisting  of  flour,,  oats,  cattle,  sheep,  etc.  A 
receipt  book  of  his  still  extant  in  1893,  shows  receipts 
for  money  paid  out  from  Aug.  12,  1780,  to  Dec.  5,  1781, 
aggregating  $202,033.  He  advanced  large  sums  of  mon- 
ey from  his  own  purse  for  the  government,  but  unfortu- 
nately was  never  fully  repaid. 

Colonel  Lotz  represented  Berks  county  in  the  Genera! 
Assembly  from  1784  to  1786,  and  again  from  1790  to  1794 ; 
and  he  filled  the  appointment  of  associate  judge  of  the 
county  from  1795  to  1806,  having  succeeded  Colonel  Jo- 
seph Hiester  in  that  office.  He  died  Nov.  29,  1807.  He 
left  to  survive  him,  eight  children,  seven  sons — Philip, 
Nicholas,  Jacob,  John,  Henry.  Michael,  and  William — and 
one  daughter — Rosa  (m.  John  Yeager).  His  remains 
were  buried  in  the  grave  yard  of  the  First  Reformed 
Church  at  Reading,  and  from  thence  removed  to  the 
Charles  Evans'  Cemetery.  He  was  a  man  of  splendid 
physique,  well  proportioned,  six  feet  three  inches  tall, 
and  weighed  about  three  hundred  pounds. 


In  1794  Gen.  Washington,  then  President  of  the  United 
States,  visited  Reading  while  on  his  way  to  Carlisle.  Col. 
Lotz  was  at  the  head  of  a  party  of  prominent  men  who 
arranged  a  military  parade  in  honor  of  Washington. 
The  latter  reviewed  the  parade  from  a  second  story  win- 
dow of  Federal  Inn,  the  building  now  occupied  by  the 
Farmers'  Bank. 

Philip  Lotz  was  the  son  of  Col.  Nicholas.  His  fam- 
ily Bible  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  preservation,  and 
the  entries  were  made  by  himself.  We  copy  these 
entries  :  My  father,  Nicholas  Lotz,  died  on  Nov.  29,  1807, 
aged  67  years,  9  months  and  8  days.  My  dearest  wife, 
Catharina  Lotz,  died  March  13,  1821,  aged  41  years  and 
14  days.  His  marriage  record  is  as  follows :  April  16, 
1797,  Philip  Lotz  and  Catharina  Rapp  were  married.  Phil- 
ip Lotz  had  eleven  children.  The  oldest  was  William, 
born  April  4, 1799j  who  resided  many  years  at  No.  213  North 
Sixth  street,  Reading,  and  who  aided  largely  in  erecting 
the  present  St.  John's  Reformed  church.  Next  to  the 
youngest  child  was  Mary,  the  late  widow  of  Peres  Hain, 
a  well-known  member  of  St.  Paul's  church.  She  was 
confirmed  by  Rev.  William  Pauli  in  the  First  church  in 
1834,  soon  after  its  erection. 

The  Bible  mentioned  above  is  the  property  of  Daniel 
Miller,  author  of  "History  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
Reading,"  who  also  is  the  happy  possessor  of  a  large 
volume  in  German,  which  was  the  property  of  Col.  Nich- 
olas Lotz.  It  is  a  book  of  sermons  which  explain  the 
Apostles'  Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer  and  the  catechism. 
It  was  published  in  Jena  in  16.58.  Col.  Lotz  gave  this 
book  to  his  son  John.  On  the  fly  leaf  in  the  beginning 
of  the  book  is  this  transfer :  "This  book  belongs  to  John 
Lotz  after  my  death.  Witness  my  hand,  written  on  the 
twenty-third  day  of  November,  1806.  Nicholas  Lotz." 
On  Jan.  18,  1808,  John  Lotz  transferred  the  book  to  his 
brother   Philip  Lotz. 

The  descendants  of  Col.  Nicholas  Lotz  are  numer- 
ous in  Reading.  Mrs.  Hoflfman,  wife  of  the  late  Rev. 
Henry  Hoffman,  was  a  great-grandchild.  Mr.  Chas.  K. 
Snell,  present  secretary  of  the  First  church  consistory,  is 
a   great-great-grandson. 

GARRICK  MALLERY,  fourth  President  Judge  of 
Berks  county,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  After  ob- 
taining a  preliminary  education,  he  entered  Yale  College 
and  was  graduated  in  1809.  He  soon  afterward  became 
principal  of  an  academy  at  Wilkes  Barre.  While  occupy- 
ing that  position  he  engaged  in  the  study  of  law,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  about  1812.  Being  well-adapted  by 
nature  to  the  legal  profession,  he  added  to  his  efficiency 
by  diligent  study,  and  soon  acquired  a  practice  which 
extended  over  a  large  portion  of  northern  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  1825  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  and  during  his  legislative  career 
was  instrumental  in  securing  the  enactment  of  certain 
bills  which  led  to  the  great  improvement  of  the  North 
Branch  region.  In  1832,  Governor  Wolf  appointed  him 
president  judge  of  the  Third  Judicial  District,  then  com- 
posed of  Berks,  Northampton  and  Lehigh  counties,  and  he 
served  the  appointment  for  three  years.  The  Hon.  William 
Strong,  of  the  Supreme  court  of  the  United  States,  was 
married  to  a   daughter. 

ELIJAH  BULL  was  for  about  thirty  years  one  of  the 
important  figures  in  the  commercial  world  of  Reading. 
He  was  probably  best  known  in  his  connection  with  the 
Reading  Stove  Works,  Orr,  Painter  &  Co.,  of  which  firm 
he  was  a  member  for  over  thirty  years  before  his  retire- 
ment, thereafter  continuing  to  serve  as  director  until 
his  death.  Other  business  interests  which  made  him 
prominent  in  the  city  were  his  association  with  the  Nation- 
al Union  Bank,  the  Building  and  Loan  Association  and 
the  Reading  Hospital.  Mr.  Bull  was  regarded  with 
particular  esteem  as  the  architect  of  his  own  fortunes, 
for  he  rose  to  a  position  of  distinction  from  ordinary 
circumstances. 

Mr.  Bull  was  born  Jan.  20,  1835,  at  Springfield,  Ches- 
ter   Co.,    Pa.,    son    of   Thomas    and    Sarah    A.    (Painter) 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


351 


Bull,  and  grandson  of  Elijah  Bull,  the  latter  a  native 
of  Chester  county,  where  he  spent  all  his  life.  He  owned 
and  operated  large  tracts  of  farm  land.  He  was  mus- 
tered into  the  volunteer  service  of  this  war  of  1812,  but 
before  the  detachment  of  which  he  was  a  member  reach- 
ed the  front  the  war  had  been  brought  to  a  close.  . 

Thomas  Bull,  father  of  Elijah,  was  born  in  Spring- 
field, Chester  county,  May  23,  1802,  and  there  received 
his  education.  He  was  reared  to  farming  which  he  fol- 
lowed in  his  native  county  until  the  spring  of  1846,-  when 
he  moved  to  Pottsville,  Pa.  There  he  took  up  the  voca- 
tion of  a  blacksmith,  but  he  died  within  a  short  time 
thereafter  June  13,  1847.  He  married  Sarah  A.  Painter, 
and  they  had  five  children:  Margaret  m.  Levi  Buckwal- 
ter,  of  Spring  City,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.;  Charles,  late  of 
Reading,  was  a  stove  mounter,  engaged  in  the  works  of 
Orr,  Painter  &  Co.;  Elizabeth  died  in  childhood;  Elijah; 
and  Mary  m.  the  late  B.  p.  Graff.  Mr.  Bull  m.  (second) 
Maria  Cryley,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children,  name- 
ly: Susan,  m.  to  Reuben  Rishel;  and  Thomas,  who  re- 
sides in  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

Elijah  Bull  received  a  good  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Chester  county.  Going  to  Philadelphia,  he 
learned  the  trade  of  a  stove  molder,  and  there  followed 
that  occupation  until  he  was  thrown  out  of  employment 
by  the  closing  of  the  works  on  account  of  the  panic  of 
1857.  Thereafter  until  1864  he  worked  part  of  the  year 
at  his  trade,  teaching  school  in  Chester  county  during 
the  winter  months.  In  1864  he  began  teaching  in  Ma- 
hanoy  City,  where  he  continued  three  years,  during  which 
time  he  became  superintendent  of  the  schools.  On  Jan. 
1,  1867,  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Orr,  Paint- 
er &  Co.,  manufacturers  of  stoves,  hoUowware  and  fine 
castings.  In  February,  1886,  the  firm  was  incorporated 
as  the  Reading  Stove  Works,  Orr,  Painter  &  Co.  Soon 
after  becoming  a  member  of  the  firm  Mr.  Bull  assumed 
charge  of  the  shipping  department,  and  discharged  the 
duties  of  that  position  with  fidelity  until  the  death  of 
Mr.  Orr,  in  June,  1892.  when  he  was  made  treasurer 
of  the  company.  The  latter  position  he  retained  until 
1898,  when  he  retired  from  active  participation  in  the  af- 
fairs of  the  company,  though  he  continued  to  hold  stock 
and  serve  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors.  The 
extent  of  the  business  done  by  this  concern  may  be  judged 
from  the  fact  that  over  four  hundred  workmen  were  em- 
ployed in  the  various  departments,  engaged  in  molding, 
casting,  grinding,  cleaning,  grinding  and  polishing,  nickel- 
plating,  finishing  and  mounting.  Four  branches  are  con- 
ducted— in  Chicago,  Boston,  Buffalo  and  Philadelphia, 
representing  thousands  upon  thousands  of  stoves  made 
and  sold  annually.  Mr.  Bull  was  a  director  of  the  Nation- 
al Union  Bank  of  Reading,  and  a  member  of  the  Build- 
ing &  Loan  Association.  He  never  took  any  active  part 
in  public  matters,  his  business  duties  having  occupied  all 
his  time  and  attention.,  He  was  a  member  of  the  board 
of  managers  of  the  Reading  Hospital,  and  liberal  and 
generous  along  lines  of  true  philanthropy.  Mr.  Bull 
was  a  member  of  the  Memorial  M.  E.  Church  of  Read- 
in,  and  was  at  one  time  president  of  its  board  of  trus- 
tees. He  joined  the  Odd  Fellows  in  185-,  affiliating  with 
Welcome  Lodge,  No.  229,  of  Philadelphia,  and  was  also 
a  member  of  Mt.  Penn  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias.  He 
enlisted  for  emergency  service  during  the  Civil  war  in 
the  42d  regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers. 

On  Dec.  31,  1867,  Mr.  Bull  married  Mary  A.  Amole, 
whose  father,  George  Amole,  of  Chester  county,  Pa.,  was 
born  Oct.  12,  1802.  and  died  Feb.  20,  1876.  He  was  a 
farmer  by  vocation,  and  always  resided  in  Chester  coun- 
ty. ■  Mr.  Bull  died  Jan.  18,  1900,  and  his  wife  survived 
until  Sept.  18,  1903.  Their  only  child,  Edna  Marguerite, 
was'  married  May  13,  1905,  to  Henry  C.  Keast,  a  native 
of  Michigan,  born  Sept.  34,  1882,  son  of  Charles  and  An- 
na E.  (Eustice)  Keast,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Corn- 
wall, England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keast  have  one  child,  Ken- 
neth E.,  born  Aug.  7,  1906. 

Mr.  Keast  came  to  Reading  in  childhood  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  the  Interstate 
Commercial   College.     For  some  time  he  was  chief  pack- 


er for  C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co..  leaving  them  in  1902  to  en- 
ter the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company, 
with  which  he  has  since  remained.  He  is  chief  clerk 
to  Mr.  A.  H.  Kline,  the  Chief  Inspector  of  Lumber  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad.  He  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics. 

NATHANIEL  POTTS  HOBART  was  born  in  Phil- 
adelphia Oct.  3,  1790,  read  law  in  the  office  of  John 
C.  Smith,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  his  native 
city;  removed  to  Pottstown,  where  he  was  appointed 
justice  of  the  peace  by  Gov.  Simon  Snyder;  joined  Capt. 
Daniel  De  B.  Keim's  company  of  Washington  Blues  in 
August,  1814;  marched  with  it  to  Camp  Depont,  and  there 
joined  the  1st  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers 
Oct.  7,  1814,  and  served  as  fourth  sergeant  of  the  com- 
pany until  Dec.  5th  of  the  same  year,  when  they  re- 
turned to  Reading;  admitted  an  attorney  of  the  Berks 
County  bar  Jan.  3,  1818;  was  clerk  in  the  prothonotary"s 
office,  under  John  Adams,  for  several  years ;  was  as- 
sistant clerk  in  the  House  of  Representatives  at  Harris- 
burg,  under  chief  clerk  Francis  R.  Shunk.  In  1827  Gov- 
ernor Shulze  appointed  him  clerk  of  the  Orphans'  court 
and  court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  Berks  county,  which 
positions  he  held  until  1830,  when  he  removed  to  Potts- 
town. In  1826  he  was  appointed  auditor-general  of  Penn- 
sylvania by  Governor  Ritner,  and  held  the  office  for 
three  years.  He  resided  at  Pottstown  from  1830  until 
his  death  July  3,  1860.  He  married  April  18,'  1813,  Jo- 
anna Holland,  and  their  children  were:  John  Potts  (who 
became  an  attorney  in  Pottsville),  Sarah  P.,  Eliza  R., 
Anna  Sophia,  Robert  H.,  Nathaniel  B.,  William  R.  and 
Ellen  G.  Hobart. 

EDWARD  BURD  was  a  practising  attorney  at  Read- 
ing, having  been  admitted  to  practice  in  the  courts  of 
Berks  county  in  1772.  He  removed  to  Reading  from 
Lancaster.  When  the  company  of  Capt.  George  Nagel 
marched  to  Cambridge,  in  Massachusetts,  during  July 
and  August,  1775,  Burd  was  one  of  a  number  of  de- 
voted and  patriotic  sons  who  went  along  at  their  own 
expense;  and  when  the  "Flying  Camp"  was  raised  he 
was  chosen  major  of  Haller's  regiment.  In  the  Battle 
of  Long  Island,  in  August,  1776,  he  was  taken  prisoner, 
and  while  imprisoned  addressed  a  letter  to  Hon.  Jasper 
Yeates,  at  Lancaster.  On  August  12,  1778,  he  was  ap- 
pointed prothonotary  of  the  Supreme  court,  and  he  con- 
tinued to  officiate  in  this  position  by  re-appointment  until 
Jan.  2,  1800.     His  autograph  is  reproduced  herewith : 


JOHN  SILVIS  ERMENTROUT,  second  County  Super- 
intendent of  Public  Schools  of  Berks  county  (eldest  son 
of  William  and  Justina  Silvis  Ermentrout),  was  born  at 
Womelsdorf,  Berks  county,  Sept.  27,  1827.  When  he  was 
two  years  old  his  parents  removed  to  Reading,  and  there  he 
was  reared.  Developing  a  great  aptitude  for  study,  he 
was  sent  to  Marshall  College,  Mercersburg,  Pa.,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1845,  the  first  honor  man  of 
his  class,  though  not  yet  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  re- 
mained in  the  college  as  a  tutor,  teaching  the  languages 
and  lecturing  on  history.  At  the  same  time  he  was  a 
student  of  the  Theological  Seminary  connected  with  the 
institution,  and  from  this  seminary  he  was  graduated 
in  1848,  and  then  ordained  as  a  minister  of  the  Reformed 
Church. 

For  a  time  he  was  editor  of  the  Reformed  Messenger. 
In  1852  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Church 
at  Norristown,  Pa.,  where  he  served  for  six  years.  He 
returned  to  Reading  in  1859,  and  opened  a  select  school. 
One  year  afterward  he  was  elected  superintendent  of  the 
common  schools,  and  he  was  twice  re-elected,  ■  serving 
from  1860  to  1869.  In  1865  he  was  active  in  founding  the 
Keystone  State   Normal   School  at  Kutztown,  became  its 


353 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


first  principal,  and  continued  as  such  until  1871,  when 
he  resigned,  preparatory  to  making  a  public  profession 
of  his  faith  in  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  removed 
to  Baltimore,  where  he  edited  a  Catholic  journal.  Sub- 
sequently he  taught  in  the  St.  Charles  Borromeo  Semmary 
at  Overbrook,  near  Philadelphia. 

In  1873,  by  the  unanimous  action  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  he  was  re- 
called to  that  institution,  and  he  filled  the  chair  of  Mental 
and  Moral  Science  and  English  Literature,  until  his  death 
in  1881.  The  vast  influence  he  exerted  in  educational 
matters  can  hardly  be  overestimated,  and  the  institution 
which  he  promoted  at  Kutztown  will  always  constitute  an 
enduring  monument  to  his  memory. 

JONATHAN  JONES  was  a  son  of  David  Jones,  one 
of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Caernarvon  township,  Berks 
county.  He  was  born  in  that  township  in  1738.  Upon 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution  he  raised  a  com- 
pany of  Associators  in  that  locality,  and  was  appointed 
a  captain  in  the  1st  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  of  the 
regular  Continental  army  Oct.  25,  1775.  He  was  ordered 
with  his  company  to  the  "British  Barracks,"  at  Phila- 
delphia, and  acted  as  part  of  the  escort  of  Martha 
Washington  into  Philadelphia.  In  December  he  was 
ordered  into  Northampton  comity,  Va.,  to  protect  it 
against  Lord  Dunmore.  The  alarming  state  of  affairs 
in  Canada  led  to  the  revocation  of  this  order,  and,  by 
command  of  Congress,  he  marched  with  his  company 
of  eighty-three  men  for  Quebec,  over  the  snow  and 
"frozen  lakes."  This  terrible  midwinter  march  con- 
sumed two  months.  After  the  precipitate  retreat  from 
Quebec,  he  voluntarily  returned,  at  the  risk  of  capture, 
and  recovered  valuable  papers.  He  was  with  Arnold  in 
his  pursuit  of  the  British,  after  the  battle  of  the  Cedars, 
and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  "Three  Rivers,"  June  8. 
1776.  He  shared  the  terrible  and  distressing  sufferings 
of  the  army  in  its  disastrous  retreat  to  Ticonderoga, 
and  underwent  at  that  post  the  severe  and  exacting  rou- 
tine of  military  duty  incident  to  its  fortilication  and 
defense  to  resist  the  attack  of  General  Carleton.  He 
was  stationed  there  from  July  9  to  Nov.  15,  1776.  On 
Oct.  27th  the  time  of  enlistment  of  his  men  ran  out, 
but  through  his  exertions  they  consented  to  remain  as 
long  as  the  enemy  was  in  their  front.  After  a  year's 
active  service  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major, 
Oct.  25,  1770,  and  to  lieutenant-colonel  of  his  regiment, 
which  had  become  the  2d  under  the  new  arrangement, 
A-Iarch  12,  1777.  Hi.s  constitution  was  so  shattered  by 
the  hardships  and  exposure  of  the  canTpaign  against 
Canada  that  he  was  obliged  to  return  home  to  recruit 
his  health  in  the  winter  of  1776-77.  Having  partially 
recovered,  he  rejoined  his  regiment  in  the  spring  of  1777, 
the  command  of  which  devolved  upon  him  after  the  res- 
ignation of  Col.  James  Irvine,  June  1,  1777.  Two  com- 
panies of  the  regiment  were  then  on  duty  iji  Philadelphia 
and  the  remainder  were  guarding  the  upper  ferries  of 
the  Delaware.  Increasing  ill  health,  however,  obliged 
hiuT  to  resign  his  commission  in  the  latter  part  of  July.  In 
December,  1778,  he  was  appointed  by  the  Assembly  a 
commissioner  under  the  test  laws,  and  he  was  a  member 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  from  Berks 
county  from  October,  1779,  to  October,  1780.  His  health 
continued  steadily  to  decline,  and  he  was  shortly  after- 
ward stricken  with  paralysis,  of  which  he  died,  after  a 
lingering  illness,  on  Sept.  26,  1782,  at  the  early  age  of 
forty-four.  He  was  buried  at  Bansor  Church,  Church- 
town,  of  which  members  of  his  family  had  been  wardens 
and  vestrymen  from  its  earliest  foundation. 

HTESTER  FA^IILY.  One  of  the  old  and  import- 
ant families  of  Berks  county  is  that  of  Hiester,  and  the 
ancestry  can  be  clearlv  traced  to  Johannes  and  Catherine 
Hiester.  who  spelled  their  name  in  German  Huster.  They 
had  three  sons  who  came  to  America,  John,  Joseph  and 
Daniel  by  name.  John,  born  in  1707,  in  1750  married 
Mary  Barbara  Epler,  and  died  in  1757.  Joseph,  born 
in    1710,   married     Elizabeth     Strunk,     and    died    in     1777. 


Daniel,  born  in  1713,  in  1742  married  Catherine  Schuler, 
and  died  in  1795.  They  were  natives  of  the  town  of 
Elsoff,  in  the  Grafschaft  of  Witgenstein,  Westphalia, 
Germany.  These  brothers  settled  in  Pennsylvania  early 
in  the  eighteenth  'century,  and  their  descendants  have 
been  more  or  less  prominent  in  the  various  walks  of 
life  in  the  same  section  ever  since. 

Joseph  Hiester  came  to  America  in  1738  and  first  went 
to  live  in  Goshenhoppen,  then  Philadelphia  (now  Mont- 
gomery) county.  Several  years  afterward  Joseph  and  his 
brothers,  John  and  Daniel,  united  in  purchasing  from  the 
Proprietary  government  between  two  thousand  and  three 
thousand  acres  of  land  in  Bern  township,  Berks  county. 
Here  Joseph  and  John  settled,  while  Daniel  remained 
at  the  old  homestead  in  Goshenhoppen.  Joseph  and  his 
wife  Elizabeth  had  the  following  children:  John,  born 
in  1754,  died  in  1826 ;  John  Christian  married  Susan 
Reber ;  Catherine,  born  in  1758,  died  in  1813,  married 
Nicholas  Lieb;  Daniel,  born  in  1761,  died  in  1827,  mar- 
ried Magdalena  Albright;  one  son  married  Barbara  Kauff- 
man;  another  son  married  Susan  Anman;  Ann  Eliza, 
born  April  8,  1766,  married  Jacob  Van  Reed ;  Joseph, 
born  in  1768,  died  in  1830,  married  Elizabeth  Beck ;  and 
William,  born  in  1770,  died  in  1828,  married  Anna  Maria 
Bentz. 

Daniel  Hiester  had  several  sons  who  were  distinguished: 
John,  born  in  1746,  was  a  member  of  Congress  in  1807 — 
08,  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Daniel,  who 
served  in  1809-10;  Daniel  of  Montgomery  county, 
born  in  1747,  was  a  representative  in  Congress  from 
Pennsylvania  from  1789  to  1797,  and  from  Maryland 
from  1801  to  1805;  Gabriel,  of  Berks  county,  served  thirty 
years  in  the  State  Legislature;  William,  the  youngest  son, 
for  a  short  time  served  in  the  Continental  army  (his 
son  William,  born  in  1791,  of  Lancaster  county,  was  a 
member  of  Congress  in  1833-35,  and  died  Oct  15 
1853). 

The  first  named  John  Hiester  had  a  son  Joseph,  who 
was  a  member  of  the  convention  to  ratify  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States ;  was  repeatedly  elected  to  the 
State  Senate  and  House;  was  a  member  of  Congress 
in  1797-1S07,  and  from  1815  to  1821,  resigning  to  assume 
the  governorship  of  Pennsylvania.  tie  died  June  10, 
1832. 

John  Hiester,  grandfather  of  John  K.  Hiester  of  Read- 
ing, was  a  son  of  the  Joseph  Hiester  who  was  born 
in  Germany  in  1710.  John  was  born  in  Bern  township, 
Berks  county,  Sept.  25,  1754,  and  died  Sept.  17,  1826. 
He  is  buried  at  Bern  Church,  which  he  helped  to  erect. 
He  owned  a  tract  of  200  acres,  which  was  divided  after 
his  death  into  five  shares.  This  was  all  woodland  when 
he  secured  it.  His  wife  was  Catherine  Albright,  and 
they  had  the  following  children:  John  died  unmarried; 
Ann  Eliza  married  Jacob  Gieding;  Willianii  died  un- 
married; Daniel  died  unmarried:  Catherine  married 
David  Bohn;  Daniel  died  unmarried:  John  Christian 
married  Catherine  Kramer;  Yost  married  Rebecca  Reber; 
and   Jacob. 

Jacob  Hiester,  father  of  John  K.  Hiester,  was  born 
m  Bern  township  July  1,  1801,  and  died  ini  March,  1873. 
He  was  a  lifelong  farmer,  and  died  on  the  farm  on 
which  he  was  born  and  on  wliich  he  had  spent  his  whole 
life.  His  portion  of  the  old  Hiester  farm  was  some  sixty- 
six  acres,  to  which  he  had  added  twentv  acres.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Democrat,  but  he  held  no  office  except  that  of 
school  director,  a  position  he  filled  for  six  vears.  He 
and  his  family  were  members  of  the  Bern  Church,  of 
which  he  was  one  of  the  leading  elders.  For  many  years 
he  served  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  State  militia,  "and  he 
made  a  fine  appearance,  as  he  was  a  man  of  commanding 
presence.  He  married  Susanna  Kramer,  daughter  of  John 
and  Catherine  (Ruhl)  Kramer,  of  Bern  township,  and 
they  had  the  following  children :  Adam,  a  farmer  on 
the  old  homestead,  married  Rebecca  Gring;  Lydia  mar- 
ried John  Moyer,  a  farmer  of  Pleidelber?  township; 
Gabriel  died  young;  John  K.  is  residing  at  Re'ading;  Cath- 
erine  died  unmarried. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


35J 


John  K.  Hiester  was  born  in  Bern  township,  on 
one  of  the  old  Hiester  stands,  Nov.  2,  1848.  His  edu- 
cation was  obtained  in  the  township  schools,  at  a  Reading 
■academy,  and  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at 
Kutztown.  In  the  fall  of  1866  he  began  teaching  at  Hiester's 
school  in  Bern  township,  and  during  the  winter  of  1868-69 
he  taught  in  Maiden-creek  township;  later  taught  one  year 
in  Bern  township ;  three  terms  in  Ruscombmanor  township ; 
three  terms  in  Exeter  township;  one  term  in  Jefferson; 
one  term  in  Ontelaunee;  two  terms  in  Birdsboro;  three 
terms  in  Cumru;  two  terms  in  Robeson,  and  then  thirteen 
terms  in  Bern  township,  in  all  thirty-two  terms,  his  services 
being  given  all  over  ithe  county,  with  fifteen  terms  in 
his  native  township.  He  thus  became  widely  known, 
and  is' held  in  high  esteem,  and  he  constantly  meets  his 
former  pupils,  many  of  whom  never  received  other  in- 
struction than  that  he  gave  them. 

During  the  summer  months,  until  1890,  Mr.  Hiester 
worked  upon  the  farm  in  his  native  township,  but  in 
that  year  he  came  to  Reading  and  in  the)  following  year 
he  purchased  his  comfortable  home  at  No.  314  South 
Thirteenth  street,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  After 
establishing  his  home  at  Reading  he  continued  to  follow 
his  profession  during  the  winter  months  until  1898-1899, 
when  he  taught  for  the  last  time.  For  five  summer 
seasons  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Alderman  Griesemer 
and  subsequently  worked  as  labor  boss  and  shipping  clerk 
in  the  Johnson  Foundry  &  Machine  Company,  where  he 
continued  for  seven  years ;  when  that  firm  went  out  of  busi- 
ness he  went  to  the  American  Iron  &  Steel  Company,  where 
he  has  remained  until  the  present. 

On  Oct.  30,  1890,  Mr.  Hiester  married  Hettie  A.  Deish- 
er,  born  Oct.  30,  1857,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah 
(Stayer)  Deisher,  the  former  of  whom  is  a  farmer  and 
business  man  of  Berks  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hies- 
ter have  been  born  three  children,  namely:  S.  Adella, 
born  Feb.  21,  1892;  Morris  W.,  born  in  August,  1893,  who 
died  in  October,  1893 ;  and  WiHiam  L.,  born  June  17, 
1895. 

Mr.  Hiester  has  spent  almost  all  of  his  life  in  Berks 
county,  but  in  January,  1869,  he  went  to  Lee  county, 
Iowa,  ^where  he  worked  on  a  farm  until  his  return  to 
Berks "  county  in  the  following  October.  Politically  he 
is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  Bern  Union  Church 
and  of  the  Reformed  denomination.  His  wife  worships 
in  Grace  Lutheran  Church. 

Thomas  K.  Hiester,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of 
Bern  township  and  a  representative  member  of  an  old 
and  leading  family,  was  born  where  he  now  resides,  Dec. 
16,  1861.  He  is  a  son  of  Harrison  K.  Hiester  and  a 
grandson  of  John  Christian  Hiester  (son  of  Joseph,  born 
in  1710).  The  graftdfather  was  a  man  of  ample  fortune, 
owning  two  farms  near  the  well-known  Bern  Church, 
and  he  was  noted  both  for  his  fine  personal  appearance 
and  for  his  good  judgment  and  foresight.  He  and  his 
wife  lie  buried  at  Bern  Church.  He  married  Catherine 
Kramer,  a  native  of  Bern  township.  They  had  five  chil- 
dren :  Benneville ;  Jared ;  Harrison  K. ;  Washington,  twin 
of  Harrison,  now  residing  on  North  Queen  street,  Lan- 
caster, the  oldest  surviving  member  of  this  family;  and 
Maria,  who  married  John  Eyrich. 

Harrison  K.  Hiester,  father  of  Thomas  K.,  was  born 
in  Bern  township  Aug.  6,  1832,  and  died  April  27,  1904; 
he  was  laid  to  rest  in  Bern  churchyard.  He  was  the 
owner  of  the  old  homestead,  consisting  of  134  acres,  and 
later  he  bought  an  adjoining  farm  of  107  acres  from  his 
brother  Benneville,  the  transaction  taking  place  in  1876. 
He  was  an  enterprising  farmer  and  a  man  of  progress 
in  his  community.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
serving  as  school  director.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 
He  was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  Reformed  faith  and 
of  the  Bern  Church.  He  married  Rosabella  Kischner, 
born  Sept.  16.  1834,  who  died  Feb.  24,  1878,  aged  forty- 
three  years,  five  months,  eight  days.  They  had  issue  as 
follows :  Kate,  widow  of  Aaron  Bohn.  lives  at  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant; Ellen  married  T.  F.  Yeager:  Thomas  K.  is  men- 
tioned below ;  Mary  married  Jonathan  Ohlinsrer,  of  Penn 
township;  Rosa  married  Adam  Gruber;  Sallie,  deceased, 
23 


married  Cyrus  Bohn;  Annie  married  Henry  Stamm,  of 
Penn  township;  Jemima,  unmarried,  resides  at  Reading; 
Edward  K.  lives  in  Bern  towtiship;  Harry  lives  in  Penn 
township;  Lizzie,  residing  in  Bern  township,  is  married  to 
Grant  Hartman. 

Thomas  K.  Hiester  was  educated  in  the  township 
schools  and  the  Kutztown  State  Normal  School,  and  in 
1879  he  taught  school  in  Bern  township.  Then  he  was  em- 
ployed by  his  father  until  1888,  when  he  began  to  farm 
the  homestead  for  himself;  he  bought  the  property  in 
1905.  His  farm  contains  134  acres  of  very  valuable  land, 
which,  under  Mr.  Hiester's  excellent  management,  is  very 
productive.  Like  the  other  members  of  his  family  he  is 
identified  with  the  Democratic  party  and  is  sound  on  all 
its  doctrines.  He  has  served  on  the  township  election 
board  and  in_  1896  he  was  made  a  member  of  the  school 
board,  of  which  he  has  been  president  ever  since,  having 
twelve  schools  under  his  supervision.  He  is  a  leading 
member  of  the  Bern  Reformed  Church  and  one  of  its 
deacons. 

Thomas  K.  Hiester  married  (first)  Eva  Bohn,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Emanuel  and  Elvina  (Krick)  Bohn.  She  died 
Dec.  31,  1891,  aged  twenty-three  years,  seven  months, 
nine  days,  and  was  buried  at  the  Bern  Church.  She  was 
survived  by  two  children,  William  and  Edna,  the  for- 
mer of  whom  resides  at  home;  the  latter  married  Daniel 
Gicker,  a  well-known  young  man  of  this  community.  Mr. 
Hiester  married  (second)  Ruth  Fisher,  daughter  of  James 
and  Elizabeth  Fisher,  and  they  have  had  two  children: 
Walter,  who  attends  school;  and  Mabel,  who  died  aged 
ten  months,  June  9,  1902. 

Edward  K.  Hiester,  a  well-known  young  farmer  of 
Bern  township  and  a  member  of  the  old  Hiester  family 
of  this  section,  was  born  on  the  Hiester  homestead  May 
1,  1871,  son  of  Harrison  K.  and  Rosabella  (Kischner) 
Hiester.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
township  and  during  1888-89  was  a  student  for  two  ses- 
sions at  the  Kutztown  State  Normal  School,  after  whiph 
he  worked  for  his  father  on  the  farm.  In  1898  he  began 
to  farm  for  himself  and  bought  one  of  the  Hiester  horpe- 
steads.  It  is  valuable  land,  and  Mr.  Hiester  has  im- 
proved it  by  erecting  fine  buildings  and  modernizing 
his  residence  to  a  large  degree,  putting  in  a  system  of 
water  pressure.  His  land  adjoins  the  Bern  Church  prop- 
erty. In  1892  he  married  Sallie  Schwoyer,  daughter  of 
Cornelius  and  Sarah  (Looser)  Schwoyer,  of  Centreport, 
Berks  county,  and  they  have  the  following  children: 
Abner,  Harry,  Earl,  Bertha,  Edward  J.  and  John. 

Politically  Mr.  Hiester  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  has  served 
as  township  assessor.  He  is  serving  in  his  third  term  in 
this  office  and  is  a  popular  public  official.  •  For  two  years 
he  served  as  a  deacon  of  the  Bern  Reformed  Church. 

COL.  DANIEL  UDREE  was  born  in  Philadelphia 
Aug.  5,  1751.  Removing  to  Berks  county,  he  settled  in 
Oley  township,  where  he  became  extensively  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  iron.  He  operated  the  Oley  Furnace 
and  Rockland  Forges  very  successfully  for  over  thirty 
years,  owning,  in  connection  with  those  industries,  sev- 
eral thousand  acres  of  land.  He  was  established  in  busi- 
ness by  his  uncle,  Jacob  Winey,  a  prominent  capitalist 
and  merchant  of  Philadelphia. 

Colonel  Udree  was  enlisted  in  the  Revolutionary  war 
for  several  years,  commanding  a  regiment  at  the  battle 
of  Brandywine  where  his  horse  was  shot  under  him. 
He  took  an  active  part  in  the  local  militia  for  many  years, 
and  served  as  major-general  for  one  term  of  seven  years 
about  1815.  He  represented  Berks  county  in  the  General 
Assembly  from  1799  to  1803,  and  also  for  the  year  1805, 
and  while  there  showed  an  earnest  interest  in  legislation 
relative  to  public  internal  improvements  in  the  State. 
He  was  the  representative  in  Congress  for  the  Berks  Dis- 
trict for  two  terms,  from  1813  to  1815,  and  from  1823 
to  1825.  It  was  while  he  was  at  Washington,  during  his 
last  term  in  Congress,  that  John  Quincy  Adams  was 
elected  President.  He,  however,  was  one  of  Jackson's 
supporters.  He  died  July  15,  1828,  leaving  a  large  estate. 
He  was  the  last  really  prominent  and  representative  man 


354 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


who  lived  in  Oley,  and  one  of  the  few  Congressmen  se- 
lected from  the  country  districts  of  the  county.  He  was 
a  well-developed  man,  rather  below  the  medium  height, 
and  his  conversational  manner  was  quick  and  nervous. 

JOHN  BANKS,  the  fifth  President  Judge  of  Berks 
county,  serving  from  1836  to  1847,  was  born  near  Lewis- 
burgh,  Juniata  county,  Pa.,  in  the  year  1793.  His  pa- 
ternal grandfather  emigrated  fromi  Scotland.  His  father 
being  a  farmer,  his  youth  v/as  spent  mostly  on  a  farm, 
but  the  advantages  of  a  liberal  education  were  not  denied 
him.  He  entered  upon  the  study  of  law,  was  admitted  to 
the  Bar  in  1819,  and  soon  after  removed  to  the  western 
part  of  the  State,  He  located  in  Mercer  county,  and 
there  attained  eminence  at  the  Bar.  Without  any  solicitation 
on  his  part  he  was  nominated  and  elected  a  representative 
in  Congress,  and  twice  re-elected,  serving  from  1831  to 
1836,  He  won  distinction  in  Congress  by  his  treatment  of 
contested  election  cases.  In  the  spring  of  1836,  he  va- 
cated his  seat  in  Congress  to  accept  the  appointment  of 
president  judge  of  the  Third  Judicial  District  of  the  State, 
composed  of  the  counties  of  Berks,  Lehigh  and  North- 
ampton. His  superior  qualities  soon  won  for  him  the 
full  confidence  of  the  people.  No  man  was  ever  more 
obliging  and  condescending  to  his  juniors  than  he,  and  no 
man  ever  lived  in  Reading  whose  companionship  was 
more  highly  prized  by  so  varied  a  circle  of  friends.  Hav- 
ing spent  eleven  years  as  president  judge  of  the  court, 
he  resigned  the  position  in  1847  and  accepted  the  office 
of  State  treasurer  of  Pennsylvania,  in  which  he  served 
one  term.  In  1841,  while  judge  of  the  courts,  he  was  nom- 
inated by  the  Whig  party  for  the  office  of  governor  of 
Pennsylvania,  but  was  defeated  by  David  R.  Porter,  the 
Democratic  nominee.  He  was  subsequently  nominated  by 
the  Whig  members  of  the  State  Legislature,  when  in  the 
minority,  as  their  candidate  for  United  States  senator. 
Upon  his  retirement  from  the  Bench,  Judge  Banks  re- 
sumed the  practice  of  the  law,  and  soon  became  the  ac- 
knowledged leader  of  the  Berks  county  Bar.  He  contin- 
ued in  his  profession  until  his  death,  April  3,  1864,  enjoy- 
ing a  very  extensive  and  lucrative  practice. 

DR.  WILLIAM  F.  MUHLENBERG,  physician  at  Read- 
ing since  1872,  and  a  lineal  descendant  of  Rev.  Henry  Mel- 
chior  Muhlenberg,  recognized  as  the  founder  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  in  America,  was  born  in  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  Nov.  18, 
1853,  while  his  father  was  filling  the  position  of  Pro- 
fessor of  Greek  in  the  Pennsylvania  College  at  that  place. 
His  preliminary  education  was  obtained  at  that  institu- 
tion, and  he  was  graduated  from  Muhlenberg  College 
at  AUentown,  Pa.,  in  1868,  of  which  his  father  had  be- 
come the  president.  Then  he  entered  the  Medical  De- 
partment of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  gradu- 
ated in  1872.  Selecting  Reading  as  a  promising  field  for 
practising  his  chosen  profession,  he  located  in  that  city, 
won  the  confidence  of  the  people,  and  soon  secured  a 
lucrative  practice,  which  he  has  held  until  the  present 
time.  In  1884  he  was  appointed  surgeon  for  the  Penn- 
sylvania Schuylkill  Valley  Railroad  Company,  for  cases 
arising  at  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Reading,  and  he  has  since 
servedthis  position  in  a  most  satisfactory  manner.  Dur- 
ing this  long  period  he  has  also  served  as  a  surgeon  at 
the  Reading  Hospital. 

Dr.  Muhlenberg  has  been  an  active  member  of  the 
Berks  County  Medical  Society,  and  also  of  the  Reading 
Medical  Society,  for  many  years,  having  officiated  as 
president  of  these  bodies,  and  he  is  recognized  by  them 
as  a  most  skillful  surgeon,  as  well  as  a  general  practi- 
tioner. For  social  diversion,  he  has  identified  himself 
with  the  Wyomissing  Club,  and  the  Berkshire  Club  at 
Reading;  also  with  the  University  Club  and  the  Country 
Club  at  Philadelphia;  in  all  of  which  he  has  shown  great 
interest. 

Dr,  Muhlenberg  was  married,  in  1884,  to  Augusta 
Muhlenberg,  daughter  of  Hiester  H.  and  Katherine  (Hun- 
ter) Muhlenberg,  of  Reading,  and  by  her  he  has  three 
chilaren :  Hiester  (who  graduated  from  the  Pennsyl- 
vania   University    in    1908)  ;    Frederick    Augustus     (who 


graduated  from  the  Reading  high  school  in  1904,  and 
Pennsylvania  College  in  1908)  ;  and  Augusta.  His  wife 
died  in  1890.  He  and  his  children  are  members  of  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church.  His  wife's  father  was  prominently 
identified  -with  the  financial  interests  and  enterprises  of 
Reading  for  many  years,  having  filled  the  office  of  cashier 
of  the  Farmers  Bank  from  1842  until  his  decease  in  1886. 

Rev.  Dr.  Frederick  Augustus  Muhlenberg,  father  of  the 
Doctor,  was  born  at  Lancaster  in  1818,  and  died  in  Read- 
ing in  1901.  He  was  very  prominently  connected  with 
higher  education  in  several  colleges  of  Pennsylvania  for 
sixty  years,  the  last  important  position  being  that  of 
professor  of  Greek  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
His  wife  was  Catharine  Muhlenberg,  daughter  of  Major 
Peter  Muhlenberg,  of  Reading.  She  died  in  1894  aged 
sixty-seven  years.  They  had  four  sons ;  Ernest  A.,  Henry 
M.,  Francis  B.,  and  William  F. 

Rev.  Dr.  Henry  Ernest  Muhlenberg,  his  great-grand- 
father, was  also  of  Lancaster,  and  his  maternal  great- 
grandfather was  the  distinguished  Revolutionary  hero. 
Gen.   Peter  Muhlenberg. 

FREDERICK  SMITH,  Attorney  General  and  Associate 
Justice  of  Pennsylvania,  and  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished men  that  Berks  county  produced,  was  born  at 
Reading  in  1773.  He  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Fred- 
erick Smith,  an  eminent  divine  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  denom- 
ination in  America.  He  obtained  a  superior  classical 
education,  and,  selecting  the  law  as  his  profession,  after 
a  careful  preparation  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  at  Reading 
Aug.  7,  1795.  He  soon  won  prominence  and  distinction, 
both  as  a  counselor  and  as  an  attorney  in  important  liti- 
gation. In  the  meantime  he  became  actively  interested  in 
local  politics,  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  Legislature 
in  1802  and  1803.  He  was  appointed  deputy  attorney- 
general  for  Berks  county  in  1818,  and  filled  that  position 
three  years.  He  served  from  1823  to  1828  as  attorney- 
general  of  Pennsylvania,  and  as  an  associate  justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  from  1828  until  the  time  of  his  death.  His 
judicial  career,  though  brief,  was  distinguished.  He  died 
at  Reading  Oct.  4,  1830.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  church.  He  married  Catharine  Leaf,  of  Phila- 
delphia. His  two  sons,  Henry  W.  Smith,  Esq.»  and 
George  Smith,  were  prominent  in  the  local  affairs  of 
Reading  for  fifty  years  anterior  to  1878,  when  they  died. 

JONES.  The  Jones  family  was  founded  in  this  country 
by  Rev.  Thomas  Jones,  who  was  born  in  the  year  1702 
in  Newtonottage,  Glamorganshire,  Wales.  In  1729  he  mar- 
ried Martha  Morris,  and  in  1737,  they  came  to  America 
with  several  children,  arriving  at  Philadelphia  on  July 
22d  of  that  year.  Rev.  Thomas  Jones  first  settled  in  the 
Great  Valley  of  Chester  county,  Pa.,  where  he  took  up 
lands,  and  where  his  neighbors  included  a  number  of 
Baptists,  mostly  of  his  own  nationality,  some  of  whom 
had  crossed  the  Atlantic  over  thirty-five  years  earlier. 
In  1711  they  had  organized  the  Great  Valley  Baptist 
Church,  and  in  1719  the  Montgomery  Church.  In  1738 
a  number  of  these  people,  all  of  Welsh  extraction,  mem- 
bers of  the  Great  Valley  and  Montgomery  Baptist  Churches, 
removed  to  Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  settling  along  the  Tul- 
pehocken  creek,  near  its  junction  with  the  Schuylkill  river, 
and  also  southwardly  along  that  river,  opposite  what  is 
now  the  city  of  Reading.  The  adults  of  this  little  com- 
pany were  as  follows:  Thomas  Jones  and  wife;  David 
Evans  and  wife;  James  James  and  wife;  Evan  Lloyd  and 
wife;  George  Rees  and  wife;  John  Davis  and  wife; 
Thomas  Nicholas  and  wife;  James  Edwards  and  wife; 
Rees  Thomas  and  wife;  Henry  Harry;  David  Lewis  and 
Thomas  Lloyd.  These  twenty-one  persons,  finding  them- 
selves to  be  too  far  from  their  respective  churches,  re- 
quested leave  to  be  constituted  into  a  distinct  society 
which  accordingly  was  done  Aug.  19,  1738,  and  the  same 
year  the  new  church  joined  the  Philadelphia  Association 
of  Baptist  Churches.  In  the  year  1740  Thomas  Jones 
was  ordained  a  minister  and  became  pastor  of  this  church 
which   was   called  the  Tulpehocken  Baptist  Church    after 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


■   355 


the  river  which  runs  through  the  neighborhood.  For  two 
years  services  were  held  in  a  small  log  cabin  erected  on 
the  property  of  Hugh  Jones,  but  in  1740  the  congregation 
built  two  meeting  houses  on  lands  presented  to  it — one 
about  six  miles  from  the  Schuylkill  river  at  Sinking  Spring 
and  the  other  several  miles  nearer  the  river.  The  church 
continued  to  prosper  for  a  time,  but  became  extinct  sixty 
years  later,  "owing  to  the  departure  of  Baptist  families  to 
other  parts,  and  the  coming  of  Germans  in  their  stead." 
The  lands  owned  by  the  church  passed  into  the  possession 
of  the  Philadelphia  Baptist  Association.  Those  parts  on 
which  the  ancient  graveyards  are  located  are  still  held  by 
the  Philadelphia  Baptist  Association,  but  are  at  present 
under  the  care  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Reading. 

Rev.  Thomas  Jones  died  March  22,  1788,  in  his  eighty- 
seventh  year,  and  his  wife  Martha  (Morris)  died  June  9, 
1799,  in  her  ninety-third  year.  They  are  buried  in  the 
graveyard  of  the  Great  Valley  Baptist  Church  in  Chester 
county,  where  their  graves  are  suitably  marked.  Their 
children  were:  Thomas,  Samuel,  Griffith,  Elizabeth  and 
Sarah.  They  became  allied  by  marriage  with  the  Davis, 
Broomfield,  Spicer,  Lloyd  and  Cornog  families,  and  from 
them  sprang  a  host  of  descendants,  many  of  whom  still 
live  in  the  vicinity  of  the  homes  of  their  fore-fathers, 
though  the  majority  are  widely  scattered  over  the  United 
States. 

Thomas  Jones,  son  of  Rev.  Thomas  and  Martha  (Mor- 
ris) Jones,  was  born  in  Wales  in  1733.  On  Oct.  6,  1762, 
he  married  Mary  Broomfield,  and  to  them  were  born  the 
following  named  children:  Martha,  Susanna,  Sarah,  Mary 
and  Samuel.  Of  these,  Martha  m.  Llewellyn  Davis;  Sarah 
m.  Roger  Davis;  Mary  m.  Mr.  Geiger;  Susanna  m.  Dr. 
Kuhn,  of  Lancaster,  Pa.  The  father  of  this  family  vi>a.s  a 
large  land  holder  in  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  county, 
and  was  a  farnner  by  occupation.  "At  the  very  beginning 
of  the  Revolution  he  assisted  in  organizing  the  Associators 
of  Berks  county,  and  was  in  active  service  for  a  time  as 
major  of  one  of  the  battalions  of  this  county."  He  was 
one  of  the  eight  delegates  from  Berks  county  to  the  Pro- 
vincial Convention  which  met  at  Philadelphia  July  15,  1776, 
"for  the  express  purpose  of  forming  a  new  government  in 
this  Province  on  the  authority  of  the  people  only."  The 
convention  appointed  a  committee  of  Safety,  approved  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  prescribed  for  justices 
of  the  peace,  oaths  of  renunciation  of  the  authority  of 
George  III.,  and  oaths  of  allegiance  to  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin  was  president  of  the 
convention.  Thomas  Jones  was  commissioner  of  Berks 
county  from  1779  to  1786.  He  died  in  March,  1800,  and 
is  buried  in  the  Baptist  graveyard  at  Sinking  Spring.  He 
was  the, last  surviving  male  member  of  the  Tulpehocken 
Baptist  Church.  His  wife,  who  survived  him  several 
years,  was  buried  at  his  side,  and  their  graves  were  marked, 
but  the  stones  were  removed. 

Samuel  Jones,  son  of  Thomas  and  grandson  of  Rev. 
Thomas,  was  born  on  the  homestead  in  Heidelberg  town- 
ship where  his  father  erected  a  house  in  1775.  This  house 
is  still  standing.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  owned 
a  large  and  valuable  tract  of  land  in  Heidelberg  town- 
ship, and  had  slaves,  whom,  however,  'he  set  free.  The 
most  noted  of  these  slaves  was  Dinah  Clark,  a  well  known 
character  in  Reading  in  her  day.  The  negro  quarters 
occupied  by  the  slaves  on  the  Heidelberg  farm  are  still 
standing.  Samuel  Jones  donated  the  land  upon  which  the 
eight-cornered  building  at  Sinking  Spring — used  first  as  a 
Baptist  meeting  house,  later  as  a  school  house,  now  as  a 
.dwelling — was  erected.  The  original  deed  of  this  property 
is  held  by  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Reading. 

Samuel  Jones  married  Elizabeth  Huey,  and  to  them  were 
born  four  children,  Thomas  H.,  John  H.,  Margaret  and 
Mary  C. 

(1)  Thomas  H.  Jones  was  engaged  in  the  iron  business  at 
Leesport,  this  county,  and  at  the  Windsor  Furnace  at 
Hamburg.  He  married  Elizabeth  Van  Reed  Evans,  and 
their  children,  Mary  E.  and  Elizabeth  E.  Jones,  are  living 
in  Reading. 

(2)  John  H.  Jones  married  Margaret  (Seitzinger)  Van- 
Reed,   widow    of   Joshua   Van   Reed,   and   to   them   were 


born  four  children,  namely :  M.  Agnes,  wife  of  Hon.  James 
K.  Getz,  at  one  time  mayor  of  Reading;  Ellen  A.,  widow 
of  Dr.  Christian  N.  Hoffman;  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Dr.  S. 
H.  Clemens,  of  Allentown,  Pa. ;  and  William  W.,  deceased, 
who  lived  at  Robesonia. 

(3)  Margaret  Jones  m.  Dr.  Darrah. 

(4)  Mary  C.  Jones  m.  Jacob  Van  Reed. 

Samuel  Jones,  D.  D.,  son  of  Rev.  Thomas  Jones,  was 
born  Jan.  14,  1735.  In  his  youth  he  was  baptized  into  the 
membership  of  the  Tulpehocken  Baptist  Church.  He  was 
educated  in  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  graduating  in 
1762,  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  1763,  and  became 
pastor  of  the  Pennepek  Baptist  Church,  which  was  or- 
ganized in  1688,  and  is  now  known  as  the  Lower  Dublin 
Church  of  Philadelphia.  He  retained  that  pastorate  for 
fifty  years,  and  he  was  known  as  one  of  the  most  scholarly 
Baptists  of  his  day,  being  the  most  influential  minister 
of  his  denomination  in  the  Middle  Colonies.  The  Phila- 
delphia Baptist  Association  in  1764  sent  him  to  Rhode 
Island  to  assist  in  founding  Rhode  Island  College,  now 
Brown  University.  He  remodeled  the  rough  draft  of  the 
college  charter,  which  then  received  the  sanction  of  the 
Colony  of  Rhode  Island.  Later  he  was  offered  the  presi- 
dency of  the  college  but  did  not  accept  it.  "He  exerted 
a  vast  and  useful  influence  over  the  rising  Baptist  Churches 
of  our  country,  and  himself  educated  many  young  men 
for  the  Christian  ministry.  He  was  a  large  and  firmly 
built  man,  his  face  was  the  image  of  intelligence,  and 
good  nature,  which,  with  the  air  of  dignity  that  pervaded 
his  movements,  rendered  his  appearance  uncommonly  at- 
tractive." He  died  Feb.  7,  1814,  and  is  buried  in  the  Lower 
Dublin  Church. 

JACOB  MORGAN  was  the  most  prominent  Revolu- 
tionary character  of  Berks  county  from  1777  to  1780,  and 
as  such  brought  great  credit  to  the  county  and  great 
honor  to  himself.  He  was  born  in  the  district  of  Caer- 
narvon, in  the  northern  part  of  Wales,  in  1716,  and  emi- 
grated with  his  father,  Thomas  Morgan,  to  Pennsylvania 
some  time  previous  to  1730.  About  that  time  a  colony 
of  Welsh  people,  including  Thomas  Morgan  and  his  fam- 
ily, migrated  up  the  Schuylkill  Valley  from  Philadelphia 
to  the  mouth  of  the  French  creek,  and  thence  along  and 
beyond  the  headwaters  of  that  creek  until  they  reached 
the  headwaters  of  the  'Conestoga  creek,  in  Caernarvon 
township.  There  they  settled  and  took  up  large  tracts  of 
land.  That  section  of  territory  was  then  a  part  of  Lan- 
caster county,  but  since  1752  a  part  of  Berks  county.  The 
tract  taken  up  by  his  father  was  at  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Morgantown.  It  included  the  town-plan  which  he  came 
to  lay  out  in  1770,  and  which  he  named  after  the  family,  a 
custom  quite  common  in  that  day  throughout  the  county. 

When  the  French  and  Indian  War  came  to  affect  Penn- 
sylvania in  1755,  Jacob  Morgan  was  thirty-eight  years 
old,  and  until  that  time  had  been  engaged  at  farming.  In 
December  of  that  year,  he  was  commissioned  as  a  cap- 
tain under  the  Provincial  government,  and  he  continued 
actively  engaged  in  this  military  service  until  1760,  when 
he  returned  home  and  resumed  farming.  When  the  Revo- 
lution^began,  he  was  nearly  sixty  years  of  age.  In  June, 
1776,  he  was  selected  to  represent  the  county  as  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Provincial  Conference,  and  in  July  following 
as  a  delegate  to  the  Constitutional  Convention.  In  1777, 
upon  the  creation  of  the  office  of  lieutenant  of  the  several 
counties  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  the  Executive  Council 
in  effectively  prosecuting  the  war,  he  was  selected  by  the 
Council  to  fill  this  very  important  position.  This  preference 
evidences  his  distinguished  character,  for  at  that  time 
Berks  county  possessed  a  number  of  prominent  and  in- 
fluential men.  In  the  prompt  and  faithful  performance 
of  his  duties  he  was  very  successful,  the  Executive  Coun- 
cil in  their  letters  to  him  frequently  complimenting  his 
energy  in  having  the  county  fill  promptly  the  numerous 
orders  for  troops.  He  resigned  in  December,  1780.  While 
filling-  this  office  he  was  always  recognized  as  a  colonel, 
and  was  addressed  as  such  by  the  Executive  Council.  He 
officiated  as  a  judge  of  the  county  for  the  years  1768,  1769, 
1772,  and  from  1774  to  1777 ;  and  also  as  a  justice  of  the 


356 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


peace  for  the  southern  district  of  Berks  county  (which  in- 
cluded Caernarvon  township),  from  1777  to  1(91.  llis 
autograph  follows.  He  died  at  Morgantown  on  No- 
vember 11,  1792,  and  was  buried  in  the  graveyard  of  the 
St.  Thomas  Episcopal  Church  at  that  place.  He  had  two 
sons,  Jacob  and  Benjamin;  and  three  daughters,  Sarah 
(m.  a  Jenkins)  ;  Mary  (m.  Nicholas  Hudson),  and  Re- 
becca (m.  John  Price,  an  attorney  at  Reading).  Rachel, 
a  daughter  of  John  Price,  m.  Samuel  Wethenll,  of  Phila- 
delphia. 


^..W'-^^^;^^^'^^^^ 


ROBERT  PORTER  was  the  third  President  Judge  of 
Berks  county.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Gen.  Andrew 
Porter,  and  was  born  at  Philadelphia  Jan.  10,  1768.  When 
only  eight  years  old,  the  Revolution  had  begun  in  earnest 
and  his  father  had  enlisted  to  serve  the  United  Colonies. 
Toward  the  close  of  the  war,  his  father  was  colonel  of 
the  4th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  Artillery,  and  Judge 
Porter,  when  only  thirteen  years  of  age,  was  enlisted  in 
one  of  the  companies  under  the  command  of  his  father. 


(m.   Prof.   Huff),  John,  Frederick   (teaching  at  Mercers- 
burg),  Grace,  Annie  and  Mary. 

HIRAM  H.  SCHWARTZ,  first  Orphans'  court  Judge  of 
Berks  county,  from  1883  to  1891,  was  born  in  Maxatawny 
township,  near  Kutztown.  In  1834  he  went  to  Lehigh 
county  and  there  worked  on  a  farm,  and  while  so  engaged 
attended  the  local  schools  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old. 
He  continued  his  preparatory  education  in  the  Van  Deryeer 
Boarding  School  for  several  years;  then  entered  Franklin 
and  Marshall  College,  and  after  taking  a  regular  course 
was  graduated  in  1855.  Upon  returning  home  he  engaged 
at  teaching  public  school  for  two  years ;  and  then  he  was 
elected  school  superintendent  of  Lehigh  county,  an  office 
he  very  successfully  filled  from  1857  to  1860.  During  this 
time  he  took  up  the  study  of  the  law  at  Allentown,  in  the 
office  of  the  Hon.  Samuel  A.  Bridges,  and  was  admitted 
to  practice  in  1858.  After  practising  at  Allentown  two 
years,  he  located  at  Kutztown,  and  he  continued  in  active 
practice  in  Berks  county  until  he  received  the  appointment 
of  Judge  of  the  Orphans'  court  in  June,  1883,  from  Gover- 
nor Pattison,  which  office  had  been  created  by  a  special 
Act  of  Assembly;  and  at  the  next  election  m  November 
of  that  year  he  was  elected  for  the  term  of  ten  years.  He 
officiated  until  his  death  Aug.  25,  1891,  after  a  protracted 
illness.  After  having  located  at  Kutztown  m  1860,  he  be- 
came interested  in  various  enterprises  there.     He  was  par- 


At  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  he   resumed  his  studies   at  ticularly  interested  in  the  cause  of  education,  and  identified 

Philadelphia,  and  selecting  the  law  as  his  profession  was  himself  with  the  establishment  of  the  Keystone  State  Nor- 

admitted  to  practice  May  15,  1789.    After  being  engaged  in  mal  School,  which  he  served  as  a  trustee  until  his  decease, 
a  successful  practice  for  twenty  years  at  Philadelphia,  he 


in  1810  was  appointed  president  judge  of  the  Third  Ju- 
dicial District,  which  comprised  the  counties  of  Berks, 
Northampton  and  Wayne.  He  filled  this  honorable  position 
for  twenty-two  years,  and  then,  resigning  his  commission, 
retired  to  private  life.  He  resided  at  Reading,  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  Fifth  and  Penn  streets,  during  his 
term  of  office.  He  died  June  23,  1842,  at  Brookville,  Pa., 
aged  seventy-four  years.  He  was  a  man  of  profound  learn- 
ing and  superior  legal  attainments.  Henry  M.  Dechert, 
Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  whose  sketch  and  portrait  appear  in 
this  publication,  is  a  grand-son. 

DR.  NATHAN  C.  SCHAEFFER,  State  Superintendent 


GEORGE  D.  PENROSE  (deceased)  was  born  m 
Maiden-creek  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Ephraim 
and  Lydia  Ann  (Smith)  Penrose.  The  Penrose  family  is 
a  very  prominent  one  in  Pennsylvania,  of  English  descent 
.and  of  Quaker  belief. 

Ephraim  Penrose  was  a  life-long  farmer  of  Maiden- 
creek  township,  where  he  owned  and  operated  a  valuable 
farm.  He  and  his  wife  were  nuerabers  of  the  Society  qf 
Friends,  he  belonging  to  the  Hicksite  branch,  and  she  to 
the   Orthodox.     They   had   one   child,   George   D. 

George  D.  Penrose  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Berks  county,  passed  through  the  high  school  at  Read- 
ing, and  took  an  advanced  course  at  Swarthraore  College, 


of  Public  Instruction,  was  born  Feb.  3,  1849,  in  Maxatawny  the  great  Quaker  educational  institution  which  ranks  with 
township,  Berks  county.  He  was  educated  in  Maxatawny  Yale  and  Harvard.  While  he  was  still  a  youth  he  learned 
Seminary  (now  Keystone  State  Normal  School),  Franklin  telegraphy,  and  after  completing  his  education  he  followed 
and  Marshall  College  at  Lancaster,  Theological  Seminary  it  for  some  years  and  subsequently  became  an  operator 
at  Mercersburg,  and  in  the  Universities  of  Berlin,  Tiibingen  for  the  Berks  &  Lehigh  Railway  Company.  In  1883  he 
and  Leipsic.  He  then  taught  in  Mercersburg  College,  and  accepted  a  similar  position  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  and  for  sixteen  years  was  ing  Railway  Company,  and  on  promotion  was  sent  to  the 
principal  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutz-  general  office  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  a  young  man  of 
town.  In  1905  he  was  elected  President  of  the  National  marked  ability,  and  continued  to  find  recognition  with  his 
Educational  Association  at  Asbury  Park,  N.  J.  He  has  employers  and  became  assistant  auditor  for  the  Philadelphia 
served  the  following  prominent  positions  :  President  of  the  &  Reading  Railway  Company.  He  was  filling  this  im- 
Pennsylvania  State  Teachers'  Association  ;  secretary  of  the  portant  position  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  took  place 
National   Council  of  Education;  president  of  the  Depart-  Aug.  2,  1889,  as  the  result  of  an  accident.     It  had  been  the 


ment  of  Superintendence  of  the  National  Association; 
president  of  the  Pennsylvania  German  Society;  Chancellor 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Chautauqua  at  Mt.  Gretna  from  1901 
to  1905 ;  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Commission  on  In- 
dustrial Education  ;  and  editor  of  the  Pennsylvania  School 
Journal,  since  1893.  He  is  editor  of  a  volume  of  Bible 
Readings  for  schools ;  author  of  "Thinking  and  Learning  to 
Think,"  and  of  "History  of  Education  in  Pennsylvania,'-' 
contained  in  three  volumes  of  "History  of  the  State,"  pub- 
lished by  the  Mason  Publishing  Company  at  Syracuse.  N. 
Y.  He  was  commissioned  State  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction  on  June  1,  1893,  and  re-commissioned  in  1897, 
1901,  and  1905.  He  served  as  lecturer  on  Pedagogy  in  the 
Graduate  Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
during  the  absence  of  Dr.  Brumbaugh,  while  serving  as 
Commissioner  of  Education  in  Porto  Rico   (1900-1901). 

Dr.  Schaefifer  is  a  son  of  David  Schaeffer,  of  Maxatawny 
township,  and  Esther  Ann  Christ,  bis  wife  (daughter  of 
Solomon  Christ  and  Elizabeth  Bieber,  his  wife,  of  the 
same  township).  He  married  Annie  Ahlum,  of  Quaker- 
town,  Pa.,  and  they  have  seven  children :  Clarabelle,  Helen 


custom  of  himself  and  wife  to  spend  the  summer  seasons 
at  Atlantic  City,  where  Mr.  Penrose  enjoyed  the  surf 
bathing,  and  it  was  during  a  season  there  that  he  was 
drowned.  This  calamity  was  a  source  of  universal  regret 
to  his  family,  his  employers  and  to  a  very  large  circle  of 
friends. 

On  Oct.  16,  1884,  Mr.  Penrose  was  married  to  Catharine 
^f.  Yarrington,  daughter  of  Thomas  O.  and  Catharine 
S.  (Feather)  Yarrington,  both  of  English  descent.  One 
child  was  born  to  this  marriage,  Edwin  Y.  In  political 
faith  ^Ir.  Penrose  was  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he  was 
an  Odd  Fellow. 

The  Yarringtons  came  from  England  early  in  the  17th 
century,  and  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  Stoning- 
ton.  Conn.  Abel  Yarrington,  grandfather  of  Thomas  O., 
left  Connecticut  in  1770,  and  settled  in  Wilkes  Barre,  Pa., 
where  he  established  the  first  ferry  across  the  Susque- 
hanna at  that  point.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution. 
Of  his  sons,  five  in  number,  the  third  was  Luther. 

Luther  Yarrington,  son  of  Abel,  was  born  in  1776,  and 
died    at    Wilkes    Barre    in    1836.      He    married    Hannah 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


357 


Abbot,  a  descendant  of  George  Abbot.  The  latter,  a 
native  of  Yorkshire,  England,  born  in  1615,  emigrated  to 
America  in  1640,  and  became  one  of  the  founders  of 
Andover,   Massachusetts. 

Thomas  O.  Yarrington,  son  of  Luther  and  Hannah,  was 
reared  in  Wilkes  Barre.  He  became  a  civil  engineer,  and 
followed  that  profession  for  many  years.  He  died  June 
3,  1905,  aged  eighty-six  years.  He  married  Catharine  S. 
Feather,  daughter  qf  William  and  Margaret  (Strohecker) 
Feather.  Mrs.  Yarrington  died  Dec.  7,  1902,  the  mother 
of  seven  children:  Abbot  died  in  infancy;  William  P.,  of 
Mauch  Chunk,  m.  Hannah  (Dodson)  Alsover;  Luther  A., 
of  Reading,  m.  Emily  McCauley,  ■  daughter  of  the  Rev.  C. 
A.  McCauley,  and  had  two  children — Edith  (deceased) 
and  Charles  (deceased  in  November,  1905,  aged  ten  years)  ; 
Amelia  m.  George  W.  Manning,'  of  New  York,  and  has 
one  daughter,  Grace  Y. ;  Thomas  O.,  of  Reading,  m.  Emma 
Heatherington ;  Catharine  M.  is  Mrs.  Penrose;  and  Mar- 
garet m.  William  H.  Albright,  a  job  printer  at  Reading, 
and  has  two  children — William  Y.  and  Frank  Y.  The 
Yarringtons  are  all  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 
Peter  Feather,  great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Catharine  S. 
(Feather)  Yarrington,  appeared  on  the  list  of  taxables  in 
Reading  in  1759.  Peteir  Feather,  Jr.,  son  of  Peter,  was 
born  in  Reading,  and  in  1788  he  married  Margaret  Van 
Kenna,  daughter  of  Baltzer  and  Maria  A.  (Levan)  Van 
Kenna,  and  granddaughter  of  Casper  Van  Kenna.  Maria 
A.  (Levan)  Van  Kenna  was  born  in  Exeter  in  1730,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  Levan,  one  of  the  first  settlers. 

William  Feather,  son  of  Peter,  Jr.,  and  Margaret,  was 
born  in  1791,  and  died  in  1849.  He  owned  and  conducted 
a  tannery  at  Hamburg,  Berks  county,  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  married  Margaret  Strohecker,  who  was  born  in 
Reading  in  1796,  daughter  of  John  and  Julianna  Strohecker, 
residents  of  Reading  a  century  ago.  Mrs.  Margaret 
(Strohecker)  Feather  died  at  Hamburg  in  1874.  John 
Strohecker,  Sr.,  father  of  John  and'  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Feather,  served  in  the  Revolution  as  first  lieutenant,  Capt. 
George  Will's  Company,  Major  Hiester's  Battalion  q{ 
Militia,  of  Berks  county.  Pa.,  in  service  at  Newtown,  Jan. 
2,  1777. 

DAVID  F.  GORDON,  seventh  President  Judge  of 
Berks  county,  from  1849  to  1851,  was  born  at  Philadelphia 
Nov.  20,  1795.  He  received  a  classical  education  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  studied  law  and  was  admitted 
to  practice  in  1816.  He  remained  in  that  city  until  1824, 
when  he  removed  to  Reading  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  the  several  courts  of  Berks  county.  He  continued  in 
active  practice  here  for  eight  years,  and  then  purchased 
the  Berks  and  Schuylkill  Journal,  a  weekly  English  news- 
paper, published  at  Reading.  He  published  this  paper  very 
successfully  until  1838,  then  sold  it  and  resumed  his  law 
practice.  After  practising  for  eleven  years,  he  was  ap- 
pointed president  judge  of  the  county,  which  had  just 
been  erected  into  a  separate  judicial  district.  He  remained 
on  the  Bench  until  December,  1851,  retiring  then  by  virtue 
of  the  amendment  to  the  Constitution,  under  which  the 
office  of  judge  became  elective,  and  the  Hon.  J.  Pringle 
Jones  was  chosen  to  fill  this  position  for  ten  years.  He 
was  recognized  as  an  able  judge,  and  thoroughly  conscien- 
tious in  the  performance  of  his  judicial  duties.  Upon  re- 
tiring from  the  Bench,  he  resumed  his  legal  practice  at 
Reading.     He  died  Dec.  27,  i859. 

ALBERT  J.  BRUMBACH,  manufacturer  and  banker  at 
Reading,  was  born  at  Brumbach's  Woolen  Mills  in  Exeter 
township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Oct.  11,  1840.  He  was  educated 
in  the  township  schools  and  at  Lee's  Academy  in  Reading 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  when  his  father  placed 
him  in  the  woolen  mills  which  he  was  operating,  to  learn 
the  manufacturing  business,  and  after  learning  the  busi- 
ness thoroughly  in  all  its  departments,  he,  upon  arriving 
of  age,  purchased  the  premises.  Shortly  afterward  the 
building  was  burned  down,  but  he  immediately  rebuilt 
the  mill,  introducing  the  latest  improved  machinery.  This 
was  in  1864,  and  the  plant  was  named  the  St.  Lawrence 
Mills,   after   a   certain   grade   of   woolen,  cloth  which   his 


father  had  begun  to  manufacture  there  in  1856,  and  sell 
through  a  commission  house  at  Philadelphia.  The  build- 
ing is  built  of  stone,  two  stories  high,  and  has  at  present 
three  sets  of  machines  which  are  run  by  steam,  as  well 
as  water-power  supplied  by  the  Antietam  creek  flowing 
near  by.  Various  improved  machines  have  been  substituted 
for  old  machines  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  business. 
Seventy  hands  are  .generally  employed,  and  the  product 
consists  chiefly  of  mixed  cassimeres.  The  goods  were 
sold  through  commission  houses  and  merchants  at  Phila- 
delphia until  1870;  then  until  1895  by  traveling  salesmen 
who  developed  in  this  way  a  large  and  profitable  trade 
throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  United  States.  In  1895 
Mr.  Brumbach  established  a  fine  three-story  brick  factory 
at  Reading  (14th  and  Muhlenberg  streets)  for  the  manu- 
facture of  pants  and  vests,  and  since  then  he  has  been 
converting  the  cloths  produced  at  the  St.  Lawrence  Mills 
into  all  sizes  and  styles  of  the  articles  mentioned.  He 
employs  there  120  hands,  and  has  a  large  and  constant 
demand  for  his  goods. 

Besides  carrying  on  his  two  plants  very  successfully, 
Mr.  Brumbaph  has  shown  aTi  enterprising  spirit  in  other 
affairs,  relating  to  internal  improvements  for  the  public 
welfare,  as  well  as  to  manufactures.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  establishing  the  Oley  Turnpike  from  Black  Bear 
to  Pleasantville,  acting  as  a  director  of  the  corporation 
since  1878,  and  as  secretary  since  1888;  he  was  prominent 
in  building  the  East  Reading  Electric  Railway  from  Ninth 
and  Penn  streets,  in  Reading,  to  Black  Bear  in  1888  (which 
was  the  first  street  railway  operated  by  electricity  at  Read- 
ing), and  he  has  officiated  as  president  of  the  company 
from  the  beginning  until  the  present  time.  He  assisted  in 
establishing  the  Penn  National  Bank  of  Reading  in  1883, 
serving  as  a  director  since  then,  and  as  president  since 
1897;  the  Reading  Cold  Storage  &  Ice  Company  in  1900; 
the  Reading  Glove  &  Mitten  Company;  the  Penn  Shge 
Company  in  1902,  and  the  Printz  Furniture  and  Carpet 
Company  in  1907  (embracing  large  stores  at  Hazleton, 
Rochester  and  Newark) ;  all  of  which  he  has  served 
as  a  director,  and  of  the  glove  works  as  president  since 
1905.  He  was  prominently  identified  with  the  rebuilding 
of  the  Schwartzwald  Church  in  Exeter  township  by  acting 
as  chairman  of  the  meeting,  in  1870,  which  took  earnest 
steps  in  behalf  of  the  new  church;  also  with  the  exten- 
sion and  improvement  of  the  fine  cemetery  there,  serving  as 
secretary  of  the  company  for  about  twenty  years  until  1901; 
and  for  many  years  he  was  connected  with  the  choir  as 
one  of  the  singers.  He  has  been  affiliated  with  the  Free- 
masons at  Reading   (Chandler  Lodge)    since  1861. 

In  1863  Mr.  Brumbach  married  Sarah  Ann  Dunkel 
(daughter  of  Solomon  Dunkel,  of  Exeter)  ;  by  whom  he 
had  six  children:  Solomon,  superintendent  of  the  St 
Lawrence  Mills,  m.  Margaret  Ermentrout;  Williamj,  book- 
keeper at  mills,  m.  Edwina  Jack;  Albert,  superintendent 
of  pants  factory,  m.  Carrie  Esterly;  Ida  m^.  Stockton 
Snyder,  and  both  were  killed  in  the  Honda  wreck, 
California,  May  11,  1907 ;  Kate  m.  William  J.  Ermentrout ; 
and  Emma  m.  Custer  Ammon. 

Mr.  Brumbach's  father,  William  Brumbach,  was  born 
in  1814  in  Exeter  township,  where  his  father  became 
the  owner  of  a  woolen  mill  in  1830,  and  while  still  a  boy 
was  put  in  the  mill  to  learn  the  business.  In  1842,  he  and 
his  brother  Jacob  became  the  owners  of  the  plant,  and 
they  carried  on  the  business  as  partners  for  three  years  . 
when  Jacob  withdrew.  William  then  operated  the  plant 
himself  in  a  successful  manner  until  1853',  when  he  pur- 
chased the  Housum  grist  mill  (which  was  situated  along 
the  Antietam  creek  near  by),  and  from  that  time  he  car- 
ried on  the  two  mills  until  they  were  destroyed  by  fire 
in  1863.  He  then  went  to  Union  county,  Pa.,  and  became 
a  partner  of  Marr,  Griffey  &  Co.,  who  owned  and  operated 
the  White  Deer  Woolen  Mills.  A  few  years  afterward 
the  senior- partner  died,  and  the  firm  name  became  Griffey 
&  Brumbach,  and  this  firm  carried  on  the  plant  until  Mr. 
Brumbach's  decease  in  1868.  He  was  married  twice.  His 
first  wife  was  Sarah  Spats,  daughter  of  Jacob  Spats,  who 
carried    on    farming    and    butchering    in    Exeter,    in    the 


358 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


vicinity  of  the  woolen  mills.  To  this  union  were  born 
four  children:  Emma  m.  Jacob  A.  Strohecker;  Albert 
J. ;  Sarah  m.  William  K.  Leithiser ;  and  Elizabeth  m.  J. 
B.  Stauffer.  His  second  wife  was  Rachel  Schneider,  daugh- 
ter of  David,  of  Oley,  and  by  her  he  had  four  sons,  David, 
George  W.,  Aaron  and  Thomas,  who  learned  the  business 
of  manufacturing  woolen  cloth  with  Albert  J.,  and  they 
have  been  operating  a  plant  of  their  own  at  St.  Lawrence 
under  the  name  of  Brumbach  Brothers;  and  one  daughter, 
Mary,  m.  C.  O.  Snyder.  He  died  in  1868;  his  first  wife 
died  in  1847,  aged  twenty-eight  years;  his  second  wife 
Rachel  Schneider  is  still  living  at  age  of  eighty-two  years. 

Mr.  Brumbach's  grandfather  was  Jacob  Brumbach,  who 
had  learned  the  fulling  business  at  the  De  Turck  mill  in 
Exeter,  near  Monocacy,  and  in  1830  purchased  a  small 
plant  established  along  the  Antietara  creek  near  where  the 
St.  Lawrence  Mills  are  located,  which  he  operated  until  1842 
when  he  sold  the  property  and  business  to  his  two  oldest 
sons,  William  and  Jacob.  He  died  in  1873,  aged  ninety-four 
years.  He  was  married  twice :  first  to  Dorothy  Bar  (born 
1788,  died  1822),  and  second  to  Susanna  Gumbert  (born 
1795,  died  1836),  and  had  eight  children,  viz..  Lydia  m. 
John  Wagner;  William;  Jacob  m.  Sarah  Kline;  Lewis  m. 
Elizabeth  Ann  Tea ;  Catharine  m.  William  Levan ;  Louisa 
m.  Moore  John;  Rebecca  m.  William  Levan;  and  Daniel  m. 
Lydia  DeGonr,  living  at  Covington,  Kentucky. 

Mr.  Brumbach's  wife's  father,  Solomon  Dunkel,  was  a 
farmer  of  Exeter.  He  married  Elizabeth  Althouse,  of 
Bern  township,  and  they  had  children :  Sarah  Ann ;  Amel- 
ia m.  Amos  Dick:  Mary  m.  John  Hoyer ;  Caroline  m. 
Henry  Egolf :  Miss  Elizabeth;  Morgan  died  1858;  KiHan 
m..  Mary  Messinger ;  David,  and  James. 

ADAM  B.  DUNDOR,  M.  D.,  a  retired  physician  and 
surgeon  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  in  North  Heidelberg, 
Berks  county.  May  17,  1838,  son  of  Isaac  Dundor,  and  a 
member  of  the  fifth  generation  from  the  emigrant  ancestor 
who  came  from  Alsace-Lorraine  to  Philadelphia  in  1741. 
The  family  is  of  French  Huguenot  stock,  and  the  name 
was  originally  spelled  Dundeur. 

Jacob  Dundor,  founder  of  the  Dundor  family  in  Am- 
erica, was  born  July  :25,  1720,  son  of  Miguel  Dundeur,  who 
never  came  to  America.  Jacob  Dundor  made  the  voyage 
to  America  in  1741,  sailing  on  the  ship  "Friendship."  He 
located  in  Bern  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  died 
May  20,  1789,  leaving  a  widow,  Anna  Maria  (Brecht) 
Dundor,  and  children  as  follows :  Maria  C,  Susannah, 
John,  Michael,  John  Jacob  and  Catherine  E. 

John  Jacob  Dundor,  son  of  Jacob,  and  great-great- 
grandfather of  Dr.  Adam  B.,  married  Marguerite  Brown, 
by  whom  the  following  children  were  born :  Jacob,  John 
A.,  Christian,  John   (2)   and  Margaret. 

Jacob  Dundor,  son  of  John  J.,  died  Dec.  12,  1828,  leaving 
a  son,  Jacob,  Jr. 

Jacob  Dundor,  Jr..  married  Elizabeth  lOopp,  born  Nov. 
28,  1788,  died  Dec.  19,  1843.  They  were  the  parents  of 
these  children  :  Isaac,  born  March  10,  1809,  and  died  Jan. 
35,  1873;  Jacob;  Samuel  K. ;  Catherine;  Eliza;  Caroline; 
Sarah,  and  Lydia.  Jacob  Dundor,  Jr.,  and  his  wife  arc 
both  interred  in  North  Heidelberg  cemetery.  They  were 
devoted  members  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Mr.  Dundor 
was  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  owned 
valuable  lands  in  North  Heidelberg  township,  continuing 
to  follow  agricultural  pursuits  during  his  long  and  useful 
life. 

Isaac  Dundor,  son  of  Jacob,  Jr.,  and  father  of  Dr. 
Adam  B.,  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town- 
ship, and  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  retired 
from  active  life  and  located  in  Reading  several  years  be- 
fore his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  25,  1873.  Mr.  Dundor 
married  Elizabeth  Bucks,  daughter  of  John  Bucks,  and 
she  died  in  1890,  aged  seventy-nine  years,  the  mother  of 
two  children :  Jonathan,  born  March  8,  1833,  died  April 
33,  1S66;  and  Adam  B. 

Adam  B.  Dundor  received  the  rudiments  of  his  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  North  Heidelberg  township,  and 
later  took  an  advanced  course  at  Fremont  Academy, 
Chester    county,     still     later     entering    Freeland   Academy 


(now  Ursinus  College),  subsequently  taking  a  classical 
course  at  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  at  Lancaster, 
graduating  therefrom  in  1862.  While  there  he  reeistered 
as  medical  student  under  the  preceptorship  of  Dr.  William 
Moore,  of  Womelsdorf,  and  remained  with  him  two  years, 
during  which  time  he  qualified  to  enter  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  of  Philadelphia.  Taking  one  course  here  Dr. 
Dundor  then  took  a  special  course  at  Long  Island  Col- 
lege Hospital,  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  received  the  degree 
of  M.  D.  in  the  summer  of  1863.  Later  Dr.  Dundor  re- 
turned to  Jefferson  Medical  College,  and  received  the 
degree  of  M.  D.  there  in  the  spring  of  1864.  The  year 
following  in  regular  course  he  received  the  degree  of  A.  M. 
from  Franklin  and  Marshall  College.  The  Doctor  located 
in  Robesonia  in  1864,  remaining  there  until  1867,  when 
he  decided  to  make  the  city  of  Reading  his  field  of  practice, 
where  he  has  continued  to  reside  since.  He  first  opened 
an  office  on  Franklin  street  where  he  remained  three  years, 
and  then  removed  to  his  present  fine  home,  in  which  he 
maintained  an  office  until  he  retired  from  practice  in  1896. 
There  never  has  been  any  doubt  as  to  his  ability  or  stand- 
ing in  the  profession,  as  from  the  very  beginning  of  his 
active  career  he  has  been  successful  in  diagnosis  and  in 
treatment,  and  he  has  had  the  unbounded  admiration  and 
esteem  of  his  fellow  practitioners.  From  1870  to  1873 
he  was  physician  to  the  Berks  County  Almshouse  and 
Hospital,  and  from  1873  to  1877  prison  physician.  In 
1883  he  became  a  member  of  the  board  of  health,  from 
which  on  account  of  failing  health  he  was  compelled  to 
resign  in  1902,  after  serving  nine  years  as  its  president. 
Dr.  Dundor  has  made  a  careful  study  of  hygiene  and 
sanitation,  and  he  has  had  the  ideal  physician's  sense  of 
duty  in  looking  after  the  health  of  the  people.  As  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  health  his  work  has,  indeed,  been 
colossal,  and  more  than  that,  it  has  been  of  such  a  nature 
as  to  bear  good  fruit.  The  nearly  perfect  system  of  vac- 
cination was  the  result  of  his  labors.  As  "a  member  of 
the  committee  on  Preventable  Diseases  and  School  Hy- 
giene, he  personally  looked  after  this  work,  visited  and 
thoroughly  inspected  every  room  in  every  school  building 
in  the  city,  together  with  the  heating,  ventilation  and 
plumbing  of  the  buildings,  the  furniture  of  the  rooms, 
location  of  black-boards,  in  fact  every  thing  in  any  way 
affecting  the  health  of  the  pupils.  In  most  complete 
tabulated  form  the  records  of  his  work  were  presented  to 
the  board,  while  his  report  suggesting  needed  changes,  etc., 
was  one  of  the  most  practical  and  sensible  ever  handed 
in  by  a  city  official  anywhere.  When  he  retired  from  the 
presidency  of  the  Berks  County  Medical  Society,  Jan. 
8.  1895,  his  address  was  on  the  subject  of  School  Hygiene, 
and  so  complete  was  it  in  detail,  so  perfect  in  its  entire 
conception,  that  it  should  be  carefully  studied  by  the  build- 
ing committees  of  school,  boards  all  over  the  country. 
This  address  is  a  plea  for  the  health  and  happiness  of 
future  generations,  an  appeal  to  common  sense,  and  is  of 
so  high  a  standard  of  excellence — the  outcome  of  the 
scientific  investigations  of  a  conscientious  scientist,  looking 
for  the  greatest  good  of  all  the  people,  which  in  itself  is 
the  loftiest  type  of  patriotic  endeavor — that  it  is  worthy 
the  dignity  of  a  State  document  to  be  printed  and  spread 
broadcast  among  all  people.  He  has  been  a  great  friend 
of  education  and  no  man  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  has 
worked  harder  in  the  cause  of  the  child  and  the  student 
than  has  Dr.  Adam  B.  Dundor. 

Dr.  Dundor  was  married  in  1864  to  Emma  R.  Kalbach, 
daughter  of  Isaac  Kalbach,  and  five  children  were  born  of 
this  union,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  children 
survivmg  childhood  were:  Henrv  I.,  who  died  in  1876; 
Lizzie  R.,  who  died  in  1876 ;  and  Eleanora  R.  In  religious 
belief  the  family  are  members  of  the  Reformed  Church. 
The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  237, 
F.  &  A.  M. ;  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237,  R.  A.  M. ;  Read- 
ing Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T. ;  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O. 
N.  AI.  S.,  and  Friendship  Lodge,  K.  P.,  of  Reading.  His 
profession  connects  him  with  the  Berks  County  Medical 
Society,  the  Pennsylvania  Medical  Association,  the  Ameri- 
can  Medical   Association,   and   the  .American   Academy   of 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


35? 


Medicine.    He  was  also  a  member  of  the  American  Acad- 
emy of  Political  and  Social  Science. 

Dr.  Dundor  is  a  very  talented  writer,  and  his  works 
are  well  read  and  widely  known.  Among  his  works  may 
be  found :  "A  Plea  for  Old  Standard  Remedies" ;  "Sanita- 
tion and  Sanitarians";  "Rheumatisnt ;  Epilepsy  and  Treat- 
ment by  Bromide  of  Potash";  "Cocaine  Intoxication  and 
Its  Dangers,  Moral  Pollution  and  Sanitation";  and  the 
"Old  and  New  Obstetrician." 

HENRY  VAN  REED,  first  additional  law  judge  of 
Berks  county  in  1869,  was  born  Aug.  31,  1831,  in  Cumru 
(now  Spring)  township.  His  grandfather,  John  Van  Reed, 
settled  there  about  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  and  his 
father  was  born  there  in  1786.  He  was  educated  at  Read- 
ing, Lititz,  Lafayette  College  and  Dickinson  College, 
graduating  from  the  last  named  institution  in  1843.  Upon 
returning  home  he  selected  the  law  as  his  profession,  and 
pursued  a  regular  course  of  legal  study  in  the  office  of 
David  F.  Gordon,  Esq.,  afterward  president  judge  of  this 
judicial  district.  On  April  5,  1844,  he  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar,  and  soon  established  a  large  and  lucrative  practice, 
which  he  continued  for  twenty  years. 

In  1851  he  made  a  trip  to  California,  visiting  his  brothers, 
who  had  gone  thither  some  years  previously.  In  April, 
1869,  the  State  Legislature  authorized  the  qualified  electors 
of  Berks  county  to  elect  an  additional  law  judge.  At  that 
time  the  Governor  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  hav- 
ing been  authorized  to  appoint  a  suitable  person  to  act  as 
such  judge  till  one  should  be  elected,  he  appointed  Mr.  Van 
Reed  to  this  position  on  July  13,  1869.  The  appointment 
was  given  to  him  without  any  solicitation  on  his  part.  He 
occupied  his  seat  on  the  Bench  and  discharged  his  duties 
in  a  superior  manner  till  Dec.  6,  1869,  when  his  successor 
was  qualified.  Subsequently,  from  Jan.  1'2,  1875,  till  Jan.  2, 
1876,  he  again  filled  the  same  office  by  appointment  from 
the  Governor  to  supply  a  vacancy  caused  by  the  promotion 
of  the  then  incumbent  to  the  office  of-  president  judge. 
Judge  Van  Reed  represented  this  district  as  one  of  the 
delegates  to  the  Constitutional  Convention  which  was  held 
in  1872  and  1873. 

During  the  progress  of  the  Civil  War,  he  was  an  ardent 
supporter  of  the  national  administration  in  every  way,  and 
his  strong  patriotic  feelings  impelled  him  to  express  him- 
self in  the  most  positive  manner  in  favor  of  prosecuting 
the  war.  When  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  was  threatened 
with  an  invasion  by  the  Rebels,  in  September,  1862,  he 
enlisted  with  a  large  number  of  the  most  prominent  men 
of  Reading,  in  Company  G,  of  the  2d  Regiment  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  commanded  by  Captain  F.  S. 
Bickley.  This  company  was  marched  to  and  beyond  the 
State  line  and  performed  military  service  for  eleven  days 
when  it  was  discharged.  During  the  excitement  through- 
out the  State,  owing  to  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  in  the 
beginning  of  July,  1863,  he  enlisted  again  in  Company  C, 
42nd  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Militia,  and  acted 
as  a  sergeant.  This  regiment  was  composed  entirely  of 
Berks  county  companies.  It  was  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Charles  H.  Hunter  and  continued  in  service  from  July 
6th  to  August  12th. 

Judge  Van  Reed  died  June  30,  1885,  after  an  illness  of 
several  years.  He  married  Catharine  Gernant,  daughter 
of  George  Gernant.  She  died  Jan.  13,  1883.  They  had 
two  children :  George  and  Anna.  > 

SAMUEL  F.  MILLER,  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  was  born  at  Richmond,  Ky., 
in  1816.  He  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  in  1862, 
and  came  to  be  an  authority  on  constitutional  law  next 
to  Marshall.  His  father  was  born  at  Reading,  Pa.,  and 
had  removed  to  Kentucky  shortly  before  1816,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming. 

GEORGE  DE  BENNEVILLE  KEIM,  a  prominent  mer- 
chant, politioian  and  official  of  Philadelphia,  was  born  at 
Reading,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  18,  1831,  a  son  of  John  May 
arid  Harriet   (de  Benneville)   Keim. 


John  May  Keim  was  a  prominent  hardware  merchant 
at  Reading  for  many  years.  He  married  Harriet  de  Benne- 
ville, and  they  had  six  children,  namely:  Ellen,  who  mar- 
ried John  Wickersham ;  Mary,  who  married  Isaac  Lathrop ; 
Esther,  who  married  Leonard  Myers ;  George  de  Benne- 
ville; Anna,  who  married  Amos  Michener;  and  John  May. 
[For  other  data  see  the  publication  entitled  "Keim  and 
Allied  Families"  which  was  compiled  by  de  B.  Randolph 
Keim.] 

After  receiving  a  thorough  education  at  Reading  and 
at  "China  Hall,"  in  Bucks  county,  Mr.  Keim  engaged  in 
a  general  hardware  business  at  Reading  until  1882,  when 
he  went  to  Philadelphia  and  entered  the  hardware  store  of 
Rufus  Smith,  on  Commerce  street,  east  of  Fourth.  After 
continuing  with  him  for  seven  years  he  started  in  the  sad- 
dlery hardware  business  for  himself,  at  Third  and  Race 
streets,  which  he  carried  on  until  1872;  then  he  organizedl 
the  firm  of  Keim,  Kennedy  &  Co.,  which  did  business 
successfully  until  1876,  when  the  name  was  changed  to 
Geo.  de  B.  Keim,  .Ltd.,  &  Co.  and  so  continued  for  nearly 
twenty  years.  In  1871  Mr.  Keim  became  the  owner  of  the 
Coleman  Bolt  Works,  and  operated  the  plant  for  a  number 
of  years.  He  was  also  identified  for  some  years  with  the 
Union  Banking  Company,  as  a  director,  and  with  the 
Citizens'  Bank  as  president. 

Immediately  after  locating  in  Philadelphia  Mr.  Keim 
identified  himself  with  the  Republican  organization  in  that 
city  and  for  thirty  years  took  an  active  part  in  local 
politics.  In  1880  he  was  .  chosen  one  of  the  Presidential 
electors  for  Pennsylvania,- and  he  cast  his  vote  for  James 
A.  Garfield.  In  1882  he  was  placed  on  the  Republican 
ticket  for  sheriflf  and  was  elected,  notwithstanding  opposi- 
tion led  by  the  powerful  combination  of  the  "committee 
of  100,"  which  had  been  organized  for  the  reform  of 
local  politics.  He  served  the  regular  term  of  three  years, 
from  1883  to  1886.  In  1887  he  was  nominated  on  the 
Independent  ticket  for  mayor,  against  Edwin  H.  Fitler  on 
the  Republican  ticket,  and  although  his  numerous  friends 
throughout  the  city  conducted  a  hard  campaign  in  his  be- 
half, he  was  defeated.  , 

In  1873  Mr.  Keim  represented  the  United  States  as  a 
commissioner  to  the  World's  Fair  at  Vienna.  At  its  close 
he  traveled  for  a  year  over  many  parts  of  Europe  and 
brought  home  with  him  many  rare  and  costly  paintings 
and  works  of  art.  This  collection  he  continued  to  add  to, 
and  by  many  persons  his  collection  is  considered  the  finest 
owned  by  a  private  individual  in  Pennsylvania.  For  many 
years  he  resided  at  No.  1122  Spruce  street,  and  he  had  a 
summer  home  at  Edgewater  Park,  N.  J.,  occupying  a 
charming  site  on  the  eastern  bank  O'f  the  Delaware  river; 
he  also  owned  a  farm  and  "shooting-box"  in  Maryland. 
While  enjoying  sport  at  the  latter  place  he  contracted 
a  heavy  cold,  which  developed  into  pneumonia,  and  he 
died  after  a  short  illness,  March  10,  1893.  He  had  a  large 
circle  of  friends  who  appreciated  him  very  highly  for  his; 
genial,  frank  and  straightforward  nature. 

In  1850  Mr.  Keim  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Childsv 
of  Milestown,  Pa.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children :  Harriet 
de  Benneville,  Mary  L,  Ellen  W.,  Walter  M.,  John  M.  and 
Fanny  Granville.  In  1883,  Mr.  Keim  was  married  (second) 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Archer  Thorpas,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Tuley  and  Belinda  Jane  (Mitchell)  Thomas,  the  former 
of  whom  was  a  distinguished  lawyer  of  Philadelphia.  They 
had  two  children :  George  de  Benneville  and  Elizabeth 
Thomas. 

JOHN  W.  GILBERT,  of  the  firm  of  Heffner,  Gilbert 
&  Croll,  leading  clothiers  and  men's  furnishers  at  Reading,. 
Pa.,  was  born  Sept.  5,  1856,  near  Gilbertsville,  New  Han- 
over township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Elias  Y.  and 
Rebecca,  (Wartman)  Gilbert,  and  grandson  of  John  and 
Sarah   (Yerger)   Gilbert. 

John  Gilbert  was  born  near  Gilbertsville,  Pa.,  a  little 
borough  named  in  honor  of  the  early  residents  of  that 
name,  and  he  and  his  wife  were  the  -parents  of  two  chil- 
dren, Elias  Y.  and  a  daughter  who  died  in  infancy.  After 
Mrs.  Gilbert's  death,  John  Gilbert  married  (second) 
Esther  Bickel.     By  this  union  there  were  children  as  fol- 


360 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


lows ;  Jesse,  Lydia,  Henry,  John,  Milton,  Emma,  Percival 
and  Augustus.  In  religious  belief  the  grandparents  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  was  a  blacksmith 
by  trade,  and  this  occupation  he  followed  for  many  years, 
dying  aged  sixty  years. 

Elias  Y.  Gilbert  was  born  on  the  old  Gilbert  homestead 
near  Gilbertsville.  He  received  a  good  common  school 
education,  and  during  his  vacations  worked  in  his  father's 
blacksmith  shop,  learning  the  trade.  This  he  followed  for 
a  short  time,  and  then  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  first 
in  Berks  county,  and  later,  after  a  short  time  spent  in  the 
butcher  business,  returned  thereto,  continuing  in  that  oc- 
cupation for  about  forty  years,  sixteen  years  of  this  time 
being  in  Pottstown.  He  died  Dec.  1,  1898,  and  his  wife 
followed  him  to  the  grave  April  3,  1901.  The  children  born 
to  this  union  were :  Mahlon  W.,  born  Aug.  16,  1850,  in  New- 
Hanover,  Montgomery  county,  is  deceased;  Elizabeth  W., 
born  Dec.  21,  1853,  in  New  Hanover,  died  unmarried;  Sar- 
ah A.  W.,  born  Oct.  18,  1854,  in  New  Hanover,  married  C. 
W.  B.  Todd,  Feb.  21,  1901;  John  W.,  born  Sept.  5,  1856; 
EKlen  W.,  born  Sept.  11,  1859,  in  Boyertown,  Berks  county, 
married  Nevin  Gery,  now  of  Philadelphia;  Elias  H.,  born 
Feb.  10,  1861,  at  Colebrookdale ;  Emma  W.,  born  Oct.  29, 
1865,  in  Colebrookdale,  Berks  county,  married  W.  M. 
Staufer,  and  they  reside  in  Lancaster  county;  Howard  W., 
born  Sept.  27,  1869,  at  that  place,  married  Anna  Ratz, 
and  they  live  in  Pottstown;  and  Eli  married  a  Miss  Ida 
Moll,  of  Alburtis,  Lehigh  county. 

John  W.  Gilbert  attended  public  school  in  Berks  and 
Montgomery  counties  and  Perkiomen  Seminary.  At  the 
age  of  nine  years  he  engaged  as  a  tender  in  a  brick  yard, 
and  this  he  followed  during  the  summer  months  for  three 
seasons.  When  twelve  years  of  age  he  engaged  at  clerk- 
ing in  a  general  store  at  Forgedale  and  at  Landis  Store. 
He  then  clerked  in  his  father's  hotel  for  four  years,  during 
this  time  attending  the  Seminary.  Later  he  taught  school 
for  two  years,  afterward  engaging  in  the  butchering  busi- 
ness at  East  Greenville  and  Alburtis,  still  later  going  to 
Philadelphia,  where  he  was  en-vployed  eleven  years  by  W- 
L.  Graver  as  traveling  salesman.  In  1890  Mr.  Gilbert  came 
to  Reading.  He  was'  appointed  steward  at  the  Berks  County 
Alms  House,  where  he  remained  about  five  years,  and  at 
the  end  of  this  time  engaged  in  the  men's  furnishing  goods 
business  on  Fifth  street.  In  1897  the  firm  of  Heffner, 
Gilbert  &  CroU  was  established,  commencing  operations  at 
No.  528  Penn  street,  which  store  they  conducted  until 
1904,  when,  on  account  of  their  steadily  increasing  business 
and  lack  of  room  they  removed  to  their  present  fine  store, 
formerly  the  J.  C.  Illig  stand,  and  here  carry  one  of  the 
finest  stocks  of  men's  furnishings  and  clothing  in  Penn- 
sylvania. They  also  have  a  custom  tailoring  department, 
where  the  finest  domestic  and  imported  suitings  are  con- 
stantly kept  on  hand.  A  corps  of  cutters  and  first-class 
tailors  are  kept  busy  turning  out  some  of  the  finest  cloth- 
ing in  this  section.  The  company  employs  ten  clerks,  and 
the  building,  which  is  34  x  230  feet,  is  equipped  with  all 
modern  improvements  and  appliances. 

Mr.  Gilbert  was  married  in  1879  to  Miss  Amanda  .Sal- 
lade,  daughter  of  Abraham  Sallade,  and  two  children  were 
born  to  this  union :  Bertha  and  Helen,  both  of  whom  re- 
side with  their  parents.  In  his  political  belief  Mr.  Gilbert 
is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  Vaux  Lodge,  No.  406 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  the  K.  G.  E. 

E.  RALPH  ADAMS,  who  at  the  time  of  his  death  was 
superintendent  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Telegraph 
Company,  was  born  Nov.  5,  1850,  at  Robesonia,  Berks  Co,, 
Pa.,  son  of  Reuben  and  Magdalena   (Jones)   Adams. 

Reuben  Adams  was  born  also  in  Berks  county.  He 
carried  on  a  blacksmith  and  machine  business  at  Robe- 
sonia, where  he  died  in  November,  1895,  aged  seventy-five 
years.  His  widow  died  in  June,  1907.  They  had  six  chil- 
dren, namely :  Richard,  of  Missouri ;  Ruf  us,  who  died  at 
Denver,  Colo. ;  E.  Ralph ;  Emma,  deceased,  who  married 
Samuel  Kurtz ;  John ;  and  Valeria,  wife  of  George  Fisher. 

E.  Ralph  Adams  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  until 
the  age  of  fourteen  years,  when  he  took  charge  of  the 
telegraph    service   at    Robesonia,    for   the    Philadelphia    & 


Reading  Railway.  This  was  in  1862,  and  he  continued 
to  be  in  the  employ  of  this  corporation  until  his  death,  with 
the  exception  of  1871  to  1874,  when  he  was  with  the 
Western  Union  Telegraph  Company,  at  Sedalia,  Mo.  After 
his  return  to  the  former  company  he  was  made  manager 
of  the  Sixth  street  office  at  Reading,  in  1875  becoming 
chief  operator,  and  in  1886  he  was  sent  to  the  Philadel- 
phia office  of  the  company  as  manager.  Nine  months  later 
he  was  promoted  to  be  superintendent  of  the  whole  ser- 
vice, and  this  responsible  position,  gained  entirely  through 
his  own  merit,  he  held  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  March  3,  1895.  He  was  a  member  of  Lodge  No. 
62,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Excelsior  Chapter;  Reading  Commandery, 
K.  T.;  and  Philadelphia  Consistory.  He  belonged  also  to 
Mt.  Penn  Council,  Royal  Arcanum,  and  to  the  Philadelphia 
&  Reading  Relief  Telegraphic  Association. 

In  1871  Mr.  Adams  was  married  to  Loretta  Loag,  a 
daughter  of  William  R.  and  Eliza  (Strong)  Loag.  They 
settled  at  what  is  now  known  as  Loag's  Corner,  Chester 
county,  where  they  engaged  in  farming.  She  is  the  young- 
est of  their  children,  the  others  being :  Margaret,  deceased, 
wife  of  Michael  P.  Boyer,  a  prominent  attorney  at  Read- 
ing; John,  deceased,  who  was  proprietor  of  a  hotel  at 
Scranton,  Pa. ;  Emma,  widow  of  James  Thompson,  of 
Hillsboro,  Md. ;  James,  deceased,  a  merchant  in  Phila- 
delphia ;  Mary  and  Esther,  both  deceased ;  George,  de- 
ceased a  dentist  at  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. ;  Sarah,  wife  of 
Theodore  J.  Bell,  of  Chester,  Pa.;  Frances,  also  of  Chester. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  had  two  children,  viz. :  Fred  B., 
who  is  supervisor  of  the  Shamokin  Division  of  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  Railway  Company,  and  who  married 
Lue  G.  Felix;  and  Florence  L.,  wife  of  R.  Ray  Helms, 
representative  for  the  Equitable  Life  Assurance  Society,  at 
Reading,  Pennsylvania. 

CLYMER  FAMILY.  In  tracing  this  family,  the  first 
of  whom  we  know  are  Christopher  Clymer  and  his  wife, 
Catherine,  who  lived  in  Bristol,  England.  They  had  two 
children,  Richard  and  William,  who  came  to  America 
about  the  year  1705.  Both  married,  but  only  Richard 
left   issue. 

Richard  Clymer  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  had  five  chil- 
dren. Three  of  them  died  in  infancy.  Two  sons,  Christo- 
pher and  William,  both  married  and  both  left  descendants, 
Christopher's  son  George  having  been  one  of  the  signers 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

'William  Clymer,  second  son  of  Richard,  married  Anne 
Judith  Roberdeau  and  left  but  one  child.  This  was  Daniel 
Cunningham  Clymer,  who  was  brought  up  by  his  uncle. 
General  Roberdeau,  Daniel's  father  having  died  when 
Daniel  was  quite  young.  Daniel  Cunningham  Clymer 
married  'Mary  Weidner  and  they  had  three  children: 
Ann,  who  died  unmarried;  William,  who  married  Susan 
Rightmyer  and  had  eight  children,  all  of  whom  died 
childless;   and   Edward  Tilghman. 

Edward  Tilghman  Clymer,  son  of  Daniel  C,  married 
Maria  Catherine  Hiester,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  as  follows:  Daniel  Roberdeau,  born 
March  31,  1819;  William  Hiester,  born  Oct.  9,  1820;  Ed- 
ward Myers,  born  July  16,  1822;  Weidner.  born  May  12, 
1824;  Mary  Hiester,  born  July  19,  1825;  Hiester,  born 
Nov.  3,  1827;  and  George  Edward,  born  Jan.  8,  1830. 

Daniel  Roberdeau  Clymer,  eldest  son  of  Edward 
Tilghman  Clymer  and  Maria  Catherine  Hiester,  was  born 
at  the  Clymer  homestead  in  Caernarvon  township,  Berks 
Co.,  Pa.,  .March  31,  1819.  After  receiving  his  education 
at  Lititz,  Lancaster  county,  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
busmess  in  Reading,  Pa.,  which  he  pursued  until  1852. 
In  1853-54  he  was  mayor  of  Reading,  and  some  years  later 
held  a  position  with  the  East  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany, which  he  resigned  in  1869,  after  which  time  he 
was  not  m  business.  He  was  also  a  lawyer,  having  been 
admitted  to  the  Bar  Aug.  20,  1857,  but  was  never  en- 
gaged in  the  active  practice  of  the  law.  He  married  at 
Mercersburg  March  31,  1846,  Delia  Pierson,  daughter  of 
Silas  and  Sarah  Pierson,  of  Morristown,  N  J.  Mrs  Cly- 
mer was  born  Jan.  S,  1824,  and  died  June  14,  1861.  They 
had  five  children :  Maria  Hiester,  born  June  2,  1847 ;  Sarah 


■?ss'S.;s*^*-,-    :-:  i 


'inu./?^. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


361 


Anna  Moore,  born  June  24,  1849;  Delia  Pierson,  born 
May  28i  1851;  Daniel  Roberdeau,  Jr.,  born  Nov.  6,  1854; 
and  Hiester  George,  born  Oct.  21,  1856. 

'Mr.  Qymer  was  well  known  over  the  whole  State  and 
highly  esteemed  by  a  large  circle  of  friends.  He  was  a 
devout  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  looked 
upon  as  a  faithful  and  upright  Christian  gentleman.  His 
death  o.ccurred  after  a  short  illness  at  his  residence  in 
Reading,  Pa.,  May  5,  1889. 

William  Hiester  Clymer,  second  son  of  Edward 
Tilghman  Clymer  and  Maria  Catherine  Hiester,  was  born 
at  the  Clymer  homestead  in  Caernarvon  township,  near 
Morgantown,  Berks  county,  Pa.,  Oct.  9,  1830.  His  father 
dying  while  the  children  were  all  small,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was.  placed  in  the  charge  of  his  uncle,  William 
Hiester,  of  New  Holland,  Lancaster  county,  where  he 
was  in  his  unck  William's  store  for  a  short  time,  and 
subsequently  sent  to  Lititz  to  school.  He  afterward  came 
to  Reading  and  he  and  his  brother,  Daniel  R.  Clymer, 
opened  a  dry-goods  store  at  No.  518  Penn  street.  Later 
they  moved  their  store  to  the  building  on  the  southwest 
corner  of  Fifth  and  Penn  streets,  which  property  they 
bought.  Some  years  after  William  Clymer  sold  out  his 
interest  in  the  store  to  his  brother  Daniel,  and  in  1846  he 
and  his  brother  Edward  M.  Clymer  purchased  the  charcoal 
furnace  at  Mt.  Laurel,  Berks  county,  where  he — ^William 
H.  Clymer — resided  until  1882,  with  the  exception  of 
about  two  years,  from  1864  to  1866,  when  he  lived  in 
Reading.  In  1860  he  and  his  brother  purchased  the  old 
Oley  CTiarcoal  Furnace  near  Friedensburg,  one  of  the 
oldest  charcoal  furnaces  in  the  United  States,  and  com- 
menced mining  iron  ore  extensively.  The  Temple  Fur- 
nace, a  large  and  perfectly  equipped  anthracite  furnace 
situated  at  Temple,  five  miles  north  of  Reading,  was 
built  by  William  H.  Clymer  &  Co.,  and  operated  by  them 
until  1870,  when  the  Temple  Iron  Company  was  organ- 
ized with  William  H.  Clymer  as  its  president.  About  1880 
th*  Clymer  brothers  had  the  Mt.  Laurel  Furnace  changed 
from  a  charcoal  to  an  anthracite  furnace,  and  a  railroad, 
one  and  a  half  miles  in  length,  was  built  from  the  East 
Pennsylvania  railroad  at  Temple  to  the  furnace.  After 
these  improvements  were  made  the  brothers  organized 
the  Clymer  Iron  Company,  a  corporation  which  included 
in  its  operations  the  Mt.  Laurel  Furnace,  Oley  Furnace, 
extensive  limestone  quarries  at  Bower's  Station,  iron  ore 
mines  near  Pricetown,  and  a  number  of  mines  along  the 
East  Pennsylvania  railroad.  This  corporation,  of  which 
William  H.  Clymer  was  president,  was  entirely  independ- 
ent of  the  Temple  Iron  Company,  of  which  he  was  also 
the  president.  About  a  year  before  his  death  Mr.  Clymer 
resigned  the  presidency  of  the  Clymar  Iron  Company 
on  account  of  ill  health  and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother, 
Hiester  Clymer.  He,  however,  retained  the  presidency  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Reading,  which  he  held  from 
1876  until  his  death,  and  the  presidency  of  the  Ternple 
Iron  Company.  He  removed  with  his  family  to  Reading, 
Pa.,  in  September,  1882,  and  died  there  July  26,  1883. 
He  had  a  large  acquaintance  and  was  greatly  respected 
for  his  sterling  character;  was  a  man  of  excellent  judg- 
ment, and  his  advice  was  fr"6quently  sought  upon  many 
important  matters.  He  was  brought  up  an  Episcopalian 
and  was  a  member  of  Christ  Church,  Reading,  at  the 
time  of  his  death. 

On  June  12.  1855,  Mr.  Clymer  married  Valeria,  eldest 
daughter  of  Levi  B.  Smith.  She  wafe  born  March  14, 
1828,  and  died  Aug.  17,  1901.  .  Their  family  consisted  of 
six  children:  Emily  Smith,  born  July  16,  1856;  Edward 
Tilghman,  born  Aug.  8,^  1857;  William  Hiester,  born 
March  21,  1860;  Levi  Smith,  born  April  2,  1863;  Valeria 
Elizabeth,  ''born  April  29,  1865 ;  and  Frederick  Hiester, 
born  May  2,  1869. 

Edward  Myers  Clymer,  third  son  df  Edward  Tilghman 
Clymer  and  Maria  Catherine  Hiester,  was  born  at  the  Cly- 
mer homestead  in  Caernarvon  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa., 
July  16, 1822.  He  went  to  the  local  schools  in  his  early  youth 
and  afterward  to  the  Abbeville  Academy,  in  Lancaster 
county,  and  to  the  academy  of  Joshua  H'oopes,  at  West 
Chester.     He  then  selected  the  law  as  his  profession,  and 


after  pursuing  his  legal  studies  for  a  while  under  William 
Strong,  Esq.,  he  entered  the  Harvard  Law  School,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1845.  Upon  his  return  to 
Reading  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  on  Aug.  4,  1845. 
He  then  opened  a  law  office  and  soon  acquired  a  lucrative, 
business,  which  he  continued  until  1857,  at  which  time 
he  became  thoroughly  interested  in  projecting  the  East 
Pennsylvania  railroad,  from  Reading  to  Allentown.  His 
efforts  in  this  enterprise  were  entirely  successful  and  he 
became  the  first  president  of  the  company,  and  continued 
in  this  office  until  the  road  was  leased  to  the  Philadelphia 
&  Reading  Railroad  Company.  In  1874  he  was  chosen 
president  of  the  Coal  Company  belonging  to  the  New 
York,  Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad  Company,  which 
it  owned  and  operated  in  Pennsylvania,  and  he  held  this 
position  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  New  York 
City,  May  25,  1883.  He  was  popular  in  social  and  busi- 
ness circles  and  united  to  a  more  than  common  husiness  , 
sagacity  an  abundance  of  well-directed  energy,  a  quality 
which  received  marked  development  in  building  the  East 
Pennsylvania  railroad,  and  the  proposed  continuation  of  a 
system'  of  underground  railway  under  Broadway,  New 
York.  He  was  married,  Jan.  27,  1864,  to  Ella  Maria  Dietz, 
daughter  of  William  H.  Dietz,  of  New  York  City.  They 
had  but  one  child,  a  son,  Edward  Myers  Qymer,  born 
May  6,  1869,  who  survived  him,  as  did  also  his  widow. 

Mary  Hiester  Clymer,  only  daughter  of  Edward 
Tilghman  and  Maria  Catherine  Hiester,  was  born  at  the 
Clymer  homestead,  Caernarvon  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa., 
July  19,  1825.  She  was  married  Aug.  10,  1852,  in  Christ 
Church,  Reading,  Pa.,  by  the  Rev.  Milton  Lightner,  rec- 
tor, to  her  cousin,  William  Bingham  Clymer,  the  eldest 
son  of  Henry  Clymer  and  grandson  of  George  Clymer, 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
Mr.  Clymer  was  born  at  the  homestead,  near  Trenton, 
Bucks  Co.,  Pa.,  his  mother  having  been  Mary  Willing.  He 
received  a  liberal  education,  graduating  with  credit  at 
Princeton  College,  -and  studied  law  but  never  practised. 
When  quite  young  he  assumed  the  management  of  the 
Bingham  estate.  In  1842  he  was  appointed  agent  for  the 
northern  counties  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1845  established 
the  general  office  of  the  estate  at  Wellsboro.  His  man- 
agement of  the  large  property  was  highly  successful, 
so  that  in  1867  he  was  appointed  a  trustee.  He  ever 
carefully  considered  the  rights  and  interests  of  all,  and 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  trustees,  while  his  courtesy, 
kindness  and  perfect  integrity  commanded  the  respect  of 
the  tenants  and  others  on  the  estate.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Clymer  resided  for  a  time  at  Wellsboro,  Tioga  Co.,  Pa., 
where  all  their  children  were  born  with  the  exception 
of  the  third,  who  was  born  in  Philadelphia.  The  chil- 
dren were  all  baptized  by  Rev.  Mr.  Marple,  rector  of 
Christ  Church,  Wellsboro;  In  July,  1869,  they  sailed  for 
Europe,  taking  all  their  children  for  the  advantages  of 
education;  and  while  abroad,  on  the  28th  of  May,  1873, 
Mr.  Clymer  died  of  apoplexy  in  Florence,  Italy.  The 
family  then  returned  to  Philadelphia  in  the  autumn.  Mr. 
Clymer's  remains  were  sent  home  and  are  interred  in 
Charles  Evans  cemetery,  near  Reading,  Pa.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1878,  Mrs.  Clymer  and  her  children  left  America 
with  the  intention  of  settling  on  the  Continent,  but  she 
and  two  of  her  children,  Richard  and  Maria,  were 
drowned  in  the  English  Channel  before  they  reached  their 
destination,  the  vessel  in  which  they  took  passage  having 
been  lost  Nov.  26,  1878.  The  following  children  were 
born  to  Mary  Hiester  Clymer  and  William  Bingham 
Clymer:  Henry,  born  June  10,  1853;  Mary,  Dec.  13,  1854; 
Ellen  S..  Dec.  9,  1856;  Richard  Willing,  April  10,  1858; 
Maria  Hiester,  Feb.  11,  1862;  and  Rose  Nicolls,  Sept.  19, 
1865. 

Hiester  Clymer,  fifth  son  of  Edward  Tilghman  Clymer 
and  Maria  Catherine  Hiester,  was  born  at  the  Clymier 
homestead,  Caernarvon  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Nov. 
3,  1837.  He  received  a  liberal  education,  graduating 
from  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in  1847,  and  taking 
up  the  study  of  law  was  admiitted  to  the  Bar  of 
Berks  counity,  April  6,   1849,  after  which  he  practised  in 


363 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Reading  and  Pottsville.  He  married  April  3,  1856,  Eliza- 
beth M.  Brooke,  daughter  of  Matthew  Brooke,  of  Birds- 
boro,  Pa.  They  resided  in  Reading,  where  their  two  chil- 
dren were  born  and  died,  and  where  Mrs.  Clymer  died 
Oct.  9,  1870.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  Con- 
vention at  Charleston,  in  1860,  and  in  the  same  year  was 
one  of  the  Revenue  commissioners;  served  as  State  sen- 
ator from  1860  to  1866;  became  the  Democratic  candi- 
date for  governor  in  the  latter  year,  but  was  defeated 
by  Governor  Geary.  In  1870  he  was  appointed  by  the 
governor  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Public  Charities, 
then  just  organized.  In  1873  he  was  elected  a  repre- 
sentative to  the  XLIIId  Congress  from  Berks  county,  as 
a  Democrat;  and  served  on  the  committee  on  the  Re- 
vision of  the  Laws,  on  Public  Lands  and  on  the  Library. 
He  was  re-elected,  to  the  XLIVth  Congress,  and  was 
placed  on  the  committee  on  Expenditures  of  the  War  De- 
partment, and  the  Joint  Standing  Committee  on-  the  Li- 
brary; also  re-elected  to  Congress  in  1876  and  1878.  In 
1880  Mr.  Clymer  was  succeeded  in  Congress  from  the 
Berks  District  by  the  Hon.  Daniel  Ermentrout,  and  from 
that  time  until  his  death  resided  in  Reading.  His  discus- 
sion with  State  Senator  A.  K.  McClure,  in  February,  1861, 
in  the  State  Senate,  on  the  repeal  of  the  tonnage  tax 
on  the  traffic  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company, 
brought  him  prominently  before  the  public.  The  crowning 
act  of  his  Congressional  life  was  his  presentation  to  Con- 
gress of  the  special  committee  report  touching  the  ras- 
calities of  William  W.  Belknap,  President  Grant's  Sec- 
retary of  War,  which  created  a  great  sensation  throughout 
the  land.  His  career  in  the  Senate  of  Pennsylvania  was 
distinguished  for  dignity  and  courtesy  of  demeanor,  force 
and  eloquence  in  debate,  and  steadfast  devotion  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  Commonwealth.  He  was  interested 
in  the  iron  business,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was 
president  of  the  Clymer  Iron  Company. 

Mr.  Clymer  married  April  26,  1883,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Clemens 
(nee  Von  Schrader),  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

Mr.  Clymer  died  June  12,  1884,  at  which  time  he  was 
vice-president  of  the  Union  Trust  Company,  Philadelphia; 
president  of  the  Clymer  Iron  Company,  which  operated 
the  Mt.  Laurel  and  Oley  Furnaces;  a  director  of  the 
Reading  Fire  Insurance  and  Trust  Company  from  the  time 
of  its  organization,  and  a  trustee  of  the  Charles  Evans 
Cemetery. 

Hiester  Clymer  and  Elizabeth  M.  Brooke  had  two  chil- 
dren: Elizabeth  M.,  born  Jan.  20,  1857;  and  Edward 
Brooke,   born   March   18,   1859. 

George  Edward  Clymes,  youngest  child  of  Edward 
Tilghman  Clymer  and  Maria  Catherine  Hiester,  was  born 
at  the  Clymer  homestead,  in  Caernarvon  township,  Berks 
Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  8,  1830.  He  was  sent  to  the  Reading  Acad- 
emy and  from  there  to  Princeton  College,  from  which 
institution  he  graduated  in  1849.  He  then  became  asso- 
ciated with  his  brothers,  William,  Edward  and  Hiester,  in 
the  iron  business  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  owning  the  Mt. 
Laurel  and  Oley  Furnaces  and  other  property  connected 
with  the  iron  business.  In  1858  he  went  to  Mexico  and 
joined  a  party  who  surveyed  the  route  for  a  railroad 
from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  City  of  Mexico.  In  the  summer 
of  1861  Mr.  Clymer  raised  a  company  of  cavalry  which 
became  attached  to  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  Col. 
R.  H.  Rush,  of  which  'Mr.  Clymer  was  made  major  in 
March,  1862.  During  1865-68  he  was  occupied  in  mining 
in  Nevada  and  Chihuahua,  Mexico.  In  1870  Mr.  Clymer 
severed  his  connection  with  his  brothers  in  the  iron  busi- 
ness and  removed  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  became  inter- 
ested in  the  Swift  Iron  &  Steel  Works  of  Newport,  Ky., 
of  which  his  father-in-law  was  president.  Mr.  Clymer  was 
elected  vice-president  in  1874  and  removed  with  his  family 
to  Newport.  In  1884  he  returned  to  Reading  and  again 
became  interested  in  the  iron  business,  and  after  the  death 
of  his  brother  Hiester  bought  the  Mt.  Laurel  Furnace 
property  and  operated  the  furnace  until  two  years  before 
his  death,  when  he  retired  from  active  business  and 
settled  in  Reading. 

Major  Clymer  married  June  29,  1868,  Alice  Gary  Swift, 
daughter  of  Alexander  Swift,  of  Cincinnati.     She  died  in 


Jacksonville,  Fla.,  Feb.  14,  1873,  leaving  two  children. 
Mr.  Clymer  died  in  Reading  July  7,  1895.  He  was  the 
worshipful  master  of  Lodge  No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M.,  during 
the  years  1855  and  1856,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Sons  of  the  Revolution  and  of  the  Loyal  Legion.  The 
children  of  George  Edward  Clymer  and  Alice  Gary  Swift 
were  as  follows :  Edwin  Swift,  born  June  16,  1871 ;  and 
George  Alexander,  born  July  25,  1872. 

LEWIS  CRATER,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the 
Reading  Steam  Heat  and  Power  Company,  and  Secretary 
and  Treasurer  of  the  Warren  County  Traction  Company, 
is  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Reading,  and  he 
is  descended  from  one  of  those  sturdy  emigrants  from  the 
Palatinate,  who  sought  religious  freedom  in  the  New 
World. 

The  name  Crater  was  originally  "Greter,"'  as  is  evi- 
denced in  the  original  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  King  of 
Great  Britain,  signed  by  the  emigrant  ancestor  when  he 
landed  at  Philadelphia.  This  paper  is  on  file  in  Harris- 
burg.  The  different  branches  of  the  family  have  adopted 
various  spellings — Greder,  Grader,  Grater,  Krater  and  Crat- 
er. The  change  from  "G"  to  "C"  was  originally  through 
an  accident.  On  May  28,  1793,  John  Grater  bought  proper- 
ty of  George  Heebner,  and  the  papers  were  made  out  by  one 
Thomas  Richards  in  the  name  of  John  Craiter.  The  error 
was  not  discovered  until  about  1800,  when  the  property  was 
sold,  and  in  order  to  save  trouble,  the  new  papers  were 
signed  "John  Crater."  The  family  records  show  the  great 
majority  of  its  members  to  have  been  tillers  of  the  soil, 
and  they  have  been  law-abiding,  hard-working,  honest, 
upright  and  strictly  conscientious. 

Religious  persecution  in  Germany  broke  out  with  re- 
newed frenzy  in  1732,  and  about  30,000  Protestants  were 
driven  from  the  country  in  the  middle  of  winter.  Among 
these  fugitives  were  (l)  Jacob  Greter  and  his  family. 
From  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  HI,  p.  515,  it  is  found  that 
Jacob  Greter  was  one  of  291  "Palatines"  arriving  at  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  in  "the  ship  Samuel  of  London,  Hugh  Percy, 
master,  from  Rotterdam,  but  last  from  Deal,  on  the  17th 
day  of  August,  1733."  By  occupation  he  was  a  weaver, 
but  after  coming  to  Pennsylvania,  he  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  along  the  Perkiomen  river,  at  or  near  what  is  known 
as  Grater's  Ford,  and  there  he  also  carried  on  farming. 
That  he  was  not  among  those  who  sold  themselves  for  a 
term  of  years  to  pay  for  his  passage,  but  was  able  at  once 
to  purchase  land,  goes  to  prove  he  was  a  man  of  some 
means.  Later  records  show  his  wealth  increasing,  as  in 
the  census  report  of  Perkiomen  or  Van  Bebbers  township, 
Montgomery  county,  June,  1756,  there  is  this  entry :  "Jacob 
Kreter,  weaver,  owner  of  220  acres  of  land."  Again,  in  the 
history  of  PerkionTen  township,  that  same  year  is 
found  "Jacob  Kreter,  owner  of  220  acres  of  farm  land 
at  Grater's  Ford,  also  a  saw  and  grist  mill."  Records  in 
his  own  handwriting  indicate  more  education  than  was 
common  in  those  times.  In  his  religious  faith  he  was  a 
follower  of  Menno  Simons,  and  it  is  not  clear  whether  he 
was  a  preacher  at  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  Pennsylvania, 
but  from  the  earliest  entry  in  the  minute-book  of  the 
Skippack  Church  it  is  shown  that  he  was  one  of  the  most 
active  members,  and  the  general  opinion  is  that  he  was  a 
bishop.  His  descendants  for  several  generations  clung 
to  the  Mennonite  faith,  but  as  the  country  grew  and  educa- 
tion became  more  general,  the  younger  members  of  the 
family  joined  more  progressive  denominations,  and  adopted 
the  dress  and  customs  of  the  times.  In  the  old  family 
record  of  Jacob  Greter  the  names  of  three  of  his  children 
have  been  lost  owing  to  a  corner  of  the  leaf  being  torn 
off,  the  date  of  birth  however  being  left.  Otje  of  these 
three  was  undoubtedly  "Lewis."  Jacob  Greter's  children 
were:  Jacob,  born  May  25,  1729;  Maria,  April  18  1731- 
Johannes,  April  10,  1734;  Elizabeth,  Feb.  29,  1736;  Paulus' 
July  8,  17.38;   Barbara,   Sept.  21,   1740    (married   Frederick 

Hubler)  ;  Christian,  Jan.  30,  1743;  — ,  born  July  17. 

1745;  .  born  June  S,  1750;  ,  born  Mav 

2,   1753;   and  iSIichael,  in   1758. 

(II)    Johannes    Greter,    son   of   Jacob,    was   born    .\pril 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


36;? 


10,  1734.  His  children  were:  Maria,  born  Oct.  19,  1760; 
Jacob,  Oct.  1,  1763  (died  May  27,  1764)  ;  Johannes,  July 
13,  1765;  Abraham,  April  19,  1768;  Cadarina,  May  23, 
1771;  Ludwig,  Jan.  5,  1775;  Elizabeth,  April  6,  1779  (mar- 
ried Henry  Hallman). 

(HI)  Johannes  Grater  (3),  son  of  Johannes  Greter, 
was  born  July  13,  1765.  He  married  and  became  the  father 
of  a  large  family  (all  of  whom  adopted  the  spelling  of 
the  name.  Crater),  as  follows:  Abraham,  born  March  2, 
1792;    Jacob,   Dec.   28,    1793    (died   single);    Phillip,   Jan. 

21,  1796;  John,  Nov.  26,  1797;  David,  Feb.  15,  1800  (died 
in  1893)  ;  Catharine,  Oct.  19,  1802  (married  John  Young)  ; 
Elizabeth,  Feb.  3,  1805  (died  Aug.  27,  1805)  ;  Henry,  March 

22,  1808  (died  in  December,  1815) ;  and  Israel,  Feb.  18,  1812 
(died  single). 

(IV)  Abraham  Crater,  son  of  Johannes  Grater,  was 
born  March  2,  1792.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Rev. 
Henry  Pennypacker,  great-aunt  of  former  Governor 
Pennypacker,  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  To  their  mar- 
riage were  born  six  children,  namely :  Ephraim,  born 
May  1,  1814,  is  mentioned  below;  Elizabeth,  born  May  20, 
1817,  died  Dec.  7,  1834;  Margaret  and  Christianna,  born 
Sept.  10,  1818,  both  died  unmarried;  Jacob,  born  July  1, 
1820,  moved  to  Indiana,  and  died  Nov.  17,  1893 ;  and  John, 
born  Feb.  22,  1822. 

(V)  Ephraim  Crater,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born  May 
1,  1814.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  district  schools. 
He  grew  nip  on  the  farm,  and  made  farming  his  life  work. 
He  married  Dec.  18,  1836,  Susan  Longacre,  and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  eight  children:  Henry  L.,  born  Oct. 
7,  1837,  died  Oct.  17,  1872;  Lavina,  born  Aug.  21,  1839, 
married  Joseph  Lukens ;  Anna,  born  Sept.  10,  1841,  mar- 
ried Jacob  Nyman;  Lewis,  born  Aug.  9,  1843;  Catharine 
Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  3,  1845,  married  Josiah  Nyman;  Jacob 
L.,  born  Feb.  10,  1847,  lives  in  Pottstown;  David  L.,  born 
Nov.  28,  1850;  and  Abraham  L.,  born  Sept.  18,  1853,  died 
Nov.  9,  1873.  Ephraim  Crater,  the  father,  was  a  stanch 
old-line  Whig  in  politics,  but  at  the  formation  of  the 
Republican  party,  joined  its  ranks,  and  ever  afterward 
was  one  of  its  active  workers.  He  was  a  strong  Abolition- 
ist, and  was  one  of  the  workers  in  the  old  underground 
railway.  His  good  wife  died  May  3,  1878,  aged  sixty-four 
years,  eight  months,  fifteen  days.  They  were  beHevers  in 
the  Mennonite  faith. 

(VI)  Lewis  Crater,  son  of  Ephraim,  born  Aug.  9,  1843, 
received  a  good  substantial  education  ^in  the  common 
schools  of  Chester  county.  Reared  in  the  atmosphere  of 
patriotism,  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  afforded  him  an 
opportunity  to  show  his  loyalty,  and  on  Sept.  10,  1861, 
he  became  a  member  of  Company  H,  50th  P.  V.  I.,  and 
participated  in  thirty-three  engagements  besides  a  number 
of  skirmishes.  He  was  once  slightly  wounded,  had  his 
sword  cut  from  his  side,  and  'he  was  promoted  from  ser- 
geant to  first  lieutenant  for  gallant  conduct  in  action,  clos- 
ing his  service  as  adjutant  of  the  regiment.  He  was  hon- 
orably discharged  July  31,  1865. 

After  the  war,  Mr.  Crater  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  and 
entered  Bryant  and  Stratton's  Business  College  at  Phila- 
delphia. For  some  time  he  taught  penmanship  in  the 
schools  of  ■  Philadelphia,  but  failing  health  necessitated  a 
change  of  employment.  He  moved  to  Reading,  and  ac- 
cepted a  position  in  Philip  Albright's  grocery,  later  be- 
coming a  clerk  in  the  dry  goods  establishment  of  H.  A. 
Hofif,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  then  became  an 
accountant  in  Earl's  Banking  House,  and  continued  there 
until  it  closed  its  doors  in  1867.  His  next  position  was 
as  chief  clerk  and  bookkeeper  for  William  Mcllvaine  & 
Sons  in  the  Reading  Rolling  Mill,  until  that  concern  sus- 
pended operations  in  1897.  Since  that  time  Mr.  Crater 
has  been  a  public  accountant,  and  is  considered  an  expert 
in  that  line.  In  1888  he  was  elected  Secretary  and  Treas- 
urer of  the  Reading  Steam  Heat  and  Power  Company, 
and  has  since  held  that  office.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Mt.  Penn  Paper  Box  Company,  Ltd.,  in  which  he  held 
the  office  of  secretary,  until  1908,  when  the  company  dis- 
solved. 

Mr.  Crater  is  a  writer  of  considerable  ability,  especially 
on  historical  subjects,  for  which  he  has  a  decided  fondness. 


In  1867  when  Col.  Bates  was  gathering  data  for  the  history 
of  the  troops  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  Mr.  Crater 
furnished  very  much  of  the  data  relating  to  the  50th  regi- 
ment, and  some  years  after  wrote  and  published  a  history 
of  the  50th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  wrote  the  "History  of  the  Grater  Family"  and  the 
"History  of  St.  Peter's  M.  E.  Church." 

In  his  fraternal  relations,  Mr.  Crater  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  ,A.  R.,  in  which  he  has  served  as  Post  commander ; 
a  companion  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion, 
Commandery  of  Pennsylvania;  and  a  member  of  the  Union 
Veteran  Legion ;  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A. ;  Vigilance  Lodge,  No. 
194,  I.  O.  O.  F.;  Veteran  Castle,  No.  481,  K.  G.  E.;  So- 
ciety Army  of  the  Potomac;  Army  of  the  Cumberland  and 
Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

On  Sept.  30,  1865,  Mr.  Crater  wedded  Miss  Rosie  C. 
Lowe,  daughter  of  Peter  Lowe,  of  Lebanon,  Pa.  Four 
children  blessed  this  union :  Emma  May,  born  Jan.  9,  1867, 
m.  Arthur  E.  Suter,  of  Zurich,  Switzerland;  Mary  Min- 
erva, b9rn  June  20,  1868;  Annie  Lulu,  born  Sept.  21,  1870, 
died  Jan.  15,  1875;  and  Morton  Murray,  born  Jan.  14, 
1872. 

THOMAS  C.  ZIMMERMAN,  known  all  over  Berks 
county  as  the  talented  editor  of  The  Reading  Times,  is  an 
enterprising  and  aggressive  newspaper  man,  a  clear-headed 
thinker,  and  an  able  and  versatile  writer.  His  best  works, 
by  which  he  has  achieved  distinction  as  a  literary  genius, 
have  been  his  translations  of  German  poetical  masterpieces 
into  English,  and  his  rendering  of  English  poems  into 
the  Pennsylvania  German  vernacular.  In  these  two  fields 
of  work  he  is  acknowledged  by  the  best  authorities  to  be 
without  an  equal.  He  is  a  poet  by  natural  instinct,  self- 
training  being  the  means  by  which  he  has  developed  his 
native  powers  of  expression,  In  presenting,  through  the 
columns  of  The  Reading  Times,  his  translations  of  English 
poems  into  Pennsylvania  German,  he  has  proved  himself 
entitled  to  the  highest  regard  of  the  class  of  worthy  citizens 
of  the  Keystone  State  allied  with  him  by  race,  in  whose 
interests  he  has  ever  bten  an  earnest  and  indefatigable 
worker. 

The  only  school  education  Mr.  Zimmerman  ever  enjoyed 
was  the  public  school  training  he  received  during  the 
years  of  his  boyhood  in  Lebanon,  Pa.,  where  his  birth 
occurred  Jan.  23,  1838.  Thus  he  never  had  the  advantages 
of  a  classical  education,  and  therefore  all  the  more  credit 
is  due  him  for  making  such  splendid  use  of  his  talents  and 
opportunities.  When  thirteen  years  of  age  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  the  printing  trade,  in  the  newspaper  establish- 
ment of  the  Lebanon  Courier.  Upon  the  completion  of 
his  term  of  service  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  worked  on 
the  Philadelphia  Inquirer  a  short  time,  until  Jan.  8,  1856,' 
when  he  entered  the  office  of  The  Berks  and  Schuylkill 
Journal,  in  Reading,  as  a  journeyman  printer.  In  1859  Mr. 
Zimmerman  removed  to  Columbia,  S.  C,  where  he  worked 
on  the  State  laws,  in  the  printing  establishment  of  Dr. 
Robert  Gibbs,  who  afterward  became  surgeon-general  of 
the  Confederate  Army.  In  March,  1860,  Mr.  Zimmerman 
returned  to  Reading,  as  the  anti-Northern  sentiment  had 
become  so  intense  and  virulent  in  South  Carolina,  the  hot- 
bed of  secession,  that  his  life  was  endangered,  though  he 
never  openly  opposed  the  course  of  the  Secessionists  while 
in  that  section.  Upon  his  return  to  Reading  he  once  more 
entered  the  employ  of  The  Berks  and  Schuylkill  Journal. 
Under  its  proprietor,  Jacob  Knabb,  who  became  postmaster 
of '  Reading  in  May,  1860,  he  acted  as  clerk  until  the 
close  of  his  superior's  term  of  office,  in  July,  1865.  During 
this  period  Mr.  Zimmerman  contributed  some  striking 
articles  on  postal  reform  to  the  United  States  Mail  and 
other  journals,  which  called  out  a  correspondence  with  the 
then  postmaster-general,  Mr.  Dennison,  and  some  of  the 
suggestions  solicited  were  incorporated  into  that  official's 
report. 

When  he  finished  his  connection  with  the  post-office  he 
resumed  his  work  in  the  Journal  office,  and  in  January, 
1866,  became  co-proprietor  and  associate  editor  of  the 
paper.     Up  to  the  year  1869  the  firm  bore  the  name  of 


364 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


J.  Knabb  &  Co.;  in  that  year  they  also  became  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  Daily  Times,  which,  in  1871,  was  consoli- 
dated with  the  Evening  Dispatch,  under  the  title  The  Times 
and  Dispatch.  The  Reading  Times  Publishing  Company  was 
organized  in  1897,  with  IVIr.  Zimmerman  as  president  and 
editor.  This  paper  is  one  of  the  foremost  journals  in  the 
State,  and  exerts  the  strongest  kind  of  influence  upon  the 
moral  and  material  development  of  its  city,  standing  in 
high  esteem  with  the  political  leaders  in  the  State  and  at 
Washington.  After  more  than  half  a  century  of  journal- 
istic work  in  Reading,  he  retired  in  October,_1908.  In  com- 
inemoration  of  the  event  a  public  subscription  dinner  was 
given  him  at  the  "Mineral  Springs  Hotel,"  in  which  up- 
ward of  eighty  leading  citizens  of  Reading  and  adjoining 
cities  participated. 

Mr.  Zimmerman  was  happy  in  the  choice  of  his  vocation 
and  his  home.  He  is  a  great  lover  of  nature,  and  evidently 
believes,  with  a  distinguished  writer  and  fellow-pedestrian, 
that  "the  shining  angels  second  and  accompany  the  man 
who  goes  afoot,  while  all  the  dark  spirits  are  ever  looking 
out  for  a  chance  to  ride."  It  was  his  habit  for  nearly 
forty  years  to  take  daily  walks  into  the  country,  accom- 
panied often  only  by  his  favorite  dog,  returning  after  a 
long  excursion  to  his  editorial  desk  by  noon.  Nothing 
turned  hini  aside  from'  the  calling  for  which  he  was 
so  eminently  fitted.  He  had  many  flattering  ofifers  to 
engage  in  other  fields  of  work,  but  in  all  cases  these 
were  declined.  In  his  early  manhood  he  had  arranged  to 
enter  the  law  office  of  Hon.  William'  Strong,  and  was  also 
importuned  to  study  for  the  ministry;  his  manifest  destiny, 
however,  made  and  kept  him  a  journalist  and  writer 
of  no  mean  ability,  A  brother  editor  comments  on  the  jour- 
alistic  abilities  of  Mr.  Zimmerman  in  this  language :  "Mr. 
Zimmerman  is  a  writer  of  force  and  ability.  His  writings 
are  pure,  easy  and  graceful.  He  is  witty  and  humorous 
when  occasion  demands.  In  controversy  he  is  gentlemanly 
at  all  times,  and  in  argument  he  is  fair  and  generous  to 
his  opponents.  He  has  a  genuine  taste  for  literature,  poetry 
and  the  fine  arts,  as  many  of  his  articles  attest.  He  is 
one  of  the  ablest  writers  in  the  old  ConiTnonwealth.  Many 
of  his  articles  show  alike  the  eye  of  the  artist,  and  the 
hand  of  the  litterateur."  One  of  these  'productions,  that 
most  widely  published  and  copied,  was  a  sketch  ,  of  his 
visit  to  the  Luray  Caverns  in  Virginia ;  the  merits  of  this 
inspiration  of  the  moment  were  seen  by  the  Hotel  and 
Cave  Company,  who  caused  to  be  published  upward  of 
sixty  thousand  copies  in  illustrated  pamphlet  form  for 
general  circulation.  The  newspapers  of  Richmond,  Va., 
copied  this  article,  and  the  favor  it  met  with  called  out 
the  request  that  Mr.  Zimmerman  also  write  up  the  unde- 
veloped resources  of  Alabama. 

Mr.  Zimmerman  was  united  in  marriage  with  Tamsie  T. 
Kauffman  of  Reading,  on  June  11,  1867.  Several  years 
previous,  in  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  42d  Pa.  V.  I., 
but  that  company  did  not  see  active  service.  He  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Pennsylvania  German  Society,  as 
well  as  one  of  the  reorganizers,  in  1898,  of  the  Historical 
Society  of  Berks  County.  He  has  been  for  many  years  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Asylum  for  the 
Chronic  Insane  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Reading  Free  Public  Library. 
The  degree  of  L.  H.  D.  (Doctor  of  the  Humanities)  was 
conferred  upon  him  by  Muhlenberg  College  in  1904.  He 
was  also  a  member  of  the  37th  National  Conference  of 
Charities  and  Corrections — office  at  Chicago;  was  also 
elected  President  of  the  Pennsylvania  Association  of  Sup- 
erintendents and  Trustees  of  the  Insane  Asylums  and 
Feeble-Minded  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  1908-09.  In 
October,  1908,  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Pennsylvania 
German  Society. 

Mr.  Zimmerman  has  delivered  quite  a  number  of  ad- 
dresses on  public  occasions.  H^e  has  been  selected  half  a 
dozen  tirnes  or  more  to  speak  before  the  Pennsylvania  Ger- 
man Society:  Once  in  the  court-house  at  Lancaster,  where 
the  Society  was  organized;  once  in  the  court-house  at  York, 
in  response  to  the  address  of  welcome,  and  in  the  evening 
of   the   same   day  at  the  banquet   in  the   same  city ;   once 


at  Lebanon;  once  at  Harrisburg;  and  twice  at  Allentown, 
besides  numerous  occasions  in  Reading.  He  was  sub- 
sequently selected  by  the  Society  as  its  special  represen- 
tative before  the  Chautauqua  Assembly  at  Mt.  Gretna, 
at  which  time  he  was  elected  one  of  the  vice-presidents 
of  that  body  in  honor  of  the  occasion.  Within  the  last 
ten  years  Mr.  Zimmerman  has  made  upward  of  a  hundred 
public  addresses  in  various  parts  of  the  Commonwealth. 
He  has  frequently  been  mentioned  as  an  available 
candidate  for  mayor  of  Reading,  and  twice  his  name  was 
presented  for  the  Congressional  nomination  from  the 
Berks  Legislative  district,  both  of  which  honors  he  de- 
clined. He  is  a  well-known  figure  in  Rieading,  and  has 
a  host  of  devoted  friends,  who  were  won  by  his  lofty, 
manly  spirit,  universal  friendship  of  heart,  and  strong 
sense  of  right  and  duty;  he  is  in  particular  favor  with 
the  Germans,  in  whose  behalf  he  has  written  and  spoken 
much. 

Very  early  in  life  Mr.  Zimmerman  began  to  read  'poetry 
for  the  intellectual  pleasure  and  profit  which  its  elevated 
diction  afforded  him,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  had 
already  made  considerable  progress  in  a  predetermined  sys- 
tematic perusal  of  the  whole  line  of  English  poets,  or  of  as 
many  of  them  as  lay  within  his  reach.  The  instinct  of 
the  translator  asserted  itself  in  marvelous  maturity,  when 
he  began  to  make  this  one  of  the  prominent  features  of 
The  Reading  Times.  Hundreds  of  these  matchless  trans- 
lations from  the  German  classics  into  English  appeared 
from  time  to  time,  the  Saturday  issue  of  the  paper  invar- 
iably containing  a  translation  into  English  of  some  German 
poem,  the  original  and  translation  appearing  close-  together 
in  parallel  columns ;  in  recognition  of  their  merit  he  has 
been  made  the  recipient  of  many  presents,  from  friends 
at  home  and  abroad.  Worthy  of  mention  among  these  are 
seventy-five  volumes  of  German  poetr}'  from  an  admirer, 
residing  in  Berlin,  Germany;  his  collection  of  tobacco 
pipes  from  Germany,  England,  Ireland,  France,  Denmark, 
Finland  and  Holland  is  palpable  evidence  of  the  widespread 
influence  his  work  has  had  upon  readers.  Mr.  Zimmerman 
has  shown  remarkable  aptitude  and  poetic  skill  in  all  his 
translations,  preserving  with  remarkable  fidelity  the  exact 
measure  of  the  original  poems,  and  the  rhythmical  beat  of 
each  syllable  with  remarkable  fidelity. 

One  of  his  most  noted  translations  from  the  German, 
viz..  The  Prussian  National  Battle  Hymn,  appeared  in  the 
Berlin  (Germany)  Times,  with  a  half-tone  portrait  of  the 
author  of  the  translation. 

Some  very  original  work  has  been  done  by  Mr.  Zimmer- 
man in  his  translations  of  English  classics  into  Pennsyl- 
vania German,  that  curious  mixture  of  German  dialects 
and  English  words  which  continues  to  be  the  chief  spoken 
language  of  over  half  of  the  inhabitants  of  Berks  county. 
His  first  attempt,  Clement  C.  Moore's  "Twas  the  Night 
before  Christmas,"  caught  the  fancy  of  the  press  at  once, 
and  its  favorable  mention  brought  him  congratulatory  let- 
ters from  such  men  as  Prof.  Haldeman,  the  eminent  phil- 
ologist of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania;  Hon.  Simon 
Cameron;  Gen.  Hartranft;  P.  F.  Rothermel,  painter  of 
the  "Battle  of  Gettysburg";  Prof.  Porter  of  Lafayette 
College;  Prof.  Home  of  Muhlenberg  College,  and  other 
men  of  prominence  in  the  literary  world.  Poems  of  Tom 
Hood,  Oliver  Goldsmith,  Heine  and  Longfellow  followed, 
and  were  received  with  hearty  interest  by  the  German 
people. 

"Luther's  Battle  Hj'mn,"  a  translation  from  the  German 
into  English,  was  a  wonderful  inspiration,  and  fairly  ran 
up  and  down  the  country,  as  soon  as  it  was  given  to  the 
'public  through  The  Reading  Times.  In  five  weeks  it 
brought  eighteen  columns  of  letters  to  the  paper  that 
published  it,  from  eminent  divines,  professors,  publicists, 
poets,  historians  and  others  in  the  higher  walks  of  society. 
Notwithstanding  there  are  some  seventy  or  eighty  transla- 
tions of  this  magnificent  poem,  Mr.  Zimmerman's  effort 
has  been  characterized  by  Rev.  Dr.  Pick,  the  publisher  of 
these  translations,  as  "the  newest  and  best  that  has  been 
made."  The  new  version  was  especially  favored  by  being 
sung  with  enlarged  choirs   in   different   denominations   of 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


365 


town  and  city,  and  sermons  here  and  there  were  delivered 
on  the  translation.  Following  is  Mr.  Zimmerman's  trans- 
lation of  the  famous  hymn : 

"A  rock-bound  fortress  is  our  God, 
A  good  defense  and  weapon, 
He  helps   us  out  of  every  need 
That  doth  us  press   or  threaten. 
The  old,  wicked   foe. 
With  zeal   now   doth   glow; 
Much  craft  and  great  might 
Prepare  him  for  the  fight, 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 

"With  our  own  strength  there's  nothing 

done, 
iWe're  well  nigh  lost,  dejected: 
For  us   doth,  fight  the  proper   One, 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
Dost   ask   for  his  name? 
Christ  Jesus — ^the  same ! 
The  Lord  of  Sabaoth, 
The  world   no  other  hath; 
This   field   must  He   be  holding. 

"And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled; 
With  wish  to  quite  devour  us. 
We  need  not  be  so  sore  afraid, 
Since  they  can  not  o'erpower  us. 
The   Prince   of  this   World, 
In  madness  though  whirled, 
Can  harm'  you  nor"  me ; 
Because  adjudged  is  he.  . 
A  little  word  can  fell  hipi. 

"This  Word  shall  they  now  let  remain. 

No  thanks  therefor  attending; 

He  is  with  us  upon  the  plain, 

His  gifts  and  spirit  lending.        j 

Though  th'  body  he,  ta'en, 

Goods,  child,  wife  and   fame; 

Go — life,  wealth  and  kin! 

They  yet  can  nothing  win : 
For  us  remaineth  the  Kingdom." 

Mr.  Zimmierman's  translation  of  Schiller's  "The  Song  of 
the  Bell"  met  with  even  more  favor  from  the  public;  no 
less  than  twenty  columns  of  newspaper  matter  made  up  of 
letters  from  all  over  the  world  came  to  the  translator,  and 
though  twenty  years  have  elapsed  since  its  first  appearance, 
Mr.  Zimmerman  receives  continued  inquiries  for  the  trans- 
lation from  far  and  near.  The  Philadelphia  Ledger  says : 
"Mr.  Zimmerman's  translations  have  been  highly  com- 
mended by  literary  authorities  at  home  and  abroad.  He 
has  shown  a  special  gift  for  making  his  English  readers 
familiar  with  the  spirit  of  the  best  German  poets.  Even 
those  who  are  well  at  home  in  German  will  find  a  special 
interest  in  comparing  the  translation  with  the  original, 
for  he  is  sure  to  find  that  Mr.  Zimmerman  has  not  only 
seized  the  meaning  of  the  author,  but  he  has  so  put  it  into 
an  English  clothing  as  to  show  that  the  real  bone  and  sinew 
of  the  original  still  lives  in  its  new  dress."  Hon.  Andrew 
D.  White,  U.  S.  Minister  to  Germany,  in  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Zimmerman  about  his  translations  writes :  "They  have 
greatly  interested  me,  as  you '  seem  to  have,  caught  their 
spirit  and  rendered  them  admirably.  I  am  not  sufficiently 
strong  in  literary  criticism  to  compare  them  with  other 
translations,  but  they  seem  to  me  to  he  thoroughly  well 
done.  I  have  also  been  especially  interested  in  your  trans- 
lations into  Pennsylvania  German  of  some  of  the  poems. 
Although  not  a  philologist,  the  reading  of  them  has  also 
greatly  interested  me,  and  they,  too,  'seem  very  spirited  and 
in  all  respects  interesting."  Prof.  Marion  D.  Learned,  of 
the  Department  of  Philosophy,  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
says:  "A  masterful  hand  is  visible  in  all  the  translations. 

*        *   ,     *        *        * 
It  is  perhaps  safe  to  say  that  Schiller's  'Song  of  the  Bell' 
is  the  most  difficult  lyrical  poem  -in  the  German  language 
to  render  into  English  with  the  corresponding  meters.  Your 


version  seems  to  me  to  excel  all  other  English  translations 
of  the  poem,  both  in  spirit  and  in  rhythm.  Especially 
striking  in  point  of  movement  is  your  happy  use  of  the 
English  participle  in  reproducing  Schiller's  feminine 
rhymes.  Your  version,  however,-  while  closely  adhering 
to  the  form  of  the  original,  maintains  at  the  same  time 
dignity  and  clearness  of  expression,  which  translators 
often  sacrifice  to  meet  the  demands  of  rhythm.  Your  poetic 
instinct  has  furnished  you  the  key  to  this  masterpiece  of 
German  song."  The  New  York  World  says :  "Mr.  Zim- 
merman's rendering  [Schiller's  'Song  of  the  Bell']  is  a 
triumph'  of  the  translator's  art,  and  recalls  the  work  of 
Bayard  Taylor."  The  New  York  Herald  says :  "Mr.  Zim- 
merman has  placed  his  name  in  the  category  of  famous 
litterateurs  by  a  very  creditable  translation  of  Schiller's 
'Song  of  the  Bell.'  " 

The  following  ably  written  criticism  is  from  the  pen 
of  J.  B.  Ker,  who,  while  a  resident  of  Scotland,  once  stood 
for  Parliamient :  "To  Col.  T.  C.  Zimmerman — Sir:' Having 
read  and  studied  your  noble  translation  of  Schiller's  'Song 
of  the  Bell,'  I  have  been  forcibly  impressed  by  the  music 
of  the  language  into  which  you  have  rendered  the  poem. 
This  is  a  merit  of  capital  importance  in  the  translation 
of  this  poem.  In  estimating  the  value  of  translations  of  the 
great  German  poems,  it  is  necessary  to  bear  in  mind  the 
weight  which  the  literary  and  critical  ■  consciousness  of 
Germany  attached  to  the  ancient  classical  canons  of  poetry. 
There  is  no  question  here  as. to  whether  the  ancients  were 
right.  The  point  for  us  is  that  their  influence  was  loyally 
acknowledged  as  of  high  authority  during  the  Augustan 
age  of  German  literature.  Proof  of  this  can  be  found  in 
Goethe  as  distinctly  as  it  super-abundantly  appears  in 
Lessing's  famous  'Dramatic  Notes,'  where  the  poetic  dicta 
of  Aristotle  are  treated  with  profound  respect.  In  the 
study  of  Aristotle's  work  on  the  Poetic,  nothing  is  perhaps 
more  striking  than  his  dictum  that  poetry  is  imitation, 
with  the  explanation  or  enlargement  so  aptly  given  by 
Pope  in  the  words : 

"  "Tis  not  enough  no  harshness  gives  offense, 
The  sound  must  seem,  an  echo  to  the  sense. 
Soft  is  the  strain  when  zephyr  gently  blows. 
And  the  smooth  stream  in  smoother  numbers  flows; 
But  when  loud  surges  lash  the  sounding  shore. 
The  hoarse,  rough  waves  should  like  the  torrent  roar; 
When  Ajax  strives  some  rock's  vast  weight  to  throw. 
The  line,  too,  labors,  and  the  words  move  slow. 
Not  so,  when  swift  Camilla  scours  the  main, 
Flies  o'er  the  unbending  corn,  or  skims  along  the  plain.' 

"Not  knowing  the  German  recognition  of  the  law  and 
acknowledging  its  realization  in  the  works  of  the  leading 
Teutonic  poets,  one  of  the  crucial  tests  of  a  translation 
of  a  great  German  poet  is.  Does  the  language  into  which 
the  original  is  rendered  form  an  'echo  to  the  sense'?  It 
seems  to  me  that  one  of  the  strongest  points  in  your  trans- 
lation of  the  'Beir  is  that  the  words  which  you  have 
selected  and  gathered  have  sounds,  which,  like  the  music 
of  a  skillful  musical  composer,  convey  a  signification  in- 
dependently of  their  literal  meaning.  Not  to  protract 
these  remarks  unduly,  few  words  could  more  appropriately 
refer  to  the  music  of  strong  and  distant  bells  than  your 
rendering — 

'That  from  the  metal's  unmixed  founding 
Cle^r  and  full  may  the  bell  be  sounding.' 

"Very  slight  poetic  capacity  must  admit  the  music  of 
these,  words  as  eminently  happy  in  the  'Song  of  the  Bell.' 
The  echo  to  the  sense  is  also  striking  in  the  sound  of  the 
word-symbols  in  many  places  throughout  the  rendering 
where  the  poet  describes  the  occurrences  conceived  in  con- 
nection with  the  bell's  imagined  history.  Speaking  of  the 
visions  of  love,  , 

'O;  that  they  would  be  never-ending. 

These  vernal  days  with  lovelight  blending,' 


366 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  way  in  which  the  penult  of  the  word  ■'ending'  conveys 
the  idea  of  finaUty,  while  the  affix  of  the  present  participle 
yet  prolongs  the  word  as  though  loth  to  let  it  depart,  is 
a  beautiful  and  enviable  realization  of  the  Aristotelian  rule, 
a  prolongation  of  the  words  which  expresses  doubly  a 
prolongation  of  desire.     The  four  lines  reading: 

'Blind  raging,  like  the  thunder's  crashing 
It  bursts  its  fractured  bed  of  earth 

As  if  from  out  hell's  jaws  fierce  flashing, 
It   spewed   its    flaming   ruin   forth,' 

have  a  vehement  strength  and  a  rough  and  even  a  painful 
and  horrid  sound  which  apply  with  singular  propriety  to 
the  horrible  images  by  which  the  poet  presents  the  catas- 
trophe to  our  quickened  apprehensions.  The  beautiful 
lines, 

'Joy  to  me  now  God  hath  given,'  etc., 

in  which  the  bell  founder  exults,  avoiding,  as  they  do,  the 
deeper  vowel  sounds  and  preserving  as  it  were  a  series  of 
high  musical  notes  save  where  the  gift  descends  from 
heaven  to  earth,  when  the  vowel  sounds  fall  from  high  to 
low,  form  a  delightful  resonance  of  the  happy  sentiment 
they  embody.  The  general  experience  of  translations  is 
that  they  are  more  prosy  than  sonorous  or  musical.  Few, 
however,  if  any,  will  deny  the  mielody  of  your  language 
in  many  places  and  its  remarkable  appropriateness  in 
others,  and  those  who  have  worked  on  similar  translations 
can  best  judge  how  great  is  the  success  you  have  accom- 
plished in  this  valuable  contribution  to  Anglo-Saxon  liter- 
ature." 

Mr.  Zimmerman  published  a  collection  of  his  addresses, 
sketches  of  Out-Door  Life,  translations  and  original  poems 
in  two  volumes,  entitled  "011a  Podrida."  The  volumes, 
which  were  published  in  the  fall  of  1903,  were  received 
with  great  favor,  almost  the  entire  edition  having  been 
sold  in  a  month's  time,  a  number  of  the  public  libraries 
having  become  purchasers. 

We  present  to  our  readers  a  few  short  selections  from 
Mr.  Zimlmerman's  translation  of  "The  Song  of  the  Bell" : 

"Firmly  walled  in  earth  and  steady, 
Stands  the  mold  of  well-burnt  clay. 
Quick,  now,  workmen,  be  ye  ready ! 
Forth  must  come  the  bell  today ! 
Hot  from  forehead's  glow 
Must  the  sweat-drops  flow. 
Should  the  master  praise  be  given ; 
Yet  the  blessing  comes  from  Heaven. 

"The  work  prepared  with  so  much  ardor 
May  well  an  earnest  word  become; 
When  good  discourse  attends  the  labor, 
Then  flows  employment  briskly  on. 
Observe  with  care,  then,  what  arises — 
See  what  from  feeble  strength  escapes ; 
The  man  so  poor,  each  one  despises, 
Who  ne'er  foresees  the  form  he  shapes. 
'Tis  this  that  man  so  well  adorneth. 
For  mind  hath  he  to  understand 
That  in  his  inner  heart  he  feeleth 
Whate'er  he  fashions-with  his  hand. 


"Through  the  streets  with  fury  flaring, 
Stalks  the  fire  with  fiendish  glaring. 
Rushing  as  if  the  whirlwind  sharing! 
Like   the   blast   from   furnace   flashing 
Glows  the  air,  and  beams  are  crashing. 
Pillars   tumbling,   windows   creaking, 
Mothers  wandering,  children  shrieking. 
Beasts  are  moaning, 
Running,  groaning, 
'Neath  the   ruins;   all  are  frightened. 
Bright   as   day   the  night   enlightened. 


"From  the  steeple. 
Sad  and  strong, 
Th'  bell  is  tolling 
A   fun'ral  song. 

Sad  and  slow  its  mournful  strokes  attending 
Some  poor  wand'rer  tow'rds  his  last  home  wending. 
Ah!    the  wife  it  is,  the  dear  one; 
Ah!    it  is  the  faithful  mother, 
Whom  the   Prince  of  Shades,  unheeding. 
From  the  husband's  arms  is  leading. 
From  the  group  of  children  there. 
Whom  she  blooming  to  him  bare ; 
On  whose  breast  saw,  maid  and  boy, 
Growing  with  maternal  joy. 
Ah !  the  household  ties  so  tender 
Sundered  are  forevermore ; 
Gone   into   the   realm  of   shadows 
She  who  ruled  this  household  o'er. 
Now  her  faithful  reign  is  ended. 
She  will  need  to  watch  no  more ; 
In  the  orphaned  place  there  ruleth 
A  stranger,  loveless  evermore. 


"O  sweetest  hope  !     0  tender  longing  ! 
The   earliest  love's   first  golden  time ! 
The  eye,  it  sees  the  heavens  thronging 
With  rapt'rous  sights  and  scenes  sublime; 
O,  that  they  would  be  nev'er-ending. 
These  vernal  days  with  lovelight  blending. 


"And  this  henceforth  its  calling  be. 
Whereto  the  master  set  it  free ! 
High  o'er  this  nether  world  of  ours. 
Shall  it,  in  heaven's  azure  tent, 
Dwell  where  the  pealing  thunder  lowers. 
And  border  on  the  firmament. 
It  shall,  too,  be  a  voice  from  heaven, 
Like  yonder  starry  hosts,  so  clear. 
Who  in  their  course  extol  their  Maker, 
And  onward  lead  the  wreath-crowned  year. 
To   earnest   things   and   things   eternal 
Devoted  be  its  metal  tongue. 
And,  hourly.  Time,  with  swift-winged  pinions, 
Will  touch  it  as  it  flieth  on. 
Its  tongue  to  dest'ny  'twill  be  lending; 
No  heart  itself,  from  pity  free 
Its  swinging  ever  be  attending 
Life's  changeful  play,  whate'er  it  be. 
And  as  the  sound  is  slowly  dying 
That   strikes   with   such   o'erpowering   might. 
So  may  it  teach  that  naught  abideth. 
That  all  things  earthly  take  their  flight." 

Following  is  Reading's  Official  Sesqui-Centennial  Hymn, 
as  written  by  Thomas  C.  Zimmerman,  and  sung  on  Tues- 
day evening,  June  6,  1898,  by  a  chorus  of  600  voices,  to 
an  audience  of  20,000  people,  assembled  on  Penn's  Com- 
mon : 

"All  hail  to  Reading's  name  and  fame ! 
And  let  the  welkin  ring 
With  song  and  shout  and  roundelay. 

As  we  together  sing. 
And  may  our  songs,  with  glad  acclaim. 

To  heav'n,  like  incense  rise, 
While  glowing  hearts  in  tones  proclaim 
Her  glory  to  the  skies. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


367 


'"Tis  sev'n  score  years  ago  and  ten 

Since  this  fair  town  was  born; 
Its  sweet  young  life  must  have  exhaled 

A  breath  like  rosy  morn. 
So  let  us  sing  till  yonder  hills 

Send  back  the  joyous  song; 
Till  echoing  dales  and  rippling  rills 

Th€  gladsome  sound  prolong. 

"Let  others  tread  life's  stately  halls, 

Where  princely  pleasures  flow ; 
Give  us  our  homes,  like  jewels  set 

In  evening's  sunset  glow. 
And  may  our  hearts,  in  swelling  pride, 

Forget  not  those  of  old — 
The  men  of  Reading's  pristine  days — 

Whose  hearts  have  long  grown  cold. 

"Let  all,  therefore,  with  mingled  voice. 

Repeat  the  glad  refrain ; 
Let  civic  pride,  in  flowing  tide, 

Rejoice  with  might  and  main. 
And  God,  the  Father  of  us  all, 

With  His  protecting  care, 
Will  bless  us  while  we  praise  in  song 

Our  city,  bright  and  fair." 

Mr.  Zimmerman  also  wrote  the  Sesqui-Centennial  of 
Berks,  which  was  adopted  by  the  Historical  Society  of 
Berks  as  the  ofiiciat  hymn.     Following  is  the  translation: 

Air : — "America." 
"Hail,  beauteous  Berks !  to  thee 
Let   song   and   minstrelsy 
Their  tribute  pay ! 
Let  joy   in   rapture   break 
Till   echoing  hills   awake, 
And   woodland   summits   shake. 
On   this  glad  day. 

"Our  sires,  long  since  at  rest. 
With  mem,'ries,  sweet  and  blest. 

Were  at  thy  birth. 
With    axe    and    brawn    and   brain. 
They   toiled,    with  might    and    main, 
A  dear  loved  home  to  gain 

On    this    green    earth. 

"And  now,  with  upturned  eyes, 
Your    children's    gladsome    cries 

Their    homage    bring. 
From   all   our   mines   and   mills. 
From    Manatawny's   hiUs, 
And  Ontelaunee's   rills, 

Let   praises    ring. 

"Then    hail   the    natal    day 
When   Heaven's  fav'ring  ray 

Shone  on  thy  face. 
Let  joy,   in  civic  pride. 
Gush    forth,   on   every   side, 
And   music's    swelling   tide 

Add  strength   and  grace. 

"Our    fathers'    God !    may    we 
Be   ever   true   to   thee 

Through   all   our   days. 
Thy   Name   be  glorified, 
Our  hearts  be   sanctified. 
As,   with   exultant  pride, 

We    sing    thy    praise." 

Mr.  Zimmerman  was  also  the  author  of  the  memorial 
hymn  sung  at  the  dedication  of  the  McKinley  monu- 
ment in  the  City  Park,  in  the  presence  of  one  of  the  lar- 
gest audiences   ever  assembled  in  Reading. 

One  of  the  proudest  achievements  of  Mr.  Zimmer- 
man's  journalistic   career   was   the   erection   of   a   monu- 


ment to  Stephen  C.  Foster  at  his  home  in  Pittsburg, 
which,  according  to  the  Pittsburg  papers,  had  its  real 
inception  in  an  editorial  prepared  by  Mr.  Zimmerman 
for  the  Reading  Times,  after  a  visit  to  that  city  and 
finding  no  memorial  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the 
world's  greatest  writer  of  negro  melodies.  This  edi- 
torial was  republished  in  the  Pittsburg  Press  and  in- 
dorsed by  that  paper,  which  also  started  a  fund  to  pro- 
vide a  suitable  memorial  and  called  on  the  public  for 
popular  subscriptions,  the  ultimate  result  being  the  stat- 
ue which  now  adorns  Highland  Park,  in  that  city.  The 
foUcfwing  from  the  Pittsburg  Times,  in  a  personal  no- 
tice of  Mr.  Zimmerman's  visit  to  that  Park  -several  years 
ago,  said :  "Out  at  Highland  Park  yesterday  passers- 
by  noticed  a  handsome,  military  looking  gentleman  mak- 
ing a  minute  study  of  the  Stephen  C.  Foster  statue. 
Every  feature  of  this  artistic  bit  of  sculpture,  from  Fos- 
ter's splendid  face  to  Uncle  Ned  and  the  broken  string 
of  his  banjo,  was  examined  with  affectionate  interest. 
The  man  was  Col.  Thomas  C.  Zimmerman,  editor  of  the 
Reading  (Pa.)  Times,  and  the  statue  was  the  fruition 
of  his  fondest  wish.  Col.  Zimmerman  has  been  for 
miany  years  one  of  the  staunchest  admirers  of  Foster's 
imperishable  songs  and  melodies.  Sixteen  years  ago" 
while  in  Pittsburg  visiting  the  late  Major  E.  A.  Mon- 
tooth,  he  asked  the  latter  to  show  him  the  monument 
to  Foster,  and  was  painfully  surprised  to  discover  that 
no  such  memorial  existed.  Shortly  after  his  return  to 
Reading  he  wrote  an  editorial  for  his  paper,  calling 
the  attention  of  the  world  in  general  and  Pittsburg  in 
.particular   to   the    neglect   of   Foster's    memiDry." 

MILTON  BRAYTON  McKNIGHT,  son  of  David  Mc- 
Knight  and  Elizabeth  Hiester,  his  wife,  was  born  in  Read- 
ing, Sept.  30,  1855. 

Paul  McKnight,  his  great-grandfather,  of  Scottish  an- 
cestry, came  to  America  in  1752,  from  the  North  of  Ireland, 
and  settled  in  Chester  county. 

Paul's  son,  John  McKnight  (born  May  31,  1774— died 
March  9,  1855),  came  to  Reading  in  1808,  and  conducted  a 
Branch  of  the  Bank  of  Pennsylvania  of  Philadelphia,  which 
Branch  Bank  was  afterward  incorporated  as  the  National 
Union  Bank  of  Reading. 

David  McKnight  (born  May  2,  1814— died  Aug.  29, 
1873),  a  son  of  John  McKnight,  assisted  and  succeeded 
his  father  in  conducting'  the  Reading  Branch  of  the 
Bank  of  Pennsylvania,  and  upon  the  incorporation  of  the 
Union  Bank  of  Reading  (afterward  the  National  Union 
Bank)  became  its  first  president,  and  held  this  oifice 
until  his  death. 

On  his  mother's  side,  Elizabeth  Beck  Hiester  (born  May 
5,  1817— died  Oct.  11,  1897)  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
Hiester  of  Reading  (born  Aug.  4,  1768— died  April  16, 
1830),  and  a  granddaughter  of  Joseph  Hiester, (1710-1772), 
who  came  to  America  from  Westphalia,  Germany,  in  1737. 

M.  Brayton  McKnight  attended  the  local  public  schools, 
graduating  from  the  Reading  high  school  in  1873,  and 
entered  Amherst  College  the  same  year,  from  which 
college  he  was  graduated  in  1876.  He  then  read  law  in 
the  office  of  his  brother-in-law,  Charles  H.  Schaeffer,  Esq., 
of  Reading,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Berks  county 
in  1878.  Going  to  Colorado  in  the  fall  of  1879,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  of  that  State  and  took  a  clerical 
position  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Robert  S.  Morrison,  a  prom- 
inent attorney  of  Georgetown,  Colo.  Returning  to  Reading 
the  following  year,  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  In 
1881  he  assisted  in  the  incorporation  of  the  Mt.  Penn  Stove 
Works,  a  company  just  forming  for  the  manufacture  of 
cooking  and  heating  appliances,  and  being  elected  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  new  corporation,  he  relinquished  his 
law  practice  and  devoted  his  whole  time  to  manufacturing. 
He  retained  the  office  of  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Mt. 
Penn  Stove  Works  for  twenty-five  years,  and  in  1907  he 
was  elected  president  of  the  company,  which  office  he  now 
holds.  During  this  time  this  conijpany  has  grown  to  be 
one  of  the  prominent  manufacturing  and  business  enter- 
prises of  Reading. 


368 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


I\Ir.  AIcKnight  was  married  in  1880  to  Ida  May  Geise, 
who  died  in  1882,  without  any  children.  On  March  31, 
1898,  he  married  Wilhelmina  Hamilton  Holmes  (daughter 
of  Robert  Holmes,  of  Reading),  who  died  on  Nov.  3, 
1901.  leaving  two  daughters,  Helen,  born  June  16,  1899, 
and  Katharine,   born   May  23,   1901. 

Mr.  A'IcKnight  is  identified  with  various  business  enter- 
prises of  Reading,  is  oil  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Mt. 
Penn  Gravity  Railroad,  the  Reading  &  Temple  Railway, 
the  Reading  Hospital,  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery  Com- 
pany and  the  Reading  Sanitarium  for  the  Treatment  of 
Tuberculosis,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Berks  County  His- 
torical Society,  the  Pennsylvania-German  Society  and  the 
Pennsylvania  Forestry  Association. 

CHARLES  H.  SCHAEFFER,  one  oif  the  most  prominent 
and  influential  citizens  of  Reading,  is  well  known  in  the 
financial  circles  of  that  city  as  president  of  the  National 
Union  Bank.  Mr.  Schaeffer  was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio, 
in  the  year  1840.  His  father  and  grandfather  were 
clergymen,  distinguished  in  the  Lutheran  Church,  his 
father  having  been  for  many  years  professor  in  the  Luth- 
eran Theological  Seminary  at  Gettysburg,  and  later  hav- 
ing been  the  founder,  first  professor  and  president  of  the 
Lutheran  Theological  Seminary  at  Mt.  Airy,  Philadelphia, 
where  he  remained  until  his  death  in  1879. 

Charles  H.  Schaeffer  received  his  collegiate  education 
at  Pennsylvania  College,  Gettysburg,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated with  honor  in  1860,  and  thereafter  he  conducted 
a  classical  academy  at  Reading  for  several  years.  During 
this  period  he  also  read  law  in  the  office  of  the  late  Con- 
gressman Daniel  Ermentrout.  In  1863  he  enlisted  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States  and  was  at  the  front  until 
his  regiment  disbanded  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  On  Aug. 
9,  1864,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  and  since  that  time 
has  been  in  continuous  practice,  being  concerned  in  much 
of  the  most  important  litigation  that  has  been  before  the 
courts  of  Berks  county,  the  Supreme  court  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  the  United  States  courts,  and  during  his  pro- 
fessional career  has  been  attorney  for  many  of  the  most 
important   corporate   interests   of   the    comimunity. 

Mr.  Schaeffer  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the 
Democratic  party  from  the  first,  and  in  his  earlier  years 
was  a  prominent  speaker  and  worker  in  his  party,  repre- 
senting it  in  county.  State  and  national  conventions.  In 
1873  he  served  a  term  as  a  member  of  the  city  council, 
but  was  never  a  candidate  for  any  other  office.  He  long 
served  the  public  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  health 
until  his  resignation  in  1902,  nineteen  years,  during  which 
timie  the  most  valuable  improvements  and  reforms  in  the 
work  of  the  board  were  inaugurated   and   established. 

Mr.  Schaeffer  has  always  been  prominently  identified 
with  the  public  interests  and  institutions  of  the  city  and 
county.  In  1873  he  drew  the  charter  of  the  first  passenger 
railway  built  in  the  city  of  Reading,  organized  the  com- 
pany, and  has  been  connected  with  the  city  railway  in- 
terests as  attorney  and  director  during  all  the  subsequent 
developments  of  the  system.  Since  1869  he  has  been  the 
counsel  for  the  National  Union  Bank  of  Reading,  one 
of  the  leading  financial  institutions  of  the  city,  became 
a  director  in  1874,  and  vice-president  in  1898.  Since 
March,  1900,  Mr.  Schaeffer  has  been  president  of  this 
institution. 

During  all  his  legal  and  business  career  Mr.  Schaeffer 
has  at  various  times  contributed  articles  to  the  educational 
and  legal  magazines,  and  other  publications  of  the  city, 
county  and  State,  which  gave  him  reputation  as  a  writer, 
and  in  the  years  when  the  Reading  Eagle  was  laying 
the  foundations  of  its  future  prosperity  his  contributions 
to  its  columns  were  highly  appreciated.  In  connection 
with  his  banking  interests,  Mr.  Schaeffer  is  also  a  director 
of  the  Reading  Trust  Comipany,  the  Reading  Gas  Com- 
pany, the  Reading  City  Passenger  Railway  Company,  and 
also  of  manv  other  corporations.  He  is  also  president  of 
the  West  Reading  Water  Company.  He  is  an  active 
rnember  of  the  well-known  Berks  County  Historical  So- 
ciety, while  his  war  record  entitles  him  to  his  connection 
with  Keim  Post,  No.  76,  G.  A.  R.    Since  1860  Mr.  Schaef- 


fer has  been  a  member  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  in 
the  vestry  of  which  he  served  a  number  of  years  as 
elder,  and  to  which  his  family  also  adhere. 

In  1867  Charles  H.  Schaeffer  and  Amelia  M.  McKnight 
were  united  in  marriage.  Mrs.  Schaeffer  is  a  member  of 
one  of  the  old  and  prominent  families  of  the  county. 
Four  sons  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schaeffer,  all  of 
whom  are  engaged  in  business  in  Reading  and  Philadel- 
phia, the  youngest,  E.  Carroll,  being  a  member  of  the 
Berks  county  Bar. 

In  every  walk  of  life,  indeed,  Mr.  Schaeffer  has  made 
an  impress  for  good.  Of  profound  legal  mind,  scholarly 
and  liberal-minded,  his  influence  has  been  felt  not  only 
in  the  material  upbuilding:  of  Reading,  but  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  moral,  religious  and  educational  movements 
in  the  community  in  which  he  has  for  so  long  been  so 
prominent  a  figure. 

JACOB  B.  FRICKER.  It  is  most  consonant  that  in  this 
work  be  incorporated  a  sketch  of  the  career  of  this  well- 
known  and  honored  citizen  and  prominent  business  man  of 
Reading,  for  not  only  is  he  a  native  of  the  city  which  is 
now  his  home,  but  he  is  also  a  representative  of  one  of 
the  sterling  pioneer  families  of  the  county  in  which  his 
entire  life  has  been  passed.  Mr.  Fricker  was  born  in  the 
old  family  homestead  at  No.  807  Penn  street,  Dec.  19,  1839, 
son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Allgaier)  Fricker,  both  like- 
wise natives  of  the  old  Keystone  State. 

Jacob  Fricker  was  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  where  he 
was  reared  and  educated,  and  where  he  remained  .until  he 
was  about  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Read- 
ing and  secured  a  position  as  foreman  and  manager  in  the 
hat  factory  of  Jacob  Sauerbier.  He  retained  this  incum- 
bency about  twelve  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  same 
branch  of  enterprise  on  his  own  responsibility,  forming 
a  partnership  with  Harry  Brown  and  establishing  their 
factory  at  No.  807  Penn  street,  in  1833.  On  that  site, 
30  X  270  feet  in  dimensions,  Mr.  Fricker  erected  his  dwell- 
ing, which  is  still  standing,  and  in  an  excellent  state  of 
preservation.  In  the  rear  of  this  building  the  firm  estab- 
lished their  fur-hat  manufactory,  utilizing  a  log  house.  At 
the  same  time  they  established  a  wholesale  and  retail  store 
at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Court  streets,  where  Tragle 
Bros.'  large  cordage  building  now  stands.  Mr.  Fricker 
continued  to  be  activel3r  identified  with  this  business  until 
his  death.  The  business  demanded  considerable  traveling 
on  his  part,  as  the  custom  in  those  days  was  for  the  man- 
ufacturers to  go  about  from  one  locality  to  another,  selling 
their  products  or  exchanging  them  for  new  fur-pelts.  On 
one  of  these  trips  he  contracted  a  severe  cold,  the  ultimate 
result  of  which  was  his  death,  in  March.  1847.  In  1828 
Jacob  Fricker  married  Catherine  Allgaier,  who  survived 
him  many  years,  continuing  to  reside  in  the  old  Penn  street 
homestead  for  sixty  years.  She  died  in  1888.  Five  children 
were  born  to  Jacob  Fricker  and  wife :  Peter  H.,  who  was 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  fur  hats  in  Reading,  and 
who  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  old  Ringgold  Band, 
died  in  1860;  Andrew  J.,  a  printer  and  box  manufacturer, 
also  identified  with  the  Reading  Lumber  Company,  and 
the  representative  of  the  Tenth  ward  in  the  city  coun- 
cil, died  in  1895;  Sarah  E.  died  in  1886;  Jacob  B.;' George 
W.,  who  was  engaged  in  printing  and  manufacturing,  died 
in  1902.  As  per  family  arrangement  the  estate  was  not 
settled  until  1905,  a  period  of  fifty-eight  years,  when  Jacob 
B.,  the  sole  survivor,  became  the  owner  of  the  old  home- 
stead. 

Jacob  B.  Fricker  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his  native 
town,  and  after  completing  the  course  of  the  Reading 
schools,  he  found  employment  as  a  clerk  in  a  local  mercan- 
tile establishment.  He  followed  this  vocation  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  with  different  firms,  and  during  the  Civil 
war  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  post-office,  and  later 
was  clerk  and  teller  in  the  First  National  and  the  Read- 
ing Savings  Banks.  In  1871  he  became  associated  with 
the  De  Long  Brothers,  tanners  and  curriers,  who  for  many 
years  occupied  the  southeast  corner  of  Ninth  and  Muhlen- 
berg streets,  and  with  them  in  1875  he  established  a  whole- 
sale  leather    house    in    Philadelphia,    and    at   this    writing 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


369 


still  remains  a  partner  of  this  firm.  In  1884  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  Lambert  A.  Rehr,  and  under  the  firm 
name  of  Rehr  &  Fricker,  they  engaged  as  contractors  and 
builders.  The  firm  is  still  in  existence,  with  offices  at  No. 
134  Cedar  street,  and  they  control  a  large  and  important 
business,  having  erected  more  than  1,000  houses  in  Reading. 
This  fact  in  itself  offers  the  most  effective  voucher  for  the 
correct  business  methods  and  technical  ability  of  the  firm, 
whose  reputation  has  ever  been  of  the  highest,  and  whose 
splendid  success  has  been  richly  deserved. 

Mr.  Fricker  is  a  man  of  progressive  spirit  and  has  iden- 
tified himself  with  various  other  enterprises  which  have 
contributed  to  the  material  advancement  and  prestige  of 
his  home  city.  He  is  one  of  the  organizers,  and  remains 
an  interested  principal  in  the  Reading  Lumber  Company. 
Mr.  Fricker  was  a  director  in  the  Reading  Hardware  Com- 
pany many  years,  but  recently  severed  his  connection  with 
the  company.  For  the  past  ten  years  he  has  been  the  man- 
ager and  treasurer  of  the  Reading  Abattoir  Company, 
which  he  organized  and  now  has  incorporated  by  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania.  He  is  not  only  treasurer  but  also  one 
of  the  largest  stockholders.  He  is  president  and  stock- 
holder of  the  Crescent  Brass  Foundry  Company,  and  takes 
a  lively  interest  in  the  management  of  the  same.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Fricker  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  principles 
and  policies  of  the  Republican  party, 'and  his  religious 
faith  is  that  of  the  Reformed  Chuixh.  He,  and  his  wife 
are  prominent  members  of  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Church, 
with  which  he  has  been  identified  since  its  organization, 
and  of  whose  choir  he  has  been  a  member  for  thirty  years, 
also  taking  an  active  part  in  the  work  of  the  Sunday- 
school.  He  has  served  on  the  building  committee  of  six 
different  churches  of  the  Reformed  denomination,  those 
of  St.  Thomas,  St.  John,  St.  Andrew  and  Zion,  on  the  first 
church  buildings  of  St.  Stephen  and  St.  Mark,  on  the  Sun- 
day-school building  of  St.  Paul's,  and  on  the  Seminary 
building  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  Lancaster,  Pa.,  and  in 
each  instance  he  gave  most  valuable  assistance  by  reason 
of  his  fine  technical  knowledge  as  a  contractor  and 
builder. 

In  1868  Mr.  Fricker  married  Miss  Annie  E.  Getz,  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Peter  D.  Getz,  an  honored  pioneer  of  Read- 
ing, and  to  this  union  have  been  born  three  daughters : 
Mary  F.  m.  Thomas  G.  Mull,  and  has  one  daughter,  Helen; 
Martha  A.;  and  Annie  F.,  the  two  last  named  remaining 
under  the  parental  roof.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fricker  were 
members  of  the  Mozart  Musical  Union,  being  original  mem- 
bers, and  they  continued  interested  in  same  as  long  as  it  was 
in  existence.  Mr.  Fricker  is  a  loyal  and  public-spirited  citi- 
zen and  has  an  abiding .  interest  in  all  that  concerns  his 
native  city,  which  is  endeared  to  him  by  the  gracious  mem- 
ories and  associations  of  the  past  as  well  as  of  the  present. 

L  S.  AND  D.  H.  HUYETT,  proprietors  of  the  Standard 
Paper  Box  Manufacturing  Company,  which  is  located  at 
Nos.  441  to  445  Pearl  street,  Reading,  are  well  known  iri 
their  community  as  honest,  straight-forward  business  men. 
Their  success  is  due  to  their  push  and  energy,  and  to  their 
native  business  ability,  and  they  are  considered  representa- 
tive citizens  of  their  native  city.  They  are  sons  of  Amos 
and  Henrietta  (Smith)  Huyett,  the  former  of  whom 
was  for  many  years  a  prominent  contractor  and  builder, 
and  also  operated  a  planing  mill,  doing  much  to  advance 
the  material  growth  of  Reading.  During  the  Civil  war 
he  was  one  of  the  first  to  enlist  and  he  served  throughout 
that  struggle.    He  died  in  1891,  aged  fifty-four  years. 

Amos  Huyett  was  twice  married.  He  married  (first) 
Henrietta  Smith,  who  died  in  1870  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
three  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children  as  fol- 
lows: I.  S.  and  D.  H.,  who  are  mentioned  below;  Ella  R., 
Lucy  A.  and  Henrietta.  Mr.  Huyett  married  (second) 
Lydia  Rick,  who  passed  away  in  1908,  at  the  age  of  seventy. 
In  religion  the  family  were  Lutherans.  Fraternally  the 
father  was  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  in  politics 
was  a  Republican. 

I.  S.  Huyett,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  the  Standard 

Paper   Box   Manufacturing   Company,   was  born  in   1861. 

On  May  12,  1887,  he  married  Jennie  L.  Heller,  daughter  of 

24  ■,  i..;ii-a;-li 


Anthony  W.  Heller,  and  one  child  was  born  to  this  union, 
Amos  W.,  who  is  now  attending  school.  Mr.  Huyett  is  a 
member  of  Vigilance  Lodge,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  the  B.  P. 
O.  Elks,  Lodge  No.  115.  Like  the  rest  of  the  family  he 
is  a  nuember  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

D.  H.  Huyett,  junior  member  of  the  firm,  was  born  in 
1862,  and  on  March  4,  1898,  he  married  Catharine  Hull, 
daughter  of  Henry  Hull.  Tliey  are  the  parents  of  Daniel, 
Dorothy  and  Catharine.  Mr.  Huyett  is  prominent  in  frater- 
nal circles,  being  connected  with  St.  John's  Lodge,  F.  & 
A.  M.,  No.  435;  Reading  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  No.  152;  De 
Molay  Commandery,  No.  9,  K.  T. ;  Reading  Lodge  of  Per- 
fection; Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.;  Williamsport 
Consistory;  and  Lodge  No.  115,  B.  P.  O.  Elks,  of  Reading. 

The  Standard  Paper  Box  Manufacturing  Company  was 
organized  in  1895.  They  manufacture  a  high  grade  of 
paper  boxes,  cartons  and  candy  boxes  and  supply  shoe, 
millinery,  candy  and  hardware  concerns  with  their  product. 
The  plant,  three  stories  in  height  and  60  x  100  feet  in 
dimensions,  is  equipped  with  a  one  hundred  horse-power 
boiler,  and  gives  employment  to  an  average  of  seventy 
hands.  From  a  small  beginning  the  business  has  grown  rap- 
idly and  now  controls  a  well  defined  trade  throughout  this 
section  of  the  State. 

ALPHEUS  S.  BEHNEY,  a  director  of  the  Penn  Na- 
tional Bank,  of  Reading,  and  one  of  the  most  substantial 
citizens  of  Womelsdorf,  Berks  county,  was  born  Nov.  17, 
1843,  at  Fredericksburg,  Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Sarah  Jane  (Bashore)  Behney. 

This  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  Pennyslvania,  and 
the  name  has  been  variously  spelled  Beni,  Baney,  Behne 
and  Behney.  The  founder  of  the  family  in  the  Lebanon 
Valley  was  Peter  Beany,  of  Heidelberg  township,  who 
died  in  January,  1784,  leaving  a  wife,  Catherine,  and  chil- 
dren: George  Peter,  Jr.,  Jacob,  Melchoir,  Eva,  Elizabeth, 
Christina,  Barbara,  Magdalena,  John  and  Anna  Elizabeth. 
It  is  also  shown  in  the  Pennsylvania  Archives  that  in  1723 
a  family  of  Beni  emigrated  to  this  country  and  located  in 
Lebanon  county.  Prior  to  1750  the  ancestor  of  this  num- 
erous family  located  near  Fredericksburg,  Lebanon  county, 
where  he  took  up  about  1,000  acres  of  land,  and  there 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  at  an  advanced  age.  Up 
to  the  time  of  his  death,  Peter  Beany  (or  Behney)  wore 
no  garb  other  than  in  Continental  style.  Several  of  his 
sons,  including  Melchoir,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

Melchoir  Behney,  son  of  the  ancestor,  and  great-grand- 
father of  Alpheus  S.,  was  born  in  Lebanon  county,  and 
spent  his  life  there,  being  buried  at  Fredericksburg.  He 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  one  of  the  early  horse 
dealers  of  this  part  of  Pennsylvania,  the  first  of  the  family 
to  follow  that  line,  in  which  so  many  of  the  name  have 
become  famous,  in  fact,  one  Jacob  Behne,  of  Myerstown, 
was  the  largest  horse  dealer  of  the  United  States  in  his 
day.  He  always  had  on  hand  from  200  to  500  head,  sold 
horses  to  Barnum  &  Bailey,  the  showmen,  to  the  Brewers, 
and  to  horse  dealers  all  over  the  country. 

Melchoir  Behney  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  bear- 
ing him  two  children,  sons,  and  his  secondl  wife,  a  Miss 
Fisher,  bearing  him  one  son  and  two  daughters.  Mr.  Beh- 
ney's  second  wife  was  the  sister  of  the  wives  of  his  sons 
by  his  first  marriage.  He  was  a  leading  citizen  of  his 
day,  and  did  much  toward  promoting  movements  for  the 
public  good. 

Martin  Behney,  grandfather  of  Alpheus  S.,  was  a  farmer, 
and  spent  his  life  in  the  vicinity  of  his  birthplace,  was  a 
public-spirited  and  influential  citizen,  and  died  at  an  ad- 
vanced age.  He  married  a  Miss  Fisher,  a  sister  of  his 
step-mother,  and  she  bore  him  seven  children :  John;  Jacob; 
David  lost  his  life  in  the  Civil  war;  Samuel  (father  of 
Alpheus  S.)  ;  Kate  m.  a  Suavely;  Sallie  m.  William  Bohr; 
and  Rebekah  died  unmarried. 

Samuel  Behney,  father  of  Alpheus  S.,  was  born  on  the 
old  homestead  in  1806,  and  died  at  Myerstown,  in  1885, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  He  learned  distilling  in 
his  youth  with  his  father-in-law,  an  occupation  which  he 
followed  for  several  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  brick,  at  Fredericksburg  and  later  in  Myers- 


370 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


town,  continuing  in  this  line  of  business  for  some  iifty 
years,  and  furnishing  the  material  for  hundreds  of  houses 
and  buildings  in  the  vicinity  of  these  places.  He  was  a 
captain  of  the  militia  at  Jonestown  in  the  days  of  the  old 
battalions,  and  upon  his  removal  to  Myerstown  was_  suc- 
ceeded by  a  Mr.  Long.  He  was  one  of  the  public-spirited 
and  progressive  men  of  his  day  and  locality,  and  was  a 
pillar  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Samuel  Behney  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  Jane  Bashore,  daughter  of  John  and  Catha- 
rine (Fauber)  Bashore,  and  to  this  union  there  were  born 
nine  children:  (1)  Edward,  who  died  in  Denver,  Colo.,  in 
the  fall  of  1905,  aged  seventy-two  years,  was  a  veteran  of 
the  Civil  war,  serving  three  years,  during  part  of  which 
time  he  was  a  prisoner  at  Andersonville.  He  was  a  brick- 
maker  and  builder  by  trade.  (2)  William,  of  Pittsburg, 
was  also  in  the  three-years'  service  during  the  Civil  war, 
and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant.  (3)  Milton, 
deceased,  one  of  the  firs^  cigar  makers,  and  later  a  brick 
manufacturer  at  Wom'elsdorf.  (4)  Melchoir,  an  extensive 
contractor  and  builder  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  citi- 
zens of  Kansas  City,  was  in  the  three-years'  service,  and 
was  wounded  in  battle.  (5)  Alpheus  S.  (6)  Sarah  J. 
married  Harry  Wise,  formerly  of  Harrisburg,  but  now  of 
Philadelphia.  (7)  Samuel  is  engaged  in  real  estate  deal- 
ings in  Womelsdorf,  where  he  is  treasurer  of  the  Y.  M.  C. 
A.,  and  is  a  man  of  importance.  (8)  Levi  is  deceased. 
(9)  One  died  in  infancy. 

Alpheus  S.  Behney  was  educated  in  the  Myerstown 
public  schools,  obtaining  a  fair  education,  which  was  supple- 
mented by  years  of  practical  business  experience.  He  be- 
gan working  as  a  youth  in  the  brick  factory  of  his  father, 
where  he  continued  until  sixteen  years  old,  and  when  but 
seventeen  enlisted  in  Company  I,  7th  P.  V.  L,  being  sworn 
in  the  U.  S.  army  July  21,  1861,  and  was  in  service  in 
that  regiment  for  upward  of  a  year.  He  then  enlisted 
for  a  year  on  the  transports,  assisting  the  sick  and  wounded 
until  the  transports  went  out  of  commission,  when  he  en- 
listed a  third  time,  becoming  a  private  in  Company  H, 
186th  P.  V.  I.,  in  which  he  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  was  in  the  great  Army  of  the  Potomac,  participat- 
ing in  some  of  its  fiercest  engagements,  and  was  mustered 
out  of  service  at  Philadelphia,  in  1865.  After' his  discharge 
Mr.  Behney  came  to  Womelsdorf,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  the  brick  business  until  1895,  supplying  all  the  brick 
for  houses  built  in  Womelsdorf  during  that  thirty  years. 
His  brick  was  considered  the  best  in  the  market,  and 
he  shipped  to  Robesonia,  and  into  Lebanon  and  the  sur- 
rounding counties.  Since  1895  Mr.  Behney  has  lived  a 
semi-retired  life.  In  1907  he  erected  two  large  double 
brick  dwelling  houses  on  Second  street,  Womelsdorf,  al- 
though his  own  home  is  located  on  High  street,  and  was 
erected  in  1867.  In  politics  Mr.  Behney  is  a  Democrat,  and 
was  a  councilman  for  nine  consecutive  years,  rendering 
valuable  service  to  his  fellow  citizens  and  receiving  a  re- 
nomination  which  he  refused.  He  has  various  large  business 
^interests,  owning  eight  other  residences  and  a  large  build- 
'ing  in  which  a  hosiery  factory  is  conducted;  is  a  director 
of  the  Penn  National  Bank,  of  Reading,  being  also  on  the 
auditing  committee ;  and  he  helped  to  organize  the  Union 
Bank  of  Womelsdorf  in  1903,  being  one  of  its  first  direc- 
tors. iFraternally  he  is  connected  with  Williamson  Lodge, 
No.  307,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Womelsdorf;  Excelsior  Chapter 
No.  237,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Reading;  Reading  Commandery, 
No.  42,  K.  T.,  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S., 
being  formerly  a  child  of  the  Lu  Lu,  of  Philadelphia,  the 
mother  of  Rajah.  He  made  a  tour  with  the  Knights  Tem- 
plars to  California  in  1883.  Mr.  Behney  is  also  a  member 
of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  No.  679,  Womelsdorf,  having  been 
treasurer  of  this  camp  ever  since  holding  membership, 
more  than  twenty  years.  He  is  a  Lutheran  member  of 
Zion's  Union  Church  of  Womelsdorf,  Pa.,  while  his  wife 
adheres  to  the  Reformed  belief. 

Mr.  Behney  was  married  (first)  in  1865,  to  Lizzie  .Wen- 
rich,  born  in  1841,  who  died  in  1879,  aged  thirty-eight 
years,  daughter  of  Isaac  Wenrich.  His  second  marriage 
was  to  Permelia  Dondor,  widow  of  Horace  Hillegass. 

The  seven  Behney  brothers  closely  resembled  each  other 
in  size,  weight  and  height,  could  wear  the  same  size  of 


coat  and  shoes,  and  have  often  been  mistaken  for  one 
another.  They  are  all  reliable  business  men,  and  worthy 
representatives  of  one  of  Berks  county's  oldest  and  most 
honored  families. 

GEORGE  W.  HAWK,  a  well-known  business  man  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  hosiery,  was 
born  Jan.  16,  1866,  in  that  city,  son  of  Nathan  and  Lydia 
(Seidel)  Hawk,  natives  of  this  State. 

Nathan  Hawk  was  a  prominent  manufacturer  of  wool 
hats  for  many  years  in  Reading,  on  South  Eleventh  street, 
under  the  style  of  DeHart,  Hawk  &  Co.,  and  was  one  of 
the  best  known  business  men  of  his  day,  retiring  iii  1880 
to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  a  Ion?  and  active  business  life.  He 
passed  away  in  1905,  aged  seventy-six  years,  while  his 
wife  still  survives  him.  The  children  born  to  this  worthy 
couple  were:  George  W. ;  Ida  m.  Sylvester  Fritz,  a  dairy- 
man ;  Anna  m.  John  Bauer,  a  barber  of  Reading,  Pa. ;  and 
Miss  Laura.  In  politics  Nathan  Hawk  was  a  stanch  Re- 
publican. When  the  war  broke  out  he  was  one  of  the 
first  to  enlist,  and  he  was  a  member  of  one  of  the  first 
companies  to  leave  Reading  for  the  front. 

George  W.  Hawk  attended  public  school  at  Read- 
ing, as  well  as  the  pay  schools,  and  his  first  em- 
ployment was  in  his  father's  factory.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  dyeing,  which  he  followed  for  thirteen  years,  and 
in  1897  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  hosiery  on  Court 
street,  with  four  machines.  In  this  industry  Mr.  Hawk  has 
been  immensely  successful,  now  owning  two  factories,  em- 
ploying 400  hands.  Besides,  he  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
the  Hawk  Knitting  Company,  organized  by  him  in  1901, 
which  also  manufactures  hosiery.  Mr.  Hawk  manufac- 
tures high  and  medium  grades  of  goods,  which  find  a 
ready  market  in  the  Western  States,  also  having  a  large 
Eastern  trade.  He  employs  two  traveling  salesmen  to 
represent  his  interests  throughout  the  United   States. 

In  political  matters  Mr.  Hawk  is  a  Republican,  and  he  is 
fraternally  connected  with  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  Mr.  Hawk 
was  married,  in  1887,  to  Miss  Emma  Weidner,  and  two 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union :  Estella  and  Warren. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawk  are  members  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
and  are  very  highly  esteemed  in  the  community. 

JOHN  S.  THOMPSON  is  recognized  as  one  of  Jihe 
most  progressive  business  men  and  public-spirited  citizens 
of  Reading,  to  whose  material  and  civic  advancement  he 
has  contributed  through  his  business  associations  and  ser- 
vice in  official  capacity,  and  he  enjoys  the  most  unequivocal 
popularity  in  the  city  which  has  been  his  home  from  boy- 
hood days.  He  is  a  scion  of  one  of  the  well-known  fam- 
ilies of  the  State,  and  has  held  positions  of  distinctive  pub- 
lic trust  in  Reading,  including  those  of  postmaster  and 
m'emiber  of  the  city  council  and  school  board. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  born  in  Jonestown,  Lebanon  county, 
Pa.,  Feb.  15,  1857,  and  is  a  son  of  Nicholas  and  Harriet 
(Ingham)  Thompson,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in 
Ireland,  and  the  latter  in  Pennsylvania,  being  the  daughter 
of  the  late  Samuel  Ingham,  who  was  a  representative  busi- 
ness man  and  influential  citizen,  of  Myerstown,  Lebanon 
county,  where  he  was  a  successful  contractor  and  builder, 
and  where  he  was  also  engaged  in  the  undertaking  business. 
Nicholas  Thompson  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents 
when  an  infant.  For  a  number  of  years  he  held  the 
position  of  superintendent  of  the  Union  Canal.  Later  he 
became  superintendent  of  the  sheet-iron  mill  in  this  city, 
having  been  an  ironmaster  by  trade.  He  was  a  man  of 
much  ability  and  was  a  citizen  who  ever  commanded  the 
high  regard  of  his  fellowmen.  Both  he  and  his  wife  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  Reading  until  their  deaths,  and  John 
b.  Thompson  was  their  only  child. 

John  S.  Thompson  secured  his  early  educational  disci- 
pline in  the  public  schools  of  Lebanon  and  Berks  counties, 
and  supplemented  this  by  a  special  course  in  Brunner  & 
f-arr  s  Business  College,  in  Reading.  He  initiated  his  busi- 
ness career  by  taking  a  position  in  the  offices  of  the  Union 
Canal  Company,  of  which  his  father  was  then  superintend- 
ent, and  he  was  thus  engaged  for  a  period  of  three  years. 
He  then  entered  upon  an  apprenticeship  at  the  trade  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


371 


paper  making,  to  which  he  continued  to  devote  his  atten- 
tion for  five  years,  after  which  he  was  engaged  for  a 
time  in  the  butchering  business  in  company  with  his  father- 
in-law.  In  1888  Mr.  Thompson  was  appointed  assistant 
postmaster  of  Reading  under  Calvin  Goodman,  and  he 
retained  this  incumbency  until  1891.  At  the  conclusion  of 
this  service  he  became  a  special  agent  for  the  Reading  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  with  whom  he  was  identified  'for  four 
years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time,  in  1895,  President 
Cleveland  conferred  upon  ,him  the  appointment  of  post- 
master at  Reading,  an  office  for  w'hich  he  was  specially  well 
equipped,  by  reason  of  his  marked  executive  ability  and 
his  former  service  in  the  postoffice.  He  gave  a  most  ex- 
cellent administration  and  gained  the  unqualified  commend- 
ation of  the  postal  department  and  of  the  local  public. 
He  retired  from  office  in  1899  and  resumed  his  connection 
with  the  Reading  Fire  Insurance  Company.  One  year 
later,  however,  there  came  a  demand  for  his  services  in 
the  office  which  he  now  holds,  that  of  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  Colonial  Trust  Company,  of  Reading.  The 
company  was  organized  in  1900  and  he  has  held  his  present 
office  from  the  initiation  of  its  business,  which  has  grown 
to  be  one  of  wide  scope  and  importance.  The  company 
has  erected  a  magnificent  nine-story  office  building,  the 
finest  business  block  in  the  city,  and  in  the  same  are 
located  its  finely  appointed  counting  room  and  offices.  The 
administrative  ability  and  personal  popularity  of  Mr. 
Thompson  have  been  recognized  factors  in  promoting  the 
up-building  of  the  business  of  the  company,  which  is  in- 
corporated with  a  capital  stock  of  $250,000. 

In  politics  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  stalwart  supporter  of 
the  cause  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  for  four  years  he 
represented  the'  Sixth  ward  in  the  city  council,  simultan- 
eously serving  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  education.  He 
is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  in  which  he  has 
attained  to  the  Knight  Templar  degree,  holding  member- 
ship in  the  local  lodge,  chapter  and  commandery.  He  is 
also  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, and  he  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  First 
Baptist  Chiirdh. 

On  March  9,  1878,  Mr.  Thompson  married-Miss  Sarah  A. 
Rader,  daughter  of  the  late  George  Rader,  a  representative 
business  man  of  Reading,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  two  sons :  George  N.,  who  is  teller  in  the  offices  of 
th«  Colonial  Trust  Company,  of  Reading;  and  John  P., 
who  is  an  expert  chemist,  being  employed  as  .such  in  the 
Laboratories  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  Al- 
toona,  Pennsylvania. 

HENRY  KARL  JANSSEN,  manufacturer  of  textile  ma- 
chinery at  Wyomissing,  was  born  at  Barmen,  Germany, 
Feb.  8,  1866,  and  was  educated  in  the  local  schools  there, 
attending  until  1881.  He  then  learned  the  trade  of  a  ma- 
chinist in  all  its  branches,  serving  the  regular  apprentice- 
ship of  three  years.  Afterward  he  followed  the  customary 
life  of  a  journeyman  mechanic  for  four  years,  working  in 
various  machine  shops  in  the  industrial  centers  of  the 
Rhine  Province,  for  the  purpose  of  becoming  an  expert 
machinist.  With  this  experience  he  determined  to  emigrate 
to  America,  and  in  1888  he  went  to  New  York  City.  He 
located  in  Brooklyn,  entering  the  employ  of  the  Castle 
Braid  Company,  and  after  working  a  while  as  all-around 
machinist  became,  on  account  of  his  proficiency,  the  fore- 
man of  the  place,  and  he  filled  this  position  until  1892.  In 
that  year  he  moved  to  Reading  and  formed  a  partnership 
with  Ferdinand  Thun,  a  German  friend  from  Barmen,' 
for  manufacturing  textile  machinery.  In  the  organization 
of  the  Textile  Machine  Works  in  1900,  Mr.  Janssen  became 
its  president,  and  he  has  filled^  that  position  to  the  present 
time.  He  also  was  one  of  the  incorporators  and  has  served 
as  vice-president  of  the  Berkshire  Knitting  Mills  and  the 
Narrow  Fabric  Company  since  their  organization,  having 
assisted  in  establishing  all  of  these  industries  at  Wyo- 
missing. 

In  the  building  up  of  Wyomissing,  and  its  erection  as  a 
borough  in  1906,  Mr.  Janssen  took  a  very  active  part,  and 
at  the  first  election  of  the  borough  officials  he  was  chosen 
one  of  the  councilmen.    In  1897  he  erected  a  home  on  a  lot 


of  ground  adjoining  the  Textile  Works,  and  this  was  one 
of  the  first  dwellings  in  the  borough.  It  is  situated  on 
the  comer  of  Mory  avenue  and  Van  Reed  road. 

In  1890  Mr.  Janssen  married  Minnie  Raeker,  daughter 
of  Henry  Raeker,  of  Lippspringe,  Westphalia,  "by  whom  he 
had  four  children :  Harry,  Minnie,  Helen  and  Elsie  (who 
died  young).  < 

Albert  Janssen,  father  of  Henry  Karl,  was  born  in  1834, 
along  the  lower  Rhine  on  the  borders  of  Holland.  He 
learned  the  business  of  a  book  publisher  and  upon  locating 
in  Barmen  when  he  was  twenty-six  years  old,  carried  on 
that  business,  and  continued  it  until  his  decease  in  1878.  He 
married  Helen  Benner,  daughter  of  Jacob  Benner,  of  Hesse 
Nassau,  and  by  her  he  had  six  children :  Albert  and  Helen, 
both  of  whom  died  when  thirty  years  old ;  Henry  Karl ; 
Ernest,  a  dyer  in  Barmen;  Johannes,  a  wholesale  merchant 
at  Barmen,  and  a  member  of  the  city  council ;  and  Paul, 
a  provision  merchant  and  hotel  proprietor  at  Offenbach,  in 
Hesse. 

EDWIN  FOSTER  SMITH,  civil  engineer,  in  the  employ 
of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company  since  the 
year  1862,  was  born  in  Catawissa,  Pa.,  Aug.  18,  1841,  son  of 
James  Foster  Smith  and  Ellen  Eliza  Cadwalader,  his  wife. 
Through  his  father  he  comes  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestors, 
and  on  his  mother's  side  is  of  Welsh  descent.  His  earlier 
education  was  acquired  at  Reading,  where  he  graduated 
from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1858.  He  entered 
Union  College,  at  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  and  graduated  with 
the  degree  of  A.  B.,  later  receiving  from  Union  University 
the  degree  of  Civil  Engineer. 

In  October,  1862,  Mr.  Smi'th  entered  the  service  of  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company  in  the  engineer- 
ing department  and  remained  in  that  employ  until  the  year 
1865,  engaged  on  construction  work  and  the  locating  and 
building  of  new  branch  lines  of  railroad.  .  During  this 
period,  also,  he  served  two  short  term  enlistments  in  the 
Civil  war,  one  under  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  in  1862  and 
one  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  in  Company  F,  26th 
Pennsylvania  Emergency  Volunteers,  in  1863. 

In  the  fall  of  1865  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Schuylkill 
Navigation  Company,  of  which  he  subsequently  became  the 
chief  engineer  and  general  manager.  In  1872  there  was 
added  the  Susquehanna  and  Tidewater  Canal  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Maryland. 

In  the  year  1891  Mr.  Smith,  who  had  for  some  years  been 
the  chief  assistant  engineer  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Railway  Company,  was  called  to  take  charge  of  the  con- 
struction of  the  Reading  terminal  railway  and  station  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  one  of  the  first  of  the  large  ter- 
minals in  this  country,  and  one  that  has  attracted  much 
attention,  not  only  in  itself  and  its  appurtenances,  but  as 
changing  the  business  conditions  of  a  large  surrounding 
district  of  the  city.  He  has  remained  with  the  railway  com- 
pany up  to  the  present  time  in  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion, in  charge  of  hydraulic,  steam  and  electrical  plants, 
and  given  much  of  his  time  as  consulting  engineer  to  the 
development  and  installation  of  electrical  plants  operated 
by  water-power.  One  of  these  is  at  Sewalls  Falls,  on  the 
Merrimac  river,  New  Hampshire,  where  the  dam  and  struc- 
tures for  creating  the  power  were  designed  by  Mr.  Smith 
as  early  as  the  year  1892,  and  is  one  of  the  earliest  examples 
of  the  modern  system  of  distribution  of  power  by  elec- 
tricity. In  the  course  of  an  extended  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession Mr.  Smith  has  served  as  consulting  engineer  for 
many  interests  involving  the  solution  of  problems  of  hy- 
draulic engineering,  designing  and  building  a  large  part 
of  the  extensive  water  works  system  of  the  city  of  Reading ; 
serving  on  the  board  of  engineers  appointed  by  the  aque- 
duct commissioners  of  the  city  of  New  York  in  1901,  to 
report  on  questions  of  engineering  construction  in  relation 
to  the  new  Croton  dam  and  Jerome  Park  reservoir;  in  the 
investigation  of  the  conditions  affecting  the  Castlewood 
dam,  in  Colorado;  a  general  review  of  the  subject  of  the 
location  and  plans  for  the  Nicaragua  ship  canal,  and  many 
others.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Society  of  Civil 
Engineers,  the  Franklin  Institute,  and  the  Engineers'  Club 
of  Philadelphia. 


373 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


In  1867  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Nancy  King  McCurdy, 
daughter  of  Dr.  J.  K.  McCurdy  and  EUzabeth,  his  wife, 
of  Reading,  by  whom  he  has  three  children.  Mrs.  Smith's 
father  was  a  prominent  druggist  in  Reading  for  many 
years,  having  his  store  on  South  Fifth  street,  near  Penn ; 
he  took  an  active  interest  in  educational  affairs  at  Reading, 
officiating  as  the  first  president  of  the  board  of  school 
controllers  from  1865  to  1867;  and  he  and  his  family  were 
devoted  members  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  for 
many  years.     He  died  in  1873. 

Mr.  Smith's  father,  James  Foster  Smith,  was  bom  at 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  on  Christmas  Day,  1813.  He  was  descended 
from  Scotch-Irish  parentage,  his  grandparents  having  emi- 
grated to  Pennsylvania  about  1783  and  settled  at  Pittsburg. 
In  1822  his  parents  removed  to  Blairsville,  Pa.,  and  there 
he  received  his  preliminary  education.  At  the  age  of  twelve 
years  he  was  obliged  to  support  himself,  and  he  devoted 
his  leisure  time  to  study,  inclining  toward  mathematics  and 
civil  engineering.  When  eighteen  years  old  he  entered  the 
service  of  the  Portage  Railway  Company  as  rodman ;  when 
twenty-three  he  became  assistant  engineer  of  the  Cata- 
wissa  Railway  Company;  and  when  twenty-four,  the  chief 
engineer  of  the  Morris  Canal  Company,  designing  and 
building  during  the  years  1837  and  1838  the  tide-lock  at 
the  outlet  of  the  canal  in  Jersey  City,  which  is  still  in  use. 
In  1839  and  1840  he  was  in  the  service  of  the  Catawissa 
Railway  Company,  having  designed  the  celebrated  high 
trestle  bridges  on  its  line;  and  in  1841  and  1842  in  the 
service  of  the  New  York  &  Erie  Railway  Company.  In 
1843  Mr.  Smith  became  the  superintendent  of  the  lower 
division  of  the  Schuylkill  Navigation  Company  and  served 
as  such  until  1845,  when  he  was  appointed  the  resident  en- 
gineer, taking  charge  of  the  reconstruction  of  the  canal 
between  Philadelphia  and  Reading  and  finishing  it  in  1846. 
In  1850  he  was  elected  the  chief  engineer,  and  removed 
with  his  family  to  Reading.  He  filled  this  responsible 
position  until  1875,  when  he  relinquished  the  more  active 
duties  and  acted  as  consulting  engineer  until  his  retirement 
in  1885. 

During  his  engineering  career  Mr.  Smith  designed  and 
constructed  many  important  hydraulic  works,  including 
many  of  the  dams  on  the  Schuylkill  river,  the  Columbia 
dam  across  the  Susquehanna  river,  6,843  feet  long;  the 
coal  shipping  landings  at  Schuylkill  Haven ;  and  the  exten- 
sive wharves,  with  automatic  coal-transferring  machinery, 
at  Greenwich  Point,  on  the  Delaware  river. 

Mr.  Smith  resided  forty-eight  years  at  Reading,  took 
much  interest  in  local  afifairs,  and  was  a  devoted  member 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  having  served  as  deacon, 
elder  and  trustee  for  many  years.  He  died  Jan,  31,  1898, 
aged  eightj'-four  years. 

EDWARD  H.  FILBERT.  The  successful  government 
of  a  large  city  like  Reading,  Pa.,  requires  the  best  efforts 
of  substantial,  reliable  and  public-spirited  men,  and  one 
of  these  is  found  in  Edward  H.  Filbert,  City  Treasurer. 

The  Filbert  family  is  an  old  one  in  Berks  county.- 
Gabriel  Filbert,  grandfather  of  Edward  H.,  was  born  at 
Womelsdorf,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming. 

Adam  Filbert,  son  of  Gabriel,  born  in  Womelsdorf, 
moved  to  Reading,  Pa.,  April  ],  1880,  and  there  died  Jan. 
5.  1902,  aged  sixty-six  years.  He  was  a  miller  by  trade. 
He  married  Catherine  clover,  a  member  of  one  of  the  old- 
est families  in  Berks  county,  and  daughter  of  Henry  Mover, 
a  cabinet-maker  and  undertaker.  They  had  six  children! 
five  of  whom  survive,  namely:  Annie,  v/'ife  of  Lee  L.  Hart- 
zel,  with  the  Yocum  cigar  factory ;  Charles  F.,  a  coal  dealer 
at  Reading;  William  H.,  a  druggist  at  Saginaw,  Mich.; 
Ralph,  a  printer ;  and  Edward  H.,  of  Reading.  Adam  Filbert, 
the  father,  was  a  member  of  Williamson  Lodge.  No  307,  f' 
&  A.  M. ;  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237;  R.  A.  M.,  and'  Golden 
Rule  Lodge,  I.  O,  0.  F. 

Edward  H.  Filbert  was  born  at  Womelsdorf,  Berks 
county,  Jan.  15,  1871,  on  the  old  homestead,  and  after  com- 
pleting his  schooling  in  the  City  of  Reading,  he  spent  one 
year  in  Bright's  hardware  store  as  a  clerk.  He  next  be- 
came connected  with  the  Reading  Hardware  Works,  after 
which  he  was  clerk  in  the  freight  department  of  the  Read- 


ing Railroad  for  six  years,  going  then  into  the  employ  of 
the  United  States  Express  Company,  as  cashier,  and  re- 
maining about  six  years  in  that  connection.  He  was 
appointed  by  City  Treasurer  Hoffman  Nov.  16,  1899,  to  fill 
out  an  unexpired  term  as  assistant  treasurer,  and  when 
Treasurer  Tyson  assumed  control,  April  7,  1902,  he  was  re- 
tained in  a  position  for  which  he  had  shown  eminent  qual- 
ifications. He  was  elected  City  Treasurer  Feb.  IS,  1908, 
and  inaugurated  April  6,  1908. 

Mr.  Filbert  was  married  June  3,  1890,  to  Miss  Clara  L. 
Steiger,  daughter  of  John  and  Henrietta  Steiger,  of  Read- 
ing. She  died  May  5,  1905,  survived  by  two  children,  Lee 
Edward  and  Marguerite. 

Mr.  Filbert  is  a  member  of  the  following  organizations : 
Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Reading  Lodge  of 
Perfection,  14°,  A.  A.  S.  R. ;  Philadelphia  Consistory 
32°,  A.  A.  S.  R.;  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237,  R.  A.  M.; 
Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T. ;  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A. 
O.  N.  M.  S. ;  Reading  Lodge.  No.  115,  B.  P.  O.  E. ;  Reading 
Aerie,  No.  66,  F.  O.  E. ;  Washington  Camp,  No.  163,  P.  O. 
S.  of  A.;  Progressive  Lodge,  No.  470,  I.  O.  O.  F. ;  Wyo- 
missing  Council,  No.  1584,  R.  A.;  Liberty  Fire  Company, 
No.  5 ;  Schuylkill  Camping  Club ;  Ninety-eight  Social 
Union ;  Oley  Valley  Rod  &  Gun  Club ;  Temple  Club ;  and 
North  Eastern  Democratic  Association.  In  politics  he  is 
a  Democrat,  and  he  is  secretary  of  the  15th  Ward  Demo- 
cratic Club  of  Reading. 

Charles  F.  Filbert,  son  of  Adam  and  Catherine  (Moy- 
er)  Filbert,  and  brother  of  Edward  H.,  was  born  in 
Womelsdorf,  Pa.,  in  1858.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
there.  In  1880  he  engaged  in  the  coal  business  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Greenwich  and  Moss  streets,  Reading,  and  remained 
there  seventeen  years,  meeting  with  good  success  in  his 
undertaking,  and  building  up  a  good  patronage.  The  next 
five  years  were  spent  at  No.  1141  Moss  street,  after  which 
in  1900  he  moved  to  No.  730  Oley,  his  present  location. 
He  sells  all  kinds  of  anthracite  coal,  and  keeps  two  wagons 
running  all  the  time. 

On  Oct.  22,  1885,  Mr.  Filbert  married  Mary  Hans,  daugh- 
ter of  Richard  V.  and  Martha  E.  (Shultz)  Hans.  They 
have  one  daughter,  Martha,  who  married  Walter  M.  Deem, 
and  has  two  children,  Mary  and  Richard.  In  religious  faith 
they  are  Lutherans.  J\Ir.  Filbert  is  a  popular  member  of 
the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America,  the  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Eagle  and  the  Hampden  Fire  Company. 

SAMUEL  H.  GRING.  Among  the  representative  busi- 
ness men  of  Reading,  who  have  been  identified  with  the 
large  interests  of  the  city,  may  be  mentioned  Mr.  Samuel 
H.  Gring,  a  prominent  lumberman,  contractor  and  financier 
Mr.  Grmg  was  born  in  Curaru  township,  Berks  Co  Pa 
Oct.  7,  1832,  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Hill)  Gring  and 
grandson  of  David  Gring. 

The  great-grandfather,  Samuel,  son  of  Johannes  (who 
emigrated  m  1743,  and  who  founded  the  family  in  Amer- 
ica), came  from  Holland,  and  settled  in  Cumrii  township, 
where  he  became  an  extensive  land-owner  and  died  a 
wealthy  man.  His  son,  David,  was  born  in  Cumru  town- 
ship, but  m  early  life  located  at  Tulpehocken  creek,  where 
he  took  up  a  tract  of  land,  built  mills,  and  like  his  father 
became  very  prosperous.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eio-htv- 
eight  years  m  February,  1847.  By  his  first  wife,  a  Miss 
VValsmilh,  he  had  eight  children  as  follows:  John,  who 
was  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church;  William,  a  miller- 
Davicl,  father  of  Samuel  H.;  Daniel,  a  minister  of 
the  Reformed  Church;  Susan,  who  died  unmarried;  Mary 
m.  to  a  i\Ir.  Lichty;  Elizabeth,  m.  to  a  Mr.  Troxel-  and 
Kate,  m.  to  a  Mr.  Ringler. 

David  Gring  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father 
and  grandfather,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Jan  26, 
1890,  aged  eighty-three  years,  ten  months,  seventeen  days' 
he  was  the  owner  of  several  farms  and  a  good  mill.  He 
was  a  Whig,  and  later  became  a  strong  Republican  was 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  dav,  and  served  as  captain 
and  major  in  the  State  militia  for  eleven  years.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Hill,  who  died  May  18,  1885,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
one  years,  seven  months,  twelve  days.  To  this  union  °were 
born  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  as 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


373 


follows:  David,  a  miller;  Daniel  (engaged  in  farming); 
Samuel  H.;  Annie  (m.  George  Zerr)  ;  Mary  (m.  Joshua 
Grill)  ;  John  (a  miller  and  tanner)  ;  Charles  (proprietor  of 
a  hotel)  ;  and  Franklin  (a  farmer).  The  family  were  all 
members  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Samuel  H.  Gring  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Spring 
township  and  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  twenty-five 
years  of  age,  working  about  the  home  mill,  driving  a  team, 
and  turning  his  hand  to  any  employment  that  presented  it- 
self. He  then  went  to  East  Cocalico  township,  near  Denver, 
where  he  purchased  a  mill  and  remained  until  1871,  selling 
out  in  this  year  and  removing  to  Newville,  Cumberland 
county.  Here  he  engaged  in  a  lumber  business,  buying  a 
tract  of  timber  land  which  he  converted  into  lumber  for 
railroad  purposes,  and  in  1876  he  removed  to  H^hlenberg, 
locating  in  his  present  home  two  years  later.  This  house 
was  built  about  1734,  and  at  the  time  Mr.  Gring  purchased  it 
it  was  the  property  of  Dr.  Muhlenberg.  His  next  lumber 
enterprise  was  back  of  Lewistown,  where  he  purchased  a 
tract  of  pine  and  oak  timber.  He  then  went  to  Mount  Rock, 
Cumberland  county,  and  afterward  in  turn  to  a  tract  near 
Mechanicsburg,  to  near  the  Loop  in  Perry  county,  Pa.,  to 
Bloomfield,  Perry  county  (where  he  operated  two  saw 
mills),  to  Turley  Valley  (where  he  operated  three  mills), 
to  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.  (where  he  carried  on  operations 
for  three  years),  and  to  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  until  1886, 
in  which  year  he  purchased  10,000  acres  of  land,  build- 
ing a  railroad  sixteen  miles  long  to  get  lumber  out,  this 
road  being  known  as  the  Diamond  Valley  Railroad.  In 
1890  he  returned  to  Perry  county  and  leased  seventy-one 
tracts  of  timber  land,  surveyed  the  line  to  New  German- 
town,  a  distance  of  thirty  miles,  and  in  September  of  that 
year  grading  was  commenced,  ties  put  down  and  rails  laid. 
By  Jan.  36th  of  the  following  year,  sixteen  miles  of  rail- 
road had  been  built,  and  the  following  year  the  road  was 
built  to  Blaine,  and  in  1892  completed  from  Newport  to 
New  Germantown.  Mr.  Gring's  son,  David  Gring,  is  the 
president  of  both  of  these  roads,  including  the  one  from 
Duncannon  to  Bloomfield,  which  is  known  as  the  Perry 
County  Railway,  and  father  and  son  deal  extensively  in 
lumber  in  North  Carolina,  Virginia  and  throughout  the 
South,  also  being  the  owners  of  twenty-five  water  com- 
panies. 

On  Dec.  14,  1856,  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Gring  married  Cath- 
erine Hoyer,  daughter  of  Simon  Hoyer,  a  bridge-builder. 
She  died  June  8,  1900,  aged  sixty-three  years.  Nine  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union :  David,  of  Newport,  m. 
Emma  Caldwell,  and  has  five  children — Bruce,  Rodney, 
Herbert,  Wilber  and  Elizabeth;  Kate  m.  Daniel  B.  Snyder, 
and  had  nine  children — Sue  S.,  Evan  G.,  Lucy  M.,  Charles 
L.,  Lester  B.  and  four  that  died  young;  Elizabeth  m.  John 
Leitheiser,  and  has  two  children — Hattie  and  Grace;  Sam- 
uel, deceased,  m.  Annie  Fisher,  and  has  one  child — Bertha; 
Charles  died  at  the  age  of  twenty  years;  Susan  died  at 
the  age  of  four  years ;  and  three  died  in  infancy.  In  re- 
ligious belief  Mr.  Gring  and  his  family  are  members  of 
the  Grace  (Alsace)  Reformed  Church  of  Reading,  he  being 
a  member  of  the  finance  committee.  In  politics  a  Repub- 
lican, he  was  treasurer  of  the  township  of  East  Cocalico, 
Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  during  the  latter  years  of  the  war.  ■ 

RAYMOND  MOHR,  the  founder  of  the  well-known  firm 
of  Raymond  Mohr  &  Son,  of  Birdsboro,  this  county,  was 
a  resident  and  business  man  of  that  place  for  the  long 
period  of  half  a  century,  having  settled  there  in  1857. 
He  made  his  early  success  as  a  contractor  and  builder, 
and  later  displayed  equal  ability  in  the  undertaking  and 
furniture  line,  having  for  many  years  the  only  establish- 
ment of  the  kind  ever  conducted  in  Birdsboro.  His  son, 
Edwin  F.  Mohr,  has  succeeded  to  his  interests,  having  been 
associated  in  business  with  his  father  since  1895. 

Mr.  Mohr-  was  born  Sept.  30,  1834,  near  Gibraltar,  in 
Robeson  township,  this  county,  on  his  father's  farm,  the 
property  at  present  occupied  by  Mrs.  James  Trate.  Samuel 
Mohr,  his  father,  was  a  carpenter  by  calling,  and  had  a 
great  reputation  as  a  builder  of  barns,  following  the 
method  then  in  vogue  of  hewing  the  timber  from  the  tree, 
and  framing  it  together  with  tenon  and  mortise,  fasten- 


ing each  with  pins  instead  of  by  the  nailing  process  which 
now  prevails.  Although  Samuel  Mohr  had  acquired  little 
education,  he  had  a  marvelous  faculty  of  being  able  to 
designate  beforehand  each  stick  and  make  an  accurate  gen- 
eral list  of  the  lumber  that  would  be  required  for  a  build- 
ing. His  son,  Raymond,  gave  evidence  of  a  mechanical 
turn,  and  the  father  taught  him  the  trade,  making  him 
as  capable  as  himself  in  the  ability  to  specify  requirements 
of  materials  for  a  building.  The  son  became  noted  as  an 
excellent  workman,  rapid,  and  decidedly  industrious.  By  his 
own  efforts  he  became  a  fine  draughtsman,  and  in  nearly 
every  case  designed  and  made  the  general  and  detail  draw- 
ings for  the  buildings  he  erected. 

After  receiving  some  education  in  the  township  school, 
Raymond  Mohr  came  to  Birdsboro  in  1857.  In  1858  he 
married  Mary,  eldest  daughter  of  the  late  Daniel  Focht, 
of  Robeson.  Upon  deciding  to  make  Birdsboro  the  scene 
of  his  life's  work  Mr.  Mohr  purchased  the  lot  where  his 
late  residence  now  stands,  on  Furnace  street,  at  a  time 
when  only  two  houses  were  on  said  street.  He  erected  his 
own  house,  putting  on  all  the  weather-boarding  and  the 
finish  with  his  own  hands.  He  then  began  the  contracting 
and  building  business,  in  which  he  soon  developed  a  large 
trade.  In  one  year  he  erected  for  E.  &  G.  Brooke,  of  the 
town,  forty-eight  dwelling  houses.  He  erected  No.  1  and 
No.  2  blast  furnaces  for  the  Brookes,  the  nail  factory 
building,  the  mansion  now  occupied  by  George  Brooke,  and 
a  large  addition  to  the  present-  Birdsboro  residence  of 
Robert  E.  Brooke.  The  two  mansions  erected  by  the  late 
Mrs.  M.  T.  Clingan,  at  Clingan  Station,  were  built  by 
Mr.  Mohr,  as  were  also  many  of  the  large  store  buildings 
and  good  class  of  residences  in  the  town.  In  his  early 
days  he  erected  the  pipe  mill  and  other  manufacturing 
buildings  for  Seyfert  &  McManus,  at  Reading.  He  was 
especially  capable  in  the  erection  of  heavy  work,  under- 
stood rigging  and  the  use  of  hoisting  apparatus,  and  was 
an  excellent  handler  of  large  forces  of  men. 

Mr.  Mohr's  father  was  an  undertaker,  and  taught  his 
son  the  trade,  and  in  1860  Raymond  Mohr  engaged  in  the 
business  at  Birdsboro.  When  he  learned  the  trade  only 
coffins  were  used  as  the  casements  for  corpses,  and  they 
were  made  by  hand.  The  present  handsom'e  finishings 
were  unknown,  and  they  were  devoid  of  linings,  a  bundle 
of  shavings  serving  for  a  pillow.  The  lids  were  made  of 
wood  and  put  on  with  ordinary  wood  screws.  The  best 
ones  were  rubbed  with  wax  to  secure  a  polish,  and  a  hot 
flat  iron  was  used  to  rub  the  melted  wax  to  a  gloss.  There 
were  no  hearses,  the  coffin  being  placed  on  a  spring  wagon, 
and  around  it  sat  as  many  of  the  friends  as  could  get  into 
the  vehicle.. 

When  Mr.  Mohr  took  hold  of  the  business  he  at  once 
introduced  improved  methods,  purchased  the  best  up-to- 
date  outfits,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  equipped  for 
the  business  in  a  manner  fully  equal  to  the  best  city  di- 
rectors. In  addition  to  undertaking  he  engaged  in  the 
furniture  business,  conducting  the  only  store  of  the  kind 
that  the  town  ever  boasted.  This  store  he  designed  and 
erected  himself,  adjoining  his  dwelling,  and  he  always  made 
it  a  point  to  keep  a  stock  and  assortment  equal  to  city 
standards.  He  had  a  most  active  career,  meeting  with  un- 
comsmon  success.  Besides  many  other  financial  interests, 
he  possessed  at  the  time  of  his  death  forty  houses  in  Birds- 
boro, and  owned  property  in  other  places.  His  building 
business  was  the  most  extensive  of  any  in  the  county  out- 
side of  Reading;  his  furniture  store  controlled  a  trade 
almost  as  great  as  some  of  the  big  Reading  houses,  and 
in  his  work  as  a  funeral  director  he  personally  supervised 
over  five  thousand  funerals.  He  was  one  of  the  oldest 
undertakers  in  continuous  business  in  the  county  and  his 
reputation  extended  throughout  Berks  county  and  beyond. 

Mr.  Mohr  was  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Birdsboro, 
identified  with  many  of  the  public  aifairs  of  the  place. 
He  served  a  term  in  the  town  council  and  could  have 
held  official  position  many  times  had  he  permitted  the 
use  of  his  name.  He  was  a  member  of  Neversink  Lodge, 
No.  514,  I.  O.  0.  F.,  a  director  in  the  Mutual  Fire  Insur- 
ance Company  of  Berks  County,  a  member  of  the  State 
Funeral    Directors'    Association,    and    of    Friendship    Fire 


374 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Company,  No.  1,  of  Birdsboro.  When  St.  Mark's  Lutheran 
Church  was  instituted  in  Birdsboro  he  was  one  of  the  first 
members,  and  he  continued  an  attendant  and  a  supporter 
of  the  cause  until  his  death.  He  was  ever  alert  to  progress 
in  business,  took  an  eager  interest  in  current  events,  and 
in  the  management  of  his  varied  interests  displayed  an 
industry  and   activity  comparatively  phenomenal. 

Mr.  Mohr  departed  this  life  Feb.  14,  1907,  leaving  a  wife 
and  two  children :  Mary  Louisa,  nOw  the  wife  of  Reese  E. 
Beard,  of  Reading;  and  Edwin  P.,  residing  in  Birdsboro, 
Pa.  A  son,  Louis  Raymond,  died  Dec.  17,  1893,  aged  twen- 
ty-one years. 

Edwin  F.  Mohr,  son  of  Raymond  Mohr,  of  Birdsboro, 
was  born  April  39,  1875,  in  Birdsboro,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools.  He  has  given  all  his  work- 
ing years  to  the  business  in  which  he  is  still  engaged,  and 
which  he  learned  thoroughly  under  paternal  instruction, 
supplemented  by  his  own  well-directed  efforts.  He  took  a 
course  in  the  Massachusetts  School  of  Embalming,  from 
which  he  graduated  Nov.  18,  1898,  and  has  spared  no  pains 
to  make  the  service  from  his  establishment  up  to  the  best 
standards  anywhere.  His  inethods  and  equipment  are  first- 
class  in  every  respect,  and  he  has  kept  his  business  up  in 
every  line.  For  some  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  furniture 
business,  his  stock  of  furniture  and  carpets  equaling  those 
found  at  the  large  business  centers.  Very  recently  he  relin- 
quished this  department  of  trade,  to  give  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  funeral  directing.  He  is  progressive  andf 
enterprising,  being  one  of  "the  most  active  young  business 
men  of  the  borough,  and  is  broad  and  generous  in  his  deal- 
ings, whether  in  business  or  private  life.  He  is  well  known 
in  his  line,  being  a  prominent  member  of  the  Funeral  Direc- 
tors' Association  of  Pennsylvania. 

On  June  23,  1897,  Mr.  Mohr  married  Miss  Sadie  Geyer, 
daughter  of  Henry  A.  Geyer,  of  Birdsboro,  and  they  have 
had  one  son,  Raymond.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mohr  are  members 
of  St.  Mark's  Lutheran  Church,  and  in  fraternal  connec- 
tions he  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  belonging  to  Neversink  Lodge, 
No.  514,  of  Birdsboro.  and  Lodge  115,  B.  P.  O.  Elks,  of 
Reading.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Friendship  Fire  Com- 
pany No.  1,  of  his  native  town.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
political  faith,  and  active  in  the  work  of  the  party,  repre- 
senting it  in  county  and  State  conventions  from  time  to 
time. 

Since  Mr.  Mohr  has  given  his  sole  attention  to  the  under- 
taking business,  he  has  kept  pace  with  the  leaders  in  that 
line  and  is  excelled  only  by  directors  of  the  large  cities 
in  ability  to  conduct  funerals.  His  knowledge  is  ever  added 
to  by  the  investigation  and  adoption  of  the  latest  processes 
and  he  is  painstaking  and  assiduous  in  his  efforts  to  en- 
hance his  skill  and  be  a  credit  to  his  associates  in  the 
profession,  and  give  satisfaction  to  his  patrons.  He  con- 
stantly improves  his  needed  paraphernalia,  and  never  al- 
lows his  equipment  to  deteriorate  or  become  incongruous 
with  the  times.  As  a  consequence  he  has  gained  for  him- 
self the  respect  of  his  competitors,  and  drawn  to  himself 
a  large  clientele,  in  his  local  town  and  from  a  large 
radius  in  the  surrounding  districts. 

IRWIN  T.  EHST,  director  of  the  National  Bank  of 
Boyertown,  director  and  secretary  of  the  Franklin  Improve- 
ment Company,  director  and  secretary  of  the  Union 
Manufacturing  Company,  director  of  the  Manatawny  Mu- 
tual Fire  and  Storm  Insurance  Company,  secretary,  treas- 
urer and  general  manager  of  the  Boyertown  Gas  Company, 
and  interested  in  many  other  of  the  largest  and  most  im- 
portant industries  of  Berks  county,  was  born  in  Oley  town- 
ship, this  county,  Nov.   19,  1860. 

(I)  Nicholas  Ehst  (also  spelled  Ihst  and  East,  and  in 
the  Pennsylvania  archives  among  the  list  of  emigrants 
Ish)  was  the  ancestor  of  the  American  branch  of  the 
family.  He  was  born  in  Switzerland  in  1711,  and  he  came 
to  the  New  World  on  the  ship  "Pink  Plaisance,"  which 
qualified  at  Philadelphia  Sept.  21,  1732.  He  located  in 
Colebrookdale  township,  Berks  county,  and  became  the 
owner  of  about  400  acres  of  land,  near  Gablesville,  on  the 
Popodickon  creek.  This  tract  has  been  divided  into  four 
farms,   namely:   the   one   on    which   the   original   buildings 


are  located,  now  owned  by  Jacob  B.  Bechtel,  and  con- 
taining 103  acres ;  the  second  owned  by  the  widow  of  John 
Butz;  the  third  owned  by  William  C.  Eddinger;  and  the 
fourth  by  John  B.  Bahr.  On  the  part  owned  by 
Jacob  B.  Bechtel  is  a  private  burying  ground 
where  Nicholas  Ehst  and  his  wife,  as  well  as 
later  generations,  are  buried.  The  inscription  on  the  tomb- 
stone of  Nicholas  Ehst,  who  died  in  1804,  reads:  "Hier 
ruhen  die  Gebeine  von  Nicholas  Ihst,  war  alt  93  Jahre" ; 
and  on  that  of  his  wife :  "Hier  ruhen  die  Gebeine  von  Ver- 
onica Ihst,  war  alt  90  Jahre."  The  Ehst  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Mennonite  Church,  and  many  of  them  are 
buried  at  Boyertown  and  Bally  meeting  houses.  The 
children  of  Nicholas  Ehst  and  his  wife  were:  Daniel 
(whose  children  were— John,  Daniel,  Abraham,  Anna  and 
another  daughter),  Abraham,  Molly  and  Elizabeth. 

(II)  Abraham  Ehst,  son  of  the  ancestor,  became  the 
father  of  four  children:  Samuel;  Nicholas;  John;  and 
Anna  (m.  Henry  Freed,  and  lived  for  some  years  near 
Norristown  and  then  moved  to  Michigan,  where  both  died, 
the  parents  of  Catharine,  Dinah,  Anna,  Mary,  a  daughter 
not  nanied,   Abraham,   Henry  and   John). 

(III)  Samuel  Ehst,  son  of  Abraham,  met  an  accidental 
death  in  December,  1812,  while  in  Philadelphia  with  a 
team.  His  three  sons  and  six  daughters  were :  Elizabeth, 
Poll}',  Dinah  (born  1800;,  Abraham,  Anna,  Catharine,  John 
L.,  a  son  (no  name),  and  Helena,  the  last  named  being  a 
posthumous  child. 

(Ill)  Nicholas  Ehst,  son  of  Abraham,  married  Elizabeth 
Latshaw,  and  settled  in  Chester  county.  Pa.  They  had 
three  sons  and  five  daughters,  namely:  Catharine,  Dinah, 
Elizabeth,  Mary,  Abraham,  Jacob,  John  and  Magdalena. 

(Ill)  John  (Johannes)  Ehst,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born 
April  12,  1782,  and  owned  the  farm  now  the  property  of 
Jacob  B.  Bechtel.  In  1806  he  married  Anna  Margaret 
Weise  (born  July  28,  1786,  died  Dec.  10,  1810),  and  they 
had  two  children.  He  married  (second)  in  1812,  Eliza- 
beth Schwertlej'.  To  this  second  union  were  born  three 
sons  and  five  daughters :  John,  Pollj-,  Abraham,  Samuel, 
Elizabeth,  Magdalena,  Catharine  and  Anna.  Of  these  Abra- 
ham and  Samuel  are  both  living  (1908).  Abraham  was  born 
March  28,  1817,  on  the  original  Ehst  homestead,  and  he 
now  lives  at  Barto,  spending  a  part  of  his  time  with  his 
son.  Rev.  John,  who  lives  betvi'een  Bally  and  Clayton.  He 
is  a  most  remarkable  man,  well  preserved,  bright,  humorous, 
and  possessed  of  a  wonderful  memory.  He  has  never 
been  obliged  to  wear  glasses.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one, 
he  weighed  210  pounds,  and  now  in  his  ninety-second 
year  weighs  240.  He  married  Susanna  Meyer,  born  1821, 
daughter  of  Michael  Moyer.  She  died  in  1869,  the  mother 
of  Elizabeth,  Rev.  John,  Henry,  Abraham,  Susanna,  David 
and  Jacob. 

(  IV)  John  L.  Ehst,  son  O'f  Samuel,  was  born  Nov.  5, 
1805,  and  at  his  death,  Dec.  9,  1886,  he  was  buried  in 
Bally  Mennonite  Cemetery.  Fie  was  a  farmer  in  Colebrook- 
dale township,  but  later  he  and  his  son  Levi  conducted  a 
tannery  near  the  Pike  line  in  Oley  township.  He  mar- 
ried Magdalena  Gabel,  born  Feb.  22,  1806,  died  Jan.  1, 
1899.  They  had  four  sons  and  one  daughter:  Leah,  who 
married  John  H.  Funk;  Jacob,  who  conducted  a  hotel  in 
Readmg;  William,  living  in  Washington  township;  Henry 
G. ;  and  Levi,  of  New  Berlinville. 

(V)  Henry  G.  Ehst,  son  of  John  L.,  was  born  in  Cole- 
brookdale township,  July  7,  1S35,  and  he  died  on  his  farm 
in  Washington  township  in  1890,  and  is  buried  at  the 
Mennonite  Aleeting  House  at  Bally,  formerly  called 
ChurchviUe.  He  was  a  good  quiet  citizen,  true  to  the 
teachings  of  his  faith.  Fie  married  Rachel  Tea,  daughter 
of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Maul)  Tea,  both  natives  of  Eng- 
land. Their  children  were:  Irwin  T. ;  Madora;  Allen,  a 
butcher  at  Bechtelsville;  Warren,  living  near  Bechtels- 
ville;  William,  a  school  teacher  in  Washington  township; 
Amnion,  of  Reading;  Annie,  m.  to  Allen  Erb,  of  Ecchtels- 
VI  e;  and  Cora,  m.  to  Elmer  Oberholtzer,  of  Bechtels- 
ville. 

(VI)  Irwin  T.  Ehst,  son  of  Henry  G.,  was  born  in  Oley 
township  Nov.  19,  1860,  and  was  reared  upon  his  father's 
farm,   attending  the   public   schools   in   the   vicinity   of  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


375 


home,  and  later  Prof.  D.  B.  Brunner's  Scientific  Academy, 
Reading.  In  1879  he  was  licensed  to  teach  school,  and  he 
taught  one  term  in  Washington  township.  He  then  came 
to  Boyertown  and  learned  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office 
of  the  Boyertown  Messenger.  For  about  four  years  the 
firm  was  Ehst  &  Ernes,  the  partner  being  Calvin  F.  Emes, 
and  they  carried  on  a  stationery  and  printing  establish- 
ment, but  Mr.  Ehst,  since  April,  1889,  has  been  alone.  Mr. 
Ehst  is  a  progressive  and  public-spirited  man,  and  he  has 
taken  an  active  interest  in  many  of  the  leading  enterprises 
of  his  town  and  county.  He  is  a  director  and  stockholder 
in  the  National  Bank  of  Boyertown,  Burial  Casket  Com- 
pany (employing  350  people),  the  Union  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany (employing  sixty  people,  and  making  all  kinds  of 
castings),  and  a  director  of  the  Franklin  Improvement  Co., 
builders.  He  is  the  principal  owner  of  the  Boyertown 
Gas  Company,  of  which  he  is  secretary,  treasurer  and 
general  manager,  and  he  is  the  business  manager  of  Ehst 
&  Co.,  largest  real  estate  dealers  in  and  about  Boyertown. 
He  is  a  director  of  the  Manatawny  Mutual  Fire  and  Storm 
Insurance  Company. 

Mr.  Ehst  has  been  prominent  in  the  public  life  of  Boyer- 
town. In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  for  five  years 
he  was  justice  of  the  peace,  and  since  1896  he  has  been  a 
notary  public.  He  has  been  the  adjudicator  of  a  number  of 
estates.  At  the  time  of  the  Opera  House  fire,  Jan.  13, 
1908,  he  was  appointed  bv  the  Burgess  as  chairman  of  the 
Relief  committee,  with  the  privilege  of  choosing  his  own 
committee.  This  committee  had  charge  of  the  identifica- 
tion and  burial  of  the  171  dead,  caring  for  orphans  and 
relief,  and  the  distributing  of  the  $23,000  popular  sub- 
scription. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Ehst  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  Stichter 
Lodge,  No.  254,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Pottstown ;  Bloomsburg  Lodge 
of  Perfection,  14th  degree;  Bloomsburg  Consistory,  32d 
degree;  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  Reading.  He 
also  belongs  to  Washington  Camp,  No.  104,  P.  O.  S.  of 
A.,  of  Boyertown.     He  is  unmarried. 

LEVI  H.  FOCHT,  head  of  the  firm  of  L.  H.  Focht  & 
Son,  general  contractors  and  builders,  is  one  of  the  leading 
men  in  his  line  in  Berks  county.  He  maintains  his  busi- 
ness headquarters  in  Reading  and  his  home  in  the  borough 
of  Bii'dsboro,  and  is  actively  identified  with  the  most 
progressive  interests  of  both  places.  The  business  in 
which  he  finds  his  chief  interest  was  established  in  1870, 
and  evidences  of  his  work  abound  in  and  around  Reading, 
though  his  operations  are  by  no  means  confined  to  this 
locality. 

Mr.  Focht  was  born  Aug.  3,  1850,  in  Robeson  township, 
Berks  county,  where  his  family  has  long  been  located.  He 
is  of  German  descent.  His  grandfather,  George  Focht, 
was  born  Feb.  1,  1773,  and  followed  farming  in  Robeson 
township.  But  he  was  also  an  undertaker  and  _  cabinet- 
maker, and  in  the  pursuit  of  those  callings  settled  in  Birds- 
boro,  where  he  carried  on  business  for  a  number  of  years. 
A  clock  which  he  made  in  1832  is  now  one  of  the  cherished 
possessions  of  his  grandson,  Levi  H.  Focht.  George  Focht 
died  March  1,  1839.  He  married  Catherine  Huyett,  and 
they  had  the  following  named  children:  John,  born  June 
14,  1804;  Samuel,  born  Aug.  8,  1805,  who  was  engaged  in 
business  as  a  carpenter  in  Reading,  as  such  building  the 
Mcllvaine  rolling-mill  and  also  the  first  house  erected  by  E. 
&  G.  Brooke  -in  Birdsboro;  Daniel,  born  April  20,  1807, 
who  was  the  father  of  Levi  H.  Focht;  Mary,  born  Jan. 
18,  1809,  who  married  a  Hiester;  Charles,  born  Jan.  5, 
1812,  who  also  followed  carpentering;  George,  born  Jan. 
1,  1814;  and  Jacob,  born  July  18,  1815,  a  carpenter  of  Read- 
ing, who  was  the  last  survivor  of  the  family,  dying  Dec. 
26,  1886.  This  family  were  all  Lutherans  in  religious 
belief. 

Daniel  Focht  was  born  April  20,  1807,  on  the  homestead 
in  Robeson  township.  Practically  all  of  his  active  years 
were  spent  in  the  service  of  the  Schuylkill  Navigation 
Company,  whose  employ  he  entered  in  early  manhood,  and 
he  was  so  reliable  a  workman  that  at  one  time  he  had 
charge  of  construction  and  repairs  on  the  Schuylkill  canal. 
He  also  cultivated  the  homestead  farm  after  his  father's 


death.  He  met  his  death  by  drowning  in  the  canal,  about 
two  miles  above  Birdsboro,  Oct.  14,  1871.  Daniel  Focht 
married  Catherine  Hemmig,  daughter  of  David  Hemmig, 
and  she  died  June  6,  1863,  at  the  age  of  fifty- four.  To 
their  union  were  born  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  lived 
to  maturity,  viz.:  Mary  Ann,  born  May  21,  1834,  m.  Ray- 
mond Mohr  (deceased)  ;  Sarah,  born  Nov.  '21,  1835,  ra. 
Lewis  Fritz;  one  died  in  infancy  in  1837;  Catherine,  born 
Sept.  19,  1839,  m.  David  Mock;  David,  born  Oct.  30,  1841, 
died  Nov.  7,  1874,  leaving  a  widow,  Mrs.  Martha  (Lincoln) 
Focht,  who  still  resides  in  Reading;  Leah,  born  Oct.  34, 
1843,  m.  Jeremiah  Deeter;  Elizabeth,  born  March  21,  1845, 
m.  Jeremiah  Weidner;  Hannah,  born  April  17,  1846,  m. 
John  Lacey;  Levi  H.  was  born  Aug.  3,  1850.  The  father 
of  this  family  was  a  Lutheran  in  religious  connection,  the 
mother  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  political  sentiment. 

Levi  H.  Focht  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Birdsboro,  and  bcMn  work  at  the  early  age  of  thirteen, 
in  the  employ  of  the  Schuylkill  Navigation  Company.  He 
was  engaged  in  repair  work  on  the  canal  for  two  years, 
after  which  he  commenced  to  serve  his  apprenticeship  at 
the  carpenter's  trade,  under  his  brother-in-law,  Raymond 
Mohr,  of  Birdsboro.  He  also  learned  undertaking.  For  a 
time  he  found  employment  on  the  Perkiomen  railroad, 
later  working  .for  Berton  &  McDonald,  bridge  builders,  of 
Philadelphia,  on  a  number  of  bridges  in  New  York,  New 
Jersey  and  Pennsylvania.  When  only  eighteen  years  old 
he  was  given  charge  of  the  construction  of  the  large 
wooden  bridge  across  the  Pompton  river  on  the  line  of 
the  Midland  railroad  of  New  Jersey— conclusive  evidence 
of  his  remarkable  ability  in  the  building  line.  In  1870  he 
began  to  take  contracts  on  his  own  account,  and  he  was 
successful  from  the  beginning,  for  his  youth  seemed  to 
make  no  difference  in  the  confidence  which  his  patrons  had 
in  his  integrity  and  capability.  In  1873  he  established  him- 
self in  Birdsboro,  and  many  of  the  most  important  build- 
'  ings  in  that  borough,  including  structures  in  both  the  busi- 
ness and  residence  parts,  are  of  his  construction.  He  de- 
serves the  greatest  share  of  the  credit  for  the  beautiful 
section  of  Birdsboro  now  included  in  the  east  ward,  for- 
merly known  as  Lincoln-town,  most  of  the  attractive  and 
substantial  residences  which  have  made  that  locality  fam- 
ous having  been  erected  according  to  his  plans  and  under 
his  supervision.  Since  1874  Mr.  Focht  has  had  his  business 
headquarters  in  the  city  of  Reading,  as  more  accessible 
to  the  extensive  territory  from  which  he  draws  his  patron- 
age. In  the  spring  of  1906  he  admitted  his  son,  George 
Walter  Focht,  to  a  partnership,  under  the  firm  name  of  L. 
H.  Focht  &  Son,  and  their  offices  are  located  in  the  Baer 
Building,  in  Reading,  where  they  enjoy  all  the  modern 
facilities  for  the  conduct  of  their  widespread  interests. 

Mr.  Focht  has  had  numerous  contracts  from  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  Railway  Company,  having  erected  most 
of  the  stations  along  their  line,  besides  many  elegant  and 
commodious  residences  along  the  line  of  the  Pennsylvania 
road.  He  also  put  up  the  stock  farm  buildings  on  the 
estate  of  Mr.  A.  J.  Cassatt;  an  addition  to  the  Haver- 
ford  (Pa.)  College  buildings;  the  Wood  Memorial  Chapel, 
adjoining  Christ  Cathedral,  in  Reading;  and  various  other 
structures  which  display  his  artistic  and  architectural 
ability,  as  well  as  his  thorough  workmanship  in  the  merely 
mechanical  part  of  the  work.  He  has  always  depended 
upon  the  excellence  of  his  work  to  gain  him  new  customers 
and  retain  the  old,  and  he  has  had  no  reason  to  regret  the 
course  he  has  pursued  throughout  a  career  filled  with 
unusual  activity.  The  firm  has  a  reputation  second  to  none 
for  work  of  high  quality,  reliability  and  irreproachable  stan- 
dards, and  few  business  houses  in  any  line  enjoy  such  un- 
limited confidence  either  among  patrons  or  business  as- 
sociates. 

Mr.  Focht  has  always  been  vitally  interested  in  the  wel- 
fare of  his  home  boro.ugh,  Birdsboro,  and  he  has  found 
time  to  advance  its  interests  in  numerous  ways.  He  has 
served  twenty-four  consecutive  years  as  member  of  the 
council  of  that  borough,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Birdsboro  Fire  Company  since  its  organization,  acting  as 
treasurer  of  the  company  for  twenty-one  years.     He  has 


37G 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


been  a  stockholder  in  and  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Birdsboro  since  its  organization,  and  in  this  con- 
nection it  may  also  be  stated  that  he  has  been  a  director 
of  the  Reading  National  Bank  since  its  organization.  He 
is  a  stanch  Republican  in  political  faith. 

In  the  fraternal  circles  of  Reading  and  Berks  county 
generally  Mr.  Focht  is  a  familiar  and  popular  figure.  He 
is  a  high  Mason,  holding  membership  in  Chandler  Lodge, 
No.  227,  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237,  Commandery  No.  42, 
K.  T.,  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  all  of  Read- 
ing; and  Philadelphia  Consistory,  thirty-second  degree.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  O.  F.,  belonging  to  Never- 
sink  Lodge,  No.  514,  of  Birdsboro;  to  the  L  O.  R.  M.,  at 
Birdsboro ;  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles ;  Reading  Lodge, 
No.  115,  B.  P.  O.  Elks,  and  Mount  Pleasant  Council,  No.  37, 
O.  U.  A.  M. 

On  May  23,  1874,  Mr.  Focht  married  Alice  Beard,  daugh- 
ter of  Jeremiah  Beard,  of  Birdsboro,  and  to  them  were 
born  two  sons,  George  Walter  and  Levi  Roy,  the  last 
named  dying  March  12,  1880.  As  previously  stated,  George 
Walter  Focht  is  now  in  partnership  with  his  father  in  the 
contracting  and  building  business.  He  married  Miss  Alice 
Huyett,  daughter  of  Isaac  Huyett. 

WILLIAM  ENGLE,  a  prominent  and  well-to-do  business 
man  of  Reading,  who  is  the  owner  and  operator  of  a  paper 
box  manufactory,  was  born  in  this  city  Dec.  5,  1843,  son  of 
Daniel  and  Mary  (Crisher)  Engle,  grandson  of  John  En- 
gle,  and  great-grandson  of  Jacob  Engle,  who  was  an  officer 
in  the  Continental  army,  and  fought  under  General  Warren 
at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Jacob  Engle  was  one  of  those 
who  came  from  Germany  to  drill  troops  prior  to  the  great 
struggle  for  freedom,  and  on  peace  being  declared  he  re- 
ceived ra  large  tract  o'f  land  from  the  Government  for  ser- 
vices rendered.  He  settled  upon  a  portion  of  this  tract, 
which  was  located  in  Montgomery  county.  Pa.,  and  there 
resided  the  balance  of  his  life. 

John  Engle,  grandfather  of  William,  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  and  operated  a  portion  of  the  land  deeded 
by  the  Government  to  his  father,  also  carrying  on  a  butch- 
ering business  in  connection  therewith  all  of  his  life.  He 
married  and  became  the  father  of  the  following  children : 
Jacob,  John,  Daniel,  Samuel  and  one  daughter.  As  far 
back  as  is  known  the  .family  were  Xutherans  in  religious 
belief,  and  in  politics  were  Whigs.  Daniel  Engle  was  born 
in  1809,  in  Montgomery  county,  and  when  seventeen  years 
of  age  came  to  Reading,  where  he  learned  the  coopering 
business,  and  for  many  years  manufactured  cedar  hollow 
ware,  becoming  very  successful.  He  retired  several  years 
prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  July  2,  1894,  and  his 
wife  passed  away  in  1887,  aged  seventy-six  years.  Eleven 
children  were  born  to  this  couple,  seven  of  whom  reached 
maturity :  Anetta  m.  Daniel  Fisher,  of  Philadelphia ; 
Daniel  is  deceased;  William  H, ;  George  is  assistant  sup- 
erintendent of  the  Merrick  Iron  Company,  of  Philadelphia ; 
Rosie  m.  Milton  Palmer,  of  Reading,  Pa.;  Mary  is  de- 
ceased; and  Richard  is  employed  by  his  brother,  William. 
In  religious  belief  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Engle  were  Lutherans. 
In  political  belief  he  was  first  a  Whig,  and  later  became  a 
Republican. 

William  Engle  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the 
schools  of  Reading,  and  later  attended  the  Reading  high 
school.  When  a  young  man  he  learned  the  trade  of  a 
cooper,  which  he  followed  for  some  years,  and  in  1886 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  paper  boxes.  Starting  in  a 
very  small  and  primitive  way  Mr.  Engle  worked  his  way 
steadily  upward,  now  owning  one  of  the  most  complete 
plants  in  the  State,  and  controlling  some  of  Reading's  best 
trade.  He  employs  on  an  average  twenty-five  hands  in 
his  plant,  which  is  located  at  Seventh  and  Walnut  streets, 
and  his  business  is  steadily  increasing.  Mr.  Engle  was 
married  in  1807  to  Amanda  Marshall,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Jacob  Marshall,  and  one  son  was  li^rn  to  this  union,  Wal- 
ter, who  is  superintendent  of  his  father's  plant.  Mr.  Engle 
married   (second)   Katie  Moyer,  of  Reading. 

In  1862  Mr.  Engle  enlisted  aiid  went  to  the  front  with 
the  Pennsylvania  Militia,  but  in  1863  joined  the  Inde- 
pendent Ringgold  Artillery.     He  is  connected  with  the  G. 


A.    R.     Mr.   Engle   is   a  Lutheran,   while   his   wife   is   an 
Eoiscooalian. 

SYDENHAM  E.  ANCONA,  son  of  Morris  M. 
Ancona,  M.  D.,  and  Mary  Ann  (Knapp)  Ancona,  was 
born  in  Warwick  township,  adjoining  Lititz,  Lancaster 
county.    Pa.,    Nov.   20,   1824. 

M.  M.  Ancona  was  a  native  of  London,  England,  born 
Feb.  9,  1791,  and  died  at  Pottsville,  Pa.,  March  20,  1854. 
His  'father  was  M.  Ancona,  a  marble  and  statuary  mason, 
who  died  in  London,  of  which  city  his  ancestors,  for 
sonDe  generations,  had  been  residents.  His  wife  was  a 
Montifiore,  and,  as  were  the  Anconas,  of  Italian  descent. 
They  were  merchants  at  Leghorn  and  are  presumed  to 
have  come  from  the  city  of  Ancona,  Italy. 

The  family  moved  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1826  from 
Lititz  to  Bern  township,  Berks  county,  about  two  miles 
from  Bernville,  near  Sculls  Hill;  from  this  place  to 
Lebanon  about  the  1st  of  April,  1829,  and  in  1830-31  to 
Kelly's  Corner,  near  the  Conewago  creek,  Lebanon 
county;  from  Kelly's  Comer  in  1833  to  Porter's  Store, 
on  the  road  from  Colebrook  Furnace  to  Elizabethtown ; 
in  April,  1836,  to  Caernarvon  township,  near  Churchtown, 
Lancaster  county,  where  they  remained  until  1840;  from 
there  to  Alsace  township,  Berks  county,  near  Stony 
Creek.  He  worked  on  a  farm  in  Saucon  township, 
Lehigh  county,  for  four  months.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  then,  upon  the  suggestion  of  his  father  and  in 
response  to  an  advertisement  in  the  papers,  applied  for 
a  select  school  in  Upper  Bern  township,  and  was  employed 
by  thiC  executors  of  the  estate  of  Valentine  Wagner.  This 
school  at  the  time  was  the  only  English  school  west  of  the 
ri\-er,  except  the  public  schools  at  Womelsdorf.  The  com- 
pensation was  ten  dollars  per  month  besides  board.  The 
following  year  the  compensation  was  increased  to  fifteen 
dollars  per  month.  He  spent  the  summers  of  1843  and  1844 
at  home.  Im  the  fall,  seeing  an  announcement  in  the  papers 
that  twenty-one  teachers  were  wanted  in  Earl  township, 
Lancaster  county,  he,  among  some  fifty  other  appli- 
cants, was  examined  at  New  Holland,  passed  and  obtained 
a  school. 

In  June,  1845,  he  made  a  trip  to  New  York  and  Boston 
by  way  of  Providence,  returning  to  Reading,  and  leav- 
ing in  July  for  Niagara  Falls  and  Canada.  At  that  tirae 
the  method  of  reaching  New  York  was  by  stage  via' Allen- 
town,  Easton  to  Morristown,  N.  J.,  and  from  there  to 
New  York  by-  rail.  After  leaving  Niagara  he  proceeded 
to  Buffalo,  then  a  town  of  from  ten  thousand  to  twelve 
thousand  inhabitants,  going  from  there  by  steamer  to 
Cleveland  about  the  20th  of  August,  and  from  the  latter 
place  to  Akron  by  canal  boat.  From  this  point,  with  a 
companion  whom  he  happened  to  meet,  and  who  proposed 
to  him  that  they  walk  to  Lancaster,  he  proceeded  as  far 
as  Chambersburg,   Pa.,  where  they  separated. 

After  some  months  at  home,  given  up  to  farming, 
Mr.  Ancona  accepted  in  1845  an  English  select  school  at 
Seyfert's  Mills,  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  township,  Berks 
county,  having  about  twenty  pupils  at  this  school  and 
being  very  successful  in  instructing  them.  He  had  some 
very  bright  boys  there,  notably  Charles  Albright,  who 
afterward  became  a  general  in  the  army  during  the 
Civil  war,  a  prominent  lawyer,  and  was  elected  to  Con- 
gress on  the  ticket  at  large  from  Pennsvl.vania  some  years 
after  the  close  of  the  war. 

Having  decided  in  the  year  1846  to  discontinue  teaching 
school,  on  the  invitation  of  Daniel  H.  Feger,  who  had 
obtained  a  position  with  the  Reading  Railroad  Companv. 
Mr.  Ancona  accepted  a  position  in  the  service  in  the 
same  departmient  with  him  as  an  assistant  timekeeper, 
devoting  himself  with  all  his  energy  and  giving  his  entire 
time  to  the  requirements  which  they  demanded.  He  con- 
tinued with  the  railroad  company  until  1863,  in  the  posi- 
tion of  chief  clerk  and  bookkeeper  from  December,  1851, 
having  been  acting  as  assistant  timekeeper  previous 
thereto.  At  the  close  of  December,  1851,  he  took  charge 
of  the  general  books  of  the  company,  which  were  then 
out  of  balance  and  in  a  neglected  condition.  He  succeeded 
at  once  in  the  work,  although  he  had  had  no  previous 
experience   in   double   entry   bookkeeping. 


<M^ 


FROM   A   PHOTOGRAPH  TAKEN   IN   WASH  I  NGTON,  D.C. 
WHILE   A  MEMBER  OF  THE   3S'ff  CON  GRESS" 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


377 


When  nominated  for  Congress  in  1860,  without,  having 
given  the  company  any  notice  of  his  purpose,  he  was 
warmly  congratulated  by  the  general  manager^  of  the 
company  on  his  achievement.  A  few  days  thereafter  he 
received  the  gratifying  communication  from  the  president 
of  the  road  that  his  election  to  Congress  would  not  inter- 
fere with  his  position  with  the  company,  and  that  they 
expected  him  to  return  at  the  end  of  the  session. 

During  his  connection  with  the  railroad  company,  in 
1849,  together  with  his  brother-in-law,  Daniel  H.~Feger, 
he  organized  a  military  company  known  as  the  Reading 
Rifles,  which  was  composed  largely  of  young  men  em- 
ployed by  the  Reading  Railroad  Company,  engineers  and 
machinists.  It  was  a  notable  organization  numbering 
some  two  hundred,  thoroughly  armed  and  equipped  with 
rifles  furnished  by  the  State.  It  had  a  band  of  music 
made  up  of  its  own  members,  and  was  decidedly  one  of  the 
crack  volunteer  organizations  of  the  country.  It  was 
attached  to  the  1st  Brigade,  5th  Division,  P.  V.,  under  the 
command  of  William  H.  Keim,  of  Reading.  The  com- 
pany made  several  notable  excursions  to  Philadelphia 
as  the  guests  of  the  celebrated  State  Fencibles,  then  under 
the  command  of  Col.  James  Page.  They  were  received 
by  the  State  Fencibles  in  the  grounds  surrounding  In- 
dependence Hall,  and  were  presented  by  Colonel  Page, 
in  behalf  of  the  State  Fencibles,  a  handsome  silver- 
mounted  rifle  and  a  gold  medallion  containing  Colonel 
Page's  portrait  with  a  suitable  inscription.  In  1854  the 
company  went  on  an  excursion  to  Washington  and  Mount 
Vernon.  They  passed  through  Philadelphia  under  the 
escort  of  the  State  Fencibles.  At  Washington  they  were 
received  by  the  "German  Jaeger,"  commanded  by  Major 
Schwartzman,  together  with  other  volunteer  companies  in 
the  District  of  Columbia  at  the  time.  They  were  re- 
ceived by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  General 
Pierce,  and  his  Secretary  of  War,  Jefferson  Davis,  in  the 
East  Room  of  the  White  House,  having  137  men  in 
line,  all  told.  In  presenting  the  company,  each  man  was 
introduced  by  name  to  the  President  and  Secretary  of 
War.  The  company  was  complimented  by  both  the  Pres- 
ident and  Mr.  Davis.  The  company  was  entertained 
by  Hon.  J.  Glancy  Jones,  the  representative  from  Berks 
county,  at  his  home.  The  arsenal  and  navy  yard  were 
visited,  and  Mount  Vernon  reached  under  the  escort 
of  Major  Schwartzman  and  his  company.  Returning 
home,  they  stopped  over  in  Baltimore,  the  next  day  at 
York,  had  dinner  at  Columbia,  and  were  received  in 
Lancaster  by  the  Buchanan  Rifles  and  entertained  at  a 
banquet  at  Fulton  Hall  in  the  evening.  They  attended 
the  reception  tendered  to  Louis  Kossuth,  the  celebrated 
Hungarian  patriot;  also  the  reception  to  the  first  Japanese 
legation    that   visited   the   United    States. 

Mr.  Ancona  retired  from  the  Rifles  soon  after  this 
excursion  in  consequence  of  a  political  controversy  with 
men  who  had  left  the  Rifles  and  joined  a  rival  organiza- 
tion. He  was  then  invited  to  take  command  of  the  Read- 
ing Troop,  a  cavalry  company  that  dated  its  organization 
from  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  accepted,  and  was  sub- 
sequently elected  major  of  the  Reading  Battalion  by  a 
very  large  majority.  Mr.  Hiester  Clymer,  later  his  suc- 
cessor in  Congress,  was  supported  by  the  opposition,  but 
Mr.  Ancona  carried  the.  companies  by  a  majority  larger 
than  the  total  vote  of  Mr.  Clymer  in  the  Ringgold 
Light  Artillery,  which  was  the  finest  military  organiza- 
tion in   the  United   States. 

In  February,  1861,  Governor  Curtin  sent  Maj.  Gen. 
William  H.  Keim  (5th  Division,  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, to  which  the  brigade  was  attached)  to  him  and 
Capt.  James  McKiiight  to  ascertain  whether  their  com- 
panies could  be  held  in  readiness  to  respond  to  a  call 
in  defense  of  the  provernment.  They  conferred  with' 
their  men  and  had  them  pledged  by  oath  to  go  out  in 
defense  of  the  government,  then  threatened  with  seces- 
sion by  a  number  of  its  States.  The  call  came  finally, 
but  for  the  Ringgold  Artillery  only.  In  April,  after  the 
President's  Proclamation,  and  on  the  same  day  that 
the   call   came   from  Governor   Curtin,   Mr.   Ancona  went 


to  Harrisburg  to  ascertain  whether  his  company  was 
also  to  be  sent,  but  was  advised  that  for  the  time  being 
no  cavalry  companies  would  be  called. 

On  July  4,  1861,  the  XXXVIIth  Congress  was  called  in 
special  session,  and  having  been  elected  as  a  represen- 
tative from  Berks  county,  he  took  his  seat  and'  soon 
after  called  upon  Secretary  of  War  Cameron,  with  Cap- 
tain McKnight,  George  Durrell  and  John  B.  Kiefer,  who 
was  a  nephew  of  Cameron  and  had  been  a  member  of 
the  Reading  Rifles.  He  then  asked  the  General  what  the 
probabilities  were  of  his  company  being  called.  The 
General  replied  that  they  "had  more  men  than  they 
wanted,"  and  hence  Mr.  Ancona  made  no  further  effort 
to  obtain  recognition.  A  very  short  time  thereafter  a 
mustering  officer  was  sent  to  Reading  without  his  knowl- 
edge. The  company  was  mustered  in,  divided  into  two 
companies,  the  one  under  George  Clymer  as  captain  and 
the  other  under  J.  C.  A.  Hoffeditz.  Thus  he  failed 
to  get  into  the  service  owing  to  circumstances  over  which 
he  had  no  control. 

Mr.  Ancona  was  elected  to  the  XXXVIIth  Congress  in 
1860  and  took  his  seat  on  July  4,  1861,  at  a  special  ses- 
sion called  by  President  Lincoln.  He  was  also  elected  to 
the  XXXVIIIth  and  XXXIXth  Congresses.  He  served 
on  the  committee  on  Commiercial  Affairs,  which  as  he  says 
had  but  little  opportunity  for  recognition,  as  most  bus- 
iness which  should  have  been  referred  to  it  was  referred 
to  the  committee  on  Ways  and  Means,  which  also  con- 
trolled the  appropriations  during  these  years.  Later, 
however,  -he  was  placed  on  the  committee  on  Military 
Affairs,  which  was  a  very  active  and  important  body,  of 
which  Gen.  Robert  C.  Schenck  was  chairman.  Among  the 
members  of  this  committee  was  James  G.  Blaine  of 
Maine,  as  well  as  a  number  of  other  equally  prominent 
men.  While  on  this  committee  he  frequently  met  Mr. 
Blaine,  who  was  a  very  industrious  and  active  member. 

About  this  time  General  Grant  was  considered  a  fav- 
orite candidate  for  the  Presidency,  and  the  so-called 
radical  representatives  of  the  House,  including  such  men 
as  Thaddeus  Stevens,  William  D.  Kelly  and  Henry  Win- 
ter Davis,  of  Maryland,,  did  not  favor  his  nomination. 
Mr.  Blaine  predicted,  however,  that  he  would  be  nominated 
on    the    Republican    ticket.      This    proved    to    be    correct. 

Through  the  influence  of  General  Schenck  a  resolution 
was  introduced  in  the  House,  tendering  the  thanks  of 
Congress  to  General  Hancock  for  his  distinguished  ser- 
vices during  the  war,  and  especially  at  Gettysburg.  The 
matter  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  Military  Affairs, 
who  ordered  Ancona  to  jeport  favorably  to  the  House. 
This  brought  him  into  direct  communication  with  Gen- 
eral Hancock,  who  wrote  a  very  handsome  letter  of  ac- 
knowledgment. In  consequence  a  close  personal  friend- 
ship sprang  up  between  him  and  General  Hancock ;  fre- 
quent conferences  took  place  between  them  by  reason  of 
the  prominent  position  of  General  Hancock  as  a.  favorite 
candidate  of  many  Democrats  for  the  Presidency.  At 
the  request  of  Mr.  Glover,  a  prominent  attorney  of  St. 
Louis,  Hancock  and  Ancona  met  at  Milwaukee,  the  Gen- 
eral being  at  that  time  at  the  head  of  the  Department 
at  St.  Paul.  Subsequently,  there  were  meetings  at  Norris- 
town  and  Governor's  Island,  Col.  De  Puy  Davis  and  B. 
Markley  Boyer,  among  others,  being  present. 

He  enjoyed  very  pleasant  relations  with  Edward  M. 
Stanton,  the  Secretary  of  War,  having  met  Mr.  Stanton 
at  a  party  given  in  horjor  of  J.  Glancy  Jones  at  the  res- 
idence of  Maj.  William  Flinn,  who  was  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance of  President  Buchanan.  On  that  occasion  he 
met  also  Judge  Black,  who  had  been  Buchanan's  Attorney- 
General  and  afterward  his  Secretary  of  State.  'He  recalls 
that  during  the  conversation  with  Mr.  Stanton,  whom  he 
met  that  evening,  he  expressed  his  views  very  freely 
and  criticised  the  policy  of  the  administration  in  the 
conduct  of  the  war.  Mr.  Stanton  did  not  dissent;  Mr. 
Ancona's  surprise  can  be  imagined  when  he  saw  in  the 
morning  papers  the  next  day  that  Mr.  Stanton  had 
been  appointed  Secretary  of  War  to  succeed  Mr. 
Cameron. 


378 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


After  his  failure  to  obtain  the  renomination  for  a 
fourth  term  to  Congress,  in  1866,  his  colleagues  from 
Pennsylvania  had  President  Johnson  name  him  for  naval 
officer,  port  of  Philadelphia.  Strong  and  representative 
Republicans  in  his  district  had  requested  Senator  Cam- 
eron and  others  to  favor  his  confirmation  by  the  Senate, 
this  being  done  without  his  request  and  knowledge  until 
one  day  communicated  to  him  by  Judge  Kelly,  of  Phila- 
delphia, in  the  committee-room  on  Military  Affairs.  He 
was  frequently  importuned  to  again  run  for  Congress, 
but  peremptorily  declined. 

Mr.  Ancona  had  been  connected  with  the  fire  department 
of  the  city  of  Reading  for  some  years  when  on  the 
suggestion  of  Gen.  George  M.  Keim  he  took  the  pres- 
idency of  the  Reading  Hose  Company.  General  Keim 
headed  a  subscription  with  one  hundred  dollars  toward 
the  purchase  of  a  steam  fire-engine  in  1858.  With  his 
accustomed  energy  and  determination  he  succeeded  in 
getting  the  first  steam  fire-engine  into  Reading  at  a  cost  of 
thirty-six  hundred  dollars.  It  was  called  the  "Novelty," 
and  was  built  at  the  Novelty  Works  in  New  York,  by 
Lee  &  Larned.  In  1867  he,  with  a  few  others,  organ- 
ized the  Hampd-en  Fire  Company,  of  which  he  was  the 
first  president.  He  has  been  re-elected  and  occupied  this 
office  for  forty-two  years  continuously.  He  is  also  a 
delegate    to   the    Firemen's    Union. 

He  has  held  the  office  of  treasurer  of  the  Reading  Fire- 
men's Relief  Association  since  its  organization  and  has 
always  been  prominently  and  actively  connected  with 
the  volunteer  fire  department  of  the  city  of  Reading.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Reading  school  board  and  the  pres- 
ident of  that  body  for  several  terms.  He  served  for 
many  years  with  Judge  Stitzel  and  Charles  Breneiser,  Sr., 
as  a  member  of  the  local  board  of  charities,  appointed  by 
the  Governor.  Governor  Pattison  appointed  him  a  trustee 
of  the  State  Asylum  at  Harrisburg.  He  was  one  of  the 
originators  of  the  Reading  Steam  Forge,  Cotton  Mill,  a 
director  of  the  Reading  Savings  Bank,  and  was  identified 
as  president,  secretary  and  director  with  building  and 
savings   associations   for  over  sixty  years. 

Having  some  relations  with  the  officers  of  the  Fire  Asso- 
ciation of  Philadelphia,  he  proposed  to  the  fire  depart- 
ment in  the  city  of  Reading  the  organization  of  an  insur- 
ance company  for  insurance  against  loss  by  fire  on  a 
plan  somewhat  similar  to  the  plan  of  the  Fire  Association 
of  Philadelphia,  which  had  grown  out  of  the  old  volun- 
teer fire  department  of  that  city,  and  had  an  accumula- 
tion at  that  time  of  some  millions  of  assets.  The 
necessary  legislation  was  obtained,  but  he  could  not  con- 
vince the  representatives  of  the  various  fire  companies  in 
the  Firemen's  Union  of  the  feasibility  of  his  plan.  He 
then  organized  a  stock  fire  insurance  company  with  a 
capital^  of  $100,000,  of  which  $35,000  was  subscribed  by 
his  friends.  Twenty  per  cent  was  paid  in  so  that  he 
had  $7,500  in  cash  when  the  company  organized.  He 
started  business  July  8,  1867,  and  was  elected  secre- 
tary and  treasurer.  The  company  had  a  board  of 
directors,  composed  of  some  of  the  leading  business 
men  of  the  city.  Judge  J.  Pringle  Jones  was  elected 
president,  and  Maj.  James  McKnight,  vice-president. 
He  served  as  secretary  and  treasurer  for  over  thirty 
years  and  from  the  small  beginning  of  $7,500  he  in- 
creased the  paid-up  capital  to  $250,000,  and  net  surplus 
over    and    above   the    capital    to   $300,000. 

He  also,  during  this  period,  succeeded  in  organizing 
the  Reading  Trust  Company,  with  many  of  the  stock- 
holders of  the  Reading  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and 
with  the  same  board  of  directors  and  officers,  he  serving 
as    secretary   and   treasurer   of   this   company. 

With  the  tendency  to  consolidation  of  insurance  bus- 
iness by  the^  insurance  companies,  by  re-insurance  and 
otherwise,  with  strong  competition  by  companies  with 
large  aggregations  of  capital,  and  owing  to  excessive 
losses  for  two  years  previous  to  1898,  he  was  impressed 
with  the  belief  that  the  Reading  Fire  Insurance  Company 
had  reached  the  greatest  success  it  could  attain  under 
the  adverse  prospect,  and  he  therefore  determined  to 
effect  a  re-insurance  of  the  Reading  Company  with  some 


large  company  to  continue  the  Reading  Company  as 
before,  and  to  have  all  its  policies  and  liabilities  under- 
written by  such  a  company,  taking  all  its  revenues,  and 
paying  all  its  expenses  and  the  rental,  which  would  be 
equivalent  to  a  dividend  of  from  ten  to  twelve  per 
cent  to  the  stockholders  of  the  Reading  Fire  Insurance 
Company.  After  several  negotiations  with  companies  in 
the  United  States  and  Europe,  where  he  went  in  1896-97 
with  this  purpose  in  view,  after  he  had  abandoned  all 
hope  of  effecting  such  a  transaction,  he  received  a  com- 
munication to  enter  into  negotiations  with  the  Hartford 
Fire  Insurance  Company.  He  met  Mr.  Chase,  the  pres- 
ident of  the  company,  and  seemed  in  a  fair  way  of  com- 
ing to  an  agreement,  but  the  methods  proposed  to  accom- 
plish the  purpose  did  not  meet  with  his  approval  and 
were  promptly  declined.  Mr.  Edward  Cluff,  of  New 
York,  who  had  heard  of  these  negotiations,  had  at  the 
same  time  proposed  an  arrangement  with  the  Scottish 
Alliance,  which  was  declined.  The  president  of  the 
Scottish  Alliance  had  been  cabled  for,  however,  and  a 
meeting  was  arranged  in  New  York  for  this  purpose, 
which  finally  resulted  in  the  sale  of  the  stock  of  the 
Reading  Fire  Insurance  Company,  with  the  consent  of 
a  large  number  of  the  stockholders,  the  Scottish  Alliance 
paying  the  stockholders  twenty  dollars  a  share,  and  from 
which  they  had  received  an  average  dividend  of  eight 
per  cent  per  annum,   for  over  thirty  years. 

During  a  period  of  over  fifty  years  Mr.  Ancona  was 
an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  In  1848, 
with  some  associates  and  friends,  he  organized  a  lodgs 
known  as  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227,  of  which  he  became 
Worshipful  Master.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  and  received  the  degree  of  Knight 
Templar  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  also  appointed  Emi- 
nent Commander,  but  he  did  not  attend  the  meeting  for 
the  installation  of  officers  by  reason  of  the  death  of  his 
father.  In  1870,  with  a  few  friends,  he  applied  for  au- 
thority for  another  Commandery,  K.  T.,  which  was 
accomplished  and  became  known  as  Reading  Commandery, 
No.  42.  He  was  appointed  to  and  accepted  the  position  of 
Eminent  Commander,  with  the  understanding  that  he 
would  do  no  more  than  preside  for  the  year  at  their 
meetings.  He  was  appointed  District  Deputy  Grand 
Master  for  the  District  of  Berks,  Lebanon  and  part  of 
Montgomery    counties    in    1861-62-63-64,    and    1874-75-76. 

He  was  elected  president  of  the  Penn  Street  Passenger 
Railway,  the'  first  road  in  the  city  of  Reading.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  projectors  and  directors  of  the  Mt.  Penn 
Gravity  Railway  Company  in  1889,  and  has  continued  as 
director  in  it  ever  since. 

Notwithstanding  a  long  and  busy  life  he  has  found 
time  to  travel  extensively,  not  alone  the  many  trips 
through  every  State  and  Territory  of  the  United  States, 
but  frequent  trips  abroad  and  to  the  Indies.  He  has  de- 
voted his  attention  to  public  matters  and  the  common 
good,  giving  them  the  advantage  of  his  wide  experience 
and  close  observation.  Philanthropic  and  charitable, 
and  intense  in  all  his  undertakings,  he  has  well 
filled  to  the  fullest  measure,  and  enjoyed  the  blessings  of, 
a  life  of  over  fourscore  years,  retaining  full  possession 
of    his   vitality,    energy    and    mental    faculties. 

EDWARD  S.  WERTZ,  who  conducts  the  Wertz  Milling 
Company  at  Reading,  one  of  the  best  known  establishments 
of  its  kind  in  Berks  countv,  was  bom  in  Harrisburg,  Dau- 
phni  Co.,  Pa.,  Feb.  23,  1850,  son  of  Samuel  and  Maria 
(Sweigert)  Wertz. 

Samuel  Wertz,  his  father,  was  born  March  2,  1809,  in 
the  Canton  of  Aargau,  Switzerland,  and  in  his  native 
country  learned  the  trade  of  wool  fulling.  In  1827  he  came 
to  America,  settling  first  at  Frankford,  Philadelphia,  where 
he  manufactured  cotton  laps  and  wadding.  He  subsequent- 
ly removed  to  Harrisburg.  where  he  operated  a  flouring 
and  woolen-mill  and  remained  until  1856,  at  which  time 
he  engaged  in  business  at  the  old  Ritter  Hotel  stand,  in 
Exeter  township.  The  following  year  he  removed  to 
Spring  township,  Berks  county,  where  he  purchased  the 
old  Althouse  Alii!  property,  which  he  rebuilt,  making  vast 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


379 


improvement  in  the  establishment,  and  he  successfully- 
operated  it  as  a  flour  and  feed  mill  until  1870.  That  year 
he  settled  in  Reading  and  opened  the  flour  and  feed  store 
which  he  "conducted  until  his  retirement,  in  1880.  His 
death  occurred  in  1884,  when  he  was  seventy-five  years 
old. 

Mr.  Wertz  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Maria 
Sweigert,  a  native  of  Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  died  in  1852, 
leaving  six  children,  namely:  Louisa  M.  m.  Amos  Price; 
Elizabeth,  deceased,  m.  Herman  Strohecker;  George  W. ; 
Samuel;  Edward  S.,  and  Jacob  Henry.  On  April  28,  1853, 
Mr.  Wertz  m.  (second)  Catherine  Waldenmyer,  daughter  of 
John  Waldenmyer,  and  to  this  union  two  children  were 
born,  Augustus  and  Frank.  Mr.  Wertz  was  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  while  his  wife  held  to  the  faith  of 
the  Lutheran  denomination.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch 
Democrat. 

Edward  S.  Wertz  was  quite  young  when  his  father  came 
to  Berks  county,  and  here  he  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools.  From  boyhood  he  was  employed  around 
his  father's  milling  establishment,  and  when  sixteen  he  left 
home  to  complete  his  apprenticeship  at  the  miller's  trade. 
He  went  to  Huyett's  Mill  at  Shillington,  in  Cumru  town- 
ship, remaining  there  about  a  year,  after  which  he  took  a 
responsible  position  at  Womelsdorf,  having  charge  of  a 
flouring  mill  owned  by  a  Mr.  Fisher.  There  he  also  spent 
a  year,  and  then  accepted  a  similar  position  at  the  old 
Hiester  Mill,  in  Bern  township,  later  going  to  Reed's 
Mill,  in  Robeson  township.  Going  to  Chicago,  111.,  in  1871, 
Mr.  Wertz  spent  one  year  there  in  the  storage  warehouse 
business,  at  the  end  of  that  time  returning  to  Reading, 
where  he  was  employed  by  Heilman  &  Co.,  hardware  mer- 
chants, who  were  then  located  on  the  present  site  of  the 
Dives,  Pomeroy  &  Stewart  store.  After  two  years'  ser- 
vice with  this  firm  he  went  to  the  old  Wertz  Mill  prop- 
erty in  Spring  township,  and  for  twenty-five  years  carried 
on  the  mill  there.  It  was  one  of  the  old-style  burr  mills, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  to  be  adapted  to  the  modern  roller- 
process,  the  necessary  changes  being  made  by  Mr.  Wertz, 
who  during  his  occupancy  of  the  property  rebuilt  the 
establishment  four  times.  He  enlarged  as  well  as  moder- 
nized it,  increasing  the  capacity  as  trade  demanded  from 
a  fifteen-barrel  mill  to  a  seventy-five-barrel  mill.  It  was 
there  he  first  manufactured  the  now  celebrated  Wertz 
Roller  Cream  Flour,  which  has  gained  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion throughout  this  section  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Wertz 
still  continues  the  manufacture  of  this  brand,  which  has 
lost  none  of  its  popularity,  for  he  has  sustained  its  high 
quality  to  the  present  time. 

In  1898  Mr.  Wertz  removed  to  Reading,  where  he  estab- 
lished his  present  plant,  his  mill  and  office  being  at  Nos. 
135-141  Buttonwood  street  and  conducted  under  the  name 
of  the  Wertz  Milling  Company.  His  mill  is  one  of  the 
best  equipped  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  no  device  of 
approved  pattern  known  to  flour  manufacturers  having 
been  omitted  in  fitting  it  up,  and  the  conduct  of  the  plant 
and  standard  of  products  are  accordingly  high.  AH  the 
product  is  disposed  of  to  the  local  trade.  The  brands 
manufactured  by  the  Wertz  Milling  Company  are  Roller 
Cream,  Gold  Dust,  White  Rose  and  Minnehaha,  all  of  which 
are  in  popular  use  throughout  this  section.  Besides  his 
milling  business  Mr.  Wertz  is  interested  in  other  lines,  be- 
ing an  extensive  dealer  in  farm  products  and  having  the 
largest  hay  storage  plant  in  the  city  of  Reading.  Dur- 
ing the  year  1905  he  handled  185  carloads  of  grain,  hay, 
etc.,  and  his  business  is  steadily  on  the  increase.  In  this 
line  he  gives  employment  to  eight  men.  He  is  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Millers'  Association. 

Mr.  Wertz  was  married  Sept.  11,  1873,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Kercher,  daughter  of  William  Kercher,  of  Bern  township. 
They  have  had  no  children  of  their  own,  but  have  reared 
two :  Emma  Gerhart,  who  is  now  married  and  resides  in 
Schuylkill  county;  and  Hannah  Malburn,  wife  of  Harry 
Focht,  Mr.  Wertz's  able  assistant  in  his  milling  operations. 
With  all  his  extensive  business  cares  Mr.  Wertz  finds 
time  to  take  a  public-spirited  interest  in  local  afifairs,  and 
to  devote  to  benevolent  and  charitable  objects.  He  is 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  Kissinger's  Church,   of  which 


he  has  been  a  member  for  many  years,  and  in  September, 
1908,  he  was  elected  an  elder.  He  served  as  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school  for  a  period  of  thirty-eight  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Topton 
Orphans'  Home,  and  a  member  of  the  school  board  of 
Reading.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason,  holding  membership 
in  Lodge  No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Excelsior  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.; 
Reading  Commandery,  K.  T. ;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O. 
N.  M.  S. 

A.  ELLSWORTH  LEINBACH,  vice-president  of  the  J. 
G.  Leinbach  Company  of  Reading,  was  born  Oct.  24,  1862, 
in  the  city  with  which  his  whole  business  career  has  been 
identified.  His  parents  were  Mahlon  A.  and  Mary  E. 
(Adam)  Leinbach. 

Mahlon  A.  Leinbach  was  born  April  14,  1840,  in  Bern 
township,  Berks  county,  but  while  he  was  a  small  child 
his  father  removed  to  Exeter  township,  and  the  boy  at- 
tended school  there.  He  has  always  been  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  pants  and  woolen  goods,  and  gained  his 
first  insight  into  the  details  of  that  work  under  William 
Brumbach,  with  whom  he  remained  a>  number  of  years. 
From  there  he  went  to  the  Reading  Mills,  of  which  his 
brother  J.  G.  was  one  of  the  owners  and  was  given  an 
interest  in  the  firm,  being  one  of  fhe  organizers  of  this 
large  plant.  He  was  active  in  its  management  till  July, 
1904,  when  he  retired  from  the  firm,  although  he  still  re- 
tains' stock  and  is  one  of  the  directors.  He  is  also  a  direct- 
or of  the  Mt.  Penn  Gravity  Railroad,  of  the  Reading  Cold 
Storage  Company  and  of  the  Black  Bear  Railroad.  Mr. 
Leinbach  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Adam,  of  Berks  county, 
and  they  had  a  family  of  seven  children,  only  two  of 
whom  are  living,  A.  Ellsworth  and  Charles  E.  The  latter 
resides  at  home  and  is  foreman  of  the  spinning  department 
in  the  Reading  Mills.  The  family  residence  is  at  No. 
311  North  Fourth  street,  where  Mr.  Leinbach  built  a  home 
specially  adapted  to  his  own  needs  and  ideas'.  With  his 
wife  and  sons  he  is  a  member  of  the  First  Reformed 
Church. 

A.  Ellsworth  Leinbach  during  his  boyhood  attended  the 
Reading  schools,  and  then  entered  the  Reading  Mills.  He 
advanced  steadily  through  different  positions,  becoming 
familiar  with  the  various  departments  of  the  factory,  and 
is  now  in  charge  of  the  weaving  departments.  His  of- 
ficial position,  since  the  incorporation  of  the  company,, 
has  been  vice-president,  and  he  has  proved  himself  a  most 
efficient,  capable  and  wide-awake  business  man.  He  has 
also  been  active  in  politics,  a  strong  supporter  of  Republi- 
can principles,  and  has  done  much  service  for  his  party, 
as  delegate  to  county  and  State  conventions,  as.  secretary 
of  the  county  committee,  and  as  chairman  of  the  Seventh 
Ward  Republicans,  while  he  has  also  been  a  member  of 
the  school  board  of  Reading  for  several  years. 

In  1884  A.  Ellsworth  Leinbach  married  Miss  M.  Alice 
Lotz,  daughter  of  Caspar  and  Rebecca  (Nagle)  Lotz,  of 
Reading.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  them,  viz. : 
Ada  L.,  who  was  graduated  from  Marshall  Seminary, 
at  Oak  Lane,  Philadelphia,  in  1904,  married  William  A. 
Heizmann,  a  young  business  man  of  Reading;  and  Caspar 
L.  died  Feb.  20,  1905,  aged  fifteen  years,  three  months  and 
twenty-two  days.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  314  Oley 
street.  Socially  Mr.  Leinbach  is  a  member  of  Isaac 
Hiester  Lodge  No.  660,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Reading  Lodge  of 
Perfection,  14th  degree;  Harrisburg  Consistory,  32d  de- 
gree; Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.;  and  Reading 
Lodge,  No.  115,  B.  P.  O.  Elks. 

DR.  CHRISTIAN  NICHOLAS  HOFFMAN,  physician 
at  Sinking  Spring  for  forty-five  years,  was  born  in  North- 
ampton county,  Pa.,  Aug.  11,  1833.  He  received  his  pre- 
liminary education  in  the  township  schools  and  at  Naza- 
reth Academy.  Later  he  attended  the  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  at  Philadelphia,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1862.  He  immediately  located  at  Sinking  Spring  and 
continued  in  active  practice  forty-five  years,  retiring  in 
June,  1906,  on  account  of  illness.  He  died  July  6,  1907. 
He  built  up  a  large  practice  which  reached  out  into  the 
country  for  ten  and   even  twenty  miles,  which  evidences- 


380 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


his  great  success  and  the  confidence  the  people  had  in  hhn. 
His  devotion  to  his  profession  was  extraordinary,  he  hardly 
ever  taking  any  vacation,  and  this  burden  was  shared  vyith 
great  fidelity  by  his  devoted  wife.  He  was  recognized 
as  an  able  physician,  and  was  highly  respected  among  his 
fellow  townsmen.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican,  and  in 
religion  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  North- 
ampton county.  For  some  years  he  took  an  interest  in  the 
Order  of  American  Mechanics.  Dr.  Hoffman  was  the 
last  of  his  family,  which  had  boasted  of  seven  doctors  in 
two  generations,  including  himself  and  his  brother,  his 
uncles  and  cousins. 

In  1870  Dr.  Hoffman  married  Ellen  Ann  Jones,  daugh- 
ter of  John  H.  and  Margaret  (Seitzinger)  Jones,  and  they 
had  two  daughters :  Katherine  Jones,  who  married  W.  W. 
Webber,  and  has  two  children — Harold  Hoffman  and 
Christian   Hoffman;    and   Margaret   Adelia. 

Paul  Hoffman,  father  of  the  Doctor,  was  a  farmer  of 
Northampton  county  and  was  born  in  ISOi,  and  died  in 
1866.  He  married  Catherine  Peysher,  and  they  had  four 
sons :  Paul  J.,  Christian  N.,  Rev.  Philip  P.  A.,  and  Dr. 
James. 

Michael  Hoffman,  the  grandfather,  was  also  of  North- 
ampton county. 

Mrs.  Hoffman's  grandfather  was  Samuel  Jones,  who 
married  Elizabeth  Huey,  and  was  the  father  of  four  child- 
ren, John  H.,  Thomas  H.,  Mary  (m.  Jacob  Van  Reed) 
and  Margaret  (m..  Dr.  Darrah).  Her  maternal  grand- 
father was  Jacob  W.  Seitzinger. 

LEVI  E.  LEFEVER,  chief  burgess  of  the  borough  of 
Boyertown,  who,  since  1907,  has  resided  in  his  comfor- 
table and  attractive  home  at  No.  112  Reading  avenue,  has 
been  long  identified  with  the  agricultural  and  business  in- 
terests of  this  section  of  Berks  county.  He  is  a  representa- 
tive of  one  of  the  old  established  families,  and  was  born 
April  5,  1857,  in  this  borough,  son  of  William  and  Rachel 
(Eshbach)   Lefever. 

Anthony  Lefever,  great-grandfather  of  Levi  E.,  was 
born  May  12,  1767,  and  died  May  36,  1833,  aged  sixty-five 
years,  fourteen  days.  The  family  records  tell  that  his 
wife  was  accidentally  burned  to  death  from  sparks  from 
the  old-fashioned  fireplace.  Their  children  were :  Anthony, 
Levi,  Mrs.  Charles  Keller  and  Mrs.  Jonas  Schmehl,  all  of 
whom  reared  families  of  their  own. 

Levi  Lefever,  son  of  Anthony  and  grandfather  of  Levi 
E.,  was  born  June  4,  1795,  and  died  an  accidental  death, 
Dec.  27,  1833,  aged  thirty-seven  years,  six  months,  twenty- 
three  days,  and  was  buried  at  Pricetown.  Berks  Co.,  Pa. 
His  wife  Mary,  born  Aug.  6,  1796,  died  Sept  10,  1839.  He 
was  a  tanner  and  owned  and  conducted  a  business  of  this 
kind  at  Pricetown,  where  he  had  other  property.  He  had 
two  sons :  William  and  Levi  H. 

William  Lefever,  father  of  Levi  E.,  was  born  Oct.  36, 
1830,  at  Pricetown,  Pa,,  and  resides  at  Sassamansville, 
in  Douglass  township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  a  well  pre- 
served man.  In  his  early  years  he  worked  as  a  stone 
jTiason,  later  coming  to  Boyertown,  where  he  conducted  a 
farm  for  his  father-in-law,  Joseph  Eshbach,  for  a  time. 
He  afterward  entered  into  partnership  with  his  brother, 
Levi  H.  Lefever,  and  they  conducted  a  general  store  at 
Sassamansville  for  a  number  of  years,  after  which  they 
sold  out,  Levi  H.  coming  to  Boyertown,  where  he  con- 
ducts a  general  store,  but  William  remained  at  the  old 
place  and  continued  storekeeping  for  a  time,  and  then 
began  cigar  manufacturing  together  with  farming.  He 
did  a  large  business  and  continued  active  in  it  until  1905, 
when  he  retired.  He  married  Rachel  Eshbach,  and  to 
them  were  born  twelve  children,  as  follows :  Minerva  m. 
John  Reaminger,  of  Boyertown ;  Levi  E. ;  Mary  m.  Harry 
Hoffman,  of  Reading ;  Irwin,  deceased,  m.  Maria  Gerhart, 
and  they  had  three  children,  Eaton,  John  and  Lottie ; 
Amandus  resides  at  East  Greenville,  Pa.;  Amanda  m,  Rev. 
Harrison  Moyer,  a  minister  in  Carbon  county;  Kate  m. 
Rev.  Amandus  Herbst,  of  York  county.  Pa. ;  Dr.  Rufus  E. 
is   engaged   in   medical   practice   in   Reading;    Emma  died 


young;  and  three  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Lefever  has  long 
been  a  leading  citizen  of  his  community,  and  he  has  been 
frequently  appointed  administrator  to  settle   up   estates. 

Levi  E.  Lefever  attended  the  public  schools  6i  Boyer- 
town and  Mount  Pleasant  Seminary,  and  when  sixteen 
years  of  age  learned  the  tinsmith's  trade,  serving  an  ap- 
prenticeship of  four  years.  He  worked  at  this  trade  at 
Boyertown  until  1878,  and  then  embarked  in  a  business  of 
his  own  as  a  tinsmith  and  handler  of  stoves,  etc.,  which  he 
continued  for  twenty-eight  years.  His  whole  attention, 
however,  was  not  claimed  by  this  enterprise  for  he  owns 
a  fine  farm  of  ninety-nine  acres,  situated  in  Earl  town- 
ship, three  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Boyertown, 
the  work  on  which  he  superintends  personally.  He  has 
it  well  stocked  and  it  is  a  remunerative  piece  of  property. 
In  1905  he  erected  the  present  frame  house  which  replaced 
a  log  house  that  had  stood  since  the  days  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  Mr.  Lefever  is  treasurer  of  the  Electric 
Light  Company,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  and 
which  was  chartered  in  July,  1908.  Since  1906  he  has  been 
president  of  the  Keystone  Fire  Insurance  Company  and 
to  all  these  important  business  interests  he  gives  due  at- 
tention. 

In  1878,  Mr.  Lefever  was  married  to  Rosa  Ann  Ritter, 
daughter  of  Lewis  Ritter,  of  Colebrookdale  township,  and 
to  this  marriage  have  been  born  the  following  children : 
Charles  resides  at  Boyertown ;  Addie  M.,  who  perished 
in  the  Boyertown  fire,  Jan.  13,  1908,  was  the  beloved  wife 
of  Harry  Leinbach,  and  she  left  two  children,  Florence 
and  Paul;  Edgar  resides  at  Boyertown;  Maggie  also  per- 
ished in  the  Boyertown  disaster,  aged  twenty-one  years; 
Joseph  died  in  1904,  aged  twelve  years;  and  Florence  re- 
sides at  home.  Mr.  Lefever  and  family  are  members  of  St. 
John's   Lutheran   Church,   at   Boyertown. 

Mr.  Lefever  has  been  active  for  many  years  in  fraternal 
organizations,  and  on  various  occasions  has  been  elevated 
to  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility  in  the  same.  He  is  a 
member  of  Salah  Castle,  No.  78,  Knights  of  the  Mystic 
Chain,  in  which  he  has  held  all  the  offices.  Since  1900  he 
has  been  chaplain  of  Popodickon  Tribe,  No.  388,  Order 
of  Red  Men,  is  district  deputy,  and  has  held  all  the  offices 
in  the  organization.  He  is  the  degree  master  of  the  staff, 
is  past  grand  and  also  degree  master  of  Boyertown  Lodge, 
No.  708,  I.  O.  O.  F. ;  and  belongs  also  to  the  order  of 
Eagles,  at  Pottstown,  Pennsylvania. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Lefever  is  frankly  and 
unequivocally  a  Republican,  and  has  frequently  served  as 
a  delegate  to  county  and  State  conventions  and  for  twelve 
years  served  as  inspector  of  elections  and  committeeman 
at  Boyertown.  For  three  years  he  served  as  a  school 
director  and  has  always  been  interested  in  public  education. 
When  only  twenty-three  years  old,  Mr.  Lefever  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  borough  council  and  served  through  one 
year,  which  was  the  length  of  term  at  that  time.  In  1901 
he  was  again  elected  to  the  council  and  served  his  term 
of  three  years,  and  in  February,  1909,  was  elected  chief 
burgess  for  a  term  of  three  years.  He  stands  as  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  best  citizenship  of  his  community. 

HARRISON  LANDIS,  successful  manufacturer  of  lum- 
ber and  boxes  at  Philadelphia,  was  born  in  Washington 
township,  Berks  county,  near  Ballv,  Dec.  33,  1852.  He  re- 
ceived his  preliminary  education  'in  the  township  school, 
and  at  Boyertown  (in  Mt.  Pleasant  Seminary  and  Hankey's 
Academy),  and  then  attended  the  Mennonite  Educational 
Institute  at  Wadsworth,  Ohio,  for  two  years.  Upon  his 
return  home  he  taught  public  school  at  Niantic  near  by  for 
one  term,  and  then  assisted  in  clerking  in  the  country  store 
of  his  uncle,  Jacob  Oberholtzer  (which  was  situated  on 
the  premises  adjoining  his  father's),  for  two  years.  He 
then  took  a  regular  course  in  the  business  college  of 
Bryant  &  Stratton  at  Philadelphia,  and  entered  the  office 
of  the  paint  works  of  Ziegler  &  Smith,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged as  a  clerk  for  five  vears;  and  was  next  in  the  well- 
known  steam-shipping  office  of  Peter  Wright  &  Sons  for 
three  years. 

With^  this  preparation  for  a  business  life,  Mr.  Henry 
H.  Sheip   (his  brother-in-law,  manufacturer  of  cigar-boxes 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


381 


since  1876)  formed  a  partnership  with  him  in  1881,  and 
under  the  firn:.  name  of  Henry  H.  Sheip  &  Co.  they  de- 
veloped a  constantly  increasing  trade  until  1899,  when 
they  organized  a  corporation  entitled  "Henry  H.  Sheip 
Manufacturing  Co."  Since  then,  the  corporation  has  been 
carried  on  successfully,  with  Mr.  Landis  as  secretary  and 
treasurer.  They  started  with  twenty  hands,  but  now  have 
over  800,  notwithstanding  the  introduction  of  many  costly 
labor-saving  machines.  Their  annual  volume  of  business 
exceeds  a  million  and  a  half  of  dollars;  and  their  trading 
relations  have  been  developed  to  extend  throughout  the 
United  States  and  into  many  foreign  countries;  and  from 
the  manufacture  of  cigar-boxes  they  have  gradually 
branched  out  until  their  product  includes  small  wooden 
boxes  of  every  variety,  veneered  boxing  lumber,  and  cas- 
ing for  electric  wiring  of  buildings;  they  also  deal  in  all 
kinds  of  lumber  for  manufacturing  and  building  purposes. 
It  is  the  only  large  plant  of  the  kind  at  Philadelphia, 
and  has  been  kept  running  constantly  from  1881  until 
the  present  time. 

In  1876  Mr.  Landis  was  married  to  Emma  Louisa  Sheip, 
daughter  of  Levinus  and  Lucy  Ann  (Hangen)  Sheip,  of 
Bucks  county,  and  sister  of  his  partner  in  business.  By 
her  -he  had  three  children :  Stanley  Winfield  and  George 
Clarence  (both  of  whom  are  engaged  in  the  financial  de- 
partment of  the  works  mentioned),  and  Mabel  (m.  How- 
ard G.  Moyer).  His  wife  dying  in  1883,  he  in  1893  mar- 
ried Mary  A.  Gyger,  only  child  of  John  and  Sarah  (Night- 
linger)  Gyger  of  Philadelphia,  by  whom  he  has  two  child- 
ren: Mary  Esther  and  Mildred. 

His  father  was  George  Oberholtzer  Landis,  retired  farm- 
er of  Washington  township,  Berks  county,  who  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Mohr,  daughter  of  Andrew  Mohr  of  Mac- 
ungie,  Lehigh  County,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children : 
Harrison,  above  mentioned;  Emma;  Henry  m.  Emma 
Stiefler,  and  is  now  in  Japan,  where  he  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  Meiji  Gakuin,  a  Presbyterian  College; 
Evan  m.  (first)  Emily  Hamer  and  (second)  Mabel  Prouty; 
Sarah  m.  Clement  Bechtel ;  Irwin  m.  Sophie  Hammell ; 
and  Oliver  m.  Clara  Stoudt.  The  mother  died  in  1906, 
aged  seventy-six  years.  The  father  died  Oct.  29,  1908, 
aged  eighty-two  years. 

His  grandfather  was  Henry  H.  Landis,  born  in  1798,  died 

in  1860;  m.  in  1823  to  SusannTTTberholtzer,  daughter  of 

Jtjacob,  and  after  her  decease  to  Elizabeth  Knetz  in  1856, 

and  he  had  seven  children :  George,  above  mentioned,  Jacob, 

David,  Aaron,  Susanna,  Esther  and  Amanda.  u^ 

The  Landis  family  was  founded  in  America  by  Iig,as 
Landis,  a  native  of  Holland,  who  left  his  native  land  dur- 
ing  the  early  half  of  the  eighteenth  century. ,  lQQating_jn 
Douglass  Township,  Montgomery  County,  Pai  .jHe  was  the 
owner  of  a  tract  of  land  located  near  Congo,  which  he  dis- 
posed of  to  members  of  the  Bauer  farnilv  in  1773  for  six 


pounds  and  seven  and  one-halt  bushels  ot  wheat  as  part 
payment  on  the  property.  Among  the  descendants  was 
Henry  H.  Landis,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  the 
above  sketch. 

A.  M.  HIGH,  postmaster  of  Reading,  Pa.,  and  the  most 
potential  force  in  the  Republican  party  of  that  city,  is  a 
son  of  Joel  and  Marie  (Merkel)  High,  and  was  born  in 
Richmond  township,  Berks  county,  Dec.  19,  1849. 

The  High  family  is  of  Ge'rman  descent,  but  generations 
ago  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  Solomon  High,  grandfather 
of  A.  M.,  was  born  in  Richmond  township,  where  he  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  a  farmer.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Whig,  but  during  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  belonged 
to  the  Republican  party.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed Church,  and  was  a  captain  in  the  old  State  Militia. 
He  was  the  father  of  three  children,  one  son  and  two 
daughters,  and  passed  away  in  1874,  his  wife  surviving  him 
many  years,  and  dying  in  1891. 

Joel  High,  father  of  A.  M.  High,  was  also  a  native  of 
Richmond  township,  and  after  obtaining  an  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  district,  turned  his  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  became  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial farmers  of  that  section,  and  died  in  1872.  His  wife 
died  in  1866.     The  latter,  whose  maiden  name  was  Marie 


Merkel,  bore  him  eleven  children  as  follows  :  James ;  Joel ; 
A.  M. ;  Jacob ;  Solomon ;  Daniel ;  Samuel ;  Charles ;  and 
Wilson,  Emma  and  Mary,  all  three  deceased. 

A.  M.  High,  who  is  a  man  of  liberal  education  and  wide 
information,  attended  the  common  schools  in  his  youth, 
and  afterward  took  a  course  in  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
of  Kutztown.  He  then  taught  school  for  two  terms,  after 
which  he  clerked  in  a  general  store  at  Fleetwood,  Berks 
county.  After  remaining  there  for  one  year,  in  1868  he 
removed  to  Reading,  accepting  a  position  in  the  dry  goods 
store  of  B.  H.  Brown,  continuing  there  for  one  year,  and 
then  holding  a  similar  position  for  a  year  and  a  half  in 
a  general  store.  He  next  embarked  in  business  for  himself, 
establishing  a  tailor  shop  and  general  store  at  No.  824 
Penn  street,  where  he  was  successfully  engaged  for  nine- 
teen years.  He  was  then  associated  with  John  Rieger,  in 
the  same  line  of  business,  but  after  a  period  of  three 
years  the  latter  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  High's  son.  Mr.  High 
and  his  son  conduct  a  high  class  tailoring  business,  having 
a  large  patronage.  Although  giving  the  closest  attention 
to  business  Mr.  High's  eminent  qualifications  for  a  po- 
litical force  and  influence  in  his  party,  brought  him'  to  the 
fore  many  years  ago,  and  for  twenty-three  years  he  has 
been  the  recognized  leader  of  the  Republican  party  in 
Berks  county,  the  Philadelphia.  Record,  of  Aug.  30,  1903, 
in  an  exhaustive  article  on  his  political  career,  dubbing  him 
the  "Regent  of  Berks."  Recognizing  his  invaluable  ser- 
vices to  the  party,  he  was  made  postmaster  of  Reading, 
in  1899,  reappointed  in  1903  and-  again  in  1907.  He  has 
been  four  times  a  delegate  to  the  Republican  National 
Convention,  having  been  the  first  delegate  chosen  in  the 
United  States  for  the  successive  conventions  of  1888,  1892, 
1896  and  the  third  one  chosen  for  1904.  His  services  at 
the  head  of  the  organization  were  invaluable  to  the  cause, 
and  by  his  honest  and  energetic  methods  of  conducting 
campaigns  he  strengthened  the  hold  of  the  Republican 
party  in  Berks  county,  even  gaining  friends  in  opposing 
factions.  A  man  of  magnetic  presence  and  fine  chara!cter, 
he  has  a  large  following,  and  is  a  "to^er  of  strength" 
politically  and  socially. 

Mr.  High  married  Miss  Lizzie  Delp,  and  they  have  had 
three  children :  Harry  S. ;  Howard  J.,  deceased ;  and 
Wayne  M.  The  family  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most 
popular  in  Reading. 

WARREN  L.  DAVIS,  son  of  James  and  Anna  (Great- 
rake)  Davis,  was  born  at  Birdsboro,  Berks  county,  Oct. 
34,  1868.  After  receiving  a  common  school  education  in 
the  local  schools,  he,  while  yet  a  boy,  established  a  mes- 
senger service  between  Birdsboro  and  Reading,  which  he 
carried  on  successfully  for  a  year  and  a  half.  Then  he 
located  at  Reading  and  learned  printing,  but  not  being 
satisfied  with  this  occupation  he  entered  the  employ  of 
George  S.  Herbein,  dealer  in  furniture  and  carpets,  and 
continued  with  him'  six  years.  During  this  time  he  quali- 
fied himself  thoroughly  for  accounting,  and  entered  the 
hardware  house  of  Bright  &  Lerch.  Appreciating  his  ef- 
ficiency, they  in  1895  selected  him  as  their  chief  clerk 
and  treasurer,  which  position  he  held  until  the  death  of 
Mr.  Lerch  in  1898,  when  the  firm  changed  to  Bright 
Company,  In  the  new  firm  he  performed  the  same  duties  as 
Mr.  Lerch  and  also  remained  their  treasurer  until  July, 
1901,  having  been  in  their  employ  for  thirteen  years. 

In  1901  he  was  offered  the  responsible  position  of  gen- 
eral bookkeeper  of  the  Farmers  National  Bank,  of  Reading, 
the  oldest  and  strongest  bank  in  Reading.  He  accepted 
this  position  and  his  proficiency  was  so  great  that  in 
August,  1903,  he  was  promoted  to  be  cashier,  and  this 
position  he  has  held  most  creditably  until  the  present. 

Mr.  Davis  married,  Dec.  25,  1895,  Laura  M.  Dillon, 
daughter  of  Moses  Dillon,  of  Reading.  They  have  two 
children,  Stewart  and  Anna  Louise.  They  belong  to  St. 
Barnabas  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  K.  GRIM  was  a  very  prominent  and  in- 
fluential citizen  at  Boyertown,  and  his  death  Aug.  14, 
1905,  was  greatly  deplored.  The  Grim '  family  is  one  of 
the  oldest  in  the  county,  and  owes  its  residence  here  to 


382 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  emigration  from  Germany  of  Jolian  Egidius  Grim. 
The  home  of  the  family  was  originally  in  Normandy,  and 
the  lineage  is  traced  back  to  a  Baron  there  in  the  time  of 
William  the  Conqueror.  One  branch  of  the  family  went 
to  Alsace,  and  to  that  branch  the  Berks  county  Grims  be- 
long. 

(I)  Johan  Egidius  Grim  came  to  America  in  1728  with 
the  Rev.  John  Casper  Stoever,  and  he  settled  first  in  Weisen- 
burg  township,  Northampton  (now  Lehigh)  county,  but  it 
appears  he  later  came  to  Maxatawny  township,  Berks 
county,  and  secured  a  large  tract  of  land.  His  house  was 
a  most  substantial  one,  and  to  it  other  settlers  fled  for  re- 
fuge in  time  of  Indian  disturbances.  Two  of  his  sons 
served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  most  of  his  de- 
scendants are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  The  will 
of  "Gitti,  alias  Gideon"  Grim  was  made  Jan.  28,  1760,  and 
was  probated  Oct.  1,  1761,  when  Jacob  and  Henry  Grim, 
his  sons,  were  appointed  as  executors.  In  this  will  he  gave 
his  land  to  his  sons  Jacob  and  Henry;  fifty  pounds  to  his 
daughter  Cattarina ;  fifty  pounds  to  his  daughter  Elizabeth 
(who  married  Casper  iVIerker)  ;  thirty  pounds  to  Francis 
Roth  "son  of  my  daughter  Margreth." 

(H)  Henry  Grim,  son  of  Gitti,  was  born  in  Maxatawny 
township  in  1733,  and  died  in  1804,  He  married  and  had 
three  children :  Jacob,  Jonathan  and  Gideon. 

(HI)  Gideoti  Grim,  son  of  Henry,  was  born  in  Maxa- 
tawny township,  where  he  became  an  extensive  and  suc- 
cessful farmer.  His  death  occurred  in  1823,  when  he  was 
aged  sixty-three  years.  By  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Kirby,  an 
Englishwoman,  he  became  the  father  of  five  sons  and  two 
daughters,  namely :  David,  who  died  unmarried ;  Nathan, 
who  settled  at  farming  in  Columbia  county,  Pa. ;  Gideon 
and  Benjamin,  millers  at  Weisenburg,  in  Lehigh  county; 
Joshua,  a  farmer  on  the  homestead;  Hannah  (m.  John 
Seigfried)  ;  and  Dinah   (m.  John  Dresher). 

(IV)  Gideon  Grim,  son  of  Gideon  and  Elizabeth,  was 
born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Maxatawny  township  Aug. 
31,  1792.  He  carried  on  milling  and  farming  for  many 
years  in  Exeter  township  at  the  home  of  his  father-in- 
law,  Henry  Knouse.  In  1830  he  purchased  in  Colebrook- 
dale  township  two  farms  of  about  ninety  acres  each,  with 
a  tan  yard,  and  these  he  operated  until  his  death  April  27, 
1848.  He  was  buried  in  the  Boyertown  cemetery.  He 
hauled  the  product  of  his  farm  and  tannery  to  market  in 
Philadelphia  by  team,  and  was  well  known  throughout  the 
county.  He  was  an  official  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  He  married  Esther  Knouse,  and  had  two  child- 
ren :  William  K. ;  and  Levi,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
eighteen. 

(V)  William  K.  Grim  was  a  son  of  Gideon  and  Esther, 
and  was  born  in  Exeter  township  May  28,  1S25.  He  early 
learned  the  tanner's  trade  from  his  father,  and  often  used 
to  accompany  the  latter  on  his  trips  to  Philadelphia,  and 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  William  K.  began  making  these  trips 
alone.  He  operated  the  tan  yard  until  1874,  when  that 
enterprise  was  abandoned  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  tan 
bark.  A  flour  and  grist  mill  was  then  built  on  the  property, 
and  this  is  still  in  operation.  Two  years  before  this  Mr. 
Grim  had  moved  to  Boyertown,  and  in  the  business  life 
of  that  town  he  at  once  entered,  taking  an  active  part 
therein  until  his  death.  He  built  the  large  Grim  block, 
was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  National  Bank  of  Boy- 
ertown, of  which  he  was  a  director  for  some  years,  and 
later  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Farmers'  Na- 
tional Bank,  in  which  he  was  a  director  and  later  vice 
president.  He  was  a  heavy  stockholder  in  the  Colebrook- 
dale  Iron  Company,  established  in  1835,  and  incorporated  in 
1886,  and  located  at  Pottstown,  and  after  he  became  its 
president  its  scope  was  largely  increased,  their  goods  being 
shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  world.  In  politics  Mr.  Grim  was 
a  Democrat,  and  for  thirteen  years  was  burgess  of  Boyer- 
town, and  during  the  administration  of  President  Cleve- 
land was  its  postmaster.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Luth- 
eran Church,  and  in  that  faith  died  Aug.  14,  1905. 

On  June  11.  1853,  William  K,  Grim  married  Loretta  B. 
Rhoads,  daughter  of  John  and  Catharine  Rhoads.  She 
was  born  Aug.  21,  1825,  and  died  Aug.  4,  1906.  Her 
maternal    grandparents    were    Henry    and    Sarah    Boyer. 


Henry  Boyer  and  his  brother  Daniel  were  the  first  settlers 
of  Boyertown,  and  from  them  the  town  derived  its  name. 
To  William  K.  and  Loretta  B.  Grim  were  born  four 
children  :  Mahella,  Sarah  (m.  Frank  W.  Sabold,  manager 
of  the  New  York  Telephone  Company,  at  Yonkers,  N.  Y., 
who  in  1903  became  associated,  in  an  official  capacity,  with 
The  Hudson  River  Telephone  Company,  at  Albany,  N.  Y., 
at  which  place  he  died  April  16,  1904),  William  R.,  and 
Kate. 

(VI)  William  R.  Grim,  son  of  William  K.  and  Loretta 
B.  Grim,  was  born  April  24,  1860,  and  was  given  the  bene- 
fit of  a  good  education.  After  studying  in  the  public 
schools,  he  went  to  Mt.  Pleasant  Seminary  and  then  to 
Muhlenberg  College,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  1882. 
He  read  law  at  Salina,  Kans.,  and  was  there  admitted  to 
the  Bar.  He  later  went  to  Texas,  and  located  at  Texar- 
kana,  where  he  became  cashier  of  the  Texarkana  National 
Bank,  and  in  1903  was  elected  its  president.  This  bank 
is  a  strong  financial  institution,  and  is  a  power  in  its  lo- 
cality. Mr.  Grim  is  also  interested  in  railroads.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah  Hauberger,  of  Philadelphia,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Emeline  and  Loretta. 

MARTIN  S.  CROLL,  President  of  the  National^nk 
at  Topton,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  and  senior  member  of  the  firm 
of  CroU  &  Smith,  manufacturers  and  jobbers  in  hats,  caps 
and  straw  goods,  is  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of 
this  part  of  the  county  and  comes  from  an  old  and  hon- 
orable family.  Alartin  S.  Croll  was  born  Aug.  19,  1844, 
in  Maxatawny  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  John  and 
Catherine  (DeLong)  Croll.  The  family  is  of  German 
extraction  and  its  founder  in  Perinsylvania  was  one 
Philip  Croll,  who  settled  in  Montgomery  county.  His  four 
children  bore  the  names  of:  Christian,  Henry,  Michael 
and  Polly. 

Henry  Croll,  son  of  Philip,  and  great-grandfather  of 
Martin  S.,  married  a  member  of  the  Gilbert  family,  and 
then  removed  to  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg,  where 
the  rest  of  his  life  was  spent.  Among  his  numerous  child- 
ren, Joseph  was  the  immediate  ancestor  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

Joseph  Croll  was  born  in  Allegheny  county,  learned 
the  tanning  business  and  worked  at  that  until  1813,  when 
he  married  and  removed  to  Greenwich  townhsip,  Berks 
Co.,  Pa.  He  married  Elizabeth  Schlenker,  daughter  of 
John  and  Barbara  (Tressler)  Schlenker,  and  they  reared 
a  large  family.  Later  he  settled  at  Krumsville,  where  he 
died  in  1847.  survived  by  his  wife  until  1872. 

John  Croll,  son  of  Joesph  and  father  of  IMartin  S.,  was 
born  May  19,  1814.  near  Grimville,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  tailor.  In  1838  he  removed  to  a  place 
near  Wessnersville,  where  he  lived  for  one  year  and  then 
settled  at  Kutztown.  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  alDout 
fourteen  years,  and  then,  in  1853,  removed  to  North  White- 
hall township,  Lehigh  county.  He  bought  a  small  farm 
near  Schnecksville,  and  at  his  home  conducted  a  large 
tailoring  business,  giving  employment  to  a  dozen  workmen. 
He  was  a  good  business  man  and  in  addition  to  conducting 
this  large  and  profitable  business,  from  1865  to  1875,  he 
was  interested  in  dealing  in  timber  lands.  During  the  last 
years  of  his  life  he  engaged  successfully  in  trucking  and 
huckstering.  John  Croll  was  an  influential  member  of  the 
Democratic  party,  and  wherever  he  lived  was  solicited  to 
hold  office  on  account  of  the  integrity  of  his  character 
and  his  excellent  judgment  on  all  matters  pertaining  to  the 
common  good.  As  early  as  1830  he  was  confirmed  in  the 
Lutheran  Church,  and  until  his  death  he  remained  a  con- 
sistent member  of  that  religious  bodv.  In  1837  he  married 
Catherine  DeLong,  daughter  of  David  and  Catherine  De- 
Long,  of  Maxatawny  township,  who  was  of  French  Hugue- 
not extraction.  They  had  eight  children,  six  sons  and 
two  daughters,  namely:  Alfred,  Hiram,  Martin  S..  Silas, 
Cyremus  Charles,  Elmira,  Philip  Columbus  and  Priscilla 
Susanna. 

Martin  S.  Croll  was  educated  in  the  local  schools  and  at 
the  Quakertown  Academy,  following  which  he  taught 
school  for  two  seasons,  but  on  April  1,  1863,  turned  his 
attention  to  a  business  career,  becoming  a  clerk  for  Joseph 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


383 


Miller,  a  merchant  at  Foglesville.  Some  months  later  he 
accepted  a  similar  position  at  Rothrocksville,  and  remained 
there  over  three  years.  On  March  1,  1867,  he  entered  into 
partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  Stephen  Smith,  and 
they  leased  a  store  and  hotel  at  Monterey,  where  they 
conducted  a  successful  business  for  five  years.  The  busi- 
ness was  then  removed  to  Rothrocksville,  where  they  con- 
tinued until  1889. 

In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Croll  had  become  interested  in  ad- 
ditional enterprises.  In  1884,  the  firm  became  associated 
with  Silas  Croll,  in  a  coal  and  lumber  business  at  Farming- 
ton.  One  year  later,  Silas  Croll  withdrew,  but  the  enter- 
prise was  continued  by  the  other  partners  until  1893.  In 
1893  a  farm  was  purchased  at  Topton,  on  which  Mr.  Croll 
erected  a  fine  residence.  The  firm  of  Croll  &  Smith,  which 
is  located  at  No.  119  North  Sixth  street,  Reading,  is  known 
all  over  the  State  as  prominent  manufacturers  and  jobbers 
and  also  as  honorable  dealers.  It  has  been  before  the 
public  for  the  past  twenty-two  years.  The  business  is 
largely  wholesale,  employment  is  given  to  a  large  force, 
and  traveling  men  of  experience  represent  it  in  this  and 
other  States. 

As  the  head  and  front  of  the  large  financial  institution 
known  as  the  National  Bank  at  Topton,  Mr.  Croll's 
prominence  and  integrity  have  been  recognized.  This 
bank  was  opened  for  business  July  2,  1906,  with  the  fol- 
lowing officers:  Martin  S.  Croll,  president;  John  Hartley, 
vice  president;  and  A.  H.  Smith,  cashier.  The  following 
capitalists  make  up  the  board  of  directors :  M.  S.  Croll, 
John  Hartley,  George  Schwartz,  Rev.  J.  H.  Raker,  Edward 
DeLong,  B.  Frank  Baer,  A.  P.  Smith,  Samuel  Heacock, 
Irwin  Geary,  Dr.  J.  H.  Worley  and  W.  H.  Clymer.  The 
bank  has  met  with  success  from  the  beginning.  It  is  capi- 
talized at  $25,000,  and  has  large  fortunes  and  reliable 
men  behind  it.  It  probably  has  the  most  modern  bank 
building  of  any  in  this  section  of  the  State,  its  equipment 
including  burglar  proof  vaults. 

On  June  10,  1865,  Martin  S.  Croll  married  Elizabeth  A. 
Grim,  daughter  of  Jonas  Grim,  a  well-known  farmer  of 
Lehigh  county.  They  have  two  sons,  William  Martin  and 
Charles  Alfred,  both  of  whom  have  proved  themselves 
good  business  men  and  enterprising  citizens.  In  his  pO- 
"litical  affiliation,  Mr.  Croll  has  always  been  a  Democrat 
and,  at  various  times,  has  served  in  most  of  the  local 
offices,  has  been  township  auditor  and  deputy  collector  of 
internal  revenue.  For  three  years  he  served  effectively 
as  a  member  of  the  borough  council  of  Topton  and  has 
also  been  town  treasurer.  Many  and  increasing  business 
cares  have  prevented  his  acceptance  of  numerous  honor- 
able offices  and  positions  of  trust  at  the  head  of  various 
organizations  to  which  his  admiring  fellow  citizens  would 
have  gladly  elevated  him.  He  has  always  taken  a  lively 
interest  in  charitable  and  philanthropic  enterprises,  and  it 
was  largely  due  to  his  earnest  efforts  that  the  Lutheran 
Orphan  Home  was  located  at  Topton,  in  1896.  For  many 
years  he  has  been  an  active  worker  in  the  Lutheran  Church, 
in  which  he  has  been  both  elder  and  deacon.  He  is  a  man 
who,  in  every  respect,  is  entitled  to  the  good  will,  respect 
and  thorough  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

REV.  WARREN  F.  TEEL,  Ph.  M.,  principal  of  the 
Schuylkill  Seminary,  Reading,  has  acquired  a  high  reputa- 
tion by  his  efficient  services  at  the  head  of  that  institution. 
His  executive  ability  has  been  called  into  constant  use  as 
well  as  his  qualities  as  an  educator,  for  he  has  developed 
the  Seminary  up  to  its  present  condition  from  a  most  un- 
promising state,  a  work  requiring  a  combination  of  busi- 
ness faculty  and  educative  talents  somewhat  rare  among 
professional  men. 

Mr.  Teel  was  born  April  11,  1868,  at  Martin's 
Creek,  in  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
comes  of  German  and  Scotch-Irish  ancestry,  being  a 
son  of  Amos  and  Anna  (McFall)  Teel,  the  latter  now  de- 
ceased. The  father  was  formerly  a  farmer,  and  is  now 
living  at  Easton,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Teel  had  the  follow- 
ing family:  Warren  F. ;  Forrest,  who  is  a  produce  mer- 
chant of  Easton,  Pa. ;  Harry  C,  who  is  with  the  Midvale 
Steel  Company,  of   Philadelphia;  Frank,  a  machinist,  en- 


gaged in  the  Bethlehem  Steel  Works;  and  Marion,  likewise 
a  machinist  at  the  same  works. 

Warren  F.  Teel  is  practically  a  self-made  and  self-edu- 
cated man.  He  learned  the  miller's  trade  with  Enos 
Wetzel  and  then  formed  a  partnership  with  his  maternal 
uncle,  Thomas  J.  McFall,  at  Flicksville,  Pa.,  and  milled 
successfully  for  nine  years.  But  he  was  ambitious  to  enter 
the  ministry,  and  with  that  end  in  view  lost  no  opportunity 
for  improving  his  literary  acquirements.  He  pursued  his 
collegiate  course  at  the  North  Western  College,  Naper- 
ville,  111.,  and  also  took  a  course  at  the  Columbia  School 
of  Oratory,  Chicago.  Subsequently  he  did  special  work  at 
Cornell  and  Harvard.  Meantime  he  had  done  considerable 
practical  work,  especially  in  the  temperance  cause,  in  which 
he  has  been  interested  from  early  manhood.  While  a  stu- 
dent at  North  Western  he  gave  notable  service  on  the 
lecture  platform  in  the  interest  of  the  Young  People's 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  meeting  with  unusual  suc- 
cess, and  receiving  favorable  comments  from' the  public  and 
the  press  as  a  forceful  and  pleasing  speaker.  He  has  never 
lost  his  interest  in  this  line  of  Christian  work  and  for 
four  years  was  president  of  the  Young  People's  Alliance 
of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Conference  Branch.  After  com- 
pleting his  college  course  Mr.  Teel  was  located  at  Pen 
Argyl,  Pa'.,  where  he  had  charge  of  the  Bethany  Evanr 
gelical  Church  for  eight  months,  until  called  to  his  present 
work.  At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  East  Pennsylvania 
Conference  of  the  Evangelical  Association,  held  at  Nor- 
ristown.  Pa.,  in  February,  1901,  he  was  elected  by  the  board 
of  trustees  of  Schuylkill  Seminary,  which  is  under  the 
patronage  of  the  Conference,  to  the  principalship  of  the 
institution,  then  located  at  Fredericksburg,  Pa.  He  ac- 
cepted with  the  courage  of  a  devoted  Christian  worker 
having  faith  in  his  ability  to  cope  successfully  with  de- 
cidedly unfavorable  prospects.  The  Seminary  had  been 
founded  in  Reading  in  1881,  and  in  the  year  1886,  under 
the  influence  of  Col.  John  H.  Lick,  was  removed  to  Fred- 
ericksburg. When  Mr.  Teel  took  charge  the  attendance 
had  fallen  to  seven  students.  Its  growth  since  then  has 
been  due  directly  to  his  efforts,  and  the  skilful  manner, 
in  which  he  has  handled  its  affairs  has  won  him  com- 
mendation from  all  quarters.  Within  a  year  and  a  half  the 
attendance  had  increased  to  sixty,  and  the  year  after  he 
became  the  head  of  the  Seminary  it  was  deemed  advisable 
to  seek  new  accommodations,  to  meet  the  demands  of  in- 
creased patronage  and  steady  development.  In  the  spring 
of  1902  Mr.  Teel  and  Prof.  Bowman  came  to  Reading, 
and  with  two  others  made  a  visit  to  Selwyn  Hall,  to  ascer- 
tain its  desirability  as  a  new  location  for  the  Seminary.  A 
favorable  report  was  made,  and  consequently  a  meeting  of 
ministers  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Conference  was  called 
by  Bishop  S.  C.  Breyfogel,  to  convene  at  the  Hall  grounds, 
for  action  upon  the  removal  of  the  Seminary  to  Reading. 
It  was  decided  to  acquire  the  property  for  the  permanent 
quarters  of  the  school,  and  the  purchase  was  made  in 
July,  1902.  Work  was  at  once  begun,  repairing  and  re- 
modeling, and  Mr.  Teel  succeeded  in  securing  $10,000 
from  the  business  men  of  Reading  to  encourage  the  work. 
The  Seminary  was  opened  in  Reading  Sept.  15,  1902,  and 
has  been  in  a  prosperous  condition  ever  since.  During 
1906-07  the  students  numbered  120,  the  class  of  1907  con- 
sisting of  twenty  graduates.  The  equipment  and  accom- 
modations have  been  added  to  until  they  compare  favora- 
bly with  those  of  any  similar  institution  in  Pennsylvania. 
The  location,  at  the  corner  of  Thirteenth  and  Exeter 
streets,  in  the'  northeastern  part  of  Reading,  is  particularly 
beautiful,  the  grounds  lying  on  the  western  slope  of  Mount 
Penn,  commanding  a  fine  view  of  the  city  and  surrounding 
landscape.  In  the  original  building,  formerly  known  as 
Selwyn  Hall,  a  spacious  structure  of  massive  Colonial 
architecture,  surrounded  by  stately  trees,  are  the  office, 
library,  class-rooms,  dining-hall  and  dormitory  for  ladies. , 
The  other  two  buildings  are  an  imposine  chapel,  with 
dormitories  for  the  men,  and  a  fine  modern  gymnasium, 
which  was  enlarged  in  1907,  an  additional  story  having 
been  erected.  The  dormitories  are  spacious  and  comfor- 
table, well  ventilated,  lighted  with  electricity  and  heated  with 
steam,   and   all    the   buildings   have   been   made   attractive 


384  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

within  and  without,   repairs  and  additions  being  attended  the  capitulation  of  Lopez,  which  crowned   the  success   of 

to  promptly  under  the  efficient  system  which  now  prevails,  the    expedition.      After    a    sojourn    of    several    years    in 

An  endowment  of  $50,000,  gathered  during  the  years  1906  Europe,    he    returned    to    America    and    entered    the    law 

and    1907,    has    been    convincing   proof    of    the    confidence  office   of  his   father  as   a   student,   and   having  been   thor- 

placed  in   Mr.   Teel  by  the   friends   of  the   Seminary,   and  oughly  qualified  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of   Berks  coun- 

has  enabled  him  to  carry  out  some  of  his  most  cherished  ty,  April  14,   1863.     He  was  subsequently  admitted  to  the 

plans  for  the  continued  welfare  of  the  school.     Its  affairs  Supreme  court  of  the  Commonvirealth  and  to  the  Bar  of 

at  present  are   established   upon   a  liberal   and   substantial  Philadelphia  and  other  counties  of  the  State, 
basis.  In    his    profession   he   has    attained   marked   distinction, 

The  special  advantages  afforded  by  the  Schuylkill  Semi-  having  tried  and  won  many  cases  involving  important 
nary  as  a  college  preparatory  school  are  worthy  of  note,  principles  of  law  which  are  now  widely  quoted  as  prece- 
The  courses  in  Latin  and  Greek,  as  well  as  in  other  dents,  and  having  recently  been  appointed,  by  the  Bar 
branches,  nt  students  for  not  only  the  freshman  but  also  Association  of  Pennsylvania,  chairman  of  a  committee  to 
the  advanced  classes  of  the  best  colleges  in  the  country,  revise  the  corporation  laws  of  the  State.  The  Reading 
The  courses  m  history  and  literature  are  comprehensive  street  railway  system,  with  its  suburban  adjuncts,  and 
and  thorough,  the  laboratory  is  we  1  equipped,  and  all  the  the  electric  light  and  gas  companies,  and  many  other 
work  done  is  of  the  most  practical  character,  either  as  a  industrial  corporations  which  he  represents,  owe  their 
preparation  for  higher  stiidies  or  as  an  accession  to  general  marked  success  largely  to  the  genius  and  ability  displayed 
knowledge.  The  faculty  is  composed  of  eleven  instructors,  by  Mr.  Jones  in  their  organization  and  development.  He 
men  and  women  of  character  and  purpose,  who  are  not  js  general  counsel  also  for  the  United  Power  and  Trans- 
only  titted  to  teach  the  branches  of  which  they  have  made  portation  Company  and  the  Interstate  Railways  Company, 
special  study  but  also  to  direct  the  work  and  ambitions  corporations  controlling  over  five  hundred  miles  of  street 
of  their  pupils  into  the  most  useful  channels.  The  vice-  railways  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  adjoining  States.  His 
president.  Rev.  Edwin  D  McHose,  Ph.  M.,  is  mstructor  services  to  the  public,  aside  from  business,  have  been 
m  science  and  the  higher  mathematics;  he  makes  a  equally  notable,  and  the  prosperous  community  in  which 
specialty  of  botany,  and  has  written  articles  on  this  sub-  he  lives  cheerfully  acknowledges  many  substantial  benefits 
ject.  Rev.  Charles  B.  Bowman,  A.  M.,  B.  D  previously  largely  due  to  his  well-directed  energy  and  the  wisdom 
mentioned  has  been  associated  with  Mr.  Teel  from  the  be-  of  his  counsel.  It  was  mainly  through  his  efforts  that 
ginmng  of  his  labors  in  the  Seminary;  he  is  a  graduate  the  city  of  Reading  recovered  the  tract  of  land,  lost 
of  Drew  Seminary  and  is  serving  as  principal  of  the  theo-  for  nearly  a  hundred  years,  at  the  foot  of  Penn's  Mount, 
logica  department  and  professor  of  Greek  and  theology,  now  beautifully  improved  as  the  City  Park  and  known 
The  department  of  English  is  m  charge  of  Ida  L.  Hatz,  as  Penn  Common;  and  that  the  free  public  library  of 
Ph.  M-.  and  the  department  of  tnusic  is  presided  over  by  the  city,  of  which  he  is  president,  was  rescued  from  ob- 
f  M  ^  ""^'  ^  """^""^'^  °^  *"^  Philadelphia  Academy  scurity  and  sacrifice,  placed  upon  an  enduring  foundation 
ot   Music.                   ,  .      ,               ,          .   .            ^    ,      ^  by    liberal    private    contributions    headed    with    his    name, 

Mr    Teel  was  ordained  a  regular  minister  of  the  Evan-  and  then  adopted  by  the  public  as  worthy  of  maintenance 

gelical  Church  in  1902,  and  he  is  as  successful  in  religious  out  of  the  common  purse 

work  as  in  educational  circles.  He  has  frequent  pulpit  in  1862,  on  the  invasion  of  Maryland  by  the  Confed- 
calls,  from  his  own  and  other  denominations,  and  is  also  erate  army,  Ut.  Jones  enlisted,  serving  as  a  private 
in  deniand  as  a  speaker  at  Y.  M.  C  A.  gatherings.  His  soldier,  and  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Antietam,  and  in 
constant  association  and  contact  with  young  people  gives  i863  he  was  made  captain  of  a  company  of  Pennsylvania 
him  steady  inspiration  for  such  work,  in  which  he  is  volunteers.  In  1866  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
particularly  strong,  and  in  which  his  personal  character  Legislature  from  the  county  of  Berks,  and  was  twice  re- 
has  proved  to  be  a  factor  of  inestimable  value   for  good,  elected,    and    in    1868,    his    second    term,    he    received    his 


I       „  -'1  T     -C-        1  1       1         '       (■     ,1  T,  •  -/.",."  i-wN-i.     u-^iii^     v-viioi-j-^j,  >-vj,     wci  c     widely     ICclU,     ililU     1  cllIK-CU     WiLII 

has  widened  his  knowledge  of  the  conditions  affecting  his  the  best  arguments  upon  that  subject  He  had  little 
work,  acquiring  material  for  new  thought  as  well  as  broad-  taste  for  politics,  however,  and  a  preference  for  the  work 
ening  the  early  foundations  of  his  labors  During  the  six  of  his  profession  induced  him  to  retire  from  public  life, 
years  of  his  connection  with  the  Schuylkill  Seminary  he  He  has  since  held  no  public  office  excepting  that  of  Corn- 
has  won  notable  honors  in  every  department  of  his  work  missioner  at  Valley  Forge,  to  which  he  was  appointed  by 
as  an  able  manager  an  efficient  instructor  and  a  devoted  Governor  Pennypacker  and  has  been  reappointed  bv 
Lhnstian  laborer.  His  practical  ideas  have  won  the  con-  Governor  Stuart 
fidence  and  support  of  the  best  element  in  the  community.         He   is   a  vestryman   of   Christ   Church,   Reading    and   a 

r^i  J"\'''i"'f  '"'°"  ^°,   ^™^  '^  S^'™"'''-'^-  "P.'°  ."^^  '^''"^^tor  in  many  local  organizations.    He  is  also  a  member 

highest  standards  as  an  educational  and  Christian  institu-  of   the  Colonial   Society  of   Pennsvlvania,   Societv  of   Col- 

t  on  have  met  with  the  universal  approval  of  patrons  and  onial  Wars,   Sons  of  the  Revolution,   Society  of"  the  War 

the    denomination    under   whose    aiispices   it   is    conducted,  of  1812,  and  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
Mr    Teel  is  an  ac  ive  force  m  the  Evangelical  Association,        On  Nov.  26,  1870,  he  married  Margaret  Ellen  McCarty 

fl^   v^,r'n'nfr\''' '''■'''■''' '°  *'''  ^'""''''  ^°"^'''""  ''^^'^'^'"   °^  James 'McCarty.   a   promfnent   ironmaste?   of 

On     \L    1?    iqnfi    V..,    l\r.    T»  1  •    w     Ar  ^/'IS','"^'   ^"'^   Rebecca   MacVeagh,   his   wife,   and   a   niece 

On  Aug^  lo,   1906    Rev    Mr.  Teel  was  married  to  Miss  of  Wayne  and  Franklin  MacVeagh.     He  had  one  daughter 

Bessie  J.  Dubs    of  Rebersburg.  Pa.,  a  former  instructor  of  now  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  NathMi^l  FeSn 

music   in   the   Schuylkill   Sc.m.nary,   located   at   Fredericks-  of    Reading.      His    country    residence     ''MeHoneth '^°o^r-' 

^rEk^rtes^a^nTH^eTeLTMairyfl^;^^"""'-'^^"^-^'^^  '""l^  X^^  ^  !^^T  '''  T^^-^^  ff^ 

^'  M"^-    Jones    is    descended    from    a    long    line    of    distm- 

RICHMOND  LEGH  JONES,  Esq.,  the  subject  of  this  fide'sof  hi°s°house'"Hif7n'?W°"T"ci  ^""\*°'"^    °"    ''°*^ 

biography,  was  born  Feb.   17,   1840,  ?.nd  after  \  thorough  Tblf  lawye"  a'n7'd\tiS  .is     d^n^e^i^b^  "^7  JoTr^sr^/rom 

training  in  the  best  schools  of  this  country  competed  hs  Berks    cnnntv    frn,-,-,    ise;n   t^    io-o      i     •      S°."°'^^^=   ^/""^ 

education  at  the  University  of  Heidelberg,;  Germ'any.     Be-  having  "^haTrma^^'of  ^the^'comS;"  on"  Wavs  Td 

fore  entering  that  world-renowned  institution,  however,  he  Means      He   resicrnpH   his   =Paf  ;i;   r!,  io-VTco   f     ^^ajs    anu 

TgTilt^^  lr^u4":Ci^nrfhe*i:.a^r 'f  ^f  -  -P-"*--  ^PPolmme"?  orro?;:ctrrdina?;"f;:rm^isTe7''  le'n'i! 

against  Paraguay,  visiting  tne  islands  ot   at.    Ihomas  and  nntpnrtinrv    tr.    Anctri^     ,.,k;,.v,    „o;        t.„    i    u     i     •        ii 

Barbadoes,  in  the  West  Indies.,  and  the  principal  cities  of  l^rS^' H^me^  o'^"thT'co"n™enc  m  nt '   f 't  t   t^ ^ 

the  east  coast  of  South  America    and,  sailing  a  thousand  when  our  relations  with  foreign  countries  were  ex  remelv 

miles   up   the    Parana   river   to   Asuncion,   was   present   at  delicate.      Mr,    Jones's    great-|randfather,    Col    Tonath-'n 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


385 


Jones,  was  senior  captain  of  the  first  regiment  raised  in 
Pennsylvania  for  the  Continental  army,  October,  1775. 
He  participated  in  the  winter  campaign  for  the  relief  of 
the  army  of  Quebec,  after  the  death  of  Montgomery, 
and  also  in  many  important  engagements.  For  distin- 
guished services  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major, 
and  later  to  that  of  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Line. 

Mr.  Jones's  great-great-grandfather,  David  Jones,  came 

.  from    Merioneth,    Wales,    to    Pennsylvania    in    1721    and 

bought    a   large   tract    of   land    in    Caernarvon    township, 

where   he   opened   and   developed   iron   ore   mines,  which 

still  bear  his  name. 

Mr.  Jones's  mother  was  the  daughter  of  William  Rod- 
man, of  Bucks  county,  who  was  a  brigade  quartermaster 
in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  and  afterward  a  member 
of  the  Senate  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  the  Twelfth  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States.  The  Rodman  family  is  one 
of  the  oldest  in  the  New  World,  having  settled  in  America 
in  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  and  contrib- 
uted to  the  Colonies  many  of  their  most  distinguished 
citizens. 

JOSEPH  P.  O'REILLY,  contractor  at  Reading  for  up- 
ward of  twenty-five  years,  was  born  at  that  place  Aug. 
27,  1862.  He  received  his  education  in  the  city  schools 
and  at  .Villanova  College,  in  Delaware  county,  Pa.,  and 
upon  quitting  school  learned  the  trade  of  stone-cutter  under 
Christian  Eben,  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  business  for 
many  years  at  Reading.  He  continued  with  Mr.  Eben  for 
four  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  business  for  himself 
for  about  a  year,  when  he  started  contracting  in  the  con- 
struction   of    public    works    nf    various   Winds This    was 

in  1882,  and  since  then  he  has  been  prominently  and  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  taking  city  and  county  contracts  for 
roads,  culverts,  sewers  and  bridges.  Among  the  large  iron 
bridges  spanning  the  Schuylkill  river  which  are  of  his 
construction  may  be  mentioned  the  "Exeter  Bridge,"  the 
"Reading  and  South  Western  Street  Railway  Bridge,"  the 
"Schuylkill  Avenue  Bridge,"  the  "Cross  Keys  Bridge" 
(above  Tuckerton),  and  the  "Berne  Bridge"  (above  Shoe- 
makersville). 

Mr.  O'Reilly  married  Clara  A.  Tea  (daughter  of  Samuel 
H.  Tea  and  Emily  E.  Hyneman,  his  wife,  of  Reading),  and 
they  have  three  children :  James,  Gerald  and  Claire. 

Mr.  O'Reilly's  father  was  Owen  O'Reilly,  also  a  large 
contractor  in  the  construction  of  public  works  at  Reading 
for  thirty  years.  In  1856  he  put  up  the  "Askew  Bridge" 
for  the  Lebanon  Valley  Railroad  (crossing  Sixth  at  Wood- 
ward), which  was  then  regarded  as  a  remarkable  piece 
of  work,  and  is  still  adtnired  by  engineers  and  contractors. 
He  was  born  in  1815  at  Patrickstown,  County  Meath,  Ire- 
land, and  emigrated  to  America  in  1838,  locating  at  Read- 
ing. He  died  in  1902.  He  married  Elizabeth  B.  Felix, 
daughter  of  Anthony  Felix,  of  Reading,  and  they  had  nine 
children :  Agnes  C,  a  sister  of  charity  for  forty  years,  now 
at  Emmitsburg,  Md.;  Sallie  B.,  k  sister  of  charity  for 
thirty  years,  now  at  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Eugene  P.,  m. 
to  Helena  Rauen;  Simon  P.,  m.  to  Sallie  G.  Reber;  Mary 
B.,  who  died  in  1902,  aged  forty-one  years;  Joseph  P., 
above;  and  three — ^James,.  Ann  and  William — who  died 
in  infancy. 

His  grandfather  was  James  O'Reilly,  of  County  Meath, 
Ireland,  born  in  1771,  died  in  1851.  He  ra.  Bridget  Con- 
athy,  of  the  same  county,  born  in  1773,  died  in  1848.  They 
had  fourteen  sons,  among  them  Owen.  And  his  great- 
grandfather, also  named  James,  had  seven  sons,  among 
them  the  said  James.  His  mother's  father  was  Anthony 
Felix,  born  in  1781,  died  in  1863;  m.  to  Catherine  Martin, 
born  in  1783,  died  in  1861.  Her  grandfather  was  Nicholas 
Felix,  born  in  1731,  died  in  1813.  He  was  enlisted  in  the 
Revolution,  with  the  cornpany  of  Capt.  Charles  Gobin, 
in  Hiester's  Battalion,  which  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Camden  on  Aug.  16,  1780.  He  emigrated  from  Germany 
in  1754. 

Mr.  O'Reilly's  wife's  father,  Samuel  Hains  Tea,  was  a 
lineal  descendant  of  Richard  Tea,  a  surveyor  of  Hereford 
township  before  the  Revolution,  and  an  ironmaster  during 
25 


the  Revolution.  In  1776  he  was  elected  to  officiate  as  one 
of  the  Supreme  Executive  Councilors  of  the  State,  but  he 
declined  to  serve,  doubtless  because  he  was  identified  with 
the  Friends,  who  opposed  the  war. 

OSCAR  B.  HERBEIN,  M.  D.,  physician  at  Strausstown, 
has  taken  his  father's  place  in  that  community,  where  the 
name  has  been  identified  with  the  practice  of  medicine  for 
over  forty  years.  The  family  is  one  of  long  standing  in 
Bern  township,  this  county,  where  it  is  still  well  repre- 
sented. 

One  Peter  Herbein  in  1734  became  the  owner  of  235 
acres  of  fine  land  located  along  the  Schuylkill,  adjoining 
the  lands  of  Henry  Reeser,  another  early  settler.  He  had 
two  sons,  Abraham  and  John,  whose  grandsons,.  John, 
Thomas  and  William  Herbein,  have  represented  the  family 
there  in  recent  years.  Along  the  Schuylkill  also  are  the 
old  Herbein  quarries,  first  opened  by  one  William  Herbein 
in  1855,  at  what  is  now  Rickenbach  Station.  Near  that 
station  were  also  located  the  ^Herbein  mill  and  distillery, 
where  Abraham  Herbein  erected  a  small  distillery  about 
eighty  years  ago.  Later  the  property  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Reuben  Herbein,  who  built  the  mill  and  distillery  which 
he  operated  successfully  for  some  years.  The  Herbeins 
were  among  the  first  families  associated  with  the  Eplers 
in  the  organization  of  what  has  since  been  known  as  the 
Epler  Church  (Lutheran  and  Reformed)  in  Bern  town- 
ship, one  William  Herbein  being  a  member  of  the  building 
committee. 

John  Herbein,  grandfather  of  Dr.  Oscar  B.  Herbein, 
lived  in  Bern  township,  where  he  followed  farming,  own- 
ing land  there.  He  is  buried  at  Epler  Church.  He  was 
twice  married,  first  to  Mary  Shearer,  by  whom  he  had 
four  sons,  Gideon,  Jonathan,  Isaac  S.  and  David  (twins), 
all  now  deceased.  By  his  second  wife  he  had  three  sons, 
William,  Adam  (now  living  at  East  Greenville,  Pa.)  ^nd 
Daniel,  of  Allentown. 

Isaac  S.  Herbein,  M.  D.,  father  of  Dr.  Oscar  B.  Herbein, 
was  born  in  1835,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Bern  township.  He  began  to  read  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  James  Y.  Shearer,'  of  Sinking  Spring,  Berks 
county,  after  which  he  was  in  the  grocery  business  at 
Philadelphia  with  George  A.  Leinbach  for  two  years,  mean- 
time continuing  his  professional  studies  at  the  Jefferson 
Medical  College.  He  graduated  from  that  institution  in 
1865,  and  in  1866  located  in  practice  at  Strausstown,  where 
he  remained  to  the  close  of  his  life.  He  built  up  a  large 
practice,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  duties  of  his  pro- 
fession until  he  died,  Nov.  11,  1905,  at  the  age  of  seventy 
years.  Dr.  Herbein  is  buried  at  the  Zion's  (Blue_  Moun- 
tain) Church.  The  Doctor  was  a  man  of  active  mind  and 
progressive  ideas,  and  took  considerable  interest  in  the  life 
of  the  community  in  which  he  was  an  important  figure  for 
so  many  years.  He  served  eight  years  as  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  for  twelve  years  was  a  school  director.  In 
political  faith  he. was  a  Democrat. 

Dr.  Herbein  married  Catharine  G.  Batteiger,  born  Jan.  12. 
1834,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Charlotte  (Goodman)  Bat- 
teiger, of  Upper  Tulpehocken  township.  Mrs.  Herbein 
now  makes  her  home  with  her  son.  She  had  two  children : 
Deborah,  who  married  George  J.  Kurr  and  died  May  8, 
1890;  and  Oscar  B. 

Oscar  "B.  Herbein  was  born  Feb.  7,  1869,  received  his 
early  education  in  the  township  schools,  and  later  attended 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown  and  the 
Brunner  Business  Academy.  He  taught  school  in  1886- 
87-88-89,  one  term  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  township  and 
two  terms  in  Spring  township,  before  entering  the  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  where  he  took  his  medi- 
cal course.  Graduating  in  1896,  he  at  once  commenced  prac- 
tice with  his  father  at  Strausstown,  where  he  has  remained 
to  the  present.  He  enjoys  high  standing  among  his  brother 
practitioners  as  well  as  with  the  people  of  his  community, 
and  attends  faithfully  to  a  large  practice.  Dr.  Herbein  is 
a  member  of  the  Berks  County  Medical  Society. 

On  May  24,  1890,  Dr.  Herbein  was  married  to  Miss  Lizzie 
S.  Keim,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  (Mengel)  Keim. 
They  have  no  children.    The  Doctor  is  particularly  active 


386 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  local  fraternal  societies,  belonging  to  Williamson  Lodge, 
No.  307,  F.  &  A.  M.;  to  Lodge  No.  77,  L  O.  O.  F.,  at 
Strausstown,  of  which  he  has  been  secretary  for  six  years ; 
to  Camp  No.  664,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  which  he  organized  in 
1893  and  of  which  he  is  a  past  president;  and  to  Charlotte 
Lodge,  Daughters  of  Rebekah.  He  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers and  early  directors  of  the  Blue  Mountain  Electrical 
Company, 'of  which  he  is  now  serving  as  vice-president. 
He  is  a  IDemocrat  in  politics,  and  an  active  worker  in  the 
local  ranks  of  the  party.  In  religious  matters  he  is  iden- 
tified with  the  Reformed  members  of  the  Zion's  (Blue 
Mountain)   Church. 

LEVI  B.  PAXSON,  one  of  the  most  widely  known  me- 
chanical engineers  and  long  in  the  service  of  the  Philadel- 
phia &  Reading  Railway  Company,  died  at  his  home,  No. 
218  North  Sixth  street,' Reading,  April  12,  1909.  He  was 
born  in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  March  22,  1827,  of  mixed 
English  and  German  descent.  His  father's  ancestors  were 
English  Quakers,  while  his  mother  was  of  German  origin. 
He  was  married  in  1851  to  Miss  Mary  A.  F.  Kraft,  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  and  there  were  six  children  born  to  them, 
four  of  whom,  three  daughters  and  one  son,  lived  to 
reach  adult  age. 

Mr.  Paxson  entered  the  service  of  the  Philadelphia  & 
Reading  Railroad  Company  as  a  brakeman  on  a  coal  train 
in  October,  1847.  In  February,  1848,  he  vi'as  promoted  to 
be  fireman  on  a  coal  train  engine,  and  after  firing  about 
two  years  was  given  an  engine  to  run,  and  continued  to 
serve  as  a  locomotive  engineer  until  the  summer  of  1852, 
when  he  arranged  with  the  Company  to  go  into  the  Read- 
ing Machine  Shops  as  an  apprentice  to  the  machinist's 
trade  for  a  term  of  four  years.  A  short  time  before  the 
expiration  of  this  term  he  was  taken  from  the  shops  and 
given  the  position  of  wreck  master,  and  later  was  assigned 
the  additional  duty  of  foreman  of  the  Reading  Round 
House.  In  February,  1864,  he  was  appointed  master  ma- 
chinist at  Port  Richmond,  Philadelphia,  and  in  December, 
1866,  was  made  superintendent  of  the  Mahanoy  and  Broad 
Mountain  Railroad  with  office  at  Mahanoy  Plane.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1871,  he  was  transferred  to  Reading,  with  title  of 
master  machinist  in  charge  of  the  shops  of  the  system. 
In  January,  1873,  he  was  appointed  engineer  of  machinery, 
and  retained  the  position  until  February  29,  1886,  at  which 
date  he  left  the  services  of  the  Company  for  a  time.  On 
July  1,  1888,  he  was  appointed  acting  superintendent  of 
motive  power  and  rolling  stock  equipment,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  was  given  the  full  title,  and  he  retained  that 
position  until  Aug.  1,  1899,  when  he  assumed  the  position 
of  consulting  mechanical  engineer,  a  place  specially  created 
for  him. 

B,  MORRIS  STRAUSS.  Strauss  is  the  name  of  one 
of  the  old  and  honored  families  in  the  Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania,  whose  members  in  their  different  generations 
have  been  prominent  in  the  public  life  of  their  local  com- 
munities, and  several  of  wider  fame  throughout  the  State 
and  nation.  Thrift  seems  to  have  followed  the  history 
of  the  family  since  its  first  coming  to  America  from  the 
Fatherland,  back  in  the  eighteenth  century,  and  many  of 
its  members  have  been  men  of  wealth  and  influence  in  the 
financial  world.  This  review  has  chiefly  to  do  with  the 
gentleman  whose  name  is  mentioned  above,  but  it  is  en- 
.tirely  proper  to  mention  first  some  of  the  more  salient 
points  in  the  family  history. 

On  Sept.  26,  1732,  there  landed  in  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia from  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  two  brothers  of  the 
name  of  Strauss,  Albrecht  and  John  Philip.  They  were 
mere  boys,  the  elder,  (I)  Albrecht,  swearing  in  his  oath 
of  allegiance,  then  necessary  to  take  on  landing,  that  he 
was  but  twenty,  while  (la)  John  Philip  left  a  record  in 
his  family  Bible  that  he  was  born  on  Sept.  13,  1713.  They 
soon  appeared  in  Berks  county.  Pa.,  where  in  the  vicinity 
of  what  is  now  Bernville  they  each  took  up  large  tracts 
of  land,  a  part  of  the  original  acres  still  being  held  by 
members  of  the  present  generation.  They  were  both  Luth- 
erans, so  that  their  later  marriages,  the  births  of  their 
children,  and  indeed  the  whole  Strauss  family  history,  be- 
came a  part  of  the  records  of  that  church. 


Albrecht  Strauss,  the  elder  of  the  brothers,  was  the 
great-great-grandfather  of  B.  Morris  Strauss.  He  took 
up  a  tract  of  350  acres,  upon  which  he  settled  and  reared 
a  large  family,  eleven  children  in  all,  their  mother,  whom 
he  married  in  1734,  being  Anna  Margaret  Zerbe,  who  came 
with  her  father,  Martin  Zerbe,  from  Schoharie,  New  York, 
in  1723.  The  children  were  as  follows:  (1)  Maria  Barbara, 
born  Nov.  16,  1735,  m.  June  2,  1754,  John  Kloss  (now 
Klohs),  born  in  Brechkebel,  Hanau,  Germany,  Dec.  6, 
17'23,  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  Kloss,  with  whom  he 
came  to  America  in  1738.  They  resided  a  little  north  of 
Reading  and  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  six  of 
whom  survived  and  left  issue,  viz. :  Maria  Elizabeth,  m.  to 
Abraham  Schneider ;  Maria  Barbara,  m.  to  John  Adam 
Spengler;  Maria  Christina,  m.  to  Conrad  Scheop  (Shepp)  ; 
Maria  Magdalena,  m.  to  Philip  Huyett;  Maria  Catharine, 
m.  to  William  Diehm ;  and  Jacob — all  leaving  numerous 
descendants.  (2)  John  Jacob  Strauss,  born  May  5,  1737, 
m.  Elizabeth  Brecht,  Aug.  21,  1759.  They  lived  on  a 
part  of  the  homestead  acres  north  of  Bernville  and  be- 
came the  parents  of  nine  children,  viz. :  Albrecht,  who  re- 
mained on  the  homestead;  John,  who  settled  near  Orwigs- 
burg,  Schuylkill  county;  David:  Elizabeth;  Philip;  Jacob; 
Samuel ;  Michael ;  and  Catharine.  This  branch  also  be- 
came very  numerous.  (3)  ]\Iaria  Elizabeth  (twin  to  John 
Jacob),  born  May  5,   1737,  m.  John  Daniel  Madery,  May 

4,  1760.  So  far  as  known,  three  children  were  born  to 
them,  viz. .  Maria  Eva  Rosina,  John  Thomas  and  Michael. 
(4)  Anna  Elizabeth  was  born  March  25,  1739.  (5)  John 
Casper,  born  Aug.  5,  1741,  died  in  infancy.  (6)  Maria 
Eva  Rosina,  born  Nov.  6,  1742,  m.  Christopher  Schaber, 
Nov.  9,  1762.  The  records  of  the  Old  Red  Church,  near 
Orwigsburg,  Pa.,  show  the  baptism  of  five  of  their  chil- 
dren, viz. :  Maria  Elizabeth,  March  29,  1771 ;  John,  Oct.  4, 
1772;  John  Philip,  Feb.  9,  1775;  Eva  Rosina,  April  4,  1779, 
and  Daniel,  March  4,  1781.  (7)  Maria  Catharine,  born 
March  6,  1745,  m.  John  Long,  Nov.  9,  1762,  and  their  son, 
John  Jacob,  was  born  Aug.  7,  1763.  (8)  John  Philip,  born 
Jan.  4,  1748,  m.  Sevilla,  daughter  of  Benedict  and  Maria 
Salone  Kepner,  April  21,  1771.  They  moved  to  Cumber- 
land (now  Juniata)  county.  Pa.,  before  the  Revolution,  pur- 
chasing 400  acres  of  land  along  the  Juniata  river,  the 
homestead  residence  being  at  JNIexico  Station  on  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad.  They  had  eight  children,  viz..  John: 
Jacob,  born  Oct.  5,  1775,  who  walked  out  to  Ohio  in  1779 
and  settled  in  Pickaway  county,  and  left  numerous  and 
influential  descendants;  Polly;  Betsey;  Catharine;  David, 
one  of,  whose  descendants,  Philip,  still  owns  the  ancestral 
homestead;  Susannah,  and  Sidney.  (9)  Maria  Christina 
was  born  July  26,   1751.      (10)    Maria   Susanna,  born  Oct. 

5,  1753,  m.  Benjamin  Kebner,  Mav  24,  1774,  and  they  also 
resided  in  the  Juniata  Valley,  near  Mexico.  (11)  John 
Samuel. 

Albrecht  Strauss  was  a  prominent  man  of  the  locality 
during  his  time;  and  his  penmanship  denoted  that  he  was 
an  educated  man.  He  was  naturalized  by  the  "Supream 
Court"  of  the  Province  on  Sept.  24,  175.5,  the  certificate 
thereof  now  being  in  the  possession  of  our  subject.  He 
died  a  short  time  previous  to  Mav  7,  1787,  that  being  the 
date  of  the  filing  of  his  administration  papers.  His  wife 
died  about  the  same  time. 

(la)  John  Philip  Strauss,  the  younger  of  the  emiorant 
brothers,  took  up  about  250  acres  of  land,  including  (1908) 
Rev  Air.  Trexler's  farm  and  the  tract  of  Adam  W.  Strauss. 
On  Feb.  28,  1744,  he  married  Anna  Margaret  Reimer  He 
died  shortly  before  May  28,  1792  (the  date  of  the  probate 
ot  Ins  will).  His  wife  is  mentioned  in  his  will  and  must 
then  have  been  still  living.  Their  nine  children  were : 
(1)  Anna  Magdalena,  born  Dec.  21.  1744,  m.  John  George 
Thomas  born  July  1,  1746.  son  of  John  and  Barbara  Long. 
Iheir  cnldren  were:  John,  Anna  .Margaret,  Maria  Catha- 
rine, Christian,  Maria  Elizabeth,  John  Philip,  Jacob, 
Ihomas  and  Daniel.  She  died  .-\pril  5,  1823:  and  he  Mav 
20,  182.3^  (2)  Anna  Elizabeth,  born  Sept.  18  me  m 
George  Dame  Gicker,  Nov.  26.  1776.  They  had  children. 
(3;  .VI ana  Christina,  born  Feb.  20,  1749,  m  on  June  3 
177.1  Christian  Zerbe,  born  Dec.  25,  1750,  son" of  John  and 
Catharine   Zerbe.     They  moved   to   White   Deer   township 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


"6811 


Northumberland  (now  Union)  county,  Pa.  They  had  a 
family  of  eleven  children  :  John  George,  John,  Maria  Cath- 
arine,' Susanna,  Jacob,  Maria  Christina,  Henry,  Mary  Sa- 
lome, Elizabeth,  Anna  Maria  and  Samuel.  (4)  Casper, 
born  Jan.  27,  1751,  married  Elizabeth  Schreck.  They  left 
issue,  viz.:  John  (Dec.  2,  1780-April  7,  1876),  Ludwig,  Ben- 
jamin, Matilda,  Susanna,  and  Anna  Maria.  (5)  Maria 
Catharine  was  born  Dec.  22,  1752.  (6)  John  Philip,  born 
Nov.  9,  1754,  m.  Susanna  Wenrich,  Sept.  23,  1783.  He  ob- 
tained the  homestead  and  died  there  July  20,  1816.  Their 
children  so  far  as  known  were :  John,  Susanna,  Joseph, 
Philip  (Feb.  1,  1790-May  12,  1885),  Daniel,  Elizabeth,  Sy- 
billa,  Anna  Margaret  and  Mary  Magdalena.  (7)  John 
Jacob,  born  May  5,  1757,  m.  Barbara  Zerbe,  June  14,  1785. 
He  died  Oct.  22,  1822,  his  wife  probably  preceding  him  in 
death  as  she  is  not  mentioned  in  his  will.  They  had  the 
following  children  so  far  as  known :  Catharine,  Bar- 
bara, Daniel,  Magdalena,  Peter,  Sarah,  Adam  and  Su- 
sanna. (8)  Christian,  born  June  16,  1760,  m.  Aug.  4,  1794, 
Catharine,  daughter  of  Joseph  Schneider.  They  had  as 
far  as  known  two  children,  Elizabeth  and  Catharine.  (9) 
John  Matthias,  born  April  16,  1763,  m.  (first)  Magdalena 
Schneider,  on  May  25,  1790.  After  the  death  of  his  wife 
he  m.  (second),  Sept.  10,  1797,  Frederica  Goftel.  He  died 
March  4.  1819,  and  his  wife  survived  him. 

(H)  John  Samuel  Strauss,  youngest  child  of  Albrecht 
and  great-grandfather  of  B.  Morris,  was  born  May  13,  1756. 
On  Nov.  10,  1784,  he  married  Catharine  Elizabeth  (born  May 
10,  1758),  daughter  of  Balthaser  and  Maria  Appalonia  Um- 
benhauer,  the  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  land  including  the 
site  of  Bernville,  Pa.  He  became  the  owner  of  the  home- 
stead by  purchase  on  Aug.  5,  1784,  whereon  they  resided 
all  their  life.  He,  as  also  did  his  cousin,  John  Philip,  son 
of  Philip,  served  actively  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle, 
and  was  an  influential  and  useful  citizen  of  his  locality. 
He  died  March  25,  1835,  his  wife  having  preceded  him, 
Dec.  16,  1821.  They  had  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  viz. : 
John,  the  founder  of  Strausstown;  Maria  Magdalena,  m. 
to  Tobias  Henne;  John  Philip  (Sept.  26,  178-  Feb.  12, 
1865)  ;  Samuel;  Johanna,  m.  to  Samuel  Greim;  John  Jacob 
(Nov.  23,  1788-Nov.  9,  1877)  ;  Elizabeth  Strauss  (Feb.  12, 
1790- Aug.  19,  1875),  m.  to  Elias  Redcay;  Susanna;  Joseph; 
John  William  (Oct.  26,  1795-Oct.  13,  1885);  Catharine; 
Benjamin  (April  30,  1800-Dec.  14,  1886);  and 'Jonathan. 
This  family  was  noted  for  their  longevity. 

(III)  Benjamin  Strauss,  son  of  John  Samuel,  was  born 
on  the  old  homestead  April  30,  1800,  and  at  its  division  by 
John  Samuel,  his  father,  before  his  death,  he  was  allotted 
a  share  thereof.  He  married  on  Dec.  12,  1829,  Rebecca, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Juliana  (Shellharnmer)  Long,  born 
April  30,  1811.  In  his  youth  he  lived  in  Virginia  for 
some  time.  He  returned  to  his  native  place  and  followed 
the  trade  of  a  tailor.  He  afterward  purchased  a  large  farm 
(the  dwelling-house  on  which  place,  a  large,' commodious 
and  substantial  one  and  one-half  story  log  building,  \yas 
known  in  Colonial  times  as  "Casper  Snavely's  Indian 
Fort,"  where  a  posse  of  soldiers  were  regularly  stationed 
to  protect  the  settlers  during  that  perilous  period)  adjoin- 
ing now  Meckville,  Bethel  township,  Pa.,  on  which  he  re- 
sided the  rest  of  his  lifetime.  His  wife  died  Dec.  3,  1861. 
They  had  two  sons,  Percival  Long  and  Joel. 

(IV)  Percival  Long  Strauss  was  the  eldest  son  of  Ben- 
jamin, and  is  now  living  retired  in  Reading  after  an  active 
life  in  the  mercantile,  building  and  lumber  business.  .  His 
wife,  Malinda,  who  died  on  April  16,  1896,  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  and  Mary  Ann  (Batdorf)  Smith,  farmers  of 
Bethel  township.  They  were  both  descendants  of  the  ear- 
liest settlers,  his  ancestors  Smith,  Eisenhauer,  Fetterhofif 
and  Heberling  having  been  prominent  at  and  during  the 
making  of  the  first  white  settlements  in  Bethel,  while  her 
ancestors  Batdorf  and  Zeller  came  from  Schoharie,  New 
York,  in  1723,  and  were  of  the  leaders  in  the  making  of 
the  first  settlement  at  Tulpehocken.  To  Percival  L.  and 
Malinda  (Smith)  Strauss  were  born  twelve  children: 
Harry,  who  died  aged  ten  years ;  Sophia,  who  died  at  thirty- 
five  ;  J.  Franklin,  a  Lebanon  county  builder  and  contractor ; 
Mary  Ann  and  Emma  Rebecca,  at  home;  John,  of  Kansas 
City,  Mo. ;  James,  a  hotel-keeper,  Reading;   Lavina,  wife 


of  Dr.  Frank  W.  Bucks,  Reading;  William,  a  merchant  at 
Rehrersburg,''  Berks  county;  EHzabeth,  wife  of  George 
Schreiner,  at  the  Baldwin  Locomotive  Works  of  Philadel- 
phia; Percival  S.,  a  graduate  of  the  West  Chester 
State  Normal  School  and  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  now  a  teacher  in  the  Philadelphia  high  school;  and  B. 
Morris.  These  children  are  all  occupying  responsible  posi- 
tions in  life  and  are  all  living  up  to  the  record  made  by 
former  generations. 

(V)  B.  Morris  Strauss  was  born  on  the  family  home- 
stead in  Bethel  township,  Sept.  20,  1855. '  He  passed  the 
early  part  of  his  boyhood  on  the  home  farm,  securing  the 
rudiments  of  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  Later 
he  attended  the  Swatara  Institute  at  Jonestown,  and  after- 
ward the  Millersville  State  Normal  School.  He  finished 
his  literary  education  at  Palatinate  College,  Myerstown; 
apd  taught  school  for  a  while  afterward.  Having 
decided  on  the  law  as  a  profession,  he  now  took  up  its 
study  with  John  Benson  as  his  preceptor  and  on  May  26, 
1880,  was  admitted  to  the  Lebanon  County  Bar.  His  ad- 
mission to  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania  followed 
in  1885,  and  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States, 
Oct.  11,  1897.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Berks  County 
Bar  in  1898.  He  is  also  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Super- 
ior Court  of  the  State.  Mr.  Strauss  lived  and  practised 
his  profession  with  success  at  Lebanon,  where  he  was 
prominent  in  local  affairs,  having  served  a  term  as  clerk 
of  the  water  board  of  that  city,  and  then  located  at 
Reading,  where  he  has  since  maintained  offices  at  No.  30 
North  Sixth  street. 

Mr.  Strauss  has  been  a  lifelong  Democrat,  and  takes  an 
active  interest  in  the  political  life  of  the  city,  county  and 
State.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Hope  Lutheran  Church, 
and  is  interested  in  several  societies  which  have  for  their 
object  tfie  preservation  of  family,  county  and  national  his- 
tory. He  is  thus  a  member  of  the  Historical  Society  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  Berks  County  and  the  Lebanon  County 
Historical  Societies  and  the  Pennsylvania  German  Society. 
In  April,  1903,  he  with  several^,  others  started  a  move- 
rnent  among  the  descendants  of  the  two  original  emigrants, 
Albrecht  and  John  Philip  Strauss,  to  interest  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  family  in  a  yearly  reunion.  All  the  meetings 
have  proved  a  source  of  great  pleasure  to  all  and  are  always 
largely  attended,  the  latest  one  having  been  held  at  Strauss- 
town, founded  by  John  Strauss,  a  grand-uncle  of  our  sub- 
ject. From  the  number  of  the  members  that  have  been 
gathered  it  is  safe  to  estimate  that  the  descendants  of  these 
two  early  emigrants  number  from  8,000  to  10,000,  most 
numerously  found  in  Berks  and  Schuylkill  counties,  yet 
settled  in  almost  every  State  of  the  Union. 

Mr.  Strauss  married  (second)  Miss  Hannah  S.,  daughter 
of  Elwood  S.  and  Sarah  R.  Layton,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  one  daughter,  Anna  Margaret. 

ISAAC  G.  TREAT,  one  of  the  well-known  citizens  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  who  is  filling  the  responsible  position  of 
superintendent  of  the  Reading  Hardware  Company,  was 
born  in  Lycoming  county.  Pa.,  Sept.  22,  1841,  son  of 
Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Ludwig)  Treat. 

Christian  Treat,  grandfather  of  Isaac  G.,  was  a  well- 
known  man  of  Berks  county.  Pa.  He  was  of  English  des- 
cent, his  father  coming  from  England  at  an  early  date.  He 
m.arried  Catharine  Glass  (or  Glase),  and  they  had  children 
as  follows :  John,  who  lived  and  died  at  Milton,  Pa.,  m. 
Rebecca  Slough ;  Christian,  who  lived  and  died  in  Robeson 
township,  m.  Jestina  Slough,  a  sister  of  Rebecca;  Betsy 
m.  John  Homan ;  Polly  m.  John  Moore;  Catharine  ra.  Fred 
Foreman,  the  grandfather  of  Harry  Foreman,  who  was 
burned  in  the  Boyertown  fire  in  1908  with  his  wife,  two 
daughters  and  his  sister,  Sophia  Foreman;  Susanna  m. 
Henry  Hahn,  and  died  in  Robeson  township,  the  mother 
of  John,  Mary,  Catharine,  David,  Hannah,  Henry,  Isaac, 
Elhanan,  Susanna,  Isaiah  and  Samuel;  Henry  was  father 
of  Isaac  G. ;  Isaac  died  at  Selinsgrove;  Abraham  m. 
Lovina  Trostel,  and  died  in  Reading;  Joseph  died  in  Phila- 
delphia ;  Peter  died  in  Reading.  Christian  Treat,  the 
father,  died  at  York,  Pa.,  and  after  his  death  his  wife 
married  (second)   Philip  Hartz.     She  died  in  Reading. 


388 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Henry  Treat  was  born  in  Robeson  township,  Berks 
county,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools. 
Early  in  life  he  was  employed  about  the  iron  furnaces 
and  learned  the  iron-making  business,  which  he  followed 
for  the  balance  of  his  life,  dying  in  1851.  He  is  interred 
in  the  old  Lutheran  cemetery  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and 
Washington  streets.  Henry  Treat  married  in  1833,  Eliza- 
beth Ludwig,  daughter  of  Henry  Ludwig,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  maturity, 
as  follows;  Mary  m.  Jacob  Shadle,  deceased;  John  L., 
deceased,  was  a  prominent  lumberman  of  Williamsport, 
Pa. ;  Sarah  m.  Samuel  Broscius,  deceased ;  Jsaac  G. ; 
Henry  is  a  farmer  of  New  York;  Elizabeth  m.  James  K.  P. 
Robbins,  of  Williamsport;  and  Annie  m.  an  Allen,  of 
Holcomb,  X.  Y.  In  1854  Mrs.  Treat  married  (second) 
Peter  Ranch,  of  Clinton  county.  Pa.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  died  March  10,  1906,  aged  ninety 
years. 

Isaac  G.  Treat  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of 
Union  county,  the  University  at  Lewisburg  ( now  Buck- 
nell),  and  the  Union  Seminary  at  New  Berlin.  He  en- 
gaged in  farm  work  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  131st  Pa.  V.  I.,  Capt. 
Jacob  M.  Moyer,  Colonel  Allabach,  and  served  nine  months, 
being  honorably  discharged  in  1863.  He  re-enlisted  in 
Company  E,  51st  Regiment,  Col.  John  F.  Hartranft,  and 
served  gallantly  until  August,  1865,  when  he  was  honor- 
ably discharged  on  General  Orders  from  the  War  depart- 
ment. Mr.  Treat,  after  one  month's  rest,  took  a  course  at 
Clark  &  Nelson's  Commercial  College,  and  then  located 
in  Reading  permanently,  accepting  a  position  with  Philip 
Albright,  proprietor  of  a  local  express  business,  and  he 
remained  with  this  firm  until  October,  1866,  when  he 
engaged  with  the  Reading  Hardware  Company.  Being 
industrious  and  ambitious,  Mr.  Treat  soon  became  familiar 
with  the  work  of  every  department  of  the  concern,  and  his 
ability  being  recognized  by  his  employers,  he  was  rapidly 
promoted  from  position  to  position,  until  in  1873  he  was 
made  superintendent  of  the  company,  which  is  one  of  the 
largest  of  its  kind  in  the  United  States,  A  self-made  man 
in  all  that  the  word  implies,  JNlr.  Treat  has  been  the 
architect  of  his  own  fortune,  and  well  deserves  the  success 
that  has  been  his.  , 

Mr.  Treat  was  married,  in  1S6S,  to  Miss  Emma  Deysher, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Deysher,  of  Oley  township,  Berks 
county,  Pa.,  and  three  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union  :  Daniel  G.,  employed  by  the  Reading  Hardware  Com- 
pany; Henry  E.,  who  died  in  1898,  aged  twentv-six  years; 
and  Howard,  employed  by  the  Reading  Hardware  Com- 
pany. Mr.  Treat  is  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  ^Memorial  Re- 
formed Church,  and  for  a  number  of  years  has  been  deacon 
and  elder. 

S.AMUEL  D.WIES,  proprietor  of  the  Industrial  Foun- 
dry and  Machine  Works,  of  Reading,  comes  of  Welsh  an- 
cestry, and  is  in  '  the  third  generation  from  the  founder 
of  the  family  in  America,  one  Samuel  Davies. 

Samuel  Davies  was  born  in  Newbridge,  Wales,  in  1737. 
He  changed  his  name  from  Da\is  to  Davies,  holding  that 
such  was  the  correct  Welsh  spelling,  and  all  of  his  kin 
have  retained  the  added  letter  ever  since,  .'\bout  1764 
Samuel  Davies  sailed  for  .America,  came  to  Berks  county 
and  settled  in  Reading,  then  a  small  village,  where  he 
opened  a  shoe  shop  and  store  combined.  In  1773  he  mar- 
ried his  wife,  Elizabeth,  who  was  of  GcrnTan  parentage. 
With  the  exception  of  four  years  in  Bradford,  Chester 
Co.,  Pa.,  their  married  life  was  spent  wholly  in  Reading, 
and  there  they  died,  he  in  1821,  aged  eight>-four,  and  she 
some  years  later.  They  were  members  of  the  Quaker 
sect.  Their  children  were:  (1)  Alary,  born  in  1774,  m.  a 
yir.  Miller.  (2)  Lydia,  born  July  26,  1775,  m.  but  had  no 
family.  (3)  Rebecca,  born  June  ]2,  1777,  m,  Thomas 
Borger.  (4)  Joseph,  born  Jan.  1,  1779.  in  earlv  life  was 
a_  tanner  in  Chester  county.  He  m.  in  1805,  Miss  Lydia 
Kennedy,  of  West  Bradford  township,  Chester  county,  and  a 
family  of  eleven  children  was  born  to  them.  Mrs.  Lydia  Dav- 
ies died  Nov.  30,  1819,  aged  forty-one  years,  three  months 
and  twenty  days.     Some  seven  years  later  Joseph  Davies 


decided  to  go  West,  and  in  the  summer  of  1826  he  traveled 
on  foot  to  Parke  county,  Ind.,  a  distance  of  nearly  one 
thousand  miles.  He  died,  July  5,  1827.  (5)  Benjamin  was 
the  father  of  Samuel  Davies.  (6)  Samuel,  born  Jan.  14, 
1783,  m.  Aug.  31,  1815,  in  Chester  county.  Miss  Sarah  Harry. 
He  went  west  to  Indiana,  and  there  died  Dec.  14,  1863. 
His  wife  died  Jan.  28,  1837.  leaving  four  sons,  Jesse,  Sam- 
uel, Lewis  and  Joseph.  (7)  Jacob,  born  June  27,  1786,  be- 
came the  father  of  two  daughters,  both  now  deceased. 
(8)  Isaac,  born  April  23,  1789,  was  known  as  the  strongest 
man  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  He  left  no  family.  (9) 
Joshua  born  Aug.  17,  1791.  became  a  well  known  teacher 
in  Reading,  and  died  Feb.  22,  1849.  His  wife  Deborah  was 
born  Feb.  27,  1793,  and  died  Feb.  8,  1864,  leaving  an  only 
daughter,  Sarah.  (10)  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  8,  1793,  left 
no   descendants. 

Benjamin  Davies  was  born  March  17,  1781,  and  on 
Jan.  27,  1805,  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Williams.  Eight 
children  were  born  to  them,  all  deceased  except  the  young- 
est. (1)  Abner,  born  Nov.  6,  1808,  m.  and  died,  leaving 
three  children,  William,  Lenora  and  Myers.  (2)  Lydia 
died  in  childhood.  (3)  Elizabeth,  (4)  Samuel,  and  (5) 
Anne  died  in  early  life.  (6)  Mary  W.,  born  Sept.  10, 
1816,  m.  Charles  Dehart,  and  had  children,  William,  Eliz- 
abeth, David,  Mary,  Edward,  Charles  and  Emma.  (7) 
Lydia  W.  was  ii  teacher  of  Berks  county,  and  died  unmar- 
ried at  the  age  of  seventy.  (8)  Benjamin,  Jr.,  m.  and  had 
four  children,  Howard,  Anna,  Mary  and  Jessica.  The 
mother  of  this  family  died,  and  on  Feb.  16,  1828,  Mr. 
Davies  m.  (second)  Miss  Mary  Martin.  By  this  union 
there  were  four  children :  Samuel  is  mentioned  below ; 
Elizabeth,  born  Sept.  26,  1840.  m.  Herman  Dersch,  and  had 
ten  children,  of  whom  five  are  living — John,  Gertrude, 
George,  Rebecca  and  Helen ;  Rebecca,  born  Aug.  31,  1843, 
m.  William  Hutchinson,  and  had  nine  children,  of  whom 
William,  Ruth,  Elizabeth  and  Rebecca  are  living  (Mr. 
Hutchinson  enlisted  Aug.  10,  1861,  in  Company  H,  88th 
Pa.  V.  I.,  was  wounded  in  the  right  thigh  during  the 
second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Aug.  19,  1862.  was  taken  prisoner 
before  Petersburg,  and  held  in  Libby  Prison  until  mus- 
tered out  March  30,  1865)  ;  Joseph,'  born  July  2,  1846, 
became  a  machinist  by  trade  and  m.  Miss  Margaret  Hale, 
and  of  their  ten  children  there  are  living.  Mary,  Anna, 
Kathcrinej  Rebecca  and  Martha  Nora. 

Benjamin  Davies,  father  of  this  large  family,  became 
a  prominent  citizen  in  Reading.  Beginning  in'  the  shoe 
business,  he  was  for  some  time  established  on  Penn  street 
between  Fourth  and  Fifth.  When  the  Farmers  National 
Bank  \yas  opened,  ]\Ir.  Davies  opened  the  books  and  was 
rnade  its  first  bookkeeper,  and  later  he  served  for  a 
time  as  its  cashier,  maintaining  his  connection  with  the 
institution  for  a  period  of  forty  years.  This  fact  alone 
bespeaks  his  place  in  the  business  world  of  Reading,  while 
his  personality  made  him  very  popular  socially.  In  religion 
he  was  a  strict  observer  of  the  customs  of  the  Friends. 
He  died  in  1S54,  in  his  seventy-fourth  year,  while  his  wife 
survived  him  until  1888,  when  she  died  aged  eighty-eight, 
the  greatest  age  attained  by  any  member  of  the  Davies 
family. 

Samuel  Davies  was  born  in  Reading,  May  4,  1839,  and 
until  he  was  fifteen  years  old  he  attended  the  public 
schools.  He  then  entered  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  rail- 
road shops,  in  order  to  become  a  machinist,  and  he  remained 
there  four  years.  He  next  spent  about  a  year  and  a 
half  in  the  lathe  department  of  the  Scott  foundry,  and 
afterward  was  employed  at  various  places,  including  Leb- 
anon, Pittsburg  and  Wheeling.  Returning  to  Readin<^  he 
was  engaged  at  the  Johnson  foundry  and  machine  shop 
when  the  war  broke  out.  He  enlisted  in  the  State  service 
in  April,  1861,  and  on  June  4,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  United 
States  service  under  Capt.'  William  Briner,  Company  D, 
3d  Pa.  R.  V.  C.  He  served  all  through  the  war  in  the 
.■\rmy  of  the  Potomac,  was  in  a  number  of  hard  fought 
battles,  like  the  Seven  Days  Fight  around  Richmond, 
second  Bull  Run,  South  Mountain,  ,-\ntietam  and  Freder- 
icksburg, and  was  mustered  out  at  Philadelphia  in  the 
fall  of  1864.  The  government  gave  him  employment  in 
Nashyille,   and   Mr.   Davies   spent   some  time   in   that   citr. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


389 


before  going  back  to  Reading.  There  he  again  worked 
as  a  machinist,  for  the  railroad  until  1881,  but  in  that 
year  he  went  into  business  for  himself. 

The  concern  of  which  Mr.  Davies  is  now  sole  proprietor 
has  passed  through  various  phases  of  existence.  Originally, 
in  1881,  the  firm  name  was  Miller,  Price  &  Co.,  and  the 
company  did  a  foundry  and  machine  business.  A  few 
years  later  it  became  Miller,  Printze  &  Co.,  and  then 
Davies,  Printze  &  Co.,  and  finally  in  1904  Mr.  Davies  took 
entire  control  of  the  plant.  It  is  now  known  as  the 
Industrial  Foundry  and  Machine  Works,  and  is  located 
at  Nos.  239-231  South  Ninth  street.  There  are  about 
twenty  hands  employed,  and  the  trade,  though  largely  a 
local  one,  is  of  good  volume. 

On  Dec.  13,  1866,  Mr.  Davies  married  Miss  Margaret 
Birch,  daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  Solomon  Birch.  Five 
children  were  born  to  them,  as  follows :  Mary  Elizabeth 
died  at  the  age  of  two  years ;  Harry  and  William  are 
both  mechanics  employed  with  their  father;  Beulah,  who 
was  graduated  from  the  Reading  high  school  in  the  class 
of  1895,  taught  in  that  city  a  few  years  and  then  married 
Joseph  H.  Skilton,  a  resident  of  Philadelphia;  and  Mar- 
garet, of  the  class  of  1900  in  the  Reading  high  school,  is 
now  teaching  at  the  Pear  and  Buttonwood  school.  Mr. 
Davies  served  during  the  war  in  Company  D,  3Sd  Pa.  V.  I., 
seeing  much  active  service,  and  is  now  a  member  of 
G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  16,  of  which  he  is  past  commander.  He 
also  belongs  to  the  Union  Veteran  Legion,  and  holds  the 
official  rank  of  past  colonel.    In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

DR.  ABRAHAM  NESTER  FRETZ,  who  for  over  thir- 
ty-four years  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine 
and  surgery  at  Fleetwood,  Berks  county,  was  born  Aug. 
7,"  1839,  in  Hereford  township,  son  of  Daniel  Fretz. 

Daniel  Fretz  was  born  in  Hereford  township  in  1805, 
was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  followed  farming 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  birth  until  his  death,  in  1880.  He 
married  Esther  Nester,  of  Pike  township,  near  Hill 
Church,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  children :  Abra- 
ham N.;  Lewis,  m.  to  Lavana  Rambo;  Annie,  who  died 
young ;  Irwin,  m.  to  Mary  March ;  and  Priscilla  and 
Annie,  who  both  died  young. 

Dr.  Abraham  N.  Fretz's  early  education  was  secured  in 
the  public  schools,  and  after  a  thorough  preparation  at 
Mt.  Pleasant  Seminary  at  Boyertown,  he  entered  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  and  graduated  from  the  Medical 
Department  in  1863.  The  country  then  being  in  the  midst 
of  the  Civil  war,  he  enlisted  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and, 
receiving  the  appointment  of  acting  assistant  surgeon, 
was  detailed  to  perform  hospital  service  at  Newport  News 
and  vicinity  until  1866.  Then,  under  the  Reconstruction 
Act,  Gen.  John  H.  Schofield  appointed  him  president  of 
the  board  of  registration,  with  headquarters  at  City  Point, 
Va.,  and  he  filled  this  responsible  position  in  the  most  sat- 
isfactory manner  until  the  fall  of  1869. 

While  at  the  latter  place  Dr.  Fretz  identified  himself  with 
the  affairs  of  Prince  George  county,  and  the  electors  of 
that  district  elected  him  as  one  of  the  Assemblymen. 
There  being  two  parties  in  that  State,  viz.,  the  Radical 
Republicans  and  the  Liberal  Republicans,  he  was  chosen 
on  the  ticket  of  the  latter,  and  served  in  this  honorable 
position  during  the  years  1869,  1870  and  1871.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Pennsylvania  and  took  an  additional  course  of 
medical  lectures  in  the  University  for  a  year,  after  which 
he  established  himself  in  medical  practice  at  Linfield,  Mont- 
gomery county,  and  was  successfully  engaged  at  that  place 
until  his  removal,  in  1875,  to  Fleetwood,  Berks  county, 
where  he  has  been  in  active  practice  ever  since. 

Dr.  Fretz,  upon  locating  at  Fleetwood,  took  an  active 
interest  in  educational  affairs  and  quite  naturally  his  fellow- 
citizens  selected  him  to  be  a  school  director,  and  he  served 
as  such  from  1877  to  1884.  In  1887  he  was  elected  as  one 
of  the  justices  of  the  peace  of  this  borough,  and  he  has 
been  serving  in  this  position  by  re-election  until  the  present 
time,  showing  the  high  appreciation  of  the  community  in 
his  judicial  integrity.  In  politics  he  has  been  a  Democrat, 
and  upon  settling  in  the  county  he  identified  himself  with 
its  political  affairs,  as  well  as  with  those  of  the  State  and 


nation.  He  frequently  represented  the  borough  in  con- 
ventions, and  in  the  county  conventions  of  1883  and  1903 
he  officiated  as  chairman. 

Dr.  Fretz  was  married  in  1863  to  Emma  Roberston,  of 
Philadelphia,  daughter  of  Thomas  Robertson,  and  to  this 
union,  one  son,  Thomas,  has  been  born. 

Thomas  Fretz  was  born  in  1866  at  Philadelphia,  at- 
tended the  schools  of  Fleetwood,  and  after  a  prepara- 
tory course  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  he  at- 
tended Lafayette  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1890.  He  continued  the  higher  branches  of  study  at 
Princeton  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1893.  In  1900  he  was  elected  principal  of  the  grammar 
schools  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  and  he  filled  this  responsible 
position  in  the  most  satisfactory  manner  until  1907,  when 
he  was  appointed  to  a  similar  position  in  New  York  City, 
which  he  still  holds.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Madeira, 
daughter  of  John  H.  Madeira,  of  Blandon,  and  one  daugh- 
ter, Emily,  was  born  to  this  union.  Mrs.  Fretz  died  in 
1893. 

NEVIN  M.  DAVIS,  a  civil  engineer  ranking  deservedly 
high  in  his  profession,  came  of  a  family  long  established  in 
York  county,  and  his  death,  April  12,  1909,  was  deeply  de- 
plored. He  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  William  F.  P.  and  Ellen 
E.   (Myers)   Davis. 

The  Rev.  William  F.'  P.  Davis '  was  a  minister  of  the 
Reformed  Church.  He  lived  to  the  age  of  only  fifty-two 
years,  passing  away  in  1883.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he 
had  a  charge  in  Berks  county  that  embraced  Wernersville 
(Hain's  Church),  Sinking  Spring's,  Kissinger's  and  Yo- 
cum's  Churches.  He  married  Ellen  E.,  daughter  of  Benja- 
min Myers,  a  retired  business  man  of  York  and  founder 
of  the  Farmers  Insurance  Company,  of  that  place.  The 
children  born  to  this  marriage  were  as  follows :  William  S., 
a  graduate  of  Lehigh  University,  and  now  general  manager 
of  the  Lebanon  Textile  Works;  Louisa  Bell,  now  Mrs. 
Charles  Wilson,  of  Glen  Olden,  Pa.;  Paul  Benjamin,  also 
a  Lehigh  University  man,  assistant  city  engineer  of  Read- 
ing from  1903  to  1909;  John  Henry,  a  clerk  in  the  Second 
National  Bank;  Martha,  at  home;' and  Nevin  M. 

Nevin  M.  Davis  was  born  Aug.  28,  1864,  in  New  Oxford, 
Adams  county,  where  his  father  had  his  first  charge.  After 
leaving  school  he  entered  Franklin  and  Marshall  College, 
and  was  graduated  in  1885.  The  first  position  he  secured 
was  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Co.  as  civil 
engineer,  and  he  was  with  the  Company  for  seven  years. 
During  this  time  he  was  assistant  engineer  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  Allentown  Terminal  and  the  Philadelphia, 
Harrisburg  &  Pittsburg  Terminal  Railways.  Another 
work  with  which  he  was  concerned  was  the  Port  Reading 
Railway  from  Boundbrook,  N.  J.,  to  Port  Reading.  Mr. 
DaVis  also  held  the  position  of  assistant  engineer  for  the 
Central  New  England  and  Western  Railway,  with  head- 
quarters at  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  ha,d  charge  of  the  main- 
tenance of  the  famous  Poughkeepsie  Bridge.  In  1892  he 
gave  up  his  position  with  the  railroad  and  opened  an 
office  on  his  own  account,  taking  engineering  contracts. 
He  was  at  first  associated  with  the  firm  of  Davis  Bros., 
but  in  1898  that  was  dissolved  and  Mr.  Davis  had  his  of- 
fice alone  in  the  Wanner  Building,  Reed  and  Court  streets. 
He  was  extremely  proficient  in  his  profession,  and  his  work 
was  always  of  the  highest  class.  Mr.  Davis  was  also  con- 
nected with  various  electric  railways,  and  directed  the 
engineering  work  on  the  Reading  &  Womelsdorf  Electric 
Railway.  He  was  chief  engineer  of  the  Safe  Harbor 
Steam  Railway  in  Lancaster  county. 

Mr.  Davis  was  married  Jan.  14,  1893,  to  Elizabeth  Fry 
Stein,  daughter  of  Jacob  Stein  and  the  late  Ellen  Elizabeth 
Stein,  of  Allentown,  where  Mr.  Stein  was  a  retired  farmer. 
Three  children  were  born  to  them,  but  Elizabeth,  the  sec- 
ond, died  in  infancy.  The  other  two  are  Frederick  Stein 
and  Robert  Stein,  both  in  school.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis 
belong  to  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Church. 

Mr.  Davis  had  for  many  years  belonged  to  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  and  is  connected  with  various  other  organiza- 
tioais,  in  most  of  which  he  has  been  very  active  and  held 
important  offices.     He  is  Past  Master  of  Reading  Lodge, 


390 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY.  PENNSYLVANIA 


No  549  F.  &  A.  M.;  Past  High  Priest,  and  at  present 
secretary  of  Reading  Chapter,  No.  152,  R.  A.  M.;  Past 
Eminent  Commander  of  De  Molay  Commandery,  No  9, 
K  T  ■  Past  Thrice  Illustrious  Grand  Master  of  Allen 
Council  No  23,  R.  &  S.  M.;  member  of  Harnsburg  Con- 
sistory,'  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons,  32d  de- 
gree; and  a  charter  member  of  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  V.  N. 
M  S,  in  which  he  served  as  Oriental  Guide  for  nme 
years.  Mr.  Davis  also  represented  the  Grand  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar  of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  to  the  Grand 
Commandery  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  politics  Mr.  Davis  was  an  ardent  Democrat,  servmg  a< 
the  time  of  his  death  as  representative  of  the  Sixteenth 
ward  on  the  school  board.  He  served  as  county  surveyor 
for  three  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Americus  Club, 
the  Union  Fire  Company  No.  13  (since  its  organization) 
and  had  held  most  of  the  offices  in  it.  He  was  president 
of  the  Firemen's  Union  in  1906  and  1907,  and  a  member  of 
the  Firemen's  Relief  Association  as  delegate  from  his 
company  to  the  organization  at  large.  In  whatever  capacity, 
he    always    rendered    most    valued    and    efficient    service. 

The  most  important  professional  and  political  position 
held  by  Mr.  Davis  was  that  of  engineer  to  the  county  com- 
missioners of  Berks  county  in  1906-07-08,  during  which 
time  he  designed  and  introduced  into  Berks  county  bridges 
of  reinforced  concrete.  The  most  noted  of  these  bridges 
is  the  one  across  the  Schuylkill  river  at  Dauberville,  con- 
sisting of  four  seventy-five-foot  spans  of  reinforced  con- 
crete, and  a  total  length  of  four  hundred  feet.  This  is 
considered  one  of  the  most  artistic  structures  in  Eastern 
Pennsylvania,  and  Mr.  Davis  was  highly  complimented 
by  his  profession  and  by  the  public  in  general  for  the 
many  handsome  structures  he  designed  and  erected,  which 
will  ever  be  monuments  to  his  memory. 

ABNER  KEELEY  STAUFFER,  for  many  years  one  of 
the  prominent  members  of  the  Berks  County  Bar,  was^  a 
descendant  of  Henry  Stauffer  (a  scion  of  the  imperial 
Hohen-Stauffen  family  of  Germany),  who  came  to  America 
from  Rhenish  Germany  early  in  the  eighteenth  century. 
Mr.  Stauffer  was  born  at  Boyertown,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Oct. 
11,  1836,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Keeley)  Stauffer. 

Judge  John  Stauffer  was  born  July  4,  1792,  and  died 
Nov.  28,  1854.  He  served  as  county  surveyor,  and  was 
later  honored  with  election  to  the  State  Legislature,  in 
which  he  served  in  1829-30.  From  1840  to  1850  he  served 
as  associate  judge  of  Berks  county,  and  so  popular  was 
he,  and  so  satisfactory  were  his  actions,  that  he  was  ten- 
dered the  Democratic  nomination  for  Congress,  which  was 
equivalent  to  an  election  in  Berks  county.  But  because 
of  failing  health  he  was  obliged  to  decline  the  honor,  and 
he  died  in  1854,  just  four  years  after  his  term  as  judge 
had  expired.  To  his  home  at  Boyertown  came  all  the  peofile 
to  have  their  disputes  adjusted,  his  reputation  as  a  wise, 
considerate  judge  having  extended  far  and  wide,  and  his 
fame  as  a  counselor  being  scarcely  equalled  in  the  county. 

Judge  Stauffer  married  Elizabeth  Keeley,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Elizabeth  Keeley,  the  former  a  prominent 
farmer  in  Douglass  township.  Mrs.  Stauffer  was  born 
Oct.  1,  1798,  and  died  Dec.  30,  1857.  She  was  the  mother 
of  ten  children,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom 
two  survive,  viz. ;  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Abraham  G. 
Schwenk,  of  Schwenkville,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  a  settle- 
ment founded  by  the  father  of  Mr.  Schwenk,  who  at  one 
time  owned  nearly  all  the  land  in  that  neighborhood; 
and  Amanda,  widow  of  Rev.  Abraham  E.  Dechant,  of 
Pennsburg,  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church,  who  was 
born  in  Montgomery  county  Jan.  26,  1823,  graduated  at 
Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  and  at  the  Re- 
formed Theological  Seminary  of  that  city. 

.■\hner  K.  Stauffer  received  his  preparatory  education 
at  Mt.  Pleasant  Seminary,  in  his  native  town,  which  in- 
stitution was  organized  by  his  father  in  1850.  ?Ie  was  grad- 
uated from  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  at  Lancaster, 
in  1858,  and  after  teaching  school  for  one  year  at  Boyer- 
town came  to  Reading  in  I860,,  here  taking  up  the  reading 
of  law  with  the  late  John  S.  Richards.  He  was  admitted 
to  practice  April  15,  1861,  on  the  very  day  which  witnessed 


the  issuance  of  the  proclamation  of  President  Lincoln 
calling  for  75,000  troops,  this  proclamation  being  read_  in 
court,  all  the  members  of  the  Bar  then  assembled  taking 
the  oath  of  allegiance.  On  June  28,  1863,  Mr.  Stauffer  en- 
listed, becoming  a  member  of  Company  C,  4ad  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  served  with  loyalty  and  fidelity  until  his 
company  was  mustered  out  because  their  services  were  no 
longer  required,  practically  at  the  end  of  the  war.  He 
returned  to  Reading,  and  in  1867  he  was  nominated  by 
the  Republicans  of  Berks  county  for  the  State  Senate, 
and  made  a  gallant  run  on  the  minority  ticket,  carrying 
the  city  of  Reading  by  a  large  majority,  running  far  ahead 
of  his  ticket,  but  being  defeated  in  the  county. 

This  was  but  the  beginning  of  a  most  active  career.  Mr. 
Stauffer  was  always  deeply  interested  in  all  matters  of 
public  moment,  and  did  yeoman  service  for  his  city.  He 
served  three  terms— 1869,  1873  and  1881 — as  a  member  of 
the  city  councils  of  Reading,  and  during  one  year  of  this 
time,  1873,  he  was  president  of  same.  During  his  member- 
ship in  that  body  Mr.  Stauffer,  through  his  persevering  ef- 
forts, brought  about  many  measures  for  the  public  good 
which  stand  as  lasting  monuments  to  his  intelligence  and 
public  spirit,  his  good  citizenship  and  civic  pride.  But  he 
worked  equally  hard  in  office  and  out,  and  among  the  many 
things  he  did  for  the  general  welfare  was  the  promotion 
of  a  measure  which  secured  the  removal  of  the  old  market 
sheds  which  stood  in  Penn  Square,  resulting  in  the  erec- 
tion, in  their  stead,  of  the  splendid  market-houses  that 
are  now  the  pride  of  the  Reading  householders.  This  was 
accomplished  in  1871.  ]\Ir.  Stauffer  also  used  his  ability 
as  a  lawyer  as  well  as  his  courage  as  a  man  in  makirig 
free  (in  1883)  the  three  bridges  which  cross  the  Schuylkill 
at  Reading,  the  citizens  formerly  having  been  forced  to  pay 
toll.  Mr.  Stauffer  discovered  that  this  toll  was  collectible 
only  until  the  cost  of  the  bridges  (and  repairs  needed  dur- 
ing the  time  the  original  cost  was  being  made  up)  was 
paid.  He  went  over  the  records  for  eighty-eight  years,  a 
truly  Herculean  task,  and  found  that  not  only  had  all 
costs  been  secured  from  the  tolls,  but  also  $7,000  in  excess, 
proving  by  facts  and  figures  the  injustice  of  the  conditions, 
and  when  these  were  properly  brought  before  the  court 
the  bridges  were  made  free.  He  worked  over  this  problem 
for  six  years,  and  for  this  service  the  councils  presented 
him  a  set  of  resolutions  thanking  him  in  behalf  of  the 
cit3'.  A  third  very  important  measure  for  which  the  city 
is  indebted  to  ilr.  Stauffer  was  the  securing  to  the  city  of 
the  old  parade  ground,  now  Penn  Common,  thirty-nine 
acres  of  ground,  worth  nearly  $1,000,000.  It  had  been 
leased  (but  without  legal  warrant)  by  the  commissioners 
of  Berks  county  to  the  Agricultural  Society  for  a  period  of 
ninety-nine  years,  at  an  annual  rental  of  one  dollar.  This 
resulted  in  lengthy  litigation,  the  lower  court  deciding 
against  the  city,  but  the  Supreme  court  reversed  the 
decision  and  gave  the  land  to  the  city.  Hon.  George  F. 
Baer  was  associated  with  Mr.  Stauffer  in  making  this  fight, 
Air.  Baer  bringing  the  case  before  the  Supreme  court. 
Both  gentlemen  declined  pay  for  their  services,  and  the 
Board  of  Trade  and  city  councils  spread  upon  their  minutes 
the  most  eulogistic  praise  of  the  eminent  and  public-spirited 
services  that  Mr.  Stauffer  and  Mr.  Baer  had  rendered. 

Mr.  Stauffer  was  married  Sept.  25,  1860,  to  Emma  Louisa 
Ranninger,  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  pioneer  bookbinders 
of  Lancaster,  Pa.,  where  his  bindery  was  a  familiar  land- 
mark. Mrs.  Stauffer  was  born  Feb.  7,  1841,  and  died 
Alarch  29.  1865.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
viz.:  Ella  Selina,  born  IMarch  11,  1862,  died  May  3,  1866,  as 
the  result  of  a  fall.  Edgar  Embery,  born  March  8,  1865, 
died  July  27,  1865. 

Mr.  Stauffer  married  for  his  second  wife  Mary  High 
Keim,  daughter  of  Col.  John  Keim,  a  lumber  dealer  of 
Reading,  and  later  a  banker  at  Dubuque,  Iowa.  At  the 
death  of  l\Irs.  Stauffer,  which  occurred  in  1891,  the  news- 
papers of  Reading  vied  in  their  tributes  to  her  rare  gifts 
of  mind  and  heart,  one  of  them  saving,  in  an  extended 
obituary,  "She  united  the  old  Keim  'family  of  Berks  and 
the  Randolph  stock  of  Virginia.  She  was  descended  ma- 
ternally from  the  Tuckahoe  branch  of  the  Randolphs  of 
Virginia,  and  was  a  granddaughter  of  Col.  Thomas  Bev- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


391 


erly  Randolph,  one  of  the  first  graduates  of  West  Point. 
She  was  of  the  tenth  generation  in  descent  from  the  Al- 
gonquin princess,  Pocahontas.  She  became  the  beloved 
mother  of  four  children,  all  of  whom  survive,  viz. :  John 
Keim,  Frederick  Randolph,  Anna  Keim  and  Mary  Virginia. 
William  Wirt  Mills,  of  New  York,  a  son  of  Mrs.  Staufifer 
by  her  first  husband.  Col.'  William  Wirt  Mills,  of  Dubuque, 
Iowa,  also  survives." 

Of  the  children,  John  K.  Stauffer,  a  graduate  of  Yale 
College,  class  of  1895,  is  connected  with  the  Times  of 
Washington,  D.  C,  and  is  Washington  correspondent  for 
the  New  York  Evening  Post  and  for  the  Philadelphia  Even- 
ing Bulletin.  Frederick  Randolph  Stauffer,  now  a  lawyer  in 
practice  at  Reading,  was  graduated  from  Yale,  class  of 
1903,  and  then  studied  law  with  Hon.  George  F.  Baer  and 
Jefferson  Snyder,  Esq.  In  June,  1907,  he  was  nominated 
for  District  Attorney  of  Berks  county  on  the  Republican 
ticket  but  subsequently  withdrew  because  ineligible  to  serve, 
as  he  had  not  been  in  practice  the  required  length  of  time. 
The  daughters  graduated  from  the  Reading  high  school  and 
the  National  Park  Seminary,  at  Washington,  D.  C.  They 
are  socially  prominent  in  Reading. 

Mr.  Stauffer  was  a  Knight  Templar  Mason,  belonging 
to  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church,  and  a  vestryman  at  Christ  Church, 
Reading,  and  he  was  one  of  the  founders  and  treasurer  of 
St.  Mary's  Episcopal  Church,  Reading.  In  1872  Mr.  Stauf- 
fer was  made  a  director  and  trustee  of  the  Reading  Pub- 
lic. Library,  continuing  to  serve  as  such  to  the  end  of  his 
days,  and  he  gave  considerable  time  to  furthering  its  inter- 
ests. It  w*as  through  his  efforts  that  the  property  was  saved 
to  the  company  when  the  failure  of  the  Reading  Savings 
Bank  threatened  to  sweep  it  away,  and  it  was  he  who 
fought  for  so  many  years  for  a  city  appropriation.  Primar- 
ily a  professional  man,  with  large  interests,  he  thus  found 
time  on  mahy  occasions  to  give  his  best  efforts  to  the  ad- 
vancemient  of  the  civic  welfare  and  the  promotion  of  enter- 
prises in  which  his  concern  personally  was  simply  that  of 
a  public-spirited  citizen.  Though  past  seventy,  Mr.  Stauf- 
fer enjoyed  excellent  health  until  a  week  before  his  death, 
when  he  contracted  a  cold  which  ended  in  pneumonia,  and 
he  died  at  the  family  residence.  No.  1513  Hill  Road,  Nov. 
4,  1906. 

HIRAM  J.  BIGONY,  a  prominent  and  influential  citizen 
of  Mohnton,  Pa.,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  hosiery, 
was  born  June  1,  1S62,  at  Sanatoga,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa., 
son  of  William  W.  and  Mary  L.  (Weida)  Bigony. 

The  spelling  of  the  name  Bigony  was  formerly  Bigonet 
or  Pichonet,  and  the  seat  of  the  family  was  in  Languedoc, 
France.  The  first  of  the  name  here  was  Jean  Bigonet,  a 
native  of  the  city  of  Nimes,  who  came  in  1752.  On  May 
27,  1753,  he  .was  married  in  Germantown,  Pa.,  to  Catherine 
Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Henry  Ozias.  In  1773  arrived 
Francois  P.  Bigonet,  who  located  in  the  Falkner  Swamp 
in  Montgomery  county,  Pa.,  where  he  married  Maria  Brant 
in  1779.  They  had  children :  Joseph,  grandfather  of  Hiram 
J.;  Mary,  m.  to  Isaac  Yost;  Susan,  mt  to  George  Rinehart; 
and  a  third  daughter,  who  was  killed  while  still  young 
on  her  way  home  from  Philadelphia. 

'Joseph  Bigony  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Nov. 
14,  1790,  and  died  Oct.  7,  1869.  For  some  years  he  lived 
in  Amity  township,  Berks  county,  but  later  he  returned 
to  Sanatoga,  Montgomery  county,  where  he  died.  He 
was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  also  did  some  driving  and 
auctioneering,  making  occasional  trips  to  Canada  for 
cattle.  On  Dec.  15,  1811,  he  married  Rachel  Worley, 
born  Sept.  17,  1791,  who  died  aged  seventy-five  years, 
seven  months,  twenty  days,  daughter  of  Henry  Worley, 
of  Pottstown.  Their  children  were :  Francis,  born  July  25, 
1814;  John,  Feb.  26,  1816;  Joseph,  March  1,  1818;  Mary 
Ann,  March  11,  1820;  Henry,  Feb.  27,  1822;  Leah,  Sept. 
17,  1824  (residing  at  Alden  Station,  Pa.)  ;  Hiram  and 
Ephraim,  twins,  March  9,  1828;  Frank,  Sept.  7,  1830;  and 
Reuben  and  William,  twins,  Dec.  24,  1832. 

William  W.  Bigony,  father  of  Hiram  J.,  was  born  in 
Amity  township,  and  when  a  young  man  learned  the  tan- 
ning trade  of  his  brother,  Joseph,   of  Longswamp   town- 


ship. This  he  followed  for  about  twenty-five  years,  and 
in  1869-71  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  at  Alburtis, 
Lehigh  county,  and  Monterey,  Berks  county.  In  1872 
he  rernoved  to  Greenwich  township  on  a  small  farm  near 
Grimville,  and  he  engaged  in  the  droving  business  there 
until  his  retirement  in  1902,  when  he  removed  to  Edison, 
Cumru  township,  where  he  died  Nov.  15,  1905,  aged  nearly 
seventy-four  years.  He  was  a  well  known  cattle  dealer 
of  his  day,  and  also  was  very  successful  as  an  auctioneer. 
On  Feb.  12,  1860,  Mr.  Bigony  married  Mary  L.  Weida,  born 
May  31,  1836,  in  Longswamp  township,  and  still  living, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Eliza  (Weiler)  Weida.  To  this 
union  there  were  born  children  as  follows :  Annie  died  in 
1880,  aged  nineteen  years ;  Hiram  J. ;  Sallie,  born  May  22, 
1864,  is  single;  Ella  died  in  infancy;  Lizzie,  born  Jan.  8, 
1866,  is  unmarried;  William  F.,  born  March  1,  1868,  is  an 
insurance  agent  and  resides  in  Reading;  John  died  in  in- 
fancy; Emma,  born  Oct.  29,  1874;  .and  Mary,  born  Sept. 
29,  1877. 

^  Hiram  J.  Bigony  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  the 
Keystone  State  Normal  School  and  the  Eastman  Business 
College,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  1892.  His  boyhood 
days  were  spent  on  his  father's  farm  near  Grimville,  and 
at  an  early  age  he  began  teaching  school  in  Greenwich 
township,  where  he  continued  successfully  for  seven  con- 
secutive terms.  In  1889  he  came  to  Cumru  township,  re- 
ceiving an  advanced  salary,  and  taught  in  that  township 
for  thirteen  years,  meeting  with  flattering  success.  Pro- 
fessor Bigony  was  the  instructor  of  the  Mohnton  grammar 
school  for  ten  terms,  and  holds  a  State  teacher's  permanent 
certificate.  While  a  teacher  in  Greenwich  and  Cumru 
townships,  Mr.  Bigony  was  instrumental  in  organizing 
debating  societies,  which  were  largely  attended,  doing  much 
good  in  their  various  localities.  Mr.  Bigony  was  himself 
an  excellent  debater,  being  quick-witted,  logical  and 
forceful  in  the  presentation  of  his  arguments. 

From  youth  on  Mr.  Bigony  assisted  his  father  in  the 
cattle  business,  and  in  this  manner  came  into  contact  with 
business  men  throughout  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  In  the 
spring  of  1903  he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  and 
Charles  Richwein,  of  Mohnton,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Electric  Hosiery  Company,  manufacturers  of  seamless  hos- 
iery. They  erected  a  plant  24  x  68  feet,  two  stories  high, 
and  here  employ  forty-five  people,  their  product  being  200 
dozen  daily,  which  find  a  ready  market  throughout  the 
country.  In  January,  1906,  Mr.  Bigony  was  elected  a 
director  of  the  Wyomissing  Hosiery  Mills  of  Mohnton, 
of  which  he  was  later  made  treasurer  and  general  super- 
intendent, and  this  well  established  firm  has  two  mills. 
The  plant  at  Mohnton  is  30  x  100  feet,  three  stories  high, 
and  employs  sixty  people,  while  the  other  plant,  at  Rhein- 
holds,  Lancaster  county,  is  30  x  50  feet,  two  stories  high, 
and  has  thirty  hands. 

■  In  1895  Mr.  Bigony  built  a  modern,  two-story  brick 
residence  on  Chestnut  street,  Mohnton,  where  he  resided 
until  1905,  and  in  this  year  moved  into  his  present  residence 
on  Wyomissing  avenue,  which  has  a  gray  sandstone  front 
and  bay  windows.  In  politics  Mr.  Bigony  is  a  non-par- 
tisan, voting  independently.  He  was  prominently  identified 
with  the  incorporation  of  Mohnton  into  a  borough  and 
was  chairman  at  different  meetings,  doing  much  in  behalf 
of  the  movement:  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  No.  485;  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  No.  211, 
and  Sr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  all  of  Mohnton. 

On  Oct.  2,  1894,  Mr.  Bigony  married  Lizzie  H.  Weidner, 
daughter  of  John  Y.  and  Catherine  (Hornberger)  Weid- 
ner, a  complete  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found  elsewhere. 
To  this  union  there  were  born  three  children,  as  follows : 
E.  Madeline,  born  Feb.  1,  1896;  Blanche,  Dec.  12,  1901; 
and  Warren  W.,  Aug.  23,  1905  (died  Nov.  23,  1905).  Mr. 
Bigony  and  his  family  are  members  of  Zion's  United  Evan- 
gelical Church,  of  Mohnton,  of  which  he  has  been  a  trustee 
since  1906.  He  and  his  wife  are  also  members  of  the 
Sunday-school,  and  take  a  great  interest  in  the  work 
of  the  organization,  being  cheerful  and  liberal  givers  of 
both  time  and  money.  Mr.  Bigony  is  considered  one  of  the 
borough's  good  substantial  men,  and  he  enjoys  an  enviable 
reputation  for  honesty  and  integrity.   On  April  30,  1907,  he 


392  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

was   elected  a  member  of  the  school  board,   and  is   now  Emeline.      The    mother    died    in    1860,    aged    seventy-two 

serving  as  secretary  of  that  board.  years,  at  Reading,  to  which  place  she  had  removed  after 

JVIr.  Griscom's  decease. 

WILLIAM  MORRIS  GRISCOM,;  ipresident  of  the  William  M.  Griscom  was  three  years  old  when  his  par- 
Reading  Hardware  Company,  one  of  the  leading  business  ents  removed  to  Reading,  and  there  he  pursued  his  pre- 
enterprises  of  its  kind  in  the  country,  of  which  he  was  paratory  education  until  he  was  twelve  years  old,  when 
the  principal  organizer  in  1851,  is  now  residing  at  Bryn  he  entered  the  Clermont  Academy,  situated  in  the  vi- 
Mawr,  near  Philadelphia,  in  comfortable  retirement  from  cinity  of  Frankford,  near  Philadelphia;  he  remained  in 
active' pursuits.  He  was  born  Oct.  14,  1823,  at  Oxford,  that  institution  for  two  years  Being  inclined  to  mechan- 
Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Samuel  and  Ann  (Powell)  Gris-  ics,  his  father  secured  an  apprenticeship  for  him  in  the 
(-om.             '  famous    "Norris"    Locomotive    Works"     at     Philadelphia, 

Andrew    Griscom,    the   great-great-great-grandfather    of  where    135    apprentices    were    at    that    time    learning    the 

William  M.,  emigrated  to  the  New  World  'from  England  trade  of  machinist,  but  after  he  had  been  there  less  than 

in   1680,   and   settled   at   Philadelphia,   residing  on    Second  two  years  the  prevailing  panic  throughout  the  State  caus- 

street,  opposite  the  home  of  William  Penn.     He  built  the  ed  the  works  to  suspend  operations,  and   he  was   obliged 

first   brick   house   at    Philadelphia,   served    as    one    of    the  to  return  home. 

city's   first  grand  jurors,   and   died   in   1694.     He   married  Mr.   Griscom  then  entered  the  hardware  store  of  Keim 

Sarah  Dale,  and  by  her  had  four  children  :  Samuel,  David,  &    Miller,    at    the    southeast    corner    of    Third    and    Perm 

Tobias  and   Sarah.  streets,   Reading,   as   a   clerk,   and   by   so   doing   started   a 

Tobias    Griscom,    son   of    Andrew,    was    a    farmer,    and  career   in   the   hardware   business   which   has   been   contin- 

settled    between    Philadelphia,     Pa.,    and    Gloucester,     N.  ued    very    successfully    until    the    present    time,    covering 

J.     He  married  Deborah  Gabitas,  and  they  had  five  chil-  altogether  a  period  of  seventy  years.     He  served  in  this 

dren,  namely:   William,  Tobias,  Mary,  Andrew  and  Sam-  store   for  about  three  years,  but  wishing  to  fill  a  similar 

uei.  place    with    better    prospects    for    advancement    he    went 

Of   this    family,    Andrew    Griscom,    born    in    1711,    died  to    Philadelphia,    and    there    obtained    employment    in    the 

in   1773,    was   the   great-grandfather   of   William   M.     He  large    and    prosperous    hardware    store    of    R.    &    W.    C. 

married   (first)    Susanna  Hancock,  by  whom  he  had  three  Biddle.     In   three  years  he   succeeded   in   developing  such 

children:     Sarah,    Everett    and    William;    and    after    her  a  large  and  profitable  trade  in  the  Schuylkill  Valley  and 

death   married    (second)    Mary   Bacon,   by   whom   he   also  the   territory   beyond   the    Broad   Mountains,    through   the 

had  three  children ;  Mary,  Andrew  and  Deborah.  assistance   and    influence    of    his    father,    that   he    was    in- 

William    Griscom,    the    grandfather    of    William    M.,    a  vited  to    become  a    member    of    the    firm.      Ajjpreciating 

farmer    of    Mannington,    Salem    Co.,    N.   J.,   was    born    in  this    honor,    he    secured    an    interest    in    the    business    and 

1747   and   died   in   1813.     He   married   Rachel   Denn,   born  continued   as   a   member   of   the   firm    for   five  years.     An 

in    1745,    who    died    in    1808,    and    they    had    a    family    of  opportunity    was    then    presented    for    him    to    engage    in 

seven   children :    John,    William,    Samuel    ( died    in    inf an-  the   manufacture   of   charcoal   iron   in   Centre  county,   and 

cy),  :£verett,   Rachel,   Samuel    (2)    and  David.  withdrawing    from    the    firm    he    directed    all    his    efforts 

Samuel  Griscom,  the  father  of  William  M.,  was  con-  to  the  successful  operation  of  the  furnace  for  the  next 
nected  for  upward  of  twenty-three  years  with  the  Schuyl-  three  years.  The  plant  was  called  the  Howard  Iron 
kill  canal  management.  He  was  born  at  Salem,  N.  J.,  Works.  While  operating  this  plant,  Mr.  Griscom  became 
in  1787,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm.  Upon  reaching  man-  interested  with  his  brothers-in-law.  William  and  Matthan 
hood  he  determined  to  become  a  builder,  and  in  this  be-  Harbster,  whose  sister  Ellen  he  had  married,  in  estab- 
half  learned  the  trade  of  brickmason.  Developing  an  lishing  a  foundry  at  Reading  for  the  manufacture  of  all 
aptitude  for  building  operations,  he  located  at  Philadel-  kinds  of  building  hardware  and  he  advancing  the  nec- 
phia,  where  he  was  engaged  in  erecting  dwelling-houses  essary  capital  they  together  put  up  a  small  plant  and 
for  ten  years.  While  so  engaged  he  came  to  know  'some  then  started  an  enterprise  which  was  the  foundation  of 
of  the  directors  of  the  Schuylkill  Navigation  Company,  the  Reading  Hardware  Works.  This  was  in  1851.  In 
and  they,  appreciating  his  abilities  and  success  as  a  build-  a  short  time  the  prospects  for  a  large  and  profitable  bus- 
er,  employed  him  to  fill  the  position  of  civil  engineer  iness  became  so  encouraging  that  he  disposed  of  his  in- 
and  manager  of  the  canal,  to  look  after  the  construe-  terest  in  the  iron  works  mentioned  and  devoted  all  of 
tion  department.  Immediately  after  his  appointment  to  his  time  to  the  development  of  the  hardware  business, 
this  position,  in  1826,  he  fixed  his  residence  at  Reading,  His  extended  acquaintance  and  large  experience  in  the 
which  was  the  central  point  of  the  canal  between  Potts-  hardware  trade,  which  he  had  acquired  by  his  connection 
ville  and  Philadelphia.  In  the  performance  of  his  du-  with  the  Biddle  firm,  gave  him  unusual  advantages  in 
ties,  he  distinguished  himself  by  the  construction  of  building  up  the  trade  and  influence  of  the  new  enter- 
dams,  locks  and  viaducts,  and  the  maintenance  of  the  prise,  and  thereby  he  was  enabled  to  supply  orders  from 
artificial  channel;  which  is  evidenced  by  his  retention  different  sections  of  the  country,  which  kept  the  plant 
for  twenty-three  years.  busy  and  required  constant  enlargements  year  after  year. 

While    filling   this    important   position    he    discovered    a  until    in    a    quarter    century    the    enterprise    so    modestly 

bed  of  cement  rock  along  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Schuyl-  begun   was   one   of   the    largest    and    most   prosperous    in- 

kill    near    the    Shepp    Dam,    three    miles    above    Reading,  dustries   in    Pennsylvania. 

and,    building    the    necessary    oven,    manufactured    large  In   1878   JvIr.   Griscom  went  to   Europe   in  behalf  of  the 

quantities   of   superior  cement,   which  was   profitably  used  works,  and  he  there  succeeded   in   gradually  developing  a 

in    construction    work    along   the   canal.      He    also    devel-  very  large  trade.     A  special  exhibit  of  their  articles   was 

oped  a  large  business  for  the  company  in  the  transporta-  made  at  the  Paris  Exposition  of  1878,  which  proved  high- 

tion  of  lime   for  _  agricultural   purposes,  thereby  becoming  ly   creditable   and  beneficial,   and   for  which  they   received 

the   first  person   in   this   section   of  the   country  to  manu-  a  bronze  medal.     In  the  countries  of  Europe    as   well   as 

facture   and   supply   lime   as   a    fertilizer.      In    1844   it  be-  in    the   United    States,   thev   came   to   supply   the   building 

came    necessary    for    him    to    locate    at    Pottsville    in    the  hardware    for    the    finest   "and    largest    structures,    thereby 

management   of  the   canal,   and   he   continued   in   the   em-  showing   that   their   plant   at   Reading   was    recognized    as 

ploy    of    the    company    until    1848,    when    he    resigned    to  the  equal,  if  not  the  superior,  of  any^similar  plant     While 

superintend    boating    interests    on    the    canal.      This    po-  abroad,    Mr.    Griscom    returned    annually    to    Reading    to 

sition   he   held   until   his   death,   in   1849,   when,   in   the   re-  make   necessary   arrangements    for   filling   his   orders     and 

port  of  the  company,  his  efficiency  was  recognized.  in   so   doing  he   traveled   across   the   .Atlantic   ocean   about 

Mr.  Griscom  married  Ann  Powell,  daughter  of  .Tere-  fifty  times.  Finally,  in  1904,  on  account  of  his  a^-'e  he 
miah  Powell,  a  fanner  of  Salem  county,  N.  J.,  and  there  was  obliged  to  discontinue  his  residence  abroad  and'  re- 
were  twelve  children  born  to  this  union :  Rachel  D.,  turning  to  Pennsylvania  he  purchased  a  propertv  at  Brvn 
David  P.  Sarah  P  Powell  EHzabeth  Samuel  Everett  Mawr.near  Philadelphia,  which  he  improved  "according 
Edwm   Atlee,    Chalkley,    William   M.,    Horace,    Anna   and  to  his  ideas  of  a  home  for  himself  and  family,  and  he  is 


SAMUEL   GRISCOM   AND  WIFE  ANN  GRISCOM 


^c^a.14^  t/U^  y^cif 


L-irykt,— 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


393 


now  enjoying  its  well-deserved  comforts.  In  the  re- 
organization of  the  hardware  works,  in  the  spring  of 
1907,   he  was  elected  president  of  the  corporation. 

On  May  23,  1847,  Mr.  Griscorai  married  Ellen  Harb- 
ster,  who  was  born  at  Hamburg,  Pa.,  July  5,  1828,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Harbster,  of  Hamburg,  and  died  April 
22,  1864.  To  this  union  there  was  born  one  daughter, 
Annie.  On  May  10,  1882,  Mr.  Griscom  was  married  at 
Zurich,  Switzerland,  by  U.  S.  (vice)  Consul  John  Syz, 
to  Annie  Lydia  Miller,  who  was  born  at  Hamburg,  Pa., 
Aug.  9,  1859,  daughter  of  Girard  Miller,  also  of  Ham- 
burg, and  by  her  he  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters, 
as  follows:  Andrew,  William  M.,  Jr.,  Frederick  G.,  Ed- 
gar DeWare,  Ethel  L.  and  Grace  Millicent,  all  of  whom 
were  born  in  Germany,  while  Mr.  Griscom  was  living 
at  Berlin. 

Rachel  Denn  Gmscom  (sister  of  William  M.,  .and 
daughter  of  Samuel  Griscom)  was  the  founder  of  the 
"Widows'  Home"  at  Reading,  and  one  of  the  noblest 
characters  in  Berks  county,  having  been  known  for  her 
humane  and  charitable  spirit  in  the  community  for  sev- 
enty-five years — a  period  extending  from  the  dawn  of 
her  womanhood  until  she  went  to  her  eternal  rest  at  the 
age  of  ninety-two ;  and  the  board  of  managers,  with  which 
she  had  been  intimately  associated  for  twenty-five  years, 
truly  said  of  her  at  the  end  of  her  remarkable  career : 
"Her  life  is  a  noble  example  of  womanly  power  through 
the  life  of  the  highest  feminine  virtues." 

Miss  Griscom  was  born  at  Salem,  N.  J.,  Nov.  5,  1808. 
While  she  was  an  infant,  not  a  year  old,  her  parents  re- 
moved to  Philadelphia,  and  there  she  was  brought  up 
and  educated  under  the  superior  influence  of  the  Socie- 
ty of  Friends  until  she  became  seventeen  years  of  age. 
With  a  natural  inclination  to  carry  on  the  vocation  of  a 
teacher,  she  secured  a  school  at  Hancock  Bridge,  N. 
J.,  near  her  birthplace,  for  her  initiatory  experience,  and 
after  teaching  there  for  a  season  was  employed  to  teach 
in  the  "Friends'  School,"  at  Philadelphia,  in  1826,  but 
she  was  there  only  a  few  months  when  her  parents  re- 
moved to  Reading  and  she  went  with  them. 

There  was  a  large  settlement  of  Friends  in  Maiden- 
creek  township,  eight  miles  north  of  Reading,  and  learn- 
ing of  Miss  Griscom's  success  as  a  teacher,  they  em- 
ployed her  to  carry  on  their  school.  She  continued 
teaching  this  school  until  the  common  school  system 
was  accepted  by  Reading  in  1835,  and  then  she  started 
as  a  teacher  in  the  public  school  there;  and  from  that 
time  for  about  twenty-five  years,  she  was  engaged  at 
teaching  either  in  the  public  schools,  or  in  private  female 
seminaries,  or  on  her  own  account.  Soon  after  begin- 
ning at  Reading,  in  1837,  she  reported  a  school  attend- 
ance of  116  pupils,  fifty-eight  in  the  first  class,  twenty-six 
in  the  second  and  thirty-two  in  the  third.  Her  salary 
was  then  only  thirteen  dollars  a  month.  The  last  school 
which  she  taught  was  in  the  Exeter  meeting  house  in,  1860. 

Miss  Griscom  will  be  principally  remembered,  however, 
as  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  "Home  for  Widows  and 
Single  Women  of  Reading,"  indeed  as  the  very  first 
person  to  suggest  the  propriety  and  necessity  of  estab- 
lishing a  charitable  institution  of  this  kind  at  Reading. 
She  and  a  number  of  other  Christian  ladies  assembled 
repeatedly  in  the  law  offices  of  the  author  of  this  history, 
at  No.  546  Court  street,  during  the  year  1875,  and  form- 
ulated the  plans  which  culminated  in  the  incorporated 
body  in  January,  1876.  The  petitioners  signed  the  appli- 
cation for  a-  charter  in  this  office.  As  the  secretary, 
she  was  most  active  and  zealous,  always  hopeful  and 
determined  and  her  great  perseverance  was  eventually 
rewarded  by  the  recognition  of  the  community  and  the 
establishment  of  the  "Home."  Her  indomitable  spirit  in 
the  noble  cause  kept  her  at  the  head  of  all  the  movements 
of  the  society  until  her  physical  strength  became  too  weak 
to  permit  her  to  continue  any  longer  active  in  its  man- 
agement and  so,  in  1891,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years, 
after  a  continuous  service  of  fifteen  years  as  the  secre- 
tary, she  declined  a  re-election.  Upon  the  announcement 
of  her  purpose,  the  board  of  managers  passed  the  follow- 


ing highly  appropriate  and  laudatory  resolution,  Jan.  15, 
1891: 

"No  mere  words  of  sorrow  or  resolutions  of  regret 
can  convey  an  idea  of  the  loss  the  Board  of  Managers 
sustained  in  the  resignation  of  Miss  Griscom  as  secre- 
tary. _  From  her  labors  of  philanthropy  this  charity  had 
its  origin;  to  her  praiseworthy  industry  much  of  its  sys- 
tematic arrangement  is  due;  to  her  influence  among  the 
people,  who  accepted  what  she  approved,  much  of  its 
success  is  due.  Her  faith  in  the  benevolence  of  her 
neighbors  often  enabled  this  Board  to  undertake  work 
that  at  first  sight  seemed  impossible.  May  her  example 
of  untiring  industry  and  Christian  philanthropy  have 
a  lasting  influence  on  the  members   of  this   Board." 

The  retiring  secretary  addressed  this  reply  to  the 
Board,   Feb.   12,   1891: 

"Accept  my  heartfelt  thanks  for  your  kind  resolution 
in  regard  to  my  past  services  as  secretary.  Those  ser- 
vices were  made  and  well  repaid  by  your  unvarying  con- 
sideration, indulgence,  aid  and  cheerful,  helpful  gifts.  We 
have  journeyed  together  in  harmony  and  prospered.  May 
the  future  bring  to  you,  to  the  Association  -and  to  my 
successor  the  same  progress,  prosperity  and  grateful 
consciousness    of   Divine   aid   and   appreciation." 

During  Miss  Griscom's  declining  years,  the  author  of 
this  history  called  to  see  her  a  number  oif  times  socially 
at  her  home.  No.  227  South  Fourth  street,  and  to  him 
her  noble  spirit  was  always  inexpressibly  beautiful  and 
inspiring.  She ,  died  at  Reading  Jan.  8,  1901,  at  the  age 
of  ninety-two  years,  two  months,  three  days,  and  all  who 
had  come  to  know  her  and  to  appreciate  her  worth  to 
the  community  mourned  her  departure.  The  managers  of 
the  Widows'  Home  felt  their  loss  particularly,  and  on 
the  10th  of  January  following  passed  an  appropriate  res- 
olution of  regret. 

JOHN  G.  NIETHAMMER  has  been  engaged  in  business 
in  Reading  on  his  own  account  for  the  past  twenty  years, 
and  during  his  honorable  career  has  sustained  the  high 
reputation  which  the  name  Niethamnier  has  long  borne 
in  this  city. 

Balthaser  Niethammer,  grandfather  of  John  G.,  was  a 
native  of  Germany,  where  he  followed  farming  and  en- 
gaged in  the  cattle  business,  and  where  he  died.  He  and 
his  wife,  Anna  Maria  Seager,  were  the  parents  of  two 
children :  Elizabeth,  who  married  and  died  in  Germany ; 
and  John  George,  father  of  John  G.,  of  Reading. 

John  George  Niethammer  was  born  in  Wurteniberg, 
Germany,  and  there  received  his  education.  He  came  to 
America  July  19,  1852,  landing  in  New  York  City,  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  after  spending  two  days  there 
came  to  Reading.  His  first  occupation  was  as  super- 
intendent of  a  large  sawmill  near  that  city,  from  which 
mill  came  the  timbers  used  to  build  the  bridges  along  the 
Schuylkill  and  Tulpehocken  rivers.  Mr.  Niethammer  was 
next  employed  at  the  Berks  County  House  for  several 
years,  and  then  moved  to  Muhlenberg  Hall,  No.  757  Penn 
street,  and  this  he  conducted  successfully  until  his  death, 
March  30,  1890,  a  period  of  thirty-three  years.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  importers  of  Rhine  wine  to  Reading,  mak- 
ing a  special  trip  to  Europe  for  that  purpose.  He  was 
connected  with  the  Teutonic  Lodge  of  Masons.  Mr.  Nie- 
thammer was  married  in  Reading,  in  March,  1855,  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Keller,  pastor  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  to 
A.  Mary  Gessler,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  born  Sept.  17, 
1833,  who  came  to  America  March  18,  1853.  After  the 
death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Niethammer  continued  the  busi- 
ness for  eight  years,  and  in  1898  removed  to  No.  123  North 
Eleventh  street,  where  she  died  June  21,  1905.  Both  she  - 
and  her  husband  were  buried  at  the  Charles  Evans  ceme- 
tery. Of  their  children :  Mary  Catherine  m.  Samuel  P. 
Brown,  and  died  in  1883 ;  Anna  Margaret  and  Ella  Eliza- 
beth, both  single,  live  at  the  Eleventh  street  home;  John  G. 
is  mentioned  below;  Annie  M.  died  in  infancy;  Peter  B. 
married  Luca  Miller,  and  resides  in  East  Reading;  and 
Jacob  B.,  an  inventor,  and  a  vei^y  popular  young  man  of 
the  city,  who  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  work  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.,  died  Jan.  19,  1894. 


394 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


John  G.  Niethammer  was  born  in  Reading  in  1863,  and 
received  his  education  in  his  native  city,  first  attending 
the  public  schools  and  subsequently  E.  E.  Post  Commercial 
College,  where  he  was  given  thorough  training  in  business 
methods.  Then  he  went  to  Lancaster,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa., 
where  he  was  employed  by  a  Mr.  Casper  Kohler,  having 
charge  of  the  office  for  about  a  year.  Returning  to  Read- 
ing at  the  end  of  that  time  he  assisted  his  father  as  clerk 
for  a  few  years,  remaining  with  him  until  he  started  in 
business  for  himself.  When  Mr.  Niethammer  was  about 
twenty-three  he  opened  the  establishment  known  as  Niet- 
hamim-er's  Cafe,  at  No.  13  North  Eighth  street,  and  engaged 
in  the  hotel  and  restaurant  business  very  successfully  for 
nineteen  years,  becoming  as  well  and  as  favorably  known 
in  his  line  as  his  father.  He  finally  sold  out  to  a  Mr. 
Harner  in  order  to  devote  himself  to  another  enterprise, 
the  manufacture  of  cigars.  On  March  21,  1904,  he  com- 
menced this  business  in  the  old  Rainbow  fire  house,  No.  23 
North  Eighth  street,  where  he  conducted  a  thriving  estab- 
lishment in  partnership  with  Charles  E.  Nagle  and  Hiester 
C.  Nagle,  the  firm  being  known  as  the  N.  &  N.  Cigar 
Company,  until  Jan.  1,  1909,  when  he  purchased  his  part- 
ners' interest  and  is  now  the  sole  owner  of  the  business. 
Employment  is  given  to  twenty-five  skilled  workmen,  and 
only  high  grade  products  are  made,  a  few  of  the  brands 
being  the  "Triple  N.,"  which  is  in  both  five  and  ten-cent 
varieties,  the  "Jerry  Murphy"  and  "Honor  Bound,"  both 
five-cent  brands,  the  "Major  N.,"  a  ten-cent  product,  the 
"N.  B.,"  and  the  "J.  G.  N.,"  both  fifteen-cent  cigars,  and 
the  "Hoya-Uneva,"  a  twenty-five  cent  cigar.  The  local 
trade  is  large  and  steady  and  there  is  also  an  extensive 
out-of-town  business.  Besides  his  manufacturing  interests, 
Mr.  Niethammer  has  a  retail  cigar  store  at  No.  17  North 
Eighth  street,  and  in  connection  therewith  has  six  bowling 
alleys,  three  pool  tables  and  a  billiard  table.  He  put  up 
the  building  in  which  this  establishment  is  located,  a  four- 
story  structure,  in  April,  1904.  Mr.  Niethammer's  energy 
and  progressive  spirit  have  won  him  a  standing  among 
the  substantial  business  men  of  the  city,  and  he  enjoys  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  his  associates  wherever  he  is 
known. 

On  April  16,  1885,  Mr.  Niethammer  married  Eleanora 
Loewen,  and  their  hom.e  is  at  No'.  45  South  Eighth  street. 
Mr.  Niethammer  devotes  his  time  and  attention  to  busi- 
ness chiefly,  but  he  has  served  fifteen  years  as  treasurer 
of  the  Rainbow  Fire  Company,  in  whose  welfare  he  is 
much  interested.  INIr.  Niethammer  has  been  the  owner  of 
some  very  fine  horses,  and  at  one  time  owned  the  famous 
"Major  N.,"  widely  known  and  a  great  favorite  through- 
out this  circuit. 

CALEB  WEIDNER,  city  clerk  of  Reading  and  one  of 
the  prominent  workers  in  the  Democratic  party,  was  born 
in  Exeter  township,  Berks  county,  Nov.  11,  1869,  son  of 
George  D.  and  Susan  (Clark)  Weidner,  and  member  of 
an  early  settled  family  of  the  county. 

Peter  Weidner,  great-grandfather  of  Caleb,  was  born  in 
Oley  township,  Berks  county,  April  13,  1759,  and  he  died 
at  the  Falls  of  the  Schuylkill,  where  he  had  conducted  a 
ferry  for  many  years,  March  30,  1822,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
two  years,  eleven  months  and  twelve  days.  His  wife, 
Susan  Leveriiig  in  her  maidenhood,  was  born  Nov.  23,  1757, 
and  she  died  Oct.  17,  1845,  in  the  eighty-seventh  year  of 
her  age.  Their  children  were  :  Henry,  born  Aug.  30,  1781, 
died  Feb.  5.  1846 ;  Charles,  born  Sept.  11,  17S:i :  Elizabeth, 
born  Aug.  6,  1785,  died  .Aug.  14,  1785 ;  Peter,  born  Sept. 
4,  1786.  died  June  18,  178S  ;  Peter  (2),  born  Feb.  6,  1789; 
John,  born  June  22.  1791 ;  ^Margaret,  born  Feb.  17,  1794 ; 
Elizabeth  (2),  born  July  26,  1796,  died  April  25,  1822; 
Susan,  born  Jan.  26,  1799,  died  Dec.  IS,  1800;  Susan  (2), 
born  Oct.  25,  1801;  and  Catharine,  born  Oct.  28,  1803. 

Peter  Weidner,  son  of  Peter,  born  at  the  Falls  of  the 
Schuylkill  Feb.  6,  3  789,  learned  the  cooper's  trade  in  his 
youth,  and  followed  it  all  his  life.  In  1833  he  came  with 
his  family  from  Ro.-choro  to  Stonctovvn,  and  he  died  at 
the  latter  place  June  21.  1S7S,  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife  he  had 
lliree  suns:  Charles,  wlio  died  at  Bird^boro;  Malcolm,  who 


died  at  Philadelphia;  and  John,  who  died  at  Stonetown. 
For  his  second  wife  Peter  Weidner  married  Elizabeth 
Good,  who  died  in  March,  1884,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four 
years.  Their  children  were :  Jane,  m.  to  William  Sher- 
man; Susan,  m.  to  Thomas  Wolf;  Mary,  m.  to  Caleb  B. 
Ruth;  Margaret,  m.  to  George  Hart;  Peter,  who  died 
young;  and  George  D.,  mentioned  below. 

George  D.  Weidner,  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth,  was 
born  at  Stonersville,  in  Exeter  township,  Sept.  23,  1844. 
In  his  young  manhood  he  learned  telegraphy,  and  for 
many  years  he  was  station  agent  at  Exeter,  now  Lorane. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  evinced  his  patriotism  by  enlist- 
ing in  Company  K,  151st  Pa.  V.  L,  and  was  assigned  to 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Antietam  and  Gettysburg,  and  was  severely  wounded 
at  the  latter.  He  was  for  some  time  in  the  hospital  at 
Harrisburg,  and  after  his  release  and  partial  recovery  he 
came  to  Reading  and  learned  the  cigar  maker's  trade.  This 
he  was  obliged  to  abandon  on  account  of  his  health,  and 
he  then  worked  at  the  Signal  tower  near  Exeter  until  1865. 
The  next  year  he  timed  the  trains  at  Quinter's  Bridge,  and 
continued  there  until  1868.  From  1868  until  1872  he  was 
operator  at  Exeter  station,  and  in  the  latter  year  he  pur- 
chased the  store  and  hotel  property  at  Exeter,  and  these 
he  successfully  conducted  until  1883.  The  next  two  years 
were  spent  in  Wayne  township.  Schuylkill  county,  where 
he  owned  a  valuable  farm  which  he  cultivated.  ,  His  wife 
and  family  then  removed  to  Reading,  and  there  the  family 
home  has  since  been  maintained.  Since  locating  in  Read- 
ing Mr.  Weidner  has  worked  at  different  vocations,  for 
several  years  being  in  the  employ  of  the  railroad.  Mr. 
Weidner  married  Miss  Susan  Clark,  who  was  born  April 
1,  1848,  daughter  of  William  and  Susan  (Hiester)  Clark. 
Eight  children — six  sons  and  two  daughters — blessed  this 
union:  Miss  Mary;  Kate,  m.  to  Frederick  Weidenhatmner, 
of  Reading;  Caleb;  George,  m.  to  Laura  Weidner,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Weidner.  of  Reading;  Harry,  of  Reading; 
William,  m.  to  Ella  IMorris,  and  engaged  as  a  barber  in 
Reading;  Winfield  S.,  of  Reading;  and  Walter,  a  well 
known  showman  who  has  traveled  all  over  the  United 
States. 

Caleb  Weidner,  son  of  George  D.,  attended  school 
in  the  township  and  later  in  Schujdkill  county.  He 
early  started  out  for  himself,  working  upon  the  farm  in 
Schuylkill  county.  On  Dec.  2,  1884,  he  accompanied  his 
mother  to  Reading,  and  this  has  since  been  his  home.  He 
has  been  the  main  support  of  his  mother  since  before  he 
was  eleven  years  of  age.  His  first  emploiTnent  in  this 
city  was  with  the  Reading  Hardware  Company,  with  whom 
he  remained  for  two  years.  He  then  learned  the  hatter's 
trade  with  John  H.  Hendel,  and  this  he  followed  from 
1886  to  1903.  On  May  1,  1903,  he  became  registry  clerk 
to  Elmer  H.  Beard,  in  the  city  engineer's  office  at  the  city 
hall.  After  four  years  of  efficient  service  with  the  city 
engineer  he  was  elected  by  the  council  to  the  office  of  city 
clerk  of  Reading,  on  .March  11,  1907,  and  in  .A.pril  fol- 
lowing assumed  the  duties  of  that  office. 

Ivlr.  Weidner  is  one  of  the  leading  men  at  the  city 
hall,  and  wields  a  powerful  influence  in  local  politics.  He 
has  always  been  a  Democrat,  and  has  been  a  worker  for 
his  party  since  he  was  nineteen.  He  has  frequently  been 
a  delegate  to  county  conventions,  and  in  1906  was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  State  Convention.  His  first  political  office  was 
election  inspector  of  the  2d  precinct  of  the  Tenth  ward. 
Since  lOou  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Citv  Democratic 
executive  committee,  and  is  vice  president  of  same.  The 
future  looks  most  promising  to  him.  He  has  kept  himself 
upright  and  honorable,  keeping  his  promises  and  fulfilling 
his  obligations,  and  he  has  won  the  respect  of  men  in  all 
parties. 

Mr.  \\'ei(lner  was  instrumental  in  the  reorganization  of 
the  Wool  Hatters'  Union  of  Reading,  which  is  a  chartered 
institution,  Of  this  he  was  president  from  1892  to  1904. 
Tn  1  S'l:!  he  was  Jectcd  national  vice  president,  and  was  presi- 
dent, for  s  number  of  years,  of  the  International  Hatters 
Union  of  North  .-Vmerica,  after  having  been  twice  sent 
as  delegate  to  that  convention  by  the  local  association 
which   he  placed  on    so   high   a   standard.     He   is   a   mem- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


395 


ber  of  many  organizations,  among  them  being:  Lodge  No. 
549,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Reading;  Reading  Chapter,  No.  152;  Allen 
Council,  No.  23,  R.  &  S.  M.,  Allentown;  De  Molay  Com- 
mandery,  No.  9;  Rajah  Temple,  Mystic  Shrine;  Reading 
Aerie  No.  66,  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  of  which  he 
is  treasurer;  Freedom  Circle  No.  7,  Brotherhood  of  Am- 
erica; and  he  is  an  active  member,  stock  holder  and  vice 
president  of  the  Eagles  Mountain  Home  Association.  He 
also  belongs  to  Washington  Fire  Company  No.  2,  of  which 
he  was  trustee  for  six  terms.  He  is  likewise  connected 
with  a  number  of  social  clubs.  In  his  religious  faith  he 
is  a  member  of  the  First  Reformed  Church.  He  is  well 
read,  progressive  and  intelligent,  and  has  hosts  of  warm 
friends.  He  is  a  great  comfort  to  his  venerable  mother, 
with  whom  he  resides  at  No.  253  South  Tenth  street, 
Reading. 

WEIDNER.  The  ancestor  of  the  Weidner  family  in 
Berks  county  was.  (I)  Adam  Weidner,  who  settled  in  Oley 
township  prior  to  1744,  in  which  year  he  bought  a  con- 
siderable tract  of  land  from  Benjamin  Lee,  a  part  of 
which,  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Pleasahtville,  is  now  the 
property  of  Philip  D.  Hoch.  He  had  three  sons,  (H) 
Tychicus,  Lazarus  and  David,  whom,  tradition  says,  were 
born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany.  They,  too,  came  to  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Tychicus  Weidner,  who  is  also  called 
"Dietrich"  Weidner,  and  his  brother  Lazarus  had  settled 
in  Oley  township  before  1744.  In  1759  "Dehecus"  Weidner 
paid  a  federal  tax  of  17  pounds  in  Oley.  He  died  in  1798, 
the  year  in  which  his  will  was  probated.  He  was  a  large 
land  owner,  and  at  his  death  left  a  large  estate,  which  he 
divided  equitably  among  his  children,  who  were  eleven  in 
number  and  named  as  follows :  Jacob,  John,  Hannah, 
Catharine,  Esther,  Susanna,  Mary,  Peter,  Jonathan,  Chris- 
tian and  Daniel.  The  eldest  daughter,  Hannah,  was  never 
married.  She  was  bequested  with  a  house,  so  much  flax 
every  year,  and  the  walnut  wash  props. 

In  1788  (II)  Tychicus  Weidner  sold  a  tract  of  land 
located  in  Amity  township,  this  county,  to  his  eldest  son, 
Jacob,  and  to  the  same  son  he  soldi  another  tract,  of  200 
acres,  situated  in  Oley  township  (being  a  part  of  a  tract  of 
404  acres),  in  the  year  1791. 

(III)  Jacob  Weidner,  eldest  son  of  Tychicus,  was  first 
married  to  Elizabeth  Price,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Peter,  who  settled  at  the  Falls 
of  the  Schuylkill;  Daniel,  who  died  aged  twenty  years; 
David;  Jacob,  m.  to  Hannah  Yoder  (they  had  Benneville 
and  Mary)  ;  Hannah,  m.  to  Daniel  Brown,  of  Pricetown, 
Berks  county  (she  lived  to  the  great  age  of  ninety-eight 
years)  ;  a  daughter  m.  to  David  Yoder,  moving  with  him 
to  New  York  State ;  and  William. 

(IV)  William  Weidner,  son  of  Jacob,  married  Susanna 
Yoder.  They  were  farming  people  and  lived  in  Oley 
township.  Their  nine  children  were :  Jacob ;  Daniel,  who 
moved  to  Northumberland  county.  Pa.,  and  later  settled 
in  Ohio;  William,  m.  to  Catharine  Beam;  Reuben,  m.  to 
Mary  Beam;  George,  m.  to  Theresa  Berndt;  Rachel,  m. 
to  William  Dilaplain;  Amanda,  m.  to,  Reuben  Dry;  Leah, 
m.  to  Israel  Keim  (they  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Milton, 
Pa.) ;  and  Polly,  m.  to  David  Weidner. 

(V)  Jacob  Weidner,  eldest  son  of  William,  was  born 
in  Oley,  and  during  his  earlier  manhood  followed  farming, 
also  conducting  a  wheelwright  shop  above  Pleasantville 
until  1855,  when  he  moved  to  Reading.  There  he  was  a 
car  builder  for  Johnston  &  Shaaber.  He  married  Mary  Ann 
Weidner,  a  daughter  of  David  Weidner,  of  Friedensburg, 
Pa.,  and  they  had  the  following  named  children :  Augustus, 
who  died  young;  Jacob,  who  died  young;  James,  who  was 
killed  in  battle  in  the  Civil  war ;  Gideon ;  Daniel  W. ; 
Malinda'. 

(VI)  Gideon  Weidner  was  born  in  1842,  son  of  Jacob, 
was  a  shoemaker  in  Reading  all  his  life,  and  he  died 
in  1906.  His  wife  was  Esther  Graul,  and  to  them  were 
born  two  children :  James  L.  and  Annie,  the  latter  the  wife 
of    Samuel   Kridler,   of  Lancaster,   Pennsylvania. 

(VII)  James  L.  Weidner,  son  of  Gideon,  was  born  in 
Reading  Aug.  8,  1865,  and  still  makes  his  home  in  that 
city.     He  is ,  engaged  as  a  brick  maker  during  the  warm 


weather  and  as  a  shoemaker  in  the  wintertime.  In  1889  he 
married  Mary  Monroe,  and  to  them  have  been  born  two 
children,   Annie   and   Charles. 


(VI)  Daniel  W.  Weidner,  brother  of  Gideon,  was  born 
Oct.  12,  1844.  When  seventeen  years  old  he  commenced 
to  learn  shoemaking,  and  has  ever  since  followed  that 
trade,  having  his  shop  and  home  at  No.  231  South  Tenth 
street,  Reading.  He  is  active  in  religious  work  and  identi- 
fied with  independent  church  activities  as  a  member  of  the 
Gospel  Tabernacle  in  Reading.  In  1866  Mr.  Weidner 
m.  Sallie  Price,  by  whom  he  has  two  children':  Harry  J., 
a  shoemaker  of  Reading;  and  Annie,  m.  to  Jeremiah  Auge, 
of  Reading. 

(V)  Reuben  Weidner  (son  of  William,  son  of  Jacob, 
son  of  Tychicus)  was  born  in  1832  and  died  in  1889.  He 
m.  Mary  Beam,  and  had  a  family  of  five  children;  Annie 
m.  Alvin  Levan;  Elias  m.  Amanda  Cleaver;  Helen  ^n. 
Chester  B.  Cleaver;  William  m.  Hannah  George;  Amanda 
m.  Charles  Holt. 


After  the  death  of  (III)  Jacob  Weidner  (eldest  son  of 
Tychicus)  his  widow  Elizabeth,  nee  Price,  remarried,  her 
second  husband  being  Peter  Weidner,  a  younger  brother  of 
■  her  first.  Peter  Weidner  was  born  in  1774  and  died  in  1838, 
in  his  sixty-fifth  year.  His  widow  survived  a  number  of 
years,  dying  July  4,  1857,  in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  her 
age.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  owned  a  large  tract  of  land 
in  Pike  township,  this  county.  To  Peter  and  Elizabeth 
Weidner  were  born  two  children,  viz. :  John  P.  and  Mary. 
The  daughter,  who  was  the  youngest,  m.  Daniel  Weidner, 
and  they  settled  at  Milton,  Pa.,  where  they  both  died. 

(IV)  John  P.  Weidner  (son  of  Peter,  son  of  Tychicus) 
was  born  in  Pike  township,  Berks  county,  April  13,  1812, 
and  died  March  7,  1885,  in  his  seventy-third  year.  He  was 
a  weaver  and  farmer  by  occupation.  By  his  wife,  Eliza- 
beth Reppert,  he  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  namely: 
William  R.,  Jonathan,  Sarah,  John  R.,  Eliza,  Kate,  Leanda, 
Caroline,  Mary  and  Peter. 

(V)  William  R.  Weidner,  son  of  John  P.,  was  born  in 
Pike  township,  Nov.  27,  1837,  and  is  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion. He  has  lived  successively  in  Oley,  Ruscombmanor, 
Alsace  and  Exeter  townships,  having  made  his  home 
continuously  on  one  farm  in  Exeter  from  1881  to  the 
present  time.  In  1884  he  married  Emma  Himmelreich,  by 
whom  he  had  these  children:  Seth,  Amanda,  Emma,  Wil- 
liam, Katie,  John  and  Daniel    (twins)   and  Thomas. 

(V)  John  R.  Weidner,  brother  of  William  R.,  was  born 
in  Pike  township,  Oct.  12,  1842,  and  lived  upon  the  farm  in 
that  township  until  1866,  in  which  year  he  moved  to  Read- 
ing, where  he  has  lived  ever  since.  He  is  a  boss  carpenter, 
and  has  for  niany  years  been  engaged  in  the  building  and 
contracting  business.  In  1867  he  was  married  to  Hattie 
Brown,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Clara,  and  in  1880  he 
was  married  to  Elva  F.  Weber.  Nine  children  have  been 
born  to  the  second  union,  namely:  Nora,  Howard,  Flor- 
.ence,  Bessie,  Almeretta,  John,  Benjamin,  Minerva  and  Edgar. 

(III)  Jonathan  Weidner,  one  of  the  sons  of  Tychicus,  of 
Oley,  was  born  there  in  1766,  and  died  in  1838,  in  his 
seventy-third  year.  He  lived  on  a  farm  near  Pricetown, 
in  Ruscombmanor  township.  He  m.  Bevvy  Gambler,  and 
their  family  consisted  of  three  children :  Abraham,  who 
lived  in  Alsace  township,  m.  Katie  Beck,  and  they  had  two 
daughters.  Bevvy  and  Amelia;  Bevvy  m.  John  Focht ;  Jon- 
athan was  born  in  1805  and  died  in  1861. 

(IV)  Jonathan  Weidner,  son  of  Jonathan,  was  born  in 
1805,  and  died  in  1861.  He  had  a  family  of  three  children : 
Augustus,  who  is  mentioned  presently;  Maberry,  of  Allen- 
town,  Pa.;  and  Sarah,  m.  to  Elias  Becker. 

(V)  Augustus  Weidner,  eldest  son  of  Jonathan,  was 
born  Aug.  14,  1838,  is  a  huckster  and  farmer  by  calling, 
and  lives  near  Pricetown.  He  m.  Maria  Diehl,  and  they 
have  had  children  as  follows:  Katie  m.  Harry  Fritz; 
Hiannah  mi.  Howard  Hartman ;  Olivia  (deceased)  m. 
Oscar  Bush;  Anna  M.  m.  Howard  Homan;  Edwin  m, 
Nora  Ballard;  Augustus  m.  Lizzie  Kern;  Irwin  m.  Louisa 
Everhart;  John  died  in  childhood. 


396 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(II)    Lazarus  Weidner,   son  of  Adam  the  emigrant  an- 
cestor, settled  in  Oley  township,  where  he  and  his  brother 
Tychicus  owned  adjoining  estates.     These  lands  were  sep- 
arated  by  a  lane   which   has   since  become   a  public   road. 
In  1759  Lazarus  Weidner  paid  a  federal  tax  of  18  pounds. 

His  will  was  probated  in  1803,  the  executors  being  his 
son  Jacob  and  his  sons-in-law  George  Yoder  and  Jacob 
Preiss.  An  item  of  the  will  was  to  the  effect  that  Eliza- 
beth, a  daughter  of  John  Lobach,  was  to  have  15  pounds  in 
money.  The  following  children  were  mentioned  in  the 
will:  Abraham;  Catharine  Seisholtz ;  Elizabeth  m.  Jacob 
Preiss;  Mary  m.  George  Yoder;  Jacob;  Daniel;  Isaac; 
David,  and  John, 

(III)  Jacob  Weidner,  son  of  Lazarus,  obtained  the 
homestead  in  Oley,  and  he  is  buried  there  in  a  private  cem- 
etery on  the  farm.  His  wife,  Veronica,  died  in  1865.  They 
had  three  children:  Catharine,  born  March  29,  1823,  m. 
Isaac  Reiff;  Caroline  m.  Jacob  Keim;  John  m.  Sarah  Ang- 
stadt,  and  they  had  two  children,  Samuel  and  George. 
The  son,  John,  came  into  possession  of  his  father's  home- 
stead, which  he  cultivated. 

Samuel  Weidner  (who  had  a  brother  Benjamin)  was  a 
farmer  in  Pike  township,  where  he  died  in  1876.  His  wife 
was  Catharine  Gauger,  and  they  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: William  G.  came  into  possession  of  the  homestead; 
Samuel  G.  m.  Hannah  Yoder;  John  G.  obtained  part  of 
the  homestead ;  Catharine  m.  Thomas  Weidner ;  Rachel 
m.  Samuel  G.  Ruppert;  Sarah  ni.  (first)  Henry  Adam  and 
(second)  Henry  Miller;  Anna  ra.  David  Fry;  Caroline  m. 
Israel  Leinbach.  Both  of  the  parents  died  at  South  Beth- 
lehem, Pa.,  in  December,  1906,  at  about  the  same  time, 
and  they  were  buried  the  same  day  in  one  grave. 

PANNEBECKER-PENNYPACKER.  Few  families 
have  contributed  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  as  many 
men  of  sound  judgment,  wisdom  and  unselfish  partiotism 
as  that  founded  in  America  by  Hendrick  Pannebecker,  who 
was  born  on  or  about  March  21,  1674.  He  came  to  Amer- 
ica from  Flomborn,  a  village  on  the  River  Rhine,  near 
Worms.  There  is  a  reference  to  him  in  an  account  book 
of  Pastorious,  on  the  3d  of  1st  month,  1703.  Abotit  1699 
he  married  Eve  Umstat,  daughter  of  Hans  Peter  Umstat, 
of  Germantown.  They  had  eight  children :  Martha,  1706- 
1761;  Adolph,  1708-1789;  Peter,  1710-5  770;  John,  1713-1784 
(was  prominent  in  the  early  days  of  the  Revolution); 
Jacob,  1715-1752;  Henry,  1717-1792;  Barbara;  and  one  oth- 
er daughter  who  married  a  Keyser. 

Peter  Pannebecker,  son  of  the  emigrant  Hendrick,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Keyser,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  a 
son  William. 

William  Pennebecker,  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth,  was 
born  Aug.  26,  1740,  and  he  married  Mary  Hause.  They 
had  a  son  Jesse. 

Jesse  Pennebecker,  son  of  William  and  Mary,  was  born 
Feb.  1,  ]7S3.  He  was  a  farmer  near  Keely's  Church, 
Schwenkville,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  there.  He 
married  (first)  Salome  Berkey,  and  among  their  children 
were:  Jesse  B..  born  in  1820;  Amos;  and  two  daughters. 
His  second  wife  was  a  Livengood,  and  to  this  marriage 
were  horn :  JNIoses  and  Elias. 

Jesse  B.  Pannepacker,  son  of  Jesse,  was  born  at 
Schwenkville,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa..  Sept.  23,  1830 ; 
he  died  at  his  home  in  Colebrookdale  township,  Berks 
county,  April  23,  1885,  and  his  remains  rest  at  Fairview 
cemetery,  Boyertown.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and 
for  ten  years  worked  in  his  shop  at  Eshbach.  He  then 
spent  eight  years  in  farming  at  the  same  place,  after 
which  he  located  in  Colebrookdale  township,  where  he 
had  a  farm  of  thirt3r-eight  acres,  and  this  he  cultivated 
from  that  time  on  until  his  retirement.  He  added  twenty- 
eight  acres  to  his  original  tract.  His  industry  and  good 
management  brought  him  success,  and  about  eleven  years 
before  he  died  he  was  able  to  retire  and  to  pass  his  last 
years  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  competency  he  had  earned. 
As  a  public-spirited  citizen,  he  was  in  the' front  rank.  His 
political  principles  were  those  of  the  Republican  party 
and  he  ably  filled   the  offices   of   school   director  and  tax 


collector.  Like  all  his  family  he  belonged  to  St.  John's 
Lutheran  Church  at  Boyertown,  and  he  at  various  times 
held  all  the  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  Church.  He  is  buried 
in  the  family  lot  in  Fairview  cemetery.  He  married  (first) 
Mary  Bechtel,  born  Oct.  23,  1821,  daughter  of  Gehart  (or 
Gerhart)  Bechtel  and  wife  (whose  maiden  name  was  Erd- 
man).  Both  Gehart  Bechtel  and  wife  are  buried  in  the 
Mennonite  graveyard  at  Bally.  Airs.  Mary  (Bechtel) 
Pannepacker  died  Feb.  11,  1878.  The  only  child  born  to 
Jesse  B.  and  Mary  (Bechtel)  Pannepacker  was  Amos  B. 
Jesse  B.  Pannepacker  married  (second)  Esther  Krause 
(1819-1905.) 

Amos  B.  Pannepacker,  son  of  Jesse  B.,  was  born  at  Esh- 
bach Corner,  in  Washington  township,  Berks  county,  Oct. 
26,  1843.  He  attended  the  old  pay  school  held  in  a  spring- 
house  at  Eshbach,  on  the  John  Reidenauer  farm.  The 
teachers  were  a  Mr.  Siegenfuse  and  Mr.  John  TroUinger. 
Later  he  attended  a  public  school.  He  gave  his  services 
to  his  parents  on  the  home  farm  until  he  attained  his 
majority,  and  continued  working  for  his  father  after  that 
time  until  he  was  twenty-eight.  After  his  marriage  he 
began  farming  for  himself  in  Colebrookdale  township,  two 
miles  from  Boyertown,  on  one  of  his  father's  farms.  This 
continued  to  be  his  home  until  1882,  when  he  rented  the 
farm  of  seventy-five  acres.  The  farm  on  which  he  now 
lives  he  purchased  in  1894.  It  consists  of  110  acres  of 
fertile  land,  and  is  improved  with  substantial  buildings, 
part  of  which  Mr.  Pannepacker  himself  erected.  He  is 
one  of  the  heavy  taxpayers  of  the  township.  Besides  his 
farm  he  is  interested  in  the  Clayton  Creamery,  and  is 
president  of  the  Clayton  Creamery  Association.  This 
Creamery  averages  about  five  thousand  pounds  of  milk 
daily  the  year  round.  He  is  also  interested  in  the  Boyer- 
town Candy  Company,  and  in  a  number  of  different  enter- 
prises. 

Mr.  Pannepacker  has  been  active  in  local  matters  as  a 
strong  Republican,  and  for  two  years  he  served  the  town- 
ship as  supervisor.  He  was  township  committeeman  for  a 
number  of  years  and  was  delegate  to  a  number  of  county 
conventions.  He  is  a  member  of  Christ  Lutheran  Church, 
at  Niantic,  which  he  has  served  as  deacon  and  elder,  and 
at  the  present  time  is  serving  as  trustee.  His  wife  belongs 
to  the  New  Mennonite  Church  at  Bally. 

On  Dec.  34,  1870,  Mr.  Pannepacker  married  Annie 
Clemmer,  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (Bauer)  Clemmer, 
of  Washington  township.  To  this  union  was  born  a  daugh- 
ter, Annie,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Ulysses  C.  Moyer,  the 
farmer  on  Mr.  Pannepacker's  farm.  They  have  had  two 
children :  Amos  H.,  who  died  aged  two  and  one-half  vears ; 
and  Rosa. 


On  Oct.  4,  1877,  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  German- 
town,  was  held  a  re-union  of  the  descendants  of  Hendrick 
Pannebecker.  The  site  selected  was  the  camp  ground  oc- 
cupied by  Washington  and  the  Revolutionarv  armv  at 
"Pennypacker's  Mills,"  on  the  Perkiomen  creek.  "The 
program  on  that  occasion  included  an  oration  bv  Samuel 
W.  Pennypacker,  since  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth;  a 
hymn,  written  by  Isaac  R.  Pennypacker,  and  adapted  to 
Mennonite  music,  commemorative  of  Leonard  Kej'ser,  a 
Mennonite  martyr,  who  was  one  of  the  forefathers  of 
the  family,  to  be  sung  to  illustrate  the  first  epoch;  the 
ballad  of  Washington  at  Pennypacker's  Mills,  written  by 
Theodore  Winthrop  in  his  novel  "Edwin  Brothertoft"  to 
be  read  or  sung  as  an  illustration  of  the  Revolutionary 
epoch ;  and  "Gen.  Pennypacker's  March,"  by  Pierre  Latour, 
to  be  played  for  the  present  epoch. 

The  story  of  Leonard  Keyser  as  given  hy  Van  Braght 
is  as  follows :  "In  the  year  1537  was  the  learned  and  good 
Leonard  Keyser  taken  and  condemned  to  be  burned.  As 
he  neared  the  fire,  bound  in  a  cart,  he  broke  off  a  flower 
that  grew  in  the  field  and  said  to  the  judges,  for  thev 
rode  along  with  him,  'If  ye  can  burn  this  little  flower  and 
me,  then  have  ye  judged  aright;  if  not,  take  heed  and  re- 
pent.' Thrice  the  great  fagots  were  heaped  around  him 
at  the  stake  and  kindled.  Nevertheless  when  they  had 
burned  away,  his  body  was  found  unmarked  save  that  his 
hair  was  singed  and  his  nails  wore  a  little  brown.     Like- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


397 


^wise  the  little  flower  yet  lay  in  his  hand  unchanged.  There- 
upon, the  sheriffs  cut  his  body  into  pieces  and  cast  them 
into  the  Inn.  But  a  judge  was  so  moved  thereat  that  he 
yielded  up  his  office,  and  one  of  the  sheriffs  became  a 
Mennonite  brother  and  ever  thereafter  lived  a  pious  life." 

HYMN. 

When  Leonard  Keyser  heard  the  cries 

Of  grief  for  martyred  dead, 
And  saw  the  place  of  sacrifice 

Whereto  his  pathway  led. 
He  pleaded  not,  with  useless  prayer 

To  scorning  bigots  near, 
But  plucked  a  flower  that  bloomed  so  fair 

It  made  the  waste  more  drear. 

One  flower  that  had  escaped  the  breath 

That  swept  the  withered  land; 
God's  symbol  of  a  life  from  death 

He  held  it  in  his  hand. 
"If  ye  have  power,"  he  spake,  "this  hour 

With  all  the  fires  ye  light 
To  burn  my  body,  or  this  flower. 

Then  have  ye  done  aright." 

His  eyes  upraised  saw  not  the  glare 

Of  torch  on  hooting  crowd. 
But  far  above  the  fagots'  flare 

A  rift  within  the  cloud — 
A  promise   sent   from   God  on  high 

That  hate  should  surely  fail; 
No  wealth  could  then  His  power  defy 

Nor  in  the  end  prevail. 

We  seek  not,  Lord,  to  know  the  spell 

That  wrought  Thy  will  divine, 
We  know  Thou  doest  all  things  well; 

The  miracle  was  Thine 
To  cause  the  bonds  to  fall,  to  take 

From  death  all  trace  of  pain 
And  mark  of  fire,  and  then  to  make 

The  flower  to  bloom  again. 

The  fagots'  blaze  like  noontide  hours 

Gave  vigor  to  truth's  germ. 
And  tears  but  seemed  the  summer  showers 

,  To  make  its  root  more  firm. 
Upon  the  Inn's  dark  ebbing  tide 

The  martyr's  corse  was  thrown, 
A  witness  of  his  creed  he  died, 

A  faith  his  children  own. 

Upon  those  waves  the  good  ships  bore 

Truth's  fruitage  to  the  sea 
Whose  surges  broke  upon  this  shore 

Of  peace  and  liberty. 
And  Thou,  O,  God !   whose  hallowed  hand 

Upheld  the  troubled  sea 
Whereon  our  sires  sailed  to  this  land. 

We  life  our  prayers  to  Thee — 

To  ask  that  for  these  kinsfolk  here 

Thou  wilt  extend  Thy  care 
As  when  Thou  mad'st  the  rift  appear 

Above  the  fagots'  flare ; 
We  thank  Thee  for  Thy  blessings  given 

To  all  this  gathered  throng. 
And  sing  Thy  praises  unto  Heaven 

In  one  triumphant  "song. 

REV.  ZENAS  H.  GABLE,  a  prominent  clergyman  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  who  came  to  Reading  Aug.  17,  1873, 
having  accepted  a  call  to  six  different  congregations,  is 
one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  and  beloved  ministers 
of  his  denomination  in  this  section  of  the  State.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Gable  was  born^  Aug.  13,  1842,  in  Northampton 
county,  Pa.,  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizalseth  (Livingood) 
Gable,   and   grandson   of   Jacob    and    Elizabeth    (Freese) 


Gable.  The  Gable  family  originated  in  Germany,  and  its 
founder  in  America  was  Peter  Gable,  who  with  his  wife 
Christiana  came  to  Bucks  county  in  1703. 

The  children  of  Jacob  and  EHzabeth  (Freese)  Gable 
were :  Daniel,  Mary,  Sophia,  Aaron,  Tobias  and  Lucy  A. 
Jacob  Gable  died  .March  8,  1842,  aged  sixty-three  years, 
and  his  wife  F-eb.  24,  1856,  aged  seventy-eight  years. 

Daniel  Gable  was  born  in  Bucks  county.  Pa.,  Sept._  18, 
1805,  and  was  a  farmer  and  carpenter,  which  occupations 
he  followed  all  of  his  active  period,  dying  Aug.  26,  1886, 
aged  eighty-one  years.  His  wife  passed  away  July  1,  1897, 
when  eighty-seven  years  old.  Their  children  were :  Edwin, 
Charles  and  James,  deceased;  Sally  A.;  Thomas  M.,  and 
Zenas  H. 

Zenas  H.  Gable  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
at  Gettysburg  (Pa.)  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1865,  subsequently  attending  the  Mt.  Airy  Seminary, 
and  graduating  in  Theology  in  1868.  He  was  ordained 
June  10,  1868,  his  first  charge  being  at  Scenery  Hill,  where 
he  was  located  from  1868  to  1873.  He  came  to  Reading 
Aug.  17,  1873,  and  took  charge  of  the  following  congre- 
gations, which  he  hafe  faithfully  served  to  the  present  time : 
St.  John's,  Gibraltar;  St.  Mark's,  of  Birdsboro;  St.  James, 
of  Geigertown;  Allegheny,  of  Alleghenyville;' Wyomissing, 
of  Gouglersville ;  and  Robeson,  of  Plowville.  New 
churches  have  been  built  in  each  of  his  parishes  during  his 
pastorate.  He  also  organized  a  congregation  at  Shilling- 
ton  and  a  church  was  built  in  1876.  He  celebrated  his 
quarto-centennial  in  1898,  in  each  of  his  churches.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Gable  is  a  man  whose  earnestness  and  piety  have 
made  him  a  power  in  the  community.  Not  only  is  he  a 
clear  and  convincing  preacher  and  spiritual  teacher,  but 
he  is  also  an  able  administrator,  as  the  material  prosperity 
of  his  congregations  shows. 

Rev.  Mr.  Gable  was  married  Dec.  24,  1868,  to  Thusnelda, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Jacob  Vogelbach,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
six  children  blessed  this  union,  as  follows :  Matilda 
E. ;  Rev.  Charles  Jacob ;  Sue  A. ;  Rev.  Luther  D. ;  -Edmund 
J.,  a  druggist;  and  Dr.  Frank  J.,  who  attended  Jef- 
ferson Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  graduating  in  the 
class  of  1906.  Mrs.  Gable  died  April  2,  1903.  In  political 
matters  Rev..  Mr.  Gable  is  independent,  voting  rather  for 
the  man  than  the  party. 

DENGLER.  In  the  year  1737  Jacob  Dengler  emigrated 
to  America,  coming  from  Germany,  probably  from  Witten- 
berg.' His  brother  Andreas,  who  soon  followed,  died  in 
America  unmarried.  Jacob  Dengler  settled  near  Amity- 
ville,  and  there  built  a  forge  and  manufactured  various 
iron  implements.  His  remains  are  buried  at  the  Swamp 
church. 

Henry  Dengler,  the  progenitor  of  the  Denglers  in  Oley 
township,  was  a  grandson  of  Jacob,  and  was  born  Oct.  3, 
1793,  in  Amity  township.  He  married  Sarah  Guldin,  a 
lineal  descendant  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Guldin,  who  emi- 
grated to  this  conutry  in  1710,  and  was  the  first  Reformed 
minister  in  Pennsylvania.  Henry  Dengler  moved  from 
Amity  to  Friedensburg,  now  Oley,  in  1829,  and  embarked 
in  a  mercantile  business,  in  which  he  continued  until  near 
the  close  of 'his  life.  He  was  very  active  .in  public  affairs, 
and  took  a  deep  interest  in  church  matters,  being  one  of 
the  chief  promoters  of  the  building  of  the  First  Reformed 
church  in  1830,  donating  the  land  and  contributing  liberally 
otherwise.  For  many  years  he  served  as  an  officer  of  the 
Reformed  Church.  His  death  occurred  March  19, _  1860, 
when  he  was  sixty-seven  years,  five  months  and  sixteen 
days  old.  His  wife  Sarah  died  Oct.  30,  1883,  aged  seventy- 
six  years,  seven  months  and  twenty-five  days.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Henry;  Johij  G. ;  James  G. ;  Harriet  m.  John  C. 
Nipe,  and  lives  in  Philadelphia;  George  lives  in  Clarion 
county;  Washington,  who  enlisted  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
served  for  two  years  in  the  Civil  war,  was  captured  July 
24,  1863,  and  was  kept  a  prisoner  in  Richmond  until  March 
33,  1864,  when  he  was  taken  to  Andersonville,  Ga.,  and 
there  he  died  of  starvation  May  6,  1864 ;  Jacob  died  in 
February,  1905,  aged  seventy-one  years,  leaving  a  family  as 
follows,  Mrs.  Charles  Leithauser,  Elmer,  Howard,  Mrs. 
Reily,  William,  and  Mrs.  Worths  A.  Dries,  all  living. 


398 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


The  Rev.  James  G.  Dengler  has  been  in  the  ministry  of 
the  Reformed  Church  since  June,  1874.  He  is  a  graduate 
of  Franklin  &  Marshall  College  at  Lancaster,  and  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  located  there.  For  nearly  a  quarter 
of  a  century  he  served  one  charge  in  Sellersville,  Bucks 
Co.,  Pa.  Dr.  Dengler  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  to 
various  publications,  both  religious  and  secular,-  and  is  a 
scholarly  man  of  marked  attainments  and  as  a  religious 
leader  he  has  few  equals  in  devoted  piety  and  earnestness 
of  both  life  and  teachings. 

John  G.  Dengler,  the  revered  veteran  school  teacher  of 
Berks  county,  is  a  resident  of  Friedensburg,  Oley  township, 
where  he  was  born  Oct.  29,  1837.  His  education  was  ob- 
tained in  the  Oley  Academy  under  Prof.  Jacob  H.  Major, 
and  the  Freeland  Seminary  under  Prof.  Hunsicker.  He 
was  licensed  to  teach  in  public  schools  under  the  first 
county  superintendent  of  Berks  county,  Rev.  William  A. 
Good,'  in  18,57,  and  taught  the  first  term  in  Oley  township, 
at  School-house  No.  1.  Prof.  Dengler  has  since  been 
teaching  every  consecutive  school  term  (except  during  his 
army  service),  and  also  has  conducted  select  schools  each 
spring  term.  He  has  instructed  thousands  of  boys  and  girls 
qf  Berks  county,  forming  their  characters  through  his 
excellent  example,  as  he  shaped  their  minds  with  his  wise 
precepts,  and  he  is  held  in  highest  respect  by  the  entire 
county.  He  is  now  teaching  the  grandchildren  of  his  first 
pupils.  Prof.  Dengler  possesses  a  kind  and  benevolent 
disposition  which  is  shown  in  his  intelligent  face,  and  he 
is  loved  for  his  many  excellent  traits  and  his  lofty  ideals  of 
life.  During  the  many  years  that  he  has  labored  in  Berks 
county  he  has  witnessed  many  changes,  especially  in  the 
public  school  system.  His  first  salary  was  twenty-four 
dollars  a  month,  of  twenty-two  days.  Not  only  has  he 
instructed  the  children  placed  under  him  the  text  of  their 
books,  but  he  has  given  them  the  benefit  of  his  wide  ex- 
perience, his  varied  reading  and  exhaustive  studies,  and 
has  never  failed  to  hold  up  the  highest  possible  stand- 
ards before  their  young  eyes. 

On  April  18,  1861,  Mr.  Dengler  was  filled  with  patriotism 
and  enlisted  in  Company  C,  7th  Pa,  V.  I.,  at  Harrisburg, 
and  was  in  active  service  at  Martinsburg,  Va.  His  first 
enlistment  was  for  but  three  months,  but  on  Oct.  30,  1861, 
he  re-enlisted  at  Reading,  Capt.  James  McKnight  command- 
ing, for  three  years,  in  Battery  M,  U.  S.  A.,  and  saw  some 
very  hard  service,  passing  through  the  entire  Peninsular 
campaign,  and  participating  in  the  battles  of  the  Wilder- 
ness. When  he  was  mustered  out  Oct.  30,  1864,  at  Staten 
Island,  N.  Y.,  he  was  in  the  Sixth  Army  Corps. 

Having  thus  devoted  over  three  years  of  his  life  to 
his  country,  Prof.  Dengler  came  back  to  Reading,  where 
he  arrived  after  midnight  on  Oct.  31,  3864,  but  so  anxious 
was  he  to  see  his  dear  ones  that  he  walked  to  Friedensburg, 
a  distance  of  ten  miles.  The  following  day  he  engaged  to 
teach  the  school  he  had  left  three  and  one-half  years  be- 
fore at  the  call  of  duty,  and  he  accepted  the  position  at 
the  earnest  solicitation  of  his  friends,  who  were  anxious 
to  secure  his  distinguished  services.  Prof.  Dengler  has 
also  been  active  in  church  work  ever  since  young  manhood, 
and  is  a  member  of  Friedens  Reformed  Church,  of  which 
he  has  been  deacon,  elder  and  trustee.  He  is  a  trustee 
of  the  Friedens  cemetery  company ;  a  trustee  of  the  Oley 
Academy  that  was  founded  in  18.57,  and  has  held  this 
ofiice- since  1875.  Since  his  youth  Prof.  Dengler  has  been 
a  teacher  in  the  Sunday-school,  and  is  very  efficient.  He  is 
a  member  of  Minnehaha  Lodge  No.  154,  K.  of  P.,  at  Oley, 
also  O.  U.  A.  M.  Council,  No.  23,  of  the  same  place.  In 
addition  to  all  his  other  duties  Prof.  Dengler  is  the 
correspondent  of  all  the  Reading  daily  papers  at  Friedens- 
burg. 

Prof.  Dengler  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife, 
to  whom  he  was  married  in  January,  1860,  was  Catherine 
Schlotman,  daughter  of  John  and  Lydia  (Shade)  Schlot- 
man.  She  was  born  in  Oley  in  1839,  and  died  May  5,  1875, 
aged  thirty-five  years,  the  mother  of  children  as  follows : 
Annie  m.  Harvey  Wisner.  deceased,  has  four  children,  and 
lives  at  Philadelphia;  Millie  m.  Benjamin  Suavely,  de- 
ceased, and  lives  at  Friedensburg;  Lilla,  deceased,  m.  Abra- 


ham Bieber,  of  Reading;  Harvey,  an  enterprising  life 
insurance  man  of  Allentown,  and  superintendent  of  the 
Allentown  district  of  the  Baltimore  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company,  is  married,  but  has  no  children ;  and  Calvin  and 
Clara  died  in  infancy.  In  1878  Prof.  Dengler  m.  (second) 
Kate  L.  (Ritter)  Yoder,  widow  of  Thomas  Yoder,  and 
they  had  three  children :  William,  who  has  a  R.  F.  D. 
mail  route  at  Oley,  is  married  and  his  children  are,  Blanche, 
Harvey,  John  and  Ella ;  John  was  drowned  when  fourteen ; 
Sallie  is  a  school  teacher  in  Oley  and  has  been  teaching 
since  1906. 

It  is  only  fitting  to  close  this  too  brief  biography  of  so 
distinguished  an  educator  by  an  account  of  a  .delightful 
ceremony  at  the  teachers'  institute  in  1907,  held  at  Read- 
ing. Prof.  Dengler  in  recognition  of  his  long  and  faithful 
services  as  a  public  instructor  was  presented  a  silver 
loving  cup,  fifty  dollars  in  gold,  and  seventy  carnations, 
the  last  named  representing  the  number  of  years  he  had 
lived,  and  celebrating  his  birthday.  Those  having  the 
matter  in  charge  very  fittingly  selected  his  birthday  for 
the  presentation  day,  and  the  speech  which  accompanied 
the  gifts  as  well  as  his  reply  will  never  be  forgotten 
by  those  present.  Many  men  sacrificed  much  for  their 
country.  There  are  thousands  of  teachers  in  the  country 
today,  but  there  are  few  who  have  been  both  instructor 
and  soldier  in  one  as  has  Prof.  Dengler.  When  he  served 
upon  the  battlefield  he  was  an  excellent  soldier.  After 
his  military  life  was  over,  he  came  home  and  once  more 
entering  the  schoolroom  resumed  his  peaceful  vocation, 
only  giving  a  little  more  of  himself  to  his  beloved  pupils, 
for  he  had  learned  much  in  those  three  and  one-half  years 
spent  on  bloody  battlefields  and  before  besieged  cities.  His 
war  experience  gave  him  a  breadth  of  vision,  a  fairness 
in  dealing  with  others,  and  has  enabled  him  better  to 
fit  his  pupils  for  the  great  battle  of  life  where  each  one 
must  keep  in  the  ranks  and  not  fly  at  the  first  sound  of 
war.  In  every  relation  of  life  Prof.  Dengler  has  proved 
himself  ready  and  willing  to  bear  his  part,  and  in  his 
wisdom  he  realizes  that  he  has  reached  the  very  best  part 
of  his  wonderfully  useful  life,  where  he  can  enjoy  the 
fruits  of  his  labors  and  rest  happy  in  the  confidence  and 
love  of  those  whom  he  has  so  benefited. 

I.  A.  DEISHER,  a  well-known  business  man  of  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business  at  No. 
514  Penn  street,  Reading,  was  born  in  Hamburg.  Pa., 
Aug.  13,  1866,  son  of  Henry  and  Valarya   (Fink)   Deisher. 

David  Deisher,  grandfather  of  I.  A.,  was  a  mill  owner 
and  farmer,  following  these  occupations  throughout  a 
long  and  useful  life  in  Kutztown  and  later  at  Hamburg. 
He  was  a  very  energetic  business  man  and  accumulated 
a  considerable  fortune,  retiring  shortly  prior  to  his  death. 
He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  a  large  family  of 
children,  several  of  whom  died  young,  those  who  lived 
to  maturity  being:  Gereon,  William,  Henry  and  Catherine 
(married  William  D,  Shomo).  The  family  were  members 
of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  in  politics  j\lr.  Deisher  was  a 
Democrat,  holding  for  some  years  the  office  of  director 
of  the  poor.  His  son,  Henry  Deisher,  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  later  supplemented  this  with  a  course 
at  a  seminary  at  Collegeville,  after  leaving  which  he 
worked  on  the  home  farm  until  reaching  manhood,  when 
he^  purchased  the  old  Lintz  foundrv  at  Hamburg,  operating 
this  for  many  years.  He  is  now  living  retired  with  his 
son.  To  i\Ir.  Deisher  and  his  wife,  who  died  in  1888,  were 
born  three  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  I.  A. 
being  the  only  survivor.  Henrv  Deisher  is  a  Lutheran  in 
religious  matters.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  stanch 
Democrat. 

I.  A  Deisher  was  educated  in  the  high  school  at  Ham- 
burg, Pa.,  and  when  a  boy  entered  the  drug  store  of  .^dam 
iiodenhorn,  with  whom  he  worked  four  years  \t  the 
end  of  that  time  he  apprenticed  himself  to  the  jeweler's 
trade  with  W.  W.  Apple,  with  whom  he  served  his  time 
going  thence  to  Harrisburg,  where  he  worked  for  six  years 
with  Phihp  Theilheimer.  After  the  latter's  death"  INIr. 
Deisher  purchased  his  employer's  interest  in  the  business, 
carrying  it  on  for  four  years.     In   1897  he  came  to  Read- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


399 


irg,  purchasing  the  Burkhart  store  at  Nos.  424-436  Penn 
street,  and  in  April,  1908,  he  moved  to  the  larger  and 
more  centrally  located  store  at  No.  514  Penn  street.  He 
handles  a  first-class  line  of  jewelry,  silverware,  cut  glass 
and  novelties,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  repairs, -especially 
optical,  being  a  skilled  mechanic  and  optician.  Mr. 
Deisher  is  a  graduate  from  several  well-known  institutions, 
among  them  Bucklin's  School  of  Optics,  the  Spencer  J3p- 
tical  Institute,  the  McCormick  Optical  College  and  the 
McCormick  Neurological  College,  the  first  two  colleges 
located  in  New  York,  and  the  last  two  in  Chicago. _  He 
has  been  very  successful  in  this  branch  of  the  business. 
In  1895  Mr.  Deisher  married  Miss  Lizzie  A.  Diener,  a 
native  of  Topton,  Berks  county,  and  two  children  were 
born  to  this  union :  Esther  and  Clarence.  Mr.  Deisher  is 
a  member  of  the  Elks,  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  the  Hep- 
tasophs.  In  both  religious  and  political  views  he  is  broad 
and  liberal,  believing  that  every  man  should  use  his  own 
judgment  in  these  matters. 

SAMUEL  L.  KURTZ,  M.  D.,  is  well  known  through 
Berks  county,  both  as  a  physician  and  surgeon  of  skill,  and 
as  a  survivor  of  the  great  Civil  war.  He  was  born  Sept. 
27,  1832,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary   (Longackre)  Kurtz. 

Joseph  Kurtz,  paternal  grandfather  of  the  Doctor,  was 
born  in  Chester  county.  Pa.  On  Oct.  19,  1787,  he  married 
Fannie  Miller,  and  their  children  were :  John,  born  Sept. 
23,  1788;  Abraham,  Nov.  27,  1789;  Joseph,  Jan.  10,  1791; 
Henry,  July  10,  1792;  Barbara,  Aug.  5,  17S3;  Leah,  Sept. 
19,  1794;  Samuel,  Nov.  12,  1795;  Elizabeth,  Nov.  25,  1796; 
David,  Jan.  80,  17yy;  Isaac,  h'iE.  22,  1799;  Frances,  May  4, 
1800;  Christian,  Nov.  8,  1801;  Jacob,  Ott.  1,  1802;  Daniel, 
Jan.  22,  1804;  Anna,  March  20,  1805;  Jacob,  Oct.  25,  1806; 
Susannah,  May  25,  1808;  Daniel  (2),  Aug.  1,  1809;  and 
Susannah  (2),  July  1,  1812.  The  family  were  members 
of  the  Mennonite  Church.  Joseph  Kurtz  died  March  18, 
1815. 

Samuel  Kurtz,  father  of  the  Doctor,  was  born  in  Chester- 
county,  Nov.  12,  1795,  and  his  education  was  obtained  in 
the  common  schools.  Upon  reaching  his  majority  he  turned 
his  attention  to  farming,  a  vocation  which  he  followed  for 
many  years  in  Pikeland  township.  In  1834  he  removed 
to  Juniata  county,  where  he  operated  a  farm  for  six  or 
seven  years  at  East  Salem,  and  there  he  died  April  23, 
1883.  His  first  wife,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Long- 
ackre, died  in  the  prime  of  life.  She  was  the  mother  of: 
Joseph,  born  Aug.  22,  1819;  Jacob,  born  Aug.  1,  1822; 
Annie,  born  Dec.  18,  1825,  married  William  Cross ;  Samuel 
(1),  born  Oct.  24,  1829;  Dr.  Samuel  L.,  born  Sept.  27,  1832; 
Mary,  born  March  14,  1836,  married  George  D.  Taylor. 
This  branch  of  the  family  were  Methodists.  After  the 
death  of  his  first  wife  Mr.  Kurtz  married  Mary  Miller, 
by  whom  one  child  was  born,  Fannie,  who  became  the 
wife  of  George  D.  Taylor,  the  father  of  Dr.  Taylor,  of 
Reading.  Samuel  Kurtz's  third  wife  was  Mary  Jacobs. 
No  children  were  born  to  the  last  marriage. 

Samuel  L.  Kurtz  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Juniata 
county,  and  in  old  Trappe  Seminary,  now  Ursinus  College. 
Later  he  read  medicine  with  Dr.  Henry  Geiger,  of  Mont- 
gomery county,  and  in  1851  entered  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege, Philadelphia,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1854. 
His  first  field  of  practice  was  at  Phoenixville,  Pa.,  where 
he  remained  two  years,  and  then  removed  to  Oakland  Mills, 
Juniata  county,  remaining  there  until  the  fall  of  1861, 
when  he  was  appointed  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Eleventh 
Pennsylvania  Reserve  Corps.  He  continued  to  fill  that 
position  until  June,  1862,  when  he  was  promoted  to  sur- 
geon of  the  85th  Pa.  V.  I.,  with  which  regiment  he  re- 
mained until  Nov.  22,  1864,  when,  at  the  expiration  of  the 
terra  of  service  of  the  regiment,  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged. He  settled  in  Reading,  locating  at  No.  340  South 
Fifth  street,  and  his  present  office  is  at  No.  412  South 
Fifth  street. 

The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation ;  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society,  of 
which  in  1891  he  served  as  president;  and  of  the  Berks 
County  Medical  Society,  serving  his  second  term  as  its 
president.     He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Reading  Medical 


Association.  He  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  the  Reading  Hospital,  and  has  served 
upon  its  staff  since  its  organization.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  board  of  health,  and  is  examiner  for  a  number  of  life 
insurance  companies.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the 
Masons,  being  a  member  of  Phoenix  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  past  master.  He  belongs  to  Keim  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
to  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  U.  S., 
Commandery  of  Pennsylvania. 

Dr^  Kuirtz  married,  in  1854,  Miss  Sarah  Morgan,  and 
to  thl_s  union  three  children  have  been  born :  Dr.  J.  Ellis, 
a  graduate  of  Jefferson  Medical  College,  is  a  physician 
and  surgeon  at  Reading;  Georgeine  married  Nicholas  H. 
Muhlenberg;  and  Clarence  M.,  alsoi  a  graduate  of  the  Jef- 
ferson Medical  College  of  Philadelphia,  practising  at 
Reading.  Dr.  Kurtz  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was 
one  of  the  Harrison  electors  in  1888.  He  is  a  vestryman 
in  St.  Barnabas  Episcopal  Church. 

GERHART.  Benjamin  Gerhart,  the  grandfather  of 
Peter  William  Gerhart,  Jr.,  superintendent  of  the  treat- 
ment department  of  the  "Grand  View  Sanatorium,"  and 
his  brother,  George  W.  Gerhart,  merchant  and  prominent 
citizen  of  Robesonia,  was  a  farmer  of  Lower  Heidelberg 
township.     He  married  Catharine   Seibert. 

John  Peter  Gerhart,  son  of  Benjamin,  was  formerly  a 
resident  of  Lower  Heidelberg,  near  Brownsville,  and  for 
the  last  thirty  years  of  his  life  was  a  resident  of  Werners- 
ville.  His  occupation  was  that  of  a  grafter  of  trees  and 
gardener.  He  died  in  1903,  aged  seventy-six  years.  He  was 
married  to  Caroline  Werner,  daughter  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Lamm)  Werner,  and  by  her  had  twelve  chil- 
dren: Calvin  E.  m.  Amelia  Lambert;  Frank  P.  m.  Emma 
Peiffer;  Ellenora  S.  m.  Alfred  Webber,  and  after  his  de- 
cease George  F.  Knorr;  Anna  M.  m.  Gustave  Bien;  Albert 
B.  m.  Sue  Reinhold;  Agnes  Priscilla  m.  Thomas  Furry; 
Peter  W. ;  George  W.  m.  Anna  Fidler ;  Katharine  Louisa ; 
Elizabeth  Wilhelmina  m.  Harry  Parker;  and  two  died 
young. 

Peter  William  Gerhart,  Jr.,  superintendent  of  the 
treatment  department  of  the  "Grand  View  Sanatorium," 
a  position  he  has  filled  for  nearly  twenty-five  years,  was 
born  in  Lower  Heidelberg,  near  Brownsville,  on  April  18, 
1862.  His  mother  dying  when  he  was  only  eight  years 
old,  he  was  placed  on  a  farm,  and  continued  there  (except 
for  three  years  he  spent  at  Reading),  helping  and  going 
to  school,  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old.  Then  he  went 
to  Cumberland  county  for  the  purpose  of  attending  school 
there  and  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the  English  language 
while  assisting  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  he  re- 
mained there  for  three  years.  He  then  returned  to  Wer- 
nersville,  but  remained  only  six,  months  when  he  went  to 
Ohio  and  secured  employment  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity 
of  Lima.  He  continued  on  this  farm  for  four  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time,  his  health  failing,  he  found  em- 
ployment as  a  reporter  on  a  local  newspaper,  filling  this 
position  for  three  years.  In  1886  he  returned  to  Werners- 
ville  and  secured  a  position  as  stable  boss  in  the  large 
stables  of  the  "Grand  View  Sanatorium,"  and  he  displayed 
such  intelligent  interest  in  his  work,  and  gave  such  satis- 
faction to  the  proprietors,  Drs.  Wenrich  &  Deppen,  that 
after  the  short  time  of  three  months  they  promoted  him 
to  the  treatment  department  of  the  institution.  Showing 
great  qualifications  and  ambition,  he  continued  there  until 
the  fall  of  1888,  when  under  their  advice  he  took  a  regular 
course  of  instruction  in  the  Philadelphia  Polyclinic  and 
College  for  Graduates  in  Medicine,  for  the  purpose  of  learn- 
ing massage  and  medical  electricity.  He  graduated  in  June, 
1889,  and  upon  his  return  to  the  Sanatorium  was  placed  in 
charge  of  the  treatment  department,  where  he  has  re- 
mained until  the  present  time.  Being  interested  in  local 
educational  matters,  Mr.  Gerhart  was  elected  a  school 
director  of  the  township  in  February,  1906,  for  a  term 
of  three  years,  and  re-elected  in  February,  1909.  He  has 
served  as  the  school  board's  secretary  for  three  successive 
years,  and  also  was  chosen  a  representative  from  Berks 
county  for  three  successive  years  to  the  State  Directors' 
Convention,  which  meets  annually  at  Harrisburg. 


•100 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mr.  Gerhart  was  married  to  Ida  Rebecca  Wenrich,  the 
only  daughter  of  William  H.  Wenrich,  of  Bernville,  and 
they  have  had  three  children,  Sarah,  J.  Clarence,  and  one 
that  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Gerhart  was  elected  an  elder 
of  St.  John's  (Main's)  Reformed  Church  in  January,  1909, 
and  immediately  chosen  its  treasurer.  Socially  he  is  a 
member    of    Odd   Fellows    Lodge    No.    835,    Wernersville. 

William  H.  Wenrich,  iMrs.  Gerhart's  father,  ra.  Sarah 
Billman,  daughter  of  John  Billman,  of  Upper  Bern  (now 
Tilden),  and  they  had  three  children:  Willis  E.,  Ida  Re- 
becca, and  one  that  died  young. 

John  S.  Wenrich,  of  Bernville,  her  grandfather,  m.  Lydia 
Himmelberger,  and  had  two  children,  William  H.  and 
Rebecca,  the  last  named  the  wife  of  A.  Morris  Kershner. 
Her  great-grandfather  was  Paul  Wenrich. 

George  'W.  Gerhart,  another  son  of  the  late  John  Peter 
Gerhart,  was  born  Aug.  4,  1863,  in  Lower  Heidelberg 
township.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  township 
school  and  supplemented  it  with  study  at  the  Keystone 
State  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown.  He  was  first  licensed 
to  teach  by  Prof.  D.  S.  Keck,  former  superintendent  of 
Berks  county,  and  commenced  his  work  as  teacher  in  the 
fall  of  1882,  in  Heidelberg  township,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged for  five  terms.  He  was  reared  upon  the  farm,  but 
has  never  followed  farming  since  he  began  life  on  his  own 
account,  having  continued  to  teach  until  he  embarked  in 
the  mercantile  business.  In  the  spring  of  1S88  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  Mr.  Fidler  under  the  firm  name  of  Fidler 
&  Gerhart,  this  relation  lasting  for  one  year.  Mr.  Gerhart 
then  took  Henry  Miller  into  partnership  with  him,  and 
they  did  business  together  for  thirteen  years  under  the 
name  of  Miller  &  Gerhart,  being  located  on  Robeson  street, 
in  Robesonia.  At  the  end  of  this  period  Mr.  Miller,  by 
mutual  consent  of  the  partners,  withdrew  from  the  con- 
cern, John  I.  Miller  becoming  a  member  of  the  firm,  the 
name  of  which  remained  unchanged.  This  association  con- 
tinued for  two  years,  and  in  1904  Mr.  Gerhart  formed  a 
partnership  with  M.  A.  Mover,  under  the  name  of  Gerhart 
&  Moyer.  'J'hey  enjoy  the  confidence  and  patronage  of 
the  community  to  a  gratifying  degree,  and  have  a  high 
reputation  for  enterprise  and  progress  as  well  as  honor- 
able dealing.  They  carry  a  complete  line  of  general  mer- 
chandise, and  cater  to  a  trade  which  extends  over  a  radius 
of  fourteen  miles  around  Robesonia. 

Mr.  Gerhart  is  a  man  of  active  disposition,  and  takes 
part  in  the  life  of  the  community  in  lines  outside  of  his 
direct  business  interests.  He  is  a  stanch  Democrat  in 
political  opinion  and  willing  to  work  for  the  success  of  his 
party,  has  served  as  delegate  to  county  and  State  conven- 
tions, and  has  been  elected  to  local  offices  of  trust,  having 
been  school  director  and  tax  collector  of  his  township. 
He  is  also  prominent  in  church  work,  he  and  his  family 
being  members  of  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Church  of  Rob- 
esonia, of  which  Mr.  Gerhart  is  at  present  an  elder.  He 
was  most  active  in  the  erection  of  the  present  fine  edifice, 
in  1904,  which  cost  the  congregation  over  $15,000,  serving 
as  a  member  of  the  building  committee,  of  which  he  was 
treasurer.  He  has  been  treasurer  of  the  church  ever 
since  its  organization.  It  is  very  prosperous,  and  i\Ir.  Ger- 
hart has  been  one  of  its  most  devoted  workers.  Socially 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  holding  mem- 
bership in  Lodge  No.  119,  of  Robesonia,  of  which  he  is 
a  past  chancellor.  He  owns  the  Wagner  Hall  building,  a 
three-story  brick  block  30  x  60  feet  in  dimensions,  .the  first 
and  second  stories  of  which  are  used  by  the  firm  of  Ger- 
hart &  Moyer,  and  the  third  floor  as  the  meeting  place 
of  various  secret  societies.  Mr.  Gerhart  also  owns  the 
property  adjoining  this  building  on  the  north.  Here  he 
razed  the  old  building  and  built  an  addition  to  the  store 
30  X  50  feet  in  the  rear  and  15  x  60  on  the  north,  making 
the  most  up-to-date  store  in  the  Lebanon  Valley.  It  is 
lighted  throughout  by  electricity,  and  is  heated  by  steam. 
He  purchased  both  buildings  in  1907.  He  also  owns  the 
property  across  the  street  which  he  uses  for  his  residence. 

In  May,  1887,  Mr.  Gerhart  was  married  to  Miss  Annie 
Fidler,  daughter  of  William  and  Annie  CKlopp)  Fidler, 
the  former  of  whom  was  in  business  in  Robesonia  as  a 
manufacturer  of  cigar  boxes.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gerhart 


have  been  born  six  children,  namely :  Estella  M.,  Horace 
(who  died  in  infancy),  Robert  R.,  Luke  W.,  Edna  A.  and 
Lyman  R.  ilr.  Gerhart  is  giving  all  his  children  good 
educational  advantages,  being  convinced  of  the  value  of 
proper  training.  Estella  M.,  a  graduate  of  the  township 
high  school,  was  married  in  May,  1908,  to  Walter  V.  R.  High 
(son  of  D.  K.  High),  who  with  his  brother  Henry  V.  R. 
High  is  engaged  in  the  honey  business  at  Bernville,  where 
they  reside.  Robert  R.  is  a  graduate  of  the  township  high 
school,  and  the  latter  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  Interstate 
Commercial  College,  of  Reading,  and  now  holds  the  re- 
sponsible position  of  teller  in  the  Wernersville  National 
Bank,  at  Wernersville.  Luke  W.  is  now  attending  the 
Interstate  Commercial  College. 

H.  WILLIS  BLAND.  President  Judge  of  the  Orphans' 
Court  of  Berks  county,  was  born  August  20,  1845,  at  Blan- 
don,  that  county,  a  village  which  derives  its  name  from  his 
paternal  ancestors.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Birdsboro  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age.  On  August 
31,  1861,  when  he  had  barely  reached  the  age  of  six- 
teen, he  enlisted  at  Philadelphia  as  a  private  in 
Company  H,  82nd  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
in  the  following  year  was  promoted  successively  to  cor- 
poral and  first  sergeant.  He  served  throughout  the  three 
years'  term  of  his  enlistment,  being  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber 16,  1864.  The  regiment  was  engaged  principally  in  the 
campaigns  in  Virginia,  participating  in  a  number  of  the 
severest  battles  of  the  war,  including  those  of  Fair  Oaks, 
Malvern  Hill,  Antietam,  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg. 
After  his  army  service,  being  thrown  entirely  upon  his  own 
resources,  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Phoenix 
Iron  Company  at  Phoenixville,  Pa.  He  also  acquired  some 
training  as  a  machinist,  and  v/orked  for  a  time  as  an  appren- 
tice to  that  trade  in  Philadelphia,  meanwhile  studying  in  the 
evenings  at  a  polytechnic  school.  Feeling  himself  physically 
unfitted  for  hard  manual  labor,  and  choosing  a  professional 
calling,  he  came  to  Reading  in  Februar.v,  1867,  and  com- 
menced the  study  of  the  law  in  the  ofifice  of  J.  Howard  Ja- 
cobs, Esq.,  a  widely  known  and  extensive  practitioner,  and 
after  the  necessary  two  years'  course  was  admitted  to  the  Bar 
on  April  12,  1369.  Energetic  and  ambitious,  he  acquired 
a  substantial  practice  in  both  the  criminal  and  civil  courts. 
Before  and  after  his  admission  he  participated  actively  in 
politics,  at  first  as  a  Republican,  and  subsequently  to 
1872,  when  Horace  Greeley  was  the  candidate  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party  for  President,  as  a  Democrat. 

A  separate  Orphans'  court  for  the  county  of  Berks 
was  created  by  the  Act  of  June  ID,  1883,  and' at  the  gen- 
eral election  in  the  fall  of  that  year  Hiram  H.  Schwartz. 
Esq.,  who  had  been  the  temporary  appointee,  was  elected 
judge  for  the  term  of  ten  years.  Judge  Schwartz  hav- 
ing died  on  August  25,  1S91.  Judge  Bland  was  on  the  16th 
of  the  following  month  appointed  by  Governor  Pattison 
to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  in  1892  was  elected  for  the  full 
term  of  ten  years,  beginning  on  the  first  Monday  of  Janu- 
ary, 1893.  At  the  end  of  that  period  he  was"  re-elected 
for  the   term   expiring  in   January,   1913. 

During  his  practice  at  the  Bar  Judge  Bland  acquired 
a  reputation  as  an  advocate  of  unusual  eloquence  and 
marked  ability.  He  was  a  close  student,  and  his  success 
was  due  not  alone  to  forensic  talent,  but  to  thorough 
legal  equipment  as  well.  As  a  judge  he  has  not  disap- 
pointed the  promise  of  his  career  as  a  lawyer.  The- 
Orphans'  court,  though  a  forum  concerned  s'olelv  with 
the  estates  of  decedents,  and  attracting  a  less  degree  of 
public  attention  and  spectacular  interest  than  the  co-ordi- 
nate tribunals  attended  with  trials  by  jurv.  is  neverthe- 
less, in  the  end,  of  vital  importance  to  everv  member  of 
the  community.  The  duties  and  responsibilities  of  its 
presiding  officer  are  conunensurate  with  the  significance  of 
the  trusts  committed  to  his  care.  The  oflfice  of  chancellor  is 
one  of  the  highest  dignity  and  consequence.  In  his  judicial 
career  Judge  Bland  endeavors  to  measure  up  to  the  high 
standard  set  by  the  historical  shining  lights  of  the  Bench 
whom  he  consistently  emulates,  and  has  abundantlv  justified 
the  confidence  which  his  constituency  have  reposed  in  him 


■ 

|||^B 

H 

f 

''T^^^^^^H 

^^^^^^^r! 

K|i  ti^ 

'■^1 

i 

j^H^^H 

1^^ 

' 

ll 

|Mi 

^/H^  ''^M^ 

^^^^fc-e*|K   J^ 

n.i.«^i^| 

K 

Ni 

\,  ^MM 

HH 

1         ^ 

IHj 

irJSM 

^^M 

^^^^BKa-^^ 

^1 

^^^H; 

I 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


401 


by  repeated  elections.     As  a  citizen  he  is  deservedly  held 
in  universal  public  respect  and  esteem. 

Outside  of  his  official  position  he  is  connected  with 
various  civic  organizations  for  the  uplifting  of  humanity. 
His  oratorical  gifts  are  frequently  called  _  into  service 
upon  public  occasions;  and  on  whatever  topic  he  may  be 
designated  to  speak,  his  rhetoric  is  always  scholarly  and 
forceful.  In  the  cause  of  the  surviving  soldiers  of  the 
Civil  war  he  naturally  takes  a  deep  personal  interest, 
and  in  their  most  notable  gatherings  is  usually  selected 
as  their  principal  spokesman.  He  is  affiliated  with  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  being  a  member  of  Mc- 
Lean Post,  No.  16,  of  Reading. 

CHARLES  VOELKER  has  since  1905  been  principal 
owner  of  the  Berks  Manufacturing  Corripany,  of  Reading, 
and  he  has  been  long  known  as  a  business  man  of  that 
city,  having  conducted  the  "Farmers  and  Mechanics  Ho- 
tel," in  West  Reading,  for  a  number  of  years.  Mr.  Voel- 
ker  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  Oct.  12,  1856,  in  Feld- 
karl,  Bavaria.  He  was  reared  in  the  Fatherland,  whence 
he  came  to  America  in  1878,  settling  at  once  in  Reading, 
where  for  the  most  part  he  has  since  had  his  home.  In 
Germany  he  had  learned  the  trade  of  a  brewer,  at  which 
he  immediately  found  employment  on  his  arrival  in  Read- 
ing, in  one  of  the  leading  breweries  of  the  city.  Later 
he  was  engaged  in  the  business  on  his  own  account,  in 
Pottstown,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  sev- 
eral years,  finally  selling  his  interests  in  that  line.  Re- 
turning to  Reading  in  1893  he  entered  the  hotel  business, 
becoming  proprietor  of  the  "Farmers  and  Mechanics  Ho- 
tel," in  West  Reading,  which  he  has  since  kept,  findirig 
the  venture  congenial  and  profitable.  In  July,  1905,  in 
company  with  his  eldest  Son,  Charles  T.  Voelker,  Mr. 
Voelker  purchased  the  plant  and  business  of  the  Berks 
Manufacturing  Company,  Ltd.,  at  No.  154  Court  street, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Charles  Voelker  &  Son.  At  that 
time  the  product  of  the  factory,  which  consists  of  sun- 
bonnets  and  aprons,  amounted  to  about  five  hundred  dozen 
weekly.  Under  their  enterprising  management  the  weekly 
output  has  been  increased  to  fifteen  thousand  dozen,  in 
the  manufacture  of  which  steady  employment  is  given  to 
forty  hands.  These  goods  are  of  high  grade  and  excel- 
lent workmanship,  and  are  marketed  through  jobbers  all 
over  the  United  States  and  Canada.  The  constantly  grow- 
ing trade  has  necessitated  the  erection  of  a  new  factory, 
which  is  now  in  course  of  construction,  and  which  will  be 
one  of  the  finest  manufacturing  plants  of  its  kind  in  the 
city  when  completed.  It  is  a  brick  building  34  x  100  feet 
in  dimensions,  three  stories  and  basement,  and  will  be 
equipped  with  the  most  reliable  and  up-to-date  machinery 
obtainable,  every  facility  for  the  most  expeditious  dis- 
patch of  work  compatible  with  the  manufacture  of  high 
class  articles  being  included  in  the  appointments.  The 
company  are  also  adding  to  the  working  force  from  time 
to  time,  finding  considerable  difficulty  in  keeping  up  with 
a  steady  stream  of  orders.  Mr.  Charles  Voelker,  the 
senior  member  of  the  firm,  is  a  hard-working  and  re- 
liable business  man.  He  has  been  remarkably  success- 
ful in  his  latest  venture,  which  is  advancing  to  a  place 
among  the  appreciable  industrial  factors  of  the  city.  He 
is  a  citizen  of  sterling  merit,  and  though  he  takes  no 
active  part  in  public  affairs  is  public-spirited  and  interest- 
ed in  welfare  of  the  city  in  which  he  found  a  fruitful  field 
for  his  efforts.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a 
Catholic  in  religious  faith.  Mr.  Voelker  married  Caro- 
line Rothenberger,  like  himself  a  native  of  Germany,  and 
eight  children  have  been  born  to  them:  Charles  T.  (who 
is  in  business  with  his  father),  Lewis,  Edward,  Mary, 
CaTrie,  Catherine,  Anna  and  Joseph. 

Charles  T.  Voelker,  manager  and  part  owner  of  the 
Berks  Manufacturing  Company,  was  born  in  Reading 
Jan.  39,  1884,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the 
schools  of  Pottstown,  supplementing  it  with  a  course  at 
the  Reading  Business  College.  He  is  thoroughly  fitted  for 
the  superintendency  of  the  plant,  the  marvelous  growth  of 
which  since  it  came  under  the  present  management  is  due 
in  a  great  measure  to  his  executive  abihty.  He' is  a  youne 
26 


man  of  forceful  personality  and  excellent  business  judg- 
ment, and  his  energy  has  made  itself  felt  in  every  de- 
partment of  the  factory,  which  has  made  a  most  creditable 
showing  under  his  guiding  hand. 

AUGUSTUS  M.  BROWN,  cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Mohnton,  and  one  of  the  well-known  and  highly 
respected  citizens  of  Shillington,  was  born  May  17,  1863, 
at  McKeansburg,  Schuylkill  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  George  and 
Catherine  (Mast)  Brown. 

John  Brown,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in  Rockland 
township,  Berks  county,  where  he  followed  the  occupation 
of  a  farmer  and  tailor,  later  moving  to  Schuylkill  county 
and  purchasing  a  farm,  on  which  he  died  at  the  age  of 
fifty-nine  years.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Maul. 
They  had  three  children :  Ephraim,  who  died  in  Schuyl- 
kill county;  George;  and  Charles,  who  died  at  Pottsville. 

George  Brown  was  born  in  Rockland  township,  Berks 
county,  and  accompanied  his  father  to  Schuylkill  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  furnishing  min- 
ing timber.  He  also  followed  farming  in  Brunswick  town- 
ship, that  county,  but  in  1871  he  located  in  Amity  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  where  until  his  death  he  engaged  in 
the  milling  business.  Mr.  Brown  rriarried  Catherine  Mast, 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Smith)  Mast,  and  they  had 
these  children :  Charles ;  George ;  Frank ;  Hannah,  who 
married  Irving  Hoppel  and  resides  in  Reading;  Augustus 
M.,  and  Howard. 

Augustus  M.  Brown  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  district,  also  spending  three  sessions  at  Muhlen- 
berg College,  after  which  he  entered  the  service  of  the 
Penn  National  Bank,  at  Reading,  as  a  messenger.  Faithful 
service  and  marked  ability  earned  him  promotion  from 
time  to  time,  and  he  continued  with  this  well  known  bank- 
ing house  for  a  period  of  twenty-three  years.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  Bernville, 
Oct.  15,  1907,  situated  on  Main  street,  on  the  bank's  own 
property,  a  tract  of  120  x  350  feet.  He  became  its  cashier, 
and  held  that  position  until  March  1,  1909,  when  he  re- 
signed to  become  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Mohnton,  and  he  now  resides  at  Shillington.  Mr.  Brown 
is  a  self-made  man  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  ablest 
of  Berks  county's  bankers.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  he  is  connected  socially  with  Reading  Lodge,  No.  549, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  is  a  member  of 
Friedens  Lutheran  Church,  where  he  has  served  as  a 
deacon  and  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married  to  Anna  M.  Eaches,  daughter 
of  Huysinga  and  Emily  (Behm)  Eaches,  and  they  have  had 
two  children,  Emily  M.  and  George  A. 

REV.  THOMAS  THEOPHILUS  lAEGER,  for  forty 
years  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  died  May  13,  1888,  in  Read- 
ing, Pa.  The  Rev.  Mr.  laeger,  who  was  born  in  Green- 
wich township,  Berks  county,  Aug.  29,  1836,  came  of  a 
long  line  of  ministers  of  the  Word  of  God,  his  great- 
grandfather and  grandfather  having  been  ministers  in 
Germany,  while  his  father,  the  late  Rev.  G.  F.  I.  laeger, 
was  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  beloved  pastors  in 
the  Lutheran  Church  in  this  section  of  the  State. 

Rev.  G.  F.  I.  laeger  was  born  in  Illigen,  Wurtemberg, 
Germany,  and  he  received  his  literary  training  there,  at- 
tending several  of  the  best  universities.  On  coming  to 
America,  in  1817,  the  Rev.  Mr.  laeger  taught  school  for 
one  winter  in  Northampton  county.  Pa.,  and  the  following 
year  located  in  Berks  county,  where  the  remainder  of  his 
life  was  spent.  While  teaching  in  the  old  schoolhouse  near 
Hamburg,  he  began  to  study  for  the  ministry,- 'and  he  was 
ordained  in  the  Lutheran  faith  in  1819.  He  at  once  began 
preaching,  and  he  continued  in  active  service  until  four 
years  prior  to  his  death.  At  various  times  he  had  as  many 
as  fifteen  congregations  in  charge,  and  he  was  the  pastor 
of  six  congregations  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1874.  When 
he  relinquished  preaching  the  Rev.  Mr.  laeger  had  charge 
of  the  White  Church  Lutheran  congregation.  From  June, 
1819,  to  1874,  he  baptized  nearly  7,000  children,  gave  cate- 
chetical instruction  to  nearly  4,000  persons,  married  over 
1,300,  preached  2,500  funeral  sermons,  and  gave  communion 


403 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


to  over  50,000  persons.  The  Rev.  Mr.  laeger  died  at  his 
residence  on  South  Oak  street,  Hamburg,  Berks  county, 
shortly  after  eleven  o'clock,  Sunday  morning,  Nov.  16,  1879, 
being  at  this  time  the  oldest  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Ministerium.  His  funeral  was  largely  attended,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Groh,  of  Boyertown,  preaching  the  sermon  in  German, 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fry,  of  Reading,  in  English.  Rev.  G, 
F.  I.  laeger  had  preached  his  first  sermon  Oct.  18,  1818, 
at  Dunkel's  Church,  and  he  was  there  buried  among  the 
people  to  whom  he  had  given  his  labors  for  a  period  of 
sixty-one  years. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  laeger  was  married  to  Mary  Audenreid,  of 
McKeansburg,  Pa.,  and  to  them  were  born  these  children: 
Rev.  Thomas  Theophilus;  Samuel;  William,  of  Baltimore; 
and  Lewis  F.,  of  California;  Mrs.  Jackson  Levan,  of  Ham- 
burg, Pa.;  Mrs.  James  S.  Berger,  of  Philadelphia;  Mrs. 
E.   S.  Salade,  of  Taraaqua. 

Rev.  Thomas  Theophilus  laeger  pursued  his  prepara- 
tory course  and  classical  studies  for  about  three  years  at 
Mercersburg  and  Gettysburg,  after  which  he  entered  upon 
his  theological  course  under  the  instruction  of  Rev.  John 
W.  Richards,  then  pastor  of  St.  John's  Church,  Easton, 
Pa.  During  the  summer  of  1847  he  received  a  license 
(ad  interim)  from  the  president  of  the  Ministerium  of 
Pennsylvania,  to  perform  ministerial  acts,  which  license 
was  renewed  when  he  was  received  into  the  Ministerium 
at  its  annual  meeting  in  Easton  in  1848.  His  ordination 
took  place  in  1850,  at  the  Synodical  meeting  at  Pottsville, 
Pa.,  and  his.  first  regular  charge  was  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pa.,  where  he  served  congregations  in  and  around  Brick- 
erville,  and  Muddy  Creek.  He  remained  about  two  years 
at  the  latter  place  and  then  removed  to  Womelsdorf,  taking 
charge  of  the  congregations  there  and  at  Rehrersberg,  and 
later  the  churches  at  Myerstown,  Bellemans,  Reed,  Bern 
and  North  Heidelberg.  In  1855  the  Rev.  Mr.  laeger  re- 
moved to  the  city  of  Reading,  where  he  served  at  various 
times  a  large  nvimber  of  congregations.  At  the  time  of 
his  death  he  had  charge  of  the  following  Lutheran  congre- 
gations :  Bern,  Oley,  Spies,  Shalters  and  Kissinger  churches. 
His  ministerial  life  covered  forty  continuous  years,  with 
the  exception  of  the  years  1865,  1866  and  1867,  when  on 
account  of  ill  health  he  was  forced  to  discontinue  his 
work.  During  his  long  labor  in  the  Gospel  he  preached 
5,258  sermons,  baptized  6.263  children,  performed  1,748 
marriage  ceremonies,  officiated  at  2,472  funerals,  confirmed 
3,608  catechumens,  gave  communion  to  74,750  persons,  and 
prayed  with  the  sick  2,860  times.  On  May  4,  1888,  he  had  a 
slight  paralytic  stroke,  which  was  but  the  beginning  of  the 
end,  his  death  occurring  May  13th,  and  he  was  interred 
in  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 

On  Dec.  14,  1848,  the  Rev.  Mr.  laeger  married  Mary  A. 
Palsgrove,  of  Mercersburg,  Pa.,  and  they  had  a  family  of 
ten  children,  seven  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  three 
surviving  are:  Miss  Nora  S.,  who  lives  with  her  mother  at 
No.  522  Oley  street,  Reading;  Mrs,  Jefferson  Snyder,  of 
Reading;  and  Mrs.  John  Kendig,  of  Philadelphia.  The 
Rev.  Thomas  T.  laeger  was  justly  considered  one  of  Berks 
county's  representative  men.  The  influences  of  his  life 
had  always  been  in  the  direction  of  temperance,  education 
and  morality.  His  services  in  the  religious  body  in  which 
he  labored  so  faithfully  for  so  many  years  but  cemented 
more  closely  the  bonds  between  him  and  his  fellow  men. 
As  a  preacher  he  was  fearless  in  the  exposition  of  the 
\Yord  of  God,  and  the  fruitful  results  of  his  work  brought 
him  comfort  and  encouragement  in  his  declining  years. 

AMANDUS  N.  FEGLEY,  M.  D„  who  has  carried  on 
the  practice  of  medicine  at  Oley  Church,  in  Oley  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  since  1871,  was  born  Sept.  16,  1842, 
in  Douglass  township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Jonas 
and  Anna   (Nyce)   Fegley. 

George  Fegley,  his  grandfaher,  was  born  in  Douglass 
township,  where  his  father  also  lived,  and  there  passed  all 
his  life,  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Fox,  and 
among  their  children  were :  Jonas,  John,  Daniel,  Sallie, 
and  a  daughter  whose  name  is  not  recalled. 


Jonas  Fegley,  born  in  June,  1800,  died  in  May,  1861,  in 
the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  and  owned  100  acres  of  good  land.  He  was 
a  Democrat  and  interested  in  local  affairs,  serving  many 
years  as  school  director.  Mr.  Fegley  married  Anna  Nyce, 
born  in  October,  1800,  died  in  November,  1869,  daughter  of 
George  Nyce,  a  farmer  and  tanner  of  Frederick  township, 
Montgomery  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fegley  are  buried 
at  the  Sassamansville  Church,  in  Montgomery  county.  They 
had  a  family  of  ten  children,  namely :  Hannah  is  deceased'; 
Mary  is  the  widow  of  John  Dotts;  Edward  is  deceased; 
Leanna  ni.  Levi  Sassaman :  Miss  Fietta  lives  in  Philadel- 
phia; William  is  deceased;  Charlotte  m.  Frederick  Weis ; 
Eliza  m.  Abner  Wilt;  Amandus  N. ;  and  Miss  Sarah  lives 
at  Pottstown. 

Amandus  N.  Fegley  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  the  local  public  schools.  Later 
he  attended  the  academies  at  Frederick  and  Trappe,  and 
afterward  taught  school  for  three  years  in  Douglass  town- 
ship before  taking  up  the  study  of  medicine.  He  began  to 
read  with  Dr.  Francis  Knipe,  of  Frederick,  and  attended 
lectures  at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  grad- 
uating from  that  institution  in  the  spring  of  1870.  For  a 
few  months  he  was  located  at  Balliettsville,  in  Lehigh 
county,  Pa.,  in  the  fall  of  1870  returning  to  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  where  he  continued  to  study  until  the 
following  spring.  He  has  since  been  located  at  Oley 
Church,  in  Oley  township,  Berks  county,  where  he  has 
acquired  an  extensive  practice.  He  has  not  only  been  a 
successful  medical  practitioner,  but  has  also  proved  to  be 
a  most  useful  member  of  the  community  in  other  rela- 
tions, everything  which  affects  the  general  welfare  re- 
ceiving his  influence  and  support.  He  was  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers of  the  Oley  National  Bank  and  became  a  mem- 
ber of  its  first  board  of  directors.  He  was  trustee  and 
secretary  of  the  Oley  Cemetery  for  many  years ;  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Berks  County  Historical  Society;  and  a  mem- 
ber of  Griesemersville  Lodge,  No.  1109,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of 
which  he  is  a. past  grand.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  and  has  served  since  1892  as  treasurer 
of  his  church.     He  is  a  Democrat  in  political  sentiment. 

Dr.  Fegley  married  Sarah  Koch,  daughter  of  the  late 
Tobias  Koch,  who  was  a  retired  farmer  of  Gilbertsville, 
Montgomery  county,  and  six  children  have  been  born  to 
this  union,  four  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  survivors  are 
Sallie  and  Walton.  Walton,  who  is  engaged  as  knitter  at 
Dr.  L.  K.  Francis  &  Son's  Knitting  Mills,  married  Lila 
Haas. 

MORTON  L.  MONTGOMERY,  the  compiler  of  this 
history,  was  born  at  Reading  Nov.  10,  1846.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  till  1863,  having  spent  the 
last  three  years  in  the  High  School ;  and,  being  inclined 
to  rnathematics  and  drafting,  he  then  entered  the  office  of 
Daniel  S.  Zacharias.  county  surveyor  of  Berks  county  and 
city  engineer  of  Reading,  for  the  purpose  of  learning  prac- 
tical surveying  and  civil  engineering.  He  continued  in  this 
office  eight  months,  when  he  went  to  Pottsville,  Schuylkill 
county,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Zacharias,  to  enter  a  larger 
field  for  the  prosecution  of  his  studies,  and  he  was  there 
employed  by  Daniel  Hoffman,  a  mining,  civil  and  topo- 
graphical engineer,  who  was  constantly  engaged  in  import- 
ant work  for  prominent  coal  operators.  After  remaining 
with  Mr.  Hoffman  the  greater  part  of  two  years,  he  re- 
turned to  Reading,  and  entered  the  office  of  Jacob  S.  Livin- 
good,  Esq.,  as  a  student-at-law.  He  spent  the  required 
term  of  three  years  with  Mr.  Livingood,  and  besides  pros- 
ecuting his  legal  studies  looked  after  an  extensive  practice, 
the  labors  of  which  consisted  in  the  preparation  of  cases, 
arguments,  proceedings  in  partition,  conveyancing,  etc. 
After  traveling  for  a  time  in  the  fall  of  1869"  through  the 
Middle  and  Eastern  States,  he  entered  the  Law  Department 
of  Harvard  University  and  remained  there  two  terms. 
Upon  returning  to  Reading,  he  spent  a  year  in  the  ofSce 
of  Samuel  L.  Young,  Esq.,  in  order  to  comply  with  the 
new  rules  of  court  which  had  been  adopted  during  his  ab- 
sence and  required  the  last  year  of  study  to  be  passed  in 
a  lawyer's  office.     He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  on  Aug.  28, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


403 


1871,  since  which  time  he  has  been  in  active  practice  at 
Reading. 

Shortly  after  his  admission  to  the  Bar,  he  became  in- 
terested in  the  history  of  his  native  county,  and,  after  he 
had  collected  much  valuable  material  relating  to  the  early 
settlements  and  formation  of  the  townships,  and  the  de- 
velopment of  all  the  districts  of  the  county,  he  determined 
to  publish  the  "History  of  Berks  County."  In  the  course 
of  his  investigations  he  contributed  a  number  of  historical 
articles  to  the  press,  and  in  1883  published  the  "Political 
Hand-Book  of  Berks  County,  Pa."  In  1884,  he  issued  a 
prospectus,  announcing  his  proposed  publication  of  the 
"History  of  Reading,"  but  finding  soon  afterward,  In  the 
course  of  his  undertaking,  that  the  practice  of  law  and  the 
labors  of  an  author  and  publisher  could  not  be  conducted 
together  successfully,  he  entered  into  a  contract  with 
Messrs.  Everts,  Peck  &  Richards,  publishers  of  histories, 
etc.,  at  Philadelphia,  for  the  publication  of  the  "History 
of  Berks  County"  in  one  large  octavo  volume,  to  comprise 
all  the  history  of  the  entire  county,  and  thereby  conclude 
his  undertaking  more  speedily  and  satisfactorily,  and  the 
publishers  named  issued  the  work  (comprising  1,200  pages) 
in  1886.  The  labor  of  Mr.  Montgomery  in  behalf  of  that 
history  was  necessarily  arduous  during  a  period  of  ten 
years,  he  having  carried  on  his  investigations  and  re- 
searches without  any  assistance,  visited  many  places,  trav- 
eled throughout  the  county  repeatedly,  and  examined 
county  records,  newspaper  files,  and  libraries  here  and 
elsewhere,  besides  looking  after  his  increasing  legal  prac- 
tice. 

In  1889,  Mr.  Montgomery  published  a  "School  History 
of  Berks  County"  (pp.  300)  for  use  in  the  local  schools, 
and  the  book  having  received  the  indorsement  of  the  lead- 
ing educators  in  the  county,  it  was  adopted  and  introduced 
in  all  the  districts.  At  a  number  of  county  institutes,  it 
was  earnestly  recommended.  It  was  the  first  book  of  the 
kind  published  in  the  United  States,  and  Mr.  Montgomery 
received  much  commendation  from  prominent  educators 
and  school  journals  in  all  parts  of  the  country  for  his 
enterprise  and  zeal  in  behalf  of  encouraging  the  study  of 
local  history  in  connection  with  national  and  general 
history. 

Shortly  after  this  school  history  had  made  its  appear- 
ance, he  began  to  deliver  lectures  on  the  "Life  and  Times 
of  Conrad  Weiser,  the  First  Representative  Man  of  Berks 
County,"  and  on  the  "Revolutionary  Heroes  of  Berks 
County,"  in  all  parts  of  the  county  before  local  teachers' 
institutes  at  the  request  of  the  county  superintendents,  and 
he  continued  these  lectures  successfully  until  1893,  when, 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Reading  Board  of  Trade,  he 
published  the  former  in  a  pamphlet  of  40  pages,  and  3,500 
copies  of  this  pamphlet  were  distributed  gratuitously  among 
all  the  schools  of  the  city  and  county  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  a  suitable  memorial  to  Conrad  Weiser. 

In  1894,  he  published  a  volume  of  300  pages,  entitled 
"Berks  County  in  the,  Revolution,"  and  this  was  also  the 
first  book  of  the  kind  issued  to  show  what  a  participating 
county  in  the  Revolution  had  done  in  behalf  of  independent 
representative  government.  These  three  publications  are 
in  the  leading  libraries  of  the  country  from  Boston  to  San 
Francisco,  which  evidences  their  popularity.  About  this 
time,  he  also  compiled  the  "Centennial  History  of  Lodge 
No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M.,"  a  volume  of  250  pages,  which  was 
presented  by  the  Lodge  to  the  members  as  a  suitable  me- 
mento of  the  occasion. 

In  1898,  the  Sesqui-Centennial  of  the  founding  of  Read- 
ing was  properly  celebrated  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Board,  of  Trade,  and  the  executive  committee  having  em- 
ployed Mr.  Montgomery  to  compile  and  publish  a  suitable 
book  in  commemoration  of  the  event,  he  issued  a  superior 
volume  of  300  pages,  which  was  highly  appreciated  for 
its  conciseness  and  comprehensiveness. 

After  the  lapse  of  more  than  twenty  years,  numerous 
persons,  who  appreciated  the  necessity  of  having  the  his- 
tory of  the  county  published  again,  embracing  all  the  im- 
portant local  events  which  have  occurred  since,  suggested 
to  Mr.  Montgomery  that  he  should  revise  his  "History  of 
Berks    County."      Agreeing   that    such    a    revised    history 


would  be  acceptable  to  the  public,  he  accordingly  made  the 
arrangements  with  Messrs.  J.  H.  Beers  &  Co.,  publishers 
of  histories,  at  Chicago,  111.,  for  its  compilation  under  the 
title  "Historical  and  Biographical  Annals  of  Berks 
County,"  and  this  large  and  comprehensive  work  is  the 
result  of  his  labor  in  that  behalf. 

Mr.  Montgomery's  father,  John  Leonard  Montgomery, 
was  born  in  'Northumberland  county,  near  Sunbury,  in 
1812,  and  moved  to  Reading  in  1841,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  hardware  business  for  twenty-five  years,  and 
then  in  the  flour  business  for  a  number  of  years,  after 
which  he  lived  in  retirement,  until  his  decease,  in  1880.. 
He  was  married  to  Catharine  Rush,  of  Reading  (daughter 
of  Philip  Rush),  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Jonas- 
(married  to  Mary  Renninger)  ;  Morton  Luther;  Mary  Eliz- 
abeth; Sarah,  and  John,  the  last  two  dying  in  early  girl- 
hood and  youth,   respectively. 

His  mother's  father;  Philip  Rush;  born  a;t  Reading  in 
1784,  learned  the  trade  of  weaver,  which  he  followed  until 
1861.  He  was  enlisted  in  the  War  of  1812-15  and  served 
as  fife-major  of  the  1st  Regiment,  in  the  2d  Brigade  of 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  died  in  1871.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Barbara  Spohn  (daughter  of  Capt.  John  Spohn, 
who  raised  at  Reading  the  second  company  of  volunteers 
in  the  Revolution,  which  was  engaged  in  active  service, 
more  especially  at  the  Battle  of  Long  Island,  on  Aug.  27, 
1776).  She  died  in  1853,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  They 
had  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  including  Catharine, 
above-named.  Before  1800,  the  Spohn  family  was  inter- 
related ty  marriage  with  all  the  prominent  families  of 
Cumru,  Heidelberg  and  Robeson  townships. 

His  mother's  ancestors  on  the  father's  side  were  resi- 
dents of  Reading  from  the  founding  of  the  town  in  1751. 
Her  great-grandfather,  Michael  Rosch,  was  born  at  Rem- 
mingsheim,  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  in  1703.  He  was  a 
carpenter  by  trade,  which  he  followed  until  1751,  when  he 
emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  from  Rotterdam,  on  the  ship 
"Duke  of  Wurtemberg,"  having  qualified  Oct.  16th. 
He  was  accompanied  by  his  wife,  two  sons  (Michael  and 
Stephen)  and  four  daughters.  Immediately  after  landing 
at  Philadelphia,  he  proceeded  to  Reading,  and  there  pur- 
chased a  lot  (No.  189,  on  south  side  of  Penn  street,  below 
Tenth)  which  he  improved  by  the  erection  of  a  dwelling- 
house  under  the  conditions  of  purchase,  and  obtained  his 
patent  in  1753.  He  lived  on  these  premises  until  he  died  in 
1796.  In  1767  he  also  secured  by  patent  the  adjoining  lot 
on  the  corner  (No.  192).  His  wife  was  Catharine  Fischer, 
daughter  of  John  Fischer,  of  Remmingsheim.  She  died 
at  Reading  in  1775,  aged  seventy-one  years.  Their  six 
children  survived  them.  He  and  his  descendants  have  been 
members  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  at  Reading  since  its 
establishment  in  1751. 

Her  grandfather  was  the  second  son,  Stephen  Rosch. 
He  was  born  in  1740  at  Remmingsheim.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  cooper  at  Reading,  which  he  followed  until  his 
decease  in  1816.  In  his  last  will,  dated  1815,  he  still  signed 
his  name  Rosch,  in  German.  In  1770  he  married  Magda- 
lena  Gittelman,  daughter  of  John  Gittelman,  who  lived  in 
Berks  county  beyond  the  Blue  Mountains  and  was  there 
engaged  in  farming.  She  died  in  1826,  aged  seventy-eight 
years.  They  had  three  sons  (Stephen,  John  and  Philip) 
and  two  daughters. 

Mr.  Montgomery  married  Florence  Baugh  Bush,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Andrew  Bush  and  his  wife,  Mary  Price  Baugh, 
of  East  Coventry,  in  Chester  county,  and  they  have  a 
daughter,  Florence  Baugh,  married  to  Joshua  Brooke  Les- 
sig,  banker  and  iron  manufacturer  of  Pottstown,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Dr.  Bush  was  born  at  Philadelphia  in  1805,  studied  med- 
icine and  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1832.  After  traveling  through  the  Southern  States 
for  a  year,  he  began  an  introductory  practice  of  medicine 
at  Philadelphia,  and  continued  in  that  place  until  the  death 
of  his  father  in  1836,  when  he  located  in  East  Coventry 
township,  Chester  county,  and  there  carried  on  an  active 
practice  for  twenty-five  years.  He  then  directed  his 
attention  to  the  cultivation  of  certain  choice  fruits  in 
connection   with   farming  until  his   decease   in   1874.     He 


■i04 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY.  PENNSYLVANIA 


was  an  accomplished  linguist,  speaking  the  German,  French, 
Spanish  and  Italian  languages,  and  was  also  a  fine  Greek 
and  Latin  scholar,  keeping  up  his  interest  in  these  lan- 
guages until  he  died. 

Dr.  Bush's  father,  Andrew  Daniel  Michael  Busch,  was 
born  in  1763  at  Wesel,  in  Rhenish  Prussia,  near  Duessel- 
dorf,  and  was  thoroughly  educated  in  the  University  of 
Berlin.  After  his  graduation  he  emigrated  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, locating  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  became  exten- 
sively engaged  in  the  wholesale  shoe  business,  and  he 
followed  this  business  successfully  for  many  years.  For  a 
considerable  period,  before  and  after  1800,  his  philan- 
thropic spirit  in  behalf  of  immigrating  Germans,  who 
landed  at  Philadelphia,  gave  him  much  distinction.  He 
died  in  18.36.     Dr.  Bush  was  his  only  child. 

Dr.  Bush's  wife,  Mary  Price  Baugh,  was  a  lineal  des- 
cendant of  John  Sebastian  Bach,  of  Eisenach,  in  Upper 
Saxony,  born  168.5,  and  died  1730 ;  whose  son  John,  born 
at  the  same  place  in  1740,  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  and 
located  in  East  Coventry  township,  Chester  county,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  until  his  decease  in  1819.  His 
grandson,  also  named  John  Baugh  ( the  father  of  Dr. 
Bush's  wife),  was  born  in  177.5  in  the  township  named, 
became  the  largest  proprietor  of  farms  in  that  section  of 
the  county,  and  died  in  1841.  He  married  Mary  Price,  a 
lineal  descendant  of  Rev.  Jacob  Preisz,  who  emigrated  to 
Pennsylvania  in  1710. 

MILTON  PI.  De  long,  a  member  of  the  furniture  and 
undertaking  iirm  of  T.  &  M.  H.  De  Long,  at  Topton,  died 
at  his  home  in  that  town  Feb.  20,  1893,  at  the  age  of 
forty-seven  years,  one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  and 
substantial  citizens  of  his  community.  Pie  was  born  m 
Rockland  towMiship,  Sept.  C,  1843,  son  of  David  D.  and 
Catherine  (Haas)  De  Long. 

David  De  Long,  though  born  in  Upper  Macungie  town- 
ship, Lehigh  county,  passed  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in 
Longswamp  township,  Berks  county,  where  he  followed 
the  trade  of  weaver,  buying  and  selling  carpets,  and  he 
also  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  frugal  and  industrious, 
and  became  a  man  of  considerable  property.  By  his  wife, 
Catherine  Haas,  who  was  born  in  Longswamp  township, 
he  became  the  father  of  Ihe  following  family:  (1)  David 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years.  (:2)  Plenry,  born 
Dec.  18.  18.38,  clerked  in  a  store  at  Hancock ;  he  m. 
Adeline  Fenstermacher.  (3)  jMilton  H.  is  mentioned  below. 
(4)  Tilghman,  former  partner  of  Milton  PL,  is  in  the 
furniture  business  at  Topton ;  he  m.  Angeline  Fenster- 
macher. (5)  Alvin  H.,  a  hotel  proprietor  in  Longswamp 
township,  m.  Catherine  Zondt.  (6)  Sally  Ann  died  aged 
two  years.  The  father  died  Sept.  6,  1893,  and  the  mother 
Nov.  28,   1S77. 

Milton  H.  De  Long  was  given  an  excellent  education, 
completing  his  literary  training  in  Collegeville  Seminary. 
His  first  venture  into  the  mercantile  world  was  when  he 
and  Jacob  Stcininger  had  a  store  in  partnership  at 
Bowers  Station.  He  next  was  for  a  number  of  years  em- 
ployed as  a  clerk  in  the  marble  yard  of  Schwcyer  &  Leiss, 
at  Bower's  Station.  From  there  he  went  to  Bridgeport, 
where  he  was  similarly  employed  for  a  year  and  a  half. 
Returning  to  Topton  he  and  his  brother  Tilghman  opened 
the  furniture  and  undertaking  business  in  wliich  thev  were 
successfully  engaged  when  Milton  H.  died.  He  had  "a  high 
reputation  for  honesty  and  integrity,  and  in  his  private 
life  as  well  as  in  the  business  world  so  ordered  his  ac- 
tions that  at  his  death  it  could  be  truthfullv  said  that 
"No  better  man  lived  in  Topton." 

Mr.  De  Long  was  twice  married.  On  Sept.  25,  1869, 
he  wedded  Catherine  Kaiser,  of  Longswamp  township. 
The  only  child  of  this  union  died  in  infancy,  and  Mrs. 
De  Long  passed  away  Dec.  6,  1.S7I.  On  March  31,  1878, 
Mr.  De  Long  married  Louisa  E.  Knoske.  who  was  born  in 
Reading,  iSlarch  2,  1838,  daughter  of  Capt.  Edward  and 
Catherine  (Bower)  Knoske.  To  this  union  was  born  a 
daughter.  Katie  Elda.  April  26,  iss.'.  who  graduated  from 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  Kutztown,  in  1900,  and 
taught  school  one  term  at  Morgantown  and  two  terms  at 
Leesport,   and  who  married,   Sept.   15,   1903,  Dr.   Oscar  F. 


Kunkel,  of  Albany,  and  has  two  children,  Alton  De  Long 
and  Lester  De  Long.  At  the  time  of  his  death  Milton 
H.  De  Long  was  serving  as  director  of  the  poor,  having 
been  elected  to  that  office  only  a  few  months  prior  to 
his  decease.  He  was  also  serving  the  borough  of  Topton 
as  president  of  the  school  board. 

Knoske.  The  Knoske  family,  to  which  Mrs.  Milton  H. 
De  Long  belongs,  had  its  early  home  in  Germany.  Johann 
rleim-ich  Knoske  was  born  at  Herrenstadt,  near  Breslau, 
Prussia.  He  married  Rosina  Trautschen,  and  both  died 
in  their  native  land  strong  in  the  faith  of  Luther. 

Rev.  Johann  Knoske,  son  of  Johann  Heinrich  and 
Rosina,  was  born  at  Herrenstadt,  June  24,  1779.  _  He  came 
to  America  when  a  boy,  and  settled  in  Schuylkill  county, 
Pa,  He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Anna  Plate, 
daughter  of  Heinrich  Plate,  and  their  marriage  took  place 
in  1803,  and  her  death  a  year  and  eight  months  later.  He 
married  (second)  July  1,  1806,  Elizabeth  Koch,  daughter 
of  William  and  Margaret  (Neuf anger)  Koch,  of  Schuyl- 
kill county,  and  their  married  life  covered  a  period  of  more 
than  half  a  centurv.  He  died  Sept.  24,  1859,  and  his  wife, 
Elizabeth,  born  Sept.  1,  1782,  died  Feb.  16,  1868.  They 
had  a  family  of  four  sons  and  five  daughters,  namely : 
Wilhelmina  m.  David  Hottenstine:  Louisa  m.  John  Trago; 
Elizabeth  m.  Benjamin  Miller;  Maria  m.  Skiles  Trago," 
William;  Capt.  Edward;  Charles;  and  two  died  young. 
Mr.  Knoske  made  his  home  in  Kutztown  from  ISll  to 
1856,  in  the  latter  year  locating  in  Reading  where  he  was 
living  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  an  eloquent  min- 
ister of  the  Gospel,  and  did  much  for  the  spread  of  Chris- 
tianity in  his  section. 

Capt.  Edward  Knoske,  son  of  Rev.  Johann,  was  a  well- 
known  citizen  of  Berks  county  and  an  honored  veteran 
of  the  Civil  war.  He  was  born  in  Kutztown,  and  there 
learned  the  tanner's  trade.  For  some  time  he  clerked  in 
a  store  in  Reading,  and  then  located  at  Bower's  Station  in 
Maxatawny  township.  While  there  he  brought  the  first 
car  load  of  hard  coal  ever  shipped  to  that  town.  He  was 
prominent  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war,  being  a  lieutenant 
in  the  Ringgold  Light  .Artillery  (to  which  he  belonged  for 
nine  years),  his  commission  being  dated  Feb.  22,  1861.  On 
May  9,  ISCl,  he  enlisted  for  two  years  in  Company  D,  4th 
N.  Y.  V.  I.,  and  "was  discharged  ?ilav  5,  1863.  He  re-en- 
listed in  December,  1863,  at  New  York,  as  a  private  to 
serve  three  years  in  Company  G,  5th  N.  Y.  V.  Artillery, 
and  was  transferred  to  Company  A,  Jan.  6,  1864.  tie  was 
promoted  to  corporal  Jan.  27,  1864,  sergeant  major  July 
10,  1854,  and  discharged  Feb.  18,  1865,  to  accept  the  sec- 
ond lieutenancy.  He  was  made  captain  :\Jav  25,  1865,  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  Va.  At  the  battle  of  Antietam  a  bullet 
passed  through  his  hat,  and  grazed  his  skull,  necessitating 
his  removal  to  a  hospital.  The  hat  is  still  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  family  at  Bowers.  He  married  Catherine 
Bower,  daughter  of  Jonas  Bower,  and  she  still  resides 
at  the  homestead  at  Bowers  Station.  He  died  Sept.  11, 
1896.  Their  children  were:  J.  Charles,  of  Baltimore  is 
an  engmecr  on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad  ;  J.  William 
A.  resides  at  Topton  ;  Harrison,  m.  to  Clara  Troutman,  is 
eiigaged  in  the  music  business  at  Delaware,  Ohio;  Louisa 
E.  is  the  widow  of  JMilton  H.  De  Long. 

Jonas  Bower,  grandfather  of  Airs.  De  Long,  was  born 
ill  Maxatawny  township,  at  the  station  that  now  bears  his 
name,  Jan.  29,  1797,  and  he  became  a  prominent  farmer. 
He  gave  the  land  in  his  district  for  the  Railroad  Company 
to  build  their  station.  He  also  built  the  well-known 
V\'ashington  House"  at  that  place.  Pie  married  Elizabeth 
Sell  who  was  born  Alay  20,  1801.  daughter  of  George  and 
Barbara  (Haak)  Sell.  She  died  April  10,  1879,  and  he 
passed  away  Sept.  6,  1882.  Thev  had  three  children  ■  Cath- 
erine m  to  the  late  Capt.  Edward  Knoske;  Elizabeth,  m. 
V  ,-i7i-  ?■  Wanner;  Aaron,  born  April  25,  1828,  and 
died  Feb.  21,  1903. 

HARRY  DRY  SCHAEFFER,  district  attornev  of  Berks 
comity  was  born  Nov.  14,  1873,  on  the  old  Drv 'homestead 
ni  Kock  and  township,  Berks  countv,  and  belongs  to  a  fam- 
ily which  has  been  identified  with  the  affairs  of  the  county 
tor     several     generations.       His     grandfather,     Jonathan 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


405 


Schaeffer,  was  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  Richmond  township. 

George  B.  Schaeffer,  father  of  Harry  Dry  Schaeffer, 
was  long  engaged  in  the  coal,  lumber  and  iron  ore  business 
in  Fleetwood,  this  county.  After  serving  some  time  as 
deputy  sheriff,  under  Sheriff  Kemp,  he  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  sheriff,  in  which  he  served  with  fidelity  some 
three  years,  from  1887  until  1890.  He  is  now  living  retired 
in  Reading.  He  married  Mary  A.  Dry,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin E.  Dry,  formerly  of  Rockland  township,  this  county. 
Mr.  Dry  died  about  two  years  ago,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
seven,  while  living  in  the  City  of  Reading.  The  Drys  are 
remarkable  for  their  longevity,  and  Mr.  Dry's  sister,  who 
was  buried  in  September,  1905,  reached  the  advanced  age 
of  ninety-six  years.  Mr.  Dry  was  a  merchant  at  Dryville, 
Rockland  township,  which  was  named  after  him^  and 
lived  a  most  useful  and  active  life,  having  served  his  county 
in  the  Legislature  and  as  register  of  wills,  and  was  justice 
of  the  peace  of  Rockland  township  for  over  twenty-five 
years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  B.  Schaeffer  had  a  family 
of  eight  children,  as  follows :  Wester  and  Llewellyn,  coal 
and  lumber  dealers  at  Fleetwood,  doing  business  under  the 
firm  name  of  Schaeffer,  Wanner  &  Co. ;  Warren,  at  school ; 
Kate  and  Sue,  at  home;  Minnie,  m.  to  Dr.  Fred  Kelchner, 
of  Philadelphia;  Rosa,  wife  of  Dr.  George  S.  Bleiler; 
and  Harry  Dry. 

Harry  D.  Schaeffer  attended  the  public  schools  of  Fleet- 
wood and  later  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at 
Kutztown,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1891.  He  then  took 
a  course  at  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  Pa., 
and  was  graduated  in  1895.  Mr.  Schaeffer  matriculated 
at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  as  a  law  student,  and 
after  a  year  at  that  institution  began  reading  law  in  the 
office  of  D.  Nicholas  Schaeffer.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  Bar  in  1899,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  active  practice  of  his  profession  in  Reading.  Under 
the  firm'  name  of  Dumn  &  Schaeffer,  he  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Harry  J.  Dumn,  former  clerk  of  Quarter  Ses- 
sions. Mr.  Schaeffer  was  appointed  assistant  district  at- 
torney in  January,  1905,  and  served  in  that" capacity  for 
three  years  under  District  Attorney  Kutz.  In  1907  he  was 
elected  as  district  attorney  and  is  filling  that  office  at 
present. 

On  April  17,  1901,  Mr.  Schaeffer  was  married  to  Miss 
Annie  R.  Wanner,  daughter  of  the  late  Louis  A.  Wanner, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Schaeffer,  Wanner  &  Co., 
of  Fleetwood.  One  son,  George  Wanner  Schaeffer,  has 
come  to  cheer  their  home.  Mr.  Schaeffer  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  belonging  to  Kutztown  Lodge, 
No.  377.     He  also  belongs  to  the  Reformed  Church. 

HENRY  MAY  KEIM  was  born  of  a  family  which  has 
been  prominently  connected  with  the  city  of  Reading  and 
county  of  Berks  since  the  time  of  the  earliest  settlements 
therein.  His  father  was  Gen.  George  May  Keim,  who  rep- 
resented his  district  in  Congress  and  died  at  the  beginning 
of  the  Civil  war  while  preparing  to  leave  with  his  troops 
for  the  front.  His  grandfather  was  Gen.  George  de  Ben- 
neville  Keim,  who  was  born  during  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution and  was  in  the  military  service  during  the  Whiskey 
Insurrection.  His  great-grandfather  was  John  Keim,  who 
was  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  Reading,  where  he 
amassed  a  considerable  fortune.  His  great-great-grand- 
father was  Nicholas  Keim,  who  was  one  of  the  earliest 
proprietors  of  the  "Old  White  Store"  at  Fifth  and  Penn 
streets,  shortly  after  it  was  first  established  by  Conrad 
Weiser;  and  his  great-great-great-grandfather  was  John 
Keim,  the  elder,  who  arrived  in  Pennsylvania  shortly  after 
its  foundation,  and  settled  in  Oley  township,  Berks  county, 
as  early  as  1718. 

Henry  May  Keim  was  born  at  Reading,  Aug.  16,  1842. 
He  graduated  at  the  Reading  high  school  in  1858,  at  the 
head  of  his  class,  and  he  entered  the  Sophomore  class  at 
Union  College,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  graduating  in  1862. 
Shortly  after  his  graduation  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the 
Civil  war,  in  Company  I,  11th  Pennsylvania  Militia,  and 
saw  service  in  Maryland.  He  entered  the  service  for  the 
second  time  the  following  year,  during  Lee's  invasion  of 
Pennsylvania,    when    he    was    commissioned   lieutenant   in 


Company  A,  53d  Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  received  distin- 
guished mention  from  his  superior  officers.  Meantime  he 
had  undertaken  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Jacob  S. 
Livingood,  Esq.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Berks 
county  Aug.  7,  1865. 

During  the  years  1874  and  1875  he  served  as  one  of  the 
three  auditors  of  the  city  of  Reading.  In  1876  he  was 
Democratic  county  chairman,  and  succeeded  in  increasing 
the  Democratic  majority  in  the  county  for  Tilden  beyond 
all  previous  figures.  In  recognition -of  his  valuable  party 
services  and  general  ability,  in  1885  he  was  appointed  by 
President^  Cleveland  United  States  consul  at  Charlotte- 
town,  Prince  Edward  Island,  where  he  most  creditably 
represented  his  government  and  gained  the  highest  respect 
and  regard  of  the  officials  and  people  of  the  Island.  Upon 
his  return  from  this  service,  he  was  elected  president  of 
the  Valley  Railroad  of  Ohio,  with  his  offices  at  Cleveland. 
The  finaiicial  troubles  of  the  country  occurring  about  this 
time  having  forced  the  railroad  into  a  receivership,  he 
was  appointed  one  of  the  receivers,  and  by  his  careful  man- 
agement soon  succeeded  in  bringing  it  out  of  the  receiver- 
ship and  restoring  it  to  prosperity.  Upon  the  completion 
of  his  task  he  returned  to  Reading  in  fulfilment  of  his 
long-cherished  desire  to  continue  his  residence  here. 

Mr.  Keim  was  devotedly  attached  to  the  places,  people 
and  traditions  of  his  native  county,  and  was  foremost  in 
all  undertakings  designed  for  the  public  welfare.  He  was 
a  trustee  of  various  important  institutions,  and  was  untir- 
ing in  his  exertions  in  behalf  of  the  sesqui-centennial 
celebration  of  the  founding  of  the  city  and  in  the  move- 
ment to  liquidate  the  debt  of  the  Reading  Library  and 
to  establish  it  as  a  free  library.  He  was  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers and  original  corporators  of  the  Historical  Society 
of ,  Berks  county,  and  was  from  the  beginning  its  cor- 
responding secretary  and  member  of  the  council.  His 
public  spirit,  his  careful  attention  to  detail,  and  his  zeal 
in  all  his  undertakings  made  him  a  most  useful  member  of 
society,  while  his  uniform  kindness  and  affability  made 
him  a  general  favorite  with  all  classes  and  attached  his 
near  associates  very  closely  to  him. 

In  1867  Mr.  Keim  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  E.  Trex- 
ler,  daughter  of  Horatio  Trexler,  and  she  survives.  He 
died  at  his  residence  in  Reading,  Feb.  18,  1899.  Mr.  Keim 
was  a  devout  member  of  Christ  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  at  Reading,  having  joined  in  his  boyhood.  When 
he  became  of  age  he  was  selected  as  a  vestryman,  and  he 
filled  that  position  for  a  continuous  period  of  thirty-five 
years,  his  services  terminating  with  his  decease.  His  de- 
votion to  the  Church  was  so  highly  appreciated  that  a  tab- 
let was  erected  to  his  memory  on  the  south  wall  of  the 
auditorium,  which  bears  the  neat  and  expressive  inscrip- 
tion: "A  faithful  friend — An  Earnest  Churchman — A  sin- 
cere Christian."  A  Bishop  of  the  Church  said  of  him : 
"He  was  a  perfect  type  of  a  Christian  gentleman." 

De  long.  The  first  settler  of  the  De  .Long  family  in 
America  was  Peter  De  Long,  a  French  Huguenot,  who 
came  to  this  country  in  1732.  His  son,  Henry,  the  great- 
grandfather of  Tilghman  De  Long,  was  born,  perhaps,  in 
France. 

David  De  Long,  son  of  Henry,  was  born  in  America, 
Jan.  4,  1770,  and  died  Nov.  12,  1828.  .  He  married  Barbara 
Gery,  and  they  had  the  following  children :  Daniel  m. 
Catherine  Long,  of  Butler  county,  Ohio;  Benjamin  ni. 
Catherine  Rohrbach ;  David ;  Catherine  m.  Martin  Kersher ; 
Esther  m.  John  Fenstermacher ;  Susannah  m.  Jacob  Schra- 
din;  Mary  m.  George  Rohrbach;  and  Elizabeth  m.  Jacob 
Haas. 

David  De  Long,  father  of  Tilghman  De  Long,  was  born 
July  6,  1813,  and  died  Sept.  6,  1893,  at  the  age  of  eighty 
years  and  two  months.  He  married  Catherine  Haas,  who 
died  Nov.  28,  1877,  aged  sixty-four  years,  five  months, 
eleven  days.  They  had  children  as  follows :  David  died 
aged  twenty-six  years;  Henry,  born  Dec.  18,  1838,  m. 
Adeline  Fenstermacher,  and  is  deceased;  Milton  H.,  who 
died  Feb.  20,  1892,  was  twice  married,  and  his  second 
wife,  Louisa  E.  (Knoske),  lives  at  Bowers,  Pa.;  Tilgh- 
man ;  Alvin  H.,  residing  on  the  old  homestead,  m.  Gather- 


406 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ine  Saul;  and  Sally  Ann  died  when  two  years  old.  David 
De  Long,  the  father,  carried  on  farming  in  Longswamp 
township,  Berks  county,  through  all  his  active  years. 

TiLGHMAN  De  Long,  son  of  David,  was  born  Aug.  2, 
1849,  in  Rockland  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  country  schools  as  they  were  in  his  boyhood. 
He  grew  up  on  the  farm,  and  also  worked  in  the  ore  mines. 
When  nineteen  years  of  age  he  apprenticed  himself  to 
David  Zimmerman,  at  Monterey,  with  whom  he  learned 
cabinetmaking  and  undertaking.  After  serving  three 
years  with  this  man  he  was  considered  a  good  workman 
and  went  to  Schrader,  FeHx  &  Kline,  a  well-known  firm 
at  that  time,  now  doing  business  at  Reading  as  Schrader 
&  Kline,  and  remained  there  until  1872,  when  he  came 
to  Topton  and  embarked  in  business  for  himself.  Mr. 
De  Long  at  first  worked  alone,  doing  all  his  manufacturing 
by  hand,  but  as  his  business  increased  he  took  an  appren- 
tice, this  being  Charles  Fenstermacher,  who  has  continued 
with  him  ever  since.  His  skill  as  a  workman  and  his 
promptness  in  filling  his  contracts  soon  brought  more  and 
more  business  to  Mr.  De  Long  and  he  added  more  assis- 
tants, two  of  whom,  Jonathan  Barto  and  Lewis  Keller, 
still  are  of  his  right-hand  men.  He  began  equipping  his 
plant  with  some  machinery  that  he  put  up  himself  first 
operating  it  by  hand  and  later  by  horse-power,  and  recently 
he  has  built  a  new  factory  of  large  dimensions  which  he 
has  equipped  with  the  latest  improved  machinery.  The 
year  round  he  gives  employment  to  from  fifty  to  seventy- 
five  men.  He  is  now  one  of  the  leading  manufacturers 
of  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  His  specialty  is  in  the  line  of 
bank,  hotel,  store  and  church  fixtures. 

In  1905,  Mr.  De  Long  organized  the  T.  De  Long  Furni- 
ture Company,  of  which  .  he  is  president  and  principal 
stockholder,  his  sons,  Ellwood  and  Victor,  being  partners. 
.'Vt  the  same  time  De  Long,  Son  &  Co.  was  organized, 
which  includes  the  retail  furniture  and  undertaking  busi- 
ness at  Topton  and  Fleetwood,  the  latter  of  which  is  man- 
aged by  the  other  son,  Irwin  D.  De  Long.  Mr.  De  Long 
officiated  as  undertaker  at  over  3,200  funerals  before  he 
delegated  the  Fleetwood  branch  of  the  business  to  Irwin 
D.,  in  1898.  He  is  still  active,  though  he  employs  Mr. 
Schofer  to  attend  to  the  Topton  branch  of  the  undertak- 
ing business. 

On  April  4,  1874,  Mr.  De  Long  was  married  to  Angeline 
Fenstermacher,  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Polly  (Mensch) 
Fenstermacher.  Her  father,  now  deceased,  was  long  a 
prominent  farmer  of  this  section.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  De 
Long  were  born  eight  children,  as  follows :  Minnie  Ren- 
neta,  born  Aug.  3,  1875,  died  Nov.  7,  1876;  Irwin  David, 
born  Aug.  7,  1877;  Ellwood  F.,  born  June  23,  1879;  Charles 
Franklin,  born  May  29,  1881,  died  Aug.  22,  1883;  Ada 
Alavesta,  born  Dec.  26,  1882,  married  Milton  O.  Knauss, 
and  had  one  child,  deceased;  Victor  Wilson,  born  July  9, 
1884,  m.  Laura  Fisher,  and  has  one  daughter.  Lulu  Rachel ; 
Eva  Helen,  born  Oct.  23,  1888,  resides  at  home;  and  Lidu 
May,  born  Nov.  16,  1893,  died  Dec.  2,  1809. 

Mr.  De  Long  is  a  stanch  Democrat  and  on  many  occas- 
ions has  been  chosen  by  his  fellow  citizens  to  assume 
the  duties  and  responsibilities  attaching  to  important  of- 
fices. He  has  filled  all  the  minor  borough  offices,  for 
three  years  was  a  director  of  the  poor  for  Berks  county, 
and  at  present  is  serving  his  second  term  as  a  member 
of  the  Topton  town  council.  His  good  judgment,  his 
business  foresight  and  his  sterling  personal  character,  make 
him  an  ideal  citizen.  He  apphes  the  same  principles  in 
looking  after  the  interests  of  public  business  as  he  has 
always  done  to  his  private  affairs,  by  which  he  has  built 
up  from  a  very  small  beginning  a  trade  that  extends  all 
over  the  world,  shipments  of  his  goods  having  been  made 
to  Porto  Rico  and  even  to  far-off  China.  Mr.  De  Long 
and  wife  belong  to  the  German  Reformed  Church,  and 
in  this  faith  they  have  reared  their  family.  He  is  a 
,member  of  Camp  No.  172,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  of  Longswamp 
Lodge,  L  O.  O.  F. ;  of  the  K.  of  P.,  at  Lyons;  and  of 
Adonai  Castle,  K.  G.  E.,  at  Kutztown.  He  is  a  man  who 
in  every  relation  of  life  can  claim  the  respect  of  his 
fellow  citizens,  and  he  enjoys  also  in  large  measure  their 
esteem. 


Ellwood  F.  De  Long,  vice-president  of  the  T.  De  Long 
Furniture  Company,  was  born  and  reared  at  Topton,  where 
he  first  attended  school.  Later  he  became  a  student  at  the 
Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown,  and  after- 
ward graduated  at  the  Drexel  Institute  of  Art,  Science 
and  Industry.  For  a  long  time  he  filled  the  position  of 
designer  for  the  large  furniture  factory  and  now  is  sales 
manager  for  the  firm.  He  married  Minnie  Christ  and  they 
have  one  son,  Karl  Christ.  He  belongs  to  Huguenot 
Lodge,  No.  377,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Kutztown;  and  to  Camp 
172,  P.  O.  S.  of  A. 

Victor  Wilson  De  Long,  secretary  and  associate  partner 
of  the  firm  of  T.  De  Long  Furniture  Company,  was  born 
and  reared  at  Topton.  From  the  borough  schools  he  en- 
tered the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown,  and 
afterward  attended  Schissler's  Business  College  at  Norris- 
town.  He  married  Laura  Fisher.  He  is  a  member  of 
Camp  No.  172,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  Huguenot  Lodge,  No. 
377,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Kutztown.  He  belongs  to  the  Reformed 
Church. 

IRWIN  DAVID  De  LONG,  manager  of  the  Fleetwood 
branch  of  D'e  Long,  Son  &  Co.,  dealers  in  furniture  and 
house  furnishings  of  all  descriptions  at  Topton  and 
Fleetwood,  was  born  at  Topton,  Aug.  7,  1877.  His  educa- 
tion was  acquired  in  the  borough  schools,  and  the  Key- 
stone State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown.  In  the  spring  of 
1895  he  entered  Schissler's  College  of  Business  at  Norris- 
town.  Pa.,  completing  the  course  there  in  October  follow- 
ing. In  the  spring  of  1897  he  entered  the  Massachusetts 
College  of  Embalming,  and  graduated  therefrom  June  25, 
1897,  later  taking  a  post-graduate  course,  which  he  com- 
pleted Nov.  18,  1898.  He  also  took  a  post-graduate  course 
in  the  Philadelphia  Training  School  for  Embalmers,  com- 
pleting it  May  2,  1902.  He  then  became  his  father's  assis- 
tant at  Topton,  the  latter  being  one  of  the  best  known 
undertakers  in  the  county,  and  the  son  had  literally  grown 
up  in  the  business. 

On  Feb.  15,  1906,  the  firm  of  De  Long,  Son  &  Co.,  was 
formed  by  the  following:  Tilghman  De  Long,  Irwin  D. 
De  Long,and  Jacob  J,  Schofer.  They  carry  a  very  large 
stock  of  furniture  and,  in  fact,  of  all  house  furnishings, 
and  operate  stores  at  Topton  and  Fleetwood.  The  senior 
member  of  the  firm,  Mr.  Tilghman  De  Long,  is  one  of 
the  most  highly  respected  men  in  the  county,  and  has 
the  largest  trade  of  any  undertaker  in  Berks  county  out- 
side of  Reading. 

Socially  Mr.  Irwin  D.  De  Long  is  a  member  of  Camp 
No.  172,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  Topton ;  Orion  Castle,  No.  501, 
K.  G.  E.,  Topton ;  Willow  Valley  Lodge,  K.  P.,  Fleetwood ; 
Kutztown  Aerie,  No.  836,  F.  O.  E. ;  Fleetwood  Castle 
No.  153,  A.  O.  K.  M.  C. ;  Yuma  Tribe,  I.  O.  R.  M. ;  Arab- 
ian Degree  Kean;  Buzzards  Association,  and  Haymakers. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Fleetwood  Reformed  Church,  while 
his  wife  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  Church. 

On  June  14,  1900,  Mr.  De  Long  was  married  to  Katharine 
H.  Drey,  daughter  of  George  L.  and  Katharine  (Fisher) 
Drey,  of  Bowers.  They  have  one  daughter,  Janice  Ethel. 
Mrs.  De  Long  greatly  assists  her  husband  in  the  under- 
taking business. 

JOHN  J.  KUTZ,  lawyer  of  Reading,  is  descended  from 
an  old  and  honorable  German  family  which  has  left  its 
impress  on  the  institutions  of  the  county.  He  was  born 
m  Readmg,  Jan.  16,  1865. 

Jacob,  John,  Adam,  John,  Adam,  John,  thus  run  the 
Christian  names  of  the  Kutz  family  from  the  great-great- 
great-grandfather  to  the  present  generation.  Jacob  and  the 
first  John  were  leading  farmers  of  Berks  county  before 
the  days  of  the  Revolution,  while  the  first  Adam  moved 
into  the  village  of  Reading  and  began  the  manufacture 
of  hats,  being,  together  with  Samuel  Homan  (also  the 
great-grandfather  of  jNIr.  Kutz),  pioneers  of  that  industry 
m  the  country,  a  business  which  the  grandfather  also 
earned  on,  as  did  the  father  of  our  subject,  Adam  Kutz  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Kutz,  Arnold  &  Co.,  until  the  date 
of  his  death,  m  1876.  He  married  Mary  R.  Seidel,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob   Seidel,  a  retired   farmer  of  Chester  county. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


407 


Pa.,  and  to  them  were  born  four  children,  Sanwel  and 
Bessie  being  deceased;  those  surviving  are  Sallie  Edith  and 
John  J.,  the  former  the  wife  of  Addison  Allen,  a  lawyer 
of  New  York  City. 

John  J.  Kutz  was  born  in  Reading  and  is  a  product  of 
her  institutions  so  far  as  his  primary  training  is  concerned. 
He  later  attended  Phillips  Academy  at  Andover,  Mass., 
where  he  graduated  in  1884.  Matriculating  then  at  Yale 
University,  he  took  his  literary  degree  in  1888,  and 
then  took  up  the  study  of  his  profession  in  the  law 
department  of  that  University.  He  continued  his  study 
in  the  office  of  .Cyrus  G.  Derr,  and  in  1890  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  of  Berks  county.  Since  that  time  he  has  been 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  law,  and  in  addition  is  inter- 
ested in  financial  and  industrial  lines.  He  is  a  director 
of  the  National  Union  Bank  of  Reading,  a  director  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Trust  Company,  a  director  of  the '  Reading 
Gas  Company,  vice-president  of  the  Mt.  Penn  Stove 
Works,  and  president  of  the  Columbian  Cutlery  Company. 

Mr.  Kutz  was  the  candidate  of  the  Republican  party  for 
district  attorney  in  1895.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Wyo- 
missing,  Berkshire  and  Tuesday  Clubs,  and  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  denomination. 

Mr.  Kutz  was  married  to  Mary  Mcllvain,  Jan.  26,  1898. 
Mrs.  Kutz  is  the  daughter  of  the  late  Morton  C.  Mcll- 
vain, an  iron-master  of  Reading,  who  married 
Sidney  H.  Leoser,  and  on  both  sides  of  the  family 
comes  of  distinguished  stock.  Her  great-great-grandfather 
on  the  maternal  side,  Michael  Hilkgass,  was  the  first 
treasurer  of  the  United  States.  On  her  father's  side  she 
is  the  great-great-granddaughter  of  John  Morton,  who  was 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
and  was  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  during  the 
Revolution.  Her  grandfather,  Thomas  S.  Leoser,  was  a 
distinguished  veteran  of  the  Mexican  war,  having  been 
captain  of  what  was  familiarly  known  as  the  Reading 
Artillerists.  Three  of  Mrs.  Kutz's  uncles  were  in  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion,  Lieut.  Howard  Mcllvain,  Capt. 
Charles  McKnight  Leoser  and  Lieut.  Christopher  Leoser.  • 

JAMES  A.  SCHOFER,  a  prominent  representative  of 
the  business  life  of  Reading,  located  at  No.  108  South  Fifth 
street,  is  proprietor  of  that  well-known  establishment  on 
South  Fifth  street — Schofer's  Bakery.  He  was  born  Dec. 
30,  1858,  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Christo- 
pher H.   Schofer   (who  is  mentioned  elsewhere). 

James  A.  Schofer  obtained  a  portion  of  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  Exeter  township,  association  with 
th,e  world  through  many  years  of  activity  in  business 
completing  it.  His  first  work  was  the  driving  of  a  bakery 
wagon,  attending  the  weekly  market  at  Reading,  and  he 
continued  in  this  work  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years 
old.  Wishing  to  perfect  himself  in  the  bakery  business  he 
went  to  Philadelphia  and  completed  his  trade  under  J.  A. 
Moss,  who  had  been  chief  steward  at  the  "Continental 
Hotel"  for  fifteen  years. 

After  learning  all  that  this  competent  instructor  could 
teach  him,  Mr.  Schofer  returned  to  Reading  and  entered 
his  father's  bakery  establishment,  remaining  there  until 
1885.  Then,  in  company  with  William  Miller,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  baking  business  on  Douglass  street,  between 
Ninth  and  Tenth,  remaining  three  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  sold  out  to  his  partner  and  returned  to 
his  father's  employ.  Here  he  remained  until  1894,  when 
he  started  again  on  his  own  account,  at  his  present  quar- 
ters. From  a  small  beginning,  Mr.  Schofer  has  built  up 
a  fine  trade  and  he  has  one  of  the  most  complete  plants 
in  that  part  of  the  State,  equipped  with  every  known  de- 
vice for  modern  baking.  It  is  located  at  Nos.  108-110 
South  Fifth  street,  a  brick  structure  6f  pleasing  architec- 
ture, 48  X  230  feet  in  dimensions,  and  it  is  interesting  to 
note  the  space  given  to  the  various  departments  in  an 
up-to-date  sanitary  plant  of  this  kind.  The  sales  room 
and  office  contain  870  square  feet;  supply  room, 
480  square  feet;  first-floor  bakery  shop,  1,696  square 
feet;  second-fioor  bakery  shop,  896  square  feet; 
bread  room,  1,349  square  feet;  third-floor  flour  room,  1.349 
square  feet;    sifter  and  blender  room,   2,444  square   feet. 


The  rear  building  is  four  stories  high  and  each  floor  con- 
tains 4,000  square  feet.  There  is  nothing  in  the  line  of 
plain  or  fancy  baking  that  this  modern  baker  cannot 
accomplish,  while  fancy  baking  and  choice  confections  of 
every  kind,  for  entertainments  on  any  scale,  for  weddings 
and  all  social  functions,  come  entirely  in  the  line  of  Mr. 
Schofer's  capacity.  He  gives  employment  to  forty  ex- 
perienced workmen,  uses  seventeen  horses  and  keeps  his 
delivery  wagons  out  constantly.  He  has  eight  persons  for 
office  work,  a  telephone  girl,  and  everything  found  in  a 
metropolitan  establishment  of  this  kind.  It  is  a  credit  to 
Reading. 

In  1882  Mr.  Schofer  married  Ella  C.  Kline,  a  daughter 
of  Elam  and  Catherine  Kline,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Schofer  have  had  the  following  children :  Robert  R.,  who 
is  manager  of  his  father's  store;  Henry  H.,  deceased; 
James  F.,  a  clerk  in  the  establishment;  Mabel  A.,  a  pupil 
in  the  Reading  high  school;  Edward  K.  and  Charles.  In 
September,  1905,  Edward  K.,  of  the  above  family,  was 
accidentally  killed  while  delivering  goods  to  the  "Mansion 
House,"  Reading.  He  belonged  to  the  class  of  1908, 
Reading  high  school,  was  particularly  bright  and  was  a 
great  favorite  with  his  classmates.  His  death  was  a  ter- 
rible blow  to  his  parents.  The  family  belong  to  St.  Ltdce's 
Lutheran  Church,  where  Mr.  Schofer  has.  been  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday-school  for  seventeen  years. 

Mr.  Schofer  has  been  eminently  the  architect  of  his  own 
fortunes  and  his  success  but  points  the  way  for  others  to 
follow  persistently  the  path  of  industry  and  economy  in 
youth.  In  politics  Mr.  Schofer  is  a  Democrat,  although 
he  has  never  cared  for  political  offices. 

J.  ALLISON  ORR,  one  of  Reading's  representative 
business  men,  superintendent  of  the  Mt.  Penn  Stove  Works 
for  twenty-five  years,  and  for  thirteen  years  a  partner  in 
the  Reading  Radiator  Company,  of  which  he  later  was 
president,  held  a  position  of  recognized  influence  in  the 
industrial  circles  of  the  city.  Mr.  Orr  was  born  March  9, 
1845,  near  Chester  Springs,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Margaret  (White)  Orr,  and  grandson  of  Robert 
Orr,  and  he  died  Oct.  1,  1907. 

Robert  Orr  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  was  brought  to 
America  jn  childhood.  His  parents  located  near  Yellow 
Springs,  and  there  after  reaching  manhood  he  engaged 
in  farming.  He  died  in  1853.  For  many  years  he  was  sex- 
ton of  the  Vincent  Baptist  Church.  His  five  children  were : 
William,  George,  John,  Jesse  and  Mrs.  Catherine  Sturgis. 

William  Orr  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  but  later  he 
became  superintendent  of  an  ore  quarry.  The  latter  years 
of  his  hfe  he  devoted  to  farming.  He  became  a  man  of 
some  substance,  and  lived  to  the  age  of  seventy-eight 
years.  His  wife,  Margaret,  died  aged  seventy-four  years. 
They  had  three  sons :  John  W.,  of  the  Mount  Penn  Stove 
Works;  Jesse,  deceased;  and  J.  Allison.  In  religious  be- 
lief the  parents  were  Baptists.  The  father  was  a  Demo- 
crat. 

J.  Allison  Orr  was  afforded  better  educational  advan- 
tages than  were  many  of  the  youths  of  his  day.  He  at- 
tended Franklin  Hall  and  Pikeland  Seminary,  both  ex- 
cellent schools.  After  completing  his  education  he  became 
a  clerk  in  a  general  store  in  Chester  county,  remaining 
six  years.  In  1868  he  came  to  Reading  as  a  stove 
mounter  for  Orr,  Painter  &  Co.,  but  twelve  years  later 
he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  purchased  a  milk  route, 
which  he  carried  on  for  two  years,  returning  to  Reading 
at  the  end  of  that  time.  He  then  accepted  his  late  respon- 
sible position  with  the  Mount  Penn  Stove  Works  where 
he  had  charge  of  130  workmen. 

On  Dec.  31,  1868,  Mr.  Orr  married  Cassie  R.  Saylor, 
and  they  had  six  children,  three  still  living,  as  follows : 
Jesse,  chief  shipping  clerk  for  the  Mount  Penn  Stove 
Works,  m.  Katharine  Goodhart;  Bertha  is  at  home;  and 
Edwin  was  a  student  in  the  Electrical  Department  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania..  The  home  of  the  family 
is  at  No.  40  North  Third  street.  Mr.  Orr  was  a  member 
of  the  Royal  Arcanum.     In  politics  he  was  a  Republican. 


408 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


EDWARD  S.  KREMP,  lawyer,  Reading,  comes  from 
an  ancestry  which  had  its  origin  in  Alsace-Lorraine,  sev- 
eral generations  of  the  family  having  resided  in  Saar- 
Union,  while  under  the  jurisdiction  of  France,  of  which 
municipality  his  great-grandfather,  John  Kremp,  a  Chev- 
alier de  St.  Louis  (born  Dec.  12,  1747,  died  Feb.  36,  1836), 
was  Mayor  from  1810  to  1819. 

Xavier  Kremp,  grandfather  of  Edward  S.,  was  born 
April  13,  1791,  and  was  for  a  number  of  years  municipal 
clerk  of  Saar-Union. 

Dominic  Kremp,  son  of  Xavier,  born  June  18,  1832,  came 
to  America  in  June,  18.50,  taking  up  his  residence  in  Read- 
ing. Berks  Co.,  Pa.  He  dealt  for  many  years  in  real 
estate  but  is  now  living  retired.  His  wife  was  ^Matilda 
Leitham,  daughter  of  Martin  Leitham,  a  prominent  farmer 
of  Bally,  Berks  county.  To  them  were  born  three  chil- 
dren :  Mary  E.,  Anna  A.,  and  Edward  S. 

Edward  S.  Kremp  is  a  native  of  Reading,  born  Nov.  16, 
1866.  His  early  educational  training  was  gained  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  city,  and  he  later  attended  St.  Vin- 
cent's College,  at  Latrobe,  Pa.,  where  he  was  graduated 
with  first  honors  in  1886.  Beginning  the  study  of  law  in 
the  office  of  Cyrus  G.  Derr,  of  Reading,  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  in  November,  1889,  and  has  since  continued 
to  practice. 

Mr.  Kremp  married,  in  1890,  Miss  Elsie  Boas,  who 
comes  from  distinguished  ancestry,  being  the  daughter 
of  Capt.  E.  P.  Boas  and  Elizabeth  Kupp,  the  latter  the 
daughter  of  Major  Henry  S.  Kupp,  of  Birdsboro,  Berks 
count}',  who  was  provost  marshal  during  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion.  Her  mother,  Rebecca  (Morgan)  Kupp,  was  a 
daughter  of  Colonel  Morgan,  the  founder  of  Morgantown, 
Berks  county,  and  the  line  here  runs  back  to  the  Morgans 
of  Revolutionary  fame.  To  Mr,  and  iSIrs.  Kremp  has 
been  born  one  daughter,  Augusta. 

Mr.  Kremp  at  one  time  owned  the  beautiful  country 
seat  known  as  "Ravenswood"  in  the  suburbs,  which  was 
built  by  him,  and  he  is  the  author  of  "Caws  from.  Ravens- 
wood,"  a  booklet  of  poems  which  appeared  in  December, 
1895,  and  which  two  months  thereafter  was  translated  into 
German  by   Professor  Wilhelm   Hartmann. 

F.  J.  KANTNER,  M.  D.,  a  well-known  physician,  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  where  he  has  been  successfully  engaged  in 
the  duties  that  pertain  to  his  profession  since  1888,  is  one 
of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  city.  He  was  born  Sept.  12, 
1852,  in  Penn  township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Joel  and 
Elizabeth    (Leib)    Kantner. 

Thomas  Kantner,  grandfather  of  the  Doctor,  was  born 
in  Tulpehocken  township,  Berks  county,  in  1790.  He  be- 
came a  prominent  and  well-to-do  farmer,  and  he  also 
owned  and  operated  an  old-time  applejack  distillery,  ac- 
cumulating a  comfortable  competency.  He  died  in  1869, 
and  his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Catherine 
Heister,  was  born  in  1792,  and  died  in  1878.  They  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Lydia  m.  John 
Zerby ;  Isaac ;  Maria  m.  Jacob  Spangier ;  Margaret  m. 
Isaac  Knoll;  Joel;  Levi;  Asa;  Hannah  m.  Bennewell  Deg- 
ler;  Zeth ;  Elizabeth;  Ismael ;  and  Augustus.  In  religious 
belief  the  family  were  all  members  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  and  in  political  matters  they  were  Democrats. 

Joel  Kantner,  son  of  Thomas,  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  Upper  Tulpehocken  township, 
and  early  in  life  he  became  interested  in  working  in  wood. 
He  was  a  skilled  and  ingenious  mechanic,  and  there  was 
hardly  anything  in  the  line  of  wood  or  iron  work  that  he 
was  unable  to  make  or  repair.  He  built  many  church  pipe 
organs  in  his  locality,  some  of  which  are  in  use  at  the 
present  time,  and  he  also  manufactured  melodeons.  In 
addition  Mr.  Kantner  operated  a  small  farm.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  giving  liberallv  to  its 
support,  and  he  died  in  its  faith  in  April,  1888,  aged  sixty- 
six  years.  His  first  wife  died  in  1859,  agedl  thirty  years. 
He  married  (second)  Leah  ^Miller.  His  four  children  were 
all  born  to  the  first  imion,  and  were :  Washington,  of 
Reading:  Dr.  F.  J.;  William  T..  of  Reading;  and  Levi, 
who  died  aged  four  years.  In  politics  Mr.  Kantner  was 
a  stanch  Democrat. 


Dr.  F.  J.  Kantner's  early  education  was  secured  in  the 
schools  of  Penn  township,  and  he  later  attended  Stouchs- 
burg  Academy,  subsequently  teaching  school  for  one  term 
each  in  District  and  Jefferson  townships,  and  later  he  at- 
tended the  Womelsdorf  Academy  for  two  terms  under 
Professor  Grumbine.  He  then  engaged  in  the  sewing 
machine  and  musical  instrument  business,  but  afterward 
returned  to  the  old  home  where  he  remained  about  one 
year.  At  the  end  of  that  time  Mr.  Kantner  moved  to 
Bernville,  remaining  there  until  1877,  when  he  came  to 
Reading  and  accepted  a  position  with  C.  M.  Maxwell, 
selling  pianos  and  organs,  later  engaging  on  his  own  ac- 
count at  No.  517  Penn  street  in  the  same  business.  Mr. 
Kantner  took  up  the  manufacture  of  reed  organs  on  a 
large  scale,  but  finding  competition  too  great,  he  sold 
out  his  business  to  take  up  the  study  of  medicine,  having 
previously  read  medicine  with  a  view  to  entering  the  pro- 
fession, liut  abandoning  the  idea  on  account  of  lack  of 
funds  with  which  to  pursue  his  studies.  He  entered  Jef- 
ferson Medical  College  of  Philadelphia  in  1885,  and  was 
graduated  therefrom  in  1888,  with  the  degree  of  M.  D., 
at  once  opening  offices  in  Reading,  where  he  has  since 
been  engaged  in  a  lucrative  practice. 

In  1872  Dr.  Kantner  married  Mary  C.  Zellar,  of  Marion 
township,  Berks  county.  Four  children  have  been  born 
to  this  union  :  Laura  L.,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of 
Reading;  Harry  H.,  an  attorney-at-law ;  Mary  A.,  wife 
of  Dr.  Stryker;  and  Lottie,  at  home.  Dr.  Kantner  is  a 
loyal  Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  elected  coroner  of 
Berks  county  for  one  term. 

CALVIN  KLINE  WHITNER,  president  of  the  Farmers' 
National  Bank  of  Reading  and  founder  of  the  mercantile 
business  of  C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co.,  at  Reading,  Pa.,  who 
has  become  known  throughout  Berks  and  surrounding 
counties  as  one  of  its  leading  merchants,  was  born  in 
1841,  in  the  southern  part  of  Oley  township,  son  of  George 
and  Christiana   (Kline)   Whitner. 

Rev.  John  George  Wittner,  of  Bellheim,  Germany,  the 
great-grandfather  of  Calvin  K.,  was  born  in  1735,  edu- 
cated at  the  University  of  Heidelberg,  and  in  1766  was 
sent  by  the  Holland  Deputies  as  a  missionary  to  Amer- 
ica, landing  at  New  York  in  the  fall  of  that  year'  He 
was  a  son  of  Rev.  Abraham  Wittner.  a  Protestant  min- 
ister in  Germany  from  1734  to  1743,  and  subsequently 
a   councillor  to   the   Consistory  at   Heidelberg. 

Abraham  Wittner,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in  1773, 
in  Upper  Milford  township,  Northampton  (now  Lehigh) 
county,  in  the  vicinity  of  Zionsville,  He  was  brought 
up  to  farming  and  about  1800  located  in  Albany  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  where  he  carried  on  farmiiig  until 
1810,  when  he  removed  to  Columbia  county,  and  there 
continued  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  decease,  in  1854, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  By  his  first  marriage 
he  had  an  only  child,  George,  born  Aug.  3,  1800,  the 
father  of  Calvin  K. ;  and  by  his  second  marriage  he  had 
eleven   children.  ' 

George  Whitner,  his  father,  was  a  farmer  near  the 
"Yellow  House"  in  Oley  for  many  ye.-irs.  He  died  Jan. 
13,  1809,  in  the  sixty-ninth  year  o"f  his  age.  He  was  an 
earnest  advocate  of  the  common  school  system,  against 
■much  local  prejudice,  and  his  influence  assisted  in  its 
adoption  by  Oley  township  in  1850,  he  having  been  a 
great  admirer  of  Hon.  Thaddeus  Stevens,  who  was  the 
chief  agitator  and  defender  of  public  schools  before  the 
people  and  the  State  Legislature.  During  this  period,  about 
1845,  the  spelling  of  the  familv  name  was  changed  from 
Wittner  to  Whitner.  He  married  Christiana  Kline  (born 
Dec.  2,  1804,  died  Dec.  16,  1872),  daughter  of  David  Kline, 
of  .'\mity  township,  and  a  lineal  descendant  of  Elder 
George  Kline  (who  was  born  in  German v  in  1715,  emi- 
grated to  New  Jersey  in  1738,  and  settled  along  the  North- 
kill,  Berks  county,  about  1750,  where,  as  one  of  the  "Breth- 
ren" or  "Dunkards,"  he  orcachcd  the  Gospel  for  up- 
ward of  twenty  years).  Thev  had  eight  children:  David 
Rehocca,  Abraham,  Hiram,  George,  Samuel,  Sarah  and 
Calvin,  of  whom  the  onlv  survivors  are  Hiram  and  Cal- 
vin.    The    first    two    children,    David    and    Rebecca     died 


w 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


409 


whilst  young,  and  Sarah  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years. 
Abraham  became  a  banker  at  Pottsville,  having  been  con- 
nected with  the  Miners'  Bank  for  many  years.  Hiram 
served  as  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  in  Berks  coun- 
ty; became  a  graduated  physician  of  Jefferson  Medical 
College  and  practised  in  Berks  and  Schuylkill  counties ; 
served  as  a  surgeon  in  the  Civil  war;  then  located  at 
Chicago,  111.,  where  he  invented  and  introduced  "The 
Whitner  two-rope  safety  device"  for  facilitating  the  work 
of  and  protecting  window  cleaners  of  large  public  build- 
ings, which  has  come  to  be  extensively  used  in  all  the 
principal  cities  throughout  the  United  States.  George 
served  as  postmaster  of  Reading  from  1881  to  1885. 
Samuel  served  in  the  Civil  war  with  the  Ringgold  Light 
Artillery  (First  Defenders)  and  Durell's  Battery,  act- 
ing as  quartermaster-sergeant  from  1863  to  the  close  of 
the  war. 

Calvin  K.  Whitner  received  his  education  in  the  town- 
ship schools,  and  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  nine- 
teen years  bf  age,  when  he  entered  the  country  store 
of  Spang  &  Son,  at  Spangsville,  situated  about  a  mile 
north  from  the  farm,  which  had  quite  an  extensive  trade 
on  account  of  the  "Spang  Forge"  at  the  Manatawny 
creek  near  by.  He  remained  here,  about  a  year,  when 
he  became  clerk  for  Isaac  Plank  in  his  general  store  at 
the  "Half  Way  House,"  eight  miles  north  of  Reading, 
on  the  Kutztown  road.  After  serving  in  this  position 
faithfully  for  three  years,  he  became  ambitious  to  con- 
duct a  store  of  his  own,  and  feeling  qualified  to  do  so 
established  himself  at  Friedensburg,"  in  Oley  township; 
but  after  carrying  it  on  for  two  years  he  decided  to  go 
into  a  larger  field,  with  greater  opportunities  for  suc- 
cess, and,  disposing  of  his  store  stock,  went  to  Reading 
in  1868. 

After  looking  over  the  business  situation  at  the  county- 
seat  for  a  short  while,  and  determining  to  follow  a  mer- 
cantile life  there  as  his  chosen  vocation,  he  found  em- 
ployment in  the  large  and  prosperous  establishment  of 
Kline  &  Eppihimer,  on  Penn  Square,  in  order  to  become 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  manner  of  conducting  bus- 
iness in  a  growing  city,  which  was  different  from  chat 
in  the  country.  He  continued  with  this  firm  until-  the 
spring  of  1877.  With  this  prepara^tion,  and  appreciating 
the  great  resolution  necessary  to  embark  at  that  trying 
time  in  business  for  himself,  he  opened  a  dry  goods  store 
with  a  single  department  and  six  salesmen  at  No.  432 
Penn  Square,  in  a  room  20  feet  wide  and  90  feet  deep. 
Here  he  persevered  with  a  constantly  increasing  trade  for 
six  years,  when  his  quarters  were  found  to  be  altogether 
too  small,  and,  being  obliged  to  secure  a  larger  place 
to  accommodate  the  demands  of  his  business,  and  the 
opportunity  being  then  afforded,  he  secured  just  such 
a  place  as  he  needed  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  a  .few 
doors  to  the  east,  on  the  same  side  of  Penn  Square, 
at  Nos.  442  and  444.  In  the  spring  of  1883,  he  removed 
to  the  new  quarters,  with  a  floor  space  increased  to  near- 
ly four  thousand  square  feet  (the  room  being  30x130 
feet),  and  started  with  ten  departments  and  twelve  sales- 
people. His  announcement  of  a  "Grand  Opening  on ' 
March  17th"  was  greeted  with  a  flattering  recognition 
by  the  public.  His  course  of  dealing  was  found  to  be 
so  straightforward  and  satisfactory,  that  notwithstand- 
ing great  competition  his  trade  multiplied  rapidly,  and  in 
1891  he  enlarged  the  room,  added  four  new  departments, 
and   increased    the   number   of    salespeople   to    forty. 

In  1898,  he  purchased  the  adjoining  property  to  the 
west,  when  he  remodeled  and  extended  the  whole  inter- 
ior of  the  building  to  cover  a  total  floor  space  of  42,000 
square  feet,  developed  the  departments  to  thirty-one  and 
increased  the  salespeople  to  215,  or  oyer  five  times  the 
number  in  1891.  Since  then,  the  departments  have  been 
somewhat  changed  and  consolidated,  so  that  now  they 
number  twenty-eight,  but  the  salespeople  have  been  in- 
creased to  260.  His  numerous  patrons  come  to  his  "Day- 
light Store"  not  only  from  all  parts  of  the  city  and  coun- 
ty, but  also  from  many  places  in  the  surrounding  coun- 
ties. The  brightness,  cheerfulness  and  cleanliness  of  his 
establishment    are   not    exceeded    anywhere.     The    details 


of  his  business  have  been  gradually  developed  to  a  high 
state  of  perfection,  even  to  drilling  his  employes  to  the  tap 
of  a  bell  to  meet  a  sudden  emergency — such  as  a  panic 
caused  by  a  real  or  false  alarm  of  fire.  Having  been 
asked  to  what  he  attributed  his  success  mainly,  he  re- 
marked epigrammatically :  "From  the  start  of  my  career 
as  a  merchant,  I  have  made  my  business  a  constant  pleas- 
ure for  myself  as  well  as  for  my  employes,  and  not  pleas- 
ure  a  business." 

In  1889,  Mr.  Whitner's  son,  Harry  K.,  was-  admitted 
as  a  partner  in  the  business,  and  the  firm  then  became 
C.  K.  Whitner  &  Son;  but  the  son's  promising  career 
as  a  superior  business  man  of  Reading  in  the  footsteps 
of  his  father  was  cut  short  by  his  untimely  decease 
in  1891.  A  faithful  employe  for  many  years,  John  A. 
Britton,  was  taken  in  as  a  partner  in  1897,  when  the  firm 
name  became  C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co.;  and  Jan.  1,  1907, 
his  son-in-law,  John  Rick,  was  also  admitted  as  a  part- 
ner. 

Notwithstanding  his  great  devotion  to  the  establish- 
ment of  his  business  in  a  thriving  community,  Mr.  Whit- 
ner has  shown  much  interest  in  the  religious,  social  and 
financial  affairs  of  Reading  for  many  years.  He  and 
his  family  are  members  of  St.  Paul's  Memorial  Reform- 
ed Church,  in  which  he  officiated  as  a  vestryman  for 
several  years.  He  is  a  trustee  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. ;  a 
director  of  the  Reading  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany; president  and  director  of  the  Farmers'  Nation- 
al Bank,  and  president  of  the  Merchants'  Association 
of  Reading. 

In  the  Sesqui-Centennial  of  Reading,  in  1898,  he  was 
chairman  of  the  "Historical  Committee,"  which  super- 
vised the  publication  of  a  souvenir  of  the  great  and 
successful  occasion,  which  was  comp^ed  by  the  author 
of  this  revised  history  of  the  county. 

In  1864,  Mr.  Whitner  married  Amelia  Knabb,  daughter 
of  Daniel  D.  Knabb,  of  Oley,  and  Sarah  (Hill)  Knabb, 
his  wife,  and  to  this  union  there  were  born  three  chil- 
dren :  Harry  K,  Sarah  K.  (m.  Arthur  E.  Carrier,  of 
New  York),  and  Charles.  Harry  K.  Whitner  m.  Es- 
tella  Davis  (daughter  of  Charles  Davis  and  Emma  Par- 
ker, his  wife),  of  Reading,  and  he  died  in  1891,  aged 
twenty-five  years,  leaving  a  son,  Harry  Davis  Whitner. 
Charles  Whitner  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Whitner's  first 
wife  died  in  1873,  and  in  1876  he  married  (second)  Mary 
Shalter,  daughter  of  George  Shatter,  an  ironmaster  of 
Cumru  township,  and  Eliza  (Kline)  Shalter,  his  wife.  There 
were  four  children  born  to  this  second  marriage:  George 
Shalter,  who  died  in  1901,  aged  twenty-four  years,  after 
having  shown  much  promise  as  a  business  man  in  his 
father's  store ;  Elizabeth  S. ;  Carrie  G.  (m,  John  Rick, 
of  Reading,  and  has  .one  daughter.  Mary  Elizabeth,  and 
one  son,  Horace  Whitner)  ;  and  Mary  S.  Mrs.  Whit- 
ner died  Jiine  9,  1909. 

Mrs.  Whitner's  father,  George  Shalter,  carried  on  the 
iron  furnace  business  at  the  Mount  Penn  Furnace  in 
Cumru  township,  several  miles  south  of  Reading,  Pa., 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  died  there  in  1881,  in  his 
eighty-second  year,  after  he  had  lived  for  a  number  of 
years  in  retirement.  His  wife  survived  him  until  1892, 
dying  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  They  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children:  Richard  m.  Hettie  Swartz; 
Isabella  m.  William  M.  Kauffman ;  Sarah  m.  Cyrus  Hun- 
ter :  Emma  m.  Dr.  John  Kalbach ;  Mary  m.  Calvin  K. 
Whitner;  William  m.  Mary  Kurtz;  four  children  died 
young. 

JAMES  M.  HIGH,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Amity  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  was  born  in  Richmond  township,  this 
county,  Aug.  23,  1846,  son  of  the  late  Joel  and  Maria 
(Merkel)  Hoch.  He  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm, 
pvd  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  White  Hall  and 
Olev  Academies  and  the  Kevstone  State  Normal  School 
at  Kutztown.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  began  teach- 
ing school,  and  taught  five  winter  terms  and  two  summer 
terms  in  the  select  school  at  Fleetwood. 

On  Sept.  24,  1869,  Mr.  High  with  his  family  moved  to 
Amity    township,    where    he    had    purchased    the    Mount 


410 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Pleasant  Mills  from  his  father-in-law,  David  Dry.  This 
was  then  an  old  style  custom  mill,  but  in  1873  Mr.  High 
remodeled  it,  substituting  turbines  for  the  old  fashioned 
water  wheels,  and  changed  it  to  a  flour  mill.  In  1890  he 
again  remodeled  it,  this  time  instalhng  a  complete  roller 
process,  and  changing  the  name  to  the  Amity  Roller  Mills, 
under  which  he  is  still  operating,  turning  out  annually 
large  quantities  of  flour  and  feed,  for  which  he  finds  a 
ready  market.  He  also  has  a  well  cultivated  farm  of 
some  forty  acres  in  connection  with  his  mill. 

Mr  High  is  a  firm  believer  in  Republican  principles,  and 
takes  an  active  part  in  politics.  Notwithstanding  his  party 
is  in  the  minority  he  served  his  township  three  years  as 
school  director,  and  fifteen  years  as  justice  of  the  peace. 
Since  1891  he  has  been  a  notary  public,  and  was  re-ap- 
pointed only  last  February  (1909).  He  served  three  years 
as  county  auditor,  and  for  forty  years  has  followed  sur- 
veying, during  that  time  settling  many  boundary  disputes, 
besides  being  frequently  appointed  by  the  courts  to  lay 
out  public  roads  and  bridge  sites  for  the  county.  He  has 
officiated  in  the  settling  up  of  many  estates  as  executor, 
administrator  and  assignee,  and  is  frequently  consulted  in 
legal  matters.  He  is  a  scrivener  and  conveyancer,  and 
has  always  held  the  confidence  of  the  community. 

In  addition  to  all  these  many  duties,  Mr.  High  is  secre- 
tary and  a  director  of  the  Yellow  House  Creamery  Asso- 
ciation ;  and  a  director  of  the  Sinking  Spring  Fire  Insur- 
ance Company,  of  which  he  has  also  been  president.  In 
the  spring  oi  1908  he  moved  to  near  Yellow  House,  from 
where  he  can  look  after  his  many  interests.  His  son 
Wilson  D.  at  the  same  time  moved  to  the  mill.  Mr.  High 
and  his  family  belong  to  the  Reformed  Church,  in  which 
for  twenty  years  he  held  the  office  of  elder. 

On  Nov.  23,  1867,  Mr.  High  married  Amanda  Y.  Dry, 
daughter  of  David  Dry,  late  a  prominent  farmer  of  Rock- 
land township.  They  have  had  three  children,  namely: 
Wilson  D.,  a  miller  in  his  father's  mill,  m.  Ellen  Herbein, 
daughter  of  the  late  Aaron  Herbein;  Maria  D.  m.  Samuel 
R.  Rhoads;  and  Annie  D.  ra.  Edwin  H.  Schearer,  one  of 
the  proprietors  of  the  Yellow  House. 

A.  RAYMOND  BARD,  a  member  of  the  firni  which 
makes  up  the  well  known  business  house  of  Reading,  the 
Bard  Hardware  Company,  was  born  at  Tremont,  Pa.,  in 
1873,  son  of  George  W.  and  grandson  of  Adam  Bard. 

Adam  Bard  was  the  founder  of  this  large  and  import- 
ant business  of  the  city  of  Reading.  Originally  the  firm 
was  made  up  of  Adam  Bard  and  James  T.  Reber,  and  the 
location  was  at  No.  741  Penn  street.  The  business  was 
organized  in  1856,  and  was  continued  at  the  original  lo- 
cation until  1878,  at  which  time  the  firm  bought  property 
at  the  corner  of  Penn  and  Eighth  streets.  Adam  Bard 
remained  a  member  of  the  firnn  until  1878,  after  which  the 
members  of  the  firm  were  George  W.  Bard,  D.  P.  Schlott, 
A.  F.  Kramer  and  James  T.  Reber.  The  latter  retired 
in  1893,  and  at  the  same  time  James  M.  Bard  was  admitted 
to  the  firm,  and  in  1897  A.  Raymond  Bard  became  a 
partner. 

George  W.  Bard  was  born  near  Ephrata  in  1841,  but 
moved  to  Reading  in  early  childhood.  He  was  still  a  stu- 
dent when  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  entering 
the  93rd  Pa.  V.  I.,  and  for  three  years  he  honorably  wore 
the  Union  blue  and  took  his  chances  as  a  soldier.  He 
then  entered  into  the  hardware  business  at  Tremont,  in 
Schuylkill  county,  and  when  his  father  retired  he 
took  his  place  in  the  firm  of  Bard,  Reber  &  Co.  The 
company  owns  a  four-story  building  which  extends  from 
Penn  to  Cherry  streets.  Their  business  is  both  wholesale 
and  retail,  and  the  house  is  known  for  its  reliability  all 
over  the  State.  George  W.  Bard  married  Irene  Barbour 
Wummer,  a  resident  of  Reading,  who  graduated  from 
the  Reading  high  school  in  186S.  They  have  these  child- 
ren :  Alma,  wife  of  Dr.  C.  H.  Shearer ;  A,  Raymond ; 
Charles  W. ;  Claude  M.;  George  P.;  Mary  E. ;  R.  Lynn; 
Warren;  Margaret  .A.,  and  W.  Hugh.  Mr.  Bard  is  a 
director  in  the  Penn  National  Bank  (chartered  March 
12,  1883)  of  which  his  father  was  one  of  the  founders. 
He  is  also  a  director  in  the  Reading  Trust  Company  and 


of    the    East    Reading    Electric    Railway    Company.      Mr. 
Bard  and  family  reside  at  No.  27  South  Ninth  street. 

A.  Raymond  Bard  attended  the  public  schools  of  Read- 
ing and  was  graduated  from  the  Boys'  high  school  in  1889. 
He  then  entered  a  business  house  in  the  capacity  of 
cashier,  and  spent  one  year  in  Philadelphia,  connected 
with  the  Phoenix  Bridge  Company.  Since  he  entered  the 
firm  of  Bard  Hardware  Company  he  has  been  in  charge 
of  the  office,  as  well  as  purchasing  agent  for  cutlery,  paints, 
bolts,  etc.,  and  is  a  competent  and  shrewd  man  of  busi- 
ness. He  is  a  very  popular  citizen.  During  the  Spanish- 
American  War  he  was  in  the  service  for  nine  months, 
a'  member  of  Company  A,  4th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
and  spent  five  months  in  Porto  Rico,  being  acting  Hos- 
pital Steward  in  the  Reserve  Medical  Corps.  He  has 
numerous  business  connections,  one  of  these  being  treas- 
urer of  the  East  Reading  Electric  Railway  Company,  of 
Reading.  He  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  of 
Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  and  treasurer  of  the  Humane 
Society  of  Berks  County.  For  five  years  he  was  president 
of  the  Luther  League  of  Pennsylvania,  and  for  two  years 
was  president  of  the  Reading  High  School  Alumni  As- 
sociation, during  which  time  he  founded  a  Free  Scholar- 
ship Fund,  of  which  he  is  treasurer. 

DANIEL  F.  KELCHNER,  one  of  the  leading  business 
men  of  Fleetwood,  proprietor  of  the  Fleetwood  Creamery, 
owner  of  a  creamery  at  Moselem  Springs,  is  a  member 
of  a  family  whose  first  representative  came  to  Berks 
county  between  1731  and  1741. 

Matthias  Kelchner  was  the  first  to  settle  in  Richmond 
township,  Berks  county.  Tradition  says  that  four  broth- 
ers, George,  Matthias,  Michael  and  Henry,  emigrated  be- 
tween 1731  and  1741.  Records  show  that  Hans  George 
Kelchner  crossed  the  ocean  on  the  "Pennsylvania  Mer- 
chant," landing  at  Philadelphia  in  the  fall  of  1731,  and 
that  he  and  iVIatthias  were  brothers.  It  is  probable  that 
Matthias  was  under  twenty-one  years  of  age  in  1731,  hence 
his  name  is  not  on  the  passenger  list.  On  the  "Pennsyl- 
vania Merchant,"  landing  in  1733,  was  Michael  Kelchner, 
whose  brother  Henry  also  came  to  America.  These  four 
settled  in   eastern   Pennsylvania. 

Michael  Kelchner,  son  of  Matthias,  was  a  taxable  in 
1759,  in  Richmond  township.  He  married  Maria  Eva  Frey, 
whose  tombstone  bears  the  following  inscription  :  "Maria 
Eva  Freyin,  wife  Michael  Kelchner,  had  4  sons  1 
daughter.  In  1761  she  married  Peter  Stetzler.  With  him 
she  had  5  sons.  She  was  married  first  in  1752.  She  was 
born  June  24,  1730,  died  March  14,  1807,  aged  76  years 
S  mos.  10  days."  She  is  buried  at  Zion's  Church 
in  Perry  township.  Three  of  Michael  Kelchner's  child- 
ren were:  John  m.  and  had  a  son,  Henry;  Jacob  m. 
(first)  Magdalena  Wanner,  and  had  children — Catharine, 
Maria  Elizabeth  and  Daniel — and  (second)  Maria  Wan- 
ner, and  had  children — Jacob,  Samuel  (who  had  an  only 
son,  Isaac),  Mary  and  Hannah;  Daniel.  Michael  Kelchner 
made  his  will  Feb.  26,  1761  (See  Book  1,  p.  98)  and  his 
death  occurred  soon  afterward.  He  gave  to  his  wife, 
Maria  Eva,  one-third  of  his  large  estate.  His  father 
Matthias  and  his  friend  Christian  Rothermel  were  his 
executors.  It  is  probable  that  two  of  his  children  died 
young,  as  one  item  in  his  will  is  as  follows :  "That  the 
three  children  shall  be  sent  to  church  and  school  diligent- 
ly, and  that  they  shall  be  instructed  in  English  and  Dutch." 

George  Kelchner,  of  Richmond  township,  on  Dec.  13, 
1794,  made  his  will  as  recorded  in  Will  Book  B,  p.  356, 
and  witnessed  by  Casper  Merkel  and  John  Christ,  with 
Peter  Kelchner,  son  of  George,  and  the  latter's  wife 
Agnes  as  executors.  Peter  Kelchner  received  the  Rich- 
mond township  home.  The  six  children  were;  Peter; 
INIrs,   Jacob   Yoh ;    Henry;   John;   Jacob;    and    Esther, 

John  Kelchner,  probably  a  son  of  George,  lived  in  Rock- 
land township.  He  made  his  will  in  October.  1836,  and 
it  was  probated  in  November  of  the  same  vear,  and  re- 
corded in  Book  7,  p.  400,  His  son,  Benjamin,  and  Samuel 
Beaver  were  executors,  Leah  Lorah,  daughter  of  his 
wife,  was  remcn'bcred  in  the  will. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


411 


Jacob  Kelchner  was  born  in  Richmond  township,  July 
11,  1801.  He  passed  the  greater  part  of  his  life  engaged 
in  fanning  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  Fleetwood. 
In  1834  he  married  Anna  Sheirer,  who  was  born  in 
Maxatawny  township.  Thirteen  children  were  born  of 
this  union,  namely:  Samuel;  Mary;  Joel;  Edwin;  Martin; 
Jacob;  Hannah;  Esther;  Caroline;  Isaac;  Charles  Augus- 
tus; Daniel  P.;  and  Wilson  R.  The  father  died  April 
21,  1861. 

Daniel  F.  Kelchner  was  born  in  Richmond  township  Oct. 
6,  1853,  and  his  education  was  acquired  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  township  and  Keystone  State  Nor- 
mal School  at  Kutztown.  He  was  but  seventeen  when  he 
began  teaching,  a  profession  he  continued  in  for  three 
terms  in  Richmond  and  Ruscombmanor  townships,  and  at 
the  end  of  that  time  he  accepted  a  clerkship  in  a  general 
store  at  Fleetwood.  He  followed  this  business  for  ten 
years,  and  then  began  in  the  produce  business,  continuing 
in  same  up  to  the  present  time.  He  is  also  engaged  in 
the  operation  of  the  Fleetwood  Creamery,  and  of  another 
at  Moselem  Springs,  each  of  which  ships  about  5,000  pounds 
a  year  to  the  Philadelphia"  markets,  where  good  returns 
result.  In  July,  1901,  Mr.  Kelchner  added  the  manufacture 
of  hosiery  to  his  list  of  interests,  and  gives  employment  to 
eighty-five  people  in  that  line.  He  has  an  established 
reputation  for  honesty,  and  is  industrious  and  energetic, 
quick  to  see  the  practical  side  of  new  methods  and  adopt 
them  in  his  work. 

Mr.  Kelchner  was  married  Sept.  9,  1885,  to  Emily  Peters, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Maria  (Hoch)  Peters,  the  fotmer 
of  whom,  now  deceased,  was  engaged  in  a  mercantile 
business  in  Molltown.  Five  children  have  been  born  to 
this  union :  Raymond,  Harry,  Walter,  Daniel  and  Emily.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Kelchner  are  members  of  the  United  Evangelical 
Church  at  Fleetwood,  in  which  he  has  been  a  trustee  some 
years.  He  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  and 
is  very  popular  in  its  work.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  for  four  years  was  school  director,  for  six  years  a 
member  of  the  borough  council.  In  1907  he  was  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  Fleetjvood  National  Bank,  of  which 
he  is  now  President.  He  is  a  large  property  owner,  and  is 
a  leading  useful  citizen,  thoroughly  respected  in  both 
public  and  private  life. 

SCHULTZ  (Line  of  Melchior,  1680-1734)  Hereford 
township,  in  the  extreme  eastern  end  of  Berks  county, 
and  bounded  on  the  east  by  Lehigh  county  and  on  the 
southeast  by  Montgomery  county,  is  the  home  of  a  number 
of  families  belonging  to  the  religious  s^ect  kn6wn  as 
Schwenkf elders,  founded  by  Kaspar  Schwenkfeld  (1490- 
1561),  a  Silesian  nobleman  and  mighty  factor  in  the 
Reformation.  Many  of  the  Schultz,  Kriebel,  Yeakel  and  a 
few  other  Schwenkfelder  families  have  their  homes  in  this 
district  of  Berks  county,  while  about  thirty  Schwenkfelder 
families  live  in  the  adjoining  region  of  upper  Montgomery 
and  western  Lehigh  counties. 

The  Schultz  or  Scholtze  family  is  traced  to  one  Mathias 
Schultz.  who  was  born  A.  D.  1612,  on  a  Sunday  (In- 
vocavit),  lived  through  the  Thirty  Years'  war,  and  died 
A.  D.  1682,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age,  at  Lower 
Harpersdorf,  in  what  was  then  the  principality  (now  a 
government  district)  of  Liegnitz,  Silesia.  His  son,  Mel- 
chior Schultz,  is  said  to  have  been  born  A.  D.  1647,  and 
died  on  a  Sunday  (Invocavit),  A.  D.  1708,  in  the  sixty- 
first  year  of  his  age.  And  his  son,  also  called  Melchior 
Schultz,  was  born  June  26,  1680,  and  died  Feb.  15,  1734, 
in  the  fifty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  at  Berthelsdorf,  Sax- 
ony, about  two  months  before  the  emigration  to  this 
country,  then  being  contemplated.  The  last-named  Mel- 
chior Schultz  was  the  father  of  George,  Melchior  and 
Christopher,  all  of  whom  married,  and  descendants  of 
George  and  Christopher  still  flourish  in  Berks  county. 

George  Schultz,  son  of  Melchior,  died  Oct.  30,  1776, 
aged  sixty-five  years.  On  Jan.  31,  1744,  he  married  Maria, 
daughter  of  Abraham  Yeakel,  and  their  children  were 
Abraham  and  Melchior.  The  mother  died  Dec.  13,  1797, 
aged  seventy-nine  years. 


Melchior  Schultz,  son  of  Melchior,  died  Sept.  1,  1787. 
He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Anna  Maria  Meschter  and 
second  to  Maria  Hartranft,  but  had  no  issue  by  either 
wife. 

Rev.  Christopher  Schultz,  Sr.,  the  youngest  son  of  Mel- 
chior, was  born  at  Lower  Harpersdorf,  Liegnitz,  Silesia, 
March  26,  1718.  In  the  spring  of  1726,  owing  to  religious 
persecution,  this  family  with  others  left  home  and  pos- 
sessions and  fled  by  night,  arriving  at  Berthelsdorf,  in 
Saxony,  May  1st.  Here  Christopher  became  a  shepherd 
boy,  but  his  humble  circumstances  did  not  quench  his 
spirit  or  ambition.  In  his  youth  he  evinced  a  burning  de- 
sire for  books.  His  kind  friend.  Rev.  George  Weiss,  as- 
sisted him  in  his  study  of  the  Latin,  Greek  and  Hebrew 
languages.  He  also  had  the  kindly  assistance  of  Court 
Zinzendorf.'  The  three  orphan  boys,  George,  Melchior  and 
Christopher  Schultz,  joining  some  forty  Schwenkfelder 
families,  forever  turned  their  backs  upon  their  native 
land,  embarking  for  Philadelphia,  where  they  arrived  after 
a  tedious  voyage  of  about  five  months,  Sept.  22,  1734. 
Young  Christopher  kept  a  diary  ("Reise  Beschreibung"), 
which  is  found  in  print  in  tRe  "Erlauterung."  At  a  com- 
paratively early  period  he  was  looked  upon  as  a  leading 
spirit  among  the  Schwenkfelders,  and  was  chosen  their 
minister,  serving  as  such  efficiently  and  faithfully  until 
the  end  of  his  days.  He  was  the  chief  organizer  of  the 
Schwenkfelders  into  a  religious  body  or  congregation, 
composed  the  catechism  still  in  use,  compiled  their  hymn- 
books  and  wrote  their  constitution,  as  well  as  a  "Com- 
pendium" of  religious  doctrines  of  faith  of  600  octavo 
pages. 

For  many  years,  up  to  the  end  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution, "Father"  Schultz,  as  he  was  called,  kept  up  cor- 
respondence with  friends  left  in  Germany.  He  lived  in 
stirring  times  and  had  varied  experiences.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  years  we  find  him,  with  his  two  brothers,  select- 
ing a  site  for  their  future  home  in  a  dense  wood  forty- 
two  miles  north  of  Philadelphia,  two  miles  west  of  what  is 
now  the  borough  of  East  Greenville,  where  they  had  found 
an  excellent  spring  of  water.  Here,  in  1736,  assisted  by 
Melchior  Newman,  carpenter,  they  commenced  felling  the 
tall  oaks,  rolling  them  on  a  scaffold  over  a  trench,  sawed 
them  by  hand  into  three-inch  planks,  whereof  the  outside 
walls  of  their  capacious  two-story  house  were  constructed. 
Wagon  wheels  were  made  of  the  same  article,  horse  col- 
lars were  skilfully  plaited  of  straw,  traces  were  made 
of  hemp,  the  grubbing  hoe  preceded  the  plow  with  wooden 
moldboard.  There  was  no  sawmill  or  gristmill  within 
fifteen  miles,  and  every  resource  of  the  pioneer  was  taxed 
to  the  utmost  to  supply  the  many  lacks  experienced  in  a 
new  country.  For  clothing  the  Schultzes  raised  their  own 
flax  and  wool,  spun  it  with  the  aid  of  a  single  spindle, 
erected  a  weaver's  loom,  and  wove  the  yarn  into  cloth. 

The  three  brothers  lived  in  peace  and  harmony,  and  at 
the  end  of  about  ten  years,  under  the  blessing  of  Provi- 
dence, they  had  considerably  extended  their  landed  do- 
mains, increased  their  flocks  and  filled  their  coffers,  so 
that  the  question  which  once  engaged  the  attention  of 
Abraham  and  Lot,  at  their  parting,  now  confronted  them. 
The  result  was  that  Melchior  and  Christopher  sold  out 
to  their  elder  brother,  George,  the  former  going  about 
three  miles  north,  where  he  bought  a  farmi;  Christopher, 
having  married  in  1744,  now  bought  and  settled  at  Clay- 
ton, Berks  county.  Here  he  lived  to  the  end  of  his  life. 
Among  the  early  records  of  Berks  county  we  find  the  last 
will  and  testament  of  Christopher  Schultz,  a  model  of 
its  kind.  It  is  dated  the  24th  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1788, 
and  is  witnessed  by  his  friends,  Abraham  Schultz,  Gre- 
gory Schultz  and  George  Kriebel ;  in  it  the  testator,  among 
other  things,  disposes  of  about  800  acres  of  land  located 
in  Berks,  Montgomery  and  Northumberland  counties.  Pa., 
including  two  of  the  finest  farms  in  eastern  Berks ;  one 
of  them,  late  that  of  his  brother  Melchior,  had  been 
bought  by  the  testator  for  and  in  the  name  of  his  son 
Andrew.  His  family,  all  of  whom  survived  him,  con- 
sisted of  his  wife  Rosina,  a  daughter  of  Baltzer  Yeakel, 
and  four  children,  Regina,  Andrew,  David   and   Susanna. 


412  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

It    mio-ht    well    be    asked    how    the    one-time    shepherd  June   4,   1854,   at   St.    Paul,   Minn.,   and    his    remains   were 

and   weaver  boy   of   Berthelsdorf   came   to   have   so   much  sent    to    Clayton,    Pa.,    and    interred    at    the    Washington 

property   at  his' disposal.     Matt.   19;   29.     He  could  work  Meeting-house). 

on  the  farm,  or  at  the  loom,  perform  deeds  of  kindness,        Enoch   K.    Schultz,   son   of  Adam,   was  born   March   31, 

courtesy    and    condescension,    withovit    compromising    his  1816,  on  one  of  his   father's  farms  in  Hereford  township, 

dio-nity,   which   was   unfailing.     His   life   motto   was   "Soli  and  died  on  the  farm  where  he   was  born  Aug.  31,  1885, 

Deo     Gloria"     ("To     God     alone     the     honor")-       Father  aged  sixty-nine  years,  five  months.     He  was  a  farmer  and 

Schultz   died   on   the  9th   of   ]May,   1789,   aged   seventy-one  also  carried  on  sawmilling  from  his  youth  until  his  death, 

years,    one    month,    thirteen    days.      The    immediate    cause  a  period  of  over  fifty  years.     His  sawmill,  now  operated 

of  his   death   was  'apoplexy.     His   end   was   one   of   serene  by  his  son,  Daniel  N.  Schultz,  was  conducted  before  1800 

contentment   and   blessedness.     He   died   as   he   had   lived,  by  one  Doris   Eck,  whose  child  was  drowned  in   the  mill 

His    last   words,   barely   audible   to   the   family,    were:    "A  penstock.     Adam   Schultz  purchased  this  property  in   ISOl 

little   while   and   ye   shall   not   see   me,   and   again    a   little  or   1802,   and   a   sawmill   had   been   established   there   long 

while  and  ye  shall   see  me,  because   I   go  to  the   Father."  before.     The  present  mill  is  the  third  on  the  site,  and  was 

The    Rev.    Christopher    Hofifman,    of    Skippack,    preached  erected   by   Enoch   Schultz   in   1874.      He   also   put   up   the 

the  funeral  sermon,  taking  for  his  text  the  words  of  Paul,  present  large  brick   dwelling,   in   1877,  and  had  previously 

n   Timothy  4:   7-8,   "I   have   fought  a  good   fight,   I  have  built  the  barn,  in  1854.     This  property  was  in  the  Schultz 

finished   my   course,    I    have   kept   the    faith,"    etc.  name  from  1785,  and  was  purchased  by  Abraham  Schultz 

Andrew    Schultz,    son    of    Rev.    Christopher,    born    Jan.  and    Casper   Yeakel    from    Charles    Maberry   in    1785.      In 

29,    1753,    died   Feb.    5,    1802,    aged    forty-nine    years,    six  1800   Abraham    Schtiltz   bought   Casper   Yeakel's   share   of 

days.      In    1776    he    married    Charlotte    Yeakel,    who    died  the  farm.     Enoch  K.  Schultz  was  a  Republican  in  politics, 

Feb.   11,   1825,   and  they  had  issue :   Christopher,   Susanna,  and  in  religion  a  member  of  the  Schwenkfelder  Church,  in 

Regina,   Esther,    Maria,   Christina   and   Henry.  which   he  held  the  ofBce  of  deacon. 

David  Schultz,  son  of  Rev.  Christopher,  born  April  10,        On   Nov.   14,   1841,   Mr.   Schultz  married   Leah   K.   Neu- 

1757,   died  Aug.   4,   1833,   aged  seventy-six  years.     He' re-  man,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Regina   (Krauss)    Neuraan, 

sided    in    Hereford    township,    Berks    county,    immediately  of    Upper    Hanover    township,    Montgomery    county,    the 

adjoining  the   Schwenkfelder   meeting-house.      In   1781   he  former   of   whom    was    a    chairmaker   by    trade,    and    also 

married   Anna   Kriebel,   and   the   following  are  the   names  made  pipe  organs,     Mr.  Neuman  made  an  organ  for  each 

and  years  of  birth  of  their  children:   Sitsanna,  1782;  An-  of   his   three  daughters.   Mrs.   Neuman   lived   to   be   nearly 

drew,    1784;    William,    1786;    Rosina,    1788;    Christopher  one  hundred  years  old.     Mr.  and   Mrs.   Enoch  K.   Schultz 

K.,    1790;    Philip,    1793    (died    1817);    Maria,    1795;    jere-  became    the    parents    of    ten    children,    namely:    Sarah   m. 

miah,   1797;   Christina,  1799;   Regina,  1801.  Abraham  S.  Krauss;  Lydia  m.  Enos  S.   Schultz;   Levi  m. 

Abraham   Schultz,    son    of    George     Schultz,    the    elder  Sallie    Reiff;    Erwin    N.    is    mentioned    below;    Regina   m. 

brother  of  Rev.  Christopher  Schultz,  was  born  March  33,  Nathan    M.    Schultz;    Susanna    m.    William    S.    Schultz; 

1747,   in   Upper   Hanover,   Montgomery   Co.,   Pa.     He  was  Daniel  m.   Susan   G.   Schultz;   Esther   died   unmarried,   of 

a   great  lover   of  books,   and,   having  a   retentive   memory  typhoid    fever,    aged    twenty-one   years,    twenty-one    days ; 

and    comprehensive    mind,    he    became    one    of    the    best  Mary    m.    Samuel    R.    Seibert,    and    died    Sept.    6,    1902; 

educated    men    of   his    time.      He    was    a    member   of    the  Emma  died  unmarried  of  scarlet  fever.     Enoch  K.  Schultz 

Schwenkfelder    religious    society,    and    served    it    in    the  died  Aug.  31,   1885,  and  his  wife  passed   away  March  31, 

capacity    of    trustee,    school    inspector,    teacher    and    cate-  1907,    aged    eighty-five   years,    six    months,    three    days. 
chist.     The  community  frequently  called  bis   services  into        Erwin     N.    Schultz,    of    fhapel,    Hereford    township, 

requisition   as   scrivener   and   counselor.      In   1796   he   was  Berks  county,  proprietor  of  the  Chapel   Planing  Mill,  was 

elected   a   member  of   the   General   Assembly    from   Mont-  born   July  26,   1847,   on   the   Enoch   K.    Schultz   homestead 

gomery  county.     He  died   on   Dec.   25,    1823.     In   1771   he  in    Hereford    township,    and    there    attended    the    public 

married   Regina   Yeakel,   daughter   of   Christopher   Yeakel,  schools.     His  boyhood  days  were  spent  in  work  upon  the 

and   their   children    were :    Benjamin,    born   July    30,    1772  farm,  and  he  continued  to  work   for  his   parents  until  he 

(died    March    20,    1803);    Adam,    Sept.    20,    1775;    Isaac,  was    thirty    years    old,    learning   the    carpenter's    trade    at 

March  4,   1778;   Abraham,   Feb.   18,   1781    (died  March  23,  home,    and    also    gaining    considerable    experience    in    the 

1802)  ;    Frederick,   Aug.    10,    1784    (died    Dec.    17,    1794)  ;  sawmill  business,  in  which  his  father  was  engaged.     After 

Joseph,  Jan.  22,  1787;  and  Melchior,  June  33,  1789.  leaving  home  he  took  up  the  carpenter's   trade,   which  he 

Rev.  Melchior  Schultz,  the  other  son  of  George  Schultz,  followed    over    a    district    covered    by    a    radius    of    eight 

born    March   35.    1756,    died   June    11,    1826,    aged   seventy  miles,  working  as  boss  carpenter  and  employing  as  many 

years,    two    months,    sixteen    days.      In    1781    he    married  as    nine    men.      He    was    principally    engaged    in    building 

Salome  Wagner,  and  they  had  children :  Christina,  Regina,  houses    and    barns,    his    principal    contract    being    for    the 

Maria,  Henry  W.,  Sarah,  Frederick  and  Susanna   (twins)  Perkiomen   Seminary,   at   Pennsburg,    Montgomery  county, 

and  Rosma.     Rev.  Melchior  Schultz  was  a  minister  of  the  a  large  institution  which  he  put  up  in  1893,  and  on  which 

society   of    Schwenkfelders    for   a   long  time,   and   he   was  a   force  of  twelve  men  was  employed   from    \ngust  until 

likewise   a    farmer,   Iivmg   in   Worcester   township,    Mont-  April.     In   1882  he  built  an   addition   to   the   Palm   roUer- 

gomery  county.  niill. 

^  Adam  Schultz,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born  Sept.  20,  1775,  In  the  spring  of  1878  Mr.  Schultz  came  to  his  present 
in  Upper  Hanover  township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  and  home  in  Hereford  township,  which  he  bought  from,  his 
died  Aug.  30,  1831,  of  typhoid  fever,  on  his  farm  near  father-in-law,  Joshua  Schultz,  the  following  vear  Here 
I  reichlersvile,  in  Hereford  township.  Flis  two  sons  he  has  his  home  and  business,  having  remodeled  the  house 
died  but  a  short  time  afterward  of  the  same  disease.  He  and  barn,  built  several  additions  to  the  buildings  and  put 
owned  160  acres  there,  where  the  sawmill  is  located,  and  up  the  present  planing-miH,  where  he  keeps  three  nien 
engaged  in  both  farniing  and  savymilling,  likewise  operat-  constantly  employed.  He  makes  doors,  sashes,  window- 
ing a  distillery,  making  apple-jack  and  rye  whiskey.  He  frames,  blinds,  shutters,  and  other  planing-mill  products, 
also  owned  214  acres  in  Washing  on  township,  now  owned  which  he  sells  in  the  surrounding  towns  and  district,  and 
by  Mary  .\nn  Schultz.  Like  all  his  family,  he  was  a  he  is  a  man  whose  personal  integrity  and  high  standards 
Schwenkfelder  in  rehgiotis  faith.  On  May  31,  1801,  Mr.  command  the  respect  and  good-will  of  alf  who  know 
Schultz  married  Regma  Knebel,  born  June  35,  1780,  daugh-  him.  He  is  tall  and  well  built,  robust  in  constitution 
ter  of  .\ndrew  kriebel,  died  May  3  1858.  They  had  and  commanding  in  presence,  and  is  well  known  th  otigh- 
children  as   follows:   Abraham,  born  April   12,   1803    (died  out  the  reo-ion  ""uu^ii 

m-'^'i'k/^^''^^'  J=o??''  ^a"!'"  ^'c^""'   J^''"'  -'"'P'',"  ^'   1^"^        0"   Nov"  10,   1877,    Mr.    Schultz    married    Susanna   S 

o''l,-^r'-A'l  ^^-i;r-^''in'',c^f-n''    ?^l   '^'',"'    Nov.  Schultz,   born    March    10,    1843,    daughter    of    Rev.    Joshua 

is'..     =^'\    c    '7',^  o-To^^'   ^^^V    '^"°",''  ^■^"   ^^^'"^^   ^1'  Schultz,  died   Oct.   17,   1905,   aged   sixty-three  vears    seven 

1816:   Sarah    Sept.  1    1818    (was  drowned  May  11,  1830);  months,    seven    davs.      Two    children    were    born    ioh^s 

Regina,   Oct,   9,   1831;   and   Solomon,    Nov.   9,    1834    (died  union,  Cora  S.  and  Oscar  S.     Mr.  Schultz's  second  mar- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


413 


riage  was  to  Mrs.  Emma  S.  (Schultz)  Yeakel,  widow  of 
William  K.  Yeakel,  whom  he  wedded  May  4,  1907.  The 
family  home  is  a  comfortable  residence  on  the  Green  Lane 
&  Goshenhoppen  turnpike.  Mr.  Schultz  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  Schwenkfelder  Church,  in  which  he  is 
now  serving  his  second  term  as  deacon.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can in  political  opinion. 

JEFFERSON  SNYDER,  attorney  at  law  at  Reading 
since  1875,  was  born  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  county, 
at  what  is  now  known  as  the  village  of  St.  Lawrence,  Nov. 
6,  1848.  After  receiving  his  preliminary  education  in  the 
local  schools  and  attending  the  Freeland  Seminary  (now 
Ursinus  College),  he  took  a  regular  course  at  Lafayette 
College,  and  graduated  with  distinction  in  1872,  having 
received  the  highest  honors  of  his  class  and  delivered  the 
valedictory  in  the  graduating  exercises.  He  then  served 
as  a  tutor  in  the  college  for  one  year.  With  this  pre- 
paration, he  entered  the  law  offices  of  George  F.  Baer, 
Esq.,  as  a  clerk  and  student,  and,  after  a  course  of  read- 
ing for  two  years,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  Aug.  9,  1875. 
He  then  opened  an  office  and  carried  on  an  introductory 
practice  for  two  years,  when  he  was  selected  by  Mr. 
Baer  to  become  his  assistant.  Mr.  Snyder's  ability  and 
character  came  to  be  so  highly  appreciated  by  Mr.  Baer 
in  the  course  of  a  few  years  that  he  formed  a  law  part- 
nership with  him,  and  Mr.  Baer  continued  a  partner  in 
the  business  until  1901,  when  he  became  the  president 
of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company,  and  on 
that  account  was  obliged  to  discontinue  the  practice  of 
law  at  Reading. 

The  law  business  was  very  large  and  diversified,  and 
as  Mr.  Baer  became  more  and  more  engaged  in  enterprises 
of  various  kinds,  of  a  public  as  well  as  of  a  private 
character,  the  responsibilities  of  its  management  were 
gradually  thrown  upon  Mr.  Snyder,  and  he  proved  him- 
self thoroughly  competent  to  take  care  of  it.  Philip  S. 
Zieber,  Esq.,  was  admitted  into  the  firm  in  1898  (he  hav-' 
ing  been  a  student  and  admitted  to  practice  as  a  lawyer 
from  the  same  office  in  1884,  and  having  become  familiar 
with  the  business  by  assisting  in  the  office  work  until 
that  time),  and  the  name  was  then  changed  to  Baer,  Sny- 
der &  Zieber,  being  thus  continued  until  Mr.  Baer  with- 
drew, when  it  became  Snyder  &  Zieber;  and  as  such  they 
have  carried  on  a  very  active  and  lucrative  practice  until 
the  present  time.  The  intricate  and  extensive  legal  af- 
fairs of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company, 
and  of  the  Reading  Iron  Company,  in  Berks  county,  have 
been  looked  after  and  directed  in  this  office  since  1870, 
which  evide-nces  the  superior  character  and  professional 
accomplishments  of  these  attorneys;  and  the  law  reports 
of  the  State  during  this  long  period  of  nearly  forty  years 
show  the  great  volume  of  litigation  conducted  by  them  be- 
fore the  several  courts.  Mr.  Snyder's  son,  Thomas  laeger 
Snyder,  Esq.,  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  since  1902, 
having  studied  law  in  this  office  and  then  been  adinitted 
to  practice  before  the  several  courts  of  the  county. 

In  1877  Mr.  Snyder  married  Anna  Lizzie  laeger,  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  Thomas  T.  laeger,  of  Reading,  and  Mary  A. 
(Palsgrove),  his  wife,  of  Mercersburg,  Pa.,  and  they  have 
three  children :  Mary,  ml  to  Dr.  John  M.  Brister,  sur- 
geon in  the  United  States  navy;  Thomas  laeger,  attorney 
at  Reading;  and  John  Kendig,  who  is  studying  music  at 
the   New   England   Musical   Institute,   at   Boston. 

Mr.  Snyder's  father  was  Benjamin  Leinbach  Schneider, 
farmer,  merchant  and  manufacturer  of  woolen  goods  in 
Exeter  township,  along  the  Antietam  creek,  near  "Black 
Bear."  He  died  in  1860,  aged  thirty-five  years.  He  mar- 
ried Rachel  Schmehl,  daughter  of  Jacob  Schmehl  and  Bar- 
bara (Breidegam),  his  wife,  of  Ruscombmanor  township. 
She  died  in  1901,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  They  had 
seven  children :  Adaline,  ra.  to  Harrison  Seidel ;  Jeffer- 
son; Emma  Louisa,  m.  to  Harry  Creen,  of  Philadelphia; 
Amelia  Amanda,  who  died  in  1867,  in  her  girlhood ;  Agnes, 
m.  to  Jacob  Happel;  Mary  Olivia,  m.  to  Isaac  Deturck; 
and  Stockton,  m.  to  Ida  Brumbach,  both  of  whom  were 
killed  in  the  "Honda  Wreck"  on  the  Southern  Pacific 
railroad  in  California  May  11,  1907. 


His  grandfather  was  David  Schneider,  farmer  of  Oley, 
along  the  Monocacy  creek,  about  a  mile  above  the  "Oley 
Line"  hotel.  He  died  in  1866,  aged  sixty-nine  years.  He 
married  Mary  Magdalena  Leinbach,  daughter  of  Thomas 
.Leinbach,  farmer,  of  Oley,  and  they  had  seven  children : 
Simon,  Benjamin,  Joel,  Jackson,  Rachel  (m.  to  William 
Brumbach),  Mary  Ann  (m.  to  Harrison  Yoder),  and 
Emma  (m.  to  Daniel  Happel). 

Mr.  Snyder's  wife's  father.  Rev.  Thomas  T.  laeger, 
was  an  active  and  influential  Lutheran  minister  in  Berks 
county  for  many  years.  His  father  was  Rev.  Gottfried 
Frederick  Immanuel  laeger,  for  sixty  years  an  honored 
minister  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  Berks  county,  born 
at  lUigen,  in  Wurtemberg,  Genmany,  in  1796,  emigrated 
to  Pennsylvania  in  1817;  located  at  Hamburg,  Berks 
county,  in  1818,  where  he  then  began  to  preach  as  a 
minister  of  the  Lutheran  Church;  and  died  at  Hamburg 
in  1879.  In  1820  he  married  Mary  Audenried,  daughter 
of  Lewis  Audenried,  of  McKeansburg,  in  Schuylkill 
county,  Pa.,  and  they  had  eleven  children,  including  Rev. 
Thomas  T.     His  wife  died  in  1888,  aged  ninety-one  years. 

THOMAS  MYERS  RICHARDS,  for  fifty  years  con- 
nected with  the  Reading  Railway  Company,  and  from  1905 
until  his  death,  Sept.  5,  1908,  vice-president  of  the  Philadel- 
phia &  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  was  born  at 
Pottsville,  Pa.,  Oct.  27,  1835. 

Mr.  Richards  attended  the  public  schools  of  Pottsville 
until  1842,  when  his  parents  removed  to  Reading,  and  he 
there  attended  the  local  schools  until  he  was  thirteen  years 
old.  He  then  worked  in  different  stores  for  ten  years, 
and  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Railway  Company,  Oct.  3,  1858,  as  a  clerk  in  the  of- 
fice of  the  master  machinist,  and  he  was  afterward  con- 
nected with  this  great  railroad,  with  the  exception  of 
the  time  of  his  service  in  the  army.  In  1867,  he  was 
transferred  to  Port  Richmond  to  take  charge  of  the  ship- 
'ment  of  coal,  and  he  continued  there  until  1875,  when  he 
was  promoted  to  the  head  of  the  coal  sales  department 
of  the  P.  &  R.  Coal  and  Iron  Co.,  with  quarters  in  the  - 
general  office  building,  No.  327  South  Fourth  street,  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania.  His  services  were  so  highly  ap- 
preciated that  March  15,  1905,  he  was  elected  second  vice- 
president  of  the  company,  and  April  2,  1906,  first  vice- 
president.  His  employment  with  the  company  covers  an 
extraordinary  period  of  time,  and  his  promotion  to  the 
head  of  the  coal  department,  which  is  the  largest  in  the 
country,  in  point  of  traffic,  attests  in  the  highest  degree, 
not  only  his  superior  ability  in  the  discharge  of  his  re- 
sponsible duties,  but  his  great  fidelity  to  the  enormous 
financial  interests  of  the  company. 

In  April,  1861,  Mr.  Richards  responded  to  President 
Lincoln's  appeal  for  troops  in  the  Civil  War,  by  raising 
a  company  of  infantry,  which  became  Co.  G,  of  the  First 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  They  were  mustered 
into  service  April  20,  1861,  and  Mr.  Richards  was  elected 
second  lieutenant.  The  company  was  discharged  at  the 
end  of  its  term  of  enlistmient,  July  26,  1861.  He  assisteid 
in  raising,  another  company  for  nine  months,  which  on 
Aug.  16,  1862,  was  m-ustered  in  as  Company  E,  128th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  rendered  meritorious  serv- 
ices. He  entered  as  first  lieutenant  and  was  promoted  to 
captain  Sept.  18,  1862,  which  commission  he  held  tmtil  his 
discharge,  May  19,  1863.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Chancellorsville  May  3,  1863.  Upon  the  company's  re- 
turn to  Reading,  he  re-entered  the  employ  of  the  railroad 
company  which  had  retained  his  position  for  him.  He 
died  Sept.  5,  1908,  after  several  months'  illness. 

ELMER  E.  STAUFFER,  prominent  in  the  business,  re- 
ligious and  social  life  of  Boyertown  and  vicinity,  comes 
of  an  old  family  whose  early  home  was  in  the  mountains 
of  Switzerland.  Extracts  gleaned  from  various  sources, 
chiefly  from  the  diary  of  Hans  Stauffer,  written  during 
his  voyage  from  Switzerland,  through  Germany,  Holland 
and  England,  to  America,  give  the  earlier  history  -of  the 
family. 


414 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(I)  Daniel  Stauffer,  a  descendant  of  the  ancient  house 
of  Hohenstaufen,  in  Suabia,  was  born  at  Alzheim,  near  the 
Rhine,  in  Switzerland,  about  1630,  and  there  he  also 
died. 

(II)-  Hans  Stauffer,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  at  Alzheim 
about  1650  or  1055.  In  1685  he  married  a  widow  named 
Kinget  Heisland.  They  belonged  to  a  religious  sect  called 
Mennonites,  and  in  1709  they  were  driven  by  persecution 
to  North  America,  but  first  they  went  to  the  Pfalz.  The 
diary  reads  as  follows :  "In  the  year  1709,  I,  Hans  Stauf- 
fer, left  my  own  native  land,  the  Schweitz,  on  the  5th  day 
of  November,  with  my  wife  and  children, — Jacob,  aged 
IH,  Daniel  12,  Henry  9,  Elizabeth  with  her  husband 
Paul  Fried,  and  one  child  named  Mary.  After  a  stormy 
voyage,  on  Jan.  20,  1710,  we  arrived  in  London."  In  the 
spring  after  a  perilous  voyage  they  landed  probably  at 
Philadelphia,  and  settled  at  or  near  Valley  Forge,  Chester 
county,  in  the  land  of  Penn.  It  is  said  that  Hans  Stauffer 
is  buried  in  the  Mennonite  graveyard  near  Valley  Forge. 
The  sons  who  survived  him  were :  Jacob,  Daniel  and 
Henry. 

(III)  Jacob  Stauffer,  eldest  son  of  Hans,  was  born  at 
Alzheim  in  1696.  and  accompanied  his  father  to  America 
in  1710.  At  Valley  Forge  he  married,  and  afterward 
moved  to  a  place  called  Hereford  (now  Washington  town- 
ship). The  country  was  then  a  vast  wilderness,  and  a 
remnant  of  one  of  the  Indian  tribes  resided  there.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  and  original  purchasers  of  a 
plantation  in  that  neighborhood,  which  adjoined  the  land 
where  later  the  Roman  Catholic  chapel  was  erected.  His 
grain  was  carried  on  horseback  to  the  gristmill  some- 
where below  Norristown,  twenty  miles  away.  Like  many 
of  his  descendants  he  was  a  Mennonite,  and  he  is  buried 
in  the  Mennonite  cemetery  adjoining  his  plantation.  His 
children  were :  Henry,  born  1725 ;  Christian,  1728 ;  Susan, 
1730;    Esther,   1732;    Ahraham,    1737;    and   John,    1737. 

(IV)  Henry  Stauffer,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  Aug.  13, 
1725,  and  he  died  June  19,  1803.  He  went  to  Colebrook- 
dale  township,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  developed 
it.  His  grave  is  in  the  cemetery  of  the  Mennonites  at 
Boyertown,  on  a  lot  he  gave  to  the  congregation  of  that 
faith  for  burial  purposes.  In  1770  he  married  Maria 
Buckwalter. 

(V)  Jacob  Stauffer,  eldest  son  of  Henry,  was  born 
Aug.  2,  1754,  and  he  bought  his  father's  farm  in  Cole- 
brookdale  township,  there  following  farming.  He  died 
March  20,  1839,  and  is  buried  in  the  Mennonite  cemetery 
at  Boyertown.  This  graveyard  was  given  by  him  to  the 
Lutheran  and  Reformed  Churches.  In  1785  he  married 
Susanna  Huff,  and  among  their  children  were :  Catherine, 
Esther,   Maria,  Judge  John,   Henry  and  Elizabeth. 

(VI)  Judge  John  Stauffer,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born 
July  4,  1792,  and  he  died  Nov.  28,  1854.  He  was  a  great 
friend  of  education,  and  was  a  leading  citizen  of  Boyer- 
town. The  Stauffer  mansion,  which  he  erected  and  which  is 
now  occupied  by  Elmer  E.,  is  a  fine  building,  and  con- 
tains much  hand  carved  wood.  Judge  John  Stauffer  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Keely,  and  they  had  twelve  children,  among 
whom  was  William  K. 

(VII)  William  K.  Stauffer,  son  of  Judge  John,  was 
born  in  Boyertown  Sept.  19,  1819,  and  he  became  a  fore- 
most man  there.  He  died  April  1,  1891,  in  a  room  im- 
mediately below  the  one  in  which  he  was  born.  This  old 
home  has  sorne  sixty  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  this  Mr. 
Stauffer  cultivated.  He  was  a  surveyor  and  convey- 
ancer many  years,  and  was  a  useful  man  in  his  district. 
He  was  secretary  of  the  cemetery  board,  and  in  this  was 
succeeded  by  his  son  Elmer  E.,  who  also  succeeded  him  as 
treasurer  of  the  old  Boyertown  Water  Company.  Mr. 
Stauffer  was  a  pillar  in  the  Evangelical  Church,  and  did 
much  for  the  benefit  of  that  church.  He  married  Harriet 
Gilbert,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Lydia  (Spang)  Gilbert, 
the  former  of  whom,  now  "deceased,  was  a  miller  in  Cole- 
brookdale.  She  was  born  Nov.  6.  1824,  and  now  lives  with 
her  son  Elmer  E.  They  had  children  as  follows:  (1) 
Irwin  G.,  born  1846,  died  1849.  (2)  James  G..  born  1848. 
died  1849.  (3)  Sidney  G.,  born  1850,  died  1851.  (4)  One 
born    in    1852    died    unnamed.      (5)    George    Washington. 


born  1853,  died  1857.  (6)  Rev.  William  Henry, 
born  Aug.  28,  1857,  was  educated  at  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant Seminary,  Palatinate  College  (one  year),  and  Ur- 
sinus  College,  from  which  he  graduated,  after  which 
he  again  graduated  at  the  Northwestern  Theo- 
logical College,  at  Naperville,  111.  He  entered  the  ministry 
of  the  Evangelical  Association,  and  is  now  stationed  at 
Lyons,  N.  Y.  He  married  Sybilla  Schneider,  of  Suspen- 
sion Brid'^e  N  Y.,  and  their  children  were ;  Grace,  Milton, 
Edith  (deceased),  Edna,  Ruth,  William  and  Arthur.  (7) 
Francis  G.,  born  Aug;  6,  1839,  married  Feb.  22,  1881, 
Lizzie  Keiper,  of  Naperville,  111.,  where  he  also  attended 
Northwestern  College,  and  was  graduated.  Their  child- 
ren were:  A  son  born  in  1886  (died  in  infancy);  and 
Leslie  De  Witt,  born  April  3,  1888,  a  noted  athlete  taking 
a  college  course  in  W^sleyan  College,  Delaware,  Ohio. 
Francis  G.  is  in  the  fence  and  wire  business.  (8)  Elmer 
E.   is  the  youngest  in  the   family. 

(VIII)  Elmer  E.  Stauffer  was  born  on  the  old  Stauffer 
homestead  July  2,  1864.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Boyertown,  Mt.  Pleasant  Seminary,  and  Lafay- 
ette College,  Easton,  Pa.  He  took  the  civil  engineering 
course,  but  on  account  of  his  father's  ill  health,  he  was 
compelled  to  abandon  his  college  education  for  the  time, 
and  consequentlv  did  not  graduate  at  Easton,  but  later, 
in  January,  1S8'6,  graduated  from  Bryant  &  Stratton  s 
Business  College  at  Philadelphia.  After  his  return  home 
he  engaged  in  conveyancing,  together  with  the  real  estate 
business.  He  did  most  of  the  grading  and  surveying  for 
the  borough  of  Boyertown,  and  in  1907.  when  the  brick 
street  paving  was  put  down,  he  was  elected  by  the  council 
as  engineer  with  an  assistant  to  oversee  that  the  work 
was  done  according  to  the  specifications.  He  is  associated 
in  business  with  Horace  F.  Tyson,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Tyson  &  Stauffer,  dealing  in  lumber,  coal  and  feed  at 
Barto,  and  doing  an  extensive  business.  Mr.  Stauffer 
is  a  director  in  the  Boyertown  Casket  Company,  a  posi- 
tion he  has  held  since  1902.  He  is  notary  for  the  Nat- 
ional Bank  of  Boyertown,  and  is  secretary  of  the  Fairyiew 
Cemetery.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Trinity 
United  Evangelical  Church,  Boyertown,  and  he  served  the 
church  faithfully  as  treasurer  and  trustee  many  years. 
He  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  since 
his  young  manhood,  and  in  many  ways  has  proved  him- 
self an  earnest  worker  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  Mr.  Stauf- 
fer has  settled  up  many  large  estates,  among  these 
being  the  Kuser,  Levengood  and  Bleyler  estates.  He  was 
also  executor  of  his  father's  estate.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Prohibitionist,  but  in  home  elections  often  votes  the  Re- 
publican ticket,  always  trying  to  vote  for  the  best  man 
and  for  the  best  interests  of  the  commiunity.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  school  board  three  years,  and  was  also 
secretary,  and  helped  on  the  plans  of  the  present  high 
school. 

On  Oct.  16,  1888,  Mr.  Stauffer  married  Andora  F.  Ty- 
son, daughter  of  Abraham  and  Susan  (Fetterolf)  Tyson, 
of  Royersford,  Pa.  Mrs.  Tyson  was  a  sister  of  Dr.  A.  H. 
Fetterolf,  President  of  Girard  College,  Philadelphia.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Stauffer  have  three  children :  Eva  May,  Walter 
Tyson  and  William  Everett. 


JOHN  A.  MATTHEW,  a  prominent  citizen  and  success- 
ful hardware  merchant  at  Womelsdorf,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
that  town  Nov.  21,  1846,  son  of  Elias  and  Elizabeth  (Man- 
derbach)  Matthew.  His  paternal  grandfather  lived  at 
Newmanstown,   Lebanon   Co.,   Pa.,  and   is  buried  there. 

Elias  Matthew  was  born  at  Newmanstown,  Pa.,  Nov. 
18,  1816,  and  died  Sept.  12,  1893,  aged  seventy-six  years, 
nine  months,  twenty-four  days.  By  trade  he  was  a  stone- 
cutter, and  he  became  quite  well-to-do,  owning  his  own 
home.  He  married  Elizabeth  Manderbach,  born  March  18, 
1824,  and  died  Nov.  30,  18S8,  aged  sixty-four  years,  eight 
months,  twelve  days.  Her  father,  John  Manderbach, 
served  as  sheriff  of  the  county.  To  Elias  Matthew  and 
wife  were  born  five  children,  as  follows :  Maria  m.  John 
K.  Beidler,  of  Cumberland  county.  Pa. ;  John  A. ;  Sarah 
m.  S.  L.  Gabel,  deceased ;   Adda  ni.   S.   E.   Illig,  a  barber 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


415 


at  Womelsdorf;  and  Harry  D.,  a  successful  merchant  at 
Berlinville,  Pa.,  m.  Mame  Bennethum. 

John  A.  Matthew  attended  the  schools  of  his  native 
town,  and  also  the  schools  in  Heidelberg  township.  His 
boyhood  days  were  passed  upon  a  farm  in  Ohio,  but 
when  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  returned  to  his  home,  and 
enlisted  from  Womelsdorf  in  June,  1863,  becoming  a 
member  of  Company  K,  42d  Pennsylvania  militia,  which 
was  enlisted  for  three  months,  but  was  in  service  only 
six  weeks,  going  as  far  as  Hagerstown,  Md.,  and  then 
returning  to  Womelsdorf.  On  Feb.  12,  1864,  he  enlisted 
a  second  time,  becoming  a  private  in  Company  B,  55th  Pa. 
V.  I.,  under  Gen.  Ben.  Butler,  in  the  Army  of  the  James. 
He  participated  in  the  following  engagements :  Drury's 
Bluff,  Va.  (in  which  the  regiment  lost  over  300  men).  Cold 
Harbor,  Siege  of  Petersburg,  Chapman's  Farm,  Fort 
Gregg,  Fort  Baldwin,  Hatchers  Run,  and  then  followed 
Lee  to  Appomattox.  He  was  mustered  out  Aug.  29, 
1865.  After  the  war  he  was  unable  to  work  for  nearly 
two  years  because  of  a  sore  foot.  In  1868  he  bought  out 
the  omnibus  route  from  Womelsdorf  to  the  railroad  sta- 
tion, which  he  ran  daily  for  twenty  years.  In  1888  he 
opened  a  hardware  store  on  High  street  which  he  still 
conducts,  and  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful.  He 
owns  his  own  building,  and  this  has  a  frontage  of  sixty- 
six  feet.  In  politics  he  is  a  Jefferson  Democrat,  and  he 
has  filled  a  number  of  local  offices  of  trust  and  respon- 
sibility, among  them  those  of  burgess  of  Womelsdorf, 
treasurer  of  the  borough  and  councilman.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board  for  six  years  and  treasurer  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  and  his  family  are  Lutheran  mem- 
bers of  Zion  Union  Church. 

Mr.  Matthew  married  Lizzie  Geissler,  of  Reading,  and 
they  have  had  five  children :  Luther  H.,  associated  with 
his  father  in  business;  Paul  A.,  a  tinsmith;  Grace  E., 
at  home;  and  Anna  Martha  and  Rosa  May,  who  both  died 
in  infancy^ 

John  G.  Geissler,  father  of  Mrs.  Matthew,  was  born 
in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  where  his  father,  also  named 
John  G.,  carried  on  tinsmithing.  He  learned  his  father's 
trade,  beginning  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  and  after 
finishing  his  apprenticeship  assisted  his  father  in  the 
business.  In  the  spring  of  1847  he  came  to  America,  ar- 
riving in  Reading  in  April.  Here  two  of  his  uncles  were 
engaged  in  the  tinsmithing  business,  and  they  gave  him 
employment.  He  wrote  home  to  his  father  of  the  great 
opportunities  open  in  Reading,  and  as  a  consequence  John 
G.,  Sr.,  crossed  the  ocean  in  the  same  year,  bringing  the 
entire  family,  and  soon  becoming  well  established  in  the 
stove  and  tinware  business  in  Reading.  All  the  sons  made 
their  father's  trade  their  life  work  with  the  exception  of 
John  M.,  of  Minnesota,  who  is  an  extensive  farmer  and 
member  of  the  State  Legislature. 

On  Jan.  1,  1861,  John  G.  Geissler,  Jr.,  started  in  the  stove 
and  tinware  business  for  himself  at  Sinking  Spring,  and 
in  1863  transferred  it  to  Womelsdorf,  where  he  was 
afterward  located,  later  being  assisted  by  his  son,  Charles 
B.  Their  establishment  was  one  of  the  largest  of  the 
kind  in  the  county.  It  occupied  all  of  the  building  on 
Front  street,  once  used  by  Congressman  Ermentrout's 
ancestors  as  a  hat  factory.  As  long  as  he  lived  Mr. 
Geissler  worked  in  the  store  from  morning  till  night, 
and  accomplished  a  great  deal  in  the  course  of  the  day. 
For  some  years  he  did  not  go  on  roofs,  but  in  his  younger 
days  preferred  roofing  to  any  other  branch  of  his  trade. 
He  had  a  comfortable  residence  at  the  corner  of  Second 
and  Franklin  streets,  Womelsdorf.  He  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  George  Buck,  long  since  deceased,  of  Temple, 
a  Revolutionary  soldier.  Mrs.  Geissler  died  in  1883.  Their 
children  were:  Elizabeth  (Lizzie)  m.  John  A.  Matthew; 
Augustus,  of  Minnesota,  is  engaged  in  the  stove  and  tin- 
ware business;  Charles  B.  is  with  his  father;  Maggie  m. 
N.  D.  Snyder,  of  York;  James  A.  is  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness in  Minnesota;  John  M.,  of  Womelsdorf,  was  for 
fifteen  years  with  A.  S.  Valentine  &  Son ;  Miss  Rosa 
kept  house  for  her  father.  Mr.  Geissler  was  one  of 
Womelsdorf's  most  useful  citizens,  and  his  friends  were 
numerous.     He  had  been  a  member  of  the  town  council. 


and  member  of  the  school  board.  Fraternally  he  was  one 
of  the  early  members  of  Williamson  Lodge,  No.  307,  F. 
&  A.  M.,  of  Womelsdorf;  a  charter  member  of  Germania 
Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Reading;  and  formerly  belonged 
to  Goethe  Lodge,  Harugari.  He  died  Jan.  20,  1899,  aged 
seventy-six  years,  ten  months  and  five  days. 

IRA  P.  ROTHERMEL,  eldest  son  of  John  K.  and  Su- 
sanna E.  (Peters)  Rothermel,  was  born  in  Maiden-creek 
township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.  His  father  was  a  descendant 
from  one  of  the  earliest  families  in  the  county,  and  a 
prominent  farmer  in  Richmond  township,  and  our  subject's 
youth  was  mostly  spent  in  assisting  in  the  arduous  duties 
of  the  farm.  The  advantages  of  a  liberal  educa- 
tion, however,  were  not  denied  him.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  township,  Brunner's  Scientific 
Academy  at  Reading,  and  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School,  at  Kutztown.  After  teaching  a  country  school 
in  Ruscombmanor  township  for  one  year,  he  entered 
Lafayette  College,  from  which  institution  he  graduated 
in  the  classical  course  in  the  year  1885. 

The  following  year  Mr.  Rothermel  came  to  Reading, 
and  began  the  study  of  law  under  the  direction  of  Frank 
R.  Schell,  Esq.,  and  after  the  latter's  decease,  which  oc- 
curred a  few  months  later,  he  entered  the  law  offices  of 
Jacob  S.  Livingood,  a  distinguished  lawyer,  under  whose 
preceptorship  he  continued  and  concluded  his  law  studies. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  Berks  County  Bar  Jan.  21,  1888, 
and  later  to  the  Supreme  court  and  the  Superior  court 
of  this  State.  Since  his  admission  to  the  Bar  he  has 
assiduously  carried  on  his  profession  in  a  successful  man- 
ner, mostly  in  the  line  of  office  practice  and  in  the  settle- 
ment of  estates. 

Mr.  Rothermel  became  affiliated  with  the  Freemasons  at 
Reading  in  1891,  where  he  joined  Chandler  Lodge  No.  227, 
Excelsior  Chapter  No.  237,  and  Reading  Commandery, 
No.  42,  Knights  Templar.  In  manner,  Mr.  Rothermel  is 
modest  and  unassuming,  by  nature  kind  and  genial,  hon- 
orable in  all  his  dealings  and  generous  to  every  one  in 
word  and  deed. 

Mr.  Rothermel  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Grim,  and 
they  have  three  children,  John  G.,  Daniel  G.  and  Catha- 
rine G.  The  family  are  active  members  of  St.  Paul's 
Memorial  Reformed  Church.  Mrs.  Rothermel  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  P.  Grim,  of  Kutztown,  and  a  grand-daughter 
of  Col.  Daniel  B.  Grim,  who  conducted  a  large  farm, 
tannery,  general  store  and  hotel  at  Grimville,  in  the  up- 
per section  of  this  county. 

BENJAMIN  E.  BIEBER,  chief  burgess  and  prominent 
citizen  of  Topton,  where  he  is  the  owner  and  proprietor 
of  a  general  store,  was  born  on  the  old  Bieber  homestead, 
in  Longswamp  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Jonas  and 
Annie   (Eck)   Bieber. 

Jacob  Bieber,  grandfather  of  Benjamin  E.,  was  a  farm- 
er and  laborer  in  Longswamp  township,  and  was  very 
well  known.  He  married  Susan  Keim,  who  was  born  in 
Oley  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  and  they  had  six  children, 
namely:  Jonas;  Jacob;  Susan  (m.  Samuel  Warmkessel) ; 
Elizabeth  (m.  Jacob  Long)  ;  Hettie  (m.  a  Mr.  Weiser) 
and  Mrs.  Reuben  Walb. 

Jonas  Bieber  followed  farming  and  shoeraaking  all  his 
active  life.  He  was  married  in  early  manhood  to  Annie 
Eck,  daughter  of  Daniel  Eck,  and  they  had  the  following 
children:  William  E. ;  Benjamin  E. ;  George  E.  (m.  to 
Annie  Geist)  ;  Emma  (m.  to.  Charles  A.  Fegley)  ;  Eliza- 
beth (m.  to  Alvin  Dunkel)  ;  Mary  (unmarried)  ;  Louisa, 
twin  sister  of  Benjamin  (m.  William  Weil,  who  survives 
her)  ;  Susan  (m.  Henry  Slicher)  ;  and  Lillie  (m.  Jonas  O. 
Weiler). 

Benjamin  E.  Bieber  was  reared  in  the  neighborhood  of 
his  place  of  birth  and  he  attended  the  local  schools.  His 
first  work  was  done  around  the  iron  ore  mines,  but  later 
he  became  a  clerk  in  the  general  store  at  Topton,  of  which 
he  is  now  proprietor.  He  carries  an  excellent  stock  and 
does  a  very  satisfactory  business.  He  has  been  active 
in  the  public  affairs  of  the  community  and  enjoys  the 
confidence   of  his   fellow  citizens  to  a  very  large  extent. 


416 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


As  chief  burgess  of  the  town,  he  fills  the  highest  office  in 
their  gift. 

In  1886,  Mr.  Bieber  married  Montana  Gerhart,  daughter 
of  John  and  Sarah  (Romig)  Gerhart,  the  latter  of  whom 
was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sallie  (Frederick)  Romig. 
Air.  and  Airs.  Bieber  have  one  son,  Lloyd  J.,  born  Oct. 
7,  1887.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Topton  high  school,  and 
is  now  learning  business  methods  as  his  father's  assistant 
in  the  general  store.  The  familj'  belong  to  the  Topton 
Lutheran  Church,  in  which  Mr.  Bieber  has  served  as  a 
deacon  for  about  sixteen  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Fraternal   Order   of  Eagles. 

LEVI  B.  SMITH.  The  Smith  family  from  which  Mr. 
Levi  Bull  Smith  was  descended  is  of  Scotch  extraction, 
tlie  name  being  originally  McDonald.  During  the  reign 
of  James  I.  of  England  they  crossed  the  North  Chan- 
nel into  Ireland,  taking  up  their  residence  in  the  north- 
eastern section  of  that  country,  where  they  left  numerous 
descendants.  The  change  of  name  is  accounted  for  by 
an  interesting  circumstance  handed  down  in  the  family 
tradition.  Just  before  the  battle  of  the  Boyne,  when  the 
King,  William  III,  was  reconnoitering  that  famous  field, 
his  horse  cast  a  shoe.  There  was  no  farrier  to  replace 
it,  but  McDonald,  in  whose  neighborhood  the  incident 
occurred,  being,  like  many  other  farmers  of  the  region, 
something  of  a  blacksmith,  volunteered  his  services,  shod 
the  horse,  and  thus  enabled  the  King  to  proceed.  From 
that  time  his  neighbors,  who  like  himself  were  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  cause  of  William,  dubbed  McDonald  "the 
Smith."  and  the  name  clung  to  him,  and  was  adopted  by 
his   family  as   a  patron}'mic. 

Being  staunch  Presbyterians,  the  Smiths,  together  with 
a  large  proportion  of  the  Irish  tenantry,  at  a  subsequent 
period  resisted  the  rigorous  proceedings  of  the  Established 
Church  of  England  to  enforce  the  provisions  of  the 
"Sacramental  Test"  law,  under  which  they  were  required 
not  only  to  pay  tithes  to  the  Church,  but  to  conform  to 
all  its  requirements  respecting  marriage  and  civil  rights,- 
under  pain  of  invalidation  of  all  religious  acts  performed 
without  its  pale.  To  enforce  obedience  to  this  arbitrary 
measure,  the  absentee  landlords  raised  the  rents  of  all 
their  recusant  tenantry,  and  otherwise  rendered  their  con- 
dition intolerable.  This  was  among:  the  causes  which  in- 
duced the  Scotch-Irish  emigration  in  the  first  half  of  the 
eighteenth  century  to  the  Colony  of  Pennsylvania,  found- 
ed preeminently  upon  the  principle  of  absolute  liberty 
of  conscience. 

Among  the  earliest  of  the  emigrants  were  John  Smith 
and  his  wife  Susanna,  of  County  Monaghan,  Ulster,  who 
came  over  in  17'20,  the  year  after  the  enforcement  of 
the  "Test."  After  a  long  and  stormy  voyage  they  landed 
at  Philadelphia,  and  took  up  their  new  residence  in 
Uwchlan  township,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.  With  her  brother 
John  came  Mary  Smith,  who  married  William  Fulton, 
one  of  their  grandchildren  being  Robert  Fulton,  born  in 
Little  Britain.  Lancaster  county,  whose  name  is  indissolub- 
ly  linked  with  the  evolution  of  the  invention  of  the  steam- 
boat. 

John  and  Susanna  Smith  were  the  parents  of  fifteen 
children.  One  of  these,  Robert,  was  born  on  the  voyage 
to  America.  The  father  died  in  1703,  and  the  mother  in 
1767.  His  three  older  brothers  having  gone  out  to  seek 
their  fortunes  elsewhere,  the  family  homestead  came  into 
the  possession  of  Robert,  who  became  a  prosperous  and 
respected  citizen  and  was  prominently  connected  in  his 
later  years  with  public  affairs.  During  the  French  and 
Indian  war  he  was  in  the  Provincial  service  with  the  rank 
of  sergeant.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  he  en- 
tered warmly  into  the  Patriot  cause,  and  was  commis- 
sioned captain  of  the  1st  Battalion  of  Associators  of  Ches- 
ter county.  In  1775-76  he  assisted  in  the  construction  of 
a  line  of  chevaux-de-frise  across  the  Delaware  below 
Philadelphia,  designed  to  obstruct  the  progress  of  the 
enemy  by  the  river  to  the  city,  and  in  the  laying  out  of 
the  land  fortifications  adjacent,  under  the  direction  of 
the  Committee  of  Safety.  Fie  was  a  member  of  the  Con- 
vention  of   1776,   which   devised   the   first   Constitution   of 


Pennsylvania  after  Independence,  In  1777  he  was  ap- 
pointed lieutenant  of  the  county  of  Chester,  with  the  rank 
of  lieutenant-colonel,  which  office  he  held  until  1786, 
being  charged  with  the  arduous  and  responsible  duty 
of  raising,  arming  and  provisioning  the  military  forces  of 
the  district.  He  was  sheriff  of  the  county  in  1777  and  1778; 
member  of  Assembly  in  1785-86,  and  during  the  same  per- 
iod a  trustee  of  the  loan  office.  In  1791  he  was  elected  a 
justice  of  the  peace  and  continued  in  that  office  until  his 
death  in  December,  1803. 

Robert  Smith  was  a  staunch  Presbyterian,  and  an  elder 
of  the  church  at  Brandywine  Manor,  of  which  the  Rev. 
John  Carmichael,  like  himself  an  ardent  patriot,  was  pas- 
tor during  the  Revolutionary  period.  He  married  in  1758 
Miargaretta  Vaughan.  daughter  of  John  Vaughan,  of 
Uwchlan  township,  who  survived  him  until  1822,  dying 
at  the  age  of  eighty-six.  They  had  eleven  children.  Of 
their  sons,  Jonathan  was  for  many  years  connected  with 
the  first  United  States  Bank  and  with  the  Bank  of  Penn- 
sylvania, of  which  latter  he  was  cashier,  and  was  one  of 
the  founders  of  the  Pennsylvania  Insurance  Company; 
John  was  an  iron-master,  and  Joseph  an  iron  and  shipping 
merchant  of  Philadelphia. 

John  Smith,  iron-master,  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  at  the  old  homestead  in  Chester  county 
April  8,  1763.  In  early  life  he  was  manager  of  the  War- 
wick Furnace  in  Chester  county,  then  owned  by  Col. 
Thomas  Bull,  a  distinguished  Revolutionary  patriot,  long 
associated  with  the  iron  industry  in  eastern  Pennsylvania 
in  connection  with  the  well  known  families  of  Rutter  and 
Potts.  Having  married  in  1790  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Colonel  Bull  and  his  wife  Ann  Hunter,  John  Smith  re- 
moved in  that  j'ear  to  Dale  Furnace,  in  Hereford  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  of  which  he  had  become  co-owner  with 
Thomas  and  Joseph  Potts,  Jr..  and  six  years  later  went  to 
Joanna  Furnace,  on  Hay  creek,  Robeson  township,  hav- 
ing become  partner  in  that  establishment  with  his' father-in- 
law.  Colonel  Bidl,  and  Thomas  May.  Joanna  Furnace 
was  built  in  1792  by  Samuel  Potts  and  Thomas  Rutter, 
being  named  in  honor  of  the  wife  of  the  former.  The 
substantial  stone  mansion  house,  still  standing,  though 
modernized,  was  erected  in  1793.  Attached  to  the  estate 
were  numerous  tracts  of  woodland,  aggregating  several 
thousand  acres,  from  which  the  works  were  supplied  with 
charcoal.  Having  eventually  acquired  the  entire  ownership 
Mr.  Smith  resided  at  Joanna  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  3,  1815,  when  he  was  aged  fifty-three.  His 
wife  survived  him  twenty  years,  dying  in  1835.  They 
left  ten  children,  three  sons  and  seven  daughters.  The 
former  were:  Thomas  B.,  Levi  B.  and  John  Vaughan.  Of 
the  daughters,  Ann  Hunter  married  James  Richards;  Sarah 
Bull,  Jacob  Loeser;  Margaretta  Vaughan,  William  Darling; 
Elizabeth  Bull,  Joseph  O'Brien:  Susan  Grier,  Rev.  George 
Burcker,  and  Jane  Correy,  Goodloe  H.  Bowman.  i\Iary 
Cobean  died  unmarried. 

Levi  Bull  Smith  was  born  at  Joanna  Furnace  Feb.  8, 
180G.  He  received  a  liberal  education,  graduating  at 
Princeton  College  in  1824.  He  subsequentlv  studied  law 
at  the  law  school  at  Litchfield,  Conn.,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  of  Berks  county,  Pa.,  Jan.  10,  1827.  He  mar- 
ried April  10th,  of  the  same  vear,  Emilv  H.  Badger,  a 
native  of  Bucksport,  Maine  (born  Jan.  i,  1807),  and  a 
descendant  upon  the  paternal  side  of  the  Buck  family,  of 
Puritan  stock,  who  einigrated  to  New  England  in  1635. 
From  1829  to  1831  he  was  engaged  in  farming  at  the  old 
Reading  Furnace,  in  Chester  countv.  and  from  1831  to  1833 
was  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Alount  Airv,  in  Union 
township,  Berks  county.  In  the  latter  vear  he  removed 
to  Joanna,  and  became  the  partner  in  that  works  of  his 
brother-m-law,^  William  Darling,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Darling  &  Sinith.  In  connection  with  the  manufacture  of 
iron  the  casting  of  wood-burning  stoves  became  the  prin- 
cipal business.  Mr.  Darling,  a  prominent  member  of  the 
county  Bar,  was  an  associate  judge,  and  the  active  man- 
agement devolved  on  Mr.  Smith,  who  acquired  even- 
tually the  interest  of  his  partner,  and  admitted  his  sons 
into  partnership  under  the  firm  name  of  Levi  B.  Smith 
&  Sons.    The  manufacture  of  pig-iron  exclusively  was  car- 


£i^  /^.  y^y^ 


JJiUGRAPHICAL 


417 


ried  on  with  profit  for  many  years  before,  during  and  sub- 
sequent to  the  Civil  war,  the  estate  passing  into  the  sole 
ownership  of  one  of  the  sons,  Col.  L.  Heber  Smith,  in 
1877,  and  the  works  discontinuing  operations  in  1905. 

Upon  his  retirement  from  the  active  management  of 
the  iron  business  he  removed  in  1863  to  Reading,  where 
the  remainder  of  his  life  was  passed.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Reading  in  that 
year,  and  was  its  president  from  its  incorporation  until 
his  death.  These  institutions,  being  government  deposi- 
tories, and  under  the  management  of  men  of  patriotic 
principles,  not  only  built  up  an  efficient  financial  system 
but  materially  aided  in  sustaining  the  credit  of  the  gov- 
ernment at  the  most  critical  period  of  its  history,  and 
promoting  the  public  faith  in  the  ultimate  restoration  of 
its  authority.  In  those  troublous  times  Mr.  Smith's  most 
ardent  sympathies  and  active  efforts,  were  devoted  to  the 
triumph  of  his  country's  cause.  He  gave  freely  of  his 
means  for  the  raising  and  equipping  of  troops  for  the 
field,  and  his  vigilant  attention  to  the  thwarting  of  the 
opposition  schemes  of  the  enemies  in  the  rear. 

An  Abolitionist  in  principle  and  an  old-time  Whig  in 
his  political  faith,  he  became  from  the  foundation  of  the 
Republican  party  one  of  its  most  zealous  supporters.  Whilst 
never  seeking  public  office  he  was  named  as  the  Republican 
candidate  for  Congress  in  the  Berks  district  in  1860,  and 
his  popularity  was  shown  in  the  result  at  the  election,  when 
he  ran  considerably  ahead  otf  the  State  ticket.  In  the  town- 
ships of  the  southern  section  of  the  county  adjacent  to 
his  home  his  vote  was  especially  strong.  Having  been 
placed  the  same  year  upon  the  Lincoln  electoral  ticket, 
.  he  withdrew  on  the  ground  of  the  iricompatibility  of  that 
position  with  his  Congressional  candidacy.  At  an  earlier 
period  he  was  upon  several  occasions  a  delegate  to  county 
and  State  conventions  of  the  Whig  and  Republican  parties. 
His  judgment  upon  questions  of  finance  was  eminently 
conservative  and  sound,  and  the  same  shrewdness  and 
forecast  which  he  evinced  in  the  management  of  his  own 
large  estate  well  qualified  him  for  the  successful  discharge 
of  the  various  business  relations  which  he  assumed  to- 
ward others  during  his  residence  in  Reading  in  the  latter 
part  of  his  life.  Among  these  were  his  membership  of 
the  board  of  managers  of  the  Reading  Gas  Company  and 
of  the  Reading  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  the  latter 
of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers.  Every  associated 
effort  for  the  literary  culture  and  social  betterment  of  the 
community  received  his  co-operation  and  support. 

In  his  denominational  affihations  Mr.  Smith  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  vestry  of  St.  Thomas  Church,  Morgantown,  and 
a  delegate  for  more  than  thirtv  years  from  that  parish 
to  the  diocesan  convention.  In  1858  he  was  a  delegate 
to  the  general  convention  which  met  in  New  York  City. 
Upon  his  removal  to  Reading  he  became  a  vestryman  of 
Christ    Church,    remaining    such    until    his    death. 

Personally  Mr.  Smith  was  of  a  genial  and  companionable 
disposition,  possessing  a  marked  and  never- failing  trait  of 
humor,  which  made  his  presence  at  all  times  enlivening 
and  agreeable.  To  be  just  to  all  men  and  faithful  to  his 
own  was  the  ruling  principle  of  his  character  and  life. 
After  a  brief  illness  the  end  came  to  him  at  his  home 
Aug.  8,  1876,  when  a  few  months  advanced  in  the  seventy- 
first  year  of  his  age.  His  estimable  wife  died  Dec.  16, 
1882.  They  had  ten  children:  (1)  Nancy  Valeria,  born 
March  14,  1828,  married  June  12,  1855,  William  Hiester 
Clymer,  whom  she  survived,  dying  Aug.  17,  1901,  leaving 
six  children.  (2)  Elizabeth  Frances,  born  March  19,  1830, 
married  June  15,  1869,  the  Rev.  Elias  J.  Richards,  D.  D., 
a  talented  and  eminent  clergyman  of  the  Presbyterian  de- 
nomination, for  upward  of  twenty-five  years  pastor  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Reading,  whom,  together  with 
their  only  child,  Jane  Ellis  (born  April  8,  1870),  she  sur- 
vives. (3)  Bentley  Howard.  (4)  William  Darling.  (5 
and  6)  Levi  Heber  and  Emily  Annetta.  (7)  Mary  Badger, 
born  March  19,  1840,  died  May  22,  1864.  (8)  Horace 
Vaughan,  born  Aug.  20,  1842,  died  July  23,  1878.  (9) 
Thomas  Stanley.  (10)  Edward  Hunter,  born  April  17, 
1847,  died  Sept.  7,  1856. 
27 


The  eldest  son,  Bentley  H.  Smith,  born  Dec.  6,  1832, 
at  Mt.  Airy,  Berks  county,  attended  the  academy  of  Wil- 
liam F.  Wyers,  at  New  London,  Chester  county,  and  en- 
tered Amherst  College  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  graduating 
in  1851.  He  was  a  bright  scholar,  especially  versed  in 
the  classics,  and  three  years  after  his  graduation  received 
from  the  college  the  degree  of  A.  M.  He  was  engaged 
the  greater  part  of  his  active  life  in  the  iron  manufactur- 
ing business,  principally  at  Joanna,  in  partnership  with 
his  father  and  brothers,  and  subsequently  as  member  of  a 
firm  owning  and  operating  the  Temple  Iron  Works,  in 
Muhlenberg  township.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion 
he  enlisted  in  the  first  three  months'  service,  becoming  a 
corporal  in  Company  A,  14th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  mustered  April  87,  1861,  and  before  the  ex- 
piration of  his  term  was  promoted  to  the  second  lieu- 
tenancy of  Company  K.  In  the  latter  part  of  June,  1863,  at 
the  time  of  the  Confederate  invasion  of  the  State,  he 
raised  a  company  which  was  attached  to  the  42d  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Militia,  enlisted  for  ninety  days, 
and  upon  the  regimental  organization  was  appointed  major. 
Retired  from  business  for  many  years,  he  devoted  himself 
to  general  literature,  his  reading  embracing  the  works  of 
all  the  great  writers  of  the  age  in  science,  philosophy  and 
theology.  Of  ecclesiastical  lore  he  had  an  accumulation 
which  would  have  qualified  him  for  a  professorship  of 
Bible  exegesis  in  the  faculty  of  a  university.  In  addition 
to  habits  of  close  and  careful  reading  he  was  a  profound 
thinker  and  clear  reasoner,  ever  searching  for  truth,  and 
rejecting  the  illogical  and  unscientific.  His  was  a  mind  alike 
gifted  and  discriminating.  His  native  geniality  of  dis- 
position made  him  a  most  agreeable  and  entertaining  com- 
panion. One  of  his  most  marked  traits  was  his  benevol- 
ence of  heart,  evidenced  by  his  open-handed  and  unosten- 
tatious charities  toward  all  classes  and  conditions  of  un- 
fortunates. The  possession  of  such  qualities  distinguished 
him  as  one  of  nature's  noblernen,  and  won  for  him  a  wide 
circle  of  devoted  friends.  He  died  Jan.  19,  1909,  when  a 
little  upward  of  seventy-six  years  of  age. 

L.  Heber  Smith,  born  Oct.  18,  1837,  at  Joanna  Furnace, 
attended  WiUiston  Seminary,  Easthampton,  Mass.,  and,  with 
his  father  and  brothers,  engaged  in  the  iron  manufactur- 
ing business.  He  was  captain  of  Company  A,  128th 
Regiment,  P.  V.,  mustered  August,  1862,  for  nine  months' 
service,  and  was  promoted  Feb.  1,  1863,  to  lieutenant-colo- 
nel ;  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville 
and  confined  for  a  time  in  Libby  prison,  being  subsequently 
exchanged.  After  the  death  of  his  father  he  acquired 
the  sole  ownership  of  the  Joanna  estate,  and  carried  on 
the  works  until, within  a  few  years  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  Aug.  5,  1898.  He  married  June  17,  1868,  E.  Jennie 
Grubb,  of  Lancaster,  Pa.,  who,  with  six  children,  sur- 
vives himx. 

Thomas  Stanley  Smith,  M.  D.,  was  born  at  Joanna 
Furnace,  Jan.  25,  1845,  graduated  at  Amherst  College  in 
1865,  and  at  the  Jefferson  Medical  School  in  1868'.  He 
subsequently  spent  a  year  at  the  University  of  Leipsic, 
Germany,  pursuing  studies  in  chemistry,  a  branch  in  which 
he  specially  excelled.  Upon  his  return  he  filled  the  posi- 
tion of  lecturer  on  physical  diagnosis  in  the  summer  course 
at  the  Jefferson  College.  He  practised  his  profession  in 
Reading  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  devoting  his  attention 
particularly  to  ophthalmology,  in  which  he  acquired  no- 
table skill.  Dr.  Smith's  scientific  attainments  were  of  a 
high  order,  and  had  his  ambition  been  for  eminence  in 
his  profession,  he  possessed  the  genius  to  attain  it.  His 
health  failing,  his  career  was  cut  short  by  death,  Nov.  25, 
1887,  in  the  forty-third  year  of  his  age. 

CAPT.  AARON  ZIEGLER,  proprietor  of  one  of  the 
largest  retail  wall-paper  establishments  in  the  city  of 
Reading, ,  with  business  rooms  at  No.  355  Penn  street,  is 
one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  .the  city,  and  a  man  whose 
services  to  his  country  in  the  dark  hour  of  her  need  were 
of  such  value  that  he  merits  highly  the  title  by  which  he 
is  always  known.  Captain  Ziegler  is  an  honored  member 
of  the  old  guard  whose  fast  depleting  ranks  is  a  reminder 
that  Time's   ceaseless   march  is  removing  us   farther   and 


418 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


farther  from  one  of  the  greatest  wars  of  history — a  war 
fought  on  both  sides  with  a  courage  and  tenacity  of  pur- 
pose unequaled,  and  befitting  the  Anglo-Saxon  blood 
which,  commingling  in  fratricidal  strife,  cemented  the  na- 
tion's disjointed  parts  into  a  splendid  and  magnificent 
compact  structure,  alike  worshipped  by  her  loyal  people, 
and  revered  by  the  whole  world.  The  story  of  Captain 
Ziegler's  movements  during  the  Civil  war  would,  if  told 
in  all  its  lights  and  shadows,  be  worthy  the  pen  of  a 
novelist  of  the  realistic  school.  The  necessary  brevity  of 
this  review  precludes  relating  much  of  interest,  but  if  the 
reader  will  "read  between  the  lines,''  he  will  be  ready  to 
give  credit  where  credit  is  due. 

Of  German  ancestry.  Captain  Ziegler  comes  of  a  line 
of  agriculturists  who  settled  in  Bunker  Hill,  Lebanon 
county.  Pa.,  in  pioneer  times,  and  who  in  their  different 
generations  were  distinguished  by  loyal  service  to  the 
commonwealth.  In  this  county  Daniel  Ziegler,  grandfather 
of  Captain  Aaron,  passed  his  life  as  a  farmer.  The  father 
of  the  Captain,  also  named  Daniel,  was  in  his  turn  a  con- 
tractor and  builder,  with  residence  at  JNfyerstown,  Pa. 
He  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four,  dying  in 
1883.  His  wife  was  ilartha  Catherine  Shepler,  daughter 
of  Henry  Shepler,  a  farmer  of  Lebanon  county.  The  fam- 
ily of  which  the  Captain  was  the  youngest  member  con- 
sisted of  nine  children. 

Captain  Ziegler  was  born  at  Myerstown,  Lebanon  county, 
Feb.  20,  1841.  His  boyhood,  passed  in  huntble  but  honest 
toil,  laid  the  foundation  of  a  splendid  physical  constitu- 
tion, without  which  he  would  no  doubt  have  succumbed 
to  the  rigors  of  the  war  in  which  he  was  called  to  engage 
ere  he  had  reached  maturity.  He  became  quite  an  expert 
at  the  trade  of  his  father,  while  being  helpful  to  him  at 
odd  times,  giving  his  attention  more  to  the  artistic  feature 
of  decorating,  in  painting  and  paperhanging.  It  was  while 
engaged  at  this  occupation  that  the  Captain  heard  the  toc- 
sin of  war  resounding  through  the  co^intry,  and  responded 
to  the  call  of  the  President  for  the  defense  of  "Old 
Glory." 

Aaron  Ziegler  had  as  a  boy  and  youth  watched  with 
keen  interest  the  oncoming  storm,  and  while  the  Presi- 
dential campaign  was  on,  which  precipitated  it,  his  blood 
warmed  for  the  inevitable  struggle.  During  that  winter 
he  participated  in  the  feverish  anxiety  of  the  people,  and 
was  ready  when  the  call  was  made  to  offer  his  services 
to  his  country.  It  is  true  that  like  all  the  others  of  the 
first  enlistment,  the  boy  was  mightily  afraid  the  strife 
would  be  over  before  he  could  get  to  the  front,  but  that 
does  not  detract  from  the  bravery  of  the  act.  Suffice  it 
that  "he  got  to  the  front"  in  splendid  style,  and  with 
such  vigor  as  to  carry  him  even  beyond  the  lines  for  a 
period,  during  which  he  was  an  unwilling  boarder  at 
some  of  the  famous,  or  rather  infamous,  Confederate  "ho- 
tels." The  fi-rst  enlistment  of  the  Captain  was  in  the  My- 
erstown Rifles,  Captain  Jerome  Myers,  for  the  three 
months'  service.  This  company  was  not  attached  to  any 
regiment,  and  when  they  reached  Harrisburg,  the  quota 
for  the  three  months'  service  being  filled,  the  company  was 
ordered  to  Camp  Curtin,  where  it  remained  until  the  pass- 
ing of  the  Act  organizing  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves.  He 
then  re-enlisted  in  Company  I,  7th  Pennsylvania  Reserves, 
the  company  being  commanded  by  Captain  Jerome  Myers 
and  the  regiment  by  Colonel  Elisha  B.  Harvey.  To  follow 
this  company  through  the  vicissitudes  of  the  war  which 
drew  out  its  cruel  length  through  the  ensuing  four  years 
would  be  but  the  relation  of  battles  fought  and  hardships 
endured.  It  is  enough  to  say  that  it  was  with  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  in  all  of  its  struggles  against  Lee,  acquit- 
ting itself  nobly  in  field  and  camp.  This  is  vividlv  at- 
tested by  the  fact  that  of  the  ninety-five  who  marched  out 
of  Myerstown  on  that  July  day  of  1861,  but  sixteen 
answered  to  roll-call  as  they  stood  again  in  their  home 
town  after  the  conflict.  These  ninety-five  had  been  cut 
to  thirty-three  by  the  time  of  the  Battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
where  the  company  together  with  the  entire  regiment  was 
captured  by  the  Confederates  on  May  5,  1864.  Then  en- 
sued the  horrors  of  Southern  prison  life,  the  rigors  of 
which   carried    away   seventeen    of   the   company,    the    rest 


to  be  paroled  in  an  emaciated  and  most  pitiful  condition. 
The  Captain's  personal  experiences  during  these  harrow- 
ing months  were  such  as  came  to  all,  with  the  exception 
of  those  which  occurred  during  an  attempted  escape  from 
the  prison  at  Columbia,  S.  C.  Getting  well  away  from 
his  captors,  he  spent  three  weeks  in  the  swamps  and  low- 
lands, pursued  by  fierce  blood  hounds  and  fiercer  men. 
Weak  and  almost  exhausted  from  hunger  and  exposure, 
he  one  day  became  aware  that  they  were  close  on  his 
trail.  With  the  blood  hounds  baying  closely  behind  him, 
he  attempted  to  vault  a  rail  fence,  and  in  his  weakness  fell 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  injure  his  right  leg — and  the  game 
was  up.  He  was  recaptured  and  thenceforth  treated  with 
greater  severity  than  ever.  The  injury  was  so  severe  that 
it  will  continue  to  cause  the  Captain  trouble  through  all  his 
life.  During  his  prison  experience  the  Captain  was  con- 
fined in  the  following  places :  Danville,  Va. ;  JMacon,  Ga. ; 
Savannah,  Ga. ;  Charleston,  S.  C.  (.where  500  officers  were 
confined  and  lay  under  the  fire  of  their  own  guns  on 
Morris  Island  for  three  weeks,  being  in  constant  danger 
of  exploding  shells);  and  Goldsboro,  X^  Q-  ^\■^^  time  of 
imprisonment  covering  eleven  wear}'  months.  Carrying 
180  pounds  not  one  of  which  was  superfluous,  strong  and 
healthy  at  the  time  of  his  capture.  Captain  Ziegler  returned 
after  his  parole  broken  in  health  and  weighing  but  120 
pounds.  The  Captain's  title  came  to  him  by  brevet  for 
gallant  conduct  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  He  had 
risen  by  successive  promotions  from  the  ranks  to  second 
sergeant,  to  first  sergeant,  second  lieutenant,  and  first 
lieutenant.  He  was  in  command  of  the  company  while 
first  sergeant  for  five  months,  and  for  over  a  year  while 
first  lieutenant,  and  led  it  in  many  of  its  fiercest  engage- 
ments. 

"All  honor  to  the  Old   Guard, 

They  did  their  best; 
They  have  laid  aside  the  old  sword, 
Shall  it  not  rest?" 

The  war  over.  Captain  Ziegler  and  his  compatriots  sur- 
prised many  European  critics  by  returning  quietly  to  the 
avocations  of  peace.  He  took  up  the  tangled  '  threads 
vvhere  he  had  cast  them  aside  four  years  before,  and  con- 
tinued that  line  of  work  until  1S71  in  his  home  town,  when 
he  moved  to  Reading,  where  he  has  since  resided.  His 
business  location  was  for  a  time  at  Seventh  and  Court 
streets,  and  later  at  No.  425  Penn  street,  where  he  operated 
successfully  for  eleven  years,  from  which  place  he  re- 
moved to  his  present  location.  No.  355  Penn  street,  where 
he  conducts  one  of  the  largest  wall  paper  and  paint  houses 
in  the  city. 

A  splendid  soldier,  Captain  Ziegler  has  been  equally 
faithful  as  a  citizen,  ever  true  to  his  ideals  of  good  govern- 
ment. .^\  Republican  in  politics  he  has  never  sought  office, 
though  in  1890  he  was  prominently  mentioned  for  appoint- 
ment to  the  postmastership  of  the  "city.  He  holds  member- 
ship in  many  of  the  best  fraternities,  notablv  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows, the  Red  Men,  and  the  Knights  of  the'Golden  Eagle: 
and  he  of  course  is  a  popular  member  of  the  different 
soldier  organizations,— the  Grand  .-Vrmy  of  the  Republic, 
the  Veteran  Legion,  and  the  Ex-Prisoners  of  War  .\sso- 
ciation.  His  church  affiliation  is  with  the  First  Reformed 
Church  of  Reading. 

On  Nov.  25,  1866,  Captain  Ziegler  married  ^Nliss  Clara 
Bennethum,  daughter  of  John  L.  Bennethum,  who  for 
many  years  conducted  a  hotel  at  Alyerstown,  and  later  was 
in  the  clothing  business  in  Reading.  To  the  Captain's  mar- 
riage one  son  was  born,  named  Aaron  D..  now  in  attendance 
in  the  public  high  school.  Full  of  years,  passing  into  a 
happy  and  peaceful  old  age,  with  manv  of  the  friends  of 
his  youth  on  this  side  to  do  him  honor,  this  old  soldier 
looks  back  on  a  life  well  spent,  receiving  the  grateful  ac- 
knowledgments of  a  united  republic,  and  meriting  the 
universal   esteem   which   is  accorded   him. 

WILLIAM  FRANKLIN  BOND  is  of  mixed  English 
and  Pennsylvania-German  blood,  son  of  Edwin  Bond  and 
Catharine  Anne  (Stump),  He  was  born  Oct.  31.  1861, 
the  anniversary  of  the  German  Reformation,  in  Green- 
wich township,  Berks  Co,,  Pa„  near  Lenhartsville,  a  town- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


419 


ship  noted  for  teachers  who  have  become  ministers  of 
the   Lutheran  and   Reformed   Churches. 

Edward  Bond,  his  paternal  grandfather,  emigrated  to 
America  with  several  older  brothers,  John  and  Thomas, 
from  Longington,  on  the  Itching  rivulet,  a  branch  of  the 
Avon  river,  in  Warwickshire,  England,  ten  miles  from 
Coventry  and  eight  from  Warwick,  near  the  place  where 
Shakespeare  was  born.  These  three  brothers,  with  a 
number  of  other  English  emigrants  sailed  from  Liverpool 
in  the  vessel  "Montezuma,"  landing  in  Philadelphia  June 
14,  1829.  Being  craftsmen  in  wood  and  iron  industries. 
Grandfather  Bond  and  his  brothers  sought  employment 
in  Schuylkill  county,  then  new  territory,  in  which  much 
construction  work  was  going  on,  the  coal  production  being 
yet,  however,  in  its  infancy — though  the  mining  of  the 
"black  diamond"  was  the  excitement  of  the  country  at 
that  time,  attracting  adventurous  laborers  from  all  over 
the  world.  The  older  brothers,  John  and  Thomas,  having 
been  married,  later  on  settled  in  Tamaqua,  where  Bond's 
drug  store  and  Bond's  blacksmith  shop  are  well  known 
to  this  day.  Grandfather  Edward  Bond  came  across  the 
Atlantic  as  a  single  young  man  and  remained  settled  at 
Port  Clinton  inthe  Schuylkill  Water  Gap,  the  very  "port" 
or  mouth  of.  the  anthracite  coal  region.  There  he  married 
Miss  Mary  Magdalene  Yenser,  reported  to  have  been  of 
German-French  descent. 

It  was  at  Port  Clinton  that  Edwin  Bond,  the  father 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  Feb.  22,  1839. 
When  he  was  only  nine  years  old  his  mother  died,  and 
his  father,  a  carpenter,  lost  his  life  by  accident,  Aug.  25, 
1854,  while  working  on  a  bridge  of  the  Little  Schuylkill 
railroad.  He  helped  to  construct  that  road,  which  was  at 
first  laid  with  wooden  rails,  covered  with  iron  sheathing. 
The  coal  cars  were  moved  originally  with  horse-power. 
An  interesting  incident  is  remembered  in  this  connection, 
which  shows  that  the  Bonds  early  took  an  active  interest 
in  public  education.  It  is  known  that  the  adoption  of 
the  public  school  system  was  originally  submitted  to  the 
voters  of  the  various  precincts.  The  cause  had  been  several 
times  before  the  voters,  but  had  been  as  of  ten  defeated  in  the 
Port  Clinton  district.  It  so  happened  that  a  deep  snow  fell 
the  night  before  another  election,  when  the  matter  was 
before  the  voters  again,  and  the  anti-public  school  party 
not  being  on  their  guard,  John  Bond,  one  of  the  emigrant 
brothers,  who  furnished  some  half  dozen  or  more  teams 
to  haul  coal  down  the  Little  Schuylkill,  on  the  morning 
of  election  day  said  to  his  men :  "Now,  boys,  this  is  our 
opportunity.  We  can't  haul  coal  today.  Let's  haul  pro- 
school  voters  to  the  polls."  They  did;  and  the  result  was 
that  the  public  schools  were  adopted  in  that  precinct 
somewhat  earlier  than  in  the  adjoining  districts,  and  it 
became  a  leader  in  the  line  of  progress  and  enterprise. 

When  yet  a  half  orphan  Edwin  Bond  was  temporarily 
placed  by  his  father  with  James  Moyer,  a  wholesale  cigar 
dealer  and  manufacturer  of  Hamburg,  this  county.  When 
his  father  so  soon  also  died,  he  was  given  a  more  perma- 
nent home  at  his  own  request  by  his  maternal  uncle, 
George  Yenser,  who  lived  in  Albany  township,  Berks 
county.  Thus  by  a  strange  coincidence  the  father  of  our 
subject,  Edwin  Bond,  was  confirmed  in  the  Lutheran  faith 
in  the  same  New  Bethel  Church  of  Albany  in  whose  ceme- 
tery the  remains  of  his  great-great-grandfather,  Hans 
Georg  Stump,  were  resting.  Later  George  Yenser  moved 
to  Greenwich  township,  near  Lenhartsville,  where  he  be- 
came a  prosperous  farmer  and  was  one  of  the  prime  mov- 
ers in  the  erection  of  the  Friedens  Evangelical  Lutheran 
and  Reformed  Church  of  that  place. 

Though  early  deprived  of  parental  love  and  influence, 
Edwin  Bond  did  not  forget,  as  Moses  in  Egypt  did  not, 
the  religion  taught  by  his  mother.  He  was  of  a  pious 
and  devoted  turn  of  heart  and  mind.  Edwin's  brother, 
John  Bond,  left  the  drug  store  to  his  namesake  in  Tam- 
aqua and  moved  to  Kansas.  A  younger  brother,  George, 
has  lived  for  many  years  in  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  where  he 
invented  a  practical  feature  of  the  air-brake  system. 
There  were  three  sisters :  Ellen,  who  died  a  few  years 
ago  in   Pottsville,   Katie,  wife  of  Jacob   Boyer,  of  Lewis- 


town,  and  Sarah,  wife  of  Frank  Diehl,  of  St.  Clair,  the 
latter  two  still  living  in  Schuylkill  county. 

Whilst  ooir  subject  is  the  third  generation  in  this 
country  of  paternal  English  descent,  he  is  the  fifth  gener- 
ation as  to  his  maternal  German  lineage.  The  first  ma- 
ternal ancestor  in  America  was  John  George  Stump,  who 
emigrated  from  Germany,  it  is  believed  from  Wurtemberg, 
between  the  years  1717  and  1720.  Bayard  Taylor,  in  his 
"History  of  Germany,"  states  (pp.  437-444)  that  this  was 
a  trying  period  for  many  German  citizens,  when  the  rude 
and  arbitrary  Frederick  William  I.  ruled  over  Prussia. 
"The  collective  history  of  the  German  States — for  we 
can  hardly  say  'History  of  Germany,'  when  there  really  was 
no  Germany — at  this  timie,  is  a  continuous  succession  of 
wars  and  diplomatic  intrigues,  which  break  out  in  one 
direction  before  they  are  settled  in  another."  The  War  of 
the  Spanish  Succession  raging  along  the  Rhine  kept  the 
southern  part  of  Germany  in  a  state  of  convulsion  for 
some  ydars.  The  luxury,  jealousy  and  extravagance  of 
the  petty  princes  made  life  hard  for  the  common  people. 
"In  Wiirtemberg  the  Duke  Eberhard  Ludwig  so  oppressed 
the  people  that  many  of  them  emigrated  to  America  be- 
tween the  years  1717  and  1720  and  settled  in  Pennsyl- 
vania." This  history  well  corresponds  with  what  our 
subject  remembers  related  by  his  maternal  grandparents 
about  the  hardships  the  earlier  ancestors  endured  in  the 
mother  country;  that  they  came  to  this  "land  of  the  free" 
as  serfs,  being  obliged  to  earn  off  their  passage  across  the 
waters  after  they  had  landed  on  these  shores.  But  they 
prized  their  religious  and  political  liberty  higher  than  their 
homes  and  landed  possessions  yonder,  which  by  the  rav- 
ages of  war  and  cruel  confiscation  were  to  them  of  little 
value.  That  the  Stumps  came  from  Wiirtemberg,  Ger- 
many, is  further  substantiated  by  an  account  found  in 
"Thirty  Thousand  Emigrants,"  which  states  that  Philip 
Stumpff  came  across  with  290  passengers  on  the  ship  "Ja- 
cob," Adolph  D.  Grove,  captain,  sailing  from  Amsterdam, 
by  way  of  Shields,  England. 

Family  tradition  says  that  John  George  Stump  was 
"bound"  out  in  one  of  the  lower  sections  of  Pennsylvania, 
possibly  near  New  Hanover,  Montgomery  county,  until  he 
had  earned  his  freedom,  when  he  moved  with  otbers  from 
New  Hanover  to  Albany  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.  For 
it  is  stated  by  Rev.  Prof.  W.  J.  Mann,  D.  D.,  and  Rev. 
B.  M.  Schmucker,  D.  D.,  in  "Halle  Reports,"  that  "Alle- 
maengel,"  as  Albany  township  was  first  called,  was  largely 
settled  by  people  from  New  Hanover  (Vol.  I,  p.  415).  The 
name  "Allemaengel"  is  said  to  be  of  German  origin,  and 
is  supposed  to  designate  the  poverty  and  misfortune  of  the 
first  settlers,  who  found  a  barren  country  where  there 
was  a  "want  of  all  good  and  necessary  things."  But  this 
idea  is  not  sustained  by  others;  for  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Schmidt,  who  was  secretary  of  the  Ministerium  of  Penn- 
sylvania in  the  year  1796,  has  added  in  the  written  minutes 
of  the  Synod  by  way  of  explanation  the  word  "Allemin- 
gao,"  showing  that  "the  former  name  for  "Albany"  was 
of  Indian  origin,  and  likely  meant  the  very  opposite  of 
"wanting  all  good  and  necessary  things."  Furthermore, 
the  Rev.  J.  H.  Dubbs,  in  his  "History  of  the  Lehigh  Val- 
ley" (p.  304),  compares  "Allemaengel"  with  "Egypt,"  as 
a  section  of  country  at  the  southern  slope  of  the  Blue 
Mountains  known  for  its  fertility.  It  is  a  fact  established 
by  research  on  the  part  of  our  subject  that  the  earliest 
Church  Record  and  Constitution  of  the  New  Bethel  Luth- 
eran and  Reformed  Church  located  in  this  very  "corner" 
of  Albany  township  names  the  community  as  "Das  Rosen- 
thal," that  is,  "The  Valley  of  Roses,"  and  hence  instead 
of  being  "sterile"  it  was  a  land  "flowing  with  milk  and 
honey."  Besides,  why  would  a  barren  country  attract  new 
settlers?  The  New  Bethel  Church  Record  dates  back 
to  1761,  and  John  George  Stump  must  then  have  lived 
for  some  time  in  that  community.  At  any  rate,  he  was 
one  of  the  earliest  members,  if  not  founders,  of  that 
church.  It  is  also  a  matter  of  record  in  the  "Halle  Re- 
ports" that  the  Rev.  Pastor  Schaum,  an  associate  and  co- 
worker with  the  Rev.  Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg,  D.  D., 
was  married  on  Aug.  7,  1753,  to  a  Miss  "Maria  Dorothea 
Stumpf,"    who   may    have   been    a    near    relative,    for   the 


420 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


n?,me  in  the  Albany  Church  Record  is  found  sometimes 
with   an    "f,''    or   a   second    "p"   added. 

It  is  altogether  possible  that  John  George  Stump  heard 
the  pioneer  pastor  Muhlenberg  preach ;  for  it  is  reported 
in  the  hitter's  "Diary"  that  he  visited  '•Allemaengel" 
Church  in  March.  1747,  which  at  that  time  must  have  been 
the  "Red  Church"  near  Wessnersville,  to  which  church 
the  settlers  of  West  "Corner"  Albany  resorted  until  the 
establishment  of  the  New  Bethel  congregation  in  1761 
fourteen  years  later.  Be  that  as  it  may,  certain  it  is  that 
the  pioneer  Stump  secured  a  large  tract  on  the  west 
side  of  Round  Top  Mountain  in  Albany,  the  farm  at  pres- 
ent owned  by  James  S.  Focht,  who  successfully  operates 
a  lucrative  red  paint  mine  near  Greenawalt's  Station  along 
the  Berks  &  Lehigh  Branch  of  the  Reading  Railway,  being 
a  part  of  the  original  grant  and  the  once  Stump  home- 
stead. 

When  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  a  boy  of  about 
twelve  years  the  late  Amos  Trexler,  who  then  conducted 
a  tannery  on  these  same  premises,  pointing  to  an  im- 
mense willow  tree  standing  close  by  his  pits,  said  ;  "There 
stands  your  great-great-grandfather's  riding  whip!"  Being 
asked  for  an  explanation,  he  said,  that  when  long  ago 
John  George  Stump  was  out  on  business  one  day  riding  on 
horseback  through  Indian  trails,  he  brought  home  a  little 
willow  whip  which  he  had  used  to  drive  his  steed,  and 
which,  as  he  arrived  home,  he  flung  into  the  streamlet 
there.  The  riding  whip  developed  roots  and  grew  into  a 
mighty  tree,  standing  as  a  silent  witness  to  future  genera- 
tions of  him  who  thus  inadvertently  planted  it.  destined  to 
be  a  more  enduring  monument  to  his  memory  than  the  soft 
sandy  tombstones  quarried  on  his  own  lands  for  his  own 
sepulture  in  the  New  Bethel  cemetery. 

The  next  in  line  of  kinship  was  John  Stump,  who 
seems  to  have  moved  farther  south.  His  remains  lie 
buried  at  the  Dunkel's  Church  in  Greenwich  township. 
The  third  was  Samuel  Stump,  born  Oct.  16,  1794,  and  died 
March  4,  1864.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Rachel  Leiby, 
born  April  15,  1801,  died  ]\Iarch  22,  1875.  Both  are  buried 
at  the  Friedens  Church  of  Lenhartsville,  which  they 
helped  to  erect.  They  lived  on  the  southwest  side  of 
Round  Top  Mountain,  where  our  subject  was  born.  They 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Nathan,  of 
near  Klinesville :  Joel,  of  Liscum ;  Peter,  of  Lenhartsville ; 
Moses,  Aaron,  Samuel  and  Gideon,  all  deceased;  Mary, 
widow  of  Isaac  .Aliller,  of  Oklahoma;  Elizabeth,  of  Kemp- 
ton,  widovv'  of  Nathan  Dietrich,  who  died  on  the  old 
George  Yenser  homestead  in  Albany;  and  Catharine,  the 
youngest  daughter  and  mother  of  our  subject. 

While  growing  up  the  Rev.  ^Mr.  Bond  learned  the  shoe- 
maker's trade  before  the  days  of  shoe  factories,  when  there 
was  a  great  demand  for  hand-made  shoes.  Early  he 
learned  to  wield  the  hammer  and  ply  the  awl.  He  con- 
tinued to  work  at  his  father's  trade  till  his  eighteenth 
year,  when  his  parents  "gave  him  free"  out  of  kindness  to 
allow  him  an  opportunity  to  prepare  for  the  Gospel  min- 
istry, as  in  fact  they  did  all  their  surviving  six  sons 
ar,d  three  daughters.  He  began  for  himself  as  many  min- 
isters here  and  elsewhere  have  done.  In  a  newspaper 
article  concerning  Mr.  Bond  and  his  work  which  ap- 
peared in  a  Berks  county  paper  not  long  ago  it  was  said: 
"For  many  years  the  teaching  profession  in  Berks  county 
has  been  a  stepping-stone  to  the  ministry,  and  ninety  per 
cent  of  the  ministers  of  this  county  of  all  denominations 
have  been  public  school  teacliers  before  they  took  up  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel.  One  of  these  prominent  teach- 
ers, who  gave  up  school  life  for  the  pulpit,  was  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Franklin  Bond,  of  Shamrock." 

He  obtained  his  common  school  education  in  the  Zettle- 
meyer's  school,  near  Lenhartsville,  which  place  has  lately 
been  selected  as  a  health  resort  by  Banker  Eckert  of  Read- 
ing, where  the  financier  has  erected  a  beautiful  and  well 
equipped  summer  home.  The  school  was  from  1867  to 
ls7ti  under  the  instruction  of  Charles  Christ,  Peter  Nagle, 
Percival  Christman,  Frank  Kaufman,  each  for  one  vear, 
>Ioses  S.  Greenawalt  for  seven  years,  and  George  W. 
Ziegler.  M.  D..  now  in  Philadelphia,  for  one  vear.  The 
adjoining  school   in   .Albany  township   taught  by  .Amos   S. 


Greenawalt,  being  more  advanced,  was  attended  for  one 
term.  Country  schools  then  were  only  open  five  months  in  a 
year,  of  which  a  month  and  more  on  an  average  was 
omitted  in  fall  on  account  of  the  busy  harvest  season 
in  the  family  trade. 

In  the  fall  of  1880  he  attended  seven  weeks  select  school 
at  Heinley's  in  Albany,  taught  by  the  now  sainted  mission- 
ary, the  Rev.  Frank  S.  Dietrich,  then  a  student  in  the 
Theological  Seminary  in  Philadelphia.  Our  subject 
taught  four  terms  :  one  under  Supt.  Samuel  A.  Baer,  the 
Miller-Clauser  school  in  Albany,  in  1880-81;  and  three 
under  Supt.  David  S.  Keck — the  Waganian's  or  Independ- 
ent district  school  in  Greenwich,  1881-82;  the  Lenharts- 
ville school,  1882-83,  just  before  that  town  incorporated 
into  a  borough,  and  when  seventy-two  pupils  were  enrolled 
and  sixty  averaged  during  the  term;  and  the  Neff's  school 
in  Maxatawny  township,  1883-84.  Between  public  school 
terms  he  attended  the  spring  and  fall  sessions  at  the  Key- 
stone State  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown,  from  1881-84. 
He  entered  Muhlenberg  College,  at  AUentown,  in  1884, 
and  graduated  in  1888.  While  at  college  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Euterpean  Literary  Society,  which  elected 
him  to  the  associate  editorship  of  ''The  Muhlenberg"  in 
1888.  At  the  end  of  the  Sophomore  year  he  received  a 
$15  prize  for  a  contest  essay  entitled  "The  Physical  Basis 
of  Musical  Sound";  also  the  Junior  oratorical  prize  of 
$25  in  1887,  and  honorable  mention  for  standing  in  class 
at  graduation.  He  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  of 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  in  Philadelphia  in  1888, 
and  graduated  in  May,  1891.  He  was  ordained  to  the 
office  of  the  ministry  in  the  Lutheran  Church  by  the  Min- 
isterium  of  Pennsylvania  in  Emanuel's  Church  at  Potts- 
town,  Pa.,  Alay  26,  1891,  and  immediately  thereafter  became 
pastor  of  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Tower  Citv,  Schuvikill 
Co.,   Pa. 

Mr.  Bond  was  married  to  Miss  Amy  H.  Brehm,  orig- 
inally of  Lancaster  county,  later  of  .-Vllentown,  whose 
parents — Philip  Wineland  and.  Barbara  (Hamaker)  Brehm 
— are  still  living  in  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  Oct.  1.  1891.  This 
union  was  blessed  with  two  sons  and  two  daughters, 
Paul,  John,  Mary  and  Anna,  all  of  whom  survive.  Their 
mother  died  of  blood  poisoning  July  30,  1901,  aged  thirty- 
six  years.  Her  remains  rest  in  the  Zion's  Lutheran  and 
Reformed  cemetery  in  Tower  City,  Pennsylvania. 

During  his  first  pastorate  of  over  thirteen  vears  a  debt 
resting  upon  St.  Paul's  Church  of  Tower  City  was  paid, 
a  new  and  commodious  parsonage  was  erected  and  St. 
Peter's  Church  at  Orwin,  Pa.,  was  renovated.  While  at 
Tower  City  he  was  secretary  of  the  Pottsville  Conference 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Ministerium  for  some  seven  years. 
In  August,  1904,  he  received  a  call  to  the  Bowers-Long- 
swamp  Parish,  consisting  of  four  thriving  congregations 
in  southeastern  Berks  which  he  accepted  when  Rev.  M.  C. 
Horine,  D,  D.,  was  President  of  the  Svnod,  and  Rev.  E. 
T.  Horn,  D.  D.,  LL.  D..  was  President  of  the  Reading  Con- 
ference, to  which  the  parish  belongs.  He  was  installed 
Nov.  27,  1904,  at  the  Huff's  Church  in  Hereford  township. 
Rev.  F.  K.  Bernd,  now  President  of  the  Reading  Con- 
ference, and  Rev.  John  H.  Raker,  the  second  superintend- 
ent of  the  Lutheran  Orphans'  Home,  at  Topton,  Pa.,  con- 
ducting  the   installation   services. 

To  quote  again  from  the  newspaper  article  mentioned, 
Mr.  Bond  has  since  "answered  the  manv  calls  to  minis- 
terial duties  of  four  thriving  Berks  "  county  congre- 
S^tions  one  of  the  largest  Berks  county 

charges  of  the  Lutheran  denomination,  consisting  of 
Bowers,  Longswamp,  New  Jerusalem  and  Huff's  Churches, 
which  for  thn-ty  years  had  been  serx'ed  by  Rev.  D  K 
Humbert.  ^  This  is  one  of  the  charges  in  Berks  county 
where  a  minister  must  be  of  the  most  strenuous  type.  The 
congregations  are  widely  scattered  in  the  mountainous  sec- 
tions, and  they  have  a  membership  of  several  thousand. 

"Ill  a  ser\ice  of  seventeen  vears  Rev.  Bond  preached 
over  2.600  sermons,  baptized  nearlv  1,200  children,  con- 
firmed 700  members,  wedded  over  200  couples  and  con- 
ducted nearly  500  funerals,  besides  making  hundreds  of 
addresses  at  public  gatherings  and  collecting  thousands 
of  dollars  for  benevolent  and  church  purposes." 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


421 


Mr.  Bond  was  married  again,  on  Oct.  30,  1904,  in  Tower 
City,  Pa.,  to  Mrs.  Katie  Eva  Snyder,  a  daughter  of  the 
late  Philip  Krebs  and  wife  Sarah  (Grumbein),  originally 
of  Lebanon  county.  Her  mother  still  survives  in  Tower 
City,  Pa.  Mr.  Bond  with  his  family  now  resides  in  the 
Uriah  Biery  homestead  at  Shamrock,  Longswamp  town- 
ship, this  county. 

Having  been  in  humble  circumstances,  Mr.  Bond  received 
aid  from  the  Ministerium  of .  Pennsylvania  through  the 
recommendation  of  his  pastor,  the  late  Rev.  B.  S.  Smoll, 
and  the  Rev.  F.  J.  F.  Schantz,  D.  D.,  chairman  of  the  then 
executive  committee,  to  complete  his  collegiate  and  theo- 
logical training,  which  aid,  out  of  gratitude  and  love,  and 
from  a  sense  of  bounden  duty,  he  has  by  strenuous  ef- 
forts returned,  that  the  same  might  be  used  again  and 
again  to  help  worthy  young  men  to  prepare  for  the  Gospel 
Ministry.  His  beloved  parents,  to  whom  he  owes  a  never- 
to-be-paid  debt  of  gratitude,  are  still  living  at  Lenharts- 
ville,  nearing  the  seventieth  milestone  in  their  toilsome 
pilgrimage  of  life. 

FISHER.  The  Fisher  family  is  traced  as  far  back 
as  (I)  Henry  Fisher,  the  great-grandfather  of  Daniel  D. 
Fisher,  of  Oley  township.  He  was  born  in  Heidelberg 
township,  Berks  county,  but  came  to  Oley  township  when  a 
young  man  and  took  up  some  337  acres  of  fertile  land 
one  mile  north  of  the  "Yellow  House,"  most  of  which  land 
has  been  in  the  possession  of  the  family  ever  since.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  common  sense  and  when  he  put  up  his 
home  in  1801,  he  built  it  so  substantially  that  it  still 
stands  as  a  comfortable  shelter  for  his  great-great-grand- 
children. He  is  buried  in  Huntingdon  county,  his  death 
occurring  while  on  a  visit  there.  His  daughter  Polly 
had  married  Henry  S.  Spang,  of  Huntingdon,  and  he 
had  gone  to  pay  her  a  visit,  but  he  was  advanced  in  years 
and  the  trip  proved  too  much  for  him.  Ofl  Jan.  1,  1781,  he 
married  Susanna  Ruth,  also  of  Heidelberg  township,  born 
Oct.  29,  1761,  daughter  of  Christian  Ruth.  After  forty 
years,  four  months  and  eleven  days  of  married  life,  she 
died  May  13,  1821,  aged  fifty-nine  years,  six  months  and 
thirteen  days.  She  was  the  first  to  be  buried  in  the  then 
newly  acquired  burial  plot  of  the  Oky  Churches.  Th^se 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Fisher :  John, 
of  Oley,  but  later  of  Hereford  township;  Samuel  of  Oley 
township ;  Daniel,  of  Oley  township ;  Henry,  of  Oley,  who 
left  home  and  as  his  whereabouts  could  not  be  traced, 
was  given  up  as  lost;  Sally  Ann,  married  to  Jacob  V.  R. 
Hunter,  of  Reading,  who  operated  Sally  Ann  Furnace,  of 
Rockland  township,  Berks  county  (named  after  Mrs. 
Hunter),  which  furnace  was  discontinued  in  1869;  and 
Polly,  married  to  Henry  S.  Spang,  also  one  of  the  pioneer 
iron-masters  of  Pennsylvania,  who  operated  the  Etna 
Works,  of  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania. 

(H)  Daniel  Fisher,  grandfather  of  Daniel  D.,  was  a 
native  of  Oley  township,  born  on  the  Fisher  homestead 
June  23,  1795,  and  died  July  16,  1839.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  prospered  in  his  work.  He  attended  the  Philadelphia 
market  twice  a  week  during  fall  and  winter  in  a  big 
wagon,  and  was  an  excellent  teamster.  His  wife,  Mary 
Gernand,  daughter  of  George  Gernand,  of  Spring  town- 
ship, was  born  March  4,  1803,  and  died  J.an.  27,  1878.  They 
are  both  buried  at  Oley  Cemetery.  Their  children  were: 
John  G. ;  E.  Matilda  m.  Abner  Griesemer,  of  Oley  town- 
sffip;  Hannah  (unmarried)  ;  Sarah  m.  Frank  C.  Butz;  and 
Deborah  G.  and  B.  Amelia  (unmarried). 

Miss  B.  Amelia  Fisher  was  born  on  the  Fisher  home- 
stead Sept.  2,  1839,  and  has  always  lived  here,  now  making 
her  home  with  her  nephew,  Daniel  D.  Fisher.  She  is  an 
intelligent  lady  and  can  speak  both  English  and  German. 
She  is  a  great  reader,  preferring  historical  works;  and 
she  is  also  very  fond  of  flowers.  Possessing  bountiful 
means,  she  is  very  charitable,  and  has  many  warm  personal 
friends  who  admire  her  many  talents  and  her  pleasant 
manner. 

(HI)  John  G.  Fisher,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Ger- 
nand), was  born  June  22,  1834,  and  died  July  1,  1887,  aged 
sixty-three  years  and  nine  days.  He  is  buried  at  Oley 
cemetery.     His    wife    was    Mary   Ann   Davidheiser,    born 


Feb.  23,  1835,  died  Feb.  28,  1893.  They  were  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Emma  L.,  deceased;  Daniel  D. ; 
Henry  G.,  deceased ;  and  Ella,  of  Philadelphia.  John  G. 
Fisher  was  a  life-long  farmer  of  Oley  township,  residing 
upon  the  homestead.  He  was  a  man  of  enterprise  and 
intelligence.  He  possessed  a  retentive  memory  and  was 
a  well-read  man,  sharing  many  of  his  sister's  characteristics. 

(IV)  Daniel  D.  Fisher  was  born  on  his  great-grand- 
father's homestead  one  mile  north  of  the  "Yellow  House," 
Aug.  2,  1860.  He  was  brought  up  on  the  farm  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  and  the  Oley  Academy.  When 
only  sixteen  years  of  age  he  was  licensed  to  teach,  by  Prof. 
Samuel  A.  Baer,  then  county  superintendent,  and  taught 
his  first  term  in  Earl  township,  and  the  following  six 
tertns  in  Oley  township.  In  1883  he  engaged  in  the  huck- 
ster— produce,  butter  and  egg — business.  Six  years  later  he 
bought  the  Fisher  homestead,  consisting  of  150  acres  of 
some  of  the  best  land  in  the  Oley  valley.  Since  then  he 
has  added  to  his  number  of  acres,  and  now  has  156  acres. 
The  house  on  the  farm,  as  before  mentioned,  was  built  by 
his  great-grandfather  Henry  Fisher.  The  masonry  of 
this  house  is  beautiful,  the  stones  nearly  all  being  rect- 
angular shaped,  and  the  plaster  is  of  the  very  best.  The 
present  barn  was  built  by  John  G.  Fisher  in  1862. 

Mr.  Fisher  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  his  township 
as  school  director  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  He  was 
auditor  of  Oley  township,  when  but  twenty-three  years 
old,  and  held  the  position  for  three  years.  He  was  com- 
mitteeman of  Oley  township  many  years,  has  served  as 
delegate  to  mlany  conventions,  town,  county,  and  also 
State,  was  secretary  of  the  County  Standing  Committee 
for  three  years,  and  has  been  in  every  way  prominent 
and  public-spirited.  Mr.  jFisher  and  family  are  members 
of  Salem  Reformed  Church  in  Oley,  of  which  he  was 
deacon  for  four  years,  and  he  has  been  trustee  for  many 
years  of  this  congregation.  In  addition  to  his  other 
interests  Mr.  Fisher  is  a  director  of  the  Farmers'  National 
Bank  of  Boyertown,  holding  that  office  since  1897.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Oley, 
and  became  its  first  treasurer  and  is  a  stockholder  of  the 
Yellow  House  Creamery  Association,  as  well  as  its  treas- 
urer. He  is  a  member  of  the  Berks  Cocinty  Historical  So- 
ciety, and  is  a  man  well  posted  on  national  and  local 
history. 

In  1880,  Mr.  Fisher  married  Olivia  B.  Herbein,  daughter 
of  Albraham  and  Eliza  (Brumbach)  Herbein,  of  Oley  town- 
ship. The  following  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fisher :  John,  a  graduate  of  the  Keystone  State  Nor- 
mal School,  class  of  1902,  married  Verna  Spohn,  and  has 
two  children.  Otto  and  Marjorie;  James  H.,  a  farmer  of 
Oley,  married  Hannah  Strunk,  and  has  a  daughter,  Erma; 
Ella  married  Lawrence  Matthias,  of  Earl  township,  and 
has  a  son,  Russel  (they  reside  with  Mr.  Fisher)  ;  Nevin 
D.  and  Daniel  W.  are  unmarried  and  residing  at  home; 
Mary  Eliza  died  in  1885;  Henry  Wayne  died  in  1890; 
and  twins  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Fisher  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  Oley 
township,  and  his  public  spirit  and  progressiveness  have 
placed  him  before  the  people  of  his  locality  upon  many 
occasions. 

JOHN  B.  DAMPMAN  was  born  in  .Chester  county.  Pa., 
July  39,  1851.  He  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Catharine 
(Buchanan)  Dampman,  being  descended  both  on  his 
father's  and  mother'.^  side  from  the  early  settlers  of 
Chester  county.  ^ 

Mr.  Dampman  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Chester  county,  was  a  student  in  New  England 
schools,  and  afterward  graduated  from  Pennington  (N.  J.) 
Seminary.  He  taught  school  in  both  Chester  and  Berks 
counties,  and  in  1873  entered  the  office  of  George  F.  Baer, 
as  a  student  at  law,  being  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Berks 
county  in  1875.  He  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession for  six  years,  and  in  1881  became  the  founder  of 
the  Reading  Herald,  continuing  as  its  editor  and  propri- 
etor for  fifteen  years,  during  which  time  he  made  it  a 
newspaper  of  considerable  force  in  the  community.  In 
1896  he  sold  the  Herald  to  William  McCormick  and  went 


423 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY.  PENNSYLVANIA 


upon  the  staflf  of  the  Pittsburg  Times,  as  editorial  writer 
and  literary  editor.  He  remained  there  for  upward  of 
five  years,  during  which  time  he  became  a  prominent  and 
well-known  figure  in  Pittsburg  journalism. 

In  1901  he  resigned  from  the  Times,  and  returning  to 
Reading  took  up  the  profession  of  advertising,  in  which 
he  has  had  considerable  success,  especially  in  the  line  of 
bank  advertising  and  in  political  advertising,  though  he 
has  been  busily  employed  also  in  mercantile  commissions. 
In  the  political  line  he  has  conducted  many  important 
campaigns,  one  of  which  was  the  notable  contest  which 
resulted  in  the  formation  of  Greater  Pittsburg. 

Mr.  Dampman  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Reading 
Press  Club  and  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  newspaper 
organizations,  having  been  for  two  terms  a  member  o-f  the 
governing  board  of  the  International  League  of  Press 
Clubs,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  founders.  He  was 
also  an  officer  of  the  Pittsburg  Press  Club  and  repre- 
sented that  organization  at  several  national  conventions. 

Mr.  Dampman  married  in  1879  Miss  Annie  L.  Frees,  of 
Reading,  and  has  one  son,  Lieutenant  Paul  E.  Dampman, 
of  the  United  States  navy,  who  graduated  from  the  Naval 
Academy  at  Annapolis  in  1904,  and  has  since  seen  service 
in  various  parts  of  the  world. 

DANIEL  H.  DEETER,  master  mechanic  of  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  Railway  Company,  is  a  native  son  of 
Reading,  Berks  county,  born  in  1863.  His  father,  Henry 
Deeter,  was  with  this  company  for  forty-seven  years,  the 
services  of  father  and  son  covering  the  remarkably  long 
period  of  sixty-five  years. 

Henry  Deeter  died  Sept.  28,  1887,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine 
years,  eleven  months,  after  a  successful  career  as  a  rail- 
road man.  When  only  a  boy  of  thirteen  he  became  loco- 
motive fireman  for  Timothy  Jackson,  and  at  the  early  age 
of  sixteen  was  made  a  locomotive  engineer.  He  continued 
in  that  capacity,  serving  also  as  wreck  master  and  engine- 
man  for  the  company  until  the  close  of  his  life.  Mr. 
Deeter  married  Lavinia  Holl,  and  to  them  were  born  six 
children,  namely:  Emma  (m.  William  Noll);  Henry  H., 
who  is  foreman  in  the  Port  Richmond  shops  of  the  Phil- 
adelphia &  Reading  Railway  Company,  Philadelphia;  An- 
nie (m.  J.  W.  Bennethum)  ;  Isaac  L.,  a  machinist;  Miss 
Mary  E.,  who  is  living  in  Philadelphia;  and  Daniel  H. 
The  father  of  this  family  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church.  For  thirty-eight  years  he  belonged  to  the  I.  O. 
O.  F. 

Daniel  H.  Deeter  was  educated  in  the  Reading  public 
schools  and  private  institutions.  He  took  up  the  study 
of  mechanical  drawing  under  Rosell  E.  Frentzel,  and  later 
had  private  instruction  in  that  line  from  Superintendents 
Good  and  Kemmerer  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  shops, 
serving  his  time  as  a  machinist,  as  well  as  in  drafting,  in 
the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company.  All 
of  his  working  years  have  been  passed  in  the  employ  of 
this  concern.  He  left  the  office  to  acquire  practical 
experience  in  the  care  and  operation  of  a  locomotive,  serv- 
ing as  fireman,  engineer,  wreck  master,  round  house  fore- 
man, assistant  road  foreman  of  engines,  road  foreman  of 
engines  and  on  July  16,  1900,  he  became  master  mechanic 
of  the  Philadelphia  and  New  York  division  of  the  road.  On 
Nov.  1,  1904,  he  was  raised  to  his  present  position,  that 
of  master  mechanic  at  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  loco- 
motive shops  in  Reading.  Here  he  has  2,500  men  under 
his  supervision,  and  some  idea  of  the  volume  of  work 
done  in  the  vast  establishment  may  be  gained  from  the 
statement  that  an  average  of  ninety  locomotives  is  turned 
out  monthly — new,  repaired  and  rebuilt. 

Mr.  Deeter  has  devoted  his  entire  life  to  acquiring  profic- 
iency in  his  chosen  calling.  Pie  has  never  spared  himself  in 
adding  to  his  general  knowledge  by  study  or  research,  and 
has  not  only  kept  abreast  of  modern  times  and  methods 
but  has  been  the  leader  in  many  of  the  most  progressive 
movements  of  his  day  in  his  line.  The  position  he  holds 
is  sufficient  evidence  of  his  ability,  and  of  his  right  to  be 
classed  among  the  foremost  men  of  the  present  time  in 
his  branch  of  mechanics.  His  practical  experience  in  his 
work  has  been  most  comprehensive.     Mr.  Deeter  is  a  self- 


made  man  in  the  truest  sense.  He  has  acquired  his  po- 
sition and  the  knowledge  which  enables  him  to  hold  it  by 
unceasing  efforts,  begun  in  early  life,  and  never  relaxed 
under  the  many  demands  made  upon  his  strength  and  time. 
His  attainments  are  noteworthy,  and  have  gained  him 
the  respect  and  admiration  of  all  the  men  with  whom  he 
has  been  brought  into  contact.  Mr.  Deeter  is  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Reading;  Lodge  of  Perfec- 
tion; Philadelphia  Consistory;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A. 
O.  N.  M.  S.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Reformed 
Church,  and  is  independent  in  politics. 

On  June  3,  1884,  Mr.  Deeter  married  Frances  C.  Harri- 
son, and  they  had  two  children;  J.  Harrison,  a  graduate 
of  Haven  College,  Philadelphia,  who  died  Aug.  35,  1907, 
aged  eighteen  years,  six  months ;  and  Evelyn,  at  school. 

ANDREW  SCHULTZ,  in  his  lifetime  one  of  the  exten- 
sive land  owners  of  Berks  county,  with  a  comfortable 
home  near  Barto,  was  born  in  Hereford  township,  Berks 
county.  May  19,  1813,  a  descendant  from  an  old  family 
which  came  to  Aimerica  from  the  Kingdom  of  Saxony. 

Melchior  Schultz  was  born  June  26,  1680,  and  he  died 
Feb.  15,  1734,  in  the  fifty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  at  Berth- 
elsdorf.  Saxony.  His  death  took  place  just  about  two 
months  before  the  time  set  for  his  emigration  to  America. 
His  children  were  :  George,  Melchior  and  Christopher,  the 
latter  of  whom  became  a  noted  minister. 

George  Schultz,  son  of  Melchior  and  brother  to  Rev. 
Christopher,  married,  Jan.  31,  1744.  Maria,  daughter  of 
Abraham  Yeakel,  and  they  made  their  home  in  Upper 
Hanover  township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.  Their  children 
were:  Abraham,  born  March  23,' 1747;  and  Melchior,  born 
March  25,  1756.  George  Schultz  died  Oct.  30,  1776,  aged 
sixty-five  years,  and  his  wife  Maria  passed  away  Dec.  13, 
1797,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years. 

Abraham  Schultz,  son  of  George  and  Maria,  was  born 
in  Upper  Hanover  township,  Montgomery  county, 
March  23,  1747.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  books  and,  hav- 
ing a  retentive  memory  and  comprehensive  mind,  he  be- 
came one  of  the  best  educated  men  of  the  time.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Schwenkfelder  religious  society,  and  he 
served  it  in  the  capacity  of  trustee,  school  inspector, 
teacher  and  catechist.  The  community  frequently  called 
his  services  into  requisition  as  scrivener  and  counsellor. 
In  1796  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly from  Montgomery  county.  He  died  on  Dec.  25,  1822. 
In  1771  he  married  Regina  Yeakle,  daughter  of  Chris- 
topher Yeakle,  and  their  children  were :  Benjamin  born 
July  20,  1772,  died  March  20,  1802;  Adam,  born  Sept.  20, 
1775;  Isaac,  born  March  4,  1778;  .\braham,  born  Feb  18 
1781,  died  March  23,  1802;  Frederick,  born  Aug.  10,  1784, 
died  Dec.  17,  1794;  Joseph,  born  Jan.  22,  1787;  and  Mel- 
chior, born  June  23,   1789. 

Adam  Schultz,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born  Sept.  20,  1775, 
in  Upper  Hanover  township,  and  died  Aug.  30,  1831.  He 
lived  at  Treichlersville,  in  Hereford  township,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  farming,  owning  a  fine  farm  of  140  acres 
there  and  one  of  214  acres  in  Washington  township.  He 
was  very  successful  in  his  undertakings,  and  became  very 
well-to-do.  On  May  21,  1801,  he  married  Regina  Kriebel 
who  was  born  June  25,  1780,  and  who  died  May  3  185s' 
Their  children  were:  Abraham,  born  April  12,  1803  died 
Dec.  5,  1814;  Israel,  born  June  4,  1805;  Jesse,  born  April 
8,  1808  died  Nov.  7,  1831;  Adam,  born  Sept.  21,  1810 
died  Nov.  12,  1831;  Andrew,  born  May  19,  1813;  Enoch 
born  March  31,  1816 ;  Sarah,  born  Sept.  1,  1818,  died  May 
11,  1820;  Regina,  born  Oct.  9,  1821;  Solomon,  born  Nov. 
19,   1824,  died  June  4,  1854. 

_  Andrew  Schultz,  the  subject  proper  of  this  sketch,  was 
in  his  early  life  a  farmer  at  Treichlersville.  He  was  a 
man  of  much  enterprise  and  became  quite  wealthy  He 
owned  three  farms  lying  adjacent  to  each  other,  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  Southeast  of  Barto.  The  tract  orig- 
inally contained  214  acres,  but  this  he  divided  into  three 
parts,  erecting  three  sets  of  buildings.  He  also  owned  a 
farm  of  seventy-seven  acres  in  Washington  township  He 
built  a  grist  mill  in  Montgomerv  county,  which  is  now 
owned   by   William   Himmelwreight.     He   built  himself   a 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


433 


large  three-story  brick  residence  near  Barto,  and  there 
he  died  Nov.  27,  1885.  He  is  buried  at  the  Schwenkfelders 
church  near  Clayton.  He  married  Sarah  Mohr,  who  was 
born  Sept.  1,  1818,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Catherine 
Ann  (Mechling)  Mohr,  of  Centreville,  Lehigh  Co.,  Pa., 
and  she  died  May  1,  1883.  Their  children  were :  Annie, 
who  died  young ;  Emma,  who  died  aged  thirty-two  years ; 
Mary  A.  M. ;  and  Harrison,  who  died  aged  twenty-three 
years. 

Miss  Mary  A.  M.  Schultz,  daughter  of  Andrew,  is 
now  residing  at  the  old  home  near  Barto.  She  was  edu- 
cated-in  the -^public  schools  and  at  the  Pottstown  Seminary 
for  Ladies,  and  was  licensed  to  teach  by  the  late  James 
N.  Ermentrout,  teaching  one  terra  at  Barto  in  a  school- 
house  long  since  torn  down.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Schwenkfelders  Church  near  Clayton,  in  Hereford  town- 
ship. Miss  Schultz  is  a  charming  woman  and  is  very 
artistic.  She  has  a  valuable  collection  of  rare  china  and 
books. 

ALBERT  RITTER,  who  has  been  known  to  the  citizens 
of  Reading  for  nearly  half  a  century  as  a  professional  mu- 
sician, was  born  in  that  city  Feb.  26,  1838,  son  of  Joel  and 
Angeline  (Bechtel)  Ritter,  and  member  of  a  family  long 
known  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania. 

The  Ritters  are  of  German  descent.    The  first  American 
.ancestor  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Oley  (or  Exeter) 
township,  and  his   descendants  have  lived  in  that  locality 
for  a  period  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  more  years. 

Francis  Ritter  was  born  in  Exeter  township,  where  he 
carried  on  farming  successfully  all  his  life.  On  Jan.  3, 
1797,  when  Der  Reading  Adler  was  established,  he  pur- 
chased an  interest  in  same,  and  put  his  son  John  in  the 
office  to  learn  the  printing  and  publishing  business.  He 
was  the  father  of  seven  children,  namely:  Daniel,  born  in 
1776,  married  Susanna  Snyder,  and  died  in  1853 ;  John 
is  mentioned  below;  Jacob;  Samuel,  born  April  3,  1792, 
.m.  Catharine  Kast,  and  died  Sept.  8,  1860;  Mrs.  Charles 
Kessler ;  Mrs.  Nicholas  Seidel ;  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Christian. 

Hon.  John  Ritter,  son  of  Francis,  was  born  in  Exeter 
township,  Feb.  6,  1779.  He  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  went  to  Reading  and  entered 
the  Adler  office  to  learn  the  printer's  trade.  He 
devoted  himself  to  study  to  make  up  for  lack  of  early 
advantages.  He  continued  with  the  Adler  office,  and  on 
June  29,  1802,  became  the  owner  of  a  half  interest  in  the 
plant.  He  was  prominent  in  public  affairs,  and  during 
President  James  K.  Polk's  administration  served  (1843- 
47)  as  a  member  of  Congress.  He  was  a  loyal  Democrat 
and  a  strong  party  man.  Mr.  Ritter  died  Nov.  24,  1851, 
aged  seventy-two  years,  and  his  wife  Catharine  (Frailey) 
Ritter,  in  1863,  aged  eighty  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ritter 
were  the  parents  .of  nineteen  children,  all  of  whom  are 
buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery,  having  been  form- 
erly interred,  however,  in  the  old  Reformed  Church  cem- 
etery at  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Reed  streets.  All 
of  these  children,  with  the  exception  of  three,  died  be- 
fore reaching  their  majority.  The  three  reaching  mature 
years  were:  Joel;  Louis,  born  April  3,  1813,  who  obtained 
the  Adler  from  his  father  and  was  its  proprietor  for 
many  years,  and  who  died  Oct.  16,  1889;  and  Aaron,  born 
April  15,  1816,  also  a  printer  connected  with  the  Adler, 
who  died  at  No.  232  Penn  street,  Reading,  Nov.  11,  1873.  • 
The  family  were  originally  members  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  but  later  became  Universalists,  Mr.  Ritter  donat- 
ing the  plot  of  ground  on  which  the  Universalist  church 
now  stands.  Mr.  Ritter  was  a  man  of  high  principles  and 
was  widely  known  for  his  great  part  in  advancing  the  in- 
terests of  the  city  of  Reading. 

Joel  Ritter,  son  of  Hon.  John,  was  born  in  Reading 
Dec.  15,  1811,  and  was  educated  in  Reading  Academy. 
He,  too,  was  a  printer  by  trade,  learning  this  and  gaining 
the  knowledge  of  how  a  journal  should  be  conducted  in 
his  father's  office. .  He  then  became  editor  of  the 
■  Jeiferson  Democrat,  and  continued  as  such  some  time.  He 
next  embarked  in  the  lumber  business  in  Reading,  locating 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  where  he  continued  until 
1850,   when   a   freshet   greatly   damaged   his   property,   and 


he  abandoned  the  business.  He  was  always  interested  in 
politics  as  a  firm  believer  in  Democratic  principles,  and 
from  1839  to  1842  served  as  prothonotary  of  Berks  county. 
During  President  Buchanan's  administration  he  held  a 
position  in  the  United  States  Customs  Department  at  Phil- 
adelphia. For  several  years  prior  to  his  death  Mr.  Ritter 
was  an  invalid,  and  he  passed  away  July  18,  1868,  aged 
fifty-six  years.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife,  An- 
geline  Bechtel,  dying  in  1840,  when  twenty-six  years  of 
age,  and  leaving  two  sons,  John  Francis  and  Albert.  He 
married  (second)  Miss  Barbara  A.  Roland,  and  to  this 
union  were  born :  Anna  and  Francis,  who  both  died  in 
infancy;  Henry,  who  was  assistant  city  treasurer  and  died 
in  1899;  and  Ida,  who  resides  at  No.  325  Washington 
street,  Reading.  Mr.  Ritter  was  past  master  of  Lodge 
No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M.;  was  exalted  a  Royal  Arch  Mason 
in  1841 ;  and  made  a  Knight  Templar  in  St  John's  Com- 
mandery  in   Philadelphia  in  1848. 

John  Francis  Ritter  was  born  Jan.  24,  1836.  He  received 
his  education  in  Boyertown  Academy,  and  was  appointed 
to  the  West  Point  Military  Academy  July  1,  1852,  graduat- 
ing therefrom  July  1,  1856,  at  which  latter  date  he  was 
appointed  second  lieutenant,  5th  United  States  Infantry. 
He  served  in  Florida  against  the  Seminole  Indians,  1856- 
57;  in  garrison  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  in  1857;  fron- 
tier duty  in  the  Utah  Expedition,  1857-60.  Mr.  Ritter's 
army  record  continues  as  follows :  March  to  New  Mexico, 
1860;  Fort  Fauntleroy,  N.  M.,  1860;  Fort  Dodge,  N.  M., 
1860-61;  Fort  Union,  N.  M.,  1861;  promoted  first  lieu- 
tenant, 5th  U.  S.  Inf.,  March  27,  1861;  transferred  to  15th 
U.  S.  Inf.,  May  14,  1861;  in  New  Mexico  in  command  of 
battery,  May,  1861,  May,  1862;  promoted  captain.  May  14, 
1861 ;  engaged  in  action  of  Apache .  Canon,  March  28, 
1862;  Peralta,  April  14,  1862;  brevetted  major  March  28, 
1862,  for  "gallant  and  meritorious  services  at  the  battle 
of  Apache  Canon,  N.  M.";  in  campaign  resulting  in  the 
dispersion  of  Confederates  under  Gen.  Sibley,  May,  1862; 
made  Colonel,  1st  Missouri  Cavalry,  Aug.  9,  1862;  in 
camp  near  Helena,  Ark.,  Sept. — Nov.,  1862;  acting  in- 
spector general  of  the  Army  of  the  Southwest,  November, 
1862;  in  the  defences  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  Dec,  1862 — ^July, 
1863;  commanding  brigade  16th  Army  Corps,  March,  1863; 
in  command  Third  Brigade,  Davidson's  Cavalry  Division, 
in  campaign  resulting  in  the  capture  of  Little  Rock,  Ark., 
Sept.  10,  1863;  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel,  Sept.  10,  1863, 
for  gallant  servicgs  at  the  capture  of  Little  Rock;  on  leave 
of  absence  Oct.  14,  1863 — ^Jan.  6,  1864;  in  command  of 
cavalry  brigade,  7th  Army  Corps,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  Jan- 
uary— March,  1864;  on  General  Steele's  Campaign  to  Cam- 
den, and  returning,  March  23 — May  2,  1864,  being  engaged 
in  several  skirmishes;  on  veteran  furlough.  May  16 — ^July 
29,  1864;  in  command  of  cavalry  brigade,  7th  Army  Corps, 
and  scouting  about  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  July  29 — Dec.  5, 
1864;  in  command  of  recruits  (resigned  volunteer  com- 
mission Dec.  5,  1864),  Fort  Adams,  R.  I.,  January — April, 
1865,  and  of  company  at  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.,  April 
— August,  1865 ;  on  leave  of  absence,  Aug.  12 — Sept.  24, 
1865;  in  garrison  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  Sept.  24,  1865 — Jan.  18, 
1866;  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  January— September,  1866,  being 
acting  assistant  inspector  general  of  the  Department  of 
Mississippi  March  7 — Sept.  25,  1866 ;  transferred  to  33d 
U.  S.  Inf.,  Sept.  21,  1866;  in  command,  Natchez,  Miss., 
Sept.  21,  1866— Dec.  1,  1866;  Macon,  Ga.,  Jan.  4— April 
15,  1867 ;  and  Rome,  Ga.,  April,  1867.'  His  last  regiment 
was  the  8th  United  States  Infantry.  He  died  at  Catskill, 
N.  Y.,  Aug.  1,  1872,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  plot  in 
the  Charles  Evans  cemetery,  Reading.  He  had  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  officers  and  men  alike,  all  recognizing  his 
great  kindness  of  heart  and  irreproachable  character. 

Albert  Ritter  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
Reading,  and  also  at  Clinton  Liberal  Institute,  Clinton, 
N.  Y.  Returning  to  Reading  he  engaged  as  a  dry  goods 
salesman  for  Asa  M.  Hart  for  two  years,  and  then  took 
up  the  study  of  music.  For  thirteen  years  Mr.  Ritter  was 
organist  of  St.  Peter's  Church  (Catholic),  and  for  ten 
years  at  Trinity  Lutheran  Church.  He  has  given  his  life 
to  his  art,  studying  under  both  French  and  German  in- 
structors, and  he  taught  music  in  Reading  for  a  period  of 


424 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


forty-five  years.  He  retired  in  June,  1908.  Mr.  Ritter  is 
well  known  not  only  all  over  the  city  of  Reading,  but  in 
the  surrounding  country  as  well,  having  been  one  of  the 
leaders  in  his  profession.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's 
Lodge,  No.  435,  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  which  he  is  past  master. 
He  was  made  a  Mason  May  14,  1869;  is  past  high 
priest  in  Reading  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  No.  132;  member 
of  Creigh  Council,  No.  16 ;  past  commander  of  De  Molay 
Commandery  No.  9,  K.  T. ;  and  is  a  thirty-second-degree 
Mason,  formerly  belonging  to  Wilmington  Consistory  No. 
16.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N. 
M.  S.,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Veterans.  For 
eleven  years  he  served  on  the  board  of  managers  of  the 
Masonic  Home  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia.  In 
1862  Mr.  Ritter  enlisted  in  Company  E,  11th  Pennsylvania 
Militia,  Emergency  Corps,  and  later  re-enlisted  in  the  42nd 
Pennsylvania,  serving  as  first  corporal  until  discharged  by 
General  Orders.  He  is  a  member  of  Gen.  William  H. 
Keim  Post.  No.  76,  G.  A.  R. ;  and  at  present  (1909)  he 
is  serving  as  Aide-de-Camp  on  the  stafif  of  Gen.  Henry 
M.  Nevius,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic.  He  is  connected  with  the  Military  Order 
of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  United  States,  Department 
of  Pennsylvania,  being  in  Class  One,  by  inheritance  from 
his  brother.  Col.  John  F.  Ritter,  and  the  number  of  his 
Insignia  is  9,513. 

WILLIAM  D.  SMITH,  son  of  Levi  B.  and  Emily  H. 
Smith,  was  born  at  Joanna  Furnace  March  12,  1835.  He 
attended  the  New  London  Academy,  in  Chester  county, 
Pa.,  and  the  Williston  Seminary,  Easthampton,  Mass.  He 
was  engaged  from  his  youth  in  the  iron  manufacturing 
business  with  his  father  and  brothers  at  Joanna,  and  from 
1865  to  1881  at  Isabella  Furnace,  in  West  Nantmeal  town- 
ship, Chester  county,  the  greater  part  of  that  period  in 
association  with  his,  brother  Horace  V.  In  the  latter  year 
the  establishment  was  sold  to  Col.  Joseph  D.  Potts.  From 
1861  to  1865  he  served  as  an  adjuster  in  the  office  of  Dr. 
Edward  Wallace,  naval  officer  in  the  United  States  Custom 
House  at  Philadelphia,  and  from  1876  to  1888  was  deputy 
collector  and  auditor  during  the  terms  of  Alexander  P. 
Tutton  and  his  successor.  Gen.  John  F.  Hartranft,  as  col- 
lectors of  the  port,  a  position  involving  much  labor  and 
responsibility.  In  June,  1S63,  he  raised  and  commanded 
Company  D,  42d  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Mili- 
tia, a  part  of  the  force  called  out  to  repel  the  invasion 
of  the  State.  The  regiment  was  in  service  about  six  weeks, 
and  during  the  latter  part  of  that  period  his  company  did 
provost  duty  at  Hagerstown.  Md.  In  the  summer  of  1887 
he  made  a  tour  of  Europe,  and  upon  his  return  became 
a  permanent  resident  of  Reading. 

In  addition  to  the  care  of  the  private  business  interests 
of  himself  and  members  of  his  family,  he  has  engaged  for 
upward  of  twenty  years  in  a  career  of  active  usefulness 
on  philanthropic  lines,  being  prominently  connected  with 
the  administration  of  various  humane  and  charitable  public 
institutions,  to  all  of  which  he  has  given  liberally  of  his 
means,  his  time  and  his  personal  services. 

Of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Reading  Hospital, 
erected  in  1886,  he  has  served  as  president  from  1889  to 
the  present.  The  Home  for  Friendless  Children  was 
founded  in  1886  by  a  number  of  charitably  disposed  citi- 
zens of  Reading,  and  in  1888  its  main  building  on  Centre 
avenue,  north  of  Spring  street,  was  erected.  As  chair- 
man of  the  building  committee  Mr.  Smith  supervised  its 
construction,  and  he  has  since  erected  at  his  own  expense 
the  two  wings,  which  have  more  than  doubled  its  original 
capacity.  By  its  charter  the  administration  of  the  institu- 
tion is  committed  to  a  female  board  of  managers,  with  a 
male  board  of  trustees.  To  this  charity  Mr.  Smith  devotes 
his  unremitting  attention,  in  looking  after  the  comfort  of 
its  little  inmates.  Since  1890  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery.  Among 
other  public  charities  with  which  Mr.  Smith  is  "connected, 
either  as  member  or  officer,  are  the  Reading  Benevolent 
Society,  the  Hope  Rescue  Mission,  the  Humane  Society, 
the  Associated  Charities,  and  the  Society  for  the  Preven- 


tion of  Tuberculosis.  He  is  a  member  of  the  County 
Historical  Society,  a  vestryman  of  Christ  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Reading,  and  one  of  the  founders  and  a 
leading  benefactor  of  the  recently  organized  St.  Mary's 
Church  of  that  denomination  in  the  northwestern  section 
of  the  city.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a  trustee  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  He  is  a  director 
of  the  Reading  &  Temple  Railway  Company,  the  Reading 
Trust  Company  and  the  Reading  Gas  Company.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Republican  party  since  its  organiza- 
tion, but  has  not  been  connected  with  its  local  manage- 
ment. He  is  the  advocate  of  a  high  standard  of  municipal 
government,  and  a  warm  supporter  of  every  movement 
for  civil,  social  and  moral  reform.  He  has  no  superior 
in  his  own  community  in  the  zeal  and  energy  which  he 
devotes  to  the  promotion  of  organized  charity  and  prac- 
tical benevolence. 

FREDERIC  A.  ROLAND.  One  of  the  prominent  busi- 
ness men  of  Reading  is  Frederic  A.  Roland,  Cashier  of 
the  Second  National  Bank.  In  matters  of  finance  Mr. 
Roland  is  looked  upon  as  a  safe  and  conservative  coun- 
sellor, and  his  careful  and  efficient  service  has  done  much 
to  place  the  institution  which  he  represents  in  the  enviable 
position  it  holds  in  the  financial  world. 

Mr.  Roland  is  a  son  of  Henry  A.  and  Jane  W.  (Heyl) 
Roland,  of  New  Holland,  Pa.  He  is  descended  from  an 
old  and  honorable  family  which  has  been  identified  with 
affairs  in  America  for  about  two  hundred  years.  The 
Rolands  were  originally  from  the  region  of  the  Rhine  in 
Germany  known  as  the  Palatinate.  Jacob  Roland,  great- 
great-grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  one 
of  the  thousands  who  on  account  of  religious  persecu- 
tion left  Germany,  and  came  to  America  some  time  after 
1709.  In  17.'33  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
Holland,  was  granted  to  him  by  Thomas  Penn,  one  of  the 
Proprietaries  of  the  Colony  of  Pennsylvania.  Since  that 
time  the  family  has  been  more  or  less  prominent  locally 
and  in  the  affairs  of  the  State. 

In  1775,  Jonathan  Roland,  a  son  of  Jacob,  and  great- 
grandfather of  Frederic  A.,  was  one_of  the  Committee  of 
Safety  chosen  to  provide  for  and  protect  the  country  dur- 
ing the  trying  times  of  our  war  for  Independence. 

Henry  Roland,  grandfather  of  Frederic  A.,  was  during 
his  life  prominent  in  the  local  affairs  of  his  district. 
Major  John  F.  Roland,  son  of  Henry  and  uncle  of  our 
subject,  was  a  distinguished  officer  under  Generals  Taylor 
and  Scott  during  and  following  our  war  with  Mexico. 

Henry  A.  Roland  resided  during  his  life  time  in  New 
Holland,  taking  an  active  interest  in  local  enterprises.  A 
gentleman  of  deep  learning  and  high  principles,  his  advice 
was  eagerly  sought  and  cheerfully  given.  He  died  in  1901, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-one,  and  lies  buried 
amongst  his  forefathers  in  the  Trinitv  Lutheran  Cemetery 
at  New  Holland.  He  married  Jane  VV.  Heyl,  daughter  of 
Philip  and  JMargaret  Heyl.  She  is  descended  from  an 
old  Philadelphia  family,  whose  lineage  dates  from  1702. 
Besides  Frederic  A,,  there  were  also  born  to  this  union : 
Dr.  Oliver  and  William  H.  Roland,  both  of  Lancaster, 
older   sons,   the    latter    a   leading   attorney, 

Frederic  A.  Roland,  who  forms  the  subject  of  this  re- 
view, was  born  in  New  Holland,  and  passed  the  formative 
period  of  his  life  among  the  scenes  and  people  which  gave 
sturdiness  to  his  ancestry.  He  was  carefully  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  later  matriculated  at  Princeton 
College,  New  Jersey,  from  which  famous  institution  he 
graduated  m  1879.  The  following  year  he  came  to  Read- 
ing with  the  intention  of  entering  upon  a  legal  career, 
but  after  the  study  of  law  for  a  period  of  nine  months,  he 
accepted  a  position  with  the  Second  National  Bank  as 
teller,  and  in  1889  was  promoted  to  the  Cashiership,  which 
position  he  has  since  honored.  Mr.  Roland  is  also  a 
Director  of  the  Second  National  Bank.  He  was  one  of 
the  original  Committee  appointed  to  organize  the  Reading 
Clearing  House  Association  in  1906.  and  has  been  an 
active    officer    of    that    important    Association    ever    since. 


WILLIAM    D      SMITH 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


435 


JACOB  D.  HOFFMAN,  a  substantial  and  highly  re- 
spected farmer  of  Perry  township,  Berks  county,  was  born 
April  16,  1846,  in  Windsor  township,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Hannah    (Dunkel)    Hoffman. 

Mr.  Hoffman  belongs  to  a  family  which  has  been  estab- 
lished on  American  soil  for  many  generations.  The 
earliest  ancestor  of  whom  we  have  authentic  informa- 
tion was  Jacob  Hoffman,  who  camie  from  the  Rhine 
Valley  during  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century.  In 
1756,  when  the  first  tax  of  Greenwich  township  was  col- 
lected, he  was  a  taxable.  It  is  known  that  he  had  these 
children,  George  and  Michael.  The  former  was  the  great- 
grandfather of  Jacob  D.  Hoffman,  and  the  latter  is  re- 
membered with  pride  by  the  family  as  one  who  fought 
for  the  freedom  of  his  country  from  oppressive  British 
rule.    The  following  record  of  his  service  is  in  evidence. 

Pennsylvania   State  Library  Division  of  Public  Records. 
Harrisburg,  Pa.,  Nov.  17,  1906. 
To  Whom  It  May  Concern : 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  name  of  Michael  Hoffman  ap- 
pears as  that  of  a  private  on  the  roll  of  Captain  Michael 
Funer's  Company  of  Berks  County  Militia,  stationed  at 
South  Amboy,  N.  J.,  September  5,  1776.  Later  his  name 
appears  again  as  a  private  on  the  Roll  of  Captain  Jacob 
Baldy's  Company  which  was  mustered  into  service  August 
10,  1780. 

See  p.  279,  Volume  Fourteen,  Penna-.  Archives,  Second 
Series,  1888  ed.  [Signed]  Luther  R.  Kelker, 

Custodian  of  the  Public  Records  of  the  Pa.  State  Li- 
brary. [The  seal  of  the  Department  of  the  State  Public 
Records  is  affixed  to  the  document.] 

George  Hoffman,  the  great-grandfather  of  Jacob  D. 
Hoffman,  was  a  farmer  all  his  life.  His  wife  was  Han- 
nah Schappell,  and  they  had  a  large  family  of  children, 
among  whom  were :  Michael,  born  in  1786,  died  in  1874 ; 
and  George,  who,  tradition  says,  settled  in  Hereford  town- 
ship. In  his  will  which  was  probated  in  the  register's 
office  in  Berks  county  in  1847,  he  mentions  these  children : 
Jacob,  Henry,  Dora,  Elizabeth  (which  was  also  the  name 
of  his  wife)    Christian,  Abraham,  Hannah  and  Rebeka. 

Michael  Hoffman,  grandfather  of  Jacob  D.,  was  born 
Nov.  28,  1786,  and  died  Jan.  10,  1874,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years,  one  month  and  twelve  days.  The  major 
part  of  his  life  he  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  home- 
stead, which  is  situated  in  Perry  township,  and  is  now 
owned  by  George  Hoffman,  a  grandson.  He  erected  the 
stone  house  which  is  still  standing  in  an  excellent  state 
of  preservation.  Frequently  he  made  trips  to  Philadel- 
phia with  four  or  six  horse  teams,  and  exchanged  farm 
products  for  general  merchandise  such  as  the  farmers 
needed.  He  was  an  influential  man  and  wielded  con- 
siderable political  influence,  being  elected  on  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket  to  the  State  Assembly  in  1845,  1846  and  1847, 
riding  to  the  State  Capitol  on  horseback  and  taking  some 
of  his  provisions  with  him.  His  salary  was  seventy-five 
cents  per  day.  He  was  an  official  member  of  Zion's 
Lutheran  Church,  was  regular  in  church  worship  and  was 
highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  married 
Catherine  Shappell,  born  Sept.  12,  1780,  daughter  of  Eber- 
hart  and  Catherine  Shappell,  natives  of  Germany.  Mrs. 
Hoffman  died  June  30,  1857.  To  her  and  her  husband 
were  born  these  children  :  Samuel,  oldest  born  (1808-1879)  ; 
George  (1811-1887)  m.  Abbie  Fisher  (1816-1871)  ;  Michael 
(1813-1874)  mi.  Esther  Wartzenluft;  Charles  (1816-1900) 
m.  Rachel  Dunkel,  and  Benjamin  (1820-1896)  m.  (first) 
Susanna  Fisher  and  married   (second)   Elizabeth  Bailey. 

Samuel  Hoffman,  father  of  Jacob  D.,  was  born  Nov. 
28,  1808,  and  died  in  the  year  1879.  He  obtained  a  good 
education  in  the  pay  schools  of  his  day  and  in  the  Mor- 
gantown  Academy,  after  graduating  from  which  he  en- 
gaged in  agricultural. pursuits,  in  which  he  continued  for 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  successful  man,  own- 
ing 155  acres  in  one  tract  and  seventy-five  acres  in  an- 
other, was  a  director  in  the  Shoeraakersville '  Building  & 
Loan  Association,  of  the  Farmers  Assistance  and  Mutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  of  the  Reading  Savings 
Bank.     Politically  he  espoused  the  principles   of  Thomas 


Jefferson.  He  was  elected  as  a  Democrat  to  the  office 
of  county  surveyor,  as  which  he  served  from  1848  to  1850, 
and  as  justice  of  the  peace,  serving  in  this  office  for  up- 
wards of  fifty  years.  He  was  an  active  worker  for  Zion's 
Church  of  Perry  township,  and  an  official  for  many 
years.  He  married  Hannah  Dunkel,  and  they  had  these 
children:  Elizabeth  and  Caroline,  deceased;  David;  Han- 
nah; Jacob  D. ;  Esther  and  Caroline  (2),  both  deceased. 
Mr.  Hoffman  died  in  1879,  and  his  wife  on  Jan.  14,  1892. 
Jacob  D.  Hoffman  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
until  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  when  he  entered  Freeland 
Seminary,^  under  the  well  known  Henry  Hurisicker,  later 
the  Reading  Academy,  and  completed  his  education  in 
1863  at  Fairview  Seminary,  under  Prof.  Nicks,  the  well 
known  educator.  Subsequently  he  taught  school  for  five 
years,  four  terms  of  this  being  at  the  Hoffman  school 
in  Perry  township.  In  1865  he  associated  himself  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Shoemakersville,  with  Richard 
Dunkle,  the  firm  name  being  Dunkle  &  Hoffman,  which 
continued  for  one  year.  Mr.  Hoffman  then  turned  his 
attention  to  farming  and  operated  the  home  farm  in 
Windsor  (now  Perry)  township  for  two  years,  and  then 
purchased  the  Bausher  farm,  of  180  acres,  for  which  he 
paid  $97.25  an  acre,  two  years  later  making  a  very  ad- 
vantageous sale  of  the  same,  receiving  $105  per  acre.  He 
settled  upon  his  father-in-law's  farm  in  Windsor  town- 
ship in  1870,  and  two  years  later  he  purchased  his  father's 
farm  of  140  acres  of  good  land,  and  then  moved  to  this 
farm  on  which  he  remained  for  ten  years.  He  made 
many  improvements  during  each  year,  adding  materially 
to  the  value  of  the  farm.  In  1880  he  bought  his  present 
homestead  of  160  acres,  a  tract  which  is  considered  some 
of  the  best  land  in  the  district.  Among  the  modern  im- 
provements which  he  has  installed  here  is  a  large  water 
tank  constructed  back  of  his  barn,  from  which  with  a 
two-horse  power  gasoline  engine,  he  pumps  water  all  over 
the  place.  He  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  build- 
ing of  the  Windsor  Castle  Creamery,  and  the  success 
of  this  industry  is  largely  attributable  to  Mr.  Hoffman, 
who  has  continued'  its  president  from  its  organization. 
In  1888  he  bought  his  father's  old  farm  upon  which  he 
was  born  and  reared,  but  some  years  ago  he  sold  it  to  his 
son,  George  R.,  who  now  occupies  ■  it.  It  was  the  desire 
of  our  subject  that  this  old  farm  should  remain  in  the 
family,  and  that  it  should  be  known  as  the  Hoffman  home- 
stead for  generations  to  come. 

Mr.  Hoffman  is  one  of  the  most  thrifty,  prosperous  and 
up-to-date  farmers  of  Perry  township,  and  more  than 
that  he  is  a  man  of  sterling  qualities.  His  word  carries 
weight  in  his  section  and  his  advice  is  frequently  sought 
and  followed  by  his  neighbors.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch 
Democrat,  and  wields  strong  influence.  On  numerous 
occasions  he  has  been  elected  to  office,  having  served  as 
school  director  both  in  Windsor  arid  Perry  townships; 
was  auditor  in  Perry  township  for  six  years;  and  at  pre- 
sent is  superior  of  his  district.  From  1879  to  1881,  in- 
clusive, he  was  auditor  of  Berks  county,  and  audited  the 
record  of  the  late  Adam  M.  Dundore,  county  treasurer. 
On  many,  occasions  he  was  a  delegate  to  county  con- 
ventions. Mr.  Hoffman  is  a  Lutheran,  and  with  his  family 
worships  at  Zion  Union  Church  of  Perry  township,  being 
a  deacon,  for  many  years  a  church  trustee,  and  for  the 
past  twelve  years  church  treasurer. 

On  June  3,  1865,  Mr.  Hoffman  was  married  (first)  to 
Mary  Ann  Sunday,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  (Sieg- 
fried) Sunday,  and  a  granddaughter  of  George  Sunday. 
To  this  union  were  born  the  following  children :  Charles 
L.  m.  Elmira  Strasser,  had  two  sons,  Clinton  and  Willie 
(deceased),  and  is  now  deceased;  (jeorge  R.  m.  Lizzie 
Stetzler,  and  had  three  children,  Milton,  Mary  (deceased) 
and  Wilson;  Annie  m.  Franklin  G.  Jacoby;  and  Catharine 
(deceased)  m.  Allen  Burkhardt  and  had  children,  Reana 
v.,  Erraa  M.  and  Jennie  (deceased).  On  Dec.  17,  1887, 
Mr.  Hoffman  m.  (second)  Catherine  (Schappell)  Stump, 
widow  of  Alfred  Stump  and  daughter  of,  Samuel  and 
Catherine  (Adam)  Schappell,  and  they  have  one  son, 
Jacob  C,  at  home.  By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Hoffman 
has  one  son,  Elmer  L.  Stump. 


a 


436  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

J    EDWAiRD  WANNER,  assistant  cashier  of  the  Na-  Mr.  Wanner's  grandfather  was  John  Wanner,  of  Maiden- 

tional  Union   Bank,   and  president  of  the   Reading  school  creek   township,    where   he  was   born   Oct.    10,    1788.      He 

board,    is    a    descendant    of    one    of    the    earliest    families  removed  at  an  early  age  to  Ruscombmanor  township,  there 

which  settled  in  the  northeastern  section  of  Berks  county,  married  Elizabeth   Biehl   (a  daughter  of   Christian   Biehl) 

wnicn  seuieu  "'1''=  'y                                              ,               ,  anj  carried  on   farming.     He  had  twe  ve  children:   Maria 

He  was  born  at  Reading  on  July  ^^^lll^'.^fj^^'J^^^  Magdalena  (m.  David  Sharadin)  ;  Anna  (m.  John  Mertz)  ; 

cated   in   the   local   public    schools.     Upon   his   g^radua  ion  ^^                           ^.,j.^^    (m.    Elizabeth    Deisher)  ;    John 

from  the  high  school  in  1882,  he  took  a  commercial  course  j^^^.^,  ^_^^   Elizabeth  Bower)  ;  Joel  B.  (m.  Louisa  Zieber)  ; 

in  the  Eastman  National  Business  College  at  i^oughkeep-  p^^^^.    Q^ristian     (m.    Sarah    A.    Moyer)  ;    John    Charles, 

sie,  N.  Y.,  in  the  fall  of  that  year;  and  in  1883  he  became  ^-^^i^.  j^j.    Charles  Herman   (m,  Hannah  Hilbert)  ;  Eliza- 

a   clerk   in   the    National   Union    Bank   of    Reading,    with  i^^jj^    ^^    jgy,„  Humbert);   Amos   B.,   above;   and  Henry, 

which    financial    institution    he    has    continued    until    the  single, 

present  time.     He  was  gradually  promoted  from  one  posi-  yjg    great-grandfather    was    Peter    Wanner,    a    farmer 

tion  to  another,  and  on  Feb.  26,  1901,  he  was   elected  as  ^f     Colebrookdale    township,    who    married    three    times, 

assistant    cashier    by    the    board    of    directors    on    account  jjis   first   wife   was   Esther   Rothermel ;   his   second,    Anna 

of    his    superior   record    in    the    service    of    the   bank    for  m      Schwartz;     and     his     third,      Magdalena     Rothermel 

nearly  twenty  years.                                                                  .  (widow,    nee    Dreibelbis),    he    having    had    by    the    third 

In  1892,  Mr.  Wanner  assisted  in  organizing  the  Reading  jn  only  child,  John   Wanner  above  named. 

Paper   Box   Company.     His   brother   Howard   officiated   as  His   great-great-grandfather   was    Martin   Wanner,   who 

president   from  that  time   until  his  decease   in   1895;   then  emigrated    to    Pennsylvania    from    the    Palatinate   in    1733, 

he  succeeded  him  in  the  position,  which  he  has  filled  until  gn  thie  ship  "Samiuel,"  from  Rotterdam,  landing  on  the  17th 

now      In  1900  Mr.  Wanner  was  one  of  the  incorporators  day  of  August, 
of    the    Greth    Machine    Works    for    the    manufacture    of 

stationary  engines,  &c.,  and  he  was  selected  as  one  of  the  JACOB    B.    OBERHOLTZER,    miller    and    farmer    of 

directors,   and   also  vice-president  of   the   company,   filling  Colebrookdale    township,    who    conducts    the    White    mill, 

these  positions  until  the  present  time.  located   on   Swamp  creek,  was  born  on  the   family  horae- 

Upon    reaching     his     majority     in     1885,     Mr.    Wanner  stead  in  Washington  township,  this  counts',   Oct.  29,   1844. 

identified    himself    with    the    Americus    Club,    the    leading  xhe  Oberholtzers  have  lived  in   Berks  county  for  several 

Democratic    Society   at    Reading,    and    he    took    an    active  generations.  According  to  the  Pennsylvania  Archives  three 

part  in  its  affairs  from  the  start.     His  activity  led  to  his  of   the   name  came   to   America   in   the   early   days   of   the 

selection  as  vice-president  of  the  Club  several  years  after-  Commonwealth,   viz.  :    Hans  Jacob   Oberholtzer   arrived   in 

ward ;    and   having   filled    this    position    for   a   number    of  1730 ;  Jacob  Oberholtzer  arrived  in  1732,  at  which  time  he 

years,  when  the  president,  Jefferson  M.  Keller,  Esq.,  died  was  twenty-eight  years  old,  and  had  a  daughter  Elizabeth, 

in   1899,   he  was   elected   as   his   successor.     The  members  aged   six  years,   and   a   son   Samuel,   aged   three   years,   to 

have     appreciated     his     services     so     highly     that     they  come   with   him   to   the    New   World ;    Hans    Georg   Ober- 

have  retained  him  since  then  as  their  president.  holtzer  arrived   in   1754.     One  of  the  two   first  mentioned 

In  1894,  the  Democratic  electors  of  the  Seventh  Ward  settled  in  Milford  township,  Montgomery  county  (now  in- 
elected  Mr.  Wanner  as  a  school  controller,  and  he  has  eluded  in  Lehigh  county),  and  there  is  a  well-founded 
been  one  of  the  representatives  of  the  Ward  in  the  board  tradition  that  Jacob  Oberholtzer,  great-grandfather  of 
of  controllers  continuously  until  now.  In  1898  the  con-  Jacob  B,  Oberholtzer,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  was 
troUers  selected  him  to  be  the  president  of  the  board ;  of  this  Montgomerv  county  stock.  The  familv  is  of  Swiss 
and  again  in  1905,  1906,  1907  and  1908.  While  connected  origin,  and  its  members  have  clung  to  the  ]\Iennonite  re- 
with  the  board,  twelve  large  modern  school  buildings  were  Hgion.  They  have  been  upright  in  morals,  successful  in 
erected  in  different  parts  of  the  city;  and  during  his  later  business  and  true  to  the  traditions  and  faith  of  their 
presidency  the   superior  high  school  for  boys  was  erected  forefathers. 

at  a  total  cost  of  $365,000,  this  great  structure  in  the  Jacob  Oberholtzer,  previously  mentioned  as  the  great- 
cause  of  local  education  receiving  a  great  deal  of  his  at-  grandfather  of  Jacob  B.  Oberholtzer,  located  about  1770 
tention.  In  social  matters,  Mr.  Wanner  has  affiliated  with  in  Colebrookdale  township,  Berks  county,  in  that  section 
the  Free  Masons,  Elks,  Wyomissing  Club,  Penn  Wheel-  now  included  in  Washington  township,'  There  he  con- 
men,   and   the  Junior  Volunteer   Fire   Company.  tinned  to  make  his  home  until  he  died,  in  May,  1811,  full 

His  parents  were  amongst  the  -first  members  of  the  of  years.  He  owned  land  and  followed  farming.  In 
Second  Reformed  Church  at  Reading  upon  its  organiza-  1779'  this  pioneer  paid  a  tax  of  £121,  10s,  sterling.  In 
tion  in  1848,  and  he  joined  the  same  church  at  an  early  isos  he  paid  $3.70  and  his  son,  Jacob,  Jr.,  $1.79.  In  1809 
age,  retaining  his  membership  until  now.  The  father  of  they  paid,  respectively,  $3.09  and  $1.46.  Jacob  Oberholtzer 
Mr.  Wanner  was  Amos  B.  Wanner,  Esq.,  a  prominent  was  a  Christian  man.  His  will,  made  Nov.  28,  1810,  and 
member  of  the  Berks  County  Bar  for  many  years.  He  probated  May  27,  1811  (sons  Christian  and  Jacob,  ex- 
was  born  in  Maxatawny  township  (near  where  the  Normal  ecutors),  is  on  record  in  Will  Book  A,  page  584,  He  was 
School  is  situated)  in  1831,  educated  in  the  local  schools  survived  by  his  wife,  Esther,  who  bore  him  the  following 
and  at  a  seminary  at  Philadelphia,  and  admitted  to  the  named  children :  Christian,  Jacob,  Abraham,  Martin,  Eve 
Bar  as  an  attorney-at-law  at  Reading  in  1857,  He  becanie  (m,  Abraham  Stauffer),  Barbara  (m.  Jacob  Stau'ffer), 
a  very   successful   practitioner   and   was   in   active   practice  Esther  and   Elizabeth. 

until    his    decease   in    1892.      He    represented    the   Reading  in  Book  7,  page  376,  there  is  on  record  a  German  will 

District  in  the  Legislature  during  the  years  1875  and  1876,  of  one  Jacob  Oberholtzer  (the  executors  being  Regina  and 

having  been   elected  on   the   Democratic   ticket;   he   served  Joseph  Oberholtzer),  who  may  have  been  a  son  of  Chris- 

as   a   State  delegate  to   the   Democratic    National   Conven-  tian  Oberholtzer  or  one  of  the  Montgomery  countv  Ober- 

tion  which  assembled  at  St.  Louis  in  1876 ;  and  he  repre-  holtzers. 

sented   the    Seventh   ward    in    common    council    from    1882  Martin  Oberholtzer,  previously  mentioned  as  one  of  the 

to   1884,   officiating  as   president   of   that  body   during  the  children  of  Jacob  Oberholtzer    (who  died   in   1811)     made 

first  year.     He   was  niarned  to   CleuTcntine   C.   Zieber    Ca  his   will    Aug.    21,    1862,    and    died    the    following   year    in 

daughter   of    Philip    Zieber,    of    Reading,    for   many   years  Washington  township,  where  he  had  spent  all  hil  life    en- 

in  the  mercantile  business,  and  prominently  identified  with  gaged   in    farminsj.      His   sons   Jacob   and    Isaac  \vere'  the 

the   insurance   and   real   estate  business   in   this   section   of  executors  of  the  Will.     He  had  six  children  in  all    namelv  • 

the  State).     She  was  born  in  ]S:;:t  and  died  in  1S93,  short-  Polly    (m.   a   Hunsbersjer),   Elizabeth    (m     George   Yohn")' 

ly  after  her  husband.     They  had  three  children:   Howard  Susanna  (m,  Alatthias  Linsenbij;icr )    Isaac  Sarah°and  Jacob' 

P,    (a   practicnig   attorney   at   Rcadini.    who    died    in    1895  Jacob    Oberholtzer,    born    Dec     5     1773"  another   son    of 

at    the    age    of    thirty-four    years):    George    A,     (who    is  Jacob  Oberholtzer  (who  died  in  ISn),  was  also  a  farmer 

engaged   in  the   manufacturing   and   insurance   business   at  in  Washington  township,  where  he  owned  land      He  was 

Reading)  ;   and  J.   Edward,  the   subject   of  this   sketch.  a  blacksmith  by  trade,   and  followed  that  line  of  work  ir 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


427 


connection  with  farming.  He  married  Esther  Meyer, 
born  March  16,  1784,  died  Jan.  13,  1843,  who  bore  him 
two  sons  and  one  daughter,  Susanna  and  John  M.  reach- 
ing maturity.  The  daughter  married  Henry  Landes,  and 
they  had  a  daughter  SusanAa,  who  became  the  wife  of  a 
Jacob  Oberholtzer.  As  both  Mrs.  Landes  and  John  M. 
Oberholtzer  preceded  their  father  to  the  grave  the  latter's 
estate  was  equitably  divided  among  the  grandchildren. 
Mr.  Oberholtzer  made  his  will  Jan.  19,  1858,  and  it  was 
probated  Ajjril  19,  1859.  The  executors  were  his  friends 
Jacob  M.  and  Jacob  C.  Oberholtzer.  He  died  April  3, 
1859. 

John  (Johannes)  M.  Oberholtzer,  son  of  Jacob  and 
father  of  Jacob  B.  Oberholtzer,  was  born  Aug.  11,  1811, 
in  Washington  township,  where  he  passed  all  his  life, 
dying  May  8,  1857,  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years.  In 
his  early  manhood  he  was  engaged  as  a  school  teacher 
and  surveyor,  but  he  eventually  settled  down  to  farming, 
the  vocation  of  his  ancestors.  On  Feb.  18,  1838,  he  mar- 
ried Anna  Bliem  (daughter  of  Jacob  Bliem),  born  Nov. 
4,  1815,  died  Oct.  26,  1884,  and  to  them  were  born  six 
children,  viz. :  Mary,  who  married  John  Bechtel ;  Hettie, 
wife  of  Eli  Bechtel;  Amos,  of  Bechtelsville ;  Jacob  B. ; 
Anna,  wife  of  Joseph  Moyer;  and  Minerva,  wife  of  H. 
H.  Stauffer.  All  this  family  were  Mennonites  and  active 
in  church  life.  Mr.  Oberholtzer  is  buried  at  the  Menno- 
nite  meeting-house  at  Bally. 

Jacob  B.  Oberholtzer  was  reared  to  farming,  growing 
up  on  the  old  home  place  in  Washington  township.  As  he 
was  only  twelve  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  father's  death 
responsibilities  came  early  to  him  and  his  brother,  both 
remaining  at  home.  Jacob  worked  for  his  mother  until 
he  was  nearly  twenty-five  years  old,  he  and  his  brother 
buying  the  homestead  in  1869,  after  which  they  continued 
to  cultivate  the  place  together  until  1872.  That  year 
Jacob  B.  Oberholtzer  moved  to  Bechtelsville,  where  he 
,  lived  until  1903,  when  he  came  to  the  place  he  has  since 
occupied,  in  Colebrookdale  township.  He  has  the  old 
Renninger  mill  property,  originally  owned  by  one  Michael 
Renninger,  and  which  Mr.  Oberholtzer  has  owned  since 
1874,  and  which  he  has  conducted.  Mr.  Oberholtzer  is 
a  man  who  takes  an  interest  in  the  public  welfare  as  well 
as  in  his  own  affairs,  and  he  was  prominent  during  his 
residence  in  Bechtelsville  as  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
borough,  becoming  its  first  secretary  and  later  serving  as 
chief  burgess;  he  also  served  as  township  auditor  and 
school  director.  Since  settling  in  Colebrookdale  he  has 
been  elected  to  the  office  of  township  auditor,  in  which 
he  served  efficiently.  He  is  a  Republican  in  political 
opinion. 

On  Nov.  6,  1869,  Mr.  Oberholtzer  married  Malinda 
Clemmer,  daughter  of  Christian  and  Barbara  (Gehman) 
Clemmer,  and  granddaughter  of  John  Gehman.  Mrs. 
Oberholtzer  died  June  25,  1888,  at  the  age  of  forty-three 
years,  and  is  buried  at  the  Mennonite  meeting-house  at 
Bally.  She  was  the  mother  of  five  children,  namely:  Eli, 
who  lives  in  Douglass  township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa. ; 
John,  of  Philadelphia;  Ida,  who  is  unmarried  and  keeps 
house  for  her  father;  and  Abraham  and  David,  both  of 
Philadelphia.  Mr.  Oberholtzer  and  his  family  hold  fast 
to  the  religion  of  their  forefathers,  being  New  Menno- 
nites in  faith.  They  belong  to  the  church  of  that  de- 
nomination at  Bally. 

JAMES  F.  RHOADS,  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
Reading  Hardware  Company,  and  one  of  the  representa- 
tive business  men  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  at  Lime- 
rick Square,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  3,  1858,  son  of 
Levinus  Rhoads. 

(I)  Jacob  Rhoads,  the  first  of  the  Rhoads  family  of 
whom  there  is  definite  mention,  was  a  farmer  and  miller 
of  Boyertown,  Pa.,  where  at  one  time  he  owned  large 
milling  interests.  He  had  two  brothers,  John  and  Henry, 
both  of  whom  lived  and  died  at  Boyertown.  Jacob  Rhoads 
owned  the  oM  mill  at  Mohrsville,  which  he  operated,  but 
he  died  at  Boyertown,  where  he  is  buried.  His  wife  was 
a  Miss  Kline,  also  of  Boyertown,  where  she  died.  To 
Jacob  Rhoads  and  his  wife  were  born :  Lydia  m.   Sebas- 


tian Buchert,  and  they  died  in  Montgomery  county;  Deet- 
er  died  in  Montgomery  county;  Samuel  died  in  Mont- 
gomery county;  Jacob  died  in  Montgomery  county;  Mrs. 
David  Wise  died  in  Montgomery  county;  Daniel;  Maria 
m.  John  Peltz  (both  died  in  Philadelphia) ;  Rebecca  m.  Ab- 
raham Harherger,   and   died   in   Montgomery  county. 

(II)  Daniel  Rhoads,  grandfather  of  James  F.  Rhoads, 
was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  in  1801,  and  spent  his 
life  engaged  in  farming  in  his  native  county,  he  owning 
an  excellent  farm  in  New  Hanover  township,  where  he 
moved  in  1837.  This  farm  of  eighty-five  acres  he  farmed 
until  his  death  in  1884.  His  wife  was  Catherine  Yerger,. 
daughter  of  Jonas  A.  Yerger  and  wife  (whose  maiden 
name  was  Reiff),  and  their  children  were:  Levinus;  Sam- 
uel Y.  lives  at  Swamp,  Montgomery  county;  Lydia  married 
Henry  Spitler,  and  died  at  Reading;  John  Y.  died  at 
Englesville,  aged  sixty  years;  Jacob  Y.  died  at  Boyertown; 
Mary  m.  Daniel  Botts;  and  Henry  Y.  died  at  Reading. 

(III)  Levinus  Rhoads,  father  of  James  F.,  was  born 
in  New  Hanover  township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  Nov. 
21,  1828.  Learning  the  saddler's  trade  in  Montgomery 
county,  he  followed  it  for  four  years,  but  then  embarked 
in  farming  in  Marlborough  township.  On  April  3,  1865, 
he  sold  his  farm  and  removing  to  Reading,  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business,  ,  and  later  operated  a  hotel  for  abt>ut 
twelve  years.  The  hotel,  the  "Montgomery  House,"  is 
still  very  popular,  and  is  a  monument  to  him  and  his 
progressiveness.  In  1890  he  retired  and  now  lives  in  his 
own  home  at  No.  918  North  Eleventh  street.  In  addition 
to  this  property  he  owns  valuable  realty  in  Reading. 

,  On  Dec.  15,  1855,  he  married  Catherine  Rahn,  daughter 
of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Smith)  Rahn,  of  Montgomery  county, 
and  their  children  are :  James  F. ;  Lizzie  m.  Linneaus  Seid- 
ers,  resides  at  No.  1023  North  Tenth  street,  Reading, 
and  has  one  daughter,  Ada;  Hiram,  who  died  aged  thirty- 
eight,  m.  Sallie  Moyer,  who  now  resides  at  No.  &56  North 
Eleventh  street  with  her  son,  Hiram  Lewis.  In  politics 
Levinus  Rhoads  is  a  Democrat,  although  never  very  ac- 
tively identified  with  political  life.  He  has  now  retired 
from  business  affairs,  and  is  passing  the  sunset  of  life  in 
peace  and  quiet,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  well-earned 
competency. 

(IV)  James  F.  Rhoads  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Reading,  having  been  brought  to  this 
city  when  a  boy.  While  attending  school,  he  worked  in 
the  grocery  store  of  his  father.  From  1871  to  1882  he 
was  employed  in  the  grocery  business  in  Reading,  but  in 
the  latter  year  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Reading  Hard- 
ware Company,  commencing  as  a  clerk  on  January  16th. 
From  that  position  he  was  gradually  and  successively  pro- 
moted until  he  finally  attained  his  present  responsible 
position,  through  merit  alone.  Having  filled  all  the  var- 
ious positions  of  this  big  plant,  he  is  peculiarly  fitted  for 
his  present  position,  and  his  worth  is  recognized  by  his 
firm. 

On  Oct.  23,  1883,  Mr.  Rhoads  was  married  to  Miss 
Angeline  Filer,  daughter  of  Peter  L.  and  Emma  (Breneiser) 
Eiler,  the  former  a  well-known  merchant  of  Reading,  Pa., 
where  Mrs.  Rhoads  was  born.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhoads  have 
a  very  pleasant  home  at  No.  908  Pear  street.  They  .have 
no  children. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Rhoads  is  a  member  of  the  Reading 
Hardware  Relief  Association,  and  he  is  also  connected 
with  the  Liberty  Fire  Company,  of  Reading.  His  religious- 
belief  is  that  of  the  Lutherans,  and  he  is  a  member  of 
Grace  Lutheran  Church,  and  is  very  active  in  its  work.  In 
political  opinions  he  is  a  Republican,  but  like  his  father  he 
is  no  politician,  he  preferring  to  exert  his  influence  in  a 
private  way.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhoads  are  very  promi- 
nent in  church  and  social  circles.  Mr.  Rhoads  has  built 
up  for  himself  a  lasting  reputation  as  a  man  possessing 
most  excellent  personal  traits  of  character.  He  is  up- 
right and  honorable  in  his  business  transactions,  and  is  im- 
bued with  that  generous  public  spirit  that  is  always  ready 
to  assist  in  whatever  is  calculated  to  promote  the  welfare 
of  his  community. 


428 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


AUGUSTUS  HARNER,  one  of  the  venerable  residents 
of  Berks  county,  Pa.,  who  until  1896  was  engaged  in  agri- 
cuftural  pursuits  in  Heidelberg  township,  is  now  living  re- 
tired near  Shaver's  schoolhouse,  and  has  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  the  entire  community.  Mr.  Harner  was  born 
Jan.  20,  1S27,  in  Cumru  township,  Berks  county,  son  of 
Jacob  and  Susanna  (Wann)   Harner. 

Daniel  Harner,  grandfather  of  Augustus,  was  a  tobacco 
dealer  at  Rehrersburg,  a  substantial  business  man  of  his 
locality,  and  one  of  the  first  to  engage  in  that  line  in 
his  section.  He  is  buried  at  Rehrersburg  church,  in  Bethel 
township.  Daniel  Harner's  children  were :  Jacob ;  George, 
whose  son  Horace  worked  in  a  bank  in  Reading;  Fred- 
erick, a  legislator  of  Berks  county  from  1865  to  1867; 
Abraham;  a  daughter;  and  Daniel. 

Jacob  Harner,  father  of  Augustus,  was  a  resident  of 
Cumru  township,  and  being  in  humble  circumstances, 
worked  on  the  old  Seitzinger  farm  where  the  State  Con- 
stabulary has  been  situated  for  many  years.  He  mar- 
ried Susanna  Wann,  and  both  are  buried  at  Aulenbach 
cemetery  in  Reading.  Jacob  Harner  passed  his  last  days 
at  the  home  of  his  son,  Jacob,  Jr.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harner 
were  born  these  children :  Augustus ;  Amelia  m.  John 
Kachel;  Margaret  m.  Albert  Cleaver;  Jacob,  of  Reading, 
m.  Louisa  Koch;  Mary  Ann  m.  George  Strunk,  of  Read- 
ing; and  James,  a  boiler-maker  of  Palmyra,  died  in  Read- 
ing. 

Augustus  Harner  obtained  his  education  in  the  pay 
schools  near  where  he  lived  in  Cumru  township,  and  he 
was  reared  on  the  farm  on  which  his  father  worked.  In 
1857  he  purchased  the  old  Shower  homestead  in  Heidel- 
berg township,  and  here  he  has  since  resided,  being 
actively  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1896,  since 
which  time  the  farm  has  been  rented  to  his  son-in-law, 
Mr.  Noll.  On  this  property  of  seventy-five  acres,  Mr. 
Harner  erected  all  of  the  present  buildings,  the  house  being 
built  in  1874,  as  well  as  the  substantial  80  x  40  barn. 
He  has  always  been  industrious  and  hard-working  and 
now  in  the  evening  of  his  life  he  feels  that  he  can  afford  to 
enjoy  some  of  the  fruits  of  his  hard  labor.  Mr.  Harner 
is  very  well  read,  the  Bible  being  one  of  his  favorite 
works.  He  can  speak  both  English  and  German  fluently, 
and  in  spite  of  his  eighty  years  is  very  well  preserved, 
both  in  mind  and  body,  and  is  an  excellent  conversation- 
alist. In  political  matters  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  his  pop- 
ularity in  this  section  has  been  attested  by  his  election 
to  various  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility  in  his  town- 
ship. Mr.  Harner  is  a  Reformed  member  of  Hain's 
Church,  of  which  he  was  deacon  and  elder,  while  his  family 
attend  the  Corner  Church. 

In  1S.j1  Mr.  Harner  married  i\Iarv  Ann  Shower,  born 
Jan,  24.  1829.  who  died  Nov.  24.  189'8.  daughter  of  Isaac 
and  Mary  (Wenrich)  Shower,  and  to  this  union  one  child 
has  been  born  :  S.  Agnes  m.  William  Noll,  and  of  their 
two  children,  a  son  and  a  daughter,  their  daughter  married 
Ulysses  Lamm  and  has  two  sons :  Paul  Augustus  and 
Charles  Alfred. 

WILLIAM  F.  HECHLER,  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  West  Reading,  Pa.,  who  is  serving  as  one  of  the  first 
councilmen  of  the  new  borough,  was  born  Aug.  22,  1850, 
in  Penn  township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Amos  and  Eliz- 
abeth   ( Kissling)    Hechler. 

Rudolph  Heckler  (Hechler),  the  founder  of  this  num- 
erous family  in  America,  came  to  this  country  from  the 
Fatherland  prior  to  1741,  and  settled  in  Exeter  township, 
where  he  became  the  owner  of  considerable  land.  In  1759 
he  was  one  of  the  heaviest  tax  payers  of  the  district,  pay- 
ing twenty-two  pounds,  and  he  was  considered  a  leading 
citizen  of  his  locality. 

Daniel  Hechler,  the  grandfather  of  William  F.,  was  a 
cabinet-maker  by  trade,  an  occupation  which  he  followed 
in  Exeter  township,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years.  He  married  a  Miss  Ritter,  who  reached  the 
age  of  seventy-three  years,  the  latter  being  buried  in  the 
Ritter  cemetery  in  Exeter  township,  and  Mr.  Hechler  at 
Alsace  Church.  They  had  children  as  follows:  Elam,  a 
hatter,  settled  in  Reading;  Amos;  Laurence  died  in  Schuyl- 


kill   county;     Elizabeth     died    single;     and    Mrs.    Joseph 
Snyder. 

Amos  Hechler,  father  of  William  F.,  was  born  in  Exeter 
township,  but  as  a  young  man  removed  to  Penn  township, 
where  he  worked  first  at  farm  work,  and  later  at  black- 
smithing.  He  also  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which 
he  followed  for  upward  of  thirty  years,  then  engaging 
in  the  saw  mill  business  in  Luzerne  county,  Pa.,  and  later 
at  Reading.  He  next  went  to  Caroline  county,  Md.,  where 
he  died  in  1873,  at  the  age  of  forty-eight  years.  Mr. 
Hechler  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Kissling,  daughter  of 
John  and  Catherine  (Spayd)  Kissling,  of  Penn  township. 
She  died  in  Caroline  county,  Md.,  at  the  age  of  forty-four 
years,  seven  weeks  after  the  death  of  her  husband.  Both 
are  buried  at  Bern  Church  in  Penn  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hechler  had  these  children:  William  f.;  Leander  m. 
!\I.  H.  Cohee,  of  Caroline  county,  Md.,  and  died  in  1875 ; 
Charles  W.  is  of  Wilmington,  Del. ;  and  Rosanna  m.  Irwin 
D.  Klopp,  of  West  Reading,  Pennsylvania. 

William  F.  Hechler  attended  the  schools  of  Penn  town- 
ship and  his  first  work  was  on  the  farm,  where  he  con- 
tinued until  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  then  learned  the 
cabinet-making  trade,  which  he  followed  for  nine  years, 
after  which  he  took  up  carpentering,  an  occupation  at 
which  he  was  engaged  for  a  like  period,  after  which  he 
was  for  sixteen  years  employed  at  the  old  West  Reading 
Planing  Mill.  In  1902  Mr.  Hechler  engaged  with  Schrader 
&  Kline,  of  Penn  street,  working  at  cabinet  making.  Mr. 
Hechler  came  to  West  Reading  in  1889,  and  in  1895  built 
his  home  at  No.  516  Penn  avenue.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics  and  has  become  very  prominent  in  public  matters, 
For  three  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board  of  Spring  township,  and  while  in  office,  in  1899, 
assisted  in  building  the  large  schoolhouse  now  located  in 
the  borough  of  West  Reading.  On  May  7,  1907,  he  was 
elected  to  the  council  of  West  Reading,  as  one  of  the  first 
members  of  that  body.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  James  Re- 
formed Church  of  West  Reading,  for  three  years  served 
in  the  consistory,  and  for  several  years  was  also  a  teacher 
in  the  Sunday-school.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with 
the  Royal  Arcanum,  the  Brotherhood  of  America,  and  the 
Sr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 

Mr.  Hechler  married  Rebecca  Rishel,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Maria  (Wenrich)  Rishel.  To  them  there  have 
been  born  children  as  follows :  Annie  m.  William  H.  Mat- 
tes;  Evan  W.  m,  Annie  Hunter;  Paul  H.,  of  Coatesville, 
Pa.,  m.  Annie  Sunday;  Rosie  m,  Morris  Wagner;  Katie 
m,  Edward  Adams;  William,  single;  Miss  Sallie  and  Adam, 
twins,  of  whom  the  latter  died  at  the  age  of  eight  months; 
and  May  Edna  died  when  twenty-three  days  old. 

CYRUS  J.  RHODE.  Many  years  ago  there  lived  in  Rich- 
mond township,  Berks  county,  a  Frederick  Rhode,  who 
according  to  family  tradition  came  to  America  from  Eng- 
land, but  was  by  nativity  a  German.  He  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, married  and  had  a  family,  but  from  the  information 
on  hand  it  can  not  be  found  who  his  wife  was. 

Among  other  children,  this  Frederick  Rhode  had  a  son. 
William,  born  in  Richmond  township.  He  was  reared 
on  the  farm,  but  learned  the  trade  of  stone  mason,  follow- 
ing that  occupation  in  Greenwich  township,  whither  he 
had  removed,  for  fifteen  years,  during  this  time  helping 
to  erect  many  of  the  substantial  stone  and  brick  farm 
buildings  which  are  such  a  characteristic  feature  through- 
out (jreenwich  and  the  adjoining  townships.  Later  in  life 
Mr,  Rhode  engaged  in  farming  near  the  town  of  Grim- 
Mile,  and  he  continued  at  agricultural  pursuits  until  ad- 
vanced years,  when  he  gave  up  active  work  and  from  that 
time  on  lived  retired.  In  politics  earlv  in  life  he  was  an 
old-line  Whig,  but  when  the  Whig  party  was  dissolved  he 
became  a  Democrat  and  adhered  to  the  faith  of  that  party 
for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  never  aspired  to  public 
position,  but  in  local  affairs  bore  his  full  share  of  the 
duties  and  responsibilities  required  of  the  citizen.  He 
was  interested  m  educational  matters  and  served  as  school 
director  in  his  district.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed Church, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


429 


William  Rhode  married  Mary  Zimmer,  daughter  of  Dan- 
iel and  Caroline  (Wright)  Zimmer,  of  Greenwich  town- 
ship. She  was  born  in  1832,  and  was  a  member  of  one 
of  the  old  representative  families  of  that  part  of  Berks 
county.  Daniel  Zimmer  was  born  and  always  lived  m 
Greenwich  township,  and  by  occupation  was  a  shoemaker. 
He  died  in  1896  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  Although 
it  is  not  definitely  known,  it  is  strongly  probable  that  Dan- 
iel Zimmer  was  a  descendant  of  Rudolph  Zimmer,  who  in 
1741,  when  only  eighteen  -years  of  age,  came  from  Ger- 
many to  America  in  the  ship  "Friendship."  He  landed 
at  Philadelphia  Oct.  12th  of  that  year,  and  shortly  after- 
ward settled  in  Greenwich,  where  he  appears  upon  the  tax 
list  of  1756.  Caroline  Wright,  as  her  name  indicates,  was 
of  English  descent,  but  little  is  known  of  her  ancestry. 
She  had  a  brother,  who  during  the  Civil  war  was  a  colonel 
in  the  Union  army.  William  Rhode  died  in  1884,  and  his 
wife  in  1892,  and  they  were  buried  in  the  graveyard  of 
the  Union  Church  at  Grimville.  To  them  were  born  these 
children :  Eliza  A.  m.  Wllloughby  Gehringer ;  Cyrus  J. ; 
Anna  E.  m.  Albert  Plough;  Chester  W.  m.  Emma  Stern; 
Lewis  F.  m.  Hannah  Tyson;  Charles  H.  m.  Emma  Rein- 
hart;  Agnes  m.  James  Love;  Westa  m.  Charles  Fritz; 
Jonathan  and  Frederick  m.  and  live  at  Omaha,  Nebr. ; 
Mary  m.  Henry  Rohlf ;  Ilena  m.  Jas.  Ross ;  and  Oswell 
m.  Helan  Kleflner.  Besides,  there  were  also  Clara  and  Ida, 
who  died  young. 

Cyrus  J.  Rhode,  the  second  child  of  William  and  Mary 
(Zimmer)  Rhode,  was  born  June  11,  1852,  near  Grimville, 
Greenwich  township,  Berks  county.  Until  reaching  the  age 
of  sixteen  years  he  remained  upon  the  farm,  occupied  at 
such  duties  as  are  usually  allotted  to  Pennsylvania  farmer 
boys  and  attending  the  district  school.  For  the  purpose 
of  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the  English  language  he 
lived  a  winter  with  a  family  named  Bush  in  the  northern 
part  of  Chester  county,  and  attended  a  public  school 
there.  To  equip  himself  for  the  exacting  duties  of  life 
he  then  concluded  to  learn  a  trade,  and  subsequently  served 
an  apprenticeship  at  bricklaying,  working  at  this  occupa- 
tion for  several  years  in  his  own  locality  and  at  different 
points  in  the  Lehigh  Valley,  as  well  as  at  Allentown,  Car- 
■  bondale  and  in  New  York  State  as  far  up  as  Syracuse. 
Later  a  thirst  for  knowledge  impelled  him  to  spend  several 
terms  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  where  he  made 
such  good  progress  in  his  studies  that  he  was  encouraged 
to  try  his  hand  at  teaching.  He  began  this  profession  in 
Weisenburg  township,  where  the  length  of  term  was 
four  months  and  the  salary  thirty  dollars  per  month.  He 
taught  Apple's  school  for  three  years,  and  then  for  ten 
years  continuously  the  school  in  Grim's  independent  school 
district,  all  in  Lehigh  county.  His  duties  as  teacher  not 
occupying  all  of  his  time,  he  at  intervals  engaged  at  fire  in- 
surance and  lumbering,  in  which  he  then  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  a  business  that  has  spread  and  grown  upon  his 
hands  ever  since. 

In  1884  in  order  to  give  his  children  the  advantages  of 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  Mr.  Rhode  located  in 
Kutztown,  where  after  a  short  residence  he  purchased  a 
bakery,  and  continued  in  that  business  for  a  period  of 
eleven  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  his  insurance  and 
lumber  business  having  grown  to  such  large  proportions, 
he  was  compelled  to  give  his  entire  time  and  attention 
to  them.  In  these  lines  he  has  continued  to  the  present 
time  and  is  now  rated  aS  one  of  Kutztown's  busiest  cit- 
izens. He  has  been  secretary  of  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  of  Berks  and  Lehigh  counties,  for 
twenty-one  years,  and  also  represents  a  number  of  other 
leading  companies  as  agent.  His  lumber  business  is  quite 
extensive  and  consists  of  purchasing  tracts  of  timber, 
which  he  converts  into  merchantable  lumber.  He  has  also 
had  an  extensive  experience  in  erecting  lightning  rods,  to 
which  reference  can  be  made  appropriately  in  this  biog- 
raphy. For  fifteen  years  he  has  engaged  at  this  occupation 
over  a  wide  range  of  territory,  and  notwithstanding  the 
strong  orejudice  which  exists  against  lightning  rod  agents 
generally  has  succeeded  in  giving  entire  satisfaction  wher- 
ever he  has  been  given  work  to  do.  He  has  furnished  his 
patrons  a  good  article  at  a  fair  price  and  dealt  with  them 


honorably,  and  by  these  means  has  won  their  confidence 
and  respect.  Of  the  42,000  buildings  that  he  has  rodded 
since  starting  in  the  business  not  one  has  been  burned  by 
lightning,  which  is  the  best  evidence  that  the  material  he 
supplies  is  of  the  best  quality  and  that  his  work  is  well 
done.  He  puts  up  from  20,000.  to  30,000  feet  of  rodding 
every  season.  Mr.  Rhode  claims  the  lightning  rod  business 
is  as  reputable  as  any  other,  if  reputably  conducted. 

While  Mr.  Rhode  has  been  a  busy  man  he  has  yet 
found  time  to  give  attention  to  public  affairs.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  since  living  in  Kutztown  has 
served  one  term  on  the  council,  and  as  a  member  of  the 
school  board  for  twelve  years,  and  it  was  during  his  service 
as  a  school  director  that  the  handsome  school  house  was 
built  in  Kutztown.  He  is  a  pronounced  friend  of  popular 
education,  and  has  done  much  to  promote  the  efficiency 
of  the  public  schools  and  to  encourage  the  young  to  make 
use  of  them.  In  1894,  Mr.  Rhode  was  elected  a  represen- 
tative in  the  State  Legislature  from  Berks  county,  re- 
elected in  1896,  and  served  faithfully  through  two  terms 
in  which  Democrats  were  decidedly  in  the  minority.  In 
1903  he  was  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  Kutztown, 
and  is  now  serving  in  that  capacity.  , 

On  Oct.  2,  1872,  Cyrus  J.  Rhode  was  married  to  Amanda 
F.  Knerr,  of  Weisenburg  township,  Lehigh  county,  born 
July  17,  1849,  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Elizabeth  (Knerr) 
Knerr,  and  granddaughter  of  David  and  Susannah  (Derr) 
Knerr,  all  of  Lehigh  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhode 
have  been  born  four  children,  as  follows :  Minerva  E.  m. 
David  B.  Levan  and  lived  in  Kutztown,  until  her  death 
from  pulmonary  trouble.  May  23,  1909 ;  John  W.,  a  lumber, 
coal  and  feed  merchant  of  Topton,  m.  Kate  Keller,  and 
has  had  two  children,  Harold  and  one  deceased ;  Homer  J., 
an  eye  specialist  of  Reading,  is  mentioned  below; 
and  Solon  L.,  who  graduated  from  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School,  is  now  attending  lectures  in  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Rhode  and  family  belong  to  the 
Reformed  Church,  where  -  his  ancestors  worshipped  for 
generations.  > 

Dr.  Homer  Jones  Rhode,  specialist  in  Diseases  of  the 
Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat,  Reading,  was  born  in  Weisen- 
burg. Lehigh  county,  Dec.  9,  1877.  His  early  education 
was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Kutztown,  and  later 
at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School.  He  was  graduated 
from  the  latter  institution  in  the  class  of  1895,  after 
which  he  took  post-graduate  work  preparatory  to  study- 
ing medicine,  and  he  then  taught  two  terms  of  school  at 
Richhill,  in  Bucks  county.  Entering  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  he  graduated 
from  that  famous  institution  in  1901,  and  was  at  once  ap- 
pointed resident  physician  of  St.  Joseph's  Hospital,  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  remained  one  year.  In  July,  1902,  he 
entered  the-  Wills  Eye  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  and'  there 
he  served  as  resident  surgeon  for  one  year,  after  which 
he  took  charge  of  Dr.  S.  Lewis  Ziegler's  practice  in  Phila- 
delphia, during  that  gentleman's  trip  abroad.  In  the  fall 
of  1903  Dr.  Rhode  established  himself  in  Reading,  where 
he  has  since  been  located,  and  he  has  built  up  an  exten- 
sive practice  in  his  specialties.  Since  1904  he  has  been 
connected  with  the  Reading  Hospital.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Berks  County  Medical  Society,  the  Reading  Medical 
Society,  the  State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American 
Medical  Association. 

On  April  9,  1904,  Dr.  Rhode  was  married  to  Miss  May 
Friel,  daughter  of  James  Friel,  of  Philadelphia,  and  they 
have  had  these  children :  Dorothy,  who  died  aged  eighteen 
months ;  Homer  J.,  Jr.,  and  Virginia.  The  Doctor  and 
his  wife  attend  the  Reformed  Church.  Socially  he  is  a 
member  of  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  435,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Read- 
ing. His  home  is  located  at  No.  220  North  Sixth  street, 
and  there  he  and  his  good  wife  delight  in  welcoming  their 
many  friends. 

CHARLES  P.  HOFFMAN,  manager  of  the  G.  M.  Brit- 
ton  Company,  Pottsville,  Pa.,  and  director  in  the  Mer- 
chants National  Bank,  of  that  city,  was  born  in  Friedens- 
burg,  Oley  township,  Berks  county,  Sept.  20,  1866,  son  of 
Rev.  P.  P.  A.  Hoffman  and  his  wife,  Aravesta  M.  Bodder. 


430  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

Rev    P    p.   \.  Hoffman  was  born  in  CherryviUe,  North-  Reading.     Mrs.    Hoffman   is   a   graduate    of   the   Reading 

ampton    county,    March    25,    1836,    and    died    at    Reading  high  school  where  she  was  a  classmate  of  her  husband. 
June  30    1888    in  the  fifty-third  year  of  his  age      He  was  BOWER,  D.  D.  S.,  of  Boyertown,  one  of 

educated  m   the  common  schools    and   later  attended  the  ^^e  leading  dentists  o7  Berks  countv,' was  born  in  this  town 

Mercersburg    Preparatory    School,    then    that    college    and  '(^V  07    i840    son  of  Henry  O.  and  Barbara   (Borneman) 

Theological    Seminary,    graduatmg    at   an    early   age.      He  g^^'^^d  grandson  of  JohriZBower. 

was    mstalled    at    Fnedensburg,     m     Berks     county,     and         ^,    ^^^^^  Bower,  the  American  ancestor  of  the   family, 

preached     at     Friedens     Church     there     for     twenty-five  emigrated   from   Switzerland  between   1708   and   1717.     He 

years,    or    until    his    death.      His    twenty-fifth    installation  gettfed  in  Colebrookdale  township,  with  other  Mennonites 

was  celebrated  at  Hill  Church  in  the  presence  of  a  large  ^^^  fjgj  because  of  persecution.     In  time  he  bought  three 

congregation,  which  congregation  he  served  from  his  entry  different   tracts,    and    his    first    purchase   consisted    of    215 

into   the   ministry   until    his   death.     The   Friedens    charge  acres    which    he    bought    from    Thomas    Hopkinson.      His 

consisted  of   four  congregations,  viz.  :   Hill,   Friedens,  Lo-  second  purchase  which  was  201  acres,  he  secured  in  1734) 

bachsville    and     Pricetown,      He    was     an    able    minister  and    the    third    was    made    from    the    Penns    in    1734,    fori 

and     eloquent     preacher.      For     some     years     before     his  which   he   paid    twenty-three   pounds,    five    shillings.     This' 

death  he  lived   at  Reading,   and  is  buried  in   the   Charles  land    was   located     in     Hereford   township,    Berks    county, 

Evans   cemetery   there.     In   1864  he  married   Aravesta   M.  and  is  now  owned  by  Rev.  John  Ehst.     In  1749  he  sold  this  . 

Bodder,  daughter  of  Charles  and   Susanna   (Mason)   Bod-  tract  to  his  two  sons,  Mjchael  ancTAbrahara   (whose  chil-.j; 

der.     Mr.  Bodder  was  a  hatter  and  furrier  at  Bethlehem,  dren   were — George,    Samuel   and   Jacob), 
where  he  was  a  member  of  the  town  council  and  a  very         (H)     Michael    Bower,    son    of    Hans,    and    great-great- _ 

prominent   citizen.     To   the   Rev.    Mr.    Hoffman   and   wife  grandfather  of   Dr.   Bower,   married   Fronica,  daughter  of'fC 

were  born  the  following  children:  Charles  P.;  Willard  U.,  Johannes    Landis.      On   July    7,    1784,  Tie    sold   a   tract   of  ^ 

of    Reading;    J.    Lange,    of    Chicago;    Bertha    B.,    m.    to  land    containing    108    acres    to    his    son-in-law.    Christian"^ 

Thomas  Paine,  of  Reading;  and  C.  Herbert,  of  Pottsville.  Moyer,   for  the  sum  of  325  pounds ;   also  a  tract  contain- 

Charles  P.  Hoffman  received  the  benefit  of  an  ex-  {ng  seventy-four  acres  and  twenty-eight  perches,  for  175^  ^ 
cellent  education,  attending  the  public  school,  Oley  Acad-  pounds.  His  children  were :  (^amuel,)  Fronica;  and 'Aiina.] 
emy,  a  preparatory  school  at  Bethlehem,  and  graduated  (III)  Samuel  Bower,  son  of  Michael,  was  born  Aug.  6, 
from  the  Reading  high  school  in  1885,  with  the  class  1746,  and  he  is  buried  at  Hereford  Mennonite  Meeting 
honors.  He  then  became  a  bookkeeper  for  the  Manhattan  House.  Fie  was  a  farmer  in  Douglass  township,  Mont- 
Hardware  iManufacturing  Company,  of  Reading,  serving  gomery  county.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Ziegler,  and  they 
in  that  position  for  two  years.  In  1887  he  became  collec-  had  children  as  follows :  Susanna,  Barbara,  Deborah,  John, 
tor  for  the  Gately  &  Britton  Installment  House,  of  Read-  Elizabeth,  Samuel,  Hannah,  Andrew  and  Christopher, 
ing,  and  his  promotion  to  a  better  position  was  soon  (IV)  JohrCBower,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born  in  Doug- 
merited.  In  1894  the  firm  opened  up  the  Pottsville  branch  lass  township,  Montgomery  county,  Dec.  24,  1773,  and  died 
in  a  small  store  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Hoffman,  there  March  30,  1854,  and  he  is  buried  at  Bally.  He 
and  this  has  since  become  the  largest  furniture,  carpet  bought  a  farm  of  156  acres  in  1814  for  $13,000.  This  he 
and  clothing  store  in  all  Schuylkill  county.  It  sold  to  John  Moyer  in  1890  for  $5,600.  He  was 
employs  thirty-five  to  fifty  persons  and  enjoys  a  large  a  well-known  farmter  and  a  most  excellent  mian.  Dur- 
and  lucrative  trade.  Besides  making  this  store  a  mecca  ing  the  panic  of  1814  to  1820,  he  hauled  rye  flour  to 
for  the  buyer  of  household  goods,  he  has  found  time  to  Philadelphia,  receiving  seventy-five  cents  per  hundred 
devote  to  the  best  interests  of  the  city.  He  is  broad-  pounds.  Later  he  prospered,  and  although  many  lost  their 
minded  and  public-spirited,  and  is  ever  in  the  front  rank  farms  during  this  time  of  stringency,  he  did  not.  His  wife's 
of  new  enterprises.  He  has  become  the  standard  bearer  maiden  name  was  Susanna  Overholtzer,  and  they  had  five 
for  those  interests  that  stand  for  progress  and  civic  ad-  children :  Catherine  married  Samuel  B.  Latshaw ;  Elizabeth 
vancement — and  the  leader  'in  all  public  demonstrations  m.  Jonas  Sassaman;  John  O. ;  Samuel  O.  and  Henry  O. 
and  events  that  tend  to  advertise  and  advance  his  adopted  (V)  Henry  O.  Bower,  son  of  John  and  father  of  Dr. 
city.  During  the  first  years  of  his  connection  with  the  Bower,  was  born  in  Douglass  township,  Jan.  6.  1807,  and 
firm  of  Gately  &  Britton  (a  partnership  that  has  since  di-  died  there  Feb.  14,  1867.  He  was  a  clockmaker,  and  made 
vided,  Mr.  Hoffman  continuing  with  Mr.  Britton)  he  con-  130  grandfather  clocks,  some  showing  the  movement  of 
ducted  for  three  years  the  Tropical  Garden,  then  located  the  moon.  His  grave  is  at  the  Mennonite  Meeting  House 
at  Eighth  and  Penn  streets,  Reading.  at  Bally.     The  last  clock  he  made,  completed  about  1845, 

Mr.  Hoffman  is  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Merchants  is  in  the  possession  of  his  son  Dr.  Joel  B.  Bower  of  Boyer- 
National  Bank,  of  Pottsville,  and  has  since  been  one  of  its  town.  Mr.  Bower  was  well-known  and  traveled  from 
directors,  secretary  of  the  board  and  a  member  of  the  house  to  house  in  eastern  Berks  county,  repairing  clocks. 
Finance  committee.  Fle  is  actively  identified  with  church.  His  wife  was  Barbara  Borneman,  also  a  native  of 
political,  social  and  fraternal  associations  in  Pottsville.  Montgomery  county.  They  had  six  children,  as  follows: 
With  his  family  he  attends  Trinity  Reformed  Church.  He  Dr.  Joel  B. ;  John,  deceased,  a  farmer  in  Douglass  town- 
is  past  master  of  Reading  Lodge,  No.  549,  F.  &  A.  M.;  ship;  Priscilla,  deceased  wife  of  Levi  Ehst;  Johanna,  de- 
Reading  Chapter,  No.  152,  R.  A.  M. ;  past  commander  of  ceased  wife  of  Daniel  B.  Rittenhouse,  of  Montgomery 
De  Molay  Commandery.  No.  9,  K.  T. ;  and  a  charter  county;  Dr.  Daniel  B.,  of  Boyertown;  Elizabeth,  living  at 
member  of  Rajah   Temple,   A.   A.   O.    N.   M.   S.,   Reading,  Boyertown,  widow  of  John  Bechtel. 

which  he  has  had  the  honor  of  representing  at  the  Imperial  (VI)  JoeF  B.  Bower  was  reared  in  Douglass  town- 
Council  of  North  America.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  ship,  where  he  attended  school,  but  later  he  went  to  the 
the  Pottsville  Club;  a  charter  member  of  the  Sphinx  Freeland  Seminary,  and  then  studied  with  his  uncle.  Dr. 
Club;  a  miember  (and  past  president)  of  the  Commercial  J.  H.  Borneman,  vvho  was  a  dentist  at  Boyertown.  Still'later 
Club;  The  West  End  Fire  Company;  Schuylkill  County  he  attended  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College,  from  which 
Historical  Society;  and  Liederkranz.  Fle  has  been  presi-  he  was  graduated  in  1867.  He  immediately  located  at 
dent  of  the  Merchants'  Association  of  Pottsville  and  vi-  Boyertown,  where  he  followed  his  profession  "for  a  period 
cinity  since  1903 ;  president  of  the  Pottsville  Civic  Society,  of  forty-five  years.  ,  In  1905  his  son  Dr.  .\.  L.  Bower 
which  is  in  the  nature  of  a  board  of  trade,  since  its  incep-  took  charge  of  the  office.  In  1892  Dr.  Bower  opened  a 
tion  in  1905;  he  is  a  member  and  chairman  of  the  Finance  branch  office  at  Pottstown,  and  this  his  son  Dr.  Samuel 
committee  of  the  board  of  control  of  the  famous  Third  Bower  now  conducts.  Flis  son  Dr.  Daniel  Bower  had 
Brigade  Band.  Mr.  Floffman  is  one  of  the  leading  men  charge  of  the  Pottstown  office  for  ten  years  prior  to  his 
of  Pottsville,  and  he  has  the  well  merited  respect  of  his  death  in  1905.  Dr.  Joel  B.  Bower  and  his  family  are 
fellow   citizens.  members  of  the  ;\Iennonite  Church  of  Boyertown,  aiid  he 

In  1885  Mr.  Floffman  married  Sue  E.  Bickley,  daughter  is   very   active   in    Church   work.     He   resides   in   his   own 

of   the   late   Capt.    Frank   and   Amelia    (Lotz)    Bickley   of  house  on  Philadelnhia  avenue. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


431 


Dr.  Bower  has  been  married  three  times.  His  first 
wife,  Sevilla  Stauffer,  of  Boyertown,  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty,  leaving  one  son,  Henry,  who  died  soon  thereafter. 
He  married  (second)  Elizabeth  Latshaw,  of  East  Vincent, 
Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  who  bore  him  hve  children :  Dr.  Daniel, 
born  March  2,  1873,  died  unmarried,  Feb.  15,  1905 ;  I  acob 
died  at  the  age  of  four  years;  Miss  Mary  lives  at  Boyer- 
town; Dr.  Abram  L.  is  mentioned  below;  Dr.  Samuel,  of 
Pottstown,  graduated  from  the  Philadelphia  Dental  Col- 
lege in  1902,  and  married  Blanche  Grubb,  of  Chester 
county  (no  issue).  Dr.  Bower  married  (third)  Annie 
B.  Bickhart,  who  died  Oct.  16,  1906,  aged  sixty-nine 
years  (no  issue). 

Dr.  Abram  L.  Bovver,  son  of  Dr.  Joel  B.  Bower,  was 
born  Jan.  23,  1879.  He  graduated  from  the  Boyertown 
high  school  in  1894,  and  from  the  West  Chester  State 
Normal  School  in  1896.  He  taught  school  two  terms, 
after  which  he  attended  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College 
two  terms  and  graduated  from  the  Dental  Department 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1901.  He  has  prac-" 
tised  dentistry  since  at  Norristown,  Pottstown,  and  Boy- 
ertown, in  which  latter  place  he  is  now  engaged.  Dr. 
Bower  has  been  granted  nine  patents  and  a  number  of 
other  patents  for  his  inventions  have  been  allowed  by 
the  United  States  Patent  Office  but  have  not  yet  been 
issued.  He  has  invented  a  dental  preparation  to  be  used 
in  the  operation  of  capping  live  and  exposed  nerves  in 
teeth.  This  method  and  preparation  were  quickly  adopted 
by  the  dental  profession  and  are  now  largely  used  for  that 
purpose.  His  other  inventions  relate  to  railway  signalling, 
chiefly  cab  signalling,  where  three  classes  of  signals  are 
transmitted  to  the  train  through  a  single  circuit  from 
the  rails  to  the  engine  and  displayed  in  the  cab  in  front 
of  the  engineer.  These  three  classes  of  signals  are  clear, 
cautionary,  and  danger,  shown  by  colored  electric  incan- 
descent lamps,  the  colors  being  white,  green,  and  red,  re- 
spectively. Bells  are  also  automatically  rung  in  the  cab 
to  call  the  engineer's  attention  to  a  change  in  the  signal 
displayed. 

Dr.  Bower's  device  also  makes  the  service  applica- 
tion of  the  brakes  when  caution  is  indicated,  and  the  emer- 
gency application  of  the  brakes  when  danger  or  stop  is 
indicated.  The  throttle  also  is  operated,  shutting  off 
the  steam.  The  entire  device  operates  automatically  but 
it  is  adapted  so  as  to  be  instantly  controlled  by  the  en- 
gineer. 

His  inventions  also  include  block  signals  for  electrically 
operated  trains  or  trolleys  which  automatically  shut  off 
the  power  or  reduce  the  speed  of  the  vehicle  by  introducing 
resistance  into  the  motor  circuit.  Also  a  governor  to 
prevent  the  application  of  the  brakes  when  the  speed  is 
not  over  six  miles  per  hour;  also  a  distance  device  which 
automatically  displays  the  danger  signal  after  the  train 
has  proceeded  a  certain  predetermined  distance  without 
receiving  a  clear  or  cautionary  signal  impulse  from  the 
devices  on  the  roadbed.  This  distance  device  checks 
any  failure  of  the  other  devices  to  operate.  The  Block 
Signal  and  Train  Control  Board  of  the  Interstate  Com- 
merce Commission  authorized  a  practical  test  of  these 
devices,  to  be  made  by  the  Board  in  March  or  April 
of  1909,  on  the  Colebrookdale  Branch  of  the  Philadelphia 
&  Reading  Railroad,  near  Pottstown.  j^ 

Dr.  Abram  L.  Bower  married  ^j^T'^'l  lOi .  J  Mtiii''  °^ 
New  Britain,  Pa.  They  have  two~hildren,  Joel  L.  and 
Elizabeth  L. 

GEORGE  BRUBAKER,  one  of  Reading's  substantial 
business  men,  who  conducts  a  lumber  yard  on  South 
Third  street,  is  a  native  of  Reading,  born  Jan.  20,  1854, 
son  of  Solomon  and  Anna  Mary  (Reiff)   Brubaker. 

George  Brubaker,  grandfather  of  George,  married  Bar- 
bara Hoover,  and  they  settled  at  New  Holland,  Lancaster 
county,  where  Mr.  Brubaker  was  a  leading  farmer  and  in- 
fluential man.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
while  his  wife  was  a  Mennonite,  and  they  were  the  par- 
ents of  these  children :  Sally  m.  Samuel  Baer,  a  farmer 
of  Lancaster  county,  and  had  children,  Anna  and  David ; 


Isaac  m..and  had  one  child,  Isaac;  John  died  young;  and 
Solomon. 

Solomon  Brubaker  was  born  in  Lancaster  county  in 
1814,  and  remained  at  home  until  his  eighteenth  year, 
when  he  engaged  at  clerking  in  stores  at  Hinkletown, 
Reamstown  and  Ephrata,  and  it  was  while  working  at 
the  latter  place  that  he  was  induced  by  Philip  Bushong 
to  locate  in  Reading.  After  clerking  for  several  years, 
Mr.  Brubaker  turned  his'  attention  to  the  milling  business 
in  company  with  Joseph  Raudenbush  and  a  Mr.  Frill,  and 
during  the  war  purchased  Mr.  Frill's  interest,  carrying 
on  the  business  alone  until  1869,  when  he  sold  out  to 
Barnhart  &  Koch,  who  in  turn  sold  out  to  the  Bushongs, 
now  the  site  and  property  of  the  Reading  Paper  Mills. 
In  1874  Mr.  Brubaker  organized  the  lumber  business  now 
operated  by  his  son  on  South  Third  street.  Here  he 
successfully  continued  to  operate  until  1880,  when  his  death 
occurred,  in  his  sixty-sixth  year.  Mr.  Brubaker  was  prom- 
inent both  in  a  business  and  social  way,  and  on  the  Re- 
publican ticket  was  elected  a  councilman  in  the  old  Spruce 
ward.  Mr.  Brubaker  was  an  attendant  of  the  Universalist 
Church.  His  widow  survived  him  until  1899,  and  died 
when  sixty-nine  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents 
of  four  children :  George ;  John,  who  died  aged  two  years ; 
Isaac,  died  in  infancy ;  and  Sally  L.,  who  married  John 
E.  Harbster,  and  had  children,  John  M.,  George  B.,  Robert 
M.,  Anna  M.,  Matthew   (deceased),  Carl  and  Marion. 

George  Brubaker  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Reading,  in  the  old  Spruce  ward,  later  attending  the 
high  school  and  subsequently  took  a  course  in  Chester  N. 
Farr's  Business  College.  Upon  completing  the  prescribed 
course  he  entered  the  employ  of  his  father,  with  whom 
he  continued  until  the  latter's  death,  when  he  continued 
the  business  for  his  mother,  and  after  her  death  purchased 
it,  since  which  time  he  has  been  conducting  it  for  himself. 
Mr.  Brubaker  is  a  reliable  business  man,  of  honesty  and 
integrity,  and  he  controls  some  of  Reading's  best  trade, 
handling  a  complete  stock  of  builders'  lumber,  and  being 
the  only  one  in  the  city  to  handle  Washington  cedar. 

Mr.  Brubaker  was  married  in  1885,  to  Miss  E.  Amanda 
Schwartz,  born  in  Berks  county,  daughter  of  James 
Schwartz,  and  two  children  were  born  to  this  union :  Anna 
Mary,  a  graduate  of  the  Girls  high  school  of  Reading,  and 
L.  Eli?abeth,  attending  high  school.  Mr.  Brubaker  is  a 
member  of  Neversink  Fire  Company.  He  is  highly  es- 
teemed in  his  community  as  a  good  neighbor  and  a  useful 
and   public-spirited   citizen. 

CHARLES  RICK,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  who  has 
been  living  retired  in  Reading  since  1904,  was  for  many 
years  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Rick  Brothers'  foundry, 
also  known  as  the  Reading  Butt  Works.  Mr.  Rick  was 
born  in  October,  1840,  in  Bern  township,  Berks  county, 
son  of  Charles  and  Ellen  Louisa  (Ruth)  Rick,  and  grand- 
son of  John  George  Rick. 

Herman  Rick,  great-grandfather  of  Charles,  came  to 
America  with  his  parents  in  the  early  part  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century,  being  then  about  twelve  years  of  age, 
and  after  receiving  his  education  in  the  pay  schools  of  Bern 
township,  he  engaged  in  farming,  at  which  he  continued 
for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Among  his  children  was 
John  George. 

John  George  Rick,  son  of  Herman,  married  Catherine 
Weiser,  grand-niece  of  Conrad  Weiser.  Mr.  Rick  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Bern  township,  and  became  a  large 
land  owner  and  highly  respected  man.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  German  Reformed  Church,  was  a  Whig  in  politics, 
and  was  very  patriotic  and  public-spirited. 

Charles  Rick,  father  of  Charles,  was  educated  in  the 
primitive  schools  of  his  day,  and  early  in  life  conducted 
a  general  store  at  Centreport  and  later  at  Peacock's  Locks, 
coming  to  Reading  in  1841,  where  he  was  engaged  in  a 
mercantile  business  and  in  real  estate  operations.  The 
latter  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  retirement.  He  died 
in  1878,  and  his  wife  in  1880.  They  were  the  parents 
of  the  following  children :  Cyrus,  for  many  years  cashier 
of  the  Farmers'  National  Bank,  and  a  member  of  the 
firm   of    Rick    Brothers,   m.   Emma    Madeira;    John,   who 


■132  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

died    in    1000,    was   also    a   member    of    tlie    firm    of   Rick  gressed    gradually   and    surely,    to    a    position    of   unques- 

Brothers  ( m,  Emma  Ammon)  ;  Charles;  Mary  m.  Franklin  tioned    influence.      Besides    filling    the    presidency    of    the 

Dundore,  of  Philadelphia,  and  had  three  children — Charles,  Reading   Iron   Company,   he   serves    as   a   member   of   the 

Frank  and  Ella;  James,  of  the  firm  of  Rick  Brothers,  now  executive   committee    as  well   as  a.  director  of  the    Penn- 

proprietor  of  the  Rick  Knitting  Mills  of  Reading,  m.  (first)  sylvania  Steel  Company,   as  well  as  a  director  of  each  of  the 

Ellen    Trate.    and    (second)    Julia    O'Hara.    and    had    five  subsidiary    companies   owned    or    controlled   by   that   com- 

children   by   the   last    marriage — James,     Edward,    Albert,  pany.     He  is  a  director  of  the  Reading  Trust  Company; 

Harrison  and  Julia;  and  Ellen  m.  William  A.  Arnold,  de-  president  of  the  Deer  Park  Land  Company;  and  a  director 

ceased,    and    had    six    children — William,    John,    Franklin,  of   the    Spanish-American    Iron    Company;    the    Pure    Oil 

Anna,  Ellen  and  Mary.  Company;    the    Cornwall   &   Lebanon   Railroad   Company; 

Charles  Rick  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  the  Schuylkill  &  Lehigh  Railroad  Company;  the  Mary- 
locality,  and  in  1857  graduated  from  the  old  high  school,  land  Steel  Company;  the  Penn  Mary  Coal  Company; 
Until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  he  clerked  in  various  and  the  Temple  Iron  Company.  He  is  also  interested 
stores,  but  in  May,  1861,  he  went  to  the  front,  enlisting  in  several  iron  and  mining  companies  of  lesser  magnitude, 
at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  was  discharged  in  July,  1861.  In  December,  1866,  Mr.  Smink  married  Clara  C,  daugh- 
Hc  then  re-enlisted  in  Company  E,  128th  Pa.  V.  I.,  be-  ter  of  Augustus  and  Elizabeth  (Seidel)  Thompson,  of 
coming  first  sergeant,  and  was  discharged  as  first  lieuten-  Reading,  and  they  have  four  children,  namely:  Harry  A.;' 
ant  after  nine  months  service.  On  his  return  to  Reading,  Augusta,  now  the  wife  of  Samuel  Heim;  Emily  M.,  wife 
JNIr.  Rick  entered  the  office  of  the  general  superintendent,  of  J.  Bennett  Nolan,  Esq.,  and  Elizabeth.  The  family  are 
G  A.  Nicolls,  of  the  Reading  Railroad  as  clerk,  and  con-  members  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church, 
tinned  with  that  company  until  1871,  when  he  resigned  to  Mr.  Smink's  social  connections  include  membership 
engage  in  business  with  his  brothers,  who  had  founded,  in  the  Wyomissing  Club,  the  Berkshire  Country  Club  (of 
in  1867,  the  business  of  Rick  Brothers  Foundry,  or  Read-  which  he  is  president),  the  Manhattan  Club  of  New  York 
ing  Butt  Works.  He  continued  in  this  business  until  his  City,  Pennsylvania  Society  in  New  York,  the  Railroad 
retirement  in  1904,  at  which  time  the  firm  sold  out.  Club   of    New   York,   American   Iron   and    Steel   Institute, 

In  1868  Mr.  Rick  m.  Emma  A.  Pauli,  a  native  of  Berks  New  York,  American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  the 
county,  daughter  of  Rev.  W.  A.  Pauli,  of  the  Reformed  Philadelphia  Country  Club,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Frank- 
Church,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  six  chil-  lin    Institute,    Philadelphia. 

dren :  Mary  m.  F.  H.  Muhlenberg,  and  has  four  children Harry  A.  Smink,  only  son  of  F.   C.  Smink,  was  born 

Hiester    H.,    Charles   R.,   Ernest   and   Mary;    Miss    Grace;  i"   the   city   of    Reading   in   1867.      He   received   his   early 

Mabel   m.    H.    P.   Weile,   of   Reading;    Bessie   m.    Lindsay  education   in  the  public  schools   of  his  native  place,  later 

McCandlish,   and   has   one   child,   Jane   R. ;    Miss   Florence  attending   a   preparatory   school,    and   in   1892   entered   the 

is  at  home ;  and  .-Vrthur  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Hutch-  employ  of  the  Reading  Iron  Company,   with  which  he  is 

inson-McCandlish  Coal  Company,  Reading.  still  connected.     He  began  as  a  clerk,   and  was  advanced 

Mr.    Rick   is    a   member   of    the   Military   Order   of   the  upon   his   merits,    until    in    1897,   he   was    promoted   to   be 

Loyal    Legion    of    the    United    States;     and     of    Chandler  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Tube  Works  of  the  Com- 

Lodge,   No.  227,  F.  &  A.   M.     He  is  a  Republican  in  pol-  P^^y<  a  position  he  has  ably  filled  since.     The  charge  is  a 

itics,  and  in  1874  he  was  a  member  of  the  common  coun-  responsible  one,  over  two  thousand  people  being  employed 

cil.     He  is  a  director  of  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery,  the  '"   'he  plant. 

Reading  City  Passenger  Railroad  Company,  and  the  Mount        Mr.  Smink  married  Rosie  Deysher,  daughter  of  William 

Penn   Gravity  Railroad.  G.  Deysher,  and  they  have  two  children,  Frank  and  Rus- 
sell.    The   family  are   Catholic  in   religious  connection. 

F.  C.  SMINK,  president  of  the  Reading  Iron  Company, 
IS  associated  with  so  many  enterprises  typical  of  the  com-        FERDINAND  THUN,  manufacturer  of  textile  machin- 

rnercial  prosperity  of  Pennsylvania  that  he  is  not  only  con-  ery  and  president  of  the  borough  council  in  Wyomissing, 

sidered  a  representative  business  man  of  Reading,  but  of  was   born   in    Barmen,   Germany,   Feb.    14,    1866.      He   was 

the    State   as   well.     The   Reading   Iron    Companv,   to   the  educated  in  the  schools  of  that  place  and  graduated  from 

direction  of  which  the  greater  part  of  his  time  is'  devoted,  the   technical   high   school   in   188.-..     He   then   entered   the 

has    one    of    the    largest    independent   plants    of    the   kind  office  of  a  large  establishment  which  manufactured  braids, 

in  the  United  States.  laces    and    dress   trimmings — this   constituting    one    of   the 

Mr.  Smink  was  born  in  184.5  in  Kutztown,  Berks  county,  principal  industries  of  Barmen,  for  many  years  a  famous 
Pa.,  son  of  H.  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Ebert)  Smink.  He  was  manufacturing  center  of  Germany — and"  continued  there 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Reading,  graduating  three  years,  when  he  determined  to  visit  America.  He 
from  the  high  school  in  1861,  after  which  he  taug'ht  proceeded  to  Stony  Creek  ]Mills.  Berks  county.  Pa.,  reach- 
school  during  the  winter  season,  doing  farm  Avork  in  ing  the  place  in  September,  1880,  and  secured  employment 
the  summer  months.  He  has  since  been  identified  with  as  bookkeeper  in  the  office  of  Louis  Kraemer  &  Co.,  the 
Reading.  His  first  position  in  this  city  was  that  of  book-  senior  proprietor  being  an  old  friend  of  his  father.  While 
keeper  in  the  shoe  manufacturing  establishment  of  H.  so  employed  he  devoted  his  spare  time  to  the  study  of 
F.  Felix,  with  whom  he  remained  two  years.  In  1864  the  English  language,  .\fter  remaining  there  until  the 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  spring  of  1888,  and  having  successfullv  acquired  the  Eng- 
Railway  Company  as  secretary  to  Superintendent  G.A.  lish  tongue,  he  returned  to  Barmen,  biit  was  at  home  only 
Nicolls,  in  which  service  he  remained  three  years,  after  a  short  time  when  he  decided  to  locate  permanently  in  the 
which  he  resigned  to  accept  the  chief  clerkship  in  United  States,  and  there  to  engage  in  the  manufacturing 
Bushong  Brothers  Bank.  Soon  afterward  he  ivas  pro-  business.  He  directed  his  special  attention  to  the  manufac° 
moted  to  cashier,  and  acted  as  such  until  the  bank  ture  of  braids,  ribbons,  etc.,  until  the  following  February, 
failed,  in  1877.  Meantime  he  had  also  become  treasurer  by  which  time  he  had  familiarized  himself  with°the  practi- 
and  general  manager  of  the  Berks  &  Lehigh  Railroad  cal  side  of  this  business.  He  then  went  to  New  York 
Company,  and  president  of  the  Keystone  Flardware  Com-  and  was  employed  in  a  leading  braid  factory'  for  three 
pany.  The  latter  concern  also  suspending  business  in  years,  serving  for  a  considerable  part  of  the  tinie  as  super- 
1877,  Mr.  Smink  entered  the  service  of  the  Reading  Iron  intendent  of  the  works.  While  there  he  met  a  vounc^  man 
Works  as  general  business  manager,  Jan.  1,  1878.  He  con-  also  from  Barmen,  Henrv  K.  Janssen,  an  expert  ma'chinist 
tinued  m  that  capacity  until  1889,  in  which  year  the  works  in  the  manufacture  of  textile  machinery,  and  thev  agreed 
failed.  On  the  organization  of  the  Reading  Iron  Company,  to  form  a  partnership  in  that  branch' of  business  and 
Mr.  Smmk  was  made  vice-president  and  general  manager  locate  at  Reading,  Pa.,  where  thev  had  friends  and  where 
under  the  presidency  of  George  F.  Baer,  whom  he  sue-  the  prospects  of  success  appeared  to  them  ver'v  encouras- 
ceeded  m  1902  as  executive  head  of  the  company.  ing.     They   accordingly   went   to   Reading   in   1892,   and   in 

Mr.    Smink   has    risen    to    a   position    ot    affluence    from  a  modest  way  started"  the  new  enterprise  at   Nos'  220-'''^'> 

a    modest   beginning.      Starting   as    a    clerk,    he    has   pro-  Cedar  street, 'emploving  only  a  few  hands     In  four~years 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


433 


they  had  become  so  successful  that  they  required  a  larger 
place  with  greater  facilities  for  increasing  development. 
They  selected  a  tract  of  several  acres  of  land  at  Wyomis- 
sing,  along  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad,  where  they 
erected  a  factory  capable  of  accommodating  100  hands, 
and  theirs  was  the  first  industrial  establishment  in  that 
place.  In  1900  they  organized  and  incorporated  the  com- 
pany under  the  name  of  the  Textile  Machine  Company, 
with  Mr.  Janssen  as  president,  and  Mr.  Thun  as  secretary 
and  treasurer,  which  positions  they  have  held  until  now. 
In  December,  1906,  this  company  employed  300  hapds, 
a  remarkable  increase  in  ten  years,  showing  the  skill, 
energy  and  success  of  its  projectors.  Mr.  Thun  was  in- 
strumental in  establishing  at  the  same  place  the  Berkshire 
Knitting  Mills  and  the  Narrow  Fabric  Company,  two  new 
industries   which   employ   nearly   500   hands. 

In  1902  Mr.  Thun  started  the  Wyomissing  Suburban 
Building  and  Loan  Association,  and  in  1906  the  Wyomis- 
sing Building  and  Savings  Association,  and  he  has  served 
as  treasurer  of  both  organizations  until  the  present  time. 
With  these  large  and  promising  enterprises  at  Wyomissing 
he  naturally  became  very  active  in  the  movement  for 
establishing  a  borough,  and  upon  its  incorporation  in  1906 
he  was  elected  one  of  the  first  councilmen,  and  in  the  or- 
ganization of  'the  council  was  chosen  president. 

In  1896  Mr.  Thun  married  Anna  M.  Grebe,  daughter  of 
Louis  Grebe,  of  Stony  Creek  Mills,  by  whom  he  has  six 
children :  Anna,  Margaret,  Wilma,  Hildegard,  Ferdinand 
and  Louis. 

Ferdinand  Thun,  father  of  Mr.  Thun,  is  a  native  of 
Barmen,  born  in  1830.  He  learned  the  foundry  business 
there,  which  he  followed  successfully  for  forty  years,  and 
he  has  been  living  in  retirement  since  1890.  He  married 
Julia  Westkott, "of  Barmen,  who  died  there  in  1881,  aged 
forty-two  years.  They  had  four  children :  Ferdinand ; 
Emil,  who  succeeded  his  father  in  the  foundry  business ; 
Mary;  and  Emilie.  The  last  three  are  living  at  home  in 
Barmen. 

EDWIN  BOONE,  vice-president  and  cashier  of  the 
National  Union  Bank,  of  Reading,  was  born  on  the  Boone 
homestead,  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  county,  Jan.  14, 
1846.  His  emigrant  ancestors  were  among  the  first  settlers 
in  this  county,  coming  from  England  and  settling  along 
the  headwaters  of  Monocacy  creek,  in  what  is  now  Exeter 
township,  prior  to  the  year  1720.  His  father,  Ellis  H. 
Boone,  moved  to  Reading  in  early  manhood,  and  there 
became  a  well-known  man  in  his  line,  serving  for  more 
than  forty  years  as  foreman  in  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
car  shops.  Ellis  H.  Boone  married  Ann  Cleaver,  daughter 
of  Derrick  Cleaver,  whose  ancestors  were  also  among 
the  first  settlers  of  that  section  of  Berks  county. 

Mr.  Boone  was  educated  in  Reading,  and  was  only  fif- 
teen years  old  (havin-g  left  high  school)  when  tendered 
a  position  as  clerk  in  the  National  Union  Bank,  with 
which  institution  he  has  ever  since  been  connected.  He 
accepted  the  clerkship  March  4,  1861,  the  day  Lincoln  was 
first  inaugurated  President.  It  is  of  interest  to  note  that 
Lincoln's  ancestors  were  near  neighbors  of  the  Boones 
ill  Exeter  township,  before  1730.  Mr.  Boone  commenced 
his  business  career  with  a  determination  to  succeed  which 
he  has  never  relinquished.  He  gave  evidence  of  ability 
from  the  start,  and  was  promoted  steadily  until  he  at- 
tained the  position  of  cashier  in  1878,  though  then  but 
thirty-two  years  of  age.-  Over  twenty  years  later,  in  1901, 
he  was  honored  with  election  to  the  office  of  vice-president, 
and  still  retains  both  responsibilities.  In  all  the  years  he 
has  been  intrOsted  with  the  heavy  obligations  of  these 
positions  his  vigilance  and  fidelity  have  been  marked, 
and  no  cloud  has  ever  marred  the  history  of  the  insti- 
tution or  its  management.  Under  his  management  the  bank 
has  enjoyed  continual  success,  and  a  steady  growth,  the 
business  transacted  in  1906  amounting  to  over  $82,500,000. 
But  it  is  only  due  to  the  directors  of  the  bank  to  say 
that  Mr.  Boone's  services  have  been  both  appreciated  and 
rewarded,  and  he  has  the  satisfaction  of  enjoying  the  con- 
fidence of  those  in  authority  at  the  bank  and  of  the  public 
upon  whose  patronage  its  prosperity  depends. 
28 


Mr.  Boone's  alertness,  keen  perception,  knowledge  and 
long  experience  in  matters  of  finance  have  brought  him 
into  many  congresses  and  councils,  and  -in  contact  with 
some  of  the  greatest  minds  and  financiers  of  the  country. 
Whatever  threatened  or  menaced,  whether  depression  or 
panic  or  stringency  of  any  kind,  the  National  Union  Bank 
has  had  in  Mr.  Boone  a  pilot  who  knew  the  channel  and 
knew  of  every  reef  and  ledge,  and  whatever  the  tempest 
this  commander  carried  his  barque  safely  through  to  the 
calm  sea. 

In  the  year  1892,  seeking  a  respite  from  business  cares, 
Mr.  Boone  made  a  tour  of  the  United  States,  visiting 
many  points  of  interest,  and  extending  his  trip  through 
Nova  Scotia  and  Canada.  Six  years  later,  in  company 
with  Messrs.  James  A.  and  Dr.  Charles  A.  O'Reilly,  he 
visited  France,  sojourning  most  of  the  time  in  Paris. 
Again  in  1902,  in  company  with  his  friend,  Rev.  F.  K. 
Huntzinger,  pastor  of  St.  Luke's  Lutheran  Church  of 
Reading,  he  journeyed  to  Jamaica,  stopping  at  Kingston 
(since  destroyed  by  earthquake),  where  they  remained  for 
three  weeks,  meeting  many  of  the  distinguished  and  in- 
fluential citizens  of  the  Island.  This  jaunt  proved  so 
enjoyable  to  Mr.  Boone  and  his  companion  that  another 
was  planned,  and  in  1905  they  set  sail  for  Europe,  visiting 
France,  England,  Holland  and  Germany. 

While  in  London  rare  respect  and  privileges  were  ex- 
tended them.  They  were  shown  through  the  Bank  of 
England,  an  unusual  courtesy  to  those  having  no  creden- 
tials or  recommendations.  However,  identity  and  confi- 
dence were  established  through  a  five  dollar  National 
Union  Bank  note  bearing  the  signature  of  Mr.  Boone 
as  cashier.  This  was  accepted  as  a  satisfactory  sponsor, 
and  they  were  shown  through  this  historic  institution, 
being  specially  interested  in  the  printing,  as  all  currency 
circulating  throughout  England  and  the  English  Colonies 
i.=;  printed  there.  They  were  also  admitted  to  both  Houses 
of  Parliament,  while  in  session,  and  at  a  time  or  on  a  day 
when  visitors  were  excluded. 

In  the  summer  of  1907  these  two  friends  took  a  six 
weeks'  trip  together,  ^n  this  occasion  visiting  Norway, 
Sweden,  Denmark,  northern  Germany  and  Holland.  They 
sailed  from  New  York  on  July  17th,  on  the  "Noordam," 
of  the  Holland-American  line,  and  though  the  trip  across 
was  not  particularly  pleasant,  the  weather  being  cold  and 
foggy,  they  had  the  novel  experience  of  coming  close  to 
an  iceberg,  so  close  that  the  vessel  was  slowed  down  until 
it  made  scarcely  any  progress,  because  of  the  danger  of 
a  collision.  Icebergs  at  that  season  show  little  of  their 
bulk  above  the  surface,  and  are  a  source  of  danger 
avoided  by  every  captain.  During  the  trip  the  fog  at  onp  time 
prevailed  for  thirty-six  consecutive  hours.  At  Hamburg,  Ger- 
many, the  friends  boarded  the  tourist  steamer  "Vega" 
for  Norway,  and  they  had  a  delightful  voyage  along  the 
romantic  and  mountainous  coast  of  that  country,  also  pen- 
etrating many  of  the  fjords  which  indent  the  mountains, 
whose  sides  slope  directly  into  the  sea.  The  marvelous 
color  effects  on  the  water,  the  snow-covered  mountains, 
the  mountain  forests,  the  beautiful  cascades  formed  by 
the  melting  snow — all  the  bold  scenery  of  the  coast  was 
pleasantly  varied  by  the  trips  up  the  fjords,  which  afforded 
them  many  delightful  glimpses  of  peaceful  farm  and  vil- 
lage life.  The  wonders  of  the  midnight  sun  were  among 
the  glories  of  that  far  northern  land  they  enjoyed  to 
the  full. 

From^Bergen,  Norway,  they  went  to  the  larger  cities 
of  Scandinavia,  visiting  Christiania,  the  capital  of  Nor- 
way; Stockholm,  with  its  beautiful  public  and  private 
buildings,  parks,  streets  and  places  of  amusement;  Up- 
sala,  the  great  university  town,  the  intellectual  center 
of  Sweden,  and  its  handsome  Dome  Church,  founded 
two  hundred  years  before  the  discovery  of  America,  and 
rebuilt  in  modern  times;  Copenhagen;  and  Berlin,  where 
they  remained  for  a  week,  on  Sunday  attending  divine 
service  in  the  new  Dome  Church,  and  during  their  stay 
visiting  many  noted  places  of  interest.  From  that  city 
they  proceeded  to  Rotterdam,  where  they  embarked  on 
the  "Ryndam,"  of  the  Holland-American  Line,  arriving 
at   their   home   on   August   27th.     The   tour    was    one   of 


434 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


unusual  interest  and  enjoyment,  and  Mr.  Boone  and 
his  friend  live  through  their  experiences  again  in  many 
pleasant   hours   of   friendly   intercourse. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Boone  is  a  33d-degree  Mason,  and 
is  likewise  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  belongs  to 
the  First  Baptist  Church,  with  which  he  united  in  boy- 
hood, and  since  1879  he  has  served  as  treasurer  of  that 
church. 

On  April  9,  1868,  Mr.  Boone  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Mary  J.  Buchanan,  and  to  them  have  been  born 
two  daughters :  Mary,  now  the  wife  of  Theodore  Bond 
Harrison,  whose  home  is  at  Germantown,  Pa.;  and  Annie, 
wife  of  Henry  Moore  Hawkesworth,  living  at  Brookline, 
Boston,  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Boone  is  a  man  of  fine 
physique  and  personality,  a  safe  counselor,  though  never 
obtrusive,  generous  and  charitable  without  ostentation, 
and  upright  in  every  relation  of  life. 

COL.  GEORGE  NAGEL  was  born  near  Coblentz,  Ger- 
many, about  1728,  son  of  Joachim  Nagel.  He  came  to 
Reading  about  1755,  and  engaged  in  blacksmithing.  He 
served  as  an  ensign  in  the  French  and  Indian  War,  and 
in  1763  he  returned  to  Reading  and  resumed  his  trade. 
In  1771  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Berks  county.  When 
the  Revolution  commenced  he  raised  the  first  company 
in  Berks  county  to  fight  for  American  liberty.  His  com- 
pany participated  in  the  campaign  at  and  about  Cambridge, 
Mass.  He  was  a  brave  and  true  soldier,  and  rose  to  the 
rank  of  colonel.  Col.  Nagel  continued  in  the  military 
service  until  1783,  when  he  returned  to  Reading  and 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  He  continued  in  this 
business  until  his  death  in  March,  1789.  His  remains 
were  interred  in  the  Reformed  cemetery.  He  married 
Rebecca,  daughter  of  Mordecai  Lincoln,  of  Exeter  town- 
ship. 

Captain  Peter  Nagel,  a  brother  of  the  above  Col.  George 
Nagel,  was  born  near  Coblentz,  Oct.  31,  1750,  and  came 
to  Reading  as  a  young  man  and  learned  the  trade  of  a 
hatter  under  Samuel  Jackson,  the  first  hat  manufact- 
urer at  Reading.  He  followed  this  occupation  until  1807, 
first  as  a  journeyman,  then  as  a  manufacturer.  During 
the  Revolution  he  was  prominently  connected  with  mil- 
itary affairs,  and  was  a  captain  from  1777  to  1783.  He 
held  various  civil  offices,  including  justice  of  the  peace, 
coroner  and  county  treasurer.  This  latter  office  was 
subsequently  held  by  a  son,  a  grandson,  and  from  1873 
to  1875  by  a  great-grandson,  the  late  Dr.  Hiester  M. 
Nagel.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  military  parade  in 
1794  in  honor  of  President  Washington,  and  held  a  re- 
ception to  the  distinguished  gentleman  at  his  house,  at  the 
site  of  the  present  post-office,  to  enable  the  citizens  to 
meet  the  "Father  of  his  Country."  Capt.  Nagel  was  a 
man  of  fine,  commanding  presence,  and  nearly  six  feet 
tall.  He  died  Nov.  30,  1834,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Reformed  graveyard.  Afterward  his  remains  were  re- 
moved to  the  Charles  Evans'  cemetery.  His  name  ap- 
pe:;rs  frequently  as  one  of  the  church  officers.  Mr. 
William'  N.  Coleman,  a  well-known  citizen  of  Reading, 
now  eighty-six  years  of  age,  is  a  grandson  of  Capt. 
Peter  Nagel.  The  latter  possesses  an  excellent  oil  paint- 
mg  of  Capt.  Nagel,  which  he  prizes  highly. 

JOHNSON  WILMER  FISHER  was  born  in  Reading 
June   18,   A.    D.   1870. 

Henry  B.  Fisher,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in  Oley 
township,  Berks  county,  and  was  well  known  in  the  man- 
ufacturing world  in  his  day.  For  many  years  he  operated 
the  well  known  Fisher's  Woolen  Mills,  located  on  the 
Swamp  Creek,  near  New  Berlinville,  in  Colebrookdale  town- 
ship. He  came  to  Reading  in  1857,  where  he  continued 
the  same  business  for  some  years  and  where  he  died 
March  16,  1887.     He  married  Mary  B,  Johnson. 

Henry  J.  Fisher,  his  father,  was  born  near  New  Berlin- 
ville, Colebrookdale  township,  Berks  county,  Pa.,  and 
moved  with  his  parents  to  the  city  of  Reading  in  1866, 
where  he  has  since  resided  and  been  actively  engaged  in 
the   grocery   business.     He    was   a   loyal    defender   of   the 


Union,  having  served  for  three  years  in  the  Civil  War 
as  a  member  of  Company  H,  104th  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers. He  married  Mary  C.  Keever,  daughter  of  Henry 
V.  and  Lydia  C.  Keever,  of  Reading,  and  had  two 
children :  Johnson  Wilmer,  and  Mary  L. 

J.  Wilmer  Fisher  attended  the  old  Friends'  School  in 
Reading,  and  the  public  schools,  leaving  the  public  schools 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  to  "take  up  the  battle  of  life. 
He  was  not  satisfied  with  his  education,  however,  and 
after  his  day's  work  as  an  errand  boy  in  his  father's 
grocery  store,  he  attended  night  school  and  prepared 
to  take  up  civil  engineering.  He  thus  gained  sufificient 
knowledge  to  enable  him  to  accept  a  position  as  rodman 
in  the  city  engineer's  office  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  where 
he  remained  for  some  years,  filling  successively  the 
positions  of  rodman,  transitman,  assistant  engineer  and 
general  superintendent  of  the  department.  In  the  spring 
of  1894  be  resigned  his  position  in  the  city  engineer's 
office  to  accept  the  position  of  assistant  to  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  Water  department,  and  while  acting  in  this 
capacity  prepared  the  first  detailed  plan  of  the  water 
pipe  system  of  the  city.  Having  formed  the  determina- 
tion to  adopt  the  law  as  a  profession,  he  resigned  his  pos- 
ition in  the  Water  department  in  the  fall  of  1894  and 
matriculated  as  a  student  at  the  Dickinson  School  of 
Law,  at  Carlisle,  Pa.,  from  which  institution  he  graduated- 
in  1896.  He  registered  as  a  law  student  in  the  office  of 
Judge  Sadler  in  Cumberland  County  and  was  admitted  to 
the  Cumberland  County  Bar  June  9,  1896.  He  took  the 
examination  for  admission  to  the  Berks  County  Bar,  to 
which  he  was  admitted  Nov.  9,  1896,  and  has  since  been 
admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  and  Superior  Courts 
of  Pennsylvania,  the  United  States  District  and  the  United 
States  Circuit  Courts.  Since  his  admission  to  the  Bar  he 
has  continued  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  and 
enjoys  a  large  cHentele  at  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Fisher  is  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Republican 
party  and  his  face  is  a  familiar  one  at  all  its  conven- 
tions, to  many  of  which  he  has  been  a  delegate,  and  he  is 
an  exceedingly  valuable  man  in  the  field,  having  been 
very  useful  in  State  and  National  campaigns.  In 
1901  he  was  nominated  for  district  attorney.  In  1904  he 
was  chairman  of  the  Congressional  Conference  of  the 
Berks  and  Lehigh  Congressional  District,  which  placed 
in  nomination  William  H.  Souden  of  Allentown,  Lehigh 
county.  In  1906  he  was  the  Republican  Congressional 
nominee  for  the  Berks  and  Lehigh  Congressional  Dis- 
trict, and  received  a  large  complimentary  vote,  and  in 
1908  was  prominently  mentioned  for  the  appointment  to 
the  Common  Pleas  Bench  to  succeed  the  late  Judge 
Ermentrout.  He  is  at  present  treasurer  of  the  Republican 
county  committee,  having  served  in  that  office  for  many 
years.  Mr.  Fisher  takes  a  keen  interest  in  local  affairs. 
He  served  as  a  member  of  the  Reading  School  Board  for 
eight  years,  during  which  time  he  was  chairman  of 
many  important  committees,  and  as  chairman  of  the  Fi- 
nance committee  for  a  number  of  years  inaugurated  many 
reforms  in  conducting  the  business  of  the  board.  He 
is  an  active  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  a  member 
of  its  committee  on  Legislation.  He  is  a  member  of 
Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  his  maternal  ancestors  having 
been  members  of  that  Church,  since  its  organization  in  1748. 
He  is  active  in  Masonic  circles,  and  is  a  charter  member 
of  Isaac  Hiester  Lodge  No.  660,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  a  member 
of  Excelsior  Chapter  No.  237,  R.  A.  M. ;  Reading  Com- 
mandery  No.  43,  K.  T. ;  Philadelphia  Consistory.  32d  de- 
gree;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A,  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  Gen.  George  G.  Meade  Camp  No.  16,  Sons 
of  Veterans. 

CHARLES  M.  RICHARDSON,  one  of  the  most  ex- 
tensive creamery  operators  in  Pennsylvania,  was  born 
Oct.  8,  1858,  in  Ontelaunee  township,  Berks  county, 
where  his  father  and  grandfather  resided  before  him. 

William  Richardson,  his  grandfather,  lived  at  one  time 
in  Bern  township.  He  was  located  at  Baltimore  during 
the  Civil  war.  He  died  in  Ontelaunee  township,  leaving 
one   son,    Emanuel. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


435 


Emaniiel  Richardson,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  in  Ontelaunee  township  and  there  fol- 
lowed farming,  also  engaging  in  milling  to  some  extent. 
Moving  to  Exeter  township,  also  in  Berks  county,  he 
bought  the  old  "Daniel  Boone"  homestead,  containing 
153  acres,  upon  which  he  carried  on  farming  until  his 
death.  He  married  Lydia  Miller,  and  they  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Charles  M. ;  Kate,  the  wife  of  Edward 
Beck;  Owen,  of  Reading;  Mary,  wife  of  Daniel  Snyder, 
of  Reading;  Frank,  of  Reading;  Wilson,  of  Berne;  and 
Ella,  wife  of  George  Lee,  of  Reading. 

Charles  M.  Richardson  attended  the  public  schools  of 
his  district  when  a  boy,  and  later  (1878-1879)  the  busi- 
ness college  of  Prof.  D.  B.  Brunner,  at  Reading.  He  was 
engaged  in  creamery  work  as  early  as  1883  in  Exeter 
township,  near  Stonersville.  He  made  his  iirst  independ- 
ent venture  in  the  creamery  business  in  1888  at  Lyon  Val- 
ley, Lehigh  Co.,  Pa.  During  the  twenty  years  which  have 
since  intervened  he  has  developed  his  business  and  in- 
creased his  operations  to  such  an  extent  that  he  is  now 
interested  in  more  than  thirty  creameries  located  through- 
out this  State  and  New  York.  He  is  president  of  the 
High  Ground  Dairy  Company,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  which 
operates  a  number  of  large  creameries  in  New  York  State, 
and  also  conducts  a  large  retail'  milk  business  in  Brook- 
lyn, New  York  City.  He  is  vice-president  of  the  Har- 
ford Dairy  Company,  of  Harford,  Susquehanna  Co.,  Pa., 
which  operates  eight  large  plants  in  that  county.  He  is 
also  a  member  of-  the  firm  of  Richardson  Brothers,  of 
Berne,  Pa.,  and  he  is  associated  with  Mr.  Howard  E. 
Ahrens,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  in  the  firm  of  Ahrens  &  Rich- 
ardson, Bernville,  Pa.  During  the  past  ten  years  he  has 
also  obtained  control  of  ten  small  plants,  scattered  along 
the  East  Penn  branch  of  the  Reading  Railway,  between 
Allentown  and  Reading.  These  plants  he  operates  in- 
dependently under  the  management  of  S.  W.  Hacock, 
Mertztown,    Pennsylvania. 

In  1891  Mr.  Richardson  located  at  Bernville,  Pa.,  at 
which  place  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  is  promi- 
nent and  active  in  the  public  life  and  welfare  of  the 
borough.  He  has  served  for  thirteen  years  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board,  acting  at  various  times  as  secretary 
and  president.  He  was  treasurer  of  the  Old  Home  Week 
Committee  in  1907  and  is  at  present  the  secretary  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Bernville,  with  which  he  has  been 
connected  as  a  director  since  its  organization.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  which  he  has  served  as 
both  deacon  and  elder.  He  has  also  served  as  treasurer 
of  the  Sunday  school  for  a  number  of  years. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  for  the  past  few 
years  he  has  been  the  Republican  committeeman  of  the 
borough.  In  fraternal  connection  he  is  a  member  of  I. 
O.  O.  F.  Lodge  No.  122  and  of  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  Camp  No. 
113. 

As  for  his  private  life,  Mr.  Richardson  married  Eliza- 
beth T.  Snyder,  daughter  of  'Squire  William  H.  Snyder, 
of  Oley  Line,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.  His  family  consists  of  four 
sons :  Edgar  S.,  a  graduate  of  Princeton  University,  class 
of  1905,  and  at  present  a  registered  student-at-law  from 
Berks  county  in  the  Law  Department  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania  (he  was  also  prominently  connected  with 
the  celebration  of  Old  Home  Week  in  1907)  ;  William  E., 
a  prominent  m'ember  of  the  class  of  1910  of  Princeton 
University;  and  Charles  S.  and  Frank,  both  students  in  the 
Bernville  grammar  school. 

HENRY  F.  PRINTZENHOFF,  a  retired  contractor  and 
one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Hamburg,  Berks  Co.,  Pa., 
who  has  been  prominently  identified  with  all  public  meas- 
ures calculated  to  be  of  benefit  to  the  community,  was 
born  July  7,  1847,  in  Rockland  township,  this  county,  son 
of  Charles  and  grandson  of  Frederick  Printzenhoff.  The 
name  Printzenhoff  signifies  "Prince's  Court." 

Frederick  Printzenhoff  emigrated  to  America  from  Ger- 
many in  his  young  manhood,  and,  locating  in  Philadelphia, 
followed  coach-making  until  his  removal  to  Friedensburg, 
Berks  county,  where  be  continued  the  same  business  until 
his    decease,    in   1863.     He   was    married    to   an    English- 


woman, and  became  the  father  of  five  children:   Charles, 
William,   Jerome,   Caroline   and  Amanda. 

Charles  Printzenhoff,  eldest  son  of  Frederick,  was  born 
in  Philadelphia  in  1812,  and  while  a  boy  accompanied 
his  father  to  Friedensburg,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of 
a  tailor,  following  same  for  several  years.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  the  hotel  business  at  different  places  for  varying 
periods  of  time.  In  1866  he  removed  to  White  Deer  Mills, 
in  tfnion  county,  where  he  died  in  1901.  His  wife,  Sarah 
Fisher,  daughter  of  John  Fisher,  of  Oley  township,  was 
born  in  1818,  and  died  in  1893.  Their  children  were :  Mary 
Ann,  who  married  John  Carey;  Jonathan;  Caroline,  who 
married  David  Berkenstock;  Henry  F. ;  James,  who  died 
young;  Adeline,  who  married  Adolph  Ranck;  Ellen,  who 
married  Henry  Smith;  Franklin,  who  married  Amanda 
Koch;  Mahlon,  who  married  Ellen  Fisher;  Catherine,  who 
married  Lewis  Spiece ;  Hannah,  who  married  Charles 
Simpler;  and  Sarah,  who  died  young. 

Henry  F.  Printzenhoff  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Kutztown,  and  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which  he 
followed  until  1869,  when  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  en- 
gaging in  bridge-building  in  the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia 
Bridge  Company  until  1890.  He  then  entered  into  part- 
nership with  William  J.  Armstrong,  and  did  business 
under  the  name  of  Armstrong  &  Printzenhoff,  for  the  con- 
struction of  bridges  and  other  contra,ct  work.  His  firm  put 
up  bridges  on  numerous  railroads,  including  the  Jersey 
Southern  &  Pine  Creek,  the  Wilmington  &  Northern,  and 
the  Shenandoah  Valley;  and  immediately  after  the  Johns- 
town flood  this  firm  had  the  first  construction  party  there, 
with  372  men,  for  the  purpose  of  re-constructing  bridges, 
large  buildings,  etc.  They  also  constructed  the  wharves  at 
Philadelphia,  along  the  Delaware  avenue  front,  from  Race 
street  to  South  street,  for  which  they  received  high  praise. 
During  his  work  in  the  vicinity  of  Hamburg  Mr.  Printzen- 
hoff was  attracted  by  the  beauty  of  the  village  and  de-^ 
cided  to  make  it  his  home.  He  erected  a  superior  dwell- 
ing-house and  purchased  several  farms  near-by,  aggregat- 
ing over  200  acres,  and  these  farms  he  is  operating  suc- 
cessfully, making  a  specialty  of  poultry.  When  the  citizens 
of  Hamburg  were  discussing  the  question  of  introducing 
improved  lighting  for  the  public  streets  and  private  dwell- 
ings he  encouraged  the  matter  greatly,  and  assisted  mater- 
ially in  establishing  the  Hamburg  Gas  Company,  of  which 
he  has  officiated  as  president  since  its  organization,  in 
1904. 

RICHARD  RICHARDS,  formerly  chief  burgess  of  Boy- 
ertown  and  superintendent  at  present  of  the  Boyertown 
Ore  Company,  an  important  enterprise  of  this  place,  was 
born  Jan.  24,  1832,  in  Cornwall,  England,  son  of  Richard 
and  Elizabeth  (Tremyn)  Richards,  both  natives  of  Corn- 
wall. 

Richard  Richards,  the  father,  was  born  in  1800,  and 
died  aged  seventy  years.  He  followed  mining  as  his 
business.  His  wife  died  when  his  son  Richard  was  eight 
years  old.  Their  children  were:  Margaret,  Elizabeth, 
Thomas,  Frances,  Richard,  William,  Benjamin  and  Mary 
Jane.  The  name  of  Richards .  is  not  an  unusual  one  in 
England,  and  on  the  same  vessel  crossing  the  Atlantic 
Ocean,  which  brought  the  present  Richard  Richards  to 
America,  was  another  passenger,  named  Simon  Richards, 
also  of  Cornwall.  The  two  men  of  the  same  name  became  ■ 
acquainted  and  discussed  their  possible  relationship,  but 
did  not  establish  their  kinship.  Simon  Richards  settled 
in  Cumru  township,  Berks  county,  where  he  acquired  a 
small  farm,  but  for  many  years  he  has  been  at  rest  in  the 
graveyard  at  Yocom's  Church.  He  reared  a  family  and  his 
son  James  became  supervisor  of  Cumru  township",  and  his 
numerous   children    still    reside   there   or   in    Reading. 

Richard  Richards,  of  Boyertown,  is  a  man  of  large  ex- 
perience in  mining  and  he  was  only  eight  years  old  when, 
he  began  work  in  the  tin  mines  of  Cornwall.  He  was  only 
sixteen  when  he  went  down  into  some  of  the  deepest  mines, 
even  to  the  depth  of  600  feet.  In  the  spring  of  1853, 
hoping  to  better  his  fortunes,  he  started  to  America,  land- 
ing at  old  Castle  Garden,  New  York.  During  the  first 
year  he  lived  at  Phoenixville,  Pa.,  but  in  1854  he  came  to 


■136 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Berks  county  and  secured  employment  in  the  Moselem  iron 
ore  mine,  where  he  continued  until  April,  1835,  when  he 
went  to  Tamaqua  and  found  work  in  the  coal  mines  in 
Schuylkill,  and  later  in  Luzerne  county.  In  the  fall  of 
that  year  he  came  to  Boyerto.wn  and  here  he  has  remained 
ever  since,  as  time  passed  becoming  closer  and  closer 
identified  with  the  interests  of  this  borough,  and  each  year 
adding  to  his  material  possessions  and  advancing  in  the 
esteem  and  confidence  of  his   fellow  citizens. 

Mr.  Richards  worked  first  for  the  Phoenix  Iron  Com- 
pany, and  was  continuously  in  their  employ  for  forty-s.even 
years,  beginning  as  an  ordinary  miner  and  being  advanced 
rapidly.  Since  1861  he  has  been  superintendent  of  that 
great  corporation.  He  has  a  complete  and  comprehensive 
knowledge  of  the  mining  industry  and  has  lived  to  see 
wonderful  changes  in  his  day  in  methods  and  results.  The 
Boyertown  Ore  Company,  a  consolidation  of  the 
different  ore  companies  at  this  place,  closed  mining  in 
March,  1907,  and  since  then  Mr.  Richards  looks  after  the 
properties  and  cares  for  the  buildings.  Despite  his  long 
life  of  hard  work,  both  physical  and  mental,  Mr.  Richards 
retains  his  strength  and  healthful  appearance.  He  is  known 
for  his  kindness  of  heart,  and  this  quality  is  revealed 
in  his  countenance. 

Mr.  Richards  has  been  married  twice.  On  Sept.  10, 
1857,  he  married  (first)  Lavina  Boyer,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Boyer,  who,  with  his  brother  Henry,  founded  Boyertown. 
Mrs.  Richards  was  born  in  1825  and  died  in  1881,  and  was 
buried  in  Fairview  Cemetery.  They  had  one  daughter, 
Mary  (m.  Thomas  Clark,  a  native  of  Cornwall,  England, 
who  is  connected  with  the  Walter  Sanitarium  at  Werners- 
ville,  Berks  county).  Mr.  Richards  m.  (second),  Dec.  24, 
1890,  Sallie  B.  Shuler,  born  July  5,  1857,  died  Dec.  28, 
1890.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  and  was  one 
of  its  organizers  at  Boyertown,  one  of  the  first  trustees 
<and  a  steward  for  nearly  a  half  century.  In  his  fraternal 
relations,  he  belongs  to  the  Brotherhood  of  the  Union ; 
Knights  of  the  Mystic  Chain;  Madison  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  P., 
at  Pottstown ;  Stichter  Lodge,  No.  254,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Potts- 
town ;  Phoenix  Chapter,  No.  198,  R.  A.  M.,  Phoenixville; 
and  Palestine  Council,  No.  8,  R.  &  S.  M.,  Phoenixville. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Richards  has  always  been  a 
Republican,  and  has  been  honored  by  election  to  office  in 
a  normally  Democratic  town,  for  years  serving  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  town  council,  and  in  the  eighties  as  chief  bur- 
gess. On  many  occasions  he  has  attended  conventions  of 
his  party  as  a  delegate.  Above  all  he  is  a  good  citizen  and 
has  many  times  shown  that  he  has  the  best  interests  of  the 
place  at  heart. 

EDWIN  R.  GERBER  is  a  .son  of  Levi  R.  and  Chesta 
(Hartman)  Gerber,  and  his  early  ancestors  were  some  of 
the  first  inhabitants  of  Reading.  He  was  born  at  Reading 
Nov.  30,  1856,  and  was  educated  there  in  the  common 
schools  and  the  Keystone  State  Normal  at  Kutztown. 
Upon  quitting  school  he  learned  printing  and  turned  his 
attention  to  reporting  on  the  Reading  Daily  News.  In 
1887  he  became  prominently  connected  with  the  Reading 
Telegram  as  one  of  the  founders,  and  he  continued  with 
this  daily  newspaper  until  1905,  when  he  was  obliged  to 
discontinue  his  active  services  on  account  of  having  be- 
come mayor  of  the  city,  to  which  position  he  had  been 
elected  at  the  spring  election  of  that  year  on  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket.  His  activity,  ability  and  sterling  qualities 
for  a  number  of  years  in  the  city  had  won  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  his  political  associates,  and  his  advocacy 
of  municipal  improvements  had  been  so  earnest  and  suc- 
cessful that  his  elevation  to  the  office  of  mayor  was  quite 
natural. 

Mr.  Gerber  served  very  efficiently  as  secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Trade  for  five  years  from  1900  to  1905,  and  as 
president  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works  for  four  years 
from  1901  to  1905.  Pie  was  re-elected  for  another  term 
in  both  positions,  but  he  was  obliged  to  resign  on  account 
of  his  duties  as  mayor  so  as  to  devote  all  his  attention  to 
the  office.  I-Ie  has  been  a  very  active  member  of  the 
Americus  Club,  the  Elks,  and  the  Press  Club.  Mr.  Gerber 
is  president  of  the  General  Light  Company  of  New  Jersey, 


engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  acetylene  gas  mnchines,  and 
is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Langer  &  Gerber  En- 
graving Company  of  Reading.  His  more  active  duties  are 
as  business  manager  of  the  Reading  Telegram.  He  has 
ever  been  much  interested  in  public  charities,  and  is  now  a 
member  of  the  local  board  acting  with  the  State  Board 
of  Charities. 

Mr.  Gerber  was  married  June  7,  1881,  to  Lizzie  J.  Drase, 
daughter  of  Jacob  H.  Drase,  of  Reading.  They  have  two 
children  :  Viola,  and  Howard,  the  latter  a  chemist  in  the 
city  laboratory.  They  are  members  of  the  Trinity  Luth- 
eran  Church. 

D.  W.  STEHMAN,  formerly  a  prominent  business 
man  of  Reading,  particularly  identified  with  banking  in- 
terests, was  born  in  1837,  at  Middletown,  Dauphin  Co., 
Pa.,  where  he  was  reared  and  liberally  educated. 

From  1869  to  1887  Mr.  Stehman  was  cashier  of  the 
Middletown  National  Bank.  For  many  years  he  was 
treasurer  of  the  borough,  was  a  member  of  the  Middletown 
Market  Company,  and  of  the  cemetery  association,  served 
on  the  town  council  and  held  many  positions  of  trust  and 
responsibility  at  that  place.  In  1887  Mr.  Stehman  came 
to  Reading  and  accepted  the  position  of  secretary  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Trust  Company,  which  was  unanimously  ten- 
dered by  the  board  of  directors,  to  which  position  he  was 
re-elected  in  1888,  and  made  also  assistant  to  the  treas- 
urer, H.  T.  Kendall.  In  1892  he  succeeded  Mr.  Kendall  as 
treasurer,  and  held  this  position  until  his  death.  He  was 
a  man  of  acknowledged  business  ability  and  of  the  highest 
integrity.  His  loss  was  deeply  felt  by  the  company  with 
which  he  had  been  identified  for  so  many  years,  and  at  a 
meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Trust  Company,  held  Feb.  9,  1904,  the  following  resolu- 
tions were  adopted :  Resolved,  That  we  make  this  record 
of  the  feelings  of  the  board  of  directors  upon  the  deeply 
regretted  death  of  our  late  trust  officer  and  treasurer,  D. 
W.  Stehman,  and  this  is  followed  by  a  statement  which 
showed  the  great  trust  and  confidence  reposed  in  him  bv 
his  fellow  ofl5cials,  as  well  as  testimonials  to  the  persona'l 
esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  them. 

Mr.  Stehman  was  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  had  been  treasurer  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  was  notably  charitable,  liberally  contributing 
to  benevolent  enterprises.  His  death  was  a  distinct  loss  to 
Reading. 

In  1874  Mr.  Stehman  married  Mary  Van  Reed,  daughter 
of  John  and  Amelia  (Addams)  Van  Reed.  Two  children 
survive,  John  V.  R.  and  Edith  A. 

CHARLES  S.  FOOS.  The  city  of  Reading  takes  justi- 
fiable pride  m  the  high  status  of  its  public  school  system, 
and  the  prestige  gained  along  this  important  educational 
hne  has  been  to  a  large  degree  due  to  the  able  and  un- 
tirmg  efforts  of  the  present  superintendent,  Charles  S. 
Foos,  whose  popularity  is  of  the  most  unequivocal  order. 
He  is  prominent  in  educational  circles  in  the  State  and 
nation,   and   is  thoroughly   en   rapport  with   his  work. 

George  Foos,  the  father  of  Charles  S.,  was  born  in- 
Reading,  son  of  George  Foos,  Sr.,  a  prominent  contractor 
and  an  organizer  of  the  first  school  board  of  Reading,  and 
for  many  years  also  a  member  of  the  city  councils.  George 
Foos,  father  of  Charles  S.,  attended  the  public  schools 
and  later  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  as  an  apprentice  to 
his  father.  At  the  opening  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted 
and  served  his  term.  On  his  return  to  Reading  he  entered 
into  partnership  with  his  father  and  conducted  a  large 
contracting  and  building  business,  with  offices  in  the  old 
Foos  carpenter  shop,  on  Reed,  near  Washington,  street. 
The  building  was  in  the  possession  of  the  Foos  family 
for  nearly  one  hundred  years,  and  has  been  sold  but  lately. 
Mr.  Foos  was  interested  in  all  public  affairs  and  served 
on  the  school  board  from  1887  to  1893,  representing  the 
Eighth  ward.  He  was  instrumental  in  the  enlargement  of 
the  Poplar  street  building,  and  also  advocated  the  erection 
of  the  Girls'  high  school,  and  that  the  location  be  at 
Eleventh  and  Washington  streets.  He  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Lincoln,  in   1860,  and  never  missed   an  election,  being 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


437 


a  stanch  Republican.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first 
wife  being  Catherine,  a  daughter  of  the  late  Benjamin 
Schmeck,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Muhlenberg,  and  his  sec- 
ond wife  was  Lizzie  Kochel,  who  survives  him;  Beside 
his  widow  there  survive  three  children :  Charles  S.,  Mrs. 
A.  H.  Mellinger  and  Mrs.  S.  T.  Schmehl,  all  of  the  city 
of  Reading.  Mr.  Foos  was  a  genial,  public-spirited  man, 
and  had  a  host  of  friends.  About  ten  days  before  his  death, 
after  a  long  walk  into  the  country  and  seemingly  in  the 
best  of  health,  Mr.  Foos  was  stricken  with  apoplexy,  and 
lingered  in  a  semi-conscious  condition  until  he  passed  away 
Nov.  4,  1906,  aged  68  years,  9  months  and  14  days. 

Charles  S.  Foos  was  born  in  Reading  Dec.  17,  1863, 
son  of  George  and  Catherine  (Schmeck)  Foos.  He  is 
indebted  to  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city  for  his 
early  educational  discipline,  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Reading  high  school  as  a  member  of  the  class  of  1882. 
He  was  Latin  salutatorian  of  his  class,  and  delivered  the 
first  address  of  the  sort  ever  given  in  the  school.  In 
1883  he  was  graduated  from  the  Hopkins  Grammar 
School,  New  Haven,  Conn.,  after  which  he  matriculated  at 
Yale,  from  which  institution  he  was  obliged  to  withdraw 
by  reason  of  a  disordered  condition  of  his  eyes.  Later, 
however,  he  carried  forward  his  higher  educational  work, 
having  completed  special  courses  in  Harvard  University, 
the  University  of  Chicago,  and  the  University  of  New 
York.  In  1898  he  received  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts 
from  Lafayette  University.  Mr.  Foos  early  identified  him- 
self with  newspaper  work,  having  been  a  reporter  on  the 
stafi  of  the  Reading  Eagle  and  other  Reading  papers  at 
different  times.  In  1888  he  was  appointed  an  instructor  and 
later  principal  of  Union  Academy,  Morganfield,  Ky. ; 
in  1888-89  he  was  an  instructor  in  Stewart  Academy,  Read- 
ing; in  1889-90  he  was  principal  of  the  high  school  at 
Orwigsburg,  Pa. ;  in  1890  he  became  instructor  in  English 
in  the  Boys'  high  school,  of  Reading,  retaining  this  in- 
cumbency until  1899,  when  he  became  principal  of  the 
school,  which  was  at  that  time  reorganized  upon  its  pres- 
ent amplified  basis.  In  1902  he  withdrew  from  the  pririci- 
palship  to  assume  the  duties  of  his  present  responsible 
position  of  superintendent  of  the  public  schools  of  Read- 
ing, in  which  capacity  his  work  has  been  admirable  in 
every  respect.  He  was  re-elected  by  unanimous  vote  in 
1905  and  again  in  1908,  and  in  1905  was  also  granted  an 
increase   in   salary  without  a   dissenting  vote. 

Mr.  Foos  is  a  member  of  the  National  Federation  of 
State  Educational  Associations,  of  which  he  was  elected 
president  in  1909;  was  elected  president  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Educational  Association  in  1908  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  executive  committee  of  that  Association,  and  is  a 
frequent  contributor  to  leading  educational  periodicals.  His 
services  are  much  in  demand  as  a  public  speaker,  especially 
in  conventions  of  educators  and  as  a  commencement 
orator,  anniversary  and  post  prandial  speaker.  In  this 
line  of  work  he  is  called  upon  several  hundred  times  each 
year,  and  is  always  timely  and  felicitous  in  his  utterances. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  managers  of  the  Reading 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  is  a  member  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  whose  Sunday  school  he 
was  superintendent,  and  he  was  also  a  member  of  the  ex- 
ecutive committee  of  the  Berks  County  Sabbath  School 
Association.  He  is  prominent  also  in  fraternal  societies, 
especially  the  Masonic  order,  and  he  h?is  been  a  frequent 
delegate  to  national  and  State  bodies  of  the  same.  He 
is  past  master  of  Schuylkill  Lodge,  No.  138,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Orwigsburg;  a  member  of  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237, 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  of  Reading;  past  commander  of  Read- 
ing Commandery,  No.  42,  Knights  Templar.  He  is  past 
regent  of  Wyomissing  Council,  No.  1584,  Royal  Arcanum, 
and  is  affiliated  with  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  and  the 
Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America,  besides  holding  member- 
ship in  the  Reading  Board  of  Trade,  the  local  Press  Club, 
and  other  organizations. 

On  Nov.  25,  1895,  Mr.  Foos  married  Miss  Mary  Demar- 
est,  of  Paterson,  N.  J.,  and  they  have  four  children  :  Irvin 
r)emarest,  Frances  Alice,  Charles  George  and  Florence 
Demarest. 


DR.  EDWIN  M.  HERBST,_  State  senator  from  the 
Eleventh  District  and  a  prominent  physician  of  many 
years  of  experience,  was  born  in  Pikesville,  Berks  county, 
Sept.  10,  1857,  son  of  the  late  Capt.  George  S.  Herbst,  and 
his  wife,  Violetta  (Maurer)  Herbst. 

The  early  home  of  the  Herbst  family  was  in  Altenburg, 
Mtaeselwitz,  Saxony,  where  was  born  Dr.  William  Herbst, 
grandfather  of  the  Senator,  Feb.  3,  1804.  His  literary 
education  was  acquired  in  the  Fatherland,  and  at  the  age 
of  sixteen  he  emigrated  to  America.  He  located  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  there  under  the  guidance  of  a  prominent 
physician  he  began  the  sfudy  of  medicine,  continuing  with 
him  until  he  graduated  from  Jeflferson  Medical  College. 
Being  now  equipped  to  enter  upon  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, he  located  in  that  part  of  Oley  which  is  now 
Pike  township,  and  there  for  forty  years  devoted  himself 
to  his  calling.  Not  only  did  he  become  the  leading  phy- 
sici'an,  but  he  became  a  prominent,  public-spirited  citizen, 
taking  an  active  and  intelligent  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
community.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  in 
1861  was  elected  county  treasurer,  an  office  he  held  for  a 
term  of  two  years.  The  last  two  years  of  his  life  were 
passed  in  retirement.  He  died  in  1880.  He  married 
Catharine  Schall,  and  their  children  were :  George  S. ;  Dr. 
William;  Mary,  who  married  G.  A.  Hinterleiter ;  Hannah, 
who  married  Edmund  W.  Gilbert ;  August,  and  John  S.,  all 
deceased. 

Capt.  George  S.  Herbst,  son  of  Dr.  William,  was  born 
in  Pikesville  in  1830,  and  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools.  His  father  was  the  owner  of  the  Rockland  Iron 
Forge,  and  when  the  son  reached  maturity  he  was  placed 
there  as  manager,  in  which  capacity  he  was  still  serving 
when  the  Civil  war  broke  out.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
to  answer  President  Lincoln's  call,  and  on  April  23,  1861, 
he  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  his  country,  becoming 
captain  of  Company  D,  7th  Pa.  V.  I.,  which  company  was 
recruited  for  the  three  months  service  at  Pleasantville.  At 
the  end  of  his  term  of  enlistment,  he  returned  home  with 
shattered  health,  and  after  a  lingering  illness  he  passed 
away  Dec.  26,  1865,  at  the  age  of  thirty-five.  In  1854  he 
married  Violetta  Maurer,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Susan- 
na (Dotterer)  Maurer,  the  former  of  whom  was  recorder 
of  deeds  of  Berks  county,  1842-45,  and  justice  of  the 
peace  for  many  years,  being  a  leading  citizen  of  the 
county  for  half  a  century.  Capt.  and  Mrs.  Herbst  had  one 
son,  Dr.  Edwin  M.  In  politics  Capt.  Herbst  was  a 
Democrat,  and  in  religious  belief  a  Lutheran.  His  social 
connections  were  with  the  I.  O.  F.  and  O.  U.  A.  M. 

Dr.  Edwin  M.  Herbst  was  prepared  for  college  in  the 
public  schools  and  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School. 
Entering  Pennsylvania  College  at  Gettysburg  he  was 
graduated  therefrom  in  1875,  with  the  Latin  salutatory. 
In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  entered  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege, Philadelphia,  and  in  the  spring  of  1878  received  his 
degree  of  M.  D.,  with  honorable  mention  for  the  Henry 
C.  Lea  prize.  Since  1880  he  has  been  actively  engaged 
in  caring  for  the  afflicted  at  Oley,  where  he  has  built  up 
a  large  and  successful  practice,  and  has  won  a  warm  place 
in  the  affections  of  the  many  he  has  helped,  professionally 
or  otherwise.  His  ability,  coupled  with  a  frank  genial 
manner,  has  inspired  the  utmost  confidence. 

Like  all  his  family.  Dr.  Herbst  is  a  Democrat,  and  is 
actively  interested  in  the  success  of  his  party  and  the 
prosperity  and  well  being  of  his  community.  From  1889 
to  1892  he  served  as  chairman  of  the  county  committee, 
and  for  the  past  twenty  years  he  has  been  elected  Dis- 
trict or  State  delegate  to  the  party's  councils.  In  1901  he 
became  State  Senator,  but  a  temporary  physical  disa- 
bility impaired  his  usefulness  during  the  early  part  of  his 
term.  However,  he  made  his  presence  known  and  felt  be- 
fore the  session  closed,  and  in  1903  he  was  nominated  by  his 
friends  for  President  pro  tern.,  an  honor  seldom  given  to 
a  new  member.  Early  in  the  session  he  created  a  marked 
and  very  favorable  impression  by  his  eloquent  speech  in 
favor  of  the  erection  of  a  monument  in  the  Capitol  park  to 
the  memory  of  the  Pennsylvania  soldiers  who  fought  in 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  In  1905  he  was  again  elected^ 
to  the   Senate,  and  served  through  the  special  session  in~ 


438 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1906,  and  in  April,  1908,  he  was  again  nominated  by  his 
party  at  the  primaries,  receiving  400  votes  more  than  his 
two  next  highest  competitors  in  a  very  spirited  contest. 
In.  November  he  was  elected  for  his  third  terra  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Senate,  being  the  first  senator  from  Berks 
County  to  obtain  this  honor  thrice.  During  the  term 
of  1901  he  served  on  the  following  committees :  Public 
Health  and  Sanitation,  Education,  Law  and  Order,  Agri- 
culture, Congressional  Apportionment  and  Judicial  Ap- 
portionment; in  1903,  on  Appropriations,  Agriculture,  Con- 
gressional Apportionment,  Public  Health  and  Sanitation, 
Pensions  and  Gratuities  and  Law  and  Order ;  in  1905  on 
Agriculture,  Education,  Library,  Municipal  Affairs,  Public 
Health  and  Sanitation  and  Pensions  and  Gratuities ;  at 
the  special  session  of  1906  on  Agriculture,  Appropriations, 
Education,  Forestry,  Library,  Military  Affairs,  Municipal 
Affairs  and  Public  Health  and  Sanitation.  His  great- 
grandfather, George  Schall,  was  a  member  of  the  Senate  of 
Pennsylvania  seventy-five  years  before  Dr.  Herbst,  repre- 
senting the  same  district. 

In  1889  he  was  elected  director  in  the  Farmers'  National 
Bank  of  Boyertown,  and  on  May  17,  1907,  became  its 
cashier.  His  connection  with  the  bank  has  been  of  great 
benefit  to  that  financial  institution.  From  1891  to  1893 
he  was  lazaretto  physician  of  the  Port  of  Philadelphia,  and 
from  1893  to  1898  was  pension  examiner  at  Reading.  In 
whatever  position  Dr.  Herbst  is  placed  he  proves  an  able 
man,  capable  of  managing  large  affairs  with  skill  and  wis- 
dom. 

Dr.  Herbst  is  a  member  of  a  number  of  fraternal  or- 
ganizations, among  these  being :  Minnehaha  Lodge,  No. 
154,  K.  P.;  Oley  Castle,  No.  119,  K.  G.  E.  (of  which  he  is 
past  officer)  ;  Huguenot  Lodge,  No.  337,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Kutztown  (of  which  he  is  past  master);  and  Reading 
Chapter,  Consistory  and  Commandery.  He  also  belongs 
to  the  Sigma  Chi  college  fraternity.  In  his  religious 
faith  he  has  not  departed  from  the  teaching  of  his  fathers, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

On  Oct.  28,  1880,  Dr.  Herbst  was  married  to  Lottie 
Stettler,   of  Kutztown. 

HENRY  MALTZBERGER,  lawyer  of  Reading  and 
United  States  commissioner,  was  born  in  Reading.  Oct.  10, 
1858,  son  of  Charles  C.  and  Margaret  C.  (Haas)  Maltz- 
berger.  His  grandfather,  John  Maltzberger,  was  a  to- 
bacconist of  Reading. 

Charles  C.  Maltzberger  was  also  a  tobacconist  of  Read- 
ing. He  died  in  1874,  at  the  comparatively  early  age  of 
forty.  His  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Charles  F.  Haas,  a 
brewer,  of  Zanesville,  Ohio.  They  became  the  parents  of 
four  children :  John  died  at  the  age  of  three  years ;  Mar- 
guerite E.  m.  Robert  Job,  chemist,  formerly  chief  chemist 
of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company,  later 
member  of  the  leading  firm  of  chemists.  Booth,  Garrett 
&  Blair,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.;  Henry;  and  Charles  J.  was 
formerly  superintendent  of  the  American  Iron  &  Steel 
Manufacturing  Company,  but  later  in  the  service  of  the 
Reading  Iron  Company. 

Henry  Maltzberger  was  reared  in  Reading  and  passed 
through  the  graded  schools,  graduating  from  the  high 
school  in  1874.  He  was  prepared  for  Yale  at  the  Hopkins 
Grammar  School  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  entering  Col- 
lege in  1875,  graduated  with  honors  in  1879.  Mv.  Maltz- 
berger then  returned  to  Reading,  and  entered  the  law  office 
of  his  uncle,  Harrison  Maltzberger,  at  that  time  a  promi- 
nent lawyer  of  the  City,  but  now  deceased.  After  two 
years  of  study,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Berks  county 
in  November,  1881,  and  has  since  been  actively  engaged  in 
practice.  He  has  a  large  and  select  clientele.  On  July 
3,  ]90o,  he  became  United  States  Commissioner  for  the 
Eastern   District  of   Pennsylvania,  at  Reading. 

A  Republican  in  politics,  Mr.  Maltzberger  has  taken  an 
active  interest  in  the  councils  of  his  party,  and  was  for 
some  years  secretary  of  the  County  committee.  Pie  was 
a  special  agent  for  the  Census  Department  in  1890.  Mr. 
Maltzberger  is  a  member  of  the  Delta  Kappa  Epsilon 
fraternity,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Washington  Library 
Company,   of   which   he   is   vice   president. 


JOHN  G,  XANDER,  of  the  Xander  Machine  &  Supply 
Company,  is  not  only  a  machinist  of  ability,  but  an  in- 
ventor whose  machines  are  in  use  all  over  the  country. 

Born  in  Hamburg,  Pa.,  Aug.  6,  1854,  Mr.  Xander  re- 
mained there  in  school  up  to  the  age  of  fourteen,  when  he 
entered  his  father's  shop  to  learn  the  machinist's  trade 
from  his  father,  George  A.  Xander,  who  was  a  man  of 
considerable  ability  in  that  line  himself.  After  mastering 
his  new  calling,  Mr.  Xander  went  to  Reading  and  secured 
employment  in  the  Harbster  (now  the  Reading)  Hardware 
Company.  He  worked  there  five  years,  and  in  the  mean- 
time developed  such  a  marked  taste  for  mechanical  pur- 
suits that  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Reading  Iron  Com- 
pany as  foreman  in  the  tool  room.  He  remained  with  them 
only  six  months,  and  was  next  with  W.  H.  Wilhelm  &  Co., 
manufacturers  of  hat  machinery,  with  whom  he  remained 
from  1882  to  1892.  In  the  following  year  he  went  into 
partnership  with  James  T.  and  James  C.  Reber  as  the  Acme 
Manufacturing  Company,  to  continue  the  manufacture  of 
bicycles  which  Mr.  Xander  had  patented  and  made  after 
he  left  Wilhelm  &  Company.  The  new  firm  continued  till 
1897  when  Air.  Xander  sold  his  interest  to  the  Rebers,  and 
left  Reading  to  locate  instead  in  Lebanon,  Pa.  There  he 
organized  the  Keystone  M.  &  M.  Company,  and  for  four 
years  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  bicycles  on  a 
very  extensive  scale,  but  in  1900  he  disposed  of  his  interests 
there,  returned  to  Reading  and  opened  his  present  establish- 
ment at  Nos.  926-930  Bingaman  street.  He  does  an 
extensive  business  in  general  machinery,  in  the  manu- 
facture and  repair  of  automobiles,  and  in  the  manufacture 
of  hat  imachinery,  filling  orders  for  the  last  all  over  the 
United  States  and  Europe.  Mr.  Xander  is  also  a  de- 
signer and  builder  of  special  machinery,  besides  having 
on  the  market  a  water  motor  for  running  washing  ma- 
chines, and  the  Xander  Brazing  Compound,  for  cast  iron 
and  other  metals,  all  of  which  are  sold  and  used  over  the 
entire  country.  Mr.  Xander  is  a  man  who  has  proved  his 
claim  to  a  foremost  place  in  his  line  of  work,  and  who  has 
reaped  substantial  financial  returns  for  his  work.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  above  business  he  is  also  on  the  staff  of  the 
General  Adjustment  Bureau  of  New  Y'ork,  as  machinery 
expert,  in  appraisement  of  machinery.  His  establishment 
is  an  official  station  for  the  American  Motor  League. 

Mr.  Xander  married,  in  187.'),  Miss  Afatikla  Richards,  like 
himself  a  native  of  Hamburg,  Pa.  Their  only  child  is  a 
daughter,  Florence,  cashier  for  the  G.  M.  Britton  Com- 
pany. The  family  are  all  members  of  St.  Andrew's  Re- 
formed Church.  Mr.  Xander's  business  interests  have  left 
him  little  time  for  any  political  work,  but  he  is  an  intelli- 
gent student  and  observer  of  conditions,  and  in  voting 
always  takes  an  independent  stand.  He  is  a  member  of 
Camp  No.  78,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  Hamburg,,  and  of  the  Veteran 
Association  of  the  same  order. 

ELDRIDGE  ZIMilERMAN.  The  ancestors  of  Eldridge 
Zimmerman,  prothonotary  of  Berks  county.  Pa.,  came  to 
this  county  as  early  as  1743. 

Isaac  Zimmerman,  grandfather  of  Eldridge,  was  born 
in  Maxatawny  township,  Berks  county,  where  his  life'  was 
spent  as  a  farmer. 

Daniel  Zinunerman.  son  of  Isaac  and  father  of  Eldridge, 
was  a  farmer  and  hotel  keeper.  He  was  a  school  director 
at  Kutztown,  and  was  recorder  of  deeds  for  Berks  county 
for  the  years  1879,  1880  and  ISSl.  He  died  March  10,  1888, 
aged  sixty-three  years.  He  married  Susan  Caroline  Fisheri 
daughter  of  Jacob  Fisher,  of  Kutztown,  where  he  kept  a 
hotel.  They  had  three  children,  viz.:  Marv,  wife  of  .■\.  S 
Hottenstein,  a  lawyer  of  Milton,  Pa. ;  Jacob  F.,  U.  S.  store- 
keeper and  ganger  at  Kutztown;  and  Eldridge  of  fopton, 
Pennsylvania. 

Eldridge  Zimmerman  was  born  .-^pril  13.  1852,  in  Alaxa- 
tawny  township.  After  completing  the  common  school 
course  at  Kutztown,  he  attended  the  State  Normal  School 
there,  and  subsequently  taught  school  for  two  terms.  He 
then  engaged  in  the  grain,  flour  and  coal  business  at  Kutz- 
town, in  which  he  continued  for  three  years,  and  then 
served  as  deputy  recorder  during  the  vcars  1S79,  i.sso  and 
1881.     .After  retiring  from  this  position  he  returned  to  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


439 


homestead  and  farmed  until  1889,  when  he  served  as  deputy 
treasurer  for  five  months  during  that  year.  After  retiring 
from  this  position  he  moved  to  Topton,  Berks  county,  Pa., 
where  he  has  since  resided.  For  six  years  he  served  as 
school  director  in  Maxatawny  township,  for  fourteen  years 
was  justice  of  the  peace  in  the  same  township,  and  for  six 
years  served  in  the  same  position  in  Topton.  He  was 
deputy  prothonotary  of  Berks  county  during  the  years 
1901-02-03-04-05-06,  and  in  the  fall  of  1906  was  elected  to 
the  office  of  prothonotary  which  he  now  fills,  his  term 
expiring  the  first  Monday  of  January,  1910. 

Mr.  Zimmerman  married  Nov.  30,  1876,  Louisa  A.  Miller, 
daughter  of  Charles  Miller,  a  retired  farmer,  who  died  in 
May,  1905,  aged  ninety-nine  years  and  twenty-eight  days. 
They  have  one  son,  Charles  D.,  born  Dec.  25,  1880;  he  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Kutztown  State  Normal  School,  and  taught 
school  for  several  terms,  but  is  now  a  clerk  for  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  Railway  Company.  Mr.  Zimmerman  is 
a  member  of  the  Lutheran  denomination  while  his  wife 
attends  the  Reformed  church.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  having  joined  when  twenty-one  years  and 
twenty-seven  days  old.  He  was  the  first  Mason  admitted 
to  Huguenot  Lodge,  No.  377,  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Kutztown,  and 
he  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  Templars  and  to  the  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His  son  was  raised  a  Mason  when 
twenty-one  years  and  one  day  old,  and  is  also  a  Knight 
Templar  and  a  Shriner. 

In  politics  Mr.  Zimmerman  is  a  Democrat  as  were  his 
forefathers,  and  he  has  been  an  active  worker 
in  his  party  since  attaining  his  majority.  He  is  a  man 
of  upright  character,  liberal  education  and  broad-minded 
views. 

ALFRED  SCHROEDER  JONES  was  born  at  Fisher's 
Ferry,  Susquehanna  river,  a  few  miles  below  Sunbury,  Aug. 
18,  1835.  When  he  was  six  years  old  his  father,  Thomas 
Jones,  who  was  a  farmer  and  the  proprietor  of  a  tannery, 
died,  and  his  widow  with  three  children  returned  to  Read- 
ing, her  native  place. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Reading;  in  the  classical  school  of  John 
Kelly,  Court  street  below  Sixth,  who  had  been  educated 
for  a  priest;  in  Trinity  Lutheran  Parochial  school,  south- 
west corner  of  Sixth  and  Washington  streets,  taught  by 
Constantine  Deininger,  a  linguist,  and  in  the  Reading  In- 
stitute, No.  225  South  Fifth  street,  a  classical  school  of 
which  Prof.  James  S.  Lee  and  Rev.  Dr.  William  A.  Good 
were  the  principals.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he  became  an 
assistant  teacher  in  the  latter  school,  which  position  he 
held  for  several  years.  Subsequently  he  taught  a  select 
school  at  Snydertown,  Northumberland  county,  and  public 
schools  in  Maiden-creek,  Bern  and  Cumru  townships,  and 
at  Rehrersburg  and  Strausstown,  Berks  county,  and  during 
the  summers  read  law  in  the  office  of  Amos  B.  Wanner, 
but  that  being  too  sedentary  for  Mr.  Jones  he  turned  his 
attention  to  the  newspaper  publishing  business. 

In  April,  1864,  he  started  the  Reading  Daily  Reporter, 
the  publication  office  being  located  at  No.  517  Penn  street, 
having  previously  personally  canvassed  a  portion  of  the 
city  for  subscribers,  which  gave  him  needed  outdoor  exer- 
cise. He  bid  for  the  city  printing,  which  was  awarded  to 
him,  and  the  newspaper  was  so  successful  that  the  receipts 
from  its  circulation  and  advertising  paid  all  the  expenses 
from  the_  beginning  until  the  paper  was  enlarged  at  the 
suggestion  of  a  candidate  for  office  who  promised  financial 
aid,  but  did  not  give  it,  when  the  expenses  became  greater 
then  the  receipts,  and  the  publication  was  suspended  after 
being  in  existence  six  months. 

A  number  of  years  before  he  published  the  Daily  Re- 
porter he  did  his  first  newspaper  work  when  he  contrib- 
uted to  and  edited  the  Educational  Department  of  the 
Berks  County  Press  which  was  specially  intended  to  be 
read  by  the  school  teachers  of  Berks  and  surrounding 
counties.     He  was  then  a  teacher  himself. 

When  the  Civil  war  was  in  progress  Mr.  Jones  spent 
three  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Ordnance  Department  of 
the  United  States  Navy,  drawing  his  pay,  nearly  $4,000,  from 
the  paymaster  located  at  the  Navy  Yard,  Philadelphia.  After 


spending  two  years  at  Scott  Foundry,  Reading,  he  was 
sent  to  Fort  Pitt  Foundry,  Pittsburg,  where  he  remained 
a  year,  until  the  manufacture  of  cannon  ceased  there,  the 
war  having  closed.  His  duty  was  to  be  in  the  foundry  when 
the  naval  guns  were  cast,  note  the  different  stages  of  their 
fabrication  in  the  machine  shop,  and  be  at  the  proving 
ground  when  they  were  tested  with  powder  and  shot,  and 
prepare  weekly  reports,  which  were  signed  by  the  Naval 
Ordnance  Inspector,  and  sent  to  the  Navy  Ordnance  de- 
partment at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Mr.  Jones  had  begun  the  study  of  shorthand  when  he 
was  a  school  boy,  and  he  put  it  to  practical  use  when  he 
was  one  of  the  official  reporters  in  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Senate  during  the  session  of  1867-68.  When  he  returned 
to  Reading  at  he  close  of  the  session  the  Reading  Daily 
Eagle  had  just  been  started,  and  he  accepted  a  position 
on  it,  which  he  has  retained  ever  since,  a  period  of  forty 
years.  He  has  done  all  kinds  of  reportorial  work  up  to 
and  including  the  reporting  in  shortlaand  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  political  State  conventions.  When  he  first  be- 
came connected  with  the  Daily  Eagle  he  was  for  some 
time  the  only  newspaper  reporter  in  Reading.  Later  he 
occupied  the  position  of  city  editor,  and  he  now  edits  the 
manuscript  of  correspondents  of  the  paper,  of  which 
there  are  over  300  in  Berks  and  adjoining  counties. 
Every  week  he  prepares  special  articles  for  the  Sunday 
Eagle,  and  he  has  written  more  historical  articles  about 
aged  persons  and  occurrences  in  Reading  and  Berks  county 
in  olden  times  for  publication  in  the  daily  and  weekly 
press  than  any  other  person  in  eastern  Pennsylvania.  When 
he  first  became  connected  with  the  Eagle  in  1868  he  began 
interviewing  for  publication  the  oldest  residents,  veterans 
of  the  War  of  1812,  persons  prominent  in  politics,  business 
and  other  pursuits,  and  he  has  continued  this  ever  since. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Historical  Society  of  the  County 
of  Berks,  and  has  prepared  historical  sketches  for  the 
archives  of  this  organization.  Mr.  Jones  is  proud  of  the 
fact  that  he  is  the  oldest  reporter  in  Reading,  and  has 
been  continuously  connected  for  over  forty  years  with 
such  a  wide-awake  and  progressive  journal  as  the  Eagle. 

On  April  11,  1861,  Mr.  Jones  was  married  to  Catharine 
Hammer,  daughter  of  the  late  Judge  Jacob  Hammer,  of 
Orwigsburg.  She  died  March  29,  1906.  Two  children 
were  born  to  them,  Thomas  H.  and  Lilian  H. 

JOSEPH  O.  FLATT,  Sr.  (deceased),  founder  of  the 
brush  manufacturing  business  now  conducted  by  the  firm 
of  Joseph  O.  Flatt  &  Co.,  was  a  native  of  Baden,  Germany, 
born  Oct.  4,  1829.  There  he  spent  his  youth  and  early  man- 
hood, receiving  the  thorough  training  characteristic  of  his 
country  and  her  institutions.  He  learned  the  trade  of 
machinist  in  the  Fatherland,  not  only  familiarizing  him- 
self with  the  more  practical  details  of  the  work,  but  also 
attending  several  of  the  leading  technical  schools  of  Ger- 
many, acquiring  an  education  above  the  average. 

In  1856  Mr.  Flatt  came  to  America,  and  settling  in 
Reading,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  found  employment  readily  with 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company,  with  which  he  re- 
mained until  the  panic  of  1872.  On  Oct.  22d,  of  that 
year,  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  manufacture  of 
brushes,  a  business  in  which  he  continued  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  made  a  financial  success  of  the  undertak- 
ing, and  won  high  personal  standing,  being  noted  for  his 
honest  and  upright  methods  of  dealing.  His  death,  which 
occurred  in  1894,,  was  widely  mourned  in  Reading,  where 
he  left  a  large  family  and  numerous  friends  and  acquain- 
tances who  admired  and  respected  him  as  an  able  and  use- 
ful citizen. 

Mr.  Flatt  married  April  7,  1857,  CaroHna  W.  Maurer, 
a  native  of  Saxony,  Germany,  and  a  daughter  of  Christian 
and  Henrietta  (Crasser)  Maurer.  Children  as  follows 
were  born  to  this  union :  Anna  and  Mary,  twins,  died  in 
infancy.  Charles  married  and  became  the  father  of  two 
children,  Sally  and  Walter.  William,  a  printer,  m.  Sallie 
Kolb  and  had  two  children,  William  and  George."  Max 
(deceased)  m.  Maggie  Rodenberger,  and  they  had  one 
child,  Hattie.  Mary  m.  Harry  Wentzel,  of  Philadelphia. 
Anna  (deceased)  m.  George  Hoffman.     Frederick  died  at 


440 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  age  of  two  years,  Joseph  0.,  Jr.,  is  mentioned 
below.  Harry,  a  blaclcsmith  and  horseshoer  of  Reading, 
is  mentioned  elsewhere.  George  W.  is  in  business  with 
his  brother  Joseph  O.,  being  junior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Joseph  O.  Flatt  &  Co.,  and  is  mentioned  below.  Caro- 
line m.  Ralph  Fink  and  lives  in  Philadelphia.  The  entire 
family  are  identified  with  the  Lutheran  Church. 

JOSEPH  O.  FLATT,  senior  member  of  the  firm^  of 
Joseph  O.  Flatt  &  Co.,  brush  manufacturers,  of  Reading, 
has  passed  all  of  his  life  in  that  city.  He  was  born  in 
Reading,  Aug.  27,  1872,  son  of  the  late  Joseph  O.  and 
Carolina  W.  (Maurer)  Flatt,  and  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  and  at.Brunner's  Business  College. 
Immediately  after  leaving  school  he  began  keeping  books 
for  his  father,  by  whom  he  was  employed  until  the  latter's 
death,  Nov.  25,  1894.  Joseph  O.  Flatt  carried  the  business 
on  alone  for  about  a  month,  and  on  Jan.  1,  1895,  formally 
assumed  control  of  same  in  partnership  with  his  younger 
brother,  George  W.  Flatt,  under  the  firm  name  of  Joseph 
O.  Flatt  &  Co.  They  have  continued  the  business  ever 
since.  Until  1897  it  was  located  at  No.  641  Pine  street,  and 
then  was  located  at  Nos.  548-552  Miltimore  street  in  a 
factory  28  x  42  feet  in  dimensions,  and  three  stories  in 
height.  This  they  still  own,  but  it  is  rented,  as  on  May  1, 
1908,  they  removed  to  Nos.  137-139  Cedar  street,  where 
they  had  built  a  large  three-story  brick  factory  building, 
35  X  120  feet,  with  all  conveniences,  where  they  are  equip- 
ped to  turn  out  brushes  in  carload  lots.  The  product 
includes  all  kinds  of  brushes,  which  the  firm  ships  to  all 
parts  of  the  United  States,  and  through  jobbers  some  of 
the  brushes  are  also  exported.  Employment  is  given 
to  about  twenty  hands  the  year  round.  Joseph  O.  Flatt 
acts  as  treasurer  and  general  manager  of  the  company, 
and  George  W.  Flatt  is  the  traveling  representative  of  the 
firm.  Both  brothers  rank  among  the  substantial  men  of 
the  city  in  commercial  circles,  where  their  business  acumen 
has  earned  them  an  honorable  place. 

In  March  1894,  Mr.  Flatt  was  married  to  Anna  C. 
Bentz,  and  they  have  one  child,  Anna  Catherine.  The 
family  home  is  at  No.  122  North  Ninth  street.  In  fra- 
ternal life  Mr.  Flatt  is  quite  prominent  as  a  member  of 
various  Masonic  bodies,  being  past  master  of  Teutonia 
Lodge,  No.  367,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  a  member  of  Excelsior 
Chapter,  No.  237 ;  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T. ; 
Reading  Lodge  of  Perfection,  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A. 
O.  N.  M.  S.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
the  Golden  Eagle  and  of  the  Schuylkill  Fire  Company. 
Mr.  Flatt  in  religious  connection  unites  with  St.  John's 
German  Lutheran  Church. 

GEORGE  W.  FLATT,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Joseph  O.  Flatt  &  Co.,  brush  manufacturers,  of  Reading, 
is  one  of  the  young  business  men  of  that  city,  but  the 
house  with  which  he  is  connected  was  founded  by  his 
father  over  thirty  years  ago.  Mr.  Flatt  was  born  in  Read- 
ing, March  4,  1876,  son  of  Joseph  O.  and  Carohna  W. 
(Maurer)  Flatt.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  city,  and  ever  since  leaving  school  has  been  iden- 
tified with  the  business  he  is  now  conducting,  working 
with  his  father  until  the  latter's  death.  On  Jan.  1,  1895, 
he  and  his  brother  Joseph  O.  formed  the  partnership  which 
still  exists,  George  W.  Flatt  being  business  manager  and 
traveling  representative  of  the  house,  while  Joseph  O. 
acts  as  treasurer  and  general  manager.  The  output  of 
the  factory  is  8,000  brushes  daily,  but  the  patronage  is 
increasing  so  steadily  that  they  are  kept  very  busy  filling 
orders,  and  the  business  has  shown  a  creditable  growth 
under  their  management.  They  have  a  sales  and  sample 
room  at  No.  138  North  Ninth  street,  Reading,  and  a  well- 
equipped  factory,  where  twenty  hands  are  given  regular 
employment.  The  Flatt  brothers  have  given  evidence  of 
the  same  enterprise  and  progressive  spirit  that  character- 
ized their  father,  who  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability  and  education,  and  their  irreproachable  treatment 
of  customers  has  been  rewarded  with  continued  success. 

George  W.  Flatt  married,  in  1902,  Miss  Anna  Otto.  He 
is  well  known  in  Masonic  circles,  being  a  member  of  Teu- 


tonia Lodge,  No.  367,  Excelsior  Chapter,  Readin;?  Com- 
mandery, Reading  Lodge  of  Perfection  and  Rajah  Tcnipli;. 
The  family  are  all  musical,  and  George  W.  Flatt  plays 
the  clarionet  and  was  financial  secretary  of  the  Ringgold 
Band  of  which  he  was  a  member,  but  since  April  1,  1908, 
he  has  discontinued  the  active  part  of  the  music  business, 
so  as  to  devote  more  time  to  his  growing  brush  business. 
He  resides  at  No.  128  North  Ninth  street. 

HENRY  AUGUSTUS  MUHLENBERG  (1),  clergyman, 
Congressman  and  first  minister  to  Austria,  was  born  at 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  May  13,  1782.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Rev. 
Henry  E.,  and  grandson  of  Rev.  Henry  Melchior  Muhlen- 
berg, the  American  ancestor  of  the  family  who,  in  1741, 
emigrated  from  Saxony  as  a  missionary  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  to  the  German  population  of  Pennsylvania. 

According  to  the  wishes  of  his  father  Henry  A.  Muhlen- 
berg studied  theology  under  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kunze,  of  New 
York,  and  in  1802  he  became  pastor  of  Trinity  Lutheran 
Church  at  Reading,  Berks  county,  and  continued  there  for 
twenty-seven  years.  His  health  becoming  impaired,  he 
resolved  to  withdraw  from  ministerial  duties  and  retire 
to  a  farm,  but  his  fellow-citizens,  who  had  long  admired 
his  consistent  support  of  Democratic  principles,  solicited 
him  to  represent  the  district  in  Congress  and  he  was 
elected.  In  December,  1829,  he  took  his  seat  at  Washing- 
ton, and  gave  his  support  to  the  administration  of  Presi- 
dent Jackson.  His  views  on  the  tariff  question  were  mod- 
erate. He  was  opposed  to  the  United  States  Bank,  and 
coincided  in  all  the  views  hostile  to  that  institution  which 
were  expressed  by  the  President,  and  it  was  he  who,  on 
Feb.  18,  1834,  after  more  than  two  months  of  daily 
appeals  in  behalf  of  the  banks,  moved  the  previous  ques- 
tion. He  retained  for  nine  years  his  prominence  as  a 
member  of  the  House.  In  1835  he  was  a  candidate  of  a 
portion  of  the  Democratic  party  for  the  governorship  of 
Pennsylvania,  but  was  defeated.  In  1837,  President  Van 
Buren  tendered  him  a  seat  in  the  cabinet  as  Secretary  of 
the  Navy,  and  afterward  the  Russian  mission,  but  for  pri- 
vate reasons  he  declined  both  positions.  In  1838  he  was 
named  minister  to  Austria,  and  was  unanimously  confirmed, 
officiating  at  Vienna  until  the  close  of  1840.  In  1844  he 
was  nominated  by  the  Democratic  State  Convention  for 
Governor,  and  he  accepted  the  nomination,  but  died  sud- 
denly on  Aug.  11,  1844,  two  months  prior  to  the  election. 

Mr.  Muhlenberg  was  a  man  of  studious  habits  and 
great  learning,  rather  retiring  in  disposition,  decidedly 
eloquent,  and  strong  and  forcible  when  his  feelings  or 
conscience  were  once  aroused.  His  influence  is  attributable 
in  large  part  to  his  sterling  integrity  of  character,  for 
when  the  community  found  that  he  was  earnestly  in  favor 
of  any  public  measure,  they  knew  that  he  believed  that 
measure  to  be  just  and  were  generally  willing  to  adopt 
his  estimate  of  it  as  correct.  As  a  relief  from  his  pub- 
lic duties  Mr.  Muhlenberg  was  a  great  lover  of  nature 
and  outdoor  sports,  and  spent  quite  a  portion  of  his 
spare  moments  in  hunting  and  fishing. 

Mr.  Muhlenberg  was  married  twice:  First  to  Elizabeth 
Hiester,  daughter  of  Gov.  Joseph  Hiester,  and  they  had 
one  daughter,  Mary  Elizabeth  (m.  E.  Jonathan  Deininger)  ; 
and  second  to  Rebecca  Hiester,  also  a  daughter  of  Gover- 
nor Hiester,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  Emma  Eliza- 
beth, Hiester  H.,  Henry  A.,  Emma  Elizabeth,  Rose  Cath- 
arme  and  Henry  A.  His  first  wife  died  in  1806,  and  the 
second  in  1841. 

ABRAHAM  H.  ROTHERMEL.  The  large  and  influen- 
tial Rothermel  family  of  Pennsylvania  is  descended  from 
John  Rothermel,  who  was  born  in  Wachbach,  a  province 
of  Holland,  in  1688.  In  1708,  he  married  Sybilla  Zimmer- 
man, a  sister  of  General  Zimmerman,  of  his  native  land. 
In  1730,  after  the  birth  of  one  daughter  and  five  sons,  he 
set  sail  from  Rotterdam,  with  his  entire  family,  for  Amer- 
ica. John  Rothermel  died  at  sea  and  never  saw  the  shores 
of  the  country  for  which  he  started.  His  wife  and 
children  arrived  in  Philadelphia  Aug.  29,  1730.  The 
daughter,  Anna  Maria,  who  had  married  Peter  Fetherolf 
in   Wachbach,   in   1729,   settled  with  her  husband   in   Ma- 


HENRY   AUGUSTUS    MUHLENBERG 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


441 


cungie  township,  Lehigh  county.  The  five  sons,  namely: 
Lawrence,  Paul,  Peter,  John  and  Christian,  all  settled  in 
Berks  county. 

Abraham  H.  Rothermel,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  a 
descendant  in  the  fourth  generation  from  John  Rothermel, 
of  Wachbach.  His  father,  Abraham  Rothermel  (1823- 
1903),  was  a  son  of  Peter  Rothermel  (1773-1856),  who 
was  a  son  of  Peter  Rothermel,  the  son  of  the  aforesaid 
John  Rothermel.  All  of  Mr.  Rothermel's  paternal  ances- 
tors in  America,  with  the  exception  of  his  father,  whose 
remains  are  interred  in  Spies's  Church  Cemetery,  lie  buried 
in  the  Rothermel  family  cemetery,  at  Walnuttown,  Berks 
county. 

Mr.  Rothermel's  mother  was  Magdalena  (Heckman) 
Rothermel  (1828-1888),  daughter  of  Adam  and  Catharine 
(Heffner)  Heckman,  of  Alsace  township.  His  paternal 
grandmother  was  Magdalena  laeger,  daughter  of  Frederick 
laeger,  of  Oley  township  (1748-1822),  and  his  paternal 
great-grandmother  was  Magdalena  (Dreibelbis)  Rother- 
mel, daughter  of  Jacob  Dreibelbis.  The  last  named,  as 
well  as  Frederick  laeger,  above  mentioned,  were  soldiers 
of  note  in  the  war  of  the  American  Revolution. 


•  Abraham  H.  Rothermel,  one  of  Reading's  ablest  lawyers, 
and  ex-district  attorney,  is  the  youngest  son  of  Abraham 
and  Magdalena  (Heckman)  Rothermel.  He  was  born  in 
Maiden-creek  township,  Berks  county,  March  8,  1863.  His 
parents  removed  to  the  Quaker  community  m  Amity 
township  when  he  was  two  years  of  age,  and  there  his 
youthful  character  was  moulded  under  the  pure  and  re- 
fined influence  of.  a  Christian  home.  He  attended  the 
schools  of  the  township,  being  qualified  at  an  early  age 
to  teach  a  township  school,  and  this  he  did  for  several 
years  with  boyish  dignity  and  marked  aptitude,  more  than 
half  the  pupils  being  older  than  himself.  After  teaching 
several  years,  he  entered  upon  a  course  of  preparatory 
study  at  Palatinate  College,  Myerstown,  Pa.,  and  later 
at  the  Franklin  and  Marshall  Academy.  In  September, 
1883,  he  entered  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  at  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
1887  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  Later  the  same 
institution  conferred  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  upon 
him.  Immediately  after  his  graduation  from  college,  Mr. 
Rothermel  took  up  the  study  of  law  under  the  preceptor- 


ship  of  the  late  Hon.  Augustus  S.  Sassaman,  and  he  was 
admitted  to  practice  in  the  courts  of  Berks  county,  Nov. 
24,  1888,;  and,  later,  on  motion  of  Richmond  L.  Jones, 
Esq.,  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Pennsylvania. 

In  November,  1889,  Mr.  Rothermel  entered  into  a  part- 
nership in  the  practice  of  law  with  David  F.  Mauger,  Esq., 
under  the  firm  name  of  Rothermel  &  Mauger,  and  the 
partnership,  which  has  been  eminently  successful,  has  con- 
tinued to  the  present  time,  the  firm  enjoying  a  large  and 
representative  clientage.  In  politics  Mr.  Rothermel  has 
always  been  a  consistent  Democrat,  and  he  has  done  val- 
uable service  for  his  party  in  many  campaigns.  He  is  an 
eloquent  and  forceful  pubhc  speaker,  and  has  been  on  the 
platform  on  many  notable  occasions.  His  fame  as  an 
orator  is  not  confined  to  political  circles.  In  May,  1897,  he 
delivered  the  oration  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of 
the  Watts  de  Peyster  Library  at  Franklin  and  Marshall 
College,  as  the  representative  of  the  donor,  Gen.  J.  Watts 
de  Peyster,  of  New  York;  and  again,  in  June,  1898,  he 
was  selected  by  General  de  Peyster  to  make  the  formal 
presentation  of  the  library  to  the  board  of  trustees  of  the 
college.  From  1890  to  1893  Mr.  Rothermel  filled  the  office 
of  county  solicitor  of  Berks.  The  conscientious  and  fear- 
less manner  in  which  he  performed  his  duties  did  much 
to  procure  for  him  the  almost  unanimous  nomination  of 
his  party  for  the  office  of  district  attorney,  to  which  he 
was  elected  in  1898,  and  he  filled  this  office  with  distinction, 
for  a  term  of  three  years  from  1899  to  1902. 

Mr.  Rothermel  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Reformed 
Church  of  Reading;  the  Berks  County  Historical  Society; 
the  Pennsylvania-German  Society;  the  Wyomissing  Club; 
and  the  Phi  Kappa  Psi  Fraterjiity. 

In  November,  '1898,  Mr.  Rothermel  married  Miss  Eva 
McKenty,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  and  their  marriage  has  been 
blessed  with  two  sons,  Henry  McKenty  and  Frederic  de 
Peyster.  They  reside  at  No.  130  North  Fifth  street  in  the 
winter  and  spend  their  summers  at  their  beautiful  home 
near  Carsonia  Park,  in  Lower  Alsace  township. 

HON.  W.  OSCAR  MILLER,  former  State  senator  and 
.  now  a  prominent  citizen  of  Reading,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  practice  as  a  lawyer,  also  dealing  in  real  estate,  is  an 
active  worker '  in  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  known 
throughout  the  State  as  a  politician  of  sagacity  and  fore- 
sight. He  was  born  in  Maxatawny  township,  Aug.  28,  1857, 
son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Ziegler)   Miller. 

John  Miller,  great-grandfather  of  the  Hon.  W.  Oscar, 
lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Fogelsville,  Lehigh  Co.,  Pa.  The 
Millers  have  been  noted  for  their  longevity. 

John  Miller  (2),  son  of  John,  was  born  near  Fogelsville, 
in  Lehigh  county,  but  in  his  young  manhood  came  to  Max- 
atawny township,  Berks  county,  and  engaged  in  farming 
for  the  remainder  of  his  Hfe.  His  political  views  made 
him  a  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  in  that  faith  he  died  in 
1846.  He  was  the  father  of  five  sons  and  one  daughter, 
namely:  Charles,  who  died  in  Maxatawny  township,  in 
May,  1905,  aged  ninety-nine  years,  two  months,  twenty- 
nine  days;  John,  who  died  in  June,  1905,  aged  ninety-five 
years ;  Rosalind,  who  married  Napoleon  Drescher,  and  died 
at  the  age  of  eighty-three;  Jonas,  who  died  aged  seventy- 
two  years ;  Joseph ;  and  Joshua.  '^' 

Joseph  Miller,  son  of  John  (2),  was  born  in  Maxatawny 
township,  Jan.  21,  1819,  and  there  grew  to  manhood  with 
a  full  practical  knowledge  of  farming.  He  attended  the 
common  schools,  and  for  two  winters  a  subscription 
school.  _  His  death,  the  result  of  internal  injuries  re- 
ceived in  a  fall  from  an  apple  tree,  occurred  in  August, 
1890,  in  his  seventy-second  year.  He  married  Mary  Zieg- 
ler, born  May  3,  1830,  and  to  this  union  were  born  the 
following  children :  W.  Oscar ;  Mantana  mi  A.  S.  Heffner, 
a  coal  and  lumber  merchant  at  Topton,  this  county;  Sally 
I.  m.  L.  A.  Stein;  Alvin  J.;  Fianna  m.  the  Rev.  James 
O.  Leibensperger;  and  George  F.  Joseph  Miller,  the 
father,  was  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  served  as  school  trus- 
tee for  several  terms. 


442 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


W.  Oscar  Miller  was  given  the  benefit  of  a  good  edu- 
cation. After  finishing  the  common  school  he  went  to 
Kutztown,  and  graduated  there  from  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School  in  1875.  He  then  entered  Lafayette  Col- 
lege, and  later  went  to  the  University  of  Michigan,  at  Ann 
Arbor,  graduating  from  the  Law  Department  in  1879.  The 
following  year  he  was  admitted  to  practice  in  Reading,  and 
for  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  has  had  his  law  offices  at  No. 
610  Washington  street. 

From  the  time  he  attained  his  majority  he  has  been 
active  in  politics  and  in  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  As 
early  as  1887  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  State  Convention, 
and  in  1889  was  elected  district  attorney,  an  office  he  filled 
to  the  general  satisfaction  of  the  public.  In  November, 
1896,  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate.  As  chairman  of 
the  County  committee  in  1893  and  1894,  he  did  yeoman 
service  for  his  party,  and  in  1896  he  was  a  delegate  to  the 
National  Convention  at  Chicago  which  nominated  William 
Jennings  Bryan  for  President.  As  editor  of  the  Reading 
Democrat  he  has  been  able  by  his  forceful  and  logical 
arguments  to  mould  public  opinion  in  favor  of  the  reforms 
he  advocated.  In  1896  he  made  a  statement  one  week  be- 
fore election  that  there  would  be  only  375  Gold  Democrat 
votes  cast  for  Palmer  and  Buckner  in  the  county,  and  the 
results  showed  416  ;  while  in  1900  he  predicted  Gov.  Pat- 
tison's  majority  to  within  one  vote  of  the  correct  result  in 
the  count}'. 

Mr.  Miller  married  March  23,  1889,  Emma  L.  Reider, 
daughter  of  Augustus  and  Elizabeth  (Heffner)  Reider,  of 
Pricetown,  granddaughter  of  John  Reider,  and  great- 
granddaughter  of  Daniel  Reider  (1794-1891).  To  this 
union  has  been  born  one  daughter,  Frances. 

HENRY  H.  FRY,  former  county  treasurer  of  Berks 
county,  and  a  prominent  lumber  dealer  of  Oley  township, 
was  born  July  12,  1863,  in  Ruscombmanor  township,  near 
Pricetown,  where  he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools. 
He  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  where  he  remained  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old,  when  he  entered  the  country 
store  of  Daniel  Brown,  at  Pricetown,  and  he  remained 
there  two  years,  when  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  store 
of  B.  A.  Glase,  Son  &  Co.,  at  Friedensburg.  After  con- 
tinuing there  a  year  the  senior  partner  died,  and  his  son, 
Peter  L.  Glase,  purchasing  the  Baer  general  store  at  the 
same  place,  persuaded  Mr.  Fry  to  work  for  him.  He  acted 
as  clerk  for  seven  years  in  that  store,  and  then  became 
a  partner,  and  under  the  firm  name  of  P.  L.  Glase  &  Co. 
they  have  carried  on  the  business  together  from  1889  until 
the  present  time.  In  1894  I\Ir.  Fry  began  purchasing 
tracts  of  timber,  converting  the  trees  into  lumber,  railroad 
ties  and  telegraph,  telephone  and  trolley  poles,  and  he 
has  been  very  successful.  He  officiated  as  a  school  direc- 
tor in  Oley  township  for  three  terms.  In  November,  1905, 
he  was  elected  county  treasurer,  and  served  his  terra  of 
three  years,  which  expired  in  January,  1909. 

In  1887,  Mr.  Fry  was  married  to  Anna  L.  Stitzer,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Stitzer.  and  Annetta  Ahrens,  his  wife,  of 
Oley  township,  by  whom  he  had  four  children :  A.  Paxton, 
Sadie,  Arthur  and  Roger. 

WillianT  Frey,  father  of  Flenry  H.,  was  engaged  in 
farming  in  Ruscombmanor  township  until  his  decease  in 
1882,  when  he  was  aged  sixty-three  years.  He  officiated 
as  a  county  commissioner  from  1873  to  1876,  having  been 
elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket.  He  married  Annie  L. 
Haas  (1824-1894),  daughter  of  George  Haas,  of  the  same 
township.  Thev  had  eight  children:  James  (m.  Hannah 
Brown)  ;  Nathaniel  (m.  Clara  Haas)  ;  Sarah  (m.  Mayberry 
Angstadt)  ;  Caroline  (m.  Thomas  Leinbach)  ;  Amos  (m. 
Isabella  Fox);  Lewis  (m.  Mary  Brown);  Henry  H. ; 
Augustus   (m.  Annie  Jarrett). 

George  Frey,  father  of  William  and  grandfather  of 
Henry  H.,  was  of  the  same  township.  He  married  Cath- 
arine Rothrock,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children ;  George 
(m.  a  Reinheimer)  ;  Charles;  William;  Julia  (unmarried)  ; 
Catharine  (m.  John  Wahl)  ;  Maria  (m.  Henry  Keller); 
Sallie  (m.  Nicodemus  Noll);  Margaret  (m.  Jacob  Krick). 


JOHN  D.  MISSIMER  was  for  twenty-five  years  before 
his  death  managing  editor  of  the  Reading  Eagle.  Born 
in  1847  at  Denglers  (now  Mount  Penn),  Berks  county,  he 
was  a  son  of  John  Missimer,  a  prominent  Democrat  and 
member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature  for  several 
terms.  Just  prior  to  the  Civil  war  he  was  librarian  to 
the  House  of  Representatives  in  Washington.  John  D. 
Missimer  attended  school  in  Washington  until  he  received 
the  appointment,  secured  by  Maj.  S.  E.  Ancona,  then  Con- 
gressman from  this  district,  as  cadet  at  the  Naval  Acad- 
emy, Annapolis,  Md.  He  made  a  voyage  to  foreign  ports, 
but  taking  a  dislike  to  the  life  of  the  navy  was  allowed 
to  resign.  Early  in  life  he  gained  considerable  reputation 
as  a  writer  of  verse  and  sketches  for  the  newspapers,  and 
he  naturally  drifted  into  newspaper  work,  being  for_  some 
time  associated  with  the  famous  "Brick"  Pomeroy  in  the 
publication,  in  New  York,  of  an  illustrated  weekly  paper 
that  enjoyed  a  national  circulation.  His  connection  with 
the  Reading  Eagle  commenced  about  1872,  when  he  became 
a  reporter  on  the  staff  of  that  journal,  with  which  he 
was  thereafter  identified  until  his  death.  He  soon  ac- 
quired the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  most  affable  and 
capable  newspaper  men  in  the  city,  and  in  1880  he  suc- 
ceeded J.  Warren  Conard  as  managing  editor,  which 
position  he  continued  to  hold  until  his  sudden  death,  Sun- 
day morning,  April  22,  1906. 

As  a  general  all-around  newspaper  man  Mr.  I\Iissimer 
had  few  equals.  He  did  his  work  with  a  thoroughness 
which  made  the  paper  a  complete  epitome  of  each  day's 
events.  He  was  a  master  of  details,  concise,  able  and 
industrious,  and  possessed  the  faculty  of  condensing  an 
item  or  "boiling  it  down"  to  substance.  In  his  relations 
with  his  subordinates  he  was  genial  and  sympathetic.  At 
the  close  of  his  thirtieth  year  with  the  Eagle  his  fellow- 
workers  celebrated  the  anniversary  by  tendering  him  a 
banquet,  as  a  tribute  to  his  fidelity  to  the  paper  and  his 
courtesy  to  them. 

Mr.  Missimer  was  a  ready  and  easy  writer,  and  a  num- 
ber of  years  ago  he  contributed  many  serial  stories  of 
interest  to  the  Nczu  York  Weekly,  the  Saturday  Night, 
and  other  weekly  and  monthly  publications.  He  wrote 
"The  Amish  Girl"  and  several  other  dramas,  which  at  dif- 
ferent times  were  presented  to  appreciative  and  delighted 
audiences  in  Reading  and  other  cities.  For  years  he  con- 
tributed much  to  metropolitan  dailies,  and  three  years 
before  his  death  he  founded  the  Reading  Financial  Bulletin, 
which  he  published  to  the  end  of  his  days.  It  is  a  publi- 
cation devoted  to  the  subject  of  local  investments. 

A  few  years  before  his  death  he  wrote  and  published 
a  pamphlet  on  the  libel  law,  which  was  intended  as  a 
guide  to  young  newspaper  writers,  and  it  not  only  had  a 
large  sale  among  that  class  but  also  among  experienced 
newspaper  workers  all  over  the  countrj',  and  the  author 
received  many  letters  from  successful  publishers  in  praise 
of  the  work.  During  his  last  days  he  wrote  the  history  of 
the  famous  "Conway  Cabal,"  a  conspiracy  fomented  in  this 
section  during  the  Revolutionary  war  to  depose  Washington 
from  the  position  of  commander  of  the  Continental  army. 
This  plot  is  supposed  to  have  been  hatched  in  Reading, 
and  Mr.  Missimer  invested  his  work  with  a  great  deal  of 
local  color.  Its  preparation  involved  the  consultation 
of  many  authorities,  and  he  devoted  himself  to  it  with  his 
accustomed  vigor  and  thoroughness. 

From  the  time  of  his  young  manhood  Mr.  Missimer 
entered  heartily  into  the  social  life  of  the  city,  and  in 
his  later  years  he  enjoyed  spending  his  leisure  moments 
among  congenial  friends.  His  popularity  and  felicity  of 
expression  are  attested  in  the  fact  that  he  was  frequently 
called  upon  to  act  as  toastmaster  at  banquets,  and  in  this 
role  appeared  at  his  best.  He  was  always  most  happy  in 
his  introduction  of  the  speakers.  He  was  a  member  of 
Reading  Council,  Royal  .-Vrcanum,  the  Reading  Press  Club, 
the  Berks  County  Historical  Society,  Trinity  Lutheran 
Church,  and  a  trustee  of  St.  Joseph's  Hospital. 

Mr.  Missimer  married  Anetta  Richards,  who  survived 
him  with  one  daughter,   Grace. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


443 


JAMES  S.  FOCHT,  general  superintendent  of  the  Job 
Wilbur  Mining  &  Milling  Company,  of  Providence,  R.  L, 
and  a  successful  farmer  residing  near  Greenawald  Station, 
in  Albany  township,  Berks  county,  was  born  in  Windsor 
township,  this  county,  May  12,  1856,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Hannah  (Stepp)  Focht,  and  grandson  of  George  Focht,  of 
Windsor  township. 

Daniel  Focht,  th«  father,  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in 
Windsor  township  in  1818,  and  early  in  life  learned  the 
stone-mason's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  number  of 
years.  Later  he  purchased  a  farm  near  Windsor  Castle, 
consisting  of  twenty-four  acres  but  this  he  subsequently 
sold  and  removed  to  a  farm  in  Centre'  township,  where  his 
death  occurred  in  1901.  He  was  a  staunch  Democrat  in 
his  political  views,  and  for  some  time  he  served  as  sup- 
ervisor" of  Centre  township.  In  religious  belief  he  was  a 
Lutheran  and  belonged  to  St.  Michael's  Union  Church. 
Mr.  Focht  married  Hannah  Stepp,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Stepp,  of  Centre  township,  and  twelve  children  were  born 
to  them-,  namely:  David,  Mary,  Catherine,  William,  Ben- 
jamin, Reuben,  Ellen,  Senora,  James  S.,  Frank,  Samuel  and 
Isabella. 

James  S.  Focht  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Centre  township  which  he  attended  until  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age.  This  was  chiefly  in  the  old  Roth  school,  to 
which  vicinity  his  parents  had  moved  when  he  was  two 
years  old.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  entered  the  Hun- 
tingdon Collegiate  Institute,  in  Huntingdon  county,  and 
after  three  months  hard  work  was  licensed  to  teach  by 
Prof.  Samuel  A.  Baer.  His  first  term  was  taught  at 
Klinesville,  at  a  salary  of  twenty  dollars  for  a  terra  of 
five  months.  He  then  taught  four  terms  in  Greenwich 
township,  and  three  in  Windsor  under  Superintendents 
Baer,  Keck  and  Zechman.  For  four  years  Mr.  Focht 
was  engaged  in  a  mercantile  business  at  Lenhartsville,  and 
in  connection  with  this  he  also  for  one  year  conducted  the 
"Farmers  &  Drovers  Hotel,"  the  hotel  stand  having  now 
been  his  property  since  1905.  After  giving  up  teaching 
entirely,  he  became  connected  with  the  Job  Wilbur  Mining 
&  Milling-  Company,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  superintending 
their  mining  in  Berks  and  other  counties  of  the  State.  In 
1895  he  purchased  the  old  Trexler  homestead,  located  at 
Greenawald  in  Albany  township,  and  known  as  the  Trex- 
ler tannery,  consisting  of  one  hundred  acres.  This  farm  he 
purchased  for  the  Wilbur  Company,  and  on  it  is  found 
"Talckene,"  a  mineral  deposit  which  is  used  exclusively 
in  the  manufacture  of  oil  cloth  and  linoleum.  An  average 
of  7,500  tons  are  shipped  annually  to  Port  Richmond, 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  Mr.  Focht  owns  the  old  Focht  home- 
stead in  Centre  towns-hip,  consisting  of  106  acres,  and  also 
an  adjacent  tract  of  fifty-four  acres,  at  one  time  the  prop- 
erty of  his  father.  On  this  tract  are  a  new  set  of  buildings, 
and  the  land  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation.  On 
the  homestead  Mr.  Focht  erected,  in  1905,  a  fine  barn  46 
X  112  feet,  on  a  solid  concrete  foundation.  There  is  run- 
ning water  in  both  barn  and  hen  house,  as  well  as  in  the 
residence.  The  house  is  of  brick,  with  large  double 
porches,  and  was  erected  by  Daniel  Focht  in  1868.  Mr. 
Focht  also  owns  several  houses  in  Lenhartsville,  and 
also  a  factory  building.  He  is  the  largest  tax  payer  in 
that  borough.    , 

In  politics  Mr.  Focht  is  a  strong  and  influential  Dem- 
ocrat. He  has  held  many  township  offices,  and  was  the 
first  chief  burgess  of  Lenhartsville  borough,  of  which  he 
was  a  leading  spirit  in  the  incorporation.  He  was  justice 
of  the  peace  in  Lenhartsville,  and  served  the  third  com- 
mission before  moving  to  Albany.  He  was  also  deputy 
coroner  and  school  director,  and  he  is  thoroughly  inter- 
ested in  the  cause  of  education.  In  1908  he  was  one  of 
five  candidates  for  county  treasurer,  but  was  unsuccessful, 
and  is  a  candidate  again  for  1911.  In  Church  and  Sunday- 
school  work  he  has  long  taken  an  active  part,  having 
served  as  elder  at  Friedens  Church,  and  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  schools  at  Greenawald's,  Bethel  and  Friedens. 

In  December,  1881,  Mr.  Focht  was  married  to  Agnes 
B.  Epler,  daughter  of  Valentine  and  Rebecca  (Bechtel) 
Epler,  of  Penn  township.  Eleven  children  were  born  of 
this  union :  Charles  F.  m.  Kate  Smith ;  Alice  Agnes  grad- 


uated from  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  in  the 
class  of  1907,  and  is  now  teaching  at  Lenhartsville;  George 
W.  and  William  J.  are  students  at  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School;  J.  Herbert,  Edgar  B.,  and  Elda  May  are 
at  home;  and  a  daughter  and  three  sons  all  died  in  early 
infancy. 

EARLY.  There  are  a  dozen  or  more  distinct  families 
in  the  United  States  bearing  the  name  of  Early  or  Earley. 
Some  are  of  English  origin,  some  of  Irish,  and  others 
of  German  and  Swiss  descent,  but  by  far  the  larger 
number  trace  their  line  to  the  German  Fatherland. 

Older  generations  of  the  family  to  which  this  sketch 
is  especially  dedicated  spelled  the  name  Oehrle,  or  Oehrlin 
or  Ehrle,  and  Thomas  Oehrle  went  from  Lauffen,  Wurtem- 
berg,  and  settled  at  Jesingen,  Oberamt  Kircheim,  in  that 
Kingdom.  In  1670  he  married  Agatha  Endriss.  Whether 
he  first  settled  there  and  then  married,  or  whether  he  came 
there  immediately  after  his  marriage  is  not  known,  but  it 
seems  likely  that  he  met  his  wife  while  traveling  as  a  jour- 
neyman. They  had  nine  children :  John  George,  born  1672 ; 
Anna  Mary,  1673;  John,  1675;  Agnes,  1676;  Agatha,  1677; 
Jacob,  September,  1679;  Barbara,  1681;  Rosina,  1684;  and 
Thomas,  May,  1687.  The  mother  died  in  1711.  There  is 
no  record  of  the  father's. death. 

(II)  Thomas  Early,  youngest  son  of  Thomas,  born  in 
May,  1687,  became  very  prominent.  He  was  a  school 
teacher,  and  later  became  court  clerk  at  Jesingen.  On 
Feb.  25,  1710,  he  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Fensterle,  judge  and  treasurer  of  the  town.  She  died 
Feb.  8,  1735.  Nine  children  blessed  this  union,  as  follows: 
Thomas,  born  1710,  died  1713;  Christine,  born  1712;  John 
Jacob,  born  1714,  died  1717;  John  Martin,  born  1716,  died 
1717;  Anna  Catharine,  born  1718;  Anna  Margaret,  born 
1721,  died  in  infancy;  George  and  John  Jacob  (twins), 
born  1722,  both  died  under  five  years  of  age;  and  John, 
born  Jan.  9,  1724.  Thomas  Early  married  (second)  Chris- 
tine, daughter  of  Conrad  Algaier,  then  judge  of  Jesingen.- 
This  marriage  occurred  either  late  in  1735,  or  early  in  1736. 
To  this  marriage  were  born:  Thomas,  born  in  1736,  died 
in  1746;  John  George,  born  in  1738,  died  in  1746;  Agnes, 
born  in  1738,  died  in  1741;  Anna  Barbara,  born  1741, 
married  George  Hartman,  a  farmer  at  Jesingen,  and  died 
m  1798;  Christine,  born  in  1743;  and  Conrad,  born  in 
1746,  died  m  1747.  Thomas,  the  father,  died  Nov.  25, 
1746,  aged  fifty-nine  years  and  six  months. 

(III)  John  Early  (Johannes  Oehrle),  youngest  son  of 
Thomas  by  his  first  marriage,  left  Jesingen,  Kircheim,  An 
der  Teck,  Wurtemberg,  for  the  New  World,  arriving  at 
Philadelphia  in  the  ship  "Brothers"  Aug.  24,  1750.  He  im- 
mediately proceeded  to  Londonderry  township.  Lebanon 
(then  Lancaster)  county,  but  before  January,  1752,  he  had 
become  a  resident  of  Reading,  Berks  county.  On  January 
6th  of  that"  year  at  a  congregational  meeting  he  was 
elected  one  of  a  committee  to  superintend  the  erection  of 
a  church  for  the  newly  .organized  congregation.  His  name 
also  appears  in  the  first  list  of  contributors  toward  its 
maintenance.  On  April  10,  1753,  he  married  Susanna 
Brumbach.  One  child.  Christian,  was  born  to  them  Jan 
13,  1754,  and  some  time  between  the  middle  of  October  and 
second  week  of  November,  the  wife  and  mother  died  (ac- 
cording to  records  of  Trinity  Church)  in  the  faith  of  the 
Reformed  Church.  Shortly  after  the  death  of  his  wife 
John  Early  left  Reading  to  settle  on  the  banks  of  the 
Swatara.  At  first  he  settled  about  a  half  mile  southwest 
of  Bindnagle's  Church,  on  a  part  of  the  original  Bindnagle 
tract.  In  February,  1773,  he  purchased  an  additional  tract 
of  233  acres,  named  "Betimes"  in  the  original  survey  made 
for  the  Rev.  Leonard  Deiriinger  in  1751.  To  this  tract 
John  Early  at  once  moved,  and  in  1790  he  sold  the  north- 
ern part  to  his  son  Christian,  and  the  remainder  passed  into 
the  hands  of  his  son  John.  On  March  11  (Stoever  says 
^J'''^^,l°^',"i'-' ,^^  married  Mary  Regina,  daughter  of 
John  Albrecht  Sichele;  she  was  quite  young,  possibly  not 
more  than  eighteen.  To  this  marriage  was  born  the  follow- 
ing family:  John,  born  July  31,  1757;  John  William  Aug 
10,  1763;  Thomas,  Nov.  4,  1767;  Anna  Catharine,  July  7 
1772;  Anna  Margaret,  Feb.  28    (or  March  1),  1779-   and 


444 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


four  others  who  doubtless  died  in  infancy,  as  their  names 
are  not  recorded.  John  Early  died  Oct.  19,  1796,  aged 
seventy-two  years,  nine  months,  ten  days,  ,and  is  buried  at 
Bindnagle's  Church,  where  his  grave  is  marked  by  a  red 
sandstone.  He  was  a  man  of  wide  influence.  On  Dec.  31, 
1769,  he  started  the  endowment  of  Bindnagle's  church  by 
a  gift  of  seven  pounds  and  eight  shillings,  and  he  was  one 
of  the  trustees  of  a  fimd  left  by  George  Berger  in  1788,  for 
the  same  purpose.  Tradition  says  his  second  wife,  who 
survived  him  many  years,  she  being  of  record  as  sponsor 
at  the  baptism  of  Jacob  Early,  son  of  J.  William,  in  1811, 
was  buried  beside  him  at  Bindnagle's  church.  John  Early's 
"pass,"  which  he  used  as  a  journeyman,  was  preserved 
many  years,  but  was  lost  finally  at  a  Harrisburg  printing 
office. 

(IV)  John  Early,  eldest  son  of  John  and  his  second 
wife,  Mary  Regina,  born  July  31,  1757,  married,  Sept.  4, 
1777,  Margaret,  daughter  of  John  Adam  Deininger.  Their 
children  were :  Magdalena,  born  Feb.  24,  1778,  married 
David  Earnest,  near  Hummelstown ;  John  Jacob,  born  Dec. 
12,  1779;  John  William,  born  March  5,  1782;  and  Daniel, 
born  Feb.  9,  1784,  died  March  4,  1813.  Immediately  after 
his  marriage  John  Early  settled  on  the  old  "Betimes"  home- 
stead, and  lived  there  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  acquired 
considerable  property,  and  to  the  original  homestead  he 
added  that  part  of  the  Joseph  Longnecker  farm  lying  out- 
side and  south  of  the  town  of  Palmyra.'  His  estate  as 
inventoried  by  his  executors  amounted  to  a  modest  for- 
tune, but  much  of  it  was  in  notes  on  which  he  was  the 
security,  and  these  were  practically  valueless.  He  also 
owned  land  in  Center  and  Bedford  counties.  He  was 
commissioned  Aug.  37,  1790,  justice  of  the  peace  for 
the  third  district  of  Dauphin  county,  embracing  London- 
derry and  Annville  townships.  Some  warrants  issued  by 
him  and  served  by  his  brother  Thomas,  who  was  a  con- 
stable, are  still  in  existence,  one  of  them  bearing  the 
date,  September,  1799.    " 

Mr.  Early  had  the  usual  experience  of  those  who  attain 
prominent  position,  and  suffered  many  annoyances  caused 
by  petty  jealousy,  in  one  case  being  accused  of  stealing  a 
wagon  wheel,  when  the  prosecutor  had  not  the  least 
ground  for  his  accusation,  and  instead  of  humiliating  Mr. 
Early  was  obliged  to  pay  heavy  costs  for  his  folly.  Mr. 
Early  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran congregation  at  Campbellstown  in  1792,  and  this 
accounts  for  the  fact  that  when  the  new  Bindnagle's  church 
was  erected  in  1803  his  name  seldom  appears.  He  died 
March  1,  1810,  aged  fifty-two  years,  seven  months,  and  his 
widow  survived  until  Aug.  8,  1811.  The  records  at  the 
Church  at  Campbellstown  state  that  they  were  buried 
there,  as  was  also  their  son  Daniel,  who  died  in  1813. 

(V)  John  William  Early,  son  of  John  and  Margaret 
(Deininger),  born  March  5,  1782.  was  better  known  as 
"Squire  William  Early."  He  died  Dec.  12,'  1863,  aged 
eighty-one  years,  nine  months,  seven  days,  the  first  of 
the  family  to  attain  such  advanced  years.  He  was  twice 
married.  On  March  2,  1801,  he  wedded  Catharine  Hirsche 
(or  Hershev),  born  in  1780.  To  this  union  came  seven 
children,  namely;  (1)  Margaret,  born  May  1,  1803,  married 
Oct.  7,  1830,  Henry  Laudermilch,  and  died  in  1889.  (3) 
Benjamin,  born  Dec.  11,  1803,  died  May  5,  1827,  while 
pursuing  his  theological  studies  at  the  newly  established 
seminary  at  Gettysburg,  (3)  Catharine,  born  March  22, 
1805,  died  May  31,  1811;  (4)  John,  born  Oct.  10,  1806, 
attained  the  age  of  ninety-one  years  and  nearly  six 
months.  (5)  William  was  born  Sept.  13,  1808.  (6)  Jacob, 
born  Sept.  8,  1810,  lived  only  a  little  over  nine  months. 
(7)  Jacob  (2),  born  June  2,  1812,  died  when  eight  years 
of  age,  falling,  says  family  tradition,  from  one  of  the 
large  poplars  in  front  of  his  father's  home.  Mrs.  Cath- 
arine (Hirsche)  Early  died  Aug.  1,  1815,  aged  thirty-five 
years.  On  Jan.  30,  1816  (Jonestown  church  record  made 
by  Rev.  J.  H.  Van  Hoff),  Squire  William  Early  married 
(second)  Christina  Kreider  (cousin  to  his  first  wife). 
She  was  a  daughter  of  a  Mennonite  preacher  who  min- 
istered unto  the  people  for  sixty  years.  To  this  marriage 
also  were  born  seven  children :  Catharine,  born  Nov.  7, 
183  6,    married    Gabriel   Wolfersberger,   and   died   in    Har- 


risburg, where  all  her  sons,  except  Reuben,  of  Palmyra, 
reside ;  Joshua  Hiester,  born  Jan.  25,  1818,  died  1903 ; 
Martin  German,  born  Jan.  10,  1820,  died  1900;  Christina, 
born  Oct.  6,  1831,  died  1903,  married  about  1847-50 
Thomas  Getz;  Mary  Magdalene,  born  Nov.  26,  1822,  died 
Sept.  23,  1846;  Elizabeth,  born  August  34,  1834,  died 
in  infancy;  and  Aaron  Daniel  Seth,  born  May  14,  1838, 
died  1907,  became  a  local  preacher  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren. On  Dec.  2,  1833,  John  William  Early,  father  of  the 
above  family,  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Joseph  Hiester  justice 
of  the  peace.  Soon  after  his  appointment  the  common 
school  law  was  enacted  and  he  took  a  very  active  part  in 
the  ensuing  bitter  controversies,  being  a  stern  opponent 
of  the  public  school  system.  Not  alone  did  he  oppose  it 
by  words,  but  he  donated  land  on  which  a  school  house 
in  which  to  teach  the  German  language  was  erected.  It 
was  still  standing  a  few  years  ago,  but  had  long  since  be- 
come a  public  school. 

(VI)  William  Early,  third  son  of  John  William  Early, 
was  born  in  Londonderry  township,  Lebanon  county,  Sept. 
13,  1808.  His  education  was  acquired  in  special  and  private 
schools  of  his  day,  and  he  early  turned  his  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  following  that  line  all  his  active 
life,  owning  the  farm  previously  owned  and  occupied  by 
his  father.  His  death  was  caused  by  a  fall,  and  it  occurred 
Oct.  13,  1876,  when  he  was  a  little  past  sixty-eight  years 
of  age.  He  married  Leah  Detweiler,  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Williams)  Detweiler.  To  bless  this  union 
came  six  children,  namely:  John  William;  Henry;  David; 
Leah,  who  died  aged  four  years;  Mary  L.,  who  died  aged 
one  year;  and  one  that  died  in  infancy  unnamed.  In  their 
religious  faith  the  family  were  all  Lutherans. 

(VII)  Rev.  John  William  Early,  son  of  William,  is 
active  in  the  ministry  of  the  church  of  his  fathers,  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran.  He  was  born  near  Palmyra,  Lon- 
donderry township,  Lebanon  county,  Sept.  3,  1835.  His 
boyhood  days  were  spent  on  his  father's  farm.  For  about 
three  years  he  attended  a  private  school  in  charge  of 
Alexander  Dasher,  and  then  the  common  schools,  after 
their  introduction.  He  entered  the  preparatory  department 
of  Pennsylvania  College  in  1853,  and  graduated  in  1857. 
After  a  year  spent  at  home  recruiting  shattered  health, 
he,  in  the  fall  of  1858,  entered  the  Theological  Seminary, 
and  was  ordained  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania, 
June  7,  1860.  After  supplying  the  pulpit  of  St.  Michael's, 
Germantown,  during  the  sickness  of  the  pastor.  Dr.  C.  W. 
Schaeffer,  he  took  charge  of  congregations  in  Lancaster 
county.  Pa.  He  spent  eight  years  in  that  county,  and  then 
removed  to  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  serving  con- 
gregations at  Selinsgrove,  Stone  Valley,  Danville,  etc. 
Having  spent  twenty-five  years  in  that  section  he  came 
to  Reading  to  be  near  his  sons,  employed  there,  also  to 
be  where  he  could  be  nearer  the  sources  of  historical  and 
genealogical  research  in  which  he  was  interested. 

He  was  secretary  of  the  Fourth  (or  Lancaster)  Confer- 
ence from  1861-68,  of  the  Fifth  or  Northern  District  from 
1869-75.  He  filled  the  office  of  president  of  this  latter  Con- 
ference from   1874-77,  and  again   from  1880-83. 

Since  residing  at  Reading  the  Rev.  Mr.  Earlv  has  pre- 
pared and  published  the  "Lives  of  Lutheran  M'inisters  of 
Berks  County";  likewise  "Sketches  of  the  Lutheran  Con- 
gregations of  Berks,"  besides  preaching  whenever  occasion 
offered,  and  acting  as  Statistician  of  the  Conference  until 
1908. 

On  Jan.  8,  1861,  he  married  Jane  M.,  eldest  daughter  of 
Rev.  L.  G.  Eggers,  then  pastor  of  the  Stouchs- 
burg  parish.  Their  children,  all  residing  in  Reading,  are  • 
Lewis  Gustavus,  of  No.  131  South.  Ninth  street,  Reading, 
night  editor  of  the  Reading  Times,  m.  Anna  Bechtel,  and 
has  two  children,  George  William  and  Annetta  Margaret 
Martin  Luther,  a  carpenter  at  No.  505  South  Fifth  street, 
m.  Magie  E.  Garman,  and  has  seven  children— Paul  Fred- 
eric (now  at  No.  1931  East  Momnouth  street,  Philadelphia 
m.  Kathryn  Yeager,  and  has  two  children,  Paul  William 
and  Ellen  Henrietta),  Jennie  Eliza,  Ella  Miranda,  John 
William,  Jr.,  Leah  Esther,  Charles  Garman  and  Clarence 
Robert  (at  home)  ;  Henrietta  Catharine  m.  Harry  W 
Grim,  No.  939  Ritter  street,  and  has  two  children,  WjUiani 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


445 


George  and  Ralph  Early;  David  Frederic,  No.  141  South 
Sixth  street,  m.  Margaret  H.  Hiester,  and  has  one  child, 
Albert  Hiester;  John  Henry,  assistant  to  his  brother  in 
the  Times  office,  is  at  home;  and  Leah  Jane  is  also  at 
home. 

JOSEPH  N.  SHOMO,  a  retired  merchant  of  Hamburg, 
Berks  county,  was  born  in  that  place  Oct.  27,  1833,  son  of 
Joseph  Shomo,  of  Hamburg,  grandson  of  John  Shomo 
(1753-1836),  and  great-grandson  of  Bernard  Shomo. 
.  Joseph  Shomo,  father  of  Joseph  N.,  was  born  in  Ham- 
burg in  1794,  and  there  he  died  in  1867.  The  mother  of 
Joseph  N.  Shomo  was  Mary  Lesher,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Lesher,  a  hotel-keeper  in  Richmond  township.  The  fol- 
lowing are  his  brothers  and  sisters :  John,  Elizabeth, 
Charles,  William,  Amanda,  Mary,  Harrison  and  Ellen. 
Joseph  came  between  Mary  and  Harrison :  he  is  now  the 
only  surviving  member  of  the  family. 

After  receiving  a  common  school  education  Joseph  N. 
Shomo  entered  a  general  store  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years,  and  was  engaged  a?  salesman  until  his  twentieth 
year,  when  he  went  to  the  State  of  Ohio  to  engage  in  the 
store  business,  but  on  account  of  the  climate  he  was  obliged 
to  return  to  Hamburg  after  a  trial  of  two  years.  He  then 
entered  the  general  store  of  his  brother  William,  and 
remained  with  him  as  salesman  for  fourteei;  years,  until 
1869,  when  he  purchased  the  Union  Grist  Mill  in  Hamburg, 
carrying  on  the  milling  business  for  three  years.  The 
dust  of  the  mill  proving  injurious  to  his  health,  Mr. 
Shomo  discontinued  the  business,  and  after  selling  the 
mill  purchased  the  "Washington  House"  at  Hamburg, 
which  he  conducted  successfully  for  nineteen  years,  until 
he  retired  from  active  business  life. 

U.pon  the  establishment  of  the  Keystone  National  Bank 
at  Reading,  Mr.  Shomo  became  one  of  the  directors,  and 
he  has  continued  as  such  to  the  present  time.  He  officiated 
as  a  town  councilman  for  two  terms,  serving  as  president 
of  the  council  for  four  years,  and  was  also  a  trustee  of 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown,  for  up- 
ward of  ten  years,  by  appointment  of  the  Governor.  When 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  came  to  extend  its 
branch  railroad  through  the  Schuylkill  Valley,  beyond 
Reading,  to  Pottsville,  in  1884,  the  management  selected 
Mr.  Shomo  as  a  special  agent  to  adjust  all  land  damages 
by  reason  of  the  construction  of  the  railroad,  and  in  this 
responsible  position  he  performed  his  duties  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  the  company.  In  1901,  when  the  county 
office  of  controller  was  created  to  take  the  place  of  the 
county  auditors,  the  Governor  appointed  Mr.  Shomo  as  the 
first  incumber^t  to  serve  until  the  1st  of  January,  1902,  and 
he  filled  this  appointment  in  a  very  creditable  manner.  His 
careful  supervision  of  the  fiscal  matters  of  the  county 
for  seven  months  resulted  in  the  saving  of  many  thousands 
of  dollars  and  this  service  proved  at  once  the  utility  and 
importance  of  this  new  local  office. 

Mr.  Shomo  was  married  in  1861  to  Helen  S.,  daughter 
of  Daniel  Wolff,  who  was  born  and  died  in  Hamburg,  and 
his  wife,  Sevilla  Weiser  (Fesig).  Mrs.  Wolff  was  born  in 
Womelsdorf,  and  later  lived  with  her  grandfather,  Jabez 
Weiser,  on  the  Conrad  Weiser  farm;  at  the  age  of  fifteen 
she  came  to  Hamburg,  and  at  nineteen  was  married.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Shomo  have  one  daughter,  Carrie  (m.  to  S.  H. 
Moyer).  They  are  active  members  of  St.  John's  Lutheran 
Church,  Mrs.  Shomo  having  been  a  most  devoted  worker 
in  the  church  and  Sunday-school  of  this  congregation 
since  her  girlhood.  She  has  been  the  superintendent  of 
the  infant  department  for  the  past  sixteen  years,  and  this 
long-continued  service  evidences  the  love  of  her  pupils 
and  the  appreciation  of  the  church  officials. 

R.  MONROE  HOFFMAN,  sor.  of  Peter  and  Mary  C. 
(Althouse)  Hoffman,  was  born  in  Exeter  township,  Berks 
county,  Oct.  16,  1862,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Reading,  graduating  from  the  high  school  in  1882, 
qualifying  himself  particularly  for  a  business  career.  He 
started  as  a  clerk  with  the  firm  of  B.  W.  Grist  &  Co.,  and 
after  serving  them  for  several  years  entered  the  employ 
of  the   Farmers   National   Bank,  with   which  he  continued 


for  eighteen  years.  His  fidelity  and  proficiency  were  ap- 
preciated by  the  directors  of  the  bank,  and  he  was  grad- 
ually promoted  from  one  position  to  another  until  he  be- 
came the  cashier,  and  he  served  as  cashier  until  August, 
1903,  when  he  resigned.  Shortly  afterward  he  was  elected 
secretary  and  assistant  treasurer  of  the  Reading  Trust 
Company,  and  has  been  filling  these  positions  until  now. 
He  has  been  much  interested  in  the  success  of  the  Homeo- 
pathic Hospital,  serving  as  a  trustee  since  1905. 

Mr.  Hoffman  was  married  to  Rebecca  H.  Schaeffer, 
daughter  of  Nicholas  S.  Schaeffer  and  Susan  High,  his 
wife,  of  Muhlenberg  township.  They  are  members  of  the 
First  Reformed  Church  at  Reading.  He  has  officiated  as 
treasurer  of  the  congregation  for  seventeen  years.  He 
is  also  one  of  the  elders  and  has  repeatedly  represented 
the  church  as  a  delegate  to  the  classis,  the  Eastern  Synod, 
and  to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church,  and 
is  at  present  •  the  treasurer  of  the  Eastern  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Church. 

HARTMAN.  The  common  ancestor  of  the  Hartman 
family  in  America  was  Valentine  Hartman,  a  pioneer  of 
Alsace  township.  His  remains  and  those  of  his  wife  lie 
side  by  side  among  those  of  other  members  of  the  Hart- 
man family,  in  the  old  graveyard  at  Spies's  Church  in  Al- 
sace township.  A  brown  sandstone  marks  his  grave,  and 
upon  it  appears  the  following  inscription : 
"hier  ruhet  der  leib 

VON' 

valentine  hartman 

ER  WERDE  GEBOREN  1738 

IN  AUGUST,   UND   STARE 

31   JULY   1794 

ALT  56   JAHRE. 

HIER   RUHET   DER  LEIB 

VON 

MAGDALENA   HARTMAN 

GEEORNE   IM   JAHR 

1740  UND  STARB 

DEN    19    OCTOBER    1814 

ZEICHTE  4   SOHNE 

UND  2  TOCHTER 

WAR  ALT  GEWORDEN 

74  JAHRE." 

The  following  were  probably  the  children  of  Valentine 
and  Magdalena  Hartman,  all  of  whom  are  buried  in  the 
same  old  graveyard  at  Spies's  Church :  Valentine,  born 
1766,  died  in  1835;  a  daughter;  Jacob,  born  in  1771,  died 
in  1837;  a  daughter;  Johannes,  born  in  1777,  died  in  1843; 
Daniel,  born  in  1780,  died  in  1840.  Near  the  grave  of  the 
elder  Valentine  Hartman  is  a  brown  sandstone  on  which 
is  the   following  inscription : 

"denkmahl  von 

TOCHTER   NAMEN 

JUDITH    hartman 

GEBOREN    1727,    STARB 

IN  DECEMBER   1790 

ALT   64   JAHRE." 

The  elements  have  almost  obliterated  this  inscription. 
There  is  doubt  as  to  the  fourth  word,  the  word  back 
of  "Tochter"  is  almost  entirely  effaced.  Judith  Hartman 
probably  was  a  sister  of  the  elder  Valentine  Hartman, 
born  in  1738. 

Among  other  interesting  facts  relative  to  the  Hartman 
family  gleaned  from  gravestone  inscriptions  to  be  found 
in  the  burial  ground  of  the  Oley  church,  are :  Adam  Hart- 
man (son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  Hartman),  born  Oct. 
6,  1793,  died  Sept.  7,  1865,  aged  seventy-one  years,  eleven 
months  and  one  day.  He  married  Anna  Margaret  Von 
Mathias,  born  Aug.  14,  1795,  died  May  3,  1872,  aged 
seventy-six  years,  eight  months,  nineteen  days.  David 
Hartman,  born  Nov.  27,  1836,  died  May  13,  1905,  aged 
sixty-eight  years,  five  months  and  sixteen  days.  Daniel 
Hartman,  born  Feb.  19,  1817,  died  April  1,  1899,  aged 
eighty-two  years,  one  month  and  twelve  days,  married 
Elizabeth  Von  Moyer,  born  in  1812,  died  in  1880  Joseph 
Hartman,  born  Jan.  3,  1825,  died  March  2,  1879,  aged  fifty- 


446 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


four  years,  one  month  and  twenty-nine  days,  married 
Elizabeth  Von  Eshbach,  born  in  1827,  died  in  1877,  and 
they  had  one  son  and  three  daughters.  John  M.  Hartman, 
born  Jan.  16,  1829,  died  May  29,  1900,  aged  seventy-one 
years,  four  months  and  thirteen  days. 


Sydney  J.  Hartman,  cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Oley,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Alsace  township,  Jan.  4, 
1874,  and  he  is  the  great-grandson  of  John  Valentine  Hart- 
man, who  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  on  the 
Hartman  farm  in  Alsace  township,  which  property  is  now 
owned  by  Ephraim  R.  Hartman,  father  of  Sydney  J.  The 
tract  then  consisted  of  170  acres,  and  much  of  it  was  wood- 
land when  John  Valentine  Hartman  secured  it  from  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Lancisciis.  This  man  one  day  while 
hunting  brought  .hoiTie  in  his  pouch  a  little  pine  tree  which 
he  planted  on  what  is  now  the  Hartman  farm.  It  grew 
into  a  fine  tree  and  stood  for  more  than  one  hundred 
years,  but  in  1876  a  violent  hail  storm  broke  it  down,  and 
thus  passed  away  one  of  the  old  landmarks  of  Alsace  town- 
ship, if  not  of   Berks  county. 

The  barn  on  the  property  was  built  by  John  Valentine 
Hartman  in  1814,  but  the  house  was  built  by  Valentine 
Hartman  in  1843.  There  is  a  fresh  spring  on  the  farm  that 
never  runs  dry,  and  adds  materially  to  the  value  of  this 
really  fine  property.  The  Hartman  farm  was  used  during 
the  life  of  the  old  State  militia  as  a  drilling  ground  once 
a  year.  There  annually  all  able-bodied  men  between 
twenty-one  and  fifty-five  came  and  were  given  military 
training.     This  great   event  was   called   Battalion   Day. 

John  Valentine  Hartman  was  married  to  Catherine 
Deibler,  and  they  are  both  interred  in  the  old  Spies's 
church  burial  ground,  the  following  inscriptions  appearing 
on  their  tombs :  John  Valentine  Hartman,  born  Nov.  4, 
1766,  died  May  5,  1835,  aged  sixty-eight  years,  six  months 
and  one  day.  Catherine  Hartman,  born  in  1776,  died  in 
1827,  aged  fifty-one  years.  The  children  of  John  Valen- 
tine and  Catherine  Hartman  were:  (1)  William  settled 
near  Circleville,  Ohio,  where  he  was  three  times  married, 
and  had  twenty-four  children.  (2)  Samuel  lived  and  died 
in  Alsace  township,  and  is  buried  in  the  Spies's  church 
burial  ground;  he  had  children,  Gideon,  Valentine,  Lewis, 
Israel,  Sarnuel  and  Emma,  and  Justina.  (3)  Abraham 
lived  at  Spies's  church  where  he  is  buried,  and  had  three 
children,  Rebecca,  Sarah  and  Susan.  (4)  Valentine.  (5) 
Hannah  married  John  Ritter,  who  moved  to  Union  county, 
Pa.  (6)  Polly  Maria,  born  in  1806,  died  in  1851,  married 
first  a  Mr.  Young,  and  second  Henry  Schmeck.  John 
Valentine  Hartman  was  one  of  the  early  supervisors  of 
his  district,  and  among  the  heirlooms  of  the  Hartman 
family  is  an  account  book  kept  by  him  showing  the  in- 
come and  expenditures  of  the  district  during  his  term  of 
office,  and  the  items  in  his  careful  penmanship  afford  a 
good   idea  of  the   early  history  of   those   times. 

Valentine  Hartman,  son  of  John  Valentine  Hartman, 
was  born  in  Alsace  township  in  1808,  and  died  there  in 
1882.  All  his  life  he  followed  farming  and  became  a 
prosperous  landowner  and  proprietor  of  the  Plartman 
farm,  now  owned  by  his  son,  Ephraim  Hartman,  father  of 
Sydney  J,  Hartman.  In  politics  Valentine  Hartman  was 
a  Republican  after  the  formation  of  that  party,  and  served 
his  district  as  assessor.  In  religious  matters  he  was  con- 
nected with  the  Spies's  church,  and  is  buried  in  the  fam- 
ily lot  of  the  old  Spies's  church  cemetery.  He  married 
Mary  Rothermel  (1814-1889),  daughter  of  Leonard  Roth- 
ermel,  of  Maiden-creek  township.  The  following  child- 
ren were  born  of  this  marriage:  Levi,  of  Oley  township; 
Catherine,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years ; 
Jeremiah,  of  Friedensburg;  Valentine,  who  died  in  190"'. 
aged  sixty-eight  years,  at  Friedensburg;  Harrison,  who 
died  about  1870;  Moses,  of  Belleville,  111.;  Amos,  deceased; 
Mary,  wife  of  Samuel  Rapp;  Amanda,  who  married  Levi 
Cronrath,  has  one  son,  Thomas  H.,  and  lives  in  Exeter 
township;  Ephraim  R. ;  Emma,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Sarah,  who  died  in  1872,  and  is  buried  at  Spies's  church; 
Mahlon,  an  extensive  farmer  at  Freeburg,  111.;  Ezra,  of 
Friedensburg;  and  Hannah,  who  married  Appolonius 
Shalter,  of  Alsace  township.  During  his  long  and  useful 
life  Valentine   Hartman  was  a  prosperous  and  representa- 


tive man  of  his  township  and  is  pleasantly  remembered 
as  one  of  the  men  who  helped  to  make  Berks  county  what 
it  is  today. 

Ephraim  R.  Hartman,  father  of  Sydney  J.  Hartman  and 
son  of  Valentine  Hartman,  was  born  July  7,  1848,  in 
Alsace  township,  where  he  lived  until  he  attained  his 
majority,  working  on  the  family  homestead.  In  1873  he 
began  farming  for  himself  in  Alsace  township  on  the 
Pricetown  road,  continuing  there  for  five  years.  He 
then  removed  to  the  homestead,  where  he  remained  until 
1891,  at  which  date  he  settled  at  Friedensburg  to  engage 
in  a  general  merchandise  business,  but  after  nineteen 
months  he  sold  his  interests  to  H.  R.  Yerger,  the  present 
proprietor  of  the  store.  Mr.  Hartman  then  retired,  and 
now  resides  at  Friedensburg  in  a  handsome,  large  stone 
residence,  which  was  once  known  as  the  Benneville  Glase 
house.  In  addition  to  his  home,  ]\Ir.  Hartman  o\vris  a 
valuable  farm  of  151  acres  in  Alsace  township,  the  Hart- 
man homestead;  the  foundry  and  machine  shops  at  Fleet- 
wood, formerlv  known  as  the  Sphaeffer  &  Merkel  foundry, 
now  occupied  by  the  Reading  Metal  Body  Company, 
a  successful  corporation  employing  120  men.  He  is  also 
the  owner  of  No.  837  Penn  street,  on  which  property  is 
located  "Leitham's  Hotel."  It  has  a  frontage  of  30  feet 
9  inches,  and.  being  in  the  very  center  of  the  business  part 
of  the  city,  is  very  valuable.  In  addition  to  his  other  in- 
terests Mr.  Hartman  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Oley  incorporated  in  1907,  of 
which  he  is  now  director.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the 
Oley  Knitting  Mills  where  thirty  people  are  employed. 
During  the  Civil  War  a  very  valuable  iron  ore  mine  was 
worked,  4,000  tons  of  ore  having  been  taken  from  the 
mine  which  is  located  on  the  Hartman  homestead.  In 
all  of  his  business  enterprises  Mr.  Hartman  has  been  very 
successful,  and  he  has  not  only  won  prosperity,  but  also 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  associates  for  his  hon- 
orable methods  and  unflinching  integrity  of  purpose.  In 
religious  affiliations  Mr.  Hartman  and  his  _  family  are 
members  of  the  Reformed  denomination  of  Spies's  church. 

In  1872  Mr.  Hartman  married  Amanda  Gass,  daughter 
of  Jacob  Gass,  of  Muhlenberg  township,  and  these  children 
were  born  to  them :  Sydney  J. ;  Esther  m.  Jabez  Hartman, 
of  Lehigh  county.  Pa.,  now  a  grocer  of  Reading;  Warren 
G.  is  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank,  at  Fleetwood,  Pa.; 
Valentine  is  a  student  of  Franklin  and  Marshall  College ; 
and  six  died  young. 

Sydney  J.  Hartman  was  educated  in  his  township  schools, 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  the  Oley  Academy, 
and  was  finally  graduated  from  the  Franklin  and  Marshal! 
College  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  in  1897,  having  entered  that  in- 
stitution in  1893.  Following  his  graduation  he  was  ap- 
pointed principal  of  the  Leesport  high  school,  and  held 
the  chair  for  one  term,  resigning  to  become  a  teacher 
in  the  Robesonia  grammar  school.  Later  he  became  gram- 
mar school  teacher  at  Brielle,  N.  J.,  and  remained  in  that 
capacity  for  four  years,  thus  completing  his  successful 
career  as  an  instructor.  He  then  became  bookkeeper  for 
William  F.  Remppis  Co.  at  Reading  where  he  remained 
for  four  years,  or  until  his  election  to  the  position  of 
cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Oley,  located  at 
Friedensburg,  where  he  has  since  remained,  his  connection 
with  the  bank  adding  to  its  financial  strength  and  firmly 
establishing  its  management  in  the  confidence  of  the  busi- 
ness public. 

Socially  Mr.  Hartman  is  a  member  of  Oley  Castle  No. 
119,  K.  G.  E.  He  is  a  member  of  Friedens  Reformed 
church.  Mr.  Hartman  is  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  representative  young  business  men  of  Oley.  He  has 
a  wide  circle  of  warm  personal  friends,  as  we'll  as  many 
business  associates,  who  recognize  his  ability  and  excellent 
business  training,  which  fit  him  so  well  forhis  responsible 
position. 

Levi  R.  Hartman,  son  of  Valentine  Hartman,  and 
father  of  Ammon  S.  Hartman,  an  aged  and  very  substan- 
tial resident  of  Oley  township,  was  born  in  Alsace  town- 
ship on  the  Hartman  homestead  Sept.  17,  IS.'^J.  He  was 
brought  up  on  the  farm,  working  for  his  father  until  he 
was  twenty-two  years   of   age,  at   which   time   he  engaged 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


447 


in  farming  on  his  own  account  on  one  of  his  father's  farms 
of  fifty-eight  acres  in  Exeter  township.  Here  he  resided 
for  twenty-two  years,  and  in  1860  he  bought  the  farm, 
and  still  owns  it,  but  has  it  tenanted.  His  next  purchase 
was  a  fine  farm  of  135  acres  located  on  the  road  from 
Yellow  House  to  Friedensburg,  and  on  the  Oley  turnpike 
from  Yellow  House  to  Reading.  This  is  regarded  as  the 
best  farm  in  Oley  township,  and  is  well  supplied  with 
substantial  buildings.  The  house  is  of  stone,  and  was 
built  by  Casper  Griesemer  in  1782,  while  the  barn  was  built 
by  Daniel  Griesemer  in  1839.  The  crops  are  excellent  and 
the  profit  is  good.  This  farm  is  also  rented.  Mr.  Hart- 
man  owns  still  another  farm,  this  one  being  of  seventy- 
four  acres,  at  Pleasantville.  As  are  his  other  farms,  this 
one  is  well  located,  is  well  stocked,  and  has  good  build- 
ings. Formerly  it  was  a  Yoder  farm.  Mr.  Hartman  owns 
considerable  woodland,  and  resides  near  his  135-acre  farm 
on  a  small  tract  he  purchased  from  Benneville  Griesemer. 
A  portion  of  the  house  was  built  over  one  hundred  years 
ago,  and  the  other  was  put  up  in  1868.  The  three  acres 
of  land  surrounding  the  house  are  well  laid  out,  and 
there  is  plenty  of  fruit.  A  very  large  spring  supplies 
water  that  is  recognized  as  good  as  any  in  the  world,  and 
Mr.  Hartman  takes  great  pride  in  the  spring.  Not  only 
is  Mr.  Hartman  a  large  landowner,  he  also  holds  bank 
stocks  and  bonds,  and  is  one  of  the  heaviest  tax  payers 
of  the  township,  and  a  man  whose  word  is  as  good  as  his 
bond  anywhere. 

On  Oct.  4,  1857,  Mr.  Hartman  married  Mary  Ann 
ShaeflFer,  daughter  of  Capt.  Henry  Shaeflfer,  of  Light 
Horse  Brigade  fame  in  the  Civil  war.  Mrs.  Hartman  was 
born  Oct.  2,  1833,  and  died  Oct.  19,  1903,  aged  seventy  years 
and  seventeen  days,  and  is  buried  at  Spies's  church  in  the 
Hartman  family  lot.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hartman  were:  Henry,  born  in  1858,  died  in  1881;  Emma 
R.,  born  in  1860,  died  in  1861;  Abner,  born  in  1861,  died  in 
1862;  Ammon  S. ;  William  C,  born  in  1864,  died  in  1865; 
Mary  Ann,  born  in  1866,  died  in  1873 ;  Calvin,  born  in  1867, 
died  in  1905,  m.  Hannah  Long,  and  had  five  children — 
Harry,  Levi,  Clarence,  Erma  and  Ira  (he  was  a  farmer 
of  Oley  township)  ;  Lillie  m.  Seth  De  Turck,  a  very  sub- 
stantial farmer  of  Oley  township;  Carrie,  born  in  1871, 
died  in  1873;  Elizabeth,  born  in  1875,  died  in  1877;  and 
Miss  Clara  is  at  home  attending  her  aged  father,  whose 
great  comfort  she  is.  This  young  lady  is  a  model  of 
daughterly  love  and  devotion  and  the  attachment  between 
her  and  her  father  is  beautiful.  Since  her  mother's  death 
she  has  endeavored  to  fill  her  place,  and  is  rewarded 
by  seeing  the  pleasure  her  father  takes  in  her  ministra- 
tions. 

Ammon  S.  Hartman^  second  vice  president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Oley  and  a  prominent  business  man  of 
lower  Berks  county,  was  born  in  Alsace  township,  Jan.  21, 
1863,  son  of  Levi  R.  Hartman.  Until  his  twenty-second 
year,  when  he  married,  Mr.  Hartman  worked  for  his 
father  farming,  but  in  1884  he  began  working  for  himself 
and  for  eleven  years  worked  in  Oley  township  on  shares. 
He  then  sold  his  farm  stock,  and  in  that  same  year  (1897) 
moved  to  Oley  Line,  buying  a  farm  of  122  acres  from 
Hiram  Kauffman.  This  land  was  located  at  Oley  Churches, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  purchase  there  were  no  buildings 
upon  it,  so  that  he  has  built  the  substantial  ones  now 
standing.  The  house  is  39  x  40  feet  with  a  kitchen  and  sum- 
mer house  attached.  The  Swiss  barn  is  45  x  100  feet. 
He  also  has  a  carriage  shed,  a  big  wagon  shed,  30  x  40 
feet,  a  straw  shed  and  pig  sty  and  good  chicken  house. 
Although  lumber  was  then  cheap,  compared  to  present 
prices,  these  buildings  cost  him  $7,500. 

In  addition  to  his  home  property,  Mr.  Hartman  owns 
a  120-acre  farm,  located  near  the  Oley  Churches  on  the 
Manatawny  creek.  This  property  belonged  to  Jacob 
Griesemer  and  Mr.  Hartman  purchased  it  at  an  assignee's 
sale  in  1896,  and  it  is  now  rented.  In  1898  Mr.  Hartman 
went  to  Wyomissing,  a  suburb  of  Reading,  and  purchased 
two  houses  and  twelve  building  lots.  However,  after  two 
years  he  moved  to  Friedensburg  where  he  bought  of 
Jacob  Levan  the  home  he  now  occupies  on  Main  street. 
After  securing  this  property,  he  erected  the  coach  making 


establishment  opposite  his  home,  where  he  is  conducting  a 
large  and  constantly  growing  business.  He  gives  employ- 
ment to  five  skilled  mechanics,  and  manufactures  all  kinds 
of  home-made  vehicles.  Mr.  Hartman  was  also  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  farm  implements  until  the  spring  of 
1908,  when  he  sold  that  branch  of  the  business  to  Charles 
H.  Hoppes,  of  Oley.  He  also  owned  the  building  and 
store  at  Manatawny,  where  he  built  a  warehouse,  renting 
the  property  to  Tilghman  Hausman  for  three  years,  but 
he  then  sold  to  James  Brumbach,  who  in  turn  disposed  of 
it  to  Manatawny  Castle  No.  461  K.  G.  E.,  of  which  Mr. 
Hartman  was  the  organizer  and  a  charter  member.  So  in- 
terested was  he  in  the  success  of  this  society  that  he  had 
a  lodge  hall  built  and  made  many  improvements  upon  the 
property. 

Mr.  Hartman  bought  two  farms  from  Mahlon  D.  Clauser 
of  Manatawny,  and  these  he  sold  five  days  later  to  C.  B. 
Cleaver  of  the  same  place  at  a  good  profit.  Mr.  Hart- 
man is  a  man  of  progressive  ideas  and  is  always  inter- 
ested in  matters  calculated  to  prove  beneficial  to  the  com- 
munity. He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Oley,  of  which  he  became  a  director,  ■  and 
of  which  he  is  now  second  vice  president.  He  is  actively 
interested  in  educational  matters,  and  when  the  Pleasant- 
ville district  school  was  built,  in  1887,  Mr. 
Hartman  acted  as  architect  and  builder,  and  rendered 
very  efficient  service,  which  was  fully  appreciated  as  is 
shown  by  the  many  testimonials  he  received  from  the  of- 
ficials and  members  of  the  district. 

In  addition  to  his  other  interests  Mr.  Hartman  belongs 
to  Suyeto  Tribe  No.  477,  I.  O.  R.  M. ;  Griesemersville 
Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  as  well  as  the  K.  G.  E.  No.  461  already 
mentioned.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  Spies's  Re- 
formed Church. 

In  1885  Mr.  Hartman  married  Mary  R.  De  Turck, 
daughter  of  Samuel  De  .Turck,  of  Oley.  They  have  three 
daughters :  Sallie  E.,  a  graduate  of  Reading  Collegiate 
Institute,  was  licensed  to  teach  in  the  public  schools  of 
Berks  county;  Annie  D.  took  a  course  in  stenography  and 
typewriting,  and  is  now  the  clerk  at  the  A.  J.  Brumbach 
factory  at  Reading;  Nora  E.  is  an  accomplished  musician 
and  a  charming  young  lady. 

The  Hartman  family  as  has  been  shown  in  these  brief 
sketches  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  important  of  Berks 
county.  Its  representatives  are  numbered  among  the 
leading  financiers,  professional  men  and  farmers  of  the 
several  communities  in  which  they  reside,  and  they  are 
all  worthy  of  the  name.  They  are  all  prosperous,  in- 
fluential and  progressive,  and  each  in  his  way  has  borne 
an  important  part  in  the  development  of  his  locality. 
They  are  all  industrious,  honest  and  frugal,  and  ever 
ready  to  bear  a  part  in  the  support  of  state  and  church. 
Surely  the  name  of  Hartman  is  one  that  is  honored  and 
respected  not  only  in  Berks  county  but  wherever  it  is 
found. 

JOHN  H.  STONER,  select  councilman  from  the  Elev- 
enth ward  of  Reading,  who  is  engaged  in  an  extensive  dry 
goods  business  at  No.  919  Buttonwood  street,  was  born 
in  1858,  in  Myerstown,  Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  the  late 
Augustus  D.  and  Susan  (Myers)  Stoner,  the  latter  being 
a  member  of  the  old  Myers  family  after  whom  the  vil- 
lage of  Myerstown  was  named.  August  D.  Stoner 
was  for  many  years  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Myerstown,  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Donges  & 
Stoner. 

John  H.  Stoner  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  county,  after  leaving  which  he  became  a  clerk  in 
the  firm  of  A.  D.  Stoner  &  Son  (composed  af  his  father 
and  brother  Myers  R.).  For  five  years,  1881-1886,  he 
lived  in  Ohio,  and  in  1886  he  came  to  Reading,  where  he 
clerked  for  several  years,  and  in  March,  1903,  bought  out 
the  well-known  stand  and  business  of  J.  Fred  Gerhard, 
which  he  has  conducted  with  much  success  to  the  present 
time.  Mr.  Stoner  is  a  Democrat,  and  although  not  a 
politician  accepted  the  nomination  to  the  select  council, 
to  which  he  was  elected  in  1906,  serving  in  that  body 
with  credit  to   himself   and  to   the  entire   satisfaction   of 


448  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

his  constituents.     He  is  fraternally  connected  with  Wash-  &    Co.,    his    partners    being    his    brother,    Charles    Nolan, 

ington  Camp  No.  64,  P.  0.  S.  of  A.,  with  which  organiza-  and  John  Dunn.     With   William    Nolan  at  the   head   the 

tion   he   connected   himself   in   1876;    the   P.   O.    S.    of   A.  firm   was    busy   and   prosperous,    and   during   its    duration 

Veteran   Association,   and   the   North   Eastern  Democratic  completed    many   bridge    contracts,    not   only   in    Pennsyl- 

Association.  vania  but  also  in  other  States. 

In  1893  Mr.  Stoner  was  married  to  Lena  Eckert,  daugh-  Perhaps    the    main    work    of    William    Nolan's    business 

ter   of  Jacob   and    Catherine    (Hilderbrand)    Eckert,    and  career    was    the    organization    of    the    firm    of    Nolan    & 

to    this    union    there   have    been   born   two    sons,   namely:  Brothers,   now   the   Nolan   Construction    Company,    which, 

Roy    A     and    Russell    E      both    attendmg    school.      Mr  f^^   ^         -^^   approaching   a   half   century,    has   stood    at 

Stoner  has  a  prosperous  busmess,  and  may  well  be  classed  ,,      ,    „  ,    .     ^i      ,■          r       ■.       i         ,1'            j   i,  -j 

with  the  substantial  men  of  his  community.  u^}'^^-'""..^^   '"'!■  °^   'fl?^'^   contracting   and   bridge 

building   in   this    section    of   the   country.     The    firm   was 

WILLIAM  NOLAN,  deceased.  In  recalling  the  names  "'^de  up  of  William  Nolan  and  two  of  his  brothers, 
of  those  former  citizens  of  Reading  who  contributed  Charles  and  James  Nolan,  all  men  of  the  same  tiber,  fitted 
through  many  years  to  her  commercial  development,  that  by  nature  for  this  close  association.  The  firm  established 
of  William  Nolan  comes  naturally  to  mind,  for  he  was  headquarters  at  Oil  City  and  the  series  of  stone  bridges 
a  man  whose  native  ability,  executive  capacity  and  high  which  they  built  on  the  Oil  Creek  &  Allegheny  railroad, 
sense  of  business  integrity  made  his  life  one  of  usefulness  in  the  face  of  many  natural  difficulties,  not  only  thor- 
in  many  directions.  He  was  born  in  Queen's  County,  oughly  filled  an  imperative  need  at  that  time  but  possessed 
Ireland,  March  17,  1840,  and  died  Feb.  28,  1903,  after  an  the  substantial  qualities  which  made  them  enduring  and 
illness  of  six  months,  at  his  home  at  No.  520  Walnut  also  the  artistic  attractiveness  which  was  so  often  a 
street,  Reading.  His  parents  were  James  and  Annie  marked  feature  of  Mr.  Nolan's  work.  A  recount  of  but 
(Bennett)    Nolan.  a   small   part   of    the    enormous    amount   of    building    and 

The  parents  of  William  Nolan  were  natives  also  of  construction  work  done  by  this  progresssive  and  able 
Ireland.  In  1846  James  Nolan  brought  his  family  to  business  firm,  dating  from  1871  in  the  recital,  would 
America  and  established  his  first  home  in  the  city  of  New  include  some  of  the  finest  roads,  viaducts,  bridges,  arches 
York.  From  there  he  subsequently  removed  to  Reading,  and  other  structures  that  adorn  the  landscape  and  make 
where  he  died  in  1858.  In  the  twelve  years  of  life  ac-  possible  the  great  transportation  industries  of  a  large 
corded  him  after  landing  in  the  United  States  James  Nolan  part  of  the  Atlantic  seaboard.  This  firm  executed  all 
proved  himself  a  man  of  intense  energy,  within  that  the  mason  work  on  the  Philadelphia  &  Erie  railroad 
period  accomplishing  more  in  his  special  line  of  activity  between  Renova  and  Driftwood,  including  the  large  stone 
than  many  others  complete  ip  a  whole  lifetime.  He  en-  viaducts  at  Hemlock  and  St.  Mary's ;  built  thousands  of 
gaged  in  railroad  building  and  contracting  and  was  one  feet  of  masonry  on  the  low  grade  division  of  the  Pennsyl- 
of  the  capable  constructors  of  a  part  of  the  Lebanon  vania  railroad  from  Driftwood,  on  the  Susquehanna,  to 
Valley  railroad  and  that  section  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Redbank  on  the  Allegheny;  built  the  Linden  line  for  the 
Reading  railroad  that  connects  'Auburn  with  Dauphin.  Pennsylvania  railroad,  around  Williamsport,  and  also  the 
He  was  the  father  of  the  following  children,  who,  with  bridges  across  the  Schuylkill,  at  Port  Clinton,  for  the 
their   mother,    returned   to    New   York   after   his   decease:     Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad. 

William,  Charles,  James,  Thomas,  Edward,  Kate  and  In  1873  this  company  secured  the  contract  to  erect 
Mary.  Kate  is  the  wife  of  William  Kearns,  of  Reading,  the  great  Richmond  street  bridge  at  Philadelphia,  with  its 
and  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Dennis  iMcAvoy,  of  Norristown.  twenty-three  tracks,  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Com- 
William  Nolan  was  six  years  old  when  his  parents  came  pan}f,  and  in  the  following  year  began  the  building  of 
to  America  and  he  went  to  school  both  in  New  York  and  all  the  mason  work  on  the  Bound  Brook  railroad,  from 
in  Reading.  Although  he  returned  to  New  York  with  Bound  Brook,  N.  J.,  to  a  point  in  the  same  State  on 
other  members  of  the  family  after  the  death  of  his  father,  the  Delaware  river,  an  undertaking  of  great  im?rnitude. 
he  had  made  friends  in  Reading  to  whom  he  was  anxious  which  was  promised  and  successfully  completed  for  the 
to  return,  one  of  these  being  Heriry  Jacobs,  who  was  then  accommodation  of  visitors  to  the  Centennial  Expo'=ition 
master  mason  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  in  1876.  During  the  next  four  years  this  firm  built  the 
Company,  with  whom  he  secured  employment  as  a  stone-  connecting  links  between  the  New  York  City  &  Northern, 
cutter.  Even  then,  Mr.  Nolan  exhibited  those  steadfast  and  the  Sixth  avenue  electric  railways;  the  Askew  arch 
traits  that  later  so  thoroughly  characterized  him,  and  be-  over  the  Fairmount  Park  drive,  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
fore  he  had  attained  his  majority  he  was  appointed  fore-  Schuylkill:  double-tracked  the  main  line  of  the  New  York 
man  of  a  large  gang  of  workmen,  who  were  employed  &  Erie  railway,  from  Callicoon  to  Hawkins,  N.  Y. ;  built 
by  the  large  contracting  firm  of  Riley,  McGrann  &  Co.,  the  great  drawbridge  across  the  Hackensack,  the  bridge 
of  Lancaster,  in  their  building  for  the  Lehi.gh  Navigation  over  the  Susquehanna  river  at  Susauehanna,  and  the 
Company.  His  work  on  this  and  other  similar  tasks  was  bridge  over  the  Chemung  river,  at  Corning,  New  York, 
so  satisfactory  that  it  not  only  satisfied  his  employers  In  ISS'^  this  firm  continued  its  large  ooerations.  In 
but  it^  also  gave  him  the  courage  to  embark  in  business  connection  with  Thomas  A.  Reillv,  capitalist,  of  Potts- 
for  himself.  He  selected  as  a  partner  John  Jacobs,  a  ville,  they  built  the  branch  railroad  from  Shamokin  to 
man  who  was  industrious  and  ambitious  like  himself,  and,  Milton,  Pa.,  for  the  Pennsylvania  system,  and  this 
although  the  firm'  started  with  no  appreciable  capital,  included  all  the  grading  and  ma<=nn  work,  together 
they  made  some  money  out  of  their  first  large  contract  with  the  erection  of  that  noble  bridge,  with  its  mighty 
and  also  brought  their  ability  to  the  attention  of  those  spans  and  total  lenfth  of  2,600  feet  of  strength,  which 
requiring  any  kind  of  stone  or  mason  work.  was    proved    when    the   floods   of   the     nemorahle   year   of 

In  this  business  connection,  like  every  other  one  with  1889  bent  upon  and  over  it  and  it  stood  the  strain,  when 
which  he  was  associated,  Mr.  Nolan  was  a  leader,  pos-  many  lesser  'structures  went  down.  .-\nnther  piece  of 
sessing  the  foresight  which  is  often  as  necessary  to  sue-  fine  work  was  the  building  of  a  portion  of  the  Perkiomen 
cess  as  is  technical  abilitv.  He  kept  on  the  alert  and  bridge  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Rendine  railroad  and  also 
secured  contracts  at  Reading,  Easton  and  other  points,  a  portion  of  the  Pennsylvania  railrmd,  between  Reading 
for  work  of  more  or  less  importance,  and  thus  was  fully  and  Pottsville.  In  association  with  T,  N.  DuBarry,  this 
experienced  when,  under  a  sub-contract,  he  completed  firm  built  nine  miles  of  the  To-'ihickpn  branch  of  the 
the  Eighth  street  bridge  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Pennsylvania  railroad.  In  the  latter  pa-t  of  1SR9  the  firm 
Railway  Comnany.  at  Reading,  a  piece  of  work  which  completed  the  -Mlcntown  Terminal  railroad;  built  the 
commanded  the  admiration  and  approbation  of  the  ablest  railroad  bridge  at  Port  lervis.  N.  V.;  a  bridge  at  Hor- 
cngineers  of  the  country.  Mr.  Nolan  was  always  disposed  nellsville,  fof  the  New  York  &  Erie  railway  ;°the  bridge 
to  feel  that  this  was  the  real  foundation  stone  of  bis  spanning  the  Delaware,  at  Hancock.  N.  Y.  •  "other  bridges 
subsequent  uninterrupted  business  success.  Shortly  after  located  in  the  environs  of  Philadelnhia ;  and  in  the  short 
this  came   the   organizing  of   the   firm   of  William    Nolan     space    of    eighteen   months   built   the   beautiful   bridge    on 


^xA^^Ax^ 


^:Ky\A 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


449 


the    Norristown   branch    of    the    Philadelphia   &   Reading 
railroad,  over  the  mouth  of  the  Wissahickon. 

In  the  face  of  such  a  remarkable  aggregation  of  com- 
pleted work,  it  is  totally  unnecessary  to  dwell  upon  the 
difficulties  met  and  overcome,  for  even  the  casual  reader 
must  recognize  that  undertakings  of  such  magnitude  would 
involve  the  handling  of  an  immense  working  capital  and 
the  directing  force  of  master  minds.  One  of  these  be- 
longed to  the  late  William  Nolan.  With  his  brothers,  he 
personally  supervised  much  of  the  work  as  it  progressed, 
and  so  careful,  so  practical  and  so  thorough  were  his 
methods  that  no  fault  of  construction  ever  escaped  him. 
He  was  a  man  of  ideas  also,  and  not  content  with  the 
opportunities  offered  in  his  own  land,  great  as  they  were, 
went  abroad  and  in  his  later  work  incorporated  many  de- 
tails of  form  and  construction  which  he  gained  from  con- 
templating many  of  the  most  notable  buildings  in  Eu- 
rope. Mr.  Nolan  continued  as  the  active  head  of  the 
firm  until  1896,  when  he  retired,  an  accident  which  he  suf- 
fered in  1888  probably  contributing  as  a  cause.  During 
his  later  years,  while  still  connected  with  the  administra- 
tive work  of  the  firm^  he  was  a  frequent  guest  at  several 
leading  hotels  in  Philadelphia  and  was  there  met  socially 
and  in  business  relations  by  men  of  affairs  and  prominence 
from  every  section. 

No  mention  has  yet  been  made  of  Mr.  Nolan's  con- 
nection with  business  interests  outside  of  those  connected 
with  the  firm  of  Nolan  &  Brothers,  these,  in  fact,  being 
large  enough  to  have  occupied  the  whole  time  and  atten- 
tion of  an  ordinary  man.  But  Mr.  Nolan  was  not  an  or- 
dinary man,  and  he  became  identified  with  other  impor- 
tant enterprises,  many  of  these  being  directly  concerned 
with  the  upbuilding  of  Reading,  the  city  of  his  pride. 
He  was  a  stockholder  in  a  number  of  successful  con- 
cerns, a  director  in  many,  and  was  the  promoter  of  a  num- 
ber of  the  infant  industries  of  the  city  which  later  be- 
came gianfs.  He  was  a  man  of  public  spirit  and  of  such 
benevolence  that,  while  a  member  and  one  of  the  trus- 
tees of  St.  Peter's  Catholic  Church,  and  its  munificent 
benefactor,  his  distribution  of  charity  was  not  confined  to 
his  own  religious  body,  but  was  given  to  those  in  need, 
no  matter  what  creed  might  be  theirs.  Since  his  death 
St.  Peter's  congregation  has  built  a  fine  new  edifice,  and 
its  great  organ,  which  cost  the  sum  of  $6,500,  was  placed 
there  by  Mr.  Nolan's  nine  children,  as  a  memorial  to  their 
father  and  mother.  Genial  by  nature,  broadened  by  travel 
and  educated  largely  by  contact  with  men  of  broadened 
view  and  enlightened  understanding,  William  Nolan  com- 
manded respect  and  enjoyed  the  warmest  friendship  and 
esteem.  He  was  too  prominent  a  man  not  to  be  more 
or  less  of  a  politician,  but  he  never  accepted  any  political 
preferment  and  served  in  but  one  office,  and  that  without 
compensation,  being  a  trustee,  for  a  time,  of  the  Hunt- 
ingdon Reformatory.  In  his  views  on  public  questions  he 
was  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  he  was  frequently  sent  as 
a  delegate  to  State  and  national  conventions  of  his 
party. 

Mr.  Nolan  married  May  9,  1867,  Miss  Katherine  Mc- 
Donough,  and  to  this  happy  union  was  born  a  family 
of  nine  children,  namely:  Anna,  Kate,  James,  William,  Jr., 
Charles  J.,  Thomas  G.,  Edward  Campion,  Bernard  J.  and 
Reilly.  Anna,  the  eldest  daughter,  married  Charles  P. 
Bower,  a  civil  engineer.  Kate  is  the  wife  of  Frederick 
G.  Jones.  William,  president  of  the  Nolan  Construction 
Company,  married  Margaret  Coppinger.  Charles  J.  mar- 
ried Lottie  M.  Schaeffer.  Thomas  G.  married  Annie  M. 
Cavanaugh.  Edward  Campion,  vice-president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Reading,  married  Cora  Louise  Sembow- 
er,  daughter  of  Clarence  H.  Sembower.  The  family  is 
one  of  both  social  and  financial  prominence  in  Reading. 

,  CHARLES  S.  RHOADS,  of  Birdsboro,  member  of  the 
firm  of  Huyett  &  Rhoads,  shoe  manufacturers,  has  been 
engaged  in  his  present  line,  and  connected  with  the  same 
establishment,  ever  since  his  location  in  that  borough. 
He  is  a  thorough  business  man,  and  has  gained  his  present 
standing  by  the  most  honorable  and  commendable  methods, 
holding  the  respect  of  all  who  have  had  dealings  with  him. 
29 


He  is  a  native  of  this  courrty,  born  in  1862  in  Amity  town- 
ship, son  of  Abraham  L.  and  Harriet  (Straub)  Rhoads. 

Abraham  L.  Rhoads  was  a  successful  farmer  all  his 
life,  and  during  his  younger  years  also  followed  cattle 
droving,  which  he  found  very  profitable.  He  owned  a 
farm  in  Amity  township,  and  was  considered  well-to-do. 
He  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-one  years,  dying 
in  1905,  and  his  wife  survived  him,  passing  away  in  1907 
at  the  age  of  seventy-nine.  He  was  a  Lutheran  in  church 
connection,  she  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Of 
the  children  born  to  them  five  lived  to  maturity:  Irvin, 
Calvin,  Charles  S.,  Alice  (m.  William  E.  Henderson),  and 
Ida   (m.  Samuel  Fix). 

Charles  S.  Rhoads  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  township,  and  then  for  three 
terms  taught  school,  after  which  he  entered  the  Bryant 
&  Stratton  commercial  school  in  Philadelphia,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1884.  He  again  taught  school,  this  time 
continuing  for  five  terras,  making  eight  terras  in  all,  and 
had  his  first  business  experience  as  clerk  in  a  tea  and 
coffee  house  at  Kensington,  Philadelphia.  About  1890 
he  settled  in  Birdsboro,  where  he  at  once  became  interested 
in  shoe  manufacturing  with  E.  &  A.  Huyett,  continuing  in 
partnership  with  them  until  1900.  In  that  year,  Mr.  E. 
R.  Huyett  retiring  on  account  of  ill  health,  the  present 
firm  of  Huyett  &  Rhoads  (A.  H.  Huyett  and  Charles 
S.  Rhoads)  was  forced.  They  manufacture  infants'  and 
children's  footwear,  and  their  orders  keep  them  constantly 
busy.  From  sixty  to  seventy-five  hands  are  employed. 
The  firm  has  a  substantial  position  among  reliable  business 
houses  in  this  section  of  the  county,  and  is  steadily  widen- 
ing its  patronage  and  improving  the  output  to  a  creditable 
degree. 

Mr.  Rhoads  married  Laura  M.  Huyett,  daughter  of 
Isaac  and  Catharine  Huyett,  Baumstown,  and  to  them  have  , 
been  born  eight  children,  namely :  Garson,  Verna,  £arl, 
Marian,  Vernon,  Norman,  Melvin  and  Harold.  Mr. 
Rhoads  is  a  Lutheran  in  religious  connection  and  much 
interested  in  the  local  activities  of  his  church.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  National  Shoe  Manufacturers'  Association. 

A.  H.  HUYETT,  senior  member  of  the  shoe  manu- 
facturing firm  of  Huyett  &  Rhoads,  located  at  Birdsboro, 
began  the  shoe  business  when  he  was  only  sixteen  years 
of  age,  and  has  followed  it  without  interruption  to  the 
present  day.  The  establishment  with  which  he  has  been 
connected  since  its  foundation  has  for  many  years  been 
regarded  as  one  of  the  reliable  industrial  factors  of  the 
borough. 

Mr.  Huyett  was  born  in  1870  in  Exeter  township,  Berks 
county,  son  of  Isaac  and  Catherine  (Root)  Huyett,  who 
are  still  living  on  a  farm  at  Baumstown,  this  county.  He 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  township,  where 
he  passed  his  youth  and  early  manhood,  being  reared  upon 
a  farm.  When  he  was  sixteen  he  and  his  brother,  E.  R. 
Huyett,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  children's  shoes, 
carrying  on  their  business  for  the  first  two  years  at  home. 
But  it  was  evident  that  under  more  favorable  commercial 
conditions  the  trade  would  expand  rapidly,  and  the  young 
men  moved  to  Birdsboro  and  began  in  a  modest  way  what 
has  since  become  one  of  the  profitable  manufacturing 
estabhshments  of  that  place.  They  did  business  under 
the  firm  name  of  E.  &  A.  Huyett.  At  first  they  employed, 
only  four  hands,  but  the  demand  for  the  product  grew 
steadily,  and  now  the  factory  gives  constant  employment 
to  between  sixty  and  seventy-five  operatives.  In  1900  Mr. 
E.  R.  Huyett,  the  senior  partner,  retired  because  of  poor 
health,  and  Mr.  A.  H.  Huyett  then  entered  into  partner- 
ship with  Charles  S.  Rhoads,  who  had  been  associated 
with  the  business  from  1890.  The  average  daily  output  is 
from  sixteen  to  twenty  cases  of  children's  and  infants' 
shoes,  of  an  excellent  grade  at  a  medium  price,  which  find 
a  ready  market  throughout  the  States.  The  plant  is  very 
well  equipped,  with  the  latest  machinery  invented  for  the 
work,  and  the  factory  is  well  managed  in  every  respect, 
with  due  regard  for  the  health  and  comfort  of  the  em- 
ployees as  well  as  the  interests  of  the  proprietors. 


450 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


In  1892  Mr.  Huyett  married  Annie  D.  Seifert,  daughter 
of  Reuben  and  Harriet  (White)  Seifert,  and  to  them  have 
been  born  six  children,  viz. :  Beulah,  Erma,  Russell  (who 
died  when  six  months  old),  Marie,  Dorothy  and  Paul. 
The  family  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  which 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Huyett  belong;  Mr.  Huyett  is  a  member  of 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In  political  matters  he 
is  independent,  voting  as  his  principles  dictate,  and  taking 
little  active  part  in  public  affairs.  His  energies  are  de- 
voted almost  exclusively  to  his  business  affairs,  which 
have  well  repaid  his  earnest  and  efficient  labors. 

REV.  FRANKLIN  K.  BERND.  The  earliest  American 
ancestor  of  the  Bernd  family  came  from  the  Palatinate, 
Germany,  and  settled  in  Bucks  county,  Pa.  He  landed 
at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  7,  1748,  in  the  ship  "Alary  Galley," 
George  Lavvson,  captain,  and  his  name  stands  upon  the 
records  as  Peter  Barnd. 

This  progenitor  had  a  son,  George,  who  was  married 
twice,  but  the  names  of  his  wives  are  missing.  By  his  first 
marriage  he  had  two  sons,  namely  George  and  Peter,  and 
by  his  second  marriage  also  had  two  sons,  John  and 
Philip.  These  four  sons  settled  in  Bucks  county,  and  as 
far  as  is  known  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  there. 

George  Bernd,  the  elder  of  the  two  sons  of  the  first 
marriage  of  George  Bernd,  was  a  tailor  by  occupation, 
and  worked  at  that  trade  not  only  in  his  own  home,  but 
at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  at  the  homes  of  his  patrons, 
going  from  one  to  the  other  and  making  clothes  for  their 
families,  as  was  the  custom  in  those  early  days.  He  was 
organist  for  the  Indian  Field  Lutheran  congregation  in 
Bucks  county,  and  afterward  for  many  years  for  the 
congregation  at  the  "Six  Cornered,"  or  St.  Paul's,  Lutheran 
Church  in  Montgomery  county.  He  died  at  the  age  of 
seventy-eight  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  old  graveyard 
at   Pennsburg,   Montgomery  county. 

He  married  Miss  Magdalena  Gable,  a  member  of  an 
old  and  representative  family  of  the  vicinity  of  Penns- 
burg, and  to  them  there  was  born  in  August,  1818,  a  son, 
Francis  Gable. 

Francis  Gable  Bernd  grew  to  manhood  in  Rich  Valley 
near  the  boundary  line  of  Bucks  and  Montgomery  coun- 
ties, and  obtained  the  full  advantage  of  the  schools  of 
that  locality.  He  inherited  his  father's  taste  for  music, 
and,  practising  the  art  from  his  earliest  youth,  became  an 
accomplished  musician,  excelling  as  a  performer  on  the 
organ.  He  was  not  merely  an  efficient  performer,  how- 
ever, but  thoroughly  understood  the  mechanism  of  the 
organ  which,  under  his  skilful  manipulation  produced 
the  music,  and  frequently  persons  who  desired  to  pur- 
chase instruments  consulted  him  as  to  the  merits  of  the 
different  makes.  He  was  also  a  successful  school  teacher, 
was  able,  ambitious  and  progressive,  and  the  first  teacher 
in  Lehigh  county  to  whom  was  awarded  a  professional 
certificate.  The  various  employments  afforded  by  music 
and  teaching  were  his  life-work,  he  confining  himself  to 
them  exclusively,  and  achieving  in  them  a  distinction  which 
but  few  men  attain.  When  in  his  prime  he  was  without 
doubt  among  the  most  thorough  and  progressive  musicians 
and  educators  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  outside  of  the 
cities.  In  1845  he  married  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
Egypt,  Lehigh  county,  where  he  continued  to  reside  the 
rest  of  his  life,  being  organist  to  one  congregation  for 
forty-one  consecutive  years.  He  died  in  February,  1892, 
and  his  wife  in  1886,  both  being  buried  in  the  cemetery 
at  Egypt.  He  married  Christina  Kline,  daughter  of 
Michael  Kline,  and  granddaughter  of  Michael,  Sr.,  both 
leading  farmers  and  influential  citizens  of  Klinesville, 
Montgomery  county,  who  are  buried  in  the  graveyard  of 
the  Six  Cornered  Church  in  that  county.  According  to 
tradition  the  father  of  Michael  Kline  the  elder  came  from 
the  Palatinate,  and  is  also  buried  in  the  same  graveyard. 
To  Francis  G.  Bernd  and  wife  were  born  children  as  fol- 
lows :  Maria  m.  Hiram  Ruch ;  Ketura  m.  Sylvester  J. 
Rensheimer;  Franklin  K. ;  Victor  K. ;  Lydia  F"  m.  Peter 
Laubach  ;  and  George  T. 

Franklin  K.  Bernd,  the  third  child  of  the  above  family, 
was  born   March   16.   1850,  in  the  town   of   Egypt,   Lehigh 


county,  and  there  grew  to  manhood.  As  soon  as  he  reached 
eligible  age  he  entered  the  pubhc  schools  of  his  native 
place,  from  which  he  entered  the  high  school  of  North 
Whitehall  township,  then  taught  by  Eli  G.  Schwartz,  Esq.  In 
April,  1867,  having  completed  the  high  school  course,  Mr. 
Bernd  entered  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutz- 
town,  remaining  there  the  following  summer  session.  By 
this  time  he  had  decided  to  become  a  teacher,  and  on 
application  was  elected  as  an  assistant  instructor  for  the 
following  winter  in  a  school  in  North  Whitehall  township, 
of  which  his  father  was  principal.  In  the  spring  of  1868 
he  returned  to  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  where 
he  continued  his  studies  until  the  summer  of  1869,  when 
he  graduated  in  the  elementary  course.  He  then  returned 
to  North  Whitehall  township  and  resumed  teaching,  but 
in  the  following  spring  re-entered  the  Normal  school  and 
in  1871  graduated  in  the  scientific  course.  During  the  win- 
ter of  1871-72  he  taught  a  graded  school  in  Bath,  North- 
ampton county,  and  then  in  the  following  spring  was 
called  to  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  and  given  the 
principalship  of  the  Model  school,  which  position  he  filled 
for  five  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  went  to  Car- 
bon county,  where  from  1877  to  1880  he  was  principal  of 
the  public  schools  of  Packerton  and  Lehighton,  and  then 
relinquished  teaching  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  for  the 
ministry. 

In  the  fall  of  1880  he  entered  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Theological  Seminary  at  Philadelphia,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1883.  Soon  thereafter  he  was  elected 
pastor  of  the  Jordan  Lutheran  congregation  at  Guthsville, 
Lehigh  county,  which  he  served  very  acceptably  until  in 
1889,  when  he  was  again  called  to  the  Keystone  State  Nor- 
mal School,  this  time  to  fill  the  chair  of  Latin  and  Greek. 
His  ability  and  zeal  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  and  as  a 
scholar  and  educator  by  this  time  being  generally  recog- 
nized, Muhlenberg  College  in  1898  conferred  upon  him  the 
honorary  title  of  A.  M.  But  with  reputation  and  honors 
came  more  exacting  labors,  and  in  1900  he  was  elected 
superintendent  of  the  Topton  Orphans'  Home.  This  offer 
he  declined,  but  about  the  same  time  came  a  call  to  the 
eastern  portion  of  the  parish  of  the  late  Rev.  B.  E.  Kram- 
lich,  consisting  of  a  congregation  at  Maxatawny  and  an- 
other at  Mertztown,  which  a  sense  of  duty  impelled  him 
to  accept.  Circumstances  not  favoring  an  immediate 
separation  from  the  position  he  had  filled  satisfactorily  for 
so  long,  he  for  upwards  of  a  year  served  as  pastor  of  this 
charge  and  also  as  a  professor  on  the  Norma!  school 
faculty.  In  ]901  he  resigned  his  position  at  the  Normal 
school  and  since  then  has  been  devoting  himself  exclusive- 
ly to  his  pastoral  duties  in  this  charge,  which,  since  his 
election,  has  been  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  the  St. 
Peter's  (or  Becker's)  congregation  in  Richmond  township. 
He  preaches  in  both  English  and  German  and  is  a  faithful 
and  assiduous  worker  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  In  1905  he 
was  elected  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  a  dele- 
gate to  the  General  Council  of  the  Lutheran  Church  of 
America,  which  was  held  in  Milwaukee  in  October  of 
that  year;  and  in  1907  he  was  elected  president  of  the 
Reading  Conference,  which  office  he  held  two  years.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  German  Society,  and 
also  of  the  Berks  County  Historical  Society,  occasionally 
contributing  articles  of  a  biographical  character  to  the 
press. 

In  1875  Rev.  Franklin  K.  Bernd  married  Miss  Hattie 
M.  Heilman,  a  graduate  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School,  class  of  1871,  and  a  daughter  of  Moses  and  Levina 
(Lauchnor)  Heilman.  Moses  Heilman  was  a  son  of 
George  Heilman,  a  farmer,  and  was  born  in  Heidelberg 
township,  Lehigh  county.  He  was  a  merchant  miller  and 
enterprising  and  intelligent  citizen.  His  wife,  Levina 
Lauchnor,  was  of  American  birth,  but  of  German-French 
descent.  To  the  marriage  of  Rev.  Franklin  K.  Bernd 
and  Hattie  M.  Heilman  were  born  the  following  children  ■ 
Margaret,  who  became  the  wife  of  Elmer  A.  Krauss; 
Florence;  Katie;  Alice,  and  Mary.  Like  their  parents  all 
of  these  daughters  are  graduates  of  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School  of  Kutztown,  and  at  the  present  writing 
four  of  them  have  already  been  teachers. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


451 


GULDIN.  The  early  home  of  the  Guldin  family  was 
at  St.  Gall,  Switzerland,  where  records  of  it  are  found 
as  far  back  as  1539  A.  D.  The  first  of  the  name  found  in 
America  was  the  Rev.  Samuel  K.  Guldin,  who  left  Ham- 
burg, Germany,  July  1, 1710,  and  landed  at  Philadelphia  Sept. 
24,  1710.  From  him  descended  all  the  Guldins  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  State.  He  was  the  leader  of  the  church  Pietists 
in  Switzerland,  and  the  spiritual  forerunner  of  the  Re- 
formed church  in  Pennsylvania.  In  Switzerland  the  Gul- 
din family  is  almost  extinct,  there  being  but  six  repre- 
sentatives of  this  once  powerful  name — one  man,  one 
boy  and  four  women. 

(I)  The  Rev.  Samuel  K.  Guldin  spent  the  first  forty- 
six  years  of  his  life  in  Switzerland,  Holland  and  Germany. 
In  1718  he  made  a  brilliant  defense  of  the  Pietists  which 
has  been  incorporated  into  church  history.  In  1710  he 
wrote  a  letter  ill  which  he  states  that  he  bought  a  farm  in 
Oley  township,  Berks  county.  Pa.  He  lived  at  Roxboro 
and  there  died.  In  this  letter  he  mentions  these  children; 
Samuel  M.,  seventeen;  Maria  Catherine,  fourteen;  Chris- 
toffel,  thirteen;  and  Emanuel  Frederick,  eleven  years  of 
age. 

(II)  Samuel  M.  Guldin  learned  blacksmithing  and  then 
together  with  Engel  Peter  and  a  Mr.  Bartolet,  all  black- 
smiths, went  to  Oley,  then  known  as  "The  Land  of  Great 
Trees,"  about  the  year  1718.  Each  built  a  log  house,  and 
began  to  clear  the  land.  These  houses  were  built  some- 
where along  what  is  now  the  public  road  from  "The  Yellow 
House"  and  Friedensburg.  On  May  22,  1722,  Samuel  M. 
Guldin  married  Elizabeth  Hilsaweck.  Their  children  were : 
Samuel,  born  July  12,  1723;  Susanna,  Oct.  5,  1724;  John, 
Feb.  32,  1726;  Mary  Magdalene,  Aug.  26,  1728;  Frederick, 
Aug.  2,  1729;  Daniel  H.,  Johanna  Esther  (twins),  April 
30,  1735;  and  Clara  Elizabeth,  Sept.  17,  1738. 

Berks  county  was  incorporated  in  1753  and  Samuel  M. 
Guldin  was  one  of  its  first  county  commissioners.  At 
that  time  there  were  still  Indians  in  the  county,  and  with- 
out doubt  this  ancestor  bore  his  part  in  defending  the 
people  and  exterminating  the  dreaded  foe.  The  records 
show  that  at  least  three  of  his  children  married  and  reared 
families. 

(III)  Daniel  H.  Guldin,  son  of  Samuel  M.  Guldin  and 
his  wife  Elizabeth,  was  born  April  20,  1735,  and  he  died 
Aug.  17,  1817.  In  1762  he  married  Catherine  Elizabeth 
Geltback,  and  she  died  about  1785.  Their  children  were : 
Samuel  G.,  1763-1769;  Daniel  G,  1764-1845;  John  Jacob, 
1766-1826;  Samuel  G,  1769-1775;  John  G.,  1770-1852; 
Elizabeth  G.,  1773-1848;  George  G,  1774-1814;  Abraham 
G.,  1776-1838;  Samuel  G.,  1777-1854;  Frederick  G,  1779- 
1838;  Peter  G.,  1782-1836;  David  G.,  1784-1799. 

(IV)  John  G.  Guldin  was  born  Oct.  18,  1770,  and  died 
June  13,  1852,  son  of  Daniel  H.  Guldin  and  wife  Catherine 
Elizabeth  Geltback.  He  was  a  blacksmith,  farmer  and 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  married  Mary  Cronrath,  born  Jan. 
1,  1773,  died  Dec.  28,  1835.  Their  children  were:  Daniel 
C.  1792-1856;  Samuel  C,  1794-1871;  Rev.  John  C,  D. 
D.,  1799-1863;  David  C,  1804-1858;  Charles  C,  1808-1864; 
Abraham  C,  1811-1884;  Isaac  C,  1812-1874. 

(V)  Samuel  C.  Guldin,  son  of  John  G.  Guldin,  was 
born  1794,  and  died  1871.  He  was  an  extensive  dealer 
in  cattle  and  mules,  a  large  owner  of  real  estate  and 
stock  and  a  man  widely  and  favorably  known  throughout 
Berks  county.  He  married  Elizabeth  Yeager,  of  Chester 
county,  who  was  born  June  17,  1797,  and  died  Feb.  8, 
1879  They  lived  near  Yellow  House.  Their  children 
were:  Simon  P.,  1823-1873;  John  F.,  1825-1875;  Mary 
Ann;  Elam  Y.,  1829-1892;  Sophia  H.,  1832-1893;  James  A., 
1834-1864;  Jeremiah  L.,  1837-1858. 

(VI)  John  Frederick  Guldin,  son  of  Samuel  C.  Guldin, 
was  born  in  Oley  township,  June  9,  1825,  and  he  died  at 
Yellow  House  May  13,  1875,  aged  forty-nine  years,  eleven 
months  and  four  days.  He  was  one  of  the  most  extensive 
dealers  in  miules  in  this  part  of  the  county,  owning  hun- 
dreds of  the  mules  along  the  Schuylkill  canal,  and  he 
supplied  the  whole  system  with  mules.  In  addition  he 
kept  in  stock  from  100  to  150  and  his  business  was  a  very 
successful  one.  He  also  cultivated  his  eighty-five  acre 
farm,  now  owned  by  his  son  John  R.     Mr.  Guldin  was  a 


charitable  man,  and  while  in  the  business  to  make  money, 
never  hesitated  to  help  one  less  fortunate  than  he  by 
lending  mules  to  tide  over  a  difficulty.  For  some  years  he 
was  associated  in  business  with  his  father,  Samuel  Guldin, 
and  after  the  latter's  death,  he  continued  with  his  brother 
Simon.  After  a  prosperous  life,  he  died  firm  in  the  faith 
of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  is  buried  at  Amityyille,  in 
the  cemetery  of  that  church.  For  years  prior  to  his  death 
he  took  an  active  part  in  church  work,  organizing  the 
Reformed  denomination  at  Amits^ville,  as  well  as  estab- 
lishing the  cemetery.  Fraternally  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  order. 

On  Sept.  31,  1852,  John  F.  Guldin  married  Hannah 
Rhoads,  born  Oct.  1,  1832,  daughter  of  Abraham  Rhoads, 
of  Amity;  she  died  June  3,  1873.  They  had  children: 
Samuel,  born  Aug.  26,  1853,  died  Oct.  24,  1905 ;  Lizzie,  born 
1856,  died  in  1858;  Mary,  born  in  1858,  died  in  1861; 
Ella,  born  in  1860,  died  in  1893;  Emily  m.  J.  F.  D.  Geiger, 
of  Philadelphia;  Catherine  m.  (first)  Nelson  Bertolet, 
deceased,  and  (second)  Grant  Loder,  of  Philadelphia; 
John  R. ;  and  Charles  R.  of  Philadelphia,  a  butcher. 

(VII)  John  R.  Guldin,  postmaster  at  Yellow  House,  and 
agent  of  the  National  Bank  of  Boyertown,  was  born  in  the 
house  where  he  now  resides,  March  15,  1867.  He  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  Prof.  D.  B.  Brun- 
ner's  Business  college,  at  Reading,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1885.  Having  been  reared  upon  the  farm, 
he  thoroughly  understood  the  work,  and  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  began  farming  for  his  father  on  the  homestead. 
The  property  is  a  very  fine  one  consisting  of  eighty-five 
acres  located  at  Yellow  House,  in  Amity  township.  Mr. 
Guldin  supervises  the  work  upon  this  very  valuable  tract, 
and  makes  it  pay  well.  Since  1897  he  has  been  engaged 
in  a  butchering  business,  and  gives  employment  to  three 
men  in  this  line;  and  runs  three  teams  delivering  to  his 
customers  throughout  a  wide  section.  Mr.  Guldin  is  one 
of  the  owners  of  "Yellow  House  Hotel,"  having  succeeded 
to  his  father's  interest  in  it  upon  the  latter's  death.  This 
old  landmark  is  often  referred  to  by  writers  of  Berks 
county,  and  for  many  years  has  been  a  place  of  entertain- 
ment for  the  traveling  public.  Mr.  Guldin's  residence 
is  just  opposite  the  hotel,  and  is  a  large  stone  house,  well 
supplied  with  all  modern  conveniences,  and  surrounded 
with  a  magnificent  lawn.  At  midnight,  Aug.  14,  1908,  his 
large  barn  was  burned  to  the  ground,  including  its  con- 
tents, consisting  of  the  year's  crops,  three  thorough-bred 
cows,  one  bull,  thirteen  trained  hounds  and  about  one- 
hundred  chickens, — a  total  loss  of  $6,500.  Mr.  Guldin 
immediately  rebuilt  on  practically  the  same  site,  and  now 
has  the  only  barn  in  his  section  that  has  a  complete  con- 
crete base,  one  staple  high.  In  addition  to  being  the  agent  for 
the  National  Bank  of  Boyertown,  he  is  one  of  its  largest 
stockholders,  and  since  1893  he  has  been  the  postmaster  at 
Yellow  House. 

Before  he  was  of  age,  in  1888,  Mr.  Guldin  was  placed 
upon  the  Democratic  ticket  for  auditor  of  Amity  town- 
ship, and  being  elected  served  that  and  two  succeeding 
terms,  nine  years  in  all.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat, 
and  has  alwavs  taken  a  lively  interest  in  township  affairs. 
Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Wohling  Tribe  No.  179, 
Order  of  Red  Men,  at  Yellow  House.  He  and  his  family 
are  members  of  Amityville  Reformed  Church,  of  which  he 
was  elder  for  some'  years,  and  is  now  treasurer. 

On  Feb.  36,  1891,  Mr.  Guldin  married  Sue  L.  Rhoads, 
daughter  of  Frank  and  Rebecca  (Lorah)  Rhoads,  of  Amity 
township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Guldin  have  been  iDorn  these 
children :  Paul  R.,  a  graduate  of  Mercersburg  Academy,  in 
Franklin  county.  Pa.,  Class  of  1908,  and-  now  taking  a 
course  in  Agriculture,  at  Cornell  University,  Class  of  1913; 
and  Miss  Helena,  a  member  of  Class  of  1909,  Kutztown 
State  Normal.  School,  and  an  accomplished  young  lady. 

Mr.  Guldin  is  a  sportsman,  and  is  very  fond  of  hunting, 
keeping  a  large  number  of  hounds  for  fox  hunting.  At 
times  his  pack  numbers  thirty.  He  also  has  foxes,  opos- 
sums, coons  and  other  wild  animals. 

The  old  Guldin  family  is  well  represented  in  Mr.  Gul- 
din, an  excellent  type  of  the  genial,  kind-hearted  hos- 
pitable country  gentleman.     He  is  wealthy,  prominent  and 


453 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


a  great  favorite  throughout  all  of  Berks  county,  where 
he  and  his  family  occupy  so  desirable  a  place  in  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  of  its  people. 

PROF.  R.  A.  TOWNSEND  (deceased),  for  many 
years  a  well  known  and  successful  educator,  was  a  native 
of  Lancaster  county,  born  on  a  farm  near  Smyrna,  about 
thirty  miles  southwest  of  Reading,  April  19,  1S44.  His 
father  was  a  Quaker,  of  English  descent,  and  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Catharine  Wagner,  was  of  Dutch 
ancestry.  Prof.  Townsend  was  the  youngest  of  thirteen 
children,  of  whom  only  two  survive,  all  the  others  having 
passed  away  at  nearly  the  same  age.  The  two  still  living 
are  Martin,  of  Norwich,  Kans. ;  and  Samuel,  of  Christiana, 
Lancaster  county. 

Prof.  Townsend  secured  the  rudiments  of  his  education 
in  what  was  known  as  the  Bart  township  school,  which 
he  attended  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old.  He  then 
went  West  with  his  brother  George  and  sister-in-law,  and 
settled  in  Illinois  on  the  unbroken  prairie,  in  the  region 
of  Philo,  Champaign  county.  Not  far  from  there  was  a 
boarding  school  which  he  attended  for  fifty-three  weeks 
of  the  two  years  he  was  in  that  part  of  the  country.  He 
also  continued  his  studies  by  himself  while  working  on  the 
farm,  and  would  carry  his  Latin  books  to  the  field  and 
study  conjugations  while  plowing.  On  the  death  of  his 
father  he  returned  to  the  East,  and  entered  Bucknell  Uni- 
versity of  Lewisburg,  Pa.,  where  'he  was  graduated  in 
1864,  the  valedictorian  of  his  class.  Continuing  his  work 
he  took  the  degree  of  A.  M.,  standing  second  among  the  ap- 
plicants for  that  honor,  and  attracted  much  attention  by 
the  unusual  quality  of  his  work.  It  was  said  by  the  late 
Rev.  J.  R.  Loomis,  LL.  D.,  then  president  of  the  Uni- 
versity, that  his  record  in  several  of  his  studies  was  the 
highest  ever  attained  in  the  college. 

After  leaving  the  University,  Prof.  Townsend  went  to 
Lancaster  to  read  law  under  Judge  John  B.  Livingston, 
and  during  the  period  he  was  thus  engaged,  he  also  gave 
private  instruction  to  the  present  Judge  Landis.  When 
examined  for  the  Bar  his  unusual  powers  were  again 
demonstrated,  for  he  was  given  the  highest  certificate 
ever  recorded  in  the  prothonotary's  office  there.  The 
examining  board  said  that  they  knew  of  no  adjective 
adequate  to  describe  his  degree  of  scholarship.  His  future 
as  a  lawyer  was  most  promising,  but  nevertheless  his  in- 
clinations were  toward  the  teacher's  profession,  and  when 
a  vacancy  occurred  in  the  Lancaster  high  school,  he  turned 
his  back  upon  the  law  and  began  his  long  career  as  a 
teacher  by  becoming  assistant  to  Dr.  J.  P.  McCaskey,  the 
principal.  He  taught  there  two  years,  and  then  received 
the  appointment  to  the  professorship  of  mathematics  in  the 
Mary  Sharp  College,  Winchester,  Tenn.  Later  he  removed 
to  Ghent  College,  in  Kentucky,  where  he  was  professor 
of  Latin  and  Greek,  and  thence  to  Vincennes,  Ind.,  where 
he  was  first  instructor  and  then  principal  of  the  high 
school.  Prof.  Townsend  was  in  reality  the  founder  of 
this  school,  beginning  in  1870,  with  an  attendance  of  thirty- 
five  pupils,  which  increased  rapidly  until  at  his  departure  in 
1882  there  were  200  students.  From  1872  until  he  left  Vin- 
cennes,  he  filled  the  office   of  city  superintendent. 

From  1882  until  his  death  Prof.  Townsend  was  located 
in  Reading,  and  during  those  twenty-one  years  he  exerted 
an  influence  far  reaching  in  its  effects  and  unusual  in  its 
scope.  Unlike  some  teachers,  he  made  "his  boys"  his 
friends,  mingling  with  them  on  the  best  of  terms  and 
always  encouraging  and  developing  them.  His  recitations, 
instead  of  being  dreaded,  were  looked  forward  to  with 
pleasure  and  his  pupils  took  the  greatest  pride  in  their 
work.  His  most  effective  work,  possibly,  was  in  the 
literary  department  of  education  in  the  Boys'  High  School, 
where  everything  was  in  his  personal  charge,  and  where 
his  success  with  timid  and  nervous  boys  was  specially 
noteworthy.  While  never  glossing  over  their  faults  or 
compromising  with  them,  he  nevertheless  made  kindness 
and  encouragement  his  chief  reliance,  and  the  essential 
manliness  and  strength  of  character  developed  in  the  boys 
under  him  proved  conclusively  the  wisdom  of  his  methods. 
During  his   career  in   Reading,   Prof.   Townsend   occupied 


successively   the   positions   of   assistant,    assistant   principal 
and  principal. 

A  man  of  Prof.  Townsend's  character  could  scarcely 
have  failed  his  country  in  her  hour  of  need  at  the  time 
of  the  Civil  war,  and  he  was  one  of  the  veterans  who 
survived  that  struggle.  He  had  enlisted  while  still  in 
college,  was  a  quartermaster  sergeant  in  Company  A, 
28th   Pa.  V.  I.,  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 

In  1868  Prof.  Townsend  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Matilda  Conroy,  a  successful  and  popular  teach- 
er, who  as  a  student  had  attained  a  high  degree  of  scholar- 
ship, and  was  salutatorian  of  her  class.  Their  happy 
wedded  life  was  blessed  with  eight  children,  four  of  whom 
only,  however,  survive  their  father.  TJiey  are :  Roberta 
Ella,  wife  of  Herbert  A.  Brown,  chief  train  dispatcher 
for  the  Texas  &  Pacific  railroad,  with  headquarters  at 
Marshall,  Texas;  Frank  A.,  employed  as  a  draughtsman  in 
the  office  of  the  water  superintendent,  Mr.  Neubling, 
No.  25  North  Eleventh  street,  Reading;  Sara  E.,  principal  of 
the  school  at  Tenth  and  Union  streets,  Reading;  and 
Thomas  W.,  baggage  master  for  the  Texas  and  Pacific  rail- 
road, at  Marshall,  Texas. 

The  last  months  of  Prof.  Townsend's  life  were  dark- 
ened by  illness  and  suffering,  and  for  much  of  the  time 
he  was  confined  to  his  bed.  His  trouble  was  caused  by 
an  accident  which  occurred  March  2,  1902.  A  great  lover 
of  nature,  it  was  his  custom  to  take  long  walks  into  the 
country  on  Saturdays  and  Sundays,  but  on  this  particular 
Sunday  it  was  too  cold  and  rainy  for  him  to  go  out  as 
usual,  so  he  spent  the  day  in-doors  reading  to  himself  and 
his  family.  In  the  evening  before  retiring,  he  started 
out  for  a  short  walk  down  Penn  street  to  Front  or  Second 
street  intending  to  ride  home.  Just  as  he  was  passing 
Lichty's  Music  Store  a  terrific  explosion  of  acetylene  gas 
occurred  which  blew  out  the  fronts  of  two  stores  and 
damaged  property  all  around.  Prof.  Townsend  was  hurled 
into  the  street,  landing  on  his  left  side,  and  was  made 
insensible  by  the  force  of  the  impact.  On  coming  to  him- 
self he  went  home  and  apparently  had  received  only  a 
few  cuts  on  the  head  and  face,  but.  before  long  the  full 
effect  of  the  shock  appeared  in  the  steady  decline  of  his 
health  from  that  time.  On  June  19,  1902,  was  the  gradua- 
tion of  the  last  one  of  his  children,  Thomas  W.,  from  the 
high  school,  and  on  that^  day  the  father  finally  went  to 
bed,  never  to  leave  it  again  until  his  death,  Oct.  4.  1902, 
when  his  sufferings  were  over.  He  left  the  record  of  a 
life  rich  in  usefulness  and  honor,  and  in  the  affectionate 
esteem  of  numbers  who  owed  to  his  wise  guidance  and 
counsel  much   of  their  happiness   and  success   iu  life. 

The  name  Townsend  is  very  old,  and  we  append  a 
brief  account  of  its  early  history,  as  given  by  Malcolm 
Townsend,  Esq.,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  foreign  freight 
agent  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad.  The  name  has  been 
spelled  in  at  least  fifty-seven  different  ways,  each  spelling 
found  in  print.  The  original  Townsend  in  England  came 
from  Normandy  with  William  the  Conqueror  in  1066, 
and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Hastings.  For  his  services 
to  William  the  Norman,  he  received  a  grant  of  land  in 
Norfolk  and  named  it  Raynham,.  "Rayn"  means  river, 
and  "ham"  (hame)  means  home,  and  thus  Ravnham 
means  river  home.  This  grant  of  land  from  William  the 
Conqueror  still  remains  in  the  possession  of  the  Town- 
sends.  Very  few  of  the  English  nobility  are  now  seated 
on  the  original  grant  of  land  made  to  them,  but  the  Town- 
sends  have  retained  their  possessions  for  over  800  years, 
and  through  all  the  revolutions  and  wars  in  which  Eng- 
land was  engaged  during  that  period.  The  name  then 
was  Norman ;  and,  while  meaning  the  same  as  Townsend, 
It  was  spelled  de  Hauteville— "de"  means  "at,"  "Haute," 
"head"  or  "end;"  and  "ville,"  town;  de  Hauteville  i'n 
Norman,  means  at  Town's-end  in  English.  Seventeen  of 
the  fifty-seven  spellings  begin  with  the  preposition  "at,"  as 
atte  Town-end."  In  French  the  name  is  spelled  de 
Bouteville:  "de"  means  "at,"  "Boute"  means  "end"  and 
ville,  of  the  town"  [at  the  town's  end].  In  Latin 
the  name  becomes  Ad  Exitum  Villae,  "Ad"  meant  "af' 
"Exitum,"  "end;"  "Villae,"  "town."  These  different  names 
and    spellings   become   very   important   should    any    future 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


453 


Townsend  choose  to  continue  archaeological  researches  in 
this  direction.  Townsend  is  the  proper  modern  spelling 
both  in  England  and  in  this  country.  That  the  name  is 
uniformly  spelled  Townsend  is  a  matter  of  congratulation 
and  prevents  many  inconveniences.  For  the  spelling 
Townshend,  there  is  high  authority.  Edmund  Burke,  the 
great  English  statesman,  says,  "It  seems  not  improbable 
that  Townsend  is  the  more  correct,  'hend'  being  derived 
from  'henden'  [Saxon]  or  Latin  'hendere,'  to  take  or 
hold." 

On  the  monument  to  commemorate  the  battle  at  Sara- 
toga, N.  Y.,  Oct.  17,  1777,  is  a  bronze  relief  of  "The  King 
and  his  Ministers."  In  this  picture  beginning  on  the  left 
are  William  Ktt,  Lord  Charles  Townsend,  Earl  of  Bute, 
Lord  North,  Archbishop  Markham,  and  King  George  III. 
Lord  Charles  Townsend,  prime  minister,  with  outstretched 
hand  is  advising  King  George  III.  to  some  course  of 
action.  "The  present  Marquis  of  Townsend,  whose  father 
was  Lord  Chancellor  to  Queen  Victoria,  and  whose  pic- 
ture is  in  the  group,  'Victoria  and  her  Court,'  married 
a  sister  of  the  Duke  of  Fife,  whose  son,  owing  to  his 
marriage  with  a  daughter  of  the  Prince  of  Wales,  may 
some  day  reign  in  England."  Should  this  Townsend 
ascend  the  English  throne  and  become  King  of  England 
and  Emperor  of  India,  then  the  English  Sovereign, 
through  his  great-grandmother,  Queen  Victoria,  and  by 
thirty-five  different  lines  of  descent,  could  trace  his  re- 
lationship to  Egbert,  the  first  English  King  who  held 
a  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  at  York  in  826. 

Many  other  interesting  references  have  been  found 
concerning  the  three  brothers  who  settled  at  New  York 
City  and  became  very  wealthy.  Richard  and  William 
Townsend  sailed  in  the  ship  "Welcome"  with  their  worthy 
friend,  William  Penn,  arriving  at  Newcastle,  Delaware, 
in  1682.  William  Townsend  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  in 
1712,  settling  near  West  Chester,  Pa.,  in  1725.  From  these 
the  Townsends  of  Chester  and  of  Lancaster  counties  are 
descended. 

DR.  ELIAS  CAREY  KITCHIN,  of  Amity  township,  one 
of  the  most  distinguished  and  best  known  citizens  of 
Berks  county,  was  born  in  Solebury,  Bucks  Co.,  Pa.,  Nov. 
27,  1827,  son  of  WiUiam  and  EUenor  (Carey)  Kitchin, 
and  grandson  of  William  Kitchin,  and  died  at  his  home 
in   Brumfieldsville,   March  13,   1909. 

William  Kitchin,  the  grandfather,. was  a  farmer  in  Bucks 
county.  He  was  a  man  of  much  learning,  devoted  to 
scientific  pursuits,  and  he  was  prominent  among  the  old 
orthodox  Quakers.  His  wife  was  Ann  Paxson,  a  member 
of  an  old  Quaker  family. 

William  Kitchin,  the  Doctor's  father,  was  born  in  Sole- 
bury  township,  Bucks  county,  Feb.  12,  1789,  and  died 
Oct.  16,  1873;  he  was  buried  at  Solebury  Quaker  meeting- 
house.i  Like  his  father  he  was  a  strict  orthodox  Quaker. 
For  seventeen  years  he  was  president  of  the  Bucks  County 
Fire  Insurance  Company.  In  1812  he  married  Ellenor 
Carey  (1794-1877),  daughter  of  Elias  and  Hannah  Carey, 
and  eight  children  were  born  of  this  union:  Elia%  (died 
small),  John,  Ann,  Thomas,  William  (a  retired  merchant 
of  Bucks  county).  Dr.  Elias  C,  Paxson  (of  Northampton 
county)    and   Samuel   (deceased). 

Elias  C.  Kitchin  gave  evidence  of  an  unusually  brilliant 
mind  as  a  very  small  child,  being  able  to  read  before  he 
was  three  years  old.  His  father  was  superintendent  for 
the  contractor  making  the  Delaware  division  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania canal  that  was  finished  in  1830,  and  the  Doctor 
is  still  able  to  sing  songs  he  heard  the  workmen  sing 
there.  In  1833  he  was  sent  to  a  Quaker  school,  where  he 
spelled  in  a  class  with  girls  fifteen  and  sixteen  years 
old.  In  1844  he  went  to  work  on  the  Bucks  County  In- 
telligencer, published  at  Doylestown,  but  this  work  proved 
too  hard  for  him,  and  it  was  four  years  before  "he  re- 
covered his  health.  During  these  years  of  ill  health  he 
became  interested  in  medicine,  and  Dr.  Livezey,  a  graduate 
of  Princeton,  who  afterward  became  a  professor  in  the 
Female  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  took  him  in  charge, 
and  in  1850  he  graduated  in  medicine.  In  January,  1851, 
he  located  in  Berks  county,  and  entered  upon  the  practice 


of  his  profession  at  Yellow  House.  In  1857  he  erected 
there  his  late  home,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  places  in 
that  part  of  the  county.  Here  he  was  living,  caring  for 
a  large  number  of  patients,  being  friend  and  adviser  to 
almost  everybody  in  his  township,  active  in  public  affairs- 
altogether  a  very  busy  and  useful  man — when  the  Civil 
war  broke  out. 

Dr.  Kitchin  was  a  stanch  Protectionist,  and  when  he 
moved  to  Berks  county  he  was  warned  that  to  be  popular 
there  he  would  be  obliged  to  become  a  Democrat,  but  he 
was  true  to'  his  principles,  and  for  eighteen  months  he 
presided  over  the  Know-Nothing  Council,  during  his  ad- 
ministration greatly  changing  the  political  complexioii  of 
his  township  by  one  hundred  votes.  He  was  a  Republican 
from  the  organization  of  the  party,  and  was  one  of  a 
committee  of  twenty  for  the  first  Republican  convention 
at  Reading,  and  was  the  last  survivor  of  the  twenty  men 
who  signed.  Of  the  seventy-two  soldiers  furnished  by 
Amity  township  for  the  Civil  war,  sixty-five  were  Re- 
publicans. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  Dr.  Kitchin  did  not 
enlist,  thinking  it  his  duty  to  care  for  his  patients,  but 
when  he,  learned  the  Confederates  were  marching  into 
Pennsylvania  he  started  for  Harrisburg  with  his  rifle. 
There  he  chanced  to  meet  Surgeon-General  King  who 
made  him  assistant  surgeon,  and  he  was  assigned  to  the 
21st  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  remaining  with  that  regiment 
until  its  term  of  service  had  expired.  He  was  then  or- 
dered to  Reading  to  recruit,  and  after  much  difficulty 
succeeded  in  recruiting  Company  H,  21st  P.  V.  C.  They 
proceeded  to  Washington,  where  they  were  dismounted, 
and  they  saw  hard  service  as  infantry.  They  participated 
in  the  following  engagements :  Bethesda  Church  (when 
sixty  men,  killed  and  wounded,  were  lost  in  fifteen  min- 
utes), Petersburg,  Jerusalem  Plank  Road,  Peeble's  Farm. 
Stony  Creek,  Boydton  Plank  Road.  In  the  last  named 
battle  Assistant  Surgeon  Kitchin  so  distinguished  him- 
self for  his  active  service  in  caring  for  the  wounded  on 
the  firing  line,  being  the  only  surgeon  that  remained  with 
Surgeon  Le  Moyn,  that  he  was  recomm.ended  for  pro- 
motion, and  was  made  surgeon  of  the  155th  P.  V.  I.,  with 
which  regiment  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
taking  part  in  the  fights  at  Hatcher's  Run,  Five  Forks 
and  Appomattox.  At  Appomattox  he  dressed  the  wounds 
of  the  last  soldier  injured  in  Lee's  army,  and  gave  a  Con- 
federate who  made  himself  known  as  a  Mason  $50  to 
enable  him  to  get  home,  to  Shelbyville.  Dr.  Kitchin  was 
mustered  into  service  Feb.  21,  1864,  promoted  from  as- 
sistant surgeon  to  surgeon  Jan.  30,  1865,  and  was  mustered 
out  June  2,  1865.  He  proved  himself  an  able  and  fearless 
soldier,  cheerfully  and  effectively  doing  his  duty  in  what- 
ever capacity  he  was  ordered.  When  the  war  was  over  he 
returned  to  his  home  and  resumed  his  professional  work. 
In  1856  Dr.  Kitchin  married  Ellen  Filbert,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Charlotte  T^Kline)  Filbert,  the  former  for 
some  years  proprietor  of  "Yellow  House."  Mrs.  Kitchin 
died  Oct.  23,  1900,  aged  sixty-six  years,  ten  days.  Two 
children  were  born  of  this  union :  William  F.  and  Char- 
lotte. The  Doctor  was  prominent  socially,  belonging  to 
McLean  Post,  No.  16,  G.  A.  R.,  Reading;  to  the  F.  & 
A.  M. ;  to  Phoenixville  Commandery,  K.  T.,  of  which  he 
was  the  last  surviving  charter  member ;  to  the  Knights  of 
the  Red  Cross,  and  the  Knights  of  Malta. 

One  of  the  Doctor's  last  requests  was  that  the  address 
at  his  funeral  be  made  by  Judge  H.  Willis  Bland,  of 
Reading;  that  members  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  act  as  his 
pall  bearers,  and  that  comrades  of  the  G.  A.  R.  conduct 
the  services  at  the  grave.  This  was  done,  and  a  large 
number  of  friends  came  to  pay  their  last  respects  to  one 
whom  they  knew  so  well. 

DR.  EDWARD  BROBST,  of  West  Leesport,  died  Dec. 
31,  1907,  aged  seventy-four  years,  three  months  and  six- 
teen days.  He  was  one  of  the  best  known  physicians  in 
the  county,  and  one  of  the  last  of  that  noble  class  of 
men  known  as  "family  doctors" — a  firm  friend  and  coun- 
selor of  every  member  of  the  family,  sometimes  through 
two  or  three  generations,  in  health  as  well  as  in  sickness. 


454 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


He  was  born  at  Rehrersburg  Sept.  15,  1833,  son  of  Valen- 
tine and  Mary  (Miller)  Brobst,  and  a  descendant  of 
Philip  Brobst  and  wife  Cerine,  who  came  to  this  country 
from  Germany  or  Switzerland  in  search  of  home  and  for- 
tune. 

Philip  Brobst  and  his  wife  Cerine  made  their  home  in 
Albany  township,  Berks  county.  His  will,  made  in  1747, 
and  probated  March  21,  1760,  made  provision  for  his 
children  as  follows :  Michael,  one  hundred  acres  of  land 
and  a  good  grist  mill  belonging  thereto ;  Martin,  a  tract  of 
fifty  acres  and  a  good  new  grist  mill;  Valentine,  his  just 
portion  of  the  estate;  Eva  Catharine,  fifty  pounds  in 
money;  and  Dorothy  (wife  of  Johannes  Fetherolff),  fifty 
pounds  in  money. 

From  the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  XVII,  pp.  75- 
77-81,  is  learned  that  one  Hans  Michael  Brobst  (or 
Probst)  and  his  family  emigrated  from  Switzerland  or 
Germany  on  the  ship  "Samuel,"  which  qualified  at  Phila- 
delphia Aug.  17,  1733.  This  family  was  listed  as  follows : 
Michael  Bropts,  aged  fifty-four;  Johan  Michael,  aged 
twenty-one;  Barbara  Brospts,  aged  fifty-three;  and  Bar- 
bara Brospts,  aged  eight. 

In  1759,  in  Albany  township,  Michael  Brobst  was  tax 
collector,  and  on  the  list  of  taxes  paid  were :  Michael 
Brobst,  fourteen  pounds  (or  $37.24)  ;  Martin  Brobst,  four- 
teen pounds  (or  $37.24)  ;  and  Valentine  Brobst,  sixteen 
pounds  (or  $42.56).  These  amounts  were  reckoned  by 
allowing  $2.66  United  States  money  for  a  Pennsylvania 
pound. 

The  will  of  Martin  Brobst,  of  Albany  township,  was 
probated  June  9,  1766,  and  Anna  Elizabeth  Brobst  was 
named  as  executrix.  This  document  is  in  German  script, 
and  mentions  several  children. 

Valentine  Brobst,  mentioned  above  as  son  of  Philip 
and  Cerine,  emigrated  with  his  brothers  from  the  Old 
World.  He  lived  in  Reading  for  some  years,  and  tradi- 
tion says  for  a  time  in  Albany  township,  where  his  broth- 
ers, Michael  and  Martin,  were  also  large  land  owners,  as 
indicated  by '  the  amount  of  taxes  paid.  The  Christian 
name  of  Valentine's  wife  was  Catharine.  He  died  prior 
to  1775,  and  his  wife  in  1775.  The  executors  of  the  will 
of  Valentine  Brobst  were  Frederick  Hill,  a  brother-in- 
law,  and  Henry  Brobst,  a  brother's  son.  Among  the  items 
were :  "Cath.  Snyder,  my  aforesaid  wife's  sister's  daugh- 
ter, shall  have  fifty  pounds;  Jacob  Brobst  shall  have  the 
plantation  I  bought  from  Jacob  Gortner  (Jacob  was  a 
son  of  Michael,  the  latter  a  brother  of  Valentine)  ;  Catha- 
rine Stine  (daughter  of  Martin,  another  brother  of  Valen- 
tine) shall  have  fifty  pounds;  my  sister  Dorothy  married  to 
Johannes  Fetherolff  shall  have  fifty  pounds."  The  witnesses 
to  the  will  were:  Philip  Staumbog,  Georg  Kistler  and 
Matthias  Brobst.  The  will  of  Catharine,  widow  of  Valentine 
Brobst,  is  on  record  in  Will  Book  2,  p.  236. 

Christian  Brobst,  another  son  of  Valentine,  lived  at' 
Rehrersburg,  where  he  kept  a  tavern  known  to  this  day 
as  the  "Brobst  Hotel."  He  died  there  at  the  age  of  forty- 
one,  and  was  succeeded  in  business  by  his  son  Valentine, 
then  unmarried.  He  was  buried  in  the  old  Lutheran 
Church  yard  at  Rehrersburg.  His  wife,  whose  maiden 
name. was  Kreider,  bore  him  children  as  follows:  Valen- 
tine; Michael,  who  had  a  son  Henry  born  in  1821  (and 
his  son  Frank,  born  in  1847,  was  high  sheriff  of  Berks 
county  1899-1901);  Henry;  William;  and  a  daughter  who 
married  a  Kurr. 

Valentine  Brobst,  son  of  Christian,  was  born  in  Albany 
township,  and  after  acquiring  a  good  education  in  a  pri- 
vate school,  learned  the  hatter's  trade,  which  he  followed 
in  Rehrersburg.  At  his  father's  death  he  succeeded  to 
the  hotel,  as  stated  above.  His  death  occurred  in  the 
spring  of  1897,  when  he  was  in  his  eighty-ninth  year,  and 
he  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Rehrersburg.  He 
married  Mary  Miller,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
children  as  follows :  Dr.  Edward ;  John  A.,  a  physician  of 
Bernville ;  Sarah,  deceased,  who  married  John  Bossier, 
of  Myerstown  ;  INJary,  who  married  Frank  Buch,  of  Lititz; 
and  James  C,  a  physician  at  Lititz. 

Dr.  Edward  Brobst  received  his  literary  training  in  the 
day  schools,  which  he  attended  until  he  was  twelve  years 


of  age,  and  in  the  Academy  at  Orwigsburg,  Schuylkill 
county,  which  he  attended  for  four  years.  Determining 
to  enter  the  medical  profession  he  became  a  student  in 
the  office  of  Dr.  Adam  Schoener,  of  Rehrersburg,  long 
since  deceased,  and  under  that  sturdy  physician  of  the 
old  school  acquired  not  only  a  good  foundation  for  his 
medical  studies  but  also  a  conception  of  the  dignity  and 
obligations  of  the  profession  he  was  about  to  enter.  He 
was  graduated  from  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania  in  1853,  and  in  the  spring  of  1854, 
began  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  at  Danville, 
Luzerne  county.     There  he  remained,  however,  only_  until 

1865,  when  on  account  of  the  continued  urging  of  friends, 
he  settled  at  West  Leesport,  where  he  quickly  attained 
a  high  standing.  In  his  younger  days,  many  of  his_  visits 
were  made  on  horseback.  The  roads  were  never  in  too 
bad  a  condition,  nor  the  weather  too  severe,  for  him  to 
venture  out  to  relieve  suffering  or  distress,  and  the  de- 
mands made  upon  his  time  and  strength  would  have  long 
before  worn  out  a  less  robust  man.  He  was  always 
keenly  alive  to  the  advance  of  medical  science,  and  spent 
much  time  in  study,  and  his  reputation  spread  throughout 
the  neighboring  counties,  he  being  often  called  in  consulta- 
tion to  distant  places.  His  regular  practice  covered  ter- 
ritory within  a  radius  of  seven  miles  from  West  Lees- 
port. In  1863  he  enlisted  as  surgeon  in  the  United  States 
Army,  but  contracted  typhoid  fever  while  at  Hagerstown, 
Md.,  and  was  given  sick  leave.  In  December,  1864,  he  re- 
enlisted  as  surgeon,  being  assigned  to  the  143d  Pa.  V.  I., 
under  Colonel  Dana,  and  continued  in  service  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  miustered  out  at  Hart  Is- 
land, in  June,  1865.  He  was  pension  examiner  during  the 
administration   of   President  Harrison. 

In  spite  of  the  cares  of  his  large  practice  Dr.  Brobst 
did  not  neglect  his  duty  as  a  citizen.  He  was  greatly 
interested  in  all  public  questions,  especially  those  pertain- 
ing to  his  home  town  and  county.  He  was  in  favor  of 
the  incorporation  of  West  Leesport.  For  some  years  he 
served  in  the  office  of  auditor.     His   home  was   built  in 

1866,  and  from  that  time  until  his  death  he  delighted  in 
welcoming  his  friends  there.  He  was  a  tall,  well-built 
man  with  a  kindly  benevolent  face,  ever  winning  affection 
from  the  many  with  whom  he  was  brought  into  such 
close  contact.  On  Saturday,  Dec.  21st,  he  was  stricken 
with  apoplexy,  and  while  his  great  vitality  enabled  him  to 
rally  from  the  first  shock,  others  followed,  and  his  spirit 
winged  its  flight  but  a  few  hours  before  the  passing  of  the 
old  year.  He  was  buried  at  Trinity  Union  Church.  Like 
all  the  Brobsts,  as  well  as  the  members  of  his  own  im- 
mediate family,  he  was  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith. 

Dr.  Brobst  was  twice  married.  In  1854,  he  married 
Louisa,  daughter  of  George  Zacharias,  of  Bern  township, 
who  bore  him  two  children :  Henrietta,  wife  of  George 
Filbert;  and  John,  who  died  aged  one  year.  In  1866 
he  married  Sarah  Groff,  daughter  of  Samuel  Groff,  of 
Groffdale,  Lancaster  county.  To  this  union  came  one 
daughter,  Carrie,  now  the  wife  of  Henry  G.  Lenhart, 
membei*  of  the  firm  of  S.  H.  Lenhart  &  Sons,  merchants, 
of  West  Leesport.  Dr.  Brobst  was  a  life  long  member 
of  Leesport  Lodge,  No.  141,  I.  O.  O.  F. ;  Huguenot  Lodge, 
No.  377,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Kutztown.  He  also  was  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Berks  county  Medical  Society  from 
the  date  of  its  organization. 

Dr.  Francis  H.  Brobst,  of  Reading,  is  a  son  of  Will- 
oughby  and  a  grandson  of  Daniel  Brobst.  Daniel  Brobst 
was  a  grandson  of  Michael  or  Martin  Brobst,  of  Albany 
township. 

"Brobst  Heirs  Association"  is  the  name  of  an  organiza- 
tion founded  by  the  descendants  of  the  original  settlers 
for  mutual  aid  in  securing  possession  of  certain  coal 
lands  originally  belonging  to  the  family.  At  the  meeting  of 
the  board  of  directors  Dec.  18,  1907,  held  at  the  home  of 
the  Treasurer,  Charles  H.  Brobst,  No.  1128  Franklin  street, 
Reading,  Rev.  Howard  B.  Jones  presiding,  steps  were 
taken  to  have  the  case  reopened.  Among  those  present 
were:  Dr.  James  C.  Brobst,  Lititz;  Dr.  John  A.  Brobst, 
Bernville;  Henry  Stump,  Friedensburg;  John  K.  Stump, 
Kutztown;    Harry   A.    Brobst,   Reading;    and    Charles    H. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


455 


Brobst,  Reading.     Mrs.  Elmira  A.  Phillips,  of   Pottsville, 
a  member  of  the  Board,  was  unable  to  be  there. 

ANDREW  JACKSON  FINK,  president  of  the  firm  of 
George  W.  Beard  &  Co.,  Inc., ,  contractors  and  builders, 
Colonial  Trust  building,  and  one  of  the  most  prominent 
young  business  men  of  Reading,  was  born  in  that  city 
in  1873,  son  of  Andrew  Jackson  and  Catherine  (Helder) 
Fink. 

Andrew  Jackson  Fink,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Reading  July 
6,  1840,  son  of  Benjamin  Franklin  Fink,  a  well-known 
carpenter  in  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  and  later  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade  under  the  careful  guidance  of  his  father. 
He  took  a  keen  interest  in  public  affairs,  and  in  1879 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  school  board,  serving  several 
terms.  He  was  next  elected  superintendent  of  repairs, 
an  office  he  held  about  three  years,  and  then  engaged  in  a 
general  contracting  and  building  business,  erecting  many 
houses  in  the  city,  especially  in  the  northwestern  part. 
In  political  sentiment  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  was  a 
familiar  figure  at  ward  meetings  and  conventions.  He 
was  a  good  logical  speaker,  his  keen  wit  scoring  many  a 
point  against  his  opponents.  With  the  exception  of  the 
offices  previously  mentioned,  he  held  no  political  position. 
He  was  a  charter  member  and  first  president  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill Fire  Company,  and  member  of  the  Eighth  Ward 
Democratic  Club.  His  church  membership  was  with  St. 
James  Lutheran  '  Church.  He  married  Catherine  Helder, 
who  preceded  him  in  death  some  years.  Of  the  children, 
the  following  survived  the  parents :  Clara  (m.  to  Samuel 
Jacobs)  ;  Kate  (m.  to  James  Gilbert)  ;  Ella  (m.  to  James 
Grist) ;  Florence  and  Annie  (unmarried) ;  and  Andrew 
Jackson.  Mr.  Fink  was  survived  by  his  brother,  John, 
of  Reading;  and  his  sister,  Rebecca,  wife  of  James  Kerst. 

Andrew  J.  Fink,  son  of  Andrew  Jackson,  Sr.,  was  born 
in  1872,  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  and 
then  began  the  study  of  architecture  with  A.  F.  Smith, 
with  whom  he  remained  two  years.  He  then  became 
connected  with  Cofrode  &  Saylor,  remaining  one  year,  and 
next  spent  two  years  at  civil  engineering  with  the  Reading 
Railroad  Company,  and  for  three  years  was  with  L.  H. 
Focht,  builder.  In  1892,  with  George  W.  Beard,  the 
present  firm  was  formed  by  Mr.  Fink,  who  became  presi- 
dent after  the  latter's  retirement.  The  firm  has  done 
over  $2,000,000  worth  of  business,  being  the  leading  con- 
tractors and  Ijuilders  in  eastern  Pennsylvania.  They  main- 
tain suitable  offices  in  the  Colonial  Trust  Building,  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  and  a  branch  office'  at  Easton,  Pa.,  and  employ 
on  an  average  from  300  to  400  men.  They  have  done 
building  at  Wilkes-Barre,  Easton,  Harrisburg  and  Hazleton, 
although  their  business  comes  principally  from  Reading. 
Following  is  a  list,  with  the  value,  of  some  of  the  build- 
ings constructed  by  this  company:  Girls'  high  school, 
Reading,  $125,000;  First  National  Bank,  Easton,  $125,000; 
Dairy  Building,  State  College,  $90,000;  Montello  Brick 
Company,  works  at  Perkiomen,  $110,000,  and  at  Wyomis- 
sing,  $80,000;  P.  &  R.  Round  House,  Rutherford,  $50,000, 
and  Power  House,  Ash  Conveyor,  etc.,  Reading,  $136,000; 
St.  Stephen's  Church,  Reading,  $30,000;  Second  Reformed, 
Reading,  $27,000;  Grace  United,  Reading,  $32,000;  St. 
Mark's,  Reading,  $42,000,  and  at  Lebanon,  $32,000 ;  Masonic 
Temple,  Reading,  $60,000;  Acme  Bicycle  Works,  $52,000; 
J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros.,  factory,  $30,000;  Hendel  Hat  Com- 
pany, Reading,  $29,000,  and  factory,  $22,000;  C.  W.  Hen- 
del  factory,  Reading,  $15,000;  St.  Thomas'  church,  finish- 
ing, $11,000;  Trinity  United  Evangelical  church,  Reading, 
$10,000;  Addition  to  Widows'  Home,  Reading,  $25,000; 
Coaling  Station,  Harrisburg,  for  Reading  Railway  Com- 
pany, $35,000;  Keystone  Cold  Storage,  Reading,  $40,000; 
Hershey  building,  large  store,  $32,000;  car  barn.  United 
Traction  Company,  Reading,  $40,000;  John  S.  Shade  & 
Sons,  Reading,  $15,000;  Woodward  street  Market  House, 
$14,000;  Gately  &  Britton,  $18,000;  Wertz  &  Co.,  ware- 
house, $12,000;  Reading  Car  Wheel  Company,  foundry 
and  other  buildings,  $15,500;  Bright  &  Co.,  warehouse, 
$16,800;  Pennsylvania  Knitting  Mills,  $14,000;  Auditorium, 
$25,000 ;  school  at  Moss  and  Elm  streets,  $25,000 ;   Miller 


&  Sons  warehouse,  $24,500;  Reading  Railway  for  coalmg 
station,  $26,000;  Nolde  &  Horst  stocking  factory,  $24^ 
600;  Curtis  &  Jones  shoe  factory,  $47,000;  J.  G.  Leinbach 
pants  factory,  $22,000;  freight  station  for  Readmg  rail- 
road at  Lansdale,  $12,000;  alterations  to  County  court 
house,  Reading,  $31,000;  C.  W.  Hendel  residence,  $36,- 
000;  for  J.  W.  Kutz,  $25,000;  for  Frank  W.  Hanold,  $30,- 
000;  for  Howard  L.  Boas,  $31,000;  Prospect  Dye  Works, 
$15,000 ;  J.  G.  Hansen  cigar  factory,  $12,000 ;  addition  for 
George  F.  Baer,  $10,000;  Nurses  Home,  Reading  Hospital, 
$12,000;  store  buildings  for  James  Nolan,  $11,000;  for  Mrs. 
Bishop,  $10,000;  Hope  Lutheran  Church,  $35,000;  Rajah 
Temple,  $28,000;  George  W.  Biehl's  apartment  house,  $10,- 
000;  City  Pumping  Station,  $30,000;  Boys'  high  school, 
Reading,  $250,000;  and  many  small  buildings  which  cost 
less  than  $10,000  each,  and  are  too  numerous  to  mention. 
Mr.  Fink  was  married  to  Laura  G.  Goodenough,  and 
to  this  union  were  born  :  Dorothy  and  Donald.  In  religious 
belief  the  familv  were  Lutherans,  and  members  of  St. 
Luke's  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Pink  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  has  served  on  the  school  board  two  terms, 
and  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  public  works,  of  which 
latter  he  is  now  president.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No. 
62,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Reading  Chapter;  DeMolay  Commandery 
No.  9,  K.  T.;  Allen  Council,  No.  23;  Harrisburg  Con- 
sistory, 32°,  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  He 
also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Malta,  Reading  Lodge  of 
Elks,  Wyomissing  Club,  the  I.  O.  U.  A.,  the  Union 
Fire  Company,  No.  13,  and  the  Reading  Board  of  Trade. 
Mr.  Fink  has  always  taken  deep  interest  in  all  the  affairs 
of  the  city,  and  has  devoted  a  great  deal  of  time  in  the  in- 
terest of  progressive  movements. 

GEORGE  D.  HUMBERT,  who  stands  in  the  front  raiik 
of  attorneys  at  the  Berks  county  Bar,  has  resided  in 
Reading  since  1897.  He  hails  from  Kutztown,  where  he 
was  born  Aug.  21,  1871,  son  of  John  Humbert,  and  grand- 
son of   George  Humbert,   of  Kutztown. 

George  Humbert,  the  grandfather,  was  a  farmer  for 
some  years,  and  later  engaged  in  carpentering  at  Kutztown, 
winning  considerable  fame  as  a  builder  of  fine  barns.  He 
was  the  owner  of  considerable  real  estate,  all  of  which  he 
acquired  by  his  own  efforts.  He  married  Susanna  Biehl, 
of  Richmond  township,  and  they  had  three  children :  Jacob, 
a  school  teacher  who  died  in  young  manhood ;  Edwin,  who 
died  at  his  home  in  Kutztown  about  1900;   and  John. 

John  Humbert,  son  of  George,  was  born  in  Kutztown  in 
1833,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Maxatawny  township. 
An  a  young  man  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  but 
later  began  teaching  in  the  public  schools,  and  after  some 
years  of  experience  there  became  an  instructor  in  the 
Maxatawny  Academy.  His  next  work  was  as  a  teacher  in 
Prof.  H.  R.  Nicks's  Academy,  which  later  developed  into 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School.  For  many  years  he  was 
trustee  of  this  school,  and  was  most  active  in  the  best 
interest  of  the  institution,  having  superintended  the  erec- 
tion of  a  number  of  its  large  buildings.  He  successfully 
conducted  a  shoe  store  in  Kutztown  for  eighteen  years, 
and  in  1878  sold  out  to  William  Sheradin.  He  then  de- 
voted himself  to  surveying  and  to  his  work  as  justice  of  the 
peace,  which  office  he  held  for  twenty-five  years.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  For  a  number  of  years  he 
was  an  official  in  Trinity  Lutheran  Church.  He  was  a 
charter  member  and  master  of  Huguenot  Lodge,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  of  Kutztown.  His  death  occurred  May  16,  1896,  in  his 
sixty-fourth  year. 

John  Humbert  married  Elizabeth  Wanner,  who  was  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  Wanner,  of  Kutztown.  The  Wanners 
were  an  old  and  honored  family  of  Maxatawny  township. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Humbert  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
two  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  surviving  children  are: 
Lizzie  E.  (m.  U.  J.  Miller,  a  traveling  salesman  at  Kutz- 
town) ;  Maggie  (m.  Allen  S.  Christ,  a  stationer  of  Kutz- 
town) ;  and  George  D. 

George  D.  Humbert  received  excellent  education  ad- 
vantages, passing  from  the  public  schools  of  Kutztown  to 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  and  graduating  from 
the  latter  institution  in  1889,  after  which  he  took  a  post- 


456 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


graduate  course  for  one  year.  He  then  taught 
school,  teaching  for  one  year  in  the  grammar  school  of 
KutztQwn,  then  one  year  at  the  high  school,  and  for 
four  years  was  principal  of  the  schools  of  Bath,  North- 
ampton county,  Pa.  While  at  the  latter  place  he  intro- 
duced the  course  of  study  and  system  of  grading  yet 
used  there  with  great  success. 

In  1895  Mr.  Humbert  became  a  law  student  in  the  office 
of  George  W.  Wagner,  and  on  Nov.  14,  1898,  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  practice  at  the  Berks  county  Bar,  and  he  has 
since  been  admitted  to  the  Superior  and  Supreme  courts. 
He  has  built  up  an  enviable  practice  and  has  been  in- 
terested in  some  of  the  hard  fought  and  most  prominent 
criminal  and  civil  cases  in  the  last  decade.  Among  these 
cases  handled  by  him  in  a  manner  that  has  won  him  high 
repute  may  be  mentioned  the  Commonwealth  vs.  Antonio 
Taddei,  Sr.,  in  which  case  he  was  of  counsel  for  the  de- 
fense (the  defendant  was  charged  with  killing  three  men 
on  Penn  street,  on  the  night  of  July  3,  1901,  and 
was  acquitted)  ;  the  Commionwealth  vs.  Ernes,  charged  with 
murder  in  the  first  degree,  but  convicted  only  for  involun- 
tary manslaughter;  Weidenmyer  vs.  Jackson  Rope  Walk, 
the  plaintifif  receiving  a  verdict  of  $1,400  for  finger  torn 
out;  Commonwealth  vs.  Salvatore  Garreto,  who  was 
charged  with  killing  a  state  policeman ;  and  many  others. 
Mr.  Humbert's  well-appointed  officers  are  at  No.  40  Sixth 
street,  Reading.  In  1902-03  he  was  solicitor  for  the  County 
Alms  House,  and  he  has  since  been  a  popular  candidate  for 
district  attorney.  He  is  a  prominent  and  influential  Demo- 
crat, was  chairman  of  the  City  Executive  Committee,  (in 
1902),  and  also  a  member  of  the  County  Standing  Commit- 
tee of  the  Fifth  ward,  Reading.  In  the  midst  of  his  busy 
professional  life  he  has  still  found  time  to  take  an  interest 
in  the  cause  of  education,  and  for  a  time  was  an  instructor 
in  night  school.  In  1898  he  succeeded  his  father  as  a 
trustee  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  being  one  of 
two  trustees  from  Reading,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Finance  and  Accounts  committees. 

Mr.  Humbert  is  a  member  of  Huguenot  Lodge,  No. 
377,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Kutztown;  Reading  Chapter,  No. 
152,  R.  A.  M.;  De  Molay  Commandery,  No.  9,  K.  T. ; 
Philadelphia  Consistory;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N. 
■M.  S. ;  Washington  Camp,  No.  163,  P.  O.  S.  of  A. ;  Court 
Victory,  No.  123,  F.  of  A.;  and  Lodge  No.  115,  B.  P.  O. 
E..  of  Reading,  of  which  he  is  Past  Exalted  Ruler. 

On  Nov.  14,  1906,  Mr.  Humbert  married  Gussie  L.  Pen- 
nock,  of  Reading,  and  they  now  reside  at  No.  604  North 
Third  street,  Reading. 

JAMES  NOLAN,  president  of  the  Reading  Trust  Com- 
pany, and  for  many  years  engaged  as  a  railroad  con- 
tractor, was  born  Jan.  9,  1844,  in  the  town  of  Clonaslee, 
Queen's  County,  Ireland. 

James  Nolan,  his  father,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1798. 
He  married  Annie  Bennett,  of  the  same  country,  by  whom 
he  had  children  as  follows :  Mary  married  Dennis  Mc- 
Avoy;  Catharine  m.  William  Kearns;  Charles  m.  Kath- 
erine  Eisenbise ;  William  m.  Kate  McDonough ;  Thomas 
m.  Nellie  Jackson ;  James ;  Edward  m.  Mary  Leader. 
The  father,  in  1849,  determined  to  emigrate  to  America, 
and  he  and  his  two  daughters  proceeded  to  New  York 
to  make  arrangements  for  the  rest  of  the  family,  the 
mother  and  sons  joining  them  the  following  year.  He 
carried  on  the  business  of  stone-cutter  at  New  York  until 
1855,  and  then  moved  to  Wernersville,  Berks  county,  to 
engage  in  stone  bridge  work  on  the  Lebanon  Valley  rail- 
road. He  died  in  1857,  aged  fifty-nine  years ;  his  wife 
survived  him  forty-two  years,  dying  at  Reading  at  the 
remarkable  age  of  ninety-four  years. 

When  but  five  years  old  James  Nolan  emigrated  with 
his  mother  and  four  brothers  to  America,  landing  at 
New  York.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  city,  and  when  seventeen  years  of  age 
began  an  apprenticeship  as  a  stone-cutter  in  the  erection 
of  the  great  St.  Patrick  Cathedral,  on  Fifth  avenue  and 
Fifty-first  street.  After  he  had  been  so  employed  for 
two  years  the  building  operations  were  suspended  on  ac- 
count of  the  Civil  war.     He  then  turned  his  attention  to 


learning  the  trade  of  a  boiler-maker,  and  continued  at  it 
for  four  years,  after  which  he  entered  the  employ  of  his 
brothers,  Charles  and  William,  railroad  contractors.  After 
working  for  the  brothers  several  years,  until  1870,  and 
showing  great  aptitude  for  the  business,  he  was  admitted 
into  the  partnership,  and  under  the  firm  name  of  Nolan 
Brothers  they  did  business  for  thirty  years.  They  were 
prominently  identified  with  the  construction  work  of  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad  and  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
railroad  on  all  their  branches,  and,  in  carrying  out  their 
contracts,  established  a  very  high  reputation,  being  rec- 
ognized in  railroad  and  financial  circles  as  one  of  the 
most  successful  firms  of  Reading  and  the  country.  Though 
not  inclined  to  engage  in  municipal  contract  work,  they 
constructed  at  Reading  the  Hampden  reservoir  and  several 
squares  of  the  Buttonwood  street  sewer,  west  from  the 
railroad,  which  was  the  beginning  of  the  extensive  storm 
water  sewer  system  in  Reading. 

Mr.  Nolan  has  been  identified  with  the  financial  insti- 
tutions of  Reading  for  more  than  twenty  years.  He  is 
at  present  a  director  in  the  Farmers  National  Bank, 
Reading  Steam  Heat  and  Power  Company,  Reading  Brew- 
ing Company,  Reading  Stove  works,  and  is  president  of 
the  Reading  Trust  Company,  the  Reading  Electric  Light 
and  Power  Company,  the  Reading  Academy  of  Music 
Company  and  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  St.  Joseph's 
Hospital.  From  the  time  of  attaining  his  majority,  he 
has  been  an  active  adherent  and  supporter  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic party.  In  1903  he  was  given  the  nomination  of 
secretary  of  Internal  Affairs  by  the  Democratic  party  on 
the  ticket  with  Robert  E.  Pattison  for  governor  and  G. 
W.   Guthrie   for  lieutenant-governor. 

Mr.  Nolan  married  Kate  Stewart,  the  only  child  of 
Dr.  Lemuel  and  Angeline  (Smith)  Stewart,  and  they 
had  three  children :  James  Bennett,  who  graduated  from 
Cornell  University,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Berks  county 
Bar,  married  May  Smink,  a  daughter  of  Frank  C.  Smink, 
president  of  the  Reading  Iron  Works ;  Angela  married 
Thomas  Hall  Ingham,  of  Philadelphia;  Mary  is  not  mar- 
ried.    The   mother   of  these   children   died   in   1882. 

CHARLES  B.  SPATZ,  former  member  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Legislature  and  the  editor  and  publisher 
of  the  Berks  County  Democrat  and  Dcr  Boyertoivn  Bauer, 
was  born  in  Philadelphia  Nov.  25,  1865,  son  of  Charles  and 
Julia  (Busch)  Spatz.  The  Spatz  family  is  highly  con- 
nected in  Germany,  and  closely  related  to  the  Krupps 
of  the  famous  gun  manufactory. 

Charles  Spatz,  father  of  Charles  B.,  was  born  in  Elber- 
feld,  Germany.  He  learned  the  printer's  trade,  and  this 
he  followed  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  His  education  was 
broadened  by  travel,  and  he  became  an  excellent  linguist, 
speaking  fluently  German,  English,  French,  Russian, 
Polish, _  Hebrew  and  Italian.  He  was  married  and  had 
two  children  when  he  came  to  America,  bringing  his  little 
family  with  him.  He  found  employment  at  his  trade, 
and  in  1871  he  moved  to  Boyertown,  buying  the  Boycr- 
town  Democrat,  which  he  conducted  until  his  death  Aug.  7, 
1884.  He  was  an  active  Democrat  in  politics,  and  in  re- 
ligion was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church.  He  married 
Julia  Busch,  and  their  children  were:  Mrs.  William 
Grosscup,  of  Camden,  N.  J. ;  Mrs.  Gussie  Orr,  of  Camden, 
N.  J. ;  Charles  ,B. ;  and  Mrs.  Otto  Janssen,  of  Camden. 

Charles  B.  Spatz  was  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
Kallynean  Academy  and  Mt.  Pleasant  Seminary.  From 
boyhood  he  has  been  familiar  with  the  printer's  trade,  and 
he  was  but  nineteen  when  his  father  died  and  he  assumed 
the  management  of  the  estate.  Like  his  father  he  pub- 
lished the  paper  in  both  English  and  German,  but  later  he 
took  a  more  advanced  ground  and  published  two  papers, 
the  Democrat,  an  English  weekly,  and  the  Bauer,  a  German 
sheet.  Both  are  progressive,  newsy  papers,  and  are  very 
popular.  The  plant  is  equipped  with  a  linotvpe,  large 
presses  and  folding  machines,  besides  modern  job  presses. 
The  politics  of  both  papers  is  Democratic. 

Mr.  Spatz  has  alwavs  been  interested  in  politics  and  has 
been  several  times  a  delegate  to  State  and  National  Con- 
ventions.    He  served  two  terms  in  the   State  Legislature, 


j 


Oiyy]y\_L<). 


k.^c 


Ou]y\^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


457 


beginning  with  1896,  and  he  took  an  active  part  in  the 
legislation  at  that  time,  being  the  author  of  the  first  resolu- 
tion acknowledging  the  belligerent  rights  of  Cuba  passed 
by  any  Legislature;  and  he  was  also  responsible  for  legis- 
lation in  behalf  of  good  government.  He  is  at  present 
committeeman  from  his  district.  He  is  a  Past  Master  of 
Stichter  Lodge,  No.  254,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Pottstown;  and  is 
also  a  miem'ber  of  Pottstown  R.  A.  Chapter;  Nativity  Com- 
mandery  K.  T.,  No.  71 ;  Bloomsburg  Consistory,  32d  degree 
Masonry,  and  Rajah  Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

On  Jan.  17,  1889,  Mr.  Spatz  married  Anna  Muntz,  daugh- 
ter of  Andrew  Muntz,  of  Reading.  They  have  five  child- 
ren: Flora,  Carl,  Ruth,  Frederick  and  Anna. 

COL.  WILLIAM  HEINS,  who  died  April  27,  1899,  at 
his  home  at  Eshbach,  after  an  illness  of  some  six  months, 
was  one  of  the  best  known  men  of  his  community,  and 
for  years  had  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  commercial  and 
municipal  life  of  the  town. 

The  Heins  family  was  one  of  the  best  known  in  Phila- 
delphia county.  Pa.,  its  early  home  being  at  Germantown. 
Various  members  of  the  family  were  active  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. The  grandfather  of  Col.  William  was  a  farmer  liv- 
ing near  the  village  of  Mt.  Airy,  now  a  part  of  German- 
town,  ard  he  became  one  of  the  wealthy  and  influential  men 
of  that  time  and  place.  His  children  were:  Peter;  Charles; 
Abraham;  Daniel;  Hettie,  m.  to  John  Siner;  Sally,  m.  to 
a  Beecher ;  Sarah,  deceased ;  and  a  daughter  m.  to  Jacob 
Bechtel.    Thev  were  all  reared  in  the  Lutheran  faith. 

Daniel  Heins,  father  of  Col.  William,  was  born  in  Ger- 
mantown, in  1779,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm. 
Upon  reaching  manhood  he  engaged  in  the  hotel  business, 
becoming  proprietor  of  the  "Washington  House"  in  German- 
town,  one  of  the  most  popular  public  houses  there.  In  1824 
among  the  distinguished  guests  he  entertained  was  General 
LaFayette.  Later  in  life  he  had  charge  of  the  "Dove  Ho- 
tel" in  Mt.  Airy,  and  also  carried  on  farming.  In  his  re- 
ligious faith  he  was  loyal  to  the  teaching  of  his  parents, 
and  he  died  Feb.  23,  1842.  In  March,  1816,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Hearring,  who  died  May  25,  1833,  the  mother  of 
the  following  children:  John,  born  Feb.  10,  1817,  was  a 
farmer  owning  a  part  of  the  farm  where  the  Norristown 
(Pa.)  Asylum  now  stands;  Hannah,  born  Nov.  18,  1819, 
is  deceased;  Susan,  born  Feb.  2,  1821,  is  deceased;  Anna 
Margaret,  born  March  2,  1825,  is  deceased ;  Elizabeth,  born 
Jan.  20,  1827,  became  the  wife  of  John  Guisen,  of  Phila- 
delphia; Daniel,  born  Sept.  20,  1829,  lived  in  Montgomery 
county,  and  there  died  May  25,  1858;  and  William. 

Col.  William  Heins  was  born  in  Germantown  July  21, 
1823,  and  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  receiving  such 
education  as  the  common  schools  afforded.  His  first  ven- 
ture for  himself  was  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  in  Sassamans- 
ville,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  two  years. 
He  then  moved  to  New  Berlinville,  Berks  county,  where 
as  a  clerk  and  huckster  he  continued  for  but  one  year, 
then  removing  to  Limestone,  Douglass  township,  where  he 
was  employed  in  a  similar  line  by  Peter  K.  Ludwig. 
The  latter  then  sold  his  business  and  with  Col. 
Heins  went  to  Amity  township,  and  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  gunpowder  with  young  Heins  as 
teamster,  hauling  the  powder  from  that  point  to  Philadel- 
phia, Lancaster,  Carlisle  and  Chambersburg.  Col.  Heins 
continued  in  this  business  for  some  years  after  which  he 
went  to  Bechtelsville,  and  there  for  five  years  was  em- 
ployed at  huckstering  by  Isaac  Bechtel.  After  five  years 
in  this  business  on  his  own  account  he  bought  a  farm 
of  sixty-two  acres  at  Eshbach,  carrying  on  general  farm- 
ing. He  also  fitted  up  a  store  in  his  house,  and  did  a  large 
and  paying  business  among  his  neighbors.  In  December, 
1894,  his  son  Daniel  succeeded  to  the  business,  and  the 
Colonel  retired  to  spend  his  last  years  in  quiet. 

In  politics  Col.  Heins  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  took  an 
active  part  in  party  work.  In  1856  he  was  a  member  of 
the  State  Legislature,  and  was  a  member  of  the  committee 
on  Military  Affairs,  and  it  was  while  serving  as  a  member 
of  this  committee  that  he  acquired  his  title  of  Colonel.  He 
was  also  a  member  of  the  Banking  committee,  and  chair- 
man of  the  committee  on  Roads.    He  played  a  conspicuous 


part  in  passing  the  bill  to  charter  the  Reading  &  Lehigh 
Railroad,  running  from  Reading  to  Allentown,  and  now 
called  the  East  Pennsylvania  Railroad.  He  served  in  a 
number  of  local  offices,  was  committeeman  for  Washington 
township  for  many  years,  and  was  license  commissioner 
for  four  years.  During  the  Civil  war  he  filled  the  quota 
for  his  township.  Like  all  his  family  he  was  a  Lutheran 
in  religious  belief. 

On  Jan.  16,  1859,  Col.  William  Heins  married  Anna 
Deysher,  daughter  of  Peter  Deysher,  of  Eshbach.  She 
died  July  18,  1894.  The  children  born  to  this  union  were: 
Daniel,  who  succeeded  his  father  to  the  store;  Horace,  a 
baggage  master  on  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad; 
Amelia,  who  died  in  infancy;  Katie,  who  died  at  an  early 
age;  William,  employed  in  the  United  States  Mint-  in 
Philadelphia;  Mary;  James  and  Alvin,  both  deceased  in 
youth;  Emma,  wife  of  Daniel  Eshbach,  who  has  charge 
of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  freight  depot  at 
Lancaster,  Pa.;  and  Warren,  on  the  home  farm. 

Miss  Mary  Heins,  daughter  of  Col.  WilHam,  was 
educated  in  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  graduating 
in  the  class  of  1887.  For  fourteen  consecutive  terms 
she, taught  school  at  Barto,  and  two  terms  at  Heydt's  school, 
in  the  same  township.  After  her  father's  death  she  was 
obliged  to  give  up  teaching  to  devote  herself  to  the  man- 
agement of  her  property,  persorially  looking  after  her 
farm  of  fifty-six  acres.  She  also  owns  the  store  building 
at  Eshbach.  Miss  Heins  has  taken  an  active  part  in  Sun- 
day-school work.  She  is  a  great  reader,  and  is  a  thor- 
oughly educated  intelligent  woman,  highly  respected 
throughout  her  district. 

OBADIAH  B.  DORWARD,  controller  of  the  city  of 
Reading,  was  born  at  Hamburg,  Nov.  26,  1855,  and  is  a 
member  of  a  family  for  several  generations  conspicuous 
for  good  and  useful  citizenship. 

Daniel  Dorward,  grandfather  of  Obadiah  B.,  was  born 
in  Greenwich  township,  Jan.  1,  1779.  He  lived  below 
Krumsville  on  a  small  farm,  which  he  cultivated.  His 
earlier  life  was  spent  as  a  shoemaker.  He  died  at  his 
home  March  25,  1858,  and  is  buried  at  Grimville  church. 
His  wife,  Maria  Christina  Arnold,  born  Sept.  26,  1780,  died 
March  13,  1858.  Their  children  were:  Ephraim,  Joseph, 
Anna,  Eliza,  Charles  and  Daniel.  In  1801  when  the  father, 
Daniel  Dorward,  became  the  owner  of  the  farm  on  which 
he  died,  he  purchased  it  from  one  Conrad  Haffner. 

Ephraim  Dorward,  father  of  Obadiah  B.,  was  born  in 
Greenwich  township  in  1817,  and  was  a  stone  mason  and 
plasterer,  also  working  at  the  brick  layer's  trade,  and 
as  a  butcher  and  tanner,  and  it  said  he  was  skilled  in 
every  trade  he  worked  at.  He  died  of  smallpox  June  29, 
1872,  and  was  buried  at  Tamaqua.  His  wife,  Martha  Bach- 
man,  was  born  in  Lynn  township,  Lehigh  county,  in  1827, 
and  she  died  at  Hamburg  in  1869.  Their  children  were: 
Manasses,  who  died  of  lock-jaw  in  his  young  manhood; 
Frank,  of  Norristown,  who  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Rebellion  in  which  he  participated  in  thirty-two  engage- 
ments, and  was  wounded  nine  times ;  Mahala,  who  married 
George  Miller;  Henry,  a  soldier  in  the  Rebellion,  who  was 
killed  in  front  of  Petersburg  when  but  sixteen  vears  of 
age;  Cyrus,  of  Pottsville;  Albert,  who  died  at  Roanoke, 
Va.,  in  1893,  and  is  buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery, 
Reading;  Obadiah  B. ;  John  A.,  of  Reading,  manager  of 
Lee's  London  show,  and  one  of  the  best  animal  trainers  in 
the  country ;  and  Elizabeth. 

Obadiah  B.  Dorward  passed  his  boyhood  days  in  Ham- 
burg, and  there  in  the  public  schools  obtained  his  early 
education.  He  was  but  fourteen  when  he  left  Hamburg 
and  came  to  Reading,  where  he  lived  with  his  sister,  Mrs. 
George  Miller.  In  1870  he  returned  to  Hamburg,  and 
began  to  learn  the  brick  laying  trade  under  his  father.  In 
the  spring  of  1871  the  family  moved  to  Mahanoy  City, 
where .  the  father  engaged  as  a  contractor,  our  subject 
working  as  an  apprentice.  On  June  14,  1872,  they  moved 
to  Tamaqua,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  16th,  the  father 
was  taken  with  smallpox,  and  in  a  house  not  yet  fixed  up, 
the  son  cared  for  him  for  thirteen  days,  the  father  dying 
June  29,  1872.     Young  Obadiah  B.  with  three  men  buried 


458 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


him  in  the  cemetery  at  Tamaqua.  The  young  man  had 
great  trouble  in  getting  back  in  the  "American  House," 
where  his  father  was  taken  ill,  but  this  was  finally  accom- 
plished, and  he  remained  there  until  August,  when  he 
came  to  Reading  and  finished  his  trade.  In  1880  he  went 
to  Hamburg,  where  he  had  charge  of  the  building  of  the 
furnaces  at  the  Hamburg  Rolling  Mills,  and  he  continued 
there  in  charge  of  the  mills  four  years. 

Mr.  Dorward  is  an  active  Republican,  and^  has  taken 
an  interest  in  politics  ever  since  he  attained  his  majority. 
His  first  presidential  vote  was  cast  for  Rutherford  B. 
Hayes.  In  1907  he  became  a  candidate  for  city  controller, 
and  in  February,  1908,  was  elected  by  a  flattering  majority 
over  his  competitor.  He  took  the  oath  of  office  on  April 
13th,  and  then  announced  the  appointment  of  his  deputy, 
William  W.  Britten,  of  the  Thirteenth  ward  (whose  house 
numbers  also  count  thirteen).  Mr.  Dorward  is  a  controller 
who  believes  in  the  application  of  honest  business  methods 
to  the  conduct  of  his  office  and  he  has  the  confidence  of 
the  citizens. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Dorward  is  a  member  of  the  Brick- 
layers' Union,  which  he  joined  in  1883,  and  of  which  he 
was  president  until  1907,  when  having  been  elected  to  his 
present  office  he  resigned.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Arbi- 
tration committee  for  years,  and  vice-president  of  the 
State  Conference  from  1904  to  1906,  rendering  this  body 
most  valuable  services.  In  1885  he  became  a  member  of 
Fidelia  Chamber,  No.  5,  O.  K.  of  F.,  and  in  1887  he  joined 
the  Consultory  of  the  Order,  and  has  ever  since  taken 
an  active  part  in  it.  He  is  a  past  'grand  officer  of  both 
bodies,  and  when  he  passed  through  the  Grand  Chamber 
he  received  an  honor  higher  than  that  previously  bestowed 
on  any  officer  in  that  body,  being  presented  with  a  jewel 
that  is  the  only  one  of  the  kind  in  existence.  Mr.  Dorward 
and  his  family  are  members  of  St.  Stephen's  Reformed 
Church,  Reading. 

In  1880  Mr.  Dorward  married  Alice  Kline,  eldest  daugh- 
ter of  Alexander  and  Mary  Ann  (Goodman)  Kline,  of 
Hamburg.  They  have  no  children  of  their  own,  but 
adopted  a  younger  sister  of  Mrs.  Dorward,  Mame  Kline, 
who  is  now  Mrs.  William  G.  Batzel,  of  Reading,  and  the 
mother  of  one  son,  Carrol. 

JAMES  H.  WAGNER,  proprietor  of  the  Crown  Knit- 
ting Mills,  at  Mohrsville,  Berks  county,  was  born  March 
IC,  1861,  in  Centre  township,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
fourth  generation  of  his  family  in  this  country. 

John  Wagner,  his  great-grandfather,  was  a  native  of 
Germany,  and  came  to  America  with  his  wife  when  a  young 
man,  settling  in  Berks  county.  Pa.,  at  what  is  now  Bern 
Station.  He  engaged  in  butchering,  in  which  business  he 
was  very  successful.  He  died  at  that  place,  and  is  buried 
at  St.  Michael's  church. 

John  Wagner,  the  grandfather  of  James  H.  Wagner, 
was  born  Feb.  8,  1801,  in  Upper  Bern  township,  Berks 
county,  but  moved  to  Lebanon  county  where  he  died,  and 
is  buried  at  Newmanstown.  He  was  a  butcher  and  fol- 
lowed that  business  in  Lebanon  county.  On  Feb.  10,  1821, 
he  married  Maria  Schilling,  daughter  of  John  Schilling, 
and  they  had  the  following  children:  Jesse,  deceased  at 
Hamburg,  Pa.,  whose  children  are  Frank,  Jacob,  Dr.  John, 
Elias,  Catherine  and  Mary  (Mrs.  Tobias)  ;  Valentine, 
who  died  in  Lebanon ;  John  S. ;  and  two  daughters  and  one 
son  who  died  young. 

John  S.  Wagner  was  born  Sept.  24,  1826,  in  Heidelberg 
township,  Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.,  and  lived  in  that  county  until 
twelve  years  old,  when  he  came  to  Centre  township,  Berks 
county.  He  did  farm  work,  and  when  twenty-two  years 
old  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  near  Leesport 
When  he  gave  up  farming  he  went  to  work  for  the  Phil- 
adelphia &  Reading  Railroad  Company,  and  he  was  later 
in  the  employ  of  an  iron  company  until  his  retirement,  in 
1902.  Mr.  Wagner  is  now  living  at  Mohrsville,  in  ex- 
cellent health,  and  if  necessary  he  can  still  do  a  good 
day's  work,  but  he  is  enjoying  the  results  of  his  former 
industry.  On  Sept.  28,  1850,  Mr.  Wagner  married  Mary 
Haag,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Juliana  (Hafer)  Plaag,  and 
eight  children  were  born  to  them,  namely :   Isabella,  wife 


of  Eli  T.  Schlappich,  assistant  freight  agent  at  Mohrs- 
ville for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company,  has  two 
children,  Mary  and  Benjamin;  Eli  H.  died  aged  twenty- 
seven  years ;  John  H.  is  living  at  Odebolt,  Iowa ;  Frank  is 
a  resident  of  Philadelphia;  James  H.  is  mentioned  farther 
on;  Jacob  H.  lives  in  Reading;  Mary  died  unmarried;  Ben- 
jamin died  young.  The  mother  of  this  family  died  April 
26,  1883,  aged  fifty-four  years,  one  month,  sixteen  days. 
Mr.  Wagner's  second  marriage  was  to  Fiaetta  Snyder, 
daughter  of  John  Snyder.  No  children  have  been  born  to 
this  union. 

James  H.  Wagner  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  and  when  his  school  days  were  over  learned  the 
tailor's  trade  at  Leesport,  following  that  line  of  work 
for  about  eleven  years.  He  then  became  a  general  mer- 
chant, at  Mohrsville,  continuing  in  that  business  for  five 
years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  creamery  business, 
also  for  a  period  of  five  years.  In  1892  he  entered  the 
line  in  which  he  has  since  engaged,  at  Mohrsville.  He 
began  the  knitting  business  with  but  three  machines,  con- 
ducting what  was  then  known  as  the  Mohrsville  Knitting 
Mills,  and  his  father-in-law,  Isaac  Fraunfelter,  was  in 
partnership  with  him  for  four  years,  until  the  older  man 
died.  Mr.  Wagner  then  started  his  present  establishment, 
v/hich  is  known  as  the  Crown  Knitting  Mills,  conducted 
by  J.  H.  Wagner  &  Co.  The  factory  is  70  x  35  feet  in 
dimensions,  and  employment  is  given  to  between  sixty-five 
and  seventy  hands.  The  equipment  includes  twenty-six 
body  frame  machines,  fourteen  sleeve  machines  and  forty- 
two  finishing  machines,  and  a  fine  line  of  ladies'  ribbed 
underwear  is  turned  out.  Mr.  Wagner  has  been  very 
successful,  as  the  steady  growth  of  his  business  would 
indicate,  and  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  substantial 
citizens  of  Mohrsville,  where  his  plant  is  one  of  the  indus- 
tries which  add  to  the  prosperity  of  the  place  very  ma- 
terially. 

Mr.  Wagner's  first  marriage  was  to  Rebecca  Fraunfelter, 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Caroline  (Smith)  Fraunfelter,  and 
six  children  were  born  to  this  union,  viz. :  Edgar  (who  is 
associated  with  his  father  in  the  knitting  business),  Laura, 
Carrie,  Mamie  and  Minnie  (twins,  who  died  when  three 
months  old)  and  Rebecca.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Wag- 
ner married  Miss  Mamie  Yoder,  daughter  of  Jacob  S. 
Yoder,  of  Centre  township,  and  they  have  had  five 
children:  Arthur,  who  is  deceased;  Wayne,  deceased;  Ira 
and  Irene,  twins ;  and  Ray. 

Mr.  Wagner  is  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith.  He  is 
independent  in  political  matters,  voting  as  he  sees  fit,  and 
his  support  of  or  opposition  to  a  cause  is  regarded  as  an 
important  element  in  the  success  or  defeat  of  any  move- 
ment. He  is  a  desirable  and  highly  respected  citizen, 
and  Mohrsville  owes  much  of  its  progress  to  his  activity. 

REV.  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  GERHARD  is  by 
descent,  as  well  as  by  education  and  choice,  a  lifelong  mem- 
ber of  the  Reformed  Church.  His  great-great-grandfather, 
Frederick  Gerhard,  who  emigrated  from  Langenselbold, 
Hesse-Cassel,  Germany,  to  America  in  1737,  and  settled 
in  Berks  county,  Pa.,  was  a  stanch  upholder  of  the  Re- 
formed faith.  The  same  is  true  of  the  father,  grand- 
father and  great-grandfather. 

Plis  parents  were  Elias  Gerhard  and  his  wife  Sarah 
(daughter  of  Daniel  and  Judith  Kauffman).  He  was  born 
at  Bernville,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  thirteen  years  old 
when  his  father  was  accidentally  killed  by  a  runaway  horse. 
His  mother  had  died  six  months  prior  to  his  father's  acci- 
dental death.  After  the  father's  death  the  young  bov  made 
his  home  with  Aaron  R.  Bucks,  at  Stouchsburg,  Berks  Co., 
Pa.,  where  he  spent  his  youth  on  the  farm.  He  worked 
on  the  farm  during  the  summer  and  attended  the  Whitehall 
Academy  of  Stouchsburg  during  the  winter  months.  At 
the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  taught  one  term  of  public 
school  in  Alsace  township  (Hartman's  school),  close  to 
Spies's  Reformed  and  Lutheran  church.  At  the  close  of 
the  school  term,  April,  1876,  he  entered  Palatinate  College, 
Myerstown,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  one  year.  In  the  fall 
of  1877  he  entered  the  Sophomore  Class  of  Franklin  and 
Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  Pa.,  and  graduated  from  thai 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


459 


institution  in  June,  1880.  In  September,  1880,  he  entered 
the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Reformed  Church  at  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  and  graduated  in  May,  1883.  After  his  grad- 
uation he  traveled  four  months  through  the  West.  On 
Sept.  1,  1883,  he  received  a  call  from  a  Mission  at  Lock 
Haven,  Pa.,  which  he  accepted,  and  entered  upon  the  active 
duties  of  the  pastorate  the  same  month.  In  this  congre- 
gation he  labored  faithfully  and  energetically  for  nine 
years.  During  these  nine  years  the  membership  increased 
rapidly,  the  indebtedness  was  wiped  out,  the  church  prop- 
erty improved,  and  the  congregation  brought  to  self-sup- 
port, paying  the  pastor  a  living  salary.  During  his  pastor- 
ate at  Lock  Haven,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gerhard  was  elected  in 
the  spring  of  1887  Chaplain  of  the  12th  Regiment  of 
the  National  Guards,  of  Pennsylvania,  which  office  he  ac- 
cepted, receiving  his  commission  from  Gen.  James  A. 
Beaver,  then  Governor  of  the  State.  ,He  served  six  years 
as  Chaplain,  and  spent  three  weeks  with  his  regiment  at 
Homestead  during  the  memorable  labor  strike  of  1891. 

In  1890  Rev.  Mr.  Gerhard  was  elected  Colonel  of  the 
Sons  of  Veterans  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  at  the 
Annual  Encampment  at  Wilkes-Barre.  At  the  expiration 
of  his  term  of  office  it  was  a  source  of  great  pleasure  to 
him  to  find  that  the  division  under  his  command  had  made 
commendable  progress.  Like  his  father,  he  is  very  patri- 
otic. His  father  served  his  country  during  the  Rebellion, 
being  mustered  in  Nov.  10,  1863,  in  the  167th  Regmient, 
commanded  by  Col.  Charles  A.  Knoderer.  The  regiment 
passed  through  some  rough  experiences,  and  at  the  expir- 
ation of  his  term  of  enlistment  he  was  mustered  out, 
Aug.  12,  1863,  and  returned  to  his  home  without  a  single 
injury. 

On  Oct.  14,  1890,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gerhard  was  married  to 
Miss  Lillie  Rebecca  Klopp,  of  Stouchsburg,  Pa.  William 
A.  Klopp,  father  of  Mrs.  Gerhard,  was  a  successful  busi- 
ness man  and  highly  respected  citizen  of  Stouchsburg,  his 
native  town,  where  he  spent  the  whole  of  his  busy  life, 
excepting  the  last  few  years  which  were  passed  at  Wer- 
nersville.  Pa.,  where  he  died  June  1,  1900,  and  he  was 
buried  at  Tulpehocken  Reformed  Church,  near  Myerstown, 
Pennsylvania. 

There  was  born  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gerhard 
onje  son,  Earl,  a  bright  and  interesting  boy  who  in  all  prob- 
ability will  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  and  enter 
the  holy  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

On  March  18,  1898,  Rev.  Mr.  Gerhard  received  and 
accepted  a  call  from  the  First  Reformed  Church,  Ham- 
burg, Pa.  As  in  his  iirst  field  of  labor  he  was  eminently 
successful.  On  April  4,  1898,  St.  John's  Reformed  and 
Lutheran  Church  building  was  destroyed  by  fire.  These 
two  denominations  had  worshipped  jointly  in  the  same 
church  building  for  a  period  of  125  years,  but  when 
the  church  was  destroyed  by  fire  Rev.  Mr.  Gerhard  took 
a  firm  stand  for  a  division,  and  after  three  months'  dis- 
cussion and  labor,  the  two  congregations  by  a  majority 
vote  decided  to  divide  the  property  and  each  congregation 
erected  its  own  building.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Gerhard  was  un- 
tiring in  his  labors  during  the  erection  of  the  new  church, 
and  specially  confined  himself  to  securing  funds.  When 
the  church  was  dedicated  and  all  bills  turned  in  it  was 
found  that  there  remained  only  $4,500  of  a  debt  on  the 
beautiful  granite  structure.  The  pastor's  efforts  in  se- 
curing funds  were  uncommonly  successful.  Some  time 
prior  to  the  building  of  the  church  he  erected  a  handsome 
parsonage  costing  $4,000.  In  four  years  he  was  instru- 
mental in  raising  nearly  $40,000  for  building  purposes  only. 
When  he  came  to  Hamburg  the  charge  consisted  of  three 
congregations,  Hamburg,  Shoemakersville  and  Port  Clin- 
ton. Shoemakersville  congregation  was  at  once  detached 
from  the  Hamburg  charge  and  added  to  the  Leesport 
charge.  After  the  erection  of  the  new  church  Port  Clinton 
congregation  was  detached  and  added  to  the  Auburn 
charge.  Hamburg  was  now  the  first  congregation  of  the 
Reformed  .Church  in  Berks  county,  outside  of  the  City  of 
Reading,  to  support  its  own  pastor,  and  what  is  more  it 
paid  the  pastor  more  salary  than  did  the  three  congrega- 
tions, in  addition  to  the  handsome  parsonage  which  the  pas- 


tor   enjoyed.      The    liberality    of    the    Hamburg    people 
greatly  increased  under  his  ministry. 

On  October  16,  1908,  Rev.  Mr.  Gerhard  accepted  a  call 
from  the  West  Reading  charge,  comprising  St.  James'  Re- 
formed Church,  West  Reading,  Epler's  in  Bern-  township 
and  Hinnershitz  in  Muhlenburg  township.  He  entered  up- 
on his  present  pastorate  Nov.  S2,  1908.  With  his  former 
energy  he  at  once  began  to  lay  plans  to  gather  funds  for 
the  erection  of  a  fine  brown  stone  church  edifice  costing 
from  $25,000  to  $30,000  when  completed.  Success  has  at- 
tended his  efforts  from  the  very  beginning,  and  the  pros- 
pects for  the  growth  of  St.  James  Church  are  brighter 
than  at  any  time  in  the  past. 

JOHN  G.  GLAES,  a  venerable  citizen  of  Washington 
township,  Berks  county,  was  born  there  Dec.  13,  1828,  son 
of  Sebastian  and  Sarah  (Gehry)  Glaes. 

Abraham  Kles,  his  great-grandfather,  was  a  taxable  resi- 
dent in  Greenwich  township,  this  county,  in  1756.  He  had 
three  sons :  Frederick,  who  is  mentioned  below ;  Jacob,  who 
located  in  Oley  township;  and  Christian,  who  located  in 
Amity  township. 

Frederick  Glosz,  as  he  spelled  the  name,  son  of  Abra- 
ham, was  born  in  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county,  in 
1756.  When  twenty  years  old  he  entered  the  Patriot  army 
for  services  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  in  which  he  served 
as  a  teamster,  being  so  engaged  at  Valley  Forge.  In  his 
later  years  he  drew  a  pension.  He  was  a  tanner  by  trade, 
and  followed  that  occupation  in  Pike  township  for  many 
years,  also  engaging  in  farming  in  that  township,  where 
he  owned  a  tract  of  105  acres,  near  Lobachsville.  The 
close  of  his  long  life  was  spent  in  retirement  at  the  home 
of  his  son,  Sebastian.  He  died  in  1841,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five,  and  is  buried  at  Huber's  Church,  at  Niantic, 
Montgomery  county.  He  was  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith. 
By  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth  Zimmerman,  daughter  of  Se- 
bastian Zimmerman,  of  Maxatawny  township,  he  had  the 
following  children :  Daniel ;  Abraham ;  Jacob ;  Sebastian ; 
Henry;  Solomon;  Sarah,  Mrs.  Frey;  Elizabeth,  Mrs. 
Trout;  and  Rebecca,  Mrs.  Gregory.  His  second  marriage 
was  to  a  Miss  Potts. 

Sebastian  Glaes,  son  of  Frederick,  was  born  in  1796  in 
Pike  township,  Berks  county,  where  he  resided  until  his 
removal  to  Washington  township  in  1828.  There  he 
bought  the  farm  and  pottery  now  owned  by  his  son  John, 
the  seventy-five  acre  tract  being  especially  valuable  for 
the  fine  bed  of  pottery  clay  located  near  by.  He  died  on 
this  place  in  1869,  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  in 
which  he  had  served  for  a  number  of  years  as  deacon, 
treasurer  and  elder.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  Se- 
bastian Glaes  married  Sarah  Gehry,  daughter  of  John 
Gehry,  of  Upper  Hanover,  Montgomery  county,  and  eight 
children  were  born  to  them,  namely :  Sophia,  deceased,  was 
the  wife  of  Daniel  Heidt,  of  Washington  township;  John 
G.  is  mentioned  below;  George  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
seven  years ;  Frederick,  of  Pottstown,  is  a  millwright ; 
Charles  died  in  childhood;  Samuel  died  young;  Matilda 
married  George  Gilbert,  a  farmer  of  Washington  town- 
ship; Charles  died  young. 

John  G.  Glaes  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  his 
early  education  in  the  local  public  schools,  later  taking 
a  course  in  the  Pottstown  Academy.  He  studied  surveying 
in  the  seminaries  at  Freeland  and  Mount  Pleasant;  at- 
tended Tremont  Seminary,  at  Norristown;  the  Elmwood 
Institute,  and  Heidelberg  College,  at  Tiffin,  Ohio.  After 
leaving  school  he  taught  school  for  fifteen  consecutive 
years,  teaching  in  Ruscombmanor  township  as  a  fellow  in- 
structor of  James  N.  Ermentrout  (who  was  a  great  friend 
of  Mr.  Glaes),  and  then  began  surveying  and  conveyancing, 
in  which  line  of  work  he  continued  for  thirty  years,  becom- 
ing very  well  known  in  that  capacity.  The  latter  also 
learned  the  pottery  business,  which  he  still  carries  on  at 
the  old  homestead. 

Mr.  Glaes  has  always  been  considered  one  of  the  most 
valuable  citizens  of  his  community,  in  every  phase  of 
local  activity  which  tends  to  promote  the  general  welfare 
and  advancement.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  official 
life  of  his  township,  as  well  as  its  ediicational  and  indus- 


460 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


trial  concerns,  and  served  as  county  auditor  from  1864 
to  1867;  justice  of  the  peace  from  1867  to  1877,  and  town 
assessor  for  a  number  of  years.  In  political  sentiment  he 
is  a  Democrat.  His  opinion  on  all  matters  of  local  in- 
terest is  sought  and  valued,  for  his  intelligence  and  clear 
mind  are  undisputed,  and  although  now  well  advanced  in 
3'ears  he  is  active  and  capable,  and  holds  the  esteem  of 
his  fellow-citizens  in  an  unusual  degree.  He  has  been  a 
constant  reader  and  is  remarkably  well  informed,  and  his 
library  is  large  and  well  selected,  showing  his  scholarly 
tastes.  Among  his  most  cherished  books,  however,  are  a 
large  German  Bible,  published  in  1798,  and  a  geometry 
which  was  printed  in  1806,  and  which  formerly  belonged  to 
Rev.  William  A.  Good,  once  county  superintendent  of 
schools ;  later  Michael  McCullogh  used  it  at  Yale.  Mr. 
Glaes  has  a  number  of  other  relics  which  he  prizes  highly. 
He  has  written  several  poems  which  have  brought  him 
more  than  local  iame — "Der  Siffer,  der  Schmoker,  der 
Ts'chaer  un  Gamier,"  in  Pennsylvania  German  (Deutsch)  ; 
"Easter  Greetings,"  and  a  masterful  composition  entitled 
"Sixty  Years  Ago  and  Now"  (A.  D.  1846-1906),  which 
has  attracted  particular  attention. 

On  June  5,  1877,  Mr.  Glaes  was  married  to  Susan  Fran- 
cis, daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (Snyder)  Francis  and 
granddaughter  of  Jacob  Francis,  a  farmer  of  Amity  town- 
ship and  a  zealous  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  John 
Francis  was  born  in  Amity  township,  Dec.  17,  1801,  and 
followed  farming  there.  He  also  engaged  in  milling  there, 
and  was  quite  an  active  man  in  his  community,  serving 
as  town  assessor  and  as  a  captain  in  the  old  State  Militia. 
He  was  president  of  the  Berks  County  Fire  Insurance 
Cpmpany.  He  died  in  1890,  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  ten  children, 
six  sons  and  four  daughters :  Catherine,  wife  of  Rev.  L. 
D.  Leverman,  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church,  of 
Philadelphia;  Lizzie,  who  lives  with  her  brother-in-law, 
John  G.  Glaes ;  Daniel,  deceased,  who  was  proprietor  of 
the  Reading  Herald;  Solomon,  deceased,  who  was  a  black- 
smith at  Dayton,  Ohio ;  Amon,  a  millwright,  of  Dayton, 
Ohio;  Sarah,  deceased;  Susan,  Mrs.  Glaes;  John,  who 
died  young;  Jacob,  deceased,  who  was  at  one  time  engaged 
as  bookkeeper  for  the  Reading  Railway  Company  and  later 
carried  on  farming  on  the  homestead ;  and  Samuel,  a  car- 
penter in  Philadelphia. 

Mrs.  Susan  (Francis)  Glaes  was  born  Feb.  9,  1841, 
and  died  Jan.  13,  1908,  just  a  few  days  before  the  com- 
pletion of  her  sixty-seventh  year,  being  one  of  the  victims 
of  the  Opera-house  catastrophe  at  Boyertown  which  devas- 
tated so  many  homes  in  this  district.  She  is  buried  at 
Amityville.  Mrs.  Glaes  was  long  one  of  the  most  esteemed 
and  widely  known  residents  of  her  district.  She  conducted 
a  large  millinery  and  dressmaking  establishment  for  a 
number  of  years,  giving  eraployrnent  to  many  hands,  and 
from  1900  until  her  death  was  the  postmistress  at  Pass- 
more,  which  office  was  discontinued  after  her  death.  She 
was  a  devout  church  member  and  active  church  worker, 
and  for  many  years  served  as  superintendent  of  the  infant 
class  of  the  Sunday-school  at  Niantic.  Her  intelligence 
and  energy  made  her  one  of  the  most  beloved  women  in 
her  neighborhood. 

RALPH  H.  MENGEL,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Mengel  &  Mengel,  who  are  extensively  engaged  in  the 
real  estate  and  insurance  business,  is  a  member  of  the 
third  generation  of  his  family  identified  with  business  and 
public  affairs  in  Reading,  and  the  Mengels  have  been 
settled  in  Berks  county  for  over  a  century. 

Nicholas  Mengel,  the  first  ancestor  of  the  family  in  this 
country,  was  a  native  of  Germany  and  came  to  America 
with  two  other  young  Germans,  in  the  early  part  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century.  Following  a  custom  quite  common  in 
those  days,  and  having  no  money  to  pay  their  passage,  they 
were  bound  out  upon  their  arrival  here  to  defray  the 
cost  of  their  transportation,  Nicholas  Mengel  becoming  the 
servant  of  John  Gernant,  an  agriculturist  of  Maiden-creek 
township,  Philadelphia  (now  Berks)  county.  Pa.  His  term 
expired  in  three  or  four  years,  after  which  he  continued 
with   Mr.    Gernant   for   some  time,   and  being   industrious 


and  economical  he  not  only  paid  his  way  but  was  enabled 
to  accumulate  a  little.  He  finally  purchased  300  acres  of 
land  in  Maiden-creek  township. 

Peter  IMengel,  son  of  Nicholas,  was  born  on  the  old 
homestead  in  Maiden-creek  township.  When  he  started  life 
on  his  own  account  he  moved  to  Fritztown,  Berks  county, 
where  he  ran  a  sawmill  for  some  years,  and  in  1789  he 
moved  to  Caernarvon  township,  this  county,  where  he 
purchased  300  acres  of  land  and  passed  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  continuing  to  run  a  sawmill.  His  family  was  a 
numerous  one. 

Henry  Mengel,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  in  1784,  and  w.'S 
a  lifelong  farmer.  He  married  Hannah  Schoener,  who 
was  born  in  1788,  and  they  had  the  following  named  chil- 
dren :  Matthias,  Peter,  Christiana,  Hannah,  Amelia  and 
Eva  Ann.     The  mother  died  in  1868. 

Matthias  Mengel  was  born  Jan.  13,  1814,  on  the  old 
Mengel  homestead  near  Morgantown,  in  Caernarvon  town- 
ship. He  received  his  early  education  in  the  subscription 
schools  of  the  period,  and  being  ambitious  to  add  to  his 
knowledge  continued  his  studies  in  private,  becoming  un- 
usually well  informed.  His  father  wanted  him  to  enter 
the  legal  profession,  but  he  himself  had  no  leaning  toward 
such  work  in  his  early  life,  and  he  was  past  twenty-four 
when,  on  Jan.  30,  1838,  he  entered  the  office  of  Elijah 
Dechert,  Esq.,  as  a  student-at-law.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  Bar  of  Berks  county,  April  9,  1840,  and  commencing 
practice  in  Reading  gained  a  very  large  patronage  in  the 
city  and  vicinity,  in  the  active  prosecution  of  which  he 
continued  for  the  remarkably  long  period  of  over  sixty 
years,  and  died  Feb.  18,  1905.  Mr,  Mengel  was  active 
for  many  years  in  the  municipal  government,  serving  as 
alderman  for,  altogether,  thirty  and  one-half  years.  He 
was  first  elected  to  that  office  in  the  year  1845,  was  re- 
elected for  the  two  succeeding  terms,  and  was  chosen  again 
in  1868  and  for  many  terms  thereafter.  The  length  of  his 
service  is  sufficient  evidence  regarding  the  value  of  his  ser- 
vices. He  served  two  years  as  water  commissioner,  being 
appointed  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  George  K.  Levan, 
Esq.,  deceased,  was  treasurer  of  the  city  school  board  from 
1862  to  1868,  and  served  as  a  notary  public  from  1880 
until  he  died.  In  political  sentiment  Matthias  Mengel  was 
a  stanch  Democrat,  but  he  voted  according  to  his  own 
views  of  the  fitness  of  the  case  when  it  came  to  electing 
local  officers.  Though  always  a  hard  worker  Mr.  Mengel 
retained  his  strength  and  energy  to  the  last,  and  was  active 
as  many  younger  men.  For  many  years  he  was  one  of 
the  most  prominent  citizens  of  Reading,  and  he  was  pop- 
ular with  the  public  and  respected  by  his  friends  and  asso- 
ciates everywhere. 

Matthias  Mengel  was  twice  married,  first  to  Mary  Ann 
Phipps,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Phipps,  of  Chester  county. 
To  that  marriage  were  born  two  children,  Henry  and 
Jonathan  P.,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  mother 
of  these  died  Aug.  19,  1860,  and  Mr.  Mengel  subsequently 
married  Amelia  M.  Soder,  who  survives  him.  She  also 
became  the  mother  of  two  children ;  Matthias,  a  practising 
physician  of  Chester  county.  Pa.;  and  Levi  W.,  Professor 
of  Chemistry,  in  the  Boys'  high  school,  Reading. 

Jonathan  P.  Mengel  was  born  in  Reading  in  1849,  and 
passed  away  at  the  early  age  of  thirty,  in  1879.  He  mar- 
ried Alice  V.  Hain,  and  they  had  three  children :  Ralph  H., 
J.  Ham,  and  a  daughter  that  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Mengel 
was  a  young  man  of  admirable  character,  and  his  untimely 
demise  was  mourned  by  many  outside  of  the  immediate 
family  circle. 

Ralph  H.  Mengel  was  born  Jan.  8,  1872,  in  Reading, 
and  received  his  literary  education  in  the  public  schools, 
graduating  from  high  school  in  1890.  Having  passed  the 
preliminary  examination  for  admission  to  the  Bar  he 
read  law  under  the  tutorship  of  Hon.  H.  Willis  Bland, 
Esq.,  with,  whom  he  continued  for  one  year,  until  Mr 
Bland  was  appointed  judge.  He  then  read  in  the  office 
of  Cyrus  G.  Derr,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  Nov.  6, 
1893,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  legal  work 
in  Reading.  On  Feb.  37,  1899,  he  was  admitted  to  practice 
before  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  and  on  Dec 
3,    1903,    he    was    admitted    to    the    Superior    court.      ]\Ir. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


461 


Mengel,  however,  has  not  confined  himself  strictly  to  legal 
business,  having  made  several  successful  ventures  into 
other  fields,  in  which  he  has  found  his  pi'ofessional  know- 
ledge invaluable. 

In  1896,  upon  the  death  of  their  uncle,  George  P.  Zieber, 
Mr.  Mengel  and  his  brother,  J.  Hain  Mengel,  purchased 
the  real  estate  and  insurance  business  formerly  conducted 
by  that  gentleman  at  No.  60  South  Sixth  street.  They  or- 
ganized for  business  under  the  style  of  Mengel  &  Mengel. 
In  1903  the  firm  purchased  the  old  Times  building,  on 
North  Sixth  street,  which  they  greatly  remodeled,  moving 
their  offices  to  that  location,  where  they  have  since  re- 
mained. Their  rooms  are  handsomely  and  conveniently 
equipped  for  the  accommodation  of  their  large  patronage, 
the  firm  being  one  of  the  best  known  business  concerns  in 
the  city.  They  have  the  largest  business  of  the  kind  in 
Reading,  and  give  employment  to  a  large  corps  of  clerks 
and  assistants.  Both  members  of  the  firm  rank  among  the 
most  progressive  citizens  of  Reading,  are  members  of  the 
city  Board  of  Trade,  and  are  giving  substantial  aid  toward 
making  the  city  one  of  the  foremost  in  the  Commonwealth. 
The  firm  issue  monthly  a  valuable  business  publication, 
Mengel's  Real  Estate  Register,  which  has  a  wide  distribu- 
tion and  is  considered  authority  on  real  estate  of  Reading 
and  Berks  county.    It  is  a  thirty-two-page  pamphlet. 

In  addition  to  the  interests  already' mentioned,  Mr.  Men- 
gel serves  as  a  director  of  the  Commercial  Trust  Company, 
which  he  helped  to  establish,  and  is  also  its  legal  adviser. 
As  may  be  judged  from  the  important  affairs  entrusted 
to  him,  Mr.  Mengel  is  one  of  the  best  knOwn  young  busi- 
ness men  of  Reading,  and  he  has  won  his  way  to  the 
front  rank  of  successful  citizens  by  the  exercise  of  a  rare 
degree  of  tact  and  ability. 

Mr.  Mengel  has  numerous  social  connections,  being  a 
member  of  the  Reading  Alumni  Association ;  the  Americus 
Club;  the  Temple  Club;  Vigilance  Lodge,  No.  194,  I.  O  .0. 
R;  Friendship  Commandery,  No.  247,  A.  and  I.  O.  Knights 
of  Malta;  Wlashington  Camp  No.  417,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.; 
Lodge  No.  63  F.  &  A.  M.;  Reading  Royal  Arch  Chap- 
ter, No.  152;  De  Molay  Commandery,  No.  9,  K.  T. ; 
Philadelphia  Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  S.,  32°;  Reading  Lodge 
of  Perfection,  14° ;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. 

On  Oct.  6,  1904,  Mr.  Mengel  married  Miss  Deborah  D. 
De  Turck,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  P.  and  Sarah  P.  (De- 
Turck)  De  Turck,  and  they  reside  at  No.  532  Walnut  street, 
Reading. 

J.  ISAAC  BICKEL.  In  the  death  of  J.  Isaac  Bickel, 
Bern  township  lost  one  of  her  best  and  most  respected 
citizens.  He  was  born  Nov.  2,  1838,  in  North  Heidelberg 
township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Magdalena 
(Wenrich)   Bickel. 

The  Bickel  family  has  long  been  one  of  importance  in 
upper  Berks  county.  Anthony  Bickel,  son  of  the  ancestor, 
was  a  farmer  in  North  Heidelberg  township,  where  he 
owned  a  farm  of  160  acres,  which  is  now  the  property 
of  Peter  Ruth.  A  barn  that  he  built  is  yet  standing. 
He  was  a  member  of  Herrnhooder  (now  North  Heidel- 
berg) Union  Church,  where  his  remains  were  laid  to  rest. 
After  his  death  his  oldest  son,  Joseph,  obtained  the  farm 
and  after  Joseph's  death,  his  oldest  son,  Elias,  became  its 
owner.  Elias  Bickel  sold  it  to  Peter  Ruth  and  moved 
to  Reading,  where  he  was  in  a  hotel  business  on  the  site 
where  the  post-office  now  stands.  Anthony  Bickel  married 
a  Miss  Romick,  and  they  had  six  children,  namely :  Joseph 
(had  children — Elias,  John,  Jesse,  Moses,  Joseph,  Jared, 
Leah,  Matilda,  Mauline  and  Catherine) ;  Anthony,  who 
lived  in  North  Heidelberg  township,  a  blacksmith  (had 
children — William,  Benjamin — residing  at  Mt.  Pleasant, 
John,  Sallie  and  Eliza);  Jonathan;  Daniel;  Mrs.  Mor- 
decai  Lengel,  who  lived  beyond  Bernville ;  and  Mrs.  Hen- 
ry Troutman,  of  Mount  Etna. 

Jonathan  Bickel,  born  April  18,  1800,  died  July  21,  1874, 
aged  seventy-four  years,  three  months,  three  days,  and  was 
buried  in  the  North  Heidelberg  Church  graveyard.  He 
was  a  farmer  in  North  Heidelberg  township,  where  he 
owned  eighty  acres  of  land.  His  wife  was  Magdalena 
Wenrich,  daughter  of  Johannes  Wenrich.     They  had  the 


following  children:  (1)  Daniel.  (2)  Jonathan,  a  farmer, 
who  lived  in  Iowa,  later  in  Ohio,  was  buried  by  the  side 
of  his  wife  in  Iowa.  His  children  were :  Elias,  Isaac  and 
a  daughter.  (3)  Frank  resides  at  Mohnton.  (4)  James 
resides  in  Reading.  (5)  Molly  married  John  Faust  (de- 
ceased) and  moved  to  Nebraska,  but  later  lived  at  Milton, 
Pa.,  where  she  died.     (6)  J.  Isaac. 

Daniel  Bickel,  son  of  Jonathan,  was  born  in  North 
Heidelberg  township,  Feb.  20,  1833,  and  owned  the  home- 
stead farm  in  North  Heidelberg  township,  which  he  con- 
ducted until  1882.  He  resides  with  his  son,  Gasson  Bickel, 
in  Lower  Heidelberg,  near  Wernersville.  His  physical 
health  is  remarkably  good  notwithstanding  his  years  and 
he  hauls  the  milk  from  the  farm  to  the  neighboring  cream- 
ery. Formerly  he  served  as  school  director  in  Lower  Heid- 
elberg township.  He  and  family  are  members  of  the 
North  Heidelberg  Church,  where  the  family  have  their 
burying  plot.  He  has  identified  himself  with  the  religious 
bodies  where  he  has  lived,  and  during  a  residence  of  eleven 
years  in  Cumru  township  was  an  elder  in  the  Gouglers- 
ville  Church.  He  is  also  a  contributing  member  of.Hain's 
Reformed  Church.  His  wife,  Rebecca  Gruber,  died  in 
Cumru  township,  April  7,  1873,  aged  forty-six  years.  They 
had  sixteen  children  all  of  whom  are  dead  except  Cor- 
nelius, residing  in  Reading,  and  Gasson,  who  is  a  farmer 
in  Lower  Heidelberg  township  and  has  one  son,  James. 

Daniel  Bickel,  son  of  Anthony,  moved  to  Fairfield  county, 
Ohio,  and  settled  two  miles  from  Basil,  where  he  followed 
farming  and  blacksmith ing.  Of  his  two  sons,  Ephraim 
and  William,  the  latter  still  survives. 

J.  Isaac  Bickel  attended  the  public  schools  during  his 
boyhood  and  was  trained  to  farming  on  the  home  place. 
He  engaged  later  in  that  occupation  in  Cumru,  Muhlenberg 
and  Bern  townships,  locating  in  the  latter  in  1892,  when  he 
bought  the  old  Jack  Adams  farm  of  163  acres.  This  is 
very  valuable  land,  being  also  favorably  located  midway 
between  the  Van  Reed  paper-mill  and  the  Bern  church.  He 
was  a  most  worthy  member  of  Hain's  Reformed  Church, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  valued  in  that  connection. 
He  was  a  man  of  excellent  business  ability,  was  a  director 
of  the  school  board  of  Bern,  and  took  a  deep  interest 
in  educational  affairs,  and  in  the  welfare  of  his  community. 
At  one  time  he  was  the  Democratic  nominee  for  Poor 
director.  He  had  been  identified  with  the  Berks  County 
Agricultural  Society  from  its  inception,  and  was  keenly 
interested  in  its  work.  During  the  Berks  County  Fair 
in  the  year  prior  to  his  death,  he  was  one  of  the  super- 
intendents of  stock.  His  judgment  on  all  agricultural 
matters  was  considered  rehable.  He  was  widely  known, 
visiting  the  Reading  market  daily  where  he  served  a  large 
milk  route  for  twenty-eight  years. 

On  Nov.  12,  1859,  Mr.  Bickel  married  Angeline  F. 
Werner,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Kate  (Fidler)-  Werner, 
and  a  history  of  the  representative  Werner  family  will  be 
found  elsewhere.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bickel  were :  Henrietta  m.  William  Henning ;  Thomas  Wel- 
lington resides  at  Shillington;  Ellen  lives  in  Toledo,  Ohio; 
Mary  m.  Evan  P.  Christ ;  Moses  A.,  who  farms  for  his 
mother  and  looks  after  his  late  father's  estate,  m.  Hannah 
Boyer,  and  they  have  had  two  sons,  Paul  I.  and  Raymond 
(died  aged  ten  months)  ;•  Jonathan  died  aged  two  years; 
Eva  m.  Thomas  R.  Gring;  Charles,  a  most  exemplary 
young  man,  met  death  with  his  father ;  and  Millie  K., 
Ulysses  Werner  and  Agnes  E.  reside  at  home. 

On  Oct.  8,  1904,  Mr.  J.  Isaac  Bickel  and  his  son  Charles 
were  driving  home  from  Reading.  They  occupied  a  spring 
wagon,  to  which  two  horses  were  attached.  At  Leiss' 
Crossing,  on  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  the  north-bound 
express  train  struck  the  team,  killing  one  of  the  horses, 
and  throwing  the  occupants  out.  Charles  Bickel  was  killed 
instantly,  but  the  father  was  brought  to  Reading  Hospital, 
where  he  was  able  to  give  his  name  before  lapsing  into  the 
unconsciousness  from  which  he  never  awoke.  Both  father 
and  son  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  of  Hain's  Church. 
The  double  funeral  was  the  largest  ever  held  at  this 
church,  368  vehicles  being  in  the  funeral  procession. 


4G3 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


WILLIAM  FRANKLIN  WEBER,  alderman  of  the 
Eleventh  ward,  Reading,  Pa.,  has  for  many  years  been  a 
popular  and  useful  citizen  of  that  city,  and  has  frequently 
received  the  endorsement  of  her  people  at  the  polls. 

Anthony  Weber,  grandfather  of  William  F.,  was  born  in 
1797,  and  died  in  1843.  He  was  the  owner  of  a  small  farm, 
in  Germany,  and  he  also  followed  the  occupations  of 
butcher  and  brewer.  He  married  Marie  Schneckenberger, 
and  they  had  children  as  follows  :  Fidel;  Martin,  a  brewer; 
Rosalia,  who  was  married  and  lived  in  Germany;  Maximil- 
ian, a  shoemaker,  who  came  to  America  in  1849 ;  Marcus, 
a  wheelwright,  who  came  to  America  in  1855 ;  and  Am- 
brose, a  miller  and  machinist  of  Reading",  who  came  to 
this  country  in  1866. 

Fidel  Weber,  father  of  William  F.,  was  born  in  Wurtem- 
berg,  Germany,  Aug.  14,  1826,  and  came  to  this  country  in 
1850.  Before  leaving  the  old  country  he  had  learned 
lock-smithing,  and  after  settling  in  Reading,  was  employed 
at  his  trade,  at  the  Reading  Railroad  shops.  By  faithful 
and  diligent  service  he  was  transferred  to  the  machine  de- 
partment of  that  company,  and  was  employed  there  con- 
tinuously for  fifty-one  years.  In  1903  he  was  placed  on 
the  pension  roll.  Mr.  Weber  always  took  a  deep  interest 
in  public  affairs  and  was  an  ardent  and  earnest  advocate 
of  good  government  and  permanent  improvements.  He  was 
a  Democrat  in  politics  and  represented  the  Second  ward 
in  the  common  council  in  1871,  and  the  Tenth  ward  in 
the  school  board  during  the  year  1875.  While  attending  to 
public  duties,  Mr.  Weber  never  missed  a  meeting,  and 
could  be  relied  upon  as  being  an  honest  and  faithful  public 
servant.  From  the  time  he  reached  the  voting  age  he 
never  missed  an  election  and  took  untold  interest  in  his 
party.  Mr.  Weber  was  also  interested  in  building  associa- 
tions, and  during  his  time  was  president  of  more  than 
twenty,  of  which  the  most  important  were  the  Ringgold, 
Germania,  Columbia,  Homestead  and  Fidelity  Associations. 
He  resided  in  the  Second  ward  forty  years,  and  for  the 
last  thirty-one  lived  at  No.  239  South  Tenth  street. 

On  Sept.  12,  1852,  Fidel  Weber  married  Amelia  Went- 
zel,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Body)  Wentzel,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Alfred 
died  at  the  age  of  four;  James  and  Ida  died  in  infancy; 
Edwin  Harrison  died  in  October,  1902,  aged  thirty-six 
years,  leaving  a  widow,  Sarah  (Lincoln)  and  three  chil- 
dren, Harry.  Robert  and  Irene ;  John  M.  is  a  machinist  with 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company;  William  F. ;  Emma 
m.  Newton  Knerr,  of  Philadelphia;  Henry  is  foreman  in  the 
Scott  Foundry;  Anna  Victoria  m.  Isaac  Quinter,  a  shoe 
dealer  of  Reading;  Amelia  m.  Martin  Bright,  of  this  city; 
and  Winona  is  at  home.  Mr.  Weber  was  survived  by 
seventeen  grandchildren  and  eleven  great-grandchildren, 
and  a  sister,  Theresa,  of  Reading;  the  latter,  however,  has 
since  died.  He  was  a  member  of  Germania  Lodge,  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  Reading  ReHef  Association,  and  in  religion  of  the 
Reformed  Church.  Mr.  Weber  passed  away,  Sept.  3,  1907, 
from  the  effects  of  catarrh. 

William  F.  Weber  was  born  in  Reading,  Feb.  2,  1855.  He 
passed  his  boyhood  in  the  pursuit  of  an  education  in  the 
excellent  schools  of  his  home  town,  and  at  the  age  of  thir- 
teen began  his  active  business  life  as  a  carrier  of  the 
Post  aiid  Eagle,  daily  papers  of  the  city.  After  a  short 
period  in  this  branch  of  the  service,  he  became  appren- 
ticed to  the  printing  trade  in  the  office  of  the  Daily  Times. 
He  finished  his  trade  in  this  office,  and  afterward  served 
four  years  there  as  a  journeyman.  Mr.  Weber  then  ac- 
cepted a  position  in  the  Freight  Department  of  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  railroad.  However  he  did  not  stay 
but  returned  to  the  printing  business,  taking  "cases"  in  the 
Telegram. 

Taking  quite  an  interest  in  politics  Mr.  Weber  was 
elected  to  the  common  council  from  the  Tenth  ward,  at 
which  time  he  was  the  youngest  member  of  that  body.  In 
1889  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  same  body  from 
the  Eleventh  ward,  being  also  at  that  time  president  of 
the  famous  Eleventh  Ward  Democratic  Club,  an  organi- 
zation which  was  a  powerful  political  factor  during  the 
three  years  he  served  as  its  head.     Shortly  after  the  ex- 


piration of  his  term,  April  16,  1891.  he  was  appointed  ald- 
erman of  the  Eleventh  ward,  by  Governor  Pattison,  to  fill 
the  unexpired  term  of  George  Kramer,  who  had  died  the 
previous  March.  The  following  year,  1893,  Mr.  Weber  was 
the  aldermanic  candidate  of  his  party,  and  after  a  hotly  con- 
tested campaign  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  437,  the  term 
being  for  five  years.  Again  in  1897  and  in  1902  he  received 
the  indorsement  of  his  constituents,  by  majorities  of  517  and 
443,  respectively.  During  the  years  of  his  incumbency  Mr. 
Weber  has  given  the  most  painstaking  and  careful  atten- 
tion to  the  needs  of  his  ward,  and  in  matters  which  affected 
the  weal  of  the  whole  city  has  ever  been  found  on  the 
side  of  progress. 

In  March,  1880,  Mr.  Weber  married  Miss  Kate  Egelhoff, 
daughter  of  William  Egelhoff,  a  respected  resident  of  Read- 
ing, To  them  have  come  three  sons:  W.  Wayne;  Walter 
W.,  a  machinist;  and  Edwin  C,  a  member  of  the  class  of 
1908,  Reading  high  school,  who  is  now  taking  his  college 
course  in  Civil  Engineering. 

Alderman  Weber  was  for  thirty-three  years  a  member 
of  the  Reading  Hose  Company,  during  which  time  he 
served  for  eleven  years  as  president,  and  is  now  on  the 
Honorary  Roll.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Order  of  Red 
Men  and  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  First  Reformed  Church.  His  activity  in  polit- 
ical circles  makes  him  a  valued  member  of  the  Northeast- 
ern Democratic  Club,  and  in  all  the  varied  interests  of  his 
home  city,  he  is  ever  ready  to  do  a  full  share  of  the 
necessary  work.  As  a  citizen  he  is  universally  esteemed 
for  his  loyalty  to  home  institutions,  and  as  a  friend  and 
neighbor  all  unite  to  do  him  honor. 

W.  Wayne  Weber,  son  of  William'  P.,  is  a  graduate  of 
the  Reading  high  school.  Class  of  1897.  He  served  as  time- 
keeper for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company  two 
years,  and  then  became  associated  -with  the  Reading  Cement 
Company  as  its  clerk  and  secretary.  In  1906  he  was  engaged 
with  the  Interstate  Railway  Company,  with  offices  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  since  1907  he  has  been  salesman  for  eastern 
Pennsylvania  for  the  Edison  Cement.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Democratic  Northeastern  League,  and  was  chairman 
one  term.  In  1906-07  he  was  a  member  of  the  State  Legis- 
lature from  the  First  District  of  Berks  county.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  the  Red  Men,  and  is 
an  active  member  of  the  First  Reformed  Church. 

FRED  B.  HOSSLER,  justice  of  the  peace,  farmer  and 
surveyor  of  Tilden  township,  is  one  of  the  oldest  justices 
in  Berks  county,  having  served  continuously  since  the 
year  1867. 

Mr.  Hossler  was  born  April  3,  1839,  on  the  farm  in  Til- 
den township  where  he  now  resides,  and  he  is  a  great- 
grandson  of  Frederick  Hossler,  who  first  settled  in  the 
Heidelberg  district.  Thence  he  removed  to  what  was  then 
Bern  township,  settling  where  the  Squire  now  lijtes.  He 
took  up  about  325  acres  of  land,  and  lived  and  died  here, 
and  he  is  buried  at  St.  Michael's  Church.  He  divided  the 
farm  into  three  tracts,  giving  one  to  each  of  his  three 
sons. 

John  Hossler,  son  of  Frederick,  also  died  in  Bern  town- 
ship, and  is  buried  at  St.  Michael's  Church.  His  wife  was 
Rachel  Rickert,  and  their  children  were  as  follows:  John 
(died  young)  ;  Henry,  Benjamin  (died  in  Schuylkill 
county)  ;  Elizabeth  (m.  John  Conckling)  ;  Sarah  (m.  Sam- 
uel Meek)  ;  Catharine  (m.  Peter  Fink)  ;  and  Rebecca  (mar- 
ried Henry  Fink). 

Henry  Hossler,  son  of  John,  was  born  July  17,  1804, 
on  the  old  homestead,  and  died  there  Aug.  27,  1892.  He, 
too,  is  buried  at  St.  Michael's  Church.  His  property  or- 
iginally comprised  187  acres,  part  of  which  he  sold,  the 
homestead  at  present  consisting  of  130  acres.  Henry 
Hossler  engaged  in  general  farming  throughout  his  active 
years,  passing  his  last  years  in  retirement.  He  was  a 
captain  in  the  State  militia,  and  was  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics. Henry  Hossler  married  Mary  Ann  Scheidy,  and  they 
had  a  family  of  six  children:  Four  died  young;  John 
died  at  Auburn,  Schuylkill  county;  Fred  B.  is  mentioned 
below. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


463 


Fred  B.  Hossler  attended  the  public  schools  in  the  local- 
ity of  his  home  and  later  went  to  Morgantown  Academy, 
and  he  taught  school  for  one  term  in  Upper  Bern  town- 
ship, now  Tilden  township.  He  then  went  to  Port  Clinton, 
where  he  remained  for  six  months,  in  1865  returning  to 
the  home  farm,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  located.  As 
previously  stated,  the  farm  contains  130  acres,  all  of  which 
is  valuable  land  and  in  a  profitable  state  of  cultivation. 
Squire  Hossler  is  well  known,  especially  in  his  public 
capacity,  having  been  first  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in 
1867,  so  that  his  period  of  service  in  that  office  alone  covers 
over  forty  years.  He  had  previously  served  eleven  years  as 
township  auditor.  In  addition  to  farming  Mr.  Hossler 
has  done  considerable  surveying,  and  he  is  a  substantial 
and  much  respected  'citizen  of  his  locality.  He  is  also  a 
homeopathic  veterinary,  of  considerable  experience,  hav- 
ing practised  for  over  forty  years.  He  is  a  member  of 
St.  Michael's  Lutheran  Church  and  of  Vaux  Lodge,  No. 
406;  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Hamburg,  Pennsylvania.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat.  ' 

Mr.  Hossler  married  Matilda  Savage,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Savage,  of  Tilden  township,  and  they  have  two  children : 
Alvin  E.,  who  is  in  the  express  business  at  Hamburg,  Pa., 
married  Bessie  Hadesty,  and  they  have  one  son,  Herbert. 
Lillie  Jane  married  Milton  S.  Balthaser,  of  Kutztown,  who 
died  Jan.  11,  1909,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Michael's,  leaving 
to  survive  his  wife,  Lillie,  and  three  minor  children — 
Curtis  F.,  Miriam  and  Wayne. 

DANIEL  R.  BECHTEL,  merchant  at  Huff's  Church,  in 
Hereford  township,  was  born  at  Bechtel's  Mill,  in  District 
township,  the  original  Bechtel  homestead,  March  9,  1846. 

Peter  Bechtel,  great-grandfather  of  Daniel  R.,  was  an 
early  settler  of  East  District  township,  in  Berks  county. 
Prior  to  1774  he  had  settled  there,  and  in  1790  he  was  the 
owner  of  much  land.  He  died  about  1794,  and  is  buried  in 
the  cemetery  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  David  B.  .Raach. 
This  was  a  private  burial  ground  where  many  Mennonites 
were  buried.  It  is  now  in  a  dilapidated  condition,  but  some 
of  the  tombstones  are  still  standing.  The  Kaufman,  Zim- 
merman, Noll,  and  Johan  Friiederich  Huff  and  wife  graves 
are  in  good  condition.  Most  of  the  burials  here  took  place 
prior  to  1812  when  Huff's  church  and  its  cemetery  were 
established.     Peter  Bechtel  had  a  number  of  children. 

Jacob  Bechtel,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  during  the  war  of 
the  Revolution.  He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  in- 
telligence and  enterprise,  and  was  the  owner  of  con- 
siderable land.  He  and  his  wife  attended  the  Mennonite 
church  at  what  is  now  Bally.  They  are  buried  in  the 
cemetery  on  the  Rauch  farm.  They  had  four  children : 
Pollv  m.  Abraham  Mensch;  Sussana  m.  Henry  Moyer; 
Elizabeth  m.  Jonas  Heistand;  and  John. 

John  Bechtel,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  at  the  Bechtel 
Mill  homestead  in  District  township,  April  29,  1805,  and 
he  died  May  10,  1876.  He  became  a  farmer  and  miller. 
The  property  contains  about  200  acres  of  land.  The  pres- 
ent frame  mill  was  built  in  1769,  and  is  still  in  good  condi- 
tion, and  used  for  milling  purposes.  ■  The  sawmill  attached 
to  the  property  is  now  operated  by  Frank  Benfield.  The 
present  barn  was  built  by  John  Bechtel  in  1860,  and  the 
stone  house  by  Jacob  Bechtel.  John  Bechtel  was  a  man 
very  well  known  in  his  section,  and  he  was  always  active 
for  the  best  interests  of  the  community.  He  and  his  family 
were  Lutheran  members  of  Huff's  Church.  John  Bechtel 
married  Maria  Rohrbach.  born  June  17,  1813,  daughter  of 
George  Rohrbach,  and  she  died  April  18,  1865.  Their  child- 
ren were :  Henry,  John,  Annie,  Betzy,  Sarah,  Susanna, 
Maria,  Catharine,  George  and  Daniel  R. 

Daniel  R.  Bechtel  was  educated  in  the  township  schools 
and  his  home  training  was  along  agricultural  lines.  In 
1871  he  began  clerking  in  the  general  store  of  William 
Gernand,  of  Breinigsville,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  one  year. 
In  1872  he  went  to  Zionsville,  in  Lehigh  county,  where  he 
bought  out  Frank  N^  Gery,  and  he  cdnducfed"'llie  store  four 
years.  In  1876  he  located  at  Huff's  Church,  in  Berks 
county,  where  he  has  built  up  a  fine  business,  carrying 
on  a  general  store  to  the  present  time,  a  period  of  thirty- 
two  years.    His  stock  is  good  and  his  customers  are  always 


well  pleased.  He  resides  in  a  large  brick  residence  which 
he  built  in  1890.  The  well  kept  lawn  adds  to  the  at- 
tractive appearance  of  this,  one  of  the  finest  places  in  the 
township. 

In  politics  Mr.  Bechtel  is  a  Republican,  and  from  1876 
to  1890  he  was  postmaster  at  Huff's  Church.  He  and  his 
family  are  Lutheran  members  of  Huff's  Church.  Mr. 
Bechtel  married  Sally  Ann  Biddenbender,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Catharine  (Berkey)  Biddenbender,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Jacob  and  Susanna  (Young)  Biddenbender. 
(  

FREDERICK  A.  MARX,  who  has  his  law  office  at  No. 
528  Washington  street,  Reading,  and  his  home  at  No.  932 
North  Fifth  street,  same  city,  was  born  at  Kutztown, 
Berks  county,  .March  19,  1876,  and  has  been  practising 
law  since  1900.  On  March  12,  1907,  he  left  Kutztown  and 
took  up  his  residence  in  Reading. 

Mr.  Marx  is  a  member  of  an  old  and  respected  family 
of  the  county.  His  grandfather,  Samuel  Marx,  was  a 
resident  of  Kutztown,  and  there  his  father,  James  H.  Marx, 
still  lives.  James  H.  Marx  was  educated  for  the  law,  and 
has  for  many  years  been  a  member  of  the  Berks  county 
Bar.  He  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs,  and 
has  been  honored  with  many  of  the  borough  offices,  having 
served  on  the  school  board  and  as  town  clerk.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah  Springer,  daughter  of  Augustus  Springer,  a 
jeweler  of  Kutztown.  Of  the  five  children  born  to  them, 
two  died  in  infancy;  Sallie  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one, 
while  attending  school  in  Philadelphia  The  survivors  of 
the  family  are  Frederick  A.  and  Anna,  the  latter  the 
wife  of  Charles  S.  Ort,  a  merchant  at  Quakertown,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Frederick  A.  Marx  received  his  early  education  in  his 
native  place,  and  after  his  graduation  in  1892  from  the 
Normal  School  there  was  sent  to  Lafayette  College,  where 
he  graduated  in  1896.  Having  settled  on  the  law  as  a 
profession,  he  now  took  up  its  study  in  the  office  of  his 
father,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1900.  Later  he 
was  admitted  to  the  higher  courts.  Mr.  Marx  took  a  final 
course  at  Dickinson  Law  School. 

Mr.  Marx  married  Oct.  21,  1903,  Miss  Rebecca  H.  Fen- 
sterrnacher,  daughter  of  John  P.  S.  Fenstermacher  (a 
cousin  of  General  Gobin),  postmaster  of  Kutztown  and 
aconductor  in  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  passenger  ser- 
vice, with  which  road  he  has  been  connected  since  boy- 
hood. 

Mr.  Marx  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  is  active  in  the 
religious  life  of  the  community,  being  a  member  of  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church  of  Kutztown.  He  became  a  member  of 
Huguenot  Lodge,  No.  377,  F.  &  A.  M.,  on  Dec.  26,  1901, 
and  served  as  its  worshipful  master  for  the  year  1905.  On 
July  11,  1908,  he  resigned  membership  in  Huguenot  Lodge, 
and  on  Oct.  17,  1908,  affiliated  with  Isaac  Hiester  Lodge, 
No.  660,  F.  &  A.  M.,  constituted  on  that  day,  in  the  city 
of  Reading,  being  one  of  the  twenty-five  charter  members 
and  its  first  worshipful  master.  He  holds  membership  in 
Adonai  Castk,  No.  70,  K.  G.  E.;  and  Charles  A.  Gerasch 
Council,  No.  1004,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  He  retains  his  interest 
in  educational  affairs,  having  been  a  member  of  the  school 
board  of  Kutztown,  until  his  removal  to  Reading. 

JOHN  H.  MILLER,  who  has  been  prominently  identified 
with  all  the  leading  interests  of  the  borough  of  Topton  for 
many  years,  was  born  April  1,  1845,  in  Maxatawny  town- 
ship, Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Charles  and  Marie  (Heff- 
ner)  Miller. 

John  Miller,  his  paternal  grandfather,  lived  in  Lowhill 
township,  Lehigh  Co.,  Pa.,  but  later  moved  to  a  farm  in 
Maxatawny  township,  Berks  county,  the  same  being  now 
owned  by  Rev.  A.  J.  Fogel.  He  had  six  children  as  follows : 
Charles  m.  Marie  Heffner;  John  m.  (first)  Caroline  Bortz 
had  three  children— Alfred,  Mary  and  Catherine— and 
(second)  Eliza  A.  Good  and  had  one  child— Lizzie ;  Jonas 
m.  a  Miss  Weiser,  and  had  two  children— Jemima  and 
Sallie;  Joseph  m.  May  Zeigler,  and  had  six  children- 
Oscar,  Alvm,  George,  Sallie,  Montana  and  Fiana;  Joshua- 
m.  Frederica  Zangley,  and  had  children— George,  James, 
Emma,  Francisco  and  Charles ;  Esther  m.  Napoleon  Dresh- 


464 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


er,  and  had  children— Joseph,  John,  Fiana,  RosaHnda,  Ange- 
lina and  Jane. 

Charles  ]\'Iiller,  the  eldest  of  the  above  family,  was  born 
in  Lowhill  township,  Lehigh  county,  on  the  banks  of  the 
Jordan  river,  Feb.  14,  1806.  He  accompanied  his  father  to 
Maxatawny  township  and  worked  on  the  home  farm  mitil  • 
his  marriage,  when  he  bought  the  farm  now  owned  by 
his  son,  John  H.  Miller,  in  Maxatawny  township,  on  which 
he  lived  until  May  13,  1905,  when  his  long  and  blameless 
life  closed  at  the  age  of  ninety-nine  years,  two  months 
and  twenty-eight  days.  He  was  a  member,  and  in  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  an  elder,  of  the  Reformed  congre- 
gation of  the  Siegfried  Church  in  Maxatawny  township. 
In  political  feeling  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  always 
took  an  active  part  in  politics,  but  never  solicited  an  of- 
fice. On  Oct.  6,  1842,  he  married  Marie  Heffner,  born 
Dec.  31,  1818,  died  May  31,  1857,  aged  thirty-six  years 
and  five  months,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Esther  Heffner. 
Mrs.  Miller  was  born  and  reared  on  a  farm  now  owned 
by  her  only  son,  John  H.  Miller,  in  Maxatawny  township. 
She  was  a  devoted  Christian  all  her  life,  and  was  bap- 
tized April  5,  1819.  Jacob  and  Esther  Heffner  had  a  family 
of  six  children,  the  other  beside  Mrs.  Miller  being:  David, 
Daniel,  Solomon,  Lydia  and  Esther.  Charles  Miller  and 
wife  had  two  children-:  John  H.  and  Mrs.  Eldridge  Zim- 
merman, both  residents  of  Topton,  and  three  grand- 
children, namely :  Charles  D,  Zimmerman  and  Milton  and 
Harvey  A.  Miller. 

John  H.  Miller  was  afforded  far  better  educational  op- 
portunities than  were  given  many  youths  of  his  day.  After 
close  attendance  in  the  public  schools  of  the  township,  he 
spent  two  terms  at  McAllisterville  Academy,  in  Juniata 
county,  one  term  at  Freeland  Seminary,  now  Ursinus  Col- 
lege, in  Montgomery  county,  and  two  terms  at  Fairview 
Seminary  at  Kutztown,  now  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School.  Having  a  preference  for  business  rather  than 
farming,  he  accepted  a  position  with  J.  A.  &  Isaac  Fegley 
who  carried  on  a  hotel  and  general  store  business  at  Mont- 
erey, Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  and  after  serving  there  for  two 
years,  he  accepted  a  position  with  Butz  &  Hefifner,  who 
were  engaged  in  the  coal,  grain  and  lumber  business  at 
Topton  Station,  on  the  East  Pennsylvania  Railway.  At 
the  same  time  he  was  appointed  station  agent  at  the  place 
for  the  railroad  company,  which  position  he  filled  for  six- 
teen years,  giving  it  up  on  account  of  ill  health. 

After  being  with  Butz  &  Heffner  for  two  years,  iNIr. 
Miller  then  associated  himself  with  P.  L.  Diener  and  B. 
C.  Bear,  trading  under  the  firm  name  of  Baer  &  Diener 
&  Miller,  and  bought  out  the  firnxs  of  Butz  &  Heffner, 
and  Diener  &  Ubil,  also  engaged  in  the  same  business  to- 
gether with  a  general  store  business.  A  combination  was 
effected  and  the  entire  business  was  carried  on  for  eight 
years.  In  the  meantime  Mr.  Miller  was  attending  also  to 
his  duties  as  station  agent  for  the  railroad  company,  and 
served  as  secretary  of  the  Topton  Iron  Company,  and  also 
of  the  Topton  Loan  and  Building  Association,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  from  the  day  of  its  organization  until  it  had 
run  out,  which  was  in  eight  and  one-half  years,  when  all 
shareholders  had  drawn  out  two  hundred  dollars,  par  value 
less  fixed  premium.  Later  on,  in  connection  with  his 
railroad  duties,  Mr.  Miller  associated  himself  with  P.  L. 
Diener,  D.  D.  Hinterstites.  Jacob  Carl  and  Jacob  Leshcr, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Diener,  Carl  &  Co.,  and  engaged 
in  mining  iron  ore.  having  mines  on  the  lands  of  Charles 
Miller,  Edwin  A.  Trexlcr  and  Nathan  Luan.  Two  years 
later  Mr.  Miller  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  ore  business 
and  devoted  himself  for  a  time  exclusively  to  his  railroad 
business. 

A  short  time  after  resigning  his  position  as  station 
agent,  he  accepted  that  of  salesman  for  the  sale  of  hard 
and  soft  coal  for  the  firm  of  Percy  Heilner  &  Son,  of 
Philadelphia,  which  position  he  held  for  eight  years.  Then, 
he  and  his  son,  Harvey  A.  Miller,  accepted  work 
as  sales  agents  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Coal  &  Iron 
Co.,  a  position  in  which  he  continued  until  six  years  later, 
when  the  company  decided  to  sell  all  their  products  direct 
and  to  dispense  with  sales  agents.  This  closed  Mr.  Mil- 
ler's active  participation  in  business  although  not  his  active 


interest.  In  1887  he  was  elected  a  director  in  the  Farmers' 
National  Bank  of  Reading,  a  position  he  still  holds.  In 
1878  he  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  borough  of 
Topton  and  is  now  holding  the  position  of  councilman, 
to  which  he  was  elected  in  1905.  For  fully  fifteen  years  he 
served  as  a  school  director,  and  his  advice  has  been  asked 
and  his  judgment  consulted  in  almost  all  that  has  par- 
ticularly concerned  the  development  of  the  town's  various 
public  interests.  For  two  terms  he  served  as  a  justice  of 
the  peace.  In  1904  he  helped  to  organize  the  Crown  Knit- 
ting Company  of  Topton,  now  employing  about  one  hun- 
dred hands,  and  turning  out  about  12,000  half  hose  a  day, 
shipping  their  product  all   over  the  United   States. 

On  Oct.  20,  1865,  Mr.  Miller  was  married,  by  Rev.  A.  J. 
Herman,  to  Eliza  A.  Kuhns,  of  Maxatawny  township, 
daughter  of  Solomon  and  Mary  Ann  (Becker)  Kuhns.  To 
this  marriage  two  sons  were  born,  namely :  Milton  Robert, 
bom  Aug.  20,  1866 ;  and  Harvey  Albert,  born  June  15,  1868. 
The  older  son  married  Ida  L.  Sell,  daughter  of  Daniel 
K.  and  Mary  (Knab)  Sell,  and  they  have  one  daughter, 
Pauline,  born  March  24,  1891.  The  younger  son  married 
Jennie  C.  Trexler,  daughter  of  Charles  D.  and  Catherine 
(Haas)  Trexler,  and  they  have  two  children,  Marie  K.  and 
Alae  E. 

Mr.  Miller  was  baptized  April  20,  1845,  by  Rev.  Charles 
Herman,  and  his  sponsors  were  Amos  Clouser  and  his 
wife  Esther.  He  was  confirmed  in  the  fall  of  ISOl,  by 
Rev.  Charles  Herman,  and  became  a  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  Church  of  Maxatawny,  called  Siegfried's 
Church.  He  is  one  of  the  seven  men  who,  forty  years 
ago,  organized  the  Topton  Union  Sunday  school  (and 
was  for  many  years  its  superintendent),  which  was  the 
nucleus  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  now  a  flourishing  body  of 
Topton. 

FREDERICK  LEAF  SMITH,  A.  B.,  A.  M,  (deceased), 
represented  the  third  generation  of  his  family  devoted 
to  the  legal  profession  and  was  himself  for  many  years  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Berks  county  Bar.  He  was  a 
son  of  the  late  Henry  W.  Smith,  grandson  of  Judge 
Frederick  Smith,  and  great-grandson  of  Rev.  John  Fred- 
erick Smith,  an  eminent  pioneer  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
in   Pennsylvania. 

Judge  Frederick  Smith  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
citizens  of  his  time  in  Berks  county.  He  was  bnrn  in 
1773,  received  unusual  educational  advantages  for  the 
time,  and  after  careful  preparation  for  the  profession  of 
law  was  admitted  to  practice  Aug.  7,  1705.  He  had  been 
thorough  in  his  studies  and  was  equally  conscientious  in 
the  preparation  of  his  cases,  and  he  soon  won  a  prom- 
inent position  among  the  lawyers  of  his  day.  Like  many 
others  of  his  profession  he  hecame  interested  and  active 
in  politics.  From  1S02  to  1803  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Legislature:  in  1818  he  was  appointed  deputy  attorney  gen- 
eral for  Berks  county,  a  position  he  held  for  three  years; 
from  1823  to  1828  he  was  attorney  general  of  the  State 
under  Governor  Shulze,  by  whom  he  was  appointed  asso- 
ciate justice  of  the  Supreme  court  of  the  State  in  1828, 
and  this  honorable  position  he  filled  with  great  credit 
until  his  death.  Judge  Smith  was  clear  and  logical  in  his 
reasonings,  and  just  and  impartial  in  Iiis  decisions.  He 
died  at  bis  home  in  Reading,  after  but  a  brief  illness, 
Oct.  5,  1830,  aged  fifty-seven  years,  seven  months,  four 
days,  and  his  remains  were  interred  in  the  Roman  Catholic 
cemetcr\-,  but  later  removed  to  the  Charles  Evans  ccmetevy. 
The  Bar  Associations  in  Reading  and  in  Philadelphia 
passed  resolutions  in  testimony  of  his  high  charactei 
and  distinguished  ability.     He  married  Catharine  Leaf. 

Henry  W.  Smith,  son  of  Judge  Frederick  Smith,  was 
born  Jan.  4,  1804.  He  received  the  benefit  of  a  good 
literary  education,  studied  law  under  the  wise  and  able 
instruction  of  his  father,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar 
Jan.  5.  1825.  He  became  an  active  politician,  and  was  a 
delegate  to  the  State  Democratic  conventions  of  1832, 
1835,  1841,  1844  and  1846,  and  to  the  National  Democratic 
convention  in  1835.  In  1836  he  was  a  candidate  for  Con- 
gress :  in  1843  and  1844  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
Legislature,    and    again    in    1846    became    a    candidate    for 


tyrt^c/ eA^dJ^ fy^  QpLiMc^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


465 


Congressional  honors.  Twice  he  was  the  candidate  of  Philip  m.  Sarah  Mohn,  sister  of  Catherine  Mohn;  and 
his, party  for  the  office  of  president  judge.     In  his  pro-    Joseph. 

fession,  like  his  father,  he  attained  high  rank,  and  he  Adam  Grill,  grandfather  of  Adam  F.  E.,  was  born  in 
that  llT.  I^\-  ^^  extensive  practice.  The  successes  Spring  township,  and  was  a  lifelong  farmer,  owning  the 
wnrl.   ,^^  Z  '"^''f  the  result  of  careful,  painstaking    farm  now  in  the  possession  of  our  subject,  where  he  lived 

he  cont  HerpH  7Z'  -^  'w  !"*  ^%  ^°^^  ^'  ^'  ^T.^  °t^  ^^^^  *e  major  portion  of  his  life.  He  married  Catherine  Mohn, 
he  ^ave  .W.  tt  .  ""''/"t  Profffon  on  earth/'  In  1873  who  bore  him  the  following  ten  children:  Samuel  settled 
ne  gave   able   service   to   the   State  as   a   member   of   the         -  -     -  _    -      .  _.    .    . 

Constitutional  convention.  He  died  Aug.  37,  1878,  and 
he  was  survived  by  his  wife,  Mary,  and  one  son,  F. 
Leaf.  Mrs.  Smith  was  born  Dec.  11,  1811,  and  died 
March  3,  1881. 

F.  Leaf  Smith  was  born  Aug.  31,  1831,  and  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Reading.'    During 


at  Bowmansville,  Lancaster  county;  Catherine  m.  Christian 
Kress;  Elizabeth  m.  Henry  Von  Neida;  Mary  m.  Richard 
Hornberger;  Levi;  Sallie  m.  Nicholas  Mosser;  Ad'am  lived 
on  the  old  homestead;  Lydia  m.  James  Leininger;  Daniel 
was  a  tax  collector  of  Reading,  Pa. ;  and  Henry .  resided 
at  Oakbrook,  Cumru  township. 
tVio  lofa  *„,<-;„<,  i,„  „„*".  A  r-  ^~  ~~    /f^""/^=\    ^rr"""°        Levi  Grill,  father  of  Adam  F.  E.,  was  born  in  Cumrif 

from^wbLn     was"Sa?ed"rir4  l^th'^t  eX?ee'    '"^--^   f°^-  ^/^^O    and  his  entire  life  was  spent  in 

St^w^r'e^il^orab^e"  ^^^T^''^  ^"l^-     "^^  ^    ^t^kTmi' tay^b^etw^ ^^^^^^^^ 
^Vd"  T'h^iV/HS^A^.'l'f/.\'!!'L!iL^?°fi.,fil^    Gouglersville,  his  fine 'farm. consisting  of  100  acres.     He 

built  the  present  home  upon  it  m  1874,  the  barn  being  built 


on  the  day  of  his  graduation  he  had  the  honor  of  deliver- 
ing a  discourse  on  "The  Influence  of  Philosophy"  before 
President  Pierce,  who  was  present  at  the  commencement 
exercises.  In  1858  he  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from 
his  alma  mater.  After  leaving  college  Mr.  Smith  took 
up  the  study  of  law  for  which  he  had  inherited  aptitude, 
which  was  greatly  strengthened  and  developed  by  his  con- 
stant association  with  his  father,  while  the  latter  continued 
in  active  practice.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  his  father  had 
acquired   a  competent  estate  and  he  was  the  only  child. 


by  his  father,  Adam  Grill,  in  1838.  This  property  has  a 
good  meadow  of  twelve  acres,  eight  acres  of  woodland, 
and  an  excellent  spring  of  clear  water.  In  1853  Mr.  Grill 
was  married  to  Mary  Eshelman,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Lydia  (Heberling)  Eshelman,  and  to  this  union  there  were 
born  two  sons :  John  E.,  a  well  known  merchant  of  Read- 
ing; and  Adam  F.  E. 
Adam  F.  E.  Grill  received  his  education  in  the  public 


there  was  an  absence  of  'that  in  ent^e  to  f,^  devefopm  nt     itmal  fchoo,  "^^T^  *°"" p'"'  T.^h'*  *^  Keystone  State 
of  his  powers  so  essential  to  the  average  man,  but  not-    !l°^.?tlll*l°5£"It°„^"'.?!,\AV*^.:,1?ly^ 


withstanding  this  absence  of  the  spur  of  necessity  Mr. 
Smith  practised  his  profession  with  commendable  diligence 
and  remarkable  success,  continuing  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  was  a  wise  counselor,  a  diligent  student  of  his  cases, 
and  an  adroit  trial  lawyer,  and  as  long  as  he  maintained 
his  interest  in  the  practice  of  the  law  stood  in  the  front 
rank  of  the  profession,  becoming  one  of  the  most  prom- 
inent members  of  the  legal  fraternity  in  his  section.  That 
he  was  not  merely  a  lawyer  is  shown  in  the  fact  that 
he  added  to  his  professional  attainments  a  varied  and 
sound  knowledge  of  business,  and  possessed  the  prompt 
and  practical  judgment  which  rendered  his  opinions  as  a 
man  of  affairs  valuable  in  the  management  of  his  own 
business   as   well   as   that  of  his   clients. 

In  personal  integrity,  in  inflexible  devotion  to  the  inter- 
est of  his  clients,  in  urbanity  of  feeling  and  bearing  to  his 
professional  brethren,  in  h'is  respect  for  the  law  when 
it  was  declared  by  the  court,  and  in  his  habitual  deference 
to  the  judiciary,  he  was  a  model  for  imitation,  The 
benevolent  feelings  of  his  heart  were  displayed  by  regular 
and  unostentatious  giving  to  charitable  objects,  and  his 
sympathy  with  the  beauties  of  nature  by  his  interest  in 
the  systematic  culture  of  plants  and  flowers.  His  private 
life  was  one  of  remarkable  purity,  sincerity  and  unflinching 
honesty. 

On  July  2,  1879,  Mr.  Smith  married  Mary  Coulter,  and 
they  had  one  child,  Marie  Carroll,  who  resides  in  the  old 
family  home  on  South  Fifth  street,  _ Reading,  where  Mr. 
Smith  passed  away  April  10,  1898. 

ADAM  F.  E.  GRILL,  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of 
Cumru  township,  Berks  county,  resides  in  the  borough  of 

Shillington,  Pa.,  in  a  fine  residence  at  the  northwest  cor-    ,  „^  „, ...      ,  ,,        ,,   _  ...  ,  -  -----  ,--.-,— -■  ---- -  -" 

ner  of  Lancaster  and  Wyomissing  avenues.     He  was  born  ^f\t=      °^*!'f"'^  *^°J'^f^5J"  homestead   which  belonged 

on  his  father's  farm,  now  the  property  of  Joshua  Dives,  *°  ^'=   grandfather   and   father,   in   which   the   latter   was 

Jan.  28,  1857,  son  of  Levi  and  Mary  (Eshelman)   Grill.  ^  "  -r       ,_        •     nj     r-  -n 

Philip  Grill,  great-grandfather  of  Adam  F.  E.,  was  an  A°"J^"-fr!JL  I' P""-^^^  ^f%"'^.V'^^  *°  Mary  Huyett, 

extensive  land  owner  in  Spring  township,  having  fully  255  t'^ltll  of  Tohn  and  FH.^h.^1.^  m^'L^^fS'  ^"^  ^'"""t 

acres.     He  died  on  the  farm  on  which  he  had  resided  all  ^^"i^t^^LvJ  t^?^    Elizabeth  (Hartman)  Huyett,  an  old 

of  his  life,  and  his  remains  were  interred  at  Sinking  Spring  ^"'^  '?°"°«d  X^'ly, of, Berks  county.     No  children  have 


years  he  began  teaching  school  in  the  village  of  Mohnsville, 
when  there  was  but  one-  school  at  that  place.  He  finished 
one  terni  there,  after  which  he  taught  in  different  other 
schools  in  Cumru  and  Spring  townships  and  then  went 
back  to  Mohnsville  and  took  charge  of  the  grammar  school 
there  to  -  teach  his  twenty-third  and  last  term,  when  the 
hamlet  had  grown  to  be  a  large  town.  His  long  career 
as  an  educator  was  begun  in  1872,  when  D.  B.  Brunner  was 
county  superintendent,  and  he  became  well  and  favorably 
known  as  a  pedagogue.  During  the  summer  months  Mr. 
Grill  worked  upon  his  father's  farm,  where  he  had  spent 
his  boyhood  days.  In  politics  Mr.  Grill  is  a  Democrat,  and 
in  1892-3  he  was  elected  township  committeman,  and  in  the 
latter  years  was  elected  county  chairman  of  '  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  a  position  he  filled  with  efficiency  for  a  full 
term.  He  was  the  last  judge  of  election  of  Cumru  town- 
ship when  it  had  over  800  voters,  it  being  then  divided  inro 
five  voting  precincts. 

On  Feb.  18,  1895,  Assistant  U.  S.  Treasurer  W.  B. 
Bigler  of  Philadelphia  appointed  Mr.  Grill  to  a  respon- 
sible clerkship  in  the  Philadelphia  U.  S.  Sub-Treasury,  and 
in  this  position  he  has  served  most  acceptably  ever  since. 
His  work  consists  of  counting  and  assorting  money,  r.nd 
in  the  last  fourteen  years  he  has  handled  hundreds  of 
millions  of  dollars.  He  has  charge  of  the  Assorting  Tel- 
ler's desk.  For  the  past  ten  years  he  has  made  daily 
trips  from  his  home  in  Shillington  to  Philadelphia.  In 
1899  Mr.  Grill  built  his  fine  residence  at  Shillingtoii,  it- 
being  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  substantial  brick 
residences  of  the  place,  and  in  1903  he  erected  two  fine 
brick  residences  on  Lancaster  avenue  on  a  side  lot  of  his 
residence  property.  He  has  two  other  good  houses  on 
Lancaster  avenue,  one  of  brick  and  the  other  frame,  and  he 


burying-ground,  as  were  those  of  his  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Lesher.  They  had  these  children :  Christina  mar- 
ried Philip  Kappes ;  Samuel  obtained  the  original  homo- 
stead,  erected  the  present  buildings  upon  it,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Ohio ;  John  was  given  another  of  the  old  home- 
steads, later  removed  to  Centre  county,  Pa.,  and  then  fol- 
lowed Samuel  to  Ohio';  Katie  m.  Jacob  Hatt;  Eliza  m. 
Jacob  Brossman,  and  removed  to  Naperville,  111.;  Adam; 
30 


been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grill.  Mr.  Grill  stands  high  in 
the  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
substantial  men  of  his  locality  and  an  influential  molder 
of  public  opinion  in  his  township. 

ISAAC  UNGER,  late  of  Windsor  township,  Berks 
county,  was  a  great-grandson  of  Christopher  Unger  the 
first  of  the  name  in  this  country,  of  whom  we  have  the 
following  record : 


466 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(I)  Christian  Unger  emigrated  to  America  in  the  ship 
"Edinburgh,"  landing  at  Philadelphia  Sept.  19,  1752.  In 
3756  he  was  a  taxable  resident  of  Greenwich  township, 
Berks  county.  He  had  these  children :  Michael,  who  was 
a  taxable  in  Greenwich  township  in  1759 ;  John,  who  settled 
in  the  vicinity  of  Shatnokin,  Pa.;  Herman;  one  son  (.name 
unknown)  who  settled  in  Maryland;  Susanna,  m.  to  John 
Schappel;  Elizabeth,  m.  to  George  Heffley;  and  Mrs. 
Christian   Reeser. 

(H)  Herman  Unger  was  born  in  Greenwich  township.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Keim,  and  they  had  the  following  child- 
ren:  Daniel,  who  settled  in  Windsor  township;  Samuel, 
who  also  settled  in  Windsor  township;  Jacob,  who  settled 
in  Wabash  county,  Ind. ;  Abraham,  who  settled  in  Sandusky 
county,  Ohio ;  Christina,  who  married  John  Hollenbach : 
and  Mrs.  Coleman. 

(ni)  Daniel  Unger,  son  of  Herman,  married  Elizabeth 
Smith,  and  their  only  son  was  Isaac  Unger,  late  of  Wind- 
sor township. 

(IV)  Isaac  Unger  was  born  Jan.  22,  1829,  and  died  March 
16,  1SS4.  On  Nov.  18,  1849,  he  married  Syria  Weidman, 
who  was  born  in  Windsor  township  April  17,  1828.  After 
their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Unger  resided  on  his  farm 
of  206  acres,  about  one  mile  east  of  Shoemakersville — one 
of  the  best  farms  in  Perry  township.  Here  they  prospered 
and  reared  their  family.  Mr.  Unger  left  his  widow  and 
children  a  large  estate.  He  never  held  any  political  office, 
but  was  active  in  the  church,  for  several  terms  serving  as 
one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Lutheran  congregation  at  Shoe- 
makersville. 

Mrs.  Syria  Unger  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mag- 
dalena  (Kauffman)  Weidman,  and  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  her  district.  She  was  conversant  with  both  the 
English  and  German  languages.  She  was  reared  in  the 
Dunker  faith,  but  in  1850  she  and  her  husband  became 
members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  to  which  faith  she  after- 
ward adhered.  After  Mr.  Unger's  death  she  resided  in 
the  Unger  home  at  Mill  and  Belleville  streets,  Shoemakers- 
ville. She  was  an  intelligent,  benevolent  woman,  and 
though  she  lived  to  advanced  age  possessed  a  clear  mind 
and  a  contented  heart.  She  was  the  mother  of  children 
as  follows:  John  married  Ella  Teeter;  Sarah  died  at  the 
age  of  four  years;  Sylvester  died  at  the  age  of  two  years; 
Catherine,  who  married  Newton  Moyer,  died  in  1900,  aged 
forty-four  years;  Laura,  deceased,  married  Franklin  W. 
Seidel,  M.  D.,  a  graduate  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  and  of  the  medical  department  of  the  University 
of  Michigan,  who  practised  his  profession  in  Chester,  Pa., 
and  who  at  his  death  left  two  children,  Roy  and  May; 
Annie,  who  married  David  S.  Wolfe,  was  a  teacher  and 
a  highly  accomplished  woman,  and  died  in  1902,  aged 
thirty-nine  years;  Charles  married  Sallie  Koenig;  George 
W.  is  a  prosperous  business  man  and  manufacturer  of 
Boyertown. 

(V)  George  W.  Unger  was  born  Nov.  10,  1865,  in  Perry 
township,  Berks  county,  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  home  district.  He  was  reared  on  the  home- 
stead, but  he  himself  has  never  followed  farming.  When 
fifteen  years  old  he  became  a  clerk  in  H,  K.  Miller's  gen- 
eral store  at  Shoemakersville,  where  he  remained  one 
year,  after  which  he  was  with  J.  B.  Miller,  at  BernviUe, 
for  two  years.  He  then  worked  about  a  year  for  Filbert 
&  Brother,  at  Womelsdorf,  and  he  has  since  been  at  Boyer- 
town. I-Iis  first  employer  in  the  borough  was  C.  A.  Mory, 
for  whom  he  clerked  a  year  in  his  large  dry  goods  store. 
In  the  fall  of  1888  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  shoe 
business  on  his  own  account,  locating  on  North  avenue, 
Reading,  and  he  met  with  success  in  this  venture,  carrying 
on  a  retail  business  for  seven  years.  In  the  fall  of  1896 
he  comrnenced  his  present  business,  the  manufacture  of 
ladies'  ribbed  underwear,  in  which  line  he  now  employs 
from  fifty  to  sixty  hands  the  year  round.  He  is  established 
in  a  brick  factory,  80  x  .38  feet  in  dimensions,  three  stories 
in  height,  and  the  business  has  grown  to  such  an  extent 
that  it  is  considered  a  factor  in  the  commercial  importance 
of  Boyertown.  In  addition  to  this,  his  principal  interest, 
Mr.  Unger  has  been  identified  with  others  in  enterprises 
affecting  the  advancement  of  the  town,  and  he  was  one  of 


the  organizers  and  charter  members  of  the  Boyertown 
Electric  Company,  which  was  chartered  in  August,  1908, 
and  is  capitalized  at  $35,000.  Mr.  Unger  is  president  of 
the  company,  which  is  to  furnish  light,  heat  and  power  to 
the  borough,  and  which  has  a  most  promising  future.  He 
is  a  faithful  worker  for  the  interests  of  his  community. 
On  Oct.  24,  1889,  Mr.  Unger  was  married  to  Miss  L. 
Legora  Deppen,  daughter  of  Dr.  Daniel  D.  and  Isabella 
(Miller)  Deppen,  of  Bernville,  and  four  children  have 
blessed  this  union,  namely :  Earl  D.,  Laura  I.,  John  S.  and 
Daniel  H.  The  eldest  son,  Earl  D.  Unger,  is  a  student 
at  Mercersburg  Academy,  class  of  1909,  is  already  an  ex- 
pert bookkeeper,  and  is  his  father's  chief  assistant  in  the 
(manufacturing  business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Glee 
Club.  The  family  reside  in  a  beautiful  mansion  on  Chest- 
nut street,  between  Third  and  Philadelphia  avenues,  in 
Boj'^ertown,  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  lower  end  of 
the  county.  Mr.  Unger  built  this  home  in  the  summer  of 
1903.  It  is  constructed  of  Pennsylvania  blue  marble  from 
the  quarries  at  King  of  Prussia,  in  Montgomery  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Unger  and  his  family  are  members  of 
St.  John's  Lutheran   Church   at  Boyertown. 

HENNE.  The  Henne  family  was  settled  in  Bucks 
county,  Pa.,  in  1771  by  Samuel  and  Daniel  Henne.  In 
Berks  county  it  dates  back  to  Samuel  Henne,  who  was  born 
in  Tulpehocken,  now  Jefferson  township.  He  is  buried 
at  Blue  Mountain  church  in  Upper  Bern  township.  By 
occupation  he  was  a  farmer  and  carpenter,  and  owned  a 
small  farm  of  fifteen  acres,  which  he  operated  in  addition 
to  working  at  his  trade.  A  Democrat  in  politics,  he  served 
a  period  of  two  terms  as  supervisor  of  the  township,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  State  militia.  He  married  Barbara 
Noll,  daughter  of  Peter  Noll,  of  Lebanon  county.  Their 
children  were :  Samuel,  a  carpenter  of  Strausstown ;  Will- 
oughby,  of  Schuylkill  Haven,  a  contractor  and  builder ;  Ma- 
linda  (m.  Josiah  Boltz,  and  died  in  1907)  ;  Barbara  (m. 
Albert  Leminger,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  who  died  in 
1898  in  Lebanon)  ;  John  of  Williamsport,  a  carpenter; 
Ephraim ;  Adam,  a  carpenter  of  Schaefferstown ;  Levi,  a 
contracting  plasterer  of  Hamburg. 

Ephraim  Henne,  son  of  Samuel  and  father  of  Oscar, 
was  born  in  Jefferson  township,  July  8,  1853.  He  attended 
the  public  school  of  his  district,  and  when  fifteen  years 
old  went  to  Pittston,  Pa.,  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade. 
Ip  1881  he  and  his  family  moved  to  Schuylkill  Haven,  and 
there  he  followed  his  trade  until  1901  when  he  came  to 
Reading,  and  now  resides  at  No.  361  Schuylkill  avenue, 
busily  engaged  in  contracting  and  building.  He  has  been 
identified  with  many  building  operations  in  Reading  and 
throughout  Berks  county,  being  recognized  as  an  excellent 
workman. 

On  M-ay  23,  1873,  Mr.  Henne  married  -Miss  Kate  Zerby, 
a  daughter  of  John  Zerby  (whose  wife  was  a  Pliester), 
of  Upper  Tulpehocken  township.  Their  children  are: 
Oscar  D. ;  James  I.  died  in  infancy;  Minerva  m.  Calvin 
Fitler;  Sadie  m.  Dr.  Harry  Rentschler;  Charles  E.  died 
at  the  age  of  six;  Beulah;  Mary  died  in  childhood;  Elsie; 
Herman  ;  Martin.  Mr.  Henne  is  an  independent  voter,  cast- 
ing his  ballot  for  the  man  he  believes  best  fitted  for  the 
place  without  regard  to  party  lines.  He  is  a  member  of 
St.  Matthew's  Lutheran  church,  and  he  is  a  man  widely 
known  and  universally  respected. 

Oscar  D.  Henne,  building  inspector  of  Reading  and 
a  man  of  high  standing  in  the  community,  was  born  in 
Upper  Bern,  Berks  Co..  Pa.,  March  9,  1874.  When  only 
eight  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to  Schuylkill  Haven 
and  there  he  attended  excellent  schools,  although  he  left 
school  when  quite  young  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade 
under  his  father.  In  1893  he  went  to  Wilkes  Barre,  where 
he  was  in  the  employ  of  M.  B.  I-Ioupt  &  Son  in  their 
planing  mill.  After  a  year,  in  1894  he  removed  to  Phila- 
delphia, and  worked  for  D.  Dougherty,  a  large  contractor 
In  1896  he  left  his  employ  and  traveled  in  Indiana  and 
Minnesota,  working  at  his  trade  until  1898,  and  seeing 
much  of  the  country.  In  the  last  named  year,  he  returned 
home  and  enlisted  in  Company  F,  of  Pottsville,  Pa,  4th 
Reg.   Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  throughout  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


467 


entire  Porto  Rico  campaign.  In  Porto  Rico  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  artificer,  and  when  he  was  mustered 
out  Nov.  17,  1898,  he  was  so  recorded.  In  1899  he  came 
to  Reading  and  engaged  in  contracting  and  building,  fol- 
lowing these  lines  successfully  until  May  1,  1908,  when  he 
was  appointed  by  Hon.  William  Rick  building  inspector 
of  the  city  of  Reading,  which  responsible  position  he  now 
holds,  his  practical  knowledge  of  contracting  and  building 
making  him  an  excellent  city  official. 

Mr.  Henna  resides  in  his  own  home  at  No.  134  West 
Greenwich  street.  Fifteenth  ward,  of  Reading.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  is  very  prominent  in  the  ranks 
of  his  party.  He  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church,  while 
his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church. 

On  Nov.  21,  1903,  Mr.  Henne  married  Emily  Tyson, 
daughter  of  Irwin  and  Ellen  (Becker)  Tyson,  of  Schuylkill 
Haven,  and  they  have  one  son,  Allen  T.  Naturally  Mr. 
Henne  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  young  men  of 
Reading,  whose  business  and  political  future  is  very  bright. 
He  comes  of  good,  solid  stock,  originally  German,  but 
now  thoroughly  Americanized,  and  is  a  fair  example  of 
vigorous,  sturdy  American  manhood. 

DR.  JACOB  S.  RITTENHOUSE,  one  of  Reading's  lead- 
ing medical  practitioners,  has  been  in  constant  practice  in 
that  city  for  the  past  twenty-four  years,  during  which  time 
he  has  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  entire  com- 
munity and  has  occupied  positions  of  honor  and  trust..  He 
was  born  June  3,  1861,  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  R.  and  Anna 
M.  (Shaffer)  Rittenhouse. 

The  Rittenhoiases  originally  came  from  Holland,  the  fam- 
ily being  established  in  America  in  1690,  in  which  year 
the  progenitor  established  the  first  paper  mill  in  America 
at  Germantown,  Pa.  Dr.  Samuel  R.  Rittenhouse,  father  of 
Dr.  Jacob  S.,  was  born  near  the  Trappe,  Montgomery  Co., 
Pa.,  Jan.  16,  1832,  son  of  Jacob  D.  Rittenhouse,  one  of  the 
substantial  agriculturists  of  that  section,  who  died  of  apo- 
plexy aged  sixty-one  years,  April  17,  1843.  Samuel  R. 
Rittenhouse  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town 
during  his  younger  years,  and  then  took  a  medical  course 
in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1853.  He  immediately  entered  upon  practice 
as  an  allopathic  physician  near  The  Trappe,  but  not  being 
satisfied  until  he  had  received  the  best  education  possible, 
he  returned  to  the  University  the  following  fall  and  at- 
tended another  course  of  lectures,  also  taking  advantage 
of  the  Clinics  at  the  University  Hospital.  During  the 
following  year  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  Lesher 
Trexler  at  Longswamp,  Berks  county,  and  they  acquired 
a  large  and  remunerative  practice  which  they  held  until 
1855.  At  the  time  he  had  no  faith  in  the  Homeopathic 
School  of  Medicine,  having  been  led  to  believe  that  it  was 
nothing  more  than  a  delusion;  but  the  wonderful  accom- 
plishments of  that  year  opened  his  eyes,  as  it  did  those 
of  every  other  man  who  was  deeply  interested  in  the  ad- 
vances of  medical  science.  He  decided,  therefore,  to 
make  a  careful  investigation,  and  at  once  read  the  Or- 
ganon  and  studied  the  Homeopathic  Materia  Medica. 
With  the  coming  of  faith  in  the  new  school,_  faith  in  the 
old  school  began  to  wane  and  finally  made  its  departure, 
when  upon  testing  the  medicines  in  active  practice  he  be- 
came thoroughly  satisfied  with  the  principle  of  Hahnemann 
— Similia  similibus  curantur.  In  1857  he  removed  to  Mil- 
lerstown,  now  Maoungie,  Lehigh  county,  where  for 
years  he  had  charge  of  a  lairge  practice.  Indeed,  it  grew 
to  such  an  extent  that  it  required  his  entire  attention,  his 
health  became  greatly  impaired,  and,  fearing  that  it  would 
be  necessary  to  relinquish  his  practice  entirely,  he  removed 
to  Reading  in  October,  1868,"  where  he  hoped  to  better 
the  condition  of  his  health.  He  soon  after  took  up  practice 
again,  and  continued  with  much  success  uritil  his  death, 
June  26,  1895.  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  a  member  of  the 
Homeopathic  Medical  Societies  of  Berks  and  Schuylkill 
counties,  the  Homeopathic  Medical  Society  of  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Reading  Society  of  Natural 
Sciences.  He  frequently .  contributed  papers  to  medical 
journals  of  both  schools,  and  was  a  writer  of  merit.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  he  was  an  enthusiastic  advocate  of  the 


Union  cause,  and  contributed  numerous  articles  to  local 
papers  intended  to  stimulate  patriotism  in  the  people  and  to 
continue  the  support  of  the  Union.  He  was  a  consistent 
Republican,  and  in  1863  was  the  popular  candidate  of  his 
party  for  the  State  Legislature,  but  was  defeated  at  the 
election.  At  the  time  of  his  demise  he  was  acting  as 
consulting  physician  of  the  Medical  Staff  of  the  Homeo- 
pathic Hospital,  and  was  also  the  first  president  of  the 
Hahnemann  Medical  Society  of  Reading.  By  his  marriage  to 
Anna  M.  Shaffer,  he  be'came  the  father  of  two  sons  and 
two  daughters :  Jacob  S. ;  Anna ;  Hannah ;  and  a  son  who 
died  in  infancy. , 

Dr.  Jacob  S.  Rittenhouse  was  but  seven  years  of  age 
when  his  father  removed  the  family  to  Reading,  and  there 
he  obtained  his  elementary  education  in  the  public  schools, 
later  taking  a  course  in  languages  and  the  natural  sciences 
at  the  Scientific  Academy  under  the  preceptorship  of  the' 
Hon.  D.  B.  Brunner,  after  which  he  matriculated  in  the 
Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia  in  1882.  On 
April  3,  1885,  he  was  graduated,  and  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine  was  conferred  upon  him.  During  the  last  year 
in  college  he  was  elected  by  the  class  to  "quiz"  them  on  the 
subject  of  pathology  and  the  practice  of  medicine.  After 
his  graduation  he  became  associated  in  practice  with  his 
father  in  Reading,  and  during  the  winter  of  1887-8  he  at- 
tended the  New  York  Polyclinic  and  other  well-known 
hospitals,  devoting  particular  attention  to  the  diseases 
of  the  ear,  nose  and  throat.  He  has  since  made  a 
specialty  of  these  subjects,  and  is  at  present  the  Special 
United  States  Pension  Examiner  for  the  district  of  Berks 
county  on  ailments  of  the  ear  and  eye.  He  Was  one  of 
the  first  surgeons  on  the  staff  of  the  Reading  Homeopatljic 
Hospital.  He  has  been  successful  in  practice  beyond  his 
fondest  expectations,  and  numbers  among  his  patients  many 
of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  county.  For  twelve  years 
Dr.  Rittenhouse  has  had  his  home  at  Lorane,  Pa.,  although 
actively  continuing  his  medical  work  at  his  office  in  Read- 
ing. 

Professionally  Dr.  Rittenhouse  is  a  member  of  the  Read- 
ing and  the  State  Homeopathic  Societies,  and  is  an  ex- 
president  of  the  Hahnemann  Medical  Society  of  Reading. 
His  fraternal  connections  are  with  Vigilant  Lodge,  I.  O. 
O.  F.;  the  Encampment,  I.  O.  O.  F.;  and  the  A.  O.  U.. 
W.  For  many  years  he  has  been  extensively  interested  in 
horticulture  and  fruit  growing,  and  he  is  one  of  the  judges 
of  apples  at  the  fairs  of  the  Berks  County  Agricultural 
Society.  He  belongs  to  the  Pennsylvania  Horticultural 
Society  and  to  the  American  Pomological  Society.  Dr. 
Rittenhouse  is  a  man  of  high  cliaracter  and  is  greatly  re- 
spected by  his  fellow-citizens  and  practitioners. 

On  June  12,  1888,  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  married  to  Emma 
K.  Griesemer,  daughter  of  Benneville  D.  and  Hannah  K. 
Griesemer,  and  four  children  were  born  to  them,  namely: 
Roger  G.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  months,  after  a 
severe  illness  of  a  few  weeks;  Mary  Esther,  born  Jan.  18, 
1892;  Samuel  B.,  born  Oct.  14,  1893;  and  Ruth  Helen, 
born  Dec.  14,  1897. 

CHARLES  M.  PLANK,  a  lawyer  of  Reading,  who 
has  been  somewhat  prominent  in  Republican  politics  for 
a  number  of  years,  is  descended  from  French-Huguenot 
stock.  His  grandfather,  Jacob  Plank,  resided  in  Cam- 
bridge, Lancaster  county. 

Adam  Plank,  father  of  Charles,  was  a  farmer  in  Lan- 
caster county  in  the  early  part  of  his  career,  but  later 
moved  to  Reading,  where  he  was  in  business  until  his 
death,  in  1880,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  He  mar- 
ried Joanna  Moll,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Moll, 
of  Salisbury  township,  Lancaster  county.  -Of  their  eight 
children,  five  are  deceased,  as  follows :  Winfield  Scott, 
who  died  when  four  years  old;  Margaret;  Elizabeth,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one;  Catharine,  who  died  aged 
fifty;  and  Mary.  The  survivors  are:  Jennie  P.,  wife  of 
James  A.  Lanning,  of  Camden,  N.  J.;  Ida  M.,  wife  of 
Henry  M.  Phillippi,  of  Reading;  and  Charles  M. 

Charles  M.  Plank  was  born  Sept.  23,  1860,  and  was  reared 
in  Reading,  where  he  received  good  school  advantages 
He  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  the  class  of  1876 


468 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  for  three  years  thereafter  taught  school.  Having 
decided  upon  the  law  as  his  life  work,  he  began  its  study  in 
the  office  of  the  late  Daniel  H.  Wingerd,  passed  the  ex- 
amination in  1881,  and  at  once  began  practice.  In  the 
ensuing  years  he  has  acquired  a  very  comfortable  clientele 
and  been  admitted  to  the  Superior,  Suprem'e,  United  States 
District  and  United  States  Circuit  courts.  He  has  con- 
.  fined  himself  principally  to  private  practice,  yet  at  various 
times  he  has  been  engaged  in  legal  work  in  the  public 
service,  for  four  years  acting  as  assistant  city  solicitor, 
for  three  years  as  solicitor  for  the  school  board  and  for 
three  years  as   deputy  collector  of   Internal  Revenue. 

Mr.  Plank  has  given  considerable  attention  to  public 
affairs.  He  is  a  good  "mixer,"  and  a  valuable  man  in  Re- 
publican councils.  He  has  been  chairman  of  the  Republican 
county  committee  for  ten  years  and  his  face  is  a  familiar 
one  in  all  the  local  conventions  of  his  party,  and  in  State 
and  national  conventions  as  well,  he  having  been  delegate  to 
State  conventions  nineteen  times.  He  was  a  delegate  in 
1S96  to  the  national  convention  in  St.  Louis  which  nomi-- 
nated  McKinley.  Mr.  Plank's  name  has  given  strength  to 
the  local  Republican  ticket  in  several  elections,  and  in  1896 
he  was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for  State  senator.  He 
was  leading  a  known  forlorn  hope,  however,  so  that  his  de- 
feat was  not  a  disappointment.  He  came  out  of  the  con- 
test with  the  rather  startling  record  of  having  carried  the 
city  of  Reading  by  a  plurality  of  3,380  votes,  and  he  came 
within  1,383  votes  of  carrying  the  district.  Mr.  Plank  is 
a  communicant  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  with  membership 
at  Christ  Cathedral  in  Reading. 

Mr.  Plank  married  Sept.  39,  1897,  Helen  A.  Althouse, 
daughter  of  the  late  Franklin  A.  Althouse,  of  Reading,  who 
for  forty-one  years  was  in  the  railroad  service. 

SALLADE.  The  Sallade  family  is  of  French  Hugue- 
not origin.  At  the  time  of  the  Revocation  of  the  Edict  of 
Nantes,  the  head  of  the  family  fled  to  Zwei-Briicken, 
Rheinpfalz,  whence  five  of  his  sons  came  to  America. 
These  five  were :  Jacob,  who  came  over  in  1749,  and  located 
in  Tohickon,  Bucks  Co.,  Pa.;  Peter,  who  came  in  1750; 
Frederick,  in  1751;  Nicholas,  in  1753  (died  in  1770);  and 
Thomas,  in  1764.  One  of  the  sons  went  to  Lancaster 
county,   Pennsylvania. 

Nicholas  Sallade,  who  came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1753, 
located  in  Dauphin  county,  where  he  died  in  1770.  He 
had  a  son  John. 

John  Sallade,  son  of  Nicholas,  became  a  man  of  promi- 
nence in  the  State,  and  served  as  an  oiBcer  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  married  a  daughter  of  George  Eberhart,  of  Berks 
county.  In  1755  when  but  eight  years  old  she  was  carried 
into  captivity  by  the  Indians  and  taken  to  Miami  county, 
Ohio,  but  after  many  years  was  rescued  by  the  expedition 
under  Col.  Henry  Banquet.  Among  the  children  of  John 
Sallade  were  two  sons :  George,  mentioned  below ;  and  Col. 
Simon  (1785-1854),  who  served  several  terms  in  the  State 
Legislature. 

George  Sallade,  son  of  John,  was  born  Feb.  4,  1766,  and 
died  April  1,  1853.  He  moved  from  his  native  town  of 
Woraelsdorf  to  Royersford,  and  then  to  Hereford.  From 
Plereford  he  went  to  Alburtis,  but  after  a  short  stay  there 
returned  to  Hereford,  and  that  place  was  his  home  from 
that  time  on.  By  occupation  he  was  a  blacksmith.  I-Iis 
remains  were  interred  in  the  cemetery  at  Huff's  Church. 
Pie  married  Eve  Kintner,  who  died  April  33,  1837,  aged 
sixty-six  years.  She  was  born  in  Womelsdorf.  Their 
children  were:  William,  who  lived  at  Millersfown,  Lehigh 
county;  Charles,  Abraham,  Rebecca,  Elizabeth,  Sarah  and 
Anna. 

Abraham  Sallade,  son  of  George,  was  born  at  Royers- 
ford, in  Montgomery  county,  Aug.  16,  1809,  and  was  but 
a  boy  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Berks  county. 
He  followed  his  trade  of  shoemaker  near  Harlem,  on  the 
property  now  owned  by  Jacob  M.  Gery,  and  he  did  an 
extensive  business  for  the  time,  employing  one  or  two 
apprentices.  For  two  years  he  was  proprietor  of  the  hotel 
at  Huff's  Church.  He  died  Mav  30,  1865,  and  is  buried 
at  Huff's  Church,  as  is  a1sn  his  wife.  Fi\'e  generations  of 
the    family    sleep    here.      Abraham    Sallade    married    Julia 


Levan,  who  was  born  Jan.  13,  1819,  and  died  April  eO, 
1884,  in  the  sixty-sixth  year  of  her  age.  They  had  eight 
daughters  and  three  sons  :  William  H. ;  Sarah  Ann  ;  Hannah 
M. ;  Eliza ;  Louisa ;  Dr.  James  W.,  of  Auburn,  Pa. ;  Lydia 
Ann;  Telera;  Abraham  G.;  Amanda,  who  married  John 
W.  Gilbert ;  and  Ida,  wife  of  John  Rush  (who  now  lives 
at  Pottstown),  who  died  six  miles  below  Norfolk,  Virginia. 

William  H.  Sallade,  son  of  Abraham  and  Julia,  was 
born  at  Alburtis,  Lehigh  county,  March  25,  1839,  and  was 
but  a  year  old  when  his  parents  located  in  Hereford  town- 
ship, Berks  county.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  in  Reading  Academy  under  the  instruction 
of  William  A.  Good.  In  1848  he  was  licensed  to  teach 
school  by  the  first  county  superintendent,  William  A.  Good, 
and  taught  his  first  term  that  fall.  He  also  taught  under 
ccmnty  superintendents  John  S.  Ermentrout  and  David 
B.  Brunner.  After  teaching  eleven  consecutive  terms,  he 
spent  one  year,  from  April,  1859,  to  1860,  clerking,  and  then 
re-entered  the  school  room,  teaching  one  term  in  Here- 
ford, ten  in  Harlem,  and  one  at  Huff's  Church.  In  1861 
he  learned  the  stone-cutting  trade  during  the  summer  and 
out  of  school  hours,  and  has  followed  it  ever  since  with 
the  exception  of  five  3'ears  when  in  office.  He  still  has  a 
small  establishment,  and  he  has  made  many  tombstones  in 
his  time.  Prior  to  entering  politics,  he  employed  a  number 
of  men  and  carried  on  the  business  very  extensively.  His 
son,  J.  Frank,  is  now  in  the  business  having  his  yard  at 
Pottsville,  opposite  the  Charles  Baber  cemeterjr.  In  poh- 
tics  Mr.  Sallade  is  a  Democrat,  and  from  his  youth  has 
been  keenly  interested  in  his  party.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  he  was  inspector  of  elections,  and  since  then  he  has 
helped  to  hold  elections  over  thirty  years  in  all.  He  has 
been  school  director,  auditor  and  delegate  to  county  con- 
ventions ;  was  county  auditor  from  1874  to  1878 ;  clerk  of 
Quarter  Sessions  Court,  1891-1894 ;  deputy  county  treasurer 
1894-96;  justice  of  the  peace  1875-1891,  and  1900-1905,  and 
he  is  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  his  township.  He  has 
a  valuable  tract  of  thirteen  and  one-half  acres,  and  in  1896 
built  his  present  home.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of 
Huff's  church,  belonging  to  the  Lutheran  congregation. 

On  Jan.  16,  1863,  Mr.  Sallade  married  Sarah  Ann  Gery, 
daughter  of  Ephraim  N.  Gery  (who  is  now  aged  ninety-one 
years),  and  they  have  had  five  sons  and  five  daughters, 
namely:  James  A.,  J.  Frank,  Ida  L.,  Mary  A.,  Jerome  W., 
Anna  M.,  J.  Henry  (killed  on  the  railroad), i  Sarah  J.,  Ira 
E.  and  L.  Stella.  Fraternally  Mr.  Sallade  belongs  to 
Huguenot  Lodge,  No.  377,  Kutztown ;  Pennsburg  Lodge, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  also  the  Encampment;  East  Greenville 
Castle,  No.  398,  K,  G.  E.;  and  Washington  Camp,  No. 
470,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  Siesholtzville,  and  in  1863  was  district 
president  of  the  southeastern  district  of  Berks  county. 

Dr.  James  W.  Sallade,  veterinarian  of  Auburn,  Pa.,'  was 
born  in  Hereford  township,  Berks  count}',  Aug.  14,  1850, 
son  of  Abraham  and  Julia.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  township,  and  in  East  Greenville,  Montgomery 
county,  and  then  entered  Kallynean  Academy  at  Boyertown 
and  later  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School.  Pie  taught 
school  six  terms  in  Hereford  and  Boyertown,  and  then 
worked  in  the  iron  ore  mines  and  assisted  in  the  building 
of  the  Colebrookdale  Railroad.  During  school  vacations  he 
also  worked  in  a  grist  mill  and  clerked  in  a  country  store 
He  was  always  ambitious,  and  whatever  his  occupation  he 
has  always  been  looking  forward  to  something  better  and 
somethmg  higher.  Li  1875  while  teaching  school  he  or- 
ganized the  Hereford  Debating  Club,  which  became  the 
parent  of  the  Hereford  Literary  Society,  which  has  had 
so  much  to  do  with  the  development  of  literary  tastes  in 
that  locality.  In  his  young  manhood  Dr.  Sallade  became 
interested  m  politics,  and  in  1873  he  was  appointed  clerk 
and  deputy  warden  of  the  Berks  county  jail,  after  which  he 
was  made  steward  of  the  Insane  Department  of  the  Berks 
County  Poor  House,  a  position  he  held  six  vears  Fle  then 
matriculated  as  a  student  at  the  Ontario  Veterinarv  Col- 
lege, from  which  he  graduated  as  honor  man  in  1SS3  Fie 
opened  an  office  in  Reading  and  practised  there  a  short 
time,  after  which  lie  was  in  Topton  until  1885.  I-Te  then 
moved  to  Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county,  where  ho  established 
an  extensive  practice,  being  the  first  graduate  veterinarian 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


4(59 


in  the  county.  He  employed  several  assistants,  and  trained 
a  number  of  young  men  for  college,  fourteen  successful 
practitioners  in  various  parts  of  the  country  owing  their 
early  training  to  him.  Dr.  Sallade  graduated  in  March, 
1883,  and  in  August  of  that  year  he  took  an  active  part  in 
organizing  the  Pennsylvania  State  Veterinary  Medical  As- 
sociation, of  which  he  was  elected  the  first  president,  serv- 
ing as  such  in  all  for  four  years.  In  1888  he  became  a 
member  of  the  United  States  Veterinary  Medical  Associa- 
tion, and  in  1894  issued  the  call  and  organized  the  Schuyl- 
kill Valley  Veterinary  Medical  Association.  In  1895  he 
was  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  the  State  a  member  of 
tlie  Pennsylvania  State  Veterinary  Medical  Examining 
Board,  a  position  he  still  holds.  In  1906  he  successfully 
passed  the  Veterinary  Civil  Service  examination  and  is  now 
employed  by  the  Federal  government  in  scientific  work. 
For  three  years  of  his  residence  in  Schuylkill  county  he 
has  been  in  charge  of  the  sheriff's  office  and  the  same  num- 
ber of  years  of  the  County  Almshouse.  He  is  a  man  of 
remarkable  application,  and  by  his  power  of  systematizing 
his  work,  is  able  to  accomplish  more  than  most  men.  He 
has  a  high  ideal,  and  is  endeavoring  to  perform  his  duty  as 
a  man  and  a  citizen,  giving  of  his  time  and  his  knowledge 
to  the  safe  guarding  of  the  public. 

In  1872  Dr.  Sallade  married  Mary  Ann  Covely,  daugh- 
ter of  David  Covely,  and  granddaughter  of  the  late  Michael 
Gery,  former  county  commissioner  of  Berks  county.  To 
this  union  have  been  born  three  children:  Anna  Maria, 
wife  of  Dr.  F.  H.  McCarthy,  a  former  student  of  Dr. 
Sallade's  who  succeeded  to  the  latter's  practice;  Katie 
May,  an  accomplished  young  lady  at  home ;  and  Ira  Jason, 
who  was  accidentally  killed  on  the  railroad  in  1893,  at  the 
age  of  thirteen. 

Abraham  G.  Sallade  was  born  in  Hereford  township, 
April  23,  1857,  son  of  Abraham  and  Julia.  He  was  reared 
on  the  farm  and  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  township.  He  began  life  for  himself  by  driv- 
ing ore  teams  at  the  Siesholtzville  mines,  and  later  was 
fireman  at  the  same  mines,  then  engineer,  and  then  for-  a 
number  of  years  was  underground.  His  next  work  was  as 
a  mine  contractor,  and  then  he  became  superintendent  of 
the  Siesholtzville  mines,  and  also  superintended  numerous 
other  mines  in  the  same  locality.  In  1892  owing  to  fail- 
ing health  he  quit  the  mine  business,  and  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business,  a  line  he  followed  for  fourteen  years.  In 
1906  he  went  South,  and  located  at  Birmingham,  Ala., 
where  he  had  charge  of  a  coal  mine  for  the  Berks,  Coal 
Company,  and  conducted  it  successfully  until  they  sold  out 
to  another  company.  When  Mr.  Sallade  returned  north 
he  was  made  foreman  for  Fehr  &  O'Rourke,  at  Reading. 
In  January,  1909,  he  became  deputy  county  treasurer  under 
Treasurer  William  M.  Croll,  and  this  office  he  is  filling 
at  the  present  time.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
long  been  active  in  the  party  ranks.  He  is  the  second 
of  his  family  to  hold  the  office  of  deputy  county  treasurer. 
All  three  brothers  have  held  County  offices,  either  elective 
or  appointive. 

GEORGE  ROBERT  GREGORY,  register  of  wills  of 
Berks  county,  Pa.,  is  a  representative  of  the  sixth  genera- 
tion of  the  Gregory  family  in  America.  He  was  born  in 
Hereford  township,  Dec.  19,  1869,  son  of  Nathaniel  and 
Matilda   (Wiegner)   Gregory. 

(I)  As  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  the  first  of  the  Greg- 
ory family  to  come  to  America  was  Richard  Gregory,  who 
settled  in  Hereford  township,  Berks  county.  Pa.,  possibly 
as  early  as  1725.  He  died  in  1765.  He  was  the  father  of 
fifteen  children:  John,  Richard,  David,  Andrew,  Jacob, 
George,  Christian,  Mrs.  Mary  Jones,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Mack, 
Mrs.  Judith  Rhoads,  Mrs.  Anna  Betty,  Mrs.  Margretha 
Foige  (who  settled  in  Longswamp  township),  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Kurtz,  Sarah  and  Hannah.  In  1759  among  the  taxables 
in  Hereford  township  were  Richard  Gregory,  Sr.  (£15), 
Richard  Gregory,  Jr.   (£6)   and  John  Gregory   (£12). 

(II)  Jacob  Gregory,  son  of  Richard  the  pioneer,  mar- 
ried Catharine  Gehris,  of  Hereford  township,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Gehris  (the  executors  of  whose  will  were  Peter 
Hauk  of  AUentown,  and  Peter  Gehris  of  Hereford  town- 


ship). They  went  to  North  Carolina,  where  they  were 
living  -when  he  received  the  legacy  of  his  father  Richard 
in  1782  (the  father's  estate  apparently  was  not  finally 
settled  until  1782  when  the  release  was  filed  in  the  Record- 
er's office  at  Reading).  He  later  removed  to  Green  township, 
Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  and  was  there  living  when  he  in- 
herited property  from  his  father-in-law  Jacob  Gehris,  in 
1822. 

(II)  John  Gregory,  eldest  son  of  Richard,  died  in  1784. 
He  was  a  Captain  in  the  French  and  Indian  War.  His 
children  were:  John,  Peter,  Richard  (resided  in  Long- 
swamp  township,  and  had  a  son  John),  Mary  (m.  John 
Swartz),  Mrs.  Christina  Finch,  Susannah  (died  unmarried 
in  1808,  and  her  brother  John  administered  her  estate), 
Elizabeth  and  Nancy. 

(III)  John  Gregory,  son  of  John,  was  born  Sept.  16, 
1751,  and  died  Dec.  24,  1835.  His  wife,  Maria  Elizabeth, 
was  born  June  6,  1753,  and  died  Aug.  6,  1837.  Their 
children  were:  Philip  (settled  in  Erie  county,  Pa.),  Peter, 
Samuel  (born  Dec.  26,  1790,  died  unmarried  in  Hereford 
township,  Jan.  18,  1866),  Richard,  Robert  (born  March  31, 
1795,  died  April  29,  1877,  married  Catharine  Wiand,  born 
Jan.  6,  1804,  died  Nov.  19,  1887),  David  (of  Monroe  county, 
Pa.),  Catharine  (Mrs.  Conrad  Weinman,  of  Erie  countv, 
Pa.),  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Jacob  Gery),  Judith  (Mrs.  Henry 
Mester)  and  Lydia  (1801-1851).  Letters  on  the  estate  of 
Lydia  Gregory,  a  single  woman,  late  of  the  township  of 
Hereford,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  were  granted  to  her  brother 
Samuel  in  1851.  In  1790  in  Hereford  township,  there  is 
record  of  a  Jacob  and  a  John  Gregory,  both  heads  of 
families. 

(IV)  Peter  Gregory,  son  of  John,  died  in  1852,  the 
father  of  John,  Henry  and  Anna  Margaret. 

(IV)  Richard  Gregory,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  Hereford 
township  Berks  county,  but  settled  in  Chestnuthill  town- 
ship, Monroe  county.  Pa.  He  became  the  father  of  four 
sons  and  two  daughters:  (1)  Thomas.  (2)  Cornelius 
resided  in  Iowa  county.  Wis.,  at  the  time  he  inherited  a 
legacy  from  his  uncle  Samuel  Gregory  in  1869.  (3)  John 
Gregory  was  living  in  Chestnuthill  township,  Monroe 
county,  at  the  time  he  inherited  from  his  uncle  Samuel  in 
1869.  (4)  Samuel  lived  in  Burlington,  Des  Moines  Co., 
Iowa,  when  he  received  the  legacy  from  his  uncle  Samuel 
in  1869.  (5)  Susanna  married  Reuben  Henry,  and  died 
the  mother  of  Mary  Jane,  Annetta,  Alfred,  of  whom  Mary 
Jane  married  Emanuel  Arnold.  All  of  these  resided  in 
Monroe  county.  Pa.,  and  all  received  from  the  estate  of 
Samuel  Gregory.     (6)   Clara  died  leaving  no  children. 

(IV)  Robert  Gregory,  son  of  John  and  Maria  Elizabeth, 
was  born  March  31,  1795,  and  he  died  at  11 :00  a.  m.,  April 
29,  1877.  He  married  Catharine  Wiand,  who  was  born 
Jan.  6,  1804,  and  who  died  Nov.  19,  1887.  Their  children 
were:  William,  who  left  no  issue;  Nathaniel;  Lydia,  Mrs. 
Seip,  who  died  leaving  a  son,  Edward  G.,  now  of  Long- 
swamp  towftship,  Berks  county;  and  Sarah,  Mrs.  John  M. 
Snyder,  of  Upper  Milford  township,  Lehigh  county,  whose 
children  were— Allen,  Jacob  and  Katie  (Mrs.  Yoder). 

(V)  Nathaniel  Gregory,  son  of  Robert,  was  born  in 
Hereford  township,  April  1,  1838.  He  was  reared  to  farm- 
ing, and  followed  it  for  many  years.  About  1880  he  en- 
gaged in  the  hotel  business  at  Hariem,  and  in  this  he  has 
since  continued.  His  stand  was  formerly  known  as  "Gery's 
Hotel,"  and  the  village  was  called  Perryville.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Democrat,  and  for  many  years  he  served  as 
school  director.  He  was  a  delegate  to  many  county  con- 
ventions, and  he  has  always  been  actively  interested  in  his 
party's  success.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  congre- 
gation at  Huff's  Church,  and  has  been  both  deacon  and  elder 
Since  the  institution  of  Harlem  Castle,  K.  G.  E.,  at  Harlem' 
he  has  been  keeper  of  the  Exchequer.  His  wife  Matilda 
Wiegner,  was  born  April  7,  1836,  daughter  of  George  Wieg- 
ner, of  Hereford  township,  who  owned  the  old  historic 
Wiegner  s  Mill  on  the  Perkiomen.  Their  children  were  •  (l) 
George  Robert.  (2)  Eugene  Harvey  m.  Lizzie  Gery  '  No 
children  (3)  Howard  William  m.  Mary  Rauch,  and  has 
two  children,  Annie  and  Elsie._  (4)  Diana  ra.  Adam  Seis- 
holtz.  and  had  children,  Calvm,  Herbert,  Annie,  Mamie 
Gertie  and  Florence. 


470 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(VI)  George  Robert  Gregory  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  district,  and  later 
attended  the  Normal  School  at  Kutztown,  graduating  there- 
from in  1892.  When  eighteen  years  old  he  began  teaching 
in  the  public  schools  of  Pike  township,  his  first  certificate 
being  granted  by  Prof.  D.  S.  Keck.  He  taught  in  all  nine 
terms,  eight  of  which  were  in  Hereford  township.  .Since 
he  was  nineteen  Mr.  Gregory  has  taken  a  great  interest 
in  Democratic  politics.  For  four  years  he  served  as  com- 
mitteeman from  Hereford  township,  and  he  has  been 
delegate  to  a  number  of  county  conventions.  In  1896  he 
was  made  assistant  clerk  in  the  county  commissioner's 
ofBce,  a  position  he  ably  filled  three  years.  He  then  became 
a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Register  of  Wills,  Levi 
S.  Mabry  (1899-1901),  and  at  the  end  of  two  years  was 
appointed  deputy  register,  serving  one  year  more  under 
Mr.  Mabry.  He  continued  to  fill  that  office  under  the  ad- 
ministrations of  William  R.  Kemmerer  (1902-1904)  and 
also  under  Wilson  M.  Dumn  (1905-1908),  when  Mr.  Greg- 
ory became  Register  of  Wills  himself,  having  been  elected 
by  the  remarkable  primary  vote  of  8,011,  and  general  elec- 
tion vote  of  16,024.  His  long  service  as  deputy  fitted  him 
for  his  position,  and  he  is  a  very  obliging  and  able  official. 
He  resided  in  the  Twelfth  ward  of  Reading  from  1902 
until  the  fall  of  1908,  when  he  purchased  his  handsome 
residence  No.  1634  Mineral  Spring  Road  in  the  Sixteenth 
ward. 

Mr.  Gregory  has  been  connected  with  a  number  of  secret 
societies.  At  the  present  time  he  is  Worshipful  Master  of 
St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  435,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  member  of  Reading 
Lodge  of  Perfection,  14th  degree;  Oley  Lodge,  No.  218,  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  in  which  he  is  Past  Grand;  East  Greenville  Lodge, 
No.  232,  K.  of  P.;  Cashmere  Temple,  No.  37,  D.  O.  K.  of 
K. ;  Court  Victory,  No.  123,  Foresters  of  America;  Plarlem 
Castle,  No.  335,  K.  G.  E.,  in  which  he  is  past  chief;  and 
Mt.  Penn  Commandery,  uniformed  rank,  K.  G.  E.  In 
the  Eagles  he  has  been  District  Grand  Chief  of  District  No. 
2,  since  1905,  and  has  also  served  as  Second  Grand  Guards- 
man. He  is  one  of  the  few  men  in  the  Order  who  have 
committed  the  entire  Ritual,  and  he  has  taken  an  active 
interest  in  everything  that  tended  toward  increasing  the 
membership  and  the  finances. 

Mr.  Gregory  married  June  13,  1901,  SalHe  A.  Rothenberg- 
er.  and  they  have  had  three  children  ;  Homer  L.,  George  W. 
and  Matilda  R.,  the  last  named  dying  Dec.  22,  1907. 

GARRETT  BROCK  EVERTS,  of  the  Reading  Times,  is 
the  grandson  of  Garrett  Everts,  who  was  court  crier  of  the 
Lancaster  county  courts  for  many  years,  and  who  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  Garrett  Everts  had  four 
children :  Garrett  H.,  Strickler  R.,  Jacob  R.,  and  Catherine 
(m.  Samuel  K.  Lichty,  of  Lancaster,  a  well  known  tailor, 
who  met  his  death  while  standing  at  the  cutting  table).  Of 
these  children  three  are  living,  Strickler  and  Mrs.  Lichty, 
who  live  in  Lancaster,  and  Garrett  H.,  the  father  of  Gar- 
rett B.,  a  retired  tailor  who  now  makes  his  home  with  a 
married  daughter  in  Harrisburg.  Garrett  B.  Everts'  moth- 
er, who  was  Sarah  Brock  before  marriage,  died  June  19, 
1886,  leaving  three  children  :  Annie,  who  died  Feb.  6,  1902 ; 
Mary,  the  wife  of  H.  A.  Robinson,  proprietor  of  an  exten- 
sive department  store  in  Harrisburg;  and  Garrett  B.,  of 
Reading. 

Garrett  B.  Everts  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  Oct.  9, 
1855,  and  was  educated  in  Baltimore  and  in  Lancaster,  Pa., 
after  which  he  became  an  apprentice  to  the  printer's  trade 
in  the  office  of  the  Lancaster  Intelligencer,  this  being  in 
1872.  On  Oct.  25,  1881,  Mr.  Everts  removed  to  Reading, 
when  he  has  ever  since  resided,  his  first  position  being  with 
the  Spirit  of  Berks,  as  a  compositor,  with  which  he  re- 
mained one  year,  then  becoming  connected  with  the  Read- 
ing Times  in  a  like  capacity.  In  1898  IMr.  Everts  was 
transferred  to  the  linotype  department  of  this  publication, 
and  he  now  holds  a  responsible  position  therein. 

Mr.  Everts  belongs  to  the  Foresters,  Typographical  Union 
No.  8fi,  the  West  End  Social  Club  and  the  Keystone  Hook 
&  Ladder  Co.  In  religion  he  is  a  Presbyterian,  and  he  is  a 
constant  attendant  and  liberal  supporter  of  that  denomina- 
tion.    Tn   politics  Mr.   Everts   is  a  Democrat,     Garrett   B. 


Everts's  uncle,  Strickler  R.  Everts,  was  for  many  years 
the  champion  skater  of  Lancaster  county,  and,  although 
now  advanced  in  years,  can  to-day  give  the  younger  gener- 
ation lessons  in  the  art  of  fast  and  fancy  skating.  The 
Everts  family  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  in 
Lancaster.  Garrett  B.,  its  representative  in  Reading,  who 
has  spent  twenty-five  years  of  his  life  in  this  city,  has  de- 
termined to  make  the  "Capital  of  Old  Berks"  his  permanent 
abiding  place. 

AARON  R.  WARNER,  chief  burgess  of  Mohnton,  and 
substantial  business  man,  was  born  Sept.  14,  1854,  near  the 
"Kurtz  House"  in  Cumru  township,  son  of  Levi  and  Mary 
(Reich)  Warner. 

Levi  Warner  spent  his  entire  life  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits in  Cumru  township,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
seven  years.  He  married  Mary  Reich,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Reich,  and  1o  them  were  born  children  as  follows :  Cather- 
ine m.  David  Schlichter ;  Sarah  m.  (first)  Henry  Thomp- 
son, and  (second)  Henry  Myers;  Mary  m.  Samuel  Fitter- 
ling;  Rebecca  m.  William  Boyer;  Franklin  R.  ra.  Agnes 
Marks,  of  Mohnton;  and  Aaron  R. 

Aaron  R.  Warner  attended  the  schools  of  Cumru  town- 
ship, and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  learned  the  hatting 
trade  with  George  Hendel,  being  later  employed  with  John 
H.  Spatz,  his  father-in-law,  with  whom  he  continued  for 
about  fifteen  years,  and  when  the  company  of  John  H. 
Spatz  &  Co.  was  formed  he  became  a  partner.  At  the 
death  of  John  H.  Spatz,  Mr.  Warner  and  Isaac  S.  Spatz 
continued  the  company  until  1901,  when  Mr.  Warner  with- 
drew from  the  firm.  He  has  a  farm,  in  Cumru  township, 
adjoining  Mohnton,  of  154  acres  of  land,  which  he  pui"- 
chased  in  1898.  In  the  same  year  he  erected  his  handsome 
residence  in  Mohnton,  one  of  the  finest  on  Wyomissing 
avenue.  In  1900  he  erected  the  Mohnton  Electric  Light 
Plant,  a  brick  structure  of  one  story,  and  this  is  the  means 
of  lighting  many  factories  and  private  residences  of  Mohn- 
ton, as  well  as  lighting  the  public  streets.  Mr.  Warner 
was  elected  chief  burgess  of  Mohnton  borough  on  the 
Republican  ticket,  Feb.  16,  1909,  receiving  212  of  the  261 
votes  cast. 

Mr.  Warner  married  Annie  S.  Spatz,  daughter  of  John 
H.  and  Mary  (Snader)  Spatz,  and  to  them  have  been  born: 
Maysie ;  Paul  S.,  who  has  Rural  Free  Delivery  route 
No.  2,  from  Mohnton;  Clayton,  attending  the  Philadelphia 
College  of  Pharmacy;  Warren,  attending  school;  Aaron, 
Jr.,  also  attending  school;  and  Edwin.  Mr.  Warner  is  a 
member  of  Zion's  U.  E.  Church,  being  trustee  and  treasurer 
thereof,  and  for  the  past  fifteen  years  has  been  a  teacher 
in  the  Sunday-school. 

NAFTZINGER.  The  Naftzinger  family  now  well  rep- 
resented in  upper  Berks  county  was  founded  here  by  (I) 
Matthew  Naftzinger,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Switz- 
erland and  settled  in  an  early  day  in  Bern  (now  Upper 
Bern)  township.  He  took  up  land,  and  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  on  the  property,  being  buried  at  the 
gable  end  of  the  barn  now  owned  by  James  M.  Hix,  in 
Upper  Bern  township,  about  one  mile  due  west  of  St. 
Michael's  Church,  at  the  place  where  he  made  his  settle- 
ment. 

(II)  Jacob  Naftzinger,  son  of  l\Iatthew,  took  the  farm 
of  his  father  and  lived  and  died  there,  and  he,  too,  was 
buried  in  the  home  burial  plot.  The  farm  then  comprised 
110  acres. 

(III)  Peter  Naftzinger,  son  of  Jacob,  is  buried  at  St. 
Michael's  Church.  He  also  owned  the  old  homestead, 
where  he  passed  his  life.  He  married  Magdalena  Haines, 
of  Schuylkill  county,  Pa.,  and  to  them  were  born  the  fol- 
lowmg  chddren:  Rebecca  lives  in  Williamsport,  Pa.; 
Jacob  died  aged  sixty-two  years ;  Sarah  is  living  in  Centre 
township;  Isaac  H.  is  mentioned  below;  Joseph  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-seven  years;  Pollv  lives  at  Centreport, 
Berks  county;  Fiaetta  is  deceased;  Hon.  Frank,  of  Tilden 
township,  Berks  county,  served  in  the  State  Assembly; 
Peter  died  young. 

(IV)  Isaac  H.  Naftzinger  was  born  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  18-15,  and  passed  his  active  years  in  farming,  now 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


471 


living  retired  on  a  place  adjoining  the  homestead  taken 
up  by  his  great-grandfather.  He  owns  fifty-two  acres  of 
valuable  land,  and  was  engaged  in  its  cultivation  until 
1904,  since  when  he  has  lived  retired.  Mr.  Naftzinger 
married  Mary  A.  Epting,  daughter  of  Henry  G.  Epting,  .o-f 
Tilden  township,  and  ten  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union,  namely:  Harry  E. ;  Lillie,  wife  of  Frank  S.  Reber; 
Peter  E. ;  Katie  A.,  who  died  when  sixteen  years  old; 
Jacob  E. ;  Mary,  wife  of  Joseph  Seyfert;  Sarah,  who  died 
when  two  years  old;  Fayetta,  wife  of  William  Tobias; 
Polly,  who  married  Jerome  Bagenstose;  and  Rebecca,  who 
married  Milton  Klopp  and  resides  on- the  old  homestead. 

(V)  Harry  E.  Naftzinger,  son  of  Isaac  H.,  was  born 
in  Upper  Bern  township  Aug.  12,  1866,  and  attended  the 
local  schools.  He  is  now  successfully  engaged  as  a  huck- 
ster. In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  held  a  num- 
ber of  township  offices.  He  married  Lillie  R.  Epler,  daugh- 
ter of  J.  K.  Epler,  of  Tilden,  and  they  have  two  sons, 
Isaac  N.  and  William  J.  Mr.  Naftzinger  is  a  Reformed 
member  of  St.  Michael's  Church, 

(V)  Peter  E.  Naftzinger,  son  of  Isaac  H.,  was  born 
Dec.  25,  1870,  in  Tilden  township.  There  he  attended  the 
local  schools,  and  in  1888  began  teaching,  which  profession 
he  has  since  followed,  being  well  known  in  this  connec- 
tion. He  is  now  teaching  the  West  Hamburg  school  in 
Tilden  township  for  the  sixth  term.  Mr.  Naftzinger  has 
also  been  successful  in  business,  in  April,  1906,  having 
been  one  of  the  founders  of  the  firm  known  as  the  Berne 
Shirt  Company,  of  which  he  is  the  manager.  His  partners 
in  this  business  from  the  beginning  have  been  his  brother, 
Jacob  E.  Naftzinger,  and  Mr.  John  H.  Hamm.  They  are 
located  at  Bern  Station,  where  they  have  a  factory  26  x  40 
feet  in  dimensions,  and  employ  from  forty  to  fifty  hands 
in  the  manufacture  of  all  kinds  of  men's  and  boys'  shirts. 
All  the  latest  improved  machinery  is  employed  in  the  pro- 
duction of  their  output,  which  has  a  ready  sale,  the  com- 
pany dealing  directly  with  the  retailers.  The  industry  is 
an  important  one  in  this  section,  providing  profitable  em- 
plojTnent  for  so  many,  and  the  owners  have  high  standing 
in  the  community  both  personally  and  in  a  business  sense. 
Mr.  Naftzingfer  is  assistant  postmaster  at  Berne. 

Mr.  Naftzinger  married  Miss  Katie  A.  Hartman,  who 
died  July  14,  1906,  and  is  buried  at  St.  Michael's  Church,  in 
what  is  now  Tilden  township.  Two  children  were  born 
to  this  union :  Florence  R.  and  Esther  R.  Mr.  Naftzinger 
is  a  Reformed  member  of  St.  Michael's  Churcli  and  is 
now  serving  as  deacon,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Consistory 
of  that  church.  In  fraternal  connection  he  belongs  to  Lodge 
No.  103,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Hamburg,  Pa.;  to  the  Knights  of 
the  Maccabees  at  Shoemakersville ;  and  to  Camp  No.  146, 
P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  at  Centreport. 

(V)  Jacob  E.  Naftzinger,  son  of  Isaac  H.,  merchant 
and  postmaster  at  Berne,  Berks  county,  was  born  in  Tilden 
township  Nov.  22,  1873.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
township  schools,  and  was  only  sixteen  when  he  began 
teaching  school,  a  profession  he  followed  altogether  five 
terms  in  Greenwich,  Bern,  Tilden  and  Upper  Bern  town- 
ships. For  the  next  four  years  he  was  engaged  in  clerk- 
ing in  Hoff  &  Bros,  hardware  store,  in  Reading,  after 
which  he  went  to  Milford,  Va.,  where  he  embarked  in 
business  as  a  store-keeper.  He  remained  there  eighteen 
months,  and  in  1899  bought  out  M.  H.  Zimmerman,  at 
Bern  Station,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  taking  over  the  general 
merchandise  business,  which  he  has  since  conducted,  being 
now  at  the  head  of  the  firm  of  J.  E.  Naftzinger  &  Co. 
In  addition  to  the  regular  business  of  the  general  store 
they  deal  in  country  produce,  coal,  etc.,  and  ship  dressed 
hogs  and  hides.  On  May  19,  1899,  Mr.  Naftzinger  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster,  the  station  being  known  as  Berne, 
and  he  has  since  served  in  that  capacity,  giving  general 
satisfaction  to  the  community.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Berne  Shirt  Company,  manufacturers  of  men's  and 
boys'  shirts,  and  is  a  prosperous  and  substantial  business 
man  in  every  way.  Some  idea  of  the  extent  of  his  produce 
transactions  may  be  gained  from  the  statement  that  in 
1907  he  shipped  18,000  bushels  of  apples  and  15,000  bushels 
of  potatoes.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Hamburg  since  its  organization. 


Mr.  Naftzinger  married  Esther  N.  Seyfert,  daughter  of 
Franklin  and  Caroline  (Wagner)  Seyfert,  and  they  have 
a  family  of  four  children:  Herman,  Samuel,  Wayne  and 
Ruth.  In  politics  Mr.  Naftzinger  is  a  Republican.  He 
belongs  to  St.  Michael's  Church,  being  a  member  of  the 
Reformed  congregation,  and  socially  holds  membership 
in  Vaux  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Hamburg;  Lodge  No.  103, 
I.  O.  O.  F. ;  and  Camp  No.  443,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  Centre- 
port. 

SHERMAN  S.  FOUTZ,  supervising  deputy  of  the 
Knights  of  the  Maccabees  for  eastern  Pennsylvania,  is  a 
well-known  and  very  popular  citizen  of  the  city  of  Read- 
ing, Pa.  Mr.  Foutz  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio, 
Sept.  3,  1867,  where  his  parents  Jonathan  and  Rebecca  Jane 
(Caldwell)  Foutz,  were  also  born  on  the  old  Foutz  home- 
stead. The  father  died  in  September,  1900,  aged  fifty-five 
years,  while  the  mother  still  survives.  ' 

Sherman  S.  Foutz  was  educated  in  the  Harrison  county, 
Ohio,  public  schools,  and  the  New  Hagerstown  Academy, 
and  after  leaving  the  latter  engaged  in  the  fire  insurance 
business  for  four  years.  He  was  then  appointed  to  a  clerk- 
ship in  the  United  States  Treasury  Department,  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  under  President  Cleveland.  He  remained  in 
this  position  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
resigned  his  position  to  become  manager  of  the  Knights 
of  the  Maccabees  for  the  District  of  Columbia  and  Virginia. 
On  April  11,  1903,  Mr.  Foutz  was  appointed  supervising 
deputy  of  the  Maccabees  for  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  When 
Mr.  Foutz  took  this  office  there  were  but  ninety-two  mem- 
bers in  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  there  are  now  therein 
3,500  members.  Mr.  Foutz's  duties  take  him  all  over  the 
Eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Supreme  body,  which  meets   every  four  years. 

Sherman  S.  Foutz  married  Aug.  11,  1887,  Elizabeth 
Wilson,  daughter  of  John  Wilson,  of  Harrison  county, 
Ohio.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union :  Oscar  W.,  at 
home;  and  Grace,  attending  Irving  College,  Mechanics- 
burg,  class  of  1910.  Mr.  Foutz,  besides  the  Maccabees 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Knights  of  Malta 
and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a 
Lutheran,  and  in  political  principle  a  Democrat.  Mr.  Foutz 
is  very  popular  throughout  the  Eastern  part  of  the  State, 
where  he  is  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  for  his 
many  sterling  traits  of  character. 

WELLINGTON  VAN  REED,  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  Sinking  Spring  Fire  Insurance  Company,  vice-pres- 
ident of  the  Auburn  Shale  Brick  Company,  and  a  director 
in  the  Schuylkill  Valley  Bank,  is  one  of  Reading's  leading 
business  men.  Mr.  Van  Reed  was  born  at  Sinking  Spring, 
Berks  county,  Oct.  15,  1840,  son  of  Thomas  and  Eliza. 
(Ruth)  Van  Reed,  and  grandson  of  John  Van  Reed,  who' 
descended  from  an  old  and  honored  Holland  Dutch 
family. 

John  Van  Reed  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pa.,  and  his; 
•education  was  secured  in  the  old  fashioned  log  school- 
house,  where  oiled  floors  and  varnished  seats  were  un- 
known. He  became  one  of  Sinking  Spring's  leading  farm- 
ers and  a  man  of  much  influence  in  his  locality.  He  and 
his  wife  had  a  family  of  children,  of  whom  are  recalled: 
John,  Charles  and  Thomas.  In  religious  belief  the  family 
have  been  members  of  the  Reformed  Church  for  many 
generations  and  have  done  much  in  its  support  in  this: 
section.  In  politics  the  Van  Reeds  were  never  office 
seekers,  but  they  were  often  sought  by  offices,  and  officials 
both  Republican  and  Democratic  have  come  from  the 
family. 

Thomas  Van  Reed,  father  of  Wellington,  was  born  in 
Spring  township,  Berks  county,  and  his  education  was 
obtamed  in  the  common  schools.  When  a  young  man 
he  learned  the  wool  fuller's  trade,  which  he  followed  for 
many  years,  also  owning  and  conducting  a  valuable  farm 
He  died  m  1889,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years  his 
wife  dying  when  sixty  years  of  age.  They  were  the 
parerits  of  the  following  children:  Levi,  Henry,  Daniel 
Wellington,  Charles,  Thomas,  John  and  Eliza  (m.  to  Adam 
G.  Lerch,  and  living  in  Wernersville,  Pa.).     Thomas  Van 


473 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Reed  conducted  an  old-fashioned  inn  at  Sinking  Spring, 
but  when  the  Lebanon  Valley  Railroad  was  built  he  gave 
it  up.  He  was  a  man  of  good  principles  and  was  highly 
esteemed  in  his  community. 

Wellington  Van  Reed  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  Spring  township,  and  also  attended 
the  old  Reading  Academy  for  three  years.  When  a  young 
man  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  mercantile  establish- 
ment of  Henry  M.  Otto,  with  whom  he  remained  seven 
years,  and  then  resigned  to  engage  with  the  old  Reading 
Adler,  when  Charles  Kessler  was  proprietor  and  owner. 
He  clerked  in  this  well-known  establishment  for  six  years, 
but  in  1865  resigned  to  engage  in  business  for  himself, 
locating  on  Penn  street,  between  Third  and  Fourth.  Here 
he  opened  a  store  for  the  sale  of  wool  suitings,  linings, 
trimmings,  etc.,  and  does  an  extensive  business  today  at 
the  same  location,  having  never  changed  his  place  of  busi- 
ness. The  greater  part  of  his  time,  however,  is  given 
to  insurance  and  financial  ventures.  For  the  past  thirty 
years  he  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  Sinking 
Spring  Fire  Insurance  Company,  which  was  organized  in 
1S43,  and  is  one  of  the  most  reliable  companies  in  the 
State.  It  insures  farm  and  city  property,  and  the  com- 
pany has  gained  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  solid, 
safe  and  conservative  institutions  of  the  country. 

In  1859  Mr.  Van  Reed  married  Catherine  Kessler, 
daughter  of  Charles  Kessler,  and  to  this  union  there  were 
born :  Elizabeth  m.  E.  L.  Lindenmuth ;  Annie  m.  J.  E.  Leb- 
kicker;  Mary  is  single;  and  Helen  m.  James  A.  Behm. 

Politically  Mr.  Van  Reed  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never 
been  an  office  seeker.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Read- 
ing school  board  for  the  past  thirty-four  years,  being  the 
oldest  member.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
Second  Reformed  Church,  in  which  he  has  served  in 
many  official  capacities.  Fraternally  Mr.  Van  Reed  is  a 
member  of  Oley  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.;  Lodge  No.  62,  F.  & 
A.  M. ;  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237;  Reading  Commandery 
No.  42,  K.  T. ;  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. ;  Knights 
of  the  Golden  Eagle;  Mt.  Penn  Council,  Royal  Arcanum; 
and  the  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs. 

JESSE  G.  HAWLEY,  lawyer,  journalist  and  public- 
spirited  citizen,  was  for  over  forty  years  a  leading  resident 
of  Reading.  He  was  born  at  Pughtown,  Chester  county, 
Aug.  8,  1839,  and  died  April  19,  1903,  aged  sixty-three 
years,  eight  months,  eleven  days. 

His  parents  were  Jesse  and  Esther  Trimble  (Meredith) 
Hawley,  and  his  ancestors  were  among  the  earliest  settlers 
of  eastern  Pennsylvania.  He  first  attended  the  South 
Coventry  public  schools,  of  which  his  uncle,  James  M. 
Meredith,  was  the  teacher.  Next  he  was  sent  to  the 
Greenwood  Dell  Boarding  School,  in  West  Bradford 
township,  taught  by  Jonathan  Cause.  Later  he  went  to 
the  Millersyille  State  Normal  School,  and  having  chosen 
law  for  his  profession  he  entered  the  National  Law 
School  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.  His  studies  there  were 
interrupted  for  a  time,  and  he  engaged  in  teaching  school 
— a  vocation  which  has  been  the  stepping-stone  for  so 
many  successful  men.  After  this  he  taught  in  Amity 
township,  Berks  county,  in  the  meanwhile  reading 
law.  In  September,  1859,  he  came  to  Reading,  and 
oornpleted  his  legal  preparation  in  the  office  of  the  late 
Major  Samuel  L.  Young.  He  was  admitted  to  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  in  September,  1860,  and  at  the 
Berks  Bar  took  his  place  as  a  speaker  of  force,  and  he 
won  some  notable  victories  before  juries.  He  practised 
law  about  four  years,  but  it  wz.s  toward  journalism  that 
the  natural  bent  of  his  inclination  led  him.  On  April  1, 
1864,  he,  with  the  late  William  S.  Ritter,  purchased  of 
Charles  Kessler  the  Readinger  Adler,  the  oldest  German 
weekly  in  the  United  States,  and  the  Democratic  organ 
of  the  county.  'Mr.  Hawley  soon  sought  a  wider  field 
for  his  talents,  and  on  Jan.  28,  1868,  Messrs.  Ritter  and 
Hawley  founded  the  Reading  Daily  Eagle.  This  marked 
the  transition  period  in  Berks  county  between  the  day 
of  the  German  newspaper  and  the  rapidly  rising  tide  of 
its  successor — the  English  daily.  The  Eagle  was  started 
as  a  four-page  paper  of  six  columns  to  a  page.     In  the 


meantime  they  secured  by  purchase  the  Gazette  and  Dem- 
ocrat, a  weekly  founded  about  1830,  changing  its  name 
to  the  Weekly  Eagle.  Mr.  Hawley  brought  to  the  field  of 
daily  newspaper  work  a  fine  physique  and  mature  mind. 
He  was  an  able  writer  and  possessed  the  unerring  instinct 
for  knowing  the  needs  of  the  people  and  supplying  them. 
He  had  ideas  and  put  them  into  practice.  They  were 
new,  but  they  proved  to  be  the  foundation  on  which 
the  success  of  the  paper  was  built.  Life,  energy  and 
enthusiasm  were  put  into  the  work,  and  the  Eagle  soon 
began  to  attract  attention.  Mr.  Hawley  recognized  from 
the  start  that  there  were  two  sides  to  every  question ; 
that  each  had  a  right  to  a  hearing,  and  he  readily  granted 
it  upon  all  occasions.  He  believed  in  printing  facts  and 
allowing  the  reader  to  draw  his  own  conclusions.  He  was 
probably  the  first  American  newspaper  publisher  to  estab- 
lish a  complete  system  of  rural  correspondence,  but  since 
then  he  has  had  a  host  of  imitators  among  those  who  rea- 
lize that  local  news  is  the  prime  source  of  a  paper's  suc- 
cess. The  Eagle  was  a  Democratic  paper  until  1875,  when 
it  became  independent.  In  the  meantime  Mr.  Hawley  be- 
came sole  proprietor;  and  having  next  launched  the 
Sunday  Eagle  he  imbued  the  papers  as  never  before  with 
his  own  personality.  He  realized  at  this  period  that 
the  independent  newspaper  could  perform  a  higher  type 
of  public  service  by  standing  aloof  from  all  partisanship. 
He  gave  his  readers  all  the  information  possible  on  every 
important  subject.  He  believed  that  the  people  were 
intelligent  enough  to  draw  their  own  conclusions  and 
gradually,  except  upon  important  occasions,  he  abandoned 
the  editorial  column.  But  when  the  situation  called  for 
an  expression  of  opinion  from  the  Eagle  he  was  prompt 
to  respond  to  this  public  duty,  and  he  did  it  with  vigor 
and  without  fear  or  favor.  His  newspaper  is  published 
to-day  according  to  the  policy  laid  down  by  him  years 
ago,  and  that  this  has  been  fully  justified  is  apparent, 
wrhen  it  is  shown  that  the  Daily  Eagle  of  to-day  has  a 
circulation  of  over  twenty  thousand,  while  in  size  it  is 
eight  columns  to  a  page,  with  ten  or  twelve  pages,  accord- 
ing to  the  pressure  of  news  and  advertisements.  Mr. 
Hawley  was  a  strong  friend  of  the  public  school  system. 
In  his  earlier  years  he  was  a  member  of  Reading's  board 
of  control,  and  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  proceedings. 
For  years  he  offered  prizes  to  the  Reading  high  school 
boys  for  the  best  essay  in  literature,  and  prizes  for  mer- 
itorious work  by  pupils  in  the  county  schools.  He  realized 
that  the  school  was  the  foundation  of  the  true  greatness 
of  the  State,  and  he  did  much  to  advance  the  cause  of 
education.  He  was  a  contributor  to  every  worthy  object, 
though  in  many  cases  his  name  was  not  connected  with 
the  giving.  He  was  ever  enterprising  and  progressive  in 
his  ideas.  He  devoted  his  newspaper  to  building  up  and 
advancing  the  interests  of  his  community  and  never  for 
the  purpose  of  striking  down  either  an  organization  or 
an  individual.  Though  he  wielded  power,  he  never  used 
it  to  advance  his  own  interests  but  remained  until  the  end 
a  splendid  example  of  the  independent  editor.  He  left 
a  lasting  impression  on  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 
Mr.  Hawley  married,  Dec.  15.  1863,  Kate  E.  Ritter, 
daughter  of  the  late  Louis  Ritter.  When  the  Reading 
Eagle  Conipany  was  formed  in  1904,  Mrs.  Hawley  be- 
came president,  in  which  capacity  she  served  until  her 
death,  June  1,  1906.  Two  daughters  remain :  Edith,  wife 
of  William  Seyfert;  and  Helen,  wife  of  Edwin  A.  Quier. 
Mr.  Seyfert  is  now  president  of  the  corporation,  and 
Mr.  Quier  vice-president. 

CHARLES  R.  BUCK,  proprietor  of  the  Boyertown 
Steam  Laundry  and  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men 
of  that  borough,  was  born  at  Red  Hill,  Montgomery  county, 
Nov.  7,  1850,  son  of  Charles  Buck,  and  his  wife  Christena, 
and  grandson  of  Jacob  Buck. 

(I)  Jacob  Buck  was  a  native  of  Berks  countv,  and  by 
trade  was  a  blacksmith,  for  some  years  living  and  work- 
ing at  Longswamp.  He  moved  to  Hereford,  Berks  county, 
and  then  to  Sumneytown,  Montgomery  county,  and  always 
followed  his  trade.  He  is  buried  at  Old  Goshenhoppen 
cenietery.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Schmeck  family 
of  Berks  county,  and  is  buried  by  his  side.    They  had  issue 


/  'r 


y&^^^/y^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


473 


as  follows:  Charles,  Daniel,  Henry,  Jacob,  James,  Camilla, 
Maria,'  and  Caroline.  Jacob  Buck  had  a  brother  Joseph, 
who  lived  and  died  at  Hamburg,  Berks  county,  and  another 
brother  who  lived  at  Ashland,  Pa.  Joseph  Buck  had  a 
son  Harry  P.  who  lives  at  Hamburg,  Berks  county. 

(II)  Charles  Buck,  son  of  Jacob  Buck,  and  father  of 
Charles  R.,  was  a  native  of  Longswamp  township,  Berks 
county,  and  was  born  Aug.  3,  1820.  He  died  Dec.  18,  1903, 
aged  eighty-two  years  and  four  months,  and  is  buried  at 
New  Goshenhoppen  Reformed  church,  East  Greenville, 
Montgomery  county.  He  was  also  a  blacksmith  by  trade, 
and  followed  that  trade  a  number  of  years.  In  April,  1862, 
he  moved  from  Red  Hill  to  Green  Lane  the  same  county, 
and  engaged  in  farming,  and  nine  years  thereafter  retired 
in  comfortable  circumstances.  He  was  an  active  man  in  the 
church,  and  he  and  his  family  were  members  of  the  Re- 
formed church  at  New  Goshenhoppen  where  he  and  his 
wife  rest  from  their  labors.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat, 
and  served  very  acceptably  as  school  director  in  Marl- 
borough township,  Montgomery  county.  His  wif6  was 
Christiana  Royer,  a  descendant  of  one  of  Pennsylvania's 
old  and  honored  settlers,  and  she  was  born  in  1834,  and 
died  in  1883.  They  had  three  children:  William  H.,  of 
Green  Lane,  formerly  a  school  teacher,  is  now  a  farmer  and 
a  prominent  mian  in  his  locality,  and  he  has  been  a 
justice  of  the  peace  for  thirty-three  years,  serving 
his  seventh  continuous  term,  and  has  also  served  contin- 
uously as  school  director  since  1880 ;  Charles  R. ;  and 
Ellen  R.,  married  Herman  Hillegas,  a  coal,  feed  and  lumber 
merchant  at  Pennsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

(III)  Charles  R.  Buck  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Montgomery  county,  and  Mount  Pleasant  sem- 
inary, Berks  county,  under  the  tutorship  of  Prof.  L.  M. 
Koons.  When  Mr.  Buck  was  twenty,  he  learned  the  mill- 
ing trade  from  John  R.  Kepler,  of  Upper  Hanover  town- 
ship, Montgomery  county,  and  followed  it  for  fourteen 
years  in  Berks  county.  In  1885  he  had  the  misfortune  of 
being  burned  out,  his  mill  and  contents  at  Morysville,  in 
Berks  county,  being  consumed.  Having  lost  his  property, 
Mr.  Buck  went  to  work  for  P.  A.  Brauss  &  Co.,  in  the 
cigar  and  box  factory,  as  paying  clerk,  and  thus  continued 
for  three  years.  In  1888  he  embarked  in  the  huckster 
business,  operating  between  Boyertown  and  Philadelphia 
for  ten  years.  In  this  he  prospered,  and  built  up  a  large 
trade,  shipping  as  many  as  1,000  dozen  eggs  per  week  as 
well  as  all  other  kinds  of  produce  in  like  proportion.  In 
1898  Mr.  Buck  organized  the  Boyertown  steam  laundry, 
which  he  has  since  operated  with  marked  success.  Em- 
ployment is  given  seven  people,  and  he  commands  the 
trade  and  approval  of  the  very  best  people  of  Boyertown. 
The  plant  is  conveniently  located  on  Jefferson  street,  be- 
tween Rhoades  and  Philadelphia  avenue,  and  it  is  40  x  24 
feet  with  an  annex. 

Mr.  Buck  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  served  very 
creditably  as  justice  of  the  peace,  from  1898  to  1903.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  school  board  in  Colebrookdale  town- 
ship for  four  years  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest 
in  local  events.  He  has  been  a  delegate  to  the  county 
convention,  and  was  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  prison 
inspector  of  Berks  county.  Fraternally  Mr.  Buck  is  a 
member  of  Washington  Camp,  No.  104,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  of 
Bojrertown;  Rosalind  Castle  No.  328,  K.  G.  E.  of  Boyer- 
town, and  is  Clerk  of  exchequer  of  the  Castle,  having 
held  that  office  since  1903.  He  and  his  family  are  members 
of  the  Reformed  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  of  which 
he  is  trustee ;  he  was  made  an  official  of  the  church 
in  1894,  and  has  continued  in  office  ever  since.  He  is 
very  liberal  in  his  contributions  and  can  always  be  de- 
pended upon  to  do  even  more  than  one  man's  part  towards 
the  advancement  of  any  measure,  either  in  church  or 
civic  life,  tending  towards  the  uplifting  of  humanity. 

On  Nov.  6,  1875,  Mr.  Buck  married  Sarah  Johnson, 
daughter  of  Abraham  B.  and  Catherine  (Gruber)  Johnson, 
of  Colebrookdale  township.  Mrs.  Buck  was  born  July  30, 
1854,  and  died  Dec.  35,  1903.  Her  many  virtues  are  tend- 
erly cherished  by  her  husband  and  children  and  her  loss 
is  still  mourned.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buck 
were :  Flora,  m.  to  Milton  W.  Briel,  who  is  connected  with 


the  Boyertown  Casket  Company  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Kathryn  and  Lillian;  and  Charles  A.,  born  April  15, 
1885,  who  is  his  father's  assistant  and  a  bright,  young 
business  man.  The  family  stands  very  high  in  the  com- 
munity, in  both  a  business  and  a  social  way. 

NICHOLAS  BUCK,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  many  of 
the  name,  was  descended  from  an  ancient  family  long 
established  in  the  vicinity  of  Thionville,  Lorraine. 
The  date  of  his  birth  is  unknown.  The  Buckville 
branch  of  the  family  descended  from  Nicholas  Buck,  Jr., 
his  third  son,  who  was  iiineteen  years  old  at  the  time 
of  his  father's  death.  Lorraine  is  within  the  valley  of 
the  Rhine  and  on  the  frontier  of  Germany,  Belgium,  Hol- 
land and  Luxembourg,  and  suffered  severely  from  war  dur- 
ing the  years  between  1670  and  1733.  The  calamities  oc- 
casioned by  such  long  strife  induced  one  Nicholas  Buck,  .a 
single  man,  to  embark  at  Rotterdam,  on  the  ship  "St. 
Andrew"  for  America.  He  arrived  in  Philadelphia,  Sept. 
2S,  1752.  For  a  short  time  he  lived  near  Reading,  and  then 
came  by  way  of  Goshenhoppen  to  Springfield  township, 
Bucks  county.  There  he  settled  down  and  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  There  is  doubt  as  to  the  exact  year 
of  the  emigration  of  Nicholas  Buck.  The  ship  "Edin- 
burgh" arrived  in  Philadelphia  Sept.  5,  1748,  from  Rotter- 
dam. In  the  list  of  passengers  were  mentioned  Michael 
Hartman  and  "John  Nickel  Buck,"  the  former  no  doubt 
the  father  of  Nicholas  Buck's  second  wife  whom  he  mar- 
ried in  1766.  In  1760  he  signed  a  petition  asking  for  a 
road  in  Springfield  township.  On  this  he  wrote  his  name 
"Nickly  Buck."  On  April  21,  1761,  he  married  Mary 
Abigail,  daughter  of  George  and  Barbara  Kohl,  of  Nocka- 
mixon.  The  first  child,  Leonard,  was  born  Sept.  1,  1763, 
and  the  second  son,  Joseph,  in  1764.  The  wife  and 
mother  died  Jan.  7,  1765,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years. 
On  May  12,  1766,  Mr.  Buck  married  (second)  EHzabeth, 
daughter  of  Michael  and  Margaret  Hartman.  The  chil- 
dren of  the  second  union  were :  Nicholas,  Jacob,  John, 
Catharine,  Barbara,  Elizabeth,  Magdalena  and  Mary  Ann. 
In  his  last  marriage  record  the  father  is  mentioned  as  a 
widower  and  farmer.  In  1768  he  purchased  from  Ludwig 
Nuspickel,  a  tract  of  land  of  forty-six  acres.  In  1777  he 
was  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

Leonard  Buck,  son  of  Nicholas,  married  Elizabeth  Kra- 
mer, born  in  1769.  He  was  a  farmer.  In  1786  he  inherited 
under  conditions  half  of  his  father's  esfate.  He  died  in 
1809,  aged  forty-six  years.  His  widow  survived  some 
years.  Their  four  children  were :  Mary,  Catharine,  Sarah 
and  Abigail. 

Joseph  Buck,  son  of  Nicholas,  married  Rosina.  He 
had  a  son  John  and  other  children.  He  sold  to  his  brother 
his  holdings  in  real  estate  and  removed  to  Whitehall 
township,  in  Lehigh  county,  in  1800. 

Capt.  Nicholas  Buck,  third  son  of  the  ancestor  Nicholas, 
in  1789  married  Mary  Magdalena,  daughter  of  John  Eck, 
Oi  Upper  Salford.  In  1792  he  bought  a  tract  of  sixty-four 
acres.  In  1803  and  feter  he  was  a  collector  of  taxes  in 
Nockamixon.  In  1807  he  raised  a  company  and  had  it 
fully  equipped  and  prepared  for  action  the  following 
spring.  This  company  of  militia  continued  to  have  him 
as  its  captain  until  a  few  years  before  his  death.  Pie 
had  six  children :  Elizabeth,  Nicholas,  Sarah,  Mary  Mag- 
dalena, Jacob  S.  and  Samuel. 

Major  Jacob  Buck,  fourth  son  of  the  ancestor  Nicholas, 
was  born  in  Springfield,  May  1,  1770.  He  was  a  farmer. 
In  1790  he  married  Susanna,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Eliza- 
beth Haring,  of  Haycock.  He  conducted  a  public  house 
at  Nockamixon  in  1800.  In  1814  or  sooner  he  became 
owner  of  the  "Bear  Tavern"  at  Red  Hill.  About  the 
same  time  his  brother  John  became  the  owner  of  "Sorrel 
Horse."  Major  Jacob  Buck's  children  were:  John,  Jacob, 
Elizabeth,  Nicholas,  Samuel,  Catharine  and  Joseph.  His 
descendants  are  numerous  and  reside  chiefly  in  Bucks 
county,  Philadelphia  and  New  Jersey. 

Major  John  Buck  was  the  youngest  of  the  ancestor's 
sons.  He  was  born  Feb.  19,  1775.  In  1795  he  married 
Salome  McCarty.  He,  too,  early  in  life  had  a  penchant 
for  the  militia.     In  1808  he  was  a  captain  of  a  company 


474 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


organized  by  his  brother  Jacob.  He  served  this  company 
as  major  until  the  close  of  the  war  with  England.  In 
1808  he  purchased  his  brother  Jacob's  property  at  Revere. 
The  tract  consisted  of  136  acres  and  on  it  was  the  famous 
"Sorrel  Horse"  hotel,  which  was  built  of  logs.  After 
many  years'  service  this  was  torn  down  in  1818.  He  was 
the  father  of  ten  children:  Elizabeth,  John,  Joel,  Edward, 
Martha,  Reading,  Enoch,  Theodore,  Rebecca  and  Nicholas. 
His  descendants  live  in  Bucks  county,  Philadelphia,  New 
Jersey,  Illinois  and  the  West. 

GEORGE  R.  MALTZBERGER,  a  prominent  tobacco 
manufacturer  of  Reading,  bears  a  name  well  konwn  in 
that  city  as  a  synonym  for  honesty  and  reliability. 

John  Maltzberger,  father  of  George  R.,  was  for  many 
years  one  of  Reading's  most  honored  citizens,  although 
others  occupied  positions  more  in  the  public  eye.  He  was 
born  in  Reading  March  17,  1815,  and  his  whole  life  was 
identified  with  the  city.  He  was  given  a  common  school 
education  and  then  learned  the  manufacture  of  tobacco 
products.  Later  he  learned  brick  laying  and  was  engaged 
at  that  work  until  1846,  when  he  returned  to  the  tobacco 
business  and  laid  the  foundations  of  the  large  concern  now 
conducted  by  his  son.  At  first  he  had  only  a  small  estab- 
lishment in  the  house  where  George  R.  Maltzberger  now 
lives,  at  No.  38  South  Fifth  street,  and  he  continued  to 
do  business  there  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Then  he 
acquired  the  property  now  occupied  by  the  store,  adjoin- 
ing the  residence,  at  No.  36  South  Fifth  street,  where  he 
was  until  his  death. 

John  Maltzberger  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Cole- 
man, and  children  were  born  to  them  as  follows :  Henry, 
deceased;  INIary,  Mrs.  James  C.  Brown,  deceased;  Harri- 
son, a  prominent  attorney  in  Reading,  now  deceased; 
Charles,  deceased ;  Emma,  Mrs.  John  O.  Geise,  of  Ger- 
mantown.  Pa. ;  and  George  R.  The  father  of  this  family 
passed  away  in  January,  1878,  aged  sixty-three,  and  his 
wife  survived  him  until  February,  1882,  when  she,  too, 
died,  aged  sixty-seven.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  and  she  of  the  Lutheran.  They  were 
very  popular  in  Reading,  where  they  had  a  host  of  friends. 
Mr.  Maltzberger  was  widely  known  as  a  man  of  absolute 
adherence  to  his  word,  and  was  held  up  as  a  constant  ex- 
ample to  others.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  Lodge 
No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M,  and  also  took  an  active  part  in  the 
Odd  Fellows,  belonging  to  Rd^ontgomery  Lodge.  From 
1865  to  1867  he  served  on  the  water  commission  of  Read- 
ing, and  also  for  a  long  time  was  on  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  Reading  Hospital.  He  was  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  that  institution,  and  subscribed  a  large  amount  of 
money  for  its  support,  after  his  son  Harrison  succeeded 
to  his  place  on  the  board.  John  Maltzberger  made  many 
other  donations  to  charitable  institutions,  besides  giving 
much  help  to  individuals,  but  kind  hearted  and  generous 
as  he  was  known  to  be,  the  full  extent  of  his  philanthropic 
work  was  never  made  public. 

George  R.  Maltzberger  was  born  in  Reading  Aug.  27, 
1846.  He  went  first  to  the  public  schools,  in  an  old  build- 
ing on  the  site  of  the  present  Chestnut  street  school,  and 
then  to  the  Reading  high  school.  He  also  went  for  a  while 
to  a  school  at  Second  and  Chestnut,  now  a  part  of  the  old 
foundry  property.  When  he  had  finished  his  studies  he 
went  into  his  father's  tobacco  store,  and  was  still  there 
when  the  latter  died.  From  that  time  until  1882,  the 
business  was  conducted  by  the  estate,  but  in  that  year 
George  R.  Maltzberger  purchased  the  establishment  and 
has  since  managed  afifairs  for  himself.  He  manufactured 
a  good  grade  of  five  and  ten  cent  goods,  and  is  engaged 
for  the  most  part  in  a  wholesale  trade  filling  orders  in 
the  different  States.  He  has  been  eminently  successful 
and  has  also  built  up  a  very  large  trade. 

Mrs.  Maltzberger  was  a  Miss  Ella  C.  Kershncr,  daughter 
of  the  well-known  carriage  manufacturer  of  Reading, 
John  H.  Kershner.  They  have  had  five  children,  but  two  of 
them  are  deceased.  The  others  are :  Elizabeth,  George 
R.,  Jr.,  and  John  S.  l\Ir.  Maltzberger  is  a  Presbyterian 
in   religious   faith,  but  has  never  united  with  any  claurch. 


In  political  views  he  is  a  Republican,  as  was  also  his 
father  in  later  years,  though  just  before  the  war  he  was 
one  of  the  stanchest  Abolitionists. 

SAMUEL  W.  DIEFFENBACH,  a  highly  esteemed  citi- 
zen of  Tulpehocken  township,  Berks  county,  and  the  popu- 
lar proprietor  of  the  "Brown  House"  at  Mount  Aetna,  was 
born  June  15,  1866,  in  the  same  township,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Elizabeth  (Fisher)  Dieffenbach. 

John  Jacob  Dieffenbach,  the  great-great-grandfather  of 
Samuel  W.,  had  the  reputation  of  being  the  first  American- 
born  citizen  to  make  a  pipe  organ  in  this  country,  one  of 
his  first  instruments  being  made  in  1787  for  the  Tulpe- 
hocken church.  He  lived  about  one  and  one-half  miles 
west  of  Millersburg,  Bethel  township,  Berks  county,  where 
his  son.  Christian,  who  succeeded  him,  continued  the  busi- 
ness for  many  years.  John  Jacob  Dieffenbach  came  to 
the  Tulpehocken  settlement  from  Schoharie,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  first  engaged  in  building  wagons,  plows  and  harrows 
for  the  farmers.  He  had,  however,  an  ambition  to  build 
church  organs,  and  while  on  a  trip  to  Philadelphia,  carefully 
inspected  the  imported  organs.  Returning  home  he  began 
work,  but  he  did  not  know  how  to  weld  the  seams  of 
the  metal  pipes,  nor  did  any  one  else  in  all  this  part  of 
the  country.  Finally  a  foreign  tramp  came  along,  and  he 
taught  Mr.  Dieffenbach  the  secret  of  the  work.  This  was 
the  beginning  of  an  extensive  industry.  Mr.  Dieffenbach 
first -used  animal  bones  for  the  keys,  but  later  procured  ele- 
phant's tusks,  sawing  them  into  shape  and  polishing  them 
himself.  Among  his  children  were  Christian  and  Thomas. 
The  last  named  was  succeeded  in  the  cabinet  making 
and  undertaking  business  by  his  oldest  son  Henry,  now  ad- 
vanced in  years  and  living  on  the  old  homestead. 

Christian  Dieffenbach,  son  of  John  Jacob,  succeeded  to 
the  organ  business.  He  died  at  an  advanced  age,  the 
father  of  the  following  children :  David,  grandfather  of 
Samuel  W. ;  Elizabeth,  who  died  in  Millersburg,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-one  years  (m.  John  Wagner)  ;  Catherine, 
who  resided  near  the  old  homestead,  where  she  died 
aged  about  seventy-five  years  (m.  Joseph  Naftsinger)  ; 
July,  who  died  unmarried  when  over  seventy  years  of 
age ;  and  Jonathan,  who  died  in  Miamisburg,  Ohio,  aged 
sixty-eight  years. 

David  Dieffenbach,  son  of  Christian,  carried  on  the 
business  founded  by  his  grandfather  and  built  a  number 
of  instruments,  being  later  succeeded  by  his  son,  Thomas. 
He  married  Margaret  Smith,  and  to  them  were  born  the 
following  children:  Elias,  a  cabinet  maker  and  contractor 
in  Bethel  township,  making  a  specialty  of  bridges  and 
churches,  died  aged  eighty-six  years  (he  m.  Catherine 
Holtzman)  ;  Thomas,  born  Jan.  22,  1821,  and  died  in  Mil- 
lersburg in  his  eightieth  year  (he  m.  Maria  Loose)  ;  David, 
born  in  1823  (m.  Mary  Rollman)  ;  Lovina  (m.  Amos  De 
Hart  of  Myerstown)  ;  Caroline,  who  died  unmarried  aged 
seventy-six ;   and  Samuel. 

Samuel  Dieffenbach  was  born  near  Freystown,  Bethel 
township,  where  he  received  his  education  and  learned 
the  trade  of  shoemaker,  at  the  same  time  working  more 
or  less  at  carpentering  and  wheelwrighting  with  his  brother 
David.  Subsequently  he  engaged  in  huckstering,  and  this 
he  carried  on  until  his  death  Aug.  26,  1906.  On  Jan.  29, 
1861,  he  married  Elizabeth  Fisher,  daughter  of  Peter  and 
Susanna  (Stoudt)  Fisher.  She  is  now  making  her  home 
at  Mt.  Aetna,  in  the  house  built  by  Mr.  Dieffenbach  in  1876. 
Of  the  six  children  born  to  Samuel  Dieffenbach  and  wife, 
four  sons  died  young,  the  survivors  being  Miss  Mary, 
who  lives  with  her  mother;  and  Samuel  W. 

Samuel  W.  Dieffenbach  received  his  early  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  the  district  and  the  high  school,  and 
after  leaving  school  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  business 
for  some  time,  and  was  then  appointed  U.  S.  storekeeper 
and  gauger  at  ^'arious  distilleries  throughout  the  country 
for  a  period  of  six  years.  He  married  Lizzie  Harnish, 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Sallie  (Smith)  Harnish,  Two 
children  were  born  of  this  union:  Ella  Mary,  at  home; 
and  Anna  Maria,  who  died  aged  one  year.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dieffenbach  reside  at  :\It.  Aetna,  where  for  eight  years 
they  have  successfully   conducted  the   "Brown  House"." 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


475 


Mr.  Dieffenbach  is  an  active  member  of  the  Lutheran 
denomination,  while  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Reformed 
faith.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  has  never  aspired 
to  office.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Camp  No.  69, 
P.  O,  S.  of  A.,  and  the  O.  of  U.  A.  He  hasi  a  pleasing 
personality,  and  is  very  popular  throughout  the  township 
and  county. 

B.  FRANKLIN  KLEINGINNI,  a  versatile  and  useful 
citizen  of  the  borough  of  Mohnton,  Pa.,  where  he  is  ef- 
ficiently serving  as  a  councilman,  was  born  Nov.  18,  1858, 
on  the  old  family  homestead  in  Cumru  township,  Berks 
county.     The  name  was  originally  spelled  Kleinginny. 

(I)  Johannes  Kleinginny,  great-great-grandfather  of  B. 
Franklin,  was  a  native  of  Switzerland,  and  came  to  Amer- 

■  ica  on  the  "Bilander  Thistle,"  George  Huston,  commander, 
sailing  from  Rotterdam.  He  landed  at  Philadelphia,  and 
took  the  oath  of  allegiance  Oct.  28,  1738.  In  1759  he 
owned  land  in  Cumru  township,  paying  four  pounds  (equal 
to  about  $10.64).  He  died  in  1773,  and  his  son  Johannes, 
according  to  records  in  the  Berks  county  courthouse,  was 
made  executor  of  the  estate. 

(II)  Johannes  Kleinginny,  son  of  Johannes  the  emi- 
grant, was  a  farmer  in  Cumru,  where  he  owned 
land.  He  bought  three  tracts,  the  first  of  thirty-nine 
acres  on  Feb.  6,  1783,  from  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Benjamin 
Lightfoot;  the  second  of  twenty- four  acres  Feb.  3,  1790, 
from  Peter  Gower;  the  third  of  fifty  acres  June  23,  1795, 
from  George  Breining.  On  his  property  is  an  old  cemetery 
in  which,  it  is  believed,  he  is  buried,  but  the  graves  are 
marked  with  only  rough  sandstones  from  which  the  in- 
scriptions have  long  since  been  effaced.  Among  his  chil- 
dren were:  John,  born  July  16,  1776,  died  Jan.  23,  1860, 
aged  eighty-three  years,  six  months,  seven  days ;  Daniel, 
born  May  14,  1778,  died  unmarried  Dec.  4,  1856,  aged 
seventy-eight  years,  six  months,  twenty  days ;  John  Adam, 
Ijorn  May  3,  1783,  died  March  15,  1861,  aged  seventy-seven 
years,  ten  months,  twelve  days;  and  Benjamin,  born  July 
11,  1791,  died  Oct.  12,  1878,  aged  eighty-seven  years, 
three  months,  one  day.. 

(III)  John  Kleinginni,  son  of  Johannes,  born  July  16, 
1776,  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father,' and  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits,  becoming  in  time  the  owner  of 
the  homestead.  He  married  Susan  Krick,  who  was  born 
April  26,  1788,  daughter  of  George  Krick;  she  died  Sept. 

10,  1854,  the  mother  of  the  following  family:  Levi,  who 
settled  in  Exeter  township;  Benneville,  mentioned  below; 
Harriet,  m.  fo  George  RoHtian,  of  Cumru  township;  Su- 
sanna, m.  to  John  Haas,  of  Cumru  township ;  and  Mary,  m. 
to    Elias  Warren,  of  the  same  township. 

(IV)  Benneville  Kleinginni,  son  of  John,  was  born  Nov. 

11,  1819.  He  early  learned  the  principles  of  successful 
farming  under  the  guidance  of  his  father.  He  devoted  his 
entire  life  to  that  calling,  and  was  the  owner  of  the  old 
family  home  in  Cumru,  consisting  of  164  acres  of  land. 
His  father  had  erected  most  of  the  buildings,  but  he  him- 
self erected  the  summer  house  the  year  he  died.  He  was 
an  old-time  school  master,  and  taught  for  five  years,  meet- 
ing with  no  little  success  as  he  was  an  able  scholar,  and 
an  excellent  penman,  a  high  accomplishment  in  his  day. 
He  died  March  13,  1875,  aged  fifty-five  years,  four  months, 
two  days,  well-respected  and  well-known,  with  many  dear 
friends.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Wyomissing 
cemetery,  in  which  his  remains  were  interred.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Republican,  and  he  held  various  township  offices, 
giving  of  his  time  and  ability  freely  for  the  good  of  the 
community.  He  was  earnest  and  progressive,  and  he 
had  the  unbounded  confidence  of  the  people.  He  married 
Eliza  Ann  Glassmyer,  who  was  born  Oct.  31,  1834,  and 
who  died  Oct.  6,  1895,  aged  sixty  years,  eleven  months, 
five  days.  They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children, 
namely :  Rosa  m.  John  Coldren ;  Elmira  m.  John  Reisch ; 
Rebecca  m.  August  Hoschaur;  Susanna  M.  died  young; 
B.  Franklin;  Henry  M.,  William  E.  and  an  infant  son 
all  died  of  scarlet  fever  close  together;  Manalvy  A.  m. 
August  Schweitzer,  of  Reading;  Kate  m.  George  Hain,  of 
Reading;   Sallie  is  mentioned  below;  James  P.  m.  Maggie 


Krick;  and  Walter  S.  .m.  Carrie  Wolf  skill,  and  resides  in 
Mohnton. 

(V)  B.  Franklin  Kleinginni,  son  of  Benneville,  was  born 
at  the  old  family  home,  and  there  reared,  attending  the 
township  schools  -and  assisting  on  the  farm.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen  he  left  home  to  learn  the  hatter's  trade  with 
George  Hendel  &  Son,  of  Edison.  Since  March  1,  1879, 
he  has  followed  this  trade  during  the  busy  season.  He 
has  a  remarkable  aptitude  for  the  handling  of  tools-  and 
for  mechanics  in  general.  As  a  young  man  he  learned  the 
watch  making  trade  by  analyzing  an  old  grandfather's 
clock  which  had  wooden  wheels,  and  he  does  a  great  deal 
of  repairing  in  the  evenings.  He  is  also  an  able  electrician, 
having  learned  in  company  with  several  of  his  neighbors 
in  Mohnton,  and  he  has  wired  a  number  of  buildings,  in- 
cluding Zion  United  Evangelical  Church  of  Mohnton.  He 
can  handle  a  saw  and  chisel  as  well  as  a  good  carpenter,  and 
he  has  helped  in  the  erection  of  a  number  of  houses  and 
factories.  His  own  residence  in  Mohnton  is  at  the  corner 
of  Main  and  Church  streets,  and  is  fitted  with  all  modern 
improvements,  and  surrounded  by  a  well-kept  lawn  and 
cement  pavements. 

Mr.  Kleinginni  is  a  Republican,  and  served  the  district  as 
judge  of  election.  In  the  spring  of  1907  when  Mohnton 
was  incorporated  into  a  borough,  he  was  elected  a  council- 
man, and  is  now  serving  on  the  Highway  committee.  He 
and  his  family  attend  the  Gouglersville   Church. 

On  April  18,  1885,  Mr.  Kleinginni  was  married  to  Miss 
Eva  Ann  Matz,  who  was  born  Jan.  13,  1866,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Amanda  (Huyett)  Matz,  the  former  a  farmer 
in  Cumru,  and  the  latter  a  daughter  of  John  Huyett.'  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kleinginni  were  born  three  children,  one  son 
and  two  daughters,  as  follows :  Mayme  m.  Edward  Rudy, 
a  cigar  maker  at  Mohnton,  and  they  have  a  daughter, 
Helen;  a  son  died  in  infancy;  and  Carrie  May  m.  Cleve- 
land Hawkins,  of  Mohnton. 

(V)  Miss  Sallie  Kleinginni,  daughter  of  Benneville 
and  sister  to  'B.  Franklin,  was  born  in  Mohnsville,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  women  in  the  world.  She  was 
born  without  hands,  and  only  a  stump  about  eight  inches 
long  in  lieu  of  her  right  arm,  and  a  slightly  shorter  one 
for  the  left.  She  has  no  knees,  her  feet  being  where  the 
knees  should  be,  and  each  foot  has  but  three  toes.  Not- 
withstanding this  misfortune,  Miss  ICleinginni  is  far  from 
helpless.  She  is  as  capable  a  housekeeper  as  can  be  found, 
does  all  sorts  of  needlework,  even  to  making  her  own 
clothes,  cares  for  her  garden,  with  whose  flowers  she  has 
phenomenal  success,  plays  the  organ,  carries  on  an  exten- 
sive correspondence,  and  in  fact  accomplishes  more  than 
the  majority  of  women  blessed  with  the  usual  number 
of  hands  and  feet.  She  lives  alone  in  a  property  inherited 
from  her  father,  and  her  cheerful  happy  disposition  has 
endeared  her  to  many  friends.  She  devotes  inuch  time  to 
reading,  and  is  a  devout  student  of  the  Bible.  She  is 
a  regular  attendant  at  the  United  Evangelical  Church  at 
Mohnsville.  Many  of  the  things  she  does  are  done  by  in- 
tuition, and  she  cannot  explain  either  manner  or  method 
except  by  illustrating.  She  receives  many  callers,  and  all 
with  courtesy.  Knowing  that  her  accomplishments  are  re- 
markable, she  is  exceedingly  patient  with  her  visitors, 
and  cheerfully  shows  how  she  manages  the  many  things 
she  does,  and  when  it  comes  to  that,  those  who  have 
seen  her  ask  "Is  there  any  thing  a  woman  with  two  hands 
could  do,  that  this  woman  has  not  done  successfully?"  So 
far  it  is  safe  to  say  she  has  accomplished  every  thing  she 
has  tried,  but  she  regards  the  killing  and  dressing  of  her 
first'  chicken  as  her  most  difficult  feat,  although  since  the 
first  one  she  has  killed  several  others. 

Miss  Kleinginni  sells  some  of  her  needle-work  and  also 
photographs  of  herself,  and  is  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances. She  lives  her  bright  independent  life,  and  finds 
happiness  and  contentment  in  a  knowledge  of  duty  done, 
and  she  takes  great  pleasure  in  her  many  friends. 

CHARLES  WANNER  SNYDER,  a  popular  citizen  of 
the  borough  of  Kutztown,  Pa.,  who  has  been  known  to  the 
people  of  that  city  as  a  professional  photographer  and 
artist,  was  born  April  25,  1852.  in  Kutztown. 


476 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Benjamin  Snyder,  grandfather  of  Charles  W.,  was  a 
shoemaker  of  Alsace  township,  but  in  later  life  removed 
to  Kutztown,  where  he  died  Dec.  S3,  1817,  aged  eighty-six 
years,  in, the  old  historic  house  on  Walnut  street  which 
is  now  169  years  old.  For  many  years  he  lived  in  the 
house  at  the  corner  of  West  Oak  and  Walnut  streets, 
which  has  been  remodeled  and  is  now  owned  and  occupied 
by  his  grandson,  Charles  W.  Benjamin  Snyder  married 
Eliza  Binder,  whose  parents  came  from  Germany,  and 
their  children  were :  John  (m.  Abbie  Strausser)  ;  Anna 
(m.  George  Bossier);  Samuel;  William  (m.  Matilda 
Ziegler)  ;  Mary  (ra.  Frederick  Sellsderf )  ;  Sarah  (m.  Isaac 
Ziegler)  ;  and  Daniel  (m.  Caroline  Bieber). 

Samuel  B.  Snyder,  son  of  Benjamin,  was  born  March 
30,  1817,  in  Alsace  township,  Berks  county,  and  died  in 
December,  1893.  Early  in  life  he  came  to  Kutztown,  where 
he  learned  the  trade  of  shoemaker,  an  occupation  which 
he  followed  all  of  his  life.  Mr.  Snyder  married  Lydia 
Adam,  daughter  of  Jacob  Adam,  of  Perry  township  (whose 
genealogy  appears  elsewhere),  and  to  this  union  were 
born  children  as  follows ;  Alinda  m.  Henry  Kemp ;  Henry 
and  Alfred  died  in  infancy;  Catherine  was  twice  married, 
left  one  daughter,  Minnie  Keyser,  and  died  in  1885,  in  her 
thirty-fifth  year;  Charles  W. ;  and  Annie  died  in  her 
twenty-fourth  year. 

Charles  Wanner  Snyder  was  taken  by  his  parents  when 
seven  years  of  age,  to  Maxatawny  township,  and  there 
obtained  his  early  education  in  a  select  school  near  Roth- 
rocksville,  and  later  at  the  Siegersville  Academy,  which 
was  in  charge  of  Prof.  George  H.  Heffner.  He  then 
attended  the  Keystone  State  Normal  school,  after  leaving 
which  he  learned  the  trade  of  harness-making  which,  how- 
ever, he  pursued  for  but  one  year.  Mr.  Snyder  had 
learned  shoemaking  at  home,  and  this  he  followed  for  a 
few  years  only.  After  leaving  school  he  learned,  during 
spare  moments,  the  art  of  photography  with  James  Eck, 
and  this  he  has  followed  to  the  present  time  with  much  suc- 
cess. He  also  learned  free-hand  crayon  work  under  Miss 
Clara  Hartman,  now  the  talented  wife  of  Dr.  Samuel  A. 
Baer,  Ph.  D.  Mr.  Snyder  is  a  scenic  artist  of  some  note 
and  a  skilled  sign  painter.  Since  1872  he  has,  however, 
given  the  greater  part  of  his  time  to  photography. 

Mr.  Snyder  is  the  honored  president  of  the  town  council, 
a  position  which  he  has  held  for  five  years,  having  been 
Democratic  member  of  the  borough  council  for  the  past 
six  years.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  St.  Paul 
Reformed  Church,  of  which  he  is  an  elder.  Mr.  Snyder 
is  very  public-spirited,  it  being  through  his  quick  action 
that  the  grove  which  is  now  famous  Kutztown  Park  was 
saved  from  the  woodmen.  Mr.  Snyder  began  the  move- 
ment for  the  saving  of  the  park  through  public  subscrip- 
tions and  in  this  he  was  very  successful. 

On  Nov.  33,  1877,  Mr.  Snyder  married  Sallie  A.  Jackson, 
daughter  of  Charles  H.  and  Amanda  (Busby)  Jackson; 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  these  children :  L.  Girl 
m.  Albert  Lesher,  now  deceased,  and  has  two  children 
Carl  and  Earl;  Annie  A.  m.  Wayne  Hammel,  and  has  had 
two  children,  W.  Errol  and  Robert  E.  (died  when  two 
years  old);  Grace  E.  died  in  her  fourth  year;  James 
E.  died  in  infancy;  Sadie  E.  graduated  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen years  from  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School ; 
and  Mary  R.,  George  C.  and  Walter  E.  are  at  home.  Mrs. 
Snyder  died  Feb.  8,  1909. 

STRUNK-STRUNCK.  A  Strunck  family  lived,  as  is 
supposed  from  all  accounts,  in  Upper  Engelheim,  in  what  is 
termed  Rhine  Prussia,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  Rhine 
on  or  near  the  river  Moselle,  between  the  towns  of  Trier 
and  Coblentz,  about  50  degrees  north  latitude  and  about  7 
degrees  east  longitude,  from  Greenwich.  This  family  left 
two  sons,  Andrum  and  John  Wyant.  Andrum  died  in 
1714. 

(I)  John  (Johan)  Wyant  Strunck,  the  ancestor  who 
founded  this  old  family  in  Berks  county,  was  born  in 
1693.  He  came  to  America  in  the  ship  "Phoenix,"  land- 
ing at  Philadelphia  Oct,  20,  1744.  There  were  104  pas- 
sengers on  board  this  ship.  Coming  on  to  Berks  county, 
he  settled  in  Heidelberg  township,  engaged  in  farming,  and 


was  successful  in  tilling  the  soil.  He  reared  a  large  family 
to  follow  in  his  footsteps,  and  his  descendants  reside  in 
that  section  of  Berks  county  as  well  as  in  the  southeastern 
part,  and  are  numbered  among  the  most  representative 
people  of  this  portion  of  the  Keystone  State.  Johan  Wyant 
Strunck  spent  his  last  years  at  the  home  of  his  son 
Lorentz,  Avhere  he  died  April  36,  1783,  and  is  buried  on 
the  Strunck  private  burial-ground  in  Amity  township,  now 
almost  entirely  destroyed,  on  land  formerly  owned  by 
Jacob  Strunk. 

(n)  Lorentz  Strunck,  son  of  Johan,  was  the  first  of  the 
name  to  locate  in  Amity  township.  He,  too,  was  a  farmer, 
and  is  buried  probably  in  the  private  burial-ground.  One 
of  his  sons  was  Jacob. 

(in)  Jacob  Strunck  was  a  resident  of  Amity  township. 
He  was  born  Aug.  18,  1761,  and  died  Nov.  1,  1838,  aged 
sixty-seven  years,  two  months,  thirteen  days.  He  owned 
and  lived  on  the  farm  which  is  now  the  property  of  Frank- 
lin Sailer.  This  was  the  old  Strunck  homestead  in  Amity. 
He  was  twice  married.  On  Sept.  4,  1792,  he  married  Maria 
Kutz,  and  of  the  eleven  children  of  this  union,  one  died 
in  infancy.  He  married  (second)  Caroline  Ginder,  who 
came  from  Germany  and  was  first  married  to  a  Mr.  Knabb. 
By  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Strunck  she  had  one  son 
and  one  daughter :  Samuel  and  Caroline  (m.  Elam  Kline 
a  farmer  of  Exeter  township,  who  died  and  is  buried  at 
Schwartzwald  Church).  Jacob  Strunck  and  his  wife  are 
buried  side  by  side  in  the  north  corner  of  the  old  burial 
ground  at  Amityville  Church. 

■(IV)  Amos  K.  Strunck,  youngest  son  of  Jacob  and 
Maria  (Kutz)  Strunck.  was  born  Nov.  9,  1812,  m  Amity 
township.  He  came  to  the  vicinity  of  Boyertown,  Berks 
county,  at  an  early  age.  He  married  Amielia  B.  Haws, 
daughter  of  John  V.  R.  Haws,  and  they  had  five  children, 
three  girls  and  two  boys.  Amos  K.  Strunck 
took  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs.  From  historical 
records  it  appears  that  he  held  official  positions  ,in  town, 
township  and  county  for  a  period  of  forty  years.  He  held 
a  commission  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  about  twenty 
years  in  Boyertown.  He  also  published  a  book  of  all  the 
persons  who  held  office  in  Berks  county  from  1752  to 
1860.  This  work  required  a  great  amount  of  patient  re- 
search and  an  accuracy  that  could  challenge  criticism.  The 
citizens  of  the  county  did  not  fully  appreciate  the  value 
of  his  services,  but  he  found  much  pleasure  in  the  com- 
pilation, because  it  added  much  value  to  the  history  of 
the  county  in  which  he  spent  nearly  his  whole  life. 

(V)  Ohver  H.  Strunck,  youngest  son  of  Amos  K.  and 
Amelia  B.,  was  born  in  Nesv  Berlinville,  Berks  county, 
Nov.  8,  1847.  Unlike  his  father  he  did  not  remain  in 
Berks  county,  but  at  an  early  age  traveled  over  the 
country  so  that  he  had  the  advantage  of  seeing  at  least 
fifteen  of  the  states  in  the  United  States.  He  came  back 
to  Berks  county  at  the  age  of  about  twenty-three.  He 
attended  the  Mt.  Pleasant  Academy,  in  Boyertown,  of 
which  L.  M.  Koons  was  principal.  Here  he  prepared 
for  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  at  Lancaster,  and  was 
graduated  from  that  College  in  1877,  as  valedictorian  of 
his  class.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  entered  the 
Reformed  Theological  Seminary  at  Lancaster,  and  gradu- 
ated from  that  Institution  in  1880.  He  was  ordained  a 
minister  in  the  Reformed  Church  at  Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  in 
the  same  year.  He  was  called  to  the  Bloomsburg  charge 
and  served  as  their  minister  four  years  and  a  half.  He 
resigned  the  charge  to  become  the"  pastor  of  St.  John's 
Reformed  Church  at  Schuylkill  Haven,  Pa.,  and  he  entered 
upon  his  work  there  Dec.  15,  1884,  and  has  served  this 
congregation  for  nearly  twenty-five  years.  The  member- 
ship in  church  and  Sunday  school,  and  the  benevolence  of 
the  people  have  about  doubled  in  this  period.  He  is 
the  only  minister  of  the  gospel  in  the  Strunck  fam- 
ily. He  married  Josephine  L.  Rutledge,  of  Lancaster,  Pa. 
They  had  five  children,  two  of  whom  are  living,  the 
son  in  New  York  City  and  the  daughter  at  home. 

(IV)  Samuel  Strunk,  son  of  Jacob  and  Caroline  (Gind- 
er), was  born  in  Amity  township  in  1835,  and  died  in 
1889.     He   is   buried   at    Schwartzwald   Church   in    Exeter 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


477 


township.  By  occupation  he  was  a  farmer,  and  he  owned  a 
farm  of  thirty-three'  acres  in  Exeter  township.  Samuel 
Strunk  was  a  prominent  Democrat,  held  the  office  of  poor 
director  for  Berks  county  from  1873  to  1876,  was  super- 
visor, tax  collector,  assessor  (for  thirty-six  consecutive 
years)  and  school  director  of  his  township,  and  tried  to 
carry  out  his  id^s  of  good  citizenship  in  every  way.  He 
married  Maria  Snyder  (daughter  of  Samuel  Snyder), 
born  in  1822,  died  in  1905,  aged  eighty-two  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Samuel  Strunk  had  these  children :  Jacob  S.  is 
mentioned  below;  Caroline,  widow  of  Peter  Glassmoyer, 
lives  at  Reading,  and  has  two  children,  Cora  S.  (of  Read- 
ing) and  Howard  S.  (of  Springfield,  Mo.) ;  Mary,  now 
of  Reading,  married  David  F.  Dunkle,  and  has  two  child- 
ren, Maria  S.  and  Robert  S.  Dunkle,  of  Reading;  Ammon 
S.  is  mentioned  below;  Samuel  S.,  of  Kansas  City,  was  a 
farmer,  but  in  1907  sold  his  farm  and  now  lives  retired 
(he  has  had  three  children,  Frank  R.,  George  R.  and 
Emma  R.,  deceased) ;   Henry  S.  is  mentioned  below. 

This  old  and  representative  family  is  worthy  of  all  hon- 
or. Its  representatives  are  not  only  well  known  through- 
out Berks  county,  but  are  also  to  be  found  among  the 
substantial  people  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 

(V)  Jacob  S.  Strunk  was  born  July  11,  1847,  in  Ex- 
eter township,  and  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm.  He 
alternated  going  to  school  and  working  for  his  parents 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  In  1869  he  became 
foreman  of  construction  on  the  Oley  turnpike,  and  was 
thus  employed  for  four  years.  In  1873  he  commenced 
farming  on  his  own  account  on  the  Charles  Brenheiser 
farni  in  Exeter  township.  In  1876  he  went  to  the  Amos 
Reiff  property,  which  he  farmed  three  years,  and  then  com- 
ing to  Oley  settled  on  the  Jacob  Herbein  farm,  of  135  acres, 
where  he  remained  for  thirteen  years,  and  then  bought 
the  old  Samuel  Hoch  farm,  one  mile  west  of  Griesemers- 
ville,  near  Limekiln  post-office.  Here  he  has  since  lived, 
although  in  the  spring  of  1907  he  retired  from  active  life. 
The  farm  is  a  fine  property,  consisting  of  135  acres,  of 
the  most  fertile  land  in  the  Oley  Valley.  The  barn,  98 
feet  long,  was  built  in  1823  by  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Hoch, 
who  also  built  the  big  stone  house,  in  1808.  Politically 
Mr.  Strunk  is  a  Democrat,  and  was  school  director  of 
Oley  township  for  six  years.  He  and  his  family  belong 
to   the   Reformed    denomination. 

In  1870  Mr.  Strunk  married  Lucy  Herbein,  daughter 
of  Isaac  and  Susan  (Moyer)  Herbein,  of  Exeter  town- 
ship. She  died  in  1905.  They  had  these  children :  Sarah 
Ann  m.  Charles  Cleaver,  and  died  in  1901 ;  Mary  m.  Ed- 
ward Kieffer,  of  Reading;  Deborah  m.  Solomon  De  Turck, 
of  Oley  township;  Samuel  m.  Clara  Hartman,  and  lives 
in  Exeter  township ;  Emma  m.  Charles  Cleaver ;  Hannah 
m.  James  Fisher,  who  farms  his  father-in-law's  farm  in 
Oley  township;  Grover,  unmarried,  resides  at  home  and 
is  now  a  student  attending  school;  Laura  is  unmarried. 

(V)  Ammon  S.  Strunk  was  born  May  25,  1854,  in  Ex- 
eter township,  and  there  spent  his  early  life  working  on 
his  father's  farm,  during  the  busy  seasons  also  working 
for  neighboring  farmers.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  local  common  schools,  which  he  attended  during  the 
winter  time,  and  later  taught  school,  doing  excellent  work 
in  that  profession  in  his  young  manhood.  He  graduated 
from  the  Lock  Haven  State  Normal  School  in  1878.  Later 
he  was  a  valuable  public  servant,  having  been  ap- 
pointed census  enumerator  in  1880;  in  1881  he  was 
appointed  deputy  sheriff;  in  1883  became  deputy  to  the 
clerk  of  the  Orphans'  court ;  in  1884  was  elected  register 
of  wills,  serving  a  term  of  three  years  in  that  office.  While 
in  this  office  he  registered  as  a  law  student  in  the  office 
of  D.  Nicholas  Schaeffer,  Esq.,  and  later  was  admitted  to 
the  Bar. 

In  1904,  while  in  the  midst  of  a  contest  for  the  nomina- 
tion for  county  controller,  Mr.  Strunk  was  stricken  with 
paralysis.  Though  confined  in  the  hospital  and  unable  to 
direct  his  campaign  personally,  his  friends  ahnost  suc- 
ceeded in  securing  him  the  nomination  under  his  powerful 
leadership  and  political  sagacity.  However,  an  independent 
candidate.  Dr.  H.  F.  Livingood,  was  elected  by  4,088 
majority   over   the   regular   nominee — something   that   had 


never  happened  in  the  "Gibraltar  of  Democracy."    He  died 
March  16,  1905,  thus  ending  a  short  but  strenuous  life.^ 

(V)  Henry  S.  Strunk  is  a  native  of  Exeter  township, 
born  March  16,  1864,  and  began  his  education  in  the  "Old 
Hill  School"  in  that  township.  He  was  only  sixteen  years 
old  when  licensed  to  teach,  and  in  three  terms  of  teaching 
in  his  native  township,  and  by  such  other  opportunities  for 
work  as  are  open  to  sons  of  farmers,  he  saved  sufficient 
money  to  enable  him  to  take  a  course  at  the  Keystone 
State  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1885. 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  his  brother,  Amrhon  S. 
Strunk,  appointed  him  deputy  register  of  wills,  and  he 
remained  in  the  office  for  sixteen  consecutive  years,  during 
three  of  which— 1891-92-93— he  filled  the  office  of  register 
with  signal  credit  and  ability.  Resigning  the  position  of  de- 
puty register  of  wills  in  the  fall  of  1901,  Mr.  Strunk  ac- 
cepted a  position  as  teller  in  the  Neversink  Bank  of  Read- 
ing, then  being  organized.  He  served  in  this  position  until 
October,  1908,  when  he  was  elected  cashier  of  the  bank. 
By  virtue  of  his  able  service  in  the  various  positions  of 
trust  he  has  filled,  Mr.  Strunk  is  well  and  favorably  known 
throughout  the  county. 

On  April  6,   1896,   Mr.    Strunk   married   Sarah   Trimble 
Dwight,   a   daughter   of   Francis    G.    and   Ida    (Hoeckly) 
Dwight,  of  Readings     To  this  union  have  been  born  three, 
children :  Grace  D.,  Blanche  D.  and  Henry  D. 

SAMUEL  L.  DUNKLE,  broker,  located  at  No.  703 
Penn  street,  and  residing  at  No.  136  North  Eighth  street, 
Reading,  is  a  native  of  Berks  county,  born  in  Bern  town- 
ship, Dec.  17,  1851. 

His  parents  were  David  and  Catherine  (Lesher)  Dun- 
kle, farming  people  in  Ontelaunee  township,  this  county, 
and  his  grandfather  was  Michael  Dunkle ;  his  great-grand- 
father was  Peter  Dunkle,  whose  remains  rest  in  the  old 
burying  grounds  of  Dunkle's  Church,  Greenwich  town- 
ship, Berks  county.  The  ancestors  were  from  Germany, 
the  arrival  in  America  being  in  or  about  1725. 

David  and  Catherine  (Lesher)  Dunkle  died  in  1866  and 
1868,  respectively,  and  are  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  at 
Gernant's  Church,  in  this  county. 

Samuel  L.  Dunkle  was  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  years.  He  was  raised  on  the  farm,  and  attended 
the  public  schools  where  he  mastered  all  the  branches 
taught  at  that  time.  He  then  attended  Dickinson  Semin- 
ary at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  for  several  terms.  In  1870-1  he 
taught  public  school  in  Windsor  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa., 
and  in  1872-3  he  attended  the  Eastman  Business  College  at 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  graduated  in  book- 
keeping and  business  laws.  On  March  30,  1873,  he  secured 
a  clerkship  in  the  general  store  of  Sunday  Bros.,  at  Lees- 
port,  Pa.,  at  a  salary  of  $50  per  year  and  board.  At  the 
expiration  of  three  months  he  accepted  a  position  in  the 
general  store  of  Jame^  A.  Koller  at  Centreport,  Berks 
county,  at  $150  per  year  and  board,  and  on  April  1, 
1874,  he  became  a  member  of  the  Firm  of  Sunday  &  Dun- 
kle, successors  to  James  A.  Koller,  at  Centreport,  in  the 
general  store  business.  At  the  end  of  four  months  Mr. 
Dunkle  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  firm  of  Sunday 
&  Dunkle,  and  in  September,  1874,  he  went  to  Fredericks- 
burg, Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.,  and  again  engaged  in  the  general 
store  business.  In  1878  he  again  disposed  of  his  business 
and  taught  public  school  for  two  terms  in  Lebanon  county, 
after  which  he  resided  at  Myerstown,  Pa.  In  1881  he 
traveled  quite  extensively  throughout,  the  far  western 
States,  and  in  February,  1882,  he  engaged  in  the  Loan 
and  Brokerage  Business  at  No.  703  Penn  street,  Reading, 
where  he  is  still  to  be  found  in  the  same  line,  in  which 
he  has  been  very  successful,  having  a  large  patronage  in 
the  loan  business,  and  a  good  trade  in  the  sale  of  watches, 
diamonds,  jewelry,  etc.  During  all  these  years  he  has  ex- 
tended his  closest  attention  to  his  business  and  patrons  and 
IS  noted  for  his  strictly  upright  methods.  In  the  meantime 
he  IS  also  engaged  in  other  pursuits.  During  the  years 
of  1896-7-8  he  was  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
hosiery  m  the  Ammon  building,  on  South  Front  street 
He  has  been  a  director  of  the  American  Casualty  Company 


478 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  Reading,  Pa.,  since  its  organization  in  July,  1903.  In 
March,  1906,  he  organized  the  National  Porcelain  Com- 
pany, manufacturers  of  electrical  porcelain  specialties,  in 
Trenton,  N.  J.,  of  which  he  is  president. 

On  Jan.  30,  1875,  Mr.  Dunkle  married  Miss  Mary  R. 
Loose,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Susan  (Ritter)  Loose, 
of  Centre  township,  Berks  county.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  as  follows :  Claudius  C,  a  machinist 
employed  in  the  Navy  Yard  at  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Calvin, 
a  musician  residing  in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  after  five  years  of 
musical  study  in  Germany;  and  Bayard  L.,  also  residing 
in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  where  he  is  treasurer  and  general 
manager  of  the  National  Porcelain  Company.  In  1898 
Mr.  and  ;\Irs.  Dunkle  made  an  extended  tour  through 
England,  France,  Germany,  Austria,  Switzerland  and  Italy. 
They  are  members  of  the  First  Reformed  Church  of  Read- 


JACOB  M.  BORDNER.  Among  the  representative 
citizens  of  Bernville  borough,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  one  who 
stands  high  in  the  regard  of  his  fellow-men  is  Jacob  M. 
Bordner,  county  commissioner,  who  for  more  than  a  quart- 
er of  a  century  has  been  conducting  the  stage  route  be- 
tween Bernville  and  Reading.  Mr.  Bordner  was  born 
Sept.  16.  1854,  in  Bethel  township,  son  of  Percival  and 
Lovina   (Miller)    Bordner. 

Daniel  Bordner,  grandfather  of  Jacob  M.,  was  a  farmer 
of  Bethel  township,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  forty-five 
years.  He  married  Catherine  Bender,  and  they  had  three 
children :  Percival ;  Isaac,  who  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Civil  war;  and  Elizabeth,  who  married  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bixler,  a  local  preacher. 

Percival  Bordner  was  born  March  23,  1830,  and  died 
in  1903,  his  active  life  having  been  spent  in  Bethel  town- 
ship, although  shortly  before  his  death  he  removed  to 
Myerstown,  Pa.  He  was  buried  at  the  Salem  churchyard 
at  Millersburg.  Mr.  Bordner  married  Lovina  Miller, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Catherine  (Gruber)  Miller,  of 
Bethel  township,  and  they  had  these  children :  Jacob  M. ; 
Kate  m.  Israel  Frantz,  of  Bethel  township ;  Percival  resides 
in  Cincinnati,  Ohio ;  Theodore  died  at  the  age  of  forty- 
four  years  at  Myerstown;  Daniel  lives  in  New  Jersey; 
John  died  at  the  age  of  three  years ;  Plenry  lives  in  the 
West ;  and  Charles  lives  in  New  Jersey. 

Jacob  M.  Bordner  attended  the  public  schools  of  Bethel 
township  and  the  Palatinate  (now  Albright)  College  of 
Myerstown.  After  leaving  school  he  engaged  in  clerking 
for  G.  M.  F.  Rick  at  Millersburg  for  three  years.  After 
one  year  spent  in  clerking  for  J.  B.  Miller  at  Bernville, 
he  began  to  drive  the  stage  for  the  late  Tobias  Barto,  of 
Reading,  and  in  1880  purchased  the  stage  route,  which  he 
has  since  conducted  very  successfully.  He  also  does  a 
large  produce  business,  conducts  a  grocery  store  and  butch- 
ering business,  and  is  one  of  the  best  known  business  men 
of  his  locality.  Mr.  Bordner  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
borough  assessor  six  years,  served  as  tax  collector  five 
years,  constable  twenty-three  years,  and  school  director 
for  twelve  years,  six  years  of  which  time  he  was  treasurer 
and  one  year  secretary  of  the  board.  He  was  a  committee- 
man for  eighteen  years,  served  eleven  years  as  county 
delegate,  in  1893  was  appointed  mercantile  appraiser, 
and  was  nominated  by  the  Democratic  party  at  the  pri- 
mary election,  April  11,  1908,  to  the  office  of  county  com- 
missioner; he  had  a  majority  of  3,136  votes  above  the  second 
highest  nominee,  and  was  elected  to  said  office  Nov.  3, 
1908.  His  religious  belief  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
Socially  he  is  connected  with  Camp  No.  113,  P.  0.  S.  of  A. 
and  Consistory  No.  15;  Lodge  No.  122,  I,  O.  O.  F.,  Bern- 
ville; Schaefferstown  Castle,  K.  G.  E. ;  Good  Fellows  of 
Stouchsburg;  and  Rebekah  Lodge  at  Leesport,  and  at 
the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Bernville  Fire  Com- 
pany, was  a  member  of  that  bodv. 

In  1878  Mr.  Bordner  married  'Ellen  H.  Bright,  daugh- 
ter of  Amandon  and  Clara  (Hain)  Bright,  and  they  have 
had  three  children :  John  A.,  who  died  aged  two  years, 
five  ^months,  twenty-one  days ;  Harry  A.,  telegraph  operator 
at  Robesonia;  and  Clara  A.,  who  graduated  from  the  Key- 
stone   State    Normal   school    at   Kutztown    at   the   age    of 


seventeen  years,  taught  four  years  in  Bernville,  Berks 
county,  and  one  year  in  Bucks  county,  and  is  now  teaching 
her   fourth  term  in   Schuylkill   Haven,   Pennsylvania. 

JOHN  P.  S.  FENSTERMACHER.  On  Sept.  9,  1738, 
the  ship  "Glasgow,"  Walter  Sterling,  master,  arrived  at 
the  port  of  Philadelphia  from  Rotterdam.  Among  the 
emigrants  on  board  were  Mathias  Fenstermacher,  aged 
sixty  year's;  Jacob  Fenstermacher,  aged  twenty-nine  years; 
and  Wilhelm  Fenstermacher,  aged  twenty-five  years. 
Where  these  three  Germans  settled  is  not  definitely  known, 
but  it  is  probable  it  was  in  Longswamp,  Berks  county, 
for  in  1756  there  appeared  upon  the  tax  list  of  that  town- 
ship three  Fenstermachers,   Mathias,  Jacob  and   Philip. 

As  near  as  can  be  ascertained  one  of  these  early  taxables 
— probably  Jacob — had  a  son  John  who  married  Elizabeth 
Kutz,  and  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Orwigsburg,  Schuyl- 
kill county.  John  Fenstermacher  and  Elizabeth  Kutz,  his 
wife,  were  the  parents  of  fifteen  children,  thirteen  of 
whom  grew  to  maturity.  Four  of  their  sons,  Daniel,  Plugh, 
John  and  Jacob,  lived  all  their  days  in  Schuylkill  county, 
and  many  of  their  descendants  are  yet  residing  there. 
Daniel  and  John  were  married  twice.  A  daughter  Eliza- 
beth married  a  man  named  Aughinbaugh  and  lived  at  Le- 
banon ;  Lidy  married  a  man  named  Ducer,  and  Barbara 
married  a  man  named  Dietrich.  Lidy  and  Barbara  are 
still  living,  the  former  in  Pottsville,  and  the  latter  in 
Tower  City.  Two  other  daughters,  Sarah  and  Rebecca, 
were  also  married  and  they  lived  in  Schuylkill  county, 
but  further  information  concerning  them  is  lacking. 

A  son  named  William,  who  was  the  ninth  child  of  this 
large  family,  married  and  settled  at  Shippensburg.  He 
died  in  June,  1898,  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his  age, 
and  his  descendants  are  still  living  in  that  town. 

John  and  Elizabeth  (Kutz)  Fenstermacher  had  a  son 
named  Joseph  who  was  bom  at  Orwigsburg,  Schuylkill 
county,  Feb.  10,  1816.  He  grew  to  young  manhood  at 
Orwigsburg,  then  went  to  Reading,  and  learned  carriage 
building.  Shortly  after  completing  his  trade,  he  located 
permanently  at  Lebanon,  where  he  followed  his  trade  dur- 
ing most  ofhis  active  years,  and  always  bore  the  reputation 
of  being  a  skilled  and  satisfactory  worlanan.  Later  in 
life  he  engaged  in  the  restaurant  business,  and  for  about 
fifteen  years  was  also  a  tipstaff  in  the  courts.  He  was  a 
person  of  fine  physique,  measuring  six  feet  in  height.  He 
was  good-natured  and  generous,  and  participated  freely 
in  politics,  which  along  with  his  character  and  duties  of  his 
several  occupations,  made  him  one  of  the  best  known  and 
most  popular  men  in  Lebanon  county.  Joseph  Fenster- 
macher married  Mrs.  Louisa  Goshert,  widow  of  Henry 
Goshert,  and  daughter  of  Col.  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Leisen- 
ring)  Shindel,  a  descendant  of  brilliant  ancestry.  In  1678 
there  Hved  in  Gemmelsbach,  Providence  of  Erbach,  Ger- 
many, Conrad  von  Schindel,  and  his  wife  Barbara.  On 
Oct.  16,  1685,  there  was  born  to  them  a  son,  whom  they 
named  Johann  Conrad.  This  Johann  Conrad  von  Schindel, 
on  Jan.  10,  1710,  married  Susanna  Trexler,  and  by  her 
had  ten  children,  the  youngest  of  whom  was  a  son  named 
Johann  Peter,  who  was  born  in  Euerlebach,  Germany, 
Feb.  38,  1733.  In  1751  this  Johann  Peter  von  Schindel 
came  to  America  in  the  ship  "Neptune,"  landing  at  Phila- 
delphia Sept.  24,  1751.  He  settled  where  now  is  the  city 
of  Lebanon,  Pa,,  and  long  afterward  was  engaged  on  the 
side  of  the  colonies  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  died 
in  Lebanon  May  29,  1784.  In  America  most  of  his 
descendants  have  omitted  the  letter  "c"  from  Schindel, 
preferring  to  spell  it  Shindel,  and  the  title  "von"  has  been 
dropped  by  all  of  them.  Johann  Peter  Shindel  married 
Anna  Margretta  Gephart,  and  had  eight  children,  the 
eldest  of  whom  was  a  son,  John  Peter,  born  Aug.  31, 
1766.  He  also  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  afterward 
served  as  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature,  as  justice  of 
the  peace  for  many  years,  and  from  1823  to  1826,  chief 
burgess  of  Lebanon.  This  John  Peter  Shindel  was  gen- 
erally known  as  Peter  Shindel,  and  so  always  signed 
Ins  name.  He  died  Sept.  17,  1839.  He  married  Anna 
Maria  ISIengas,  of  Snyder  county,  and  by  her  had  eleven 
children.     The  third   of   these  eleven   children   was   a  son 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


479 


Jacob,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  after- 
ward a  colonel  of  militia,  known  to  history  as  Colonel 
Jacob  Shindel.  He  married  Elizabeth  Leisenring,  of 
Sunbury,  and  by  her  had  six  children,  of  whom  Louisa, 
for  her  second  husband,  married  Joseph  Felistermacher. 

To  Joseph  Fenstermacher  and  Louisa,  his  wife,  the  fol- 
lowing children  came :  Elmira  T.,  born  Oct.  9,  1842,  m.  Hi- 
ram W.  Hess,  of  Lebanon,  Pa.,  deceased;  Jacob  A.,  born 
April,  1844,  died  in  Jan.,  1845;  Winfield  Scott,  born 
Oct.  6,  1846,  m.  Rebecca  Hultzeizer,  of  Finesville,  N.  J., 
deceased ;  Emma  Catharine,  born  Dec.  30.  1848,  died  March 
IG,  1858;  John  P.  S.;  Joseph  S.,  born  April  11,  1850,  died 
in  Jan.,  1851;  Rebecca,  born  Feb.  6,  1856,  died  Feb.  9, 
1856;  Anna  L.,  born  Feb.  11,  1858,  m.  Aaron  B.  Fry,  of 
Lebanon,   Pennsylvania. 

John  P.  S.  Fenstermacher  was  born  in  Leban- 
on March  30,  1853,  and  grew  to  manhood  in  that  city. 
His  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  town  and  was  limited,  as  he  early  had  to  apply  him- 
self to  the  earning  of  a  livelihood.  At  the  age  of  four- 
teen he  became  a  railway  news  agent,  running  between 
Lebanon  and  Philadelphia,  and  by  his  pleasing  ways  be- 
came very  popular  with  the  patrons  of  the  trains.  Frank- 
lin B.  Gowan,  then  president  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Company,  learned  to  know  and  like  him,  and  had  him 
promoted  to  the  position  of  brakeman  when  yet  but 
seventeen  years  of  age.  From  brakeman  he  rose  to 
baggage  master,  and  from  that  on  Jan.  15,  1885,  to  pass- 
enger conductor  on  the  Kutztown  branch,  a  place  he  held 
continuously  till  1909,  a  period  of  twenty-four  years. 

Mr.  Fensterrnacher  has  long  been  active  and  prominent 
in  secret  societies.  He  is  a  member  and  was  an  officer  of 
Huguenot  Lodge,  No.  377,  F.  &  A.  M.  ;■  a  member  of  the 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  and  a  member  and  was  trustee  of  Camp 
No.  383,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  K. 
G.  E.  and  organized  Adonai  Castle,  No.  70,  of  that  or- 
der in  Kutztown,  and  was  its  master  of  records  for 
thirteen  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  F.  O.  E.,  Aerie  No. 
839,  of  Kutztown,  and  at  this  writing  its  treasurer.  For 
many  years  he  has  been  active  in  Republican  politics,  do- 
ing much  hard  and  efficient  party  work,  frequently  repre- 
senting his  party  in  county  and  State  conventions.  He 
has  always  been  in  close  touch  with  county  and  State 
leaders,  and  long  recognized  by  them  as  a  faithful  and 
trusted  lieutenant.  These  relations  naturally  brought 
him  to  the  front  for  political  preferment,  and  in  1898  he 
was  made  postmaster  of  Kutztown.  Immediately  upon 
assuming  the  duties  of  the  position  he  set  himself  to  work 
improving  the  office  and  succeeded  so  well  that  in  1903, 
and  again  in  1906,  he  was  re-appointed  without  opposition. 
He  is  an  attentive  and  obliging  official,  ever  on  the  watch 
to  improve  the  efficiency  of  the  office  and  the  rural  de- 
liveries that  radiate  from  it,  and  he  has  won  high  praise 
both  from  the  Department  at  Washington  and  from  the 
the  patrons  he  has  served. 

In  the  year  1870  Mr.  Fenstermacher  married  Emma 
Heilig,  of  Lebanon,  Pa.,  daughter  of  John  G.  and  Harriett 
Hanley  Heilig.  To  them  were  born  children  as  follows : 
Elizabeth  Shindel,  born  Jan.  25,  1871  (m.  (first)  to  George 
Fisher,  deceased,  and  (second)  to  Lynn  J.  Koch,  of  Fleet- 
wood, Pa.) ;  Sarah  Jane,  Sept.  2,  1872  (m.  to  Harry  J. 
Reiflf,  of  Reading)  ;  Rebecca  Hultzeizer,  Nov.  5,  1874  (m. 
to  Frederick  A.  Marx,  Esq.,  of  Kutztown)  ;.  Edwin  Hutter, 
April  25,  1877  (m.  to  Emma  Fridy,  of  Lancaster)  ;  Char- 
lotte Ely,  July  10,  1879  (m.  to  George  Gensemer,  of  Read- 
ing) ;  Louise  Shindel,  April  29,  1886 ;  Ella  Hess,  June  21, 
1888  (who  died  Aug.  31,  1888)  ;  Mabel  Helen,  Sept.  15, 
1889 ;  Marguerite  May,  June  18,  1892 ;  and  Jay  Dee  Barnes, 
Nov.  27,  1893. 

GEORGE  R.  VAN  REED  was  a  descendant  of  one  of 
the  representative  families  of  Berks  county,  which  has 
been  active  and  influential  for  upward  of  a  hundred  years 
in  the  development  and  upbuilding  of  the  county. 

The  first  of  the  name  in  the  western  division  of  the 
county  was  John  Van  Reed,  who  died  April  18,  1820,  in 
the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age.  He  settled  in  the 
northern  part  of  Cumru  township — that  part  which  is  now 


'  Spring  township — about  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 
His  wife  was  Eva  Yost,  and  of  their  children  there  were 
four  sons,  John,  Charles,  Henry  and  Thomas.  The  Van 
Reeds  were  members  of  the  Reformed  Church,  but  in  poli- 
tical opinions  they  have  been  more  or  less  divided,  all  par- 
ties being  represented.  They  have,  however,  never  been 
office  seekers. 

John  Van  Reed,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  Cumru  town- 
ship, on  the  Cacoosing  creek,  near  its  outlet  into  the  Tul- 
pehocken,  in  1786.  He  married  Catherine  Huy  and  their 
children  were:  Henry,  James,  Lewis,  John,  Joshua,  Jacob 
and  Mary. 

Henry  Van  Reed,  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Huy) 
Van  Reed,  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  Cumru  (now 
Spring)  township,  Aug.  21,  1821.  His  education  he  ac- 
quired in  the  schools  of  Reading,  Lititz,  Lafayette  College 
and  Dickinson  College,  completing  the  course  at  the  last 
named  institution  with  the  class  of  1843.  Selecting  the 
profession  of  law  as  his  life  work,  he  entered  upon  his 
studies  in  the  office  of  David  F.  (Gordon,  of  Reading,  a 
most  able  and  conscientious  attorney  who  was  afterward 
made  president  judge  of  this  judicial  district.  Under  his 
careful  tuition  Mr.  Van  Reed  attained  a  thorough  know- 
ledge of  law  and  of  the  ethics  of  the  profession,  and  on 
April  5,  1844,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar.  He  opened  an 
office  in  Reading,  and  in  a  comparatively  short  time  had 
a  large  practice,  continuing  it  twenty  years.  In  1851  he 
went  to  California  to  visit  his  brothers,  James  and  Lewis, 
and  with  the  former  he  engaged  in  banking  in  San  Francis- 
co for  some  months,  but  the  East  called  him,  and  he  re- 
turned to  his  profession  in  Reading,  the  same  year. 

'On  July  13,  1869,  Mr.  Van  Reed,  on  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  Republicans  of  the  county,  was  appointed 
law  judge,  with  powers  similar  to  the  president  judge,  by 
Gov.  John  W.  Geary.  This  was  in  compliance  with  an  act 
passed  by  the  Legislature  authorizing  an  additional  judge, 
and  his  term  of  office  was  to  continue  until  his  successor 
was  duly  elected -and  qualified,  which  was  on  the  follow- 
ing 6th  of  December.  Judge  Van  Reed  had  always  been  a 
good  Republican,  but  he  did  not  believe  that  a  judgeship 
should  be  made  a  matter  of  political  self-seeking,  and  true 
to  his  convictions  at  no  time  offered  himself  as  a  candidate. 
What  came  to  him  was  the  unsought  reward  of  faithful 
and  efficient  service.  From  Jan.  12_,  1875,  to  Jan.  2,  1876, 
he  again  filled  the  same  office,  having  this  time  been  ap- 
pointed by  Gov.  John  F.  Hartranft  to  fill  a  vacancy.  He 
filled  the  office  with  dignity  and  impartiality,  but  the  pre- 
ponderance of  the  Democratic  majority  made  his  filling  it 
by  election  impossible.  After  leaving  the  Bench  he  gradu- 
ally retired  from  practice.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Con- 
stitutional Convention  in  1873-73.  During  the  Civil  war 
he  gave  warm  support  to  the  administration,  and  in  Sep- 
tember, 1862,  he  became  a  member  of  Company  G,  2d 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Militia,  commanded  by  Capt.  F. 
S.  Bickley,  to  repel  the  threatened  invasion  of  the  State. 
They  performed  military  duty  for  eleven  days,  and  were 
then  discharged.  At  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
he  again  enlisted,  becoming  sergeant  in  Company  C,  42d 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Militia,  under  Col.  Charles  H. 
Hunter,  and  served  from-  July  6  to  Aug.  12,  1863. 

At  his  death,  June  30,  1885,  many  highly  eulogistic  ad- 
dresses were  delivered  by  members  of  the  Berks  County 
Bar,  and  in  the  resolution  passed  it  was  said  of  him :  "As 
a  lawyer  and  judge  he  was  able,  conscientious  and  pain- 
staking. As  a  man  he  despised  sham  and  hypocrisy;  and 
he  took  for  his  own  example  the  Christian  virtues.  He 
had  the  rare  gift  of  courage  equal  to  his  convictions;  and 
therefore  in  public  as  well  as  in  private  life  he  acted  as  he 
believed  an  honest,  upright  man  should  act,  without  re- 
gard to  affiliations  or  personal  consequences." 

On  Sept.  2,  1852,  Judge  Van  Reed  married  Miss  Harriet, 
daughter  of  George  Gernant.  She  died  Jan.  13,  1883. 
Their  children  were :  George  R.  and  Anna. 

George  R.  Van  Reed  was  born  in  Reading  Sept.  21,  1853. 
He  obtained  his  earlier  education  in  the  public  schools  and 
then  entered  Lafayette  College,  at  Easton,  graduating 
therefrom  in  1874.     He  became  division  engineer  for  the 


480 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


South  Mountain  &  Boston  Railroad,  and  later  assistant  en- 
gineer on  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  being  stationed  at 
Paoli.  He  assisted  in  the  construction  of  the  Schuylkill 
Valley  Division,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  continuing 
in  the  service  of  that  company  from  1876  to  1884.  He  was 
a  very  able  civil  engineer,  and  the  mastery  of  difficulties 
in  'that  work  afforded  him  keen  enjoyment.  He  read  law 
under  Garrett  Stevens,  of  Reading,  and  Jan.  31,  1888,  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar,  but  he  never  engaged  in  practice. 
He  died  Aug.  12,  1908. 

In  1891  Mr.  Van  Reed  married  Miss  Effie,  daughter  of 
John  H.  Knapp,  of  Menomonie,   Wisconsin. 

THOMAS  P.  MERRITT,  son  of  Abraham  and  Margaret 
(Irick-Budd)  Merritt,  was  born  at  Mt.  Holly,  N.  J., 
Sept.  29,  1844.  He  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  place,  and  in  the  University  of  Lewisburg, 
Pa.  (now  Bucknell),  and  upon  completing  his  special 
course  of  preparation  for  business  located  in  Philadelphia, 
engaging  in  the  lumber  business  with  a  firm  trading  as 
Norcross  &  Sheetz.  After  remaining  with  this  firm  sev- 
eral years,  he  went  to  Norristown  and  started  in  business 
for  himself.  He  continued  at  Norristown  until  1870,  and 
then  removed  to  Williamsport,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
on  the  wholesale  lumber  business  and  manufacturing  all 
kinds  of  lumber. 

Shortly  after  1870  Mr.  Merritt  took  his  younger  broth- 
er, A.  Howard  Merritt,  into  partnership,  and  they  trad- 
ed mider  the  name  of  Merritt  Brothers  until  1880,  build- 
ing up  a  very  extensive  business,  and  shipping  lumber 
to  all  parts  of  the  country.  Disposing  of  their  business 
at  Williamsport,  the  firm  purchased  the  well-established 
lumber  stand  of  Boas  &  Raudenbush,  at  Reading,  and  mov- 
ing to  that  place  have  since  been  engaged  in  the  retail 
lumber  business  in  a  very  extensive  and  successful  man- 
ner, having  in  the  past  thirty  years  supplied  a  large  pro- 
portion of  lumber  used  in  the  construction  of  the  many 
thousand  buildings  which  were  erected  in  Reading  dur- 
ing this  time. 

Immediately  after  locating  in  Reading,  Mr.  Merritt 
identified  himself  with  its  numerous  local  affairs,  but  more 
especially  of  a  business  nature  and  the  enterprising  men 
of  the  community  soon  learned  to  appreciate  his  worth 
lay  selecting  him  to  fill  prominent  positions  and  cooperat- 
ing with  him  in  establishing  financial  institutions.  His 
first  public  position  was  on  the  board  of  health.  This  was 
in  1882,  and  he  has  officiated  on  the  board  ever  since.  Be- 
coming interested  in  public  charities,  he  participated  in 
the  proceedings  of  the  Reading  Benevolent  Society,  and 
served  the  Society  as  its  president ;  and  he  served  the 
Associated  Charities  of  Reading  as  vice-president.  When 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  established  the  large  hospital 
in  Berks  county  near  Wernersville  in  1894,  for  chronic 
insane,  he  was  selected  by  Governor  Pattison  as  one  of  the 
first  trustees,  and  he  was  reappointed  by  Governor  Hast- 
ings, serving  in  this  position  for  ?ix  years,  and  he  was 
chosen  by  the  board  as  its  treasurer.  In  1904,  though  a 
Democrat,  he  was  reappointed  by  Governor  Pennypacker 
for  a  third   term. 

Mr.  Merritt  assisted  in  organizing  the  Pennsylvania 
Trust  Company  in  1886.  and  the  Reading  National  Bank 
in  1893,  and  he  has  served  on  the  board  of  directors 
of  each  body  from  their  inception  until  now.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  projectors  of  the  Reading  Electric  Light 
&  Power  Company  for  supplying  light  and  power  by 
electricity  (this  eventually  becoming  the  propertv  of  the 
Metropolitan  Electric  Company')  ;  of  the  Reading  Steam 
Heat  &  Power  Company,  for  supplying  steam  "heat  to 
dwellings  and  public  buildings  in  the  central  portion 
of  the  city;  and  of  the  beautiful  sulmrban  town  Wy- 
omissing,  two  miles  west  of  Reading  along  the  main 
thoroughfare. 

^  The  municipal  affairs  of  Reading  attracted  Mr.  ^Mer- 
ritt's  earnest  attention,  and  to  put  himself  in  a  position 
to  favor  them  he  became  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trade.  When  councils  established  the  park  board  in 
18S6.  they  selected  him  as  one  of  the  first  four  com- 
missioners,  and  he  officiated   until    1890 — the   first  import- 


ant step  in  the  creation  of  the  park  system  having  been 
taken  during  this  time.  In  1894  he  was  elected  president 
of  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  he  filled  this  position  very 
successfully  for  four  years.  During  his  incumbency  the 
first  steps  were  taken  toward  a  proper  celebration  of 
the  Sesqui-Centennial  of  Reading  in  1898,  which  cul- 
minated in  a  most  successful  demonstration.  Upon  the 
reorganization  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Berks  coun- 
ty in  1898  he  became  a  member  of  the  Society,  and  he 
was  selected  as  one  of  the  executive  council,  which  po- 
sition he  has  served  since  then.  And  about  this  time 
he  was  appointed  by  councils  as  one  of  the  trustees  of 
the  Reading  Library,  and  he  has  served  by  reappoint- 
ment until  now.  He  represented  Pennsylvania  as  one 
of  the  Commissioners  to  the  World's  Fair  at  Chicago 
in   1893,   by  appointment  of   Governor   Pattison. 

When  Mr.  Merritt  reached  his  majority,  he  identi- 
fied himself  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  has  been 
a  stanch  advocate  of  its  principles  ever  since.  Upon 
fixing  his  residence  at  Reading,  he  at  once  manifested 
a  keen  interest  in  local  politics  through  the  party,  and 
this  gave  him  great  public  prominence  before  the  peo- 
ple; indeed,  so  prominent  had  he  become  by  1890  that 
the  Democrats  placed  his  name  on  their  ticket  for  mayor, 
and  he  was  elected,  evidencing  his  unusual  popularity. 
During  his  official  term,  from  1890  to  1893,  numerous 
important  questions  were  considered,  more  particularly 
such  as  related  to  improved  lighting,  streets  and  sewers, 
and   they   received   his   earnest   encouragement. 

Mr.  Merritt  was  made  a  Freemason  in  1867  at  Nor- 
ristown, becoming  a  member  of  Charity  Lodge,  No.  190, 
and  he  still  retains  his  membership  in  that  lodge ;  he 
was  made  a  Knight  Templar  in  Hutchinson  Commandery, 
No.  32,  but  he  transferred  his  membership  to  Reading 
Commandery,  No.  42,  of  which  he  was  eminent  com- 
mander   in    1888.      He   has   taken   the   thirty-third    degree. 

Immediately  after  locating  in  Reading,  Mr.  Merritt 
was  admitted  to  membership  in  Christ  Episcopal  CTiurch, 
and  he  has  since  then  shown  much  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  the  congregation.  He  has  served  as  a  vestryman  since 
1886. 

Mr.  Merritt  married  Emma  P.  Rambo  Nov.  30.  1871. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Nathan  Rambo  and  Ann  Broades 
fCurrie-Ross),  his  wife,  who  are  descendants  of  the  oldest 
families  in  the  Schuylkill  Valley  in  the  vicinity  of  Norris- 
town,  Pennsylvania. 

MORRIS  C.  BERGER.  farmer  of  Penn  toxyn^^hip,  the 
present  tax  collector  of  that  township,  and  a  director  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  the  borough  of  Bernville,  is 
one  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of  his  section  of  Berks 
county.  The  name  he  bears  is  an  old  and  honorable  one 
hire,  several  generations  of  Bergcrs  having  lived  in  this 
region. 

Afr.  Rerger's  great-great-grandfather  had  the  following 
named  children:  Elizabeth,  born  Feb.  8,  1760;  George  W., 
Sept.  20.  1761;  Tobias,  Jan.  21,  176.",:  Catharine.  Tuly  9, 
1706;  Maria  B.,  .'\pril  8,  1768;  Johannes.  June  24."  1769; 
IMaria  i\l..  June  9,  1771;  Diana  Maria,  .April  27,  1773;  Ma- 
ria Alagdalena,  Sept.  18,  1774;  John  Christian,  Nov.  5. 
1777;  Johan  Ludwig,  Jan.  28.  1779;  Johan  Philip,  born  June 
June   3,    1782. 

The  great-grandfather  of  Morris  C.  Bergcr  lived  and 
died  near  the  Blue  Mountains.  His  children  were  born 
as  follows:  Sarah,  Feb,  12,  1797:  John,  .\pril  16.  1798; 
Solomon,  May  5,  1801;  Catharine.  Dec.  2,  1S03;  Elizabeth' 
Sept.  14.  1805;  Daniel,  Sept.  16,  1,807.  George,  Sept.  7.  1S09; 
William,  July  30,  1811;  Susannah,  JNlay  is,  1814-  Joseph' 
Feb.  26,   1818;   Benneville,   Sept.  21.   18:20. 

Solomon  Berger.  born  May  f),  ISOI,  owned  a  farm  in 
Bern  township,  which  he  cultivated.  Later  he  removed  to 
Bernville,  where  he  died.  He  married  Elizabeth  Pottei- 
gcr,  and  to  them  were  horn  six  children  :  .Adam  ;  Levi,  of 
Bernville;  John,  who  died  young;  Rebecca,  m.  to  Daniel 
Slrause  (their  daughter,  I\Iiss  Strause,  of  Bernville,  has  the 
record  of  the  great-great-grandfather's  children  previouslv 
given);  Esther,  who  died  unmarried;  and  Eliza,  m.   (first) 


.  A  .    VajuuvJxV, 


' :!'}' 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


481 


to  Benneville  Bethra.m  and  (second)  to  William  Schlapp- 
ich. 

Adam  Berger,  son  of  Solomon  and  father  of  Morris 
C.  Berger,  born  in  1830  in  Bern  (now  Penn)  township, 
died  in  1882.  After  his  father's  death  he  took  the  home- 
stead, where  he  passed  most  of  his  life,  and  besides  man- 
aging the  place  he  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  the 
contracting  business  with  his  brother  Levi  under  the  name 
of  Berger  Brothers.  They  built  many  churches,  among 
them  being  St.  Michael's,  Leesport  Union,  which  they  re- 
built after  its  destruction  by  fire,  St.  John's  Reformed 
at  Schuylkill  Haven,  Mohrsville  Union  and  three  Bap- 
"st  churches.  Adam  Berger  was  a  well  known  man  in 
his  day  in  pubhc  affairs  as  well  as  in  business  life,  served 
his  township  as  school  director,  and  was  also  active  in  re- 
ligious matters,  being  a  prominent  member  of  the  Bern- 
ville  Reformed  Church,  in  the  work  of  which  he  was  deep- 
ly interested.  He  married  Elizabeth  Hafe,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Hafe,  and  to  them  were  born  four  children : 
James  and  John,  who  both  died  at  the  old  homestead; 
Morris  C. ;  and  Mary,  who  died  at  the  old  homestead. 
The  mother  now  lives  with  her  only  surviving  child, 
Morris   C.    Berger,   in    Penn   township. 

Morris  C.  Berger  was  born  in  Penn  township  April  11, 
1863,  and  there  attended  the  public  schools.  He  was 
eighteen  when  his  father  died,  and  though  rather  young 
took  charge  of  the  homestead  at  that  time,  making  a  suc- 
cess of  his  work.  His  land  comprises  eighty-five  acres, 
three  miles  northeast  of  Bernville,  and  is  in  very  good 
condition,  giving  evidence  of  his  care  and  intelligent  man- 
agement. He  has  prospered  well  as  the  result  of  indus- 
try, and  when  the  First  National  Bank  of  Bernville 
was  organized  he  became  a  member  of  the  first  board  of 
directors,  and  is  still  serving  in  that  capacity.  He  is 
progressive  and  energetic,  and  has  done  his  share  toward 
the  advancement  of  the  township,  having  given  six  years 
of  service  as  school  director,  fpr  five  years  of  that  time 
acting  as  treasurer  of  the  school  board.  For"  three  years 
he  has  been  tax  collector  of  the  township.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  political  belief  and  a  worker  in  the  local  ranks  of 
the  party,  having  been  a  member  of  the  election  board 
of  the  township.  Like  his  forefathers  he  clings  to  the  Re- 
formed denomiination,  being  a  member  and  deacon  of  St. 
Thomas   Church,   Bernville. 

Mr.  Berger  married  Rebecca  Seaman,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Rebecca  (Wertz)  Seaman,  and  eight  children 
have  blessed  their  union :  Alice,  who  taught  three  terms 
in  Penn  township  before  her  marriage  to  Milton  Potteiger 
(they  have  a  daughter,  Pearle) ;  Kate,  wife  of  Elwood  Kra- 
mer (they  have  one  daughter,  Ruth)  ;  Alvin,  a  teacher, 
who  taught  four  terms  in  Penn  township;  Mary  M. ; 
Allison;    Edwin;    Stephen,   and   Earle. 

C.  W.  B.  TODD,  a  representative  business  man  of  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  who  is  proprietor  of  the  "Merchants'  Hotel," 
at  the  corner  of  Third  and  Penn  streets,  was  born  Dec. 
30,  1839,  in  Montgomery  county,  Pa.,  son  of  John  and 
Christina  (Bachman)  Todd,  and  grandson  of  Andrew 
Todd. 

John  Todd,  father  of  C.  W,  B.,  was  also  a  native  of 
Montgomery  county,  and  was  a  leading  manufacturer 
of  spinning  wheels  when  nearly  all  the  cloth  used  was 
spun  by  hand.  He  was  known  far  and  wide  for  his 
supe/ior  workmanship  in  this  line,  and  his  trade  ex- 
tended far  into  tthe  surrounding  counties.  Later  ,in 
life  Mr.  Todd  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  one  of 
Montgomery  county's  best  known  and  most  highly-res- 
pected men,  and  his  popularity  was  proved  when  he  was 
elected  sheriff  by  a  handsome  majority.  He  proved  him- 
self a  (faithful  and  efficient  official,  serving  in  that  high 
office  with  credit  and  distinction,  and  to  the  satisfaction 
of  all.  He  died  in  1862,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years, 
and  his  faithful  wife  in  1873,  when  seventy-four  years 
old.  Mrs.  Todd  was  a  good  wife  and  loving  mother,  and 
was  well  known  in  her  neighborhood  as  one  who  could 
be  depended  on  in  times  of  sickness  and  trouble.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Todd  there  were  born  children  as  fol- 
31 


lows :  John,  M.  D.,  of  Pottstown,  Pa.,  married  (first) 
a  Miss  Smith,  and  (second)  a  Miss  Heller  of  Boyer- 
town.  Pa.;  William,  a  contractor  of  Norristown,  Pa., 
m.  Mary  Saylor;  Christiana  B.  m.  Horace  Royer,  and 
their  deaths  occurred  within  a  week  of  each  other;  Emily 
m.  H.  W.  Kratz,  of  Norristown;  Samuel  M.,  M.  D.,  is 
of  Boyertown ;  and  C.  W.  B. 

C.  W.  B.  Todd  received  his  education  at  the  "Trappe" 
in  the  Freeland  Seminary  (now  Ursinus  College),  and 
after  leaving  school  he  apprenticed  himself  to  learn  the 
blacksmith's  trade,  which  he  followed  until  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war,  when,  in  1861  he  enlisted  in  the 
2d  Pennsylvania  Reserve  Corps  as  a  musician.  After 
serving  thirteen  months  he  was  honorably  discharged, 
and  returned  home,  where  he  was  engaged  at  various 
occupations  for  some  time.  He  then  accepted  a  posi- 
tion as  traveling  salesman  for  an  agricultural  imple- 
ment firm,  and  this  he  followed  successfully  for  several 
years,  and  in  1901  he  came  to  Reading,  leasing  the  "Mer- 
chants' Hotel,"  which  he  has  conducted  with  much  suc- 
cess to  the  present  time.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Todd's  lease 
the  hotel  had  been  neglected  and  allowed  to  run  down, 
but  Mr.  Todd  has  built  up  a  fine,  first-class  trade,  and 
today  the  hotel  is  considered  one  of  the  best  of  the  mod- 
erate rate  houses  in  the  State.  The  house  contains  sixty- 
six  sleeping  rooms.  Having  been  a  "Knight  of  the  Road'' 
himself,  Mr.  Todd  fully  understands  what  is  required 
for  the  comfort  of  traveling  men,  and  his  place  is  fully 
equipped  with  every  convenience.  He  personally  attends 
to  the  dining-room  service,  doing  his  own  buying,  and 
he  sees  that  nothing  but  the  best  that  the  rates  can  afford 
enters  this  department.  Mr.  Todd  is  very  popular  in 
fraternal  circles,  and  is  a  member  of  Warren  Lodge, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Trappe,  Pa.;  Chapter  No.  152,  Reading; 
De  Molay  Commandery,  Reading;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A. 
A.  O.  N.  M.  S. 

In  1872  Mr.  Todd  married  Miss  Adaline  Schwenk  and 
to  them  have  been  born  these  children :  Emma,  and  C. 
Wallace  B.,  who  married,  Feb.  21,  1901,  Miss  Sallie  Gil- 
bert. Mr.  Todd  is  a  Democrat,  but  claims  the  right  to 
vote  independently. 

RHOADS.  The  name  of  Rhoads  (original  spelling 
Roth)  has  been  continued  through  many  years  in  Berks 
county.  Pa.,  whither  came  Mathias  Roth  from  Germany 
at  an  early  date,  settling  near  Boyertown.  In  the  pres- 
ent generation  are  found  Ben  Jonson  Rhoads,  proprietor 
of  the  "Hotel  Allen,"  and  John  Gilbert  Rhoads,  deputy 
prothonotary,  both  well  known  and  highly  respected  in 
Reading. 

John  Rhoads.  their  grandfather,  a  grandson  of  Math- 
ias and  son  of  Jonathan,  was  born  on  the  old  Boyertown 
homestead,  and  after  a  life  devoted  to  agriculture,  died 
within'  the  borough  limits  in  the  house  erected  by  his 
father,  Jonathan. 

Dr.  Reuben  B.  Rhoads,  son  of  John,  was  born  on  the 
old  Boyertown  farm.  He  became  a  physician,  and  be- 
sides his  practice  in  medicine,  was  a  surgeon  in  the  army 
of  the  Rebellion,  at  one  time  was  warden  of  the  Berks 
county  prison,  and  later  was  burgess  of  Boyertown.  He 
married  Catherine  Gilbert,  daughter  of  Adam  Gilbert, 
of  Douglass  township,  Berks  couhty.  Five  children  were 
born  to  this  union:  Margaret  Elizabeth,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  years ;  Ben  Jonson,  proprietor  of  the 
"Allen  House";  Laura,  wife  of  Harvey  Bridenbaugh ; 
Mary  Ella,   wife   of   George   Guldin;    and   John    Gilbert. 

Ben  Jonson  Rhoads,  son  of  Dr.  Reuben,  was  born 
at  Zieglerville,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  March  24,  1861. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Amityville, 
in  Berks  county,  and  was  licensed  to  teach  under  Prof. 
S.  A.  Baer,  then  county  superintendent.  His  first  school 
was  in  Earl  township,  but  after  teaching  three  terms 
in  all  he  directed  his  attention  to  farming,  for  five  years 
engaging  in  that  calling  on  his  father's  farm.  Going 
then  to  Boyertown  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  coal 
and  lumber  business  for  about  five  years.  In  July,  1893, 
he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Boyertown  by  President 
Cleveland,  and  in  that  office  he  served  efficiently  for  up- 


483 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


wards  of  five  years.  In  1900  he  came  to  Reading,  and 
his  first  employment  was  as  a  clerk  in  the  Citizens  bank, 
a  position  he  filled  acceptably  for  two  years.  He  assist- 
ed in  straightening  out  the  business  of  the  Citizens  Bank 
when  it  was  transferred  to  the  Second  National  Bank. 
For  three  months  then  he  served  as  deputy  prothonotary 
under  his  brother,  John  G.  In  May,  1902,  Mr.  Rhoads 
piirchased  the  stock  and  good-will  of  the  "Hotel  Allen", 
and  since  then  has  conducted  that  popular  hostelry  with 
great  success.  He  has  made  many  improvements  in  the 
buildingj  and  brought  the  whole  to  the  plane  of  an  up- 
to-date,  progressive,  hotel.  The  stand  is  well  known  to 
the  traveling  public,  and  the  table  bears  a  very  high 
reputation. 

Mr.  Rhoads  is  a  member  of  Reading  Aerie,  No.  66, 
F.  O.  E. ;  Metacomet  Tribe,  No.  416,  I.  O.  R.  M.;  Junior 
Fire  Company;  Humane  Association;  Eagles  Mountain 
Home  Association;  Berks  County  Retail  Liquor  Deal- 
ers   Protective  Association. 

On  Feb.  5,  1882,  Mr.  Rhoads  was  married  to  Miss 
Laura  Weidner,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Elmira  Weid- 
ner,  of  Amity  township.  They  have  had  four  children, 
one  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  others  are :  L.  Ger- 
trude m.  H.  W.  Ulrich,  an  electrician  of  Philadelphia; 
Carl  M.  is  a  bar  clerk  for  his  father;  and  John  C.  is 
a  clerk  for  the  Berks  County  Trust  Company.  Mr. 
Rhoads  is  well  known  as  a  loyal  Democrat,  and  he  has 
long  been  active  in  the  councils  of  his  party. 

John  Gilbert  Rhoads,  son  of  Reuben  B.  Rhoads,  was 
born  Jan.  17,  1865,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  town  and  in  Reading  high  school, 
graduating  from  that  institution  in  1886.  The  next  three 
years  he  spent  in  the  coal  and  lumber  business,  after 
which  he  went  to  the  Philadelphia  Bridge  Works  at  Potts- 
town,  where  he  was  engaged  at  structural  iron  work. 
In  1895  he  became  deputy  prothonotary,  and  in  1897  he 
was  defeated  for  the  position  of  prothonotary  by  one 
vote,  and  in  1900  was  elected  prothonotary.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  he  was  again  appointed  deputy  prothono- 
tary, a  position  he  still  holds.  He  was  elected  to  the  schopl 
board  for  the  City  of  Reading  in  1907.  and  reelected  for 
four    years    Feb.    16,    1909. 

Mr.  Rhoads  married  Clara  Ritter  Guldin,  daughter  of 
Jeremiah  R.  Guldin,  and  to  this  union  were  born  :  Mag- 
gie Esther,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Clarence  G.,  liv- 
ing in  New  Berlinville.  The  wife  and  mother 
died  April  9,  1893.  Mr.  Rhoads  married  (second) 
in  1896,  Annie  May  Hartenstein.  daughter  of  Henry  Hart- 
enstein.  One  son,  Frederick,  born  of  this  union,  died 
in  infancy,  and  Catherine  and  Robert  still  survive.  Mr. 
Rhoads  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  is 
very  highly  esteemed  in  Reading  where  his  many  sterl- 
ing  traits    of    character    are    known    and    apipreciated. 

ALBERT  BRODEN,  superintendent  of  blast  furnaces 
of  the  Reading  Iron  Company,  and  one  of  Reading's 
prominetit  and  influential  citizens,  was  born  in  Sweden, 
April  22,  1851,  and  was  educated  at  Skara  College,  in 
his   native   cquntry. 

Mr.  Broden  came  to  America  in  1873,  and  located 
in  Reading,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  connected  with 
railroad  and  iron  work,  with  the  exception  of  one  year 
spent  in  the  United  States  of  Colombia,  building  blast 
furnaces.  He  also  spent  six  months  at  Ogden,  Utah, 
for  Richmond  L.  Jones,  making  an  experimental  blast 
to  determine  the  value  of  iron  ores  in  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains. Since  1887  he  has  been  connected  with  the  Hon. 
George  F.  Baer,  in  the  iron  interests,  and  since  that 
time  he  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Reading  Iron 
Company's  furnaces,  and  is  also  manager  of  the  Tem- 
ple  Iron    Company's   furnaces. 

Mr.  Broden  is  a  member  of  the  Wyomissing  and  Berk- 
shire Clubs.  He  is  connected  with  St.  Matthew's  Luther- 
an Church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Broden  through  the  storm  and  stress  of  Amer- 
ican business  life,  for  the  past  eighteen  years,  has  been 
a  notable  example  of  the  success  of  well-directed  energy. 
Cool,  careful,  thorough,  he  has  mastered  details  and 
brought  about   results   which  could  only  have  been  com- 


pleted by  one  well   equipped  by   Nature,   and   molded   by 
experience. 

E.  RICHARD  MEINIG,  a  representative  business  man 
of  Reading,  where  he  owns  a  well-equipped  factory  and 
carries  on  a  large  silk  glove  manufacturing  industry,  was 
born  near  Chemnitz,  Saxony,   Germany,   May  10,  1874. 

In  his  native  land  Mr.  Meinig  secured  an  excellent 
education  and  then  thoroughly  learned  the  business  of 
m.anufacturing  fabric  gloves,  mastering  every  detail.  In 
1900  he  came  to  America  and  became  the  foreman  of  the 
Reading  Glove  and  Mitten  Company,  two  years  later 
being  made  manager  of  this  concern.  After  filling  that 
position  for  three  years  he  embarked  in  business  fgf 
himself,  organizing  the  E.  Richard  Meinig  Company,  for 
the  purpose  of  manufacturing  silk  and  other  fabric  gloves. 
He  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  this  corporation  as  well 
as  its  general  manager,  the  president  being  George  Horst, 
of  the  hosiery  manufacturing  concern  of  Nolde  &  Horst, 
Reading. 

In  1907,  the  E.  Richard  Meinig  Company  erected  a  fac- 
tory on  McKnight  street  between  Greenv^rich  and  Oley 
streets.  It  is  of  brick  construction,  four  stories  and 
basement,  with  dimensions  of  210  x  50  feet.  There  has 
been  erected  an  addition  two  stories  high  with  dimensions 
of  180  x  30  feet.  This  glove  factory  has  the  name  of  be- 
ing the  most  complete  in  its  equipment  of  any  building  of 
its  kind  in  the  world.  Employment  is  given  to  from  700 
to  800  employees,  and  the  product  is  sold  in  the  United 
States  and  in  other  lands,  probably  reaching  every  enlight- 
ened country.  Mr.  Meinig  possesses  remarkable  business 
capacity  together  with  high  standards  of  commercial  life 
and  a  personal  character  above   reproach. 

In  1903,  Mr.  Meinig  married  Maria  Vogt,  daughter  of 
Plans  and  Catrina  (Horst)  Vogt,  also  of  German  birth. 
They  have  four  children :  Ernst,  Louisa,  George  and  Karl. 

JAMES  GAUMER  TREICHLER,  a  well-known  resi- 
dent of  Kutztown,  who  has  for  a  number  of  years  been 
engaged  in  farming  in  that  section,  is  a  native  of  Berks 
county,  born  at  Treichlersville  Sept.  7,  1S45,  son  of  David 
M.   and   Luzetta    (Gaumer)    Treichler. 

There  is  a  tradition  in  the  Treichler  family  that  the 
immigrant  ancestor  was  Jacob  Trycler,  and  that  he  came 
from  the  city  of  Treichlerdorf,  Holland,  landing  at  Phila- 
delphia, Oct.  16,  1727.  It  is  also  believed  that  his  wife 
came  from  Amsterdam,  Holland.  The  Treichlers  origin- 
ally settled   in   New  Jersey. 

Samuel  Treichler,  Sr.,  grandfather  of  James  G..  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  first  of  the  family  to  come  to 
Berks  county,  where  he  settled  in  Hereford  township.  It 
is  said  he  came  from  Kintnersville,  Bucks  county,  on 
the  Delaware  river,  on  which  stream  the  Treichlers  were 
engaged  as  rafters.  He  followed  mercantile  pursuits  and 
also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  linseed  oil,  and  was 
the  founder  of  Treichlersville,  Berks  county.  Born  July 
1J-,  1776,  he  died  INIarch  29,  1865,  aged  eighty-eight  years, 
eight  months,  fifteen  days.  He  married  Maria  Magda- 
lena  Mumbauer,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Barbara  Mum- 
bauer,  born  May  18,  1781,  died  Dec.  28,  1851,  aged  seventy 
years,  seven  months,  ten  days.  They  had  these  children : 
John,  Jacob,  David,  Samuel  (born  Oct.  15,  1806,  died 
Jan.  29,  1860),  Joseph,  MoUie  (m.  Samuel  Wehr),  Sally, 
Anna,  and  two  who  died  in  infancy.  The  will  of  Samuel 
Treichler,  Sr.,  is  on  record  in  Will  Book  11,  page  380. 
The  executors  were  his  sons  David  M.  and  Joseph.  The 
following  children  are  mentioned  in  the  will :  Jacob,  John, 
David    M„    Samuel,    Sarah,    Mary    and    Joseph. 

Anna  Treichler  (1763-1792)  and  Elizabeth  Treichler 
(1768-1851),  sisters  of  Samuel  Treichler,  Sr.,  were  the 
second  and  third  wives,  respectively,  of  Jacob  Gery,  an 
early  resident  of  Hereford  township,  who  was  married 
three   times. 

David  M.  Treichler,  born  May  6,  1809,  died  of  Bright's 
disease  May  24,  1878.  He  was  a  farmer  and  miller  at 
Treichlersville,  and  successful  in  business.  He  was  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
and  is  buried  at  New  Goshenhoppen  Church  at  East 
Greenville,  Montgomery  county.  Mr.  Treichler  was  mar- 
ried in  May,  1840,  to  Luzetta  Gaumer,  daughter  of  John 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


483 


Adam  Gaumei;  born  Nov.  20,  1814,  died  Dec.  5,  1898, 
aged  eighty-four  years,  fifteen  days,  and  they  had  these 
children :  Sarah  Ann  m.  William  Butz ;  Mary  is  unmar- 
ried; James  G.  is  mentioned  below;  Emma  m.  Jacob  Bit- 
tenbender;  Lucinda  m.  John  Smith  and  died  in  1888; 
David  G.  m.  Maria  Schantz;  Caroline  m.  J.  M.  Grimley; 
Samuel  m.  Amelia  Lorentz. 

James  G.  Treichler  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
and  attended  the  schools  of  his  district  and  the  Normal 
Academy  at  Quakertown,  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  A.  R.  Howe 
was  principal,  and  later  the  Macungie  Academy,  of  which 
Prof.  Oliver  Fell  was  principal.  In  1877  he  left  the  farm 
and  became  a  salesman  for  Artman  &  Treichler,  dealers  in 
carpets,  oilcloth  and  woodenware,  of  Philadelphia,  and  dur-< 
ing  a  period  of  eighteen  years  he  was  their  traveling  sales- 
man, his  field  being  all  over  the  eastern  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  also  the  central  part  of  the  State.  In  the 
spring  of  1895  he  moved  to  Kutztown,  on  the  old  Kutz 
farm,  which  came  into  his  possession  and  which  he  owns  to 
this  day,  and  for  six  years  his  fine  team  carried  milk 
in  Kutztown  and  vicinity  from  his  dairy.  He  had  about 
forty  head  of  Guernsey  and  Jersey  cows,  all  high-bred 
stock,  for  which  he  paid  as  much  as  $240  a  head.  His 
farm  is  in  the  highest  state  of  cultivation  and  is  one  of 
the  finest  farms  in  the  rich  Maxatawny  valley.  His  was 
one  of  the  first  barns  in  Berks  county  to  be  lighted  by 
electricity.  In  every  detail  he  is  an  up-to-date  agricul- 
turist and  operates  his  land  with  modern,  improved  ma- 
chinery. 

Mr.  Treichler  was  instrumental  in  starting  building  op- 
erations in  the  section  of  Kutztown  north  of  the 
Sacony  creek,  and  since  the  spring  of  1900,  when  the 
building  boom  started,  more  than  sixty  fine  residences 
have  been  erected,  of  which  the  Treichler  mansion  at 
the  corner  of  Park  and  Treichler  avenues  is  one  of  the 
handsomest  and  most  modern  buildings  in  the  community. 
He  is  a  director  in  the  Building  and  Loan'  Association 
and  was  also  director  and  treasurer  of  the  Kutztown  Park 
Association. 

On  Oct.  "i,  1876,  he  married  Anna  Eliza  Levan,  daughter 
of  David  Levan,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Maxatawny  town- 
ship, and  his  wife,  Lydia  Jarrett,  who  had  three  children, 
viz. :  Anna  Eliza  m.  James  G.  Treichler ;  Sarah  m.  H.  R. 
Nicks ;  Alvin  lived  in  Reading  many  years,  but  died  in 
Kutztown  where  he  is  buried. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Treichler  have  two  children :  Annie  L. 
has  been  thoroughly  educated;  David  L.,  who  resides 
at  home,  assists  in  managing  the  estate.  In  politics 
Mr.  Treichler  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He 
and  his  family  are  members  of  St.  John's  Reformed 
Church  at  Kutztown,  in  which  he  has  been  an  elder 
for  some  years. 

ERWIN  C.  GERY  is  the  present  proprietor  of  the  hotel 
at  Siesholtzville  in  Hereford  township,  Berks  county, 
which  has  been  in  the  hands  of  the'Gery  family  for  over 
fifty  years.  This  family  was  established  in  Berks  county 
one  hundred  and  seventy  years  ago  by  Jacob  Gery,  Erwin 
C.  Gery  being  a  member  of  the  fifth  generation  in  direct 
line  of  descent  from  this  (pioneer. 

Jacob  Gery,  born  May  9,  1721,  came  to  this  country  from 
Switzerland,  landing  at  Philadelphia  Sept.  3,  1739.  He  was 
a  "redemptioner,"  and  to  pay  for  his  passage  served  a  nurn- 
ber  of  years  with  Valentine  Griesemere,  of  Hereford,  in 
Berks  county,  Pa.  In  later  years,  like  his  Biblical  namesake, 
he  married  his  master's  daughter,  Gertrude  Griesemere, 
born  May  15,  1738.  Jacob  Gery  purchased  six  hundred 
acres  of  land,  located  partly  in  what  is  now  Upper  Han- 
over township,  Montgomery  county,  and  partly  in  Here- 
ford township,  Berks  county.  He  sold  some  of  it,  clearing 
the  remainder,  upon  which  he  erected  the  necessary  build- 
ings and  made  many  improvements.  His  old  place  is  now 
the  property  of  a  descendant,  Thomas  H.  Gery.  The  orig- 
inal dwelling  was  used  as  late  as  1803,  when  the  house 
which  is  at  present  on  the  place  was  built.  The  old  dwell- 
ing served  as  a  schoolhouse  for  a  number  of  years.  Jacob 
Gery  understood  th«  art  of  making  tile,  and  erected  a  hut 
and  kilns  for  manufacturing  the  same,  and  on  this  account 


the  place  was  known  from  the  Delaware  to  the  Schuylkill 
river  as  Gery's  Tile  Hut  or  "Ziegel  Huette."  Jacob  Gery 
died  Feb.  25,  1808,  some  years  after  his  wife,  who  passed 
away  Feb.  8,  1802.  They  are  buried  in  the  old  graveyard 
at  New  Goshenhoppen  Church.*  Nine  children  were  born 
to  this  pioneer  couple:  Jacob,  John  Adam;  John,  Peter, 
Michael,   Rebecca,   Elizabeth,  Anna   Maria  and   Catharine. 

Jacob  Gery,  son  of  Jacob  and  Gertrude,  was  born  Feb. 
11,  1754,  in  Montgomery  county,  Pa.,  and  died  Sept.  28, 
1828,  aged  seventy-four  years,  seven  months,  seventeen 
days;  he  is  buried  at  New  Goshenhoppen  Church.  By 
occupation  he  was  a  farmer,  owning  a  large  farm.  He 
was  married  three  times,  first  to  Elizabeth  Lauer,  by 
whom  he  had  four  children,  Jacob,  Peter,  Sarah  and  John. 
His  second  wife,  Anna  Treichler,  1763-1792,  bore  him  one 
child,  that  died  in  infancy,  and  by  his  third  union,  with 
Elizabeth  Treichler  (1768-1851),  sister  of  Anna,  he  had 
children  as  follows :  Elizabeth,  Michael,  Joseph,  David, 
Maria  (or  Polly)  and  Julia. 

Michael  Gery,  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth,  was  bom 
Feb.  22,  1795,  on  the  old  Gery  homestead,  and  died  at  Perry- 
viile  (now  Harlem),  in  Hereford  township,  Aug.  17, 
1870,  aged  seventy-five  years,  five  months,  twenty-five  days. 
Coming  to  Hereford  township  in  1823,  he  passed  the  rest 
of  his  life  there,  owning  a  seventy-four-acre  farm  at  what 
is  now  Harlem,  which  he  cultivated.  He  also  carried  on  an 
oil  mill  which  stood  on  his  farm,  at  the  source  of  the 
Perkiomen  creek,  running  this  mill  profitably  for  a  period 
of  twenty-two  years,  and  he  was  likewise  successful  as  a 
store  and  hotel  keeper,  conducting  the  hotel  at  Harlem 
from  1832  until  187-.  His  hotel  was  a  popular  resting 
place  for  the  early  residents  of  Upper  Berks' county  who 
passed  through  on  their  way  from  Albany,  Greenwich, 
Windsor,  Richmond,  Maxatawny  and  Longswamp  town- 
ships to  Philadelphia,  whither  they  took  their  grain  and 
produce  to  market.  Michael  Gery's  son,  Charles  N.  Gery, 
now  one  of  the  venerable  residents  of  Hereford  township, 
recalls  that  on  a  Monday  morning  fifty-two  teams  stopped 
there.  Whiskey  then  sold  for  three  cents  a  glass,  and  a 
cigar  was  given  for  good-will  to  each  "smaller."  As  might 
be  expected  from  one  of  his  energetic  nature  and  wide 
acquaintance,  he  was  a  leading  and  influential  spirit  in  his 
community,  active  and  aggressive,  interested  in  politics  ancl 
alive  to  the  needs  of  his  community.  In  1852  he  was 
county  commissioner,  during  that  time  assisting  in  the 
erection  of  the  Berks  county  prison.  He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Goshenhoppen  Mutual  Fire  Insurance 
Company,  of  which  he  was  a  director  many  years,  and 
the  family  has  been  represented  on  the  board  of  directors 
up  to  the  present  time,  Michael  Gery  retiring  in  favor  of 
his  son  Charles  N.,  who  after  a  service  of  thirteen  years 
retired  in  favor  of  his  son,  Erwin  C,  who  has  been  a 
director  of  the  company  since  1890.  Michael  Gery  and 
his  son  and  grandson  have  been  chosen  many  times  as 
county  and  State  delegates  in  their  connection  with  this 
concern.  The  grandfather  was  a  man  of  medium  height, 
but  stout,  commanding  in  appearance,  and  much  respected 
among  his  friends  and  acquaintances.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried, first  to  Sally  Nuss,  born  March  7,  1795,  died  July 
25,  1844,  aged  forty-nine  years,  four  months,  eighteen 
days,  and  they  had  a  family  of  twelve  children,  six  sons 
and  six  daughters:  Daniel,  Ephraim,  David  (1830-1884), 
Charles  N.,  Polly,  Elizabeth,  Judith,  Sarah,  Franklin,  Caro- 
line, Matilda  and  Michael.  By  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth 
(Moll),  he  had  two  sons,  Milton  M.  (who  is  an  auctioneer) 
and  Jacob  M.  Michael  Gery  and  his  family  were  German 
.Reformed  members  of  Huff's  Church,  where  he  is  buried. 

Charles  N.  Gery,  5on  of  Michael,  was  born  Oct.  28, 
1823,  in  Upper  Hanover  township,  Montgomery  county. 
He  was  less  than  a  year  old  -when  his  father  settled  in 
Hereford  township,  Berks  county,  and  there  he  received 
his  education,  attending  the  old  pay  schools  then  in  Vogue. 
Remaining  upon  the  farm  until  he  was  eighteen,  he  then 
entered  the  store  at  Henningsville,  in  Longswamp  township, 
as  a  clerk,  being  engaged  there  four  years.  In  1845  he  moved 
to  Siesholtzville,  where  in  partnership  with  his  father  he 
kept  the  store  for  one  and  a  half  years,  after  which  they 
conducted  the  store  at  Harlem  (then  Perryville)  for  eight 


484 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  a  half  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  dissolving  partner- 
ship. Returning  then  ta  Siesholtzville  he  again  com- 
menced keeping  store  there,  and  he  has  been  interested  in 
that  business  ever  since,  the  firm  now  being  Gery  &  Moll, 
as  it  has  been  ever  si^^e  he  admitted  his  son-in-law, 
William'  B.  Moll,  to  a  partnership.  They  carry  a  full  line 
of  general  merchandise,  and  are  considered  the  most  re- 
liable merchants  in  this  section.  Mr.  Gery  was  appointed 
postmaster  at  Siesholtzville  in  1854,  by  President  James 
A.  Pierce,  and  served  until  the  post  office  was  abandoned, 
Nov.  30,  1908,  upon  the  establishment  of  a  rural  free 
delivery  route.  No  citizen  of  eastern  Berks  county  is 
held  in  higher  esteem  than  Mr.  Gery,  who  is  one  of  the 
oldest  and  best  known  residents  of  that  locality.  He  has 
always  been  an  active  man,  winning  success  by  industry 
and  devotion  to  business,  and  he  is  one  of  the  heavy  tax- 
payers of  his  township,  owning  the  store  and  hotel  prop- 
erty as  well  as  several  dwellings  at  Siesholtzville.  He. 
served  one  term'  of  three  years  as  township  auditor  when 
the  office  was  literally  thrust  upon  him,  but  with  this  ex- 
ception has  taken  no  part  in  public  life,  having  stead- 
fastly refused  offers  of  preferment  and  trust. 

In  1848  Mr.  Gery  married  Elizabeth  Moll,  born  Jan.  24, 
1827,  died  Dec.  26,  1895,  and  six  children  were  born  to 
them :  (1)  Malinda  m.  William  B.  Moll,  who  is  mentioned 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  (2)  Sally  Ann  m.  Alfred  A.  Schall, 
and  is  deceased.  (3)  Erwin  C.  is  mentioned  later.  (4) 
Allen  G.  is  mentioned  elsewhere.  (5)  Cassie  Ann  m.  Dr. 
J.  L.  Roth,  of  Red  Hill,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  and  is  de- 
ceased. (6)  Dr.  Ambrose  M.  is  a  prominent  physician  and 
surgeon  at  Coopersburg,  Pa.,  where  he  is  also  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  "Vanness  Hotel."  Charles  N.  Gery  and  his 
family  are  Reformed  members  of  Huff's  Church,  which 
he  served  as  treasurer  for  fourteen  years. 

Erwin  C.  Gery  was  born  Dec.  2,  1852,  and  has  passed 
practically  his  entire  life  in  Hereford  township.  He  re- 
ceived a  thorough  education,  which  was  begun  in  the 
township  schools  and  continued  at  the  Keystone  State  Nor- 
mal School,  at  Kutztown  (where  he  was  under  three 
principals,  Profs.  John  S.  Ermentrout,  Horn  and  Schaeff- 
er),  the  Seminary  at  Kulpsville,  Montgomery  county,  and 
the  Eastman  Business  College,  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y., 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1875.  His  boyhood  days 
were  spent  in  Siesholtzville,  where  he  clerked,  in  his  fath- 
er's store  from  the  time  he  could  be  of  any  use,  also  as- 
sisting in  the  hotel  and  upon  the  farm.  After  graduating 
from  the  business  college  he  clerked  in  the  store  until 
early  in  1877,  on  March  27th  of  which  year  he  took  charge 
of  the  hotel  at  Siesholtzville,  which  he  has  conducted 
ever  since.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  hostelries  in  the  county, 
and  has  been  in  the  Gery  family  since  1854,  Charles  N. 
Gery  having  carried  it  on  for  twenty-one  years  before 
Erwin  C.  Gery  took  charge.  There  are  sixteen  rooms,  and 
the  place  is  well  patronized  by  the  traveling  public,  Mr. 
Gery  being  one  of  the  most  popular  landlords  in  his  sec- 
tion, for  he  conducts  a  reliable  hotel  and  bears  a  favor- 
able reputation  among  the  best  citizens  of  the  county. 
Siesholtzville  is  located  on  the  road  from  Hamburg  to 
Philadelphia,  and  from  Allentown  to  Reading,  and  the 
hotel  is  one  of  the  landmarks  in  its  neighborhood.  The 
building  is  an  old  stone  structure  erected  during  the 
French  and  Indian  war. 

Mr.  Gery  owns  considerable  real  estate  in  and  around 
Siesholtzville,  having  several  houses  in  the  vicinity  which 
he  rents,  and  in  connection  with  the  hotel  property  he 
has  thirty  acres  of  land.  Since  1890  he  has  been  con- 
nected as  a  director  with  the  Goshenhoppen  Mutual  Fir^ 
Insurance  Company,  which  has  risks  at  present  amounting 
to  nearly  $16,000,000.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the 
National  Bank  of  Topton  since  its  organization  in  1905. 
He  is  one  of  the  best  known  Democrats  in  Berks  county, 
being  a  strong  advocate  of  the  principles  of  his  party,  in 
whose  interests  he  has  been  an  active  worker  from  the 
age  of  nineteen  years.  He  has  served  many  times  as 
county  and  State  delegate,  was  school  director  of  his 
towns.hip  for  three  years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1908  was 
a  candidate  for  the  office  of  county  treasurer,  making  a 
very  creditable  run.     Mr.  Gery  is  well  known  in  fraternal 


circles,  being  a  member  of  Perkiomen  Lofige,  No.  595,  F. 
&  A.  M.,  of  East  Greenville,  Pa.;  of  Covenant  Command- 
ery,  No.  58,  A.  &  I.  O.  K.  of  M.,  of  Alburtis,  Pa.;  and 
a  charter  member  of  Camp  No.  470,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of 
Siesholtzville,  of  which  he  was  the  first  past  president,  and 
which  he  has  represented  many  times  as  delegate  at  State 
and  district  conventions. 

On  June  24,  1876,  Mr.  Gery  was  married  to  Lizzie  Baus, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Geissinger)  Baus,  of 
Hereford  township.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three 
children :  Harry  C,  born  June  12,  1877,  is  married  to 
Jennie  Reinert,  and  they  reside  at  Reading,  Berks  Co., 
Pa.;  Lizzie,  born  in  1882,  died  in  1886;  Donald  E.  was 
born  March  9,  1897.  Mr.  Gery  and  his  family  are  Re^ 
formed  members  of  Huff's  Church.  He  was  the  leader 
of  the  choir  there  for  nine  years,  during  which  time 
he  sang  bass,  and  he  was  connected  with  the  choir  in  all 
twenty-three  years.  He  was  one  of  the  last  class  of 
catechumens  taught  by  Rev.  Alfred  Hennan  at  Huff's 
Church. 

WILLIAM  T.  SNYDER,  alderman  of  the  Fifteenth 
ward  of  Reading,  Pa.,  and  one  of  the  successful  and  in- 
fluential business  men  of  the  city,  is  the  grandson  of 
Daniel  H.  Schneider,  who  is  remembered  by  the  older 
residents  of  Berks  county  as  a  prominent  farmer  and  miller 
of  Exeter  township,  and  the  son  of  W.  H.  Schneider, 
for  many  years  a  miller  in  the  same  township,  and  for 
thirty  years  its  justice  of  the  peace.  He  died  in  Reading, 
Oct.  9,  1905,  at  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  The 
Alderman's  mother  was  Hannah  Tobias,  who  died  in  1865, 
the  daughter  of  a  Berks  county  farmer.  To  W.  H.  and 
Hannah  Schneider  were  born  six  children,  one  of  whom, 
Susan,  died  at  eighteen.  Those  living  are :  Kate,  widow 
of  John  K.  Young,  proprietor  of  "Stonersville  Hotel"  in 
Exeter  township  at  the  time  of  his  decease;  Hannah, 
wife  of  Howard  E.  Ahrens,  a  contractor  of  Reading; 
Deborah,  wife  of  Albert  H.  Adams,  truck  and  dairy 
farmer  of  Exeter  township;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Charles  M. 
Richardson,  proprietor  of  a  creamery  at  Bernville,  and 
one  of  the  owners  of  the  Ahrens  &  Richardson  cream- 
eries; and  William  T. 

William  T.  Snyder,  who  Americanized  the  spelling  of 
the  family  name,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Ex- 
eter township,  Dec.  3,  1858.  He  received  a  fair  common 
school  education,  and  then  passed  the  time  until  a  year 
after  his  majority  in  helping  his  father  about  the  mill. 
At  twenty-two  he  left  home  and  entered  the  service  of  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company  at  Pottstown, 
and  after  three  years  came  to  Reading,  where  he  was 
for  the  same  period  of  time  proprietor  of  the  "Bridgeport 
Hotel."  On  the  passage  of  the  Brooks  high  license  law 
he  closed  the  hotel  and  started  coal,  flour  and  feed  busi- 
ness. In  1894  he  erected  the  fine  business  building  which 
he  now  occupies  and  continued  the  business,  adding  a 
stock  of  fancy  groceries. 

Mr.  Snyder  even  as  a  boy  had  opinions  as  to  public 
matters.  When  he  reached  man's  estate  and  went  into 
business  for  himself  this  characteristic  became  more 
marked,  and  with  the  wisdom  tfeat  came  with  experience 
personal  and  by  observation,  these  opinions  began  to  at- 
tract the  attention  of  his  friends  and  neighbors  on  account 
of  their  soundness.  At  thirty  he  was  in  Reading's  com- 
mon council,  where  for  two  terms  his  voice  was  heard  and 
respected  m  the  framing  of  ordinances  for  the  betterment 
of  the  city.  This  was  back  in  1887-88.  Again  in  1894  he 
became  a  member  of  the  city's  legislative  body,  this  time 
as  alderman  from  the  Fifteenth  ward,  and  he  is  now  serv- 
ing his  fourth  term.  Though  a  Democrat  in  political  faith. 
Alderman  Snyder  does  not  allow  politics  to  enter  into 
questions  upon  which  he  is  called  upon  to  vote  in  the 
sessions  of  the  board.  In  national,  State  and  county  affairs 
he  IS  however,  a  partisan,  believing  thoroughly  in  the  ef- 
ticacy  of   Democratic  principles   and   policies. 

Unhke  many  leading  men.  Alderman  Snyder  takes  a 
lively  interest  in  religious  affairs.  He  is  a  working  mem- 
ber of  the  St.  Mark's  Reformed  Church  of  Reading  and 
tor   the   past   ten  years   has   acted  as    treasurer.     During 


BIOGRAPHICAL  *  485 

the  building  of  the  splendid  $55,000  church  edifice  in  which  (1)  Matthias  m.  (first)  Sallie  Ludwig,  and  had  two  children, 

the  congregation  now  worships,  Mr.  Snyder  was  a  member  William   and   Ethel;   and   m.    (second)    Lilla   M.    Keiger, 

of  the  Building  committee  and  disbursed  the  funds,  call-  who   bore    him    five   children,    Russell^  Anna,    Ellsworth, 

ing  forth  the  thanks  of  his  church  brethren  for  the  satis-  Robert   and   George.      (3)    Ellsworth   is   unmarried.      (3) 

factory  manner  in  which  that  part  of  the  work  was  done.  Irvin   m^    Annie   Knabb,   and   has   one   child,    Paul.      (4) 

In    the    business   world   Alderman    Snyder    is    regarded  Isaac  m.  Anna  Nagle,  and  has  three  children,  Ralph,  Syj- 

with  confidence  by  his  associates,  being  the  first  president  vanus  and  A.  Florence.     (5)   A.  Delila  m.  Henry  Harri- 

of   the   Pennsylvania  Retail   Coal   Merchants   Association,  son   Koch,    and   has   five   children,    Sarah,    Ruth,    Esther, 

and  now  secretary  of  the  Retail  Coal  Dealers  Association  Isaac  and  Henry  M.    (6)    Morris  m.  Ida  Herflicker   (no 

of  Reading.     Since  the  death  of  his  father  he  has  been  issue).  (7)  John  died  at  the  age  of  five  days.   (8)  Linton 

treasurer  of  the   Oley   Turnpike  Road   Company.     He   is  ra.  Leah  Hoffman  and  has  one  child,  Linton  E.     (9)  Mary 

also  a  member  of  the  fraternal  organization  known  as  the  F.  m.  John  R.  Haws,  and  has  one  child,  John  M. 
P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  and  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

On  July  3,  1881,  Mr.  Snyder  married  Sarah  H.,  daugh-  JAMES   B.   FUNK,   miller  near   Clayton,   in   Hereford 

ter  of  John  G.  Brower,  of  Boyertown,  a  contracting  car-  township,  Berks  county,  was  born  Jan.  17,  1845,  in  Wash- 

penter  of  that  place.    To  this  union  have  been  born  three  ington  township,  this  county,  and  has  lived  at  his  present 

children,  as  follows :    Elmina,  born  1883,  wife  of  John  D.  place,   on  the  Butter  Valley  creek,   since  1873.     He   is   a 

Bear,    of    Reading;    William    B.,    born    1887,    in   business  son  of  Philip  H.  Funk  and  grandson  of  Rev.  Henry  Funk, 

with  his  father;  and  John  LeRoy,  a  student  in  the  public  (I)   The  first  of  the  Funk  family  to  come  to  America 

schools.     The  life  of  Alderman  Snyder  has  been  one  of  was  Henry  Funk,  who  emigrated  from  the  Palatinate  or 

earnest  endeavor  for  the  advancement  of  society  in  general  from  Holland  in  1719,  and  settled  in  Franconia  township, 

and   Reading  in  particular,   and  he   is   now   enjoying  the  Montgomery  county,   Pa.     He  built   a  mill   along  Indian 

merited  esteem  of  a  host  of  friends,  who  delight  to  do  Creek,  and  also  carried  on  a  large  farm.     He  was  a  deep 

him  honor  on  all  proper  occasions.  scholar,   and  was  well   educated   for   the  times,   and  was 

the  author  of  two  books  which  passed  through  several 
ISAAC  F.  MARCH,  late  one  of  the  most  respected  editions.  His  greatest  work  probably  was  when,  in  con- 
citizens  of  Birdsboro,  where  he  had  been  prominent  in  nection  with  Diehlman  Kalb,,be  supervised  the  translation 
the  business  world  and  active  in  the  town  government  for  from  Dutch  into  German  of  "The  Martyrs  Mirror,"  a 
many  years,  was  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  born  there  July  great  historical  work  on  the  Mennonites,  1,512  folio  pages, 
6,  1841.  which  was  printed  at  Ephrata,  Pa.,  in  1748,  and  was  the 
Early  deprived  of  his  parents  he  was  reared  by  rela-  largest  work  published  in  Colonial  times.  Henry  Funk  was 
tives  near  Pottstown.  As  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  to  a  minister  and  bishop  in  the  Mennonite  Church.  He  died 
learn  a  trade,  he  was  sent  to  a  grist  mill  near  Amityville,  in  1760.  By  his  wife,  Anne  Meyer,  he  had  ten  children — 
there  to  acquire  such  knowledge  as  would  enable  him  to  be  four  sons  and  six  daughters — one  of  the  sons  bearing  the 
a  first  class  miller.     For  many  years   he  worked   at  the  father's  name,  Henry  (3). 

Livingood  mill  on  Ironstone  creek,  and  later  he  operated  (II)    Henry  Funk    (2)    son  of   Rev.   Henry,'  was   born 

March's  Mill  on  the  Manatawny  near  Pottstown,  and  for  in    Montgomery    county.    Pa.,    about    1730.      In    1786    he 

about  five  years  was  similarly  engaged  at  Monocacy.     In  moved  to  Virginia,  where  he  died  some  years  later.     For 

1880  he  came  to  Birdsboro  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  and  many  years  he  was  a  Mennonite  minister,  but  during  the 

coal  business,  but  in  time  gave  it  up  and  opened  a  like  Revolutionary   times,   he  took  the  part   of   Congress   and 

line  at  Bridgeport  under  the  firm  name  of  I.  F.  _  March  the  American  people,  and  for  this  he  and  his  adherents 

S:  Son.    At  the  end  of  a  few  years  he  sold  out  to  his  sons,  were  expelled  from  the  Mennonite  communion.     However, 

who  still  carry  it  on  under  the  name  of  I.  F.  March's  Sons,  he  afterward  preached  independently.    He  married  Barbara 

During  the  last  three  years  of  his  life  he  had  a  number  Showalter,  and  they  had  thirteen  children,   all  of  whom 

of  interests,  and  among  the  positions  he  held  may  be  men-  except  Jacob  accompanied  their  father  to  Virginia, 

tioned:  president  of  the  Alabama  Coal,  Mineral  and  Lum-  (III)  Jacob  Funk,  son  of  Henry  (2),  was  born  in  1761, 

ber^  Company,  of  Cordova,  Ala. ;  general  manager  of  the  and  died  in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  in  1817.     He,  too,  became 

Berks   Coal   Company,   of   Jasper,   Ala.;   president   of  the  a  minister  in  the   Mennonite  church.     He  married  Mary 

Watts  'Creek    Jellico    Coal    Company,    of    Wofford,    Ky. ;  Shelly,    and    they    had   nine   children — six   daughters   and 

director  in  the  Pennsylvania  Coal   Company,  of  Drifton,  three  sons. 

Ala.;  vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Birds-  (IV)  Henry  Funk,  son  of  Rev.  Jacob,  was  born  in  1787, 
boro.  and  died  in  1826.  He  became  a  Mennonite  minister  in 
Mr.  March  was  always  a  busy  man,  but  like  most  busy  Hereford,  now  a  part  of  Washington,  township,  Berks 
men  he  kept  constantly  on  the  alert  for  anything  that  county.  He  married  Mary  Hoch,  and  they  had  six  child- 
affected  the  interests  of  his  community.  He  was  keenly  ren,  among_  them  a  son  named  Philip  H. 
interested  in  public  affairs,  and  was  active  in  the  work  of  (V)  Philip  H.  Funk  was  born  in  Washington  township, 
the  Democratic  party.  In  1891  he  was  elected  treasurer  near  Schultzville,  and  in  his  earlier  life  taught  school  in 
of  Berks  county,  and  served  a  three-year  term.  He  also  Lancaster  county,  but  later  engaged  in  farming.  He  was 
served  three  years  in  the  town  council  of  Birdsboro,  being  a  Mennonite,  and  is  buried  at  the  Hereford  meeting-house 
the  first  Democrat  to  win  that  honor  after  the  two  parties  at  Bally.  His  wife  was  Anna  Bechtel,  daughter  of  John 
had  named  candidates  or  changed  from  the  former  method  Bechtel,  and  they  had  two  children,  Mary  (m.  Abraham 
of  uniting  on  a  citizens'  ticket.  He  was  connected  with  the  Clemmer)  and  James  B.  After  the  death  of  Philip  H. 
Birdsboro  Electric  Company  and  Friendship  Fire  Company,  Funk  his  widow  married  Jacob  Johnson,  by  whom  she 
No.  1.  He  had  been  a  member  of  and  an  official  ,in  the  had  three  children :  Ephraim ;  Abraham,  who  died  at  Read- 
Amityville  Lutheran  Church,  and  after  locating  in 'Birds-  ing,  where  he  was  a  well-known  dentist;  and  Milton,  of 
boro   joined    St.    Mark's    Church.     He   was   prominent   in  New  Berlinville,   Pennsylvania. 

Masonic  circles,  and  also  belonged  to  Neversink  Lpdge,  No.  (VI)  James  B.  Funk  received  his  education  in  the  public 

514,  I.  O.  O.  F.     In  all  his  business  affairs  Mr.   March  schools  and  at  Freeland  Seminary  (now  Ursinus  College), 

was  eminently  successful;  as  a  citizen  he  was  enterprising,  and  in   1861  he  received  a  license  to  teach  school,   from 

progressive  and  public-spirited;   and  in  his  home  he  was  Prof.  John  S.  Ermentrout.    For  five  terrns  he  followed  the 

friendly  and  social  with  a  host  of  warm  friends.    He  died  profession,  the  first  term  in  Lower  Heidelberg,  near  Wer- 

Jan.  13,  1906.  nersville,  this  county ;  the  next  year  in  Lower-  Providence 

On   Sept.   14,  1861,  by  the  Rev.  George  F.   Miller,   Mr.  township,  Montgomery  county ;  the  third  in  West  Pikeland 

March  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  Livingood,  township,   Chester   county;   the  fourth   term  in   Hereford 

daughter  of  Matthias  and  Elizabeth   (Reinart)  Livingood,  township,    Berks   county,    where    he   was   engaged   at   the 
of   Amityville.      She   survives   him,    and   still   makes   her    Clemmer  school,  at  Clayton;  and  the  fifth  and  last  term 

home  in  Birdsboro,  where  she  is  greatly  beloved  for  her  at  Huber's  Church,  in  Montgomery  county.     Having  been 

many  kindly  deeds.  The  children  born  of  this  union  were:  reared  upon  the  farm,  he  turned  to  agricultural  pursuits 


486 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


when  he  settled  down  after  his  marriage,  which  occurred 
in  1868,  and  for  three  years  rented  land  at  Clayton,  in 
1873  coming  to  his  present  home.  Here  he  has  since  car- 
ried on  both  farming  and  milling  with  much  success,  prov- 
ing himself  to  be  a  man  of  intelligence  as  well  as  industry. 
His  farm  consists  of  152  acres,  of  fertile,  productive  land, 
formerly  the  homestead  of  David  Clemmer,  who  erected 
the  present  stone  house  upon  the  place  in  1857.  Mr.  Funk 
has  made  a  number  of  improvements  during  his  ownership, 
including  an  addition  to  the  barn,  and  has  added  to  the 
value  of  the  place  in  various  ways.  The  mill  was  erected 
bv  David  Clemmer  during  the  forties,  but  the  engine  house 
was  added  by  Mr.  Funk.  His  establishment  enjoys  a  large 
patronage,  the  proprietor  being  noted  for  his  integrity  and 
honorable  dealings.  He  is  an  influential  and  esteemed 
citizen  of  his  locality,  held  in  the  utmost  respect,  and 
his  fine  home  and  family  would  be  a  credit  to  any  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Funk  is  a  progressive  citizen,  as  shown  by  his  con- 
nection with  various  enterprises  affecting  the  general 
welfare.  He  has  been  treasurer  of  the  Hereford  Turn- 
pike Company  since  1893,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Clayton 
Butter  and  Cheese  Company,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
organizers ;  he  has  been  a  director  ever  since  its  organiza- 
tion, and  is  treasurer  of  the  board  of  directors,  which 
consists  o'f  five  members.  He  has  been  a  school  director 
of  his  township  for  many  years,  and  is  still  holding  that 
office.     He  was  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket. 

In  1868  Mr.  Funk  married  Susan  Clemmer,  daughter  of 
David  and  Mary  (Bechtel)  Clemmer,  and  six  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  as  follows :  Oswin  assists  his  father ; 
Ambrose  is  in  Pendleton,  Oregon,  where  he  is  at  present 
serving  as  deputy  sheriff ;  Horace  is  a  respected  public 
school  teacher  in  Hereford  township ;  Warren  is  a  student 
at  Cornell  University;  Anna  is  a  Mennonite  missionary 
in  Janjgir,  Central  Provinces,  India;  and  Cora,  unmarried, 
is  at  home.  Mr.  Funk  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
New  Mennonite  Church  at  Bally,  in  which  he  is  a  faithful 
and  active  -worker  and  is  at  present  serving  as  deacon. 

HOWARD  E.  HARBSTER,  who  makes  his  home  at 
No.  138  West  Oley  street,  Reading,  is  a  representative  of 
one  of  the  city's  oldest  families.  He  was  born  March  2, 
1861,  in  Reading,  son  of  William  and  Ellen  (Matthews) 
Harbster,  the  former  the  founder  of  the  Reading  Hard- 
ware  Company. 

Mr.  Harbster  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of 
his  native  city,  and  when  a  boy  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Reading  Hardware  Works,  known  as  "Harbster's."  In 
the  fall  of  1877  he  entered  a  preparatory  school  to  make 
himself  ready  to  enter  Yale  College  and  remained  there 
for  two  and  one-half  years,  but  before  completing  the 
course  left  to  enter  Eastman's  Business  College,  after 
graduating  from  which,  in  1881,  he  again  found  employ- 
ment with  the  Reading  Hardware  Company,  working  in 
the  various  departments  of  this  great  enterprise  until  after 
his  father's  death,  in  June,  1885.  In  1886,  in  company  with 
his  brother,  Frank,  he  engaged  in  the  brass  foundry  busi- 
ness at  the  old  Keystone  Hardware  Works,  Tenth  and 
Muhlenberg  streets.  There  he  continued  for  a  short  time, 
when  he  purchased  his  brother's  interest,  and  conducted 
the  enterprise  alone  until  1889,  when  he  took  as  partners 
Miller  M.  Deem  and  George  Tyson,  the  firm  continuing 
under  the  firm  name  of  Harbster  &  Co.  The  plant  was 
then  removed  to  Ninth  and  Bingaman  streets,  where  the 
company  added  the  manufacture  of  novelties  and  specialties 
and  in  1890  Mr.  Harbster  organized  the  National  Brass 
Works  with  H.  K.  Getz,  president;  H.  E.  Harbster,  vice- 
president,  and  general  manager ;  Charles  Peacock,  treasur- 
er; Miller  M.  Deem,  superintendent  of  the  manufacturing 
department ;  and  Joseph  S.  McConnell,  bookkeeper.  The 
company  continued  on  the  old  grounds  until  1892,  when 
the  site  of  the  present  plant  was  purchased  and  the  build- 
ings erected.  Mr.  Harbster  continued  with  the  company 
until  1893,  when  he  sold  his  interest  and  engaged  in  the 
brass  foundry  business  with  William  Kline  at  Second  and 
Beach  streets.  This  they  continued  until  1897,  and  in  this 
year   Mr.    Harbster    engaged   in   business    for   himself   on 


South  Front  street.  Later,  in  company  with  George  Mil- 
ler, Mr.  Harbster  started  the  plant  now  occupied  by  Dick 
Brothers,  but  sold  this  to  engage  in  the  foundry  and 
platers'  supplies  business.  Mr.  Harbster  is  considered  oiie 
of  the  substantial  business  men  of  Reading,  and  he  is 
possessed  of  much  executive  ability.  He  is  a  member  of 
Reading  Lodge  No.  549,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Wyomissing 
Council,  Royal  Arcanum. 

Mr.  Harbster  married  Mary  A.  Kline,  of  Reading,  and 
to  them  have  been  born  two  children :  William  H.  and 
E.  Marguerite.  Mr.  Harbster  is  a  member  of  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church,  while  Mrs.  Harbster  attends  the  Re- 
formed Church. 

REV.  J.  J.  CRESSMAN.  On  Normal  Hill,  on  the 
western  borders  of  the  flourishing  borough  of  Kutztown, 
resides  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Cressman,  one  of  the  best  known 
and  best  loved  Lutheran  clergymen  of  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania. Like  most  of  the  ministers  of  the  Lutheran  faith 
in  this  State,  Rev.  Cressman  is  of  German  descent.  HiiB 
great-great-grandfather  came  to  America  from  Saxony 
about  the  year  1733,  and  settled  in  Philadelphia  county, 
where  he  spent'  what  of  life  remained  to  him.  At  that 
early  period  family  records  were  either  poorly  kept  or 
wholly  neglected,  and  consequently  little  is  known  con-- 
cerning  this  early,  ancestor,  his  first  name  even  being  lost 
in  obscurity.  It  is  known,  however,  that  he  had  a  son 
named  Christian,  who  was  born  April  13,  1753,  and  who 
died  Dec.  5,  1827.  On»Feb.  24,  1781,  Christian  had  a  son 
born  whom  he  named  John,  and  who  early  in  life  removed 
to  Northampton  county,  where  he  died  Feb.  14,  1853.  This 
John  Cressman  had  a  son  named  Abraham,  who  became 
the  father  of  Rev.  J.  J.  Cressman. 

Abraham  Cressman  was  born  in  Lower  Mt.  Bethel  town- 
ship, Northampton  county,  Feb.  1,  1817.  In  1840  he  moved 
to  Moore  township,  near  Petersville  (living  there  the  rest 
of  his  life).  He  died  Nov.  8,  1893.  His  first  wife  was  Ly- 
dia  Frutchey,  who  bore  him  eight  children,  and  died  July  4, 
1870,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years,  four  months,  nine  days. 
His  second  wife  was  Catharine  Elizabeth  Smith,  who  bore 
him  two  children.  Four  of  the  sons  of  the  first  marriage 
entered  the  ministry  of  the  Lutheran  church,  three  of 
whom  are  still  living,  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Cressman  being  the 
eldest  of  the  three.  The  fourth  to  enter  the  ministry 
died  suddenly  Oct.  6,  1898,  while  pastor  of  the  first  Luth- 
eran Chur<:h  of  Ridgeway,  Pa.,  and  his  remains  are  buried 
at  Bethlehem. 

Rev.  J.  J.  Cressman  was  born  in  Moore  township,  North- 
ampton county,  Jan.  10,  1841,  and  was  baptized  in  the 
Kreiderville  Church  on  July  25th  of  the  same  year  by 
Rev.  W.  F.  Mensden.  His  boyhood  was  spent  upon  the 
farm,  and  in  his  father's  mill,  engaged  in  duties  and  pas- 
times adapted  to  his  strength.  On  reaching  the  required 
age  he  was  sent  to  the  district  school  where  he  soon  be- 
came known  for  his  studious  habits  and  good  conduct, 
qualities  that  all  through  his  scholastic  career  were  marked 
characteristics.  Rev.  Dr.  F.  A.  Muhlenberg,  Professor  of 
Greek  in  Pennsylvania  College,  said  of  him:  "Rev.  Cress- 
man was  one  of  the  best  students  I  ever  had."  At  sixteen 
he  took  a  course  of  catechetical  instruction  under  Rev. 
Augustus  Fuchs,  and  by  him  was  confirmed  in  Immanuel 
Lutheran  Church  near  Petersville,  Northampton  county. 
He  next  sought  employment  at  teaching  and  for  several 
years  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Moorestown  and 
Fhcksville  with  very  gratifying  success.  For  the  purpose 
of  attaining  a  higher  education,  and  to  prepare  himself  for 
the  sacred  calling  he  had  in  view,  he  then  quit  teaching 
and  enterM  an  academy  at  Weaversville  under  the  man- 
agement of  Prof.  Savage.  After  spending  a  year  in  Prof. 
Savage's  academy  he  entered  the  Collegiate  Institute  of 
Easton,  Pa.,  of  which  Rev.  William  Phillips  was  principal 
and  Selden  J.  Coffin,  D.  D.,  one  of  the  instructors,  and 
under  them  completed  his  academic  course.  In  the  fall 
of  1860  he  entered  the  freshman  class  of  Pennsylvania 
College  at  Gettysburg,  and  graduated  from  that  institution 
m  the  summer  of  1864.  This  college  being  situated  near 
the  theatre  of  the  great  Civil  war,  and  for  a  time  actually 
enveloped   by   the   conflict,    he  pursued   knowledge    under 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


487 


disturbing  and  distracting  circumstances.  When  the  Con- 
federate invasion  came  in  1863  he  and  many  of  his  fel- 
low students  enlisted  in  Company  A,  26th  regiment  of 
Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  under  General  Couch  assisted 
in  the  defense  of  the  State.  Their  regiment  was  one  of 
the  first  commands  upon  the  ground  and  participated  in 
the  early  stages  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  a  large  por- 
tion of  it — including  about  forty  of  the  student  soldiers — 
was  captured  by  the  Confederates.  Their  caps,  coats  and 
shoes  were  taken  from  them,  and  after  being  paroled,  they 
were  marched,  bareheaded  and  barefooted  to  Harrisburg, 
by  way  of  Shippensburg  and  Carlisle.  Exhausted  and  suf- 
fering from  hunger  and  exposure,  they  were  sent  from 
Harrisburg  to  a  parole  camp  near  West  Chester.  From 
these  hard  conditions  young  Cressman  broke  away,  and 
as  quickly  as  he  could  made  his  way  back  to  Gettysburg 
to  look  up  the  personal  effects  he  had  left  there.  These 
consisted  of  a  lot  of  books,  some  furniture,  a  new  suit 
of  clothes,  a  valuable  watch  and  the  money  which  was 
intended  to  cover  his  school  expenses  for  the  year.  With 
the  exception  of  two  or  three  books  and  a  few  pieces  of 
furniture,  all  these  articles  were  gone.  The  loss  to  him 
was  very  serious  and  embarrassing,  but  though  sorely  dis- 
couraged he  wasted  no  time  brooding  over  his  misfortunes. 
Although  a  paroled  prisoner  his  sense  of  duty  did  not 
permit  him  to  remain  idle  in  face  of  the  awful  wreck  of 
battle  that  lay  all  around  him.  He  promptly  reported  to 
the  provost  and  volunteered  to  assist  in  burying  the  dead — 
blue  and  gray — and  to  re-inter  such  as  had  been  only  par- 
tially buried.  This  grewsome  work  done  he  returned  to 
his  home  in  Northampton  county,  but  soon  after  reaching 
there  was  stricken  with  typhoid  fever  and  became  dan- 
gerously ill.  For  four  weeks  he  hovered  between  life  and 
death,  and  four  months  elapsed  before  he  was  able  to 
resume  his  studies  at  Gettysburg. 

While  at  college  and  in  the  seminary  he  made  good  and 
proper  use  of  his  vacations.  He  permitted  none  of  his 
time  to  go  to  waste,  employing  it  all  either  tutoring,  selling 
books  or  working  on  the  railroad.  His  experience  under 
James  Smith,  a  contractor  on  the  Lehigh  and  Susquehanna 
railroad,  is  an  interesting  episode  in  his  life.  Applying 
to  him  one  vacation  for  employment  he  was  put  to  work 
a*  bridge  building  at  Penn  Haven.  After  working  five  days 
he  was  promoted  to  the  foremanship  of  a  gang  of  carpen- 
ters to  construct  a  depot  and  other  buildings  in  the  vicinity. 
His  daily  wages  were  $3.65  and  although  he  paid  at  the 
rate  of  $21  a  month  for  board  and  had  other  expenses 
besides,  he  in  six  weeks  saved  the  round  sum  of  $100, 
almost  enough  to  see  him  through  a  year  at  college. 

After  graduating  from  college  he  entered  the  newly 
established  theological  seminary,  which  is  now  located  at 
Mt.  Airy,  Philadelphia.  He  was  one  of  that  institution's 
first  regular  students,  and  his  name  was  enrolled  upon  its 
records  before  it  afforded  proper  accommo,dations  for  the 
young  men  who  came  eagerly  to  seek  the  pure  Lutheran 
doctrine  at  the  blessed  fountain  of  its  learned  faculty,  con- 
sisting of  Drs.  C.  F.  Schaeffer,  C.  P.  Krauth,  W.  J.  Mann, 
C.  W.  Schaeffer  and  G.  F.  Krotel. 

Upon  completing  his  course  at  the  seminary  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry  by  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  at 
Lebanon  in  1867.  He  then  received  an  unanimous  call 
from  a  parish  at  South  Easton,  and  accepting  it  labored 
there  successfully  for  ten  years,  building  a  fine  parsonage 
and  preparing  the  congregation  for  the  subsequent  build- 
ing of  a  new  church.  He  also  actively  interested  himself 
in  education,  and  was  instrumental  in  founding  the  South 
Easton  borough  high  school,  of  which  he  was  elected  the 
principal,  a  position  he  held  continuously  for  six  years. 
In  the  last  year  of  his  principalship  he,  in  addition,  was 
made  superintendent  of  the  borough  schools,  which,  with 
his  church  work,  gave  him  almost  a  greater  amount  of  labor 
than  he  had  time  and  strength  to  perform.  Doing  double 
duty  in  this  way,  he  found  was  impairing  his  health,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1876  he  resigned  both  his  school  positions  and 
his  pastorate,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  a  much-needed 
rest.  This  he  was  allowed  to  enjoy  but  a  few  months,  as 
prominent  members  of  St.  John's  Church  at  Kutztown  and 
Friedeiis  of  Bernville — then  comprising  one  charge — tender- 


ed him  an  urgent  call  to  come  and  minister  unto  them.  He 
hesitated  to  accept  as  the  two  churches  were  twenty-two 
miles  apart,  and  to  attend  to  their  wants  properly  involved 
much  travel  and  an  incredible  amount  of  labor.  But  with 
the  understanding  that  better  arrangements  should  be  made 
within  a  year  or  two  he  accepted  and  entered  upon  pas- 
toral relations  which  continued  for  twenty-four  years  with- 
out alterations,  and  in  part  still  exist.  In  the  spring  of 
1901  he  resigned  the  pastorate  of  Friedens  church  at 
Bernville,  leaving  its  congregation  with  a  new  church 
edifice,  built  a  few  years  before,  completely  furnished  and 
paid  for,  and  with  money  in  its  treasury.  Since  resigning 
the  Bernville  part  of  his  charge  he  devotes  himself  ex- 
clusively to  St.  John's  Church  at  Kutztown.  Here  also  his 
zeal  and  energy  have  borne  good  fruit,  and  with  his  good 
people  here  he  feels  very  much  at  home.  The  present  St. 
John's  Church  edifice  he  had  the  honor  of  helping  to 
finish  in  1877,  and  with  the  assistance  of  Rev.  J.  S.  Her- 
mann, the  Reformed  pastor,  to  dedicate;  and  with  the 
assistance  of  Rev.  J.  H.  Leinbach  (successor  to  Rev.  Her- 
mann) he  collected  the  monev  needed  to  liquidate  the 
debt  remaining  unpaid  at  the  time  of  its  completion,  and 
to  make  subsequent  important  improvements.  The  church 
building  presents  a  fine  appearance,  is  in  splendid  condition 
in  all  its  details,  elegantly  furnished,  and  has  one  of  the 
best  organs  in  the  county  and  one  of  the  finest  bells  in  the 
world.  Its  congregation  never  wearies  in  well  doing,  and 
is  vvarmly  attached  to  the  pastor  who  watches  over  its 
spiritual  welfare. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Cressman's  pleasant  home  on  Normal 
Hill  was  built  in  1885,  with  the  assistance  and  liberality 
of  his  good  people.  Besides  being  convenient  and  com- 
fortable it  is  neat  and  attractive.  The  house  is  surrounded 
by  a  yard  and  garden,  112  feet  front  by  350  deep,  partly 
donated  by  his  friend  and  neighbor  Charles  Deisher.  Every 
tree,  vine  and  shrub,  as  well  as  every  post  in  the  fences 
and  the  arbors  on  the  premises  was  set  by  the  pastor's 
own  hands.  Both  in  theory  and  practice  he  is  a  disciple 
of  the  strenuous  life,  but  busy  as  he  has  been  and  hard  as 
he  has  worked  his  career  is  dotted  full  of  pleasant  inci- 
dents which  he  loves  to  recall  and  dwell  upon.  Among  these 
are  the  receptions  tendered  him  by  his  people  at  South 
Easton  in  April,  1867,  and  at  Bernville  in  March,  1877,  and 
the  party  given  him  on  his  sixty-fifth  birthday  by  the  mem- 
bers and  friends  of  his  Kutztown  charge.  These  he  fondly 
treasures  as  marks  of  the  appreciation  of  his  labors,  and 
for  their  comforting  ■  influence  he  gives  God  the  praise. 

At  the  South  Easton  reception  a  valuable  gift  was  thrust 
upon  him  so  informally  and  unejfpectedly  that  it  afforded 
amusement  to  all  who  were  present,  and  also  a  topic  of 
conversation  in  the  community  for  some  time.  As  the 
large  party  was  about  to  be  invited  to  adjourn  to  the 
dining  room,  the  pastor  happening  to  look  out  of  the  win- 
dow noticed  that  one  equipage  had  not  as  yet  been  cared 
for.  It  consisted  of  a  beautiful  sorrel  horse  and  a  fine  bug- 
gy, perfectly  new.  No  one  in  the  company  seemed  to  know 
to  whom  it  belonged,  but  the  good  pastor  insisted  that 
the  horse  should  be  put  up  and  fed  before  he  would  sit 
down  to  dinner.  This  evoked  broad  smiles  all  around  the 
room,  and  to  allay  his  anxiety'he  was  finally  informed  that 
it  was  a  gift  to  him  from  his  congregation,  that  the  horse 
had  lately  been  fed,  and  could  easily  wait  until  after  din- 
ner when  his  new  owner  could  take  formal  possession 
of  him  and  test  his  qualities.  He  was  also  informed  that 
if  agreeable  to  him  the  horse  could  be  kept  in  the  stable 
of  one  of  his  good  members  and  cared  for  free  of  charge. 
The  generous  donation  touched  the  loved  pastor  deeply 
and  his  feelings  can  better  be  imagined  than  described. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Cressman  is  a  great  lover  of  books,  and 
owns  one  of  the  finest  private  libraries  in  Berks  county.  It 
comprises  over  1,500  volumes,  some  very  rare  and  of  great 
value,  and_  he  has  them  so  carefully  arranged  and  is  so 
familiar  with  their  order  that  he  can  find  almost  any  vol- 
ume in  the  collection  in  the  dark.  These  books  are  all 
housed  in  well  constructed  and  costly  cases,  planned  by 
the  owner  himself,  and  constructed  under  his  immediate 
supervision. 


488 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


On  Aug.  27,  1865,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cressman  was  married 
to  Emma  C.  M.  Walter,  of  Allentown,  and  they  have  six 
children,  as  follows  :  Charles  F.  S.,  who  holds  a  civil  ser- 
vice position  at  Greenville,  Pa.;  Krauth  H.,  who  is  super- 
intendent of  an  Indian  reservation  at  Naper,  Nebr.;  John 
L.,  who  resides  at  Harrisburg,  and  is  a  railway  mail  clerk 
on  the  route  between  Pittsburg  and  New  York;  Abraham 
I.,  who  is  connected  with  the  cement  business  at  Nazareth, 
Pa.;  Benjamin  F.,  a  teacher  at  Macungie;  and  Esther 
Lydia,  who  married  John  D.  Wink,  and  has  two  sons,  David 
Deshler  and  Charles  Frederick. 

Although  devotedly  attached  to  the  Lutheran  Church, 
her  doctrines  and  usages,  and  caring  faithfully  for  his  own 
flock,  Mr.  Cressman  is  tolerant  and  liberal  with  those  who 
hold  religious  views  at  variance  with  his  own.  He  in  no 
way  interferes  with  other  people's  business,  and  avoids 
giving  offense,  aiming  to  be  just  and  fair  in  all  the  re- 
lations of  life,  with  words  of  good  cheer  and  a  smile  for 
all.  His  mission. in  life  is  to  do  good  to  his  fellow  men, 
and  this  he  endeavors  at  all  times  to  fill. 

REV.  FRANKLIN  KRICK  HUNTZINGER,  pastor  of 
St.  Luke's  Lutheran  Church  at  Reading  for  forty  years, 
was  born  in  West  Cocalico  township,  Lancaster  county, 
near  Reinholdsville,  June  18,  1844.  He  is  a  son  of  Jared 
Huntzinger  and  Leah  Krick  his  wife,  of  Lower  Heidelberg 
township,  in  Berks  county. 

His  great-grandfather,  John  George  Huntzinger,  emigrat- 
ed from  Germany  in  1749,  having  taken  passage  on  the  ship 
"Jacob"  from  Amsterdam  and  been  qualified  on  Oct.  2d,  of 
that  year.  He  became  a  resident  taxpayer  of  Brunswick 
township,  beyond  the  Blue  Mtountain,  then  in  Berks 
county,  where  he  carried  on  farming  until  his  decease  in 
1803.  He  had  nine  children :  Six  sons — Jacob,  George, 
John,  Henry,  Michael  and  Daniel — and  three  daughters 
— Rosina,  Molly  and  Catharine.  His  son  Michael  located 
in  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  county,  and  carried  on 
farming  near  Brownsville  until  his  decease  in  1845.  He 
left  a  widow  and  seven  children :  Three  sonS' — Jared,  Dan- 
iel and  William — and  four  daughters — Anna,  Harriet, 
Catharine,  and  Mary. 

The  eldest  son,  Jared  (the  Rev.  Mr.  Huntzinger's  father), 
was  born  March  27,  1815,  in  Lower  Heidelberg  township, 
near  Brownsville,  and  was  there  reared  on  his  father's 
farm.  In  1843,  he  removed  to  West  Cocalico  township, 
Lancaster  county,  and  was  there  engaged  as  an  undertaker 
and  carpenter  for  three  years,  when  he  returned  to  Berks 
county,  and  purchased  a  farm  near  Wernersville,  which 
he  cultivated  very  successfully  until  his  decease,  Dec.  27, 
1892.  He  was  a  liberal-minded  man  and  always  showed 
an  active  interest  in  education  and  other  public  affairs. 
In  1840,  he  married  Leah  Krick,  a  daughter  of  Peter  Krick 
and  Anna  Hill,  his  wife,  of  Spring  township,  and  they 
had  twelve  children :  Eva  m.  Reuben  T.  Landis ;  Eliza- 
beth m.  (first)  Richard  Brossman,  and  (second)  Jacob 
Hassler;  Amelia;  Franklin  K. ;  Benjamin  K.  (whose 
sketch  and  portrait  appear  in  this  publication)  :  Mary  m. 
Daniel  Plertzog;  William  became  a  merchant  in  Indiana; 
Amanda  m.  Daniel  Stuber;  John  m.  Mary  Krick;  .'\dam  K. 
m.  Mary  Gensemer ;  Henry  m.  Elizabeth  Hemminger;  Em- 
ma m.  William  S.  Fisher.  The  mother  died  April  24,  1899, 
aged  eighty-five  years.  The  parents  were  devoted  members 
of  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Sinking  Spring,  in  which 
Mr.  Huntzinger  filled  various  offices  for  a  number  of 
years. 

The  fourth  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  two 
years  old  when  his  father  removed  from  Lancaster  county 
to  Berks  county.  He  received  his  preliminary  education 
in  the  district  school,  and  at  the  Reading  Classical  Acad- 
emy (which  was  conducted  by  Prof.  D.  B.  Brunner)  and 
the  preparatory  institutions  maintained  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Lutheran  Church  for  the  education  of  ministers 
until  1866,  when  he  passed  a  successful  examination  and 
was  admitted  into  the  Lutheran  Theological  Seminary  at 
Philadelphia.  He  pursued  the  prescribed  course  of  studies 
with  great  earnestness  for  three  years,  and  was  graduated 
on  May  19,  1869,  and  ordained  as  a  minister  a  week 
afterward  in  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  at  Reading. 


Shortly  before  this  time,  the  Trinity  Lutheran  congre- 
gation had  organized  a  Sunday-school  in  the  northeastern 
section  of  Reading  (Ninth  and  Green  streets)  with  a  view 
of  establishing  a  congregation  there,  and  the  people  of 
that  vicinity,  having  come  to  appreciate  the  character  and 
ability  of  this  young  minister,  invited  him  to  organize 
a  congregation.  He  accepted  this  call  and  the  result  of 
his  endeavors  was  very  successful,  for  he  founded  a 
church  which  has  flourished  until  the  present  time,  and 
of  which  he  has  continued  to  be  the  devoted  pastor,  a 
continuous  period  of  forty  years.  In  1886-87  a  large  two- 
story  brick  edifice  was  built  in  the  place  of  the  chapel 
by  the  congregation,  and  in  this  the  members  have  con- 
tinued their  worship  until  the  present  time.  The  member- 
ship is  about  seventeen  hundred.  The  attendance  at  the 
services  has  always  been  uniformly  large  on  account  of 
the  pastor's  popularity.  The  church  services  were  con- 
ducted by  him  in  the  German  and  English  languages 
(Sunday  morning  in  the  German,  and  evenings  in  the 
English)  until  December,  1907,  when  he  began  to  preach 
in  the  German  language  only  every  other  Sunday  morning, 
on  account  of  the  increasing  demand  for  preaching  in  the 
English  language. 

From  1869  to  1881  Rev.  Mr.  Huntzinger  also  served  as  the 
pastor  at  Kissingers  Church,  in  Spring  township ;  from 
3870  to  1876  at  Friedens  Church,  at  Lenhartsville,  and  at 
St.  Paul's  Church,  near  Hamburg;  from  1873  to  1897  at 
Alsace  Church,  at  the  northeastern  boundary  of  Reading; 
and  from  1874  to  1904  at  St.  Peter's  Church  (Becker's), 
in  Richmond  township.  All  the  congregations  of  these 
several  churches  were  served  by  Rev.  Mr.  Huntzinger  while 
serving  St.  Luke's  at  Reading. 

He  has  baptized  over  eight  thousand  children,  officiated 
at  nearly  four  thousand  funerals,  and- solemnized  nearly 
three  thousand  marriages.  He  also  took  great  interest  in 
the  establishment  of  the  Lutheran  Orphans  Home  at  Top- 
ton,  in  October,  1896,  and  became  one  of  the  first  trustees, 
serving  since  then  as  such  trustee,  and  also  as  the  president 
of  the  board  since  1897. 

In  1869  Rev.  Mr.  Huntzinger  married  Mary  M.  Hassin- 
ger,  daughter  of  John  Hassinger  and  Catharine  Birch,  his 
wife,  of  Reading,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren :  Ida  Catharine,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twelve  years, 
and  Charles  Henry,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years. 
In  all  Mr.  Huntzinger's  labors  as  a  clergyman,  Mrs.  Hunt- 
zinger has  given  him  her  warmest  sympathy  and  most 
effective  co-operation,  to  which  he  attributes  a  considerable 
share  of  his  ministerial  success.  Mrs.  Huntzinger's  father 
died  in  1876,  aged  seventy-two  years ;  and  her  mother 
(daughter  of  Charles  Birch)  died  in  1890,  aged  seventy- 
nine  years. 

In  3887,  Mr.  Huntzinger's  health  having  become  im- 
paired, his  congregation  granted  him  leave  of  absence,  and 
he  made  an  extended  trip  to  Europe  for  recreation  and 
recuperation  during  a  period  of  three  months.  He  was 
accompanied  by  a  personal  friend,  George  Eltz,  and  they 
together  visited  Ireland,  Wales,  England,  Holland,  Bel- 
gium, Germany,  Austria,  Italy,  Switzerland  and  France. 
In  1897,  he  made  a  second  foreign  tour,  visiting  the 
northern  and  central  portions  of  Germany,  the  land  of 
his  forefathers.  In  1902,  in  company  with  Mr.  Edwin 
Boone  (cashier  and  vice-president  of  the  National  Union 
Bank  of  Reading),  he  spent  a  month  visiting  Jamaica,  one 
of  the  West  Indian  Islands.  In  1905,  with  Mr.  Boone  again 
as  a  companion,  he  made  a  third  journey  to  Europe,  cov- 
ering five  weeks,  they  having  visited  France,  England.  Hol- 
land and  the  Rhine  country,  and  they  again  in  1907,  during 
July  and  August,  traveled  abroad,  visiting  Norway,  Swed- 
en, Denmark  and  Germany.  On  the  fifth  day  of  the  trip 
going  (which  was  a  Sunday)  Rev.  Mr.  Huntzinger  was 
invited  to  conduct  religious  services,  and  in  appreciation  of 
his  most  interesting  sermon  a  large  audience  raised  a 
sum  of  money  which,  at  his  suggestion,  was  presented  to 
the  South  Holland  Life  Saving  Association. 

Rev.  Mr.  Huntzinger  took  a  sixth  trip  abroad  by  visiting, 
from  Jan.  22d  to  Feb.  23d,  1909,  a  number  of  the  West 
Indian  Islands  (St.  Thomas,  Porto  Rico,  Haiti,  Santo 
Domingo,   Grenada,   Dominica,   the   Bahamas,    Martinique, 


a".  /^//^f^iT^:^^ 


■-u/e-ir 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


489- 


Cuba,  Jamaica),  Venezuela  and  Panama,  where  the  con- 
struction of  the  canal^  was  going  on  and  in  two  hours 
passed  from  the  waters  of  the  Atlantic  ocean  to  the 
waters  of  the  Pacific.  While  inspecting  the  canal  he 
met  the  distinguished  party  of  President-elect  Taft.  On 
his  Way  home  he  had  the  extraordinary  pleasure  of  wit- 
nessing the  Presidential  reception  of  the  battle-ship  fleet 
from  its  cruise  around  the  world  at  Hampton  Roads,  the 
fleet  passing  his  ship,  the  "Oceana,"  on  both  sides  within 
speaking  distance.  During  the  homeward  journey  on  the 
vessel,  Mr.  Huntzinger  was  invited  to  hold  religious  ser- 
vices on  Sunday,  Feb.  21st,  and  on  that  occasion  the  aud- 
ience, comprising  over  three  hundred  passengers  (who  had 
come  to  know  that  he  had  .been  pastor  of  St.  Luke's 
Lutheran  Church  at  Reading  for  forty  years),  openly 
said  that  they  could  well  understand  how  a  pastor  of  such 
ability  and  pleasing  address  should  continue  his  ministra- 
tion to  a  single  congregation  for  so  long  .a  period  of  time. 

JEREMIAH  DIEROLF,  burgess  and  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  Bechtelsville,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Pike  township, 
Berks  county,  Sept.  23,  1851,  son  of  George,  grandson  of 
Adam  and  great-grandson  of  Andraes. 

(I)  Andraes  Dierolf,  the  ancestor  of  the  family  in  Amer- 
ica, is  found  in  1782  already  settled  in  Earl  township, 
Berks  county,  where  he  probably  located  during  the  Revolu- 
tion. His  will,  which  he  made  Jan.  10,  1803,  is  on  record 
in  Will  Book  4,  page  262,  in  the  Berks  county  court-house. 
Andraes  Dierolf  died  in  December,  1804.  His  children 
were  as  follows:  Peter;  Henry;  Adam;  John;  Abraham; 
Abraham;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Philip  Endi;  Catherine,  wife 
of  John  Faver;  and  Christina,  who  died  before  her  father, 
her  child,  Elizabeth,  being  mentioned  in  Andraes  Dierolf's 
will.  The  executors  of  the  will  were  Peter  Dierolf  and 
John  Faver. 

(H)  Adam  Dierolf  lived  in  Pike  township,  back  of  the 
Hill  Church,  where  he  is  buried.  He  was  a  Lutheran 
member  of  that  church.  He  was  born  Nov.  1,  1770,  and 
died  Jan.  13,  1847.  His  wife,  Margaret,  was  born  in  1771, 
and  died  in  1841,  in  her  seventieth  year.  They  had  these 
children :  Rebecca  m.  George  Fraunheiser ;  Maricha  m. 
John  Moyer ;  Betzy  m.  Adam  Shenkel ;  Adam ;  George ; 
Andrew  had  children  as  follows — ^John,  Levi,  William, 
Abraham  and  Caroline;  and  Charles  had  children  as  fol- 
lows— ^James,  Adam,  Charles,  Lizzie,  Mary  and  another 
daughter. 

(HI)  George  Dierolf,  son  of  Adam  and  father  of  Jere- 
miah, was  born  Dec.  1,  1803,  lived  near  Hill  Church  in 
Pike  township,  and  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  also  culti- 
vating his  own  small  tract  of  land.  He  died  Sept.  23,  1884, 
and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Hill  Church.  His  wife 
was  Elizabeth  Fraunheiser,  daughter  of  John  Fraunheiser. 
She  was  born  in  1812  and  died  in  1890.  They  had  these 
children :  John  F. ;  Polly,  widow,  of  Wendel  Bassinger,  a 
native  of  Germany;  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Percival  Heydt; 
Jeremiah;  Jacob;  Samuel;  Adarh  and  Catharine. 

(HI)  Adam  Dierolf,  son  of  Adam  and  brother  of 
George,  married  Polly  Moyer,  of  Pike  township,  and  they 
had  the  following  children :  Adam,  John,  Jacob,  Mary, 
Kate  and  Sally.  Shortly  after  his  marriage  Adam  Dierolf 
moved  to  Clarion  county,  Pennsylvania. 

(IV)  Jeremiah  Dierolf  son  of  Georgs,  was  reared  in  the 
township  in  which  he  was  born,  and  attended  the  district 
schools,  until  twenty.  He  early  became,  acquainted  with 
farm  Ufe,  and  learned  all  its  details.  About  1887  he  em- 
barked in  a  tailoring  business  at  Bechtelsville,  and  followed 
it  twenty  years.  He  employed  as  many  as  thirty  people, 
having  a  pay  roll  larger  than  that  of  any  other  man 
in  Bechtelsville.  He  manufactured  trousers,  his  goods  being 
cut  by  houses  in  Philadelphia  and  made  up  in  Bechtels- 
ville, but  returned  to  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Dierolf  was  very 
successful  in  this  business.  He  has  a  fine  peach  orchard 
covering  seven  acres  in  Colebrookdale  township,  and  one 
of  nine  acres  in  Washington  township.  The  family  resi- 
dence is  on  Spring  street  in  Bechtelsville  borough,  of 
which  he  is  the  leading  citizen,  and  most  influential  man. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  served  the  borough  as 
school  director  for  a  number  of  years,  being  treasurer  of 


the  board  the  greater  portion  of  the  time.  He  is  chief 
burgess  of  Bechtelsville  and  is  interested  in  the  best  enter- 
prises of  the  town.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Landis- 
ville  Council,  No.  1007,  O.  of  I.  A.  He  and  his  family  are 
consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  denomination  of  Hill 
church,  where  many  of  the  Dierolfs  are  buried. 

On  July  14,  1877,  Mr.  Dierolf  was  married  to  Mary  Ann 
Fry,  daughter  of  the  late  Isaac  and  Maria  (Dotterer) 
Fry,  of  District  township.  Their  children  are :  Harvey 
is  a  farmer  in  Washington  township ;  Annie  married 
Charles  Moyer,  and  lives  at  Bechtelsville;  Gertrude  mar- 
ried Rev.  Aaron  L.  Brumbach,  of  Spring  Grove,  Pa.; 
Clara  died  in  infancy;  and  John  is  an  operator  for  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad.  The  family  are  well  and  favorably 
known  throughout  Berks  county,  and  Mr.  Dierolf  can  well 
be  proud  of  what  he  has  accomplished  in  his  long  and 
useful  life. 

(IV)  John  F.  Dierolf,  son  of  George  and  brother  of  Jere- 
miah, was  born  April  29,  1832,  at  Kummers  Mill  in  Wash- 
ington township,  and  now  resides  in  Colebrookdale  town- 
ship. He  was  reared  to  farm  life,  and  is  a  laborer.  He 
makes  his  home  with  his  son  John  H.,  in  Colebrookdale 
township.  He  and  his  family  are  all  members  of  Hill 
Church.  He  married  Leah  Heydt,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Heydt,  of  Washington  township.  She  died  in  1906,  aged 
seventy-four  years,  four  months  and  fifteen  days,  and 
is  buried  at  Hill  church.  Their  children  were :  John  H. ; 
Amanda  m.  Henry  Meitzler;  Jacob  resides  at  Reading; 
Dianah  m.  Addion  Muther,  of  Boyertown ;  and  Mary  Ann, 
Elizabeth  and  George  are  all  three  deceased. 

DR.  ALBERT  RIGGS  DURHAM,  a  well-known  drug- 
gist at  Reading,  Pa.,  holding  especially  close  relations  with 
the  citizens  of  that  place  by  his  untiring  efforts  on  behalf 
of  the  Reading  Library,  in  which  he  was  serving  as  librarian, 
as  well  as  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  board  of  the 
original  company,  devoting  to  that  cause  a  whole-hearted 
zeal  to  which  was  largely  due  the  flourishing  condition  of 
the  institution,  died  at  his  home,  March  21,  1907. 

Albert  R.  Durham  was  born  in  the  village  of  Tunk- 
hannock,  Wyoming  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1842.  His  father,  a  mer- 
chant, was  seized  with  the  gold  fever  and  in  1850  went  to 
California.  He  died  on  his  way  home  three  years  later, 
worn  out  by  the  exposure  and  hardships  he  had  under- 
gone. Left  an  orphan  at  this  early  age,  the  boy's  youth 
was  passed  in  various  places,  and  he  lived  in  Northern 
New  Jersey,  Schuylkill  county,  Pa.,  the  Wyoming  Valley 
and  at  Davenport,  Iowa.  In  the  latter  place  he  saw  real 
frontier  life,  for  at  that  time  the  only  railroad  to  the 
West  stopped  at  what  is  now  Rock  Island,  111.,  and  on  the 
opposite  shore  of  the  Mississippi  river  -  Indians  were 
camped. 

In  1857  Dr.  Durham,  then  fifteen  years  of  age,  settled 
in  Reading  for  what  proved  to  be  a  permanent  residence. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  high  school  on  a  special  examina- 
tion, and  three  years  later  was  graduated  at  the  head  of 
the  class  of  1860.  During  this  period  he  began  writing  for 
the  Reading  newspapers,  and  finally  drifted  into'  the 
office  of  the  Gazette,  and  later  of  the  Schuylkill  Journal. 
During  the  Lincoln  campaign  he  also  did  a  great  deal  of  re- 
porting for  the  Leader.  His  first  experience  in  library 
work  was  also  gained  at  this  period  and  aroused  the 
deep  interest  in  the  subject  from  which  later  Reading  was 
to  profit  so  much.  In  the  latter  part  of  his  high  school 
course  he  was  librarian  of  the  library  there,  and  his  work 
was  so  satisfactory  that  shortly  after  his  graduation  he 
was  chosen  to  take  charge  of  the  Reading  Library.  This 
institution  had  up  to  this  time  passed  through  various 
fluctuations,  but  it  was  then  flourishing  and  occupied  quart- 
ers in  the  building  on  North  Sixth  street,  where  the  Daily 
Times  office  is  now.  His  connection  with  it,  however,  was 
not  destined  to  be  very  lengthy. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Durham  was  enlisted  in  times 
of  special  stress,  first  in  Company  E,  11th  P.  V.  I.,  and  his 
regiment  was  one  which  took  part  in  the  battle  of  An- 
tietam.  He  enlisted  a  second  time  when  Lee  invaded 
Pennsylvania,  joining  Company  C,  42d  P.  V.  I.  In  both 
cases  he  received  honorable  discharges. 


490 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Returning  to  Reading  in  1868,  be  began  studying  pbar- 
macy  under  Dr.  J.  K.  McCurdy,  and  be  was  ever  afterward 
engaged  in  tbat  business,  bis  career  covering  about  tbirty- 
eight  years.  For  tbe  greater  part  of  that  time  he  was 
alone,  but  for  nearly  eleven  years  be  had  been  in  partner- 
ship with  Dr.  McCurdy,  at  No.  16  South  Fifth  street. 
Dr.  Durham  belonged  to  the  Berks  County  Pharmaceutical 
Association,  and  also  to  the  State  Association,  having 
been  a  member  of  tbe  latter  organization  from  its  in- 
ception. He  was  one  of  the  few  druggists  who  by  law  are 
entitled  to  use  the  prefix  "Dr."  to  their  names. 

When  the  Reading  Savings  Bank  closed  its  doors  in 
1877,  the  Reading  Library  was  involved  in  its  failure,  be- 
cause tbe  president  of  the  bank  was  also  president  of  the 
Library  Company,  and  held  all  its  property  in  bis  own 
name  as  trustee.  Dr.  Durham  promptly  began  a  can- 
vass among  the  stockholders  of  the  Company,  enlisting 
its  friends  in  an  attempt  to  save  it,  and  came  to  a  meeting 
called  for  the  purpose  of  reorganization,  with  proxies 
enough  to  elect  a  board  of  directors,  whose  plans  and 
patient  labors  have  since  culminated  in  the  great  achieve- 
ment of  establishing  the  library  firmly  upon  its  own  feet. 
From  that  time  on  until  his  death  Dr.  Durham  was  a 
director,  while  in  December,  1891,  he  was  not  only  chosen 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  board,  but  was  made  librar- 
ian. From  the  date  of  his  installation  there  was  no 
baiting  in  the  progress  of  the  Free  Library  movement. 
The  time  was  ripe,  and  there  were  many  friends  able  and 
willing  to  assist  in  the  work.  The  result  is  more  than 
gratifying;  within  the  last  two  years  the  number  of  per- 
sons drawing  books  has  risen  to  over  13,000  while  there 
are  now  over  19,000  books  in  the  library,  in  addition  to 
about  6,000  government  publications,  a  collection  gathered 
in  a  special  room  on  the  third  floor.  Dr.  Durham  was 
well  read  and  conversant  with  a  number  of  languages,  and 
was  familiar  with  the  best  in  tbe  literature  of  all  coun- 
tries. He  was  often  called  the  "Father  of  the  Public 
Library  of  Reading." 

Dr.  Durham  was  married  Feb.  9,  1869,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Ann  McCurdy,  daughter  of  his  late  partner.  In  tbe 
years  after  their  marriage  eight  children  were  born  to 
them,  five  of  them  now  deceased — Annie  Blythe,  John  Mc- 
Curdy, Elizabeth  Riggs,  Caroline  Rose  and  Sallie  McCurdy. 
The  three  who  survive  are :  Helen,  Mrs.  Frederic  C. 
Heckman;  Marian;  and  Donald  Blythe,  an  instructor  in 
Mt.  Tamalpais  Military  Academy,  San  Raphael,  Cal.  Dr. 
Durham  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church,  a  member  of  the  choir,  and  for  some  time 
choir  master.  '  He  belonged  to  tbe  Reading  Choral  Society, 
Reading  High  School  Alumni,  Keim  Post,  No.  76,  G.  A.  R., 
Pennsylvania  Library  Club,  and  the  Keystone  State  Library 
Association. 

JOHN  S.  SCHAPPELL,  a  resident  of  New  Berlinville, 
Berks  county,  was  born  July  23,  1858,  in  Greenwich  town- 
ship, son  of  Jesse  Schappell.  He  is  a  member  of  a  family 
long  and  numerously  represented  in  the  county,  and  ac- 
counts of  its  early  history  and  origin  will  be  found 
elsewhere.  Here  we  give  only  the  direct  line  of  John  S. 
Schappell. 

(I)  According  to  tbe  tombstone  inscription  at  Zion's 
Church,  in  Perry  (formerly  Windsor)  township,  Jere- 
mias  Schappelle  was  born  in  1715,  and  he  died  Oct.  15, 
1804.  His  wife  Catharine,  born  in  1724,  passed  away 
June  8,  1801.  Tbe  will  of  Jeremiah  Shappel  is  on  record 
in  Berks  county  court-bouse  in  Will  Book  A,  p.  505.  It 
was  made  Feb.  11,  1803,  and  probated  Jan.  7,  1805.  At 
the  time  the  will  was  made  he  was  a  resident  of  Windsor 
township.  The  following  children  are  mentioned  in  the 
will :  Jacob  (who  was  made  executor  of  his  father's 
estate),  Matthias,  Jeremiah,  Magdalena  and  Catharine. 
In  the  cemetery  at  Zion's  Church  is  a  tombstone  bearing 
tbe  following  inscription:  "Elizabeth  Schappelle,  wife  of 
Jeremias,  formerly  of  Deitschland,  born  Feb.  16,  1771, 
died  July  9,  1817,  aged  forty-six  years,  five  months,  twenty- 
three  days."  This  probably  refers  to  the  wife  of  Jeremias 
or  Jeremiah,  son  of  (I)   Jeremias. 


Earlier  forms  of  this  name  were  Schappelle,  Choppelle, 
Scbobbel  and  Shobel,  but  it  is  now  more  commonly  found 
Shappell,  Schappell  and  Schappel. 

(II)  Jacob  Schappell,  son  of  Jeremias,  was  better  known 
as  "Jockey,"  a  nickname  evidently  taken  from  the  German 
pronunciation  of  his  name.  He  was  born  in  Wittenberg, 
Germany,  Feb.  2,  1744,  and  he  died  Sept.  11,  1826.  As 
stated  above  he  was  tbe  executor  of  his  father's  will 
in  1805.  His  wife  Susanna  was  bom  Feb.  2,  1731,  and 
she  died  July  24,  1828.  They  are  both  buried  at  Zion's 
Church.  Jeremias,  Eberhart  and  Jockey  Schappell  were 
founders  of  the  original  Zion's  Church.  Tradition  says 
Jacob  and  Susanna  reared  a  large  family,  some  of  their 
children,  however,  dying  in  infancy  and  childhood.  Of 
those  of  whom  there  is  record  may  be  mentioned :  Peter, 
born  April  19,  1770 ;  Col.  Jeremiah,  born  March  20,  1774 ; 
Daniel,  -who  was  a  taxable  resident  in  Manbeim  township, 
Schuylkill  county,  in  1790,  where  he  reared  a  family  and 
where  his  descendants  still  live;  and  Hannah,  who  mar- 
ried Georg  Hoffman,  a  farmer  of   Perry  township. 

There  is  a  valley  in  Perry  township  known  to  the  resi- 
dents there  as  Schappells  Dale,  because  of  the  many 
Schappells  living  there. 

(III)  Peter  Schappell,  son  of  Jacob  and  Susanna,  born 
April  19,  1770,  died  Nov.  18,  1851.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Wind- 
sor township,  and  he  and  his  family  all  belonged  to  Zion's 
Church,  and  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  there.  He  was 
twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Elizabeth  Lenhart 
(1708-1790),  and  his  second  Annie  Kosch  (1778-1841). 
His  children  were:  Jacob  located  in  Schuylkill  county; 
Benjamin  died  young;  Daniel  settled  in  Schuylkill  county; 
Samuel  settled  in  Windsor  township ;  John  settled  in  Rich- 
mond township,  Berks  county;  Mary  m.  William  Miller; 
Kate  m.  Martin  Eisenbaur;  Elizabeth  m.  Jacob  Boyer; 
a  daughter  m.  Anthony  Adam;  and  Solomon. 

(IV)  John  Schappell,  son  of  Peter  and  Annie  (Kosch), 
was  born  in  1801  and  died  aged  forty-eight  years.  By 
trade  he  was  a  weaver,  but  he  also  worked  on  farms  in 
Windsor  township.  He  married  Sarah  Hefifner,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Beckie  (Dietrich)  Heffner,  and  they  bad  is- 
sue as  follows:  John;  Betsey  m.  Moses  Miller;  Benjamin 
died  young;  John  (2);  Simon  died  aged  seventeen  years; 
Jesse  became  a  farmer  of  Perry  township ;  Mary  m.  Jacob 
Levan;  Ann  m.  Isaac  Hardinger ;  Kate  m.  (first)  Henry 
Kemmerlmg  and  (second)  Samuel  Trautman;  and  Samuel 
settled  in  Albany  township. 

(V)  Jesse  Schappell,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Heffner), 
was  born  in  Windsor  township  July  17,  1829.  When  quite 
young  his  father  sold  his  services  to  a  farmer  for  seven 
years,  one  of  the  stipulations  of  tbe  contract  being  tbat 
young  Jesse  should  be  sent  to  school  for  a  period  of 
nine  months,  but  when  reckoning  was  made  it  was  found 
that  he  had  secured  less  than  eight  months'  schooling. 
During  this  time  he  learned  to  read  and  write  German 
fairly  well,  which  was  tbe  only  education  he  ever  re- 
ceived. Mr.  Schappell  and  bis  wife  are  devoted  Chris- 
tians and  regular  attendants  at  the  U.  B.  Church  in  Shoe- 
makersville.  On  Dec.  14,  1850,  Mr.  Schappell  married 
Elizabeth  Shiffert,  born  Jan,  18,  1832,  daughter  of  Reuben 
and  Susanna  (Angey)  Shiffert.  To  them  have  been  born 
the  following  children:  P.  Sassaman ;  William  H  died  in 
infancy;  Josiah  W,  lives  at  Danville.  Ill  •  Alfred  H  is 
of  Virgmville,  Pa. ;  John  S. ;  Sarah  died  unmarried,  aged 
forty-three  years;  George  Washington  resides  at  Allen- 
town ;  Samuel  D.  settled  in  Arkansas;  Charles  R.  lives  at 
Danvdle,  111  ;  Oscar  D.  is  of  Centreport,  Pa.;  and  Sevena 
Andora   died  in  infancy. 

,jyP  J°hn  S._  Schappell  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Windsor  township  until  his  parents  moved  to  Perry  town- 
ship, where  he  went  to  school  until  he  was  fifteen  years 
old.  He  was  reared  to  farming,  and  when  twenty-one 
years  old  commenced  to  learn  stone-cutting,  with  D  H 
Leeser,  then  of  Boyertown,  now  of  Wernersville  '  He 
remained  in  Mr.  Leeser's  employ  for  six  years,  after  that 
in  1884  engagmg  m  business  on  his  own  account  at  Boyer- 
town. After  continuing  the  business  very  successfullv 
for  seventeen  years  he  sold  out  to  W.  S.  Shollenberger 
and  subsequently  lived  retired  for  a  brief  period,  owin|  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


491 


poor  health.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  H.  L.  Minter, 
of  Pottstown,  working  for  him  five  years.  In  1905  he 
bought  the  fine  residence  at  New  Berlinville  where  he  now 
lives,  though  he  is  engaged  at  the  establishment  of  Horace 
Storb,  in  Pottstown,  as  marble  and  stone  cutter.  He  is  in 
cojmfortable  circumstances  and  one  of  the  substantial 
citizens  of  his  locality. 

On  Nov.  1,  1884,  Mr.  Schappell  was  mSrried  to  Clara 
L.  Stauffer,  daughter  of  Jacob  B.  Stauffer.  No  children 
have  been  born  to  them,  but  they  have  an  adopted  daugh- 
ter, Ida  M.  Schappell,  daughter  of  Charles  iC  and  Alice 
Schappell,  of  Shoemakersville,  who  has  been  with  them 
since  she  was  five  months  old.  She  is  at  present  a  student 
in  the  Myerstown  College,  at  Myerstown,  Pa.,  taking  the 
full  college  course,  and  is  especially  talented  as  a  musi- 
cian. 

Mr.  Schappell  and  his  family  are  consistent  and  active 
members  of  the  United  Evangelical  Church  at  Boyertown, 
Pa.,  and  he  was  formerly  a  working  member  of  the 
church  at  Pottstown,  serving  as  steward  and  trustee  dur- 
ing his  residence  at  that  place.  He  is  liberal  in  his  sup- 
port of  the  church  and  religious  movements  generally. 

WILLIAM  M.  CROLL,  county  treasurer  of  Berks 
county  and  junior  member  of  the  well-known  clothing  firm 
of  Heffner,  Gilbert  &  CroU,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born 
April  9,  1866,  in  Upper  Macungie  township,  Lehigh  Co., 
Pa.,  son  of  Martin  S.  and  Elizabeth   (Grim)    Croll. 

William  M.  Croll  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Berks  county,  and  this  was  subsequently 
supplemented  by  a  course  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
school,  and  the  Eastman  Business  College  at  Poughkeepsie, 
N.  Y.  He  taught  school  for  one  year,  but  in  1889,  in 
company  with  William  H.  Smith,  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  at  Rothrocksville,  Berks  county,  this  firm 
continuing  in  existence  until  1897,  when  Mr.  Croll  formed 
a  partnership  with  D.  A.  Heffner  and  John  W.  Gilbert. 
The  firm  of  Heffner,  Gilbert  &  Croll  are  the  largest  dealers 
in  clothing  and  gentlemen's  furnishings  in  this  section  of 
the  State.  The  business  was  first  conducted  at  No.  528 
Penn  street,  whence  in  1904  it  was  removed  to  the  old 
Illig  stand,  larger  quarters  being  necessary,  and  here  it 
has  since  continued.  Mr.  Croll  is  a  thoroughly  capable 
business  man,  as  are  his  partners,  and  the  firm  enjoys 
the  confidence  and  patronage  of  the  entire  community. 
He  is  also  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Berks  Coal 
Company,  at  McCalla,  Ala.,  and  in  January,  1909,  was 
elected  a  director  of  the  Berks  County  Trust  Company. 

In  political  matters  Mr.  Croll  is  an  unswerving  Democrat 
and  while  at  Rothrocksville  served  as  postmaster  for  the 
Maxatawny  postoffice.  On  April  11,  1908,  he  was  nom- 
inated for  the  office  of  county  treasurer  by  over  3,800 
majority  over  the  next  man,  and  by  1,091  over  the  other 
four  candidates  together.  At  the  election  in  November  fol- 
lowing he  was  elected  by  6,289  majority,  about  3,000  ahead 
of  the  National  ticket. 

In  1889  Mr.  CroU  was  married  to  Miss  Annie  M.  Kuhns, 
daughter  of  L.  F.  Kuhns,  proprietor  of  the  "Arlington 
Hotel,"  at  Slatington,  Pa.,  and  two  children  have  been 
born  to  them— Amy  and  Mabel.  The  family  are  members 
of  the  Lutheran  denomination,  and  attend  Trinity  Church, 
Reading.  Mr.  Croll  is  a  member  of  Huguenot  Lodge,  F. 
&  A.  M.,  Kutztown;  Reading  Chapter,  No.  267;  Reading 
Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T.;  and  Philadelphia  Consistory, 
33d  degree;  Lodge  of  Perfection,  Reading;  Rajah  Temple, 
A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.;  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Eagle;  KJiights  of  the  Maccabees;  Harmonie 
Maennerchor;  Lodge  No.  115,  B.  P.  O.  Elks;  and  Read- 
ing Aerie,  No.  66,  F.  O.  E. 

MICHAEL  K.  KEITH,  merchant  and  postmaster  at 
Brownsville  for  nearly  forty  years,  was  born  in  Lower 
Heidelberg  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  21,  1844.  -He 
'''  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  brought  up  to  farm- 
ing, and  when  he  became  of  age  he  entered  the  general 
store  of  Samuel  K.  Lutz,  at  Fritztown,  and  was  employed 
there  for  two  years.  He  then  entered  the  general  store 
of  Flickinger  &  Lutz,  at  Brownsville,  and  after  being  in 


their,  service  for  a  year  purchased  the  business  and  con- 
ducted it  himself  until  1898,  when  he  bought  the  store 
property.  Forming  a  partnership  with  his  son,  Harvey, 
they  have  traded  since  under  the  name  of  Michael  Keith 
&  Son. 

In  1893  Mr.  Keith  erected  a  creamery,  and  a  cidermill 
near  the  store.  In  1898  farming  implements  were  added 
as  a  special  business  line,  and  in  1904  a  butchering  de- 
partment was  also  included  for  the  purpose  of  manufactur- 
ing smoked  sausages,  curing  hams,  etc.,  and  these  several 
branches  have  been  carried  on  successfully  until  the 
present  time.  A  postoffice  was  established  in  the  stofe  in 
1869,  and  Mr.  John  B.  Flickinger  was  the  postmaster  until 
1900,  since  when  Mr.  Keith  has  filled  the  position. ' 

Mr.  Keith  married  Maria  Maurer,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Maurer,  of  Fritztown.  Daniel  Maurer  was  married  twice. 
By  his  first  wife  he  had  children:  Isaac  m.  Anna  Texter; 
Amanda  m.  Adam  Becker;  Hannah  m.  John  Texter;  and 
Maria.  His  first  wife  dying  in  1898,  Daniel  Maurer  then 
married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Werner,  widow  of  Joseph  Werner. 
Michael  K.  Keith  and  his  wife  had  three  children: 
Harvey  m._  Elizabeth  Bohn ;  Adeline  m.  Jacob  Heffner; 
and  one  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these  children 
died  in  1898. 

Jacob  •  Keith,  father  of  Michael  K,  was  a  farmer  of 
Lower  Heidelberg.  He  married  Rachel  Kegerize,  daugh- 
ter of  Christian  Kegerize  (whose  wife  was  a  Harting), 
and  by  her  he  had  twelve  children :  Angeline  m.  Nathan- 
iel Moyer;  Catharine  m.  Levi  Binkley;  Michael  K;  Mary 
m.  David  Claujly;  Mollie  m.  Henry  Gensemer;  Susan  m. 
Jonathan  Ruth;  Levi  m.  Anna  Ebling;  Rachel  m.  Am- 
brose Zeller;  Emma  m.  Joseph  Hoppman;  and  three  died 
young. 

Michael  Keith,  the  grandfather,  was  also  a  farmer  in 
Lower  Heidelberg  township.  He  married  Elizabeth  Shin- 
gle, and  by  her  had  nine  children:  Jacob;  Michael  m. 
Elizabeth  Binkley;  William  m.  Kate  Pennepacker;  Lu- 
cetta  m.  John  Paine;  Mary  m.  Michael  Hain;  Harriet 
m.  Levi  Wolf;  Catharine  m.  Samuel  Binkley;  Rosa  m. 
Charles  Winter;   and  Hannah  died  unmarried. 

Christian  Kegerize,  maternal  grandfather  of  Michael 
K.  Keith,  married  a  Miss  Harting,  and  their  children 
were:  Michael;  Daniel  m.  Susan  Blankenmiller ;  Christian 
m.  Catharine  Hatt;  Samuel  m.  Sarah  Leininger;  William; 
Rachel  m.  Jacob  Keith;  and  Susan  never  married. 

WILLIAM  GARBER  ROWE,  who  has  been  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  mining  interests  of  the  country 
for  a  period  covering  thirty-five  years,  was  born  in  Read- 
ing, Sept.  16,  1849,  son  of  William'  Rowe  and  grandson 
of  John   Rowe,  a  native  of   England. 

John  Rowe  was  an  expert  mining  engineer,  and  traveled 
almost  all  over  the  world.  He  came  to  America  and 
opened  copper  mines  near  Shannonville  and  Phoenix- 
ville.  Pa.,  then  went  to  Australia  to  operate  gold  mines, 
and  finally  to  Brazil,  where  he  died  of  yellow  fever,  when 
fifty-two  years  of  age.  He  was  known  as  one  of  the 
most    skilled    engineers    and    prospectors    of   his    time. 

William  Rowe,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  England,  and 
came  to  America  with  his  'father  when  a  lad  of  fourteen 
years.  He  always  engaged  in  the  mining  business,  and, 
like 'his  father,  was  very  successful.  He  traveled  through 
Cuba  and  Australia,  and  in  1849  went  to  California  to 
engage  in  gold  mining.  He  opened  the  first  iron  ■  ore 
mine  of  the  Eastern  Pennsylvania  valley,  which  was  very 
successful,  and  he  likewise  operated  in  Berks,  Lancaster 
and  Chester  counties.  He  was  very  skilled  in  his  pro- 
fession, and  was  known  as  one  of  the  leaders  thereof. 
Mr.  Rowe  died  April  3,  1906,  having  been  for  twenty- 
five  years  retired.  He  married  Julia  V.  Vache,  who  sur- 
vived him  and  resided  at  No.  1040  Penn  street,  Reading, 
until  her  death,  Feb.  3,  1907,  when  more  than  four  score 
years  of  age.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Rowe  were 
born :  H.  T.,  engaged  in  plumbing  on  Penn  street,  Read- 
ing; Thomas  M.,  a  druggist;  Mrs.  T.  B.  Maurer,  of  Long 
Beach,  N.  J.;  Mrs.  A.  F.  Smith;  Misses  Mary  M.  and 
Jane  A.,   at  home;   and  William   Garber. 


492 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


William  Garber  Rowe  attended  the  schools  of  Reading, 
and  under  his  father's  instructions  became  skilled  in 
mining.  He  has  been  actively  engaged  in  that  occupa- 
tion since  1871.  For  seven  years  he  was  superintendent 
of  the  Edge  Hill  Iron  Company,  Pa.,  and  operated  mines 
in  Orange  county,  Va.  He  was  for  ten  years  at  Barto 
and  operated  the  Rhoads  mines  at  Boyertown,  and  was 
superintendent  of  the  iron  ore  mines  for  the  Reading  Coal 
and  Iron  Company.  In  1901  Mr.  Rowe,  knowing  the 
value  of  the  ore  deposit  in  the  location  of  Boyertown, 
bought  up  all  the  mining  properties,  including  the  Phoe- 
nix or  California  mine,  the  Warwick,  Gable  No.  1  and 
Gable  No.  2,  and  the  Lewis  estate,  in  all  covering  over 
300  acres  in  fee  simple  and  mineral  rights.  They  are 
a  continuation  of  the  large  Cornwall  ore  beds  in  Lebanon 
county.  Pa.,  and  next  to  them  for  quantity  thus  far  dis- 
covered. This  is  now  owned  by  the  Boyertown  Ore  Com- 
pany. They  have  title  to  the  mineral  rights  under  Boyer- 
town from  one  end  of  the  borough  to  the  other.  Since 
1903  this  company,  of  which  Mr.  Rowe  is  general  super- 
intendent, have  conducted  the  mining  operations,  and 
they  have  on  hand  large  quantities  of  ore  and  are  shipping 
daily. 

Much  trouble  was  caused  in  the  operation  of  these 
mines  in  the  past,  and  one  of  the  most  exciting  of  the 
experiences  was  that  of  1887,  when  William  Garber  Rowe 
and  George  F.  Baer  were  operating  the  Rhoads  mine. 
A  cofferdam  was  located  between  this  and  the  Phoenix 
operation.  The  superintendent  of  the  latter  followed 
the  vein  of  ore,  and,  it  is  alleged,  broke  through  this  dam 
and  continued  this  drift  into  the  Rhoads  property.  One 
morning  at  7 :30  o'clock,  Mr.  Rowe  received  a  telegram 
at  his  home  in  Reading,  stating  that  the  Phoenix  miners 
were  trying  to  take  possession  of  the  Rhoads  mine.  He 
at  once  consulted  with  his  partner,  then  drove  his  trotter 
to  Boyertown,  covering  the  distance  in  one  and  one-half 
hours.  Upon  reaching  the  scene  Mr.  Rowe  went  under- 
ground and  found  the  men  in  his  mine.  All  were  ar- 
rested and  taken  before  Squire  Schoenley,  of  Gables- 
ville,  and  held  under  bail  for  forcible  entry.  The  case 
was  taken  to  court  and  Mr.   Rowe  won. 

The  most  complete  plant  is  the  Gable  No.  2  mine.  The 
shaft  house  is  of  structural  iron,  making  it  perfectly 
fireproof.  There  is  a  double-acting  first-motion  engine 
of  300  horse  power.  Since  Mr.  Rowe  assumed  charge 
of  the  mine  larger  tanks  have  been  placed  in  the  shaft, 
and  by  means  of  these  1,000  gallons  of  water  are  ejected 
each  minute,  day  and  night,  thus  controlling  the  coming 
water  from  all  the  mines.  The  company  proposes  to  in- 
stall a  new  plant  at  the  Warwick  shaft  similar  to  that 
at  the  Gable  No.  2,  and  thus  opening  up  the  operations 
which  have  been  lying  idle  for  twenty  years.  Mr.  Rowe 
also  operates  mines  at  Gardner,  Lehigh  county,  and 
Siesholtzville,   Berks   county. 

Mr.  William  Garber  Rowe  married  Zipporah  E.  Bech- 
tel,  daughter  of  Abraham  B.  Bechtel,  and  she  died  in 
January,  1881,  leaving  two  children :  William  A.,  who  was 
associated  with  his  father  in  mining  operations  until 
his  death,  Aug.  6,  1908,  when  thirty-two  years  of  age; 
and  Miss  Leonore,  at  home.  In  politics  Mr.  Rowe  is  a 
Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Reading,  and  resides  at  No.  1156  Franklin 
street,  that  city.  ■, 

REV.  JONAS  O.  HENRY,  pastor  of  the  Topton  Lu- 
theran parish,  is  the  great-grandson  of  John  A'dam  Henry, 
who  came  to  America  from  Germany  and  settled  near 
Wanamakers,  in  Lynn  township,  Lehigh  Co.,  Pa.,  and 
later  resided  on  a  farm  about  one-half  mile  south  of 
Lynnport,  Lehigh  county.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion. 

Joseph  Henry,  son  of  John  Adam,  was  born  on  the 
family  homestead  in  Lehigh  county,  Dec.  14,  1810.  His 
home  was  near  Lynnport,  Lynn  township,  Lehigh  county, 
where  he  died  July  5,  1871,  and  was  buried  at  Jackson- 
ville, Pa.  He  married  Miss  Judith  Kistler,  who  was  born 
April  14,  1806,  and  who  died  May  24,  1879,  and  was  in- 
terred   in    Jacksonville.      They    were   blessed    with    eight 


children,  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  as  follows :  Daniel 
K.;  Moses  m.  Sabina  Long;  Jacob  m.  Rebecca  Koenig; 
Benjamin  m.  Sarah  Greenawalt;  Charles  m.  Sarah  Schlen- 
ker;  Katherine  m.  Elias  Wagamann;  Florence  m.  Reuben 
Ebert;  and  Angelina  m.  Elias  Dengler. 

Daniel  K.  Henry,  son  of  Joseph,  was  born  Feb.  18, 
1836,  in  Lynn,  township,  near  Lynnport.  He  followed 
an  agricultural  life  in  what  is  known  as  Kistler's  Valley. 
He  died  April  5,  1901,  and  was  laid  to  rest  at  New 
Jerusalem  Church  in  Albany  township,  Berks  township. 
He  married  Miss  Sarah  Wagamann,  born  Dec.  7,  1836, 
in  Weisenburg  township,  Lehigh  county,  died  April  13, 
1881 ;  she  was  laid  to  rest  at  New  Jerusalem  Church. 
This  marriage  was  blessed  with  nine  children,  five  sons 
and  four  daughters,  namely :  Harrison,  a  farmer  near  Jack- 
sonville, m.  Delia  Snyder;  Joseph,  a  carpenter  at  Kutz- 
town,  m.  Rosa  Hollenbach;  Monroe,  a  carpenter  at  Lynn- 
port, m.  Emma  Hollenbach;  George,  a  farmer  at  Rising 
Sun,  m.  Missouri  Kemmerer;  Rev.  Jonas  O.,  of  Long- 
swamp  township;  Rosa  m.  Lewis  Snyder,  of  New  Tripoli, 
Pa.;  Cordelia  m.  Wilson  Snyder,  of  Pleasant  Corner,  Pa.; 
Sarah  Jane  m.  Amandus  C.  Oswald,  of  Rising  Sun, 
Pa.;  and  Lizzie  M.  m.  William  Sechler,  of  Hynemans- 
ville,   Pennsylvania. 

Jonas  O.  Henry  was  born  March  2,  1874,  at  Stein's 
Corner,  Lehigh  Co.,  Pa.,  and  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm  and  received  his  early  education  in  the  local  schools. 
For  three  years  he  taught  school  and  later  entered  Muhl- 
enberg College  where  he  was  graduated  in  June,  1899.  . 
He  completed  his  course  in  theology  in  the  seminary 
three  years  later,  and  on  May  26,  1902,  he  was  ordained 
a  minister  of  the  Lutheran  faith  in  St.  John's  Church 
at  Easton,  Pa.  On  the  last  Sundaiy  in  November  of  the 
same  year  he  was  installed  by  Rev.  G.  F.  Speiker,  D.  D., 
and  Rev.  H.  S.  Fegley,  as  pastor  of  the  Topton  Lutheran 
parish,  consisting  of  St.  Peter's,  Topton,  St.  Paul's,  Fleet- 
wood and  Christ  (of  Rockland  township)  Churches  to 
which  charge  he  has  faithfully  ministered  ever  since. 

On  May  31,  1903,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Henry  married  Miss  Ida 
L.  Sefing,  daughter  of  Leonard  Sefing,  son  of  Herman 
and  Anna  Margaret  (Conrad)  Sefing,  of  AUentown,  Pa. 
Her  people  came  from  Hessen,  Germany,  in  1854.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Henry  and  wife  have  three  children :  Karl  Sefing 
born  June  4,  1905;  Paul  Jonas,  born  Oct.  17,  1906;  and 
Leonard  Daniel,  born  June  21,  1908.  The  family  resides 
at  Topton,  Berks  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

JEREMIAH  MOLL  DeTURK,  who  has  been  war- 
den of  the  Berks  County  Prison  since  1904,  was  born 
in  Maiden-creek  township,  Berks  county,  March  1,  1857, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public  school  of 
the  township  and  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School.  He  then  served  as  a  clerk  in  general  stores 
at  Molltown  and  Schaefferstown  in  Berks  county 
for  four  years,  and  conducted  a  store  for  himself  at 
the  latter  place  for  four  years.  While  residing  at 
Schaefferstown  he  officiated  as  the  assessor  and  tax-col- 
lector of  Jefferson  township  for  six  years,  and  he  was 
also  elected  one  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  of  that  town- 
ship on  the  Democratic  ticket.  In  1896  he  filled  the  posi- 
tion of  deputy  county  treasurer,  and  in  1897  and  1898 
served  as  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  Railroad  Company.  While  filling  this  last  posi- 
tion, the  board  of  Prison  Inspectors  of  the  county  elected 
him  clerk  of  the  prison  and  his  services  proved  so  highly 
satisfactory  that  upon  a  vacancy  occurring  in  the  position 
of  warden  in  July,  1904,  they  elected  him  to  serve  as  such 
for  the  unexpired  term.  His  management  of  the  prison 
affairs  until  the  following  December  having  been  very 
successful,  the  board  elected  him  for  the  succeeding  term 
pi  one  year,  and  his  continued  superior  management  has  ' 
led  to  his  annual  unanimous  re-election  until  the  present 
time,  notwithstanding  his  adherence  to  the  Democratic 
party.  He  is  now  serving  his  sixth  term.  The  grand  juries 
of  the  county  and  the  State  Board  of   Public  Charities 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


493 


have  frequently  commended  his  management  of  this  pub- 
lic institution. 

In  1881,  Mr.  DeTurk  married  Catharine  S.  Stetzler, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Stetzler,  farmer  of  Perry  township, 
and  Esther  Shappel,  his  wife.  They  have  six  children : 
Elder  (m.  to  Sallie  Lieb),  Herbert,  Jeremiah,  Edna,  John 
and  Elmer.  Mrs.  DeTurk  has  been  the  matron  of  the 
prison  since  her  husband's  incumbency  as  the  warden,  and 
the  management  of  her  department  has  been  equally  com- 
mendable. The  family  is  connected  with  the  Reformed 
Church.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Eagle  for  twenty  years,  having  joined  the  Castle 
at  Schaefferstown  while  residing  there. 

Mr.  DeTurk  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  Isaac  DeTurk 
who  located  in  Oley  township  in  1712,  as  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  that  section  of  the  county.  His  father  Jere- 
miah was  a  son  of  Abraham,  who  was  a  son  of  John,  who 
was  a  son  of  John,  who  was  a  scti  of  the  immigrant. 
The  father  was  born  in  Exeter  township  in  1817,  but  was 
reared  in  Maiden-creek  township  on  a  farm  which  he 
afterward  came  to  own  and  operate  in  a  successful  manner 
for  thirty-five  years.  He  died  in  1891.  He  married  Cath- 
arine Moll,  of  the  same  township  (born  1817,  died  1881), 
by  whom  he  had  ten  children :  Sarah  (m.  to  Solomon 
Stoudt)  ;  Amos  (m.  to  Louisa  Deisher)  ;  Ellen  (m.  to 
Allen  Moser);  Mary  and  Catharine  (single);  Jeremiah 
M. ;  Esther  (m.  to  William  C.  Dries)  ;  and  three  who  died 
in  infancy. 

Jacob  Stetzler  (Mrs.  DeTurk's  father)  was  a  son  of 
Daniel  Stetzler  and  Catharine  Hoffman,  his  wife;  and 
Daniel  Stetzler  was  a  son  of  Martin,  all  of  Perry  town- 
ship. Jacob  Stetzler's  wife,  Esther  Shappel,  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Jeremiah  Shappel,  of  Perry  township.  [See  gene- 
alogy of  Shappel  family  in  this  publication.] 

Mr.  DeTurk's  mother  was  a  daughter  of  David  Moll  of 
Maiden-creek  township,  who  died  in  1857  leaving  eleven 
children :  George,  John,  Daniel,  Samuel,  Peter,  Catharine 
(above),  Lucy  (m.  Charles  Coleman),  Elizabeth  (m.  Peter 
Adam),  Diana  (m.  William  Yerger),  Lydia  (.m.  William 
Hieter)  and  Mary  (m.  Henry  Buchard).  And  her  grand- 
father was  Michael  Moll,  farmer  of  the  same  township, 
who  died  in  1810  leaving  a  widow  Anna  Margaret  and 
eight  children :  John,,  Daniel,  Michael,  Henry,  Peter,  David, 
Catharine   (m.  Samuel  Ely,  Jr.)   and  Susanna. 

LEMUEL  STEWART,  M.  D.  (deceased),  who  prac- 
tised medicine  and  surgery  at  Reading  from  1848  to  1853, 
was  born  near  Stouchsburg,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  1,  1815, 
son  of  Jacob  Stewart. 

Jacob  Stewart  was  of  Scotch  Ancestry.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Conrad  Weiser.  They  were  old  and  respected 
farming  people  of  Berks  county,  and  their  children  were : 
Rebecca  m.  Adam  Ulrich ;  Priscilla  m.  Mr.  Miller ;  Ur- 
silla  m.  a  Mr.  Royer;  Clementine  died  unmarried;  William 
was  accidentally  drowned  at  Hagerstown,  Md. ;  and 
Lemuel. 

The  early  education  of  Dr.  Lemuel  Stewart  was  secured 
in  the  common  schools,  but  later  he  pursued  higher 
branches  at  St.  Mary's  College  at  Emmitsburg,  Md.,  where 
he  became  a  convert  to  the  Catholic  faith.  Dr.  Stewart 
was  an  unusually  brilliant  man,  was  thoroughly  yersed 
in  English  literature,  and  spoke  and  wrote  other  languages 
fluently.  He  was  a  brilliant  writer  of  both  prose  and 
poetry,  and  at  his  early  death  left  many  works  of  high 
merit.  A  large  part  of  his  medical  papers  were  written 
in  French.  One  of  his  medical  books,  which  is  widely 
known,  bears  the  name  of  "The  Physician  and  the  Pub- 
lic." He  was  graduated  in  medicine  at  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  Philadelphia,  and  his  certificate  was  signed  by 
Professor  Jackson.  On  numerous  occasions  Dr.  Stewart 
addressed  both  literary  and  medical  societies,  and  he  was 
always  listened  to  with  the  respect  and  admiration  which 
his  learning  and  oratory  commanded. 


Dr.  Stewart  married  Angeline  Smith,  daughter  of 
George  and  Margaret  (Bright)  Smith,  granddaughter  of 
Frederick  Smith,  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  great-granddaughter  of  Johan  Frederick 
Schmidt,  born  Jan.  9.  1747,  and  died  May  16,  1812.-  Dr. 
Stewart  and  wife  had  two  children:  Margaret,  who  died 
aged  three  years,  and  Katie  Leaf,  who  became  the  wife 
of  James  Nolan,  and  at  her  death  left  three  children, 
James  Bennett,  Angela  and  Mary  E.  Mrs.  Stewart  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  Dr.  Stewart  died  in 
1853  at  Reading. 

HENRY  STOYER,  manufacturer  of  paper  boxes  at 
Shoemakersville  and  Fleetwood,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  who  has 
been  placed  prominently  before  the  public  in  business  and 
political  life,  was  born  Oct.  14,  1848,  at  Hamburg,  this 
county,  son  of  Samuel  F.  Stoyer. 

Samuel  Stoyer,  of  Greenwich  township,  grandfather  of 
Henry,  married  Catherine  Focht,  of  Windsor  township, 
and  to  this  union  there  were  born  children  as  follows : 
Samuel  F. ;  Benneville  m.  Catherine  Raubenhold;  Daniel 
m.  Anna  Miller;  Elizabeth  m.  Jacob  Kepner;  Hannah  m. 
William  Kepner;  Catherine  m.  John  Billman ;  and  Sallie 
m.  William  Deisher. 

Samuel  F.  Stoyer,  son  of  Samuel  and  now  of  Bethel 
township,  where  he  has  been  a  farmer  for  thirty  years, 
was  born  and  reared  at  Hamburg.  He  married  Catherine 
Weidner,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Weidner,  and  to  them 
were  born  twelve  children :  Henry ;  Susan  m.  Andrew 
Schmeltzer;  Franklin  m.  Mary  Schreck;  Sarah  m.  John 
Peiffer;  Charles  m.  Clara  Moore;  Caroline  m.  Werren 
F.  Kline;  Amanda  m.  George  Snyder;  Ida  m.  Samuel 
Strausse ;  Anna  m.  Charles  Strausse ;  Samuel  m.  Clara 
Resh ;   Joel  m.   Mame  Reber ;   and  John   died  in   infancy. 

Henry  Stoyer  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  place,  upon  leaving  which,  while  still  a  boy, 
he  assisted  at  butchering  and  store-keeping  until  his 
twentieth  year,  then  going  to  Centreport,  where,  after  serv- 
ing as  a  clerk  in  the  butchering  business  for  two  years, 
and  for  four  years  in  the  general  store  of  James  A.  Koller, 
he  engaged  in  the  huckstering  business  for  nineteen  years. 
While  engaged  at  the  latter  occupation,  Mr.  Stoyer  came 
to  know  the  whole  northwestern  section  of  the  county, 
and  this  acquaintanceship  was  afterwards  of  great  politi- 
cal assistance  to  him,  for  in  1893  he  secured  the  nomination 
for  county  commissioner  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  and 
-was  elected.  He  served  in  this  important  county  office 
for  a  term  of  three  years,  from  1894  to  1897.  Upon  the 
erection  of  the  borough  of  Centreport,  in  1884,  Mr.  Stoyer 
served  in  the  council  for  three  terms,  and  also  in  the 
school  board  for  the  same  period;  and  when  his  name  was 
on  the  Democratic  ticket  for  election,  there  was  no  nomi- 
nation against  him  on  the  opposition  ticket,  he  receiving 
the  unanimous  vote  of  the  electors,  an  exceptional  honor. 

Upon  assuming  the  office  of  county  commissioner,  Mr. 
Stoyer  removed  to  Reading  so  as  to  be  able  to  devote  all 
of  his  time  to  the  interests  of  the  county,  and  he  served 
his  term  with  great  fidelity  to  his  trust.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term,  he  served  as  collector  of  ward  and 
county  taxes  for  four  years.  In  1902  he  purchased  the 
Acme  Paper  Box  Factory  at  Shoemakersville,  and  in  1907 
he  purchased  the  Fleetwood  Paper  Box  Factory  which  he 
has  been  operating  successfully  to  the  present  time.  He 
manufactures  all  sizes  of  paper  boxes,  which  are  supplied 
to  the  mills  in  the  village  and  vicinity.  He  retains  his  resi- 
dence in  Reading,  traveling  to  and  fro  daily  in  operating 
his  business. 

Mr.  Stoyer  married  Catherine  Dunkel,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Dunkel,  of  Upper  Bern  township.  She  died  in  1870,  leaving 
one  daughter,  Sallie  (m.  W.  P.  Brown).  Mr.  Stoyer  m. 
(second)  Annie  Schiffert,  daughter  of  Reuben  Schiffert, 
of   Perry  township,  and  to  this  union  were  born :   Katie 


494 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(m.  Thomas  Bickel) ;  Tamah   (m.  Harry  A.  Breidegam)  ; 
and  Annie   (died  in  infancy). 

HENRY  B.  LEVAN  is  descended  from  Huguenot 
ancestry.  His  great-great-great  grandfather,  Daniel  Levan, 
fled  from  France  to  Amsterdam,  Holland,  during  the  time" 
when  the  Huguenots  were  persecuted.  He  was  married  in 
France  to  Marie  Beau. 

Isaac  Levan,  son  of  Daniel  and  Marie,  emigrated  from 
Amsterdam,  Holland,  and  located  in  Exeter  township, 
Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  in  about  1730,  being  one  of  the  first 
settlers  there,  He  was  engaged  in  farming  until  the  latter 
period  of  his  life,  when  in  1770,  he  moved  to  Reading,  Pa., 
where  he  died  in  August,  1786.  He  and  his  wife, 
Mary  Margaret,  had  the  following  children :  Abraham, 
Isaac,  Daniel,  Jacob,  Mary  (wife  of  Peter  Feather)  and 
Judith   (wife  of  Samuel  Weiser). 

Jacob  Levan,  St.,  son  of  the  emigrant,  was  born  at 
the  old  homestead  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa., 
about  1736  and  died  there  in  January,  1814.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  all  his  life.  He  was  married  to  Susan- 
nah Ludwig,  and  had  the  following  children :  Abraham, 
Daniel,  Jacob,  Margaret  (m.  (first)  Peter  Rightmeyer, 
(second)  John  Wollison),  Judith  (m.  Henry  Leese), 
Susannah  (m.  John  Stitzel),  Elizabeth  (m.  .Samuel  Kurst), 
Mary  (m.  Henry  Werner),  Hannah  (m.  Godfrey  Kersh- 
ner),  Catherine  (m.  Jacob  Goodman),  and  Sarah  (m. 
Adam  Stitzel. 

Jacob  L.  Levan,  Jr.,  grandson  of  the  emigrant,  Isaac 
Levan,  was  born  at  the  old  homestead  in  Exeter  town- 
ship, Jan.  1,  1784,  and  died  Jan.  1,  1853.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Catherine  Fegeley,  of  Richmond  township,  Berks 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  they  had  the  following  children:  Isaac; 
and  Anna,  who  m.  Capt.  Henry  Schaefifer. 

Isaac  Levan,  son  of  Jacob  L.,  was  born  at  the  old  home- 
stead in  Exeter  township,  July  31,  1816,  and  died  Jan.  7, 
1837.  He  was  married  (first)  to  Rebecca  Brumbach, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Brumbach,  and  (second)  to  Louisa 
Wein,  daughter  of  Henry  Wein.  His  children  were  as 
follows:  WiUiam,  Jacob,  Isaac,  George  (deceased),  Henry 
B.,  Daniel  (who  died  in  infancy),  and  Rebecca  (nt. 
John  Knorr). 

Henry  B.  Levan,  son  of  Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Brumbach) 
Levan,  has  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  been  post- 
master at  Lorane,  Exeter  township,  Berks  county,  where 
he  has  been  engaged  in  a  general  merchandise  and  hotel  • 
business.  He  was  born  in  Exeter  township  June  30,  1850, 
and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  After  the  death 
of  his  father  he  went  to  live  with  Joseph  Levan,  his 
guardian,  with  whom  be  remained  until  nineteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia 
&  Reading  Railway  Company,  as  telegraph  operator.  He 
spent  about  eleven  years  in  that  employment.  In  1883  he 
purchased  property  in  Lorane,  where  he  has  since  been 
located  in  business  with  the  exception  of  two  years.  In 
addition  to  his  mercantile  business  Mr.  Levan  has  also 
dealt  extensively  in  coal  and  feed,  has  served  as  post- 
master since  1883,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  years 
that  he  was  out  of  business  and  has  done  much  toward 
making  Lorane  the  hustling,  enterprising  village  that  it 
is.  He  has  always  been  esteemed  and  respected  by  his 
fellow-citizens,  who  recognize  and  appreciate  his  many 
sterling  qualities  of  character.  In  politics  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, while  fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Reading 
Lodge,  No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M. 

In  1883  Mr.  Levan  was  married  to  Isabella  Ganser, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Ganser,  of  Reading,  and  she  died 
in  1893,  when  thirty-seven  years  of  age.  She  was  the 
mother  of  one  child,  Harvey  Ralph,  who  is  employed  by 
his  father  in  the  store.  Mr.  Levan  is  a  member  of  the 
Schwartzwald   Reformed  Church. 


EZRA  S.  HASSLER,  a  prominent  merchant  and  in- 
fluential citizen  of  Wernersville,  Pa.,  where  he  has  re- 
sided for  fifteen  years,  was  born  June  27,  1854,  in  Rus- 
combmanor  township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Philip  and 
Sarah  Ann   (Seidel)   Hassler. 

Philip  Hassler,  great-grandfather  of  Ezra  S.,  lived  in 
the  vicinity  of  Friedensburg.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Shofer 
or  Shafifer,  and  their  children  were:  William,  of  Fried- 
ensburg; Mrs.  Sally  Roemer,  of  Kutztown  district;  Mrs. 
Moses   Sarig,  who  moved  West;  and  Jacob. 

Jacob  Hassler,  grandfather  of  Ezra  S.,  was  born  in 
Berks  county  in  1801,  and  died  in  1875.  He  attended 
school  in  Reading,  when  the  only  school  building  was 
a  log  house,  and  in  early  life  lived  near  the  Oley  line, 
where  he  owned  a  small  farm.  He  was  also  a  cabinet 
maker  by  trade,  and  this  he  followed  at  his  house,  which 
was  situated  on  the  Reading  road  two  miles  from  Fried- 
ensburg, working  until  his  retirement,  when  he  removed 
to  Reading  and  there  died.  He  is  buried  at  Spies's  Church, 
of  which  he  was  a  Lutheran  member.  He  married  (first) 
Elizabeth  Fox,  by  whom  he  had  children  as  follows: 
Eliza,  Benjamin  and  Isaac,  all  of  whom  died  young; 
Philip;  Jonas  died  at  IMilton,  Pa.;  Sarah  m.  Adam  Scha- 
del,  and  died  of  small-pox ;  Susan  ra.  Daniel  Hartman, 
and  died  in  May,  1905;  William  lived  at  Yellow  House; 
Amos  died  at  a  Soldiers'  Home;  and  two  died  in  in- 
fancy. Mr.  Hassler  m.  (second)  Mrs.  Judith  (Lukens) 
Thompson,  and  there  were  two  daughters  born  to  this 
union :  Mary  Ann,  of  Reading,  m.  (first)  Israel  Rauen- 
zahn,  and  (second)  William  A.  McDonough ;  and  Louisa 
m.  (first)  Albert  Herbine,  by  whom  she  had  one  son, 
Harry,  and  (second)  William  Merkel,  now  also  de- 
ceased. 

Philip  Hasler  (Hassler),  father  of  Ezra  S.,  was  born 
Aug.  6,  1829,  in  Oley  township,  and  died  in  Ruscomb- 
manor  township,  March  11,  1860.  He  was  a  cabinet  maker 
by  trade,  and  also  engaged  in  farming,  owning  a  tract 
of  about  thirty  acres  of  land.  For  a  number  of  years 
Mr.  Hassler  was  a  constable  of  his  district.  He  is  buried 
at  Pricetown.  Mr.  Hassler's  wife,  Sarah  Ann  Seidel, 
was  born  at  Hamburg,  Pa.,  Nov.  2,  1828,  and  died  in 
Ruscombmanor  township.  May  18,  1895,  being  also  buried 
at  Pricetown.  They  had  these  children  :  Ezra  S. ;  Well- 
ington S.  resides  at  Akron,  Ohio;  and  Emma  A.  m. 
Albert  J.  Evans,  of  Lancaster  county. 

Ezra  S.  Hassler  attended  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  locality  until  reaching  the  age  of  seventeen  years, 
and  in  1873  was  licensed  to  teach  school  by  the  late  Prof. 
D.  B.  Brunner,  subsequently  teaching  in  Pike  and  Rich- 
mond townships,  Berks  county,  for  two  years.  He  then 
learned  telegraphy  from  William  Schantz,  of  Blandon, 
Pa.,  and  was  appointed  station  agent  at  Reinholds  Station, 
Lancaster  county,  where  he  remained  for  a  period  of  thir- 
teen years.  During  the  latter  year  of  his  service  with 
this  company  he  was  also  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Reinholds,  but  in  1887  removed  his  business  to 
Sprmg  Grove,  Lancaster  county,  where  he  continued  with 
much  success  for  five  years,  being  also  the  postmaster 
at  this  point  during  President  Cleveland's  administration. 
He  came  to  Wernersville  in  1893,  and  erected  his  present 
store  building,  31  x  86  feet,  two  stories  high,  with  a 
frontage  of  fifty-three  feet  on  the  main  street.  He  has 
the  leading  mercantile  establishment  of  the  town,  and  car- 
ries a  complete,  up-to-date  line  of  goods,  doing  a  strictly 
cash  business  and  enjoying  the  confidence  of  the  com- 
munity. Mr.  Hassler  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has 
been  greatly  interested  in  public  matters  in  Werners- 
ville, and  has  served  as  postmaster  thereof  for  four 
years,  during  Cleveland's  second  administration.  Frater- 
nally he  is  connected  with  Lodge  No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M., 
which  he  joined  in  1876;  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  No.'  153, 
R.  A.  M.,  which  he  joined  in  1886;  and  DeMolay  Com- 
mandery.    No.   9,    K.    T..   which   he   joined   in   1892      He 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


495 


joined  Terre  Hill  Lodge,  No.  454,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  1887, 
and  in  1892  was  admitted  by  card  to  Wernersville  Lodge, 
No.  835. 

Mr.  Hassler  married  (first)  Oct.  13,  1876,  Adaline  K. 
Mentzer,  of  Stevens,  Pa.,  born  Nov.  27,  1855,  who  died 
Aug.  31,  1878,  leaving  one  daughter.  Bertha  May,  born 
July  29,  1877,  who  died  April  26,  1882.  Mr.  Hassler  m. 
(second)  Catharine  E.  Bucks,  daughter  of  David  and 
Ellen  (Hain)  Bucks,  and  they  have  two  children:  Ralph 
B.,  bom  at  Reinholds  Station,  Jan.  6,  1887,  is  assisting  his 
father  in  the  mercantile  business  and  on  his  own  ac- 
count is  conducting  the  musical  department  in  the  same 
establishment.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Wernersville  high 
school,  class  of  1905.  Mr.  Hassler's  daughter,  Ruth  Irene, 
was  born  Aug.  9,  1897. 

BERTHOLD  J.  IMHOFF.  Reading  has  among  her  dis- 
tinguished men,  Berthold  J.  ImhofI,  artist,  decorator  and 
frescoer,  a  man  of  genius  who  thoroughly  understands  his 
art  and  makes  a  specialty  of  church  and  mural  decorations. 

On  Jan.  14,  1868,  Mr.  Imhoff  was  born  in  Mannheim, 
Germany,  and  was  there  educated,  beginning  to  learn  the 
painter's  trade  when  only  fourteen  years  of  age.  For  three 
years  he  served  an  apprenticeship,  then  worked  for  others 
for  another  three  years,  when  he  entered  the  College  of  Ob- 
erwinter  where  he  took  a  course  in  graining  and  marble 
work.  Once  more  he  resumed  working  for  others  to  gain 
sufficient  money  to  carry  out  his  ambition,  and  when  he 
had  accumulated  enough  he  studied  art  at  Halle-an-der- 
Halle.  On  leaving  school  he  became  foreman  for  a  large 
decorating  firm,  and  received  large  compensation  for  his 
work.  Still  he  was  not  satisfied,  but  entered  the  art  insti- 
tute at  Karlsruhe.  Baden,  where  he  studied  art  in  its  higher 
forms,  and  in  March,  1892,  he  landed  in  America  and  lo- 
cated in  Ohio,  where  he  worked  for  five  months,  and  then 
returned  to  Philadelphia  where  he  believed  there  was  more 
appreciation  to  be  found  for  his  excellent  work.  While 
in  that  city  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Sima,  and  did  some 
of  his  best  work.  Once  more  he  crossed  the  ocean,  and 
locating  at  Pforzheim,  Germany,  he  engaged  in  business 
for  himself.  There  he  remained  until  1900,  and  during 
that  time  he  entered,  in  1898,  the  academy  of  art  at  Diiss- 
eldorf,  where  he  studied  figure  work.  Selling  out  his 
business  he  returned  to  America,  this  time  locating  at 
Reading,  and  purchasing  a  valuable  property  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Eleventh  and  Green  streets  he  has  established 
himself  in  a  very  large  business  and  is  recognized  as 
the  leader  in  art  circles.  His  studio  is  18x42  feet  and 
is  specially  arranged  with  regard  to  light  and  space.  Five 
artists  work  under  his  direction. 

While  Mr.  Imhoff  is  so  .well  known  as  a  decorator,  he 
is  also  an  artist  and  one  of  his  most  famous  paintings 
is  the  Death  of  St.  Joseph.  The  painting  is  7x10  feet, 
and  the  group  includes  St.  Joseph,  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
Jesus  and  a  ministeripg  angel.  Being  a  devout  Catholic 
Mr.  Imhoff  has  handled  the  subject  reverently  as  well 
as  artistically,  with  a  due  regard  to  coloring  and  back- 
ground which  makes  it  a  masterpiece.  Another  very  no- 
table painting  by  this  man  of  such  diversified  talents  is 
Jesus  in  the  Temple,  4x6  feet.  He  has  upward  of  one 
hundred  others,  suitable  for  churches  and  private  resi- 
dences, and  all  display  his  wonderful  power  and  his  skill 
at  figure  work. 

Mr.  Imhoff  has  frescoed  over  one  hundred  churches 
since  his  return  to  Pennsylvania,  among  which  mav  be 
mentioned :  St.  Stephen's  Reformed ;  St.  Luke's  and  Trin- 
ity, Lutheran;  Salem  Evangelical,  of  Reading,  while 
Columbia,  Lebanon,  Slatington,  Phoenixville,  Tamaqua, 
Allentown,  Pottsville,  Wilkes-Barre,  Williamsport,  Ha- 
zleton,  York,  Philadelphia,  Mahanoy  City,  etc.,  have 
had  him  decorate  their  handsomest  places  of  religious 
worship.  Mr. Imhoff  has  also  decorated  the  Academy 
of  Music,  Masonic  Temple,  the  residences  of  Ferdinand 
Winter,  Mrs.   Catherine  Archer,  John  Hendel,  Rev.  Fath- 


er Bornemann,  Mr.  Isaac  Frey  of  Douglassville,  Pa.,  and 
Mr.  Sternbergh,  of  Reading,  etc. 

Some  of  Mr.  Imhoff's  masterpieces  are  to  be  found 
in  St.  John's  Catholic  church  at  Pottsville;  St.  Mary's 
Catholic  church  at  York;  German  Catholic  church  at  Ha- 
zleton;  Catholic  church  at  Williamsport;  Trinity  Luth- 
eran church,  Reading;  Lithuanian  Catholic  church,  Ma- 
hanoy City;  Baptist  church,  Reading;  Spies's  Union  church, 
Alsace  township;  Reformed  church,  Hazleton;  Lutheran 
church,  Myerstown;  and  St.  Paul's  church,  Reading. 
Of  all  these,  St.  Paul's  church,  Reading,  is  his  master- 
piece. The  architecture  of  the  church  is  Romanesque, 
and  this  necessitated  rich  colors  and  heavy  ornamenta- 
tion. Above  the  main  entrance  is  a  picture  representing 
the  parable  of  the  Prodigal  son.  The  center  of  the  ceil- 
ing shows  three  large  compositions,  12x18  feet,  "The  Des- 
cent of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  "The  Assumption  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin"  and  "The  Coronation  O'f  the  Virgin,"  these  form- 
ing the  last  three  mysteries  of  the  rosary,  the  preceding 
twelve  being  depicted  in  the  painted  windows.  There  are 
two  other  large  compositions,  "The  Adoration  of  the  Ma- 
gi" and  the  "Death  of  St.  Joseph";  eight  panels,  each  con- 
taining a  single  figure;  small  medallions  showing  the 
symbols  of  the  rosary  and  the  instruments  of  the  passion. 
The  sanctuary  arch,  as  is  fitting,  is  marvelous  in  both 
execution  and  design.  The  main  composition  is  40x25 
feet.  In  the  center  the  risen  Savior  sits  enthroned,  and 
on  either  side  but  a  little  below  him  are  the  Blessed  Vir- 
gin and  St.  John  the  Baptist.  Between  heaven  and  earth 
is  the  Holy  Spirit  surrounded  by  the  cherubim.  On  the 
earth,  grouped  about  the  cross,  are  the  apostles  and  evan- 
gelists. Saints  Peter  and  Paul  standing  a  little  higher  than 
the  others.  Other  figures  appear,  all  tending  to  bring 
out  more  fully  the  subject  of  the  whole  composition,  "The 
Church  of  God."  There  are  about  fifty  figures  in  all, 
and  they  occupy  five  of  the  seven  panels.  In  each  end 
panel  '  is  an  angel,  one  bearing  the  pillar  at  which  the 
Savior  was  scourged,  and  the  other  the  spear  that  pierc- 
ed His  side,  and  the  sponge  with  which  they  quenched 
His  thirst.  In  this  work  Mr.  Imhoff  haS  used  the  best 
models,  and  his  historical  accuracy  is  above  question. 
If  he  left  no  other  work  than  St.  Paul's,  Mr.  Imhoff's 
fame  as  an  artist  would  be  complete. 

The  delightful  home  of  Mr.  Imhoff  is  artistically  treat- 
ed, and  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in  the  city.  He  car- 
ried out  his  own  ideas  in  its  decoration  and  tried  to  re- 
produce_  something  of  the  style  of  the  Fatherland  in  his 
own  residence.  That  the  result  is  artistic  and  very  pleas- 
ing goes  without  saying. 

In  1891  Mr.  Imhoff  married  Matilde  Johner,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  and  Leopoldina  (Helmuth)  Johner.  Jos- 
eph Johner  was  Mr.  Imhoff's  teacher  of  painting  at  Bonn- 
dorf.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Imhoff  have  been  born  these  chil- 
dren :  Alexander,  Hubert  and  Berthold,  who  were  born 
in  Germany  and  are  now  deceased;  Rosina;  Paul,  de- 
ceased; Maria,  George  and  Katharinn.  The  family  are 
all  Catholics  and  belong  to  St.  Paul's  Catholic  church. 
In  politics  Mr.  Imhoff  is  independent,  preferring  to  vote 
for  the  best   man    rather   than   be  bound   by  party   lines. 

The  family  history  of  Mr.  Imhoff  is  rather  meagre, 
although  it  is  known  that  his  grandfather  was  Leopold 
Imhoff.  Among  the  sons  of  Leopold  Imhoff  was  Leopold 
Imhoff,  Jr.,  father  of  Berthold  Imhoff,  and  he  was  an 
Oberjager  and  lived  in  Karlsruhe.  His  wife  was  Ro-  ■ 
sina  AUgeier,  and  their  children  were :  Alexander,  Leo- 
pold, Berthold  and  Max. 

There  are  very  few  men  in  America  who  are  so  well 
fitted  by  nature  and  training  to  represent  the  true  artis- 
tic preceptions  of  the  people  as  Mr.  Imhoff.  Combined 
with  his  high  artistic  sense  of  the  true  values,  he  has  a 
thoroughly  practical  conception  of  the  requirements  of 
his  business  and  his  results  fully  justify  his  methods. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Imhoff  are  the  center  of  a  circle  of  charm- 


496 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ing  people,  whose  appreciation  of  art  and  higher  culture 
makes  them  delightful  companions,  and  the  artist  and  his 
wife  dispense  to  them  and  their  other  friends  a  delight- 
ful hospitality,  that  makes  their  home  a  favorite  gather- 
ing place.  The  young  people  are  already  displaying  in 
marked  degree  talent  in  several  directions  which  will  un- 
doubtedly be  fostered  by  their  parents  who  thoroughly 
recognize  the  value  of  careful  training  under  proper  in- 
structors. 

GEORGE  de  BENNEVILLE  KEIM,  one  of  the  dis- 
tinguished sons  of  Berks  county,  for  many  years  a  resident 
of  Philadelphia  on  account  of  his  prominent  connection 
with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad,  was  born  in 
Reading  Dec.  10,  1831.  His  father  was  Hon.  George  May 
Keim,  who  for  thirty  years  was  prominent  in  the  financial, 
industrial,  military  and  political  life  of  Reading,  in  which 
city  his  lineal  antecedents  had  been  prominent  since  1755. 

George  de  B.  Keim  received  his  preliminary  education 
in  the  local  schools  and  at  Georgetown  College,  District 
of  Columbia,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  entered  the 
sophomore  class  in  Dickinson  College,  where  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1849.  Having  become  much  interested  in  the 
subject  of  chemistry,  he  took  a  practical  course  in  the 
laboratory  of  his  first  cousin,  Dr.  Charles  M.  Wetherill, 
of  Philadelphia,  with  special  reference  to  the  analysis  of 
minerals ;  but  after  a  year's  study  in  the  laboratory  he 
decided  to  turn  his  attention  to  the  study  of  law.  He 
entered  the  office  of  Charles  Davis,  Esq.,  a  successful 
attorney  at  Reading,  with  whom  he  remained  two  years, 
and  on  April  8,  1852,  he  was  admitted  to  practice  before 
the  several  courts  of  Berks  county. 

Mr.  Keim  found  his  ability  recognized  and  almost  im- 
mediately entered  upon  busy  practice  at  Reading,  which 
continued  for  three  years,  when  his  father  induced  him  to 
remove  to  Pottsville,  in  order  to  look  after  large  interests 
in  coal  lands  in  Schuylkill  county,  which  were  owned  by 
his  father  together  with  Dr.  William  Wetherill,  Jacob  W, 
Seitzinger  and  others.  Upon  removing  to  that  place  he 
was  admitted  to  practice  before  the  courts  there  and  he 
made  a  special  study  of  coal  land  titles,  and  naturally  many 
prominent  coal  land  owners  became  his  clients,  bringing 
him  both  reputation  and  increased  emolument.  Some  years 
later  when  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company  decided 
to  control  the  coal  trade  by  securing  important  tracts  of 
land  and  organizing  a  coal  and  iron  company,  Mr.  Keim's 
comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  situation  and  recognized 
ability  were  so  highly  appreciated  that  he  was  selected  to 
be  the  company's  solicitor  for  that  section  of  territory: 
and  his  identification  with  the  company's  affairs  continued 
from  that  time,  with  increasing  prominence,  for  twenty- 
five  years. 

In  1875  he  was  appointed  general  solicitor  of  the  com- 
pany, and  as  the  offices  were  located  in  Philadelphia  he 
removed  there  with  his  family.  His  professional  services 
iri  the  management  of  the  law  department  were  of  the 
highest  order,  and  the  company  retained  him  in  this  im- 
portant position  for  eight  years,  until  1883,  when  he  was 
elevated  to  the  office  of  vice-president.  Before  and  about 
this  tirne  the  company  was  involved  in  so  many  financial 
difficulties  and  embarrassments,  that  it  was  forced  into  the 
hands  of  receivers.  Mr.  Keim  was  appointed  one  of  the 
three  receivers,  and  he  filled  the  important  position  with 
great  credit  for  four  years,  when  the  receivership  was 
terminated.  He  and  his  associates  were  highly  com- 
plimented for  their  skill,  energy  and  devotion  in  restoring 
the  solvency  of  the  company.  In  a  re-organization  of 
the  inter-related  affairs  of  the  railway  and  coal  and  iron 
company,  he  became  the  president  at  different  times,  espec- 
ially from  1881  to  1886,  and  1888  to  1891,  being  obliged 
to  retire  from  the  active  management  of  the  complicated 
affairs  of  these  two  gigantic  corporations  on  account  of 
ill  health.  In  1888  he  was  also  chosen  one  of  the  directors 
of  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  railroad,  continuing  to  serve  on 
the  board  until  his  decease  in  1893.  His  brother-in-law. 
Charles  F.  Mayer,  was  then  and  had  been  for  some  years 
president    of    that    company.      Mr.    Keim's    grandfather, 


George  de  B.  Keim,  who  for  many  years  was  a  prominent 
hardware  merchant  and  financier  of  Reading,  was  one 
of  the  incorporators  in  the  founding  and  establishing  of 
the  Pliiladelphia  &  Reading  railroad;  and  his  uncle,  Wirt 
Robinson,  was  on  the  staff  of  engineers  who  built  the 
road. 

The  criminal  prosecution  of  the  "Mollie  Maguires"  by 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad  in  the  coal  regions 
was  a  most  laborious  and  hazardous  undertaking,  and  the 
president  of  the  company,  Franklin  E.  Gowan,  Esq.,  not 
only  accomplished  a  brilliant  success  in  destroying  this 
malicious  and  nefarious  secret  society,  but  displayed  ex- 
traordinary and  well  directed  courage.  In  his  great 
endeavors  and  final  success,  Mr.  ■  Keim  was  of  much 
valuable  assistance  to  him  in  the  preparation  and  direction 
of  the  cases,  although  not  publicly  concerned  in  the  note- 
worthy trials. 

Historical  matters  relating  to  his  native  county  and  State 
received  Mr.  Keim's  early  attention.  In  1853,  shortly  after 
his  admission  to  the  bar,  he  identified  himself  with  the 
Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  and 
he  continued  in  active  membership  for  forty  years,  having 
officiated  as  first  vice-president  from  1868  until  his  death, 
a  period  covering  twenty-five  years.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution;  of  the  American  Phil- 
osophical Society;  and  he  was  one  of  the  directors  of 
the  Finance  Company  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia, 
which  he  assisted  in  re-organizing.  While  residing  at 
Reading,  from  1849  to  1855,  he  took  an  interest  in  local 
matters  and  joined  the  militia  and  the  volunteer  fire 
department.  He  was  possessed  of  a  truly  sociable  nature, 
which  he  displayed  at  all  times  in  a  straightforward,  un- 
pretentious manner.  He  was  very  fond  of  both  literature 
and  art,  and  owned  a  large  library  of  valuable  books, 
while  the  numerous  choice  paintings  which  adorned  his 
home,  at  No.  2009  De  Lancy  Place,  gave  evidence  of 
culture  and  critical  artistic  taste.  After  his  death,  Mrs. 
Keim  donated  all  of  his  Americana,  comprising  historical 
works  of  great  value  and  numbering  about  a  thousand 
volumes,  to  the  Historical  Society  of   Pennsylvania. 

In  1853  Mr.  Keim  married  Elizabeth  Cocke  Trezevant, 
only  daughter  of  Dr.  Louis  Cruger  and  Elizabeth  Marion 
(Cocke)  Trezevant,  of  Charleston,  S.  C.  The  latter  was  a 
daughter  of  BuUer  and  Elizabeth  (Barron)  Cocke.  Mrs. 
Keim's  father  was  the  only  child  of  Hon.  Louis  Treze- 
vant, a  justice  of  the  Supreme  court  of  South  Carolina,  and 
his  wife  Henrietta  Morrell  (Nethercliffe)  Trezevant,  of  Sa- 
vannah, Ga.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keim  two  daughters  were 
born  :  Julia  Mayer  and  Susan  Douglass.  The  latter  mar- 
ried William  Lyttleton  Savage,  of  Philadelphia,  son  of 
William  L.  and  Sarah   (Chauncey)    Savage. 

Mr.  Keim  died  Dec.  18,  1893,  and  his  remains  were  inter- 
red in  the  Keim  lot  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery,  Read- 
ing. His  death  elicited  many  testimonials  of  regret  and 
condolence,  which  were  highly  complimentary  to  his  life 
and  character. 

DREIBELBIS-DREIBELBIES.  *  The  early  home  of 
this  family  was  in  southeastern  Switzerland,  in  the  part 
originally  a  portion  of  the  German  Empire. 

(I)  John  Jacob  Dreibelbis  (Dreibelbies)  came  to  Ameri- 
ca from  Hannesthal,  Switzerland,  crossing  the  ocean  on 
the  ship  "Mary"  from  London,  and  landing  at  Phila- 
delphia Oct.  26,  1732.  Its  passenger  list  showed  sixty- 
nine  male  passengers  over  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty-two  women  apd  children.  It  is 
probable  that  John  Jacob  was  single.  He  used  to  say  in 
the  spring  of  the  year,  "now  the  Rhine  is  overflowing, 
because  of  the  snow  melting  on  the  Alps."  The  exact 
date  that  he  settled  in  Berks  county  is  uncertain,  but  in 
1743  he  settled  on  the  farm  located  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  east  of  Fleetwood,  now  the  property  of  Milton 
ShoUenberger.  This  farm  originally  consisted  of  157 
acres,  but  it  has  since  been  divided  into  two  farms,  one 
now  owned  by  Charles  Leibelsberger.  On  the  part  owned 
by  Mr.  ShoUenberger  John  Jacob  Dreibelbis  built  the  first 
set   of   buildings   near   a   spring  of   fine   water,   which   the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


497 


Indians  named  "Dreibelbis  ispring.*"  This  spring  and 
the  streams  in  that  vicinity  were  alive  with  brook  trout 
until  some  time  before  the  Civil  war.  Jokn  Jacob  Dreibel- 
bis was  a  farmer  and  became  a  very  extensive  land  owner. 
In  1759  he  was  the  largest  tax  payer  in  Richmond  town- 
ship, paying  a  federal  tax  of  thirty  pounds.  On  April  11, 
1752,  he  obtained  by  warrant  from  the  State  two  tracts 
ofland  located  in  Richmond  township,  Berks  county,  one 
being  for  fifty  acres  and  the  other  for  one  hundred.  On 
Feb.  3,  1753,  he  obtained  a  warrant  for  one  hundred  acres, 
and  on  April  12,  1753,  for  five  hundred  acres.  In  appear- 
ance Mr.  Dreibelbis  was  small  and  of  dark  complexion, 
with  black  eyes  and  hair,  indicating  that  he  was  of  Jewish 
extraction,  as  were  the  Kelchners,  Wanners,  Biebers  and 
one  family  of  Merkles  in  the  same  vicinity.  He  died  in 
1761.  He  married  either  a  Merkle  or  a  Rothermel,  probably 
the  first  mentioned  and  daughter  of  Georg  Merkle,  and 
his  six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  were : 
Abraham;  Martin;  Jacob;  Mary  Elizabeth  m.  John  Wan- 
ner; Mary  Magdalena  m.  (second)  Martin  Wanner;  and 
Phiiibena,  who  went  with  her  brother  Martin  to  Schuyl- 
kill Haven,  m.  William  Koch,  and  her  three  daughters 
married,  respectively,  a  Huntzinger,  a  Rausch  and  a 
Holler.  .The  last  will  and  testament  of  John  Jacob 
Dreibelbis,  made  Feb.  5,  1761,  and  probated  Feb.  21,  1761. 
is  written  in  good  English  and  is  on  record  in  Will  Book 
1,  p.  94.  To  each  of  his  three  sons  he  gave  a  farm,  and 
to  each  of  his  daughters  150  pounds  in  lawful  money.  "My 
oldest  son  Abraham  shall  have  all  that  tract  ir(  Rich- 
mond township,  157  acres."  "My  executors  shall  build 
a  house  for  my  son  Martin  on  land  given  him  lying  on 
the  Mesilm  (Moselem)  Road.  The  house  must  be  30  feet 
long  and  24  feet  wide."  "My  executors  shall  also  build 
a  house  for  my  son  Jacob,  on  land  bequested  to  him 
near  the  road  leading  from  Eastown  to  Reading."  And 
lastly  I  will  and  do  order  that  my  younger  children 
shall  be  taught  to  read  and  write."  The  will  is  signed 
by  the  testator  in  good  legible  German.  The  executors 
were  Abraham'  Dreibelbis  and  "my  loving  and  trusty 
friend  George  Merkel."  John  Jacob  Dreibelbis  was  buried 
in  a  private  graveyard  on  the  Shollenberger  farm.  He 
has  no  tombstone,  but  his  grandson  Daniel  who  is  also 
buried  there  has  a  marble  tombstone.  A  number  of  the 
early  members  of  the  family  are  buried  in  this  neglected 
spot. 

(II)  Abraham  Dreibelbis,  eldest  son  of  John  Jacob, 
was  born  about  1749,  and  died  in  December,  1803,  and 
is  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  as  his  father.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  on  the  homestead,  and  at  his  death 
left  a  large  estate.  By  his  wife,  Ahna  Margaret,  he  had 
six  children:  Daniel  obtained  the  homestead;  Abraham  ob- 
tained the  grist  mill;  Peter  received  300  pounds  gold 
and  silver  money;  Maria  Barbara  married  John  Haak; 
Isaac  and  Joseph.  The  last  three — Maria  Barbara,  Isaac 
and  Joseph — were  each  bequeathed  900  pounds  of  money. 

(III)  Joseph  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Abraham  and  Anna 
Margaret,  lived  in  the  hills  about  Fleetwood.  He  died 
at  Fleetwood,  and  is  buried  in  the  Dreibelbis  private  bur- 
ial ground.  His  children  were:  Daniel,  Abraham,  Reuben, 
Isaac,  Rebecca,  Susan,   Stephen  and  Mary. 

(IV)  Daniel  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Joseph,  had  a  small 
farm  in  Ruscombmanor  township,  on  which  he  lived.  He 
is  btft-ied  at  Friedensburg.  He  married  Sarah  Heater, 
who  bore  him  nine  sons  and  two  daughters,  as  follows : 
Joel,  Isaac,  James,  Orlando,  Jonathan,  Daniel,  Ephraim, 
Solomon,  Samuel,  Luzetta  and  Lizzie. 

(V)  Isaac  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah,  was 
born  Jan.  9,  1839.  He  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  lives 
in  Rockland  township,  Berks  county,  near  where  Oley, 
Ruscombmanor  and  Rockland  townships  meet.  In  1859 
he  married  Hannah  Heck,  and  their  children  were:  Isaac 
H.,  Katie,  Mary,  Lydia,  Annie,  Louisa  and  four  that  died 
young. 

(VI)  Isaac  H.  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Isaac  and  Hannah,  was 
born  at  Fleetwood,  Oct.  10,  1864,  and' is  now  a  successful 
business  man  in  Reading.  In  1895  he  married  Mary  Kate 
Bernhard,  widow  of  Thomas  Leinbach,  and  they  have 
one  son,   Isaac  Franklin. 

32 


(II)  Martin  Dreibelbies,  second  son  of  John  Jacob,  was 
born  in  "Mosselem"  in  Richmond  township,  Oct.  5, 
1751,  and  died  at  Schuylkill  Haven,  Pa.,  in  1799.  In 
1775  he  moved  to  Manheim  township  across  the  Blue 
Mountains  in  Schuylkill  county  (then  Berks),  where  he 
was  the  founder  of  Schuylkill  Haven.  He  opened  up 
many  enterprises  and  became  very  prominent.  He  mar- 
ried Catharine,  daughter  George  Markel  '  (Merkel),  of 
Richmond  township,  and  their  children  were :  Jacob  m. 
Margaret  Mush ;  Daniel  m.  Christina  Leise ;  George  _  m. 
Mary  Magdalena  Weber;  Mary  m.  Jeremiah  Reed;  Eliza- 
beth m.  John  Hughes;  Catharine  m.  Michael  Moser;  Re- 
becca never  married;  and  Christina  m.  Benjamin  Pott, 
founder  of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania. 

(III)  George  Dreibelbies,  son  of  Martin,  married  Mary 
Magdalena  Weber  (or  Weaver),  who  lived  to  the  age  of 
eighty-eight  years.  He  is  thought  to  have  died  in  young 
manhood,  and  it  is  probable  that  both  are  buried  at  Friedens 
Reformed  Church,  on  the  banks  of  the  Little  Schuylkill, 
where  many  of  their  descendants  are  also  buried.  Among 
their  children  was  a  son  George. 

(IV)  George  Dreibelbies,  son  of  George  and  Mary  Mag- 
dalena, was  born  June  1,  1808.  He  married  Anna  Heisler 
(also  spelled  Heysler),  a  sister  of  Rev.  Daniel  Yost  Heis- 
ler, D.  D.  (the  latter  an  intimate  friend  of  Dr.  Henry 
Harbaugh).  Mrs.  Dreibelbies  was  born  March  20,  1810, 
and  she  became  the  mother  of  fifteen  children:  The  eldest 
died  at  birth  Jan.  10,  1829;  the  second,  born  Oct.  7,  1830, 
lived  but  three  hours ;  George  Washington,  born  Oct.  6, 
1831;  Maria  Carolina,  Aug.  28,  1833;  Sarah,  May  2,  1835; 
Daniel,  Feb.  10,  1837  (lived  in  Kansas)  ;  Rebecca,  Aug.  1, 
1838  (m.  Daniel  Freeman,  of  New  Ringgold)  ;  Jacob  Ed- 
ward, Feb.  15,  1840;  Lewis  Martin,  Sept.  7,  1841;  Catha- 
rine Maria,  Oct.  7,  1843;  William  H.,  Oct.  1',  1844;  Ben- 
jamin F.,  March  25,  1846;  Joseph,  April  17,  1848;  Alfred 
H.,  July  12,  1850;  and  Sarah  Louise,  Oct.  24,  1851. 

(V)  George  Washington  Dreibelbies,  son  of  George 
and  Anna,  born  Oct.  6,  1831,  married  Rebecca  Sassaman, 
of  East  Brunswick  township,  Schuylkill  county.  They 
had  three  children :  Henry,  of  New  Ringgold,  Pa. ;  Cor- 
dilia   (Nester),  of  Geneva,  N.  Y. ;  and  Mary  (Bachman). 

(V)  Jacob  Edward  Dreibelbies,  son  of  George  and 
Anna,  born  Feb.  15,  1840,  now  lives  at  Lehighton,  Pa.,_  to 
which  place  he  removed  after  the  death  of  his  wife, 
March  7,  1872.  He  is  a  tanner  by  trade,  and  his  appren- 
ticeship was  served  at  New  Ringgold.  When  the  Rebellion 
broke  out  he  enlisted  from  or  near  there.  On  his  re- 
turn from  the  service  he  married,  and  settled  at  Tama- 
qua.  Pa.,  working  in  what  is  known  as  the  Anderline 
tannery.  His  -wife  was  Catherine  Bankes,  daughter  of 
Andrew  and  Katharine  (Paul)  Bankes,  of  what  was  popu- 
larly called  "Es  Rothe  Thai" — the  Red  Valley — ^below 
New  Ringgold.  The  branch  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad 
leading  from'  Lizard  Creek  Junction  to  Pottsville  goes 
through  the  old  home.  They  had  children  as  follows : 
Rev.  George  A. ;  Ambrose  Eldrid,  of  Lehighton,  Pa. ; 
Carrie  Joanna,  a  foreign  missionary;  Lewis  Daniel,  of 
Perth  Amboy,  N.  J.;  and  Mary  Elizabeth,  who  married 
Thomas  C.  Catelle,  of  Wilmington,  Delaware. 

(VI)  Rev.  George  A.  Dreibelbies,  son  of  Jacob 
Edward  and  Catherine,  was  born  at  Tamaqua,  Pa.,  Oct. 
14,  1862,  and  is  now  located  at  Shanesville,  Tuscarawas 
Co.,  Ohio.  His  early  boyhood  was  passed  in  his  native 
place,  and  there  he  received  his  first  schooling.  He  was 
but  nine  when  his  mother  died  and  was  buried  at  New 
Ringgold,  and  his  father  removed  to  Lehighton.  Young 
George  was  placed  with  the  David  Wertman  family  for 
board  and  clothing,  and  they  sent  him  to  a  neighboring 
school  taught  by  teachers  Greenawald,  Reedy,  Steiger- 
wald,  the  first  two  coming  from  the  south  side  of  Blue 
Mountains,  Heidelberg  and  Stein's  Corner.  (He  remem- 
bers his  benefactors  with  gratitude,  and  he  called  them 
always  "Father"  and  "Mother."  Mr.  Dreibelbies  worked 
for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  three  years,  and  then 
returned  to  the  Wertman  home  and  began  teaching  school 
and  preparing  for  college.  His  first  select  school  was 
Myerstown  Academy,  during  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Will- 
iam C.  Schaeffer,  and  he  then  entered  Franklin  and  Mar- 


498 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


shall  College,  Lancaster,  graduating  in  June,  1890.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Lan- 
caster, and  was  graduated  therefrom  in  May,  1893.  That 
spring  he  was  licensed  and  examined  by  the  Lehigh  Classis, 
which  convened  in  Lehighton.  Immediately  after  he  was 
licensed  he  received  a  call  to  the  Caroline  Charge,  Heidel- 
berg Classis,  Central  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church. 
He  served  this  charge  with  great  satisfaction  twenty- 
three  months,  when  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  com- 
missioned him  to  go  to  the  Paulding  Mission  in 
Paulding  county,  Ohio.  In  June,  1895,  he  moved  there, 
and  on  Sept.  9,  1896,  his  wife  Amanda  died.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  Wehr,  of  Sittlers,  Schuylkill  Co., 
Pa.  About  two  years  later  he  married  (second)  Orpha 
Arwilda  Klingler,  daughter  of  Adam  F.  Klingler,  of 
South  Whitley,  Ind.,  and  they  have  had  children :  Louisa 
Henrietta,  Adam  Jacob,  Helen  Matilda,  and  George  Mi- 
chael (born  Nov.  16,  1906,  died  March  23,  1908).  Since 
1899  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dreibelbies  has  been  pastor  of  the 
Shanesville,  Ohio,  charge,  of  St.  John's  Classis,  Central 
Synod.  He  is  a  broad  minded.  Christian  gentleman,  and 
is  kindly  and  benevolent. 

(VI)  Ambrose  Eldeid  Dkeibelbies,  second  son  of 
Jacob  E.  and  Catherine  (Bankes)  Dreibelbies,  was 
born  in  New  Ringgold,  Schuylkill  county,  July  16,  1864. 
His  boyhood  days  were  spent  at  Tamaqua  and  Lehighton. 
When  but  a  lad  of  ten  years  he  left  home,  and  secured 
employment  with  Thomas  Wehr,  a  farmer  in  West  Penn 
township,  Schuylkill  county,  where  he  attended  the 
township  school,  and  this  with  the  public  schools  of  Tama- 
,qua  and  Lehighton  afforded  him  his  educational  priv- 
ileges. In  September,  1880,  he  left  the  farm  and  se- 
cured a  position  as  clerk  with  William  Kemerer,  in  the 
general  store  business  at  Lehighton,  which  position  he 
held  for  eight  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  being  com- 
pelled to  leave  on  account  of  failing  health.  Next  he 
secured  a  position  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  com- 
pany in  their  coal  forwarding  offices  at  Packerton,  where 
he  held  a  responsible  position  for  a  period  of  twelve 
years,  again  leaving  on  account  of  ill  health.  In  September, 
1900,  he  accepted  a  position  as  traveling  salesman  for 
the  wholesale  fruit  and  produce  house  of  O.  J.  Saeger, 
Lehighton,  and  this  position  he  holds  at  present  writing. 
Politically  Mr.  Dreibelbies  is  a  Prohibitionist,  and  has  been 
nominated  by  his  party  for  sheriff,  member  of  the  State 
Legislature  and  of  Congress.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Lehighton,  which 
he  joined  when  a  young  man  seventeen  years  of  age, 
and  has  been  a  zealous  member  ever  since.  He  is  a  popu- 
lar local  preacher,  and  has  served  his  church  in  official 
capacity  for  many  years,  on  the  board  of  trustees,  of 
which  he  was  Secretary  and  Treasurer ;  and  has  served 
on  the  board  of  stewards  for  twenty-one  years  consecu- 
tively and  is  the  recording  steward.  He  is  serving  his 
eighth  year  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  On 
March  14,  1885,  Mr.  Dreibelbies  married  Miss  Emma  Ame- 
lia Kemerer,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Lucinda  Kemerer  of 
Lehighton.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  them,  two  sons 
and  four  daughters.  Wilm.er  Clayton,  a  student  at  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  Philadelphia;  Warren  Hilbert,  a 
salesman  in  the  large  dry  goods  store  of  C.  A.  Rex  at 
Mauch  Chunk,  Pa.;  May  Ethel,  deceased;  Martin  Lo- 
raine;    Bertha   Katherine   and   Carrie   Evelyn. 

(VI)  Carete  J.  Dreibelbtes,  daughter  of  Jacob  Ed- 
ward and  Catherine  (Bankes),  was  born  in  New  Ring- 
gold, Schuylkill  county.  After  the  removal  of  the  family 
to  Lehighton,  Carbon  Co.,  Pa.,  she  there  attended  public 
school.  In  1890  she  entered  upon  home  mission  work 
in  Philadelphia  and  other  cities ;  and  in  1895  entered  the 
Union  Missionary  Training  Institute,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
where  she  took  a  four  years  course,  and  graduated 
in  the  spring  of  1899.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year 
she  sailed  for  China  to  enter  the  foreign  missionary 
work,  being  appointed  by  the  Womans  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  of  the  Methodist  church  to  go  to  Kiukiang,  China. 
In  the  summer  of  1900  vi'ith  other  missionaries  she  was 
driven  out  by  the  Boxer  uprising,  and  went  to  Nagasaki 


for  seven  months,  at  the  end  of  that  time  returning  to  Kiu- 
kiang, In  1902  she  adopted  a  Chinese  baby  girl,  eight  days 
old,  according  to  Chinese  laws.  In  the  spring  of  1905,  she 
returned  to  America  on  furlough  and  brought  the  little 
girl  with  her,  and  the  next  year  (1906)  secured  papers 
of  adoption  for  her  in  the  court  of  common  pleas 
of  Carbon  county,  Pa.,  naming  her  Mary  Elizabeth  Dreibel- 
bies. In  August,  1906,  Miss  Dreibelbies  was  appointed 
bv  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States  to  return  to  China,  and  take 
up  work  at  Yochow,  in  the  Province  of  Hunan.  She 
sailed  in  the  autumn  and  lived  there  one  year,  when  fail- 
ing health  obliged  her  to  return  to  America. 

(VI)  Lewis  Daniel  Dreibelbies,  son  of  Jacob  Edward 
and  Catherine,  was  born  at  Tamaqua,  Pa.,  July  6,  1868. 
He  married  Florence  Koons,  of  Lehighton,  Pa.,  and  they 
had  one  son,  Edward  Thomas,  born  at  Lehighton.  Pa., 
Sept.  28.  1894.  Mr.  Dreibelbies  moved  to  Perth  Amboy, 
N.  J.,  Nov.  1,  1898.     His  wife  died  April  29,  1907. 

(V)  William  H.  Deeibelbies,  son  of  George  Dreibelbies 
and  Anna  (Heisler),  was  born  at  New  Ringgold,  Pa., 
Oct.  1,  1844.  His  youthful  years  were  spent  around  his 
native  place.  When  the  Rebellion  broke  out  he  enlisted 
in  1861  in  Company  H;,  48th  Pa.  V.  I.,  and  came  home 
in  1865  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  worked  in  New 
Ringgold  until  1869,  when  he  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
where  he  obtained  work  with  the  Standard  Oil  Company, 
continuing  with  that  company  twenty-eight  years.  He 
is  now  living  retired  in  Cleveland.  On  Oct.  29,  1870  he 
married  Mary  McNannie.  Five  children  were  born  to 
them :  William,  July  29,  1871  (deceased)  ;  Mabel,  June 
26.  1874;  Emma,  July  21,  1876  (deceased);  Isabel!,  Jan. 
22,  1879;  George,  Dec.  3.  1880  (deceased).  Mabel  m. 
George  Stebner ;  and  Isabell  m.  Sylvester  Hubbell. 

(V)  Alfeed  H.  Deeibelbies,  son  of  Georgfc  and  Anna 
(Heisler),  was  born  at  Ringgold,  Schuylkill  Co.,  Pa., 
July  12.  1850.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  at  that  place.  His  first  work  was  carrying  water 
for  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railway  Co.  at  Ringgold. 
He  then  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  with  the  same  com- 
pany, and  this  trade  he  followed  for  twelve  years.  For 
four  years  he  was  engaged  in  bridge  building  for  the 
same  company,  and  one  and  one-half  years  was  brakeman. 
For  ii  period  of  thirty-five  years  he  was  employed  by  this 
same  company,  part  of  the  time  as-  special  police.  In 
1871  he  came  to  Reading,  and  in  1876  was  followed  by 
his  family.  In  1894  he  became  an  employe  of  the  United 
Traction  Company,  as  motorman,  on  the  Perkiomen  divis- 
ion, and  this  position  he  continues  to  hold.  In  1871  he 
married  Molly  A.  Slouch,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Caro- 
line (Boyer)  Slouch,  of  Ringgold.  She  died  Aug.  27,  1900, 
and  is  buried  in  the  family  lot  in  the  Charles  Evans  ceme- 
tery, Reading.  Their  children  were ;  Esther,  born  Nov.  15, 
1872,  died  young;  Louis  M.  C,  born  Jan.  11,  1874, 
died  young;  Annie  L.  E,,  born  March  2,  1876,  keeps  house 
for  her  father;  Bessie  M.,  born  June  15,  1879,  died  young; 
Barbara  R.,  born  July  31,  1880,  died  young;  and  Amos  A., 
born  July  19,  1882.  Harry  S.  Brobst,  a  nephew  of  Mr. 
Dreibelbies,  also  makes  his  home  with  this  family;  he.  too. 
is  an  employe  of  the  United  Traction  Company.  Mr.  Drei- 
belbies is  a  member  of  the  Salome  Lodge,  No.  105,  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  of  Reading;  Encampment  No.  52,  of  the  same  grder; 
Castle  No.  63,  K.  G.  E. ;  Lodge  No.  301,  Red  Men;  and 
the  Relief  Association  of  the  United  Traction  Company. 
His  religious  connection  is  with  St.  Luke's  Lutheran 
Church  of  Reading. 


(II)  Jacob  Dreibelbis,  son  of  John  Jacob,  was  born 
in  Richmond  township,  on  the  original  Dreibelbis  home- 
stead, May  9,  1754,  and  died  April  19,  1831.  Pie  was 
reared  to  manhood  on  the  farm  near  Fleetwood,  and  lived 
there  until  his  marriage.  On  Oct.  2,  1778,  he  bought  a 
farm  from  his  father-in-law,  George  Merkel,  located  at 
Virginville,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Ontelaunee,  which 
Mr.  Merkel  had  purchased  because  of  the  heavy  timber 
upon^  it._  This  tract  then  consisted  of  247  acres  of  land, 
and   it   is   now   owned   by  his   grandson,   Joel   Dreibelbis. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


499 


Here  in  1787  he  built  a  log  house,  and  this  served  three 
generations  of  the  family.  It  was  torn  down  in  1868, 
and  its  site  is  now  occupied  by  the  large  brick  residence 
built  in  that  year  by  Joel  Dreibelbis.  In  1809  the  barn 
was  destroyed  by  lightning,  and  the  one  that  was  erected 
in  its  stead  stood  until  1884,  when  it  was  replaced  by  a 
modern  barn.  This  new  barn  was  destroyed  by  fire  Aug. 
3,  1908,  with  all  the  year's  crops,  causing  a  heavy  loss. 
A  modern  barn  was  rebuilt  the  same  year.  The  heavy 
timber  was  bought  along  the  southern  Atlantic  coast.  The 
land  that  George  Merkel  sold  in  1778  to  his  son-in-law 
Jacob  Dreibelbis,  he  bought  in  1760  from  William,  Joshua, 
Jeremiah  and  Hezekiah  Boone,  sons  and  executors  of 
George  Boone.  G«orge  Boone  on  Jan.  4,  1734,  obtained 
from  the  lawful  heirs  of  William  Penn— John,  Thomas 
and  Richard  Penn— a  tract  of  8004  acres  on  the  Ontelaunee, 
and  the  land  purchased  by  Jacob  Dreibelbis  from  George 
Merkel  was  a  part  of  this  tract.  In  1809  Jacob  Dreibel- 
bis built  the  large  stone  store  building  in  Virginville.  This 
building  is  35  x  45  feet,  two  and  one-half  stories  high. 
The  land  on  which  Virginville  is  built  was  all  embraced 
in  the  Dreibelbis  acreage,  which  included  also  part  of  the 
land  now  owned  by  the  Aug.  Dreibelbis  estate,  Jacob 
Dreibelbis  (of  the  Fifth  generation)  and  part  of  the  land 
of  Orlando  Driebelbis.  The  Virginville  store  building 
is  the  only  building  built  by  Jacob  that  is  still  standing, 
and  it  has  always  been  used  as  a  mercantile  house,  and 
it  has  never  been  out  of  the  family  name,  being  now 
owned  by  George  A.  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Joel.  In  1777 
Jacob  Dreibelbis  married  Mary  Magdalena  Merkel,  born 
Nov.  22,  1759,  daughter  of  George  and  Christina  Merkel, 
and  died  July  3,  1832,  after  a  married  life  of  fifty-four 
years.  They  had  eleven  children,  forty-five  grandchildren 
and  eight  great-grandchildren.  Their  children  were: 
Hannah,  born  Aug.  23,  1778,  m.  Jacob  Dunkel,  and  died 
March  27,  1845;  Esther,  born  Dec.  24,  1779  m.  Michael 
Dunkel,  brother  of  Jacob,  and  died  Jan.  21,  1875;  Jacob, 
born  Feb.  23,  1785,  died  May  6,  1857;  Joh;i,  born  July 
.22  1787,  died  Oct.  8,  1847;  Molly,  born  Sept.  27,  1789,  ra. 
John  Berned,  and  died  Sept.  17,  1873;  Samuel,  born  1792, 
died  1876;  William,  born  Nov.  14,  1793,  died  Sept.  18, 
1869;  Elizabeth,  born  Nov.  7,  1797.  died  May  3,  1861; 
David,  born  March  14,  1802,  died  Nov.  9,.  1886 ;  and  two 
died  young.  Jacob  Dreibelbis  and  his  children  were  mem- 
bers of  the  German  Reformed  congregation  of  Richmond 
township,  and  he  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  adjoining  St. 
Peter's  Church.  He  was  a  foremost  member  of  this 
church,  and  served  as  an  official.  In  1809  he  was  a 
member  of  the  building  committee  that  erected  the  third 
building  at  that  place.  In  1815  he  served  in  the  General 
Assembly  from  Berks  county,  and  in  1780  he  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolution.  He  was  one  of  the  early  residents 
along  the  Ontelaunee,  purchasing  his  land  for  the  ex- 
cellent timber  and  very  fine  water  there. 

(Ill)  Jacob  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  in  Rich- 
mond township,  on  the  old  homestead,  Feb.  23,  1785,  and 
died  May  6,  1857.  He  was  a  life  long  farmer,  and  was  a 
very  prominent  man.  He  was  tall,  well  built  and  very 
strong.  When  but  eighteen  years  old  he  was  elected  a 
captain  in  the  State  Militia,  an  office  he  filled  very  ef- 
ficiently for  twenty-seven  years,  when  he  became  disquali- 
fied by  age.  He  was  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  German  Re- 
formed congregation,  and  did  substantial  service  in  the 
erection  of  the  church  in  1809.  The  remains  of  both 
himself  and  wife  rest  in  the  cemetery  adjoining  this 
church.  For  many  years  he  served  as  township  super- 
visor, and  during  the  war  of  1812  rendered  valuable  ser- 
vice to  his  government.  On  Jan.  31,  1813,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Heffner,  born  July  7,  1792,  daughter  of  George 
and  Magdalena  (Hummel)  Heffner,  of  Greenwich  town- 
ship, and  she  died  March  11,  1873.  To  this  union  were 
born  five  sons  and  five  daughters:  Mary,  born  in  1813, 
died  June  12,  1886,  m.  Samuel  Heinly,  and  had  children — 
Marie  E.,  Florenda,  Catharine,  Esther,  Amelia,  Theresa 
and  Enoch  J.;  George,  born  July  20,  1815,  died  Jan.  13, 
1835,   unmarried;   Jacob,  born  May  1,   1817,   died  Jan.   8, 


1841,  m.  Elizabeth  Fegley,  and  had  a  son — Samuel;  Simon, 
born  May  1,  1819,  died  May  30,  1890,  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Peter,  born  March  14,  1821,  died  April  28,  1889,  m. 
Elizabeth  Lesher  (still  living),  and  had  children — Sarah 
and  Rev.  Emanuel  L.  (a  Lutheran  minister  at  Melrose,  N. 
Y.)  ;  Elizabeth,  born  Aug.  8,  1824,  died  aged  forty-five 
years,  m.  Henry  Sunday,  of  Tilden  township,  and  had 
children — John,  William  and  Henry;  Joel  is  mentioned 
below;  Esther,  born  Nov.  24.  1839,  died  Oct.  29,  1871, 
m.  Joseph  Raubenhold,  of  Hamburg,  and  had  children — 
Peter,  Amanda,  Amelia,  George,  Mary,  Alice  and  Wil- 
liam; Salome,  born  1832,  died  1907,  m.  Charles  Levan,  of 
Maxatawny  township,  and  had  children — Susan,  Jacob, 
Salome,  Nicholas  and  Henry;  and  Hannah,  born  July 
6,  1834,  died  Sept.  9,  1855,  m.  William  Heinly,  of  Green- 
wich   township,   and   had   one   son — ^Jefferson. 

(IV)  Simon  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth, 
was  born  in  Richmond  township  May  1,  1819,  and  died 
May  30,  1890.  He  married  Leah  Strasser,  daughter  of 
Conrad  and  Rosina  (Hummel)  Strasser,  and  they  had 
four  children :  Alfred,  born  Sept.  25,  1843 ;  Cleophas 
S.;  Rolandus,  born  June  16,  1849,  m.  (first)  Elizabeth 
Dietrich,  and  (second)  Nora  Luckenbill;  and  Simon  P., 
born  March  9,  1856,  m.  Rosa  Kramer.  Simon  Dreibelbis 
the  father  worked  for  his  father  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  later  from  1840  until  1890,  kept  a  hotel  in  Virgin- 
ville, Perry  township,  continuing  to  conduct  his  136-acre 
farm  in  conjunction  therewith. 

(V)  Cleophas  S.  Dreibelbis,  a  successful  business  man 
of  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  who  is  engaged  in  milling  and  farming 
near  Shoemakersville,  in  Perry  township,  was  born  March 
2,  1846,  in  Richmond  township,  on  one  of  the  Dreibelbis 
homesteads,  son  of  Simon  and  Leah  (Strasser)  Dreibel- 
bis. His  educational  advantages  were  rather  limited, 
being  confined  to  the  public  schools  of  his  district,  and 
but  a  few  terms  there.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years 
he  commenced  to  help  his  father  on  the  home  farm,  and 
this  he  faithfully  continued  until  thirty  years  old.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  hauled  mine  ore  in  dull  seasons,  and 
in  the  winter  months  would  go  butchering  among  the 
farmers.  His  territory  covered  a  large  radius  of  miles 
and  his  services  were  always  at  a  premium.  In  1884  Mr. 
Dreibelbis  began  farming  for  himself  on  his  father's  farm 
consisting  of  141  acres  of  land  near  Shoemakersville,  Pa. 
This  farm  he  purchased  from  his  father,  and  some  years 
later  added  twenty  adjoining  acres,  and  this  large  property 
he  has  greatly  improved  by  fertilizing  the  soil  and  by 
rebuilding  the  large  Swiss  barn,  which  was  struck  by 
lightning  and  damaged  in  1897;  by  renovating  and  en- 
larging the  house,  and  by  enlarging  the  mill  and  supply- 
ing it  with  improved  machinery.  He  is  the  manufacturer 
of  the  "Straight  Winter"  and  "Blended  30  per  cent 
Spring"  flour,  which  are  superior  brands  and  are  sold  in  all 
the  large  cities  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  country.  He 
also  manufactures  a  superior  brand  of  corn  meal  and 
buckwheat  flour,  which  he  sends  into  all  of  the  populous 
places  of  the  East  and  to  Canada.  Mr.  Dreibelbis  is  an 
ideal  farmer  and  has  made  his  business  a  paying  industry. 
He  has  applied  in  practice  the  valuable  hints  and  advice 
of  that  great  agriculturist,  the  Rev.  J.  D.  Dietrich  of 
Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  and  has  been  materially  benefited 
by  the  latter's  lectures.  Mr.  Dreibelbis  has  a  fine  dairy 
of  thirty-five  cows.  He  understands  cattle  and  the  feed- 
ing of  them,  having  two  silos  which  he  fills  annually  with 
cut  corn  with  the  stalks.  His  milk  is  shipped  daily  to 
Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county,  and  his  milk  receipts  amount 
annually  to  more  than  $2,500;  before  he  had  silos  the  re- 
ceipts were  only  about  $800  annually.  Mr.  Dreibelbis  is  an 
enthusiast  on  the  modern  methods  and  principles  of  farm- 
ing. Since  1873  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Industrial 
Grange  No.  29,  of  Shoemakersville,  and  has  been  delegate 
to  many  State  conventions  of  that  body.  In  politics  Mr. 
Dreibelbis  is  a  Jeffersonian  Democrat.  He  was  elected  school 
director  of  his  township  for  twelve  successive  terms  and 
eleven  years  was  secretary  of  the  board,  materially  benefit- 
ing the  schools  of  his  district  by  faithful  and  efficient  ser- 
vice, but  refused  re-election,  feeling  that  he  had  done  his 


500 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


full  duty  in  that  line.  He  was  county  committeeman  for 
one  year  in  his  township,  and  has  attended  a  number  of  con- 
ventions in  the  capacity  of  delegate.  He  is  a  thoroughly 
honest  man,  who  by  hard,  incessant  labor  has  accumulated 
a  comfortable  fortune,  and  his  many  acts  of  neighborly 
kindness  have  made  him  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 
He  is  a  member  of  Zion's  Union  Church  of  Perry  town- 
ship, belonging  to  the  Reformed  denomination,  and  has 
served  as  deacon  and  trustee  thereof.  Mr.  Dreibelbis  has 
been  twice  married.  On  Dec.  21,  1867,  he  m.  Catherine 
Anna  Wartzenluft,  by  whom  he  had  children:  J.  Carolus, 
born  Feb.  28.  1869,  m.  Mary  Egolf;  Samuel  M.,  born  May 
30,  1870,  died  in  infancy;  Ellen  S.,  born  Feb.  22,  1872,  m. 
Henry  Miller;  Simon  D.,  born  March  1,  1874,  died  an  ac- 
cidental death  aged  eighteen  years,  eight  months,  three 
days;  Catherine  R.,  born  Sept.  26,  1876,  m.  Chester  Bauer; 
and  Daniel  C,  born  Dec.  11,  1877,  m.  in  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
after  returning  from  the  Cuban  and  Philippine  wars.  Mrs. 
Dreibelbis  died  of  typhoid  fever  Aug.  31,  1878,  aged  thirty- 
one  years.  Mr.  Dreibelbis  m.  (second)  March  16,  1880, 
Martha  Anna  Noll,  daughter  of  Henry  Noll,  and  they 
have  these  children;  William  H.,  born  Dec.  2,  1880,  m. 
Dina  Rothermel;  Israel  W.,  born  May  14,  1883,  died  in 
infancy;  and  Charles  B.,  born  Oct.  14,  1884,  Sarah  A.,  born 
Feb.  7,  1887,  and  John  J.,  born  June  14,  1889,  are  at  home. 


(IV)  Joel  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  Dec.  22, 
1826,  at  Virginville,  and  is  one  of  the  representative  men 
of  northern  Berks  county,  and  despite  his  advanced  years 
is  still  active  in  mind  and  body.    He  is  well  posted  on  relig- 
ion, politics  and  public  events.     He  has  given  a  great  deal 
of  attention  to  archaeological  studies,  and  has  one  of  the 
finest  complete  collections  of  Indian  relics  in  the  county, 
consisting  of  arrow  heads,  spear  heads,  drills,  axes,  toma- 
hawks, jasper  blades,  knives,  beads,  pestles,  spades,  badges, 
turtlebacks  and  all  kinds  of  working  implements  for  sowing, 
boring,  cutting,   etc.     This  valuable  collection  consists  of 
about  15,000  specimens,  of  which  800  are  hammers.     This 
collection  is  especially  interesting  to  its  owner  because  he 
and  other  members  of  his  own  family  collected  them  all  on 
his  own  property.     The  country  about  Virginville  was   a 
densely  populated  Indian  settlement  and  the  home  of  the 
chief  of  the   Sacunk  tribe.     Since  Mr.   Dreibelbis  became 
interested  in  the  relics  more  than  40.000  have  been  gathered 
on  his  farm.    The  more  valuable  specimens  in  his  collection 
his  daughter.  Miss  Hannah  Blandina,  has  neatly  arranged 
in    drawers    and    cabinets,    while    the    small    ones    repose 
in  frames  which  decorate  Mr.  Dreibelbis's  study.     During 
1907  and  1908  the  local  and  metropolitan  press  wrote  and 
published   descriptions   and  photographs  of  the  collection. 
Mr.  Dreibelbis  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  obtain- 
ing his   early  education   in  the   German   and   English   pay 
schools  of  his  vicinity.    In  1847  his  father  sent  him  to,  near 
Lewisburg,  in  Union  county,  to  become  proficient  in  the 
English  language.     There  he  remained   for  two  and  one- 
half  years,  living  with  a  relative  of  his  mother.     Returning 
then  to  Berks  county  he  worked  on  his   father's   farm  in 
the  summer,  and  taught  school.     In  1850  when  the  public 
school    system    was    established    in    Greenwich    township, 
he  was  one  of  its  first  teachers,  serving  there  three  years 
,  with    high    efficiency.      In    1853    when    his    own    township 
adopted   the   free   school   system,   he  became   a  teacher  at 
Kerchner's    where    he    taught    two    terms.      In    1855    Mr. 
Dreibelbis  began  farming  on  his  father's  farm,  continuing 
it  two  years  as  a  tenant  when  his  father  died.     At  the  ap- 
praisement of  his   father's  estate  he  took  the  homestead, 
and   continued    farming   successfully   until    1890.     He   has 
been  one  of  the  first  farmers  to  adopt  new  machinery,  and 
his  mower  and  reaper  were  among  the  first  seen  in  this 
locality.^    His   farm  is  located   one-quarter  mile  south   of 
Virginville,  and  consists  of  180  acres.     His  premises  are 
supplied  with  an  abundance  of  fruit  and  grapes,  excellent 
spring  and   well  water,   twelve   substantial   buildings,   etc. 
The  farm  forms  almost  a  perfect  square,  the  western  side 
of  which  is  bounded  by  the  Ontelaunee.     Thirty-two  acres 
of  the  original  tract  lie  on  the  west  side  of  the  Ontelaunee. 
This  tract  is  now  owned  by  John  Schucker,  a  son-in-law 


of  Joel  Dreibelbis.  On  this  farm  is  "Dreibelbis  Cave" 
which  was  discovered  in  1873,  and  in  1907  was  explored 
to  the  depth  of  340  feet,  by  William  J.  Dietrich,  who  re- 
corded a  full  description  of  it  in  a  paper  read  before  the 
Berks  County  Historical  Society  in  1907.  The  100-foot 
Swiss  barn  built  in  1884,  was  destroyed  by  fire  Aug.  3, 
1908,  with  all  its  contents,  and  was  rebuilt  the  same  year. 
,One  of  Mr.  Dreibelbis's.  favorite  pastimes  is  fishing,  and 
he  spends  many  hours  during  the  season  along  the  On- 
telaunee and  Maiden  creek.  His  daughter,  Miss  Hannah 
Blandina,  has  saved  the  jaws  of  1000  chubs  and  suckers, 
and  by  a  process  cleaned  therp,  and  has  tastefully  ar- 
ranged them  in  various  designs  on  velvet,  making  frames 
of  different  sizes,  and  these  have  been  much  admired  by 
the  many  visitors  to  her  home.  Mr.  Dreibelbis  and  his 
family  are  members  of  St.  Peter's  German  Reformed  Con- 
gregation of  Richmond  township,  and  the  family  burial 
lot  is  in  the  cemetery  adjoining.  During  the  erection  of 
the  present  church  edifice  in  1890,  no  one  contributed  more 
liberally  of  time  and  means  than  Mr.  Dreibelbis.  He 
was  deacon  and  trustee  of  the  church,  and  served  on  the 
building  committee.  For  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury he  was  an  elder.  The  large  bell  in  the  steeple  of  the 
church  bears  the  following  inscription :  "Donated  by  Joel 
Dreibelbis  to  the  German  Reformed  Congregation  of  St. 
Peter's  Church  in  Richmond  township,  in  1904."  Mr. 
Dreibelbis  has  also  been  liberal  in  his  contributions  to  the 
United  Evangelical  Church  in  Virginville. 

In  October,  1853,  Mr.  Dreibelbis  married  Elizabeth 
Deisher,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Annie  (Schwoyer)  Deish- 
er,  and  this  union  was  blessed  with  the  following  children : 
Jefferson  m.  Ella  Miller;  Jacob  D.  m.  Hettie  A.  Leiby; 
Maria  m.  Lewis  Adam;  Lovina  m.  John  Schucker;  Stella 
m.  Lewis  Gehret;  Louisa  died  in  1879,  aged  thirteen  years; 
George  A.;  and  Miss  Hannah  Blandina,  who  ministers  to 
the  comfort  and  happiness  of  her  aged  father.  In  politics 
Mr.  Dreibelbis  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  seldom  missed  an 
election.  He  served  Richmond  township  as  an  auditor, 
school  director,  supervisor,  and  justice  of  the  peace.  In 
the  latter  office  he  served  twenty-five  years,  and  was  re- 
lieved by  his  son,  George  A.,  who  was  elected  to  the  office. 
Mr.  Joel  Dreibelbis  was  a  real  peace-maker,  and  settled 
many  _  estates.  He  was  frequently  called  upon  to.  act  as 
guardian,  assignee,  administrator,  executor  and  trustee. 
He  is  a  most  valued  and  esteemed  citizen  of  his  township. 

(V)  Jacob  D.  Dreibelbis  was  born  Oct.  1,  1855,  in  Rich- 
•mond  township,  near  Virginville,  son  of  Joel  Dreibelbis. 
He  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father's  farm,  and  his 
education  was  obtained  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town- 
ship, which  he  attended  until  attaining  the  age  of  eighteen 
years.  On  April  8,  1883,  Mr.  Dreibelbis  married  Hettie 
Ann  Leiby,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Mengel) 
Leiby,  the  former  a  stone  cutter  and  farmer  in  Perry  town- 
ship. To  this  union  were  born  children  as  follows:  a 
son  died  in  infancy;   and  Joel   P. 

Mr.  Dreibelbis  is  the  owner  of  the  well-known  summer 
resort,  "Ontelaunee  House,"  which  he  built  in  1902  on 
the  banks  of  the  Ontelaunee  river,  opposite  Virginville 
The  hotel  is  located  on  an  elevation,  this  affording  a 
grand  view  of  the  adjoining  country.  The  Ontelaunee 
is  met  at  Virginville  by  Sacony  Creek,  and  the  best  fishing 
in  this  part  of  the  State  is  to  be  found  at  this  place- 
black  bass,  trout,  suckers,  cat-fish,  sun-fish  and  eels  abound- 
ing. The  fresh,  pure  air,  the  fine  fishing  and  boating  and 
the  restful  quiet  are  very  beneficial,  and  afford  great  in- 
ducement to  residents  of  cities  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
State.  The  hotel  is  large  and  commodious  and  the  build- 
ing modern  and  substantial.  Mr.  Dreibelbis  lives  retired 
with  his  family  on  one  of  his  farms  near  Virginville,  which 
he  bought  at  public  sale  in  1893,  and  which  was  formerly 
owned  by  his  uncle  Simon,  deceased.  In  his  dealings 
with  his  fellow  men  he  is  upright  and  honorable,  and  Is 
a  citizen  he  is  public-spirited.  In  politics  Mr.  Dreibelbis  is 
a  Democrat.  He  and  his  family  attend  St.  Peter's  Re- 
formed Church,  of  which  he  has  served  as  trustee 

(VI)  Joel  P.  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Jacob  D.,  was  born 
Nov.    7,    1883,   on   his   grandfather's   homestead.     He   as- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


501 


Sisted  his  father  in  farming  till  1901-1902,  when  he  at- 
tended the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown, 
Pa.  In  1903  he  attended  Schissler's  College  of  Business 
at  Norristown,  Pa.  In  1908  he  bought  the  Kutz- 
town Bottling  Works,  and  moving  to  Kutztown  has  since 
been  engaged  in  their  operation.  On  Oct.  1,  1904  he  mar- 
ried Hattie  S.  Moyer,  daughter  of  William  Moyer,  of 
Greenwich  township,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Helen 
Annie. 

(V)  George  A.  Deeibelbis,  son  of  Joel,  was  born  on 
the  Richmond  township  homestead  Oct.  13,  1868.  He 
was  reared  upon  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  township  and  later  in  the  Keystone 
State  Normal  school  at  Kutztown.  He  began  farming  on 
the  homestead  in  the  spring  of  1891,  and  has  since  pursued 
that  vocation  with  much  success.  He  has  a  valuable 
collection  of  farm  machinery,  and  is  thoroughly  up-to-date 
in  his  methods.  On  Aug.  3,  1908,  he  suffered  a  severe  loss 
in  the  burning  of  his  barn  with  the  year's  crops.  He 
owns  the  Virginville  store  property,  which  he  purchased 
at  public  sale  in  the  fall  of  1907.  He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Kutztown  Fair  Association  in  1905,  and 

"  has  since  served  as  a  director.  In  1909  he  was  elected 
a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Kutztown.  He 
has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  Democratic  party, 
and  since  1904  has  been  a  justice  of  the  peace,  being  re- 
elected in  the  spring  of  1909  without  opposition.     He  was 

'  school  director  of  Richmond  township  three  years,  and 
was  secretary  of  the  board;  and  he  has  been  delegate  to  a 
number  of  county  conventions.  He  attends  the  Reading 
market  once  a  week,  having  stand  No.  113  in  the  Penn 
street  market.  Mr.  Dreibelbis  married  Clara  E.  Dreibel- 
bis,  daughter  of  Dr.  David  and  Emma  (Schultz)  Dreibel- 
bis, Jr.  To  this  union  have  been  born  children  as  fol- 
lows: David  S.,  born  May  17,  1890;  Daniel  P.,  Dec.  14, 
1891;  Stella  E.,  May  6,  1894;  Simon  J.,  Jan.  24,  1896;  Paul 
J.,   Dec.   21,   1897    (died  April   23,   1898)  ;   Sallie   H.,   Feb. 

21,  1901;  George  P.,  Sept.  25,  1904;  Anna  Blandina,  June 
26,  1906;  and  William  J.,  July  22,  1908.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dreibelbis  have  also  an  adopted  daughter,  Maude  Bucks 
Dreibelbis,  who  has  been  with  them  since  she  was  seven 
years  old. 

(III)  John  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  July  22, 
1787,  and  died  Oct.  8,  1847.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Green- 
wich township,  owning  the  farm  now  the  property  of  his 
grandson,  Dr.  Perry  K.  Dreibelbis,  of  Dreibelbis  Station, 
along  the  Berks  &  Lehigh  Railroad.  He  married  Susanna 
Kershner,  born  Feb.  27,  1789,  died  March  29,  1866,  and 
both  are  buried  at  the  New  Jerusalem  (Dunkel's)  Church 
near  Dreibelbis  Station.  Their  children  were :  Hannah, 
born  April  12,  1812,  died  April  17,  1894,  m.  John  Heinly, 
and  had  a  daughter — Susan;  Manasses,  born  May  30,  1813, 
is  mentioned  below;  Ephraim,  born  Feb.  1,  1815,  died 
April  6,  1887,  m.  Mary  Fister,  and  had  two  children — 
George  and  Sophia;  Diana,  born  Jan.  14,  1817,  died  Oct. 
5,  1877,  m.  Peter  Fister,  and  had  children —  David,  Peter, 
Annie  and  Susan;  Susan,  born  June  22,  1818,  died  March 

22,  1889,  m.  Benjamin  Hager,  and  had  two  children — 
Lucy  Ann  and  Henry;  Elizabeth,  born  Nov.  15,  1820,  died 
Oct.  10,  1828;  Catherine  (Kate),  born  Aug.  24,  1823,  died 
March  30,  1903,  m.  Jeremiah  Dietrich,  and  had  children — 
John,  Susan,  Mary,  Joel,  Perry,  Jeremiah  and  Catherine 
(twins)  and  Samuel;  Esther,  born  May  8,  1826,  died  July 
1,  1822,  m.  Daniel  Kershner,  and  had  children — Conrad, 
Daniel,  Franklin,  Susan  and  Maria;  and  J^nni,  born  Aug. 
8,  1827,  died  Nov.  8,  1896,  m.  Moses  P.  pietrich,  and  had 

.children — Wilson,  D.  Elenious,  Henrietta,  Cyrus  and 
Maria. 

(IV)  Manasses  Dreibelbis,  son  of  John,  was  born  May 
30,  1813,  and  died  Dec.  15,  1876.  He  married  Christiana 
Kline,  born  Nov.  16,  1817,  died  Feb.  2,  1901.  To  them  were 
born  children  as  follows :  Solomon,  born  Dec.  2,  1841,  died 
in  December,  1900,  m.  Issabella  Balthaser,  and  had  child- 
ren— Monroe,  Cyrus,  Callamanna,  Emma,  Mary,  Calvin, 
Aaron,  Anson  and  Franklin;  Susan  Elizabeth,  born  Aug. 
13,  1843,  m.  Amos  Heinly,  and  had  children— George, 
Manasses,  Cyrus,  Richard,  Annie,  Florenda,  Mary,  Elwood, 


Elmer,  Hannah  and  Angelina;  John  P.,  born  May  19,  1848, 
died  Sept.  10,  1880,  m.  Lucy  Ann  Waxwood,  and  had  child- 
ren— Elenious,  Amandus,  Florenda  and  Alice  Christina; 
Jacob,  born  Dec.  23,  1850,  died  unmarried  Aug.  24,  1868; 
Hannah  Sophia,  born  May  15,  1854,  died  unmarried  June 
30,  1860;  Thomas  K.,  born  Oct.  12,  1855,  died  unmarried 
Oct.  13,  1890;  Perry  K.  is  mentioned  below;  Tilina  Chris- 
tina, born  April  29,  1860,  died  May  26,  1861;  Franklin 
Manasses  (twin  to  Tilina  Christina),  born  April  29,  1860, 
died  May  27,  1861;  Catherine,  born  June  1,  1861,  m.  George 
P.  Dietrich,  and  had  children — Samuel,  Carrie  and  Willie. 
The  parents  and  their  children  are  buried  at  the  New 
Jerusalem   (Dunkel's)   Church. 

Mrs.  Manasses  Dreibelbis  was  a  daughter  of  Peter 
Kline,  born  Aug.  16,  1784,  died  Aug.  6,  1809.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Altenderfer,  born  May  3,  1791,  died  Oct.  15, 
1844. 

Her  grandfather,  Peter  Kline,  Esq.,  was  born  Feb.  15, 
1760,  and  died  Nov.  27,  1836.  He  married  Eva  Margaret 
Lichty,  born  Jan.  21,  1765,  died  May  9,  1831.  All  these 
ancestors  are  buried  at  title  New  Jerusalem  (Dunkel's) 
Church. 

(V)  Perry  K.  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Manasses,  was  born  in 
Greenwich  township,  Feb.  7,  1858.  He  completed  the 
course  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  township,  and 
took  his  course  in  veterinary  surgery  at  the  Ontario  Vet- 
erinary College,  Toronto,  Canada,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  March  27,  1885.  Returning  to  his  native  town- 
ship, he  opened  an  office  and  began  practice,  which  he 
has  since  followed,  having  built  up  a  large  practice  over  an 
extensive  territory.  In  addition  he  is  interested  in  farm- 
ing, owning  a  fine  place  of  ninety  fertile  acres,  upon 
which  substantial  and  commodious  buildings  have  been 
erected.  The  farm  was  formerly  the  property  of  his 
father  and  grandfather.  He  is  a  man  of  high  standing 
iii  his  section,  respected  throughout  the  neighborhood, 
and  for  nineteen  and  one-half  years  served  as  postmaster 
at  Driebelbis  Station,  which  was  named  after  his  father. 
The  postoffice  was  discontinued,  and  an  R.  F.  D.  route 
was  established  from  Virginville  in  1905.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  has  for  many  years  been 
secretary  of  the  consistory.  On  Dec.  28,  1878,  Dr.  Dreibel- 
bis married  Miss  Louisa  A.  Seip,  daughter  of  John  B.  and 
Maria  (Reigelman)  Seip,  of  Lenhartsville.  They  have  no 
children. 


(Ill)  Samuel  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  in 
Richmond  township  in  1792,  and  died  in  Venango  county. 
Pa.,  where  he  is  buried,  in  1876.  He  was  twice  married, 
first  to  a  Close,  and  second  to  a  Rahn  of  Leesport. 
Before  his  removal  from  Berks  county  he  conducted  a 
mercantile  and  feed  store  along  the  canal  at  Shoemakers- 
ville.  Sometime  after  his  marriage  to  Miss  Rahn,  wlio 
had  relatives  and  acquaintances  in  Venango  county,  he 
moved  to  that  place  and  there  carried  on  farming.  He 
held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  some  years. 
Six  of  his  children  were  born  of  his  first  marriage.  His 
children  were :  Moses,  Esther,  Sarah,  Charles,  Samuel, 
Jacob  and  Catharine. 


(III)  William  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
Magdalena,  was  born  Nov.  14,  1793,  and  died  Sept.  18, 
1869.  He  was  a  merchant  at  the  old  stand  in  Virginville 
for  thirteen  years.  Later  he  removed  to  his  farm,  which 
consisted  of  eighty  acres,  and  he  lived  thereon  until  1839, 
in  the  latter  year  purchasing  the  tract  which  is  now  owned 
by  his  son  Gustavus,  and  there  engaged  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness, in  connection  with  farming,  imtil  his  death.  He 
married  Susanna  Miller,  daughter  of  George  Miller,  and 
their  children  were:  Stephen;  Susanna  m.  William  Seidel; 
William;  Hannah  m.  John  Wanner;  Jacob;  George';  Mary 
m.  William  Merkel ;  Charles  J. ;  Eliza  m.  William  Hotten- 
stein ;  and  Gustavus. 

(IV)  Gustavus  Dreibelbis,  son  of  William  and  Susan- 
na, was  born  March  27,  1846,  on  the  premises  he  occupied 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  March  12,  1909.  He  spent  his 
early  days  in  Virginville,  and  was  educated  in  the  schools 
there.     In    1867   he   purchased   the   seventy-nine   acres   of 


502 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


excellent  land  from  his  father,  and  there  he  made  his 
home.  On  this  farm  is  located  Dragon's  Cave,  a  natural 
curiosity,  which  has  been  explored  several  hundred  feet, 
and  which  is  supposed  to  be  a  continuation  of  Crystal 
Cave,  several  miles  away,  which  is  visited  by  many  each 
year,  having  been  explored  for  several  miles.  He  was 
a  director  in  the  Windsor  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany, and  from  1894  was  secretary  of  this  well-known 
institution.  He  conducted  the  "Virginville  Hotel,"  which 
has  been  a  hotel  stand  since  the  American  Revolution,  and 
was  an  able  business  man,  honest  in  his  dealings  and 
highly  esteemed.  In  1871  he  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  William  S.  and  Esther  (Dunkel)  Merkel,  of  Richmond 
township,  and  their  children  are:  William,  of  Reading; 
Howard.;  Harry;  Alice  m.  William  J.  Hein,  of  Virgin- 
ville; Annie  m.  Maurice  Mertz,  of  Fleetwood;  Johnj  of 
Moselem;  Frederick  M.,  of  Virginville;  Sallie  M.;  and 
George  Logan,   of  Kutztown. 


(III)  Dr.  David  Dreibelbis,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born 
on  his  father's  farm  in  Richmond  township  March  14, 
1803,  and  died  Nov.  9,  1886.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Evangelical  Association.  In  February,  1835,  Mr.  Dreibel- 
bis married  Sarah  Lesher,  born  in  Greenwich  township, 
April  11,  1806,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Maria  Lesher.  She 
died  May  9,  1872,  the  mother  of  the  following  family : 
(1)  Esther  (1825-1902)  m.  Reuben  Ely.  (3)  Sarah  (1829- 
1S78)  m.  John  Kutz.  (3)  Reuben  (1833-1874)  was  a 
minister  of  the  Evangelical  Association  at  Brownstown 
from  1867  until  his  death.  He  m.  Mary  Fisher,  and  had 
children:  Andora,  Magdalena  and  Dr.  David  F.  (Prac- 
tising at  Lehighton).  (4)  Dr.  David  L.  (1842-1872)  grad- 
uated from  Hahnemann  Medical  College  in  1865,  and  had 
a  large  practice  in  Reading.  He  m.  Emma  Shultz,  and 
their  daughter  Clara  E.  m.  George  A.  Dreibelbis.  He  m. 
(second)  Annie  Ely  and  their  daughter,  Luella,  is  the 
widow  of  Prof.  H.  C.  Mohn.  who  died  in  1908.  (5)  Eva 
Ruffina  (1843-1873)  died  single.  (6)  Dr.  Samuel  L.  (7) 
Elizabeth  (1852-1904)  m.  (first)  Albert  Miller,  and  (sec- 
ond)  Alfred  Schappell. 

(IV)  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Dreibelbis,  of  Reading,  son  of 
David  and  Sarah  (Lesher),  was  born  March  25,  1848. 
Pie  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  later  at 
Union  Seminary  at  New  Berlin,  in  Union  county,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1868.  After  that  he  attended 
the  Lebanon  Valley  College,  Annville,  one  year,  and  then 
entered  Hahnemann  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1871.  He  has  since  been  practis- 
ing very  successfully  in  Reading.  The  Doctor  is  ,j  Repub- 
lican in  politics.  He  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  First  United  Evangelical  Church  at  Reading,  and 
was  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  eighteen 
years,  and  class  leader  fourteen  years.  He  has  been  pres- 
ident of  the  Berks  County  Sabbath-school  Association 
six  years,  and  has  done  excellent  work  in  church  and 
school.  He  was  actively  interested  in  the  organization 
of  the  Homeopathic  Plospital  in  1891,  and  has  since  then 
been  its  obstetrician.  On  Nov.  28,  1872,  Dr.  Dreibelbis 
married  Louisa  Ely,  daughter  of  Rev.  Solomon  and  Eliza- 
beth (Merkel)  Ely,  and  to  this  union  were  born  four 
children:  Lloyd  died  in  infancy;  Laura  m.  Dr.  Robert  E. 
Strasser,  of  Reading;  Bertha  m.  Howard  A.  Lewis;  Dr. 
S.  Leon,  who  graduated  from  the  Reading  high  school, 
class  of  1903,  and  in  1907  from  Hahnemann  Medical  Col- 
lege, Philadelphia,  assists  his  father  in  his  large  practice 
in  Reading,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  surgery,  and  is  most 
successful. 

JOHN  K.  ROTHERMEL.  In  every  age  and  country, 
whether  in  a  crisis  or  in  times  of  peace,  there  is  gener- 
ally one  person  who  looms  up  into  special  prominence, 
and  such  constitute  the  famous  men  in  history.  The 
country  districts  are  no  exception  to  this  social  exper- 
ience ;   they  also   have   (heir  men   of   local   eminence    and 


such  a  man,  it  may  be  truly  said,  was  John  K.  Rother- 
mel  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  This  local  dis- 
tinction he  had  not  sought;  he  was  neither  ambitious 
nor  proud;  he  did  not  want  ofBce;  he  preferred  to  be  a 
private  citizen.  It  was  his  character  and  dealings  with 
others  that  account  for  this   estimation. 

John  K.  Rothermel  was  born  in  Maiden-creek  town- 
ship. Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Oct.  5,  1833,  and  died  Feb.  27,  1908, 
on  his  farm  in  Richmond  township,  although  his  home 
was  then  at  Fleetwood,  Pa.,  and  was  buried  at  the  Beck- 
er's St.  Peter's  Church,  of  which  church  he  was  a  mem- 
ber and  one  of  the  founders.  He  was  a  son  of  Daniel 
and  Esther  (Koller)  Rothermel,  of  German  descent,  a 
lineal  descendant  of  John  Rothermel — who  died  on  the 
ocean  leaving  his  orphan  children  to  settle  (1730)  in 
the  New  World— and  of  the  fifth  generation  of  the  Rother- 
mel family  in  America:  1st  generation  John,  2d  Peter,  3d 
Peter,  4th  Daniel,  5th  John  K.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
On  May  20,  1861,  he  married  Susanna  Elizabeth,  eldest 
daughter  of  Benjamin  B.  and  Sarah  (Kindt)  Peters. 
His  family  consisted  of  the  following  children:  Ira  P., 
Sallie,  John  P.,  Esther,  Sue,  Florence  and  Harry  P.' 
His  widow  and  children  survived  him.  Ira  married  A 
Lizzie  Grim,  of  Kutztown;  children,  John.  Daniel  and 
Catharine.  John  married  Sallie  K.  Bechtel,'  of  Reading; 
children,  Julia  and  Leonard.  Esther  married  Jacob  H. 
Rothermel,  of  Fleetwood.  Sue  married  Rev.  M  L  Her- 
bein,  of  Reading,  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church 
Harry  married  Mabel  Pryor  of  Langhorne.  Pa.,  and  they 
have   one   child,   Dorothy. 

He  was  medium  sized,  strong  and  wiry,  active  and 
quick.  Pie  had  hazel  eyes  and  black  hair.  His  strong- 
est traits  of  character  were  strict  integrity  and  his  desire 
to  see  justice  done  to  all  especially  to  the  poor.  He  was 
no  admirer  of  competition  in  business,  believed  in  a 
chance  for  everyone,  and  a  "square  deal"  for  all  He 
was  a  good  neighbor  and  highly  respected.  His  greatest 
weakness  of  character  was  his  impatience  and  irritability 
with  what  he  considered  wrong.  Although  not  a  reader 
having  received  but  nine  months'  schooling,  yet  he  was 
a   man    of   originality   and   independence    of   thought 

He  was  an  advocate  of  education,  good  schools,'  and 
good  teachers,  a  director  of  schools  of  Richmond  town- 
ship for  severa  terms,  first  in  his  community  to  intro- 
duce the  English  language  into  a  German  family  as  best 
he  could  He  sent  his  children  to  the  Normal  school 
at  Kutztown  where  the  daughters  graduated  and  the 
sons  prepared  for  college.  Ira  is  a  graduate  of  Lafay- 
ette College,  and  a  successful  attorney-at-law,  residing 
m  Reading.  Sallie  is  a  teacher  in  Fleetwood.  John  is 
a  graduate_  of  the  Medical  Department,  University  of 
Pennsy  vania.  Esther  and  Sue  were  at  one  time  teach- 
ers. Florence,  a  graduate  of  Dickinson  College,  is  now 
a  teacher  in  the  Camden  (N,  J.)  high  school,  and  was 
formerly  a  teacher  in  the  State  Normal  School  at  Kutz- 
town. Harry  a  graduate  of  Lafayette  College,  is  now 
professor  in  the  Boys'  high  school,  Philadelphia,  and  was 
the  organizer  and  first  principal  of  the  Shoemakersville 
(Pa.)    high   school. 

He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  all  his  life.  When 
Hie  Northampton  Iron  Company  opened  their  mines  in 
Richmond  township,  he  was  chosen  as  their  superintend- 
ent as  long  as  the  mines  were  operated  He  was  also 
treasurer  of  Rothermel  &  Co.'s  iron  ore  mines  in  Maiden- 
creek  township,  but  he  did  not  relinquish  farming  while 
thus  engaged.  He  owned  and  operated  several  very  large 
farms   and_  was   unusually  successful. 

In  politics  he  placed  citizenship  above  partisanshi,p. 
Although  religiously  inclined  and  a  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  Church,  his  religion  was  not  of  the  emo- 
■jonal  kind.  His  Christianitv  was  practical — loving  hi' 
neighbor  as  himself,  his  God  above  all  else,  contribut- 
ing liberally  but  unostentatiously  to  both  church  and 
charity. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


503 


GEORGE  A.  RAVEL,  a  merchant  of  Reading,  is  a 
native  of  that  city,  born  there  Dec.  28,  1865,  son  of  George 
Ravel,  Sr.  The  father  still  resides  in  Reading,  but  has 
retired  after  his   long  years  of  labor  as  an  iron-molder. 

George  A.  Ravel  was  sent  first  to  the  public  schools, 
and  then  to  a  parochial  one,  but  at  the  age  of  twelve 
his  attendance  stopped  altogether,  and  he  went  to  work- 
as  an  errand  boy  for  Jonathan  Mould.  He  worked  for  him 
from  1877  to  1887,  and  was  promoted  a  number  of  times 
acting  as  clerk  in  various  departments,  and  finally  being 
put  in  charge  of  the  domestic  department.  After  a  year 
spent  in  Chicago,  still  in  the  mercantile  line,  Mr.  Ravel 
returned  to  Reading,  and  on  Oct.  13,  1888,  opened  a  store 
of  his  own  in  a  private  house  located  at  No.  113  North 
Ninth  street.  He  began  with  a  room  twenty  by  thirty 
feet,  but  two  years  later  he  built  an  addition  twenty  by 
forty-five  feet,  and  remained  in  those  quarters  until 
1897.  He  then  bought  the  property  and  erected  a  store 
building  20  x  100  feet,  four  stories  in  height,  where  he 
carries  a  full  line  of  notions,  dry  goods  and  ladies'  and 
gentlemen's  furnishings.  He  employs  twelve  clerks,  and 
has  a  constantly  increasing  volume  of  trade.  In  1903, 
as  he  felt  his  health  failing  somewhat  from  overwork. 
Mr.  Ravel  took  Mr.  E.  P.  Fidler  in  as  a  partner,  thus 
lightening  his  own  responsibilities.  Mr.  Ravel  has  also 
gone  extensively  into  building  operations,  lately,  and  dur- 
ing the  past  four  years  has  erected  forty  buildings  in 
different  parts  of  the  city.  He  is  a  most  capable  busi- 
ness man,  with  unusually  good  judgment,  and  ranks 
among  the  most  successful  merchants  of  the  city. 

The  wife  chosen  by  Mr.  Ravel  was  Miss  Annie  M. 
Bitting,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sallie  Bitting,  both  now 
deceased.  Three  sons  have  been  born  to  this  union, 
Harry,  Walter  and  George,  all  attending  school.  The 
family  reside  at  No.  1357  Eckert  avenue.  Mr.  Ravel  is  a 
member  of  St.  Peter's  Catholic  Church,  but  his  wife  be- 
longs  to   the    Reformed    Church. 

DR.  FRANKLIN  B.  NICE,  physician  at  Hamburg 
for  upward  of  fifty  years,  was  born  in  Hummelstown, 
Dauphin  Co.,  Pa.,  Aug.  26,  1830,  and  during  his  in- 
fancy his.  parents  removed  to  Hamburg,  Berks  county. 
After  a  thorough  preparatory  education  he  studied  medi- 
cine under  the  direction  of  his  father,  and  then  attend- 
ed a  regular  course  of  lectures  in  the  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1851.  After 
practising  for  a  while  under  his  father,  he  established 
an  office  of  his  own  at  Hamburg,  and  continued  in  active 
and  very  successful  practice  until  shortly  before  his  de- 
cease, June  29,  1905.  For  several  terms  he  officiated  as 
councilman  (1876-77-78)  and  also  as  a  school  controller; 
but  his  increasing  practice,  which  extended  into  the  coun- 
try for  many  miles,  prevented  him  from  doing  any  con- 
siderable work  in  municipal,  social  or  political  affairs. 
He  was  recognized  as  a  superior  and  devoted  physician; 
and  the  large  number  of  accounts  unpaid  at  his  decease 
evidenced  his  sympathetic  and  generous  nature.  Finan- 
cial matter"!  engaged  much  of  his  attention,  and  in  their 
management  he  was  very  successful. 

Dr.  Nice  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Heffner,  daughter 
of  Daniel  Heffner,  a  farmer  of  Perry  township,  and 
Elizabeth  Graeff,  his  wife  (who  was  a  daughter  of  Ab- 
raham Graeflf,  a  farmer  of  Maiden-creek  township),  and 
they  had  two  children :  Benjamin  H.,  also  a  practising 
physician  at  Hamburg  from  1877  to  his  decease  in  1907; 
and  Lizzie,  who  was  married  to  Rev.  J.  G.  Neff,  a  na- 
tive of  Kutztown.  who  for  a  number  of  years  served  as 
pastor  of  the  Reformed  church  at  Shenandoah  and  Ban- 
gor;  he  departed  from  this  life  Aug.  23,  1906. 

Dr.  Benjamin  Reinard  Nice,  father  of  Franklin  B., 
was  a  successful  physician  with  a  large  practice  at  Ham- 
burg arid  vicinity  for  thirty  years,  from  1832  to  1862. 
He  was  married  to  Margaret  Brugler,  by  whom  he  had 
ten  children :  John,  Milton,  Franklin.  George,  Walter, 
Caroline  (who  married  Enoch  KoUer),  Margaret  (who 
married  John  Sunday),  Anna  Mary  (who  married  Rev. 
Frederick  Kolb,  a  well-known  Presbyterfen  minister),  and 


two  children  who  died  in  their  infancy.  Of  this  family 
Mrs.  Anna  Mary  Kolb,  now  eighty  odd  years  old,  is  still 
living  at  Alburtis,  Pa.  She  is  the  mother  of  Rev.  John 
Kolb,  a  noted  Presbyterian  missionary,  who  is  doing 
a  noble  work  in   South  America. 

John  Nice,  the  grandfather,  was  born  in  1767  in  Fred- 
erick township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  and  died  in  1844. 
He  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  David  Reinard,  who 
was  born  in  1768  and  died  in  1817. 

Anthony  Nice,  the  great-grandfather,  emigrated  with 
his  brother  Cornelius  from  Wales,  and  settled  '  in  Phil- 
adelphia county.  Pa.,  where  he  carried  on  farming  un- 
til his  decease,  at  Nicetown,  a  village  named  after  him. 

A.  N.  KISSINGER,  manager  and  owner  of  the  ex- 
tensive storage,  auction  and  flour  house  at  Nos.  31-35 
South  Eighth  street,  as  well  as  president  and  general 
manager,  of  the  well-known  Farmers'  Market  House, 
at  Reading,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  is  rated  as  one  of  the  most 
.substantial  and  progressive  business  men  of  the  Key- 
stone State.  He  is  a  son  of  Washington  S.  and  Eliza- 
beth   (Yost)    Kissinger,   born   Dec.    5,    1850. 

Washington  S.  Kissinger  was  accounted  a  man  of  un- 
usual natural  force  and  broad  business  capacity.  After 
receiving  but  an  imperfect  common  school  education,  at 
Reading^  he  became  employed,  while  still  quite  young, 
on  the  canal  near  that  city.  Later  he  located  in  Read- 
ing, and  in  time  became  prominent  in  the  lime  and  sand 
bus.iness,  building  also  the  famous  Farmers'  Market 
House.  At  the  time  of  his  death  in  November,  1873,  he 
was  not  only  an  acknowledged  business  leader  and  a  pro- 
gressive citizen,  but  the  owner  and  operator  of  several 
valuable  farms  in  Berks  county.  His  wife,  Elizabeth 
Yost,  died  in  Reading  at  the  age  of  seventy-three.  Their 
children,  besides  A.  N.,  were :  Harry  A.,  a  wholesale- 
grain  dealer  at  Birdsboro,  Berks  county;  George  W.,. 
formerly  a  sign  painter  and  skilled  mechanic;  Mrs.  Mary 
A.  Dick,  widow  of  the  late  Henry  D.  Dick,  of  No.  106; 
South  Ninth  street,  Reading;  and  Mrs.  Susan  Dubson> 
living   near   Blandon,   Berks   county. 

A.  N.  Kissinger  received  a  common  school  education 
in  the  schools  of  Berks  county,  locating  at  Reading,  Ap- 
ril 1,  1870,  and  entering  the  employ  of  C.  S.  Birch  &  Co. 
In  the  following  year  he  established  a  clothing  and  shoe 
business,  later  he  and  his  father  also  associating  them- 
selves at  the  same  location.  No.  929  Penn  street,  in  the 
flour  and  feed  business,  continuing  together  until  the 
death  of  the  latter  in  1873.  The  Market  House  business 
was  founded  May  10,  1871,  and  July  16,  1871,  A.  N.  Kiss- 
inger assumed  its  active  management.  He  has  contin- 
ued in  that  capacity  ever  since,  has  been  one  of  the  own- 
ers, and  the  manager  and  treasurer  of  the  Farmers' 
Market  House.  Under  Mr.  Kissinger's  management  ex- 
tensive and  important  improvements  have  been  made  in 
the  original  house  erected  by  his  father,  so  that  he  now 
as  president,  general  manager  and  one  of  the  largest 
stockholders  controls  the  largest  and  most  complete  mar- 
ket in  the  city.  This  was  incorporated  in  January,  1907, 
as  the  Farmers'  Market  House  Company.  For  the  accom- 
modation of  out-of-town  patrons  he  has  erected  a  three- 
story   stable,   with   sleeping  apartments   attached. 

Kissinger's  Storage  House  is  a  four-story  structure, 
60x120  feet  in  dimensions,  weekly  and  semi-weekly  sales  • 
being  held  therein.  On  March  1,  1885,  C.  Carroll  Briner 
was  admitted  to  partnership  in  the  feed,  flour  and  stor- 
age business  under  the  firm  name  of  Kissinger  &  Briner, 
the  location  of  the  house  being  as  at  present.  This  con- 
tinued till  Mr.  Briner's  retirement  in  February,  1897, 
after  which  the  firm  of  Kissinger  &  Son  was  formed. 
This  continued  four  years,  since  which  time  Mr.  Kissinger 
has  been  sole  proprietor.  Under  Mr.  Kissinger's  ener- 
getic and  able  management,  the  business  has  developed 
to  large  proportions.  On  Jan.  17,  1907,  in  company  with 
others  he  formed  the  Kissinger  Market  House  Company, 
embracing  the  following  markets :  Nos.  2,  3  and  4,  located 
at  Ninth  and  Cherry  street.  Peach  and  Cherry  streets, 
and  Nos.  834-836  Penn  street.     They  have  recently  inaug- 


504 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


urated  the  successful  Saturday  afternoon  and  evening 
market,   in  addition  to   their  tri-weekly  markets. 

Personally  Mr.  Kissinger  has  reached  a  leadership  in 
the  busmess  field  in  a  time  of  life  which  makes  it  prob- 
able that  his  future  will  bring  him  into  even  more  than 
State  prominence.  Mr.  Kissinger  is  connected  with  no 
secret  organizations,  although  socially  he  is  very  genial 
and  popular.  JFor  his  standing  he  has  depended  upon  no 
extraneous  efforts,  solely  upon  his  individual  honesty,  as- 
siduity and  ability.  He  is  a  member  of  Trinity  Lutheran 
Church,  and  has  served  as  a  vestryman  of  that  organiza- 
tion at  different  times   for  nine  years. 

On  April  16,  1874,  Mr.  Kissinger  was  married  to  Miss 
Sallie  R.  Spohn,  of  Reading.  She  died  March  11,  1903, 
leaving  three  children :  Clifford  W.,  Sarah  E.  and  Anita 
M.  On  Oct.  19,  1904,  he  married  (second)  iMiss  Mary  L. 
Warren,  of  Ohio,  and  to  this  union  has  been  born  a  son, 
Warren  Nicholas.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kissinger  reside  at 
their  comfortable  home.  No.  1030  Penn  street,  Reading, 
enjoying  the  comfort  and  culture  attendant  upon  the 
prosperity   and   intelligence   of  the  modern   business   man. 

DR.  ROBERT  WALTER,  founder  and  proprietor  of 
"The  Walter  Sanitarium,"  near  Wernersville,  in  Berks 
county,  the  largest  and  most  successful  health  resort  in 
Pennsylvania,  was  born  Feb.  14,  1841,  in  Canada  (town- 
ship of  Esquesing,  county  of  Halton,  Province  of  Ontario). 
He  received  his  early  education  in  the  township  schools 
and  afterward  by  his  own  efforts.  When  fourteen  years 
old,  he  entered  a  store  as  clerk  and  filled  the  position 
successfully  for  a  year,  after  which  he  was  employed  as 
cashier  and  bookkeeper  in  a  large  tannery,  where  he 
continued  until  the  chief  employer  died  one  year  after- 
ward. Notwithstanding  his  youth,  the  interested  parties 
retained  him  to  settle  up  the  estate,  which  he  accom- 
plished satisfactorily;  and  his  grandfather  dying  he  was 
requested  to  administer  his  estate  also,  and  this  he  did 
in  such  manner  as  to  lead  to  the  settlement  of  other 
estates.  For  a  year  he  was  assistant  Division  court  clerk 
and  then  he  directed  his  attention  to  teaching  in  the 
public  schools  for  several  years;  and  learning  stenog- 
raphy, he  followed  this  occupation  for  some  time,  being 
employed  for  a  while  in  the  land  office  of  the  Northern 
Pacific  Railroad  Company  at  New  York. 

During  much  of  this  time  he  was  more  or  less  of  an 
invalid,  with  the  chances  for  continued  life  against  him, 
and  though  his  case  was  regarded  as  hopeless  he  never- 
theless finally  recovered.  He  attributed  his  recovery  to 
a  course  of  treatment  which  he  himself  had  originated, 
and  which  had  come  to  be  everywhere  employed  in  the 
sanitariums.  The  results  so  encouraged  him  that  he  re- 
signed his  position  in  the  land  office  and  devoted  him- 
self to  a  more  complete  study  of  medicine,  to  which  he 
had   devoted   much   labor   for   several   years. 

In  1873,  he  married  Eunice  C.  Lippincott,  of  Dirigo, 
Maine  (a  graduated  physician  from  the  Hygeio-Thera- 
peutic  College  of  New  York  in  1865),  and  accompanied 
by  his  wife  located  in  New  Jersey,  where  he  delivered 
lectures  on  mental  science,  a  subject  which  had  received 
a  great  deal  of  his  attention  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
attended  a  course  of  medical  lectures  in  the  college  from 
which  his  wife  was  graduated ;  and  he  too  was  graduated 
from  the  institution  in  1873.  Upon  his  graduation 
he  took  charge  of  a  sanitarium  and  mountain  home  in 
Franklin  county.  Pa.,  and  while  serving  this  position 
he  was  invited  to  visit  Berks  county  and  carry  on  a 
health  resort  on  South  Mountain,  near  Wernersville.  He 
accepted  this  invitation,  and  leasing  the  place,  conducted 
it  successfully  for  three  years.  During  this  time  he 
abandoned  the  water-cure  idea  and  originated  the  sani- 
tarium treatment,  as  it  is  now  understood. 

Toward  the  termination  of  his  lease.  Dr.  Walter  de- 
cided to  start  an  establishment  of  his  own,  and  in  1876 
began  the  erection  of  the  first  institution  in  this,  and  it 
is  believed  the  first  in  anj',  country,  devoted  to  the  treat- 
ment of  invalids  and  the  preservation  of  the  health  of 
well   people   by   purely   sanitary   methods.     This   building 


was  erected  on  South  Mountain,  one  mile  south  of  Wer- 
nersville, and  he  moved  into  it  in  May,  1877,  his  success 
already  established  becoming  still  more  pronounced,  and 
has  continued  without  interruption  for  thirty-five  years. 
His  patronage  almost  from  the  first  came  from  all  parts 
of  the  United  States,  and  his  establishment  necessarily 
grew  with  his  patronage  until  it  became  one  of  the  famous 
resorts  of  the  country.  Now  it  is  admittedly  the  largest, 
most  complete  and  most  successful  sanitarium  in  Penn- 
sylvania. 

The  institution  comprises  a  number  of  contiguous,  sub- 
stantial stone  buildings,  five  stories  in  height,  350  feet 
long,  and  numerous  tracts  of  farming  and  woodland, 
which  altogether  cover  500  acres.  It  is  thoroughly  equip- 
ped with  all  modern  conveniences  and  appliances.  The 
view  in  the  rear  along  and  about  the  mountam  sides  is 
picturesque,  but  the  extensive  view  in  front,  reaching  from 
the  mountains  of  Reading  in  the  east  to  the  hills  of 
Lebanon  county  in  the  west,  a  distance  of  thirty  miles, 
and  from  the  South  Mountain  across  the  rolling  fields 
and  hills  of  the  Tulpehocken,  Schuylkill  and  Ontelaunee 
Valleys  to  the  Blue  Mountains,  a  varying  distance  of 
from  twenty  to  forty  miles,  with  all  the  growing  towns, 
rich  enterprises  and  internal  improvements,  is  indescrib- 
ably grand. 

During  the  great  development  of  his  sanitarium  and  his 
sanitary  methods.  Dr.  Walter  was  also  intellectually  a 
thoughtful  and  busy  man,  for  he  published  a  monthly 
journal  of  health,  numerous  pamphlets  relating  to  san- 
itary topics,  an  octavo  volume  of  320  pages  entitled 
"Vital  Science,"  and  a  large  octavo  volume  of  300  pages 
entitled  "The  Exact  Science  of  Health,"  the  latter  being 
based  upon  the  same  principles  that  have  made  astronomy 
and  chemistry  to  be  regarded  as  among  the  exact  sciences. 

Besides  graduating  from  the  Hygeio-Therapeutic  Col- 
lege of  New  York  in  1873,  Dr.  Walter  took  a  special 
course  of  lectures  in  Hahnemann  Medical  College  at 
Philadelphia,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in 
1888. 

Dr.  Walter  and  his  wife  have  five  children:  Maud 
M.:  Robert  L.  (m.  Alice  Betts)  ;  Mabel  H.;  Estella  M.; 
and  Earnest  A.  The  first  two  are  graduated  physicians. 
His  wife  and  the  first  three  children  from  the  time  of 
quitting  school  have  co-operated  most  earnestly  with  him 
in  the  successful  development  of  his  great  sanitarium. 

His  father  was  George  Walter,  of  Devonshire,  Eng- 
land, by  occupation  a  farmer  and  by  relationship  con- 
nected with  the  Walter  family  of  Southern  England.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Vodden,  a  daughter  of  Robert  Vodden, 
also  of  Southern  England.  They  emigrated  to  Canada 
m  1837,  and  to  Ontario  in  1339,  thus  being  among  the 
pioneers  of  that  section.  He  died  in  1892,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four  years ;  and  his  wife  died  in  1884  at  the  age  of 
sixty  eight.  They  had  ten  children:  William.  John 
George,  Robert,  Sarah,  Mary,  Albert  Lorenzo,  Elizabeth, 
Frances  Amelia,  Augusta,  and  Emma  Maria.  Mrs.  Walter 
IS  the  daughter  of  John  Lippincott  and  Sarah  Kitchen, 
his  wife.  John  Lippincott's  father  was  Jacob  Lippin- 
cott, of  Shrewsbury,  N.  J.,  who  being  a  Friend  and  con- 
scientiously opposed  to  war,  migrated  to  Nova  Scotia  to 
avoid  Revolutionary  operations.  Jacob  Lippincott  was  of 
the  same  lineage  as  the  numerous  Lippincotts  of  Penn- 
sylvania and   New  Jersey. 

JA]\IES  GICKER  MATTERNES,  M.  D.,  of  Centreport, 
has  been  located  there  in  the  practice  of  medicine  ever 
since  his  graduation  and  is  in  command  of  a  good  pat- 
ronage. He  was  born  Sept.  16,  1869,  in  Lower  Heidel- 
berg township,  son  of  Abraham  and  grandson  of  Isaac 
Matternes. 

[-leinrich  Matternes,  the  great-grandfather,  was  an  early 
settler  in  Cumru  township  and  followed  milling  there. 
Isaac  Matternes,  the  Doctor's  grandfather,  was  raised  on 
the  South  Mountain,  back  of  Wernersville,  and  attended 
the  Hains  Church  school.  He  learned  the  shoemaker's 
trade  and  followed  it  for  some  time  at  Reading,  eventually 
moving  to  Mt.  Pleasant,  in  Penn  township,  where  he  died 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


505 


at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  assisted  in  digging 
for  the  foundation  of  the  second  house  erected  at  Wern- 
ersville.  He  was  a  well-known  man  in  his  day.  His  first 
wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mell,  died  at  the  age  of 
thirty  years,  the  mother  of  five  children :  Abraham,  Isaac, 
Jr.,  Amanda,  Mary  (m.  Peter  Miller)  and  one  that  died 
in  infancy.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Matternes  married 
a  Mrs.  Paff,  by  whom  he  had  no  children. 

Abraham  Matternes,  son  of  Isaac,  was  born  in  Lower 
Heidelberg  township.  He  learned  milling,  which  he  fol- 
lowed a  few  years,  and  then  went  to  work  in  Van  Reed's 
paper-mill,  where  he  contracted  smallpox,  from  which  he 
died  in  March,  1873,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-three  years. 
He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Amelia  Shell,  of  Bern 
township,  who  died  without  issue.  His  second  marriage 
was  to  Mrs.  Caroline  Hinnershitz,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Gicker,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children :  James  Gicker 
and  Sallie,  the  latter  the  wife  of  Harry  Haag,  of  Lower 
Heidelberg  township. 

James  Gicker  Matternes  attended  the  Blue  Marsh  school 
in  Lower  Heidelberg  township  and  had  two  months  at 
select  school  in  Mt.  Pleasant.  In  tlie  spring  of  1887  he 
entered  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1891,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  teaching,  five  terms  in  all.  For 
three  terms  he  was  in  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  one 
term  in  Washington  township  and  one  term  in  Penn 
township,  and  meantime  he  began  preparation  for  the 
profession  to  which  he  intended  to  devote  his  life.  He 
read  medicine  with  Dr.  D.  H.  Hain,  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  for 
three  .  summers,  and  in  1894  entered  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  at  Philadelphia,  graduating  in  1897.  He  has  since 
been  located  at  Centreport  borough,  where  he  has  gained 
a  large  practice,  being  one  of  the  best  known  physicians 
of  his  locality.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Berks  County 
Medical  Society  and  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  So- 
ciety, and  has  various  fraternal  connections,  belonging  to 
Vaux  Lodge,  No.  406,  'F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Hamburg,  Pa.; 
Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237;  Reading  Commandery;  and 
Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.;  to  the  K.  .O.  T.  M.;  to 
Camp  No.  446,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  Centreport;  and  Perry 
Lodge,   No.   1055,   I.   O.   O.   F.  ^ 

In  1899  Dr.  Matternes  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Phes, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Plies,  of  Bernville,  this  county, 
and  they  have  had  two  children,  Helen  May  and  Law- 
rence Abraham.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Bern  Re- 
formed Church.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  has 
been   school   director   at   Centreport. 

DAVID  ENGLE  STOUT,  deceased,  paymaster  of  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  Company  for  forty 
years  was  born  in  Muhlenberg  township,  Berks  county, 
six  miles  north  of  Reading,  Feb.  10,  1820.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  local  schools  and  at  an  early  age  became  a 
clerk  in  the  hardware  store  of  John  M.  Keim,  at  Read- 
ing where  he  continued  until  1844,  when  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company.  In  1847 
he  was  appointed  paymaster,  and  this  responsible  posi- 
tion he  filled  in  a  most  satisfactory  manner  for  forty 
years,  retiring  in  1887,  with  the  highest  respect_  of  the 
officials  He  lived  retired  from  that  time  until  his  death 
at  Ocean  Grove,  N.  J.,  Sept.  12,  1894.  ,  ,  _  .  , 
Mr.  Stout  took  an  active  part  in  the  local  atlairs  _ot 
Reading  for  many  years,  more  especially  of  a  financial 
nature  having  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Union 
Bank,  the  Reading  Gas  Company  and  the  Reading  Trust 
Company,  and  he  served  as  a  director  in  each.  He  also 
served  as  a  school  controller  for  several  terms.  In  his 
early  manhood  he  was  interested  in  the  Junior  Fire  Com- 
pany acting  for  a  time  as  secretary.  He  became  a  mem- 
ber of  Christ  Episcopal  Church  at  an  early  age,  and  show- 
ed a  constant  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  congregation, 
officiating  for  a  time  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
'  school,  and  as  vestryman  and  warden  of  this  church,  and 
of  other  parishes  with  which  he  was  subsequently  identi- 
fied for  upward  of  fifty  years.     He  was  also  greatly  in- 


terested in  the  charitable  societies  of  Reading,  contributing 
liberally    toward    their    success. 

In  politics  Mr.  Stout  started  as  a  Whig  and  became  a 
Republican  upon  the  formation  of  that  party.  He  re- 
presented the  Berks  districL-of  Pennsylvania  in  the  Na- 
tional Republican  Convention  of  1860,  which  nominated 
Abrahani  Lincoln  for  President;  and  in  1864  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Electoral  College  on  the 
Republican  ticket  headed  by  Lincoln.  -The  several  posi- 
tions which  he  filled  at  Reading  for  many  consecutive 
years  evidence  his  prominence  and  superiority  as  a  man 
in  the  community.  He  was  identified  with  the  Free  Ma- 
sons for  a  long  while;  was  a  charter  member  of  the  De 
Molay  Commandery;  and  a  member  of  the  Grand  Com- 
mandery of  Pennsylvania,  having  for  a  time  officiated  as 
District-Deputy    Grand-Master    of    Berks    county. 

In  1848  Mr.  Stout  was  married  to  Margaretta  Duey,  of 
Philadelphia,  by  whom  he  had  five  children :  Emily  D., 
who  married  Samuel  R.  Kerper;  Edward  H.,  who  married 
Katherine  Kerper;  David  D.;  William  H.,  who  married 
Mary  McCoy;  and  Charles  E.,  who  married  Mary  Pid- 
geon. 

His  father  was  John  Stout,  born  at  Schuylkill  Bend,  in 
Maiden-creek  township,  and  he  carried  on  farming.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Engle,  and  had  ten  children:  Mary, 
John,  Solomon,  Esther,  Valentine,  James,  Jacob,  David, 
Caroline  and   Alfred. 

His  grandfather  was  John  Stout,  who  was  born  in  Bern 
township,  in  1737',  and  who  was  brought  up  to  farming. 
In  1772  he  purchased  a  farm  of  162  acres  in  Maideri- 
creek  township,  and  then  moved  there  carrying  on  the 
cultivation  of  this  land  until  his  death,  in  1801.  He  was 
married  to  Maria  Catharine  Kershner,  by  whom  he  had 
eight  children :  George,  Jacob,  John,  Daniel,  Samuel, 
Catharine  (who  married  Henry  Body),  Barbara  (who 
married  George  Snyder)    and  Elizabeth. 

His  great-grandfather  was  John  Michael  Staudt,  who 
emigrated  with  his  father  from  Germany  in  1733,  when 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  and  settled  at  Schuylkill  Bend, 
above  Reading  (now  Stout's  Ferry),  where  he  carried  on 
farming  until  his  death  in  1776.  He  had  nine  children : 
John  Jacob,  Michael,  George  William,  John  George,  Jost, 
Anna  Barbara,  Catharine  Elizabeth,  Appolonia  and  Cath- 


REV.  ACHILLES  JOHNSON  LONG.  A.  M.,  the  well- 
known  Lutheran  minister  at  Rehrersburg,  whose  pasto- 
rate included  the  churches  at  Stouchsburg,  Rehrersburg, 
Newmanstown,  Millbach,  Little  Tulpehocken  and  Schaef- 
ferstown,  gave  his  entire  mature  life  to  the  work  of 
Christ,  and  the  great  good  he  accomplished  is  manifest 
in  the  spiritual  well-being  of  the  many  who  came  within 
the  radius  of  his  influence.  He  was  born  at  Claussville, 
Lehigh  county,  Oct.  20,  1847,  son  of  Ephraim  and  Hannah 
(Kline)    Long.  ; 

The  Long  family  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  About 
1790  four  brothers  came  to  this  country,  and  located  in 
New  Jersey.  John  Long,  grandfather  of  Achilles  John- 
son, went  from  New  Jersey  into  Lowhill  township,  Lehish 
Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of  millwright.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Heilman,  and*  among  their  children 
was   a   son   Ephraim. 

Ephraim  Long  was  born  in  Lowhill  township,  but  on 
reaching  manhood  he  went  first  to  Allentown,  and  later 
to  Schnecksville.  '  From  the  latter  place  in  1850  he  moved 
to  Egypt,  and  there  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death 
June  6,  1901.  He  had  a  large  general  store  and  hotel, 
and  was  also  engaged  in  a  real  estate  business,  and  had  a 
wide  acquaintance.  He  married  Hannah  Khne,  who  was 
born  in  Lehigh  county,  and  who  died  in  1893.  Their 
children  were :  Achilles  Johnson :  Alice  m.  Rev.  S.  H. 
Fegley,  of  Lehigh  county;  Josephine  died  in  1895;  Ag 
nes  m.  Samuel  Black  of  Ashley,  Pa. ;  Alfred  is  engaged 
as  a  coach  manufacturer  at  Blooming  Glen.  Pa, ;  Eugene 
assisted  his  father  in  the  store  at  Egypt;  Harvey  is  un- 
married and  at  home ;  and  Walter  has  a  music  store  at 
Allentown.  The  family  were  all  reared  in  the  Lutheran 
faith,  and  have  been  active  in  church  work. 


506 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Rev.  Achilles  Johnson  Long  received  his  first  mental 
training  in  the  commoni  schools,  and  in  1865  he  went  to 
Freeland  Seminary,  Trappe,  Montgomery  county,  and  m 
1866  to  Fort  Edward  Institute,  New  York.  In  1867 
he  entered  the  Academic  Department  of  Muhlenberg  Col- 
lege, and  the  following  year  the  College  proper,  graduating 
in  1871,  and  receiving  a  purse  of  twenty-five  dollars  for 
his  German  oration.  While  there  he  distinguished  himself 
as  a  member  of  the  Euterpean  Literary  Society,  and  the 
Chi  Phi  fraternity.  Acting  upon  his  decision  to  enter  the 
ministry  he  became  a  student  in  the  Theological  Seminary 
at  Philadelphia,  and  in  May,  1874,  graduated  therefrom. 
He  received  a  call  to  Christ  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church 
on  the  Tulpehocken  (near  Stouchsburg),  and  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry  in  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  June 
2,  1S74,  and  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Tulpehocken 
charge,  Christ  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  June  13, 
1874,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hinterletner,  president  of  the 
Third  Conference,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Home,  principal 
of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  Kutztown,  and 
on  the  same  day  was  also  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Rehr- 
ersburg  Church.  He  served  these  churches  thirty-four 
years,  and  also  had  charge  of  St.  Elias  Church  at  New- 
manstown,  St.  Paul's  Union  Church  at  Millbach,  Little 
Tulpehocken  in  Jefferson  township,  and  St.  Paul's  at 
Schaefferstown.  In  1893  the  Sesqui-Centennial  of  Christ 
Church  was  celebrated,  and  the  good  work  accomplished 
there  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Long  was  highly  praised.  This 
church  has  prospered  under,  or  in  spite  of,  great  difficul- 
ties. The  original  church  was  built  in  1786,  and  this  build- 
ing was  badly  damaged  by  a  dynamite  explosion  Nov.  6, 
1884.  It  was  rebuilt  and  Aug.  1,  1887,  was  struck  by 
lightning  and  this  time  wholly  destroyed.  Though  sadly 
disheartened,  the  members  went  to  work  and  in  spite  of 
the  heavy  financial  loss,  the  church  was  rebuilt.  Alto- 
gether during  his  ministry  the  Rev.  Mr.  Long  erected  five 
splendid  churches.  On  June  17,  1907,  the  Sesqui-Centen- 
nial of  the  Rehrersburg  church  was  appropriately  celebrat- 
ed, and  the  thirty-two  and  one-half  years  of  Pastor  Long's 
pastorate  stand  out  conspicuously  in  the  history  of  the 
church  for  the  wonderful  results  he  obtained  financially 
and  spiritually.  He  was  close  to  the  hearts  of  his  parish- 
ioners and  his  unselfish  devotion  to  duty  merited  the  high 
esteem  and  affection  in  which  he  was  held.  Ministers  from 
many  places  came  to  join  in  the  celebration  and  to  pay 
tribute  of  praise  and  respect  to  Rev.  Mr.  Long.  The  oc- 
casion was  a  most  happy  one,  and  will  long  be  remembered 
by  those   fortunate  enough  to  participate  in  it. 

On  Jan.  4,  1876.  the  Rev.  Achilles  Johnson  Long  was 
married  to  Deborah  I.  Minnich,  born  in  North  Heidel- 
berg township,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Isabella  (Klopp) 
Minnich,  the  former  a  school  teacher  in  early  life  but 
now  a  farmer  in  North  Heidelberg.  This  union  was 
blessed  with  three  daughters — Laura  E.,  Anna  L.  and 
Mabel  M.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Long  was  a  practical  business 
man,  and  he  brought  his  churches  all  to  a  sound  financial 
condition.  He  was  a  director  in  the  Womelsdorf  Na- 
tional Bank  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the 
Orphans'  Home  at  Topton.  He  was  a  charming  com- 
panion, intelligent,  brojid  minded  and  charitable,  and  he 
had  the  confidence  of  the  entire  community.  He  died 
Sept.    13,   1908,   beloved  by   all   who   knew    him. 

JOHN  A.  BRITTON,  a  substantial  citizen  of  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  as  a  member  of  the  well-known  dry-goods 
firm  of  C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co.  is  prominently  identified 
with  the  business  interests  of  the  city.  He  was  born  in 
Reading  in  1853,  son  of  John  A.  and  Leah  (Borkert) 
Britton. 

John  A.  Britton  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Reading,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  started  in  to 
work  as  an  errand  boy  for  Lewis  Briner,  at  the  corner  of 
Penn  and  Third  streets.  After  four  years  with  Mr.  Brin- 
er, he  entered  the  employ  of  John  D.  Mishler,  proprietor 
of  the  original  Globe  Store,  and  here  learned  the  business 
in  all  of  its  details,  finally  resigning  to  become  salesman 
for  Dives,  Pomeroy  &  Stewart,  at  the  time  that  that  firm 
occupied  the  quarters  now  held  by  C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co. 


Later  he  engaged  in  a  mercantile  business  for  one  year 
with  John  E.  Lewis,  at  .Lebanon,  Pa.,  but  disposing  of  his 
interests  he  returned  to  Reading  and  engaged  with  C.  K. 
Whitner  as  salesman,  later  becoming  manager,  and  in  1898 
he  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  firm. 

In  1891  Mr.  Britton  married  Sally  A.  Ruth,  and  to  thepi 
have  been  born  two  children,  namely,  Calvin  A.  and  Ruth 
A.  By  a  former  marriage  Mr.  Britton  had  one  son,  Har- 
ry A.  Mr.  Britton  is  fraternally  connected  with  several 
societies,  in  which  he  is  very  popular.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Church.  His  business  interests 
connect  him  with  the  Board  of  Trade  and  also  the  Mer- 
chants   Association. 

PROF.  GEORGE  L.  KLEINGINNA,  JNI.  E.,  Ph.  B., 
an  author  of  some  note,  and  for  some  years  a  well-known 
and  popular  educator  of  Berks  county,  was  born  there 
Dec.  31,  1872,  in  Bern  township,  son  of  Joseph  and  Leah 
(Leisy)    Kleinginna. 

Mr.  Kleinginna  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  on 
which  he  lived  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  ob- 
tained his  early  education  in  his  native  township,  and  in 
1893  entered  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutz- 
town. from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1895.  Prior  to 
entering  this  institution,  Prof.  Kleinginna  had  taken  a 
commercial  course  in  the  Reading  Scientific  Academy, 
under  the  supervision  of  the  late  Hon.  D.  B.  Brunner. 
He  began  teaching  school  in  Bern  township  when  nineteen 
years  of  age,  ^nd  after  graduating  from,  the  Normal  school 
he  was  appointed  teacher  of  the  Shillington  grammar 
school,  in  Cumru  township,  where  he  continued  success- 
fully for  six  terms.  He  then  purchased  the  Reading 
Scientific  Academy  from  Prof.  D.  B.  Brunner,  and  con- 
ducted it  very  ably  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  that 
time  selling  out  to  the  Reading  Commercial  Business  Col- 
lege, by  whom  the  Academy  is  now  being  conducted. 
During  the  school  term  of  1905-06,  Prof.  Kleinginna 
taught  the  Mohnton  grammar  school.  In  1900  he  received 
the  degree  of  Ph.  B.  from  the  University  of  Michigan. 
He  gave  up  teaching  in  the  spring  of  1908,  to  become  a 
member  of  the  Saylor  Drug  Company,  at  Allentown,  Pa., 
of  which  he  is  now  vice-president.  He  organized  the 
Berks  County  Teachers'  Association,  incorporated  in  1909, 
and  was  elected  its  first  president,  which  office  he  still 
holds.  He  is  one  of  the  organizers  and  original  directors 
of  the  National  Text  Book  Company,  located  at  Reading. 
Prof.  Kleinginna  is  an  author  of  some  prominence,  his 
"James  Snow,"  written  while  he  was  conducting  the  Read- 
ing Academy,  meeting  with  a  large  sale.  While  at  the 
same  institution  he  also  conducted  a  monthly  pamphlet 
entitled  the  "University  Chronicle,"  which  met  with  much 
success. 

In  politics  Mr.  Kleinginna  is  a  Democrat,  placing  prin- 
ciple before  partisanship.  He  is  a  leading  citizen  of  his 
community  and  has  shown  himself  to  be  very  public 
spirited;  he  was  one  of  the  original  spirits  in  the  move- 
ment which  ended  in  the  incorporation  of  Shillington  as 
a  borough.  He  and  his  family  are  connected  with  Grace 
Lutheran  Church,  where  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Consistory  since  1903. 

On  April  9,  1898,  Prof.  Kleinginna  was  married  to  Annie 
E.  Kauffman,  born  May  12,  1876,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Priscilla  (Kauffman)  Kauffman,  and  two  children  were 
born  to  this  union :  Pearl  E.,  born  Nov.  11,  1900,  who 
died  Nov.  9,  1903;  and  Paul  R.,  born  March  27,  1903. 
On  March  23,  1909,  the  Professor  and  his  family  moved 
to  No.  243  South  Twelfth  street,  Reading.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  have  many  warm  friends. 

CHARLES  W.  HERBINE,  a  well-known  business  man 
of  Reading.  Pa.,  who  was  formerly  superintendent  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Knitting  Mills,  was  born  in  Reading,  in 
1869,  son  of  Charles  and  Catherine  (Rapp)  Herbine,  na- 
tives of  this  city. 

Charles  Herbine  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  the 
hotel  and  baking  business  in  Reading,  and  became  a  sub- 
stantial man.     He  died  March  3,  1899,  and  his  wife  sur- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


507 


vives  him.  Of  their  seven  children  five  are  living,  as 
follows.:  Emma;  Oliver;  Edward;  Fannie  (m.  E.  M. 
Quackenboss),  and  Charles  W.  The  family  as  far  as  is 
known  were  members  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Mr. 
Herbine  was  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

Charles  W.  Herbine  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  city,  and  early  in  life  accepted  a  po- 
sition with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company,  learn- 
ing the  machinist's  trade.  After  a  period  of  twelve  years 
with  this  company,  he  severed  his  connection  therewith 
to  engage  in  the  hosiery  business.  This  he  conducted  in 
a  very  successful  manner,  but  finally  sold  out  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Knitting  Mills  Company,  and  from  the  in- 
corporation of  this  concern  he  was  its  superintendent  up 
to  March.  1,  1907,  when  he  resigned  and  connected  himself 
with  the  Gehris-Herbine  Company.  This  enterprise,  which 
employs  about  sixty  hands,  manufactures  high-grade 
hosiery,  and  has  a  trade  that  extends  to  the  leading  cities 
of  the  country.  It  holds  patents  for  its  class  of  work  on 
knitting  machines  and  also  dyeing  machines.  The  officials 
of  the  company  are :  Charles  W.  Herbine,  president  and 
general  manager;  L.  Howard  Gehris,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. 

Mr.  Herbine  is  a  member  of  a  number  of  social  and 
secret  societies,  in  all  of  which  he  is  popular,  among  them 
being  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle  and  the  Knights 
of  Malta,  as  well  as  the  Reading  Hose  Company.  He  is 
a  Democrat  in  politics  and  was  a  candidate  for  council- 
man at  the  primaries  in  1907. 

Mr.  Herbine  married  Mary  Mathias,  and  to  them  there 
has  been  born  one  child,  Walter.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herbine 
attend  the  Reformed  Church. 

JOHN  H.  KEPPELMAN.  superintendent  of  the  Gas 
Company  at  Reading  since  1887,  was  born  at  Reading,  Feb. 
16,  1853,  and  educated  in  the  local  schools,  graduating 
from  the  high  school  in  1870.  He  then  learned  the  trade 
of  molder  in  his  father's  iron  foundry  and  worked  at  it 
for  nine  years ;  after ;  which  he  served  'as  city  clerk  from 
1879  to  1884.  In  1887  the  Consumers'  Gas  Company  elect- 
ed him  superintendent  to  manage  its  extensive  operations, 
and  he  has  filled  that  responsible  position  in  a  most 
efficient  manner  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Keppelman  represented  the  Sixth  ward  in  the  city 
councils  from  1885  to  1897,  four  years  in  the  common 
branch  and  eight  years  in  the  select;  during  which  time 
many  public  improvements  were  ably  advocated  by  him 
and  established  by  a  vote  of  the  electors,  more  especially 
the  sewer  system  and  paved  highways.  Since  his  early 
manhood  he  has  been  an  earnest  adherent  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party.  He  became  a  Freemason  in  1881,  in  Teutonia 
Lodge,  No.  367,  which  was  mainly  organized  by  his  father 
in  1865;  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Harrisburg  Consistory, 
and  of.  the  Shrine  at  Reading.  He  was  chiefly  instru- 
mental in  having  established  at  Reading  the  Reading 
Council  of  the  Royal  Arqanum,  a  mutual  life  insurance 
association,  which  has  secured  a  large  membership. 
Mr.  Keppelman  is  president  of  the  Board  of  Trade  (1909). 
He  is.  a  member  of  the  board  of  managers  of  the  Read- 
ing Public  Library,  and  a  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank. 

In  1876  Mr.  Keppelman  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Ar- 
thur, daughter  of  Col.  John  E.  Arthur,  and  Rebecca 
Moyer,  his  wife,  of  Reading,  by  whom  he  had  three  chil- 
dren: Mamie,  who  died  in  infancy;  Robert,  who  died 
in  youth;  and  Arthur,  an  attorney  at  Reading,  m.  to  May 
Sternbergh. 

John  Joseph  Conrad  Keppelman,  father  of  John  H., 
was  born  in  1827,  in  Baden-Baden,  Germany,  where  he 
learned  the  trade  of  locksmith.  He  emigrated  to  Penn- 
sylvania in  1848,  and  located  at  Pottsville,  but  he  remain- 
ed there  only  a  short  while  when  he  moved  to  Reading 
and  engaged  in  the  foundry  business  which  he '  carried 
on  quite  extensively  for  many  years,  having  established 
and  operated  very  successfully  three  plants,  the  first  on 
North  Sixth  street,  the  second  on  North  Fifth  street  and 
the   third    in   Riverside.     He   died   in   1907.     He   married 


Christiana  Bauer,  daughter  of  John  and  Wilhelmina 
(Beltz)  Bauer,  of  Reading,  by  whom  he  had  ten  chil- 
dren: William  m.  Ella  Brown;  John  H.  (above);  Em- 
ma m.  Dr.  Samuel  Ermentrout;  Edward  m.  Ella  Beach- 
er;  Howard  m.  Ida  Seiders;  Ida  m.  Joseph  Veasey; 
Katharine  m.  Dr.  F.  X.  Wolf;  Albert  m.  Catharine 
Schroeder;  Theodore  m.  Sallie  Rowe;  and  Florence  m. 
Howard  Frees. 

John  Keppelman,  the  grandfather,  was  a  distinguished 
soldier  under  Napoleon,  ^nd  for  valorous  conduct  at 
the  battle  of  Wagram  was  awarded  two  medals  of  honor, 
which  have  come  into  the  possession  of  his  grandson,  and 
are  highly  prized  by  him.  He  died  at  the  age  of  forty- 
six  years,  and  his  wife  lived  to  be  ninety  years  old.  They 
had  four  children,  but  their  son  John  was  the  only  one  to 
come  to  America. 

ABRAM  HERR,  D.  D.  S.,  one  of  the  leading  dental 
practitioners  of  Reading,  Pa.,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the 
earliest  settled  families  of  Lancaster  county,  Hans  Herr, 
a  Mennonite  minister,  having  emigrated  from  Switzer- 
land, and  settled  in  that  county  in  1709.  Dr.  Herr  was 
born  in  Lancaster  county,  July  27,  1839,  son  of  Abram 
and  Hannah  (White)  Herr,  grandson  of  Abram,  Sr., 
and  great-grandson  of  Hans  Herr.' 

Abram  Herr,  Sr.,  the  grandfather  of  the  Doctor,  was 
a  farmer  and  distiller  in  Lancaster  county,  and  followed 
these  occupations  throughout  life,  becoming  very  siiccess- 
ful.  He  was  a  prominent  man  of  his  generation,  and  was 
a  leader  in  the  ranks  of  the  Whig  party.  He  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church.  They 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Abram,  Mar- 
tin, John,  Barbara  and  Sallie. 

Abram  Herr,  son  of  Abram,  Sr.,  was  born  in  1803,  in 
Lancaster  county,  and  early  in  life  began  driving  teams 
between  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg,  before  the  days  of 
the  railroad  in  Pennsylvania.  He  married  (first)  Han- 
nah White,  by  whom  he  had  six  children :  Annie,  Lo- 
vina,  Elizabeth,  Martha,  Mary  and  Dr.  Abram.  His  first 
wife  died  in  her  fifty-fourth  year,  and  he  married  (sec- 
ond) a  Mrs.  Long,  but  no  children  were  born  to  this  un- 
ion. Mr.  Herr  died  in  1893  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine 
years. 

Dr.  Abram  Herr  received  his  preliminary  education  in 
the  schools  of  his  native  county,  after  which  for  a  year 
he  studied  under  Dr.  Farnstock.  He  then  went  to  Ash- 
land, Ohio,  where  he  spent  two  years  studying  dentis- 
try, then  going  to  Philadelphia.  After  practising  in  the 
latter  city  for  two  years,  he  came  to  Reading  in  1866, 
opening  an  office  on  Penn  street,  above  Sixth,  where  he 
was  located  for  seven  years.  In  1876  he  located  at  his 
present  place.  He  has  been  a  close  student  and  is  a  care- 
ful practitioner,  is  successful  in  his  business,  and  is  very 
highly  esteemed  in  his  community,  where  he  has  taken 
a  great  interest  in  local  matters,  especially  in  education. 

In  1861  Dr.  Herr  married  Louisa  Ferguson,  and  to  them 
were  born  eight  children,  only  three  of  whom  now  sur- 
vive:  (1.)  Elmer  E.,  born  in  Ashland,  Ohio,  May  31,  1862, 
m.  Catharine  Schrack,  of  Reading,  and  has  three  chil- 
dren :  Lulae  L.,  a  teacher  in  the  Reading  public  schools ; 
Villanella,  m.  to  Edward  Rush,  of  Philadelphia,  where 
they  reside;  and  Chester  A.,  a  telegrapher  for  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad  Company,  at  Reading,  m.  to  Gertie 
Frey,  of  Reading,  where  they  reside.  (2)  Luther,  born 
in  Reading,  Oct.  29,  1867,  now  living  in  Philadelphia, 
m.  Catherine  V.  Hartman,  of  Reading,  and  has  seven 
children :  Walter  A.,  working  on  railroad  locomotives  for 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  with  his  father 
who  is  foreman  of  the  plant;  Franklin  R.,  preparing 
for  college  in  the  central  boys'  high  school,  Philadel- 
phia; and  Luther,  Jr.,  Hellen  L.,  Meriam  N.,  Carrie  and 
Marie,  all  in  school.  (3)  Walter  S.,  born  in  Reading 
July  1.  1875,  a  graduate  of  the  Pennsylvania  College  of 
Dentistry  and  now  practising  dentistry  with  his  father, 
m.  Ella  J.  Potteiger  of  Reading,  and  has  one  son,  Abram 
Walter  Scott.  Dr.  Abram  Herr  is  a  member  of  the  Read- 
ing School  board  from  the  Eighth  ward.    He  is  a  stanch 


508 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Republican  in  politics,  and  fraternally  is  connected  with 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  being  a  charter  member  of  Vigilance 
Lodge,  No.  194. 

DR.  REUBEN  D.  WENRICH,  proprietor  of  the  "Grand 
View  Sanatorium,"  near  Wernersville,  was  born  in  Low- 
er Heidelberg  township  May  15,  1842.  He  received  his 
preliminary  education  in  the  township  schools  until  he 
was  fourteen  years  of  age  and  for  the  next  five  years 
attended  advanced  institutions  at  Wom«lsdorf,  Stouchs- 
burg,  Pughtown,  Trappe  and  Millersville.  He  then  took 
a  complete  course  in  Duff's  Commercial  College  at  Phil- 
adelphia in  1861.  During  the  winter  months  from  1838 
to  1863,  he  taught  public  school,  and  while  teaching  he 
determined  to  become  a  medical  practitioner.  In  the 
summer  of  1862,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  D.  D.  Det- 
weiler  at  the  Trappe,  where  he  continued  during  that  sea- 
son, and  the  next  summer  he  read  medicine  in  the  office 
of  Dr.  William  J.  Schoener,  at  Strausstown,  Berks  coun- 
ty. During  the  winter  months  he  attended  lectures  in 
the  Medical  Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, graduating  from  that  institution  in  1864.  He 
then  selected  Wernersville  as  a  place  to  start  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine,  and  after  carrying  on  a  successful  prac- 
tice there  for  nearly  ten  years  he  became  a  partner  of 
Dr.  James  W.  Deppen,  an  experienced  physician  at  Wer- 
nersville, in  medical  practice.  They  also  engaged  in  a 
general'  merchandise  business,  and  dealt  in  coal,  lime 
and  lumber.  Dr.  Wenrich  was  associated  with  Dr.  Dep- 
pen in  a  most  agreeable  and  successful  manner  until  his 
decease  in  1895,  a  period  covering  more  than  twenty 
}-ears. 

In  1879,  Dr.  Deppen  and  Dr.  Wenrich  purchased  the 
"Mountain  Home,"  a  famous  health  institution  situated 
on  the  South  Mountain,  two  miles  south  of  Werners- 
ville, which  had  been  carried  on  for  about  thirty  years 
by  different  parties.  Then  they  directed  their  attention 
to  this  great  enterprise  and  gradually  withdrew  from 
business  operations  at  Wernersville.  Their  joint  man- 
agement of  it  until  Dr.  Deppen's  decease  was  very  suc- 
cessful, they  having  increased  and  improved  the  plant 
in  various  ways,  and  developed  its  patronage  to  extend 
throughout  the  United  States.  They  changed  the  name 
to  "Grand  View  Sanatorium,"  and  it  has  been  so  known 
up  to  the  present.  Its  situation  commands  a  magnificent 
view  of  the  Lebanon  and  Schuylkill  Valleys,  reaching  to 
the  Blue  Mountains  on  the  north,  and  to  the  city  of  Read- 
ing on  the  east,  a  view  which  has  won  the  admiration  and 
praise  of  the  numerous  patrons  of  the  institution.  On 
the  settlement  of  Dr.  Deppen's  estate,  Dr.  Wenrich  be- 
came the  sole  owner  of  the  institution,  and  since  then 
he  has  secured  adjoining  farms  and  woodland,  there- 
by increasing  the  total  land  area  to  about  600  acres. 
Costly  permanent  improvements  were  made  to  the  plant, 
in  January,  1907,  comprising  a  large  carriage  house  and 
barn,  101x120  feet;  extension  of  main  building  for 
commodious  dining-room  to  accommodate  the  guests, 
numherin.a;  at  a  time  from  100  to  200 ;  and  power-house 
for  installing  electric  plant  and  boilers  for  power,  light 
and  heat  for  the  buildings.  It  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  finest  and  most  complete  health  resorts  in  the  United 
States. 

On  the  organization  of  the  National  Bank  at  Wer- 
nersville in  April,  1906,  Dr.  Wenrich  gave  it  his  ac- 
tive encouragement,  and  he  has  since  served  as  one  of 
the    directors    thereof. 

In  1865  Dr.  Wenrich  married  Miss  Sarah  Gockley,  daugh- 
ter of  Moses  Gockley.  of  Wernersville,  and  by  her  he 
had  seven  children :  Dr.  George  G..  a  graduate  physi- 
cian of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  m.  to  Anna  May 
Coar ;  Dr.  John  A.,  also  a  graduate  physician  from  the 
State  University,  m.  to  Grace  Alvana  Gaddis  (he  and 
his  br.other  are  on  the  medical  staff  of  the  Sanatorium)  ; 
Eva  Ann,  m.  to  Alvin  J.  Gibbs,  of  Canton,  Ohio;  and 
four  who  died  young.  Mrs.  Wenrich  died  in  1896,  aged 
forty-eight  years.  Her  father  was  the  son  of  Deitrich 
and   Eva    (Moore)    Gockley,    and   the    grandson   of   John 


Gockley,  a  farmer  of  Cocalico  township,  Lancaster  Co., 
Pa.,   who   had   settled   there   before   1790. 

Dr.  Wenrich's  father  was  Adam  Wenrich,  a  farmer 
of  Lower  Heidelberg.  He  was  married  to  Eliza  Klopp, 
daughter  of  John  Klopp,  of  North  Heidelberg,  and  by 
her  had  five  children :  Richard  M.  m.  Mary  Koch ;  Frank- 
lin J.  m.  Sarah  Klopp;  Emma  E.  m.  Franklin  Miller; 
Reuben  D. ;  and  Jemima  m.  Jacob  S.  Yoder.  The  father 
died  in  1851,  aged  forty-seven  years;  and  the  mother 
died   in   1877,   aged   sixty-eight  years. 

Matthias  Wenrich,  Jr.,  father  of  Adam,  was  a  farm- 
er of  Heidelberg.  He  married  Sophia  Kalbach,  and 
by  her  had  eleven  children:  Daniel  m.  Hannah  Hain; 
Adam;  John  m.  Anna  Schaeffer;  David  L.  m.  Magda- 
lena  Gockley;  Maria  m.  John  Fisher;  Catherine  m.  Chris- 
tian Walborn ;  Sarah  m.  John  F.  Miller;  Sophia  m.  Jo- 
seph Nagle  and  upon  her  decease  he  m.  her  sister,  Su- 
sanna; and  Elizabeth  m.  Michael  Hain,  who  upon  her 
decease  m.  her  sister  Rebecca.  The  father  died  in  1S40, 
aged  seventy-seven  years,  and  his  wife  in  1841,  aged 
seventy  years. 

Matthias  Wenrich,  Sr.,  father  of  Matthias,  Jr.,  was 
a  farmer  of  Heidelberg.  His  father  was  also  named 
Matthias,  and  he  was  a  farmer  of  the  same  township, 
his  farm  having  continued  in  the  name  from  1739  un- 
til  1889. 

JOHN  W.  FISHER,  one  of  Berks  county's  represen- 
tative citizens  and  substantial  men,  who  served  as  direc- 
tor of  the  poor  of  Berks  county,  and  as  justice  of  the 
peace  of  North  Heidelberg  township,  was  born  Nov. 
9,  1844,  in  Marion  township,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah 
(Gruber)    Fisher. 

It  is  traditional  that  this  branch  of  the  Fisher  fam- 
ily had  its  origin  in  America  in  one  Sebastian  Fischer, 
who  in  1723  was  a  member  of  a  party  of  thirty-three 
families  to  come  from  the  Schoharie  Valley,  N.  Y., 
and  settle  in  Tulpehocken  and  Heidelberg  townships, 
Berks  county.  In  1759  these  Fishers  were  taxables  of 
Heidelberg  township :  Jacob  who  paid  twenty  pounds 
tax ;  Ulrich.  who  paid  five  pounds  fax ;  and  Adam  and 
Ludwig,  who  paid  one  pound  each :  and  from  one  of 
these  ancestors  descended  John  Fisher,  the  grandfather 
of  John  W. 

John  Fisher  came  to  Berks  county  from  Schuylkill 
county,  and  settled  one  mile  west  of  Womelsdorf.  where 
he  engaged  in  farming.  He  married  Elizabeth  Leinin- 
ger,  and  to  them  were  born  these  children ;  Elizabeth 
m.  Henry  Grime,  of  Penn  township;  John  settled  in 
Logan  county.  Ohio;  Daniel;  Henry  lived  in  Marion 
township,  m.  Molly  Kreicher,  and  had  one  son,  Edwin; 
Jeremiah  settled  in  Logan  county,   Ohio. 

Daniel  Fisher  was  bom  in  Schuylkill  county,  in  Aug- 
ust, 1814.  and  when  a  boy  was  brought  to  Berks  coun- 
ty, where  his  early  days  were  spent  in  farm  laboring. 
By  economy  and  industry  he  managed  to  save  enough 
from  his  earnings  with  which  to  purchase  a  thirtv-acre 
tract  in  North  Heidelberg  township,  and  there  he  "spent 
the  rest  of  his  active  life,  engaged  in  truck  farming.  His 
last  years  were  spent  with  his  son  John  W..  at  whose 
lesidence  he  died.  Mr.  Fisher  was  a  man  of  high  moral 
character,_  and  was  an  active  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  in  which  he  served  as  deacon.  In  politics  he 
was  a  Democrat.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fisher  were  born 
two  children:  John  W. ;  and  .Mbert  Adam,  a  resident  of 
Lower    Heidelberg   township. 

John  W.  Fisher  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  North  Heidelberg  township,  and  also  spent 
one  year  in  Freeland  Seminary,  now  Ursinus  College. 
When  but  seventeen  years  of  age  he  began  teaching 
school,  his  first  term  being  in  Centre  township,  and  in 
all  ^  was  an  educator  for  twenty-five  terms,  sixteen  of 
which  were  taught  in  the  home  district.  In  addition 
to  school  teaching,  Mr.  Fisher  spent  the  summer  months 
in  work  on  his  thirty-acre  tract,  and  was  also  perform- 
ing the  duties  of  justice  of  the  peace,  a  position  to  which 
he  had  been  elected  when  he  was  but  twenty-one  years  old. 
In   1877  he   leased  a  larger   farm,  belonging  to  Jonathan 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


509 


E.  Stump,  a  tract  of  ninety-one  acres,  which  was  still 
later  increased  to  110  acres,  and  cultivated  this  prop- 
erty for  twenty-six  years  on  shares  or  one-half.  Mr. 
Fisher  subsequently  purchased  the  farm  adjoining,  known 
as  the  William  L.  Klopp  farm,  which  consists '  of  133 
acres,  and  he  also  owned  the  eighty-acre  tract  purchased 
by  him  some  sixteen  years  prior. 

Mr.  Fisher  always  took  a  great  interest  in  edu- 
cational matters  and  held  a  permanent  State  certifi- 
cate. When  but  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  was  elected 
to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  in  which  he  served 
for  forty-one  years  and  so  impartial  were  his  judgments 
that  he  never  had  a  decision  reversed.  He  was  elected 
director  of  the  poor  in  1903,  and  served  in  that  office 
for  three  years.  He  was  always  an  active  Democrat. 
In  March,  1907,  Mr-  Fisher  removed  from  the  farm 
to  Robesonia,  and  in  the  same  year  he  erected  a 
handsome  double  brick  residence,  in  which  he  resided 
until  his  death.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Farmers'  Mu- 
tual Assistance  and  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  Berks 
county,  and  served  as  treasurer  of  this  organization  for 
nine  years.  Mr.  Fisher  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  while  his  widow  is  of  the  Reformed  faith,  and 
both  have  been  active  in  church  work. 

In  1864  Mr.  Fisher  married  Ellen  M.  Lamm,  daughter 
of  the  late  Benjamin  and  Lydia  (Ruth.)  Lamm,  of  North 
Heidelberg  township,  and  twelve  children  were  born 
to  this  union,  the  survivors  all  being  of  Berks  county: 
Adelaide  E.  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years;  Lillie  A. 
m-  Nelson  L.  Brossman,  of  North  Heidelberg  township; 
Emma  V.  m.  Henry  G.  Stump,  of  North  Heidelberg 
township;  Sallie  L.  m.  Michaiel  A.  Fox,  of  Jefferson 
township;  Heela  M.  died  at  the  age  of  six  years;  E. 
Noira  is  at  home;  Diana  R.  m.  W.  Alvin  Christman,  of 
Womelsdorf;  William  E.,  an  attorney  and  builder  of 
Reading,  m.  Minnie  E.  Moyer,  of  Heidelberg  town-i 
ship;  John  C,  a  minister  of  the  Lutheran  faith,  ordained 
by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  in  May,  1907,  and 
now  in  charge  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of 
The  Advocate  in  Germantown,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  m. 
Kathryn  Wotring,  of  Allentown;  Cora  C.  m.  Lloyd  K. 
Minnich,  of  North  Heidelberg  township;  Anna  G.  m. 
Howard  E.  Brown,  of  Robesonia;  F.  May  m.  Herbert 
C.    Schell,   of   Friedensburg,    Oley   township. 

Mr.  Fisher  died  Feb.  12,  1909,  and  his  remains  were 
interred  in  the  family  plot  in  Heidelberg  cemetery,  of 
which  Association  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  and 
secretary  fro.n  the  dale  of  its  organizati^^n,  1880,  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death. 

MARCUS  BEHM  EACHES,  business  manager  of 
The  Reading  Herald,  was  born  in  Reading  April  15,  1869, 
and  with  the  exception  of  one  brief  interval  has  been 
identified  with  printing  and  the  newspaper  business  prac- 
tically from  the  time  he  was  thirteen  years  old.  At  that 
age,  in  1882,  he  entered  the  printing  office  of  B.  F.  Ow- 
en, Nos.  515  and  517  Court  street.  Reading,  and  there 
served  at  the  case  and  trade  until  1889.  In  the  latter 
year  he  became  pressman  in  the  employ  of  John  B.  Damp- 
.tnan,  owner  of  The  Reading  Herald,  then  located  at  No. 
506  Court  street.  In  the  spring  of  1890  he  was  ad- 
vanced from  pressman  to  advertising  solicitor,  v;hich 
position  he  held  until  1895,  when  he  changed  to  the  Read- 
ing Eagle,  having  charge  of  the  Eagle  Book  Store  as 
manager  for  a  period  of  twelve  months.  Following  that, 
for  about  seven  months,  he  was  with  the  Pennsylvania 
Telephone  Company  as  specikl  agent,  in  November,  1896, 
returnmg  to  his  connection  with  the  Herald,  with  which 
he  has  remained  ever  since.  He  was  advertising  manager 
for  three  months  after  his  return  to  the  Herald,  and  was 
then  appointed  business  manager,  which'  .position  he 
has  since  occupied.  Mr.  Eaches  takes  pride  in  the  fact 
that  his  associaton  with  the  Herald  covers  a  period  of 
substantially  twenty-eight  years,  as  he  was  one  of  the 
first  carrier  boys  on  the  Spirit  of  Berks  (started  by 
Daniel  Francis  and  issued  early  in  1S81),  predecessor 
of  the  Herald,  and  has  since  retained  his  interest  and 
connection. 


During  the  Spanish-American  war  the  Herald,  origi- 
nally a  morning  paper,  under  the  new  ownership  of 
William  McCormick,  the  present  proprietor  (the  business 
being  looked  after  by  Mr.  Eaches),  added  an  afternoon 
edition,  running  two  complete  papers  from  one  equip- 
ment. The  business  of  the  afternoon  edition  so  over- 
topped that  of  the  morning  edition  that  after  a  period  of 
about  eight  months  the  morning  edition  was  dropped 
altogether. 

Mr.  Eaches  long  ago  demonstrated  his  reliability  and 
worth  in  his  chosen  field.  To  his  energetic  and  pro- 
gressive tactics  the  paper  owes  much  of  its  popularity 
and  success,  and  its  steadily  increasing  growth  is  the 
best  commendation  of  his  policy.  He  is  a  man  who  has 
been  successful,  judged  from  the  broadest  standpoint, 
and  not  merely  by  the  financial  standards.  In  his  act- 
ive career  he  has  seen  much  of  his  country  and  has 
a  wide  acquaintance  with  associates  in  the  same  line 
of  interest.  He  is  a  member  of  Reading  Lodge  No.  549, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  the  Press  Club,  and  St.  Paul's  Reformed 
Church. 

In  1892  Mr.  Eaches  married  Mrs.  Kate  Shafer,  and 
has  one  son,  Robert  -  Morse  Eaches,  born  Dec.  28,  1894. 
The  family  residence  is  at  No.  1154  Franklin  street,  Rea3- 
ing. 

JOEL  H.  WELLER,  merchant  and  succrssful  business 
man  of  Boyertown,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  near  Hill 
Church,  Pike  township,  Oct.  29,  1849.  The  family  his- 
tory of  the  Wellers  is  very  interesting  and  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

(I)  Peter  (he  spelled  the  name  "Peatter")  Weller 
came  to  America  in  1749  from  his  native  land,  Germany, 
where  he  was  born  in  the  year  1730,  and  he  located  in 
District  township.  He  died  in  1795,  aged  seventy-five 
years,  and  is  buried  at  the  Hill  Church,  his  grave  be- 
ing marked  by  a  monument  erected  in  1890  by  his  des- 
cendants. This  monument  was  dedicated  Aug.  34,  1890. 
Joel  H._  Weller  and  his  father,  Gideon  Weller,  were 
the  moving  spirits  in  erecting  the  monument  to  the  mem- 
ory of  their  honored  ancestors,  and  it  was  their  ear- 
nest desire  that  the  younger  generations  of  the  family 
should  assume  the  responsibility  of  the  care  of  ground 
and  monument.  Peter  Weller  had  three  sons:  Philip, 
John  Adam  and   Peter,  Jr. 

(II)  Philip  Weller  had  sons  as  follows:  Abraham; 
John;  Peter;  George;  Philip,  and  Jacob.  The  two  broth- 
ers  of   Philip  had  no  issue. 

(III)  Abraham  Weller  had  sons  as  follows:  John, 
Samuel,  Peter  and  Abraham.  John,  brother  of  Abra- 
ham, and  son  of  Philip,  had  these  sons:  Adam;  George; 
Benjamin;  Joseph,  and  Peter.  Peter,  brother  of  John 
and  Abraham,  had  these  sons:  Charles;  Jacob;  Benja- 
min and  David. 

(III)  George  Weller,  son  of  Philip,  had  these  sons: 
Thomas,  Gideon  (father  of  Joel  H.  Weller),  Israel, 
Joseph,   David,   Adam,   George   and   Isaac. 

(IV)  Gideon  Weller  was  born  in  District  township  on 
the  Weller  homestead,  Dec.  13,  1831,  died  Jan.  5,  1909, 
aged  87  years,  22  days,  and  was  buried  at  Hill  Church.  He 
lived  in  Pike  township  near  Hill  Church,  on  his  farm  of 
100  acres,  and  during  his  active  life  he  was  a  farmer. 
But  he  had  been  confined  to  his  bed  for  some  years  be- 
fore his  death.  His  first  wife  was  Mary  Hartlein,  daugh- 
ter of  George  Hartlein,  of  Earl  township.  She  died  in 
1872,  aged  forty- four.  Their  children  were :  Joel  H  • 
Daniel,  of  Pottstown;  Lewis,  of  Hill  Church;  Jessiah, 
of  Hill   Church;   Mrs.   Catherine  Weiser,   of   Boyertown- 

"Mrs.  Amanda  Kemp,  of  Landis  Store,  Pa.  He  married  ,  ,  „ 
(second)  Hettie  Fronheiser,  who  died  in  1898.  By  her 
he  had  five  children:  Olivia;  Lizzie;  Alice;  Sivilla  and 
James.  Since  1899  the  Weller  family  has  had  re-unions, 
and  the  gatherings  which  take  place  at  Gideon  Weller's 
are  occasions  of  much  interest  and  pleasurable  enjoyment 
The  Weller  family  has  long  been  identified  with  District 
township,  where  George  Weller,  the  grandfather  of  Joel 
H.  Weller,  was  born,  as  well  as  his  son  Gideon. 


510 


HISTORY  OF  'BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(V)  Joel  H.  Weller  attended  the  schools  of  his  town- 
ship for  three  months  each  winter,  and  this  constituted 
a  term.  During  the  rest  of  the  winter  months  he  assisted 
his  father  by  threshing  with  the  flail  and  chopping  wood. 
In  1865  he  learned  the  tailoring  trade  from  John  Stauf- 
fer  of  Bechtelsville,  and  this  he  followed  for  fifteen  years 
at  Boyertown,  to  which  place  he  came  in  1871.  In  1888 
he  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business  on  Phil- 
adelphia avenue,  where  he  has  since  continued,  noW 
controlling  an  excellent  trade  not  only  from  the  people 
of  Boyertown,  but  the  territory  contiguous  to  it.  He 
carries  at  all  times  a  full  line  of  general  merchandise, 
and  because  of  his  enormous  amount  of  business  and 
his  superior  connections,  he  is  enabled  to  offer  specially 
attractive  inducements.  In  addition  to  his  other  inter- 
ests Mr.  Weller  built  three  houses  at  Boyertown  in  1890, 
which  are   very  handsome  residences. 

In  1874  Mr.  Weiler  married  Miss  Emma  Bahr,  daugh- 
ter of  Joshua  and  Elizabeth  (Shauer)  Bahr,  of  Boyer- 
town, and  they  have  two  children:  Mamie  (.m.  Thomas 
Gabel,  of  Boyertown)  and  Miss  Olivia.  Mr.  Weller  and 
his  family  are  consistent  members  of  the  Reformed  Church 
of  the  Good  Shepherd  of  Boyertown,  where  he  has  served 
as  deacon  and  elder.  Formerly  he  was  a  member  of 
Hill  Church.  In  1874  when  the  church  at  Boyertown  was 
built,  Mr.  Weller  collected  $3,500  for  its  erection,  and 
rendered  the  church  very  valuable  assistance,  receiving 
the  heartfelt  thanks  of  the  congregation.  He  narrowly 
escaped  with  his  life  at  the  time  of  the  Boyertown  Opera 
House  fire  Jan.  13,  1908.  being  the  last  to  leave  the  build- 
ing alive ;  he  was  confined  to  the  house  for  months  with 
the  burns  received,  and  has  never  fully  regained  his 
healtTi.  Mr.  Weller  is  a  large-souled,  capable,  energetic 
man,  whose  capacity  for  business  and  executive  force 
is  remarkable,  as  he  demonstrated  when  he  carried  through 
the  erectaon  of  the  new  church  home,  and  the  raising 
of  the  monument  to  the  Weller  family.  Without  him 
neither  would  have  been  accomplished.  He  is  never  con- 
tent with  merely  subscribing  to  any  undertaking,  but  gives 
largely  of  his  time  and  personal  attention.  In  his  busi- 
ness relations  he  is  affable,  courteous,  prompt  in  meet- 
ing all  obligations,  and  in  every  way  has  proven  himself 
the  right  man  in  the  right  place  whenever  his  services 
have  been  required  to  carry  on  anything,  whether  of 
public  or  private  interest. 

(V)  Daniel  Weller,  brother  of  Joel  H.,  had  children: 
Charles,  Willie,   Warren  and   Paul    (deceased). 

(VI)  Charles  Weller,  son  of  Daniel,  has  a  son  (VII) 
Earl — a  representative  in  the  seventh  generation  of  the 
family  in  Anierica. 

JOHN  A.  HIESTER.  alderman  of  the  Sixth  ward, 
Reading,  and  one  of  that  city's  most  prominent  and  in- 
fluential citizens,  is  descended  from  the  Hiesters  who 
have  been  prominent  in  Pennsylvania  affairs  for  so  many 
years. 

John  Hiester,  grandfather  of  John  A.,  was  a  farmer 
of  Berks  county,  as  was  also  his  son,  Benneville,  the 
father  of  the  alderman.  Benneville  Hiester  died  in  1857, 
aged  fortv-two  years.  His  wife  was  Sarah  Brown,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Brown,  a  well  known  farmer  of  Berks 
county.  They  had  six  children :  Henry  died  in  1866,  aged 
■  ineteen  years;  Daniel  F.  is  a  carpenter;  Amanda  mar- 
ried Isaac  Menviller,  a  farmer  of  Berks  county;  Sarah 
m.  James  Keller,  o^  Kansas;  Emma  m.  Joshua  A.  Schle- 
gel,  of  Topeka,  Kans. ;  and  John  A. 

Jfohn  A.  Hiester  was  born  in  Cumru  (now  Spring) 
township,  Berks  county,  Sept.  21,  1846,  and  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools.  When  nearly  twelve  years  old  his 
father  died,  and,  after  working  on  a  farm  for  a  time, 
young  Hiester  went  to  Monroe  county,  where  he  had 
charge  of  a  sawmill.  Tiring  of  this  he  located  in  North 
Heidelberg  and  became  a  farmer.  His  friends  elected 
him  judge  of  election  as  well  as  a  member  of  the 
school  board.  In  1883  Mr.  Hiester  removed  to  Reading 
and  established  a  livery  and  boarding  stable,  and  this 
business,  still  owned  and  managed  by  him,  has  grown  to 
large    proportions.      Mr.    Hiester    served    efficiently    as    a 


director  of  the  poor  for  nine  years,  so  efficiently,  indeed, 
that  he  was  elected  alderman  of  the  Sixth  ward  of 
Reading,  on  the  Democratic  ticket  (although  the  ward 
was  largely  Republican)  in  February,  1903.  While  a  resi- 
dent of  Bernville,  in  1876,  Mr.  Hiester  was  elected  chief 
burgess  of  the  place  although  only  thirty  years  old  at 
the  time. 

Mr.  Hiester  was  married  in  1873,  to  Catherine  E.  Weber, 
daughter  of  Z.  Weber,  a  carpenter  of  Bernville.  Ten 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union :  Charles,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  three  years;  Mary  M.  has  been  employed 
in  the  U.  S.  Mint  Service  at  Philadelphia  since  1894; 
Martha  m.  Edwin  Laruiii,  a  clerk  at  the  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  freight  station  at  Reading;  John  C.  is  a  carpenter 
of  Reading;  Vernon  was  mustered  out  of  the  army  in  the 
summer  of  1904,  after  serving  three  years,  two  years  of 
which  were  spent  in  the  Philippine  Islands,  where  he  was 
made  provost  sergeant;  James  D.  and  Herbert  are  at 
Reading;  Eleanor  is  at  home;  and  Arthur  and  Catherine 
are  at  school. 

Alderman  Hiester  belongs  to  Mt.  Penn  Lodge  No.  65, 
K.  of  P.;  K.  G.  E.,  No.  49;  the  Home  Circle;  the  Liter- 
ary Society;  Schuylkill  Fire  Company,  No.  12.  and  to  the 
uniformed  rank  of  this  company.  In  his  religious  affilia- 
tions he  is  connected  with  the  Reformed  Church.  The 
alderman  has  two  offices,  one  being  at  No.  10  North  Third 
street,  and  the  other  at  No.  20,  the  same  street. 

WILLIAM  F.  McLEAN,  one  of  the  most  nrominent 
farmers  of  Berks  County,  Pa.,  and  a  leading  citizen  in 
the  affairs  of  Heidelberg  township,  owns  a  tine  farm  of 
135  acres  one  mile  east  of  Womelsdorf.  on  the  Berks  and 
Dauphin  pike.  He  was  born  Oct.  17,  1854,  in  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  son  of  Daniel  J.  and  Adeline  F.   (Futcher)   McLean. 

The  great-grandfather  of  William  F.  McLean,  who  was 
the  progenitor  of  the  family  in  this  country,  came  here  in 
middle  life  from  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  noted  military  McLean  family..  He  was  married 
and  had  children  at  the  time  of  his  location  in  America. 

William  McLean,  son  of  the  progenitor,  was  born  Feb. 
15,  1778,  at  Philadelphia,  and  died  Jan.  20,  1S44.  He 
married  Sarah  Douglass,  born  Sept.  10,  1783,  who  died  at 
Philadelphia,  Dec.  31.  1843,  and  both  are  buried  at  the 
old  Philadelphia  cemetery,  Mr.  McLean  was  a  jeweler  all 
his  life,  and  was  very  successful.  He  and  his  wife  had 
these  children  :  Elizabeth,  born  Oct.  3,  1801 ;  Andrew,  born 
Feb.  23,  1803;  Martha,  Alay  25,  1804;  John  D.,  Feb.  28, 
1806;  William  S.,  June  3,  1808;  James  V.,  Jan.  '29,  1810; 
Margaret,  Jan.  22,  1812;  Samuel  G..  Oct.  6,  1813;  Robert 
M..  Oct.  4,  1815;  Col.  George  P.,  July  13,  1817  (was 
colonel  of  the  88th  Pa.  V.  I.);  Daniel  J.,  July  14,  1819; 
Jonathan  D.,  May  4,  1831  (Lieut.-Col.  of  the  88th  Reg. 
Pa.  V.  I.)  ;  Joseph  A.,  May  32,  1833;  and  Marv  E.,  March 
28,  1826.  Lieut.  Col.  Joseph  A.  McLean  was  killed  at 
the  head  of  his  regiment  while  leading  a  charge  on  the 
Confederate  masked  battery  at  the  second  "battle  of 
Bull  Run,  and  his  body  was  never  recovered,  resting 
in  an  unknown  grave  on  the  battlefield.  ]\IcLean  Post, 
G.   .A.  R.,   No.  16,  was  named  in  this  hero's  honor. 

Daniel  J.  McLean,  father  of  William  F.,  was  born  at 
Philadelphia,  July  14,  1S19,  and  died  May  30,  1880,  in  the 
place  now  occupied  by  his  son  William  F.  Lie  was  a  watch 
case  maker  by  trade,  which  he  followed  for  many  vears 
at  the  old  stand  at  Dock  and  Walnut  streets,  Philadelphia, 
under  the  firm  name  of  McLean  &  Harper.  Much  of  the 
concern's  business  was  done  in  the  South,  and  at  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  the  partners  sustained  much 
loss,  and  finally  mutually  agreed  to  sever  their  business 
connections.  Mr.  Harper,  however,  continued  the  busi- 
ness on  a  smaller  scale,  Mr.  McLean  also  served  in  the 
militia  of  emergency  men  who  were  mustered  in  at 
Philadelphia  during  the  raid  of  the  Confederates  into  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr,  McLean  was  active  in  the 
ranks  of  the  Republican  party,  serving  for  a  number  of 
vears  in  the  city  council  from  the  Twentieth  ward,  and 
being  highway  commissioner.  He  was  on  the  presentation 
committee  when  the  city  of  Philadelphia  awarded  General 
McClellan  a  gold  medal   for  bravery;  participated  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


511 


Philadelphia  Council's  reception  committee,  June  9,  1860, 
when  the  first  Japanese  embassy  visited  the  United  States, 
and  was  on  a  similar  committee,  Feb.  31,  1861,  when  Pres- 
ident-elect Abraham  Lincoln  vis.ited  Philadelphia.  He  is 
buried  at  the  Union  cemetery,  Womelsdorf. 

Mr.  McLean  was  married  to  Adeline  F.  Futcher,  born 
Oct.  17,  1834,  who  died  Aug.  38,  1893,  and  was  buried  at 
Mt.  Vernon  Cemetery,  Philadelphia,  daughter  of  William 
and  Catherine  (Talbert)  Futcher.  One  child  was  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McLean:  William  F. 

William  F.  McLean  was  educated  in  the  public 
and  pay  schools  of  Philadelphia  which  he  left  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  years,  his  last  schooling  being  in  the 
Philadelphia  High  School  for  Boys.  In  the  spring  of 
1873  his  parents  removed  to  the  old  Manderbach  property, 
opposite  Womelsdorf  station,  in  Berks  county,  this  removal 
being  made  on  account  of  the  failing  health  of  Mr.  Mc- 
Leari's  father.  Here  William  F.  McLean  taught  in  the 
public  schools  for  three  terms,  and  at  the  end  of  this 
time  engaged  in  the  poultry  business,  raising  fine  thorough- 
bred poultry,  which  he  sold  in  different  parts  of  the 
country,  disposing  of  their  eggs  all  over  the  United  States. 
This  he  followed  with  much  success  until  the  spring  of 
1876,  when  he  was  appointed  to  the  position  of  turn-stile 
keeper  at  the  entrance  gate  to  the  exhibition  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Centennial,  serving  with  ability  until  the  end  of 
the  exposition,  by  which  time  he  had  been  promoted  on 
merit  to  a  lieutenancy.  His  duties  completed  here,  Mr. 
McLean  returned  to  poultry  raising  which  he  continued 
until  his  father-in-law,  William  Scheetz's  death,  in  1884, 
when  he  purchased  one  of  the  latter's  farms  at  appraise- 
ment and  since  that  time  has  been  giving  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  the  cultivation  thereof.  He  breeds  thoroughbred 
Jersey  cattle  and  has  also  made  numerous  importations 
from  England  of  Scotch  collie  dogs.  His  farm  consists 
of  135  acres  of  which  forty  acres  is  woodland  located  on 
the  South  Mountain,  and  it  is  very  highly  cultivated.  Mr. 
McLean  is  a  practical  agriculturist  and  has  his  farm 
furnished  with  the  best  and  most  modern  farm  implements, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1897  he  built  an  addition  tO'  his  resi- 
dence. He  operates  a  dairy,  the  product  of  which  he 
sells  to  a  creamery.  In  politics  Mr.  McLean  is  a  Repub- 
lican,  but  in   local  matters   votes   independently. 

On  Nov.  30,  1873,  Mr.  McLean  was  married  to  Mary 
Agnes  Scheetz,  daughter  of  William  and  Henrietta  CDep- 
pen)  Scheetz,  and  to  this  union  four  sons  have  been  born: 
William  S.  m.  Reta,  daughter  of  John  and  Isabella  Filbert, 
and  resides  at  Robesonia,  and  has  charge  oi  the  hospital 
department  of  the  State  Asylum  at  Wernersville ;  Walter 
D.  m.  Catherine  Scheetz,  works  for  his  father  and  resides 
in  the  tenant  house ;  Robert  ■  D.  resides  at  home ;  and 
Edgar   P.  died  in  infancy. 

WILLIAM  E.  FISHER,  one  of  the  leading  young 
attorneys  of  Reading,  is  descended  from  an  ancestry 
who  were  sturdy  yeomen  in  Germany  prior  to  the  days 
of  the  American  Revolution.  They  emigrated  to  this 
country  before  that  great  struggle,  and  were  leading 
farmers  in  Berks  county  during  its  continuance,  and 
indeed  to  the  present  time. 

John  Fisher,  great-grandfather  of  William  E.,  was  a 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  participated  in^  the  bat- 
tle of  Baltimore,  in  Aueust,  1814.  He  was  engaged  in 
boating  on  the  Schuylkill  and  Union  canals.  He  rear- 
ed of  a  family  of  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  one  of 
whom,  Daniel  Fisher,  was  the  grandfather  of  th«!  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch. 

Daniel  Fisher  was  also  engaged  in  boating  up  to  the 
time  of  his  marriage  with  Sarah  Gruber,  daughter  of 
John  Adam  Gruber,  of  Heidelberg  township,  after  which 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  reared  a  family  of  two  sons,  John  W.  Fisher,  born 
Nov.   9,   5844:    arid   Albert  A.   Fi.sher.  born   June   4,   1852. 

John  W.  Fisher  (father  of  William  E.)  in  his  early 
days  worked  on  a  farm,  and  was  a  student  at  Freeland 
Seminary,  now  Ursinus  College,  Collegeville,  Montgom- 
ery Co.,  Pa.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  began 
teaching    school,    making    his    first    teacher's     certificate 


under  John  S.  Ermentrout,  county  superintendent  of 
Berks  county.  He  taught  school  for  twenty-five  years 
in  all :  The  first  term  in  Centre  township,  and  the  bal- 
ance   in    North    Heidelberg. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  he  was  appointed  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  of  North  Heidelberg  township  and 
was  re-elected  for  nine  successive  terms,  holding  that  of- 
fice up  to  the  time  of  his  removal  from  North  Heidel- 
berg township  in  1907.  In  1864,  Mr.  Fisher  married  El- 
len M.  Lamni,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Benjamin  Lamm, 
now  deceased,  who  for  many  years  was  an  influential 
and  _  well-to-do  farmer  of  North  Heidelberg  township. 
Benjamin  Lamm's  father  was  John  Lamm,  and  he  had 
four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Benjamin  Lamm  was 
niarried  to  Lydia  Ruth,  daughter  of  Frederifck  Ruth,  of 
Lower  Heidelberg  township,  and  he  had  four  sons  and 
four  daughters.  To  John  W.  Fisher  and  Ellen  M.,  his 
wife,  were  born  twelve  children,  as  follows :  Adelaide 
E.,  who  died  March  25,  1881,  aged  sixteen  years;  Lillie  A., 
m.  to  Nelson  Brossman,  of  North  Heidelberg  township; 
Emma  V.,  m.  to  Henry  G.  Stump,  of  Heidelberg  town- 
ship; SalHe  L.,  m.  to  Michael  A.  Fox,  of  Jefferson  town- 
ship; Heela  M.,"who  died  Aug.  11,  1878,  aged  six  years; 
Ellen  Nora,  at  home;  Diana  R.,  m.  to  William  Alvin 
Christman  of  Womelsdorf ;  William  E. ;  John  C,  a  Luth- 
eran clergyman  of  Germantown,  Philadelphia;  Cora  C., 
m.  to  Lloyd  K.  Minnich,  of  Robesonia ;  Anna  G.,  married 
to  Howard  E.  Brown,  of  Robesonia.  and  F.  May,  married 
to   Herbert   C.  .Schell,   of  Oley. 

William  E.  Fisher  was  born  in  North  Heidelberg  town- 
ship, July  11,  1878,  and  passed  his  youth  on  the  farm, 
developiiig  a  good  physique  and  laying  the  foundation 
for  his  future  education.  He  attended  the  country 
schools  in  the  winter  and  assisted  on  his  father's  farm 
in  the  summer.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  attend- 
ed the  Bernville  Grammar  School  for  five  months.  At 
the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  successfully  passed  the  teach- 
ers' examination  under  William  M.  Zechman,  county 
superintendent  of  Berks  countv,  and  during  the  winter 
of  1894  and  1895  he  taught  Lengel's  school  in  North 
Heidelberg  township.  In  the  spring  of  1895,  he  entered 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown,  as  a 
student,  and  subsequently  was  a  student  there  during  the 
fall  and  spring,  when  not  teaching  school.  During  the 
winter  of  1895  and  1896  he  taught  the  Forge  School  in 
North  Heidelberg  township,  and  in  the  spring  of  1897 
he  eraduated  from  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School 
at  Kutztown.  For  a  time  thereafter,  Mr.  Fisher  contin- 
ued his  studies  under  private  instruction,  giving  partic- 
ular attention  to  Latin  and  mathematics.  On  Nov.  6, 
1897,  he  successfully  passed  the  preliminary  examina- 
tion as  a  student  at  law,  and  registered  as  a  student  in 
the  office  of  Ermentrout  &  Ruhl,  and  for  the  following  ' 
three  years  he  studied  law  under  the  preceptorship  of 
Christian  H.  Ruhl,  one  of  the  foremost  practitioners  at 
the  Reading  Bar.  During  the  winter  of  1897  arid  1898 
he  taught  school  at  Newmanstown,  Lebanon  county,  in 
connection  with  his  legal  studies.  During  the  winter  of 
1898  and  1899  he  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Robe- 
sonia. On  Nov.  12,  1900.  he  was  admitted  to  practice 
law  in  all  the  courts  of  Berks  county,  and  immediately 
thereafter  opened  an  office  at  No.  38  North  Sixth  street,''' 
where  he  practised  his  nrofession  until  March  35,  1908, 
when  he  removed  his  office  to  No.  541  Court  street.  On 
Nov.  11.  1903,  on  motion  of  his  preceptor.  Christian  H. 
Ruhl.  he  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Superior  court 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  on  Jan.  5,  1903,  on  motion  of  Wil- 
liam Kerper  Stevens,  at  present  a  Judge  of  the  court 
of  Common  Pless  of  Berks  county,  he  was  admitted  to 
practise  in  the  Sunreme  Court  of  the  State.  Since  his 
admission  to  the  Bar  he  has  enjoyed  a  large  practice, 
Drircipally  in  the  Orphans'  Court  of  Berks  county,  where 
he  has  been  engaged  in  the  settlement  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  decedents'  estates. 

_  On  Oct.  1.  5904,  he,  in  connection  with  his  law  prac- 
tice, engaged  in  the  building  business,  and  since  that 
time  has  erected  in  the  city  of  Reading  one  hundred  and 


513 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ninety-five  houses.  Mr.  Fisher  has  the  confidence  of 
his  clients  and  those  that  are  doing  business  with  him 
as  a  builder. 

In  1896,  Mr.  Fisher  married  Minnie  Ellen,  daughter 
of  John  E.  Moyer,  a  retired  farmer  of  Robesonia,  Berks 
county.  They  have  two  children,  Earl  Eugene  and  Mil- 
dred May.  They  reside  at  No.  145  West  Douglass 
street,  Reading,  Pa.  Mr.  Fisher  has  always  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  political  life  of  the  county,  engaging 
in  every  campaign  since  he  arrived  at  voting  age.  He 
is  a  Democrat,  and  was  solicitor  during  1903  for  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  poor  of  Berks  county.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  Mark's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  and  a  vestryman  of  that  church  since  Eas- 
ter, 1900,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  all  that  pertains 
to  church  life.  Mr.  Fisher  is  a  member  of  the  follow- 
ing Masonic  organizations :  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  435, 
F.  &  A.  M. ;  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237,  R.  A.  M. ;  Read- 
ing Commandery,  No.  43,  K.  T. ;  Reading  Lodge  of 
Perfection,  A.  A.  S.  R. ;  Philadelphia  Consistory,  A.  A. 
S.  R.;  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.;  and  of  Pro- 
gressive Lodge  No.  470,  L  0.  O.  F.,  of  Reading,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

LOUIS  RICHARDS,  law  writer  and  member  of  the  Bar 
of  Berks  county.  Pa.,  was  born  May  6,  1843,  at  Gloucester 
Furnace,  Atlantic  Co.,  N.  J.,  of  which  his  father,  John  Rich- 
ards, was  proprietor.  The  latter,  a  native  of  Berks  county, 
came  of  a  vigorous  stock,  of  Welsh  descent,  his  paternal 
ancestors  having  settled  in  Amity  township  as  early  as 
1718.  He  was  for  many  years  of  his  long  and  active  life 
engaged  in  the  iron  manufacturing  business,  principally  in 
the  State  of  New  Jersey,  also  representing  Gloucester 
county  in  the  Assembly  in  1836  and  1837.  From  1848  to 
1854  he  resided  at  Mauch  Chunk,  Pa.,  as  proprietor  of 
the  Carbon  Iron  Works  at  that  place,  and  in  the  latter  year 
retired  to  a  handsome  country  seat  known  as  "Stowe,"  in 
the  vicinity  of  Pottstown,  Montgomery  county,  where  he 
died  Nov.  39,  1871,  at  the  patriarchal  age  of  eighty-eight. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  his  youngest  son,  and  only 
child  by  his  second  wife,  Louisa  (Silvers)  Richards,  a 
native  of  Monmouth  county,  N.  J.,  descended  upon  the 
maternal  side  from  the  well-known  Rogers  family  of  that 
section,  and,  in  the  third  generation,  from  Henry  Lawes 
Luttrell,  second  Earl  of  Carhampton.  Employed  in  early 
life  as  an  instructor  of  youth,  she  was  distinguished  for 
her  mental  culture,  marked  individuality  of  character,  and 
social  tastes  and  accomplishments.  Her  decease  occurred 
Jan.  36.  1880,  when  well  advanced  in  her  eighty-first  year. 

Mr.  Richards  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Mauch  Chunk,  and  subsequently  took  an 
academical  course,  attending  the  West  Jersey  Collegiate 
School  at  Mount  Holly,  N.  J.,  the  Hill  School  at  Pottstown, 
and  the  Upland  Normal  Institute  at  Chester,  Pa.  In  No- 
vember, 1861,  he  came  to  reside  at  Reading,  commenced  the 
study  of  the  law  under  the  direction  of  his  cousin,  John 
S.  Richards,  Esq.,  a  highly  talented  and  widely-known 
practitioner  at  the  Berks  county  Bar,  and  was  admitted  to 
practice  Jan.  16,  1865.  While  a  student  he  served  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Militia,  during  the  invasions  of  the  State  by 
the  Confederate  armies  in  1863  and  1863. 

Having  an  early  inclination  to  write,  he  contributed 
largely  to  the  press,  both  before  and  after  his  admission 
to  the  Bar,  furnishing  incidentally  accurate  reports  of  all 
the  cases  tried  in  the  county  courts.  In  1869  he  married, 
and  engaged  in  journalism,  becoming  a  partner  of  the  firm 
of  J.  Knabb  &  Co.,  in  the  publication  of  the  Reading  Times 
and  Dispatch  and  the  Berks  and  Schuylkill  Journal,  the 
daily  and  weekly  organs  of  the  Republican  party  in  Berks. 
In  1871  he  resold  his  interest  to  the  firm,  and  resumed 
the  practice  of  the  law.  lA  1875  he  purchased  his  fath- 
er's estate  at  "Stowe,"  which  he  occasionally  occupied 
until  1883,  when  he  disposed  of  it  to  the  Pottstown  Iron 
Company,  which  erected  thereon  a  very  large  manufactur- 
ing plant. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Richards  devoted  much  attention 
to  municipal  law,  and  the  municipal  affairs  of  his  adopted 
city.     While  serving  as  a  member  of  its  Councils  in  1875- 


1876  he  personally  revised,  amended  and  codified  its  local 
laws,  and  published  in  the  latter  year  the  first  Digest  of 
the  Statutes  and  Ordinances  of  Reading.  Of  this  work 
he  subsequently  compiled  three  other  and  more  elaborate 
■editions,  containing  many  valuable  notes  and  citations  of 
judicial  decisions.  In  December,  1876,  he  was  selected 
as  Secretary  of  the  State  Municipal  Commission,  ap- 
pointed by  Governor  Hartranft  to  devise  a  uniform  plan 
for  the  better  government  of  the  cities  of  Pennsylvania. 
Of  this  body,  which  was  composed  of  eleven  eminent 
lawyers  and  citizens  of  the  State,  the  Hon.  Butler  B. 
Strang  was  Chairman.  The  Commission  presented  its 
final  report  to  the  Legislature  in  January,  1878,  and  the 
principal  features  of  the  code  which  it  submitted  were 
subsequently  incorporated  in  the  Act  of  June  1,  1885, 
for  the  government  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  known  as 
the  "Bullitt  Bill."  As  a  member  of  committees  appointed 
by  the  Inter-Municipal  Conventions  of  1886  and  1888, 
Mr.  Richards  was  deputed  to  prepare  the  original  drafts 
of  the  Acts  of  May  24,  1887,  and  May  23,  1889,  the  latter 
constituting  the  present  frame  of  government  of  cities  of 
the  third  class  in  Pennsylvania.  In  these  several  capacities 
he  rendered  much  valuable  service  to  the  people  of  the 
State,  and  acquired  a  wide  reputation  as  a  skillful  drafts- 
man of  municipal  statutes.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Bar  Association,  organized  in  1895,  serving 
for  some  years  past  upon  its  committee  on  Legal  Biog- 
raphy. In  the  interest  of  law  reform  he  devised  and 
secured  the  passage  by  the  Legislature  of  the  Act  of  July 
9,  1897,  "declaring  the  constructiob  of  words  in  a  deed, 
will  or  other  instrument,  importing  a  failure  of  issue." 

In  1889,  in  association  with  the  Hon.  G.  A.  Endlich, 
Law  Judge  of  the  Berks  district,  then  also  a  practitioner 
at  the  Bar,  he  was  the  author  of  a  treatise  upon  the  "Rights 
and  Liabilities  of  Married  Women  in  Pennsylvania,"  de- 
voted principally  to  the  exposition  of  the  Married  Persons' 
Property  Act  of  1887,  which  greatly  enlarged  the  con- 
tractual powers  of  femes  covert.  In  1895  he  issued,  in 
two  volumes,  the  "Pennsylvania  Formi  Book,"  containing 
precedents  in  the  various  branches  of  law  practice — a 
work  in  general  use  by  the  profession  throughout  the  State 
—and,  in  1898,  a  "Digest  of  Acts  of  Assembly  for  the 
Government  of  Cities  of  the  Third  Class,"  which  was 
followed  by  two  successive  editions.  His  other  published 
productions  include  numerous  law  pamphlets,  historical 
and  genealogical  sketches,  and  reports  and  addresses  upon 
various  subjects  of  professional  or  general  interest.  Pro- 
foundly devoted  to  antiquarian  researches,  he  has  since 
1903  been  President  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Berks 
County,  giving  to  its  affairs  much  attention  and  intelli- 
gent direction.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Historical  So- 
ciety of  Pennsylvania,  and  an  occasional  contributor  to  its 
Magazine  of  History  and  Biography.  His  only  business 
connection  is  with  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery  Com- 
pany, of  which  he  has  been  for  the  past  fifteen  years 
the   efficient   secretary   and   treasurer. 

Distinguished  for  his  public  spirit,  he  has  employed 
his  time  and  talents  in  the  promotion  of  every  movement 
in  the  line  of  progress,  good  government  and  reform. 
In  politics  Mr.  Richards  is  a  Republican,  and  in  the  Presi- 
dential campaign  of  1884  was  the  candidate  of  the  minor- 
ity party  in  the  Berks  district  for  Congress  against  Dan- 
iel Ermentrout,  the  sitting  member,  receiving  9,405  votes. 
His  political  views  are,  however,  strongly  tempered  with 
the  spirit  of  independence,  which  inclines  to  subordinate 
mere  partisan  considerations  to  the  superior  obligations 
of   individual   good   citizenship. 

As  a  member  of  the  Bar  he  is  recognized  as  a  highly 
reputable,  accurate  and  painstaking  practitioner,  though 
It  is  in  the  capacity  of  a  writer,  of  marked  vigor  and 
skill,  that  he  is  best  known  to  the  public.  His  literary 
tastes  are  cultured  and  absorbing,  and  it  is  in  the  com- 
panionship of  his  books,  and  the  environment  of  the  stu- 
dent, that  he  finds  his  chief  entertainment  and  solace. 
Practical  and  thorough  in  all  his  methods  and  undertak- 
ings, he  devotes  to  the  performance  of  every  duty  in 
which  he  may  engage  his  best  abilities  and  most  con- 
scientious efforts. 


LOUIS   RICHARDS 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


513 


Mr.  Richards  has  four  children — three  sons  and  a 
jdaughter — all  of  whom  have  reached  maturity. 

LATSHAW.  The  Latshaw  family  is  well  represented 
in  Washington  township,  Berks  county,  and  there,  to-day, 
bspecially  prominent  may  be  found  John  H.  Latshaw,  a 
jfarmer  near  Passmore;  David  H.  Latshaw,  a  merchant  at 
Bechtelsville ;  Samuel  B.  Latshaw,  miller,  coal  merchant, 
'and  farmer;  and  Jacob  S.  Latshaw,  a  retired  farmer  at 
his  home  near  Barto. . 

;  ■  (I)  Frantz  Latshar,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  this  old 
Mennonite  family,  was  a  native  of  Switzerland.     He  came 

■  to  America  on  the  "Mortonhouse"  which  qualified  at  Phila- 
:  delphia,  Aug.  24,  1728.    On  the  list  of  passengers  his  name 

■  is  spelled  "Frans  Latshow."  He  located  in  Colebrookdale 
township,    Berks    Co.,    Pa.     His   last   will   and   testament 

I  was  made  in  1781,  and  was  probated  Oct.  39,  1795.  He  left 
a  large  estate,  which  he  divided  equally  among  his  children. 
Tradition  says  that  his  first  wife  died,  leaving  him  a  num- 

;  ber  of  small  children  and  no  one  to  help  in  the  house. 

I  Accordingly  he  went  to  Philadelphia  (as  the  pioneers  were 

,  obliged  to  do  in  those  days  for  merchandise  or  help)  for 
a  woman  to  look  after  his  home  and  children.  He  was 
told^jOfa  young  woman  in  good  repute  whose  husband,  a 
Mr.yTjaBel,  had  died  on  the  voyage  to  America,  leaving 
his  widow  with  two  small  children.  At  Philadelphia  she 
began  a  struggling  life  with  her  children,  finding  a  place  as 
servant  in  a  Germantown  family.  Mr.  Latshar  became  ac- 
quainted with  her,  persuaded  her  to  accompany  him  home 
as  housekeeper,  and  later  they  were  married.  Her  son, 
Henry  Gabel,  was  taken  along  with  them,  and  early  in 
life  was  taken  into  the  Rutter  household,  the  Rutters  being 
the  early  iron  masters  of  Colebrookdale,  and  he  fell  heir 
to  some  of  the  Rutter  money,  also  being  remembered  in 
his  step-father's  will.  He  was  a  Mennonite  and  is  buried 
at  Boyertown ;  his  birth  occurred  in  1734.)  Frantz  Latshar 
and  his  second  wife  had  children  also.  The  children 
mentioned  in  his  will,  as  recorded  in  book  B,  page  39 
were  John,  Frantz,  4brah5in.  Jacob,  Mary  Lantes(Landis, , 
Hgnrv  Gabel  (stgCiSQETr  Rebecca  Shelly  (deceased,  the 
mother  of  six  children)  and  ^C,^tfeiripe  Lantz  (stpa-daugfc: 
ter).  Of  these  Abraham  lived  on  the  Hereford  town- 
ship farm,  and  Frantz  elsewhere  in  the  same  township. 

(II)  John  Latsha,  eldest  son  of  Frant^  the  emigrant, 
lived  in  Colebrookdale  township,  where  he  died  in  1794. 
He  made  his  will  in  1787,  Will  Book  B,  page  360.  He 
made  his  home  with  his  brother  Jacob.  If  he  was  married 
he  had  no  children,  and  his  estate  was  divided  among  his 
brothers  and  sisters. 

(II)  Frantz  Latshar  (Latchar),  second  son  of  the  emi 


born  in  1817,  died  unmarried  in  1840;  and  Catharine  tjj. 
Isaac  Johnson. 

(IV)  Samuel  Latshaw,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born 
March  18,  1797.  He  died  June  30,  1883,  and  was  buried 
at  Bally  Meeting  House,  being  a  member  of  that  church. 
He  was  a  farmer  on  the  farm'  now  owned  by  Jacob  S. 
Latshaw,  at  Passmore,  a  tract  of  eighty-eight  acres.  He 
married  Catharine  Bciisr.,  born  Dec.  1,  1796,  and  died  July 
2,  1878,  after  fifty-seven  years  of  wedded  life.  Their 
children  were:  Anna,  born  March  17,  182fc  died  unmar- 
ried De'c.  10,  1875,  and  was  buried  at  Hereford  Mennonite 
Church ;  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  7,  182|,  m.  (first)  Toi^s  Sas- 
saman,  and  (second)  Isaac  Bechtel ;  Susanna,  bornOct.  23, 
1823,  m.  Samuel  Mensch,  and  died  March  27,  1894;  John 
B. ;  and  Abraham,  born  Dec.  7,  1831,  m.  Susanna  R.  Moyer 
(born  Jan.  6,  1838),  lived  in  Pottstown,  and  had  a  daughter, 
Lizzie. 

■  (V)  John  B.  Latshaw,  son  of  Samuel,  was.  born  in 
Washington  township,  on  the  old  farm  at  Passmore  March 
22,  1828,  and  died  March  4,  1887.  He  was  a  farmer,  though 
in  his  earlier  life  for  a  time  he  followed  carpentering.  He 
married  Maria  Hiestand,  born  July  11,  1837,  and  died 
Sept.  16,  1898.  Tliey  are  both  buried  in  Hereford  Mennon- 
ite Meeting  House  cemetery.  Their  postoffice  address  was 
Congo,  near  which  station  they  owned  a  large  farm. 
Their  children  were:  Dasad.  born  in  1863  died  in  1864; 
Samuel  H.,  born  Oct.  6  1864;  MaHnda,  born  Nov.  24,  1866; 
Menno,  born  Jan.  22, ,  1869,  is  deceased ;  John  H.,  born 
April  26,  1871;  Franklin,  born  in  1873,  died  in  1874;  Har- 
vey H.  born  FeSTT?,  1876;  David  H.,  born  Feb.  38,  1878, 

(VI)  Samuel  H.  Latshaw,  son  of  John  B.  and 
Maria-  (Hiestand)  Latshaw,  born  Oct.  6,  1864,  is  the 
owner  of  a  gristmill  at  East  Coventry,  Chester  Co.,  Pa., 
to  which  property  there  is  a  seventeen-acre  farm.  He 
married  Hanna  O.  Bechtel,  of  Bechtelsville,  Berks  county, 
and  they  have  three  children — Verna,  Irene  and  Ella. 

(VI)  Malinda  H.  Latshaw,  daughter  of  John  B. 
and  Maria  (Hiestand)  Latshaw,  was  born  Nov.  24,  1866. 
She  married 'AaronL^_Bai3erj  a  successful  farmer  and 
dealer  in  farnTTmplem^nts  in  Douglass  township.  They 
have  one  child,  Harvey.  Mr.  Bauer  has  six  children  by 
a  former  marriage. 

(VI)  John  H.  Latshaw,  son  of  John  B.  and  Maria 
(Hiestand)  Latshaw,  was  born  in  Douglass  township, 
Montgomery  >countv.  April  26,  1871.  His  education  ^as 
acquired  in  'the  common  schools,  and  West  Chester  Normal 
School,  attending  the  latter  institution  one  term.  He 
grew  up  accustomed  to  the  work  of  the  farm,''  and  was 
but  eighteen  years  .of  age  when  his  father  died,  and  'the 
care  of  the  103-acre  farm  fell  upon  his  shoulders.  He 
farmed   for   his   mother  until   one  year  before?  her  death 


grant,  made  his  will  April  1,  1802,  and  it  was  probated    ;„  i898.    The  farm  was  then  sold  to  his  brother  Harvey, 


July  ist  of  the  same  year.  His  wife,  Esther,  survived 
him,  and  was  bequeathed  400  pounds  in  gold.  They  had 
three  sons,  Frantz  and  Jacob  receiving  all  the  land  in 
Hereford  township,  and  jotin  the  homestead. 

(II)  Abraham    LatshafTThird    son    of    the    emigrant, 
^-^ived  in  that  section  of  Colebrookdale  township,  now  in 


who  still  resides  there.  In  November,  1898,  Mr.  Latshaw 
bought  his  present  farm  of  sixty- four  acres  in  Douglass 
township,  Montgomery  county,  at  the  Berks  county  line. 
He  is  very  successful  in  his  work,  and  he  has  made  many 
modern  improvements  about  his  place.  His  walks  are  of  ce- 
ment, and  the  whole  place  'is  kept  neaf  and   clean,  pr.e- 


fertile,  and  is  all  level  and  well  cultivated.  Mr.  Latshaw 
keeps  four  horses  and  ten  head  of  cattle,  but  in  the  wiui- 
ter  time  has  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  head  of  cattle. 
He  ,  is  a  director  and  secretary  of  the  Congo  Creamery 
Company,  i  which  ayerages  abput  3,800  pounds  of  milk 
daily. 

Mr.  Latshaw  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served 
as   election  officer.     He  and   his   family   are  members   of 


^(Jcluded  in  Washington  township.   He  died  in  1814.    His  will  senting  a  most  attractive  appearance.     The  land  is  very 

Mjin   English   script,   but    German   words,    is   on   record   in     -    ■•■  ' '        "       ,.•     .    ,      ,,     -r    .  , 

Vol.  4,  page  114.     His  children  were :   Samuel,  Johannes, 
I  Jacob,  Anna,  Elizabeth,  Catharine.  Heinrich  (who  lived  for 
^  aTime  in  Clayton,  and  then  left  for  parts  unknown),  Alex- 
is ander  and  Abraham. 

f^'^PXIII)  Abraham  Latshaw,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born  m 
P^olebrookdale  township,  now  Washington,  in  May,  1769, 

and   died  July  29,   1843.     He  owned  the  farm   of  eighty-    __ 

eight  acres   at   Passmore.     In  1795  he  married  Hizab^hA^Hereford       Mennonite       Meeting       House,     at  '     Bally, 

■Bauer,  sister  to  AndrewVBauer.     She  was  born  Aug.  30,  of  which  he  has  been  chorister  for  many  years,  and  he 

1776,  and  was  a  woman^  (tf  determined  character.    She  died  has  held  the  same  position  in  the  Sunday-school  sinte  he 

Jan.  5,  1869,  and  was  interred  beside  her  husband  i"  the  ^as  eighteen  years   old. 

Mennonite  cemetery  at  the  meeting  house  at  Bally^_Abr3^ij--j  ©n  Jan.  22,  1897,  Mr.  Latshaw  married  Annie  F.  Clem- 
ham  Latshaw  and  wife  had  children  as  follows  :C§a£uielj,,Jiher,  daiighter  of  Abraham  and  Mary   (Funk)    Clemmer, 

I  Abraham,  born  in  1798,  died  unmarried  in  1818 ;  Aroa,  born  of  Hereford  tbwnship,  and  their  children  are:  Mabel  C, 

in"  180"i,  m.   John   M.   Bowman,   and   di?d  m   1853;    Rev.  Elsie   C„   Anna   C,    Stanley   C,   Lloyd   C.   and   Mary   C. 

,     John  E!,;   Elizabeth,  born  in  ,1806,  m.  Abraham^  Bech-  (VI)   Harvey  H.  Latshaw,  son  of  John  B,  and  Maria- 

\    tel,  and  died  in  1864;  Jacob.  B.;  Henry  B,   m.  AniiaKemer-  (Hiestand)    Latshaw,  was  born  Feb.   17,   1876.     He   pur- 

1    er,  and  had  children— Alexander  and  Abraham ;  Abraham,  chased  the  homestead  of  102  acres,   and   devotes   all  his 
V                      33                       1        K              . 


514  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

time  to  its  cultivation,  being  a  progressive  and  up-to-date  He  and   his   family  are  members   of   the  new   Mennonite 

farmer,    studying  the   soil   carefully.      He   pays    much   at-  Church,   in   which  he  has   always   been   an   active   worker, 

tention  to  poultry  and  to  the  raising  of  young  pigs.     He  and  he  has  been  trustee  and  treasurer.     He  is  a  teacher 

married  Hanna  B.   Clemmer,  daughter  of  John  B.  Clem-  m  the  Sunday-school  at  Bally  .,     ,      .      ^ 

mer,   of  Bally,   and  they  have  two  children,   Norman   and  „I"    ^^e    fall    of    1869    Mr.    Latshaw    married    Annie    E. 

Tyr  Harpst,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  Harpst,  of  Schuyl- 

^    iXtt\    t-1  ttt  rTu-Dji/r-  *^ill    township,    Chester   county.      She    was    born    May    29, 

(VI)    David  H.  Latshaw,  son  of  John  B.  and  Maria  ^g^g^   ^^^   ^'(^^    ^^^_   ^    ^302^   ^_^j   ^^^   ^^^^-^^   ^^   |  „  _ 

(Hiestand)    Latshaw,    and   now   the   leading  merchant   at  To  this  union  were  born:   Mary  .A.,  of  Bally,   m.   Irwin 

Bechtelsville,  was  born  in  Douglass  township,   Montgom-  h.  Bechtel   (who  died  in  WOTf  and  has  two  sons— Irwin 

cry  county,  Feb.  28,   1878.     He  attended  the  local  schools  and    Stanley,    and   Amy   m.    Dr.    Oswin    Berky,    of    Bally. 

of  his   native   district,   and   worked   upon   the  home   farm  

until   he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.     He   then   becE-nie         (IV)      Jacob  B.   Latshaw,   son   of  Abraham  and  Eliza- 

a  clerk  in  the  general  store  of  Jacob  L.  Reiff,  at  Bech-  beth    (Bauer),  was  born  on  the  Latshaw  farm  in  Wash- 

telsville,  and  after  clerking  there   for   a  year  and  a  half,  ington    township,    in    1808-09,    and    after    a    life    devoted 

succeeded   him    in   business,   buying   out   the    entire    prop-  4°    farming   in    Douglass    township,    Montgomery    county, 

erty,    stock,   fixtures   and   good  will.     He   carries   a  com-  ^^  died  in  October   1883,  and  was  buried  at  Christ's  Luth- 

plete    line    of   general    merchandise,    and    deals    largely   in  F^"   Church,   at  Niantic.     His   wife,   Anna   Sallada,  born 

wholesale  salts,  handling  the  famous  Genesee  salts      Since  15,  ^?°^'  ,4'^,^  in  1863,  and  was  buried  in  the  same  cemetery. 

October,    1901,    he    has    been   postmaster    at    Bechtelsville.  T"^""   children   were:    Levi,   who   died   unmarried;    Abra- 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Mennonite  Church,  belonging  like  'j^™:    °^    Reading;    Jacob    S.;    George,    of    near    Congo; 

most  of  the  family,  to  the  church  at  Bally.     He  has  been  iJavid,  of  Topton ;   Maria,  m.  to  Jacob  Schoenly   (deceas- 

active   in    the    Sunday-school    for   many   years,    being    su-  ^d)  ;   Annie,   m.   to   Joel   Stoudt,   of  near   Niantic;    Eliza- 

perintendent    and    chorister    in    the    Bechtelsville    Sunday-  °^^^'  "V  t°  Henry  Moyer  (deceased),  of  Niantic;  Matilda, 

school.  ™-   to  Jeremiah  Koch,  of  Niantic.     Of  these  Levi,  Abra- 

On   Feb.   20,    1902,   Mr.   Latshaw  was   married   to   Mary  ham  and   Annie  are   deceased. 

F.    Clemmer,    daughter    of    Abraham    and    Mary    (Funk)         <-")     Jacob  S.  Latshaw,  son  of  Jacob  B.,  now  living 

Clemmer,   and  have   one   daughter.   Amy  Lola   C.     Beside  retted  two   miles   south   of  Barto,   near   the    Montgomery 

his  store  Mr.  Latshaw  has  a  forty-two  acre  farm,  and  is  c^ounty   Ime,    was    born    in    Hereford    township,    Nov.    28, 

noted  for  his  success  as  a  potato  raiser.  l^'^'''-     ^^  was  brought  up  on  the   farm,   and  learned  tne 

.  shoemaker's    trade    when    he    was    about    fourteen.      This 

(IV)  Rev.  John  B.  Latshaw,  son  of  Abraham,  was  he  followed  for  about  seven  years.  He  then  began  farm- 
born  in  Colebrookdale  township  April  4.  1804,  and  at  his  '"S  o"  his  father's  farm  in  Douglass  township,  where  he 
death  Feb.  11,  1878,  was  buried  at  East  Coventry  Men-  hved  four  years.  After  that  he  farmed  six  years  at  East 
nonite  Church.  He  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his  native  Greenville,  and  then  returned  to  Douglass,  where  for 
district,  and  after  his  marriage  moved  to  East  Coventry  ^°^^  y°ars  he  farmed  for  Andrew  Bauer.  The  next 
township,  Chester  county,  where  he  was  elected  to  the  seven  years  were  spent  on  the  Mary  Ann  Schultz  farm, 
ministry  of  his  faith.  He  preached  at  East  Coventry  and  in  1883  he  moved  to  his  present  location.  His  farm 
Church  and  at  the  East  Vincent  Church  for  many  's  a  part  of  the  original  homestead  of  the  Latshaws,  and 
years.  He  also  carried  on  farming,  owning  a  tract  has  been  in  the  family  name  upward  of  one  hundred  years, 
of  eighty  acres.  He  married  Mary  Boyer,  born  I'  "°™  contains  eighty-seven  acres,  and  everything  is  in 
Dec.  4,  1803,  and  died  June  27,  1883.  Their  chil-  ^'^^^  ^^'ass  condition.  In  the  spring  of  1902  Mr.  Latshaw 
dren  were:  Sallie  m.  Christian  Hunsberger;  Elizabeth  retired  from  farming.  He  and  his  family  are  Lutheran 
m.  Henry  Kulp"^;  Abraham  lives  at  Hughesville,  Lycoming  members  of  Christ's  Church  at  Niantic,  of  which  he  has 
county;"  Sophia  m.  Benjamin  Halteman ;  Samuel  B.;  Mary  been  deacon,  elder  and  trustee.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
m.  Jesse  Hunsberger;  and  Susan  died  aged  sixteen  years,  publican,  but  he  has  never  cared  to  hold  public  office. 

(V)  Samuel  B.  Latshaw,  son  of  Rev.  John  B.,  now  On  Nov.  14,  1862,  Mr.  Latshaw  m.  Emeline  Schoen- 
a  miller,  coal  merchant  and  farmer  at  Barto,  was  born  'V;  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Boyer)  Schoen- 
in  East  Coventry  township,  Chester  county,  Oct.  2.  1845.  'y-  °^  Washington  township.  She  was  born  May  20, 
He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Pigeon  Creek,  leaving  l^^O'  and  died  Sept.  13,  1908,  and  is  buried  at  Niantic. 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  He  worked  for  his  par-  The  children  born  of  this  union  were:  Horace,  a  grocer 
ents  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  learned  at  Pottstown,  m.  Sarah  Geisinger,  and  has  two  daughters, 
the  milling  trade  from  S.  H.  Hunsberger,  in  whose  em-  Sltlla  and  Erca ;  Amanda  m.  C.  K.  Huber,  of  Douglass 
ploy  he  remained  two  years.  After  working  at  Potts-  township,  Montgomery  county,  and  has  had  three  sons 
town,  Pennypacker's  Mills,  Muncy.  Lycoming  county,  and  and  two  daughters,  Flarry,  Norman,  Alf,  Jannie  and  Ag- 
in Missouri,  for  a  second  time  he  located  in  Muncv.  In  nes  (deceased)  ;  Melvin  died  unmarried  aged  twentv-eight ; 
the  fall  of  1868  he  rented  the  Henry  Landis  Mill  at  Bech-  John,  a  farmer  in  Douglass  township,  Montgonxery  coun- 
telsville  which  he  operated  four  years.  In  the  spring  of  tY;  "ear  the  Berks  county  line.  m.  Kate  Sheets ;  and  Ag- 
1873,  in  company  with  Mr.  A.  L.  Ebert,  he  purchased  the  "es  m.  William  Kepner,  of  Pottstown,  and  has  a  daugh- 
old  Babb  Mill  property  at  Barto,  on  the  West  Branch  of  ter   Florence,     r 

the  Perkiomen  creek.     This  mill  was  operated  by  the  firm         (V)     Geoegb-?:.atshaw,  son  of  Jacob  B..  lives  in  Doug- 

of  Latshaw  &  Ebert  for  three  years,  and  then   Mr.  Lat-  'ass    township,    near    Congo,    Montgomery    county.      His 

shaw    purchased    Mr.    Ebert's    interest,    since    which   time  children  ^  are :    Abraham,    of   East   Douglass   township,    m. 

he   has   operated  it  alone.     This   mill   and   property   were  Kate  Wiand ;   ^Milton,  of  East  Douglass  township,  m.  So- 

in  the  possession  of  the  Babb  family  for  about  100  years.  Rah  .Riegher;    Henry   m.    Kate   Trace,    and   lives    in    East 

the  mill  being  first  used  as  an  oil  mill,  the  original  deeds  Douglass    township ;    William    m.    Kate    Koble,    and    lives 

of  the  property  mentioning  it  as  an  "oyl  mill."     Mr.  Lat-  in   East  Douglass  township;   Annie   m.   William  Widiger, 

shaw  has   greatly  improved  the  property,   and   in  1885   he  of   East  Allentown  ;   John  and  Robert  are  unmarried  and 

added    a    "roller    process."      He    makes    the    well    known  live   in   East  Douglass   township. 

Minnetonka  and   Snow  Flake  flours,  so  popular  in  near-  ^    (V)  DAVin^AT.sHAw,  son  of  Jacob  B.,  makes  his  home 

by  towns.     Five  men   are  constantly  employed  in  the  mill  i"   Topton,   Berks   county.     His   children   are:    Lovinia   m. 

and    on    the    farm.      There    are    sixty-nine    acres    to    the  James  Johnson,  of   Northampton  countj';   Idea  m.   Henry 

mill   property.     In    1877   Mr.   Latshaw   built   the   barn,    45'  J.    Roth,    of    Breinigsville ;    Agnes    m.    Nathan    Mest,    of 

x  65  feet.     He  is  very  progressive  and  has  the  confidence  Topton;    Caretina     m.     William     Kershner,     of     Topton; 

of   the    entire    community.      The    pumping   station    of    the  Amanda  m.  Edward   J.   Haas,   of  Topton :   Emma  m.   Eu- 

Standard   Oil   Company   is   partly  built  on   three   acres   of  rathias    Schmoyer,    of    Lyons ;    Jacob   m.    Bella   ,    and 

land   which   belonged   to   Mr.   Latshaw.     In   politics   he   is  lives   at    Breinigsville ;    Alvin   m.    Sarah    Arfield   and   lives 

a  Republican,  and  was  township  auditor   for  some  years,  at  Topton;  and  Milton,  of  Topton,  m.  Sallie  . 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


515 


IRWIN  H.  BECHTEL,  a  successful  and  progressive 
merchant  at  Bally,  in  Washington  township,  Berks  county, 
was  born  Jan.  7,  1866,  son  of  William  B.  Bechtel.  and  he 
died   May  16,   1902. 

William  B.  Bechtel  was  born  June  20,  1835.  He  was 
the  first  merchant  to  open  a  general  store  in  Bally,  and 
after  carrying  on  the  business  until  1898,  sold  it  and  the 
premises  to  his  son,  while  he  himself  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  paper,  under  the  name  of  the  West  Branch 
Paper  Mill,  in  a  mill  located  three  miles  east  of  the  town, 
and  this  he  continued  until  his  death,  July  15,  1903.  He 
established  the  postoffice  at  Bally;  it  has  continued  in 
the  store  until  the' present  time.  He  was  active  in  church 
life,  belonging  to  the  New  Mennonite  Church,  which  he 
served  oflScially  many  years.  He  married  Elizabeth  Him- 
melwright  daughter  of  John  and  Maria  (Kiel)  Him- 
melwright,  of  near  Bally,  and  they  had  one  son,  Irwin 
H.  Bechtel. 

Irvvin  H.  Bechtel  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  in  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown. 
He  was  licensed  to  teach  by  Prof.  D.  S.  Keck,  county 
superintendent,  and  he  taught  two  terms  in  Washington 
township — one  term  at  Dale  and  the  other  at  Bally.  His 
father  then  took  him  into  the  store,  where  he  gained  prac- 
tical knowledge  of  the  mercantile  business  under  his 
father's  guidance,  and  in  1898  became  the  purchaser  of 
the  business,   conducting  it  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Bechtel  and  his  family  were  members  of  the  New 
I\Iennonite  Church  at  Bally.  For  some  years  he  was  as- 
sistant superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  and  then 
became  superintendent,  which  position  he  filled  in  a  most 
satisfactory  manner  until  his  decease,  ably  assisted  by 
his  wife. 

On  Oct.  3,  1893,  Mr.  Bechtel  married  Mary  Latshaw, 
daughter  of  Samuel  B.-  Latshaw,  and  two  children  were 
born  of  this  union,  Stanley  Latshaw  and  Irwin  Russell. 
Since  her  husband's  decease,  Mrs.  Bechtel  has  carried 
on  the  business  in  a  most  satisfactory  manner,  serving 
also  as  postmistress. 

HERBERT  M.  STERNBERGH,  son  of  J.  H.  Stern- 
bergh,  was  born  in  Reading,  Jan.  5,  1871,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  Lawrenceville  School,  near  Prince- 
ton, and  at  Harvard  University. 

After  completing  his  education  Mr.  Sternbergh  entered 
the  firm  of  his  father,  it  becoming  J.  H.  Sternbergh  & 
Son,  and  this  firm  was  later  merged  into  the  American 
Iron  &  Steel  Manufacturing  Company,  which  is  now  cap- 
italized at  $5,550,000,  of  which  $3,000,000  is  preferred  and 
$2,550,000  common  stock,  both  being  fully  paid  and  non- 
assessable. Our  subject  was  made  vice-president  of  this 
company  in  1901.  and  was  its  General  Manager  until 
January,  1907.  He  is  also  president  of  the  Acme  Motor 
Car  Company,  of  Reading;  president  of  the  American 
Die  &  Tool  Company  brought  to  Reading  by  Mr.  Stern- 
bergh from  Wilmington,  Del. ;  and  is  vice-president  of 
the  Kansas  City  Bolt  &  Nut  Company,  of  which  his  fath- 
er is  president.  At  one  time  he  was  a  director  of  the 
First  National  Bank,  but  was  compelled  to  give  this  up 
as  the  duties  of  his  other  associations  demanded  his  en- 
tire attention. 

Mr.  Sternbergh  was  married,  in  1894,  to  Harriet  Hoff- 
man, daughter  of  Dr.  Walter  J.  Hoffman,  a  noted  ethnol- 
ogist, long  connected  with  the  Smithsonian  Institute  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  and  consul  to  Mannheim,  Germany, 
under  President  McKinley's  administration.  Dr.  Hoff- 
man died  in  the  fall  of  1901,  aged  fifty-three  years.  Six 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sternbergh,  of 
whom  five  are  living:  Van  R.  H.,  Harriet  E.,  Regis 
S.,  Marcia  T.,  and  Alan  May.  Mr.  Sternbergh  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Wyomissing  Club.  In  political  principle 
he  is  a  Republican.  He  and  his  family  make  their  hotne 
in  Reading. 

WILLIAM  McCORMICK,  editor  and  proprietor  of 
the  Reading  Herald,  was  born  in  1866,  at  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania. 


Mr.  McCormick  was  graduated  from  Yale  in  1887, 
and  since  then  has  been  engaged  in  newspaper  work, 
save  for  one  year  while  teaching  school  in  New  York 
State.  He  was  reporter  on  papers  in  Boston  and  Phila- 
delphia; editor  of  the  Times  at  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  for  two 
years;  and  in  1893  established  the  Leader  at  Allentown, 
Pa.  In  1896  he  bought  from  John  B.  Dampman,  a  half 
interest  in  the  Reading  Herald,  and  one  year  later  be- 
came sole  owner. 

Mr.  McCormick  makes  his  home  in  Mount  Penn  bor- 
ough.    He  is  unmarried. 

GEORGE  C.  BORDNER,  Professor  of  Higher  M-ath- 
ematics  in  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at  Kutz- 
town, and  a  well-known  educator  in  Berks  county,  was 
born-  May  22,  1870,  on  the  old  Bordner  homestead,  in 
Bethel  township,  half  a  mile  east  of  Millersburg.  He  is 
of  the  sixth  generation  in  descent  from  the  original  (I) 
Balthaser  (Baltzer)  Bordner,  who  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
four  years,  together  with  his  wife  Marilles,  aged  thirty- 
seven  years,  and  three  children — Jacob,  Hanna  and  Mela, 
aged  ten,  eight  and  seven  years,  respectively, — sailed  from 
Rotterdam  on  the  ship  "Adventurer,"  and  landed  at  Phil- 
adelphia, Sept.  22,  1732.  Balthaser  Bordner  settled  in 
Tulpehocken  township,  Lancaster  (now  Berks)  county, 
immediately    after   landing,    and    died   there   in    1747. 

(II)  Jacob  Bordner,  son  of  Balthaser,  and  great- 
great-grandfather  of  Prof.  Bordner,  was  born  in  1722. 
He  was  executor  of  his  father's  estate,  and  on  April 
10,  1761,  was  naturalized  as  a  citizen  of  Tulpehocken 
township,  Berks  county,  at  the  Supreme  court  of  Phila- 
delphia. On  June  20,  1761,  he  purchased  from  Thomas 
and  Richard  Penn  the  present  Bordner  homestead,  which 
had  been  leased  to  Jacob  Hoffman,  who  was  unable  to 
pay  his  rental.  Since  that  day  the  homestead  has  been 
owned  by  a  son  of  each  successive  generation.  Jacob 
Bordner  married  Sarah  Bait,  and  they  reared  a  family 
of  seven  children:  Jacob  (2),  John,  William,  Daniel, 
Peter,  Anna  Maria  and  Barbara.  The  father  died  in 
1792,  and  by  his  will  the  homestead  passed  to  his  eldest 
son  Jacob  (2). 

(III)  Jacob  Bordner  (2),  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  in 
1754,  and  spent  his  whole  life  on  the  homestead.  He 
was  married  to  Anna  Maria  Brosz,  seven  years  his  jun- 
ior. They  had  a  family  of  six  children:  Jacob  (3), 
John,  Catharine,  Elizabeth,  Julian  and  Susanna.  Jacob 
Bordner  (2)  died  in  1837,  willing  the  homestead  to  his 
eldest  son  Jacob  (3).  The  widowed  mother  survived 
her  husband  two  years. 

(IV)  Jacob  Bordner  (3),  son  of  Jacob  (2),  was  born 
in  1793,  and  he,  too,  passed  his  whole  life  on  the  home- 
stead. He  married  Catharine  Lerch,  born  in  1793,  and 
they  had  issue  as  follows :  Augustus,  Joanna,  Mary  and 
Thomas  L.  Jacob  Bordner  (3)  died  in  1867,  preceding 
his  wife  in  death  by  one  year.  He  willed  the  homestead 
to  his  youngest  son,  Tliomas  L. 

(V)  Thomas  L.  Bordner,  son  of  Jacob  (3)  and  fath- 
er of  Prof.  Bordner,  was  born  May  8,  1824,  on  the  old 
homestead  where  his  whole  life  was  passed.  He  was  a 
successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  and  a  man  of  local 
prominence  in  politics.  A  stanch  Democrat,  he  was  elected 
auditor,  treasurer  and  school  director  at  different  times, 
and  in  1880  was  a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  State  Con- 
vention which  elected  the  national  delegates  to  the  con- 
vention that  nominated  Gen.  Hancock  for  the  Presidency. 
He  and  his  family  have  been  consistent  members  of  the 
Reformed  church  all  their  lives.  He  was  married  to  Ma- 
linda  Snyder,  born  1830,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Cathar- 
ine Snyder,  prominent  residents  of  Bethel  township.  Mr. 
Bordner  died  in  March,  1899.  His  children  were :  Wil- 
liam J.,  born  1849,  m.  Emma  Dundore ;  Cyrus  P.,  born 
1851,  m.  Emma  Trautman;  Samuel  T.,  born  1856,  m.  Annie 
Burkhart;  Adaline  C,  born  1859,  is  single;  Mary  M., 
born  1862,  died  in  infancy;  Francis  A.,  born  1864,  m. 
Mary  Weidner;  Rebecca  S.,  born  1865,  is  single;  John 
H.,  born  1867,  m.  Emma  Deck;  Charles  L.,  born  1868,  m. 
Annie    Hartman;    George    C.    born    1870;    and    Ellen    N., 

born  1873,  died  in  infancy. 


516  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

(VI)  George  C.  Bordner  was  reared  on  the  old  Bord-  three  years  and  natural  sciences  four  years,  and  also 
ner  homestead  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  Mil-  gave  instruction  in  German.  Meantime  he  began  the 
lersburg  in  Bethel  township  until  1886,  when  he  began  study  of  the  law  under  the  direction  of  Hons.  A.  H. 
to  teach  school,  teaching  one  term  in  Jefferson  town-  Dill  and  Isaac  Slenker  and  resigning  his  position  in 
ship,  four  in  Bethel  township,  and  one  in  the  Mt.  _Aetna  the  Union  Seminary  in  1862  spent  a  year  in  the  office 
Grammar  School,  in  Tulpehocken  township.  In  tha  of  Isaac  Slenker,  Esq.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar 
spring  of  1892  he  entered  the  Keystone  State  Normal  at  Lewisburg,  Pa.,  in  December,  1863.  At  the  instance 
School,  and  was  graduated  in  June,  1893.  During  the  of  some  of  his  wife's  friends  he  returned  to  his  native 
year  following  graduation  he  was  principal  of  the  Kutz-  county  and  soon  acquired  a  large  and  lucrative  practice, 
town  high  school,  and  in  the  spring  of  1894  was^  elected  He  continued  in  the  general  duties  of  his  profession  un- 
an  add;t.ona  teacher  in  mathematics  in  the  Keystone  til  1875,  when  he  was  elected  additional  law  judge  of 
State  Normal  School  In  the  fall  of  1894  he  re-entered  j^^  ^^^,^^3  ^f  g^^j^^  ^  ^  full  term 
the  Normal  School  to  prepare  for  the  Sophomore  class  „r  ,„„  ,  to  ,„„..  .  t  ,  „„„  tt 
at  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  and  again  taught  math-  °^  ten  years,  from  Jan.  2,  1876  to  Jan.  4,  1886.  Upon 
ematics  at  the  Normal  during  the  spring  of  189.5.  In  "'^  retirement  from  the  Bench  Judge  Sassaman  returned 
the  fall  of  1893  he  entered  Franklin  and  ^Marshall  Col-  '°  '"^  practice  of  the  law,  and  he  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
lege  and  graduated  in  the  classical  course  in  June,  1898,  °"^  y^^i'S.  Spt.  17,  1895,  nine  years  after  his  retire- 
receiving  the  degree  of  .\.  B.,  and  three  years  later,  in  "'="'  ^fo™  '"«  Bench.  His  wife  was  Louisa  DeTurk, 
course,  the  degree  of  A.  M.,  from  his  Alma  Mater.  Dur-  ^  member  of  a  noted  old  Berks  county  family  of  Hugue- 
ing  the  last  two  years  at  college  he  specialized  in  math-  "°t  ong"i,  she  being  a  daughter  of  Jacob  DeTurk,  a 
ematics,    physics    and    astronomy,    and    attained    to    great  farmer. 

proficiency  in  these  departments.  While  still  at  college  Louis  A.  Sassaman  was  the  only  child  of  Augustus 
he  conducted  for  two  seasons  a  summer  normal  school  ?•  aiid  Louisa  Sassaman.  He  was  born  Sept.  15,  1868, 
at  Bernville,  Pa.,  where  he  prepared  many  young  men  '"  .Amity  township,  Berks  county.  His  early  literary 
and  women  for  teaching  and  for  entrance  to  various  training  was  secured  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Car- 
colleges.  After  graduating  he  took  charge  of  the  Bern-  JP"  Institute,  Reading,  and  he  later  attended  Palatinate 
ville  high  school  and  conducted  it  very  successfully  for  College,  Myerstown,  and  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle, 
one  year,  and  after  being  re-elected  in  the  summer  of  where  he  graduated  in  1891.  He  at  once  began  read- 
1899,  he  resigned  to  take  charge  of  the  department  of  \"S  law  with  his  father.  After  leaving  Dickinson  Col- 
Higher  Mathematics  in  the  Keystone  State  Normal  school,  '^ge  he  served  four  years  as  deputy  ckrk  in  the  Quar- 
his  appointment  to  this  position  indicating  the  esteem  in  ter  Sessions  court,  and  in  1894  he  was  admitted  to  the 
which  he  is  generally  held.  While  serving  in  this  cap-  ^ar  of  Berks  county.  His  admission  to  the  Superior, 
acity  ever  since  he  has  taken  advantage  of  every  oppor-  Supreme  and  United  States  District  courts  was  a  mat- 
tunity  to  raise  the  standard  of  his  department  both  peda-  ter  of  later  date.  Mr.  Sassaman  at  once  began  prac- 
gogically  and  scientifically,  and  by  so  doing  has  given  tice,  being  fortunate  in  having  the  advice  of  his  fath- 
it  a  standing  second  to  none  of  its  kind  in  the  State.  ^r,   who   was   then   living   in   retirement   in   Reading.     He 

Fraternally,  Prof.  Bordner  is  prominently  connected  soon  built  up  a  flattering  clientele,  and  has  for  the  most 
with  Bethel  Lodge,  No.  820,  I.  O.  O.  F..  and  Huguenot  Part  engaged  in  private  practice,  but  has  served  the  pub- 
Lodge,  No.  377,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  I'c  i"  several  positions,  notably  as  solicitor  of  Berks 
Democrat,  and  as  such  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  county  and  as  prison  inspector,  which  latter  office  he 
affairs   of   the   borough   of    Kutztown,   having   served   for  has   held   since   1899. 

some  time  as  a  member  of  the  borough  board  of  school  ^l""-  Sassaman  married  Sept.  26,  1895,  Mary  A.  Zim- 
directors  in  the  capacity  of  secretary  of  the  board.  He  merman,  daughter  of  William  Zimmerman  (deceased), 
is  a  member  of  the  Association  of  Mathematics  Teach-  of  Lebanon  county,  and  to  this  union  was  born  a  daugh- 
ers  of  the  Middle  States  and  Maryland,  as  well  as  of  ter.  Marie,  now  in  attendance  at  school, 
the  American  Federation  of  Science  and  Mathematics  Mr.  Sassaman  is  a  well-known  figure  in  the  Demo- 
Teachers,  cratic    politics    of    the    city,    county    and    State.      He   has 

In   March,   1898,   Prof.  Bordner  married  Mary  M,  Ber-  always    been    interested    in    politics    and    from    the    time 

ger,    daughter    of    Levi    and    Rebecca    (Bertram)    Berger,  he  attained  his  majority  has  been   in   demand   as   a  cam- 

The    former   is    a   valued   citizen    and   successful   business  paign   speaker.     His    ready   wit   and   keen,    forceful   logic 

man  of  Bernville,  and  during  the  administration  of  Pres-  carry   conviction,    and   he    is    thus   valued    greatly   by    the 

ident    Cleveland    was    postmaster    of    that    town.      Prof,  party  leaders  in  campaigns.     He  is  an  active  party  work- 

and    Mrs.    Bordner    have    four    children,    namely :     Paul  er    and   is   seen   at   all   of   the   conventions    of   the    party, 

B.,  Claude  L.,  Grace  A.  and  Mary  H.  having  been  delegate  to  many  county  conventions.     In  the 

memorable    campaign    which    placed    Mr.    Pattison    in   the 

LOUIS    A.    SASSAMAN,    of    Reading,    belongs    to    a  Governor's  chair  he  was  a  tireless   worker, 
family    several    of    whose    members    have    attained   prom-        _Mr.    Sassaman   is   a   member   of   the   Woodmen   of   the 

inence  in  the  law,  being  a  son  of  the  late  Judge  Angus-  World,  and  has  for  many  years  been  a  member  of  Friend- 

tus   S.   Sassaman,   for  many  years   a  lawyer   of  pre-emin-  ship    Fire    Company    No.    4,    of    Reading,    and    Aerie    No. 

ence   in    Berks   county.  66,   Fraternal   Order   of   Eagles.     His   religious   affiliations 

Mr.    Sassaman    comes    from    German    ancestry,    whose  are  with  the   Reformed   Church, 
first    renresentatives    came    to    America    manv    vears    ago, 

immediately  after  the  Revolution,  and  settled  "in  eastern  REV.  GEORGE  SMITH  KRESSLEY,  .\.  M.,  Pro- 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  been  in  Berks  county  since  lessor  of  Latin,  Greek  and  German,  in  the  Keystone 
the  days  of  his  great-grandfather,  John  Sassaman,  a  State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown,  Pa.,  was  born  Feb. 
native  of  Germany,  who  was  a  farmer  and  lived  in  Doug-  8,  1877,  in  the  village  of  Rothrocksville,  in  jMaxatawny 
lass  township.     He  was  a  man  of  thrift  and  shrewdness,  township,    Berks   county. 

and   left   a   large   estate   to   his    son    Christian,   who    lived         Nathan    Kressley,    grandfather    of    George    S.,    was    a 

and    died    on    one    of    the    best    properties    in    Douglass  farmer   and   machinist.      In   early   life   he   was   a   resident 

township.  of    Lowhill,    Lehigh    county,    but    later    he     removed   ,to 

Augustus   S.   Sassaman   was  born  on  the  old  homestead  ]\Iaxatawny    township,   where   he   ov^'ned   land,   and   where 

in  Douglass  township  Feb.  7.  1834.  and  received  his  early  he    engaged    in    agricultural    pursuits.      Pie    is    buried    at 

education  in  the  local  schools  and  at  a  classical  seminary  alorgenland    Church    in     Lehigh    county.      Mr.    Kressley 

at    Boyertown.      In    1853  .he    entered    the    junior   class    at  married    Abhie    Moyer,    and  "they    had    these    children  r 

Dickinson   College,   Carlisle,   where  he   graduated   in   1855,  Frank,    Pcrcival    i\i.,    Oliver,    Amanda,    Jane,    iSLaria    and 

after  which   he   engaged   in   teaching  at   New   Berlin.  Un-  .Annie. 

ion    county,   in   an   institution   which   in   1856   was   merged         Percival    Al.    Kresslev,    son    of    Nathan,    was    born    in 

into     Union     Seminary.      He     taught     ancient     languages  Lowhill,    Lehigh    county.    Sept.    5,    1849,    and    died    Feb. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


517 


21,  1906.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Maxatawny  township 
for  about  twenty-eight  years,  owning  excellent  land 
near  Rothrocksville,  at  which  place  he  had  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  for  many  years  prior  to  engaging 
in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  a  good,  representa- 
tive citizen,  and  in  political  matters  he  was  a  Republican. 
On  June  27,  1874,  Mr.  Kressley  married  Martha  R. 
Smith,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Caroline  (Smoyer)  Smith, 
and  to  this  union  there  were  born  these  children :  Rev. 
George  Smith;  Howard  S. ;  and  Annie  S.,  a  graduate 
of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  class  of  1907,  and 
now   engaged  in  teaching. 

Rev.  George  Smith  Kressley  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  Maxatawny  township,  attend- 
ed the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  and  then  entered 
Muhlenberg  College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1898. 
He  later  took  a  course  at  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Mt.  Airy,  Philadelphia,  and  graduated  therefrom  in  1901, 
being  ordained  a  minister  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in 
June  of  that  year.  Previous  to  his  graduation  from 
the  seminary  he  had  been  appointed  to  the  Department 
of  Latin,  Greek  and  German,  in  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School,  in  which  capacity  he  has  served  to  the 
present  time  with  great  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  in- 
stitution. Latin  is  a  part  of  the  regular  Normal  course, 
but  the  school  makes  a  specialty  of  regular  college  prepar- 
atory work,  and  Prof.  Kressley  has  been  especially  success- 
ful in  this  line,  having  prepared  during  the  short  time 
in  which  he  has  presided  over  the  department  over  fifty 
students   for   the   various   colleges   of  the   country. 

On  Aug.  5,  1902,  Dr.  Kressley  was  married  to  Anna 
R.  Fretz,  daughter  of  Reed  and  Maggie  (Landis)  Fretz, 
of  Bucks  county,  and  to  this  union  there  has  been  born 
one  daughter :   Helen  Elizabeth. 

JOHN  W.  RAUCH,  secretary,  treasurer  and  general 
manager  of  the  Reading  Eagle  Company,  is  descended 
from  old  established  families  of  Pennsylvania.  The  Ul- 
richs,  his  ancestors  on  the  maternal  side,  were  among 
the  early  farmers  of  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  coun- 
ty, while  the  Ranch  family  belonged  origiiially  in  Dau- 
phin county. 

William  Rauch,  father  of  John  W.,  was  born  in  Han- 
over township,  Dauphin  county.  Though  his  father  spent 
his  early  life  farming,  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade 
and  came  to  Berks  county  as  a  journeyman.  William 
became  a  contracting  carpenter,  and  followed  that  trade 
till  his  death  in  1872  at  the  comparatively  early  age  of 
fifty-four  years.  He  married  Matilda,  daughter  of  George 
Ulrich,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Berks  county,  and  to 
their  union  eight  children  were  born,  namely:  one  who 
died  in  infancy;  Bayy,  who  died  aged  six;  Sarah,  Mrs. 
Jacob  Stupp,'  of  North  Heidelberg,  who  dipH  when  fortv- 


two  years  old:  Mary  E.,  deceased  wife  of  1  T.  M.  Landis.j 
nrivatp  secretary  of  V"-p- ^^rp^;lf1f^nt_■^^QQrllees.^t  the; 
PETIadelphia  &  "keadiii£_iailiaa4  i  George  U.,  a  farmer 
in  J ackd(itrtownsKip7  Lebanon  county;  Rebecca,  wife  of 
William  Zartman,  also  a  farmer  in  Jackson  township; 
Frank  I.,  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Eagle  Company; 
aiiH  John  W. 

John    W. 'Rauch  was  born  in  Heidelberg  Nov.  8,  1848, 
and  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  that  district.     His  ■ 
opportunities    for    an    education    were    limited,    however,  | 
for  when  he   was  twelve  and   a  half  years   old  he  was  ■ 
taken  from  school  and  put  to  work  on  a  farm.     He  con-  I 
tinned  at  this  connection  till  he  was  eighteen,   and  then 
went    as    clerk    in    country    stores,  .remaining   two    years 
and    six   months   in   the    first   place,    six   months    m   two 
other   stores,   and  then  returning  to  his  first  store  posi- 
tion  he   remained   there   three   years   more.     In   1872   he 
moved  to  Reading  where  he  was  at  first  engaged  again 
in  a   dry  good's   store,  but  after  five  months  he  secured 
a    position   with    the   Reading   Eagle    Company,    and    has 
ever    since    been    connected    with    that,   rising    steadi  y. 
When  he  began  Feb.  34,  1873,  he  was  subscription  clerk; 
the    following   year    he    was    made    bookkeeper;    Dec.    6, 
1881,    was    promoted   to   the   position    of    superintendent; 
and '  Feb.   1,    1904,  had   the   added   responsibilities   of   the 


office  of  secretary  and  treasurer  laid  upon  him.  There 
are  117  people  on  the  pay-roll  of  the  Eagle  Company, 
and  all  of  these  employes  as  well  as  the  general  inter- 
ests of  the  company  are  under  Mr.  Ranch's  personal 
supervision.  The  phenomenal  growth  of  the  Eagle  in 
popularity  and  the  extent  of  its  circulation  and  patron- 
age give  unimpeachable  evidence  of  Mr.  Ranch's  en- 
tire fitness  for  the  position  he  fills. 

On  Oct.  3,  1868,  Mr.  Rauch  was  united  in  matrimony 
to  Miss  Maria  E.  Anderson,  and  three  children  have 
been  born  to  this  union :  Harry,  a  linotype  operator  . 
on  the  Eagle;  William  B.,  head  of  the  mechanical  part 
of  the  Eagle  advertising  department;  and  Lillie  May,  wife 
of  Peter  B.  Graeff,  a  stenographer  at  Washington,  D.  C. 
Mr.  Rauch  was  formerly  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Re- 
formed Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Consistory  of  that 
body,  but  his  name  is  now  on  the  rolls  of  the  First  Re- 
formed Church.  He  is  a  man  of  wide  and  varied  in- 
terests, as  is  shown  by  the  character  of  the  many  or- 
ganizations with  which  he  is  connected.  These  include 
Teutonia  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Harrisburg  Consistory ; 
Rajah  Temple,  Mystic  Shrine,  Reading;  Reading  Lodge, 
B.  P.  O.  E. ;  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles;  Royal  Arca- 
num; Loyal  Addition  to  the  Royal  Arcanum;  Wyomis- 
sing  Club;  Elks'  Home  Company;  Eagles'  Mountain 
Home  Company;  Americus  Club;  Commercial  Club; 
Maennerchor :  Liederkranz :  Turnverein ;  and  the  Board 
of  Trade.  In  the  wide  circle  of  acquaintance  resulting 
from  this  diversity  of  association  Mr.  Rauch  has  num- 
erous warm  friends  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  all. 
He  has  the  respect  of  all  the  employes  of  the  Reading 
Eagle  Company  for  the  executive  ability  and  the  energetic 
yet  courteous  manner  in  which  he  manages  that  estab- 
lishment. In  February,  1898,  on  the  twenty-fifth  anni- 
versary of  his  service  at  the  Eagle  office,  he  was  suprised 
by  the  employes,  who  tendered  him  a  banquet  at  the 
"Mansion  House,"  when  toasts  were  drunk  to  his  health. 
In  the  speeches  many  complimentary  remarks  were  made 
respecting  him.  Some  'sixty  persons,  including  repre- 
sentatives of  other  Reading  newspapers,  participated.  It 
was  marked  by  a  cordiality  which  spoke  volumes  of  the 
harmony  and  good  feeling  prevailing  in  the  Eagle  office 
and  toward  all  its  neighbors.  Mr.  Rauch ,  was  escorted 
by  a  committee  to  the  "Mansion  House"  and  introduced 
to  the  company  while  they  were  seated  around  the  ban- 
queting board. 

JOSEPH  RAMBO  DICKINSON,  a  member  of  the 
Berks  county  Bar,  is  a  son  of  W.  Scott  and  Mary  A. 
(Rambo)  Dickinson,  and  was  born  in  Reading  July  31, 
1872.  On  the  maternal  side  he  is  a  grandson  of  Joseph 
Rambo.  a  drover  and  hotel-keeper  of  Reading.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  W.  Scott  Dickinson  had  three  children,  viz. :  Jos- 
eph R. ;  ■  Nelson  H.,  a  molder  of  Reading ;  and  William 
S.,  a  teller  of  the  Berks  County  Trust  Company. 

Mr.  Dickinson  graduated  from  the  Reading  high  school 
in  1889,  and  immediately,  afterward  entered  the  office  of 
Jeremiah  K.  Grant,  then  district  attorney  of  Berks  coun- 
ty, remaining  there  until  September,  1900,  when  he  en- 
tered the  employ  of  Ermentrout  &  Ruhl,  a  firm  com- 
posed of  the  late  Daniel  Ermentrout,  a  member  of  Con- 
gress, and  C.  H.  Ruhl.  While  clerking  for  these  law- 
yers he  read  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1899. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Superior  and  Supreme  Courts 
!  of  the  State  and  the  United  States  District,  Circuit  and 
1  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals.  _  He  is  engaged  in  the  active 
practice  of  the  law  and  enjoys  an  extensive  practice. 
'  He  is  a  Mason;  a  member  of  the  B.  P.  O.  Elks,  Fra- 
iternal  Order  of  Eagles,  Red  Men,  Liberty  Fire  Company, 
land  maijy  other  social  organizations.  He  belongs  to  the 
'Trinity  Lutheran  Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat, 
and  he  is  interested  in  a  number  of  financial  and  indus- 
trial  enterprises. 

On  April  8,  1900,  Mr.  Dickinson  was  married  to  Eva 
M.  Moyer,  daughter  of  Charles  Moyer,  of  Reading.  They 
have  two  children,  a  daughter  Anna,  named  in  honor  of 
Ithe  noted  lecturer  and  authoress,  Anna  Dickinson,  and  a 
(son,  Joseph  R. 


;V3 


t^^Lr^r\-lr%^\'^-m^  - 


QiU 


A  A  K.n.  X  D. 


_> 


518 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


WAYNE  LEINBACH  SHEARER,  B.  S.,  M.  S.,  M. 
D.,  was  born  in  Reading,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Oct.  3,  1876. 
His  early  school  life  he  spent  in  the  private  school  of 
Miss  Jennie  Cooper,  on  South  Fifth  Street,  later  attend- 
ing the  Reading  public  schools  at  North  Seventh  and 
Dick  streets  and  Washington  and  Rose  streets.  He  was 
prepared  for  College  in  the  Carroll  Institute,  ^  of  which 
Professor  Edward  Carroll,  a  graduate  of  Trinity  Col- 
lege, Dublin,  Ireland,  was  principal.  Dr.  Shearer  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Pennsylvania  State  College  June  13,  1900, 
receiving  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science,  and  in  the 
Fall  of  the  same  year  entered  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Medical  Department,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
June  15,  1904,  receiving  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine. On  June  13,  1906,  the  degree  of  Master  of  Science 
was  conferred  by  the  Pennsylvania  State  College  upon 
Dr.    Shearer. 

He  has  been  active  in  the  practice  of  medicine  since 
his  graduation  from  the  University  of  Pennsyjvania. 
In  addition  he  is  treasurer  of  the  Leinbach  Box  Com- 
pany a  corporation,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
wooden  packing  cases,  crates  etc.,  also  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Reading  Manufacturing  Company,  a 
corporation,   manufacturing  washing   macbmes. 

Hi.  is  a  member  of  the  Sigma  Alpha  Epsilon  Frater- 
nity and  the  Theta  Nu  Epsilon  Fraternity,  the  former 
of  which  Greek  Letter  societies  is  still  active  at  both 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Pennsylvania 
State  College.  He  is  also  a  member  of  St.  John's  Lodge 
No,  435^  F.  &  A.  M. ;  of  Excelsior  Chapter  No.  237,  R. 
A.  M. ;   and  of  Reading  Commandery,   No.  42,   K.  T. 

Doctor  Shearer  is  the  only  child  of  Benjamin  Y.  Shear- 
er and  Clara  A.  Shearer  (nee  Leinbach).  His  father, 
Benjamin  Y.  Shearer,  was  born  in  Bern  township,  Berks 
county,  Dec.  15,  1S48,  where  he  received  part  of  his 
preliminary  education ;  later  he  attended  the  Reading 
Classical  Academy.  He  taught  school  from  1864  to  1874, 
and  during  the  latter  part  of  that  period  devoted  his 
spare  time  to  the  study  of  law ;  also  the  entire  year  from 
1S74  until  the  time  of  his  admission  to  the  Berks  County 
Bar  on  April  12,  1875,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
steadily  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law.  He  married,  Oct. 
14.  1875,  Clara  A.  Leinbach.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
John's  Lodge  No.  435,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Excelsior  Chapter, 
No.  237,  R.  A.  M. ;  and  a  past  commander  of  Reading 
Commandery,    No.   42,   K.   T. 

Benjamin  Y.  Shearer  is  a  son  of  Samuel  T.  Shearer. 
born  Feb.  29,  1808,  died  in  1881,  and  Catharine  D.  Shear- 
er (nee  Yorgey),  born  April  1.  1810,  died  July  1,  1893. 
He  is  a  brother  to  William  Y.  Shearer,  James  Y.  Shearer, 
M.  D.,  Catharine  Y.  Hain,  Elizabeth  Y.  Dundore,  Sarah 
Y.  Weitzel  (deceased),  Aaron  Y.  Shearer,  Amos  Y,. 
Shearer,  and  Brigetta  Y.  Hiester  (deceased).  Flis  fath- 
er, Samuel  T.  Shearer,  was  a  son  of  John  Shearer,  born 
in  1773,  and  died  in  1847,  who  in  turn  was  a  son  of  John 
Christopher  Sherrer,  who  came  to  America  from  Ger- 
many in  1769,  landing  at  Philadelphia.  Pa.,  in  the  ship 
"Minerva,"  Thomas  Arnold  captain.  During  the  Revolu- 
tion he  was  under  Washington  when  he  crossed  the  Del- 
aware  on    Christmas,   1776,   at   Chadd's   Ford,   etc. 

Dr.  W.  L.  Shearer's  mother,  Clara  A.  Shearer  (nee 
Leinbach),  was  born  in  Bern  township,  Berks  county, 
June  28,  1851,  where  she  received  the  greater  part  of 
her  early  education.  She  was  married  on  Oct.  14,  1873, 
to  Benjamin  Y.  Shearer.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Chris- 
tian R.  Leinbach  and  Catharine  S.  Leinbach  (nee  Es- 
terly).  Her  father  Christian  R.  Leinbach,  born  Dec. 
6,  1820,  died  July  10,  ]892,  was  a  son  of  William  Lein- 
bach and  Elizabeth  Leinbach,  (nee  Rich),  an  aunt  to  Mrs. 
William  Arnoiid,  Cyrus  Rich,  James  Rich,  etc.  Mrs.  B. 
Y.  Shearer's  mother  Catherine  S.  Leinbach  (nee  Es- 
terly),  born  May  5,  1837,  died  March  15,  1859,  was  a 
daughter  of  Amos  Esterly  and  Ann  Barbara  Esterly 
(nee  Stichter),  a  daughter  of  Peter  Stichter,  born  in 
1761,  died  in  1843,  and  Catharine  Stichter  (nee  HofF). 
Mrs.  B.  Y.  Shearer  is  a  sister  to  Annie  E.  Althouse,  B. 
Franklin  Leinbach,  J.  Calvin  Leinbach,  Catharine  E. 
Graeff    (deceased),   and   Timothy   J.   Lembach. 


Benjamin  Y.  Shearer  and  Clara  A.  Shearer  are  living 
at   No.    146   North   Fifth   street,   Reading. 

Dr.  W.  L.  Shearer  was  married  on  June  1,  1905,  to 
Marie  Carolyn  Hoffman,  of  Philadelphia,  daughter  of 
George  H.  Hoffman  and  Emma  S.  Hoffman  (nee  Schnei- 
der). Dr.  Shearer  has  his  office  and  residence  at  the 
Northwest  corner  of  North  Front  and  Greenwich  streets, 
Reading,   Pennsylvania. 

JOHN  H.  BRIDENBAUGH,  lawyer,  of  Reading,  with 
offices  at  No.  529  Court  street,  is  a  native  of  Martinsburg, 
Blair  Co.,  Pa.,  born  Jan.  5,  1877.  He  has  been  in  the 
active  practice  of  his   profession   since   the  year   1902. 

Henry  Bridenbaugh,  his  grandfather,  was  a  farmer  of 
Martinsburg,  Blair  county.  Rev.  Samuel  R.  Bridenbaugh, 
D.  D.,  his  father,  is  pastor  of  the  Second  Reformed 
Church  of  Reading.  Dr.  Bridenbaugh  married  Lydia 
A.  Bowman,  daughter  of  John  Bowman,  a  merchant,  and 
niece  of  Dr.  J.  C.  Bowman,  of  the  Reformed  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  at  Lancaster.  There  were  three  children 
in  their  family,  of  whom  Paul  died  Aug.  31,  1904,  when 
just  entering  upon  his  career  in  the  ministry  of  the  Re- 
formed Lhurch ;  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  and  a 
graduate  of  Harvard  Theological  Seminary.  George  B. 
is  a  student  at  the  New  England  Conservatory  of  Music, 
Boston. 

John  H.  Bridenbaugh  received  his  early  educational 
training  at  Berlin,  Somerset  county,  and  at  Carroll  In- 
stitute, Reading.  Having  been  thoroughly  prepared  for 
college  at  these  institutions  he  matriculated  at  F'ranklin 
and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  where  he  graduated  in 
1899.  In  carrying  out  his  decision  to  enter  upon  a  ca- 
reer at  the  Bar  he  then  went  to  Harvard  Law  School, 
where  he  graduated  in  the  class  of  1902,  in  which  year 
he  was  admitted  to  the  Berks  county  Bar.  Fie  has  since 
been  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  court.  At 
Reading  he  read  law  in  the  office  of  Baer.  Snyder  & 
Zieber.     He   engages   in   general   practice. 

While  at  college  Mr.  Bridenbaugh  became  a  member 
of  the  Phi  Kappa  Psi  chapter  at  Franklin  and  Mar- 
shall. He  was  also  connected  with  the  Diagnothian  Lit- 
erary Society  at  that  school,  is  a  member  of  the  Harvard 
Club  of  Reading,  and  is  a  member  and  chairman  of  the 
executive  committee  of  the  Reading  Canoe  Club.  He 
belongs  to  the  Second  Reformed  Church,  in  the  work  of 
which  he  takes  an  active  part,  being  at  the  present  time 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school. 

WILLIAM  H.  LUPPOLD,  senior  member  of  the  real 
estate  and  insurance  firm  of  Luppold  &  Whitman,  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  and  a  gentleman  of  wide  influence  and 
great  activity  in  business  circles,  is  on  his  native  heath, 
having  been   born   in   Reading   Nov.   5,   1870. 

The  grandfather  of  Mr.  Luppold,  John  George  Luppold, 
was  a  farmer  of  Brecknock  township,  Berks  county,  while 
his  father,  John  Luppold.  now  retired,  was  for  many 
years  in  the  grocery  business  in  the  city.  Air.  Luppold's 
mother  was  Elizabeth  Stuber.  daughter  of  Charles  Stu- 
ber,  who  was  a  farmer  of  Maiden-creek  township.  There 
were  but  three  children,  Elizabeth,  who  died  at  three  years, 
a  daughter  that  died  in  infancy,  and  William  H. 

William  H.  Luppold  is  a  product  of  nineteenth  century 
methods  in  education  and  business,  and  he  is  an  example 
cf  what  they  can  do  when  coupled  with  a  fair  share  of 
native  wit  and  energy.  He  passed  through  the  various 
grades  of  the  city  schools,  and  then  took  a  thorough 
course  in  Brunner's  Business  college.  His  father  being 
in  the  grocery  business,  he  began  his  career  as  an  as- 
sistant to  him.  remaining  in  that  capacity  for  some  ten 
years.  Having  become  convinced  of  the  possibilities  of 
the  real  estate  business  in  Reading  he,  in  1904,  in  company 
with  Mr.  J.  Benton  Whitman,  established  offices  at  No. 
526  Court  street,  and  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Luppold 
&  Whitman  has  since  spent  his  activities  in  that  line. 
Mr,  Luppold's  judgment  was  not  at  fault,  and  he  has 
succeeded  beyond  the  most  sanguine  e.\.pectations  of  his 
friends.  The  strong  point  with  Mr.  Luppold  is  the  per- 
fect  knowledge    he    seems    to    have    of    the    territory    in 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


519 


which  he,  is  working.  Having  been  reared  in  the  city, 
there  is  not  a  foot  of  ground  unfamiliar  to  him;  this, 
coupled  with  the  fact  that  he  has  an  intuitive  knowledge 
of  the  future  possibihties  of  any  particular  section  of 
the  city,  makes  him  one  of  the  strongest  real  estate  men 
in  the  city.  The  firm  also  does  a  large  business  in  fire 
insurlance. 

Mr.  Luppold  is  a  man  of  family.  He  married,  June  21, 
1901,  Miss  Cora  K.,  daughter  of  Morris  H.  Boyer,  a 
larmer  of  Amityville,  Berks  county.  To  them  have  come 
two  daughters,  Helen  B.  and  Ahce  B.,  now  (1909)  six 
and  three  years  old,  respectively. 

In  the  public  life  of  the  city,  Mr.  Luppold  has  taken 
an  active  part  ever  since  he  can  remember.  He  is  an 
ardent  Democrat,  and  as  president  of  the  Northeastern 
Democratic  Club  gives  much  attention  to  the  interests 
of  his  party,  in  both  the  local  field  and  the  larger  state 
and  national.  For  a  period  of  five  years  he  has  repre- 
sented the  Ninth  ward  on  the  school  board,  and  gave  most 
intelligent  attention  to  the  interests  of  education  through- 
out the  city,  which  may  be  truthfully  said  to  possess  one 
of  the  best  school  systems  in  the  country.  At  present  he 
is  serving  his  second  term  as  city  assessor,  having-  iirst 
been  elected  to  that  responsible  position  in  February,  1905, 
and  re-elected  in  February,  1908. 

Mr.  Luppold  is  affiliated  with  several  of  the  best  fra- 
ternal organizations,  among  them  being  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A., 
of  which  he  is  treasurer,  and  the  Maccabees.  His  re- 
ligious life  has  been  passed  in  the  St  John's  Lutheran 
Church,  where  he  is  one  of  the  influential  and  active 
members. 

Life  means  to  us  all  that  which  we  would  have  it 
mean.  It  is  true  that  untoward  circumstances  seem  at 
times  to  thwart  our  best  efforts,  but  no  man  is  the  "vic- 
tim of  circumstances"  for  any  great  length  of  time,  un- 
less he  wills  it  so.  This,  in  brief,  is  the  philosophy  of 
William  H.  Luppold,  who  by  reason  of  energy  and  will 
power  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  city. 

JOHN  WEILER,  publisher,  of  the  Reading  Post,  the 
Deutsche  Eiche  and  Die  Biene,  is  one  of  the  best  known 
men  in  newspaper  circles  in  Reading.  He  was  born  April 
17,  1852,  in  Essingen,  Oberamt  Aalen,  Kingdom  of  Wurt- 
emberg,  Germany,  and  was  educated  in  the  cornmon  and 
high  schools  of  his  native  land.  After  several  years' 
employment  in  the  post-office  at  Stuttgart,  he  came  to 
America  in  1872,  and  in  the  same  year  entered  the  service 
of  William  Rosenthal,  at  that  time  the  owner  of.  the 
Reading  Post,  as  collector.  He  then,  after  a  short  time, 
became  a  reporter,  then  editor,  then  manager,  and  finally 
for  the  past  fifteen  years  he  has  had  general  supervision 
of  the  establishment.  In  June,  1908,  he  purchased  the 
Reading  Post  printing  establishment  from  Mr.  Rosenthal, 
and  in  less  than  one  year,  after  making  great  improve- 
ments, the  business  had  been  more  than  doubled.  The 
Post  had  been  published  for  forty  years  when  it  came 
into  the  possession  of  Mr.  Weiler.  It  is  the  -oldest  German 
daily  paper  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  outside  of  Phila- 
delphia and  Pittsburg,  and  its  readers  include  all  classes 
of  the  German  speaking  population,  by  whom  it  is  regarded 
as  the  best  public  medium  of  communication. 

Mr.  Weiler  also  publishes  two  other  papers — Die  Bienc 
is  a  weekly  containing  entertaining  and  instructive  mat- 
ter for  the  numerous  subscribers ;  and  the  Deutsche  Eiche 
is  the  organ  of  the  German  Order  of  Harugari,  and  is 
an    eight-page   weekly   edited   personally   by   Mr.   Weiler. 

Notwithstanding  the  vast  and  responsible  work  entailed 
by  the  publication  of  three  papers,  Mr.  Weiler  has  always 
had  some  time  to  spare  for  matters  of  public  interest,  and 
he  has  taken  great  pride  in  the  development  of  his 
adopted  town,  and  he  has  given  much  time  to  furthering 
•the  interests  of  the  city.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Reading  Press  Club,  and  has  officiated  as  its  president 
for  several  terms,  and  he  is  also  connected  with  all  the 
German  organizations  in  the  city,  and  is  a  member  of 
Teutonia  Lodge,  No.  367,  F.  &  A.  M.,  which  he  has  served 
as  master. 


Over  thirty  years  ago  Mr.  Weiler  was  married  to  Miss 
Louise  Hansen,  who  died  in  1907.  He  has  three  sons : 
Philip  A.,  owner  of  the  Keystone  Electric  Company; 
George  Fred,  an  electrical  engineer;  and  Harry  H.,  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  and  thoroughly  interested  in  news- 
paper work. 

SAMUEL  K.  SPANG,  sou  of  Jacob  K.  and  Sarah 
(Kauffman)  Spang,  was  born  at  Hamburg,  Pa.,  Jan.  14, 
1868.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Reading,  in- 
cluding a  business  course  in  the  Interstate  Commercial 
College,  and  upon  finishing  his  preparation;  assisted  his 
father  for  six  years  as  clerk,  etc.,  in  the  business  of 
manufacturing  charcoal  iron  at  Lenhartsville,  Berks  coun- 
ty, where  his  father  conducted  an  old-established 
iron  works.  In  November,  1891,  he  became  a  clerk  m 
the  office  of  the  Reading  Trust  Company,  and  after  fill- 
ing this  position  very  satisfactorily  until  December,  19.03, 
the  directors  selected  hinj  as  treasurer  of  the  company, 
which  responsible  position  he  has  since  held. 

Mr.  Spang  was  married  in  1900,  to  Ella  Rick,  daugh- 
ter of  Cyrus  Rick,  who  was  for  many  years  cashier  of 
the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Reading.  They  have 
three  children:  Emily  R.,  Mary  R.  and  Charles  R.  Mr. 
Spang  is  a  member  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  Reading. 
He  has  officiated  as  secretary  of  the  congregation  for  four 
years. 

His  great-grandfather,  Frederick  Spang,  was  a  prominent 
iron  manufacturer  in  Oley  township  before  1800,  having 
then  become  the  owner  of  the  Oley  Forge  along  Mana- 
tawny  Creek,  and  operated  it  very  successfully  until  his 
death.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Jacob  S.  Spang, 
and  by  his  grandson  Jacob  K.  Spang.  For  many  years 
the  plant  was  known  as  the  "Spang  Forge,"  and  the  set- 
tlement came  to  be  called  Spangsville. 

LEONARD  M.  "RUTH,  cashier  of  the  Wernersville 
National  Bank,  of  Wernersville,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Lower 
Heidelberg  township,  son  of  James  H.  and  Catharine 
(Dundore)   Ruth. 

Leonard  Ruth,  Mr.  Ruth's  great-grandfather,  was  a  son 
of  Michael  Ruth,  and  carried  on  farming  near  Hain's 
Church.  He  married  Elizabeth  Weinhold,  of  Cumru  (now 
Spring)  township,  and  they  had  ten  children,  four  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  The  others  were :  Isaac,  Josiah, 
Levi,    Elizabeth,    Michael   W.    and   Leonard. 

Michael  W.  Ruth,  son  of  Leonard,  was  a  farmer  of 
Lower  Heidelberg  township.  He  was  born  in  1830,  and 
died  in  1905.  He  married  Catharine  Hain,  daughter  of 
John  Hain,  and  she  died  shortly  after  her  husband's  death 
at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  They  had  six  child- 
ren: James  H.  (father  of  Leonard  M.)  ;  Frank  P.  (died 
young)  ;  J.  Hain  (m.  Mary  Moyer,  and  after  her  de- 
cease Jennie  Rothenberger)  ;  Ellen  (m.  Samuel  R.  Fisher)  • 
Emma  (m.  Garson  M.  Huyett)  ;  and  Mary  (died  young)'. 

James  H.  Ruth,  father  of  Leonard  M.,  was  born  in 
Lower  Heidelberg  township  in  1852,  educated  in  the  local 
schools,  and  brought  up  to  farming,  which  occupation  he 
has  followed  up  to  the  present  time.  He  officiated  as 
a  school  director  of  the  township,  for  three  terms,  and 
also  as  treasurer,  deacon  and  elder  of  the  Hain's  Church 
for  nine  years.  He  married  Catharine  Dundore,  daughter 
of  John  D.  and  Sarah  A.  (Scholl)  Dundore.  Mr.  Dun- 
dore was  brought  up  on  a  farm  in  Bern  township,  and 
carried  on  farming  operations  in  Lower  Heidelberg  town- 
ship. Mr.  Ruth  had  six  children:  Leonard  M.;  Jennie  (m 
Amos  Yoder)  ;  and  Elizabeth,  Ellen,  Laura,  and  Mary' 
all  of  whom  are  single.  ' 

Leonard  M.  Ruth  was  born  Aug.  2,  1875,  and  was  edu 
cated  in  the  local  schools.  He  graduated  from  the  West 
Chester  State  Normal  School  in  1895,  and  then 'taught 
public  school  for  eleven  years— in  Lower  Heidelberg 
township  four  years,  and  as  principal  of  the  Robesonia 
high  school  for  seven  years.  Upon  the  organization  of 
the  Wernersville  National  Bank  in  1906,  he  was  chosen 
one  of  the  directors  and  cashier,  and  he  has  officiated 
as  such  until  now  in  a  highly  satisfactory  manner 


520 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


In  1904  Mr.  Ruth  was  elected  treasurer  and  deacon  in 
the  Hain's  Church,  and  served  as  such  for  two  years. 
He  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Citizens'  Hose 
Company  No.  1,  for  the  protection  of  the  people  of  the 
village  from  fire,  and  has  since  maintained  an  active 
membership. 

Mr.  Ruth  married  Laura  E.  Mengle,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel G.  and  Agnes  (Shoup)  Mengle,  of  Lower  Heidelberg 
township.  Mrs.  Laura  E.  Ruth  was  born  Oct.  19,  1875,  in 
Muhlenberg  township. 

The  great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Laura  E.  Ruth  was 
Daniel  Mengel,  of  Richmond  township.  He  married  Su- 
sanna Kind,  and  they  both  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  eighteen  child- 
ren, one  of  whom,  Samuel,  was  the  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Ruth.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Maiden-creek  township,  and 
he  married  Henrietta  Gerhard,  of  Alsace  township,  by 
whom  he  had  four  children,  Nathaniel,  David  Llewellyn, 
Rebecca  Jane  and   Samuel  G. 

Dr.  Samuel  G.  Mengle,  father  of  Mrs.  Ruth,  was  born 
April  19,  ISJO,  in  Ontelaunee  township.  He  was  educated 
in  the  local  schools,  and  graduated  from  the  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  in  1S70.  On  Jan.  1,  1S73, 
he  married  Agnes  Shoup,  daughter  of  Richard  Shoup, 
and  Ihey  had  four  children,  Stella,  Laurant,  Laura  and 
Carrie,  all  but  Mrs.  Ruth  dj'ing  young.  Mrs.  Agnes 
(Shoup)  Mengle,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Ruth,  was  born 
Dec.  24,  1854,  in  Cumru  township,  was  educated  in  vhe 
local  schools,  and  died  in  1883.  Two  year»  after  the 
death  of  Mrs.  Mengle,  Dr.  Mengle  moved  to  Peru,  111., 
where  he  married  a  second  time,  and  where  h^  is  nuw 
practising  medicine. 

Richard  Shoup,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  ]Mrs.  Ruth, 
was  a  farmer  of  Cumru  township,  who  died  in  1896.  at 
the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  He  married  Elvina  Gcr- 
hart,  daughter  of  John  B.  Gerhart.  of  Lower  Heidelberg, 
by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Agnes.  After  the  death 
of  Elvina  (Gerhart)  Shoup  in  1866,  Richard  Shoup  mar- 
ried (second)  Kate  Lamm.  They  had  three  children, 
Thomas,  Emma,  and  Adalaide. 

John  B.  Gerhart,  the  maternal  great-grandfather  of.  Mrs. 
Ruth,  married  Sarah  Kline,  and  had  five  children:  Elvina, 
Sarah,    Ellenora,    Rebecca,   and   John   K. 

Owing  to  the  early  death  of  her  mother,  Mrs.  Laura 
E.  Ruth,  at  the  age  of  seven  years  was  placed  into  the 
care  of  John  K.  Gerhart,  and  his  sister  Rebecca.  She 
was  reared  in  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  educated  in 
the  local  schools,  and  for  a  few  terms  attended  Al- 
bright College,  Myerstown,   Pennsylvania. 

GUSTAVUS  ANTHONY  NICOLLS,  for  many  years 
prominently  connected  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Railroad  Company,  and  one  of  Reading's  most  dis- 
tinguished citizens,  was  born  April  3,  1817,  at  Abbey 
View,  Thomastown,  County  Kilkenny,  Ireland.  He  was 
the  eldest  child  of  Colonel  William  Dann  Nicolls,  of  the 
English  Royal  Artillery,  who  married  Maria  Graves, 
daughter  of  Anthony  Graves,  a  land  proprietor  in  Coun- 
ty Kilkenny,  Ireland.  Three  children  were  born  to  Col- 
onel and  Mrs.  Nicolls:  Gustavus  Anthony,  born  April 
3,  1817;  William  Jasper,  born  in  1824  at  Exeter,  Eng- 
land ;  and  Maria  Anne,  born  in  1825  at  Woolwich.  The 
Nicolls  family  is  descended  from  John  Nicolls,  of  Ar- 
ran.  in  Strathmore,  near  Inverness,  Scotland,  born  in 
1540. 

Like  the  uncle  after  whom  he  was  named.  General  Gus- 
tavus Nicolls,  of  the  Royal  Engineers,  Mr.  Nicolls^  was 
intended  for  the  army.  His  early  education  was  direct- 
ed with  this  in  mind,  under  the  personal  supervision  of 
his  father,  and  later  he  was  a  student  for  some  years 
at  the  Waterford  Classical  and  Mathematical  Academy,  an 
institution  noted  for  the  scholarship  of  its  pupils.  He 
finished  his  schooling  at  the  Wanstead  Military  College, 
near  London.  His  proficiency  in  all  branches  of  math- 
ematics .was  well  shown  in  his  subsequent  success  in  civil 
engineering.  It  was  his  father's  wish  to  have  him  sent 
to  the  East  Indies  immediately  upon  the  conclusion  of 
his   student   life,   and   his   uncle.    Sir   Jasper   Nicolls,   who 


had  served  with  distinction  in  South  America  and  India 
and  was  then  commander-in-chief  in  India,  promised  to 
give  him  an  appointment  as  aide-de-camip  on  his  per- 
sonal staff.  But  the  young  man  had  other  ambitions, 
and  believing  that  the  United  States  oflfered  a  more  con- 
genial field  for  his  talents  and  energy  left  for  this  coun- 
try, sailing  from  England  in   September,   1834. 

Arriving  in  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Nicolls  studied  law  for 
a  time  in  the  office  of  Plenry  M.  Phillips.  In  April, 
1835,  he  was  appointed  a  rodman  in  the  engineer  corps 
of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  Company,  and 
in  1836  was  promoted  to  assistant  engineer,  taking  charge 
of  the  completion  of  a  section  of  railroad  between  Doug- 
lassville  and  Exeter.  In  1837  he  became  principal  as- 
sistant and  was  stationed  at  Reading,  and  the  next  year 
he  became  superintendent  of  transportation,  holding  that 
position  for  eight  years,  until  1846.  He  then  became 
chief  engineer  and  general  superintendent  of  the  com- 
pany, holding  both  positions  for  thirteen  years,  by  the 
end  of  which  time  the  duties  had  become  so  arduous 
that  it  was  necessary  to  divide  the  work,  and  Mr.  Ni- 
colls chose  the  position  of  general  superintendent.  He 
served  as  such  from  that  time  until  February,  1871,  when 
he  was  appointed  to  act  also  as  president's  assistant. 
This  change  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  remove  his 
residence  from  Reading  to  Philadelphia  where  he  resided 
until  his  return  to  Reading  in  May,  1877.  Meantime,  in 
1873,  he  was  elected  second  vice-president  of  the  com- 
pany, and  was  unanimously  re-elected  to  that  position 
in  1875  and  1876.  In  1877  the  positions  of  first  and 
second  vice-president  were  abolished,  and  then  Mr.  Ni- 
colls was  elected  president  of  the  following  branch  rail- 
roads of  the  company:  Reading  &  Columbia,  East  Penn- 
sylvania, East  Mahanoy,  Allentown,  and  Chester  &  Del- 
aware River.  In  1876  he  was  chosen  president  of  the 
Susquehanna  &  Tide  Water  Canal  Company.  These  var- 
ious positions  he  continued  to  fill,  by  annual  re-elections, 
until  his  death.  He  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Philadel- 
phia &  Reading  Railroad  Company  for  over  fifty  years, 
and  his  ability,  energy  and  integrity  could  have  no  bet- 
ter witness  than  his  long  retention  in  the  various  po- 
sitions to  which  he  was  chosen. 

Coming  to  Reading  in  1836,  at  the  very  dawn  of  the 
great  developments  which  have  taken  place  through  the 
combination  of  iron,  coal,  and  steam,  Mr.  Nicolls  was 
foremost  among  the  men  who  directed  that  develop- 
ment, and  his  name  will  always  be  prominent  among 
the  leaders  of  his  day.  During  his  unusually  long  term 
of  service  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company, 
covering  over  half  a  century,  he  saw  the  company  ad- 
vance from  a  modest  beginning  to  colossal  proportions, 
and  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  his  interest  and 
energy  had  much  to  do  with  its  growth  and  progress. 
During  his  entire  career  as  an  official  his  constancy  to 
the  interests  of  the  company  was  a  prominent  character- 
istic, and  his  intelligent,  systematic  management  not  on- 
ly resulted  in  great  financial  benefit  to  the  road  but  in 
many  other  advantages,  as  well  as  in  contributing  to  the 
safety  and  comfort  of  its  patrons.  His  courage  and  re- 
source were  never  better  shown  than  during  the  great 
riots  of  1877  at  Reading,  when  the  whole  community 
was  aroused  and  alarnied  over  the  rebellion  of  excited 
and  dissatisfied  railroad  employes.  He  was  fearless  in 
occupying  his  prominent  position  at  the  passenger  sta- 
tion, giving  valuable  suggestions  for  the  preservation 
of  the  company's  property  and  for  the  movement  of 
regular  trains.  His  attachment  to  the  companv  was 
no  less  marked  than  his  consideration  for  its  employes. 
On  one  occasion  during  the  riots  he  was  endeavoring 
to  quell  some  disturbance,  when  one  of  the  rioters  said 
to  his  companions:  "Let's  shoot  that  fellow!"  "No, 
that's  Nicolls,"  said  the  strikers  who  knew  him,  "and  if 
you  try  to  kill  him,  you  must  do  it  over  our  dead  bod- 
ies." 

Though  he  was  probably  best  known  in  his  connection 
with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company,  Air.  Nicolls 
was  a  nian  too  broad  and  widely  sympathetic  to  confine 
his  activities  to  any  one  line.     He  was  a  director  of  the 


^•'"^^^l^. 


.  .:„■■'  y''^' 


a,    yX7^:^.rt^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


521 


Reading  Fire  Insurance  &  Trust  Company  from  the 
time  of  its  organization  in  1868  until  1875.  In  1862  he 
was  elected  a  trustee  of  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery 
Company,  and  continued  to  serve  as  such  until  his 
death.  He  was  also  a  director  of  the  Schuylkill  &  Le- 
high Railroad  Company.  During  the  year  1882  the  "Read- 
ing, Marietta  &  Hanover  Railroad"— a  branch  line  of 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  system— was  completed  main- 
ly under  his  supervision.  He  was  a  charter  itiember  of 
the  Philadelphia,  Reading  &  Pottsville  Telegraph  Com- 
■  pany.  In  the  organization  of  the  company  in '  1847  he 
was  elected  a  member,  of  the  board  of  managers,  to 
which  position  he  was  annually  re-elected  for  a  long  period. 

As  a  citizen  of  Reading  Mr.  Nicolls  always  manifest- 
ed the  keenest  interest  in  its  material  development  and 
prosperity.  Enterprises  of  various  kinds  received  his 
active  encouragement.  He  assisted  in  erecting  the  cot- 
ton factory  and  the  steam  forge  shortly  after  1850,  two 
large  and  costly  establishmients  which  proved  largely 
instrumental  in  building  up  the  respective  sections  of 
Reading  in  which  they  were  situated,  affording  constant 
employment  to  many  working-people. 

In  the  Civil  war  period  Mr.  Nicolls  showed  himself  thor- 
oughly in  sympathy  with  the  Union.  He  attended  and  en- 
couraged a  number  of  public  meetings  held  by  prominent 
citizens  regardless  of  political  affiliations,  supported  the 
government  by  his  voice  and  material  aid,  and  was  con- 
stantly liberal  in  encouraging  voluntary  enlistments.  When 
the  State  was  threatened  with  invasion  in  1862  he  enlisted 
in  Company  E,  11th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Militia,  commanded  by  Capt.  Charles  H.  Hunter,  and 
served  as  a  corporal.  This  Company  was  named  after  him, 
being  known  as  "Nicolls  Guards."  After  the  war  he  de- 
voted miuch  time  and  influence  to  commemorate  the  dis- 
tinguished part  which  Berks  county  took  in  its  successful 
prosecution.  In  1883  he  prepared  a  suitable  and  superior 
design  for  a  monument,  and  suggested  the  center  of 
Penn  Square  as  a  proper  place  for  its  loca- 
tion, believing  that  patriotism  should  be  grandly  typified 
in  the  form  of  a  "Soldiers'  Monument"  placed  permanently 
m  the  most  prominent  place  in  the  community,  where  the 
eyes  of  future  generations  could  behold  what  their  fore- 
fathers had  done  to  commemorate  the  services  and  sacrifi- 
ces made  by  the  people  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  the 
Constitution  and  the  Union.  In  politics  he  was  originally 
a  Whig,  later  a  Republican.  In  1864  Mr.  Nicolls  was 
offered  the  'nomination  for  Congress  by  the  Republican 
party,  but  his  numerous  business  .duties,  particularly 
those  concerning  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company, 
made  it  imipossible  for  him  to  accept. 

Mr.  Nicolls  was  active  in  the  various  charities  sup- 
ported in  the  city.  He  was  always  a  generous  contributor 
to  the  work  of  the  "Reading  Benevolent  Society,"  of 
which  he  served  as  president  for  eleven  years,  from 
1860  to  1871.  The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
also  found  him  a  liberal- and  ardent  supporter  of  its  work, 
and  he  served  as  president  for  over  two  years,  from 
1880  to  1882.  For  a  number  of  years  be  served  as 
one  of  the  managers  of  the  Reading  Dispensary  and  of 
the  Reading  Hospital.  He  served  the  "Home  for  Widows 
and  Single  Women  of  Reading"  as  chairman  of  the 
building  committee  in  the  erection  of  its  handsome  and 
commodious  stone  structure;  and  the  Reading  Society  of 
Natural  Sciences  received  his  earnest  support  and  at- 
tention from  the  time  of  its  organization  in  1869  until 
its  dissolution  in  1884.  During  this  period  one  of  its 
most  active  members,  Mr.  Hiram  Hollenbush,  a  few  years 
before  his  death  made  for  Mr.  Nicolls  a  cabinet  contain- 
ing a  beautiful  and  complete  collection  of  the  various 
kinds  of  woods  found  in  Berks  county. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Nicolls  was  a  vestryman  of  Christ 
Episcopal  Church  of  Reading.  He  served  as  a  member 
of  the  building  committee  which  had  charge  of  the  alter- 
ations of  the  church  edifice  when  it  was  remodeled  from 
a  brick  building  to  the  present  beautiful  and  costly  struc- 
ture, which,  with  its  towering  and  graceful  spire,  became 
at  once  the  most  imposing  house  of  worship  in  Reading. 
He  served   as  vestryman   until  1871.     From  the  time  he 


came  here  he  was  a  devout  and  consistent  member  of  the 
Protestant   Episcopal  Church. 

For  over  forty  years  before  his  death  Mr.  Nicolls  was 
-an  indefatigable  traveler.  In  1848  he  made  a  trip  to  the 
British  Isles  which  covered  a  period  o'f  three  months, 
during  which  he  visited  all  the  places  of  importance.  In 
1856,  with  a  party  of  friends,  he  made  a  trip  through  the 
South  and  also  visited  the  Island  of  Cuba.  While  so- 
journing in  Cuba  he  addressed  a  series  of  letters  to  the 
Reading  Times  which  were  published  in  that  paper,  nar- 
rating the  experiences  of  the  party  in  that  country,  the 
sights  -observed,  impressions  received,  and  other  inter- 
esting material.  In  1872  he  visited  all  the  countries  of 
Continental  Europe.  In  1878  he  again  went  to  the  Coij- 
tinent,  visiting  the  Paris  Exposition,  England,  Sweden 
and  Russia;  some  of  his  letters  home  were  published  on 
account  of  the  general  interest  they  possessed  and  the 
infoirmation  they  contained.  In  1884  he  again  crossed  the 
ocean,  spending  several  months  in  the  British  Isles. 

In  May,  1846,  Mr.  Nicolls  married  Rosa  Catharine 
Muhlenberg,  daughter  of  Hon.  Henry  A.  Muhlenberg,  who 
for  a  number  of  years  was  member  of  Congress  from 
this  district,  and  who  was  also  the  first  minister  from 
this  country  to  Austria.  He  was  at  the  time  of  his  de- 
cease, in  1844,  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Governor. 
Mrs.  Nicolls,  who  died  May  15,  1867,  was  a  woman 
highly  esteemed  for  her  intellectual  superiority.  She  was 
distinguished  for  her  activity  in  charitable  work  in  the 
city,  and  during  the  Civil  war  was  untiring  in  her  efforts 
in  behalf  of  soldiers  and  their  families  who  needed  as- 
sistance. She  was  foremost  in  the  movement  which  re- 
sulted in  the  formation  of  the  first  Ladies'  Aid  Society 
in  the  country,  served  as  its  president  from  the  time  of 
its  organization  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  con- 
stantly active  in  performing  valuable  services  by  collect- 
ing useful  materials  and  forwarding  them  to  the  men  on 
the  field  of  battle,  as  well  as  in  aiding  the  families  of  sol- 
diers. Her  kindness  and  devotion  were  highly  appreciated, 
and  her  name  became  proverbial  in  that  connection  among 
the  many  who  felt  her  unselfish  and  well-directed  efforts. 

In  January,  1869,  Mr.  Nicolls  married  Annie  Hall 
Muhlenberg,  daughter  of  Dr.  F.  A.  Muhlenberg,  of  Lan- 
caster, Pa.  His  only  child,  Fredericlc  William  Nicolls, 
was  born  to  this  union  Feb.  7,  1870.  He  is  now  actively 
engaged   in  the  practice   of  law  in  the   City  of   Reading. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Nicolls  made  his  home  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  Penn  and  Fourth  streets,  Reading. 
In  1870  he  began  the  erection  of  the  handsome  and  com-- 
modious  double  residence,  three  stories  in  height  and  con- 
structed of  sandstone,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Wal- 
nut and  Fourth  streets,  the  first  costly  improvement 
of  the  kind  in  that  section  of  the  city.  The  plans  he 
prepared  himself,  and  the  building  was  put  up  under  his 
personal  supervision.  It  was  finished  in  1871,  and  even 
now,  after  the  lapse  of  many  years,  is  regarded  as  one 
of  the  most  dignified  and  tasteful  homes  in  the  city. 

Though  his  schooling  ended  at  the  age  of  seventeen, 
Mr.  Nicolls  by  constant  reading  and  study  continued  his 
education  until  the  latest  years  of  his  life.  He  was  well 
acquainted  with  the  Latin  and  Greek  classics,  from  which, 
like  English  gentlemen  of  education,  he  was  able  to 
quote  freely,  and  could  both  read  and  speak  French  with 
Sonne  fluency.  He  was  fond  of  English  literature  in  all 
its  forms  and  was  particularly  versed  in  natural  sciences 
and  mechanics,  of  which  he  had  made  a  careful  study. 
He  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  great  discussion  occasioned 
by  the  publication  of  Darwin's  works  and  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  most  phases  of  the  controversies  in  science 
and  religion,  ,so  characteristic  of  the  latter  part  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  He  collected  a  library  of  some  three 
thousand  volumes,  distinguished  more  for  the  variety  and 
solidity  of  the  subjects  than  for  the  mere  beauty  of  the 
bindings. 

He  was  a  man  almost  six  feet  in  height,  erect  in  car- 
riage, rather  striking  in  appearance,  and  with  a  dignity  and 
courtesy  of  demeanor  which  marked  him  as  the  gentle- 
man by  birth  and  breeding.  But  though  intellectually  an 
aristocrat,   he   was   socially  a  democrat.     He  believed   in 


523 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  true  equality  of  man,  and  practised  this  principle 
by  being  courteous  to  the  humble,  no  less  than  to  the 
high,  and  by  treating  all  men  in  the  same  manner. 

Mr.  NicoUs  always  kept  the  motto  of  his  family,  "Fide 
et  Industria,"  as  the  guiding  rule  of  his  life;  and  to  this 
influence  his  success  may  be  attributed.  Those  who  knew 
him  best  know  that  his  triumphs  were  the  well  deserved 
rewards  of  constant  and  devoted  labor,  of  untiring  thought 
and  an  unshrinking  sense  of  duty.  His  name  will  ever 
be  associated  with  the  development  of  the  best  that  has 
contributed  to  the  growth  of  his  adopted  city,  whether 
from  a  material  or  educational  standpoint,  and  his  mem- 
ory is  held  in  profound  respect  in  the  many  circles  with 
which  he  was  identified. 

WILLIAM  O.  HEINLY  is  the  present  publisher  and 
proprietor  of  The  Hamburg  Item,  published  at  Hamburg, 
Berks  Co.,  Pa.  He  is  a  son  of  David  L.  and  the  late 
Maria  Heinly,  of  Reading,  and  was  born  at  Evansville  on 
July   10,   1862. 

The  family  locating  in  Hamburg  when  he  was  six  years 
of  age,  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools, 
leaving  the  high  school  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  to 
enter  the  office  of  The  lion — then  established  but  a  few 
years  by  Samuel  A.  Focht — to  learn  the  printer's  trade. 
About  1880  he  took  a  position  in  the  office  of  the  Reading 
Eagle,  later  working  in  various  job  printing  and  news- 
paper offices  in  Reading,  AUentown,  Mincrsville.  and  other 
places,  until  he  reached  the  foremanship  of  the  job  depart- 
ment of  the  Reading  Times, 

In  1884  he  associated  himself  with  John  B.  Clevenstine 
in  the  commercial  printing  and  engraving  business.  After 
six  months  the  business  was  divided  by  mutual  consent, 
Mr.  Heinly  taking  the  engraving  branch,  and  he  continued 
this  for  one  year.  On  Dec.  1,  1885,  he  entered  for  the 
first  time  the  editorial  field,  assuming  the  control  of  the 
Herald  at  Claremont,  Va.,  where  he  continued  for  several 
years,  returning  to  the  foremanship  of  the  Reading  Times 
job  department  in  1887. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Focht,  the  founder  of  The  Hamburg 
Item,  in  September,  1887,  necessitated  the  sale  of  the 
office  to  close  the  estate.  Mr.  Heinly  purchased  the 
property  in  December  of  that  year,  and  took  personal 
control  at  the  close  of  the  year.  During  the  twenty-two 
years  of  his  ownership  the  scope  and  influence  of  The 
Item  have  widened,  the  paper  has  been  enlarged  from 
a  small  folio  to  a  large  quarto,  the  office  expanding 
from  a  hand  operated  press  to  cylinder  presses,  with 
folding  machine,  type-setting  machine  and  stereotyping 
department. 

Mr.  Heinly  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  all 
public  matters  pertaining  to  the  development  of  the  town 
of  Hamburg  and  community.  He  was  the  prime  mover 
through  the  newspaper  in  the  organization  of  the  Board 
of  Trade  in  1889,  and  has  served  as  its  secretary  from 
its  organization  to  the  present.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Health,  and  its  secretary;  he  is  the  registrar  of 
District  No.  227  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Department 
of  Health ;  served  five  years  as  school  director,  and 
planned  the  present  improvement  of  the  school  grounds ; 
he  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  and  its 
vested  choir;  also  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Editorial 
Association,  the  International  League  of  Press  Clubs, 
and  the  Reading  Press  Club ;  Hamburg  Council,  Royal 
Arcanum;  Synunetry  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F. ;  Arcadia  Cham- 
ber, O.  K,  F. ;  Hamburg  Castle,  K.  G.  E. ;  Ontelaunee 
Tribe,  I.  O.  R.  M. ;  the  Brotherhood  of  Odd  Fellows  of 
Boston ;  the  Hamburg  Motor  Club,  and  the  Hamburg 
Rod  and  Gun  Club.  He  is  also  president  of  the  Hamburg 
Gas  Company,  and  interested  in  various  industrial 
enterprises. 

He  is  the  father  of  two  children,  Esther  and  Raymond. 
Plis  wife  died  in  February,  1903. 

REV.  FREDERICK  BENDER  HAHN,  pastor  of  Faith 
and  St.  James  Reformed  Churches,  whose  useful  life  was 
brought  to  an  unexpected  and  untimely  close.  May  1(3, 
1901,   was   one   of  the   best  known   ministers   of  his   faith, 


and  was  greatly  beloved  by  all  who  came  within  the  rad- 
iance of  his  pure   Christian  life. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Hahn  was  born  in  Plainfield.  Northampton 
Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  8,  1847,  son  of  Richard  and  Sophia  Hahn, 
pious,  industrious  people  of  the  sturdy  pioneer  type.  His 
early  education  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  town,  and  he  afterward  attended  the  Normal 
School  at  Kutztown,  graduating  in  1869.  For  some  time 
then  he  studied  in  the  Academy  at  Mercersburg,  after 
which  he  went  to  Lancaster  and,  entered  Franklin  and 
Marshall  College  there,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  1873. 
Having  determined  to  consecrate  his  life  to  the  service 
of  his  Master,  he  at  once  entered  the  Theological  Seminary, 
completing  his  studies  there  in  1878,  in  the  spring  of 
which  year  he  was  examined  and  licensed  by  the  Lan- 
caster Classis,  and  then  dismissed  to  St.  Paul's  Classis  in 
the  Pittsburg  Synod. 

In  1878  he  was  ordained  by  St.  Paul's  Classis,  and  re- 
ceived a  call  from  the  Reformed  Church  at  Greenville, 
Mercer  county,  where  he  served  six  years,  and  where  he 
accomplished  the  building  of  a  much  needed  church  edifice. 
He  was  then  one  year  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  resigning  to  accept 
a  call  to  a  broader  field  of  work  in  Meadville,  Pa.,  where 
he  labored  three  years.  From  Meadville  he  accepted  a 
call  from  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  to  become  pastor 
of  the  First  English  Reformed  Congregation  in  Cleveland, 
now  known  as  the  Hough  Avenue  Church,  and  there  he 
performed  a  very  difficult  work,  being  compelled  to  himt 
for  members  of  the  Reformed  faith  all  over  the  city, 
finally  beginning  to  hold  service  in  a  hall  which  he  rented 
at  -one  dollar  per  night.  In  every  parish  to  which  he 
gave  his  services  he  accomplished  much  from  his  mis- 
sionary work  in  all  the  territory  round.  He  often  preached 
three  sermons  on.  Sunday,  besides  conducting  Sunday- 
school,  and  this,  in  addition  to  visiting  the  sick,  and  per- 
forming the  countless  tasks  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the 
average  minister,  often  left  him  tired  and  worn  at  night — 
but  never  too  tired  to  answer  the  call  of  the  poor  or 
afflicted.  In  1889  he  resigned  at  Cleveland,  and  was  made 
pastor  of  the  Kutztown  charge,  consisting  of  St.  Paul's 
Church  at  Kutztown,  and  St.  Peter's  Church  at  Topton. 
In  1892  he  resigned  and  moved  to  Reading,  taking  charge 
of  two  congregations — Faith  and  St.  James — and  in  this 
field  he  closed  his  well-spent  life,  and  his  labors  were 
not  in  vain.  It  was  largely  through  his  personal  eflfort 
that  the  debt  on  St.  James  was  paid,  and  both  charges 
were  left  in  much  better  condition  than  when  he  became 
pastor.  In  1895  at  the  organization  of  Reading  Classis, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Hahn  was  elected  stated  clerk,  and  he  served 
most  efficiently  until  his  death.  He  was  a  hard  and  earnest 
worker,  promptly  responding  to  the  call  of  duty,  and  he 
considered  at  no  time  his  own  comfort  or  well  being. 
Often  when  ill  he  was  urged  for  his  own  good  to  abandon 
some  part  of  his  work,  but  he  always  declined,  and  his 
last  labor  was  to  assist  a  fellow  worker  by  holding  serv- 
ice in  Boyertown.  In  his  school  days  he  was  an  indus- 
trious student,  and  the  habits  there  formed  clung  to  him 
all  his  life.  No  time  was  wasted,  every  minute  of  his 
waking  hours  was  spent  in  accomplishing  some  part  pf 
the  great  work  in  which  he  was  engaged.  Little  children 
instinctively  loved  him,  and  he  was  never  so  happy  as 
when  surrounded  by  them.  Over  thirty  ministers  of  the 
Reformed  Church  came  to  do  him  honor  at  his  funeral, 
as  well  as  about  a  dozen  ministers  of  other  denomina- 
tions.   Interment  was  made  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 

The  following  resolutions  were  passed  by  the  Joint 
Consistory : 

"Reading,  Pa.,  Mav  21,  1901. 

"Whereas,  It  hath  pleased  an  all-wise  Providence  to  re- 
move bv  the  hand  of  death  from  our  midst  our  beloved 
pastor  and  friend.  Rev.  F.  B.  Hahn,  be  it 

"Resolved.  That  we  the  Joint  Consistory  of  Faith 
Reformed  Church  of  Reading,  and  St.  James  Reformed 
Church,  of  West  Reading,  hereby  express  our  humble 
submission  to  divine  will.  That  we  acknowledge  our 
debt  to  him  as  friend  and  faithful  pastor,  who  for  eight 
years  preached  to  us  the  pure  and  simple  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  led  us  in  paths  of  justice,  peace,  righteousness 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


533 


and  truth.  That  we,  in  behalf  of  the  congregations  we 
represent,  do  consecrate  ourselves  anew  to  the .  work  of 
the  Master  whom  he  loved,  with  the  determination,  by  the 
help  of  this  same  jMaster,  of  making  constantly  and  in- 
creasingly effective  his  teaching  and  labors  among  us. 
"Resolved,  That  we  express  our  heartfelt  sympathy 
for  the  stricken  family,  so  suddenly  bereft  of  its  head 
and  support,  and. that  we  will  keep  them  in  remernbrance 
as  the  widow  and  orphans  of  a  good  man,  a  dear  friend 
and  a  faithful  pastor. 

"Resolved,  That  copies  of  these  resolutions  be  sent 
to  the  bereaved  family  and  to  the  Record. 

"By  order  of  the  Joint  Consistory, 

"G.  B.  Trechsel,  Secretary." 
Faith    Reformed    Sunday-school    passed    the    following 
resolutions : 

"Whereas,  The  great  and  supreme  Ruler  of  the  uni- 
verse has  in  His  infinite  wisdom  removed  our  worthy 
and  esteemed  pastor.  Rev.  F.  B.  Hahn;  and 

"Whereas,  The  long  and  intimate  relation  held  with 
him  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties  as  pastor  of 
this  church  and  Sunday-school  makes  it  eminently  be- 
fitting that  we  record  our  appreciation  of  him;  therefore 
be  it 

"Resolved,  That  his  labors  in  church  and  Sunday- 
school  will  long  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance. 

"Resolved,  That  the  sudden  removal  of  such  a  life 
from  our  midst  leaves  a  vacancy  that  will  be  deeply  felt 
by  all  the  members  and  friends  of  the  Church  and  Sunday- 
school,  and  will  prove  a  serious  loss  to  the  community 
and  public. 

"Resolved,  That  with  deep  sympathy  for  the  be- 
reaved family  and  relatives  of  the  deceased,  we  express 
our  hope  that  even  so  great  a  loss  to  us  all  may  be  over- 
ruled for  good  by  Him  who  doeth  all  things  well. 

"Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  spread 
upon  the  records  of  the  Sunday-school,  a  copy  printed 
in  the  local  papers,  and  a  copy  forwarded  to  the  be- 
reaved  family. 

"Horatio     Jones, 
"A.    L.    Bush, 
"G.  B.  Trechsel, 

"Committee." 
On  June  4,  1878,  Mr.  Hahn  was  married  to  Miss  Ella 
R.  Bridenbaugh,  sister  of  Rev.  Dr.  S.  R.  Bridenbaugh,  of 
the  Second  Reformed  Church.  Six  children  blessed  this 
union,  two  of  whom  preceded  their  father  to  eternal  life. 
Those  surviving  are :  Mary,  Edith,  Ruth  and  John.  Mrs. 
Hahn  has  been  a  tireless  worker  in  the  cause  of  Christ, 
and  was  her  husband's  very  able  assistant  in  the  up- 
building of  his  parishes.  Her  charity  is  broad,  and  she 
has  proved  herself  a  ministering  angel  in  the  homes  of 
those  sore  oppressed ;  while  her  own  home  has  ever  been 
open  to  the  poor,  the  needy  and  the   stranger. 

JESSE  F.  BECHTEL,  of  Colebrookdale  township,  Berks 
county,  has  long  held  an  honored  place  in  the  education- 
al world  as  a  teacher,  his  enthusiasm  and  magnetic  per- 
sonality winning  his  pupils  and  carrying  them  brave- 
ly forward  along  the  path  to  knowledge. 

The  Bechtel  family  came  to  America  from  the  Ger- 
man Palatinate.  "On  Aug.  24,  1728,  eighty  Palatines 
with  their  families,  in  all  205  persons,  who  shortly  be- 
fore, after  a  seventy  days'  voyage  had  arrived  in  the  ship 
'Mortonhouse'  from  Deal,  Capt.  John  Coultas,  in  the 
•  harbor  of  Philadelphia,  appeared  in  the  halls  of  Justice 
in  Philadelphia  to  render  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
Crown  of  England,  declaring  it  to  be  their  intention 
'to  settle  themselves  in  Pennsylvania.'  The  company 
consisted  of  eighty  males  and  sixty-nine  females  up- 
ward of  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  fifty-six  children.  Among 
the  names  of  the  adults  belonging  to  this  company  of 
emigrants  we  find  the  name  of  (I)  George  Bechtel,  pre- 
sumably the  father  of  Isaac  and  Gerhard  Bechtel,  head- 
ing the  list."  Tradition  says  he  came  from  Weinheim, 
Germany 


The  large  German  family  Bible  of  George  Bechtel  is 
yet  in  existence.  The  Bible  came  into  the  hands  ot  Ger- 
hard Bechtel,  and  is  now  in  the  possession  of  one  of 
his  descendants.  On  the  fly-leaf  is  written  this  note  in 
German :  "Diese  Biebel  ist  gedruckt  in  Deutschland  im 
Jahr  1720.  Im  Tahr  1730  ist  sie  George  Bechtel  von  Sei- 
nem  Vater  von  Deutschland  nach  Amerika  geschickt  wor- 
den.  Zwischen  den  Jahren  1750  und  1760  bekam  sie  Ger- 
hard Bechtel."  ~ 

"In  the  course  of  time  the  early  history  of  the  family 
has  been  so  obscured  in  the  mists  of  the  past  that  a 
clear  conception  and  an  unerring  presentation  of  the 
facts  are  well-nigh  impossible.  Among  the  lists  of  emi- 
grants who  came  over  in  the  same  ship  with  George  Bech- 
tel  are  found  the  names  of  Noll,  Baer,  Roth,  Stauffer, 
Latshaw,  Dgtterer,  Huber.  Heller,  Brunner,  many  of 
whose  descendants   still   reside   m"  eastern    Pennsylvania." 

(II)  Isaac  Bechtel  became  a  farmer  arid  miller,  and 
had  his  home  in  and  near  Bechtelsville,  now  in  Wash- 
ington township,  Pa.  Bechtelsville  was  laid  out  by  his 
son,  John  S.  Bechtel.  Isaac,  Bechtel  and  both  of  his 
wives  are  buried  m  the  old  Hereford  Mennonite  grave- 
yard near  Bally,  Washington  township,  Berks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania.    His  tombstone  bears  the  following  inscription: 

Hier   ruhen   die   gebeine 

des  verstorbenen 

Isaac  Bechtel's 

er  wurde  geboren   den 

23ten  tag  Juny  A.  D.  1751,'^ 

und  ist  gestorben   den 

Sten  tag  April,  im  Jahr 

1820.   er   brachte   sein 

alter   auf   6g  Jahre,   9 

monat  und  10  tage. 
€elig   sind   die   toden 
die  im  Herren  sterben. 

Isaac  Bechtel  married  (first)  Esther  Stauffer  (1757- 
1805),  and  to  this  marriage  were  born  fourteen  children: 
Jacob  S.,  born  Oct.  9,  1774,  m.  Anna  W.  Bechtel;  Mary 
S.,  Born  Sept.  22,  1776,  m.  Abraham  Eschbach;  Elizabeth 
S.,  born  Nov.  14,  1778,  m.  Peter  Eschbach ;  Nancv .  S., 
born  Nov.  2,  1780,  m.  Joseph  Reif;  Susaji  S.,  born  Oct. 
6,  1782,  m.  William  Johnson;  Caiiifiline  S.,  born  Oct. 
15,  1784,  .n^.  John  Bahr;  John  S-  born  Feb.  21,  1786,  m. 
Maria   Hoch;    George   S.,   born   Feb.   22,   1788,   m.    (first) 

Miss  Barto,  and   (second)  ;   Sally  S.,  born  Dec. 

25,  1789,  m.  Henry  Sassaman;  Isaa£  S.,  born  Oct.  18, 
1791,  m.  (first)  Polly  Sassaman,  and  (second)  Betzy 
Kehl;  EqUx  S.,  born  Aug.  30,  1793,  m.  Henry  Oberholtz- 
er;  Abraham  S.,  born  July  20,  1795,  m'.  (first)  Nancy 
Bechtel,  and  (second)  Hettie  Springer;  GethariS.,  born 
May  3,  1797,  m.  (first)  Maria  Erdman,  (second)  Mary 
H.  Fronheiser,  and  (third)  Christina  Gruber;  and  Qaidd 
S.,  born  Sept  JI4^  1799,  died  Feb.  28,  1800.  Isaac  Bechtel 
m.  (second)  {Barbara  BitzJ  To  this  union  no  children 
were  born. 

(Ill)  Gerhard  S.  Bechtel,  son  of  Isaac,  born  May  3, 
1797,  died  Oct.  8,  1881.  By  occupation  he  was  a  car- 
penter, undertaker  and  farmer.  As  undertaker  he  had 
charge  of  hundreds  of  funerals  in  his  time  in  the  lower 
end  of  the  county.  He  and  his  assistants  made  the  cof- 
fins by  hand  as  needed.  For  many  years  he  was  land- 
lord of  the  "Washington  Hotel"  at  Eschbachs.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  and  wor- 
shipped at  St.  Joseph's  Church,  commonly  known  as  Hill 
Church,  Pike  township,  Berks  county,  and  he  is  buried 
in  the  family  lot  in  the  cemetery  near  the  church.  He 
tnarried  Mpr'""  ''^HTOiiin  and  they  had  four  children,  as 
follows:  (iT'Lydia  E.,  born  April  2.  1818,  died  Aug. 
2,  1852,  m.  John  M.  Stauffer,  sheriff  of  Montgomery 
county  from  1859-62,  and  their  children  were :  Elvina, 
Jacob  B.  (a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war  and  now  a  clerk 
in  the  Adjutant  General's  office,  Harrisburg,  Pa.),  Mary 
and  Wesley  B.  (2)  Mary  E.,  born  Oct.  23,  1821.  died  Feb. 
19,  1878,  m.  Jesse  B.  Pennepacker,  and  they  had  one 
child,  Amos  B.  (3)  Elizabeth  E.,  born  Augf.  4,  1826,  died 
March  15,  1871,  m.  George  M.  EschbacK  and  bad  children : 


524 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mary,  Henry,  Amanda,  Emma,  Peter,  Jeremiah,  Diana, 
George,  Lovina,  Jesse  and  Kate  B.  (4)  Levi  E.,  born 
Dec.  23,  1823,  died  Dec.  25,  1905,  m.  Catharine  Cleav- 
er, and  became  the  father  of  Hiram,  Amos,  Lovina,  Aman- 
da, Mary,  Catharine,  Sarah,  Lizzie,  Olivia,  Frank  and 
Edwin  C.  Gerhard  S.  Bechtel  m.  (second)  Mary  H. 
J^ronheiser,  and  the  only  child  of  this  union  is  Jesse 
prBechtel,  born  Sept.  16,  1S52.  Gerhard  S.  Bechtel  ni. 
(third)  Christina  Gruber,  and  their  three  children,  Abra- 
ham, Amanda  and  Catharine  G.,  are  all  deceased. 

(IV)  Jesse  F.  Bechtel,  son  of  Gerhard  S.  and  Mary 
H.  (Fronheiser),  born  Sept.  16,  1852,  at  Eschbachs,  in 
Washington  township,  married,  Sept.  23,  1876,  Mary  A. 
W,  Pennepaclcer,  born  June  19,  1856,  daughter  of  Eli 
and  Sarah  (Wieand)  Pennepacker,  a  distant  relative  of 
ex-Gov.  Samuel  Pennypacker.  Four  children  have  bless- 
ed this  union:  (l)  Marie  Cordelia  P.,  born  July  8,  1877, 
is  at  home.  (2)  Jesse  Luther  P.,  born  Dec.  30,  1878, 
graduated  from  the  Philadelphia  Business  College  and 
College  of  Commerce,  and  is  now  employed  by  the  Boy- 
ertown  Casket  Company,  in  their  store  at  Philadelphia. 
He  married  Anna  C.  Gansz.  (3)  Grace  Agnes  P.,  born 
Dec.  17,  1880,  married  Harry  B.  Renninger,  and  has  one 
child,  Mae  B.  Renninger.  (4)  Abram  Grant  P.,  born 
March  2,  1887,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Pottstown  Business 
College,   and   is   now   at  home. 

Jesse  F.  Bechtel  has  resided  at  Gabelsville,  in  Cole- 
brookdale  township,  since  1880,  in  which  year  he  built 
his  present  home.  At  about  the  age  of  seven  years  he 
came  to  Colebrookdale  township  to  live  with  his  uncle 
Jesse  B.  Pennepacker,  with  whom  he  made  his  home 
for  ten  or  twelve  years,'  working  on  the  farm  in  sum- 
mer and  attending  the  public  schools  in  winter.  During 
the  fall  of  1870  he  attended  the  Kallynean  Academy  at 
Boyertown,  Prof.  L  B.  Hankey,  principal.  The  same 
year  he  was  licensed  to  teach,  receiving  his  first  certificate 
from  the  late  D.  B.  Brunner,  the  Superintendent  of  Pub- 
lic Schools  of  Berks  county.  He  taught  his  first  term 
1870-71  in  Pike  township,  near  Hill  Church.  During  the 
summer  of  1871  he  again  attended  the  Academy.  He 
has  taught  in  all  thirty-six  terms,  all  with  the  exception 
of  the  first  term,  in  Colebrookdale  township,  having  been 
engaged  at  the  Cleaver's,  Gabelsville  and  Weisstown 
scTiooIs,  and  in  several  families  he  has  taught  three  gen- 
erations. He  has  taught  tmder  the  following  county 
superintendents  :  Brunner,  Baer,  Keck,  Zechman  and  Rapp. 
Since  1887  he  has  held  a  Permanent  Certificate,  and  since 
1893  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Berks  county  Teachers' 
Reading  Union.  For  three  years,  1872-75,  he  was  a  clerk 
in  a  general  store — one  year  at  Pikeville  and  two  years  at 
Gabelsville. 

Mr.  Bechtel  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church,  at  Boyertown,  where  for  more  than 
ten  years  he  has  served  as  elder,  and  since  1897  as  sec- 
retary of  the  Church  council.  He  has  represented  his 
church  as  lay  delegate  to  the  meetings  of  the  Ministerium 
of  Pennsylvania  and  adjacent  Stales  at  Lancaster  in  1897, 
Easton.  1902,  Philadelphia,  1903,  and  AUentown,  1908. 
For  nineteen  years  he  has  been  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  (Union)  at  Gabelsville.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican,  and  he  has  been  a  delegate  to  a  number 
of  County  conventions,  twice  a  State  delegate,  and  for 
twenty-four  years  committeeman  for  Colebrookdale  town- 
ship. From  1894  to  1899  he  served  as  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  in  1880,  1890  and  1900  he  was  census  enumerator. 
Mr.  Bechtel  has  a  fine  collection  of  Indian  relics,  num- 
bering some  1,600  specimens,  and  most  of  these  were  found 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  home  in  what  is  known 
as  the  Popodickon  Valley  (named  for  the  Indian  chief 
who  once  lived  there),  tie  also  possesses  a  unique  Wash- 
ington button,  made  many  years  ago.  It  bears  the  motto 
"Long  live  the  President" ;  along  the  outside  are  the  in- 
itials of  the  thirteen  colonies.  In  the  inner  circle  are  the 
initials  G.  W.  He  finds  great  pleasure  in  his  well  chosen 
library,  and  takes   a  great  interest  in   local  history. 

The  first  Bechtel  Reunion  was  held  Sept.  23,  1897,  in 
the  old  Hereford  Mennonite  Meeting-house  (since  then 
replaced    by    a    new    structure).      The    original    meeting- 


house there  was  built  in  1755,  and  its  quaint  appearance 
indicated  its  great  age.  It  was  a  low  wooden  building  a 
little  larger  than  an  ordinary  school  house.  The  joists 
upon  which  the  roof  rested  extended  far  over  the  sides 
of  the  building.  This  venerable  building  was  occupied 
by  the  Old  Mennonites,  who  held  services  there  over 
140  years.  Many  of  the  descendants  of  the  first  Bechtels 
worshipped  there.  Among  the  ministers  who  served  this 
congregation  are  a  number  named  Bechtel;  in  fact,  the 
family  has  supplied  a  minister  from  almost  every  genera- 
tion. 

CHESTER  B.  CLEAVER,  a  well-to-do  business  man 
of  Reading,  Pa.,  who  has  served  as  county  commissioner 
of  Berks  county,  was  born  in  Pleasantville,  Oley  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  Nov.  21,  1855,  son  of  Hiram  K.  and 
Catherine   (Bertolet)    Cleaver. 

Samuel  Cleaver,  grandfather  of  Chester  B.,  was  a 
farmer  and  blacksmith  all  of  his  life  in  Oley  township, 
where  he  had  settled  at  an  early  day.  He  was  first  a 
V/hig  in  politics  and  later  a  Republican,  and  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  They  were 
the  parents  of  six  children :  Albert,  Samuel,  Hiram  K., 
Sarah,  Angeline  and  Hanna. 

Hiram  K.  Cleaver  was  born  in  Pike  township,  and 
while  engaged  in  farming,  also  worked  at  the  trade  of 
blacksmith,  which  he  had  learned  from  his  father.  He 
owned  property  in  Oley  township,  which  he  conducted 
until  his  death  in  1877,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  His 
first  wife  died  in  1857.  They  were  the  parents  of  three 
children  :  Chester  B.,  Annie  and  Amanda.  Mr.  Cleaver 
was  married  (second)  to  Esther  Greisemer,  and  there 
were  three  children  born  to  this  marriage  also:  Rosella, 
Catherine  and  Mary  Ann. 

Chester  B.  Cleaver  was  educated  in  Oley  township,  and 
when  twelve  years  of  age  entered  his  uncle's  store  at 
Girardville,  Schuylkill  county,  where  he  remained  three 
years.  Then  after  five  months'  attendance  at  the  State 
Normal  School  at  Kutztown,  he  entered  his  father's 
store  at  Pleasantville.  Three  years  later  he  engaged  in 
the  store  business  at  Spangsville,  and  after  a  few  years 
returned  to  farming.  _  In  1879  he  purchased  scvcnty-one 
acres  in  Oley  township,  his  present  home,  and  here  he 
carried  on  operations  until  1906.  He  purchased  three 
more  tracts,  having  in  all  174  acres.  In  1906  he  was 
elected  county  commissioner  on  the  Republican  ticket,  an 
office  he  filled  with  efficiency  and  to  the  satisfaction  of 
all  concerned.  For  the  past  twenty-three  years  Air. 
Cleaver  has  been  engaged  in  a  horse  and  cattle  business, 
and  in  1900  he  opened  a  sale,  exchange  and  livery  stable 
in  Reading,  in  which  new  enterprise  he  has  been  very 
successful.  Pie  is  known  throughout  the  county  as  an 
able  and  honorable  business  man,  and  his  reputation  is 
above  reproach. 

Mr.  Cleaver  married  Ellen  B.  Weidner,  and  to  this 
union  there  were  born  four  children :  Howard.  Webster, 
Warden  and  Mabel.  INIr.  Cleaver  is  liberal  in  liis  re- 
ligious b°lief.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Chandler 
Lodge,   No.   227,  of  Masons. 

FRANK  ALFRED  TOWNSEND,  until  Oct.  8.  1907, 
one  of  the  valued  employes  of  the  Reading  Water  Depart- 
ment, holding  the  position  of  draughtsman  in  the  oflnce 
of  the  Superintendent  and  Engineer,  Emil  L.  Nuebling,  is  a 
product  of  Reading  institutions,  though  not  a  native  son. 
He  was  born  in  Vincennes,  Ind.,  May  18,  1876. 

Townsend  is  an  English  name  which  has  been  prom- 
inent in  the  life  of  America  for  many  generations.  It 
IS  not  well  authenticated  just  when  the  first  of  the  name 
landed  on  our  shores,  but  it  was  very  early.  Of  this 
branch  of  the  family,  John  Townsend,  grandfather  of 
Frank  A.,  lived  and  died  a  Lancaster  county  farmer,  and 
his  son  Robert  A.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  school 
teacher  m  the  same  coiintv  for  some  thirty-five  vears 
He  died  Oct.  4,  1902,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  veafs,  as 
the  result  of  an  explosion.  He  married  Elizabeth  Matil- 
da Conroy,  daughter  of  John  Conroy,  of  Lancaster,  who 
now  survives  him.     She  became  the  mother  of  eight  chil- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


525 


dren,  of  whom  four  are  now  deceased,  as  follows :  Rob- 
ert, Winiam,  Edward  and  Laura.  Those  living  are : 
Roberta  Ella,  wife  of  Herbert  A.  Brown,  chief  train 
dispatcher  of  the  Texas  &  Pacific  railroad  at  Marshall, 
Texas;  Thomas  Walter,  assistant  baggage  master  of  the 
same  road,  at  the  same  point;  Sara  Elizabeth,  principal 
of  the  public  school  at  Tenth  and  Union  streets,  Read- 
ing;  and  Frank  Alfred. 

Frank  Alfred  Townsend  was  carefully  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  city,  graduating  from  the  high 
school  in  1896  in  the  English  Scientific  course,  adding 
also  three  years  of  Latin.  The  following  year  he  took 
a  post-graduate  course,  and  then  accepted  a  position  with 
E.  E.  Davis,  assistant  superintendent  of  Motive  Power 
and  Rolling  Equipment  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Railroad.  Remaining  in  this  position  from  July  1,  1897, 
to  May,  1898,  he  wa-s  transferred  to  Division  Superinten- 
dent Wilson's  office  at  Reading.  Until  Feb.  12,  1900,  he 
filled  the  duties  of  his  position  acceptably,  at  which  time 
he  was  offered  the  position  of  draughtsman  in  the  Read- 
ing Water  Department,  which  he  filled  with  efficiency. 
On  Oct.  8,  1907,  he  resigned  and  went  to  Marshall,  Tex- 
as, to  manage  a  project  for  Mr.  H.  A.  Brown,  but  not 
being  well  satisfied  accepted  a  position  with  the  Texas 
&  Pacific  Railroad  Company  under  Master  Car  Builder 
Mr.  W.  D.  Minten.  He  then  left  this  position  to  become 
general  storekeeper  and  chief  clerk  to  Master  Mechanic  A. 
C.  Miller,  of  the  Texas  Midland  Railway  at  Terrell,  Tex- 
as.    This  position  he  accepted  on   Dec.   10,   1908. 

Mr.  Townsend  is  as  yet  an  unmarried  man.  He  votes 
with  the  party  of  Lincoln  and  McKinley  and  is  a  com- 
municant of  St.  Peter's  Catholic  church.  A  young  man 
of  worth  and  energy,  his   future  lies  in  his   own  hands. 

ROBERT  McKITTRICK,  a  well-known  resident  of 
Reading,  who  is  employed  by  the  American  Steel  &  Iron 
Manufacturing  Company,  of  the  city,  was  born  March  4, 
1847.  in  Cumberland,  England,  son  of  Robert  and  Mary 
(Taggert)  McKittrick. 

Robert  McKittrick,  the  elder,  was  also  a  native  of 
Cumberland,  England,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  there,  being  later  employed  around  blast 
furnaces.  He  became  what  is  known  as  a  furnaceman, 
and  was  an  expert  iron  maker,  following  this  occupation 
for  many  years.  He  had  been  previously  employed  in 
a  chemical  works,  but  gave  this  up  for  the  iron  work. 
Mr.  McKittrick  died  in  1890,  aged  eighty-one  years,  as 
a  result  of  injuries  received  in  an  accident.  He  and  his 
wife  were  Presbyterians  in  religious  belief.  They  were 
the  parents  of  six  children :  James ;  Agnes ;  Sarah,  who 
lives  in  South  Africa,  the  wife  of  William  Davidson; 
Elizabeth,  also  of  South  Africa,  the  wife  of  Thomas 
Harrison;  Robert;  and  Henry,  of  South  Africa. 

Robert  McKittrick,  the  younger,  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  Cumberland,  and  as  a  boy  learned  the 
molder's  trade  which  he  followed  for  four  years,  and 
later  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  machinist's 
trade,  being  employed  for  eighteen  years  as  superintendent 
of  the  blast  furnaces  at  Cleater  Moor.  In  June,  1889, 
Mr.  McKittrick  came  to  America,  locating  at  Talladega, 
Ala.,  for  about  two  years,  and  then  located  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, accepting  a  position  at  Sheridan  as  foreman  of 
the  Sheridan  furnace.  He  remained  there  for  two  years 
and  nine  months,  and  then,  coming  to  Reading,  he  entered 
the  scale  works,  where  he  was  employed  until  he  entered 
the  employ  of  J.  H.  Sternbergh,  now  the  American  Steel 
&  Iron  Manufacturing  Company. 

In  1873  Mr.  McKittrick  was  married  to  Anna  Walker, 
a  native  of  Cumberland,  England,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  children  as  follows :  Ada,  Margaret  Ann,  Agnes 
(deceased),  Aaron  Edward,  Robert,  Marie,  William  H. 
and  Harry.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McKittrick  are  both  members 
of  the  Episcopal  church.  In  his  native  country  Mr.  Mc- 
Kittrick was  a  member  of  Sterling  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. 

IRWIN  M.  SHARMAN,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Onte- 
launee  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  who  is  now  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  P.  S.  V,  Railroad  Company  as  operator  and 


leverman  near  Leesport,  has  been  closely  identified  with 
the  public  interests  of  his  township,  where  he  has  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace  and  State  legislator.  Mr.  Shar- 
man  was  born  Sept.  5,  1862,  at  the  old  West  Reading  toll 
house  in  Spring  township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Levi  and 
Emeline   (Moyer)   Sharman. 

John  Sharman,  grandfather  of  Irwin  M.,  was  for  many 
years  proprietor  of  the  old  hostelry  known  as  the  "Dry 
Tavern,"  near  State  Hill  and  Cacoosing,  in  Spring  town- 
ship, and  also  owned  the  adjoining  farm,  but  subsequent- 
ly rerhoved  to  Reading,  where  he  died  aged  about  eighty 
years.  He  married  (first)  a  Miss  Graeff,  by  whom  he 
had  all  of  his  children,  and  after  her  death  he  m.  Han- 
nah Graeff,  sister  to  his  first  wife.  The  children  of  John 
Sharman  were:  Isaac,  John,  Daniel,  Levi,  Reuben  and 
two  daughters. 

Levi  Sharman  was  born  in  1818  at  the  "Dry  Tavern'' 
in  Spring  township,  received  the  ordinary  education  of 
the  times  and  later  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  an 
occupation  which  he  followed  at  Reading,  where  his  death 
occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Emeline  Moyer,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Mary 
Moyer,  and  to  them  were  born  four  children: 
Howard  is  an  employe  at  the  City  Hall,  Reading;  John 
married  Lizzie  Sturtz,  and  has  four  children,  Ralph,  Bir- 
die, Harry  and  Howard;  Irwin  M.;  and  Edward  with  his 
brother  John   works   at  locksmithing  at   Harbster's. 

Irwin  M.  Sharman  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  Reading,  whither  his  parents  had  come  when  he  was 
three  years  old,  and  when  eighteen  years  old  he  learned 
the  trade  of  tinsmith  with  William  Breidegam  of  that  city. 
In  1884,  in  company  with  his  friend  Squire  Henry  Wentz, 
then  of  Reading  but  now  of  the  State  of  Washington, 
he  made  an  extensive  trip  through  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
Iowa,  Nebraska,  Colorado,  Wyoming,  Kansas  and  Mis- 
souri, and  returned  in  the  fall  of  the  year  just  in  time 
to  cast  his  vote  for  Grover  Cleveland  for  President.  He 
then  made  a  trip  through  the  South,  finally  locating  at 
Bluefield,  W.  Va.,  and  worked  on  the  New  River  division 
of  the  N.  &  W.  Railroad  under  Superintendent  Hardy, 
formerly  trainmaster  of  the  P.  S.  V.  Railroad  at  Read- 
ing, until  1894,  when  he  rernoved  with  his  family  to 
Leesport,  where  he  is  now  ernployed  by  the  P.  S.  V.  road 
as  operator  and  leverman.  Mr.  Sharman  has  always  taken 
a  great  interest  in  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of 
his  township,  and  in  1896  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace 
for  a  period  of  five  years,  receiving  the  re-election  in 
1901.  In  1906  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature, 
where  he  served  his  term  to  the  complete  satisfaction  of 
his  constituents,  and  was  re-elected  in  1908.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber and  past  grand  of  Leesport  Lodge  No.  141,  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  a  charter  member  and  past  chief  of  Leesport  Castle 
No.  503,  K.  G.  E. ;  venerable  councilor  of  Camp  No. 
9284,  Modern  Woodmen,  since  its  institution ;  charter 
member  and  R.  S.  for  three  years  of  Ontelaunee  Council 
No.  985,  I.  O.  A. ;  financial  secretary  and  trustee  of  Un- 
ion Fire  Company  No.  1,  Leesport;  and  a  member  of 
the  Order  of  Railroad  Telegraphers,  Despatchers,  Agents 
and  Signalmen. 

On  Feb.  13,  1894,  Mr.  Sharman  was  married  to  Annie 
M.  Dack,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  Dack.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sharman  are  members  of  the  First  Reformed 
Church. 

SAMUEL  G.  BURKHOLDER,  M.D.,  a  rising  young 
physician  of  Reading,  was  born  in  Brickerville,  Lancaster 
Co.,  Pa.,  March  12,  1871.  He  is  a  son  of  the  late  George 
and  Elizabeth  (Gockley)  Burkholder,  who  followed  farm- 
ing in  the  above  named  county  until  1891,  when  they  re- 
tired and  moved  to  Denver,  Pa.,  where  the  mother,  Eliza- 
beth- Burkholder,  still  resides.  George  Burkholder  died 
April  8.  1906. 

Dr.  Burkholder  attended  the  public  schools  at  Brick- 
erville ard  at  Denver,  Pa.,  during  his  boyhood  days,  and 
later  comoleted  his  preliminary  education  at  the  Millers- 
ville  State  Normal  School.  In  early  youth  he  decided 
to  prepare  for  t'le  medical  profession.'  This  was  strenu- 
ously opposed   by   his   father  who   finally  persuaded  him 


526 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


to  take  up  veterinary  medicine  instead.  Accordingly  he 
entered  tlie  Ontario  Veterinary  College  in  the  fall  of 
1889,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  with  honors 
in  the  spring  of  1891.  He  was  awarded  a  medal  and  other 
prizes  by  the  above  named  institution  as  evidences  pi 
proficiency.  His  Alma  Mater  offered  him  the  chair  of 
veterinary  anatomy  on  the  faculty  before  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  This  he  declined,  and  started  to  prac- 
tice his  profession  in  the  summer  of  1891  at  Denver,  Pa. 
Shortly  after  locating  at  Denver  he  became  joint  owner 
and  editor  of  the  Denver  Press,  in  partnership  with  .E.  B. 
Wolf.  In  1896  he  sold  his  interest  in  the  Denver  Press 
to  his  partner,  E.  B.  Wolf,  and  in  the  fall  of  same  year 
he  took  a  civil  service  examination  for  the  position  of 
federal  meat  inspector.  He  had  the  highest  average  made 
at  the  fall  examination  in  1896.  and  was  promptly  appoint- 
ed assistant  meat  inspector  by  the  Bureau  of  Animal 
Industry,  and  ordered  to  Chicago,  III.,  to  assist  in  the 
work  in  that  citv.  Shortly  after  he  reached  Chicago, 
he  matriculated  as  a  student  in  the  Harvey  Medical 
College,  a  night  school  in  good  standing.  From  this 
institution  he  graduated  in  June,  1898,  with  the 
highest  average  ever  made  by  any  student  up  to  this  time. 
(The  college  is  now  extinct).  He  continued  in  the  meat 
inspection  service  at  Chicago  until  Dec.  1,  1898,  when  he 
was  transferred  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  to  inaugurate  inspec- 
tion there.  In  the  fall  of  1898,  before  leaving  Chicago, 
he  was  appointed  by  the  management  of  the  McKillip 
Veterinary  College  of  Chicago  to  inaugurate  a  course 
in  meat  and  milk  inspection  to  prepare  the  students  for 
federal  positions  in  this  line  of  work.  He  was  also  lec- 
turer on  comparative  anatomy  at  his  alma  mater. 
His  sudden  departure  from  Chicago  for  Nashville,  Tenn., 
terminated  his  connections  with  the  above  named  schools, 
but  only  temporarily.  He  resigned  his  position  as  meat 
inspector  at  Nashville.  Tenn.,  Jan.  13,  1899,  and  immed- 
iately returned  to  Chicago,  resumed  his  work  at  the  schools 
and  started  to  practise  his  profession,  locating  on  West 
Congress  street,  that  city.  In  the  fall  of  1899  he  matricu- 
lated as  a  senior  student  in  the  Northwestern  University 
Medical  College,  Chicago,  from  which  institution  he  grad- 
uated in  June,  1900.  In  March,  1900.  he  received  the  hon- 
orary degree  D.  V.  M.  from  the  McKillip  Veterinary  Col- 
lege. Shortly  after  graduating  fromi  the  Northwestern 
University  Medical  College,  he  returned  to  his  native  State, 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  August,  of  the  same  year,  he  located 
at  Rothsville,  Pa.,  where  he  practised  his  chosen  profes- 
sion until  February,  190.5,  when  he  sold  out  his  practice 
there,  and  returned  to  Chicago  to  take  up  post-graduate 
work.  Besides  taking  a  general  review  in  internal  medi- 
cine he  took  a  special  course  at  the  Illinois  School  of 
Electro-therapeutics.  In  April,  1905,  he  returned  east  and 
located  at  No.  613  Walnut  street.  Reading,  Pa.,  where  he 
is  enjoying  a  large  practice.  Besides  doing  general  prac- 
tice Dr.  Burkholder  is  Medical  Director  of  the  Reading 
Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  and  also  secretary  of 
the  Corporation  Funding  and  Finance  Company.  Both  of 
these  companies  are  rapidly  forging  to  the  front  in  their 
chosen  lines. 

In  October,  1900.  Dr.  Burkholder  married  Miss  Rheba 
G.  Smith,  of  Blainesport.  Pa.  The  union  was  blessed  with 
two  children  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Dr.  Burk- 
holder holds  membership  in  various  fraternal  organizatious, 
principal  among  them  being  the  Knights  of  Malta  and  the 
Masons.  The  latter  order  he  joined  while  in  Chicago, 
being  a  member  of  Mizpah  Lodge,  No.  768,  of  that  city. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  City,  County,  State,  and 
American   Medical   Associations. 

OLIVER  JNT.  WOLFF,  a  prominent  young  professional 
man,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  senior  member  of  the  law  firm  of 
Wolff  &  Sho'mo,  was  born  May  28.  1879,  in  Hamburg, 
Berks  county,  son  of  Oliver  J.  Wolff. 

Abraham  Wolff,  great-grandfather  of  Oliver  M.,  was 
located  in  Hamburg,  where  he  was  engaged  in  business 
as  a  harness  maker. 

Daniel  Wolff,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born  at  Hamburg, 
in    1800,    and    he.    too.    became    a    harness    maker.      From 


1830  to  1861  he  also  engaged  in  farming,  and  he  died  in 
the  latter  year.  He  married  Sevilla  Fasig,  a  direct  des- 
cendant of  Conrad  Weiser,  and  their  children  were: 
Charles,  Rufus,  Mahlon,  Frank,  Daniel,  Sevilla,  Elmira, 
Helen,  Adelaide,   Walter,  Oliver  J.  and  Virginia. 

Oliver  J.  Wolff  was  bom  in  Hamburg,  Pa.,  Feb.  2, 
1849,  and  received  his  education  in  his  native  locality.  In 
his  youth  he  learned  the  harness-making  business,  which 
he  followed  with  his  brother  Rufus  until  1888,  when  he 
came  to  Reading.  The  same  year  he  entered  the  prothono- 
tary's  office  as  clerk  under  D.  H.  Schwoyer,  and  in  1895 
he  was  elected  to  the  position  of  prothonotary  of  Berks 
county,  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  serving  the  full  term 
of  three  years.  From  1898  until  1903,  Air.  Wolff  clerked 
in  the  office,  and  in  the  latter  year  retired,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  living  at  his  home,  No.  346  North  Fifth 
street,  Reading.  In  1873  he  had  engaged  in  boat  building, 
making  sailing  vessels,  etc.  While  in  Hamburg,  Mr.  Wolff 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  from  1875  to  1888,  served 
six  years  on  the  school  board,  being  secretary  thereof,  and 
several  years  as  borough  treasurer.  Oliver  J.  Wolff  mar- 
ried Annie  M.  Miller,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Catharine 
Miller,  and  to  this  union  were  born:  Laura  m.  Charles  L. 
Oaks,  of  Reading;  Ada  m.  I.  B.  Dubell,  of  Philadelphia; 
and  Oliver  M.  Mr.  Wolff  is  a  member  of  Vaux  Lodge, 
E.  &  A.  M.,  No.  406,  of  Hamhurg;  Washington  Camp, 
No.  74,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  Council  No.  74,  O.  U.  A.  ML; 
Union  Eire  Company  of  Hamburg;  and  Council  No.  1104, 
R.  A.  He  was  a  member  of  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church 
of  Hamburg,  in  which  he  served  as  deacon  and  trustee, 
and  while  in  Hamburg  he  was  superintendent  of  the 
St.  John's  Sunday-school  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
Church.  He  is  a  member  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  of 
Reading. 

Oliver  M.  Wolff  received  his  preliminary  educational 
training  in  the  public  schools  of  Ham'burg,  coming  to 
Reading  with  his  parents  and  here  later  attending  the 
high  school,  graduating  with  the  class  of  1898.  He  en- 
tered the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  graduating  from 
the  Law  Department  in  1901.  He  read  law  in  an  office 
in  Philadelphia,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  sev- 
eral courts  of  Philadelphia  June  19,  1901,  and  to  the 
Berks  county  Bar  Sept.  8.  1902.  On  Aug.  20,  1905.  j\Ir. 
Wolff  formed  a  partnership  with  William  A.  Shomo,  and 
they  have  continued  together  since  that  time,  with  offices 
at  No.  522  Washington  street,  Reading,  Pa.  Mr.  Wolff's 
profession  connects  him.  with  the  Berks  County  Bar  Asso- 
ciation. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Supreme,  Superior, 
and  several  County  Courts  of  Pennsvlvania.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Alumni  Association  and  Kent  Law  Club 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania;  of  the  Alumni  Asso- 
ciation of  the  Reading  High  Schools,  and  in  1907  and 
1908  was  elected  treasurer  thereof;  and  is  president  of 
the  Penn  Wheelmen  of  Reading,  having  been  re-elected 
four  successive  years.  He  belongs  to  Trinity  Lutheran 
Church  at  Reading. 

'WILLIAM  A.  SHOMO,  one  of  the  leading  voung  at- 
torneys at  law  of  the  Berks  countv  Bar,  and  a  member  of 
the  well-known  law  firm  of  Wolff  &  Shomo.  was  born  at 
Hamburg,  Pa..  Dec.  25,  1879,  son  of  Harrv  P.  and  Emma 
R.   (Confer)   Shomo. 

Mr.  Shomo  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families 
in  Berks  county,  his  great-great-grandfather.  John  Shomo, 
having  lived  here  as  earlv  as  17.i2.  Tohn  Shomo  was  a 
son  of  Bernard  Shomo,  who  emigrated  to  Philadelphia 
from  France  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century. 
The  latter  was  a  civil  engineer  of  repute  in  his  native  coun- 
try, and  he  continued  to  follow  this  profession  after  com- 
ing to  .America.  He  died  in  Philadelphia,  in  1793.  John 
Shomo,  like  his  father  before  him,  became  a  civil  engineer, 
and,  so  far  as  known,  followed  his  profession  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  May  5.  1836.  It  was  he  who  originally 
surveyed  the  Schuylkill  county  coal  fields,  and  he  is  known 
to  have  owned  a  large  acreage  of  land  in  that  section. 
He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  He  resided  in  Reading 
up  to  the  year   1800,  when   he  moved  with   his   family  to 


^cx..^  ^.}n. 


OULX^QL^A. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


527 


Hamburg.     He  was  the   father  of   four   children:   Eliza- 
beth, Joseph,  John  and  William. 

William  Shomo,  son  of  John  Shomo,  was  born  m  1796 
and  died  Dec.  18,  1842,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  He 
was  a  successful  merchant.  He  was  the  father  of  four 
children :  John,  deceased,  late  of  Washington,  D.  C. ; 
Henry,  deceased,  late  of  Fremont,  Ohio;  Sarah,  deceased 
(m.  Thomas  P.  Wren,  of  Pottsville) ;  Elias,  deceased, 
late  of  Hamburg. 

Elias  Shomo,  son  of  William  Shomo,  was  born  in  Ham- 
burg March  26,  1827,  and  died  there  May  13,  1894,  hav- 
ing been  a  life-long  resident  of  that  place.  For  some 
years  he  was  engaged  in  the  'furniture  business,  but  later 
he  purchased  the  "Central  House"  property,  one  of  Ham- 
burg's leading  hotels,  and  there  conducted  a  successful 
hotel  business  for  many  years.  He  retired  from  busi- 
ness several  years  before  his  death.  He  was  at  one  time 
postmaster  of  Hamburg,  and  was  a  leading  and  influential 
man  of  his  day.  He  married  Elizabeth  Schatz,  of  Ger- 
man-ancestry, and  to  them  were  born  six  children:  Sarah, 
James,  Laura,  Harry  P.,  Allen  L.  and  Elizabeth. 

Harry  P.  Shomo,  son  of  Elias  Shomo  and  father  of 
William  A.,  was  born  in  Hamburg,  Pa.,  Sept.  28,  1860. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Ham- 
burg and  under  private  tutors.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  Auditor  Gen- 
eral's Department,  at  Harrisburg.  He  is  a  highly  respected 
citizen  of  Hamburg  and  has  a  wide  acquaintance  through- 
out the  county.  Mr.  Shomo  married  Emma  R.  Confer, 
daughter  of  Alfred  Confer,  deceased,  and  to  this  union 
have  been  born  three  sons :  William  A.,  Allen  E.  and  J. 
Harold.  The  latter  died  during  January,  1908,  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  years. 

William  A.  Shomo  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  the  borough 
of  Hamburg,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools,  gradu- 
ating from  the  high  school  in  the  spring  of  1898.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  he  entered  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle, 
Pa.,  matriculating  as  a  mernber  of  the  Class  ■  of  1901, 
He  pursued  the  Latin  Scientific  course,  and  at  the  end 
of  his'  sophomore  year  left  the  college  to  enter  the  Dick- 
inson School  of  Law.  From  the  latter  institution  he  grad- 
uated three  years  later  as  a  leading  member  of  the  Class 
of  1903,  with  the  degree  of  LL.  B.  While  at  College, 
Mr.  Shomo  became  a  member  of  the  Belle  Lettres  Society 
and  the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity,  and  took  an  active  part 
in  the  affairs  of  both.  In  the  law  school,  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Allison  Law  Society,  and  was  chosen  one  year 
as  president  of  his  class.  While  a  student  at  college,  he 
was  awarded  a  gold  medal  as  first  prize  in  an  oratorical 
contest  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  State  Convention 
of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A. 

Upon  graduating  from  the  Dickinson  School  of  Law, 
Mr.  Shomo  was  admitted  to  practice  before  the  Cum- 
berland County  Bar,  but  soon  thereafter  returnedto  his 
native  county  to  follow  his  profession.  At  Reading,  he 
entered  the  law  office  of  Stevens  &  Stevens,  where  he  re- 
mained for  one  and  one-half  years,  and,  then  in  June, 
1904,  he  passed  the  State  Board  examination  for  admis- 
sion to  practice  before  the  Supreme  Court.  On  Oct.  3, 
1904,  he  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  several  courts  of 
Berks  county,  and  on  Sept.  1,  1905,  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  O.  M.  Wolff,  Esq.,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Wolff  &  Shomo.  This  firm  have  a  fine  suite  of  offices 
at  No.  522  Washington  street,  Reading.  They  enjoy  an 
enviable  reputation,  and  have  won  the  confidence  of  a 
large  clientage.  Mr.  Shomo  is  a  member  of  the  Berks 
County  Bar  Association,  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227,  F.  & 
A.  M.,  Reading  Board  of  Trade,  American  Academy  of 
Political  and  Social  Science,  and  other  organizations. 

On  Aug.  10.  1905,  Mr.  Shomo  was  married  to  Marian 
Rae  Fisher,  daughter  of  the  late  George  and  Elizabeth 
Fisher,  of  Reading. 

WESLEY  D.  MOHN,  merchant  and  contractor  at 
Mohnton,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Cumru  townshi.o,  Berks  county, 
Mav  5,  1853,  son  of  the  late  Benjamin  and  Harriet  (Deeds) 
Mohn. 


Benjamin  Mohn,  who  was  born  in  Cumru  township  in 
1806,  learned  the  shoemaking  trade  when  a  boy,  but  later 
went  to  farming.  In  1846  he  founded  Mohnsville,  now 
known  as  Mohnton,  building  the  first  house  at  this  place. 
He  also  erected  a  gristmill  in  the  same  year  along  Wyo- 
missing  creek,  engaging  in  this  business  for  about  twenty 
years  in  connection  with  clearing  his  land,  ..and  then  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  boxes,  in  which  he  was 
very  successful,  to  the  time  of  his  death.  His  death, 
caused  by  a  fall  down  a  stairway,  occurred  in  his  eighty- 
third  year,  and  he  was  buried  at  the  Mohnton  cemetery. 

Wesley  D.  Mohn  attended  the  township  schools,  and 
when  a  young  man  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  and  also 
the  wheelwright's  trade  with  Daniel  Peiffer  at  Mohnton. 
He  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons,  and  this  he 
followed  successfully  for  twenty-two  years,  then  engag- 
ing in  contracting,  in  which  he  still  continues.  He  es- 
tablished his  store  at  Mohnton  in  1891,  and  this  has  be- 
come the  leading  general  store  of  Cumru  township.  In 
January,  1906,  Mr.  Mohn  admitted  his  son,  H.  Irwin,  to 
partnership,  and  the  firm  has  since  been  known  as  W.  D. 
Mohn  &  Son.  From  1891  to  1897  Mr.  Mohn  was  post- 
master, this  office  having  been  established  by  a  cousin, 
Mr.  S.  K.  Mohn.  Mr.  Mohn  is  also  interested  in  many 
other  business  enterprises,  having  been  connected  with  the 
AUentown  &  Reading  Traction  Co.  since  1897,  serving  as 
its  treasurer  in  1903 ;  he  has  been  a  director  and  second 
largest  stockholder  in  that  company  since  that  time.  At 
present  he  is  vice-president  of  that  corporation.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Kutztown  Electric  Light  &  Power  Com- 
pany, one  of  the  founders  of  the  Mohnton  Water  Com- 
pany, and  superintendent  of  the  latter  industry.  Mr.  JVEohn 
was  one  of  the  instigators  in  building  the  Reading  & 
South  Western  Electric  Railway  (connecting  Mohnton  and 
Reading).  He  secured  the  rights  of  way  for  this  road, 
and  also  raised  $30,000.00  in  stock  at  Mohnton.  This 
stock  was  paid  back,  along  with  interest  at  six  per  cent., 
when  the  road  changed  hands.  Mr.  Mohn  is  also  senior 
member  of  the  machine  company  located  at  Carpenter  and 
Cherry  streets,  Reading,  known  as  W.  D.  Mohn  &  Co.  His 
interests  are  many  and  varied,  and  he  is  considered  one  of 
the  most  substantial  citizens  of  Cumru  township.' 

On  March  1,  1873,  Mr.  Mohn  married  Sarah  Binkley, 
daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Mary  (Kline)  Binkley,  and  to 
this  union  were  born  children  as  follows :  Margaret,  a 
.graduate  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  in  the  class 
of  1901,  has  taught  school  for  several  years ;  Irwin,  in 
business  with  his  father,  married  Sarah  Fitterling;  Minnie 
A.  is  interested  in  charitable  and  religious  work; 
Clara  E.,  married  Adam  Bear;  Anna,  a  graduate  of  the 
Keystone  State  Normal  School,  class  of  1904,  is  now 
engaged  in  teaching  school;  Wayne,  a  graduate  of  the 
Kirst  College  of  Stenography,  is  employed  at  the  Mohn- 
ton store ;_  and  Pearl  attends  the  township  high  school. 
Mr.  Mohn  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  his  fraternal 
connections  are  with  the  K.  of  P.,  No.  485;  the  K.  G.  E., 
No.  211;  and  0.  U.  A.  M.,  of  Mohnton.  He  is  a  faithful 
member  of  the  Zion  United  Evangelical  Church,  having 
been  trustee  thereof  since  1885,  and  a  liberal  supporter 
of  the  church. 

DAVID  F.  MAUGER.  Being  descended  through  his 
father  from  a  line  of  Palatinate  German  ancestry,  _  and 
through  his  mother  from  the  French  Huguenots,  David  F. 
Mauger  has  the  admixture  of  blood  which  stands  for  the 
highest  type  of  citizefiship  in  Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  son 
of  the  late  David  B.  Mauger,  and  his  wife,  Amanda  Lorah. 

David  B.  Mauger,  who  died  April  2,  1906,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four  years,  was  a  man  of  great  usefulness  to  his 
community  in  his  generation.  For  a  period  of  fifty-five 
years,  he  served  continuously  in  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace.  He  had  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
law  relating  to  the  administration  of  his  office,  and  he 
probably  filled  the  English  idea  of  the  country  squire  and 
gentleman  more  nearly  than  any  local  justice  of  his  time. 
He  was  an  expert  surveyor  and  his  surveys  and  drafts  on 
disputed  boundaries  and  land  titles  have  so  effectively 
settled  questions  of  that  character  in  Lower  Berks,  that  the 


538 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


courts  of  law  are  seldom  invoked  to  give  judgment  upon 
them.  He  was  identified  with  many  local  interests  and 
corporations,  and  served  his  community  'faithfully  in  a 
manifold  way  as  executor,  administrator,  guardian,  trustee 
and  ill  many  another  fiduciary  capacity.  He  reared  his 
family  in  the  Reformed  Church,  and  gave  to  each 
of  his  children  a  liberal  education.  His  eldest  son,  D. 
Lorah  Mauger,  is  now  the  assistant  passenger  agent  of  the 
Philadelphia  Sz  Reading  Railway  Company,  with  offices  at 
Reading ;  the  youngest  son,  Henry  S.  Mauger,  is  a  success- 
ful druggist  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia.  His  only  daugh- 
ter, Salfie,  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  S.  H.  Shingle,  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  the  remaining  son,  David  F.  Mauger,  is  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch. 

David  Franklin  ^lauger  is  a  graduate  of  Franklin  and 
Marshall  College  of  Lancaster.  At  this  institution,  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Phi  Kappa  Psi  College  Fraternity 
and  the  Goethean  Literary  Society.  He  was  graduated 
with  high  honors  in  1886  which  entitled  him  to  an  election 
in  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society.  Upon  leaving  college,  he 
became  principal  of  the  high  school  in  Center  Hall,  Penn- 
sylvania, which  position  he  filled  with  credit  for  two  terms. 
He  then  entered,  as  a  student,  the  law  office  of  George  F. 
Baer,  Esq.,  now  the  president  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Railway  Company,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  at 
Reading  in  1889.  Upon  his  admission  to  the  Bar,  he  en- 
tered into  a  partnership  with  his  college  friend,  Abraham 
H.  Rothermel,  under  the  name  of  Rothermel  &  Mauger, 
with  which  firm  he  is  still  associated.  This  co-partnership 
is  one  of  the  well-established  firms  of  lawyers  in  the  City 
of  Reading,  enjoying  a  large  and  lucrative  practice  in  all 
the  Courts.  Mr.  Mauger  has  served  for  a  term  of  three 
years  as  the  county  solicitor  and  for  a  like  term  as  assist- 
ant district  attorney.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Democratic 
party.  As  an  adviser  and  counselor  Mr.  Mauger  is  able 
and  sound,  and  as  a  practitioner  before  the  courts  and 
juries,  he  is  skillful  and  persuasive. 

Mr.  Mauger  is  happily  married  to  Miss  Mary  Gorrell, 
daughter  of  the  late  Robert  Gorrell,  of  Douglassville,  for- 
merly an  extensive  operator  in  anthracite  coal  in  Schuylkill 
and  Columbia  counties.  Their  marriage  has  been  blessed 
with  two  daughters  Dorothy  and  Marion.  He  resides  at 
Douglassville.  Pennsylvania. 

His  grandfather  was  David  Mauger,  a  farmer  of  Doug- 
lass township.  He  died  in  1875,  aged  seventy-eight  years. 
He  was  married  to  Sarah  Bechtel,  a  daughter  of  George 
Bechtel,  of  Pottsgrove  township,  Montgomery  county.  She 
died  in  1881,  aged  seventy-nine  years. 

His  great-grandfather  was  Henry  Mauger,  who  emi- 
grated from  the  Palatinate  about  1762,  and  settled  in 
Douglass  township. 

His  mother,  who  was  eighty-four  years  of  age  on  the 
35th  day  of  April,  1909,  was  the  daughter  of  Daniel  Lorah, 
of  Amity  township,  and  granddaughter  of  George  Lorah, 
also  of  Amity  township.  Her  mother  was  Hannah  Knabb, 
of  Oley  township.  George  Lorah  was  a  son  of  John 
Lorah,  who  emigrated  from  France  in  1710,  during  the 
time  of  the  persecution  of  the  Huguenots,  and  settled  in 
Amity  township. 


WILLIAM  HARBSTER  (deceased),  for  many  years 
one  of  the  leading  spirits  of  the  manufacturing  interests 
of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  Oct.  20,  1823,  in  Albany  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Bucher) 
Harbster. 

John  Harbster,  grandfather  of  William,  emigrated  to 
America  from  Germany,  settling  in  Albany  township, 
Berks  county,  and  later  lived  in  Montgomery  and  Lehigh 
counties,    following   farming  in   the,  several   localities. 

Henry  Harbster,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  Berks  county 
and  educated  in  the  subscription  schools.  In  early  life 
he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  which  he  followed  some 
years.  He  also  invented  and  manufactured  coffee  mills 
in  Berks,  Montgomery  and  Lehigh  counties,  in  which 
he  met  with  more  than  ordinary  success.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  political  belief,  but  only  took  a  voting  interest 
in  politics.     He  married  a  daughter  of  Sebastian  Bucher, 


and  their  children  were:  Matilda,  wife  of  Casper  Aman; 
Hannah,  whose  third  husband  was  Jacob  Newkirk;  Ellen, 
deceased  wife  of  William  M.  Griscom ;  Henry ;  Saniuel, 
who  died  in  youth;  Matthan,  of  Reading;  and  William. 
Of  this  family  in  1906  were  still  living  Hannah  and 
Matthan. 

William  Harbster  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon and  subscription  schools  of  Albany  township,  after 
which  he  removed  to  Boyertown,  where  he  apprenticed 
himself  to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade,  remaining  in 
that  locality  seven  years.  After  hig  apprenticeship  had 
been  served  he  worked  as  a  journeyman,  and  then  removed 
to  Reading,  where  he  engaged  in  work  in  a  foundry  and 
was  subsequently  employed  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Railroad  Company.  Not  liking  the  change,  he  decided 
to  commence  operations  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county, 
and,  locating  in  Hamburg,  he  opened  a  smithy,  manufactur- 
ing the  iron  work  for  carriages,  etc.  After  remaining 
here  two  years,  he  returned  to  Reading,  and  with  the  as- 
sistance of  his  brother-in-law,  William  M.  Griscom,  he 
founded  the  Reading  Hardware  Works.  Beginning  under 
very  humble  circumstances,  and  at  first  manufacturing 
but  a  few  articles,  by  his  incessant  energy,  excellent  man- 
agement and  skilled  workmanship  the  business  increased 
and  far  exceeded  the  fondest  hopes  of  its  originator  and 
founder.  He  found  it  necessary  to  admit  more  help, 
subsequently  admitting  Matthan  and  John,  his  younger 
brothers,  as  partners,  under  the  style  of  Harbster  Bros. 
The  business  continued  to  prosper  under  the  new  man- 
agement and  the  brothers  succeeded  in  building  up  one 
of  the  most  extensive  plants  in  the  world,  the  Reading ' 
Hardware  Company. 

Mr.  Harbster  was  also  the  head  of  the  Reading  Nickel 
Plating  Works.  His  advice  was  much  sought  after  on 
account  of  his  being  so  successful  in  his  own  business,  and 
he  later  became  officially  connected  with  banks  and  other 
business  organizations.  In  fact,  if  any  new  enterprise 
was  founded  in  which  he  was  not  interested,  investors 
seemed  to  lose  confidence,  such  was  the  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held.  He  was  a  man  of  noble  character,  honest 
and  upright  in  all  of  his  dealings,  and  a  great  friend 
of  the  poor  and  needy.  He  gave  liberally  to  any  and  every 
just  cause  and  the  extent  of  his  philanthropy  will  never 
be  known  to  the  outside  world.  Through  his  death  Read- 
ing lost  one  of  its  most  prominent  citizens. 

Mr.  Harbster  married  June  15,  1848,  Ellen  Matthews, 
daughter  of  George  Matthews,  a  native  of  Lebanon  county, 
Pa.  He  was  of  Irish  descent,  and  belonged  to  a  family, 
the  descendants  of  which  figured  conspicuously  in  the 
affairs  of  the  State.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harbster  the  fol- 
lowing children  were  born:  Emma  R.  m.  William  Kensel; 
Cecelia  m.  John  G.  Mohn ;  John  F. ;  Morris  G.  is  deceased ; 
Annie  R.  m.  John  Goodman;  Howard  E. ;  and  Mary  Mar- 
garet m.  J.  Wilhelm  Hartraann,  native  of  Germany,  and  a 
graduate  of  the  Hamburg  Conservatory  of  Music  and  that 
of  Munich,  from  which  institutions  he  received  the  high- 
est honors,  and  he  has  become  a  composer  of  much  note. 

Mr.  Harbster  was  a  Republican  in  his  political  belief, 
but  never  aspired  to  public  preferment.  He  was  a  member 
of  Chandler  Lodge  of  Masons  No.  237;  Reading  Chapter 
No.  153;  Creigh  Council  No.  16;  and  De  Molay  Com- 
mandery  No.  9.  He  was  a  consistent  member  and  liberal 
supporter  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  for  many  years 
Mr.  Harbster  died  June  16,  1885. 

JAMES  PHILIP  SELLERS,  clothier  at  Reading  for 
forty  years  and  still  in  active  business,  was  born  at  Allen- 
town,  Pa.,  May  9,  1S44,  and  there  educated,  in  the  public 
schools  and  the  Allentown  Academy.  At  the  suggestion 
of  his  uncle,  James  Jameson,  he  went  to  Reading  in  1865, 
and  after  working  in  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway 
Company's  shop  for  eighteen  months,  entered  the  large 
wholesale  and  retail  clothing  house  of  his  uncle  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Penn  square,  where  he  has  continued 
to  the  present  time. 

For  ten  years  Mr.  Sellers  was  a  salesman  in  the  store 
and  his  great  interest  and  success  in  the  business  so  won 
the  confidence  of  his  uncle  that  he  was  then  admitted  as 


'f{l: 


6h^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


539 


a  partner  in  the  firm  which  has  been  trading  for  many 
years  at  the  same  stand  as  J.  Jameson  &  Co.  In  1890  Mr. 
Jameson  died;  then  the  firm  was  re-organized  by  the  sur- 
viving partners,  William  A.  Medlar,  Mr.  Jameson's  son-in- 
law,  Charles  S.  Bachman,  a  former  employe  for  many 
years,  and  Mr.  Sellers,  as  Sellers,  Medlar  &  Bachman,  the 
nephew  having  taken  the  uncle's  place  as  the  senior  part- 
ner in  the  business,  which  evidences  his  superior  character. 
In  1900  Mr.  Bachman  withdrew  from  the  firm  on  account 
of  his  age,  and  his  interest  having  been  purchased  by  Wil- 
liam R.  Fenstermacher,  of  Lenhartsville,  the  name  of  the 
firm  was  changed  to  Sellers,  Medlar  &  Co.  Mr.  Medlar 
.  having  retired  in  1903,  his  interest  was  purchased  by  Wil- 
liam J.  Frederick,  of  Allentown,  a  nephew  of  Mr.  Sellers, 
when  the  name  was  changed  to  J.  P.  Sellers  &  Co.  And 
thus  it  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  In  1908  Joseph 
Ritter  Sellers,  a  son  of  the  senior  member,  was  admitted 
as  a  partner. 

In  1882  the  electors  of  the  Seventh  ward  elected  Mr. 
Sellers  to  represent  them  in  the  Common  branch  of  the 
city  councils,  and  he  served  one  term  of  two  years,  having 
been  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket.  In  1890  he  became 
identified  with  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  after  serving  on 
different  committees,  he  officiated  as  its  president  in  1901 
and  1902.  During  the  observance  of  the  sesqui-centennial 
of  Reading  in  1898,  he  was  president  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee, and  much  of  its  success  was  due  mainly  to  his  un- 
remitting labors  during  a  preparatory  period  of  two  years. 
Mr.  Sellers  has  also  been  identified  with  the  financial  af- 
fairs of  Reading,  serving  as  a  director  of  the  Reading 
Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Trust  Company. 

In  1868  Mr.  Sellers  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Ritter,  the 
only  child  of  Joseph  Ritter  and  Eliza  Witman,  his  wife, 
both  of  whom  were  descendants  of  the  earliest  inhabitants 
of  Reading.  By  her  he  is  the  father  of  a  son  Joseph  Ritter, 
who  married  Minnie  Heffner,  daughter  of  Daniel  Heffner 
of  Reading,  and  they  have  one  son  James  Heffner  Sellers. 
Mrs.  Sellers  died  in  1908.  She  was  a  devoted  member 
of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  from  her  childhood,  as  her 
parents  and  grandparents  had  been  in  the  early  history  of 
the  church,  and,  on  account  of  her  superior  voice  was 
chosen  as  a  singer  in  the  choir  for  fifteen  years.  She 
took  an  active  part  in  the  Sunday-school  work  for  many 
years,  and  also  in  works  of  charity  for  the  congregation 
as  well  as  the  community  at  large. 

Joseph  Ritter,  father  of  Mrs.  Sellers,  was  the  honored 
court  crier  of  the  Berks  county  courts  for  forty  years 
from  the  establishment  of  the  court  house  at  Sixth  and 
Court  streets  in  1840,  and  upon  his  decease  in  1830  the 
judges  and  lawyers,  at  a  public  meeting  held  for  that 
purpose,  passed  highly  complimentary  resolutions  eulo- 
gizing his  superior  character.  At  a  Bar  supper,  Dec.  20, 
1872,  in  appreciation  of  his  distinguished  services  and 
uniform  courtesy,  they  presented  him  with  a  fine  gold 
watch  and  chain. 

The  'father  of  Mr.  Sellers  was  Philip  Sellers,  a  whole- 
sale tobacco  and  cigar  manufacturer  at  Allentown  for  fif- 
teen years.  He  died  in  1851  aged  forty-six  years.  He  was 
.married  to  Elizabeth  Worman,  daughter  of  Henry  Wor- 
man,  of  Allentown,  who  died  in  1876,  aged  seventy-three 
years.  They  had  three  children :  James  P. ;  Henry ;  and 
Mary.  m.  to  Benneville  Frederick,  of  Allentown,  whose 
son  William  J.  is  now  a  member  of  J.  P.  Sellers  &  Co. 
His  antecedents  were  brought  up  in  the  vicinity  of  Sellers- 
ville,  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania. 

COL.  WILLIAM  TREXLER,  long  prominent  and 
widely  known  throughout  Berks  county,  died  at  his 
home  in  Longswamp  township  Dec.  19,  1905.  He  was 
born  in  that  township  Sept.  2,  1816,  son  of  Reuben  and 
Anna   (Lesher)   Trexler. 

The  Trexler   family  in  America,   so   far  as   is  known, 
was  founded  by  John  Peter  Trexler,  who  made  his  home 
in    Northumberland   county.    Pa.,    where   he  became   very 
influential. 
34 


Peter  Trexler,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  Col.  William, 
engaged  in  farming  at  Mertztown,  where  he  spent  his  ac- 
tive days.     He  married  Catherine  Grim. 

Reuben  Trexler,  son  of  Peter,  was  an  iron  master,  and 
that  calling  together  with  farming  he  followed  all  his 
active  years.  He  died  in  1846,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four. 
He  married  Anna  Lesher,  who  was  born  in  Longswamp 
township,  Berks  county,  daughter  of  Jacob  Lesher,  an 
iron  master  of  Berks-  county,  who  moved  to  Pottstown 
after  retiring  from  business.  Five  children  were  born  to 
Reuben  Trexler  and  wife,  namely:  Horatio,  who  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  president  of  the  National  Union 
Bank,  at  Reading;  William;  Lesher,  who  became  a  suc- 
cessful physician  at  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  and  is  now  de- 
ceased; Caroline,  deceased  wife  of  William  Schall,  of  Nor- 
ristown.  Pa.;  Lucinda,  who  married  James  Rittenhouse, 
and  both  are  now  deceased. 

Col.  William  Trexler  was  given  a  good  common  school 
education,  and  on  reaching  young  manhood  engaged  in 
farming,  afterward  taking  up  tanning  at  his  late  home 
farm.  He  then  tried  milling  and  later  the  coal  business, 
all  proving  successful  ventures  and  he  finally  added  a  gen- 
eral mercantile  store.  The  last  few  years  of  his  life  were 
spent  in  retirement.  He  took  great  pleasure  in  his  beauti- 
ful home,  located  in  Longswamp  township. 

In  1842  Colonel  Trexler  was  married  to  Mary  Ann  Sing- 
master,  of  Macungie  township,  Lehigh  county,  daughter 
of  John  Singmaster,  a  farmer  and  tanner.  Mrs.  Trex- 
ler died  in  1877.  To  this  union  were  born  the  following, 
children:  Reuben,  deceased;  Alonzo,  late  of  Hunting- 
don county,  Pa.,  now  deceased;  Annie,  widow  of  Harrison 
Maltzberger,  an  attorney  at  Reading:  Alvin  S.,  who 
conducted  a  tannery  and  coal  yard  in  Longswamp  town- 
ship, but  is  now  retired;  William';  Lesher  Ashley,  a  prac- 
ticing physician  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  now  deceased; 
John  L.  S.,  of  Macungie,  Pa.;  Mary,  who  married  Hiram 
Weiler,  and  who  is  now  deceased;  and  Henry  Clay  and 
Myra,  both  deceased.  Colonel  Trexler  married  (second) 
Amelia  Schall,  who  died  in  February,  1890. 

In  politics  Colonel  Trexler  was  a  Republican,  and  for 
fifty-three  years  was  postmaster  at  Longswamp.  He  was 
justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years,  and  also  held  a  num- 
ber of  other  local  offices,  never  being  defeated  if  he  offered 
himself  as  a  candidate.  He  was  a  Mason,  belonging  to 
Burgess  Lodge  No.  333,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Allentown.  In  his 
religious  faith  he  was  a  Lutheran. 

JOEL  H.  KRICK,  the  well-known  proprietor  of  the 
"West  End  Hotel,"  one  of  the  popular  hostelries  of  Read- 
ing, located  at  the  corner  of  Schuylkill  avenue  and  Button- 
wood  street,  was  born  in  Reading,  Dec.  4,  1861,  son  of 
Levi  J.  R.  and  Mary  (Hinnershitz)  Kirick,  and  grandson 
of  Peter  Krick. 

Peter  Krick  was  a  native  of  Heidelberg  township,  Berks 
county,  and  was  a  well-known  boat-builder  in  the 
days  when  the  Schuylkill  canal  was  one  of  the  principal 
means  of  transportation  in  this  section  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  followed  his  vocation  for  many  years  at  the  foot  of 
Buttonwood  street,  Reading,  where  his  boat-building  yard 
was  located,  and  became  very  successful.  Mr.  Krick  mar- 
ried Susan  Reber,  of  Berks  county,  and  she  bore  her  hus- 
band these  children:  William  R.,  Joel  R.,  Adam  R.,  Levi 
J.  R.,  Peter,  R.,  Emma  (m.  William  Leas)  and  Catherine. 
Mr.  Krick  was  very  liberal  in  his  religious  views,  but  was 
kind  and  charitable,  and  few  indeed  were  the  subscriptions 
for  a  worthy  cause  that,  did  not  bear  his  name.  In  politics 
he  was  a  stanch  Democrat,  but  he  never  cared  for,  nor 
sought,  public  office. 

Levi  J.  R.  Krick  learned  boat-building  under  the  skilled 
tuition  of  his  father,  following  that  occupation  for  many 
years.  In  1887  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  hotel  busi- 
ness, following  that  occupation  until  his  death  in  1905,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  He  was  known  for  his  many 
sterling  traits  of  character,  and  was  ever  liberal  to  those 
in  need.  The  children  born  to  Levi  J.  R.  Krick  and  his_ 
wife  were:  Joel  H.,  Peter  M.,  Annie  (m.  Harry  Shrump, 
deceased),  Emma  (m.  Daniel  Whitmoyer,  deceased),  Mary 
(deceased,  m.  Harvey  Kissinger)  and  Rebecca  (deceased). 


530 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


In  religious  belief  the  family  were  connected  with  the  Re- 
formed Church.  He  was  a  loyal  Democrat,  and  was  elect- 
ed to  fill  positions  of  honor  and  trust,  serving  in  both  the 
common  and  select  councils,  and  at  one  time  being  market 
commissioner.  He  was  a  letter  carrier  during  President 
Cleveland's  first  term.  He  was  connected  with  several  fra- 
ternal organizations,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Junior 
Fire  Company.  Mrs.  Krick  died  in  1891,  aged  about 
forty-eight  years. 

Joel  'H.  Krick  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Reading,  and  when  a  boy  worked  in  the  boat  yard 
which  had  been  founded  by  his  grandfather.  Learning 
the  trade  of  boat  builder  with  his  father,  he  followed  this 
occupation,  for  some  time,  and  in  1885  was  appointed  under 
Mayor  Getz,  a  member  of  the  Reading  Police  Force,  con- 
tinuing as  a  member  until  1887.  During  Mayor  Merritt's 
administration  Mr.  Krick  was  again  appointed  to  that  po- 
sition, 1890-1893,  and  upon  the  expiration  of  this  term 
he  entered  the  employ  of  his  father  in  the  hotel,  in  which 
he  has  since  continued.  In  1897  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  board  of  prison  inspectors  for  Berks  county,  serv- 
ing nine  years,  and  for  seven  years  was  president  thereof. 
He  was  elected  by  the  firemen  of  the  2nd  district  as  assist- 
ant chief  of  the  Reading  Fire  Department,  serving  three 
years.  Mr.  Krick  has  always  been  a  stanch  Democrat,  and 
has  always  been  a.  valuable  party  man  in  the  Sixth  ward. 
He  has  been  a  delegate  to  various  county  and  State  con- 
ventions. On  Nov.  3,  1908,  by  n  large  majority  Mr.  Krick 
•  was  elected  a  director  of  the  poor  of  Berks  county,  for  a 
term  oj  three  years.  He  is  very  popular  fraternally,  hold- 
ing membership  in  the  following  orders :  I.  O.  O.  F. ; 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles;  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  the  Indepen- 
dent Gun  Club;  the  Eagles  Mountain  Home  Association; 
the  Harmonic  Association;  and  the  Schuylkill  Fire  Com- 
pany. He  was  a  member  of  the  Junior  Fire  Company  for 
twenty  years,  but  resigned  to  join  the  Schuylkill  Fire  Com- 
pany in  1901.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  Northwestern 
Beneficial  Association.  In  religion  Mr.  Krick  is  connected 
with  the  Reformed  Church. 

In  1885  Mr.  Krick  married  Rosa  Weidner,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living,  as 
follows:  James,  Joel,  Jr.,  Maud  (who  married  Edward 
Englehart,  is  living  at  No.  252  W.  Buttonwood  Av.,  and 
is  the  mother  of  Joel  Henry)   and  Esther. 

ADODPH  KRAER1ER,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  the  owner 
and  manager  of  a  printing  and  publishing  establishment 
at  No.  236  North  Ninth  street,  was  born  July  28,  1875. 
and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Balbina  Kraemer,  who  emigrated 
from  the  Duchy  of  Baden.  Germany,  locating  at  Phil- 
adelphia, for  a  period  of  time,  and  in  1883  settling  in 
the  northeastern  section  of  Reading,  Pennsylvania. 

Adolph  Kraemer  attended  the  Reading  schools  until 
fourteen  years  of  age,  whereupon  he  entered  the  print- 
ing office  of  Mr.  W.  Rosenthal  to  learn  the  printer's  trade. 
For  a  period  of  five  years  he  remained  at  this  establish- 
ment, working  his  way  during  the  day  into  the  secrets 
of  the  art  of  printing,  and  at  night  studying  his  books 
to  advance  himself  further  in  the  knowledge  of  gener- 
al literature.  For  nearly  three  years  he  attended  a  local 
college,  taking  courses  in  business,  literature  and  lan- 
guages. During  1894  he  made  a  tour  of  the  States  for 
the  purpose  of  studying  the  various  conditions,  methods 
and  systems  of  printing  establishments  throughout  the 
country,  being  during  this  tour  employed  in  about  thirty 
different  printing  plants.  In  the  fall  of  1894,  he  returned 
and  engaged  in  the  printing  business  at  No.  621  Moss 
street  (the  residence  of  his  parents)  in  a  small  back 
room,  operating  his  one  job  press  by  foot  power. 

In  1897  Mr.  Kraemer  removed  his  establishment  to  larg- 
er quarters  at  Ninth  and  Oley  streets  where  he  acquired 
the  use  of  an  electric  motor.  In  1898  he  removed  his 
place  of  business  to  No.  208  North  Ninth  street,  and  six 
months  later  to  No.  310  North  Ninth  street,  where  he  re- 
mained for  seven  years.  In  1905  he  purchased  his  pres- 
ent quarters,  the  desirable  property  at  No.  236  North 
Ninth  street,  vvhich  he  remodeled  and  rebuilt  to  suit  his 
increased   requirements    and   he   has   occupied   same   since 


September,  1905.  During  1909  he  entered  into  the  career 
of  publisher  of  fiction  under  the  name  of  The  Kraemer 
Publishing  House — in  addition  to  his  Book  and  Job 
Printing. 

On  Sept.  2,  1897,  Mr.  Kraemer  married  Miss  Mary  L. 
Ott,  of  Reading,  daughter  of  Magnus  and  Josephine  (Al- 
brecht)  Ott.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  five  chil- 
dren :  Louisa  M.,  Marie  A.,  Gertrude  L.,  Theresa  B. 
and  Herman  J. 

HARRY  KLINE,  postmaster  and  general  merchant  at 
Rehrersburg,  Pa.,  and  one  of  Tulpehocken  township's 
representative  citizens,  was  born  at  Rehrersburg,  June 
25,  1874,  son  of  Frank  S.  and  Rebecca  E.   (Forry)   Kline. 

Philip  Kline,  the  great-grandfather  of  Harry,  was  born 
Dec.  26,  1788,  and  was  a  resident  of  Rehrersburg,  where 
for  many  years  he  kept  a  large  tannery  and  general  store, 
and  where  he  died  July  18.  1855.  He  married  Catharine 
Shollenberger  (born  Aug.  4,  1791.  died  Jan.  27,  1867), 
and  they  had  these  children:  Benjamin,  grandfather  of 
Harry;  Alexander;  and  Anna  Maria,  born  Aug.  17,  1799, 
and   died  June  6,  1842. 

Benjamin  Kline  was  also  born  in  Rehrersburg,  and 
after  the  death  of  his  father  took  charge  of  the  tannery 
and  general  store,  the  latter  of  which  was  closed  out 
at  the  time  of  the  death  of  his  brother  Alexander  who 
had  been  his  business  partner.  Mr.  Kline  continued  the 
tannery  business  until  about  1886,  when  he  sold  out  to 
Barnett  Brothers,  and  the  remainder  of  his  life  was 
spent  in  retirement  with  his  son-in-law,  Dr.  Daniel  Dec- 
hert,  Schuylkill  Haven.  Mr.  Kline  married  Catherine 
Lutz,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Lutz,  and  to  this  imion  there 
were  born  children  as  follows :  Sarah  m.  Joel  Dewaldt, 
who  conducted  a  hardware  business  in  Lebanon  county 
for  many  years,  and  died  there  in  1893 ;  Martha,  who  died 
in  1896,  m.  Isaac  Harner,  a  hotel  keeper  of  Rehrersburg; 
James,  who  for  many  years  worked  in  his  father's  tan- 
nery, now  resides  at  Lebanon ;  Genevieve  m.  Dr.  Daniel 
Dechert,  and  died  in  1882,  leaving  one  daughter;  Anna, 
who  died  in  1896  at  Pinegrove,  Schuylkill  county,  m. 
John  Harding,  who  subsequently  removed  to  Reading; 
and  Frank  S. 

Frank  S.  Kline  was  reared  in  Rehrersburg,  where  he 
learned  the  trade  of  tanner  with  his  father,  and  was 
employed  in  the  tannery  from  the  age  of  twelve  years 
until  the  'business  was  discontinued,  when  he  went  to 
Myerstown,  Lebanon  county,  and  there  continued  many 
years.  He  is  now  engaged  principally  in  finishing  in 
the  spring  and  fall  oif  each  year  at  East  Berkley. 

Mr.  Kline  married  Rebecca  E.  Forry,  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Rebecca  (Troutman)  Forry,  and  to  this  union  there 
were  born  the  following  children :  Harry ;  JNIatilda  m. 
Paul  Furman,  of  Strausstown,  Berks  county,  and  has 
one  son,  Robert,  m.  Clara  Bertram,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Bertram,  and  is  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in 
Rehrersburg;  Edward  is  single;  Laura  is  employed  at 
the  shirt  factory;  and  Marguerite  lives  at  home.  Ed- 
ward Kline  served  three  years  in  the  Spanish  American 
war,  being  a  member  of  Troop  B,  14th  U.  S.  Cavalry, 
stationed  in  the  Philippines,  and  the  last  nine  months 
of  his  enlistment  were  passed  in  the  United  States,  where 
he  engaged  in  racing  various  cavalries.  He  won  the 
U.  S.  Rescue  races  from  representatives  of  twenty-one 
cavalries,  and  rode  races  Cossack  style  in  every  "State 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  losing  onlv  three  races,  and 
he_  also  holds  medals  for  sharpshooting  and  marksman- 
ship for  the  three  years  of  his  enlistment.  He  ranked 
as  first  sergeant.  After  receiving  his  honorable  discharge, 
Mr.  Kline  returned  to  his  home,  and  three  months  later 
enlisted  in  the  State  police  force  at  Punxsutawnev,  where 
he  is  still  in  service  at  the  present  time.  He  stands  very 
high,  and  he  is  said  to  be  an  expert  horseman  and  very 
well  liked  by  everybody. 

Harry  Kline  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
his  district  and  the  high  school  at  Millersburg.  At  an 
early  age  he  learned  butchering  at  Hazleton.  and  the 
trade  of  painting,  at  home,  the  latter  of  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  some  years.     At  one  time  he  aspired  to  enter 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


531 


the  medical  profession,  but  gave  up  this  idea  and  took 
up  boatinsf  as  an  occupation,  following  it  on  the  Schuyl- 
kill, Raritan,  Erie,  Northern  and  Delaware  canals.  He 
now  conducts  a  general  store  at  Rehrersburg,  where  he 
is  discharging  the  duties  of  postmaster.'  Mr.  Kline  is 
a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  while  his  wife  is  a 
Lutheran.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  for  some 
years  has  been  standing  committeeman  of  his  township, 
and  fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Vigilance  Lodge,  No. 
149,  I.  O.  O.  R,  at  Reading;  and  Camp  No.  597,  P.  O. 
S.  of  A.,  at  Rehrersburg,  of  which  he  is  a  charter  mem- 
ber. 

In  1897  Mr.  Kline  married  (first)  Miss  Nettie  Stam- 
baugh,  daughter  of  Rev.  L.  D.  and  Henrietta  (Smith) 
Stambaugh,  and  one  child,  Grace,  was  born  to  this  un- 
ion. Mrs.  Kline  died  Nov.  28,  1901,  and  he  married 
(second)  in  1904,  the  widow  of  Selas  M.  Shade,  by 
whom  he  has  also  had  one  child,  Harry. 

ARTHUR  WITTICH,  a  dealer  in  pianos  and  organs, 
and  a  prominent  and  representative  man  of  Reading,  Pa.j 
doing  business  at  No.  116  South  Sixth  street,  was  born 
in  Reading,  Berks  county,  July  2,  1860,  son  of  John  D. 
and  Harriet    (Peifer)    Wittich. 

John  Wittich,  our  subject's  grandfather,  lived  in  Hesse 
Cassel,  Germany,  aii  of  his  life,  was  a  general  merchant 
there  and  quite  a  prominent  man'  He  and  his  wife, 
whose  name  is  not  known,  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  and  of  these  four 
came  to  America,  their  names  being :  Henry,  George, 
John  D.,  and  Margaret,  the  latter  of  whom  married 
Henry   Goelz,   and  resided  in  Reading. 

John  D.  Wittich  came  to  America  in  1842,  and  set- 
tled _  first  in  Philadelphia.  _  He  had  learned  the  shoje- 
Imaking  business  in  his  native  country,  and  was  also  a 
musician  of  some  note,  as  well  as  a  composer  of  much 
ability.  He  resided  in  Philadelphia  for  about  five  years 
and  there  gave  instructions  on  the  violin  and  other  in- 
struments. He  settled  in  Reading  in  1847  and  upon  mak- 
ing this  his  home,  took  charge  of  the  leading  orchestras 
of  the  city,  conducting  them  for  the  following  thirty 
years.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Henry  Peifer,  also 
a  native  of  Germany,  where  a  part  of  his  family  was 
reared,  his  two  youngest  children,  however,  being  born 
in  this  country.  The  eight  children  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  John  D.  Wittich  were :  Margaret  (m.  John  W, 
Gerdemann,  and  resided  in  Philadelphia) ;  George  (de- 
ceased) ;  Anna  (died  young)  ;  Catherine  (m.  Rev.  N. 
C.  Fetter,  and  lives  in  Doylestown,  Pa.)  ;  Elizabeth  and 
Stricklin  (deceased);  Arthur;  and  Valeria  (living  in 
Reading"  at  the  old  Wittich  homestead.  No.  310  South 
Fifth  street).  The  Wittich  family  were  members  of  the 
Reformed  Church,  while  the  Peifers  were  Lutherans. 
In  politics  Mr.  Wittich  was  a  Democrat,  but  took  no 
active  interest  in  party  work. 

Arthur  Wittich  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  Reading,  and  after  graduating  from  the  Reading  high 
school  entered  the  Philadelphia  Conservatory  of  Music 
from  which  he  was  graduated.  He  was  then  instructed 
by  some  of  the  best  and  most  noted  masters  o;f  En- 
rope  and  America,  and  the  following  twenty-five  years 
were  devoted  exclusively  to  teaching  music,  in  which 
profession  he  was  very  successful.  He  bears  the  re- 
putation of  being  an  expert  in  this  and  other  branches 
of  his  art.  Since  practically  giving  up  the  instruction  of 
music  he  has  devoted  his  time  to  selling  pianos  and  play- 
er pianos.  He  is  well  known  in  Berks  and  adjoining 
counties,  and_  goods  purchased  from  him  can  be  relied 
upon  to  be  just  as  represented.  He  has  one  of  the 
best  equipped  show  rooms  in  the  city,  located  at  No. 
116  South  Sixth  street,  where  first-class  salesmen  are 
constantly  on  hand  to  display  goods.  His  store  is  well 
stocked  with  the  leading  inakes  of  pianos,  among  them 
being  the  Steinway,  Kranich  &  Bach,  Hardman,  Pack- 
ard.  Harrington,    McPhail   and   Sterling. 

Mr.  Wittich  married,  in  1882,  Miss  Kate  Schrader, 
daughter  of  Charles  E.  Schrader,  of  the  firm  of  Schra- 
der &  Kline,  and  three  children  have  been  born  to  this 


union :  Otto,  Carl  and  Leon.  The  family  are  Luther- 
ans. In  politics  Mr.  Wittich  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

CHARLES  P.  HIGH,  a  prosperous  coal  merchant  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  who  is  also  engaged  in  the  flour  and  feed 
business,  with  yards  and  office  at  No.  313  Rose  street, 
was  born  in  Cumru  township,  Berks  county,  son  of 
William  R.   and  Lydia  A.    (Krick)    High. 

Charles  P.  High  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  township,  and  during  his  boyhood  worked 
upon  his  father's  farm.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he 
left  the  farm  and  went  to  Pliiladelphia,  engaging_  with 
the  Phoenix  Plumbago  Mining  Company,  and  while  in 
the  employ  of  that  company  attended  a  business  col- 
lege. He  subsequently  returned  to  Reading,  entering 
the  employ  of  his  brother,  of  D.  K.  High  &  Co.,  who 
was  carrying  on  the  coal,  flour  and  feed  business  in 
Reading,  which  had  been  established  in  1887  by  him, 
and  Mr.  High  continued  in  this  business  '  until  1890-; 
when  he  accepted  a  position  at  the  Philadelphia  _& 
Reading  freight  house.  At  the  end  of  _  one  year,  in 
company  with  George  Richardson,  Mr.  High  established 
the  present  successful  business,  and  one  year  later  Mr. 
Richardson  withdrew,  Mr.  High's  father  engaging  in  bus- 
iness with  him,  under  the  firm  name  of  High  &  Son. 
This  connection  continued  until  1903,  when  the  elder 
High  withdrew,  and  since  that  time  Charles  P.  has  suc- 
cessfully conducted  the  business  alone.  He  is  a  very 
enterprising  business  man,  of  much  ability,  and  his 
honesty  and  integrity  have  never  been  questioned. 

Mr.  Charles  P.  High  was  married,  in  1895,  to  Miss 
Cora  Hechler,  daughter  of  William  A.  Hechler,  of  Spring 
township,  and  in  religious  belief  Mr.  and  Mrs.  High 
are  .connected  with  the  Reformed  Church.  Fraternally 
he  is  connected  with  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  the  Order 
of   Independent  Americans. 

THOMAS  A.  BOYER,  a  well-known  citizen  and  en- 
terprising business  man  of  Reading,  Pa.,  is  a  native 
of  that  city,  born  May  1,  1853,  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary 
(Dickinson)  Boyer,  and  grandson  of  Thomas  Boyer, 
for  many  years  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Dauphin  county. 

Isaac  Boyer  came  from  Dauphin  county  to  Reading 
when  a  young  man,  and  was  employed  by  a  corporation 
as  a  teamster,  an  occupation  which  he  followed  all  of 
his  life.  In  religious  belief  he  was  a  Quaker.  He  and 
his  wife  were  the  parents  of  these  children :  Thomas 
A.,  William,  Harrison,  Annie  (m.  Jacob  Carl),  Alice 
(m.  James  Reigel),  Jemima  (m.  Joseph  Levan)  and  two 
children  died  in  infancy.  Isaac  Boyer  died  in  1896,  aged 
seventy-two  years,  and  his  wife  in  1894,  when  sixty- 
nine  years  of  age. 

Thomas  A.  Boyer  received  his  literary  training  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  city  of  his  nativity,  and  when 
a  young  man  was  employed  by  the  Reading  Pipe  Mill, 
with  which  concern  he  remained  for  a  period  of  ten 
years.  In  1883  he  commenced  the  manufacture  of  rag 
carpets,  in  which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time, 
with  much  success.  He  has  a  large  and  profitable  bus- 
iness, his  factory  being-  located  at  the  corner  of  Pearl 
and  Bingaman  streets,  and  in  addition  to  carpets  he  han- 
dles  rugs,   linoleums,   oil   cloth  and   art   squares. 

Mr.  Boyer  was  married  in  1879  to  Hannah  E.  Snyder, 
and  both  are  valued  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  in 
which  Mr.  Boyer  has  held  various  offices,  while  Mrs. 
Boyer  is  very  active  in  church  work,  and  much  inter- 
ested in  advancing  the  cause  of  charity,  devoting  her- 
self especially  to  the  finding  of  homes  for  homeless 
and  friendless  women  who  have  passed  the  age  of  self- 
suipport. 

DAVID  L.  HEINLY,  who,  with  his  son,  John  E.,  is 
doing  business  under  the  name  of  the  Reading  Engrav- 
ing Company,  at  Reading,  Pa.,  is  a  prominent  and  influ- 
ential business  man  of  that  city.  He  was  born  on  the 
old  homestead  farm,  near  Virginville,  Berks  county,  Jan 
31,  1836,  son  of  George,  and  grandson  of  John  George 
Heinly. 


53a 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


David  L.  Heinly  was  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
and  then  engaged  in  a  general  store  business  at  South 
Evansville  from  1858  to  1867,  and  then  went  to  Ham- 
burg, where  he  conducted  a  similar  establishment  for 
four  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  hardware  business, 
with  his  brother  William,  for  eight  years,  the  next  four 
years  traveled  for  the  Bard  Reber  Hardware  Co.,  Read- 
ing, and  the  following  eighteen  years  for  the  Seltzer- 
Klahr  Hdw.  Co.,  of  Philadelphia.  He  then  engaged  in  the 
engraving  business  with  his  son,  John  E.,  as  the  Read- 
ing Engraving  Company,  at  No.  604  Court  street,  and 
this  venture  has  proved  a  great  success.  Mr.  Heinly 
belongs  to  St.  Luke's  Liutheran  Church.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat,  was  a  school  director  at  Evansville  and  a 
councilman  at  Hamburg. 

David  L.  Heinly  belongs  to  the  Masons,  having  joined 
that  Order  in  1869.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Blue 
Lodge  since  that  time,  and  has  been  a  Knight  Templar 
since  1886.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  Odd  Fellows, 
having  joined  that  order  in  1870.  The  Heinly  family 
has  an  association  and  holds  annual  reunions,  the  last' 
few  having  been  held  at  Kutztown  Park.  David  L.  Hein- 
ly is  president  of  the  association,  which  numbers  from 
500  to  600  people,  and  one  of  his  sons,  Harvey  F.  Hein- 
ly, a  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this 
volume,  is  secretary. 

John  E.  Heinly,  his  father's  partner  in  the  engraving 
business,  was  born  July  8,  1867,  at  Hamburg,  and  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools.  He  learned  the  trade 
of  engraver  and  worked  at  this  occupation  for  some 
years  in  New  York,  starting  in  that  business  at  Read- 
ing in  1890.  Mr.  Heinly  was  married  May  33,  1895, 
to  Bess  Maguire,  daughter  of  William  Maguire,  deceased, 
of  Reading,  and  four  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union :  Martha,  Katheryn,  Marian  and  David,  the  first 
two  named  at  school.  Mr.  lieinly  belongs  to  St.  Luke's 
Lutheran  Church.     Like  his  father  he  is  a  Democrat. 

C.  GILBERT  STEI--FE,  late  of  Reading,  was  in  the 
service  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company 
for  over  fifty  years  before  his  retirement,  in  1904.  For 
a  number  of  years  previously  he  acted  as  general  road 
foreman  for  the  company.  He  was  an  expert  in  his 
line  and  recognized  as  such  in  railroad  circles  all  over 
the   country. 

Mr.  Steffe  was  a  native  of  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  born 
in  Earl  township,  Jan.  26,  1834,  son  of  Frederick  and 
Annia  (linger)  Steffe,  who  were  farming  people.  Some- 
what late  in  life  his  father  went  to  Ohio,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  and  remained  to  the  close 
of  his   days.  ,   j 

Mr.  Steffe  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  the  public 
schools  of  Earl  township,  helping  his  father  at  farm- 
ing. At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  came  to  Reading,  where 
he  became  an  apprentice  in  the  machine  shop  of  the  Phil- 
adelphia &  Reading  Company.  He  remained  in  the  shops 
there  three  years,  for  he  had  determined  even  then  to 
learn  the  business  of  practical  railroading  from  the  very 
beginning.  In  1855  he  began  on  the  road  as  brakeman, 
and  later  was  fireman  on  both  passenger  and  freight  en- 
gines, all  of  which  at  that  time  burned  wood.  During 
the  years  1853-54  he  was  on  the  Williamsport  branch, 
with  Reading  engines,  in  1855  returning  to  Reading,  and 
becoming  fireman  for  passenger  trains  on  the  well  known 
"Mohawk"  and  other  engin.es  then  quite  famous.  Pic 
was  made  fireman  for  the  "Illinois,"  the  first  engine  in 
the  United  States  to  burn  anthracite  coal. 

In  1858  Mr.  Steffe  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  en- 
gineer, running  trains  on  the  main  line.  When  the  Civil 
war  broke  out  he  and  others  connected  with  the  motive 
department  of  the  road,  evinced  a  desire  to  enlist  in  the 
service  of  the  Union,  but  the  superintendent  requested 
them  to  stand  by  the  railroad,  arguing  that  they  were 
needed  there  as  badly  as  at  the  front.  The  superintend- 
ent then  went  to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  after  an  inter- 
view with  Lincoln  and  Stanton  secured  exemption  pap- 
ers for  Mr.  Steffe  and  others  whose  services  he  wished 
to   retain.      During   the   battle    of    Gettysburg,   Mr.    Steffe 


was  under  orders  to  hold  a  train  at  Harrisburg,  ready 
to  take  all  the  valuable  documents  there  to  Philadelphia 
in  case  of  Lee's  victory.  In  1866  he  was  appointed  en- 
gine examiner,  to  take  charge  of  the  engines  as  they  came 
out  of  the  shops,  and  he  remained  in  that  position  until 
1871.  In  that  year  he  was  sent  with  efficient  help  to  in- 
stall what  was  known  as  the  "pop  valves"  over  the  whole 
system.  His  mind  was  constantly  on  the  alert  for  a  solu- 
tion of  the  various  problems  of  his  work,  and  in  1876 
he  assisted  in  the  arrangement  of  a  means  of  improv- 
ing engines  so  that  they  could  burn  all  kinds  oi  fuel,  and 
especially  fine  anthracite  coal. 

Through  all  these  years  Mr.  Steffe  was  steadily  gain- 
ing recognition  as  an  expert  in  his  line,  and  when,  in 
March,  1878,  the  great  engine  "412"  was  made  in  the 
Reading  shops,  to  be  sent  to  the  Paris  Exposition,  he 
oversaw  its  packing  and  shipment,  and  then  went  over 
to  France  to  install  it  in  its  place.  Returning  in  July 
of  that  year,  he  spent  some  time  in  experimental  work 
on  the  New  England  railroads  in  the  interest  of  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company,  and  in  Octo- 
ber, 1878,  made  a  second  trip  to  Paris  to  install  "413" 
on  the  road.  During  the  winter  of  1878  and  spring  of 
1879,  prior  to  the  opening  of  the  exposition  he  traveled 
through  France  operating  the  engine  on  the  different 
railroads  in  that  country,  and  thence  went  to  Switzer- 
land, Germany,  and  Italy,  running  his  engine  in  each 
of  these  countries.  In  November,  1879,  he  returned  to 
America  with  his  engine,  on  his  arrival  in  America  being 
appointed  road  foreman  of  engines  with  headquarters 
in  Philadelphia.  There  he  remained  until  transferred  to 
Reading  in  1888,  as  general  road  foreman,  a  position 
he  was  still  holding  when  put  on  the  company's  retired 
list,  March  2,  1904,  after  a  faithful  service  of  just  fifty- 
two  years.  When  Mr.  Steffe  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Reading  Company  they  had  only  between  fifty-five  and 
sixty  engines,  and  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  the  equip- 
ment included  eleven  hundred.  Though  all  of  this  large 
number  were  under  his  charge  he  was  able  to  locate 
any  engine  and  day  of  the  year,  a  feat  considered  remark- 
able even  among  railroad  men.  During  his  career  he 
had  many  experiences  not  included  in  the  duties  of  the 
average  railroad  man,  and  was  called  upon  to  exercise  his 
resourcefulness  in  various  unusual  circumstances.  While 
at  Milan,  competing  with  the  French,  English  and  Ital- 
ian engine  builders,  he  had  some  exciting  as  well  as 
enjoyable  experiences.  It  was  necessary  for  him  to  be 
constantly  on  his  guard  against  the  Italians,  who  made 
every  conceivable  effort  to  create  the  impression  that 
the  American  engine  was  not  equal  to  theirs,  especially 
as  regarded  consumption  of  fuel.  But  Mr.  Steffe  was 
ready  at  every  turn,  and  succeeded  in  convincing  the 
judges  that  the  Americans  were  not  only  the  best  builders 
but  also  capable  of  caring  for  their  own  interests. 

Mr.  Steffe  enjoyed  nearly  half  a  century  of  happy  mar- 
ried life.  Wedded  in  June,  1858,  to  Esther,  daughter  of 
John  Hill,  their  union  was  unbroken  until  March  25,  1905, 
when  Mrs.  Steffe  passed  from  this  world.  She  left  no 
children.  Mr.  Steffe  continued  to  reside  at  No.  106 
North  Ninth  street,  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
Mr.  Steffe  was  a  member  of  a  number  of  organizations, 
principally  of  fraternal  character,  and  he  was  an  enthusi- 
astic Mason,  belonging  to  Lodge  No.  63,  F.  &  A.  M. ; 
Reading  Chapter,  No.  152,  R.  A.  M. ;  De  Molay  Com- 
mandery,  No.  9 ;  and  Philadelphia  Consistory.  On  Sept. 
19,  1893,  the  Thirty-third  degree  was  conferred  upon  him, 
in  Chicago,  and  he  was  enrolled  as  an  Honorary  Member 
of  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite  for  the  Northern  IMasonic  Jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  and  on  the  same  date  was 
made  a  member  of  the  Royal  Order  of  Scotland.  Mr. 
Steffe  was  also  a  member  of  the  Philadelphia  Veteran 
Association.  In  Maj',  1907,  Mr.  Steffe  attended  the  Ma- 
sonic gathering  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  and  was  on  his  way 
home  in  the  train  wrecked  in  Honda,  Cal.,  Mav  11th, 
meeting  his   death   in   that   frightful   accident. 

Mr.  Steffe  was  a  man  of  real  achievement,  actively  con- 
cerned  in   the   forwarding  of  our   country's   material   ad- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


533 


vancement,  and  his  work  won  the  unstinted  respect  of  all 
informed  on  the  general  subject  of  railroading. 

THOMAS  JEFFERSON  OBERLIN,  a  school  teach- 
er in  Berks  county  for  over  twenty-three  years,  and  a 
wholesale  florist  of  Sinking  Spring,  was  born  at  Schaef- 
ferstown,  Lebanon  county,  June  21,  1850,  son  of  Levi 
Schaeffer  and  Elizabeth  (Spangler)  Oberlin.  He  was 
educated  in  the  local  schools,  the  Palatinate  College  and 
the  Ursinus  College,  qualifying  himself  for  the  pro- 
fession of  teaching.  In  1868  when  eighteen  years  of 
age,  he  began  teaching  public  school  in  the  vicinity  of 
Epler's  Church,  in  Bern  township,  Berks  county,  and  he 
continued  teaching  in  different  parts  of  the  county  until 
1876,  when  he  located  at  Sinking  Spring,  and  a  year  lat- 
er opened  a  private  school.  He  there  established  an  in- 
stitution under  the  name  of  the  Charter  Oak  Academy, 
in  the  Mull  Mansion,  which  he  carried  on  successfully 
for  fifteen  years,  being  supported  by  pupils  from  the 
village  and  vicinity.  Then  the  township  school  directors 
erected  a  large  two-story  brick  building,  and  established 
graded  schools,  which  caused  Prof.  Oberlin  to  abandon 
his  academy.  Having  made  a  special  study  of  botany 
and  flowers  since  his  boyhood,  he  naturally  turned  his 
attention  to  the  extensive  cultivation  of  flowers,  and  he 
has  pursued  this  business  in  the  line  of  cut  flowers 
during_  the  spring,  summer  and  fall  seasons  until  the  present 
time,  in  a  very  successful  manner,  making  almost  daily 
shipments  to  large  wholesale  dealers  in  Philadelphia  and 
New  York. 

Prof.  Oberlin  made  a  valuable  collection  of  the  flora 
in  Berks  county,  which  he  arranged  and  classified  scien- 
tifically, the  specimens  numbering  over  1,000,  and  including 
several  species  which  are  exceedingly  rare.  Among 
these  he  found  the  very  rare  orchid,  Pogonia  affinis,  C. 
F.  Austin,  in  June,  1883,  in  Cumru  township,  this  county, 
the  third  station  known  for  it  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
fourth  in  the  United  States.  This  specimen  was  deposited 
in  the  herbarium  of  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Pa.  For 
this  extraordinary  work  of  classifying  the  Berks  flora,  he 
was  highly  complimented  by  the  late  Prof.  Thomas  C. 
Porter,  of  Lafayette  College,  the  recognized  authority  on 
botany  in  Pennsylvania.  Apropos  of  the  subject  of  botany. 
Prof.  Oberlin,  in  July,  1907,  read  a  very  practical  paper, 
"The  Redemption  of  the  Hog  Backs,"  before  the  Florists' 
Club  of  Philadelphia,  at  its  session  in  Horticultural  Hall, 
which  paper  was  widely  published  in  the  floral  journals 
of  this  country. 

Upon  locating  in  Sinking  Spring  Prof.  Oberlin  identi- 
fied himself  with  St.  John's  Reformed  Church,  and  he 
took  an  active  part  in  organizing  the  first  Reformed 
Sunday-school  in  the  village  and  became  its  first  superin- 
tendent, serving  in  this  position  for  several  years.  Since 
1897  he  has  been  officiating  as  a  member  of  the  consistory, 
acting  as  secretary  of  that  body. 

In  1902  Prof.  Oberlin  laid  out  the  Mull  plantation  in  the 
eastern  section  of  the  village  into  building  lots,  which  num- 
ber altogether  nearly  1,000,  and  a  considerable  part  of 
these  lots  have  been  sold.  They  have  taken  the  local 
name  of  "Oberlin's  addition." 

Prof.  Oberlin  married  Eva  Ann  Mull,  daughter  of  Reu- 
ben Mull,  of  Sinking  Spring,  and  widow  of  Dr.  William 
J.  Thirwechter,  of  Stouchsbutg.  By  her  he  has  four 
children:  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Irvin  R.  Huyett;  Eva  Maria, 
Mrs.  Harry  W.  Burgner;  Frederica,  Mrs.  Floyd  E. 
Groff ;  and  Reuben  L.  Mrs.  Oberlin  had  a  daughter  by  her 
first  husband,  Marguerite,  who  married  Dr.  Thomas  G. 
Binkley,  a  practicing  physician  at  Sinking  Spring. 

Levi  Schaeffer  Oberlin  was  born  in  1818  and  died  in  1893. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Spangler,  and  had  these  childreri : 
Thomas  J.;  William  Wallace,  m.  Lillie  F.  Sallade;  Levi 
F.  .m.  Eveline  A.  K.  Myers ;  Ida  Elizabeth  m.  Daniel  F. 
Lynch;  John  Charles  m.  Kate  V.  Souders;  Tamar  A.  m. 
Harry  T.  Myers;  and  George  F.,  died  in  infancy. 

Frederick  Oberlin,  father  of  Levi  S.,  and  grandfather 
of  Thomas  J.,  was  born  near  Schaefferstown,  Lebanon 
county,  in  1775i  For  many  years  he  was  the  owner  and 
landlord  of  the  "Franklin  House"  at  Schaefferstown,  which 


was  built  by  Alexander  SchaeflFer  in  1746.  He  died  in 
1840.  He  married  Maria  Schaeffer,  daughter  of  Capt. 
Henry  Schaeffer,  and  granddaughter  of  Alexander  Schaeff- 
er. 

John  Adam  Oberlin,  lather  of  Frederick,  married  Mar- 
garet Stober,  and  his  father,  the  great-great-grandfather 
of  Thomas  J.,  was  Michael  Oberlin,  who  emigrated  from 
Germany  in  1751,  and  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  SchaeflFers- 
town. 

Capt.  Henry  Schaeffer,  father  of  Mrs.  Maria  (Schaeff- 
er) Oberlin,  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and 
his  company  was  included  in  the  Second  Battalion  of  Penn- 
sylvania Associators  from  Lancaster  county.  This  com- 
pany was  engaged  in  active  "service  in  the  battle  of  Long 
Island,  in  August,  1776.  In  1777  and  1778  he  served  as  a 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  as  such  administered  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  more  than  360  persons  at  Schaefferstown. 
He  married  Anna  Eva  Schweitzer,  by  whom  he  had  six 
children,  of  whom  Maria  was  the  third.  Capt.  Schaeffer's 
father,  Alexander  Schaeffer,  was  born  in  1712  in  the  Pal- 
atinate, Germany,  and  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  in  1738, 
landing  at  Philadelphia.  He  was  accompanied  by  his 
wife  and  several  children.  It  was  he  who  laid  out  and 
founded   Schaefferstown  in   1758. 

EDWARD  PENGELLY,  one  of  the  substantial  men  of 
Reading^  senior  member  of  the  printing  firm  of  Edward 
Pengelly  &  Brother,  was  born  in  1856,  in  Cornwall,  Eng- 
land, son  of  Michael  and  Frances   (Merrifield)   Pengelly. 

Michael  Pengelly  came  to  the  United  States  in  1866, 
having  previously  worked  as  a  miner  in  Chile,  South  Amer- 
ica, for  six  years.  He  died  in  Nevada  City,  Cal.,  in  1867. 
His  widow  came  to  America  in  1873.  with  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  namely :  Emily,  Edward,  Harriet  and  James 
H.    In  religious  belief  the  family  are  Methodists. 

Edward  Pengelly  was  seventeen  years  old  when  he  ac- 
companied .  his  mother  to  America,  locating  at  Reading, 
Pa.  Ten  days  later,  Oct.  13,  1873,  he  entered  the  office 
of  the  Reading  Eagle  as  an  apprentice,  where  he  worked 
until  1880,  when  he  was  engaged  as  a  compositor  on  the 
Reading  News,  where  he  continued  for  six  years,  or  until 
it  suspended.  Mr.  Pengelly  then  went  West  and  for  a 
time  worked  at  Butte  City,  Montana,  and  later  at  Center- 
ville,  a  suburb  of  Butte,  where  he  was  foreman  for  six 
months  of  the  Mining  Journal  under  Mr.  Penrose,  who 
was  later  murdered.  He  then  returned  to  Reading,  and, 
in  company  with  five  other  practical  printers,  started  the 
Daily  Telegram,  retaining  his  interest  for  four  years, 
when  he  sold  out  and  entered  into  partnership  with  Adam 
G.  Harner  in  book  and  job  printing.  They  began  business 
under  the  name  of  Harner  &  Pengelly,  and  the  partnership 
lasted  until  1899.  On  May  10th  of  that  year  the  present 
firm  was  organized,  under  the  name  of  Edward  Pengelly  & 
Brother,  and  they  control  a  fair  share  of  the  better  class 
of  the  printing  trade  of  Reading. 

In  1893  Mr.  Pengelly  was  married  to  Emma  G.  Boyer, 
daughter  of  Alvin  N.  Boyer,  and  they  have  one  daughter, 
Frances  Merrifield.  In  1884  Mr.  Pengelly  became  identi- 
fied with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a  member  of  St. 
John's  Lodge,  No.  435.  He  belongs  also  to  Mount  Penn 
Lodge,  I.  0.  O.  F.  In  politics  he  is  independent.  In  1903 
Mr.  Pengelly  -enjoyed  a  pleasant  visit  to  his  old  home  in 
England. 

JOSEPH  D.  C.  UMBLE.  One  of  the  familiar  figures 
in  the  public  life  of  Reading  is  Joseph  D.  C.  Umble,  pro- 
prietor of  the  "Mansion  House,"  a  hotel  favorably  known, 
throughput  the  East.  Since  1893  Mr.  Umble  has  in  some 
way,  or  in  some  capacity,  been  identified  with  the  "Man- 
sion." He  is  the  son  of  Capt.  Joseph  and  Phoebe  (Dick- 
inson) Umble_,  the  former  a  prominent  figure  in  the  poli- 
tical and  business  life  of  Lancaster  county,  and  one  of 
the  well-known  veterans  of  the  Civil  war.  He  died  in  Read- 
ing, March  1,  1905,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven. years.  At 
the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  in- 
terest himself  in  his  country's  defense,  raised  a  company, 
went  at  once  to  the  front,  participating  in  all  the  privations 
that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  soldier.    After  the  war  he  was 


534 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


prominent  in  civil  life,  being  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  register  of  wills  of  Lancaster  coun- 
ty during  1882-83-84.  Mrs.  Umble,  mother  of  Joseph  D. 
C.,  together  with  her  two  daughters,  Anna  Mary  and  Ida 
E.,  have  their  home  at  the  "Mansion  House,"  and  assist 
in  its  management.  Phoebe  E.,  the  third  daughter,  is  the 
wife  of  R.  M.  Breneiser,  a  wholesale  tobacconist  of  Read- 
ing. The  father  of  Mrs.  Umble  was  Henry  Dickinson, 
one  of  the  prominent  husbandmen  of  Lancaster  county.  _ 

Joseph  D.  C.  Umble  was  born  in  Salisbury  township, 
Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  March  26,  1867.  He  passed  the  for- 
mative period  of  his  life  on  the  home  farm,  securing  a  good 
common  school  education  in  the  village  of  Christiana,  and 
in  the  Yeates  Institute  at  Lancaster.  When  his  father  was 
elected  to  the  ofSce  of  register  of  wills,  he  entered  the 
office  as  his  clerk.  This  was  in  January,  1882.  In  1885 
he  took  a  position  with  the  ■  Pennsylvania  Steel  Company, 
at  Steelton,  as  clerk  to  the  manager  of  their  commissary 
department,  and  in  the  experience  he  secured  in  that  line 
in  the  following  four  years,  lies  the  secret  of  his  success 
in  the  hotel  business  at  a  later  period.  Coming  to  Read- 
ing about  this  time,  he  was  variously  employed  for  sever- 
al years,  in  different  service  for  the  railroads.  The  point 
to  be'  noticed  is  that  he  was  always  "employed"  and  to 
this  his  advancement  and  prosperity  may  be  ascribed.  In 
the  spring  of  1904,  he  became  proprietor  of  the  "Mansion 
House,"  having  previously  served  there  as  clerk  and  mana- 
ger, and  it  is  needless  to  add  that  these  experiences  well 
equipped  him  for  the  fuller  responsibilities.  It  is  but  fair 
to  state  that  under  the  present  liberal  regime  the  house 
has  come  into  much  favor.  The  hotel  is  complete  in  every 
detail,  thoroughly  accoutered,  and  spacious  enough  for  the 
accommodation  of  150  guests.  Whether  by  endowment  or 
acquisition,  no  matter,  we  find  in  Mr.  Umble  a  man  of 
pleasing  manners  and  personality,  to  which  no  doubt  his 
popularity  is  attributable.  To  the  prince,  pilgrim  or  peas- 
-  ant,  the  same  welcome  and  hospitality  meted  to  one,  is 
measured  to  all,  when  within  the  doors  where  "Joe"  Umble 
presides. 

Mr.  Umble  is  a  prominent  member  of  several  of  the  most 
popular  fraternal  and  club  organizations  of  the  city,  among 
them  being  the  Elks,  the  Masons,  the  Berkshire  Country 
Club,  Wyomissing  Club,  and  he  is  quite  active  in  the  State 
Association  of  Hotel  Men.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
though  he  takes  little  part  in  such  matters,  aside  from 
casting  his  vote  on  'election  day. 

GLYNDEUR  HICKMAN,  D.  D.  S.,  a  prominent  den- 
tist of  Reading,  was  born  in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  Sept.  6, 
1863,  son  of  John  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Lamborn)  Hickman, 
and  a  grandson  of  Benjamin  and  Julia  A.  (McFarland) 
Hickman.  Benjamin  Hickman  located  at  Brag  Hill,  Ches- 
ter county,  and  there  cultivated  a  farm  all  of  his  life. 

Dr.  Glyndeur  Hickman  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Chester  county,  and  then  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  R.  L. 
McClellan,  where  he  studied  dentistry  for  five  years.  In 
1885  he  entered  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College,  and 
graduated  therefrom  in  ]886.  Two  years  later  he  located 
in  Reading,  and  here  he  has  resided  ever  since,  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession.  His  well  appointed 
offices  are  located  at  No.  35  South  Fifth  street.  Dr.  Hick- 
man is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  R.  M.  and  the  Royal  Arca- 
num. 

In  1887  Dr.  Hickman  married  Mary  E.  Thompson,  and 
two  children  have  been  bom  to  this  union,  namely :  J.  Earl 
and  Roy  L.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  In  his  political  affiliations  he  is  connected  with 
the  Republican  party. 


HOWARD  ERASMUS  GERHARDT,  dealer  in  pianos 
and  all  kinds  of  musical  instruments,  was  born  Jan.  18, 
1879,  in  Millersburg,  Bethel  P.  O.,  Berks  county,  Pa.,  son 
of  Dr.   Erasmus  and  Agnes   (Weber)    Gerhart. 

The  Gerhardt  family  is  of  German  descent,  and  Mr.  How- 
ard E.  Gerhardt  has  succeeded  in  tracing  his  line  back  to 
(I)  Christian  Gerhardt,  Burgomaster  of  Grafenhaininchen, 
Saxony,  Germany,  who  died  July  11,  1637.     His  wife  was 


Anna  Dobler,  daughter  of  Gallus  Dobler,  Court  Chaplain 
at  Dresden.     They  became  the  parents  of  a  son,  Paul. 

(II)  Paul  Gerhardt,  son  of  Christian  and  Anna  (Dob- 
ler, was  born  March  12,  1607,  and  he  died  June  7,  1676. 
On  Feb.  11,  1655,  he  married  Anna  Maria  Berthold,  daugh- 
ter of  Andrew  Berthold.  Paul  Gerhardt  was  known  as  a 
religious  poet,  the  Luther  of  the  seventeenth  century 
hymnology. 

(III)  Paul  Frederick  Gerhardt,  son  of  Paul  and  Anna 
Maria   (Berthold),  was  born  Aug.  2,  1662. 

(IV)  Christopher  Gerhardt,  son  of  Paul  Frederick,  died 
Aug.  15,  1736. 

(V)  William  Gerhardt  was  a  son  of  Christopher. 
■(VI)    Frederick   Gerhardt,    son   of   William,   was   born 

March  26,  1714,  in  Langenselbold,  Dukedom  of  Isenberg, 
Germany.  He  emigrated  to  America  prior  to  the  Revolu- 
tion. On  Jan.  22,  1737,  he  married  Elizabeth  Fisher,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Fisher.  With  their  son  John  Peter,  born  Oct. 
28,  1737,  they  emigrated  to  America,  landing  at  Philadel- 
phia, Aug.  27,.  1739,  having  made  the  voyage  on  the  ship 
"Samuel,"  Hugh  Percy,  commander.  Shortly  after  their 
arrival  in  Philadelphia,  the  wife  died,  and  Frederick  Ger- 
hardt located  in  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  county,  where, 
Feb.  14,  1740,  he  married  a  widow,  Barbara  Rieger.  On 
Dec.  1,  1768,  he  purchased  of  George  Brendle,  a  tract  of 
seventy  acres  of  land  in  Heidelberg  township.  By  trade 
he  was  a  wagoner.  His  parents  had  been  members  of  the 
German  Reformed  church,  but  through  a  sermon 
preached  in  1742  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ruettner,  a  Moravian 
minister,  he  became  a  member  of  Reed's  Church,  and  subse- 
quently he  became  one  of  the  principal  founders  of  the 
Moravian  Brethren  in  North  Heidelberg  township,  known 
as  the  Herrn  Hiiter  Church.  As  an  elder  of  the  Mora- 
vian Church  he  attended  the  first  public  convention  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  Pennsylvania,  held  Aug.  29,  1743. 
He  died  Nov.  30,  1779,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  ad- 
joining the  church.  Through  the  efforts  of  a  grandson, 
John  K.  Gerhardt,  a  monument  was  erected  by  subscrip- 
tion. Frederick  Gerhardt  was  the  father  of  ten  children, 
namely:    (1)   John   Peter  Gerhart,  born  Oct.  2§,  1737,  m. 

Elizabeth  ,  and  had  one  child,  Andreas   (born  Oct. 

13,  1791,  died  Oct.  31.  1791),  and  was  buried  at  Host 
Church.  (2)  Conrad  Gerhard,  born  Nov.  22,  1740,  was 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Heidelberg  township 
until  1808,  when  he  retired  from  business  and  located  in 
Philadelphia.  In  1768  he  m.  Rachael  Rogaert  Ysselstein, 
and  they  had  seven  children — Rachael,  Elizabeth,  William, 
Mary,  John,  Elonora  and  Thomas.  In  1815  he  m.  (second) 
Elizabeth  Jungmann,  daughter  of  Rev.  George  Jungmann. 
There  were  no  children  by  this  marriage.  (3)  EHzabeth 
Gerhardt  was  born  Sept.  29,  1743.  (4)  Frederick  Ger- 
hard, born  Sept.  23,  1744,  m.  Susanna  Dundor,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Anna  INIaria  Dundor.  In  his  will,  dated 
Nov.  30,  1822,  he  mentions  three  sons  and  two  daughters : 
Frederick  (1780-1845)  m.  Magdalena  Troutman,  and  had 
eleven  children;  Jacob,  who  m.  (first)  a  Miss  Leiss,  had 
two  sons,  and  (second)  Catharine  Magdalena  Schock, 
and  had  eight  children ;  John  died  in  1852 ;  Anna  Maria 
m.  Jacob  Ebling;  and  Barbara  m.  a  Mr.  Strauss,  and  died 
in  1840.  (5)  Johannes  Gerhart,  born  Feb.  12,  1747,  lo- 
cated in  the  neighborhood  of  Swamp  Church  in  Lancaster 
county,  and  there  he  and  his  wife.  Susanna  Rhoads,  are 
buried.  They  had  nine  children:  Peter,  John,  Frederick. 
Jacob,  William,  Susannah,  Barbara,  Christian  and  a  daugh- 
ter who  married  a  Mr.  Bixler.  (6)  Anna  Maria  Gerhart, 
born  June  13,  1750.  m.  Jacob  Meahlaesen.  (7)  Jacob  was 
born  Jan  1,  1752.  (8)  Anthony  Gerhart,  born  Feb.  10, 
1754,  died  in  infancy,  (9)  Anna  Rosina  Gerhart,  born 
Oct.  29,  1755,  m.  Henry  Burkholder,  and  had  children: 
Daniel,  Peter,  Jacob,  Elizabeth,  Samuel,  Sally  and  Maria, 
(10)   Catharine  Gerhart  was  born  Oct,  2,  1758, 

(VII)  Jacob  Gerhart,  son  of  Frederick  by  his  second 
marriage,  was  born  Jan.  1,  1752.  By  his  father's  will 
dated  Nov.  26,  1779,  he  received  the  old  homestead.  He 
was  a  private  in  Capt.  Ferdinand  Ritter's  Company,  6th 
Battalion,  Berks  county  militia,  commanded  by  Joseph 
Hiester  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  in  1780.  He 
died  Dec.   13,   1808,   and  both  he  and  his  wife   Elizabeth 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


535 


Potteiger  (born  May  7,  1752,  died  April  25,  1824,  daugh- 
ter of  Martin  and  Susanna  Potteiger),  are  buried  at  the 
Eck  Church.  They  had  three  sons:  (1)  Martin  Gerhart, 
born  April  6,  1776,  died  Dec.  7,  1826,  m.  MargUeretha  Leiss, 
and  had  four  children :  Isaac  m.  Catharine  Klopp,  and 
had  four  children,  Kate  (m.  George  Zimmerman),  Emma 
(m.  Nick  Hunter,  and  had  two  sons,  Edward  and  Fred- 
erick), Rebecca  (m.  George  J.  Ecker't)  and  Elizabeth; 
John  Gerhart;  Elizabeth  Gerhart;  and  Elias  Gerhart.  (2) 
Frederick,  born  April  13,  1781,  is  mentioned  below.  (3) 
John  (born  April  11,  1789,  died  March  20,  1827)  m. 
Anna  Maria  Klopp  (born .  March  5,  1791,  died  Aug.  28, 
1824)  and  had  eight  children:  John  K.,  Elias,  Isaac,  Maria, 
Joel,  Nathan,  Elizabeth  and  Esther. 

(VIII)  Frederick  Gerhart,  second  son  of  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (Potteiger),  was  born  April  13,  1781,  and  died 
March  20,  1823.  He  m.  Elizabeth  Kalbach  (born  Sept.  17, 
1786,  died  April  15,  1817).  They  had  six  children:  (1) 
John  Gerhart,  born  May  24,  1805,  died  Sept.  5,  1868. 
He  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife,  Kate  Meiser 
(1805-1837),  his  children  were:  (a)  Mary  Gerhart  m. 
(first)  John  Filbert,  and  had  children — ^Henry  R.  Filbert 
(m.  Amelia  Kalbach,  and  has  eight  children,  Ella,  Anna, 
Nathaniel,  Millie,  Mary,  Ida,  Carrie  and  Charles)  ;  John 
Filbert  (m.  Emma  Stump)  ;  Agnes  Filbert  (m.  James 
Wagner)  ;  and  Emma  Filbert.  Mary  m.  (second)  Sam- 
uel Dundore,  and  to  this  marriage  were  born  four  child- 
ren :  Clara  Dundore  (m.  Clayton  Schaeffer)  ;  James  Dun- 
dore (m.  Ella  Himmelberger) ;  Thomas  Dundore  (m. 
Catharine  Burkey)  ;  and  Darius  Dundore  (m.  Kate  Hies- 
ter).  (b)  Lizzie  Gerhart  m.  Adam  Stump,  and  their  son 
Levi  m.  Emma  Seidel.  (c)  Levi  M.  Gerhart,  captain  of 
Company  G,  151st  P.  V.  I.,  in  the  Civil  war,  was  mustered 
into  service  Nov.  1,  1862.  He  m.  Elmira  Lamb,  and  their 
children  were:  Beulah,  Sallie,  James  and  Kate,  (d)  Kate 
Gerhart  m.  Adam  Stoudt,  and  had  three  children,  Ida, 
Kate  and  Levi.  John  Gerhart  m.  for  his  second  wife, 
Martha  SchuU  (1810-1878),  and  they  had  five  children: 
Ellen;  Louise  m.  John  Keener,  and  had  three  children — 
Adam,  Ella  and  Sarah;  Amelia  m.  Amos  Graul,  and  had 
one  child;  Emma  Victoria;  and  John,  (s)  Mary  Ger- 
hart (born  July  4,  1807,  died  Dec.  21,  1894,  m.  George 
Beyerle  (born  March  19,  1804,  died  Sept.  20,  1875)  and 
their  children  were:  (a)  Dr.  Wellington  G.  Beyerle  m. 
(first)  Anna  Hines,  and  had  eight  children:  George;  Flora 
Grace  (m.  Milton  H.  Fahreiibach,  and  has  two  children, 
Russel  Fahrenbach  and  Sarah  Fahrenbach)  ;  Charles ;  Wil- 
liam Percival  (m.  Hannah  Peters,  and  has  a  daughter, 
Helen)  ;  Louis  Allen  (m.  Gertrude  Heffner,  and  has  a  son, 
Wellington);  Ida  E.;  Walter  Henry;  and  Anna  Matilda 
(deceased).  Dr.  Beyerle  m.  (second)  Arabella  Daniels, 
and  they  have  one  child,  John  Franklin,  (b)  Mary  Ann 
Beyerle  m.  Rev.  Franklin  H.  Schwartz,  a  Reformed 
pastor  (no  children),  (c)  Percival  Beyerle  was  twice 
married^  but  no  records  can  be  found,  (d)  William 
Beyerle  m.  Valeria  Lesher,  and  had  three  children:  Ida 
(m.  Edward  J.  Krause,  and  has  two  children — Walter 
Krause  and  Alfred  Krause)  ;  Alice ;  and  William,  (e)  Sybil- 
la  Beyerle  m.  Dr.  John  Brobst,  and  has  six  children :  Laura 
(m.  Newton  Harrison,  and  has  four  children,  Edward,  John, 
Robert  and  Laura)  ;  Mary ;  Minnie ;  William  (m.  Victoria 
Grunwell,  and  has  three  children,  Thomas,  Robert  and 
Marshall);  Lillie;  and  Jennie.  (3)  Isaac  Gerhart,  born 
Nov.  26,  1808,  is  mentioned  farther  on.  (4)  Elizabeth 
Gerhart  (born  May  22,  1811,  died  April  4,  1880)  m. 
George  Miller  (born  July  34,  1806,  died  March  22,  1888). 
Their  children  were :  Kate,  nl.  to  Nathaniel  Kalbach ;  and 
Lizzie,  m.  to  Abraham  'S.  Groh.  (5)  Ephraim  Gerhart, 
born  Feb.  24,  1816,  -died  in  infancy.  (6)  Gabriel  Gerhart, 
born  Feb.  24,  1816  (twin  to  Ephraim),  died  December, 
1891.  He  m.  Catharine  Gruber  (born  Feb.  1,  1815,  died 
March  24,  1865),  and  their  children  were:  (a)  Emma  S. 
Gerhart  m.  John  G.  Royer,  and  had  two  children :  Kate 
(m.  Jeremiah  Hartman,  and  had  one  child,  Edith  Hart- 
man)  ;  and  Liza  Jane,  (b)  Amelia  Gerhart  m.  Adam  D. 
Stump,  and  had  children :  Laura.  Robert,  Lillie,  Florence, 
Harvey  and  Allen,  (c)  Elmira  Gerhart  m.  Monroe  Zerbe, 
and  had  children :  Charles ;  Laura   (m.  John  Bohn)  ;  Ed- 


ward; Lovey;  and  Cora,     (d)  Jonathan,     (e)  Amos  Ger- 
hart died  unmarried. 

(IX)  Isaac  Gerhart,  son  of  Frederick  and  Elizabeth 
(Kalbach),  was  born  Nov.  26,  1808,  and  died  July  12,  1894. 
He  m.  Elizabeth  Kurr  (born  July  3,  1813,  died  May  9, 
1898).  Their  six  children  were:  (1)  Emma  Gerhart,  born 
May  24,  1836,  m.  Charles  H.  Zieber  (born  Aug.  13,  1840). 
(2)  Ephraim  J.  Gerhart,  born  July  1,  1837,  m.  Mary  Brown 
(born  Feb.  11,  1845)  and  has  children:  Lizzie  m.  John 
Lindenmuth;  Emma,  born  Feb.  24,  1871,  m.  Wall  Piefer; 
Charles  W.,  born  Feb.  19,  1873,  and  died  Aug.  1,  1873; 
and  Paul  W.,  born  June  13,  1882.  (3)  Minnie  Gerhart 
was  born  Nov.  11,  1839.  (4)  Erasmus,  born  June  25, 
1843,  is  mentioned  in  full  below.  (5)  Meranda  Gerhart 
and  (6)   Celissia  Gerhart  died  in  infancy. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Kurr)  Gerhart,  wife  of  Isaac,  was 
born  July  3,  1813,  and  died  May  9,  1893.  She  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  Kurr  (died  March  38,  1863,  aged  eighty-one) 
and  Mary  (Rehrer)  (died  Sept.  9,  1875,  aged  eighty-one), 
a  granddaughter  of  Thomas  Kurr  (who  died  Nov.  28, 
1832,  aged  seventy-eight  years)  and  of  Godfried  Rehrer 
(State  Representative  m  1819  and  1822,  who  died  Sept.  33, 
1823),  and  great-granddaughter  of  Thomas  Kurr,  Sr. 
(Deacon  in  1757  of  the  AdtoUohoe  or  German  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church,  Rehrersburg)  and  of  Godfrey  Rehrer 
(who  in  1768' had  a  tavern  in  Rehrersburg,  where  in  1789 
was  the  voting  place  of  the  4th  District). 

(X)  Erasmus  Gerhart,  M.  D.,  born  June  35,  1842,  son 
of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Kurr),  died  July  27,  1896.  He 
was  enrolled  Oct.  7,  1858,  as  a  student  in  Swatara  College 
at  Jonestown,  and  on  Nov.  3,  1859,  at  Freeland  Seminary, 
Perkiomen  Bridge,  Montgomery  county.  On  Oct  10, 
1864,  he  entered  the  Medical  Department  of  the  University^ 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  therefrom  March  14,' 
1867,  with  the  degree  of  Doctorem  in  Arte  Medica.  On 
Dec.  24,  1875,  he  m.  Agnes  Weber  (born  Feb.  13,  1853), 
and  their  children  were :  Gertrude  Charlotte,  born  July 
1,  1877,  m.  Hunter  Henninger,  and  has  two  children, 
Marian  and  John  Hunter;  Howard  Erasmus,  born  Jan. 
18,  1879,  is  the  subject  proper -of  this  sketch;  Ida  May, 
born  April  20,  1881,  m.  Harry  E.  German,  and  has  one 
son,  Robert  German  (born  Dec.  24,  1906)  ;  John  Isaac, 
born  May  30,  1884;  and  Sophia  Elizabeth  and  Florence 
Grace   (twins),  born  Jan.  19,  1893. 

Mrs.  Agnes  (Weber)  Gerhart  was  born  Feb.  13,  1853, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Sophia  (Snyder)  Weber.  John 
Wieber  was  born  in  1833,  and  died  in  1900,  son  of  John 
Adam  Weber  (born  July  13,  1788,  died  March  12,  1849) 
and  his  wife  Juliana  Bordner  (born  May  31,  1791,  died 
Sept.  26,  1869),  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Ensign  Jacob 
Bordner  (born  1754,  died  1837,  Capt.  Lesher's  Company, 
Col.  Patton's  Battalion,  Berks  county  militia,  1776)  and 
his  wife  Anna  Maria  Brosz  (1761-1839).  John  Adam 
Weber  was  a  son  of  Henry  Weber.  (1758-1799)  and  Mar- 
garet (Meyer)  Weber,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Court  Mar- 
tial Man  Valentine  Meyer,  of  the  6th  Company,  6th  Bat- 
talion, 1777.  Henry  Weber  was  a  son  of  John  Henry 
Weber  (born  May  38,  1737,  died  April  10,  1815)  and  his 
wife  Elizabeth   Filbert    (1741-1813). 

Mrs.  Sophia  (Snyder)  Weber,  mother  of  Mrs.  Agn^s 
(Weber)  Gerhart,  was  born  in  1830,  and  died  in  1896.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Peter  Snyder  (1803-1860)  and  his  wife 
Eva  Rieth  (1806-1871).  Peter  Snyder  was  a  son  of  George 
Snyder,  Jr.,  and  his  wife  Katharine  Koebe,  and  a  grand- 
son of  George  Snyder,  Sr.  (the  maiden  name  of  whose 
wife  was  Rehrer).  Eva  (Rieth)  Snyder  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  J.  Adam  Rieth  (born  1756,  died  1815,  a  fifer  in 
Capt.  Furrer's  Company,  Col.  Patton's  Battalion)  and 
Juliana  Braun  (1766-1836)  and  a  granddaughter  of  Leon- 
hard  Rieth  and  Elizabeth  Lebo,  who  donated  between 
seven  and  eight  acres  of  land  for  church  and  burial  pur- 
poses, upon  which  Reed's  church  was  built. 

(XI)  Howard  Erasmus  Gerhardt  attended  the  district 
schools  of  Bethel  township,  and  later  he  taught  school  for 
one  term  in  Brecknock  to-(vnship.  In  the  fall  of  1897  he 
enrolled  as  a  student  at  the  Inter-State  Commercial-  Col- 
lege, Reading,  graduating  the  following  spring.  He  se- 
cured a  position  with  C.  H.  Lichty  as  stenographer,  and 


536 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


later  was  given  charge  of  the  Musical  Merchandise  and 
Sheet  Music  department,  where  he  laid  the  foundation  of 
his  successful  career.  On  May  19,  1903,  he  opened  a  musi- 
cal merchandise  and  sheet  music  store  of  his  own  at  No. 
757  Penn  street,  and  in  March,  1904,  owing  to  the  devel- 
opment of  the  business  he  was  compelled  to  procure 
larger  quarters,  moving  to  No.  809  Penn  street.  At  this 
time  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Bertrand  H.  Farr,  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  Farr  &  Gerhardt,  and  they  were 
the  sole  representatives  for  the  Aeolian  line  of  instru- 
ments, including  the  Weber,  Steck.  Wheelock  and  Stuy- 
vesant  Pianola  pianos,  the  Metrostyle  and  Themodist 
Pianolas,  the  Orchestrelle,  and  the  Sohmer,  Wegman, 
Estey  and  Becker  Bros,  pianos.  They  carried  a  complete 
line  of  musical  merchandise,  sheet  music,  Edison  and 
Victor  machines  and  records,  Regina  music  boxes,  etc. 
Mr.  Gerhardt  retired  from  the  firm  on  March  10,  1909, 
and  on  Aug.  30,  1909,  he  opened  a  complete  music  store 
of  his  own  at  No.  843  Penn  street.  He  controls  several 
well-known  piano  and  player  piano  agencies,  and  car- 
ries a  full  line  of  musical  merchandise. 

Mr.  Gerhardt  was  received  into  full  communion  in  the 
Salem  Reformed  Church,  Bethel,  by  the  rite  of  confirma- 
tion administered  by  Rev.  Henry  Hilbish,  and  a  few  yeajrs 
later  he  was  transferred  by  certificate  to  the  Second  Re- 
formed Church,  Reading.  In  his  political  faith  he  is  a 
stanch  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  followmg  fra- 
ternal organizations :  Mt.  Penn  Council,  No.  495,  Royal 
Arcanum;  Reading  Tent.  No.  426,  Knights  of  the  Macca- 
bees; Penn  Primary,  No.  2,  Prudent  Patricians  of  Pompeii; 
and  Progressive  Americans,  No.  1.  He  is  eligible  for  mem- 
bership in  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  through 
five  different  lines,  as  follows :  Jacob  Gerhard,  a  private 
in  Capt.  Ferdinand  Ritter's  Company.  6th  Battalion,  Berks 
county  mihtia,  in  1780;  Capt.  Henry  Weaver,  commissioned 
captain  of  the  6th  Company,  6th  Battalion,  Berks  county 
militia.  May  17,  1777,  Henry  Spycker,  colonel;  Court  Mar- 
tial Man  Valentine  Meyer,  6th  Company,  6th  Battalion, 
May  17,  1777;  Ensign  Jacob  Bortner  (or  Bordner),  Capt. 
Fisher's  Company,  Col.  Patton's  Battalion,  Berks  county 
militia,  Aug.  27,  1776;  and  Adam  Read  (or  Rieth),  fifer 
in  Capt.  Michael  Furrer's  Company,  Col.  John  Patton's 
Battalion.  Berks  county  militia,  stationed  at  South  Amboy, 
Sept.  5,  1776. 

On  Nov.  28.  1901,  Mr.  Gerhardt  was  married  to  Re- 
becca Rosella  Seyfert,  who  was  born  July  5,  1885,  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  Robert  and  Amelia  Catharine  (Frentzel) 
Seyfert.  To  this  union  have  been  born  two  children : 
Thelma  Seyfert,  born  May  26.  1903 ;  and  Reginald  Robert, 
born  March  7,  1906,  who  died  five  days  later. 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Rosella  (Seyfert)  Gerhardt  is  descended 
through  her  father  from  Johann  Schwank,  Mayor  of  the 
City  of  Fulda,  Germany,  in  1732,  who  was  born  at  Neisse, 
in  Schlesien,  Germany,  and  whose  son,  George  Schwank, 
also  became  mayor  of  Fulda.  John  C.  Schwank,  great- 
grandfather of  Mrs.  Gerhardt,  was  born  in  Heinfelt,  Ger- 
many, in  1796,  and  died  March  14,  1864.  Fie  m.  Elizabeth 
Schall  (also  a  native  of  Heinfelt),  and  their  daughter, 
Catharine  Schwank,  m.  Robert  Charles  Seyfert,  Band- 
master of  the  Regimental  Band  in  the  German  array  from 
the  Dukedom  of  Waldeck,  at  the  Siege  of  Paris,  and  later 
Bandmaster  at  the  Castle  at  Arolson,  the  capital  of  the 
Dukedom  of  Waldeck.  Charles  Robert  Seyfert,  son  of 
Bandmaster  Robert  Charles  and  father  of  Mrs.  (jerhardt, 
was  born  Oct.  19,  1854,  and  he  m.  Amelia  Catharine  Frent- 
zel, born  Jan.  4.  1860,  daughter  of  Frederick  William  and 
Margaret  (Snyder)  Frentzel.  Frederick  William  Frentzel 
was  born  Dec.  24,  1804,  at  Spielberg,  Kreis  Hanau,  Court 
Vagtersbag,  in  Kurhessen,  Germany,  and  died  April  18, 
1881.  Mrs.  Margaret  (Snyder)  Frentzel  was  born  Feb. 
14,  1830,  daughter  of  Philip  Snyder  (born  March,  1802, 
and  emigrated  from  the  Kingdom  of  Bavaria,  Germany), 
and  his  wife  Mary  Anna  Diller,  and  granddaughter  of 
Adam   Snyder  and  his  wife  Anna  Kline. 

MATTHAN  HARBSTER,  former  president  of  the 
Reading  Hardware  Company,  and  a  business  man  who 
has  been  prominently  identified  with  some  of  Reading's 
most   successful   enterprises,   was   born   May   18,    1831,   in 


Lehigh  county.  Pa.,  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Buchgr) 
Harbster. 

The  Harbster  family  originated  in  Germany  and  was 
founded  in  Pennsylvania  by  John  Harbster,  grandfather 
of  Matthan.  At  an  early  age  he  came  to  Berks  county, 
later  resided  in  Montgomery  and  still  later  in  Lehigh, 
where  he  died. 

Henry  Harbster,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  Berks 
county.  His  trade  was  that  of  blacksmith,  but  he  was 
also  something  of  a  machinist  and  realized  an  ample  for- 
tune from  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  cofifee-mills.  He 
married  Mary  Bucher,  and  they  had  seven  children,  Mat- 
than being  the  fourth  in  the  order  of  birth.  The  parents 
both  died  in  1860. 

Matthan  Harbster  had  what  might  be  termed  meager 
educational  opportunities,  as  he  was  but  a  lad  when  he 
began  to  contribute  to  his  own  support,  engaging  in  boat- 
ing on  the  Schuylkill  and  Juniata  canals.  After  several 
years'  experience  in  this  hard  life,  his  brother  William 
took  him  into  his  blacksmith  shop,  at  Hamburg,  to  learn 
the  trade,  where  he  also  learned  coach-making.  When 
he  had  completed  the  necessary  apprenticeship,  he  worked 
as  a  journeyman,  as  was  the  custom  then,  until  )851,  when 
the  three  brothers,  Matthan,  William  and  John,  became 
associated  in  business,  and  in  a  little  shop  at  the  foot  of 
South  Sixth  street,  under  the  firm  name  of  Harbster 
Brothers,  was  founded  the  immense  business  which  is  now 
known  all  over  the  United  States  as  the  Reading  Hardware 
Company.  All  three  brothers  were  practical  business  men, 
energetic  and  industrious,  and  the  business  was  profitable 
from  the  start.  Its  expansion  soon  made  larger  accom- 
modations necessary,  and  in  1858  the  concern  was  re-or- 
ganized, William  M.  Griscom  coming  into  the  partnership 
and  the  •  firm  name  becoming  then  Harbster  Brothers  & 
Co.,  which  continued  until  1862,  when  the  present  name 
was  adopted.  Of  the  original  partners  only  Matthan  re- 
mains, the  other  two  brothers  being  deceased. 

The  Reading  Hardware  Company  conducts  one  of  the 
largest  manufacturing  enterprises  in  the  United  States 
and  employs  2,500  men  in  turning  out  the  various  products 
and  attending  to  the  vigorous  pushing  of  the  business  at 
different  points.  The  works,  which  cover  an  area  exceed- 
ing five  acres,  comprise  substantial  brick  buildings,  three 
and  four  stories  in  height,  all  especially  constructed  for 
the  operations  carried  on  in  them,  and  all  equipped  writh 
all  the  modern  conveniences  known  in  the  business.  The 
buildings  include  large  storage  warehouses  for  the  com- 
pleted articles  of  manufacture,  shops  where  the  artistic 
finishing  is  done  by  expert  workmen,  a  japanning  build- 
ing, lock  and  general  hardware  buildings,  shops  for  drill- 
ing, plating,  bronzing  and  finishing,  machine  shop,  butt 
and  screw  factories,  and  all  of  these  have  been  completely 
furnished  with  the  best  mechanical  appliances,  serving 
to  reduce  expense  while  turning  out  better  and  better 
products  each  year.  The  Reading  Hardware  Company  has 
branch  stores  in  such  centers  as  New  York,  Philadelphia 
and  Chicago.  Its  traveling  representatives  cover  the 
whole  country  and  are  welcomed  wherever  the  excellence 
of  the  products  of  this  concern  has  been  tested.  The 
firm  makes  a  specialty  of  all  kinds  of  builders'  hardware, 
and  special  hardware  furnishings  for  the  most  up-to- 
date   buildings. 

In  addition  to  his  important  duties  in  connection  with  this 
immense  industry,  Mr.  Harbster  for  a  time  was  president 
of  the  Reading  Screw  Company,  whose  works  were  lo- 
cated inNorristown;  was  formerly  president  of  the  Mon- 
tello  Brick  and  Clay  Company,  and  is  also  president  of 
the  Reading  Land  and  Improvement  Company.  He  is  on 
the  directing  boards  of  the  following  institutions:  Farm- 
ers' National  Bank,  Reading;  Reading  City  Passenger 
Railroad ;  and  Reading  and  Columbia  Railroad.  In  former 
years  he  was  connected  with  a  number  of  the  city's  infant 
industries  and  his  sound  advice  and  financial  backing  have 
done  much  to  make  many  of  them  the  successful  enter- 
prises they  are  today.  For  sixteen  years  he  served  as 
water  commissioner  of  Reading,  and  for  several  years  was 
a  member  of  the  school  board. 

Mr.  Harbster  married  Aug.  12,  1856,  Susan  Bingham, 
who   died   in   1900.     She  was   survived   by    four   children, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


537 


namely:  Ida  C,  JoHn  E.,  Ellen  Kate  and  Nellie  G.  Mr. 
Harbster  was  married  (second)  in  1904  to  Mrs.  Mary 
Hetrich.    • 

In  political  sentiment  Mr.  Harbster  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. He  has  never  accepted  office  outside  of  the  city, 
but  as  a  member  of  the  council  at  various  times  has 
demonstrated  his  public  spirit  and  shown  his  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  his  fellow-citizens.  He  is  a  Mason  of  long 
standing,  and  for  many  years  has  been  a  member  of 
Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. 

L.  HOWARD  GEHRIS,  an  enterprising  and  ener- 
getic young  business  man  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
1877,  in  Fleetwood,  Berks  county,  son  of  Nathan  Henry 
and  Mary  A.  (Spang)  Gehris,  a  full  sketch  of  whom 
will  be  found  elsewhere, 

Mr.  Gehris  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
borough,  and  on  coming  to  Reading,  entered  the  Car- 
roll Institute,  after  leaving  which  he  went  to  New  York 
City.  Here  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Alexander  Thain, 
with  whom  he  remained  three  years,  later  taking  a  course 
at  the  New  York  University .  Night  School.  On  com- 
pleting his  studies,  Mr.  Gehris  secured  a  position  as  trav- 
eling representative  for  the  New  York  house  of  The 
Purdue,  Frederick  &  Co.,  having  his  headquarters  at 
Boston,  and  covering  the  Eastern  States.  Later,  he  en- 
gaged with  another  large  New  York  house,  traveling 
throughout  the  Middle  Atlantic  States,  after  which  he  en- 
gaged with  the  well-known  Mellin's  Food  Co.,  being, 
for  about  three  years,  that  company's  New  York  City 
representative.  At  the  end  of  this  time  Mr.  Gehris  em- 
barked in  the  stove  business  on  Fulton  street,  New  York, 
continuing  there  until  his  return  to  Reading,  when  he 
engaged  with  A.  B.  Sausser  in  the  stove  and  tinning 
business,  at  No.  326  North  Sixth  street,  under  the  firm 
name  of  A.  B.  Sausser  &  Co.,  which  partnership  continued 
from  August  1,  1901,  until  March  30,  1906.  After  the  lat- 
ter date  Mr.  Gehris  was  in  business  on  his  own  account 
until  April  15,  1907,  when  the  Gehris-Herbine  Company  at 
Nos.  45-47  Reed  street  was  incorporated  for  the  manu- 
facture of  fancy  hosiery,  of  which  company  Mr.  Gehris  is 
secretary  and  treasurer.  He  resides  at  No.  216  North 
Sixth  street,  Reading. 

Mr.  Gehris  married  Edith  V.  R.  Leinbach,  daughter 
of  the  late  Joseph  A.  Leinbach,  senior  member  of  the 
well-known  firm  of  Leinbach  &  Bros.,  clothiers  of  Read- 
ing. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gehris  have  two  daughters,  Made- 
line Louise'  and  Mary  Alice.  In  politics  Mr.  Gehris  is 
a  member  of  the  Republican  party.  At  the  present  time, 
he  is  representing  his  ward  in  the  lower  branch  of  coun- 
cils. His  religious  faith  makes  him  a  member  of  St. 
Paul's  Memorial  Reformed  Church.  Mr.  Gehris'  rise  in 
the  business  world  has  been  very  rapid.  He  is  honest 
and  reliable  and  has  the  gift  of  business  ability  that  has 
made  his  success  assured.  He  and  his  wife  are  greatly  es- 
teemed in  their  community. 

EDWIN  A.  BOYER,  chorister  and  organist  of  Maxa- 
tawny  Zion's  Church,  and  a  popular  music  teacher  as  well 
as  a'  composer,  was  born  in  Maxatawny  township,  near 
Kutztown,  Pa.,  Aug.  28,  1871,  a  son  of  Abraham  and 
Lucy  Ann  (Youse)  Boyer,  grandson  of  Abraham  Boyer 
and  great-grandson  of  Philip  Boyer. 

(I)  Philip  Boyer  was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  came 
to  America  before  he  was  married.  Meeting  his  future 
wife  dn  ship  board,  a  pretty  romance  followed  and  the 
young  couple  were  married  in  Philadelphia,  but  later  re- 
moved to  Rockland,  where  they  settled.  He  is  buried  at 
Mertz  in  the  same  township.  The  four  children  born 
to  himself  and  wife  were :  Jacob  moved  to  Union  coun- 
ty. Pa.;  Abraham;  William  lived  in  Rockland  township; 
Lydia  m.  Jacob  Wanner  of   Richmond. 

(II)  Abraham  Boyer,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Rockland  town- 
ship, in  1791,  and  died  in  1849.  aged  fifty-eight  years,  and 
is  buried  at  Mertz  church.  By  trade  he  was  a  weaver 
and  butcher,_  following  both  callings  according  to  the 
season,  and  in  addition  he  owned  a  fine  farm  in  Rock- 
land township.  He  married  Mary  Welder,  a  daughter 
of  Philip  Welder,  and  she  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-five — 
many   years    after    her    husband.     Their    children    were : 


Solomon  died  unmarried ;  Hettie,  deceased,  m.  Daniel 
Heist  of  Rockland;  Sarah  m.  Benjamin  Ruppert;  Cather- 
ine m.  Daniel  Heist;  Betsy  died  young;  Benneville;  David; 
Daniel;  and  Abraham. 

(III)  Abraham  Boyer,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Maxatawny 
township  Jan.  15,  1837,  and  for  many  years  was  a  farm- 
er of  Maxatawny  township,  but  during  eight  years  he 
lived  near  Breinigsville ;  at  Monterey  for  fourteen  years, 
and  in  1897  he  retired  to  Schofers  where  he  now  lives, 
acting  as  janitor  for  the  Maxatawny  Zion's  Church.  On 
June  28,  1857,  he  married  Lucy  Ann  Youse,  daughter 
of  John  and  Barbara  (Noll)  Youse,  and  the  following 
children  were  born  to  them:  Charles,  of  Tatamy,  Pa.; 
Louisa  m.  Henry  Ebert,  of  Monterey;  Solomon  is  of 
Lehighton,  Pa. ;  Jeremiah  is  of  Lyons,  Pa. ;  Prof.  Edwin  A. ; 
Alice  m.  Jeremiah  B.  Trexler,  of  Breinigsville;  Amanda 
died  young. 

(IV)  Edwin  A.  Boyer  worked  upon  the  farm  for  about 
fifteen  years,  and  attended  the  local  schools,  but  when 
only  eighteen  he  began  to  cultivate  his  musical  talents, 
under  the  instruction  of  Prof.  C.  A.  Marks  of  Allen- 
town.  He  is  a  musician  of  marked  ability,  and  plays  all 
instruments  equally  well,  although  he  makes  a  specialty 
of  the  piano,  pipe  organ  and  violin.  A  number  of  years 
ago  he  began  to  give  instruction  in  music,  and  since 
1902  he  has  devoted  all  of  his  attention  to  his  beloved 
profession,  now  having  a  large  class,  numbering  about 
forty-five,  gathered  from  Upper  Berks  and  Western  Lehigh 
counties.  He  is  the  organist  of  the  Maxatawny  Zion's 
church,  and  the  Mertztown  Union  church,  having  been 
elected  to  these  positions  in  1900,  and  prior  to  that,  from 
1894  to  1900,  he  held  a  similar  position  with  the  Seiber- 
lingville  Union  church.  Since  1894  Prof.  Boyer  has  sung 
at  294  funerals,  his  services  being  in  great  demand  upon 
such  occasions,  as  well  as  those  of  a  less  serious  char- 
acter. He  leads  the  singing  at  both  the  churches  be- 
fore mentioned,  alternating  Sundays,  and  the  choirs  in 
both  are  excellent  owing  to  his  skill  as  an  instructor. 
Altogether  he  has  played  at  1,325  services.  He  is  a  com- 
poser of  both  instrumental  and  vocal  music,  among  his 
compositions  being  the  Boyer's  Reunion  March,  in  1908, 
which  was  played  by  Unger's  Band,  of  Reading,  at 
Black   Bear   Park. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Boyer  is  a  member  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A. 
M.,  Pioneer  Council  No.  380,  New  Smithville.  He  and 
his  family  are  consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  con- 
gregation of  Maxatawny  Zion's  Church. 

On  April  25,  1895,  Mr.  Boyer  married  Lizzie  A.  Smith, 
daughteir  of  George  L.  Smith,  a  complete  sketch  of  whom 
appears  elsewhere. 

GEORGE  SOLOMON  SCHLEGEL,  D.  D.~  S.  Among 
the  prominent  young  professional  men  of  Reading,  Pa., 
may  be  mentioned  George  Solomon  Schlegel,  a  success- 
ful dental  practitioner  of  that  city.  Solomon  Schlegel, 
his  paternal  grandfather,  was  a  resident  of  Fleetwood,  Pa., 
while  his  maternal  grandfather,  Simon  Kline,  was  the 
pioneer  brick  manufacturer  of  Reading.  Edmund  Schlegel, 
father  of  George  S.,  was  a  farmer,  now  living  in  Reading. 
He  married  Mary  M.  Kline,  and  their  only  child  was 
George  Solomon. 

George  S.  Schlegel  was  born  in  Cumru  township,  Berks 
county,  April  9,  1879,  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  graduating  from  high  school  in  1897.  He  then  at- 
tended the  dental  department  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  in  1900  graduated  a  doctor  of  dental  sur- 
gery. He  came  at  once  to  Reading,  locating  at  No.  147 
North  Eighth  street,  where  he  has  since  enjoyed  a  large 
and  lucrative  practice.  Dr.  Schlegel  belongs  to  Delta 
Sigma  Delta  fraternity  of  the  United  States,  and  to  the 
Auxiliary  Chapter,  Philadelphia;  to  the  Reading  Dental 
Society  and  the  Lebanon  Valley  Dental  Association  and 
the  Pennsylvania  State  Dental  Sdciety.  He  is  a  life  mem- 
ber of  the  Alumni  Association  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. In  politics  the  Doctor  is  a  Democrat.  He  be- 
longs to  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  and  is  a  teacher  in  its 
Sunday-school. 

•  Dr.  Schlegel  was  married,  Oct.  29,  1903,  to  Miss  Emma 
Brurabach    Strohecker,    daughter    of    Augustus    J,    Stro- 


538 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


hecker,  a  member  of  the  board  of  park  commissioners  of 
Reading.  Mrs.  Schlegel  is  a  graduate  of  the  Reading  high 
school,  graduating  therefrom  in  the  same  class  as  did 
her  husband. 

JOHN  RICK,  one  of  Reading's  enterprising  young 
business  men,  who  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  C.  K. 
Whitner  &  Co.,  was  born  in  1880,  in  the  city  in  which  he 
now  resides,  son  of  John  and  Emma  (Ammon)  Rick. 

Herman  Rick,  great-great-grandfather  of  John,  came 
to  this  country  with  his  parents  in  1712,  being  then  about 
twelve  years  of  age.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
pay  schools  of  Bern  township,  after  leaving  which  he  en- 
gaged in  farming,  an  occupation  which  he  carried  on 
throughout  life. 

John  George  Rick,  son  of  Herman,  was  also  a  farmer, 
and  he  became  a  large  land  owner  and  influential  citizen 
of  Bern  township,  where  all  his  life  was  spent.  He  and 
his  wife,  Catherine  Weiser,  were  members  of  the  Re- 
formed Church,  and  in  political  matters  he  was  a  stanch 
Whig. 

Charles  Rick,  the  grandfather  of  John,  received  his 
education  in  the  early  schools  of  his  native  township,  .af- 
ter leaving  which  he  engaged  in  a  general  store  at  Cen- 
treport  and  Peacock's  Locks,  but  in  1841  came  to  Read- 
ing where  the  rest  of  his  life  was  spent  in  retirement.  He 
died  in  the  faith  of  the  German  Reformed  Church  in 
1878,  as  did  his  wife  in  1880.  Their  children  were :  Cyrus, 
for  many  years  cashier  of  the  Farmers  Bank  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Rick  Brothers,  m.  Emma  Madeira; 
John;  Charles,  a  retired  citizen  of  Reading  and  veteran 
of  the  Civil  war,  was  also  a  member  of  the  firm,  and  m. 
Emma  Pauli ;  Mary  m.  Franklin  Dundore,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  had  three  children, — Charles,  Frank  and  Ella;  James, 
formerly  a  member  of  Rick  Brothers  and  now  proprietor 
of  the  Rick  Knitting  Mills,  Reading,  m.  (first)  Ellen  Trate, 
and  (second)  Julia  O'Hara,  and  had  five  children,  James, 
Edward,  Albert,  Harrison  and  JuHa,  all  by  the  second 
marriage ;  and  Ellen  m.  William  A.  Arnold,  and  had 
six  children,  William,  John,  Franklin,  Anna,  Ellen  and 
Mary. 

John  Rick,  father  of  John,  was  for  many  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  well-known  firm  of  Rick  Brothers,  which  was 
established  in  1867,  and  discontinued  in  1905.  He  died 
in  1900,  aged  sixty-two  years,  Mr.  Rick  married  Emma 
Ammon,  and  four  children  were  born  to  them :  George, 
John,   Paul  and  Margaret    (deceased). 

John  Rick  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Reading  and 
later  attended  a  school  at  Lawrenceville,  N.  J.,  after  which 
he  took  a  course  at  Stoner's  Business  College,  Reading.  He 
served  his  time  at  the  machinist's  trade  in  the  Philadel- 
phia &  Reading  railroad  shops,  and  in  1905  entered  the 
employ  of  C.  K.  Whitner  &  Co.,  as  clerk,  teing  made  a 
partner  in  January,  1907.  In  March,  1905,  Mr.  Rick  mar- 
ried Miss  Carrie  Whitner,  daughter  of  C.  K.  Whitner, 
and  two  children  have  been  born  to  this  union :  Mary 
Elizabeth  and  Horace  Whitner.  Mr.  Rick  is  a  member 
of  Reading  Lodge,  No.  115,  B.  P.  O.  E.,  and  the  Berk- 
shire Club.  His  religious  connection  is  with  St.  Matthew's 
Lutheran  Church. 

FRANK  I.  RAUCH,  who  holds  the  responsible  posi- 
tion of  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Reading  Eagle 
Publishing  Company,  was  born  in  Heidelberg  township, 
Berks  county,  Sept.  1,  1854,  son  of  William  and  Matilda 
(Ulrich)  Rauch.  When  he  was  about  five  years  old  the 
family  moved  to  Stouchsburg,  Marion  township,  this  coun- 
ty. His  earlier  education  was  acquired  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  township  and  later  he  was  sent  for  some 
time  to  the  Stouchsburg  Academy.  On  starting  to  make 
his  own  way  in  the  world  he  began  with  farm  work, 
spending  fotir  years  in  that  occupation;  he  then  secured 
employment  in  a  store  in  North  Heidelberg,  where  he 
clerked  for  one  year  and  following  that  was  similarly  en- 
gaged at  Stouchsburg,  for  a  year  and  a  half.  In  1874  he  re- 
moved to  Reading  and  became  associated  with  the  Reading 
Eagle  Publishing  Company,  'in  the  capacity  of  subscription 
clerk.     Since  then  he  has  steadily  risen,  becoming,  several 


years  after  he  entered  as  clerk,  bookkeeper  for  the  concern 
and  for  the  last  ten  years  having  held  the  position  of  assist- 
ant superintendent.  Mr.  Rauch  possesses  admirable  qualifi- 
cations for  his  work  and  well  deserves  the  confidence 
which  the  company  reposes  in  him. 

On  Dec.  37,  1881,  Mr.  Rauch  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Martha  Houder,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth 
Houder,  of  Reading,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  Daniel 
Houder  was  for  years  in  the  service  of  the  Philadelphia 
&  Reading  Railroad  Company.  Mr.  Rauch  belongs  to  St. 
Paul's  Memorial  Reformed  Church,  and  was  secretary  of 
the  consistory  for  three  years.  Fraternally  he  has  been  quite 
active  and  belongs  to  the  Masons,  the  Elks  and  the  Press 
Club  of  Reading.  In  the  former  order  he  is  a  member 
of  Reading  Lodge,  No.  549,  is  a  past  master,  and  for 
eleven  years  served  as  secretary.  He  is  also  a  past  offi- 
cer in  the  Elks. 

GEORGE  W.  BIEHL,  senior  partner  of  Biehl's  Carriage 
&  Wagon  Works  at  Reading,  and  actively  identified  with 
the  business  for  thirty  years,  was  born  in  AUentown, 
Feb.  5,  1854.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Reading.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  years  he  en- 
tered the  employ  of  Conrad  Krebs  as  a  helper  to  his 
father  (who  was  employed  there  as  a  coach  trimmer),  Mr. 
Krebs  having  been  then  the  leading  carriage  manufacturer  in 
Reading.  He  mastered  the  trimming  trade  and  started  in 
business  on  his  own  account  in  1877,  locating  his  shop  on 
Cherry  street  below  Sixth,  where  he  remained  until  1880. 
He  then  moved  his  establishment  to  his  present  factory  on 
Pearl  street,  between  Cherry  and  Franklin,  with  show  room 
at  No.  31  South  Fifth  street.  Every  department  is  equipped 
with  modern  machinery,  and  expert  mechanics  are  kept 
busy  in  turning  out  special  products,  which  comprise  light 
carriages,  transfer  and  express  wagons,  ambulances,  em- 
balmers'  wagons,  hearses,  speed-sleighs,  etc.  Anything 
in  the  carriage  manufacturer's  line  can  be  furnished  by 
this  large  and  well-known  establishment;  all  kinds  of  har- 
ness can  also  be  procured  there. 

In  1903,  Mr.  Biehl  admitted  as  a  partner,  Wilson  H. 
Eisenbrown,  then  proprietor  of  the  Eagle  Wagon  Works, 
and  the  two  plants  were  consolidated ;  and  in  1904,  on 
account  of  the  large  increase  in  business,  Thomas  De- 
Moss  was  admitted  as  a  second  partner,  the  firm  name 
becoming  Biehl's  Carriage  &  Wagon  Works ;  and  since 
then  this  enterprising  firm  has  been  very  successful.  In 
1907  they  incorporated  the  Berks  Auto  Garage  Company 
for   selling,   repairing  and   storing  automobiles. 

In  1871  Mr.  Biehl  married  Emma  Morgan,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Morgan  of  Reading,  and  they  have  five  children: 
George  M.  (married  Julia  Pougel),  Bessie  (widow  of 
Charles  F.  Worrell,  residing  at  Wayne,  Pa.),  Alvin  J. 
(married  Sophia  Skinner),  Herbert  T.  and  Earl.  Mr. 
Biehl  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  135,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  of  Reading,  of  the  Scottish  Rite,  32d  degree,  and 
Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Reading. 

George  Biehl,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Biehl, 
was  brought  up  and  educated  in  the  schools  of  Kutztown, 
and  while  a  young  man  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade, 
which  he  followed  for  many  years.  He  died  at  Kutz- 
town in  1861,  aged  forty-eight  years.  He  married  J\Iary 
Bobst  and  she  survived  him  two  years,  dying  in  1863, 
aged  forty-eight  years.  They  had  the  following  children: 
William,  John  A.,  Henry.  Jane  (m.  Thomas  Hemmig) 
and  Enieline  (m.  Henry  Essen).  In  religious  belief  they 
were  Lutherans. 

John  A.  Biehl.  the  father  of  Mr.  Biehl,  was  born  in 
the  vicinity  of  Kutztown,  Nov.  17,  1831,  and  his  educa- 
tion was  secured  in  the  advanced  schools  of  that  town. 
His  first  work  was  as  helper  in  his  father's  blacksmith 
shop,  and  after  working  thus  for  a  short  period  he  appren- 
ticed himself  to  the  carriage  trimmer's  trade  at  AUen- 
town, Pa.,  which  he  learned  thoroughly  in  all  its  branch- 
es. He  then  worked  as  a  journeyman  in  AUentown, 
Hamburg,  Reading  and  other  cities,  and  was  con- 
sidered a  superior  workman.  He  continued  working  at  his 
trade  until  in  1902,  when  he  retired,  making  his  home 
with  his  son  until  his  decease  in   1908.     In  1853  he  mar- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


539 


ried  Matilda  Wetherhold,  daughter  of  George  Wetherhold, 
of  AUentown,  and  they  had  one  son,  George  W.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  Mrs.  Biehl  died  in  1905,  when 
in  her  seventy-fifth  year. 

GEORGE  B.  ALBRIGHT,  proprietor  of  the  Market 
House  Saloon,  and  superintendent  of  the  South  Read- 
ing Market,  and  who  is  well  known  in  business  circles 
of  the  city,  was  born  in  Bern  township,  Berks  county, 
son  of  Amos  Albright. 

Amos  Albright  was  also  a  native  of  Bern  township, 
and  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He  married  Tamson  Smith, 
daughter  of  Thomas  P.  Smith,  and  to  this  union  were 
born  children  as  follows :  Mary  m.  Isaac  S.  Leining ; 
Alfred  S.;  Ellen  R.  m.  Monroe  Bender;  Lucinda  m. 
Reuben  Leinbach;  and  Helen  m.  Pierson  Hetrick.  Amos 
Albright  died  in  1901,  aged  seventy-five  years,  in  the  faith 
of  the  Reformed  Church,  which  his  wife,  who  survives 
him,  attends.  In  politics  Mr.  Albright  was  a  Demo- 
crat. 

George  B.  Albright  was  educated  in  the  common  ■ 
schools  of  Bern  township,  and  followed  farmmg  until 
the  age  of  nineteen  years,  when  he  learned  butchering  and 
engaged  in  that  business  on  Sixth  street,  Reading,  for 
ten  years.  In  1875,  in  company  with  his  father-in-law, 
Abraham  S.  'Kissinger,  Mr.  Albright  started  a  coal  yard 
at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Bingaman  streets,  and  this 
was  carried  on  until  1885,  with  great  success.  Mr.  Al- 
bright came  to  his  present  stand  in  1895  as  superintendent 
of  the  South  Reading  market  house,  which  had  been 
built  by  a  company,  organized  as  the  South  >  Reading 
Market  House  Company,  in  1870.  Since  Mr.  Albright 
has  taken  charge  many  substantial  improvements  have 
been  made,  including  a  cement  floor  •  throughout  the 
building,  and  a  stable,  containing  282  stalls  to  accom- 
modate an  equal  number  of  horses.  Mr.  Albright  became 
manager  of  the  saloon  in  1895,  and  this  he  has  conduct- 
ed with  much  success,  it  being  very  popular  with  out-of- 
town  people. 

In  1874  Mr.  Albright  married  Mary  A.  Kissinger,  daugh- 
ter of  A.  S.  Kissinger,  now  deceased,  and  six  children  were 
born  to  this  union,  three  of  whom  survive :  William  A., 
Howard  and  L.  Annie.  The  other  three  children  died  in  in- 
fancy. Not  only  in  business  circles  has  Mr.  Albright  been 
prominently  connected,  but  in  politics  as  well,  being  a 
stanch  Democrat  and  at  one  time  school  controller  of  the 
First  ward.  He  has  attended  both  county  and  State  con- 
ventions, and  is  regarded  as  a  strong  party  man  in  this  sec- 
tion. Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Lodge  No.  115,  B. 
P.  O.  E.,  and  Teutonia  Lodge  No.  367,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  the 
Liberty  Fire  Company. 

GEORGE  M.  GRAEFF,  general  manager  of  Kline  & 
Eppihimer's  department  store  of  Reading,  was  born  in 
this  city  Jan.  30,  1840,  son  of  John  and  grandson  of  Jacob 
Graeff. 

Jacob  Graeff  was  born  in  Maiden-creek  township,  Berks 
county.  He  married  a  Miss  Schaeffer  and  they  had  three 
sons:  William,  of  Reading;  Frederick  and  John. 

John  Graeff,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  at  Reading  in  1804,' 
and  died  in  that  city  in  November,  1876.  By  trade  he  was 
a  wool  hat  maker,  and  followed  his  calling  many  years. 
In  religious  faith  he  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
church,  and  he  is  buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 
His  wife  was  Catherine  Stable,  daughter  of  Major  Will- 
iam Stable,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Reading,  who  from 
1838  to  1849  served  Berks  county  as  coroner.  Among 
other  things  he  wrote  a  business  history  of  Berks  county 
that  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  records  of  the  earlier 
records  of  the  county  in  existence.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John 
Graeff  had  these  children:  Sarah;  Joseph;  Mary;  Susan; 
Marks ;  George  M. ;  Catherine,  m.  to  Henry  J.  Reiff,  of 
Reading;  Rebecca  and  Rosa,  all  deceased  except  George 
M.  and  Catherine. 

George  M.  Graeff  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Reading,  and  was  one, of  the  first  pupils  to  attend  the  Read- 
ing high  school,  but'he  left  before  completing  his  course 
to  earn  his  living.     He  became  a  bundle  boy,  now  called 


cash  boy,  with  Hain  &  Gernant,  who  conducted  a  store  in 
the  Odd  Fellows  hall  on  Penn  street,  now  called  Library 
hall,  and  was  still  in  the  employ  of  this  firm  when  they 
retired  from  business.  He  was  then  employed  with  Asa 
M.  Hart,  a  dry  goods  merchant  on  Penn  square,  but  after 
several  years  his  employer  died.  In  1870  he  connected 
himself  with  the  concern  of  which  he  is  now  general  mana- 
ger, as  bookkeeper,  and  was  gradually  promoted  until 
in  1885  he  became  general  manager  which  responsible  po- 
sition he  still  holds. 

Mr.  Graeff  was  a  member  of  the  old  Salome  Lodge 
of  Odd  Fellows  until  it  was  suspended.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Order  of  Red  Men ;  of  Keim  Post,  No.  76,  G.  A.  R., 
and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  Post  work,  he  having  served 
as  a  private  in  Company  H,  11th  Pa.  V.  I.  Mr.  Graeff 
and  his  family  are  members  of  St.  James  Lutheran  church, 
and  since  1895  Mr.  Graeff  has  been  a  member  of  the 
vestry.  For  many  years  he  has  sung  in  the  choir,  and 
he  takes  a  deep  and  active  interest  in  church  affairs. 

In  1863  Mr.  Graeff  was  married  to  Hannah  Morris, 
daughter  of  Israel  Morris  of  Reading.  They  have  two 
children:  Charles  C,  of  Reading,  m.  Susan  Bechtel,  and 
has  two  children — George  and  Leonore ;  Edna  m.  George 
A.  Snyder,  of  Pine  Grove,  now  of  Reading,  and  has  two 
children — Donald  and  Josephine. 

JOHN  NEWTON  BOWEIR,  assistant  cashier  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Birdsboro,  was  born  on  the 
Bower  homestead  along  the  Monocacy  creek  in  Amity 
township,  Berks  county,  adjoining  the  Perkiomen  turn- 
pike, Feb.  7,  1856.  He  attended  the  township  schools 
and  the  Oley  Academy.  In  1875  he  passed  a  creditable 
examination  given  by  the  county  superintendent  of 
schools,  and  received  from  him  a  certificate  authoriz- 
ing him  to  teach,  but  he  did  not  follow  the  profession. 

Shortly  afterward  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  E. 
&  G.  Brooke  Iron  Company,  at  Birdsboro,  Pa.,  as  a 
nailer,  and  he  continued  there  until  1891.  The  direc- 
tors of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Birdsboro  then 
selected  him  as  their  bookkeeper,  anu  he  filled  this 
position  until  March,  1905,  when  he  was  promoted  to 
assistant  cashier.  He  is  identified  with  the  Birdsboro 
Building  &  Loan  Association,  and  also  with  the  pub- 
lic school  affairs  of  the  borough  as  a  director. 

Daniel  Bower,  his  fatber,  was  a  farmer  on  the  home- 
stead in  Amity  township,  for  upward  of  fifty  years, 
having  been  previously  employed  as  a  forgeman  at  the 
Gibraltar  forge.  Besides  carrying  on  farming,  he  was 
actively  engaged  in  conducting  a  sawmill,  on  the  prem- 
ises, which  was  run  by  water  power,  supplied  by  the 
Monocacy  creek.  He  died  in  1894,  aged  eighty-seven 
years.  He  married  Elizabeth  Matilda  Lewis  (daugh- 
ter of  Archibald  and  Catharine  (Coulter)  Lewis,  of 
Robeson  township),  who  was  of  Welsh  ancestry  and 
the  descendant  of  a  well  known  Quaker  family.  She 
died  in  1868,  aged  fifty-seven  years.  They  are  both 
buried  in  the  St.  John's  Church  Yard,  Robeson  town- 
ship. They  had  seven  children:  Catharine  (1833-1889) 
m.  John  W.  Hartranft;  Jacob  L.  (1834),  who  lives  on 
the  homestead,  m.  Sarah  Babb;  Justina  (1837)  is 
living  at  Birdsboro;  Samuel  L.  (1842-1908)  m.  Amanda 
Ludwig,  and  they  moved  to  Wilmington,  Del.,  about 
1880,  where  he  died;  Susan  M.  (1845)  m.  William  R. 
Potts,  a  farmer  of  Amity  township,  who  died  in  1888, 
and  after  his  decease,  she  moved  to  Birdsboro,  where 
she  now  resides;  Lewis  A.  (1848)  ra.  Justina  Johnson, 
and  resides  in  Wilmington,  Del.,  and  John  Newton. 
The  parents  were  thrifty  and  industrious,  were  widely 
known  and  universally  esteemed  for  their  sterling 
qualities  of  heart  and  mind. 

Jacob  Bower,  or  Bauer,  as  the  name  was  then  spelled, 
the  grandfather,  was  a  farmer  _  of  Amity  township, 
having  inherited  his  farm  of  ninety  acres  from  his 
grandfather,  Moses  Bower._  He  died  in  1867,  aged 
eighty-six  years.  He  married  Susanna  Happel,  who 
died.  Dec.  28,  1854.  They  had  ten  children:  Daniel, 
m.  to  Elizabeth  M'atilda  Lewis;  John,  m.  to  Anna  Bush; 
Jacob  H.,  m.  to  Matilda  Bush;  William,  m.  to  Catharine 


540  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

Boyer;   Elizabeth,  m.  to  William  Uf'degrove;   Hannah,  old,   operated  by  water  power  supplied  by  the   Monocacy 

m.    to     Jacob    Moyer;     Mary    Ann,    m.    to     Benjamin  creek  and  is   widely  known   as   Bower's   sawmill.     The 

Rhoads;    Catharine,    m.    to    David    Scheetz;    Susanna;  original  structure  stands  today,  and  the  mill  is  still  in 

and  Samuel,  who  died  young.  use.     Many  Indian  relics  have  been  found  on  the  farm, 

Moses     Bower,    the    great-grandfather,    when    a    child  bearing  mute  testimony  that  prior  to  the  coming  of  the 

emigrated   from    Germany   with   his   parents.      He   was  white   pioneer,   this   must  have   been   a  favored  locality 

twice   married,    and   was    the   father   of   nine    children,  for  the  Red  Man. 

as   follows:     Jacob,   Elizabeth,   Moses,   George,   Daniel,  The     great-great-great-grandfather     of     Dr.     Bower, 

Samuel,  David,  John  and  Michael.  Moses   Bauer,   or   Bower  as   the  name   is  now   spelled, 

Moses  Bower,  the  great-great-grandfather,  and  his  and  his  wife  Catharine  and  four  children — Michael, 
wife  Catharine  and  four  children,  Michael,  John,  Moses  John,  Moses  and  Labright — were  the  first  of  this  fam- 
and  Labright,  were  the  first  settlers  of  this  family  in  ily  to  come  to  America,  and  came  from  Germany, 
America.  They  arrived  in  Philadelphia,  Sept.  10,  1753.  landing  in  Philadelphia,  Sept.  10,  1753.  Moses  Bower 
In  1773,  he  purchased  137i  acres  of  land  in  Amity  died  in  1805,  and  was  survived  by  his  wife,  one  son 
township,  a  large  part  of  which  constitutes  the  present  Michael  and  twenty-nine  grandchildren.  He  was  in- 
Bower  homestead.  He  died  in  1805,  and  was  survived  terred  in  the  old  graveyard  at  Amityville. 
by  his  widow,  one  son  Michael  and  twenty-nine  grand-  The  great-great-grandfather,  Moses,  was  the  third  son 
children.  He  provided  amply  for  his  widow,  and  to  of  his  father  Moses.  He  was  twice  married,  and  was 
his  son  Michael  and  grandson  Jacob,  the  grandfather  the  father  of  nine  children:  Jacob.  Elizabeth,  Moses, 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  he  bequeathed  his  farm  George,  Daniel,  Samuel.  David,  ,John  and  Michael, 
to  be  divided  in  equal  portions  subject  to  certain  cash  Jacob  Bower,  the  great-grandfather,  was  born  Oct. 
payments  on  the  part  of  said  son  Michael  and  grand-  16,  1781,  and  was  the  eldest  child  of  Mioses  and  Bar- 
son  Jacob,  to  his  grandchildren.  He  was  buried  at  bara  (Frederick)  Bower.  He  was  married  to  Susanna 
Amityville  in  the  old  burying  ground  connected  with  Happel  who  died  Dec.  28,  1854.  They  had  ten  chil- 
the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  Church.  dren:       Daniel.    John.    Jacob    H..    William,     Elizabeth 

(m.  William    Updegrove),  Hannah  (m.  Jacob  Moyer), 

JOHN  LINCOLN  BOWER,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Mary  Ann  (m.  Benjamin  Rhoads),  Catharine  (m.  Da- 
Amity  township,  Berks  county,  on  the  Bower  home-  vid  Scheetz),  and  Susanna  and  Samuel  died  in  early 
stead,   July    13,    1865.      The    Bower   homestead    is    nart  life. 

of  a  five  hundred-acre  tract  of  land  purchased  by  Otto  Daniel    Bower,    his    grandfather,    was    born    Oct.    17, 

Earnest    Koch    from    the    commissioners    of    William  1807,    in    Amity    township,    and    died    March    30,    1894. 

Penn,   by   patent    bearing   the    date    of   June    IL    1705.  He  married  Elizabeth  Matilda  Lewis,  of  Robeson  town- 

This    property   was    given    and    granted   by    said    Otto  ship,    who    died   Jan.    13,    1868,    aged    fifty-seven    years. 

Earnest  Koch  to  his  son  Zacharias   (who  signed  his  name  They  are  buried  in   St.  John's   Church   Yard,   in   Robe- 

Zacharias  Cock)  by  a  grant  dated  the  "Thirteenth  day  of  son    township.      There    were    seven    children    born    to 

Aprill  in  the  Fourth  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovorain  them    as    follows:      Catharine,    deceased,    m.    to    John 

Lord   King   George,   Anno   Dom.   1718"   and    remained  W.   Hartranft;    Jacob   L. ;    Samuel   L.,   deceased;   Justina. 

in    his   possession   until   March    10,    1723,   when   it   was  living   in    Birdsboro;    Lewis    A.,    of   Wilmine-ton,    Del.; 

acquired    by   John    Waren,    who    dying   without    issue,  Susan    M..    widow    of    William    R.    Potts,    Birdsboro. 

April   24,   1734,   bequeathed   150   acres   of   said  property  Pa.;   and  John   N.,  Birdsboro,  Pennsylvania, 

to  his  brother  Jacob  Waren.     On  March  10,  1764,  113  Jacob    L.    Bower,    father    of    Dr.    Bower,    was    born 

acres   of   this   tract   of   land   were   sold   by   Jacob   Waren  Nov.    23,    1834,   in    Robeson    township.      He   resides   on 

and  his   wife  Ann   to  their  son   Thomas    (who   signed  the   old   homestead.     Mr.   Bower  for  many  years   con- 

his    name   Warren).     Thomas   Waren    or   Warren   was  ducted   the    farm   and   sawmill   with   unusual   success,   but 

possessed  of  additional  property,  for  the  records  show  for  some  years  he  has  lived  retired.     Some  years  ago, 

that  April  13,  1772,  he  and  his  wife  Eva  sold  137j  acres  Mr.    Bower    served    his    township    as    school    director, 

of  land  to  Moses   Bauer   (since  Anglicized   to   Bower)  He    is    a    solid,    substantial    and   progressive    man,    and 

the   great-great-great-grandfather   of   Dr.   Bower,  for   a  has   always   endeavored    to   live   up   to   his    high   ideals 

consideration  of   £480  7s.  6d.  of  good  citizenship.     On  November  4,  1860.  he  married 

Moses    Bower    was    not    the    first    of    his    family    to  Sarah    Babb,    daughter    of    the    late    John    and    Mary 

hold  property  in  this  section,  for  on  June  37.  1763,  Ja-  (DeHart)    Babb,    of    Alsace    township.      They    had    these 

cob    Waren    sold    to    Michael    Bower,    eldest     son    of  children,  and  all  survive:     Dr.  Elmer  E.,  a  dentist  of 

Moses    Bower,    thirty   acres    of    land,    but    May    7,    1767,  Camden.  N.  J.;  Emma;   Dr.  John   L.  and  Miary  S. 

this   was   purchased   by   Eleanor   Lotz.     Moses    Bower  Dr.    Bower   attended    the   public   schools   of   his   dis- 

died   in  1805,  and  in   a  will   dated   March   14th,   of  the  trict   and   this   was   supplemented   by   several   terms   at 

same    year,    he    bequeathed    his    "plantation"    in    equal  the   Amityville    Seminary,    following   which   he   taught   his 

shares  to  his  only  surviving  son  Michael  and  his  grand-  home   school.   Leopard   No.   4.  for   one   term.     He  was 

son    Jacob,    son    of    Moses    Bower,    and     great-grand-  graduated  from  the  Jefiferson  Medical   College  in  1888 

father  of  Dr.   Bower— Michael  to  have  the  lower  half  and   became   a   resident   physician   at   the    Philadelphia 

and  the  grandson  Jacob  to  have  the  remaining  portion  Hospital,  and  remained  there  for  a  little  more  than  fif- 

of  the  "plantation."     By  reason  of  these  bequests  cer-  teen    months.      After    this    he    entered    the    service    of 

tain  cash  payments  were  required  to  be  made  by  said  the   Pennsylvania   Railroad   Co.   and   is   one   of  its   oldest 

Michael    and   Jacob    to   the   widow    and    grandchildren  medical    examiners,    having    been    located    in    Reading 

of  Moses  Bower.  since  Oct.  15,  1892. 


Upon  the  death  of  Michael  Bower  in  1823  the  prop-        Dr.    Bower   is   a   member   of   the   Berkshire    Country 
.^.[.*?f,R^T!lll  *°    ,'IJ°".J.^f°:^Z!^°„.'!!llTlJPu°^^  Club,  ,tlie  .Wyomissing_  Club,    the    Union    League    of 

ociety. 
ledical 
y.  the 
I,'  The 
aer    of 


•,  \t       ,    ,„      „.,„       L — -^ .-.-...--  ^-..--.—„..    v^iuu,    tne     vvyomissing    i_iuD,    tne    Union    League    ui 

until  March  13    1839,  when  it  was  purchased  by  Daniel    Philadelphia,    and    the    Pennsylvania    German    Society, 
idfather^  of    Dr.^  ^o^^^L]   u".!..*?'^  .f"'°'''r    Professionally  he  js  a  member  of  the  Reading  Medical 

the 
The 


owner  and  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  biograph-    the  Medical  Staff  of  the  Reading  Hospital, 
ical  sketch.    The  farm  now  consists  of  104  acres,  com-  °  '■^ 


posed    largely    of    the    portion    bequeathed    by    Moses  GOETZ.     Among   the   leading   business    enterprises   of 

Bower  to  his  son   Michael,  and  lies   nn  both  sides   of  Reading,  Pa.,  is  that  of  Ferdinand  Goetz  Sons  Company, 

what  was  formerly  known  as  the  Reading  and  Perki-  with  main  offices  at  No.  26  Spruce  street.  New  York  City! 

omen  Pike,  the  main  highway  from  Reading  to  Phila-  The  business  now  conducted  by  tlijs  firm  was  first  es- 

delphia,   and    is   intersected   by   the    Monocacy   creek.     A  tablished  in  Reading  in   1869,  by  Winters  &  Blotz      Mr 

landmark  of  the  place  is  a  sawmill  more  than  a  century  Ferdinand  Goetz.  who  was  admitted  to  the  firm  upon  Mr 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


541 


Blotz's  retirement,  was  born  in  Germany  in  1850,  and 
emigrated  to  America  in  1868,  first  settling  in  Maryland, 
and  finding  employment  as  a  farm  laborer.  In  1870  he 
came  to  Reading,  here  finding  employment  as  a  laborer 
in  the  building  trade.  He  then  secured  a  position  as  re- 
porter on  the  German  Daily  Post,  owned  and  published 
by  Mr.  William  Rosenthal,  but  finally  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  the  firm  of  Winters  &  Blotz.  Upon  Mr. 
Blotz's  retirement,  Mr.  Winters  offered  Mr.  Goetz  an 
equal  interest  in  the  business,  which  the  latter  subse- 
quently accepted.  From  the  start  the  business  prospered, 
and  from  a  poor  farm  laborer  Ferdinand  Goetz  became 
one  of  Reading's  best-known  business  men.  At  the  time 
he  joined  the  firm  they  were  operating  their  tannery  at 
the  foot  of  Jefferson  street,  but  in  1882  it  was  removed 
to  its  present  quarters,  formerly  occupied  by  the  Fink 
Planing  Mill  Company.  Here  the  business  was  conduct- 
ed under  the  style  of  Winters  &  Goetz  until  1904,  when 
Mr.  Gpetz  died,  the  business  being  reorganized  into  a 
stock  company  under  the  style  of  The  Ferdinand  Goetz 
Sons  Company,  with  the  following,  officers;  Fred  W. 
Goetz,  president;  W.  C.  Billman,  secretary  and  treasurer; 
and  Karl  Goetz,  George  Rumer  and  Charles  E.  Miller, 
as  members  of  the  corporation.  This  company  manufac- 
tures the  white  and  fancy  colored  alum  tanned  lamb, 
sheep,  calf  skins  and  hides  for  suspender,  shoe  and  belt 
work,  and  white  and  fancy  colored  slipper  calf  as  special- 
ties, their  straight  line  bearing  a  world-wide  reputation. 
Each  member  of  the  firm  is  an  expert  in  the  business, 
and  takes  an  active  part  in  conducting  one  of  the  several 
departments. 

Fred  W.  Goetz,  president  of  the  firm,  was  born 
in  the  city  of  Reading,  in  1877,  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  and  also  took  a  course  in  a  busi- 
ness college  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  While  still  a  boy  he  worked 
in  the  tannery  of  his  father,  learning  all  the  details  of 
the  business.  He  married  in  1899  Miss  Elizabeth  B. 
Potteiger,  of  Stouchsburg,  Pa.,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  two  daughters,  Ruth  and  Grace.  The  family 
are  Lutherans  in  their  religious  belief. 

LEVI  S.  STAMM,  a  resident  of  West  Reading,  has 
been  engaged  at  the  carpenter's  trade  since  1867,  and  is 
one  of  the  thrifty,  intelligent  citizens  of  the  borough.  He 
has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Berks  county,  having  been 
born  Aug.  21,  1848,  in  Penn  township,  where  his  ancestors 
have  lived  for  over  a  century. 

The  name  Stamm  or  Stam  is  found  frequently  among 
the  lists  of  emigrants  to  America.  On  the  passenger  list 
of  the  "Hope,"  Daniel  Reed,  master,  from  Rotterdam, 
qualified  Sept.  23,  1734,  is  the  name  of  Peter  Stam,  aged 
twenty;  on  the  "Samuel,"  Hugh  Percy,  captain,  from 
Rotterdam,  qualified  Dec.  3,  1740,  that  of  Adam  Stam, 
aged  twenty-five;  on  the  "Francis  and  Elizabeth,"  George 
North,  master,  from-  Rotterdam,  qualified  Sept.  21,  1742, 
those  of  Johann  Adam  Stam  and  Werner  Stam;  on  the 
"Snow  Charlotte,"  John  Mason,  master,  from  Rotterdam, 
Sept.  5,  1743,  Johann  Jacob  Stam ;  on  the  "Phoenix,"  Wil- 
liam Wilson,  commander,  from  Rotterdam,  Sept.  30,  1743, 
Johannes  Stamm;  and  on  the  "Union,"  Andrew  Bryson, 
captain,  from  Rotterdam,  Sept.  30,  1774,  Adam  Stam. 

The  Stamm  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  Berks  county. 
(I)  Werner  (or  Peter*)  and  Johann  Adam  Stam  (or 
Stamm),  brothers,  were  natives  of  Switzerland,  and  emi- 
grated to  the  New  World  on  the  ship  "Francis  and  Eliza- 
beth," George  North,  commander,  from  Rotterdam.  It 
qualified  at  Philadelphia  Sept.  21,  1742,  and  of  the  141 
male  emigrants  who  had  taken  passage  many  settled  in 
Berks  county,  their  descendants  being  still  found  in 
goodly  numbers  in  the  districts  where  they  located. 
Where  Johann  Adam  Stam  settled,  or  what  became  of  him, 

*  The  name  Peter  is  said  to  have  been  "Werner  Stam.  There 
is  a  "Werner  Stam  buried  at  the  Bern  Church.  The  Pennsylvania 
Archives  record  the  name  as  Peter,  but  this  is  reputed  to  be  an 
error,  the  tax-iists,  church  records,  etc.,  all  bearing:  evidence  to 
the  contrary.  However,  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  Werner 
Stamm  was  under  age  when  the  two  mentioned  in  the  Archives 
arrived,  and  that  for  that  reason  his  name  does  not  appear. 
The  date  of  their  landing  agrees  with  the  date  tradition  and  old 
members  of  the  family  have  of  Werner's  coming  to  America. 


we  do  not  know.  The  other  brother,  Werner,  was  the 
ancestor  of  the  Stamms  of  Berks  county.  He  was  born 
Nov.  13,  1736,  in  Bern,  Switzerland,  and  died  May  16, 
1795.  He  settled  in  what  is  now  Bern  township,  in  1763, 
obtaining  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Mount 
Pleasant,  in  this  county,  where  he  lived  and  died.  He  and 
his  wife  are  buried  at  the  old  Bern  Church.  He  married 
May,  26,  1748,  Catharine,  born  in  1728,  died  Nov.  4,  1812. 
Among  his  children  were  two  sons  named  Nicholas  and 
Frederick,  the  latter  the  next  in  the  line  of  descent  we 
are  tracing. 

(II)  Frederick  Stamm,  son  of  Werner,  the  emigrant 
ancestor,  had  the  following  children:  John;  Frederick; 
Jacob;  Catharine  married  Abraham  Good;  Mary  m.  Dr. 
Schwartz;  Maria  Magdalena  m.  Peter  Bright  (1793-1877). 

(HI)  John  Stamm,  son  of  Frederick,  had  these  children: 
Benjamin;  John;  Levi;  Henry;  William;  Lydia  m.  George 
Staudt;   Maria  m.  Jonathan  Eberling;  Catharine  m.  John 

Billman;  Julian  m.  Joseph  Greth;  Cassia  m. Bohn; 

Eliza  died  unmarried. 

(III)  Frederick  Stamm,  son  of  Frederick,  and  grand- 
father of  Levi  S.,  was  born  June  20,  1790,  in  Penn  town- 
ship, and  died  Oct.  3,  1860.  He  married  Susanna  Gerhart, 
born  Dec.  22,  1792,  died  Sept.  8,  1876,  and  he  and  his  wife 
are  both  interred  at  the  Bern  Church.  Their  children 
were:  Emanuel;  Isaac;  William;  Adam;  Jacob;  Elias; 
Levi;  Serena  m.  Nathan  Billman;  Catharine  m.  Adam 
Moyer;  Harriet  m.  William  Hetrich;  Mary  m.  Jonathan 
Spangler.  Frederick  Stamm,  the  father  of  this  family, 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  was  a  prominent  man 
in  his  day,  serving  as  county  commissioner  from  1822 
to   1825. 

(III)  Jacob  Stamm,  son  of  Frederick,  lived  at  Orwigs- 
burg,  Schuylkill  Co.,  Pa.,  and  his  family  consisted  of  tiyo 
children,  Israel  and  Mary.  The  latter  married  a  Walborn, 
of  Millersburg,  Pa., 'and  later  they  lived  at  Orwigsburg. 

(IV)  William  Stamm,  son  of  Frederick  and  father  of 
Levi  S.,  was  born  in  Penn  township  Oct.  23,  1815,  his 
birthplace  being  near  Stamm's  Hotel,  which  is  now  known 
as  the  Pleasant  Valley  Hotel.  In  early  manhood  he 
learned  shoemaking,  but  he  did  not  follow  the  trade  for 
long,  farming- being  the  principal  business  of  his  life.  For 
a  period  of  sixteen  years  he  was  engaged  in  farming  in 
Jefferson  township,  this  county,  whence  he  moved  to  Penn 
township,  continuing  to  carry  on  agricultural  pursuits 
there  until  his  retirement,  in  the  year  1885.-  He  now  re- 
sides with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Fietta  Shade.  Though  over 
ninety-three  years  old  he  enjoys  comparatively  good  health, 
and  he  is  a  man  of  genial  disposition  and  pleasant  man- 
ners, highly  honored  and  universally  liked  in  his  commu- 
nity. His  upright  life  has  won  him  the  good-will  and 
respect  of  the  many  who  have  known  him,  and  he  is 
accorded  the  utmost  consideration  wherever  he  goes — not 
only  the  veneration  due  to  his  'years  but  the  recognition 
of  a  life  well  spent. 

Mr.  Stamm  m.  Magdalena  Schneider,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Schneider,  whose  wife  was  a  Rothenberger.  To  them 
were  born  children  as  follows :  Cassia  m.  Daniel  F.  Kline, 
of  Strausstown,  Pa.,  and  lives  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  town- 
ship; William  was  a  member  of  Company  G,  151st  P.  V. 
I.,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg;  Adam  S.,  a 
miller,  is  living  in  Penn  township,  near  Mt.  Pleasant;  Al- 
bert was  a  miller  at  Centreport,  this  county,  throughout  his 
active  years,  retired  in  1906,  and  now  makes  his  home  at 
Shoemakersville;  John  is  a  farmer  of  Jefferson  township; 
Levi  S.  is  a  resident  of  West  Reading;  Fietta  m.  Jacob 
Shade  and  resides  in  Penn  township;  Franklin,  now  living 
retired  at  Bernville,  was  a  farmer  all  his  active  life;  Re- 
becca m.  William  Lengel  and  resides  in  Penn  township; 
Allison  A.,  M.  D.,  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine 
at  Mohnton,  Pa.;  James,  a  farmer  of  Penn  township,  m. 
Clara  Wenrich.  The  mother  of  this  family  died  Sept.  12, 
1885,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years,  and  her  remains  rest 
in  the  Bernville  cemetery. 

William  Stamm  has  always  been  active  in  the  religious 
life  of  his  community  and  a'  zealous  worker  for  churches 


543 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  church  enterprises.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
denomination,  has  filled  the  offices  of  deacon  and  elder  in 
his  church,  and  had  the  honor  of  taking  out  the  first 
spadeful  of  earth  removed  when  the  construction  of  the 
St.  Thomas  Union  church  was  commenced,  in  1904.  In 
political  opinion  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  took  a  public- 
spirited  interest  in  the  administration  of  local  affairs,  serv- 
ing as  supervisor  and  school  director  of  Penn  township. 
During  his  early  manhood  he  belonged  to  the  State  militia. 

(V)  Levi  S.  Stamm  attended  the  schools  of  Jefferson 
township  during  his  boyhood  and  youth,  meantime  assist- 
ing with  the  farm  work  at  home  until  ready  to  commence 
carpentering.  He  learned  his  trade  in  Tulpehocken  town- 
ship. During  the  years  1885  and  1886  Mr.  Stamm  was 
in  Carbon  county.  Pa.,  and  thence  removed  to  Columbia 
county,  this  State,  where  he  lived  for  about  eight  years. 
In  1896  he  returned  to  Berks  county,  remaining  in  Read- 
ing until  his  removal  to  West  Reading  in  1899.  Mr.  Stamm 
has  found  steady  employment  at  his  trade  in  his  present 
location,  being  in  the  employ  of  a  contractor,  and  bears  a 
reputation  for  skill  and  reliability  which  brings  him  all 
the  work  he  can  attend  to.  His  character  is  above  re- 
proach, and  he  receives  the  respect  which  he  deserves. 

In  1870  Mr.  Stamm  m.  Matilda  R.  Blatt,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Catherine  (Reigle)  Blatt,  and  to  this  union 
have  been  born  the  following  named  children :  Robert  died 
in  infancy;  Rev.  James  C.  is  pastor  of  St.  Paul's  Reformed 
Church  at  Pottstown,  Pa. ;  Maggie  and  Clara  died  in  in- 
fancy; Ida  has  been  teaching  in  West  Berwick,  Columbia 
Co.,  Pa.,  since  1904;  T.  Wilhelm  is  at  present  a  student  at 
Ursinus  College;  Laura  M.  has  taught  school  in  West 
Reading  since  1902;  Gertrude  died  young;  Charles  L.  is  a 
pupil  at  the  West  Reading  high  school.  The  family  are  all 
identified  with  the  Reformed  Church,  in  which  Mr.  Stamm 
was  formerly  quite  active,  having  served  as  deacon  during 
his  residence  in  Bernville.  tie  is  a  Democrat  on  political 
questions. 

(VI)  Rev.  James  Calvin  Stamm,  son  of  Levi  S.  Stamm. 
was  born  in  Bernville  in  1876,  and  was  nine  years  old 
when  the  family  removed  to  Birdsboro.  Later  they  moved 
to  Bloomsburg,  where  he  was  confirmed  in  Trinity  Re-' 
formed  Church  and  graduated  from  high  school  with  cred- 
itable standing.  When  the  family  moved  to  Reading  he 
learned  the  locksmith's  trade  at  the  Penn  Hardware 
Works.  But  it  was  his  ambition  to  secure  a  higher  edu- 
cation and  engage  in  professional  work,  and  he  accordingly 
entered  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown, 
\''here  he  was  given  a  teacher's  certificate  at  the  end  of  a 
year's  study.  He  immediately  obtained  the  position  of  in- 
structor at  the  Butler  Orphans'  Home,  near  Pittsburg, 
where  he  was  principal  of  the  school-room  for  one  year, 
resigning  to  become  a  traveling  salesman,  in  which  line  he 
was  also  successful.  He  covered  the  entire  South,  selling 
stereoscopes  and  similar  goods,  but  after  almost  a  year 
at  that  work  he  decided  to  take  up  chemistry.  However, 
he  changed  his  mind  before  he  had  taken  any  serious 
steps  in  that  direction,  determining  that  he  would  devote 
his  life  to  the  ministry.  Entering  the  Ursinus  School  of 
Theology,  at  Philadelphia,  he  took  the  three  years'  course 
graduating  May  3,  1906.  The  same  year  he  was  made  a 
licentiate  by  the  Reading  Reformed  Classis.  Meantime 
he  had  gained  experience  in  the  practical  duties  of  a  mini- 
ster of  the  gospel  by  serving  St.  Paul's  Church,  at  Potts- 
town, as  supply,  and  upon  his  graduation  he  was  called  to 
become  the  regular  pastor  of  that  congregation.  He  ac- 
cepted, vi-as  ordained  and  installed  May  27,  1906,  and  has 
since  been  in  charge  of  that  pastorate.  He  gave  early  evi- 
dence that  he  possessed  the  requisites  of  a  forceful  preach- 
er, and  his  energy  has  found  many  useful  outlets  in  the 
field  in  which  he  is  located. 

Rev.  Mr.  Stamm  m.  in  the  fall  of  1906  Miss  Pauline 
Herbrecht,  of  Doylestown,  Pa.,  formerly  of  Philadelphia. 

(V)  Adam  S.  Stamm,  son  of  William,  was  born  May 
22,  1841,  in  Penn  township,  and  since  he  was  twenty-one 
years  old  has  conducted  the  old  Stamm  mill  in  Penn  town- 
ship. He  has  followed  farming  and  milling  all  his  life,  and 
has  been  very  successful  in  material  matters,  being  a  man 
of  thrift  and  intelligence,  energetic  and  honorable.  His 
business  has  naturally  brought  him  into  contact  with  most 


of  the  residents  of  his  section,  and  he  is  held  in  high 
esteem  by  all  who  know  him,  being  regarded  as  a  straight- 
forward business  man  and  an  excellent  citizen.  Like  the 
members  of  the  Stamm  family  generally  he  belongs  tothe 
Reformed  denomination,  being  a  member  of  Christ's  Little 
Tulpehocken  Church. 

Mr.  Stamm  m.  Anna  E.  Kalbach,  who  was  born  Feb. 
17,  1841,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Anna  Elizabeth  (Stump) 
Kalbach,  and  this  marriage  has  been  blessed  with  nine 
children:  Morris  K.,  Francis  and  Martha  (twins),  Isabella 
R.,  Ella  K.  and  a  son  that  died  in  infancy,  Edwm  A., 
William  J.,  and  Maggie  K. 

(VI)  William  J.  Stamm,  son  of  Adam  S.,  was  born 
July  5,  1873,  in  Jefferson  township.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation at  the  schools  of  Penn  and  Upper  Tulpehocken 
townships,  attending  until  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  engaged  at  the  carpenter's  trade, 
with  the  exception  of  three  years  he  worked  for  his  father. 
He  served  his  apprenticeship  with  John  Meyer,  of  Bern- 
ville, in  whose  employ  he  remained  for  a  year  and  a  half 
as  apprentice,  until  he  went  to  Reading.  There  he  was 
employed  by  George  F.  Foos,  contractor  and  builder,  and 
in  1901  he  removed  to  the  borough  of  West  Reading, 
where  he  has  since  lived  and  labored.  For  three  years 
Mr.  Stamm  worked  for  his  father  at  milling.  During  his 
residence  in  West  Reading  he  has  built  up  a  large  local 
patronage  in  his  line,  particularly  in  the  execution  of  fine 
cabinet  work,  in  which  he  is  especially  skillful.  There 
are  few  mechanics  as  proficient  as  Mr.  Stamm.  He  de- 
lights in  intricate  and  difficult  work,  the  kind  that  requires 
artistic  ability  and  patience  as  well  as  expert  workmanship, 
and  several  specimens  of  his  art  are  worthy  of  mention. 
In  1904  he  finished  a  chest  17  by  8i  inches,  and  10|  inches 
deep,  which  contains  2,384  pieces  of  wood  of  seven  differ- 
ent varieties ;  the  smallest  pieces  are  diamond  shaped,  and 
measure  %g  by  9io  inches.  Mr.  Stamm  has  also  made 
puzzles  of  various  kinds.  Pie  is  a  master  hand  at  any 
kind  of  wood-working.  He  enjoys  the  highest  standing  in 
his  line,  and  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Carpenters' 
Union. 

Upon  his  removal  to  West  Reading  Mr.  Stamm  pur- 
chased the  brick  residence  at  No.  113  Obold  street  where 
he  and  his  family  have  since  resided.  He  m.  in  1S93  Emma 
E.  Bohn,  born  Nov.  12,  1870,  died  Nov.  14,  1900,  the 
mother  of  five  children,  viz. :  Bertha  M.,  Elsie  E.,  Simon 
S.,  William  J.  and  Elizabeth  E.,  of  whom  Bertha  is  the 
only  survivor.  The  others  died  in  childhood,  and  are  laid 
to  rest  in  the  cemetery  of  Christ's  Little  Tulpehocken 
Church,  where   their  mother  is  also  interred. 

In  1901  Mr.  Stamm  m.  (second)  Lillie  M.  Webber,  born 
Oct.  8.  1876,  daughter  of  Davilla  and  Caroline  (Strause) 
Webber,  the  former  of  whom  is  now  deceased.  One  child 
has  been  born  to  this  tinion,  Caroline  M.  Mr.  Stamm  and 
his  family  are  members  of  St.  James  Reformed  Church, 
in  which  he  at  present  holds  the  office  of  deacon.  He  is 
an  active  worker  for  the  welfare  of  the  church,  and  has 
aided  faithfully  in  its  upbuilding.  In  politics  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party. 

CORNELIUS  S.  STAMM  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  a  well-known  resident  of  Reading.  He  was  born  in 
Bern  township,  Berks  county,  March  21,  1828,  son  of 
Benjamin  and   Sarah    (Seaman)    Stamm. 

(I)  Werner  Stamm,  his  earliest  ancestor  in  this  country, 
is  mentioned  above. 

(II)  Nicholas  Stamm,  son  of  Werner,  born  April  22, 
1752,  died  Oct.  6,  1828.  He  m.  Catharine  Lerch,  born 
April  21,  1754,  died  May  16,  1844.  Like  his  parents,  they 
are  buried  at  the  Bern  church.  Among  their  children 
were:  Johann  Adam,  Frederick.  Peter,  John,  Mrs.  Benja- 
Imin  Graeff,  Philip,  William,  Catharine  (m.  Peter  Rein- 
hart)  and  Benjamin.  Some  of  this  family  moved  to 
Lycoming,  Snyder  and  Northumberland  counties,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

(III)  Benjamin  Stamm,  youngest  son  of  Nicholas,  was 
born  Feb.  21,  1795.  He  became  interested  in  the  stone- 
mason's trade  early  in  life,  and  followed  it  throughout 
his   active  career.     For   several   years  prior  to  his   death. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


543 


on  Dec.  20,  1873,  he  lived  retired.  Mr.  Stamm  was  twice 
married.  By  his  first  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Sea- 
man, he  had  four  children:  (1)  William  S.,  chief  engineer 
in  the  United  States  navy,  was  on  the  retired  list  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  June  27,  1897;  he  married  Emily  Pax- 
ton,  and  had  four  children,  of  whom  Norman,  a  resident 
of  Philadelphia,  survives.  (2)  Cornelius  S.  (3)  Mary  A. 
became  the  wife  of  James  P.  Walter,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
(4)  Elmira  married  Samuel  Fulton.  Benjamin  Stamm 
married  (second)  a  widow,  Mrs.  Heacock  (born  Oct. 
13,  1814,  died  April  11,  1897),  and  three  children  were 
born  of  this  marriage,  namely:  Franklin,  Jane  (deceased) 
and  Wellington.  The  family  were  at  one  time  members  of 
the  Reformed  Church  but  later  became  Universalists.  Mr. 
Stamm  was  a  Whig  in  politics,  but  on  the  organization 
of  the  Republican  party  cast  his  vote  in  its  support. 

(IV)  Cornelius  S.  Stamm  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Reading.  He  learned  the  brick-layer's  trade,  and  fol- 
lowed it  for  many  years,  later,  however,  engaging  in 
contrasting,  a  business  he  followed  for  many  years.  Mr. 
Stamm  was  prominently  connected  with  the  Masons,  be- 
longing to  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Reading 
Chapter,  No.  152,  R.  A.  M.;  and  DeMolay  Commandery, 
No.  9,  K.  T.  For  many  years  he  also  belonged  to  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  In  his  political  views  he  was  a  stanch  Re- 
publican, and  for  several  years  he  was  a  member  of  the 
city  council.  He  died  Feb.  21,  1902,  sincerely  regretted, 
the  people  realizing  the  city  had  lost  an  able  business 
man  and  public  spirited  and  valuable  citizen. 

On  Feb.  13,  1870,  in  Reading,  Mr.  Stamm  was  married, 
by  the  Rev.  Aaron  Leinbach,  to  Emma  M.  Rick,  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Fisher)  Rick;  her  father  born 
Feb.  28,  1799,  died  Jan.  29,  1839.  To  this  union  were  born : 
William  W.  B.;  and  Emily  E.,  born  1876,  a  teacher  in 
the  public  schools  and  an  accomplished  musician,  who 
died  Aug.  24,  1897. 

William  W.  B.  Stamm,  son  of  Cornelius  S.  and 
Emma  M.  (Rick)  Stamm,  was  born  in  Reading  April  9, 
1874.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  graduated  from 
the  high  school  in  1892.  He  then  took  a  course  in  me- 
chanical drawing  at  Franklin  Institute,  in  Philadelphia, 
and  completed  it  in  1894.  From  1895  to  1897  he  studied  ap- 
plied electricity  at  Drexel  Institute,  and  he  is  now  a  thor- 
oughly equipped  and  practical  mechanical  draughtsman 
and  machinist  with  the  E.  &  G.  Brooke  Co.  at  Birds- 
boro,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Stamm  is  very  prominent  fraternally.  He  belongs 
to  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227,  F.  &  A.  M.,  which  he  joined 
in  1901,  and  he  w^as  Worshipful  Master  in  1908,  when 
the  lodge  celebrated  its  sixtieth  anniversary;  he  rgp- 
sented  it  at  the  Grand  .Lodge  in  1909.  He  is  a,  member 
of  Williamsport  Lodge  of  Perfection,  fourteenth  degree, 
and  Williamsport  Consistory,  thirty-second  degree,  serv- 
ing as  a  member  of  the  choir.  Among  other  Masonic 
bodies  to  which  he  belongs  are  Excelsior  Chapter,  No. 
237,  R.  A.  M. ;  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T.,  and 
Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  Mr.  Stamm  resides 
with  his  mother  at  No.  316  Washington  street,  Reading. 

HON.  WILLIAM  KERPER  STEVENS,  Additional 
Law  Judge  of  Berks  county,  was  born  at  Reading  in 
1861.  He  attended  the  public  schools  for  several  years 
and  after  taking  a  special  preparatory  course  under  a 
private  tutor,  entered  Yale  College  where  he  pursued 
the  regular  course  and  was  graduated  in  1883.  Choos- 
ing the  law  as  his  profession,  he  entered  the  office  of 
Isaac  Hiester,  Esq.,  of  Reading,  and  pursuing  the  reg- 
ular course  of  reading  under  Mr.  Hiester's  direction, 
was  admitted  to  the  Bar  Nov.  10,  1884.  He  immiediately 
engaged  in  active  practice  in  the  office  of  his  precep- 
tor and  after  carrying  it  on  several  years  in  a  success- 
ful manner  formed  a  law  co-partnership  with  Garrett 
B.  Stevens,  Esq.  (an  older  attorney,  but  no  relative), 
and  they  continued  to  practise  together  with  increasing 
success  until  Sept.  10,  1908,  when  he  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  additional  law  judge  to  fill  the  vacancy 
caused   by   the   promotion    of   Hon.    G.   A.    Endlich   to 


the  office  of  president  judge;  then  the  co-partnership 
was  dissolved  and  he  has  been  performing  the  duties 
of  additional  law  judge  until  the  present  time  in  a  most 
satisfactory  manner.  The  term  for  which  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  Governor  terminates  on  the  first  Mon- 
day in  January,  1910.  At  the  primary  election  of  the 
county  in  June,  1909,  his  name  was  placed  on  the  Re- 
publican ticket  for  the  office  of  judge  and  he  was  nom- 
inated without  any  opposition,  which  evidences  the 
superior  manner  in  which  he  performed  his  judicial 
duties. 

Immediately  after  being  admitted  to  the  Bar,  Judge 
Stevens  identified  himself  with  the  Republican  party 
and  took  much  interest  in  the  management  of  its  affairs. 
In  appreciation  of  his  services  and  ability  he  was  se- 
lected as  school  solicitor  for  the  years  1892,  1893  and 
1894,  and  as  city  solicitor  in  1895.  In  1901  he  was  the 
nominee  on  the  Republican  ticket  for  Congress  from 
this  District.  He  served  as  chairman  of  the  county 
committee  for  some  years  and  also  as  a  mtember  of  the 
State  central  committee.  He  assisted  in  organizing  the 
Reading  National  Bank  in  1893,  the  Berks  County 
Trust  Company  in  1900,  and  the  American  Casualty 
Company  in  1903,  and  served  as  a  director  until  he  be- 
camle  additional  law  judge,  when  he  resigned.  He  co- 
operated earnestly  with  other  gentlemen  of  Reading  in 
the  establishment  of  the  Wyomissing  Club,  and  the 
Berkshire  Club,  and  has  since  taken  much  interest  in 
their  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  University  Club 
of  Philadelphia,  and  of  the  Yale  Club  of  New  York. 

In  1887  Judge  Stevens  was  married  to  Mary  Depuy 
Davis,  daughter  of  Col.  Depuy  Davis,  and  they  have  a 
son  Frederick  William. 

His  father  was  Dr.  Sadosa  S.  Stevens,  a  prominent 
and  successful  druggist  at  Reading  for  fifty  years.  He 
was  born  in  Cumberland  county  in  1825,  and  there  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  subscription  schools  until 
he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when  he  went  to  Carlisle  and, 
entering  a  drug  store,  became  a  druggist.  He  was  then 
engaged  for  several  years  until  1849  in  a  drug  store 
at  Philadelphia  when  he  located  in  Reading  and  em- 
barked in  the  drug  business,  which  he  carried  on  in 
a  successful  manner  until  his  decease  in  1900.  In  the 
organization  of  the  board  of  health,  he  was  selected  as 
one  of  the  members  and  served  on  the  board  from  1874 
to  1882.  He  also  took  much  interest  in  the  Reading 
free  library,  and  the  Historical  Society  of  Berks  County. 
In  1852  he  was  married  to  Eleanora  B.  Kerper,  daugh- 
ter of  Abraham  Kerper  and  Elizabeth  Boyer,  his  wife, 
of  Reading,  and  they  had  four  children:  Frank  and 
Emily  (died  young);  William  Kerper;  and  Bessie  Ker- 
per (m.  Rev.  William  P.  Taylor,  an  Episcopalian  cler- 
gyman at  Morristown,  New  Jersey). 

The  first  ancestor  of  Judge  Stevens  in  America  was 
Thomas  Stephens,  a  native  of  Leicestershire,  England, 
who  emigrated  from^  that  place  to  Philadelphia  .  in 
June,  1777.  Two  months  after  his  arrival  (Aug.  3,  1777), 
was  born  his  son  George,  who  became  a  prominent 
woolen  manufacturer  of  Cumberland  county,  where  he 
lived  until  he  died  at  the  age  of  ninety  years.  He  was 
enlisted  in  the  English  War  of  1812-15.  In  1797,  he  was 
married  to  Margaret  Clendenin,  and  they  had  two  sons: 
John  C.  and  Thomas  Jefferson. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Stevens,  grandfather  of  Judge  Stev- 
ens, was  born  in  Cumiberland  county  in  1800,  and  after 
becoming  of  age  succeeded  his  father  in  the  woolen 
business  which  he  carried  on  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  was  a  man  of  unusual  literary  culture,  and  displayed 
great  fondness  for  music  and  painting.  He  became  an 
intimate  friend  of  the  famous  scientist  and  superin- 
tendent of  the  Smithsonian  Institute  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  Spencer  Baird,  and  through  his  association  with 
Mr.  Baird  accumulated  a  large  and  interesting  collec- 
tion of  curios.  He  died  in  1884  leaving  to  survive  him 
his  eldest  son,  Dr.  Stevens,  who  died  April  17,  1900. 


544 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


PHILIP  S.  ZIEBER,  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Berks  County  Bar,  bears  a  name  familiar  in  the  city  of 
Reading,  and,  indeed,  throughout  eastern  Pennsylvania, 
his  father  and  grandfather  before  him  having  been 
identified  vs^ith  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the  city 
as  makers  of  wool  hats.  His  grandfather  Philip  Zieber 
■was  the  pioneer  in  this  industry  in  Berks  county,  while 
Samuel  Zieber,  father  of  Philip  S.,  continued  the  busi- 
ness in  New  Holland,  Lancaster  county,  though  he 
maintained  his  residence  in  Reading.  Samuel  Zieber 
was  born  in  that  city  in  1794,  and  died  in  1868.  He  mar- 
ried Matilda  Schmeltzer,  daughter  of  Andrew,  a  farmer 
of  Bethel  township,  Berks  county,  and  to  them  were 
born  three  children,  of  whom  Catherine  and  Emma  still 
reside  at  home,  while  Philip  S.  is  the  third. 

Philip  S.  Zieber  was  born  June  30,  1861,  in  Reading, 
and  was  carefully  schooled  in  his  native  city,  graduating 
from  the  Reading  high  school  in  1876,  as  valedictorian 
of  his  class.  In  1879  he  was  sent  to  Lafayette  College, 
at  Easton,  entering  the  junior  class,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  June,  1881.  Returning  to  Reading  he  began 
reading  law  in  the  office  of  George  F.  Baer,  then  one 
of  the  leading  attorneys  of  the  city,  but  now  president 
of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company,  and 
in  November,  1884,  successfully  took  the  examination 
for  admission  to  the  Bar.  Mr.  Zieber  won  his  spurs 
alone,  and  had  established  himself  firmly  when,  in  1889, 
he  was  asked  to  become  a  member  of  the  firm  of  his 
former  preceptor,  then  Baer  &  Snyder.  His  acceptance 
changed  the  firm  name  to  Baer,  Snyder  &  Zieber,  and 
it  remained  so  until  Mt.  Baer's  election  to  the  presi- 
dency of  the  railway  company  caused  his  retirement, 
when  it  became  Snyder  &  Zieber.  The  firm  has  always 
enjoyed  a  large  and  select  practice,  serving  such  im- 
portant concerns  as  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Rail- 
road, the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Coal  &  Iron  Com- 
pany, the  Reading  Iron  Company,  the  Farmers  Na- 
tional Bank,  Penn  National  Bank,  and  numerous  smaller 
private  corporations.  It  will  be  seen  at  a  glance  that 
Mr.  Zieber  bids  fair  to  establish  himself  in  the  front 
rank  of  his  chosen  profession. 

On  Nov.  26,  1889,  Mr.  Zieber  married  Miss  Annie 
Gillespie  Fry,  daughter  of  Rev.  Jacob  Fry,  D.  D.,  for 
thirty-five  years  the  beloved  and  able  pastor  of  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church  of  Reading,  and  now  occupying  the 
chair  of  Homiletics  and  Sacred  History  at  the  Luth- 
eran Theological  Seminary  at  Mt.  Airy.  Two  children 
came  to  brighten  the  Zieber  home,  one  of  whom,  Anna, 
the  younger  daughter,  passed  away  July  15,  1904,  at  the 
age  of  twelve  years.  Catherine  Fry  Zieber,  the  surviv- 
ing daughter,  is  a  student  at  Smith  College,  Northamp- 
ton, Massachusetts. 

In  his  private  life  Mr.  Zieber  is  most  exemplary, 
taking  a  lively  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity. He  holds  membership  in  the  Odd  Fellows,  is 
a  director  in  the  Penn  National  Bank  and  also  of  the 
Berkshire  Country  Club  and  votes  with  the  Democratic 
party.  In  the  religious  life  of  the  city  he  is  equally 
helpful  and  prominent,  being  a  vestryman  of  the  Trin- 
ity Lutheran  Church,  and  is  identified  with  its  national 
organization  as  a  member  of  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board  of  the  General  Council  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
in  North  America,  of  which  board  he  was  treasurer  for 
a  number  of  years. 

CYRUS  RICK,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Reading,  Pa., 
in  1895,  was  one  of  that  city's  leading  business  men,  and 
was  for  many  years  well  known  in  the  manufacturing  cir- 
cles of  Berks  county  as  a  member  of  the  foimdry  firm  of 
Rick  Brothers.  Mr.  Rick  was  born  Sept.  3,  1837,  in  Bern 
township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Charles  and  Ellen  Louisa 
(Ruth)  Rick, 

Herman  Rick,  the  great-grandfather  of  Cyrus,  came 
to  this  country  with  his  parents  in  the  early  part  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  when  about  twelve  years  old,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  pay  schools  of  Bern  town- 
ship, after  leaving  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  an  occu- 
pation which  he  carried  on  throughout  life. 


John  George  Rick,  son  of  Herman,  was  also  a  farmer, 
and  he  became  a  large  landowner  and.  influential  citizen 
of  Bern  township,  where  all  of  his  life  was  spent.  He 
and  his  wife,  Catherine  Weiser  (a  grand-niece  of  Conrad 
Weiser),  were  members  of  the  German  Reformed  Church, 
and  in  political  matters  he  was  a  stanch  Whig. 

Charles  Rick,  son  of  John  George  and  father  of  Cyrus, 
received  his  education  in  the  early  schools  of  his  native 
township,  after  leaving  which  he  engaged  in  a  general 
merchandise  business  at  Centreport  and  Peacock's  Locks. 
In  1841  he  came  to  Reading,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  and  in  real  estate  operations  for  a 
number  of  years  and  where  he  lived  retired  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  died  in  1878,  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Ellen  Louise  Ruth,  in  1880,  both  in  the  faith 
of  the  German  Reformed  Church.  They  were  the  parents 
of  children  as  follows :  (1)  Cyrus.  (2)  John,  who  died 
in  1900,  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Rick  Brothers.  He 
married  Emma  Ammon.  (3)  Charles,  a  retired  citizen 
of  Reading  and  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  was  also  a 
member  of  the  firm.  He  m.  Emma  Paul.  (4)  Mary  m. 
Franklin  Dundore,  of  Philadelphia,  and  had  three  children, 
Charles,  Frank  and  Ella.  (5)  James  is  mentioned  below. 
(6)  Ellen  m.  William  A.  Arnold,  deceased,  and  had  six 
children,  William,  John,  Franklin,  Anna,  Ellen  and  Mary. 

Cyrus  Rick  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
place,  and  at  an  early  age  he  entered  the  Farmers'  National 
Bank,  of  which  he  later  became  cashier,  becoming  widely 
known  in  financial  circles.  On  the  establishment  of  the 
firm  of  Rick  Brothers  he  was  made  a  member  in  1873, 
and  he  continued  as  such  until  his  death,  in  1895,  in  the 
faith  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

In  1868  Cyrus  Rick  m.  Emma  R.  Madeira,  daughter  of 
William  S.  and  Rebecca  (Shepp)  Madeira,  and  five  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union,  four  of  whom  are  living; 
Ella  (m.  S.  K.  Spang,  and  has  two  children,  Emily  and 
Mary),  Anna,  Mary  and  Charles. 

James  Rick,  son  of  Charles  and  brother  of  Cyrus,  and 
a  prominent  business  man  of  Reading,  Pa.,  being  at  the 
head  of  the  Rick  Knitting  Company,  was  born  in  Reading 
in  1844.  He  was  educated  in  the  local  schools  and  served 
his  apprenticeship  with  one  of  the  large  carpenter  firms. 
Later  he  engaged  in  pattern-making,  and  also  clerked  for 
the  West  Reading  Iron  Company  in  1866.  In  1867,  with 
his  brother  John  and  Franklin  Dundore,  he  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Dundore, 
Rick  &  Co.,  their  plant  being  at  Third  and  Buttonwood 
streets.  In  1869  Mr.  Dundore  withdrew  from  the  firm 
and  sold  his  interest  to  Charles  Rick,  and  then  the  firm 
changed  to  Rick  Brothers,  but  the  last  named  did  not  take 
an  active  part.  In  1873  one-fourth  of  the  interest  was 
sold  to  Cyrus  Rick,  also  a  brother,  as  it  was  the  father's 
wish  to  have  his  four  sons  together  in  business,  but  Cyrus 
never  took  an  active  part  in  the  management.  In  1904 
this  property  was  sold  to  the  Keystone  Hardware  Com- 
pany, and  leased  to  the  Consolidated  Hardware  Company. 
In  1905  Mr.  James  Rick  organized  the  Rick  Knitting  Com- 
pany, and  has  associated  his  sons  with  him  in  the  business. 
The  firm  was  incorporated  in  1906,  and  has  one  of  the 
successful  industries  of  the  city.  The  officers  are:  James 
Rick,  president;  Edward  Rick,  vice-president;  James  Rick, 
Jr.,  secretary  and  treasurer;  and  Albert  Rick,  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors. 

Mr.  Rick  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Ellen 
Trate,  died  in  1881.  In  1883  he  m.  (second)  Julia  G. 
O'Hara,  and  they  have  had  six  children,  namely:  Helen 
(deceased),  James,  Jr.,  Edward,  Albert,  Julia  and  Har- 
rison. Mr.  Rick  and  family  are  members  of  Calvary  Re- 
formed Church,  in  which  he  is  a  deacon.  He  has  always 
taken  an  active  part  in  civic  affairs,  and  from  1888  to 
1892  served  as  a  member  of  Ihe  board  of  water  commis- 
sioners. He  is  a  member  of  several  business  and  social 
clubs  of  Reading,  including  the  Wyomissing,  Berkshire 
and  Maiden  Creek  Fishing  Clubs  (of  which  latter  he 
was  one  of  the  organizers  and  has  been  president). 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


545 


CHARLES  L.  MOLL,  who  was  the  competent  and 
faithful  city  comptroller  of  Reading,  Pa.,  is  descended 
from  German  ancestry,  who  came  to  America  several 
generations  ago,  his  grandfather,  George  Moll,  having 
been  born  in  this  country. 

Alfred  Moll,  father  of  Charles  L.,  was  born  in  Maid- 
en-creek township,  Berks  county,  raised  at  Strauss- 
town,  same  county,  followed  milling,  and  later  engaged 
in  farming.  He  married  Emma  E.  Boltz,  daughter  of 
Isaac  M.  Boltz.  He  served  with  the  famous  151st  P. 
V.  I.,  and  was  slightly  wounded  at  Gettysburg.  Two 
sons  were  born  to  Mr.  Moll:  Lehman,  who  has  charge 
of  the  stock  of  the  Hooven  Mercantile  Company,  whole- 
sale grocers;  and  Charles  L. 

Charles  L.  Moll  was  born  at  Strausstown,  Berks 
county,  April  3,  1866,  and  was  educated  at  the  Bernville 
high  school  and  at  the  Eastman  Business  College, 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  from  which  latter  institution  he 
was  graduated  in  1884.  He  taught  school  for  six  years 
in  Berks  county,  and  later  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness, continuing  therein  in  Reading  for  eleven  years. 
In  1899  he  was  elected  city  comptroller  for  a  term  of 
three  years,  and  was  re-elected  in  February,  1902,  his 
second  term  being  readily  and  heartily  accorded  him 
for  the  capable  manner  in  which  he  had  discharged  the 
responsible  duties  of  the  office.  He  was  again  re- 
elected in  1905  for  another  term  of  three  years,  and 
continued  in  office  to  the  end  of  his  term,  when  in  1908 
he  became  the  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Mt.  Laurel 
Slag  Company,  which  position  he  still  holds. 

Mr.  Moll  was  married  Dec.  4,  1886,  to  Catherine 
Obold,  the  daughter  of  Elias  Obold,  a  retired  merchant 
and  justice  of  the  peace  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Berks 
county.  Six  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Alfred, 
with  the  Mt.  Laurel  Spring  Water  Company;  Abner, 
with  the  City  Laundry  Company;  Lloyd,  a  graduate 
of  the  Reading  high  school,  1909,  now  assistant  ship- 
per for  the  Barbey  Brewing  Company;  Herbert,  with 
Orr  &  Sembower,  learning  the  machinist's  trade;  and 
Florence  and  Russell,  at  school.  Mr.  Moll  belongs  to 
the  Order  of  Elks  as  well  as  a  number  of  other  secret 
organizations.  Politically  he  is  a  Derrtocrat,  but  he  is 
very  popular  with  men  of  all  parties.  He  is  a  member 
of  St.  Stephen's  Reformed  Church. 

ADAM  M.  ROLLMAN,  formerly  postmaster  at 
Shillington.  and  now  living  retired,  was  born  in  Cumru 
township,  Berks  County,  Oct.  7,  1841,  son  of  Henry  and 
Elizabeth  S.   (Matz)   Rollman. 

The  family  has  long  been  resident  in  Cumru  town- 
ship. William  Rollman,  grandfather  of  Adam  M.,  was 
a  farmer  and  landowner  in  that  section,  and  his  farm 
descended  to  his  son  Henry.  He  married  a  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Spohn.  and  they  had  five  children,  viz.:  Joshua, 
a  farmer  and  butcher  near  the  "Five  Mile  House" 
m.  to  Miss  Amelia  Mengel;  Henry;  William  and  Sallie, 
who  both  died  unmarried;  and  Molly,  m.  to  William 
Matz,  of  Reading. 

Henry  Rollman,  born  Jan.  21,  1819,  was  a  farmer  for 
the  better  part  of  his  life.  Until  1851  he  operated  his 
father's  farm  of  ninety-six  acres  near  Sinking  Spring, 
but  in  that  year  he  sold  the  place  and  bought  instead 
the  Schwartz  farm,  of  300  acres,  on  Mt.  Penn.  There 
he  remained  till  1873  when  he  sold  this  second  farm 
also,  and  moving  to  Reading,  opened  a  shoe  store.  He 
conducted  this  a  number  of  years,  but  finally  retired 
not  long  before  his  death,  Sept.  3,  1890,  when  he  was 
aged  seventy-one  years,  seven  months  and  twelve  days, 
and  he  was  buried  at  Sinking  Spring  Union  Church. 
Mr.  Rollman  married  twice.  On  July  11,  1840,  he  m. 
Elizabeth  Sharp  Matz,  who  died  April  22.  185 — ,  aged 
thirty-eight  years,  one  month  and  twenty-eight  days, 
and  was  buried  at  Sinking  Spring  Church.  The  only 
child  of  this  marriage  was  Adam  M.  On  Oct.  28,  1856, 
Mr.  Rollman  m.  (second)  Marguerite,  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  Swartz.  The  issue  of  this  second 
union  was  two  daughters,  viz.:  Elizabeth,  m.  to  Albert 
35 


Schuck,  of  Hyde  Park,  Pa.;  and  Mary,  m.  to  Martin 
Leininger,  of  Reading.  Mr.  Rollman  and  his  family 
were  Lutherans  in  their  religious  faith,  members  of 
the  Sinking  Spring  Church. 

Adam  M.  Rollman  grew  up  at  home,  familiar  with 
the  routine  of  farm  life,  but  he  was  sent  to  school  for 
a  generous  portion  of  the  time,  attending  first  the 
township  schools  and  then  a  private  one  in  Reading. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-five  he  took  up  butchering,  and 
has  made  that 'his  trade  for  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  since.  He  learned  his  trade  from  his  uncle 
Joshua  Rollman,  under  whom  he  worked  a  year,  and 
then  until  1871,  did  butchering  among  the  farmers. 
The  next  two  years  he  was  associated  with  John  Yerg- 
er,  of  Reading,  and  then  from  1873  till  1877  he  worked 
for  H£rir_3E_-HQ0ver,  of  that  city.  When  he  left  Mr. 
Hoover  it  was  with  the  intention  of  going  into  business 
for  himself,  and  he  selected  Shillington  as  his  location, 
opening  a  butcher  shop  there  in  1877,  which  he  con- 
ducted with  most  satisfactory  results  till  his  retirement 
in  1901.  This,  however,  was  not  his  only  interest,  for 
his  wife  had  previous  to  her  marriage  carried  on  a 
mercantile  business,  of  which  after  1884  her  husband 
assumed  a  joint  management.  The  preceding  year 
they  had  built  a  home  on  Lancaster  avenue  and  planned 
it  with  reference  to  continuing  and  enlarging  this  busi- 
ness at  this  new  location.  The  enterprise  proved  in- 
creasingly profitable,  and  was   maintained   till   1904. 

Mr.  Rollman  also  combined  with  his  other  duties 
that  of  postmaster  for  Shillington  from  1884  till  1894. 
He  was  the  first  incumbent,  as  the  office  was  estab- 
lished at  that  time.  The  village  had  been  called  Shil- 
lingsville,  after  the  Shillings  residing  there,  but 
on  establishing  the  office  there  the  postal  depart- 
ment asked  Mrs.  Rollman  to  suggest  a  name  for  the 
station.  As  there  were  so  many  "villes"  in  that  sec- 
tion already,  she  proposed  the  present  form.  Shilling- 
ton,  and  it  was  at  once  adopted.  Mr.  Rollman  has 
always  been  a  strong  Republican  and  his  appointment 
was  made  by  that  party.  On  Sept.  1,  1908,  he  was 
elected  first  chief  burgess  of  Shillington,  and  declined 
a  renomination,  as  he  felt  he  had  had  honor  enough. 

On  April  26,  1877,  Adam  Rollman  was  married  to 
Mary,  daughter  of  Henry  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Penny- 
packer)  Deeds.  The  other  children  in  the  family  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Deeds  were:  Angeline,  m.  to  Richard 
Schnader;  Elizabeth,  m.  to  John  F.  Leib;  Owen,  and 
Henry.  The  paternal  grandparents,  Henry  and  Mary 
(Warner)  Deeds,  were  the  parents  of  five  daughters 
besides  the  only  son,  Henry  W.,  viz.:  Susan,  Mary, 
Leah,  Harriet  and  Nellie.  Mrs.  Rollman  is  a  lady  of 
much  intelligence  and  has  an  unusually  good  memory. 
From  1867  till  1874  she  was  a  teacher  in  Cumru  town- 
ship, but  in  July  of  the  latter  year  she  definitely  a- 
bandoned  that  profession  and  opened  the  store  in 
Shillington  referred  to  above.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roll- 
man  are  Lutherans,  and  members  of  the  Sinking  Spring 
Union  Church. 

In  person  Mr.  Rollman  is  tall  and  well-built  and  of 
considerable  physical  power.  A  good  business  man, 
practical  and  energetic,  he  has  accumulated  a  good 
property,  and  is  now  able  to  live  comfortably  free  from 
all  cares  and  responsibilities. 

EDWARD  J.  MORRIS  gave  efficient  service  as 
prothonotary  of  Berks  county,  elected  in  1903  for  a 
term   of   three   years. 

John  Morris,  Sr.,  grandfather  of  Edward  J.,  lived  in 
Ireland,  where  he  reared  a  considerable  family. 

John  Morris,  son  of  John,  Sr.,  became  the  father  of 
Edward  J.  He  came  to  America  in  October,  1859,,  and 
stopped  for  a  year  in  New  York,  then  settled  in  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  at  present 
the  tipstaff  of  Judge  Bland's  court.  After  coming  to 
this  country  he  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Charles 
Rogers,  a  brewer  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Two  of  the  five 
children  born  to  this  marriage  are  now  deceased,  Rose 
and  John;  those  living  are,  Sallie  C.  a  school  teacher 


546  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

in     Readino-     Toseoh    F      wholesale    grocer;    and    Ed-    the   National   Biscuit   Company.     Mr.   Esterly  remained 
in    Reading,    josepn    r.,    wriu  =  ^^.^^  ^^^   ^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^.^   ^^.^  branch   of  the  busmess 

"^Edward  T  Morris  was  born  Nov.  3,  1864,  in  Reading,  was  closed.  In  April,  1903,  Mr.  Esterly,  with  his  br.oth- 
He  passed  through  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  and  er,  H.  S.,  formed  a  partnership,  and  since  that  time 
at  an  early  age  began  his  business  life  as  a  cleric  in  a  they  have  engaged  successfully  in  the  baking  of  cakes, 
grocery  store.  He  continued  in  this  line  for  nearly  ten  crackers  and  biscuits  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Read- 
years  when  he  embarked  in  the  grocery  business  on  j^^g  Biscuit  Company.  They  have  a  fine  large  four-story 
his  own  account.  Mr.  Morris  is  still  interested  in  the  building  at  No.  120  Third  street,  60x130,  well  equipped 
business.  He  was  elected  prothonotary  m  Novem-  ^^^^  ^j,  ^^^  j^j^^j  machinery  and  improvements,  em- 
ber, 1903.  He  leads  a  very  busy  hfe.  being  pitying  forty- five  skilled  workmen.  The  firm  works 
connected  with  a  number  of  the  fraternal  organiza-  ^p  ^^^  average  of  135  barrels  of  flour  weekly,  and  be- 
of  the  city,  and  also  is  closely  identified  with  local  and  ^j^j^g  enjoying  a  good,  steady  local  trade,  ships  the 
Slate  poHtics.  He  is  a  member  of  the  B.  P.  O.  Elks,  prQ^^gt  throughout  the  surrounding  country. 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  Knights  of  Columbus  Total  ^^  Romanus  Esterly  married  Miss  Sallie  Brown, 
Abstinence  Society,  and  Knights  of  St.  John.  He  has  ja^gbter  of  Charles  and  Sarah  (Levan)  Brown,  and 
also  taken  great  interest  in  Building  and  Loan  Asso-  f^^^  children  have  been  born  to  this  union:  Mabel,  Sar- 
ciations,  and  has  acted  as  secretary  of  many  of  them  ^^j.^^  p.^^J]^  Charles  and  Frances.  In  politics  Mr.  Ester- 
in  the  past  few  years.  Mr.  Morris  is  at  present  State  j^  ^^  ^  Democrat.  He  is  connected  with  St.  Matthew's 
financial  secretary  of  the  Retail  Merchants'  Association  Lutheran  Church,  serving  as  a  deacon  and  as  a  teacher 
of  Pennsylvania;  a  director  of  the  Retailers  Mutual  jj.^  ^^^^  Sunday-school,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Fire  Insurance  Company;  secretary  and  treasurer  of  Endeavor.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Esterly  and  their  children 
the  Pasteurized  Milk  and  Cream  Company  of  Reading;  „-^^]^^  d^gir  home  at  No.  731  North  Fourth  street.  Mr. 
and  president  of  the  Reading  Wholesale  Grocery  Com-  gsfgrly  has  made  his  own  way  in  the  world,  and  his 
pany.  success   is   due   to   his   native   ability,   his   determination 

In  the  political  field  Mr,  Morris  is  a  valued  worker  ^^  succeed  and  his  straightforward  manner  of  doing 
in  the  Democratic  organizations.  He  has  been  a  dele-  business.  He  and  his  wife  are  highly  esteemed  in  the 
gate  to  many  important  conventions  of  the  party,  community  in  which  he  has  proved  himself  to  be  such 
notably  that  of  the  national  organization  at  St.  Louis  ^  useful  and  public-spirited  citizen.  Mr.  Esterly  is  a 
in  1904.  and  is  at  present  the  Second  ward  member  of  Mason,  being  connected  with  the  Isaac  Hiester  Blue 
the  Deniocratic  county  central  committee.  He  made  a  Lodge,  No.  660. 
losing  fight  for  the   Legislature  in  his   district  in   1896, 

not  being  able  to  overcome  the  large  Republican  ma-  ADDAMS.  On  Dec.  23.  1681,  by  deed  recorded  in 
jority  normally  given.  ^      Philadelphia,  William  Penn  granted  to  Robert  Adams, 

The  church  affiliation  of  Mr.  Morns  is  at  St.  Peter  s  ^f  Ledwell,  in  Oxfordshire,  England,  five  hundred 
Catholic  church,  and  he  is  quite  active  in  the  different  acres  of  land,  to  be  surveyed  and  located  in  the  Prov- 
charitable  institutions  connected  therewith.  He  j^ce  of  Pennsylvania.  Immediately  thereafter,  Robert 
has  won  a  very  large  measure  of  the  esteem  of  the  Adams  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Oxford  town- 
general  public.  ship,    Philadelphia   county    (now    city),    where    he    died 

in   1719.     From  him  in  direct  line   Sarah   B.   (Addams) 
ROMANUS  ESTERLY,  one  of  Reading's  successful    Zimmerman,    of    Perry    township,    Berks    county,    was 
business  men,  and  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Read-    descended. 

ing  Biscuit  Company,  manufacturers  of  cakes,  crackers  Her  great-grandfather,  William  Addams.  settled  in 
and  biscuits,  located  at  No.  120  South  Third  street.  Cocalico  township,  Lancaster  county,  early  in  the 
was  born  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  eighteenth  century,  and  in  1761  laid  out  the  town 
Henry  Esterly.  and  grandson  of  John  and  Mary  (Clark)  which  is  now  the  borough  of  Adamstown.  He  mar- 
Esterly.  John  Esterly,  who  was  a  farmer  and  black-  ried  Ann  Lane,  of  Philadelphia,  and  had  five  sons, 
smith  of  Exeter  township,  died  when  eighty-three  Isaac,  Abraham,  Samuel,  Richard  and  William,  and 
years  of  age.  and  his  wife  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  one  daughter.  Two  of  these  sons:  William  and  Isaac, 
years.  removed   to    Berks   county   and    settled    in    Heidelberg, 

Henry  Esterly  attended  the  public  schools  of  Ex-  now  Spring,  township.  William  married  Barbara 
eter  township,  receiving  a  fair  education,  and  early  Ruth,  and  after  his  death,  his  brother  Isaac  married 
in  life  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  owning  a  fine  the  widow,  by  whom  he  had  six  sons,  William,  Isaac, 
farm   of   110   acres.      He   continued   to   operate   in   that     Samuel,  John,  Peter  and  Abraham. 

township  until  1903,  in  which  year  he  removed  to  Mt.  Isaac  Addams,  the  elder,  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Zim- 
Penn,  where  he  has  since  resided,  retired  from  active  merman,  was  born  at  Adamstown  in  1747,  and  died  at 
business  life.  For  one  and  one-half  years,  Mr.  Esterly  Reading  in  April,  ]S09.  He  was  a  farmer,  then  a  lead- 
kept  the  old  "Washington  House"  in  Exeter  town-  ing  merchant  and  citizen  of  Reading.  In  1776  he  was 
ship,  conducting  it  under  the  name  of  the  "Gechter's  captain  of  a  company  of  light  infantry  belonging  to 
Hotel."  He  is  known  as  an  honest,  upright  citizen,  Colonel  Peter  Grubb's  Battalion  of  Associators  in 
and  has  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  Lancaster  county.  He  was  a  county  commissioner 
has  come  into  contact.  Mr.  Esterly  married  Sarah,  and  member  of  the  Assembly  from  Berks  county, 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Herbein)  Snyder,  of  Oley  His  eldest  son  William  (1777-1858)  and  wife  Eve 
Valley,  Berks  county.  The  children  born  to  this  union  Van  Reed,  settled  on  the  Cacoosing  creek,  Berks 
were:  John,  of  Mt.  Penn.;  Harrv  S.;  Romanus;  Alice,  county,  at  the  Addams  mill.  They  had  these  children: 
m.  to  Ploward  Body;  George,  m.  to  Catherin  Keener,  Kittle,  m.  to  Rufus  Davenport;  Richard;  Rebecca; 
of  Reading;  and  Sallie,  m.  to  Harvey  Dunn.  Henry  Josiah;  and  Amelia,  m.  to  John  H.  Van  Reed.  He 
Esterly  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  for  ten  years  afterward  m.  Catherine  Huey  Van  Reed,  widow  of 
was  a  school  director  in  Exeter  township.  He  is  now  John  Van  Reed,  and  had  three  children:  William; 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  health  of  Mt.  John;  and  Valeria,  m.  to  John  Knapp.  William  Ad- 
Penn,  and  as  member  of  town  council.  dams    was    a    leading    citizen    of    his    day,    and    served 

Romanus  Esterly  received  his  primary  education  in  as  county  auditor,  county  commissioner,  member  of 
the  public  schools  of  Exeter  township,  which  he  sup-  the  Assembly,  was  twice  a  Presidential  elector,  a  mem- 
plemented  with  a  course  at  Stoner's  Business  College,  ber  of  Congress  two  terms,  and  was  associate  judge 
and    subsequently    attended    Kutztown    State    Normal    of  Berks  county  1839-1842. 

school  in  1888  and  1889.  The  next  four  years  he  Isaac  Addams,  the  younger  (1779-1844),  married 
taught  schools  in  his  native  township,  and  was  then  Catherine  Eckert,  and  settled  at  Leesport,  Berks  coun- 
employed  as  a  salesman  with  F.  S.  Wertz  &  Co..  bak-  ty.  Their  children  were:  Isaac;  Sarah,  m.  to  Michael 
ers,    with   whom    he    remained    until    they    sold    out    to    Haak;   Eliza,  m.   to   Charles   Kessler;   Catharine,  m.   to 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


547 


Dr.  Charles  Zoller;  John  E.;  Reuben  E.;  and  Annie, 
m.   to  John  Runkle. 

Samuel  Addams  (1782-1854)  married  Catharine  Huey, 
at  Sinking  Spring,  and  they  had  these  children: 
Charles  H.;  Rebecca,  m.  to  Richard  Adams;  Mary, 
m.  to  John  Van  Reed;  Elizabeth;  Harriet,  m.  to  Na- 
than Young;  Jane,  m.  to  Edwin  Mull;  Isaac;  Lydia. 
m.  to  Rev.  Daniel  B.  Albright;  James  H.;  and  John 
H.  The  latter  settled  in  Cedarville,  111.,  and  became 
one  of  the  founders  and  leaders  of  the  Republican 
party  in  that  State.  He  was  for  sixteen  years  a  State 
senator  and  declined  the  governorship.  He  was  the 
father  of  Jane  Addams,  the  head  resident  of  Hull 
House,  Chicago,  and  well-known  writer  and  lecturer. 

Abraham  Addams  (1787-1849)  married  Lydia  Miller, 
of  Millerstown,  Juniata  county,  where  he  settled  and 
died  in  1849.  He  had  two  daughters:  Ann  Eliza 
m.  Jacob  Beaver,  and  their  son,  Gen.  James  Addams 
Beaver,  was  a  brigadier  general  of  volunteers  during 
the  Civil  war,  and  served  as  governor  of  Pennsylvania 
from  1887  to  1891,  and  since  1891  has  been  a  judge 
of  the  Superior  court;  and  Lydia  m.  Capt.  Thomas 
McAllister,  of  Virginia,  who  in  the  Civil  war  was 
captain  of  a  company  forming  part  of  the  "Stonewall 
Brigade"  under  command  of  Gen.  Stonewall  Jackson. 
The  grandson  of  the  latter,  J.  Gray  McAllister,  D.D., 
is  president  of  Hampden-Sidney  College  (Virginia). 

General  John  Addams  (1780-1832)  was  long  prom- 
inent in  politics  and  for  about  twenty  years  held  local 
office  in  Reading.  In  1814-15  he  commanded  the  Sec- 
ond Brigade  of  Pennsylvania  Militia,  one  of  the  two 
brigades  furnished  by  the  State,  which'  lay  at  York 
during  the  winter  of  1814-15.  to  check  the  tht'eatened 
British  advance  from  Washington.  He  died  unmar- 
ried. 

Peter  Addams,  the  father  of  Sarah  B.  Zimmerman, 
was  born  at  Adamstown,  Lancaster  county,  May  31, 
1784,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Heidelberg  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  in  early  life.  On  Oct.  29,  1811, 
he  married  Susan  Eckert,  daughter  of  John  and  Bar- 
bara (Gernant)  Eckert.  He  resided  at  Morgantown, 
Berks  county,  Lewistown,  Mifflin  county  and  for  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  in  Bern  and  Centre  townships, 
Berks  county,  near  Leesport.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
miller.  Originally  a  Jacksonian  Democrat,  he  be- 
came an  ardent  follower  of  Henry  Clay.  In  1825  he 
was  a  Presidential  elector  for  Andrew  Jackson,  and 
in  1848  was  the  Whig  candidate  for  Congress,  but 
was  defeated  by  William  Strong  (Democratic),  after- 
ward justice  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court. 
He  had  these  children:  Sarah  B.;  Annie  E.,  who 
died  in  July,  1891;  Adeline,  who  died  in  May,  1839; 
and  the  late  Rev.  George  Eckert,  who  died  at  Read- 
ing in  June,  1897.  Peter  Addams  died  Jan.  20,  1852, 
and  his  wife  Aug.  8,  1842. 

Sarah  Barbara  Zimmerman,  eldest  daughter  of  Peter 
AddanLS.  was  born  on  her  father's'  farm,  one 
mile  west  of  Leesport,  in  Bern  town'ship,  Berks  Co., 
Pa.,  Oct.  8,  1813.  About  the  year  1836  she  came  with 
the  family  to  the  large  farm  near  Dauberville,  in 
Bern  (now  Centre)  township.  After  the  death  of 
her  parents,  she,  her  sister  Annie  and  brother  George, 
continued  on  the  farm  until  March,  1857,  when  she 
became  the  wife  of  Seth  Zimmerman,  and  removed 
with  her  husband  and  sister  Annie  to  her  late  home 
in  Mohrsville,  Berks  county.  Mr.  Zimmerman  was  a 
native  of  Columbia  county,  and  for  fifty  years  was 
agent  at  the  Reading  railroad  station.  Mohrsville. 
He  died  in  September,  1888,  and  his  wife  died  Feb.  7, 
1907,  in  her  ninety-fourth  year.  They  had  no  chil- 
dren. 

BERTRAND  H.  FARR,  of  Farr's  Music  House,  No. 
809  Penn  street,  Reading,  is  a  member  of  a  very  old 
family  in  America,  the  early  New  World  home  being 
in  Stowe,  Mass.,  where  the  family  was  established  for 
over  one  hundred  years,  having  come  over  from  Eng- 
land in  the  early  part  of  the  Puritan  movement.  Abra- 
ham  Farr  died  at  Stowe  in  1689. 


Abraham  Farr,  the  second  of  the  name  of  whom'  we 
have  definite  record,  was  a  resident  of  Stowe,  Mass. 
He  married  Rachel  Fasket,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  a  son,  Abraham. 

Abraham  Farr,  son  of  Abraham  and  Raphel,  was  born 
in  Stowe,  March  22,  1761.  He  moved  to  Chesterfield, 
N.  H.,  and  there  died  April  29,  1840.  He  married 
Polly  Harris,  who  died  in  her  one  hundredth 
year  while  sitting  at  her  spinning  wheel.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Rufus.  born  March  23,  1783,  died  May  7, 
1858;  Amy,  born  June  15,  1785,  m.  a  Mr.  Miller,  and 
died  in  Vermont;  Jerusha,  born  Dec.  7,  1787,  m.  a  Mr. 
Miller  of  Putney,  Vt.;  Polly,  born  July  7,  1790,  m.  Ezra 
Pierce,  of  South  Windham,  Vt,  and  died  Oct.  13,  1856; 
Clarissa,  born  Jan.  21.  1793,  m.  a  Mr.  Estabrook,  settled 
in  Dummierston,  Vt,  and  died  May  11,  1839;  Sally,  born 
Aug.  8,-  1796,  m.  Eli  Hitchcock;  Ira,  born  Dec.  1,  1797, 
m.  Florinda  Stowell,  and  died  March  6,  1870. 

Rufus  Farr,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born  March  23, 
1783,  in  Chesterfield.  N.  H.,  and  he  died  at  Windham, 
Vt.,  May  7,  1858.  On  Oct  21,  1810,  he  married  Susan 
Stone,  who  was  born  Nov.  21,  1789,  in  Groton,  Mass., 
daughter  of  Asa  and  Polly  Stone,  and  died  at  Rochester, 
Wis.,  Nov.  16,  1872.  To  Rufus  and  Susan  Farr  were 
born  children  as  follows:  Lurency,  born  Nov.  11,  1811; 
Eli,  born  July  15.  1814,  died  Oct  8,  1890;  Aurilla,  born 
April  11,  1817;Philesta,  born  June  9,  1820,  died  aged 
eighteen  years;  Rufus,  born  Aug.  16,  1823;  Merrill 
H.,  born  April  16.  1827;  and  Orlando. 

Orlando  Farr.  son  of  Rufus,  was  born  Dec.  9,  1832. 
at  Windham,  Vt,  at  the  homestead  where  his  father 
settled  on  the  Glebe  Mountain,  succeeding  him  in  the 
business  of  sheep  raising,  and  maple  sugaring.  In  1868 
he  went  to  Illinois,  and  located  at  Shannon,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  the  grain  and  lumber  business  until 
1871,  when  he  moved  to  Kamrar,  Iowa,  where  he  is  the 
owner  of  a  large  amount  of  land  and  is  now  living 
retired.  He  married  Pauline  C.  Holton,  a  native  of 
North  Walcott,  Vt.,  and  they  had  a  family  of  seven 
children:  Frank  died  aged  four  years;  Bertrand  H.; 
Nellie;  Stella  died  in  Iowa  in  1903;  Florence  and  Leslie 
died  young;  and  Edward  M.  is  in  Iowa  with  his  father. 

Bertrand  H.  Farr  was  born  Oct.  14,  1863,  at  Wind- 
ham, Vt.,  and  was  six  years  old  when  he  accompanied 
his  parents  to  Illinois.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
in  that  State,  and  at  Webster  City,  Iowa.  At  the  age 
of  seventeen  he  began  teaching  school,  and  followed 
that  calling  three  years.  In  the  fall  of  1883  he  went  to 
Boston,  and  entered  the  New  England  Conservatory  of 
Music,  studying  piano  and  vocal  music  and  also  the 
tuning  of  pianos.  Returning  to  Webster  City,  he  spent 
three  years  in  the  music  business,  and  then  sold  out 
with  the  intention  of  finishing  his  education  at  Boston, 
but  upon  his  arrival  at  the  "Hub,"  he  received  a  flat- 
tering offer  to  go  to  Philadelphia,  to  a  Chestnut  street 
music  house.  This  offer  he  accepted,  and  he  remained 
in  Philadelphia  five  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  com- 
ing to  Reading  (1891)  as  a  piano  tuner.  He  had  his 
office  in  the  store  of  C.  W.  Edwards  for  fourteen 
years.  He  opened  a  store  in  Lancaster,  in  1900,  in  the 
new  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building,  but  later  sold  this  to  the 
Weaver  Organ  Company.  In  1904  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  H.  E.  Gerhardt,  in  Reading,  and  under  the 
firm  name  of  Farr  &  Gerhardt  carried  on  an  ex- 
tensive business  in  pianos,  orgafis,  talking  machines, 
musical  merchandise,  etc.  In  March,  1909,  Mr.  Farr  pur- 
chased Mt.  Gerhardt's  interest  in  the  firm,  and  is  now 
carrying  on   the   business   alone. 

Mr.  Farr  is  active  in  the  ranks  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  is  very  public  spirited.  He  was  one  of  those 
instrumental  in  organizing  the  borough  of  Wyomissing, 
and  in  September,  1906,  he  was  elected  its-  first  chief 
burgess  and  shortly  after  his  term  of  office  expired  he 
was  appointed  a  member  of  Council  to  fill  a  vacancy 
in  that  body.  He  built  the  first  house  in  the  borough. 
Besides  his  music  business  he  has  devoted  considerable 
time  to  floriculture  making  a  specialty  of  hardy  plants, 
such  as  irises,  peonies,  phloxes,  devoting  about  fifteen 


548 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


acres  to  his  nursery,  and  he  issued  his  first  catalogue 
in  1908.  It  is  said  to  be  the  most  complete  catalogue  of 
peonies  and  irises  ever  published  in  this  country.  He 
was  elected  president  of  the  American  Peony  Society, 
at  the  last  meeting,  at  Queens,  L.  I. 

Mr.  Farr  married  Annie  Willis,  of  Farmington,  Maine, 
a  member  of  a  very  old  New  England  family. 

JEROME  LUDWIG  BOYER.  who  has  been  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  great  iron  interests  of  Read- 
ing and  vicinity  for  many  years,  and  has  gained  the 
reputation  of  being  one  of  the  most  prominent  direc- 
tors of  these  immense  industries,  is  a  descendant  of  one 
of  the  oldest  and  most  honorable  families  of  Berks 
county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  born  at  Boyertown, 
Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  19,  1843,  son  of  Jacob  K.  Boyer, 
a   distinguished   citizen   of  the   Keystone   State. 

The  Boyer  family  is  of  French  Huguenot  extraction 
and  was  founded  in  America  by  Jacob  DeBeyer,  the 
great-grandfather  of  Jerome  Ludwig.  He  settled  in 
Berks  county  and  there  became  a  man  of  substance 
and  standing  and  lived  to  the  unusual  age  of  103 
years.  His  remains  lie  in  the  cemetery  at  Amityville, 
one   of  the  oldest  graves  in   that   sacred   spot. 

Henry  Boyer,  father  of  Jacob  K.,  was  born  in 
1779.  and  was  a  pioneer  settler  at  Boyertown,  giving 
his  name  to  the  hantlet,  in  which  he  built  the  first 
I'og  house  and  opened  the  first  blacksmith  shop.  Here 
he  followed  blacksmithing  for  some  years,  and  he 
took  a  prominent  part  in  public  affairs.  In  1824  he 
was  nominated  by  the  Democratic  party  as  their  can- 
didate for  representative  and  was  elected,  being  re- 
elected in  1827  and  1832.  He  died  at  Boyertown  at  the 
age  of  ninety-eight  years,  and  was  buried  at  that  place. 
He  married  Catharine  Krebs.  of  Montgomery  county, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  and  they 
became'  the  parents  of   a  large   family. 

Jacob  K.  Boyer,  father  of  Jerome  Ludwig,  was  born 
in  1821,  in  Boyertown,  and  in  his  youth  followed  farm- 
ing and  engaged  in  school  teaching.  He  later  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  at  Boyertown,  following 
this  for  a  few  years,  when  he  came  to  Reading  and 
made  that  city  his  home  for  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  During  his  residence  there  he  was  employed  in 
the  freight  house  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Rail- 
road on  Eighth  street.  Like  his  esteemed  father  Mr. 
Boyer  was  a  Democrat,  and  served  in  the  House  of 
Representatives.  Mr.  Boyer  died  in  the  prime  of  life, 
aged  thirty-nine  years,  and  his  wife,  who  was  Lucy  K. 
Ludwig,  died  in  1867.  aged  fifty-eight. 

Jerome  L.  Boyer  received  his  literary  training  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  locality,  and  when  a  boy 
was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  at  Boyertown.  He 
later  went  to  District  township,  and  after  clerking  a 
few  years  there,  removed  to  Reading,  where  he  was 
first  employed  by  Kline,  Eppihimer  &  Co.,  for  three 
years  as  a  clerk,  and  later  was  made  a  member  of  the 
firm.  Staying  there  three  and  a  half  years,  he  left  to 
accept  the  position  of  head  bookkeeper  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank,  later  being  made  cashier  of  the  institution, 
and  there  he  remained  three  years.  Then,  with  others, 
he  organized  the  Reading  Fire  Brick  Company,  being 
elected  president  thereof,  and  this  position  he  con- 
tinues to  hold.  In  connection  with  this  industry,  Mr. 
Boyer  has  also  been  identified  with  many  other  large  inter- 
ests, including  mining  and  the  manufacture  of  iron.  He 
was  at  one  time  manager  and  part  owner  in  the  Temple 
Iron  Company,  had  charge  of  the  E.  &  G.  Brooke 
plant  at  Birdsboro,  and  in  1880  acted  as  general  man- 
ager of  the  Chestnut  Hill  Iron  Company,  at  Columbia, 
Lancaster  county,  a  position  he  held  for  four  years. 
At  present  this  firm  is  gradually  disposing  of  its  plant, 
although  Mr.  Boyer  still  retains  his  interests  therein. 
Mr.  Boyer  was  prominently  identified  with  the  build- 
ing of  the  Bachman  Valley  railroad  for  the  carrying  of 
ore,  and  was  its  president  for  some  time.  During  the 
existence  of  the  Citizens  Bank  of  Reading,  Mr.   Boyer 


was  largely  interested  in  that  institution,  and  was  one 
of  the  board  of  directors. 

Mr.  Boyer  is  serving  as  adviser  of  the  Home  for 
Widows  and  Single  Women,  and  during  the  years 
1891  and  1892  he  served  as  president  of  the 
board  of  this  institution.  He  is  prominently 
connected  with  fraternal  organizations,  being  a  mem- 
ber of  Chandler  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  227;  Reading 
Chapter,  No.  152;  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42;  Phil- 
adelphia Consistory;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N. 
M.  S.  In  religion  Mr.  Boyer  is  connected  with  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church,  and  for  a  period  of  thirty-seven  years 
has  been  an  official  member  thereof. 

On  Oct.  20,  1868.  Mr.  Boyer  married  Miss  Susan 
E.  McHose,  daughter  of  Isaac  McHose,  of  Reading, 
and  two  children  have  been  born  to  this  union:  Wil- 
liam McHose,  chemist  for  the  Reading  Iron  Com- 
pany, is  the  father  of  one  child:  Frederick  Jacob 
is  a  machinist  and  resides  at  home. 

In  1892  Mr.  Boyer  was  president  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  of  Reading,  and  during  his  incumbency  the 
membership  grew  from  seventy  to  three  hundred. 
We  here  give  his  address,  delivered  at  the  banquet 
held  at  Neversink  Mbuntain  Hotel,  Sept.  29th,  of  that 
year: 

'Gentlemen:  Our  last  banquet,  held  April  21st  at 
Mineral  Springs  was  a  success.  There  were  present 
at  that  time  eighty  members;  to-night  we  have  one 
hundred  and  thirty.  At  the  April  Banquet  we  had  with 
us  Hon.  Erastus  Wiman,  and  I  trust  none  of  us  has 
forgotten  his  grand  speech.  To-night  we  have  with  us 
Gen.  Gregg,  without  whom  the  State  government 
could  not  get  along;  so  we  have  for  the  present,  loaned 
him,  as  it  were,  to  Harrisburg,  but  expect  him  back 
to  Reading  at  some  future  time.  We  have  also  present 
Col.  Brown,  the  inventor  of  the  Segmental  Wire  Gun, 
and  his  very  able  co-laborer,  Lieut.  Whistler,  from 
whom  we  expect  to  hear. 

"This  Board  of  Trade  was  organized  April  21,  1881. 
Its  first  president,  J.  H.  Sternbergh.  Esq.,  is  with  us; 
as  are  Isaac  McHose.  Peter  D.  Wanner  and  S.  E. 
Ancona,  the  succeeding  and  all  the  presidents.  During 
the  first  year  of  its  organization  the  Board  had  149 
members.  It  subsequently  commenced  growing  back- 
wards, and  in  April,  1891,  its  membership  was  seventy. 
Jan.  1,  1892,  we  had  110  members;  at  this  date  we  have 
216;  and  on  Jan.  1.  1893.  we  will  have  300. 

"This  Board  of  Trade  represents  a  city  of  70,000 
people.  We  have  reason  to  feel  a  pardonable  pride  in 
our  city,  its  population  and  its  Board  of  Trade.  We 
have  industries  that  we  can  well  foster,  manufactures 
that  we  sustain  and  in  return  are  sustained  by;  and  if 
we  have  any  individual  amongst  us  who  would  make  in- 
vidious and  disrespectful  comparisons  with  other  cities, 
may  such  an  one's  flesh  be  mortified  and  his  vanity 
seared,  for  we  are  in  such  a  prosperous  condition,  as 
I  will  endeavor  to  show  you,  that  none  dare  to  molest 
us  or  make  us  afraid;  and  I  can  conceive  only  the 
perfidy  of  man  to  lower  the  estimate  of  our  city. 

"Think  of  it!  We  manufacture  stockings  amounting 
to  $550,000  per  annum.  A  few  years  ago  some  other 
cities  were  making  this  hosiery,  and  all  we  had  in  the 
matter  was  buying  and  wearing  them,  whilst  some  of 
us  went  about  sockless.  So  with  boots  and  shoes. 
Our  city  produces  $150,000  worth.  The  stove  industry 
is  growing  fast — the  present  capacity  is  $659,000.  Cot- 
ton and  silk  industries,  $1,725,000.  An  industry  in  our 
city,  of  which  many  of  us  know  nothing  and  hear  very 
little  about,  I  mean  cordage,  ropes  and  twine,  goes 
along  begging  with  an  output  of  $600,000.  Fire  brick 
and  terra  cotta  and  glass,  $320,000.  Fur  and  wool  hats. 
$3,000,000.  This  means  a  good  hat  for  every  tenth 
person  in  the  United  States,  or  say  forty  hats  for  every 
man,  woman  and  child  in  Reading.  Hardware,  locks, 
butts,  etc,  $1,650,000.  Pig  iron,  plate  iron,  wrought- 
iron  pipe  and  machinery,  $8,400,000,  Iron  bridge  work, 
beams  and  steel.  $4,000,000.  Bolts,  nuts,  rivets  etc 
$1,000,000. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


549 


"The  capacity  of  our  cigar  factories  is  simply  amaz- 
ing; and  had  I  not  made  a  special  effort  to  get  at  the 
facts  I  would  not  believe  it.  One  hundred  and  five 
million  cigars  is  the  present  capacity,  some  new  shops 
now  building  not  being  taken  into  this  account.  A 
number  of  factories  turn  out  fine  goods,  $60  to  $75  per 
thousand.  Am  told  a  fair  average  for  Reading's  output 
would  be  $30  per  thousand.  This  smoke  production 
then  aggregates  $3,150,000. 

"Our  streets  and  electric  railways  carried  3,607,920 
passengers  in  1891.  Gross  income,  $325,000.  For  1892 
I  could  not  get,  but  am  told  the  business  on  all  our 
lines  aggregates  an  increase  of  ten  per  cent  yearly. 

■'Our  Trust  companies  show  a  constant  and  healthy 
growth,  and  enjoy  the  well  deserved  confidence  of  our 
good  people.  They  show  loans,  $688,000;  deposits, 
$480,600;  Trust  funds,  $1,248,300. 

"Our  eight  banks  will  bear  comparison  with  any 
other  eight  banks  of  a  city  of  our  size.  Any  business 
man  in  Reading  can  get  all  the  money  he  wants  if  he 
presents  good  paper.  There  is  not  one  bank  in  our 
city  but  which  is  first  class  in  every  particular.  The 
capital  aggregates  $1,425,000.  The  deposits  aggregate 
$4,760,000.     The  loans  aggregate  $5,150,000. 

"I  have  given  only  about  twenty  industries,  which 
for  lack  of  time  to  collect  does  not  cover  one-third  of 
all,  such  as  wagon  works,  red  brick,  cast  iron  pipe, 
and  many  others,  which  would  require  weeks  to  get 
at.     Yet  it  shows  an  aggregate  of  over  $30,000,000. 

"This  certainly  requires  a  strong  constitution  and 
a  clear  conscience  to  believe  at  one  sitting.  But,  gen- 
tlemen, this  is  not  a  theory,  but  a  condition.  I  trust 
I  have  given  enough  to  stimulate  our  Committee  on 
Statistics,  who  will,  no  doubt,  give  us  a  full  and  accur- 
ate report  early  in  1893. 

"Gentlemen,  we  have  a  grand  city — a  fire  department 
which  I  doubt  has  its  equal  in  the  world.  Our  business 
opportunities  are  vast.  Let  every  stranger  who  comes 
within  our  boundaries  be  made  welcome.  Let  us  deal 
honorably  with  one  another.  Let  us  hang  our  banners 
on  the  outer  walls  and  proclaim  our  strength  from  the 
mountain  top." 

HENRY  R.  NICKS,  A.  M.,  an  educator  of  note  in 
this  section  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  is  particularly 
well  remembered  in  his  association  with  the  early 
days  of  the  now  famous  Keystone  State  Normal 
School,  at  Kutztown,  Berks  county,  was  born  Feb. 
27,  1833,  in  the  Palatinate  on  the  Rhine. 

Melchior  Nicks,  his  father,  was  born  in  Germany 
in  1795,  and  came  to  America  in  1842.  For  a  short 
time  he  remained  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  then  set- 
tled on  a  farm  at  Redland,  Adams  Co.,  Pa.,  nfear  Lit- 
tlestown.  He  married  Margaret  Rosenberger,  and 
they  h^d  the  following  children:  Henry  R.,  M'ary, 
Margaret,  Lizzie  (a  teacher  at  Littlestown,  Pa.),  and 
Magdalena  (who  died  young). 

Melchior  Nicks  lived  to  be  ninety  years  of  age,  and 
during  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  was  blind. 
He  understood  the  profession  of  veterinary  well,  and 
his  services  were  often  solicited  by  his  neighbors. 
Mr.  Nicks  was  possessed  of  wonderful  psychic  powers, 
and,  although  blind,  could  tell  by  touch  the  ailment 
from  which  an  animal  was  suffering.  He  was  also 
a  gifted  mathematician,  and  in  his  blindness  was  able 
to  make  all  kind  of  difficult  calculations.  For  in- 
stance, he  could  tell  by  mental  calculation,  at  any  time 
of  the  day,  his  own  age  in  minutes  and  seconds,  or 
that  of  any  friend  who  would  give  him  the  date  of 
birth  and  the  hour  of  the  day.  His  powers  were 
very  remarkable. 

Henry  R.  Nicks  came  to  America  with  his  father 
in  1842.  He  worked  on  his  father's  farm  in  Adams 
county,  attending  school  whenever  opportunity  offered, 
and  teaching  in  his  early  manhood.  In  1856.  after 
strenuous  endeavor,  he  was  able  to  enter  the  junior 
class  of  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  and  gradu- 
ated in  1858  with  honors,  being  the  salutatorian  of 
his  class. 


After  graduating  from  college  he  continued  to  teach, 
filling  important  stations  at  Limestoneville  and  Me- 
chanicsburg.  Having  the  ministry  in  view  he  had  com- 
menced a  course  of  study  in  the  theological  seminary 
at  Mercersburg,  when  he  was  called,  through  Rev. 
Dr.  E.  V.  Gerhart,  to  come  to  Kutztown  and  open  a 
classical  school.  On  Nov.  15,  1860,  he  located  at  Kutz- 
town and  opened  what  was  known  for  a  number  of 
years  as  Fairview  Seminary,  in  what  is  the  beautiful 
mansion  of  Thomas  S.  Fister,  immediately  south  of 
the  borough.  Here  he  began  with  five  pupils,  and 
for  a  period  of  months  it  was  a  severe  struggle,  and 
a  problem  as  to  the  success  of  the  venture,  but  hard 
work,  sound  scholarship  and  superior  teaching  ability 
won,  and  by  the  spring  of  1861  the  school  had  been 
placed  in  a  flourishing  condition  and  continued  until 
pupils  overcrowded  the  school  quarters  and  the  town 
became  filled  with  boarding  students.  The  success  was 
phenomenal,  and  by  1863  Professor  Nicks  began  to 
look  around  for  permanent  quarters,  and  through  his 
efforts  a  sufficient  amount  was  subscribed  to  erect 
what  was  known  as  Maxatawny  Seminary,  which 
stood  where  the  Principal's  office  of  the  Keystone 
State  Normal  School  is  now  located.  These  schools 
were  the  beginning  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School,  and  Professor  Nicks  was  the  real  founder.  He 
broke  the  soil  and  sowed  the  seed,  and  others  came 
to  reap.  He  led  in  the  work  of  raising  stock  to  enlarge 
the  institution  and  turn  it  into  a  State  Normal  School, 
and  if  it  had  not  been  for  his  work  and  the  confidence 
which  his  success  inspired,  there  would  to-day  be  no 
State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown. 

When  the  Normal  School  was  organized  in  1866  he 
accepted  the  position  of  associate  principal  and  pro- 
fessor of  higher  mathematics,  and  filled  same  with 
great  efficiency  until  1867,  when  he  accepted  the  prin- 
cipalship  of  Palatinate  College,  Myerstown,  Pa.,  now 
Albright  College.  This  position  he  held  for  seven 
years,  and  during  his  incumbency  the  institution  was  in 
a  very  flourishing- condition —  Failing  heaLth^  however, 
compelled  him  to  resign  in  1874,  and  thus  ended  his 
career  as  a  teacher.  The  remaining  days  of  his  life  he 
spent  on  the  farm,  known  as  the  old  David  Levan  farm, 
where  he  died  Oct.  16,  1903,  and  he  lies  buried  in  Hope 
cemetery.  He  was  an  educator  of  rare  ability,  un- 
tiring, thorough  and,  withal,  tactful.  He  had  few 
equals  in  the  work  of  inspiring  pupils  with  noble  zeal 
and  lofty  ambition,  and  many  there  are  who  rise  and 
bless  him'  for  his  noble  work. 

Professor  Nicks  married  Sarah  Levan,  daughter  of 
David  and  Lydia  (Jarrett)  Levan.  David  Levan  was 
a  son  of  John  Levan.  who  was  the  grandson  of  Jacob 
Levan,  the  immigrant,  and  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent early  citizens  of  this  section  of  the  county.  The 
children  of  David  Levan  were:  Anna  Eliza  m.  James 
G.  Treichler,  a  well-known  farmer  and  business  man  of 
Kutztown;  Sarah  m.  Henry  R.  Nicks;  Alvin  m.  Anna 
Weidner,  and  died  at  Kutztown  in  1888.  Professor 
Nicks  and  wife  had  three  children,  namely:  Annie,  m. 
to  Nicholas  Rahn;  Mame,  m.  to  Dr.  Oscar  W.  Sellers, 
of  Philadelphia;  and  David   Levan. 

David  Levan  Nicks,  an  expert  civil  engineer  at  Kutz- 
town, was  born  April  8,  1869,  at  Myerstown,  Pa., 
and  was  educated  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  and  at  Lafayette  College,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1899.  During  1890  and  1891  he  was  employed 
by  the  Pennsylvania  Schuylkill  Valley  Railroad  Com- 
pany, and  from  1902  to  1904  by  the  Lehigh  Engineer- 
ing Company,  Allentown,  Pa.  For  one  year  he  was 
also  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  Bureau  of 
Forestry,  and  was  stationed  in  the  Adirondack  Moun- 
tains and  in  the  State  of  Maine.  For  the  past  three 
years  he  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  city  of  Reading, 
being  one  of  the  resident  engineers  in  the  department 
of  public  improvements. 

On  Oct.  23,  1900,  Mr.  Nicks  married  Annie  E  Stoudt 
daughter  of  Francis  and  Catherine  (Emore)  Stoudt' 
and  they  have  one  child,  Jarrett  Levan,  born  Oct  is' 
1901. 


550  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

GEORGE  F.  HAGENMAN,  a  leading  member  of  until  1883,  when  he  declined.  For  twenty  years  he  was 
the  Berks  county  Bar,  and  a  most  public-spirited  and  chairman  of  the  high  school  committee,  and  he  advo- 
progressive  citizen  of  Reading,  was  born  Alarch  9,  cated  better  buildings  and  more  modern  heating  ap- 
1857  and  died  one  of  the  victims  of  the  wreck  of  the  pliances.  In  recognition  of  his  valuable  services  the 
special  train  bearing  the  members  of  Rajah  Temple  board  named  the  J.  Hagenman  School  Building  after 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine  in  California,  May  11,  1907.  him.  He  served  the  county  commissioners  as  solicitor 
Judge  Jeremiah  Hagenman,  father  of  the  late  George  for  a  number  of  years,  and  about  1860  he  was  instru- 
F  ,  was  born  in  Phoenixville,  Pa.,  Feb.  6,  1820,  son  of  mental  in  having  them  to  allow  half  of  court  fines  to 
Jeremiah  F.  and  Mary  H.  (Idler)  Hagenman,  'who  be  appropriated  toward  establishing  a  law^  library  for 
came  to  this  country  from  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  in  the  Bench  and  Bar  in  the  court  house.  This  was  done 
1816,  shortly  after  their  marriage.  The  family  lived  in  for  five  years,  and  a  Law  Library  Association  was 
a  little  house  near  the  Phoenix  Iron  Works  for  a  num-  incorporated,  which  now  has  a  valuable  library, 
ber  of  years,  the  father  winning  their  support  by  his  In  1889  Judge  Hagenman  was  elected  president  of  the 
work  as  a  nail  packer  in  the  neighboring  nail  works.  Keystone  National  Bank,  and  he  held  that  position  until 
They  moved  to  Reading  in  1836,  and  there  the  father,  his  death  March  36,  1904.  He  belonged  to  the  Odd  Fel- 
Jeremiah  F.,  died  in  1856.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  lows,  being  affiliated  with  Salome  Lodge,  No.  105,  I. 
politics,  and  a  Lutheran  in  religion.  Flis  wife,  Mary  O.  O.  F.;  and  Reading  Encampment.  No.  4S.  He  was 
H.  Idler,  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  prominent  on  the  Council  of  Grace  Lutheran  Church, 
years.  Their  three  children  were:  Lewis;  Jeremiah;  In  1850  Judge  Hagenman  was  married  to  Louisa 
and  Mary  (Craig).  E.  Boyer,  daughter  of  George  Boyer,  who  was  a  mem- 
Judge  Hagenman  procured  his  preparatory  educa-  ber  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Congregation,  and  who  took 
tion  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town,  and  when  old  an  active  part  in  the  erection  of  the  church  building 
enough  began  to  assist  his  father  in  the  nail  works,  in  1791.  To  Judge  and  Mrs.  Hagenman  was  born 
But   the    whole    course    of    his    life   was    altered   by   an  one  son,  George  F. 

accident.     He   was   out  with. a   number   of   companions  George   F.   Hagenman   was   educated   in   the   Reading 

for  the  purpose   of  gathering  hickory  nuts;   they  came  high  school,  and  then  took  a  three  years'  private  course, 

to  a  tall  tree  and  this  it  was  decided  young  Hagenman  his   mother's   delicate   health   making   him   unwilling  to 

should   climb   and   then    shake    off   the   nuts.      In   some  leave  her  the  length   of  time  required  for  a   collegiate 

way   he   lost   his   hold   and   fell,   breaking  his   arm.   and  course.      It    was    this    same    thoughtful,    chivalric    con- 

although  the  fracture  was  set  and  did  not  seem  severe,  sideration  for  others  that  characterized   his   entire  life, 

the   bandages   were    left    on    too   long,   and   amputation  and  endeared  him  to  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him. 

became    necessary.      Now,    unfitted    for    manual    labor.  After  completing  his  literary  studies,  he  pursued  a  law 

he  determined  to  enter  the  legal  profession.     He  con-  course,  reading  under  the  direction   of   the   late   Henry 

tinned    his    studies    until    old    enough    to   teach,    in    the  C.   G.   Reber,  of  Reading,  and  he   was   admitted  to  the 

meantime   assisting  his  father  packing  nails.     In  June.  Bar   of    Berks    county   Jan.   22,    1881.    and   later   to   the 

1S36,   at    Phoenixville,    he   began    teaching,   and    at    the  Supreme,   Superior   and  United   States   District   Courts, 

end   of   three    months   removed    to    Reading,   where    he  He    practised    alone    until    1889,    when     he    formed    a 

was   also   engaged   in   teaching,   and    at   the   same   time  partnership    with    his    father    under    the    name    of    J. 

pursued   some    of   the    higher   branches    of   study   until  Hagenman   &   Son   and   this   was   terminated   only  with 

he    was    nineteen    years    of    age.      He    then    began    the  the    death    of    the    senior    member.      Father    and    son 

study    of   law   under   the    direction    of   the    Hon.    Peter  showed    a    marked    resemblance    in    disposition    and   in 

Filbert,  teaching  occasionally,  and  he  was  admitted  to  tastes.      Both   were   sternly  just,   yet   their   mercy   tem- 

the    Bar   April   7.    1842.      In    the   following   autumn    he  pered  justice — both  loved  their  profession,  yet  in  their 

opened  an  office  in   Reading,  and  entered  upon  a   sue-  love  never  lost  sight  of  its  mission,  and  never  through 

cessful   general   practice,   which   he   conducted   success-  legal  technicalities  were   blinded  to  the  welfare   of  the 

fully    for    seventeen    years.      At    the    end    of    that    time  community. 

he  was  elected   additional  law  judge   for  Berks   county  Like    his    father    Mr.    George    F.    Hagenman    was    a 

for  a  term  of  ten  years.     In  1875  he  was  elected  presi-  Democrat,    and    was    active    in    party    work.      He    was 

dent  judge,  and  in   1879   re-elected.  elected     county     solicitor     a      number     of     terms,     and 

Soon   after   his   admission   to   the   Bar  Judge   Hagen-  acquitted  himself  with  honor.     For  seven  years  he  was 

man   began    to   be    actively    interested    in    politics,    and  a  member  of  the   school  board,  taking  a  deep  interest 

until  his  elevation  to  the   Bench  was  very  prominently  in  the  cause  of  education.     For  a  number  of  years  he 

identified  with  the  Democratic  party.     He  was  a  dele-  was   a   director   in    the    Keystone    National    Bank, 

gate  to  a  number  of  State  conventions,  and  was  a  mem-  Mr.    Hagenman    had    long    taken    an    active    part    in 

ber    of   the    convention    that    nominated    Horatio    Sey-  Masonry,   in  which   he   had   attained  the   Thirty-second 

mour  for   President  in   1868.     He   was  the  first  incum-  degree.     He   belonged   to   Lodge   No.   62.   F.    &   A.    M., 

bent  of  the   office  of  district  attorney   elected  in   1850,  Reading;    was    past    high    priest    of    Chapter    No.    152, 

and  at  the  end  of  three  years  was  re-elected.     He  was  Royal  Arch  Masons;  was  past  commander  of  De  Molay 

elevated  to  the  Bench   as  stated  above,  and   his  duties  Commandery,   No.   9,   K.   T,  ;    and   a   member   of   Rajah 

thereon  terminated  in   1890.     His  career  on   the   Bench  Temple,    A.    A.    O.    N.    M.    S.      He    was    also    affiliated 

was    an    honorable    one,    and    rarely,    indeed,    were    any  with    the    Odd    Fellows, 
of  his  decisions  reversed  in  higher  courts,  though  some 

of  the  cases  tried  before  him  were  of  the  most  notable  DR.    PHILIP   M.   ZIEGLER   died   at   his   home    No. 

in    the   history   of   the    county.      Among   these   may   be  524  Franklin  street,  Reading!  Nov.  23,  1907,  after  a  long 

incntioned    the    Hunsecker    case,    brought    over    from  life   devoted   to   ministering   to   the    sufferings   of   man- 

Schuylkill    county.      This    trial    continued    for    thirteen  kind.      He    was   born    near   Annville,    Lebanon    county, 

weeks,  and   in   the  course  of  the   argument  one   of  the  Jan.  11,  1834,  a  representative  of  the  fourth  generation 

attorneys  cited  the  opinion  of  Judge  Woodward,  which  of  the  family  in  America,  his  great-grandfather    Philip 

was   in   opposition   to   that   of  Judge   Hagenman.      The  Ziegler,  having  come  to  this  country  from  Switzerland 

latter    indicated    his    decisive    character    by    replying:  in    1734  and   located   in   Berks   county. 

"I    am   responsible   for   my  opinion;   Judge   Woodward  Dr.    Ziegler's   parents.    Philip   and   Catharine   Ziegler, 

foi   his."  moved   from   Lebanon    county   to   near    Mastersonville' 

Judge    Hagenman    was   for   forty  years   interested   in  Lancaster    county,    when    the    Doctor    was    but    a    bov 

the  public  schools  of  Reading.     About  1846  he  became  He   attended    Mt.    Joy    Academy    and    Lititz    Academy 

a  director  in  the  Southeast  ward,  serving  several  years.  Returning    then    to    Mt.    Joy    he    read    medicine    under 

In    1858   he   was    elected   to    represent   the    same   ward  Dr.  J.   L.   Ziegler,  and  after  a   course  at  the   Pennsvl- 

(afterward    the    Third    and    then    the    Fourth)    nn    the  vania   Medical   School,   graduated  from  that  institution 

school  board    and  was   afterward   re-elected  each   term  in    1859.      I-Te    located    for    practice    in     Elizabetht6wn 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


551 


Lancaster  county,  and  won  a  high  place  in  the  estima- 
tion  of   the   people. 

The  Civil  war  broke  out,  and  he  became  an  assistant 
surgeon  of  the  62d  Pa.  V.  I.,  and  in  that  capacity 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  When  peace  was 
declared,  acting  under  the  advice  of  the  regimental 
surgeon.  Dr.  Kerr,  he  applied  for  a  commission  as 
surgeon  in  the  regular  army,  but  while  this  was  pend- 
ing, he  purchased  the  drug  store  of  Dr.  J.  Heyl  Raser, 
at  No.  526  Penn  street,  Reading,  Pa.  His  commission 
arrived  in  due  time,  but  he  resigned  it  out  of  considera- 
tion to  his  family  and  his  new  enterprise,  and  continued 
in  the  drug  business  until  his  death,  a  period  of  more 
than   forty-two  years. 

Dr.  Ziegler  was  by  profession  a  Presbyterian,  and 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  Olivet  Church,  at  Read- 
'  ing,  being  elected  an  elder  of  same.  He  labored 
earnestly  and  efficiently  in  developing  the  congregation 
and  placing  it  on  a  sure  foundation.  While  at  school 
he  had  become  proficient  in  the  classics,  and  never  al- 
lowed this  attainment  to  suflfer  by  disuse.  As  a  teacher 
of  the  Bible  class  in  his  chosen  church,  no  matter 
what  other  helps  he  might  use,  his  scholars  received  the 
benefit  of  his  study  of  the  lesson  in  original  Greek. 
Though  a  man  of  warm  impulses  and  kind  heart,  the 
decisiveness  with  which  he  expressed  his  convictions — 
and  they  were  never  wavering — often  gave  color  to  a 
severity  not  intentional.  Eminently  successful  in  his 
business,  his  prosperity  was  based  as  much  on  his 
unflinching  honesty  as  on  sound  business  principles 
so  that  his  store  became  known  for  honest  drugs. 
Purity  rather  than  price  influenced  his  purchase,  and 
if  a  salesman  deceived  and  ventured  to  trade  with  him 
again,  he  found  his  reception  very  frigid,  and  if  he 
persisted  the  interview  would  be  terminated  abruptly 
in  a  most  startling  manner.  He  was  bashful  in  every- 
thing that  called  notice  to  personal  merit,  and  seemed 
uncomfortable  when  paid  a  compliment.  The  earnes.t- 
ness  with  which  he  regarded  everything  in  life  was 
stamped  on  his  countenance,  giving  it  a  look  of 
severity,  yet  no  man  could  laugh  at  a  clean  joke  more 
heartily  than  he.  While  he  undoubtedly  felt  much 
satisfaction  in  having  been  an  officer  in  the  Union 
army,  he  seemed  to  think  the  part  he  played  was  too 
humble  to  publish  by  joining  any  of  the  organizations 
based  on  army  service,  and  it  was  a  long  time  before 
he  would  consent  to  be  mustered  into  Gen.  William 
H.  Keim  Post,  No.  76,  G.  A.  R.,  and  just  the  year  be- 
fore his  death  he  became  a  companion  of  Pennsylvania 
Commandery,  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion.  He 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Reading  Hospital,  and 
among  its  most  liberal  contributors,  and  for  many  years 
was  its  treasurer  and  a  manager  until  his  business  in- 
terests interfered.  He  was  conducting  his  business 
with  his  usual  energy,  when  suddenly  stricken,  and 
the  whole  community  was  shocked  to  hear  of  his 
death. 

On  July  13,  1871,  Dr.  Ziegler  married  Sarah  Ann 
McFarland,  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Arbuc- 
kle)  McFarland.  To  this  union  were  born  two  children: 
Howard  P.;  and  Stella,  wife  of  Dr.  William  W.  Livin- 
good,  of  Reading.  He  is  also  survived  by  two  sis- 
ters, Mrs.  Catharine  Geib  and  Mrs.  Isaac  Zook,  of 
Mastersonville,  Lancaster  county. 

CHRISTIAN  H.  RUHL,  attorney  at  the  Reading  Bar 
since  1875,  and  President  of  the  Berks  County  Trust 
Company  since  its  organization  in  1900.  was  born  at 
Carlisle,  Cumberland  county.  Pa.,  Aug.  7,  1853.  He 
was  educated  in  the  local  schools,  and  at  Dickinson 
College,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
1874.  During  his  course  of  study  in  the  College  he 
had  entered  the  law  offices  of  Charles  E.  McLaughlin, 
Esq.,  at  Carlisle,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  up  the  prac- 
tice of  law  as  his  profession,  and  shortly  after  his 
graduation  was  admitted  to  the  Cumberland  County 
Bar  (Aug.  24,  1874).  Having  decided  to  locate  in  a 
larger   county,   he   selected   Berks   county   for  his   field 


of  practice  and  removing  to  Reading  was  admitted  to 
the  Bar  April  15,  1875.  He  gradually  secured  an  in- 
creasing .practice  by  his  careful  attention  to  business, 
and  when  James  N.  Ermentrout,  Esq.  (member  of  the 
law-partnership  of  Daniel  and  James  N.  Ermentrout), 
was  elevated  to  the  Bench  Jan.  1,  1886,  his  senior  part- 
ner. Hon.  Daniel  Ermentrout  (then  in  Congress  from 
the  Berks  District),  selected  Mr.  Ruhl  to  take  the 
place  of  his  brother,  and  formed  the  partnership  of  Er- 
mentrout &  Ruhl ;  and  this  partnership  continued  in 
a  very  active  and  successful  practice  until  the  decease 
of  Mr.  Ermentrout  in  1899. 

Mr.  Ermentrout  having  been  prominently  identified 
with  the  political  aflfairs  of  the  county  during  this 
time,  the  legal  business  of  the  firm  was  attended  to 
almost  wholly  by  Mr.  fiuhl.  Their  business  embraced 
an  extensive  practice  in  all  the  local  courts,  and  the 
prosecution  of  numerous  cases  and  the  settlement  of 
intricate  estates  having  involved  much  litigation,  he 
came  to  attend  the  terms  of  the  Supreme  court  an- 
nually during  the  week  set  apart  for  Berks  county.  He 
began  his  practice  before  the  Supreme  court  in  1877. 
The  State  reports  during  a  period  of  thirty  years 
show  cases  annually  which  were  represented  by  Mr. 
Ruhl,  either  for  the  plaintiff  or  for  the  defendant,  and 
the  paper-books  display  his  great  care  and  ability  in 
the  preparation  of  his  legal  contests.  Besides  appear- 
ing before  the  Supreme  and  Superior  courts  of  the 
State,  he  has  also  had  considerable  practice  before  the 
District,  Circuit  and  Supreme  courts  of  the  United 
States,  which  has  given  himi  a  wide  acquaintance  with 
the  legal  profession  in  many  States  of  the  Union.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Bar  Associa- 
tion for  many  years.  In  1904  he  represented  the  asso- 
ciation as  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Universal  Con- 
gress of  Lawyers  which  assembled  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.; 
and  in  1905  to  the  American  Bar  Association  which 
assembled  at  Narragansett  Pier,  R.  I.  During  this 
time,  from  1898  to  1905,  he  officiated  as  the  Register 
in  Bankruptcy.  From;  the  time  of  locating  in  Berks 
county,  Mr.  Ruhl  has  taken  an  attive  part  in  local 
politics  with  the  Democratic  party  and  exerted  a  large 
influence  throughout  the  county  in  the  nomination  of 
candidates  for  office. 

Mr.  Ruhl  has  been  identified  with  different  financial 
institutions  of  this  community,  either  as  counsel  or 
director,  for  many  years:  National  Bank  of  Boyer- 
town.  Wbmelsdorf  National  Bank,  and  East  Reading 
Electric  Street  Railway  Company.  H'e  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Berks  County  Trust  Company  in 
1900,  and  has  since  officiated  as  its  president;  also 
of  the  Reading  Glove  &  Mitten  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany in  1898,  and  has  since  served  as  a  director. 

In  1878,"  Mr.  Ruhl  was  married  to  Elizabeth  K. 
Runkle,  daughter  of  John  Runkle,  of  Reading,  manu- 
facturer for  many  years,  who  died  in  1904,  aged  eighty- 
seven  years.  They  have  been  active  members  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  since  their  marriage.  He 
served  as  a  trustee  of  the  congregation  and  as  su- 
perintendent of  the  Sunday-school  for  many  years. 
They  also  co-operated  heartily  in  the  successful  estab- 
lishment of  the  Homeopathic  Hospital  in  1888,  and  the 
Young  Women's  Christian  Association  in  1898,  Mr. 
Ruhl  serving  the  former  as  secretary  for  five  years, 
and  as  president  for  twelve  years,  and  the  latter  as 
president  since  its  organization. 

Mr.  Ruhl's  father,  jfesse  Ruhl,  was  born  in  1812,  in 
Lancaster  county,  near  Mt.  Joy.  He  was  a  year  old  when 
his  parents  moved  to  Cumberland  county,  about  three 
miles  east  of  Carlisle,  and  engaged  in  farming.  Upon 
the  decease  of  his  father,  he  carried  on  the  farm  until 
1865,  when  he  removed  to  Carlisle,  and  lived  there  in 
retirement  until  his  death  in  1891.  He  was  married 
to  Mary  Ann  Gladfelter,  daughter  of  George  Gladfelter, 
of  York  county,  and  they  had  four  children:  Joseph 
(farmer  on   the  homestead) ;   George    (for   many  years 


553 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  business  at  Carlisle  and  died  in  1906);  Catharine  (m. 
to  John  H.  Strickler) ;  and  Christian  Henry  (the  subject 
of  this  sketch). 

His  grandfather  was  Christian  Ruhl,  born  in  1751 
in  Lancaster  county,  and  brought  up  to  farming.  He 
removed  to  Cumberland  county  in  1813,  and  besides 
carrying  on  farming  was  also  engaged  in  lumbering, 
milling  and  distilling  until  he  died  in  1850. 

His  great-grandfather  was  also  named  Christian,  born 
in  Lancaster  county,  followed  farming,  and  died  in 
1829. 

His  great-great-grandfather  emigrated  from  Holland 
in  1743,  and  settled  near  M'ount  Joy,  in  Lancaster 
county. 

WILLIAM  RICK,  Mayor  of  Reading  for  the  term  of 
1008-11,  was  born  July  28,  1875,  at  the  village  of  Millers- 
burg,  Bethel  township,  Berks  county.  He  acquired  his 
preliminary  education  in  the  local  schools  and  at  the 
Keystone  State  Normal  School,  after  which  he  entered 
Muhlenberg  College  at  Allentown,  Pa.,  and  remaining  there 
three  years,  was  graduated  in  June,  1893.  He  then  be- 
gan the  study  of  law  by  registering  as  a  student  in  the 
law  office  of  Jacobs  &  Keiser,  at  Reading,  and  on  Nov. 
11.  ISOt),  was  regularly  admitted  to  practise  before  the 
courts  of  Berks  county.  He  then  went  to  the  Yale  Law 
School,  and  graduated  in  1897.  Immediately  beginning 
active  practice,  he  has  continued  with  increasing  success 
until  the  present  time,  his  offices  being  at  No.  526  Court 
street.  Shortly  after  entering  upon  his  legal  practice,  he 
identified  himself  with  the  Republican  party,  and  in  ap- 
preciation of  his  services  was  given  the  appointment  of 
deputy  controller  of  Berks  county  by  Joseph  N.  Shomo, 
who  was  appointed  on  May  22,  1901,  by  the  Governor, 
as  the  first  controller  of  the  county,  a  position  which 
he  filled  until  Jan,  6,  1902,  In  1904  in  the  organization 
of  the  school  board  of  that  year,  Mr.  Rick  was  elected 
school  solicitor  of  the  Reading  school  district,  and  served 
for  the  term  of  1904-'07, 

In  1908  Mr.  Rick  was  nominated  for  mayor  of  Reading 
on  the  Republican  ticket,  being  chosen  in  preference  to 
several  other  candidates.  His  Democratic  opponent  was 
Edward  Yeager,  wto  had  been  Mayor  three  years  before, 
and  who  was  popular  with  the  community.  .A.  vigorous 
campaign  was  waged,  Mr,  Rick  conducting  much  of  it 
himself  and  making  numerous  speeches.  Though  Read- 
ing was  normally  Democratic  by  about  500,  Mr.  Rick 
was  triumphantly  elected  mayor  by  upwards  of  1.800 
majority,  being  the  youngest  candidate  ever  elected  to 
that  position.  Shortly  before  his  inauguration  he  formed 
a  law  partnership  with  Frederick  W.  NicoUs,  under  the 
title  of  Rick  &  Nicolls.  and,  though  he  spent  part  of  his 
time  in  attending  to  his  law  business,  devoted  himself 
principally  to  the  intricate  municipal  affairs  of  the  city. 
One  of  the  most  remarkable  local  improvements  during 
his  term  was  the  completion  of  the  Spring  street  subway, 
connecting  the  northeastern  section  of  the  city  with  the 
north  central,  and  greatly  expediting  traffic  and  transpor- 
tation which  had  formerly  been  almost  impossible  between 
these   districts   except  by  a  circuitous   route. 

Mr.  Rick  has  always  had  a  good  business  head,  and 
it  is  as  a  business  lawyer,  seeing  the  common  sense 
side  of  the  law  and  discarding  its  technicalities  and  in- 
equalities, that  he  has  been  particularly  successful.  His 
conduct  of  city  affairs  thus  far  has  also  been  on  a  strictly 
business  basis,  as  well  as  of  absolute  integrity.  His  busi- 
ness capacity  is  evidenced  by  his  connection  with  a  num- 
ber of  local  enterprises,  being  a  director  of  the  Berks 
County  Trust  Company,  the  American  Casualty  Company, 
the  Reading  Wood  Pulley  Company,  and  the  Readin,g 
Saddle  and  ;\Tanufacturing  Company. 

I\fr.  Rick,  both  as  lawyer  and  as  public  officer,  has  al- 
ways been  animated  by  a  keen  desire  to  do  his  full  duty 
to  his  clients  and  to  his  constituents,  and  nothing  is  too 
laborious  or  unpleasant  for  him  to  undertake  in  attaining 
this  end.  His  courtesy  and  patience  are  inexhaustible, 
and  if  his  resentment  is  ever  aroused,  it  means  that  he 
hab  endured  until  endurance   is  no  longer  right,  and  th;it 


the  offender  has  been   guilty  of  some  utterly  indefensible 
action. 

In  1899  Mr.  Rick  was  married  to  Carrie  B.  Lawshe, 
daughter  of  Abner  Lawshe,  merchant  at  Reading,  and  they 
have  one  daughter,  Margaret. 

Mr.  Rick's  father  was  Garrick  Mallery  Fisher  Rick. 
He  was  born  June  15,  1831,  in  Penn  township,  at  Centre- 
ville,  now  Garfield.  He  attended  the  local  schools  during 
his  boyhood,  and  also  a  school  in  Chester  county.  Upon 
his  return  home  he  was  employed  on  a  farm  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  then  entered  a  general  store  at-Rehrersburg 
for  the  purpose  of  learning  the  mercantile  business,  and 
in  1855  he  embarked  in  business  for  himself.  He  continued 
at  Rehrersburg  until  1860,  and  then  moved  to  Millers- 
burg,  where  he  carried  on  a  large  general  store  with 
increasing  success  until  1884,  when  he  retired,  and  lived 
in  retirement  until  his  decease  Oct.  10,  1908.  For  forty 
years  he  was  prominently  identified  with  the  business, 
financial  and  political  aflfairs  of  his  section  of  the  county, 
and  exerted  much  influence  in  the  community.  Upon  his 
retirement  from  business,  he  was  succeeded  in  his  busi- 
ness by  his  son  John  George  Rick.  He  was  an  active 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  for  many  years,  and  in 
politics  was  a  stanch  Republican.  He  officiated  as  post- 
master of  Millersburg  for  twenty-five  years.  He  married 
Sarah  Ann  Beyerle,  daughter  of  Dr.  George  Beyerle,  of 
Bernville.  They  had  three  children :  John  George  ( m.  to 
Clara  Kline)  :  Mary  (m.  to  Harry  A.  Reinoehl,  a  lumber 
merchant  at  Lebanon,  Pa.)  ;  and  William,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

Mr.  Rick's  grandfather  was  John  Rick,  who  carried 
on  a  store  and  tannery  at  Centrevilie  for  many  years. 
He  died  in  1839,  aged  thirty-nine  years.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Fisher,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children  :  Louisa  (m. 
to  William  Schaffner)  ;  Fayetta  (m.  to  John  Heighold)  ; 
Garrick  M.  F.  (m.  to  Sarah  Beyerle)  :  Emma  M.  (m. 
to  Cornelius  Stamm)  ;  Lydia  (m.  to  Amos  Huyett)  :  John; 
Sidney,  and  George  (m.  to  Mary  Ann  Deppen). 

DIETRICH.  The  Dietrich  family  is  one  of  the  most 
numerous  and  prominent  in  Berks  county.  It  has 
been  distinguished  for  the  loyal  and  intelligent  citizen- 
ship, and  for  the  honorable  and  upright  lives,  of  those 
bearing  the  name.  The  ancestry  was  of  royal  blood 
in  the  German  empire,  and  acts  of  valor  and  deeds 
of  philanthropy  of  the  Dietrichs  have  illumined  the 
pages  of  German  history  for  more  than  one  thousand 
years.  Five  distinct  houses  of  Dietrich  or  Dieterich 
have  been  elevated  to  the  same  armorial  bearings  as 
have  been  worn  by  the  kings  and  emperors  them- 
selves. In  the  New  World  they  have  participated  in 
all  the  wars  of  this  country,  and  in  times  of  peace 
have  been  among  the  industrious  and  useful  mem- 
bers  of   society. 

The  Dietrich  Family  .Association  was  founded  along 
original  lines  in  the  year  1903  by  William  J.  Dietrich. 
of  Reading.  Meetings  were  held  in  1903,  at  Lenharts- 
ville,  and  in  1904  and  1906  at  Kutztown.  At  the  last 
meeting  were  representatives  from  seventeen  States, 
and  also  from  Canada  and  Mexico,  and  upward  of 
three  thousand  persons  were  present.  Up  to  the  pres- 
ent time  this  is  the  largest  family  gathering  ever  held 
in   Pennsylvania. 

In  the  following  record  of  the  family,  the  Roman 
numerals  indicate  the  number  of  the  generation,  begin- 
ning with   the  first   American  ancestor. 

(I)  Adam  Dietrich,  born  in  the  German  Palatinate, 
in  the  Rhine  Valley,  Oct.  28,  1740,  was  reared  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits  in  his  native  country,  where  he  also 
learned  the  trade  of  weaver.  In  1751  his  elder  brother, 
Johannes  Dietrich,  emigrated  to  America,  and  settled 
m  Greenwich  township,  Berks  County.  Pa,  He  was 
followed  to  this  country  by  Adam  and  another  brother, 
Casper,  m  1767.  The  two  brothers  crossed  the  At- 
lantic in  the  .good  ship  "Britannia."  which  qualified  at 
Philadelphia  Oct.  26.  1767.  Casper  located  in  North- 
ampton county,  Pa.,  where  he  lived  until  about  1790. 
when    he    settled    m    Virginia,    from    which    State    his 


AA/1LL.IAM         RICK 

MAYOR      OF      REATDING    1908-1911 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


553 


son,  Casper,  Jr.,  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812.    Casper  Dietrich  had  a  large  family. 

For  some  years  after  coming  to  this  country  Adam 
Dietrich  apparently  lived  in  Lowhill  township,  North- 
umberland county,  where  in  1772  he  paid  a  proprie- 
tary tax  of  $37.96.  His  occupation  was  that  of  a  farm- 
er and  innkeeper  at  Sunbury.  In  1785,  when  a  federal 
tax  was  collected  in  that  county,  he  was  no  longer 
a  resident  there,  but  the  State  records,  and  the  old 
tax  lists  of  Berks  county,  show  him  a  resident  in 
Greenwich  township,  Berks  county.  In  1779  he  owned 
there  130  acres  of  land,  four  horses  and  three  cows. 
In  1780-81-82-83  he  was  assessed  with  130  acres,  two 
horses,  two'  cattle  in  Greenwich;  and  in  1779-80-81-82- 
83-84-85  he  was  assessed  also  in  Maxatawny  township 
with  two  horses,  two  cattle  and  two  sheep.  He  conduct- 
ed an  inn  a  quarter  of  a  mile  northeast  of  Topton  for 
some  years,  in  addition  to  farming  in  Greenwich.  A 
warrant  for  eighty  acres  of  land  located  in  Northumber- 
land county  was  deeded  to  him  Feb.  15,  1767,  by  the 
Commonwealth.  On  Feb.  15,  1787,  he  obtained  an- 
other warrant,  this  one  for  sixty  acres  located  in 
Greenwich  township.  In  1785  he  bought  several  lots 
of  ground  located  on  White  Oak  street,  Kutztown, 
from  George  Kutz.  In  1789  he  bought  from  Michael 
Roth,  who  lived  in  Virginia,  a  tract  of  land  located 
in  Maxatawny  township,  Berks  county.  This  deed 
states  that  Adam  Dietrich  was  a  yeoman,  and  a  true 
and  trusty  friend  of  the  grantor.  In  1793  he  purchased 
more  land,-  this  being  a  tract  in  Kutztown,  from  Sam- 
uel Schoedler.  On  November  30,  1809,  a  warrant  was 
granted  Adam  Dietrich  by  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania for  a  tract  of  200  acres  located  in  Greenwich 
township,  and  this  he  sold,  June  3,  1812,  to  his  young- 
est son,  Johann  Christian,  for  $2,796.  Adam  Dietrich 
was  loyal  to  his  adopted  land,  and  the  Dietrich  Family 
Association  have  certified  records  that  he  was  a  ser- 
geant in  Capt.  Jacob  Baldy's  company,  under  Lieut. - 
Col.  Joseph  Hiester,  of  Berks  county,  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  in  1780. 

Adam  Dietrich  was  married  before  his  emigration 
to  America,  and  two  of  his  children,'  Johann  Adam 
and  Johann  George,  were  born  in  the  Fatherland.  He 
married  Maria  Barbara  Steinbruch,  who  was  born  March 
13,  1741,  daughter  of  Jacob  Steinbruch.  She  died  on  the 
homestead  in  Greenwich  township,  June  6,  1821,  aged 
eighty  years,  two  months,  twenty-four  davs.  He  died 
in  Greenwich  township  March  1,  1817,  aged  seventy-six 
years,  four  months,  and  three  days.  Both  Adam  Diet- 
rich and  his  wife  were  stanch  Lutherans,  and  were 
members  of  the  Moselem  Church  (which  was  estab- 
lished in  1742),  of  which  he  was  an  official,  and  they 
are  both  buried  in  the  cemetery  adjoining  this  church. 
To  this  couple  were  born  seven  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters, all  but  one  of  whom  lived  to  old  age.  All  the 
sons  were  named  Johann,  but  each  was  known  by  his 
second  name  with  the  exception  of  the  sixth  son,  who 
had  no  second  name.  These  children  v/ere:  (1)  Jo- 
hann Adam,  born  Dec.  11.  1765,  died  Au^.  19.  1823, 
aged  fifty-seven  years,  eight  months,  eight  days. 
(2)  Johann  Georg.  born  May  7.  1767,  died  Nov.  4, 
1845,  aged  seventy-eight  years,  five  months,  twenty- 
seven  days.  (3)  Maria  Barbara,  born  1769,  m.  Jo- 
hannes Zimmerman,  of  Albany  township,  where  their 
descendants  still  reside.  (4)  Maria  Catharine,  born 
1771,  m.  Rev.  Johann  Michael  Schmidt,  mentioned 
elsewhere.  (5)  Johann  Jacob,  born  June  25,  1773,  died 
Sept.  1,  1857,  aged  eighty-four  years,  twoi  months,  six 
days.  (6)  Johann  Michael,  born  April  6,  1775,  died 
June  19,  1861.  aged  eighty-six  years,  two  months,  thir- 
teen days.  (7)  Johann  Heinrich,  born  1777,  died  1857. 
(8)  Johann,  born  Jan.  7.  1779,  died  July  28,  1830.  aged 
fifty-one  years,  six  months,  twenty-one  days.  (9"!  Ma- 
ria Elizabeth,  born  1781.  (10)  Johann  Christian,  born 
Jan.  13,  1783,  died  Nov.  21,  1873,  aged  ninety  years, 
ten  months,  eight  days.  (11)  Maria  Magdalena,  born 
1785.  was  known  by  the  name  of  Polly.  She  m.  a 
Becker.  (12)  Anna  Margaret,  born  January,  1787, 
died   July   14,    1838.   aged   fifty-one   years,   six   months. 


She    was    called    Beckie,    and    she    m.    Jacob    Heflfner 
(1781-1867),  of  Virginville,  Pennsylvania. 

(II)  Johann  Adam  Dietrich,  oldest  son  of  Adam 
the  emigrant,  was  born  Dec.  11,  1765,  in  Germany,  and 
when  a  mere  child  came  with  his  parents  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  grew  up  on  the  farm,  and  when  twenty-one 
years  old,  in  1788,  married  Catharine  Christ,  born  1767, 
who  died  in  Greenwich  in  1837,  aged  sixty-nine  years. 
He-  lived  in  Greenwich  township  for  some  years,  and 
then  owned  a  farm  on  which  he  lived  in  the  Stony  Run, 
in  Albany  township.  Here  he  died  suddenly  of  apo- 
plexy, Aug.  19,  1823,  aged  fifty-seven  years,  eight 
months,  eight  days.  He  and  his  wife  are  buried  at 
Grimville.  His  three  children  were:  Johannes,  born 
Feb.  26,  1795,  died  April  1,  1872;  George  died  in  in- • 
fancy;   Mary  (1803-1883)   m.  Jacob  Wessner. 

(III)  Johannes  Dietrich  (1795i-1872),  son  of  Johann 
Adam,  lived  in  the  Stony  Run,  on  the  homestead 
which  latterly  was  owned  by  his  son  John,  who  was 
oyer  six  feet  tall,  and  very  strong.  Johannes  Diet- 
rich kept  many  bees,  and  was  very  successful  in  rais- 
ing them.  Visitors  to  his  family  were  treated  to  an 
abundance  of  honey,  which  he  had  the  year  around. 
His  sons  and  grandsons  inherited  from  him  the  art 
of  bee  raising. 

In  1823  he  married  Catharine  Kunkel,  born  in  Al- 
bany June  8,  1800,  died  Sept.  22,  1880,  aged  eighty 
years,  three  months,  fourteen  days.  They  had  the  fol- 
lowing eight  children:  Polly  m.  Daniel  Fenster- 
macher;  Rebecca  (1824-1891)  m.  Johannes  Schlenker; 
Daniel  m.  Catharyn  Dietrich;  Anna  m.  Samuel  Mil- 
ler; Maria  C.  m.  William  S.  Mosser;  John  H.  m.  Polly 
Leiby  (they  had  no  issue);  one  died  young;  David 
(1840-1852). 

(IV)  Daniel  Dietrich,  son  of  Johannes,  was  born  in 
Albany  on  the  homestead  in  Stony  Run,  where  all 
his  brothers  and  sisters  were  also  born.  He  .died  on 
his  farm  at  the  top  of  Stony  Run  hill  Oct.  5.  1901, 
aged  seventy  years,  seven  months,  eighteen  days.  He 
was  a  life-long  farmer,  and  also  raised  bees.  He  was 
an  honest  and  kind-hearted  man,  tall,  strong  and  a 
little  stooped;  he  wore  a  heavy  beard.  He  and  his 
family  were  Lutherans  and  are  buried  at  Grimville. 
His  wife,  Catharyn  Dietrich,  a  daughter  of  Michael 
Dietrich,  died  Oct.  10,  1895,  in  her  sixty-sixth  year, 
rfhey  had  these  seven  children:  Levi  D.  m.  Mary 
Dietrich;  Catharyn  m.  Augustus  Dietrich  (they  have 
Newton  E.  and  Walter  L.) ;  Daniel  m.  Emma  Rein- 
hart;  Ellen  m.  Jacob  George;  Sarah  m.  Mr.  Baer; 
Charles  A.  m.  Louisa  Kutz;  Mary  A.  m.  Nathan 
Zimmerman. 


(II)  Johann  Georg  Dietrich,  born  May  7,  1767, 
son  of  Adam  the  emigrant,  came  with  his  parents 
to  America  when  a  mere  child.  He  located  in  Green- 
wich township,  near  Dunkel's  Church,  of  which  he  was 
an  official  Lutheran  member.  In  1809  his  name  appears 
as  a  church  official  and  active  member.  He  died  Nov. 
4,  1845,  aged  seventy-eight  years,  five  months,  twenty- 
seven  days.  He  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Brunner  (1773- 
1850).  are  buried  there.  Their  eight  children  were:  (1) 
Johannes  (born  1793,  died  1872)  m.  Maria  Moyer  (1793- 
1861),  and  had  children:  Polly,  Hannah,  Jeremiah,  Het- 
tie  and  Lucinda.  Polly  and  Hettie  still  live  on  the  farm, 
the  former  past  ninety  years  old,  and  the  latter  nearly 
ninety.  (2)  Katie  (1796-1870)  married  Jacob  Stoyer,' 
and  had  eight  children.  (3)  Beckie  (1798)  married 
Benjamin  Hummel,  of  Greenwich,  and  had  three  chil- 
dren. (4)  Maria  Magdalena  (1801-1880)  married 
John  Komp,  and  had  four  children.  (5)  George 
B.  (born  1805,  died  1878)  was  of  (Greenwich. 
He  married  Polly  Riegelman.  and  had  children: 
Fennias,  Jonas,  Katie,  Lewis  and  Helena.  (6) 
Daniel  (born  Nov.  12,  1809,  died  Jan.  18.  1842).  (7) 
Ann  married  Benjamin  Riegelman,  of  Greenwich  town- 
ship, and  had  two  children.  (8)  Lucinda  married  Jacob 
Lesher,  of  near  Topton,  Pa.,  and  had  six  children. 


554 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


(III)  Daniel  Dietrich,  son  of  Johann  Georg,  was  born 
Nov.  13,  1809,  and  died  Jan.  IS,  1842,  aged  thirty-two 
years,  two  months,  six  days;  he  was  buried  at  Dunkel's 
Church.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Greenwich  township.  On 
Oct.  17,  1830,  he  married  Catharine  Lesher  (1812-1844), 
and  they  had  five  sons  and  one  daughter,  namely:  (l) 
Benjamin  married  and  had  children:  John,  Mary,  Ella, 
Rachel  and  James  D.  The  last  named  was  the  father 
of  Prof.  A.  M.  Dietrich,  of  Reading.  (2)  Samuel  lived 
at  Lewisburg,  Union  county,  where  he  died.  He  had 
two  children,  Frank  and  Laura.  (3)  Daniel  died  at  Mif- 
flinburg.  Pa.,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four.  He  had  three 
children,  Charles,  George  and  Irwin.  (4)  Joel  L.  (born 
June  6,  1837).  (5)  Isaac  is  buried  at  Hamburg.  His 
son  Irwin  lives  at  Schuylkill  Haven,  Pa.  (6)  A  daugh- 
ter. 

(IV)  Joel  L.  Dietrich,  son  of  Daniel,  born  June 
6,  1837,  in  Greenwich  township,  was  reared  to  farming. 
In  his  young  manhood  he  went  to  live  with  his 
uncle,  Solomon  Lesher,  who  was  a  farmer  in  Upper 
Tulpehocken  township.  There  he  lived  some  years,  and 
was  married  to  Catharine  Unger,  daughter  of  David 
Unger,  of  that  township.  Mr.  Dietrich  worked  at  car- 
pentering for  some  years,  and  then  engaged  again  in 
farming.  He  owned  a  farm  of  over  one  hundred  acres 
in  Jefferson  township,  near  Bernville,  and  this  he  cul- 
tivated some  years.  He  also  owned  a  smaller  tract 
adjacent.  In  1905  he  sold  his  land  and  retired,  mov- 
ing into  Strausstown,  where  he  makes  his  home  at  the 
present  time.  He  is  a  man  very  highly  respected,  and 
for  many  years  he  was  active  in  church  life  at  the 
Zion's  Blue  Mountain  Church.  To  him  and  his  good 
wife  were  born  twelve  children,  as  follows:  (1)  Frank- 
lin P.  (born  April  2,  1860).  (2)  George  B.,  of  Reading, 
m.  Valeria  Groff,  and  has  one  daughter,  Miary.  (3) 
Milton  C,  of  Reading,  m.  in  1890  Ida  Fox,  and  their 
children  are:   Robert  F..   Ida  S.,  John  J.  and  Annie   C. 

(4)  William  A.  (born  Feb.  24,  18G6,  died  Sept.  9,  1903). 

(5)  Mary  m.  in  1888,  Charles  Christman,  and  has  four 
sons  and  four,  daughters.  (6)  Katie  m.,  in  1892,  Wil- 
liam Kenney,  and  has  one  son  and  four  daughters.  (7) 
Amelia  m.,  in  1889,  Calvin  Himmelberger,  and  has 
three  sons  and  one  daughter.  (8)  Lizzie  m.  in  1893, 
Levi  Christman,  brother  of  Charles,  and  has  a  daughter, 
Ella.  (9)  Fietta  m.,  in  1892,  Moses  Ebling,  and  they 
have  four  sons  and  one  daughter.  (10)  Charles  (1863- 
1884).  (11)  Isaac,  of  Rehrersburg,  m.  Lizzie  Gehart. 
(12)  John,  a  music  teacher  and  organist  and  chorister 
of  the  Rehrersburg  Lutheran  Church,  m.  Lillian  Bright, 
and  has  a  son,  Charles. 

(V)  Franklin  P.  Dietrich,  son  of  Joel  L.,  born 
April  2.  1860,  at  Schaefferstown.  Jefferson  township, 
this  county,  is  a  farmer  in  Bern  township.  He  obtained 
a  common  school  education,  and  remained  at  home  un- 
til he  was  thirty-two  years  of  age.  He  then  began 
farming  in  Cumru  township,  near  Mt.  Penn  Furnace, 
where  he  remained  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1902 
he  went  to  his  present  farm,  located  near  Leinbachs,  in 
Bern  township.  This  farm,  which  contains  thirty-seven 
acres  of  good  land,  he  purchased  from  Jacob  Balthaser. 
In  his  young  inanhood  he  learned  the  painter's  trade, 
and  this  he  followed  for  nineteen  years,  of  which  time 
three  years  were  passed  in  Reading  and  three  years 
in  business  for  himself  at  Strausstown.  He  is  an  ener- 
getic and  progressive  citizen.  In  politics  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  in  religious  connection  he  and  all  his  family 
are  members  of  Eplers  Lutheran  Church.  On  June  18, 
1893,  he  married  Ellen  Schlappig,  daughter  of  William 
and  Mary  (Savage)  Schlappig,  of  Upper  Bern.  They 
have  three  children,  all  in  school:  Lillie,  Mary  and 
Charles  W. 

(V)  William  A.  Dietrich,  son  of  Joel  L.,  born 
in  Upper  Tulpehocken  township  Feb.  24,  1866.  died  at 
Strausstown  Sept.  9,  1903,  aged  thirty-seven  years,  six 
months,  fifteen  days,  and  was  buried  at  Blue  Mountain 
Church.  He  was  a  musician  of  note,  was  organist  of 
Blue  Mountain  Church  and  Sunday-school  for  seven 
years,    a    leader    of    the    Strausstown    choir,    and    made 


great  efforts  to  improve  the  younger  element  in  vocal 
and  instrumental  music.  He  was  a  man  of  high  ideals, 
and  was  greatly  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  By 
trade  he  was  a  stone-cutter,  and  this  he  followed  in  con- 
nection with  the  teaching  of  music.  He  moved  to 
Strausstown  in  1895  from  Hamburg,  having  lived  in  the 
latter  place  three  years,  there  following  the  profession 
of  music   teacher  with  great  success. 

On  April  29,  1892,  he  married  Sallie  M.  Potteiger, 
daughter  of  William  Potteiger,  a  former  member  of 
the  State  Legislature,  and  justice  of  the  peace  of  Berks 
county  many  years.     No   children  were  born  to   them. 

(II)  Johann  Jacob  Dietrich,  son  of  Adam  the  emi- 
grant, was  born  in  Berks  county,  June  25.  1773,  and  he 
died  on  his  farm  in  Albany  township,  whither  he  had 
moved  in  1817,  Jan.  1.  1857.  He  was  an  official  member 
of  the  Lutheran  congregation  of  the  Union  Church  at 
Lenhartsville,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  there.  He 
was  an  extensive  landowner.  In  about  1817  he  settled 
at  "Spitzenburg,"  in  Albany  township,  where  he  suc- 
cessfully conducted  a  tannery  and  hotel  for  many  years. 
On  Jan.  30,  1829,  he  purchased  seventeen  acres  and 
three  rods  from  Jacob  Trautman,  a  neighbor  in  Albany 
township.  On  Dec.  22,  1829,  he  obtained  a  grant  from 
the  Commonwealth,  through  the  Secretary  of  the  Land 
Office,  for  sixteen  acres,  twenty-six  perches,  for  $33.- 
78.  This  tract  was  lying  adjacent  to  his  other  land. 
He  also  purchased  a  tract  from  John  Stoudt,  a 
neighbor,  for  £3,100.  From  the  Christian  Henry 
estate  (to  whom  it  had  been  ceded  by  the  Common- 
wealth) he  obtained  194  acres,  84  perches,  in  Albany, 
and  adjoining  his  other  land.  He  owned  about  500 
acres  of  land  in  the  southern  end  of  Albany  township, 
around  the  south  and  west  base  of  Spitzenburg,  part 
of  this  land  lying  across  the  Albany  line  into  Green- 
wich township,  and  he  was  known  as  "Spitzenburger 
Jake  Dietrich."  This  land  is  now  divided  into  three 
large  farms:  The  148-acre  farm  owned  by  Jacob  H. 
Dietrich  (son  of  Samuel  P.  and  grandson  of  Johann 
Jacob);  the  Nathan  Stump  farm  (on  which  Johann  Jac- 
ob Dietrich  built  the  present  barn  in  1837);  and  the 
Simon  Bautsch  farm.  The  last  named  tract  was  the 
homestead  farm  of  Mr.  Dietrich,  and  on  it  is  a  one  and 
one-half  story  stone  house,  which  was  erected  in  about 
1760  by  the  Henry  family,  the  original  owners.  This 
had  no  cellar,  and  was  used  as  a  church  many  years 
ago,  and  also  as  a  schoolhouse,  one  Karl  Cook  being  the 
teacher.  In  a  corner  in  the  wall  was  a  hollow  or  hole, 
in  which  the  Holy  Bible  was  kept,  Mr,  Dietrich  kept 
a  very  popular  hotel,  known  as  "Dietrich's  Hotel," 
in  this  house  for  many  years,  and  about  1800  built  a 
stone  addition  on  the  west  side.  Battalion  days  were 
held  annually  in  an  open  field  at  the  Spitzenburg,  and  on 
this  day  the  militia  met  and  drilled  in  all  the  splendor 
they  could  muster.  Each  company  tried  to  exhibit  the 
best  discipline,  Dietrich's  battalion  was  always  largely 
attended,  and  was  a  very  joyful  occasion,  the  ladies  in 
their  bright  attire  adding  to  the  brilliance  of  the  scene. 
The  day,  however,  usually  wound  up  somewhat  disas- 
trously, as  the  disputes  regarding  the  relative  merits 
of  those  participating  in  the  day's  work  were  frequent- 
ly settled  by  blows.  Mr.  Dietrich  was  also  a  distiller, 
and  burned  considerable  apple-jack,  the  ruins  of  his  old 
distillery  still  being  visible  in  the  meadow  facing  the 
house.  He  sold  a  "smaller,"  a  drink  of  apple-jack,  for  two 
cents.  I-Ie  was  a  man  of  no  little  prominence  and 
influence  in  his  district,  and  while  of  mild  disposition, 
and  kind  heart,  he  was  unbending  in  his  convictions, 
and  was  very  strict  in  his  discipline  of  his  children. 
He  was  smooth-shaven,  had  black  hair  and  clear  white 
teeth,  and  though  small  in  stature  was  possessed  of 
great  strength,  being  able  to  carry  twelve  bushels  of 
wheat  at  one  time,  six  bushels  of  which  he  could 
shoulder   alone. 

In  1806  Johann  Jacob  Dietrich  married  Christina 
Peiffer  (1786-1861),  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
eleven    children,    namely:    (1)    Daniel    (born    1808,    died 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


555 


1872)  m.  Anna  Christman.  (2)  Samuel  (born  1810,  died 
1898)  m.  Sarah  Heinly.  (3)  Henry  (born  1812)  m. 
Anna  Kline.  (4)  Jacob  P.  m.  Leah  Greenanwald.  (5) 
Gideon  P.  (born  1815,  died  1898)  m.  Susan  Moser.  (6) 
Solomon  P.  (born  1817,  died  1901)  m.  Anna  Hein.  He 
was  a  well-known  citizen  of  Albany  township.  (7)  Pol- 
ly (born  1819,  died  1900)  m.  Charles  Greenanwald.  (8) 
Sally  m.  Peter  Kline.  (9)  Moses  P.  (born  1824,  died 
1906)  m.  Anna  Dreibelbis,  owned  and  conducted  a  grist 
mill  on  the  Ontelaunee,  at  Lenhartsville,  for  many 
years.  (10)  Charles  P.  (born  Nov.  11,  1826),  formerly  a 
well  known  citizen  of  Albany  township,  who  how  lives 
at  Reading,  m.  Kate  Smith.  (11)  Caroline  (born  1830) 
m.  Peter  Krause,  of  Klinesville.  He  died  in  the  nine- 
tieth year  of  his  age,  in  1909.  She  died  shortly  after- 
ward. 

(III)  Daniel  Dietrich,  eldest  child  of  Johann  Jacob, 
was  born  in  Albany  township,  July  27,  1808,  and  died 
of  smallpox  at  Reading,  Aug.  30,  1872,  aged  sixty-four 
years,  one  month,  three  days.  He  was  first  engaged  in 
farming  immediately  west  of  the  borough  of  Kutztown, 
from  there  moving  to  Oley  township,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  farming  for  many  years.  On  retiring  from 
agricultural  work,  he  moved  to  Reading,  and  there  for 
ten  years  conducted  a  dairy,  meeting  with  great  suc- 
cess. In  1833  he  married  Anna  Christman,  born  May 
6,  1814,  daughter  of  Peter  Christman.  She  died  Oct. 
24,  1883.  Both  Daniel  Dietrich  and  his  wife  are  buried 
in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery.  They  had  a  family  of 
thirteen  sons,  and  we  have  record  of  the  following: 
(1)  James  M.  (born  Aug.  11.  1834,  died  in  Nebraska, 
Feb.  5,  1901)  m.  Sarah  Neiferd,  of  Iowa,  and  had  seven 
children — Franklin,  Daniel,  John,  Charles.  Rebecca, 
Mary  and  Amelia — and  fourteen  grandchildren.  (2) 
Daniel  P.  (3)  Charles  C.  (born  Oct.  20,  1837)  lives  at 
No.  923  Elm  street,  Reading.  He  m.  Sophia  Gehret, 
who  has  been  an  invalid  since  1898,  and  they  have  had 
four  children:  Mary  Ann.  Cyrus  (1862-1891),  Alice  and 
Amanda.  (4)  Penrose  (born  1838)  m.  Wilhelmina 
Mary  Buchanan,  from  the  West,  and  has  children:  Anna 
Mary,  William  F.,  Edward  C,  Franklin  A.,  Carrie  M., 
Albert  A.  and  Elmer  J.  (5)  Alfred  m.  Beckie  Fisher, 
and  lives  at  No.  110  North  Tenth  street,  Reading.  No 
issue.  (6)  Francis  F.  (born  Jan.  6,  1841)  m.  in  1872, 
Amanda  Jane  Zumbrun,  of  the  West,  and  they  live  in 
Nebraska.  Their  children  are:  Alvin  M.,  Truman  O., 
Mary  A.,  Emma  M.,  Fianna  S.,  George  F..  Valetta  J.  and 
Lloyd  J.  (7)  Thomas  T.  (born  Feb.  29,  1848)  m.  and 
with  his  son,  Fred  W.,  lives  in  the  West.  (8)  Alvin,  of 
Yellow  House,  Berks  county,  m.  Catharine  Miller,  and 
has  children:  Oscar  M..  Alvin  M..  Elmer  M.,  Bertha, 
Anna,  Katharyn  and  Mary.  He  also  has  four  grand- 
children. (9)  Cyrus  died  young.  (10)  Jacob  (born 
1850,  died  1897)  was  unmarried.  His  remains  rest  in 
the  Charles  Evans  cemetery  at  Reading. 

(IV)  Daniel  P.  Dietrich,  the  second  oldest  son  of 
Daniel,  was  born  in  Albany  township,  June  12,  1836. 
He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Albany  and  Green- 
wich townships,  and  when  fourteen  years  of  age  was 
sent  to  Columbia  county  by  his  father  to  obtain  an 
English  education.  While  at  this  place  he  made  his 
home  with  his  uncle,  Gideon  Dietrich,  and  he  attended 
school  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  remained  with 
his  uncle  eight  years,  the  last  four  at  work  on  his 
uncle's  farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  went 
to. Montour  county,  and  there  in  Derry  township  worked 
on  a  farm.  In  1859  and  1860  he  operated  a  farm  for 
his  father-in-law,  Leonard  Raub,  and  he  later  became 
foreman  for  a  large  lumber  company  in  Cameron  coun- 
ty. Pa.,  remaining  there  four  years.  He  again  worked 
at  farming,  following  this  occupation  for  ten  years, 
when  he  removed  to  Richardson  county.  Neb.,  where  he 
worked  on  a  farm  for  three  years.  He  then  purchased 
a  farm  which  he  operated  for  nine  years,  and  then 
bought  440  acres  in  Buffalo  county.  Neb.,  and  360  acres 
in  Phillips  county,  Kans.  These  large  farms  he  oper- 
ated successfully  for  sixteen  years,  selling  them  at 
a  very  large  profit.     He  understood  the  nature  of  the 


Western  soil,  and  raised  very  large  crops.  He  also 
engaged  in  stock  raising,  meeting  with  great  success. 
He  purchased  his  land  at  several  dollars  an  acre,  and 
commenced  raising  alfalfa,  which  greatly  enhanced 
the  value  of  the  land,  and  his  real  estate  speculations 
always  were  profitable.  During  the  winter  of  1898-99 
Mr.  Dietrich  came  East,  and,  becoming  ill,  decided  to 
remain  in  the  region  of  his  nativity.  Until  the  spring 
of  1907  he  resided  on  South  Third  Street,  in  Hamburg, 
and  he  then  located  in  Reading,  where  he  purchased 
a  fine  home  at  No.  1019  Franklin  street.  He  is  now 
living  retired.  Mr.  Dietrich  has  been  twice  married. 
In  1859  he  married  Catharine  Raub,  daughter  of  Leon- 
ard Raub,  and  to  this  union  were  born  children  as  fol- 
lows: Sarah  died  aged  twenty-two  years;  William  L. 
lives  at  Sweetwater,  Buffalo  Co.,  Nebr.;  Lucinda  C. 
died  in  her  fourth  year;  Emma  R.  rri.  Wellington 
Moser,  a  native  of  Columbia  county,  and  they  now  live 
at  Turbotville,   Northumberland   Co.,   Pennsylvania. 

In  1900  Mr.  Dietrich  married  (second)  Lizzie  Hoff, 
of  Hamburg,  daughter  of  John  and  Ellen  (Gehris)  Hofif, 
of  Reading. 


(II)  Johann  Michael  Dietrich,  the  sixth  child 
of  Adam  the  emigrant,  was  born  April  6.  177'5,  and  died 
near  Klinesville,  on  his  large  farm  in  Greenwich  town- 
ship now  owned  by  Daniel  J.  Fraunfelder,  June  19, 
1861,  aged  eighty-six  years,  two  months,  thirteen  days. 
He  married  Sophia  Brunner,  bdrn  in  Greenwich,  Nov. 
8,  1779,  died  Sept.  23,  1863,  aged  eighty-three  years,  ten 
months,  fifteen  days.  They  are  buried  beside  each 
other  in  the  graveyard  at  Lenhartsville.  They  were 
devout  Lutherans,  and  he  was  a  foremost  member 
of  the  Lenhartsville  church,  serving  the  congregation 
faithfully  as  an  official  many  years.  He  helped  to 
build  the  church  in  1856  and  gave  liberally  toward  its 
erection.  Michael  Dietrich,  as  he  was  known,  began 
farming  on  a  large  tract  located  midway  between  Len- 
hartsville and  Virginville,  on  the  Ontelaunee.  This 
farm  is  now  owned  by  a  Luckenbill.  On  April  14,  1814, 
he  bought  a  156-acre  tract  from  George  and  Eva 
Heinly,  located  in  Greenwich,  one  mile  east  of  Klines- 
ville. Here  he  built  a  big  stone  house  and  greatly 
improved  the  land.  On  Aug.  15,  1853,  he  sold  this 
farm  to  his  son  Michael  for  $3,600  in  gold  or  silver. 
Mdchael  Dietrich  and  wife  remained  on  this  farm  until 
they  died.  Some  of  their  children  were  born  at  this 
place.  i 

After  the  father's  death  Michael  Dietrich,  Jr.,  lived 
on  the  farm,  and  on  April  17,  1867.  sold  it  to  his  son 
Eli  for  $6,660.  Eli  Dietrich  in  1882  traded  the  farm 
to  Henry  Fraunfelder,  for  a  117-acre  farm  in  Maxa- 
tawny.  located  to  the  right  of  the  main  road  leading 
from  Eagle  Point  to  Kutztown.  Here  Eli  has  since 
lived  and  prospered.  The  "Dietrich  Farm,"  as  it  is 
still  known  locally,  is  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the 
township,  and  is  bounded  by  lands  of  other  Dietrichs. 

Sophia  Brunner,  wife  of  Johann  Michael  Dietrich,  was 
a  devout  Christian.  She  read  her  Bible  daily  and 
taught  her  children  the  love  of  the  Master.  She  liked 
to  collect  relics,  and  had  many  old  dishes,  coins,  etc. 
The  children  of  Michael  and  Sophia  Dietrich  were  as 
follows:  (1)  Maria  Barbara  (Polly),  born  Jan.  2.  1799, 
died  June  11,  1877,  m.  Christian  Braucher.  (2)  Michael, 
born  May  12,  1801.  died,  July  14,  1880,  married  Hannah 
Will.  They  had  these  children:  Catharyn,  Mary,  Wil- 
loughby,  Caroline,  Benneville,  Abby,  Anna  Caroline  and 
Eli.  (3)  Daniel  is  mentioned  later.  (4)  Lydia,  1805- 
1863,  m.  Daniel  Stump.  (5)  Betsy  m.  John  Kistler 
(6)  Hannah,  1808-1886,  m.  Samuel  Kunkel.  (7)  Sallie, 
1810-1895,  m.  Jonas  Wiesner.  (8)  Catharine  m.  Nathan 
Kistler.     (9)  Heinrich  ("Harry").     • 

(IV)  Benneville  Dietrich  was  born  in  Greenwich 
township  June  15,  1836,  son  of  -(HI)  Michael,  Jr.,  son 
of  (II)  Johann  Michael,  son  of  (I)  Adam  the  'emi- 
grant. He  was  reared  to  farm,  life  in  his  native  town- 
ship. In  1868  he  came  to  Albany  township,  where 
he    purchased   the    farm    of   ninety-five    acres    on    Pine 


556 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


creek  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Braucher.  This  farm  he 
cultivated  some  twenty-four  years,  operating  at  the 
same  time  a  sawmill.  Benneville  Dietrich  was  a  vet- 
eran of  the  Civil  War.  going  forth  to  do  battle  under 
the  flag  in  Company  K.  170th  Pa.  V.  I.  With  his 
family  he  belonged  to  New  Bethel  Lutheran  and  Re- 
formed (Corner)  church.  He  is  described  as  of  sturdy 
build,  and  wore  his  red  beard  long  and  flowing.  He 
married  Matilda,  daughter  of  Christian  Braucher.  Mrs. 
Dietrich  was  born  March  22,  1835,  and  died  Feb.  13. 
1907,  aged  seventy-one  years,  eleven  months,  twenty- 
two  days.  To  her  were  born  six  children,  noted  as 
follows:  Mary  m.  Clayton  Smith  of  Sellersville,  Pa.; 
William  L.,  of  Sittlers,  Schuylkill  county,  m.  Emma 
Smith,  who  died  in  1907,  the  mother  of  Jennie,  Mamie. 
Annie  and  Sallie  (twins),  Irene  and  Frank;  Daniel 
O.,  of  Watkins,  N.  Y..  m.  Esther  Robinson,  and  they 
have  Samuel,  Oliver  and  Clayton;  Charles  W.;  Sarah 
Jane,  born  1871,  died  when  less  than  a  year  nld;  Jon- 
athan p.,  a  blacksmith  at  Tamaqua,  Pa.,  m.  Clara  Ely 
(no  issue).  The  father  of  this  family  died  July  26, 
1887,  at  the  comparatively  early  age  of  fifty-one  years. 
(V)  Charles  W.  Dietrich  was  born  March 
22,  1868.  in  Albany  township.  He  passed  his  life  to 
the  time  of  his  majority  on  the  home  farm,  acquiring 
such  education  as  the  country  schools  afforded.  Upon 
attaining  his  majority,  he  served  the  farmers  about 
the  neighborhood  for  five  years,  and  then  took  up 
residence  on  his  present  farm  in  1894.  The  farm  had 
been  owned  by  his  father-in-law,  Dav,id  S.  Kamp.  and 
consists  of  seventy-nine  acres,  twenty-nine  of  which 
is  woodland.  To  this  Mr.  Dietrich  has  added  a  tract 
of  136  acres  of  wooded  land  adjacent.  One  of  the 
particularly  strong  points  of  this  farm  is  the  excellent 
and  abundant  water  supply.  Mr.  Dietrich  built  a  barn 
in  1889,  and  in  1896  a  substantial  frame  farm-house. 
These,  together  with  other  minor  improvements,  have 
greatly  increased  the  value  of  the  farm.  General 
farming  is  carried  on  by  Mr.  Dietrich  and  with  a 
success  which  always  attends  earnest  and  persistent 
agricultural  effort  in  Berks  county.  He  is  an  influential 
member  of  the  Democratic  party  in  his  locality,  and 
has  at  different  times  served  as  delegate  to  county 
conventions.  He  is  now  serving  as  registry  assessor 
of  the  district,  having  been  elected  at  the  spring  elec- 
tion of  1909.  In  a  social  way  he  affiliates  with  Wash- 
ington Camp  No.  288,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  at  Steinsville, 
and  the  Independent  Order  of  Americans.  Lodge  No. 
544,  at  Kempton.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of 
the  New  "Bethel  (Corner)  church,  which  Mr.  Dietrich 
has  served  three  terms  as  deacon. 

Mr.  Dietrich  married.  Oct.  10,  1891.  Amanda  E. 
Kamp.  only  child  of  David  S.  and  Fianna  (Berk) 
Kamp,  of  Albany  township.  Their  children  are:  Ida 
N.,  who  graduated  from  the  public  school  of  Albany 
at  the  age  of  twelve;  Oscar  J.,  Mabel  F.  and  Edna  M. 

(Ill)  Daniel  Dietrich,  son  of  Johann  Michael,  was 
born  in  Greenwich  township,  one  mile  northeast  of 
Klinesville  Jan.  2.  1803,  and  died  March  22,  1884.  He 
and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  the  United 
Brethren  Church  in  Tilden  township.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  pay  schools  of  his  native  township,  and 
was  trained  to  farming,  remaining  at  home  until  his 
marriage,  in  1828,  after  which  he  located  in  Albany 
township,  on  a  farm  belonging  to  his  father.  There  he 
lived  for  three  years.  In  1834  he  located  in  Bern  (now 
Centre)  township,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  121 
acres  from  the  Kauffmans.  This  was  extremely  fertile 
land,  and  was  located  along  Irish  creek  about  two 
miles  west  of  Centreport,  and  the  cultivation  of  this 
farm  engrossed  his  attention  until  his  death.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  was  a  man  of  high  repute 
and  of  great  influence  in  his  district.  In  his  earlier  life 
he  was  a  Lutheran  member  of  Belleman's  Church,  serv- 
ing as  an  official,  but  later  he  became  active  in  Salem 
United  Brethren  Church  of  Tilden  township.  Pie  was 
liberal  in  his  contributions  toward  religious  and  chari- 
table objects.  At  the  time  of  his  death  his  estate  was 
valued  at  $32,000. 


In    1828    Mr.    Dietrich    married    Salome    Fisher,    born 

Sept.   29,   1808,   daughter  of   Philip   and  (Weaver) 

Fisher,  of  Windsor  township,  and  she  died  July  10, 
1878.  They  had  children  as  follows:  Levi  F.  is  men- 
tioned below.  Daniel  F.  is  mentioned  below.  Hen- 
ry died  age  sixteen  years.  Samuel  died  unmarried. 
Eliza  m.   Isaac  Rhoads  and  lives  at  Shoemakersville. 

(IV)  Levi  F.  Dietrich,  son  of  Daniel  and  Salome,  was 
born  in  Windsor  township  July  23.  1832,  and  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  district  and  at 
White  Hall  Academy,  in  Cumberland  county,  Pa.  He 
taught  school  in  Centre  township  three  terms.  In  1855 
he  became  a  practical  farmer,  and  has  attained  consider- 
able success  in  that  line.  His  home  farm  consists  of 
165  acres  of  the  best  land  in  the  township  (Centre)  and 
is  kept  in  excellent  condition;  the  buildings  and  general 
condition  of  farm  and  live  stock  could  not  be  improved 
upon.  He  also  owns  a  farm  of  103  acres  elsewhere  in 
the  same  township,  and  this  he  has  rented.  About 
1897  he  sold  a  half  interest  in  the  old  Centre  township 
Dietrich  homestead  to  his  brother.  Daniel  F.  Mr.  Diet- 
rich has  ever  been  prominently  identified  with  the  pro- 
gressive movements  of  the  district.  He  is  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  and  has  served  as  school  director  seven 
years  and  as  assessor  nine  years.  In  1884  he  was  elected 
prothonotary  of  Berks  county,  serving  most  efficiently 
from  Jan.  1.  1885,  until  Jan.  1,  1888.  He  and  his  family 
are  faithful  members  of  Belleman's  Lutheran  Church, 
where  Mr.  Dietrich  has  served  as  a  deacon  for  many 
years.  On  Nov.  10,  1854,  he  married  Louisa  Moser.  and 
they  have  ten  children:  (1)  Henrietta  m.  George  B. 
Miller,  of  Hamburg,  who  for  seven  years  was  a  leader 
in  the  Democratic  party,  and  who  for  three  years  was 
register  of  wills.  (2)  Salome  m.  William  E.  Gruber.  a 
carriage  manufacturer  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  Berks  county. 
(3)  Howard  M.  lives  at  Bernville.  (4)  Valeria  m. 
James  H.  HoUenbach,  cabinet-maker  and  undertaker 
at  Bernville.  (5)  Emma  m.  Jeremiah  Heckman,  hosiery 
manufacturer  at  Shoemakersville.  (6)  Levi  H.  is  a 
prosperous  farmer  in  Centre  township.  (7)  Nelson  C. 
lives  in  Centre  township.  (8)  Wilson  P.  lives  in  Centre 
township.  (9)  Irwin  R.  resides  in  Philadelphia.  (10) 
Horace  is  a  farmer  in   Centre   township. 

(IV)  Daniel  F.  Dietrich,  son  of  Daniel  and  Salome, 
was  born  Sept.  6,  1834,  and  is  now  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Reading.  He  attended  pay  schools  four  win- 
ters, and  then  the  public  schools  of  his  district,  later 
for  three  months  a  boarding-school  at  Amityville.  and 
lastly  the  Freeland  Seminary,  at  the  Trappe,  in  Mont- 
gomery county.  Until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age 
he  assisted  his  father  on  the  home  farm.  At  that  time 
he  was  married  and  began  for  himself  on  one  of  his 
father's  farms  in  Centre  township,  where  he  remained 
four  years,  and  then  moved  to  a  farm  in  Exeter  town- 
ship, near  Jacksonwald,  belonging  to  his  father-in-law. 
For  one  year  he  lived  there  as  a  tenant  and  then  pur- 
chased the  farm,  cultivating  it  four  years.  In  1868  he 
moved  to  Reading,  where  the  previous  year  (Nov.  7, 
1867)  he  had  bought  out  the  mercantile  firm  of  Lein- 
bach  &  Brother,  then  located  at  No.  325  Penn  street. 
Mr.  Dietrich  formed  a  partnership  with  Peter  A.  Alt- 
house,  iMider  the  firm  name  of  Dietrich  &  Althouse, 
general  merchants  and  merchant  tailors,  and  this  lasted 
eighteen  months,  when  Mr.  Dietrich  took  in  Elijah  Am- 
nion, who  bought  out  Mr.  Althouse.  and  for  twelve 
years  the  firm  of  Dietrich  &  .Amnion  had  one  of  the 
largest  and  best  known  stores  in  the  city  and  county. 
Mr.  Dietrich  continued  the  extensive  business  alone 
from  1882  until  his  retirement  in  1902,  when  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  eldest  son,  Elmer  W.  The  Dietrich  store 
at  No.  325  Penn  has  been  a  well-known  stand  since 
1868. 

Mr.  Dietrich  is  a  director  and  large  stockholder  of  the 
Reading  Real  Estate  Exchange,  with  offices  at  No.  612 
Washington  street.  Before  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Real  Estate  Company  he  built  nineteen  houses  in  the 
city.  He  owns  the  Dietrich  farm  of  160  acres  in  Centre 
township.      Since    1S64   he  'has   been   the    owner   of   the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


557 


farm  on  which  he  formerly  lived  in  Exeter  township. 
He  has  made  his  residence  since  1868  at  No.  203  South 
Fourth  street.  While  engaged  in  farming  he  took  a 
fancy  to  fine  horses  and  cattle,  his  herd  of  Holsteins 
being  the  finest  in  the  county. 

In  politics  Mr.  Dietrich  is  a  Democrat.  While  living 
in  Exeter  township  he  served  as  school  director.  In 
1897  he  was  a  candidate  for  register  of  wills,  and  had 
ninety-seven  delegates  in  the  convention.  In  1888  he 
was  a  delegate  to  the  State  Convention,  and  at  the 
same  time  his  brother  was  a  delegate  to  the  same  con- 
vention from  the  country.  He  and  his  family  are  faith- 
ful members  of  the  First  Reformed  Church  in  Reading, 
and  he  has  served  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century 
as  elder.  He  is  prominent  in  the  Classis  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  serving  fre- 
quently as  a  delegate  and  in  various  other  important 
capacities. 

On  Nov.  6,  1858,  Mr.  Dietrich  married  Catherine  A. 
Althouse,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Kissinger) 
Althouse,  of  Bern  township.  They  had  children:  (1) 
Clara  A.  m.  William  A.  Heilig,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  (2) 
Ida  m.  Joseph  W.  Holmes,  a  coal  merchant  at  Reading. 
(3)  Irvin  died  in  infancy.  (4)  Elmer  W.  succeeded  his 
father  in  business;  he  m.  Laura  Ermentrout.  (5)  D. 
Wellington  is  unmarried  and  is  president  of  the  Sea- 
board Milling  Company,  West  Reading.  (6)  Harry 
W.,  manager  of  Seaboard  Milling  Company,  m.  Ella 
Showalter. 


(Ill)  Heinrich  Dietrich  (son  of  Johann  Michael  and 
grandson  of  Adam  the  emigrant)  was  born  in  Greenwich 
township,  Berks  county,  April  16,  1816,  and  died  sud- 
denly of  apoplexy  near  New  Smithville,  in  Maxatawny 
township  (where  he  had  his  home),  on  May  27,  1901, 
in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  He  is  buried  at 
Grimville,  by  the  side  of  his  wife  Judith  (nee  Kutz), 
a  daughter  of  the  late  Joseph  Kutz,  who  lived  on  the 
Sacony  near  Kutztown,  and  was  nearly  one  hundred 
years  old  when  he  died.  Heinrich  Dietrich  was  reared 
upon  the  farm,  and  after  he  became  of  age  rode  on 
horseback  to  Ohio,  where  he  lived  two  years  and  worked 
upon  a  farm.  In  1842  he  married  and  for  some  years 
was  a  farmer  at  Kohler's  Hill,  in  Greenwich.  Here  one 
of  his  horses  which  had  been  bitten  by  a  mad  dog  had 
hydrophobia,  which  caused  a  great  sensation  in  the  dis- 
trict. Later  Heinrich  Dietrich  bought  a  large  farm  lo- 
cated in  Maxatawny  township,  across  the  line  of 
Greenwich,  and  along  Weisenburg  township,  Lehigh 
county.  This  farm  he  operated  for  many  years.  He 
also  operated  a  clover  mill  located  on  this  place,  in  the 
Mill  Creek  valley.  Early  in  the  seventies  he  retired  to 
a  40-acre  tract  lying  adjacent  to  his  large  farm,  which 
he  sold  to  his  son-in-law.  Henry  Fenstermacher.  Here 
he  lived  until,  becoming  too  old,  he  was  requested  by 
his  daughter  Isabella,  wife  of  Henry  Fenstermacher,  to 
make  his  home  with  them.  This  he  did,  and  he  died 
at  their  home,  ripe  in  years,  a  highly  esteemed  man. 
Heinrich  Dietrich  was  better  known  as  "Harry  Diet- 
rich." He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence, 
and  throughout  his  lifetime  a  constant  reader.  He  is 
remembered  with  profound  reverence  by  his  many 
grandchildren.  He  read  the  Bible  often.  He  was  a  man 
of  strong  convictions  and  a  strict  disciplinarian  in  the 
family.  He  had  one  favorite  ejaculation,  "By  Judas." 
He  was  never  heard  to  use  God's  name  in  vain.  He 
was  tall,  about  six  feet  in  height,  and  erect  in  his  bear- 
ing until  he  was  seventy-five  years  old,  when  he  became 
very  stooped  and  walked  with  a  cane,  but  he  was  well 
preserved,  had  good  teeth,  eyes  and  ears,  and  retained 
all  his  faculties  to  the  last.  His  thick  hair  was  black 
until  he  was  sixty-five  years  old.  Altogether  he  was  a 
man  of  fine  appearance.  He  was  a  pleasant  talker  and 
loved  company.  On  his  eighty-fifth  birthday  his  child- 
ren, grandchildren  and  great-grandchildren  held  a  birth- 
day party  in  his  honor.  They  had  an  elaborate  dinner, 
and  he  was  given  the  seat  of  honor  at  the  table,  and  with 
happy   tears    streaming   down   his   cheeks   praised    God 


for  this  pleasant  event.  He  told  the  gathering  that  this 
was  his  last  birthday  on  earth,  and  his  prediction  proved 
true.  In  the  late  afternoon  of  the  last  Monday  in  May, 
the  following  month,  his  spirit  took  its  flight.  His  wife 
Judith  had  preceded  him  in  death  about  twenty-five 
years.  The  following  were  their  children:  William  J., 
1843-1870;  Susan,  born  April  7,  1845,  is  unmarried;  Isa- 
belle  m.  Henry  Fenstermacher;  Henry  A.,  born  Feb. 
6,  1850,  m.  Sallie  Buchman,  and  they  live  at  Ricketts,  Pa. 
(they  have  Franklin,  Louisa,  and  Emma);  Hettie  E., 
born  July  14,  1853,  m.  Amos  Loch;  Alfred,  1855-1856; 
Emma,  born  Aug.  1,  1857,  m.  Amos  Loch;  Annie  M., 
1860-1882;  Sarah,  born  1862,  is  the  widow  of  Sylvester 
Weil. 

(IV)  William  J.  Dietrich  (son  of  Heinrich)  was  born 
in  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county,  Dec.  9,  1843,  and 
died  at  Hamburg,  from  typhoid  pneumonia,  July  19,  1876, 
in  the  thirty-third  year  of  his  life.  He  was  reared  upon 
his  father's  farm,  and  in  his  youth  attended  the  public 
schools  with  regularity.  He  had  a  bright  mind  and 
was  a  student.  He  was  made  administrator  of  an  estate 
before  he  was  thirty  years  old,  and  was  helpful  in  many 
ways  in  his  community.  He  owned  a  small  farm  one- 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  where  his  father  lived,  located 
in  Greenwich  township,  now  owned  by  Lewis  Behler. 
This  he  operated  until  the  latter  part  of  1874.  when  it 
was  sold  and  he  m-oved  to  Hamburg,  where  his  death 
occurred.  He  worked  in  the  ore  mines  in  Maxatawny 
township  in  1873  and  1874,  during  the  spring  and  fall. 
At  Hamburg  he  followed  huckstering  and  butchering, 
and  for  a  short  time  worked  in  the  rolling-mill,  which 
is  now  abandoned.  He  and  his  family  were  devout 
Lutherans,  and  constant  in  their  attendance  at  worship. 
Mr.  Dietrich  was  a  man  of  fine  appearance.  On  July  11, 
1868,  he  married  Susanna  F.  Seaman,  youngest  daugh- 
ter of  Jonathan  Seaman,  a  foremost  man  of  Tilden 
township.  She  was  born  Dec.  24,  1844,  and  died  sud- 
denly of  apoplexy  Sunday  night,  June  4,  1899,  in  her 
fifty-fifth  year.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dietrich  are  buried  in 
the  Dietrich  family  plot  at  Hamburg.  Mrs.  Dietrich 
was  a  woman  of  noble  character  and  high  intelligence. 
She  had  many  virtues,  and  was  a  pious  woman. 
Being  left  a  widow  with  six  children,  the  youngest 
a  posthumous  son,  she  reared  them  in  the  fear  and 
admonition  of  God,  and  her  last  spoken  word  was 
"God."    She  was  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  her. 

William  J.  and  Susanna  F.  Dietrich  had  the  follow- 
ing children:  (1)  Lizzie  C,  1868-1881.  (2)  Agnes  V., 
born  Feb.  J,  1870,  m.  G.  J.  Heintzelman,  the  financial 
manager  and  general  superintendent  of  the  Trexler  & 
Turrell  Lumber  Company,  Ricketts,  Pa.  They  have  a 
daughter,  Carrie  May.  and  a  son,  Henry  Clay.  (3)  Zi- 
villa  J.,  1871-1872.  (4)  Oscar  H.,  born  July  23.  1872.  m. 
Aquilla  Kostenbader,  and  has  daughters.  Mabel  and  Su- 
san. He  is  the  secretary  and  treasurer  and  business 
manager  of  the  Dietrich  Motor  Car  Company  (Inc.)  of 
Allentown,  Pa.  He  is  a  successful  and  prosperous  bus- 
iness man  of  Allentown.     (5)   David  J.,  born  M'arch  1, 

1874.  (6)  William  J.,  is  mentioned  further  on.  (7)  Al- 
fred M.,  born  Nov.  30,  1876,  is  married  and  has  one 
son,  Alfred. 

(V)  William  J.  Dietrich,  of  Reading,  is  a  represent- 
ative and  native  citizen  of  Berks  county,  Pa.  He 
was   born   at   West   Hamburg,   Tilden   township.    May   12, 

1875,  son  of  William  J.  and  Susanna  F.  (Seaman)  Dietrich, 
both  deceased.  When  he  was  five  years  old  his  mother 
moved  to  Hamburg,  and  in  1884  they  moved  to  the  home 
of  his  grandfather,  Harry  B.  Dietrich,  in  Maxatawny 
township.  From  1885  to  1894  he  was  hired  to  farmers  in 
Maxatawny  and  Greenwich  townships,  and  for  one  year 
(1891)  he  lived  in  Lynn  township,  Lehigh  county.  The 
young  man  even  in  those  boyhood  days  showed  the  same 
conscientiousness  in  the  performance  of  duty  that  has  char- 
acterized all  his  later  years.  In  1894  he  worked  m  the  lum- 
ber-mill at  Ricketts,  in  Wyoming  and  Sullivan  counties, 
Pa.,  and  in  seven  months  saved  $112.  Mr.  Dietrich  is 
a  self-mar'e  man.  The  public  schools  afforded  him  his 
mental  training,   and  he   early   showed   a   fondness   for 


558 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


books,  coupled  with  an  investigating  mind — a  desire  for 
thorough  understanding  of  every  subject  within  his 
sphere  of  observation.  In  the  winter  of  1894-95  he 
last  attended  public  school  as  a  pupil,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1895  he  entered  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School,  at  Kutztown,  with  four  teachers  from  Tilden 
township.  In  the  examination  that  was  required  for 
their  admission  M'r.  Dietrich  made  a.  high  average. 
In  the  same  spring  he  was  also  examined  by  the  county 
superintendent,  receiving  a  creditable  certificate,  en- 
titling him  to  teach  in  the  public  schools.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1895.  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  remained  until 
March,  1896,  working  during  the  holiday  season  for 
John  Wanamaker,  and  afterward  in  a  wholesale  dry 
goods  house.  On  his  return  from  Philadelphia  he  again 
entered  the  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown,  and  con- 
tinued there  until  June,  1898,  when  he  graduated.  The 
school  board  of  Tilden  township  then  tendered  him  the 
West  Hamburg  school  at  a  salary  of  thirty  dollars 
a  month,  for  seven  months,  which  he  accepted.  In  the 
fall  of  1899  he  began  teaching  the  Five  Mile  House 
school  in  Cumru  township,  at  forty  dollars  a  month, 
teaching  this  school  one  term,  when  the  board  offered 
him  his  preference  of  six  schools  in  Miohnton,  where 
he  resided.  He  accented  the  grammar  school,  and 
taught  there  three  terms;  and  later,  during  1905-06,  he 
taught  Yocom's  school  one  term  in  the  same  township. 
He  was  original  in  many  of  his  methods  to  interest  the 
pupils,  which  won  their  attention,  respect  and  good- 
will. He  considered  order  and  discipline  necessary  for 
effective  work,  and  few  teachers  in  the  county  stood 
equally  high  with  patrons  and  pupils.  Mr.  Dietrich 
also  taught  night  school  in  Reading  for  a  number  of 
terms,  winning  commendation  for  the  success  of  his 
efforts. 

In  October,  1904,  Mr,  Dietrich  was  apoointed  a  clerk 
in  the  Philadelphia  post-office,  but  this  position  he  re- 
signed in  March  of  the  following  year  because  of  fam- 
ily ties,  his  wife  and  children  having  continued  at  their 
home  in  Reading.  Postmaster  Clayton  McMichael  en- 
deavored to  dissuade  Mr.  Dietrich  from  resigning,  say- 
ing that  "he  had  a  future  in  the  government  postal 
service,"  but  he  persisted,  and  during  1904-05  worked  at 
life  insurance  in  Reading  and  Berks  county — a  business 
that  he  had  followed  to  some  extent  in  1902.  Mr.  Diet- 
rich is  of  the  temperament  that  does  not  permit  of  idle- 
ness, and  when  he  was  engaged  in  teaching,  as  soon 
as  the  vacation  season  approached  he  found  something 
to  engage  his  time  and  attention  profitably.  During  the 
sumimer  of  1900  he  was  engaged  as  a  conductor  on  the 
trolley.  During  1901  he  represented  a  New  York  pub- 
lishing house  before  school  boards  and  succeeded  in  se- 
curing the  adoption  of  their  text-books  in  a  number 
of  school  districts.  Since  the  early  spring  of  1906  Mr. 
Dietrich  has  been  in  the  employ  of  J.  H.  Beers  &  Co.. 
publishers  of  Chicago,  collecting  much  of  the  gen- 
ealogical material  used  in  their  Historical  and  Bio- 
graphical Annals  of  Berks  County.  Pa.  Mr.  Dietrich 
'  has  a  valuable  collection  of  coins,  stamps  and  china- 
ware.  He  has  a  large  acquaintance  among  profession- 
al nien  and  those  in  public  life,  and  has  traveled  the  en- 
tire county  by  political  districts  a  number  of  times.  He 
is  well  read,  and  posted  on  public  questions.  His 
library  of  standard  works  has  been  carefully  selected, 
and  contains  all  the  works  on  local  history  (Berks 
county)  ever  published.  He  is  especially  fond  of  his- 
tory and  has  collected  much  information  pertaining  to 
the  county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
German  Society;  and  of  the  Berks  County  Historical 
Society,  and  has  contributed  articles  to  both.  In  the 
latter  his  "Caves  of  Richmond  and  Perry  Townships, 
Berks  County,"  was  published  in  .permanent  form 
and  is  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  Society, 
In  1903  he  organized  along  original  lines  the  Dietrich 
Family  Association,  which  held  successful  reunions 
in  1903.  1904  and  1906.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  K.  of  P.;  I.  O.  O.  F.;  and  Chandler 
Lodge,    No.    1227,    F.    &    .\.    M, ;    E.Kcelsior    Chapter,    No. 


236,  R.  A.  M.;  Reading  Lodge  of  Perfection,  fourteenth 
degree;  and  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T. 

O.n  May  20,  1899,  Mr.  Dietrich  married  Miss  Sallie 
M.  Merktel.  daughter  of  James  K.  Merkel,  of  Berne 
Station,  Tilden  township.  To  this  union  have  been 
born  three  children:  Naomi  Evangeline,  Ruth  Emily 
and  William  Joseph,  Jr.  The  two  daughters  became 
members  of  the  National  Society  of  the  Children  of  the 
American  Revolution  in  1909.  Mr.  Dietrich  is  much 
devoted  to  his  family,  all  of  whom  are  members  of  the 
United  Evangelical  Church,  in  which  Mr.  Dietrich 
has  served  as  an  official,  and  for  some  years  has  been 
teacher  of  the  Men's  Bible  Class. 

(II)  Johann  Heinrich  Dietrich,  son  of  Adam  the 
emigrant,  was  born  in  1777,  and  was  brought  up  as  a 
farmer.  After  his  marriage  he  lived  a  half  mile  north- 
east of  Klinesville.  He  owned  the  farm  now  the  prop- 
erty of  Albert  D.  Kunkel,  and  the  adjoining  farm  now 
owned  by  Peter  Stump.  In  addition  to  farming  "Hein- 
rich" Dietrich,  as  he  was  known,  conducted  a  sawmill. 
He  was  a  fairly  prosperous  man,  but  was  drawn  into 
an  unfortunate  piece  of  litigation.  One  Jacob  Stein 
stole  some  clover  seed  from  him.  but  through^  some 
technicality  of  the  law  Dietrich  could  not  obtain  his  con- 
viction. He  spent  his  small  fortune,  and  died  in  Aug- 
ust, 1857  or  1858,  a  poor  man,  in  Albany  township,  where 
he  was  nevertheless  respected  by  all  knew  him.  In 
subsequent  years  Stein  confessed,  but  the  evil  was  done. 
Heinrich  Dietrich  in  the  later  years  of  his  life  lived 
along  the  Ontelaunee,  below  the  Albany  Statioti,  near 
the  railroad.  He  was  a  man  of  dark  complexion,  of 
medium  height  and  weight.  He  is  buried  at  Dunkel's 
Church.  He  married  Hannah  Kraemer.  who  is  buried 
at  Grimville,  and  had  the  following  children:  (1) 
John  m,  Christiana  Bautsch.  (2)  Adam,  who  left 
Berks  county  when  he  was  about  twenty  years  of  age 
and  still  unmarried,  located  in  Mercer  countv.  Pa,, 
where  he  married  and  reared  a  family,  (3)  Hannah. 
(4)  Sallie  m,  Joseph  Greenawald  and  they  moved  to 
Emporia,  Lyon  Co.,  Kans.  (5)  Henry  K.,  born  March 
16,  1817,  died  of  smallpox  Feb,  20,  1S62.  aged  forty- 
four  years,  eleven  months,  four  days.  He  lived  in 
Greenwich  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Peter  Stump. 
He  was  known  as  "Der  Wake  Mashter  Henny''  ("The 
supervisor  Henry  Dietrich"),  holding  this  oflfice  many 
years.  His  wife  was  Sarah  (Sally)  Opp.  They  had  the 
following  children:  Willoughby,  Samuel,  Peter,  Mary 
and  Wallace  A,  (6)  Polly  m,  Samuel  Ernest,  They 
are  buried  at  Paradise  Church,  in  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania. 

(IV)  Willoughby  Dietrich  (son  of  Henry  K..  son  of 
Johann  Heinrich.  son  of  Adami  the  emigrant)  married 
Ellen  Gorman.  They  had  four  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter. Two  of  the  sons  and  the  daughter  reside  at  New 
Orleans,  La.  They  are  highly  educated  and  are  prom- 
inent in  the  social  and  business  world.  After  the 
Civil  war  Willoughby  Dietrich  located  at  New  Orleans, 
where  he  is  buried.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Union 
army  from  Oct.  ."i.  1861,  to  the  end  of  the  war,  being  the 
first  volunteer  soldier  on  record  from  Greenwich  town- 
ship. He  was  a  graduate  of  the  Government  Military 
School,  and  was  an  officer  in  the  army.  His  brother. 
Samuel  O.  Dietrich,  was  also  a  soldier  in  the  Union  ar- 
my, and  died  on  the  field  of  battle  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.. 
^vhere  he  is  buried,  Peter  Dietrich,  brother  of  Samuel 
O,  and  Willoughby,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army, 
enlisting  when  only  seventeen  years  old,  and  served 
with  honor  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  the  war. 
He  returned  to  Berks  county  and  married  Sarah  Hun- 
sicker.  They  have  a  son  Charles,  and  two  daughters 
living  at  Seigersville.  Pennsylvania. 


(II)  Johann  Dietrich,  son  of  Adam  the  emigrant, 
was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  Greenwich  township. 
Jan.  7,  1779.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  that  same 
district,  not  far  from  Dietrich's  mill,  on  a  farm  con- 
sisting   of    upward    of    100    acres.      He    died    upon    his 


BIOGRAPHICAL  559 

place  July  Z8,  1830,  aged  fifty-one   years,   six  months,  26,    1890,    and    (11)    Edward    Christian,    born    April    8, 

twenty-one  days,  and  is  buried  at  the  Grimville  Church.  1892,  are  all  at  home. 

In   1807  he  married   Elizabetii  Ohl,  who  survived  him  Mrs.    Susanna    (Spohn)    Dietrich,   widow   of    Samuel 

many  years,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  thirteen  A.    Dietrich,   resides   on   a   fine   farm   of    140   acres,   m 

children,    as    follows:      John,    Reuben,    Samuel,    Anna  Greenwich     township.        Her     .&reat-great-grandfa  her 

Maria    (born    1809),    Jonas.    Hanna    (born    1812),    Ben-  ^^s    George   Spohn    who   '^^"'^d   Margaret    Schulter 

Joseph,  Esther  and  Catharine.  ^7^g3_  j;^'^  ^^^^  j^^^  had  these  children:  Johannes, 
CTT^  T^i,,„^  rv,,;ofV  t,-  *  ■  u  c  \a  .u  Johann  Peter.  Susanna.  Maria.  Abraham  and  Eliza- 
.Ji"lJ  Christian  Dietrich  son  of  Adam  the  ^teth.  Of  this  family/  Johannes  Spohn,  the  grand- 
emigrant,  was  born  on  the  Dietrich  homestead  in  father  of  Mrs.  Dietrich,  was  born  in  1785  and  died 
Greenwich  township,  Jan.  13,  1783.  This  farm  he  pur-  ;„  i857.  He  married  Maria  Sitler,  and  they  had  the 
chased  from  his  father  in  1813,  and  on  it  all  his  life  following  children:  Polly,  Hannah,  Sarah,  Samuel, 
was  spent.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  by  industry  and  Jonathan,  Rebecca,  Catherine,  Daniel,  John  and  Eliza, 
frugality  accumulated  a  small  fortune.  He  was  a  short-  Daniel  Spohn,  Mrs.  Dietrich's  father,  was  born  in  1818 
set,  strong  and  robust  man,  very  fond  of  horseback  and  died  July  29,  1903,  and  he  married  Anna  Dietrich, 
riding.  Like  most  of  the  family,  he  was  full  faced  who  was  born  in  1830  and  died  in  1881. 
and  had  very  black  hair.  He  was  kind-hearted  and  (V)  Robert  D.  Dietrich,  a  rising  and  respected  young 
affable,  but  firm  in  his  convictions.  He  was  very  prom-  farmer  in  eastern  Richmond  township,  where  he 
inent  in  his  community,  and  was  an  official  member  owns  a  fertile  farm  of  fifty-seven  acres,  was  born 
of  the  Lutheran  congregation  at  Dunkel's  Church,  Oct.  14,  1874,  near  Dunkel's  Church,  in  Greenwich 
where  he  and  the  members  of  his  family  are  buried,  township,  son  of  Samuel  A.  He  was  reared  on  a 
He  died  Nov.  31,  1873,  aged  ninety  years,  ten  months,  farm,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the  common 
eight  days.  He  married  Elizabeth  Georg,  born  Jan.  schools,  later  attending  the  State  Normal  School  at 
27,  1786.  who  died  Jan.  17,  1846,  aged  nearly  sixty  Kutztown,  Pa.  He  is  very  industrious,  and  by  his  own 
years.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  energy  has  acquired  his  present  property.  He  is  a 
namely:  Cl)  Benjamin  (born  1806,  died  1894)  m.'  Anna  Lutheran  member  of  Dunkel's  Union  Church  in  Green- 
Wiltrout.  (2)  Solomon  (born  1807,  died  1874)  m.  wich  township,  as  is  also  his  wife:  In  politics  he  is 
Beckie  Will.  (3)  Jonathan  (Jonas)  (born  1808,  died  a  Democrat,  and  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  the 
1862)  m.  Betsy  Shearer.  (4)  George  B.  (born  1811,  welfare  of  his  party,  and  in  the  progress  of  his  com- 
died    1887)    m.    Polly    Heinly.      (5)     Beckie    m.    Jacob  munity. 

Heinly.      (6)    Samuel    (born    1817,    died    1893)    m.   Juli-  Mr.   Dietrich   married   Laura   S.    Fraunfelder,    daugh- 

annus    SchoUenberger.      (7)    Anna    m.    Daniel    Spohn.  ter    of    W.    Adam     and     Catharine     (Lenhart)     Fraun- 

(8)  Hettie    (born    1823,    died    1904)    m.    John    Moyer.  felder,    prominent   farming   people    of    Windsor    town- 

(9)  Daniel  (born  1824,  died  1898)  m.  Sally  Ann  Christ,  ship.      Five   children   have   blessed   this   union,   namely: 

(10)  Jeremiah  (born  1826,  died  1901).  (11)  Nathan  Susanna  May,  born  in  1896;  Harry  Adam,  born  in 
(born  1827,  died  1880)  m.  Elizabeth  Stump.  (12)  Hen-  1898;  Raymond  Daniel,  born  in  1899;  Paul  Leroy,  born 
ry  (born  1832,  died  1905)  m.  Lydia  Merkel.  in  1900;  and  Helen  Fannie,  born  in  1902. 

(III)  Benjamin  Dietrich,  son  of  Johann  Christian.  (Ill)  Jonathan  (or  Jonas)  Dietrich,  son  of  Johann 
was  born  in  1806,  and  died  Aug.  26,  1894,  at  the  age  Christian,  born  Dec.  3,  1808,  died  Jan.  29,  1862.  When 
of  eighty-eight  years.  He  was  a  prominent  citizen  a  young  man  he  followed  blacksmithing  and  later  in 
and  large  taxpayer  of  Greenwich  township,  owning  life  became  a  farmer,  in  Greenwich  township,  where 
375  acres  lying  between  Dunkel's  Church  and  the  he  lived  all  his  life.  He  is  buried  at  Moselem  Church. 
Three  Mile  House.  He  married  Anna  Wiltrout,  and  In  1831  he  married  Elizabeth  (Betsy)  Schearer,  born 
they  enjoyed  a  happy  wedded  life  of  more  .than  fifty  Sept.  25,  1810,  who  died  June  7,  1897.  The  following 
years.  They  were  the  parents  of  children  as  follows:  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Ephraim  died  at 
Magdalena,  Levi,  Daniel  W.  (m.  Sallie  Ann  Merkel),  Silver  Lake,  Kans.,  in  1905,  aged  seventy  years,  leaving 
Benjamin.  Lewis,  James  W.  (m.  Elizabeth  Fetherolf),  a  large  family,  and  is  buried  in  Kansas;  Jonathan  died 
Henry  W.  (m.  Amelia  Heinly),  Samuel  A.,  Adam,  in  1870;  Joel,  born  in  1837;  William,  born  in  1838, 
Susanna  and  Eliza  (m.  Rolandus  Dreibelbis).  died   in   1906;    Daniel   S.,   born    Sept.    20,    1840.   died   in 

(IV)  Samuel  A.  Dietrich,  son  of  Benjamin,  was  born  Baltimore,  Md.,  May  11,  1907;  Henry;  Samuel;  Ed- 
in     1848,     and     his     death     occurred     in    1894.     He    was  win;   Sarah  Ann  m.   Cyrus   Lesher,  of  Reading. 

a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  his  land  was  located  (IV)  Daniel  S.  Dietrich,  son  of  Jonathan  (or  Jonas), 
in  Greenwich  township,  about  one  and  one-half  miles  was  born  in  Berks  county  Sept.  20,  1840.  While  a 
southwest  of  the  Three  Mile  House.  In  the  year  1870  young  rnan  he  moved  to  Montour  county,  Pa.,  where 
he  married  Susanna  Spohn,  only  child  of  Daniel  and  ho  married  Catherine  B.,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Jus- 
Anna  (Dietrich)  Spohn.  the  former  a  farmer  in  Green-  tina  (Boyer)  Moser.  Her  father  was  born  in  Mont- 
wich  township.  Eleven  children  blessed  this  union,  viz.:  gomery  county.  Pa.,  oldest  son  of  Peter  and  Anna 
(1)  Clara  A.,  born  March  3,  1871,  m.  Samuel  S.  Men-  (Steinbruch)  Moser.  Peter  Moser  was  the  son  of  S. 
gel,  and  lives  in  Maiden-creek  township.  They  have  P-  Moser,  who  lived  in  Pottstown,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
had  children:  Katie  M..  born  in  1891;  Flossie  A.,  Dietrich  were  the  parents  of  four  sons:  S.  P.,  Jacob 
born  in  1897;  Elsie  L.,  born  in  1899,  and  Lizzie  I.,  M.,  Edwin  M.  and  J.  Calvin.  Jacob  M.  and  J.  Calvin 
born  in  1903.  (3)  Wilson  L.,  born  July  29,  1873,  lives  died  young.  Edwin  M.  married  Susan  C,  daughter  of 
with  his  family  at  the  old  Dietrich  homestead.  He  Samuel  and  Margaret  Mauger.  They  have  two  sons, 
m.  (first)  Kate  Adam,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Clar-  Mark  S".  and  Kenneth,  and  live  in  Harrisburg,  Pa.  Mrs. 
ence  S.,  born  in  1893,  and  m.  (second)  Cora  Dietrich.  Catherine  B.  (Moser)  Dietrich  died  at  Milton,  Pa.. 
(3)  Robert  Daniel,  born  Oct.  14,  1874,  is  mentioned  March  14,  1897.  The  father  then  moved  to  Baltimore, 
below.  (4)  Henry  B.,  born  Sept.  17,  1876,  died  Dec.  where  he  followed  building  and  contracting  until  the 
8,  1876.  (5)  Louisa  Kate,  born  Jan.  31,  1878,  married  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  May  8,  1907.  Both 
Charles  H.  Fegley,  of  Maiden-creek  township,  and  has  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dietrich  are  buried  at  Oak  Grove  ceme- 
had  three  children:  Edna,  born  in  1896;  John  S.,  born  tery,  in  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1899,  and  Jennie  S.,  born  in  1903  (died  in  1905).  (V)  Prof.  S.  P.  Dietrich,  of  Reading,  was  born  in  Mon- 
(6)  Elmer  Samuel,  born  June  14,  1880,  died  July  7,  tour  county,  Pa.,  Aug.  3,  1866.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
1880.  (7)  Charles  L.,  born  Aug.  36.  1883,  married  upon  which  he  worked  during  the  summer,  attending 
Sallie  Leob  and  has  two  children:  Elda,  born  Jan.  the  rural  schools  during  the  winter-  until  he  was 
31,  1907,  and  Florence  S.,  born  Sept.  31,  1908.  fourteen  years  old.  He  then  attended  the  Potts  Grove 
(8)  George  Herbert,  born  Nov.  7,  1885,  (.9)  Jennie  Su-  Academy  and  Prof.  Schneider's  select  school,  at  Mil- 
san,  born  Dec.  21,  1887,  (lO)  Calvin  Andrew,  born  Aug.  ton,  Pa.    At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  began  teach- 


560 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


ing  in  the  rural  schools  of  Montour  county,  Pa.  In 
this  manner  he  earned  sufficient  money  to  pay  his  own 
way  through  the  Williamsport  Commercial  College 
and  Ursinus  College.  He  graduated  from  the  former 
in  1888  and  from  the  latter  in  1894.  In  1897  he  took 
the  examination  with  the  junior  and  senior  classes 
in  the  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School  under  the 
State  board  of  examiners  and  passed  the  same,  re- 
ceiving his  credentials  with  the  senior  class.  After 
graduation  he  in  1894  accepted  the  principalship  of  the 
McEwensville  Academy,  where  he  reipained  two  years. 
In  1896  he  resigned  to  accept  a  position  in  the  Dan- 
ville (Pa.)  high  school.  In  1899  he  resigned  his  posi- 
tion in  Danville  to  accept  the  vice-principalship  of  the 
Sunbury  (Pa.)  high  school.  He  remained  in  Sunbury, 
Pa.,  eight  years,  and  in  1907  resigned  to  accept  a 
position  in  the  Boys'  High  School,  Reading,  Pa.  Pro- 
fessor and  Mrs.  Dietrich  are  members  of  the  New 
Lutheran  Church.  He  is  a  man  of  marked  intellect- 
ual attainments,  and  is  a  fluent  and  able  speaker, 
frequently  called  upon  to  make  addresses  at  public 
functions. 

On  Dec.  23,  1896,  he  married  Sara  H.,  daughter  ot 
Alem  and  Hannah  (Hood)  Mauser.  They  have  no 
children. 

(IV)  Edwin  Dietrich,  son  of  Jonathan  (or 
Jonas),  born  in  Greenwich  township,  is  a  small  farmer 
in  Richmond  township,  where  for  many  years  he  was 
engaged  in  milling.  He  has  served  in  the  office  of  su- 
pervisor of  this  township,  and  is  now  acting  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  road-master.  He  married  Rufena  Adam, 
daughter  of  George  Adam,  of  Greenwich  township, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  the  following  chil- 
dren: Wilson  G.  is  mentioned  in  full  farther  on;  Charles 
E.  is  a  miller  in  Greenwich  township;  Pierce  A.  is  a 
well-known  druggist  in  Philadelphia;  Mahlon  J.  is  a 
miller  by  trade;  Jane  m.  Henry  Adam;  Francis  A.  is 
a  student  in  Muhlenberg  College;  Alice  resides  at  home. 

(V)  Wilson  G.  Dietrich,  son  of  Edwin,  was 
born  in  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county,  March  4, 
1869.  He  obtained  an  ordinary  common  school  educa- 
tion in  his  native  township  and  in  Albany  township, 
and  his  early  boyhood  was  spent  on  the  home  farm, 
where  he  early  learned  that  industry  was  requisite  to 
success  in  life.  In  1899  he  began  farming  in  Maxa- 
tawny  township,  where  he  lived  seven  years,  removing 
to  Richmond  township  in  the  spring  of  1906.  He  now 
lives  on  one  of  the  farms  of  Lawson  G.  and  Calvin  J. 
Dietrich.  He  is  a  man  of  good  traits  of  character,  and 
is  industrious  and  persevering.  By  thrift  and  econ- 
omy he  has  earned  sufficient  capital  to  buy  a  good 
farnf  stock.  He  is  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare 
of  his  family  and  children. 

On  May  20,  1893.  Mr.  Dietrich  married  Katie  M. 
Adam,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Catharine  (Mengel) 
Adam,  farming  people  of  Perry  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dietrich  are  both  members  of  Dunkel's  Church.  In 
political  matters  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  is  well  in- 
fornied  on  all  topics  of  the  day.  He  and  his  wife  have 
had  children  as  follows:  Llewellyn,  Edna  (died  in 
childhood),  Minnie  (died  in  childhood).  Pius.  Mamie, 
Effie,   and   Lizzie    (died   in   childhood). 

(III)  George  B.  Dietrich,  son  of  Johann  Chris- 
tian, was  born  Jan.  20,  1811,  and  died  May  2,  1887.  He 
owned  land  in  Richmond  township,  along  the  Easton 
road,  two  miles  west  of  Kutztown,  and  while  he  al- 
ways followed  his  trade  of  carpenter,  he  also  worked 
at  farming.  He  married  Polly  Heinly,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  three  children:  James  H.,  born  Nov.  22, 
1840,  died  Aug.  26.  1893;  Maria,  who  is  unnTarried, 
lives  on  the  old  homestead,  which  she  now  owns;  Katie 
m.  Enoch  J.  Heinly  (mientioned  elsewhere  in  this  work). 

(IV)  James  H.  Dietrich,  son  of  George  B.,  was  born 
in  Greenwich  township  Nov.  22,  1840,  and  was  there 
reared  and  educated,  making  his  home  throughout  life 
in  the  same  township.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade 
with  his  father,  and  this  he  followed  in  connection  with 
farming  all  of  his  active  years.     He  died  Aug.  26,  1893. 


He  married  Mary  Behler,  who  survives  him  and  lives 
with  her  sons  on  their  farm  in  Richmond  township. 
Three  sons  blessed  the  marriage  of  James  H.  and 
Mary  (Behler)  Dietrich,  as  follows:  Lawson  G.,  Llew- 
ellyn J.  (died  in  1890,  aged  twenty-two  years)  and  Cal- 
vin J. 

(V)  Lawson  G.  DiiiTrich.  son  of  James  H..  and 
.one  of  Berks  county's  representative  men,  was  born 
in  Greenwich  township,  May  2.  1864.  His  early  years 
were  passed  upon  his  father's  farm  and  in  attending  the 
public  schools  of  his  district.  Later  he  attended  the 
Keystone  State  Normal  School,  and  in  1881,  when  sev- 
enteen years  of  age,  he  began  teaching,  a  profession 
he  followed  with  marked  success  for  nine  years.  After 
spending  two  years  as  a  student  and  bookkeeper  in 
the  city  of  Reading,  he  moved  to  a  farm  in  Richmond 
township,  two  miles  east  of  Kutztown,  where  he  has 
since  made  his  home.  Since  1890  he  has  been  exten- 
sively engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  with  his 
brother  Calvin  J.,  with  whom  he  formed  a  partnership, 
he  cultivates  376  acres  of  excellent  land.  The  brothers 
employ  only  modern  machinery,  and  are  always  the 
first  to  give  practical  tests  to  the  new  methods.  Mr. 
Dietrich  has  made  earnest  efforts  to  improve  condi- 
tions in  his  section,  and  on  his  own  farm  lays  great 
stress  upon  hay  raising,  shipping  annually  car-loads  of 
baled  hay  to  the  city  market.  He  is  a  man  of  large 
business  capacity,  and  is  a  financier  as  well  as  a  thor- 
ough farmer.  In  1892  and  1893  he  studied  civil  engin- 
eering and  surveying,  and  he  is  an  able  mathematician. 
Frequently  he  is  appointed  by  the  court  of  Berks  coun- 
ty to  survey  new  roads  or  lands  in  dispute,  having  the 
largest  practice  in  his  profession  in  the  upper  part  of 
Berks  county.  He  is  often  called  upon  by  the  courts 
ot  both  Berks  and  Lehigh  counties  to  give  expert  tes- 
timony, and  has  rendered  valuable  service.  He  was 
elected  a  justice  of  the  peace  in  Richmond  in  1895, 
re-elected  by  an  overwhelming  majority  in  1900.  and  re- 
elected without  any  opposition  whatever  in  1905.  His 
decisions  have  never  been  reversed  by  any  higher  court. 
Mr.  Dietrich  is  an  uncompromising  Democrat,  and  a 
man  of  great  influence  in  the  party.  He  has  served  as 
delegate  to  many  State  and  county  conventions,  and  for 
ten  years  he  represented  his  township  as  committee- 
man on  the  county  committee,  being  one  of  the  oldest 
members  of  that  body  in  point  of  service.  In  the 
spring  of  1906  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  office  of 
clerk  of  the  Quarter  Sessions  of  Berks  count}-,  re- 
ceiving nearly  3,000  votes.  i\Ir.  Dietrich  is  a  man  of 
varied  interests,  and  is  prominently  identified  with  the 
Kutztown  Fair  Association,  of  which  he  was  an  organ- 
izer and  is  a  director.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  several 
banks  and  trust  companies  in  Berks  county.  He  is  a 
close  student  of  men  and  events,  and  is  possessed  of 
calm,  prudent  and  sound  judgment.  His  life  has  been 
above  reproach. 

On  May  20.  1893,  Mr.  Dietrich  married  Miss  Mary 
.Mice  Shollcnberger.  daughter  of  the  late  Capt.  Jonas 
and  Mary  (Dry)  Shollenberger,  the  former  a  success- 
ful farmer  in  Richmond  township  and  protbonotary  of 
Berks  county.  To  this  marriage  has  been  born  one 
sou,  Trwin,  a  public  school  teacher.  Mr.,  and  Mrs,  Diet- 
rich have  also  an  adopted  daughter,  Ida  Shollenber- 
ger. who  is  a  niece  of  Rfrs.   Dietrich. 

(V)  Calvin  J.  Dietrich,  youngest  son  of  James  H., 
was  born  in  Greenwich  township  June  30.  1869,  and 
is  now  one  of  the  prosperous  citizens  of  uoper  Berks 
county.  He  obtained  a  .eood  education  at  Shofer's 
school  in  his  native  township,  and  at  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School  at  Kutztown,  which  he  attended  in 
1884  and  1885.  He  then  taught  his  home  school  for 
several  terms,  and  in  1900  entered  into  partnership  with 
bts  brother  Lawson  G.,  in  the  agricultural  business. 
They  have  a  modern  threshing  apparatus,  and  in  ad- 
dition to  threshing  do  shingle  and  wood  sawing  for  the 
farmers  of  their  vicinity,  also  engaging  extensively  in 
hay  raising,  selling  baled  hay  by  the  car-load  lots'  an- 
nually.    Mr.  Dietrich  is  an  intelligent  and  respected  citi- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


561 


zen,  a  Democrat  in  political  principle,  and  actively  inter- 
ested in  the  success  of  his  party.  He  is  prominently 
connected  with  the  Dietrich  Family  Association,  which 
has  members  all  over  the  country. 

On  April  25,  1891,  Mr.  Dietrich  married  Evada  E. 
Trexler,  born  Dec.  28,  1868,  daughter  of  Benneville  and 
Maria  (Hoch)  Trexler.  the  former  born  Dec.  14,  1839, 
died  Feb.  25,  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trexler  were  the 
parents  of:  Evada  E.  (now  Mrs.  Dietrich);  Francis,  who 
married  Clara  Stein;  Beulah,  who  died  in  childhood;  and 
Miss  Mamie.  Mrs.  Dietrich  was  confirmed  in  the 
Lutheran  faith  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  W.  S.  Mueller,  at  Mos- 
elem  Church,  and  there  she  and  her  husband  both 
attend.    They  have  no  children. 

(III)  Daniel  Dietrich,  son  of  Johann  Christian  Diet- 
rich, was  born  in  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county, 
April  34,  1834,  and  died  at  Dietrich's  mill  in  the  same 
township  April  20,  1898.  He  was  one  of  the  best 
known  men  in  all  that  locality,  and  for  many  years  con- 
ducted what  is  known  as  Dietrich's  mill,  located  on  the 
Sacony  on  the  road  from  Kutztown  to  Hamburg,  two 
miles  north  of  the  former  place.  With  the  mill  property 
were  fifty  acres  of  land,  which  Mr.  Dietrich  cultivated 
and  improved.  He  built  the  large  brick  residence  there 
in  1857,  and  the  barn  some  years  later.  He  was  public- 
spirited  and  progressive,  and  was  one  of  the  prime  movers 
in  the  establishment  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  at  Kutztown,  and  one  of  its  first  trustees,  serv- 
ing as  such  from  the  time  of  its  organization  until  his 
death.  He  is  buried  in  Hope  cemetery  at  Kutztown.  On 
May  28.  1842,  he  married  Sally  Ann  Christ,  born  Nov. 
12,  1824,  died  July  5,  1898.  To  this  union  were  born 
ten  children:  (1)  Willoughby,  born  Jan.  10,  1850,  died 
aged  twenty-three  days.  (2)  William  C,  born  1851,  died 
1876.  (3)  Jonathan  C,  born  Nov.  26,  1852,  in  Greenwich, 
owns  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he  oper- 
ates a  creamery,  and  is  also  engaged  in  the  ice  busi- 
ness. For  a  number  of  years  he  was  chief  bookkeeper 
for  the  Keystone  Shoe  Manufacturing  Company,  and 
he  was  deputy  county  controller  under  H.  F.  Livingood 
and  A.  L.  Rhoads.  (4)  Mahlon  C.  (5)  Mary  Elizabeth, 
born  Jan.  25,  1857,  is  the  widow  of  Levi  D.  Dietrich. 
(6)  Franklin,  born  Aug.  15,  1858,  died  aged  forty-four 
days.  (7)  Diana,  born  Sept.  5,  1859,  died  March  22.  1862. 
(8)  Aaron,  born  Oct.  11,  1860,  died  March  23,  1862.  (9) 
Emma  Amanda,  born  Oct.  25,  1861,  died  May  31,  1870. 
(10)  Amelia,  born  April  14,  1863,  is  the  widow  of  Charles 
A.  Ketner,  and  has  two  children,  Anna  Bell  and  Wil- 
liam R. 

(IV)  Mahlon  C.  Dietrich,  grain,  potato,  lumber,  coal 
and  general  merchandise  dealer  at  Kempton,  Pa.,  was 
born  January  3,  1855.  He  early  became  familiar  with 
the  milling  and  lumber  business,  and  on  August  3, 
1874,  located  in  Kempton,  which  then  consisted  of  one 
private  dwelling  and  the  hotel,  but  which  has  since 
grown  to  contain  twenty-five  houses.  He  conducted  the 
grain  warehouse  for  Dietrich  &  De  Turk,  the  senior 
partner  of  the  firm  being  his  father.  In  1877  he  pur- 
chased his  father's  interest  in  this  business  and  the 
firm  continued  under  the  same  name  until  1881,  when 
he  also  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner,  Isaac  L. 
De  Turk.  Since  that  date  he  has  been  alone,  building 
up  one  of  the  largest  businesses  of  its  kind  in  the 
State.  He  has  a  large  stock  of  general  merchandise, 
carrying  everything  that  might  be  included  among  the 
needs  of  a  farmer.  He  is  an  extensive  potato  shipper — 
in  fact  the  most  extensive  on  the  Schuylkill  &  Lehigh 
railroad,  a  branch  of  the  P.  &  R.  road,  and  he  has  many 
customers  in  the  large  cities  of  the  East. 

Mr.  Dietrich  is  interested  in  all  that  tends  to  the 
development  of  his  county.  He  was  active  in  the  Diet- 
rich Family  Reunion  Association,  and  gave  great  as- 
sistance in  the  preparation  of  the  family  record.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  New  Jerusalem  Church,  belonging 
to  the  Lutheran  congregation. 

On  Sept.  2,  1876,  Mr.  Dietrich  married  Miss  Sarah  E. 
Bachman,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Eliza  (Donat)  Bach- 
man,  of  Lynn  township,  the  former  born  1817;  died  1908 
36 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bachman  had  children  as  follows:  Rev. 
Adam  J.,  of  Schaeflferstown,  Lebanon  county;  Rev. 
James  N.  (1854-1907),  of  Lynnport,  Pa.;  and  Sarah  E.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dietrich  have  been  born  two  daughters 
and  one  son,  namely:  Roie  Annie  Eva,  born  Sept.  12, 
1877,  died  Jan.  21,  1883;  Edgar  Adolphus,  born  Nov.  20, 
1886,  died  Jan.  33,  1889;  Blanche  R.,  graduated  from  the 
public  schools  of  Albany  township  in  1906,  and  is  a. 
member  of  the  class  of  1910  at  the  Keystone  State  Nor- 
mal  School. 

Mr.  Dietrich  is  so  well  known  in  his  district  as  a 
shipper  of  potatoes  that  a  few  words  from  him  about 
the  potato  growing  industry  which  plays  so  prominent 
a  part  in  the  agricultural  prosperity  of  the  section  will 
be  of  interest  here: 

Potatoes  are  raised  on  every  farm  in  Albany  town- 
ship and  in  part  of  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county, 
and  in  the  lower  section  of  Lynn  township,  Lehigh 
county,  which  adjoins  the  two  townships  named,  are 
raised  more  than  in  any  other  township.  From  all 
these  localities  a  good  many  are  brought  to  Kempton, 
Berks  county,  for  shipment.  Hence  not  all  the  po- 
tatoes shipped  from  that  station  are  raised  in  Berks 
county.  A  good  many  were  raised  before  the  building 
of  the  Berks  County  railroad,  which  was  first  operated 
in  1874.  The  nearest  markets  then  were  Allentown, 
Reading,  Pottsville  and  Tamaqua.  To  each  place  the 
distance  is  about  twenty-five  miles  from  this  section, 
the  trip  taking  two  nights  and  one  day  or  two  days  and 
one  night.  Since  the  railroad  was  built  more  have  been 
raised  from  year  to  year.  The  old  varieties  have  been 
supplanted  by  new  favorites,  and  many  have  held  their 
reputation  as  good  yielders.  At  present  the  Dewly,  Vul- 
can, State  of  Maine,  Prince  Henry,  Twenty  Century, 
World's  Wonder,  National  and  Banner  are  principally 
raised,  and  all  are  a  round  white  potato,  good  yielders, 
and  also  best  adapted  for  the  market. 

The  planting  season  begins  about  April  10th.  Many 
turn  the  sod  in  the  fall,  some  in  the.  early  spring,  and 
make  ready  to  plant  with  the  Aspinwall  and  other  plant- 
ers; the  slanting  tooth  harrow  is  used,  then  the  weeder 
and  cultivator.  The  Colorado  potato  bug  or  beetle  is 
very  injurious  to  the  plants  and  the  growers  must  spray 
them  in  time  with  Paris  green  or  arsenic;  and  some 
also  spray  for  the  prevention  of  the  blight,  which  is 
a  much  dreaded  disease,  as  potatoes  commence  to  rot 
about  the  time  when  the  first  shipments  are  made  in 
car-load  lots,  which  is  about  Sept.  1st.  York  State 
stock  is  always  about  two  weeks  later,  and  Michigan 
and  other  northwestern  States  still  a  few  weeks  later. 
The  shipping  of  potatoes  is  a  most  hazardous  under- 
taking. All  kinds  of  risks  are  connected  with  it.  The 
rot,' the  cold  weather  and  the  overstocked  markets  have 
to  be  contended  with.  Most  of  the  farmers  have  not 
yet  provided  a  good  protected  storage  place,  and  have 
to  sell  about  half  the  stock  raised  before  the  cold  weath- 
er sets  in,  being  therefore  obliged  to  sell  those  out- 
side the  cellars  and  other  protected  places.  Some  three 
hundred  full  car-loads  and  a  number  of  bushels  in  bag 
lots  are  shipped  from  the  different  stations  in  Albany 
township;  six  hundred  bushels  is  about  the  average  for 
a  car,  or  about  two  hundred  thousand  bushels  at  an 
average  price  of  fifty  cents ;  the  shipments  amounting  to 
$100,000. 

(ill)  Nathan  Dietrich,  son  of  Christian,  was  born 
in  Greenwich  township,  July  30,  1827,  and  died  Jan. 
24,  1880.  He  was  reared  to  farm  life  and  when  about 
twenty-five  years  old  began  work  for  himself.  He 
lived  in  Montour  county,  Pa.,  for  a  time,  working  on 
a  farm  for  a  man  by  the  name  of  McCormick.  When 
he  returned  to  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county, 
he  began  farming  at  Stein's  mill,  and  then  lived  on 
different  farms  in  that  locality  until  the  spring  of 
1860,  when  he  went  to  Albany  township,  and  purchased 
a  farm,  now  the  property  of  Henry  Heffner,  which 
he  sold  six  years  later  and  bought  the  162-acre  farm 
from   Daniel   Kunkel,  that  is   now   owned  by  his  son. 


562  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

Henry   S.     The   barn   on  this   farm   is    114  feet   long —  in    Virginia,    from    which    State    one    Casper    Dietrich, 

the    largest    in    the    township,    and    the    farm    and    sur-  Jr..  had  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812. 

roundings  are  kept  in  first-class  condition.  Nathan  (II)  John  Adam  Dietrich,  son  of  Johannes  the  emi^ 
Dietrich  was  a  Lutheran  member  of  New  Bethel  grant,  was  born  Nov.  23,  1784.  in  Greenwich  town- 
Church  in  which  he  was  an  official.  He  married  ship,  and  died  on'  his  farm  July  23.  18R4.  He  was  bap- 
Elizabeth  Stump,  daughter  of  Samuel  Stump,  who  now  tized  Dec.  12,  1784,  by  Rev.  Heinrich  Hartzel  in  Green- 
,.  ^  T^  /'  c-  „i,:,j,.»„  ,11  ctiii  i;,,;„o-  wprp  wch  township,  and  the  certificate  states  that  his  spon- 
hves  at  Kempton.  Six  children,  all  still  living  were  ^^^^  ^^^^^^  his  uncle  Adam  and  his  wife.  Maria  Bar- 
born  of  this  union:  (1)  William  S  now  living  re-  ^^^^  Dietrich.  This  is  proof  conclusive  that  Johannes, 
tired  at  Weatherly,  Pa.,  owns  two  farms  and  a  mil  .  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^p^^  Dietrich  were  brothers.  The  line 
He  is  married  and  has  children— Wilson,  James,  Maud,  ^^  Adam  is  fully  treated  of  elsewhere. 
Annie  and  Francis.  (2)  Catharine,  widow  of  Moses  ■[„  ^gos  John  Adam  Dietrich  married  Susanna  Ar- 
Hein,  lives  at  Kempton.  (3)  Henry  S.  (4)  Rosetta  nold,  born  Feb.  5,  1783.  died  Oct.  6,  1869,  and  both 
m.  Francis  Lenhart,  a  farmer  in  Albany  township,  are  buried  immediately  back  of  the  Lenhartsville 
(5)  Annie  m.  Owen  Snyder,  a  farmer  at  Steins  Corner,  Church,  of  which  they  were  prominent  members. 
Lehigh  county.  (6)  Lenius  S..  a  farmer  in  Albany  They  were  pious  people,  good  though  strict  parents, 
township,  m.  Ellen  Miller,  and  has  three  children —  and  "Mother"  Dietrich  was  an  excellent  housekeeper, 
Verna    Alma  and  Anson.  noted  especially  for  her  old-fashioned  bread.     She  had 

(IV)  Henry  S.  Dietrich  was  born  in  Greenwich  town-  ffw   equals   as   a  breadmaker    and   her   rye   bread   was 

ship,  Aug.  17,  1859.  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  the    best    that    could   be    made.      Visitors   were    always 

f          1     I      i   1                 i-i   u                  c               T?       f„.,_  treated   to   butter-bread   and   honey.      Most   farmers    in 

and   worked   at   home   untd   he   was    of   age.      For   four  ^^^^^              ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^  twenty-five  beehives,  and 

years    after    he    attained    his    majority    he    had    charge  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^  pl^^^jy  ^f  j^^^^y      "Father"  Dietrich 

of  the  home  farm,  and  in  the  spring  of  1886  he  began  ^^^    equally    noted    in    his    way.      He    began    farming 

for  himself  on  the   homestead,  near   Albany  postoffice.  near    Dreibelbis    Station,    and    owned    the    tract    now 

This    farm    consists    of    163    acres    of    excellent    potato  owned   by  a   Stettler,   from   there   moving  to  the   farm 

land,   and   he    plants   from    twenty-five    to    thirty   acres  which    his    youngest    son.    Reuben    A.,    came    to    own 

every  year.     He  has   excellent  crops,   and  besides  this  after   his   death.     It   is   now  the   property   of   Reuben's 

farm    he    owns    sixty-four    acres    of    woodland    at    the  son,  Thomas  K.,  who  is  the  fourth  generation  to  own 

Blue   Mountains.     He   has   his   farm   well    stocked,   and  and    live    upon    this    land.      This    Dietrich    homestead 

is   verj'  justly  proud   of   his   horses,   their   equal   being  originally  belonged  to  the  Brobst  family, 

hard  to  find  in  the  township.     He  has  from  fifteen   to  John   Adam   Dietrich  was   a  carpenter  by  trade,   and 

twenty-five  head  of  cattle  all  the  time.  did    such    excellent   work   that    he    was    known    as    one 

In   politics   Mr.   Dietrich  is  a   Democrat,  and   he   and  of   the    best   wood-workers    of   his    day.      He    built   the 

his  family  are   Lutheran   members  of  the   New   Bethel  present   barn   on   the   place   in    1836,   and   the   house    in 

(Corner)  Church,  in  Albany  township.  1844.      The    house    is    of    stone,    and    as    only    the    best 

Mr.    Dietrich   married   Caroline   Sechler,   daughter   of  stones   were   used,   and   the   masons   of   that   day   knew 

Joel    Sechler.    late    of    Albany    township.      Five    sons  their  work  well,  the  walls  are  very  substantially  made, 

and    five    daughters    have    blessed    this    union:      Addie  as  well  as  workmanlike.     The  woodwork  in  the  house 

m.    Fred   Fetherolf:    George;   Joel;   Albert,   a   graduate  shows    the    same    care    and    skill,    and    was    done    for 

of   the    township    schools,    is    now    attending   the    Nor-  the    most    part    by    "Father"    Dietrich     himself.      The 

mal  at  Kutztown;   May  is  a  graduate  of  the  township  last  will  and  testament  of  this  worthy  man  is  a  model 

schools;,  William:   Maud;   Ina;   Frank  and   Helen.     Mr.  of  its   kind   and  shows   that  the   spirit   of  a  pure   heart 

Dietrich   is   a   believer   in   the    cause    of   education,   and  actuated   all   his  deeds.     It  was   made   a  few  years   be- 

is   giving  his   children   good   school   advantages.  fore    his    death,    and    is    on    record    in    Will    Book    II, 

page    333.      The    old    family    Bible    is    well    preserved, 

ALFRED  K.  DIETRICH,  late  of  Albany  township,  and   is   now   owned   by  his  grandson,   Henry   K.   Dietrich, 

was    born    Feb    7,    1854,    and    died    Aug.    5.    1907,    aged  To    John    Adam    Dietrich    and    his    wife    were    born 

fifty-three   years,   five   months,   twenty-eight   days.     He  fourteen    children,    of    whom    we    have    the    following 

was  a  son  of  Reuben  A.  and  Catharine   (Kunkel)   Diet-  record:     Maria,  Dec.  29,   1803;  Rebecca,   Oct.   11.   1805; 

rich,    and    a    direct    descendant    of    Johannes    Dietrich.  Jacob,  June  27.  1807;  Isaac,  March  30,  1809   (died  July 

the    first    of    this    numerous    Berks    county    family    to  22,    1822);    Elizabeth.    Oct.    25,    1810;    Annie.    Oct.    25. 

come  to  America.  1812;    Gideon,    March     30,    1814;    Adam,    Oct.    17.    1815 

(I)   Johannes    Dietrich   was   a   native   of   the   German  (died    April    16.    1826);    Moses.    Oct.    23.    1817;    Rufena, 

Palatinate,   and   emigrated   to   the    New   World   on    the  Nov.  '20,    1819    (died    Nov.    28,    1848);    Catharine,    Dec. 

good    ship    "Phoenix,"    landing    (qualifying)    at    Phila-  15,    1821;    Reuben.    Oct.    20.    1823.      It    will    be    noticed 

delphia   Sept   25,   1751.     It  appears   that   soon   after   his  that    six    members    of    this    family    were    born    in    the 

arrival    in    this    country    he    settled    in    Berks    county,  month     of     October.       Isaac,    Adam    and     Rufena    are 

Pa.,   where    he   married    Barbara    Braucher,    of    Albany  buried  at  Dunkel's  Church. 

township.      Johannes    Dietrich    died    in    1785,    and    his  (III)    Reuben    A.    Dietrich,    youngest    son    of    John 

widow.   Barbara,  was   adminis'tratrix  of  the  estate;   she  Adam    and    Susanna    (Arnold)    Dietrich,    was    born    in 

had   as   her  sureties   Christ.   Braucher   ana   Jacob   Mer-  Greenwich  township   Oct.  20.   1823,  on   the  John  Adam 

kel.     Johannes   and   Barbara   Dietrich   had   three   children,  Dietrich     homestead    near    Klinesville,    and    died    July 

all  sons,  as  follows:     Johannes.  Jacob   (who  is  said  to  31.    1889.      He    was    a    lifelong    farmer,    succeeding    his 

have  settled  in  Schuylkill  county)   and  John   Adam,  father   on   the   home   niace,  which   now   consists   of  155 

One   Johannes    Dietrich,   probably    son   of   Johannes,  acres  of  valuable  land.     He  Avas  prosperous,  and  added 

born    Nov.    7,    1760.    in    Maiden-creek    township.    Berks  seventy    acres    to    this    tract,    but    this    extra    land    was 

county,  located   in   East   Buffalo   township.   Union    Co.,  sold    off    again    after    his     death.      Mr.     Dietrich    was 

Pa.     From  there  he  enlisted  in   Colonel  Servant's  reg-  originally  a   Lutheran   member  of   the   Dunkel   Church, 

iment,     Wayne's     brigade,    Pennsylvania     Line,    when  but   in    1S54.    when    the    Lenhartsville    Church    was    or- 

eighteen   years   old.   and   returned   at   the   expiration   of  ganized,   he   became   one    of   its   members,   and   he   was 

his  service,  in  1781.     One  of  the  sons  of  Reuben   Diet-  an  official  of  that  church  until  his  death.     He  married 

rich,    now   living   in    Greenwich    township,    recalls   that  Catharine    Kunkel.    born    in    18:;4.    daughter    of    Daniel 

his  father  visited  his  uncle   (Johannes)   in  Union  coun-  and  Maria  Magdalena  (Zimmerman)  Kunkel,  and  eight 

ty,    making    the    journey    on    horseback,    and    that    tlie  children  were  born   to  them:     Alfred   K.   is   mentioned 

visits  were  returned.  below;    Lewis   K.   is   a   prosperous   farmer   in    Kistler's 

Johannes  Dietrich,  the  emigrant,  had  brothers  .'N.dam  Valley,    Lehigh    county    (he    married    .'Mice    Howerter, 

(1740-1817)   and  Casper,  both  of  whom  came  to  Ameri-  and    they    have    had    five    children,    Valorius,    William, 

ca,    the    latter,    with    a    man    named    Bollinger,    settling  Lizzie,  Ed^ar  and  Norman);  Ellen   (deceased)   was  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


563 


■wife  of  Alfred  Greenwalt,  of  Bernville;  Henry  K.,  born 
in  1860,  a  farmer  near  Lenhartsville,  is  the  vice-president 
of  the  Dietrich  Family  Association  (he  married  in  1883, 
Mary  Seidel,  and  they  have  children,  Robert,  Lizzie^ 
Edgar,  Flora,  Nora,  Harvey  and  Annie,  of  whom 
Lizzie,  a  graduate  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School,  is  engaged  in  teaching) ;  Florenda  married 
George  Kutz;  Thomas  K.  owns  and  farms  the  home- 
stead (he  married  Ida  Komp,  who  died  June  17,  1907, 
and  has  a  son,  Ira);  Charles  and  James  both  died  in 
childhood.  The  burial  ground  of  this  family  is  at 
Lenhartsville.  Mrs.  Catharine  (Kunkel)  Dietrich  now 
makes  her  home  with  her  son  Thomas,  on  the  old 
homestead. 

Alfred  K.  Dietrich  was  reared  to  farming,  and  when* 
twenty-one  years  old  went  to  learn  milling  from  Sol- 
omon P.  Dietrich,  who  then  operated  what  has  been 
known  for  many  years  as  the  Dietrich  mill.  The 
spring  after  his  marriage  Mr.  Dietrich  engaged  in 
the  business  for  himself  at  Dietrich's  Mill,  which  he 
bought  about  1889.  and  which  he  conducted  in  all 
.for  almost  thirty  years — from  1877  until  -two  years 
before  his  death.  This  mill  is  located  in  the  Stony 
Run  Valley  in  Albany  township.  The  first  mill  at  this 
site  was  built  by  a  Grim,  in  1750,  and  the  present 
stone  mill  is  at  least  the  second,  probably  the  third, 
mill  at  this  place.  On  a  stone  in  the  wall  of  the 
south  gable  are  the  dates  1750  and  1795,  the  latter 
being  probably  the  date  of  the  building  of  the  second 
mill  or  the  repairing  of  the  iirst  one.  To  the  mill 
property  belongs  a  fine  farm  of  ninety-five  acres, 
lying  in  the  potato  belt  of  this  section.  Mr.  Dietrich 
raised  many  potatoes,  planting  twenty  acres  every 
year.  This  property  is  a  valuable  one.  the  buildings 
being  very  substantial.  The  larsre  Swiss  barn  was 
erected  by  Alfred  K.  Dietrich  in  1891.  He  owned 
also  the  old  Wiesner  homestead  in  Stony  Run  Valley, 
a  farm  of  122  acres,  which  he  bought  in  1898,  and 
which  is  now  tenanted  by  his  son  Irwin  C,  who  is 
an  enterprising  young  farmer,  and  extensively  en- 
gaged in  potato  planting.  On  this  farm  stands  a  stone 
house  which  was  built  in  1796,  and  which  originally 
belonged  to  one  Samuel  Miller.  On  a  stone  in  the 
west  gable   of  this  house  is  the  following: 

S  B  &  H  M 

P  E  &  H  M 

1796 

On  Jan.  21,  1877,  Mr.  Dietrich  married  Louisa  Mer- 
kel,  daughter  of  William  D.  Merkel,  of  Windsor,  and 
to  them  were  born  five  children,  as  follows:  Irwin 
C,  Anson  W.,  Mary  V.  (married  Elton  J.  Trexler, 
of  Albany,  Pa.,  and  has  a  son,  Clinton  M.),  Howard 
W.  and  Agnes  C. 

With  his  family  Mr.  Dietrich  belonged  to  the  Wess- 
nersville  Friedens  Church,  all  being  members  of  the 
Lutheran  congregation  there,  of  which  Mr.  Dietrich 
served  as  deacon.  He  was  the  third  person  buried  in 
the  new  cemetery  of  that  church.  In  politics  Mr. 
Dietrich  was  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  man  much 
esteemed  for  his  devotion  to  his  family  and  his  duty. 

DIETRICH  (Line  of  Conrad).  This  branch  of  the 
Dietrichs,  so  far  as  is  known  in  no  way  related  to  Adam 
Dietrich  and  his  descendants,  has  its  origin  in  Conrad 
Dietrich,  who  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  Jan.  11,  1763. 
In  his  young  manhood  he  came  to  Berks  county.  Pa., 
and  located  in  Hereford  township.  He  was  married 
there,  and  in  1790  the  Federal  Census  Report  records 
him  the  head  of  a  family  consisting  of  four  persons, 
himself  and  wife  and  two  daughters.  Their  seven  other 
children  were  born  after  1790.  About  1795  he  and  his  fam- 
ily came  to  Reading,  and  there  he  passed  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  owned  considerable  property,  and  was 
regarded  as  a  fairly  well-to-do  man.  His  wife  was 
Elizabeth  Seisholtz  of  Longswamp  township,  Berks 
county,  born  March  3,  1769,  died  Sept.  22,  1837,  aged 
sixty-eight  years,  six  months  and  nineteen  days.     Con- 


rad Dietrich  died  Dec.  18,  1841,  aged  seventy-eight  years, 
eleven  months,  seven  days.  They  are  both  buried  in  the 
western  part  of  the  Aulenbach  cemetery.  The  tomb- 
stone inscription  states  that  they  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children — four  sons  arid  five  daughters.  The  names 
of  four  children  only  could  be  ascertained  as  follows: 
(1)  George  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Scranton,  Catawis- 
sa  or  Tamaqua,  Pa.,  where  he  manufactured  bricks.  He 
was  born  Aug.  4,  1813,  was  married,  and  had  a  number 
of  children.  '(2)  Jacob  is  mentioned  below.  _  (3)  Susan 
married  Henry  Fry  of  Reading.  (4)  Conrad  is  mention- 
ed below. 

(II)  Jacob  Dietrich,  son  of  Conrad,  was  born  in 
Reading,  and  he  made  his  home  on  Tenth  street,  south 
of  Cherry.  He  was  a  laborer,  and  fot  many  years  was 
the  grave  digger  for  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,,  at  Sixth 
and  Washington  streets,  and  there  he,  too,  was  laid  to 
rest,  but  later  his  body  with  others  was  removed  to  the 
Lutheran  cemetery.  He  married  Abbey  Dieter,  and  to 
this  union  were  born  three  sons  and  five  daughters, 
namely:  (1)  Savannah  m.  Amos  Giley,  of  Reading.  (2) 
Conrad  m.  Hannah  Geeze  of  Allentown.  (3)  Jacob  m. 
in  Schuylkill  county,  where  he  had  settled  and  reared 
a  family.  He  had  a  son,  Al.  Dietrich.  (4)  Catharine  m. 
Fred  Ulrich  Hains.  (5)  Susan  (born  in  Reading  Dec. 
5,  1835)  resides  in  Reading.  She  m.  Charles  Houck,  a 
native  of  Germany,  who  was  a  saddler  in  Reading. 
They  had  children:  Hattie,  Mary  (deceased),  Rosa  and 
Katie  (who  are  both  deaf  mutes),  and  Elizabeth.  (6) 
Isaac  (born  at  Reading  in  1837)  settled  when  about 
twenty-five  years  old  in  Drehersville,  Schuylkill  county, 
where  he  married  Deborah  Hollenbach.  Their  son, 
William  H..  born  Sept.  18,  1853.  at  Temple,  Berks 
county,  died  March  9,  1909,  at  Reading,  and  is  buried 
at  Alsace  Lutheran  Church.  He  was  a  laborer.  He  was 
twice  married,  first,  April  27,  1875,  to  Emma  Kissinger, 
who  bore  him  four  children — Irwin  W..  George  A., 
Katie  D.  and  Sallie  M.;  and  (second)  to  Hannah  D. 
Sell,  by  whom  he  had  children — Bertha  E.,  Edward  H.. 
Carrie  L.,  Gertie  E.,  Deborah  A.,  William  H.  and  Christ- 
ian R._  (7)  Mary  died  young.  (8)  Abbey  m.  in  Phil- 
adelphia where  she  lived  and  died. 

(II)  Conrad  Dietrich,  son  of  Conrad,  was  born  at 
the  big  dam  at  Reading,  July  36,  1798,  and  was  confirmed 
in  the  Lutheran  faith.  He  was  a  paper  manufacturer 
in  Snyder  county  for  many  years,  but  his  plant  was 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1840.  In  later  life  he  moved  back 
to  Reading,  where  he  died  Feb.  12,  1861,  aged  sixty- 
two  years,  six  months,  sixteen  days,  and  was  buried  in 
Aulenbach  cemetery,  by  the  side  of  his  father.  He 
was  twice  married,  and  by  his  first  marriage  had  three 
children:  (1)  Henry  left  the  parental  home  when  twen- 
ty-two years  of  age,  while  the  father  lived  in  Snyder 
county,  and  his  whereabouts  were  unknown  for  twenty 
years,  when  one  afternoon,  to  the  surprise  of  all,  he 
came  home  only  to  remain  one  night  and  to  leave  with- 
out telling  any  one  where  he  had  lived  or  where  he  was 
going.  _  It  was  afterward  learned  that  he  was  comfort- 
ably situated  in,  Wilmington,  Del.,  and  in  later  years 
he  paid  annual  visits  to  his  brother,  William  H.,  in 
Reading.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  a  son.  Reuben,  who 
lived  at  Mechanicsburg,  in  Cumberland  county.  Pa.  (2) 
Mary  m.  Hon.  Reuben  Keller,  a  State  senator  from  1S59 
to  1862.     (3)  Adam. 

Conrad  Dietrich  was  married  (second)  Oct.  9,  1836 
to  Martha  (Moyer)  Spohn,  widow  of .  Jacob  Spohn,  of 
Sprmg  township.  She  was  born  Jan.  13.  1805.  and  died 
in  1889,  aged  eighty-four  years,  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Moyer.  In  the  old  Spohn  Bible  the  following  children 
are  credited  to  the  marriage  of  Conrad  and  Martha 
Dietrich:  Amelia,  born  Dec.  17,  1837;  Conrad,  born  Feb 
9,  1839;  William  H..  born  Oct.  29.  1840;  Rebecca    born 

^?^TT^  ^Ml'  '^'^'^  ^T?""-^*'  ^^^^  ('"■  J°l^"  L.  Horaan). 

(III)  William  H.  Dietrich,  Sr.,  son  of  Conrad, 
was  born  in  Snyder  county.  Pa..  Oct.  29,  1S40  When 
a  young  man  he  came  to  Reading  with  his  parents  and 
here  he  learned  the  art  of  photography  with  S.  B.  How- 
ard, who  after  the  business  had  been  thoroughly  mas- 


564 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


tered,  admitted  him  as  a  partner,  under  tJie  firm  name 
of  Howard  &  Dietrich.  Some  years  afterward  Mr. 
Howard  retired  from  business,  and  Mr.  Dietrich  formed 
a  partnership  with  Mr.  Patton,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Dietrich  &  Patton,  and  for  twenty  years  they  conducted 
a  successful  business  at  the  corner  of  Seventh  and 
Penn.  streets,  where  Rosenbaum's  hall  now  stands. 
Later  Mr.  Dietrich  conducted  a  grocery  store  at  the 
corner  of  Ninth  and  Robeson  streets.  Since  1895  he  has 
been  the  proprietor  of  the  "Veteran  Hotel"  of  Reading, 
located  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Seventh  and  Chestnut 
streets.  In  1860  he  married  Hannah  Brobst,  of  Read- 
ing, who  died  Oct.  17,  1900,  after  a  married  life  ofmore 
than  forty  years.  She' is  buried  in  the  Dietrich  family  lot 
in  Aulenbach's  cemetery.  Seven  children  were  born  to 
this  union:  (1)  Martha  m.  George  Snyder,  of  Reading, 
and  has  children — Howard,  Chester,  George,  Bert.  Mar- 
tha, Clara  and  Hannah.  (2)  Emma  died  in  infancy.  (3) 
Emma  (2)  m.  Elmer  Stott,  of  Reading,  and  their  child- 
ren are  Eugene,  Bessie,  Harry,  Frank  and  Wallace,  (4) 
William  H.,  Jr.,  is  mentioned  below.  (5)  Annie  died 
unmarried  aged  twenty-one  years.  (6)  George  P. 
(born  at  Reading,  Dec.  6,  1869)  is  associated  with  his 
father  in  the  management  of  the  "Veteran  Hotel."  In 
1907  he  was  the  Republican  nominee  for  the  office  of 
high  sheriff,  and  received  the  highest  vote  ever  given 
a  Republican  candidate  for  that  office.  He  m.  Annie 
Jenkins  of  Pottsville.  (7)  Clara  married  James  Yost,  a 
farmer  of  Spring  township,  whose  record  appears  in 
these  volumes. 

(IV)  William  H.  Dietrich.  Jr.,  son  of  William  H.  Sr., 
and  proprietor  of  the  "Muhlenberg  Mansion"  at  No. 
1057  North  Ninth  street.  Reading,  was  born  at  No.  145 
Mulberry  street,  Reading.  His  early  education  was  ob- 
tained in  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  and  after  leav- 
ing school  he  was  employed  at  Mohn's  hat  factory  for 
two  years.  He  then  worked  for  Augustus  Hassler  in 
the  restaurant  at  No.  503  Penn  street,  where  he  re- 
mained a  number  of  years.  He  was  next  manager  for 
William  H.  Reist's  cafe,  Mr.  Reist  being  proprietor  of 
the  "Hotel  Penn."  There  he  continued  until  1893, 
when  he  assumed  the  proprietorship  of  the  "Hyde 
Park"  Hotel,  in  Muhlenberg  township,  which  he  con- 
ducted with  great  success  for  two  and  one-half  years. 
In  October.  1895,  he  took  charge  of  the  Reading  "Fair 
Ground  Hotel,"  which  he  carried  on  until  April  1,  1899, 
%vhen  he  assumed  control  of  his  present  stand,  where 
he  enjoys  a  large  patronage.  He  is  a  successful  hotel 
man,  genial  and  popular  with  his  guests,  and  has  many 
warm  friends  in  Reading. 

Mr.  Dietrich  is  connected  with  a  number  of  social  and 
fraternal  organizations,  among  them  being:  B.  P.  O.  E. 
Lodge  No.  115.  Reading;  Reading  Aerie,  No.  66,  F.  O. 
E.;  K.  G.  E.  Castle  No,  391,  of  Hyde  Park;  Neversink 
Fishing  Club;  Junior  Fire  Company;  Juniata  County 
Fishing  Club;  Old  Bachelors'  Club;  Marion  Fire  Com- 
pany. In  his  religious  faith  he  is  a  believer  in  the 
doctrines  of  the  Reformed   Church.' 

On  March  12,  1891.  Mr,  Dietrich  married  Miss  Annie 
Leitheiser  (born  Feb.  5.  1869.  died  April  11,  1906,  aged 
thirty-seven  years,  two  months,  six  days),  and  they 
had  one  son  Wilson  F.   (born  Sept.  8,  1893). 

REV.  GEORGE  BORNEMANN,  the  only  priest  of  St. 
Paul's  Roman  Catholic  Church  for  a  continuous  period  pi 
forty-two  years,  and  most  affectionately  recognized  and 
spoken  of  in  the  community  as  "Father  Bornemann,"  was 
born  at  Lingen,  in  the  province  of  Hanover,  Germany,  Oct. 
5,  1838,  He  is  the  son  of  William  Bornemann,  a  rope- 
maker,  who  died  at  Reading  in  1884,  aged  eighty-two  years, 
and  Louisa  Rolfs,  his  wife,  who  died  while  he  was  still  a 
young  boy.  He  emigrated  to  the  United  States  when  fifteen 
years  of  age,  his  father  following  some  years  afterward. 
He  was  specially  educated  for  the  priesthood  in  Germany 
and  the  United  States,  g:raduating  from  St.  Vincent's  Col- 
lege   at    Latrobe,    Pa.,  in  1862.    and    then    extended    his 


ecclesiastical  studies  at  St.  Charles  Seminary,  in  Phila- 
delphia. He  was  regularly  ordained  as  a  priest  in  1865  by 
Bishop  (afterward  Archbishop)  Wood.  After  serving  as 
assistant  priest  at  Philadelphia  for  a  year,  and  as  priest 
at  Newcastle,  Del.,  for  the  same  period,  he  became  pastor 
at  St.  Paul's  Church  in  Reading  in  1867,  and  this  large  and 
growing  parish  he  has  served  most  devotedly  and  success- 
fully for  forty-two  continuous  years,  a  truly  remarkable 
period.  His  communicant  members  have  come  to  number 
three  thousand.  During  bis  ministrations  the  church 
property  at  Ninth  and  Walnut  streets,  for  religious,  edu- 
cational and  charitable  purposes,  has  become  the  largest  at 
Readings  evidencing  in  a  high  degree  his  superior  judg- 
ment  and   executive   ability. 

Besides  being  directly  interested  in  the  success  of  his 
own  parish.  Father  Bornemann  has  been  very  active  in  the 
establishment  of  other  institutions  immediately  connected 
with  the  Roman  Catholic  denomination:  St.  Joseph's 
Hospital;  House  of  the  Good  Shepherd;  St.  Catharme's 
Orphan  Asylum  for  Girls;  St.  Paul's  Orphan  Asylum 
for  Boys;  the  Polish,  Italian  and  Slavic  Roman  Catholic 
Churches;  St.  Bernardino's  Convent  and  Asylum,  Oak 
Brook;  and  Gethsemane  Roman  Catholic  Cemetery;  all 
of  which  are  successfully  administered. 

GEORGE  HENDEL,  hat  manufacturer  at  Reading 
for  over  thirty-five  years,  was  born  in  1835,  at  Adams- 
town,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  local  public  schools  and  then  learned  the 
hatter's  trade  in  his  father's  factory.  He  continued 
in  his  father's  employ  until  1860,  when  the  latter 
formed  a  co-partnership  with  him  and  his  brother 
John,  and  they  traded  together  under  the  name  of 
Levi  Hendel  &  Sons  for  four  years.  The  partnership 
was  then  dissolved,  and  he  and  his  brother  John  located 
at  St.  Lawrence,  in  Berks  county,  and  there  they  car- 
ried on  business  until  January,  1867,  when  they  re- 
moved to  Reading,  having  erected  a  plant  on  Maple 
street  south  of  Chestnut.  Here  they  traded  for  three 
years  and  then  dissolved  the  partnership.  In  1871,  he 
and  his  brothers,  John  and  Henry  B.,  formed  a  co- 
partnership under  the  name  of  John  Hendel  &  Bros, 
and  purchased  the  Wyomissing  Woolen  Mills,  situated 
on  Fifth  street  below  Laurel,  which  they  remodeled 
and  supplied  with  superior  machinery  for  manufactur- 
ing wool  hats,  and  he  continued  in  the  firm  until  1895, 
when   he   sold   his   interest   to   his   brother   John. 

In  1878,  Mr.  Hendel  erected  a  wool  hat  factory  along 
the  Wyomissing  creek,  near  Shillington,  and  he  and 
his  brother  John  carried  on  business  there  until  1895 
as  Hendel  Brothers;  and  in  1886,  they  erected  another 
wool  hat  factory  along  the  Cacoosing  creek  at  Mon- 
tello,  which  they  operated  under  the  name  of  Hendel 
Hat  Company  until  1895;  then  he  purchased  the  in- 
terest of  his  brother  in  the  two  plants.  The  former 
was  converted  into  a  fur  hat  factory,  and  it  has  since 
been  carried  on  by  him  and  his  two  sons,  trading  as 
George  Hendel  &  Sons,  emplojang  about  225  hands. 
The  wool  hat  business  in  the  Montello  factory  was 
continued  by  him  and  his  two  sons  as  the  Hendel  Hat 
Company  until  1901,  when  they  dismantled  the  plant 
and  removed  the  machinery  to  a  factory  at  Tenth  and 
Spruce  streets,  Reading,  and  here  they  have  continued 
the  manufacture  of  wool  hats  under  the  same  name 
until  the  present  time,  employing  about  one  hundred 
hands. 

Mr.  Hendel  was  made  a  Free  Mason  in  Chandler 
Lodge.  No.  227;  and  he  is  a  member  of  DeMolay  Com- 
mandery  No.  9,  K,  T.  In  politics  he  has  been  a  Re- 
publican for  fifty  years;  and  in  religious  matters 
identified  with  the  Evangelical  church  since  1864.  He 
was  married  to  Catharine  Mohn,  daughter  of  William 
Mohn  and  Polly  Gerner  his  wife,  by  whom  he  has 
two  sons:  John  R.  and  William  H.  His  wife  died  in 
1902.  Mr.  Hendel's  father  was  Levi  Hendel.  a  hat 
manufacturer  at  Adamstown  for  many  years.  [See 
sketch  of  his  older  brother  Jolin  Hendel  in  this  publi- 
cation.! 


/y^-^^i^^v^^ 


<:$^^-; 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


565 


MAHLON  E.  WEIDNER,  director  of  the  National 
Bank  of  Boyertown,  proprietor  of  the  Manatawny 
Flour  Mills,  in  Amity  township,  and  extensive  land 
owner,  is  a  member  of  an  early  settled  Berks  courity 
family. 

(I)  David  Weidper,  son  of  Adam  of  Oley  township, 
located  in  Amity  township  prior  to  1752,  and  settled  on 
a  farm  now  (1909)  owned  by  Matthias  Levengood,  but 
which  at  that  time  was  much  more  extensive,  including 
the  adjoining  property  now  owned  by  Anthony  Al- 
bright. On  the  LevenFOod  farm  was  a  private  burial 
ground  which  since  1900  has  been  under  cultivation. 
Here  were  buried  David  Weidner  and  wife,  and  some 
of  their  children  and  grandchildren.  David  Weidner 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  married  Hannah 
Moser.  In  the  federal  census  of  1790  he  is  recorded 
as  the  head  of  a  family  consisting  of  nine  persons, 
as  follows:  father  and  mother,  one  son  above  sixteen 
years  of  age,  and  two  sons  below  sixteen  years  of  age 
and  four  daughters. 

(II)  Jacob  Weidner,  son  of  David,  in  the  federal 
census  report  of  1790  is  recorded  the  head  of  a  family 
consisting  of  eight  persons:  the  parents,  four  sons  un- 
der sixteen  years  of  age,  and  two  daughters.  Jacob 
Weidner  married  Barbara  Weidner,  and  their  children 
were:  Peter;  Jacob  lived  in  Amity  township,  where 
he  owned  a  small  farm  now  the  property  of  a  Fry- 
muth;  David  m.  and  lived  at  Birdsboro  (No  issue); 
Susanna  m.  a  Romich,  and  had  a  blind  daughter,  Sus- 
anna; Elizabeth  m.  Tobias  Fisher;  %nd  one  whose  name 
is  not  given.  Jacob  Weidner  owned  the  farm  on  the 
Swamp  road  in  Amity  which  later  became  property 
of  John  Swavely. 

(III)  Peter  Weidner,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  Dec. 
4,  1787,  and  died  Nov.  9,  1847.  He  was  a  weaver  by 
trade,  and  had  a  shop  in'Amityville  on  a  lot  now  owned 
by  John  Bertolett.  He  also  owned  a  small  farm  at 
Amityville,  which  became  the  property  of  his  son 
Charles.  He  married  Elizabeth  Levengood,  born  May 
1,  1793,  and  died  May  21,  1844,  and  they  are  both  buried 
west  of  the  present  church  at  Amitjrville.  They  were 
members  of  the  Reformed  congregation.  Peter  Weid- 
ner and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  twelve  children, 
namely:  Harijiet  m.  Jared  Jones.  Charles  and  Samuel 
were  twins.  Nellie  m.  Charles  Goodman.  Sallie  m. 
John  Lundy,  and  they  moved  to  Greencastle,  Ind., 
where  both  died.  Lewis  (Ludwig)  is  mentioned  be- 
low. Anna,  born  Jan.  6,  1823,  m.  in  1852,  Christopher 
Renz,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  died  Nov.  10,  1876. 
aged  seventy  years,  the  father  of  Lydia,  Emma,  Rosa, 
Albert,  Annie  and  Laura,  and  Mrs.  Renz  now  lives 
with  her  daughter  Laura,  widow  of  Edward  G.  Davis, 
of  Reading.  Peter  was  next  in  the  order  of  birth. 
Aaron,  born  1826,  died  1847.  Elizabeth  m.  William 
Schaeffer.  Catharine  is  the  widow  of  Samuel  DeHart, 
of  Bloomsburg,   Pa.     Lydia  died  aged  nineteen  years. 

(IV)  Lewis  (Ludwig)  Weidner,  son  of  Peter,  was 
born  in  Amity  township,  Dec.  27,  1820,  and  died  Aug. 
25,  1907.  He  was  a  laborer  and  post  fence  maker,  be- 
ing an  expert  at  the  latter.  In  the  possession  of  his 
son,  Mahlon  E.,  is  the  following  document:  "On  the 
19th  day  of  August,  1843,  Lewis  Weidner  was  honor- 
ably and  legally  discharged  from  all  the  duties  enjoined 
of  him  as  a  member  of  the  National  Blues  attached 
to  the  Washington  Battalion  o£  Volunteers,  within  the 
Second  Brigade,  6th  Division  of  P.  M.  Cjiven  under 
my  hand  and  seal  the  day  and  year  above  written.  J. 
W.  Rhoads.  Capt."  Lewis  Weidner  was  a  private  in 
Company  B',  205th  Pa.  V.  I.,  enlisting  Aug.  24,  1864,  to 
serve  one  year.  On  June  2,  1865,  he  was  honorably 
discharged.  During  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  lived 
with  his  son  Mahlon  E.,  and  from  the  time  of  the  Span- 
ish-American war  in  1898,  in  which  James  S.  (son  of 
Mahlon  E.)  served  as  a  private  under  Gen.  Nelson  A. 
Miles  in  the  Porto  Rico  campaign,  three  generations 
of  one  family  lived  in  the  same  house,  who  had  served 
their  country  in  time  of  war.  Lewis  Weidner  married 
Hannah  Engel  (daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth),  born 
Oct.  1,  1820,  died  Dec.  3,  1895,  and  both  she  and  her  hus- 


band are  buried  at  Amityville,  where  they  were  Re- 
formed members  of  the  Amityville  Church.  Their 
children  were:  Mahlon  E.;  Francis,  of  Amityville; 
George,  who  died  in  1867;  Bertolet,  of  Pottstown;  and 
John,  of  Reading.  Lewis  Weidner  was  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican from  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  party. 

(V)  Mahlon  E.  Weidner  was  born  in  Amity,  Oct.  2, 
1844.  His  schooling  was  limited,  and  was  all  received 
in  the  common  schools  of  Amity.  From  the  time  he 
was  ten  years  of  age  he  worked  among  the  neighboring 
farmers,  and  at  fifteen  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the 
wheelwright's  trade.  He  had  served  eighteen  months 
of  his  time  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out.  He  enlisted 
Sept.  30,  1861,  at  Lebanon,  Pa.,  in  Company  B,  93d  Pa, 
V.  I.,  under  Capt.  John  E.  Arthur  (afterward  Col. 
Arthur),  and  was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  served  principally  in  the  Sixth 
Army  Corps,  While  with  the  regiment  (which 
was  one  of  the  fighting  regiments  from  Pennsylvania)  v 
he  participated  in  the  battles  of  Williamsburg,  Fair 
Oaks,  Seven  Days'  Retreat,  Malvern  Hill,  Chantilly, 
Harper's  Ferry,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Marye's 
Heights,  Salem  Heights,  Gettysburg,  Mine  Run,  and 
the  Wilderness.  In  the  last  mentioned  battle  Mr. 
Weidner  was  wounded  in  the  right  fore  arm  (May  5, 
1864),  and  was  confined  eight  months  in  the  Carver 
General  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C.  He  was  first 
honorably  discharged  Dec.  31,  1863,  at  Halltown,  Va., 
and  re-enlisted  as  a  Veteran  Volunteer  Jan.  1,  1864, 
and  was  promoted  for  merit  to  corporal,  and  was 
honorably  discharged  at  Carver  General  Hospital  Jan. 
27,  1865,  .because  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Weidner  learned  the  milling  trade 
at  Solomon  Rhoads'  mill,  serving  an  apprenticeship 
of  two  years.  He  then  worked  two  years  more  as  a 
journeyman  at  the  same  place  and  eight  years  at  a 
neighboring  mill.  In  the  spring  of  1879  he  took 
possession  of  the  Manatawny  Flour  Mill,  which  he  had 
purchased  of  the  Solomon  Rhoads  estate  in  the  fall  of 
1878,  and  he  has  successfully  conducted  this  mill  for 
thirty  years.  In  1884  he  entirely  remodeled  the  mill, 
and  installed  the  roller  process,  and  since  then  has 
made  many  other  improvements,  having  one  of  the 
most  up-to-date  mills  in  the  county,  with  a  capacity 
of  two  and  one-half  barrels  an  hour.  There  is  a  tract 
of  sixty  acres  of  land  with  this  mill,  on  which  in  1899 
Mr.  Weidner  built  a  new  barn  43  x  70.  The  large  stone 
house  was  built  in  1807  by  Othniel  R.  Sands.  In  1893 
Mr.  Weidner  purchased  the  Amity  mill,  also  on  Mana- 
tawny creek,  and  this  has  been  named  the  Glen  Alpine 
Flour  Mill.  It  also  has  the  roller  process  and  a  capac- 
ity of  two  barrels  per  hour.  To  this  mill  belongs 
thirty  acres  of  land.  On  this  property  was  a  stone 
mill  erected  in  1745,  but  the  present  brick  mill  replaced 
it  in  about  1840.  This  mill  is  conducted  by  Mr.  Weid- 
ner and  his  brother  Francis,  under  the  firm  name  of 
F.  E.  Weidner  &  Brother.  The  flour  is  shipped  to 
Philadelphia.  Mr.  Weidner  owns  the  Ezekiel  Rhoads 
farm  of  122  acres  in  Amity  township,  which  he  pur- 
chased in  October,  1907.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Boyertown,  tp  which  position  he  was 
elected  in  1896.  He  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  fore- 
most citizens  of  the  township,  and  wields  great  in- 
fluence in  public  affairs. 

In  politics  Mr.  Weidner  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and 
from  1866  to  1902  served  as  a  member  of  the  county 
committee,  giving  efficient  and  faithful  service.  He 
has,  however,  always  refused  to  hold  office.  Frater- 
nally he  belongs  to  Camp  No.  43.  Union  Veteran  Le- 
gion, of  Reading;  Post  No.  16,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Reading; 
and  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  No.  213,  of  Amityville. 

On  Sept.  23,  1865,.  Mr.  Weidner  married  Amanda 
Shadier,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Harriet  (Schealer) 
Shadier,  who  in  later  years  lived  near  Republic,  Ohio, 
where  they  died  and  were  buried.  They  became  the 
parents  of  eleven  children:  Mary  Ellen  m.  Irwin  Rein- 
ert;  George  is  deceased;  Grant  C.  died  in  infancy;  Emma 
m.  Marks  Boyer,  and  both  are  deceased:  William  H 
is  a  miller  at  the  Glen  Alpine  Mill;   Anna  m.   George 


566  HISTORY  OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

Delcamp;    Louisa    ra.    Jeremiah    Hine;    Irwin    died    in  bushwhackers,   and   equipped   for  both   land   and   water 

infancy;    John    is    a    farmer    in    Amity;    James    operats  engagements.      He    served    until    the    discharge    of    his 

the  Manatawny  roller  mills;  and  Sallie  died  in  infancy.  Command  per  General  Orders  in  1865. 

After    the    close    of    the    war    Dr.    Cleaver    settled    in 

ISRAEL  CLEAVER,   M.   D.,  a  prominent  physician  Luthersburg,    Clearfield    Co.,    Pa.,    and    remained    there 

of  Reading,  represents  a  family  that  dates  back  to  the  a   year,    when   he   removed   to    Philipsburg,    Centre   coun- 

time  prior  to  the  Revolution.     The  first  of  the  name  in  ty,  and  entered  upon  a  professional  career  that  lasted 

Pennsylvania    of   whom    record   is   found    was    Derrick  until  1871.     In  1871  he  left  Centre  county,  and  after  a 

Cleaver.  course  in  certain  special  branches  he  located  in  Read- 

(I)  Derrick  Cleaver  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  ing,  Pa.,  in  the  spring  of  1872,  being  still  in  practice  in 
wife  he  had  one  child,  John.  By  his  second  marriage  this  city.  He  is  connected  with  a  number  of  profes- 
there  were  seven  children,  one  of  whom  was  also  sional  organizations  viz.:  the  Berks  County  Medical 
n#med  John,  and  he  became  the  great-grandfather  of  Society,  the  Reading  Medical  Association,  Pennsylvania 
Dr.   Cleaver.'  State  Medical  Society,  the  American  Medical  Associa- 

(II)  John  Cleaver  was  also  married  twice.  By  the  tion,  and  the  Lehigh  Valley  Medical  Association.  He 
first  union  were  born  Joseph,  John  and  Ruth.  On  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  managers  of  the  Reading 
Nov.  2-,  1767.  John  Cleaver  was  married  by  Rev.  Hospital,  and  secretary  of  that  body.  He  holds  the 
Joseph  'Miller,  to  Catherine  Kline,  and  they  had  seven  position  of  County  Medical  Inspector,  Pennsylvania 
children,  Peter,  Derrick,  Isaac,  Jonathan,  Martha,  Re-  Department  of  Health,  and  is  in  charge  of  the  local 
becca  and  one  that  died  in  infancy.  John  Cleaver  died  Dispensary  for  tuberculosis  under  the  Department, 
in  1790,  and  his  widow  married  Benedict  Martz.  After  In  1866  Dr.  Cleaver  was  married  to  Miss  Lorena 
about  forty  years  of  wedded  life  she  was  again  left  a  Moore,  daughter  of  the  late  Wilson  Moore,  of  Clear- 
widow,  and  survived  Mr.  Martz  ten  years.  She  died  field  county.  Pa.  Of  their  four  children  Mildred  died 
April  14,  1841,  aged  ninety-two  years,  eleven  months  at  the  age  of  four  years;  Wilbur  M.  is  the  office  man- 
and  seventeen  days.  John  Cleaver  was  a  Quaker  in  ager  of  J.  C.  McCrorey  &  Co.,  New  York  City;  Hattie 
religious  belief,  but  as  he  married  out  of  the  church  m.  J.  Freeman  Boas,  office  employe  of  the  Reading 
he   was   dropped  from   the   Society.  Hardware  Company;  and  Helen  Guthrie  is  at  home,  a 

(III)  Jonathan  Cleaver  was  born  in  1781,  in  Earl  graduate  of  the  Reading  high  school  and  a  teacher  in 
township,  Berks  county.  Pa.  He  learned  the  business  Sternberg  School  of  Music,  Philadelphia.  The  family 
of  woolen  manufacturing,  later  owning  and  operating  belong  to  the  M.  E.  Church.  Fraternally  Dr.  Cleaver  is 
a  woolen  mill.  He  was  interested  in  military  matters,  a  member  of  Reading  Lodge,  No.  579.  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  during  the  period  of  "training  days"  held  rank  as  a  and  of  the  Militafy  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  Pennsyl- 
colonel.     He  died  in  1862.  vania  Commandery.     He  is  also  a  m'ember  of  Gen.  Wil- 

Jonathan   Cleaver   married   Elizabeth   Boyer,   born   In  Ham  H.  Keim  Post  No.  76,  G.  A.  R.,  while  his  loyal  in- 

1782.    daughter    of    Samuel    and    Catherine    Boyer,    and  terest  in  the  school  of  his  early    days  is  evinced  by  his 

children  were  born  to  this  union  as  follows:  Anna,  born  connection  with  the  local  alumni  association  of  the  Uni- 

July  4.  1806,  m.   to   Samuel  Armpreister;   Esther,   born  versity    of    Pennsylvania. 
July  17,  1808;  Peter,  born  April  1,  1810.  father  of  Henry 

Tyson  Cleaver,  an  engineer  in  the  United  States  Navy;  EDWIN    L.    MOSER    was    for    many    years    at    the 

Elizabeth,    born    Feb.    2,    1812,    m.    to    Isaac    Bertolet  head  of  the  drafting  room  of  the  motive  power  depart- 

(their   son   was    Dr.   Jonathan   Bertolet   late    of   the   U.  ment    of    the    Philadelphia    &    Reading    Railway    Com- 

S.    Navy);    Jonathan,    born    April    30,    1814;    George    K.,  pany,  located  at  Reading,  Pa.     He  learned  his  trade  in 

born   May  18,  1816;   Lewis,  born   Nov.   24,  1820;   Mary  the  establishment  where  he  was  until  recently  engaged, 

(deceased)    and    Catherine    (twins),   born   Jan.    8,    1822,  and  with   the   exception   of   two   years   spent   in    Phila- 

the   latter   of   whom   married   Joel   Golden;   and    Leida,  delphia  was  connected  therewith  until  May  1,  1909.  He 

born  Oct.  14,  1824.     Jonathan  Cleaver  was  a  member  of  was    born    in     Reading    June     5,     1865.     son    of    Solo- 

the    Lutheran   Church.     In   politics   he   was   a   Whig.  mon    L.    and    Catherine    (DeTurck)    Moser,    members    of 

(IV)  George  K.  Cleaver  was  educated  in  the  com-  two  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  Schuylkill  Valley 
mon  schools,  and  he  learned  the  trade  of  wool  fulling,  in  Berks  county,  numerously  and  creditably  represented, 
In  1852  he  moved  to  Reading,  and  accepted  a  position  particularly  in  the  central  and  northern  parts  of  the 
in  the  county  prison  as  assistant  under  the  warden,  county.  Mr.  Moser  is  of  Swiss  and  French  Huguenot 
Dr.  Henry  Tyson.  This  responsible  place  he  occupied  descent,  his  French  ancestors  coming  from  Alsace- 
for  twelve  years,  but  finally  went  back  into  the  busi-  Lorraine.  Representatives  of  the  Moser  family  settled 
ness  world  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  car-  in  Berks  county  in  pioneer  days,  and  George  Moser, 
pets,  which  occupied  his  attention  until  his  death  in  grandfather  of  Edwin  L.,  was  a  farmer  in  Baumstown. 
1897.  He  married  Miss  (Christiana  Neiffer,  and  to  Berks  county,  during  the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth 
them    were    born    eight    children,    namely:     Israel,    of  century.     He  died  there  in  1863. 

Reading,  Pa.;  George  W.,  of  Hackensack,  N.  J.;  Chris-  Solomon   L.   Moser,  son   of  George,  was   engaged  at 

tian    H.,    deceased;    Jonathan,    deceased;    John    W.,    a  various    times    as    a    carpenter,    cabinet    maker     organ 

hatter    residing    in    Reading;    James    T.,    who    died    in  builder    and    patternmaker    in    Reading       He    "married 

April,  1907;  Gertrude  A.,  deceased  wife  of  Linton  Mil-  Catherine  De  Turck,  daughter  of  Jacob  De  Turck    who 

ler,    who.    left    two    children    Earl    and    Alma    J.;    and  for  many  years  owned  and  operated  a  fulling  mill  near 

Charles    E..   deceased.     The   mother   of   these   children  Bauinstown.     To   Mr.  and  Mrs.   Moser  were   born   the 

died  in  1893.     In  early  life  a  Lutheran,  later  Mr.  Cleaver  following  children:   Calvin   De  T  ■   Amanda   E  •   Emma 

united   with   the   M.   E    Church.        ^          ^^  M.;    Howard    L.    and    Henry    I.    died    in    infancy;    and 

(V)  Israel   Cleaver,   M.   D.,  was  born   Nov.  26,   1S42,  Edwin    L. 

and    in    his    early    childhood    was    sent    to    the    public  Edwin  L.  Moser  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 

schools    m    Readmg.      He    completed    the    high    school  of    Reading,   and   during   the   winter   of   1881-82   taught 

course,  and  then  after  his  graduation  began  his  medical  school,  in   Spring  township    this   county      From  Anril 

studies    in    the    office    of   Dr.    Henry   Tyson.      He    took  1882,    until    August,    1883.    he    was    in    the    employ    of 

his   medical   course  in   the   University   of   Pennsylvania  the    Reading     Hardware     Co.     and     on     Seot      1     IBS'? 

in 
is 
in 

Stanton    then   Secretary  of  VVar,   as   assistant   surgeon  department.""  Finishing  hVs'Vradrinl887"he' condnued 

in    the   Mississippi   Marine   Brigade   and   Ram   Feet,   a  intermittently  in  the  shops  and  the  drawing  room  until 

special  organization  designed  to  keep  the  river  clear  of  transferred   to   the    latter   in   August,    1888      There    he 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


567 


remained,  engaged  as  a  draftsman,  until  June  1,  1891, 
when  he  was  advanced  to  the  position  of  chief  drafts- 
man. Upon  the  resignation  of  Samuel  F.  Prince,  Jan. 
1,  1892,  Mr.  Moser  was  promoted  to  be  mechanical 
engineer,  and  was  thus  engaged  until  Nov.  15,  1897, 
when  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  position  in  the 
Baldwin  Locomotive  Works,  at  Philadelphia.  While 
there  he  devoted  his  time  principally  to  designing 
electrical  locomotives.  On  Nov.  1,  1899,  he  returned  to 
the  service  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company, 
as  chief  draftsman  in  the  Motive  Power  Department — 
the  position  of  mechanical  engineer  having  been 
abolished — where  he  remained  until  May  1,  1909,  when 
his  health  demanded  his  retirement  from  the  con- 
finement of  office  work. 

Mr.  Moser  has  been  twice  married.  On  May  24,  1888, 
he  m.  Sallie  Schaeflfer,  a  native  of  Berks  county,  who 
died  May  12.  1905.  To  this  union  were  born  two 
children.  Esther  A.  and  Ruth  K.  On  Nov.  27,  1907, 
he  m.  (second)  Elizabeth  R.  Brunner,  daughter  of 
Hon.  David  B.  and  Amanda  (Rhoads)  Brunner.  Mr. 
Moser  is  a  Lutheran  in  religious  belief,  and  served  three 
years  as  deacon  of  Grace  Church.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
Mason,  belonging  to  Reading  Lodge  No.  549,  F.  &  A. 
M.;  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237,  R.  A.  M.;  Reading 
Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T. ;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A. 
O.  N.  M.  S.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Washington 
Camp,  No.  61,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  and  of  Mt.  Penn  Coun- 
cil, No.  495,  Royal  Arcanum. 

DANIEL  J.  DRISCOLL,  manufacturer  of  seamless 
steel  tubing,  was  born  at  Reading  Dec.  25,  1862.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  city  and 
in  the  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis,  Md.  Resigning 
from  the  navy  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Philadel- 
phia &  Reading  Railway  Company  as  a  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  superintendent  of  motive  power.  After 
serving  there  several  years  he  secured  a  position  in 
the  large  establishment  of  J.  H.  Sternbergh,  manufac- 
turer of  nuts  and  bolts,  for  the  purpose  of  learning 
the  business,  and  he  continued  with  Mr.  Sternbergh 
until  1887,  when  he  established  a  plant  of  his  own  at 
Auburn,  in  Schuylkill  county,  along  the  Schuylkill 
river,   twenty-five   miles   north   of   Reading. 

Mr.  DriscoU  operated  this  plant  in  a  successful  man- 
ner until  1896,  when  he  abandoned  the  further  manu- 
facture of  nuts,  bolts,  rivets  and  bar-iron,  and  sub- 
stituted machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  seamless 
steel  tubes,  his  establishment  being  the  first  plant  of  the 
kind  in  the  United  States  to  manufacture  seamless  tub- 
ing from  American  steel.  His  product  was  highly 
appreciated  by  the  Navy  Department  of  the  National 
government,  and  he  came  to  supply  a  considerable  pro- 
portion of  the  seamless  steel  tubes  in  the  building  of 
the  monster  war-ships  for  the  new  navy.  He  continued 
to  operate  the  plant  until  1903,  when  it  was  absorbed 
and  abandoned  by  the  United  States  Steel  Corporation. 
However,  in  one  year,  Mr.  Driscoll  succeeded  in  re- 
purchasing the  plant,  and  after  installing  new  machin- 
ery resumed  the  manufacture  of  seamless  steel  tubes. 
Since  then  he  has  carried  on  a  large  business  under 
the   name   of   Delaware   Seamless   Tube    Company. 

In'  1888  Mr.  Driscoll  married  Laura  B.  May,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  May,  and  Mary  Sterling,  his  wife,  of 
Shamokin,  Pa.,  and  they  have  four  children:  Marie, 
James,  Caroline  and  Elizabeth.  They  are  members  of 
St.  Peter's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Mr.  Driscoll  has 
established  a  superb  country  home,  "Doneraile,"  in  Bern 
township,  on  a  bluflf  along  the  west  bank  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill river,  a  short  distance  beyond  the  Berkshire  Club, 
which  commands  a  fine  view  of  the  river  and  the  sur- 
rounding country.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Keystone 
National  Bank,  and  a  trustee  of  St.  Joseph's  Hospital, 
both  of  Reading. 

Daniel  Driscoll,  his  father,  was  born  in  1824,  in 
County  Cork,  Ireland,  and  was  an  infant  about  a  year 
old  when  his  parents  emigrated  to  America,  locating 
at  Pottsville,  in  Schuylkill  county.  Pa.     He  learned  the 


trade  of  machinist  in  the  large  works  of  Haywood  & 
Snyder,  and  continued  with  them  until  1848,  when  he 
removed  to  Reading  and  entered  the  machine  shop  of 
the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railway  Company.  He 
worked  continuously  for  this  company  in  the  same  shop 
for  nearly  thirty-five  years,  filling  the  position  of  fore- 
man of  one  of  the  departments  in  the  large  shop  for  a 
considerable  part  of  the  time.  He  lived  in  retirement 
for  about  ten  years  before  his  decease,  in  1894.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Grady  (who  died  in  1905,  aged  eighty 
years),  daughter  of  Patrick  Grady  and  Margaret 
(Hayes),  his  wife,  who  also  emigrated  from  County 
Cork  (Doneraile),  Ireland,  in  1840,  and  settled  at 
Philadelphia.  They  had  thirteen  children,  of  whom 
the  following  reached  maturity:  Catharine,  who  be- 
carne  a  sister  in  the  Notre  Dame  Convent  at  Cincinnati, 
Ohio;  Agnes,  a  graduate  of  the  Reading  Girls'  high 
school  and  teacher  in  the  public  schools;  Johanna,  m. 
to  Matthew  J.  Buckley,  mechanical  superintendent  of 
the  U.  S.  Mint  at  Philadelphia;  Daniel  J.;  and  another 
son,  John  A.,  who  was  educated  for  the  priesthood  in 
St.  Charles  Seminary  at  Overbrook,  Pa.,  ordained  as 
a  priest  in  1892,  and  stationed  at  St.  Mark's  Church, 
in  Bristol,  Pa.,  but  died  four  years  afterward.  [See 
succeeding  sketch.] 

Mr.  DriscoU's  grandfather,  also  named  Daniel,  was 
born  and  brought  up  in  County  Cork.  He  was  rnarried 
to  Mary  Conway,  of  the  same  county.  Their  families 
were  prominent  in  that  section  of  Ireland. 

Mr.  DriscoU's  wife's  father  was  born  in  Cornwall, 
England,  emigrated  to  America  when  a  young  man, 
and  settled  in  Schuylkill  county,  afterward  removing 
to  Shamokin,  where  he  became  a  prominent  mine 
operator. 

REV.  JOHN  A.  DRISCOLL,  Catholic  priest  at  Bris- 
tol, Pa.,  for  a  time,  was  born  at  Reading  Oct.  14,  1867, 
and  received  his  preliminary  education  at  the  Con- 
vent of  the  Immaculate  Heart  at  Reading,  wljere  he 
attended  until  he  was  thirteen  years  old.  He  was  then 
a  pupil  at  the  Boys'  high  school  until  he  was  fifteen, 
when  he  entered  the  Seminary  of  St.  Charles  Borromeo,. 
at  Overbrook,  Pa.,  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  to  en- 
ter the  priesthood  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
He  devoted  nine  years  to  his  studies  in  the  most  assid- 
uous manner,  and  finally  reaped  the  reward  of  his  great 
industry  and  perseverance  by  being  ordained  at  the 
Cathedral  in  Philadelphia  on  June  11,  1892.  He  cele- 
brated his  first  Mass  at  St.  Peter's  Church  in  Reading 
on  the  following  day.  Shortly  afterward  he  was  given 
his  first  charge  at  St.  Patrick's  Church,  in  Norristown, 
but  his  health  failing  he  was  transferred  to  St.  Mark's 
Church,  at  Bristol,  where  he  continued  in,  the  active  and 
successful  performance  of  his  duties,  winning  the  great 
love  and  confidence  of  the  members  of  his  congrega- 
tion, for  nearly  four  years,  when  his  physical  condi- 
tion was  so  weakened  and  he  himself  so  incapacitated 
that  he  was  relieved  of  his  charge  and  returned  to  the 
home  of  his  mother  at  Reading  (the  house  in  which  he 
was  born).     There  he  died  on  Tuesday,  Nov.  24,  1896. 

The  following  extract  from  an  interesting  account  of 
his  funeral  was  taken  from  the  Philadelphia  Tintes: 
"On  Thanksgiving  night  the  remains  of  Father  Dris- 
coll lay  in  state  at  St.  Peter's  Church,  where  several 
thousand  persons  took  a  last  view  of  the  familiar  feat- 
ures then  cold  in  death Members  of  the 

T.  A.  B.  Society  acted  as  guard  of  honor  during  the 
night On  Friday  morning  Solemn  Re- 
quiem Mass  was  chanted  by  Rev.  Thomas  Farrelly  of 
St.  James  Parish,  West  Philadelphia,  celebrant;  Rev 
Michael  McCabe,  of  St.  Agatha's,  deacon;  Rev.  J.  Kier- 
nan,  of  St.  Paul's,  sub-deacon;  and  Rev.  P.  J.  McMahon 
master  of  ceremonies,  who  had  been  his  classmates,  and 
were  ordained  with  him  at  the  Cathedral.  Absolution 
of  the  body  was  pronounced  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Prendergast,  of  the  Philadelphia  diocese,  after  which 
an  impressive  sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev  P  J  Gar 
vey,  p.  D  of  St.  James  Church,  Philadelphia,  k  life- 
long friend  of  Father  DriscoU's   who  took  for  his  text 


568 


HISTORY  OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Verses,  8,  9,  10,  1,1,  13,  14  and  15,  Chapter  IV,  Book  of 
Wisdom: 

"  'For  venerable  old  age  is  not  that  of  long  time,  nor 
counted  by  the  number  of  years,  but  the  understandmg 
of  a  man  is  gray  hairs. 

'•  'And  a  spotless  life  is  old  age. 

"  'He  pleased  God,  and  was  beloved,  and  livmg  among 
sinners  he  was  translated.  ,  ,      ,, 

"  'He  was  taken  away,  lest  wickedness  should  alter 
his  understanding,  or  deceit  beguile  his  soul. 

"  'Being  made  perfect  in  a  short  space,  he  fulfilled  a 
long  time. 

"  'For  his  soul  pleased  God,  therefore  he  hastened  to 
bring  him  out  of  the  midst  of  iniquities,  but  the  people 
see  this  and  understand  not,  nor  lay  up  such  things  in 
their  hearts.  .        .  ,    tt- 

"  'That  the  grace  of  God  and  His  mercy  is  with  His 
Saints,   and   that  He   has  respect   to   His   chosen.' 

"He  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  the  well-known  nobil- 
ity of  soul  and  high  intellectual  qualities  possessed  by 
the  departed  young  clergyman. 

"There  were  a  number  of  religious  societies  m  at- 
tendance, and  upward  of  eighty  clergymen  participated 
in  the  solemn,  impressive  ceremony,  which  truly  inani- 
fested  their  great  love  for  this  promising  and  admirable 
young  priest,  and  their  deep  sorrow  at  his  untimely  de- 
parture." 

JACOB  KNABB,  in  whose  death,  which  occurred  Jan. 
30,  1889,  at  his  home  in  Reading,  this  city  and  section  lost 
a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  distinction,  was  born  in 
Union  township,  Berks  county,  Aug.  21,  1817,  son  of  Jacob, 
Sr.,  and  Hannah  (Yoder)  Knabb,  and  grandson  of  Michael 
and  Eve  Magdalena   (.Seltzer)  Knabb. 

Michael  Knabb,  the  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Bavaria, 
born  at  Pfeldersheim,  in  the  Pfalz,  April  17,  1717.  About 
1737,  in  company  with  his  two  brothers,  John  and  Peter, 
he  came  to  America,  and  settled  near  the  Exeter  township 
line,  in  Oley  township,  Berks  county.  Pa.,  on  the  farm 
now  occupied  by  Samuel  B.  Knabb.  The  old  house  was 
burned  in  1816-17,  and  the  same  year  the  present_  house 
was  erected.  A  family  cemetery  on  the  farm  contaifis  the 
remains  of  the  three  brothers  and  many  of  their  descend- 
ants. John  died  in  the  forty-eighth  year  of  his  age, 
unmarried,  but  Peter  lived  to  his  seventy-fourth  year  and 
left  a  numerous  progeny.  Michael  Ivnabb  married,  on 
March  11,  1755,  Eve  Magdalena  Seltzer,  only  child  of 
Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Seltzer,  of  Heidelberg  township,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  eight  children  :  Nicholas,  Peter, 
Jacob.  Daniel,  Susan,  Sarah,  Catharine  and  Mary.  Mich- 
ael Knabb  died  June  17,  1778,  in  the  sixty-second  year 
of  his  age,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  family  cemetery 
above  mentioned. 

Jacob  Knabb,  son  of  Michael,  was  born  in  Oley  town- 
ship in  1771.  Soon  after  his  marriage,  in  1800,  he  moved 
to  Union  township,  where  he  prospered  as  a  farmer.  He 
died  in  February,  1825.  In  1800  he  married  Hannah  Yoder, 
daughter  of  John  Yoder,  and  a  descendant  of  John  (Han- 
sel) Yoder,  a  Huguenot,  who  on  account  of  religious 
persecution  emigrated  from  Switzerland  in  the  early 
part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  went  first  to  England, 
thence  coming  to  America  and  locating  early  in  Oley 
township,  Berks  county.  From  John  (Hansel)  Yoder, 
Mrs.  Knabb's  descent  is  through  John  (3)  and  Daniel. 
To  Jacob  and  Hannah  (Yoder)  Knabb  were  born  six 
children  :  Daniel,  George,  Jacob,  Margaret,  Catharine  and 
Hannah.    The  mother  died  in  August,  1824. 

Jacob  Knabb,  son  of  Jacob,  and  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  but  seven  years  old  when  his  parents  died. 
Until  he  was  about  eleven  he  attended  the  pay  schools 
of  the  township,  making  his  home  with  an  elder  sister. 
He  apprenticed  himself  to  learn  the  printer's  trade  under 
George  Getz,  of  the  Berks  and  Schuylkill  Journal,  and  re- 
mained there  until  Mr.  Getz  sold  the  paper.  By  this  time 
Mr.  Knabb  realized  the  benefit  of  an  education,  and  he 
set  about  remedying  his  deficiency  in  that  line,  studying  for 
one  year  in  the  Lititz  school,  and  for  another  year 
in  Lafayette  College.     From  the  time  he  left  college  until 


1840  he  was  engaged  in  printing  in  Reading,  and  in  Har- 
risburg.  In  the  latter  city  he  worked  on  the  Harrisburg 
Telegraph,  where  the  State  printing  was  done,  and  he 
held  the  position  of  foreman  for  a  time.  In  1840,  with 
Mr.  J.  Lawrence  Getz,  he  began  the  publication  of  a 
weekly  paper,  the  Reading  Gazette,  but  in  1843  he  sold  his 
share,  and  the  next  year  found  him  in  Harrisburg,  pub- 
lishing the  Clay  Bugle,  a  campaign  paper.  In  1845  he 
came  back  to  Reading  and  became  the  editor  of  the  Berks 
and  Schuylkill  Journal,  some  time  later  becoming  also  its 
proprietor.  This  he  continued  for  about  forty-five  years. 
In  1866  he  associated  two  partners  with  himself,  and  the 
firm  became  J.  Knabb  &  Co.  Three  years  later  (1869) 
they  purchased  the  Reading  Daily  Times,  and  some  years 
afterward  the  Evening  Dispatch,  and  the  two  papers  were 
consolidated  under  the  name  of  Reading  Times  and  Dis- 
patch, and  published  daily  and  weekly.  Prosperity  .attended 
the  venture,  and  in  1881  Mr.  Knabb  erected  the  substantial 
four-story  brick  building,  which  became  the  paper's  home. 

Mr.  Knabb's  mature  life  was  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  Reading,  and  he  was  particularly  prominent  in  all 
public  movements  which  contributed  to  the  spread  of 
educatibn.  The  Reading  Library  received  his  assistance 
for  many  years,  and  for  many  years  he  was  its  president, 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  During  the  Civil  war  he  re- 
sponded to  the  call  for  emergency  militia  in  1863,  and 
after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  he  served  in  Maryland  as 
a  member  of  Company  C,  42d  P.  V.  I. 

Mr.  Knabb  cast  his  first  vote  in  support  of  the  Whig 
party,  and  when  the  Republican  party  was  formed  he  be- 
came one  of  its  active  supporters,  acting  for  some  years 
as  chairman  of  the  county  Republican  committee.  In  1860 
he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Chicago  Convention  from  the 
Berks  district,  which  nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  for  Pres- 
ident. He  was  postmaster  of  Reading  under  that  admin- 
istration, and  in  1876  he  was  Presidential  elector  from  this 
Congressional  district  and  cast  his  ballot  for  President 
Hayes.  He  was  prominent  and  influential  in  party  politics 
for  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

In  1878  Mr.  Knabb,  with  a  friend  as  a  companion,  made 
an  extended  tour  through  Europe,  and  his  letters,  pub- 
lished from  time  to  time  in  his  paper,  were  so  full  of 
interest  that  he  was  urged  to  publish  them  in  book 
form,  but  with  his  natural  modesty  he  declined.  In  1856 
he  published  the  first  directory  of  Reading. 

Mr.  Knabb  was  twice  married.  In  1846  he  married 
Ellen  C.  .Andrews,  daughter  of  Machiavel  Andrews.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  she  was  active  in  caring  for  soldiers  in 
the  local  hospital,  and  was  in  charge  of  one  of  the  de- 
partments of  the  Sanitary  Fair,  at  Philadelphia.  She  was 
a  member  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  a  great 
friend  of  the  poor  and  needy.  Her  death  in  1875  was 
universally  regretted.  In  1879  Mr.  Knabb  married  (sec- 
ond) Ellen  M.  Jameson,  daughter  of  James  and  Mary 
(Worman)  Jameson,  the  former  a  well-known  and  suc- 
cessful merchant  at  Reading.  Mr.  Knabb  early  became  a 
communicant  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  served  as  ves- 
trymen many  years.  He  held  the  confidence  and  good- 
will of  all. 

BRUNNER.  The  Brunner  family  is  an  old  and 
honorable  one  in  Berks  county,  and  its  representatives 
in  each  generation  have  borne  it  worthily,  among  its 
more  prominent  members  being  the  late  Hon.  David  B. 
Brunner,  a  representative  from  the  Ninth  Congress- 
ional District  of  Pennsylvania,  and  his  brother  William 
B.  Brunner.  now  of  Amity  township,  and  both  prom- 
inent in  the  educational  world. 

Peter  Brunner,  a  Palatinate  from  Erbach,  a  town 
noted  for  its  vineyards,  in  the  vicinity  of  Coblentz,  on 
the  Rhine,  came  to  America  on  the  ship  "Albany"  with 
284  other  passengers,  landing  at  Philadelphia.  Sept. 
2,  1749.  There  were  two  men  on  board  by  the  name 
of  Peter  Brunner  and  at  the  arrival  in  Philadelphia, 
one  signed  his  name,  and  the  other's  name  was  written 
by  a  clerk.  It  is  not  likely  that  they  were  related 
as  they  separated  after  landing.  The  one  who  signed 
his  name  went,  soon  after,  to  New  Hanover,  Montgom- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


569 


ery  Co.,  Pa.,  and  settled  there.  He  was  unmarried 
■when  he  came  over,  but  must  have  married  shortly 
after.  About  1765  he  moved  to  Douglass  township, 
Berks  county,  and  bought  a  farm  along  Iron  Stone 
Creek.  The  deed  was  not  recorded  and  the  tax  lists 
are  missing  prior  to  1770,  at  which  time  his  name  ap- 
pears on  the  tax  list.  By  occupation  he  was  a  farmer 
and  weaver,  carrying  on  both  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  acquired  considerable  property.  He  sold  his  son 
William,  Aug.  4,  1800,  thirty-eight  acres,  sixty-three 
perches.  In  1787  he  served  as  a  tax  collector  in 
Douglass  township.  It  was  customary  in  those  days 
for  families  or  neighbors  to  get  together  and  set  apart 
ground  for  burial  purposes.  In  accordance  with  this 
custom,  those  residing  in  Douglass  township  set  apart 
85j  perches  about  one  and  one-half  miles  west  of 
Little  Oley  for  the  burial  place  of  Lutherans  and  Cal- 
vinists,  and  the  road  leading  thereto  was  deeded  by 
John  Keely,  to  Henry  Yorgey,  Sr.,  Jacob  Keely,  Sr., 
Peter  Brunner  and  John  Nagle  for  the  consideration  of 
six  pence  Dec.  17,  1790.  Peter  Brunner  was  a  Lutheran, 
and  joined  the  church  at  New  Hanover,  continuing  his 
membership  there  after  his  removal  to  Berks  county. 
The  first  record  of  the  family  is  the  birth  of  his  first 
child,  Nov.  1,  1752.  He  was  evidently  married  at  New 
Hanover,  but  the  records  are  so  badly  worn  it  is  im- 
possible to  trace  his  full  connection  with  the  church, 
but  New  Hanover  was  a  Lutheran  center.  Peter  Brun- 
ner had  three  sons  and  four  daughters:  Philip,  born 
Nov.  1,  1752,  was  always  a  delicate  child;  William,  born 
Dec.  5,  1753;  George,  born  April  7,  1755;  Christina 
Nagle;  Elizabeth  Wentzel;  Maria  Eagle;  and  Margaret 
Heilig.  On  Aug.  4,  1804,  Peter  Brunner  made  his  will 
and  gave  all  his  property  to  his  wife  except  sixteen 
bonds,  amounting  to  800  pounds.  The  wife  died  before 
1808,  and  Peter's  will  was  probated  Oct.  16,  1813.  He 
was  rather  corpulent  and  while  assisting  in  gathering 
"second  crop"  was  stricken  with  apoplexy.  He  was 
eighty-four  years  of  age  when  he  died  in  1812,  and  he 
was  buried  in  the  Fritz  Burving  Ground  which  he  had 
helped  to  provide. 

William  Brunner,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  Dec.  5,  1753, 
in  New  Hanover,  and  accompanied  his  father  to  Doug- 
lass township  in  1765.  Like  his  father  he  became  a 
farmer  in  summer  and  a  weaver  in  winter.  The  tax  lists 
are  missing  for  some  years  previous  to  1778,  when  his 
name  appears.  In  August,  1808,  as'  stated  above,  he 
bought  38  A.  63  P.  from  his  father.  In  1805  he  was 
assessed  on  138  acres,  in  1808  on  36  acres,  and  in  1811 
on  176  acres.  He  lived  in  Douglass  township,  Berks 
county,  until  the  death  of  his  father  in  1812,  when  he 
sold  his  farm  and  moved  to  Pottsgrove  (now  Potts- 
town),  where  he  continued  to  farm  and  weave.  He 
was  not  satisfied  with  his  place  and  surroundings  at 
Pottsgrove,  and  one 'of  his  causes  of  discontent  was 
that  he  thought  his  farm  was  not  in  the  range  in  which 
the  rains  generally  moved.  He  discovered  that  the 
people  north  of  Monocacy  Hill  had  more  rain  than  in 
his  locality,  and  he  also  noticed  that  on  some  occa- 
sions the  rain  clouds  came  fromi  a  northwesterly  direc- 
tion, and  seemed  to  strike  against  Monocacy  Hill,  and 
separate,  bringing  showers  to  the  people  east  and  west 
of  the  Hill.  He  determined  to  sell  and  move  north  of 
Monocacy  Hill  where  the  people  were  blessed  with  a 
greater  rain  supply.  Accordingly  he  sold  his  farm,  and 
bought  two  tracts  of  John  Kinze,  about  one  and  one- 
half  miles  north  of  Monocacy  Hill  for  2,500  pounds 
$6,666  2-3),  Pennsylvania -currency,  June  29,  1819.  The 
larger  tract,  owned  by  Mrs.  Henrietta  Hess  in  1895. 
contains  92  A.  83  P.,  while  the  other  was  a  tract  of 
woodland  a  mile  south  of  the  one  just  mentioned.  Wil- 
liam Brunner  was  a  man  of  restless  nature.  Taking  a 
fancy  to  a  farm,  he  thought  that  place  the  only  place 
he  could  be  happy,  and  as  s.oon  as  he  found  himself  the 
owner  he  saw  another  place  still  more  desirable.  As  a 
result  he  made  no  less  than  eleven  sales  and  purchases. 
He  was  fond  of  good  horses,  and  took  great  pride  in 


driving  a  lively  team.  When  he  lived  on  his  farm  in 
Amity,  he  purchased  his  groceries  and  other  household 
supplies  in  Pottstown,  and  in  winter  when  nearly 
seventy  years  old  he  would  drive  to  Pottstown  in  his 
sleigh,  standing  up,  and  always  at  a  good  speed.  His 
wife,  Christina  Witz,  whom'  he  married  probably  early 
in  1774,  was  born  Dec.  7,  1755,  and  died  Oct.  12,  1821, 
and  is  buried  at  Pottstown,  in  the  western  part  of 
the  cemetery  adjoining  Immanuel  Lutheran  Church. 
At  this  time  their  only  son,  George,  was  living  with  hiin. 
After  his  wife's  death  Mr.  Brunner  desired  to  sell  his 
farm  and  move  to  Catawissa,  but  he  soon  abandoned 
that  notion  and  remained  on  Jiis  farm  until  his  death. 
About  this  time  an  epidemic  called  "fever"  (malaria) 
and  a  drought  began,  extending  over  the  whole  Schuyl- 
kill Valley,  and  lasting  three  years,  known  as  "fever 
years."  Many  persons  died  of  the  disease,  others  were 
too  sick  to  work,  and  on  account  of  the  drought  the 
farms  scarcely  afforded  a  living.  In  one  of  these  years 
William  Brunner  raised  only  fifteen  bushels  of  corn. 
Land  became  valueless.  He  had  paid  one-third  of  the 
purchase  money,  and  still  owed  about  $4,400,  but  the 
property  had  depreciated  so  much  that  it  was  worth 
hardly  one-half  of  the  balance  of  the  debt.  On  March 
24,  1823,  he  sold  his  farm  to  John  S.  Hiester,  a  lawyer 
of  Reading,  for  $4,500.  Mr.  Hiester  undoubtedly  had 
a  mortgage  on  the  property  for  that  amount,  and  Mr. 
Brunner  surrendered  the  farm  as  it  was  worth  far  less 
than  he  owed,  the  transfer  beihg  made  in  settlement  of 
the  mortgage.  The  son  George,  then  rented  the  farm, 
and  William  remained  there  until  he  died,  Dec.  13,  1823, 
when  he  was  buried  in  Pottstown. 

George  Brunner,  only  child  of  William,  was  born 
March  6,  1775,  in  Douglass  township.  Hte  passed  his 
boyhood  and  youth  on  his  father's  farms  on  Iron  Stone 
Creek.  He  worked  on  the  farm  and  in  the  meantime 
learned  the  weaver's  trade.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four 
he  drifted  into  Pottstown  (then  Pottsgrove),  a  little 
country  village.  He  was  utterly  unlike  his  father.  The 
latter,  with  his  restless  disposition  was  always  full  of 
life  and  energy,  but  George  was  quiet,  with  little  energy 
and  am'bition,  and  could  be  easy  and  contented  in  any 
surroundings.  His  father  endeavored  in  vain  to  arouse 
himi.  While  in  Pottstown  he  met  and  married  about 
1804,  Rebecca  Knauer  (for  whose  grandfather,  Knauer- 
town,  Chester  county,  was  named).  This  was  a  most 
singular  match.  He  was  very  slender  while  she  was 
inclined  to  corpulency;  he  was  quiet  and  slow,  while  she 
was  positive,  quick  to  discern  and  was  a  most  success- 
ful manager  of  her  own  affairs.  His  business  ability 
can  be  inferred  from  the  story  of  one  of  their  changes 
of  abode  in  Pottstown.  Houses  were  scarce,  and  they 
were  obliged  to  move  on  a  certain  day.  No  house  had 
been  secured,  but  after  the  furniture  was  loaded  on  the 
wagons,  he  heard  of  an  empty  house,  and  went  and 
rented  it.  In  1819  he  moved  from  Pottstown  with  his 
father  to  Amity,  and  when  the  latter  sold  the  home  to 
Mr.  Hiester,  George  and  his  wife  rented  it.  They  pros- 
pered slowly,  but  times  brightened  and  they  debated 
the  advisability  of  repurchasing  the  farm.  Their  four 
children  were  about  grown,  and  Rebecca  planned  that 
the  boys  were  to  attend  to  farming,  and  sow  flax,  that 
she  and  her  daughter  would  do  the  house  work  and  spin, 
and  George  would  do  the  weaving.  This  succeeded  so 
well  that  in  1827  the  farm  was  bought  back  for  $2,300, 
about  one-third  of  the  original  price.  Thus  they  con- 
tinued to  thrive  slowly.  In  spite  of  George's  quiet  ac- 
ceptance of  conditions  there  were  somie  points  on 
which  he  was  adamant.  When  Rebecca's  relations,  who 
lived  in  Chester  county  and  spoke  nothing  but  English, 
came  to  visit 'he  stayed  away  from  the  house.  While 
he  never  expressed  any  displeasure  at  the  visitors  he 
was  exceedingly  shy  of  English-speaking  people,  never 
venturing  so  much  as  "yes"  and  "no"  in  that  language, 
and^  as  soon  as  the  "besuch"  were  gone,  he  was  natural 
again  and  much  relieved.  His  wife  was  a  woman  who 
enjoyed  company,  and  was  a  good  talker  and  very 
pleasant  to  meet. 


570 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


When  his  son  David  was  married  and  purchased  a 
property  south  of  the  home  farm,  the  late  owner  claimed 
a  quantity  of  hay  that  had  evidently  been  included  in 
the  sale,  threatening  to  haul  it  away.  To  do  this  he 
would  have  been  obliged  to  go  through  JVIr.  George 
Brunner's  farm.  Mr.  Brunner  had  a  shot-gun,  though 
he  never  had  the  courage  to  fire  it  off.  He  resolved  that 
if  any  person  attempted  to  drive  through  his  yard  with 
a  hay  wagon  he  would  arm  himself  with  a  pitchfork, 
guard  his  gate.  The  hay  was  not  molested.  Mr.  Brun- 
ner was  a  strict  and  attentive  Lutheran,  belonging  at 
Amityville,  but  though  he  owned  a  good  carriage  he 
would  never  ride  in  it.  walking  all  the  way  to  church, 
and  usually  was  passed  by  the  family  at  W'eaverstown, 
and  as  regularly  refused  the  invitation  to  ride.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  was  often  an  enthus- 
iastic worker  at  the  polls  on  election  day.  Though  not 
a  strong  man  he  enjoyed  good  health,  and  died  of  the 
infirmities  of  old  age  June  20,  1855.  His  widow  lived 
with  her  daughter  Mrs,  Moyer  at  Baumstown,  where 
she  died  of  dropsy  Nov.  12,  1859.  Both  are  buried  at 
Amityville.  They  had  four  children:  (1)  Mary  married 
John  Moyer  and  lived  at  Baumstown.  (3)  John  is 
mentioned  in  full  below.  (3)  Samuel  was  a  stone  mason 
and  worked  on  his  father's  farm;  he  cared  little  for 
books,  and  made  all  his  calculations  mentally.  He 
married  Rebecca  Yorgey  and  they  had  a  son,  George, 
who  now  lives  at  Pottstown.  (4)  David  Brunner,  third 
son  of  George  and  Rebecca,  was  left  in  Samuel's  care 
as  a  child,  but  wandered  off,  fell  in  a  ditch,  and  but  for 
the  prompt  action  of  his  mother  would  have  been 
drowned.  He  later  owned  property  south  of  his  father, 
but  selling  this  moved  to  Fox  Hill,  where  his  barn 
burned.  This  he  rebuilt,  sold  the  property  and  settled 
in  Amityville.  He  had  great  powers  of  endurance.  He 
was  of  kindly  disposition,  and  rarely  was  angered.  His 
wife,  Caroline  Yorgey,  had  no  education,  but  was  a 
great  talker.      They  had  no  children. 

John  Brunner,  eldest  son  of  George  and  Rebecca,  was 
born  Aug.  23,  1807,  at  Pottsgrove.  In  1819  the  family 
moved  to  Amity,  where  he  worked  on  the  farm.  He  was 
well  educated  for  the  times.  From  .a  Mr.  Goodman  in 
Oley  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  also  the 
wheelwright's  and  millwright's  trades,  working  as  a 
journeyman  until  1833.  In  the  spring  he  moved  to 
Greshville,  and  began  his  trade  on  his  own  account. 
After  living  there  two  years  he  purchased  his  farm  of 
George  Dry  for  $700  (1837).  There  in  1840  he  built  the 
house,  and  in  1848  the  barn.  He  was  a  strong  and 
vigorous  man,  and  was  industrious  and  progressive. 
The  handling  of  heavy  timbers  and  fitting  together  the 
frame  work  of  a  large  barn  was  tedious  and  laborious, 
and  he  decided  all  this  could  be'  avoided  if  the  fram- 
ing was  done  on  scientific  principles.  The  braces  and 
oblique  pieces  were  the  diffi'culties,  so  he  took  his  arith- 
metic and  looked  up  square  root,  and  in  a  short  time  he 
learned  to  frame  the  short  and  long  braces.  He  was 
the  most  scientific  carpenter  in  the  country,  and  his 
reputation  spread  far  and  wide.  Hie  was  not  only 
skilled  in  carpentry,  but  could  do  fine  and  artistic  work, 
though  this  was  tedious  and  did  not  appeal  to  his 
more  energetic  nature.  In  .his  younger  days  he  made 
a  cymbal  which  in  form,  finish  and  ornamentation 
compared  very  favorably  with  those  made  by  skillful 
manufacturers.  He  was  a  man  of  good  judgment, 
and  his  opinions  were  formed  after  mature  deliberation. 
In  his  family  he  was  a  strict  disciplinarian  and  he  was 
very  exact  about  sending  his  children  to  school.  He 
himself  knew  the  value  of  an  education,  and  he  gave 
his  children  all  that  could  be  obtained  in  the  common 
schools,  the  term  then  being  but  four  months  in  the 
winter,  and  later  he  sent  them  to  Freeland  Academy, 
now  Ursinus  College,  and  two  went  to  College,  the 
father  helping  them  all  he  could  financially  and  other- 
wise. In  religion  he  was  a  Lutheran  and  he  was 
a  regular  church  goer,  and  in  politics  he  was  a  staunch 
Democrat.  When  sixty  years  old  he  abandoned  farm- 
ing,  his    son   Amos   taking   care    of   that,   and   William 


managed  the  carpentering  business.  At  the  age  of  sev- 
enty Mr.  Brunner  had  a  severe'  attack  of  dropsy,  but 
recovered  and  for  four  years  enjoyed  fairly  good 
health.  Pie  began  to  fail  then,  however,  and  died  two 
years  later,  Jan.  3,  1884.  One  after  another  the  child- 
ren had  married  and  left  home,  except  Amos,  who 
stayed  with  his  parents,  and  after  they  were  gone 
bought  the  homestead.  In  1833  Mr.  Brunner  married 
Elizabeth  Bachman,  who  was  born  March  26,  1814.  and 
died  Jan.  21,  1896,  daughter  of  Daniel  Bachman  (born 
1786)  of  Ruscombmanor  township.  Mrs.  Brunner  ^yas 
a  kind-hearted,  industrious  woman,  who  did  everything 
to  keep  her  home  bright  and  pleasant.  The  evening 
with  the  family  was  the  happy  time  of  the  day,  and 
was  devoted  to  reading,  study  and  the  good  times  that 
a  jolly  congenial  family  thoroughly  enjoys.  There  were 
seven  children  in  the  family:  Mary;  David  B.;  John  B. 
taught  ten  terms  of  school,  and  is  now  a  carpenter 
and  builder  in  Reading;  Frederick  B.,  taught  five  terms 
of  school,  and  died  at  Pennsylvania  College,  Gettysburg, 
a  Senior,  in  1862;  William  B.;  Amos  B.;  and  George  B. 
taught  twelve  terms  of  school  and  is  the  carpenter  at 
the  Boyertown  Burial  Casket  Factory. 

Hon.  David  B.  Brunner  was  born  in  Amity  town- 
ship, March  7,  1835.  At  the  age  of,  twelve  after 
attending  the  common  schools  he  was  apprenticed  to 
learn  his  father's  trade,  and  at  this  he  worked  until 
he  was  nineteen.  Feeling  desirous  of  a  higher  educa- 
tion he  prepared  himself  for  college  with  such  as- 
sistance as  he  could  procure  from  teachers  of  the 
neighborhood,  and  in  the  meantime  he  taught  school. 
After  a  short  course  at  Freeland  Seminary  he  entered 
Dickinson  College,  in  1856,  and  taking  the  classical 
course,  graduated  in  1860.  He  then  opened  a  private 
school  in  Amityville,  which  he  conducted  for  two 
years.  In  1863  he  purchased  the  Reading  Classical 
Academy,  and  conducted  the  school  with  the  except- 
ion of  short  intervals  until  1888,  under  the  names  of 
Reading  Scientific  Academy,  and  Reading  Scientific  and 
Business  College.  In  1869  he  was  elected  superintend- 
ent of  the  common  schools  of  the  county,  and  filled 
the  office  with  great  acceptability  for  six  years,  be- 
coming well  known  throughout  the  State  as  an  edu- 
cator. In  1880-81  he  served  as  superintendent  of  the 
schools  of  Reading.  In  addition  to  educational  work, 
Prof.  Brunner  took  great  interest  in  mineralogy,  and 
in  Indian  relics.  In  1881  he  published  "Indians  of 
Berks  County,"  a  reliable  account  of  the  aborigines. 
He  collected  many  relics  and  at  one  time  had  the 
finest  collection  in  the  State.  He  was  a  frequent  con- 
tributor to  newspapers  on  subjects  in  which  he  was 
interested,  and  he  lectured  in  all  parts  of  the  city  and 
county  on  scientific  subjects.  In  1877  he  published  an 
elementary  work  on  English  Grammar,  which  had  a 
wide  sale.     He  was  a  Lutheran  in  religious  belief. 

In  1861  Prof.  Brunner  married  Amanda  L.  Rhoads, 
of  Amity  township.  They  had  five  children:  Daniel  E.. 
who  died  in  1888;  Elizabeth;  Edgar  A.;  Mary;  and  Dr. 
Plenry  P.,  of  No.  126   Oley  street,  Reading. 

In  politics  Prof.  Brunner  was  an  ardent  Democrat, 
and  on  the  subject  of  the  tariff  held  advanced  vievi's. 
On  Aug.  29,  1888,  he  was  nominated  after  a  bitter  con- 
test over  Daniel  Ermentrout  for  member  of  Congress 
from  the  Ninth  Congressional  District  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  confidence  imposed  he  kept  sacred,  and 
he  proved  to  be  a  remarkably  able  and  useful  repre- 
sentative and  in  1890  was  re-elected.  He  was  a  man 
of  quiet  and  retiring  disposition,  and  was  more  of  a 
student  than  a  politician.  As  a  speaker  he  expressed 
readily  what  he  had  to  say,  but  laid  no  claim  to  the  art 
ot  oratory.  He  was  impressive  but  had  no  great 
amount  of  personal  magnetism.  He  made  friends, 
however,  whom  he  kept,  and  whose  respect  his  Christ- 
ian manhood  retained.  He  was  a  conscientious  official, 
a  true  patriot  and  noble  man.  He  died  Nov.  29.  1903, 
and  was  buried  in   the   Brunner  lot  at  Amityville. 

WiLLiAii  B.  Brunner,  of  Amity  township,  was  born 
on     the     Brunner     homestead,      July     31,     1842.       His 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


571 


early  intellectual  training  he  received  at  home,  and  in 
the  common  schools  of  the  district  which  he  attended 
altogether  thirty-three  months.  Later  he  attended 
Amity  Academy  for  fifteen  days,  then  taught  by  his 
brother,  Prof.  David  B.  Brunner,  county  superintend- 
ent and  congressman.  In  1859  when  he  was  seventeen 
years  old  he  was  examined  and  passed  a  very  credit- 
able examination  for  teaching.  He  taught  his  first  term 
in  Brecknock  township,  then  one  in  Oley,  one  in 
Muhlenberg,  one  in  Ontelaunee  and  seven  in  Amity. 
At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade,  which  he  has  ever  since  followed  during  the 
summer  months,  in  his  section,  except  for  two  years 
that  he  lived  in  Reading.  He  employed  a  number  of 
men  regularly  and  erected  nearly  all  the  houses  and 
barns  in  his  neighborhood  during  that  time.  He  was 
active  and  was  a  master  mechanic.  Since  the  spring  of 
1875  he  has  lived  on  his  present  place,  which  he 
bought  from  the  Daniel  Lee  estate.  It  consists  of  thirty- 
five  acres  of  fertile  land,  located  on  the  State  road  in 
Amity.  Mr.  Brunner  is  tall  and  erect,  and  of  com- 
manding presence,  and  he  is  a  fluent,  easy  speaker. 

On  March  2,  i869,  Mr.  Brunner  married  Amanda 
Francis,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Catherine  (Koch) 
Francis,  of  Amity  township.  To  this  union  were  born 
four  children,  namely:  William  Benton,  who  in  1896 
graduated  from  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School, 
and  taught  school  in  Amity  for  a  number  of  years,  mar- 
ried Catharine  Kline,  of  Reading,  and  they  live  in 
Harrisburg,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  merchandise 
business;  Anna,  the  eldest,  m.  Eli  R.  Snyder,  and  died 
Oct.  12,  1895,  aged  twenty-five  years,  ten  months,  twen- 
ty-seven days;  Martha  taught  school  five  terms  of 
school,  and  m.  M.  L.  Botts,  a  railway  mail  clerk  and 
merchant  at  Harrisburg;  and  Samuel  Anson  m.  Annie 
Graefif,  and  is  a  grocer  at  Harrisburg.  Mr.  Brunner  and 
his  family  are  Lutheran  members  of  the  church  at 
Amityville.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  for  six 
years   served  as   school   director. 

AUGUSTUS  R.  ANDERSON,  President  of  the 
,  Board  of  County  Commissioners  and  a  representative 
citizen  of  Mohnton,  was  born  in  Washington  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  March  21,  1865,  son  of  Peter  S. 
and  Catherine  (Ritter)  Anderson. 

The  Anderson  family  to  which  Augustus  R.  belongs 
is  of  Irish  origin,  and  is  descended  from  James,  a  native 
of  Ireland,  who  came  to  this  country  before  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  became  a  clerk  in  the  Oley  furnace  and  forge 
and  is  supposed  to  have  boarded  at  "Woodchopper 
City."  The  Httle  colony  known  by  that  name  was 
located  in  Earl  township,  and  sprang  into  existence 
about   the   middle    of   the   eighteenth   century. 

James  Anderson  (2)  was  born  in  "Woodchopper 
City"  in  1794,  and  lived  to  his  ninetieth  year,  passing 
away  in  1883.  By  trade,  he  was  a  shoemaker,  but  also 
farmed  and  was  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  forty-four 
acres  in  Washington  township.  He  married  Miss  Re- 
becca Spohn,  the  daughter  of  Casper  and  Rebecca 
Spohn,  and  to  their  union  children  were  born  as  fol- 
lows: Hettie  m.  Gideon  Hartline,  a  farmer  at  Shanes- 
ville;  Matilda  m.  Daniel  Mosser,  of  Reading;  Sophia 
m.  Henry  Frunheiser,  a  farmer  in  Washington  Town- 
ship; Rebecca  m.  Jacob  Seachrist,  who  moved  to  Ful- 
ton county,  Ohio;  Catherine  m.  Augustus  Nagel,  of 
Gilbertsville;  James,  a  farmer  and  shoemaker  of  Wash- 
ington Township,  was  twice  married;  Jeremiah,  of 
New  Berlinville,  Pa.,  m.  Miss  Catherine  Muthart; 
Peter  S.;  John,  twin  brother  of  Peter,  a  blacksmith  at 
Shanesville,  was  twice  married;  and  Jacob  died  aged 
twenty-two. 

Peter  S.  Anderson  was  born  in  Washington  township, 
Sept.  24,  1835,  and  received  most  of  his  education  in 
pay  school  in  that  section,  with  one  year  in  the  public 
schools.  As  a  young  man  he  learned  the  trade  of  wheel- 
wright, at  which  he  was  employed  but  four  and  a 
half  years,  when  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming.  In 
1878  he  moved  to  Reading  and  has  since  made  his  home 


there,  except  for  a  period  of  six  years  when  he  lived 
with  his  son  Augustus  at  Mohnton.  On  Oct.  16,  1857, 
he  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Anna 
(Mosser)  Ritter,  and  they  became  the  parents  of:  James, 
of  Boyertown;  a  victim  of  the  Boyertown  calamity  of 
Jan.  13,  1908,  m.  Miss  Laura  Reppert;  Henry  died  aged 
nineteen;  Audora,  deceased,  m.  ilarry  Levan;  Lizzie  ra. 
Albert  Reifsnyder;  Jacob  R.  m.  Miss  Sallie  Foust,  and 
he  conducts  a  secondhand  furniture  and  auction  house 
at  No.  229  North  Ninth  Street,  Reading,  Pa.;  Augustus 
R.  m.  Miss  Rosa  H.  Snyder;  Anna  L.  and  Wellington 
both  died  during  the  "spotted  tever"  epidemic,  and  were 
buried  in  the  same  coftin;  Ida  died  of  the  same  disease 
two  weeks  later;  Irwin  m.  Miss  Norah  Kline,  and  is  a 
barber  in  Reading,  Pa.;  Laura  m.  Adam  Schnabel  of 
Reading,  Pa.;  Edwin  m.  Miss  Emma  Kelley,  of  Read' 
ing.  Pa.;  and  Kate  m.  James  Bailey  of  Reading. 

Augustus  R.  Anderson  was  sent  to  the  public  schools 
during  his  boyhood,  but  left  at  an  early  age  to  go  to 
work,  and  for  five  years  was  employed  as  clerk  at  the 
"Union  House"  in  Reading,  the  beginning  of  his  associa- 
tion with  hotel  life.  The  next  four  years  he  was  in 
charge  of  the  "Oley  Line  Hotel"  at  Lime  Kiln,  and  in 
1888  he  engaged  for  a  time  as  clerk  in  a  hat  store,  and 
then  was  employed  by  a  tea  and  coffee  house.  In  185l 
he  was  ready  to  return  to  the  hotel  business  and  accord- 
ingly leased  the  "Mohnsville  (now  Mohnton)  Hotel" 
from  Frank  F.  Mosser  for  two  years.  Results  proved 
entirely  satisfactory  and  April  27,  1893,  Mr.  AnderS'on 
bought  the  place  and  at  once  proceeded  to  remodel-  it, 
adding  all  the  latest  improvements.  The  house  has 
twenty-eight  rooms,  is  well  managed  and  regularly  pat- 
ronized by  a  large  proportion  of  the  traveling  public. 

Mr.  Anderson  is  essentially  a  public-spirited  man  and 
has  done  much  to  add  to  the  convenience  and  pleasure 
of  his  fellow  citizens.  One  of  his  progressive  enter- 
prises was  to  purchase  the  Body  estate  at  Mohnsville 
(now  Mohnton),  held  at  a  high  figure,  and  to  erect 
on  that  site  the  upper  station  at  Mohnton,  a  great 
accomimodation.  Just  opposite  this  he  built  in  the  spring 
of  1906  the  Mohnton  Auditorium,  standing  near  the 
trolley  tracks.  This  building,  50x100  feet,  is  finished 
throughout  in  yellow  pine  and. hard  wood  lumber,  with 
all  modern  appointments,  and  is  used  for  sociables, 
band  rehearsals,  basket  ball,  poultry  shows,  entertain- 
ments of  all  kinds.  In  1907  there  was  added  at  a  con- 
siderable expense  an  artistically  equipped  stage.  Polit- 
ically Mr.  Anderson  has  made  himself  well  known  in 
Berks  county,  working  in  the'  Democratic  ranks.  He 
has  served  as  township  committeeman,  county  and 
state  delegate,  acting  in  the  latter  capacity  at  the 
convention  where  Hon.  Robert  E.  Pattison  was  nom- 
inated for  governor.  In  1904  he  was  a  candidate  for 
director  of  the  poor,  and  polled  a  large  vote. 

Mohnton  became  a  borough  in  the  spring  of  1906, 
and  Mr.  Anderson  was  elected  to  the  first  council  and 
chosen  as  the  first  President,  thus  evidencing  his  pop- 
ularity in  a  community  not  fettered  by  party  lines.  On 
Nov.  S,  1908,  he  was  elected  to  the  office'  of  County 
commissioner  by  the  sanction  of  16,204  voters,  a  com- 
pliment of  no  mean  significance,  and  of  this  board  he 
was  also  chosen  president.  He  was  one  of  the  organiz- 
ers of  the  Mohnton  National  Bank,  in  which  he  has 
held  a  directorship  since  its  founding.  Socially  Mr. 
Anderson  is  equally  prominent  and  popular.  He  be- 
longs to  the  F.  O.  E.,  Aerie  No.  66,  Reading;  Eagles' 
Mountain  Home;  the  K.  of  P.  No.  485,  of  Mohnton; 
D.  O.  K.  K.  No.  37,  of  Reading;  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  No. 
518,  and  Rebekah  degree;  the  Knights  of  Friendship, 
Fidelia  No.  5  fall  of  Reading)  ;  to  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A., 
No.  221,  of  Oley  Line,  also  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  Commandery 
Lexington  No.  2,  of  Reading;  the  Liberty  Fire  Company 
No.  5,  and  the  Schuylkill  Camp  Club  of  Reading. 

On  Nov.  25,  1882,  Mr.  Anderson  married  Miss  Rosa 
H.  Snyder,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Emma  R.  (Hartman) 


573  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

Snyder,    the    former    a    landlord    in    Exeter    township,  the  King,  his  brother  and  many  noblemen  were  pres- 

Three  children  were  born  to  them:  Emma  May;  Wei-  ent  to  pay  tribute  to  his  memory.     His  portrait  hangs 

lington   S.    who  died   May   1,   1896.  aged   eleven   years;  in  the  Admirals  room  in  the  Art  Gallery  at  Amsterdam, 

and  Edna  '  '^^^  ^''^^  settlers   in  the   vicinity  of   Main's    Church, 

were   a  part   of  the   150  families   who   emigrated   from 

DR.   LEONARD    G.   HAIN.     Among  the   members  Holland,  and  settled  in  1723  or  1733  at  Schoharie,  N. 

of   the   medical   profession   in    Cumru   township,   Berks  Y.      In    1739    some    dissension    caused    a    removal    of 

county,  may  be  mentioned  Dr.  Leonard  G.  Hain,  who  several  families  to  the  Tulpehocken  valley,  and  others 

has  an'  extensive   practice  in   the   pleasant  borough   of  to  Heidelberg  township,   Berks  county.     Among  these 

Shillington.     Dr.  Hain  was  born  Oct.  27,  1872.  in  Wer-  first  settlers  we  find  the  name   of  Hain,   or  Hohen  or 

nersville,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  John  H.  and  Rebecca  Hean.     With  great  industry  and  self-denial  these  pio- 

(Gerhard)  Hain.  neers    erected    a    church    and   founded   a   congregation 

The  early  hotne  of  the  Hains  was  in  Holland,  where  of    the    German    Reformed    Church.      The    five    acres 

the  name  was  spelled  Heyn.    Through  various  changes,  (since  increased  to  seven)  belonging  to  Hain's  Church 

Hayn.   Hohen,    Hein,   Hean,   it   is   now   generally  used  were    donated    by    George    Hean    (Hain)    about    1830, 

Hain.      At    Delftshave     (now    Delf shaven),    a     suburb  and  according  to  the  custom  of  the  time  the  church  be- 

of  Rotterdam,   in   1590   lived   Piet   Heyn,  with   his   wife  came  known  as  Hain's,  though  its  name  was  St.  John's 

and  four  sons,  the  eldest  of  whom  was  Piet  Peterson  Church  from  the  time  it  was  dedicated  to  the  "service 

Heyn,   born   Nov.   37.   1577.     The   latter  was   a   strong-  of    the    Tri-une    God."      Early    pastors    of    this    church 

willed  boy,   bold  and  adventurous,  full   of   energy,   and  were   Pastors   Boehm,   Weisse   and   Schlatter,   followed 

he    was    looked   upon    by   the    townspeople    with    some  by    the    well    known    Rev.    Jacob    Lishy,    of    Lancaster 

concern.     School  masters  would  have  none  of  him.     Af-  county.      George    Hain,    who    gave    the    land    for    the 

ter  being  expelled  from  school  he  went  to  Rotterdam,  church,  died  in  1746. 

where   he   found   work   on   a   boat.      His   father   was   a  John  H.   Hain,  father  of  Dr.   Leonard   Gerhard,  was 

fisherman,   and   was    often   away    on    long   voyages,    so  born   in    Lower  Heidelberg  township,   on   the  farm   on 

the  elder  son,  who  was  not  by  any  means  the  hopeless-  which    now    stands    the    Wernersville    Asylum.      This 

ly    bad   boy    many   thought    him,    went    home    twice    a  was    the    original   home   of   the    Hains   in   this    section, 

week  to  see  his  mother.     His  old  enemies,  young  rela-  He    was    born    Aug.    18,    1843,    and    died    May   4,    1903, 

tives  of  the  master  who  had  expelled  him  from  school,  after    a    long    and    useful    life.      Mr.    Hain    owned    the 

would  lie  in  wait  for  him,   and  endeavor  to  beat  him.  homestead   of   130  acres,   which   is   still   in   the  family's 

He  was  stronger  than  they,  and  in  spite  of  their  num-  possession,    and    was    engaged    in    farming    and    cattle 

bers  would  always  defeat  them.     One  night  these  boys  dealing,  being  known  throughout  Berks  and  Lancaster 

gathered  their  friends  until  they  had  fourteen  to  wait  counties   as  a  man  of  sterling  worth.     A  stanch   Dem- 

for    the    one    lad    coming   home    to    his    mother.      Too  ocrat    in    politics,    he    was    active    in    the    ranks    of   his 

many  were  in  the  secret,  however,  and  Piet's  younger  party,    serving    ably    as    school    director    for    a    period 

brothers  heard  of  it,  but  they  could  muster  champions  of    nine    years.      Fraternally    he     was     connected    with 

enough  to  make  but  nine  on  their  side.     The  fourteen  the  Odd  Fellows  at  Wernersville,  and  he  and  his  fam- 

met  Piet  first,  with  sticks  and  stones,  but  the  noisiest  ily  attended   Hain's   Church,   where   he   is   buried.     Mr. 

one  of  all  he  threw  into  the  water,  and  by  that  time  Hain    married    Rebecca    Gerhard,    daughter    of    Adam 

the    brothers    and    their    friends    joined    him,    and    to-  and    Catherine    (Strunk)    Gerhard,    and    to    them    were 

gether   they   completely   routed   the    superior    numbers,  born:      Harry    G,    foreman    at    the    Hampden    Planing 

and  would  have  done  them  violence,  but  Piet  interposed  Mill;   Dr.   Leonard   Gerhard;   Frederick,  who   cultivates 

and  insisted  that  all  shake  hands.     That  same  night  he  the    old    homestead    farm;    and    Leah,    m.    to    Charles 

proved   his    courage    and   his   ability   to    act   quickly   in  Hain,    who    is    engaged    in    the     hosiery    business     at 

an    emergency    by    assisting    in    preventing    a    fire    to  Wernersville. 

spread,  and  the  boy  who  had  been  looked  upon  as  bad  Dr.  Leonard  Gerhard  Hain  was  reared  upon  his 
and  unruly  was  lauded  by  all  as  the  bravest  boy  in  father's  farm,  on  which  he  resided  until  entering  col- 
town.  Shortly  after  this  he  went  to  sea,  and  became  lege.  His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  town- 
a  prisoner  on  a  Spanish  vessel,  being  held  a  very  long  ship  schools,  later  he  attended  the  Hughes  Academy 
time.  He  then  shipped  as  second  mate  on  the  man-  at  Bellefonte,  Centre  Co..  Pa.,  where  he  prepared 
of-war  "Samson,"  commanded  by  Capt.  Gerbrandt  for  college,  and  in  the  fall  of  1888  he  entered  Palat- 
Jansroon  Sael.  Before  1601,  with  nine  other  war  ships  inate  College,  at  Myerstown.  where  he  completed  his 
all  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Obdam,  and  English  preparatory  course  for  medicine.  Entering  Jefiferson 
men-of-war  under  Admiral  Lewison,  they  sailed  to  find  Medical  College  in  the  fall  of  1890.  he  graduated  May 
the  Spanish  fleet.  The  Spaniards  were  beaten  at  great  4,  1893,  and  on  June  5th  of  the  latter  year  engaged  in 
price,  the  first  mate  of  the  "Samson"  being  one  of  the  practice  at  Shillington,  being  the  first  physician  in 
many  victims.  In  a  storm  a  few  days  later  the  captain  the  borough.  He  has  gradually  built  up  a  large  and 
was  swept  overboard,  and  young  Heyn  became  master  lucrative  practice  in  a  densely  settled  community 
of  the  ship.  On  his  return  home,  after  transactinq:  within  a  radius  of  five  miles,  and  his  skillful  services 
business  in  Batacalo,  he  married  Anetje  De  Reus,  and  have  won  for  him  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the 
settled  in  Rotterdam.  He  was  not  to  be  permitted  to  entire  section.  Personally  the  Doctor  is  pleasant  and 
live  quietly,  however,  and  the  next  voyage  he  sailed  courteous,  and  as  a  consequence  he  is  very  popular 
was  as  Vice-Admiral  of  the  West  Indian  Company's  with  all  who  know  him.  He  was  one  of  the  organ- 
fleet  of  men-of-war  sent  against  the  Spanish.  Admiral  izers  and  is  a  director  of  the  Mohnton  National  Bank 
WiUeneus  bemg  in  command.     They  captured  San  Sal-  of  Mohnton. 

yador  in  April,   ]626,  and  Piet  Peterson   Heyn  became  In    political    matters    Dr.    Hain    is    a    Democrat     and 

Admiral,  and  was  sent  after  the  Silver  Fleet  of  Spain,  for    three   years    served   as    Almshouse    physician       He 

After  many  adventures,  and  the  capture  of  many  Span-  is  a  member  of  Teutonia  Lodge   No    367    F    &  A    M 

ish  vessels,  in  one  battle  taking  twentv-six  ships  from  Reading;   Reading  Chapter,  No.  53,  R    A    M  ■   De  Mo- 

the   enemy,   he   eventually  found   and  defeated   the    fa-  lay   Commandery  No.  9,   K.   T.;   Rajah   Temple    A    A 

raous    Sliver   Fleet    (with   13,000,000  florins   captured   as  O.   N.   M.    S..   Reading;    Reading   Elks.   No     lis'    Aerie 

booty)    and   carried    his    prizes    triumphantly    home    to  No.    66,    F.    O.    E.,    Reading;    Independent    Americans 

Holland,   where   great   honors   were   heaped   upon   him.  of    Shillington;    Knights    of    Pythias    No     385     Mohn- 

.■\t  the  battle   off  Dunkirch    (Dunkirk),   France,   in  the  ton;   and   Knights  of  the   Golden   Eagle    of  Kutztown 

North    Sea,    Admiral   Heyn   was   killed   June    SO,    1039.  He    and    his    family    are    Reformed    members    of    the 

His  remains  were  interred  in  the  Church  of  the  Lean-  Hain  Church,  of  Lower  Heidelberg, 

ing    Tower    at    Delft,    and   a    magnificent    tomb    was  On   Nov.   13,   1893,   Dr.   Hain   was  married   to   Annie 

erected  there  to  his  memory.     In  1870  his  statue,  made  K.    Miller,   daughter   of   John    H.    and    Sarah    (Kinser) 

of  Udelsfenger  stone,  was  unveiled  by  the  people,  and  Miller,    of   Wernersville,    Pa.,    and    to    this    union    have 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


573 


been   born   two   children:     Stuart   J.,   who   died   in   in- 
fancy; and  Marguerite  L. 

J.  MILTON  MILLER  is  a  member  of  the  Berks 
County  Bar.  His  grandfather,  Jacob  Miller,  was  a 
pioneer  of  this  county  and  resided  at  Hamburg.  Dr. 
Alexander  Merkel  Miller,  father  of  J.  Milton,  was  a 
physician  of  repute,  and  practised  his  profession  at 
Tower  City,  Schuylkill  county,  but  died  at  the  age  of 
thirty-eight  years,  in  1877. 

Mr.  J.  Milton  Miller  was  born  July  25,  1872,  at  Tower 
City.  He  attended  public  school  for  only  a  few  years, 
and  his  education  was  continued  after  he  was  twenty 
years  old  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at 
Kutztown,  Pa.  In  1898  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar 
of  Berks  County,  and  later  to  the  higher  courts.  On 
Jan.  27,  1897,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sara  G.  Miller, 
daughter  of  J.  Russell  Miller,  who  was  in  the  Reading 
Railroad  service  for  more  than  forty  years,  and  who 
was  a  Corporal  of  Company  A,  88th  Pa.  V.  I.,  serving 
in  the  Civil  War  for  four  years.  J.  Alexander,  Rich- 
mond P.  and  Emily  L.  are  the  children  of  this  mar- 
riage. 

Mr.  Miller  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a  member  of 
the  Americus  Club,  and  belongs  to  the  Calvary  Re- 
formed Church,  where  he  takes  an  interest  in  the 
church  and  Sunday  school  work. 

D.  NICHOLAS  SCHAEFFER,  one  of  the  leading 
representatives  of  the  legal  fraternity  in  Berks  county. 
Pa.,  and  a  resident  of  the  city  of  R.eading,  was  born 
Sept.  10,  1853,  in  Maxatawny  township,  Berks  county, 
son   of  David  and  Esther   (Christ)   Schaeffer. 

His  paternal  great-grandfather  was  George  Schaeffer, 
a  native  of  Southern  Germany,  north  of  the  Rhine, 
who,  in  1750,  with  30,000  other  inhabitants  of  that  coun- 
try located  in  Pennsylvania.  He  settled  upon  a  tract 
of  land  in  Richmond  township,  which  is  now  owned 
by  his  descendants,  and  there  reared  a  family  of  five 
children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters.  This  sturdy 
old  pioneer  passed  to  his  eternal  reward  in  1792,  after 
a  long  and  useful  life. 

Philip  bchaefifer,  grandfather  of  D.  Nicholas,  was 
born  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  1770,  and  became 
an  agriculturist.  He  manufactured  the  first  threshing 
machine  in  Berks  county,  and  met  with  such  success 
as  to  warrant  him  to  continue  in  that  line  of  work 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  the  orogenitor  of 
a  family  of  twelve  children:  Geor"-e;  Peter;  Isaac; 
Jonathan;  Daniel;  Philip;  William;  David;  Sarah  m. 
Jacob  De  Long;  Elizabeth  m.  Solomon  Yoder;  Anna 
M.  m.  Isaac  Merkle;  and  Esther  m.  Francis  De  Long. 
In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  while  in  religious 
attachments  he  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  our  second  great 
conflict  with  Great  Britain,  and  acquitted  himself  with 
credit.  M,rs.  Schaeffer  died  in  1849,  and  her  husband 
in  January,  1853,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-three 
years. 

David  Schaeffer,  the  father  of  D.  Nicholas,  was  born 
in  Berks  county,  Oct.  3,  1820,  and  engaged  in  tilling 
the  soil,  after  obtaining  a  good  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  edu- 
cational advancement  of  his  community,  and  was  one 
of  the  charter  members  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  of  Kutztown,  of  which  he  is  still  a  trustee. 
In  May,  1848,  he  married  Esther  Christ,  who  was 
born  in  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county,  in  1825. 
Five  children  blessed  this  union,  and  each  was  given 
the  best  educational  advantages,  and  is  now  a  credit 
to  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  The  record  is 
as  follows:  Nathan  is  Superintendent  of  Public  In- 
struction of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania;  William  D. 
is  a  Professor  in  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the 
Reformed  Church  at  Lancaster,  Pa.;  .D.  Nicholas; 
James  is  engaged  in  farming;  and  Charles  is  a  physi- 
cian  of  Allentown. 

D.  Nicholas  Schaeffer,  after  completing  the  required 
course   in   the    common    schools,   attended    Franklin    & 


Marshall  College,  at  Lancaster,  graduating  therefrom 
in  the  class  of  1876.  Immediately  thereafter  he  began 
reading  law  under  the  tutelage  of  George  F.  Baer  of 
Reading,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1878.  He 
then  opened  a  law  office  in  the  city  of  Reading,  and 
soon  acquired  a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  which 
is  still  his  in  a  much  augmented  state.  He  is  a  rnan 
of  great  determination  and  shrewdness,  and  having 
once  entered  upon  a  case  he  works  with  might  and 
main,  ana  usually  with  pood  results.  He  is  a  dutiful 
citizen  and  a  good  neighbor,  being  held  in  high  esteem 
by  a  large  number  of  friends  and  fellow  citizens. 

Mr.  Schaeffer  married,  Nov.  11,  1880,  Katherine 
Grim,  aaughter  of  Jonathan  K.  Grim,  and  three  bright 
and  interesting  children  blessed  their  union,  namely: 
Forest  G.,  Paul  N.  and  Harry  H.  In  politics  he  is 
a  stanch  supporter  of  the  principles .  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  in  religious  affiliation  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  Church  of  Reading,  of  which  he  is  an 
elder. 

SCHULTZ.  Among  the  prominent  representatives 
of  the  Schultz  family  in  Washington  township  are  the 
brothers,  Owen  K.  Schultz,  farmer,  dairyman  and 
stockman,  now  living  retired,  and  Joseph  K.  Schultz, 
who  in  the  spring  of  1899  retired  from  the  milling  busi- 
ness. 

The  Schultz  family  came  to  America  from  Saxony. 
Melchior  Schultz  was  born  June  26,  1680.  and  died 
Feb.  15,  1734.  in  the  fifty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  at 
Berthelsdorf,  Saxony.  His  death  took  place  just  about 
two  months  before  the  time  set  for  his  emigration  to 
America.  His  children  were:  George,  M'elchior  and 
Christopher,  the  latter  of  whom  became  a  noted  minis- 
ter. 

George  Schultz,  son  of  Melchior  and  brother  to  Rev. 
Christopher,  married,  Jan.  31,  1744,  Maria,  daughter  of 
Abraham  Yeakel,  and  they  made  their  home  in  Upper 
Hanover  township,  Montgomery  Co..  Pa.  Their  child- 
ren were:  Abraham,  born  March  23,  1747;  and  Melchior, 
born  March  25,  1756.  George  Schultz  died  Oct.  30, 
1776,  aged  sixty-five  years,  and  his  wife  Maria  passed 
away  Dec.  13,  1797,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years. 

Abraham  Schultz,  son  of  George  and  Maria,  was  born 
in  Upper  Hanover  township,  Montgomery  county, 
March  23,  1747.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  books  and 
having  a  retentive  memory  and  comprehensive,  mind, 
he  became  one  of  the  best  educated  men  of  the  time. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Schwenkfelder  religious  so- 
ciety, and  he  served  it  in  the  capacity  of  trustee,  school 
inspector,  teacher  and  catechist.  The  community  fre- 
quently called  his  services  into  requisition  as  scrivener 
and  counsellor.  In  1796  he  was  elected  a^  member  of 
the  General  Assembly  from  Montgomery  county.  He 
died  Dec.  25,  1822.  In  1771  he  married  Regina  Yeakel, 
daughter  of  Christopher  Yeakel,  and  their  children 
wefe:  Benjamin,  born  July  20.  1772  (died  March  20, 
1802);  Adam,  Sept.  20.  1775;  Isaac,  March  4.  1778;  Ab- 
raham, Feb.  18,  1781  (died  March  23,  1802);  Freder- 
ick. Aug.  10,  1784  (died  Dec.  17.  1794);  Joseph,  Jan.  22. 
1787;   and   Melchior,   June   23,   1789. 

Isaac  Schultz,  son  of  Abraham  and  Regina,  was 
born  March  4,  1778,  and  died  Oct.  15,  1867.  He  had 
a  good  farm  of  100  acres,  besides  woodland,  in  Upper 
Hanover  township,  and  for  a  time  taught  school.  He 
had  eight  children:  Amos;  Isaac;  Abraham;  Daniel  S.; 
Christina;  Joel;  Philip  and  Joseph. 

Amos  Schultz,  son  of  Isaac,  born  May  11,  1809,  died  at 
the  home  of  his  son.  Owen  K.,  May  10,  1895,  and  is 
buried  at  the  Schwenkfelder  Church,  Washington  town- 
ship. In  1861  he  built  the  mill  now  owned  by  Joseph 
K.  Schultz,  and  operated  by  the  tatter's  son,  Amos  K. 
Amos  Schultz  married  Elizabeth  Kriebel,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Kriebel,  of  Worcester  township,  Montgomery 
county.  They  had  eight  children:  Sarah,  wife  of  Joel 
Schultz.  ri  Upper  Hanover  township;  Susan,  deceased 
wife  of  A.  T.  D.  Johnson,  of  New  Berlinville;  Joseph 
K.;  Anna,  deceased;  Edwin,  president  of  the  First  Nat- 
ional Bank  of  Boyertown;  Owen  K. ;  Lucina,  who  lives 


574 


HISTORY  OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


with  her  brother  Owen  K. ;  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Josephus  Gerhard,  of  Hereford  township.  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth (Kriebel)  Schultz  was  born  Dec.  33,  1812.  and  she 
died  March  29,  1891.  Mr.  Schultz  was  active  in  local 
politics,  and  for  ten  years  was  justice  of  the  peace  in 
Douglass  township,  A'lontgomery  county,  and  was  di- 
rector of  Schultzville  Independent  School  District,  and 
in   many  other  ways   served  his   community. 

Owen  K.  Schultz,  son  of  Amos,  was  born  in  Doug- 
lass township,  Montgomery  county,  just  across  the 
Berks  county  line,  March  23,  1851.  He  attended  the 
Schultzville  Independent  School  in  Washington  town 
ship,  whither  the  Amos  Schultz  family  moved  in  the 
spring  of  1857.  His  early  years  were  passed  on  the 
home  farm,  and  after  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age  he  continued  working  for  his  parents  for 
seven  years.  In  1880  he  took  possession  of  tht 
farm  on  his  own  account.  This  consists  of  ninety-three 
acres  of  excellent  land,  and  he  was  very  successful  in 
its  management.  He  paid  special  attention  to  dairying, 
and  had  some  fine  stock,  as  well  as  a  complete  line 
of  modern  farm  machinery.  He  continued  to  farm 
until  1903,  when  he  retired.  He  has  the  agency  for  the 
Page  Woven  Wire  Fence  Company,  of  Adrian,  Mich., 
and  in  this  work  he  has  met  with  success.  His  farm  is 
one  of  the  most  attractive  on  the  west  branch  of  the 
Perkiomen.  A  mill  dam  covers  a  few  of  his  acres 
with  water,  and  the  mill  is  located  but  130  feet  from  the 
residence,  and  is  familiarly  known  as  the  "County  Line 
Mill."  The  house  was  built  in  1856  by  his  father,  Amos, 
and  is  a  substantial  brick  structure  of  large  dimen- 
sions. It  is  surrounded  by  a  carefully  kept  lawn, 
studded  with  Norway  and  silver  maple  trees,  and  en- 
closed by  an  iron  fence.  The  Swiss  barn  was  built 
by  Amos  Schultz  in  1855,  and  was  the  first  barn  in  the 
district  to  have  running  water  in  the  stalls. 

Mr.  Schultz  is  one  of  the  active  business  men  of  his 
district.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Niantic 
Dairymen's  Association,  which  conducts  a  creamery  at 
Niantic,  and  of  this  he  has  been  treasurer  since  its 
organization  April  1,  1889.  They  make  a  high  grade 
of  butter,  and  also  have  a  large  cheese  trade,  their 
product  being  sold  in  the  community  and  in  Phila- 
delphia. He  was  instrumental  in  having  the  State 
Road  built  through  his  district.  He  has  been  a  di- 
rector of  the  Reading  Bone  Fertilizer  Company  since 
its  organization  March  8.  1905;  a  director  of  the  Moun- 
tain Telephone  Company.  Inc.,  which  has  thirty  miles 
of  wire  in  the  eastern  township  of  Berks  county;  and  is 
treasurer  of  the  Douglass  Telephone  Company,  oper- 
ating ten  miles  of  wire,  and  of  which  company  there 
were  sixteen  original  shareholders.  Mr.  Schultz  is  a 
stockholder  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Boyertown, 
and  acts  as  its  agent,  weekly  making  deposits  for  the 
people  of  his  district. 

Mr.  Schultz  has  been  twice  married.  On  Feb.  7,  1880, 
he  married  Leanna  Kriebel.  of  Worcester  township, 
who  was  born  June  8,  1852,  and  who  died  April  5,  1887, 
the  mother  of  two  children.  Chester  and  Mabel,  both 
graduates  of  Perkiomen  Seminary,  since  which  time 
Chester  has  also  graduated  from  Princeton  University, 
Princeton,  N.  J.,  class  of  1908,  and  Pierce's  Business 
College,  Philadelphia,  fall  of  3908.  Mr.  Schultz  mar- 
ried (second)  Sept.  31.  1889.  Mary  Schultz,  daughter 
of  Adonia  Schultz,  of  Worcester  township.  Montgom- 
ery county.  The  family  attend  the  Schwenkfelder 
church. 

Joseph  K.  Schultz,  son  of  Amos,  was  born  in  Doug- 
lass township,  Montgomery  county,  Nov.  20,  1840. 
The  district  school  afforded  him  his  educational  ad- 
vantages, and  at  home  he  was  trained  along  agricul- 
tural lines.  He  was  twenty-two  when  he  began  work 
in  his  father's  mill,  and  in  1882  he  succeeded  to  the 
ownership.  This  mill  was  first  a  grist  and  flour  mill, 
and  in  1895  a  roller  process  was  added.  The  present 
narne  of  the  iiiill  is  the  Wave  Roller  Mill,  but  early 
in  its  history  it  was  called  the  County  Line  Mill.  It 
is    a   four-story   building.   40x45   feet,   with   an    addition 


28  feet  square,  and  it  is  run  by  water  from  the  west 
branch  of  the  Perkiomen  creek.  Seventeen  acres  of 
land  are  included  in  the  mill  property.  At  the  present 
time  Mr.  Schultz's  son.  Amos  K.,  is  operating  the  mill 
and  he  turns  out  three  brands  of  fiour  that  are  very 
popular — "Wave,"  "Union"  and  "Schultz's  Best."  Mr. 
Joseph  K.  Schultz  retired  from  the  management  of  the 
mill  in  1899.  With  his  son  Elmer  he  organized  the 
Champion  Manufacturing  Company,  Inc.,  of  Philadel- 
phia, manufacturing  horse  and  cattle  powders,  and 
poultry  feed  powders  at  Barto,  but  the  main  office  is 
at  No.  427  Walnut  street,  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Schultz 
has  been  quite  an  apiarian,  and  at  one  time  had  as  many 
as  forty  hives,  producing  about  500  pounds  of  honey 
annually.  He  resides  in  a  comfortable  brick  house 
built  by  his  father  in  1867. 

In  1865  Mr.  Schultz  married  Susan  Bechtel  Krauss, 
daughter  of  George  Krauss,  an  organ  builder  of  Upper 
Hanover  township.  They  have  had  four  children: 
Elmer,  an  insurance  agent  and  real  estate  dealer  in 
Philadelphia,  m.  Marie  Hirner.  daughter  of  Dr.  C.  G. 
Hirner,  of  Allentown,  and  has  two  children,  Lloyd  and 
Miriam;  Hannah  m.  Joseph  B.  Bechtel,  a  jeweler  in 
Philadelphia,  and  has  two  children,  Francis  Clarke  and 
Dwight  Earle;  Amos  m.  Irene  Seipt,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Seipt.  of  Worcester  township.  Montgomery  coun- 
ty, and  has  two  children,  Florence  and  Harold;  Olivia 
m.  John  G.  Deihl,  Wharf  Master  at  Port  Richmond. 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Frances. 
Mr.  Joseph  K.  Schultz  and  his  sons  and  sons-in-law 
are  Republican  in  political  principle  and  in  religious 
faith  he  and  his  family  are  Schwenkfelders. 

DANIEL  H.  CHRISTIAN  (deceased).  One  of  the 
best  known  of  Reading's  citizens,  who  was  for  many 
years  identified  with  the  construction  work  of  the  Phil- 
adelphia &  Reading  Railroad,  was  Daniel  H.  Christian, 
who  died  December  22,  1903.  Mr.  Christian  was  born 
Oct.  17.  1849.  on  the  old  Christian  homestead  in  Ex- 
eter township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Edward  and  Cath- 
erine  (Hofifmaster)   Christian. 

Henry  Christian,  the  great-grandfather  of  Daniel  H., 
was  a  carpenter  in  Switzerland,  and  died  in  that  coun- 
try in  his  fortieth  year,  his  death  being  caused  by  a 
fall  from  a  ladder,  when  he  broke  his  back  in  two 
places.  His  wife,  Frenna,  was  a  seamstress  and  mid- 
wife, and  died  in  her  eighty-ninth  year,  much  beloved 
in  the  village  where  she  had  lived  so  long.  She  and 
her  husband  had  three  children:  one  son  who  settled 
in  Virginia;  John,  the  grandfather  of  Daniel  H.;  and 
a  daughter  who  remained  in  Switzerland. 

John  Christian  was  born  in  the  village  of  Frenk- 
endorf.  Basel  Landschaft,  Switzerland,  Jan.  20.  1786, 
and  was  baptized  and  confirmed  in  the  Reformed 
Church  in  Frenkendorf.  He  attended  the  village  school 
during  the  winter,  this  school  being  attended  most  of 
the  time  by  over  100  children.  Later  he  went  to  a 
school  at  Liestell  for  three  months,  but  his  school- 
ing came  to  an  abrupt  end  when  Napoleon  marched 
into  the  town  with  his  army  of  200.000.  Until  sixteen 
years  of  age  young  Christian  was  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits  and  wine  culture.  The  Napoleonic 
army  having  brought  hardship  upon  the  Basel  Land- 
schaft, there  was  no  money  with  which  to  pay  the 
heavy  taxes,  and  times  became  very  hard,  this  causing 
nearly  400  families  to  depart  from  the  wharves  o1 
the  city,  Mr.  Christian  being  one  and  the  youngest 
of  four  single  men.  He  started  from  the  Rhine  waters 
April  10,  1804,  and  seventeen  days  later  the  Swiss 
emigrants  arrived  at  Amsterdam,  whence  they  took 
passage  on  the  ship  "Rebecca,"  bound  for  Philadel- 
phia, the  contract  price  being  sixty-five  dollars  per 
person  over  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  one  meal 
per  day.  After  some  difi^culty  the  ship  glided  into 
the  English  Channel  from  the  Texel  Sea,  and  then 
to  the  ocean,  and  after  a  very  stormy  vovage,  during 
which  sea-sickness,  hunger  and  thirst  caused  the  death 
of  sixty-four  of  the  374  passengers,  the  ship  landed 
en  a  Sunday  morning,   .Aug.  17,   1804,  at  the   Lazaretto 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


175 


below  Philadelphia.  After  suffering  from  fever  for 
some  time,  Mr.  Christian  escaped  from  the  overcrowd- 
ed hospital  and  through  the  friendly  services  of  ac- 
quaintances was  directed  to  Philadelphia.  .  Three  young 
friends,  and  many  others  who  had  escaped  the  ter- 
rible journey  went  to  Ohio,  and  Mr.  Christian  finally 
settled  at  Reading  in  1807,  where  he  was  married 
Oct.  H,  1808,  to  Margarete  Deem,  daughter  of  Christo- 
pher Deem,  and  wife  (whose  maiden  name  was  Settly), 
of  Reading,  the  former  of  whose  parents  had  come  to 
America  from  Germany.  After  living  near  Lancaster 
for  one  and  one-half  years  with'  his  wife  ana  her  sister 
Elizabeth,  Mr.  Christian  returned  to  Reading  and 
built  a  still  house  on  a  lot  he  had  bought  before  his 
marriage  from  one  David  Bright.  Then  Mr.  Christian 
formed  a  partnership  with  Michael  Bright,  this  con- 
nection however  being  of  short  duration,  he  taking 
into  partnership  John  Birkenbine,  whose  share  Mr. 
Christian  bought  later.  In  1822  Mr.  Christian  sold 
his  interests  for  $2,450,  $1,600  in  cash  and  the  residue 
in  two  equal  payments,  and  in  the  soring  of  1823  he 
bought  thirty-two  acres  of  land  in  Exeter  township. 
along  the  Schuylkill,  where  he  moved  his  family  in 
the  fall  of  that  year.  His  children  were:  John,  born 
in  1810,  a  railroader,  who  lived  in  Lebanon,  Pa.,  and 
died  Oct.  12,  1875;  Edward,  born  March  13,  1817; 
Frenna,  born  1821.  who  died  of  a  prevailing  fever 
when  she  was  nearly  two  years  old;  and  a  son,  born 
Feb.  12,  1824.  John  Christian  was  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  education,  and  in  1865  wrote  a  forty- 
eight  page  booklet,  which  he  named  "An  Autobiog- 
raphy of  John  Christian,"  in  which  he  gave  a  graphic 
account  of  his  journey  from  the  land  of  his  nativity 
to  the  land  of  his  adoption,  his  trials  and  hardships, 
and  his  subsequent  prosperity.  One  of  these  booklets 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  Edward  Christian's  familv, 
of  Reading. 

Edward  Christian,  father  of  Daniel  H.,  was  born 
March  13,  1817,  at  the  corner  of  Front  and  Franklin 
streets,  Reading,  where  his  father,  John  Christian, 
carried  on  distilling  until  1822,  when  he  removed 
his  household  effects  on  a  boa*'  which  was  pro- 
pelled uv  six  hand  oars,  and  landed  near  the  locks 
of  the  Big  Dam.  Here  they  built  a  house  at  a  point 
now  called  Neversink  Station,  ana  young  Christian 
helped  his  father  to  cultivate  five  or  six  acres  of  land, 
cut  down  trees  and  stack  the  wood  in  cords  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of.  Exeter.  Later  .he  attended  school 
about  two  miles  below  the  Black  Bear,  where  he  learned 
his  first  lessons,  and  subsequently  a  pay  schopi  was 
started  by  Gustavus  Lewis,  where  young  Christian 
attended.  This  school  was  fitted  up  in  a  single  room 
in  a  private  house  and  there  were  but  eight  pupils. 
Many  years  later  a  large  schoolhouse  was  built  at 
the  Black  Bear,  which  he'  also  attended.  In  1830  he 
assisted  his  father  to  join  shingles  for  the  barn  of 
George  de  B.  Keim,  about  half  a  mile  below  the 
Neversink  Station,  and  later  in  squaring  logs  for  Sey- 
fert  &  McManus'  furnace.  In  1838  he  went  at  his  trade, 
that  of  milling,  with  Amos  Esterly,  at  Hertzog's  mill, 
on  the  Perkiomen  turnpike,  and  he  remained  here 
three  years,  polling  his  first  vote  in  1839  at  Stoners- 
ville,  when  he  voted  the  Democratic  ticket,  which  was 
his  custom  to  the  time  of  his  death,  missing  but  one 
election;  he  voted  at  fifteen  Presidential  elections.  In  1839' 
he  and  his  father  built  the  old  Sunday  schoolhouse 
situated  on  the  road  leading  from  Black  Bear  to  the 
Schuylkill  river,  and  the  building  is  still  standing  in 
a  good  state  of  preservation,  being  called  "All  Sorts" 
school  house,  on  account  of  the  different  kinds  of 
stones  used  in  its  construction.  Mr.  Christian  was 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  for  ten  years, 
and  taught  a  class  of  young  men. 

He  married,  Aug.  21.  1842,  Catherine  Hoffman, 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Ellen  Hoffman,  of  Stony 
Creek,  the  former  of  whom  was  the  proprietor  of  a 
grist  mill  and  the  first  owner  of  a  wool  factory  in 
that  district.  In  the  spring  of  1842  Mr.  Christian 
moved  back  to  the  old  homestead  at  Neversink,  where 


he  engaged  in  farming.  When  the  Civil  war  broke 
out  he  was  very  active  in  securing  recruits.  He  was 
well  preserved  to  the  'time  of  his  demise.  He  was 
five  feet,  eleven  inches  tall,  and  very  erect,  but  during 
the  last  few  years  of  his  life  his  eyesight  failed  very 
rapidly.  He  was  a  school  director  for  six  years,  aiding 
in  the  establishment  of  many  schools,  and  was  appoint- 
ed by  the  court  to  appraise  damages  and  lay  out  new 
roads  in  Berks,  and  in  various  ways  he  was  a  very 
useful  citizen.  He  was  the  last  of  his  family,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  had  sixteen  grandchildren  and 
five  great-grandchildren.  His  own  children  were:  Mrs. 
George  Esterly;  Jacob  H.,  of  Reading;  Daniel  H.;  Ed- 
ward H.,  of  Mt.  Penn.,  Pa.;  and  Solomon  H.,  of 
Reading.  Mr.  Christian  lived  in  retirement  from  1883 
at  No.  1216  Chestnut  street.  In  religious  belief  he  was 
a  Lutheran,  and  attended  Grace  Church  of  that  denom- 
ination, in  the  faith  of  which  his  estimable  wife  died 
'  Feb.  19,  1907,  aged  eighty-three  years.  Fraternally 
Mr.  Christian  was  connected  with  Salome  Lodge  No. 
105,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  which  he  was  very  popular. 

Daniel  H.  Christian  attended  the  schools  of  his  town- 
ship and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  assisting 
in  its  cultivation  until  1862.  He  then  secured  employ- 
ment with  the  repairing  gang  of  the  Philadelphia  & 
Reading  Railroad,  where  he  worked  for  some  years, 
and  in  1874  was  sent  to  Lancaster  to  superintend  the 
laying  of  tracks  on  a  new  branch  of  the  Philadelphia 
&  Reading,  extending  from  Lancaster  to  Quarryville, 
about  fourteen  and  one-half  miles.  In  the  spring  of 
1876  he  returned  to  Reading  and  took  charge  of  the 
West  Reading  branch,  remaining,  until  1878.  when  he 
was  sent  to  Shamokin  as  superintendent  of  track  re- 
pairs of  the  Mahanoy  division.  In  1883  he  was  ap- 
pointed general  supervisor  of  the  Division,  with  head- 
quarters at  Mahanoy  Plane,  but  in  1888  he  resigned 
to  become  coal  and  iron  policeman  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company  at  Nescopeck  and  Wilkes 
Barre.  After  a  short  time  he  resigned  this  position 
and  returned  to  the  Reading,  'in  whose  employ  he 
was,  all  told,  twenty-one  years.  He  was  superintend- 
ent of  the  work  of  changing  the  tracks  in  the  Mana- 
yunk  tunnel  and  was  an  expert  at  finishing  and  laying 
rails  for  large  curves,  being  in  later  years  frequently 
consulted  as  to  how  tracks  should  be  laid  to  insure 
safety  and  easy  riding.  After  the  completion  of  the 
tunnel  Mr.  Christian  came  back  to  Reading  and  took 
charge  of  the  erection  of  the  electric  power  plant 
at  the  Big  Dam,  for  the  Neversink  Mountain  Rail- 
road Company,  and  later  he  was  appointed  super- 
intendent of  the  road,  which  was  built  around  the 
mountain  under  his  supervision.  He  rendered  valuable 
service  to  the  company,  and  while  thus  employed 
made  a  number  of  important  inventions,  among  which 
are  a  brake  shoe  and  fender,  the  former  being  used 
on  all  Neversink  cars.  His  car  fender  was  adopted 
by  the  Philadelphia  Traction  Company.  One  of  his 
most  important  inventions  was  the  automatic  block 
signal,  which  is  used  on  the  Neversink  and  other 
lines,  and  he  also  invented  an  automatic  switch,  catch  '  ' 
and  lock,  which  is  used  on  many  portions  of  the  Phil- 
adelphia &  Reading  road  at  present.  For  the  last 
few  years  of  his  life  he  was  employed  as  electrician 
by  the  United  Traction  Company  of  Reading,  and 
was  an  expert  in  this  line.  He  had  charge  of  all  of 
the  electric  work  on  the  Neversink  road,  including 
overhead  work,  wires,  motors  and  repairs  and  rewind- 
ing of  armatures.  While  working  around  the  con- 
trollers of  summer  cars  at  the  North  Tenth  street  barn, 
removing  an  incandescent  lamp  from  its  socket,  being 
in  the  act  of  replacing  it  with  a  search  light,  Mr. 
Christian  received  a  shock,  and  soon  afterward  he  ex- 
pired in  the  arms  of  a  fellow  workman,  where  he 
had  fallen.  Mr.  Christian  was  held  in  high  esteem 
by  his  employers,  and  was  a  great  favorite  among  the 
employes,  the  general  declaration  among  whom  was: 
"I  never  worked  for  a  better  man."  Mr.  Christiari 
died  Dec.  23,  1903,  aged  fifty-four  years. 


576 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Daniel  H.  Christian  was  married  Aug.  8,  1868,  to 
Mary  Catherine  Houck,  born  Aug.  8,  1849,  daughter 
of  Henry  G.  and  Hannah  (Gilbert)  Houck,  and  grand- 
daughter of  John  Houck,  of  Chester  county.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Christian  were  born  these  children:  Oliver 
W..  an  electrician  who  took  his  father's  place  with  the 
Reading  Traction  Company,  m.  Bertie  Templin;  Per- 
milla  m.  Robert  Hardy,  a  draughtsman  at  the  Acme 
Motor  Works,  Reading;  Harry  is  an  electrician  and 
car  inspector  at  the  Wilson  avenue  car  barn,  Cleve- 
land, O.;  and  Daniel  resides  at  home  with  his  mother 
at  No.  aso  South  Thirteenth  street,  Reading. 

CHARLES  E.  AUMAN.  The  Chief  of  Police  of  the 
city  of  Reading  is  necessarily  a  man  much  in  the 
public  eye  and  the  present  incumbent  of  that  important 
office,  Hon.  Charles  E.  Auman,  is  one  whose  private 
reputation  and  public  record  prove  him  worthy  of  the 
trust  reposed  in  him.  Chief  Auman  comes  of  German 
ancestors,  both  his  grandfather  and  father  being  natives 
of  Bavaria,  Germany.  The  grandfather,  Bernard  Au- 
man, with  his  son  Cornelius,  then  a  child  of  three,  came 
to  Pennsylvania  in  1848,  settling  in  Adams  county, 
where  he  and  his  wife  were  buried.  Being  a  hard  work- 
er and  good  manager,  he  accumulated  property  and 
died  in  advanced  age,  a  wealthy  man.  His  wife  also 
lived  many  years  and  lies  beside  him  in  the  cemetery  at 
Littlestown. 

Cornelius  Auman  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm, 
later  purchasing  one  of  his  own.  During  the  Civil  War 
he  enlisted  in  Company  G.,  209th  Pa.  V.  I.,  under  Col. 
Tobias  B.  Kauffman,  and  Capt.  George  W.  Frederick.  He 
was  mustered  in  at  Camp  Curtin,  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  Sept. 
16,  1864;  was  wounded  at  Fort  Steadman,  Va.,  March 
35,  1865;  and  was  in  the  hospital  when  mustered  out. 
At  present  he  lives  retired  at  York,  Pa.  His  wife  was 
Agnes  Eckenroad,  of  Bonneyville,  Adams  county,  Pa. 
They  had  children  as  follows:  John,  a  cigar-packer  of 
York,  Pa.,  m.  Miss  Katie  Gottwald,  of  Hanover,  York 
county;  William,  a  cigar-packer  at  Schenectady,  N. 
Y.,  m.  Miss  Annie  Culp,  of  Gettysburg,  Adams  county; 
Charles  E.;  Margaret  is  the  widow  of  Frank  Sauer- 
wald,  and  lives  at  Baltimore,  Md.;  Augustus,  a  car- 
penter living  at  Gettysburg,  Adams  county,  m.  Emma 
Gottwald,  also  of  Gettysburg;  Mary  died  at  the  age  of 
four  years;  Annie  m.  Emory  Waltman  of  York,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Charles  E.  Auman  was  born  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  Jan. 
19.  1871.  His  boyhood  days  were  spent  in  Adams 
county,  and  there  he  attended  the  public  schools  until 
he  left  to  learn  the  cigar-maker's  trade,  which  he  has  fol- 
lowed at  intervals  all  his  life.  He  came  to  Reading, 
April  29,  1890,  and  worked  for  Glaser,  Frame  &  Co. 
for  seven  years,  and  then  for  others  until  his  appoint- 
ment as  police  patrolman  in  1899  by  Mayor  Adam  H. 
Leader.  He  served  three  years  with  great  credit,  and 
in  1902  was  made  inspector  of  the  4th  Precinct  of  the 
Ninth  ward.  In  1908  he  was  appointed  Chief  of  Police 
by  Mayor  William  Rick.  In  the  short  time  he  has  been 
in  office,  Chief  Auman  has  made  many  very  beneficial 
changes,  and  he  is  resolved  to  mark  his  incumbency  of 
the  position  by  a  vigorous  crusade  against  vice.  Es- 
pecially are  his  efforts  directed  towards  the  clearing  out 
of  the  undesirable  places  in  the  tenderloin  district.  Al- 
ready there  is  a  marked  change,  and  the  people  of  Read- 
ing are  beginning  to  realize  the  wisdom  of  his  Hon- 
or's  choice   of   Chief. 

In  1893,  Mr.  Auman  married  Catherine  M.  Plank, 
daughter  of  Sebastian  and  Frances  Plank,  natives  of 
Germany.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Auman  have  had  two  children: 
Raymond  S.,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Edna  F. 

The  pleasant  residence  of  Chief  Auman  is  at  No.  1037 
Elm  street.  The  Chief  has  always  been  an  active  Re- 
publican, and  has  served  many  times  as  delegate  to 
city  and  county  conventions.  In  personal  appearance 
he  is  a  man  of  fine  physique,  tall,  well  built  and  of 
good  appearance,  while  his  knowledge  of  conditions 
of  his  office  and  the  need  for  vigorous  and  energetic 
action  by  the   police   is  far  reaching,  and,  as   has  been 


said  before,  he  is  showing  the  people  of  Reading  that 
he  knows  just  what  to  do  in  emergencies. 

EDWARD  C.  NOLAN,  of  Reading,  enjoys  the  distinc- 
tion of  being  the  youngest  vice-president  of  any  national 
bank  in  America.  Reading  between  the  lines,  this  means 
that  he  has  a  natural  aptness  in  the  management  of  finan- 
cial affairs.  While  this  is  true,  it  is  also  true  that  the 
death  of  his  father  threw  heavy  responsibilities  on  him  at 
a  very  early  age.  It  is  but  justice  to  say  that  Mr.  Nolan, 
to  use  a  common  expression,  has  "made  good."  He  was 
born  in  Reading  Aug.  8,  1880,  son  of  William  and  Cathe- 
rine   (McDonough)    Nolan. 

William  Nolan,  the  father,  was  for  many  years  one 
of  the  heaviest  railroad  contractors  of  the  city,  his  death, 
on  Feb.  28,  1903,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three,  removing 
from  the  business  circles  of  Reading  a  well-known  figure. 
His  wife,  Catherine  McDonough,  was  the  daughter  of 
Dr.  Charles  McDonough,  a  prominent  practising  phy- 
sician of  Berks  county  for  many  years,  and  a  member 
of  a  family  celebrated  in  the  medical  world.  Their  child- 
ren, nine  in  number,  were :  Anna,  wife  of  Charles  P. 
Bower,  a  prominent  civil  engineer  of  Philadelphia,  but 
residing  in  Reading;  Catherine,  who  married  Fred  Jones, 
of  Philadelphia;  James  B.,  a  contractor;  William,  pres- 
ident of  the  Nolan  Construction  Company,  and  also  of 
Nolan  Brothers;  Charles  J.,  a  contractor;  Thomas  G.,  a 
civil  engineer;  Barnard  J.,  who  studied  at  Villa  Nova 
College,  class  of  1907 ;  Francis  Reilly,  a  student  at  Villa 
Nova  College,  class  of  1909 ;  and  Edward  C. 

Villa  Nova  College  furnished  Edward  C.  Nolan  with 
his  Hterary  education,  his  graduation  taking  place  in 
1899.  A  course  at  the  Inter-State  Business  College-  fol- 
lowed. Mr.  Nolan's  first  entry  into  the  business  world 
was  as  bookkeeper  and  timekeeper  for  his  father  and 
brothers,  William,  Jr.,  and  Charles  J.,  the  brothers  at  that 
time  conducting  operations  under  the  firm  name  of  Nolan 
Brothers,  being  the  largest  contractors  in  the  city.  After 
two  years  Mr.  Nolan  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business, 
and  had  hardly  made  a  fair  start  when  the  death  of  his 
father  occurred.  This  event  changed  the  course  of  his 
life.  He  at  once  took  hold  of  the  work  which  his  father 
had  so  summarily  laid  down,  becoming  a  director  in  the 
First  National  Bank  in  his  stead.  In  1904  JNIr.  Nolan, 
in  company  with  his  brother  William  and  C.  P.  Bower, 
organized  the  Nolan  Construction  Company,  in  addition 
to  Nolan  Brothers.  In  1905  he  was  elected  vice-president 
of  the  First  National  Bank,  being  the  youngest  man  to 
hold  that  important  position  in  the  country.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1905,  in  company  with  his  brother-in-law,  C.  P. 
Bower,  and  William  Nolan,  Jr.,  Mr.  Nolan  bought  the  G. 
W.  Hawk  Hosiery  Co.,  one  of  the  largest  of  the  kind 
in  the  State,  and  doing  a  splendid  business,  and  he  is 
serving  as  treasurer  of  the  company.  Mr.  Nolan  is 
already  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  his  city.  He 
continues  his  real  estate  and  insurance  office  at  No.  24 
North  Fifth  street,  having  established  a  fine  patronage  in 
that  line.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Keystone  Vehicle 
Company  since  February,  1907 ;  is  president  of  the  Ar- 
nold Safety  Razor  Company;  and  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Underwriters. 

Although  a  very  busy  man,  JNIr.  Nolan  finds  time  to 
indulge  in  the  social  amenities  of  life,  being  a  popular 
member  of  Reading's  most  exclusive  clubs,  the  Wyomis- 
sing  (in  which  he  is  a  director  and  treasurer)  and  the 
Berkshire,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  B.  P.  O.  E. 
He  belongs  to  the  Pennsylvania  Forestry  Association,  and 
is  much  interested  in  its  work.  In  religious  life  he  is 
a  communicant  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  with  mem- 
bership at  St.  Peter's.    In  political  faith  he  is  a  Democrat. 

On  Nov.  6,  1906,  Mr.  Nolan  was  married  to  Cora, 
daughter  of   Clarence  H.  and  Emma  Lou  Sembower. 

WILLIAM  NOLAN,  Jr.,  a  prominent  railroad  contract- 
or, residing  at  Sinking  Spring,  was  born  in  Reading  Mav 
4,  1874,  He  was  educated  in  the  local  schools,  and  also 
at    St.    Alary's    College,    at    Emmitsburg,    Md.      Then    he 


^^(uu.  AAh\ 


Ogoj 


BIOGRAPHICAL  577 

learned  the  business  of  railroad  contracting  with  the  ten  years  old.  and  then  went  to  work  in  a  cotton  mill, 
firm  of  Nolan  Brothers,  of  which  firm  his  father  was  from  which  he  went  into  a  photograph  gallery,  learned 
the  senior  partner,  and  while  still  under  age  he  became  the  business  and  followed  it  for  himself  for  twelve  years. 
a  partner  of  Joseph  P.  O'Reilly.  From  1893  to  1896  Retiring  from  this  work  he  visited  California  for  eight 
they  executed  several  large  contracts,  puttmg  up  iron  months,  and  on  his  return  to  Reading  bought  the 
bridges  at  Reading  and  Harrisburg,  enlarging  the  water-  Reading  Knitting  Mills  The  business  was  first  con- 
works  and  puttmg  m  the  sewerage  pumping  stations  at  ducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Gaenzle  &  Co.,  Luther 
Reading.     From  1896  to  1905  he  was  associated  with  his  e.  Gable  being  the  Company. 

bfrW  f^T  .^  p  %  R™^i  <=°'^'"'=ting,  more  particu-  i„  ^^96,  after  Mr.  Gable's  death,  Charles  E.  Leippe 
W^l  KT  1  ^^^'^.'"S  Railroad  Company,  their  father,  became  a  partner  and  the  firm  name  became  as  at 
rl^  Nolan,  being  interested  with  them  from  1900  present.  This  industry  carries  the  name  of  Reading 
to  1902.  This  enterprising  young  firm  put  up  all  the  to  as  many  distant  points,  perhaps,  as  any  other  in 
stone  bridge  work  for  the  Buffalo  and  Susquehanna  Berks  County.  The  company  justifiably  claims  to 
Railroad  Company  from  Smnamahomng  to  Weedville,  manufacture  the  best  84-needle  stockings  in  the  Unit- 
a  distance  of  thirty-two  males.  Their  grandfather,  ed  States  and  ship  goods  all  over  this  country  and  to 
James  Nolan,  had  been  the  contractor  for  the  stone  work  Australia.  They  are  the  third  largest  manufacturers 
on  this  same  railroad  for  thirty  miles  some  sixty  years  ^f  this  class  of  goods  in  the  United  States,  and  give 
before  and  their  father  for  thirty-two  miles,  some  thirty  constant  employment  to  300  people  and  more  than 
years  hefore.  these  at  times.  In  addition  to  the  business  above 
In  1905  Mr.  Nolan  organized  the  firm  of  Nolan  Broth-  mentioned,  our  subject  is  a  director  of  the  Reading 
ers,  with  his  brother  Edward  C.  as  partner,  for  carrying  Pure  Milk  Company,  and  has  other  important  inter- 
on  construction  work  more  extensively,  and  since  then  they  ests.  From  1895  to  1898  he  was  one  of  the  owners 
have  successfully  executed  a  large  number  of  contracts,  and  directors  of  the  Lancaster  Cold  Storage  plant. 
One   of   these   contracts,  worthy  of  special   mention,  was  but  disposed  of  that  interest. 

the  extension  of  the  Bethlehem  Steel  Works,  which  in-  On  April  1,  1883,'  Mr.  Gaenzle  was  united  in  mar- 
volved  the  excavation  of  over  a  million  yards  of  rock  riage  with  Ellen  Esther  Gable,  daughter  of  Amos 
and  earth  on  an  area  of  forty  acres ;  and  its  execution  Gable,  the  retired  artist,  whose  portraits  and  land- 
required  an  equipment  of  nine  locomotives,  five  steam  scapes  enjoy  a  reputation  not  only  in  Pennsylvania, 
shovels,  three  hundred  dump-cars,  two  grading  machines,  but  aU  over  the  United  States.  To  this  union  was 
one  hundred  horses,  twelve  steam  drills,  four  miles  of  born  a  son  Lester  E.  Gaenzle,  Nov.  1,  1885,  who  is 
railroad  track,  etc.,  all  this  affording  facilities  for  re-  one  of  the  bright  young  men  of  this  city,  a  graduate- 
moving  150,000  cubic  yards  monthly.  They  also  built  the  of  the  Reading  high  school  and  of  the  mechanical 
new  Sacon  plant  of  the  Bethlehem  Steel  Company,  the  engineering  department  of  the  Drexel  Institute,  class 
Philadelphia  &  Garrettford  Railroad,  and  the   Boyertown  of  1905. 

&  Pottstown  Railroad.  Fraternally    Mr.    Gaenzle    is    a    33nd    degree    Mason. 

Mr.    Nolan    has    identified    himself    with    a   number    of  In   politics   he   is   a   Republican.      He   is   a   member   of 

the  financial  institutions  of  Reading  by  investing  in  their  the    Lutheran    Church.      He    is    one    of   the    best   types 

bonds  and  stocks;  but  on  account  of  his  absence  in  giving  of  self-made  men  that  the  prosperous  city  of  Reading 

contract  work  his  personal  supervision  he  has  not  become  contains   and  it  has  numbers   of  them.     He   resides   in 

connected  with  their  management.  a    handsome    home    at    No.    45    North    Fourth    street, 

In  1896  Mr.  Nolan  married  Margaret  Coppinger,  daugh-  where    his    friends    are    always    received    in    the    most 

ter  of  Michael  and  Margaret  (Duffy)  Coppinger,  of  Read-  hospitable    manner.     He    is    in   the    enjoyment    of    the 

ing,  and  by  her  he  has  two  sons,  John  C.  and  Richard,  fruits   of  honorable  busmess  methods  and  persevering 

Mr.   Nolan's   home   was   at   Reading  until   1898,   when  he  industry. 

removed  to  Sinking  Spring,  having  purchased  a  farm  of  ^.^,,    .-.r-o-o-c-o    .i.          n  i               .       j         •  .       u 

fifty   acres   adjoining   the   village   on   the   west,   along   the  PAUL  WEBER,  the  well  known  taxidermist,  whose 

main  thoroughfare.  place    of   business    is    located    at    No.    161    Buttonwood 

William'   Nolan,    Mr.    Nolan's   father,   was   a   successful  street,    Reading.    Pa.,   was   born    in    Saxony,    Germany, 

railroad  contractor  of  Reading.     He  was  born  in  Ireland  April  16,  1861,  son  of  Carl  and  Anistina  (Wolf)  Weber, 

in   1840,   and  married  Katherine   McDonough,   a  daughter  Carl  Weber  came  to  America  prior  to  1880.     He  had 

of  Dr   Charles  McDonough,  of  Reading.     He  died  in  1903.  followed  the  trade  of  a  weaver  in   his   native   country, 

but  locating  in  Philadelphia  he  engaged  in  butchering, 

JOHN  GAENZLE.  of  the  firm  of  Gaenzle  &  Leippe,  continuing  in   that  line  until  his   retirement.      He  and 

proprietors   of   the   Reading   Knitting   Mills,   is   one    of  his   wife   now   live   in   Philadelphia,   where   all   of   their 

a  large  family  of  children  born   to   George   and  Mar-  twelve  children,  with  the  exception  of  Paul  of  Reading, 

garet   (Sweitzer)   Gaenzle.  also   reside.                .,,.,. 

George    Gaenzle    came    from      Omden,     Wittenberg,  Paul   Weber   received   his   literary   training     in     the 

Germany,  to  America  in  1864.  and  settled  in  Reading  schools  of  Germany,  and  while  yet  a  boy  studied  the 

where   he   followed   the   business   of   cloth   weaving,   at  art  of  preserving  and  mounting  birds  and  animals  under 

which  he  was  an  expert.     Since  18-89,  however,  he  has  Professor  Bessler,  graduating  in  the  art  of  taxidermy, 

been   engaged   in   farming   in   the   vicinity   of   Reading.  On  coming  to  America  he  located  for  a  time  in  Phila- 

He    married    Margaret    Sweitzer,    also    of    Wittenberg,  delphia,  whence  he  went  a   short  time  later  to  Black- 

and   the   following   children   were   born   to   this   union:  wood,  N.  J.,  where  he  remained  about  two  years,  and  at 

Frederick,  who  is  connected  with  a  cold  storage  plant  the  end  of  that  time  returned  to  Philadelphia,  establish- 

at   Lancaster,    Pa.,   as   an   engineer;   John,    senior   pro-  ing  himself  in  business.      Here  he  remained  until  1903, 

prietor   of   the   Reading  Knitting   Mlills;     Henry,   con-  when  he  located  in  Reading.     Mr.  Weber  is  an  artist  in 

nected  with  the  firm  of  Curtis  &  Jones;  William  and  his  line,  and  it  has  been  said  of  him  that  he  can  mount 

Frank,    in    Hamburg;    Kate,    m.    to    Daniel    Rhodes    in  any  animal,  "from  a  mouse  to  an  elephant."  Specimens 

the    Philadelphia    &    Reading   Railroad    service;    Mary,  of  his  wonderful  work  may  be  seen  in  nearly  every  State 

m.  to  John  Zieber,  also  in  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  in   the  Union.     He   mounted   a  beautiful   specimen   for 

service;   Lena;    Rosa,   m.   to  Albert   Snyder,   connected  President   Roosevelt's  library,  and  -has   done  work  for 

•jvith    Curtis'  &   Jones    in    the    shoe    trade;    and    Annie,  Senator  Penrose,  George  F.  Baer  and  others. 

who  is  housekeeper  in  her  father's  home.     It  is  some-  Mr.   Weber  was   married   in   1889,  to   Helen   Helt,   a 

what   unusual   to   find   a   family   as   large    as    this   into  native   of   Saxony,   Germany,   and   three   children   have 

which  Death  has  never  entered.  blessed    this    union:    Charles    (deceased),    Paul    J.    and 

John    Gaenzle   was   born  in   Omden.    Germany,   July  Helen.     In    religious   belief    Mr.   Weber   and   his   wife 

37,  1860,  and  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Reading  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.     In  his  political 

he  was  yet  a  child.     He  went  to  school  until  he  was  views  he  is  independent  of  party  affiliations 
37 


nrs  HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

FRANKLIN  BOONE  KERN,  one   of  the  foremost  publican,   and   he   served   some   time  in   the   council   at 

citizens    of   Birdsboro,    Berks   Co.,    Pa.,   where   he    had  Birdsboro.     His  fraternal  connections  were  with   Nev- 

been  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business  for  ersink  Lodge,  L   O.  O.  F.,  of  which  he  was  a  charter 

many   years,    as   well   as   taking   an    active   interest    in  member;   Reading  Lodge,  No.  63,  F.  &  A.   M.     (which 

public   affairs,   died   July   15,   1903.     He   came   of   good  lodge  had  charge  of  his  funeral  services);  the  Knights 

pioneer    stock,    and    the     characteristic    traits    of     the  of    Pythias;    and   was    at    one    time    a    member    of    the 

sturdy  independent  spirits  of  his  ancestors   made  him  G.  A.  R. 

one    of   those    substantial    citizens   upon    whom   people  Qn  Sept.  34,   1864,  Mr.   Kern  was  married  to   Eliza- 

instinctively  rely   in   time   of   need,   and   he   was   never  {jg^f,    Hahn,    born    in    Robeson    township,    daughter    of 

found  wanting.     Mr.   Kern  was  born  in  Exeter  town-  ja^ob   and   Mary  Ann    (Ehrgood)    Hahn.     Three   chil- 

ship,    Berks    county,    March    34,    1833.    son    of    Samuel  ^j^.^^^    ^^^^   ^^^.^   ^f    j[^jg    ynjon:      Mary    Elizabeth    m. 

and   Elizabeth    (Boone)    Kern,   his   mother   a   descend-  ^j^^  ^^^    j^jj^g^  Bowman  May,  an  Episcopal  minister; 

ant  of  the  race  that  gave  the  immortal   Daniel  Boone  Samuel  Jacob   died   aged   two  years;   and   Sallie   Hahn 

to  the  civilization     across  the  rnountains.  married  Charles  Marquette  Steinrock,  of  Staten  Island, 

Michael   Kern,   grandfather   of  Franklin   Boone,   was  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^  ^j,i,j    Franklin  Kern, 
of    German    blood,    and    settled    in    Exeter    township. 

Berks  county,  at  an  early  day.     His  life  was  devoted  jamES  L.  FREEMAN,  who  carries  on  an  extensive 

to    farming.      He    married    Mary    Boone     daughter    of  business     in     lime     and  fluxing     stone,     and     crushed 

Isaac    Boone,    who    was    a    cousm    of    Darnel    Boone,  stone  of  all  sizes,  at  Sinking  Spring,  Berks  Co.,  Pa„  was 

and  they  had  a  large  family,  which  they  reared  in  the  j^^^,^    -^    ^^^^    j^^^    p^^    ^_    jg57_    ^^^    ^f    ^^^^^    ^nd 

faith  of  the  Lutheran  church.    ,             ,               ,             ,  Rebecca  (Luft)   Freeman,  and  a  member  of  an  old  and 

Samuel  Kern,  son  of  Michael,  was  born  and  reared  honored  Pennsylvania  family, 
in  Exeter  township,  and  his  first  ram.ng  was  along  .  (George)  Freeman,  the  American  ancestor  of 
he  line  of  farm  wor^  He  then  learned  the  tailors  ■!  ^^J  was  born  in  Germany  in  1706.  and  came  to 
rade  and  followed  it  for  many  years.  He  died  in  ^^.  J;  .  ^.  thirty-third  year,  landing  at  Phila- 
1873,  aged  seventy-five  His  wife  Elizabeth  Boone  ^^^.  ^/  J^^  ^^.^  "Samuel,"  command- 
Kern,  died  in  1868,  aged  seventy-s|x  years.  They  had  ^  Hugh  Percy.  It  appears  that  he  settled  in  Cumru 
two   sons,    William    (m.    Hannah    Haws,    and    had    five  township   some   time  afte?  1750. 

children)     and     Franklin     Boone.       Samuel     Kern    was  ^         V                       great-grandfather  of  James  L.,  was 

a    Republican     but    had    never    cared    for    politics.      In  ^         jf            1783,  and  died  in  1825.     He  married  Eliza- 

Vr!n^°   \^n        K Jn '     ==  l^,^.,     H    i      th.    =.hnnU  beth  Gerhard,  boi^n  in   1786,  and  they  became  the  par- 

hrankhn    Boone    Kern    was   educated   in    the    schools  ^       r     i  -u               in              r^              u         n        =    i%no. 

of  his  native  township,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  he  f'l^  of  children  as  follows:     George,  born  Dec.  5,  1808 

began  to  learn  the  cooper's  trade.  Later  with  his  l^^^'^^'^^'^T^^T''  ^Y  ',«  i«U^T  ■  •''"  K 
father  he  worked  at  the  tailor's  trade,  but  neither  f'  ^^13•El'^^^^th,  born  May  28,  181o;  Benjamn,  born 
proved  congenial  to  his  tastes,  and  he  turned  his  J""^  \  1^17;  Cornelius,  born  Nov.  29,  1819;  Peter;  and 
attention  to  commercial  pursuits,  entering  as  a  clerk  '^amuei.  ,  n  ^i  r 
the  general  merchandise  store  of  Brooke  &  Evans,  at  ,  George  Freeman,  son  of  George,  and  grandfather  of 
Birdsboro.  This  he  continued  until  after  the  outbreak  J'"''\"  L.,  was  born  Dec.  5,  1808,  and  died  July  ^1,  1881. 
of  the  Civil  war.  On  Aug.  10,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  ^ged  seventy-two  years,  seven  months,  twenty-six  days. 
Company  A.  128th  Pa.  V.  I.,  under  Col.  Samuel  Croas-  "e  married  Sarah  Breidenstein  of  Cumru  township 
dale,  and  was  mustered  in  as  third  sergeant  under  l?''^"  ''^'^^  nearby  his  parents)  born  March  17,  1807, 
Capt.  L.  H.  Smith,  and  with  his  regiment  moved  on  ^led  March  33  1893,  aged  eighty-six  years,  six  days, 
to  Washington,  D.  C,  thence  to  Fairfax  Station,  and  find  they  had  these  children:  Moses,  Catherine,  Jacob, 
to  Frederick.  Md.,  and  South  Mountain.  They  par-  Benjamin  and  Levi.  Mr  Freeman  was  a  farmer  m 
ticipated  in  the  battle  of  Antietam  in  September.  1863,  ^PJl^S  township,  whither  he  had  removed  in  early  life, 
and  in  the  pursuit  of  Stuart's  Cavalry.  They  went  Moses  Freeman,  father  of  James  L.,  was  born  March 
into  winter  quarters  the  latter  part  of  January,  1863.  \^'  ^^^^-  ^t  Freemansville,  m  Cumru  township,  and  died 
but  on  the  opening  of  the  spring  campaign  under  J^n-  ■\'  1^59  aged  twenty-five  years,  nine  months,  six- 
Hooker,  they  set  forth,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  ts«"  ^ays.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  occupation,  following 
of  Chancellorsville  May  1-4,  1863.  Mr.  Kern  was  cap-  that  trade  at  Sinking  Spring,  where  he  had  erected  his 
tured  by  the  enemy,  but  escaped.  He  had  been  pro-  residence  just  before  his  death.  Mr.  Freeman  married 
moted  to  first  sergeant  Feb.  1,  1863.  On  May  12th  Rebecca  Luft,  born  Nov.  8,  1835,  daughter  of  Adam 
the  regiment  proceeded  to  Harrisburg.  and  there  was  and  Elizabeth  (Bensing)  Luft,  and  three  children  were 
mustered  out  of  service  May  19,  1863,  on  account  of  born  to  this  union:  Helen  C.  m.  William  Schlegel, 
the  expiration  of  the  term  of  enlistment,  Mr,  Kern  of  Sinking  Spring,  Pa„  and  has  two'children,  Nora  and 
re-enlisted  July  6,  1863,  as  captain  in  Company  I,  43d  Harry;  James  L.;  and  Moses,  roadmaster  at  Sinking 
Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  served  during  the  emergency.  Spring,  has  these  children,  Walter,  Bessie,  Emma,  Mos- 
being  mustered  out  Aug.  13,  1863,  es,  Paul,  Catherine  and  Nora. 

After  his  return  from  the  war,  Mr,  Kern  went  to  James  L,  Freeman  obtained  his  education  in  the 
Schuylkill  county.  Pa.,  and  at  New  Philadelphia  clerked  township  schools  ^  which  he  left  when  sixteen  years 
in  a  general  store  until  1866,  when  he  engaged  in  of  age.  from  which  time  until  1881  he  engaged  at 
business  for  himself,  continuing  for  ten  years.  Com-  laboring.  In  the  latter  year  he  engaged  in  huckster- 
ing to  Birdsboro  he  established  a  general  mercantile  ing.  which  he  followed  successfully  for  some  time 
business  on  Mill  street,  near  First,  and  here  he  soon  ac-  through  Lancaster  county,  subsequently  embarking  in  a 
quired  a  good  trade.  People  came  to  know  and  to  mercantile  business  at  Sinking  Spring,  of  which  he  was 
respect  the  enterprising  merchant,  and  to  realize  that  the  proprietor  until  1904,  when  he  sold  out.  He  was 
he  was  not  only  always  accommodating  and  courteous,  also  the  owner  of  a  restaurant  for  some  time,  but  this 
but  he  was  absolutely  honest  and  fair  in  all  his  deal-  b"  also  sold.  About  1882  Mr,  Freeman  first  engaged 
ings.  His  patronage  increased  with  the  years,  and  he  in  the  lime  stone  business  at  Wernersville,  whe're^he 
gained  a  comfortable  fortune  for  himself,  He  con-  had  a  lease  upon  a  quarry  on  Abraham  A'liller's  farm, 
tinued  in  business  until  1898,  when  he  sold  out  and  Here  he  burned  lime  and  soM  furnace  stone  to  Birds- 
retired,  boro.  Keystone  furnace  of  Reading,  and  Warwick  Iron 

Mr.    Kern   was    one    of    Birdsboro's   best   known   cit-  Company,      This    business    he    continued    at    Werners- 

izens,   and   in   all   public   aflfairs   he   took   an   active   and  ville    for    four    years,    at    the    same    time    conducting    a 

intelligent  part.     He  vs;as^  a  staunch  Lutheran,  and  was  quarry  on  the  Evans  farm  at  Sinking  Spring,  which  he 

-    member    of    the    building   committee    in    1877    when  discontinued  in  1900  to  engage  on  his  own  tract  at  th 


a 


the    present    edifice    of    St,    Mark's    Evangelical    Luth-     eastern    end    of    Sinking    Spring,    consisting    of    about 
eran    Church   was    erected.      In    politics    he    was    a    Re-     eight  acres.     He  ships  to  Berks  and  surrounding-  coun- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


579 


ties,  employs  ten  men,  owns  his  own  crusher,  and  has 
built  up  a  large  and  profitable  business.  He  is  a  rnan 
of  progress  and  enterprise  and  has  won  a  reputation 
for  honesty  and  integrity  in  all  business  dealings.  In 
political  matters  Mr.  Freeman  is  a  Democrat,  and  cast 
his  first  vote  for  his  party  in  187'8.  He  was  elected 
tax  collector  in  1909.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of 
Lexington  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias,  No.  155;  Jr.  O.  U. 
A.  M.,  No.  77;  charter  member  of  the  L  O.  O.  F.,  No. 
660,  all  of  Sinking  Spring;  and  order  of  Red  Men,  No. 
301,  Reading.  He  and  his  family  are  memers  of  St. 
John's  Reformed  Church  of  Sinking  Spring,  in  which 
he  has  been  a  trustee,  and  from  1897  to  1905  deacon. 

In  the  year  1880  Mr.  Freeinan  was  married  to  Sallie 
Schell,  born  April  18,  1858,  daughter  of  William  and 
Mary  (Smith)  Schell,  farming  people  of  Heidelberg 
township.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Freeman:  Charles  W.,  a  merchant  at  Sinking 
Spring;  and  Clarence  J.,  a  trolley  car  conductor,  at 
Sinking  Spring,  who  married' Addie  Reinhart,  and  has 
a  daughter,  Evelyn.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freeman  also  reared 
a  niece  of  Mrs.  Freeman's,  Lou  Ludwig,  taking  her  at 
the  age  of  seven,  and  giving  her  the  love  and  care  of 
parents. 

Ch.^rles  W.  Freeman,  son  of  James  L.,  was  born 
Feb.  8,  1881,  at  Sinking  Spring,  Pa.,  and  was  educated  in 
the  borough  schools,  and  the  Inter-State  Commercial 
College,  Reading,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
April,  1899.  He  then  assisted  his  father  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  until  November,  1905,  when  he  purchased 
.  his  father's  interest,  and  since  that  time  has  conducted 
the  business  alone,  with  much  success.  Socially  he  is 
prominently  identified  with  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  being  a 
member  of  Washington  Camp  No.  282,  at  Sinking 
Spring,  of  which  he  is  a  past  president.  He  served  as 
district  president  of  district  No.  5  from  1904  to  1906. 
and  on  Feb.  22,  1907,  was  elected  to  the  high  office  of 
county  president.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Sinking 
Spring  Lodge  No.  660,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  member  of  Wil- 
liamson Lodge  No.  307,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Wom'lesdorf. 
Mr.  Freeman  and  his  family  are  members  of  St. 
John's  Reformed  Church  of  Sinking  Spring,  where  for 
two  years  he  served  as  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school,  where  he  was  a  teacher  for  some  time. 

On  June  7,  1906,  Mr.  Freeman  was  married  to  Miss 
Nora  C.  Lamm,  daughter  of  Charles  F.  and  Sallie 
(Gaul)  Lamm,  of  Lower  Heidelberg  township.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Freeman  have  one  daughter,  Olga  Sarah. 

Peter  B.  Freeman,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Cumru 
township,  is  conducting  operations  near  Freemans- 
ville,  where  he  was  born  Feb.  28,  1844,  son  of  Cornelius 
and  Mary  Ann  (Britton)  Freeman  and  grandson  of 
George  and  Elizabeth  (Gerhard)  Freeman  (mentioned 
above). 

Freemansville.'  a  village  in  Cumru  township,  was 
named  after  Cornelius  Freeman,  the  oldest  resident  of 
the  place,  who  was  instrumental  in  establishing  the 
post-office  there.  Cornelius  Freeman  was  born 
at  this  place.  Nov,  29,  1819,  became  a  well  known  citi- 
zen and  land  owner,  and  a  deacon  of  Yocom's  Church. 
He  married  Mary  Ann  Britton,  who  bore  him  nine 
children,  as  follows:  Peter  B.;  Cornelius;  Ellen,  m.  to 
Christian  Breidenstein;  Elizabeth,  who  died  single  at 
the  age  of  nineteen  years;  John;  William;  Mary  and 
George,  who  died  young;  and  Catherine,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  sixteen  years.     , 

Peter  B.  Freeman  was  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
and  was  reared  upon  the  farm,  which  he  left  at  the 
age  of  eight  years  to  go  to  work  in  the  Mount  Penn 
furnace,  where  he  continued  for  about  fourteen  years, 
being  an  all  around  mechanic.  He  began  farming  in 
1866  on  his  father-in-law's  farm,  and  this  property  he 
purchased  in  1871,  since  which  time  he  has  been  en- 
gaged successfully  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  devotes 
considerable  attention  to  truck  farming,  attending  the 
market  at  Ninth  and  Buttonwood  streets,  Reading, 
where   he   has   been   a   well-known   figure   since   its   es- 


tablishment. He  specializes  in  strawberries,  his  high- 
est year  being  the  one  in  which  he  raised  105  bushels. 
In  1890  he  erected  the  present  house,  replacing  an  old 
log  cabin,  forty-two  feet  long,  which  had  been  built  iti 
1783  by  one  John  Weidner.  He  has  in  many  other 
ways  improved  the  property,  and  uses  the  best  and 
latest  improved  machinery  and  implements.  His  chief 
enjoyment  is  hunting,  and  he  is  noted  as  a  fpx  hunter 
in  his  vicinity,  being  well  acquainted  with  the  sur- 
rounding hills  of  Cumru  township.  In  political  mat- 
ters Mr.  Freeman  is  ■  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  his 
first  vote  was  cast  in  1865.  He  and  his  family  are 
Lutheran  members  of  Christ's  (Yocom's)   Church. 

On  May  14,  1865,  Mr.  Freeman  was  married  to  Dora 
Rathje,  born  June  14,  1845,  daughter  of  Dietrich  and 
Christiana  (Geeseka)  Rathje,  natives  of  Hanover,  Ger- 
many. Thirteen  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Freeman,  namely;  Mary  m.  Charles  Hartz;  Eliza- 
beth m.  Samuel  Hafer;  William  m.  Dinah  Fleck;  Ella 
m.  William  Bower;  George  m.  (first)  Catharine 
Breidenstein,  now  deceased,  and  (second)  Mary  Zieg- 
ler;  Annie  m.  Israel  Schmehl;  Kate  m.  Harvey  _Nea- 
tock;  M.arguerite  m.  Frank  Gring;  Charles  is  single, 
and  resides  at  home;  Emma  m.  Walter  Andrew;  Min- 
nie m.  George  Kurtz;  Frederick  m.  Alice  Neatock;  and 
Edith    is  single  and  resides  at  home. 

HENRY  T.  WAGNER,  senior  member  of  the  well- 
known  firm  of  Wagner  &  Emrich,  Womelsdorf,  Pa., 
was  born  April  24,  1859,  in  Jefferson  township.  Berks 
Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Levi  L.  and  Mary   (Troutman)   Wagner. 

Levi  L.  Wagner,  who  now  resides  in  his  own  home 
at  Myerstown,  was  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury engaged  in  shoemaking,  which  he  was  compelled 
to  give  up  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  subse- 
quently in  1888,  he  commenced  farming.  For  some 
years  he  has  been  living  a  retired  life.  Mr.  Wag- 
ner is  a  deacon  and  elder  in  the  Reformed  Church 
at  Myerstown.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Troutman, 
who  also  survives,  and  to  them  were  born  six  chil- 
dren, namely:  one  who  died  in  infancy;  Henry  T. ; 
Samuel  T.  m.  Leah  Dockslacker  and  resides  at  Day- 
ton, Ohio;  Ella  m.  Levi  J.  Emrich,  her  brother's  busi- 
ness partner;  Sarah  m.  Calvin  S.  Schaeffer,  of  Greg- 
ory, S.  Dak.;  and  James  T.  m.  Maggie  Lessley,  re- 
sides  in   Reading,   and  has  one   daughter,   Edna   N. 

Henry  T.  Wagner  attended  the  district  schools, 
and  the  Palatinate  College,  Myerstown,  for  five  terms, 
and  was  reared  upon  the  home  farm,  which  he  left 
at  the  aee  of  twenty-six  years  to  become  assistant 
station  agent  at  Myerstown,  a  position  which  he  filled 
acceptably  for  eight  years.  He  then  became  em- 
ployed at  the  Myerstown  Planing  Mill,  where  he  con- 
tinued for  two  years,  and  in  1894  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Levi  J.  Emrich,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Wagner  Sz;  Emrich,  which  has  continued  in  the  milling 
business  to  the  present  time,  gaining  a  reputation 
for  fair  dealing  and  honest  representation.  The  Wom- 
elsdorf Rolling  Mills  cover  a  floor  space  of  50x50, 
and  are  three  stories  high,  and  have  a  capacity  of 
from  forty  to  fifty  barrels  every  twenty-four  hours. 
The  leading  brand  of  the  mills,  the  IXL  flour,  has  a 
large  sale  throughout  the  Eastern  markets.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Wagner  is  a  Democrat.  He  and  his  family 
are  Reformed  members  of  the  Myerstown   Church. 

In  1892,  Mr.  Wagner  married  Lizzie  H.  Frederick, 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Justina  (Troutman)  Freder- 
ick, the  former  a  railroad  employe  at  Lebanon,  Pa. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  this  union:  Lester 
H.,  born  imov.  22,  1892;  Paul  F.,  Sept.  7.  1894;  Edith 
C.  Aug.  12,  1898  (died  Dec.  14.  1904);  and  Laura  M., 
June  3,  1906. 

LEVI  J.  EMRICH.  junior  partner  of  the  well-known 
milling  firm  of  Wagner  &  Emrich,  proprietors  of 
the  Womelsdorf  Roller  Mills,  and  an  enterprising  and 
progressive  business  man,  was  born  Nov.  10,  1857,  in 
Tulpehocken  township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Daniel 
and  Catherine  (Weber)  Emrich. 


580 


HISTORY  OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


The  great-great-grandfather  of  Levi  J.  Emrich  came 
from  Holland  with  his  two  brothers  and  first  settled 
in  New  York  State,  whence  they  later  came  to  Schuyl- 
kill  county.   Pa. 

John  Sebastian  Emrich,  the  son  of  the  emigrant, 
was  a  resident  of  Schuylkill  county,  and  was  the 
father  of  six  children,  among  whom  was  Jacob,  who 
was   born   in   Schuylkill   county. 

Jacob  Emrich  was  a  laborer  most  of  his  life,  but 
in  his  later  years  purchased  a  small  tract  of  land  near 
Mount  Aetna,  Berks  county,  where  he  died  in  1882. 
He  married  Susanna  Morgan  who  died  in  February. 
1905,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children:  Annie, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty  years;  and  Daniel  the 
father  of  Levi  J. 

Daniel  Emrich,  father  of  Levi  J.,  was  born  Dec.  4, 
1839,  in  Schuylkill  county,  Pa.,  and  died  July  9,  1904, 
being  buried  at  Tulpehocken  Reformed  Church.  He 
was  a  tanner  by  trade,  and  moved  to  Berks  county 
in  1852,  settling  at  Rehrersburg,  where  he  worked  at 
his  trade.  Mr.  Emrich  enlisted  in  Company  H,  151st 
Pa.  V.  I.,  and  served  his  country  faithfully,  although 
for  six  months  of  his  enlistment  he  was  sick  in  the 
hospital.  Mr.  Emrich  married  Catherine  Weber,  born 
Nov.  16,  1837,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Pauline  (Mil- 
ler) Weber,  and  she  still  survives  and  lives  one  mile 
west  of  Stouchsburg.  along  the  Berks  and  Dauphin 
turnpike.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Em- 
rich were  as  follows:  Levi  J.;  Susan  E.  m.  Levi  Fair, 
of  Reading;  Miranda  A.  m.  T.  W.  Kissinger,  of  No. 
Ill  Oley  street,  Reading;  Jerome  P.,  a  foreman  of 
Myerstown,  Pa.,  m.  Kate  Mountz,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Frank  and  Sallie;  Frank  L.,  a  painter  and  paper 
hanger  at  Reading,  m.  Rosa  Schlanker,  and  has  one 
son,  William;  Wesley  G..  a  cigar  maker  of  Myers- 
town,  m.  Kate  Bentz.  and  has  three  children,  Edna, 
Grace  and  Wallace;  Valeria  m.  John  Callaney,  super- 
intendent of  the  American  Iron  &  Steel  Company, 
at  Lebanon,  Pa.;  Amy  F.  m.  Wallace  W.  Weighley, 
a  cigar  maker  of  Richland,  Pa.;  and  Miss  Alva,  with 
her  mother,  conducts  a  small  grocery  store. 

Levi  J.  Emrich  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  locality  until  reaching  the  age  of  sixteen  years, 
and  at  this  time  went  to  learn  the  milling  business 
with  John  G.  Frantz,  of  Mount  Aetna,  Pa.,  remaining 
with  this  gentleman  for  two  years.  From  this  time 
until  1894  he  worked  at  various  mills,  and  in  that  year 
formed  a  partnership  with  Henry  T.  Wagner,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Wagner  &  Emrich,  and  this  con- 
nection has  continued  to  the  present  time,  with  much 
success.  The  old  Womelsdorf  Mills,  erected  in  1815, 
by  Martin  Brown,  were  occupied  bv  the  firm  in  1894. 
but  were  totally  destroyed  by  fire  on  Jan.  13,  1900, 
and  were  replaced  by  the  present  excellent  structure, 
which  cost  nearly  $15,000.  This  building,  which  is 
three  stories  high,  covers  a  floor  space  of  fifty  square 
feet,  and  is  equipped  throughout  with  the  latest  and 
most  highly  improved  machinery.  The  firm  manu- 
facture a  high  grade  of  flour,  grain  and  feed,  their 
best  known  brand  being  the  IXL.  for  which  there 
is  a  ready  market  not  only  locally,  but  all  over  the 
country.  The  partners  are  industrious,  capable  busi- 
ness men,  and  possess  the  full  confidence  of  the  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Emrich  was  married  Aug.  0,  1892,  to  Ellen  T. 
Wagner,  born  Jan.  30.  1862.  daughter  of  Levi  and 
Mary  (Troutman)  Wagner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Emrich  are 
members  of  the  Reformed  congregation  of  Tulpe- 
hocken Church.  In  politics  Mr,  Emrich  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Golden 
Rule  Lodge   No.   159,   I.   O.   O.   F.,   of  Womelsdorf. 

GEORGE  DELL  FAHRENBACH,  who  makes  his 
home  in  Penn  township,  Berks  county,  was  born  Aug. 
15,  1S46,  in  Hesse-Cassel,  Germany,  but  has  lived  in 
this   country  from  boyhood. 

Charles  William  Fahrenbach,  his  father,  was  also 
born  in  Hesse-Cassel,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of 
wheelwright,    but    he    was    best    known    as    a    musician. 


He  taught  music,  being  a  master  of  many  instruments, 
and  was  also  engaged  as  orchestra  leader  in  opera 
houses  in  his  native  land.  He  was  a  bugler  in  the  Ger- 
man cavalry,  and  after  coming  to  this  country  served  in 
the  same  capacity  in  the  Pennsylvania  State  militia. _ 

In  1851  Mr.  Fahrenbach  came  to  this  country,  bring- 
ing his  wife  and  family,  which  then  consisted  of  five 
children,  and  locating  on  a  farm  in  Penn  township. 
Berks  Co..  Pa.,  he  followed  farming  and  wagon-mak- 
ing, finding  his  trade  very  useful  in  the  new  world.  He 
became  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  Penn 
township,  in  which  both  he  and  his  wife  were  active 
workers,  and  he  was  known  as  a  devoted  student  of  the 
Scriptures,  concerning  which  he  was  very  well  informed. 
Mr.  Fahrenbach  married  Christiana  Dell,  a  native  of 
Rhein-Sachsen.  Germany,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  six  children,  five  born  in  the  old  country  and 
the  youngest  born  in  America,  viz.:  John,  who  is  de- 
ceased; George  Dell;  Adam,  who  has  been  blacksmith 
at  the  Berks  County  Almshouse  for  twenty-seven  years, 
being  elected  each  year  by  the  board  of  directors; 
Hannah,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Dr.  O.  C. 
Collins;  Maria,  married  to  Christian  Bohringer.  of  St. 
Louis,  Mo.:  and  Caroline,  wife  of  Monroe  Strouse.  of 
Clearfield  county.  Pa.  The  mother  of  this  family 
died  in  1891,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years,  and  the 
father  preceded  her  to  the  grave  in  March,  1883.  at  the 
age  of  seventy-four  years.  , 

George  Dell  Fahrenbach  grew  to  manhood  upon  a 
farm  in  Penn  township.  He  had  few  educational  ad- 
vantages, and  began  work  early,  when  only  nine  years 
old.  earning  seventy-five  cents  a  month  in  addition  to 
his  board  and  clothing.  After  the  second  year  his 
wages  were  three  dollars  a  month,  and  later  he  was 
paid  seven  dollars  a  month.  Though  little  more  than 
a  boy  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  the 
Union  service,  entering  Company  G,  151st  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  for  nine  months,  serving 
two  months  overtime  on  that  enlistment.  Re-enlisting, 
he  became  a  member  of  Company  B.  55th  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  for  three  years,  and  after 
his  discharge  from  that  command,  in  February,  1864. 
he  again  enlisted,  serving  to  the  end  of  the  war.  The 
list  of  important  engagements  in  which  he  partici- 
pated with  his  regiment  is  a  long  one:  Fredericksburg, 
Dec.  13,  1862;  Getty.sburg.  July  1-S,  1863;  Oldtown 
Creek,  May  9.  1864;  Proctor's  Creek,  May  13,  1864; 
Drury's  Bluff.  May  12-16,  1864;  Cold  Harbor,  June  1-3. 
1864:  Petersburg,  June  15-18,  1804;  Cemetery  Hill,  July 
30.  1S64;  Chapin's  Farm,  Sept,  29.  1864;  Signal  Hill, 
Dec,  10,  1864;  Hatcher's  Run.  March  30,  1865;  Peters- 
burg and  Richmond,  April  2-9,  1865;  Rice's  Station, 
April  6.  1865;  and  Rappahannock  Court  House,  April 
9.  1865.  On  April  15,  1865.  tor  meritorious  conduct, 
Mr.  Fahrenbach  was  promoted  to  corporal.  He  had 
many  thrilling  experiences  during  his  service.  At  the 
battle  of  Chancellorsville  he  was  taken  prisoner  while 
out  sharpshooting,  but  fortunately  escaped  soon  after- 
ward. At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  he  was  wounded 
three  times  the  first  day,  in  the  arm,  the  abdomen  and 
the.  head,  his  skull  being  severely  fractured.  But  he 
continued  in  active  service  through  the  three  days  of 
the  engagement.  He  was  sent  on  a  dangerous  mission 
within  the  Rebel  tines,  and  in  the  Confederate  uniform 
made  his  way  into  the  enemy's  camp  between  Peters- 
burg and  Richmond,  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  finding  out 
their  numbers,  plan  of  campaign  and  other  things  of 
importance,  which  he  reported  to  Generals  Butler, 
Gilmore  and  Smith,  upon  his  return,  three  days  later. 
He  subsequently  made  a  similar  trip,  at  Petersburg,  and 
obtained  the  desired  information  without  going  into 
the   enemy's   lines. 

After  the  close  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Fahren- 
bach returned  to  Penn  township,  Berks  county,  where 
hf  worked  upon  a  farm  for  a  year  before  moving  to 
Luzerne  county.  There  he  operated  a  sawmill  for 
three  years,  in  1869  returning  to  Penn  township,  where 
he    began    farming    on    his    own    account,    renting    two 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


581 


farms,  comprising  200  acres,  of  Daniel  Strouse.  These 
he  cultivated  until  1892,  and  in  the  meantime  he  had 
accumulated  considerable  propertv,  having  bought  a 
farm  of  167  acres  in  1887.  Later  he  purchased  others, 
one  of  231  acres  and  another  of  114  acres  all  in  Penn 
township,  cultivating  the  two  larger  tracts  and  renting 
the  smaller  one.  He  has  continued  to  add  to  his  pos- 
sessions, being  at  present  one  of  the  largest  land- 
owners in  his  end  of  Berks  county,  his  holdings  now 
including  630  acres  of  valuable  land.  In  1893  he  moved 
to  Reading,  though  he  did  not  give  up  his  farming 
operations,  and  in  1905  he  put  up  a  fine  brick  residence 
on  the  place  where  he  now  lives  in  Penn  township, 
and  which  is  also  improved  with  up-to-date  farm 
buildings.  Mr.  Fahrenbach  has  very  valuable  limestone 
quarries  on  his  land;  and  burns  as  many  as  30,000  to 
35.000  bushels  of  lime  a  year. 

As  an  active  member  of  the  Democratic  party  Mr. 
Fahrenbach  has  been  prominent  in  the  local  councils, 
frequently  serving  as  a  delegate  to  county  conventions, 
and  he  has  also  held  various  public  offices.  For  eleven 
years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Penn  township  school 
board  and  for  six  years  served  as  president  of  the 
board.  He  was  president  of  the  Bernville  Cemetery 
Association  for  nine  years.  In  1893  ,he  was  elected 
sheriff  of  Berks  county,  and  served  one  term  of  three 
3'ears,  during  which  time  the  Italian  murderer,  Pietro 
Buccieri,  was  hung,  in  1893. 

Mr.  Fahrenbach  has  taken  especial  interest  in  old 
home  week  at  Bernville,  and  was  one  of  the  leaders  in 
that  movement,  to  which  he  has  given  much  of  his 
time  and  attention.  In  1907  and  1908  he  acted  as  chief 
marshal.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church  at  Bernville,  and  served  as  chairman  of  the 
building  committee  that  built  the  present  St.  Thomas 
Union  (Reformed  and  Lutheran)  Church  at  Bernville  in 
1897,  though  he  was  still  living  in  Reading  at  that 
time.  Sunday-school  work  has  always  received  his 
particular  attention,  and  he  served  as  superintendent 
of  the  Penn  Valley  Sunday-school  for  a  'period  of 
twenty-five  years.  In  fraternal  societies  he  is  also 
very  well  known,  belonging  to  Williamson  Lodge,  No. 
307,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Womelsdorf;  Excelsior  Chapter. 
No.  237,  R.  A.  M.;  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  and 
Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.— being  a  thirty-sec- 
ond-degree Mason;  he  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
the  Golden  Eagle,  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  Grange,  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  Star  of  Welcome 
Lodge,  No.  60,  Shepherds  of  Bethlehem.  In  spite  of 
his  many  interests  and  activities  Mr.  Fahrenbach  has 
found  time  to  do  considerable  traveling,  having  visited 
every  State  in  the  Union. 

In  1866  Mr.  Fahrenbach  married  Mary  Ziebach,  of 
Bernville,  and  seven  children  were  born  to  them,  five 
of  whom  survive,  namely:  Sallie,  who  taught  school 
ten  years,  married  Rev.  W.  B.  Werner,  a  minister  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  of  Schweiikville.  Montgomery 
county,  and  they  have  two  children,  Helen  and  Emily; 
Frank,-who  attended  Stoner's  Business  College,  taught 
eight  terms  of  school,  and  is  now  a  pure  food  inspector 
for  the  Government  at  Cleveland,  Ohio  (he  is  married 
to  (Tora  Haag.  of  Williamsport,  and  has  one  son, 
Frank);  George  W.  is  mentioned  below;  Mary  taught 
school  before  her  inarriage  to  Charles  Bender,  and  is 
now  living  in  Penn  township  (she  has  one  child.  George 
Frank);  Jo-hn  H.  received  his  early  education  in  Read- 
ing, and  is  a  member  of  the  class  of  1909  at  Franklin 
and   Marshall   College,  Lancaster. 

George  W.  Fahrenbach,  M.  D.,  son  of  George 
D.,  was  born  in  Penn  township  April  16,  1873,  and  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  and 
Bernville  high  school.  Before  taking  his  professional 
course  he  taught  school  for  six  terms,  in  Robeson, 
Lower  Alsace  and  Spring  townships,  Berks  county, 
and  West  Cocalico  township,  Lancaster  county.  He 
then  entered  the  Baltimore  Medical  College,  graduating 
from  that  institution  in  1900,  magna  cum  laude.  Im- 
mediately afterward  he  located  at  Bernville,  which   he 


has  since  made  his  field  of  practice,  having  a  large 
clientele  in  and  around  the  borough.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Berks  County  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  As- 
sociation. Socially  he  is  connected  with  the  Sons  of 
Veterans  and  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  he  is  a  member  of 
St.  Thomas  Church  at  Bernville.  belonging  to  the  Re- 
formed congregation. 

Dr.  Fahrenbach  married  Miss  Maggie  B.  Mertz, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Mertz,  of  Reading,  and  two  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union,  Margaret  and  Charles. 

AMMON  L.  HAFER,  member  of  the  firm  of  Hafer 
Bros.,  commission  merchants  at  Reading  and  promi- 
nent factors  in  the  city's  business  life,  was  born  June 
3,  1866,  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  county.  Pa.,  son  of 
Samuel  R.  and  Elizabeth  G.   (Lincoln)  Hafer. 

John  Hafer,  great-grandfather  of  the  Hafer  brothers, 
was  a  native  of  Berks  county.  Pa.,  and  for  many 
years  resided  on  his  farmi  in  Exeter  township,  which 
he  cultivated  in  addition  to  working  at  his  trade  of 
stone  mason.  He  assisted  in  the  erection  of  the  old 
Schwartzwald  stone  church  and  of  Spies's  church  in 
Alsace  township.  He  is  recalled  as  a  man  of  robust 
appearance.  His  first  marriage  was  to  Gertrude 
Kline.  When  she  died  she  was  interred  at  the  Re- 
formed Church  cemetery,  at  Sixth  and  Washington 
streets,  Reading,  Pa.,  but  later  she  was  reinterred,  by 
the  side  of  her  husband,  at  the  Schwartzwald  Church. 
His  second  wiff  was  Mrs.  Diehl  (widow),  by  whom  he 
had  no  children.  To  the  first  marriage  were  born: 
George  m.  Ellen  Heller,  and  had  children,  William. 
Phebe,  Daniel  and  Amanda;  Daniel  m.  Chariot  Egel- 
man,  and  had  children,  Charles  E.,  Maryetta,  John  E., 
Rosetta,  Daniel  E.,  Wilhelmina,  Edward  E.  and  Anna; 
John  was  twice  married,  and  by  his  first  wife,  Rebecca 
Esterly,  he  had  four  children — George,  John,  Mary  and 
Amanda — and  by  his  second  wife,  Sarah  Moyer,  he  had 
— Henry,  Westley,  and  three  daughters;  Sarah  m.  Abra- 
ham Wien,  and  had  children,  John,  Rebecca,  Sarah  and 
Samuel;  William  m.  a  Miss  Lerch,  and  had  two 
children,  William  and  Margaret;  Mathias  m.  Rachel 
Romig,  daughter  of  Jacob  Romig,  and  had  four  chil- 
dren, Samuel  R.,  Amelia  (wife  of  Daniel  Yergey),  Susan 
(died  in  infancy)  and  Anna  (widow  of  Henry  L.  Gil- 
bert) ;  Henry  m.  Julia  Eigelman,  and  had  children, 
Henry,  Heryetta,  William,  Mary,  Augustus,  John  and 
Cyrus;  Levi  m.  a  Miss  Hoffa,  and  had  children,  Adam, 
■Emelia.  Louisa  and  another  daughter;  and  Anna  m. 
Samuel  Romich,  and  had  one  son.  Franklin.  All  the 
family  are  deceased. 

Mathias  Hafer,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  Alsace 
township,  Berks  county,  and  died  on  his  farm  in  Exeter 
township,  in  1898,  aged  eighty-two  years.  He  was  a 
life-long  farmer  and  owned  a  tract  of  ten  acres  of  land 
on  which  he  lived.  Both  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to 
the  Reformed  Church,  and  they  lie  buried  in  the 
Schwartzwald  cemetery.  He  married  Rachel  Romig, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Romig,  and  they  had  four  children, 
namely,  Samuel  R. ;  Amelia,  wife  of  Daniel  Yergey,  re- 
siding in  Exeter  township;  Susan,  who  died  in  infancy; 
and  Anna,  widow  of  Henry  L.  Gilbert. 

Samuel  R.  Hafer,  only  son  of  Miathias  Hafer,  was 
born  July  8,  1840,  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa., 
and  he  attended  the  old  subscription  schools  when  his 
parents  paid  three  cents  a  day  for  his  tuition,  his 
teacher  at  that  time  being  Jonathan  Moyer.  He  at- 
tended from  twenty  to  sixty  days  a  season  and  con- 
tinued until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Accord- 
ing to  the  habit  of  the  times  he  was  hired  out  to  neigh- 
boring farmers  durina;  his  youth.  When  eighteen  years 
of  age  he  came  to  Exeter  Station,  where  he  later  be- 
came station  agent  and  ennbarked  also  in  a  general 
store  and  hotel  business,  which  he  continued  for  eight 
years.  He  then  moved  to  Birdsboro,  where,  for  five 
years,  he  engaged  in  clerking  in  George  W|.  Hain's 
general  store  and  assisted  also  in  the  lumber  and  coal 
yard.     For  eight  years  thereafter  he  conducted  the  Co- 


582 


HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


operative  Association  store,  and  during  President 
Cleveland's  first  administration  he  served  as  post- 
master at  that  point.  In  1888  he  came  to  Reading  and 
since  May,  1905,  he  has  been  bookkeeper  for  the  com- 
mission house  of  Hafer  Brothers,  his  sons.  For  some 
years  after  his  location  at  Reading.  Mr.  Hafer  con- 
ducted a  grocery  store,  for  John  F.  Reifsnyder,  whom 
he  later  bought  out.  In  1864,  he  married  Elizabeth  G. 
Lincoln,  daughter  of  John  D.  Lincoln,  a  distant  relative 
of  the  great  President.  They  have  five  children,  namely: 
Ammon  L.;  Adelle,  wife  of  John  Seigfried;  Samuel  L.; 
Matthias  L.,  a  grocery  merchant  at  Reading;  and 
Rachel,  wife  of  Harry  McKinney,  a  furniture  merchant 
at  Reading.  Samuel  R.  Hafer  is  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed Church. 

Ammon  L.  Hafer  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
at  Birdsboro,  where  his  boyhood  was  spent,  and  at  an 
early  age  he  commenced  to  work  as  a  clerk  in  a  store 
•in  that  town,  and  later  went  to  work  in  the  Brooke 
Nail  Factory,  at  Birdsboro.  In  1S87  he  came  to  Read- 
ing, and  for  two  years  he  drove  a  team  for  Daniel  S. 
Esterly,  wholesale  grocer.  In  1889,  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  John  F.  Reifsnyder,  commission  and  produce 
merchant,  at  Reading,  'both  he  and  his  brother, 
this  house  for  seventeen  years,  both  he  and  his  brother, 
Samuel  L..  becoming  silent  partners.  In  March,  1905, 
Mr.  Reifsnyder  died,  and  on  May  1st,  following,  Hafer 
Brothers  became  sole  owners,  purchasing  the  good  will, 
stock,  and  fixtures,  as  per  agreement. 

In  ,1895  Ammon  L.  Hafer  married  Nellie  Lebkicher, 
daughter  of  Alfred  Lebkicher,  of  Reading,  and  they 
have  one  son,  Lloyd  A.  Mr.  Hafer  belongs  to  Progres- 
sive Lodge,  No.  470,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Reading.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Second  Reformed  Church,  and  was  an  official 
of  the  Birdsboro  Reformed  Church,  prior  to  coming  to 
Reading. 

Samuel  L.  Hafee,  member  of  the  firm  of  Hafer 
Brothers,  the  largest  wholesale  commission  merchants 
at  Reading,  was  born  Sept.  30,  1870,  in  Exeter  town- 
ship, Berks  Co.,  Pa.  His  schooling  was  obtained  at 
Birdsboro,  and  when  sixteen  years  of  age  he  became 
a  clerk  for  J.  H.  Brindley,  of  that  place,  with  whom  he 
remained  for  three  years.  When  nineteen  years  of  age 
he  became  a  salesman  for  John  F.  Reifsnyder,  com- 
mission merchant  at  Reading,  with  whom  he  continued 
two  years  and  then  took  service  with  M.  B.  Slichter  & 
Co.,  at  No.  6  South  Sixth  street.  One  year  after,  he 
became  a  salesman  for  still  another  commission  firm, 
Claus  &  Silvas,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  when 
both  he  and  his  brother  Ammon  L.  became  silent  part- 
ners with  the  late  John  F.  Reifsnyder — a  partnership 
which  continued  until  May  1,  1905.  On  that  date  the 
firm  of  Hafer  Brothers  became  sole  owners,  Mr.  Reif- 
snyder having  died  in  the  previous  March.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  firm  are  successful  business  men  of  high 
repute,  and  they  do  the  largest  produce  business  in 
Berks  county.  They  employ  fifteen  men,  and  have  six 
teams  in  constant  use.  They  have  established  trade  re- 
lations Avhich  make  them  tlie  leaders  in  the  wholesale 
commission  line  at  Reading. 

In  1890  Samuel  L.  Hafer  married  Ida  M.  Endy,  and 
they  have  three  children:  Earl  E.,  Paul  E.,  and  Nellie 
M.  The  eldest  son  is  a  graduate  of  the  Interstate 
Business  College  at  Reading,  of  the  class  of  1906,  and 
he  now  fills  a  lucrative  position  as  clerk  for  the  Read- 
ing Iron  Works.  The  other  son  and  the  daughter  are 
still  at  school.  Mr.  Hafer  and  family  are  members  of 
the  Second  Reformed  Church  at  Reading,  a  religious 
body  to  which  the  family  has  been  faithful  for  genera- 
tions. He  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  belongs  to  Progressive 
Lodge,  No.  470,  at  Reading. 

JAMES  B.  LEINBACH.  a  retired  citizen  residing 
in  Friedensburg,  and  one  of  the  best  known  musicians 
in  Berks  county,  was  born  in  Oley  township,  July  10, 
1846,  son  of  Daniel  S.  and  Susanna  H.  (Barto)  Lein- 
bach,  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 
prominent  families  of  the  county. 


The  earliest  known  ancestors  of  the  Leinbachs  of 
Berks  county  were  Henry  Leinbach  and  his  wife  Bar- 
bara Lerch,  of  Wetterau,  Germany.  From  them  the 
line  of  descent  to  James  B.  Leinbach  is  through  Johan- 
nes, Sr.,  and  Anna  Elizabeth  (Kleiss) ;  Johannes,  Jr., 
and  Catharine  (Riehm) ;  John  Daniel  and  Mary  Mag- 
dalena  (Hartman);  Benjamin  and  Catharine  (Snyderj ; 
and  Daniel  S.  and  Susanna  H.  (Barto). 

Benjamin  Leinbach,  son  of  John  Daniel,  and  grand- 
father of  James  B.,  was  born  on  his  father's  home- 
stead in  Oley  township,  Sept.  25,  1793,  and  his  sponsors 
\vere  Benjamin  and  Margaret  Leinbach.  He  died  in 
Oley  Oct.  39,  1851.  By  trade  he  was  a  tailor,  and  he 
followed  that  occupation  in  his  neighborhood  for  many 
years.  In  those  days  it  was  customary  for  the  tailors 
to  visit  the  farmers,  and  make  the  clothes  for  the  fam- 
ily. These  clothes  were  of  home  spun,  the  pioneers 
raising  their  own  flax  and  weaving  the  cloth,  Mr. 
Leinbach  was  buried  at  Friedensburg.  He  was  twice 
m.arried.  His  first  wife,  Catharine  Snyder,  was  a 
daughter  of  Daniel  Snyder,  of  Exeter  township.  She 
bore  him  three  sons  and  two  daughters:  Daniel  S.; 
Augustus,  died  without  issue;  Dr.  Benjamin  died  with- 
out family;  Lucy  Ann  m.  Benjamin  Ritter,  and  died 
leaving  no  children;  and  Hannah  m.  William  Glase, 
and  reared  a  large  family.  Mr.  Leinbach  m.  (second) 
Catharine  Guldin,  and  two  children  were  born  of  this 
marriage:  Sarah  died  in  1908,  aged  seventy-six  years, 
unmarried;  and  Israel  G.  died  in  1907,  aged  seventy- 
two  years,  leaving  children — Benjamin,  Charles  and 
Emma  (wife  of  Aaron  Grim). 

Daniel  S.  Leinbach,  son  of  Benjamin,  was  born  in 
Oley  township  Feb.  24,  1819,  and  he  died  Jan.  3,  1881. 
In  his  earlier  life  he  was  a  farmer,  but  later  became 
associated  as  clerk  with  B.  A.  Glase  in  his  large  general 
store.  His  last  years  were  passed  in  Friedensburg, 
and  the  last  year  of  his  life  he  lived  retired,  in  the 
residence  now  occupied  by  his  son,  James  B.  He  mar- 
ried Susanna  H.  Barto,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
Catharine  (Hunter)  Barto.  She  was  born  Nov,  16,  182-5, 
and  died  April  17,  1901.    They  had  one  son,  James  B, 

James  B,  Leinbach  was  reared  under  the  parental 
roof,  and  obtained  his  education  in  Oley  Academy  un- 
der the  instruction  of  Dr,  D.  M.  Wolf.  In  1867,  Prof. 
John  S.  Ermentrout  licensed  him  to  teach,  and  for 
twelve  consecutive  terms  he  was  in  charge  of  the 
Palm  school  in  his  native  township.  When  only  ten 
years  of  age  he  began  his  musical  education  under 
Samuel  Fellen,  a  native  German  of  high  ability,  and 
later  he  passed  under  the  instruction  of  Frederick  Herr- 
mann, a  student  of  Leipsic  University.  In  1867  he  be- 
gan teaching  music  to  the  youth  of  his  own  district, 
having  from  thirty  to  forty  pupils  in  Oley  and  sur- 
rounding townships.  Since  1863  he  has  served  as 
church  organist,  beginning  that  year  in  Friedens  Church 
in  Oley  township,  and  in  1871  he  went  to  Schwartzwald 
congregation;  from  1875  to  1886  he  served  the  congre- 
gation at  New  Jerusalem  in  Rockland  township.  He 
has  officiated  at  more  than  two  thousand  funerals.  He 
and  his  family  belong  to  the  Reformed  Congregation 
at  Friedensburg.  Since  1893  he  has  served  as  an  elder, 
and  in  1908  was  made  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school.  He  has  always  been  active  in  Sunday  school 
work,  becoming  a  teacher  when  he  was  only  fourteen 
years  old.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  always 
takes  a  keen  interest  in  his  party's  welfare. 

Since  his  retirement  from  active  business,  he  has 
devoted  his  time  to  the  management  of  his  farms.  Two 
of  these  came  under  his  supervision  through  his  wife, 
one  in  Exeter  containing  135  acres,  and  one  in  Spring 
township,  130  acres. 

On  May  27,  1875,  Mr.  Leinbach  married  Amelia  Sail- 
er, daughter  of  Adam  H.  and  Mar"  Ann  (Gring)  Sailer. 
Two  children  have  been  born  of  this  union:  (1)  Clem- 
ent Waldo,  a  graduate  of  Franklin  and  Marshall  Col- 
lege, class  of  1898,  taught  school  for  four  terms  in  the 
Oley  township  high  school,  and  since  the  spring  of 
1907  has  been  connected  with  A.  J,  Brumbach's  pants 
factory.      He    m.    Chrissie    Miller,    daughter    of    Henry 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


583 


Miller,  of  Monroe  county  and  has  three  children:  Mary 
Evelyn,  Anna  Magdalene  and  Margaret  Genevieve.  (2) 
Rev.  Henry  Jerome  was  educated  in  Oley  Academy, 
Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  class  of  1901,  and  the 
Theological  Seminary  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  the 
United  States,  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  graduating  in  1904.  He 
was  ordained  and  licensed  the  same  year  at  Reading, 
and  for  upwards  of  three  years  served  Olivet  congrega- 
tion, Reading,  but  in  the  fall  of  1907  accepted  a  call  to 
Jonestown,  Lebanon  county.  He  m.  Mary  Snavely, 
daughter  of  George  Snavely,  of  Spangsville,  and  has  a 
son,  Carl. 

GEORGE  W.  DELANY,  secretary  of  the  Reading 
Iron  Company,  which  employs  about  five  thousand 
men,  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  been  private 
secretary  to  three  Reading  railroad  presidents.  His  an- 
cestors came  from  France,  Germany  and  Ireland,  and 
his  father,  Henry  Delany,  who  was  born  in  New  York, 
became  a  shoe  dealer  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  died 
in  January,  1904.  aged  seventy-two  years.  Henry  De- 
lany married  Johanna  Houck,  daughter  of  William  H. 
Houck,  a  manufacturing  saddler  of  Easton,  Pa,  :iix 
of  the  ten  children  born  of  this  union  are  living, 
and  of  these  George  W.  is  the  eldest. 

George  W.  Delany  was  born  in  Philadelphia  Aug. 
10,  1860,  and  after  receiving  an  education  in  the  public 
schools,  entered  the  Reading  Railroad  service  as  a 
junior  clerk,  and  he  remained  with  that  road  for  fif- 
teen years,  having  been  during  that  time  stenographer 
and  private  secretary  to  George  de  B.  Keim,  president 
of  the  Reading  system.  Later  he  held  the  same  rela- 
tion to  Franklin  B.  Gowen,  who  also  was  president,  and 
a  month  after  the  death  of  the  latter,  in  December, 
1889,  settled  in  Reading  in  a  similar  position  under 
George  F.  Baer,  the  present  president  of  the  company, 
retaining  that  position  until  October,  1900,  when  he 
became  secretary  of  the  Reading  Iron  Company.  Mr. 
Delany  is  also  secretary  of  the  Deer  Park  Land  Com- 
pany, was  for  three  years  treasurer  of  the  Berkshire 
Country  Club,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  board  of 
directors  and  secretary  of  the  club,  having  resigned  the 
treasurership  on  account  of  its  onerous  duties. 

Mr.  Delany  was  married  April  14,  1891,  to  May  B. 
Rothenhausler,  daughter  of  J.  N.  Rothenhausler,  a 
wholesale  dealer  in  glass  and  crockery  ware  in  Phila- 
delphia. Three  children  were  born  of  this  union: 
Katharine  and  Josephine,  both  in  school;  and  George, 
Jr.  In  politics  Mr.  Delany  is  an  ardent  Democrat.  In 
his  religious  faith  he  is  a  Presbyterian.  His  position 
at  various  times  as  private  secretary  to  three  great  rail- 
road magnates  was  certainly  remarkable,  reflecting 
credit  upon  his  intelligence  and  ability. 

DR.  CHARLES  CLINTON  BOYER..  The  Boyers, 
as  the  original  spelling  of  the  name  Beyer  or  Bayer 
indicates,  are  Rhine  Bavarians.  The  records  show  that 
this  family  dates  back  into  the  earliest  tribal  history 
of  Germany  and  France,  in  both  of  which  countries 
they  hold  an  honorable  place' today.  Miany  of  them  be- 
came Protestants  both  in  Germany  and  France;  per- 
secution drove  them  to  America.  About  thirty-five 
Boyers,  as  the  ships'  lists  show,  came  to  Pennsylvania 
before  the  Revolutionary  war.  From  the  well-known 
fact  that  the  earlier  settlers  "sent  for  their  relatives 
and  kin,"  we  gather  that  the  Boyer  settlers  of  Pennsyl- 
vania were  blood  relatives  in  Europe.  There  are  thous- 
ands of  them  now  in  Philadelphia,  Reading,  and  in  the 
States  of  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Virginia,  Ken- 
tucky, Missouri,  Illinois,  etc. 

Philip  Beyer,  who  came  over  in  the  ship'  "Winter 
Galley"  in  1738,  was  the  European  ancestor  of  Dr. 
Charles  Clinton  Boyer,  of  Kutztown.  Philip  Beyer,  as 
the  connection  of  events  proves,  found  his  way  into  Bern 
township,  Berks  county,  where,  as  the  list  of  Berks 
county  taxables  shows,  he  owned  property  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  what  is  now  known  as  St.  Michael's  Church, 
before  1755.  This  church  was  founded  a  few  years 
before  Philip  died,  and  it  is  likely  that  he  is  buried  in 


the  cemetery  of  St.  Michael's,  but  the  brown  headstones 
found  over  the  earliest  graves  of  the  church  reveal 
nothing  concerning  him.  The  early  church  records,  to- 
gether with  the  list  of  Bern  taxables,  seem  to  prove 
that  there  were  at  least  four  sons,  namely:  M'ichael,  , 
Henry,  John  and  Christopher.  The  mother's  name,  at 
this  writing,  has  not  been  ascertained.  Philip  disap- 
pears from  the  tax  list  in  1780. 

Christopher  Beyer,  in  all  probability  the  youngest 
son  of  Philip  Beyer,  was  born  in  Bern  township,  Berks 
county,  about  1740  or  1745.  He  became  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  Church.  To  his  marriage  with  Katherine 
Reif Schneider  were  born  children  as  follows:  Chris- 
topher, born  in  1765;  Jacob,  1767;  Henry;  Christian, 
1781;  Daniel,  and  two  daughters.  In  1785,  or  soon 
afterwards,  the  family  removed  to  what  is  now  Bruns- 
wick township,  Schuylkill  county.  The  elder  Chris- 
topher's name  appears  for  the  first  time  on'  the  tax  list 
of  Brunswick  township  in  1791.  He  lived  in  a  log 
hut,  probably  constructed  by  himself,  against  a  hill  side 
in  the  rear  of  what  is  now  known  as  Friedens  Church, 
about  a  mile  north  of  McKeansburg.  Whetheror  not  he 
was  the  schoolmaster  of  the  congregation  is  a  little  uncer- 
tain. Missionaries  stopped  at  his  house  and  preached 
in  his  barn,  as  Rev.  H.  A.  Weller  records  in  his  history 
of  Friedens  Church.  He  was  certainly  closely  identified 
with  this  congregation,  as  we  infer  from  a  fragment  of 
church  records  to  which  his  name  is  signed.  His  name 
disappears  from  the  tax  list  in  1811,  or  soon  afterward. 
He  and  his  wife  lie  buried  in  Boyer's  Row,  Friedens 
cemetery,  but  the  brown  headstones  that  marked  the 
graves  were  rudely  removed  when  the  present  church 
building  was  erected. 

Jacob  Boyer.  second  son  of  Christopher  and  Kather- 
ine  (Reifschneider)  Beyer,  was  born  in  Bern  township, 
Berks  county,  Jan.  14,  1767,  and  became  a  member  of 
Friedens  Church  (Lutheran).  In  1802  he  owned  a  large 
farm  in  Lewistown  Valley,  about  four  miles  north  of 
Friedens  Church.  He  died  April  1,  1829.  and  lies  buried 
in  Friedens  cemetery.  His  wife,  Susanna  Schaeffer, 
born  Jan.  14,  1775,  died  Nov.  4,  1849,  in  the  home  of  a 
daughter,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  East  Germantown,  Ind.  Their  children  were: 
Jacob,  Samuel.  Joseph,  Daniel,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Susan, 
Kate  and  Hettie. 

Samuel  Boyer,  second  son  of  Jacob  and  Susanna 
(Schaefifer)  Boyer,  was  born  in  Lewistown,  Schuylkill 
county,  Feb.  13,  1801.  He  was  confirmed  in  the  Luth- 
eran Church  and  on  Nov.  9,  1823,  was  married  by  Pastor 
Schofer  to  Lydia  Bensinger,  daughter  of  Michael  Ben- 
singer.  When  his  father  died  six  years  later,  Samuel, 
who  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  took  the  father's  farm, 
which,  as  the  deeds  show,  comprised  about  300  acres. 
On  the  Yost  farm,  which  he  owned  soon  afterward,  he 
carried  on  milling.  He  was  prominently  identified  with 
the  founding  and  maintenance  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
at  Lewistown.  In  1873,  when  he  was  serving  as  township 
supervisor,  he  died  in  the  Bauscher  home,  where  he  had 
called  to  warm  himself  on  a  bitterly  cold  morning.  His 
wife,  Lydia,  born  Feb.  29,  1808,  survived  him  until  1894. 
They  are  buried  at  Lewistown.  The  sons  and  daughters 
of  this  marriage  were:  Israel.  Samuel,  Emanuel,  Joseph, 
Benjamin,  William,  Jacob,  Daniel,  John,  Catherine, 
Elizabeth  and  Caroline. 

Joseph  Boyer,  fourth  son  of  Samuel  and  Lydia  (Ben- 
singer)  Boyer,  was  born  Jan.  27,  1831.  When  he  began 
to  go  to  school  the  free  school  bill  of  1834  and  1835, 
framed  by  Lawyer  Breck  and  saved  bv  Thaddeus 
Stevens  in  Governor  Wolf's  administration,  had  just 
been  put  into  operation  by  Secretary  of  State  Thomas 
Burrowes.  The  Lewistown  school  fell  in  line  in  1837. 
The  teachers,  however,  were  poorly  qualified.  Joseph's 
best  teacher  was  a  Mr.  Huey.  The  school  terms  were 
short,  about  three  months,  and  the  branches  about  the 
same  as  those  of  subscription  schools.  The  rod  was 
freely  used,  and  the  pupils  were  hardly  able  to  under- 
stand the  importance  of  an  education.  The  English 
language  was  not  in  high  repute  in  the  valley  as  yet  and 


584 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


German  spelling,  together  with  the  trapping  system  in 
the  "paragraph  reading"  of  the  German  Psalter,  was 
about  all  that  counted  for  much  in  serious  study.  There 
were  no  blackboards  and  few  books.  The  long  plank 
benches  were  arranged  around  the  walls  of  the  room, 
with  benches  for  the  smaller  boys  and  girls  in  the 
middle  of  the  room.  The  old  frame  schoolhouse,  how- 
ever, in  which  Joseph  Boyer  received  his  education, 
has  long  since  been  replaced.  Joseph  was  a  miller  by 
trade,  but  lived  on  a  Lewistown  farm  the  greater  part  of 
his  life.  He  was  confirmed  in  the  Lutheran  Church  of 
Lewistown.  In  1856  he  married  Magdalena  Gunsette, 
daughter  of  Christian  Gunsette  (who  came  from  Alsace 
with  his  father  Philip  Henry  and  his  mother  Margaret 
(Houser)  Gunsette  in  1828)  and  Mary  (Lintz)  Gunsette 
(a  Lehigh  county  p^irl).  To  this  marriage  were  born: 
Charles  Clinton.  Alice  Minerva,  George  Harris  and 
Frank  Samuel.  Joseph  Boyer  served  his  township  eight 
terms  as  supervisor  of  roads,  took  an  active  interest  in 
the  political  affairs  of  his  times,  and  lived  to  enjoy  a 
ripe  old  age.  At  this  writing  he  is  seventy-nine  years 
old   and  his  faithful  helpmate   fe\enty-five. 

Dr.  Charles  Clinton  Boyer,  eldest  son  of  Joseph  and 
Magdalena  (Gunsette)  Boyer,  was  born  at  Lewistown, 
Schuylkill  county,  Aug.  6.  1860.  His  first  school  teacher 
was  Mr.  Benjamin  Scheirer,  a  man  of  learning,  of 
charming  personality  and  remarkable  teaching  powders. 
His  last  teacher  in  the  public  schools  was  that  excellent 
master  of  boys,  Mr.  David  Bauscher.  He  was  confirmed 
in  the  Lutheran  faith  by  Rev.  I.  X.  S.  Erb,  and  it  was 
partly  through  his  influence,  and  that  of  Mr.  Bauscher, 
that  in  1877  Mr.  Boyer  first  came  to  the  Kutztown  Nor- 
mal school,  to  which  he  continued  to  return  every  spring 
as  a  student  until  1883.  For  one  term  he  was  a  pupil 
of  the  now  illustrious  Dr.  Thomas  Balliet  in  his  Center 
Square  Academy.  He  prepared  for  college  under  Rev. 
Mr.  Erb,  while  teaching  at  Landingville  and('Orwigsburg. 
In  1885  he  was  graduated  from  Muhlenberg  College  with 
second  honor.  He  studied  Theology  at  the  Lutheran 
Theological  Seminary  in  Philadelphia,  but.  called,  to 
the  chair  of  Latin  and  Greek  at  Kutztown  through  Dr. 
Schaefifer,  he  completed  his  theological  course  under 
Dr.  Hancher,  and  was  ordained  with  his  class  in  1888. 
Then,  while  teaching,  writing  and  preaching,  he  com- 
pleted six  years  of  post-graduate  work,  graduating  from 
Wooster  University  in  1894,  and  receiving  the  title  Doctor 
of  Philosophy  cum  laudc.  His  thesis  on  "Psychic  Initia- 
tive in  Education"  attracted  considerable  attention. 
After  that  he  studied  psychology,  experimental  and 
theoretical,  under  Dr.  H'ugo  Munsterberg,  of  Harvard 
University.  In  1901  he  traveled  in  Europe,  accom- 
panied by  Professor  George  E.  Kramlich,  the  main  ob- 
ject of  interest  being  history,  education  and  art. 

Dr.  Boyer  began  his  teaching  career  at  Patterson, 
Schuylkill  Co.,  Pa.,  when  he  was  seventeen  years  of 
age.  Then  he  taught  an  ungraded  school  in  Lewistown 
for  two  years.  Hie  gave  up  this  school  for  the  Landing- 
ville grammar  school,  in  order  that  he  might  take  up 
college  preparatory  work  under  the  Rev.  Mr.  Erb.  of 
Orwigsburg.  This  proved  to  be  his  stepping-stone  to 
the  principalship  of  the  Orwigsburg  high  school,  where 
he  remained  until  in  1883,  when  he  entered  college.  In 
the  fall  of  1887,  after  conducting  a  very  successful 
summer  school  for  teaching  at  Lynnville,  Pa.,  he  was 
called  to  the  chair  of  Latin  and  Greek  in  the  State 
Normal  School,  at  Kutztown,  Pa.  Two  years  later  when 
he  had  entered  upon  his  duties  as  professor  of  Greek  in 
the  Pennsylvania  MaMtary  Academy,  at  Chester,  Pa., 
he  was  recalled  to  Kutztown  to  teach  psychology  and 
English  classics.  Two  years  later,  after  supplying  the  pul- 
pit of  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  at  Boyertown.  Pa.,  for 
six  months  or  more,  and  confirming  a  large  class  of 
catechumens,  he  went  to  Boyertown  as  pastor  of  this 
congre.gation.  remaining  there  until  1893.  Then  Dr. 
Schaeffer.  the  principal  of  the  Normal  School,  became 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  and  Professor 
Boyer  was  called  back  to  the  Normal  again,  this  time 
to  the  chair  of  Pedagogy,  under  the  principalship  of  Dr. 


Hancher.  In  1900,  when  Vice  Principal  Rothermel  be- 
came Principal,  Dr.  Boyer  became  Vice  Principal  of 
the  Normal  School,  a  position  which  he  fills  with  much 
ability  at  this  writing. 

Dr.  Boyer  has  few  superiors  as  a  teacher.  His  rapid 
promotions  were  due  not  simply  to  his  acknowledged 
scholarship,  but  to  his  marked  teaching  powers.  Pro- 
gressive and  modern  in  spirit  and  method,  he  is  also 
well  proportioned  and  conservative.  He  has  served 
the  cause  of  the  Normal  school  and  education  about 
twenty-two  years  at  this  writing.  As  an  institute  in- 
structor and  lecturer  he  is  as  well  received  in  Maryland, 
Delaware  and  New  Jersey  as  in  Pennsylvania.  Among 
the  subjects  on  which  he  has  lectured  most  frequently 
are"Mental  Moods  and  Tenses,"  "On  the  Up-Grade." 
"Lawlessness  in  Pupils."  "Serpent  and  Dove  in  Disci- 
pline," "As  You  Would  Like  It  in  Schooldays,"  "The 
Roman  Child  and  Ours,"  "Spencer's  Theory  of  Con- 
sequence." "In  Touch  with  the  Infinite  in  Teaching," 
"Vulcan  and  Venus."  and  "An  Hour  in  Europe."  He 
is  considered  an  eloquent  and  forceful  talker,  and  a 
master  in  the  art  of  thinking,  and  this  is  as  true  of 
his  sermons  as  of  his  lectures.  The  most  tempting 
propositions  have  at  this  writing  not  persuaded  him  to 
leave  Kutztown. 

As  an  author  Dr.  Boyer  has  won  signal  success.  He 
published  his  "Concrete  Psychology"  in  1891.  for  the 
use  of  his  own  classes.  "Principles  and  Methods  of 
Teaching,"  a  work  that  has  now  gone  through  many 
editions,  and  that  is  deservedly  popular,  followed  in 
1899.  A  book  entitled  VVavmarks  of  General  History" 
was  published  in  1902.  This  work,  like  that  on  methods 
of  teaching,  is  highly  praised  by  the  reviewers.  His 
book  on  "Modern  Methods  for  Modern  Teachers"  was 
published  in  1909.  He  is  a  member  of  the  National 
Education  Association,  the  Pennsylvania  German  So- 
city  and  the  Historical  Society  of  Berks  county,  etc. 

In  1889  Dr.  Charles  Qinton  Boyer  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Margie  Wright,  daughter  of  Calvin  D. 
Wright,  a  cavalry  oflicer  of  the  Third  Pennsylvania 
Regiment  during  the  Civil  war,  and  his  wife,  Kath- 
erine  (Gartley)  Wright.  She  was  born  Oct.  11,  1869.  in 
Pottsville.  Pa.  The  Wrights  were  originally  English 
Quakers  and  the  Gartleys  Scotch  Presbyterians. 
Through  her  Gartley  ancestry  Mrs.  Boyer  is  related  to 
the  Potts  family,  founders  of  Pottstown,  Pa.,  and 
through  her  father's  more  distant  Lafferty  ancestry  she 
is  also  of  Irish  descent.  She  is  a  cultured  artist  and 
musician,  and  devotes  much  of  her  energies  to  church 
work.  There  is  one  son,  Karl  Wright  Boyer.  born  at 
Mt.  Carm,el,  Pa.,  Nov.  26,  1897. 

PETER  BARBEY,  the  founder  of  Barbev's  Brewery 
at  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  Nov.  9,  1825,  in  Dierbach, 
Canton  of  Bergzabern,  Rhinepfalz,  Bavaria,  son  of  Chris- 
topher Barbey.  He  attended  the  schools  of  his  native 
place  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  entered 
the  brewing  establishment  of  his  uncle,  Peter  Barbey,  for 
the  purpose  of  learning  the  business.  After  remaining 
there  three  years,  he  found  employment  in  France  and 
Switzerland  in  dififerent  brewing  establishments  during 
the  next  four  years,  in  observance  of  a  German  custom 
to  increase  his  knowledge  of  the  business  in  this  way  by 
practical  experience.  He  then  returned  home,  and  being 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  entered  the  army  in  a  cavalry 
regiment  where  he  served  as  a  soldier  for  four  years.  At 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  he  emigrated  to 
America,  proceeding  immediately  to  Philadelphia,  and  for 
several  years  he  was  engaged  there  in  different  breweries; 
he  then  located  at  Reading,  and  entered  the  employ  of 
Frederick  Lauer,  also  a  German,  who  had  by  this  'time 
established  himself  in  the  brewing  business  at  Third  and 
Chestnut  streets.  In  1860  Mr.  Barbev  embarked  in  bus- 
iness for  himself  as  a  brewer,  and  carried  his  affairs  on 
with  increasing  success  until  his  decease  in  1897. 

Mr.  Barbey  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  never 
inclined  to  fill  any  public  offices.  He  assisted  in  organizing 
the  Keystone  National  Bank  in  1883  and  served  as  a  direc- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


585 


tor  until  his  decease  in  1897.  He  was  prominently  identified 
with  Teutonia  Lodge,  No.  368,  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  which  he  was' 
a  past  master,  and  with  Germania  Lodge,  L  O.  O.  F. 

Mr.  Barbey  married  Rosina  Kuntz,  daughter  of  Philip 
Kuntz,  of  Rhenish  Bavaria,  and  they  had  two  children: 
Katrina,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  John,  who,  after  ar- 
riving of  age,  engaged  with  his  father  in  the  brewing 
business  under  the  name  of  P.  Barbey  &  Son.  Not- 
withstanding the  decease  of  his  father  in  1897,  the  firm 
name  has  been  continued  until  the  present  time. 

JOHN  BARBEY,  son  of  Peter  and  Rosina  (Kuntz) 
Barbey,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Oct.  19,  1850. 
When  he  was  four  years  old  his  parents  moved  to  Read- 
ing, where  his  father  became  engaged  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  malt  liquors.  He  was  educated  in  the  local 
schools,  taking  an  extra  course  in  a  business  college, 
and  was  then  placed  in  his  father's  brewery  for  the  pur- 
pose of  learning  all  the  details  of  the  brewing  business. 
In  this  he  was  very  successful,  and  in  1880  the  father 
admitted  him  into  partnership,  and  they  traded  under  the 
firm  name  of  P.  Barbey  &  Son.  The  father  died  in  1897, 
but  the  son  has  continued  the  business  under  the  same 
hame  with  increasing  success  up  to  the  present.  In  1906 
the  capacity  of  his  large  plant  was  the  greatest  of  any  at 
Reading,  a  fact  which  evinces  the  superior  judgment  of 
the  son  in  conducting  the  complicated  affairs  of  the  brew- 
ery for  the  years  it  has  been  under  his  management. 

Mr.  Barbey  has  become  largely  interested  in  a  number 
of  the  financial  institutions  of  Reading,  particularly  the 
Keystone  Bank,  Farmers  Bank,  Colonial  Trust  Company, 
and  several  industrial  institutions,  in  a  number  of  which 
he  is  a  director.  He  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  Masonic  fraternity  at  Reading  since  1876,  becoming  a 
Mason  in  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  237,  and  a  Knight  Tem- 
plar in  the  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  of  which  he  was 
Eminent  Commander  in  1886.  He  has  reached  the  thirty- 
second  degree. 

Mr.  Barbey  married  Mary  Ellen  Garst,  daughter  of 
George  W.  Garst,  of  Reading,  a  prominent  building 
contractor  for  many  years.  They  have  seven  children, 
six  daughters  and  one  son,  John. 

JO*IN  B.  STERLEY,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  most  prom- 
inent citizens  of  Reading,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  who  was 
distinguished  as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  died  in  Read- 
ing, Nov.  24,  1905.  Dr.  Sterley  was  born  July  26,  1837, 
in  Limerick  township,  Montgomery  county,  son  of 
Philip  and  Elizabeth  (Bertolette")  Sterley,  both  of 
French  origin. 

The  Sterley  family  was  founded  at  an  early  day  in 
Salford  township,  Montgomery  county,  by  great-grand- 
father Sterley,  who  emigrated  from  Lorraine,  France. 
and  here  the  grandfather  of  the  Doctor  was  born  and 
reared  until  manhood,  when  he  removed  to  Limerick 
township,  carrying  on  agricultural  pursuits  in  that  lo- 
cality all  the  rest  of  his  life. 

Philip  Sterley,  father  of  the  Doctor,  was  born  Feb. 
22,  1800,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
He  followed  the  occupation  of  his  father,  being  a  good, 
practical  farmer  and  public-spirited  citizen.  In  politics 
a  Whig  and  later  a  Republican,  he  was  interested  in 
the  success  of  his  party,  but  never  to  the  extent  of 
running  for  any  office.     He  died  in  1868. 

The  early  life  of  Dr.  John  B.  Sterley  was  spent  upon 
his  father's  farm,  and  until  about  sixteen  years  of  age 
he  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  locality. 
At  this  time  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  for  one 
year  he  was  employed  by  his  cousin.  Simon  R.  Snyder, 
after  leaving  whom  he  entered  Freeland  Seminary  (now 
Ursinus  College).  After  two  and  one-half  years  of 
study,  young  Sterley  engaged  in  teaching  in  Oley 
township,  but  after  six  months  gave  up  the  profes- 
sion, having  fully  decided  to  engage  in  the  practice  of 
medicine.  He  entered  the  offices  of  Drs.  Keeler  and 
Groflf  of  Harleysville,  Pa.,  to  take  up  his  preliminary 
studies,  and  shortly  after  entered  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated 
with  honor,.  March  6,  1857.     Locating  at  Earlville,  Lan- 


caster county,  Dr.  Sterley  continued  there  until  1860, 
when  he  moved  his  office  to  Annville.  Lebanon  county. 
In  July,  1862,  Dr.  Sterley  joined  the  167th  Pa.  V.  I., 
receiving  the  commission  of  surgeon,  and  at  the  expira- 
tion of  nine  months  was  appointed  examining  district 
surgeon  for  the  Ninth  Congressional  District  of  Penn- 
sylvania, a  position  he  ably  filled  until  June,  1864,  when 
he  left  the  service.  Until  1879  he  practiced  at  St.  Marys, 
Elk  Co.,  Pa.,  but  in  the  year  mentioned  he  removed  to 
Reading,  to  which  city,  its  people,  its  development  and 
its  varied  interests,  he  devoted  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  The  first  board  of  pension  examiners  of  Berks 
county  was  organized  in  1881  with  Dr.  Sterley  as  one 
of  its  members,  and  he  served  the  full  term,  being  re- 
turned to  the  board  under  the  Harrison  administration, 
when  he  was  made  president.  On  May  11,  1898,  he 
was  reappointed  by  President  McKinley. 

On  Sept.  1,  1864,  Dr.  Sterley  was  married  to  Amanda 
R.  Rightmeyer,  and  the  one  child  of  this  union,  Win- 
field  Bradley,  born  Sept.   18,  1865,  died  Jan.  17,  1877. 

Dr.  Sterley  was  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  and  vice-president  of  the  Reading 
&  Southwestern  Electric  Railroad.  His  profession  con- 
nects him  with  the  following  societies:  the  Reading 
Medical  Association;  Berks  County  Medical  Society, 
and  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society.  He  was 
prominently  connected  with  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  435, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  was  also  an  active  worker  of  Gen. 
William  H.  Keim  Post,  No.  76,  G.  A.  R.  The  death  of 
Dr.  Sterley  brought  grief  to  a  large  circle  outside  his 
own  immediate  family.  His  personality  was  strong, 
and  of  him  it  may  be  truly  said  as  of  another:  "He 
earned  honor  and  respect  in  public  life  as  well  as  af- 
fection and  veneration  in  private." 

Mrs.  Sterley,  who  survives  her  husband,  resides  in 
Reading,  where  she  is  very  well  known,  and  where  she 
owns  considerable  city  and  suburban  property. 

BENJAMIN  F.  DETTRA,  one  of  the  older  members 
of  the  Berks  county  Bar,  was  born  in  Upper  Providence 
township,  Montgomery  county.  July  4,  1845.  His  grand- 
father, Abraham  Dettra,  was  a  farmer  in  Lower  Sal- 
ford  township,  that  county,  and  his  father,  Abraham 
Dettra,  was  a  farmer  in  Upper  Providence  township, 
same  county.  He  diefl  about  sixty  years  ago.  His 
wife  was  Sarah  Boas,  daughter  of  John  E.  Boas,  who 
was  an  influential  farmer  and  for  many  years  justice 
of  his  township;  Mr.  Boas  died  in  Chester  county,  Pa. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abraham  Dettra  had  four  children, 
as  follows:  William  C.  died  when  thirty-seven  years 
old;  Andora  married  Samuel  Bard,  of  Montgomery 
county,  and  died  at  the  age  of  forty  years;  John  B.  is 
a  builder  of  Montgomery  county;  and  Benjamin  F. 

Benjamin  F.  Dettra  attended  the  district  school  and 
Washington  Collegiate  Institute,  where  he  prepared 
himself  for  work  in  the  school-room  as  teacher.  He 
served  in  the  Civil  war  in  the  129th  Pa.  V.  I.  and  on 
his  return  home  passed  the  next  five  years  in  teaching 
in  the  winter  and  working  on  the  farm  in  the  summer. 
He  now  decided  to  take  up  the  law  for  a  life  work,  and 
began  reading  in  the  office  of  the  late  Albert  G.  Green, 
being  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  April,  1875.  and  later  to 
the  higher  courts.  He  has  since  pursued  the  practice 
at  Reading.  In  addition  to  looking  after  a  large  private 
practice  Mr.  Dettra. has  at  different  times  served  as 
county  and  city  solicitor,  and  as  solicitor  for  the  Board 
of  School  Controllers. 

Mr.  Dettra  has  always  been  alive  to  the  public  in- 
terest, is  a  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party,  and 
holds  membership  in  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  other 
insurance  companies,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Calvary 
Reformed  Church  of  Reading. 

On  Dec.  25,  1869.  Mr.  Dettra  married  Emma  Louisa 
Reese,  daughter  oi  William  Reese,  a  farmer  of  Chester 
county.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  this  mar- 
riage: Emma  V.  died  in  October,  1903,  aged  twenty- 
four;  Susan  R.  and  Sarah  M.  are  at  home;  and  Paul 
Sterly  was  a  member  of  the  class  of  1906  in  the  Read- 
ing high  school. 


586 


HISTORY  OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


STRASSER.  The  biography  of  the  individual  man  is 
but  the  history  of  the  human  race  and  his  family,  plus 
his   environments. 

Since  the  beginning  of  time  our  sun  and  the  myriads 
of  shining  stars  have  been  oscillating  and  radiating 
energy  in  the  form  of  wireless  waves  into  the  ether  of 
infinite  space.  Primitive  man  viewed  them  with  super- 
stitious awe  and  framed  supernatural  myths.  Science 
regards  them  as  an  electro-magnetic  displacement  or 
disturbance  of  the  ether,  periodic  in  space  and  time, 
traveling  186,500  miles  per  second.  The  ether  being 
the  source  and  reservoir  of  all  energy,  there  is  a  con- 
stant interchange  of  energy  from  ether  to  matter,  and 
matter  to  ether,  transforming  it  at  one  time  into  kinetic, 
at  another  into  potential  energy,  thus  causing  or  con- 
stituting all  the  phenomena  of  the  material  universe 
and  known  as  the  science  of  Natural  Philosophy.  But 
the  loftiest  ideal  of  man  conceives  them  as  symbols  of 
infinite  Wisdom,  Power  and  Love,  and  as  wireless 
telephonic  messages  of  glad  tidings  of  peace  on  earth 
and  good-will  toward  men. 

"The  works  of  God  are  fair  for  naught 
Unless   our  eyes,  in   seeing. 
See  hidden  in  the  thing  the  thought 
That  animates  its  being." 

Mother  Nature,  the  patient  teacher,  is  ever  beckon- 
ing to  man  the  imitator,  and  ready  to  unlock  her  sec- 
rets. But  how  blind  and  deaf  a  pupil  is  man!  Thund- 
ers rolled  and  lightning  flashed  for  ages  before  he 
heard  or  saw  how  to  use  these  wireless  waves  to  per- 
form the  recent  wonders  of  the  X-ray,  the  wireless 
telegraph  and  wireless  telephone.  Nature  never  sleeps. 
Her  essence  is  motion.  Ether,  matter  and  motion  act- 
ing and  reacting,  forming  and  transforming,  are  the 
bases  of  all  phenomena  in  time  and  space.  The  high- 
est and  most  mysterious  is  life  with  all  its  environments. 

Thus  is  man,  his  energy,  his  powers,  his  physical  and 
mental  characteristics — all  that  he  is — indirectly  indebted 
to  the  wireless  ether  waves  of  space.  Wave  motion  is 
cyclic — crest  and  trough,  nodes  and  loops  of  energy. 
Such  is  the  story  of  the  Universe  and  Life.  Exaltation 
alternating  debasement  with  intermediate  nodes  _  of 
equilibrium — in    fine,   evolution,    involution,   dissolution. 

Tradition  is  ever  rife,  but  vague  and  mythical,  hence 
the  data  here  given  are  only  such  as  are  based  on 
authentic  records. 

The  family  name  Strasser  (or  Strascher)  is  of  an- 
cient origin  extensively  disseminated,  and  its  influence 
in  church  and  State,  in  both  the  Old  and  the  New  world 
was  no  small  factor.  The  genealogical  and  heraldry 
records  (Vol.  VL  Page  87)  at  Vienna,  Austria,  date  the 
origin  of  the  family  to  the  age  of  Knighthood  and 
Chivalry.  In  A.  D.  1143  they  were  found  at 
Mergentheim,  Swabia  (the  headquarters  of  the  order 
of  Teutonic  Knights  in  the  year  1386),  and  vicinity, 
where  a  Knight  Templar  whose  birthplace  and  home 
was  Mergentheim,  after  long  and  strenuous  service  in 
the  Holy  Land,  and  being  disabled  for  further  service 
from  wounds,  returning,  took  unto  himself  an  orphaned 
nephew,  named  Edward  Strasser.  He  taught  him 
Astronorhy,  Astrology,  Alchemy  and  other  occult  arts 
he  had  learned  in  the  East.  Edward  practiced  these 
arts  among  many  rich  Counts  and  Princesses,  compiled 
books  on  these  subjects  and  acquired  great  wealth  and 
fame.  He  united  in  matrimony  with  Jutta  Von  Schenck, 
and  died  at  Mergentheim.  A.  D.  1197,  leaving  one  son 
Rudiger  Strasser.  who  loved  arms  more  than  the  arts 
of  peace.  He  sold  his  father's  books  and  possessions, 
and  as  a  man  of  war  roamed  over  many  lands  with  a 
company  of  mounted  knights  called  the  Black  Band. 
Only  after  he  had  had  enough  of  the  warrior's  life  did 
he  marry  Euphragine  Mehring,  the  wealthy  widow  of 
a  patrician  at  Zweibriicken.  Here  he  lived  until  his 
death,  A.  D.  1232,  and  left  three  sons,  viz.:  Arnold. 
Gunther  and  Frederick.  Arnold,  being  of  delicate 
health,  entered  a  cloister,  and  there  is  no  further  record 
of'  him.  nor  of  Frederick,  who,  after  a  duel  with 
Count   Von    Spanheim,   whom   he   killed,   fled   and   was 


never  after  heard  from.  Gunther,  however,  remained  at 
Zweibriicken  of  which  he  was  Mayor  (Stadtfocht),  and 
was  married  to  Sophia  Von  Elrichshousen,  of  a 
good  Prankish  or  Franconian  noble  family.  He 
died  A.  D.  1315,  leaving  one  son  John  Strasser. 
The  latter  had  no  love  for  arms,  engaged  himself  with 
books,  music,  literary  work  and  the  fine  arts,  and  lived 
a  quiet  private  life.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Mastlin 
of  humble  birth,  but  had  wealth  of  beauty  and  mind. 
In  A.  D.  1335,  during  a  violent  storm,  his  house  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  and  his  wife  and  five  children 
perished,  only  one  small  boy  being  rescued.  In  con- 
sequence of  this  misfortune  the  circumstances  and 
standing  of  this  family  were  greatly  reduced,  and 
later  we  find  the  family  mostly  as  farmers,  mechanics 
and  merchants  in  the  vicinity  of  Zweibriicken,  Alsace 
and  the  Palatinates  in  which  regions  they  were  still 
found  in  the  beginning  of  the  ISth  century,  but  accurate 
and   connected  records   are  wanting. 

The  American  Strasser  family  is  without  a  doubt  of 
German  ancestry.  Their  nativity  and  time  of  emigra- 
tion cannot  now  be  definitely  fixed.  Tradition  has  the 
ancestral  home  at  Wurtemberg,  Rhenish  Palatinate,  and 
Zweibriicken,  and  the  time  antedates  the  American  Rev- 
olution, for  we  find  them  enrolled  as  soldiers  of  the 
war  for  independence  as  well  as  all  the  wars  for  the  de- 
fense and  preservation  of  the  Union. 

According  to  Colonial  Records,  on  Nov.  3,  1749.  John 
Nicholas  Strasser  enters  a  caveat  against  the  acceptance 
of  a  survey  on  that  oiece  of  land  which  he  holds  by 
warrant  of  37th  of  March — made  to  Georare  Boone, 
until  he  hears  as  to  his  claim,  signed  Richard  Peters, 
to  Nicholas  Schull,  Surveyor  General.  Also  warrants  of 
land  surveyor  May  7,  1753,  Oct.  6,  1773,  etc.  The  same 
John  Nicholas  Strasser,  of  Albany,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  was 
naturalized  April  11,  1763,  and  as  early  as  1754  he  is  as- 
sessed £18,  4s.,  6d.  tax  in  Albany  township,  and  his  name 
appears  for  successive  years  to  1790,  with  the  additional 
names  of  John,  Jr.,  a  weaver,  Henry,  Peter  George. 

Not  until  1'773  does  the  name  of  Conrad  Strasser 
appear  as  a  taxable  married  mian  in  Windsor  township. 
This  is  the  great-grandfather  of  Dr.  Thomas  A.  Stras- 
ser, of  Reading,  and  Strasser's  Thai  or  Valley,  Windsor 
township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  was  the  permanent  if  not 
the  original  homestead  of  this  family.  What  was  the 
relationship  of  this  family  and  the  Albany  family  is 
not  now  known,  but  from  the  similarity  of  the  names 
of  their  children  as  we  shall  see  it  must  have  been 
close. 

The  church  books  of  Zion's  Church  at  or  near  Wind- 
sor Castle_  record  the  baptisms  of  seven  children,  the 
parents  being  Conrad  Strascher  and  his  wife  Catharina. 
They  are  Conrad,  born  August,  1744;  sponsors,  Conrad 
Strascher  and  wife  Catharina,  the  parents;  Andon.  July 

1,  1746,  sponsor  Andon ;   Elizabeth,  born  Nov.  1. 1747, 

sponsor  Elizabeth ;  Peter,  born  April  9,  1749,  spon- 
sors: Peter  Rothermel  and  wife  Sabylla;  Mathias,  born 

July   32,    1751,    sponsor    Mathias    ;    Phillipus,    born 

1753;  and  Johanes,  born  April  30,  1756.  Where  these 
baptisms  took  place  is  not  stated,  but  Zion's  Church  was 
not  then  organized.  Another  record  is  the  baptism 
of  John  Henry  Strasser,  born  April  11,  1777;  sponsors, 
Conrad  Strasser  and  wife  Dorethy. 

Conrad  Strasser  was  twice  married;  his  first  wife. 
Dorethy  (Housknecht),  bore  him  six  children,  viz.: 
Conrad,  born  in  1708;  John,  1770;  Jilagdalena;  John 
Nicholas,  died  previous  to  1795;  John  Henry;  and 
George.  His  second  wife,  Christina  (Rausch  or  Hum- 
mel?) also  bore  him  two  daughters  and  four  sons. 
They  were:  Elizabeth,  Catharine,  Frederick,  INIichael 
(grandfather  of  our  subject).  Peter  and  Daniel. 

Accordingly,  there  was  Conrad,  the  first,  father  of 
seven  children;  Conrad,  the  second,  father  of  twelve 
children;  and  Conrad,  the  third,  oldest  son  of  Conrad 
the  second  and  brother  of  Michael.  Conrad,  the  third, 
was  thrice  married,  first  to  a  Miss  Sheidy,  by  whom 
he  had  a  son  John;  second  to  a  Miss  Hummel,  by 
whom   he   had   one   daughter,    Rosina;    third   to    Rosina 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


587 


Hummel,  a  sister  of  second  wife,  and  they  had  nine 
children,  Jeremiah^  Jacob,  Isaac  (m.  to  Hannah 
Knittle),  Hetty,  Sallie,  Catharine,  Polly,  Rachael  and 
Leah. 

On  Nov.  9,  1790,  Conrad  Strasser,  the  second,  peti- 
tioned the  Orphans'  court  of  Berks  county,  to  appoint 
guardians  for  his  sons,  John  Henry  and  George,  they 
being  minors  under  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  On 
the  same  day  Magdalena,  a  daughter,  John  (Johanes), 
John  Nicholas,  minors  above  the  age  of  fourteen 
years,  petitioned  court  to  choose  guardians;  they  chose 
Conrad,  the  father,  and  the  court  approved  and  ap- 
pointed him  for  all  the  above  children.  Conrad,  the 
third  and  oldest  son,  born  in  1768,  being  of  age,  was 
not  included  in  the  above.  On  May  5,  1803,  Christina 
Strasser,  widow  and  relict  of  Conrad  Strasser,  late  of 
Windsor  township,  petitioned  the  courts — says  her  hus- 
band died  and  left  issue  eleven  children  (John  Nicholas 
having  died  between  1790  and  1795),  that  Frederick, 
Michael,  Peter  and  Daniel  are  minors  under  age  of 
fourteen  years  and  have  no  guardians  to  care  for  their 
persons  and  estates;  the  court  appointed  John  George 
Focht.  The  same  day  appeared  Elizabeth  Strasser  ,and 
Catharine  Strasser,  daughters  of. the  aforesaid  Conrad 
Strasser,  they  being  minors  above  the  age  of  fourteen 
years;  they  chose  Peter  Bauscher,  which  choice  was 
approved  by  the  court.  This  accounts  for  the  twelve 
children  of  Conrad  Strasser,  the  second.  The  court 
records  show  that  Magdalena  Strasser  gave  a  power 
of  attorney  to  John  Strasser,  her  next  friend,  both  then 
living  in  Paxton  township,  Dauphin  county,  dated  1795. 
to  collect  that  share  of  inheritance  due  her  from  her 
mother's  estate  through  the  death  of  John  Nicholas 
(Honnickel)  Strasser.  her  brother. 

Elizabeth  Strasser  was  married  to Adam  (no  far- 
ther record).  Catharine  was  born  Sept.  16,  1785,  and 
married  George  Sontag,  the  progenitor  of  the  Windsor 
Sundays,  and  died  March  5,  1850  (tombstone  record, 
Zion's  Church).  Frederick's  name  is  on  the  tax  lists  of 
Greenwich  township  from  1810  to  1813,  when  it  disap- 
pears. Peter  settled  at  Roaring  Creek,  Columbia  county, 
and  his  wife's  tombstone  at  Zion's  Churchyard  records 
— "mother  of  seventeen  children."  Daniel  lived  on  one 
of  the  original  Conrad  Strasser  farms,  died  there  about 
1840,  leaving  a  large  family. 

Michael  Strasser,  the  grandfather  of  Dr.  Thomas  Au- 
gustus, the  seventh  son  of  Conrad,  the  second,  and  his 
second  wife,  Christina,  was  born  at  the  old  homestead 
in  Strasser's  Valley,  Windsor  township,  about  the  year 
1791.  He  was  confirmed  in  the  Lutheran  faith  at 
Zion's  Church.  His  father  having  died  about  January, 
1799  (his  will  probated  Feb.  12,  1799),  and  he  being  one 
of  the  three  youngest  sons  mentioned  in  above  will, 
who  were  to  learn  a  trade  arriving  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years,  he  accordingly  became  a  carpenter  and  cabinet- 
maker and  his  name  appears  as  a  taxable  single  man 
in  Maxatawny  from  1810  to  1815.  At  this  time  Kutz- 
town  was  incorporated  as  a  borough  and  it  was  here 
he  made  his  permanent  home  and  carried  on  his  trade. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  first  fire  company  of  Kutztown 
organized  in  1815,  and  built  one  of  the  first  three  houses 
in  Freetown,  upper  Main  street,  above  Baldy's  lane.  He 
was  married  to  Sarah  Kittling,  about  1816.  a  native  of 
Mifflinburg,  Pa.,  a  sister'  of  Mrs.  Jacob  Humbert, 
mother  of  Rev.  David  Humbert,  Bowers  Station.  Mrs. 
Jacob  Baldy  and  Mrs.  Peter  Fritz  of  Kutztown  were 
aunts.  Jacob  of  Mifflinburg,  was  a  brother  and  so  was 
William,  of  near  Blandon.  M'ichael  was  successful  in 
business,  had  just  finished  a  new  homie,  and  had  a 
promising  future,  but  in  the  prime  of  life  he  became 
the  victim  of  a  typhoid  fever  epidemic  and  died  about 
December,  1821.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  old 
Union  Churchyard  at  Kutztown,  but  his  resting-place 
cannot  now  be  located.  Letters  of  administration  were 
granted  to  John_  Wanner  and  Solomon  Kutz,  Jan.  7, 
1823.  He  left  his  widow  and  one  son.  Isaac  Kittling 
Strasser,  and  one  daughter,  Abigail.  .The  widow  was 
remarried   to   Solomon   Kutz,   a   widower  with   a   large 


family.  Their  issue  was  seven  children:  among  them, 
Louisa  E.,  born  in  1826,  m.  Daniel  B.  Kutz,  in  1850, 
both  living  over  fifty  years  in  the  house  built  by  Michael 
Strasser;  Lydia  m.  John  Van  Scheetz;  Susan,  born  Sept. 
3,  1832,  m.  Harry  Scheldt.  Sarah,  mother  of  the  above, 
and  maternal  grandmother  of  our  subject,  died  on  her 
birthday,  on  June  29,  about  the  year  1846,  aged  exactly 
fifty  years.  Abigail,  only  daughter  of  Michael  Strasser, 
was  born  Sept.  10,  1821,  and  was  married  to  John 
Snyder.  They  reared  a  large  family.  Mr.  Snyder  dying, 
she  married  Egedius  Butz.  She  survived  him  and  died 
in  1908,  aged  almost  eighty-seven  years. 

Isaac  K.  Strasser  was  born  on  his  father's  (Michael) 
homestead  at  Kutztown,  Pa.,  Aug.  3,  1817.  Orphaned  • 
at  an  early  age,  he  lived  with  his  mother  until  he  was 
apprenticed  to  a  Mr.  Kraft  at  Reading,  Pa.,  serving 
four  years  as  a  saddler  and  harness  maker.  Returning 
to  Kutztown  he  bought  the  property  now  the  corner 
of  M'ain  street  and  Strasser  Alley,  where  he  lived  over 
half  a  century,  reared  a  large  family,  and  carried  on  his 
business. 

In  1842,  he  married  Flora  Anna  Koser,  a  daughter  of 
John  George  Koser  and  wife  Esther  (Christ)  of  Green- 
wich township.  Esther  was  the  oldest  daughter  of 
Jacob  Christ  and  wife  (nee  Merkel).  She  is  buried  at 
Bethel  or  Zion's  Church,  Grimville,  Pa.,  and  her  tomb- 
stone records:  "Esther  Koser," daughter  of  Jacob  Christ, 
born  March  21st,  1794,  married  Dec.  36th,  1811.  Had 
3  children,  1  son  and  2  daughters.  Died  Jan.  24th,  1832, 
aged  37  years,  10  months,  and  3  days.  Text,  St.  John 
5-24."  Her  sisters  were:  Rachel  m.  Daniel  Beaver,  and 
moved  to  Tulpehocken;  Kate  m.  a  Christman;  Pdlly  m. 
a  Messersmith,  of  Fleetwood;  and  Hannah  m.  Martin 
Wanner,  she  aged  over  ninety  years.  Her  brothers  were 
Jonathan,  m.  to  Susan  Bieber;  Daniel,  Jacob  and  Solo- 
mon (the  grandfather  of  Nathan  C.  Schaefler,  State 
Superintendent  of  Pennsylvania  Schools). 

John  George  Koser,  maternal  grandfather  of  Dr. 
Thomas  A.  Strasser,  was  born  in  Greenwich  township, 
Jan.  7.  1787,  on  the  old  homestead,  and  died  at  Kutz- 
town Nov.  28,  1873.  He  was  the  son  of  John  George 
Koser  of  Greenwich  and  his  second  wife  a  Baer,  of 
Albany.  His  second  wife  was.  Anna  Maria  Helfrich. 
widow  of  Sam  Helfrich,  and  sister  of  Colonel  Daniel 
Grim,  and  a  born  Krouse.  She  had  four  daughters. 
Anna  Maria,  Sallie,  Amelia  and  Betzy  Helfrich,  and 
died  at  Kutztown  about  1865.  His  sisters  were:  Regina, 
wife  of  Henry  Adam,  who  went  West;  Barbara,  wife 
of  A.  Schearer  of  Windsor;  another  married  to  a  Mr. 
Bailer;  and  one  married  to  a  Kercher,  moved  to  Lehigh 
Gap.  The  Koser  family  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Green- 
wich and  extensive  land  owners.  In  1754  George  Koser 
is  taxed  £16,  4s.,  6d.;  in  1759,  John  Koser,  £20,  and 
later  we  have  names  of  John,  Jacob,  and  George.  One 
Jacob  Koser  (according  to  Colonial  records),  aged 
twenty-three  years,  qualified  Sept.  23,  1734,  having  emi- 
grated in  ship  "Hope"  from  Rotterdam;  and  Christopher 
Koser,  aged  thirty-six  years,  in  the  ship  "Mary"  of  Lon- 
don, qualified  Sept.  6,  1733.  John  Koser  was  naturalized 
at  Northern  Liberties,  Philadelphia  county,  on  the  24th 
and  25th  of  Sept.,  1764.  The  Kosers  who  first  emi- 
grated were  natives  of  Wurtemberg,  Swabia. 

The  Koser  family  is  of  Greek  origin.  In  the  year 
1102  one  Herman  Abolde,  a  crusader,  armourer  and 
farrier  returning  homeward  from  the  east,  took  a 
Cyprian  youth  captive  in  the  mountains  of  tlie  Isle  of 
Cyprus,  and  brought  him  safely  through  Italy  and 
Switzerland  to  his  home  in  Saltzburg,  Germany.  Here 
the  Bishop  Eustachius,  after  a  consultation,  himself 
baptized  and  named  him  Herman  Koser — signifying, 
"the  rescued,  or  the  redeemed."  He  learned  the  trade 
of  his  captor  and  later  became  a  great  warrior,  and 
by  his  valor  became  the  chief  of  a  large  troop  of 
knights  he  massed  in  Bohmen,  Ungarn  and  Sclavonia, 
with  which  he  made  many  destructive  invasions  into 
Baiern,  Schlesien  and  Sachsen.  In  Schlesien  he  stole 
and  married  a  lady  of  noble  family  whose  name  was 
Isabella    Von    Koeneritz.     During    an    engagement   in 


588 


HISTORY  OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


the  vicinity  of  Regentsburg.  while  following  up  the 
enemy  and  rashly  crossing  the  Danube  at  a  dangerous 
place,  he  was  drowned  in  the  year  1145.  His  four 
sons  followed  the  footsteps  of  their  father  and  three 
remained  in  the  many  violent  battles  they  fought.  The 
fourth  and  youngest,  named  Ferdinand  Koser,  joined 
the  Crusades  and  returning  he  found  most  of  his  prop- 
erty at  Saltzburg.  destroyed.  He  sold  the  rest  at  a 
small  price  and  moved  to  Augsburg  and  from  there  to 
Donauworth,  where  he  married  Durethe  Meininger, 
and  on  his  death,  A.  D.  1203,  he  left  one  son  Karl 
Koser.  He  married  Elenora  Schippen  of  Innsbruck, 
and  left  several  sons,  whose  descendants  were  decim- 
ated by  famine,  pestilence  and  the  sword  during  the 
Thirty  Years'  war,  so  that  (according  to  the  genealogi- 
cial  tables  at  Vienna.  Vol.  Ill,  Page  202).  in  the  year  1634, 
only  two  remained.  These  two  were  distantly  related 
and  the  one,  Albert  Koser,  was  a  magistrate  or  judge 
(Schultheiss  Zu  Soflingen)  at  Ulm,  and  his  descend- 
ants were  scattered  in  Upper  Swabiaiand  Switzerland. 
The  other  one  was  John  George  Koser,  who  was 
primus  or  principal  (Kloisterfocht)  of  a  monastery  at 
Frankfurt-on-the-Main.  In  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth 
century  his  descendants  are  found  at  Frankfurt  and 
also  in  other  places  on  the  Main,  and  the  Rhine,  and  in 
various  circumstances. 

Flora  Anna  Koser  had  one  brother,  Daniel,  who  died 
March  18,  1821,  in  his  ninth  year.  She  was  born  March 
2,  1822,  on  the  original  Koser  homestead,  in  Greenwich 
township.  She  had  one  sister,  Hannah,  born  July  12. 
1824,  married  to  Joseph  Dry,  of  Drysville.  She  raised 
a  family  of  ten  children,  and  is  now  living  at  Reading, 
Pa.,  in  her  eighty-fifth  year. 

Isaac  K.  Strasser  and  his  wife.  Flora  Anna,  were 
the  parents  of  eleven  children  as  follows:  (1)  Charles 
Koser,  born  July  19,  1843,  died  in  infancy.  (2)  Dr. 
Thomas  .Augustus  was  born  Dec.  24.  1845.  (3)  Anna 
Familia  Caroline,  born  Sept.  23,  1847,  is  the  de- 
ceased wife  of  William  Weaver,  a  traveling  salesman 
(left  no  issue).  (4)  Sarah  Sabina  C,  born  Oct.  27.  1849, 
(first)  m.  Eugene  D.  Bieber,  of  Kutztown  (had  chil- 
dren: Rev.  Herbert  Walter,  a  Presbyterian  minister 
at  Bradford,  Pa.,  and  Stella  Louisa,  m.  to  Mr.  Robert 
Alsover,  of  Big  Stone  Gap,  Va.),  and  (second)  Charles 
Messersmith,  deceased  (children:  George  Strasser 
Messersmith  and  Lieutenant  Robert  Eugene  Messer- 
smith of  the  U.  S.  Marine  service).  (5)  Horace  Wil- 
liam, born  March  23,  1852,  a  railroad  engineer  and 
former  clerk  in  a  mercantile  house,  died  in  Reading  in 
October,  1885.  He  m.  Mary  Scheidy,  and  left  no  chil- 
dren. (0)  Leander  Gustave,  born  Feb.  37,  1854,  died  in 
infancy.  (7)  Ellen  Esther,  born  Feb.  10.  1855,  died  at 
Kutztown  in  July,  1876,  aged  over  twenty-one  years. 
(8)  Clara  Louisa,  born  March  28,  1857,  m.  Levi  S. 
Mabry,  of  Mertztown,  at  one  time  a  justice  of  the 
peace  and  deputy  treasurer  and  later  Register  of  Wills 
of  Berks  county.  They  have  one  son  Roy,  a  graduate 
of  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  and  of  Ursinus  Col- 
lege. (9)  Annie  Lydia,  born  Nov.  8,  1858,  m.  Nathan  S. 
Schaeffer,  a  merchant  of  Fleetwood,  and  they  have 
one  daughter  Helen.  (10)  Elizabeth  Alice,  born  Sept. 
10.  1861,  m.  Josiah  Koch,  a  contractor  and  builder  of 
Reading,  and  died  the  mother  of  Harry,  Elsie.  Floyd 
and  Evelyn.  (11)  Avila  Maria,  born  April  22,  1864,  died 
in  infancy.  Isaac  K.  Strasser,  father  of  above,  died  at 
Fleetwood.  June,  1897,  aged  seventy-nine  years  and 
ten  months.  His  wife  Flora  Anna  died  in  August,  1896, 
aged  seventy-four  years.  Both  are  resting  in  Hope 
Cemetery,  at  Kutztown. 

Dr.  Thomas  Augustus  Strasser  was  born  at  Kutz- 
town, Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  on  Dec.  24.  1845.  From  boyhood 
he  loved  books  and  Nature,  and  evinced  a  desire  foT 
study,  preferring  the  field  of  Science.  His  ambition 
was  to  obtain  a  classical  or  higher  university  education 
but  circumstances  were  not  favorable  as  he  was  the 
oldest  of  a  large  family.  He  felt  it  incumbent  to  assist 
his  parents  rather  than  impose  a  burden.  Ete  regularly 
attended    the   public   and   private    schools    at    Kutztown 


and  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  the  Allentown  Seminary, 
now  MJuhlenberg  College.  Against  his  own  inclination, 
but  to  comply  with  his  father's  wishes,  he  served  as  a 
clerk  in  the  store  of  G.  Y.  Kemp  and  Jacob  Sunday 
from  the  Spring  of  1861  to  the  Fall  of  1862.  At  this 
time  a  business  life  being  distasteful  and  not  conducive 
to  study,  he  resolved  to  enter  upon  teaching  as  a  step- 
ping-stone to  a  learned  profession.  He  secured  the 
Lockridge  school.  Longswamp  township,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1863  returning  home  he  continued  his  studies 
at  Maxatawny  and  Fairview  Seminary  (now  Keystone 
State  Normal  School),  until  fall,  when  he  taught  two 
successive  terms  in  the  Kutztown  public  schools,  in  the 
meantime  continuing  his  studies  at  Fairview  Seminary 
during  the  summer  and  private  tutoring  while  teaching. 
In  the  spring  of  1865  he  entered  the  office  of  Drs.  Ger- 
asche  and  Trexler  as  a  medical  student  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing October  matriculated  in  and  attended  the  Med- 
ical Deparment  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
session  1865-66.  Returning  to  Kutztown  in  the  Spring 
of  this  year  he  opened  a  private  school  having  75  to  85 
pupils  on  the  roll,  continuing  the  same  time  his  medical 
studies  with  his  preceptors.  In  October,  1866,  he  re-en- 
tered the  University  and  took  his  degree  in  Medicine 
on  March  14,  1867.  The  following  May  he  located  at 
Pleasant  Corner,  Lehigh  county;  the  field  being  con- 
tracted and  isolated  and  not  adapted,  for  a  permanent 
home  he  returned  to  his  native  place  to  await  the  op- 
portunity of  a  more  promjsing  field.  On  Oct.  21,  1868, 
he  located  at  Millerstown,  Lehigh  county  (now  Macun- 
gie).  where  by  January,  1869,  he  had  succeeded  in 
establishing  himself  in  an  extensive  and  lucrative  practice, 
and  here  he  remained  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years, 
having  a  career  of  continued  success.  This  success  he 
ascribes  in  a  large  measure  to  the  advice  of  his  mother: 
Remember  the  poor,  be  kind  and  considerate,  the  Lord 
is  their  paymaster.  During  this  time  he  succeeded  Dr. 
William  Herbst,  of  Trexlertown,  as  physician  and  sur- 
geon to  the  Lehigh  County  Almshouse  and  hospital, 
serving  nine  years.  In  1870  he  became  a  member  of 
Lehigh  Lodge,  No.  33io,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Trexlertown,  and 
other  organizations.  He  served  fourteen  years  as  a 
school  director  of  Macungie.  The  most  important 
events  here  were  his  marriage  and  the  birth  of  his  three 
children.  On  May  17.  1870,  Dr.  Strassex  united  himself 
in  hymeneal  bonds  with  Alawilda  Catharine  Elizabeth 
Greasemer,  only  daughter  of  Dr.  Abraham  Greasemer, 
a  dentist  of  Allentown  and  his  wife  Sarah  (Stettler) 
and  sister  of  their  only  son,  Asher  B..  a  physician  and 
dentist.  Dr.  Greasemer  was  born  in  Hereford  town- 
ship, Nov.  4.  1822,  and  is  still  living.  His  wife  Sarah 
was  born  December.  1826,  near  Ziegels  church,  Weis- 
enburg.   Lehigh   county,  and   died   Aug.   7,   1907. 

The  children  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Strasser  are:  (1) 
Charles  William  Thomas,  born  March  22.  1871.  is 
a  graduate  of  Allentown  high  school,  Muhlenberg  Col- 
lege, attended  Mt.  Airy  Lutheran  Theological  Seminary 
and  graduated  from  Divinity  Department,  Yale  Univ- 
sity.  He  has  served  over  ten  years  the  Hamilton 
charge,  Monroe  county.  He  was  married  to  IMinnie  Har- 
man,  of  the  same  place.  (2)  Robert  Eugene,  born 
June  5,  187.1,  a  successful  physician  at  Reading,  is 
mentioned  farther  on.  (3)  Ellen  Esther,  born  Aug.  8, 
1876,  a  graduate  of  the  Reading  high  school,  is  the 
wife  of  H.  M.  Albright,  a  manufacturer  and  wholesale 
shoe  merchant,  at  No.  335  Penn  street,  Reading.  They 
have   one   daughter,   Elizabeth   Strasser   Albright. 

A  Reading  medical  practitioner  expressing  an  urgent 
desire  to  retire  from  practice,  induced  Dr.  Strasser  to 
buy  the  house  at  No.  210  North  Sixth  street,  on  condi- 
tion that  they  enter  into  partnership  for  a  short  time 
until  he  introduced  him  into  the  practice,  when  he  was 
to  relinquish  in  his  favor.  Accordingly  Dr.  Strasser 
moved  from  Macungie  to  the  above  place  on  Oct.  5, 
1885,  but  the  latter  part  of  the  above  ciontract  never 
having  been  fulfilled,  this  move  proved  neither  agree- 
able nor  profitable,  but  entailed  a  great  financial  sac- 
rifice  on   the   part   of   Dr.   Strasser.     In    October     1888 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


589 


he  moved  to  No.  31  South  Ninth  street,  and  attended 
special  courses  on  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat  diseases 
at  the  Philadelphia  and  New  York  Polyclinic  and  post- 
graduate schools.  His  practice  steadily  increased  and 
in  April,  1891,  he  located  at  No.  914  Penn  street,  and  in 
May,  1899,  he  moved  to  No.  931  Penn  street,  where  hav- 
ing relinquished  general  practice  he  still  continues  the 
treatment  of  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat  and  chronic 
diseases. 

Dr.  Strasser  is  now  past  sixty-three  years  and  is  still 
a  lover  of  books  and  nature  and  although  his  youthful 
aspirations  for  a  higher  university  training  were  not 
realized  he  has  more  than  compensated  for  it  by  his 
studious  life  and  a  library  of  standard  authors.  As  a 
relaxation  from  his  professional  duties,  he  has  engaged 
in  original  research  in  signalling  through  space,  direct 
conversions  of  the  energy  of  coal  (crystallized  sunlight) 
into  electricity,  local  and  long-distance  electric  steth- 
oscopy  for  diagnosis  of  diseases  of  heart  and  lungs, 
transportation  of  electric  power,  navigation  of  space, 
heating  and  lighting,  aids  of  hearing  for  the  deaf,  means 
of  a  literature  for  the  blind,  the  phonograph  and  other 
fascinating  and  interesting  subjects.  In  1899  he  dis- 
covered the  principle  of  long-distance  telegraphy  and 
telephony,  by  means  of  loadinpj  the  lines  thereby  neu- 
tralizing the  electrostatic  capacity  with  the  electro-mag- 
netic induction  and  sending  along  the  wires  distortion- 
less waves  suffering  equal  attenuation.  He  was  antic- 
ipated by  Prof.  Pupin,  of  Columbia  University,  who 
realized  over  one  million  dollars  from  the  idea.  In 
the  spring  of  1900  he  designed  a  self-restoring  or  auto- 
matic eye  or  ear  for  the  detection  of  wireless  tele- 
graphic and  telephonic  waves,  and  later  found  it  was 
used  in  the  Italian  navy  and  was  the  coherer  used  by 
Signor  Marconi  to  receive  the  first  wireless  signal 
across  the  Atlantic  on  Dec.  12.  1901.  He  has  since  con- 
tinued the  work  and  his  experiments,  and  invented 
transmitters,  repeaters  and  receivers  embodying  an  en- 
tire new  and  broad  principle  for  telephoay,  with  and 
without  wires,  and  foresees  the  possibility  at  a  day  not 
far  distant  of  talking  across  the  Atlantic  and  the  Con- 
tinent as  easily  as  we  talk  to  New  York  or  Chicago. 

Dr.  Strasser,  having  considered  through  life  that  the 
acquisition  of  knovv^ledge  for  the  betterment  of  society 
or  race  and  the  conscientious  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  his  self-sacrificing  profession  are  paramount,  found 
no  time  for  the  acquisition  of  wealth. 

'Dr.  Robert  Eugene  Strasser  began  his  education  at 
the  common  schools  of  Macungie  and  Reading,  to  which 
city  he  had  come  with  his  father  when  a  boy,  and 
later  attended  the  high  school.  He  took  up  the  reading 
of  medicine  with  his  father,  following  with  courses  in 
the  M?edico-Chirurgical  College  of  Philadelphia,  and  the 
Baltimore  Medical  University,  from  which  latter  he 
graduated  in  1894.  After  that  he  did  post-graduate  work 
at  the  University  of  Vermont,  graduating  therefrom  in 
1895.  and  Jefferson  Medical  College.  Philadelphia,  grad- 
uating from  the  latter  in  1896.  While  there  he  was  on 
the  hospital  staff  as  clinical  assistant  in  the  eye  and 
surgical  department  of  Jefferson  College  Hospital.  H« 
commenced  practice  in  Lehigh  county  in  July,  1896,  re- 
maining at  his  father's  old  location  in  Macungie  until 
Sept.  28,  1898,  when  he  came  to  Reading,  becoming  a 
member  of  the  staff  of  Reading  Hospital,  where  he 
serv^sd  for  a  period  of  five  years.  Meantime  he  had 
entered  upon  general  practice  as  assistant  to  his  suc- 
cessful father;  and  his  increasing  practice  made  it  ne- 
cessary for  him'  to  resign  from  his  hospital  duties  at 
the  end  of  that  time.  Dr.  Strasser  is  a  general  prac- 
titioner, and  has  been  very  successful  in  his  treatment 
of  many  complicated  cases,  giving  most  careful  atten- 
tion to  his  patients,  sparing  himself  in  no  way  when 
life  or  health  are  in  the  balance.  Thus  he  has  won 
the  confidence  and  affection  of  the  community,  and  he 
enjoys  as  much  practice  as  he  is  able  to  handle.  He 
was  nominated  as  candidate  for  Coroner  of  Berks 
county  on   June   5,   1906,   his  thirty-third  birthday,   and 


was  elected  the  following  fall,  being  his  first  candidacy 
and  the  winner  over  five  competitors.  It  was  his  lot  to 
officiate  at  the  Boyertown  fire  which  occurred  Jan.  13, 
1908,  and  where  171  lives  perished.  The  Doctor  is  a 
close  student  and  has  associated  himself  with  the  var- 
ious medical  organizations  of  his  county  and  State,  in- 
cluding the  Lehigh  County  Medical  Society,  the  Read- 
ing Medical  Society  and  the  Pennsylvania  State  Med- 
ical Association.  The  Doctor's  offices  are  located  at 
No.  1024  Elm  Street,  where  he  also  has  his  home.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Dr.  Strasser  married  Miss  Laura  E.  Dreibelbis,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Dreibelbis,  and  one  child  has  been 
born  to  this  union,  a  daughter.  Hazel. 

DAVID  MERKEL.  One  of  the  well-known  names 
in  Berks  county  is  that  of  Merkel.  The  family  has 
been  connected  with  the  history  of  this  section  of  the 
State  for  many  years,  a  worthy  representative  being 
the  subject  of  this  review.  David  Merkel  was  born  in 
Longswamp  township,  Berks  county,  M'ay  3,  1837.  He 
was  the  son  of  Peter  Merkel,  and  the  grandson  of 
Peter  Merkel. 

Peter  Merkel,  the  grandfather,  is  supposed  to  have 
been  a  native  of  Germany,  leaving  that  country  with 
his  parents  when  quite  young.  He  married  Christiana 
Weiss,  and  together  they  made  their  home  in  the 
vicinity  of  Fogelsville,  in  Macungie  township,  where 
they  lived  for  many  years.  They  both  lie  in  the  old 
cemetery  at  Zeigler's  church  in  Lehigh  county.  Their 
family  numbered  five  children:  Peter  (2);  John,  who 
lived  in  Weisenburg  township,  and  whose  only  son 
was  named  Charles;  Jacob,  who  also  had  a  son  Charles, 
and  whose  home  was  near  Kline's  Corner,  in  Maxataw- 
ny  township;  Jonas,  of  Longswamp  township,  whose 
children  were — John,  Willoughby  and  Mary;  Daniel, 
also  of  Longswamp  township,  who  had  three  children 
— Nathan,   Eliza  and  Hannah. 

Peter  Merkel  (2),  son  of  Peter,  and  father  of  David, 
was  born  in  Macungie,  Lehigh  county,  Sept.  23.  1796. 
His  occupation  was  that  of  farming,  which  he  followed 
all  of  his  life.  A  fine  tract  of  seventy  acres  of  land 
lying  on  the  line  between  Maxatawny  and  Longswamp 
townships  was  kept  under  cultivation.  Besides  his 
farm  work  he  took  great  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
community,  and  was  also  active  in  the  work  of  Zeig- 
ler's Church,  being  deacon  and  elder  of  that  organiza- 
tion. Peter  Merkel's  wife  was  Catharine  Walbert, 
daughter  of  John  Walbert.  .  She  was  born  Sept.  14, 
1801,  and  died  March  27,  1865,  aged  sixty-three  years, 
six  months,  thirteen  days.  Her  husband  died  two 
years  later,  on  May  30th  at  the  age  of  seventy  years, 
eight  months,  seven  days.  Both  are  buried  at  Zeig- 
ler's Church  in  Lehigh  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mer- 
kel seven  children  were  born,  four  daughters  and  three 
sons:  Hettie  died  unmarried;  Caroline  m.  David  Zeig- 
ler;  Eliza  m.  Isaac  Mayer;  John,  a  resident  of  Maxa- 
tawny township,  had  children — Albert,  William,  Har- 
vey, Cassie,  Peter,  and  four  who  died  in  childhood; 
Mary,  born  Dec.  24,  1834,  m.  Thomas  Warmkessel; 
David  is  referred  to  later;  Henry,  living  near  Cedar- 
ville,  has  six  children  living — Frank,  Harry,  Peter,  Ed- 
win, Eliza  and  Hettie. 

David  Merkel  spent  the  first  eighteen  vears  of  his 
life  on  the  farm,  where  he  became  proficient  in  all 
work  pertaining  to  an  agricultural  life.  Here  was  ac- 
quired the  strength  of  mind  and  muscle  that  was  to 
become  such  a  factor  in  his  future  life  work  of  rail- 
roading. He  also  learned  the  trade  of  saddler  which 
he  followed  for  four  years,  when  he  resided  near  Farm- 
ington,  Lehigh  county.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he 
became  an  employe  of  the  East  Catasauqua  &  Fogels- 
ville Railroad,  and  four  years  later  he  was  given  the 
place  of  section  foreman,  retaining  this  position  for 
mcrre  than  forty  years,  or  until  two  years  before  his 
death.  'J'be  long  service  to  the  railroad  entitled  him 
to  the  well-earnpd  pension  which  he  was  receiving  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  Aug.  31,  1906.  at  his  home  one 


590 


HISTORY  OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


mile  south  of  Rothrocksville,  in  Maxatawny  township, 
where  he  had  made  his  residence  since  1868.  Here  on 
a  fine  tract  of  nine  acres  with  a  substantial  brick  resi- 
dence he  lived  all  of  the  time  that  could  be  spared 
from  the  exacting  duties  required  by  such  an  important 
public  utility  as  a  railroad.  He  was  a  Reformed  mem- 
ber of  the  Maxatawny  Zion  Church,  in  the  adjoining 
graveyard  of  which  he  is  buried. 

On  Oct.  5,  1861,  Mr.  Merkel  married  Sarah  Ma- 
tilda, daughter  of  Peter  Schwoyer,  of  Fritztown, 
Spring  township.  They  became  the  parents  of  eight 
children:  Catharine,  born  Oct.  3,  1862,  m.  Frank 
Moyer,  of  Hoffmansville,  Pa.;  George  M.,  born  Feb. 
3,  1864,  is  a  farmer  in  Richmond  township;  Louisa 
R.,  born  Oct.  20,  1865,  m,  Charles  Levan,  of  Maxa- 
tawny; Anna  Esther,  born  Nov.  2,  1867,  m.  Martin 
Good,  of  New  York  City;  Laura  E.,  born  Aug.  31. 
1870.  m.  James  Guldin,  a  farmer  of  Maxatawny  town- 
ship; Robert  W.,  born  1874,  died  1889;  Lillie  A.,  born 
June  28,  1877,  m.  John  Kemp;  Caroline,  born  1883, 
died  1886., 

ELMEJR.  F.  REED,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Reed  &  Kurtz,  restaurant  proprietors  at  No.  433  Penn 
street,  Reading,  was  born  on  the  old  Reed  homestead 
in  Marion  township,  Berks  county,  Feb.  8,  1876,  son  of 
Franklin   B.   Reed,  and  grandson  of  Daniel  Reed. 

Franklin  B.  Reed  was  born  one  mile  north  of 
Stouchsburg,  Dec.  23,  1839,  and  died  Jan.  16,  1905.  He 
was  reared  to  farming,  and  he  followed  that  occupation 
all  of  his  life  on  the  Marion  township  homestead.  He 
owned  a  tract  of  forty-five  acres  there,  and  this  tract 
was  crossed  by  the  old  Union  canal  and  Tulpehocken 
creek.  He  was  a  man  of  progressive  spirit,  and 
for  eleven  years  was  a  school  director  in  his  township. 
He  was  a  prominent  member  of  Reed  church,  at 
Stouchsburg.  which  had  been  founded  by  earlier  mem- 
bers of  the  family  and  several  of  their  pioneer  neighbors 
in  the  Tulpehocken  settlement  in  1733.  He  served  as 
a  deacon  and  elder,  and  also  as  treasurer  of  the  church. 
He  was  always  active  in  public  affairs,  and  was  one  of 
the  useful  men  in  his  commiinity.  He  was  an  antiquar- 
ian, and  he  had  a  large  collection  of  Indian  relics,  in- 
cluding arrow  heads,  tomahawks,  hatchets,  skinners, 
giggers,  etc.,  all  now  in  the  possession  of  his  son,  John 
A.  Mr.  Reed  married  Rebecca  E.  Reed,  born  Aug.  35, 
1841,  daughter  of  John  S.  and  Rebecca  (Eckert)  Reed. 
She  now  lives  among  her  children.  Three  children  were 
born  of  this  union,  namely:  William,  born  in  1864.  was 
drowned  in  the  Union  canal  at  the  age  of  seven  years; 
John  A.,  born  Oct.  3,  1871.  married  Annie  Sholl;  and 
Elmer  F. 

Elmer  F.  Reed  received  his  education  in  the  district 
schools,  and  later  attended  Stouchsburg  Academy, 
then  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  John  Klingler  and 
Prof.  Harry  Posey.  He  was  brought  up  on  the  home 
farm,  working  there  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of 
age.  In  1895  he  came  to  Reading  and  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  Ezra  Wenrich,  proprietor  of  Wenrich's  restau- 
rant below  Sixth  street  on  Penn,  now  at  Penn  and 
Seventh  streets.  There  Mr.  Reed  worked  for  about 
four  years,  gaining  a  very  thorough  and  practical 
knowledge  of  the  business.  In  1899  he  began  for  him- 
self at  No.  545  Penn  street,  and  for  three  years  car- 
ried on  the  restaurant  there  with  great  success.  In  1902 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Adam  Kurtz,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Reed  &  Kurtz,  and  they  have  since  con- 
ducted the  restaurant  at  No.  433  Penn  street.  They 
are  well  known  all  over  the  county,  and  have  a  very, 
large  trade,  paying  particular  attention  to  working  men. 
They  employ  seven  waiters,  and  the  partners  personally 
look  after  the  business. 

Mr.  Reed  is  a  member  of  Camp  No.  560,  P.  O.  S.  of 
A.,  at  Reading;  and  the  Liberty  Fire  Company.  He  is 
a  member  of  Reed's  Lutheran  Church  at  Stouchsburg. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

On  Alarch  3,  1907,  Mr.  Reed  married  Hermie  Hoffa. 
daughter    of    Jacob    and    Mary    (Schoener)     Hoffa,    of 


Marion    township.      Two    children    have    been    born    to 
them,  namely:  Earl  Valentine  and  Theodore  Roosevelt. 

ADAM  KURTZ,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Reed 
&  Kurtz,  .proprietors  of  a  popular  restaurant  at  No. 
433  Penn  street,  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  Aug.  21,  1877, 
in  Marion  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  William 
and   Seleca    (Kintzer)   Kurtz. 

William  Kurtz  was  born  March  32,  1834,  in  Marion 
township,  where  the  Kurtz  family  was  established 
early  in  the  eighteenth  century.  All  of  his  life  has 
been  spent  in  agricultural  pursuits  on  the  fine  100- 
acre  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  and  on  which  is 
situated  an  old  two  and  one-half  story  stone  barn,  a 
part  of  which  was  erected  by  Johann  Jacob  Losch, 
in  about  1753,  in  which  year  he  also  erected  the  old  his- 
toric house,  which  was  used  as  an  Indian  fort  in  Col- 
onial days.  William  Kurtz  was  married  (first)  May 
12,  1863,  to  Amanda  Grimes,  who  died  in  1865,  in  her 
twenty-first  year,  leaving  two  children:  Lizzie,  m. 
to  David  Althouse,  of  Womelsdorf;  and  Sallie,  m. 
to  William  Boyer,  of  Heidelberg  township.  Mr. 
Kurtz's  second  marriage  occurred  in  1867,  when  he 
was  united  with  Seleca  Kintzer,  daughter  of  Isaac 
and  Rebecca  Kintzer,  and  there  were  two  sons  born 
to  this  marriage:  Adam;  and  Samuel,  born  March  3, 
1881,  m.  Lottie  Trautman.  by  whom  he  has  had  two 
children,  Mildred  and  George  W. 

Adam  Kurtz  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  township,  and  his  youth  was 
spent  in  agricultural  pursuits  on  the  old  home  farm. 
Deciding  that  there  was  a  brighter  future  offered 
him  in  the  city,  he  came  to  Reading  in  1895,  and  for 
a  time  was  in  the  employ  of  E.  S.  Wenrich,  at  No. 
545  Penn  street,  but  in  June,  1903,  with  Elmer  F. 
Reed  as  a  partner,  he  established  the  present  busi- 
ness, the  connection  having  continued  to  the  present 
time.  The  restaurant  caters  especially  to  the  work- 
ing man,  and  is  one  of  the  most  popular  of  its  kind 
in  the  city,  gratifying  success  having  attended  the 
partners'  efforts.  In  fraternal  circles,  Mr.  Kurtz  is 
connected  with  Washington  Camp  No.  560.  P.  O.  S. 
of  A.;  Muhlenberg  Lodge.  No.  1082,  I.  O.  O.  F..  both 
of  Reading;  Chandler  Lodge.  No.  327,  F.  &  A.  M.; 
Reading  Lodge  of  Perfection,  14th  degree;  Williams- 
port  Consistory.  32d  degree,  and  Rajah  Temple,  A. 
A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Liberty 
Fire  Company.  He  and  his  family  belong  to  First 
Reformed  Church. 

On  June  1,  1903,  Mr.  Kurtz  was  married  to  Bessie 
Horn,  eldest  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Reider) 
Horn,  of  Reading.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kurtz  reside  in  their 
comfortable  home  at  No.  513  Weiser  street. 

ROBERT  H.  DENNISON,  Sr.,  now  retired,  who- 
was  master  painter  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
system,  with  headquarters  at  Reading.  Pa.,  is  one  of 
the  best  known  men  in  his  line  in  this  city,  as  well 
as  a  highly  respected  citizen.  Although  a  native  of 
another  country  he  has  given  his  allegiance  to  his 
adopted  land  and  proved  himself  a  public-spirited, 
progressive  and  intelligent  citizen,  He  was  born  in 
1862,  at  Kingston,  Canada,  and  was  but  a  child  when 
his  parents  removed  to  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  that  city  he  obtained  his  education. 

His  schooling  completed,  Mr.  Dennison  apprenticed 
himself  to  learn  the  trade  of  carriage  painter,  a  call- 
ing he  industriously  and  successfully  followed  until 
1887,  when  he  was  offered  a  position  in  the  painting 
department  of  the  New  York  Central  Railroad.  This 
he  accepted  and  held  until  1896,  when  he  became  mas- 
ter painter  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company. 
This  position  he  continued  to  fill  until  his  retirement 
to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  He  showed  great 
executive  ability  in  his  management  of  the  two  hun- 
dred men  under  him,  his  work  covering  several  di- 
visions of  the  system,  and  he  won  the  regard  and 
respect  of  his  subordinates  as  well  as  his  superiors, 
a  state  of  affairs  very  essential  to  success. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


591 


In  1887  Mr.  Dennison  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret 
Acker,  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  to  this  union  has  been 
born  one  son,  Robert  H.,  who  is  employed  in  the 
mechanical  department  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Company.  The  pleasant  home  and  comfortable 
residence  of  Mr.  Dennison  is  located  on  the  Kutz- 
town  Road,  Hyde  Park.  Mr.  Dennison  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  belonging  to  St.  John's 
Lodge,  No.  435,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Reading;  Reading 
Chapter,  No.  237,  R.  A.  M.;  Reading  Commandery. 
No.  42,  K.  T.;  Philadelphia  Consistory,  No.  320,  of 
Philadelphia;  a  charter  member  of  the  Lodge  of  Per- 
fection, of  Reading;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N. 
M.  S.  He  also  belongs  to  Reading  Lodge  of  Elks. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dennison  .are  members  of  the  Episcopal 
Church. 

CHARLES  A.  SMITH,  the  well  known  contractor 
of  Reading,  who  resides  at  No.  313  North  Ninth  street, 
was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Sept.  10,  1856,  son  of 
Joseph  T.,  whose  father  was  a  farmer  of  Adams  coun- 
ty. 

Joseph  T.  Smith  attended  the  public  schools  of  Ad- 
ams county,  and  when  a  young  man  learned  the  brick- 
laying trade.  His  early  business  life  was  spent  in 
Reading,  but  later  he  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where 
he  spent  eight  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  return- 
ing to  Reading.  In  1873  he  engaged  in  contracting 
in  brick,  and  this  he  followed  very  successfully  until 
his  death,  Aug.  6,  1891.  He  married  Barbara  Ritner, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Ritner,  and  to  this  union  there  were 
born:  Frank,  a  brick  layer  is  employed  with  his 
brother;  Charles  A.;  Mary,  m.  to  George  Rippel;  John, 
deceased;  Vincent  A.;  and  William  A.,  who  was 
Charles'  partner  until  his  death  in  1897.  For  a  number 
of  years  Mr.  Joseph  T.  Smith  was  a  school  controller 
from  the  Ninth  ward. 

Charles  A.  Smith's  educational  advantages  were  se- 
cured in  the  schools  of  Reading,  after  leaving  which 
he  secured  employment  in  the  Scott  works,  and  he 
continued  at  various  positions  until  1873,  when  he 
began  to  learn  the  bricklayer's  trade  with  H.  J.  De- 
Long,  of  Reading.  Remaining  with  this  gentleman 
but  a  short  time,  Mr.  Smith  entered  his  father's  em- 
ploy and  continued  with  him  until  the  latter's  death, 
when  he  and  his  brother  William  took  uo  the  business, 
which  they  continued  until  William's  death.  Since 
this  time  Mr.  Charles  A.  Smith  has  continued  the 
business  alone  with  great  success.  Among  th^  many 
large  buildings  of  Reading  erected  by  the  Smiths  may 
be  mentioned  the  St.  Joseph  Hospital,  and  Mr.  Smith 
has  also  done  much  work  for  the  well-known  firm  of 
Rehr  &  Fricker. 

Charles  A.  Smith  married  Maggie  Waldman,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  Waldman,  and  to  this  union  there  have 
been  born:  Joseph,  who  is  engaged  with  his  father 
at  brick  laying;  Mamie;  William,  and  Edward.  Mr. 
Smith  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  has  never  cared 
for  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  St.  Paul's  Catholic 
Church.  Fraternally,  Mr.  Smith  is  affiliated  with  the 
Eagles. 

LOTZ.  The  records  of  the  Lotz  family  show  that 
it  was  founded  in  America  prior  to  the  Revolution  by 
(I)  Nicholas  Lotz,  who  was  born  Feb.  20,  1740,  in 
the  Palatinate,  Germany.  He  emigrated  to  Pennsyl- 
vania when  still  a  young  man.  first  settling  in  the 
western  section  of  the  county  of  Berks.  Some  time 
previous  to  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  in  the  Rev- 
olution, he  located  at  Wyomissing  creek,  where  he  be- 
came the  owner  of  two  miles  at  its  mouth,  a  princely 
possession,  and  he  conducted  it  very  successfully. 
When  the  struggle  for  independence  demanded  his  ser- 
vices, he  was  prominently  identified  with  the  patriotic 
movement  at  Reading.  In  January,  1775,  he  was  se- 
lected chairman  of  the  standing  committee.  He  served 
as  delegate  to  the  Provincial  Conference  in  June,  1776, 
and  upon  his  return  home  he  took  an  active  part  in  the 


enlistment  of  men.  He  himself  was  commissioned 
lieutenant-colonel,  and  took  part  in  the  campaign  of 
the  "Flying  Camp"  at  New  York,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  battle  of  Long  Island  and  taken  prisoner. 
He  was  admitted  to  parole  within  certain  bounds  on 
April  16,  1777,  and  exchanged  on  Sept.  10,  1779.  He 
showed  great  interest  in  militia  matters,  being  at  the 
head  of  the  battalion  in  the  central  section  of  the  county 
from  1775  through  a  period  of  miany  years.  In  1780 
he  was  appointed  commissioner  of  Forage,  and  as  such 
purchased  supplies  for  the  army  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  The  executive  council  addressed  him  as  col- 
onel, and  recognized  him  as  holding  such  rank.  Col. 
Lotz  represented  Berks  county  in  the  General  Assembly 
from  1784  to  1786,  and  again  from  1790  to  1794,  and 
he  filled  the  office  of  associate  judge  of  the  coun- 
ty from  1795  to  1806.  Gov.  Thomas  Mifflin  gave 
him  the  appointment,  not  only  because  of  his 
belief  that  he  was  the  best  man  for  the  exalted 
position,  but  also  because  of  the  deep  friendship  which 
existed  between  them.  While  President  Washington 
was  at  Reading  on  his  way  to  Carlisle,  in  1794,  Col. 
Lotz  commanded  the  imposing  parade  which  honored 
the  presence  of  the  distinguished  visitor.  The  review 
took  place  in  Penn  square,  and  the  President  was  sta- 
tioned on  the  second  story  of  the  "Federal  Inn"  (now 
the  site  of  the  Farmers  Bank  building).  Col.  Lotz 
was  a  tall,  finely  proportioned  man,  over  six  feet  in 
height,  and  weighing  about  300  pounds,  and  upon  that 
occasion,  he  attracted  marked  attention  not  only  on 
account  of  his  commanding  presence,  but  also  because 
of  his  military,  political  and  social  prominence.  Col. 
Lotz  died  at  Reading  Nov.  28,  1807,  and  his'  remains 
were  interred  in  the  graveyard  of  the  Reformed  church, 
but  later  they  were  removed  to  the  Charles  EVans 
cemetery.  Eight  children  survived  Col.  Lotz:  Philip, 
Nicholas,  Jacob,  John,  Henry,  Michael,  William  and 
Rosa  (m.  to  John  Yeager). 

(II)  Philip  Lotz,  son  of  Col.  Lotz,  was  a  life-long 
resident  of  Reading  and  for  many  years  he  kept  a  hotel 
at  Lutz  Dam.  By  trade  he  was  a  saddler.  In  1856-57 
he  represented  the  Southwest  ward  in  the  council.  By 
his  wife.  Catherine,  he  had  children  as  follows:  Sarah 
m.  Ivan  Benson;  Rebecca  m.  a  Mr.  Shanaman;  Hannah 
m.  George  Fichthorn;  Mary  ra.  Paris  Hain;  Molly  m. 
George  East;  Peter  m.  and  his  children  were — Mary, 
Henry,  William,  John  and  Peter  (twins),  Harry.  James! 
Philip  and  Louise;  Philip;  William  m.  and  had  children 
— Barbara,  Kathryn,  Henry,  Caroline,  Philip,  William, 
Casper  and  Emma. 

(HI)  Philip  Lotz,  son  of  Philip  Lotz,  was  born  Nov. 
24,  1802,  and  died  Aug.  9,  1858,  aged  fifty-five  years. 
By  trade  he  was  a  butcher,  and  followed  that  occupa- 
tion many  years,  residing  at  Lutz's  Dam  where  the 
sheet  mill  is  now  located.  The  old  stone  house  was 
built  in  1811,  and  there  all  his  children  were  born.  This 
landmark  is  still  standing.  Philip  Lotz  married  Anna 
East,  born  July  7,  1808,  died  May  20,  1882.  aged  sev- 
enty-four years.  Their  children  were:  Henry  and  Na- 
than died  in  infancy;  Cyrus  and  Jeremiah  were  killed 
in  the  Civil  war;  Mary  Ann  died  in  infancy;  Sarah  m. 
Charles  Melcher;  Catherine  m.  Alfred  Franks,  of  Read- 
ing; Michael  was  killed  in  the  Civil  war;  Ivans,  born 
Nov.  H,  1842,  died  May  17,  1899;  Andrew;  and  Anna 
■m.  Harry  Cook,  of  Reading.      ,  * 

(IV)  Andrew  Lotz,  son  of  Philip  Lotz,  was  born 
in  Reading  April  6,  1844,  and  has  always  made  this 
city  his  home.  When  only  seventeen  years  of  age 
he  commenced  working  on  the  old  Schuylkill  canal  as 
a  laborer,  and  after  two  years  began  boating  on  the 
canal,  under  Captain  Aaron  Hoyer.  After  several 
seasons  they  were  in  the  employ  of  the  government 
in  the  vicinity  of  Washington,  but  upon  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  war,  he  sympathized  with  the  struggle 
of  the  government,  and  in  1864  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
198th  Pa.  V.  I.,  and  served  fifteen  months.  He  was 
wounded  in  the  leg  at  South  Side  Railroad  in  Virginia, 
March  29,  1864.    After  the  war  he  returned  to  Reading 


nd2 


HISTORY  OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


and  became  bar  clerk  for  several  establishments,  finally 
establishing  himself  in  the  hotel  business  in  which 
he  continued  for  twenty  years,  but  he  is  now  living 
retired  at  No.  458  Tulpehocken  street,  Reading.  In 
18G5  Mr.  Lotz  married  Ellen  Catherine  Lieb,  born 
March  8.  1850,  daughter  of  Joshua  Lieb  of  Spring  town- 
ship. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lotz  had  these  children:  Sallie  C, 
George  E.,  Rosa,  Annie,  Edward,  Joseph,  Ella  and 
Howard,  all  of  whom  reside  in  Reading. 

(V)  Geoege  E.  Lotz,  son  of  Andrew  Lotz,  was  born  in 
Reading  Aug.  16.  1869.  He  commenced  working  in  a 
pipe  foundry  at  Second  and  Court  streets  when  only 
fourteen  years  old,  and  there  remained  for  several  years, 
when  he  went  to  work  in  a  brick  yard.  After  several 
years  he  engaged  with  the  United  States  Express  Com- 
pany, and  was  with  them  for  nine  years,  when  he 
changed  to  the  Adams  Express  Company,  and  remained 
with  thera  for  eighteen  months.  For  one  year  he  was 
in  the  employ  of  the  Union  Cab  Company,  and  then  for 
another  year  he  was  with  a  wholesale  house.  His  next 
employer  was  Wj.  H.  Luden,  the  candy  manufacturer  of 
Reading,  whose  head  teamster  he  was  for  three  years. 
On  Jan.  8,  1906,  Mr.  Lotz  embarked  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness, and  is  the  proprietor  of  the  popular  hotel  at  No. 
153  North  Tenth  street,  which  he  has  since  conducted 
so  as  to  win  for  his  hostelry  a  steady  patronage,  not 
only  from  the  traveling  public,  but  also  from  residents 
of  the  city. 

For  three  years  Mr.  Lotz  served  as  a  member  of  the 
National  Guard,  and  with  Company  I  of  the  Fourth 
Regiment  was  at  Drifton,  and  at  Latimore,  Pa.  This 
company  was  first  attached  to  the  Eleventh  regiment. 
He  is  now  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  Camp 
No.  16;  the  Old  Guard  Association;  the  Reading 
Turnverein;  and  Nest  No.  116,  American  Order  of 
Owls.  He  is  also  the  representative  of  the  Liquor 
Dealers  Protective  Association.  Ever  since  old  enough 
to  cast  his  first  vote,  he  has  been  a  Democrat. 

On  May  14,  1889,  Mr.  Lotz  married  Catherine  Raeger, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Emma  (Snyder)  Raeger,  of 
Reading,  and  they  have  two  children,  Elwood  Hl  and 
Walter  A. 


(III)  Witliam  Lotz,  son  of  Philip,  and  father  of 
Casper  Lotz,  was  born  at  Reading  April  4,  1799.  All  of 
his  life  was  spent  in  Reading,  where  he  carried  on  a 
large  and  successful  butchering  business  on  North  Fifth 
street  at  the  location  of  the  present  Masonic  Temple. 
Mr.  Lotz  was  active  in  church  work,  assisting  in 
building  the  First  Reformed  and  St.  John's  Re- 
formed churches  of  Reading.  He  served  on  the  build- 
ing committees  of  both  churches,  and  was  very  liberal 
in  his  contributions.  Among  other  things  he  contrib- 
uted the  brick  used  in  the  erection  of  St.  John's  Re- 
formed church  at  Ninth  and  Chestnut  streets.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah  Hess,  daughter  of  Casper  Hess,  of  Reading, 
and  they  had  these  children:  Barbara  m.  Rev.  Henry 
Hoflfman,  a  Reformed  minister;  Kathryn  m.  John  H. 
Seltzer;  Caroline  died  unmarried;  William  died  in  in- 
fancy; Henry  is  of  Reading;  Philip  is  of  Reading;  Cas- 
per FI.;  Emma  m.  Albert  Briemer.  of     Reading. 

(IV)  Casper  H.  Lotz  was  bom  in  Reading  Oct.  27, 
1839.  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Read- 
ing. He  learned  butcherinp-  from  his  father,  following 
that  line  of  business  all  of  his  active  life  in  Reading. 
For  years  he  attended  the  Reading  miarket  on  Penn 
Square,  and  was  one  of  the  well  known  butchers  of  the 
city  for  nearly  half  a  century,  and  controlled  the  best 
trade,  always  carrying  a  very  fine  class  of  goods.  He 
gave  his  personal  supervision  to  the  work.  His  butcher 
shop  was  on  North  Fifth  street,  the  present  location  of 
the  Masonic  Temple.  This  property  was  the  home- 
stead of  his  grandfather,  Casper  Hess.  Mr.  Lotz  built 
his  residence  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Fifth  and 
Windsor,  and  there  he  also  had  his  shop  and  slaughter 
houses,  which  were  very  complete.  Mr.  Lotz  retired 
from  business  in  ]904,  and  the  family  now  reside  at 
No,  715  North  Fourth  street.  Reading.     In  politics,  Mr. 


Lotz  is  a  Republican,  and  in  1864  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  served  in  the  common  coun- 
cil from  1880  to  1884  from  the  Seventh  ward.  He  and 
his  family  are  members  of  the  Reformed  church. 

In  ISoO  Mr.  Lotz  married  Rebecca  Nagle,  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Mary  (Homan)  Nagle,  and  they  had  a 
family  as  follows:  Alice  m.  Ellsworth  Leinbach,  of 
Reading;  Harry  W.  is  engaged  in  a  laundry  business 
at  Reading;  Sue  is  at  home;  William  was  accidentally 
killed  on  the  Reading  railroad  at  Blandon,  Pa.,  on 
June  5,  1904.  leaving  a  daughter  Edna.  Mys.  Casper  H. 
Lotz  died  suddenly  Feb.  25,  1909. 

GEORGE  A.  LEINBACH,  late  of  Reading,  who  was 
well  known  in  business  circles  as  the  junior  member  of 
the  firm  of  Leinbach  &  Bros.,  died  at  his  residence.  No. 
611  Walnut  street,  Reading,  at  four  o'clock,  Thursday 
afternoon,  Sept.  21,  1905.  He  was  born  in  Bern  township 
Sept.  29,  1843,  son  of  Christian  and  Susan  (Althouse) 
Leinbach. 

The  Leinbach  family  is  an  old  one  in  Berks  county. 
Mr.  George  A.  Leinbach's  line  of  descent  from  the  earliest 
known  American  ancestor,  Johannes  Leinbach,  Sr.,  was 
through  Johannes,  Jr.  (and  his  wife  Catharine  Riehm), 
John  Daniel  (member  of  the  State  Assembly  from  Berks 
county  in  1790),  and  Christian  (and  his  wife  Susan  Alt- 
house). 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  George  A.  Leinbach  en- 
listed in  Company  H,  104th  P.  V.  I.,  being  mustered  in 
Sept.  5,  1863.  On  Oct.  21,  1864,  he  was  promoted  to  ser- 
geant-major of  the  regiment,  and  he  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  June 
16,  1865.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  3'ear  Mr,  Leinbach 
and  his  brother,  Joseph  A.,  formed  a  partnership  and 
engaged  in  the  clothing  business,  continuing  thus  until  the 
death  of  George  A.  In  business  circles  Mr.  Leinbach 
was  known  as  an  active  and  progressive  man,  always  able 
to  see  an  opportunity  and  grasp  it.  His  business  principles 
were  hard  steady  work,  fair,  square  dealing,  courteous 
and  gentle  manners.  The  business  which  he  and  his  broth- 
er started  gradually  enlarged  until  their  establishment  be- 
came the  leading  and  best  known  clothing  house  in  the 
city  of  Reading. 

Mr.  Leinbach  never  took  an  active  part  in  politics,  but 
in  religious  work  was  very  active,  being  very  charitable, 
and  distributing  much  in  that  way.  He  was  a  member  of 
St.  Paul's  Reformed  Church,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
Consistory.  At  the  last  session  of  the  General  Synod  of 
the  Reformed  Church  before  his  death  Mr.  Leinbach  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Relief. 

]\Ir.  Leinbach  married  ^Miss  Emma  C.  Shartle,  daughter 
of  Benneville  and  Mary  (Shenk)  Shartle.  She  survives 
her  husband  and  makes  her  home  in  Reading.  The  only 
child  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leinbach  still  surviving  is 
Katharine  L.,  wife  of  C.  Clarence  Long,  of  Reading,  and 
mother  of  a  son,  George  Leinbach  Long. 

George  Leinbach  Long,  grandson  of  George  A.  Leinbach, 
possesses  a  beautiful  claw  foot  Chippendale  chair,  which 
was  used  by  John  Daniel  Leinljach  in  the  Colonial  As- 
sembly which  met  at  Philadelphia  in  17:;.").  The  chair 
was  the  property  of  Pennsylvania,  but  when  Mr.  Leinbach's 
term  of  office  expired  he  bought  it  and  brought  it  home, 
and  it  has  since  descended  to  the  nearest  and  eldest  male 
Leinbach.  Its  history  as  printed  on  the  back  of  the 
chair  is  as  follows:  "Daniel  Leinbach,  of  Gilbertsyille, 
Montgomery  Co.,  was  a  member  of  the  Colonial  Assembly 
held  in  the  State  House  of  Philadelphia,  1735,  and  when 
his  term  had  expired  he  bought  the  chair  he  had  used 
in  the  Assembly  from  the  State  as  a  memento,  paving 
$5.00   for  the  unique  piece  of  furniture." 

D.  WEBSTER  BLAND  KUPP,  M.  D..  a  popular 
physician,  residing  at  Gibraltar,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  has  met 
with  success  in  his  chosen  calling.  He  was  born  at 
Schuylkill  Haven,  Schuylkill  county,  July  4.  1857. 

The  original  spelling  of  the  name  was  "Krupp,''  and 
the  family  is  distantly  related  to  the  noted  gun  makers 


t7^^^i-9e  »--7\ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  593 

Frederick  Kriipp,  great-grandfather  of  Dr.  Kupp,  emi-  sician  and  loyal  friend,  belonging  to  that  happy  class 

grated  from.  Germany^  and  became  one  of  the  early  set-  of  useful  men,  now  all  too  fast  disappearing  in  the  rush 

tiers  lof  Union  township,  Berks  county,  taking  up  a  large  of  modern  life — the  family  physicians. 
tract  of  land  opposite  Douglassville,  and  there  he  en-        Qn  March  15   1882   Dr.  Kupp  was  united  in  marriage 

gaged  in  farmiiig  and  blacksmithing.     Frederick  Krupp  ^^^^   Amanda    Smith,     daughter     of   Jacob     Smith,    of 

had  four  sons:  William,  John,  Frederick  and  Henry.  shenkel,    Chester    Co.',   Pa.     To   this   union   were   born 

John  Kupp,  son  of  Frederick,  was  born  in  Union  ^^^  ^^^^.  warren  Newton,  born  May  34,  1884,  died 
township,  Berks  county,  and  became  his  fathers  sue-  j^  ^ggg  ^„^  Webster  Bland,  born  Jan.  13,  1889, 
cessor  in  both  farming  and  blacksmithing.  He  was  a  '  jualed  from  the  preparatory  department  of  Dick- 
member'  of  the  German  Baptist  Church  of  Chester  ?  ^^„  College  in  June  1907,  and  then  entered  the  Med- 
county  Pa.  He  had  seven  children:  William,  Samuel.  ■  ^  Department  of  the  Medico-Chirurgical  College, 
John,  Isaac,  Harrison  Elizabeth  m.  Jacob  Haws,  a  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  to  take  up  the  profession  so  ably 
carpenter  and  undertaker  of  Union  township)  and  Mary  followed  by  his- father.  Mrs  Kupp  died  June  6,  1906. 
E.  (m.  Henry  W.  T.tlow,  of  Pottstown,  Montgomery  ^^  ^^^.^  married  (second)  Anna  F.  (Warmkessel) 
«-o.,  ra.)                                                        ■     ^i.       ,j  -vr  Wolfe,  widow  of  Dr.  William  S.  Wolfe,  of  Fleetwood, 

Isaac  Kupp    son  of  John   was  born  in  the  old  Kupp  p       \^.     ^^-^^  j^^^  ^^^^  blessed  with  one  daughter. 

Wn;/?h-    t.'iW  \r^i     .Th^'Th     .T     °°f\,.^^  Miriam  Bland,  born  March  6,  1908.    Dr.  and  M.rs.  Kupp 

learned  the  tailors  trade,    and    conducted    a    clothing  ^re  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
store  at  Schuylkill  Haven,  Schuylkill  county.  Pa.,,  and 

later  one  at  Pittston,  Pa  His  health  failed,  and  in  1860  gAMUEL  C.  MAYER,  for  over  fifty  years  a  prom- 
he  gave  up  his  mercantile  business  and  returned  to  the  ■  j  j^^^  ^f  Reading,  where  he  died  at  an  advanced 
v,™'A'if''i^  •'■  A  ";/>  ^  l-rj'^^'  .t  Py"'"  age.  was  prominent  both  in  the  business  life  and  ad- 
l^lli  t'  .^l^u^l  "P"^*?"^  \'  "-"'-l^'' Alf'V!'^  ministration  of  public  affairs  of  that  city. 
3,1893  In  1840  he  became  a  local  mimster  of  the  Meth-  y^^_  y^  .^^s  ^  nati,^,^  of  Lancaster.  Pa.,  born 
odist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  a  preacher  through  all  ^  jj  ^^  \g^,  g^,,  j,f  George  Louis  and  Esther 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  On  Aug.  4  1839  he  married  ((fiarkson)  Mayer.  He  received  his  education  in  his 
Margaret  L.  Bland,. who  was  born  Jan.  19  1819,  daughter  ^^^jj^^  ^  ^1^^^^  he  passed  his  early  boyhood,  being 
of  Edward  and  Martha  Bland.  Edward  Bland  was  born  ^-^^^^^  ^f  ^^en  he  came  to  Reading.  His 
^!^^;  ^\  ^^^\.^^^  belonged  to  the  old  Bland  family  g^gt  business  venture  here  was  in  the  hardware  line, 
of  Mt.  Airy,  Union  township,  Berks  county.  Pa.  He  ;„  association  with  his  cousins,  John  and  William 
was  the  father  of  the  following  children:  Edward  born  j^eim,  and  later  he  entered  into  partnership  with  his 
Ja».  23  1794;  Catherine,  Dec.  7,  1798;  Mary.  July  16,  brother-in-law,  A.  M.  Hart,  in  the  dry-goods  busi- 
1800;  Ann,  April  13.  1803;  William,  Sept  13,  1804;  ^ggg  jjg  ^as  also  interested  in  the  West  Reading 
Samuel,  Niov.  13,  1806;  Robert;  Jan.  23,  1809;  Adam,  Roller  Mill,  which  he  served  as  secretary  and  treas- 
May  5,  1811;  John,  Jan.  6,  1816;  and  Margaret  L.,  Jan.  ^je,.,  and  in  all  his  enterprises  he  proved  his  right  to 
19,  1819.  To  Isaac  and  Margaret  L.  (Bland)  Kupp  were  ^^e  high  standing  he  enjoyed  among  business  men 
born  four  children,  namely:  Elizabeth  Anna,  born  May  ^vherever  known 

3,  1845,  died  Aug.  27,  1880;  Edward  Newton,  born  Dec.  ^j   ^he    breaking   out    of   the    Civil    war    Mr.    Mayer 

10,  1847,  read  law  with  John  S.  Richards,  a  leading  mem-  enlisted   for   service    in   the    Union    army,   becoming   a 

ber  of  the  Berks  County  Bar,  and  after  graduating  with  member    of     Company    C,    42d     Pennsylvania    Volun- 

first  honors  at  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  Pa.,  Sept.  1,  teers,  and  he  was  a  soldier  until  the  close  of  the  con- 

1868,  took  charge  of  a  classical  institute  at  St.  Michaels,  fijct      ft  .^^as  after  his   return  from  the   army  that   he 

Md.,  and  died  at  that  place  Dec.  30,  1868;  Walter  Earl,  began   to   take   an   active   interest   in   municipal   affairs 

born  Sept.  5,  1853,  died  Nov.  17,  1855;  and  D.  Webster  ;„   Reading.     He  was  a  stanch  member  of  the  Demo- 

•  B..  born  July  4.  1857.  cratic  party,  and  as  its  candidate,  in  1871.  was  elected 

Dr.  D.  Webster  B.  Kupp  received  his  early  education  mayor  of  the  city  by  a  majority  of  451  votes,  his  Re- 
in the  Hill  school  at  Pottstown,  Montgomery  county,  publican  opponent  being  William  Geiger.  He  served 
and  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Franklin  one  term  in  that  responsible  incumbency,  giving  thor- 
R.  Gerhard,  of  Douglassville,  Berks  county.  After  a  ough  satisfaction  to  his  constituency  and  maintaining 
three-years  course  he  graduated  from  the  Medical  De-  the  high  reputation  he  had  made  in  business  life.  In 
partment  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  Philadel-  1868-70  Mr.  Mayer  was  a  member  of  the  common 
phia,  Pa.,  March  15,  1882.  On  June  1,  1882,  he  located  council,  representing  the  Seventh  ward.  Mr.  Mayer 
at  Gibraltar,  Berks  county,  for  the  practice  of  Mfedicine.  was  in  poor  health  for  a  number  of  years  toward  the 
and  there  he  has  continued  ever  since.  He  has  built  close  of  his  life,  suffering  from  a  complication  of 
up  a  large  practice  and  has  won  a  warm  place  in  the  ailments,  but  his  last  illness  was  comparatively  brief, 
hearts  of  the  people  in  the  village  and  in  the  surround-  He  died  at  his  residence  No.  144  North  Fifth  street, 
ing  country.  on    Tuesday    afternoon,    Sept.    25,    1906,    aged    eighty- 

Dr.  Kupp  is  a  firm  believer  in  the  principles  of  the  two  years,  five  months,  eight  days.     He  was  a  member 

Republican  party.     In  1885  and  1897  he  was  a  delegate  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

to  the  Republican  State  convention  from  Berks  county,  Mr.    Maye-r   married    Miss    Mary   A.    Hunter,   whom 

and  in  1892  was  alternate  delegate  to  the  National  Re-  he    survived    a    number    of    years,    the    only    surviving 

publican  Convention  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.     For  many  member    of    his   family   being    Miss    Mary    H.    Mayer, 

years   has   been   a  member   of   the   county    committee,  principal  of  the  Girls'  high  school,  Reading. 
From  1899  to  1905  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board 

in    Robeson    township,    filling    at    different    times    the  LATSHAW.     The  first  of  the  name  of  Latshaw  in 

offices   of    president,    secretary   and   treasurer   of    the  America  came  to   Pennsylvania  late  in  the  eighteenth 

■      board.     Since  May  1.  1898,  he  has  been  a  memiber  of  century,  and  settled_ either  in  Chester  or  Montgomery 

the   board    of    Pension    Examiriing   Surgeons   and    sec-  county,  and  there  his  son  John  was  born.     John  Lat- 

retary  of  the  board  since  1899.     He  is  an  ardent  friend  shaw,    on    reaching    manhood,    settled    in    the    vicinity 

and  supporter  of  the  Hon.  Boies  Penrose,  senior  Senator  of   Fritztown,   Berks   county. 

of  Pennsylvania.  In  the  fall  of  1903  Dr.  Kupp  was  John  Latshaw  (3),  son  of  John  and  grandfather  of 
raised  a  Mason  in  Union  Lodge.  No.  479,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Howard  and  Adam  Latshaw,  was  born  in  Spring 
He  is  a  charter  member  and  past  president  of  Wash-  township  about  1804,  and  died  in  middle  life.  He  was 
ington  Camp.  No.  593,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  Gibraltar.  He  a  tailor  by  trade,  and  was  also  engaged  for  many 
is  a  member  of  the  Berks  County  Medical  Society,  has  years  in  quarrying  stone,  which  he  disposed  of  to  con- 
been  a  member  of  the  State  Medical  Society  since  June  tractors.  He  married  Polly  (Mary)  Hinnershitz,  and 
39,  1887.  and  of  the  American  Medical  Association  since  to  them  were  born  the  following  children:  Jacob;  John 
1896.  Dr.  Kupp  is  both  the  practical,  resourceful  phy-  (3);  Abraham;  Isaac;  Harriet,  m.  to  Solomon  Yerger- 
38 


594  HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

Mary,  m.  to  Valentine  Moyer;   Jonas;   Catherine,  who  Myers,    of    Reading,    and    now    holds    membership    in 

died    at    the    age    of    ten    years;    Joseph,    a    farmer    of  Bethany  Lutheran  Church  of  West  Reading. 

Spring  township;  and  Susan,  m.  to  John  Moyer.     Both  On    Sept.    15     1884     Mr.    Latshaw    was    married    to 

John  (3)  and  his  wife  are  buried  at  Hain's  Church.  Annie   Eyrich,   born    Oct    17,   IfS./vho    died    Dec.   9 

John  Latshaw   (3)  was  born  Nov.  7,  1838,  in  Spring  l^"^.' .'daughter    of    Franklm    and    Mary    Ann     (Adam) 

J""".-^'"-=  J   '  .^  ,-'   .                              rj-^   „,  '     ,„    »r,^i  Evnch,  the  former   of   whom   lost  his   life   at   the   age 

township,   and   died   Aug.   29,   1903.      He   was   an   engi-  ^^    twenty-three    years,    when    with    his    brother    on    a 

neer   and   was   sixteen  years   with   the   G.   AA'    Alexan-  jg^^g^^e    trip,    he    slipped    on    the    deck    of    a    steamer 

der   Company,   of   Reading.     During  the    Cml   war   he  ^^^^^j   ^^,1   overboard.     Mrs.   Latshaw  had  the  following 

enlisted  as  a  member  of  Battery  F,  1st  Pa.  Light  Ar-  half-brothers    and    sisters:      Annie;    Richard;"    Robert 

tillery,  being  mustered  into  service  Feb.  13,  1864.     He  Pattison;    Mary   Ann;    Carrie'    and    Katharine    A.,    all 

served  in   the   Second  Army   Corps,  Army  of  the   Po-  Qf    ^hom    are    deceased,    with    the    exception    of    Miss 

tomac,  and  among  others  participated  in  the  following  Katharine    A.,    who    with    her    mother     resides    at    the 

engagements:      Wilderness,    Spottsylvania,    Cold    Har-  home  of  Mr.  Latshaw  in  West  Reading, 
bor   and   siege   of  Petersburg.     He  was   mustered   out 

with    his    regiment    June    9.    1865,    and    was    given    an  GEORGE    H.    LASH,    deceased,    who    was    long    a 

honorable    discharge.     Mr.    Latshaw   married    Rebecca  citizen   of  the   city  of   Reading,  being  employed  for  a 

Reedy,   born   Dec.   28,    1839,   who   died   Sept.   36,    1903,  period   of  thirty  years   at  the   Seyfert   McManus   Iron 

daughter  of  John  Reedy,  of  Spring  township,  and  chil-  Company,  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  June  21,  1819. 

dren    as    follows    were    born    to    them:      Mary    E.;    J.  Mr.   Lash   was   educated   in   the   common   schools   of 

William,  who  died  suddenly  in   1907,  aeed  forty-three  his   native  country,  where   he   was   employed  until  his 

years;  Thomas;  Adam,  of  Reading,  m.  to  Christina  F.  twenty-eighth   year,   at   which   time,   in    1847,   he   came 

Bower;    Howard;   and   Catherine.     Mr.   and   Mrs.   Lat-  to    America.      He    at    once    came    to    Reading,    finding 

shaw  are  buried  at  Sinking  Spring  burial  ground.  employment  as  a  laborer,  but  later  entered  the  employ 

Adam  Latshaw,  son  of  John   (3),  was  born  at  Sink-  of  Seyfert  &  McManus,  in  whose  iron  mill  he  worked 
ing    Spring,    May    13,    1868.      When    still    quite    young  as  engineer  for  thirty  years.     Mr.   Lash   died  Aug.   31, 
he  learned  the  hatting  trade,   and   during  the   summer  1893,  aged  seventy-three  years,  two  months, 
months    he    worked    at    the    trade    at    Alexander's    Hat  Mr.    Lash    was    married    to     Mary    Ann    Wonderly, 
Factory  at  West   Reading,   and   during  the  winters   he  daughter    of   Henry   and   Mary    (Whitman)    Wonderly, 
attended    school.      For    about    six    years    he    was    em-  and    to    this    union    there    were    born    twelve    children, 
ployed    by   the    Alexanders,    and    later    he    worked    for  all   of  whom  are  now   deceased  with   the  exception   of 
Kessler's   at   Reading  for  about  seven  years.     In   1895  Philip  H.  and  George  F.    Mr.  Lash  was  a  valued  mem- 
he    commenced    working    at   the   John    Hendel    &    Son  ber   of  the   Lutheran    Church,   which   he   attended   reg- 
Hat    Factory    in    Reading,    and    continued    with    them  ularly.      In    his    political    views    he    was    a    Democrat, 
as  journeyman  until  1901,  when  he  was  made  foreman  His   widow   resides    at    No.    924    Spruce    street,    where 
of  the  blocking  department.     This  position  he  has  since  the  family  has  lived  since  1869. 
most  capably  iilled.  and  being  a   good   mechanic   him- 
self,  he   is   able   to   direct  wisely  the   nine   men  in   his  ADAM    H.    LEADER,    one    of    Reading's    successful 
charge.      Since   189-1   he   has   resided  in   his   own   home  business   men,    has    been    prominent    in    public    life    as 
at   No.   118   Hamilton   street,   and  in   1905   he   built   his  well,  having  in  1896  become  city  comptroller,  and  later 
present    handsome     residence,    a    two-story    brick,    to  mayor.      He    was    born    March    22,    1867,    in    Reading, 
take    the   place   of   the   former   home   at   that   number,  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Herb)  Leader. 
He    is    the    owner    of    some    fine    pigeons,    all    flying  Jacob    Leader,    grandfather    of    Adam    H.,    was    born 
homers,  and  of  these  he  has  from  one  to  three  hundred  in    Montgomery   county.    Pa.,    whence    he    removed    to 
all  the  time.     His  best  bird  won  a  500-mile  race.     He  Bern    township,    Berks    county,    and   later    to    Reading.^ 
also  keeps  fancy  chickens,  white,  brown  and  buff  Leg-  where  he  died, 
horns,  as  well  as  other  fancy  breeds.  Jacob  Leader,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  in  Bern  town- 

On    July    6,    1894,    Adam    Latshaw    was    married    to  ship   in    1838,    and    in    1850    located   in    Reading,    where 

Christina    (or    Christie)    F.    Bower,    daughter    of    John  the   rest   of   his   life   was   spent   at   the   molder's   trade, 

and    Christina    Fredericka    (Bower)     Bower,    both    na-  He  was  a  stanch  Republican,  but  never  cared  for  pub- 

tives    of    Wittenberg.    Germany,    who     emigrated     to  lie   office.      His   religious   belief   was    that   of   the    Cov- 

America,  landing  at   Castle   Garden  July  4,   1881.     Mr.  enant   Methodist   Episcopal    Church,   in   which   he   was 

and   Mrs.   Bower  have   five   children;   Maria   Catharine,  a   trustee.      Mr.    Leader   married   Sarah    Herb,   born   in 

Christina     Fredericka.     Wilhelm     Frederick,     Rosanna  1840,    and    four    children    were     born    to     this    union, 

Barbara  and  Martin  Frederick.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Latshaw  namely:     Adam  H.;  Sadie  M.,  m.  to  Irwin  B.  Homan, 

have    one    daughter,    Rosiena    Helen,    an    accomplished  of  Reading;  and  J.  Elmer  and  Harry  R.,  machinists  of 

musician    who    began    playing    the    piano    when     only  Reading. 

seven  years  of  age,  and  who  is  now  attending  the  Adam  H.  Leader  received  his  education  in  the  pub- 
public  schools.  lie  and  high  schools  of  Reading,  graduating  in  1884 
Howard  Latshaw,  son  of  John  (3)  and  brother  of  from  the  latter  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years.  He 
Adam,  was  born  in  Spring  township  Sept.  15,  1870,  learned  surveying,  and  was  engaged  therein  for  about 
and  was  educated  in  the  township  schools.  He  was  seven  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  entered  the 
but  thirteen  years  of  age  when  he  learned  the  hatting  real  estate  field,  in  which  he  has  been  eminently  suc- 
trade  with  G.  W.  Alexander  &  Co.,  with  whom  he  cesstul.  In  1889  Mr.  Leader  formed  a  partnership 
served  a  full  apprenticeship  of  three  and  one-half  with  Mr.  H.  H.  Roland,  and  continued  this  business 
years.     He  continued  in  the  employ  of  this  firm  until  for  a  period  of  twelve  years. 

March   1,  1890,  when  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi-  Mr.    Leader's   political    affiliations   are    with   the    Re- 

ness  at  the  corner  of  Chestnut  street  and_  Second  av-  publican  party,  in   the   ranks   of  which   he   has   been   a 

enue,  West   Reading,  where  he  owns  a  brick  dwelling  stanch   and   steady   standard   bearer.      In    1S93   he   was 

15x43   feet,   with   additions.     He   carries   a  full   line   of  elected    to   the    office    of   city   assessor    for    a    term    of 

general   merchandise,   and   he   possesses  the   full   confi-  three  years,  and  he  was  subsequently  placed  in  charge 

dence    of    the    community    in    which    his    business    is  of  the  finances   of  the  city,  being  elected  to  the  posi- 

located,   his   goods   being   of   the   best   quality   and   his  tion  of  comptroller,  for  also  one  term  of  three  years, 

prices   moderate.     In   addition   to   his   home   and   busi-  In  1899  he  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city  of  Reading", 

ness    property    Mr.    Latshaw    owns    much    other   valu-  and  served  a   full  term,   until  April,   1903,  after  which 

able   building  property  in  the  borough,  and  is  consid-  he_  entered  the  contracting  field,  his  principal  business 

ered    one    of    the    most    substantial    business    men    in  being  municipal   work   such   as   street    paving   and   the 

West    Reading.      In    politics    he    is    a    Democrat.      He  construction  of  sewers  and  filtration  plants,  and  he  is 

was   baptized   and   confirmed   by  the   Rev.   William   H.  now   building   a   water   filtering   plant    (known    as    the 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


595 


Burkhart  plant)  for  the  city  of  Reading.  Fraternally 
Mr.  Leader  is  connected  with  Reading  Lodge  No.  549, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Progressive  Lodge,  L  O.  O.  F. 

On  June  23,  1898,  Mr.  Leader  married  Mary  K. 
Fisher,  daughter  of  Wellington  H.  and  Caroline  Fisher, 
of  Reading. 

JOHN  SAUER,  who  passed  many  years  in  Reading 
engaged  in  shoemaking  and  in  the  retail  shoe  business, 
died  suddenly  Feb.  3,  1908.  He  was  a  native  of  Bavaria, 
born  in  1844,  son  of  John  Sauer,  Sr.,  and  his  wife,  Anna 
Eva  (Georg)  Sauer. 

John  Sauer,  Sr.,  was  born  in  H-ahnbach,  Bavaria, 
Germany,  in  1811.  In  August,  1854,  he  came  to  Amer- 
ica with  his  wife  and  children,  and  located  in  Readihg, 
Pa.,  where  he  found  work  as  a  roof-tile  and  brick'maker. 
In  Germany  he  had  married  Anna  Eva  Georg,  daughter 
of  Nicholas  Georg,  and  their  children  were:  Abolonia, 
m.  to  Christoph  Sauer,  of  Germany  (he  died  in  Read- 
ing); Barbara,  m.  to  Joseph  Waltman,  a  boiler  maker, 
and  living  at  No.  109  North  Ninth  street,  Reading; 
John;  and  Anna,  m.  to  Adam  Leithan,  deceased.  The 
mother  died  in  January  following  their  arrival  in  Amer- 
ica. Mr.  Sauer  married  a  second  time,  and  this  wife 
also  preceded  him  in  death.  He  died  in  1894,  and  is 
buried  in  the  Catholic  cemetery  at  Reading.  He  was 
a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  was 
always  interested  in  its  work. 

John  Sauer,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  was  six- 
teen years  old  when  he  began  to  learn  the  shoemaker's 
trade,  and  he  'worked  at  it  until  a  year  before  his 
death  when  failing  eyesight  caused  him  to  give  it  up. 
He  still,  however,  continued  his  retail  shoe  business,  at 
No.  350  North  Ninth  street,  a  place  he  had  occupied 
for  thirty-five  years,  and  which  building  he  owned. 
For  some  years  he  conducted  a  cigar  shop  in  connec- 
tion with  his  shoe  shop,  and  he  made  shoes  for  Martin 
Streng,  whose  store  was  at  No.  715  Penn  street.  When 
the  latter  died  Mr.  Sauer  gave  up  his  cigar  business, 
and  opened  a  shoe  store,  making  and  repairing  boots 
and  shoes.  He  was  a  fine  workman  and  by  steady  in- 
dustry and  good  business  sagacity  he  amassed  a  com- 
fortable fortune.  Not  all  of  his  time  was  given  to  the 
shoe  business,  as  he  became  interested  in  the  Hamp- 
den Knitting  Mills  Company,  and  was  one  of  its  direc- 
tors at  the  time  of  his  death.  In  public  affairs  he  was 
more  than  an  interested  on-Iooker — he  was  an  active 
participant,  and  as  a  Democrat  represented  the  Ninth 
ward  in  the  common  council  one  term,  and  in  the  select 
council  two  terms. 

Mr.  Sauer  was  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Catholic 
Church,  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Catholic  Literary 
Union  of  the  Bonifacius  Brotherhood.  In  the  latter 
society,  organized  forty-two  years  ago,  he  had  been 
president  twelve  successive  years,  and  previous  to  thav 
time  had  served  as  vice-pres'ident  and  in  other  posi- 
tions. He  also  belonged  to  the  Holy  Cross  Beneficial 
Society  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Sauer  married  Nov.  26,  1869,  Margaret  Knapp, 
daughter  of  George  Knapp,  and  she  with  six  children 
survives  him,  the  children  being:  John  E.;  Catharine, 
m.  to  George  Born;  George  C. ;  Francis  S.;  Rose,  m. 
to  Jacob  Ashenbrenner;  and  Adam. 

George  Knapp,  father  of.  Mrs.  Sauer,'  was  a  native 
of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  in  his  young  man- 
hood, and  settled  in  Reading.  He  was  a  stone  cutter 
by  trade,  and  helped  to  build  the  entrance  to  the  Charles 
Evans  cemetery,  Reading.  He  married  Margaret  Moss, 
a  native  of  the  same  German  town  as  he,  though 
their  marriage  took  place  in  this  country.  Their  chil- 
dren were:     Margaret,  Catharine,  Barbara  and  Rosa. 

ALVIN  DUNLAP,  superintendent  of  the  United 
Traction  Company,  of  Reading,  is  a  self-made  man 
who  by  sheer  force  of  ability  has  risen  from  the 
ranks  to  his  present  responsible  position. 

The  Dunlap  family  have  lived  in  Berks  county  for 
about   forty-five   years,   Mr.    Dunlap's   father,   Thomas, 


having  come  to  Reading  from  Chester  county.  He  was 
a  grocer  by  occupation  and  was  so  engaged  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  May  30,  1900,  when  aged  sixty-two 
years.  He  married  Sarah  Margaret  Smith,  who  died 
about  six  months  before  her  husband,  the  mother  of 
ten  children,  five  of  whom  she  outlived.  '  Those  who 
are  still  living  are:  William,  a  street  railway  con- 
ductor; Sarah  Ellen,  m.  to  Lewis  Schott,  a  grocer 
in  Readitig;  Howard  F.,  a  farmer  in  Lancaster  county; 
and  Alvin. 

Alvin  Dunlap  was  born  Sept.  30,  1863,  in  Reading. 
Until  he  was  thirteen  he  attended  the  public  schools, 
but  was  then  obliged  to  start  working..  He  began 
in  1875  as  a  driver  of  a  horse  car  and  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  street  car  service  ever  since.  Not 
many  months  after  his  appearance  as  a  driver,  he  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  some  one  on  the  staff  of  the 
Eagle,  and  in  the  issue  of  Jan.  21,  187S,  he  was  given, 
a  big  write-up,  and  a  successful  future  Was  prophe- 
sied for  him.  His  rise  was  both  steady  and  rapid, 
and  as  early  as  1891  he  reached  the  position  of 
despatcher.  In  1900  he  became  assistant  superintend- 
ent, and  four  years  later^  was  promoted  to  his  present 
office  of  superintendent,  'and  he  has  about  three  hun- 
dred men  under  his  personal  control.  His  rise  has 
been  due  to  merit  alone,  for  he  possesses  the  qualities 
specially  requisite  for  success  in  a  traction  business.- 

Mr.  Dunlap  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife, 
who  died  about  seventeen  years  ago,  was  Miss  Mar- 
garet Snell,  daughter  of 'a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
who  died  from  a  wound  received  during  that  struggle. 
There  were  three  children  by  this  union:  Thomas 
Alvin,  a  railway  conductor;  Anna  Margaret,  m.  to 
Harry  F.  Hertzog,  a  conductor;  and  Ellen,  at  home. 
The  present  Mrs.  Dunjap  was  Miss  Sallie  Endy, 
daughter  of  Jediah  Endy,  of  Reading.  Mr.  Dunlap 
is  a  member  of  St.  James  Lutheran  Church.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  good  Republican,  but  has  too  little  time 
to  spare  from  his  duties  as  superintendent  to  be  active 
in  politics.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Vigilance  Lodge, 
No.  194,  I.  O.  O.  F.;  Castle  No.  63,  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Eagle;  and  Juniata  Tribe,  No.  74,  I.  O.  R.  M. 
He  has  long  been  connected  with  the  United  Traction 
Company's  Employees  Benefit  Association,  in  which 
at  present  he  holds  the  office  of  treasurer. 

HARVEY  A.  SPANNUTH,  proprietor  of  the  Kemp- 
ton  Creamery,  was  born  at  Crosskill  Mills,  Bethel 
township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  14,  1877,  son  of  Eman- 
uel and  Lydia  (Trautman)  Spannuth. 

On  the  memorable  Christmas  night  of  1776,  when 
General  Washington  crossed  the  Delaware  and  sur- 
prised and  captured  the  German  contingent  of  the 
British  army,  one  Henry  Spannuth  was  made  a  pris- 
oner. He  was  a  native  of  Brussels  and  had  been  hired 
as  a  British  soldier,  but  after  he  had  met  his  Ameri- 
can captors  and  was  released  by  them,  like  many 
others  he  not  only  refused  to  take  up  arms  against 
them,  but  on  the  other  hand  cast  his  lot  in  with  the 
struggling  patriots  and  assisted  them  in  their  battle 
for  justice.  After  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  he  set- 
tled in  Lebanon  county.  Pa.,  on  land  now  owned  by 
Jonathan  Yeiser.  Here  he  reared  his  family,  and  died. 
His  children  were:  Jacob  and  George  (twins).  Mol- 
lie,  Elizabeth,  Catherine,  Christian,  Eva  and  Sarah^ 
long  since  deceased. 

George  Spannuth  was  born  Nov.  17,  1800,  in  Jack- 
son township,  Lebanon  county.  In.  1823  he  married 
Mary  Weber,  of  Bethel  township,  and  of  their  seven 
children  six  grew  to  maturity:  '  Andrew.  J.  Henry, 
Emanuel,  Mary,  George  and  John,  of  whom  the  last 
survivor  was  J.  Henry,  who  died  Feb.  8,  1908. 

Emanuel  Spannuth,  son  of  Georee,  was  born  in 
Jackson  township,  Lebanon  county,  Feb.  2,  1828,  and 
died  Feb.  13,  1896.  In  his  young  manhood  he  came 
to  Berks  county,  and  he  purchased  the  Newcomet 
Mill  m  Bethel  township,  Berks  county,  and  for  thirty- 
five  years   conducted  it  with  great  success.     This   he 


596  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

remodeled   at   great   expense   and   made   it   thoroughly  county,    Pa.,    Mr.    Kreider    being    descended    from    the 

up-to-date,  being  one  of  the  first  roller  mills  between  latter. 

Hamburg  and  Lebanon.  It  had  a  capacity  of  sev-  William  Kreider,  grandfather  of  the  Alderman,  lived 
enty-five  barrels  per  day  (twenty-four  hours).  It  is  in  Lititz,  Lancaster  county.  He  went  to  Florida  and 
said  that  altogethef  the  mill  cost  him  $50,000,  took  part  in  the  Seminole  Indian  war  and  was  never 
but  he  had  a  large  local  trade  and  regardless  of  the  heard  from  afterward.  Edwin  W.  Kreider,  the  Alder- 
amount  expended  on  his  mill,  he  made  a  good  per  cent  man's  father,  was  then  but  four  years  old.  He  be- 
on  his  investment.  This  mill  and  the  one  hundred  came  a  carriage  builder  and  died  in  Reading  May  17, 
acres  of  land  belonging  to  the  mill  property  had  been  1904,  aged  seventy-four  years.  He^  married  Ange- 
in  the  Newcomet  name  for  a  century.  Mr.  Spannuth  lina  Missemer,  daughter  of  Samuel  Missemer,  who  was 
employed  six  or  seven  men  all  the  time,  and  he  was  in  the  cigar  business  at  Catasauqua,  and  they  were 
succeeded  in  this  mill  by  his  son  Acquillas,  who  now  the  parents  of  ten  children,  four  of  whom  are  deceased: 
operates  it  and  owns  the  property.  It  was  burned  E.  W.,  who  died  in  1876,  aged  fourteen  years;  George 
Oct.  1,  1891.  causing  a  loss  of  $12,000.  Mr.  Spannuth  B.,  who  died  in  1866,  aged  two  years;  Mary  Ida,  who 
was  a  Republican  and  for  many  years  was  com-  died  in  infancy  in  1860;  and  Clarence,  a  book- 
mitteeman  of  his  party,  and  he  was  delegate  to  various  deeper  who  died  in  1903.  The  surviving  children 
county  conventions.  He  and  his  family  were  members  ^"^e  Milton  C;  Frankhn  _S..  a  constable  of  the  Fourth 
of     the     Lutheran     congregation     of     Klopp's     Union  ^"d,  Reading;  Annie,  wife  of  Benjamin  Schoenberger, 

Church,   in   which   he   had   held   membership   for   forty  '^J^^A°'^^'''Sj''^''''''l>l^^^^ 

,  J  11  J  i_     *„        T     lOQo      u   „  K-Olana   ana   Henry,   carriage   painters   oi   Reading. 

years,  and  was  deacon,  elder  and  trustee.     In  1882  when        A/r;r(.„„    r     tt^^-.aL,    „„„    i ,„    n/r„,„u    oo     10c..  j 

IT,        ■  X     1        1        ■      L    -1^  1  1.   •  r  iT_  Milton    L..    Kreider    was    born    March    23,    1854.    and 

the  present  church  was  built  he  was  chairman   of  the  ,  „      „„      ,.       .    ,  .      ,,  ui-         1,1        t         ^""•»^>    t"-^ 

,    -ij.  ..,  TT  u     ■  J   ■      ^u  *  he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.     Leaving  home 

building   committee.      He   was   buried   in   the   cemetery  „.    ,.„  „„       f  ^        ^  t-     c     ^  ^■ 

J-   ■   ■  -r-  ,    c  it.  ■  J    T     1-      T       i  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  his  first  occupation  was 

adjoining.      Emanuel    Spannuth    married    Lydia    Traut-  ,,.  i,.„j;„„     „^?,  ^u        i   •  -lj         "^v^">'.'»'-  "" 

11..         TT       iUTi  ju  -J  at  herding  cattle  on  the  plains.     He  spent  eigrht  years 

man,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Trautman,  and  she  survived  „„   .1  „   r=    ..  _         ,   ^,     ^      .       .        .  ^  -r,     j?       j'taia 

u^^   u„^u„,,A    K„(.   =i„„<,„    tu^       ■T'U^,,    u„A    4.i,;,t=„„  °^  the  frontier,  and  then   returning  to   Reading,  went 

tier   nusbana    but   eleven    months.      Ihey    had    thirteen  ■„,.      .i,„  ■  u     ■  vi     i.-     r  ii,         u  ■ 

children:      Henry,    a    wholesale    milk    and    ice    cream  '"'°    ''^%'?,';,^Tn^         ?'.  Ti*^'  w.   ^^*^m'    ^^=°'?'"§ 

dealer  at  Pottsville;  Elizabeth,  who  died  young;   Mad-  ?f""t   nnc^f  nn        r     i«Br        u        l^'      ^\  remained 

eline,   who   died   young;   Emma,   m.   to   Isaac   Sensing;  'J^n*^''   P°''*'°^  ""*''   ^f^   ^'''•''   ^'^'^n"'   ^°   ^=5"y'"i 

Amelia,   unmarried;    Lydia,    deceased,   m.    to    Benjamtn  hLin^  ^'     if  ^"^''^^'^  '"  '^""^^^  building  and  hotel 

Strause    and   had  two   daughters;   Morris,   a   miller   at  ll^,^'"^  ^°l±t  own    account,    remaming     there     six 

Fredericksburg,    Pa.;   Andrew,   a   miller   and   farmer   at  ?'l?:^,^',  "™'"^  'i°    ^^^^/"g   he    entered   his   fathers 

Enders,    Dauphin    county;    Acquillas,    successor    to   his  ""'^f^    li'oi'V/T    ■'     *''"    Pos  tion    of    superintend- 

father  knd  owner  of  the  home.teprl-   Alire    m    to  T..,-,.  «?':.    ^5.  ^^??   ^i' .Mulder  was   elected   superintendent 

lected 
lected 


Crosskill  Milk-  and   Hnrvpv  A  '^°    ^"cceed   himself   in    that    office.      In    1902,    although 

L-rosskUl  Mills     and  Harvey  A.  ,       ,        ,■         ■  running  on  the  Democratic  ticket  in  a  Repubhcan  ward 

Harvey   A.    Spannuth    received    a    good   education    m  ^^    ^^°  ^^^^^^^   alderman    of   the    Fourth   ward     which 

the  public  schools  which  he  supplemented. by  a  course  0^,^   ^e  is   still   filling. 

in   the   Commercial   Department  of  the   Lebanon   Busi-        ^       Kreidpr    wn=!    m-ii-nVrl    Anril    ci     iqri     f„    v.,i» 

ness    college,    from    which    he    graduated    in    1899.      At  rZr      R.    .Ll    hf=  ZVf^h.   .       I     I    1   !  '     °,  Tf  """ 

the     age     of     sixteen     he    ilearned     milling    under     his  TrT.v  Rpdrn^  .n^   llrn     Hn,    r     f     '^  J'T?    children: 

father,   and   this   he   followed   for   five   years.     In    1900  ^T/t   ^chnnl  """l.^^Z^^  m?     "'  ^^^■?^  '^•''°"' 

he   began   in  the  creamery  business   at   Crosskill  Mills,  "e^hl/';'}°°,L    p^f^AW    fl\    T^l'    ^'^'n',   "    ^ 

and  at  the  same  time  took  a  course  in  the  Dairy  De^  ??,^X,     .I1    "Thf  ror^J;.ill=  "  ^7*""^?   .O^^er    of 

„_.-i„,„„i      t    tu       TD  1        •        Ci  i       ^  ri  T^r  Hagles,    and      1  lie    L-ommercials.        In    reliffion    he    i<; 

Knn^L^.H  1,^=  K  nTfl'"'"'Mr    ^'''*1     ^^"'#^-      ^'-  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  ^ 

apannuth  and  his  brother  Acquillas,  under  the  firm  name 

?^,A-^^-    Spannuth    &    Brother,    conducted    Crosskill        JOHN  F.   REIFSNYDER,  in  whose  death  at  Reading 

Mills  Creamery  for  one  year,  when  the  firm  dissolved.  Pa..   March    17,    1905,   this   city   lost  a   citizen   who   had 

Mr.  Harvey  A.  Spannuth  went  to  Fredericksburg,  and  been  identified  with  the  commission  business   here  for 

operated   the   Fredericksburg  roller   mills   for  two   and  many  years,  was  widely  known. 

one-half  years.     In   the  fall  of  1904  he  came  to  Read-        John     F.     Reifsnyder    was    born    in     Oley    township 

ing,  and  for  one  year  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Read-  April    22.    1848,    a    son    of   Joel    and    Margaret    (Jones)' 

ing   Radroad    Company.      In    1905   he    moved   to    Lyon  Reifsnyder.     His  father  was  a  blacksmith  and  followed 

Valley,  and  there  conducted  the  Lyon  Valley  Creamery  his   business   at   Unionville,   where   he    died   at   the   ao-e 

and    farm    for    Smale     Brothers,    remaining    two    and  of    thirty-three    years.      His    widow    died    in    October 

one-half  years.      From   there   he   came   to   Kempton   in  1908,  at  Baumstown.     They  had  four  children    Georee" 

the   spring  of   1909,   and  has   since   successfully   operat-  John    F.,    Matilda    and    Joel,    Jr     (who    died  '  Tulv    lo' 

ed   the  Kempton   Creamery.     He   receives   about  20,000  1909).  J     :>         > 

pounds  of  milk  per  week.  ,  ^     ,     .  ,  ,.  Mr.    Reifsnyder    obtained    a    common    school    educa- 

bocially   Mr.   bpannuth   is   a   member   of  Fredericks-  tion    and    when    he    was    sixteen    years    of    age    he    se- 

burg  Lodge,  No.  353,  I.  O.  O.  F.;  and  Jordan  Encamp-  cured     employment     in     the     shipping     department     of 

ment    of    this    order,    at    Pleasant    Corner,    in    Lehigh  the   Brooke   Iron   Company,   of   Birdsboro      In   1886  he 

county.     He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the   old   Lutheran  came  to  Reading  and  opened  a  retail  commission  house 

^^^\?^   Rehrersburg.  at  No.  210  North  Ninth  street,  where  he  continued  for 

On   May  20,   1902,   Mr.   Spannuth   married   Laura   H.  ten    years,    when,    on    account    of   business    exoansion 

Snyder,  daughter  of  Davilla  and  Catharine  (Schneider)  he  bought   the  two   dwellings  at  the  north-east  corner 

Snyder,  the  former  a  horse  dealer  in  Bethel  township.  01    Ninth   and   Elm   streets.     These   he    converted   into 

Two  children  have  been  born  of  this  union:     Ray  S.,  appropriate   buildings   for   his   business    and   here    con- 

who  died  m  mfancy;  and  Donald  S.  tinned    in    the    commission    line,    both    wholesale    and 

J     i      r  KREIDER,    alderman    of   the    Fourth  Reading    Railway   freight    house,    at    Eighth    and    But- 

ward,   Reading,   has   been   prominently   connected   with  tonwood   streets,   with   an   office   on   the   Eighth    street 

the  political  affairs  of  that  city  for  a  number  of  years,  side,  and  this  he  converted  into  a  storage  warehouse 

He    is    descended    from    a    family    of    German    origin.  Here    he    carried    on    his    enormous   business    for    four- 

the    tounders    of    which    in    this    country    were    three  teen   years   and   during  this   time   handled   hundreds   of 

brothers,    who    came    to    America    many    generations  car    loads    of    commodities.      As    an    example    of    his 

ago      One    of   them    settled    in    Lebanon    county,    one  vast    trade,    in    a    single    year   he    handled    seventv-five 

in    Huntingdon    county    and     the    other    in    Lancaster  cars  of  bananas  and  sixty  cars   of  oranges 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


597 


Mr.  Reifsnyder  was  married  at  Reading,  in  1870,  to 
Annie  G.  Lincoln,  daughter  of  the  late  John  D.  and 
Sarah  (Gilbert)  Lincoln,  the  former  of  whom  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty-one  years  and  the  latter  at  the  age 
of  eighty-five  years.  They  had  the  following  child- 
ren: Amelia,  deceased;  Alfred;  Harrison,  of  Reading; 
Elizabeth;  John,  deceased;  Richard;  Martha;  Annie 
G.;  Sarah;  Mary;  and  Oscar,  who  died  young.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Reifsnyder  had  one  daughter  that  died  in 
infancy.  Mr.  Reifsnyder  invested  in  Reading  property 
to  some  extent  and  in  1893  erected  Reifsnyder  Hall, 
which  is  situated  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Ninth 
and  Elm  streets,  and  which  is  rented  for  lodge  pur- 
poses. 

Mrs.  Reifsnyder  belongs  to  the  same  Lincoln  fam- 
ily that  gave  the  people  of  the  United  States  the 
immortal  President.  Abraham  Lincoln.  In  Exeter 
township  about  a  mile  below  Exeter  Station  there  is 
an  old  stone  house  in  which  lived,  up  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  in  1736,  Mordecai  Lincoln,  who  was  the 
great-great-grandfather  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  The 
Lincoln  homestead,  which  embraces  sixty-one  acres 
is  owned  by  the  brother,  Richard  G.  Lincoln,  who  was 
born  in  Exeter  and  is  the  third  surviving  brother  of 
Mrs.  Reifsnyder.  He  purchased  the  property  some 
ten  years  since,  and  in  many  ways  he  is  a  typical 
Lincoln,  closely  resembling  the  martyred  President. 
The  latter  was  not  born  in  the  old  stone  house,  but  it 
'  is  so  closely  associated  with  the  early  days  of  the 
family  that  its  possession  is  a  source  of  pleasure  to 
the  younger  generation. 

JOHN  H.  OBOLD,  of  John  H.  Obold  &  Co.,  hard- 
ware dealers.  No.  300  Penn  street,  Reading,  Pa.,  is 
a  representative  business  man  of  that  city,  and  was 
born  in  Penn  township,  Berks  county,  March  8,  1850, 
son  of  Elias  and  Elizabeth  (Filbert)  Obold.  The  name 
was  originally  spelled  Abold,  and  tradition  says  that 
three  brothers  of  the  name  came  to  America,  one  set- 
tling in  Bern  township  and  one  in  Heidelberg  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  while  the  third,  it  is  believed, 
settled  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  state,  although 
nothing  definite  is  known  of  him. 

The  progenitor  of  this  old  and  honored  family  was 
Joseph  Obold,  who  settled  in  Bern  township,  Berks 
county,  prior  to  the  erection  of  the  county  in  1752, 
and  in  1759  he  paid  a  federal  tax  of  eight  pounds.  His 
will  is  on  record  in  Will  Book  3,  page  80,  and  was 
entered  Nov.  30,  1770,  from  which  fact  it  is  deduced 
that  he  probably  died  early  in  November,  1770.  He 
was  survived  by  his  wife  Maria  Elizabeth.  From 
items  in  his  will  it  appears  that  he  had  children  not 
yet  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  mentions  his  son 
Joseph,  who  obtained  the  homestead  by  paying  seventy 
pounds  to  the  other  heirs  and  twenty  pounds  annually 
to  his  mother.  The  will  was  witnessed  by  Hieronymus 
Hemmig.  Mathias  Stoudt  and  Nicholas  Holler.  This 
Joseph  Obold  is  probably  the  same  Joseph  who  came 
to  America  on  the  ship  "Robert  and  Alice"  which 
landed  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  3,  1739,  and  on  this  same 
vessel  was  one  Mathew  Onbolt,  perhaps  a  brother.  In 
1759  in  Heidelberg  township  lived  Sebastian  Obold, 
who  paid  a  federal  tax  of  ten  pounds.  There  is,  how- 
ever, nothing  to  indicate  his  relationship  to  Joseph, 
.though  it  is  very  likely  that  they  were  related,  nor  is 
there  record  of  his  children. 

Joseph  Obold,  great-grandfather  of  John  H.,  died 
during  the  building  of  the  Union  canal,  where  he  con- 
tracted a  fever.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  own- 
ing upwards  of_  three  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Penn 
and  North  _  Heidelberg  townships,  this  being  subse- 
quently divided  among  his  children,  and  he  was  also 
the  owner  of  the  "Mt.  Pleasant  Hotel."  Among  his 
children  were:  Rebecca,  m.  to  Andreas  Greth;  Eliza- 
beth, m.  to  Benjamin  Haas;  Mrs.  Umbenhauer;  Joseph, 
whose  only  daughter  became  the  wife  of  James  Christ, 
of  Reading;  George;  and  Philip. 


Philip  Obold,  son  of  Joseph,  was  a  yeoman  of  Penn 
township.  He  made  his  will  March  27,  1843,  and  it  , 
was  probated  June  17,  1843.  He  married  Susanna 
Hetrick,  and  among  their  children  were:  Elias,  who 
was  executor  of  his  father's  will;  and  Sophia  and 
Philip,  who  were  under  age  at  the  time  of  their  fath- 
er's death,  and  for  whom  their  uncle,  George  Obold, 
acted  as  guardian.  Philip  Obold  was  a  stanch  Democrat 
in  his  political  belief,  but  was  never  an  aspirant  for 
political  preferment.  He  and  his  wife  were  members 
of  the  Reformed  Church.  The  early  Obolds  were 
Roman  Catholics,  and  with  the  Deppens,  Kisslings  and 
others  donated  the  land  for  the  Catholic  cemetery. 

Elias  Obold,  son  of  Philip  and  Susanna,  was  reared 
to  farm  pursuits,  but  on  reaching  manhood  directed 
his  attention  to  the  mercantile  business,  carrying  on  a 
successful  general  store  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  although  he 
still  owned  and  operated  a  farm.  He  was  honest  and 
upright,  and  his  word  was  as  good  as  another's  note 
with  those  he  met  in  business.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  and  in  that  faith  died  in  1888, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Filbert,  who  died  Dec.  26,  1904,  aged  eighty-one  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Obold  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  P.  Reiley  F.;  Elias;  Emma;  Mary;  Katie; 
John  H.;  Annie,  who  died  aged  twelve  years;  and 
several  who  died  in  infancy. 

John  H.  Obold  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  and  in  the  Keystone  State  Normal  at  Kutz- 
town,  Palatinate  College  at  Myerstown  and  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant Seminary  at  Boyertown.  He  taught  school  for 
seven  terms,  and  for  some  time  was  engaged  in  farm 
work.  In  1871  he  came  to  Reading  where  he  engaged. 
as  a  clerk  with  the  firm  of  Lerch  &  Co.,  hardware  mer- 
chants, in  which  capacity  he  remained  until  1881,  when 
he  came  to  his  present  stand,  then  operated  by  Jones 
&  Clous,  purchasing  the  stock,  and  doing  business  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  J.  H.  Obold  &  Co.  The  firm, 
handles  all  kinds  of  shelf  hardware,  builders'  mater- 
ials, gjass,  paints,  oils,  etc.,  and  all  other  lines  usually 
carried  in  a  first  class  store,  giving  particular  atten- 
tion to  shot-guns,  rifles,  and  ammunition.  The  firm 
also  carries  a  full  line  of  horse  blankets  and  lap  robes, 
and  is  the  Reading  agent  for  the  Oliver  Chilled  Plows 
and  Blue  Rock  Targets.  Mr.  Obold  has  sustained  the 
reputation  of  his  ancestors  for  honest  and  square  deal- 
ing, and  his  house  is  known  all  over  this  section  of 
Pennsylvania.  Sixteen  men  are  employed,  including 
three  traveling  salesmen  who  cover  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Mr.  Obold  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife, 
Elizabeth  M.  Evans,  who  died  May  3,  1900,  was  a 
daughter  of  John  V.  R.  Evans.  Three  sons  were  born 
of  this  union:  Howard,  Calvin  and  Lester  Elias,  the 
latter  of  whom  died  Oct.  23,  1905,  aged  twenty  years, 
five  months  and  twenty-five  days.  Of  the  others,  How- 
ard, a  graduate  of  Franklin  and  Marshall  College  and 
the  Eastern  Theological  Seminary  both  of  Lancaster, 
was  ordained  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
1901,  and  is  now  located  at  Alexandria.  Pa.  Calvin  is 
ond)  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Yalentine)  Fidler,  of  Womelsdorf. 
'clerking  in  his  father's  store.  Mr.  Obold  married  (see- 
Fraternally  Mr.  Obold  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No. 
549,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  257.  R.  A.  M.; 
Reading  Commandery,  K.  T.;  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O. 
N.  M.  S.;  Wyomissing  Council,  R.  A.  For  over  thir- 
ty years  he  has  been  a  member  and  officer  in  the 
Second  Reformed  Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  for  seven  and  a  half  years  held  the  office  of 
Prison  Inspector.  For  more  than  twenty  years  he 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Reading  board  of  school 
controllers,  and  has  been  serving  as  chairman  of  the 
Text  Book  committee  many  years.  He  also  is  a 
member  of  the  Building  and  Sites  committee. 

JAMES  FICHTHORN,  a  representative  business 
man  of  Reading,  Pa.,  who  is  engaged  in  general  con- 
tracting, is  also  the  owner  of  a  fine  129-acre  farm  in 


598  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

Bern  township,  Berks  county,  upjn  which  he  does  where  he  is  still  engaged  in  boating.  He  has  been 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Fichthorn  was  very  successful  in  this  line  and  now  owns  several  canal- 
born  Nov.  14,  1848,  in  Reading,  son  of  George  and  boats,  worth  $3,000  each,  and  several  spans  of  good 
Hannah   (Lutz)   Fichthorn  mules.     Mr.   Martin   has   been   twice  married.     By  his 

The  grandfather  of  James  Fichthorn  was  a  native  of  fi^t  wife,  Lucy  Ann  Miller,  he  had  one  son;  Esekiah, 
Reading,  and  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  ^ho  inamed  Florenda  Swoyer.  Mr.  Martin  m.  (see- 
that  city.  After  acquiring  his  literary  training  he  ond)  Catherine  Trumbert,  who  was  born  in  Germany 
chose  farming  as  a  vocation,  and  was  actively  en-  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1845,  when  seven  years 
gaged  at  that  occupation  all  of  his  life.  He  married  o'd  To  this  marriage  there  have  been  born  these 
I  Miss  Rapp,  and  to  them  were  born:  John,  Daniel,  children:  Alice,  m.  to  Joel  Heckman  of  Shoemak- 
William,  Lewis.  Andrew,  George,  Charles,  Catherine  "j^^"^!  ^'"I'l^  \"^  ?'"^"r'!l'  ^1"°.  djedin  childhood; 
(m.  Adam  Fasig)  and  Susan  (m.  William  Call).  The  Adam  S.;  Albert,  who  died  of  typhoid  fever  when 
family  were  Lutherans,  and  belonged  to  old  Trinity  twelve  years  old;  Ida,  who  was  drowned  at  Norris- 
Lutheran  Church.  In  politics  Mr.  Fichthorn  was  a  town  when  twelve  years  of  age;  and  Lloyd,  who  died 
Democrat.  at    Roanoke,    Va.,    of    congestion    of    the    brain    when 

George    Fichthorn   was   born   in   Reading,   where   he  twenty-two  years  old. 
received  a  good  common  school  education,  and  when        Adam   S.   Martin   attended   the   schools   of   Hamburg 

a   boy  learned   the   blacksmith's   trade,   following   that  and    Windsor    township,    and    at   an    early    age    began 

occupation  practically  all  of  his  life.     He  was  a  pow-  boating  with   his  father   on   the   Schuylkill   Canal,   fol- 

erful  man  in  body,  and  was  known  far   and  wide  for  lowing  this  until  the  spring  of  1882.  when  he  engaged 

his    great    strength.      He    married    Hannah    Lutz    and  ;„   boating   for   himself   until    1886,    when    the   boating 

children  were  born  to  them,  viz.:  Mary  C.  m.  William  business  was  practically  abandoned  in  this   section  of 

Call;    Catherine    E.    m.   Jacob    Miller;    Susan   m.    John  Pennsylvania.     He  then  went  to  New  York,  engaging 

Obold;  Ellen  m.  Aaron  Wright;  Ann  m.  Daniel  Ruth;  jn    boating   coal    from    all    coal   points    on    the    Jersey 

Lucy  IS  deceased;  and  James.  side,   and  in   this   he   continued   until   1895.   and,   being 

James  Fichthorn  received  his  education  in  the  com-  an  expert  boatman,  was  successful.  In  the  spring  of 
mon  schools  of  Reading,  and  when  yet  a  boy  hired  isge  Mr.  Martin  returned  to  his  native  township  and 
out  to  Wilham  Call,  a  railroad  contractor,  driving  settled  on  his  father-in-law's  farm  for  four  years,  after 
a  horse  and  cart,  and  continued  m  this  capacity  for  which  he  began  operations  for  himself,  until  the  death 
six  or  seven  years,  when  he  himself  engaged  in  con-  of  his  father-in-law  in  July,  1903,  when  he  purchased 
tracting.  This  occupation  he  has  continued  to  the  the  interests  of  the  heirs.  This  property,  which  con- 
present  time  with  great  success,  and  is  at  present  sists  of  eighty-four  acres,  twenty-five  acres  of  which 
engaged  by  the  Lehigh  Coal  &  Navigation  Companv,  is  woodland,  is  situated  north  of  the  borough  of  Ham- 
on  work  that  is  known  to  coal  operators  as  "strip-  burg  along  the  Blue  Mountains  and  part  of  the  old 
pmg,"  1.  e.  removing  the  loose  soil  from  the  coal  fields,  house  which  is  still  standing  on  the  farm  was  built 
He  also  constructs  breakers  and  builds  railroads,  and  by  Henry  Noecker  in  1804.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin 
for  a  number  of  years  has  been  employed  in  the  coal  erected  a  new  residence  in  the  spring  of  1907,  and  in 
districts  of  Pennsylvania,  principally  in  Carbon  county,  various  ways  have  improved  their  property.  Mr.  Mar- 
now  working  at  Summit  Hill.  Mr.  Fichthorn  has  been  tin  is  engaged  in  the  dairy  and  poultry  business  and 
very  successful  in  his  operations,  and  is  considered  is  prosperous.  He  is  one  of  Windsor  township's  six 
one  of  Reading's  representative  business  men.  Republicans,   and   is   often   a   delegate   to   county   con- 

On  July  8,  1871,  Mr.  Fichthorn  married  Mary  A.  ventions.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
Heller,  daughter  of  Frederick  Heller  of  Boyertown,  First  Reformed  Church  of  Hamburg. 
Pa.,  and  these  children  have  been  born  to  this  union:  In  1886  Mr.  Martin  was  married  to  Lillie  H.  Heck- 
Ella  m.  John  Roy,  and  has  one  child.  Alma;  Anna  man.  born  Jan.  8,  1866.  daughter  of  Elias  N.  and  Lucy 
m.  Benjamin  Hauser,  and  has  three  children,  James,  Ann  (Mengel)  Heckman,  and  granddaughter  of  Jacob 
Ruth  and  George;  and  Charles  is  at  home.  In  polit-  and  Caroline  (Sticker)  Heckman.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs 
ical  matters  Mr.  Fichthorn  is  a  Republican.  He  is  Martin  have  been  born  these  children:  Edna  B..  born 
religiously  connected  with  St.  James  Lutheran  Church.  Dec.   9,   1886;   William   S..   March   14,   1890;    Mamie    F 

.„.,,  „    ^^.„„^-,  •     ,      •        .  -o     ,  J"'y  2°'  1893;  and  Carrie' M.,  June  32,  1896   (died  aged 

ADAM  S.  MARTIN,  an  agriculturist  of  Berks  coun-  five  days), 
ty.  Pa.,  who  is  carrying  on  operations  on  his  farm  of 

eighty-four  acres  in  Windsor  township,  situated  north         WILLIAM  B.  ANTHONY,  proprietor  of  the  Strauss- 

of    the    borough    of    Hamburg     Pa.,    along    the     Blue  town   Roller   Mills,  at   Strausstown,   Berks   county    has 

Mountains,   was   born    in    Hamburg,    Sept.    15,    1865,   in  been    established   there   since   1894      He   is   a   native   of 

Windsor    township,    son    of     Samuel     and     Catherine  Northampton    countv.    Pa.,   born    October    C     186'>     son 

<:'^i;"'"\7')  .  ^^?'"""-        ,  „.  .        ,     ,    .  ...  of  Jacob  Anthony.     His  grandfather  lived  and  died  in 

The   Martin  family  of  this   section   had  its   origin   in  that  county 
John    and    Jjacob    Martin,    early    settlers    of    Windsor         Jacob    Anthony    was    born    in    Northampton    countv 

township,  who  were  already  settled  here  in  1759,  when  and  there   learned   his  trade   of  carpenter      He  met  an 

the   first  tax  of  the  district  was.  levied,  and  who  it   is  accidental   death   in   the   car  shops  at  Packerton    when 

thought  came  to  America  about  1743.     Samuel  J.  Mar-  he  was  fifty-three  years  old,  and  he  is  buried  at  Cherrv- 

tin,    son    of   John    and    grandfather    of   Adam    S.,    was  ville,  Northampton  county.     He  was  a  member  of  the 

born    May    9,    1799,    and    lived    in    Windsor    township,  Lutheran   Church  and  a  most  respected  citizen      Tacob 

where  he  died  Oct.  2    1871.     He  married  Esther  Breit-  Anthony  married   Elizabeth   Reber    and   to   them   were 

igan    (1795-1865),    and    they    were    the    parents    of    the  born   the    following   named   children:    Catharine,   Mary  ■ 

following  children:     Benneville  died  at  the  age  of  sev-  Elizabeth.    Lewis,    Lucy.    Malinda     William    B       John 

enty-two  years;   Elizabeth  died  at  the   age  of  seventy;  and  Ellen  ' 

Sarah  died  at  the.  age  of  forty-one;  Rebecca  died  aged  William  B.  Anthony  attended  the  schools  of  North- 
eighty;  Joseph  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-one;  Samuel;  ampton  county,  and  when  twenty  years  old  went  to 
^'"f^-M^'^  7\'"  ^^^^"'y-i""--  y""  old;  Mary  died  learn  the  milling  trade,  which  has  been  h°s  lifl  work 
in  childhood;  James,  aged  seventy-five,  now  resides  He  spent  three  years  with  the  Mnn<;pr  Mill  rrr,-„T,,^  / 
at  Port  Clinton,  Pa-;  William  died  aged  forty-eight;  at  Tr'eichlers,  \i^d  tL^  for  two  ^ears  ^as  whirtYe 
and  Israel  died  aged  fifty-two.  Samuel  J  and  Esther  Wolfe  Company  of  ChambersburgfoundTrs  and  man- 
Martin  are  buried  in  the  old  graveyard  at  Hamburg.  ufacturers   of  mill   machinery,   engaged   as   a   salesma^i 

Samuel  Martin  was  born  in  1838,  in  Windsor  town-  and   in   the   erection   of  mill   macWnery      hIs   next To- 

ship    and  was  a  lifelong  boatman,  liymg  at  Hamburg  cation  was  at  Centerville,  Md.,  where  he  remained  for 

and  Leesport,  and  in  later  years  removing  to  New  York,  three   years,  thence  moving  to   Cedarville    near  Allen 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


599 


town,  Lehigh  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  had  charge  of  a 
mill  for  L.  H.  Lichtenwalner  for  one  year.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  he  went  to  Womelsdorf,  Berks  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account, 
staying  at  that  place  for  three  years,  until  he  came  to 
Strausstown,  in  1894.  Here  he  bought  out  the  Webber 
estate  and  engaged  in  the  business  to  which  he  has 
since  given  his  time.  His  mill  is  considered  the  most 
thoroughly  up-to-date  in  the  county,  if  not  in  the  State, 
the  present  structure,  a  three-story  and  basement  stone 
and  brick  building,  having  been  completed  in  1907  and 
equipped  with  all  the  most  approved  modern  machin- 
ery. The  old  mill  was  burned  May  24,  1907,  Mr.  An- 
thony suffering  great  loss  of  both  capital  and  business, 
but  he  did  not  despair  or  lose  any  time  rehabilitating 
his  establishment,  beginning  work  upon  his  new  mill 
injune,  1907.  It  is  a  model  plant,  equipped  with  a 
thirty  horsepower  auto  gasoline  engine  and  a  large 
water-wheel  eighteen  feet  in  diameter  and  four  and  a 
half  feet  wide,  known  as  the  I  X  L  steel  over-shot  water 
wheel.  Mr.  Anthony  manufactures  and  deals  in  high- 
grade  roller  Rfocess  flour  for  family  and  bakers'  uses, 
also  grain,  mill  feed  and  allied  products.  The  brand 
of  flour  of  which  he  makes  a  specialty  as  a  manufactur- 
er is  a  fancy  patent  known  as  "Snoflake,"  for  which 
there  is  a  large  and  steady  demand;  it  is  sold  mostly 
in  Schuylkill  county.  There  are  fourteen  acres  of  land 
connected  with  the  mill  property,  about  six  acres  being 
under  cultivation.  Mr.  Anthony  is  a  wide-awake  busi- 
ness man,  as  his  enterprising  methods  and  large  pat- 
ronage testify.  He  stands  high  in  the  community,  both 
as  a  man  of  intelligence  and  high  standards,  one  whose 
work  has  contributed  to  the  growth  of  his  section. 

Mr.  Anthony  married  Mary  A.  Mertz,  daughter  of 
Reuben  Mertz,  of  Lehigh  county,  Pa.,  and  eight  child- 
ren have  blessed  this  union:  Harry  W.  (m.  Florence 
Battinger),  Ida  M.  (m.  Howard  Spatz),  Bertha  M., 
Howard  J.,  Esther  L.,  George  M.,  Charles  A.  and 
Paul  R.  Mr.  Anthony  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Reformed  Church. 
Socially  he  holds  membership  in  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the  Ridgely  Association. 

REUBEN  G.  SH ALTER.  On  the  loster  of  the  rep- 
resentative business  men  of  the  city  of  Reading  is 
to  be  found  the  name  of  Reuben  G.  Shalter,  manager 
of  the  Reading  Lumber  Company.  He  is  a  native  of 
Berks  county,  where  the  family  was  established  at 
an  early  day,  and  was  born  in  Muhlenberg  township, 
in  1843,  son  of  Jacob  and  Henrietta  (Getz)  Shalter, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased. 

The, name  Shalter  is  also  spelled  Schalter.  Frantz 
Shalter  (1735-1813),  of  Maiden-creek  township,  left  a 
will,  which  is  on  record  in  Book  D,  page  173.  Of  this 
Michael  Shalter  was  the  executor,  and  in  it  are  men- 
tioned his  wife  Elizabeth;  son  Michael,  who  obtained 
the  homestead;  son  Jacob,  who  obtained  the  planta- 
tion in  Alsace;  and  sons-in-law,  Samuel  Bernhard, 
Abraham  Kissinger,  Daniel  Kershner  and  Peter  Roth- 
enberger.  The  Federal  census  of  1790  records  that 
France.  Shalter,  of  Maiden-creek,  had  two  sons  under 
sixteen  years,  and  two  daughters. 

Jacob  Shalter,  son  of  Frantz,  was  born  in  1777,  and 
died  in  1853,  and  is  buried  at  Gernand's  Church,  in 
Ontelaunee  township,  as  is  also  his  wife  Susanna,  born 
1784,  died  1841. 

Jacob  Shalter,  son  of  Jacob  and  Susanna,  and  father 
of  Reuben  G.,  followed  the  vocation  of  farming 
throughout  his  entire  life  and  was  a  resident  of  North- 
umberland county,  this  State,  at  the  time  of  his  de- 
mise, which  occurred  in  1862.  His  wife,  Henrietta 
Getz,  survived  him  many  years,  and  died  in  1888.  Both 
were  zealous  and  consistent  members  of  the  Luth- 
eran church.  They  became  the  parents  of  twelve 
children,  namely:  Jonathan;  Sarah  A.;  a  daughter 
died  in  infancy;  Sarah  C.  m.  Reuben  Hoffa;  Amanda 
m.  Jacob  Hoffman;  Elizabeth  died  at  the  age  of  thir- 
teen years;  Emma  m.  John  Sheetz;  Otilia  m.  Franklin 


Albright;  Henrietta  died  in  childhood;  Reuben  G.  is 
mentioned  below;  Jacob;  and  James. 

When  Reuben  G.  Shalter  was  a  child  his  parents 
removed  to  Northumberland  county,  and  in  the  public 
schools  there  he  received  his  early  educational  train- 
ing, and  continue^d  to  maintain  his  home  there  for 
twenty  years.  Since  then  he  has  been  a  resident  of 
Reading.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  he 
attained  his  majority,  and  for  several  years  was  part- 
ly engaged  at  teaching  in  the  country  _  schools,  at 
somewhat  irregular  intervals.  Upon  locating  in  Read- 
ing he  identified  himself  with  the  lumber  business*,  in 
which  he  became  associated  with  Reuben  Hoffa,  his 
brother-in-law,  continuing  thus  until  1886,  when  he  be- 
came one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Reading  Lumber 
Company,  and  with  this  he  has  since  been  identified 
owning  a  one-third  interest.  The  enterprise  is  one  of 
broad  scope,  and  the  thriving  business  has  been  built 
up  largely  through  the  effective  efforts  of  Mr.  Shalter, 
who  is  manager  of  the  concern. 

Mir.  Shalter  is  recognized  as  a  liberal  and  public- 
spirited  citizen  and  stibstantial  business  man.  In  pol- 
itics he  maintains  an  independent  attitude,  giving  his 
support  to  the  men,  and  measures  which  meet  the  ap- 
proval of  his  judgment.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  and  are  active  in  the 
various  departments  of  church  work. 

In  1876  he  married  Miss  Amanda  R.  Zacharias,  who 
was  born  and  reared  in  Berks  county,  daughter  of  the 
late  Daniel  Zacharias.  To  this  union  children  were  born 
as  follows:  Carrie,  m.  to  John  Spayd;  Charles  G., 
who  died  in  childhood;  James  E.,  in  the  employ  of  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company;  John  Z.,  who  holds 
a  clerical  position  in  the  postoffice  at  Chicago,  111.; 
Franklin,  who  is  employed  by  the  Reading  Lumber 
Company;  Charles  (2),  deceased;  and  Florence  R.,  at 
home. 


Dietrich  Shalter,  a  brother  of  Frantz  of  Maiden- 
creek,  was  a  pioneer  in  Alsace  township,  where  he 
owned  land.  The  Federal  census  of  1790  records  that 
"Didrich"  Shalter  was  the  head  of  a  family  of  three 
sons,  one  over  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  one  daughter. 

Dieter  Schalter  (or  Shalter),  a  son,  was  a  farmer  in 
Alsace,  and  was  married  to  a  Miss  Miller.  Their 
children  were:  Benjamin,  Reuben,  Magdalena  (m.  Levi 
Guldin);  and  Charles. 

Benjamin  Shalter,  son  of  Dieter,  became  a  promi- 
nent man  in  Alsace  township,  where  he  was  born  in 
1813.  He  died  in  August,  1883.  He  married  Louisa 
Mosser,  and  their  six  children  were:  Amanda  m. 
John  Gring,  of  Temple,  Pa.;  Jeremius  died  unmarried; 
Rebecca  m.  Albert  Knabb,  of  Reading;  Luzetta  m. 
Penrose  Wright  (deceased),  and  lived  first  in  Maiden- 
creek,  but  later  in  Red  Lodge,  Moi.t;  Kate  m.  (first) 
Jacob  Schmehl,  whose  children  were,  Lovina  (m. 
Wash  Guldin),  Mary  (m.  Samuel  Delp)  and  Augustus 
(of  Kutztown),  and  (second)  Charles  S.  Yocum;  and 
Appolonius  is  a  farmer  on  the  Alsace  homestead. 

Benjamin  Shalter  donated  a  part  of  his  land  for 
Shalter's  church  in  Alsace,  and  on  April  9,  1860.  the 
corner  stone  of  the  first  church  was  laid.  The  building 
is  a  two-story  stone  structure,  plastered  and  painted 
in  imitation  of  brick.  It  was  thoroughly  renovated 
and  newly  carpeted  in  1907,  and,  together  with  a  re- 
cently purchased  addition  to  the  cemetery,  rededicated 
with  appropriate  ceremonies.  The  farm  surrounding 
the  church  yard  is  now  the  property  of  Appolonius 
Shalter,  a  son  of  Benjamin. 

DANIEL  H.  MILLER,  one  of  the  venerable  citi- 
zens of  Spring  township,  Berks  county.  Pa.,  was  born 
at  Sinking  Spring,  August  20,  1835,  on  the  Miller  home- 
stead, son  of  Capt.  Daniel  and  Mary  (Hain)  Miller. 

Sebastian  Miller,  grandfather  of  Daniel  H.,  was  a 
native  of  the  Fatherland,  who  settled  in  Cumru  town- 
ship some  years  prior  to  the  'outbreak  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.     In  that  great  struggTe  he  bore  arms,  as 


600 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


captain  of  the  7th  company  of  the  Berks  County  Mili- 
tia, which  on  May  17,  1777,  was  in  active  service,  his 
ofificers  being  First  Lieutenant.  Adam  Ruth,  Second 
Lieutenant.  John  Gernant,  Ensign,  John  Ruth,  and 
Courtmartialmen  Michael  Ruth  and  Peter  Fisher. 
Captain  Miller  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  gave 
each  of  his  sons  a  large  property,  Sebastian  obtaining 
the  farm  at  Adamstown,  on  which  was  also  a  tannery; 
John,  a  farm  at  Sinking  Spring;  Henry,  a  farm  in 
Cumru  township;  Capt.  Daniel,  the  property  now  m 
the  possession  of  Daniel  H.  Miller,  of  Sinking  Spring; 
and  Benjamin,  the  farm  near  Fritztown,  now  in  the 
possession  of  John  Miller,  a  descendant.  Capt.  Sebas- 
tian Miller  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intelli- 
gence, was  a  man  of  courage  and  enterprise,  and  was 
esteemed  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was 
buried  in  the  Sinking  Spring  burial  ground,  adjoining 
the  church.  Captain  Miller's  sons  were:  (1)  Sebastian 
married  Catherine  Gernand.  (2)  Johannes  born  March 
30,  1773,  died  Nov.  7,  1836;  he  married,  in  1789,  Hannah 
Ludwig,  and  they  had  six  sons  and  three  daughters, 
two  of  the  former  and  one  of  the  latter  dying  in  in- 
fancy. (3)  Henry.  (4)  Benjamin.  (5)  George  mar- 
ried Susanna  Ruth.  (6)  Captain  Daniel.  Capt.  Se- 
bastian Miller  also  had  several  daughters,  one  of  whom 
married  a  Ruth,  and  another  a  Gernand. 

Capt.  Daniel  Miller,  father  of  Daniel  H..  was  born 
on  the  Miller  homestead  at  Sinking  Spring,  May  2, 
1789,  and  died  there  Feb.  6,  1844.  aged  fifty-four  years, 
nine  months,  four  days.  He  was  first  corporal  in 
Capt.  Henry  Willotz's  company,  which  was  at  York 
from  Aug.  28,  1814,  to  March  5,  1815,  and  subsequently 
he  was  commissioned  captain  by  Gov.  Joseph  Hies- 
ter  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  an  active  official  in 
military  affairs  of  Berks  county,  and  was  known  and 
recognized  as  an  authority  on  such  matters.  Captain 
Miller  owned  the  property  now  in  the  possession  of 
David  G.  Miller,  of  Sinking  Spring,  a  descendant,  ^nd 
was  a  lifelong  agriculturist,  becoming  well  and  favor- 
ably known  in  his  community.  He  married  Polly 
(Mary)  Hain,  born  Oct.  14,  1801,  who  died  May  23, 
1884.  daughter  of  Frederick  Hain,  also  a  captain  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  war.  To  this  union  were  born: 
Hiram  (born  Sept.  21,  1821,  died  June  1.  1877)  spent 
his  life  at  Sinking  Spring,  where  he  married  Ephia 
(1817-1873),  and  had  one  son,  John  M.,  of  Reading; 
Isaac,  who  settled  in  Freeport,  111.,  had  two  child- 
ren, Milton  (a  very  wealthy  citizen  of  Mexico)  and 
Hannah  (who  died  unmarried);  Sebastian,  a  farmer 
of  Danville,  111.,  had  three  children — Harry,  Ellen 
and  Daniel;  Jennie  married  Percy  G.  Smith,  a  clerk 
in  the  War  Department,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Frederick 
lived  in  Oakland,  Cal.;  Daniel  H.;  Miss  Katherine 
lives  on  the  old  place;  and  Elizabeth  married  Jandon 
Smith,    and    resided   at    Williamsport    for    many   years. 

Daniel  H.  Miller  attended  the  old  eight-cornered 
schoolhouse  located  on  the  Van  Reed  road,  for  some 
winters,  his  teacher  being  Prof.  Henry  Stetler,  of 
Chester  county.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm, 
and  until  fourteen  years  of  age  lived  with  his  parents. 
then  engaging  in  school  teaching  for  two  terms  at 
the  old  Steffey  schoolhouse,  and  one  term,  in  1867,  at 
the  Springs.  He  attended  Graybill's  Commercial 
school  at  Reading  for  nine  months,  and  then  resumed 
teaching,  the  school  term  lasting  but  four  months,  and 
the  salary  being  one  dollar  per  day. 

In  the  spring  of  1854  Mr.  Miller,  Dr.  Fisborn,  and 
Rev.  Eugene  Van  Reed,  went  to  California,  settling  in 
Sierra  county,  where  Mr.  Miller  engaged  in  mining, 
conducting  the  Pennsylvania  Company,  which  was 
located  twenty  miles  north  of  a  town  called  Minnesota. 
He  remained  in  California  for  thirteen  years,  and  was 
fairly  successful,  also  traveling  in  Oregon,  Washing- 
ton, Mexico,  Cuba,  Panama,  and  the  Central  West  of 
the  LTnited  States,  Virginia,  New  Jersey  and  other 
parts  of  this  country.  In  the  fall  of  1866  he  returned 
to  Berks  county,  where  he  has  since  remained.  In 
1894  Mr.  Miller  erected  a  fine  brick  residence  on  Flying 


Hill  avenue,  and  here  he  now  lives  in  quiet  retireinent. 
In  politics  he  is  an  independent  Republican,  and  from 
1884  until  1904  served  as  supervisor  of  Spring  town- 
ship, a  period  of  twenty  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  of  Sinking  Spring.  He  and  his  family 
are  Reformed  members  of  St.  John's  Union  Church,  of 
which  he  was  a  deacon. 

In  1868  Mr.  Miller  was  married  to  Rebecca  Reber, 
born  in  1845.  daughter  of  Joel  and  Lovina  (Faust) 
Reber,  of  Heidelberg  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller 
have  two  sons,  namely:  George,  born  Feb.  19,  1872, 
who  married  Ella  Frankhauser,  has  two  children — 
Esther  and  D.  Shelton,  is  a  dealer  in  horses  and  re- 
sides with  his  parents;  and  T.  Norris. 

J.  Norris  Miller,  one  of  Sinking  Spring's  well  known 
young  men,  was  born  Oct.  31,  1874,  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  local  schools,  and  was  licensed  to  teach, 
although  he  has  never  followed  that  profession.  He  has 
spent  all  of  his  active  life  in  dealinsr  in  horses,  and 
in  this  line  has  been  very  successful,  being  judged  a 
capable  business  man  and  substantial  citizen.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Republican.  His  religious  connection  is 
with  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church,  wheise.  since  1899, 
he  has  been  treasurer  of  the  Sunday-school.  In  April, 
1896,  Mr.  Miller  was  married  to  Alice  M.  Huyett, 
daughter  of  Charles  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Beidler)  Huy- 
ett, and  one  son,  Warren  H.,  has  been  born  to  this 
union. 

JACOB  NOLDE,  of  Reading,  has  had  a  business 
career  which  can  find  few  parallels  in  the  industrial  his- 
tory of  Berks  county.  As  the  head  of  the  Nolde  &  Horst 
Company,  manufacturers  of  hosiery,  who  have  established 
at  this  point  one  of  the  largest  plants  of  the  kind  in  the 
United  States,  his  operations  bear  an  important  relation 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  city.  The  fifteen  hundred  em- 
ployes of  this  immense  concern  form  a  large  propor- 
tion of  its  industrial  population. 

Old-established  families  and  native-born  residents  of 
this  section  are  so  numerous  that  Mr.  Nolde's  residence 
in  Reading,  dating  from  the  year  1888,  seems  compara- 
tively brief.  Its  influence  in  increasing  the  wealth  of  the 
community  is  not  to  be  measured  by  years.  The  profitable 
operation  of  so  large  an  establishment  as  that  conducted 
by  the  Nolde  &  Horst  Company  affects  the  welfare  of  many 
other  lines,  and  the  flourishing  condition  of  this  business 
has  attracted  to  the  vicinity  various  other  desirable  en- 
terprises. Mr.  Nolde  is  familiar  with  the  practical  work 
of  the  mills  as  well  as  with  their  management,  and  he 
deserves  his  full  share  of  credit  due  for  their  won- 
derful development.  The  manner  in  which  he  has  forged 
his  way  to  the  front  proves  him  worthy  of  the  high 
position  he  has  attained. 

Jacob  Nolde  was  born  in  Berleburg,  Westphalia,  Ger- 
many, in  the  year  1859,  and  received  the  excellent  educa- 
tional advantages  of  the  schools  of  his  native  land. 
Until  he  came  to  America,  in  1880,  he  was  engaged  as 
traveling  salesman  for  a  clothing  house.  His  first  location 
in  this  country  was  at  Stony  Creek,  Berks  county,  Pa., 
where  he  found  employment  as  a  weaver  with  Louis 
Kraemer  &  Co.,  with  whom  he  continued  until  he  en- 
gaged in  business  on  his  own  account.  When  Louis 
Kraemer  &  Co.  started  the  Nazareth  Manufacturinir  Com- 
pany, in  Northampton  county,  Pa.,  Mr.  Nolde  accom- 
panied them,  remaining  there  until  the  spring  of  1888, 
when  he  disposed  of  his  interests  and  came  to  Reading. 
The  Nazareth  Manufacturing  Company  were  converting 
their  knitting-mill  into  a  factory  devoted  exclusively 
to  the  production  of  underwear,  and  Mr.  Nolde  purchased 
their  seamless  half  hose  machinery,  which  comprised 
twenty  machines  and  the  necessary  auxiliaries.  This 
modest  equipment  has  proved  to  be  the  nucleus  of  one 
of  the  largest  and  most  completely  appointed  factories  in 
the  country.  The  machines  were  installed  in  the  Thal- 
heimer  building,  at  No.  143  Cedar  street,  Reading.  But 
within  a  very  short  time  the  business  outgrew  these 
quarters,  and  in  the  spring  of  1890  Mr.  Nolde  found 
more   adequate  accommodations  at   No.   222   Cedar   street, 


r  Bsers    .1^  Cc 


S^  jT  ^  ^'''7iY,a~Ts  dB-^-Yf' 


JUo  o^  <^^c^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


601 


in  a  building  45x100  feet  in  dimensions.  While  he  was 
in  that  location  he  admitted  Mr.  George  Horst  to  a 
partnership  in  the  business,  and  they  have  been  asso- 
ciated ever  since.  Purchasing  the  property,  they  carried 
on  operations  there  until  the  year  1893,  by  which  time 
they  had  reached  the  conclusion  that  it  would  be  econ- 
omy to  have  a  building  especially  adapted  to  the'  needs 
of  the  growing  industry.  Consequently  they  invested 
in  a  lot  100  feet  square,  on  Moss  street,  beyond  Douglass, 
upon  which  they  erected  a  three-story  and  basement  fac- 
tory 50  X 100  feet.  It  was  a  model  plant  of  its  kind 
in  every  particular,  and  doubtless  gave  the  ambitious 
young  partners  more  pleasure  than  theif  mature  natures 
have  found  in  the  present  immense  factory.  Their  ex- 
pensive venture  was  followed  shortly  by  the  panic  of 
1893,  but  wise  administration  and  indomitable  effort  soon 
made  them  masters  of  the  situation,  and  the  new  in- 
dustry weathered  the  storm  with  such  skill  that  it  suffered 
no  decline. 

The  firm  was  now  finding  itself  in  a  position  to  cope 
with  the  large  manufacturers,  and  to  be  regarded  by 
them  as  competitors  worthy  of  attention.  Up  to  this  time 
the  products  of  the  factory  had  been  a  cheap  class  of 
goods,  but  when  the  fast  black  and  tan  goods  came  to 
be  generally  favored  they  found  it  necessary  to  meet 
the  popular  demand,  and  in  order  to  facilitate  their  work 
opened  a  finishing  establishment  in  Philadelphia.  Mr. 
Horst  took  charge  of  the  new  branch,  Mr.  Nolde  retain- 
ing the  management  of  the  Reading  plant,  and  this 
arrangement  lasted  until  the  concern  was  incorporated, 
in  1897.  It  had  previously  been  conducted  on  a  part- 
nership  basis. 

After,  the  incorporation  the  Nolde  &  Horst  Company 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  adjoining  the  first  lot,  100x160 
feet  in  dimensions,  and  built  an  extension  32  x  160  feet, 
as  w€ll  as  a  wing  50x100  feet,  a  dye-house  and  an 
engine-room.  This  gave  them  facilities  for  operating 
four  hundred  knitting  machines,  furnishing  employment 
to  five  hundred  hands.  On  Dec.  7,  1899,  fire  destroyed 
almost  the  entire  plant,  only  the  dye-house  and  boiler 
remaining.  But  this  disaster  in  no  way  retarded  the 
progress,  of  the:  business.  The  debris  was  cleared  away 
at  once,  and  by  May  1,  1900,  within  five  months,  the 
knitting  mills  were  again  in  full  working  order,  with  im- 
proved equipment,  all  the  new  machinery  installed  being 
of  the  latest  models.  Moreover,  extraordinary  precautions 
were  taken  against  a  repetition  of  the  catastrophe  and  to 
insure  the  safety  of  all  employed  in  the  building,  which 
was  provided  throughout  with  the  most  approved  fire  escapes. 

The  steady  expansion  of  trade  has  since  called  for 
several  additions.  In  1903  two  extensions,  60  x  33  feet 
and  50  X 100  feet,  respectively,  three  stories  and  base- 
ment, were  made.  In  1905  two  more  of  the  same  dimen- 
sions were  found  necessary,  and  the  same  year  the  dye- 
house  was  enlarged  by  an  addition  40x130  feet.  On  the 
Ninth  street  side  of  the  property  another  building,  50  x  380 
feet;  has  been  erected,  increasing  the  floor  space  to  the 
remarkable  area  of  230,000  square  feet — over  five  acres. 
Fifteen  hundred  people  are  regularly  employed  in  turn- 
ing out  the  product  of  this  vast  establishment,  and  when 
the  addition  now  being  niade  is  open  the  force  will  be 
increased  to  two  thousand.  There  are  only  a  few  metro- 
politan establishments  which  have  a  showing  to  be  com- 
pared with  this.  The  output  of  this  factory  is  confined 
to  hosiery,  but  the  Nolde  &  Horst  Company  are  also 
interested  in  another  establishment  of  similar  nature,  a 
large  glove  factory  50x310  feet,  five  stories  in  height, 
for  the  manufacture  of  silk  gloves  exclusively.  More- 
over, since  their  operations  have  attained  such  enormous 
proportions,  they  have  found  it  practicable  to  extend 
their  attention  to  allied  enterprises,  and  they  are  inter- 
ested in  the  Windsor  Machine  Company,  manufacturing 
all  their  own  knitting  machines.  Excellent  management 
in  this  and  in  other  respects  has  not  only  proved  econom- 
ical, but  has  facilitated  the  work  in  many  ways  and 
improved  labor  conditions  for  the  operatives  as  well 
as  commercial  opportunities  for  the  management. 


This  record  of  the  success  of  the  Nolde  &  Horst  Com- 
pany and  allied  interests  is  in  reality  the  story  of  Mr. 
Nolde's  life.  He  has  always  been  a  man  gi  action  and 
able  to  attend  faithfully  to  many  affairs,  but  nevertheless 
his  ambition,  his  enthusiasm  and  his  best  efforts  have  been 
devoted  to  the  building  up  of  the  concern  of  which  he 
stands  at  the  head.  His  energies  have  found  expression 
in  the  improvement  of  every  branch  of  the  business,  for 
having  been  a  practical  worker  himself  he  understands 
the  necessities  of  the  operative  as  well  as  the  directive 
department.  The  establishment  has  enhanced  the  indus- 
trial standing  of  Reading  to  such  an  extent  that  it  is 
regarded  with  high  favor  by  both  capitalists  and_  workers. 
Mr.  Nolde  is  prominently  connected  with  two  important 
financial  institutions  of  Reading,  being  a  director  of  the 
Keystone  National  Bank,  and  the  Colonial  Trust  Com- 
pany.     His    standing    is    irreproachable. 

Personally  Mr.  Nolde  is  well  known  as  a  member  of 
the  B.  P.  O.  E.  and  a  high  Mason,  his  Masonic  associa- 
tions including  membership  in  Teutonia  Lodge,  F.  & 
A.  M.,  the  Chapter,  the  Commandery  and  Rajah  Temple, 
A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  He  has  been  twice  married,  his 
first  union,  which  took  place  in  1889,  having  been  to 
Lydia  Lorah,  who  passed  away  in  1893.  She  was  the 
mother  of  two  children,  Carl  and  Ella,  both  of  whom 
are  at  home.  His  present  wife  was  Louisa  Horst,  sister 
of  his  business  partner,  George  Horst,  and  to  them 
have  been  born  four  children,  George,  Lena,  Hans  and 
Louisa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nolde  are  active  members  of 
Zion  Reformed  Church,  with  which  Mr.  Nolde  united 
as  a  charter  member.  He  has  acted  as  secretary  of  the 
church  organization  since  1893. 

AUGUSTUS  S.  FLICKER,  deceased,  known  among 
the  hotel  men  of  ,  Reading,  Pa.,  and  for  fourteen 
years  the  proprietor  of  the  "Merchants  Hotel"  of  that 
city,  was  born  in  Oley  township,  Berks  county,  Aug. 
22,  1847,  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Mary  (Swavely)  Flicker, 
and  died  Nov.  28,  1900. 

The  Flicker  family  has  its  origin  in  Christian  Flick- 
er, who  located  in  the  hills  of  Earl  township,  Berks 
county,  about  the  close  of  the  American  Revolution, 
in  which  war  he  is  said  to  have  fought  against  his  will, 
in  King  George's  Army.  He  was  a  German,  and  came 
from  Brunswick  or  Hessen.  In  1790  the  Federal  census 
report  records  him  the  head  of  a  family  consisting 
of  five  persons,  made  up  of  himself  and  wife,  one 
son  under  sixteen  years  of  age  and  two  daughters. 

Jacob  Flicker,  his  son,  was  the  grandfather  of  Au- 
gustus S.  Flicker.  He  was  born  in  Earl  township, 
but  removed  to  Oley  township  where  he  died,  and 
where  his  son  Jereniiah  was  born. 

Jeremiah  Flicker,  son  of  Jacob,  owned  and  operated 
a  large  tract  of  land  in  Oley  township,  where  he  con- 
tinued agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  in  1863. 
when  in  his  forty-second  year,  caused  by  a  fall  into 
a  well  some  three  years  previous.  He  was  a  prom- 
inent Democrat,  and  for  some  years  served  as  road 
commissioner.  He  married  Mary  Swavely,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Swavely,  and  wife  (nee  Trout).  Seven  children 
were  born  of  this  union:  Jacob  m.  Anna  Drayer,  and  has 
five  children,  Laura,  Harry,  Ellen,  Jennie  and  John; 
Augustus  S.;  Sally;  Jeremiah,  Jr.,  m.  Mary  Carl,  and  has 
one  child,  Anna;  Mary  m.  Daniel  D.  Becker,  and  had  five 
children:  Esther,  Wayne,  Lucy,  M'arcella,  and  one  who 
died  in  infancy;  and  two  others  died  in  infancy.  In  re- 
ligious belief  the  family  were  members  of  the  Reformed 
Church. 

Augustus  S.  Flicker  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Oley  township,  and  as  a  boy  of  fourteen  began  work 
on  a  farm,  carrying  his  earnings  of  four  dollars  a 
rnonth  to  his  mother.  He  continued  at  farm  work  un- 
til he  was  twenty,  and  from  that  time  until  he  came 
to  Reading  drove  the  Almshouse  Farm  team  or  was 
in  charge  of  Amos  Young's  trotting  horses  in  Exeter 
township.  On  coming  to  Reading  he  was  employed  on 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  as  a  fireman  until 
1876.   He  then  worked  on  a  farm  and  the  following  year 


602 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


engaged  in  huckstering.  His  next  venture  was  in  t^e 
grocery  business,  in  which  he  continued  for  nine  years 
and  then  for, a  few  years  with  various  partners  was  in 
the  flour  and' feed  business.  In  1888  he  engaged  in  the 
hotel  business  at  the  corner  of  Third  and  Penn  streets. 
The  place  was  owned  at  that  time  by  John  M.  Kissinger. 
Mr.  Flicker  purchased  this  property  after  conducting 
it  for  five  years.  This  hotel  contained  sixty-five  rooms, 
and  was  one  of  the  best  kept  hotels  in  the  city. 

On  Feb.  26,  1878,  Mr.  Flicker  married  Emma  Snyder, 
daughter  of  Lewis  and  Kate  (Gambler)  Snyder,  and 
four  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Florence  (m. 
Hollingsworth  Spoitts,  and  they  reside  in  Reading  and 
have  a  daughter,  Martha),  Wayne,  Edna  and  Earl.  Mr. 
Flicker  was  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  62,  F.  &  A.  M., 
the  Royal  Arcanum  and  the  Knights  of  the  Golden 
Eagle.  He  was  well  known  as  a  member  of  the  Nev- 
ersink  Fire  Company  and  of  several  clubs.  In  poli- 
tics he  was  a  Democrat  and  was  largely  influential 
with  his  party  in  this  section.  In  religion  Mr.  Flicker 
was  connected  with  the  First  Reformed  Church. 

JAMES  ONEAILL,  a  highly  esteemed  retired  citi- 
zen of  Mohnton,  Pa.,  and  an  honored  survivor  of  the 
great  Civil  war,  was  born  April  3,  1839,  in  Robeson 
township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Michael  Oneaill. 

James  Oneaill,  grandfather  of  James,  came  from  Ire- 
land when  eighteen  years  of  age  and  settled  in  Berks 
county,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  His  children  were:  Harriet  (m. 
Abner  Old,  of  Philadelphia),  Katie  (m.  Patrick  McNul- 
ty  and  lived  in  Iowa),  Mary  Cm.  Frederick  Homan, 
died  in  Iowa),  Jane  (m.  Samuel  Bittler,  and  died  in 
Robeson  township),  James  (m.  Abbie  Stafford),  An- 
nie (m.  Benjamin  Wamsher),  Hugh  (m.  Fannie  Pain- 
ter, and  died  in  Robeson  township),  John  (died  young), 
and  Michael. 

Michael  Oneaill,  like  his  father,  was  a  farmer  all  of 
his  life,  and  followed  this  occupation  in  Robeson 
township.  He  married  Mary  Wolfe,  and  to  them 
were  born  children  as  follows:  Sarah  A.  (m.  John 
Piersol),  James,  Mark  M.  (m.  Jennie  Lauderbach), 
Jacob  (m.  (first)  Hannah  Frey  and  (second)  Sarah 
Jacobs,  and  resides  in  Robeson  township),  Ellen  (m. 
George  Geiger,  of  Geigertown),  Hugh  (m.  Ellen  Gor- 
man, of  Robeson  township),  and  twelve  others,  the 
oldest  of  whom  was  two  years  of  age,  who  died  in 
infancy..  This  was  one  of  the  largest  families  in  Robe- 
son township. 

James  Oneaill  attended  the  schools  of  Robeson  town- 
ship and  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  twenty-one 
years  old.  He  then  went  to  Reading  and  found  em- 
ployment at  the  iron  works,  where  he  was  employed 
at  the  time  of  his  enlistment,  Aug.  8,  1863,  in  Com- 
pany K,  128th  Reg.,  Pa.  V.  I.,  being  discharged  May 
29,  1863.  He  enlisted  (second)  in  Company  I,  196th 
Pa.  V.  I.,  July  1,  1864,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
Nov.  17th  of  that  year.  His  third  enlistment  was 
on  Sept.  1,  1865,  in  Company  E,  75th  Pa.  V.  I.  In 
his  second  enlistment  he  became  seventh  corporal  of 
Job  Obock's  company,  and  throughout  his  entire 
service  he  was  a  faithful  and  cheerful  soldier,  perform- 
ing his  duties  efficiently  and  well.  He  participated 
in  many  of  the  hardest  fought  battles  of  the  great 
struggle,  including  Antietam  and  Chancellorsville,  and 
was  always  a  brave  and  gallant  fighter.  After  the 
war  Mr.  Oneaill  returned  to  Reading  and  resumed 
work  at  the,  iron  works,  later  learning  the  hatting 
trade,  which  he  followed  for  three  years,  also  taking 
care  of  his  small  farm,  which  he  still  looks  after. 
Mr.  Oneaill  now  receives  a  pension  from  the  Govern- 
ment as  reward  for  his  faithful  services,  and  he  re- 
sides on  Oneaill  street,  which  was  named  in  his  honor. 
He  bears  the  reputation  of  being  an  honest  man  of 
sterling  integrity,  and  has  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
all  who  know  him.  In  politics  he  is  independent.  He 
is  a  member  of  Salem  Evangelical  Association,  of 
which  he  is  now  steward,  and  is  also  active  in  Sunday- 
school  work. 


On  May  21,  1866,  Mr.  Oneaill  was  married  to  Aman- 
da Reichwine,  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Elizabeth 
(Holtery)  Reichwine,  and  to  this  union  there  were 
born:  Ellen  m.  Walter  Webber,  of  Mohnton,  and  has 
two  children,  Claude  and  Ralph;  Mary  J.  m.  William 
Beaver,  of  Reading,  and  has  two  children,  Clyde  and 
James;  Sadie  m.  John  Werner,  of  the  firm  of  E.  G. 
Werner  &  Sons,  Mohnton,  and  has  two  children, 
Alethea  and  Norman;  and  Gertrude  since  1902  has 
been  a  trained  nurse  in  the  German  Hospital,  Phila- 
delphia. Mr.  Oneaill  also  has  an  adopted  daughter, 
Katie  Lausch. 

SAMUEL  S.  WEIS,  a  farmer  on  the  Weis  home- 
stead in  Earl  township,  Berks  county,  near  the  Cole- 
brookdale  township  line,  was>  born  Sept.  15,  1836,  on 
the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides. 

Killian  Weis,  Sr.,  his  grandfather,  was  born  Dec.  15, 
1751,  and  died  Feb.  16,  1840,  and  was  buried  in  the 
old  cemetery  at  the  Hereford  Mennonite  Church  at 
Bally  of  which  he  and  his  wife  were  members.  In 
the  Federal  census  of  1790  he  was  recorded  as  a  tax- 
able resident  of  Upper  Milford  township,  Northampton 
county  (a  district  now  embraced  in  Lehigh  county) 
and  as  the  head  of  a  family  consisting  of  himself,  his 
wife  Catharine,  (n_ee_Xandisj"and  six  sons,  J^cob,  John, 
Qeorge^  HSEy,  Kjilian  (father  of  Samuel  S.)an3  SamueJ 
(three  of  whom,  were  under  sixteen  years  of  agej,  ana 
three  daughters,  Anna  (m.  John  Ehst),  Kate  (m.  Henry 
Shelly)    and   Harm  ah    (m.    Isaac   Longacre). 

In  Upper  Milford  township,  in  what  is  now  Lehigh 
county,  there  also  lived  Jacob  Weis,  brother  of  Kill- 
ian, Sr.,  who  was  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  the 
old  Weis'  mill,  now  known  as  Kriebel's  mill,  in  Lower 
Milford  township.  In  1790  he  had  two  sons  and  three 
daughters. 

Killian  Weis.  son  of  Killian.  Sr.,  was  born  Jan.  31, 
1788,  and  died  Dec.  23,  1874.  He  was  a  life-long  farm- 
er, and  in  1819  bought  the  Ehst  farm  now  occupied  by 
his  son  Samuel  S.  This  farm  consists  of  100  acres  of 
fertile  hilly  land,  on  which  is  found  a  high  grade  of 
magnetic  ore.  The  Berks  Development  Company  have 
sunk  a  number  of  shafts  and  have  found  a  good  grade 
of  ore.  Killian  Weis  also  owned  the  farm  now  owned 
by  his  grandson,  Frank  Weis.  His  name  has  been 
spelled  Weis  and  Wise.  He  married  Barbara  Shelly, 
born  Jan.  31,  1796,  and  died  June  20,  1886.  Their 
children,  seven  sons  and  two  daughters,  were:  Jacob, 
born  Feb.  9,  1825,  died  Aug.  10,  1899;  Catharine  and 
Franklin,  twins,  born  March  2,  1826,  of  whom  Cathar- 
ine died  Oct.  12,  1849,  and  Franklin  Jan.  19,  1888;  Hen- 
ry, born  1837,  died  June  24,  1908;  Killian.  born  1838. 
died  April  29,  1904;  Joel,  born  1830,  died  young;  John! 
born  1832,  died  Feb.  38,  1899;  Elizabeth,  born  1834, 
died  Sept.  26,  1908;  and  Samuel  S.  is  the  only  survivor. 

Of  these  children  only  two  married,  Jacob  and  Kil- 
lian. John,  Henry,  Frank,  Elizabeth  and  Samuel 
S.  spent  their  lives  on  the  old  homestead.  In  poli- 
tics they  were  all  Democrats.  They  were  steadfast 
believers  in  the  Mennonite  faith,  and  belong  to  the 
Mennonite  Church  at  Boyertown,  where  the  parents 
are  buried.  The  earlier  generations  lie  in  the  Here- 
ford burial  ground  at  Bally. 

Jacob  Weis,  son  of  Killian  and  brother  of  Samuel 
S.,  born  in  1835,  died  Aug.  10,  1899.  He  was  a  far- 
mer in  Colebrookdale  township.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Moyer,  daughter  of  Michael  Moyer,  and  she 
died  .in  1900,  aged  eighty-three  years.  They  had  two 
fhildren:  Elizabeth,  born  April  8,  1857,  m.  Jan.  38. 
1883,  Oscar  K.  Hausman,  of  Colebrookdale,  and  has 
three  sons  and  one  daughter — Morris  W.  (born 
Aug.  13,  1882),  Edward  (Jan.  3,  1890),  Jacob  (Aug. 
12,  1893)  and  Lizzie  (June  32,  1896);  and  Kate,  born 
May  21,  1859,  has  since  1906  been  the  home  maker 
for  her  uncle  Samuel  S.  (she  is  an  active  worker  in 
the  Mennonite  Church).  Morris  W.  Hausman  mar- 
ried Sept.  6,  1902,  Catharine  Johnson,  and  has  two 
sons.   Monroe    and    Elmer. 

.    I 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


603 


Killian  Weis,  son  of  Killian  and  brother  of  Sam- 
uel S.,  born  1828,  died  April  29,  1904,  married  Sarah 
Staufer,  daughter  of  William  Staufer,  and  they  have 
had  two  sons  and  one  daughter:  Lizzie,  born  July, 
1858,  m.  Samuel  Beer,  and  died  in  April,  1892;  Frank, 
born  December,  1859,  m.  Mary  UpdegrofiE,  and  had 
one  son  Samuel,  Jr.  (born  Sept.  11,  1886,  m.,  Jan.  19, 
1907,  Lillie  Worstler  and  has  two  children,  Samuel 
and  Mary) ;  and  William,  born  October,  1874,  died 
in   February,  1887. 

Samuel  S.  Weis  has  passed  all  his  life  on  the  farm 
that  is  now  his  home,  never  having  been  absent  from 
it  more  than  one  week  at  a  time.  In  politics  he  is 
a  Democrat,  and  has  twice  been  delegate  from  Earl 
township  to  the  county  conventions.  He  adheres  to 
the  Mennonite  faith,  belonging  to  the,  church  at  Boy- 
ertown.  Mr.  Weis  though  seventy-three  years  old 
is  a  very  active  man,  and  is  an  excellent  farmer. 
He  has  an  old  grandfather's  clock,  made  by  John 
Brooker,  of  Germantown  in  1789,  which  still  keeps 
good  time,  and  is  in  fine  condition.  Mr.  We'is  has 
never  married.  As  stated  above  his  niece,  Kate, 
daughter  of  his  brother  Jacob,  has  kept  house  for  him 
since  1906. 

FRANKLIN  K.  MILLER,  who  is  proprietor  of  the 
well-known  Excelsior  Soap  Works,  one  of  the  large 
industries  of  its  kind  in  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  March 
3,  1840,  on  the  old  MHller  homestead  in  Upper  Tulpe- 
hocken  township,  at  Strausstown,  son  of  Michael  and 
Catherine   (Klahr)   Miller. 

(I)    Jacob  Mueller,   the  immigrant  ancestor,   according 
to    his    tombstone    inscription    at    Little    Tulpehocken 
Church,   was   born   Oct.   22,   1697,   died   Dec.    18,   1772; 
married    iifty-three   years    to    Catharine   '(middle   name 
badly   worn,   but   probably,   according   to   will,    it   was 
Charlotte,  maiden  name  not  shown,  born  Oct.  11,  1699, 
died  April  5,   1777);   "left  a   good  name,   a   sorrowing 
widow    and    four    children."     Jacob    Mueller    and    his 
wife  had  ten  children,   of  whom  three   sons   and   one 
daughter  survived  the  father.     He  was  the  immigrant 
Jacob    Mueller   who,    with    Charlotta    (very   likely   his 
wife),   John   Jacob    (under   sixteen)    and   Barbara    (no 
doubt    another    child),    all    grouped    together    on    the 
"original  list"  of  passengers,  is  shown  as  having  land- 
'ed   at   Philadelphia   Sept.    19,   1732,   having   come   over 
in    the    ship    "Johnson,"    of    London,    David    Crocket, 
master,  from   Rotterdam,  last  from   Deal;   passengers, 
113  males  above  sixteen,  98  under  sixteen;  98  females 
above  sixteen,  85  under  sixteen.     He  came  from  Ger- 
many.    In   1759   Jacob   Mueller  paid  ~  £11  tax.     He  is 
mentioned    as    a    yeoman    in    his   last    will    and    testa- 
ment, made  Jan.  39,  1766,  witnessed  by  Balser  Unbe- 
hauer    and    Henrich    Kettner,    and    recorded    in    Book 
II,  page   117.     The  oldest  son  was  allowed    £35   over 
and  above  all  others  for  his  birthright.     The  children 
mentioned   are   John   Jacob,   born    Sept.   34,   1728    (was 
single    in    1759);    Johannes,    born    Nov.    9,    1733    (was 
married  in  1759);   Elizabeth  Barbara  Hess:  and  Math- 
ias,  born   Oct.   18,   1743.     In   the     Little     Tulpehocken 
Church  records  of  births  and  baptisms  are  found  the  fol- 
lowing  children  of  Jacob  Mueller:  John  Jacob,  born  Sept. 
24,  1728,  in   Europe,  baptized  Sept.  36,  1728   (sponsors, 
Frederic    William    Beckle,    Christopher    Haist,    Joseph 
Rohr  and  Joh.    David  Bauer) ;  John,  born  Nov.  9,  1733, 
in  Pennsylvania,  baptized  Nov.  16,  1733,  by  Rev.  Philip 
Boehm,    Reformed    minister    at   White    Marsh    at    the 
time    (sponsors,  Joh.   Henry  Fegner   and  Mary   Eliza- 
beth   Barbara    Schneider);    Mary    Elizabeth    Barbara, 
born    Sept..  9,    1736,    baptized    Sept.    28,    1736,   by    Rev. 
Bartholomew    Rugner,   who   was    Reformed   pastor   at 
Germantown,  Pa.,  at  that  time  (sponsors,  same  as  for 
John);  Matthias,  born  Oct.  18,  1743,  baptized  Nov.  6, 
1743,  by  Rev.  Joh.  Casper  Stoever  (sponsors,  Matthias 
Schmidt   and  wife);    Elizabeth    Barbara,   born   June   7, 
1755  (baptism  not.  given).     It  seems  doubtful  that  the 
last  named  child  belonged  to  the  family  of  Jacob,  the 
immierrant. 


,  Samuel  Miller  succeeded  his  father,  Jolfennes,  m  the 
tanning  business,  and  carried  it  on  during  his  whole 
life.  He  married  a  Miss  Moyer,  and  to  them  were 
born  children  as  follows:  Michael,  the  father  of 
Franklin  K.;  Jonathan,  m.  to  Lydia  Klahr;  Sarah,  m. 
to  Elijah  Weaver;  Rebecca,  m.  to  Israel  Wagner;  Cath- 
erine, m.  to  David  Koenig;  Matthias,  m.  to  Eliza  Sny- 
der; Jacob,  m,  to  Mary  Gerhard;  Samuel,  who  died  in 
June,  1909,' m,  (first)  to  Hettie  Christman  and  (second) 
to  Henrietta  Scholl;  John,  who  died  aged  thirty-five 
years;  Leah,  m,  (first)  to  John  Miller  and  (second)  to 
Joel  Kantner;  and  William,  m.  to  Theresa  Wilhelm. 

Michael  Miller,  father  of  Franklin  K.,  was  born 
Aug.  3,  1814,  and  died  March  19,  1883,  having  been  a 
life-long  tanner  at  Strausstown,  and  also  owning  the 
old  homestead  and  tannery.  He  married  Catherine 
Klahr,  and  to  them  were  born  ten  children,  as  follows: 
Franklin  K.;  Mary,  deceased;  William;  Rebecca; 
Charles,  of  New  York,  who  died  in  March,  1908; 
Edward  and  Lewis,  twins,  born  in  July,  1850;  Sabilla; 
Levi;  and  Albert. 

Franklin    K.    Miller    received    his    education    in    the 
schools  of  his  native  locality,  also  attending  Whitehall 
Academy,  three  miles  west  of  Harrisburg,  during  the 
winter  session  of  1855  and  1856.    He  was  reared  on  the 
old  homestead,  and  when  sixteen  years  of  age  learned 
the   tanning  trade  with  his   father,  following  this   oc- 
cupation  until   his   twenty-second   year.     During   1863, 
when  the   Commonwealth  was  threatened  with   invas- 
ion,    Mr.  Miller  enlisted  in  Capt.  Augustus  G.  Greth's 
Company    I,    48th   Pa.    y.    I.,    for   ninety   days,    and    re- 
ceived   his    honorable    discharge    Aug.     26th     of    the 
same    year.      On    returning    home,     Mr.     Miller     again 
took    up    tanning    as    an    occupation,    and    on    June 
8,    1865,    removed    to    Tamaqua,    where    he    followed 
the    trade    two    years,    then    removing    to    Ringtown. 
Forming  a  partnership  with  P.  M.  Barrow,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Miller  &  Barrow,  they  continued  at  this 
place  for  two  years,  when  Mr.  Miller  went  to  North 
Branch,     between     Wilkes-Barre     and    Hazleton,     and 
there  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother.    They  con- 
tinued in  the  tanning  business  at  this  place  until  1875, 
in    December    of   which   year    Franklin    K.    Miller    re- 
moved to   Hazleton  and  there   remained  for  a  period 
of  seven  years,  for  a  part  of  which  time  he  was  en- 
gaged in  operating  a  currier  shop.     In  1882,  Mr.  Miller 
first  engaged  in  a  very  small  way  in  the  manufacture 
of   soap   in    Reading,   making   samples    which    he    dis- 
tributed  while   doing   other   work.     He    also   obtained 
a  position  in  a  tannery,  and  in  the  fall   of  that  year 
removed  with  his  family  to   the  city.     On   Christmas, 
Mr.  Miller  was  laid  off  from  work,  on  account  of  slack 
business,   but   he   soon   found  a   position  at   the   Scott 
foundry,  at  the  meagre  salary  of  one  dollar  per  day, 
on  which  he  paid  rent  and  supported  his  larg^e  family. 
Mr.  Miller's_  energy  and  industry  were  not  to  be  denied, 
and  on  again  engaging  in  the  soap  business,  to  which 
he  gave  his   entire  attention,  after  another  lay-off  on 
account  of  slack  work,  he  found  success.    While  going 
to  and  from  work  in  the  foundry  he  distributed  sam- 
ples, orders  began  to  come  in  and  soon  his  soap  had 
gained  a  wide  reputation.     He  first  carried  his  soap  to 
market   in   a   basket,   next  used   a   wheelbarrow,    soon 
thereafter  getting  a  push-cart,  and  finally  a  horse  and 
wagon.     The  Excelsior  Soap  Works  of  East  Reading, 
Pa.,  is  now  a  three-story,  brick  building,  on  a  60x110 
feet  lot,  the  building  being  40x60  feet  in  dimensions. 
Here    a   large    number    of    men    are    employed    in    the 
manufacture  of  laundry,  fulling  and  scouring  soaps,  the 
latter  two  being  specialties.    Mr.  Miller  has  four  teams 
constantly  on  the  streets,  and  his   soaps  find  a  ready 
sale  in  the  markets  all  over  the  State.     Success  in  this 
case    has    come    where    success    was    due.      In    all    his 
early   struggles   with   adversity   Mr.    Miller   never,  lost 
heart,   but   at   each    succeeding   reverse    started  .in    all 
over  again  to  build  up  a  paying  business.     He  is  now 
considered    one    of    the    substantial    men    of    his    com- 
munity,  and   has   a  large   circle   of  friends  who  enjoy 


604 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


his  business  prominence.  In  politics,  Mr.  Miller  is  a 
Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  Vigilance  Lodge,  No. 
194,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Reading,  and  Mount  Penn  Encamp- 
ment, No.  15a.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  St. 
Matthew's  Lutheran  Church. 

On  Feb.  14,  1861,  Mr.  Miller  was  married  to  Miss 
Caroline  Nunnemacher,  daughter  of  William  and  Esth- 
er (Gettle)  Nunnemacher,  and  to  this  union  there  have 
been  born  children  as  follows:  Ge&rge  W.,  Mary,  Elva, 
William,  Stella,  Henry  R.  (deceased),  Laura,  Phoebe 
and  Beulah. 

JOSEPH!  H.  MOYER,  who  died  in  Reading  in  1891, 
was  one  of  the  veterans  of  the  Civil  war  and  had  been 
a  resident  of  the  city  for  the  whole  of  his  active  busi- 
ness life.  He  was  born  in  Spring  township,  .Berks 
county,  in  1835,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Hontz) 
Moyer. 

Educated  in  the  township  schools,  Mr.  Moyer  at  first 
took  up  the  vocation  of  a  teacher,  but  after  several 
years'  successful  experience,  he  decided  to  learn  a  trade, 
and  at  once  apprenticed  himself  to  a  harness  maker. 
When  he  had  completed  his  term,  he  established  him- 
self in  business  in  that  line  in  Reading,  and  thereafter 
made  that  city  his  home.  When  the  Civil  war  broke 
out  he  at  first  continued  in  his  usual  routine  and  did 
som'e  work  on  saddles  for  the  government,  but  on  Aug. 
16,  1863,  he  responded  to  his  country's  call  for  m^ore 
men,  and  was  mustered  in  at  H.arrisburg  in  Company 
H,  138th  Pa.  V.  I.,  under  Capt.  John  Kennedy,  and 
Col.  J.  A.  Matthews.  He  proceeded  with  his  regiment 
to  Washington  and  thence  to  the  front.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Antietam  and  Chancellorsville, 
besides  a  number  of  minor  skirmishes  and  at  the  expi- 
ration of  his  term  of  enlistment  was  honorably  dis- 
diarged  at  Harrisburg  in  May,  1863. 

Returning  to  Reading,  Mr.  Moyer  once  more  engaged 
in  business  as  a  harness  maker,  and  established  him- 
self on  Penn  street,  between  Second  and  Third.  He 
was  a  very  good  workman  and  comananded  the  very 
best  prices,  but  despite  his  success  he  sold  out  his 
business  after  some  years,  moving  to  No.  8  North  Ninth 
street,  remaining  there  two  years.  He  then  moved  to 
No.  308  Penn  street  where  he  retired  and  after  five 
months  he  died.  Invariably  honest  in  all  his  dealings 
he  commanded  respect  from  all  who  had  business  deal- 
ings with  him,  while  his  genial  jjersonality  made  him 
well  liked  socially  also.  On  political  questions  he  was 
independent,  voting  always  for  the  man  he  considered 
best  fitted  for  the  ofifice  regardless  of  party  lines.  In 
religion  he  was  a  devout  member  of  the  Universalist 
Church,  and  socially  he  belonged  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
and  the  American  Mechanics,  besides  being  a  member 
of  McClellan  Post,  No.  16,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Reading. 

Mr.  Moyer  was  married  in  1863  to  Miss  Margaret  C. 
Wright,  and  six  children  were  born  to  them  as  follows: 
Lizzie;  Annie,  deceased;  John  and  Susan,  twins,  the 
latter  deceased;  and  Ella  and  Amy,  both  deceased. 

Mrs.  Margaret  C.  W.  Moyer  was  a  daughter  of  John 
K.  and  Elizabeth  (Sigman)  Wright.  Her  father  was 
a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  a  man  whose  name  stood 
for  thrift  and  honesty,  was  prominent  in  the  local  ranks 
of  the  Democratic  party,  and  served  efficiently  as  post- 
master during  President  Jackson's  administration.  He 
died  in  1848.  A  son,  Charles  E.  Wright,  was  one  of 
those  who  gave  their  lives  for  their  country  during  the 
great  Civil  war.  He  enlisted  June  7,  1861,  in  Company 
D,  3d  Pa.  V.  I.,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Fred- 
ericksburg, Dec.  13,  1863,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three 
years. 

F.  F.  BRESSLER,  a  well  known  marble  and  granite 
dealer,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  and  ex-recorder  of  Berks 
county,  died_  Oct.  32,  1908.  He  was  born  in  Spring 
township,  this  county,  in  1857,  son  of  Darius  Bressler, 
a  stone  mason,  who  was  born  near  Adamstown,  Lan- 
caster county,  and  died  in  Berks  county  at  the  age  of 
sixty-two  years. 


Mr.  Bressler  attended  the  public  schools  of  Berks 
county,  after  leaving  which  he  spent  one  year  with  H. 
H.  Hettinger  at  Sinking  Spring,  at  the  stone  cutter's 
trade.  In  1876  he  located  in  Reading,  being  eniployed 
with  the  Eisenbrown  Marble  Company,  of  this  city, 
in  whose  employ  he  remained  for  three  years.  At  the 
end  of  this  time  Mr.  Bressler  went  to  New  York,  where 
he  was  employed  on  the  State  Capitol  at  Albany,  in 
1880-81,  from  there  going  to  Coatesville,  Chester 
county,  where  he  was  engaged  in  business  a  short  time. 
Returning  to  Reading,  in  1883  Mr.  Bressler  engaged 
in  business  with  Amos  Esterly,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Bressler  &  Esterly,  they  continuing  as  partners  until 
1877,  when  Mr,  Bressler  engaged  in  work  by  himself 
on  Washington  street,  opposite  the  post-office.  Here 
Mr.  Bressler  continued  until  1904,  when  he  removed  to 
his  late  location,  at  Center  avenue  and  Spring  streets, 
his  place  of  business  being  fitted  with  the  latest  im- 
proved machmery.  He  employed  from  ten  to  fifteen 
skilled  mechanics.  His  shop  was  a  frame  structure, 
60  x  100  feet  in  dimensions,  and  in  one  of  the  most  desir- 
able locations  that  could  be  found  for  such  a  business, 

Mr.  Bressler  was  before  the  public  as  an  official  hav- 
ing been  elected  recorder  of  deeds  of  Berks  county  in 
1901,  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  in  which  office  he 
served  faithfully  for  three  years.  He  was  a  resident 
of  the  Seventh  ward,  and  during  1890-91  he  served  in 
the  select  council.  He  served  as  a  delegate  to  various 
conventions,  among  them  the  convention  which  nomi- 
nated William  Jennings  Bryan  for  the  Presidency,  at 
Chicago.  Mr.  Bressler  was  a  member  of  the  election 
board  in  his  ward. 

Mr.  Bressler  was  married  to  Mary  Esterly,  daughter 
of  the  late  Amos  S.  Esterly,  of  Reading,  who  was  a 
well-known  hotel  proprietor  of  the  city,  and  two  child- 
ren were  born  to  this  union,  Mabel  and  Alice,  Mr, 
Bressler  was  fraternally  connected  with  the  Elks  Lodge 
of  Reading,  No.  115. 

JAMES  M-.  YERGER,  who  was  one  of  the  county 
commissioners  of  Berks  county  from  Jan.  1,  1906,  to 
Jan.  1,  1909,  was  born  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  township, 
this  county,  June  23,  1860,  son  of  William  and  Diana 
(Moll)   Yerger. 

Samuel  Yerger,  grandfather  of  James  M.,  was  a  native 
of  Berks  county,  born  in  Bern  township.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  stock  raiser  by  occupation  and  was  quite 
a  prominent  man  of  his  day.  Mr.  Yerger  married  a 
Miss  Nunemacher,  and  their  children  were:  Joseph; 
John;  Betsy,  m.  to  Elias  Spies;  and  William.  In  re- 
ligious belief  the  family  were  Lutherans.  Mr.  Yerger 
was  a  Democrat. 

William  Yerger  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Bern  township,  Berks  county,  and  in  his  youth 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which,  in  conjunction 
with  agricultural  pursuits,  he  continued  all  of  his  life. 
Mr.  Yerger  passed  away  in  1885.  aged  sixty-three 
years,  and  his  wife  Diana  (Moll)  passed  away  in  1860. 
when  thirty-three  years  of  age.  These  children  were 
born  to  them:  Cyrus;  Elizabeth,  m.  to  Henry  Heffner, 
of  Youngstown,  Ohio;  William;  Amos;  Amanda,  de- 
ceased; Clarietta,  m.  to  Franklin  Seidel;  Annetta,  m. 
to  Alfred  Stoyer;  and  James  M.  Mr.  Yerger's  second 
marriage  was  to  Theresa  Himmelberger  Ulrich,  and 
to  this  union  there  were  born  three  children:  Wilson; 
Morris;  and  Catherine,  deceased,  Mr,  Yerger  was  a 
Lutheran.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political  views, 
and  for  some  years  held  the  office  of  school  director. 
James  M,  Yerger  received  his  educational  advantages 
in  the  schools  of  Centre  township,  and  this  was  sup- 
plemented by  an  advanced  course  at  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  school  at  Kutztown,  Pa,  He  taught  school  for 
seven  terms  and  then  engaged  in  the  produce  business, 
shippmg  to  Reading  and  Philadelphia.  After  six  years 
Mr.  Yerger  removed  to  Reading,  being  appointed  dur- 
mg  President  Cleveland's  second  administration  to  the 
position  of  stamp  clerk  in  the  revenue  office  located  in 
the  post-office  building  in  Reading.     After  leaving  this 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


605 


position  Mr.  Yerger  was  engaged  for  some  time  in  the 
niannifacture  of  cigars,  disposing  of  this  enterprise  to 
enter  the  insurance  field  as  agent  for  the  Equitable 
and  Prudential  insurance  companies,  and  in  this  latter 
capacity  he  continued  successfully  until  his  election  to 
the  office  of  county  commissioner  in  the  fall  of  1905 
on  the  Democratic  ticket.  Mr.  Yerger  took  up  his 
official  duties  Jan.  1,  1906.  He  has  ever  been  i  faithful 
worker  in  the  ranks  of  his  party,  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  leaders  thereof  in  this  section.  Mr.  Yerger 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  He 
is  fraternally  connected  with  Leesport  Lodge,  No.  141, 
L  O.  O.  F.,  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  435,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Reading,  and  of  Centreport  Lodge  No.  446,  P.  O.  S. 
-of  A.,  being  a  charter  member  of  the  latter. 

Mr.  Yergeir  was  married  Oct.  15,  1887,  to  Anna  S. 
Kline,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Seaman)  Kline; 
five  children  were  born  to  this  union,  James  K.,  Wil- 
liam, Samuel,  Mary  and  Earl,  al'.  deceased  except 
James  K. 

HENNE.  The  members  of  the  Henne  family  refer- 
red to  in  this  sketch  are  descended  from  Michael 
Henne,  who  passed  his  life  in  Berks  county.  He  was 
born  near  Bernville,  followed  farming  in  that  locality, 
and  died  there.  He  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name 
was_  Catharine  Haag,  are  both  buried  at  Bernville. 
Their  children  were  John,  Michael,  Daniel  and  Jared. 

Jared  Henne,  son  of  Michael,  was  born  July  2,  1831, 
and  died  Nov.  3,  1906,  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  township; 
he  was  buried  at  the  Blue  Mountain  Church.  He  was 
a  carpenter,  following  the  trade  most  of  his  life.  He 
married  Sallie  Fox,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catharine 
(Potteiger)  Fox,  and  she  still  survives,  making  her 
home  at  Strausstown.  They  became  the  parents  of 
five  children:  Aaron  F.;  Howard  F.;  Salliej  m.  to 
Abraham  Ritzman;  Clara,  m.  to  Wilson'  W.  Strause; 
and  John,  m.  to  Agnes  Feick. 

Aaron  F.  Henne,  eldest  son  of  Jared  Henne,  was 
born  Dec.  4,  1853,  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  township, 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade  with  his  father,  and  fol- 
lowed the  same  for  twelve  years.  For  five  years  he 
was  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Cross-kill  Mills.  For 
seven  years  he  farmed  on  the  Jacob  Potteiger  farm  and 
for  eight  years  on  the  Aaron  Kern  farm,  in  1906  buy- 
ing the  old  William  Reber  homestead,  in  Upper  Tulpe- 
hocken township,  near  Strausstown,  upon  which  he 
has  since  resided.  The  place  comprises  twenty-seven 
acres,  to  the  cultivation  of  which  he  devotes  his  time. 
He  married  Hannah  Ritzman,  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Sarah  (Wagner)  Ritzman,  and  they  have  had  two 
sons,  Charles  W.  and  William  J.,  the  latter  a  barber  at 
Strausstown. 

Charles  W.  Henne,  son  of  Aaron  F.,  was  born 
Feb.  12,  1879,  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  township,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  For 
three  years  after  commencing  to  work  he  was  engaged 
at  clerking  in  the  general  stores  of  J.  A.  Smith  and 
L.  W.  Ritzman  at  Strausstown,  and  Howard  Long_  at 
Rehrersburg.  On  Aug.  1,  1899,  he  went  to  Reading, 
and  learned  the  barber's  trade  from  William  Shearer, 
of  No.  117  North  Ninth  Street.  After  completing  his 
trade  he  returned  home  and  opened  the  Lincoln  Barber 
Shop,  of  which  he  is  still  proprietor,  with  his  brother, 
William  J.,  as  his  foreman.  At  Strausstown  he  learned 
the  cigar  business  with  John  Bricker  and  Calvin  Fore- 
man, and  in  1905  he  opened  the  La  Fama  Cigar  Com- 
pany, embarking  in  business  on  his  own  account  with 
only  one  employe.  He  now  has  from  ten  to  fifteen 
men  who  turn  out  a  high  grade  of  work.  His  most 
popular  brands,  with  more  than  locaf  fame,  are  "La 
Fama  10,"  "Carrie  May,"  "Henne  Value,"  "1910,"  "Pad- 
dy's Delight,"  "Little  Pets,"  "Dutch  Charlie,"  "Henne's 
Reliable"  and  "The  Cyclone." 

Mr.  Henne  married  Kate  Unger,  daughter  of  Abra- 
ham and  Rebecca  (Resh)  Unger,  and  four  children  have 
been  born  to'  them:  A  son  that  died  in  infancy;  Han- 
nah R.,  who  died  when  three  years  old;  Carrie  May, 
and  Jacob  A. 


Mr.  Henne  is  a  JDemocrat  in  politics  and  interested 
ip  local  affairs,  having  served  two  terms  as  assessor 
of  Upper  Tulpehocken  township,  being  elected  for  the 
second  term  without  opposition,  and  receiving_  the 
highest  vote  on  the  ticket.  He  is  a  member  of  Zion  s 
Blue  Mountain  Church  (Lutheran).  Socially  he  takes 
an  active  part  in  secret  organizations,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Masons,  Odd  Fellows,  Rebekahs,  P.  O.  S.  of  A. 
,and  P.  O.  of  A. 

Howard  F.  Henne,  second  son  of  Jared  and"  Sallie 
(Fox)  Henne,  was  born  Nov.  9,  1855,  in  Jefferson 
township,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools.  When  seventeen  years  old  he  went  to  learn 
the  shoemaker's  trade  under  J.  A.  Smith,  at  Strauss- 
town, remaining  with  him  for  seven  years,  after  which 
he  went  into  business  for  hiinself  at  Strausstown,  Up- 
per Tulpehocken  township,  where  he  has  continued  to 
make  his  home  until  the  present.  He  is  kept  busy 
doing  fine  custom  work,  having  a  large  patronage  in 
that  line.  Mr.  Henne  has  other -business  interests,  be- 
ing treasurer  of  a  building  and  loan  association,  and 
is  a  well-known  resident  of  his  locality.  He  has  served 
as  delegate  to  a  number  of  county  conventions,  has 
been  juryman  several  times,  and  has  acted  twice  as 
judge  of  election,  being  quite  active  in  local  politics 
as  a  Democrat.  He  was  formerly  fire  warden  of  upper 
Berks  county,  having  been  appointed  to  that  office 
by  the  county  commissioners;  and  has  also  served  as 
school  director  of  Upper  Tulpehocken  township. 

Mr.  Henrie  married  Emma  Henne,  daughter  of 
Moses  and  Leah  (Feick)  Henne,  and  they  have  had 
one  son,  M'artyn  R.  Mr.  Henne  is  a  Lutheran  in 
religion,  an  active  member  of  Zion's  Blue  Mountain 
Church,  which  he  has  served  as  deacon,  elder  and 
trustee.  He  is  active  in  fraternal  circles,  belonging  to 
the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  and  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  particularly 
interested  in  the  latter  order,  being  a  past  grand  of 
his  home  lodge,  a  member  of  the  Ridgely  Protective 
Association  and  a  member  of  the  Rebekahs.  He  was 
a  representative  to  the   Grand  Lodge  at  Wilkes-Barre. 

Martyn  R.  Henne,  son  of.  Howard  F.,  was  born 
Aug.  16,  1881,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  Later  he 
attended  the  Palmer's  Business  College  of  Philadelphia, 
and  then  took  a  special  course  at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Phila-' 
delphia,  in  Advanced  English,  Business  Law,  etc.,  and 
also  a  series  of  lectures  in  Credits,  and  a  course  in 
Finance  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
employed  with  the  Central  high  school  in  Philadelphia 
for  nine  months,  and  for  one  year  following  was  with 
Dr.  Ernest  La  Place,  also  in  Philadelphia,  at  the  en* 
of  that  time  becoming  connected  with  a  plumbing  sup- 
ply house,  with  which  he  remained  nine  months.  He 
has  since  held  his  present  position,  that  of  bookkeeper 
at  the  Northern  National  Bank  of  Philadelphia,  with 
which  he  became  connected  in  November,  1899.  He  is 
a  director  of  the  Pennsylvania  Building  and  Loan  As- 
sociation, No.  3,  and  of  the  West  Somerset  Building 
and  Loan  Association,  both  of  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Henne  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason  and  a 
member  of  Lu  Lu  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Phila- 
delphia. He  also  belongs  to  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  at 
Strausstown;  Veritas  Lodge,  No.  643,  L  O.  O.  F.,  at 
Philadelphia;  Palmer's  Business  College  Alumni;  and 
to  the  American  Institute  of  Banking,  having  been  en- 
gaged with  the  latter  organization  in  numerous  ca- 
pacities for  a  number  of  years. 

REV.  HARRY  CHARLES  KLINE,  pastor  of  St. 
John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  at  Hamburg,  was 
born  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  May  37,  1868,  son  of  Chris- 
tian S.  and  Amanda  Jane  (Koch)  Kline.  The  father 
■  emigrated  from  Monsheim,  near  Worms,  Germany,  in 
1853.  accompanying  his  parents,  who  landed  at  New 
York,  and  then  proceeded  to  Salfordville,  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  Pa.  When  a  young  man  he  went  to 
Philadelphia  and  lived  with  a  sister  who  was  married 
to  Philip  Monkenbeck,  a  cigar  manufacturer  and  mer- 
chant,  who  taught  him  the  business,  and  he   then   en- 


606 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


gaged  in  the  same  line  on  his  own  account  at  Ninth 
and  Green  Streets,  carrying  the  business  on  success- 
fully until  .1877.  He  then  became  a  railroad  engineer 
on  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad,  being  ern- 
ployed  as  such  untiLl889,  when  he  entered  the  Baldwin 
Locomotive  Works;  he  was  engaged  there  as  a  me- 
chanic until  1896,  when  he  sustained  a  serious  injury, 
from  which  he  eventually  died,  in  1898. 

Christian  S.  Kline  married  Amanda  J.  Koch,  of  Le- 
high county,  and  by  her  had  eight  children:  Harry 
Charles;  Howard  (m.  Ella  Robbins);  Emma  (m.  Her- 
man Frankenfield) ;  Catherine  (m.  Morris  Raudenbush) ; 
Clara  (m.  Marshall  Benner,  and,  after  his  death,  Clar- 
ence Graham);  three  children  died  in  infancy. 

Harry  C.  Kline  received  his  early  educati'on  in  the 
public  schools  of  Philadelphia,  and  later  attended  Muh- 
lenberg College,  at  Allentown,  Pa.,  from  which  he 
graduated  with  honors  in  June,  1894.  He  prepared  for 
the  ministry  at  the  Lutheran  Theological  Seminary  at 
Mt.  Airy,  graduating  from  that  institution  in  1897.  In 
June  of  that  year,  immediately  thereafter,  he  was  or- 
dained a  Lutheran  minister  at  Lancaster,  Pa.  Shortly 
after  his  ordination,  June  23,  1897,  Rev.  Mr.  Kline 
located  at  Hamburg  and  was  regularly  installed  as 
pastor  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  and 
also  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  in  Windsor  township,  of 
Zion's,  in  Perry  township,  and  of  St.  Mark's  at  Shoe- 
makersville.  Pa.  With  the  exception  of  the  church  at 
Shoemakersville,  which  he  served  for  but  four  years, 
he  has  continued  to  officiate  as  minister  of  these 
churches  to  the  present  time. 

Immediately  upon  his  taking  charge  of  St.  John's 
Church,  new  religious  zeal  in  the  members  of  the  con- 
gregation was  developed.  They  had  a  severe  visitation 
the  following  year.  On  Monday,  April  3.  1898,  to  the 
amazement  of  the  congregation,  the  beautiful  old  church 
was'  completely  destroyed  by  fire,  caused  by  a  large 
spark  which  was  blown  from  the  destructive  fire  at  the 
Wilhelm  Bicycle  Works,  several  hunared  yards  distant 
to  the  west.  The  evening  of  the  day  previous,  Sunday, 
two  fine  windows  had  been  dedicated,  and  a  large 
catechetical  class  had  been  confirmed  in  the  old  church. 
Although  shocked  by  the  unlooked-for  calamity,  the 
minister  and  his  flock  were  not  discouraged,  for  they 
at  once  resolved  to  build  their  exclusive  Lutheran 
church,  separating  from  their  Union  relations  with  the 
Reformed  brethren.  They  set  to  work  in  real  earnest 
to  accomplish  the  task,  which  was  finished  by  Whit- 
suntide, 1899,  when  the  building  was  consecrated.  It 
was  then  and  is  still  recognized  as  one  of  the  hand- 
•somest  churches  in  the  county.  In  the  erection  of 
this  superb  structure.  Rev.  Mr.  Kline  has  received  much 
praise  for  his  unremitting  and  successful  efforts,  and- 
in  1906  the  congregation  was  highly  gratified  at  the 
extinguishment  of  the  entire  indebtedness  against  the 
church,  due  mostly  to  the  personal  appeals  of  the 
pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Kline  has  also  shared  the  honor  of 
building  a  beautiful  Union  church,  known  as  Zion's 
Union  Church,  in  Perry  township,  which  was  conse- 
crated on  Whitsunday,  1909;  he  is  the  Lutheran  pastor 
of  that  church. 

In  1897,  Rev.  Harry  C.  Kline  married  Gertrude  Lil- 
lian Leh,  and  they  have  had  two  sons,  Arlan  Luther 
and  Bernard  Leh.  Mrs.  Kline  was  given  a  superior 
education,  more  especially  in  music,  under  Prof.  C.  A. 
Miarks,  and  she  became  a  music  teacher,  following  that 
profession  fof  eight  years.  In  1890,  Professor  Marks 
organized  the  Allentown  Oratorio  Society,  with  which 
she  filled  the  responsible  position  of  piano  accom- 
panist in  a  highly  commendable  manner  until  her  mar- 
riage in  1897.  Mrs.  Kline  is  also  an  adept  in  needle- 
work, as  the  walls  of  her  beautiful  and  well-kept  home 
attest.     She  is  a  lovely  character. 

Thomas  H.  Leh,  of  Allentown,  Mrs.  Kline's  father, 
born  in  1853,  died  in  1886.  He  married  M.  Alice  Mu- 
maw,  and  they  had  three  children:  Gertrude  (m.  Rev. 
Mr.  Kline),  William  T.  (m.  Mayme  Matten),  and  Anna 
M.   (m.  Willis  E.  Kuehns).     Mrs.  Kline's  grandfather, 


William  R.  Leh,  also  of  Allentown,  married  A.  Maria 
Ginkinger. 

Rev.  Mr.  Kline,  being  much  interested  in  local  his- 
tory, has  become  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Ger- 
man Society  and  the  Berks  County  Historical  Society, 
both  of  which  organizations  he  encourages  most  heart- 
ily. 

WILLIAM  BRIDEGAM,  one  of  Reading's  highly 
esteemed  citizens  and  retired  business  men,  is  a  native 
of  Berks  county,  born  June  10,  1836,  in  Alsace  township, 
son  of  David  and  Catherine  (Becker)  Bridegam,  also 
natives  of  this  county. 

David  Bridegam  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  day,  and  when  a  boy  learned  the  weaver's  trade. 
This,  in  connection  with  farming  a  small  property,  oc- 
cupied his  time  during  his  short  life.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  thirty  years,  having  been  married  but  eight 
years,  and  having  four  children:  Louisa  m.  Philip  Her- 
bine,  a"nd  had  eight  children,  John  (deceased),  Wil- 
liam, Lucy,  Mahlon,  Louisa.  Katie,  Amanda  and  James; 
William;  Augustus  died  single;  and  Lewis  m.  Mary 
Ann  Shadle  and  had  three  children,  Augustus,  Katie 
and  James.  Mr.  Bridegam  died  in  1832,  while  his  wid- 
ow survived  him  fifty-five  years  and  died  aged  eighty-, 
six  years.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  David  Beck- 
er, who  married  Susan  Messersmith.  They  were  very 
prominent  farming  people  of  Alsace  township,  and  he 
was  an  extensive  land  owner.  He,  however,  disposed 
of  his  interests  in  Berks  county  and  with  a  large  fam- 
ily removed  to  Ohio,  where  some  of  his .  descendants 
still  reside. 

William  Bridegam  was  but  five  years  old. when  his 
father  died,  and  his  mother  not  being  in  affluent  cir- 
cumstances, he  was  taken  to  raise  by  Susan  Hassler, 
with  whom  he  remained  until  eighteen  years  of  age, 
receiving,  however,  but  a  limited  education.  While 
yet  in  his  teens,  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  tinsmith's 
trade,  and  this  he  followed  for  fifty-four  years.  Through 
honest  enaeavor  and  perseverance  he  has  accumulated 
a  competency  and  now  in  the  evening  of  his  life  is 
living  quietly,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  early  labor.  Mr. 
Bridegam  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being 
Rebecca  Bells,  by  whom  two  children  were  born:  Caro- 
line, deceased;  and  Susan,  who  became  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Hobart.  Mr.  Bridegam  m.  (second)  Cynthia 
Waltz  (now  also  deceased),  and  six  children  were 
born  to  this  union,  as  follows:  Clara,  m.  Samuel 
Hartman;  Sarah,  is  a  widow;  Kate,  m.  John  E.  Hun- 
sicker  of  Los  Angeles,  Cal.;  William  E.,  is  an  elec- 
trician of  Reading;  Mary,  is  deceased;  and  Florence, 
m.  John  Fink,  of  SchuylkillHaven. 

In  religion  the  family  are  members  of  St.  James' 
Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Bridegam  was  formerly  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  belongs  to  Reading  Council, 
No.  .46,  O.  U.  A.  M.  He  is  a  very  active  man  for  his 
years,  and  is  most  highly  esteemed  in  Reading. 

WILLIAM  B.  YEAGER,  proprietor  of  the  Reading 
Cornice  Works,  with  business  situated  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  Eighth  and  Chestnut  streets,  Reading, 
Pa.,  is  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  this  city! 
He'  was  born  at  Reading,  in  1851.  a  son  of  Abraham 
and  Harriet  (Dickinson)  Yeager. 

Abraham  Yeager  was  one  of  the  business  men  of 
Reading  for  years.  For  a  long  period  he  was  a  con- 
fectioner and  later  went  into  the  plumbing  business 
m  partnership  with  his  father-in-law,  William  Dickin- 
son, under  the  firm  name  of  Dickinson  &  Yeager.  The 
business  was  then  located  on  Sixth  street  near  Penn 
street,  Readmg.  Subsequently  Mr.  Yeager  was  asso- 
ciated with  a  Mr.  Miller  and  the  firm  became  Miller  & 
Yeager  and  so  continued  until  the  latter's  death,  at 
the  comparatively  early  age  of  thirty-seven  years.  He 
was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery.  Mr. 
Yeager  was  survived  by  a  widow  and  children.  He 
married  Harriet  Dickinson,  daughter  of  William  P. 
and    Elizabeth    (Miller)    Dickinson,    the    Miller    family 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


607 


being  a  very  old  and  prominent  one  at  Readng.  The 
children  of  this  union  were:  William  B.,  of  this  sketch; 
Edward,  formerly  mayor  of  the  city  of  Reading;  Harry; 
Pearson;  Clara;  and  Alice,  wife  of  Henry  Heckman, 
of  California. 

William _.B.  Yeager  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  city,  including  the  high  school.  His  first 
acquaintance  with  business  was  as  a  clerk  in  the  dry 
goods  store  of  B.  H.  Brown,  where  he  remained  a 
short  time,  and  then  entered  the  Reading  Sheet  Mill 
Works,  and  for  one  year  worked  at  piling  scrap  iron. 
His  next  business  connection  was  with  the  firm  of 
Delp  &  Rapp,  with  whom  he  was  associated  for  two 
and  a  half  years.  In  1878  he  went  with  W.  T.  Hain, 
working  at  the  tinning  trade,  and  remained  with  him 
for  sixteen  years.  That  long  experience  gave  him 
a  thorough  understanding  of  his  present  line  of  work. 
During  this  period  he  spent  some  eighteen  months 
in  Schuylkill  county,  in  the  same  business. 

In  1887  Mr.  Yeager  engaged  in  business  at  his  pres- 
ent site  and  has  met  with  most  encouraging  success. 
The  Reading  Cornice  Works  include  in  their  manu- 
factures copper  and  iron  cornices,  crestings,  hipping, 
and  finals,  roofing,  spouting  and  heater  work  and  sheet 
metal  work  of  all  kinds.  '  His  plant  is  well  equipped 
with  all  manner  of  modern  machinery  and  he  gives  em- 
ployment to  ten  S'killed  workmen.  On  Jan.  15,  1906, 
he  received  a  patent  right  for  a  metal  window  sash  and 
frame,  and  this  device  has  met  with  a  ready  sale.  Mr. 
Yeager  visits  neighboring  towns  in  the  interests  of  his 
business  and   has  friends   all  over  the  region. 

Mr.  Yeager  was  married  to  Susan  Leitheiser,  a 
daughter  of  Francis  and  Mary  (Adams)  Leitheiser, 
of  Hyde  Park,  Reading.  They  have  a  daughter  and 
son,  Bessie  and  Harry,  the  latter  of  whom  proves  a 
very  apt  assistant  to  his  father.  In  politics  Mr.  Yeager 
is  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Chandler 
Lodge  No.  227,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Excelsior  Chapter,  and 
Reading  Commandery,  and  is  a  past  officer  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum.  Mr.  Yeager  and  family  belong  to  the  Luth- 
eran Church.  They  have  a  pleasant  home  at  No.  646 
North  Sixth  street,  Reading. 

A.  W.  HAAG,  a  prosperous  business  man  of  Read- 
ing, carrying  on  a  large  millwrighting  business  on  the 
corner  of  Walnut  and  Third  streets,  was  born  Feb.  15, 
1851,  in  North  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa., 
a  son  of  Joel  and  Susanna  (Wenrich)  Haag. 

His  education  was  obtained  in  .the  schools  at  Bern- 
ville  and  from  youth  he  took  care  of  himself.  In  1868 
he  went  to  California  and  helped  build  the  Union  Pac- 
ific railroad,  and  was  one  of  the  party  to  travel  on  the 
first  train  over  the  route.  Upon  his  return  h'e  went 
to  Luzerne  county  and  there  worked  at  sawmill  work, 
having  some  acquaintances  there,  and  worked  also  at 
Allentown.  In  1875  he  went  to  Fleetwood  and  worked 
on  what  was  the  invention  of  the  Haag  Reliance  Tur- 
bine Water  Wheel,  superintending  the  setting  up  of 
the  same,  until  1894.  Mr.  Haag  then  came  to  Reading 
and  established  his  business  at  the  foot  of  Chestnut 
street,  but  in  1896  he  opened  his  present  place  of  busi- 
ness where  he  has  a  fine  establishment  equipped  with 
all  kinds  of  modern  machinery  for  millwrighting.  He 
makes  a  specialty  of  equipping  dye  works.  He  is  a 
thoroughly  competent  machinist  and  stands  very  high 
in  the  trade. 

In  1873  Mr.  Haag  was  married  to  Sevilla  Eck  and 
they  have  eleven  children,  namely:  Katherine,  m.  to 
W.  L.  Fegley;  Charles,  m.  to  Jennie  Rambo;  Sarah, 
m.  to  Samuel  Fegley;  John  A.,  m.  to  Ada  Heck;  George, 
m.  to  Blanche  E.  Wink;  Elizabeth,  m.  to  E.  S.  Fisher; 
Mary,  m.  to  John  Craig;  Caroline,  m.  to  E.  Miller; 
Adam  W.,  Jr.;  William  P.  and  James  H.  Mr.  Haag 
is  a  member  of  the  United  Evangelical  Church.  He  is 
fraternally  connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 
While  in  Fleetwood  he  was  a  member  of  the  council, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  school  trustee.  He  was  also 
secretary  of  the  board  of  town  councilmen   of   Fleet- 


wood for  six  years.  Mr.  Haag  is  very  well  known  in 
the  city  of  Reading,  where  he  is  highly  esteemed  for 
his  many  sterling  traits  of  character. 

ANDREW  HONEKER,  a  resident  of  Reading,  Pa., 
who  was.  engaged  in  the  stone-cutting  business,  was 
born  June  23,  1845,  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  son  of 
George  Honeker,  an  agriculturist  of  that  country,  where 
he  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

Andrew  Honeker  received  his  eduoation  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  c'ountry,  and  was  reared  on 
his  father's  farm.  He  came  to  America  in  June,  1869, 
on  a  vessel  of  the  Hamburg  Line,  and  landed  at  New 
York  City,  where  he  remained  but  a  few  days,  then  go- 
ing to  the  State  of  Massachusetts.  He  worked  on  a 
farm  there  for  a  short  time  after  which  he  came  to 
Reading  and  was  employed  at  a  furnace  for  a  few 
months.  His  next  employment  was  at  Altoona,  Pa., 
for  .a  period  of  three  years,  after  which  he  returned  to 
Reading  and  learned  the  stone  cutting  trade  with  the 
Eben  people,  in  whose  employ  he  was  for  a  period 
of  twenty  years.  In  1894  Mr.  Honeker  engaged  in 
business  with  John  Fisher  and  Christ  Becker,  with 
whom  he  continued  one  year,  after  which  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  Simon  Abel,  this  connection  con- 
tinuing for  five  years.  In  1904  Mr.  Honeker  became 
the'  partner  of  Henry  Huber  (see  sketch  elsewhere), 
and  they  continued  as  partners,  their  yard  being  lo- 
cated at  Elm  and  Buttonwood  streets,  as  long  as 
Mr.  Honeker  lived,  and  after  her  husband's  death  Mrs. 
Honeker  sold  his'interests.  The  home  of  the  family  is 
at  No.  1167  Green  street.  Mr.  Honeker  died  July  23, 
1908,  aged  sixty-three  years,  and  is  buried  in  the  Geth- 
semane  Cemetery,  Reading.  He  was  a  member  of  St. 
Paul's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  of  St.  Boniface's 
Society. 

Mr.  Honeker  married  Ceicila  Hohm,  of  Baiern,  Ger- 
many, and  to  them  were  born  the  following  children: 
Joseph,  who  is  employed  in  Chicago  as  a  clerk;  Mag- 
gie; Albert;  Annie;  Lizzie,  and  Mary. 

RICHARD  M.  WHITMAN,  former  chief  of  police 
of  Reading,  is  descended  from  David  Whitman,  a 
blacksmith  of  Robeson  township,  Berks  county. 

Abraham  S.  Whitman,  his  father,  who  was  a  printer 
and  publisher  of  Reading,  died  in  that  city  in  1900, 
aged  seventy-nine  yeears,  while  his  mother,  Mary  Eliza- 
beth (Reeser),  daughter  of  Daniel  Reeser,  a  droVer  of 
Berks  county,  passed  away  in  May,  1901,  aged  eighty-one 
years.  Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Whitman,  two  of  whom,  Rose  and  Kate,  died  in  early 
childhood.  Those  still  living  are:  Daniel  R.;  Mary, 
wife  of  David  Fox,  of  the  Reading  Hardware  Com- 
pany, Reading;  Esther,  the  wife  of  William  Clark,  of 
the  Reading  Hardware  Company;  Henrietta,  at  home; 
Lilly,  the  wife  of  James  Johnson,  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  service;  Richard  M. 

Richard  M.  Whitman  was  born  in  Reading,  April  3, 
1848.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools, 
and  then  learned  the  printing  business  in  his  father's 
office,  at  the  Times,  and  continued  at  printing  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  next  took  charge  of  the  Daily 
News  and  remained  there  nine  years,  or  until  the 
paper  was  discontinued,  when  he  became  one  of  the 
proprietors  of  the  Reading  Daily  Telegram  and  with 
this  paper  he  continued  three  years.  He  was  then 
twice  elected  to  Common  Council  from  the  Second 
ward,  resigning  in  1890  to  accept  the  position  of  high- 
way commission-er  of  the  Western  district  of  Read- 
ing. At  the  expiration  of  his  term  he  was  appointed 
chief  of  police,  and  served  under  Mayors  Merritt, 
Yeager  and  Gerber,  with  an  interval  between  Merritt 
and  Yeager.  During  this  interval  he  was  employed  on 
the  Timies. 

Mr.  Whitman  was  married  Jan.  20,  1877.  to  Mary 
Catherine  Shunk,  daughter  of  John  and  Rachel  (Savage) 
Shunk,  the  former  a  tanner  and  farmer  of  Heidelberg 
township,    Berks   county,    and   a    nephew   of   the    Hon. 


608 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Francis  Shunk,  ex-Governor  of  Pennsylvania.  Two 
sons' and  two  daughters  have  been  born  to  this  union: 
Daniel  R.,  a  toolmaker  of  Philadelphia;  May;  Jacob; 
and  Mollie,  wife  of  Clifford  H.  Price. 

Mr.  Whitman  belongs  to  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  435, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  to  the  Foresters  of  America.  He  is  also 
connected  with  Liberty  Fire  Company,  in  which  he 
has  held  several  offices.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 
During  his  career  as  chief  of  police  he  made  many  im- 
portant arrests,  ^nd  was  a  faithful  and  capable  officer. 

GEORGE  A.  RICK,  president  of  the  common  branch 
of  the  city  councils  of  Reading,  is  a  native  of  that  city 
whose  connection  with  its  business  and  public  life  does 
credit  to  his  birth  and  ancestry.  He  is  a  member  of  an  old 
Berks  county  family,  being  a  descendant  in  the  fifth  gen- 
eration from  Hermann  Rick,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the 
family,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1712,  when  twelve 
years  old.  From  him  Mr.  Rick  traces  his  line  through 
John  George,  Charles,  and  John  Rick,  the  latter  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  well-known  firm  of  Rick  Brothers, 
manufacturers  of  tacks  and  builders'  hardware,  which  was 
established  in  the  year  1867,  and  for  many  years  main- 
tained its  position  as  one  of  the  leading  industries  of  the 
kind  in  Reading  and  elsewhere.  John  Rick  married  Emma 
C.  Ammon,  and  to  them  were  born  three  sons  and  one 
daughter :  George  A.,  John,  Paul  A.,  and  Margaret  Julia, 
the  daughter  dying  in  September,  1904.  Further  details 
concerning  the  ancestors  will  be  found  elsewhere. 

George  A.  Rick  was  born  in  Reading,  Oct.  23,  1877,  and 
there  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  After 
his  graduation  from  the  high  school,  June  1,  1895,  he  en- 
tered the  office  of  William  H.  Dechant,  civil  engineer, 
with  whom  he  remained  until  May,  1898,  on  the  9th  o-f 
which  month  he  entered  the  army  in  the  volunteer  service. 
He  became  a  private  in  Company  A  (Capt.  Samuel  Wil- 
lits),  4th  Regiment  (Col.  David  Brainerd  Case),  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  until  Nov.  16,  1898;  he 
was  sent  to  Porto  Rico. 

Upon  his  return  to  Reading  after  being  mustered  out  of 
the  service,  Mr.  Rick  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  in- 
vestment business,  which  he  has  continued  to  the  present 
time.    He  is  a  director  of  the  Colonial  Trust  Company. 

In  1906  Mr.  Rick  was  elected  to  represent  his  ward  in 
the  common  branch  of  the  city  councils,  and  in  1908  he 
was  honored  with  re-election  for  another  two  years'  term. 
Immediately  following  his  re-electioi^  in  April,  1908,  he 
was  elected  president  of  that  branch  of  the  city  govern- 
ment, and  he  has  occupied  the  chair  ever  since.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  political  sentiment,  public-spirited  and  con- 
scientious in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  alive  to  the 
needs  of  the  community  in  which  his  life  has  been  spent. 

On  Nov.  12,  1903,  Mr.  Rick  married  Margaret  Hunter, 
daughter  of  John  and  Marion  Hunter,  of  Alva,  Scotland. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rick  have  two  children,  John  Hunter  and 
Margaret  Marion.  Mr.  Rick  is  a  Lutheran  in  religious 
connection,  holding  membership  in  St.  Matthew's  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  Church. 

WALTON  G.  LEVAN,  for  many  years  a  business 
man  of  Reading,  bore  a  name  not  only  to  be  found  in 
the  military  annals  of  this  country,  but  also  well  known 
in  France  in  connection  with  the  old  Huguenot  days. 
The  family  was  founded  in  America  by  three  brothers, 
Jacob,  Isaac  and  Abraham,  who  fled  from  their  native 
land  in  1715  to  escape  persecution  and  came  to  Penn- 
sylvania, settling  in  Berks  county,  one  near  Kutztown, 
one  in  Oley  Valley  and  one  in  what  is  now  Reading. 
A  warlike  strain  has  run  through  their  descendants 
and  we  find  them  among  the  defenders  of  liberty  in 
bofh   1775   arid   1861. 

Abraham  Levan,  grandfather  of  Walton  G,  in  the 
earlier  part  of  his  life  resided  in  York,  York  county,  a 
place  then  known  as  Little  York.  He  was  enga^d  in 
business  as  a  hatter  and  dealt  almost  entirely,  whether 
for  laying  in  supplies  or  disposing  of  his  goods  when 
finished,  in  Baltimore.  Md.  Later  he  settled  in  Read- 
ing and  carried  on  the  same  business  there.     He  was 


one  of  the  leading  supporters  of  the  old  Reformed 
Church  there,  and  when  he  died,  at  an  advanced  age, 
was  buried  in  the  cemetery,  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and 
Washington  streets. 

Isaac  N.  Levan,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born  anc 
brought  up  in  York  and  there  learned  the'  trade  of  a 
hatter  under  his  father.  On  moving  to  Reading,  hr  vv- 
ever,  he  went  into  the  nail  cutting  line  instead,  traveling 
through  Ohio,  Illinois,  Indiana  and  Virginia.  He  re- 
turned to  Reading  about  1869  and  went  into  the  hat 
business  again,  opening  a  retail  establishment  at  No. 
727  Penn  street  where  he  continued  a  few  years,  then 
bought  the  property  No.  719  Penn  street  and  there 
continued  until  his  death,  in  1892,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  years.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Jos- 
eph Guiel,  resident  of  Canada,  where  Mrs.  Levan  was 
born,  but  later  he  removed  to  Connecticut.  Mr.  Guiel 
was  a  famous  Indian  scout  and  during  the  Rebellion 
his  services  were  employed  by  the  government.  The 
last  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  work  among  the 
Indians.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Levan  had  children  as  follows: 
Walton  G,  John  A.,  Edgar  M.,  Annie  A.,  Ella  G. 
(m.  Peter  Weber,  of  Lancaster,  Pa.)  ,  I.  Newton,  (of 
Wilmington,  Del.),  and  Florence  (wife  of  Dr.  Charles 
W.  Bachman,  of  Reading). 

Walton  G.  Levan  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  Jan. 
27,  1846.  He  came  to  Reading  with  his  parents  when 
only  a  child,  and  after  completing  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  began  to  learn  the  trade  which  his 
father  and  grandfather  before  him  had  followed.  This 
was  during  the  period  of  the  war,  and  after  serving  six 
months  of  his  apprenticeship  he  enlisted  in  Company 
B,  2d  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  under  Gen.  David  McM. 
Gregg.  He  served  in  all  two  years  and  six  months 
and  during  that  time  was  once  seriously  wounded,  in 
the  battle  of  Hunter's  Run,  Oct.  22,  1864.  The '  in- 
jury was  in  the  left  leg  and  he  suffered  from  its  eflfeots 
to  the  end  of  his  life.  Mr.  Levan  was  honorably  dis- 
charged July  20,  1865,  and  returning  to  Reading,  re- 
sumed work  at  his  trade  where  he  had  left  off.  He 
followed  that  line  of  work  without  intermission,  in 
1869  becoming  associated  in  the  hat  business  with  his 
father  at  No.  727  Penn  street.  Continuing  with  him 
until  1874,  in  that  year  he  opened  an  establishment  of 
his  own  at  No.  48  South  Seventh  street  which  he  con- 
ducted until  1877.  when  he  closed  out  his  store  and 
went  back  to  the  bench.  He  remained  in  the  shop 
until  March  9,  1895,  when  he  and  his  son  established 
a  hat  store  at  No.  903  Penn  street,  having  both  a 
manufacturing  and  retail  concern.  Nine  years  after, 
to  a  day,  they  moved  to  the  present  location.  No.  847 
Penn  street.  Here  his  son  now  carries  on  what  has 
become  known  as  one  of  the  most  progressive  hat 
stores  in  the  city.  In  the  rear  of  the  store  there  is 
a  plant  for  manufacturing  hats  for  the  local  trade,  and 
as  Mr.  Levan  was  a  skilled  mechanic  himself,  and 
superintended  his  own  workrooms,  he  established  a 
splendid  reputation  for  the  output.  His  son.  Isaac 
N.  Levan,  became  a  partner  in  the  firm  in  1897  and 
they  did  business  under  the  firm  name  of  W.  G.  Levan 
&  Son.  Mr.  Levan  was  actively  engaged  in  business 
until  a  few  days  before  his  death,  though  he  had  been 
suffering  for  some  months  with  dropsy,  from  which  he 
died  Nov.  18,  1906,  in  his  sixty-first  year.  He  was  one 
of  the  best-known  men  in  his  line  in  Reading. 

Mr.  Levan  married  Catharine  Boylan,  who  survives 
him,  residing  at  No.  704  Walnut  street,  while  his  son. 
Isaac  N.  resides  in  the  home  at  No.  133  North  Eighth 
street.  The;^  had  one  son,  Isaac  N.  Levan,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  A.  Siegfried,  and  had  three  children,  namely: 
Bertha  A.,  Walton  G.  and  William  A.  Mr.  Levan  was 
a  member  of  Keim  Post,  No.  76,  G.  A.  R. 

ISAAC  HOLLENBACH,  a  well  known  citizen  of 
Reading,  engaged  in  the  building  business,  who  resides 
at  No.  600  Schuylkill  avenue,  was  born  in  1852  in  Onte- 
launee  township,   Berks  county,  near   Leesport,   son   of 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


609 


John  and  Mary  (Hartman)  Hollenbach,  and  grandson 
of  John  and  Christiana  Hollenbach. 

John  Hollenbach,  the  grandfather,  was  a  farmer  near 
Leesport,  Pa.,  where  many  years  of  his  life  were  spent, 
and  was  a  man  noted  for  his  thrift  and  enterprise, 
being  held  in  high  esteem  in  his  locality.  He  and  his 
wife  Christiana  became  the  parents  of  these  children: 
Benjamin;  Samuel;  Daniel;  Rebecca,  m.  to  Adam  Gear- 
hapt;  Elithebes,  m.  to  a  Mr.  DeTurck;  John;  and  Kate, 
m.  to  a  Mr.  Schaeffer.  In  religious  belief  the  family 
were  Lutherans.  Mr.  Hollenbach  was  first  a  Whig 
in  politics,  and  later  became  a  Republican. 

John  Hollenbach,  son  of  John,  was  educated  in  the 
district  schools  of  Berks  county,  and  as  a  boy  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  on  his  father's  farm,  later  en- 
gaging therein  for  himself,  following  farming  all  of  his 
life.  He  died  aged  seventy-one  years,  while  his  widow 
still  survives  him,  being  the  mother  of  five  children: 
Catherine,  m.  to  William  Marks;  Emma,  who  died 
single;  Isaac;  Sally,  m.  to  Charles  Gernant;  and  John, 
a  retired  farmer  of  Illinois. 

Isaac  HoUenbach's  education  was  secured  in  the 
schools  of  Bern  township,  after  which  he  came  to 
Reading  and  pursued  a  course  in  the  business  college. 
He  then  returned  to  his  native  place  and  engaged  in 
farming  until  1891,  in  which  year  he  came  again  to 
Reading  and  engaged  in  the  butchering  business,  for  one 
year,  selling  out  to  engage  in  the  building  business,  at 
which  he  has  since  continued  with  much  success.  He 
has  built  many  residences  in  the  northwestern  section 
of  the  city,  among  them  sixteen  on  Gordon  street,  sev- 
en on  West  Green  street,  sixteen  on  Wesit  Greenwich 
street,  and  a  row  on  Schuylkill  avenue  in  the  600  block, 
in  one  of  which  he  resides.  Hollenbach  street,  one  of 
the  prettiest  residence  thoroughfares  in  northwestern 
Reading,  was  named  after  Mr.  Hollenbach,  and  here, 
in  ^  company  with  P.  Monroe  Krick,  Mr.  Hollenbach 
built  forty-three  houses.  He  is  well  and  favorably 
known  in  his  section  of  the  city,  serving  as  council- 
man of  the  Fifteenth  ward,  but  declining  a  renomina- 
tion  on  account  of  his  varied  business  interests.  He 
is  a  stanch  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  North- 
easitern  Republican  League,  and  is  fraternally  connected 
with  the  Schuylkill  Fire  Company.  In  religious  faith 
Mr.  Hollenbach  is  a  Lutheran. 

WILLIAM  H.  MOYER,  of  the  firm  of  Strunk  & 
Meyer,  feed  merchants,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born 
July  17,  1859,  at  Reading,  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Bin- 
gaman)   Moyer. 

David  Moyer,  father  of  William  H.,  born  in  1819,  was 
a  carpenter  at  Reading,  following  his  trade  here  during 
the  greater  part  of  .his  life.  He  died  in  1878,  and  his 
wife,  Mary  Bingaman,  died  in  1865.  Thev  had  three 
children:  Clara,  David  A.,  and  William  H. 

William  H.  Moyer  was  educated  in  the  Reading 
schools  and  began  his  business  life  as  an  employee 
of  Aaron  Yocum,  in  a  flour  mill,  with  whom  he  con- 
tinued for  three  years.  Then  began  his  association 
with  John  M.  Strunk,  for  whom  he  worked  eleven 
years,  and  in  1889  he  was  taken  into  partnership,  and 
the  present  firm  name  was  adopted.  The  business  was 
founded  in  1868  by  Mr.  Strunk,  and  by  him  was  so 
conducted  that  it  became  favorably  known  all  over 
Berks  county.  The  warehouse'  is  located  at  No.  924 
Franklin  street.  The  scope  of  the  business  includes 
dealing  in  flour,  feed,  grain,  hay,  straw,  potatoes 
and  poultry  supplies,  and  their  trade  connections  enable 
them  not  only  to  do  a  good  business  for  themselves 
but  to  make  it  of  interest  to  their  customers.  Their 
claim  to  promptness  in  business  transactions  is  well 
substantiated.  They  make  a  specialty  of  handling  Nut- 
riotone,  a  condition  remedy  for  horses,  cattle,  sheep 
and  swine.  Their  warehouse  consists  of  four  floors 
and  the  dimensions   of  the,  building  are  34x24  feet. 

Mr.  Moyer  was_  married  to.  Louisa  Zeigler,  daughter 
of  John  and  Louisa  (Roland)  Zeigler,  of  Reading,  Pa. 
Mr.  Zeigler  died  in  1892.  For  years  he  had  been  a 
39 


valued  employee  at  the  Johnston  foundry.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Moyer  have  one  daughter,  Helen  May,  who  is  a 
pupil'  at  the  grammar  school.  In  politics  iVIr.  Moyer 
is  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Knight  of  Malta; 
belongs  to  Camp  No.  89,  Patriotic  Sons  of  America; 
and  was  secretary  of  the  Rainbow  Fire  Company  for 
some  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Reformed 
Church  at  Reading. 

DAVID  DeLONG,  now  deceased,  was  a  well  known 
farmer  of  Bern  township.  He  was  born  in  Berks  coun- 
ty. Pa.,  son  of  David  De  Long,  Sr.,  who  was  for  many 
years  engaged  in  farming  in  Lehigh  county — a  very 
prominent  man  there. 

Mr.  De  Long  was  always  identified  with  Berks 
county.  He  began  his  farming  operations  there  on  a 
traot  of  forty  acres,  which  he  purchased  and  to  which 
he  later  added  considerably.  He  was  successful  in  his 
work,  being  both  capable  and  industrious,'  and  his  long 
life  of  seventy-seven  years  was  full  of  useful  and  kind- 
ly deeds. 

Mr.  De  Long  married  Miss  Mary  Snyder,  and  they 
passed  many  years  of  wedded  life,  broken  by  the  death 
of  Mrs.  De  Long  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  A  large 
family  was  born  to  them,  all  of  them  living  in  or 
near  Reading,  as  follows:  Mary,  Mrs.  Daniel  Moser,  of 
Bern  township;  Hattie,  Mrs.  Samuel  Savage,  of  Read- 
ing; Catharine,  Mrs.  Reinart,  of  Reading,  who  has 
two  children,  George  and  Katie  (m.  Howard  Zerr,  who 
has  two  children,  Luther  and  Helen  Zerr);  Joel,  m. 
to  Miss  Matilda  Althouse,  and  residing  on  the  home- 
stead in  Bern  township;  Lydia,  m.  to  Frank  Snyder, 
of  Reading;  and  Sarah,  m.  to  Levi  Wagner.  David 
De  Long, was  a  man  who  held  the  respect  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lived,  and  was  of  no  little  influence 
in  the  Democratic  party.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Reformed   Church. 

DOTTERRER.  In  1738  among  the  names  of  passen- 
gers on  the  ship  "Mortonhouse,"  was  the  name  of  Johan 
Georg  Doderer,  also  spelled,  on  the  Captain's  list, 
Hans  Dirk  Doddere.  In  1756,  according  to  the  his- 
torian, Rupp,  he  had  settled  in  District  township,  Berks 
county;  and  in  1759  his  name  appears  on  the  tax  list 
in  that  township.  Tradition  says  he  was  an  elder 
brother  of  Mathias  Dotterrer,  who  came  over  in  1749. 

(I)  Mathias  Dotterrer,  whose  name  on  the  passen- 
ger list  is  given  as  Mattheus  Dotter,  came  to  America 
on  the  ship  "Jacob,"  Captain  Adolph  De  Grove,  from 
Amsterdam,  last  from  Shields,  England,  qualifying  at' 
Philadelphia,  Oct.  3,  1749.  On  the  same  ship  were 
Nichlaus  and  Martin  Dotter,  who  may  have  been  sons 
over  sixteen  years  of  age.  His  son  Mathias  (1744- 
1837),  was  about  five  years  old  at  the  time,  and  be- 
cause of  his  age  his  name  would  not  appear  on.  the 
passenger  list. 

(II)  Mathias  Dotterrer,  son  of  Mathias,  born  Jan. 
33,  1744,  became  a  pioneer  of  Lower  Berks  county. 
His  name  is  variously  spelled — Dotterrer,  Dottero  and 
Toderrow.  On  the  red  sandstone  that  marks  his  grave 
just  south  of  the  Hill  Church,  is  the  following  inscrip- 
tion: "Mathias  Dotterrer,  son  of  Mathias  and  Cathar- 
ine, Born  Jan.  22,  1744,  Died  June  30,  1827,  aged  83 
years,  5  months,  8  days."  His  wife  is  buried  at  his 
side  her  grave  being  marked  by  the  following  inscrip- 
tion: "Anna  Maria,  daughter  Adam  and  Catharine  Im- 
holtz,  and  wife  Mathias  Dotterrer.  She  was  born  May 
17,  1743,  married  1765,  and  lived  in  holy  wedlock  over 
60  years.  She  had  two  sons,  twenty-six  grandchildren, 
forty  great-grandchildren  at  her  death,  which  occurred 
Feb.  34,  1825,  aged  eighty-one  years,  nine  months,  sev- 
enteen days."  They  had  two  sons:  Daniel  was  executor 
of  his  father  s  will  (on  record  in  German  in  Will  Book 
6,  p.  99);  and  Mathias. 

(III)  Daniel  Dotterrer,  son  of  Mathias,  was  born 
July  4,  1766,  and  he  died  Sept.  13,  1844,  in  the  seventy- 
ninth  year  of  his  age.  He  lived  in'  Earl  township 
where  he  owned  a  farm,  and  he  also  owned  a  tract  in 


610 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Rockland  township,  bequeathing  the  latter  to  his  son 
Henry  in  his  will  made  Oct.  29,  1834.  This  will  is  on 
record  in  Will  Book  9,  page  is;  executors,  his  sons 
Maithias  and  Daniel.  In  the  Will  Index  his  name  is 
spelled  Daniel  Dottero.  He  married  Barbara  Muthart 
(born  June  28,  1763,  died  Dec.  3,  1843,  aged  eighty 
years,  five  months,  five  days),  and  their  children  were: 
Mathias,  John,  Daniel  (1792-1840),  Jacob,  George,  Hen- 
ry, Susanna  and  Catharine. 

(IV)  Jacob  Dotterrer,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  April 
4,  1794,  and  he  died  in  Earl  township,  Aug.  23,  1885, 
aged  ninety-one  years,  four  months,  nineteen  days.  He 
and  his  family  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  the  Hill 
Church,  of  which  they  were  Reformed  members.  In 
his  earlier  life  he  owned  and  cultivated  a  small  farm 
in  Pike  township.  By  trade  he  was  a  carpenter.  His 
wife,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Christian  Sassaman,  was  born 
Dec.  21,  1797,  and  she  died  June  8,  1880,  aged  eighty- 
two  years,  five  months,  seventeen  days.  Four  children 
were  born  to  them:  Maria,  m.  to  Isaac  Fry;  John  S.; 
Abraham,  who  lived  and  died  in  Pike  township;  Sarah, 
m.  to  Aaron  Weller. 

(V)  John  S.  Dotterrer,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  dur- 
ing his  father's  residence  in  Pike  township,  Dec.  7, 
1822.  His  death  occurred  Dec.  12,  1881,  when  he  was 
aged  fifty-nine  years,  five  days,  and  his  remains  were 
buried  at  Hill  Church.  In  his  earlier  life  he  was  a 
school  teacher,  teaching  a  pay  school  at  Shanesville, 
but  later  he  became  a  farmer,  owning  the  farm  of  167 
acres  in  Pike  township  that  is  now  the  property  of  his 
son  Jacob  and  the  heirs  of  his  son  John.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Democrat,  and  was  always  active  in  work 
for  his  party.  For  a  number  of  years  he  served  as 
school  director  in  Pike  township.  He  married  Hettie 
(Esther)  Weller,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth 
(Mest)  Weller.  born  July  29,  1828,  died  July  28,  1882, 
aged  fifty-three  years,  eleven  months,  twenty-nine 
days,  her  death  occurring  but  eight  months  after  that 
of  her  husband.  Their  children  were:  Catharine,  who 
died  unmarried;  Jacob,  of  Pikeville;  John  W. ;  Daniel 
W. ;  Sarah,  m.  to  Irwin  Buchert,  of  Gilbertsville; 
Elizabeth,  m.  to  William  Hilbert,  of  Pikeville;  Hettie, 
m,  to  Daniel  Peter,  of  Viola,  Del.;  Amanda,  m.  to  John 
Ritter,  of  Boyertown;  and  Augustus,  of  Pottstown. 

(VI)  John  W.  Dotterrer,  son  of  John  S.,  was  a 
native  of  Pike  township,  born  Aug.  16,  1852.  He  was 
first  a  farmer  and  then  a  merchant,  later  conducting  the 
store  and  hotel  (which  he  owned)  at  Hill  Church, 
where  he  was  also  postmaster  for  more  than  a  quar- 
ter of  a  Century.  He  was  one  of  the  active  Democrats 
in  his  district,  serving  as  committeeman  for  many 
years,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  serving  as 
road  commissioner.  He  died  May  14,  1907,  and  was 
buried  at  Hill  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  Reformed 
member.  From  the  date  of  its  incorporation  in  1873 
until  his  death,  a  period  of  thirty-four  years,  he  was 
treasurer  of  the  Cemetery  company.  He  was  a  man 
of  influence  in  the  community.  His  wife,  Elenora 
Brower.  was  a  daughter  of  John  G.  and  Elmina  (Haus- 
man)  Brower,  of  Colebrookdale  township,  the  former 
at  one  time  a  well  known  school  master.  They  had 
these  children:  Laura,  who  died  in  infancy;  Dr.  Char- 
les B.;  and  Hettie,  whose  husband,  Harvey  H.  Weller, 
succeeded    Mr.    Dotterrer   in   business   at    Hill    Church. 

(VII)  Dr.  Charles  B.  Dotterrer,  of  Boyertown,  was 
born  Jan.  12,  1880,  near  Hill  Church,  son  of  John 
W.  and  Elenora,  and  was  given  good  educational  ad- 
vantages. He  attended  the  public  schools  in  Pike 
township,  and  later  the  Pottstown  schools,  and  then 
engaged  in  teaching  in  his  native  township  for  one 
term.  In  the  spring  of  1897  he  attended  Perkiomen 
Seminary,  and  continued  there  as  a  student  until  his 
graduation  in  1898.  He  then  entered  the  Medico-Chirur- 
gical  College,  Philadelphia,  from  which  institution  he 
graduated  in  1903.  While  there  he  was  awarded  a 
gold  rnedal  for  his  high  average  in  a  competitive  ex- 
amination. He  then  served  one  year  in  the  Medico- 
Chirurgical    Hospital,    after   which   he    took    charge    of 


the  practice  of  Dr.  G.  A.  Weida,  at  Frederick,  Mont- 
gomery Co.,  Pa.,  during  the  latter's  service  in  the 
lower  house  of  the  Sitate  Legislature.  He  then  began 
practising  for  himself  at  Zieglerville,  and  continued 
there  until  January,  1907,  when  he  located  in  Boyer- 
town, quickly  assuming  a  promihent  place  in  the  pro- 
fessional world.  He  has  a  most  enviable  record,  and 
stands  high  in  the  estimation  of  his  fellow  practi- 
tioners. Fraternally  Dr.  Dotterrer  is  a  member  of  War- 
ren Lodge,  No.  310,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Norristown  Chapter, 
No.  190,  R.  A.  M.;  Reading  Lodge  of  Perfection.  He 
is  a  past  master  of  Perkiomenville  Lodge,  No.  367,  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  and  smce  his  location  in  Boyertown  has  be- 
come affiliated  with  Boyertown  Lodge  No.  708,  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  which  lodge  rendered  such  invaluable  services 
to  the  community  at  the  time  of  the  Opera  House  Fire 
in  January,  1908.  Dr.  Dotterrer  is  very  prosperous, 
and  his  automobile  may  be  seen  at  all  hours.  He 
handles  this  machine  with  great  skill.  On  Jan.  1,  1909, 
in  partnership  with  Claude  C.  Graeff,  P.  D.,  he  bought 
the  large  wholesale  and  retail  drug  store  of  Charles 
A.  Smith,  and  when  not  engaged  at  his  private  practice 
spends  his  time  in  the  drug  store. 

The  Doctor  is  very  public-spirited,  and  has  taken 
an  active  part  in  public  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  board  of  health,  and  since  the  resignation  of  Dr. 
Rhoads  he  has  acted  as  its  president.  He  was  one  of  the 
incorporators  of  the  Boyertown  Electric  Light  Com- 
pany, serving  as  vice  president  until  he  was  elected 
hy  an  overwhelming  majority  as  a  councilman.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Berks  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American 
Medical  Association. 

On  Dec.  17,  1904,  Dr.  Dotterrer  married  Mary  Eliza- 
beth Wagner,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Amelia  (Reller) 
Wagner,  of  Obelisk,  Pa.    They  have  no  children. 


(VI)  Daniel  W.  Dotterrer,  son  of  John  S.,  was  born 
in  Pike  township,  Nov.  27,  1854.  He  received  his  early 
education  in  the  township  schools,  and  later  attended 
Professor  Hankey's  select  school  at  Boyertown.  He 
also  attended  Friedensburg  Academy  one  term,  then 
under  the  charge  of  Prof.  S.  A.  Baer,  and  later  Dr. 
Daniel  Schoedler.  In  1880  he  began  farminar  for  him- 
self on  the  place  where  he  now  lives  near  Hill  Church. 
He  has  a  farm  of  eighty-eight  acres,  all  in  good  con- 
dition. In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  wields 
considerable  influence  in  the  township,  as  he  is  a  man 
of  high  repute  and  good  judgment. 

In  1879  Mr.  Dotterrer  married  Ellen  Drumheller, 
daughter  of  David  and  Lydia  (Rhode)  Drumheller. 
and  they  had  children :^  Wilson  m.  Hannah  Mest; 
Ida  m.  John  Hess;  Daniel  died  in  infancy;  David  m. 
Annie  Moyer;  John  (twin  to  David)  is  a  cigarmaker; 
Mamie,  Augus.tus   and   Elizabeth  are   at  home. 

GEORGE  C.  SUENDER,  who  resides  at  No.  1330 
North  Twelfth  street,  Reading,  Pa.,  has  served  as  ward 
assessor  of  the  city  for  the  past  seventeen  years.  Mr. 
Suender  was  born  in  1845,  in  Saxony,  Germany,  son  of 
George  and  Catherine  D.  (Eisenhart)  Suender. 

George  Suender  was  a  spinner  by  trade,  an  occupa- 
tion which  he  followed  in  his  native  country,  and  in 
1847  emigrated  to  America  on  the  ship  "Louisa  Maria," 
Capt.  Lew  Schwenk.  landing  May  7th,  of  that  year,  after 
a  stormy  voyage  of  seven  weeks,  at  Philadelphia.  After 
coming  to  this  country  Mr.  Suender  engaged  in  com- 
mon laboring  and  huckstering,  and  in  these  occupations 
continued  until  his  death  in  1890,  at  the  age  of  seven- 
ty-two years,  his  widow  surviving  until  1903,  when  she 
passed  away,  being  eighty-four  years  old.  They  were 
the  parents  of  children  as  follows:  George  C;  Charles 
M.  D.,  deceased;  Catherine,  m.  to  Charles  Bast;  and 
Louisa,  m.  to  George  Kramer.  In  religious  belief 
the  family  were  Reformed.  In  1856  Mr.  Suender  was 
naturalized,  and  became  a  stanch  Democrat. 

George  C.  Suender  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  Berks  county,  attending  pay  schools  in  Bern 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


611 


township  and  Freeland  Seminary,  and  after  leaving 
the  latter  institution  taught  school  for  five  years.  In 
1868  he  commenced  farming,  continuing  thereat  until 
1870,  when  he  embarked  in  the  livery  business  on 
Pearl,  below  Franklin  stree.t,  Reading.  One  year  later 
he  sold  out  to  engage  in  the  flour  and  feed  business 
with  William  Frame,  and  shortly  thereafter  accepted 
a  position  with  William  T.  Clous  &  Son,  ice  dealers. 
In  1880,  Mr.  Suender  engaged  in  the  milk  business, 
and  this  he  carried  on  until  April  30,  1907,  when  he 
sold  out.  Mr.  Suender  has  been  prominent  not  only 
in  business,  bu.t  in  political  circles  as  well.  He  has 
long  been  a  stanch  adherent  of  Democratic  principles 
in  this  section,  was  school  director  for  six  years,  and 
for  the  past  seventeen  years  has  served  efficiently  as 
ward  assessor.  He  is  well  known  throughout  the  city, 
and  has  many  warm  friends. 

Mr.  Suender  was  married  (first)  to  Elizabeth  Kauf- 
man, by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Lillie;  and  Eliza- 
beth, m.  to  John  Sheidy.  His  second  marriage  was  to 
Louisa  Menges,  and  to  them  there  have  been  born  six 
children:  Katie,  m.  to  Elmer  Heilig;  Eugenia  H.;  T. 
Howard;  Charles  F.;  Emma,  m.  to  John  Dersch;  and 
Vernie.  The  family  is  connected  with  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

GEORGE  GRAFF,  a  farmer  of  Albany  township, 
Berks  county,  now  living  retired  in  his  comfortable 
home  at  Albany  Station,  is  a  native  of  Neubeuern. 
Germany,  born  Aug.  11.  1835.  son  of  George  Michael 
Graff. 

George  Michael  Graff  was  born  in  Bayern,  Ger- 
many, May  23,  1793,  and  died  at  his  home  near  Wess- 
nersville,  Berks  county,  June  29,  1879.  He  came  to 
America  in  1839  bringing  his  family,  and  first  lived  for 
a  few  years  in  Philadelphia,  from  which  city  he  came 
to  Berks  county,  and  made  his  first  location  in  Green- 
wich township,  on  the  place  where  William  Emore 
now  lives  about  Klinesville.  About  1848  he  moved  to 
Albany  township,  and  located  where  his  son  Christian 
now  lives  near  Wessnersville.  He  owned  this  farm, 
which  first  consisted  of  fifty-six  acres,  and  this  he 
cultivated  until  a  few  years  before  his  death.  He  was 
a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith,  as  was  also  his  wife, 
and  they  are  buried  at  Friedens  Church  at  Wessners- 
ville, of  which  they  were  members.  Mr.  Graff  had  been 
a  tanner  in  the  Old  Country,  but  never  followed  that 
trade  in  America.  He  was  a  man  of  medium  height 
with  very  black  hair.  His  second  wife  was  Anna 
Maria  Himmelshear'.  who  was  bom — March  I3r~t8137" 
and  died  April  21,  1881.  They  had  four  children: 
George  and  Michael,  both  born  in  Germany;  and 
Christian  and  Catharine  (m.  Samuel  Mohn,  of  Round 
Top,  Albany  township),  both  born  in  America.  Of  these 
children,  Michael  lived  some  years  in  Albany  town- 
ship, and  then  moved  to  West  Penn  township,  Schuyl- 
kill county,  where  some  years  later  he  sold  out  his 
farm,  and  then  went  to  Tamaqua.  He  married  Polly 
Kunkel,  and  their  children  were:  Thomas,  George, 
Charles,  Alvin.  Jonathan.  Mary  Ann,  Missouri  and  Cora. 
Christian  Graff,  son  of  George  Michael,  a  shoemaker  by 
trade,  also  carries  on  farming  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Albany  township.  He  married  Polly  Krey  (spelled  Frai 
in  German),  sister  to  George  Graff's  wife,  Sarah,  both 
daughters  of  Napoleon  Frey.  To  Christian  Graff  and 
wife  have  been  born :  Oscar,  Mantillis  (m.  Amanda 
Zimmerman,  daughter  of  Noah  Zimmerman),  Richard 
(m.  Alice  Zimmerman,  sister  to  Amanda),  Irwin,  Elmer 
and    Herbert. 

George  Graff  accompanied  his  parents  to  America, 
and  in  Greenwich  township  he  learned  the  shoemaker's 
trade  under  Peter  Reinhard,  and  this  he  followed  four- 
teen years.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany G,  167th  Pa.  V.  I.  and  served  nine  months.  After 
the  war  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Albany  township, 
and  has  a  nice  farm  of  110  acres  located  in  the  potato 
belt  on  the  Ontelaunee.  IJe  built  in  1883  the  present 
barn   on   his   farm,   and  he   retired  in   1889,  "having  the 


previous  year  built  at  Albany  Station  the  brick  resi- 
dence near  the  railroad,  where  he  now  lives.  The  large 
lawn  is  most  attractive.  Mrs.  Graff  is  a  great  lover  of 
flowers  and  has  been  very  successful  in  their  cultivation, 
and  the  beautiful  blossoms  attract  much  attention,  not 
only  of  the  passers-by  but  also  of  the  passengers  on 
the  trains  of  the  Schuylkill  &  Lehigh  railroad  running 
close  to  the  house.  Mr.  Graff  is  a  man  of  intelligence 
and  is  well  posted  on  public  questions.  He  takes  great 
pleasure  in  reading.  He  and  his  wife  have  erected 
their  monument  at  Friedens  Church  cemetery. 

In  1860  Mr.  Graff  married  Sarah  Frey,  daughter  of 
Napoleon  and  Kate  (Billman)  Frey,  the  latter  a  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Billman  (whose  children  were — Sallie, 
Leah,  Betsey,  Hettie,  Kate,  Polly,  Jonas  and  Reuben). 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graff  have  been  born  no  children.  Mr. 
Giraff  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  his  wife 
are  Lutheran  members  of  Friedens  Church. 

WILLIAM  BORDER,  a  retired  citizen  of  Reading, 
has  been  a  resident  of  that  city  from  youth,  and  was 
one  of  its  foremost  business  men  for  many  years.  His 
success  was  not  made  in  any  one  line  alone,  but  in 
different  ventures,  his  chief  interest,  however,  center- 
ing in  the  local  financial  institutions  and  in  the  Acme 
Manufacturing  Company,  of  which  important  concern 
he  was  a  member  and  director  for  several  years.  He 
is  a  man  of  independent  spirit  and  persevering  disposi- 
tion, and  made  his  own  way  to  a  high  position  in  busi- 
ness  circles. 

Mr.  Border  is^  a  native  of  Berks  county,  born  in  Al- 
sace township,  ^une  6,  1829.  He  is  of  German  descerit, 
his  grandfather,  Samuel  Border,  having  been  born  in 
Germany,  whence  he  emigrated  to  America,  settling 
in  Exeter  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.  Daniel  Border,  son 
of  Samuel,  and  father  of  William,  was  born  in 
Exeter  township  and  there  passed  his  early  life. 
In  time  he  settled  in  Alsace  with  his  family  where  he 
remained  until  his  comparatively  early  death  in  1821. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  Daniel  Border  married 
Elizabeth  Kline,  and  they  had  two  children,  Daniel  and 
William,  the  former  dying  when  eleven  years  old.  Mrs. 
Border  remarried,  her  second  husband  TDeing  Jacob 
Bower,  by  whom  she  had  one  son,  Jeremiah,  who  be- 
came a  well  known  physician  of  Reading. 

William  Border  was  only  a  year  and  a  half  old  when 
his  father  died,  and  he  remained  at  home  with  his  moth- 
er, and  step-father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  eleven, 
when  he  began  to  support  himself.  For  several  years 
he  hired  out  as  a  farm  hand,  but  when  he  was  seven- 
teen the  family  removed  to  Reading,  and  he  accom- 
panied them  'to  the  city,  which  has  since  been  his  home. 
During  his  first  summer  here  he  found  work  in  a  brick 
yard,  and  then  he  did  day's  labor  until  he  commenced 
fence-making,  in  which  line  he  made  his  first  notable 
success.  He  continued  in  that  line  for  twenty-two 
years,  taking  orders  for  the  particular  kind  of  fence 
he  sold  in  every  section  of  Berks  county,  where  he 
formed  a  wide  acquaintance  while  traveling  around 
in  the  pursuit  of  his  business.  For  the  first  six 
months  after  he  quit  fence-making  he  was  in  partner- 
ship with  Isaac  Roland,  whose  interest  he  purchased  at 
that  time.  He  then  formed  the  firm  of  William  Border 
&  Co.,  in  which  his  associates  were  James  T.  Reber 
and  Adarn  Bard,  and  they  continued  together  for  eight 
years,  doing  a  profitable  business  as  manufacturers  of 
parts  for  wagons,  buggies,  etc.,  such  as  felloes,  spokes, 
shafts,  etc. 

Mr.  Border's  next  venture  was  as  a  money  broker,  a 
business  which  he  began  in  1873  at  a  most  favorable 
time  for  that  calling,-  as  the  financial  panic  of  that  time 
had  just  broken  out.  He  followed  that  line  for  three 
years,  during  which  he  not  only  exercised  his  native 
shrewdness  to  the  best  advantage  in  various  financial 
transactions,  but  also  found  several  openings  for  profit- 
able investment.  The  accuracy  of  his  judgment,  wheth- 
er in  regard  to  men  or  conditions,  was  the  principal 
factor  in  his   success  at  this  time.     It  was  about  this 


612 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


period  that  he  invested  largely  in  timber  lands,  upon 
which  he  intended  to  realize  by  cutting  and  selling  the 
■timber,  and  the  outcome  of  these  investments  showed 
him  to  be  an  expert  in  the  valuation  of  such  property. 
He  continued  on  a  similar  line  for  some  time  after- 
ward, buying  land  which  he  laid  out  into  building  lots, 
and  he  did  considerable  trading  in  real  estate  through- 
out his  active  career,  also  retaining  a  number  of  lots 
for  himself — about  a  hundred  near  Reading.  His  sales 
amounted  to  over  $30,000  annually. 

In  1894  Mr.  Border  became  a  member  of  the  Acme 
Manufacturing  Company,  manufacturers  of  the  Stormer 
bicycle,  whose  business  offered  a  most  promising  in- 
vestment as  the  demand  for  bicycles  was  then  at  i.ts 
height.  His  executive  influence  soon  became  apparent, 
and  he  continued  to  be  a  factor  in  the  management  of 
the  concern,  during  which  time  the  large  bicycle  fac- 
tory on  Eighth  street,  at  that  time  the  largest  in  the 
city,  was  erected,  in  1896.  The  product  was  twenty 
thousand  bicycles  yearly,  and  employment  was  given  to 
a  force  of  four  hundred  in  their  manufacture.  The 
wheels  were  marketed  all  over  the  United  States  and 
also  in  foreign  countries,  being  of  high  standard  make. 
In  1893  Mr.  Border  opened  a  toy  and  variety  store,  the 
conduct  of  which  he  turned  over  to  his  grandson.  Wil- 
liam F.  Lease,  and  this  was  sold  in  1903.  Mr.  Border 
has  also  been  identified  with  some  of  the  most  notable 
of  Reading's  financial  institutions.  He  had  an  interest 
in  the  Penn  National  Bank,  the  Schuylkill  Valley  Bank, 
the  Reading  National  Bank  and  the  Reading  City  Pas- 
senger Railway  Company,  still  retaining  his  stock  in 
the  last  named. 

Though  his  phenomenal  success  followed  a  youth  of 
hard  toil,  with  no  promise  of  the  affluence  which  crown- 
ed the  efforts  of  his  manhood,  Mr.  Border  was  never 
carried  away  with  his  prosperity,  and  never  became  a 
reckless  investor  or  improvident  in  any  way.  His 
rise  was  steady,  jind  a  wise  conservatism  and  excellent 
judgment  led  him  to  decide  deliberately  and  venture 
cautiously.  Thus,  having-  gained  ground,  he  did  not 
lose  it,  and  his  course  not  only  made  for  his  own  profit, 
but  won  for  him  a  substantial  position  and  gave  the 
enterprises  with  which  he  was  connected  high  prestige. 
He  made  his  way  against  many  obstacles,  but  he  had 
the  quahties  of  determination  and  perseverance,  and 
his  successful  struggles  against  lack  of  means  in  his 
earlier  years  gave  him  courage  for  large  things  as  time 
passed.  His  integrity  in  all  transactions'  gained  him 
universal  respect. 

On  July  1,  1849,  Mr.  Border  married  Emma  Harbold, 
like  himself  a  native  of  Berks  county,  born  May  26, 
1822,  daughter  of  Adam  Harbold  and  granddaughter  of 
Frederick  Harbold.  She  died  May  7,  1889.  the  mother 
of  five  children,  namely:  (1)  Ellen  Alwidla  m.  Jeremiah 
Lease,  of  Reading,  and  they  have  a  family  of  five:  Wil- 
liam F.,  m.  to  Sallie  Hafer,  has  two  children,  Ella  and 
Catherine;  Edwin  J.,  m.  to  Carrie  Wiest.  has  six  child- 
ren, Lester,  Florence,  Harold,  Grace,  Emily  and  Carrie; 
Arthur  F.;  Clarence,  and  Raymond.  This  family,  with 
the  exception  of  Arthur  F.,  who  is  Reformed,  belongs 
to  the  Lutheran  Church.  (2)  Amanda  Otilda.  (3) 
Anetta  m.  Frank  Reinert,  of  Reading,  and  they  have 
had  three  sons:  One  died  in  infancy;  Leroy,  m.  to  Hel- 
en Fleckenstein,  has  one  child,  William;  and  Guy  is  un- 
married. (4)  Emma  and  (5)  Elizabeth  died  when  young. 
Mr.  Border  and  his  daughter,  Amanda,  reside  at  No. 
1238  North  12th  street,  Reading: 

Mr.  Border  is  a  Republican  in  political  faith  and  has 
been  almost  since  the  formation  of  the  party.  He  cast 
his  first  vote  for  Buchanan,  supported  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, and  has  upheld  Republican  principles  staunchly, 
though  he  has  never  taken  an  active  part  in  political 
affairs.  Fraternally  he  unites  with  Freedom  Circle, 
Brotherhood  of  the  Union,  and  is  an  Odd  Fellow.  His 
religious  connection  is  with  the  Lutheran  Church,  to 
which  he  gives  liberal  support.  Among  the  character- 
istic traits  showing  Mr.  Border's  beneficent  spirit  was 
the    distribution   of   all   his   real    estate   in    1907   to   his 


three  daughters,,  it  being  his  desire  to  see  the  enjoyment 
of  his  children  in  his  property  while  he  was  yet  living. 
He  is  now  in  his  eigbty-first  year,  and  enjoying  fair 
health. 

WANNER.  The  Wanner  family  was  one  of  a  half 
dozen  families  who  came  from  the  southwestern  sec- 
tion of  Germany  or  Switzerland  prior  to  1740,  and 
settled  in  Richmond  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.  Old  set- 
tlers, tradition,  appearance  and  descendants  of  these 
families  who  are  posted  on  genealogy,  in  many  cases 
confirm  the  idea  that  they  were  Palatinates,  who  ac- 
cepted the  Christian  religion  before  they  came  to  the 
New  World. 

(I)  Martin  Wanner,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  this, 
old  family,  came  from  Germany  in  the  fall  of  1733.  He 
had  six  children,  namely:  Christian,  of  whom  we  have 
no  record;  Jacob,  who  married  Mary  Elizabeth  Drei- 
belbis,  and  had  issue,  Abraham,  Isaac,  Jacob,  David, 
Peter,  Magdalena  and  Mary;  Peter;  Margaret,  who 
married  a  Burghart;  Mrs.  Muthart;  and  Mrs.  Ango- 
stadt. 

(II)  Peter  Wanner,  son  of  Martin  the  emigrant,  was 
thrice  married.  He  m.  (first)  Catharine  Rothermel, 
and  ithey  had  six  children,  as  follows:  (1)  Daniel  is 
mentioned  below.  (2)  Jacob  is  not  mentioned  in  the 
records.  (3)  Peter  m.  Catharine  Redinger,  and  had 
seven  children — Martin,  m.  to  Hannah  Christ;  Anna 
and  William,  unmarried;  Peter,  m.  to  a  Brown;  Eliza- 
beth, m.  to  Charles  Leis,  and  mother  of  seven  child- 
ren; Isaac;  and  Esther.  (4)  Thomas  m.  Rebecca  Al- 
bright, and  had  three  children — Susanna,  m.  to  John 
Adams,  and  had  two  children  who  died  in  infancy; 
and  Mary  and  Peter,  who  are  unmarried.  (5)  Cabilla 
was  married,  but  we  have  no  record  of  either  her  or 
her  family.  (6)  Esther  m.  a  Heckman,  and  had  three 
children — George,  Aaron  and  Esther.  Peter  Wanner 
m.  (second)  a  Miss  Schwartz,  and  by  her  had  three 
children,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  He  m.  (third) 
Magdalena  Dreibelbis,  and  they  were-  the  parents  of 
John   Wanner,  the  grandfather  of  Solon  A..  Wanner. 

(III)  John  Wanner  m.  Elizabeth'  Biehl,  daughter 
of  Christian  Biehl,  and  to  this  union  were  born  the 
following  children:  Maria,  born  May  6,  1811,  m.  into 
the  Sharadin  family;  Anna,  born  Feb.  4,  1813.  m.  into 
the  Mertz  family;  Ephraim,  born  Feb.  4,  1815,  died 
young;  William,  born  Feb.  22,  1817,  is  a  farmer;  John 
Daniel  is  mentioned  below;  Joel  B.,  born  March  5, 
1821,  a  graduate  of  the  Franklin  and  Marshall  College, 
a  lawyer,  and  during  the  Civil  war  a  major  in  the 
Union  army,  m.  into  the  Zieber  family;  Peter  Chris- 
tian, born  March  24,  1823,  m.  a  Moyer;  John  Charles, 
born  Jan.  22,  1825,  is  a  successful  china  merchant  in 
Philadelphia;  Charles  H.,  born  Sept.  3,  1827.  a  doctor, 
m.  into  the  Hilbert  family;  Elizabeth,  born  Oct.  15, 
1829,  m:  a  Humbert;  Amos,  born  Dec.  25,  1831,  a  lawyer 
and  a  graduate  of  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  m. 
into  the  Zieber  family;  and  Henry,  born  March  28. 
1834,  is  a  tanner  and  currier,  and  is  unmarried.  John 
Wanner,  the  father,  was  a  prominent  politician,  and 
served  several  terms  in  the  Legislature. 

(IV)  John  Daniel  Wanner,  father  of  Solon  A.,  was 
born  near  Kutztown,  in  Maxatawny  township,  Berks 
Co.,  Pa.,  Feb.  20,  1819.  He  m.  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Jonas  and  Elizabeth  (Sell)  Bower,  and  to  them  were 
born  these  children:  (1)  Llewellyn,  a  graduate  of  the 
Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  was  a  member  of  the 
Reading  Bar,  and  after  a  successful  career  in  Reading 
he  went  to  Goshen,  Ind.,  with  his  family,  where  he 
practised  law  until  his  death.  He  m.  Catharine  M 
Dech,  of  Allentown,  Lehigh  Co.,  Pa.,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  four  children:  Kate  Laneta,  m.  to  Joseph 
H.  Lesh,  a  lumber  merchant  of  Chicago,  111.,  has  one 
daughter,  Kathrine;  Lulona  Elizabeth,-  m.  to  Edward 
Herith,  a  piano  dealer  in  Indianapolis.  Ind.,  has  two 
daughters;   William   Ralph   married    Carrie • 

t"^  ^rl\^'rf^  ^T?"^"  ,?r-.,*^  ^'■-  Haskel,  of  Goshen, 
Ind.     (2)  Clara  E.  m.  Wilson  R.  Merkel,  of  Lenharts- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


613 


ville,  Pa.,  son  of  George  Merkel,  an  iron  master  of 
that  place.  The  only  child  of  this  union  was  a  daugh- 
ter who  died  at  birth,  the  motheir  passing  away  at  the 
same  time,  April  10,  1883.  (3)  Solon  A.  is  mentioned 
below. 

John  Daniel  Wanner  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, and  began  life  as  a  school  teacher  in  Maxa- 
tawny  township,  later  taking  up  civil  engineering,  which, 
he  mastered  successfully  in  a  short  time.  He  then 
began  the'  study  of  law,  in  his  spare  time,  meanwhile 
working  in  the  dry  goods  business  with  Heidenrich  & 
Kutz,  for  meager  wages.  The  firm  kindly  let  him  go 
surveying  several  days  of  the  week,  and  at  night  when 
the  rest  of  the  family  were  in  bed,  he  was  preparing 
his  drafts  and  making  calculations,  these  being  so  cor- 
rect that  his  surveyings  were  never  questioned  by  the 
courts.  Raising  and  educating  his  own  family,  besides 
helping  to  educate  three  of  his  brothers,  he  was  un- 
daunted in  his  efforts,  and  success  attended  his  every 
step.  He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  at  Kutztown  for 
many  years,  served  as  chief  burgess,  and  was  clerk  of 
the  borough  council  until  age  incapacitated  him  for 
further  work.  He  also  held  the  offite  of  registrar  of 
wills  for  Berks  county  with  credit  to  himself  and  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  The  whole  life  of 
J.  Daniel  Wanner  was  an  excellent  example  of  ambition, 
pluck  and  energy,  united  with  love  and  kindness  to- 
ward his  neighbors.  Honest  to  himself  and  everyone 
who  came  in  contact  with  him,  sociable  with  everybody 
he  met,  loving  and  exceedingly  kind  to  his  family  and 
friends — all  of  these  characteristics,  combined  with  a 
God-fearing  spirit  and  a  keen  desire  to  do  right,  made 
up  Mr.  Wanner's  life. 

(V)  Solon  A.  Wanner  was  born  Nov.  13,  1850, 
and  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Kutztown.  There  he  at- 
tended the  public  schools,  and  later  entered  the  Key- 
stone State  Normal  School,  in  1868  taking  the  regular 
course  at  Eastman's  Business  College,  Poughkeepsie, 
N.  Y.,  graduating  therefrom  in  1869.  After  his  return 
to  Kutztown  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  Peabody  Bank, 
under  his  father,  and  four  years  later  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank,  of  Goshen,  Ind. 
He  remained  there  for  three  years,  and  then 
on  account  of  the  age  of  his  parents  he  re- 
turned home,  and  engaged  in  business  on  Main  street, 
conducting  a  branch  office  for  the  Keystone  and  Farm- 
ers' National  Banks  of  Reading,  Pa.  He  later  en- 
gaged in  the  cigar  and  tobacco  business,  but  is  now 
yeoman.  In  1905  he  was  called  as  an  expert  account- 
ant to  examine  and  audit  the  accounts  of  the  county 
alms  house,  which  duty  he  performed  with  great  credit. 
Besides  being  a  good  business  man  Mr.  Wanner  is  a 
musician  of  some  note. 

On  Sept.  10,  1885,  Mr.  Wanner  was  married  to  Mary 
A.  Leiby,  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Susan  (Wertz)  Leiby, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  children:  Lee,  a  telegraph 
operator;  Vernon;  Daniel,  an  expert  electrician  at  the 
Locomotive  works  at  Huntington,  W.  Va.,  and  a  clever 
musician;  and  Clara  Mary,  a  bright  and  accomplished 
daughter,   who  is  now  teaching  school. 


(III)  Daniel  Wanner,  son  of  Peter  and  great-grand- 
father of  Charles  A.  Wanner,  married  and  became  the 
father   of  three   children,   Samuel,  Thomas   and  Jacob. 

(IV)  Samuel  Wanner,  son  of  Daniel,  was  a  farmer 
and  miller,  and  erected  a  number  of  grist  mills,  among 
which  was  the  Leinbach  mill  in  Fleetwood.  He  was 
very  prosperous,  owning  an  excellent  farm  of  100  acres 
in  Richmond  township.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Reformed  ■  Church  of  St.  Paul,  of  Fleetwood.  _  In  poli- 
tics he  was  a  Democrat.  He  m.  Anna  Albright,  and 
to  them  were  born  children  as  follows:  Daniel  A.,  a 
farmer  in  Alsace  township;  Thomas  A.,  now  retired, 
who  was  an  iron  worker,  having  a  forge  in  Chester 
county;  Peter  A.,  retired  drover;  John  A.,  deceased; 
and  Lewis  A. 


(V)  Lewis  A.  Wanner  was  a  well  known  and  pros- 
perous business  man  of  Fleetwood,  and  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Schaefier,  Wanner  &  Co.  He  m.  Hettie 
Kelchner,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Ann  (Sheirer)  Kelch- 
ner,  and  t6  this  union  were  born  the  following  children: 
Katie,  wife  of  Marvin  Moyer,  a  dealer  in  wall  papers 
at  Quakertown,  Pa.;  Isaac,  deceased;  Annie,  m.  to 
Henry  D.  Schaeffer,  of  Reading;  Charles  A.;  Eliza- 
beth, who  resides  with  her  mother  in  Fleetwood; 
Lewis  A.,  a  student  in  the  Department  of  Finance  and 
Commerce  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania;  and 
Oliver  B.,  a  student  at  Albright  College. 

(VI)  Charles  Albright  Wanner  was  born  Aug. 
25,  1876,  and  received  his  primary  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  the  place  of  his  nativity,  later 
attending  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutz- 
town. Later  he  attended  Albright  College,  at  Myers- 
town,  Lebanon  county,  and  graduated  from  that  insti- 
tution in  1895.  The  senior  partner  in  his  father's 
business  retired,  and  the  present  firm,  that  of  Schaef- 
fer, Wanner  &  Co.,  was  formed,  consisting  of  Charles 
A.  Wanner,  and. Llewellyn  D.  and  Webster  D.  Schaef- 
fer, the  two  latter  being  sons  of  George  B.  Schaeffer, 
ex-sheriff  of  Berks  county.  The  new  firm  has  thus 
far  been  very  successful. 

Charles  A.  Wanner  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  '  In 
religion  he  is  connected  with  the  United  Evangelical 
Church.  Besides  other  business  interests  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  hosiery  manufacturing  firm  of  Madeira  & 
Wanner  of  Fleetwood.  He  is  an  honorable  and  public- 
spirited  citizen,  and  a  representative  man  of  his  com- 
munity. 

HERMAN.  The  Herman  family  of  Berks  county; 
represented  in  the  present  generation  by  that  popular 
official,  George  C.  Herman,  Esq.,  of  Maxatawny  town- 
ship, had  its  early  home  in  Holland,  and  the  four 
generations  in  America  have  given  their  time,  their 
talents  and  their  education  to  the  service  of  the  public. 

The  first  of  the  family  to  come  to  the  New  World 
was  the  Rev.  Frederick  Herman,  a  native  of  Holland, 
who  in  1786  was  sent  by  the  fathers  of  the  Reformed 
Church  to  preach  the  Gospel  in  America.  He  located 
in  New  Jersey,  but  remained  there  only  a  short  time, 
going  then  to  Germantown,  near  Philadelphia,  and 
there  he  was  living  in  1793  when  President  Washington 
and  the  American  Congress  met  there.  In  fact,  his 
home  was  secured  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
President  and  his  private  secretary,  Mr.  B.  Dandridge. 
Three  rooms  and  two  beds  were  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  the  distinguished  guests,  "with  breakfast,  and  tea 
in  the  afternoon,  at  ten  dollars  each  per  week."  The 
dinners  were  sent  in  by  a  neighboring  tavern  keeper. 
From  Germantown  the  Rev.  Mr.  Herman  moved  to 
near  Pottstown,  in  Montgomery  county,  where  he 
served  many  congregations,  besides  paying  special  at- 
tention to  preparation  of  young  men  for  the  work  of 
the  holy  ministry,  and  died  at  a  ripe  old  age.  after 
sixty  years,  of  faithful  service  as  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel. 

Rev.  Charles  G.  Herman,  son  of  the  Rev.  Frederick 
Herman  and  Maria,  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Feit,  was  born  in  Germantown.  Philadelphia  county. 
He,  too,  became  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
and,  locating  in  Maxatawny  township,  Berks  county, 
made  that  locality  the  scene  of  his  labors  throughout 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  entered  into  rest  Aug. 
4,  1863,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  nine  months  and 
eleven  days.  He  married  Hester  Sassaman.  who  was 
born  m  Maxatawny  township,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  five  children:  Maria,  m.  to  Judge  Wil- 
loughby  Fogle,  and  now  deceased;  Hester  m  to  Dr 
Henry  Helfnch,  a  resident  of  Allentown,  Pa.;  Louisa' 
m.  to  Rev.  Daniel  Brendel,  of  Bethlehem,  Pa.;  Jacob 
Sassaman,  deceased;  and  the  Rev,  Alfred  Jasper      , 

Rev^^  Alfred  Jasper  Herman,  son  of  Rev.  Charles  G 
and  Hester  (Sassaman),  was  born  Nov.  6  1831  in 
Maxatawny  township,  in  the  house   in  which   he   now 


614 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


lives.  He  was  reared  in  the  influence  of  a  Christian 
home,  and  was  early  trained  to  habits  of  industry  and 
self-denial.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  com- 
mon schools;  in  Easton  Academy,  under  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Vandeveer;  in  the  University  of  New  York,  where 
he  pursued  a  special  course  for  two  years;  and  his 
theological  studies  under  his  uncle,  the  late  Rev.  Dr. 
Guldin,  of  New  York  City,  and  his  father.  The  hono- 
rary degree  of  A.  M.  was  conferred  upon  him  by  Frank- 
lin and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  Pa.  During  the 
last  year  of  his  study  in  New  York  City  he  preached 
weekly,  on  Wednesday  nights,  in  the  Howsen  street 
Reformed  Church,  of  which  his  uncle  wag  pastor.  In 
1851  the  Classis  of  the  Reformed  Church  ordained  him, 
and  he  immediately  became  assistant  to  his  father,  a 
position  he  filled  for  five  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  took  charge  of  the  New  Jerusalem  Church  at 
Wessnersville,  where  he  remained  for  half  a  century. 
He  also  had  charge  of  a  number  of  other  churches  in 
that  locality,  at  one  time  being  pastor  of  eight  parishes 
— an  almost  superhuman  task,  yet  his  industry,  his 
devotion  never  flagged,  and  his  superb  physical  health 
sustained  him.  In  forty-seven  years  he  missed  but 
twenty-five  Sundays  because  of  ill  health  or  inclement 
weather.  To  his  earnest  efforts  is  due  the  existence 
of  St.  Paul's  Church,  at  Seiberlingville,  and  of  St. 
Peter's  at  Topton.  In  1897  when  he  celebrated  the 
forty-sixth  anniversary  of  his  ordination,  and  the  forty- 
first  of  his  pastorate  at  the  New  Jerusalem  Church, 
people  to  the  number  of  2,000  gathered  from  all  over 
Berks  and  Lehigh  counties  to  do  him  honor,  and  to 
show   their   affection   for   their   spiritual   leader. 

The  Rev,  Mr.  Herman  was  married  on  June  14,  1853, 
to  Isabella  Grim,  daughter  of  Sem  and  Anna  (Kline) 
Grim,  of  Lehigh  county,  and  their  children  were: 
Ambrose,  a  practising  physician  at  Lansdale,  Pa.,  m. 
Alice  Breinig;  Annie  m.  Dr.  Richard  Beck,  of  New- 
burg,  Pa.;  and  George  C,  Esq.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Her- 
man is  now  living  retired  on  the  150-acre  farm  in 
Maxatawny  township  that  once  belonged  to  his  father. 
On  it  is  a  large  pebble-dashed  house  that  has  weathered 
the  storms  a  full  half  century. 

George"  C.  Herman,  son  of  Rev.  Alfred  J.  and  Isa- 
bella (Grim),  was  born  on  the  old  Herman  homestead 
June  9,  1862,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  township,  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School,  Frankhn  and  Marshall  College  and  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania.  Since  his  return  from  school 
he  has  resided  on  the  old  homestead.  In  politics  he 
is  an  energetic  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  Democratic 
party,  and  is  chairman  of  the  Democratic  Club  of 
Maxatawny.  For  ten  years  he  served  as  a  member  of 
the  school  board  in  his  township,  and  held  at  different 
times  all  the  various  offices  of  the  board.  In  1900 
he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  has  since  been 
re-elected,  and  he  has  frequently  been  a  delegate  to 
county  conventions.  He  has  been  treasurer  of  the 
board  of  supervisors  of  the  township,  since  the  pas- 
sage of  the  new  State  Road  law,  ana  in  many  ways 
has  been  influential  in  the  welfare  of  the  township. 
With  his  family  he  attends,  as  a  Reformed  member, 
Zion's  Union  Church,  and  for  some  twenty  years  he 
has  been  superintendent  of  the  prosperous  Sunday 
school,  and  he  is  also  the  teacher  of  the  large  Bible 
class. 

In  1903  Mr.  Herman  was  married  to  Mame  E.  Pott, 
daughter    of    Benjamin    and    Mary    (Schall)    Pott,    of 
Pottsville,    the    town    being    named    for    her    paternal, 
great-grandfather.    To    this    marriage    has    been    born 
on  May  12,  1904,  one  son,   Benjamin  Alfred. 

DR.  CHARLES  HUNTER  RAUDENBUSH,  who 
conducts  a  thriving  drug  business,  at  Reading,  Berks 
Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  Oct.  7,  1866,  at  Adamstown,  Lan- 
caster county,  son  of  Dr.  A.  S.  and  Sarah  (Stauffer) 
Raudenbush,  whose  history  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
"work. 


Dr.  Charles  H.  Raudenbush  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  na.tive  place,  and  after  graduating  there- 
from entered  the  State  Normal  School  at  Millersville. 
After  two  spring  terms  at  the  latter  institution,  Dr. 
Raudenbush  came  to  Reading  with  his  father,  and  in 
1882  entered  the  high  school  of  the  city  from  which 
he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1886.  In  October 
of  the  same  year  he  entered  the  drug  store  of  J.  H. 
Stein,  at  Eighth  and  Penn  streets,  Reading,  remaining 
until  October,  1889,  when  he  attended  a  course  of 
lectures  on  pharmacy  at  Philadelphia.  Graduating  from 
The  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy  in  1891,  Dr. 
Raudenbush  returned  to  Reading  and  engaged  again 
with  Mr.  Stein,  with  whom  he  remained  until  March, 
1896,  and  on  May  1st  of  that  year  he  engaged  in  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account,  opening  a  store  in  the  Man- 
sion House  building.  This  was  the  location  of  his 
business  until  April,  1905,  when,  feeling  the  need  of 
larger  quarters  he  removed  to  his  present  place.  No. 
39  North  Sixth  street,  where  he  has  since  continued. 
Mr.  Raudenbush  has  one  of  the  finest  equipped  pharma- 
cies in  the  city,  and  he  has  won  the  steady  trade  of 
a  large  patronage.^ 

On  Oct.  26,  1898,  Dr.  Raudenbush  married  Mattie 
B.  Thompson,  daughter  of  Isaac  F.  and  Lydia  (Steen) 
Thompson,  of  Coatesville,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  and  to  this 
union  have  been  born  one  son  and  one  daughter, 
Charles   B.   and   Helen   T, 

WILLIAM  J.  BAER,  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
Kutztown,  Pa.,  and  superintendent  of  the  Allentown 
&  Reading  Traction  Company,  was  born  at  Breinigs- 
ville,  Lehigh  county,  Sept.  11,  1869.  As  a  boy  he  worked 
on  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  district.  When  a  young  man  he  found  employ- 
ment in  the  ore  mines  not  far  from  his  home,  and 
proved  himself  such  a  faithful  and  painstaking  work- 
man that  he  found  favor  in  the  eyes  of  his  employers, 
who  made  him  superintendent  of  the  ore  beds  at 
Breinigsville  and  Guth  stations.  Later  he  became  su- 
perintendent of  a  paint  mill  for  the  Pennsylvania 
Paint  &  Ore  Company,  and  was  stationed  for  some 
time  at  Cartersville,  Ga.  His  faithfulness  to  duty  and 
his  efficiency  as  an  engineer  secured  for  him  due 
recognition,  and  he  ran  the  engines  at  these  ore  beds 
for  some  years. 

In  1900  Mr.  Baer  became  conductor  on  the  Allentown 
&  Reading  Traction  Company  line,  and  when  the 
company  erected  new  power  houses  at  Kutztown  he 
took  charge  of  the  engines,  and  soon  thereafter  be- 
came chief  engineer  for  the  company.  Later  he  was 
given  general  charge  of  the  station  and  the  power 
house,  and  in  1902  was  appointed  assistant  superintend- 
ent of  the  company,  a  position  he  has  very  ably  filled 
to  the  present  time. 

In  June,  1890,  Mr.  Baer  was  married  to  Ellen  Sieg- 
fried, daughter  of  Reuben  and  Amanda  (Grim)  Sieg- 
fried, and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  these 
children— Clara   Victoria    and   Arthur   William. 

His  father  was  Jonathan  S.  Baer,  who  was  mar- 
ried to  Fannie  Burkey.  daughter  of  Daniel  Burkey,  of 
England.  They  had  children:  Charles,  who  died 
young;  William  J.,  subject  of  this  sketch;  George  F., 
m.  to  Kate  Levan,  and  living  in  Allentown;  Frank 
F.,  m.  to  Tillie  Houser,  and  living  at  North  Hill;  Alice, 
m.  to  J.  Thomas  Smith,  and  living  in  Scranton;  Ida, 
m.  to  James  Sup,  and  living  in  Allentown-  and  Harvey, 
who  died  in  youth. 

His  grandfather  was  Phillip  Baer,  who  was  a  shoe- 
maker by  trade,  and  was  well  known  in  the  vicinity 
of  Breinigsville  and  Fogelsville.  He  died  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-five  years,  in  1901.  and  is  buried 
at  (Ziegel's)  Church,  In  his  younger'  vears  he  had 
moved  with  his  father  to  Mercer  county,  Pa.,  but  he 
did  not  like  his  new  home,  so  he  returned  to  his  native 
county,  of  Lehigh.  He  was  married  to  Catharine 
Schaefter  and  had  twelve  children.     When  he  died  he 


BIOGRAPHICAI,  615 

had     fifty-nine     grandchildren     and     thirty-five     great-  into  the  earth  to  reappear  during  January  of  the  year 

grandchildren.       Among     his     children     were     these:  following.      The    spring    never    runs    dry    during    the 

Charles,  of  Ohio;  Mrs.  Thomas  Burky,  of  AUentown;  months   from   January  to   August. 

Jonathan   S.,   of   Breinigsville;    Peter   L.,   of   Hamilton,  One  part  of  Mr.  Hainly's  hotel  building  was  erected 

Ohio;    and    Mrs.    Rebecca    Billig,    of    Mercer    county,  prior    to    1767,   being,  built    of    stone    nearly    two    feet 

Pennsylvania.  thick,    is    substantial,    and   to   all    appearances   will    re- 

His    great-grandfather    was    Daniel    Baer,    who    was  main  so  for  a  century  or  two  to-  come.     The  fourteen 

born   in   Weisenburg   township,   Lehigh   county,   where  rooms  are   large  and  spacious,  and  the   Coloriial  style 

he  lived  until  he  moved  to  Mercer  county.  Pa.    Among  of    architecture    prevails.      Mr.    Hainly,   who    is    genial 

his    children     were     John,     Daniel,     David,    Benjamin,  and  affable,  makes   an  ideal  host,  and   has  won  many 

Phillip,  above  named,  and  Catharine.  friends    in    this    community.      He    serves    the    best    of 

His  great-great-grandfather  was  Jacob  Baer,  who  was  liquors,  beer  and  cigars,  has  excellent  table  service, 
the  son  of  the  immigrant,  Hans  Baer,  and  is  well  known  and  his  prijces  are  moderate.  His  fine  park,  im- 
in  the  history  of  the  Baer  family.  He  was  the  father  mediately  in  the  rear  of  the  hotel,  covers  an  area  of 
of  twelve  children,  six  sons  and  six  daughters,  and  about  two  acres,  and  here  is  found  the  historic  sink- 
he  gave  to  each  of  his  six  sons  a  farm.  His  son  ing  spring.  The  park  contains  a  large  pavilion,  and_  is 
Daniel  sold  his  Weisenburg  Township  farm,  and  thickly  grown  with  shrubbery  and  trees,  the  latter  in- 
moved  to  Mercer  county,  where  he  raised  his  family  eluding  the  Norway,  Austrian,  Excelsior  and  Stone 
and  lived  to  the  end  of  his  life.  pines,  and  the  Douglass,   Colorado  Blue  and   Oriental 

spruce,  with  Arbor  White  American  and  Golden  Arbor. 

JOEL    W.     HAINLY,     proprietor     of     the    original  Pyramid  and  Siberian  plants  are  found  scattered  about 
"Sinking  Spring  Hotel,"  one  of  the  oldest  hotel  stands  in   artistic   fashion,   and   the   place   is   a   delightful    re- 
in Berks   county,  was  born  in   Lancaster   county,   Pa.,  treat,  where  one  may  find  rest  from  the  noise  and  rush 
July   21,    1861,     son     of    Michael     and    Lydia    (Wiest)  of  town  life. 
Hainly.  On   Sept.    19,   1885,   Mr.   Hainly  was   married    (first) 

Michael  Hainly,  grandfather  of  Joel  W.,  was  a  farmer  to  Kate  Hain,  born  April  27,  1867,  who  died  Oct.  31, 

in  Lancaster  county,  and  owned  a  small  property  near  1897,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Elizabeth  (Halt)  Hain, 

Blainsport,    where    he    died.      He    was    twice    married,  the  former  a  coachbuilder  of  Fritztown.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 

(first)   to  Susanna  Bergman,  and   (second)   to  Susanna  Hainly  had  three  children,  namely:   George  Frederick, 

Gushert.     His  children,  all  by  the  first  marriage,  were:  Mamie   Elizabeth   and   Robert   Michael.     On   June   20, 

Joseph,   who   settled   near   Schoeneck,   Pa.;   John,   who  1903,    Mr.    Hainly    m.     (second)    Valeria    J.    Addams, 

lived    at    Cocalico;    Michael;    Susanna,    m.    to    Samuel  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Susanna   (Ulrich)   Addams,  of 

Betcher;    Sophia,    m.    to    Abraham    Royer;    and    Polly  Fritztown.      Mr.    Addams    is    an    old    resident    of    this 

(Mary),  m.   to  Adam   Noll.  section,  and  was  an  active  worker  in  the   Democratic 

Michael   Hainly,   father   of  Joel  W.,   was   born   July  party  in  his  younger  days.     His  children  are:  Hannah, 

6,   1831,   and   died   Oct.   5,   1906,   after  a  long  and   sue-  m.  to  J.  S.  Strohl;  Maggie,  m.  to  John  A.  Fry;  Ella, 

cessful   life   spent  in  agricultural  pursuits.     He  was   a  m.  to  F.  M.  Gaul;  and  Valeria  J.,  m.  to  Joel  W.  Hainly. 

prominent   member   of   the   Swamp    Church,   belonging  No   children   have  been   born   of   Mr.   Hainly's   second 

to   the    Lutheran    denomination,   and   was   a    man  uni-  marriage.     He   is   a    Lutheran   member    of    St.    John's 

versally  esteemed  and  respected.     Mr.  Hainly  married  Church  of  Sinking  Spring.     In  politics  he  is  an  active 

Lydia  Wiest,  born  April  17,  1834,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Democrat.     Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Tribe  No. 

and  Sarah  (Stover)  Wiest,  and  she  now  resides  at  the  301,   Order   of  Red  Men,   of   Reading;   and   Castle   No. 

old  home.     They  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  all  of  334,  K.   G.   E.,   of  Sinking  Spring, 
whom    arfe    living:    Sarah,    m.    to    Martin    DeHart,    of 

Fritztown;  Benjamin,  m.  to  Kate  Kessler,  and  living  HENRY  W.  LONG,  teacher  and  agent  for  fertilizers, 
on  a  farm  at  Vinemont;  Joel  W.;  Susan,  m.  to  Wal-  was  born  on  the  Long  homestead  in  Upper  Bern  town- 
lace  Eckenroth,  of  Gouglersville;  Emma,  m.  to  John  ship,  Berks  county,  April  30,  1866,  son  of  Joel  and 
Burkert,  of  Vinemont;  Amanda,  m.  to  Fred  Artzbecher,  Sallie  Ann  (Zettelmoyer)  Long. 

of   Cocalico;   Mary,   m.   to   Harry  Showalter,   of   Rein-  Joel  Long  was  born  in  Upper  Bern  township,  Aug. 

holds,  Pa. ;   Kate,  m.  to  Harvey  Gehret,  of  Blainsport,  31,  1838,  on  the  Long  homestead,  of  130  acres,  which 

Pa.;    and    Michael,    a    painter   now    living    on    the    old  he  acquired  by  purchase  in  1878.     He  was  a  tiller  of 

homestead,  m.  to  Cora  Keener.  the   soil   all   his   life,   and   was   very   prosperous    in   his 

Joel  W.  Hainly  spent  his  boyhood  days  at  Rein-  undertakings.  He  died  March  19,  1901,  in  his  sixty- 
holds,  Lancaster  county,  where  he  was  reared  on  his  third  year  of  age.  He  voted  the  Democratic  ticket, 
father's  farm,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  He  was  honored  by  his  fellow  citizens  by  election  to 
twenty-one  years  old,  at  which  time  he  learned  the  the  offices  of  township  treasurer,  assistant  assessor, 
milling  business  with  Richard  Leinbach,  near  Reams-  assessor,  tax-collector,  election  officer,  and  he  was  dele- 
town,  Pa.,  where  he  worked  about  one  year.     For  the  gate   to   county   conventions. 

following  five  years  he  worked  in  August  D.  Keener's  He  and  his  family  belonged  to  Shartlesville  Friedens 
mill  at  Fritztown,  and  in  August,  1886,  he  removed  to  Church,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  founders  in  1870. 
Reading  and  for  a  short  time  operated  a  stationary  He  was  trustee  of  this  church  from  its  organization 
engine  at  a  stone  crusher.  In  1886  Mr.  Hainly  engaged  until  death  called  him  to  his  reward.  In  1856  he  married 
in  the  hotel  business  at  the  Cacoosing,  conducting  in  the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age.  In  1856  he  married 
that  place  successfully  for  one  and  one-half  years,  at  Sallie  Ann  Zettelmoyer,  daughter  of  Martin  Zettelmoy- 
which  time  he  purchased  the  "Fritztown  Hotel,"  which  er  and  wife  (whose  name  was  Sour).  They  had  four- 
he  greatly  improved.  He  succeeded  in  building  up  a  teen  children — nine  sons  and  five  daughters — namely: 
large  trade,  and  during  his  seven  years'  occupancy  of  R-ank  W.,  James  M..  Mrs.  Hettie  A.  Rerjtschler,  Hen- 
that  site  did  a  very  profitable  business.  Mr.  Hainly  rietta  Long  (deceased),  Mrs.  Alice  R.  Aschenbach,  Mrs. 
sold  out  this  place  in  1896  at  a  large  profit,  and  in  Kate  A.  Ney,  Henry  W.,  Irwin  M.  (deceased),  Peter  c" 
the  spring  of  1897  he  removed  to  Reading,  in  the  fall  (deceased),  Howard  E.  (deceased).  Jerome  (deceased)' 
of  which  year  he  bought  the  "Sinking  Spring  Hotel,"  Angelina,  Manasses  M.,  and  Wallace  Z.  ' 
one  of  the  oldest  hotel  stands  in  Berks  county.  The  Henry  W.  Long  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and 
sinking  spring,  after  which  the  village  was  named,  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  which  he 
is  located  ort  his  premises,  100  feet  from  the  hotel  attended  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of'  age  He 
building.  This  interesting  spring,  which  was  given  studied  in  the  Bernville  and  Strausstown  grammar 
its  name  by  the  Indians,  is  very  strong  and  runs  from  schools,  and  in  the  spring  of  1887,  entered  the  Key- 
about  January   to  August,  when   the   water  disappears  stone  State   Normal  School,  graduating  in  June    1889 


616 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


He  began  teaching  in  the  fall  of  1884  at  the  Bagen- 
stose  school  in  his  native  (now  Tilden)  township,  and 
after  teaching  there  three  years,  entered  upon  the 
normal  course  as  stated.  In  1889  and  1890  he  taught 
at  Wernersville,  and  1891  to  1894  inclusive  at  Vogans- 
ville,  Lancaster  county,  at  an  advanced  salary.  He 
then  returned  to  his  native  township  and  taught  for 
six  consecutive  years.  In  1903-04-05  he  was  in  charge 
of  Sheidy's  school,  and  in  the  fall  of  1906  began  teach- 
ing at  Hahn's  school  in  Muhlenberg  township,  Berks 
county.  He  is  an  able,  painstaking,  conscientious  and 
successful  teacher,  and  has  the  respect  of  the  many 
pupils  he  has  had  during  his  long  career. 

In  politics  Mr.  Long  is  an  uncompromising  Demo- 
crat, and  frequently  serves  on  election  boards.  _  He 
was  elected  as  tax  collector  of  Upper  Bern  township,  in 
1893-94-95,  which  office  he  filled  with  honor  to  him- 
self and  credit  to  his  electors.  He  has  been  delegate 
to  a  number  of  county  conventions.  He  is  a  Lutheran 
member  of  Shartlesville  Friedens  Church,  in  which  he 
was  confirmed  in  1880,  by  the  Rev.  D.  D.  Trexler.  He 
has  belonged  to  the  Sunday-school  connected  with  this 
church  since  its  organization  in  1879.  In  later  years 
he  became  a  teacher  and  superintendent.  When  he 
taught  school  in  Upper. Tulpehocken  he  became  super- 
intendent of  Sheidy's  Union  Sunday-school,  which 
office  he  filled  for  three  years. 

During  the  summer  months  Mr.  Long  filled  various 
positions,  such  as  cigar-packer,  clerk,  and  book-keeper. 
Since  1900  he  has  been  the  manager  of  the  Joel  Long 
estate  for  the  heirs.  Mr.  Long  is  an  intelligent  and 
upright  citizen,  and  is  respected  and  esteemed  by  all 
who  know  him. 

J.  HOWARD  JACOBS,  in  whose  death,  which  occur- 
red Aug.  18,  1902,  at  his  home  in  Reading,  that  city  lost 
one  of  its  good  citizens  and  a  professional  man  of  con- 
siderable reputation,  was  born  in  1838,  in  the  Conestoga 
Valley,  in  the  lower  part  of  Berks  county,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Mary  A.  (Davies)  Jacobs. 

Samuel  Jacobs  was  a  farmer  in  the  Conestoga  Valley. 
He  and  his  wife,  Mary  A.  (Davies),  were  members  of 
the  Episcopal  Church.  Of  their  children,  Thomas  (de- 
ceased) was  a  resident  of  Iowa;  J.  Howard  is  mentioned 
below;  Mary  married  Clifton  Moore,  of  Pottstown,  Pa.; 
Annie  married  William  Morris,  of  Atlanta,  Georgia. 

J.  Howard  Jacobs  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools,  and  then  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Judge 
Banks.  After  his  admission  to  the  Bar  of  Berks  county, 
he  practised  in  Reading,  where  all  of  his  professional  life 
was  passed,  becoming  a  leading  member  of  the  legal  fra- 
ternity. Mr.  Jacobs  died  Aug.  18,  1902,  and  was  buried 
four  days   later  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 

In  1860  Mr.  Jacobs  married  Hannah  E.  Creswell,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  M.  and  Thomazine  (Lincoln)  Creswell, 
farming  people,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  Presbyterian 
and  the  latter  an  Episcopalian.  Four  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacobs,  as  follows:  Carrie  H.,  who  mar- 
ried William  Summerville,  of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  has 
one  child,  J.  Howard  Jacobs;  Sallie,  who  married  Pierson 
Hofif,  and  has  one  child,  D.  Pierson;  Edward  H. ;  and 
J.  Howard,  an  attorney  at  Reading,  who  married  Margaret 
Kalbach.  In  his  political  principles  Mr.  Jacobs  vvas  a 
Repubhcan,  and  in  religious  faith  an  Episcopalian.  For 
many  years  he  had  been  identified  with  the  Masons. 

DANIEL  A.  HEFFNER,  senior  member  of  the  weU 
known  clothing  and  men's  outfitting  firm  of  Heffner. 
Gilbert  &  Croll,  Nos.  418-420  Penn  street,  Reading) 
was  born  in  1854,  in  Virginville,  Berks  county,  son 
of   Solomon    And   Wilhelmina    (Weigley)    Heflfner. 

In  1749  Heinrich  Haeffner  came  from  Eberstadt, 
Germany,  to  America  and  located  in  Richmond  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  Pa.  In  1752  he  married  Maria 
Eva,  daughter  of  Matthaus  Kelchner,  of  that  town- 
ship. Their  children  were:  John  Heinrich,  1754-1825; 
Han  Georg,  1757-1818;  Eva  Catharine,  born  1760;  Eliz- 


abeth,   born    1762;    Eva    Magdalene,    born    1765;    and 
Catharine,  born  1768. 

John  Heinrich  Haeflner,  son  of  Heinrich,  remained 
on  the  old  stand  in  Richmond  township,  near  Virgin- 
ville. He  married  Anna  Catharine  Kohler,  born  Sept. 
26.  1759,  and  they  had  children:  Daniel;  John;  Henry; 
Abraham  (1789-1854);  Samuel  (1791-1872);  Solomon 
(died  1876);  Polly  (was  a  cripple);  Kate  (born  1795); 
Hannah  (born  1798);  and  Jacob  (1804-1877,  is  buried 
on  his  land  in  a  private  burial  ground).  John  Heinrich 
Haeftner  was  a  soldier  in  1777  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  was  a  prisoner  of  war  in  a  church  in  New  Jersey.  His 
relative  and  neighbor,  a  Merkel,  froze  to  death  in  his 
arms.  He  suffered  severe  hardships  through  hunger 
and  cold.  He  served  in  Capt.  Jacob  Baldy's  Company, 
and  Philip  Gehr's  Battalion. 

Solomon  HefiEner,  son  of  John  Heinrich,  married 
Rachel  Graefif  (1802-1849),  and  they  lived  at  Virgin- 
ville. Their  children  were:  Susanna,  John,'  Solomon 
(father  of  Daniel  A.),  Hettie,  Kate,  Mary,  Henry  and 
Lydia  G. 

Solomon  Heffner  was  born  in  Virginville,  and  when 
a  young  man  learned  engineering,  which,  however,  he 
gave  up  in  his  latter  years  on  account  of  failing  health, 
and  went  into  the  hotel  business.  He  died  in  1862, 
at  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  and  his  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Wilhelmina  Weigley,  passed  away 
in  1890,  remaining  a  widow  to  the  end  of  her  life.  The 
three  children  born  of  their  marriage  were:  Solomon; 
Emma,  m.  (first)  William  Epling.  and  (second)  Henry 
Smith;  and  Daniel  A.  The  family  were  members  of 
the  Lutheran  Church.  In  political  belief  Mr.  Heffner 
was  a  stanch  Democrat. 

Daniel  A.  Heffner  was  left  without  a  father  at  a 
very  tender  age,  and  as  a  consequence  his  chances  for 
an  education  were  limited,  most  of  his  learning  being 
acquired  at  night  schools  after  a  hard  day's  work.  His 
first  employment  was  on  a  farm,  and  he  later  worked 
in  the  ore  banks  of  Berks  county,  but  finally  he  learned 
the  painting  and  paper-hanging  trade,  at  which  he 
worked  for  several  years.  Going  then  to  Shenandoah, 
he  went  into  the  huckstering  business,  and  later  was 
a  clerk  in  Lenhartsville,  from  which  place  he  came  to 
Reading  as  a  clerk  for  B.  H.  Brown  in  the  dry  goods 
business.  Mr.  Hefiner  next  removed  to  Hamburg, 
where  he  engaged  in  a  mercantile  business,  and  this 
he  conducted  successfully  for  ten  years.  At  the  end 
of  this  time  he  sold  out,  and  in  1884  came  to  Reading, 
where  he  engaged  with  Meyers  &  Heim,  tailors  and 
dealers  in  men's  furnishings,  continuing  with  these 
gentlemen  until  in  1898.  In  this  year  with  John  H. 
Gilbert  and  William  M.  Croll,  Mr.  Heflfner  established 
the  business  of  Heflfner,  Gilbert  &  Croll,  which  did 
business  from  1898  until  1904,  at  No.  528  Penn  street. 
In  the  latter  named  year,  on  account  of  press  of  busi- 
ness, they  were  obliged  to  seek  larger  quarters,  and 
subsequently  removed  to  Nos.  418-420  Penn  street, 
better  known  as  the  J.  C.  Illig  stand.  Here  the  firin 
has  done  a  thriving  business,  carrying  a  full  line  of 
up-to-date  goods.  The  partners  are  well  known  and 
popular  in  the  community,  and  the  firm  has  an.  es- 
tablished reputation  for  honesty  and  integrity,  having 
the  full  confidence  of  the  people.  Mr.  Heffner  is  also 
prominent  in  fraternal  and  social  organizations,  being 
connected  with  Vaux  Lodge,  No.  406,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Hamburg;  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  437,  R.  A,  M.;  Read- 
ing Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T.;  Reading  Lodge  of 
Perfection,  of  which  he  is  a  charter ,  member;  Rajah 
Temple.  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.;  Knights  of  the  Golden 
Eagle,  Reading;  Lodge  No.  115,  B.  P.  O.  E..  and  many 
other  organizations.  In  political  matters  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, Mr.  Heffner  and  his  wife  attend  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

In  1875  Mr.  Heffner  was  married  to  Agnes  Croll, 
and  to  them  have  been  born  two  daughters:  Minnie  S., 
m.  Joseph  R.  Sellers,  of  Reading,  and  has  a  son,  James 
H. ;   and   Emily   May  m.   Charles   Dellinger,    of   Reading. 


1 

1 

ti^^^^^^jjyBB 

I^Mp^^^H|^^^^^B 

lfl^fi£^^ll 

^^^W  •■"    ^^^H 

^p^^ 

J.   HOWARD   JACOBS 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


617 


WILLIAM  R.  HIGH,  a  highly  respected  retired  citi- 
zen of  Reading,  Pa.,  who  passed  away  Aug.  14, 1908,  was 
born  Aug.  10,  1835,  in  Cumru  township,  Berks  coanty. 
Pa.,  son  of  Daniel  and  Esther  (Rothermel)  High,  and 
a  grandson  of  Gen.  William  High,  who  married  Annie 
Van  Reed. 

General  William  High  was  also  a  native  of  Cumru 
township,  and  for  years  was  a  prominent  agriculturist 
there.  His  last  years  were  spent  in  Reading.  For  a 
period  of  thirty-three  years  he  was  a  brigadier  general 
of  the  State  militia  and  he  also  served  as  judge  of 
probate.  His  children  were:  Charles,  Daniel,  Ezra. 
John,  Reubin,  Isaac  (died  young),  Annie,  Sarah,  Lucie 
and  Rebecca.  The  family  was  strong  in  its  support 
of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Daniel  High  was  born  in  Cumru  towriship  and  fol- 
lowed farming  as  his  main  occupation  throughout  his 
life.  He  died  in  1839  at  the  age  of  thirty-one  years. 
His  widow  survived  him  many  years,  dying  at  the 
age.  of  sixty-five.  They  had  five  daughters  and  one 
son,  as  follows:  Sarah,  m.  to  Samuel  Schepps;  Susan, 
m.  to  Nicholas  Schaffer;  Esther,  m.  to  Frederick 
Bechtel;  William  R.,  of  this  sketch;  Amanda,  m.  to 
Frederick  Hartman;  and  Mary,  who  remains  single. 
In  religious  belief  the  members  of  this  family  were_  all 
of  the  Reformed  faith,  with  one  exception.  In  political 
sentiment  they  were  Denrocratic. 

William  R.  High  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Cumru  township,  and  when  the  time  came 
for  him  to  choose  his  life  work  he  decided  in  favor 
of  agriculture.  For  thirty-two  years  he  continued 
to  be  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  owned 
one  of  the  finest  and  best  developed  farms  in  his  lo- 
cality. In  1887  he  left  his  farm  in  Cumru  township 
and  moved  to  Reading,  where  he  entered  into  partner- 
ship with  his  son,  Daniel  K.,  in  the  coal  business  and 
continued  with  him  until  Daniel  sold  his  interest  to 
his  brother  Charles  P.  The  father  and  son  continued 
the  business  until  1903,  when  the  senior  member  re- 
tired and  Charles  P.  still  continues  to  carry  on  the 
business. 

On  Dec.  11,  1855,  Mr.  High  was  married  to  Lydia 
Krick,  daughter  of  Daniel  Krick,  and  they  had  five 
children,  namely:  Daniel  K.,  William,  Henry,  Ezra  and 
Charles. 

Up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  spite  of  his  ad- 
vanced years,  Mr.  High  very  easily  superintended  the 
mahagement  of  the  old  High  homestead;  this  was 
originally  owned  by  his  maternal  great-grandfather 
Rothermel.  He  took  an  active  interest  in  local  politics 
and  public  happenings,  and  was  a  well  known  and  es- 
teemed resident  of  his  neighborhood.  Mr.  High'  was 
buried  in  Yocom's  Church  in  Cumru  township. 

DANIEL  K.  HIGH,  hosiery  manufacturer  at  Rob- 
esonia.  Pa.,  was  born  in  Cumru  township,  on  the  old 
High  homestead  which  has  been  in  the  family  since 
1747,  May  22,  1856,  son  of  William  R.  High.  His 
early  education  was  obtained  in  the  district  schools  and 
later  he  went  to  Palatinate  College,  Myerstown,  and  D. 
B.  Brunner's  Academy  in  Reading.  He  was  licensed 
to  teach  by  County  Superintendent,  D.  B.  Brunner,  in 
1874.  He  taught  two  terms  in  his  native  township, 
one  at  the  Cedar  Top  school  and  the  other  at  the 
Kurtz  school,  meeting  with  great  success  as  a  teacher. 
He  was  reared  to  farm  work,  and  continued  at  it  sum- 
mers until  he  was  sixteen.  In  1876  he  went  to  Read- 
ing and  entered  the  dry  goods  store  of  B.  H.  Brown, 
remaining  in  his  employ  for  a  period  of  two  years.  He 
then  entered  into  partnership  with  Howard  Kauffman, 
under  the  firm  name  of  High  &  Kaufifman,  dealers  in 
dry  goods  and  groceries  and  general  merchandise.  This 
firm  continued  with  success  for  two  years,  when  ow- 
ing to  failing  health  Mr.  High  was  obliged  to  sell  to 
Mr.  A.  S.  Deeter  and  his  brother  Wm.  F.  High,  who 
later  also  sold  his  share  to  A.  S.  Deeter,  and  the  latter 


has  continued  the  business  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  High 
then  moved  to  a  farm  near  Van  Reed's  paper  inill 
in  Spring  township,  and  for  five  years  devoted  him- 
self to  agriculture.  In  1887,  with  his  brother  Henry, 
under  the  firm  name  of  D.  K.  High  &  Bro.,  he  opened 
up  a  coal  yard  at  No.  S12  Rose  street,  Reading,  also 
handling  flour  and  feed.  They  met  with  a  good  trade, 
and  the  business  has  been  carried  on  with  increased 
success  by  his  brother  Charles  P.  High.  The  firm  was 
continued  as  D.  K.  High  &  Bro.  until  1891,  when  Mr. 
D.  K.  High  retired,  and  started  in  the  creamery  busi- 
ness on  his  farm.  This  he  conducted  for  two  years, 
but  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  milk  in  that  locality 
he  removed  to  Brownsville,  and  with  M.  K.  Keith 
as  a  partner  under  the  name  of  High  &  Keith  carried 
on  the  business  for  five  years.  Again  the  difficulty  of 
securing  milk  proved  a  factor  in  Mr.  High's  business 
arrangements,  and  he  sold  out  to  his  partner,  and 
bought  a  half  interest  of  Harry  W.  Sheeler,  of  the  firm 
of  Sheeler  &  Leinbach,  who  were  engaged  in  the 
hosiery  business  at  Robesonia,  Pa.  Later  Mr.  High 
bought  out  Mr.  Leinbach's  interest,  and  he  now  con- 
ducts the  business  alone  under  the  name  of  Robesonia 
Knitting  Mills.  His  factory  is  a  two-story  frame  struc- 
ture 40x60  feet.  He  employs  upwards  of  fifty  people, 
and  the  out-put  is  about  250  dozen  pairs  per  day.  This 
consists  of  men's  fine  seamless  hosiery,  and  a  ready 
sale  is  found  all  over  the  United  States.  In  1906  he 
started  his  sons  Edwin  and  Walter  in  a  branch  factory 
at  Bernville,  where  about  thirty  people  are  employed. 
The  capacity  of  this  factory  is  also  250  dozen  pairs 
per  day.  This  business  is  most  successful.  Mr.  High 
still  retains  his  fine  farm  of  118  acres  on  the  Tul- 
pehocken,  near  the  Van  Reed  mills  (now  used  by  the 
Acme  Paper  Company). 

In  politics  Mr.  High  is  a  Democrat.  He  was  hon- 
ored by  election  as  school  director  to  fill  an  unexpired 
term,  and  then  re-elected,  serving  as  secretary  of  the 
board  and  rendering  valuable  service  to  the  cause  of 
education.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  Castle  No.  49, 
K.  G.  E.,  of  Reading.  Since  1885  he  and  his  family 
have  been  connected  with  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Church 
at  Reading,  of  which  he  was  a  deacon. 

On  Feb.  26,  1880,  Mr.  High  was  married  to  Clara 
Van  Reed,  daughter  of  Henry  Z.  and  Mary  (Leinbach) 
Van  Reed,  and  granddaughter  of  Charles  and  Margar- 
et (Zacharias)  Van  Reed.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  High 
were  born  three  sons,  namely:  (1)  Edwin  V.  R.,  born 
July  14,  1881,  in  Spring  township,  has  a  liberal  educa- 
tion, and  is  successful  in  business.  He  married,  June 
23,  1907,  Rachel  M.  Taylor.  (2)  Henry  V.  R.,  born 
in  Spring  township,  July  27,  1883,  is  a  bookbinder  by 
trade,  and  is  manager  and  treasurer  of  the  C.  F.  Heller 
Book  Bindery,  at  Reading,  where  he  learned  his  trade 
(D.  K.  High  is  vice  president  and  director  of  this  com- 
pany). On  Sept.  12,  1906,  he  married  Anna  Lengel, 
(3)  Walter  V.  R.,  born  Aug.  16,  1885,  with  his  brother 
Edwin  is  engaged  in  the  hosiery  business  at  Bern- 
ville, under  the  firm  name  of  the  Durable  Hosiery  Mill. 
Walter  V.  R.  is  the  superintendent.  He  married.  May 
25,  1908,  Estella  May  Gerhart. 

GEORGE  FIELD,  of  Reading,  who  resides  at  No. 
441j  South  Sixth  Street,  has  made  that  city  his  home 
since  1865,  but  claims  Philadelphia  as  his  birthplace. 
His  birth  occurred  Nov.  5,  1836,  in  a  locality  known 
as  Francisville,  but  which  is  now  a  part  of  Seven- 
teenth street  and  Ridge  avenue. 

Mr.  Field  passed  most  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in 
Conshohocken,  and  when  old  enough  went  into  the 
People's  Works  in  Philadelphia  to  learn  to  be  a 
machinist.  When  his  preparation  was  over  he  took  a 
position  for  a  short  time  with  the  Alan  Wood  Co.,  in 
the  Schuylkill  Iron  Works  at  Conshohocken,  and  then 
went  to  Norristown,  Pa.  This,  too,  was  but  a  tempor- 
ary position,  as  Mr.  Field  had  an  offer  from  the  Ply- 
mouth Iron  Works,  which  he  accepted.  On  Feb  9 
1863,    he    left    the    Plymouth    Iron    Works    having    ac- 


618 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


cepted  a  position  at  tlie  Monocacy  Furnace,  where  he 
put  the  furnace  in  order,  and  remained  for  two  years. 
A  place  was  then  offered  him  in  the  Philadelphia  & 
Reading  Railway  Shops,  and  Feb.  8,  1865,  began  his 
long  connection  with  that  Company,  covermg  a  per- 
iod of  forty-two  years.  Mr.  Field  has  long  enjoyed 
a  reputation  as  a  most  competent  machinist  and  was 
ionsidered  one  of  the  Company's  most  reliable  men. 

In  1878  the  Railway  Company  sent  a  party  abroad  to 
assemble  a  locomotive  built  at  the  Reading  Shops  for 
the  Paris  Exposition,  and  Mr.  Field,  who  had  charge 
of  erecting  the  engine  at  the  Reading  Shops,  was 
among  those  chosen  for  this  work.  S.  D.  Blackmon, 
who  was  general  foreman  at  this  time,  C.  Gilbert 
Steffe  Frazier  W.  Wooten  and  Mr.  Field  composed  the 
party.'  They  left  Philadelphia,  April  C  1878,  on  the 
steam  collier  "Pottsville,  No.  14,"  Captain  Samuel  Col- 
burn,  a  vessel  owned  by  the  Reading  Company,  and 
arrived  at  Havre  April  21st.  After  remaining  there  two 
weeks,  seven  days  of  which  was  required  to 'assemble 
the  engine,  they  left  Havre  May  5th. 

Mr.  Field  has  always  been  a  strong  Democrat  of  the 
Jacksonian  type,  and  has  been  active  in  party  work 
in  the  Second  ward.  He  was  made  representative  from 
that  ward  in  Common  Council  in  1869,  and  was  one 
who  helped  to  vote  the  market  houses  from  Penn 
Square.  Fraternally  he  was  formerly  connected  with 
the  I.  O.  O.  F..  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  the  K.  of  P.,  and  is 
now  a  member  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Relief 
and  Reading  Railway  Veteran  Associations. 

On  December  1st,  1906,  he  was  retired  and  placed  on 
the  pension  list,  having  attained  the  age  limit  of  sev- 
enty   years. 

In  1860  occurred  the  union  of  George  Field  and  Miss 
Amanda  Brant, '  also  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  and  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Catherine  (Barndollar)  Brant. 
The  issue  of  this  marriage  is  an  only  daughter,  Kate 
v.,  at  home. 

D.  FRANK  MARKLEY  (deceased),  who  for  many 
years  was  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance 
business,  was  born  in  Maxatawny  township,  Berks 
county.  May  3,  1842,  son  of  Joseph  and  Esther  (Fisher) 
Markley,  both  parents  being  natives  of  Berks  county, 
Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  Markley  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Maxa- 
tawny township  for  many  years,  but  removed  to  Minn- 
esota in  1876,  dying  in  St.  Cloud,  that  state,  in  1889, 
his  widow,  Esther  Fisher,  surviving  him  but  a  few  years. 
They  had  been  the  parents  of  five  children,  four  of 
whom  lived  to  maturity:  D.  Frank,  deceased;  T.  Well- 
ington; Elmira,  m.  to  John  May,  deceased;  and  Jos- 
eph H.,  deceased.  The  family  were  Lutherans  in  re- 
ligious belief.  Politically  Mr.  Markley  was  a  Demo- 
crat, but  it  is  not  known  whether  or  not  he  ever  held 
office. 

D.  Frank  Markley  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Reading,  and  when  a  boy  engaged  in  work 
at  the  old  Bushong  distillery,  located  at  the  corner  of 
Front  and  Penn  streets.  Here  he  remained  a  number 
of  years,  and  later  accepted  a  position  with  the  Nation- 
al Union  Bank  of  Reading  as  clerk,  continued  in  that 
capacity  for  some  time,  and  then  engaged  with  the 
Boas  Lumber  Company,  for  several  years.  Mr.  Mark- 
ley  then  was  employed  by  the  Reading  Fire  Insurance 
Company,  which  he  left  in  1898  to  engage  in  the  real 
estate  business,  in  which  he  continued  until  his  .death, 
July  12,  1900.  He  was  buried  in  the  Charles  Evans 
cemetery. 

Mr.  Markley  was  married  in  1864  to  Amanda  E.  Ar- 
nold, daughter  of  William  and  Catherine  (Sauerbier) 
Arnold,  the  former  a  hat  manufacturer  and  director 
of  three  banks.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Markley  were  born 
children  as  follows:  Catherine  May;  Edwin  Arnold; 
Charles  Hunter,  deceased;  William  A.,  a  druggist  of 
Harrisburg;  Frank  A.,  of  Reading,  who  is  carrying  on 
the  real  estate  business  at  No.  535  Court  street;  Alice 


May;  and  Emma  I.,  deceased.  Mr.  Markley  was  at 
one  time  connected  with  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  was  a  past 
officer  of  Freedom  Circle,  No.  7,  Brotherhood  of  the 
Union.  In  politics  he  waS  a  Democrat,  but  never  as- 
pired to  public  preferment,  although  he  took  a  good 
citizen's  interest  in  elections.  He  was  a  kind  husband 
and  indulgent  father,  and  in  his  death  the  city  of 
Reading  lost  one  of  its  good,  intelligent  citizens, 

Frank  A,  Markley,  one  of  the  leading  young 
business  men  of  Reading,  Pa.,  is  successfully  engaged 
in  the  real  estate  and  insurance  business.  He  was 
born  May  26,  1874,  in  Reading,  and  received  his  educa- 
■tion  in  the  public  schools  of  that  city.  His  first  busi- 
ness experience  was  gained  as  a  clerk  for  the  Reading 
Hardware  Company,  with  whom  he  remained  eleven 
years.  He  then  succeeded  his  father  in  the  real  estate 
and  insurance  business,  and  in  this  he  has  successfully 
continued  ever  since.  The  business  was  established 
in  1898. 

Mr.  Markley  was  married  Aug.  11,  1904,  to  Mamie 
May  Frederick,  daughter  of  Louis  and  Emma  Freder- 
ick, of  Reading,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children, 
Frank  Edwin  and  Mary  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Frederick  is 
the  owner  of  a  meat  market.  Mr.  Markley  belongs  to 
the  Fi-aternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the  Knights  of  the 
Maccabees,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Har- 
monie  Maennerchor,  and  the  Friendship  Fire  Compaiiy, 
having  served  in  all  the  offices  in  the  latter  organiz- 
ation, is  a  Past  Worthy  President  of  the  Eagles,  and 
President  of  Reading  Eagles  Home  Company,  Inc.. 
and  has  held  office  in  nearly  all  these  societies.  He 
belongs  to  Trinity  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Markley  is 
one  of  the  foremost  young  business  men  of  Reading, 
is  popular  in  fraternal  and  social  circles,  and  has  a 
great  number  of  friends. 

JAMES  K.  MERKEL  has  been  a  resident  of  Read- 
ing since  1903,  and  with  but  little  exception  has  passed 
all  his  life  in  Berks  county.  His  ancestors  have  long 
been  settled  here. 

Abraham  Merckel  (or  Merkel)  was  born  in  Macungie 
township,  Northampton  (now  Lehigh)  Co.,  Pa.,  about 
1767,  and  is  a  descendant  of  an  old  family  of  French 
origin.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  in  1785  and  1786  was  as- 
sessed for  100  acres  of  land,  two  horses  and  three 
cattle.  In  1785  he  paid  a  federal  tax  of  £1  8s  6d,  and 
in  1786  the  amount  was  £l  Is  6d.  The  tax  lists  of 
his  native  county  bear  his  name  as  a  taxable  until  1805. 
In  1806  he  is  assessed  as  a  resident  of  Albany  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  where  he  owned  a  tract  on  which 
he  lived.  The  farm  is  now  owned  by  Jacob  Schroeder; 
a  big  hill  on  this  farm  for  many  years  was  known  as 
"Merkel's  Hill,"  now  "Donat's  Hill."  It  was  at  this 
place  that  his  father-in-law,  Jacob  Donat,  had  previous- 
ly settled.  Abraham  Merckel  was  an  industrious  and 
honest  citizen.  He  was  a  tall  and  well-built  man, 
standing  over  six  feet,  and  was  possessed  of  great 
strength  and  endurance.  He  was  a  wheelwright  by 
trade.  He  met  a  tragic  end.  During  the  summer  of 
1826  there  was  a  drought  in  the  upper  end  of  Berks 
county.  Water  had  become  scarce  on  the  southern 
side  of  the  Blue  mountains,  while  on  the  opposite  side 
there  was  an  abundance  of  rain  and  water.  Therefore 
Abraham  Merckel  took  his  grain  to  a  mill  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  mountain,  and  on  the  return  trip 
fell  into  the  hands  of  a  band  of  roughs,  one  of  whom 
cruelly  murdered  him.  On  the  slope  of  the  mountain 
in  West  Penn  township,  Schuylkill  county  (on  the  road 
from  Jacksonville  to  Tamaqua),  which  he  had  to  pass, 
there  was  an  old  hostelry  around  which  many  stories 
of  robbery,  and  even  the  murder  of  peddlers  and  cattle 
dealers  centered.  That  the  place  was  notorious  was 
evidenced  by  the  frequent  reference  to  it  in  the  recol- 
lections of  the  older  residents  of  the  section.  It  was 
abandoned  over  thirty  years  ago,  and  only  crumbling 
walls  and  an  old  well  half  filled  with  stones  and  rub- 
bish mark  the  site  of  the  once  busy  and  widely  known 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


619 


stopping  place.  While  passing  the  hotel  Mr.  Merckel 
was  requested  to  stop  off,  which  he  did.  He  found  a 
number  of  men  playing  cards  and  also,  undoubtedly, 
drinking.  One  of  the  card  players,  a  man  named 
Jacob  Hawkenstein,  commenced  quarreling  with  Mr. 
Merckel,  who  told  Hawkenstein  it  would  be  to  his  bene- 
fit to  keep  his  peace.  Hawkenstein,  in  confab  with 
other  men  during  that  day,  had  made  a  threat  that  he 
would  kill  someone  before  the  day  was  over.  When 
Mr.  Merckel  was  loosening  his  horse,  which  was  tied 
to  a  tree  near  a  fence,  he  was  stabbed  with  a  knife  by 
Hawkenstein,  who  had  secreted  himself  behind  the 
fence,  and  died  of  his  wounds.  Hawkenstein  there- 
after led  a  secluded  and  miserable  existence  among 
the  rocks,  dens  and  hollow  trees  of  the  Blue  mountains, 
where  he  died  alone  and  despised  of  all  men.  His 
skeleton  was  found  more  than  a  year  after  his  death 
by  a  band  of  hunters.  Mr.  Merckel  is  buried  in  an 
unmarked  grave  at  the  New  Bethel  Church  in  Albany 
township.     He  died  in  the  late  summer  of  1836. 

Abraham  Merckel  married  Susanna  Donat,  who  was 
born  Nov.  6,  1779,  and  died  Jan.  25,  1864,  aged  eighty- 
'  four  years,  two  months,  nineteen  days.  Her  father, 
Jacob  Donat,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  Four  child- 
ren were  born  to  Abraham  and  Susanna  (Donat) 
Merckel,  namely:  Abraham  was  the  father  of  James  K. 
Merkel  and  is  mentioned  farther  on;  Elizabeth,  born 
March  34,  1813,  died  unmarried  March  15,  1894,  aged 
eighty  years,  eleven  months,  twenty-one  days,  and  is 
buried  at  New  Jerusalem  Church;  Catharine,  born  Jan. 
3,  1816,  died  unmarried  Nov.  30,  1879,  aged  sixty-three 
years,  ten  months,  seventeen  days,  and  is  buried  at 
New  Jerusalem  Church;  Joseph,  who  spelled  his  name 
Markley,  married  Esther  Fisher,  and  lived  in  Reading 
until  1876,  when  he  moved  to  St.  Cloud,  Minn.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  Orphans'  Court,  April  6,  1827,  accord- 
ing to  the  records  in  Vol.  IX,  page  206,  Elizabeth 
Merkel,  daughter  of  the  late  Abraham  Merckel.  of  Al- 
bany township,  Berks  county,  petitioned  the  court  as 
a  minor  above  fourteen  years  of  age,  asking  that  John 
Shollenberger  be  appointed  her  guardian.  Henry  Rup- 
pert  appeared  as  a  friend  of  Catharine  Merkel  and 
Joseph  Merkel,  minor  children  of  Abraham  Merckel, 
deceased,  and  William  Sweyer  was  appointed  guard- 
ian for  Catharine,  and  John  Shollenberger  for  Joseph. 
Abraham  Merkel,  eldest  child  of  Abraham,  was  born 
about  1805-1806,  and  died  in  June,  1849,  aged  about 
forty-three  years.  His  death  occurred  in  the 
hay  field,  from  the  effects  of  drinking  much  cold  spring 
water  when  overheated,  and  he  is  buried  at  New  Beth- 
el Church,  in  Albany  township.  He  was  a  tall  man 
over  six  feet,  and  was  strong  and  an  excellent  worker. 
Abraham  Merkel  married  Maria  (Polly)  Kroninger,  who 
was  born  Sept.  8,  1808,  and  died  Dec.  23,  1878,  aged  sev- 
enty years,  three  months,  fifteen  days.  Children  as  fol- 
lows were  born  to  their  union:  Anna  m.  John  Cameron, 
of  Sagon,  Northumberland  Co.,  Pa.;  Catharine  m.  Jon- 
athon  Machmer,  who  was  noted  as  a  singer,  and  they 
conducted  the  Upper  Bern  Hotel  a  number  of  years; 
Abraham,  born  Jan.  13,"  18S3,  died  Feb.  14,  1908,  m.  in 
1859  Leah  Follweiler  (1835-1901),  and  they  had  a  fam- 
ily of  seven  children:  Sarah  Jane  (m.  Adam  Berk,  and 
died  leavin'g  a  son,  Wm.  H.,  who  has  his  home  with  his 
aunts,  Louisa  and  Clara  Merkel),  Astor  (m.  Ida  Kline), 
Rosa  Alice  (m.  Francis  Allsbach,  deceased),  Cordelia 
(m.  Alfred  Allsbach,  and  died  leaving  a  daughter,  Leah 
M.),  Louisa  P.  (a  popular  school  teacher  of  Albany 
township),  Clara  (is  unmarried  and  lives  on  the  home- 
stead with  her  sister  Louisa),  and  John  A.  (m.  Emma 
E.  Nester,  and  has  two  children,  Elsie  M.  and 
Leah  L.) ;  Susanna  m.  Ferdinand  Machmer  and  later  a 
Mr.  Baum,  of  Hamburg;  Aaron  m.  Valeria  Miller  and 
they  live  at  Conshohocken,  Pa.;  Caroline  m.  William 
Machmer,  who  met  a  tragic  death  ,in  Michigan;  Re- 
becca m.  Michael  Schaeffer,  of  Tower  City,  Pa.;  Sarah 
m.  James  De  Long,  of  Reading;  James  K.  is  mentioned 
farther  on.  Caroline  and  Susanna  both  lived  and  died 
in  Michigan. 


James  K.  Merkel  was  born  in  Albany  township  Oct. 
7,  1847.  He  has  followed  the  blacksmith's  trade  almost 
from  the  time  he  began  work,  having  commenced  to 
learn  it  when  he  was  only  eighteen  years  old,  under 
his  brother  Abraham,  who  at  that  time  had  a  smithy 
in  the  village  of  Jacksonville,  Lehigh  Co.  Pa.  In  1867 
Mr.  Merkel  came  to  Berne,  in  Upper  Bern  township, 
now  Tilden  township,  Berks  county,  where  he  was 
engaged  at  his  trade  in  the  employ  of  another  brother, 
Aaron,  who  had  a  blacksmith  shop  in  the  village' of 
Berne.  In  1870,  after  several  years'  work  in  Mahanoy 
City  and  other  places,  he  erected  a  shop  of  his  own  in 
the  "Bockmohl"  (a  valley  in  the  southern  end  of  what 
is  now  Tilden  township,  to  which  he  had  come  about 
1867)  and  there  continued  to  work  at  his  trade  until 
the  year  1900.  At  that  time  he  moved  with  his  family 
to  Conshohocken,  at  which  place  he  remained  for  three 
years  in  the  responsible  position  of  boss  blacksmith  in 
the  Alan  Wood  Iron  Works,  an  indisputable  evidence 
of  his  skill  as  a  mechanic.  In  the  spring  of  1903  Mr, 
Merkel  removed  with  his  family  to  the  city  of  Read- 
ing, settling  in  his  own  hor^e  at  No.  757  North  Eighth 
street.  Mr.  Merkel  also  owns  a  small  tract  of  good 
land,  comprising  twenty-four  acres,  near  Berne  station, 
upon  which  he  lived  for  twenty-five  years.  He  is  a 
man  of  industrious  habits  and  is  a  good  citizen.  His 
character  is  above  reproach. 

Mr.  Merkel  has  been  twice  married.  In  1869  he  was 
united  to  Sarah  Schuman,  who  was  born_  Oct.  6,  1847, 
daughter  of  Solomon  and  Sarah  (Zweitzig)  Schuman, 
and  died  Nov.  14,  1877,  in  her  thirty-first  year,  the 
mother  of  four  children,  namely:  (1)  J.  Franklin  taught 
school  for  fifteen  years,  but  has  Iseen  engaged  as  a 
railway  mail  clerk  since  1904  and  is  stationed  at  Pitts- 
burg. (3)  Anthony  O.  m.  Ada  Chamberlain,  of  Nor- 
ristown.  (3)  Ella  V.  m.  Reuben  Blatt,  and  has  had 
three  children,  Reuben,  Rachel  and  Ruth  (who  died 
in  childhood).  (4)  Sallie  M.  m.  William  J,  Dietrich, 
of  Reading,  and  they  have  three  children,  Naomi,  Ruth, 
and  William  J.,  Jr. 

Mr.  Merkel's  second  marriage,  in  '1879,  was  to  Emma 
L.  Keim,  who  was  born  June  28,  1858,  daughter  of 
Percival  and  Susanna  (Strasser)  Keim,  and  by  whom 
he  has  had  ten  children,  namely;  John,  who  died  in 
infancy;  Cora  L. ;  Clara  A.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Samuel 
Mengel  and  has  two  children,  Mabel  and  James;  James 
D.;  Lizzie  A.;  Mame  F.;  Howard  J.,  born  Dec.  16. 
1888,  who  died  Feb.  19,  1890;  Abbie  A.;  Lillie  L.;  and 
George  R.,  born  Jan.  25,  1897,  who  died  Aug.  23,  1897. 

Mr.  Merkel  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  St.  Paul 
United  Evangelical  Church  of  Reading,  in  the  work 
of  which  congregation  he  has  been  quite  active,  having 
held  various  offices. 

HARVEY  F.  HETNLY  was  born  at  Hamburg, 
Berks  county.  Pa.,  July  1,  1873,  son  of  David  L.  and 
the  late  Maria  E.  (Heinly)  Heinly.  When  he  was  six 
years  old  the  family  moved  to  Reading,  and  Mr. 
Heinly  is  therefore  indebted  to  the  excellent  school 
system  of  his  adopted  city  for  his  scholastic  training. 
He  graduated  from  the  Boys'  High  School  in  June, 
1890,  with  first  honors,  being  the  valedictorian  of  his 
class,  and  leaving  behind  him  a  record  for  most  effi- 
cient scholarship,  winning  prizes  for  spelling  and  essay, 
and  the  gold  medal  for  oratory — in  fact,  all  the  prizes 
which  were  offered  during  his  high  school  course. 

Mr.  Heinly  at  once  began  reading  law,  his  preceptor 
being  William  J.  Rourke,  then  city  solicitor  and  assist- 
ant district  attorney.  Upon  his  admission  to  the  Bar, 
Nov.  12,  1894,  he  became  associated  with  his  preceptor 
in  practice,  which  continued  with  success  until  March, 
1901,  when  he  established  himself  at  No.  47  North 
Sixth  street,  and  has  since  continued  in  active  practice 
there.  Mr.  Heinly  takes  a  lively  and  intelligent  in- 
terest in  public  and  political  affairs.  His  reputation 
acquired  in  school  as  an  orator  brought  him  into  im- 
mediate notice  with  the  leaders  of  the  Democratic 
party,    whose    principles    Mr.    Heinly    has    always    es- 


630 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


poused,  and  he  has  been  in  demand  for  "stump"  service 
in  every  campaign  since  his  majority.  He  has  fre- 
quently been  called  upon  to  do  like  service  for  the 
Democratic  State  Committee,  at  Lancaster,  Harris- 
burg,  Lebanon,  and  other  places.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Americus  (Democratic)  Club-,  the  Northeastern 
Democratic  Association  and  is  the  President  of  his 
Ward  organization.  He  retains  his  interest  in  edu- 
cational affairs,  having  been  an  organizer  of  and  still 
a  member  of  the  Alumni  Association  of  the  Reading 
high  schools,  and  having  served  two  terms  as  its  presi- 
dent. He  is  a  member  of  the  Reading  Press  Club,  the 
Board  of  Trade,  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion, and  several  fraternal  organizations.  His  religious 
affiliation  is  with  St.  Luke's  Lutheran  church,  and 
he  is  connected  with  the  Sunday-school,  being  the 
teacher  of  the  Young  Men's  Bible  Class  for  the  past 
twelve   years. 

On  Nov.  30,  1900,  Mr.  Heinly  was  married  to  Lydia 
I.  Eckert,  daughter  of  the  late  Rudolph  and  Lucetta 
Eckert,   of   Lebanon,   Pennsylvania. 

The  family  of  Mr.  Heinly  is  one  of  the  old  fam- 
ilies of  the  State.  As  secretary  of  the  Heinly  Family 
Association,  he  has  assisted  in  compiling  a  resume 
of  its  development  in  this  country.  Well  authenticated 
records  show  that  the  original  American  ancestor, 
David  Heinly,  together  with  a  brother,  came  from 
Germany  about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century. 
In  Rupp's  "Thirty  Thousand  Immigrants,"  there  ap- 
pears an  entry  to  the  effect  that  David  and  Matthias 
Heinly  landed  in  Philadelphia  Sept.  19,  1749,  having 
come  over  in  the  ship  "Patience"  from  the  Kingdom 
of  Wurtemberg  and  the  Palatinate.  One  of  these 
immigrants,  David,  was  the  great-great-grandfather 
of  the  subject  of  this  review.  He  received  a  patent 
for  three  hundred  acres  of  land  in  what  is  now  Green- 
wich township,  the  document  being  signed  by  the 
proprietaries  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  July  21, 
1774.  In  this  township  he  passed  the  remainder  of 
his  days,  and  lies  buried  there  in  Dunkle's  Church 
cemetery,  the  tombstone  over  his  grave  bearing  these 
words,  cut  in  the  sandstone,  with  German  words,  but 
English  letters: 

"Hir  ligd   Dafid   Heinle, 

ist  geboren  1728  den  17  Ockober 

und   gestorben    den    3    Ockober    1784." 

On  the  reverse  side  of  the  stone  is  the  following  from 
an  old  German  Hymn,  written  in  1638,  and  appearing 
in   the   Leipsiger   Gesangbuch: 

"Die  Kron  der  gerechdig-keid, 

Ist  mein   schmuck  und  ehrenkleid: 
Damid  will  ich  for  Got  bestehen. 
Wan   ich   werd   in   himmel   eingehen." 

The  Heinly  Family  Association  was  organized  in 
August  of  1899,  the  first  meeting  being  held  along 
Ontelaunee  creek,  near  Virginville,  on  a  part  of  the 
tract  on  which  was  located  the  homestead  of  the  or- 
iginal American  ancestor.  Reunions  are  held  annually, 
latterly  at  Kutztown  Park,  at  which  there  are  from  four 
to  five  hundred  members  of  the  family  present.  At  the 
Fifth  Annual  Reunion,  Aug.  15,  1903,  a  handsome  gran- 
ite mernorial  in  the  form  of  an  open  book,  symbolizing 
the  family  record,  was  erected  adjacent  to  the  old  head- 
stone _  referred  to  above,  and  was  dedicated  with  ap- 
propriate  exercises. 

If  to  be  well  born  is  half  the  battle,  then  is  victory 
certain  for  Harvey  F.  Heinly,  since  the  other'  half 
will  be  amply  cared  for  by  the  wealth  of  energy  and 
alertness  of  mind  which  he  has  displayed.  Of  good 
lineage,  happily  married,  and  with  hosts  of  friends, 
what  more  could  any  man  ask  of  the  Fates? 

YODER.  The  first  of  the  Yoder  (sometimes  spelled 
Yodder  a»d  Yotter  in  the  German)  name  in  America 
were    Yost    anad    Hans     (or    Hance),    brothers,    who 


sought  refuge-  in  England  from  the  religious  persecu- 
tions suffered  in  their  native  Switzerland.  They 
brought  little  with  them-  to  America  besides  their 
Bible.  Upon  their  arrival  in  the  New  World  they 
pushed  on  into  the  wilderness  beyond  Oley  hills,  and 
finally  settled  on  the  Manatawny.  Yost  Yoder  was  one 
of  the  most  active  of  the  early  frontiersmen  of  Penn- 
sylvania. _  His  chief  occupations  were  hunting  and  trap- 
ping, which  he  always  combined  with  farming,  or  rath- 
er with  the  "clearing  and  cultivation  of  a  plantation." 
It  is  certain  that  he  and  his  brother  were  located 
in  Pennsylvania  before  1714.  Nine  children  were  born 
to  Yost  Yoder,  and  of  seven  of  these  the  record  is  as 
follows:  (1)  Johannes  Yoder,  often  called  Yost,  was 
born  in  1718.  After  1752  he  removed  to  Reading, 
where  he  died  April  7,  1813,  and  his  remains  were  in- 
terred on  his  father's  land  at  Yottersville  (Yoders- 
ville),  named  after  his  family,  now  Pleasantville,  in 
Oley  township.  The  following  inscription  marks  his 
grave:  "Hier  Rhuet  Johann-es  Yoder.  Erwurde  geb- 
oren 1718.  Verelichte  sich  mit  Catharina  Lyster 
(Lesher)  1747  und  zeughte  4  sqhne  und  5  tochtern. 
Starb  den  7th  April,  1812,  nach  seiner  66  yahr  in  der 
ehe  gelebt  hatte  war  alt  warden  94  yahr  und  14  tag." 
In  1747  he  married  Catharine  Lyster  (Lesher),  and 
her  tombstone  records  "b.  1730,  d.  1812,  having  lived 
married  66  years  and  aged  83  years."  (2)  Jacob  Yoder 
removed  to  the  western  side  of  the  Schuyl4cill.  On  Nov. 
6,  1757,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  he  enlisted  in 
the  Provincial  service  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a 
saddler  three  years  in  Capt.  John  Nicholas  Weather- 
holt's  Company.  He  was  stationed  in  Heidelberg  town- 
ship, Northampton  county,  in  March  and  April,  1758 
[Pa.  Arch.,  2d  Ser.,  Vol.  II).  He  served  in  the  American 
Revolution  as  a  private  in  Peter  Nagle's  Company, 
and  later  in  Capt.  Charles  Gobin's  Company,  6th 
Battalion,  Berks  county,  Pa.  He  was  in  a  detachment 
of  the  6th  Battalion  to  guard  prisoners  of  war  from 
the  Hessian  camp,  Reading,  to  Philadelphia.  He  mar- 
ried Maria  Keim.  (5)  Samuel  Yoder  settled  on  a 
"plantation"  near  Lobachsville,  about  one  and  one-half 
miles  from  Pleasantville.  which  he  received  from  his 
father.  He  had  children:  John,  Jacob,  Samuel  and 
Catharine.  (4)  Mary  Yoder  married  Daniel  Bertolet. 
(5)  Catharine  Yoder  married  John  Reppert.  (6)  Eliza- 
beth Yoder  was  the  wife  of  Mathias  Rhode  and  they 
had  children:  Jacob,  John,  Joseph,  Abraham,  Catha- 
rme,  Maria  and  Esther.  (7)  Esther  Yoder  mar-ied  a 
man  named  Cunius. 

The  wolves  in  Oley  were  a  great  injury  to  the  sheep 
and  hogs  of  the  settlers.  It  was  customary  to  make 
pitfalls  and  thus  trap  them.  Many  stories  are  told 
of  Yost  Yoder's  efforts  at  their  extermination.  He 
sometimes  disposed  of  five  in  a  single  night.  He  was  a 
man  of  remarkable  strength  and  powers  of  endurance, 
and  possessed  famous  courage.  He  made  customary 
hunting  trips  every  fall  into  the  Blue  Mountains  with 
his  trusty  rifle  and  faithful  dog.  On  his  trail  at  dif- 
ferent stages  of  his  journeys  he  had  places  of  de- 
posit for  supplies  in  hollow  trees. 

The  Yoder  Bible,  dated  1530,  was  printed  during  the 
lifetime  of  Martin  Luther.  It  was  held  continuously 
by  the  family  until  as  late  as  1860,  and  is  now  the 
property  of  Mary  B.  Yoder,  daughter  of  David,  son 
of  Daniel  It  is  well  preserved,  though  unfortunately 
the  hd  and  date  are  torn  away.  This  priceless  treasure 
of  their  faith  from  the  Fatherland  was  "as  a  lamp  unto 
their  feet"  in  their  flight  to  America.  The  Yoders  of 
Berks  extended  into  New  York  and  the  West  In  the 
list  of  representatives  in  the  Fiftieth  United  States 
Congress  was  S.   S.  Yoder.  of  Lima,  Ohio 

(I)  Hans  (or  Hance)  Yoder,  the  emigrant  brother 
of  Yost,  was  the  builder  and  owner  of  what  is  now 
known  as  Griesemer's  Mills  (burned  in  1847,  and  re- 
built the  same  year).  This  property  in  the  early  days 
was  the  homestead  of  the  Yoders  of  Oley  The  sur- 
vey   of    the    plantation    under    proprietary    warrant    to 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


621 


Hance  Yoder  was  returned  March  25,  1714.  At  that 
time  Oley  township  was  the  haunt  of  Indians,  wolves, 
bear  and  other  wild  game.  The  wives  of  the  German 
settlers  also  bore  their  part  in  the  subjugation  of  the 
wilderness.  One  day  while  at  work,  extending  their 
clearing  in  the  forest,  they  having  shut  their  children 
in  the  cabin  as  a  protection  from  the  beasts  which 
roamed  over  their  land,  they  were  suddenly  aroused 
by  the  report  of  a  rifle  in  the  direction  of  their  cabin. 
As  it  was  not  unusual  for  predatory  bands  of  blood- 
thirsty Iroquois  from  the  North  to  roam  over  the 
country  they  hastened  in  the  direction  of  the  shot 
to  see  their  cabin  surrounded  by  a  party  of  drunken 
savages,  who  having  been  refused  admittance  by  the 
terrified  children  within  retaliated  by  firing  through 
the  closed  door.  Mr.  Yoder  at  once  made  an  attack 
with  a  singletree,  and  soon  put  them  to  flighf  with 
threats  of  revenge.  Returning  with  increased  num- 
bers they  demanded  satisfaction,  but  Mr.  Yoder's,  cool- 
ness won  him  friends  among  them  who  forced  the 
others  to  desist.  Hans  (Hance)  Yoder  was  the  father 
of  four  sons:  Hans  (2);  Samuel;  Peter;  and  Daniel, 
born  in  1718,  who  died  Aug.  21,  1749,  aged  thirty-one 
years,  eight  months,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery 
at  Pleasantville. 

(II)  Hans  Yoder  (2),  son  of  the  emigrant,  married 
in  November,  1746,  in  Oley,  Sarah  Shingle  (or  Schen- 
kel  or  Shankle).  She  died  at  Reading  in  1789.  and 
was  buried  during  Whitsuntide  in  Peter  de  Turck's 
plot  at  Oley.  They  had  sons:  (1)  Daniel,  born  1748, 
died  1820,  married  1773,  Margaret  Oyster,  born  1753, 
died  1833,  and  both  are  buried  at  Pleasantville.  (2) 
Martin  was  a  lieutenant  of  the  4th  Company,  5th  Bat- 
talion, Berks  county,  May  10,  1780.  (3)  Jacob,  born  in 
Reading  Aug.  11,  1758,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution- 
ary war  in  1777  and  1778.  In  1780  he  moved  to  western 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  May,  1782,  descended  the  Monon- 
gahela,  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  from  Fort  Red 
Stone,  Brownsville,  Pa.,  in  the  first  flat-boat  (built 
by  himself)  that  ever  descended  the  Mississippi  river, 
landing  at  New  Orleans  with  a  cargo  of  flour.  He 
traded  with  Havana,  Cuba,  and  also  in  the  sugar  mar- 
ket in  Philadelphia.  He  was  a  man  of  national  reputa- 
tion at  the  time  when  Louisiana  still  belonged  to 
France.  His  grave  at  his  home  in  Kentucky  was 
marked  1834,  by  an  iron  tablet.  He  died  in  Spencer 
county,  Ky.,  April  7,  1832  (?).  (4)  Samuel,  a  Revolu- 
tionary soldier,  died  from  a  fall  off  a  horse  near  Oley 
Church. 

(III)  Daniel  Yoder,  son  of  Hans,  born  in  1748,  died 
in  1820.  In  1773  he  married  Margaret  Oyster,  who 
was  born  May  5,  1753,  and  died  Dec.  23,  1833,  and  both 
are  buried  at  Pleasantville.  He  was  a  farmer,  and 
he  made  frequent  trips  to  Philadelphia,  taking  down 
grain  and  bringing  back  merchandise.  The  early  set- 
tlers had  but  few  crops  at  first.  Finally  they  intro- 
duced apple  trees  and  Mr.  Yoder  built  a  di-stillery  and 
a  flax  oil  mill,  and  in  time,  as  the  land  became  more 
cultivated,  he  made  weekly  trips  to  Philadelphia  to 
dispose  of  his  product.  He  cut  down  trees,  cleared 
land,  and  made  many  pitfalls  for  the  wolves.  Some  of 
these  holes  or  traps  are  still  visible  in  the  pastures  and 
woods.  Daniel  Yoder  loved  the  free  life  of  the  woods, 
and  was  on  friendly  terms  with  the  Indians,  often  tak- 
ing hunting  trips  with  them.  He  was  a  very  powerful 
man  physically.  Before  1800  he  built  his  home,  which 
is  well  preserved  and  still  in  use.  He  had  nine  child- 
ren: Hannah,  born  April  17.  1775.  married  Jacob  Knabb, 
and  died  Aug.  23,  1835;  Daniel,  born  Dec.  7,  1777,  died 
Nov.  (or  Dec.)  27,  1836;  Martin,  born  Oct.  19,  1780, 
died  Jan.  10,  1837;  Catharine,  born  Oct.  12,  1783,  mar- 
ried William  William,  and  died  Aug.  30,  1882,  aged 
ninety-eight  years,  ten  months,  eight  days;  Maria, 
born  in  Bern  township  April  23,  1786,  married  Philip 
De  Turck,  and  died  Jan.  19.  1864;  John,  born  April  23 
or  23,  1788,  died  unmarried  May  3,  1868,  and  is  buried 
at  Pleasantville;  Margaret,  born  Aug.  4,  1790,  married 


Solomon    Peter;    Samuel,   born    Nov.   33,    1793;    David, 
born  Feb.  8,  1795,  is  mentioned  below. 

(IV)  Martin  Yoder,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  in  Oley 
Oct.  19,  1780,  and  died  upon  his  own  fine  farm  Jan. 
10,  1837,  aged  fifty-six  years,  two  months,  twenty-one 
days.  He  was  a  tanner  at  Pleasantville,  and  also  had 
a  store  and  hotel  on  his  farm,  employing  a  number 
of  people.  He  was  one  of  the  prosperous  men  of 
lower  Berks  county.  The  merchandise  and  general 
freight  in  the  early  history  of  the  country  were  car- 
ried in  big  Conestoga  wagons  between  Philadelphia 
and  Pittsburg,  and  the  road  between  these  two  points 
passed  by  the  homestead  of  Mr.  Yoder,  through  the 
woodland,  thus  making  his  hotel  a  popular  stopping 
place.  This  roadway  is  still  plainly  to  be  seen,  but 
no  longer  in  use.  Freque;ntly  so  many  guests  appeared 
the  same  night  that  all  the  beds  were  filled,  compelling 
the  later  comers  to  sleep  on  the  floor,  rolled  up  in 
blankets.  In  1830  he  built  the  barn,  and  in  1831  the 
house  that  now  stands  on  the  farm,  the  latter  now 
the  property  of  his  grandson,  Henry  H.  He  married 
Susanna  Peter,  born  Nov.  29,  1783,  died  March  13,  1844, 
aged  sixty  years,  three  months,  fourteen  days,  and 
they  both  are  buried  in  the  Yoder  lot  at  Friedensburg. 
Their  children  were>  (1)  David,  who  died  in  Union 
county.  Pa.,  first  married  Persoda  Yoder,  born  Dec. 
16,  1816,  died  July  23,  1844,  who  is  buried  at  Pleasant- 
ville. His  daughter  Priscilla,  born  May  7,  1838,  at 
Pleasantville,  died  there  Dec.  17,  1857.  (2)  Solomon, 
who  died  in  1905,  at  West  Point,  Nebr.,  first  married 
Mary  B.  Yoder,  born  in  Oley,  June  24,  1818,  died 
May  10,  1845,  who  is  buried  at  Pleasantville.  They 
had  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  Her  mother,  Char- 
lotte (Bertolet)  Yoder,  was  born  in  Oley,  Feb.  10,  1778, 
died  Sept.  8,  1868,  and  is  buried  at  Pleasantville  (she 
may  have  been  the  wife  of  Jacob  Yoder,  born  Jan. 
2,  1778,  who  died  Aug.  18,  1836).  (S)  Maria  (Polly) 
married  George  Kemp,  of  Lyons,  Pa.     (4)   Martin. 

(V)  Martin  Yoder,  son  of  Martin  and  Susanna,  wa's 
born  at  Pleasantville  May  34,  1819,  and  died  Feb.  7, 1888, 
aged  sixty-eight  years,  eight  months,  thirteen  days. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  implement  dealer,  and  owned  the 
farm  mentioned  above  as  the  home  of  his  parents. 
In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  for  many  years 
was  interested  in  the  schools  of  his  district,  serving 
efficiently  as  school  director.  He  was  a  candidate 
for  Congress,  but _  was  defeated  by  a  small  majority 
by  Daniel  S.  Ermentrout.  He  was  a  man  of  affairs, 
and  popular  and  influential  in  his  district.  He  married 
Catharine  Hoch,  born  June  30,  1831,  who  died  June  1, 
1879,  aged  fifty-seven  years,  eleven  months,  eleven 
days.  They  had  four  children:  Mary,  who  married 
Joseph  De  Long,  of  Topton,  Pa.  (her  children.  Rev. 
Calvin  De  Long,  his  brother  and  two  sisters,  are  the 
only  living  grandchildren  of  Martin  Yoder;  there  is 
one  great-grandchild.  Erma  De  Long  Hertzog);  £zra, 
born  Sept.  7,  1848,  who  died  Sept.  16,  1868;  Henry 
H.;  and  Susanna,  born  Oct.  24,  1860,  who  married 
Oliver  Landenslayer,  born  April  13,  1870,  of  Fleetwood, 
Pennsylvania. 

(VI)  Henry  H.  Yoder,  son  of  Martin  and  Catha- 
rine, was  born  on  his  grandfather's  farm  Jan.  5.  1850.  , 
His  early  intellectual  training  was  obtained  in  the 
common  schools,  and  later  Mr.  Yoder  attended  the 
Oley  Academy.  He  was  licensed  to  teach  in  the  public 
schools  by  Prof.  D.  B.  Brunner,  but  he  never  cared 
for  the  profession.  He  was  reared  upon  the  home 
farm  and  this  vocation  he  has,  off  and  on,  followed 
ever  since,  beginning  for  himself  in  1874.  This  was 
his  chief  occupation  until  1900.  In  connection  with 
farming  Mr.  Yoder  and  his  father  were  engaged  in 
the  implement  business,  and  this  he  has  continued,  mak- 
ing a  specialty  of  iron  and  wire  fences.  He  owns  the 
old  homestead  farm  of  236  acres  of  valuable  land,  well 
located  and  very  fertile.  It  contains  valuable  magnesia 
iron  ore,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most  desirable 


622  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

pieces  of  property  in  Oley  Valley.     On  a  board  in  the  he    sold   throughout   Berks   county,   especially   in    Bern 

front  of  the  barn  below  the  cornice  is  the  following:  township,  where  some  of  his  relatives  had  settled.     He 

Martin   Vnder  owned  the  farm  in  conjunction  with  his  brother  Johii. 

qT,coV^,    V^H»r                            .  H^  ^^^  county  commissioner  in  1846-49.     This  branch 

1  R^n  °^  *^^  family  are  all  buried  at  Yodersville,  now  Pleas- 

antville.     David  Yoder  married  Hannah  Bitler  (daugh- 

And  on  the  house  is  the   same,  only  the  year  is  1831  ter   of   Michael   Bitler   and  his   wife   Hannah   Yocum), 

instead    of    1830.      Besides    the    home    farm    he    owned  born  July  13,  1797,  died  Oct.  15,  1852.     Their  children 

eighty  acres  of  good  timberland.     Mr.   Yoder  has  the  were:    Margaret,    who    married    George    K.    Levan,    of 

old  military  bugles  which  belonged  to  his  father.     In  Maxatawny   township;    Miss    Mary   B.;    Hannah,   born 

politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  was  school  director  July  27,  1824,  who  died  Jan.  11,  1896;  and  was  buried 

of  his  township  for  three  years,  and  since  1892  has  been  at    Pleasantville;     Daniel,    born    in    April,    1827,    who 

auditor,   having  been   re-elected  in   the   spring  of  1908  lived   at   Pleasantville;    Catharine,   born   July   16,   1832, 

for  the  fifth  time.     In  1907  he  became  one  of  the  or-  who   parried    Nathan    Schaeffer,    of    Fleetwood;    and 

ganizers  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  Oley,  of  which  Sarah,  born  Aug.  5,  1840,  who  married  Abraham  Gul- 

he  is  now  a  director.     He  belongs  to  Friedens   Luth-  din. 

eran  Church,  which  for  four  years  he  served  as  deac-  (V)  Mary  B.  Yoder,  daughter  of  David,  was 
on,  and  since  1903  he  has  been  an  elder.  born  Oct.  19,  1821,  and  now  resides  on  the  homestead, 
Mr.  Yoder  resides  on  Main  street,  Friedensburg.  He  which  she  owns,  containing  ninety-four  acres.  She 
has  been  twice  married.  In  1883  he  wedded  Andora  has  rented  the  land.  Miss  Yoder  is  liberal  in  her 
Merkel,  born  Feb.  15,  1857,  daughter  of  Elias  Merkel,  support  of  all  the  churches,  but  is,  herself,  affiliated 
of  Maxatawny.  She  died  Jan.  15,  1903,  and  is  buried  with  no  particular  denomination.  She  has  been  edu- 
in  the  Yoder  lot  at  Friedensburg.  On  May  14,  1906,  cated  both  in  English  and  German.  Among  her  cher- 
he  married  (second)  Ella  L.  Hertzog,  daughter  of  Jacob  ished  .possessions  is  her  grandfather's  clock,  made  by 
E.  Bogh,  of  Frankfort,  Clinton  Co.,  Ind.,  and  widow  John  Keim  for  Daniel  Yoder  before  the  war  of  the 
of  Dr.  William  F.  Hertzog,  of  Oley  township,  by  whom  Revolution.  Miss  Yoder  is  deeply  interested  in  local 
she  had  two  children:  Marion  S.,  of  Kutztown;  and  history  and  the  history  of  her  family,  and  she  care- 
Solis  C,  of  Oley.  fully  preserves  everything  that  pertains  to  the  early 
From  1833  to  1838  there  lived  on  the  Moon  farm  days.  The  original  house  on  her  farm  was  the  log 
in  Oley,  now  owned  by  Benneville  Herbein,  Jacob  cabin  which  stood  in  the  corner  of  the  garden  in  front 
Frederic  Bogh,  or  Bock.  He  was  born  in  Schorndorf,  of  the  present  house;  this  was  the  cabin  through  which 
Wurtemberg,  Germany,  March  4,  1791.  At  the  age  of  the  Indians  shot  at  the  children.  Of  two  ancient  pear 
twenty-six,  April  17,  1817,  he  married  Barbara  Bauer,  trees  standing  on  this  farm,  which  Miss  Yoder  says 
then  aged  twenty.  He  was  a  general  in  the  army  under  must  have  been  nearly  two  hundred  vears  old,  the 
Napoleon,  and  won  seven  medals  of  honor.  While  taller  one  died  during  the  winter  of  1907-08,  but  the 
shot  nine  times  and  badljr  scarred  he  was  not  crippled,  other  is  still  alive  and  bearing  fruit, 
yet  the  open  wounds  at  times  caused  him  trouble.  He  (V)  Daniel  B.  Yoder,  son  of  David,  and  late  a 
claimed  he  was  fireproof.  When  Napoleon  was  exiled  resident  of  Oley,  was  born  near  Catawissa,  along  the 
he  refused  to  serve  the  new  rulers,  was  arrested  Susquehanna  river  in  Columbia  county,  in  April.  1827. 
and  thrown  into  prison,  but  friends  liberated  him  and  He  attended  a  school  conducted  in  a  private  house  be- 
'secretly  placed  him  on  board  an  American-bound  ship,  longing  to  Jeremiah  Lee,  a  Quaker,  and  his  first  teach- 
where  he  found  his  wife.  He  landed  in  Philadelphia  er  was  Sarah  Pierson,  who  like  the  Lees  was  a  Quaker. 
Sept.  11,  1818.  He  was  highly  educated,  and  quite  a  In  his  young  manhood  he  learned  the  millwright's 
linguist,  speaking  and  writing  seven  different  languages,  trade  from  Levi  J.  Smith.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil 
For  a  living  he  engaged  in  school  teaching,  while  in  war  in  Company  M,  5th  U.  S.  Artillery,  under  Capt. 
Berks  county  teaching ,  at  the  Spies's  church,  and  at  James  McKnight,  for  three  years  and  three  months, 
the  same  time  did  what  legal  work  he  could  get,  serving  as  a  sergeant.  For  some  years  he  followed  farm- 
writing  deeds,  mortgages,  etc.,  and  settling  disputes,  ing  in  Oley.  After  the  war  he  built  a  paper-mill  in 
He  also  did  some  surveying.  He  took  but  little  in-  Oley  township,  on  the  Manatawny  creek,  and  he  manu- 
terest  in  his  work  in  this  country,  being  despondent  factured  paper  for  a  number  of  years,  selling  out  finally 
over  the  downfall  of  his  commander.  He  was  the  to  the  Reading  Paper  Company.  He  built  the  house  at 
father  of  ten  children,  six  of  whom  lived  to  honorable  Pleasantville  where  he  lived  retired  until  his  death, 
old  age.  He  died  Nov.  11.  1R44,  and  is  buried  at  being  in  very  comfortable  circumstances.  For  three 
Weissport,  Carbon  Co.,  Pa.  His  only  descendants  now  years  he  farmed  in  Pike  township,  and  retained  the 
living  in  Berks  county  are:  Mrs.  Louisa  Hill,  wife  of  ownership  of  his  farm  there,  which  consists  of  some 
Jcnkin  Hill,  of  Reading,  and  her  three  sons,  Ralph,  ninety  acres;  he  erected  the  present  house  and  barn 
Layton  and  Harold  Hill;  and  Mrs.  Ella  L.  Yoder  and  thereon.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican,  and  served 
her_  two  sons,  Marion  S.  Hertzog,  of  Kutztown,  and  as  school  director  of  Oley  township.  Practically  his 
Solis  C.  Hertzog,  of  Oley,  and  her  granddaughter,  entire  life  was  passed  in  Oley,  as  he  was  but  a  small 
Erma  De  Long  Hertzog,  of  Kutztown.  lad  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  from  Columbia 
Among  the  Yoder  family  relics  are  zinc  dishes  made  county.  He  married  Amelia  Yoder  (daughter  of  Jesse 
and  used  before  the  days  of  china.  Some  of  the  first  Yoder,  of  Oley  township),  who  died  in  1895,  leaving 
chma  in  this  section  found  its  way  to  the  Yoders.  An  no  children,  and  is  buried  at  Hill  Church  Mr  Yoder 
old    sword    used    in    the    Revolution,    and    two    bugles  died  Oct.  11,  1908,  and  is  also  buried  at  Hill  Church 

made  in  the  old  country  and  bought  by  Martin  Yoder  

Y'hen    a   boy,   are    the    property    of    Henry    H.  Yoder.  John  Yoder.  great-grandfather  of  Absalom  S    Yoder 

Martm   Yoder   was   taught   to  use   these  bugles  by  an  of  Reading,  was  born  in  Oley  township,  Berks  county' 

escaped  slave,  and  was  the  first  man  in   Berks  county  and  there  became  an  extensive  farmer  '    He  made  his 

to   attam    that   accomplishment,   and   naturally   he   was  last  will  and  testament  Aug.  24,  1804,  and  it  was  entered 

m    great    demand     at     the     old     battalion    drills.      Old  for  probate  Nov.  7,  1807,  being  on  record  in  Will  Book 

spreads    and    quilts     four   generations    old,    are   preserved  A,  page  528.     He  left  a  large  estate    and  'was  survived 

■"  ,?^^.,  =nf  sts^  with^  rare   old  books.  by  his  wife  Anna.     Their  children  were:   David    "who 

'           " Pa., 

irho 


con- 

ried.     David   Yoder   was    a    millwright   by  "trade,    and    Gerbe°r;"  M'agdalena,  'who  "marr^'eT' Abraham  """Gerbe^r" 
made  many  blacksmith  s  bellows  and  windmills,  which     Elizabeth,    who    married    Stephen    Kurtz,    of    Mariori 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


623 


township;  Sarah,  wife  of  David  KauflEman;  Catharine; 
and   Barbara,   who   died  the   wife   of  Jacob   Vinegi. 

Jacob  Yoder,  third  son  of  John,  settled  early  in  life 
with  others  of  the  family  in  Bern  township,  and  he 
is  buried  on  his  farm  in  Centre  township,  now  owned 
by  Garean  Y.  Christ,  his  grandson.  He  married  into 
the  Rickenbach  family,  and  his  children  were:  Jacob, 
Reuben,  Elizabeth  (who  married  a, King),  Nancy  (who 
lived  with  her  brother  Reuben,  and  later  with  her 
nephew  David,  and  died  unmarried),  and  Sarah  (who 
married  Daniel  Christ). 

Reuben  Yoder,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  in  Centre 
(then  Bern)  township,  and  he  died  at  the  age  of 
seventy-eight  years.  iHe  owned  four  farms,  the  one 
on  which  he  lived  consisting  of  180  acres,  another  in 
the  same  township  of  190  acres,  a  third  in  the  same 
district  of  about  ninety  acres,  while  the  fourth  was 
located  near  Schaefferstown.  He  built  the  present 
set  of  buildings  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son 
Jacob  in  Centre  township.  He  was  a  man  of  influence, 
and  was  a  stanch  Republican  in  politics.  For  many 
years  he  held  the  office  of  school  director,  and  was 
treasurer  of  the  board.  In  those  days  teachers  were 
obliged  to  go  to  his  home  to  collect  their  pay.  He 
donated  the  land  on  which  the  German  Baptist  Church 
and  schoolhouse  stand,  and  he  is  buried  in  the  Ger- 
man Baptist  graveyard,  midway  between  Centreport 
and  Shoemakersville.  He  married  Susanna  Stepp,  and 
"their  children  were:  Ellen,  who  married  Thomas 
Egolf,  of  Bernville;  David  S.,  of  Kutztown;  James,  of 
Lititz,  Pa.;  Emma,  who  married  Harry  F.  Long,  of 
Lititz;  Israel,  Tamsen,  Harrison  and  Mabry,  all  de- 
ceased; Jacob,  of  Centre  township;  and  Absalom  S. 
The  wife  and  mother  died  in  1867,  and  Mr.  Yoder 
married  (second)  Elenora  Hiester,  and  the  only  son 
of  this  union  is  Nathaniel,  of  Centreport,  Pennsylvania. 

David  S.  YodeS,  son  of  Reuben,  was  born  in 
Centre  township,  Oct.  14,  1852.  He  was  reared  to 
farming  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty- 
four  years  of  age,  when  he  began  work  on  his  own  ac- 
count on  a  farm  in  Centre  township,  on  which  he  re- 
mained twenty-six  years.  On  his  last  place  he  lived 
eighteen  years — this  was  the  homestead  of  Johannes 
Yoder,  who  had  come  up  from  Oley  township.  Mr. 
Yoder  was  a  successful  farmer  and  a  man  of  high 
reputation  in  his  district.  He  sold  out  in  the  spring  of 
1901,  and  going  to  Kutztown  built  a  fine  brick  home 
in  1903  on  Normal  Hill,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  has  been  employed  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  since  his  removal  into  Kutztown.  He  is  a 
consistent  member  of  Grace  United  Evangelical  Church 
at  Kutztown.  Mr.  Yoder  has  been  twice  married. 
In  1874  he  was  married  to  Emma  Kline,  only 
daughter  of  John  Kline,  of  Centreport,  where  she 
died  and  is  buried.  To  this  union  was  born  one  son, 
Mabry  K.,  who  graduated  from  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School  in  1898,  and  is  now  teaching  at 
Northampton,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Yoder  married 
(second)  Feb.  3,  1883,  Ida  Spatz,  daughter  of  Dr.  John 
Spatz  of  Centreport,  though  formerly  of  Reading. 
The  only  son  of  this  union,  Clarence  H.,  is  a  student 
in   the   Keystone   State   Normal   School. 

Mabry  K.  Yoder,  son  of  David  S.,  was  born 
Sept.  16,  1874,  in  Centre  township,  Berks  county.  He 
received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  township.  Later  he  attended  select  school 
at  Centreport.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  was 
appointed  as  one  of  the  teachers  of  his  township, 
in  which  he  taught  eight  years.  During  vacation  he 
completed  a  business  course  in  the  Reading  Business 
College.  In  the  spring  of  1896  he  registered  as  a 
student  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at 
Kutztown,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in 
1898.  He  taught  six  years  in  Lehigh  county,  after 
which  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  position  as  teacher 
of  one  of  the  schools  in  the  borough  of  Northampton, 
and  to  this  position  he  has  been  elected  for  the  third 


time.  He  is  a  faithful  member  of  the  United  Evan- 
gelical  Church. 

On  July  23,  1908,  Mr.  Yoder  married  Laura  L.,  only 
daughter  of  Phaon  S.  and  Ida  (Walbert)  Heffner. 

Absalom  S.  Yoder,  son  of  Reuben,"  was"'  born 
in  Centre  township,  Berks  county,  Nov.  5,  1866.  His 
early  education  was  obtained  at  home  and  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  district.  Later  he  attended  the  select 
school  at  Centreport,  the  Millersville  State  Normal 
School,  at  Millersville,  and  the  Keystone  State  Nor- 
mal School,  at  Kutztown,,  graduating  from  the  last 
named  institution  in  the  class  of  1899.  Mr.  Yoder  be- 
gan teaching  in  the  fall  of  1885,  in  Centre  township, 
and  there  he  taught  two  terms.  In  the  spring  of 
1887  he  went  to  Lancaster  county,  and  for  four  terms 
was  engaged  in  teaching  in  Warwick  township.  He 
lived  at  Lititz,  where  his  wife  died,  and  he  returned 
to  his  native  township,  teaching  the  following  term  in 
Centre  township,  where  he  was  located  for  eight  more 
terms.  Mr.  Yoder  has  been  a  most  successful  teacher, 
and  he  has  continued  to  study  and  advance  ever  since 
his  graduation  from  Normal,  by  taking  a  special  course 
in  mathematics  and  ancient  classics  in  the  Reading 
Classical  School  under  Rev.  Dr.  J.  V.  George.  On- 
Oct.  6,  1903,  under  civil  service  rules,  Mr.  Yoder  was 
appointed  to  a  clerkship  in  the  post-office  at  Reading, 
and  he  has  since  continued  to  hold  this  position. 

Mr.  Yoder  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
denomination.  He  married  Sallie  H.  Yoder,  daugh- 
ter of  Alfred  and  Mary  (Haag)  Yoder,  of  Centre  town- 
ship, and  granddaughter  of  Fred  Yoder,  of  near  Belle- 
man's  Church.  She  died  Feb.  12,  1893,  the  mother  of 
children  as  follows:  Herma  R.,  a  graduate  of  the  Key- 
stone State  Normal  School,  class  of  1907,  and  now  a 
successful  teacher  at  Centreport;  J.  Russell,  a  graduate 
of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  class  of  1908; 
and  Daisy'  E.,  a  student  in  the  Keystone  State  Normal. 

DANIEL  S.  ESTERLY,  a  well  known  business  man 
of  Reading,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  was 
born  in  1831.  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son 
of  Joseph  Esterly.  and  grandson  of  Daniel  Esterly,  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  who  followed  that  occupation  in 
Exeter  township,  near  the  "Black  Bear  Hotel,"  where 
he  died  at  an  advanced  age. 

Joseph  Esterly  was  born  in  Exeter  township,  and 
learned  the  blacksmith  business  of  his  father.  He  fol- 
lowed that  trade  for  some  time,  later  devoting  his  time 
to  farming,  and  he  continued  at  that  occupation  until 
his  death,  aged  sixty-two  years,  well  known  and 
highly  respected  in  his  native  community.  He  married 
Lydia  Snyder,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-three 
years,  and  of  their  family,  two  children  survive:  Au- 
gustus, a  farmer  of  Exeter  township,  and  Daniel  S. 

Daniel  S.  Esterly  attended  the  schools  of  the  place 
of  his  nativity  until  fifteen  years  of  age;  and  then 
learned  the  cabinet  makers'  trade,  which  he  followed  a 
few  years  on  Penn  street,  Reading.  The  work  not 
proving  congenial,  Mr.  Esterly  engaged  with  the  Read- 
ing Railroad  in  the  car  shops,  and  remained  therein 
for  about  two  and  a  half  years,  when  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Philadelphia,  where  he  became  car  inspector. 
After  nine  and  a  half  years  in  that  position,  Mr.  Ester- 
ly returned  to  Reading  and  engaged  in  the  produce 
business  at  No.  15  North  Sixth  street,  in  1865,  and 
later  in  1868  took  his  brother  Augustus  as  a  partner. 
They  later  removed  to  the  corner  of  Seventh  and  Penn 
streets,  and  continued  business  together  at  that  stand 
until  the  spring  of  1876.  Their  business  became  so 
prosperous  that  they  had  four  private  cars  built,  the 
first  one,  a  four  wheeler,  being  built  at  a  cost  of  $400, 
and  the  second,  an  eight  wheeler,  at  a  cost  of  $350. 
In  1897  Mr.  Esterly  retired  from  the  produce  business 
and  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery  business  at  No. 
818  Penn  street,  until  1901,  when  he  retired.  He  was 
known  as  one  of  the  largest  commission  merchants  of 
Reading,  his  four  cars  running  daily  between  Philadel- 
phia and  Reading.     Mr.  Esterly  built  his  fine  home  in 


624 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1874,  at  No.  116  South  Eighth  .street,  and  there  he 
has  since  resided. 

Mr.  Esterly  married  Mary  Miller,  daughter  of_  Dan- 
iel Miller,  a  well  known  blacksmith,  and  she  died  in 
1889,  the  mother  of  these  children:  Joseph,  a  grocer 
salesman,  of  Reading,  m.  Lavina  Quimby,  and  has  two 
children,  Daniel  and  Joseph  H.;  and  Clara  A.  m. 
George  W.  Noecker  and  has  a  son  Alpheus  (m.  Caro- 
lina, daughter  of  Edward  and  Kate  (Homan)  Taenzer). 

In  politics  Mr.  Esterly  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  health.  He  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Reading  Board  of  Trade  for  many  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  has  been  a  deacon  for 
fifteen  years,  and  treasurer  of  the  Baptist  Association 
for  the  past  fifteen  years.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member 
of  Richmond  Lodge  No.  330,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Phila- 
delphia; the  Good  Fellows,  No.  32,  of  Philadelphia; 
and  also  the  Odd  Fellows. 

GEORGE  E.  HAAK  is  widely  acquainted  in  and 
known  around  Reading  as  proprietor  of  the  Sienna  Paint, 
Kaolin  &  Sand  Works,  being  particularly  well  known 
among  builders.  His  reputation  in  fraternal  societies  is 
even  more  extensive,  his  services  in  forming  and  pro- 
moting such  organizations  in  this  part  of'  Pennsylvania 
having  been  particularly  valuable. 

The  Haak  family  has  long  been  represented  among  the 
prosperous  agricultural  class  of  Berks  county.  John  Jacob 
Haak,  the  first  American  ancestor  of  George  E.,  sailed 
from  Deal,  England,  on  the  ship  "Mortonhouse,"  John 
Coulter,  master,  June  15,  1738,  and  arrived  Aug.  24th 
of  the  same  year.  In  that  same  year  he  is  noted  as  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Tulpehocken,  Berks 
county. 

John  Haak,  the  grandfather  of  George  E.,  was  a  farmer 
and  large  landowner  in  Alsace  township,  this  county.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Krause,  a  native  of  Berks  county,  and 
they  had,  a  family  of  five  children,  namely:  William, 
Isaac,  John,  Rebecca  (Mrs.  Addams)  and  Michael.  They 
were  Lutherans  in  religious  faith,  and  in  politics  John 
Haak  supported  the  Whig  party,  and  later  the  Repub- 
lican. 

Michael  Haak,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  1803  in  Berks 
county,  was  reared  to  farming,  and  continued  to  follow 
that  calling  all  his  life.  Like  his  father  he  was  a  Entheran 
in  religion  and  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  married 
Sarah  Addams,  and  to  them  were  born  the  following 
named  children :  Annie  E.  m.  William  A.  Robinson ; 
Mary  C.  m.  Thomas  Munce;  George  E.  is  mentioned 
below;   Clara  V.  m.  John  H.  Rhoads. 

George  E.  Haak  was  born  Oct.  3,  1843,  in  Leesport, 
Berks  county,  Pa.,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Alsace  township,  Lititz,  Lancaster  Co., 
Pa.,  and  Reading.  In  1874  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Francis  Keffer,  conducting  a  glass  and  queensware  busi- 
ness at  No.  520  Penn  street  and  continuing  thus  for  three 
and  a  half  years.  After  this  experience  he  engaged  in 
business  for  himself  at  No.  313  Penn  street  in  the  same 
line,  continuing  for  ten  years,  and  after  the  death  of  his 
father  he  took  charge  of  the  Haak  estate,  of  which  he 
had  been  appointed  executor  under  the  provisions  of  his 
father's  will.  This  estate  comprises  229  acres  in  East 
Reading,  which  at  that  time  was  counted  among  the 
most  valuable  land  in  Berks  county,  the  finest  deposits 
of  kaolin  and  sienna  in  the  United  States  being  located 
thereon.  It  also  contains  a  valuable  sand  deposit,  un- 
equalled anywhere  in  the  State,  the  product  of  which  has 
been  approved  and  adopted  by  the  Reading  school  board 
for  their  buildings,  in  the  construction  of  which  no  other 
sand  is  used.  Mr.  Haak  furnishes  sand  and  other  pro- 
ducts to  many  of  the  principal  builders  of  Reading.  Pie 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Schuylkill  Valley  Bank, 
and  served  as  a  director  of  that  institution  for  five  years. 
Mr.  Haak  is  a  man  of  note  in  social  organizations, 
in  which  he  has  taken  the  deepest  interest  for  a  number 
of  years.  He  has  a  nature  which  attracts  and  holds 
friendship,  as  is  evidenced  by  his  influential  standing  in 
a  number  of  fraternities.     He  is  a  past  master  of  Lodge 


No.  63,  F.  &  A.  M.;  past  high  priest  of  Excelsior  Chap- 
ter, No.  237;  past  eminent  commander  of  Reading  Com- 
mandery.  No.  42,  K  T. ;  and  a  prominent  member  of 
Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Reading,  o^  which 
he  was  the  organizer  and  first  potentate.  Mr.  Haak  was 
the  first  member  at  Reading  in  both  the  Knights  of.  the 
Golden  Eagle  and  the  Royal  Arcanum;  he  was  the  first 
captain  of  a  fully  equipped  company  in  Philadelphia  and 
first  m^jor  of  the  battalion. 

REV.  WILLIAM  F.  P.  DAVIS  was  born  in  Paradise 
•township,  York  county.  Pa.,  a  rural  district  in  the 
south-eastern  part  of  this  State,  Oct.  1,  1831,  son  of 
John  and  Isabella  Davis,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  the 
late  Rev.  Frederick  William  Vandersloot,  and  grand- 
daughter of  one  of  the  earliest  ministers  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  this  country,  of  the  same  name — a 
sister,  accordingly,  of  the  Revs.  Frederick  WilHam  and 
F.  Edward  Vandersloot,  and  aunt  of  the  late  Rev.  J. 
S.  Vandersloot,  son  of  the  Rev.  F.  Edward  and  a  cou- 
sin of  Mr.  Davis.  She  was  also  a  grand-daughter,  on 
her  mother's  side,  of  the  Rev.  Philip  Reinhold  Pauli, 
for  many  years  pastor  of  a  Reformed  Church  in  the 
city  of  Reading,  Pa. — the  father  of  the  brethren  Revs. 
Williams  and  Charles  Augustus  Pauli — her  uncles — 
who,  for  many  successive  years  exercised  their  min- 
istry in  the  city  of  Reading  and  vicinity — the  former 
as  successor  to  his  venerable  father.  Mr.  Davis  was 
accordingly  a  direct  descendant  of  both  the  Pauli  and 
the  Vandersloot  families,  so  long  and  so  prominently 
represented  in  the  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Church  of 
this  country. 

Mr.  Davis  was  baptized,  in  infancy,  by  his  maternal 
uncle,  the  Rev.  F.  Edward  Vandersloot,  and  subse- 
qviently  catechised  and  confirmed  by  the  Rev.  Daniel 
Ziegler,  D.  D.,  and  received  as  a  communicant  member 
of  the  Straeher's  church,  in  York  county.  Pa.  In 
early  life  already  he  felt  himself  powerfully  drawn 
towards  the  work  of  the  holy  ministry,  so  largely 
represented  by  his  ancestors,  but  was  prevented  from 
entering  the  sacred  office  for  want  of  means  to  prose- 
cute the  studies  necessary  to  qualify  him  for  the  work. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  a  saddler  and  spent  a  number 
of  years  in  this  occupation.  In  this  way  he  sought 
to  acquire  the  means  necessary  for  the  prosecution  of 
his  literary  and  theological  studies.  He  commenced 
his  preparatory  course  in  the  excellent  high  school 
or  academy  kept  for  many  years  and  successfully  pre- 
sided over  by  the  late  Prof.  Geo.  W.  Ruby,  Ph.  D., 
in  York,  Pa.  Subsequently  he  entered  Franklin  and 
Marshall  College,  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  where  he  graduated 
in  1861,  after  which  he  entered  the  Theological  Semin- 
ary of  the  Reformed  Church,  then  located  at  Mercers- 
burg,  Pa.,  and  completed  his  studies  in  the  same  in 
1863.  During  his  student  life,  he  was  in  the  habit  of 
working  with  the  farmers,  in  the  vicinity  of  Lan- 
caster, many  of  whom  still  remember  him  and  speak 
of  him  with  respect  as  an  industrious  and  skillful 
laborer.  His  excellent  character  and  conduct  made  a 
very  favorable  impression  on  the  minds  of  these  sim- 
ple-hearted and'  unsophisticated  tillers  of  the  soiL 
They  saw  that  a  student,  devoted  to  science  and  litera- 
ture, possessed  at  the  same  time  both  the  requisite  will 
and   capacity  to   engage  in  useful  manual  labor. 

In  the  spring  of  1863  Mr.  Davis  was  licensed  by 
the  Zion's  Classis,  and  during  the  same  year  ordained 
and  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Abbottstown  or  New 
Oxford  charge,  in  Adams  county,  Pa.  This  first 
charge  he  served  faithfully  and  with  success  for  a 
period  of  about  nine  years.  After  the  death  of  his 
relative,  the  Rev.  Charles  Augustus  Pauli,  in  the  fall 
of  1871,  Mr.  Davis  became  his  successor  in  the  Sink- 
ing Spring  charge,  in  Berks  county.  Pa.,  then  com- 
posed of  five  congregations,  namely,  Sinking  Spring. 
Hain's,  Yocom's,  Kissinger's  and  St.  John's  at  Ham- 
burg. Several  of  these  congregations  he  subsequently 
resigned  and  had  the  charge  reconstructed,  so  that 
latterly  it  consisted  of  four  congregations.     He  served 


;=%. 


cijCJU-n±_ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


635 


his  people  faithfully,  and,  as  a  consequence,  was  high- 
ly respected  and  loved  by  them.  In  several  of  the 
congregations  he  was  particularly  successful  in  gath- 
ering in  members,  and  thus  adding  to  the  numerical 
strength  of  the  charge.  His  preaching  was  of  a  high 
order — practical  and  popular.  He  preached  the  Gospel 
in  its  purity,  excellence  and  saving  power;  and  his 
efforts  were  crowned  with  signal  success.  He  officiated 
in  both  the  English  and  German  languages,  using  them 
with  equal  facility,  accuracy  and  effect.  Taken  alto- 
gether, Mr.  Davis  was  one  of  our  best  and  most  suc- 
cessful pastors,  sincerely  devoted  to  the  spiritual  wel- 
fare of  his  numerous  parishioners,  and  well  deserving 
of  their  grateful  remembrance. 

Mr.  Davis  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  E.  Myers,  of 
York,  Pa.,  Oct.  22,  1863.  They  had  ten  children,  seven 
of  whom — five  sons  and  two  daughters— survive  their 
sainted  father.  Three  of  the  children  preceded  him 
to  the  eternal  world. 

Mr.  Davis  was  a  heavy-built  man,  of  robust  consti- 
tution and  general  good  health.  He  was,  however, 
predisposed  to  apoplexy.  As  far  back  as  the  12th  of 
March,  1881,  he  had  an  attack  of  this  kind,  from  which, 
however,  he  soon  recovered  sufficiently  to  enable  him 
to  attend  to  the  duties  of  his  calling.  On  the  21st  of 
February,  188S',  he  had  a  second  attack,  from  which  he 
never  fully  recovered.  Still,  although  partially  disabled, 
he  continued  to  attend  to  his  pastoral  duties,  but  not 
without  considerable  effort  and  inconvenience.  At 
length  he  was  so  much  debilitated  that  he  could  scarce- 
ly conduct  the  services  of  the  sanctuary.  A  few  weeks 
prior  to  his  decease,  he  told  his  congregations  that 
he  needed  at  least  three  months'  rest,  and,  as  advised 
by  his  physicians,  entire  freedom  from  clerical  duties. 
By  that  time  he  hoped  to  be  able  to  see  whether  he 
could  further  serve  his  congregations  or  not.  He  was 
advised  to  take  a  voyage  to  Europe,  and,  on  the  day 
preceding  his  death  he  completed  his  arrangements  for 
the  proposed  trip.  Shortly  before  midnight,  on  the 
10th  of  June,  he  had  a  third  attack  of  the  fatal  disease. 
He  lay  in  an  unconscious  state  until  the  next  morning, 
Monday,  June  11,  1883.  when  between  five  and  six 
o'clock,  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  at  Reading,  Pa., 
Brother  Davis  gently  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  aged  51  years, 
8  months  and  10  days.  His  funeral  took  place  on 
Thursday  following,  at  one  o'clock  p.  m.  The  services 
were  held  in  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Church,  at  Reading, 
of  which  the  family  were  members.  A  large  number 
of  the  members  of  the  several  churches  which  Brother 
Davis  served  were  present  to  testify  their  love  and 
attachment  to  their  esteemed  pastor.  Some  forty  or 
fifty  ministers  of  different  denominations  were  also 
present  at  these  solemnities,  many  of  whom  took  part 
in  the  same.  The  services  at  the  house  were  conducted 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  McCauley.  The  assembled  multitude 
then  went  to  St.  Paul's  Church.  Dr.  Miller,  of  York, 
Pa.,  read  the  Scripture  lesson  and  offered  a  prayer  in 
English.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kremer 
in  a  German  prayer.  Rev.  A.  S.  Leinbach  preached 
a  German  discourse  from  Rev,  2:  10:  "Be  thou  faith- 
ful unto  death,  etc."  Rev.  Dr.  Bausman  preached  an 
English  sermon  from  2.  Tim.  4:  5-8.  The  Rev.  L.  K. 
Evans  conducted  the  services  at  the  grave.  The  breth- 
ren. Revs.  H.  Mosser,  D.  B.  Albright,  T.  C.  Leinbach, 
A.  J.  Bachman,  John  H.  Leinbach,  and  L.  D.  Steckel, 
acted  as  pall-bearers. 

Beautiful  and  affecting  was  the  presence  of  so  large 
a  number  of  the  members  of  the  pastoral  charge  of 
Brother  Davis  to  testify  their  extreme  sorrow,  and 
bear  testimony  to  the  zeal  and  fidelity  of  their  beloved 
pastor.  Beautiful  and  appropriate,  also,  was  it  that  so 
large  a  number  of  his  clerical  brethren  should  be  pres- 
ent and  participate  in  the  solemnities  attending  the 
final  disposal  of  his  mortal  remains.  It  was,  at  the 
same  time,,  hard  to  see  the  stricken^  wife  and  mother 
with  her  seven  sorrowing  children  sitting  beside  the 
open  coffin  of  a  beloved  husband  and  a  kind  father, 
of  whom  they  had  been  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  de- 
40 


prived.  Here  was  room  for  the  consoling  promises  of 
Him  who  is  the  "Father  of  the  fatherless,"  and  a 
"judge  of  the  widow."  Well  is  it  for  us  all  to  remem- 
ber under  such  circumstances  what  is  written:  "Blessed 
are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord,  from  henceforth: 
Yea,  saith  the  Spirit — that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

JAMES  C.  BENADE,  who  for  a  number  of  years 
was  well  known  to  the  citizens  of  Reading,  Pa.,  as  an 
artist,  was  born  in  Lititz,  son  of  Bishop  Andrew  and 
Maria  (Henry)  Benade,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Judge 
Henry  of   Lancaster. 

Bishop  Andrew  Benade  was  of  the  Moravian  denomi- 
nation, and  was  a  very  prominent  man  in  his  day.  His 
death  occurred  in  1859,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years, 
his  wife  having  passed  away  several  years  prior  to 
this.  They  were  the  parents  of:  William,  deceased, 
who  was  bishop  at  Philadelphia;  Charles,  an  inventor; 
James  C.  Bishop  Benade  had  two  daughters,  Lucia 
and  Mary,  by  a  former  marriage. 

James  C.  Benade  was  taken  to  Salem,  N.  C,  when  a 
child,  but  when  ten  years  of  age  was  brought  back  to 
Lititz  by  his  parents,  and  received  his  education  at 
Nazareth  Hall,  Nazareth,  Pa.  Even  at  this  early  age 
he  showed  remarkable  talent,  and  when  a  youth  took 
up  oil  and  water  color  painting,  becoming  a  noted 
artist.  He  settled  in  Reading  in  1837.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  1853,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two  years,  and  he 
was  interred  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery.  In  1845 
he  married  Miss  Sarah  Moers,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Henrietta  (Nagle)  Moers.  To  this  union  there  were 
born  children  as  follows:  James  A.,  deceased;  Patrick 
H.,  of  Jefferson  county.  Pa.;  Esther  H.,  who  conducts 
a  private  preparatory  school,  and  Sarah  M.,  both  of 
Reading.  In  religious  belief  Mr.  Benade  was  a  Mo- 
ravian. 

DANIEL  G.  LEINBACH,  an  aged  citizen  of  Read- 
ing now  living  retired  at  No.  639  Pine  street,  was  born 
in  Exeter  township,  Berks  county,  Dec.  13,  1829,  son  of 
P'rederick  and  Maria  (Guldin)   Leinbach. 

Frederick  Leinbach,  father  of  Daniel  G.,  was  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  but  owned  a  farm  riear  Leesport  and 
gave  a  considerable  part  of  his  time  to  managing  that 
property.  Later  in  life  his  farming  interests  were 
in  Exeter  township.  He  died  at  that  second  home- 
stead aged  fifty-seven  years,  leaving'  a  widow  and 
children.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Maria 
Guldin,  lived  to  the  age  of  sixty.  Only  five  of  their 
family  still  survive,  namely:  Daniel  and  Albei't,  re- 
tired; Mahlon;  Jonathan  G. ;  and  Mary,  widow  of  James 
Levan,  a  resident  of  Reading. 

Daniel  G.  Leinbach  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  township  and  between  the  terms 
worked  at  farming.  When  he  reached  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen he  turned  his  attention  toward  blacksmith  work 
and  under  the  instruction  of  his  father  became  an 
adept  at  that  trade,  following  it  for  six  years.  He 
then  learned  boiler  making  and  after  mastering  that 
trade,  secured  a  position  in  the  works  of  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  Railway  Company.  The  fact  that 
he  remained  there  for  thirty-one  years,  sufficiently  at- 
tests his  efficiency  as  a  worker.  On  Oct.  13,  1887,  he 
retired  from  their  employ,  and  for  the  next  eleven 
years  was  employed  by  his  brother  J.  G.  Leinbach  in 
the  latter's  mill.  Since  1900,  he  has  given  up  all  active 
work,  owing  to  advancing  years  and  now  lives  retired 
at  his  home  on  Pine  street.  Mr.  Leinbach  has  accumu- 
lated a  comfortable  property  and  owns  considerable 
real  estate,  being  the  possessor  of  two  houses  in  the 
First  ward,  two  in  the  Second  and  one  each  in  the 
Tenth  and  Sixteenth  wards.  ' 

On  Oct.  14,  1849,  Mr.  Leinbach  married  Catherine, 
daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Heckler)  Levan,  and 
the  following  children  have  been  born  to  them: 
Mary,  m.  to  Frank  Mallon;  Ellen,  m.  to  Charles 
Evans;      Martha,     m.      to      Samuel      Rolland;      Anna 


636  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

E.,  unmarried,  who  is  her  father's  housekeeper.     Mrs.  izations,    many    friends,    and    attached   fellow    citizens, 

Leinbach  died  Nov.  4,  1S94,  aged  sixty-eight  years  and  to  mourn  his  loss.    He  belonged  to  the  First  Reformed 

nine   months,   and   was   interred   in   Aulenbach's   ceme-  Church,   having   united   with   the   society   in    1883.      In 

tery.    Mr.  Leinbach  belongs  to  several  fraternal  orders,  politics    he   was   a    Republican,   and   a   faithful   worker 

being  a  member  of  Mt.  Penn  Lodge,  I.   O.   O.   F.;   of  in  the   ranks   of  that   party.     He   was   always    a   loyal 

Freedom  Circle,  Brotherhood  of  the  Union;  and  of  the  citizen,    uphcilding    American    institutions.       His    fra- 

Rebekah  Lodge,  L  O.  O.  F.     Religiously  he  is  a  mem-  ternal  connections  were  with  the  Masons,  he  being  a 

ber  of  the  German  Reformed   Church  of  Reading.     In  member  of  Chandler   Lodge,   No.   227,   F.   &  A.   M.,  of 

his    earlier   days,    during   the   war,    Mr.    Leinbach    saw  Reading, 
some   military  service,   enlisting     in     1863     for     three 

months.     His  has  been  an  industrious  useful  life,  and  A.   W.    FISHER,   a   prominent   wholesale   wine_  and 

he   has   well    earned    the    freedom   from    care'   he   now  liquor  dealer,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  whose  place  of  business 

enjoys    and   the    respect    of   the    community   which    is  is  situated  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  Penn   streets, 

so  freely  accorded  him.  was  born  in  West  Reading,  Spring  township.  May  27, 

1851,  son   of  William   L.   and   Mary   (Weitzel)    Fisher, 

WILLIAM   M.    FULTON,    deceased,   was    identified  and  a  grandson  of  John  and  Barbara   (Lichty)   Fisher, 

with  the  building  interests   of  Reading,  Pa.,  for  rnany  John   Fisher  was  born  in  Windsor  township,   Berks 

years.     He  was  a  descendant  of  a  family  whose  rtiern-  county,   in    1800,   and   lived   near    Monterey,   where   he 

bers    were    men    of    influence,    highly    respected    and  was    engaged   in    the   building   and   furniture    business, 

valuable   citizens.  and  where  all  his  children  were  born.    He  also  had  stone 

His     great-grandfather,    Samuel     Fulton,    a    captain  quarries  and  a  lime  kiln  on  the  Allentown  road  east  of 

in    the    Revolutionary   war    for    six    years,    was    in    the  Monterey  church.     It  is  thought  that  he  built  the  old 

battles    of    Long    Island    and    Brandywine,    in    one    of  stone  church  and  school  house  at  Monterey.     In  1842 

these   battles    receiving   a   body   wound,   but   he    stood  he  gave  up  the  building  business  and  moved  to  .Oley 

with    his    men    nevertheless.      He    was    in    the    battle  township.     About  a  year  later  a  freshet  in   Monocacy 

of  Staten  Island,  and  marched  from  thence  to  White  Creek  carried  away  fences   and  washed  out  the   grain 

Plains.     He  was  in  the  Indian  wars,  and  in  the  battle  fields,   and   he   moved  to   Cumru   township,   and   about 

of  Shamokin  was  wounded  in  the  knee.     He   captured  1846-47    he    located    on    the    farm    at    the    junction    of 

large  quantities  of  furs  and  booty  from  the  British  and  Wyomissing  creek  and  the   Schuylkill   river,   where   he 

Indians.  died  in  1849.     In  1821  he  married  Barbara  Lichty,  and 

Samuel    Fulton,    grandfather    of    William    M.,    was    a  they  had  the  following  children:      Charles;  Hettie,  m.  to 

color   bearer   in   the   war   of   1812.      He   married   Jenny  Joseph  Markley;  Gideon;  William  L.,  the  father  of  A. 

McClain,    daughter    of    Andrew    McClain,    who    was    a  W.;    John;    Daniel    L.,    of    Philadelphia,    Pa.;    Sarah; 

son   of   Lord  Steel  McClain,   a   Scotchman.     He   came  Amelia,  m.  to  Frank  Adams,  of  Reading  (they  have  a 

over  from  Scotland  with  Lord  Baltimore.    He,  too,  was  daughter,  Miss  Mary,  a  supervisor  of  schools  in  Read- 

a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  for  his   great  ing,   since   1906) ;   and  one   child   who   died   in   infancy, 

bravery  at  the  battle,  or  the  storming  of.  Stony  Point,  The    family   were    members    of   the    Lutheran    Church. 

forty  miles  above  New  York,  on  the  Hudson  river,  was  Mr.  Fisher  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.     His  first  wife 

awarded  by   Congress   a  gold  medal.     He   ordered  the  died   while   yet   a   young  woman,   and   he   m.    (second) 

medal  given  to  his  namesake,  Andrew  McClain  Fulton,  Polly  Leader,  by  whom  one   son,   Glancey,  was  born, 

at  his  death.  John   Fisher   had   two  brothers   and   a   sister:    George; 

Andrew  McClain  Fulton,  father  of  William  M.,  was  a  Solomon;    and    Mary,    who    married    Philip    Ziegler,    a 

native   of   Ohio,   where   he   was   liberally   educated   and  farmer    near    Rothrocksville,    in    Lehigh    county,    near 

became  an  attorney-at-law.  In  1873  he  moved  to  Read-  the    Berks   county   line,    and   had   thirteen    children,    of 

ing    and    practiced    his    profession    until    incapacitated  whom    five,    all    over    seventy   years    of    age,    are    still 

by  failing  health.     He  retired  from  professional  work  living — Daniel   (aged   ninety-seven  years),  William   (of 

and  engaged  in  farming  in  Curaru  township,  removing  Allentown),    David    (on    the    homestead),    Mary    (aged 

later  to  Muhlenberg  township,  where  he  died  in   1902,  seventy-six    years,    widow    of    Joseph    Miller,    of    near 

aged    eighty   years.      His    first   wife,    Hattie    (Wasson)  Topton)     and    Gideon    (of    Allentown).      The    maiden 

Fulton,    died   in    1863,    leaving   two    children,    William  name    of    Mr.    Fisher's    mother    was    Hauer,    and    her 

M.  and  Jennie,  the  latter  of  whom  is  principal  of  the  brother,  the  late  George  Hauer,  was  a  prominent  mer- 

Lewistown,  Mont.,  central  school.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fulton  chant  in  Windsor  township. 

were  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.     An-  William    L.   Fisher,   son    of   John,   was   born   in   Berks 

drew   McC.    Fulton   married    (second)    Mary  Schwartz,  county  and   was   educated   in   the   public   schools.     He 

daughter  of  Hon.  John  Schwartz,  M.  C.     Four  children  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  and  this  he  followed 

were  born  to  this  union,  namely:  Elizabeth;  John  S.,  of  in   connection  with  trucking,   owning  a  small   tract  of 

New   York;    Margaret,    who    married    Horad    Wolleth;  land  near   the    Cacoosing,   where   he   also   conducted   a 

and  Elmer  O.,   of   Muhlenberg  township,   Berks   Co.,   Pa.  country  hotel.     It  is  said  that  none  of  this  family  used 

The  father  was  a  Republican  in  his  political  belief.  malt  or  spirituous  liquors.     Mr.    Fisher  conducted  his 

Williarn  M.  Fulton  was  born  Nov.  3,  1858,  in  Ash-  hotel  for  several  years,  but  later  sold  out  and  removed 
land,  Ohio,  and  was  educated  in  the  schools  there,  to  Reading,  where  he  opened  a  cafe  on  the  site  of 
completing  his  training  at  a  commercial  college  in  Read-  the  present  Schuylkill  Valley  Bank.  This  was  in 
ing,  after  his  father  settled  there.  He  then  accepted  a  1876  and  he  remained  in  business  with  his  son,  A.  W., 
position  as  clerk  in  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  freight  until  his  death,  in  1882,  aged  fifty-five  years.  He  was 
depot,  where  he  worked  for  five  years  and  then  took  considered  a  very  good  citizen.  Mr.  Fisher  was  a 
up  general  contracting.  This  business  he  followed  for  very  powerfully  built  man,  his  weight  being  265  pounds, 
the  rest  of  his  life,  accumulating  a  large  amount  of  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
property.  He  owned  a  quarry  at  the  west  end  of  the  four  sons  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  A.  W.  being  the 
Penn  street  bridge.  only  son  to  survive.  The  daughters  were:  Emma,  de- 
Mr.  Fulton  was  married  in  1883,  to  Catharine  R.  ceased,  m.  to  Ephraim  Miller;  and  Agnes,  m.  to  jere- 
Kline,  a  daughter  of  Simon  and  Catharine  (Noll)  Kline,  miah  Eppling.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Fisher 
and  to  this  marriage  two  children  were  born,  namely:  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  was 
S.  McClain,  who  died  aged  five  months  and  eighteen  a  Democrat  up  to  the  time  of  Abraham  Lincoln's  cam- 
days;  and  Jennie  M.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  class  of  paign,  when  he  cast  his  lot  with  the  Republican 
1907,  girls'  high  school,  Reading,  and  she  is  now  a  party.  Mrs.  Fisher  died  in  1874,  aged  fiftV-three 
student  at  the  Teachers  College,  New  York  City.  years. 

The   death  of  Mr.   Fulton   took  place  July   10,   1899,  A.  W.  Fisher  was  educated  in  the   common  schools 

He  left  a  devoted  family,  members  of  various   organ-  of  West  Reading,  and  until  1876  worked  upon  a  farm 


BIOGRAPHICAL  627 

■when,  with  his  father,  he  came  to  Reading  and  en-  certain  that,  he  was  a  man  of  intelligence  and  stand- 
gaged  in  the  cafe  business.  Like  his  father,  Mr.  Fisher  ing.  His  will,  made  April  26,  1782,  was  probated 
is  a  very  large  man.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  June  4,  1784,  the  year  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
his  weight  was  263  pounds,  and  today  his  average  at  a  ripe  old  age.  He  was  buried  at  Sinking  Spring, 
weight  is  340  pounds.  He  enjoys  the  very  best  of  health,-  in  the  Baptist  burial-ground  back  of  the  old  eight- 
and  is  as  supple  and  active  as  many  a  man  of  half  cornered  school-house  still  standing.  He  reared  -a 
his  weight.  Since  1895  Mr.  Fisher  has  devoted  his  large,  family  of  sturdv  sons  and  daughters,  allof  whom 
time  solely  to  the  wholesale  business,  and  built  his  became  useful  men  and  women.  Thirteen  children  are 
present  place  of  business  in  1901,  the  structure  being  mentioned  in  his  will  as  heirs,  and  the  sons  Francis 
three  stories  high,  and  20x98  feet  in  dimensions.  He  and  George  were  executors  of  the  will.  In  February, 
also  owns  the  store  property  at  No.  114  Penn  street,  1782,  Frantz  Kriick  sold  some  of  his  land  to  his  son 
and  handles  a  choice  line  of  domestic  and  imported  Frantz  (Francis),  who  gave  his  father  bonds  of  £50 
liquors,  having  the  reputation  of  conducting  one  of  denomination  each,  and  the  will  specified  the  dates 
the  best  kept  places  in  the  city  of  Reading.  He  com-  upon  which  these  bonds  were  to  be  redeemed.  We 
mands  the  best  trade  in  Reading  and  the  surrounding  have  the  following  record  of  the  fainily:  (1)  John, 
country.  Although  giving  his  business  the  closest  at-  born  in  Germany,  came  to  America  with  his  parents, 
tention,  Mr.  Fisher  finds  time  for  recreation,  being  In  1759  he  paid  £3  tax  in  Cumru  township.  His 
very  fond  of  fishing,  and  many  of  the  finny  tribe  have  name  appears  in  the  roster  of  Capt.  Jacob  Myers'  Corn- 
yielded  to  his  rod  and  line.  Mr.  Fisher  spends  his  pany,  6th  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  1782.  This  corn- 
vacations  at  Anglesea,  New  Jersey.  pany  had  organized  and  was  ready  to  respond  to  the 

Mr.    Fisher   has   been    twice    married,    his    first    wife  call,  but  there  was  no  actual  service  performed.     John 

being  Miss   Emma  Quinter,  who  died  in   1895,  leaving  was   married  but   had   no   children.     He   was   a  black- 

these  children:     William,  deceased;   George  L.;  Adam  smith  by  trade.     He  died  in  1800.     (2)  Jacob  also  came 

S.;    Edgar    R.;    and    Helen    M.    Mr.    Fisher's    second  to   America  with   his   parents.       His     name     appears 

marriage   occurred   in   1897,   to   Agnes   Focht,   daughter  among  the'  single  men  in  the  tax  list  of  1759.     He  was, 

of   Solomon    Focht.      Politically    Mr.    Fisher   is    a    Re-  however,   married,   as   would   appear   from   the   baptis- 

publican.     He   is   a   member   of   Chandler   Lodge,    No.  mal   records   of   Hain's   Church.     He    had   the   follow- 

227,   F.    &  A.   M.,   Knights   of   the   Golden   Eagle,   and  ing    children:    John    Jacob,    Maria    and    John    George, 

the   I.   O.   R.   M.,   being  also  a  member   of  the   Maen-  He    saw    active    service    in    the    Revolutionary   war    in 

nerchor  and  the  Reading  Fishing  Club.  Capt.  Reehm's  Company  of  the  1st  Regiment  of  Berks, 

County   Militia   in   an   expedition   to    Newtown,    Bucks 

KRICK.     The  Krick  family  is  one  of  the  most  num-  county.     (3)   Francis  is  mentioned  below.      (4)   George 

erous  and  prosperous  in  the  Schuylkill  section  of  Berks  (known   as   "Blind    George"),   born    May   8,    1738,    died 

county.      The    name   has    been    a    familiar   one    in    that  Sept.  9,  1825.     He  m.  Margarita  Seitzinger  and  was  the 

locality   for   a   hundred   and   fifty   years,   associated   in-  father    of    a    large    family,    Solomon,    William,    John, 

variably  with  good  citizenship,  thrift  and  integrity,  its  George.    Isaac,    Philip,    Samuel,    and    eight    daughters, 

members   in    every   generation    having  been   jealous    of  He   was    a   taxpayer   in   Heidelberg   township    in    1759. 

their   good   repute    and   mindful   of   the   honorable   tra-  A  few  years  later  he  moved  back  to  Cumru,  now  Spring 

ditions  of  their   ancestors.     All   of  the  land  purchased  township,  and  purchased  a  farm  between  Sinking  Spring 

by  Frantz  Kruck  (as  the  name  was  originally  spelled),  and  Reading,  where  he  conducted  a  hotel  for  a  number 

the   founder   of   the   family  in   America,   is   still   owned  of  years.     He  is  buried  at  Sinking  Spring.      (5)   Adam 

by   his    descendants.      His   posterity   is    especially   well  (there   is   no   record   of  him).      (6)    Philip   was   captain 

known    in    Cumru,    Spring,    Heidelberg,    Windsor    and  of    the   8th    Company,    Berks    County   Militia,    Aug.    5, 

Tulpehocken    townships,    Berks   county.     Some   of   his  1777,  to  Jan.  5,  1778.     This  company  joined  the  army 

descendants    have    also    located    in    Lancaster.    Union  after   the   battle   of   Brandywine   and   took   part   in   the 

and   Mifflin   counties.  battle  of  Germantown.     No  doubt  he  spent  the  winter 

Frantz  Kruck  was  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  the  at    Valley    Forge.      We    have    no    record    of    his    family 

Rhein  Pfalz  in  October,   1702.     Having  one  night  in  a  (7)  Peter,  the  youngest  son  of  Frantz  Kriick,  was  born 

mischievous  mood  upset  a  sentinel  (schilder)  house  he  June  27,  1756,  and  died  July  31,  1829.     He  was  a  soldier 

was  found  out,  and  in  order  to  escape  the  punishment  in  the   Revolution   in  the   8th   Company,   6th   Battalion, 

came    to    America,    arriving   at    Philadelphia,    Sept.    11,  and   saw   active    service.     He   was   known   as    "School 

1731,  on  the  good  ship  "Pennsylvania  Merchant."     Set-  Teacher"  Peter  and  taught  school  near  Sinking  Spring, 

tling    in    the    Cacoosing    valley,    along    the    Cacoosing  and  was   also   teacher   and  "Forsinger"   at   the   Muddy 

creek,   in   what  is   now   Berks   county.   Pa.,   he   became  Creek   Church.     He   m.   Catharine   Rader,   and  was   the 

the    owner    of   considerable    land,    originally   owning   a  father  of  a  large  family,  as  follows:  Rachael  m.  Henry 

tract  of   350   acres,   in   five   parts,   and  later  increasing  Young;    Elizabeth    m.    John    Salladay;    Katharine    m. 

his  holdings  to  750  acres.     His  property  was  in  Cumru  Philip  Getz;  John  m.  a  Hornberger;  Lelia  m.  Frederic 

(now   Spring)    township,   and   comprised   what   is   now  Auman;    Susanna   m.   Jacob    Buchart;    Mary   m.    Rudy 

the   finest   and   most  valuable   agricultural   land   in   the  Miller;     Adam     m.     Catharine     Fisher,     and     lived     at 

county.     He   devoted   the   rest   of   his   life   to   the   im-  Reading;  Barbara  m.  Daniel  NefT;  Magdalena  m.  John 

provement  of   his  holdings,   and  his   descendants  have  Luft;   Christianna  m.  a   Rupp ;   Jonas  moved  to   Holli- 

followed   in   his   footsteps   to   such   an   extent   that   his  daysburg;  William   moved  to   Hamburg;   Peter   moved 

property    is    still    in    their    possession,    and    in    some  to  Lancaster;  John  Jacob.     (8)   Margareth  m.  Michael 

cases    has    been    farmed    by    the    sixth    generation.      A  Seitzinger.      (9)    Elizabeth    m.    Philip    Worheim.      (10) 

part    of   the    original    land    secured   by    him   from   the  Maria    m.   John    Philip    Spohn.      (11)    Catharine,   born 

Penns  in  1737  is  now  owned  by  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Krick,  Oct.  "14.  1749,  m.   Jacob   Ruth.     (12)    Eva.      (13)'  Mag- 

a  descendant  of  the  sixth  generation.     When  the  city  dalena  m.  George  Hain. 

of  Reading  was  laid  out,  in  1749,  Francis  Creek  (as  Frantz  (or  Francis)  Krick,  third  son  of  the  original 
the  name  was  Anglicized  when  he  secured  land  from  settler,  was  born  Nov.  6,  1736,  in  Cumru  (now  Spring) 
the  Penns)  became  the  owner  of  lots  Nos.  490  and  township,  and  died  April  20,  1814,  aged  seventy-seven 
491.  In  1759  he  paid  £19  taxes  in  Cumru  town-  years,  five  months,  fourteen  days.  He  was  a  shoe- 
ship,  an  amount  equal  to  $50.54,  a  Pennsylvania  pound  maker  by  trade.  In  1759  he  paid  £3  tax  in  Cumru.  He 
being  valued  at  $2.66.  He  was  an  industrious  and  was  a  private  in  Capt.  Charles  Gobin's  Company,  in 
well-to-do  man,  and  the  records  of  his  extensive  land  1780,  during  the  Revolution,  serving  from  Aug.  ioth 
transactions  and  dealings  with  the  early  settlers  are  to  Sept.  9th  of  that  year,  and  saw  actual  service  in 
proof  that  he  was  well  educated,  old  papers  that  he  the  war.  In  1757  he  married  Maria  Spohn,  who  died 
signed  being  written  in  a  good  German  hand.  There  in  1785,  and  his  second  marriage  was  to  Catherine 
is  a  family  tradition  that  he  was  of  royal  blood,  and  it  is  Schlegel,   widow    of    Frantz    Gehrling.     She    was   born 


628 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


March  1,  1736,  was  first  married  in  1754,  and  died 
March  1,  1830,  aged  ninety-four  years.  No  children 
were  born  to  this  second  marriage.  The  names  of  his 
children  appear  in  his  will,  and  the  dates  of  birth  are 
given  in  the  family  Bible:  Catharine,  born  Dec.  20, 
1758,  m.  William  Brown;  Jacob,  born  Aug.  27,  1760, 
moved  to  near  Richmond,  Va.;  Maria,  born  July  30, 
1762,  m.  a  Mr.  Brown;  John  Adam  was  born  March 
4.  1765  (he  had  a  daughter  Catharine,  who  married 
Henry  Snider  and  had  a  son,  George) ;  John  was  born 
April  11,  1767;  Philip,  born  Oct.  4,  1769,  moved  to 
Wooster,  Ohio;  George,  born  Sept.  8,  1771,  m.  Cath- 
arine Wagner;  Crete  or  Margaret  (known  by  both 
names),  born  Aug.  29,  1773,  m.  William  Fisher;  Francis, 
born  Feb.  8,  1776,  m.  Hannah  Gehrling;  Peter,  born 
Feb.  28,  1779,  m.  Elizabeth  Hill.  The  son  Francis, 
the  third  of  that  name,  was  the  sole  executor  of 
his  father's  large  estate.  The  will  was  witnessed  by 
John  Spyker  and  Jacob  Lambert,  and  was  probated 
June  8,  1814.  Francis  (3)  disposed  of-  his  farm  to 
Francis  (3)  in  the  same  way  that  Francis  (1)  had  sold 
it  to  Francis  (2),  by  bonds. 

Francis  Krick,  son  of  Frantz  and  Maria  (Spohn) 
Krick,  was  born  Feb.  8,  1776,  at  the  homestead,  and 
died  May  19,  1863',  aged  eighty-seven  years,  three 
months,  eleven  days.  He  was  a  farmer  in  very  com- 
fortable circumstances,  owning  about  four  hundred 
acres  of  valuable  land.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812-15.  He  married  Hannah  Gehrling,  born  June  4, 
1774,  died  Feb.  3,  1842.  They  had  a  large  family, 
two  sons  and  seven  daughters,  and  we  have  record 
of  the  following:  Jacob  is  mentioned  below;  Katie, 
born  May  7,  1801,  died  in  infancy;  Daniel  is  mentioned 
below;  Elizabeth,  born  April  11,  1806,  m.  Daniel  Bross- 
man;  Sarah,  born  June  1,  1808,  m.  Israel  Grimes;  Han- 
nah, born  May  9,  1810,  m.  Adam  Bohn;  Maria  (Polly), 
born  July  20,  1813,  m.  Abraham  Briel ;  Esther,  born 
Nov.  22,  1815, 

Jacob  Krick,  son  of  Francis  and  Hannah  (Gehrling) 
Krick,  born  in  1798,  at  the  homestead,  died  Dec.  20, 
1883.  Like  all  his  immediate  ancestors  he  was  a  life- 
long agriculturist,  and  prospered  so  well  in  his  chosen 
calling  that  he  was  able  to  present  each  of  his 
sons  a  farm  when  they  left  home.  He  was  a  zealous 
church  worker,  being  an  official  member  of  St.  John's 
Reformed  Church  of  Sinking  Spring,  and  was  known 
to  all  as  a  worthy  and  substantial  citizen.  He  is 
buried  at  that  church.  Jacob  Krick  was  married  April 
12,  1829,  to  Catharine  Bechtel,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  four  sons  and  four  daughters,  namely:  Wil- 
liam, born  Oct.  10.  1829,  lived  and  died  in  Lower  Heid- 
elberg township;  Mary,  born  Oct.  26,  1831,  m.  Daniel 
Seltzer,  of  Lower  Heidelberg  township ;  Jacob  B.,  born 
March  10,  1833,  now  a  retired  resident  of  Sinking 
Spring,  m.  Sarah  A.  Seltzer;  Richard  B..  born  Feb. 
1,  1835,  is  a  resident  of  Sinking  Spring;  Francis  B,, 
born  June  2,  1836,  died  in  Sinking  Spring  in  1902; 
Hannah,  born  April  4,  1834,  and  Sarah,  July  5,  1839, 
both  unmarried,  have  a  comfortable  home  together 
at  Sinking  Spring;  Susan,  born  Feb.  34.  1843,  m.  Jacob 
Eckert,  of  Wernersville. 

Jacob  B.  Krick,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  at  the  old 
homestead  in  Cumru  (now  Spring)  township,  March 
10,  1833.  He  remained  at  home  working  for  his  father 
until  he  was  past  thirty-two  years  old,  after  whieh  he 
continued  his  labors  upon  the  same  property,  but  upon 
his  owti  account,  living  at  the  old  Krick  place  until 
he  decided  to  retire  from  the  arduous  work  of  the 
farm,  in  1887.  He  then  moved  into  Sinking  Spring, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  and  in  1897  he  purchased 
his  present  dwelling,  formerly  the  Hettinger  residence, 
on  Main  street.  Here  he  has  a  most  comfortable  home, 
the  house  being  one  of  the  largest  in  the  village  and 
delightfully  located.  Though  Mr.  Krick  has  not  en- 
gaged personally  in  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  for 
many  years  he  has  retained  possession  of  the  old 
hornestead,  which  now  comprises  eighty-seven  acres, 
besides  twenty-five  acres  of  woodland. 


During  his  active  years  Mr.  Krick  devoted  himself 
thoroughly  to  business,  attending  to  his  work,  and  the 
management  of  his  property  with  intelligence  as  well 
as  industry,  with  excellent  results.  But  he  also  found 
time  for  the  development  of  his  social  and  religious 
tendencies,  and  the  associations  growing  out  of  such 
relationships  have  given  him  many  pleasant  interests 
for  his  leisure  years.  He  holds  membership  in  Coun- 
cil No.  77,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  and  the  K.  G.  E.,  No.  334, 
both  of  Sinking  Spring,  and  is  a  past  officer  of  both 
organizations.  He  is  a  Reformed  member  of  St.  John's 
Church  at  Sinking  Spring,  which  he  has  served  as  dea- 
con and  elder  for  many  years,  and  he  has  proved 
his  worth  to  the  community  in  various  other  capaci- 
ties. While  living  on  the  farm  he  was  for  six  years 
school  director  of  Spring  township.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics. 

Mr.  Krick  married,  Sept.  19,  1863,  Sarah  A.  Seltzer, 
daughter  of  William  and  Catharine  (Ruth)  Seltzer,  of 
Womelsdorf,  Berks  county,  and  they  have  had  three 
children,  two  daughters  and  one  son,  the  latter  still- 
born. Of  the  daughters,  Mary  Annie  m.  Isaac  Het- 
tinger, of  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  proprietor  of  the  Hettinger 
Bros.  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Kansas  City,  Mo., 
and  'Madison,  Wis.,  manufacturers  of  dental  surgical 
supplies,  electrici  batteries,  elastic  goods,  etc.;  they 
have  three  children,  Emily  C.  Evelyn  G.  and  Francis 
K.  Emily  S.  Krick,  born  Oct.  31,  1867,  died  Oct.  27, 
1896.  Mrs.  Krick  and  her  daughters  united  with  St. 
John's  Church  as  Reformed  members. 


Daniel  Krick,  son  of  Francis  and  Hannah  (Gehrling) 
Krick,  was  born  Oct.  28,  1804,  in  Spring  township,  and 
there  passed  his  life  engaged  in  farming.  About  a 
year  before  his  death  he  moved  with  his  son,  Henry  B., 
to  a  farm  in  Lower  Heidelberg,  near  the  Cacoosing, 
where  he  died  April  16,  1864.  In  1833  he  married  Susan 
Bohn,  daughter  of  George  Bohn  (son  of  Frederick 
Bohn),  of  Bern  township,  and  she  survived  him  many 
years,  making  her  home  with  her  son  Adam,  in  Sink- 
ing Spring.  She  died  Aug.  19,  1887.  To  Daniel  and 
Susan  (Bohn)  Krick  were  born  children  as  follows: 
James,  born  Jan.  12.  1834.  died  July  26,  1834;  Lydia, 
born  May  31,  1835,  m.  William  R.  High;  Adam  B.  is 
mentioned  below;  Henry  B.,  born  Jan.  16,  1839,  died 
Aug.  3,  1906;  Mary  E..  born  Jan.  6,  1851,  died  May  19. 
1902. 

Adarn  B.  Krick  was  born  Oct.  27,  1836,  in  Spring 
township,  and  received  a  good  education,  attending 
school  at  Sinking  Spring  and  Reading,  and  later  study- 
ing at  the  Hudson  River  Institute,  at  Claverack,  N. 
Y.  During  his  early  manhood  he  was  engaged  at 
teaching  for  five  terms,  after  which  he  devoted  himself 
to  farming,  continuing  in  that  line  for  nine  years. 
Meantime  he  had  suffered  more  or  less  from  the  re- 
sults of  an  accident  which  occurred  in  1852.  and  which 
culminated  in  1873,  when  he  found  it  necessary  to 
undergo  the  amputation  of  a  limb.  This  naturally 
caused  a  complete  change  in  his  plans  for  his  life 
work,  and  in  the  year  last  named  he  removed  from 
his  farm  into  the  village  of  Sinking  Spring,  where  with- 
in a  short  time  he  embarked  in  a  mercantile  business, 
dealing  in  flour,  feed  and  grain,  both  wholesale  and 
retail.  He  carried  on  that  business  throughout  his  active 
career,  meeting  with  excellent  success,  for  he  dis- 
played the  same  ability  in  the  management  of  his 
busmess  ventures  as  he  did  in  his  previous  under- 
takings. He  never  lost  his  interest  in  educational 
affairs  and  the  public  school  system',  and  served  four 
successive  terms  as  school  director.  He  was  an  active 
™epber  of  the  Sinking  Spring  Reformed  Church,  of 
which  he  served  as  treasurer,  for  a  period  of  thirty 
years.  He  also  served  as  township  tax  collector  for 
a  number  of  years. 

In  the  year  1863  Mr.  Krick  married  Lucy  J.  Reber 
born  April  13,  1844,  daughter  of  Benneville  B.  Reber 
(son  of  Conrad)  and  Sarah  V.  R.  (High),  daughter  of 
William  and   Catharine   (Van   Reed)   High      Six  child- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


639 


ren  blessed  their  union,  viz.:  William  F.,  born  Oct. 
4;  1863,  is  mentioned  below;  Daniel  B.,  born  March  29, 
1865,  m.  Mary  Scheetz  and  resides  at  Sinking  Spring; 
Sarah  S.,  born  Oct.  26,  1866,  died  in  infancy;  Rev.  Thom- 
as H.,  born  Jan.  11,  1868,  is  mentioned  below;  Ida  R., 
born  Oct.  11,  1869,  lives  at  home  with  her  mother;  M. 
Ellen,  born  Sept.  is,  18,71,  is  the  widow  of  Prof.  Frank 
P.  Miller,  of  Kutztown,  Pa.  Mrs.-Krick  still  resides 
at  the  old  home  in  Sinking  Spring,  where  Mr.  Krick 
died  March  10,  1904,  aged  sixty-seven  years,  four 
months,  fourteen  days.  He  is  buried  at  Sinking  Spring. 
Mr.  Krick' was  one  of  the  most  respected  representa- 
tives of  this  large  and  influential  family,  and  he  ever 
maintained  high  standing  both  as  a  citizen  and  a 
business  man.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  recog- 
nized as  the  foremost  citizen  of  Sinking  Spring.  He 
was  regarded  as  a  man  of  excellent  judgment,  and 
his  advice  was  sought  by  a  great  many  people.  For 
a  number  of  years  he  was  the  recognized  leader  of 
his  political  party  in  the  township.  Many  a  struggling 
person  received  help  at  his  hands;  more  than  one 
student  was  assisted  in  his  struggles  for  advancement 
by  him.  He  was  frequently  asked  to  write  deeds  and 
legal  papers  for  others  and  was  frequently  made  the 
custodian  of  other  people's  money — people  who  placed 
more  confidence  in  him  than  in  banks.  He  was  often 
appointed  guardian  by  court  for  minor  children. 

William  F.  '  Krick,  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
Sinking  Spring  of  the  present  day,  was  born  Oct.  4, 
1863,  on  a  part  of  the  old  Krick  homestead,  in  Spring 
township.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  that  locality,  later  attending  at  Sink- 
ing Spring,  and  finally,  in  the  spring  of  1880,  began 
a  course  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  where 
he  studied  for  three  terms.  He  received  his  first  li- 
cense to  teach,  however,  when  but  seventeen  years  old, 
from  Prof.  S,  A.  Baer,  then  county  superintendent, 
and  for  two  terms  he  taught  the  Gelsinger's  school, 
in  his  native  township.  He  had  been  reared  to  farming 
in  his  earlier  years,  and  always  had  an  inclination  for 
agricultural  work,  which  he  began  on  his  own  account 
at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  on  a  130-acre  tract  be- 
longing to  his  father.  He  remained  on  that  place  for 
twelve  years,  during  which  time  he  made  distinct  pro- 
gress in  the  science  of  farming  as  well  as  in  his  finan- 
cial equipment.  In  1894  he  was  able  to  purchase  a  farm 
in  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  consisting  of  141  acres, 
and  he  has  conducted  this  place  ever  since,  improving 
it  constantly  according  to  the  most  approved  mod- 
ern methods.  He  has  not  confined  himself  to  farming 
by  any  means,  but  has  branched  out  until  his  interests 
now  include  a  large  flour-mill  and  the  controlling  share 
in  the  Sinking  Spring  Electric  Light  Company,  of 
which  latter  he  is  president.  His  farm  is  supplied 
with  all  the  most  improved  implements  and  well  stock- 
ed, and  is  considered  one  of  the  finest  properties  in 
the  township.  In  1894  Mr.  Krick  erected  a  Swiss 
barn  118  by  46  feet  in  dimensions,  and  his  other  out- 
buildings are  on  a  similar  scale  and  very  substantial. 

Mr.  Krick  resided  on  his  farm  until  1902,  when  he 
removed  to  the  village  of  Sinking  Spring,  his  commer- 
cial interests  demanding  his  constant  attention.  He 
put  up  the  building  on  Main  street  -in  which  he  es- 
tablished both  his  home  and  his  business  headquarters, 
the  structure  being  a  substantial  brick  three  stories 
high,  48  by  64  feet,  and  he  did  business  there  for  about 
three  years.  Meanwhile,  however,  he  had 'erected  the 
large  Krick  Roller  Mills,  along  the  south  side  of  the 
Lebanon  Valley  railroad,  a  three-story  structure  of 
brick,  36  by  72  feet,  with  an  annex  36  by  60  feet, 
erected  in  1904.  The  mill  is  a  model  of  its  kind  pro- 
vided with  all  the  latest  machinery  required  for  the 
roller  process,  and  a  high  grade  of  flour  is  manufact- 
ured, Mr.  Krick's  special  brands  being  the  "World's 
Best"  and  "Ladies  Choice."  The  product  finds  a  ready 
market  throughout  the  Eastern  States,  and  Mr.  Krick 
has  an  extensive  local  trade  in  this  line,  as  well  as 
a  large   wholesale   and  retail   trade   at  Reading  in   the 


grain,  feed  and  flour  business.  He  has  developed  his 
business  to  its  highest  possibilities,  showing  what  a 
man  of  enterprise"  and  adequate,  ability  may  accomplish, 
and  he  gives  employment  to  from  ten  to  fifteen  men, 
also  using  three  teams  in  the  transaction  of  his  busi- 
ness. 

Mr.  Krick  has  displayed  his  enterprise  as  much  in  the 
development  of  an  up-to-date  public  utility  as  in  his 
strictly  private  affairs.  The  Sinking  Spring  Electric 
Company,  in  which  he  i?  the  largest  stockholder,  is  a 
private  concern,  but  its  workings  so  affect  the  public 
comfort  and  welfare  that  the  community  has  a  much 
deeper  interest  in  its  conduct  than  in  the  average  com- 
mercial venture.  This  company  not  only  supplies  the 
light  for  Sinking  Spring,  but  also  for  Springmont, 
Wyomissing,  Shillington  and  Edison.  The  excellent 
service  of  the  plant,  and  its  efficient  management  from 
an  industrial  as  well  as  a  financial  standpoint,  are  fur- 
ther evidences  of  Mr.  Krick's  powers  as  a  man  of  ex- 
ecutive force.    His  personal  character  is  above  reproach. 

In  1882  Mr.  Krick  married  Clara  Y.  Hartman,  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Amos  and  Rebecca  (Yost)  Hartman. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  as  fol- 
lows: Bessie  H.,  who  graduated  from  the  Keystone 
State  Normal  School  in  1902,  is  now  engaged  at  teach- 
ing in  Sinking  Spring;  Gertrude  H.,  who  also  attended 
the  Keystone  State  Normal,  married  Walter  Graeff; 
Bertha  H.  is  in  high  school;  Charles  H.,  born  Oct.  10, 
1892,  is  the  fourth  of  this  line  born  in  October,  his 
father,  grandfather  and  great-grandfather  having  been 
born,  like  him.  in  that  month,  on  the  same  farm  in 
Spring  township.  The  home  of  this  family  is  a  com- 
fortable dwelling,  supplied  with  every  modern  conven- 
ience for  the  well-being  of  its  occupants.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  a  large  and  well-kept  lawn,  and  is  delight- 
fully situated,  being  one  of  the  pleasant  homes  in  the 
village. 

Mr.  Krick  is  a  prominent  member  of  St.  John's  Re- 
formed Church,  of  which  he  has  served  as  deacon  for 
two  years,  and  which  has  so  many  dear  associations 
for  the  members  of  this  family.  Many  o.f  the  earlier 
generations  sleep  their  last  sleep  in  the  graveyard  of 
this  old  house  of  worship.  Mr.  Krick  is  a  Democrat 
in  his  political  faith,  and  in  social  connection  he  is 
an  Odd  Fellow,  belonging  to  Sinking  Spring  Lodge, 
No.    660. 

Rev.  Thomas  Henry  Krick,  a  leading  minister  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  now  located  at  Coplay,  Lehigh 
Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  Jan.  11,  1868,  in  Spring  township, 
Berks  county,  on  the  old  homestead  near  Sinking 
Spring,  and  was  five  years  old  when  his  parents  moved 
to  Sinking  Spring,  where  he  attended  public  school  in 
the  lower  and  middle  stone  school  building.  Later  he 
attended  the  Charter  Oak  Academy,  taught  by  Thomas 
J.  Oberlin,  in  his  district,  and  in  the  spring  of  1885 
entered  the  State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown,  grad- 
uating from  that  institution  in  1887.  Through  the 
efforts  of  his  teacher.  Dr.  N.  C.  Schaeffer,  and  his 
thirst  for  higher  education,  he  decided  to  take  a  college 
course.  In  1887-88  he  took  the  college  preparatory 
course  at  the  Normal  school,  and  in  the  fall  of  1888 
matriculated  at  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  at 
Lancaster.  Pa.,  graduating  therefrom  in  1892.  The 
same  year  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the 
Reformed  Church  at  Lancaster.  In  189S'  he  taught 
mathematics  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School, 
and  he  also  engaged  in  canvassing  a  few  summers 
before  his  graduation  from  the  theological  seminary, 
in  1895.  He  had  been  licensed  as  a  public  school  teach- 
er when  but  sixteen  years  old,  by  Prof.  D.  S.  Keck. 
During  his  college  course  he  specialized  in  mathemat- 
ics, in  which  he  is  a  master.  One  of  his  classmates  ex- 
pressed the  opinion  that  had  he  chosen  to  continue 
his  studies  in  mathematics  there  is  no  doubt  at  all 
that  he  would  have  filled  a  chair  in  mathematics  in  one 
of  the  higher  institutions  of  learning.  He  also  took 
a  very  active  interest  in  college  athletics,  playing  on 
the  foot-ball  team  as  right  tackle  for  five  years.     He  is 


630 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


six  feet  and  a  half  inch  in  height,  and  built  proportion- 
ately, and  he  was  generally  known  as  the  "impreg- 
nable stone  wall."  The  college  team  saw  the  "golden 
age"  of  its  athletic  glories  during  his  attendance,  de- 
feating nearly  all  the  other  college  foot-ball  teams  that 
they  played.  Mr.  Krick  was  manager  of  the  team  for 
one  year. 

On  May  22,  1895,  Thomas  H.  Krick  was  licensed  by 
the  Lebanon  Classis  of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  on 
July  7.  1895,  he  was  ordained  by  a  committee  of  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Classis,  at  Jacobs  Reformed  Church, 
Weissport,  Pa.,  which  charge  he  served  with  high 
merit  for  the  period  of  six  years.  During  this  time  he 
raised  a  debt  of  $1,500  on  the  church  property  within 
one  year,  remodeled  the  basement  of  the  church,  in- 
creased the  membership  greatly,  and  the  collections 
for   benevolent   purposes   were   increased   threefold. 

In  August,  1901,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Coplay 
charge,  which  is  in  the  cement  regions  of  the  Lehigh 
valley.  It  consists  of  three  churches.  Trinity  Reform- 
ed at  Coplay,  St.  John's  at  Mickleys  and  St.  John's 
at  Fullerton.  During  the  seven  years  of  Mr.  Krick's 
incumbency  the  membership  at  Coplay  has  been  in- 
creased from  120  to  400,  and  in  1907  the  congrega- 
tion erected  one  of  the  finest  parsonages  belonging  to 
the  Reformed  Church.  At  Mickley's  a  new  Sunday- 
school  room  was  added  through  his-  efforts,  and  in 
1902  he  organized  the  Fullerton  congregation,  which 
now  has   a  membership   of  225. 

Mr.  Krick  is  a  leading  and  active  member  of  the 
Classis  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  the  United  States, 
highly  esteemed  by  his  brethren  for  his  efficient  work, 
high  character  and  pleasant  disposition.  He  is  sec- 
retary of  the  Spiritual  Conference  of  Ministers  and 
Laymen  of  the  Reformed  Church.  In  1908  he  was 
elected  president  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Ministerial 
Association.  He  was  a  delegate  in  1899  to  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  the  United  States, 
which  met  at  Tiffin,  Ohio,  and  in  1908  at  York,  Pa! 
He  was  delegate  to  the  District  Synod  which  met  at 
Bethlehem,  twice  to  the  Synod  when  it  met  at  Lan- 
caster and  delegate  to  its  meetings  at  Sunbury,  Per- 
kasie,  Lebanon  and  Reading.  In  1898  he  was  presi- 
dent of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Classis.  His  exec- 
utive ability  and  skill  as  an  organizer  are  gen- 
erally recognized,  and  he  is  as  highly  regarded  in  his 
own  congregations  as  he  is  in  other  relations.  He  is 
a  forceful  and  eloquent  preacher,  officiating  in  two 
languages,  and  ably  proclaims  the  Word  to  whose 
spread  he  has  devoted  his  life. 

For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Krick  took  a  deep  and 
active  interest  in  the  history  and  genealogy  of  his 
own  and  other  families,  and  in  1907  founded  the  Krick 
Family  Reunion,  which  in  1908  held  its  second  re- 
union on  the  ancestral  acres  and  was  largely  attended. 
He  traces  his  genealogy  through  the  following  families: 
Hoch,  Van  Reed,  Hottenstein,  Yost,  Herbein,  Reber, 
Bright,  Kershner,  Bohn,  Slegel,  Kissinger.  Womerin, 
Spohn  and  Krick.  He  has  given  considerable  time  to 
research   on  most  of  these  families. 

On  Nov.  31,  1895,  Rev.  Mr.  Krick  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Jennie  P.  Hain,  daughter  of  Peter  L.  and  Sue 
L.  (Oberholtzer)  Hain,  of  Heidelberg  township,  and  a 
descendant  of  George  Hain  (Hohn),  who  granted  the 
land  upon  which  is  erected  the  Hains  Reformed  Church. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krick  have  been  born  two  daughters: 
Marie  H.,  born  July  21,  1898;  and  Ruth  H.,  born  May 
13,  1901.  Mrs.  Krick  is  an  ideal  minister's  wife  and 
is  prominently  identified  with  every  phase  of  church 
work. 

RICHARD  B.  KRICK,  a  retired  citizen  of  Sinking 
Spring,  was  born  Feb.  1,  1835,  on  the  original  home- 
stead of  Frantz  Crick,  in  what  is  now  Spring  town- 
ship, son  of  Jacob  Krick  (son  of  Francis  (3)  ).  He  be- 
gan his  education  in  the  pay  schools  which  were  then  in 
vogue  in  his  district,  attending  the  old  pay  school 
held   in    the   eight-cornered   school-house    which    is    so 


fully  written  up  in  the  archives*  of  the  Berks  County 
Historical  Society,  he  having  supplied  the  major  part 
of  the  information  for  the  article  mentioned.  Later, 
when  the  free  schools  were  established,  he  attended  ithem 
for  two  or  three  months  during  the  winter  for  a  few 
years.  Much  of  his  education,  however,  has  been  self- 
acquired,  and  he  has  read  and  observed  with  intelli- 
gence all  his  long  life. 

Mr.  Krick  was  reared  on  the  homestead,  where  he 
worked  until  he  was  thirty  years  old,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1866  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in 
Spring  township,  where  he  continued  agricultural  pur- 
suits successfully  for  twenty  years.  He  built  the  pres- 
ent house  on  this  farm  which  he  still  owns,  in  about 
1874,  and  had  previously  put  up  the  barn,  in  1868.  This 
place  was  originally  a  Rollman  tract.  It  comprises 
ninety-seven  acres,  and  is  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the 
valley.  In  1887  he  retired  to  the  small  tract  at 
Sinking  Spring  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 

Mr.  Krick  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  enlist- 
ed at  Reading  Oct.  37,  1862,  for  a  period  of  nine 
months.  He  actually  served,  however,  but  fifteen 
days  less  than  a  year,  being  mustered  out  Aug.  12, 
1863,  as_  sergeant  of  Company  E,  167th  Pa.  V.  I.  He 
saw  active  service  at  the  battle  of  the  Deserted  Farm 
(where  his  colonel  was  mortally  wounded)  and  was 
on  picket  duty  when  they  fought  at  Carrsville,  Virginia. 

Mr.  Krick  is  a  Democrat  in  political  opinion  and 
has  been  somewhat  active  in  local  affairs,  having 
served  nine  consecutive  years  as  school  director  of 
Spring  township  and  meantime  acted  as  president  of  the 
board;  he  was  also  auditor  of  the  district  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  He  is  much  respected  in  his  district, 
and  has  always  been  known  as  a  good  citizen.  In 
spite  of  his  advanced  age  his  mind  is  clear  and  he 
is  well   preserved   in   every  way. 

On  Oct.  27,  1859,  Mr.  Krick  married  Emma  Bickel, 
daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Miller)  Bickel, 
of  Reading.  She  died  Dec.  17,  1908,  aged  seventy 
years,  eight  days,  and  rests  in  the  family  plot  at  Sinking 
Spring.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krick  were  born  three 
children:  Albert  died  when  one  year  old.  Lizzie  S., 
born  in  1861,  married  Miller  Evans,  of  Reading,  and 
died  in  1902,  the  mother  of  six  children,  Annie  (de- 
ceased), Emma,  John,  Richard,  Fred,  and  Frank  (the 
lastj^  named  deceased).  Jacob  B.  is  mentioned  be- 
low. 

Mr.  Krick  and  his  family  are  members  of  St.  John's 
Reformed  Church  at  Sinking  Spring,  of  which  he 
served  as  trustee  for  three  years,  deacon  for  some 
years,  and  elder  two  years.  He  has  always  been  active 
in  the  work  and  enterprises  of  the  church,  and  is  a 
director  of  the  Sinking  Spring  Union  Cemetery  Com- 
pany. He  is  a  member  of  Castle  No.  334,  K.  G.  E.,  of 
Sinking  Spring,  and  has  been  treasurer  since  its  organ- 
ization in  1889.  He  is  also  active  in  the  Krick  Family 
Reunion  Association,  and  in  1908  made  the  welcome  ad- 
dress at  the  annual  gathering.  He  has  a  resourceful 
mind,  and  was  of  great  assistance  to  the  historian  of 
the   Reunion  Association,  and  also  of  this  volume. 

Jacob  B.  Krick,  son  of  Richard  B.,  was  born  in 
Spring  township,  June  23,  1867,  and  was  educated  in 
the  local  public  schools  and  Charter  Oak  Academy, 
as  well  as  the  select  school  known  as  Carroll  In- 
stitute on  North  Fourth  street,  Reading,  then  under 
the  care  of  Prof.  Patrick  Carroll.  Later  he  entered 
Lafayette  College,  but  he  left  that  institution  to  ac- 
cept a  responsible  position  with  the  Enterprise  Manu- 
facturmg  Company,  of  Philadelphia,  in  whose  service 
he  has  been  since  1889.  The  company  employs  750 
men.  Mr.  Krick  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Inde- 
pendent Americans.     He  is  unmarried. 

HENRY  B.  KRICK  was  born  in  Spring  township. 
Berks  county,  Jan.  16,  1839,  son  of  Daniel  and  Susan 
(Bohn)  Krick,  and  died  Aug.  3,  1906,  and  is  buried  at 
binkmg  Sprmg.  He  was  reared  to  farm  life,  and  soon 
after  his  marriage  began  farming  near  Sinking  Spring, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


631 


where  he  lived  many  years.  He  later  moved  to  a 
tract  along  the  pike  a  half  mile  above  Sinkirig  Spring, 
where  he  lived  retired  until  his  death.  His  farm  con- 
sisted of  about  150  acres,  and  belonged  to  his  father. 
The  Henry  B.  Krick  residence  is  now  the  property  of 
Robert   Lance. 

Mr.  Krick  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  held  the 
office  of  school  director.  During  the  Civil  war  he 
served  as  a  soldier  and  contracted  rheumatism,  from 
which  he  suffered  all  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  which 
in  fact  caused  his  retirement  from  active  work  quite 
early  in  life.  He  was  prominent  and  influential  in 
his  community,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  all. 

Mr.  Krick  married  Catharine  Smith,  daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Annie  (Funk)  Smith,  of  near  Denver,  Lan- 
caster county.  She  died  Dec.  5,  1901,  in  the  sixty- 
first  year  of  her  age.  Five  children  blessed  this  un- 
ion: Daniel,  who  died  in  infancy;  Anna  S.,  residing 
at  West  Reading;  Stephen,  who  died  in  infancy;  Da:isy, 
who  resides  at  No.  521  Weiser  street,  Reading;  and 
Laura,  who  died  in  infancy. 

JOHN  L.  SCHARFF,  a  resident  of  Reatling  since 
1887,  was  born  March  37,  1837,  at  Host,  in  Tulpehocken 
township,  Berks  county,  He  is  a  descendant  in  the 
fifth  generation  from  Conrad  Scharfl,  the  ancestor  of 
a  family  which  became  numerous  in  western  Berks 
county,  a  few  of  whose  descendants  still  reside  in  the 
vicinity  of  Stouchsburg. 

(I)  Conrad  Scharff  (also  spelled  Sharii  and  Scharf, 
though  Scharff  is  the  correct  form)  was  born  March 
23,  1697,  in  Germany,  and  in  1709  landed  at  New  York 
with  his  parents.  They  located  at  Livingstone  Manor, 
in  New  York,  but  later  with  many  other  German  fam- 
ilies, settled  at  Schoharie,  where  they  lived  in  peace  and 
contentment  until  about  17)19.  In  1723  thirty-three  fam- 
ilies moved  to  Pennsylvania,  settling  in  Tulpehocken, 
some  fifteen  miles  west  of  the  Schuylkill  river.  Among 
these  settlers  were  George  and  Peter  Reith,  Gottfried 
Fitler,  Conrad  Schuetz,  Antonius  Scharff,  Christian 
Lauer,  Andraes  Walborn,  Lorentz  Zerbe,  Sebastian 
Fischer.  Johan  Peter  Pacht,  Johann  Adam  Lerch  and 
George  Ansbach.  In  1728  fifteen  other  families  left  the 
Schoharie  and  settled  in  the  same  vicinity,  among  this 
colony  being  Conrad  Scharff.  He  was  a  farmer  by  oc- 
cupation. It  is  not  known  what  relationship  existed 
between  Antonius  and  Conrad  Scharff,  but  it  is  likely 
that  they  were  brothers.  Conrad  Scharff  died  May  15, 
1776.  His  wife,  Maria  Margaret,  born  July  28,  1721, 
died  April  20,  1781.  These  pioneers  are  buried  in  the 
graveyard  of  the  Little  Tulpehocken  Church.  On  Oct. 
10,  1772,  Conrad  Scharff  lived  in  Heidelberg  township. 
His  will,  on  record  in  Will  Book  A,  page  17,  men- 
tions the  following  children:  George,  who  was  to  have 
£5  for  his  birthright;  John,  who  was  to  have  a  plan- 
tation; Esther  (Riegner);  Catharine  Margaret,  and 
Mary  Catharine. 

(II)  Georg  (George)  Scharff,  the  eldest  son  of  Con- 
rad, lived  in  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  county,  where 
he  died  some  time  in  the  year  1826.  He  was  a  farmer, 
and  left  his  farm  by  will  to  his  son  John.  His  last 
will  and  testament,  made  in  1825,  was  witnessed  by 
John  and  Paul  Wenrich.  It  is  in  the  old  style  of 
German  script,  written  in  very  fine  letters,  and  is  ex- 
ceedingly hard  to  interpret  and  almost  impossible  of 
translation.  It  mentions  a  daughter  Elizabeth,  who  it 
appears  was  twice  married,  one  of  her  husbands  being 
John  Riessar,  by  whom  she  had  John,  Samuel  and 
Maria  Riessar. 

(II)  John  (Johan)  Scharff,  younger  son  of  Conrad, 
was  a  farmer  in  Tulpehocken  township.  He  died  some 
time  during  1838,  his  will  having  been  entered  on  Dec. 
20th  of  that  year.  It  is  written  in  German,  was  made 
April  20,  1829,  and  is  on  record  in  Will  Book  VIII, 
page  93.  His  wife.  Rosina,  must  have  died  prior  to 
the  making  of  this  document.  The  following  children 
are    mentioned:    Johannes,    Johan    Georg,    Daniel,    and 


Susanna    (born   July   8,    1788,   died   March   6,   1857,    m. 
Leonard   Zerbe). 

(III)  Johan  Georg  Scharff,  son  of  John,  born  April 
6,  1790,  died  May  25,  1861,  in  his  seventy-second  year. 
He  lived  and  died  on  his  farm  near  Stouchsburg,  which 
consisted  of  121  acres,  and  which  after  his  death  be- 
longed to  his  son  Willoughby,  after  the  latter's  death 
coming  into  the  possession  of  Morris  W.  Scharff,  the 
present  owner.  On  Dec,  3i,  1817,  he  married  Catha- 
rine Walborn  (1794-1872),  and  they  are  buried  side 
by  side  in  the  graveyard  of  Christ's  Lutheran  Church, 
in  Marion  township.  They  had  a  family  of  six  child- 
ren: Harriet  died  unmarried;  Eliza  married  Benjamin 
Miller;  Rebecca  married  Isaac  H.  Wenrich;  Willough- 
by is  mentioned  below;  Jonathan  never  married;  Ed- 
ward  died   when   young. 

(IV)  Willoughby  Scharff,  son  of  Johan  Georg,  was 
born  in  Mill  Creek  township,  Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.,  Oct. 
10,  1825,  and  died  Jan.  5,  1907,  in  his  eighty-second 
year.  When  he  was  two  years  old  he  was  brought  by 
his  parents  to  a  farm  near  Stouchsburg,  and  there  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  following  farming 
throughout  his  active  years.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and 
served  as  school  director  of  Marion  township.  He 
and  his  family  were  members  of  Christ  Lutheran 
Church.  His  wife,  Mary  (Wilhelm),  was  a  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Barbara  Wilhelm.  They  had  four  child- 
ren: Amanda,  Morris  W.,  John  W.  (a  cigar-maker  at 
Stouchsburg)  and  Emma  M. 

(V)  Morris  W.  Scharff,  born  near  Stouchsburg  June 
15,  1857,  came  into  possession  of  his  father's  farm 
in  1879,  and  still  cultivates  that  place.  The  bed  of 
the  Union  canal  passes  through  his  property.  The 
barn,  43  by  105  feet  in  dimensions,  was  built  by  his 
father  in  1870,  and  the  stone  house,  a  residence  of 
colonial  architecture,  was  built  by  his  grandfather, 
Johan  Georg  Scharff,  in  1837.  Mr.  Scharff  is  active 
in  local  affairs,  has  served  as  school  director  of  Marion  . 
township,  and  in  1907  was  elected  a  justice  of  the 
peace,  which  office  he  is  at  present  filling.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics. 

In  1878  Mr.  Scharff  married  Amanda  E.  Peiffer, 
daughter  of  Philip  and  Maria  (Zerbe)  Peiffer,  and  they 
have  had  two  children,  Mary  E.  and  Horace  P.  The 
daughter  married  John  J.  Swalm  and  lives  in  Read- 
ing. Mr.  Scharff  is  a  member  and  officer  of  Christ 
Lutheran  Church. 


(III)  Daniel  Scharff,  son  of  John,  born  Sept.  4,  1793. 
in  Tulpehocken  township,  died  June  17,  1866,  in  his 
seventy-third  year.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  also  con- 
ducted the  "Cross  Keys  hotel"  and  ware  house  for 
grains,  salt,  and  coal,  on  the  Union  Canal,  for  many 
years.  On  June  30,  1813,  he  married  Eva  Elizabeth 
Forrer,  born  May  7,  1789,  died  Aug,  9,  1847,  and  to  them 
were  born  two  children,  Isaac  and  Mary,  the  latter 
the  wife  of  Jonathan  Klopp,  a  hotel  proprietor  in 
Stouchsburg,  Berks  Co.,  and  later  a  miller  at  Selins- 
grove.  Pa.  Mr.  Scharff,  when  his  daughter  moved  to 
Selinsgrove,  became  a  resident  of  Womelsdorf,  and 
lived  in  the  family  of  his  granddaughter,  Mrs.  George 
Filbert,  but  died  while  at  the  home  of  his  daughter, 
on  a  visit,  and  he  is  buried  at  Host,  Berks  county. 

(IV)  Isaac  Scharff,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  Aug. 
22,  1814,  in  the  vicinity  of  Cross  Keys,  and  died  Aug. 
26,  1845,  aged  thirty-one  years,  four-  days,  and  is 
buried  at  Tulpehocken  Church.  In  his  youth  he  at- 
tended the  Harrisburg  Academy  for  several  winters, 
while  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  during  the 
summer  days.  He  married  Rebecca  Leiss  (1813-1847), 
daughter  of  John  Leiss.  In  1837  he  moved  his  family 
to  his  farm  about  a  mile  east  of  Myerstown,  Lebanon 
Co,,  Pa,,  and  became  the  farmer  thereof.  He  was 
inclined  to  music,  and  more  than  ordinarily  skilled  in 
mechanics.  He  organized  the  Washington  Band  of 
Myerstown,  and  conducted  the  same  until  his  death 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  To  hini 
and  his  wife  were  born  children  as  follows:  John  L- 


63-3 


'    HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Maria,  who  died  young;  Emma  (deceased),  m.  to 
George  Filbert,  after  she  had  finished  her  education 
at   Linden   Hall,   Lititz,  Pa.;  and  William. 

(V)  William  Scharfif,  son  of  Isaac  and  Rebecca,  at- 
tended the  common  schools,  and  Academy  in  Myers- 
town  and  finished  his  education  at  the  Jonestown  In- 
stitute of  Lebanon  county.  Being  musically  inclmed, 
he  spent  several  years  at  the  Boston  Conservatory  of 
music,  and  later,  two  years  in  Stuttgart,  Germany,  as 
student  on  the  piano,  after  which  he  became  a  teacher 
of  music,  and  made-  it  his  life  profession.  He  con- 
ducted the  Brass  Band  at  Womelsdorf  for  many  years, 
playing  clarionet.  In  1876  he  married  Miss  Mary  C. 
Leinbach,  daughter  of  Joseph  Leinbach,  merchant,  in 
Reading.  To  this  union  was  born,  one  daughter,  Elsie, 
who  studied  drama  in  New  York  and  the  old  country, 
and  toured  the  States  with  the  Louis  James  Company. 
Mr.  Scharff  was  the  professor  of  music  at  the  Jones- 
town Institute  for  some  time,  and  had  many  stu- 
dents in  Womelsdorf  and  vicinity.  In  the  spring  of 
1888  he  moved  his  family  to  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  where 
he  still  continues  his  profession.  During  the  Civil  War, 
he  enlisted  with  the  band,  of  Womelsdorf,  and  did 
camp  service  in  Camp  Cameron  at  Harrisburg  for 
about  three  months,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  and  mustered  into  Company  E,  of  the 
90th  Pa.  v.  I.,  as  private  musician  Nov.  26,  1861.  He 
left  with  the  regiment  the  following  spring,  for  the 
seat  of  war,  but  was  taken  sick,  and  placed  in  the 
hospital  at  Washington,  where  he  was  discharged  and 
taken  home.  He  recovered  after  many  days,  and  fol- 
lowed his  profession  again. 

(V)  John  L.  Scharfif  was  born  March  37,  1837,  at  Host, 
Berks  county,  on  the  farm  of  his  grandfather  John 
Leiss.  In  April  following,  he  was  taken  to  his 
father's  farm  in  Jackson  township,  Lebanon  county, 
about  one  mile  east  of  Myerstown,  where  he  spent  his 
youth,  and  attended  the  Myerstown  Academy  of  which 
his  father  w^s  a  stock-holder.  About  the  age  of 
seventeen  he  became  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools 
under  Prof.  Henry  Houck,  then  Superintendent  of 
schools  in  Lebanon  county,  now  the  honored  Secretary 
of  internal  aflfairs  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1857  and  1858, 
he  was  a  student  of  Franklin  and  Marshall  College, 
Lancaster..  Pa.,  after  which  he  lived  with  his  widowed 
aunt  in  Host  (Mrs.  John  S.  Leiss),  where  he  again 
spent  his  time  in  teaching  school.  In  1860  he  be- 
came a  resident  of  Womelsdorf  living  in  his  sister's 
(Mrs.  Geo.  Filbert's)  family.  He  cast  his  first  vote 
for  the  great  Lincoln,  and  has  been  a  warm  Republican 
ever  since.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Minnehaha 
Cornet  Band  of  Womelsdorf,  in  which  he  took  a  deep 
interest,  and  in  September,  1861,  went  with  the  same 
to  Harrisburg,  and  enlisted  as  Regimental  Band,  doing 
Camp  duties  in  Camp  Cameron  until  some  time  in  No- 
vember, when  the  Band  was  transferred  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  on  the  36th  of  that  month,  were  mustered  as 
private  musicians  for  three  years  in  the  90th  Pa.  V.  I. 
He  became  a  member  of  Company  H  of  that  regiment, 
and  spent  the  winter  in  Camp  on  Nicetown  Lane  in 
Philadelphia.  In  the  early  spring  of  1862,  he  left  with 
the  Regiment  for  the  seat  of  war,  and  participated  in 
the  battle  at  White  Mountain,  and  on  the  18th  day  of 
the  following  September,  was  discharged  with  the 
band  by  an  order  of  the  Adjutant  General  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.  On  July  2,  186.3,  he  re-enlisted  as  sergeant 
of  Company  K,  42nd  Pa.  V:  I.  for  ninety  days,  and 
was    again    discharged    on    August    11th,    following. 

On  May  18,  1866.  Mr.  Scharff  married  Miss  Otilla 
Moyer.  daughter  of  Henry  and  Anna  (Hain)  Moyer,  of 
Womelsdorf,  Pa.  Mr.  Scharfif  then  taught  the  gram- 
mar school  in  Womelsdorf  for  a  number  of  years,  be- 
ing at  the  same  time  organist  and  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school  of  Zion's  Church  of  the  same  place, 
and  Secretary  of  Williamson  Lodge  No.  307,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  of  which  he  is  still  a  member.  Five  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scharff:  Eva,  William,  Emma. 
Ella  and  Annie.     Eva  was  given  a  liberal  education  on 


the  piano  by  her  uncle,  and  was  a  teacher  on  the 
same,  and  connected  with  Church  Choirs  and  the 
Choral  Societies  of  the  able  Prof.  Ed.  Berg,  and  Mrs. 
Dr.  Howel  of  Reading.  She  was  domestically  inclined, 
and  remained  unmarried  with  her  parents.  William  be- 
came a  clarinetist  and  played  with  the  Franklin  Band 
of  Philadelphia,  a  number  of  years.  He  was  a  cigar 
packer  by  trade,  and  died  June  25,  1897.  Emma  was  a 
milliner  by  trade,  and  a  proficient  performer  on  the 
guitar.  She  conducted  a  ladies  Mandolin  and  Guitar 
Club  for  several  years.  She  died  July  25,  1901.  Ella 
and  Annie  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Mr.  Scharfif 
moved  his  family  to  Reading,  Pa.,  in  March,  1887.  He 
connected  himself  with  the  Reading  Hardware  Co.. 
with  which  he  is  still  employed.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Ringgold  Band.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  McLean  Post  No.  16,  G.  A.  R. ;  and  a  member  of 
Grace  Lutheran  Church  of  Reading.  His  home  is  at 
No.  349  South  Third  Street. 

WELLINGTON  L  ADDAMS,  youngest  son  of  Isaac 
Addams,  was  born  on  the  old  farm  about  two  miles  from 
the  Sinking  Springs,  in  Berks  county,  Pa.,  and  received  • 
his  early  education  at  the  Van  Reed  private  school  near 
his  home.  After  that  he  attended  the  Freeland  Seminary, 
in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  and  finished  at  Bellefonte  College, 
in  Centre  county.  Pa.  He  then  went  to  Philadelphia  and 
took  a  course  at  Crittenden's  Commercial  College,  and  at 
once  entered  the  foreign  and  domestic  woolen  commissio;i 
business  with  the  firm  of  E.  Kirberg  &  Co.,  and  continued 
this  for  several  years.  He  then  took  a  four  months'  trip 
to  Europe,  visiting  England,  France,  Germany,  Switzer- 
land and  Italy,  and  on  his  return  went  into  business  for 
himself  as  "W.  I.  Addams  &  Co.,  foreign  and  domestic 
woolens  on  commission,"  at  No.  611  Chestnut  street,  Phil- 
adelphia. 

Mr.  Addams  now  married  the  youngest  daughter,  Sarah 
N.,  of  Mr.  Robert  K.  Neff,  in  1873,  and  built  a  home  in 
Germantown.  where  they  lived  for  more  than  twenty-five 
years.  His  son  Robert  N.  Addams,  better  known  as  "Bob 
Addams,"  the  caricature  artist  for  "Life,"  "Judge"  and 
"Puck,"  made  his  home  in  New  York,  and  is  well  known 
both  here  and  abroad.  His  son  Clifford  I.  Addams  won 
the  first  scholarship  prize,  $800,  at  the  Academy  of  the 
Fine  Arts  in  Philadelphia  in  1899,  and  then  started  for 
Paris,  entered  the  art  school  -of  Mr.  James  McNeill  Whist- 
ler, and  continued  his  studies  there  until  the  death  of  the 
famous  painter,  after  which  he  went  to  London,  and 
married  Miss  Inez  Bate,  an  English  lady,  who  had  also 
studied  art  under  Mr.  Whistler,  at  the  same  time;  Mr. 
Clifford  I.  Addams  is  now  living  in  London,  and  has 
painted  many  important  people  during  the  last  eight  years. 
Miss  Florence  Biddle  Addams,  the  onlv  daughter  of 
Mr.  Wellington  I.  Addams,  a  few  years  ago  married  Mr. 
Robert  G.  Fell,  and  lives  at  their  place,  "Roslyn,"  Chest- 
nut Hill,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Addams  retired  from  business  during  the  fall  of 
1902  and  with  his  family  traveled  extensively  abroad.  He 
is  fond  of  traveling  and  now  contemplates  a  tour  of  the 
world  for  1910.  The  family  spent  several  winters  in  the 
south  of  France,  sojourning  at  Menton,  Cannes,  Monte 
Carlo,  Nice,  etc.,  and  made  many  delightful  acquaintances 
with  fellow  travelers  from  London,  Paris,  Berlin,  etc. 

ADDAMS.  The  Addams  family  are  of  English  an- 
cestry and  tradition  says  they  came  from  Leeds.  In  their 
early  religious  belief  they  were  members  of  the  Church 
of  England,  but  in  later  life  they  became  identified  with  the 
Reformed  Church.  They  were  prominent  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution.  Many  of  their  descendants  have  continued 
to  be  residents  of  Pennsylvania.  During  the  life  of  the 
Whig  party  they  took  an  active  interest  in  its  support  and 
success.  The  progenitor  of  those  descendants  who  have 
been  m  Berks  county  was  the  father  of  Robert  Addams, 
of  Ledwell,  in  Oxfordshire,  England.  Robert  is  supposed 
to  have  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  in  1681,  and  then  pur- 
chased from  William  Penn  500  acres  in  Philadelphia  coun- 


WELLINUrON  I.ADDAMS 


SAAC  ADDAMS  AND  HIS  WIFE  REBECCA 


./■Oa_e/J^      ■.^£:]!^££^^^t-£^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


633 


ty.    He  was  not  married,  and  had  a  number  of  nephews  and 
nieces,  including  William. 

(I)  William  Addams  settled  in  Cocalico  township,  Lan- 
caster Co.,  Pa.,  early  in  the  eighteenth  century.  In  1761 
he  laid  out  the  town  which  is  now  the  borough  of 
Adamstown.  He  married  Ann  Lane,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
they  had  five  sons,  Isaac,  Abraham,  Samuel,  Richard 
and  William,  and  one  daughter.  Two  of  these  sons, 
William  and  Isaac,  removed  to  Berks  county,  and  settled 
in  Heidelberg  (now  Spring)  township.  William  married 
Barbara  Ruth,  and  after  his  death  his  brother  Isaac  mar- 
ried the  widow. 

(II)  Isaac  Addams,  above  named,  was  a  prominent  man 
of  his  day.  He  was  born  where  Adamstown  is  now  sit- 
uated, in  1747,  and  died  at  Reading  in  April,  1809.  He 
was  a  farmer  for  some  years  and  then  a  leading  merchant 
of  Reading.  In  1776  he  was  captain  of  a  company  of 
Light  Infantry  attached  to  Maj.  Peter  Grubb's  Battalion 
of  Associators  in  Lancaster  county.  He  was  a  commis- 
sioner of  Berks  county  from  1797  to  1800,  and  a  member 
of  the  Assembly  from  Berks  county  in  1804  and  1805. 
He  had  six  sons :  William,  Samuel,  Isaac,  Peter,  Abraham 
and  John. 

(III)  William  Addams,  son  of  Isaac,  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county  March  9,  1777.  Early  in  life  he  went  to 
Berks  county,  settling  on  Cacoosing  creek,  at  the  Addams 
Mill,  where  his  exemplary  habits  of  life,  "his  sterling  in- 
tegrity, good  sense  and  unostentatious  sincerity  of  purpose" 
won  for  him  a  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  the  people,  and 
he  was  frequently  called  upon  to  fill  positions  of  honor 
and  trust.  In  1813  and  1814  he  was  county  auditor;  1814 
and  1817,  county  commissioner;  1883  and  1824,  member  of 
the  State  Legislature;  1839-42,  associate  judge  of  the 
county;  1825-29,  a  representative  in  Congress  from  Berks 
county;  and  twice  a  Presidential  elector.  He  served  as 
captain  of  the  Reading  Troop  for  many  years.  He  died 
at  his  home  in  Spring  township  March  31,  1858,  aged 
eighty-one  years.  He  married  (first)  Eva  Van  Reed,  and 
they  had  five  children:  Kittie,  wife  of  Rufus  Davenport; 
Richard;  Rebecca;  Josiah;  and  Amelia,  wife  of  John  H. 
Van  Reed.  He  married  (second)  Catharine  Huey  iVan 
Reed,  widow  of  John  Van  Reed,  and  by  her  had  three 
children:  William,  John  and  Valeria   (m.  John  Knapp). 

(III)  Isaac  Addams  (3),  son  of  Isaac  and  brother 
of  William,  was  born  in  Adamstown  in  1779,  and  died  there 
in  1844.  His  earlier  years  were  devoted  to  farming,  butin 
later  life  h-e  was  a  hotel-keeper  at  Leesport.  He  married 
Catharine  Eckert,  and  by  her  had  seven  children  among 
them  being:  Sarah  (married  to  Dr.  Charles  Zoller),  Reub- 
en, Anna  (married  to  John  Runkel),  John  E.  and  Isaac. 
In  politics  he  was  a  Whig. 

(IV)  Isaac  Addams,  son  of  Isaac  (2),  was  born  Jan. 
3,  1801,  at  Adamstown,  but  his  parents  left  that  place  and 
settled  on  a  farm  along  the  Cacoosing  creek  in  Berks 
county  when  he  was  but  three  years  .  of  age.  He 
was  educated  in  the  old  pay'  schools  of  the  county,  and 
remained  at  home  helping  his  father  on  the  farm  until 
he  attained  his  majority.  He  then  folloWed  farming  on 
his  own  account,  until  his  forty-ninth  year,  when  he  re- 
tired from  active  labor.  In  1859  he  moved  to  Reading, 
residing  on  Penn  street  until  1865,  when  he  took  up  his 
residence  at  No.  52  North  Fifth  street,  where  he  died 
in  1876.  He,  too,  was  a  Whig.  In  his  early  life  he  took 
much  interest  in  the  State  militia.  He  married  Rebecca 
Haak  (daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Krause)  Haak), 
born  in  1789,  died  in  1866.  The  remains  of  both  were 
buried  in  the  family  lot  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 
They  had  four  children :  Henrietta  C.  died  unmarried 
Oct.  15,  1908;  Rufus,  who  died  in  1894,  married  Rebecca 
Van  Reed,  and  they  had  four  '  children,  John  V.  R. 
(unmarried),  Annie' V.  R.  (who  died  unmarried  in  1909), 
Mary  (who  died  unmarried)  and  Charles;  Rebecca  J. 
died  unmarried  in  1899;  Wellington  I.  is  mentioned  above. 

RUFUS  ADDAMS  (deceased),  a  well-known  farmer 
along  the  Cacoosing  creek,  in  Spring  township,  Berks 
county,  was  born  in  tbat  township  Sept.  30,  1825,  son  of 


Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Haak)  Addams.  His  early  training 
was  all  along  agricultural  lines,  and  he  devoted  himself 
all  his  life  to  the  cultivation  of  farms  in  lower  Berks 
county.  His  comfortable  brick  residence  was  erected  by 
Jacob  Haak  in  1734,  but  was  remodeled  by  Mr.  Addains 
in  1892.  He  also  built  an  addition  which  made  it  a  very 
comfortable  house,  and  as  well  the  Swiss  barn;  85  x  35 
feet.  Mr.  Addams  also  owned  a  farm  of  116  acres  in 
Heidelberg  township,  and  this  is  now  the  property  of 
his  daughter.  He  retired  from  active  work  about  ten 
years  before  his  death,  Aug.  12,  1894.  He  and  his  family 
were  members  of  St.  John's  Reformed  Church  at  Sink- 
ing Spring,  and  there  in  the  cemetery  connected  with  that 
church  is  the  family  burial  lot. 

Mr.  Addams  married  Rebecca  Van  Reed,  who  was  born 
May  30,  1830,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Margaret  (Zacha- 
rias)  Van  Reed.  She  passed  away  May  2,  1900.  Four 
children  came  to  bless  this  union,  namely:  John  V.  R. ; 
Annie  V.  R.,  who  died  in  1909,  aged  fifty-five  years, 
seven  months,  twenty-three  days  (she  was  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  Church  at  Sinking  Spring) ;  Mary  V.  R., 
who  died  Jan.  13,  1873,  aged  twenty-one  years ;  and  Charles, 
born  in  1860,  who  married  Annie  Gruber,  and  died  aged 
thirty-one  years,  the  father  of  two  sons,  Clinton  G.  and 
Charles  D. 

John,  V.  R.  Addams  and  his  sister,  Annie  V.  R.  Addams 
resided  together  on  the  old  homestead  farm,  and  there 
Miss  Addams  died.  This  place  has  been  given  the  best 
of  care,  and  kept  with  the  same  care  which  their  parents 
before  them  exercised.  Mr.  Addams  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools,  later  attending  Dickinson 
Seminary,   at   Williamsport,   Lycoming  Co.,   Pennsylvania. 

MARTIN  D.  GRILL,  a  well  known  young  business 
man  of  Berks  county.  Pa.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  hosiery  at  Jilohnton,  was  born  Oct.  20,  1874, 
in  Cumru  township,  son  of  Adam  M;  and  Sarah  (De- 
wees)   Grill. 

Adam  Grill,  the  grandfather  of  Martin  D.,  was  a 
native  of  Spring  township,  Berks  county,  where  he  was 
born  Aug.  22,  1793.  He  spent  his  life  in  agricultural 
pursuits  in  Cumru  township,  where  he  owned  a  tract 
of  155  acres  of  land,  and  here  he  died  May  21,  1858. 
He  married  Catharine  Mohn,  born  Jan.  11,  1800,  who 
died  March  31,  1888,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Barbara 
(Albright)  Mohn,  and  there  were  ten  children  born 
to  this  union:  Samuel,  m.  to  Betsy  von  Neida;  Eliza- 
beth, m'.  to  Henry  von  Neida;  Catharine,  m.  to  Chris. 
Kress;  Polly,  m.  to  Richard  Hornberger;  Levi,  m.  to 
Polly  Eshelman;  Sally,  m.  to  Nicholas  Mosser;  Adam 
M.;  Lydia,  m.  to  James  Leininger;  Daniel,  m.  to  Mary 
Matz;  and  Henry,  m.  to  Mary  HIiester. 

Adam  M.  Grill  was  born  Oct.  17,  il835,  and  was 
reared  on  the  homestead,  where  he  lived  until  1904. 
when  he  retired  and  removed  to  Church  street,  Mohn- 
ton.  Since  1897  he  has  conducted  a  milk  route  into 
Mohnsville.  He  owns  a  twenty-six  acre  farm  about 
two  miles  northwest  of  that  village.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican.  He  and  his  family  attend  Zion's 
Evangelical  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  class  leader, 
treasurer  and  trustee  at  Mohn's  Hill. 

Adam  M.  Grill  was  married  Nov.  6,  1860.  to  Sarah 
Dewees,  born  Jan.  4,  1841,  daughter  of  John  M.  and 
Leah  G.  (Matz)  Dewees,  and  five  children  were  born 
to  this  union:  William  D.  m.  Ida  Miller,  and  has  two 
children.  Leo  and  Harry;  Alice  R.  died  unmarried  at 
the  age  of  twenty-eight  years;  F.  Pierce  D.  m.  Annie 
H.  Fisher,  and  has  three  children,  Stephen  F.,  Leroy 
F.  and  Lillie  F.;  Martin  D.;  and  Quinton  D.  is  un- 
married. 

Martin  D.  Grill  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Cumru  township,  and  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School  at  Kutztown,  Pa.  During  the  spring 
ternis  of  1894,  1895  and  1896,  Mr.  Grill  was  engaged  in 
school  teaching  in  Spring  township,  and  from  the  latter 
year  until  1907,  followed  that  profession  in  Cumru 
township.  At  this  time  he  engaged  in  his  present  busi- 
ness, the  manufacture  of  men's  seamless  half  hose,  under 


634 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  firm  name  of  the  Electrical  Hosiery  Company. 
Thirty  hands  are  now  employed  at  his  factory,  and 
these  high  grade  goods  find  a  ready  sale  throughout 
the  State.  , 

Mr.  Grill  was  married  to.  Hannah  R.  Weidner,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Y.  and  Catharine  (Hornberger)  Weidner, 
and  three  children  were  born  to  this  union:  John, 
Stanley  and  Forest.  In  politics  Mr.  Grill  is  a  Republi- 
can, while  in  religious  belief  he  and  Mrs.  Grill  are 
connected  with  the  United  Evangelical  Church.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
of  Mohnton,  and  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  No.  211.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Grill  reside  in  their  own  home  in  Mohnton,  which 
Mr.   Grill  purchased  in   1898. 

John  M.  Dewees,  grandfather  of  Martin  D.  Grill,  was 
a  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Martin  Dewees,  and 
was  6orn  Feb.  26,  1807.  His  only  brother,  George  M., 
went  to  Stark  county,  Ohio.  John  M.  Dewees  followed 
the  same  trade  as  his  father,  that  of  a  shop- 
carpenter,  making  all  kinds  of  household  ^  furni- 
ture. He  was  also  an  undertaker,  making  his  own 
coffins.  In  1835,  he  was  commissioned  Captain  of 
the  12th  Company,  55th  Regiment,  of  the  Mil- 
itia of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  in  the 
2nd  Brigade,  of  the  6th  Division,  composed  of  the 
counties  of  Dauphin,  Lebanon,  Berks  and  Schuylkill, 
his  commission  bearing  date  Aug.  3,  1835,  and  good 
until  Aug.  3,  1842,  given  and  signed  by  Gov.  Joseph 
Ritner.  He  was  also  a  surveyor  and  he  served  as  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  his  first  commission  bearing  date  of 
1840.  He  was  a  justice  from  the  aforesaid  date  until 
1879,  his  last  commission  bearing  date  of  April  13,  1874, 
good  until  1879,  having  held  the  office  for  nearly  forty 
years.  Legal  papers  made  and  issued  by  him  are  noted 
for  their  neatness,  accuracy  and  excellent  penmanship. 
Lawyers  and  court  officials  often  complimented  him 
on  his  elegant  penmanship  which  he  did  mostly  with 
the  quill.  In  1834  he  married  Leah  G.  Matz 
(born  Feb.  11,  1812)  daughter  of  George  Matz. 
They  had  three  daughters  and  two  sons,  the 
sons  dying  in  infancy.  Of  the  daughters:  Elizabeth 
M.  m.  Samuel  P.  Coldren;  Sarah  M.  m.  Adam  M. 
Grill;  and  Rachel  M.  m.  Jere  H.  Miller.  John  M. 
Dewees  was  a  man  of  ordinary  means,  and  proved 
himself  to  be  of  great  usefulness  in  this  section  be- 
tween 1840  and  1875.  He  was  intensely  interested  in 
the  educational  system  provided  by  the  Act  of  1834, 
and  in  1835,  when  an  effort  was  made  to  repeal  this 
act  he  labored  hard  to  interest'  the  people  and  ex- 
plain to  them  the  importance  of  educational  advantages 
provided  for  by  this  act.  He  was  a  lover  of  music, 
especially  of  the  fiddle,  zither  and  accordeon.  He  was 
the  owner  of  a  small  tract  of  land  in  Spring  township. 
He  died  Dec.  14,  1881,  and  is  buried  at  Mohns  Hill 
burying  ground. 

JAMES  G.  KAUFFMAN,  farmer  and  lifelong  resi- 
dent of  Centre  township,  Berks  county,  was  born 
there  Sept.  21,  1862,  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Greim) 
Kauffman.  He  is  of  the  fifth  generation  of  his  family 
in  Berks  county,  where  his  great-great-grandfather 
settled  about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

Jacob  Kauffman  came  to  America  on  the  ship 
"Phoenix,"  landing  Sept.  15,  1749,  with  550  other  pas- 
sengers from  Zweibrucken,  Nassau,  Wurtemberg  and 
the  Palatinate.  He  and  two  brothers  located  in  Lan- 
caster county,  Pa.,  but  the  land  there  was  not  what 
he  wanted,  so  he  did  not  remain  long.  He  did  not 
want  to  undertake  the  work  of  clearing  away  the  for- 
ests which  then  covered  that  region,  and  land  which 
could  be  converted  into  meadows,  to  raise  hay  to  feed 
his  stock,  seemed  to  him  more  desirable,  so  with  one 
brother  he  came  to  Berks  county,  settling  in  Bern  (now 
Upper  Bern)  township.  He  took  up  a  large  tract  of 
land  in  the  fertile  valley  at  the  foot  of  the  Blue  M.oun- 
tain,  near  the  present  site  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  re- 
ceiving a  patent  for  about  seven  hundred  acres,  part 
of  which   was   meadow   land,  with   an   abundant  water 


supply.  He  built  a  log  house  with  a  cellar,  particularly 
adapted  for  defense  against  the  Indians,  there  being  no 
opening  which  afforded  an  easy  entrance,  and  an  at- 
tack could  be  repelled  by  shooting  from  a  window.  The 
few  settlers  then  in  the  vicinity  suffered  much  from  the 
treachery  and  depredations  of  the  Indians,  and  they 
accordingly  established  a  military  post,  the  men  carry- 
ing their  guns  when  they  went  forth  to  their  work  in 
the  morning  and  returning  to  the  fort  when  their  day's 
work  was  done.  This  state  of  affairs  continued  from 
1754  to  1764,  but  with  all  their  precautions  about  one 
hundred  settlers  were  killed,  a  brother  of  Jacob  Kauff- 
man being  among  the  number.  Jacob  Kauffman,  him- 
self had  many  thrilling  adventures  and  some  narrow 
escapes  from  death,  but  he  continued  to  work  and  pros- 
per and  in  time  became  a  well-to-do  man.  In  later 
years  he  built  a  substantial  stone  mansion  upon  this 
farm,  and  this  dwelling  is  still  standing  in  a  good  state 
of  preservation.  Hie  followed  farming  on  his  old  home- 
stead until  his  death  in  1804,  and  he  left  a  tract  of  a 
little  over  one  hundred  acres  (the  old  homestead)  to  his 
son  Yost;  this  is  now  owned  by  the  John  Kauffman 
Estate,  the  sixth  generation.  Jacob  Kauffman  was 
buried  at  St.  Michael's  Church,  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  promoters  and  an  active  member.  He  reared 
a  large  family  of  children,  and  it  is  said  that  his'  sons 
became  great  hunters,  deer  at  that  time  being  very 
plentiful  in  that  section.  Tradition  has  it  that  a  gun 
now  owned  by  one  of  his  descendants  has  killed  as 
many  as  two  hundred  deer. 

Philip  Kauffman,  son  of  Jacob,  born  Dec.  21,  1757, 
died  Nov.  17,  1843.  He  was  buried  at  St.  Michael's 
Lutheran  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  member.  He  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  For  many  years 
he  carried  on  farming,  living  on  a  portion  of  the  orig- 
inal tract  taken  up  by  his  father,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death.  He  married  Magdalena  Seaman,  daugh- 
ter of  Ludwig  Seaman,  and  to  them  were  born  eleven 
children,  seven  sons  and  four  daughters. 

David  Kauffman,  son  of  Philip,  was  born  Sept.  24, 
1790,  in  Bern  township,  after  his  marriage  locating  in 
Centre  township.  Hie  was  reared  to  farming,  and  fol- 
lowed that  vocation  throughout  his  active  years,  buy- 
ing 190  acres  in  Centre  township,  now  Known  as  the 
Bushong  farm,  and  also  owning  120  acres  adjoining 
this  tract.  He  did  not  engage  in  active  labors  for  fif- 
teen years  prior  to  his  death,  but  continued  to  live  on 
his  farm.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion of  Belleman's  Church,  and  in  politics  was  a  stanch 
Democrat. 

On  Feb.  26,  1814,  Mr.  Kauffman  married  Magdalena 
Kline,  born  April  15,  1793,  died  June  14,  1846,  and 
he  survived  her  many  years,  dying  March  6,  1868;  he 
is  buried  at  Belleman's  Church.  Twelve  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mlrs.  Kauffman,  namely:  Elizabeth, 
deceased,  wife  of  "Valentine  Spatz;  William,  deceased, 
of  Centre  township;  David,  who  is  mentioned  further 
on;  Mary,  deceased,  wife  of  John  Rothenberger;  La- 
vina,  wife  of  William  Loose,  of  Centre  township;  Cath- 
arine, widow  of  Dr.  John  Spatz,  of  Centreport;  Sallie,  de- 
ceased, wife  of  John  Kauffman;  Matilda,  deceased, 
widow  of  John  Rothenberger,  of  Reading;  Levi,  de- 
ceased, who  lived  in  Leesport;  Lydia,  deceased, 
wife  of  Leonard  Schock,  of  Leesport;  Deborah,  deceas- 
ed; and  George,  deceased,  whose  family  live  at  Potts- 
town. 

David  Kauffman,  son  of  David,  was  born  Nov.  1, 
1820,  in  Bern  township,  where  he  was  reared,  attending 
the  public  schools  and  growing  up  Into  an  intimate 
knowledge  of  farm  work.  He  followed  farming  on 
his  father's  190-acre  farm  for  seven  years  before  pur- 
chasing an  adjoining  tract,  the  farm  of  161  acres  which 
is  now  the  property  of  his  son  James  G.  There  he 
carried  on  general  agriculture  until  eleven  years  before 
his  death,  when  he  retired,  settling  in  Leesport,  where 
he  enjoyed  a  well-earned  competency.  Besides  the 
home  place  he  owned  two  farms  in  Bern  township, 
one  of  130  acres  and  another  of  108  acres,  as  well  as 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


635 


his  fine  home  in  Leesport.  He  was  a  stanch  Democrat 
and  took  an  active  part  in  the  public  affairs  of  his 
community  as  w'ell  as  in  religious  matters,  being  a 
prominent  Lutheran  member  of  Belleman's  Church, 
which  he  served  for  a  number  of  years  as  deacon  and 
elder. 

Mr.  KaufEman  married  Nov.  34,  1849,  Elizabeth 
Greim,  born  April  30,  1834,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Wertman)  Greim,  of  Be.rn  township.  He  died  July 
38,  1897,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years,  and  Mrs. 
Kauffman  passed  away  Jan.  6,  1898,  aged  seventy-three 
years;  they  are  buried  side  by  side  at  Belleman's 
Church.  They  had  children  as  follows:  Sarah,  de- 
ceased, m.  Henry  Phillips,  a  farmer  of  Centre  township; 
Isabella,  deceased,  m.  Isaac  Bagenstose,  who  was  a 
farmer  of  Bern  township;  John  is  deceased;  Elizaljeth 
is  deceased;  David  is  deceased;  Catherine  (deceased) 
m.  Samuel  Moser;  James  G.  is  mentioned  below; 
Louisa  G.  m.  John  Winter,  of  Reading. 

James  G.  Kauflfman  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Centre  township,  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School  at  Kutztown,  and  the  Central  State 
Normal  School  at  Lock  Haven,  Pa.  He  was  twenty 
when  he  left  school,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming 
with  his  father  until  1886,  when  he  took  up  farming 
on  his  oVn  account.  In  1893  he  purchased  the  farm 
of  161  acres  formerly  owned  by  his  father,  a  fertile  tract 
supplied  with  very  fine  spring  water.  This  farm  was  first 
purchased  from  the  Pennsylvania  proprietors  in  1749  by 
Benjamin  Lightfoot,  a  pioneer  of  Berks  county,  and 
was  purchased  by  David  Kauflfman,  father  of  the  pres- 
ent owner,  in  1856.  Mr.  Kauflfman  not  only  carries  on 
farming,  but  also  breeds  stock,  fattens  cattle,  and  car- 
ries on  a  dairy  business. 

On  Jan.  30,  1886,  Mr.  Kauffman  married  Mary  L. 
Hartman,  daughter  of  George  C.  and  Rebecca  J.  (I^in- 
bach)  Hartman,  of  Bern  township,  and  nine  children 
were  born  to  this  union,  nanlely:  Winfield  Hartman, 
who  died  Sept.  34,  1887;  David  Benjamin  H.,  a  graduate 
of  the  Perkiomen  Seminary,  1908,  and  now  a  student 
at  State  College  (he  taught  school  three  terms) ;  Laura 
Rebecca  H.,  who  died  Aug.  2)1,  1889;  George  Robert  H., 
who  is  a  teacher  in  Bern  township  at  present;  James 
Leinbach  B.,  who  is  a  student  at  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School;  Mabel  Elizabeth  HL;  John  Greim  H., 
deceased;  Irvin  Hartman;  and  Harry  E.  H.  Mr.  Kauflf- 
man and  members  of  his  family  belong  to  Belleman's 
Lutheran  Church  at  Dauberville,  in  Centre  township, 
and  he  has  served  several  years  as  deacon  of  that  con- 
gregation. 

In  politics  Mr.  Kauflfman  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Democratic  party  in  his  locality,  and  he  has  acted 
upon  several  occasions  as  delegate  to  county  and  State 
conventions.  He  has  been  the  choice  of  his  party  for 
a  number  of  local  offices,  having  been  elected  assessor 
of  the  township  shortly  after  he  reached  his  majority, 
ser.ved  two  terms  as  school  director,  and  since  1901 
has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  appointed 
to  the  office  in  May  of  that  year,  and  was  elected  in 
the  fall  of  the  same  year.  His  services  in  every  posi- 
tion have  been  highly  acceptable. 

Mrs.  Mary  L.  (Hartman)  Kauflman  comes  of  a  fam- 
ily that  has  been  well  represented  in  the  educational 
world.  She  was  born  in  Bern  township  March  25,  1863, 
daughter  of  George  C.  and  Rebecca  Jane  (Leinbach) 
Hartman,  of  the  borough  of  West  Leesport.  She  was 
the  eldest  of  eight  children — six  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters— the  others  being:  Carrie  Jane,  m.  to  M.  S.  Par- 
vin.  of  East  Berkley;  Capt.  J.  D.  L.;  a  Graduate  of  West 
Point  Military  Academy,  now  a  captain  in  the  First  U. 
S.  Cavalry,  and  stationed  in  the  Philippines;  Rev. 
George  W,  pastor  of  St.  John's  Reformed  Church  at 
Orwigsburg;  Dr.  Irvin  H..  of  Reading;  Prof.  F.  O., 
supervising  principal  of  the  Woodbine  Schools,  New 
Jersey;  Harry  E.,  a  member  of  the  real  estate  firm 
of  Barber,  Hartman  &  Co.,  Philadelphia;  and  Prof. 
Winfield  L..  instructor  in  Latin  and  Greek  in  Perkio- 
men   Seminary.     Mrs.   Kauflfman   is   a   member  of   the 


Reformed  Church,  and  is  greatly  interested  in  the 
cause  of  education,  having  done  much  to  inspire  in 
her  children  an  ambition  for  learning.  She  has  been 
a  faithful  wife  and  mother,  and  her  home  is  most  pleas- 
ant and  hospitable.. 

JOHN  H.  BOYER,  a  substantial  farmer  and  highly 
esteemed  citizen  of  Amity  township,  Berks  county, 
and  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  was  born  Dec.  3,  1843,  in 
Exeter  township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Abraham  S. 
and  Lucetta  Holloway  Boyer,  and  a  member  of  an. 
old  and  representative  family  of  the  lower  end  of  Berks 
county. 

.  The  emigrant  ancestor  of  the  Boyer  family  was 
John  Philip  Beyer,  who  came  from  the  Palatinate  to 
Philadelphia  in  1731,  with  a  number  of  children.  He 
settled  in_  Frederick  township,  Montgomery  county, 
but  later  lived  in  Amity  township,  Berks  county,  where 
he  died  in  the  spring  of  1753,  at  a  ripe  old  age.  He 
belonged  to  the  Swamp  Lutheran  Church,  and  was 
buried  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  Henry  M'elchior  Muhlen- 
berg, who  reports  the  matter  fully  in  the  "Halleschen 
Nachrichten."  His  will  is  on  record  at  the  Philadel- 
phia courthouse,  and  in  it  some  of  his  children  are 
named.  Among  his  sons  were:  Jacob,  the  ancestor 
of  the  Boyertown  branch  of  the  family;  and  Johann 
Heinrich. 

Johann  Heinrich  Boyer  was  born  in  1714,  in  the  Pfalz, 
Germany,  and  died  May  2,  1814,  in  the  one  hundredth 
year  of  his  age.  In  1743  he  was  married  to  Magda- 
iena  Kirchner,  and  among  his  children — six  sons  and 
one  daughter — were  Philip  and  Heinrich. 

Philip  Boyer,  born  Dec.  14,  1754,  died  July  31,  1832. 
His  wife,  Christiana,  who  was  born  in  1754,  also  died 
in  1832,  and  both  were  buried  in  the  old  graveyard 
at  Amityville.  Philip  Boyer  made  a  will  the  year  be- 
fore his  death,  while  a  resident  of  Amity  township,  and 
in  it  he  mentions  the  following  children:  Michael; 
Jacob,  who  had  a  son  Philip;  John;  Peter;  Mary,  m. 
to  George  Koch;  and  Daniel,  born  in  1792,  who  died  in 
1825. 

Heinrich  Boyer  was  a  son  of  Johann  Heinrich.  His 
wife's  name  was  Hannah.  They  had  children:  Jere- 
miah, born  April  36,  1810,  died  March  3,  1848,  and  his 
wife  Nellie,  born  Dec.  30,  1807,  died  Dec.  12,  1883,  aged 
seventy-five  years,  eleven  months,  thirteen  days;  Anna 
Maria,  born  1812,  died  1833;  and  Isaac,  born  1817,  died 
1839.  All  of  these  Boyers  are  buried  in  the  graveyard 
at  Amityville. 

Philip  Boyer  (also  spelled  Beyer),  grandfather  of 
John  H.  Boyer,  was  a  grandson  of  the  emigrant  John 
Philip  Beyer.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Exeter  township. 
Many  years  ago  he  owned  and  conducted  what  is  now 
the  "Stonersville  Hotel."  He  was  born  March  16,  1775, 
and  died  Aug.  21,  1836,  aged  sixty-one  years,  five 
months,  five  days,  and  was  buried  in  the  Amityville 
graveyard.  He  married  Elizabeth  Schrack,  born  Jan. 
18,  1780,  died  June  3,  1833,  aged  fifty-three  years,  four 
months,  fifteen  days.  They  had  ten  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Mary,  John,  Samuel,  Jacob,  William,  Hannah, 
Isaac,  Abraham  S.,  and  two  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Abraham  S.  Boyer,  father  of  John  H.,  was  born  in 
Exeter  township,  June  19,  1821,  and  died  May  2,  1905.  in 
Amity  township,  aged  eighty-three  years,  ten  months, 
thirteen  days.  In  his  early  years  he  worked  as  a  farm 
laborer,  but  later  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Oley, 
Lower  Heidelberg,  Colebrookdale  and  then  Amity 
townships,  dying  in  Amity,  as  stated  above.  His  remains 
rest  in  the  Amityville  cemetery.  In  religious  faith  he 
was  a  Lutheran  and  he  served  in  the  offices  of  deacon 
and  elder  in  the  Amityville  Church.  In  his  political 
views  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  served  both  as  school 
director  and  as  township  supervisor.  He  married  (first) 
Lucetta  Holloway,  born  Dec.  17,  1820,  died  May  13, 
1857,  aged  thirty-six  years,  four  months,  twenty-six 
days.  They  had  seven  children,  namely:  John  H.; 
Charles  F.,  deceased  in  infancy;  Sarah  E.;  Morris  L. 
H.,   residing   at    Reading;    George    M.    deceased   in   in- 


636  HISTORY   OF   BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

fancy;   Emma  E.  and  Mary  C.     He  m.   (second)   Har-  E.;  John   Ellsworth  m.   Matilda   Reinhart,     and     is     a 

riet    Harbold,    daughter    of   Jacob    Harbold.      She    was  broker  in  cotton  yarns  in  Reading;  William  Oscar  died 

born  in  1819,  and  died  in  1886.    They  had  two  children:  at  the  age  of  three  years,  four  months;  and  Cora  Ella 

William,  born  in   1867,   died  in   1868;   and  Ann   Laura,  died   when   seven   years,   nine   months,   three   days    old. 

wife  of  Thomas  C.  Darrah,  a  prominent  man  of  Berks  Mr.   Keim  was  a   Lutheran  in   religious  belief,   and  to 

county.  that  church  his  widow  also  adhered.     Politically  he  was 

John    H.    Boyer    was    reared    on    his    father's    farm  a  Democrat, 

which   he   left   for   the   first   time   when   he    enlisted   in  Mrs.  Keim  came  to  Reading  in  1885,  and  after  living 

September,  1862,  for  service  in  the  Civil  War,  entering  for    four    years    on    Fifth    street,    she    purchased    two 

Company  I,  20th  Regiment,  Vol.  Militia,  for  State  de-  houses  on  Pearl  street,  which  she  rebuilt  in  1901.  Mrs. 

fense,   Capt.    Frederick  S.   Boa?,   commanding.     Subse-  Keim  was  a  woman  of  many  admirable  traits  of  char- 

quently    Oct.    23,    1862,    he    re-enlisted    in    Company   K,  acter,  and  had  hosts  of  friends  in  the  community  who 

179th  Pa.  V.  L.  and  served  nine  months,  and  was  mus-  mourned  her  decease, 
tered  out  with  the  regiment  at  Harrisburg,  July  27,  1863. 

After  the  war,  Mr.  Boyer  became  a  hired  man  on  the  DR.   PETER   S.   MOGEL,  a  well-known   dentist  lo- 

Williara   Yocum    farm    in    Amity    township,    where    he  cated   at   No.    814   Penn   street,    Reading,   was   born   in 

remained  for  three  years  and  was  then  in  his  father's  Tulpehocken    township,    Berks    county,    Nov.    18,   1862, 

employ,   on  the   same   farm   for  three   more   years.      In  son  of  Emendon  B.  and  Louise  (Scha'de)  Mogel. 

the  spring  of  1870  he  began  farming  on  his  father-in-  The  name  of  Mogel  has  been  spelled  in  nine  different 

law's   farm  in   Colebrookdale   township,   where   he   was  ways  by  the  members     of     the     same     family — Mochel, 

engaged   for   three   years,    after   which    he    returned    to  Mockel,   Mbckle,   Mogel,   M'ogle,  Mocel,   Mokel,   Mokle 

the   Wilham   Yocum's   farm    on   which    he   has    resided  and   Mogul.     The   family  was   planted   in   this   country 

for  the   past   thirty-five   years.     He   lays   special   stress  by  Valentine  Mochel,  who  arrived  at  Philadelphia  Aug. 

on   dairying,    operating  this   industry   with   thirty   head  28,  1750,  on  the  "Phoenix,"  John  Mason,  master.     The 

of   fine   cows.     Since   1875   he   has   shipped  his  milk  to  vessel    had    sailed   from    Rotterdam,   last   from    Cowes, 

Philadelphia.  and  carried  339   passengers.     When   he   arrived  Valen- 

On   Nov.   3,   1866,   Mr.   Boyer  was   married   to   Eliza-  tine  Mochel  registered  his  name,  spelling  it  "Mochel," 

beth   G.    Gabel,   daughter   of   David   and   Mary   (Gabel)  and  he  first  drifted  to  what  is  known  as  Penns  Valley 

Gabel,  of  Colebrookdale  township,  and  they  had  three  in    Perry   county,  above   Harrisburg,   at   a   place   called 

children:  Catherine,  Sarah  Ellen  and  Charles  G.    Cath-  Millheim.     He  took  up  land,  but  after  being  there  for 

erine  is  the  widow  of  Webster  Marquett,  born  in  1862,  some  time  found  the  Indians  becoming  troublesome,  so 

died  in   1898.     They  had  the  following  children:   Edna  fearing   for    his    family's    safety,    he    migrated   to    near 

M.,  Mayme  R.,  Jennie  E.,  John  J.,   C.   Earl  and  Mary  Centreport,  in  the  vicinity  of  Belleman's  Church,  where 

M.,  the  latter  of  whom  died  Jan.  31,  1908,  aged  eleven  he  took  up   a  tract  of  land  in   1752,   and  this  land   has 

years,   eight  months,   nine   days.      Sarah   Ellen   married  remained  m  the  family  name  to  the  present  time,  the 

William  E.  Romig  and  they  reside  at  Reading  and  have  owner  now  (1909)  being  ex-county  treasurer  David  W. 

one  daughter,  Lena  B.     Charles  G.,  ticket  agent  at  the  Mc%el,    whose    son    John    operates    it.      The    house    as 

South    Street    Ferry,    Philadelphia,   resides    at    Camden,  originally    built    by   Valentine    Mogel    (or    Mochel)    is 

N.  J.,  and  has  had  two  children,  John   (deceased)   and  still   standing,   altered   only  by  additions   made  by   the 

Anna  E.  present  owner.     Valentine  Mochel  had  three  children, 

In  politics,  Mr.  John  H.  Boyer  is  identified  with  the  among  them  Valentine   (2). 

Republican  party.     He  and  family  are  members  of  the  Valentine    M'ochel    (2),    son    of    the    emigrant,    was 

Lutheran  Church,  at  Amityville.     Mr.  Boyer  is  a  mem-  born  in  Centre  township.  June  22,  1758,  and  died  April 

ber  of   McLean   Post   No.   16,   G.   A.   R..   Reading.   Pa..  25,   1830.     He  married  Catharine  Meyer,  and  they  had 

and    Washington     Camp     No.   213,   P.   O.    S.   of  A.,   of  nine  children,  among  whom  were:     Valentine  (3),  born 

Amityville.  Aug.  12,  1788,  died  unmarried  Feb.  21,  1848;  H^nry  W.. 

Morris  L.  H.-  Boyer,  son  of  'Abraham  S.,  was  born  born  Jan.  30,  1792,  died  Nov.  14,  1867;  and  Samuel 
in  Oley  township,  July  27,  1848,  and  was' reared  upon  With  the  children  of  this  generation  came  the  change 
the  farm.  He  taught  school  from  1868  to  1880  in  Earl  in  the  spelling  of  the  name,  doubtless  due  to  the  Eng- 
and  Amity  townships.  He  came  to  Reading  in  1896  lish  school  teachers,  who  often  tried  to  Anglicize  the 
where  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  an  active  Democrat,  German  names,  and  were  consequently  responsible  for 
and  was  county  auditor  from  1885  to  1888;  a  clerk  in  the  many  of  the  changes  in  name  so  common  throughout 
county  commissioners'  office  from  1888  to  1891;  a  clerk  Pennsylvania.  ' 
in  the  Register's  office  from  1891  to  189'4;  and  Samuel  Mogel,  son  of  Valentine  (2),  was  born  Nov. 
during  1894  was  in  the  Recorder's  office.  He  was  2,  1805,  and  died  May  4,  1&58.  He  married  Sarah  Bag- 
tax  collector  in  Reading  from  1901  to  1907.  During  enstose,  and  they  had  thirteen  children, 
the  Civil  War  he  enlisted  at  Reading,  March  10.  1865,  Emendon  B.  Mogel,  son  of  Samuel  and  father  of 
in  Company  H.  50th  Pa.  V.  V.  I.,  when  only  sixteen  Dr.  Peter  S.,  was  born  Nov.  11.  1834.  in  Centre  town- 
years  old,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment  July  ship.  Berks  county,  and  he  became  a  well-known  man 
30,  1865.  at  the  end  of  the  war.  He  m.,  Sept.  2,  1869.  Re-  in  his  district.  He  was  a  veterinary  surgeon  and  for 
becca  Kohler,  of  Greenwich  township,  and  they  have  many  years  was  located  at  Bernville,  where  he  died 
one  daughter,  Cora,  m.  to  William  H.  Luppold,  city  Dec.  17,  1901.  He  married  Louise  Schade,  daughter  of 
assessor  of  Reading.  Joseph   Schade,  and  they  had  two  children.:   Dr.   Peter 

S.;   and  Rev.   Levi  S.,  born  April  26,   1860,  and  now  a 

WILLIAM  M.  KEIMi  (deceased),  who  was  for  many  Presbyterian  minister  located  at  Woodburn,  Ore.,  mar- 
years  a  popular  hotel  man  of  Kutztown,  Pa.,  was  born  ried  to  Maud   McKinney. 

in  Pike  township.  Berks  county,  in  July,  1827,  son   of  Dr.   Peter  S.  Mogel  received  his  preliminary  educa- 

George  M.  and  Susan  (Mensh)  Keim.  tion  in  the  schools  of  Bernville,  and  then  entered  the 

George  M.  Keim  was  an  extensive  farmer  in  Pike  Dental  Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
township,  and  he  followed  that  occupation  until  his  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  graduated  in  1889.  He  then 
death,  when  his  property  was  purchased  by  his  son,  located  at  Bernville  where  for  a  time  he  followed  his 
William  M.,  who  operated  it  in  connection  with  hotel  profession,  comling  to  Reading  in  1893.  He  is  a  mem- 
keeping.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1880,  William  M.  ber  of  the  Dental  Alumni  of  the  State  University  of 
Keim  was  pritprietor  of  the  "Keystone  Hotel"  at  Kiutz-  the  State  Dental  Society;  of  the  Lebanon  Valley  Dis- 
town.  In  'J860  Mr.  Keim  married  Mary  Ann  R.  Gonser,  trict  Dental  Society;  of  the  Reading  Dental  Society 
daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Reager)  Gonser,  and  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Isaac  Hiester  Lodge  No.  660 
four  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Ida  Nora  m.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Lodge  No.  115,  B.  P.  O.  E.;  and  Coun- 
George  Marx,  of  Kutztown,  and  had  one  child,  Warren  cil  No.  495,  Royal  Arcanum. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


637 


Dr.  Mogel  married  Laura  C.  Burkhart,  and  they  have 
two  sons:  J.  Vincent  and  Paul  B. 


Henry  W.  Mogel,  son  of  Valentine  (3)  and  Cath- 
arine (Meyer)  Mochel,  was  born  Jan.  30,  1792,  and  died 
Nov.  14,1867.  He  was  a  farmer  on  the  old  homestead. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  and  an  official  member  of 
Belleman's  Reformed  Church  in  Centre  township;  and 
he  was  prominent  in  public  affairs,  holding  a  number 
of  offices. 

David  W.  Mogel,  son  of  Henry  W.,  was  born  Sept. 
17,  1838,  and  has  long  been  one  of  the  well-known  men 
in  the  political  life  of  Berks  county.  In  1887  he/  was 
elected  county  treasurer,  and  filled  that  office  efficiently 
for  three  years.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  in 
Company  D,  167th  Pa.  V.  I.  His  fraternal  connections 
are  with  McLean  Post  No.  16,  G.  A.  R.;  Washington 
Camp,  No.  165,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  and  the  Pennsylvania 
Grange.  He  m"arried  Eliza  Fryberger,  and  they  had 
nine  children:  Morgan  F.,  born  July  30,  1863;  Albert  F., 
Nov.  5,  1864;  Valentine  F..  Nov.  28.  1866  (died  Jan. 
30,  1896);  Ellen  F..  April  20,  1869  (died  Sept.  22,  1887); 
Howard  F.,  June  16,  1871;  Levi  F.,  Sept.  9,  1873; 
John  F..  June  §,  1879;  Adam  F.,  March  39,  1881  (died 
Nov.  17,  1888); 'and  David  F.,  July  28,  1885. 

Albert  F.  Mogel,  son  of  David  W.,  was  born  Nov. 
5,  1864.  For  some  years  he  was  a  teacher  in  the  pub- 
lic schools.  In  1902  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Berks 
county  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  serving  three  years. 
He  is  now.  living  in  Leesport,  where  he  has  a  general 
store.  He  is  president  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Leesport.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Vaux 
Lodge.  No.  406,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Hamburg;  Reading  Lodge 
of  Perfection;  Philadelphia  Consistory,  32d  degree; 
Oley  Lodge,  No.  318,  I.  O.  O.  F.;  Washington  Camp, 
No.  165,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  Meade  Camp,  No.  16,  S.  of  V.; 
Leesport  Castle.  No.  503,  K.  G.  E.;  Ontelaunee  Council, 
No.  985,  O.  t>i  I.  A.;  Leesport  Camp,  No.  9384,  M.  W. 
of  A.;  Leesport  Temple.  No.  10,  O.  U.  A.;  Munson 
Council,  No.  382,  D.  of  L. 

On  April  19.  1887,  Mr.  Mogel  married  Alice  Henrietta 
Rahn,  daughter  of  William  Rahn.  Their  only  daugh- 
ter, Emma  V.,  is  married  to  Prof.  H.  C.  Snyder.  A  son, 
Adam  C,  died  Dec.  11,  1890',  aged  two  years. 

GEORGE  H.  FELIX  has  been  a  resident  of  the  city 
of  Reading.  Pa.,  since  January,  1874.  He  was  born 
in  Elizabethtown,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa..  Dec.  29,  1853. 
His  father,  still  living  in  this  city  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
five  years,  is  Jacob  Felix,  son  of  Henry  Felix. 

Stephen  Felix,  his  great-grandfather,  was  born  in 
Alsace,  Germany,  in  1741,  emigrated  to  this  coun- 
try when  a  young  man  and  settled  near  Hummels- 
town.  in  Dauphin  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  followed  it  through  life.  He  died  .Oct.  31,  1821, 
aged  eighty  years.  He  married  Mary  Magdelena 
Eckenroth,  of  Elizabethtown,  who  died  Feb.  19,  1819. 
Stephen  Felix  was  prominently  identified  with  the  early 
history  of  Pennsylvania  and  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
members  of  the  Catholic  Church,  worshipping  in  the 
then  Mission  Church  in  Elizabethtown,  which  was 
erected  in  1779. 

Henry  Felix,  son  of  Stephen,  was  born  and  resided 
all  his  life  ort  a  farm  in  Dauphin  county.  Pa.,  near 
Elizabethtown,  Pa.,  where  his  son  Jacob  was  born. 
His  wife  was  Rosanna  Lawrence,  born  in  Goshenhop- 
pen.  now  Bally.  Pa.,  who  died  Nov.  9,  1857. 

.Jacob  Felix,  son  of  Henry,  married  Mary  Elizabeth 
Gross,  who  was  born  near  Middletown,  Dauphin 
county,  and  died  in  Reading,  Pa.,  in  July,  1883,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-three  years.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Adam  and  Elizabeth  (Mackey)  Gross.  The  former, 
Adam  Gross,  was  a  son  of  Andrew  Gross,  who  died 
Sept.  19,  1829,  aged  seventy-nine  years,  and  his  wife, 
Anna  Maria  Gross,  who  died  March  25,  1819.  aged  sixty- 
six  years.  The  Gross  family  in  their  earlier  years  were 
engaged  principally  in  mercantile  pursuits,  and  were 
also   among   the   early   Catholic   settlers    in    this    State. 


The  ancestors  on  both  sides  of  the  family  of  George 
H.  Felix  were  honorable  and  progressive  citizens,  some 
of  whom  took  prominent  part  in  public  affairs  in  the 
fiist  half  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

Mr.  George  H.  Felix  passed  his  early  years  in  Eliza-  . 
betlitown,  where  he  received  but  a  common  school 
education  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  an 
apprenticeship  at  the  cabinet-making  trade  with  his 
father,  who  was  then  engaged  in  the  furniture  manu- 
facturing business  in  that  place.  He  cornpleted  his 
trade  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  after  which  he  was 
employed  as  a  cabinet-maker  in  a  furniture  factory  in 
Middletown,  Pa.  In  1872  he  secured  employment  in 
the  cabinet  department  in  the  Pennsylvania  Railway 
shops  in  Philadelphia,  which  continued  for  about  one 
and  one-half  years.  During  his  stay  in  Philadelphia 
he  secured  a  business  training  in  the  night  school  of 
the  Bryant  Stratton  Business  College,  which  latter 
served  him  well,  when,  with  his  father,  in  1874  he  en- 
gaged in  the  retail  furniture  and  undertaking  business 
in  Reading.  In  1876  the  furniture  part  of  the  business 
was  discontinued,  and  their  sole  attention  was  given 
to  the  undertaking  business.  This  partnership  was 
continued  until  January,  1897.  when  the  father  retired, 
and  the  son  continued  the  business  until  May,  1906. 
From  July,  1889,  to  January,  1897,  he  was  also  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  bank  and  office  fixtures,  hotel 
bars,  and  interior  house  finishings. 

Soon  after  locating  in  Reading,  and  when  still  a 
young  man  Mr.  Felix  became  associated  with  some  of 
the  leaders  of  the  Derriocratic  party,  and  winning  their 
favor  soon  became  popular  in  the  party.  In  April, 
1880,  he  was  chosen  clerk  of  common  council  of  the 
city,  which  position  he  held  for  three  one-year  terms. 
Declining  a  renomination  to  this  office  in  1883,  he  be- 
came a  candidate  for  clerk  of  select  council  and  ex- 
officio  city  clerk,  and  received  the  caucus  nomination 
over  his  opponent.  Factional  differences  among'  coun- 
cilmen  prevented  an  election.  In  April,  1884,  Mr. 
Felix  was  again  the  caucus  nominee  and  was  elected, 
and  re-elected  for  four  succeeding  terms,  thus  serving 
with  great  credit  five  years  as  citj'  clerk.  The  clerk 
of  select  council  was  also  ex-officio  secretary  of  the 
board  of  water  commissioners.  The  business  of  the 
Water  Department  attracted  Mr.  Felix's  attention  more 
particularly,  and  he  made  a  close  study  of  its  affairs. 
In  February,  1891,  Mr.  Felix  was  elected  by  city  coun- 
cils a  member  of  the  board  of  water  commissioners 
for  the  Fourth  district  for  a  term  of  four  years,  an 
honorary  position  to  which  he  was  re-elected  for  three 
additional  successive  terms.  In  March,  1892,  he  was 
chosen  by  his  colleagues  president  of  the  board,  and 
continued  the  directing  head  of  the  Department  for  a 
period  of  ten  years,  during  which  time  he  took  the 
initiative  in  making  and  executing  plans  for  the  future 
development  and  growth  of  the  water  works  system, 
so  as  to  meet  the  demands  of  a  rapidly  growing  city 
population.  In  the  board  one  of  his  special  desires 
was  to  preserve  harmonious  relations  with  his  col- 
leagues, thus  securing  united  action  in  his.  recommenda- 
tions for  the  betterment  of  the  system. 

His  progressive  spirit,  indomitable  energy,  and  care- 
ful judgment,  together  with  the  prestige  he  obtained 
among  the  city  councilmen,  were  influences  which 
induced  the  city  fathers  to  support  him  and  the  water 
board  in  almost  any  legislation  recommended  for  the 
extension,  maintenance  and  financial  benefit  of  the 
Water  Department.  The  one  improvement  to  the 
water  works  system  which  Mr.  Felix  most  persistently 
urged  for  many  years,  and  the  one  most  stubbornly 
resisted  by  the  people  of  the  city,  was  the  purification 
of  the  whole  water  supply  by  some  system  of  filtration, 
a  work  thoroughly  practical,  economical  and  necessary 
to  the  health  and  happiness  of  the  citizens.  His 
agitation  of  this  question  began  in  1895,  and  securing 
the  concrrrence  of  his  colleagues  in  his  views,  was  con- 
tinued for  years  until  in  1902  he  secured  authority 
for  a  sample  filter  plant  for  the  Egelman  supply.  The 


638 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


success  'of  this  plant  proved  a  strong  recommendation 
for  autliority,  granted  later,  to  build  at  Twentieth  street  and 
Perkiomen  avenue  a  plant  of  the  same  type  for  the 
Antietam  supply,  the  most  objectionable  drinking 
•  water  in  summer  furnished  to  the  citizens.  So  success- 
ful and  satisfactory  have  been  the  results  attained  by 
this  improvement,  that  the  citizens  generally  withdrew 
their  antagonism  to  the  filtration  of  the  water  supply, 
and  conceded  that  Mr.  Felix  together  with,  the  other 
members  of  the  board  had  really  done  a  great  work, 
.and  deserved  the  commendation  of  every  citizen.  That 
this  was  true  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  a  few  years 
later  a  loan  of  $500,000  was  voted  by  the  people  for 
the  purification  of  the  remaining  sources  of  supply, 
viz.:  the  Maiden  Creek  and  the  Bernhart  Creek,  by  the 
same  system  of  filtration. 

Mr.  Felix  continued  as  a  water  commissioner  until 
September,  1904,  when  he  resigned  and  was  chosen  by 
the  board  general  manager  of  the  Water  Department, 
pursuant  to  an  ordinance  unanimously  passed  by 
councils  creating  that  office  and  prescribing  duties.  He 
served  in  this  capacity  for  a  period  of  seventeen 
months,  when  the  legality  of  the  ordinance  creating 
the  position  was  raised  by  a  few  citizens,  and  a  suit 
in  court  begun  to  decide  it.  Not  desiring  to  hold  an 
office  of  doubtful  legality  he  resigned  it  Feb.  1,  1906, 
before  the  case  was  tried,  thus  ending  an  honorable 
career  in  public  life  of  about  twenty-two  years,  thirteen 
of  which  were  served  gratuitously.  Mr.  Felix  enjoys 
the  confidence  of  the  best  people  in  the  city,  many  of 
whom  regard  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  city  Water 
Department  as  laying  the  foundation  for  the  present 
excellent  water  works  system.  He  continues  his  interest 
in  the  water  works  and  takes  pleasure  in  seeing  that 
many  of  the  improvements  now  being  made  are  along 
the  lines  he  favored  in  years  gone  by.  He  retains  his 
m'embe/ship  in  the  American  Water  Works  Association, 
which  'connection  has  now  covered  a  period  of  sixteen 
years,  served  five  years  on  its  executive  committee, 
and  was  chosen  its  president  in  1907,  and  pre- 
sided in  the  City  of  Washington  in  1908  at  the 
largest  convention  it  ever  held.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  New  England  Water  Works  Associa.tion,  and 
was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Water 
Works  Association  in  1908,  and  was  immediately  chosen 
its  second  vice-president.  He  was  director  of  the 
Second  National  Bank,  and  president  of  the  Reading 
Suburban  Water  Company  for  several  years.  He  is 
at  present  engaged  in  real  estate  operations,  the  build- 
ing and  development  of  real  estate  on  his  own  ac- 
count and  for  others,  and  is  the  manager  of  the  West 
Reading  Realty  Company. 

Mr.  Felix  has  enjoyed  twenty-five  years  of  married 
life.  On  Feb.  6.  1884,  he  wedded  Katharine  V.,  daugh- 
ter of  Francis  J.  and  Catharine  P.  Obert,  of  Reading. 
Mr.  Obert,  who  was  proprietor  of  the  Union  Boiler 
Works  of  Reading,  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  but 
came  to  this  country  when  still  in  his  minority.  Mrs. 
Obert,  whose  maiden  name  was  Winter,  was  born  in 
Reading  of  German  parentage.  Her  father  was  Joseph 
Winter  who  for  many  years  was  proprietor  of  a  tan- 
nery at  Second  and  Chestnut  streets,  Reading.  Mrs. 
Felix  has  two  sisters,  Mary  and  Anna,  residing  in 
Reading  with  the  father.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Felix  have 
been  born  two  daughters,  Gertrude  Loyola  and  Mary 
Katharine.  Gertrude  L.  graduated  from  the  Reading 
high  school  in  1904,  and  took  a  post-graduate  course  of 
two  years  in  preparation  for  a  course  in  Wellesley  Col- 
lege which,  unfortunately,  ill  health  compelled  her  to 
relinquish  after  a  short  stay  at  the  college.  M.  Katha- 
rine after  leaving  the  city  grammar  school  completed 
her  education  by  a  three  years'  course  at  Mt.  Aloysius 
Academy,  Cresson.  Pa.,  and  two  years  at  Eden  Hall, 
Academy  of  the  Sacre.d  Heart,  Torresdale.  Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr.  Felix  and  his  family  are'  consistent  mem- 
bers of  St.  Peter's  Catholic  Church.  He  is  a  member 
of    the    Knights    of    Columbus    and    of    the    Beneficial 


Brotherhood  of  the  Holy  Cross,  of  which  he  has  been 
treasurer  for  the  past  sixteen  years.  He  has  a  large 
acquaintance  in  the  business  and  social  circles  of  the  city. 

CHARLES  N.  FRAME,  an  enterprising  business 
man  of  Reading,  manager  and  city  circulator  of  the 
Reading  Eagle,  with  which  paper  he  has  been  identi- 
fied since  1875,  was  born  Dec.  31,  1848,  at  Reading, 
son  of  Conrad  and  Catherine  ^Marx)  Frame,  and 
grandson  of  George  Ulrich  Fremd,  as  the  name  was 
originally  spelled. 

George  Ulrich  Fremd  was  born  June  3,  1773,  in 
Vaihingen,  Germany,  where  he  married,  Feb.  11,  1798, 
Christina  Dorothea  Alsesser.  born  in  the  same  place, 
June  10,  1774.  Prior  to  coming  to  America  Mr.  Fremd 
had  worked  as  a  tanner  and  currier,  but  after  coming 
to  this  country  probably  engaged  in  farming,  settling 
in  the  vicinity  of  Reading.  His  death  was  caused  by 
an  accident  while  fording  the  Schuylkill  river  in  1823, 
when  he  was  aged  fifty  years.  Mr.  Fremd  and  his  wife 
had  the  following  children:  Johann  Christian,  born 
Jan.  24,  1799.  settled  in  Mifflin  county;  Johannes,  born 
May  13,  1803.  moved  to  Philadelphia;  Anna  Maria,  born 
May  28,  1805,  settled  in  Philadelphia;  Christina  Doro- 
thea, born  Sept.  13,  1811,  m.  George  Ulrich,  born  Nov. 
21,  1814,  and  they  lived  in  Philadelphia;  Eliza,  born 
in  Berks  county,  m.  Risden  Nichols;  and  Conrad,  born 
Jan.  27,  1816. 

Conrad  Frame  was  a  small  boy  when  he  accornpanied 
his  parents  to  America,  and  after  the  death  of  his  fath- 
er he  lived  for  a  few  months  with  his  brother  Christian, 
and  then  started  out  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world. 
He  found  a  position  as  tow  boy  on  the  canal,  and 
through  his  industry  and  attention  to  the  details  of 
his  work  he  was  promoted  until  the  time  came  when 
he  was  made  master  of  the  canal  boat  known  as  the 
"Rough  and  Ready."  which  was  owned  by  Darrah  & 
Young,  of  Leesport,  Pa.  He  continued  to  follow  the 
boating  business  until  1848,  when  he  engaged  in  a 
mercantile  business  _at  Jackson's  Locks.  Here  he  did 
an  extensive  business  in  supplying  and  outfitting  canal 
boats  and  he  continued  this  enterprise  until  1861.  In 
185S'  he  engaged  in  a  coal  business  at  the  Lancaster 
bridge,  at  the  Haubner  stand,  which  is  still  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  family.  He  remained  in  that  business  uiitil 
his  death  in  1885.  Both  he  and  his  wife,  Catherine 
Marx,  are  buried  at  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery.  He 
was  a  Lutheran  in  religious  belief,  while  she  was  reared 
a  Methodist.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frame  had  seven  children: 
William  J.,  a  retired  resident  of  Reading;  Charles  N.; 
George  C.,  deceased;  Harry  C,  formerly  engaged  in 
the  coal  business  at  Reading;  Samuel  A.,  deceased;  H. 
W. ;  and  A.  L.,  who  is  engaged  in  a  foundry  business 
in  this  city. 

Charles  N.  Frame  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Reading  and  attended  the  old  Reading  high  school, 
where  many  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Reading  were 
educated.  When  he  started  to  work,  his  first  position 
was  that  of  clerk  and  errand  boy  in  a  grocery,  owned 
by  William  J.  Rhoads,  with  whom  he  remained  until 
the  business  was  bought  out  by  Mr.  Markley.  with 
whom  Mr.  Frame  remained  until  he  in  turn  sold  out. 
For  two  years  following  he  was  a  clerk  in  a  general 
store  conducted  by  David  Keiser,  whom  he  left  to  en- 
gage in  a  grocery  business  with  his  father,  with  whom 
he  remained  one  year  and  then  accepted  a  position 
with  an  uncle  in  Philadelphia  for  a  short  period.  Mr, 
Frame  then  returned  to  his  native  city,  and  for  two 
years  conducted  a  flour  and  feed  business,  which  he 
subsequently  sold  and  went  into  a  men's  furnishing 
business,  and  this  he  disposed  of  in  1875  in  order  to 
accept  the  agency  of  the  Reading  Eagle.  Mr,  Frame 
has  been  very  successful  in  this  line,  and  since  1875 
has  had  the  sole  management  of  the  city  circulation, 
including  the  hiring  of  the  newsboys  and  office  help, 
and  has  in  his  employ  some  seventy-five  people.  It 
will  thus  be  seen  that  Mr.  Frame  is  a  very  necessary 
factor    in    the    business    success    of   this    popular    journal. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


639 


Mr.  Frame  was  married  to  Louisa  Bertolet.  daugh- 
ter of  Maberry  Bertolet,  and  they  have  had  seven 
children,  as  follows:  Robert;  Katherine;  Charles,  de- 
ceased; Bertolet  F.;  Maria  D.;  Helen  M.,  and  Louisa 
D.  _  In  their  religious  belief  the  family  are  Presby- 
terians. Fraternally  Mr.  Frame  belongs  to  St.  John's 
Lodge,  No.  435,  F.  &  A.  M.  He  formerly  belonged  to 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  a  charter  member  of  Perseverance 
Council,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
the  Golden  Eagle,  and  a  member  of  Mt.  Penn  Council. 
Royal  Arcanum.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Liberty  Fire 
Company.  Mr.  Frame  has  always  taken  a  good  citizen's 
interest  in  the  city's  affairs,  and  has  served  one  year 
as  a  member  of  the  council  from  the  First  ward.  Mr. 
Frame  gives  liberal  support  to  schools,  churches,  chari- 
ties and  benevolent  objects,  and  has  never  been  want- 
ing in  public  spirit  when  measures  looking  to  the  wel- 
fare of  his  fellow  citizens  have  been  brought  to  his 
attention.  He  is  probably  as  well  known  as  any  citizen 
of  Reading,  who  has  been  a  resident  here  for  as  many 
years. 

FRANKLIN  W.  GERHART.  Among  the  prominent 
and  enterprising  citizens  of  Berks  county  was  the  late 
Franklin  W.  Gerhart,  whose  death  occurred  Nov.  11, 
1868.  He  was  born  in  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  in  1839, 
brother  of  the  late  Rev.  Henry  Gerhart. 

The  following  is  taken  from  one  of  the  local  papers 
at  the  time  of  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Gerhart: 
"Rev.  Henry  Gerhart,  an  aged  gentleman,  for  many 
years  past  a  resident  of  North  Wales,  died  at  his  home 
at  School  street,  Tuesday  night,  Dec.  17,  at  11:30  o'clock, 
of  heart  disease.  He  had  not  been  in  his  usual  good 
health  for  a  week  past,  but  no  serious  outcome  was 
expected  from  his  indisposition.  Deceased  was  at  one 
time  a  minister,  a  school  teacher  and  a  soldier,  serving 
in  the  Rebellion,  participating  in  the  battle  of  Antie- 
tam.  He  was  born  in  Bedford,  Bedford  Co.,  Pa.,  Dec.  6, 
1821,  his  father  at  that  time  being  a  missionary  to  that 
country,  having  been  sent  from  Hatfield  by  the  Re- 
formed Synod  of  this  section  of  the  State.  In  1829 
the  father  again  became  a  resident  of  Hatfield,  and 
Henry  attended  school  in  that  vicinity.  From  there  he 
went  to  Mercersburg  College,  and  after  graduating 
taught  school  for  eight  years  in  Kentucky.  Then  he 
went  to  Franklin  and  Marshall  College  at  Lancaster 
to  prepare  for  the  ministry.  After  finishing  the  pre- 
scribed courses  there  he  received  several  calls  to  various 
churches,  but  never  accepted  any  of  them.  He  then 
enlisted  for  four  years  in  the  Union  Army  under  Gen- 
eral Sherman  and  during  his  army  life  contracted  sev- 
eral diseases,  the  most  serious  of  which  was  asthma, 
and  for  which  he  received  a  pension.  Two  years  ago 
he  was  an  inmate  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Erie,  Pa. 
He  was  an  intelligent  and  well-read  gentleman,  and 
during  his  leisure  hours  wrote  many  interesting  ac- 
counts of  his  war  experiences  besides  articles  upon 
religious  and  historical  subjects.  The  branch  of  the 
Gerhart  family  of  which  he  was  a  member  is  a  large 
one,  consisting  of  ten  children,  as  follows:  Fannie,  now 
living  in  North  Wales;  Christiana,  of  Philadelphia;  Mrs. 
Jesse  Hendricks,  of  North  Wales;  Elizabeth,  who  died 
in  Bedford;  Jacob,  of  Norristown;  Simon,  of  Lansdale; 
Samuel  who  died  in  Hatfield;  Franklin  W..  who  died 
some  years  ago  while  distributing  some  mail  in  his 
store  at  Limerick  Square,  and  Dr.  Alexander  Gerhart, 
who  died  in  Lansdale." 

Franklin  W.  Gerhart  attended  the  public  schools  and 
Franklin  and  Marshall  College  at  Lancaster,  and  for  a 
time  taught  school,  later  engaging  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Limerick  Square,  Pa.,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death.  He  was  postmaster  at  this  point,  hav- 
ing the  office  in  his  store,  and  rose  early  on  the  morn- 
ing of  his  death.  While  attending  to  his  duties  at 
his  office,  his  death  occurred.  He  was  a  well-known 
and  highly-esteemed  man,  and  his  death  occurred  when 
he  was  thirty-nine  years,  two  months  and  five  days  old. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church;  in  politics 


he  was  a  Democrat.  Mr.  Gerhart  married  Sarah  Ann 
Huber,  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Maria  (Kurtz)  Huber, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  the  following  children: 
Clara  m.  G.  W.  Rehrer,  and  has  three  children,  J. 
Franklin,  Robert  and  Paul;  Simon  W.,  a  buyer  for  a 
dry  goods  house  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  has  these  children, 
Glen,  Clyde,  Leslie,  Gordon  and  Margaretta;  Mary  E. 
m.  William  Landaw,  and  resides  at  home  with  her 
mother;  Ella  m.  Charles  E.  Bodey,  Who  is  in  the 
hardware  business  in  Reading,  and  has  had  children, 
Earle  (died  Sept.  35,  1S'06),  Maria  and  Allen.  Mrs.  Ger- 
hart carrie  to  Reading  with  her  family  in  1871,  and  has 
since  resided  at  her  home.  No.  928  Elm  street; 

Jonas  Huber,  father  of  Mrs.  Gerhart,  followed  farm- 
ing at  Gilbertsville,  and  was  a  very  prom;inent  man 
of  his  day,  serving  as  deacon  and  elder  of  the  Re- 
formed Church.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  He 
and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Mil- 
ton, who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years;  Sarah 
A.,  who  became  Mrs.  Gerhart;  and  Rev.  S.  M.  K. 
Huber,  of  Philadelphia. 

The  Rev.  S.  M.  K.  Huber,  a  mjinister  of  the  Re- 
formed Church,  graduated  from  Mechanicsburg,  Pa., 
seminary.  He  married  Amanda  Fritz,  of  Limerick,  Pa., 
and  they  have  a  family  of  seven  children,  namely: 
Mary  B.,  Martha  D.,  Ella  B.,  Sallie,  Nevin,  Paul  and 
Bertha. 

JOHN  S.  MATTHIAS,  prominently  identified  with 
business,  political  and  fraternal  circles  of  Reading,  was 
born  in  that  city,  Oct.  23,  1860,  son  of  David  and  Eliza- 
beth (Whitman)  Matthias. 

David  Matthias  lives  retired  in  Reading.  His  two 
sons  both  reside  here  also:  W.  C,  Superintendent  of 
Fire  Alarm  at  City  Hall;  and  John  S.,  who  is  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  Lauer  Brewing  Companv. 

John  S.  Matthias  attended  school  in  Reading  and  then 
entered  the  Keyston'e  State  Normal  School  at  Kutz- 
town,  after  which  he  took  a  commercial  course  at  the 
Reading  business  college,  where  he  graduated.  He 
then  served  as  bookkeeper  in  a  brickyard  for  five  years, 
and  spent  four  years  as  a  clerk  in  a  mercantile  estab- 
lishment at  Kutztown.  Following  this  he  was  con- 
nected for  some  eight  years  with  the  Reading  Eagle, 
and  then  became  bill  clerk  with  the  United  States  Ex- 
press Company  for  about  four  years.  On  Feb.  1,  1900, 
Mr.  Matthias  became  associated  with  the  Lauer  Brew- 
ing Company. 

Mr.  Matthias  was  niarried  to  Sallie  E.  Wilson,  daugh- 
ter of  Lyman  Wilson,  a  well  known  citizen  of  Reading. 
Politically  Mr.  Matthias  is  a  Republican.  In  1904  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  city  council  from  the 
Fifth  ward,  by  a  majority  of  216  votes,  the  largest 
vote  ever  given  any  candidate  for  the  same  office  in 
that  ward.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  Reading  Lodge 
of  Elks,  No.  115;-  and  of  quite  a  number  of  other  sec- 
ret organizations. 

WILLIAM  F.  ANTHONY,  a  contracting  brick- 
layer of  No,  327  North  Ninth  street,  Reading,  and  one 
of  that  city's  representative  citizens,  was  born  Dec.  7, 
1849,  in  Bern  township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Thomas 
and  Rebecca  (Spade)  Anthony. 

John  Anthony,  grandfather  of  Wlilliam  F.,  was  a  rail- 
road employe  and  worked  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Comipany  many  years.  He  died  in  Reading  at  the 
age  of  sixty  years,  he  and  his  wife,  Henrietta  Schantz, 
having  been  the  parents  of  eighteen  children,  seventeen 
sons  and  one  daughter,  among  w,hom  were  Thomas, 
Henry,  George,  William,  Charles,  Luther,  Cyrus, 
John  C.  and  Emma  (m.  John  Plaster,  of  Huntington, 
Ind.). 

Thomas  Anthony  was  in  his  youth  employed  by  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company  as  fireman,  and  later 
promoted  to  the  position  of  engineer,  which  he  held 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  in  his  thirty-seventh  year. 
His  widow,  Rebecca  (Spade)  Anthony,  who  is  living 
at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years,  makes  her  homte  with 


640 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


her  youngest  son,  Daniel.  Their  children  were:  Wil- 
liam F.;  John;  Selida,  m.  George  Fick;  Daniel;  and 
Rebecca,  deceased. 

William  F.  Anthony  received  his  education  in  Read- 
ing attending  night  schools.  At  an  early  age  he  learned 
the  trades  of  bricklaying  and  hatting,  the  latter  with 
J.  H.  Spatz  at  Mohnton.  After  several  years  spent  at 
the  hatting  trade,  Mr.  Anthony  again  took  up  brick- 
laying, and  in  1871  engaged  in  cqntracting  business. 
Two  years  later,  however,  he  again'  engaged  in  hatting, 
but  did  not  follow  that  occupation  for  any  length  of 
time.  He  once  niore  took  up  bricklaying,  and  in  1904 
again  engaged  in  the  business  on  his  own  account,  now 
employing  forty-seven  hands.  Mr.  Anthony  is  very 
skilled  in  his  work,  and  some  of  the  finest  buildings 
in  Reading  will  testify  to  the  fact.  He  erected  the 
German  Greek  Catholic  Church,  and  Eisenbrown  mar- 
ble plant  (which  is  one  of  the  finest  and  largest  of 
its  kind  in  the  State),  and  the  private  residence  of  Mr. 
Joseph  Ganter  at  Mt.  Penn  borough. 

Mt.  Anthony  married  H'enrietta  Goodhart,  daughter 
of  John  N.  and  Sarah  C.  (Lovering)  Goodhart,  and 
they  reside  at  No.  337  North  Ninth  street.  Mr.  An- 
thony organized  Bricklayers'  Union,  No.  21,  and  served 
as  its  first  president.  He  is  a  member  of  the  1900 
Beneficial  Association;  the  Northeastern  Democratic 
Association;  and  the  Owls,  and  Turn-Verein  Associa- 
tions. Iri  political  matters  he  is  independent,  voting 
for  the  man,  regardless  of  party  ties. 

DANIEL  F.  PRINTZ  illustrates  in  a  remarkable  degree 
the  power  of  natural  endowments  to  overcome  adverse 
circumstances,  for  though  he  started  in  youth  without 
promise  of  any  kind  he  nevertheless  reached  a  position  of 
commanding  influence  in  manufactures,  building  opera- 
tions and  finance  almost  at  the  threshold  of  his  business 
career,  which  he  has  maintained  in  this  community  for 
twenty  years  with  increasing  success. 

Mr.  Printz  was  born  at  Reading  shortly  after  the  close 
of  the  Civil  war,  on  Oct.  26,  1865,  and  his  mother  having 
died  when  he  was  but  a  year  old  he  was  allowed  to 
drift  along  without  parental  care  as  to  his  future  destiny. 
Quite  naturally  he  received  a  limited  education  in  the 
elementary  branches  in  the  local  schools  which  he  attended 
until  he  became  twelve  years  of  age,  and  then  secured 
his  first  regular  employment  for  wages  in  the  Reading 
Hardware  Works.  While  he  was  working  there  a  spirit 
of  ambition  to  become  a  skilled  mechanic  asserted  itself 
and  accordingly  within  a  year  he  applied  for  an  appren- 
ticeship in  the  machine  shop  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Railway  Company,  which  had  a  recognized  fame  for 
developing  finished  workmen.  His  application  was  granted 
and  for  the  next  four  years,  until  the  end  of  his  apprentice- 
ship, he  exerted  himself  toward  acquiring  a  practical 
knowledge  of  the  trade  in  all  its  branches;  and  he  re- 
mained with  the  company  afterward  for  five  years  for  the 
purpose  of  increasing  his  proficiency. 

With  this  experience  in  turning  out  and  running  ma- 
chinery, he,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  felt  qualified 
to  start  in  business  for  himself;  and  associating  himself  as 
partner  with  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Fulmer,  banker  of  Reading, 
he  purchased  a  nickel-plating  works.  Within  one  year 
his  genius  for  organizing  and  directing  an  enterprise  was 
displayed  in  the  development  of  the  works  into  an  estab- 
lishment for  the  manufacture  of  bicycle  saddles  and  acces- 
sories. This  was  in  1891,  when  the  bicycle  craze  in  the 
country  was  at  its  highest  point.  The  firm  was  known  as 
the  P.  &  F.  Manufacturing  Co.,  and  in  a  few  years  its 
productions  came  to  be  forwarded  to  all  parts  of  the 
world,  and  its  plant  to  be  known  as  the  largest  of  its 
kind  operated  anywhere,  with  a  volume  of  business  ex- 
ceeding that  of  any  other  similar  enterprise  in  the  country. 

The  spirit  of  organization,  co-operation  and  concentra- 
tion was  formulating  and  developing  rapidly  in  the  United 
States  during  this  period,  and  in  the  next  ten  years  the 
P.  &  F.  Manufacturing  Company  had  come  to  possess  so 
much  influence  in  the  line  of  bicycle  accessories  that  it 
was  purchased  by  the  American  Saddle  Company,  with  Mr. 


Printz  included  as  one  of  the  directors  of  the  company; 
and  this  company  afterward  came  to  be  absorbed  by  the 
American  Bicycle  Company  when  he  retired  from  the 
management. 

In  1893  the  Reading  Wood  Pulley  Company  was  incor- 
porated with  Mr.  Printz  as  one  of  the  directors,  and  he 
was  chosen  as  president  of  the  corporation,  which  position 
he  has  filled  to  the  present  time,  successfully  directing  its 
affairs.  During  this  period  building  operations  were  going 
on  extensively  at  Reading,  and  Mr.  Printz  became  inter- 
ested in  them;  and  coroperating  with  Mr.  Fulmer  and 
later  with  Lambert  Rehr  and  Jacob  B.  Fricker,  he  assisted 
in  erecting  and  disposing  of  several  hundred  dwelling- 
houses,  mostly  in  east  Reading  on  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Perkiomen  avenue. 

In  1902  the  Reading  Stove  Works  was  found  to  require 
re-organization,  and  the  stockholders,  appreciating  the 
ability  of  Mr.  Printz  in  managing  various  enterprises 
successfully,  selected  him  to  become  its  president.  He 
has  filled  this  position  to  the  present,  maintaining  its  trad- 
ing relations  throughout  the  country,  even  throughout  the 
world,  in  an  admirable  manner,  and  keeping  up  the  repu- 
tation of  Orr,  Painter  &  Co.,  for  superior  stoves  and 
heaters,  which  had  been  established  by  his  predecessor, 
Jesse  Orr. 

In  1904  Mr.  Printz  became  interested  in  establishing  a 
furniture  business  at  Pittston,  Pa.;  in  1905  at  AUentown, 
Pa. ;  in  1907  at  Hazleton,  Pa.,  and  in  the  same  year  at 
Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  and  in  1908  at  Newark,  N.  J. — with  a 
total  capitalization  of  more  than  a  million  dollars  by  the 
several  companies  (made  up  of  associates  of  his  from 
Reading). 

In  1904  Mr.  Printz  organized  the  Penn  Shoe  Manufactur- 
ing Company  for  the  manufacture  of  shoes;  and  in  1905  he 
organized  the  Reading  Saddle  Manufacturing  Company,  for 
the  purpose  of  manufacturing  bicycle  saddles  and  hard- 
ware specialties  which  have  since  been  sold  extensively 
throughout  the  country,  and  he  has  officiated  at  the  head 
of  these  enterprises  to  the  present  time.  In  1906,  upon 
the  reorganization  of  the  Reading  Standard  Manufacturing 
Company,  for  the  increased  manufacture  of  motor  cycles, 
he  was  selected  to  act  as  president  of  the  company.  Over 
two  thousand  employes  are  required  in  the  numerous  in- 
dustrial establishments  under  his  control  and  supervision ; 
and  daily  reports  are  submitted  or  forwarded  to  him  for 
his  inspection  and  approval,  which  evidences  the  exten- 
sive and  important  character  of  his  duties  and  respon- 
sibilities. 

Mr.  Printz  represented  the  ward  in  which  he  resides 
(the  Sixteenth)  on  th?  school  board  as  one  of  the  control- 
lers from  that  district  for  two  terms  from  1898  to  1906 ; 
he  has  served  as  a  director  of  the  Penn  National  Bank 
since  1903,  acting  as  chairman  of  the  building  committee; 
and  since  1904  he  has  filled  the  position  of  treasurer  of 
the   Pennsylvania   Stove   Manufacturers   Association. 

_In  1881  Mr.  Printz  married  Matilda  Becker,  daughter 
of  Nicholas  Becker,  of  Reading,  and  granddaughter  of 
Samuel  Lewis,  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers 
in  Cumru  township,  at  "Lewis'  Neck"  along  the  Schuylkill 
river,  and  great-granddaughter  of  Philip  Rush,  a  descend- 
ant of  Michael  Rosch,  Sr.,  who  emigrated  from  Remming- 
sheim-,  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  and  settled  at  Reading 
in  1751.  By  her  he  has  a  son,  Harold  Ellsworth,  who  was 
educated  in  the  local  schools  and  Kenyon  Military  Acad- 
emy, Gambier,  Ohio. 

Jarnes  Printz,  the  father  of  Daniel  F.,  is  a  machinist  of 
Reading;  he  married  Susan  Homan,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Homan,  of  Reading,  and  they  had  two  children:  Charles 
(deceased)    and  Daniel  F.   Printz. 

DAVID  HERTZOG,  who  for  many  years  was  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business  in  Reading.  Berks  county, 
was  a  native  of  this  county,  born  in  Oley  township, 
Sept.  16,  1834,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Greisimer) 
Hertzog,  natives  of  this  county.  Mr.  Hertzog  died  at 
his  home  in  Reading  in  August,  ISflS. 

Jacob  Hertzog  was  an  agriculturist  of  Berks  county, 
and   owned   and   operated   a  well-cultivated  farm.      He 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


641 


was  well-known  throughout  the  township.  He  and  his 
wife  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Wil- 
liam, a  blacksmith  of  Mohnton;  Henry,  of  Pleasant- 
ville;  Catherine,  m.  to  a  Mr.  Dilliplaine,  of  Oley  town- 
ship; and  David.  The  family  were  members  of  the 
Reformed  Church. 

David  Hertzog  received  a  common  school  education 
in  Oiey  township,  and  during  his  minority  engaged  in 
farming.  On  the  death  of  his  father,  he  inherited  a 
farm  near  Shillington,  Pa.,  and  this  he  operated  for  a 
time,  but  later  embarked  in  the  lumber  business,  pur- 
chasing many  tracts  of  wooded  land.  He  continued  in 
this  connection  and  became  very  prosperous.  IVLr. 
Hertzog  was  married  in  November,  1857,  to  Margaret 
Yocum,  daughter  of  Daniel  Yocum,  and  four  children 
were  born  to  this  union:  John,  deceased;  Daniel  W., 
deceased;  Henry  F.,  a  prominent  hardware  merchant 
of  Reading;  and  Katie,  m.  to  Ellis  Worley,  of  Mohn- 
ton. Mrs.  Hertzog  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  and  formerly  took  an  active  interest  in  the 
work  of  that  church.  Mr.  Hertzog  was  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  but  took  only  a  good,  citizen's  part  by  cast- 
ing his  ballot,  caring  nothing  for  political  preferment. 

ALBERT  B.  KAUFMANN,  connected  with  the  insur- 
ance business  in  Reading,  is  one  of  the  influential  men  of 
that  city.  Mr.  Kaufmann  comes  from  German  ancestry, 
his  father  crossing  the  sea  in  1850,  settling  in  Reading, 
and  following  his  trade  of  a  tailor  with  the  clothing 
house  of  Jameson  &  Co.,  whom  he  served  faithfully 
for  nearly  fifty  years.  He  died  Feb.  23,  .1892,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-one  years.  He  married  Christiana,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Christiana  Boyer,  and  she  died  Dec.  11, 
1894,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight.  She  was  the  mother 
of  ten  children,  four  of  whom  are  deceased;  the  others 
are  Carolina,  m.  to  Charles  Drick,  a  planing  mill  oper- 
ative; John,  a  clerk  in  Reading;  Charles,  a  tailor  with 
Jameson  &  Co.,  for  over  thirty  years;  Adolph  G.,  a 
grocer,  member  of  the  firm  of  Smith  &  Kaufmann, 
Reading;  Albert  B.;  and  William  G.,  a  tailor  in  Read- 
ing. 

Albert  B.  Kaufmann,  born  Jan.  22,  1867,  in  Reading, 
was  educated  in  St.  John's  Lutheran  parochial  school 
of  the  city.  He  began  his  business  life  early,  engaging 
as  an  operative  in  a  planing  mill,  and  this  he  followed 
for  twenty-one  years,  when  he  launched  out  into  the 
real  estate  and  insurance  business,  which  he  has  con- 
tinued with  success  to  the  present  time.  Fraternally 
Mr.  Kaufmann  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the 
Encampment  and  the  Protestant  Junior  Association. 
H«  is  quite  active  in  church  work,,  being  a  member  of 
St.  John's  Lutheran  Church,  where  he  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  choir.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  or- 
ganization known  as  St.  John's  Beneficial  Society  of 
the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Kaufmann  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics. 

On  Oct.  29,  1888,  Mr.  Kaufmann  married  Miss  Emma 
R.  Braun,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Braun,  both 
now  deceased.  Two  of  the  six  children  born  to  this 
marriage,  Florence  May  and  Emma  R..  died  in  infancy; 
those  living  are  Adelaide,  Elmer  T.,  Walter  J.  and  Ruth 
Elizabeth. 

RANDOLPH  S.  MECK,  assistant  cashier  of  the 
Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Reading  since  1903,  was 
born  at  Schuylkill  Haven,  Pa.,  Oct.  3,  1873.  He  ac- 
quired his  education  at  Refton,  Lancaster  county,  and 
at  Reading,  Pa.,  and  upon  completing  a  special  course 
in  civil  engineering  secured  a  position  with  the  Phil- 
adelphia &  Reading  Railway  Company  as  a  civil  en- 
gineer. He  continued  with  the  company  five  years, 
resigning  in  1893  to  accept  a  position  as  messenger 
and  clerk  with  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Read- 
ing. On  account  of  his  proficiency  and  reliability  he 
was  rapidly  promoted  until  he  became  the  assistant 
cashier  of  the  bank  in  1903,  and  he  has  filled  this  posi- 
tion in  a  most  satisfactory  manner  until  the  present 
time.  He  is  a  past  president  of  the  Reading  Council 
41 


of  the  American  Life  and  Annuity  Society  of  Pittsburg, 
Pa.  and  he  is  prominently  identified  with  the  Masonic 
order  in  Reading. 

In  1896,  Mr.  Meek  was  married  to  Clara  A.  Ruth, 
daughter  of  John  A.  Ruth,  who  has  been  connected 
with  the  Reading  Eagle  as  solicitor  and  collector  for 
manv  years.  They  are  active  members  of  Calvary 
Reformed  Church,  both  taking  great  interest  in  the 
work  of  the  Sunday-school  as  well  as  of  the  church. 
He  is  a  memjber  of  the  Consistory,  and  treasurer  of 
the  church.  Mrs.  Meek  is  also  actively  interested  in 
the  work  of  the  Y.  W'.  C.  A.  at  Reading,  having  been 
one  of  the  directors  for  many  years. 

Mr.  Meck's  father  is  James  A.  Meek.  He  was  born 
in  1848,  in  Bethel  township,  Berks  county,  while  his 
father  was  cultivating  a  farm  there.  When  a  young 
man  he  was  employed  by  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Railway  Company  at  Schuylkill  Haven,  and  he  con- 
tinued there  until  1878,  when  he  removed  to  Refton, 
Lancaster  county,  and  engaged  in  the  coal  and  lumber 
business  until  1885.  He  then  sold  his  business  and 
accepted  the  position  of  assistant  superintendent  of 
the  Baltimore  Mutual  Aid  Association  at  Reading. 
He  filled  this  position  and  later  the  position  of  super- 
intendent until  1904,  when  he  located  at  Harrisburg. 
and  became  the  superintendent  of  the  Commonwealth 
Title  Insurance  &  Trust  Company,  which  responsible 
position  he  has  since  been  filling.  He  was  married  to 
Susanna  Coho  (daughter  of  John  L.  Coho,  of  Schuyl- 
kill Haven),  and  they  have  three  sons:  Harry  C.  (cash- 
ier of  the  Reading  Brewing  Company,  m.  Mary  Ruth); 
Edgar  (manager  of  a  department  in  the  large  store  of 
Brown  Shoe  Company,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  m.  Fannie 
Frost) ;  and  Randolph. 

Mr.  Meck's  grandfather  was  Benjamin  Meek,  born 
in  1804  in  Longswamp  township,  Berks  county,  where 
he  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoe-maker,  following  it  until 
1845.  He  then  bought  a  large  farm  in  Bethel  township 
which  he  cultivated  until  his  death  in  1889.  Hie  was 
married  to  Elizabeth  Ruth  (daughter  of  Jacob  Ruth, 
farmer  of  Spring  township),  and  they  had  fourteen 
children:  nine  sons  and  five  daughters. 

And  his  great-grandfather  was  Dewald  Meek,  farmer 
of  Longswamp  township,  who  was  a  son  of  Jacob 
Meek,  a  farmer  of  Oley  township. 

HENRY  G.  YOUNG  (deceased)  was  a  native  citizen 
of  Reading,  son  of  Jacob  Young,  and  one  of  a  family 
well  known  in  this  city. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  Jacob  and  Mary 
(SchrefiSer)  Young,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native 
of  Reading.  He  was  a  prominent  brick  manufacturer 
there,  having  established  his  plant  when  the  city  was 
only  a  small  town,  and  successfully  conducting  it  until 
his  death  in  1835.  His  wife  survived  him  until  1854. 
They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
Jacob  (2);  William  S.;  Charles;  Elizabeth,  m.  to  George 
Geiss;  and  Maria,  who  m.  Peter  Sherman,  and  had  one 
daughter,  Maria.  Jacob  Young  was  a  Catholic  in  re- 
ligious belief,  and  his  wife  was  a  Lutheran.  In  pol- 
itics he  was  a  Democrat. 

Jacob  Young  (2),  father  of  Henry  G.,  passed  all  his 
life  in  Reading,  where  he  died  at  the  home  of  his 
son,  Henry  G.,  in  1893,  aged  eighty-one  years  less  one 
month.  His  brickyard  was  located  where  his  son's 
late  home  stood,  and  for  thirty  years  he  was  in  the 
retail  coal  business.  He  was  prominent  in  public  life, 
and  was  prison  inspector  twelve  years,  and  county 
commissioner  three  years.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
deacon  in  Trinity  Lutheran  Church.  He  married  Cath- 
arine Henninger,  who  died  in  1883,  aged  sixty-four 
years,  and  both  are  buried  in  the  Lutheran  cemetery 
at  Reading.  Their  children  were:  Henry  G.;  Jacob 
never  married;  and  Sallie  married  Joseph  Klopp  (de- 
ceased), of  Reading.     All  three  are  deceased. 

Henry  G.  Young  was  born  Dec.  28,  1838,  and  his 
life  covered  a  span  of  more  than  sixty  years,  being 
brought  to  a  peaceful  close  Jan.  9,  1900.     His  first  ex- 


642 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


perience  in  business  was  with  his  father,  a  brick  man- 
ufacturer, but  after  working  for  him  a  while,  he  gave 
that  up  and  secured  a  position  Jn  the  Navy  Yard,  where 
he  remained  for  seven  years.  '  At  the  end  of  that  time 
he  went  to  Kutztown,  and  in  partnership  with  Fred 
Zehm,  conducted  a  foundry  for  a  couple  of  years.  With- 
drawing from  that  enterprise  he  went  back  to  Reading, 
and  once  more  went  in  with  his  father,  for  whom  he 
worked  until  1896,  in  which  year  he  was  elected  city 
treasurer.  He  was  still  discharging  the  duties  of  that 
office  when  death  claimed  him.  For  fourteen  years 
Mr.  Young  also  served  as  superintendent  of  the  Trinity 
Lutheran   Cemetery. 

In  1S63  Mr.  Young  was  married  to  Miss  Hettie  A. 
Rahn,  daughter  of  John  Rahn,  and  a  family  of  five 
children  was  horn  to  them  as  follows:  Clara;  Fred; 
Katie,  m.  to  John  Miller;  Ida,  m.  to  Frank  Gendall;  and 
Jacob.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young  belonged  to  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church  in  which  he  officiated  as  deacon  for 
twelve  years.  Both  were  active  in  various  departments 
of  the  church  work,  and  were  prominent  among  its 
members.  Mr.  Young  likewise  was  connected  with 
several  fraternal  organizations,  in  whose  aims  and 
methods  he  took  much  interest,  belonging  to  the  Ma- 
sons, the  Knights  Templars  and  the  Odd  Fellows.  In 
politics  he  always  supported  the  Democratic  ticket. 
Mr.   Young  was   one   of   Reading's   prominent   citizens. 

William  S.  Young,  brother  of  Jacob  (3),  was  born 
March  10,  1831.  He  first  learned  to  make  shoes,  but 
as  that  trade  did  not  prove  congenial  to  his  tastes, 
he  learned  brickmaking,  and  for  many  years  was  in 
the  same  line  of  business,  that  his  father  before  him 
had  followed.  For  a  long  time  he  was  located  at  No. 
63  Spruce  street,  but  later  removed  to  the  vicinity  of 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  depot,  and  remained  there 
until  he  retired  from  business  in  1865. 

William  S.  Young's  chief  connection  with  public 
life  came  after  he  retired.  He  had  before  the  war 
served  as  market  commissioner,  and  was  active  in  the 
Democratic  party,  but  the  greatest  service  of  his  to 
the  community  came  after  his  election  in  1865  to  the 
office  of  county  commissioner.'  When  he  entered  upon 
the  duties  of  that  position  the  county  was  $600,000  in 
debt  and  Mr.  Young  made  it  his  chief  aim  to  reduce 
this  amount.  In  1868  he  was  re-elected  to  a  second 
term  of  three  yeafs,  and  when  he  retired  from  office 
in  1871,  the  county  was  not  only  free  from  debt,  but 
also  had  a  balance  in  the  treasury,  a  noteworthy 
achievement  and  an  illustration  of  what  the  application 
of  business  principles  and  honesty  can  accomplish  in 
the  public  service.  In  1879  Mr.  Young  was  again  nom- 
inated and  elected  county  commissioner  but  he  retired 
in  1881.  He  always  received  good  majorities,  and  had 
the  confidence  not  only  of  his  own  party,  in  which 
he  was  for  years  a  prominent  counsellor,  but  of  the 
county  at  large.  He  was  a  good  speaker  and  during 
the  campaign  before  the  election  of  S.  E.  Ancona 
stumped  the  county  for  him,  while  for  years  no  county 
convention  was  complete  without  him.  No  other  man 
has  held  three  times  the  office  of  county  commissioner 
for  Berks  county,  and  this  fact  alone,  if  proof  were 
needed,  would  attest  the  great  personal  popularity  of 
Mr.  Young. 

William  S.  Young  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Susan  Geiss,  and  children  were  born  to  them  as  fol- 
lows: Mary,  who  married  a  Mr.  Cox,  and  has  two 
children,  Drusilla  and  Ralph;  Hannah,  widow  of  the 
late  Thomas  R.  Hannah,  and  mother  of  one  daughter, 
Susan;  Sophia;  and  William  R.,  who  married  Sallie 
Hawes  and  has  four  children,  Paul,  William.  Mary  and 
Helen.  Mrs.  Young  passed  from  this  world  Dec.  39, 
1904.  She  belonged,  as  did  her  husband,  to  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church,  and  was  an  active  worker  in  it. 
Mr.  Young  was  for  many  years  an  Odd  Fellow,  be- 
longing to  Montgomery  Lodge,  and  to  the  Encamp- 
ment. 


REV.  GEORGE  B.  SMITH.  On  Jan.  30,  1733,  the 
proprietaries  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania  granted 
Casper  Wister  a  patent  for  633  acres  of  land  lying 
in  Philadelphia  county.  By  the  subsequent  subdivis- 
ion of  Philadelphia  county  the  larger  portion  of  this 
tract  of  land  was  brought  within  the  confines  of  Maxa- 
tawny  township,  Berks  county,  close  by  the  borders 
of  Lehigh.  Casper  Wister  dealt  extensively  in  lands, 
and  on  the  early  records  he  is  almost  invariably  desig- 
nated as  the  brass  button  maker  of  Philadelphia. 
In  October,  1734,  Casper  Wister  and  his  wife  Cath- 
erine conveyed  133  acres  of  this  land  to  one  Jost  Hen- 
ry Sasamonhousen,  "Blacksmith,"  who  on  March  5, 
1761,  in  confirmation  of  his  title  to  the  same,  .ob- 
tained a  patent  deed  for  it  from  the  proprietaries, 
John  and  Thomas  Penn.  On  Dec.  3,  1761,  Jost  H'en- 
ry  Sasamonhousen  and  his  wife  Petronilla  conveyed 
the  same  to  Henry  Sasamonhousen,  one  of  their  sons, 
and  on  April  19,  1775,  Henry  Sasamonhousen  and 
Elizabeth,  his  wife,  conveyed  it  to  George  Smith, 
of  Macungie  township,  Northampton  (now  Lehigh) 
county.  From  George  Smitli  it  descended  to  his  son, 
George  Smith,  Sr.,  from  him  to  his  son,  George 
Smith,  Jr.,  and  from  him  to  his  son,  George  L.  Smith, 
who  is  the  present  owner  and  occupant. 

Two  George  Schmits  came  from  Germany  to  Ameri- 
ca in  the  fall  of  1749,  one  on  the  ship  "Patience," 
Sept.  19',  and  the  other  on  the  ship  "Leslie,"  on  Oct. 
7.  Other  George  Schmits  came  in  other  years,  but 
the  weight  of  circumstances  favors  the  theory  that 
one  of  the  two  arrivals  named  was  the  George  Smith 
who  came  into  possession  of  this  tract  of  land  in  1775. 
The  future  investigator  through  the  help  of  addition- 
al facts  may  be  able  to  determine  wliich  of  the  two 
it  was.  Landing  at  Philadelphia,  he  in  time  removed 
inland  with  the  incoming  drift  of  homeseekers,  and 
settled  where  now  is  Fogelsville,  within  the  present 
bounds  of  Lehigh  county.  He  and  his  wife  are  in- 
terred in  a  family  burying  ground  on  the  farm  which 
he  acquired  in  1775,  but  as  their  tombstones  have 
long  ago  crumbled  away  it  cannot  be  ascertained  when 
either  was  born  or  how  long  they  lived.  Their  son, 
Joh.  Georg  Schmit,  was  born  Feb.  12,  1770,  while 
thev  yet  lived  in  Lehigh  county.  Hie  married  Margaret 
Klein,  born  April  10,  1768,  and  in  course  of  time  came 
into  possession  of  the  farm,  improved  it  and  lived 
upon  it  until  the  end  of  his  days.  He  died  Jan.  21, 
1855,  and  his  wife  Margaret  Oct.  33,  1850.  both  being 
buried  in.  the  same  little  burying  ground  that  con- 
tains   the   unmarked    graves    of   their    parents. 

When  Joh.  Georg  Schmit  came  into  possession  of 
the  farm,  the  house  upon  it  was  a  massive  stone 
structure,  built  in  1740,  probably  with  a  view  of  not 
merely  using  it  for  a  house  but  in  case  of  emergency 
as  a  fort  as  well.  This  was  occupied  until  in  1841, 
when  it  was  abandoned  for  a  new  and  larger  house, 
also  of  stone,  which  is  the  Smith  family  homestead 
of  to-day.  From  the  information  at  hand  it  does  not 
appear  fully  what  family  Joh.  Georg  Schmit  and  his 
wife  Margaret  had,  but  it  is  definitely  known  that 
they  had  a  son,  George,  designated  as  George  Schmidt, 
Jr.,  and  another  named  John,  who  lived  near  Clauss- 
ville,  and  there  raised  a  family,  among  whom  were 
several  sons.  They  also  had  a  daughter,  Elizabeth, 
who  died  Oct.  13,  1804,  at  the  age  of  six  and  one-half 
years;  and  a  son  Jonathan,  who  died  May  1.  1816. 
in  his  twenty-third  year,  both  of  whom  are  buried 
in   the   aforementioned   little   family   graveyard. 

George  Schmidt,  Jr.,  was  born  April  25,  1800,  on 
the  old  homestead  in  Maxatawny,  where  he  always 
lived.  The  country  becoming.  Anglicized  by  this  time, 
the  spelling  of  the  name  with  him  changed  from 
Schmidt  to  Smith.  He  married  Lydia  Leibensper- 
ger,  born  Nov.  10,  1798,  in  Lehigh  county,  and  to 
them,  were  born  seven  children,  namely:  Stephen, 
Caroline,  David,  George  L..  Alfred.  James  and  Re- 
becca. (1)  Stephen  died  March  37,  1896,  leaving  a 
widow,    one    son    and    four    daughters.      (2)    Caroline 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


643 


died  Jan.  17,  1838,  in  her  tenth  year.  (3)  David  mar- 
ried Catherine  Adams,  engaged  at  farming  in  Le- 
high county,  and  died  leaving  a  widow  and  two  sons. 
(4)  George  L.  (5)  Alfred  died  March  11,  1847,  in  his 
seventh  year.  (i6)  James,  who  was  a  physician,  died 
unmarried  May  8,  1861,  in  his  twenty-sixth  year. 
(7)  Rebecca  married  John  Kump,  of  Maxatawny 
township,  who  died  survived  by  his  widow  and  three 
children.  The  remains  of  Caroline,  Alfred  and  James 
rest  in  the  little  family  burying  ground  on  the  Smith 
ancestral  farm.  George  Smith,  Jr.,  died  Sept.  1,  1890. 
During  his  active  years  he  was  one  of  the  leading 
spirits  of  his  locality,  enterprising  and  successful 
in  his  own  affairs,  and  bearing  his  full  share  of  the 
duties  and  responsibilities  of  citizenship,  and  during 
his  long  lifetime  was  respected  and  honored  by  those 
who  knew  him.  HDis  wife  died  Feb.  3,  1865,  twenty- 
five  years  before  the  death  of  her  husband,  and  the  two 
rest   side  bv   side   in   the   family   graveyard. 

George  L.  Smith,  the  fourth  child  of  George  and 
Lydia  (Leibensperger)  Smith,  was  born  June  26,  1833, 
in  the  same  house  in  which  his  father  was  born  and 
in  which  his  grandfather  had  lived.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood upon  the  old  homestead  and  received  the  benefit 
of  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  later  attending 
a  select  school  in  -Reading,  of  which  the  late  Hon. 
Daniel  Ermentrout  was  principal.  He  then  returned 
to  the  farm  and  continued  at  farm  labor  until  in  1854, 
when  he  went  to  Lehigh  county  and  there  for  three 
years  engaged  at  clerking  in  a  general  store.  Re- 
turning to  Maxatawny  township,  he  took  charge  of 
the  old  homestead  and  has  remained  upon  it  ever 
since,  engaged  at  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  mar- 
ried Louisa  Dutt,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Henri- 
etta (Strauss)  Dnitt,  who  paternally  is  of  English 
ancestry  and  whose  family  formerly  lived  in  Mont- 
gomery county.  In  course  of  time  he  acquired  title 
to  the  old  homestead  and  improved  it  in  various  ways, 
making  it  for  himself  and  children  not  only  a  pleasant 
abiding  place,  but  a  home  in  the  highest  and  best 
sense.  He  is  an  enterprising  and  progressive  citizen, 
a  man  of  intelligence  and  integrity,  and  enjoys  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  all  his  neighbors  and  friends. 
He  belongs  to  the  Reformed  Church,  the  church  of  his 
family  for  generations  past.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. To  George  L.  and  Louisa  (Dutt)  Smith 
five  children  were  born,  namely:  Elizabeth,  m.  to 
Edwin  Boyer;  Rev.  George  B.;  Dr.  James,  a  prac- 
ticing physician  living  at  Allentown,  who  m.  Mary 
L.  Richards,  of  Maxatawny,  and  had  two  children: 
Marion  (died  in  1903,  aged  seven  years)  and  George; 
Anna,  m.  to  George  Strump,  and  had  two  children: 
Wayne  and  Mark  (died  aged  five  years) ;  and  William, 
m.   to  Annie   Kiefier,   living  at  home.. 

Rev.  George  B.  Smith,  second  child  of  George  L. 
and  Louisa  (Dutt)  Smith,  was  born.  July  8,  1867, 
on  the  homestead  in  Maxatawny  township  which  his 
family  have  owned  and  occupied  continuously  for 
generations.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  em- 
ployed at  such  duties  as  usually  fall  to  the  lot  of 
farmer  boys.  His  education  began  in  the  country 
district  school,  and  was  continued  in  the  Keystone 
State  Normal  school  at  Kutztown.  His  object  in 
entering  the  latter  school  was  to  merely  obtain  some- 
thing more  of  an  education  than  that  afforded  by 
the  country  schools,  but  as  he  advanced  from  class 
to  class  a  desire  for  more  learning  grew  upon  him 
and  he  decided  to  aim  higher.  Failing  in  one  of  his 
aspirations  he  applied  to  his  Principal,  Dr.  N.  C. 
Schaeffer,  the  oresent  State  Superintendent  of  Pub- 
lic Instruction,  for  information  and  advice,  and  in 
reply  received  a  letter  that  turned  his  ambitions  in 
the  direction  of  college  training.  This  he  regards 
as  the  turning  point  in  his  career.  He  subsequently 
entered  upon  a  course  in  Franklin  and  Marshall  Col- 
lege, at  Lancaster,  and  graduated  from  that  institu- 
tion in  1889.  With  the  advance  of  years  and  know- 
ledge   came    the    natural    desire    for    employment,   and 


after  careful  and  conscientious  consideration  he  select- 
ed the  ministry  for  his  life  work.  This  decision  he 
arrived  at  unaided  and  uninfluenced  by  circumstances, 
purely  fr9m  a  sense  of  duty,  and  after  graduating 
from  College  he  entered  the  Reformed  Theological 
seminary  at  Lancaster,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1892. 

On  leaving  the  seminary  Dr.  Smith  returned  to 
the  place  of  his  nativity  and,  where  he  was  best 
known,  was  formally  commissioned  to  work  in  the 
Master's  vineyard.  On  June  21,  1892,  he  was  ordained 
and  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Maxatawny  charge  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  consisting  of  the  congrega- 
tions at  Maxatawny  and  at  De  Long's  Church  at  Bow- 
ers. The  following  spring  St.  Paul's  congregation  in 
Kutztown,  and  St.  Peter's  at  Topton  were  added  to 
his  charge,  and  in  this  enlarged  field  he  has  ever 
since  been  laboring  with  gratifying  success,  preach- 
ing to  all  of  his  congregations  in  both  the  English 
and  German  languages. 

On  Aug.  22,  1893,  Dr.  George  B.  Smith  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mary  L.  Reynolds,  daughter  of  Stephen 
Cromwell  and  Mary  L.  (Capwell)  Reynolds,  of  near 
Factoryville,  Pa.  They  have  one  child,  Arline  Au- 
gusta Reynolds,  born  Sept.  4,  1896. 

ALBERT  S.  LEIDY,  merchant  of  Boyertown,  comes 
of  a  family  long  settled  in  Frederick  township,  Mont- 
gomery Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  was  born  Oct.  20,  1845. 

Jacob  Leidy,  his  grandfather,  lived  in  Frederick 
township,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  owning  the 
homestead  farm  of  over  100  acres — a  very  fine  place. 
He  and  his  wife  had  a  family  of  ten  or  twelve  chil- 
dren, among  whom_  was  but  one  son,  Francis.  He 
is  buried  in  the  private  burial  ground  of  the  family 
in  Frederick  township,  near  Keelers  church,  on  the 
old  Leidy  homestead;  several  generations  of  the  family 
are  interred  there. 

Francis  _  Leidy,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  about  1814 
in  Frederick  township,  Montgomery  county,  and  died 
at  the  age  of  about  forty-five,  in  1857-58,  at  Potts- 
town,  where  he  is  buried.  In  his  earlier  life  he  fol- 
lowed farming,  but  later  he  was  engaged  as  a  hay 
dealer  in  Pottstown,  continuing  to  follow  that  busi- 
ness until  his  death.  He  was  successful  in  business 
and  accumulated  property. 

Mr.  Leidy  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being 
Rachel  Smith,  daughter  of  John  Smith,  of  Red  Hill, 
Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  and  to  them  were  born  three 
children,  one  son  and  two  daughters:  Rebecca  m. 
Alex.  Sassaman,  and  resides  in  Philadelphia;  Amanda 
(deceased)  m.  William  Dannahaur  and  lived  in  Phila- 
delphia; Albert  S.  is  mentioned  below.  By  his  second 
marriage,  with  Mary  Ann  Hoffman,  Mr.  Leidy  had 
one  daughter,  who  died  young. 

Albert  S.  Leidy  was  born  at  Frederick  and  attended 
the  schools  at  Fegleysville  and  the  Swamp,  in  Mont- 
gomery county.  When  young  he  followed  the  cigar 
business  for  a  short  time,  but  when  the  Civil  war 
broke  out  he  entered  the  Union  service,  in  which  he 
remained  for  three  years.  He  was  only  in  his  seven- 
teenth year  when  he  enlisted,  in  1862,  in  Company  H, 
119th  Pa.  V.  I.,  at  Zieglerville,  and  he  was  promoted 
from  the  ranks,  in  time  becoming  first  lieutenant  of 
that  company,  which  was  attached  to  the  6th  Army 
Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Though  in  many  fierce 
engagements  Mr.  Leidy  was  never  wounded.  At  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness  he  had  a  very  narrow  escape 
a  bullet  striking  the  scabbard  of  his  sword,  thus  sav- 
ing him  from  a  wound  in  the  leg.  He  says  he  hated 
to  lose  the  scabbard,  as  it  was  new,  and  he  had  just 
paid  $25  for  the  scabbard  and  sword,  but  he'  picked 
up  another  which' answered  the  purpose,  and  which 
he  still  has  in  his  possession.  He  was  mustered  out 
at  Philadelphia. 

After  the  war  Mr._  Leidy  engaged  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  clothmg  at  Zieglerville,  following  this  business 
in   all   for  fourteen  years,   and   employing  at   times   as 


(M4 


HISTORY   OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


many  as  two  hundred  people.  The  product  was  men's 
woolen  clothing.  He  then  lived  for  a  year  in  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  was  in  the  cotton  yarn  business, 
and  in'  1881  he  located  in  Gilbertsville,  IVLontgomery 
county,  where  was  in  the  horse  and  cattle  business 
for  six  years.  He  was  in  that  business  with  M.  L. 
Ritter  for  one  year.  In  1886  he  came  to  Boyertown, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  baking  and  liquor  business, 
continuing  same  successfully  for  a  period  of  twenty- 
one  years,  at  one  location.  In  the  soring  of  1907  he 
was  succeeded  in  this  business  by  his  son  J.  Albfert. 
Since  that  time  he  has  built  a  double  brick  house  on 
Walnut  street,  Boyertown,  near  the  famous  casket 
factory,  and  in  the  summer  of  1908  he  built  a  three- 
story  brick  store  and  residence  on  the  northeast 
corner  of  Philadelphia  avenue  and  Walnut  street,  where 
he  is  now  conducting  a  grocery  store.  He  is  also 
interested  in  the  casket  factory.  Mr.  Leidy  is  a  mem- 
ber of  General  Crook  Post,  No.  597,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Boy- 
ertown, and  is  also  connected  with  Quakertown  Lodge, 
No.  512,  F.  &  A.  M. 

In  1870  Mr.  Leidy  married  Elizabeth  Brvan,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Joel  and  Maria  (Shaner)  Bryan,  the  former 
an  Englishman  who  practised  medicine  at  New  Ber- 
linville.  Pa.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union:  Ulysses  S.  died  in  infancy;  Oren  Ross,  a 
member  of  the  law  firm  of  Leidy  &  uoodstein,  is 
practising  law  in  New  York  City,  with  offices  at  No. 
38  Park  Row;  Austin  C.  B.  resides  at  Boyertown; 
Jacob  Albert  has  succeeded  his  father  in  the  baking 
and  liquor  business;  Hiram  B.  perished  in  the  Boyer- 
town Opera  House  fire,  Jan.  1,3,  1908,  when  twenty- 
three  years  old. 

AMOS  W.  POTTEIGER.  successful  merchant  and 
public-spirited  citizen  at  Reading  for  fifty  years,  was 
born  Nov.  23,  1823,  on  a  farm  in  Bern  township  along 
the  Tulpehocken  creek,  several  miles  from  Reading. 
He  was  educated  in  private  schools  at  Reading  and 
the  Unionville  Seminary  (situated  alonar  the  Schuyl- 
kill river  near  the  Chester  county  line).  After  leaving 
school  he  worked  on  the  homestead  farm  until  he 
became  twenty-one  years  old,  when  he  entered  the 
general  store  of  Francis  B.  Shalters,  at  Reading  (Fifth 
and  Washington  streets),  as  a  clerk,  where  he  remained 
one  year  and  then  returned  to  the  farm.  While  on 
the  farm  he  taught  school,  acted  as  a  surveyor,  and 
officiated  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  until  1848,  when 
he  went  to  Reading  to  engage  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness with  John  B.  Schaefifer.  Their  store  was  situated 
on  the  north  side  of  Penn  street,  below  Third  (now 
No.  251).  After  they  had  traded  together  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  Mr.  Potteiger  became  the  sole  owner 
of  the  business,  which  he  continued  at  that  place  until 
1866.  Shortly  before  this  time  he  had  purchased  a 
■large  property  on  the  south  side  of  Penn  street,  above 
Third  (now  Nos.  310-312),  where  he  erected  a  large 
three-story  brick  building,  which  was  the  most  mod- 
ern business  at  that  time  in  Reading  west  of  Fourth 
street.  The  plate  glass  for  the  show  windows  was 
imported  from  France,  and  their  size  attracted  great 
public  attention,  they  having  been  the  largest  at  Read- 
ing up  to  that  time.  For  several  years  before  his 
death,  Aug.  12,  1897,  Mr.  Potteiger  was  the  oldest 
surviving  merchant  at  Reading.  He  was  elected  to 
common  council  from  the  Northwest  ward  for  two 
terms,  from  1861  to  1864.  While  in  council  he  gave 
much  attention  to  the  topographical  survey  of  the 
city  which  was  then  being  made;  and  he  encouraged 
systematic  numbering  of  the  houses  throughout  the 
city.  Upon  the  removal  of  the  public  market-houses 
on  Penn  Square,  in  1871,  he  cooperated  heartily  with 
other  enterprising  men  in  the  western  part  of  Reading 
for  establishing  a  private  market-house  to  accommo- 
date the  patrons  as  well  as  the  farmers,  which  result- 
ed in  the  erection  of  the  large  and  commodious  mar- 
ket-house and  the  Grand  Opera  House  on  the  south 
side  of  Penn  street,  west  of  Fourth,  and  he  officiated 


as  presidejit  of  the  corporation  until  he  died.  He 
and  his  son  also  erected  the  large  annex  known  as 
the  Potteiger  market-house  in  1895.  In  the  establish- 
ment of  a  new  post-office  building  at  Reading  by  the 
national  government,  1887  to  1889,  he  acted  as  one  of 
the  commissioners.  In  politics  he  was  identified  with 
the  Democratic  party,  in  which  he  always  took  an 
active  interest,  but  was  never  a  candidate  for  office. 

Immediately  after  locating  at  Reading  Mr.  Pot- 
teiger became  a  member  of 'the  Trinity  Lutheran  con- 
gregation, and  he  continued  a  very  active  member 
until  he  died.  He  officiated  as  deacon,  elder  and 
trustee  for  nearly  forty  years,  and  during  this  time 
also  took  great  interest  in  the  Sunday-school,  teach- 
ing a  class  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  When  Muh- 
lenberg College,  at  Allentown,  was  established,  he 
was  a  liberal  contributor.  He  officiated  as  a  trustee 
until  he  died,  and  his  son,  Samuel  N.,  became  his 
successor.  For  many  years  he  was  the  largest  single 
contributor  toward  the  maintenance  of  this  institution. 

In  1849  Mr.  Potteiger  married  Louisa  Seidel  Kis- 
singer. They  had  four  children:  Clara  Amanda  (m. 
to  George  E.  Haak);  Samuel  Newton;  Emma  (died 
when  eighteen  years  of  age);  and  Luther  (died'  in 
infancy).  M'rs.  Potteiger  died  Dec.  5,  1907,  aged  sev- 
enty-nine years.  Mrs.  Haak  took  'much  active  interest 
in  church  and  charitable  work,  having  had  official  con- 
nections with  the  Reading  Hospital  and  Widows'  Home 
for  many  years.     She  died  in  1905. 

Mr.  Potteiger's  father  was  John  Potteiger,  of  Bern 
township,  who  was  engaged  in  farming  and  also  dealt 
extensively  in  cattle.  He  took  an  active  interest  in 
politics  and  officiated  as  sheriff  of  the  county  from 
1850  to  1853.  When  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of 
this  office  he  moved  to  Reading,  of  which  he  continued 
to  be  a  citizen  from  that  time  until  his  decease.  He 
was  born  in  1.803,  and  died  ih  1865.  He  married  Sarah 
Wobensmith,  of  Reading,  born  in  1807.  died  in  1869. 
They  had  nine  children:  Amos  Wobensmith;  Levi 
(m.  to  Barbara  Beidler) ;  William  (m.  to  Elizabeth 
Ruth);  John  (died  in  youth);  Mary  Ann  (m.  to  Ben- 
jamin S.  Fox) ;  Rebecca  (m.  to  Henry  B.  Fisher) ; 
Catharine  (m.  to  William  Ahrens);  Sarah  (m.  to  James 
T.  Reber) ;  and  Amelia  (m.  to  Daniel  Engel). 

He  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Martin  Pfatteicher, 
who  emigrated  from  Germany  in  1737,  settled  in  the 
upper  section  of  Bern  township  (about  two'miles  north 
of  Bernville),  where  he  secured  a  large  quantity  of 
land,  and  carried  on  farming  until  his  decease,  in 
1791. 

Mrs.  Amos  W.  Potteiger's  father  was  Abraham  Kis- 
singer, a  farmer,  born  in  1792,  died  in  1864;  he  mar- 
ried Susanna  Seidel,  born  in  .1795,  died  in  1875.  Their 
homestead  was  Ipcated  in  Bern  township,  opposite 
Reading  and  overlooking  the  Schuylkill  river.  Her 
grandfather,  also  named  Abraham,  a  farmer  of  the 
same  township,  was  born  in  1750  and  died  in  1833. 
He  was  married  to  Maria  Angenisz  Kieszling.  born 
in  1752,  died  in  1838.  Mrs.  Potteiger's  parents  had 
njne  children:  Abraham  S.  (m.  to  Lydia  Grins;);  Re- 
becca (m.  to  Jonathan  Gicker) ;  ivlary  (m.  to  Ben- 
jamin Schmeck);  Elizabeth  (m.  to  Samuel  Kissinger); 
Louisa  S.  (m.  to  Amos  W.  Potteiger);  Washington 
S.  (m.  to  Elizabeth  Yost);  Susan  (m.  to  William 
Parvin);  Amanda  (m.  to  James  L.  Miller);  and  Sarah 
(m.  to  Charles  S.  Birch). 

Samuel  Newton  Potteiger  was  born  at  Reading, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  city  schools  and 
in  Muhlenberg  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated. 
Then  he  read  law  in  the  office  of  George  F.  Baer. 
Esq.,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  several 
courts  of  Berks  county  and  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
Besides  carrying  on  the  practice  of  the  law  since 
then,  he  has  given  much  successful  attention  to  real 
estate  and  building  operations  at  Readine.  being  one 
of  its  largest  builders,  having  erected  many  rows  of 
modern  dwellings  as  well  as  the  handsome  stone- 
front   Potteiger   office   building  at   Nos.   535-537    Court 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


645- 


Street,  built  in  1904.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Schuylkill  Valley  Bank  (adjoining  the  Potteiger 
store  building)  in  1890,  and  since  then  has  served  as 
one  of  its  directors;  and  upon  the  death  of  his  father, 
succeeded  him  as  a  director  of  the  corporations  with 
which  he  had  been  connected. 

ISRAEL  GROMAN,  a  resident  of  Reading,  was  born 
in  Bern  township,  Berks  county,  Nov.  8,  1838.  The 
family,  which  is  of  German  descent,  has  lived  in 
that  county  for  several  generations. 

George  Groman,  grandfather  of  Israel,  was  a  farmer 
in  Bucks  county,  and  his  son  Charles,  father  of  Is- 
rael, worked  as  a  stone  mason  all  his  life,  both  quarry- 
ing the  stone  and  doing  contract  work.  He  and  his 
wife,  Elizabeth  (Kissinger)  Groman,  had  threfe  child- 
ren, viz.:  Fietta,  m.  to  Solomon  Kissinger;  Israel; 
and  Catherine,  m.  to  John  Lasch.  The  family  were 
Lutherans  in  religious  faith. 

Israel  Groman  went  to  school  till  he  was  about 
sixteen,  acquiring  as  good  an  education  as  the  town- 
ship schools  offered,  and  then  for  three  years  drove 
mules  along  the  canal  route.  For  his  permanent  oc- 
cupation he  decided  on  carpentry  and  learned  that 
trade,  but  before  he  was  fairly  established  in  business, 
the  war  broke  out  and  in  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company 
H,  88th  Pa.  V.  I.,  and  served  for  three  years.  During 
that  time  he  participated  in  twenty-one  engagements 
and  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  the  others 
being  Cedar  Mountain,  Rappahannock  Station,  Thor- 
oughfare Gap,  Second  Bull  Run,  Chantilly,  South 
Mountain,  Antietam,  Mine  Run,  Fredericksburg,  Chan- 
cellorsville,  Wilderness  two  days),  Cold  Harbor,  North 
Anna  River,  South  Anna  Forks,  front  of  Petersburg, 
Weldon  Railroad,  charge  on  Fort  Hill,  Explosion  of 
Rebel  Fort,  Five  Forks,  and  cavalry  charge  prior  to 
Five  Forks.  After  his  discharge,  he  returned  to  his 
native  county,  located  at  Reading  and  secured  a  place 
as  carpenter  for  the  Schuylkill  Navigation  Company. 
He  left  that  company  to  work  for  the  Philadelphia 
&  Reading  Railroad  Company,  and  after  some  time 
with  that  corporation  he  took  up  house  carpentering. 
In  1904  a  position  with  the  Reading  Iron  Company 
was  offered  him  and  he  has  since  been  with  them. 

In  1865  Mr.  Groman  married  Barbara,  daughter  of 
William  Douglass.  There  is  a  stepson,  the  child  of 
Mrs.  Groman's  former  husband,  William  Thompson. 
Mr.  Groman  has  adhered  to  the  faith  in  which  he  was 
brought  up  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
His  political  views  are  those  of  the  Democratic  party. 
He  is  an  enthusiastic  advocate  of  lodge  work  and  is 
connected  with  a  number  of  fraternal  bodies,  including 
F.  &  A.  M.  Lodge  No.  62;  Reading  Commandery  No.  43; 
Excelsior  Chapter  No.  237;  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  and  the  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  while  he  also  belongs  to  the  Carpenters'  Un- 
ion and  for  many  years  maintained  his  connection 
with  the  G.  A.  R.  The  family  resides  at  No.  34 
Schuylkill  avenue. 

A.  R.  ORTH,  a  cigar  manufacturer  of  Reading,  was 
born  in  that  city,  Nov.  19,  1852,  son  of  William  and 
Susan  (Printz)  Orth. 

William  Orth  during  his  active  life  was  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  and  in,  time  secured  a  place  in  the  Read- 
ing shops  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad, 
where  he  worked  continuously  for  thirty-five  years. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  now  deceased,  his  demise 
having  occurred  Sept.  1,  1895,  hers  in  1877.  They 
are  buried  in  the  Aulenbach  cemetery  in  Reading. 
Four  children  were  born  to  their  union,  viz.:  Al- 
pheus  R.;  Christiana,  the  wife  of  George  Nagle,  of 
Reading;  Rosanna,  Mrs.  Henry  Hertwig,  of  Reading; 
and  William,  also  of  that  city. 

Alpheus  R.  Orth  attended  the  public  schools  till  he 
was  twelve  years  old,  and  then  entered  the  hat  factory 
run  by  Kutz  and  Arnold,  at  present  the  property  of 
J.  G.  Mohn  &  Brothers.  When  fourteen  he  left 
that   place   and   went   into   a   cotton   factory   and   then 


at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  began  to  learn  cigar  making 
with  Frederick  Printz,  who  was  alderman  of  the  Third 
ward  at  that  time,  with  whom  he  remained  five  months. 
After  he  finished  his  trade  he  worked  for  Charles 
Breneiser  &  Co.,  and  then  for  John  Maltzberger.  At 
the  end  of  that  time,  in  1887.  he  and  Augustus  Frame 
formed  the  firm  of  Orth  &  Frame,  in  the  cigar  manu- 
facturing business,  with  their  location  on  Court  street, 
above  Sixth  street.  After  four  years  Mr.  Orth  sold 
out  his  interest  to  his  partner  and  himself  resumed 
cigar  making.  He  was  employed  first  by  John  Keiser 
and  then  for  six  years  by  Frank  Hunt.  In  1898  Mr. 
Orth  purchased  Peter  Krick's  stand,  on  Sixth  street  be- 
low Penn,  formerly  William  R.  Eaches'  well-known 
place,  and  established  himself  there  till  1900  when  he 
moved  to  his  present  location.  No.  37  North  Fifth 
street.  This  stand,  which  he  bought  from  Edward 
Luden,  was  one  of  the  most  up-to-date  in  the  city 
and  under  Mr.  Orth  its  reputation  has  been  more  than 
sustained.  It  is  located  next  to  the  postoflfice  build- 
ing, has  a  frontage  of  thirty  feet  and  depth  of  330 
.feet,  and  has  a  factory  15x45  feet  in  dimensions,  in 
the  rear.  This  factory  Mr.  Orth  greatly  improved 
in  June,  1906,  and  keeps  fourteen  hands  busy  at  all 
times.  When  he  began  he  employed  only  two,  but 
his  business  increased  rapidly  from  the  first  and  now 
he  has  a  fine  local  trade,  supplying  his  products  to 
all  the  best  cafes  and  hotels  in  the  city.  He  makes 
principally  the  Pompey  Branch  five  cents,  and  Pom- 
pey  Shorts,  for  chewing  and  smoking,  ten  cents.  The 
business  is  now  conducted  under  the  name  of  A.  R. 
Orth    &    Son. 

In  1878  Mr.  Orth  married  Ellen  E.,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Elizabeth  Reider.  There  are  three  children, 
Annie,  Walter  and  Lizzie,  the  last  a  graduate  of  the 
Reading  high  school.  The  family  have  their  home 
in  the  store  building,  where  a  residence  portion  has 
been  carefully  fitted  up.  Mr.  Orth  has  never  mingled 
actively  in  'politics  but  supports  the  Democratic  party. 
Fraternally  he  is  a  charter  member  of  Mt.  Penn  Lodge, 
No.  518  I.  O.  O,  F.,  and  belongs  also  to  Teutonia 
Lodge,  No.  367,  F.  &  A.  M.  •  He  is  a  man  of 
warm  heart  and  charitable  impulses,  and  is  always 
a  generous  giver  to  worthy  causes.  His  business 
success  has  been  honestly  won  by  his  own  unaided 
efforts,  and  he  deserves  the  confidence  and  esteem  in 
which  he  is  held  by  all  who  have  dealings  with  him. 

DANIEL  SHAABER,  a  retired  foundryman  of  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  is  a  native  of  that  city,  born  at  the  corner 
of  Ninth  and  Franklin  streets,  Dec.  19',  1833,  son  of 
John   and   Mary   (Caldwell)    Sliaaber. 

Mr.  Shaaber  was  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  eleven 
years,  his  father  having  died  five  years  before,  and  he 
went  to  live  with  Adam  Johnston,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained until  twenty-five  years  old  Mr.  Johnteton 
being  in  the  foundry  business,  young  Shaaber  soon 
mastered  the  details  of  the  business,  and  when  Mr, 
Johnston  met  with  financial  reverses  Mr.  Shaaber  and 
Mr.  Johnson's  clerk,  a  Mr.  Jones,  took  the  business, 
this  being  in  April,  1858.  The  partnership  continued 
until  1860,  when  Mr.  Jones  sold  his  interests  to  Mr. 
Shaaber,  and  in  this  our  subject  continued  alone  un- 
til 1868,  when  Adam  Johnston  and  his  son,  Henry, 
were  admitted  to  the  firm,  it  then  being  Shaaber  & 
Johnston  until  1877.  In  this  year  Mr.  Shaaber  with- 
drew from  the  firm  and  engaged  in  the  cold  storage 
business  at  Fifth  street  and  the  Lebanon  Valley 
railway  until  the  railroad  company  erected  their 
bridge  at  that  point,  and  as  the  plant  was  on  railroad 
property  it  was  forced  to  move.  Since  this  time  Mr. 
Shaaber  has  lived  retired. 

Mr.  Shaaber  was  married  Nov.  24,  1859,  to  Asenath 
Johnston,  daughter  of  Adam  Johnston.  In  politics 
Mr.  Shaaber  is  a  Republican,  and  served  in  the  Sec- 
ond ward  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  Mr. 
Shaaber  had  the  following  brothers  and  sisters:  Cather- 
me,  m.  to  Amos  Seyfert;  Elizabeth,  m.  to  a  Mr    Corn- 


646 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Margaret,  m.  to  Frederick  Deaser;  Mary,  m.  to  Peter 
Adams;  John;  George;  Sarah;  Peter;  Rebecca,  m.  to 
Jackson  Sherman;  Jacob,  twin  of  Daniel;  and  Henry 
W..  deceased. 

JEREMIAH  SEIDER.  Among  the  prominent  busi- 
ness men  of  Reading,  Pa.,  may  be  mentioned  Jere- 
miah Seider,  of  No.  937  Douglass  street,  who  has  for 
some  years  been  engaged  in  contracting.  He  was 
born  Jan.  5,  1830,  in  Reading,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary 
(Yeager)  Seider. 

Daniel  Seider,  who  was  a  boatbuilder  in  Reading  in 
the  early  days,  later  removed  to  Northumberland  coun- 
ty. Pa.,  where,  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1845,  then 
returning  to  Reading,  where  he  carried  on  the  work 
of  carpenter.  In  1850  he  was  engaged  in  the  Read- 
ing Cotton  factory,  and  in  1862  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Union  army,  he_  lost  his  life  in  the  Civil  war.  He  and 
his  wife  had  about  twelve  children,  of  whom  Jeremiah 
was  the  fifth.  Daniel  Seider  was'  a  Lutheran  in  reli- 
gious belief,  while  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Reformed 
denomination. 

Jeremiah  Seider  secured  a  somewhat  limited  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  Reading.  He  enlisted  on  April 
18,  1861,  and  was  made  sergeant.  He  re-enlisted  in  the 
Ordnance  department  arid  became  first  lieutenant  of 
artillery,  serving  ninety  days  in  1863,  and  being  now  the 
only  living  officer  of  that  command.  After  being  hon- 
orably discharged  he  engaged  in  the  contracting  busi- 
ness, which  he  has  followed  to  the  present  time,  and 
was  for  one  year  in  partnership  with  John  B.  Wagner. 
Mr.  Seider  was  the  first  building  inspector  of  Reading, 
and  has  been  one  of  the  best  known  contractors 
of  the  city.  Although  he  has  reached  an  age  when 
most  men  are  willing  to  give  up  their  active  opera- 
tions, Mr.  Seider  has  no  thought  of  so  doing.  Stand- 
ing six  feet,  one  inch  in  height,  and  weighing  200 
pounds,  he  is  robust  and  hearty,  and  is  in  full  pos- 
session of  all  of  his  faculties,  being  able  to  read  without 
glasses  as  well  as  a  young  man  of  twenty. 

Mr.  Seider  was  married  in  April,  1856,  to  Leann 
Armpreister,  born  1830,  and  who  died  in  November, 
1904,  aged  seventy-two  years.  To  this  union  there 
were  born  two  children:  Rosanna,  deceased;  and  Je- 
rome, deceased,  formerly  a  letter  carrier,  and  also  cap- 
tain of  Company  I,  4th  Reg.  Pa.  National  Guards.  Mr. 
Seider  is  a  member  of  McLean  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  form- 
erly a  member  of  Chandler  Lodge  of  Masons,  and  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

THEODORE  BENZ,  now  living  retired  from  active 
work  at  his  home  at  Mineral  Spring  Park.  Reading, 
is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  Baden,  Saalbach,  Nov. 
9,  1835,  and  he  is  the  only  survivor  of  the  seven 
children  born  to  George  Benz.  a  locksmith,  whose 
entire  life  was  passed  in  his  native  country. 
'  Before  coming  to  America  Mr.  Benz  was  employed 
with  his  brother,  but  in  the  fall  of  1850  he  set  sail 
for  the  New  World,  the  voyage  lasting  thirty-two 
days.  He  landed  at  New  York  City,  but  went  at 
once  to  Philadelphia,  where  with  his  brother  Charles 
he  was  employed  at  the  Norris  Machine  Shop.  After 
some  time  there  he  learned  the  baker's  trade,  and 
this  he  followed  steadily  until  1859,  when  he  engaged 
in  the_  oyster  business  at  Reading,  to  which  city  he 
came  in  1856.  He  was  located  at  a  corner  on  Penn 
street,  and  for  a  time  was  a  partner  of  Capt.  Michael 
Walters.  This  business  was  carried  on  most  suc- 
cessfully until  the  time  of  the  first  draft  for  the 
Federal  army  in  the  Civil  war.  He  served  nine 
months  in  the  Company  known  as  the  Hounds-Ward 
Company,  and  later  was  cook  for  Colonels  Knoderer, 
Wert  and  Davis.  In  1865  he  began  in  the  baking 
business  at  Reading,  having  his  establishment  at  No. 
814  Walnut  street.  This  he  continued  for  nine  years, 
and  then  until  1892  he  was  engaged  in  the  hotel 
business  on  Seventh  street,  between  Penn  and  Frank- 
lin   streets.      That    year    he    moved    to    No.    928    Penn 


street,  from  which  place  in  1892  he  moved  to  his 
present  location.  In  1891  he  built  his  home  in  Lower 
Alsace  township,  or  Mt.  Penn,  on  the  Old  Hessian 
Camp  Ground.  He  has  about  eight  acres  of  land, 
five  of  which  are  devoted  to  grapes  and  other  fruit. 

Mr.  Benz  married  Barbara  Mohring,  who  came  to 
America  from  Germany  when  five  years  old.  She  died 
ill  1890,  aged  fifty-two  years,  ten  months,  fifteen  days, 
and  is  buried  in  the  German  Lutheran  cemetery.  Eight 
children  were  born  to  them,  two  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased. The  survivors  are:  Charles  W.,  who  has  been  a 
clerk  in  the  Penn  National  Bank  since  its  organiza- 
tion; John  G.,  a  plumber  in  business  with  his  brother 
William,  under  the  firm  name  of  Benz  &  Bro.;  Ed- 
ward, who  is  in  the  employ  of  the  United  Traction 
Company;  William,  a  member  of  the  plumbing  firm 
of  Benz  &  Bro.;  Annie  C,  m.  to  Joseph  C.  Flatt,  of 
Reading;  and  Miss  Lillie,  at  home.  In  his  religious 
faith  Mr.  Benz  is  a  Lutheran.  He  is  a  member  of 
Germania  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  also  of  Reading 
Encampment.  In  1900,  just  fifty  years  after  his  leav- 
ing the  old  home  in  Gerrnany,  Mr.  Benz  revisited 
the  scenes  of  his  youth,  and  also  attended  the  Paris 
Exposition,    spending  four   months   in   travel   abroad. 

WILLIAM  A.  SMITH,  ex-member  of  the  common 
council  of  Reading,  has  spent  his  whole  life  in  that  city, 
where  he  was  born  in  1864,  son  of  Nicholas  and 
Catherine   (Hartung)   Smith. 

William  A.  Smith  was  sent  first  to  the  parochial 
schools  in  Reading,  and  then  to  the  public  schools. 
After  finishing  his  education  he  went  into  the  shops  of 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad  company,  to  be- 
come a  machinist,  but  after  about  five  years  in  that  oc- 
cupation he  went  into  business  as  a  manufacturer  of 
optical  supplies  and  as  a  practical  optician.  His  place 
of  business  is  at  Nos.  202-208  Cedar  street,  and  he 
has  been  very  successful.  Mr.  Smith  has  always  taken 
an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  city  and  in 
politics  is  quite  well  known.  He  resides  at  No.  839 
Washington  street,  his  parents'  home,  in  the  Eighth 
ward,  and  for  three  terms  has  represented  that  con- 
stituencyin  the  common  council,  elected  on  the  Dem- 
ocratic ticket.  He  has  served  on  all  the  important 
committees,  and  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  ap- 
peals for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  a  progressive 
practical  man,  and  was  strongly  supported  by  his  fellow 
citizens  in  the  ward.  He  has  also  for  a  long  time 
been  prominently  connected  with  the  Harmonie  Maen- 
nerchor,  and  for  the  past  four  years  has  been  its 
president.  Besides  being  a  member  of  the  Sons  of 
Veterans.  Mr.  Smith  stands  very  high  in  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  in  which  his  name  is  on  the  rolls  of  Teu- 
tonia-  Lodge,  No.  367;  Excelsior  Chapter,-  No.  237; 
and  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  in  all  of  which  he 
is  past  officer.     He  also  belongs  to  Rajah  Temple. 

SAMUEL  H.  SAILER,  late  a  highly  respected 
retired  resident  of  Reading,  was  born  in  Alsace,  now 
Muhlenberg  township,  Berks  count"  Nov.  25,  1S32, 
son  of  Henry  and  Sarah   (Hahn)   Sailer. 

The  Sailer  family  is  of  French  Huguenot  stock, 
and  Phihp  Sailer,  great-grandfather  of  Samuel  H., 
was  born  in  Alsace,  France,  whence,  early  in  the 
eighteenth  century,  accompanied  by  his  two  brothers, 
he  fled  to  America  on  account  of  religious  persecu- 
tion. On  coming  to  Reading,  he  located  at  Sixth 
and  Frankhn  streets,  where  he  conducted  a  meat  mar- 
ket. His  two  brothers  went  west  of  the  Susquehanna 
river,  and  nothing  further  is  known  of  them  or  of 
their  descendants.  Philip  Sailer  married  a  native  of 
Alsace,  France,  and  of  their  three  sons,  Philip  lost 
his  life  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution;  Frederick  was 
a  farmer  in  what  is  now  Muhlenberg  township-  and 
Henry  became  the  grandfather  of  Samuel  H. 

Henry  Sailer  was  born  in  Reading  Feb.  29,  1764 
and  passed  his  life  as  a  farmer  on  land  owned  by 
Governor   Hiester.     He   married   Anna   Maria   Magda- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


647 


lena  Rothenberger,  who  was  born  Dec.  IS,   1770,  and 
they  had  two  sons:     Henry  and  John. 

Henry  Sailer,  son  of  Henry  and  father  of  Samuel 
H.,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Muhlenberg  township, 
Dec.  16,  lt96,  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father 
until  the  latter's  death  in  middle  life.  The  young 
man  being  entirely  without  means  hesitated  to  accept 
Gov.  Hiester's  offer  to  continue  on  the  farm,  but  the 
latter  insisted  upon  a  loan,  and  in  a  comparatively 
short  time  the  money  advanced  so  kindly  by  the 
Governor  had  been  repaid,  and  Mr.  Sailer  well  ad- 
vanced on  the  road  to  prosperity.  A  few  years  later 
when  a  valuable  farm  was  offered  at  sheriff's  sale 
the  Governor  again  insisted  on  a  loan  that  Mr.  Sailer 
might  receive  the  benefit  of  the  low  price  asked  for 
the  land.  Again  he  justified  his  benefactor's  con- 
fidence, and  in  time  became  one  of  the  representative 
farmers  of  the  county.  Selling  his  farm  then  to 
Charles  Evans  he  moved  to  Reading,  and  passed  his 
last  days  in  retirement.  He  died  March  20,  1880.  He 
had  accumulated  eight  farms,  and  at  his  death  gave 
one  to  each  of  his  children.  In  his  religious  con- 
nection he  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church. 
He  married  Sarah  Hahn,  daughter  of  Adam  Hahn,  a 
neighboring  farmer,  and  eight  children  were  born  to 
them:  Sarah,  deceased  wife  of  the  late  John  H.  Mertz, 
a  farmer  of  Richmond  township;  j-tdam  H.,  a  farjner 
in  Exeter  township;  Henry,  a  retired  farmer  in  Muh- 
lenberg township;  Samuel  H.;  William,  a  farmer  of 
Oley  township;  Franklin,  a  farmer  of  Amity  town- 
ship; Solomon,  deceased,  a  farmer  of  Muhlenberg 
township;  and  Catherine,  who  married  (first)  the  late 
William  Lauer,  and  (second)  Jeremiah  Guldin,  a  re- 
tired farmer  of  Muhlenberg  township. 

Samuel  H.  Sailer  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Berks  county  and  Reading,  and  also  a  gradea  school 
at  Unionville,  Chester  county.  Following  the  close 
of  his  school  days  he  came  to  Reading,  and  "learned 
the  butchering  business  with  William  Lutz,  following 
that  business  for  three  years.  He  then  returned  to 
the  old  homestead  farm  for  six  months  after  which 
he  resumed  work  at  his  trade  in  Reading.  After  his 
marriage  in  1857,  Mr.  Sailer  worked  on  his  father- 
in-law's  farm  in  Exeter  township  for  two  years,  and 
then  moved  to  his  father's  Spring  township  farm, 
which  he  operated  for  thirty-three  years.  In  1890  he 
came  to  Reading,  and  located  at  No.  44  North  Tenth 
street,  where,  having  put  aside  the  cares  of  business, 
he  resided  until  his  death  Sept.  21,  1908.  He  owned 
a  farm  of  156  acres  in  Spring  township,  and  another 
of  ninety  acres  in  Lower  Heidelbersr  township. 

In  1857  Mr.  Sailer  married  Catherine  L.  Schaeffer, 
daughter  of  Capt.  Henry  and  Annie  (Levan)  Schaeffer, 
the  former  of  whom  was  a  large  farmer  and  stock 
dealer  in  Exeter  township.  The  children  of  Capt. 
Schaeffer  were:  Mrs.  Mary  Hartman;  CatherineL., 
wife  of  Mr.  Sailer,  died  in  1891;  Rebecca  is  deceased; 
Jacob;  Elizabeth;  and  Henry.  The  children  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sailer  were:  Mary  Ella,  wife  of  John 
A.  Ruth,  with  the  Hollenbach  &.  Dietrich  liquor  stoce 
(they  have  one  son.  Arthur  A.,  who  is  with  the  Heroy 
Tea  and  Coffee  Store  of  Reading,  and  who  married 
Catherine  Lawen,  and  has  one  child,  Ruth);  Samuel 
S.,  a  butcher  by  trade,  employed  by  his  brother  Henry 
A.,  and  who  married  Deborah  Gass,  and  has  a  daugh- 
ter, (Catherine;  and  Henry  A.,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
butchering  business  at  No.  401  south  Fourteenth 
street,  and  who  married  Helen  Gass,  and  has  three 
living  children,  Carl,  Brook  and  Annie. 

Mr.  Sailer  was  a  member  of  the  church  in  Alsace 
township,   and   is   buried   there. 

JOHN  JACOBS,  who  died  in  Reading  May  12,  1894, 
was  a  native  of  Chester  county,  Pa.,  born  in  1836. 

Mr.  Jacobs  remained  at  home  until  he  had  finished 
his  studies  in  the  public  schools,  and  had  learned  the 
trade  of  stone  cutter,  after  which  he  went  to  Norris- 
town    to   work.      He   was    employed   there    for    several 


years,  and  then  moved  to  Reading,  where  the  rest 
of  his  life  was  spent.  He  worked  for  the  Philadel- 
phia &  Reading  Railway  Company,  at  first  as  a  stone 
cutter  and  later  as  foreman,  continuing  in  that  po- 
sition until  within  the  last  six  years  of  his  life.  He 
was  a  master  of  his  trade,  a  fine  workman  and  me- 
chanic, and  his  perfect  reliability  was  fully  appreciated 
by  his  employers.  In  politics  he  supported  the  Dem- 
ocratic party,  and  fraternally  he  was  connected  with 
the  Red  Men.  A  man  of  uniformly  good  character 
and'  actuated  by  the  best  motives,  his  life  was  an 
exemplification  of  his  religious  faith,  and  he  was  a 
sincere  member  of  the  First  Reformed  Church  of 
Reading. 

In  1874  Mr.  Jacobs  married  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Bechtel 
Winter,  widow  of  David  Winter,  the  ceremony  being 
performed  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Musser,  so  long  Mr. 
Jacobs'  pastor.  Mrs.  Jacobs  was  daughter  of  John 
C.  Bechtel,  a  farmer  of  Exeter  township  of  well  known 
Democratic  principles.  She  was  born  in  1836,  and 
her  only  brother,  Joseph,  m.  Lydia  DeHart,  and  has 
two  daughters:  Catherine  m.  John  Grieff;  and  Louisa 
m'.  the  late  George  Fryberger.  Mrs.  Jacobs  has  no 
children.  Like  her  husband  she  is  a  devout  member 
of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  one  of  its  earnest  workers. 
She  has  many  warm  friends. 

EPHRAIM  G.  WERNER,  senior  member  of  the 
well-known  firm  of  E.  G.  Werner  &  Sons,  manufact- 
urers of  paper  boxes,  shipping  cases  and  dealers 
in  merchandise,  at  Mohnton,  Pa.,  established  this  great 
business  at  the  corner  of  Wyomissing  avenue  and 
Chestnut  street  in  1890. 

The  business  was  begun  in  a  very  humble  way,  only 
one  hand  being  employed,  and  the  first  product  of 
the  company  was  hat  boxes.  The  demand  for  Mr.  Wer- 
ner's goods  soon  became  so  heavy  that  in  May,  1901, 
the  firm  began  the  manufacture  of  square  boxes,  the 
daily  output  being  from  300  to  400.  The  firm  now 
employ  seventy  hands  in  both  factories,  and  turn 
out  10,000  boxes  daily,  their  goods  finding  a  ready 
sale  at  Reading  and  in  the  surrounding  counties.  The 
Mohnton  factory,  a  fine  two-story  structure,  50x60 
feet,  is  fitted  with  the  latest  and  most  highly  improved 
machinery.  Their  Reading  factory,  at  No.  313  Binga- 
man  street,  was  opened  in  1907^  with  Mr.  J.  C.  Werner 
in  charge,  making  a  specialty  of  fancy  goods,  and 
turning  out  some  of  the  best  work  in  the  State.  The 
firm  also  carry  on  a  general  merchandise  business, 
and  in  this  line  have  also  been  very  successful.  In 
politics  Mr.  Werner  is  independent.  He  is  a  faithful 
and  devoted  -member  of  the  Salem  U.  E.  Church, 
where  he  has  served  for  many  years  as  trustee,  being 
now  president  of  the  board,  Sunday-school  superin- 
tendent of  class  No.  1,  and  leader  of  the  English 
Bible  class.  He  is  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  Church,  and 
is  greatly  honored  by  all  who  know  him.  Mr.  Werner's 
fraternal  connections  are  with  the  K.  of  P.,  No.  485. 
and  the  O.  U.  A.  M. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Werner  there  were  born  si-x  child- 
ren: (1)  John  C.  was  admitted  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  E.  G.  Werner  &  Sons  in  January,  1907.  He 
m.  Sadie  M.  O'Neill,  and  they  have  had  four  child- 
ren, Alithea  and  Norman,  living,  and  Paul  and  John, 
deceased.  John  C.  is  a  member  of  Camp  No.  211,  P. 
O.  S.  of  A.,  and  of  the  M.  W.  A.  For  several  years 
he  has  been  a  chorister  of  the  Salem  Evangelical 
Church.  (3)  Jeremiah  _  died  in  infancy.  (3)  Mar- 
garet, a  musician  of  ability,  who  was  for  many  years 
organist  of  the  church,  is  now  a  trained  nurse  lo- 
cated at  No.  1380  Wallace  street,  Philadelphia.  '"  (4) 
Irwing  died  in  childhood.  (5)  Walter  S.,  is  also  a 
member  of  the  firm,  admitted  in  January,  1907;  he  is 
a  member  of  Reading  Lodge,  No.  549,  F.  &  A.  M., 
Reading;  Reading  Lodge  of  Perfection,  Fourteenth 
Degree,  and  the  M.  W.  A.  He  m.  Mildred  Hetrich, 
and  they  reside  at  Reading.  They  have  one  daughter' 
Dorothy     M.     (6)     Anna     M.     died     in     infancy.     Mr' 


648 


HISTORY  OF  BERK'S   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Ephraira  G.  Werner  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Mohnton  National  Bank,  and  one  of  its  first  dir- 
ectors, in  which  office  he  is  still  serving.  He  also, 
served  as  chairman  of  the  building  committee  when 
the  present  bank  building  was  erected.  He  is  chair- 
man of  the  Mohnton  Cemetery  Committee. 

JOHN  HENDEL'S  SONS.  The  hat  business  has  con- 
stituted a  prominent  feature  of  the  industrial  life  of  Read- 
ing from  the  beginning  of  the  place,  and  of  all  the  numer- 
ous successful  plants  which  have  been  carried  on  here  dur- 
ing the  past  160  years  none  has  surpassed  that  which 
was  established  by  John  Hendel  and  his'brother  in  1871  on 
Fifth  street  below  Laurel,  and  which  has  been  owried  and 
operated  by  John  Hendel's  sons  in  an  equally  successful 
manner  since  1895. 

In  1860,  fifty  years  ago,  Levi  H«ndel  and  two  of  his  sons, 
John  and  George,  embarked  in  the  business  of  manufac- 
turing wool  hats  at  Adamstown,  in  Lancaster  county  (ten 
miles  southwest  from  Reading),  under  the  firm  name  of 
Levi  Hendel  &  Sons,  and  there  they  carried  on  their  fac- 
tory for  four  years.  The  sons  retiring  fromi  the  firm, 
they  then  established  a  factory  at  St.  Lawrence,  in  Exeter 
township,  Berks  county,  a  short  distance  beyond  the  Black 
B^ar  Inn,  and  after  operating  it  three  years  moved  to  Read- 
ing, where  they  erected  a  more  commodious  plant  on  Maple 
street  south  of  Chestnut.  They  carried  on  business  there 
successfully  for  three  years,  when  they  sold  the  plant  and 
dissolved  the  partnership.  John  Hendel  then  secured  a  hat 
factory  at  the  corner  of  Eleventh  and  Spruce  streets  but 
he  remained  there  only  a  year  when  he  and  his  brothers, 
George  and  Henry  B.,  trading  as  John  Hendel  &  Bros., 
purchased  the  large  "Wyomissing  Woolen  Mills"  on  South 
Fifth  street  below  Laurel,  and  equipped  it  with  the  most 
improved  machinery,  making  it  at  that  time  (1871)  one  of 
the  largest  wool  hat  establishments  in  Pennsylvania. 

Notwithstanding  the  growing  uncertain  conditions  of 
the  hat  trade  then,  their  enterprising  spirit  nevertheless  as- 
serted itself  and  they  developed  their  business  into  larger 
proportions  and  carried  on  their  plant  with  a  greater  number 
of  employees.  In  1879  (Jan.  1)  the  senior  partner,  John 
Hendel,  admitted  three  of  his  sons  (Levi  H.,  Daniel  J.,  and 
James  M.)  as  partners,  and  the  firm  name  was  then 
changed  to  Hendel  Brothers  &  Sons.  Subsequently  other 
partners  were  admitted  at  different  times,  and  the  business 
was  carried  on  extensively  until  1895  when  the  founders  re- 
tired, and  the  firm  was  reorganized  by  three  of  John  Hen- 
del's sons  (Daniel  J.,  Edwin  F.,  and  Harrison  P.),  who 
purchased  the  plant  and  began  to  trade  under  the  name 
of  John  Hendel's  Sons. 

In  December,  1897,  the  firm  determined  to  discontinue 
the  further  manufacture  of  wool  hats  and 'after  re-con- 
structing the  large  factory  and  equipping  it  with  the  latest 
improved  machinery  for  the  production  of  soft  fur  hats, 
medium  grade,  embarked  in  the  new  business,  and  since 
then  they  have  manufactured  large  quantities  of  fur  hats, 
which  are  sold  at  New  York  City  through  their  own  sales 
agents  and  shipped  to  jobbers  in  all  parts  of  the  United 
States  and  Canada.  They  began  with  325  hands,  but 
gradually  increased  their  production  until  they  came  to  em- 
ploy 400  hands. 

Harrison  P.  Hendel,  the  youngest  partner,  whilst  on 
a  pilgrimage  with  the  "Shrine"  to  the  Pacific  coast  in 
1907,  was  accidentally  killed  with  imany  other  Shriners 
from  Reading  at  Honda,  Cal.,  on  May  11,  and  his  interest 
in  the  firm  was  purchased  immediately  afterward  by  his  two 
brothers,  the  surviving  partners,  who  have  continued  the 
business  under  the  name  of  John  Hendel's  Sons,  keeping 
up  the  superior  reputation  and  credit  of  the  establishment 
which  their  enterprising  father  had  created.  He  was  born 
at  Reading  Sept.  12,  1867,  and  acquired  his  education  in 
the  local  schools  and  at  Hackettstown,  N.  J.  He  then 
entered  the  office  of  his  father's  factory  3,s  a  clerky  and 
filled  this  position  in  a  most  faithful  manner  until  1895, 
when  he  became  one  of  the  firm  of  John  Hendel's  Sons. 

JoHur  Hendel  was  prominently  engaged  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  wool  hats  for.  thirty-five  years,  and  came  to  be 
identified  with   different  financial   institutions  at  Reading, 


more  especially  the  First  National  Bank  and  the  Reading 
Trust  Company,  of  which  he  was  a  director  for  many 
years  until  his  decease  in  March,  1905.  He  was  very  highly 
esteemed  for  his  superior  character  as  a  man;  and  he  had 
an  exceptional  career  as  one  of  the  leading  successful  manu- 
facturers at  Reading  for  twenty-five  years,  having  operated 
his  large  establishment  in  a  most  remarkable  manner 
through  all  the  costly  fluctuations  of  that  trying  period.  He 
was  an  earnest  advocate  of  Republican  principles  and  ap- 
preciated the  great,  importance  of  supporting  the  doctrine 
of  protection  to  home  industries.  He  was  a  member  of 
Chandler  Lodge,  No.  237,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  of  DeMolay 
Commandery,  No.  9,  K.  T.  He  took  an  active  interest  iu 
matters  relating  to  the  development  of  the  Evangelical 
Church  in  this  section  of  the  State,  and  served  for  many 
years  as  a  class-leader,  steward  and  trustee. 

Mr.  Hendel  was  born  at  Adamstown,  Lancaster  county, 
Dec.  7,  1833,  and,  after  receiving  a  limited  education 
learned  the  trade  of  hatter  under  his  father,  an  experi- 
enced hat  manufacturer,  and  he  was  engaged  at  his  trade 
at  that  place  until  1860,  when  he  formed  a  co-partnership 
with  his  father  and  his  brother  George.  [For  his  sub- 
sequent career  in  the  wool  hat  business,  see  previous  sketch 
of  John  Hendel's  Sons.]  He  married  in  1853  Catharine 
Stieff,  daughter  of  William  Stieff,  of  Adamstown,  and  by 
her  he  had  eleven  children:  Levi  H.,  Daniel  J.,  James  M., 
John  O.,  Mary  A.,  (m.  Walter  A.  Boas),  George  W., 
Charles  W.,  Edwin  F.,  Harrison  P.,  Harvey  H.,  and  Cath- 
arine A.  (m.  George  G.  Guenther).  John,  George  and 
Harvey  died  in  their  youth.  James  ably  represented  the 
firm  for  a  number  of  years  at  New  York  City  in  the  sale 
of  their  hats,  and  died  in  1889,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two 
years. 

Levi  Hendel  was  the  father  of  John  Hendel.  He  was 
born  in  Brecknock  township,  Lancaster  county,  in  1809, 
and  having  been  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  four  years, 
was  indentured  to  a  neighboring  farmer  until  his  four- 
teenth year,  when  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  hatter's  trade 
under  Philip  Fichthorn,  of  Adamstown,  the  brother  of 
his  sister  Theresa's  husband,  William  Fichthorn.  After 
becoming  a  proficient  workman,  he  engaged  in  the  busi- 
ness oif  manufacturing  wool  hats  at  Adamstown  and  he 
followed  it  until  he  died,  in  1868.  He  married  Susan  Boll- 
man,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Bollman,  farmer  of  Cumru  (af- 
terward Spring)  township,  Berks  county,  and  they  had  six 
children:  John,  George,  Kate  (m.  Isaac  Lausch),  Henry, 
Louisa  (m.  William  Humbert)  and  William.  After  the 
decease  of  his  first  wife,  in  1862,  he  married  Susan  Will,  a 
daughter  of  Henry  Will,  a  coach-maker  of  Cumru  township, 
and  by  her  had  two  children,  Emma  (m.  Isaac  Y.  Spang) 
and  Howard  (who  died  in  infancy).  And  his  grandfather 
was  John  Hendel,  who  settled  in  Lancaster  county,  at 
Adamstown,  where  he  carried  on  the  business  of  cabinet- 
making.  He  married  Catharine  Auman,  and  they  had  three 
children:  Levi,  John  and  Theresa  (m.  William  Fichthorn). 

Daniel  Jacob  Hendel,  the  senior  partner  of  John  Hen- 
del's Sons,  manufacturers  of  hats  at  Reading  since  1895, 
was  born  at  Adamstown,  Lancaster  county,  July  8,  1855.  He 
received  his  preliminary  education  at  Adamstown  and  Read- 
ing, and  then  took  a  course  of  advanced  studies  in  Millers- 
ville  State  Normal  School,  for  several  years,  until  he  was 
sixteen  years  of  age.  He  then  entered  his  father's  hat 
factory  at  Reading  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the  busi- 
ness in  all  its  branches,  and  after  serving  a  regular  ap- 
prenticeship and  working  as  a  journeyman  until  he  became 
of  age  he  was  appointed  foreman  of  the  finishing  depart- 
ment, which  imposed  upon  him  as  a  young  man  a  large 
shajre  of  responsibility.  He  managed  this  department  for 
several  years  until  1879,  when  he  was  admitted  as  a  part- 
ner, evidencing  the  skillful  manner  in  which  he  had  dis- 
charged his  duties. 

Mr.  Hendel  continued  with  the  firm  until  1895,  attend- 
ing strictly  to  business  and  gradually  assuming  more  and 
more  responsibilities,  when  the  firm  was  reorganized  by  the 
senior  partner's  three  sons  (Daniel,  Edwin  and  Harrison), 
who  purchased  the  plant  and  took  upon  themselves  its 
management,  for  which  they  had  been  gradually  prepared 
by  their   father,  and  in  which  they  have  since  been  very 


AvOiH^    V^z/^e^^W, 


/ 


ZyC^7>C^ 


^'S. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


649 


successful,  trading  under  the  name  of  John  Hendel's  Sons. 
[See  sketch  of  this  firm.}  He  was  made  a  Freemason  in 
St.  John's  Lodge  No.  435,  F.  and  A.  M.,  at  Reading,  in  1883, 
and  was  advanced  to  the  thirty-second  degree  in  the  Phila- 
delphia Consistory  in  1891.  He  has  also  been  identified 
with  the  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  Knights  Templar, 
of  which  he  officiated  as  eminent  commander,  in  1894. 
Since  1906,  he  has  served  as  a  director  of  the  First  Nation- 
al Bank,  of  which  his  father  had  been  one  of  the  directors 
from  1879  to   1903, 

In  1880  Mr.  Hendel  married  Amanda  M.  Bachman, 
daughter  of  Charles  S.  Bachman  (a  successful  merchant- 
tailor  for  many  years  at  Reading)  and  Sarah  F.  Barndt, 
his  wife,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons :  George  Stanley, 
Frederick  Bachman  and  Harry  Bachman — the  last  two 
having  been  twins,  who  died  in  youth. 

Edwin  Franklin  Hendel,  junior  partner  of  John  Hen- 
del's Sons,  was  born  at  St.  Lawrence,  near  Reading,  March 
30,  1866,  and  was  an  infant  when  his  parents  removed  to 
Reading.  He  acquired  his-  early  education  in  the  schools 
at  Reading,  and  then  attended  an  advanced  school  at 
Hackettstown,  N.  J.  He  learned  the  trade  of  hatter  in  his 
father's  large  establishmEnt,  where  he  was  employed  until 
1895 ;  then  he  and  his  two  brothers,  Daniel  and  Harrison, 
formed  a  co-partnership  of  John  Hendel's  Sons  and  pur- 
chased the  hat  factory  of  Hendel  Brothers,  Sons  &  Co.,  in- 
cluding its  extensive  trade;  and  since  then  this  co-partner- 
ship has  carried  on  the  business  in  a  very  successful  manner. 
Mr.  Hendel  was  made  a  Freemason  in  St.  John's  Lodge, 
No.  435,  in  1903 ;  and  in  June  of  that  year  he  was  advanced 
to  the  thirty-second  degree  in  the  Philadelphia  Consistory. 

In  1887  Mr.  Hendel  married  Mary  A.  Faber,  daughter  of 
John  T.  Faber  and  Savilla  Miller,  his  wife,  of  Reading, 
and  they  have  two  children :  Raymond  Harrison  and  Catha- 
ine  Marie. 

JOSEPH  EBERLY,  whose  death  on  Feb.  23,  1897. 
removed  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential 
men  of  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  county, 
resided  on  an  attractive  and  productive  farm  of  sixty 
acres.  He  was  born  March  23.  1809,  in  Lower  Heidel- 
berg township,  son  of  Christian  and  Christina  (Flick- 
inger)   Eberly. 

The  Eberly  family,  which  is  of  German  descent, 
was  founded  in  this  country  by  Peter  Eberly,  who 
emigrated  from  Wittenberg,  Germany,  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  soon  after  land- 
ing settled  in  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  on  the 
farm   now   occupied   by   Peter    Peifer,   near    Fritztown. 

Peter  Eberlv,  grandfather  of  Joseph,  was  also  a 
farmer  of  Heidelberg  township,  and  purchased  250 
acres  of  land  near  Cushion  Hill  from  pioneer  Welsh 
settlers.  His  wife,  who  was  a  Newcommer,  of  Lan- 
caster county.  Pa.,  accompanied  her  parents  from  Ger- 
many when  a  child.  Peter  Eberly  and  his  wife  are 
buried  in  a  private  cemetery  on  their  property  at  Cush- 
ion Hill,  this  burying  ground  being  surrounded  by 
a  three-foot  wall,  and  they  have  rough  sand  stones, 
on  which  there,  are  no  inscriptions,  for  tombstones. 
T'hey  had  six  children,  namely:  Peter,  who  settled 
in  Lancaster  county,  had  a  grandson,  Peter  (resides  at 
Mohnton,  Pa.);  Michael  was  a  farmer  of  Lancaster 
county;  Christian:  Daniel  lived  on  the  farm  now  occu- 
pied by  Peter  Peifer  at  Fritztown;  one  daughter 
married  a  Mr.  Hauschen  (?),  and  located  in  Cumber- 
land county;  and  a  daughter  of  whom  there  is  no 
record. 

Christian  Eberly,  father  of  Joseph,  was  born  in 
Lower  Heidelberg  townshi"  in  1759,  and  died  in  ]827, 
in  his  sixty-ninth  year.  He  was  a  successful  farmer 
and  owned  two  large  properties,  one  of  eighty  acres 
near  Wernersville.  In  1813  he  built  a  stone  house  on 
his  farm  near  Montello.  and  here  his  death  o'ccurred. 
He  conducted  the  Eberly  mills  for  a  number  of  years. 
Mir.  Eberly  married  Christina  Flickinger,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Flickinger,  of  Lancaster  county,  and  they  had 
these  children:  Elizabeth,  who  died  unmarried  at  the 
age   of  eighty-four  years;   Susan,  who  died  unmarried. 


aged  fifty  years;  Samuel,  who  married  Nancy  Con- 
rath  and  lived  and  died  on  the  farm  near  Werners- 
ville; Molly,  who  married  Samuel  Reish,  of  Cumru 
township,  and  had  two  sons,  Samuel  and  Isaac;  Ca- 
therine, who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years;  and 
Joseph. 

■Joseph  Eberly  was  a  lifelong  farmer,  and  owned 
the  tract  of  sixty  acres,  on  which  was  situated  the 
Eberly  sawmill,  which  later  became  a  grist  mill,  and 
was  finally  turned  into  a  factory,  being  abandoned  in 
about  1901.  Mr.  Eberly  was  a  well  known  and  in- 
fluential citizen,  and  had  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
all.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  his  sons 
are  now  following  his  party  principles.  Mr.  Eberly 
was  a  member  of  St.  John's  Reformed  Church,  where 
the  family  have  a  nice  burial  plot. 

In  1837  Joseph  Eberly  was  married  to  Martha 
Sharman,  born  Jan.  22,  1815,  who  died  Feb.  22,  1894, 
aged  seventy-nine  years,  one  month,  daughter  of  Hen- 
ry and  granddaughter  of  John  Sharman.  of  Cumru 
(now  Spring)  township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eberly 
were  born  these  children:  Samuel,  born  Jan.  26,  1838; 
Emanuel,  born  Feb.  21,  1840,  a  coachmaker  at  Fritz- 
town, m.  Mary  Fisher,  daughter  of  William  Fisher, 
and  has  a  daughter,  Catherine;  Christian,  born  Aug. 
3,  1842;  Enoch,  born  Jan.  3,  1844;  Eliza,  born  Aug. 
27,  1846;  Henry  died  aged  nine  years,  ten  months; 
Joseph,  born  Jan.  29,  1852,  died  Jan.  23,  1907,  aged 
fifty-five  years,  m.  Annie  Wenrich;  and  William,  a 
carpenter,  and  deacon  of  the  Reformed  Church  at 
Sinking  Spring,  m.  M.  Alice  Gromis,  and  has  one  son, 
Wellington. 

Samuel,  Christian,  Enoch  and  Miss  ElizateEberly 
are  all  unmarried,  and  reside  together  near  Mtontello, 
on  the  Lancaster  road  in  Spring  township.  They  are 
highly  esteemed  in  the  community,  and  are  in  com- 
fortable circumstances. 

DAVID  D.  BABB,  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of 
Lower  Alsace  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  blacksmithing  and  operating  a  well-cultivated 
truck  farm,  was  born  June  25,  1837,  in  Alsace  (now 
Lower  Alsace)  township,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (De 
Hart)   Babb. 

John  Babb.  son  of  John,  Sr.,  and  grandfather  of  Dav- 
id D.,  married  and  had  the  following  children:  Jesse, 
who  in  early  life  was  a  farmer,  removed  to  Reading 
where  he  died  aged  seventy-eight  years;  Benjamin,  a 
tailor  of  Reading,  where  he  died  when  eighty  years 
of  age,  married  and  left  a  family  o.f  children;  John, 
father  of  David  D.;  Sarah  married  Peter  Fies,  a  wheel- 
wright by  trade,  who  kept  the  "Black  Horse  Hotel"  for 
many  years,  and  they  had  five  children — Rachel,  Sarah, 
Benjamin,  Mahlon  and  Jerre;  ana  Rachel  married  Aug- 
ustus Eidel,  a  farmer  of  Olej',  where  she  died  aged 
seventy-five   years. 

John  Babb,  father  of  David  D.,  who  was  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  conducted  the  "Centre  Hotel"  for  many 
years,  and  there  his  death  occurred.  He  married  Mary 
De  Hart,  daughter  of  John  De  Hart,  and  to  this 
union  there  were  born  sixteen  children,  as  follows: 
David  D.;  Sarah,  m.  to  Jacob  Bauer,  a  farmer  of  near 
Baumstown;  Emma,  m.  to  Henry  Christian,  a  farmer 
of  Alsace  township,  whose  death  occurred  in  Read- 
ing; Mary,  m.  to  Richard  Long,  a  cooper  who  died  in 
Reading;  Elizabeth,  who  died  in  Reading,  m.  to  Dallas 
Leinbach;  Savilla,  who  died  unmarried  in  Reading; 
Rose,  m.  to  Daniel  Reider,  a  brick  layer  who  now  lives 
in  Nebraska;  Caroline,  m.  to  Fred  Heine,  who  resides 
at  Omaha,  Nebr.;  Daniel,  a  farmer  of  near  Green 
Tree.  Cumru  township,  m.  to  Amanda,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Zieber;  George,  m.  to  Isabella  Foulk,  deceased; 
James,  a  farmer  who  resides  near  the  old  homestead, 
m.  to  Hettie,  daughter  of  Jerre  Fick;  John,  who  was 
killed  at  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  during  the  Civil 
war;  William,  who  died  young;  Martha,  m.  to  Thomas 
•Keller,  who  works  in  a  woolen  mill  and  resides  near 
the   Stony   Creek   Mills;    Minerva,   who    married   John 


650 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Fisher,  deceased,  and  resides  near  Reading;  Ida,  m.  to 
Louis  Kern,  and  residing  near  Reading. 

David  D.  Babb  was  reared  and  educated  in  Alsace 
(now  Lower  Alsace)  township,  and  from  the  age  of 
sixteen  years  assisted  his  father  in  the  blacksmith 
shop.  There  he  learned  the  trade,  which  he  has  fol- 
lowed to  the  present  time,  also  carrying  on  truck 
farming.  Mr.  Babb  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca 
Marberger,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Hafer)  Mar- 
berger  and  she  died  Aug.  3,  1907,  being  interred  at 
Spies's  Church  cemetery.  The  following  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Babb;  Sarah  Alice,  born  Feb. 
3,  1862,  m.  William  Ibach,  and  resides  near  Mt.  Penn 
in  Lower  Alsace  township;  John  M..  born  June  12, 
1863,  m.  Sarah  Keller;  David  M.,  born  Aug.  5,  1867, 
is  single;  Annie  Rebecca,  born  June  15,  1869,  m.  John 
Klemmer,  and  they  reside  with  her  father;  Mary  Ida, 
born  June  23,  1875,  died  Aug.  1,  1877;  and  Elmenda 
M.,  born  June  1,  1878,  m.  Samuel  Long,  and  they 
reside  at  St.  Lawrence,  Exeter  township,  where  he 
is  a  weaver  in  Brumbach's  woolen  mills.  Mr.  Babb 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  congre- 
gation at  Spies's  Church. 

CYRUS  K.  SPATZ,  who  is  engaged  in  operating 
his  108-acre  farm  in  Muhlenberg  township,  Berks 
county,  one  of  the  finest  properties  of  the  locality, 
was  born  June  17,  1841,  in  Bern  township,  son  of 
Valentine  and  Elizabeth  (Kaufifman)  Spatz. 

Valentine  Spatz,  who  was  a  farmer  in  Bern  town- 
ship all  of  his  life,  died  on  his  farm  of  133  acres, 
about  one  mile  from  Bern  Church,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
three  S^ars,  and  his  wife  passed  away  when  seventy- 
three  years  of  age.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  while  she  was  a  Lutheran,  and  both  were 
highly  esteemed  in  the  community  in  which  they 
spent  so  many  years.'  Mr.  Spatz  was  a  Democrat  in 
his  political  opinions,  and  was  a  school  director  for 
some  years  in  Bern  township.  Valentine  Spatz  and 
his  wife  had  children:  Cyrus  K,  Jonathan,  Levi,  Lov- 
ina,  William,  Elam,  Amelia  and  Benjamin. 

Cyrus  K.  Spatz  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm 
in  Bern  township,  where  he  remained  until  twenty- 
seven  years  of  age,  and  at  this  time  located  in  Muh- 
lenberg township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He 
bought  the  John  Barnhart'  property  of  108  acres,  a  fine, 
fertile  tract,  upon  which  he  built,  at  a  cost  of  $4000, 
a  two-story  brick  dwelling,  the  brick  for  which  were 
manufactured  in  Leesport.  This  home,  which  is  very 
substantial  in  character  and  model  in  design  is  one 
of  the  finest  in  Muhlenberg  township. 

In  1868  Mr.  Spatz  was  married  to  Catharine  Barn- 
hart,  daughter  of  John  Barnhart,  and  to  this  union 
there  have  been  born  five  children:  Irvin  D.  B.  m. 
Mary  Shepp,  and  has  three  children,  Mabel,  Charles 
and  Laura;  Wilson  D.  B.  m.  Bessie  Huntsberger,  and 
has  four  children,  Catherine,  Warren,  Emily  and  Eber; 
Catherine  m.  H.  P.  Shafier,  and  has  one  child,  Cath- 
erine; Ella  m.  Howard  Adam,  and  has  one  child, 
Mary;  and  Florence  is  single.  In  religious  belief  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Spatz  belong  to  the  Reformed  denomina- 
tion, Mr.  Spatz  having  been  a  deacon  and  elder  in 
the  Hinnershitz  Reformed  Church  for  nearly  thirty- 
five  years.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  for 
twenty-seven  years  was  a  school  director.  Frater- 
nally he  is  connected  with  Muhlenberg  Castle,  No. 
373,  K.  G.  E.,  Hyde  Park,  Pennsylvania. 

JOHN  S.  ROTHERMEL,  for  many  years  propri- 
etor of  the  "Farmers'  Hotel."  was  one  of  the  most 
highly  esteemed  residents  of  l.iuhlenberg  township, 
and  in  his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  32,  1902,  the 
county  lost  one  of  its  most  substantial  citizens.  Mr. 
Rothermel  was  born  Aug.  21,  1844,  in  Muhlenberg 
township,  son  of  Peter  and  Kate  (Schaefler)  Roth- 
ermel. 

Johannes  Rothermel,  grandfather  of  John  S.,  was 
born   in   AlSace   township,   Berks   county,   in   1766,   and 


his  wife,  Deborah  DeTurk,  in  1783  in  Oley  township. 
Her  father  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 
To  Johannes  Rothermel  and  his  wife  were  born:  Jo- 
hannes, Sarah,  Catherine,  Deborah,  Peter,  Mrs.  Beaver 
and  Peter  (2).  In  religious  belief  the  family  were 
Baptists,  in  which  faith  Mr.  Rothermel  died  April  30', 
1826,  and  his  wife  in  1844. 

Peter  Rothermel,  son  of  Johannes,  married  Kate 
Schaefifer,  and  to  them  were  born  children  as  fol- 
lows: Deborah  m.  Daniel  Maurer,  and  had  two  chil- 
dren, Mary  and  Katie;  Catherine  m.  Levi  Rotheberger, 
and  had  one  child,  Deborah;  John  S.;  and  Peter  m. 
Mary  Barnhardt,  and  had  one  child,  William. 

John  S.  Rothermel  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Muhlenberg  township,  and  also  took  a  course  at 
West  Chester  Academy,  after  which  he  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  until  his  marriage.  On  July  6,  1863, 
he  enlisted  for  three  months'  service  under  Capt.  Sam- 
uel A.  Haines  in  Company  G,  42nd  Pa.  V.  I.,  and 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Antietam,  the  balance 
of  his  enlistment  being  spent  in  guard  duty  at  Har- 
risburg,  his  regiment  guarding  the  bridge  across  the 
Susquehanna  river.  After  the  war  he  returned  home, 
where  he  continued  to  work  until  his  marriage,  when 
he  removed  to  one  of  his  father's  farms,  which  he 
operated  as  a  tenant.  Subsequently,  Mr.  Rothermel 
located  on  the  Gabriel  Gehret  farm  of  sixty  acres, 
where  he  carried  on  a  butchering  business  for  about 
six  years.,  this  farm  being  located  three  and  one-half 
miles  from  Reading  on  the  Centre  pike,  then  known 
as  the  Pottsville  and  Philadelphia  pike.  "The  Farmers' 
Hotel"  on  this  oroperty  is  one  of  the  oldest  hotel 
stands  in  this  part  of  Berks  county,  and  was  carried 
on  by  Gabriel  Gehret's  father,  Jacob  Gehret.  Mr. 
Rothermel  applied  for  a  license  here  after  the  hotel 
had  been  closed  for  about  twelve  years,  and  after  this 
was  granted  by  the  county  courts  he  opened  the 
hostelry,  and  until  his  death  carried  on  farming  and 
hotel-keeping. 

Mr.  Rothermel  was  married  to  Catherine  M.  Gehret, 
daughter  of  Gabriel  and  Mary  (Maurer)  Gehret,  and 
to  this  union  there  were  born  three  children,  namely: 
Harrison,  born  Aug.  4,  1867,  m.  Kate  Hahn,  and  had 
one  child,  Edna;  John  B,,  born  Sept.  11,  1871,  m.  Alice 
Fox,  deceased,  and  had  one  child,  May  (died  May 
33,  18S6,  aged  ten  days);  and  Amelia  L,  m.  Howard 
Schmeck,  and  had  one  child,  Catherine.  In  religious 
belief  he  was  Reformed,  and  was  a  member  of  Hin- 
nershitz Church,  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  hav- 
ing been  elected  a  number  of  times  to  the  office  of 
school  director.  Fraternally  Mr.  Rothermel  was  con- 
nected with  Leesport  Lodge,  No.  144,  I,  O.  O.  F.,  his 
wife  being  a  member  of  the  Rebekahs. 

Mrs,  Rothermel  was  a  daughter  of  Gabriel  Gehret, 
and  one  of  a  family  of  four  daughters,  the  other  three 
being:  Amelia,  m.  to  Daniel  Baum;  Ellen,  m.  to 
Thomas  Baum,  brother  of  Daniel;  and  Adeline,  m. 
to   Daniel   Holtry,   deceased. 

SAMUEL  BEARD,  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  and  an  honored  veteran  of  the  great 
Civil  war,  was  born  in  1840,  in  Shoemakersville,  Berks 
county,  son  of  Herman  Beard  and  grandson  of  Samuel 
Beard. 

Samuel  Beard,  the  grandfather,  was  for  some  years 
engaged  in  the  hotel  business  in  Berks  and  Schuylkill 
counties,  being  at  one  time  proprietor  of  the  well- 
known  hotel  at  Fifth  and  Washington  streets,  Read- 
ing, now  owned  by  Mr.  H.  Godfrey.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy-five  years. 

Herman  Beard,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born  in  Berks 
county,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Shoemakersville,  Berks  county, 
also  conducting  a  hotel  business  at  that  place.  Coming 
tn  Reading,  Mr.  Beard  engaged  in  the  hotel  business 
at  Fifth  and  Washington  streets,  but  later  went  to 
Pottsville  where  he  was  in  business  for  three  years. 
He  later  returned  to   Reading,  where   he   died  in   1882, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


651 


aged  seventy-six  years.  He  was  a  Mason  of  high 
standing.  Mr.  Beard  married  Annetta  Yerger,  and  their 
children  were:  Samuel,  Sallie  and  WilHam. 

Samuel  Beard  attended  the  public  schools  of  Read- 
ing, after  leaving  which  he  learned  the  machinist's 
trade,  which  he  followed  from  1854  to  1861,  at  which 
time  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  25th  Pa.  V.  I.,  for 
three  months  service.  After  his  discharge  he  veteran- 
ized in  Company  I,  118th  Pa.  V.  I.,  for  three  years, 
and  served  with  his  regiment  until  he  was  wounded 
in  the  battle  of  Antietam,  Sept.  21,  1863,  being  shot 
in  the  muscle  of  the  right  arm,  from  the  eiiects  of 
which  he  has  never  fully  recovered.  On  receiving 
his  honorable  discharge  he  returned  to  Reading,  and 
tried  to  go  to  work  at  his  trade,  but  his  arm  could 
not  stand  the  strain,  and  he  secured  a  position  as 
clerk  in  a  hotel  at  Pottsville,  where  he  remained  until 
1881.  Mr.  Beard  then  went  to  Nebraska,  and  for 
some  time  was  employed  in  clerking  there,  but  again 
returned  to  Reading  and  engaged  with  the  Reading 
Iron  Company,  in  the  tube  works  department,  where 
he  has  been  employed  to  the  present  time,  some- 
thing over  twenty-five  years  of  faithful  service.  M^ 
Beard  resides  at  No.  414  Walnut  street. 

Mr.  Beard  married  Helen  S.  Reed,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Reed,  of  Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county,  and  to  this 
union  were  born:  George  R.,  a  printer  of  Philadel- 
phia, m.  Emma  Skeen;  William  L.,  employed  at  the 
tube  works,  is  single  and  resides  at  home;  Nellie,  m. 
Lewis  Eastburn,  of  Reading;  and  Emma  is  at  home. 
Mr.  Beard  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  while  a 
resident  of  Schuylkill  county,  he  assisted  in  taking 
the  census  there.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  Fraternally  Mr.  Beard  is  a  M'ason, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  Pulaski  Lodge,  No.  346, 
Pottsville,  since  1873. 

CHARLES  W.  BECHTEL,  general  inspector  of  the 
city  of  Reading,  was  born  in  that  place,  son  of  John 
R.  Bechtel,  and  grandson  of  David  Bechtel.  The  lat- 
ter was  a  farmer  of  Douglassville,  Berks  county. 

John  R.  Bechtel  was  a  real  estate  dealer  and  build- 
er in  Reading.  He  married  Sophia  Ringle,  daughter 
of  Jacob  Ringle,  a  boat  builder  of  that  same  city, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  seven  children,  namely: 
Sarah,  Mts.  Stout;  Susa^,  at  home;  Minnie,  wife  of 
George  E.  Miller,  an  employe  at  the  city  hall;  Rena, 
at  home;  George  I.,  a  clothier;  Ernest  V.,  who  rep- 
resents the  Fourteenth  ward  in  the  common  council; 
and  Charles  W. 

Charles  W.  Bechtel  was  born  Jan.  -25,  1856,  and 
after  attending  the  public  schools,  completed  his  edu- 
cation in  Palatinate  College,  graduating  with  the  class 
of  1875.  For  two  years  he  was  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness for  himself,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  went 
into  his  father's  merchant  tailoring  establishment,  then 
the  largest  concern  of  its  kind  in  Reading.  He  worked 
for  his  father  fifteen  years,  and  for  the  next  eight 
years  was  employed  at  building  for  his  father.  He 
finally  gave  up  the  building  btisiness,  as  he  was  in 
1900  appointed  general  inspector  of  all'  city  manufact- 
uring plants,  and  as  he  fills  the  office  with  great  effi- 
ciency, he  has  been  reappointed  each  succeeding  year. 

Mr.  Bechtel  was  married  July  4,  1880,  to  Miss  Mina 
Geho,  daughter  of  Nicodemus  Geho,  shoe  dealer  at 
Reading.  One  daughter  has  been  born  to  them,  Amy, 
now  the  wife  of  Walter  G.  Taylor,  an  employe  of 
Dives,  Pomeroy  &  Stewart. 

In  politics  Mr.  Bechtel  is  a  Republican,  and  is  an 
active  worker  for  his  party,  which  in  turn  has  made 
him  its  representative  in  various  official  positions.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  common  council  from  the  Four- 
teenth ward  in  1888-89-90,  and  was  also  ward  assessor 
for  twelve  years.  He  has  been  chairman  of  the  Sixth 
ward  for  some  time,  is  frequently  a  delegate  to  Re- 
publican conventions,  and  holds  a  prominent  place  on 
the  board  of  public  works.    Fraternally  Mr.  Bechtel  be- 


longs to  the  B.  P.  O.  E.,  and  in  religion  he  is  a  member 

of  the  Memorial  Reformed   Church. 

JOHN  C.  PRINTZ,  who  for  many  years  was  a 
pattern-maker  and  member  of  the  firm  of  Davis  & 
Printz,  on  Ninth,  below  Bingaman  street,  was  born 
in  1839,  in  Bradford  county,  Pa.,  son  of  Rev.  George 
Printz,  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

John  C.  Prentz  was .  married  in  1867  to  Lavinia 
Espenshade,  daughter  of  Henry  F.  and  Louisa  (Lea- 
man)  Espenshade,  an  old  and  honorable  Pennsylvania 
Mennonite  family.  Mr.  Espenshade  was  for  many 
years  a  tanner  on  Cherry,  below  Fifth,  street,  Reading, 
and  was  well  and  favorably  known  in  that  part  of  the 
city.  He  and  his  wife  had  these  children:  Lemuel, 
a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  was  wounded  in  battle 
and  died  at  a  hospital;  Daniel  F.  is  deceased;  and 
Lavinia  C.  m.  Mr.  Printz. 

Mrs.  Printz  survives  her  husband,  and  lives  in  the 
home  built  by  him.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Printz  were 
born  the  following  children:  Henry  G.,  who  is  a 
pattern  maker,  m.  a  Miss  Gantz;  Etta  L.  m.  Edward 
Yeager;  Ella  m.  Frank  G.  Dietrich,  a  teacher;  Mabel 
m.  Jeremiah  Romig,  a  conductor  in  the  employ  of  the 
United  Traction  Company's  System;  Paul  is  a  molder; 
Martha  m.  Gustavus  Abraham,  a  hatter;  Fred,  un- 
rnarried,  is  in  the  United  States  Navy;  and  Charles 
died  at  the  age  of  nine  years. 

John  C.  Printz  was  known  to  be  a  man  of  honor 
and  integrity,  and  was  much  esteemed  by  his  ac- 
quaintances for  his  manv  sterling  characteristics.  He 
was  patriotic  and  public-spirited,  and  was  considered 
a  representative  citizen  of  Reading.  His  fraternal  con- 
nections were  with  Montgomery  Lodge  of  the  Odd 
Fellows,  of  Reading;  Knights  of  Pythias;  Knights  of 
Malta;  and  Friendship  Fire  Company. 

DAVID  CLOySER,'in  his  lifetime  one  of  Reading's 
highly  esteemed  citizens,  was  born  in  Oley  tow'nship, 
Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  March  5,  1827,  son  of  Abraham 
Clouser. 

Abraham  Clouser  was  a  miller  by  trade,  who  followed 
that  occupation  in  Oley  township  throughout  his  life. 
To  him  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  H;ert, 
were  born  children  as  follows:  David,  John,  an  agri- 
culturist of  Ashland,  Ohio;  Sarah,  m.  to  the  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Momberger;  Maria,  m.  to  Lewis  Saxon;  and  Ma- 
linda,  m.  to  the  late  Frank  Candle,  and  residing  in 
Reading. 

David  Clouser  secured  his  early  educational  train- 
ing in  the  pay  schools  of  Oley  township,  and  at  an  early 
age  began  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade.  '  In  1854 
he  came  to  Reading,  working  at  his  trade  in  the  city 
for  a  period  of  thirty-five  years.  He  first  was  em- 
ployed in  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  shops,  and  later 
with  different  contractors,  at  house  carpentering,  and 
was  considered  a  skilled  and  faithful  workman.  He 
erected  his  late  home  at  No.  323  North  Eighth  street, 
Reading,  in  1857,  and  resided  there  until  his  death 
March  5,  1907.  His  remains  were  interred  at  Alsace 
church. 

Mr.  Clouser  married  Sophia  Kline,  daughter  of  Hen- 
ry Kline.  She  died  Oct.  5,  1905,  and  was  buried  at 
the  Berks  County  Alsace  Church.  Of  the  seven  child- 
ren born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clouser,  only  two  are  liv- 
ing: David  K.,  who  is  a  machinist  at  the  Philadel- 
phia &  Reading  shops,  Reading,  and  now  living  at  the 
home  No.  323  North  Eighth  street;  and  Irwin,  boss 
of  the  air  brakes  at  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  shops, 
Reading.  In  his  political  behef  Mr.  Clouser  was  a 
Democrat,  but  although  he  took  a  deep  interest  in 
the  success  of  that  party,  never  cared  for  public 
office.     He  was  a  Lutheran  in  his  religious  belief. 

ALTHOUSE.  The  first  of  the  Althouse  family 
to  come  to  America  was  George  Althouse,  born  May 
5,  1744,  in  Wittenstein  (Grafschaft)  Germany,  and  died 
Feb.  7,  1811.    He  married  Maria  Barbara  Herbein  (born 


653 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


March  21,  1741,  died  March  33,  1822),  and  among  their 
children  was  a  son,  Peter. 

Peter  Althouse,  born  Feb.  3.  1775,  died  March  5, 
1839.  He  married  Catherine  Schaeffer,  born  Oct'.  2, 
1775,  who  died  Aug.  26,  1826.  Their  children  were: 
George,  born  in  1803,  died  Jan.  6,  1866;  Susan  m. 
Christian  Leinbach;  and  Samuel. 

Samuel  Althouse  m.  Mary  Ann  Zacharias,  and  they 
had  three  sons  and  one  daughter:  George,  born  Jan.  15, 
1841.  died  May  39,  1861;  John  Z.,  born  May  28,  1843', 
died  June  27,  1879;  Catherine,  born  in  August,  1844, 
died  Jan.  4.  1865;  and  Samuel,  born  Oct.  14,  1847,  died 
Nov.  23,  1848.  The  father  of  these  children  died  in 
January,  1849,  and  the  mother  Oct.  4,  1865. 

John  Z.  Althouse  was  born  on  the  property  now 
owned  by  his  widow,  near  Epier's  Church,  in  Bern 
township,  which  was  settled  by  the  pioneer  of  the 
family  in  this  section.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Alt- 
house  located  in  Reading  in  the  home  now  occupied  by 
his  widow,  and  here  resided  until  his  death.  He  also 
owned  much  property  in  Riverside,  a  portion  of  which 
was  donated  by  his  widow  to  the  Olivet  Reformed 
Church,  and  was  a  stockholder  and  one  of  the  organiz- 
ers of  the  Berks  &  Lehigh  Railroad. 

On  March  5,  1868,  Mr.  Althouse  was  married  to  De- 
borah R.  Eppler,  daughter  of  Jared  and  Deborah 
(Rothermel)  Eppler.  and  to  this  union  were  born  six 
children:  Jennie;  Mary;  Emily,  deceased;  Samuel,  m. 
to  Caroline  Shomo,  and  father  of  two  children — Dor- 
othy and  Josephine;  George,  who  died  young;  and  an 
infant. 

HENRY  A.  COLLINS,  a  substantial  business  man 
of  Robeson  township,  Berks  county,  who  is  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  Seideltown  Grist  and  Flouring  Mill,  was 
born  March  12,  1864,  in  Topton,  Berks  county,  son 
of  James  and  Mary   (Albright)    Collins. 

James  Collins,  father  of  Henry  A.,  who  was  a  fore- 
man on  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad,  while 
engaged  in  construction  work  on  that  road  was  killed 
in  1864,  and  was  buried  at  Reading.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  and  his  estimable 
wife  were  the  parents  of  these  children:  Daniel;  Clara; 
Ida,  who  married  Oliver  Grubb  and  had  two  children, 
Charles  and  George;  Andrew  J.;  Curtin  and  Henry 
A.,  the  first  three  named  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Col- 
lins was  married  (second)  to  Amos  Weinpelt,  whom 
she  bore  three  children,  namely:  Howard,  Amos  and 
Mary  A. 

Henry  A.  Collins  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Robeson  township  and  the  city  of  Reading,  an-d 
after  leaving  the  latter  secured  employment  on  the 
farm  of  Milton  Geiger.  of  Geigertown,  with  whom 
he  continued  as  a  laborer  for  two  years.  He  then  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  Seyferts,  at  Gibraltar,  con- 
tinuing in  the  iron  works  for  twenty-three  years,  the 
major  portion  of  which  time  he  acted  in  the  important 
capacity  of  heater.  Being  industrious  and  thrifty, 
Mr.  Collins  accumulated  enough  to  go  into  business 
on  his  own  account,  and  in  1904  he  purchased  the 
William  H.  Kirling  mill,  at  Seideltown,  a  ninety-three 
acre  tract  consisting  of  farm  and  timberland,  where 
he  has  since  made  many  improvements.  He  has  al- 
ways been  enterprising  and  hard-working,  and  is 
deserving  of  the  success  which  has  come  to  him. 
Honest  and  upright  in  all  of  his  dealings,  Mr.  Collins 
has  gained  an  enviable  reputation  for  integrity,  and  has 
the  esteem  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him.  In 
politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  takes  a  great 
interest  in  the  success  of  his  party,  although  he  has 
never  sought  public  preferment.  Fraternally  he  is 
connected  with  Washington  Canip,  No.  298,  P.  O.  S. 
o£  A.  In  religious  belief  he  is  a  Lutheran,  while 
Mrs.  Collins  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Mr._  Collins  was  married  in  1887  to  Anna  M.  Hafer, 
and  eight  children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  as 
follows:  Penrose,  Paul,  Harry,  Herbert,,  Mark  L., 
James,   Margaret  A.   and  Mary   L. 


ABRAHAM  F.  REESER,  now  living  retired  from 
active  business  life,  at  No.  217  South  Fourth  street, 
Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Bern  township.  Berks  Co., 
Pa.,  July  36,  1835,  son  of  Abraham  S.  and  Annie 
(Feather)  Reeser,  and  grandson  of  John  Reeser. 

The  great-grandfather  of  Abraham  F.,  also  named 
John,  emigrated  from  Bern,  Switzerland,  to  Bern  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  at  an  early  date,  and  there  took  up 
a  large  tract  of  land  from  William  Penn.  Here  he 
settled  and  made  many  improvements,  engaging  in  ag- 
ricultural pursuits  for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Ab- 
raham S.  Reeser,  father  of  Abraham  F.,  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  Bern  township,  and  like  his  forefath- 
ers engaged  in  farming.  He  was  independent  in  polit- 
ical matters.  Mr.  Reeser  was  a  very  generous  man 
and  gave  liberally  of  his  means  to  any  church  or 
charitable  institution.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  par- 
ents of  these  children:  Sarah,  Catherine,  John,  Abraham 
F.  and  William.  The  family  were  members  of  the 
Reformed    Church. 

Abraham  F.  Reeser  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Bern  township,  but  subsequently  attended 
Irvin  Academy  and  still  later  Lee's  school.  He  then 
accepted  a  position  with  Rhoads  &  Son  as  clerk,  in 
their  grocery  establishment,  which  was  located  in 
th^  old  jail.  Fifth  street  and  Washington,  the  firtn  also 
operating  a  shoe  and  liquor  store  in  connection  with  their 
grocery,  as  was  the  custom  in  those  days.  Mr.  Reeser 
remained  with  Rhoads  &  Son  for  several  years,  when 
he  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  there  he  engaged  in 
the  provision  business  until  1862,  when  he  sold  out 
to  William  H.  Wanamaker,  and  returned  to  Reading. 
After  engaging  in  the  lightning  rod  business  for  three 
years,  Mr.  Reeser  engaged  in  the  store  business  in 
Reading,  opening  the  Eagle  Shoe  Store  on  Penn 
street,  which  he  conducted  five  years,  and  then  sold 
out  to  engage  in  the  real  estate  business,  which  he 
has  continued  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Reeser  built 
the  first  house  in  West  Reading,  opened  the  first 
street  there,  and  inaugurated  the  water  system.  He 
also  purchased  a  plot  of  land  and  laid  out  Woodvale, 
owning  at  present  there  about  500  lots,  as  well  as 
Woodvale  Mansion,  a  summer  hotel  and  one  of  the 
finest  health  resorts  in  this  section  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  built  the  Black  Bear  road,  known  as  the  East 
Reading  Railroad,  the  first  mile  of  the  Gravity  Rail- 
road, and  all  the  drives  on  Heversink  Mountain.  He 
has  always  been  active  in  any  movement  for  the  up- 
building of  his  locality,  especially  in  the  way  of  real 
estate  improvements,  erecting  many  buildings  in  Read- 
ing proper,  West  'Reading  and  Woodvale  (or  what 
is  now  Mt.   Penn). 

In  politics  Mr.  Reeser  is  a  Republican,  and  he  served 
as  assessor  three  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed Church.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  St.  John's 
Lodge   No.   435,  F.   &  A.   M. 

On  the  maternal  side  Mr.  Reeser  is  of  Prussian 
and  French  Huguenot  stock.  Peter  Feather,  his 
grandfather,  was  born  in  Berks  county,  and  he  owned 
and  operated  the  "American  House"  in  Reading.  He 
was  very  public  spirited  and  progressive.  His  wife 
was  a  Miss  Levan. 

MATHIAS.  The  Mathias  family  in  Berks  county, 
Pa.,  is  of  German  origin,  the  first  of  the  name  to 
come  to  America  being 

d)  Philip  Mattes  (as  he  spelled  his  name  in  his 
will).  His  will  was  made  Nov.  4,  1792,  and  probated 
Feb.  26,  1793  (See  Will  Book  B,  page  331.)  His  death 
occurred  in  Earl  township.  The  name  Mathias  is  vari- 
ously spelled.  In  the  tax  list  of  Earl  township,  in 
1782,  It  IS  recorded  as  Philip  Mathew,  and  in  other 
legal  documents  it  is  spelled  Matthis,  Mattis  and  Mad- 
des.  Philip  Mattes  owned  considerable  property,  and 
at  his  death  gave  two  of  his  daughters,  Elizabech 
and  Maria  Catharine,  fifty  pounds  in  money  His  ^on 
Philip  and  trusty  friend,  John  Houck,  were  the  exec- 
utors.    His    children   mentioned   in   the    will   were:    Eliz- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


653 


abeth,   Philip,   Jacob,   Stephen,   Maria   Catharine,   Bar- 
bara and  Eva  Rosina. 

(II)  Jacob  Mathias,  son  of  Philip,  lived  in  Earl 
township,  where  he  obtained  fifty  acres  of  land  from 
a  man  named  li^iager  for  a  bowl  of  punch.  At  this 
time  not  all  the  land  in  the  district  had  been  taken 
up.  This  tract  is  now  owned  by  Jacob  S.  Mathias. 
Jacob  Mathias.  married  a  Miss  Heater,  and  they  are 
buried  at  Hill  Church.  He  died  in  1835,  and  his  will 
is  recorded  in  Book  C,  p.  346.  In  it  are  mentioned 
sons  Johannes,  David,  William  and  Jacob,  and  daugh- 
ters Christina  (m.  Adam  Diener),  Betzy  (m.  George 
Moser),  Polly  (m.  John  Emes  and  second,  James 
Ernes),  Catharine  (m.  Henry  Emes),  and  Sallie  (m. 
John  Reider).  The  son  Jacob  and  Michael  Motz  were 
the  executors  of  the  will. 

(II)  Philip  Mathias  (3),  son  of  Philip  the  ancestor, 
was  born  in  Amity  township,  and  died  in  1801,  and 
is  buried  at  Amityville.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
German  Reformed  Church.  His  will  made  May  15, 
1801,  was  probated  the  37th  of  the  following  June. 
He  married  Mary  Swavely,  who  survived  him  many 
years,  and  she  is  buried  at  Oley  churches.  Five  chil- 
dren are  mentioned  in  his  will,  namely:  Philip,  Jacob, 
who  was  for  thirty  years  an  invalid;  Elizabeth;  Dan- 
iel; and  Abraham,  a  farmer  in  Colebrookdale  town- 
ship, whose  children  were  William  H.,  Jonathan,  Abra- 
ham, Mrs.  Jonathan  Houck,  Mrs.  Philip  Snyder  and 
Mrs.  Heflner. 

(III)  Daniel  Mathias,  son  of  Philip  (2),  was  born 
in  Amity  township,  but  in  early  life  moved  to  Earl. 
He  was  a  farmer,  and  cleared  land,  selling  the  timber 
to  the  forges.  He  owned  a  seventy-acre  farm  in  Ear! 
township,  which  later  became  the  property  of  his  son, 
Daniel,  and  remained  in  the  Mathias  name  until  1908, 
when  Daniel  Mathias's  grandson,  Daniel  Cleaver,  pur- 
chased it.  Daniel  Mathias  was  very  successful  in 
his  work,  and  showed  himself  a  man  of  remarkable 
ability.  He  was  a  Democrat,  an8  gave  his  services 
to  his  district  as  school  director  being  greatly  inter- 
ested in  educational  matters.  He  was  an  official  in 
the  Oley  Reformed  Church.  With  his  wife  he  is  buried 
in  the  cemetery  at  Oley.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Spohn,  daughter  of  Casper  Spohn,  a  Hessian  soMicr 
who  remained  in  Berks  county  after  the  Revolution. 
Their  children  were:  Anna,  deceased,  who  married 
George  Drumheller,  deceased,  and  lived  in  Earl  town- 
ship; Philip  S.;  Enoch,  first. a  farmer  in  Earl,  then  a 
merchant  in  (jilbertsville,  and  finally  a  resident  of 
Reading  where  he  died;  Mary,  who  married  Elam 
Guldin,  a  man  of  adventurous  spirit,  who  served  in 
both  the  Mexican  and  the  Civil  wars;  Jacob,  who  lived 
at  Conshohocken,  Pa. ;  Hiram,  a  merchant  at  Earl- 
ville;  Daniel,  who  lived  on  the  homestead  many  years, 
and  later  moved  to  his  present  home  near  Pleasant- 
ville;  and  Mahlon,  who  died  aged  nineteen  years. 

(IV)  Philip  S.  Mathias,  son  of  Daniel,  was  Viorn 
in  Earl  township  in  1825,  and  he  died  Feb.  26,  1869. 
He  was  an  early  school  teacher  in  Earl  township, 
teaching  in  all  sixteen  terms  in  one  district.  He 
owned  a  20-acre  tract  in  Earl  township,  and  there 
his  death  occurred,  and  his  remains  were  interred  at 
Oley  church,  of  which  he  was  an  official  member.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat.     He  belonged  to  the  Odd 

Fellows  at  Pleasantville.  He  married  Mary  Mathias, 
born  April  17,  1826,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Hannah 
(Motz)  Mathias.  a  distant  relative.  She  now  lives 
at  Shanesville,  with  her  daughter.  Miss  Sarah  E.  Math- 
ias. To  Philip  S.  and  Mary  (Mathias)  Mathias  were 
born  the  following  children:  Miss  Sarah  E.;  Morris 
M.;  Hannah,  m.  to  Edward  Clemens,  of  Ambler,  Pa.; 
and  Ada,  m.  to  Edwin  H.  Weller,  of  Shanesville. 

(V)  Morris  M.  Mathias,  son  of  Philip  S.,  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Earl  town- 
ship, and  later  attended  the  Kallynean  Academy,  at 
Boyertown.  In  1873  he  was  licensed  to  teach  by  the 
late  Prof.  D.  B.  Brunner,  and  he  taught  three  terms 
in   Pine   Grove   school   in   his   native   township.     Later 


he  taught  four  terms  in  the  Pleasantville  Independent 
district  in  Oley,  and  then  two  terms  in  Shanesville. 
He  was  successful  both  as  an  instructor  and  as  a 
disciplinarian,  and  attained  a  high  place  among  Berks 
county  educators.  In  1877  he  began  farming  on  the 
Aaron  Weller  farm  near  Shanesville,  and  this  farm 
became  his  by  purchase  in  1885.  It  contains  seventy 
acres  of  rich  land,  and  he  carried  on  farming  here  until 
the  spring  of  1908,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his 
son,  J.  M.  W.  Mathias.  In  1907  he  built  an  addition 
to  the  house,  and  greatly  improved  the  property;  the 
excellent  condition  of  the  entire  place  shows  his  good 
management.  He  also  owns  several  tracts  of  wood- 
land, one  in  Earl  township,  and  one  in  Pike._  He  is 
an  aggressive  citizen,  intelligent  and  progressive,  and 
he  is  keenly  interested  in  the  development  of  his 
community.  In  1883,  when  but  twenty-eight,  years  of 
age  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  has  been 
re-elected  continuously  since,  his  present  term  extend- 
ing to  May  6,  1913.  He  has  settled  many  disputes, 
and  has  many  times  kept  friends  and  neighbors  out 
of  court,  being  in  reality  the  peace  maker  of  the  dis- 
trict. He  has  served  as  clerk  at  many  sales,  as  ad- 
ministrator of  estates,  and  also  as  executor,  and  has 
been  made  guardian  of  a  number  of  children.  He  is 
an  agent  of  the  Boyertown  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
and  has  been  since  1893.  For  six  years  he  was  auditor 
of  the  township.  He  and  his  family  are  members 
of  Oley  Reformed  Church,  of  which  he  was  deacon 
and  later  elder,  and  he  is  secretary  of  the  Oley  Ceme- 
tery Company. 

On  Sept.  35,  1875,  Mr.  Mathias  was  married  to  Mary 
Ann  D.  Weller,  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Sarah  (Dot- 
terer)  Weller.  Their  children  were:  Sarah,  who 
died  in  infancy;  Olivia  W.,  at  home;  Warren  W.,  a 
farmer  in  Oley  township,  near  Pleasantville,  m.  to 
Willi  De  Turck.  daughter  of  Daniel  De  Turck,  of 
Oley,  and  has  children  M.  Daniel,  Mary  M.,  Olivia 
May  and  Jr-hilip  Curtis;  Morris  W.,  a  graduate  of  the 
Keystone  State  Normal  School,  class  of  1903,  and  now 
engaged  in  teaching  in  Earl  township,  m.  to  Alice 
Clauser,  daughter  of  Henfy  Clauser,  and  has  chil- 
dren Stanly,  Helen  and  Ralph;  J.  M.  W.,  a  farmer 
on  the  homestead,  m.  to  Katie  Dry,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel IDry,  and  has.  children — Leroy,  Mabel  and  Annie; 
and  Lawrence  W.,  a  farmer  in  Oley,  organist  of  the 
Oley  Union  Sunday-school,  and  formerly  a  teacher 
of  music,  m.  to  Ella  Fisher,  daughter  of  Daniel  D. 
Fisher,  and  has  one  son,  Russell. 

HENRY  S.  GOTTSCHALL,  one  of  the  represen- 
tative farmers  of  Berks  county.  Pa.,  who  is  engaged 
in  cultivating  his  fine  property  in  Alsace  township, 
was  born  June  33,  1839',  in  Alsace  township,  son  of 
Daniel  and  Hannah   (Schildt)    Gottschall. 

George  Gottschall,  grandfather  of  Henry  S,,  was  a 
son  of  John  Gottschall  and  wife  (nee  Keller),  He 
married  Susan  Croninger,  by  whom  he  had  these 
children:  Daniel;  Elizabeth,  m,  to  John  Neukirk;  Sa- 
rah, m.  to  John  Holdrie,  of  Indiana;  Ella,  m,  to  John 
Schildt,  of  Alsace  township;  Elana,  m.  to  William 
Delp;  Rachel,  m.  to  Samuel  Heller;  Leonard,  m.  to 
Mrs.  Magdalena  (Fox)  Keener;  George,  m.  to  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  CDelp)  Butterweck;  and  John,  m.  to  El- 
mina  Schwoyer. 

Daniel  Gottschall,  father  of  Henry  S.,  was  a  farm- 
er of  Alsace  township,  where  he  spent  his  entire 
life.  He  was  married  to  Hannah  Schildt,  and  to  them 
these  children  were  born:  Lovina,  m.  to  Amos  Hoy- 
er:  Henry  S.;  Sarah,  m:.  to  Daniel  Bingaman;  Daniel, 
who  died  young;   and  Jacob,  who  also  died  in  youth. 

Henry  S.  Gottschall  received  his  educational  train- 
ing in  the  commion  schools  of  his  native  tow'nship,  and 
he  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming.  His  pres- 
ent fine  property,  situated  near  Seidel's  blacksmith 
shop  in  Alsace  township,  is  cultivated  by  the  most 
modern  methods  and  machinery  and  presents  an  ex- 
cellent appearance.     He  is  a  stanch  Republican  in  poll- 


(;54  HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

tics    and  his  first  vote  was  cast  for  Abraham  Lincoln  (ni.  John  S.   Hartzell    of  AUentown),   Emma    (died  m 

in  1864     With  his  family  Mr.  Gottschall  attends  Spies's  mfancy),    Jacob    W.    (whose    only    child,    Anna    ^.,    is 

Church  of  the  Lutheran  faith.  ,  ^^"^^^7,   °.L  ^^f    '^^A'^    Reunion    Association),    Albert 

On   June    23     1860,   Mr.    Gottschall   was    married   to  P.,   R.  Matilda   (m.   Charles  Appel,  of  AUentown)   and 

Miss  L    Heist   and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  Anna  M.   (m.   Lewis   Shankweiler,   of  AUentown) ;   ana 

children    as   follows:    Rose   m.    Philip    Hauck,   and   has  Henrietta  K.,  who  married  Jesse  Klme. 
three  children,  Harry,  Willie  and  Earl;  Mary  m.  James  j  v        c 

Klopp     and   has    two    children,    Ella    and    Anna;    Mil-  .Heinnch    Grim,    great-grandfather    of    Moses    K.,    of 

ton  m    and  has  eight  children     Allen  m.'  Alice  Zieber,  Maxatawny  township    was  born  m  Maxatawny  to^yn- 

and  has   two   children,   Edna  and  Annie;   John;   Annie  ship  m  1733,  and  he  died  upon  his  farm  near  Bowers 

m   John  N^°l;  Maggie  (Lovie)  m.  Samuel  Sitchel.  Station   in   1804.     He  owned     he   old   Grim  homestead 

m.  juiui  iiuii,  i     SB      V.  /  ^^^  squares  from  Bowers  Station,  on  which  is  the  old 

GRIM.  In  Weisenburg  township,  Northampton  (now  mill — one  of  the  land  marks  of  the  township..    Hein- 

Lehigh)    county.    Pa.,    in    1738    located    Johan    Egidius  rich  Grim  was  a  farmer  and  miller.     He  married  Ger- 

Grimm    (or   Grim),   who   came   to   this   Commonwealth  trude  Trexler,   and  they  had   children:   Absalom;   Gid- 

with    that    noted    pioneer    minister    of    the    Lutheran  eon   (1760-1833);  Jonathan;  Daniel;   Reuben;  Solomon; 

Church,  John  Casper  Stoever.     The  Grim  family  home  Ann;  and  Polly. 

was  in  Normandy  and  the  lineage  is  traced  back  to  Solomon  Grim,  son  of  Heinrich  and  Gertrude  (Trex- 
a  Baron  there  in  the  time  of  William  the.  Conquerer.  ler),  was  a  successful  farmer  and  miller  in  Rockland 
One  branch  of  the  family  went  to  Alsace,  whence  came  township,  where  he  died  in  1815.  He  married  Leah 
Johan  Egidius  (also  known  as  Gitti  and  Gideon).  It  Kline,  daughter  of  David  Kline,  the  owner  of  much 
appears  that  he  later  settled  in  Maxatawny,  Berks  valuable  propertv  in  Maxatawny.  They  had  two  child- 
county,  where  he  secured  a  large  tract  of  land.  He  ren,  Reuben,  and  a  daughter  that  died  in  childhood, 
built  a  substantial  house,  where  other  settlers  fre-  Reuben  Grim,  son  of  Solomon  and  Leah  (Kline), 
quently  sought  refuge  in  times  of  Indian  disturbances,  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  Rockland  township. 
Most  of  his  descendants  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  March  7,  1816.  For  many  years  he  conducted  the 
Church,  and  two  of  his  sons  served  in  the  war  of  the  mill  in  connection  with  farming,  continuing  this  double 
Revolution.  The  will  of  "Gitti,  alias  Gideon,"  Grim  occupation  until  1866.  He  was  very  successful,  and  be- 
was  made  Jan.  28,  1760.  and  was  probated  Oct.  1,  came  the  owner  of  three  farms.  In  1867  he  moved 
1761,  when  Jacob  and  Henry  Grim,  his  sons,  were  to  Maxatawny  township  to  the  farm  now  occupied  by 
appointed  as  executors.  In  this  will  he  gave  his  his  son  Moses  K.  He  was  a  man  of  influence  and 
land  to  his  sons  Jacob  and  Henry;  fifty  pounds  to  was  a  prominent  worker  in  the  Lutheran  Church  at 
his  daughter  Cattarina;  fifty  pounds  to  his  daughter  Lyons.  He  died  Dec.  30,  1897.  He  married  Diana 
Elizabeth  (m.  Casper  Merkel);  thirty  pounds  to  Frantz  Kutz,  daughter  of  Daniel  Kutz.  of  Maxatawny,  and 
Roth,  "son  of  my  daughter  Margreth."  their  children  were:  William;  Solomon;  Dewald,  who 
(II)  Henry  Grim,  son  of  Gitti,  married  and  had  died  aged  two  years;  Moses  K.;  Amanda,  m.  to  An- 
three  children:  Jacob;  Jonathan,  ancestor  of  Daniel  thony  Dengler,  now  of  Michigan;  Louisa,  m.  to  the 
P.  Grim,  of  Kutztown;  Gideon.  late    Daniel    Gaby;    and    Eliza,    who    died    aged    seven 

(II)  Jacob  Grim,  son  of  Gitti,  married  and  had  a  son  years. 

Henry,   born   March   16,   1756.   who   died   April   3,   1839,  MosES    K.    Grim,    son    of    Reuben    and    Diana    (Kutz), 

aged  seventy-three  years,  and  eighteen  days,  the  father  was  born  in   Rockland   township,  May  8,   1845,   and  is 

of    five    children — Rachel,    Jonas,    Abraham,    Solomon  now   a  prominent  and   successful  farmer,   located   near 

and  David.  Bowers    Station,    in    Maxatawny   township.      His    early 

(III)  Jacob  Grim,  son  of  Henry,  'was  born  June  training  was  along  agricultural  lines,  and  when  he 
17,  1754.  On  Nov.  2,  1779,  he  married  Catharina  Hot-  started  out  for  himself  in  1873,  it  was  on  the  same  farm 
tenstein,  and  he  died  June  34.  1833,  aged  seventy-nine  on  which  he  now  resides.  This  consists  of  110  acres, 
years,  seven  days.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  buried  and  Mr.  Grim  has  been  its  owner  since  1896.  He  is 
on  the  farm  in  Maxatawny  township,  now  owned  by  a  man  of  much  business  capacity,  and  is  possessed  of 
Mrs.  Cecilia  (Grim)  Butz,  of  AUentown.  This  ad-  more  than  ordinary  intelligence,  and  is  greatly  es- 
joins  the  old  homestead  farm.  To  Jacob  and  his  wife  teemed  in  his  locality.-  In  his  political  affiliations  he 
were  born  eleven  children,  namely:  Jesse;  David;  is  a  Republican,  and  from  1900  to  1903  served  his 
Henry,  who  died  in  Philadelphia  unmarried;  Sem;  Dan-  township  (which  is  nominally  Democratic)  on  the 
iel,  who  died  in  infancy;  Nathaniel,  who  died  in  in-  school  Ijoard,  being  that  board's  president  for  one 
fancy;  a  son  that  died  in  infancy  unnamed;  Sarah,  m.  year,  and  for  some  time  its  treasurer.  With  his  fam- 
to  John  Bailey;  Judith,  m.  to  John  Appel;  Catharina,  ily  he  belongs  to  Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church 
who  died  in  infancy;  and  one  whose  name  is  nor  at  Bowers.  For  a  number  of  years  they  worshipped  at 
known.  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  Church,  at  Lyons,  where  his  father, 

(IV)  Jesse  Grim,  son  of  Jacob  and  Catharina  (Hot-    Reuben,  was  an  official. 

tenstein),  had  six  children:  Jacob,  father  of  Mrs.  Cecilia  In    1873   Mr.    Moses    K.    Grim   was    married   to   Miss 

Grim    Butz,   of   AUentown;    Walter   J.;    Ephraim;    De-  Emma    C.    Weiser.    daughter    of    Elijah    and    Esther 

borah;  William  and  Allen.  (Bieber)    Weiser.     Seven    children    were   born    of   this 

(IV)   Sem  Grim,   son  of  Jacob  and  Catharina   (Hot-  union,  namely:  Jacob,  born  March  8,  1876;   Louisa  E., 

tenstein),  married  Anna   Kline,   and   had  five   children:  June   30,   1878;   William   G,,  April  25,   1881;   Walter   B., 

Dr.    Henry;    Isabella,    m.    to    the    Rev.    A.    J.    Herman;  Nov.  4,  1883;  Ida  May,  March  7,  1886;  Julius  H.,  July 

Catharine,  m.   to   Prof.   Davis   Garber;   Louise   and   Os-  2,   1888;   and  John  E.,  April  2,  1890. 

car  Sem,  all  of  AUentown.  

(IV)  David  Grim,  son  of  Jacob  and  Catharina  (Hot-  Gideon  Grim,   son   of  Heinrich  and  Gertrude    (Trex- 

tenstein),  was  born   April   12,   1787.     He   died   Oct.   12.  ler),   was   born   in    Maxatawny   township    in    1760,    and 

1838,    and   was    buried   in    the    cemetery    on    the    farm  died    in    1823,    an    extensive    and    prosperous    farmer, 

owned    by    Mrs.    Cecilia    G.    Butz.      His    five    children  His  wife,-  Elizabeth   Kirby,  was  of  English  extraction, 

were:    Seth    K.,    who    had    two    daughters,    Mary    (m.  She  bore  him  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  as  follows: 

William   Kline,   of   Rothrocksville)    and   Catharina    (m.  David,    Nathan,    Gideon,    Benjamin,    Joshua.    Hannah 

Daniel  P.   Grim,   of  Kutztown);   Daniel  K. ;   David  K.,  and  Dinah. 

who  had  four  children,  Henry,  George,  Mary  A.  (m.  Gideon  Grim,  son  of  Gideon  and  Elizabeth  (Kirby), 
William  Miller,  of  Philadelphia),  and  Anna  (m.  a  was  born  in  Maxatawny  township,  Aug.  31,  1792,  and 
Mr.  Bunker)  ;  Peter  K.,  who  married  Elizabeth  K.  died  in  Colebrookdale  township,  April  27,  1848.  He 
Mosser,  and  had  nine  children,  David,  Mary  (m.  Wil-  married  Esther  Krouse,  and  they  had  two  sons.  Wil- 
liam   J.    Frederick,    of    Reading),    Catharine,    Amanda  Ham  K.;  and  Levi,  who  died  when  eighteen  years  old. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


655 


William  K.  Grim,  son  of  Gideon  and  Esther  (Krouse), 
was  born  in  Exeter  township,  May  28,  1825,  and  was 
one  of  the  substantial  and  representative  men  of  Boy- 
ertown.  In  his  youth  he  learned  the  tanning  trade, 
and  this  he  followed  successfully  until  1874,  In  1872 
he  moved  to  Boyertown,  and  there  helped  to  organize 
the  National  Bank,  He  was  also  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  the  same  town.  He 
was  interested  in  the  Colebrookdale  Iron  Company,  of 
Pcttstown,  a  large  chartered  corporation  doing  busi- 
ness since  1835_.  He  was  very  level  headed  in  business 
matters,  and  his  judgment  was  frequfently  accepted  as 
final.  In  1853  he  married  Loretta  B,  Rhoads,  daughter 
of  John  and  Catharine  (Boyer)  Rhoads,  and  they  have 
four  children:  Mahala,  at  home;  Sallie,  wife  of  Frank 
Sebold;  William  R.,  a  bank  cashier  at  Texarkana,  Tex- 
as: and  Kate,  at  home. 


Jonathan  Grim,  son  of  Heinrich  and  Gertrude  (Trex- 
ler),  was  a  tanner  in  Maxatawny  township,  where  he 
lived  for  many  years.  His  later  years  were  passed  in 
Kutztown.  He  married  (first)  Catharine  H.  Bert- 
olett,  and  by  her  had  one  son,  Daniel  B.,  born  July 
17,  1800.  He  m.  (second)  a  Miss  Snyder,  and  they 
had  three   children:  Joshua  S.,  Polly  and  Jonathan. 

Daniel  B.  Grim,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Catharine  H. 
(Bertolett),  born  July  17,  1800,  owned  a  farm  of  220 
acres  at  Grimville,  where  he  kept  a  store,  hotel  and 
tannery  many  years,  amassing  a  comfortable  fortune. 
He  was  active  in  the  State  militia,  and  in  public  affairs 
always  took  an  interested  and  prorninent  part.  He  was 
known  as  "Der  Hellwedder  Grim."  In  1819  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Krouse,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  children  as  follows:  Daniel  P.,  born  Aug.  31,  1833, 
now  a  wealthy  and  influential  citizen  of  Kutztown; 
Jonathan  K.;  Mary;  Charlotte;  Catharine;  Sarah; 
Charles  A.  K. ;  Susan  (Dietrich);  and  Amelia. 


Joshua  S.  Grim,  son  of  Jonathan  by  his  marriage 
to  Miss  Snyder,  became  a  tanner  in  Maxatawny  town- 
ship, near  the  Lehigh  county  line.  He  owned  the 
farm  of  140  acres  now  the  property  of  Cyranius  R. 
Grim.  His  first  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Bieber, 
bore  him  four  children:  Jonathan;  Catharine;  Eliza- 
beth; and  Henry  P.  He  m.  (second)  Mary  Zim- 
merman, daughter  of  Esau  Zimmerman,  and  the  five 
children  of  this  union  were:  Charles  A.,  Joshua  I., 
Cyranius    R.,    Mary   and   Susan. 

Cyranius  R.  Grim,  son  of  Joshua  S.  and  Mary  (Zim- 
merman), was  born  on  his  father's  farm  July  22,  1852. 
In  his  earlier  years  he  engaged  in  tanning,  but  in  1884 
began  farming,  .making  a  specialty  of  his  poultry,  of 
which  he  is  very  proud.  For  many  years  he  has  been 
one  of  the  active  and  energetic  workers  in  the  Demo- 
cratic party  of  Maxatawny  township,  and  in  1889  was 
elected  assessor,  an  office  he  has  continued  to  fill  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all  ever  since.  In  1881_  he  rnarried 
Amelia  L.  Raubenhold,  and  they  have  six  children:, 
Mary  E.,  Walter  J.,  Cyranius  R.,  Jr.,  Martha  A.,  Rose 
Ann  L.  and  Solon  D. 

DAVID  C.  KLINE,  M.  D.,  for  many  years  a  prac- 
tising physician  of  Reading,  where  he  is  one  of  the 
foremost  supporters  of  the  Homeopathic  _  school,  has 
been  remarkably  successful  in  his  professional  career, 
and  stands  deservedly  high  in  the  estimation  both  of 
his  patients  and  of  his  fellow  citizens.  Dr.  Kline  comes 
of  an  old  Pennsylvania  family,  originally  settled  in 
Northumberland  county. 

The  grandfather,  Isaac  Kline,  was  a  native  of  North- 
umberland county,  and  followed  farming  near  Sunbury, 
in  the  village  of  Kline's  Grove.  He  married  Susan 
De  Witt,  and  reared  a  good  sized  family. 

Harmon  G.  Kline  was  born  in  Northumberland  coun- 
ty in  1818,  and  became  a  lifelong  farmer,  as  was  his 
father  before  him.  He  is  now  living  retired  at  Sun- 
bury.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal   Church,    and    has    been    liberal    with    both    his 


time  and  means  in  endeavoring  to  advance  its  inter- 
ests. His  wife  was  Miss  Mary  Bassett,  who  was 
born  in  1822,  daughter  of  Luther  Bassett.  Her  fath- 
er was  a  native  of  New  Jersiey,  but  removed  to  Dan- 
ville. Northumberland  county,  and  followed  farming 
there,  living  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-seven  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs,  Kline  have  enjoyed  more  than  half  a 
century  of  wedded  happiness  and  are  still  traveling 
life's  downward  slope  together.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  nine  children,  who  all  grew  to  maturity,  the 
survivors  being  men  and  women  of  real  value  to  their 
several  communities.  (1)  Luther  B.  was  educated  in 
the  Sunbury  public  school,  and -professionally  in  the 
Jefferson  Medical  College.  Since  his  graduation  he 
has  been  practising  at  Catawissa,  Columbia  county. 
(2)  Elisha  B,  attended  the  Williamsport  Seminary, 
read  law,  and  was  just  ready  for  admission  to  the  Bar 
when  he  died.  (3)  Lizzie  was  also  sent  to  Williams- 
port  Seminary,  and  after  finishing  her  course  mar- 
ried H.  C.  Wallize,  and  lives  at  the  old  Kline  home- 
stead. (4)  George  M.  was  educated  at  Williamsport, 
and  is  now  a  merchant  in  Union  county,  Pa.  (5)  Mar- 
garet Ellen  is  the  wife  of  I.  L,  Bender,  of  Martins- 
burg,  W.  Va..  where  he  is  clerk  to  the  county  courts. 
(6)  Dr.  David  C.  was  the  next  in  order  of  birth.  (7)  Is- 
aac C.  graduated  from  Lafayette  College,  and  is  now  a 
lawyer  at  Sunbury.  (8)  J,  Simpson  was  born  in  Up- 
per Augusta  township,  Northumberland  county,  and  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  part  at  New  Berlin,  Un- 
ion county.  Later  he  studied  at  Lafayette  College, 
read  law  with  Charles  G.  Barkley,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  Northumjberland  County  Bar  in  February,  1891. 
He  is  prominent  in  his  profession,  and  is  splicitor 
for  his  county  and  for  the  Pennsylvania  railroad. 
At  the  close  of  1891  he  entered  the  office  of  James 
C.  Packer,  with  whom  he  was  associated  professionally 
in  the  settlement  of  the  Packer  estate,  (9)  Rachel 
Bstelle  is  the  wife  of  Prof.  W.  S.  Hall,  who  occu- 
pies the  chair  of  Mining,  Engineering  and  Higher  Math- 
ematics in  Lafayette  College. 

Dr.  David  C.  Kline  attended  the  Bloomsburg  Nor- 
mal School  and  Dickinson  Seminary  at  Williamsport, 
and  then,  having  decided  upon  medicine  as  his  pro- 
fession, entered  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  at 
Philadelphia,  the  leading  homeopathic  institution  in 
the  United  States.  His  degree  was  conferred  in 
1883,  and,  locating  at  Reading  in  July  of  that  year, 
Dr.  Kline  has  ever  since  been  identified  with  that 
place,  and  has  become  a  prominent  figure  at  most  of 
the  local  affairs  at  all  connected  with  his  profession. 
Always  an  enthusiastic  advocate  of  the  principles  of 
the  Hahnemann  school,  he  has  done  much  to  spread 
the  popularity  of  the  homeopathic  system.  He  was 
ever  active  in  the  establishment  of  the  Homeopathic 
Hospital  in  Reading,  and  has  done  everything  possi- 
ble since  to  insure  its  success,  having  been  one  of  the 
hospital  staflf  from  the  beginning.  Dr.  Kline  enjoys 
a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  but  his'  specialties  are 
the  diseases  of  women  and  children,  and  in  that  field 
he  has  met  with  remarkable  success.  In  1895  he  took 
a  post  graduate  course  in  orificial  surgery  at  Balti- 
more, He  believes  that  great  benefit  may  be  derived 
from  meetings  and  discussions  with  other  physicians, 
and  so  he  has  connected  himself  with  various  profes- 
sional bodies,  including  the  local  Medical  Society,  the 
American  Institute  of  Homeopathy  and  the  Homeopa- 
thic State  Society.  He  has  been  president  of  the  lat- 
ter organization,  and  under  his  direction  the  meet- 
ings _  of  the  society  increased  far  beyond  any  point 
previously  attained. 

Mrs.  Kline  was  Miss  Laura  Smith,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Smith,  M.  D.,  a  practising  physician  of  Trevortown, 
Pa.  She  was  married  to  Dr.  Kline  Sept.  21,  1882, 
and  their  only  child.  Rada,  a  daughter,  was  born 
May  15,  1894.  Their  home  is  always  hospitably  open 
and  m^ny,  indeed,  are  the  friends  who  frequent  it. 
The  early  training  of  Dr.  Kline  in  religious  lines  was 
such   as   to   bring   him   into    sympathy   with   both   the 


656 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Presbyterian  and  Methodist  denominations  as  his  fath 
er  belonged  to  the  latter  church,  and  his  mother  to 
the  former.  Untiring  in  his  profession,  strong  in  his 
friendships  and  an  upright  and  honorable  man,  Dr, 
Kline's  life  can  well  bear  inspection,  and  serves  as  a 
model  for  any  young  men  around  him. 

RITTER.  The  history  of  the  Ritter  family  has  been 
very  hard  to  trace,  but  the  yearly  reunions  which  have 
been  held  of  late  have  brought  to  light  many  new  or  little 
known  accounts  of  their  origin  and  have  awakened  inter- 
est in  their  early  days  in  this  country,  where  the  Ritters 
are  now  numerously  represented. 

The  name,  which  signifies  "knight,"  originated  during 
the  Middle  Ages.  When  the  Crusades  were  organized 
over  central  Europe  to  redeem  the  Holy  Land,  a  society 
having  for  its  object  the  defense  of  the  faith,  the  protec- 
tion of  the  weak  and  the  honor  of  womankind,  came  into 
existence  in  central  Europe;  it  was  known  as  die  Ritter- 
schaft,  that  is,  the  Knighthood.  It  flourished  for  a  few 
centuries,  and  many  people  of  rank  as  well  as  of  the  mid- 
dle and  lower  classes  belonged  to  it,  but  in  time  it  be- 
came corrupt  and  was  disbanded.  About  this  time  sur- 
names were  coming  into  general  use,  and  many  if  not 
all  who  belonged  to  this  society  assumed  that  of  Rit- 
ter, so  that  there  were  soon  a  large  number  of  the  name 
in  central  Europe.  Their  principal  stronghold  seems 
to  have  been  in  the  Palatinate,  as  nearly  all  who  came 
to  America  emigrated  thence.  The  emigrations  began  dur- 
ing the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  we  give 
some  of  the  port  entries,  most  of  these  sailing  from 
Rotterdam:  Casper  Ritter,  1750,  ship  "Friendship";  Mar- 
tin Ritter,  1749,  ship  "Phoenix";  Christopher  Ritter,  1731; 
Heins  Ritter,  1731;  Mary  Ritter,  1731;  John  and  George 
Ritter,  1736;  Aaron  Ritter,  1738;  Martin  Peter  Ritter, 
1749;  Joseph  Ritter,  1749;  Jacob  Ritter,  1750;  Hans  Rit- 
ter, 1751;  Jacob  Ritter,  1751;  Nicholas  Ritter,  1752; 
William  and  Polly  Ritter,  1753;  John  Godfrey  Ritter, 
1755;  Michael  Ritter,  1765;  William  Heinrich  Ritter, 
1772;  Anton  Henry  Ritter,  1773;  Carl  Ritter,  1775.  These 
are  a  few  of  the  names  found  recorded  at  different  ports, 
and  no  doubt  nearly  all  became  heads  of  families  in 
this  country,  but  we  give  only  such  history  as  we  have 
of  the  two  first  named,  Casper  and  Martin  Ritter,  who 
are  supposed  to  have  been  brothers. 

Casper  Ritter  landed  at  Philadelphia  in  1750,  and  tra- 
dition tells  us  that  he  and  his  brother  Martin  first  set- 
tled in  Delaware,  but  as  the  soil  and  climate  did  not 
suit  them  they  came  into  Pennsylvania.  Casper  pro- 
ceeded to  Easton,  then  the  county-seat  of  what  is  now 
Lehigh  and  Northampton  counties,  and  was  granted  a 
patent  for  a  tract  of  510  acres  located  on  Pels  creek, 
a  few  miles  west  of  its  confluence  with  the  Lehigh  riv- 
er. The  present  town  of  Laury's  is  situated  where  the 
Pels  creek  joins  the  Lehigh  river.  Casper  Ritter's  ori- 
ginal farm  included  the  farms  now  owned  by  Reuben 
Saeger,  Prof.  David  S.  Keck  and  John  and  Jeremiah 
Schneck,  with  perhaps  a  few  smaller  tracts.  No  doubt 
the  tract  granted  him  was  forest  land  and  required 
clearing,  the  log  house  had  to  be  built  and  the  soil  brought 
to  cultivation  from  its  primitive  state.  The  old  log  house 
which  sheltered  him  and  his  family  was  razed  to  the 
ground  only  a  few  years  ago.  Whether  his  wife  accom- 
panied him  across  the  ocean,  or  whether  he  secured  her 
in  this  country,  is  not  known,  but  it  is  known  that  six 
of  his  children  reached  maturity:  Jacob,  Mrs.  Johannes 
Frantz,  John,  Heinrich,  Mrs.  Nicholas  Saeger  and  Mrs. 
Heinrich  Frantz.  Casper  Ritter  and  his  wife  were  both 
buried  on  their  farm,  on  a  small  elevation  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  house,  and  their  graves  are  still  to  be 
seen.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  of  the  children  of 
Mrs.  Heinrich  Frantz  who  moved  to  Clinton  county  their 
descendants  settled  in  the  same  community,  and  they  are 
still  numerous  in  that  locality.  Their  annual  reunions 
are  notable  events.  Most  of  the  Ritters  living  in  Le- 
high and_  Northampton  counties  north  of  Allentown,  and 
many  living  in  Allentown,  are  descended  from  this  Cas- 
per Ritter. 


From  Martin  Ritter  descend  principally  those  of  the 
name  who  live  in  Allentown  and  south  of  that  place, 
between  Macungie  and  Freemansburg.  He  came  to  this 
country,  as  stated,  in  1749,  and  secured  a  patent  for  a 
tract  of  land  in  what  is  now  Salisbury  township,  a  few 
miles  south  of  Allentown.  He  was  the  father  of  seven 
children :  Martin,  Henry,  John,  Daniel,  Michael,  Jacob 
and   Gretchen   (Mrs.  Solomon  Kline). 

Philip  Ritter  was  the  ancestor  of  the  Ritter  family  in 
Schoenersville,  Rittersville  and  the  region  over  toward 
Nazareth. 


,  Francis  Ritter  seems  to  have  been  the  ancestor  of  the 
Berks  county  Ritters.  His  father,  George  Ritter,  was  a 
pioneer.  Francis,  born  in  1741  in  Exeter  township,  Berks 
county,  died  in  1825.  To  him  and-  his  wife  Barbara 
were  born  four  sons  and  three  daughters :  Daniel,  John, 
Jacob,  Samuel,  Mrs.  Charles  Kessler,  Mrs.  Nicholas 
Seidel  and  Mrs.   Samuel  Christian. 

It  is  a  matter  of  interest  that  the  only  printing-press 
ever  constructed  in  Berks  county  was  designed  and  made 
in  1796  in  Exeter,  near  the  Oley  line,  by  John  and  Ja- 
cob Snyder  and  Francis  Ritter.  The  Snyders  were  des- 
cendants of  Hans  Schneider,  who  secured  a  warrant 
for  300' acres  of  land  in  Oley  as  early  as  1717.  The  Rit- 
ters and  Snyders  intermarried.  On  this  hand  press  Der 
Readinger  Adler  was  originally  printed,  the  first  num- 
ber .appearing  Nov.  25,  1796.  The  paper  was  started 
by  Jacob  Snyder  and  George  Gerrish,  and  Francis  Rit- 
ter, who  had  helped  to  build  the  press,  bought  a  half 
interest  in  the  establishment  in  1797,  after  the  publica- 
tion of  two  numbers,  and  placed  his  son  John  in  the 
office  when  the  latter  was  eighteen.  John  Ritter  learn- 
ed type-setting  and  the  details  of  the  printing  business, 
and  was  one  of  the  publishers  of  the  Adler  from  1802 
to  1851. 

Originally  the  Ritters  lived  in  Oley  and  Exeter  town- 
ships, and  the  pioneers  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  near 
the  Schwartzwald  Church.  According  to  tradition,  the 
pioneer  settler  secured  a  large  tract  of  land  from  the 
Indians,  bargaining  for  as  much  land  as  he  could  walk 
around  between  sunrise  and  sunset.  Later,  when  Wil- 
liam Penn  took  possession  in  Pennsylvania,  he  claimed 
that  the  Indians  had  no  right  to  sell  land  that  the  king 
of  England  had  given  to  him,  and  the  pioneer  of  the  Rit- 
ter family  lost  his  claim. 

Daniel  Ritter,  eldest  son  of  Francis  (1741-1825),  was 
born  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  county,  in  1776.  He 
engaged  in  farming  on  the  old  homestead  quite  success- 
fully all  his  life,  and  he  died  in  1852.  He  married  Su- 
sanna Snyder,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Snyder  (and  sis- 
ter of  Elizabeth,  his  brother  Jacob's  wife),  and  she 
died  in  1876,  aged  eighty-four  years.  Their  children 
were:  Benjamin,  Esther,  Daniel,  Loui?a,  Ferdinand,  Wil- 
liam Snyder  and  Franklin. 

William  Snyder  Ritter,  son  of  Daniel  and  Susanna 
(Snyder),  was  born  in  Exeter  township  Sept.  13,  1828. 
He  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  seventeen, 
receiving  such  education  as  was  aflforded  by  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  then  was  apprenticed  to  his  uncle,  John 
Ritter,  in  Der  Readinger  Adler  office,  to  learn  the  prin- 
ter's trade.  He  finished  his  apprenticeship,  and  continued 
to  work  in  the  same  place,  in  time  becoming  foreman. 
In  1856  he  gave  up  work  at  his  trade,  and  spent  eight 
years  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Reading,  the  major 
portion  of  that  time  having  for  his  partner  David  Keiser. 
In  1864,  with  Jesse  G.  Hawley,  he  Durchased  the  Adler, 
and  under  the  name  of  Ritter  &  Co. — the  same  under 
which  it  had  been  conducted  by  its  former  owners — 
they  carried  it  on  with  great  'success  for  ten  years.  In 
1868  they  began  the  publication  of  a  daily  evening  paper 
in  English,  fJie  Reading  Daily  Eagle,  and  in  the  same 
year  purchased  the  Reading  Gazette  and  Democrat,  of 
J.  Lawrence  Getz.  The  partnership  was  dissolved  in 
1874,  Mr.  Ritter  becoming  sole  proprietor  of  the  Adler, 
and  Mr.  Hawley  taking  the  two  English  papers  and  Der 
Readinger  Kalendar.  In  1876  Mr.  Ritter  erected  what 
was   then   the   largest   printing   establishment    in   Reading 


.=JZ^^''^^^^f^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


657 


— a  four-story  brick  building.  Some  time  after  this  he 
founded  the  English  daily  paper,  The  Reading  Daily 
News,  and  the  English  weekly,  The  Reading  Weekly 
News.  He  also  got  out  Der  Neue  Readinger  Alder  Kal- 
endar,  and  all  these  he  published  successfully  until  his  re- 
tirement, in  February,  1891.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  pol- 
itics, and  his  publications  were  intelligent  exponents  of 
that  faith.  His  pen  was  vigorous  in  its  warfare  for  the 
principles  he  advocated,  and  his  honesty  and  fearless- 
ness" won  the  respect  of  all.  In  1875  he  was  a  delegate 
to  the  State  convention  that  nominated  the  Hon.  Cyrus 
L.  Pershing  for  governor.  In  1861-63,  1864-65,  1874-76 
he  was  a  member  of  the  common  council,  and  during  his 
second  term  was  president  of  that  body.  From  1877  to 
1882  he  was  prison  inspector.  He  was  public-spirited 
and  progressive,  and  was  influential  in  securing  the  Read- 
ing waterworks.  Whatever  position  he  held,  the  duties 
pertaining  to  that  position  he  conscientiously  and  impar- 
tially fulfilled.  He  gave  great  encouragement  to  the  Agri- 
cultural Society,  and  was  its  treasurer  for  twelve  years. 
His  death.  May  2,  1891,  was  a  severe  loss  to  the  com- 
munity. 

In  1853  iMr.  Ritter  married  Julianna  Shearer,  daugh- 
ter of  Jonathan  Shearer,  and  they  had  seven  children : 
Milford  Newton;  Jonathan  Shearer;  William  Clinton; 
Francis  Daniel;  Henry  Snyder;  Laura  (m.  William  T. 
Shaneman)  ;  and  Annie  (m.  William  H.  Luden,  of  Read- 
ing). 

William  Clinton  Ritter,  son  of  William  Snyder  and 
Julianna  (Shearer),  was  born  in  Reading  Jan.  22,  1860. 
He  obtained  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
the  city,  which  he  attended  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old. 
He  then  learned  the  printer's  trade,  serving  an  appren- 
ticeship of  four  years  in  Der  Readinger  Adler  office,  and 
he  has  ever  since  been  employed  as  a  journeyman,  for 
a  number  of  years  having  had  charge  of  the  press-room 
of  the  Reading  Telegram.  Since  he  first  joined  the  force 
of  the  Adler  that  paper  has  passed  through  different 
hands.  Mr.  Ritter  is  a  man  of  sterling  worth,  and  is 
held  in  high  esteem.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum.  With  his  family  he  attends  the  Universa- 
list  Church,  to  which  the  Ritters  have  belonged  through 
several  generations.  Mr.  William  C.  Ritter  married  in  1878 
Mary  A.  Hofmann,  and  they  have  two  children:  (1) 
Julia,  a  musician,  who  while  a  student  in  the  Boston  Con- 
servatory met  and  married  F.  P.  McCormick,  a  musician 
at  Boston ;  and  (2)  Harold  H.,  a  graduate  of  the  Naval 
Academy  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  and  now  an  officer  in  the 
United  States  navy. 

Hofmann.  The  Hofmann  family  to  which  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam C.  Ritter  belongs  is  not  of  long  residence  in  this 
country,  Mrs.  Ritter's  father,  ReV.  Andrew  Hofmann, 
having  been  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was  born  in  Wies- 
baden, Germany,  attended  the  German  schools,  and  there 
prepared  for  the  ministry.  After  his  ordination  he  came 
to  America,  and  located  at  the  Swamp  in  Montgomery 
county,  being  pastor  of  the  Swamp  charge  for  twenty- 
five  years.  He  died  in  1860,  aged  sixty-five  years.  His 
wife.  Lovina  Graber,  was  born  at  Pennsburg,  daughter 
of  Andrew  Graber.  a  farmer.  She  died  in  1880,  aged 
fifty-eight , years.  They  had  eight  children:  Emil;  Os- 
car ;  Doris,  of  New  York ;  Amelia,  deceased ;  Fannie 
Cm.  Jesse  Cressman,  of  Sumneytown.  Pa.)  ;  Ferdinand 
Cof  Philadelphia)  and  Ferdinanda  (deceased),  twins; 
and  Mary  A.    (m.  William  C.   Ritter,   of  Reading). 

Emil  Hofmann,  son  of  Rev.  Andrew  and  brother  of 
Mrs.  Ritter,  is  a  retired  citizen  of  Reading.  He  was 
born  at  the  Falkner  Swamp  in  Montgomery  county  Dec. 
7,  1847,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  there, 
working  on  the  farm  out  of  school  hours.  His  father 
dying,  he  was  at  the  age  of  thirteen  obliged  to  earn  his 
own  living.  In  1873  he  came  to  Reading,  and  for  nine 
years  was  successfully  engaged  in  the  shoe  business  at 
No.  803  Penn  street;  before  that  he  had  spent  twelve 
years  in  the  same  line  on  Penn  street,  above  Ninth. 
This  business  he  had  learned  in  Sumneytown.  In  1898 
he  retired  and  visited  Europe,  traveling  through  Germany, 
42 


France  and  England  for  three  months,  accompanied  by 
his  wife.  They  reside  at  No.  19  South  Eleventh  street, 
Reading.  Mr.  Hofmann  is  a  member  of  Zion's  Reform- 
ed Church,  of  which  he  was  deacon  and  elder  for  many 
years.  In  1885  he  married  Louisa  Deurer,  daughter  of 
Frederick  Deurer,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  came  to 
America  in  1850.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hofmann  have  no  chil- 
dren. 

Hon.  John  Ritter,  son  of  Francis  and  Barbara,  and 
brother  of  Daniel,  was  born  in  Exeter  township,  ftear 
Schwartzwald  Church,  Feb.  6,  1779.  His  early  education 
was  limited,  and  all  in  German,  except  for  three  months 
when  he  studied  English.  When  he  was  eighteen  he  left 
his  father's  farm,  and  entered  the  office  of  Der  Reading- 
er Adler  (of  which  his  father  was  half-owner),  and  there 
learned  the  printer's  trade.  His  spare  time  was  devoted 
to  improving  his  education.  In  1802  his  father's  interest 
in  the  paper  was  transferred  to  him,  and  two  years  later 
his  brother-in-law,  Charles  Kessler,  purchased  the  other 
half-interest,  and  the  firm  became  John  Ritter  &  Co.  Mr. 
Ritter  died  Nov.  24,  1851,  respected  by  all.  His  integ- 
rity was  well  known,  and  even  those  of  opposing  political 
parties  regarded  him  and  the  news  he  printed  as  abso- 
lutely unimpeachable.  Under  him  the  paper  was  known 
as  the  "Berks  County  Bible."  He  was  a  Democrat,  and 
for  two  terms,  1843-48,  represented  this  district  in  Con- 
gress, beirig  a  member  of  that  body  during  Polk's  ad- 
ministration. He  was  offered  the  nomination  a  third  term, 
but  refused.  He  was  one  of  the  five  delegates  from 
Berks  county  to  the  Constitutional  Convention  in  1837. 
In  1803  he  married  Catharine  Frailey,  daughter  of  Peter 
Frailey  (who  was  sheriff  of  Berks  county  when  the  Adler 
was  started),  and  they  had  three  sons:  Joel,  born  Dec. 
15,-  1811,  long  prominent  in  official  position,  m.  (first) 
Angeline  Bechtel,  and  (second)  Barbara  A.  Roland,  and 
died  July  18,  1868;  Louis,  born  April  3,  1813,  is  mention- 
ed in  full  below ;  and  Aaron,  born  April  15,  1816,  con- 
nected all  his  life  with  Der  Reading  Adler,  m.  Louisa 
Doebler,  and  died  Nov.  11,  1873.  The  Hon.  John  Ritter 
was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church,  as  have  been 
all  the  family  for  generations,  and  in  1830  he  assisted 
liberally  in  the  erection  of  the  church  edifice,  giving 
it  his  support  as  long  as  he  lived.' 

Louis  Ritter,  son  of  Hon.  John  and  Catharine  (Frai- 
ley), born  in  the  city  of  Reading  April  3,  1813,  died  there 
in  the  house  in  which  he  was  born,  No.  353  Penn  street, 
Oct.  16,  1889.  He  received  his  preliminary  training  in  the 
select  schools  of  Reading,  and  at  an  early  age  entered 
the  Adler  office  to  learn  the  printer's  trade.  Here  he 
continued  in  various  capacities  until  the  Ritter  interests 
were  purchased  by  Charles  Kessler.  Mr.  Kessler  was,  as- 
sociate editor  and  manager  of  the  Adler  while  the  Hon. 
John  Ritter  was  in  Congress,  and  Louis  represented  his 
mother's  interests  in  the  paper.  He  was  a  very  con- 
scientious, accurate  and  painstaking  news  gatherer,  ex- 
tremely exact  in  all  of  his  details,  and  he  was  a  financier 
of  rare  ability.  His  friendship  was  sincere  and  disinter- 
ested, and  he  was  courteous  and  affable,  having  a  kind 
word  for  all.  He  was  interested  in  politics,  but  although 
often  urged  to  do  so  would  never  accept  office.  Many 
years  ago  he,  with  Jacob  Babb,  was  in  charge  of  the 
State  printing  at  Harrisburg,  this  being  the  only  official 
business  with  which  he  ever  had  any  connection.  Mr.' 
Ritter  was  also  one  of  the  stockholders  of  the  old  water 
board,  but  this  was  before  the  city  purchased  the  water- 
works. His  father  was  also  one  of  the  original  members 
of  the  board.  Fraternally  Mr.  Ritter  belonged  to  Mont- 
gomery Lodge.  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Mr.  Louis  Ritter  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife, 
Maria  B.  Haas,  dying  in  1880.  In  1882  he  married  Miss 
Mary  E.  Werner,  daughter  of  Daniel  Jackson  and  Es- 
ther (Briner)  Werner,  and  she  survives  her  husband 
and  makes  her  home  in  Reading.  Mrs.  Ritter  is  a 
member  of  the  Universalist  Church  of  Our  Father.  She 
is  connected  with  a  number  of  charitable  organizations, 
among  them  being  the  Widows'  Home,  the-  Homeopathic 
and  Reading  Hospitals,   the  Bureau  of  Employment  and 


658 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  Humane  Society.  In  former  years  Mrs.  Ritter  was 
prominently  identified  with  musical  circles,  being  or- 
ganist for  Dr.  Bausman  for  four  years,  and  assisting 
in  singing  in  the  choirs  of  Reading's  leading  churches. 
Her  father,  Daniel  Jackson  Werner,  was  born  in  Cum- 
ru  township,  and  for  many  years  was  foreman  for  Sey- 
fert  &  McManus,  in  their  iron  foundry.  He  passed 
away  after  an  illness  covering  eight  years,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-four,  in  the  faith  of  the  Universalist  Church. 
His  wife,  Esther  Briner,  was  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Elizabeth   (Koch)    Briner. 

In  the  death  of  Louis  Ritter  the  poor  of  Reading 
lost  one  of  their  most  generous  friends,  it  being  seldom 
that  any  subscription  for  a  worthy  object  did  not  con- 
tain his  name.  The  Rev.  George  W.  Kent,  in  his  ser- 
mon at  Mr.  Ritter's  funeral,  said:  "Who  can  think  of 
Death  as  anything  but  a  messenger  of  peace  vyhen  it 
closes  such  a  life?  Yet  here  is  one  who  never  professed 
religion  in  the  accepted  sense.  His  religion  was  not 
a  matter  of  profession;  it  was  just  a  matter  of  devout 
and  childlike  loyalty  to  his  God,  and  of  steadfast  good 
will  and  faithfulness  to  his  fellow-creatures.  Would 
that  Man  had  more  of  such  religion." 

Taking  up  the  line  of  Jacob  R.  Ritter,  of  No.  335 
Washington  street,  Reading,  the  indications  are  that  he 
is  a  descendant  in  the  sixth  generation  from 

(I)  Ferdinand  Ritter  in  both  the  paternal  and  mater- 
nal lines.  Tradition  says  that  this  pioneer  ancestor  was 
obliged  to  leave  his  native  land  for  some  offense  against 
the  pope,  for  which  he  was  to  be  beheaded.  All  his 
property  was  confiscated  by  the  government.  There  was 
an  Indian  camp  in  Berks  county  near  the  Schwartz- 
wald  church,  and  there  he  lived  with  the  Indians.  It 
was  said  he  married  an  Indian  woman.  At  any  rate, 
the  story  goes  that  a  woman  who  was  with  the  Indians 
was  exchanged  for  another  woman,  and  married  a  Rit- 
ter. He  and  his  wife  were  buried  in  a  fence  corner 
on  what  is  now  the  Charles  Breneiser  farm  in  Exeter, 
formerly  owned  by  the  late  Benjamin  Ritter,  who  was 
a  son   of  Daniel  Ritter. 

At  the  rooms  of  the  Berks  County  Historical  Society 
may  be  found  the  early  tax  receipts  of  the  county,  from 
1754,  in  which  year  George  Ritter  paid  £18,  4s.,  6d.,  and 
Ferdinand  Ritter,  £36,  9s.,  tax  in  Exeter;  there  are  no 
tax  receipts   for  Ritters  in  that  year  from  Oley. 

(II)  George  Ritter,  son  of  Ferdinand,  was  the  next 
in  line  of  descent  to  Jacob  R.  Ritter,  whose  line  on  the 
paternal  side  seems  to  come  through  (III)  George,  (IV) 
Isaac  and  (V)  David  Ritter,  his  father.  On  the  mater- 
nal side  his  line  fromi  (II)  Georgfe  is  through  (III) 
Francis,  (IV)  Jacob  and  (V)  Susan  Ritter.  It  is  known 
that  his  paternal  and  maternal  grandfathers  were  first 
cousins.  (Ill)  Francis  Ritter  and  his  descendants  are 
fully  mentioned  in  the  early  part  of  this  record. 

(III)  George  Ritter,  son  of  (II)  George  and  grand- 
son of  (I)  Ferdinand,  was  the  great-grandfather  of  Mr. 
Jacob  R.  Ritter.  He  was  a  farmer,  lived  a  little  more 
than  a  mile  below  Schwartzwald  church,  and  died  in 
Exeter  when  over  ninety  years  of  age.  Among  his  chil- 
dren were  Christian  and  Isaac.  This  George  Ritter  was  a 
Revolutionary  soldier,  and  his  grandson,  David  Ritter  (fa- 
ther of  Jacob  R.)  had  the  bayonet  he  used  while  in 
the  service. 

(IV)  Christian  Ritter.  who  died  in  Reading  in'l874,  in 
the  ninty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  was  born  in  Oley  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  in  1779,  a  son  of  George  Ritter. 
Christian  Ritter  passed  his  early  years  on  his  father's  farm. 
One  of  the  events  of  his  boyhood  was  the  visit  of  Pres- 
ident Washington  to  Reading  on  his  way  to  Carlisle  dur- 
ing the  Whiskev  Insurrection.  In  his  own  words  he 
told  the  story:  "Early  in  the  morning  of  Oct.  2,  1794,  when 
I  was  fourteen  years  old,  I  left  Exeter  for  Reading  with 
a  number  of  residents  of  Exeter  and  Oley,  all  on  horse- 
back, having  heard  that  President  Washington  was  in 
town.  We  dismounted  at  the  corner  of  Callowhill  and 
Thomas  (now  Fifth  and  Washington),  where  the  Pres- 
ident was  stopping  at  a  hotel  while  on  the  way  to  Car- 


lisle. When  he  departed  we  followed  on  horseback  across 
the  Schuylkill,  and  then  we  went  along  the  King,'s  high- 
way and  made  the  first  stop  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Peter 
Palm,  at  Sinking  Spring,  at  9 :30  in  the  morning.  The 
Doctor  invited  the  entire  party  into  his  house  and  re- 
freshed them  with  red-eye,  and  he  gave  a  toast  to  the 
President,  who  occupied  a  settee,  which  is  still  in  the 
Palm  family.  At  10  o'clock  the  President  and  his  escort 
pursued  their  way  to  Binckley's  Inn,  a  few  miles,  west. 
At  10 :30  they  galloped  on  their  steeds  to  what  is  now 
known  as  Womelsdorf,  reaching  there  at  noon,  and  all 
took  dinner  at  Stouch's  Inn.  At  2  o'clock  the  Presi- 
dent and  his  party  left  for  Stitestown,  now  Lebanon, 
while  the  Reading,  Exeter  and  Oley  people  returned  to 
their  homes." 

At  the  age  of  twenty-two  Christian  Ritter  left  home 
and  learned  the  miller's  trade,  subsequently  being  em- 
ployed in  four  different  mills.  After  his  marriage  he 
came  to  Reading,  and  began  distilling  oils  from  the  flow- 
er and  vegetable  kingdom,  ether,  wine,  sweet  spirits  of 
nitre,  horse  powder,  etc.  His  knowledge  of  chemistry 
he  had  gathered  from  books  alone.  He  manufactured 
a  blood  purifier  which  he  sold  in  many  counties  of 
the  State,  many  doctors  buying  his  medicines.  He  was 
but  a  boy  when  the  first  newspaper  was  started  in  Read- 
ing, the  Reading  Zeitung,  by  Johnson,  Barton  &  Young- 
man,  Mr.  Youngman  having  been  a  teacher  of  Mr.  Rit- 
ter in  Exeter  township.  Mr.  Ritter  married  Elizabeth 
Getz,  and  they  lived  many  years  at  No.  36  South  Third 
street.  After  her  death  he  made  his  home  with  Charles 
H.  Palm,  at  No.  38  North  Third  street,  and  there  he 
died  in  his  ninety-sixth  year.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch 
Democrat,  and  in  religion  a  Universalist.  In  1799,  he 
came  into  possession  of  an  old  powder-horn  bearing 
the  date  "1734,"  which  had  belonged  to  one  of  the  first 
Ritters  to  come  to  America. 

(IV)  Isaac  Ritter,  son  of  George  and  brother  of  Chris- 
tian, was  the  grandfather  of  Jacob  R.  Ritter,  of  Read- 
ing. He  died  on  his  farm  in  Exeter  in  1852,  aged  sixty- 
eight  years.  The  old  house  in  which  he  lived,  and  which 
stood  on  what  is  now  the  Samuel  and  Adam  Kutz  estate,  in 
Exeter,  was  razed  by  his  son  John  in  1863,  and  before 
its  destruction  his  grandson,  Jacob  R.  Ritter,  took  the 
dimensions  herewith  given.  It  was  a  two-story  struc- 
ture, 30  by  50  feet,  as  it  then  stood.  The  first  part  built 
was  of  logs,  30  by  30  feet,  and  the  addition,  which  was  of 
stone,  was  built  eighty  or  ninety  years  ago  (1909).  The 
fire-place  in  the  log  part  was  16  by  4  feet  in  clear.  It 
commenced  in  the  basement,  and  the  walls  were  3  feet 
thick  at  each  end,  and  the  back  narrowed  to  18  inches 
in  the  second  story,  after  which  it  tapered  off  up  to  the 
roof,  projecting  3  feet  above  the  roof,  about  3  1-3  feet 
square.  John  Ritter  said  he  hauled  away  over  a  hun- 
dred loads  of  stone.  In  front  of  the  house  was  a  good 
spring  and  a  large  pond,  and,  to  one  side,  what  is  now 
the  Jacob  R.  Ritter  meadow.  The  spring  has  long  been 
known  as  the  Trout  Spring  from  the  numerous  trout 
found  there.  At  that  day  there  were  three  times  as  many 
trout  as  at  present,  thanks  to  the  care  Isaac  Ritter  took 
to  oreservethem.  He  did  not  allow  fishing  unless  some- 
body was  sick  in  the  neighborhood,  or  as  far  as  Reading, 
when  he  would  fetch  trout  for  the  sick  without  a  cent 
of  oay.  The  fish  were  not  sold.  He  tended  to  them  him- 
self. Whole  bucketfuls  of  buttermilk,  after  the  cream 
was  taken  off,  were  thrown  into  the  spring  to  feed  them. 
He  did  not  care  to  get  as  rich  as  some  of  his  Ritter 
cousins.. 

When  he  was  a  younger  man  he  had  an  apple-jack 
distillery,  which  was  razed  about  seventy  years  ago,  and 
the  foundations  of  which  are  still  to  be  seen  near  the 
site  of  the  old  house.  Some  of  his  apple-jack  was  haul- 
ed to  Pittsburg.  He  also  made  his  own  wine.  He  was 
also  a  great  lover  of  bees.  He  went  to  the  woods  and 
caught  them  in  the  straw  beehives  which  he  made  him- 
self. He  had  sometimes  as  many  as  twenty-five  or 
thirtv.  Sometimes  he  raised  them  in  the  fall.  When 
Jacob  R.  Ritter  was  a  bov  Isaac  Ritter  called  all  his  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren  home  to  kill   as  many  as   ten  or 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


659 


twelve  hives  of  bees,  which  were  destroyed  in  the  fqllow- 
ing  manner :  A  hole  was  made  in  the  ground  about  six 
inches  deep,  sulphur  was  pulverized,  made  hot  and  smear- 
ed on  small  racks,  which  were  laid  in  the  hole;  the  sul- 
phur was  set  on  fire  and  the  beehives  set  over  it.  In  a 
half  hour  the  bees  were  all  dead.  The  house  was  full 
of  peopld  on  this  occasion,  and  they  called  it  the  bee 
thrashing  or  bee  slaughter.  A  big  long  table  was  set 
with  plenty  on  it,  and  each  went  home  with  his  share  of 
honey. 

The  old  Isaac  Ritter  barn,  with  its  straw  roof,  also 
razed  in  1862,  is  another  structure  well  remembered  by 
Jacob  R.  Ritter,  who  drove  the  horses  to  thrash  wheat 
there  when  he  was  ten  years  old.  Isaac  Ritter  was  an 
old-line  Whig  in  politics,  in  which  he  took  much  inter- 
est, being  a  man  particularly  well  informed  on  histor- 
ical matters.  He  had  a  number  of  great  histories  df 
the  old  countries.  His  wife  was  a  born  "EngllsHwoman, 
by  name  Deter.  Eight  of  his  children  lived  to  a  ripe 
age.  His  family  was  as  follows :  David,  John,  Joseph, 
Jesty  (rtt  John  Boyer),  Harriet  (m.  William  Boyer, 
brother  of  her  sister's  husband),  Elizabeth  (m.  Daniel 
Hechler),  Hannah  (m.  Moses  Herbine),  Apigalia  (m. 
David  Masser)    and   Mary    (m.   Daniel   Nine). 

(V)  David  Ritter,  eldest  child  of  Isaac,  born  in  1809, 
was  killed  in  a  runaway  accident  near  the  Black  Bear 
May  8,  1847.  He  was  a  man  of  mechanical  ability  and 
thorough  training,  learned  the  millwright's  trade,  and 
built  mills  and  thrashing  machines.  He  got  up  the  first 
corn-shelling  device  used  in  this  section,  and  which  help- 
ed to  .  do  away  with  the  old  method — laying  a  spade 
on  a  trestle  and  sitting  on  it  and  peeling  the  corn  off. 
One  of  his  corn-shelling  contrivances  is  still  preserved 
by  Amos  Rife,  of  Exeter,  below  the  "Black  Bear  Inn,"  for 
a  relic.  Mr.  Rife  recently  retired  and  sold  his  farm  stock, 
but  he  kept  the  corn-sheller.  It  could  be  operated  by  power 
or  hand,  shelling  two  hundred  bushels  in  a  day  by 
power,  fifty  or  sijtty  by  hand.  David  Ritter  also  built 
horse-powers  for  thrashing-machines.  It  was  claimed  that 
six  horses  equaled  an  eight-horse-power  engine,  but  the 
power  was  not  so  steady.  i 

David  Ritter  married  Susan  Ritter,  his  second  cousin, 
who  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Ritter,  who  was  first  cousin 
to  David  Ritter's  father,  Isaac.  Thus  Mrs.  David  Ritter 
was  a  niece  of  John  Ritter. '  "the  learned  printer,"  who  is 
fully  mentioned  above.  Nine  of  Jacob  Ritter's  children 
lived  to  a  ripe  age:  Francis,  Israel,  Amos,  Jacob,  Charles, 
Susan  (m.  David  Ritter)  ;  Mary  (m.  Jacob  Schmucker)  ; 
Eliza  (m.  Benneville  Klever)  ;  and  Henriette  (m.  Jacob 
Phillips.) 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Ritter  had  seven  children :  Jacob 
R.,  now  of  Reading,  is  mentioned  below;  Annie  R.  mar- 
ried William  Drumheller,  and  lives  at  No.  1509  Lehigh 
avenue,  Philadelphia ;  Elizabeth  R.  married  Amos  Esterly, 
and  is  deceased ;  Isaac  R.,  a  cabinet-maker,  is  now  living  at 
No.  831  North  Twentieth  street,  Philadelphia;  Amelia  R. 
married  Philip  East,  now  of  No.  223  Monroe  street, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  Mary  R.  is  the  widow  of  Obediah 
Becker,  and  is  living  with  her  son-in-law,  Howard  Gregg, 
at  No.  819  West  Cambria  street,  Philadelphia;  David  R. 
enlisted  for  five  years  in  the  regular  army  in  1862,  when 
sixteen  years  old,  and  was  last  heard  from  in  1865,  from 
Lookout  Mountain,  Tennessee. 

Mrs.  Susan  Ritter  and  one  of  her  sisters,  Jacob  _R. 
Ritter  and  one  of  his  sisters,  had  coal  black  hair,  which 
fact  was  accounted  for  by  the  tradition  of  their  emigrant 
ancestor's  marriage  to  an  Indian  woman,  and  Jacob  R. 
Ritter  was  called  an  Indian  during  his  childhood.  How- 
ever, five  of  his  brothers  and  sisters,  and  his  other  Ritter 
uncles  and  aunts,  had  dark  brown  hair. 

(VI)  Jacob  R.  Ritter,  one  of  the  best-known  cabmet- 
makers  in  Berks  county,  was  born  at  8  a.  m.,  Jan.  25, 
1835,  on  the  Breneiser  farm  in  Exeter  township,  son  of 
David  Ritter.  His  father  dying  when  he  was  in  his 
thirteenth  year,  he  lived  with  his  uncle,  John  Ritter,  his 
father's  brother,  until  he  was  sixteen  and  a  half  years  old. 
One  Sunday  his  uncle,  Jacob  Schmucker  (husband  of  his 
mother's  sister),  came  to  visit  them  in  Oley,  and  he  sug- 


gested to  John  Ritter  tliat  the  boy  ought  to  learn  a  trade, 
as  his  father  had  been  such  an  excellent  mechanic.  The 
time  being  agreed  upon,  Mr.  Schmucker  secured  him'  a 
place  and  bound  him  out  for  four  years  to  Fred  Hennin- 
ger,  of  Reading,  a  first-class  cabinet-maker.  Thus  it  was 
that  he  came  to  Reading  when  sixteen  years  old.  The 
first  year  he  received  his  board  and  $35,  the  second  his 
board  and  $30,  the  third  his  board  and  $35,  and  the  fourth 
his  board  and  $40.  Upon  the  close  of  his  apprenticeship 
he  worked  as  a  journeyman  six  months,  when  he  and 
Charles  Henninger  bought  out  Charles  Hahn,  engaging  in 
business  at  No.  717  Penn  street,  in  a  two-story  frame 
structure  which  had  been  built  by  Hahn  and  formerly 
rented  to  the  Hantsches  for  their  cigar  manufacturing 
business.  The  Hantsch  brothers  bought  a  property  on  Penn 
street,  between  Sixth  and  Seventh,  and  then  Mr.  Ritfer 
and  Mr.  Henninger  rented  from  Hahn,  who  owned  sixty 
feet  in  Penn  street,  above  Seventh  (the  Hawley  estate 
now  owns  No.  717  Penn  street,  20x370).  The  latter's 
father,  a  chairmaker,  made  chairs  there  for  rnany  years, 
thirty  or  forty  years,  selling  them  on  credit — for  six 
months,  nine  months,  twelve  months,  or  eighteen  months, 
as  shown  by  his  old  books,  which  Mr.  Ritter  has  seen. 
The  time  was  always  written  in  the  book,  because  at  that 
time  it  was  the  law  in  the  State  that  anybody  that  did  not 
pay  his  debts  had  to  go  to  jail.  When  Charles  Hahn's 
parents  both  died  he  owned  considerable  property.  From 
1856  to  1858  Mr.  Ritter  and  Mr.  Henninger  continued  in 
partnership  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business  at 
No.  717,  in  1858  dividing  their  interests,  Mr.  Ritter  taking 
all  the  furniture  business  and  Mr.  Henninger  all  the 
undertaking.  Then  Mr.  Ritter  bought  the  property  from 
Hahn,  20  feet  (No.  717)  fronting  on  Penn  street,  370 
feet  deep  to  Court  street,  enlarged  the  building  in  the  rear 
and  built  a  brick  shop  fronting  on  Court  street.  In  1861 
Mr.  Ritter  bought  from  Hahn  20  feet  more.  No.  719,  and 
erected  the  present  four-story  building  with  two  store 
rooms,  renting  one  for  a  cigar  store,  and  in  the  other  con- 
tinuing to  carry  on  his  cabinet  business.  The  upper  stories 
were  occupied  with  his  furniture.  In  1865  he  built  a  cab- 
inet-maker's planing-mill  on  the  40  feet  in  Court  street, 
spending  $6,000  to  put  the  machinery  in.  He  ran  it  with 
thirty  men,  whose  wages  were  from  $1.75  to  $3  a  day, 
piece  workers  making  from  $2  to  $4  a  day.  Ten  of  the 
men  were  first-class  cabinet-makers.  On  Penn  street  Mr. 
Ritter  had  a  furniture  and  carpet  store,  started  in  1860, 
and  when  he  built  for  J.  L.  Moyer  the  four-story  house 
at  No.  721  Penn  street,  he  rented  the  upper  floors  for  his 
furniture  and  carpet  stock.  In  1868  he  tore  down  the 
frame  building  at  No.  717  and  erected  a  four-story 
brick  building  there,  and  he  then  occupied  all  of  No. 
717  and  the  upper  stories  of  Nos.  719-721.  He  also 
constructed  two  hydraulic  elevators  of  his  own  invention 
and  made  other  improvements  to  his'  property.  In  1870 
he  sold  to  Regar  &  Becker,  grocers,  the  property  at 
No.  719  Penn,  20  feet  by  150,  back  to  the  planing-mill, 
and  later  the  property  at  No.  717  to  Sohl,  Seidel  &  Co., 
dealers  in  furniture.  He  himself  left  the  furniture  bus- 
iness in  1875.  and  for  some  time  devoted  his  time  to  put- 
ting into  large  stores  and  hotels  hydraulic  elevators. 
He  was  also  a  builder  of  houses,  built  and  owned  half  of 
the  Farmers'  Market-house,  40  feet  front,  and  half  of 
the  Union  House,  60  feet  front,  thus  having  a  half  interest 
in  100  feet  on  Penn  street,  between  Eighth  and  Ninth 
streets. 

About  1875  Mr.  Ritter  retired  from  the  cabinet-making 
business,  since  then  devoting  himself  to  job  work.  At 
the  time  of  the  panic  of  1873  in  real  estate  and  business, 
when  so  many  banks  broke,  his  investments  amounted  to 
$80,000,    and   he   lost   considerable. 

Mr.  Ritter  has  made  his  own  casket,  a  remarkable  piece 
of  work.  The  material  is  Canada  oak,  and  it  is  6  feet, 
6  inches  long,  26  inches  wide,  and  13  inches  deep.  On  the 
lid  is  a  swinging  mirror,  enabling  a  person  to  see  the 
remains  without  going  near  the  casket.  Mr.  Ritter  has 
a  bronze  medal  awarded  him  at  the  United  States  Cen- 
tennial Exposition  in  1876,  for  a  hydraulic  hoisting  ap- 
paratus which  he  had  on  exhibition. 


^60 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mr.  Ritter  is  the  vice-president  of  the  Ritter  Family 
Reunion,  in  which  he  is  very  much  interested.  He  is  the 
present  owner  of  the  powder-horn  formerly  belonging  to 
Christian  Ritter  (mentioned  above),  and  which  is  now 
inclosed  in  a  box  frame,  and  hung  in  the  rooms  of  the 
Berks  County  Historical  Society.  This  came  into  the 
possession  of  Christian  Ritter  in  1799,  and  he  gave  it  to 
Milton  S.  Palm,  who  on  June  9,  1906,  presented  it  to 
Jacob  R.  Ritter.  Mr.  Ritter  was  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee on  arrangements  for  the  Ritter  Family  Reunion. 
He  is  an  interested  member  of  the  Berks  County  His- 
torical Society,  which  is  located  at  No,  519  Court  street, 
Reading.  His  memorandum  books,  which  he  has  kept  for 
many  years,  contain  not  only  many  interesting  items 
concerning  his  own  life,  but  also  much  of  value  and 
interest  about  other  persons,  with  whom  he  has  come 
in  contact  during  his  long  and  busy  life.  He  has  a  yearly 
pass  admitting  him  to  the  press-room  or  building  of  the 
Reading  Eagle. 

The  historic.  Ritter  burial-ground,  near  the  Schwartz- 
wald  church,  in  Exeter,  owes  its  present  excellent  con- 
dition principally  to  Mr.  Ritter's  efforts.  Three  years 
ago,  at  one  of  the  Ritter  reunions,  at  Allentown,  Mr. 
Ritter  made  the  claim  that  the  first  Ritters  came  to 
Berks  county,  and  in  the  course  of  conversation  about 
family  matters  and  the  pleasantries  usually  exchanged  on 
such  occasions,  one  man  present  bantered  him  about 
the  condition  of  the  old  graveyard  in  Exeter,  saying  the 
Ritters  ought  to  be  ashamed  to  have  sucETa  burial-ground 
in  Berks  county.  This  aroused  Mr.  Ritter's  interest  to 
such  an  extent  that  he  went  there  in  the  spring  and 
had  a  photograph  taken;  it  shows  him  standing  between 
the  gravestones  of  his  grandparents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Isaac 
Ritter.  He  appointed  George  W.  Billman  treasurer,  paid 
him  $10,  and  then  went  around  among  his  relatives  with 
the  photograph,  soliciting  subscriptions  for  the  fixing  up 
and  future  care  of  the  old  cemetery,  where  the  pioneers 
of  the  Ritter  family  in  Berks  county  are  buried.  Soon 
he  had  $70  promised,  ^nd  before  long  the  amount  was 
raised  to  $192,  subscribed  by  forty-two  people,  every  dol- 
lar of  which  was  paid  to  the  treasurer.  Samuel  and 
Adam  Kutz,  who  now  own  the  estate  on  which  the  cem- 
etery is  located,  sent  a  check  for  $10,  when  the  work  was 
commenced  on  it.  John  Kutz,  of  Reading,  is  the  man- 
ager of  the  estate.  Mr.  Ritter's  aunt,  Abigail  Masser,  in 
1889  willed  a  fund  of  $50,  to  be  invested  at  5  per  cent 
interest,  for  the  purpose  of  caring  for  and  keeping  in 
repair  the  wall  around  this  burial-ground,  and  through 
Mr.  Ritter's  efforts  this  was  turned  over  to  Mr.  Billman. 

The  old  graveyard  belonged  to  Mr.  Ritter's  ancestors  gn 
both  sides,  and  is  located  a  half  mile  below  the  Schwartz- 
wald  church,  being  on  the  line  of  the  Boyertown  Traction 
Company,  and  two  squares  from  Ritter's  crossing,  on  that 
line  and  Ritter's  Crossing  road.  It  is  located  seventy-five 
feet  back  from  the  car  line,  and  the  road  to  the  entrance 
through  the  farm  is  recorded  with  a  deed  made  to  three 
trustees — ^Daniel  Ritter  (son  of  Francis),  Joseph  Ritter 
(brother  of  David),  and  William  Boyer  (husband  of  David 
Ritter's  sister) — or  their  successors  forever  (one  dollar  paid 
in  hand)  by  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Jacob  Ritter  (Mr.  Ritter's 
maternal  grandfather),  and  her  sister,  wife  of  Daniel  Rit- 
ter (both  born  Snyders),  and  John  Ritter  (son  of  Isaac) 
and  his  wife.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ritter  was  the  promoter  of 
the  deed.  When  Isaac  Ritter  (Mr.  Ritter's  paternal  grand- 
father) died  in  1852,  Daniel  Ritter  (eldest  son  of  Francis 
Ritter)  and  Joseph  Ritter  were  not  satisfied.  There- 
fore the  deed  was  made  as  mentioned.  It  gave  20  perches 
or  74  by  74  feet,  and  the  road  through  the  farm  for  the 
cemetery.  The  place  being  nearly  all  occupied  in  1853  they 
secured  more  ground,  50  by  50  feet  in  dimensions,  which 
has  been  walled  in.  William  Boyer  has  five  children  bur- 
ied there ;  all  have  gravestones.  When  the  Schwartzwald 
cemetery  was  started  many  who  had  been  buried  in  the 
old   part  of   the  Ritter  cemetery  were  transferred  to   it. 

When  assured  of  proper  support  Mr.  Ritter  had  work 
on  the  cemetery  commenced.  He  hired  ten  masons  with 
help  and  raised  the  whole  wall,  walling  it  up  new,  put 
a   cement  coping  on   20  by  4   inches   in  dimensions,   and 


had  three  men  at  work  for  three  days  cleaning  up,  taking 
out  roots  and  setting  up  the  gravestones  and  markers. 
His  brother  Isaac  made  an  iron  gate  weighing  over  three 
hundred  pounds  for  his  share,  and  it  makes  a  very  suitable 
ornament  for  the  wall.  In  short,  the  place  is  now  a 
source  of  pride  to  all  the  family.  During  the  war  of 
1812-15  General  Ross,  the  British  general  who  was  shot 
near  Baltimore  in  1814,  was  buried  in  this  old  burial- 
ground. 

On  Nov.  30,  1856,  Mr.  Jacob  R.  Ritter  married  Miss 
Sophia  D.  Ruth,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Dick) 
Ruth.  She  was  born  June  27,  1833,  died  Nov.  9,  1905,  and 
is  buried  at  Sinking  Spring.  Two  children  were  born  of 
this  union:  (1)  Sarah  Ellen,  born  Feb.  28,  1858,  married 
Charles  Nein,  an  engineer  on  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad 
since  1889,  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  and  died  in  1903, 
Mr.  Nein  dying  in  1893;  (2)  Susan  E.,  born  May  23,  1859, 
died  when  sixteen  days  old. 

In  politics  Mr.  Ritter  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  served  in 
the  common  council  in  1869-70-71  from  the  Eighth  ward. 
Of  late  years  he  has  voted  independently,  and  cast  his 
ballot  in  support  of  Theodore  Roosevelt.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  First  Reformed  Church,  and  when  the  church 
was  rebuilt  in  1875  he  subscribed  $500  toward  the  build- 
ing fund.  For  many  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  and  Masons. 

At  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Antietam  Mr.  Ritter  was 
serving  a  ninety  days'  enlistment  in  the  Pennsylvania 
militia,  sworn  in  at  Harrisburg.  When  Lee  crossed  the 
Potomac  he  was  with  his  command  two  and  a  half  miles 
above  Hagerstown,  Md.  That  night  they  lay  behind  a 
stone  fence,  the  line  extending  back  to  Virginia. 

CAPT.  EDWARD  F.  REED,  a  popular  and  pro 
gressive  citizen  of  Lyons,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Manheim, 
Pa.,  near  the  Schuylkill  county  almshouse,  Nov.  11, 
1538,  son  of  George  W.  Reed,  and  grandson  of  Dan- 
iel Reed. 

The  Reed  family  was  early  known  in  Schuylkill 
county.  In  1771,  when  Pine  Grove  township,  that 
county,  was  established,  Philip  Rith  (Reed)  was  a 
taxable.  He  was  a  native  of  Berks  county,  however, 
a  member  of  the  Tulpehocken  family.  In  1791  Jere- 
miah Reed,  Michael  Reed  (both  married)  and  Thom- 
as Reed  (single)  were  taxables  for  Manheim  township, 
Schuylkill  county.  In  1802,  Theodore  Reed,  John  Reed, 
John  (Morris)  Reed,  Thomas  Reed,  Sr.,  and  Isaac 
Reed,  were  tax-payers  in  Norwegian  township,  and 
John  and  Philip  Reed  in  Mahantango  township,  that 
county. 

Christoph,  George  and  Conrad  Reed,  brothers,  were 
born  in  Brunswick  township,  Schuylkill  county.  Of 
these,  Christoph  passed  all  his  life  in  his  native 
township,  and  there  reared  his  four  sons,  Obediah, 
George,  Charles  and  Emanuel.  George  was  for  many 
years  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  at  Orwigsburg. 
Conrad,  born  about  1788,  died  in  his  native  township 
about  1830.  He  was  a  farmer.  His  wife,  Elizabeth 
Neyer.  bore  him  six  children:  (1)  David,  born  near 
Orwigsburg,  Jan.  5,  1819.  was  a  skilled  blacksmith 
for  many  years,  retiring  about  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury ago.  For  nearly  a  decade  he  has  lived  in  Read- 
ing with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Hunsicker,  at  No.  430 
North  Tenth  street.  He  m.  Lucy  Ann  Haflf,  and 
had  nine  children   (seven  still  living),  Emeline,  Mary, 

Harriet,    Sarah,    Louisa,    Elizabeth,    Katie, 

and  David  Frank  (of  Summit  Hill).  (2)  Cath- 
arine m.  John  Graver,  and  went  to  Wisconsin.  (3) 
,  Hannah  m.  a  Mr.  Adams,  and  settled  in  Wiscon- 
sin. (4)  Elizabeth  m.  Daniel  Fegley.  (5)  Lewis  settled 
in  Michigan.  (6)  Henry  makes  his  homie  in  New  Ring- 
gold,  Pennsylvania. 


Daniel  Reed,  grandfather  of  Capt.  Edward  P.;  resided 
in  Pottsville,  where  he  was  an  early  hotel  keeper, 
his  hotel  being  located  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Ma- 
hantango streets.     He   died  at  a   ripe   old   age,  and  is 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


661 


buried  either  at  Pottsville  or  Orwigsburg.  Among 
others  he  had  children:  Jacob,  who  Uved  at  Pottsville; 
Thomas;  George  W.;  Hannah;  and  Daniel,  who  after 
a  long  residence  in  Schuylkill  county,  moved  to  Mer- 
cer county,  and  whose  son,  George  W.,  was  a  member 
of  the  General  Assembly,  1875-76,  and  the  latter's  son, 
William  R,  from  the  same  county.  1893-94. 

George  W.  Reed,  son  of  Daniel  and  father  of  Capt. 
Edward  F.,  was  'born  in  Pottsville  in  1805,  and  died 
at  Philadelphia  March  4,  1890,  aged  eighty-five  years. 
He  lived  in  his  native  county,  and  there  married  Cath- 
arine Kline,  of  Rockland  township,  Berks  county, 
daughter  of  David  Kline.  They  had  thirteen  children: 
Thomas;  Jacob;  Susanna;  Mary;  Sarah;  Edward  F.; 
Kate;  Daniel,  who  was  killed  in  the  fight  at  White 
House  Landing  in  the  Civil  war;  Lizzie;  Malinda; 
David;  Reuben;  and  Amanda,  all  now  deceased,  except 
Mary,  Sarah  and  Edward  F. 

Capt.  Edward  F.  Reed  was  brought  up  familiar 
with  the  duties  of  a  farmer,  but  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen he  learned  the  cabinet  making  trade,/  and  in 
1862  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself  at  Stony 
Point,  carrying  on  cabinet  making  and  undertaking 
there  with  great  success  for  twelve  years.  In  1874-75 
he  gave  up  his  business  to  devote  himlself  to  his  father- 
in-law's  farm.  The  next  year  he  moved  to  Lyons,  and 
there  erected  his  present  residence.  He  resumed  his 
former  business  of  cabinet  making  and  undertaking, 
and  continued  it  until  1887.  He  then  lived  retired 
for  two  years,  his  son  Daniel  conducting  the  business, 
but  in  1889  the  latter  moved  to  Rockland  township, 
and  Capt.  Reed  resumed  the  undertaking,  carrying  it 
on  until  1904.  In  1888  he  began  conducting  a  steam 
double  press  cider  mill,  and  during  the  season  does 
a  good  business  in  that  line.  In  1908  he  attached  to 
his  mill  a  forty-horse-power  boiler,  for  making  apple 
butter. 

On  April  20,  1861,  Capt.  Reed  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  Company  D,  7th  Pa.  V.  I.  for  the  three-months 
service.  In  1862  he  was  drafted,  and  became  captain 
of  Company  K,  167th  Pa.  V.  I.,  a  nine  months  regi- 
ment, and  was  mustered  out  at  Reading  Aug.  12,  1863. 

In  1860  Captain  Reed  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Sharadin,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth  (Kieff- 
er)  Sharadin,  and  they  have  been  blessed  with  five 
children,  namely:  James  M.;  Charles  A.;  George  E.; 
Daniel  P.;  and  Emma  E.  m.  to  Percival  KoUer,  of 
Fleetwood,  Pa.  In  his  political  affiliations  the  Cap- 
tain is  an  unswerving  Republican,' and  is  always  inter- 
ested in  the  public  affairs  of  his  town.  In  1908  he 
was  elected  supervisor  of  his  township,  by  over  one 
hundred  majority.  He  is  well  known  and  is  very  popu- 
lar with  all  classes. 

DAVID  H.  HAIN,  M.  D.,  a  well-known  physician 
in  Penn  township,  who  has  been  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Obold,  Pa.,  for  more  than 
twenty-five  years,  and.  is  said  to  nave  the  largest  prac- 
tice of  any  country  doctor  in  Berks  county,  was  born 
May  12,  1861,  in  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  son  of 
Frederick  and  Sarah  Hain. 

Frederick  Hain  was  born  Nov.  22,  1822,  in  Lower 
Heidelberg  township,  where  his  entire  life  was  spent 
in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  died  April  23,  1875.  He 
married  Sarah  Hain,  and  to  them  were  born  these 
children:  John,  who  died  in  Lower  Heidelberg  town- 
ship; Eva.  m.  to  Henry  B.  Werner;  Henry,  living  at 
Wernersville;  Emma,  m.  to  Jacob  Huyett,  of  Frank- 
lin Grove,  Lee  Co.,  III.;  Mary,  m.  to  William  K.  Lud- 
wig,  of  Wernersville;  and  Dr.  David  H. 

Dr.  Hain  secured  his  primary  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Wernersville,  and  later  he  attended 
Palatinate  College  at  Myerstown,  and  Prof.  D.  B.  Brun- 
ner's  Business  College  at  Reading.  Then  he  became 
a  student  at  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadel- 
phia, and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1881.  On 
March  1,  1882,  he  located  at  Obold,  where  he  has  built 
up  a  very  large  country  practice. 


Dr.  Hain  married  Sallie  A.  Fisher,  daughter  of  Reiley 
Fisher,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  three 
children :  Edna,  a  graduate  of  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School,  class  of  1902,  now  teaching  at  Wer- 
nersville; Raymond,  a  graduate  of  the  same  institu- 
tion, now  a  senior  at  Bucknell  College;  and  Stella, 
a  member  of  Class  of  1910,  at  the  Normal  School  at 
Kutztown. 

GOTLEIB  BOYER  (deceased)  will  be  remembered 
by  the  people  of  the  city  of  Reading,  as  the  leading 
florist  of  his  day,  his  stand  being  in  Kissinger's  Mar- 
ket. Mr.  Boyer  was  born  in  1824,  in  Stuttgart,  Ger- 
many, came  to  America  when  a  young  man,  and  passed 
away  at  Reading  in  1899. 

On  first  locating  in  this  country,  Mr.  Boyer  set- 
tled in  Lancaster  county,  his  last  residence  there  being 
at  Ephrata,  where  he  remained  for  five  years.  Ht 
then  located  in  Reading,  where  he  soon  established 
himself  as  a  florist  and  gardener,  at  one  time  operating 
three  greenhouses.  He  was  considered  the  leading 
gardener  and  florist  of  his  day  in  the  city,  although 
at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  conducting,  but  one 
place  of  business,  the  old  Kissinger  Market  stand. 
Mr.  Boyer  was  a  true  type  of  the  self-made  man.  On 
coming  to  this  country  he  was  a  poor,  friendless  boy, 
knowing  little  of  the  language  and  less  of  the  business 
methods  in  use,  yet  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  left 
a  large  and  valuable  estate  to  his  widow  and  children. 
Mr.  Boyer  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
and  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

In  1861  Mr.  Boyer  married  Miss  Rosina  Linsen- 
meyer,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  and  to  them  were 
born  five  children,  namely:  George,  born  April  12, 
1862,  of  Reading;  Anna,  m.  to  Ellsworth  Swoyer,  of 
Hoboken,  N.  J.;  Charles,  a  farmer,  of  Muhlenberg 
township,  and  two  girls,  who  died  young. 

DR.  J.  E.  KURTZ,  one  of  the  most,  prominent 
physicians  of  Reading,  belongs  to  a  family  noted  for 
its  ^members  who  have  followed  the  "healing  art," 
his*  father,  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Kurtz,  being  one  of  the 
best  known  physicians  in  Reading,  and  his  brother. 
Dr.  Clarence  Morgan  Kurtz,  being  another  of  the 
skilled  medical  men  of  that  city. 

The  maternal  ancestors  of  Dr.  J.  E.  Kurtz  came 
from  Wales  to  America  in  1661,  and  his  paternal  an- 
cestors were  natives  of  Darmstadt,  Germany,  who  came 
to  this  country  at  various  periods  ranging  from  1727 
to  1745,  settUng  in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  where  they 
followed  agricultural  pursuits. 

Dr.  Samuel  L.  Kurtz  married  Sarah  Morgan,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Morgan,  of  Phoenixville,  Chester  county, 
whose _  farm  embraced  all  of  the  land  upon  which 
Phoenixville  now  stands.  Three  children  were  born 
to  this  union:  Clarence  Morgan  Kurtz,  M.  D.,  of 
Reading;  Georgine,  m.  to  Nicholas  Muhlenberg,  a 
chemist;  and  Dr.  J.  E. 

Dr.  J.  E.  Kurtz  was  born  Oct.  15,  1856,  at  Oakland 
Mills,  Juniata  Co.,  Pa.  He  was  educated  in  the  Read- 
ing high  school,  and  at  Trinity  College,  Hartford, 
Conn.,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1877  with  the  de- 
gree of  A.  B.  (the  degree  of  A.  M.  being  later  con- 
ferred upon  him),  and  at  JeflFerson  Medical  College, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  March  13,  1880.  Since 
this  time  the  Doctor  has  been  practising  his  profession 
in  Reading.  For  a  time  he  followed  a  general  practice, 
but  for  many  years  he  has  made  a  specialty  of  the  eye, 
ear,  nose  and  throat,  and  in  this  he  has  been  eminently 
successful. 

Dr.  Kurtz  was  married  Oct.  3,  1888,  to  Mary  E. 
Shoemaker,  daughter  of  Dr.  Charles  E.  Shoemaker, 
a  prominent  physician  of  Reading  who  died  in 
1890.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union- 
Georgine  and  Francina,  both  at  school.  Dr.  Kurtz" 
is  a  member  of  the  Reading  (City)  Medical  Society 
of  the  Berks  County  Medical  Society,  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medi- 


663 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


cal  Association,  and  has  time  and  again  been  a  delegate 
to  the  State  and  National  bodies. 

FRANK  S.  LIVINGOOD  is  a  descendant  of  one  of 
the  early  German  settlers  of  Berks  county.  Though 
originally  Swiss  the  Loewenguths  .or  Leibundguts  emi- 
grated to  this  country  from  Alsace  where  they  had 
lived  for  over  seventy  years  in  the  town  of  Schalken- 
dorf  near  Strassburg.  Mr.  Livingood's  ancestor,  John 
Jacob  Loewenguth,  arrived  in  New  York  in  1708,  and 
after  residing  for  a  number  of  years  in  Schoharie  coun- 
ty, migrated  to  and  settled  in  Tulpehocken  township, 
Berks  county,  in  1727.  In  April,  1758,  he  and  his  wife 
were  killed  by  the  Indians  and  their  two  daughters 
taken  captive.  A  son,  Jacob,  escaped  the  massaci'e. 
From  him  was  descended  John  Bricker  Levengood, 
the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was 
a  practicing  physician  at  Womelsdorf,  Berks  county, 
from  1812  to  1872.  Dr.  Levengood  had  six  sons  dis- 
tinguished in  the  professions:  four  as  physicians  and 
two  as  lawyers,  of  the  latter  being  Jacob  Seltzer  Livin- 
good,  a  member  of  the  Berks  County  Bar  from  1845  to 
1906,  who  married  Lucy  Jane  Shalters;  daughter  of 
Francis  B.  Shalters,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Reading, 
his  home  by  adoption.  Their  son,  Frank  S.  Livin- 
good,  was  born  in  Reading  Feb.  24,  1855.  He  attended 
public  and  private  schools,  and  for  two  years  the  Read- 
ing high  school;  entered  Phillips  Andover  Academy, 
Andover,  Massachusetts,  in  1869,  and  upon  graduating 
there  in  1872  entered  Harvard  College,  where  he  gradu- 
ated with  the  class  of  1876.  He  then  studied  law  in 
Reading  in  the  office  of  his  father,  Jacob  S.  Livingood, 
being  admitted  to  the  Berks  County  Bar  in  August, 
1879,  since  which  time  he  has  been  continuously  en- 
gaged in  active  practice.  He  is  vice-President  of  the 
Berks  County  Bar  Association. 

Actively  interested  in  politics  Mr.  Livingood  was, 
from  1881  to  1888,  chairman  of  the  Republican  county 
committee,  and  in  1884  was  a  delegate  to  the  Republican 
National  Convention  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Livingood  has 
been  president  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion of  Reading  since  1888,  and  a  trustee  of  Charles 
Evans  Cemetery  Company  since  1892.  He  is  treasurer 
of  the  Reading  Hospital  and  trustee  of  the  Reading 
Public  Library.  He  has  official  positions  in  a  number 
of  business  enterprises,  and  is  a  member  of  the  follow- 
ing: Pennsylvania  Historical  Society,  Berks  County 
Historical  Society,  the  Pennsylvania  German  Society, 
the  Pennsylvania  State  Bar  Association,  the  Wyomis- 
sing  and  Berkshire  Clubs  of  Reading,  the  University 
Club  of  Philadelphia  and  the  Harvard  Club  of  New 
York.  Mr.  Livingood  is  a  member  of  St.  Matthew's 
Evangelical    Lutheran    Church   of   Reading. 

PHILIP  SHAPIRO,  one  of  Reading's  hustling  busi- 
ness men,  and  a  member  of  the  Reading  Board  of 
Trade,  who  conducts  a  flourishing  tailoring  establish- 
ment at  No.  6  South  Sixth  street,  was  born  Sept.  1. 
1861,   in   Germany. 

Mr.  Shapiro  learned  the  tailoring  trade  in  his  native 
country,  where  he  also  received  his  literary  education. 
In  1881  he  sailed  from  Hamburg  on  the  Hamburg-Am- 
erican Line  steamer  "Estralia,"  and  landed  at  Castle 
Garden,  N.  Y.,  July  7th  of  that  year.  He  worked  as 
a  journeyman  tailor  in  New  York  for  two  years,  and 
then  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  coats  on  his  own 
account,  commencing  with  two  machines.  His  skilled 
workmanship  and  honest  dealings  soon  won  him  a 
widespread  reputation,  and  in  1895  he  came  to  Read- 
ing, at  once  opening  up  his  present  place  of  business. 
Since  locating  here  he  has  commanded  some  of  Read- 
ing's best  trade,  and  has  a  reputation  second  to  none 
in  his  line.  He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  business 
circles  in  the  city,  and  in  1904  was  unanimously  chosen 
a  member  of  the  Reading  Board  of  Trade.  Mr.  Shapiro 
is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  his  friends  and  asso- 
ciates, and  is  considered  one  of  the  foremost  business 
men  of  the   city.     He  has  been  prominently  identified 


with  fraternal  matters,  being  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  Red  Men,  and  the  John 
F.  O.  Hein  Association  of  New  York  City.  He  has 
also  been  associated  with  the  I.  O.  B.  A.,  of  Reading, 
of  which  he  has  served  as  president  and  treasurer  for 
three  terms  each,  and  is  now  serving  as  conductor  of 
the  O.  B.  A.,  of  New  York  City.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Union  Fire  Company,  the  Northeastern  Democratic 
League,  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Hebrew  free 
school  board  of  Reading. 

Mr.  Shapiro  was  married  in  1879  to  Anna  Etta  Cow- 
en,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born:  Sadie,  Bella, 
Abraham  J.,  Morris,  Michael,  Jacob,  Dorothy,  Margaret 
and  Beatrice.  Mr.  Shapiro  and  his  family  reside  at 
No.  121  Moss  street,  Reading,  and  are  held  in  the  high- 
est esteem  in  their  community. 

DANIEL  E.  SCHROEDER.  The  Schroeders  have 
been  established  in  Pennsylvania  since  1720  or  1730, 
when  three  brothers,  Anthony,  Martin  and  Jacob,  came 
from  Germany  and  settled  in  Oley  and  Alsace  town- 
ships. 

The  immediate  forefathers  of  Daniel  E.  Schroeder 
were  farmers,  his  grandfather,  George,  following  that 
calling  in  Alsace  township,  and  his  father,  John  S.,  in 
Exeter  township.  John  S.  Schroeder  was  quite  a  prom- 
inent man  in  his  region,  his  position  as  sheriff  of 
Berks  county,  an  office  which  he  filled  from  1848  to 
1850,  making  him  well  known.  He  died  in  1891.  His 
wife,  Susan  E.  Boyer,  was  a  daughter  of  George  Boyer, 
and  came  of  Huguenot  stock.  She  was  born  in  Read- 
ing, and  died  many  years  before  her  husband,  passing 
away  in  1868.  Of  their  ten  children  six  are  deceased, 
all  but  one  of  them  having  reached  maturity:  George; 
John,  who  was  killed  on  a  railroad;  William,  who  en- 
listed in  Company  H.,  2d  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  was 
killed  in  battle  during  the  Civil  war;  Charles;  Francis 
and  Louis,  who  died  in  childhood.  Those  who  survive 
their  parents  are:  Martha,  m.  to  Daniel  S.  Keller  of 
Bellefonte;  Lucy,  widow  of  W.  G.  Bryson,  of  Philips- 
burg,  Centre  county;  Joseph,  of  Reading;  and  Daniel  E. 

Daniel  E.  Schroeder  was  born  Jan.  20,  1842,  in  Read- 
ing and  received  his  literary  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  that  city.  After  finishing  school  he  went 
into  the  office  of  Judge  Hagenman,  to  read  law,  and  in 
1863  was  admitted  to  the  Bar.  Later  he  was  also  ad- 
mitted to  practice  before  the  Supreme  court  of  the 
State  and  the  United  States  District  courts.  He  has 
been  established  continuously  in  practice  in  Reading, 
and  has  made  an  enviable  reputation  for  himfeelf. 

Mr.  Schroeder  was  married  in  January,  1870,  to  Clara 
L.  Clark,  of  Reading,  daughter  of  the  late  George  B. 
Clark.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  this  union, 
namely:  Harry  F.,  in  the  lawn-mower  business;  George 
F.,  at  the  head  of  the  shipping  department  of  the 
Prospect  Dye  Wbrks;  and  Estelle  H.,  at  home.  The 
family  attend  the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Schroeder  is 
a  good  Democrat  and  active  in  politics.  He  was  one 
of  the  originators  of  the  Americus  Club,  and  served 
as  a  school  director  from  the  Fourteenth  ward.  He  is 
eligible  to  membership  in  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution, 
as  his  great-grandfather  on  the  paternal  side  was  • 
Capt.  John  Soder,  who  participated  in  the  Revolution. 
His  maternal  great-grandfather,  George  Boyer,  was  a 
veteran  of  the  war  of  1812,  in  which  he  served  with  the 
rank  of  lieutenant. 

HENRY  R.  ESHELMAN,  in  whose  death  the  city 
of  Readmg,  Pa.,  lost  one  of  its  good  citizens,  was 
known  throughout  musical  and  church  circles  as  an 
organist  of  rare  talent.  Mr.  Eshelman  was  born  at 
Smkmg  Spnng,  Berks  county,  April  5.  1845. 

Martin  Eshelman,  grandfather  of  Henry  R..  made 
his  home  in  Cumru  township,  Berks  county,  where  he 
died. 

Isaac  Eshelman,  son  of  Martin,  was  born  in  Cumru 
township,  Berks  county,  Jan.  19,  1817,  and  died  Nov, 
6.  1852.  By  trade  he  was  a  tailor,  following  that  busi- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


663 


ness  at  Sinking  Spring  for  several  years  after  which 
he  went  to  Centre  county,  Pa.,  where  he  engaged  in 
■  huckstering  until  his  death.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  Church,  and  a  Republican  in  politics.  He 
married  Eliza  Rollman,  born  Sept.  24,  1817,  daughter 
of  John  and  Maria  Rollman.  She  died  aged  seventy-six 
years.  Their  children  were:  Wendell,  of  Illinois; 
Louisa,  who  died  young;  Josiah,  m.  to  Emma  Fisher; 
Henry  R.,  m.  to  Emeline  Gougler;  Sarah,  m.  to  George 
Smith;  and  Franklin  R.,  born  April  2,  1849. 

'Franklin  R.  Eshelman,  son  of  Isaacj  is  a  shoemaker 
by  trade  at  Shillington.  He  married  Catharine  Fisher, 
and  their  children  are:  Annie  F.,  m.  to  Thomas  Fromm, 
a  hatter  and  shoemaker,  at  Shillington,  Pa.;  Agnes 
F.;  William  R.,  m.  to  Ella  Plank;  Frank  H.,  m.  to 
Elizabeth  Snyder;  Emma  E.,  m.  to  Andrew  S.  Long; 
Katie  F.,  m.  to  Rev.  William  L.  Meckstroth;  Jennie 
F.,  m.  to  Joseph  RoUand;  Isaac,  unmarried;  Mamie  F., 
m.  to  James^  M.  Bitler;  and  Martha,  who  died  young. 

In  his  native  locality  Henry  R.  Eshelman  secured  his 
education,  and  when  a  lad  he  learned  the  trade  of 
cutter,  in  which' capacity  he  later  served  for  twenty- 
two  years,  four  months,  eighteen  days  with  the  Lein- 
bach  Clothing  Company,,  of  Reading.  From  early  youth 
he_  showed  marked  ability  as  a  musician,  the  organ 
being  his  favorite  instrument,  and  for  nine  years  he 
served  as  organist  in  St.  John's  Reformed  Church, 
later  acting  in  the  same  capacity  at  St.  Mark's  Lutheran 
Church,  where  he  remained  for  twelve  years.  Mr. 
Eshelman  was  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew  him, 
and  his  acquaintance  was  large.  He  was  married  Sept. 
6.  1868,  to  Miss  Emeline  B.  Gougler,  daughter  of  John 
and  Maria  (Bamberger)  Gougler,  and  to  them  there 
were  born  two  children:  Charles  m.  Emma  Kerner, 
and  lives  at  Franklin,  Venango  county,  Pa.,  and  has 
one  child,  Helen  R. ;  and  Paul  died  at  the  age  of  eight 
years. 

DOMINIC  MAURER,  one  of  the  leading  business 
men  of  Reading,  Pa.,  wiio  is  engaged  in  cement  con- 
tracting, with  office  at  No.  234  North  Eleventh  street, 
and  yard  at  Moss  and  Green  streets,  was  born  in  Alsace- 
Lorraine,  Germany,  in  1862,  son  of  Anthony  Maurer. 

Anthony  Maurer  was  a  farmer  in  Germany,  and  came 
to  America  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  in  1882,  on  the 
ship  "Canada,"  of  a  French  line  of  steamers.  Bringing 
a  part  of  his  family  with  him  he  landed  at  New  York, 
May  4th,  and  came  at  once  to  Reading,  where  he 
worked  as  a  laborer  until  his  death,  in  May,  190.1.  H'e 
was  married  in  his  native  country  to  Anna  Schwartzen- 
teuber,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years.  They 
had  children  as  follows:  Joseph,  of  Altoona,  Pa.;  An- 
thony, a  farmer,  still  residing  in  Germany,  being  burgo- 
master of  the  town  of  Albach,  where  he  is  very  pop- 
ular; Eugene,  a  carpenter  in  Reading;  Margaret, 
m.  to  Peter  Swope,  of  Reading;  Dominic;  Jacob, 
of  Reading,  employed  with  his  brother,  Dominiq.  The 
two  eldest  of  this  family  served  in  the  German  army. 

DorhTnic  Maurer  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  country,  and  when  a  boy  learned 
the  trade  of  making  wooden  shoes  which  he  followed 
until  coming  to  America.  Here  his  first  employment 
was  in  the  Scott  works,  Reading,  where  he  remained 
one  and  one-half  years,  and  then  went  to  learn  the 
cement  business  with  his  father-in-law,  with  whom  he 
continued  until  July  23,  1902,  at  which  time  he  em- 
barked in  the  business  on  his  own  account,  and  has 
continued  therein  to  the  present  time  with  much  suc- 
cess. He  has  erected  some  of  the  finest  homes  in  and 
about  Reading,  including  the  home  of  George  Deemer 
of  Stony  Creek.  John  Wagner  of  Reading,  and  Joseph 
White'  of  Reading,  and  also  built  the  Textile  Machine 
Works,  and  did  work  at  Weriiersville  and  at  Mineral 
Spring  Park  Hotel.  ,  He  is  a  property  owner  of  the 
Ninth  ward,  where  he  has  a  fine  residence.  Mr.  Maurer 
employs  from  thirty  to  forty  men  in  his  business, 
which  includes  cement  pavements,  vitrified  brick  pave- 
ments, cement  steps,  cement  copings,  concrete  buildings, 


fountains,  reservoirs,  driveways,  stable  floors,  cellars, 
all  kinds  of  cement  work  with  the  latest  process  and 
in  the  most  durable  manner.  His  work  is  its  own  rec- 
ommendation. ' 

In  1884  Mr.  Maurer  was  married  to  Helen  Wagen- 
blast,  a  daughter  of  Engelburg  Wagenblast,  of  Wur- 
temberg,  Germany.  She  died  March  30,  1909.  Their 
children  were:  Joseph,  a  clerk,  lives  in  San  Francisco, 
Cal.;  John;  Anthony  and  Dominic,  twins,  deceased; 
George;  Dominic;  Mary;  Aloysius;  Robert,  deceased; 
Helen;  Margaret,  deceased;  Janet,  deceased;  Janet  (2); 
and  Ottiella. 

Mr.  Maurer  is  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Catholic  Church 
and  is  connected  with  the  Holy  Cross  Kinights  of  St. 
George,  and  St.  Boniface's  Society. 

EMANUEL  RICHARDS,  one  of  Reading's  substan- 
tial citizens  and  old  residents,  and  an  honored  veteran 
of  the  great  Civil  war,  was  born  in  Windsor  township, 
Berks  county,  April  6,  1843,  son  of  William  and  Sarah 
(Smith)   Richards,  and  grandson  of  John   Richards. 

John  Richards  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  when 
a  young  man  came  to  America,  settling  in  New  Jersey 
where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  furnaceman.  Later 
he  went  to  Chester  county,  Pa.,  continuing  his  vocation 
there  and  later  in  Berks  county,  being  engaged  at  the 
Windsor  furnace.  Mr.  Richards'  last  days  were  spent 
in  retirement,  he  passing  away  in  1847,  aged  eighty 
years,  in  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Po- 
litically he  was  a  Democrat.  He  was  married  in  Scot- 
land to  Abbie  Heacock,  and  their  children  were:  John, 
WilUam,  Eli,  Abbie  and  Sarah. 

William  Richards  was  born  in  the  State  of  New 
Jersey,  and  there  received  his  education.  When  a  young 
man  he  learned  the  furnace  business,  and  locating  in 
Chester  County,  Pa.,  was  employed  for  some  years  at 
the  old  Potts  furnace.  Later  he  went  to  Rockland, 
and  was  there  engaged  at  what  was  known  as  the  old 
Sally  Ann  furnace,  which  was  then  owned  by  the  Yeag- 
ers,  whose  name  was  later  changed  to  Hunter,  and  the 
furnace  was  known  as  the  Hunter  furnace.  He  subse- 
quently removed  to  Windsor  township,  Berks  county, 
working  at  the  old  Windsor  furnace.  After  its  discon- 
tinuation he  engaged  at  work  in  a  foundry  at  Hamburg 
for  nearly  forty  years,  and  was  here  employed  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  after  an  illness  of 
but  two  days,  in  1870,  in  his  sixty-seventh  year.  His 
wife,  Mary  Smith,  died  in  1894,  aged  eighty-four  years, 
the  mother  of  fourteen  children,  nine  of  whom  still 
survive.  With  the  exception  of  the  parents  there  has 
not  been  a  death  in  this  family  for  over  fifty  years. 
The  children  are:  Jacob,  of  Luzerne  county;  Sarah, 
m.  to  Jared  Heckman,  deceased,  and  living  in  Hamburg; 
William,of  Chester  county;  Susan,  m.  to  Joseph  Schol- 
lenberger,  of  Hamburg;  Emanuel,^ of  Reading;  Rebecca, 
m.  to  Samuel  Bergy,  of  Reading;  Charles,  of  Schuyl- 
kill county;  Amanda,  twin  of  Charles,  m.  to  James  Wes- 
ner,  of  Reading;  and  Matilda,  m.  to  John  Xanders. 
The  parents  of  these  children  were  members  of  the 
Reformed  Church.  The  father  was  a  stanch  Democrat 
in  politics. 

Emanuel  Richards  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  Windsor  township,  Berks  county,  attending 
the  first  free  school  established  in  that  township.  In 
1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  3rd  Reserves,  being 
with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  the  first  three- 
year  men  to  leave  Reading.  He  remained  with  the 
command  until  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service, 
being  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Gaines'  Hill  by  a  shot 
which  passed  through  his  right  lung,  from  the  effects 
of  which  he  has  never  fully  recovered.  At  the  same 
time  he  was  captured,  and  was  first  taken  to  Libby 
Prison,  later  being  removed  to  Belle  Isle,  where 
he  was  exchanged.  In  July.  1864,  Mr.  Richards  veter- 
anized in  Company  A,  195th  Pa.  V.  I.,  remaining  with 
this  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Upon  his 
return  to  Reading  Mr.  Richards  apprenticed  himself  to 
the    shoemaker's    trade    with    Isaac    Bird    of    this    city 


664  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

and  he  has  followed  this  trade  with  success  ever  since,  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  also  of  a  num- 
having    been    at    his    present    location    for    thirty-four    ber  of  other  organizations. 

On  Feb.  19,  1868,  Mr.  Richards  was  married  to  Mary  HEIZMANN.  The  Heizmanns  are  of  distinguished 
Wunder,  daughter  of  Henry  Wunder,  and  of  their  German  ancestry,  the  earliest  of  whom  anything  definite 
family  of  children,  five  are  living:  Reynolds,  a  sheet-  is  known  being  one  who  was  knighted  by  King  Otto 
iron  worker  employed  by  the  Philadelphia  and  Read-  for  distinguished  services  in  the  battle  of  Lechfeld,  in 
ing  Railway;  William,  in  charge  of  the  credit  depart-  955^  between  Germany  and  Hungary.  The  family  narne, 
ment  of  Dives.  Pomeroy  &  Stewart,  of  Reading;  Alice,  indicative  of  valor,  was  bestowed  upon  him  and  also 
a  saleslady  at  G.  M.  Britton's  store;  Ida,  at  home;  and  the  castle  and  lands  of  Schadeck.  From  him  descend- 
Hai-ry,  a  clerk  at  the  Reading  Iron  Works.  Political-  ed  those  gallant  knights  and  brave  warriors  who,  in  res- 
ly  Mr.  Richards  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  connected  with  ponse  to  the  appeal  of  Peter  the  Hermit,  at  the  close 
McLean  Post  No.  16,  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  fraternally  a  of  the  eleventh  century,  formed  a  part  of  the  first  cru- 
member  of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  He  and  his  wife  attend  sade  of  the  Christians  who,  with  the  cry  "Deus  vulf 
■  St.  Barnabas  Episcopal   Church.  (God  wills  it),  marched  victoriously  to  Palestine  and  res- 

cued   the    Holy    Sepulchre.     In   the   vicissitudes    of    for- 
GEORGE    P.    GANGER,    a   prominent   builder    and    tune,  the  family  has  at  times  attained  the  highest  distinc- 
contractor    of    Reading,    bears    a    reputation    which   js    tion,  while  again  it  has  met  with  adversity,  only  to  rise 
the   fruit   of   years   of   earnest,   conscientious   and   con-     again   to   its    previous    height.      One   of    the    family   was 
servative  work.        '  Hofmarschall  to  Kaiser  Albrecht  I,  another  became  Arch- 

From  the  form  of  the  name  .'t  is  thought  that  the  bishop  of  Mayence,  and  another  Stadt  Syndicus  of  Co- 
Ganger  family  originated  in  Germany,  or  France,  but  logne.  During  the  Thirty  Years'  war,  in  which  Germany 
since  settling  in  Pennsylvania,  mainly  in  Chester  coun-  was  assailed  by  foreign  foes  and  greatly  torn  by  do- 
ty, it  has  been  very  closely  allied  to  the  Scotch  and  mestic  dissensions,  one  branch  of  the  family  sought  re- 
Irish,  and  practically  nothing  is  known  of  the  earlier     fuge  in  the  famous  Black  Forest. 

generations.  Mr.  George  P.  Ganger  and  Mr.  J.  Ben-  Charles  Lawrence  Heizmann,  the  founder  of  the  fam- 
ton  Ganger  are,  with  one  exception,  the  only  persons  ily  in  America,  was  descended  from  this  branch  of  Heiz- 
of  this  line  living  who  bear  the  name.  The  grandfather  manns.  He  was  born  in  Lenzkirch,  in  the  Grand  Duchy 
was  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Chester  county,  but  little  of  Baden,  Germany,  Aug.  6,  1803.  He  was  educated 
is  known  of  him  save  that  he  married  a  Miss  Evans  at  Neufchatel,  Switzerland.  At  the  age  of  thirty  years 
and  had  two  sons,  Levi  and  David.  He, died  young,  he  came  to  America  on  the  ship  "Marcus,"  sailing  from 
The  family  were  members  of  the  Reiormed  Church,  Rotterdam  March  12,  1832,  with  the  intention  of  making 
and  it  is  supposed  that  the  granafather  was  a  Whig  a  business  trip.  After  touching  at  the  island 'of  Fayal, 
in  his  political  views.  The  maternal  grandparents  one  of  the  Azores,  on  June  13th,  the  ship  arrived  in  July 
were  German.  off  Long  Island,  where  it  was  learned  that  cholera  was 

David  Ganger  was  born  in  1809  and  gr^w  up  in  raging  in  New  York  City.  The  passengers  were  land- 
Chester  county,  receiving  his  education  in  the  public  ed  at  Sag  Harbor,  L.  I.,  on  July  12th,  and  thence  Mr. 
and  pay  schools  of  that  region.  After  leaving  school  Heizmann  proceeded  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  remain- 
he  learned  stone  masonry,  but  as  he  did  riot  like  the  ed  for  some  time.  Being  favorably  impressed  with  the 
work  he  soon  turned  his  attention  to  tarming  instead,  country,  its  people  and  its  form  of  government,  he  con- 
and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  that  occupation.  He  eluded  not  to  return  to  Europe,  and  therefore  located 
married  Miss  Eliza  Nyse  and  they  became  the  parents  in  Reading,  Pa.,  where  many  Germans  had  previously 
of  a  family,  three  of  whom  lived  to  maturity.  The  settled,  and  where  he  established  himself  in  business  as 
daughter,_  Sarah,  died,  however,  in  early  womanhood,  an  importer  and  dealer  in  musical  instruments  and  mus- 
The  surviving  sons  were  George  P.  and  Levi.  ical  merchandise.      Like  most  educated  Germans  he  was 

George  P.  Ganger  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Sept.  an  accomplished  musician  and  linguist,  speaking,  besides 
10,  1843.  He  was  brought  up  to  farm  work,  in  the  his  native  tongue,  English,  French  and  Italian.  He  be- 
meantime  attending  the  public  schools  also,  until  he  came  interested  in  the  industrial  development  of  his  adopt- 
was  nineteen,  when  he  entered  upon  a  four  years'  ap-  ed  city,  and  with  characteristic  German  foresight  was  in- 
prentjceship  to  the  stone  mason's  trade.  Having  mas-  strumental  in  the  formation  of  the  Reading  German 
tered  thoroughly  his  business  he  went  at  the  age  of  Building  and  Savings  Fund  Association,  the  first  build- 
twenty-three  to  ReadiAg,  and  settled  there  permanent-  ing  society  in  Reading,  of  which  he  was  chosen  pres- 
ly  as  a  mason  and  builder.  He  has  steadily  increased  ident.  The  charter  was  granted  Sept.  18.  1848.  He  was 
the  scope  of  his  operations,  and  is  now  one  of  the  Roman  Catholic  in  religious  faith,  holding  membership  in 
foremost  builders  in  jthe  city.  He  has  done  a  great  the  church  on  South  Fifth  street,  of  which  he  served  as 
deal  to  make  Reading  one  of  the  desirable  residence  trustee.  Mr.  Heizmann  died  in  Reading  July  3,  1859. 
cities  in  the  State.  He  has  on  his  own  account  built  On  April  22,  1834,  Mr.  Heizmann  was  united  in  mar- 
over  200  houses,  ranging  in  value  from  $2500  to  3000,  riage  with  Mary  Cecilia  Eichhorn,  daughter  of  John 
besides  a  large  number  under  contract  for  friends  Francis  Eichhorn  and  Eva  Siegfried,  whose  ancestors 
'and  patrons.  His  work  is  always  first  class  and  done  settled  in  Berks  county  in  1755.  All  of  their  children 
in  the  most  conscientious  manner.  During  his  first  were  born  in  the  old  family  home,  on  the  southeast  cor- 
fifteen  years  in  Reading  Mr.  Ganger  was  employed  by  ner  of  Sixth  and  Penn  streets,  Reading.  Mrs.  Heiz- 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad,  and  helped  to  mann  was  one  of  a  family  of  five  children,  namely: 
construct  many  of  the  bridges  and  depots  along  that  Anna,  who  married  a  New  England  schoolmaster,  Jon- 
well  known  line.  A  number  of  the  handsomest  struc-  athan  Dwight;  John  Francis,  who  was  married  to  Ma- 
tures in  the  city  are  Mr.  Ganger's  work,  among  the  tilda  Miller  (both  died  at  an  early  age,  leaving  two 
most  notable  being  the  city  hall,  St.  Peter's  Methodist  daughters,  Alice  and  Ann)  ;  Ellen,  who  married  Charles 
Church,  the  Evangelical  Church,  Mr.  Eckert's  home,  Troxell,  postmaster  of  Reading  tinder  the  Harrison- 
and  a  great  number  of  other  residences.  Tyler    administration,    and    a    collector    of    the    Port    of 

Mr.  Ganger  married,  in  1871,  Miss  Christie  Low,  Philadelphia  under  the  Taylor-Fillmore  administration- 
daughter  of  James  Low,  of  Lebanon  county,  and  four  Mary  Cecilia;  and  Theresa,  who  married  Dr.  Adolphus 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  namely:  David,  Lippe,  a  son  of  the  Count  of  Lippe-Weissen'feldt  Ger- 
who  died  in  infancy;  Sarah,  m.  to  Albert  Folk;  Mary,  many,  and  a  member  of  the  Lippe-Detmold  family  Six 
m.  (first)  to  Charles  Spangler.  had  one  daughter.  Ma-  sons  and  two  daughters  wer?  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs  Heiz- 
bel,  and  (second)  to  John  Newil;  and  Lulu,  m.  to  H.  M.  mann  and  this  familv  has  been  influential  and  active  in 
Eldridge.  Mr.  Ganger  and  his  family  are  members  of  both  professional  and  industrial  circles  in.  Berks  coun- 
the  M.  E.  Church.  In  politics  a  Republican,  he  takes,  ty  for  many  years.  Cliarles  Raymond  and  Theodore 
however,    no    active    part    in    public    aflfairs.      He    is    a   Ignatius    are    mentioned    below.      Francis    Joseph     born 


'^^>-^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


665 


Aug.  14,  1841,  died  Oct.  22,  1849.  Cecilia  Eve  was  born 
June  2i  1844.  Dr.  Charles  Lawrence  and  Albert  Aloysi- 
us  are  mentioned  below.  Mary  Ann,  born  Nov.  4,  1853, 
became  the  wife  of  James  A.  O'Reily,  Esq.,  a  prominent 
attorney  of  Reading.  Aloysius  Adolphus,  born  Sept.  27, 
1858,  died  Feb.  17.  1859. 

Charles  Raymond  Heizmann  was  born  in  Reading 
Jan.  23,  1885,  and  received  his  education  in  private  schools 
and  at  St.  Mary's  College,  Wilmington,  Del.  When  only 
fifteen  he  entered  his  father's  store  to  receive  a  business 
training.  His  father  allowed  the  boy  to  undertake  many 
responsible  duties,  in  the  performance  of  which  he  not 
only  showed  great  interest,  but  also  developed  self-confi- 
dence and  executive  ability.  He  was  often  sent  to  buy 
goods  in  Philadelphia,  and  early  displayed  the  traits 
which  have  since  brought  him  into  such  prominence  in 
the  commercial  world.  When  his  father  died  he  assum- 
ed control  of  the  business,  which  he  purchased  from  the 
estate  in  1865,  conducting  it  alone  from  that  time  to  1870, 
when  he  received  his  brother  Albert  into  partnership  in 
the  business.  The  old  business  was  continued  success- 
fully, and  in  1877  they  made  a  new  departure,  establish- 
ing the  Penn  Hardware  Works.  They  ran  both  businesses 
for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time  finding  the  new 
enterprise  so  promising  that  they  disposed  of  the  store 
in  order  to  give  all  their  time  to  the  hardware  works. 

The  Penn  Hardware  Works  were  first  located  in  a 
small  building  on  Front  street,  which  the  firm  leased, 
and  employment  was  given  to  ten  hands.  As  the  busi- 
ness grew  and  more  space  was  required,  they  purchased 
four  acres  of  land  at  the  foot  of  Spruce  street,  between 
the  canal  and  the  Schuylkill  river,  erecting  thereon  a 
convenient  building,  which  met  the  demands  of  the  busi- 
ness at  that  time.  But  it  continued  to  expand  with  un- 
dreamed-of rapidity,  so  that  the  new  structure  proved 
inadequate,  and  additions  were  needed  so  much  sooner 
than  the  proprietors  had  anticipated.  These  were  made 
from  time  to  time  until  all  the  four  acres  were  covered 
with  substantial  brick  buildings.  Then  adjacent  prop- 
erty was  secured',  and  in  1906  a  new  building  60  x  100 
feet  in  dimensions,  and  four  stories  in  height,  was  erect- 
ed, ready  for  occupancy  Jan.  1,  1907.  It  is  very  mod- 
ern in  every  respect,  and  completes  a  block  of  buildings 
which  make  the  Penn  Hardware  Works  one  of  the  lar- 
gest plants  in  the  United  States.  The  first  floor  of  this 
new  building  is  used  as  a  store  room,  the  other  three 
floors  being  used  exclusively  for  plating.  The  coinpany 
now  manufactures  its  own  gas,  for  fuel  and  lighting,  a 
two-story  building,  30x80  feet,  having  been  erected  for 
the  gas  plant.  There  are  six  engines  in  the  establishment, 
two  gasoline  engines  of  60  and  33  horse-power,  respective- 
ly, a  steam  engine  of  150,  one  of  30  and  one  of  120  horse- 
power, and  a  new  gas  engine  of  150  horse-power.  A  new 
warehouse,  seven  stories  in  height  and  60  x  120  feet  in 
dimensions,  is  now  (1908)  under  course  of  construc- 
tion. Seven  hundred  and  fifty  hands  constitute  the  pres- 
ent working  force,  which  is  frequently  taxed  to  the 
utmost  and  )*rorking  overtime.  The  company  is  exten- 
sively engaep^  in  manufacturing  a  general  line  of  build- 
ers' hardw^fc  and  the  product  is  sold  all  over  the  Unit- 
ed States,  ^iirope  and  Australia.  Ten  carloads  of  frame 
pulleys  were  made  for  the  rebuilding  of  San  Francisco. 
Orders  are  constantly  being  received  which  insure  the 
activity  of  the  plant   for  months  ahead. 

Mr.  C.  Raymond  Heizmann  is  not  only  a  man  of  ex- 
cellent talent,  but  he  has  mechanical  tastes  which  have 
developed  under  the  necessities  of  business,  and  he  has 
designed  much  of  the  machinery  and  many  of  the  ap- 
pliances in  use  at  the  works,  and  is  a  patentee  of  a  num- 
ber of  the  articles  manufactured  by  the  company.  The 
most  successful  of  these  articles  was  a  plug  tobacco  cilt- 
ter.  After  sharp  competition  with  the  leading  manu- 
facturers of  the  country  Mr.  Heizmann  secured  a  con- 
tract from  the  Lorillards  of  New  York  for  twenty  thou- 
sand of  these  small  machines,  highly  finished  in  nickel 
plate  and  bronze.  The  Penn  Hardware  Company  was 
incorporated  in  April,  1896,  with  a  paid-up  capital  pi 
$415,000,    and    with    Mr.    C.    Raymond    Heizmann    as    its 


president,  which  position  he  has  occupied  since  the  com- 
mencement of  the  enterprise.  An  establishment  of  such 
magnitude  confers  untold  benefits  upon  the  community  in 
which  it  is  located,  and  the  large  showing  made  by  the 
employes- iffl.;^he  industrial  parade  during  the  Sesqui-Cen- 
tennial  of  Reading,  celebrated  in  June,  1898,  gave  some 
indication  of  the  number  of  people  directly  benefited  by 
profitable  and  steady  emplpyment  at  this  plant.  The 
number  has  since  been  increased  about  fifty  per  cent.  Mr. 
Heizmann  took  great  interest  in  the  celebration,  and  gave 
his  influence  and  active  aid  toward  making  it  a  success, 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  executive  committee  and  chair- 
man of  the  insignia  committee. 

•On  June  9,  1874,  Mr.  Heizmann  was  married  to  Mary 
M.  Miller,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Mary  A.  (Dickson) 
Miller,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Mary  A.,  Mary  Cecilia,  Raymond  L.,  Lewis  J., 
Flora  R.,  Charles  Raymond,  Jr.,  Francis  Edward  and 
Theodora.  Their  home  is  at  No.  318  North  Fifth  street, 
Reading. 

Theodore  Ignatius  Heizmann  was  born  in  Reading 
Dec.  14,  1838.  He  attended  the  private  schools  of  the 
city  and  later  Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  at  Emmits- 
burg,  Md.,  where  he  remained  two  years,  after  which 
he  entered  the  Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute  at  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  in  1856.  He  graduated  in  1859,  with  the  degree 
of  civil  engineer,  and  for  several  months  thereafter  was 
engaged  as  assistant  to  the  topographer  of  the  prelim- 
inary survey  of  the  Reading  &  Columbia  railroad,  and 
in  a  similar  capacity  on  the  survey  of  a  line  between 
Easton  and  Nazareth.  In  March,  1860,  he  became  a 
member  of  the  engineer  corps  of  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road Company,  and  by  his  industry  and  ability  won  such 
rapid  promotion  that  in  March,  1861,  he  became  assis- 
tant engineer.  In  March,  1864,  he  became  principal  as- 
sistant enigineer,  and  in  February,  1865,  became  res- 
ident engineer  of  the  Middle  division,  from  Harrisburg 
to  Altoona,  his  office  being  at  the  latter  place.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1868,  he  became  resident  engineer  of  the  Phil- 
adelphia division,  between  Philadelphia  and  Harrisburg, 
with  office  at  Philadelphia.  In  April,  1870,  his  office 
was  changed  back  to  Altoona,  when  he  was  made  en- 
gineer of  maintenance  of  way  of  the  main  line  between 
Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg.  In  January,  1872,  he  was 
appointed  chief  engineer  of  maintenance  of  way  bf  all 
lines  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  between 
New  York  City  and  Pittsburg,  and  as  such  had  his 
office  at  Philadelphia  until  his  retirement  in  1874.  Mr. 
Heizmann  has  not  devoted  himself  particularly  to  any 
line  of  work  since,  spending  much  of  his  time  in  for- 
eign travel.  He  takes  keen  enjoyment  in  music  and 
even  during  his  active  business  career  kept  up  his  mus- 
ical studies  for  the  love  of  the  art.  He  was  vice-chair- 
man of  the  music  committee  during  the  Sesqui-Cen- 
tennial  celebration  in  June,  1898,  and  wrote  the  music 
for  the  hymn  sung  on  that  occasion.  He  has  been  vice- 
president  and  a  director  of  the  Penn  Hardware  Com- 
pany since  its  incorporation.  In  1892-93  he  built  the 
St.  Cecilia  Memorial  Chapel  at  the  northwest  corner 
of  Perkiomen  avenue  and  Spruce  street,  as  a  memorial 
to  his  mother. 

Dr.  Charles  Lawrence  Heizmann,  who  spent  all  of 
his  professional  life  from  the  age  of  twenty-one  in  the 
United  States  army  as  assistant  surgeon,  surgeon  and  as- 
sistant surgeon  general,  was  born  April  15,  1846,  in  Read- 
ing, where  he  obtained  his  intellectual  training  in  the 
public  schools.  After  his  graduation  from  the  Reading 
high  school  he  entered  the  University  of  Georgetown, 
which  institution  conferred  on  him  the  degree  of  Bach- 
elor of  Arts.  He  was  then  prepared  far  the  medicaT 
profession  in  the  Medical  Department  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  graduating  therefrom  in  his  twenty- 
first  year,  after  which  he  applied  for  admission  to  the 
medical  corps  of  the  army,  being  one  of  the  four  chosen 
of  several  hundred  candidates.  In  the  army  service  his 
service  has  been  an  active  and  a  brilliant  one.  He  first 
saw  service  in  the  Modoc  war  on  the  Western  fron- 
tier, and  the  reminiscences  of  thrilling  adventures  which 


666 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


he  oftentimes  relates  are  very  interesting.  He  accom- 
panied the  party  making  the  first  survey  of  Yellowstone 
Park,  and  during  his  service  has  been  stationed  at  the 
following  posts :  San  Antonio,  Texas ;  Fort  Vancouver ; 
Fort  Douglass;  Salt  Lake  City;  Utah;  Fort  Niagara; 
West  Point;  Bedloe's  Island  in  New  York  Harbor;  Fort 
Ontario  at  Oswego;  Fort  Adams,  Newport,  R.  I.;  at  the 
Presidio,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  arriving  there  just  after 
the  great  earthquake  and  fire  of  1906;  and  at  Manila, 
in  the  Philippines,  in  charge  of  the  Medical  Department 
of  those  Islands.  Some  years  ago.  Colonel  Heizmann 
was  honored  by  the  War  Department  with  a  semi-official 
mission  to  Europe  to  inspect  the  military  hospitals  of 
the  principal  nations  of  the  Continent.  He  made  a  care- 
ful study  of  their  systems  and  upon  his  return  published 
a  book  upon  the  subject  which  is  really  a  work 'of  mer- 
it, and  has  gained  him  much  praise  from  the  physicians 
of  this  country.  Besides  being  a  work  of  literary  val- 
ue it  has  resulted  in  much  benefit  to  the  hospitals  of  our 
country,  owing  to  its  completeness  and  exactness  of  de- 
tail. He  retired  from  the  army  in  the  year  1908  with 
the  rank  of  Assistant  Surgeon  General. 

Albert  Aloysius  Heizmann  was  born  in  Reading  Sept. 
11,  1848,  and  was  educated  in  the  private  schools  of 
Reading,  St.  Mary's  College,  Wilmington,  Del.,  and  at 
the  University  of  Notre  Dame,  South  Bend,  Ind.,  grad- 
uating there  in  the  English  and  commercial  course  in 
1865.  In  the  same  year  he  entered  the  store  of  his  broth- 
er, Charles  Raymond,  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Penn 
streets,  Reading,  and  in  1870  he  became  an  equal  part- 
ner in  the  business.  They  were  jewelers  and  importers 
of  musical  instruments  and  merchandise-  In  1877  the 
two  brothers,  as  equal  partners,  established  the  Penn 
Hardware  Works,  for  the  manufacture  of  builders'  hard- 
ware, and  in  1879  disposed  of  the  store  and  devoted 
their  whole  attention  to  the  new  enterprise.  In  April, 
1896,  it  was  incorporated  as  the  Penn  Hardware  Com- 
pany with  a  paid-up  capital  of  $415,000.  Albert  A.  Heiz- 
mann was  elected  treasurer  of  the  company.  That  the 
business  has  been  a  success  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that 
the  annual  statement  of  Jan.  1,  1908,  showed  a  surplus 
fund  greater  than  the  original  capital. 

In  addition  to  his  work  as  a  member  of  the  Penn  Hard- 
ware Company,  Mr.  Heizmann  took  a  great  interest  in 
municipal  affairs,  having  been  a  member  of  common  coun- 
cil from  1878  to  1880,  and  of  select  council  from  1882 
to  1885.  In.  February,  1885,  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  board  of  water  commissioners,  and  was  chosen 
president  of  the  board  in  1891,  which  position  he  held  un- 
til Feb.  16,  1892,  when  he  resigned.  Mr.  Heizmann  was  a 
director  of  the  Keystone  National  Bank  for  a  number 
of  years.  Owing  to  his  continued  ill  health,  which  com- 
pelled him  to  live  in  the  South  the  greater  part  of  the 
year,  he  resigned  as  treasurer  of  the  Penn  Hardware 
Company  Jan.  1,  1901,  but  still  remained  a  director.  He 
died   June   14,   1909. 

On  Sept.  3,  1874,  Mr.  Heizmann  married  Jane,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Sterling)  May,,  of  Shamokin, 
Pia.  They  had  children  as  follows:  Mary  May,  born 
June  37,  1875;  Charles  Lawrence,  born  Oct.  18,  1877;  Wil- 
liam Albert,  born  Sept.  15,  1882;  Henry,  born  Sept.  15, 
1882  (died  in  infancy)  ;  Edith  Cecilia,  born  Nov.  24,  1887; 
Theodore,   born    Nov.    13,    1889. 

William  A.  Heizmann.  treasurer  and  sales  manager 
of  the  Penn  Hardware  Company,  of  Reading,  is  prov- 
ing his  right  to  a  position  in  the  foremost  business  cir- 
cles of  the  city.  The  name  Heizmann  stands  for  all 
that  is  substantial,  up-to-date  and  honorable  in  the  lo- 
yl  industrial  field.  Various  representatives  of  the  fam- 
ily have  won  their  way  to  unquestioned  standing,  and 
to  the  younger  generation  falls  the  no  less  difficult  task  of 
maintaining  the  high  standard  of  their  elders  and  of 
infusing  new  aims  and  new  energy  into  the  business 
whose  development  has  been  the  pride  and  the  life 
work  of  its  founders.  The  Penn  Hardware  Company, 
Manufacturers  of  Locks  &  Builders  Hardware,  owned, 
officered  and  managed  chiefly  by  members  of  the  Heiz- 
mann families,  is  one  of  the  solid  institutions  of  Reading. 


Mr.  Heizmann  was  born  in  Reading  Sept.  15,  1882, 
and  received  his  early  training  in  the  private  and  public 
schools  of  the  city,  graduating  from  the  high  school  with 
distinction  in  the  year  1900.  He  then  continued  his 
studies  at  Harvard  University,  where  he  won  a  Harvard 
College  Honorary  Scholarship,  completing  in  three  years 
the  work  required  for  the  Bachelor  of  Arts  Degree.  In 
1904  he  was  graduated  from  Harvard  with  distinction. 
He  then  took  charge  of  the  foundry  department  of  the 
Penn  Hardware  Company,  within  a  short  time  was  ap- 
pointed assistant  treasurer,  and  in  1905  was  elected  treas- 
urer, which  office  he  has  since  held.  In  addition  to  the 
duties  which  fall  to  him  in  that  capacity  he  also  has 
been  given  charge  of  the  sales  department,  a  measure 
of  responsibility  which  reflects  credit  upon  the  prom- 
ise which  he  has  already  shown. 

On  Oct.  3,  1906,  Mr.  Heizmann  married  Miss  Ada 
Lotz  Leinbach,  a  daughter  of  A.  Ellsworth  and  Mary 
A.  (Lotz)  Leinbach,  members  of  prominent  Berks  coun- 
ty fainilies  elsewhere  mentioned.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heiz- 
mann reside  at  No.  202  Windsor  street.  They  have  one 
child,  Anne  Leinbach,  born  Sept.  9,  1907.  Mr.  Heiz- 
mann is  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Catholic  Church,  and 
socially  belongs  to  the  Berkshire  Country  Club  and  is 
secretary  of  the  Harvard  Club  of  Reading. 

JOHN  ROEHRICH,  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  artificial  ice  as  proprietor  of  a  large  cold  storage 
plant  at  Third  and  Buttonwood  streets,  was  born  in 
Baden,  Germany,  in  1851.  In  1865,  he  accompanied 
his  parents,  Christopher  and  Catharine  (Doeman) 
Roehrich,  to  America.  The  father  was  a  paver  by 
trade,  and  after  settling, at  Reading  continued  to  work 
at  it  through  his  active  life.  He  died  in  1881,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-two  years.  His  widow  survived  until 
1890,  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  They 
had  four  children,  namely:  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Cath- 
arine and  John.  In  religious  belief  they  were  Luth- 
erans. The  father  was  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  and  was  a  zealous  worker  in  the  Dem- 
ocratic party. 

John  Roehrich  was  educated  mainly  in  his  native 
land  and  soon  after  coming  to  Reading  was  employed 
by  Frederick  Lauer  as  an  errand  boy.  Later  he  worked 
at  the  Felix  brewery,  the  same  plant  now  owned  by 
the  Deppen  Brewing  Company,  where  he  filled  the 
position  of  assistant  brewer-master  for  upward  of 
eight  years.  In  1885  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
John  Stocker,  under  the  name  of  Roehrich  &  Stocker, 
for  carrying  on  the  brewing  business  at  Tremont, 
Pa.,  and  they  continued  there  until  1891,  when  they 
sold  the  brewery  and  came  to  Reading.  Purchasing 
a  tract  of  land  on  North  Eleventh  street,  opposite 
the  Fair  ground,  they  established  a  brewery  and  car- 
ried it  on  successfully  until  1897,  when  Mr.  Roehrich 
-sold  his  interest  to  his  partner.  Subsequentlv  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  George  J.  Raab  and  they 
operated  the  old  Keystone  Brewery  under  the  name 
of  Roehrich  &  Raab  until  1903,  when  they  sold  the 
plant  to  the  Deppen  Brewing  Co..  and  in  1908  this 
was  reorganized  with  the  following  officers:  Presi- 
dent, John  Roehrich;  vice  president,  William  J.  Roeh- 
rich; secretary,  George  J.  Raab;  treasurer,  James  Tay- 
lor; and  directors,  James  Mahony  and  Dr.  John  M. 
Bertolet.  That  year  they  erected  the  Brewery  at 
Third  and  Buttonwood  streets,  where  thirty-nine  men 
are  employed. 

After  closing  out  his  former  business  interests,  in  . 
1902,  Mr.  Roehrich  purchased  a  lot  of  ground  (75  by 
140  feet)  on  Third  near  Buttonwood  street  in  1903, 
and  built  a  cold  storage  and  ice  plant,  and  equipoed 
it  with  modern  machinery,  with  a  capacity  of  fifty 
tons  of  ice  per  day. 

In  1875  Mr.  Roehrich  was  married  to  Catharine 
Baisch.  a  native  of  Berks  county,  and  they  have  three 
children,  viz:  William  J..  Frank  C.  and  Harry  Max. 
They  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Roeh- 
rich is  a  self-made  man.  In  his  business  as  well  as 
his  social  relations  he  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


667 


J.  H.  REICHERT,  of  Willow  Glen  Farm,  in  Marion 
township,  Berks  county,  and  second  vice-president  of 
the  International  Correspondence  Schools,  of  Scran- 
ton,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  township, 
Berks  county,  Sept.  1,  1865,  son  of  Jeremiah  M.  Reich- 
ert  (a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war),  and  grandson  of 
Charles   Reichert   (a  Revolutionary  soldier). 

The  family  is  of  Swiss  extraction,  and  was  one  of 
the  earliest  to  locate  in  Berks  county,  the  name  ap- 
pearing in  1739  on  the  first  tax  list  made  up  for  Bern 
township. 

As  a  young  man  Mr.  Reichert  was  a  salesman,  and 
about  twelve  years  ago  he  became  connected  with  the 
International  Correspondence  Schools  at  Scranton,  Pa., 
and  is  now  serving  as  second  vice-president,  having 
charge  of  the  selling  force.  He  has,  however,  retained 
his  residence  in  Marion  township,  on  the  homestead 
of   his  maternal   ailcestors,  the   Maidenfords. 

Willow  Glen  Farm  consists  of  105  acres,  and  is  one, 
of  the  landmarks  of  the  county,  having  been  settled 
by  Mr.  Reichert's  ancestors  nearly  two  centuries  ago. 
The  farm  house  is  177  years  old.  This  place  is  run 
on  business  principles,  and  after  being  practically 
ruined  throu^  farming  along  old  methods  by  genera- 
tion after  generation.  When  Mr.  Reichert  took  charge 
he  studied  the  question  carefully  for  weeks  and  months 
and  at  the  end  of  that  time  had  concluded  two  things 
were  necessary;  To  discontinue  the  pasturing  of  cattle, 
and  to  waste  less  home  fertilizer.  He  worked  out  a 
system  of  green  crops,  suitable  to  the  climate  and  soil, 
and  he  has  a  fine  herd  of  fifty-five  Jerseys  (in  milk). 
His  milk  is  of  excellent  quality,  and  brings  two  cents  a 
quart  more  in  Reading  than  that  sold  by  other  farm- 
ers. The  milk  of  each  cow  is  weighed  at  each  milking, 
and  the  total  daily  yield  is  watched,  so  that  any  varia- 
tions can  be  quickly  noted  and  the  cause  caught.  In 
one  year  the  farm  produced  154,000  quarts  of  milk.  All 
the  rough  feed — hay,  grain  and  ensilage — is  raised,  and 
none  purchased,  and  nothing  is  sold  except  wheat,  milk 
and  cattle,  yet  the  farm  has  an  annual  income  of  $7,000. 

REDCAY.  For  the  last  one  hundred  and  fifty  and 
more  years  the  name  of  Redcay  (Redche,  Retge)  has 
been  a  familiar  one  in  Lancaster  and  Berks  counties. 
Pa.,  where  many  of  the  name  have  spent  upright,  hon- 
orable and  useful  lives  following  the  peaceful  pursuit 
of  agriculture. 

(I)  Elias  Rattge  (or  Redche),  the  ancestor  of  the 
Redcay  family  in  question,  came  to  Pennsylvania,  Sept. 
26,  1737,  from  Germany,  and  was  accompanied  by 
Nicholas  Rattge,  a  relative.  Both  names  were  written 
by  a  clerk,  and  that  of  Elias  was  spelled  Ratgen.  Tra- 
dition says  he  was  related  to  John  Jacob  Radge,  who 
arrived  in  Philadelphia,  Dec.  3,  1740,  on  the  ship 
"Robert  and  Alice,"  Capt.  Goodman,  commander.  Elias 
Rattge  settled  at  once  in  Robeson  township,  Lancaster 
county,  and  Nicholas  in  Albany  township,  Berks  (then 
Philadelphia)  county,  and  on  Nov.  28.  1750,  the  latter 
received  a  warrant  for  fifty  acres  in  Philadelphia  county. 
He  was  a  farmer,  but  little  is  known  of  him.  He  died 
in  1760  leaving  a  widow,  Maria  Ann  Ursula,  and  child- 
ren Elias  (died  in  Greenwich  township,  Berks  county, 
in  1773)  and  Anna  Margarete. 

In  1750  Elias  Rattge  (or  Redche)  secured  a  warrant 
from  the  proprietaries  of  Pennsylvania  for  sixty-five 
acres  of  land  in  Robeson  township,  Lancaster  county; 
in  1752  this  township  was  transferred  to  Berks  county. 
On  Oct  28.  1765,  he  purchased  of  Henry  Winterberger 
140  acres  at  Gibraltar,  Robeson  township,  adjoining  the 
sixty-five  acres  previously  mentioned,  and  there  he 
farmed  contfnuously  until  1773.  St.  John's  Church  and 
graveyard  are  situated  on  this  property.  On  June  12, 
1773,  he  sold  his  property  at  Gibraltar  to  his  only  son 
Elias,  Jr.,  and  moved  to  Cumru  (now  Brecknock)  town- 
ship, in  what  was  called  "the  Forest."  There  he  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  thirty-four  acres,  through 
which  ran  the  Allegheny  creek,  and  on  the  banks  of  that 
stream  he  erected  a  sawmill,  which  he  conducted  suc- 


cessfully until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  alsQ  followed 
farming  on  this  land.  He  died  in  1786,  aged  about 
seventy  years,  and  is  buried  in  the  St.  John's  grave- 
yard at  Gibraltar! 

Elias  Redche  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife, 
Elizabeth,  he  had  the  following  children.  (1)  Elias 
Redcay,  born  in  1745.  m.  Elizabeth  Hunter  (born  in 
1752,  died  Jan.  11,  1816).  of  Oley,  April  6,  1773,  and 
died  Jan.  3,  1829.  (2)  Barbara  m.  John  Kendall.  (3) 
Mary,  born  Aug.  5,  1747,  m.  Gottlieb  Christian,  May 
28,  1770,  and  died  in  1832.  (4)  Catharine,  born  April 
22,  1756.  m.  Christian  Krauss,  Sept.  5,  1773-.  and  died 
Feb.  14,'  1809.  (5)  Elizabeth  m.  Fredrich  Rapp,  Sept. 
30,  1770,  and  died  before  1786.  Elias  Redche  m.  (sec- 
ond) March  21,  1773,  Rosina  Zigler,  widow  of  Adam 
Zigler.  They  had  no  children,  and  at  his  death  in 
1788  she  married  Christian   Eschelman,  a  neighbor. 

(II)  Elias  Redcay,  Jr.,  only  son  of  iElias  and  Eliza- 
beth, lived  in  Robeson  township,  where  he  carried  on 
farming  and  conducted  a  sawmill.  He  carried  on 
operations  on  the  two  tracts  which  he  had  purchased 
from  his  father  in  1773,  up  to  1804,  when  he  decided 
to  sell  out.  He  was  an  extensive  dealer  in  land  and  a 
large  property  owner,  owning  several  good  farms  and 
a  few  timber  tracts  on  which  he  operated  sawmills. 
On  April  29,  1791,  he  and  his  wife  deeded  to  Valentine 
Geiger  and  Herman  Umstead  in  trust  for  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  section  a  tract  of  land  containing  one 
acre,  ten  perches,  it  being  part  of  the  land  he  had 
purchased  from  his  father.  This  land  contained  the 
private  burying  ground  of  the  Redcays,  who  in  later 
years  allowed  the  people  of  their  section  to  bury  their 
dead  there.  It  was  the  intention  to  have  a  church 
there,  but  this  was  not  built  until  1809,  and  it  is  known 
as  St.  John's  Lutheran  and  Reformed  Church.  It  is 
said  that  a  log,  church  was  on  the  property  before 
the  present  church  was  built.  All  Christian  congre- 
gations which  contributed  to  its  support  were  allowed 
to  worship  in  the  building,  and  they  were  also  to 
maintain  and  keep  the  graveyard.  Late  in  life  Elias 
Redcay  lost  most  of  his  competency  through  disastrous 
financial  investments.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  from  Exeter  in  1805-1806,  and  during 
the  Revolutionary  war  he  served  as  a  lieutenant  of 
militia  from  Pennsylvania  in  Capt.  Adam  Beard's  Com- 
pany, 3d  Battalion,  Lieut.  Col.  Jonathan  Jones.  He 
was  a  great  reader  and  delighted  to  tell  stories  of  the 
war.  He  passed  away  Jan.  3,  1829,  and  is  buried  in  the 
old  Redcay  burial  ground. 

On  April  6,  1773,  Elias  Redcay  married  Elizabeth 
Hunter,  who  was  born  in  1752,  and  died  Jan.  11,  1816, 
and  to  them  were  born  the  following  children:  (1) 
Henry,  born  Aug.  13,  1775,  m.  Mary  Catharine  Ney- 
kirk,  of  Exeter,  who  was  born  Jan.  25,  1779.  He  died 
May  22,  1848,  and  she  Sept.  3,  1843,  and  both  are  buried 
in  -the  Muddy  Creek  cemetery  in  Lancaster  county.  (2) 
John  is  mentioned  below.  (»)  Elias,  born  Dec.  28, 
1782,  m.  (first)  Jan.  29,  1809,  Sarah  Harner.  of  Exeter. 
She  died  and  was  buried  in  Muddy  Creek  cemetery, 
and  he  m.  (second)  July  16,  1826,  Elizabeth  Strauss, 
of  Bern,  who  was  born  Feb.  12,  1790.  He  passed  away 
Jan.  28,  1867,  and,  she  died  Aug.  19,  1875,  and  both  are 
buried  at  Adamstown,  Lancaster  county.  (4)  Eliza- 
beth m.  Samuel  Ludwig,  of  Cumru.  They' moved  to 
Missouri  in  1832.  (5)  Maria  m.  June  9,  1805.  Jacob 
Ludwig. 

(III)  John  Redcay.  son  of  Elias,  was  born  in  Robe- 
son township,  Berks  county,  about  1779.  On  April  10, 
1810,  he,  with  his  father,  purchased  a  farm  of  Johii 
Barr,  in  Exeter  township,  which  they  farmed  until 
1833,  when  they  sold  out.  He  then  moved  to  a  farm' 
near  Schwartzwald  in  Exeter,  which  had  a  clover  mill 
on  it.  There  he  remained  until  his  death,  in  1836  and 
he  is  buried  in  St.  John's  graveyard  at  Gibraltar.  About 
1807  he  married  Esther  Rhoads,  of  Amity  township  and' 
they  had  children  as  follows:  (1)  Mary,  born  'Oct 
14,  1807,  m.  Thomas  Lewis.  (3)  Betzy,  born  April  lo', 
1809,    m.    Pete    Romig,    and    died    Oct.    16,    1851.      (3) 


668 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


John,  born  April  25,  1810,  m.  Phoebe  Schrack,  who  was 
born  Oct.  31.  1817,  and  died  Feb.  13,  1854.  He  passed 
away  in  July,  1848.  (4)  Daniel,  born  Feb.  1,  1812,  m. 
Abby  Kint,  (born  April  18,  1818.  died  April  13,  1904), 
and  died  June  1,  1890.  (5)  Jacob,  born  June  13,  1816, 
died  unmarried  Dec.  18,  1898.    (6)  Catharine  m.  John  Lewis. 

(IV)  Daniel  Redcay,  son  of  John  and  Esther 
(Rhoads)  Redcay,  was  born  Feb.  1,  1812,  and  died 
June  1,  1890.  He  married  Abby  Kint,  daughter  of 
Abraham  Kint.  and  they  moved  to  McEwensville,  Pa. 
They  were  the  parents  of:  Angeline,  born  Dec.  24, 
1842.  who  is  living  on  the  old  homestead;  Henry,  born 
Feb.  4,  1845,  who  is  at  Watsonstown;  Abraham,  born 
Jan.  23,  1847,  living  at  Milton;  and  Ed.,  born  in  1861, 
residing  in  Scranton. 

(IV)  John  Redcay,  son  of  John  and  Esther  (Rhoads) 
Redcay.  lived  at  the  old  clover  mill  with  his  parents 
until  1835.  when  on  Sept.  11th  of  which  year  he  mar- 
ried Phoebe  Schrack.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Amity 
township  until  1840,  wh'en  he  sold  out  and  moved  to 
Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county.  He  died  in  July,  1848, 
and. his  wife  passed  away  Feb.  13,  1854,  and  both  are 
buried  at  Pbttsville.  They  had  children:  Caroline  R., 
born  April  6,  1837,  m.  Adam  Kerper;  John  R.,  born 
Jan.  24.  1831,  died  in  the  army  during  the  Civil  war; 
Isaac,  born  Feb.  21,  1841,  died  Aug.  17,  1886  (his  wife's 
name  was  Rebecca);  Emma  Maria  was  born  May  16, 
1847. 


(Ill)  Henry  Redcay,  son  of  Elias,  was  born  in  Robe- 
son township.  Aug.  13,  1775,  and  died  in  Lancaster 
county,  May  22,  1848.  He  is  buried  in  the  Muddy  Creek 
cemetery.  On  Sept.  10,  1804,  he  bought  from  his  fath- 
er ninety-one  acres  of  the  old  homestead  in  Robeson 
township,  and  on  this  he  lived  and  worked  until  March 
30,  1811.  The  place  is  now  owned  by  the  Elisha  Brown 
estate.  He  then  purchased  137  acres  on  Lancaster 
pike,  between  the  "Five  Mile  House"  and  Gouglers- 
ville,  in  Cumru  township,_  but  this  being  poor  and 
swampy  land  he  sold  it  a  year  after,  April  1,  1812, 
and  moved  to  Stone  Hill,  Brecknock  township,  Lan- 
caster county.  There  he  purchased  a  farm  and  there 
he  lived  until  his  death  in  1848.  He  married  Mary 
Catharine  Neykirk,  and  they  had  children  as' follows: 
Esther,  born  Dec.  18.  1797,  was  baptized  Sept.  3,  1798. 
Mary,  born  Nov.  3,  1801,  died  July  8,  1810;  she  was 
drowned  in  the  mill  dam  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery 
at  Gibraltar.  Nelly,  born  April  2,  1803,  died  Aug.  20. 
1853;  she  m.  Abraham  Trostle,  born  in  1809,  who  died 
Nov.   23,   1886.    Jacob,  born   Sept.   11,   1804,   died   Dec. 

22,  1812.  Heinrich.  born  Feb.  12,  1809,  died  unmarried 
April  14,  1834.  Mary  Catharine,  born  Sept.  19,  1810. 
died  aged  thirteen  days.  John,  born  May  14,  1813,  died 
Oct.  8,  1863;  his  wife,  Mary  Ann,  was  born  Feb.  16,  1816. 
Mary,  born  May  7,  1817,  m.  Simon  Kindt,  who  was  born 
May  3,  1822,  and  died  Aug.  15,  1870.     Sarah,  born  May 

23,  1819,  m.  Joseph  Stemmen.  Susannah,  born  Dec. 
8.  1820,  m.  William  Redcay,  a  cousin,  and  is  still  living. 
Catharine  m.  Henry  Lingling.  Elizabeth  m.  Mr. 
Sweigert,  and  they  moved  to  Cumberland  county. 
Joseph  and  Rachel  are  given  no  record. 

(Ill)  Elias  Redcay,  son  of  Elias,  was  born  Dec.  28, 
1782,  in  Robeson  township,  Berks  county,  and  died  at 
Adamstowil,  Jan.  28,  1867.  He  assisted  his  father  with 
the  farm  work  until  his  marriage.  On  Jan.  29,  1809,  he 
married  Sarah  Harner,  a  daughter  of  Heinrich  and 
Catharine  Harner  of  Exeter.  The  year  after  his  mar- 
riage he  farmed  for  himself,  and  in  1810  he  moved  to 
Exeter,  where  he  carried  on  farming  operations  until 
1821.  On  March  31st  of  the  last  named  year  he  bought 
the  hotel  stand  of  Jacob  Swartz  in  Adamstown,  Lan- 
caster county,  on  the  Lancaster  pike,  between  Reading 
and  Lancaster.  The  Lancaster  pike  was  a  much  used 
highway  and  of  all  the  old  hostelries  in  the  town  "Red- 
cay's"  was  the  most  patronized  by  the  travelers  be- 
tween the  two  points.  This  hotel  was  operated  by  Mr. 
Redcay  until  1846,  in  which  year  he  sold  out  and  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  in  the  lower  end  of  the   town. 


where  he  erected  a  hotel  which  he  owned  until  the  time 
of  his  death;  Mr.  Redcay  was  twice  married.  Heni. 
(first)  Sarah  Harner,  by  whom  he  had  the  following 
children:  (1)  Henry,  born  Aug.  9,  1809,  died  June 
9,  1890.  He  m.  Lidia  Bicher.  who  was  born  Feb.  22, 
1811,  and  died  Aug.  6.  1898.  (2)  Charles,  born  Jan.  1, 
1811,  died  Nov.  29,  1887.  He  m.  Mary  Pennebecker, 
who  died  Feb.  8.  1888.  (3)  Lidia,  born  Dec.  13,  1812, 
m.  John  Young. '  (4)  Harriet,  born  Dec.  21,  1814,  died 
March  19,  1875.  She  m.  Isaac  Fichthorn.  (5)  A  daugh- 
ter, born  Oct.  21,  1816,  died  young.  (6)  Nicholas,  born 
Aug.  21,  1818.  died  May  26,  1895.  He  m.  Ann  Kegerise, 
born  Dec.  19.' 1834,  and  died  March  21,  1891.     (7)  Benne- 

ville.  born 29,  1820,  died  Feb.  3,  1873.     He  m.  Polly 

Bulman.  born  April  5.  1829,  died .     (8) 

William,  born  Oct.  15,  1822,  is  still  living;  he  m.  his 
cousin,  Susan  Redcay,  who  is  also  living.  On  July 
16,  1826,  Mr.  Redcay  m.  (second)  Elizabeth  Strauss, 
and  by  her  he  became  the  father  of  Elias  Redcay,  who 
is  mentioned  in  full  below. 

(IV)  Elias  Redcay.  son  of  Elias  and  Elizabeth 
(Strauss)  Redcay,  was  born  at  the  "Upper  Hotel" 
which  was  kept  by  his  father,  at  Adamstown,  Lan- 
caster county,  Nov.  18,  1827.  He  attended  the  district 
schools,  after  leaving  which  he  entered  the  butcher 
business  with  his  brothers.  Henry,  Nicholas  and  Wil- 
liam. He  attended  the  Penn  Square  Market  House  in 
Reading,  and  his  stand  was  located  in  front  of  what 
is  now  the  "United  States  Hotel."  He  was  a  pro- 
perty owner,  owning  lots  two,  three  and  four  in  Adams- 
town. and  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Iowa,  also  fifty  acres 
near  Bowmansville.  A  lover  of  good  horses,  he  was 
the  owner  of  several  speedy  ones,  which  he  delighted 
to  drive.  While  attending  market,  in  the  winter  of 
1859-60  he  contracted  a  cold,  which  settled  in  his  throat 
and  eventually  caused  his  death  April  28,  1860,  when 
in  his  thirty-third  year.  , 

In  1858,  Mr.  Redcay  married  Susan  Mohn,  daughter 
of  William  and  sister  of  Jeremiah  G.  Mohn,  the  hat 
manufacturer.  She  passed  away  July  27,  1886,  the  moth- 
er of  one  child,  James  Elias  Redcay. 

(V)  James  Elias  Redcay,  son  of  Elias  and  Susan 
(Mohn)  Redcay,  was  born  Nov.  2,  1859,  in  Adamstown, 
Lancaster  county.  His  father  dying  before  he  was  a 
year  old,  he  was  brought  up  by  his  mother,  who  sent 
him  to  the  district  schools  until  he  was  sixteen  years 
old,  and  then  he  was  sent  to  the  West  Chester  Normal. 
Returning  to  Adamstown  he  learned  the  hat  trade  with 
his  uncles  Jeremiah  G.  Mohn  &  Bro.,  who  were  then 
doing  business  under  the  name  of  Mohn  &  Prutzman. 
On  Oct.  28,  1877,  he  left  Adamstown  for  Reading,  and 
in  that  city  he  entered  the  employ  of  his  uncles.  In 
1880  he  was  made  foreman  of  their  shop,  and  this  po- 
sition he  is  still  holding. 

On  July  3,  1884,  Mr.  Redcay  married  Anna  B.  Alt- 
house,  daughter  of  Franklin  and  Amelia  (Hinnershitz) 
Althouse,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Harry  B.,  William  F.,  John  R.  and  Susan  A. 
The  family  reside  at  No.  1250  Perkiomen  avenue, 
Reading. 

ZIMMERMAN.  The  Zimmerman  family  in  Albany 
township,  Berks  county,  is  descended  from  Heinrich 
Zimmerman,  who  came  to  this  township  from  Maxa- 
tawny  township,  about  the  time  of  the  organization  of 
the  county.  In  1756  he  was  a  taxable  in  Albany.  He 
lived  at  Stony  Run  Hill,  apd  his  homestead  is  now 
owned  by  a  descendant,  Noah  Zimmerman.  Heinrich 
Zimmerman's  son  Johannes,  born  April  19,  1761,  diqd 
on  the  home  farm  April  25,  1824,  aged  sixty-three  years 
and  six  days.  His  wife  Maria  Barbara  Dietrich  (1769- 
1833)  was  a  daughter  of  Adam  Dietrich. 

Johannes  Zimmerman,  son  of  Heinrich,  succeeded 
his  father  to  the  homestead  and  was  a  farmer.  His 
-  farm  consisted  of  177  acres.  In  1822  he  built  the 
present  large  stone  house.  He  and  his  wife  were 
Lutherans,  and  are  buried  at  Wessnersville.  They  had 
the    following    children:    Maria    Magdalena    m.    Daniel 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


669 


Kunkel;  Mrs.  Samuel  Brobst;  Mrs.  Jacob  Georg; 
Moses;  John;  Daniel  and  Michael. 

Moses  Zimmerman,  son  of  Johannes,  was  born  April 
23,  1799,  and  died  Dec.  17,  1840.  He  obtained  the 
homestead,  and  there  died.  In  1841,  his  brother 
Michael  bought  it  for  $2,400.  Among  other  childres 
Moses  Zimmerman  had  Polly  and  Jonas. 

John  Zimmerman,  son  of  Johannes,  lived  in  Albany 
township,  in  the  Stony  Run,  owning  the  farm  now  the 
property  of  Matthias  Wessner,  which  farm  was  given 
to  him  by  his  father.  His  children  were:  Anna,  Lydia, 
Eli,  Aaron,  Daniel,  Gideon  and  Samuel. 

Daniel  Zimmerman,  son  of  Johannes,  was  a  farmer 
in  Bern  (now  Tilden)  township,  where  he  had  a  large 
tract  near  St.  Michael's  church,  and  there  he  is  buried. 
His  wife  was  a  Miss  Keller,  and  among  their  children 
was  a  son,  Samuel. 

Michael  Zimmerman,  son  of  Johannes,  was  born  Feb. 
10,  1802,  and  died  Feb.  1,  1878.  He  was  a  lifelong 
farmer  owning  the  homestead  on  the  Stony  Run  Hill. 
He  built  the  present  barn  in  1848.  He  also  operated 
a  distillery  on  his  farm.  His  wife,  Sarah  Stump  (1813- 
1885),  bore  him  five  children,  namely:  William;  Noah, 
Catharine  m.  Jacob  Snyder,  of  Weisenburg  township, 
Lehigh  county;  Mary  Ann  m.  Nathan  Weisner;  and 
Sarah  died  young.  Michael  Zimmerman  was  a  Demo- 
crat, and  served  as  school  director.  He  held  church 
of5'~es  in  Friedens  Church  at  Wessnersville,  where 
the   Zimmermans   are   buried. 

William  Zimmerman,  son  of  Michael,  was  born  Nov. 
13,  1833,  and  died  May  12,  1906.  He  lived  across  the 
line  from  Albany,  in  Lynn  township,  Lehigh  county. 
He  was  a  farmer,  and  carefully  husbanded  his  re- 
sources, becoming  very  well-to-do.  He  married  Mary 
Ann  Weisner,  and  their  children  were:  Sarah  Ann  (1858- 
1861);  Nathan  m.  Mary  Dietrich;  Amanda  m.  Reuben 
Shugor;  Caroline  m.  Phaon  Kerchner;  Mary  Ann  m. 
Reuben  Shugor,  after  the  death  of  her  sister  Amanda; 
Daniel  m.  Kate  Adam;  Jonathan  lives  on  the  home- 
stead; and  Sinora  Rothermel. 

Noah  Zimmerman,  son  of  Michael,  born  in  Albany 
Oct.  17,  1836,  has  been  living  retired  at  Wessnersville 
since  1895.  He  owns  the  homestead  which  he  farmed 
until  he  retired  in  comfortable  circumstances.  He  and 
family  are  esteemed  members  of  the  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion at  Wessnersville.  In  1869  he  married  Mary  Ann 
Fenstermacher,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Polly  (Diet- 
rich) Fenstermacher,  and  they  have  had  four  daught- 
ers, viz.:  Emma  m.  Jeremiah  Wessner;  Amanda  m. 
Tilghman  Groff;  Alice  m.  Richard  Groff;  and  Annie 
V.  died  in  infancy. 

ROTHENBERGER.  The  Rothenberger  family  has 
lived  in  Berks  county  for  150  and  more  years,  and  is 
worthily  represented  in  the  present  generation  by 
George  W.  Rothenberger,  born  in  Reading,  April  13, 
1871,  son  of  the  late  Cornelius  K.  Rothenberger. 

The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  Peter  Rothenberger, 
who  was  a  Swiss.  He  came  to  America  on  the  ship 
"Brotherhood,"  which  landed  at  Philadelphia,  Nov.  3, 
1750.  Soon  after  coming  to  this  country  he  settled 
in  Alsace  township,  this  county,  where  he  died  late  in 
1772.  His  executors  were  Jacob  Kiihn  and  Henry 
Baum.  He  had  a  son  Peter  (See  below)  and  a  daughter 
Mary.  In  1783,  petitions  were  presented  to  the  Or- 
phans Court  praying  that  guardians  be  appointed  for 
them — stating  that  they  were  under  fourteen  years  of 
age. 

(I)  Peter  Rothenberger.  great-great-grandfather  of 
George  W,  of  Reading,  was  a  resident  of  Alsace  town- 
ship at  an  early  date.  He  was  born  March  24,  1769, 
and  died  in  Alsace  Jan.  4,  1825,  aged  iifty-five  years, 
nine  months,  ten  days.  He  married  Rebecca  Shalter, 
born  Sept.  1.  1773,  and  died  Nov.  28,  1847.  The  federal 
census  report  of  1790  records  Peter  Rodenberger,  a 
resident  of  Alsace  township,  Berks  county,  as  having 
I  six  sons,  and  two  daughters,  the  children  all  under 
sixteen   years   of   age.     Both   Peter   Rothenberger   and" 


wife  are  buried  at  Alsace  Church.     One  of  their  sons 
was  Peter.  .  t.  i_ 

(II)  Peter  Rothenberger,  son  of  Peter  and  Rebecca, 
was  born  in  Alsace  township.  Berks  county,  Feb.  22, 
1795,  and  died  Nov.  14,  1871.  His  wife,  Maria  Schneid- 
er, was  born  Oct.  11,  1798,  and  died  Dec.  17,  1870.  Mr. 
Rothenberger  was  a  farmer,  and  in  early  life  lived  in 
Alsace  and  later  in  Centre  township.  He  and  wife  were 
members  of  the  Reformed  Congregation  of  the  Alsace 
Church,  where  they  are  buried.  Their  children  were: 
Peter;  Hannah  married  John  Klohs;  Polly  married 
Elias  Bickel;  Molly  married  Benjamin  Herb;  and 
John  S. 

(III)  John  S.  Rothenberger,  son  of  Peter,  was  a 
native  of  Centre  township,  born  March  5,  1821,  died 
Dec.  29.  1872.  He  carried  on  the  old  homestead  farm 
until  1853,  when  he  removed  to  Leisz's  Bridge,  and 
in  company  with  his  father  purchased  a  farm  for  $14,- 
000,  on  which  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Mr. 
Rothenberger  was  married  (first)  in  1840,  to  Mary  Ann 
Kauffman  (born  Sept.  10,  1818,  died  March  23,1864),  by 
whom  he  had  eleven  children:  Cyrus  W.;  William  K.; 
John  K.;  Peter  K.;  Levi  K.;  Cornelius  K.;  Milton  K. 
and  Albert  K.,  both  deceased;  Mary  K.,  m.  to  Welling- 
ton Moser;  Deborah  K.,  m.  to  Edward  Shearer;  and 
Thomas  K.,  of  San  Francisco.  The  second  marriage  of 
Mr.  Rothenberger  was  in  1864,  to  Matilda  (Kauffman) 
Daubert,  a  widow,  and  sister  to  his  first  wife.  To  their 
union  there  were  born  seven  children:  James,  of  Tem- 
ple; Harry,  who  went  West;  Morris,  deceased;  Kate 
(Catherine),  m.  to  Elmer  Angstadt;  Rosa,  m.  to  Edward 
Moore,  of  California;  George,  of  Reading;  and  Sallie, 
deceased.  In  religious  belief  Mr.  Rothenberger  was 
Reformed,  while  both  of  his  wives  were  connected 
with  the  Lutheran  Church.  In  political  matters  he  was 
a  Democrat. 

(IV)  Cornelius  K.  Rothenberger,  son  of  John  S., 
was  Isorn  in  Penn  township,  Berks  county,  June 
25,  1847,  and  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm, 
working  there  until  he  attained  his  majority.  He  then 
engaged  in  the  brick  manufacturing  business  at  Birds- 
boro,  and  in  1878  became  the  proprietor  of  the  "River- 
side Hotel"  which  he  conducted  eight  years.  In  1880 
he  again  engaged  in  the  brick  manufacturing  business, 
in  North  Reading,  and  he  also  followed  contracting  and 
house  building  very  profitably  until  1895.  In  1894  Mr. 
Rothenberger  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  at 
Riverside,  following  this  ten  years,  at  the  end  of  that 
time  his  son-in-law,  Wilson  E.  Moser,  becoming  his 
partner  under  the  firm  name  of  Moser  &  Rothenberger. 
This  firm  lasted  two  years,  when  the  partnership  was 
dissolved.  Mr.  Rothenberger  then  lived  retired  until 
Feb.  1,  1908,  when  he  again  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business.  He  was  a  fine  business  man.  He  was  acci- 
dentally killed  Jan.  18,  1909,  by  a  train  at  the  crossing 
of  Seventh  and  Penn  streets,  Reading,  and  is  buried  at 
Charles  Evans  Cemetery;  the  three  preceding  genera- 
tions are  buried  at  Alsace  Cemetery.  Mr.  Rothenberg- 
er was  a  member  of  the  Heptasophs;  Washington 
Camp,  No.  691,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  With  his  family  he  be- 
longed to  Olivet  Reformed  Church,  Reading,  of  which 
for  some  years  he  was  a  trustee.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Democrat.  In  June,  1870,  he  married  Rosa  Drexel, 
daughter  of  John  Drexel,  of  West  Reading.  She  was 
born  in  April,  1844,  and  died  Dec.  27,  1902.  the  mother 
of  five  children:  George  W.,  born  April  13,  1871;  Bertha, 
m.  to  Wilson  E.  Moser,  of  Riverside;  John,  who  died 
aged  two  years;  Mary,  m.  to, Stephen  Sehl,  of  Reading; 
and  William,  a  dyer  at  Reading.  Mr.  Rothenberger 
owned  a  farm  of  fifty-six  acres  in  Exeter  township,  and 
the  buildings  at  Nos.  35  and  37  Exeter  street,  and  three 
lots  at  Exeter  and  Front  streets. 

(V)  George  W.  Rothenberger  received  his  education 
in  the  city  schools,  and  in  Prof.  D.  B.  Brunner's 
Academy  and  Business  College  at  Reading.  At 
the  age  of  eighteen  he  learned  the  tailor's  trade  in  that 
city,  and  this  has  ever  since  been  his  occupation.  When 
but  twenty-two  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  and 


670 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


soon  built  up  a  lucrative  business.  He  is  practical,  and 
he  understands  his  business  thoroughly.  He  ernploys 
from  six  to  twelve  men.  Mr.  Rothenberger  is  the 
owner  of  the  three-story  brick  residence,  No.  906  Penn 
street,  with  a  frontage  of  19i  feet  and  in  depth  120 
feet,  having  purchased  this  April  2,  1900.  In  March, 
1909,  Mr.  Rothenberger  purchased  a  private  residence 
at  No.  1534  Perkiomen  avenue,  where  he  has  resided 
since  April  1st. 

Mr.  Rothenberger  was  married  Sept.  14,  1899,  to  Anna 
M.  Brown,  daughter  of'  the  late  Albert  and  Emily 
(Ludwig)  Brown,  of  Reading,  and  they  have  had  three 
children,  one  of  whom,  the  first,  died  in  infancy.  The 
others  are  Thomas  B.  and  John  F.  Mr.  Rothenberg:er 
belongs  to  the  Second  Reformed  Church  and  his  wife 
belongs  to  Trinity  Lutheran  Church.  He  is  fra- 
ternally connected  with  the  Mystic  Star  Commandery, 
No.  47,  Knights  of  Malta;  Progressive  Lodge,  L  O.  O. 
F.,  and   Penn   Wheelmen. 

HENRY  E.  RHOADS,  one  of  the  most  useful  citi- 
zens of  Douglass  township,  was  born  in  Pottsgrove 
township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  July  6.  1833,  son  of 
Charles  and  Margaret  (Egolf)  Roth.  The  early  spell- 
ing of  the  name  was  Roth,  but  was  changed  to  Rhoads 
by  the  teachers  of  the  Charles  Roth  children. 

Henry  Rath,  grandfather  of  Henry  E.,  lived  at  Deep 
Creek,  in  New  Hanover  township,  in  Montgomery 
county,  where  he  had  a  small  farm.  He  died  before 
1830.  His  wife,  a  Hoffman,  lived  to  the  age  of  ninety- 
seven  years.  They  had  four  children:  Hannah,  m.  to 
Peter  Yerger;  Betzy,  m.  to  Daniel  Houck;  Kate,  m.  to 
John  Kohl;  and  Charles. 

Charles  Roth,  son  of  Henry,  was  born  in  New  Han- 
over township,  Montgomery  county,  and  died  in  West 
Pottsgrove  township,  that  county,  Dec.  1,  1887.  By 
trade  he  was  a  blacksmith,  and  this  he  followed  in  early 
life,  becoming  in  1837,  however,  a  farmer  in  West 
Pottsgrove  township,  where  he  bought  a  farm  which 
he  operated  a  number  of  years.  He  was  a  man  of 
enterprise  and  thrift,  and  left  a  large  estate  that  he  had 
accumulated  himself.  Among  the  different  properties 
he  owned  was  an  eighty-acre  tract  in  West  Pottsgrove 
township,  which  he  cut  up  into  building  lots  in  the 
early  eighties.  He  sold  a  large  number  of  them,  receiv- 
ing $22,000  for  those  he  sold,  and  at  his  death  he  still 
had  about  465  lots,  which  were  divided  among  his 
children,  his  son  Henry  E.  acquiring  about  fifty-two. 
All  are  valuable,  as  this  tract  adjoins  the  borough  of 
Pottstown,  in  fact  the  farm  buildings  were  located 
within  the  limits  of  the  borough.  Charles  Roth  is 
buried  at  M'ount  Zion  cemetery.  South  Pottstown.  His 
first  wife  was  Margaret  Egolf,  daughter  of  Adam  and 
Anna  (Moser)  Egolf,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Peter 
Moser  (brother  of  the  bachelor  Burkhart  Moser).  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Egolf  attained  eighty-six  years.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Roth  were  born  seven  children:  Henry  E. ; 
William,  of  Stowe,  Pa.;  Rachel,  widow  of  Jere  Reif- 
snyder,  of  Bramcote;  Daniel,  of  Stowe,  now  deceased; 
John,  who  died  of  hydrophobia;  Mary.  m.  to  William 
Rutter,  of  Stowe,  both  deceased;  and  Adam,  of  Stowe. 
Charles  Roth  m.  (second)  Mrs.  Charlotte  (Wamback) 
Root,  widow  of  Jacob  Root. 

Henry  E.  Rhoads  was  'reared  upon  his  father's  farm, 
and  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life.  He  worked  for  his 
parents  until  he  was  of  age.  In  1857  he  began  farming 
for  himself  in  Douglass  township,  Berks  county,  on  the 
Jacob  Yorgey  farm,  which  he  tenanted  for  twenty- 
seven  years.  From  1884  to  1887  he  farmed  the  William 
Wise  farm,  also  in  Douglass  township.  In  the  fall  of 
1887  he  bought  his  present  farm  consisting  of  100  acres 
of  the  best  land  in  the  township,  located  about  one 
mile  north  of  Maxatawny  Station  on  the  Colebrookdale 
branch  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad.  Mr. 
Rhoads  has  greatly  improved  this  tract.  He  also  has 
an  interest  in  different  tracts  of  woodland  located  in 
North  Coventry  township,  Chester  county,  which  at 
one  time  belonged   to   his   father. 


Mr.  Rhoads  is  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  the 
township,  and  takes  a  keen  intelligent  interest  in 
public  affairs.  In  politics  he  is  a-  Democrat,  and  since 
1883  has  held  the  office  of  school  director,  being  one 
of  the  very  oldest  directors  in  point  of  service  in  the 
county.  He  has  also  served  as  assistant  assessor  of 
the  township,  and  was  delegate  to  several  county  con- 
ventions. With  his  family  he  attends  Emanuel  Luth- 
eran Church  of  Pottstown,  of  which  for  six  years  he 
was  a  deacon. 

In  1855  Mr.  Rhoads  married  Sarah  Yorgey,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Reifsnyder)  Yorgey.  She  was 
born  March  24,  1840,  and  died  Jan.  20,  1903,  and  is 
buried  in  the  Pottstown  cemetery.  Eleven  children 
were  born  of  this  union,  namely:  Marguerite  m.  Jacob 
Levengood,  of  Montgomery  county;  Annie  m.  Irwin 
Sassaman,  and  lives  at  Reading;  Jacob  is  a  farmer  in 
Douglass  township;  William  lives  at  Philadelphia;  War- 
ren died  aged  thirty-three  years;  Emma  m.  August 
Maberry  (deceased),  and  lives  at  Pottstown;  Darius  is 
a  farmer  at  Amityville;  Isaac  is  a  blacksmith  at  Amity- 
ville;  John  is  a  baker  at  Pottstown;  George  Y.  is  a 
teacher  in  Douglass  township,  and  Morris  is  a  farmer  in 
Douglass  township. 

O.  B.  S.  WILDER,  a  well-known  resident  of  Perkio- 
men avenue,  Reading,  who  as  a  general  contractor 
and  builder  has  erected  some  of  the  city's  most  beauti- 
ful structures,  was  born  in  1860,  in  Key  West,  Fla., 
son  of  Barnabas  S.  and  Diana  (Waltz)  Wilder,  the 
latter  a  descendant  of  Michael  Waltz,  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolutionary  war. 

Barnabas  S.  Wilder  was  also  a  native  of  Florida,  and 
came  to  Pennsylvania  prior  to  the  Civil  war.  He  was 
a  hotel  proprietor  for  many  years,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  was  conducting  the  "Mansion  House"  at  Car- 
lisle. Mr.  Wilder  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Or- 
der at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  and  was  a  consistent  attendant 
of  the  Reformed  Church,  his  wife  being  a  Lutheran, 
in  the  faith  of  which  church  she  died  in  1889.  Three 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilder:  O.  B.  S. ; 
Bella  E.,  m.  to  Lieutenant  George  of  the  United  States 
Army;  and  Robert,  in  the  hotel  business  at  Shippens- 
burg. 

O.  B.  S.  Wilder  was  about  one  year  old  when  his 
parents  came  to  Pennsylvania,  and  his  literary  educa- 
tion was  secured  in  the  schools  of  Dauphin  and  Cum- 
berland counties.  As  a- youth  he  learned  the  carpenter- 
ing, building  and  painting  trades,  and  in  1883  he  engaged 
in  a  general  contracting  business,  in  which  he  has  con- 
tinued to  the  present  time.  He  has  worked  in  Ken- 
tucky, West  Virginia  and  Tennessee,  beside  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  has  erected  many  buildings  throughout 
Reading,  including  the  "Crystal  Palace  Hotel,"  and  the 
residence  of  Ferdinand  Winter  on  Center  avenue, 
and  his  work  has  gained  him  an  enviable  reputation 
in  his  line.  Mr.  Wilder  is  very  fond  of  hunting,  and 
during  the  winter  of  1906-07  spent  some  time  at  this 
sport  in  Georgia. 

Mr.  Wilder  was  married  in  1884  to  Emma  R.  Wahl. 
He  belonged  to  Montgomery  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Read- 
ing; and  Samuel  J.  Randall  Council,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M., 
Reading.     In  political  matters  he  is  independent. 

GEORGE  IRA  KEEN,  M.  D.,  one  of  Reading's 
successful  young  practitioners  of  medicine,  was  born 
at  Reading,  in  1870,  son  of  Samuel  H.  and  Mary  D. 
(Landis)   Keen. 

The  Keen  family  has  been  known  in  Reading  for 
several  generations  and  has  held  the  respect  of  the 
community.  Samuel  Keen,  the  grandfather,  died  in 
this  city,  and  here  Samuel  H.  Keen,  his  son,  was  born 
and  has  resided  here  all  his  life.  In  young  manhood 
he  was  absent  for  a  short  time,  operating  an  engine  in 
Georgia,  but  for  the  past  forty  years  he  has  been  with 
the  Reading  Railway  Company,  one  of  that,  corpora- 
tion's most  valued  employes.  He  married  Mary  D. 
Landis,   a   member   of   a   large   and   honored   family   of 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


671 


Lancaster  county.  They  reside  at  No.  1213  Chestnut 
street,  which  has  been  the  family  home  for  the  past- 
thirty-five  years.  Their  children  are:  George  Ira,  of 
this  sketch;  James  O.,  a  machinist  at  Reading;  Newton 
Edgar,  a  printer,  who  resides  in  Philadelphia;  and  Mrs. 
William  M.  Kitzmiller,  of  Germantown,  Philadelphia. 

Dr.  Keen  was  educated  at  Reading  and  after  passing 
creditably  through  the  high  school,  he  attended  Pal- 
mer's Business  College,  at  Philadelphia,  and  then  en- 
tered Hahnemann  Medical  College  at  Philadelphia,  in 
1889,  where  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1892. 
He  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  his 
native  city,  and  has  met  with  excellent  success.  He  has 
established  his  office  in  his  handsome,  newly-erected 
home  at  No.  941  Franklin  street. 

Dr.  Keen  married  Elizabeth  May  Leh,  daughter  of 
Frank  Leh,  of  Reading,  and  they  had  twin  daughters, 
Helen  and  Ethel,  the  latter  of  whom  is  deceased. 
Miss  Helen  is  a  student  at  Reading.  Politically  Dr. 
Keen  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State 
Medical  Association  and  of  the  State  Homeopathical 
Association  and  is  president  of  the  Pathological  So- 
ciety of  Reading. 

MILLER.  The  Miller  family  to  which  Joshua  L. 
Miller,  of  Albany  township,  Berks  county,  belongs,  is 
descended  from  Christian  Miller,  born  June  3,  1799, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Milton,  Pa. 

It  is  said  that  Christian  Miller  came  from  along 
the  Susquehanna  river.  He  died  in  Albany  township. 
Feb.  27,  1869.  His  farm  comprised  that  now  owned  by 
James  E.  Snyder  of  125  acres,  and  Joshua  L.  Miller 
of  75  acres.  'On  the  Snyder  farm  he  built  the  stone 
house  in  1844,  and  the  barn  in  1855.  He  was  a  sub- 
stantial man,  and  founded  Salem  Evangelical  Church, 
bequesting  one  half  acre  of  land  upon  which  it  was 
built  in  1882.  He  served  as  class  leader  and  exhorter, 
and  a  congregation  was  organized  that  built  a  church 
thirteen  years  after  his  death.  The  congregation  con- 
sists of  some  forty  members,  the  principal  families  be- 
ing the  Millers.  Snyders,  Berks,  Kneppers,  and  Mau- 
reys.  Christian  Miller  married  Sophia  Bailey  (1808- 
1868).  They  had  two  children:  Jacob;  and  Catharine, 
m.  to  James  E.  Snyder. 

Jacob  Miller,  son  of  Christian,  was  born  Feb.  20, 
1833,  died  at  Kempton,  July  21,  1897.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  owned  the  tract  now  the  property  of  his  son  Joshua 
L.  In  1886  he  retired  and  built  a  house  at  Kempton, 
where  he  died.  He  was  active  in  church  life,  and  is 
buried  at  Snyder's  Evangelical  Association  founded 
by  his  father.  He  married  Helena  Leiby,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Leiby,  of  Virginville.  They  had  children: 
Joshua  L. ;  Valeria  m.  William  Bolich,  of  Drehersville, 
Pa.;  Kate  deceased  m.  Alfred  Miller,  deceased;  Mon- 
roe   (1864-1877). 

Joshua  L.  Miller  was  born  in  Perry  township,  Berks 
county,  Sept.  9,  1859.,  When  a  child  his  parents  came 
to  Albany,  and  here  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He 
is  a  farmer  and  has  a  seventy-five  acre  tract,  on  which 
he  raises  many  potatoes.  His  home  is  most  attractive. 
He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Salem  Evan- 
gelical Association  near  their  home,  and  he  has  been 
class  leader,  exhorter,  and  trustee.  In  1873  he  married 
Priscilla  Heisler,  and  they  have  children:  Monroe,  Mil- 
ton, Edwin,  Alvena,   Cora,  Amelia,  Minnie,  Mahlon. 

PHILIP  H.  LOTZ,  now  living  a  retired  life  at  his 
home  in  Reading,  No.  941  Elm  street,  was  for  many 
years  identified  with  various  business  ventures  in  this 
city.  Mr.  Lotz  was  born  in  1835,  in  Reading,  son  of 
William  Lotz,  and  comes  of  one  of  the  oldest  fam- 
ilies of  this  section. 

Col.  Nicholas  Lotz,  great-grandfather  of  Philip  H., 
was  born  in  Germany  in  1740,  and  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica, settling  in  Reading  prior  to  the  Revolution.  He 
served  as  a  delegate  to  the  Provincial  Conference  in 
June,  1776,  and  later  took  an  active  part  in  the  enlist- 
ment of  men  for  the  army.     He  Became  a  Lieutenant 


Colonel,  and  was  a  participant  in  the  campaign  of  the 
"Flying  Camp"  at  New  York,  where  he  was.  engaged 
in  the  battle  of  Long  Island  and  taken  prisoner.  He 
was  at  the  head  of  the  militia  battalions  for  many 
years.  In  1780  he  was  appointed  a  commissioner  of 
forage  and  purchased  supplies  for  the  army  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  represented  Berks  in  the  General 
Assembly  from  1784  to  1786.  and  again  from  1790  to 
1806.  He  died  Nov.  28,  1807,  and  his  remains  were 
interred  in  the  graveyard  of  the  First  Reformed  Church 
and  removed  from  there  to  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 

The  old  Shanaman  mill  property,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Wyomissing  creek,  opposite  Reading,  was  the  place 
where  Col.  Nicholas  Lotz  made  flour  for  the  Continent- 
al army  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  Col.  Nicholas 
Lotz  sold  the  grist  mill  and  twelve  acres  of  land,  part 
of  a  tract  of  200  acres,  to  Peter  Bauman. 

Philip  Lotz,  son  of  Col.  Nicholas,  was  born  in 
Berks  county  and  was  a  saddler  by  trade,  an  oc- 
cupation which  he  followed  for  several  years  on  Penn 
street,  above  Third.  He  and  his  wife  both  died  in 
Reading,  and  were  buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  ceme- 
tery. 

William  Lotz,  father  of  Philip  H.,  was  born  in  Read- 
ing, and  in  this  city  received  his  education.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  was  successfully  engaged  in  the 
butchering  business  on  North  Fifth  street,  where  the 
Masonic  Temple  now  stands.  Mr.  Lotz  died  at  the 
age  of  eighty-seven  years.  He  married  Sarah  Hess,  and 
their  children  were:  Barbara;  Catherine;  Caroline,  de- 
ceased; William,  deceased;  Henry;  Philip  HI;  Casper 
and  Emma. 

Philip  H.  Lotz  attended  the  public  schools  of  Read- 
ing, and  then  engaged  in  clerking  in  a  dry  goods  store. 
Two  years  later  he  engaged  in  the  butchering  busi- 
ness with  his  father,  and' continued  therein  for  a  period 
of  twenty  years,  he  and  his  brother  Casper,  being  in 
partnership  one  year.  He  then  engaged  with  George 
W.  Hues,  who  was  in  the  liquor  business  on  Eighth 
and  Penn  streets,  and  later  removed  to  No.  805  Penn 
street.  He  then  became  employed  with  a  Mr.  Jones  in 
the  same  line  of  business,  continuing  with  him  for  a 
period  of  fifteen  years,  then  engaging  with  Martin 
Sheafler.  In  1900  Mr.  Lotz  retired  from  business.  He 
married  Caroline  Lott,  daughter  of  Nicholas,  and 
she  died  in  1888,  their  children  being:  Sallie  J.,  m.  Wil- 
liam Auraan,  has  a  family  of  six  children ;  and  George 
m.  a  Miss  Sullivan,  has  two  children,  and  resides  in 
Reading.  Mr.  Lotz  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  but  takes  little  interest  in  public  matters.  He 
is  a  member  of  the   Reformed  Church. 

JOSEPH  TRICKEL,  master  mechanic  of  the  Penn 
Hardware  Company,  Reading,  and  a  highly  esteemed 
resident  of  that  city,  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  in 
1851,  and  there  received  his  education.  He  came  to 
America  when  seventeen  years  old,  and  came  direct 
from  New  York  City  to  Reading,  where  he  ha,s-  since 
resided. 

Mr.  Trickel  learned  the  machinist's  trade  in  Read- 
ing with  A.  C.  Greth,  with  whom  he  remained  for 
twelve  and  one-half  years,  and  after  finishing  his 
trade  worked  as  a  journeyman  for  some  time.  He 
then  engaged  with  the  Penn  Hardware  Company,  and 
he  has  continued  with  that  firm  to  the  present  time, 
a  matter  of  thirty  years.  He  started  as  foreman  of 
the  machine  shop,  and  shortly  after  was  made  master 
mechanic.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  employes  of  the 
company,  and  is  a  very  skilled  mechanic,  having  several 
patented  inventions  to  his  credit,  and  being  at  the 
head  of  thirty-two  foremen. 

Mr.  Trickel  married  Catherine  E.  Nickolas,  daugh- 
ter of  Adam  and  Elizabeth  (Draher)  Nickolas,  the 
former  a  pioneer  brush  manufacturer  of  Reading, 
having  his  foundry  at  No.  131  North  Tenth  street. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years,  while  his 
widow  survives  him  and  resides  with  her  youngest 
daughter,    Mrs.    Christine    Regar,    No.    1405    Muhlen- 


673 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


berg  street,  Reading,  being  aged  eighty  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Trickel  have  one  daughter,  Annie,  the  wife 
of  Herbert  S.  De  Hart  (son  of  William),  a  plumber, 
and  they  reside  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trickel. 

The  Trickels  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
Politically  Mr.  Trickel  is  independent.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Penn  Hardware  Company,  and  is  the 
owner  of  considerable  property  in  the  city  of  Read- 
ing. Mr.  Trickel's  first  home  was  at  No.  1050  Muh- 
lenberg street,  having  purchased  this  in  1876,  and 
since  that  time  he  has  purchased  considerable  prop- 
erty, among  it  being  his  present  home.  No..  1236  Perk- 
iomen  avenue,  which  he  bought  in  1895.  Mr.  Trickel's 
mother  paid  a  visit  to  the  United  States  when  seven- 
ty-two years  of  age,  visiting  all  of  the  large  cities, 
and  then  returned  to  her  native  country,  where  she 
died. 

Mr.  Joseph  Trickel  was  the  eldest  of  his  parents' 
children,  the  others  being:  Leander,  a  well  known 
butcher  of  Reading;  Reinhardt,  a  blacksmith  by  trade, 
who  died  in  Philadelphia;  Alfred,  who  served  in  the 
German  army,  and  died  in  that  country;  Catherine, 
deceased;  and  Bertha,  who  is  living  in  Philadelphia. 

BENJAMIN  SAYLOR,  senior  member  of  the  large 
grocery  firm  of  B.  &  J.  Saylor,  Reading,  is  a  native  son 
of  Berks  county.  He  .  has  been  interested  in  his  pres- 
ent business  for  a  period  of  over  forty  years.  Mr. 
Saylor  was  born  in  Heidelberg  township,  son  of  John 
and  Catherine  (Sheaffer)  Saylor,  the  former  a  coun- 
try merchant  and  also  a  tailor,  who  died  in  Reading 
Jan.  1,  1867.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  awav  Tan.  1, 
1857. 

Mr.  Saylor  began  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  township,  and  then  spent  three  years  at 
the  Union  Academy,  at  Womelsdorf.  On  leaving  school 
he  engaged  in  teaching,  following  that  profession  two 
and  one  half  years  at  Robesonia,  this  county.  He  then 
went  to  Philadelphia,  and  entering  the  grocery  store 
of  his  brother  John  remained  with  him  ten  years.  They 
were  first  located  at  Sixteenth  and  Market  streets,  and 
later  at  Sixteenth  and  Cherry  streets.  In  1862  Benja- 
min Saylor  left  his  brother  and  volunteered  for  three 
years  or_  during  the  war  in  the  Union  army.  He  entered 
the  service  in  August  of  that  year  as  second  Heutenant 
of  Company  C,  119th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  attached 
to  the  Sixth  Army  Corps,  and  was  shortly  afterward 
promoted,  becoming  first  lieutenant  of  the  same  com- 
pany. One  year  later  he  was  again  promoted,  becoming 
captain  of  Company  H,  of  the  same  regiment,  and  con- 
tinued as  an  officer  in  line  of  battle  for  two  years.  His 
duties  led  him  into  participation  in  some  of  the  most 
notable  campaigns  of  the  war,  in  the  actions  up  to  and  in- 
cluding both  the  first  and  second  battles  of  Fredericks- 
burg. He  was  at  the  storming  of  Marye's  Heights  and 
on  to  Chancellorsville ;  then  followed  the  engagement 
at  Mine  Run,  in  which  so  many  were  killed  and  wound- 
ed, and  after  that  the  storming  of  Rappahannock  Heights, 
in  which  about  a  third  of  the  brigade,  under  Gen.  David 
Russell,  were  lost.  On  May  5,  1864,  the  great  campaign 
under  General  Grant  commenced.  Crossing  the  Rapidan, 
the  troops  fought  through  the  Wilderness  on  to  Spott- 
sylvania  and  Cold  Harbor,  where  Captain  Saylor  lost 
forty  men  out  of  his  company  in  the  twelve  days  they 
were  constantly  engaged  in  fighting  day  and  night.  There 
at  Cold  Harbor  he  received  his  commission  as  commis- 
sary of  subsistence  of  the  volunteer  service  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  army,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until  the 
surrender  of  General  Lee  at  Appomattox,  April  9,  1865 
— practically  the  close  of  the  war.  In  this  connection  he 
relates  that  after  the  surrender  of  Lee  he  received  or- 
ders to  turn  over  to  the  latter's  army  his  beef  cattle, 
about  120  head,  to  feed  the  starving  men.  All  of  Mr. 
Saylor's  service  was  under  General  Sedgwick  in  the  Sixth 
Army  Corps.  He  was  honorably  discharged  Sept.  11, 
1865.  as  brevet  major. 

The  war  ended,  Mr.  Saylor  came  to  Reading,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1866  began  his  present  grocery  business  in  part- 


nership with  his  brother  John.  They  had  a  small  store 
opposite  the  site  of  the  present  magnificent  establishment, 
18  feet  front  on  Fourth  street,  and  28  feet  deep,  the  broth- 
ers buying  out  the  former  proprietor,  William  Fisher. 
For  eleven  years  they  remained  at  that  location,  and  then 
in  1877  moved  to  the  present  place  of  business,  No.  401 
Penn  street.  Meantime  the  original  store  had  not  been 
long  confined  to  the  tiny  room  with  18  feet  front,  but 
spread  over  three  other  rooms.  The  present  arrange- 
ment of  the  store  is  the  result  of  many  alterations,  the 
building  being  now  30  x  142  feet  in  dimensions,  four  stor- 
ies high,  with  a  cellar  11  feet  clear  below  the  first  floor. 
In  its  construction  250,000  brick  and  140  tons  of  struc- 
tural steel  were  used.  There  are  coffee  roasters,  ma- 
chinery driven  by  steam  and  electric  motors,  with  coffee- 
mills  and  pulverizers — in  fact  everything  that  goes  to  equip 
a  thoroughly  up-to-date  grocery.  Goods  are  delivered 
free  over  the  city  and  adjacent  territory,  seven  wagons 
and  one  automobile  being  employed  for  that  purpose. 
The  cake  and  pastry  department  is  one  of  the  most 
popular  in  Reading.  The  bakery  is  located  on  the  third 
floor  and  is  a  model  of  neatness,  and  every  precaution 
is  taken  to  provide  only  the  best  and  purest  materials. 
A  large  part  of  the  candy  they  sell  is  of  their  own 
manufacture,  and  they  also  carry  a  full  line  of  standard 
makes. 

In  May,  1888,  John  Saylor  died,  and  his  son,  Howard 
B.,  succeeded  him,  the  firm  name,  however,  remaining 
unchanged. 

In  1871  Benjamin  Saylor  married,  and  his  only  child 
was  a  son  John,  who  in  1907  purchased  the  interest  of 
Howard    B.    in    the    grocery    business    and    real    estate. 

Mr.  Saylor  is  a  member  of  Encampment  No.  43,  Union 
Veteran  Legion,  and  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal 
Legion.  He  also  belongs  to  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227, 
F.  &:  A.  M.  For  over  twenty  years  he  has  been  a  trus- 
tee of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

Howard  B.  Saylor,  until  1907  junior  member  of  the 
firm  of  B.  &  J.  Saylor,  was  born  at  Philadelphia  in 
1860.  He  accompanied  his  father,  John  Saylor,  to  Read- 
ing, and  there  received  his  education  in  the  public  and 
high  schools.  In  1876  he  entered  the  grocery  as  clerk, 
and  continued  in  that,  capacitv,  carefully  mastering  bus- 
iness methods  in  general  and  the  details  of  the  groc- 
ery business  in  particular.  At  his  father's  death  in  1888, 
he  succeeded  him  as  a  member  of  the  firm.  In  1904 
he  was  elected  vice-president  of  the  Colonial  Trust  Com- 
pany of  Reading. 

Mp.  Saylor  married  Lucv  TempHn.  daughter  of  the 
late  Levi  Templin,  of  Reading,  and  four  children  have 
been  born  to  them :  Mary,  Lucv,  Edward  and  Josephine. 
Mr.  Saylor  is  a  member  of  Chandler  Lodge.  No.  227, 
F.  &  A.  M. ;  Excelsior  Chapter ;  and  Reading  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T.  His  religious  aflSliation  is  with  the  Luth- 
eran Church. 

HIESTER  M.  NAGLE,  M.  D.,  deceased,  for  thirty- 
five  ■  years  a  physician  in  Berks  county,  was  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Reading  from  the 
close  of  the  Civil  war  until  his  death.  During:  his 
residence  in  the  city  he  was  not  only  one  of  the 
foremost  medical  men,  but  a  citizen  whose  activities 
in  behalf  of  her  progress  and  welfare  were  recognized 
and   appreciated  by  all  classes. 

Dr.  Nagle  was  of  German  descent — a  great-grand- 
son of  Peter  Nagle,  who  founded  the  family  in  Amer- 
ica. Peter  Nagle  settled  in  Berks  county,  where  his 
son,  Peter,  was  born  July  11,  1782.  The  latter  mar- 
ried Susan  Filbert,  born  April  23.  1785,  and  they  had 
five  children,  namely:  John  F.,  Augustus  W.,  Peter 
F.,  Henry  and  a  daughter.  The  father  of  this  family 
died  May  2.  1846,  and  the  mother  May  26,  1854. 

Peter  F.  Nagle,  father  of  Dr.  Hipster  M..  was  horn  'n 
Berks  county •  in  1808,  and  died  March  25,  1869.  He 
was  a  physician  and  practiced  first  at  Williamsoort, 
Pa.,  later  at  Milton,  this  State,  thence  moving  to  Read- 
ine.  He  was  subsequently  located  at  St.  Lon-.s  for  a 
time,  but  returned  to  Reading  to  spend  his  last  years. 


^:i!^.^^L^^- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


673 


To  him  and  his  wife,  who  was  '  Miss  Catherine  E. 
Dauphin,  of  Philadelphia,  were  born  six  children,  two 
dying  in  childhood.  The  others,  Peter,  Hiester  M., 
Catherine  and  Joseph,  all  reached  maturity,  but  are 
now  deceased. 

Hiester  M.  Nagle  was  born  at  Williamsport,  Pa., 
Dec.  23,  1834.  in  his  boyhood  he  went  to  school  in 
Reading,  later  continuing  his  studies  at  Marshall  Col- 
lege, Mercersburg,  and  at  Kessler's  Academy,  all  Penn- 
sylvanian  schools.  He  began  his  medical  studies  in 
1855  with  his  father,  and  later  read  under  the  direction 
of  Dr.  Frank  Rieser,  of  Reading.  He  entered  the  Med- 
ical Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
but  after  one  year  changed'  to  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege, from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1857. 
His  first  two  years  of  practice  were  passed  in  Exeter 
township,  Berks  county,  whence  he  went  to  Fleet- 
wood, in  the  same  county,  where  he  was  established 
at  the  time  the  Civil  war  broke  out.  On  Aug.  14,  1862, 
Dr.  Nagle  left  home  to  join  the  army  as  assistant 
surgeon  of  the  11th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  served 
until  his  discharge  Aug.  13,  1865.  He  saw  much  hard 
fighting,  participated  in  the  siege  of  Suffolk,  and  the 
battles  of  Petersburg,  Deep  Bottom,  Ream's  Station, 
Richmond,  Darbytown  Road,  Seven  Pines,  Newmarket 
Heights,  Five  Forks,  Deep  Creek,  Amelia  Court  House, 
and  Appomattox  Court  House.  On  Dec.  17,  1864,  he 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  surgeon  of  the  regiment, 
which  rank  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  discharge. 

Returning  to  Pennsylvania  Dr.  Nagle  settled  in 
Reading,  in  which  city  he  passed  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  building  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  His 
years  were  filled  with  faithful  and  tireless  service  in  the 
alleviation  of  suffering.  He  was  well  known  to  his 
fellow  practitioners,  was  a  member  of  the  County 
Medical  Society  and  the  Pathological  Society,  and 
was  also  a  loyal  supporter  of  Masonry,  belonging  to 
various  Masonic  bodies  in  Reading,  Lodge  No.  62, 
Chapter  No.  152,  and  Comimandery  No.  42.  He  was 
likewise  active  in  politics  and  found  time  to  give  much 
personal  service  to  the  municipality.  He  was  elected 
on  the  Democratic  ticket  to  the  office  of  county  treas- 
urer, holding  that  office  from  1874  to  1876,  was  for  two 
years  a  member  of  the  city  council,  and  during  his  sec- 
ond year  was  its  president.  In  July,  1885,  he  was  ap- 
pointed examining  surgeon  for  pensioners.  Thus  with 
his  numerous  interests,  he  accomplished  an  incalculable 
amount  of  good,  leaving  a  record  of  untiring  service 
such  as  few  men  are  able  to  show.  He  died  Jan.  30, 
1893,  and  the  esteem  and  affection  in  which  he  was 
held  were  testified  at  his  funeral,  which  was  the  largest 
ever  known  in  Reading. 

On  June  18,  1872,  Dr.  Nagle  married  Miss  Lucretia 
Boyer,  daughter  of  Henry  B.  Boyer.  Their  children 
were:  Harry  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen;  Katie  died  in 
infancy;  Frank  died  at  the  age  of  five;  Howard,  a 
machinist,  m.  Elizabeth  Buker,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Lucretia  and  Raymond;  Paul;  Charles,  who 
m.  Sarah  Haage,  is  one  of  the  firm  of  the  N.  &  N. 
Cigar  Company;  Hiester  C.  is  also  a  member  of  that 
fiirm,  which  consists  of  the  two  Nagle  brothers  and  John 
G.  Niethammer. 

Mrs.  Nagle  comes  from  a  distinguished  Berks  coun- 
ty family.  Her  grandfather,  Daniel  Boyer,  was  the 
founder  of  Boyertown,  one  of  the  progressive  boroughs 
of  the  county,  was  the  first  merchant  in  the  place, 
and  his  descendants  still  carry  on  that  line  of  busi- 
ness there.  Henry  B.  Boyer,  father  of  Mrs.  Nagle,  was 
so  engaged  for  a  time,  but  moved  to  Reading,  and  for 
some  years  was  a  merchant  in  that  city.  Later  he 
went  into  the  livery  business,  which  he  followed  until 
his  retirement.  He  reached  the  age  of  ninety  years. 
His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Susan  Fritz,  died 
when  seventy-two  years  old.  Their  children  were: 
Frank,  Mary,  Harry.  John,  George,  Howard,  and  Mrs. 
Nagle.  Those  living  are  Mrs.  Nagle  and  her  brother, 
George,  the  latter  a  resident  of  Oak  Brook. 
43 


ALBERT  G.  BORKERT,  well  known  in  Reading, 
Pa.,  as  a  contractor  and  builder,  was  born  in  that 
city  in  1835,  son  of  Daniel  Borkert,  a  native  of  Oley 
Valley,  and  one  of  the  first  large  contractors  of  Read- 
ing. He  had  formerly  been  a  brick  layer,  but  took 
up  contracting  in  middle  life,  and  many  of  the  fine 
residences  of  the  city  are  evidences  of  his  skill.  He  also 
built  the  city  hall,  and  a  new  part  of  the  county  jail, 
and  several  public  school  houses  and  factories.  Mr. 
Borkert  followed  his  business  until  seventy  years  of 
age,  and  then  retired  from  active  work,  dying  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  He  married  Catherine 
Gantz.  who  died  when  fifty-eight  years  of  age.  Their 
children  were:  William  G.,  deceased;  Mary,  who  m. 
a  Mr.  Sheeler,  of  Reading;  Daniel,  deceased;  Augustus, 
m.  to  Amanda  Brown,  and  engaged  in  the  contract- 
ing business  with  his  brother,  Richard;  Richard,  of 
Reading;  Albert  G;  Susan,  who  died  aged  thirty-four 
years;  Amanda,  m.  to  a  Mr.  Goodman,  of  Wyomissing, 
Berks  county;  and  John,  a  brick  layer,  m.  to  a  Miss 
Goodman. 

Albert  G.  Borkert  attended  the  schools  of  the  Third 
ward  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  learned  the 
brick  laying  trade  with  his  father,  with  whom  he  was 
employed  until  the  senior  Borkert  retired  from  busi- 
ness. The  six  sons  then  engaged  in  the  contracting 
business  under  the  name  of  W.  G.  Borkert  &  Bros., 
and  continued  under  that  name  until  ,  the  death  of 
Daniel  and  William.  Our  subject  then  took  his  son 
into  partnership  with  him,  and  the  firm  has  been  since 
known  as  Albert  G.  Borkert  &  Son,  they  having  a 
fine  office  at  No.  936  Penn  street,  and  residing_  in  the 
rear.  They  also  carry  a  fine  line  of  tobacco  in  con- 
nection with  the  contracting  business.  The  firm  built 
the  old  Boys'  high  school,  the  Girls'  high  school,  the 
Sixth  Church,  the  first  stove  foundry  on  North  Third 
street,    and    others. 

Mr.  Borkert  married  Melinda  Wentzel,  daughter  of 
Jesse  Wentzel,  and  the  following  children  were  born 
to  this  union:  Thomas,  with  his  father;  Harry,  a 
partner  of  his  father;  Sarah;  Annie;  Bessie;  Maggie; 
Katie;  and  Lillie.  Mr.  Borkert  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran   Church. 

KOMP.  Three  brothers  by  the  name  of  Komp 
(also  spelled  Kemp)  emigrated  to  America  from  Ger- 
many, about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century.  One 
settled  about  Philadelphia.  Deobald,  who  spelled  his 
name  Kemp,  located  in  Maxatawny,  east  of  Kutztown, 
where  he  reared  a  large  family,  some  of  his  descendants 
still  living  in  the  same  locality  to  this  day.  The  third 
brother,  Martin  by  name,  settled  along  the  Blue  moun- 
tains in  Albany,  where  he  owned  much  land.  In  1774 
his  name  on  the  tax  list  appeared  as  Martin  "Kamff," 
and  he  was  assessed  eight  pounds  tax.  He  was  a 
pioneer  settler  and  operated  a  distillery,  burning  much 
apple-jack.  The  Indians  for  some  years  were  friendly 
with  him  and  made  frequent  visits  to  the  distillery 
which  stood  where  Charles  W.  Dietrich  now  lives. 
Komp  gave  them  apple-jack  which  they  liked,  and  they 
would  then  go  to  the  top  of  the  hill  on  the  south  side 
of  the  road  from  the  present  buildings,  and  find  great 
pleasure  in  rolling  down  hill.  Later  during  the  French 
and  Indian  War  (1756)  they  made  frequent  onslaughts 
upon  the  settlers.  They  were  nevertheless  fearful  about 
a  man  named  Knepper,  who  it  was  said  bore  a  charmed 
life,  and  frequently  fought  them.  The  Christian  name 
of  Martin  Komp's  (Kemp's)  wife  was  Catharine. 

DAVID  KOMP  (son  of  Martin  and  Catharine)  lived 
at  Charles  W.  Dietrich's  present  home.  He  owned 
Vpwards  of  400  acres  of  land,  and  was  a  farmer  and 
distiller.  His  wife  was  Maria  Petri  (1775-1855).  They 
had  children:  (1)  Reuben,  born  Nov.  23.  1807,  died 
March  3,  1890;  married  Regina  Schwenk '  (1817-1893). 
They  were  farming  people  in  Albany,  and  lived  wherS 
their  son  Daniel  now  lives.  They  had  children — Daniel 
William,   Henry,   Mary,   Amanda,   Lazarus   and   Lydia! 


674 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Both  are  now  deceased.  (2)  Martin  lived  in  Albany, 
and  had  children — Elizabeth,  1815-1822;  and  Jesia,  1819- 
1823.  (3)  Samuel,  a  farmer  at  Eckville,  in  Albany, 
married  Hettie  Ernst,  and  they  had  Jesse,  Manasses, 
Caroline.  Elizabeth,  Sarah  and  Hettie.  (4)  Jacob  lived 
in  Schuylkill  county,  Pa.  (5)  David,  born  Dec.  1,  1804, 
died  Sept.  2,  1887,  a  farmer  in  Albany,  married  Catha- 
rine Schwenk,  of  the  same  township,  and  had — Daniel 
and  Jacob  (both  died  young),  Martin,  David  S.,  and 
John  B. 

DR.  MILTON  D.  LICHTENWALNER,  a  resident 
physician  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Lehigh  county, 
in  1846,  son  of  Elias  and  Fenna  (Click)  Lichtenwalner 
the  former  a  prominent  farmer  of  Lehigh  county  who 
owned  a  farm  of  160  acres  near  Fogelsville.  He  died 
when  seventy-nine  years  of  age,  and  his  wife  in  her 
eighty-first  year,  both  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.     Their  only  child  was   Milton  D. 

Dr.  Lichtenwalner  attended  the  common  and  private 
schools  of  the  place  of  his  nativity,  and  when  thirteen 
years  of  age  went  to  Quakertown  and  entered  a  school 
taught  by  Professor  Home,  remaining  there  four  years. 
He  then  spent  a  short  time  at  a  business  school  at 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  returned  home  and  spent  two 
years  at  Philadelphia,  1865-6,  at  the  Homeopathic  Med- 
ical College.  He  read  medicine  two  years  with  Doctors 
Slough  and  Hulfrich,  at  Fogelsville,  Lehigh  county.  The 
Doctor  practised  in  Macungie,  Lehigh  county,  for  three 
years,  and  then  gave  up  his  profession,  and  went  to 
Chicago  where  he  spent  five  years  as  a  bookkeeper  in 
the  Grain  Exchange.  He  was  also  engaged  in  the  hat 
business  at  AUentown,  and  came  to  Reading  in  1883, 
becoming  bookkeeper  for  J.  B.  Scheaffer,  a  wholesale 
hat  dealer.  He  remained  there  until  Mr.  Scheaffer 
closed  out  his  business  in  1903,  since  which  time  Dr. 
Lichtenwalner  has  lived  a  retired  life.  The  Doctor 
is  the  owner  of  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Lehigh 
county,  and  also  owns  another  farm  of  100  acres  in 
the  same  county,  but  resides  in  Reading  at  No.  51 
South  Eleventh  street. 

Dr.  Lichtenwalner  was  married,  in  Reading,  to  Miss 
Alice  Hawk,  daughter  of  Charles  Hawk,  of  Reading, 
and  one  son  was  born  to  this  union,  Milton  H.,  who 
is  attending  school.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  Lehigh 
Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  326,  of  Trexlertown. 

BRIGHT  or  BRECHT.  The  ancestor  of  this  old  and 
numerous  family  of  Berks  county  was  Stephen  Brecht, 
a  native  of  Germany,  where  he  was  born  Feb.  17,  1692. 
He  was  one  of  the  emigrants  from  the  Palatinate  who 
landed  at  New  York  about  1720.  These  emigrants 
first  settled  at  Schoharie,  N.  Y.,  but  because  of  the 
unbearable  treatment  they  received  at  the  hands  of 
Governor  Hunter,  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 
sought  refuge  elsewhere.  Hearing  of  the  justice  ac- 
corded the  settlers  in  Penn's  Province,  by  the  pro- 
prietors, and  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  excellent  water 
and  other  advantages,  many  of  them  came  into  this 
district.  Among  them  was  (I)  Stephen  Brecht,  who 
desired  a  tract  of  good  land  for  himself  and  three 
sons.  His  land  was  granted  him  by  John,  Thomas  and 
Richard  Penn,  lawful  heirs  of  William  Penn,  on  Nov. 
27,  1745  [Recorded  in  Patent  Book  A,  Vol.  12.  page 
340].  On  this  tract  he  made  his  home  and  died  Sept. 
24,  _  1747.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  North 
Heidelberg  cemetery  among  the  Moravians.  His  grave 
stone  lies  flat  upon  the  ground,  and  is  the  oldest  stone 
that  can  be  found  there.  The  inscription  is  in  good 
condition.  His  will  was  made  Jan.  6,  1746,  by  which 
his  land  was  divided  among  his  three  sons:  David, 
Hans  Wendel  and  George  Adam.  To  George  Adam 
was  given  the  homestead  (now  owned  by  Adam  Dun- 
dore,  of  Obold),  and  the  division  of  land  between 
David  and  Hans  Wendel  was  made  soon  after  this 
date,  and  is  recorded  at  Reading  April  17.  1754,  in 
Book  A.  Vol.   1,  page   68. 

(II)  David  Brecht,  son  of  Stephen,  was  born  Sept.  8, 
1719.     He  was  a  resident  of  Bern   (now  Penn)   town- 


ship long  before  the  organization  of  the  county  in 
1752.  He  was  the  owner  of  valuable  land  near  Bern- 
ville  and  exercised  no  small  influence  among  the  peo- 
ple of  his  neighborhood.  In  1771  he  was  elected  county 
commissioner,  and  served  as  such  until  1774.  By  his 
will  on  file  in  the  Register's  office,  after  providing  for 
his  wife  Sarah,  and  the  slave  to  whom  he  had  given 
freedom,  he  devises  to  his' only  son  John  his  large  plan- 
tation of  500  acres.  He  also  gives  to  each  of  his  seven 
daughters  the  sum  of  900  pounds,  which  was  almost 
a  fortune  in  that  early  day.  This  amount  was,  how- 
ever, to  be  paid  by  his  son  John,  in  part,  as  well  as 
a  copper  kettle  to  each  sister.  Sarah,  wife  of  David 
Brecht,  was  born  Jan.  8,  1727,  and  died  Jan.  22,  1798. 
They  were  the  parents '  of  eleven  children,  three  of 
whom  died  in  infancy  or  childhood.  The  names  of 
those  reaching  mature  years  were:  John;  Margaret  m. 
Philip  Himmelberger;  Elizabeth  m.  Jacob  Strauss; 
Catharine  m.  Philip  Adam  Riegel;  Barbara  m.  John 
Michael  Geiss;  Susanna  m.  John  Wenrich;  Magdalena 
and  Sarah.  David  Brecht  and  wife,  as  also  their  son 
John  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  private  burial 
ground  on  the  original  Brecht  farm,  which  is  now 
known  as  the  Amendon  Bright  farm.  The  inscriptions 
are  difficult  to  read  after  the  action  of  the  elements 
upon  the  sandstones. 

Hier  Ruhet  Der  Leib 
von 
David  Brecht 
erist  geboren  D  8  Sep 
1719  er  zeuchte  mit  Sei 
ner  liben  ehrfrau  Sain 
11  Kinder  un  nach  8  bei 
leben  1  Sohn  U  7  Tochter 
u   Starb   D   22   Sep   1783 
Hier  ruhet  eine  die 

Storbne  und  Schwester 
Na  Sara  Brecht  un  sie 
ist  geboh  D  8  Jan  1727 
sie  zeigte  mit  ihren  ehr 
man  David  Brecht  11 
Kinder  u  8  bei  leben  ein 
Sohn  u  7  Dochter  u 
Starb  De  2  Jan.  1796 

(III)  John  Brecht,  only  son  of  David  that  grew  to 
manhood,  passed  his  entire  life  in  farming  on  the  home- 
stead.    His  resting  place  was  found  on  the  farm. 

Hier  ruhet  die  gebeine 

von 
Johannes  Brecht 
Er  wurde  geboren  den  2 
Junius  im  Yahr  1747 
und  ist  gestorben  den  9 
Februar  in  Yahr  1834 
brachte  sein  Alter  auf 
86  Yahre  8  Monate  und  7  Tage 

Hier  ruhet 
Anna  Maria  Brecht 
Ehrgattin  fon  Joh.   Brecht 

Sie  war  geboren 
Den  15  ten  Januar  1757 

und  ist  gestorben 
den  24  sten.  Mai  1842 
im  altern  fon   85  Yahren 
4  Monate  und  9  Tagen 

John  and  Anna  Maria  Brecht  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children— seven  girls  and  four  boys.  The  girls 
were  named  after  their  seven  aunts:  Susanna  m.  George 
Geiss;  Catharme  m.  Philip  Filbert;  Barbara  m  Philip 
Filbert;  Magdalena  m.  Conrad  Reber;  Mary  m.  Joseph 
Althouse;  Elizabeth  m.  Jacob  Conrad;  Sarah  m.  Daniel 
Bucks.  John  (m.  Hannah  Klahr)  and  David  (m.  Su- 
sanna Reber)  settled  near  Basil.  Fairfield  Co..  Ohio,  and 
their  children  are  in  possession   of  the  land  that'  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


675 


bought  about  1800  by  the  first  John  Brecht  and  is  con- 
sidered among  the  best  in  the  community.  Peter  mar- 
ried Maria  Magdalena  Stamm  and  lived  near  Bernville 
where  some  of  the  descendants  now  live.  Jacob  is 
mentioned  below. 

(IV)  Jacob  Brecht,  son  of  John  and  Anna  Maria,  was 
born  March  23,  1791,  and  died  Aug.  36,  1876,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-five  years,  five  months  and  three  days. 
He  was  married  to  Anna  Maria  Moser.  By  the  will  of 
Tiis  father  he  was  to  receive  the  homestead,  but  was 
to  give  certain  amounts  to  each  one  &f  his  sisters, 
and  the  records  show  that  he  yras  faithful  in  the  dis- 
charge of  this  provision.  From  this  union  we  find  thir- 
teen children;  eleven  grew  to  maturity  while  twins  died 
in  infancy.  The  children  were:  Anna  Maria  m.  David 
Leiss;  Henrietta  m.  Isaac  Leiss;  Sarah  m.  (first)  John 
Kalbach  and  (second)  Daniel  Faust;  Elizabeth  m. 
Isaac  Kalbach;  Catharine  m.  Elias  Staudt;  Rachel  m. 
Adam  Dundore;  Rebecca  m.  (first)  Jonathan  Dundore 
and  (second)  Joseph  I.  Greth;  Isabella  m.  William 
Klopp;  John  M.  m.  (first)  Lydia  Koenig  and  (second) 
Lydia  Anna  Grime;  Aaron  M.  and  Amendon. 

(V)  Amendon  Bright,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  Jan. 
15,  1830.  His  entire  active  life  was  devoted  to  farming. 
He  lived  upon  and  owned  the  old  Bright  homestead 
of  234  acres  of  the  most  fertile  section  of  Penn  town- 
ship, and  at  death  owned  several  other  farms  in  neigh- 
boring townships  as  well  as  in  Penn.  He  was  very 
prominent  in  public  affairs,  and  took  an  active  interest 
in  the  success  of  the  Democratic  party.  He  was  school 
director  of  his  township,  for  many  years  committee- 
man of  his  district,  for  three  years  prison  inspector  in 
Berks  county.  In  1894  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  the 
county,  conducting  the  business  of  the  oflace  most  satis- 
factorily for  three  years.  He  married  Clara  Hain,  born 
March  3,  183S,  daughter  of  John  D.  Hain.  Their  child- 
ren were:  Ellen,  m.  to  Jacob  M.  Bordner,  of  Bernville. 
who  is  now  county  commissioner;  William,  a  small 
farmer  near  Bernville,  m.  to  Mary  Hine;  Sallie,  m.  to 
Frank  Schaefier,  of  Tulpehocken;  Harry,  a  druggist, 
who  died  aged  twenty-four  years;  Annie,  m.  to  Jacob 
Gruber,  of  Obold;  Albert  H.;  Rev.  Edwin  D.,  pastor  of 
the  Reformed  Church  at  Derry,  Pa.,  who  is  also  en- 
gaged as  a  genealogist  and  historian,  having  in  prepara- 
tion a  complete  record  of  the  descendants  of  Stephen 
Brecht;  and  three  who  died  young.  Amendon  Bright 
passed  away  May  21,  1897,  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him. 

(VI)  Albert  H.  Bright,  son  of  Amendon  Bright,  is 
a  prosperous  young  plumber  and  gas  fitter  at  West 
Reading.  He  was  born  on  the  old  Bright  homestead 
in  Penn  township  Aug.  25,  1872.  He  received  a  good 
education  in  the  country  school  and  the  Bernville 
high  school.  Until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age 
he  was  engaged  in  work  on  his  father's  farm.  He 
then  learned  the  plumbing  trade  under  the  careful 
tuition  of  Benjamin  Yeich,  of  Reading.  Having  mas- 
tered the  trade  he  established  himself  in  business  in 
1900,  at  West  Reading.  He  was  thus  the  first  quali- 
fied plumber  in  West  Reading.  He  has  now  built 
up  a  good  trade  and  satisfies  his  customers.  He  also 
has  a  Reading  license,  and  does  much  work  in  the 
city. 

In  his  political  principles  Mr.  Bright  is  an  active 
and  firm  Democrat,  and  is  keenly  interested  in  the 
success  of  his  party.  His  social  connections  are  with 
Unamis  Tribe  of  Red  Men,  No.  330.  of  Reading;  and 
the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church  at  Bernville. 

Mr.  Bright  married  Cora  S.  Riegel,  daughter  of 
John  Riegel.  She  was  born  May  18,  1876,  and  died 
Dec.  29,  1902.  Two  children  were  born  of  this  union, 
namely:  Roy  Amendon,  born  April  18,  1897,  and  died 
Jan.  14,  1902;  and  Charles  Adam,  born  Aug.   19,  1900. 

(V)  Aaron  M.  Bright,  son  of  Jacob  and  Anna  Maria, 
was  born  in  Penn  township,  Berks  county,  March  21, 
1832,  and  died  at  Bernville  Aug.  29,  1869,  and  is  buried 


there.  He  conducted  a  general  store  at  Bernville  from 
the  time  of  his  marriage  until  his  death.  He  was 
active  in  church  life  and  like  all  his  family  belonged 
to  the  Reformed  denomination.  In  1854  he  married 
Mary  Kilmer,  daughter  of  John  and  Catharine  (Leiss) 
Kilmer,  of  Marion  township.  Five  children  were 
born  to  this  union:  Darius  K.,  of  Miahanoy  City, 
Pa.,  m.  to  Julia  Catharine  Moyer;  Emma  K.,  deceased 
wife  of  William  Yocum.  of  Reading;  Lehman  I.;  Al- 
bert R.,  of  Reading;  and  Lizzie  B.,  wife  of  George 
M.  Zellers,  of  Stouchsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

(VI)  Lehman  I.  Bright,  treasurer  of  Yocum  Broth- 
ers, cigar  manufacturers,  Reading,  is  a  native  of  Bern- 
ville, where  he  was  born  May  6,  1859,  son  of  Aaron 
M.  and  Mary  (Kilmer).  He  was  educated  in  the  town- 
ship schools,  the  Bernville  high  school,  and  later  in 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  at  Kutztown, 
graduating  from  the  latter  institution  in  1881.  He 
taught  school  when  only  eighteen  years  of  age  in  Penn 
township,  and  after  his  graduation  he  taught  five 
terms,  two  at  Myerstown  and  three  in  the  grammar 
school  at  West  Leesport.  In  1886  he  came  to  Reading, 
and  accepted  the  position  of  bookkeeper  with  Yocum 
Brothers,  cigar  manufacturers,  which  position  he  faith- 
fully filled  for  seventeen  years,  when  James  Yocum 
a  member  of  the  firm  died,  and  the  company  was 
incorporated  under  the  name  of  Yocum  Brothers. 
Mr.  Bright  became  its  treasurer,  an  office  he  has  since 
filled.  He  is  a  director  of  the  corporation,  and  was 
also  for  one  year  its  secretary.  He  has  given  his  work 
great  attention,  and  has  devoted  his  energies  to  mak- 
ing the  corporation  a  success.  They  employ  on  an 
average  400  people,  and  their  product  is  known 
all  over  the  country.  Mr.  Bright  is  very  prominent 
in  fraternal  organizations.  He  is  a  member  of  Pro- 
gressive Lodge,  No.  470,  I.  O.  O.  P.,  and  was  its  effi- 
cient secretary  for  fifteen  consecutive  years,  declining 
further  service  on  the  ground  of  ill  health.  He  has 
been  an  active  member  of  the  lodge  and  served  as 
degree  master  on  the  staff  for  many  years.  He  also 
belongs  to  Isaac  Hiester  Lodge,  No.  660.  F.  &  A.  M., 
of  Reading;  Camp  No.'  113,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  Bern- 
villa.;  Castle  No.  51,  K.  G.  E.,  of  Reading;  Mount 
Penn  Encampment,  No.  152,  I.  O.  O.  F. ;  Canton 
Patriarchs  Militant  No.  2,  L  O.  O.  F. 

On  May  14,  1889,  Mr.  Bright  married  Emma  Madora 
Ketner,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Susan  (Rohrbach) 
Ketner,  of  Leesport,  and  they  have  two  children: 
Harry,  born  Feb.  5,  1890;  and  Helen,  Sept.  25,  1893. 
They  reside  in  their  own  home,  No.  122  South  Tenth 
street,  Reading.  Mr.  Bright  and  his  family  attend 
the  Reformed  Church. 

(VI)  Albert  R.  Bright,  of  Reading,  was  born  at  Bern- 
ville Aug.  24,  1861,  son  of  Aaron  M.  and  Mary  (Kilmer). 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  town, 
and  the  Bernville  high  school,  then  under  the  able 
supervision  of  Prof.  M.  A.  Gruber.  In  the  spring  of 
1882  he  entered  the  State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown, 
and  attended  the  spring  sessions  of  1882.  He  taught 
school  two  terms  in  Bright's  school  house  in  Penn 
township,  during  the  terms  of  1881  and  1882.  He 
was  very  successful  as  a  teacher.  He  was  early  trained 
to  farm  work,  and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  had  gone 
to  live  with  his  uncle,  John  M.  Bright,  in  Penn  town- 
ship. He  worked  on  the  farm  about  ten  years.  In 
April,  1883,  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  general  store 
of  A.  F.  Schock,  of  Bernville,  Pa.,  and  worked  there 
for  a  year,  when  he  went  back  to  the  farm  for  three 
years.  In  1887  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  general  store 
of  J.  L.  Klopp  &  Son,  at  North  Heidelberg,  remaining 
there  with  his  family  until  the  spring  of  1890,  when 
he  came  to  Reading,  and  since  Mav  5,  1890,  he  has 
been  in  the  employ  of  the  Stichter  Hardware  Com- 
pany, Ltd..  Reading.  This  is  the  oldest  established 
hardware  business  house  in  Reading.  Mr.  Bright 
holds  the  responsible  position  of  assistant  buver  in 
the  general  hardware  department,  and  besides  this  he 
assists  in  the  clerical  work  of  the  firm.  Until  1874 
Mr.   Bright   lived  in   Bernville,   when   he   went   to   live 


676 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


with  his  uncle.  Since  1894-  he  has  lived  in  his  own 
comfortable  residence  at  No.  534  Douglass  street, 
Reading.  Fraternally  Mr.  Bright  is  an  active  member 
of  Progressive  Lodge,  No.  470,  I.  O.  O.  R,  Reading, 
of  which  he  is  past  grand;  Camp  No.  113,  P  O.  S.  of 
A.,  of  Bernville;  Reading  Castle  No.  49.  K.  G.  E.,  of 
Reading.  He  and  his  family  worship  at  Calvary  Re- 
formed Church,  Reading. 

On  May  3-1,  1887,  Mr.  Bright  married  Celesa  Dan- 
iels, daughter  of  Elias  and  Sarah  (Kantner)  Daniels, 
originally  of  Rehrersburg  but  later  of  Bernville.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bright  have  two  children:  Raymond  A. 
and  Harold  E. 

MILLER.  Among  the  well  known  members  of  the 
Miller  family  is  Samuel  M.  Miller  of  Albany  township, 
Berks  county. 

Samuel  Miller,  grandfather  of  Samuel  M..  was  born 
May  30,  1798,  in  Windsor  township,  Berks  county. 
He  located  in  Albany  township  at  an  early  age,  and 
died  there  Sept.  3,  1872.  He  was  a  farmer  and  owned 
nearly  300  acres  of  land  about  Round  Top.  His  farms 
are  now  the  property  of  Alfred  K.  Dietrich  and  David 
Weisner.  He  married  Maria  Fisher  (1804-1883),  and 
their  children  were:  Isaac,  who  gained  wealth  in 
Oklahoma;  Jacob,  of  Eagle  Point,  Pa.;  Samuel;  Ann, 
m.  (first)  to  a  Leiby,  (second)  to  a  Greenawalt;  Dan- 
iel, an  auctioneer  of  Lynnville,  Pa.;  William  F.,  of 
Reading,  Pa.;  Mrs.  Monroe  Buck,  of  Reading;  Moses, 
of  Lechners,  Schuylkill  Co.,  Pa.;  and  Ephraim,  who 
'      '       was  buried  at  Wessnersville. 

Samuel  Miller,  son  of  Samuel,  was  a  farmer  in  Al- 
bany, owning  two  farms  of  eighty  and  seventy  acres, 
respectively.  The  first  is  now  owned  by  his  son 
Samuel  M.  and  the  other  by  his  daughter  Missouri 
Dresh.  He  operated  a  sawmill  which  stood  on  the 
road  near  the  Dresh  buildings  leading  to  Samuel  M. 
Miller's  home.  He  built  the  house  now  occupied  by 
his  son  who  bears  his  name,  in  1872.  He  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  was  supervisor  of  the  township  where  he 
was  well  known.  By  his  wife,  Sarah  Ann  Dietrich, 
daughter  of  John  Dietrich,  he  had  children:  Cath- 
arine m.  Daniel  Reeser;  Jacob  died  at  New  Ringgold, 
Pa.;  Louisa  m.  William  Kerchner;  Mary  m.  Samuel 
Stump;  Lydia  m.  Edwin  Kerchner;  Polly  m.  Alvin 
Evert;  Missouri  m.  Jonas  Dresh;  Samuel  M.;  and  Sarah 
Ann  and  Charles   C.  both  died  young. 

Samuel  M.  Miller,  born  in  Albany  township  Sept. 
21,  1863,  is  a  farmer  on  the  homestead,  and  is  a  suc- 
cessful grower  of  potatoes.  In  the  spring  of  1887  he 
began  farming  on  his  present  place,  which  tract  be- 
came his  in  1892.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been 
supervisor  and  constable  of  the  townshin.  In  1887  he 
married  Mary  Lizzie  Bailey,  daughter  of  Michael 
Bailey.  She  died  in  1908,  aged  forty-two  years.  Their 
daughter,  Ida  V.,  m.  Frederick  D.  Feinour. 

HENRY  H.  REINERT.  The  Reinert  family,  of 
more^  than  a  century's  residence  in  Berks  county, 
Pa.,  is  worthily  represented  in  the  present  day  by 
Henry  H.  Reinert,  of  Boyertown. 

John  Reinert  was  a  resident  of  Amity  township, 
Berks  county.  His  will,  made  in  1839  and  probated 
in  1847.  is  on  record  in  Volume  '9,  page  318.  His  wife 
Mary  was  living  at  the  making  of  the  will,  and  the 
following  children  are  named  in  that  document:  Isaac; 
John;  Elizabeth;   and  Catherine   (m.   Elijah  Focht). 

Peter  Reinert,  brother  of  John  and  great-grandfather 
of  Henry  H.,  lived  in  District  township,  Berks  county. 
His  will,  on  record  in  Volume  10,  page  600,  was  proved 
Nov.  19,  1859.  His  wife  Maria  was  well  provided 
for,  and  their  sons,  John  and  Samuel,  were  executors. 
Their  children  were:  John,  Samuel.  Peter,  Carl  and 
Elizabeth. 

Samuel  Reinert,  son  of  Peter  and  grandfather  of 
Henry  H.,  was  born  in  1790,  and  is  buried  in  the  old 
graveyard  at  Boyertown.  He  was  a  farmer  and  had  an 
eighty-four  acre  farm  in  Douglass  township,  Berks  coun- 
ty.   He  built  thereon  a  house  and  barn  to  take  the  place 


of  those  destroyed  by  fire  one  Sunday  afternoon  while 
his  son  was  shooting,  a  spark  igniting  the  straw  roof. 
In  1811  he  married  Hannah  Romich,  born  Jan.  15. 
1791,  died  Feb.  13,  1864.  Their  children  were:'  Mary 
m.  Israel  Weasner,  and  had  no  .  children,  although 
they  reared  Israel  Reinert  to  whom  was  given  their 
property;  Johannes  (John),  born  April  23,  1816.  died 
Feb.  35,  1853,  the  father  of  Harry,  and  Hannah  and 
Israel  (twins  who  were  only  two  weeks  old  when 
their  father  died);  David;  Samuel  died  at  Moreysville, 
leaving  Jeflferson,  Eton,  Hannah,  Harriet  and  Frank; 
Hannah  m.  Marks  Sassaman,  a  relative  of  the  late 
Judge  Augustus  Sassarhan  of  Berks  county,  and  they 
had  children,  Irvin,  Eton,  Curosy,  Clayton,  Alice  and 
Annie  (deceased). 

David  Reinert,  son  of  Samuel  and  father  of  Henry 
H.,  was  born  in  Douglass  township,  and  died  at  En- 
glesville,  April  6.  1907,  aged  eighty-three  years,  and 
was  buried  in  Fairview  cemetery,  Boyertown.  By 
trade  he  was  a  carpenter,  and  followed  it  for  some 
years  in  Douglass  township  on  theReinert  homestead, 
which  consisted  of  eighty-four  acres  of  excellent  farm- 
ing land,  now  the  property  of  George  Miller.  David 
Reinert  married  Mary  Hatfield,  a  sister  of  Samuel  G. 
Hatfield,  formerly  county  commissioner,  and  daughter 
of  George  and  Mary  (Geiger)  Hatfield,  of  Douglass 
township.  They  had  eight  children  as  follows:  Sam- 
uel died  unmarried;  Sarah  died  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen; Henry  H.;  Frank  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  while  teaching  school;  Mary  Hannah 
married  Solomon  Wendling,  of  Pottstown;  John  is  of 
West  Reading;  David,  of  Gabelsville,  is  engaged  in 
farrning;  Amanda  m.  Frank  Sands,  of  Englesville. 
David  Reinert  spent  his  last  days  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Sands  in  their  pleasant  home  at  Englesville.  He  was 
a  man  widely  known  and  much  respected,  and  his 
loss  was  severely  felt  not  only  by  his  family,  but 
throughout  the  neighborhood. 

Henry  H.  Reinert,  of  Boyertown,  son  of  David, 
was  born  in  Douglass  township,  July  17,  1853.  When 
nineteen  he  began  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade,  and 
followed  it  for  sixteen  years  in  Boyertown  and  vicin- 
ity. In  1888  he  engaged  in  the  produce  business, 
and  now  conducts  a  huckster  route,  buying  butter, 
eggs  and  poultry,  and  these  he  takes  to  Philadelphia 
weekly.  He  has  a  large  retail  trade  there,  and  he 
has  made  a  big  success  of  his  business.  His  home 
is  in  his  own  substantial  brick  house,  and  he  and  his 
family  are  in  very  comfortable  circumstances.  In 
politics  Mr.  Reinert  is  a  Democrat,  and  for  one  year 
served  as  constable.  In  1890  he  was  elected  school 
director,  ana  he  served  in  this  office  for  eighteen  con- 
secutive years,  and  still  holds  it.  For  many  years  he 
acted  as  treasurer  of  the  board.  Since  its  organiza- 
tion he  has  been  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Topton 
Orphans  Home.  He  and  his  family  are  members 
of  the  Lutheran  Church,  of  which  he  was  deacon  and 
trustee,  and  he  was  president  of  the  church  council 
for  two  years. 

In  1876  Mr.  Reinert  married  Ellen  Hartman,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  and  Phoebe  (Hafer)  Hartman.  of  Doug- 
lass township,  and  they  have  children  as  follows: 
Daniel,  a  veterinary  surgeon  at  Girard,  Erie  Co.,  Pa.; 
D.  Edward,  who  works  with  his  father  in  the  produce 
business;  Annie  R.,  m.  to  Daniel  Leidy,  of  Boyer- 
town; George  W.,  of  Boyertown;  Ida.  a  graduate  of  the 
Keystone  State  Normal  School  of  Kutztown,  class  of 
1906,  who  taught  her  first  term  of  school  at  Gresh- 
ville,  and  the  following  one  in  New  Jersey,  but  is 
now  stationed  in  Boyertown. 

JAMES  R.  TROUT,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Cumru 
township,  who  is  engaged  in  the  stone,  lime  and  sand 
business  at  Shillington,  Pa.,  was  born  Aug.  15,  1S42, 
in  Boyertown,  Berks  county,  son  of  Joseph  Z  and  Marv 
Ann   (Ruth)   Trout. 

_  William  Trout,  grandfather  of  James  R.,  was  born 
in  Scotland,  and  in  1811,  because  of  the  oppression 
of  the  people  in  that  country,  he  came  to  the  United 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


677 


States  and  settled  in  Berks  county,  Pa.  He  enlisted  in 
the  war  of  18ia  as  a  substitute  for  Uthree  Snyder, 
who  was  at  that  time  working  the  Oley  furnaces,  and 
after  the  war  accompanied  the  Snyders  to  what  is  now 
Snyder  county,  Pa.,  and  assisted  in  the  settlement  of 
that  county.  While  at  that  place  he  followed  the  oc- 
cupation of  butcher,  although  his  regular  trade,  at  which 
he  worked  the  major  portion  of  his  life,  was  that  of  tan- 
ner. His  wife  was  Catherine  Schwoyer,  of  Goshenhop- 
pen,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.,  a  Roman  Catholic  in  relig- 
ious faith.  Their  children  were:  (1)  Joseph  Z.  (2)  Jo^n 
lived  in  Reading,  and  for  many  years  was  a  fine  mechan- 
ic and  boiler  maker  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Company,  (3)  Greorge,  who  lived  in  Reading,  was  a  tail- 
or by  trade,  and  in  later  years  removed  to  Pottstown 
and  conducted,  in  connection  with  his  business,  the 
"Daubs  Hotel."  He  was  a  prominent  candidate  for 
sheriff  of  Montgomery  county,  but  suffered  defeat  on  ac- 
count of  being  a  new  man  in  the  community,  (4)  Mary 
m.  William  Yerkey,  a  lamp-black  manufacturer  of  Sny- 
der county,  (5)  Kate  m.  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilker,  of  Gos- 
henhoppen,  Pa.,  (6)  Polly  m.  John  Kase,  a  well-known 
blacksmith   of    Goshenhoppen,    Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  Z.  Trout  was  born  near  Boyertown,  Pa., 
April  21,  1817,  and  came  to  Cumru  township  in  1850, 
settling  near  the  "Five  Mile  House."  In  his  youth 
he  learned  the  trade  of  tanner  with  his  father,  which 
he  followed  at  Boyertown,  and  at  the  "Five  Mile  House" 
from  1850  until  his  death,  July  15,  1864.  He  owned  a 
valuable  property  at  this  place,  and  was  an  excellent 
workman.  Having  acquired  a  good  education  in  the 
public  schools,  and  being  an  excellent  penman,  he 
was  often  employed  to  write  deeds  and  agreements, 
and  became  a  conveyancer  of  note.  On  Feb.  .6,  1840, 
Mr.  Trout  married  Mary  Ann  Ruth,  daughter  of  Charles 
Ruth,  and  to  them  were  born  children  as  follows:  Hen- 
ry, born  Aug.  5,  1841,  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war  in  Com- 
pany E,  165th  Pa.  V.  I.  m.  Catherine  Hornberger;  James 
R.;  Catherine,  born  April  2,  1853;  George,  born  Oct. 
12,  1862.  Catherine  died  aged  twelve  years  and  George^ 
aged  two  years,  both  at  the  same  time,  of  typhoid 
(spotted)  fever.  Mrs.  Trout,  who  was  born  March 
25,  1821.  died  March  10,  1894. 

James  R.  Trout  was  but  eight  years  old  when  his 
father  removed  to  the  "Five  Mile  House,''  Cumru  town- 
ship, and  there  the  boy  attended  school  for  sixteen 
months,  this  being  all  the  schooling  that  he  ever  re- 
ceived, but  nevertheless  he  managed  to  obtain  a  good 
education  by  studying  in  his  spare  moments.  When 
still  a  mere  lad  he  began  to  help  his  father  in  the  tan- 
ning business,  in  which  he  continued  until  the  elder 
Trout's  death.  In  1876  James  R.  Trout  engaged  in 
the  stone,  lime  and  sand  business,  in  which  he  has  suc- 
cessfully continued  to  the  present  time  near  Shillington, 
having  nine  men  in  his  employ  and  several  teams  on 
the  road.  He  does  a  large  business,  burning  and  selling 
annually  about  60,000  bushels  of  lime,  and  he  is  also 
engaged  extensively  in  the  sale  of  wall  stone  and  sand. 
His  trade  is  principally  with  contractors,  but  -he  also 
does  business  in  other  places  in  Cumru  township. 

Mr.  Trout  is  a  well-read  man,  and  converses  intel- 
ligently on  important  subjects  of  the  day.  He  is  of 
commanding  appearance,  tall,  erect  and  well-built.  In 
the  fall  of  1850,  after  the  great  flood  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill, he  and  Thomas  Fix  were  the  first  from  the  county 
to  cross  the  river  on  the  ferry  to  get  into  Reading, 
which  city  was  cut  off  from  the  rest  of  the  country 
west  of  the  river,  all  of  the  bridges  having  been  swept 
away.  He  was  a  training  officer  during  the  Civil  war, 
was  well  versed  in  military  tactics,  and  taught  many 
officers  all  that  they  knew,  rendering  valuable  service 
to  his  country  in  its  time  of  need.  In  politics  he  is  a 
stanch  Republican,  and  at  one  time  was  quite  active  in 
public  matters.  In  1882  he  refused  the  office  of  internal 
revenue  collector  in  his  district.  He  is  a  man  of  enter- 
prise and  public  spirit,  and  when  the  movement  to  in- 
corporate Shillington  into  a  borough  was  brought 
forward,  he  was  one  of  its  stanchest  supporters.     He 


owns    a   large   frame    residence    on    Lancaster   avenue, 
which   he  built  in   1888. 

On  Dec.  12,  1868,  Mr.  Trout  was  married  to  Sarah 
Zellers,  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Catherine  (Sallada) 
Zellers,  and  granddaughter  of  William  Zellers.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Trout  have  only  one  daughter,  Maggie  T.,  m.  to 
John  F.  Weiss,  by  whom  she  has  two  daughters,  Helen 
and  Marguerite. 

BENNEVILLE  M.  GAUL,  who  is  now  living  re- 
tired in  his  fine  residence  on  Lancaster  avenue,  Shil- 
lington, Pa.,  was  for  a  number  of  years  a  well  known 
agriculturist  and  contractor  of  Berks  county,  and  is 
now  prominent  in  public  affairs.  Mr.  Gaul  was  born 
Jan.  7,  1849,  on  the  Gaul  homestead  in  Cumru  township, 
Berks  county,  son  of  Adam  and  Sarah  (Matz)  Gaul. 

Johannes  Gaul,  the  great-grandfather  of  Benneville 
M.,  was  born  in  Germany,  in  the  Pfaltz  of  Hebelbeim, 
Germany,  Dec.  18,  1739,  and  emigrated  to  America  in 
1764  or  1770,  being  rated  a  large  property  owner  in 
Cumru  in  1785.  He  was  married  Sept.  4,  1767,  to 
Barbara  Arbogastin,  who  was  from  a  town  on  the 
Rhine  in  Germany,  and  was  born  Nov.  13,  1742,  and 
died  Sept.  22,  1818.  Johannes  Gaul  died  on  his  farm 
Feb.  21,  1816,  and  from  the  inscription  on  his  grave- 
stone in  the  Sinking  Spring  cemetery  we  learn  that 
he  had  ten  children,  seven  sons  and  three  daughters, 
among  whom  were  the  following:  (1)  Peter,  born 
April  7,  1775,  m.  Elizabeth  Kissinger,  and  they  had 
three  sons  and  five  daughters.  They  were  married 
twenty-five  years.  He  died  Sept.  28,  1826,  aged  fifty- 
one  years,  five  months  and  twenty-one  days.  (2) 
Abraham.  (3)  William,  born  June  17,  1780,  died 
March  30,  1857,  m.  Rosina  Miller,  by  whom  he  had 
eight  children,  Solomon,  David,  Joel,  Levi,  John  W. 
and  Enoch  (twins),  Elenora  (m.  Ben  Krick)  and 
Lydia  (m.  Daniel  Huyett).  (4)  Christian,  born  Nov. 
17,  1781,  who  died  June  9,  1851,  m.  Mary  Ann  Kis- 
singer, born  in  1795,  who  died  in  1877,  and  they  had 
six  children.  Abraham  (born  in  1815,  and  died  in 
1891,  m.  Mary  Texter),  Christian  (born  in  1817,  died 
in  1871),  Jacob  (born  in  1819,  died  in  1859,  m.  Mary 
Ann  Huyett),  Mary,  (m.  Elijah  Ruth),  Reuben  and 
Hannah  (m.  Adam  Hain).  (5)  Jacob  is  mentioned 
below.  (6)  Johannes.  Jr.  (7)  Georg,  born  Oct.  15, 
1796,  died  April  22,  1861,  m'.  March  11.  1826,  Catherine 
Potteiger  (born  in  1805  and  died  in  1860),  by  whom 
he  had  issue  three  sons  and  two  daughters. 

Jacob  Gaul,  grandfather  of  Benneville  M.,  was  born 
in  Cumru  township,  July  25,  1783,  and  there  he  died 
Dec.  25,  1832,  well  advanced  in  years.  Originally  he 
owned  137  acres  of  the  family  homestead,  but  some 
of  this  he  sold,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  held 
but  eighty-six  acres,  his  estate  being  valued  at  $16,- 
000.  Jacob  Gaul  m.  Catherine  Gehret,  who  was  born 
March  4,  1784,  and  died  May  27,  1852.  She  bore  him 
a  number  of  children,  all  of  whom  died  young  but 
Adam,  the  father  of  Benneville  M.,  and  Eva,  m.  to 
Garson   Huyett   (born   March   5,   1823). 

Adam  Gaul  was  born  April  5,  1819.  in  Cumru  town- 
ship, and  died  Jan.  30,  1858.  He  followed  agricul- 
tural pursuits  in  his  native  township,  owning  the  tract 
now  in  the  possession  of  William  P.  High,  was  pros- 
perous, and  at  the  time  of  his  death  left  a  large  estate. 
Adam  Gaul  m.  Sarah  Matz,  daughter  of  John  Matz 
(whose  wife  was  a  Shoup),  and  to  them  were  born 
children  as  follows:  Eliza,  m.  to  Isaac  Miller;  Ben- 
neville M.;  John,  a  bachelor  of  Montello,  Pa.;  and 
Sarah,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Benneville  M.  Gaul  attended  the  township  schools 
until  seventeen  years  of  age,  obtaining  a  good,  prac- 
tical education.  From  youth  he  lived  upon  the  farm 
until  1898,  when  he  purchased  the  old  Hemmig  stand 
at  Hemmisr's  Corner.  Here  he  continued  to  reside 
for  several  years,  and  then,  in  1892,  bought  the  old  Matz 
farm  of  sixty-six  acres,  near  Mohnton.  After  six 
years  upon  this  farm,  Mr.  Gaul  sold  out  to  Irvin 
Phillips  in  1898,  and  in  1901  built  his  present  resi- 
dence  on   Lancaster  avenue,  Shillington,  a  large,   sub- 


678 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


stantial,  two-story  frame  structure.  Mr.  Gaul  also 
owns  seven  other  good  houses  in  Shillington,  and  a 
number  of  building  lots,  and  since  his  retirement 
from  agricultural  pursuits  he  has  erected  fourteen 
houses  in  the  borough,  also  assisting  in  other  ways 
to  build  up  and  improve  the  community. 

In  political  matters  Mr.  Gaul  is  a  stanch  Democrat, 
and  has  been  very  active  in  the  work  of  his  party  in 
this  part  of  the  county.  He  has  been  elected  assessor, 
registry  assessor  and  school  director  of  his  town- 
ship, being  placed  in  the  latter  office  by  the  largest 
majority  ever  given  any  candidate  for  any  office  in 
the  township.  He  being  a  member  of  the  minority 
party  in  the  district,  his  election  and  subsequent  re- 
elections  testify  to  his  popularity  as  a  man  and  effi- 
ciency as  an  official.  Mr.  Gaul  is  now  a  leading  can- 
didate for  the  office  of  county  commissioner,  and  it  is 
very  probable  that  he  will  be  elected  to  this  important 
position  by  a  handsome  majority,  his  past  spotless 
record  being  considered.  Mr.  Gaul  and  his  family  are 
regular  members  of  Emanuel  Reformed  Church  of 
Shillington,  he  having  been  a  deacon_ thereof  for  mariy 
years,  and  a  member  of  the  buildinc  committee  in 
1873,  when  the  church  was  erected. 

On  March  3,  1877,  Mr.  Gaul  married  Sarah  Kegerise, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Anna  (Binkley)  Kegerise, 
and  granddaughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Yorkey) 
Kegerise.  To  this  union  there  were  born  fourteen 
children,  as  follows:  Lillie  A.  m.  Andrew  Burkhart; 
Frank  P.  m.  Ida  Ruth;  John  A.;  George  H.  m.  Mary 
KoUer;  Sarah  E.  died  in  infancy;  Ida  L.;  William 
B.  died  in  infancy;  Laura  A.;  Mamie  M.;  Charles  H.; 
Katie  A.;  Bessie  M.;,  Jacob  A.,  and  Eliza  R. 

ANDREW  S.  BOYER,  a  retired  box  manufacturer 
of  Reading,  Pa.,  and  an  honored  veteran  of  the  great 
Civil  war,  was  born  in  Upper  Bern  township,  Berks 
county,  April  3,  1833,  son  of  Andrew  Boyer. 

Andrew  Boyer,  the  father,  was  a  farmer  in  Upper 
Bern  township,  owning  two  farms,  of  two  hundred 
and  thirty  acres,  respectively,  situated  about  one  mile 
above  Bern  station.  He  was  also  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
and  followed  that  occupation  in  conjunction  with  his 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
five  years,  and  his  wife,  who  had  been  Catherine 
Schlappich,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight.  Mr.  Boyer  was 
a  Lutheran  in  his  religious  belief,  and  a  Democrat 
in  political  matters.  His  children  were:  Rebecca,  m. 
to  George  A.  Wagner;  Susan,  m.  to  Josiah  Linde- 
muth;  Lovinia,  m.  to  Reuben  Reiss;  and  Andrew  S. 

Andrew  S.  Boyer  attended  the  district  schools  of 
Bern  township  and  an  academy  at  Morgantown,  Pa., 
and  in  1851  began  business  as  a  clerk  at  Centreport, 
Berks  county,  remaining  there  for  a  period  of  three 
years.  He  then  held  a  like  position  at  Shartlesville, 
and  after  a  period  of  seven  years  here  enlisted  in 
Company  I,  179th  Pa.  V.  I.,  his  term  of  enlistment  ex- 
piring Aug.  1,  1863.  Returning  to  Centreport  he  was 
engaged  for  two  and  one-half  years  as  a  clerk,  and 
he  then  went  to  Bernville,  where  he  engaged  in  business 
with  Frank  Rick,  under  the  firm  name  of  Boyer  &  Rick 
for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  Mr.  Boyer 
purchased  his  partner's  interest  and  continued  the 
business  eight  years.  In  1876  Mr.  Boyer  came  to  Read- 
ing, and  began  making  cigar  boxes  by  hand,  in  this 
way  building  up  a  good  local  trade.  For  about  two 
years  he  had  his  place  of  business  at  his  home,  and  he 
then  purchased  a  three  horse-power  engine.  He  took 
into  partnership  Mr.  George  W.  Heilig,  and  in  1886 
they  built  a  factory  at  Cedar  and  Walnut  streets,  at 
first  employing  only  eight  men.  The  business  grew 
rapidly  and  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  in  April, 
1906,  the  firm  was  employing  from  twenty-five  to  thirty 
hands.  The  factory  was  70x30  feet,  three  stories  and 
cellar.  In  his  line  of  work  Mr.  Boyer  was  very  well 
known  throughout  the  city.  Since  his  retirement  he 
has  resided. at  his  home  No.  819  Elm  street. 


Mr.  Boyer  married  Matilda  Ludwig,  daughter  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Blatt)  Ludwig,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  ten  children,  of  whom  these  survive:  Frank 
J:,  in  the  publishing  business  in  Reading,  m.  Priscilla 
Heilig,  and  had  children — Ella,  Howard,  James,  Irwin, 
Lawrence,  Harry,  William,  Edward  and  Charles  (who 
died  in  infancy);  Sallie  A.  m.  Howard  J.  Ritler,  a 
draughtsman  at  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  shops,  and 
had  three  children — Tillie  E.,  Lillian  (deceased)  and 
Helen  B.;  Katie  A.  m.  Henry  Rauenzahn,  a  foreman 
painter  at  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  shops,  and  has 
two  children — Ella  A.  and  Jennie  E.;  and  Thomas  W,, 
junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Speer  &  Boyer,  dealers 
in  general  merchandise  at  Bangor,  Northampton  coun- 
ty, m.  Jennie  Speer. 

M'r.  Boyer  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  while  in 
Bernville  served  on  the  school  board  and  as  inspector. 
He  belongs  to  St.  Paul's  United  Evangelical  Church, 
serving  on  the  building  committee,  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees  since  the  erection  of  the  church,  as 
class  leader  for  four  years,  and  as  assistant  class  leader 
for  two  years.  Among  Mr.  Boyer's  most  highly- 
prized  possessions  is  a  cane,  made  and  decorated  by 
himself  while  in  camp  during  the  war.  The  carving  on 
this  cane,  which  is  very  elaborate,  was  done  by  Mr. 
Boyer  principally  with  a  pen-knife  and  a  piece  of  glass. 

SNYDER.  The  Snyder  family  in  Albany  township, 
Berks  county,  is  descended  from  Philip  Snyder,  who 
moved  to  that  district  from  Bloomsburg,  Pa.  He  was 
a  wood  worker  and  farmer.  His  wife's  maiden  name 
was  Stabler.  They  had  four  children — Daniel,  m.  to 
Rebecca  Zehner;  Mrs.  John  Haring;  Rachel;  and 
Bevvy,  who  never  married. 

Daniel  Snyder,  only  son  of  Philip  was  a  wheel- 
wright by  trade,  and  cultivated  a  farm  in  Albany 
now  owned  by  Mrs.  Lewis  Bailey.  He  was  a  Luth- 
eran member  of  New  Bethel  (Corner)  Church  where 
he  and  his  family  are  all  buried.  His  wife  Rebecca 
was  a  daughter  of  Philip  Zehner.  They  had  the  fol- 
lowing children — ■William;  Jesse  died  young;  Daniel; 
Mary  died  unmarried;  and  Moses. 

Moses  Snyder,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  in  1836, 
and  lives  at  the  Blue  Mountains  where  he  owns  a 
small  well-watered  farm,  on  which  he  built  a  house 
in  1909.  He  m.  (first)  Harriet  Wen,  by  whom  he 
had  a  son,  William,  and  daughters,  Jane,  Mary,  Annie 
and  Kate.  By  his  second  wife  Emma  Lutz,  widow 
of  Joseph  Fry,  he  has  a  son  Robert, 

William  Snyder,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  in  1823, 
and  died  in  1906,  aged  eighty-three  years,  and  is 
buried  at  Snyder's  Evangelical  Association.  He  was 
a  wheelwright  and  carpenter  by  trade,  and  was  an 
excellent  wood-worker  and  mechanic.  He  made  his 
home  in  Albany.  His  wife  Phoebe  Evans,  was  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  Evans,  of  Chester  county.  Pa. 
They  had  children:  James  E.;  Daniel;  William; 
Thomas;  Margaret  m.  Jesse  Kamb,  of  Eckville.  in 
Albany;  Lydia  m.  James  Nester,  of  Albany;  and  Jane 
m.  William  Greenawalt. 

James  E.  Snyder  is  a  well  known  farmer  in  Albany 
township  where  he  was  born  July  7,  1845,  son  of 
William.  When  twenty  years  old  he  was  licensed 
to  teach  in  the  public  schools  by  Prof,,  John  S.  Er- 
mentrout,  and  taught  three  terms  in  Albany,  In  1874- 
he  began  larming  on  his  father-in-law's  farm,  where 
he  has  since  lived.  This  farm  of  130  acres  he  pur- 
chased. He  is  a  Democrat,  has  served  as  school 
director  thirteen  years,  and  was  secretary  of  the  board 
ten  years.  He  is  a  leading  member  of  Snyder's  Evan- 
gelical Church,  and  was  class-leader  and  exhorter, 
and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  which  has  a 
membership  of  fifty  people.  He  married  Catharine 
Miller,  daughter  of  Christian  Miller,  and  they  have 
had  five  children,  namely:  Jefferson,  of  Albany,  hag 
children— Ida,  Viola,  Lottie,  Carl,  and  Roy;  Jacob 
lives  near  Drehersville,  Pa.;  Monroe,  of  Albany  town- 
ship,   has    children— Minnie,    William,    Bertha,    Verna 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


679 


Pearl,  Paul  and  Roy;  William  died  small;  and  Ida 
m.  Harvey  J.-  Kunkel,  a  farmer  near  Virginville,  Pa., 
and  they  have  Velma  and  Freelie. 

STUMP.  The  Stump  family,  now  represented  in 
Maxatawny  township,  Berks  county,  by  Calvin  S. 
Stump,  a  successful  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  and 
Jacob  H.  Stump,  his  brother,  a  leading  undertaker, 
is  one  of  the  oldest  in  this  part  of  the  State. 

(I)  Henry  George  Stump  emigrated  from  his  home 
in  Germany  when  he  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age, 
crossing  the  Atlantic  on  the  ship  "Edinburgh"  and 
landing  at  Philadelphia,  Oct.  2,  1753.  A  land  warrant 
dated  Sept.  4,  1754,  shows  that  George  Stump  pur- 
chased from  Philip  Maurer  a  tract  of  200  acres  (by  es- 
timation) of  land,  located  in  Albany  township,  Berks 
county,  for  575  pounds  "of  lawful  money  to  him  in 
hand  given."  This  warrant  which  appears  in  Deed 
Book  7,  Page  12,  was  not  recorded  until  Nov.  6,  1778. 
In  1759  when  the  first  tax  of  Albany  township  was  lev- 
ied, William  Stump  paid  five  pounds;  and  Daniel  Stump 
is  given  on  the  same  list  as  being  under  twenty-one 
years  old.  These  two,  William  and  Daniel,  may  have 
been  sons  of  the  emigrant,  Henry  George;  but  of 
two  of  his  sons,  John  and  Henry,  there  is  definite 
record. 

(II)  John  Stump,  son  of  Henry  George,  had  four 
sous,  Jonas,  Samuel,  Daniel  and  Amos,  and  these  all 
settled  down  to  pioneer  life  in  Albany  township. 

(III)  Jonas  Stump,  son  of  John,  became  the  father 
of  three  sons,  Benjamin,  Samuel  and  Henry. 

-  (IV)  Henry  Stump,  son  of  Jonas,  was  born  in  Al- 
bany township,  Jan.  6,  1825,  and  died  in  Lynn  town- 
ship, Lehigh  county,  Oct.  23,  1890.  where  for  some 
time  he  had  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  married 
Rachel  Klingeman,  daughter  of  Michael  KHngeman, 
and  they  had  children  as  follows:  Emanuel;  John  K. ; 
Elias  P.  m.  Alice  Ebert;  Emma  m.  Moses  Handwork, 
and  died  at  Kutztown,  Oct.  S',  1907;  James  died  aged 
twenty-eight  years;  Daniel  m.  Jane  Heintzleman;  and 
Mary  died  aged  thirty  years. 

(V)  John  K.  Stump,  son  of  Henry,  was  born  in 
Albany  township,  Berks  county,  Nov.  25,  1853.  He  is 
one  of  the  best  known  residents  of  Maxatawny  town- 
ship, where  he  resides  in  a  pleasant  home  built  by 
himself  on  Park  avenue,  Kutztown,  adjoining  the 
home  of  his '  son,  Calvin  S.  In  building  this  home 
Mr.  Stump  made  use  of  the  lumber  of  the  historic 
old  "Watch  Haus"  which  was  erected  prior  to  1760  on 
his  grandfather's  property  in  Albany  township  as  a 
protection  for  the  pioneer  settlers  against  the  Indians. 
By  trade  John  K.  Stump  is  a  carpenter,  and  at  this  he 
has  worked  all  his  life  with  the  exception  of  about 
fifteen  years  which  he  devoted  to  farming.  At  the 
present  time  he  is  interested  in  the  manufacture  of 
cement  building  blocks.  In  1875  he  married  Catherine 
Leibensperger,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Caroline  (Fether- 
olf)  Liebensperger,  granddaughter  of  Jonathan  Liebens- 
perger,  and  great-granddaughter  of  Mathias  Liebens- 
perger. To  John  K.  Stump  and  wife  were  born  children 
as  follows:  Calvin  S.;  Ellen  Jane,  who  is  running  a 
successful  millinery  business  at  the  Park  avenue  home; 
Jacob  H.;  Curtin  D.,  a  graduate  of  the  Ruourard  Train- 
ing School  for  Embalmers,  New  York  City,  and  the 
holder  of  a  New  York  State  License  as  embalmer,  and 
now  engaged  as  an  undertaker  and  embalmer  at  Fleet- 
wood (he  m.  Alice  Kiefer);  Alfred  M.,  a  graduate  of 
the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  class  of  1903,  and 
,of    Muhlenberg      College,    class    of    1908,    and    now    a 

student  at  Mt.  Airy  Theological  Seminary,  Phila- 
delphia; (ilara,  who  is  engaged  in  dressmaking  at 
home;  and  James  W.,  now  (1909)  a  junior  at  the 
Keystone  State  Normal  School. 

(VI)  Calvin  S.  Stump  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Albany  township,  and  later  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School,  from  which  he  graduated  in  June,  1901. 
In  the  fall  of  1897  he  began  teaching  school  in  Albany 


township,  and  after  his  graduation,  he  taught  the  Lyons 
grammar  school  for  four  terms,  the  Eagle  Point  school 
one  term,  and  the  home  school  at  Swoyer's  the  past 
three  years,  and  he  has  the  reputation  of  being  a 
thorough  instructor. 

On  Dec.  25,  1903,  Mr.  Stump  married  Mamie  Hen- 
gey,  daughter  of  Wilson  and  Elizabeth  (Brentzinger) 
Hengey,  and  granddaughter  of  Reuben  Hengey.  She 
was  the  eldest  of  her  father's  children,  the  others  be- 
ing Minnie  and  Stella.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stump  have 
a  daughter.  Norma  Grace,  born  Oct.  26,  1906.  Mr. 
Stump  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  634,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
of  Lyons;  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  No.  1004;  and  the 
K.  O.  T.  M.,  of  Kutztown.  He  and  his  wife  _  are 
consistent  members  of  the  Maxatawny  Lutheran  (Zion) 
Church,  where  he  was  confirmed.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  like  his  grandfather,  father  and  broth- 
ers, seldom  fails  to  cast  his  ballot  on  election  day 
to  aid  in  that  party's  success.  * 

(VI)  Jacob  H.  Stump,  the  leading  undertaker  of 
Kutztown,  was  born  Jan.  17,  1881,  in  the  old  Watch 
House  mentioned  above.  When  he  was  a  year  old  his 
parents  moved  into  Maxatawny  township,  locating  near 
Shofer's  postoffice.  He  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm,  and  commenced  his  education  in  the  local  schools, 
completing  it  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School. 
After  leaving  school  he  learned  cabinet  making  with 
Tilghmah  De  Long,  at  -Topton,  Pa.,  in  whose  employ 
he  remained  for  two  and  one-half  years.  Then  he  went 
to  New  York  City,  and  attended  the  U.  S.  School  of 
Embalming,  from  which  he  graduated  with  high 
standing,  April  19,  1902,  and  in  the  same  year  he  came 
to  Kutztown.  He  embarked  in  the  undertaking  busi- 
ness and  by  close  and  careful  attention  to  every  part 
of  his  business,  he  has  won  the  confidence  and  esteem 
of  his  fellow  citizens  and  is  firmly  established  as  a 
business  man.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State  Undertak- 
ers Association,  and  has  held  a  license  since  1906. 

On  April  3,  1903,  Mr.  Stump  married  Mattie  T. 
Heffner,  daughter  of  Levi  and  Hettie  (Stump)  Heff-  . 
ner  (See  Hefifner  family  history  elsewhere).  To  this 
union  has  been  born  one  daughter,  Edna  Mae.  Mr. 
Stump  is  a  Lutheran  member  of  Maxatawny  Zion 
Church,  and  Mrs.  Stump  belongs  to  St.  John's  Church, 
Kutztown  (Reformed).  Mr,  Stump  is  fraternally  con- 
nected with  I.  O.  O.  F.,  No.  634,  Lyons;  K.  G.  E., 
No.  70,  Kutztown;  and  Jr.  O.  U.  A  M.,  No.  1004. 
Kutztown. 

JOSEPH  S.  BECKER,  of  Reading,  is  a  scion  of  a 
family  whose  long  residence  in  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  the  name  has  been 
perpetuated  in  the  town  of  Beckersville,  in  Berks  county. 

Jacob  Becker,  grandfather  of  Joseph  S..  established 
the  post  office  in  the  community  and  the  place  was 
named  for  him.  He  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  ho- 
tel keeping,  and  both  the  old  hotel  and  the  "Sorrel 
Horse  Hotel"  were  built  and  managed  by  him.  Each  place 
had  farming  land  attached  to  it,  and  Mr.  Becker  oper- 
ated the  farms  as  well  as  the  hotels.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  eighty,  leaving  a  large  family,  viz.:  Eli;  Mrs. 
Samuel  Frey;  Mrs.  Daniel  Brown;  Mrs.  Lizzie  Gabel- 
Mrs.  G.  N.  Frey,  deceased;  Jacob,  deceased;  Frank,  of 
Doe  Run,  Chester  county;  Samuel,  deceased;  and  Mrs. 
John  Lutro. 

Eli  Becker,  father  of  Joseph  S.,  was  born  in  Berks 
county,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  a  butcher  and  followed  that  for 
a  few  years  in  Chester  county.  From'  there  he  removed 
to  Maiden-creek  township,  Berks  county,  and  went 
into  the  business  so  long  followed  by  his  father,  hotel- 
keeping,  continuing  there  eight  years.  Both  there  and 
m  Chester  county  he  also  acted  as  auctioneer,  and  was 
well  known  m  that  capacity  for  a  long  time.  After  leav- 
ing the  hotel  Mr.  Becker  came  to  Reading  and  estab- 
hshed  himself  here  in  the  nursery  business,  which  en- 
grossed his  attention  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.     He 


680 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


is  buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery.  Mr.  Becker 
married  B.  A.Landis,  born  March  21,  1824,  daughter  of 
E.  W.  Landis,  and  a  family  of  eight  children  was  born 
to  them:  Catherine  m.  Henry  M.  De  Turck,  of  Temple, 
Berks  county;  Jacob  H.  is  a  blacksmith;  William  H. 
is  in  the  West;  Joseph  S.;  Samuel  H.  is  a  resident  and 
ex-mayor  of  Cheyenne,  Wye;  E.  H.  is  editor  of  the 
Billings  Gazette  in  Billings,  Mont.;  Franklin  is  a  painter 
in  Reading;  and  Clara  died  aged  twenty-eight  years. 
The  mother  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

Joseph  S.  Becker  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pa., 
June  11,  1852.  He  was  sent  to  the  public  schools  there 
and  in  Berks  county,  and  until  he  was  nineteen  was 
employed  at  farming.  He  then  learned  the  trade  of  a 
carriage  blacksmith,  and  for  eight  years  followed  it  in 
and  near  Kutztown.  He  removed  next  to  Reading  and 
there  took  up  horseshoeing  instead  of  his  carriage 
work,  learning  it  under  ex-mayor  Rowe  with  whom 
•  he  remained  eleven  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time, 
in  1878,  he  established  a  shop  of  his  own  at  No.  418 
Court  street,  and  remained  there  till  May  19,  1904,  when 
he  changed  to  his  present  location,  Nos.  116-118  Mad- 
ison avenue.  There  he  has  built  a  shop  that  will  com- 
pare favorably  with  any  in  the  State.  It  is  30x70  feet 
and  has  a  three-horse  power  motor  to  run  his  drill,  etc. 
There  is  also  a  gas  pipe  running  along  the  side  of 
the  shop  which  with  the  aid  of  a  reflector  enables  him 
to  do  shoeing  by  night  as  well  as  by  day.  He  uses 
only  special  hand  made  shoes  and  has  a  reputation 
for  good  work  that  has  brought  him  the  largest  trade 
in  the  city.  He  is  also  district  agent  for  the  well 
known  Harrold's  Hoof  Ointment,  and  has  introduced 
that  very  widely. 

Mr.  Becker  married  Miss  Caroline  Wagner,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  B.  Wagner,  of  Schuylkill  county.  She 
and  her  husband  both  belong  to  the  First  Reformed 
Church.  Mr.  Becker  is  a  very  prominent  Mason, 
belonging  to  Chandler  lodge,  No.  227,  F.  &  A.  M.; 
Excelsior  Chapter  No.  337,  R.  A.  M.;  Reading  Com- 
.  mandery.  No.  43,  K.  T.;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O. 
N.  M.  S.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Vigilance  Lodge,  I. 
O.  O.  F. 

GILE  J.  WILLSON  (deceased)  was  for  many  years 
a  prominent  figure  in  Reading,  where  he  was  connected 
with  several  important  commercial  enterprises,  and  where 
his  extensive  building  operations  materially  promoted 
the  growth  of  the  city.  He  was  justly  held  in  the  high- 
est consideration  by  his  fellow-citizens,  and  his  death, 
on  Jan.  34,  1888,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  was 
widely  felt  as  a  real  loss  to  the  community  with  which 
he  had  so  long  been  identified. 

The  first  of  these  Willsons  in  America  was  the  grand- 
father of  Gile  J.,  also  named  Gile,  who,  when  only  sev- 
enteen years  of  age,  left  his  horne  in  England,  gave  up 
his  inheritance  there  and  came  to  the  Colonies  to  en- 
ter the  Patriot  army  as  a  private,  rising  in  the  course  of 
the  war  to  the  rank  of  major.  The  Willson  coat  of  arms, 
used  by  right  of  descent  from  the  Ward  family,  was 
originally  won  in  the  Crusades,  and  bears  the  Ward 
tnotto.  Sub  Cruce  Salus  (salvation  by  way  of  the  cross), 
the  Willson  motto  being,  in  English,  "God  save  or  we 
perish."  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe 
and  Julia  Ward  Howe  all  belong  to  this  branch. 

Gile  J.  Willson  was  born  in  New  York  State  in  1824, 
of' New  England  stock.  After  his  marriage  he  lived  for  a 
time  in  Winchester,  Va.,  and  from  there  came  to  Reading, 
where  he  settled  permanently.  He  established  a  jewelry 
business  which  steadily  increased  in  volume  until  it  was 
the  foremost  concern  of  its  kind  in  the  city,  located  at 
No.  524  Penn  street,  where  it  .is  still  continued  by  one  of 
his  sons,  Charles  G.  Willson,  his  watchmaking  and  jew- 
elry manufacturing  establishment  occupying  the  second 
and  third  floors  at  that  location.  About  1871  Mr.  Will- 
son  also  founded  the  great  spectacle  factory  at  Reaumg, 
with  which  he  was  connected  seventeen  years.  It  is  now 
owned  by  his  son,  Thomas  A.  Willson,  of  Reading  (whose 


summer  home  is  Clare  Point  Stock  Farm,  Ephrata,  Lan- 
caster county),  and  managed  by  the  latter's  son.  Dr. 
Frederick  Willson,  one  of  Reading's  prominent  men.  Mr. 
Gile  J.  Willson  also  went  quite  extensively  into  building. 
The  residence  in  which  his  widow  still  lives,  at  No.  108 
North  Fourth  street,  was  erected  fifty  years  ago.  At  that 
time  the  city  was  composed  almost  entirely  of  the  ordinary 
plain  brick  houses,  and  Mr.  Willson  was  the  first  to  intro- 
duce the  innovation  of  bay  windows,  putting  up  on 
Washington  street,  above  Fourth,  a  row  of  handsome 
houses,  all  with  this  new  feature.  The  ground  on  which 
they  were  built  was  originally  deeded  to  the  Quakers'  for 
a  meeting-house  by  the  Penns  in  1703;  the  original  grant, 
written  on  parchment,  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
family. 

Mr.  Willson's  enterprises  were  all  very  successful.  He 
not  only  gained  a  reputation  as  a  jewelry  manufacturer 
and  merchant,  but  made  several  inventions  of  note  which 
perpetuate  his  name  to  the  trade.  The  first  dust-proof 
watch  cap,  now  in  universal  use  among  watch  manufac- 
turers, was  invented  and  patented  by  him,  and  he  took 
out  patents  on  other  devices  in  general  use  at  the  present 
time. 

Mr.  Willson  was  the  organizer  of  the  Reading  Mutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company,  whose  first  banquet  was  held 
at  his  home.  Many  prosperous  men  of  Reading  today  owe 
their  success  to  his  practical  advice  and  encouragement,  for 
he  was  never  known  to  withhold  aid  or  sympathy  from 
the  deserving.  He  was  very  active  in  church  work  as  a 
prominent  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Cliurch,  and 
served  as  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  that  con- 
gregation for.  many  years.  He  was  one  of  the  foremost 
in  the  erection  of  the  beautiful  chapel  connected  with  that 
church,  serving  as  president  of  the  building  committee. 
But  most  precious  to  his  family  is  the  memory  of  his 
beautiful  home  life.  He  was  a  most  devoted  husband  and 
father.  He  lived  for  his  family,  and  was  never  more 
happy  than  in  his  home  circle,  and  when  entertaining  his 
farnily  and  friends  in  his  home,  where  all  enjoyed  his 
entire  confidence  and  good  fellowship.  He  entered  most 
heartily  into  all  that  interested  each  one  of  his  family. 
He  had  a  smile  and  a  cheerful  word  for  them  at  all  times. 
His  approval  was  the  highest  reward  his  children  asked 
for  any  achievement.  Words  cannot  express  their  love 
and  devo.tion  to  him  and  their  more  than  precious  memory 
of  a  dear  devoted  father. 

On  Jan.  7,  1845,  Mr.  Willson  married  Miss  Sarah  J. 
Templin,  daughter  of  James  Templin,  who  was  a  cousin 
of  Betsey  Ross,  and  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest 
and  most  prominent  families  of  Berks  county.  Mrs. 
Willson's  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution. 
She  bore  her  husband  three  children,  namely:  Thomas 
A.,  of  Ephrata;  M.  Elizabeth;  and  Charles  Gile,  who  suc- 
ceeded to  his  father's  jewelry  business,  and  who  is  the 
ninth  in  succession  bearing  the  name  of  Gile  Willson — 
being  an  abbreviation  of  the  family  name  of  Peckersgile, 
of  Lancashire,  England.  The  two  older  children  were 
jjorn  in  Winchester,  Va.,  and  the  family  had  many  relatives 
in  that  section,  all  extensive  slave  owners.  Mr.  Willson 
left  the  South  because  his  sentiments  on  the  slavery  ques- 
tion were  in  such  pronounced  opposition  to  the  general 
opinion  there.  Slaves  had  been  bequeathed  to  his  child- 
ren, but  he  would  not  allow  the  children  to  have  them. 
The  house  in  which  the  Willsons  lived  while  in  Win- 
chester was  partly  demolished  during  the  battle  at  that 
point  during  the  Civil  war. 

M.  Elizabeth  Willson  is  very  prominent  in  all 
the  philanthropic  work  of  Reading,  and  is  connected  with 
its  various  charitable  organizations,  including  the  Civic 
League  and  the  Humane  Society,  while  she  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Woman's  Club  and  the  Daughters  of  the 
Revolution,  Berks  county  chapter.  She  furnished  a  room 
in  the  Homeopathic  Hospital  of  Reading,  in  memory  of 
her  father,  which  she  keeps  in  repair  and  will  endow 
Miss  Willson  is  greatly  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to 
the  early  days  in  this  country,  is  justly  proud  of  her 
patriotic  ancestors  and  carefully  cherishes  certain  family 
heirlooms,  including  a  teapot  which  the  Wards  brought 


-;  i 

1 

\ 

I 

I^W 

Rk.  3I 

'^^fl^^^^^^^K^ 

\ 

,    '  ■ 

^"t^<^C^2xAi/,  (^  jALc/^^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


681 


from  England  in  1735,  and  a  cup  from  which  Washington 
drank  at  Valley  Forge,  where  Mrs.  Gile  J.  Willson's 
father,  James  Templin,  was  living  at  the  time  Washington 
wintered  there;  a  monocle  holder  and  hand-made  Odd 
Fellows  charm  dating  from  the  first  lodge  in  England 
and  descending  from  Sir  Gilbert  Ward,  of  Crusade  times. 
She  is  living  in  the  old  home.  No.  108  North,  Fourth 
street,  with  her  mother. 

VAN  REED.  The  Van  Reed  family  in  Berks  coun- 
ty has  been  resident  here  for  over  one  hundred  and 
fifty  years.  It  originated  in  Holland,  whence,  in  1750, 
came  Henry  Van  Reed  to  find  fortune  and  liberty  in  the 
New  World.  On  May  30,  1750,  he  purchased  fromi  one 
John  Patrick  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres 
at  $6.75  per  acre.  He  had  previously  lived  a  short 
time  in  Philadelphia  county,  but  on  the  purchase  of 
this  land  moved  onto  same,  which  was  located  in 
what  is  now  Amity  township,  Berks  county,  but  which 
was  then  still  in  Philadelphia  county,  the  township 
being  erected  March  4,  1745.  Berks  county  was  erected 
out  of  Philadelphia,  Chester  and  Lancaster  counties 
March  11,  1753.  In  1778  Mr.  Van  Reed  tore  down  the 
old  log  cabin,  and  in  its  place  erected  a  large  two- 
story  stone  building,  the  western  end  of  the  present 
structure.  He  died  in  1790,  the  father  of  nine  child- 
ren, all  born  on  the  Amity  township  homestead.  These 
children  were:  John,  Jacob,  Agnes,  Susan,  Mary,  Anna, 
Catharine,    Margaret   and   Hannah. 

The  Van  Reed  homestead  is  a  part  of  the  land 
granted  by  the  Crown  to  William  Penn.  On  Sept. 
11,  1704,  William  Penn  granted  by  letters  patent  one 
thousand  acres  of  land  to  Justa  Justason,  a  Sw.ede. 
This  land  extended  from  the  river  Schuylkill  north  to 
Earl  Mountain,  or  what  is  now  known  as  "Fancy 
Hill,"  the  line  being  about  120  perches'  south  from  the 
Swamp  road,  leading  to  Boyertown,  and  was  located 
between  two  lines  running  in  a  northeasterly  direction 
210  perches  apart  by  measurement.  These  lines  were 
two  of  the  Swede's  lines,  and  are  now  nearly  eradicated 
by  the  division  of  the  farming  land  in  the  neighbor- 
hood to  suit  the  convenience  of  the  owners.  In  1716 
Mr.  Justason  conveyed  eight  hundred  acres  of  his 
'land  to  one  Samuel  Savage,  retaining  two  hundred 
acres  himself.  This  latter  part  adjoining  the  Schuyl- 
kill river  included  within  its  boundaries  the  village, 
then  called  Molaton,  now  Douglassville.  In  1717  Samuel 
Savage  conveyed  150  acres,  part  of  the  800,  to  George 
Savage.  This  smaller  tract  was  almost  all  arable 
land,  while  the  larger  (650  acres)  was  mostly  heavy 
timber  land.  Samuel  Savage  was  the  proprietor  of 
what  was  then  called  the'Manatawny  Iron  Works,  and 
he  no  doub-t  retained  the  timber  land  for  the  purpose 
of  charing  coal  and  manufacturing  charcoal  iron. 
George  Savage,  it  is  believed,  first  settled  upon  this 
small  tract  and  erected  the  first  building  upon  it — 
a  small  one-story  log  cabin,  and  a  log  stable — and  he 
was  the  first  person  to  carry  on  farming  operations 
there.  He  and  his  family  continued  in  possession  until 
about  1737,  when  he  died,  and  in  that  year  his  heirs 
conveyed  the  farm  to  one  Oliver  Dunklin.  In  1740  Mr. 
Dunklin  improved  the  place  by  the  erection  of  a  large 
two-story  log  building  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  log 
cabin,  constructing  in  its  center  a  large  stone  fireplace, 
then  a  necessary  part  of  every  house.  Mr.  Dunklin 
died  about  1748,  and  the  same  year  his  heirs  conveyed 
the  property  to  a  brother,  John  Dunklin,  who  after 
holding  it  only  a  month  conveyed  it  to  his  brother- 
in-law,  John  Patrick,  and  in  1750  John  Patrick  sold  it, 
as  above  stated,  to  Henry  Van  Reed. 

When  Henry  Van  Reed  died  he  bequeathed  the  home- 
stead to  his  son  Jacob,  who  was  then  farming  in  Cumru 
township  (now  Spring).  In  1819  Jacob  Van  Reed  tore 
.down  the  two-story  log  building,  and  erected  in  its 
stead  a  two-story  brick,  the  eastern  part  of  the  present 
building.  Down  to  1810  the  log  stable  was  the  only 
place  used  for  storing  grain,  etc.,  with  a  frame  addi- 


tion rendered  necessary  by  the  increasing  crops.  In 
that  year  Jacob  Van  Reed  built  the  southern  part  of 
63  feet  of  the  present  large  frame  barn,  with  ^  heavy 
stone  base  and  gable  ends,  and  with  a  bank  in  the 
rear.  When  Jacob  Van  Reed  came  into  possession  of 
this  land  it  was  valued  at  $29.62  per  acre,  and  this  sum 
he  was  required  to  pay  to  his  brothers  and  sisters  in 
due  proportion.  He  married  Ann  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Joseph  Hiester,  and  he  died  in  1858. 

Jacob  Van  Reed  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  the  present, 
owner  and  occupant,  Jeremiah  Van  Reed,  who  by  his 
father's  will  was  to  pay  a  fixed  annuity  to  his  mother, 
and  to  his  brothers  and  sisters  such  sum  as  would 
value    the    land   at   fifty   dollars   per    acre. 

From  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  until  1819  the 
water  for  household  purposes  was  obtained  at  a  spring 
near  by  at  the  rear  of  the  north  end  of  the  building, 
then  a  well  in  front  of  the  house  was  dug.  The  live 
stock  was  always  watered  at  the  creek  running  diagon- 
ally through  the  farm  close  by  the  house  until  1858, 
when  a  well  was  dug  in  the  barnyard.  In  1875  water 
power  was  communicated  to  the  pump  from  the  creek 
700  feet  distant  by  means  of  a  stout  wire  worked  to  and 
fro  by  a  water  wheel.  Two  orchards  are  on  the  farm, 
one  north  and  the  other  south  of  the  dwelling.  The 
first  was  planted  south  of  the  house  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  some  of  the  apple  trees 
are  still  standing  and  bearing  good  fruit;  the  north 
orchard  was  planted  at  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth 
century._  All  the  improvements  other  than  those  here- 
in mentioned  have  been  made  by  the  present  owner. 

John  Van  Reed,  son  of  the  emigrant  Henry,  married 
Catherine  Huy,  and  he  became  the  father  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Joshua,  Mary,  Lewis,  James,  John, 
Henry  and  Jacob.  John  Van  Reed  was  a  paper  manu- 
facturer and  owned  and  operated  a  mill  on  Cacoosing 
Creek. 

Jacob  Van  Reed,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  Lower 
Heidelberg  township,  Dec.  24,  1819.  He  was  a  large 
land  owner  and  he  lived  retired  for  many  years  previous 
to  his  death,  Aug.  10,  1900.  He  married  Mary  C.  Jones, 
daughter  of  Major  Samuel  Jones  (a  major  in  one  of 
the  Pennsylvania  regiments  in  the  war  of  1812),  and 
their  children  were:  Samuel  John  m.  Minerva  Yea- 
ger,  and  had  children,  Lewis  and  James;  and  Margaret, 
m.  John  H.  Evans,  and  had  children,  Charles  V.  R.  and 
Jacob  V.  R.  In  politics  Mr.  Van  Reed  was  a  stanch 
adherent  to  Republican  principles.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  State  militia  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion,  and  was  ^called  out  with  his  company.  In 
every  relation  of  life  he  was  found  on  the  side  of 
honor  and  truth,  and  he  had  the  well  merited  esteem  of 
all  men. 

CHARLES  E.  LEIPPE,  proprietor  of  the  Reading 
Knitting  Mills,  was  born  at  Greenland,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.. 
Sept.  10,  1859.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Lancaster 
city  and  the  Eastman  Business  College,  at  Poughkeepsie, 
N.  Y.,  and,  after  graduating  from  the  latter  institution 
found  employment  in  the  match  factory  of  Joseph  Loehr, 
in  New  York  City.  He  continued  in  this  factory  at  a 
small  salary  for  a  year,  when  he  entered  his  father's  bend- 
ing works  at  Reading,  having  declined  a  position  under 
Mr.  Loehr  at  a  large  salary;  and  he  continued  in  his 
father's  employ  as  bookkeeper  until  the  father's  decease, 
in  1888.  He  and  his  brother,  J.  Harry  Leippe,  then  pur- 
chased the  plant,  and  they  have  carried  on  the  business 
in  a  successful  manner  under  the  name  of  "Anchor 
Bending  Works"  until  the  present  time,  shipping  their 
product  to  all  parts  of  the  world. 

.  In  1898  Mr.  Leippe  became  interested  in  the  manufacture 
of  hosiery,  one  of  the  thriving  industries  of  Reading,  and, 
purchasing  a  half  interest  in  the  Reading  Knitting  Mills, 
the  oldest  hosiery  works  at  Reading,  he  has  since  then 
been  prominently  identified  with  this  great  industry.  In 
1907  he  purchased  the   remaining  half  interest  and  from 


683 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


that  time  he  has  carried  on  the  establishment  for  himself 
in  a  most  successful  manner.  His  plant  has  the  distinc- 
tion of  being  the  second  largest  producer  of  eighty-four- 
needle  half-hose  in  the  United  States.  He  employs  one 
hundred  and  fifty  hands  and  ships  the  hosiery  to  all  the 
States  of  the  Union. 

Mr.  Leippe  has  been  identified  for  a  number  of  years 
with  the  management  of  the  Schuylkill  Valley  Bank,  the 
Berks  County  Trust  Company,  the  American  Casualty 
Company,  and  the  Reading  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany, as  a  director,  serving  the  last-named  as  president 
since  1902.  He  has  also  taken  great  interest  in  the  Board 
of  Trade  since  1888,  having  served  this  body  so  important 
to  the  business  interests  of  Reading  as  president  during 
the  years  1907  and  1908.  He  assisted  in  establishing  the 
Homeopathic  Hospital  at  Reading  in  1891  and  has  officiated 
as  treasurer  since  1896.  He  has  served  as  a  trustee  of 
the  Young  Women's  Christian  Association  since  its  or- 
ganization, in  1898,  and  during  1909  he  started  a  movement 
for  establishing  a  gymnasium  on  the  premises,  so  as  to 
supply  a  proper  place  in  Reading  for  the  physical  culture 
of  women.  He  is  prominent  in  Masonic  circles  as  a 
member  of  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  435,  Excelsior  Chapter, 
and  Reading  Commandery;  also  as  a  member  of  Rajah 
Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  of  the  Lodge 
of  Perfection.  'In  politics  he  has  taken  an  active  part  in 
the  welfare  ot  the  Republican  party  at  Reading  since  es- 
tablishing his  residence  here,  in  1880.  In  1900  and  1901 
he  represented  the  First  district  on  the  board  of  public 
works;  and  in  1905  he  was  nominated  by  the  Republicans 
as  their  candidate  for  mayor;  though  not  elected  the 
vote  for  him  showed  his  great  popularity. 

Mr.  •  Leippe  married  Alice  Josephine  Brose,  daughter 
of  Daniel  Brose  (a  well-known  miller  of  Schock's  Mill,  in 
Lancaster  county)  and  Mary  Reich,  his  wife,  who  was 
the  daughter  of  Dr.  George  Reich  (near  Maytown,  Lan- 
caster county).  They  have  a  daughter,  Anna  Brose,  who 
was  educated  at  Reading,  having  graduated  from  the  high 
school  in  1903,  and  at  Washington,  D.  C,  in  the  Wash- 
ington College.  Mr.  Leippe  has  traveled  extensively  in 
Europe  and  in  the  United  States.  He  spent  three  months 
abroad  in  1895,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  mother,  and 
three  months  in  California  in  1904,  accompanied  by  his 
wife  and  daughter.  Mrs.  Leippe  has  taken  great  interest 
in  religious  and  charitable  matters  at  Reading  for  many 
years.  She  is  one  of  the  lady  managers  of  the  Homeopath- 
ic Hospital. 

Mr.  Leippe's  father  was  Jacob  Algeir  Leippe,  who  es- 
tablished the  "Anchor  Bending  Works"  at  Reading  in 
1880  and  carried  it  on  successfully  until  his  death,  in  1888. 
He  was  born  at  Steinfurth,  in  Baden,  Germany,  Nov.  30, 
1834,  and,  after  attending  the  national  schools  there, 
learned  the  trade  of  wagon-maker.  He  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica in  1854  and  settled  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  where  he  worked 
at  his  trade  for  two  years,  and  then' located  at  Greenland, 
four  miles  east  of  Lancaster,  for  the  purpose  of  engag- 
ing in  the  business  for  himself.  He  carried  on  wagon 
works  there  until  1865  and  then  returned  to  Lancaster 
to  embark  in  the  manufacture  of  shafts,  rims,  spokes,  and 
other  supplies  for  all  kinds  of  vehicles.  He  named  his 
establishment  the  "Anchor  Bending  Works,"  and  con- 
ducted operations  there  until  1880;  then,  seeing  an  oppor- 
tunity at  Reading  to  carry  on  the  business  more  extensive- 
ly, he  removed  to  this  prosperous  manufacturing  center 
and  operated  his  plant  here  under  the  same  name  until  his 
decease. 

The  father,  Jacob  A.  Leippe,  married  Juliana  Voll- 
weiler  (daughter  of  George  Vollweiler,  of  Eppingen,  in 
Baden,  Germany,  manufacturer  of  linen),  and  by  her  he 
had  twelve  children:  J.  Harry  m.  Elizabeth  Heupel; 
Charles  E. ;  Mary  Elizabeth  m.  A.  C.  Hagelgans,  of  Phil- 
adelphia; Emma  Louisa  m.  Rev.  Israel  F.  Heisler,  of 
Williamsport ;  Katie  Algeir  m.  Robert  A.  Riegel  of  Phil- 
adelphia; Julia  Vollweiler  m.  J.  Lewis  Lengel,  of  Read- 
ing; Anna  Jane,  graduated  nurse,  is  assistant  superinten- 


dent of  the  Reading  Hospital;  Jacob  A.;  Clara  Minnie  m. 
Herbert  H.  Ranck,  of  Joanna  Station,  Berks  county;  Lillie 
Rose  m.  George  Benninger,  of  Reading;  William  Theo- 
dore m.  Lillie  Spears,  of  Reading;  Albert  Augustus  m. 
Gertrude  Prutzman,  of  Adamstown.  The  last  two  sons 
are  identified  with  the  bending  works  as  partners. 

JOHN  G.  SCHEALER,  contractor  and  builder  of 
Boyertown,  Berks  county,  was  born  Oct.  15,  1836,  in 
Exeter  township.  He  has  followed  his  present  line  of 
business  in  Boyertown  since  the  early  seventies,  and 
many  substantial  structures  testify  to  the  quality  of 
his  work.  Being  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Gard- 
ner) Schealer,  he  is  a  great-grandson  of  the  founder 
of  the  family  in  this  country,  who,  coming  to  America 
from  his  native  land,  Germany,  settled  in  Exeter 
township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  was  among  the 
pioneers.  He  spelled  the  name  Schueler,  and  there  are 
Various  other  spellings,  the  most  common  forms  being 
Sheeler,  Schealer,  Shuler  and  Schuyler.  When  this 
ancestor  was  born,  when  he  died  and  where  he  was 
buried  are  facts  unknown  by  his  descendants,  who 
are  numerous.     He  had  a  large  family. 

William  Schealer,  the  grandfather  of  John  G.  Scheal- 
er, was  engaged  all  his  life  as  a  farmer  and  stone- 
mason in  Exeter  township,  operating  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Jacob  Spohn.-  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Reformed  Church.  He  and  his  wife  Barbara  had  a 
family  of  eight  children,  namely:  Jacob  and  William, 
who  died  in  Reading;  Samuel,  who  lived  in  Robesonia; 
John,  who  lived  in  Exeter;  Benneville,  who  lived  at 
Robesonia;  Ann,  who  died  unmarried;  Lydia,  who 
married  Jacob  Wentz;  and  Harry,  who  lived  at  various 
places. 

John  Schealer,  the  fourth  child  of  John  and  Bar- 
bara Schealer,  was  born  in  Exeter  township,  Oct.  23, 
1793,  and  died  there  Dec.  16,  1872,  aged  seventy-nine 
years,  one  month,  twenty-three  days.  He  was  a  farm- 
er and  stone-mason  by  occupation^  and  during  the  win- 
ter months  engaged  in  butchering.  On  Dec.  20,  1818, 
he  was  married  to  Catherine  Gardner,  born  Nov.  20, 
1800,  who  died  Sept.  29,  1878,  in  her  seventy-eighth 
year.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  this  union,  of 
whom  one  died  unnamed  at  the  age  of  three  days. 
The  others  were:  William,  born  Sept.  10,  1819,  a  car- 
penter and  cabinet-maker  of  Colebrookdale  township, 
died  in  May,  1894;  Harriet,  born  Sept.  19,  1821,  mar- 
ried Jeremiah  Shadier  of  Seneca  county,  Ohio,  who 
died  before  she  did,  her  death  occurring  while  she  was 
out  West,  in  1904;  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  13,  1823,  mar- 
ried Abraham  Dehart  (now  deceased),  of  Fort  Wayne, 
Ind.;  Valeria,  born  Feb.  14,  1835,  married  James  Esh- 
bach,  late  of  Pike  township,  this  county,  whom  she  sur- 
vived, her  death  occurring  Dec.  25,  1895;  Susanna;  born 
Oct.  14,  1827,  is  the  widow  of  Henry  Wunder.  of  Read- 
ing, and  makes  her  home  at  No.  1028  Chestnut  street, 
that  city;  Lovinia,  born  Sept.  10,  1881,  married  John 
Saltzer,  of  Colebrookdale  township,  and  died  Oct.  2, 
1893;  Catherine,  born  July  18.  1834,  died  in  infancy; 
John  G.,  born  Oct.  15,  1836,  lives  at  Boyertown;  Au- 
gustus, born  March  15,  1839,  married  Mary  Liven- 
good,  and  died  March  8,  1872;  Samuel  G.,  born  in  Ex- 
eter township  Oct.  5,  1842,  lives  in  his  own  residence 
at  No.  1145  Chestnut  street,  Reading.  The  latter  is 
a  stationary  engineer  by  occupation,  and  a  highly 
esteemed  citizen  of  his  community.  He  was  married 
Dec.  26,  1868,  to  Adeline  Wessner,  born  in  1848,  who 
died  in  1905.  They  had  six  children,  three  of  whom 
died  in  infancy,  the  others  being  William  O.,  Lucretia 
I.  and  S.  Raymond,  the  latter  of  whom  is  a  student 
at  Lehigh  University. 

John  G.  Schealer  attended  the  pay  school  near  his 
home  when  it  was  taught  by  an  old  man  named  Daniel 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


683 


Reider,  and  later  he  wfent  to  public  jchool.  He  himself 
received  a  license  to  teach  from  Prof.  William  Good, 
and  taught  one  term  in  Exeter  township,  but  he  early 
commenced  work  as  a  cabinet-inaker,  having  learned 
the  trade  in  his  young  manhood.  He  continued  at 
that  work  and  at  carpentry,  and  in  time  became  estab- 
lished in  business  at  Boyertown  as  a  contractor  in  the 
same  line,  which  he  has  continued  to  follow  at  his 
present  location  for  the  past  forty-one  years.  The 
class  of  work  which  has  been  intrusted  to  him  is  the 
best  evidence  of  his  reliability.  Many  of  the  best  and 
largest  business  buildings  and  residences  in  the  town 
are  his  work,  among  them  the  Rhoads  Opera  House 
block,  the  Boyer  block,  the  big  D.  C.  Brumbach  build- 
ing, the  Lefeaver  building,  the  greater  portion  of  the 
Boyertown  Casket  Company's  building,  and  the  build- 
ing of  the  Union  Manufacturing  Company.  He  has 
erected  a  number  of  churches,  viz.:  The  St.  John's 
Lutheran,  Good  Shepherd  (Reformed),  English  M. 
E.  and  German  Evangelical  churches  of  Boyertown, 
the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  Churches  at  Amityville 
and  the  new  Lutheran  church  at  Pleasantville,  all  in 
Berks  county;  and  he  rebuilt  St.  Joseph's,  of  Hill 
Church,  Berks  county.  In  December,  1898,  he  com- 
pleted the  new  high  school  building  in  Boyertown;  and 
he  also  erected  the  Friedensburg  (Berks  county)  Acad- 
emy, and  is  now  building  the  Boyertown  high  school 
building,  which  is  to  be  finished  by  Dec.  26,  1909. 

Though  Mr.  Schealer's  building  operations  have  been 
extensive  they  have  not  engrossed  his  attention  entirely, 
for  he  has  other  business  interests.  He  is  president 
of  the  Union  Manufacturing  Company,  which  was  or- 
ganized in  1893  for  the  manufacture  of  all  kinds  of 
light  and  heavy  castings,  one  of  the  specialties  of  this 
concern  being  the  Union  Detachable-Handle  Sad  Iron, 
which  has  the  reputation  of  being  superior  to  any  other 
article  of  the  kind  on  the  market.  Mr.  Schealer  is 
also  president  of  the  Boyertown  Gas  Company,  being 
one  of  the  large  stockholders  in  that  organization, 
which  has  a  paid-up  capital  of  $30,000.  He  is  interested 
in  the  Franklin  Improvement  Company,  which  owns 
considerable  real  estate,  and  which  erected  a  three- 
story  and  basement  brick  building  in  Boyertown,  175x45 
feet  in  dimensions,  to  which  an  "L"  has  since  been 
added.  Among  Mr.  Schealer's  real  estate  holdings  is 
a  tract  of  seventeen  acres,  on  which  he  raises  apples, 
pears,  peaches,  plums  and  other  fruits,  and  he  also  owns 
a  large  cider  press,  and  a  cold  storage  plant  with  a 
capacity  of  3,000  barrels. 

Though  a  Republican  in  a  town  which  is  Democratic 
three  to  one  Mr.  Schealer  has  served  as  burgess  and 
chief  burgess  of  Boyertown,  having  been  elected  bur- 
gess in  1894  and  1897  and  chief  burgess  in  1900,  hold- 
ing the  latter  office  until  1903. 

On  Jan.  23,  1863,  Mr.  Schealer  enlisted  in  Company 
E,  75th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  his  captain 
being  Roswell  G.  Feltus,  and  with  his  company  took 
part  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  until 
after  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg,  when  the  regi- 
ment was  transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  Southwest. 
Mr.  Schealer  was  discharged  at  the  close  of  his  term, 
Oct.  26,  1863.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  General 
Crooks  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Boyertown,  and  has  been 
post  adjutant  ever  since  the  organization.  His  other 
social  connections  are  with  Stichter  Lodge,  No.  254,  F. 
&  A.  M.,  of  Pottstown;  Reading  Chapter,  No.  152,  R. 
A.  M.;  Nativity  Commandery,  No.  71,  K.  T.,  of  Potts- 
town; Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  Oasis  of 
Reading;  Consistory  at  Bloomsburg;  Oley  Lodge,  No. 
218,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Reading;  and  Camp  No.  104,  P.  O. 
S.  of  A.,  of  Boyertown. 

On  April  3,  1858.  Mr.  Schealer  married  Elizabeth 
Himmelreich,  daughter  of  John  Himmelreich,  of  Pike 
township,  and  they  have  had  two  children:  Sarah,  now 
wife  of  William  Babb,  a  farmer  of  Pike  township, 
Berks  county;  and  Milton,  who  engaged  in  teaching  for 


twelve  years  while  a  young  man,  but  is  now  connected 
with  the  National  Bank  of  Boyertown,  as  teller. 

ALF-RED  W.  GLASE,  a  prominent  business  man 
of  Reading,  was  born  in  Friedensburg,  Oley  township, 
Berks  county.  Pa.,  May  27,  1841,  son   of  Peter  Glase. 

Jacob  Glase,  grandfather  of  Alfred  W.,  was  a  shoe- 
maker by  trade,  and  followed  that  occupation  in  Read- 
ing, Kutztown  and  Oley  township,  all  his  life.  He 
died  while  residing  in  the  last  named  section.  Their 
children  were:  Peter;  Jacob;  John;  Betsey,  m.  to  a 
Mr.  Fisher;  and  Polly,  m.  to  Jacob  Faucht.  In  re- 
ligious belief  the  family  were  Lutherans. 

Peter  Glase  at  first  followed  his  father's  calling,  that 
of  a  shoemaker,  but  later  in  life  was  engaged  in  other 
lines,  being  at  one  period  in  the  hotel  business.  For 
several  years  he  did  freighting  between  Fredericksburg 
and  Philadelphia,  and  afterward  owned  ond  operated 
a  farm.  Twice  married,  his  first  wife  was  a  Miss 
Adams,  and  they  had  eight  children:  William,  Matilda, 
Benewell,  Amelia,  Mary,  Rebecca,  James  and  Levi. 
He  m.  (second)  Miss  Catherine  Weisner,  like  him- 
self a  native  of  Berks  county.  She  died  aged  sev- 
enty-three years,  and  to  this  union  five  children  were 
born,  Caroline,  Jacob  W.,  Peter,  Alfred  W.  and  An- 
na. In  religious  belief  the  family  were  Lutherans, 
and  in  politics  Peter  Glase  was  a  Democrat.  His 
death  occurred  in  1868,  when  he  was  aged  seventy- 
four  years. 

Alfred  W.  Glase  was  sent  to 'the  common  schools 
of  Oley  township,  but  was  still  too  young  to  have 
left  school  when  he  was  compelled  to  go  to  work. 
He  was  first  employed  on  a  farm,  and  remained  in 
that  line  of  work  until  he  was  eighteen.  He  then 
learned  the  tinsmith's  trade  from  his  brother,  and 
■followed  that  for  fourteen  years.  Meantime  he  had 
become  favorably  known  among  his  fellow  citizens 
and  was  constable  in  the  Fourth  ward,  serving  in  that 
capacity  very  efficiently  for  fifteen  years.  Since  1887 
he  -has  conducted  a  livery  stable  and  has  been  very 
successful,  for  his  establishment  is  not  only  large 
but  of  a  high  class.  His  location  is  at  Nos.  515-517 
Cherry  street,  Reading. 

Mr.  Glase  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  en- 
listed in  the  3d  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Artillery, 
afterward  attached  to  Battery  A,  1st  Pennsylvania 
Light  Artillery,  in  which  he  served  until  the  end  of 
the  war. 

In  1880  Alfred  W.  Glase  married  Miss  Mary  Har- 
rison, daughter  of  John  Harrison.  Two  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  Maud  E.  and  Floyd  H.  In  re- 
ligious faith  they  are  Lutherans.  Mr.  Glase  is  a  Re- 
publican in  his  political  affiliations,  and  has  been  ac- 
tive in  local  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
belonging  to  Post  No.   16. 

LEVI  WORLEY  (deceased),  for  many  years  one 
of  Reading's  prominent  business  men,  and  a  pioneer 
in  the  coal  tar  pavement  b«  iness,  was  born  in  Saeg- 
ersville,  a  small  town  near  Allentown,  Lehigh  Co., 
Pa.,  only  child  of  Jacob  Worley,  a  well  known  farmer 
of  Lehigh  county,  where  he  died. 

Levi  Worley  learned  the  trade  of  shoemaking  at 
Allentown,  but  when  a  young  man  was  employed  on 
Dunkle's  farm  in  Berks  county.  He  then  went  to 
Pottsville,  Columbia  and  Lancaster,  following  shoe 
making,  and  later  tO'  Lewistown,  where  he  married 
Elizabeth  Heinsling,  by  whom  two  sons  were  born, 
of  whom  the  survivor  is  Oilman,  messenger  at  the  First 
National  Bank,  Reading.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Heinsling) 
Worley  died  at  Lewistown.  Mr.  Worley  then  came 
to  Reading  and  worked  at  his  trade  for  a  number  of 
years,  finally  engaging  in  the  coal  tar  pavement  busi- 
ness with  David  Witman  as  partner.  They  were 
among  the  pioneers  in  this  business,  and  operated 
extensively  throughout  the  city.  For  about  twenty- 
five  years  prior  to  his  death,  Mir.  Worley  lived  re- 
tired, dying  in  May,  1902,  aged  eighty-six  years,  in  the 


684 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


faith  of  the  Lutheran  church  of  which  he  had  been 
a  member  of  the  Vestry.  In  politics  a  Republican, 
Mr.  Worley  served  as  school  director  from  the 
Eighth  ward  for  a  number  of  years. 

Mr.  Worley  married  (second)  Mary  M.  Rush,  born 
Jan.  6.  1822,  a  few  doors  from  where  she  now  resides, 
No.  739  Washington  street,  Reading,  daughter  of  Phil- 
ip and  Barbara  (Spohn)  Rush,  and  these  children  were 
born  to  the  union:  Barbara;  John  P.  R.;  Annie;  Elea- 
nor; Mary  V.,  and  one  child  which  died  in  infancy. 

Mrs.  Worley's  first  husband  was  Conrad  Feger,  son 
of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Mellon)  Feger,  and  three 
children  were  born  to  them:  William;  Barbara;  and 
Sarah  Jane  (Jennie),  widow  of  George  S.  Yeager,  who 
was  connected  with  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading 
Railroad,  located  at  Ninth  and  Green  streets,  Phila- 
delphia. During  1876  Mr.  'Yeager  was  assistant  master 
mechanic,  and  was  later  transferred  to  Newton,  Bucks 
county,  where  he  died  in  1887,  being  buried  in  the 
Charles  Evans  cemetery.  Mrs.  Yeager  resides  with 
her  mother,  in  Reading.  Mrs.  Worley  is  a  member  of 
Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  where  she  was  christened  by 
Dr.  J.  Miller. 

ELMER  E.  WANNER,  senior  member  of  the  firm 
of  Wanner  &  Stief,  hatters,  at  Reading,  was  born  in 
1861  in  Kutztown,  Berks  county,  son  of  Peter  C.  and 
Sarah    (Moyer)   Wanner. 

Peter  C.  Wanner  was  born  in  Kutztown,  and  as  a 
boy  worked  on  a  farm.  Later  he  owned  a  farm  and 
tannery  one-half  mile  from  Kutztown,  which  he  ope- 
rated until  his  retirement  some  years  before  his  death, 
in  1899,  in  his  seventy-sixth  year.  His  wife  died  in 
1894,  aged  sixty-one  year's.  Their  four  children  were: 
John;  Elmer  E.;  Ellen,  m.  to  J.  C.  Ziegler;  and  Ida, 
m.  to  P.  A.  Metzgar.  In  religious  belief  the  farriily  were 
connected  with  the  Reformed  Church.  Mr.  Wanner 
was  a  Democrat  in  political  faith. 

Elmer  E.  Wanner  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Maxatawny  township  and  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  at  Kutztown,  after  leaving  which  he  clerked  in 
W.  W.  Sheridan's  boot  and  shoe  store  for  two  years. 
He  then  went  to  Goshen,  Ind.,  to  accept  a  position  in 
his  brother  John's  leather  establishment,  where  he  re- 
mained four  years.  He  then  returned  to  his  native 
county,  and  in  1883  secured  a  position  in  J.  B.  Schaef- 
fer's  wholesale  hat  house  as  traveling  representative, 
covering  the  entire  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  continued 
with  that  firm  for  seventeen  years.  On  Dec.  1,  1900, 
Mr.  Wanner  formed  a  partnership  with  A.  J.  Stief, 
and  since  that  time  they  have  carried  on  a  prosperous 
hat  business  at  No.  605  Penn  street.  The  firm's  first 
class  line  of  goods  finds  a  ready  sale  in  the  retail 
houses  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Mr.  Wanner  is  considered 
one  of  the  good,  substantial  citizens  of  Reading.  He  is 
fraternally  connected  with  Lodge  No.  63,  F.  &  A.  M.; 
the  B.  P.  O.  E.,  No.  115,  Reading;  and  the  Americus 
Club. 

In  1897  Mr.  Wanner  was  married  to  Mary  Frey.  They 
attend  the  Reformed  Church.  In  political  matters  he 
is  a  Democrat. 

SAMUEL  HOLL,  who  died  in  Reading,  Pa.,  in  1886, 
in  his  sixty-ninth  year,  was  for  many  years  a  well- 
known  business  man  and  honored  resident  of  the  city. 
He  was  born  in  1817,  in  Cumru  township,  Berks  county, 
son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Setley)  HoU,  residents  of 
that  section. 

Samuel  Holl  received  a  common  school  education, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  was  engaged  in  the  wheel- 
wright business  pn  Walnut  street,  Reading,  where  the 
Junior  Fire  Engine  House  now  stands.  He  was  later 
employed  by  Seyfert,  McManus  &  Co.,  manufacturers 
of  Reading,  remaining  with  that  firm  for  several  years, 
but  finally  resumed  his  business  in  the  rear  of  his 
residence,  No.  343  North  Sixth  street.  Mr.  Holl  mar- 
ried Miss  Louisa  Orie,  who  died  in  1883,  daughter  of 


John  Orie,  a  native  of  France,  who  was  a  member  of 
the  army  of  Napoleon,  being  one  of  that  great  general's 
body-guards.  Mr.  Orie  came  to  America  about  1831, 
locating  at  New  Holland,  Lancaster  county,  where  he 
died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holl  are  both  buried  in  the  Charles 
Evans  cemetery.  In  politics,  a  Democrat,  Mr.  Holl 
served  on  the  election  board  of  Reading.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  First  Reformed  Church,  being  an  elder 
and  trustee  thereof.  The  children  of  Samuel  and  Louisa 
(Orie)  Holl  were:  Julia,  the  widow  of  Reuben  Sha- 
dell,  living  at  No.  531  Buttonwood  street,  Reading; 
Jacob,  who  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Reading  and  a  private  school,  and  who  began  business 
life  clerking  in  some  of  the  leading  houses  in  Reading, 
for  several  years  being  head  clerk  for  the  Reading 
Hardware  Company,  resigning  this  position  to  become 
the  first  cashier  of  the  Keystone  National  Bank,  Jan.  8, 
1884,  a  position  which  he  held  until  his  death  in  May, 
1890;  Anna  M.;  William  O.,  a  molder  of  Reading; 
Elizabeth,  a  teacher  in  the  Reading  high  school;  and 
Louisa,  who  was  also  engaged  in  teaching  for  some 
time.  Anna  M.,  Louisa,  and  Elizabeth  reside  at  the 
old  home  of  their  father.  No.  343  North  Sixth  street, 
Reading. 

JAMES  H.  RAMER,  senior  member  of  the  contract- 
ing and  building  firm  of  Ramer  &  George,  at  Reading, 
Pa.,  was  born  Dec.  9,  1864,  at  Richmond  township, 
Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  John  and  Sallie  S.  Ramer,  and 
grandson  of  Jacob  Ramer,  a  farmer  of  Richmond  town- 
ship. 

John  Ramer  was  born  in  Richmond  township,  where 
his  education  was  secured  in  the  public  schools,  after 
leaving  which  he  engaged  in  bricklaying  and  later  in 
stone  mason  work.  He  died  in  Reading  at  the  age 
of  sixty-nine  years,  his  wife  having  passed  away  in  her 
thirty-eighth  year,  and  their  children  were:  Catherine, 
James  H.,  Samuel,  Jacob,  Ellen,  John,  Annie,  William 
(who  died  young),  Lydia  and  Sallie. 

James  H.  Ramer  attended  the  schools  of  Richmond 
township,  obtaining  a  good  education,  and  in  1893 
came  to  Reading,  where  he  worked  at  bricklaying  until 
1903,  in  this  year  entering  into  a  partnership  with 
Samuel  George.  They  have  been  very  successful  in 
their  building  business,  and  to  the  present  time  have 
erected  forty-three  houses  in  the  northeastern  section 
.  of  Reading.  In  political  matters  Mr.  Ramer  is  inde- 
pendent, and  he  is  fraternally  connected  with  Vigil- 
ance Lodge,  No.  194,  I.  O.  O.  F.;  Camp  No.  278,  P.  O. 
S.  of  A.,  Virginville,  of  which  he  is  a  charter  member; 
and  the  Maccabees.  He  is  as  popular  in  fraternal  cir- 
cles as  he  is  well-known  in  the  business  field,  and  is 
considered  a  representative  citizen. 

Mr.  Ramer  married  Fannie  Schucker,  daughter  of 
Adam  Schucker,  and  to  this  union  there  were  born 
two  children:  Harry  Warren,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  seven  months,  eight  days;  and  Eva  Elizabeth,  who 
died  when  nine  years,  three  months  old. 

JOHN  JACOB  SHILLING  (deceased)  founded  a 
family  in  Berks  county  now  well  known  there.  He 
was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  and  came  to  Berks 
county  when  a  young  man,  settling  at  what  is  now 
Shillington.  He  owned  considerable  land  there,  built 
numerous  dwellings,  and  for  many  years  owned  and 
conducted  the  "Three  Mile  House,"  where  he  lived 
with  his  family.  He  was  a  man  of  prominence  in  his 
day,  and  was  of  striking  appearance,  being  erect,  tall, 
and  weighing  over  two  hundred  pounds.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Reformed  Church.  He  married  Hannah 
Straub,  whose  father  was  Christian  (?)  Straub,  and 
to  them  were  born  children  as  follows:  Levi 
died  unmarried  when  about  seventy  years  of  age; 
Hettie  also  died  unmarried;  Samuel,  who  laid  out 
Shillington,  and  gave  it  its  name,  married  Catharine 
Whiteman,  and  they  had  children— Franklin  P.  (de- 
ceased), Oscar  J.  (deceased),  Mary  M.  W.  and  Gebrge 
Washmgton    (twins).    Howard    M..    Frederick    E.    E.. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


685 


Emma  L.,  Ida  C.  E.  and  Ella;  Ephraim  is  mentioned 
below;  Jacob,  who  was  killed  in  the  Civil  war,  married 
Mary  Bechtel  and  had  one  child,  who  died  young; 
Eliza  married  Isaac  Miller,  of  Illinios,  in  which  State 
both  died;  Isabella  died  unmarried;  Louisa  married 
a  Forbs,  of  Minnesota. 

Ephraim  Shilling,  son  of  John  Jacob,  was  born  Nov. 
16,  1823,  in  Shillington,  and  lived  to  his  seventy-seventh 
year,  dying  Jan.  18,  1899.  There  he  spent  his  entire 
life.  He  not  only  followed  farming,  but  also  his  trade 
of  pattern-making,  and  turned  out  many  violins  of 
sweet  tone;  in  later  years  he  also  engaged  in  wheel- 
wrighting  in  connection  wtih  farming,  cultivating  a 
tract  of  forty-two  acres.  In  politics  he  was  a  Repub- 
lican. 

In  1848  Ephraim  Shilling  married  Catharine  Marks, 
daughter  of  George  Marks,  and  a  family  of  eight  child- 
ren was  born  to  them,  namely:  Clara  m.  Frank  Welde; 
Catharine  m.  Julius  Wagner;  Elizabeth  m.  John  Gauss; 
John  Jacob  m.  Sarah  Steffey,  and  (second)  Sallie  E. 
Berstler;  Alexander  E.,  unmarried,  lives  at  Shillington; 
Hannah  m.  Jerome  Tompkins;  Jane  m.  Horace  R.  Carl; 
Andrew  m.  Lizzie  Kane.  The  family  were  Lutherans 
in  religion. 

Julius  Wagner,  who  married  Catharine,  second 
daughter  of  Ephraim  Shillington,  was  born  in  Germany 
in  1849,  and  came  to  America  when  eighteen  years  of 
age,  landing  in  New  York  in  1867.  After  staying  for 
a  while  in  that  city  iie  moved  to  York,  Pa.,  and  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  some  time, 
but  being  dissatisfied  with  his  progress  he  located  at 
Lancaster  and  made  himself  proficient  as  a  baker.  When 
ready  to  begin  for  himself  in  that  line  he  went  to 
Reading,  opened  a  bakery  at  No.  276  South  Ninth 
street,  and  was  so  successful  that  by  the  end  of  thir- 
teen years  he  had  amassed  sufficient  capital  to  retire 
from  that  business  and  enter  into  building  and  contract- 
ing. While  thus  engaged  he  put  up  sixty-two  houses 
in  Reading,  some  of  them  on  property  owned  by  his 
wife.  Mrs.  Wagner  is  quite  an  extensive  property 
holder,  owning  ten  lots  on  Thirteenth  street,  seven 
on  Fairview,  five  on  Kenney,  and  three  residences  in 
the  Tenth  ward.  Mr.  Wagner  at  present  gives  his 
entire  attention  to  managing  his  wife's  interests. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wagner  were  married  March  18,  1871, 
and  they  have  five  children:  Julius,  Jr.,  m.  Helen 
Krum;  Lucca  K. ;  Elsie  T.  m.  Harry  Adams;  Mabel  m. 
George  Klopp;  and  Richard  m.  Anna  Snyder.  In  re- 
ligious faith  the  family  are  Lutherans.  Mr.  Wagner 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

GEIGER.  The  Geiger  family  is  an  old  one  in  the 
eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania,  being  located  here  be- 
fore the  erection  of  Berks  county,  in  1752.  Philip 
Geiger,  the  great-grandfather  of  Wellin-gton  D.  and 
Ezra  D.  Geiger,  of  Amity  township,  was  born  Nov. 
20,  1765,  and  died  Aug.  13,  1831.  His  wife,  Anna 
Maria  Stichter,  was  born  Jan.  18,  1769,  and  died  Nov. 
1,  1791.  They  are  both  buried  in  the  east  side  of  the 
old  cemetery  at  Amityville  church.  With  them  is 
buried  Maria  Geiger  (1793-1823),  probably  a  daughter, 
and  wife  of  Philip  Mathias.  Another  daughter  mar- 
ried a  Moyer.  The  number  of  the  children  of  this 
old  pioneer  couple  cannot  be  definitely  stated.  There 
was  a  son,  Jacob,  mentioned  below;  and  tradition  tells 
of  another  son.  Philip  Geiger  lived  in  Amity  town- 
ship before  1806,  as  in  that  year  his  name  appears 
on  the  tax  list. 

Jacob  Geiger,  son  of  Philip,  was  born  August  20, 
1795,  and  died  in  Amity,  Sept.  6,  1868.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  owned  a  tract  of  160  acres  about  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  south  of  Amityville.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Harner,  born  Aug.  21,  1798,  died  Sept.  17, 
1870,  and  their  children  were:  Jacob  H.;  Mary  Ann; 
John;  Mahlon;  Elizabeth  m.  Alfred  Fritz;  and  Leah 
Ann. 


Jacob  H.  Geiger.  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth,  was 
born  Nov.  16,  1825,  and  died  on  the  farm  now  the 
property  of  his  son,  Ezra  D.,  Sept.  15,  1864.  He  was 
a  farmer.  Although  in  his  youth  he  learned  the  tailor  s 
trade  he  never  followed  it.  He  married  Mary  Ann 
De  Turk,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Esther  (Goodhart) 
De  Turk,  who  lived  in  Exeter  township.  She  was 
born  April  19,  1828,  and  died  April  25,  1908.  Their 
children  were:  Ezra  D.;  Wellington  D.;  Jacob,  of 
Philadelphia,  who  has  children— Lawrence,  Mary,  Mar- 
tha, Amvy,  and  Jacob;  Lizzie,  deceased,  m.  to  WiUiam 
H.  Thorpe,  of  Clayton,  N.  Y.;  and  Miss  Hettie. 

Wellington  D.  Geiger,  now  a  farmer  in  Amity 
township,  was  born  one  mile  east  of  Yellow  House, 
October  4,  1856.  He  attended  the  township  schools 
and  was  reared  as  a  farmer's  boy,  working -for  his 
parents  until  he  attained  his  majority.  In  1866_he  began 
farming  as  a  tenant  in  Amity  and  has  ever  since  been 
a  tenant  farmer  in  that  township,  with  the  exception 
of  three  years— 1889,  1890.  and  1891— when  he  hved 
in  Douglass  township.  He  has  been  quite  successful 
and  his  farm  is  kept  in  good  condition,  and  his  stock 
and  farm  machinery  are  of  the  best. 

On  Feb.  13,  1885.  Mr.  Geiger  married  Amelia  Sassa- 
man,  daughter  of'  George  M.  and  Mary  (Weyant) 
Sassaman,  now  of  Pottstown.  Their  only  child,  a  son, 
died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Geiger  are  Reformed 
members  of  Amityville  Church,  in  which  he  has  served 
as  deacon.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Wohlink 
Tribe,  No.  179,  I.  O.  R.  M.,  at  Yellow  House. 

Ezra  D.  Geiger^  a  farmer  at  Weaverstown,  in 
Amity  township,  was  born  Aug.  6,  1853,  in  Exeter 
township,  coming  to  Amity  in  the  second  year  of  his 
earthly  career  with  his  parents.  He  worked  for  his 
mother. until  he  was  of  age.  He  began  farming  at 
the  age  of  twenty  on  his  present  place.  This  was  the 
Augustus  K.  Lorah  farm  before  it  became  the  prop- 
erty of  Jacob  H.  Geiger.  It  was  originally  owned  by 
the  Ludwigs.  then  by  Jacob  Schaffer,  then  by  the  Lo- 
rahs.  Jacob  H.  Geiger  bought  it  in  1864,  and  in  1878 
it  was  transferred  to  the  present  owner.  The  farm 
consists  of  ninety-five  acres,  also  forty-eight  adres  of 
pasture  land.  The  present  large  stone  house  was  built 
in  1834.  There  is  a  smaller  house  on  the  premises, 
located -about  thirty  feet  from  the  large  one,  that  must 
be  a  relic  of  the  days  long  before  the  Revolution. 

In  1876  Mr.  Geiger  married  Delilah  Rhoades,  daugh- 
ter of  Jonas  and  Rachel  Rhoads,  and  their  children 
are:  (1)  Chester,  graduated  from  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  School  in  the  cla^s  of  1902,  and  is  now  en- 
gaged in  teaching  in  Amity  township.  He  m.  Dora 
■  Body,  and  they  have  two  children:  Evelyn  and  Esther. 
(2)  Wayne,  graduated  from  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  in  1904,  and  from  Lehigh  University  in  1908, 
is  an  electrician,  holding  a  responsible  position  at 
Hackensack,  N.  J.,  with  the  Telephone  Company.  He 
m.  Elsie  Brown,  and  has  a  daughter,  Alice.  (3)  Vic- 
tor is  still  at  home.  In  politics  Mr.  Geiger  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  is  at  present  serving  as  supervisor  of  Amity, 
townsbip;  for  three  years  he  was  auditor.  He  is  a 
member  of  Wohlink  Tribe,  I.  O.  R.  M.,  at  Yellow 
House.  Mr.  Geiger  and  his  family  are  members  of 
the  Reformed  Church  at  Amityville,  in  which  he  has 
been  very  active,  and  has  served  as  deacon.  The  early 
Geigers  were  Lutherans. 

LEWIS  NAPOLEON  LOWE,  assistant  city  treas- 
urer of  the  city  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Phila- 
delphia, Dec.  9,  1863,  one  of  the  eight  children  born 
to  Louis  and  Sarah  (Berret)  Lowe,  the  others  being: 
Anna  E.,  widow  of  Charles  Snyder,  of  Philadelphia, 
(brother  of  Brigadier-General  Snyder,  of  Reading,  and 
a  grandson  of  Governor  Snyder  of  Pennsylvania); 
Margaret  J.,  of  Philadelphia;  Frank  S.,  of  Philadelphia; 
Sallie  B.,  of  Atlantic  City;  and  three,  Walter,  Charles 
and  Edward,  who  all  died  in  early  childhood. 


686 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Lewis  N.  Lowe  graduated  from  the  Reading  high 
school  in  the  class  of  1878,  and  he  started  his  business 
life  as  a  machinist  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Railroad,  then  becoming  chief  time  keeper  for  that 
company,  spending  twelve  or  thirteen  years  in  the 
railroad  service.  He  was  appointed  clerk  to  the  city 
treasurer  in  1902,  a  position  which  he  efficiently 
filled  unfil  1908,  when  he  was  appointed  assistant  city 
treasurer.  Fraternally  Mr.  Lowe  is  a  member  of  the 
P.  O.  S.  of  A.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist 
Church.     In  his  political  affiliations  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Mr.  Lowe  is  descended  from  English  ancestry  on 
his  father's  side,  and  on  his  mother's  from  French,  this 
accounting  for  his  name.  His  father's  people  were  na- 
tives of  North  Carolina,  our  subject's  grandfather 
owning  a  large  plantation  and  many  slaves.  The 
Civil  war  reversed  the  family  fortune,  and  four  of 
the  sons  came  North,  all  of  whom  are  now  deceased. 

AUGUSTUS  BORKERT,  who  died  Dec.  12,  1908, 
aged  seventy  years,  was  one  of  Reading's  leading 
business  men,  having  been  engaged  in  contracting  and 
building  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  a  native  of 
this  city,  born  Feb.  20,  1838,  son  of  Daniel  Borkert. 

Augustus  Borkert's  school  days  were  spent  at  the 
Franklin  street  school,  in  Third  ward,  and  there  he  at- 
tended until  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
started  his  business  career  as  an  errand  boy  in  a  de- 
partment store.  He  remained  there  for  about  one  and 
one-half  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  to 
the  hat  factory  to  learn  the  hat  business.  His  father 
desired  him  to  learn  the  binding  business,  and  when 
nineteen  years  of  age  he  engaged  with  his  father  in 
business  and  continued  with  him  until  the  latter's  re- 
tirement from  active  life.  At  this  time  the  six  Borkert 
brothers  engaged  in  business  together,  and  remained 
connected  for  some  time,  but  later  Augustus  Borkert, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Augustus  Borkert  &  Bro.,  en- 
gaged in  contracting  and  building,  with  his  brother, 
and  they  erected  a  number  of  large  business  houses  and 
residences,  among  the  former  being  the  Scott  foundry 
and  the  Deibert  building  and  part  of  Mohn's  Hat  fac- 
tory. ,They  also  built  the  Polish  school  house,  and 
others  too  numerous  to  mention.  They  employed  from 
fifteen  to  eighteen  hands.  Mr.  Borkert  resided  at  No. 
938  A,   Penn  street,  where   his   death   occurred. 

Mr.  Borkert  married  Mary  Amanda  Brown,"  daugh- 
ter of  John  Brown,  a  Berks  county  blacksmith,  and  the 
following  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Katy  m. 
James  Bady,  and  lives  at  Mt.  Penn;  George,  employed 
with  his  father,  m.  Mary  A.  Long;  Daniel,  also  em- 
ployed with  his  father,  m.  Ida  M.  Zell;  Clara  m.  Harry 
Rapp,  of  Reading;  Howard  J.,  a  clerk  for  the  firm  of 
Gatley  &  Brenner,  m.  Katie  Hill;  Ida  m.  Marshall  Huey, 
who  engaged  in  the  coal  business  on  South  Tenth 
street,  and  they  reside  on  West  Oley  street;  Walter  m. 
Rosa  Houck,  and  they  have  two  sons,  Carol  and 
Lester;  Walter  is  employed  with  his  father;  Edward 
was  clerking  at  the  tube  works,  and  met  his  death  one 
day  while  going  home  from  work  at  noon  time,  falling 
and  breaking  his  neck  while  running;  and  Elizabeth 
is  deceased. 

Mr.  Borkert  was  a  Democrat  and  served  on  the  com- 
mon council,  representing  the  Third  ward.  The  family 
attended  Grace  Lutheran  Church.  In  April,  1861,  at 
the  call  for  troops,  Mr.  Borkert  enlisted  in  Company 
G,  7th  Pa.  V.  I.,  for  three  months'  service,  was  mus- 
tered in  at  Harrisburg,  and  went  with  his  regiment  to 
Chambersburg,  Greensburg,  Williamsport,  Millersburg 
and  Charleston,  and  was  there  discharged,  returning 
to  Harrisburg,  where  he  was  mustered  out  of  service 
and  returned  to  Reading.  Mr.  Borkert  was  laid  to 
rest  in  Aulenbach  cemetery.  His  widow  resides  at  the 
Penn  street  home. 

A.  L.  FRAME,  who  for  some  years  has  been  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  iron  interests  of  Berks  county. 


Pa.,  is  now  proprietor  of  the  Grey  Iron  Foundry,  for- 
merly the  Old  Ege  Foundry,  in  Reading.  Mr.  Frame 
was  born  in  1864,  in  Reading,  son  of  Conrad  and  Catha- 
rine (Marx)  Frame.  [For  detailed  history  of  the 
earlier  generations  of  the  family,  see  sketch  of  Charles 
N.    Frame]. 

After  completing  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  city,  Mr.  Frame  entered  the  employ  of 
Glaser,  Frame  &  Co.,  formerly  the  Seneca  Cigar  Com- 
pany, as  a  clerk  in  the  shipping  department  of  the 
Rochester  branch,  and  later  took  charge  of  the  sales- 
men, practically  having  control  of  the  firm's  interests 
at  Rochester  during  his  eighteen  months  stay.  He  then 
returned  to  Reading  and  took  charge  of  his  father's 
coal  yard,  which  he  conducted  from  1888  until  1896,  in 
the  latter  year  removing  to  Fifth  and  Willow  streets, 
where  he  took  charge  of  another  yard.  In  1903  Mr. 
Frame  located  at  the  Old  Ege  Foundry,  which  busi- 
ness was  in  such  a  condition  that  it  needed  a  firm, 
strong  hand  to  guide  it  to  success,  and  this  was  fur- 
nished by  Mr.  Frame,  who  was  able  to  establish  one 
of  the  finest  businesses  of  its  kind  in  the  county.  The 
firm,  which  manufactures  light  hardware  specialties, 
employs  eighty-five  people  in  its  several  departments — 
foundry,  galvanizing,  plating,  japanning  and  polishing — 
and  enjoys  a  large,  steady  trade  throughout  the 
country.  In  1904  Mr.  Frame  also  established  the  Globe 
Lawn  Mower  &  Manufacturing  Company,  being  made 
president  thereof,  and  in  his  new,  up-to-date  factory, 
which  is  equipped  with  the  finest  machinery  to  be  ob- 
tained, he  manufactures  a  high-grade,  ball-bearing  lawn 
mower.  This  utensil  is  superior  in  many  ways  to 
others,  and  Mr.  Frame  has  a  number  of  patents  on 
the  improved  parts.  Mr.  Frame  is  enterprising  and 
energetic,  and  he  is  favorably  known  in  business  and 
social  circles. 

In  1888  Mr.  Frame  was  married  to  Lillie  Edwards, 
daughter  of  John  Edwards,  and  to  this  union  there  have 
been  born  two  children:  Edith  and  Clarence  L.  Mr. 
Frame  is  a  member  of  Chandler  Lodge  No.  227;  Ex- 
celsior Chapter;  Lodge  of  Perfection;  Reading  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T.;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

W.  E.  MILLS,  a  leading  citizen  of  Reading,  Pa.,  serv- 
ing as  a  member  of  the  common  council  from  the  Sixth 
ward  of  the  city,  was  born  in  Reading,  Sept.  26,  1853, 
son  of  Allen  and  Mary  Ann  (Swartz)  Mills,  the  former 
of  Wilmington,  Del.,  and  the  latter  of  Cumru  town- 
ship, Berks  county.  Pennsylvania. 

The  grandfather  of  W.  E.  Mills  was  born  in  Eng- 
land, and  came  to  America  in  early  life,  locating  at 
Wilmington,  Del.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  paper.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of 
children  as  follows:  Thomas,  deceased,  was  a  manufac- 
turer of  Philadelphia;  John;  May  J.  m.  Thomas  Ander- 
son; Elizabeth  m.  Samuel  Lengel;  and  Allen.  In  re- 
ligious belief  the  family  were  connected  with  the 
Episcopal  Church.  It  is  believed  that  Mr.  Mills  was  a 
Whig  in  politics. 

Allen  Mills,  father  of  W.  E.,  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Delaware,  whence  he  came  to  Reading,  and 
here  for  twenty-two  years  was  engaged  as  an  employe 
of  the  Mellert  Foundry  and  Machine  shop.  His  next 
employment  was  with  the  Scott  works,  and  he  also 
engaged  in  pattern-making.  Mr.  Mills  died  in  1888,  and 
his  wife,  Mary  Ann  Swartz,  died  in  1900.  aged  about 
seventy-three  years.  Allen  Mills  was  a  member  of 
Continental  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  the  Pilgrim's 
Circle.  He  was  well  known  in  Reading,  and  highly 
esteemed  by  all  who  had  business  dealings  with  h'm. 

W.  E.  Mills  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Reading, 
and  as  a  youth  learned  the  machinist's  trade  at  Mellerts 
and  McKurseys  foundries.  On  completing  his  appren- 
ticeship he  went  to  Kansas  and  settled  upon  a  claim  of 
160  acres  in  Solomon  Valley,  but  returned  in  1875  after 
two  years  in  the  country.     Upon  his  return  he  found 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


687 


employment  with  the  Rolland  &  Francis  machine  shop 
on  Cherry  and  Carpenter  streets,  continuing  there  until 
the  following  winter,  when  he  engaged  at  the  Mellert 
foundry,  continuing  there  for  a  short  time.  Mr.  Mills 
then  entered  the  employ  of  the  J.  H.  Sternbergh  Com- 
pany, continuing  there  for  twenty-two  years,  eight 
years  of  that  time  being  foreman  machinist,  and  the 
last  three  years  master  mechanic.  He  then  went  to 
Lebanon,  where  he  served  in  the  same  capacity  for  the 
American  Steel  &  Iron  Company,  but  in  September, 
1900  went  to  work  at  the  Johnson  foundry,  where  he 
was  employed  a  short  time  as  foreman,  and  he  is  now 
with   the   American   Iron   &   Steel    Company,.  Reading. 

On  April  26,  1882,  Mr.  Mills  was  married  to  Miss 
Esther  B.  Sobinson,  born  in  Reading  of  Scotch  parents, 
and  to  this  union  there  were  born  three  children:  Willie 
R.,  who  died  aged  seven  weeks;  Jennie  M.,  and  Esther 
A.  Miss  Jennie  M.  Mills  is  a  graduate  of  the  Girls' 
high  school,  where  she  took  the  alumni  medal  for  her 
essay  on  Literature.  Mrs.  Mills  is  a  Baptist.  Mr.  Mills 
is  connected  with  the  Improved  Order  of  Americans, 
and  was  formerly  connected  with  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  In 
his  political  belief  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  on 
that  party's  ticket  he  was  elected,  in  April,  1906,  a 
member  of  the  common  council  from  the  Sixth  ward. 
He  has  always  taken  a  great  interest  in  ward  politics, 
and  is  therefore  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  needs 
of  his  community.  He  is  thoroughly  capable  and  de- 
serving of  a  seat  in  the  executive  body,  where  he  at- 
tempts to  serve  his  city  and  his  constituents  in  a  faithful 
manner. 

John  Robinson,  father  of  Mrs.  Mills,  was  born  in 
Scotland,  and  came  to  America  when  a  young  man,  first 
settling  in  New  York  City.  Before  the  Civil  war,  how- 
ever, he  had  come  to  Reading,  and  here  he  enlisted  in 
Company  B,  50th  Pa.  V.  I.,  and  was  killed  while  in 
active  service  in  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  and  was 
buried  in  North  Carolina.  He  married  Miss  Esther 
Douglas,  also  a  native  of  Scotland.  She  died  in  Read- 
ing. Pa.,  in  November,  1894,  and  is  buried  in  the 
Charles  Evans  cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson  had 
children  as  follows:  James,  who  served  as  a  corporal 
in  the  Civil  war,  arid  died  in  New  York  City;  Mary 
died  unmarried;  Matilda  m.  Henry  Eyrich;  William 
lives  in  Reading;  Annie  m.  James  Werts,  of  Reading; 
and  Esther  B.,  the  youngest,  now  Mrs.  W.  E.  Mills, 
never  saw  her  father. 

MAGNUS  MELLERT,  for  many  years  a  well-known 
foundryman  in  Reading,  was  a  native  of  Germany, 
born  in  Schwartzwald,  Baden,  and  his  death  occurred 
in  this  city  in  1890. 

John  Mellert.  father  of  Magnus,  left  Germany  in 
1832,  and  coming  to  America  established  himself  in 
Reading,  where  his  wife  and  family  joined  him  seven 
years  later.  He  was  a  locksmith  by  trade,  an  expert 
workman,  and  is  said  upon  good  authority  to  have  made 
all  the  locks  for  the  old  Berks  county  courthouse. 
As  time  went  on  he  accumulated  sufficient  means  to 
go  into  the  sheet  iron  and  stove  business,  as  one  of 
the  firm  of  Mellert  &  Sheeler,  and  the  enterprise 
proved  so  successful  that  they  launched  out  in  other 
lines.  They  established  a  foundry  and  machine  shop 
which  they  conducted  with  most  satisfactory  results 
until  1873,  when  the  panic  of  that  year  compelled  them 
to  cease  operations.  John  Mellert  married  Miss  Mary 
Henderslcarich,  also  of  German  birth  and  ancestry,  and 
they  had  children  as  follows:  Arnold;  Charles;  Magnus; 
Constantina,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  Sheeler, 
now  deceased,  and  who  resides  in  Baltimore,  Md.;  and 
Otto.     The  family  were  devout  Catholics. 

Magnus  Mellert  was  only  a  boy  when  his  mother 
brought  him  to  America,  and  as  his  father  was  in  those 
earlier  years  in  limited  circumstances,  the  son  received 
only  a  meager  education.  While  still  very  young  for 
such  work  he  was  placed  in  his  father's  shop,'  and  there 


toiled  early  and  late,  as  did  his  brothers  also.  But 
this  hard  toil  brought  its  just  reward,  and  as  the  fath- 
er's business  interests  enlarged  the  son  prospered  with 
him.  Magnus  remained  in  association  with  his  father 
until  the  latter  shut  down  his  factory  in  1873,  and  then' 
opened  up  a  machine  shop  of  his  own.  His  business 
grew  steadily,  and  he  was  one  of  Reading's  substan- 
tial men  of  affairs  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1890. 

In  1854  Magnus  Mellert  married  Ludema,  daughter 
of  John  and  Catherine  (Close)  Philipi,  and  granddaugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Close.  To  this  union  were  born  three 
children,  namely:  John,  deceased;  Emma,  deceased; 
and  Addie,  m.  to  Thomas  Moore,  a  prosperous  cigar 
and  tobacco  merchant  of  Reading.  There  are  three 
grandchildren,  namely:  Lillie,  the  wife  of  Robert  Heil- 
man,  a  shoe  merchant  on  Penn  street;  Robert;  and 
Ludema.  While  Mrs.  Mellert  was  a  devout  member 
of  St.  James  Lutheran  Church,  her  husband  adhered 
to  the  faith  of  his  fathers,  and  remained  in  the  Catho- 
lic Chutch,  where  he  served  for  many  years  as  chori- 
ster. 

ABRAHAM  S.  RAUDENBUSH,  M.  D.,  of  Reading, 
Pa.,  was  born  July  24,  1841,  in  Montgomery  county,  son 
of  Abraham  and  Mary  (Scholl)  Raudenbush,  and  a 
grandson  of  George  and  Mary  (Gearhart)  Raudenbush. 

George  Raudenbush,  great-grandfather  of  Dr.  A.  S., 
came  to  America  from  Germany,  and  settled  in  Bucks 
county,  near  Sellersville.  He  was  a  farmer  and  shoe- 
maker by  occupation,  and  there  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life.     He  had  two  sons,  Peter  and  George. 

George  Raudenbush,  son  of  the  emigrant  George,  was 
educated  in  the  schools  of  Bucks  county  and  early  took 
to  agricultural  piirsuits.  following  these  successfully 
throughout  his  life.  After  his  death  his  wife  resided 
with  a  daughter,  Mrs.  Harriet  Althouse.  He  was  the 
father  of  ten  children,  as  follows:  Jacob,  George,  Abra- 
ham, Samuel,  Jesse,  Enos,  Sallie  (m.  Jacob  Cressman, 
of  Bucks  county),  Harriet  (m.  Thomas  Althouse), 
Matilda  (m.  John  Clymer),  and  Elizabeth  (m.  a  Mr. 
Leida).  In  religious  belief  the  family  were  members 
of  the  Reformed  Church.  Mr.  Raudenbush  was  a 
Democrat.  He  died  in  1848,  aged  about  eighty  years, 
and  his  wife  in  1852,  when  seventy-seven  years  old. 

Abraham  Raudenbush  received  but  a  meagre  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  Bucks  county.  He  was  reared 
to  farming  pursuits,  and  carried  on  farming  near  Sel- 
lersville, later  removing  to  the  edge  of  Montgomery 
county,  and  there  remained  for  several  years.  He  later 
went  to  Sellersville,  and  there  purchased  the  old  Abra- 
ham SchuU  farm,  on  which  he  continued  to  live  until 
1863,  when  he  sold  the  farm,  retired  and  in  1882  moved 
to  Reading  .to  reside  with  his  son.  He  died  in  1892, 
aged  eighty-eight  years.  His  wife  died  in  1882,  aged 
seventy-six  years,  the  mother  of  six  children:  One 
daughter  died  in  infancy;  James  is  deceased;  Elizabeth, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Enos  Rosenberger,  of  Kutz- 
town;  Mary  married  Jacob  Trucksess,  and  lives  in 
Montgomery  county;  Abraham  S.;  and  Louisa  died 
in  infancy.  Mr.  Raudenbush  was  a  member  of  the 
Reformed  Church,  in  which  he  was  deacon  and  elder. 
In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 

Dr.  Abraham  S.  Raudenbush  was  educated  primari- 
ly in  the  schools  of  Montgomery  county  and  took  ad- 
vanced studies  at  Freeland  Seminary  (now  Ursinus 
College.  Early  in  life  he  evidenced  a  desire  for  the 
medical  profession,  and  read  medicine  under  Keeler  & 
Groff  of  Montgomery  county  and  remaining  with  them 
two  years,  when  he  entered  Jefferson  Medical  College 
of  Philadelphia,  graduating  with  the  class  of  1863,  with 
the  degree  of  M.  D.  His  first  field  of  practice  was 
Adamstown,  Lancaster  county,  where  he  remained 
eighteen  years,  and  he  then  located  in  Reading,  open- 
ing an  office  at  No.  233  South  Fourth  street.  After 
four  years  spent  at  this  .office,  the  Doctor  removed  to 
his  present  location  and  here  he  has  been  actively 
engaged  in  practice.     The  Doctor  was  for  some  years 


688 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY.  PENNSYLVANIA 


a  member  of  the  medical  staff  of  the  Reading  Hos- 
pital, being  one  of  the  iirst  to  hold  that  position  after 
the  hospital  opened  its  doors  to  the  public,  and  he 
continued  in  that  capacity  until  1903,  when  he  retired. 
He  still  retains  his  position,  however,  on  the  staff  of 
examiners  of  students  for  resident  physicians.  He 
is  connected  with  the  Reading  and  Berks  countj' 
medical  societies  and  the  Pennsylvania  Medical  As- 
sociation, as  well  as  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. He  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Lehigh  Val- 
ley Medical  Association,  which  meets  but  once  a  year 
for  the  benefit  of  the  public,  and  was  a  Tri-Coun:y 
Sensorial  District  for  Schuylkill,  Berks  and  Montgom- 
ery counties.  The  Doctor  is  fraternally  connected  with 
the  Royal  Arcanum.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat, 
but  is  broad  and  liberal  in  his  views. 

In  1865  Dr.  Raudenbush  married  Miss  Sarah  Stauf- 
fer,  daughter  of  Henry  Stauffer,  of  Lancaster  county, 
and  one  child  was  born  to  this  union:  Charles  H.,  who 
is  a  druggist  of  Reading,  keeping  one  of  the  finest 
pharmacies  in  the  city. 

DR.  LOT  BENSON.  The  late  Dr.  Benson  was  known 
in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  as  one  of  Reading's  success- 
ful business  men,  but  as  a  young  mian  he  had  studied  and 
practised  medicine.  His  life  covered  the  greater  part  of 
the  nineteenth  century,  and  its  long  record  was  that  of  a 
useful  and  venerable  citizen,  who  had  merited  and  won  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 

Dr.  Benson  was  born  in  Reading  Oct.  1,  1802,  and  after 
attending  the  Reading  Academy  he  began  his  preparation 
for  the  medical  profession.  He  took  the  course  offered  in 
the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Philadelphia,  and  after 
receiving  his  degree  practised  for  some  years  in  Reading, 
meeting  with  considerable  success.  He  found,  however, 
that  his  tastes  inclined  him  more  to  the  commercial 
world  than  to  the  professional,  and  a  few  years  later 
relinquished  the  practice  of  medicine  and  turned  hiS 
attention  to  mercantile  pursuits.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  was  so  engaged  at  Womelsdorf.  In  1845  he  came  to 
Reading,  and  was  in  the  iron  business  with  Eckert  & 
Bro.,  continuing  with  them  for  the  remainder  of  his 
active  life,  but  his  last  few  years  he  spent  retired  from 
active  responsibilities  and  cares.     He  died  in  1883. 

In  1829  Dr.  Benson  married  Miss  Eliza  Eckert,  daughter 
of  Peter  Eckert,  of  Womelsdorf,  a  member  of  one  of  the 
early  families  of  that  district.  Four  children  were  born  of 
this  union,  namely:  (1)  David  E.,  a  well-known  ironmaster 
connected  with  the  Donegal  Furnace,  at  Marietta,  Lan- 
caster county.  Pa.,  died  June  17,  1901.  He  was  a  man  of 
high  standing,  and  was  much  interested  in  all  philanthropic 
work.  He  gave  the  ground  for  the  Hope  Rescue  Mis- 
sion, and  proved  his  interest  in  many  ways.  (2)  Susan  E. 
(3)  Mary  C.  died  in  1873.  (4)  Rebecca  H.  died  in  1848. 
The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  in  1869,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-two  years.  Both  she  and  the  Doctor  were  members 
,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  for  forty  years  he 
served  efficiently  as  elder.  A  staunch  Republican  in  prin- 
ciple, he  nevertheless  concerned  himself  with  public  affairs 
only  as  a  good  citizen,  never  as  a  politician.  The  family 
was  one  highly  respected  in  Reading,  and  active  in  var- 
ious fields. 

ABRAHAM  HEFFNER,  a  retired  resident  of  Rich- 
mond township,  Berks  county,  who  was  for  many 
years  engaged  in  farming  in  that  section,  was  born 
on  the  old  Heffner  homestead  near  Virginville,  July 
20,  1836. 

Heinrich  Haeffner,  great-grandfather  of  Abraham, 
and  his  wife  Maria  Eva  Kelchner,  to  whom  he  was 
married  Nov.  28,  1752,  were  the  progenitors  of  this 
family  in  Berks  county,  Pa.  He  was  probably  the 
Henry  Haffner  who  came  in  the  ship  "Patience"  from 
the  Palatinate  and  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Wurtemberg 
with  270  other  -passengers,  sailing  from  Rotterdam, 
via  Cowes,  Sept.  19,  1749.  His  family  of  six  children 
were:   Johann   Heinrich,   Hans    Georg,   Eva   Catharine, 


Elizabeth,  Eva  Magdalena  and  Catharine.  Heinrich 
Haffner  was  a  son  of  Andreas,  of  Eberstadt,  a  town 
four  miles  south  of  Darmstadt,  Germany.  In  1753,  the 
year  of  his  marriage,  he  established  himself,  about  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  south  of  Virginville,  on  the  land  now 
owned  by  Richard  G.  Trexler.  He  brought  with  him 
from  Germany  a  box  containing  many  old  papers,  and 
was  probably  a  weaver  by  trade,  as  he  reserved  "den 
Webstuhl  und  das  Geschirr  dazu"  in  an  agreement 
with  his  son,  Heinrich,  made  April  13,  1784. 

Johann  Heinrich  Heffner,  grandfather  of  Abraham, 
was  born  Nov.  23,  1754,  aiid  died  June  27,  1825.  He 
was  the  first  born  of  his  parents,  and  was  a  farmer  in 
Richmond  township,  living  on  his  father's  land,  which 
was  acquired  by  patent  from  the  Commanwealth  in 
1784.  He  married  Anna  Katherinfe  Kohler,  daughter 
of  John  and  Anna  Maria  Kohler,  of  Greenwich  town- 
ship. They  had  ten  children,  namely:  Daniel;  John; 
Henry;  Abraham;  Samuel;  Solomon;  Polly,  who  was 
lame  and  died  single  aged  sixty-six  years;  Kate,  m. 
to  Lansing  Knapp,  of  West  Penn  township,  Schuylkill 
county;  Hannah,  m.  to  Daniel  UnderkofHer,  of  Mohrs- 
ville;  and  Jacob.  While  Heinrich  Heffner  was  a  pris- 
oner during  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  was  confined 
in  a  church  in  New  Jersey,  and  there  a  great-uncle  of 
Samuel  Heffner,  of  Moselem  Springs,  was  frozen  to 
death.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  valuable  paper 
now  in  possession  of  one  of  the  descendants  in  Berks 
county:  "Whereas,  Heinrich  Heffner  of  Jacob  Baldy's 
company  in  Col.  Philip  Gehr's  Battalion  has  made 
complaint  to  us,  the  Subscribers,  Commissioners  of 
said  county  that  he  could  not  attend  at  the  Muster  and 
Field  days  in  1777  and  1778,  he  being  a  Prisoner  of  War 
and  not  exchanged,  and  we  find  his  complaint  just,  do 
therefore  agreeable  to  an  act  of  Assembly  acquit  and 
exhonerate  the  said  Heinrich  Heffner  from  fine  which 
might  have  incurred  from  not  attending  said  Muster 
and  Field  days.  Given  under  our  Hands,  the  fourth 
day  of  October,  in  the  year  of  Our  Lord,  One  thous- 
and, seven  hundred  and  ninety.  (Signed)  John  Keim, 
Henry  Speyker,  Jacob   Beyer." 

Abraham  Heffner,  father  of  Abraham,  who  was  a 
farmer  and  lifelong  resident  of  Richmond  township, 
was  born  in  1798,  and  died  in  1854.  He  was  the  owner 
of  the  original  Heffner  homestead  about  three-quar- 
ters of  a  mile  south  of  Virginville.  He  married  Polly 
Kerchner,  born  in  1801,  daughter  of  Godleib  Kerchner, 
of  Greenwich  township.  She  died  in  the  seventy-sixth 
year  of  her  age.  To  them  were  born  these  children: 
Isaac,  who  died  single,  was  a  farmer  of  Richmond ' 
township;  Elizabeth  m.  Charles  Zettelmoyer,  also  a 
farmer  of  Greenwich  township;  Polly  died  single,  aged 
seventy-three  years;  Sarah  died  in  infancy;  Anna  m. 
Samuel  Boyer,  a  "stone  mason  of  Richmond  township, 
later  of  Denver,  Columbia  Co.,  Pa.,  where  they  died; 
Susanna  died  single,  aged  fifty-one  years;  Daniel  was  a 
carpenter  and  farmer  of  Richmond  township;  Abra- 
ham; Carolina  never  married;  and  Samuel  died  when 
twenty-four  years  old. 

Abraham  Heffner,  son  of  Abraham  and  Polly,  was 
reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and  he  followed  this 
vocation  until  1900,  when  he  retired  from  active  life. 
He  received  a  limited  education  in  the  free  school  of 
his  time,  but  he  has  since,  through  observation  and 
study,  become  a  well  educated  man.  At  the  age  of 
forty-two  years  Abraham  Heffner  m.  Miss  Racy  Ann 
Stoudt,  daughter  of  Benneville  and  Hettie  (Berndt) 
Stoudt,  of  Maiden-creek  township.  The  following 
children  were  born  to  this  union:  Mary,  m.  to  John  A. 
C.  Wiesner,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Kempton,  Pa., 
and  Samuel,  Sallie  and  Susanna,  at  home.  In  the  spring 
of  1855,  one  year  after  the  death  of  his  father,  Mr. 
Heffner  began  farming  for  himself  on  the  Heffner  home- 
stead, purchasing  the  farm  at  appraisement  and  con- 
tmumg  thereon  until  1880,  when  he  sold  this  property 
and  purchased  the  Reeser  farm  of  eighty-six  acres  in 
Maiden-creek  township,  continuing  thereon  for  nineteen 


'>« 


N  < 


/f^l__ 


rTCUlr-l,  cC_,     (b  .     /\X£^^-t-^^-JD-l^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


689 


years.  On  this  tract  he  then  discovered  an  inexhaust- 
ible amount  of  a  fine  quality  of  cement  stone,  for  the 
handling,  of  which,  a  number  of  leading  Reading  capi- 
talists formed  the  Reading  Cement  Company,  to  which 
company  Mr.  Heffner  sold  his  farm  in  1900  for  a  large 
figure.  At  this  time  he  purchased  the  large  brick  resi- 
dence in  which  he  and  his  family  are  comfortably 
situated.  Mr.  Heflfner  is  considered  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial citizens  of  Richmond  township,  and  is  well 
known  and  highly  esteemed. 

WILLIAM  W.  SNYDER,  who  for  many  years  was 
engaged  extensively  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Reading 
and  throughout  Berks  county,  was  born  in  Ruscomb- 
manor  township,  Berks  county,  in  1836,  son  of  Jacob 
and  Barbara  (Williams)  Snyder,  prosperous  farming 
people  of  that  section.  The  corner  stone  in  their  house 
bore  the  date  A.  D.  1768. 

^yilliam  W.  Snyder  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  township  and  an  academy  at  Boyertown,  in 
the  meantime  assisting  his  father  in  the  duties  of  the 
farm.  After  leaving  school  he  remained  at  home  for 
a  short  time,  and  then  went  to  Evansville,  where  for 
a  short  time  he  was  engaged  in  clerking,  then  going 
to  Bower's  Station.  At  the  latter  place  he  engaged  in 
a  general  store  business,  and  continued  there  for  two 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  bought  the  well- 
known  and  well-established  foundry  at  Kutztown  of 
Haack  &  Kline,  operating  it  for  a  period  of  one  and 
one-half  years.  Mr.  Snyder  then  went  to  Spangsville, 
where  he  purchased  the  general  store  business  of  a 
Mr.  Spang,  which  he  conducted  for  three  years,  then 
coming  to  Reading.  He  engaged  in  the  grocery  and 
dry  goods  business  at  Eighth  and  Penn  streets  in  the 
Breneiser  building  for  a  period  of  two  years,  after  which 
he  engaged  in  the  same  business  at  No.  235  North 
Eighth  street,  the  present  site  of  the  Schaeffer  baking 
establishment.  After  continuing  there  for  a  period  of 
five  years,  he  spent  two  years  in  his  native  township, 
and  then  again  came  to  Reading,  locating  at  No.  204 
Eighth  street,  where  Mrs.  Snyder  lived  for  twenty- 
eight  years.  Her  home  is  now  at  No.  547  the  same 
street,  and  she  owns  the  valuable  property  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Tenth  and  Elm  streets,  now  occupied  by  Mr. 
Bland  as  a  shoe  store. 

After  locating  at  Reading,  Mr.  Snyder  engaged  in 
business  on  the  corner  above  mentioned,  in  partner- 
ship with  John  Hoflfman,  the  firm  being  known  as 
Snyder  &  Hoffman,  and  he  continued  there  for  fourteen 
years.  After  selling  out  to  Kline  &  Wann,  Mr.  Snyder 
removed  his  business  to  Third  and  Washington  streets 
and  five  years  later  to  Bingaman  street.  He  died  on 
a  quiet  Sunday  evening,  March  5,  1904,  and  his  burial 
was  at  Kutztown.  He  was  a  man  highly  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him  and  was  beloved  and  looked  up 
to   by   his    family. 

Mr.  Snyder  was  united  in  marriage  with  Louisa  R. 
Kemp,  daughter  of  the  late  George  G.  and  Mary 
(Yoder)  Kemp.  She  was  educated  at  South  Bethlehem 
College.  The  Kemp  family  is  an  old  and  honorable 
one,  and  the  name  is  perpetuated  by  Kempton,  Pa. 
The  cornerstone  in  the  Kemp  homestead  on  the  Kutz- 
town and  Allentown  road  is  dated  A.  D.  1765.  In  this 
house  was  a  special  room  furnished  for  tramps  to  sleep 
in.  The  Kemps  donated  the  land  for  Kutztown  paik, 
so  popular  with  churches  and  Sunday-schools,  some 
times  as  may  as  six  excursions  in  a  week  being  run  to 
this  park.  George  Kemp,  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Snyder, 
married  Catherine  Griesmer.  Her  father,  George  G. 
Kemp,  was  a  life-long  farmer  of  Maxatawny  township 
and  owned  valuable  property  in  the  vicinity  of  Kutz- 
town. He  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years,  and  his 
widow  survived  to  the  age  of  sixty-three.  They  had 
these  children:  Mrs.  Jonathan  Grim;  David,  deceased; 
George,  who  died  at  Springfield,  Ohio;  Martin,  a  resi- 
dent of  Lyon  Station,  Berks  county;  and  Louisa  R., 
widow  of  Mr.  Snyder. 
44 


The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snyder  were:  Howard 
K.,  a  resident  of  Reading;  Solon  K.,  a  machinist;  Ir- 
win K.,  a  tailor;  Laura  E.,  m.  to  Walter  B,  Koch,  of 
Reading;  Estella  V.,  m.  to  Clyde  W.  Gray;  and  Susan 
L.,  m.  to  Harvey  I.  Reinby. 

FREDERICK  A.  HINNERSHITZ,  for  many  years 
a  well-known  resident  of  Reading,  Pa.,  died  Aug.  24, 
1896,  at  his  home  in  Riverside.  Mr.  Hinnershitz  was 
born  Dec.  4,  1841,  in  Alsace  township,  Berks  county, 
son  of  Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Harbold)  Hinnershitz. 

Isaac  Hinnershitz,  who  resided  in  Alsace  township, 
was  an  agriculturist  all  of  his  life,  and  was  a  good 
citizen  and  much  respected  by  his  fellow  townsmen. 
He  married  Rebecca  Harbold,  of  that  township,  and 
to  them  were  born  a  family  of  eleven  children:  Hen- 
ry, Ann  Eliza,  Lydia,  Mary,  Frederick,  Jaines,  John, 
Isaac,  William,  Amos  and  Rebecca.  In  rehgious  belief 
the  family  were  connected  with  the  Reformed  denom- 
ination. In  politics  Mr.  Hinnershitz  was  a  Demo- 
crat, 

Frederick  A.  Hinnershitz  resided  on  a  farm  in  Bern 
township,  which  was  vented  of  Jacob  Bushong  by  his 
father,  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  in  1861  or 
1862  removed  to  Riverside,  where  he  continued  to 
live  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  working  at  the 
Reading  Hardware  Company's  works  until  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Carpenter  Steel  Works.  He  died 
Aug.  4,  1896,  in  the  faith  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
and  was  buried  at  Alsace  Church.  Mr.  Hinnershitz 
was  a  man  of  many  sterling  qualities  of  character, 
and  on  account  of  them  was  respected  and  esteemed 
by  those  who  knew  him.  In  his  political  belief  he 
was  a  Democrat. 

On  Sept.  14,  1861,  Mr.  Hinnershitz  was  married  to 
Cathei-ine  Fox,  daughter  of  George  and  Maria 
(Schmeck)  Fox,  and  to  this  union  there  was  born 
one  son:  James,  born  March  15,  1862,  in  Muhlenberg 
township,  who  married  Emma  Bahn,  and  has  three 
children,  Mary,  Fred  and  Edith. 

LEWIS  G.  FRITZ,  now  living  at  his  pleasant  res- 
idence at  Mountain  View,  was  for  a  number  of  years 
well  known  to  the  people  of  Cumru  township,  Berks 
county,   as   a   leading  hotel   proprietor. 

Miartin  Fritz,  grandfather  of  Lewis  G.  Fritz,  owned 
the  land  around  the  "Center  House"  (Grill  post-office), 
in  Cumru  township,  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  an 
early  resident  of  the  Yocum's  Church  district,  where 
he  was  buried.  He  married  Catherine  Retchja,  and  to 
them  were  born  children  as  follows:  Harry,  John  and 
George,  of  Lancaster  county;  Jacob,  a  blacksmith  of 
Brecknock  township;  Martin  and  Elias,  twins,  the 
latter  a  blacksmith  at  Center;  Mary,  married  to  Henry 
Foreman;  Catherine;  and  Harriet  (died  in  March,  1909), 
married  to  Cyrus  Strohl,  of  Lancaster  county.  All  of 
the  sons  in  this  family  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade, 
and  all  are  deceased. 

Martin  Fritz,  the  father  of  Lewis  G.,  was  born  Aug. 
11,  1806,  in  Cumiru  township,  and  died  at  Shillington. 
just  four  days  before  his  eighty-fourth  birthday.  For 
many  years  he  was  a  farmer  in  Cumru  township,  where 
he  owned  considerable  land,  but  several  years  were 
spent  at  Wernersville  and  Sinking  Spring.  He  was  an 
official  member  of  Yocum's  Church.  Mr.  Fritz  married 
Susan  Gring,  daughter  of  Henry  Gring,  and  to  them 
were  born  these  children:  Lewis  G.;  John,  living  at 
No.  216  West  Douglass  Street,  Reading;  Susan,  m.  to 
Jeremiah  Gehret;  Amos;  Samuel,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  twenty  years;  Henry  G.,  m.  to  Susanna  Hinnershitz; 
Joseph,  who  died  when  twenty  years  old;  and  Sarah 
m.  to  John  M.  Grill. 

Lewis  G.  Fritz  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Cumru 
township,  and  obtained  most  of  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  locality,  later  spending 
six  months  in  a  school  at  Churchtown,  Lancaster  coun- 
ty. In  1871^  he  became  the  proprietor  of  the  "Green 
Tree  Hotel,"  in  Cumru  township,  which  he  conducted 


690 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


for  fourteen  successive  years,  then  .  removing  upon 
the  Boyer  farm,  at  the  Lancaster  bridge,  where  he 
farmed  for  seven  years.  In  1893  he  removed  to  his 
private  residence  near  the  "Green  Tree  Hotel,"  and 
during  the  summer,  and  winter  of  1896  built  the  "Moun- 
tain View  Hotel."  which  he  occupied  from  April  29, 
1897,  until  April  i,  1907,  when  his  son,  Henry  F.,  suc- 
ceeded him  in  the  management.  Mr.  Fritz  then  erect- 
ed two  nice  frame  dwellings  at  Mountain  View,  in 
one  of  which  he  is  now  living  retired.  He  rebuilt  two 
brick  houses  below  his  residence  in  1907,  and  these 
he  has  rented.  He  was  at  one  time  part  owner  of 
the  ■  famous  Fritz  Island,  located  one  and  one-half 
miles  south  of  Reading,  in  the  Schuylkill  river,  his 
interests  in  which  he  sold  to  the  city  of  Reading  in 
1906.  He  recalls  very  well  the  historic  flood  of  185S', 
and  the  following  incident  concerning  it  is  ever  fresh 
in  his  memory:  The  Bushong  distillery  was  located 
at  the  foot  of  Penn  street,  Reading,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Schuylkill,  and  when  the  river  rose  the  rushing  tor- 
rents tore  the  large  pig  sty  from  its  foundations  and 
dumped  over  a  hundred  hogs  into  the  river.  They 
swam  one  -and  one-half  miles  down  the  river  and  thir- 
ty-three were  washed  ashore  on  Fritz  Island  and  saved. 
This  island  is  quite  large,  at  its  highest  point  being 
twenty-one  and  one-half  feet  above  low  water  mark, 
and  of  the  island  six  acres  have  never  been  under 
water  to  the  knowledge  of  the  oldest  residents  here. 
In  politics  Mr.  Fritz  is  a  Republican,  and  for  four 
years  he  was  supervisor  of  the  township.  He  and  his 
family  are  Lutheran  members  of  Christ's  (Yocum's) 
Church. 

On  Oct.  16,  1859,  Mr.  Fritz  was  married  to  Sarah 
Ann  Focht,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Catherine  (Hem- 
mig)  Focht,  of  Robeson  township,- and  to  them  were 
born  these  children:  Emma  Louisa,  born  July  24,  1860, 
m.  (first)  Jacob  Adam,  deceased,  and  (second)  Frank 
Boyer;  Henry  F.,  born  Nov.  18,  1861;  Catharine,  born 
June  4,  1865,  died  June  8,  1876;  Sylvester,  born  Jan. 
13,  1868;  Margaret,  born  Oct.  4.  1869,  died  May  31, 
1876;  Sarah  Ann,  born  Sept.  23,  1870,  died  May  27, 
1876;  Lewis,  born  Oct.  28,  1872,  died  May  31,  1876,  the 
same  day  as  his  sister  Margaret,  and  both  were  buried 
in  one  grave;  George,  born  May  5,  1875,  a  carpenter 
foreman  for  L.  H.  Focht,  the  well-known  contractor, 
ni.  Agnes  M.  Hain;  Alice,  born  May  30,  1879,  m.  Wil- 
liam Robinson,  and  has  two  children,  Catharine  May 
and  Ray  Sarah;  and  two  boys  were  still  born. 

George  F.  Fritz,  youngest  son  of  Lewis  G.  Fritz, 
was  born  in  Cumru  township,  Berks  county.  May  5, 
1875.  He  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
district,  and  later  was  a  pupil  at  the  Reading  Academy, 
then  taught  by  the  late  Prof.  D.  B.  Brunner.  He  was 
reared  upon  the  farm,  living  there  until  1892,  at  which 
time  he  left  home  to  learn  his  trade,  serving  his  ap- 
prenticeship under  L.  H.  Focht,  with  whom  he  has 
continued  up  to  the  present  time.  He  is  now  foreman 
of  a  gang  of  carpenters,  and  the  high  reputation  en- 
joyed by  his  employer  is  sufficient  testimony  as  to  his 
ability,  for  the  position  is  a  very  responsible  one.  He 
is  a  man   of  good  habits  and  is  well  liked. 

Mr.  Fritz  was  married,  July  11,  1896,  to  Miss  Agnes 
M.  Hain,  daughter  of  Abraham  U.  Hain,  and  five  child- 
ren have  been  born  to  them,  namely:  Mabel  H..  Paul 
H.,  Walter  H.,  James  H.  and  Mary  A.  H.  Since  1898 
this  family  have  occupied  their  own  home  at  West 
Reading.  This  place  was  erected  by  Mr.  Fritz's  broth- 
er-in-law, the  late  James  M.  Hain.  The  Fritz  family 
belong  to  Bethany  Lutheran  Church  of  West  Read- 
ing. In  politics  Mr.  Fritz  is  a  Republican,  and  in 
social  connection  he  is  a  member  of  Fraternity  Castle, 
No.  302,  K.  G.  E.,  of  Reading. 

HENRY  F.  FRITZ.  One  of  the  best  known  pleasure 
resorts  of  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of  Reading,  Pa.,  is 
the  "Mountain  View  Hotel,"  situated  on  the  old  Mor- 
gantown   road,   one   and   one-half  miles  from  the  city. 


which  is  conducted  by  Mr.  Henry  F.  Fritz,  a  hotel 
keeper  of  many  years  experience.  Mr.  Fritz  was  born 
Nov.  18,  1861,  in  Cumru  township,  son  of  Lewis  G.  and 
Sarah  Ann  (Focht)  Fritz. 

Henry  F.  Fritz  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  township,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm,  which  he  continued  to  operate  for  ten  years  after 
his  marriage.-  He  then  engaged  in  the  hotel  business 
at  Jacksonwald,  Berks  county,-  where  he  continued  for 
seven  years,  his  next  venture  being  in  the  ice  business 
in  Reading,  which  he  conducted  very  successfully  for 
five  years.  On  April  1,  1907,  Mr.  Fritz  succeeded  his 
father  in  the  management  of  the  "Mountain  View 
Hotel,"  which  has  twenty-four  finely  furnished  rooms 
with  all  modern  conveniences.  Mr.  Fritz  makes  a  cour- 
teous and  genial  host,  and  his  hostelry  is  becoming 
very  popular  as  a  pleasure  and  health  resort. 

On  Nov.  29,  1885,  Mr.  Fritz  was  married  to  Miss 
Clara  Berg,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Maria  (Noll)  Berg, 
and  to  them  two  children  have  been  born:  Augusta  M. 
and  Carrie  C.  Mr.  Fritz  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  while  a  resident  of  Jacksonwald,  served  as  post- 
master for  a  period  of  seven  years.  In  1908  he  was. 
elected  treasurer  of  his  township,  and  re-elected  in  1909. 
He  has  been  prominent  in  fraternal  circles,  and  is  a 
popular  member  of  Wyomissing  Council,  Royal  Arca- 
num, and  Camp  No.  230,  P.  O.  S.  of  A., 'of  St.  Lawrence, 
Berks  county. 

CYRUS  LORD,  late  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
Union  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  Aug.  18,  1834,  son 
of  Absalom  and  Margaret  (Rice)  Lord,  natives  of 
Berks  county,   and  grandson  of  Joseph   and  Mary  Lord. 

Joseph  Lord  was  a  native  of  America  of  Scotch 
parentage,  and  was  a  farmer  and  collier  by  trade. 
To  him  and  his  wife  Mary  were  born:  Absalom;  Eman- 
uel; Maria,  m.  to  a  Mr.  Green,  and  Mary,  m.  to_  a 
Mr.  Fair,  of  Lancaster  county.  In  religious  belief 
Joseph  Lord  and  his  wife  were   Episcopalians. 

Absalom  Lord  followed  boating  on  the  old  Schuyl- 
kill canal,  and  was  a  prominent  figure  in  the  early 
history  of  canaling.  He  retired  about  twenty  years 
prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1869,  and  his 
wife,  Margaret  Rice,  passed  away  in  her  seventy-sec- 
ond year.  They  had  these  children:  Joseph,  Daniel, 
Charles,  one  that  died  in  infancy,  Cyrus,  Emanuel, 
Harriet,  John,  Mary,  William,  Absalom,  Henry  and 
Peter.  Mr.  Lord  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  he  was  first  a  Whig, 
and  later  became  a  Republican. 

Cyrus  Lord  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of 
Berks  county.  In  1855  he  married  Joanna  Becker, 
who  died  in  1900,  aged  sixty-four  years.  She  was  the 
mother  of  three  children:  Anna,  Jacob  and  Amelia,  the 
last  named  being  the  wife  of  John  N.  Tomney,  of 
Reading,  Pa.  Mr.  Lord  was  a  member  of  the  Mason- 
ic Order,  holding  membership  in  St.  John's  Lodge, 
No.  435,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Excelsior  Chapter;  Reading  Com- 
mandery;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  Mr. 
Lord  was  one  of  the  trustees  in  St.  John's  Lodge  for 
many  years,  and  the  standard  bearer  in  Reading  Com- 
mandery  for  a  long  time,  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death. 

THOMAS  P.  ANSPACH,  a  leading  business  man 
of  Womelsdorf,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  who  is  extensively 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars,  was  born  in 
that  town,  March  19,  1858,  son  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth 
(Walters)    Anspach. 

The  Anspach  family  of  Berks  county  descends  from 
one  of  the  German  emigrants  that  left  their  native 
country  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century 
and  came  to  New  York,  settling  in  the  Schoharie 
Valley,  where  they  lived  for  several  years,  steadily 
bringing  that  part  of  the  country  up  to  a  prosperous 
condition.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  Gov- 
ernor Hunter  inflicted  upon  them  intolerable  laws  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


C91 


terribly  mistreated  these  sturdy,  industrious  settlers, 
and  in  the  fall  of  1723,  150  families  fled  from  the 
governor's  jurisdiction  and  made  their  way  across 
the  forests  into  Pennsylvania,  many  of  them  settling 
in  Bethel,  Heidelberg,  and  Tulpehocken  townships, 
in  Berks  county.  Among  these  early  Penn- 
sylvania settlers  was  George  Ansfiach.  Five  years 
later,  in  1728,  came  another  large  influx  of  these  fam- 
ilies, and  among  the  latter  was  Leonard  Anspach, 
who  in  1759  was  a  taxable  in  Tulpehocken  township, 
paying  nine  pounds.  Also  in  this  year  the  tax  list 
registered  the  names  of  John  and  Peter  Anspach,  the 
former  paying  eighteen  and  the  latter  twenty  pounds. 
One  of  these  was  the  ancestor  of  Adam  Anspach, 
grandfather  of  Thomas  P.  Adam  Anspach  and  Philip 
Anspach  were  sergeants  in  Capt.  Michael  Ferrer's 
Company  of  the  Berks  County  Militia,  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  serving  from  June,  1780,  until  July  15, 
1781. ,  John  Anspach,  of  Heidelberg  township,  was 
second  lieutenant  in 'Capt.  John  Lesher's  Fifth  Com- 
pany of  the  Battalion  of  Berks  county.  May  17,  1777. 

Adam  Anspach,  grandfather  of  Thomas  P.,  was  born 
on  the  Anspach  homestead  in  Marion  township,  and 
is  buried  at  Host  Church.  He  was  a  lifelong  farmer, 
owning  the  old  homestead;  He  and  his  wife,  Mag- 
dalena  (Kintzer)  Anspach,  had  a  family  of  sixteen 
children,  as  follows:  David,  who  had  Eliza,  Dietta, 
Sarah  and  Lucy;  Jacob,  who  had  three  wives,  and  was 
the  father  of  nineteen  children;  John,  who  had  Eliza 
and  Samuel;  Samuel,  who  had  Henry,  Sue,  Samuel. 
John  and  Emma;  Adam,  who  had  Cyrus,  Catherine, 
Lillie;  Jonathan,  who  was  a  bachelor;  Joseph,  who 
had  four  children;  Isaac,  the  father  of  Thomas  P.; 
Mary,  who  died  unmarried;  Sallie,  m.  to  Samuel  Rieg- 
el;  Elizabeth,  m.  to  Peter  SchoU;  Molly,  who  died 
unmarried  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years;  and  four 
others  who  died  young.  Of  this  family  Jonathan  and 
Mary  lived  together  at  Womelsdorf,  both  now  being 
deceased. 

Isaac  Anspach,  son  of  Adam,  was  born  June  16, 
1819.  He  owned  a  cozy  little  farm  of  thirty  acres 
lying  in  the  borough  of  Womelsdorf,  where  he  died 
May  27,  1881.  He  was  a  Lutheran  in  religious  belief, 
and  an  official  member  of  Zion's  Union  Church.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Walters,  born  Jan.  8,  1824,  died 
Dec.  30,  1899.  They  had  four  children,  namely:  Frank, 
born  in  1846,  died  in  1852;  Jonathan,  born  in  1850,  died 
in  1852;  Lizzie  m.  George  Himmelberger,  of  Womels- 
dorf;   and    Thomas    P. 

Thomas  P.  Anspach  obtained  his  education  in  the 
borough  schools,  and  was  reared  upon  the  home  farm, 
assisting  his  father.  On  reaching  his  fourteenth  year 
he  learned  the  cigar  making  business,  and  until  1886 
he  engaged  in  that  business  as  a  traveling  salesman. 
In  the  year  mentioned  Mr.  Anspach  began  to  manu- 
facture cigars,  in  which  business  he  has  continued  to 
the  present  time  with  much  success.  He  owns  a 
two-story  factory  on  First  street,  where  he  employs 
half  a  dozen  skilled  mechanics,  and  disposes  of  his 
product  through  jobbers.  He  erected  a  fine  brick 
residence  at  the  corner  of  First  and  Franklin  streets, 
Womelsdorf,  in  1906,  and  here  he  and  his  family 
make  their  home.  Until  Sept.  23,  1905,  he  had  his 
business  on  North  Third  street,  when  he  was  burned 
out,  suffering  a  heavy  loss.  The  two  houses  on  the 
place  had  been  standing  there  for  upwards  of  100 
years. 

Mr.  Anspach  is  a  member  of  Golden  Rule  Lodge  No. 
159,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Washington  Camp  No.  67,  P.  O. 
S.  of  A.,  both  of  Womelsdorf,  having  been  connecte'd 
with  the  former  since  1877,  and  the  latter  since  1873. 
He  and  his  family  are  attendants  of  Zion's  Lutheran 
Church. 

On  Aug.  14,  1880,  Mr.  Anspach  was  married  to  Ida 
Behney,  daughter  of  Milton  and  Rebecca  (Batdorf) 
Behney,  and  »to  this  union  there  were  born  three 
sons:  Irwin  M.,  a  drug  clerk  of  Womelsdorf,  m.  Annie 


Kauffman,  of  Millerston,  Perry  Co.,  Pa.;  Frank  B. 
m.  Olive  Lambertson,  of  Mapleton,  Huntmgdon  Co., 
Pa.,  and  has  had  two  children,  Ida  G.  (deceased)  and 
Thomas;  and  John  I.,  unmarried,  is  a  cigar  maker  by 
occupation. 

FRANKLIN  D.  HEFFNER,  an  influential  and  well- 
to-do  agriculturist"  of  Berks  county,  Pa.,  who  is  now 
residing  on  the  original  Merkel  homestead  in  the 
eastern  end  of  Richmond  township,  was  born  on  the 
old  original  Heffner  homestead,  near  Virginville,  in 
Richmond  township,  Feb.  20,  1859,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Lucy  (Wink)  Heffner. 

Heinrich  Haeffner,  the  great-great-grandfather  "of 
Franklin  D.  Heffner,  emigrated  from  the  Palatinate, 
Wurtemberg,  Germany.  He  was  twice  married,  his 
second  wife  being  Maria  Eva  Kelchner,  daughter  of 
Matthaus  Kelchner,  an  early  settler  of  Richmond  town- 
ship. She  bore  him  two  sturdy  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters, namely:  Johann  Heinrich;  Hans  Georg,  born  in 
1757,  married  Maria  Hummel,  and  died  in  1818;  Eva 
Catharine;  Elizabeth;  Eva  Magdalena,  and  Catharine. 
Heinrich  Haeffner  (Haffner)  was  a ,  son  of  Andreas 
Haeffner  o{  Eberstadt,  Darmstadt,  Germany.  The 
latter  married  in  1752,  and  established  himself  about 
one  mile  south  of  Virginville,  on  the  land  now  owned 
by  Richard  G.  Trexler.  He  was  probably  a  weaver, 
as  he  mentioned  "den  Webstuhl  und  das  Geschirr 
dazu"  in  an  agreement  with  his  son  Heinrich,  made 
April   13,   1784. 

During  the  Revolutionary  War  Heinrich  Heffner  (as 
the  name  appears  in  the  record)  was  a  soldier  in  Capt. 
Joseph  Baldy's  company.  In  the  winter  of  1777-8  he 
with  others  were  confined  as  prisoners  in  a  church 
in  New  Jersey.  One  Christian  Merkel,  also  of  Rich- 
mond township,  froze  to  death  in  Heinrich  Haeflner's 
atms.  The  following  legal  document  is  on  record  in 
the  Court  House  of  Berks  county:  "Berks  County,  ss: 
Whereas  Heinrich  Heffner,  of  Jacob  Baldy's  Co.,  in 
Col.  Philip  Gehr's  Battalion,  has  made  complaint  to 
us,  the  Subscribers,  Commissioners  of  said  county  that 
he  could  not  attend  at, Muster  and  Field  days  in  1777- 
1778  as  he  was  a  prisoner  of  War  and  not  exchanged, 
and  we  find  his  complaint  just,  do  therefore,  agree- 
able to  an  Act  of  General  Assembly,  passed  the  27th 
day  of  Marcli,  1789,  acquit  and  exhonerate  the  said 
Henry  Heffner  from  the  fine  which  he  might  have 
incurred  from  not  attending  said  Muster  and  Field 
days.  Given  under  our  hands,  the  fourth  day  of 
October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand,  sev- 
en hundred  and  ninety.  (Signed)  John  Keim.  Henry 
Speyker.     Jacob  Beyer." 

Johann  Heinrich  Haeffner,  son  of  Heinrich,  was  born 
Nov.  23,  1754,  and  died  aged  seventy  years,  seven 
months  and  four  days.  He  married  Anna  Catherine 
Kohler,  born  in  1759,  and  their  children  were:  Daniel 
m.  Betsey  Graeff;  John  died  young;  Henry  m.  Betsey 
Rahn;  Abraham  (grandfather  of  Franklin  D.) ;  Sam- 
uel, born  in  1791,  m.  Kate  Folk,  and  died  in  1872; 
Solomon  m.  Rachel  Graeff;  Jacob,  born  in  1804,  m. 
Rebecca  Rahn,  and  died  in  1877;  Polly  was  a  lifelong 
invalid;  Hannah  m.  Daniel  UnderkofHer;  and  Kate  m, 
Lansing  Knapp. 

Abraham  Heffner,  son  of  Johann  Heinrich,  was  born 
in  1789,  and  died  in  1854.  He  lived  for  a  number  of 
years  at  Moselem.  To  him  and  his  wife,  Polly  Kerch- 
ner  (1801-1876),  were  born  children  as  follows:  Isaac 
died  young;  Elizabeth  m.  Charles  Zettelmoyer,  a  resi- 
dent of  the  old  Heffner  stand;  Polly;  Sarah  died  in 
childhood;  Anna  m.  Samuel  Moyer;  Susanna  died 
young;  Daniel  became  the  father  of  Franklin  D  • 
Abraham  m.  Racy  Ann  Stoudt;  Caroline;  and  Samuel 
died  young. 

Daniel  Heffner,  son  of  Abraham,  was  born  on  the 
old  Heffner  homestead  in  1834,  and  died  in  1881  He 
received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  day  and 
when  a  young  man  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  be- 
coming a   first-class   mechanic.     He  built   many  build- 


«92 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


ings  in  and  about  the  village  of  Virginville,  and  taught 
many  men  the  trade.  He  also  owned  a  small  farm 
near  Virginville,  which  is  now  in  the  possession  of 
his  son,  Franklin  D.  In  political  matters  Mr.  Heflfner 
was  a  Democrat,  and  he  was  a  leader  in  the  ranks  of 
his  party  in  this  section  of  the  state,  serving  as  school 
director  of  Richmond  township  for 'many  years.  He 
and  his  family  were  strict  Lutherans,  attendmg  Mose- 
lem  Church,  of  which  he  was  trustee  for  a  long  period. 
Daniel  Heffner  married  Lucy  Wink,  daughter  of  David 
and  Ann  (Hill)  Wink,  farming  people  of  Maxatawny 
township.  She  died  in  1902,  aged  sixty-eight  years, 
and  both  she  and  her  husband  are  buried  at  Moselem 
Church.  To  them  were  born  four  children,  as  follows: 
Franklin  D.;  Mary  Ann,  who  died  aged  ten  years; 
Amos  L,  who  died  in  his  seventeenth  year;  and  Joel, 
who  passed  away  when  four  years  old. 

■Franklin  D.  Heffner  attended  the  district  schools 
of  his  locality,  and  was  reared  upon  the  farm  on 
which  he  was  born.  For  some  years  he  lived  on  a 
small  farm  near  Virginville,  which  lies  adjacent  to 
the  old  Hefifner  homestead,  but  in  1891  he  bought  the 
fine  farm  on  which  he  now  resides.  This  property 
is  valuable.  It  is  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  town- 
ship. It  consists  of  110  acres  of  excellent  land;  the 
buildings  upon  which  are  large,  substantial  and  in  ex- 
cellent condition.  The  water  facilities  are  of  the 
best.  Mr.  Hefifner  is  an  up-to-date,  practical  agri- 
culturist, using  the  most  modern  machinery  and  im- 
plements, and  his  good  crops  are  in  a  measure  due  to 
the  manner  in  which  he  prepares  the  soil  prior  to 
planting.  He  has  a  good  herd  of  live  stock,  and  his 
horses  are  known  throughout  the  township  as  of  the 
best  breed.  He  is  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of 
Richmond  township,  and  a  heavy  tax  payer.  Person- 
ally he  is  quiet  and  unassuming,  and  he  is  known 
to  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances  as  an  honorable 
and   upright   citizen. 

Mr.  Hefiner  is  a  strong  and  uncompromising  Demo- 
crat, but,  although  he  takes  an  active  interest  in  pol- 
itics, believing  that  it  is  his  duty  as  a  citizen  to  do 
so,  he  has  never  allowed  his  name  to  be  used  as  a 
candidate  for  public  position.  He  and  his  family  are 
loyal  supporters  of  the  Lutheran  faith  and  consistent 
members  of  Moselem  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Hefifner 
has  been  deacon  for  four  years  and  treasurer  for  over 
seventeen  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  building 
committee  when  the  new  church  was  built  in  1894, 
and  contributed  largely  in  time,  money  and  material 
towards  its  erection. 

In  1881  Mr.  Heffner  married  Mary  Ann  Dietrich, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Catherine  (Keim)  Dietrich, 
of  Greenwich  township,  and  to  this  union  there  have 
been  born  children  as  follows:  Joel  W.,  Mary  C,  Daniel 
E.,  Katie  C,  Jonas  F..  Hannah  A..  A.  Howard,  Alice 
J.,  Ada  L.,  Franklin  J.  and  Florence  E. 

Adam  Dietrich,  great-great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Hefif- 
ner, was  born  in  1740  and  died  in  1817.  He  married 
Maria  Barbara  Steinbruch  (1741-1821),  who,  like  him- 
self, had  come  from  the  Palatinate,  Germany,  on  the 
good  ship  "Brittania,"  which  landed  at  Philadelphia 
Oct.  26,  1767.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Johann  Adam,  1765-1823;  Johann  Georg.  1767- 

1837;    Maria   Barbara,   1769-1846;    Catherine,    1771 ; 

Johann  Jacob,  1773-1857;  Johann  Michael,  1775-1862; 
Johann  Heinrich,  1777-about  1857;  Johannes,  1779-1830; 
a  daughter  born  in  1781;  Johann  Christian,  1783-1874; 
Maria  Magdalena,  1785;  and  Anna  Margareta,  1787- 
1838. 

Johann  Christian  Dietrich,  son  of  Adam,  was  born 
in  1783,  and  died  in  1874.  He  married  Elizabeth  Georg 
(1786-1846).  and  to  them  were  born  children  as  fol- 
lows: Benjamin,  1806-1877;  Solomon,  1807-1874;  Beckie 
m.  Jacob  Heinly;  Jonathan  was  the  grandfather  of 
Mrs.  Hefifner;  George,  1811-1887;  Samuel,  1817-1893; 
Anna  m.  Daniel  Spohn;  Hettie  m.  John   Moyer;  Dan- 


iel, 1824-1898;  Nathan,*  1827-1880;  and  Henry,  1832- 
1905. 

Jonathan  Dietrich,  son  of  Christian,  was  born  Dec. 
2,  1802,  and  died  Jan.  29,  1862.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Schearer,  born  Sept.  25,  1810,  who  died  June  7,  1897. 
and  both  were  buried  at  Moselem  Church.  They  had 
the  following  children:  Ephraim,  born  in  1835,  died 
in  1905;  Jonathan,  father  of  Mrs.  Hefifner;  Joel;  Wil- 
liam; Daniel;  Henry;  Samuel;  Edwin  and  Sarah  Ann. 

Jonathan  Dietrich,  son  of  Jonathan,  was  born  Nov. 
38,  1835,  and  died  Aug.  6,  1871.  He  owned  and  cul- 
tivated a  tract  of  fifty  acres  of  land  in  Greenwich 
township,  where  his  whole  life  was  spent.  Mr.  Dietrich 
married  Catherine  Keim,  and  to  them  were  born 
children  as  follows:  Terinta  m.  Isaac  Hess,  a  farmer 
of  Maiden-creek  township;  Mary  Ann  m.  Mr.  Hefifner; 
George  M.  m.  Katie  Fegley,  and  is  a  farmer  near 
Evansville,  Pa.;  and  Katie  m.  Oscar  Luckinbill,  of 
Leesport,  Pennsylvania. 

GEORGE  W.  SNYDER,  who  is  well  known  to  the 
people  of  Reading,  Pa.,  as  a  professional  musician,  has 
been  identified  with  musical  organizations  since  his 
twelfth  year,  and  is  the  present  director  of  the  Glen 
Echo  Orchestra.  Mr.  Snyder  was  born  in  1868,  in 
Bethel  township,  Berks  county,  soil  of  Franklin  and 
Elizabeth   (Lerch)   Snyder. 

Thomas  Snyder,  the  grandfather  of  George  W.,  was 
a  prosperous  farmer  of  Bethel  township,  and  owned 
land  deeded  to  the  family  by  the  Penns  in  1730.  He 
married  a  Miss  Wagner,  and  to  them  were  born  the 
following  children:  Washington,  Davilla,  Isaac,  Frank- 
lin. Henrietta  and  Clementina.  Of  this  family  Frank- 
lin Snyder  was  one  of  the  early  farmers  of  Bethel 
township,  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  all  of 
his  life,  dying  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years.  His 
widow  still  survives.  They' were  the  parents  of  these 
children:  Rebecca;  Enjma;  Sarah,  deceased;  William 
F. ;  George  W. ;  David  T.  and  Ella  J.,  deceased;  and 
Dora  M.  The  family  were  members  of  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

George  W-  Snyder  received  his  literary  education 
in  the  public  schools,  after  leaving  which  he  taught 
school  for  five  years,  then  engaging  as  a  brakeman 
on  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad,  with  which 
road  he  continued  for  three  years.  He  then  became 
a  United  States  railway  postal  clerk,  his  run  being 
between  Allentown  and  Harrisburg,  but  after  twelve 
years  he  resigned,  and  took  up  the  profession  of 
piano  tuning.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years  he  received 
his  first  instruction  in  music  from  Prof.  L.  A.  Drum- 
heller,  of  Harrisburg,  and  later  he  graduated  from  the 
G.  H.  Munroe  School  of  Piano  Tuning,  Boston,  hav- 
ing done  practical  work  in  the  Cornish  Piano  factory. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F..  the  P.  O.  S.  of 
A.  and  the  National  Association  of  Railway  Postal 
Clerks.     In  political  matters  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Professor  Snyder  married  A.  'Blanche  Deck,  and  to 
them  have  been  born  four  children;  Percy  A.;  Robert 
E.  and  Maysie  A.,  deceased;  and  George  D.  The  family 
attend  the  Reformed  Church. 

CYRUS  ,Q.  GULDIN,  one  of  the  leading  business 
men  of  Reading,  Pa.,  who  is  president  of  the  Read- 
ing Cold  Storage  &  Ice  Company,  was  born  in  Cole- 
brookdale  township,  Berks  county.  May  25.  1860,  son 
of  Horace  N.  and  Elizabeth  M.  (Eshbach)  Guldin. 
and  grandson  of  John  and  Maria  (Grim)  Guldifi. 

John  Guldin,  also  a  native  of  Berks  county,  was  a 
farmer  and  ran  a  saw  mill  in  his  native  locality.  He 
was  a  member  of  no  church,  although  he  favored  the 
Reformed  denomination,  and  was  a  good  Christian 
and  excellent  neighbor.  He  and  his  wife  had  these 
children:  Edward,  Henry,  James,  Cyrus,  Mary  and 
Horace    N. 

Horace  N.  Guldin  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Boyertown,  and  in  early  life  engaged  in  scliool  teaching. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


69S 


later,  however,  becoming  an  agriculturist.  He  is  now 
living  retired  at  New  Berlinville,  where  he  has  many 
friends.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  M.  Eshbach,  who  died 
in  1898,  aged  sixty-two  years,  bore  him  these  child- 
ren: James;  Cyrus  Q.;  Delilah  (m.  Reuben  Brown); 
and  Laura  (m.  Levi  Miller). 

Cyrus  Q.  Gulden  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
his  native  township  and  also  in  Montgomery  county. 
In  1891,  with  A.  J.  Brumbach,  J.  G.  Leinbach,  George 
O.  Runyeon,  J.  A.  Strohecker  and  John  H.  Printz, 
deceased,  he  formed  the  Realing  Cold  Storage  Com- 
pany, and  was  elected  president  thereof,  a  position 
which  he  has  held  contihously  to  the  present  time. 
The  plant  was  consolidated  in  1900,  it  being  at  Read 
and  Elm  streets.  It  has  a  capacity  of  sixty  tons,  and 
the  storage  house  has  300,000  cubic  feet  of  space.  The 
plant  at  South  >Iinth  street  has  a  capacity  of  130  tons 
daily,  with  250,000  cubic  feet  of  space.  Mr.  Guldin 
'is  also  superintendent  of  the  Glenside  Land  Company, 
and  the  Glenside  Water  Company;  director  of  the 
Bramcote  Land  Company;  president  of  the  Exchange 
Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
superintendent  of  the  Angelica  Water  &  Ice  Com- 
pany. He  is  also  prominent  in  fraternal  circles,  being 
a  member  of  Stichtler  Lodge,  No.  254,  F.  &  A.  M., 
of  which  he  is  past  master,  and  a  member  of  the  chap- 
ter; Nativity  Commandery  of  Pottstown,  Pa.,  and  the 
Rajah  Temple.  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  Since  1900  he  has 
made  his  home  in  Reading. 

In  1882  Mr.  Guldin  married  Lillie  Butz,  daughter 
of  George  W.  Butz,  of  Pottstown,  and  to  them  there 
has  been  born  one  child:  Elizabeth,  who  is  now  en- 
gaged in   the   study  of  music   and  art. 

JOHN  DAVID  SCHEETZ,  who  resides  on  his  well- 
improved  farm  in  Heidelberg  township,  is  one  of  the 
leading  farmers  of  Berks  county.  Pa.,  and  has  been 
largely  identified  through  his  position  as  a  prominent 
citizen  with  the  general  progress  of  this  section  since 
attaining  the  years  of  manhood.  Mr.  Scheetz  was 
born  July  15,  1843,  in  North  Heidelberg  township, 
son  of  William  and  Harriet'  (Deppen)  Scheetz. 

Conrad  Scheetz  (or  Schuetz  or  Schiitz),  the  great- 
great-grandfather  of  John  D.,  was  one  of  the  pioneers 
who  came  from  the  Schoharie,  N.  Y.,  in  1723,  with 
thirty-three  other  Palatinate  families,  having  emigrat- 
ed from  Germany  to  England,  where  they  were  pro- 
vided with  passage  to  the  New  World  by  Queen  Anne. 
On  Christmas  Day,  1709,  4000  of  these  emigrants  em- 
barked for  New  York,  and  on  reaching  that  port 
June  14.  1710,  1700  of  these  travelers  died.  The  sur- 
vivors camped  in  tents  on  Governor's  Island  until 
late  in  autumn,  when  about  1400  removed  to  Liv- 
ingston Manor,  100  miles  up  the  Hudson  river.  Here 
they  improved  land,  built  log  cabins,  and  were  in  a 
fair  way  towards  success,  when  Governor  Hunter's 
treatment  became  unendurable  and  many  of  these 
sturdy  settlers  fled  through  the  forests  on  rudely  con- 
structed sleds,  which  they  tugged  themselves  through 
the  deep  snow.  Among  these  early  arrivals  at  the 
Tulpehocken  were:  Johannes  Pisas,  Sebastian  Pisas. 
George  and  Peter  Rieth,  Gottfried  Titler,  Conrad 
Schuetz,  Antonius  Scharf,  Johannes  Rieth,  Joseph  Laab, 
Christian  _Lauer,  Andrew  Walborn,  Lorentz  Zerbe, 
Sebastian  Fischer.  Johan  Peter  Pacht,  Johann  Adam 
Lesch  and   George   Anspach. 

John  Adam  Schiitz,  son  of  Conrad  Schuetz,  was  one 
of  the  most  prominent  men  of  his  day  and  locality, 
served  a  term  in  the  Legislature  and  held  numerous 
township  offices,  and  owned  considerable  land,  which 
is  now  divided  into  four  fine  farms,  having  originally 
consisted  of  upwards  of  400  acres.  He  spelled  his 
name  Schutz  until  after  he  had  served  in  the  Legisla- 
ture. He  was  buried  at  Tulpehocken  Church.  Mr. 
Schutz  married  a  daughter  of  Jost  Fishbach,  of  Heid- 
elberg township,  and  four  children  were  born  to  this 


union:  Elizabeth  m.  John  Breidenbach;  Jacob;  John; 
and   Samuel. 

John  Scheetz,  son  of  John  Adam,  was  born  in  what 
is  now  Marion  township,  in  1793,  and  died  Feb.  20, 
1869,  aged  seventy-six  years,  and  was  buried  at  Union 
cemetery.  In  1832  he  purchased  the  well  known  Conrad 
Weiser  farm,  east  of  Womelsdorf,  and  here  he  en- 
gaged in  agricultiiral  pursuits  until  1855,  when  he  re- 
tired. He  was  prominent  in  politics  in  his  day.  and 
in  1836-37  served  in  the  Assembly  at  Harrisburg,  also 
holding  a  number  of  township  offices.  He  also  was 
the  owner  of  the  farm  at  the  St.  Daniel's  (Corner) 
Church.  Mr.  Scheetz  married  ffirst)  Barbara  Schiitz, 
daughter  of  John  Jacob  Schutz,  and  to  them  were  born 
two  children:  William,  the  father  of  John  David;  and 
John  Adam,  who  married  and  had  four  children,  name- 
ly, Alice,  Kate  (m.  John  F.  P.  Marshell,  part  owner 
of  the  C.  Weiser  farm).  Dr.  Laurence  J.  (of  New  Ox- 
ford, Adams  county),  and  Franklin  (of  Albuquerque. 
New  Mexico).  Mr.  Scheetz  m.  (second')  Catherine  Selt- 
zer, by  whom  he  had  one  son:  Isaac  K.,  who  m. 
Mary  A.  Seltzer  and  had  four  children,  namely,  Hor- 
ace (died  young),  J.  Albert  (of  Chicago),  Mary  Catha- 
rine (m.  John  David  Scheetz)  and  Amanda  (died  young). 

William  Scheetz,  son  of  John  and  father  of  John 
David,  was  born  Nov.  8,  1818,  in  Heidelberg  town- 
ship, and  died  March  6,  1885,  being  buried  at  the 
Corner  Church.  He  was  a  farmer  and  property  own- 
er, being  the  possessor  of  three  fine  farms.  Until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Scheetz  was  a  Demo- 
crat but  after  that  time  he  became  a  Republican,  and 
for  twenty-five  years  served  as  a  school  director  in 
Heidelberg  township.  He  was  a  man  of  more  than 
ordinary  intelligence,  and  lived  much  in  advance  of 
his  day.  He  married  Harriet  Deppen,  who  died  in 
1880,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years,  daughter  of  Dav- 
id and  Elizabeth  C.  (Schall)  Deppen.  Of  their  six 
children,  two  died  in  infancy.  Those  who  survived 
were:  John  David;  William  Henry,  born  June  21,  1846, 
who  for  some  years  was  a  lumber  merchant  in  North 
Heidelberg  township,  was  accidentally  killed  in  a 
trolley  accident,  July  25,  1907;  Alinda  m.  Nathaniel 
Lengel,  a  farmer  of  North  Heidelberg  township;  and 
Mary  Agnes  m.  William  F.  McLean,  who  resides  on 
one  of  the  Scheetz  farms. 

John  David  Scheetz  was  reared  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, and  with  the  exception  of  some  school  teaching 
in  his  younger  days,  this  he  has  followed  all  his  life, 
working  for  his  parents  until  his  thirtieth  year,  since 
which  time  he  has  resided  on  the  Conrad  Weiser  farm, 
which  he  purchased  in  1892.  Until  1904  he  carried  on 
practical  farming,  disposing  of  his  product  to  the 
home  trade,  but  in  that  year  retired  from  active  work. 
Mr.  Scheetz  is  a  well-read  man  and  a  great  student. 
He  has  made  many  friends  in  his  community  and  he 
and  his  wife  are  highly  esteemed  in  the  locality  in 
which  they  have  resided  for  so  long.  During  the 
Civil  war  he  was  appointed  by  Gen.  Thomas  D.  James 
as  a  clerk  in  the  hospital  quartermaster's  department, 
serving  in   1864  and  1865. 

In  1874  Mr.  Scheetz  married  Catherine  Sheetz,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  K.  and  Mary  A.  (Seltzer)  Sheetz.  They 
have   no   children. 

WILLIAM  HAGY,  a  venerable  resident  of  the  city 
of  Reading,  who  is  now  spending  the  autumn  of  life 
in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits' of  his  earlier  years  of 
toil,  was  born  in  West  Cocalico  township.  Lancaster 
county.  Pa.,  Dec.  12,  1825,  and  represents  a  family  long 
identified   with   that   part   of   the    country. 

Henry  Hagy,  his  paternal  grandfather,  is  supposed 
to  have  been  a  native  of  Lancaster  county,  and  certain- 
ly all  his  active  life  was  passed  there,  operating  a 
farm  which  he  owned  near  Schoeneck.  He  was  also 
an  expert  weaver,  and  according  to  the  custom  of 
those  Revolutionary  days,  spent  much  time  during  the 


694 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


winter  months  in  weaving  into  cloth  the  flax  that  had 
been  raised  on  his  own  farm  and  then  spun.  He 
married  Miss  Catherine  Stover,  and  both  lived  to  ad- 
vanced age,  his  death  occurring  in  1844,  and  hers  in 
1837.  They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
Their  nine  children  were:  Henry,  John,  George,  Samuel, 
David,    Catherine,    Elizabeth.   Jacob   and    Eve. 

Jacob  Hagy,  father  of  William,  was.  born  m  1795, 
and  lived  only  to  the  age  of  thiirty-five.  He  owned 
a  small  farm,  which  he  had  operated,  and  his  family 
were  left  in  straightened  circumstances.  His  wife 
was  Miss  Catherine  Trich,  and  they  had  three  children, 
namely:  William;  Lydia  m.  George  Sindel;  and  Eliza- 
beth, who  lives  at  Reamstown,  is  the  widow  of  the 
late  Joseph  Bechtel.  Mrs.  Hagy  survived  her  hus- 
band until  Nov.  4,  1867,  when  she  died  aged  sixty- 
nine  years,  one  month  and  eighteen  days.  In  her 
latter  years  she  was  a  member  of  the  Mennonite 
church. 

William  Hagy  was  sent  to  the  schools  of  Lancaster 
county,  but  his  father's  untimely  death  compelled  him 
to  shift  for  himself  at.  an  early  agej  and  he  was 
hardly  more  than  a  boy  when  he  became  an  appren- 
tice to  a  tailor  to  learn  the  trade.  After  four  years" 
service  he  was  released  in  1844,  and  the  following 
year  came  to  Reading,  where  he  has  ever  since  re- 
sided. He  found  employment  at  first  with  James 
Jameson,  and  worked  with  him  till  1853,  when  he 
started  in  business  with  William  Donahower,  the  part- 
nership lasting  eighteen  months.  He  then  went  to 
Eighth  and  Penn  streets,  but  at  the-  end  of  three 
months  moved  to  North  Fifth  street,  remaining  one 
year.  In  the  spring  of  1867,  he  located  a.t  No.  701 
Penn  street,  where  he  remained  till  his  retirement  in 
1892.  Mr.  Hagy  still  owns  the  property  and  retains 
an  office  on  the  premises,  spending  some  time  there 
each  day  looking  after  his  affairs.  He  was  always 
industrious,  upright  in  his  dealings  and  wide  awake 
to  every  opportunity,  so  that  his  success  was  justly  due. 

On  May  10,  1849,  Mr.  Hagy  married  Miss  Sarah 
Ann  Bitler,  daughter  of  Elisha  Bitler,  of  Robeson  town- 
ship, Berks  county.  A  family  of  nine  children  were 
born  to  them,  of  whom  seven  lived  to  mature  years, 
viz.:  William  D.;  Harry  B.  is  treasurer  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Trust  Company,  of  Reading;  Irwin  A.  resides 
at  Philadelphia;  Mary  E.  m.  (first)  Henry  A.  Het- 
rick,  son  of  John  Hetrick,  of  Reading,  and  (second) 
Matthan  Harbster,  of  Reading;  Emma  C.  m.  Thomas 
Shaneman,  of  Lebanon;  Anna  E.  m.  Park  John,  of 
Reading;  and  Sarah  J.  m.  A.  J.  Geiger,  a  shoe  mer- 
chant of  Reading.  The  wife  and  mother  died  Jan.  16, 
1907,  aged  eighty  years  and  eleven  months.  Mr.  Hagy 
has  been  for  years  a  Methodist  in  his  religious  faith, 
having  united  with  that  denomination  when  a  young 
man,  and  he  now  holds  membership  in  St.  Peter's  M. 
E.  Church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

WILLIAM  H.  JONES,  a  well-known  citizen  of 
Douglassville,  Amity  township,  belongs  to  the  oldest 
family  in  Berks  county.  Before  William  Penn  was 
born  Gustavus  Adolphus,  King  of  Sweden,  sent  out 
colonists  to  the  New  World,  and  in  1643  under  Capt. 
John  Printz,  three  ships  came  over  and  established 
a  settlement  on  Tinicum  Island.  The  Rev.  John  Cam- 
panius  Holm  was  pastor  for  the  Colony,  and  the  first 
church  was  built  by  the  government  of  the  mother 
country.  This  was  a  block  house,  and  it  stood  on 
the  present  site  of  Old  Swedes  Church  (erected  in 
1700)  at  Swanson  and  Christian  streets,  Philadelphia. 
Originally  the  ministers  of  this  church  were  Lutheran 
in  faith,  but  as  time  passed  on  and  the  Swedish  lan- 
guage died  out,  the  congregation  elected  a  minister 
of  the  Church  of  England,  and  of  that  denomination 
the  church  has  continued.  On  the  flats  west  of  the 
Schuylkill,  at  Philadelphia,  is  still  standing  a  house 
built  by  Jonas  Nielson  (tradition  says  in  1650).  Though 
consisting  of  but  two  tiny  rooms  and  a  garret,  many 


traditions  are  extant  concerning  the  importance  of 
this  place  in  early  days,  and  in  front  of  the  fireplace 
George  Washington  once  sat  as  a  guest.  Court  was 
also  held  there.  Jonas  Nielson  is  buried  at  Old  Swedes 
Church.  By  the  custom  of  the  Swedes  to  change  their 
name  to  the  baptismal  name  of  the  father,  the  progeny 
of  Jonas  Nielson  became  known  as  Jonasson,  which 
in  the  next  generation  was  anglicized  to  Jones.  An 
old  deed  of  partition  on  record  at  the  City  Hall,  Phila- 
delphia, mentions  William  Jones  as  "a  grandson  of 
Jonas  Nealson,  yeoman,  late  of  Kingsessing,  the  said 
William  Jones,  having  agreeable  to  Swedish  custom, 
changed  his  surname  from  Nealson  to  Jones." 

Maunce  Jones,  a  Swede,  came  from  the  Wissahickon 
to  Douglassville,  in  Berks  county,  with  a  colony  of 
Swedes  in  1701.  He  located  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Schuylkill  river  where  he  built  a  stone  house  in  1716, 
where  the  Douglassville  county  "covered"  bridge  spans 
the  river.  This  house  has  a  very  thick  wall,  and  is 
very  substantially  built,  having  in  its  earlier  days  been 
a  place  of  refuge  for  the  pioneer  settlers  during  In- 
dian outbreaks.  It  is  now  owned  by  the  Leaf  es- 
tate. Maunce  Jones  was  a  farmer  and  owned  consid- 
erable land.  He  was  married  to  Ongabo,  daughter 
of  J.  Jonas  Yocom  and  was  executor  of  his  father- 
in-law's    will    in    1760. 

Among  the  Joneses  who  are  buried  in  the  Episcopal 
cemetery  at  Douglassville  are  the  following:  Peter 
Jones,  who  died  Aug.  20,  1758,  aged  fourteen  years; 
Sarah  Jones,  who  died  June  20,  1762,  aged  thirty  years; 
Jonas  Jones,  Sr.,  who  died  Jan.  27,  1777,  aged  seventy- 
seven;  Mary,  wife  of  Jonas  Jones,  who  died  Sept.  11, 
1772,  aged  sixty-eight  years;  Jonas  Jones,  Jr.,  who 
died  April  23,  1799,  aged  sixty-five  years;  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Jonas  Jones,  who  died  Sept.  30,  1805,  aged 
seventy-eight  years;  Nicholas  Jones,  who  died  Oct. 
15,  1826,  aged  ninety  years;  Rachel,  wife  of  Nicholas 
Jones,  who  died  March  5,  1792,  aged  forty-one  years; 
Nicholas  Jones,  who  died  March  28,  1820  (or  1829), 
aged  forty-one  years;  Mary,  wife  of  Nicholas  Jones, 
who  died  July  20,  1862,  aged  sixty-nine  years;  Samuel 
Jones,  son  of  Nicholas,  who  died  April  28,  1786,  aged 
five  years;  David  Jones,  born  March  1,  .1786,  and  died 
Nov.  4,  182S;  George  Jones,  born  Sept.  28,  1814,  and 
died  Dec.  27,  1882;  Hannah  Jones,  born  Nov.  5,  1818, 
and  died  April  3,  1884;  and  Richard  Jones,  born  Jan. 
14,    1816,    and    died    Sept.    25,    1875. 

Peter  Jones,  great-grandfather  of  William  H.,  was 
born  at  Douglassville,  Oct.  10,  1749,  and  died  there 
on  his  farm  Nov.  24,  1809.  He  owned  all  the  land 
including  the  Huysingue  Meschert  est.  to  and  including 
the  James  Gorrell  farm  (eighty-eight  acres  of  which  was 
Jones  land).  Peter  Jones  had  in  all  three  hundred  acres, 
and  he  engaged  in  farming  all  his  life.  He  and  his  wife 
were  Episcopalians  and  are  buried  at  Douglassville.  He 
married  Catharine  Kirlin,  born  Nov.  9,  1756,  died  Feb. 
25,  1844.  They  were  the  parents  of  fifteen  children, 
namely:  John,  born  July  9.  1773;  Ruth  and  Elizabeth 
(twins),  July  20,  1775;  Peter,  Aug.  9,  1777;  Hannah, 
Sept.  9,  1779  (died  Dec.  29,  1860,  married  Jonathan 
Jones  (son  of  Nicholas  and  Rachel)  born  March  2, 
1778.  died  April  23,  1840,  and  their  son  Samuel  died 
July  2,  1833,  aged  thirty  years,  one  month  and  eight 
days);  Samuel,  'Jan.  3,  1782;  William,  Jan.  25, 
3784;  Jacob,  Feb.  19,  1786;  Nathan,  May  32,  1788; 
Thomas,  May  7,  1790;  Ezekiel,  April  2.  1792;  Mary 
(Polly),  Sept.  15,  1793;  Caleb,  July  8.  1796;  Catharine, 
March  28,  1799;  and  Rebecca,  April  5,  1802. 

Samuel  Jones,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  at  Douglass- 
ville, Jan.  3,  1782,  and  died  on  his  farm  above  Doug- 
lassville in  1864.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and 
also  conducted  a  thirty-five  acre  farm.  He  was  very 
well  known,  and  was  greatly  interested  in  educational 
matters.  In  appearance  he  was  tall  and  stout,  of  dark 
complexion.  Both  he  and  his  wife  Elizabeth  Hoover 
(Huber)  are  buried  at  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Doug- 
lassville.     He    was    a    member    of    the    vestry    of    this 


BIOGRAPHICAL  695 

church,  and  was  always  active  in  its  work.  To  Samuel  partnership.  He  has  been  connected  with  it  con- 
Jones  and  wife  were  born  children  as  follows:  Peter;  tinuously  from  that  time,  and  since  the  death  of  his 
Richard,  who  kept  a  store  along  the  canal  at  Union-  uncles  has  been  the  senior  member  of  the  firm. 
ville,  now  conducted  by  his  grandson,  Howard  W.  On  Feb.  36,  1885,  Mr.  Leinbach  married  Miss  Ella 
Jones;  Jacob,  who  lived  at  Reading  the  greater  part  j.  Bitzer.  daughter  of  R.  R.  Bitzer,  a  prominent  coal 
of  his  life,  but  whose  children  now  live  in  Philadel-  and  lumber  merchant  of  Ephrata,  Lancaster  county, 
phia;  Julian,  who  married  Thomas  May,  and  lived  at  Xo  this  union,  there  have  been  born  three  sons,  Ray- 
Dougla'ssville;  Ezekiel,  an  alderman  of  the  Third  ward  „,o„d_  pa^i  ^nd  Clarence,  and  two  daughters.  Mary 
Readmg,  who  had  Dick  and  Harry.              ,^,  and    Magdalene.     The   family   residence    is    a   pleasant 

Peter  Jones,  son  of  Samue     was  born  at  Douglass-  ^            f  ^o.   10   North   Eleventh   street, 

ville  April  19,  1819,  and  wa^  ^!l".l"!'^!^  *°  '"^"^ood,  Leinbach    belongs    to    a    family   always    deeply 

early  becoming  acquainted  with  the  duties  on  a  farm.  .   ^        ^    f   ."°'-",.".        ^        ,          j    u  \.    A^„^i^A    ^,f^v, 

He  owned  the  farm  that  is  now  managed  by  his   es-  >?terested    in    religious   work,    and   has    devoted    much 

tate.     He   died   March   15,   1896,   and   is   buried   in   the  >me    himself    to    such    labors.      He    was    one    of    the 

T7r,;c„^„.,i    „«™ot„,,,      -u.    I. „.,   „ u       „r   i.1,.  founders    of    St.    Andrews    Reformed    bunday-scnool, 

Episcopa  cemetery.  He,  too,  was  a  member  of  the  ^  ^  ^  ^  superintendent  for  a  period  of  twenty- 
Episcopal  church,  and  served  on  the  vestry.  On  Feb  ^-^^^  P  ^j  t^^^,^^^^  ^P^  „g;^„3  ^^/^^ 
25  1847  he  married  Mary  Ann  Kirlin,_  daughter  of  j,;^  ^^j^^^  ^^^  numbers  nearly  one  hundred.  This 
John  and  Sarah  (Brower)  Kirlin,  of  Union  township,  Sunday-school  was  the  nucleus  from  which  grew  St. 
the  former  of  whom  died  at  Hamburg  in  1839  Mrs  Andrew's  Reformed  Church,  and  Mr.  Leinbach  was 
.Mary  Ann  (Kirlm)  Jones  was  born  Dec.  6,  1830,  and  ^^^  ^f  the  charter  members  at  its  organization  in 
'sno-^  (190.9)  residing  on  the  old  farm  above  Douglass-  igg,,  He  was  chosen  a  member  of  its  first  consistory 
ville.  She  is  remarkably  well  preserved,  and  she  takes  and  is  still  a  member  and  officer.  He  is  doing  a 
a  keen  interest  in  the  life  around  her.  She  is  the  great  deal  of  Christian  work  outside  of  his  own 
mother  of  nine  children:  Wmfield  Scott,  born  May  33,  church  and  school.  He  is  president  of  the  Berks 
1848;  Samuel  H.,  May  14,  1849;  Sarah  Ann,  Dec.  13,  County  Sabbath  School  Association,  a  member  of 
1850;  Newton,  Sept.  27,  1852;  Elizabeth  C,  April  30,  the  Reformed  Church  Publication  Board,  and  also 
1854;  Fannie,  April  23,  1856;  Hannah  M.,  Sept.  18,  1858;  of  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Relief.  In  politics  he  is 
William  H.,  Sept.  17.  1860;  and  Maggie  Y..  Nov.  21,  a  Republican 
1862. 

William   H.   Jones   was  born   at  Douglassville,   Sept.  GEORGE     GRAUL,     deceased,     a     contractor     and 

17,   1860,   and   was   educated   in   the   public   schools    of  builder    in    Reading,   was   born   in    Berks    county.    Pa., 

that   district.     He   was   trained   to   farming,   and   since  in  1799.     His  father  was  Jacob  Graul,  who  lived  many 

1888  he  has  been  farming  the  old  homestead  for  him-  years  in  Reading  and  finally  passed  away  there, 

self.     This    farm    consists    of    thirty-five    acres    of    ex-  George    Graul    learned    the    trade    of    a    brick-layer 

cellent  land,  and  Mr.  Jones  devotes  a  great  deal  of  at-  in    his    youth,    but    later    worked    into   the    contracting 

tention  to  dairying,  having  shipped  his  milk  to  Phila-  and    building    line,    following    that    successfully    for    a 

delphia  many  years.     In  the  winter  of  1908-09  he  estab-  number   of   years.      During   his   last   years   in   business 

lished   the   first  milk   route   in    Douglassville,   and   this  he  gave  up  the  building  line  and  instead  was  engaged 

he    now    serves.      In    politics    Mr.    Jones    is    a    Repub-  in   trucking. 

lican,  and  he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Epis-  Mr.    Graul   married    Miss    Elizabeth    Ege,    and    their 

copal  Church  at  Douglassville,  in  which  he  is  a  member  wedded    life    continued    till    the    death    of    Mrs.    Graul 

of  the  vestry.  in    1863,   at   the    age    of   sixty-one.-     Her   husband    sur- 

On  Dec.  6,  1888.  Mr.  Jones  married  Margaret  Gailey,  vived    her    till    June    2,    1877,    when    he,    too,    passed 

daughter   of  William  and   Sarah  Jane    (Arble)    Gailey,  away    at    the    advanced    age    of    seventy-eight.      They 

and   they  have   two   children:    Mary   Ethel,   a   member  1^"  a  number  of  children,  as  follows:     Rebecca,  widow 

of  the  Pottstown  high  school  class  of  1909;  and  Her-  of    William    Bingaman,    residing    m    Reading;    Sevilla, 

bert   G.  deceased    wife    of     Michael    Sands;     Katie,    deceased; 

Rev.  Amos,  deceased,  a  minister  of  the  United  Brethren 

CHARLES    H.    LEINBACH,    a    well    known     and  Church,  located  at  the  time  of  his  death  at  Pine  Grove, 

prosperous    merchant    of    Reading,    comes    of    German  Schuylkill  county  (he  m.  Sevilla  Kern) ;  Mary,  born  July 

stock,    and    his    ancestors    settled    in    Pennsylvania    in  29,    1825,    residing   at    No.    315    Moss    street,    Reading, 

1723,  in  the  township  of  Oley,  Berks  county.  in  which  neighborhood  she  has  lived  for  sixty  years; 

Elias    A.    Leinbach,    father    of    Charles    H.,    was    a  Elizabeth,    Mrs.    Daniel    Graefif,    of    Reading    (she    has 

son  of  Christian,  who  resided  in  Bern  township.     Elias  four    children:      Emily,    Bessie,    Mary    and    George); 

A.    Leinbach    became    the    postmaster    at     Leinbach's  and   Abeline,  who   died      in   infancy.     The  family  has 

postoffice,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  that  office  for  always    been   one    held   in   much    respect   in   the    com- 

a    period    of    nearly    fifty    years.      He    married    Caro-  munity. 
line,    daughter    of    Solomon    Hoch,    retired,    and-   they 

became    the    parents    of    a    large    family.     Those    still  THOMAS    W.    SWENEY    (deceased),   a   prominent 

living    are:      Rev.    Thomas    H.,    pastor    of    St.    John's  jeweler  of   Reading,   whose   skill   in   his  line   won  him 

Reformed   Church  at  Reading;   Rev.   Elmer  H.,  pastor  a   reputation    all    over   the    State,    was    born    in    West 

of  St.  John's   Church  in,  Kutztown,;   Sallie   H.;   Laura,  Chester,  Chester  county,  April  24,  1834,  son  of  James 

m.    to   John    Z.    Ri?ser;    Carrie    S.,   m.   to    Rev.    C.    E.  Sweney.        He    died    Oct.    14,    1905,    and    is    buried    in 

Schaeflfer,    of   St.    Mark's    Reformed    Church,   Reading;  the   Charles  Evans  cemetery, 

and   Charles  H.  Thomas    Sweney,    grandfather    of   Thomas   W.,    was 

Charles  H.  Leinbach  was  born  in  Bern  township  in  born  in  Bucks  county,  Pa.,  March  4,  1777.     For  many 

1859,   and  was   first   sent  to  the  public  school   of  that  years   he   lived,  in   West   Chester,    Chester   county,   where 

section.     Later  he  went  both  to  the  Millersville  State  he    died.      He    married    Elizabeth    Hineman,    who   was 

Normal  School  and  to  the  State  Normal  School  at  Kutz-  born  in  Montgomery  county.  Pa.,  May  7,  1785,  daugh- 

town.    Naturally  a  good  student,  with  these  advantages  ter  of  John  and  Barbara  Hineman,  and  to  them  came 

he  was  well  prepared  for  teaching  and  followed  that  James   and  John. 

profession   awhile   in   his   native   township,   before    en-  ^   James   Sweney,   born   March   39,   1810,  married   Lov- 

tering  upon  his  business  career.    At  the  age  of  twenty-  ina   Wells.    He    died    Oct.    1,    1883,   aged    seventy-three 

one   he   went   to    Reading   as   an   apprentice   under   his  years,   six   months   and   two   days,   and    she   died   May 

uncles,    who,    under    the    firm     name    of    Leinbach    &  8,    1893,    aged    eighty-three    years,    four    months     and 

Brother,    conducted    a    clothing    establishment    at    No.  seventeen   days.     Both   were   natives   of   Pennsylvania 

851   Penn    street.     The   young  man   showed   a   decided  the  father  of  Irish  descent  and  the  mother  of  Welsh' 

aptitude  for  the  work,  and  in  1890  he  was  taken   into  James    Sweney   was    a    shoemaker    by    trade    and  'fol- 


690 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


lowed  that  occupation  for  some  years,  but  in  time 
went  into  a  general  mercantile  business.  During  the 
war  he  became  the  government  collector  of  internal 
revenue  and  retained  the  position  for  a  long  period, 
winning  'universal  respect  by  his  ability  and  character. 
He  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren, Thomas,  Elizabeth,  Carrie,  Isaac  and  Cath- 
arine, the  last  named  living  only  a  few  years.  The 
family  were  Methodists  in  religious  belief  although 
the  Wells  family,  to  which  the  mother  belonged  were 
Quakers.     James  Sweney  was  a  strong  Republican. 

Thomas  W.  Sweney  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  West  Chester,  where  his  parents  resided. 
In  1853  he  moved  to  Reading,  and  began  to  learn 
the  jeweler's  trade  with  Solomon  Weida.  remaining 
with  him  until  he  had  mastered  the  business  in  all 
its  details.  He  early  displayed  his  marked  aptitude 
for  the  work  and  had  no  difficulty  in  finding  employ- 
ment when  he  left  Mr.  Weida.  Some  years  later 
he  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  followed  his  =trade 
there  until  1858,  when  he  was  offered  a  very  promis- 
ing opportunity  for  advancing  in  the  world  by  going 
into  the  coal  business  with  his  uncle.  He'  tried  this 
for  some  time,  but  did  not  find  it  a  congenial  occu- 
pation and  so  he  returned  to  Reading  and  took  up 
the  jewelry  business   again. 

Mr.  Sweney  established  a  store  of  his  own  at  No. 
424  Penn  street,  but  after  several  years  there  he 
moved  to  another  location  on  Penn  street,  the  pres- 
ent site  of  the  C.  K.  Whitner  concern.  He  remained 
there  quite  a  while,  but  moving  again,  went  to  North 
Fifth  street,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Gas  Company. 
This  did  not  prove  to  be  a  satisfactory  location  and 
before  long  Mr.  Sweney  went  back  to  his  first  lo- 
cation, where  he  carried  'on  his  business  for  many 
years.  During  his  later  years,  however,  he  gave  up 
his  retail  trade  and  moving  to  the  rear  of  his  prop- 
erty confined  himself  to  a  manufacturing  establish- 
ment. He  was  thus  engaged  up  to  one  week  prior 
to  his  death,  when  he  was  suddenly  stricken  about 
four  o'clock  one  morning  with  a  stroke  of  apoplexy, 
from  which  he  never  recovered. 

Thomas  W.  Sweney  married,  April  9,  1859,  Miss 
Pamelia  Catherine  Coller,  daughter  of  John  and  Har- 
riet (Wanner)  Coller,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
of  Dutch  stock.  Four  children  were  born  to  this 
union,  but  only  two  lived  to  maturity:  William  P., 
a  machinist,  m.  Miss  Annie  Boyer,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Ruth.  Katie  B.  m.  Charles  D.  Tuke,  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y..  and  has  two  children,  Charles  H. 
and  Catherine  E.  Mr.  Sweney  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church  and  for  some  time  sang  in  the 
Fifth  Street   Methodist   Episcopal   Church   choir. 

In  his  younger  days  Mr.  Sweney  was  much  inter- 
ested in  secret  orders,  and  was  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  Knights  of  the  Mystic  Chain.  The  honor  of 
organizing  the  order  was  accorded  to  John  O.  Mat- 
thews, but  it  was  Mr.  Sweney  who  formulated  the 
degrees.  Of  a  very  genial  kindly  nature,  he  had 
many  warm  friends,  and  his  death  has  been  very 
deeply  felt  and  regretted. 

JOHN  D.  MISHLER,  manager  of  the  Reading  Acad- 
emy of  Music,  Sixth  street,  between  Washington  and 
Walnut  streets,  from  1886  to  May  12,  1907,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  two  years,  1889-1890,  is  one  of  the  best  known 
amusement  managers  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  and 
throughout  the  country,  and  surely  few  managers  among 
them  are  as  popular  as  he.  In  presenting  his  career  to 
the  readers  of  the  Historical  and  Biographical  Annals 
of  Berks  County  we  take  pleasure  in  quoting  briefly  froi,n 
various  newspapers  of  Reading,  showing  the  esteem  in 
which  he  is  held  in  the  community,  as  voiced  by  these 
newspapers. 

"John  D.  Mishler  was  born  in  Newmanstown,  Lebanon 
county,  April  28,  1847,  and  he  moved  with  his  parents, 
Joseph  and  Rebecca  (Zimmerman)  Mishler,  to  Reading 
in  1848.  After  receiving  an  ordinary  education  in  the 
pay    schools    of   the    city,    at   seventeen   years   of   age,    in 


1864,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  then  leading  dry-goods 
house  (now  the  Common  Sense  Shoe  Store),  Johti  ,S. 
Pearson  &  Co.,  as  a  package  delivery  boy,  at  the  salary 
of  $75  a  year.  He  kept  the  store  clean  and  carried  or 
delivered  on  a  wheelbarrow  to  residences  and  hotels 
goods  sold  by  the  firm  and  between  times  sold'  over  $15,000 
worth  of'  dry  goods  in  the  first  year,  for  which  the  firm 
made  him  a  present  of  $25. 

"May  2,  1867,  he  went  to  Europe  and  the  Paris  Exposi- 
tion, making  a  four  months'  tour.  He  was  on  the  sea 
twenty-one  days,  owing  to  fogs  and  damage  to  the  ma- 
chinery of  the  steamer.  His  'death  on  the  sea'  was 
announced  in  the  Berks  County  Democrat,  A  then  prom- 
inent weekly  newspaper,  as  no  news  could  be  had  of  the 
steamer.  He  was  accorded  the  privilege  of  perusing  his 
own  obituary.  On  his  return  he  visited  relatives  in 
Berks,  Lancaster  and  Lebanon  counties,  giving  an  account 
of  his  travels,  people  gathering  from  great  distances  to  hear 
him,  as  going  across  the  ocean  was  then  considered  re- 
markable. He  was  met  at  the  depot  on  his  return  by  a 
brass  band  and  many  citizens,  escorted  to  the  Keystone 
House  (now  Hotel  Penn)  and  given  a  supper.  He  was 
the  fifth  person  from  Reading  who  had  gone  to  Europe. 
His  letters  to  the  Berks  and  Schuylkill  Journal  were  read 
with  much  interest  and  copied  by  Pennsylvania  newspapers. 

"May  4,  1868,  at  Reading,  he  commenced  the  retail 
dry-goods  business  at  No.  533  Penn  street  (the  Globe 
Store,  later  purchased  by  Dives,  Pomeroy  &  Stewart), 
which  he  continued  until  the  latter  part  of  1874,  intro- 
ducing many  new  ideas  in  the  store  and  in  newspaper 
advertisements  to  attract  customers.  He  was  always  an 
original,  liberal  advertiser,  and  was  the  first  business  man 
in  Reading  to  insert  a  column  advertisement,  in  1868 — 
later  one  of  four  columns,  and  he  at  one  time  had  an 
entire  page  of  the  Times,  with  an  extra  edition  of  two 
thousand  copies  of  the  paper.  An  an  early  age  he  was 
a  contributor  to  newspapers,  with  a  weekly  article  in  the 
Times,  called  The  Man  About  Town' ;  he  has  always  been 
a  warm  and  much  respected  friend  of  the  press  and  was 
the  first  associate  member  of  the  Reading  Press  Club 
(organized  Feb.  18,  1888). 

"It  was  the  custom  of  the  only  morning  newspaper,  the 
Times,  published  in  the  then  old  State  House,  northeast 
corner  Penn  and  Fifth  streets,  to  ,go  to  press  at  9  P.  M., 
the  telegraphic  -news  being  clipped  at  6  p.  m.  from  the 
Philadelphia  Telegraph  and  The  Bulletin;  local  events 
following  after  that  were  noticed  in  the  second  day  issue. 
He  secured  the  consent  of  the  owners  of  the  Times  once 
to  go  to  press  specially  in  the  morning,  and  'bribed'  the 
printers  (with  a  sextel  of  beer,  four  dozen  pretzels  and 
some  cigars)  to  work  all  night.  By  doing  this  had 
published  Dec.  4,  1868,  an  account  written  by  himself,  of 
over  two  columns,  of  a  Maennerchor  masquerade  ball,  at 
Odd  Fellows  Hall,  now  the  Library  building,  the  first 
time  that  such  a  thing  had  been  done  in  the  city,  and  that 
an  occurrence  after  9  p.  m.  appeared  in  the  paper  the 
next  morning,  and  it  created  much  surprised  comment. 
He  conducted  for  some  years  the  'Globe  Condenser'  in 
the  Berks  and  Schuylkill  Journal,  making  it  a  feature  of 
the  paper  while  also  advertising  his  Globe  Dry  Goods 
Store. 

"He  was  one  of  the  active  men  and  one  of  the  first 
directors  of  the  first  Penn  Stre?t  Passenger  Railway 
Company  m  1874,  running  from  the  foot  of  Penn  street 
to  Nmeteenth  street.  He  was  a  member  of  the  board 
of  health  m  1873.  In  April,  1875,  he  had  a  drawing  made 
for  a  park  of  the  then  Fair  Grounds,  now  Penn  Common 
illustrated  m  the  Nezv  York  Graphic,  the  first  illustrated 
daily  newspaper  in  America,  and  advocated  their  abandon- 
ment  for  a  public   park,  by  a  liberal  distribution   of  the 

??''^''?n"ii^\"*^  ^"'^/•°  l'^^'"^  P^°P'e  in  the  county. 
M^^io  p^^'  'i«/'-«=ted  in  front  of  his  place  of  business, 
No.  533  Penn  street,  a  marble  public  drinking  fountain, 
for  which  he  paid  to  the  city  $10  a  year  for  the  use  of 
the  water.  The  fountain  is  now  at.  Penn  Common,  Elev- 
enth street  above  Washington.  Prof.  Washing  Donald- 
son, the  well-known  aeronaut,  made  the  only  store  packing 
paper   balloon   ascension   ever   attempted   in   this    country 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


697 


from  Penn  Square,  May  17,  1873,  in  the  'John  D.  Mish- 
ler,'  Mr.  Mishler  having  furnished  everything  for  the 
experiment." 

"In  politics  Mr.  Mishler  is  a  Republican,  but  is  liberal 
and  broad-minded  in  his  politics  as  he  is  in  all  things. 
He  was  confirmed  a  member  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church 
by  Rev.  Jacob  Fry,  but  is  not  an  active  church  member 
or  bigoted  in  his  faith,  being  a  very  liberal  friend  to 
Catholics  and  Hebrews.  He  is  a  member  of  Philadelphia 
Sovereign  Consistory,  thirty-second  'degree  Masons,  a 
Knight  Templar  of  Reading  Commandery,  No.  43,  and 
all  the  lodges  of  ..the  various  orders  to  that  elevation, 
being  a  member  of  the  new  Isaac  Hiester  Lodge,  No.  660, 
having  withdrawn  from  lodge  No.  367.  He  is  a  member 
of  Rajah  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 

"For  over  twenty-five  years  he  has  been  liberal  and 
foremost  in  charities  of  all  kinds,  from  the  time  when  the 
people  contributed  hundreds  of  dollars  up  to  now,  when 
they  annually  give  thousands  of  dollars.  His  efforts  in 
behalf  of  the  Home  for  Widows  and  Single  Women  were 
of  much  assistance  to  the  Board  of  Managers,  and  he 
has  given  toward  and  solicited  from  citizens  for  that  in- 
stitution money  many  times. 

"On  July  11,  1873,  he  took  at  his  own  expense  and  en- 
tertained for  the  day  1,300  poor  children,  to  Heilman's 
Dale,  above  Lebanon;  Christmas,  1872,  he  gave  a  dinner 
to  260  poor  children  at  the  City  Hotel.  Dec.  25,  1892, 
he  gave  a  special  free  Christmas  morning  dramatic  per- 
formance, 'Lost  in  New  York,'  to  the  delight  of  over 
three  thousand  poor  children,  and  the  Reading  newsboys 
have  often  in  a  body  attended  entertainments  at  the 
Academy  without'  charge.  In  1887  he  inaugurated  the 
idea  of  an  annual  Christmas  offering  to  all  the  Reading 
charitable  institutions  by  placing  contribution  boxes  in 
hotels,  saloons,  stores  and  factories.  Over  $500  was  rea- 
lized. He  was  general  secretary  for  seven  years  of  the 
Associated  Charities,  organized  in  1902. 

"He  organized  the  Berks  County  Society  for  the  Pre- 
vention of  Cruelty  to  Animals,  April  2,  1891,  and  was 
the  president  for  five  years,  giving  much  time  and  effec- 
tive advice  in  the  prevention  of  cruelty.  He  was  one 
of  the  Citizens'  Committee  in  the  introduction  in  Reading 
of  the  'Pingree  Potato  plan,'  to  aid  the  poor  to  help 
themselves.  He  had  a  drawing  made  by  William  H.  De- 
chant  Feb.  2,  1893,  for  a  public  drive  along  the  slope  of 
Mt.  Penn  from  the  Common  to  McKnight's  Gap  and  re- 
turn. He  organized  in  Reading  Dec.  18,  1894,  the  Penn- 
sylvania Bill  Posters'  Association  and  was  the  president 
to  June  6,  1909.  In  1875  he  managed  the  Active  Base 
Ball  Club,  and  placed  it  at  the  head  of  all  amateur  organ- 
izations in  the  State.  In  1896  and  1897  he  was  chairman 
of  the  executive  committee  for  Reading's  Floral  and 
Chrysanthemum  Show,  both  exhibitions  being  very  suc- 
cessful, and  the  profits  of  which  were  divided  among  the 
Hospitals.  In  May,  1895,  he  was  chairman  of  the  Finance 
committee  for  the  Forty-Second  Annual  Conclave,  Knights 
Templars,  held  at  Reading,  May  27-29 ;  all  bills  were  paid 
a  week  after  the  Conclave  and  a  pro  rata  of  the  surplus 
was  returned  to  the  subscribers  to  the  fund.  He  was 
again  chairman  of  the  Finance  committee  for  the  Con- 
clave May  27-29,  1901,  with  the  same  financial  business 
result.  He  was  the  treasurer  of  the  Finance  Committee 
for  the  thirty-ninth  Annual  Encampment,  Pennsylvania 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  held  at  Reading,  June  6-7-8, 
1905.  After  all  bills  were  paid  the  balance  in  the  treasury, 
virith  additional  subscriptions  by  individuals,  was  given 
to  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery  Company,  to  keep  in  good 
condition  for  all  time  'the  Soldiers'  Monument,  the  graves 
and  the  ground  surrounding.' 

"His  father  had  erected  the  first  modern  theatre  in 
the  State,  outside  of  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg,  which 
was  opened  Oct.  1,  1873,  at  533-535  Penn  street,  Reading, 
and  this  he  managed  until  1886,  when  he  had  it  removed 
and  the  -present  Academy  of  Music  was  erected  by  a 
stock  company  and  himself.  The  Academy  has  very  often 
been   given   without   charge    for   charitable    and   religious 


purposes.  Gus  Williams,  June  19,  1883,  named  his  most 
successful  play  'John  Mishler.'  In  1877-78  Mr.  Mishler 
toured  the  country  as  manager  of  the  Swedish  Ladies 
Vocal  Qtiartette.  From  1883  to  1886  he  managed  and 
was  with  Bartholomew's  famous  Equine  Paradox,  and 
again  from  1889  to  1891  (the  Academy  was  then  leased 
by  H.  R.  Jacobs).  In  1873  he  established  the  Mishler 
Theatrical  Circuit  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  comprising 
nine  of  the  principal  cities,  which  he  controlled  for  years. 
As  an  amusement  manager  he  is  in  many  respects  a  re- 
markable exception,  in  that  he  will  not  exaggerate  and 
always  tells  the  truth  only,  in  newspaper  advertisements, 
and  if  an  entertainment  deteriorates  from  the  time  he 
booked  it,  until  the  date  of  its  appearance,  he  so  an- 
nounces in  the  newspapers  that  day,  and  his  patrons  are 
always  sure  of  what  they  will  see. 

"Mr.  Mishler  has  always  taken  a  lively,  progressive, 
useful,  liberal  and  unselfish,  much  appreciated  interest 
in  the  development  of  the  city  and  the  welfare  of  the 
people.  His  greatest  achievement  was  the  Sesqui-Centen- 
nial.  He  selected  the  week  of  the  celebration,  June  5-13, 
1898,  and,  as  he  prophesied  it  would  be,  the  weather  from 
Sunday  morning  to  Saturday  night,  was  perfect,  clear, 
cool  and  delightful.  He  arranged  most  of  the  program 
for  the  seven  days'  fe^ivities,  and  did  very  much  in 
every  way  to  make  the  celebration  the  complete  success 
■  it  was.  As  chairman  of  the  Finance  committee,  he  so- 
licited subscriptions  for  $10,416.66.  Within  two  weeks 
after  the  celebration  all  bills  had  been  paid  and  there  was 
remaining  $1,418.84,  which  the  Executive  committee  decided 
to  give  toward  the  payment  of  the  electrical  display, 
$1,903.50,  ithat  had  been  ordered  by  the  City  Council  com- 
mittee.   The  $483.66  was  paid  by  the  city  in  1902. 

"Mr.  Mishler  is  an  enthusiast  in  everything  that  enlists 
his  attention.  No  matter  what  the  result  may  be,  he 
works  untiringly  to  the  best  of  his  judgment  and  ability 
for  success.  Always  doing,  but  one  who  still  feels  that 
he  has  not  enough  to  do.  It  not  for  money's  sake  or 
popularity — simply  that  he  feels  best  satisfied  when  em- 
ployed— if  not  for  himself,  then  for  others." 

Mr.  Mishler  was  on  the  committee  of  the  Board  of 
Trade,  to  solicit  subscriptions  for  the  erection  of  an 
armory  for  the  several  companies  of  the  National  Guard 
of  the  City  of  Reading,  October,  1907;  he  was  active 
in  securing  a  loan  of  $500,000  for  Reading  to  have  a 
plant  for  -the  filtration  of  water,  October,  1907;'  he  has 
repeatedly  made  liberal  efforts  to  build  a  modern  hotel, 
.3.  much  needed  want  in  the  city;  he  has  done  much  effect- 
ive work  in  the  Board  of  Trade  to  enlarge  its  public  use- 
fulness; he  was  a  member  of  the  committee  who  collected 
$5,000  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  of  the  Boyertown 
theatre  fire,  January,  1908;  he  revised  the  constitution 
and  by-laws  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  published  an 
illustrated  sixty-page  manual;  as  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee on  "Streets,  Sidewalks,  Light"  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  he  has  very  much  improved  these  city  conditions. 
On  Jan.  9,  1908,  he  responded  to  the  toast  "Our  City's 
Special  Needs,"  at  a  Board  of  Trade  dinner.  In  May,  1908, 
he  was  given  a  dinner  at  the  Mineral  Spring  Hotel  b^- 
the  Board  of  Trade  as  "A  Reading  Booster" ;  he  delivered 
an  address  at  the  Eighteenth  Annual  Commencement  -ex- 
ercises of  the  Reading  Hospital,  May  37,  1908,  full  of  plain 
truths,  forcibly  given,  and  advocated  State  legislation 
for  the  protection  of  graduated  nurses;  he  was  on  the 
Reception  committee  when  Governor  Stuart  addressed  the 
Christian  Endeavor  State  Convention  in  Penn  Common 
at  Reading,  July  9,  1908;  in  1908  he  visited  Ireland  with 
Mrs.  Mishler,  and  wrote  to  the  Eagle  many  very  interesting 
letters  of  the  condition  of  that  country,  its  changes  and 
possibilities,  given  in  his  candid  and  original  style;  on  his 
return  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mishler  were  given  a  "home  coming 
dinner"  at  the  Mineral  Spring  Hotel,  Sept.  10,  1908,  by 
more  than  one  hundred  men  and  women ;  Sept.  24th  of  the 
same  year  the  Reading  Press  Club  gave  him  "a  welcome 
home  reception";  he  presided  at  a  Christian  Science 
public  assemblage  Oct.  13,  1908;  he  presided  at  the  Re- 
publican mass  meeting  in  the  A<:ademy  of  Music  Oct.  30 
1908,  in  the  Taft  campaign;   he  was  foremost  in  making 


698 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


country  roads  better  and  in  advocating  a  State  road  from 
Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg  passing  through  Reading;  he  was 
chairman  of  the  "General  Relief  Committee,"  for  the 
relief  of  the  needy  families  afflicted  with  typhoid  fever 
during  the  local  epidemic  in  1908;  he  is  a  trustee  of  the 
Young  Women's  Christian  Association  and  assisted  in 
soliciting  more  than  five  thousand  dollars  to  build  a  gym- 
nasium and  to  modernize  their  home,  which  he  assisted 
in  providing  five  years  ago.  Evidently  Mr.  Mishler  is  one 
of  those  very  busy  men  who  can  find  time  and  who  take 
delight  in  helping  to  advance  public  affairs  in  the  different 
sides  of  life.  He  was  the  toastmaster  at  a  banquet  of 
Reading's  best  citizens  given  by  Henry  W.  Shoemaker 
and  G.  Scott  Smith,  owners  of  The  Reading  Times,  Feb. 
10,  1909,  when  an  oil  painting  of  Kuechler  (deceased) 
was  placed  in  a  building  made  famous  by,  Kuechler,  who 
had   a  national   reputation. 

"Mr.  Mishler  said :  'All  the  world  loves  a  generous 
person.  It  is  not  the  material  result  of  the  generosity, 
but  the  kindly  spirit  that  prompts  it  that  attracts  and  en- 
dears. It  is  not  necessary  to  have  much  in  order  to  be 
generous — but  the  disposition  to  share  liberally  what  one 
has.  Even  at  the  cost  of  a  little  self-sacrifice,  the  reward 
is  always  worth  the  price  paid.  There  are  things  of 
which  we  may  all  be  more  generous.  The  comfort  of 
sympathy,  the  stimulus  of  praise  and  encouragement,  are 
often  more  welcome,  more  appreciated,  than  that  which 
mere  money  can  buy.'  Mr.  Mishler's  philosophy  of  life 
is  affecting  in  its  simplicity.  'Just  to  be  kindly  and  good- 
natured,'  he  says ;  'just  to  do  the  little  good  one  can,  to 
sympathize  with  one's  friends  and  to  give  them  a  lift  when 
they're  down — to  leave  the  world  a  little  bit  better  than 
one  found  it,  that's  all  I  think  a  man  need  aim  at,  if^you 
ask  me.'  He  also  said :  'If  only  half  the  nice  things 
said  after  people  are  dead  were  only  told  while 
they  are  alive,  how  much  more  happiness  there  would 
be  in  the  world.'  " 

Such  has  been  the  life  of  Mr.  Mishler  as  portrayed  by 
his  home  newspapers;  and  the  writer  (Walter  Kieffer,  of 
Lancaster),  who  knew  him  for  over  thirty  years,  de- 
sired to  bear  testimony  to  the  truthfulness  of  all  that 
has  been  said  of  one  of  Reading's  foremost  citizens — John 
D.  Mishler.  Beginning  a  good  deal  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  ago,  Mr.  Mishler  gave  to  Lancaster  and 
other  leading  neighboring  cities  the  best  amusements  they 
had,  and  he  is  just  as  popular  in  other  Pennsylvania 
cities  as  he  is  in  Reading. 

Mr.  Mishler  married  Sept.  7,  1871,  Louisa  C.  Halbach, 
daughter  of  the  late  August  Halbach,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  their  home  at  No.  417  Green  Terrace  is  known 
at  all  times  as  one  of  the  most  hospitable  in  Reading. 
Three  children  were  born  to  this  union :  Rebecca  Marie 
m.  H.  Hurd  Hillegass,  paper  bag  manufacturer  at  Read- 
ing; Maud  Viola  m.  Henry  E.  Bell,  proprietor  of  the 
Reading  Bill  Posting  Company;  J.  Boyd  assists  his  father 
in  the  clerical  work  of  his  business.  No  family  is  more 
respected,  nor  none  is  more  beloved  in  Reading,  for 
their  unselfishness  and  sociability.  Mr.  Mishler  retired 
from  the  theatrical  business  at  Reading  May  11,  1907. 
He  then  agreeably  surprised  some  friends — -"each  one 
of  whom  he  remembers  for  their  participation  in  a  spe- 
cific incident  in  his  life,"  by  presenting  them  a  copy  of 
"Mishler's  Memoirs,"  a  neatly  printed  and  handsomely  il- 
lustrated volume  of  some  two  hundred  pages,  octavo  size, 
telling  the  story  of  John  D.  Mishler's  life  from  1847  to 
1907.  The  edition  was  limited  to  one  hundred  copies. 
The  table  of  contents  embraces  much  that  is  of  interest 
in  the  career  of  the  enterprising  townsman  who  has 
rounded  out  a  period  of  more  than  sixty  years  of  a  varied 
and  busy  life.  In  this  volume  may  be  found  much  con- 
cerning him  as  a  man  of  business ;  as  a  liberal  newspaper 
advertiser;  his  connection  with  the  drama  in  Reading; 
his  public  benefactions;  his  connection  with  and  fostering 
care  of  various  charitable  institutions;  his  active  partici- 
pation in  the  Sesqui-Centennial  celebration  of  Reading, 
etc.  Indeed,  the  history  of  nearly  all  public  enterprises 
in  Reading  for  well  nigh  half  a  century  contains  pages 
upon   pages   of  the   work  done  by   Mr.   Mishler.     He  has 


always  been  intensely  loyal  to  Reading  and  its  municipal 
advancement. 

"In  his  retirement  from  his  long  and  honorable  connec- 
tion with  the  dramatic  life  of  Reading,  it  is  sincerely 
hoped  by  many  citizens  that  he  may  continue  to  reside 
here.  He  is  a  useful  citizen,  a  wide-awake  business 
man,  public-spirited,  never  weary  of  well-doing,  clean- 
handed and  active  in  the  discharge  of  whatever  he  is 
called  upon  to  do  that  may  inure  to  the  welfare  of  his 
city,  his  friends  and  his  neighbors." 

JONATHAN  H.  MILLER,  a  retired  citizen  of 
Mohnton,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  in  Cumru  township, 
on  the  present  site  of  Edison,  Jan.  24,  1839,  son  of 
Jonathan   and   Catharine    (Hornberger)    Miller. 

Mr.  Miller  attended  the  pay  schools  of  Cumru 
township  until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  eighteen 
years,  working  on  a  farm  during  the  summer  sea- 
sons. He  lived  at  home  until  his  m.arriage,  in  1859. 
to  Mary  Gaul,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Fox) 
Gaul,  when  he  came  to  Mohnton,  and  for  about 
twenty  years  was  engaged  in  operating  a  grist-mill 
along  the  Wyomissing.  He  then  learned  the  hatting 
business,  engaging  at  that  trade  in  Mohnton,  being 
later  in  partnership  with  J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros.  He 
then  entered  a  partnership  with  his  son,  Albert,  under 
the  firm  name  of  J.  H.  Miller,  Son  &  Co.,  and  they  con- 
tinued together  for  fifteen  years.  Mr.  Miller  then 
worked  at  his  trade  with  the  well  known  firm  of 
Whorley  Bros.,  of  Mohnton.  until  1904,  since  which 
year  he  has  lived  retired.  His  first  wife  died  July  2, 
1876,  and  was  buried  in  the  Mohnton  cemetery.  She 
was  the  mother  of  one  son.  Albert  G.  Miller,  who 
married  Mary  Dietrich,  and  resides  at  Mohnton,  the 
father  of  two  Children,  Elmer  and  Arthur.  Mr.  Mil- 
ler m.  (second)  Mary  Fleisher,  daughter  of  Peter 
Fleisher,  and  to  this  union  there  were  born:  Edwin 
is  unmarried  and  at  home;  Robert  m.  Lillie  Rich- 
wine,  and  lives  at  home  where  he  is  engaged  in  the 
hat  business;  and  Matthew  also  lives  at  home,  and 
is  unmarried.  Mrs.  Miller  is  a  daughter  of  Peter 
Fleisher,  who  was  born  near  the  Swamp  Church,  in 
Lancaster  county,  Nov.  14,  1819.  and  died  Dec.  26, 
1888.  He  m.  Catharine  Brensing,  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Elizabeth  (Reedy)  Brensing,  and  they  had  these 
children:  Samuel  m.  Mary  ijtettler;  Mary  m.  Mr. 
Miller;  and  James  m.  Mary  Howe. 

Mr.  Miller  and  his  family  reside  on  the  corner  of 
Wyomissing  avenue  and  Wood  street,  in  the  home 
which  was  built  by  him  in  the  summer  of  1866.  It 
is  three  stories  high  and  of  sandstone,  and  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  finest  in  the  town.  Mr.  Jililler 
is  one  of  the  oldest  residents  in  the  town  of  Mohn- 
ton, which  at  the  time  he  arrived  contained  but  five 
dwellings.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Zion's  United  Evangelical  Church  of  Mohnton. 
which  he  joined  in  1870,  when  it  was  known  as  the 
Evangelical  Church.  He  has  served  on  the  building 
committees  of  two  churches,  has  been  class  leader 
of  Class  No.  2,  trustee  and  steward  for  many  years, 
and  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school  for  many  years, 
now  teaching  class  No.  23.  Mr.  Miller  is  one  of  the 
honorable  and  upright  men  of  his  townshio,  and  as 
an  acquaintance  and  friend  he  is  honored  and  esteemed 
by  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 

HENRY  PRICE,  a  well-known  contractor  and  build- 
er of  Reading.  Pa.,  residing  at  No.  SIO  Franklin 
street,  has  been  engaged  in  these  lines  in  thi^  city 
since  1888.  Mr.  Price  was  born  Oct.  13,  18-lfi,  in 
Myerstown,  Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  William  Price, 
also   a   native   of  that   county. 

William  Price  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  an  occu- 
pation which  he  followed  throughout  a  useful  life 
In  1863  he  went  to  Shelby  county.  HI.,  taking  his 
family  with  hnn,  and  there  he  continued  to  ply  his 
trade  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  when  forty-eight 
years  of  age.  While  there  he  built  one  of  the  finest 
flour  mills  m   the  State  for  a  Mr.  Schoefield      He   was 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


699 


acquainted  with  President  Abraham  Lincohi  when 
the  latter  was  still  a  law  student,  and  was  a  witness 
to  the  President's  assassination.  Mr.  Price  married 
(first)  Lydia  Wetzel,  who  died  in  her  twenty-sixth 
year.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were:  Jonathan, 
who  died  when  twenty-one  years  of  age;  Emrria,  m. 
to  John  Rupp,  of  Indiana;  Henry,  our  subject;  Reuben 
A.,  who  is  engaged  in  contracting  at'  Reading,  and 
m.  to  Fannie  Kieffer;  William,  who  died  when  twenty 
years  of  age;  and  one  child  which  died  in  infancy. 
William  Price  m.  (second)  Leah  Anthony,  who  is 
still  living  and  makes  her  home  at  Myerstown,  Leb- 
anon county.  She  is  the  mother  of  three  children, 
namely:  Seal,  m.  to  Edward  Hecht;  of  Chicago,  111.; 
George,  of  Myerstown,  m.  to  Annie  Holtzman;  and 
Mary,  m:  to'  Morris  Kreider,  of  Annville,  Lebanon 
county. 

Henry  Price  attended  the  schools  of  Myerstown 
until  fifteen  years  of  age,-  and  then  was  taught  the 
carpenter's  trade  by  his  father.  In  the  early  days 
the  work  of  a  carpenter  was  anything  but  easy,  and 
Mr.  Price  and  his  father  often  had  to  travel  long 
distances  to  reach  their  work.  On  one  occasion  they 
walked  five  miles  to  work  and  five  miles  home  at 
night  every  day,  and  at  this  time  were  working  fifteen 
hours  per  day.  At  the  time  they  built  the  hotel  at 
Tremont,  Pa.,  they  had  a  distance  of  twenty-one  miles 
to  walk  twice  a  week,  carrying  their  tools  on  their 
back.  Mr.  Price  secured  work  at  Pottsville,  a  dis- 
tance of  thirty-eight  miles,  and  this  they  also  walked. 
Henry  Price  went  with  his  father  to  Illinois  in  1863, 
and  there  remained  three  years,  or  until  after  his 
father's  death,  when  his  step-mother  asked  him  to 
accompany  her  to  Myerstown.  This  Mr.  Price  did, 
and  from  Myerstown  came  direct  to  Reading,  only 
expecting,  however,  to  remain  a  short  time.  After 
being  employed  here  for  a  time,  Mr.  Price  decided  to 
make  Reading  his  home,  and  here  he  has  continued 
ever  since,  engaging  in  business  on  his  own  account 
in  1888,  his  first'  job  being  four  fine  residences  at 
Tenth  and  Franklin  streets.  Among  the  many  build- 
ings erected  by  Mr.  Price  may  be  mentioned  the  fol- 
lowing: the  residences  of  C.  D.  Moser  and  S.  H. 
Fulmer;  the  Schuylkill  'Valley  Bank;  Kissinger's  Farm- 
ers' Market  House;  Hotel  Brighter;  the  warehouse 
for  the  Penn  Hardware  Company;  A.  F.  Kramer's 
residence;  the  James  Otto  store  on  Penn  street,  and 
the  cigar  store  of  Charles  Breneiser,  at  the  corner  of 
Seventh  and  Penn  streets,  one  of  the  finest  in  Reading. 

In  1871  Mr.  Price  married  Miss-  Amanda  Seidel, 
daughter  of  Francis  and  Catherine  (Fisher)  Seidel, 
they  have  one  daughter,  Mary,  who  married  Aaron 
Miller,  an  employe  of  the  Alexander  firm,  in  the  hat 
business,  and  has  a  daughter,  Helert,  attending  school. 

Mr.  Price  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is  a 
Mason  of  high  standing,  being  a  member  of  Chandler 
Lodge,  No.  227,  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  337,  Reading 
Cortimandery  No.  42,  and  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is 
also  connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  No.  65, 
the  Elks  No.  115,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  is 
exceedingly  popular  in  all  of  these  societies.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Price  are  members  of  the  Trinity  Lutheran 
Church,  which  they  attend  consistently  and  support 
liberally.  He  is  well  known  in  Reading  as  a  man 
of  many  sterling  qualities,  and  bears  an  enviable  rep- 
utation for  honesty,  and  integrity. 

JAMES  P.  KERSHNER,  now  living  retired  at  No. 
121  North  Front  street,  was  for  many  years  a  well- 
known  public  official  of  Reading.  He  was  born  Jan. 
35,  1845,  in  Penn  township,  Berks  county,  son  of 
Peter  and  Catherine  (Boaey)  Kershner,  and  grand- 
son of  Philip  Kershner. 

The  Kershner  family  was  founded  in  this  country 
by  Martin  Kershner,  who  settUd  on  a  farm  in  Berks 
county  in  1732,  this  farm  being  later  the  property 
of  his  son,  Peter,  who  in  turn  willed  it  to  his  son. 
Philip.      Philip    Kershner    married    a    Miss    Himmels- 


berger,  and  to  them  was  born  one  son,  Peter,  who 
became  the  father  of  James  P.  Kershner. 

Peter  Kershner,  who  was  a  prominent  man  of  his 
day,  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  all  of  his  life 
on  the  farm  above  mentioned,  and  died  in  Penn  town- 
ship, Jan.  28,  1868,  aged  sixty-four  years.  His  wife, 
Catherine  Bodey,  died  in  1876,  when  seventy-five  years 
old.  They  had  a  family  of  fourteen  children,  twelve 
of  whom  grew  to  maturity:  Priscilla  m.  Cyrus  Davis; 
Mary  m.  Franklin  G.  Hain;  Eliza  died  in  infancy,  as 
did  also  Alfred;  Catherine  m.  Abraham  R.  Koenig; 
Sarah  m.  Richard  Reber;  Peter;  Rosabella  married 
Harrison  K.  Hiester;  Sidney  m.  John  R.  Koenig;  Susan 
m.  Richard  K.  Bohn;  Henry  J.;  Louis  P.;  George 
W.;  and  James  P.  'In  religious  belief  the  family  were 
Reformed,  and  were  attendants  of  Bern  Reformed 
Church.  In  politics  Mr.  Kershner  was  a  Democrat, 
and  was  director  of  the  poor  for  some  years,  being 
appointed  to  that  position  first  by  thp  court  to  com- 
plete an  unexpired  term,  and  later  was  elected  to 
the  office  by  the  people. 

James  P.  Kershner  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  Penn  township,  and  worked  on  the  farm 
until  twenty-four  years  of  age.  At  this  time  he 
learned  the  butcher's  trade,  which  he  followed  for 
twelve  years,  being  then  appointed  county  detective 
'by  I.  H.  Rothermel.  He  served  three  years  in  this 
office,  and  was  then  appointed  mercantile  appraiser, 
in  which  capacity  he  continued  one  year.  For  two 
years  he  served  as  law  detective,  to  which  office  he 
had  been  appointed  by  the  courts  of-  Berks  county, 
and  a  like  period  was  spent  in  the  office  of  deputy 
sheriff.  He  was  for  one  term  of  three  years  keeper 
of  the  Berks  county  prison,  and  was  again  appointed 
county  detective,  under  A.  H.  Rothermel,  serving 
three  years,  and  at  the  end  of  this  time  retired.  He 
was  always  an  honest,  capable  officer,  and  none  has 
retired  with  a  cleaner  record  than  he. 

Mr.  Kershner  married,  in  1868,  Melinda  Spangler, 
who  died  in  1869,  leaving  one  child,  Mary,  who  died 
in  infancy.  Mr.  Kershner's  second  marriage  was  in 
1870,  to  Priscilla  H.  Wenrich,  daughter  of  Daniel  H. 
Wenrich,  three  children  being  born  to  this  union: 
Thomas,  who  died  aged  ten  years;  Sallie,  who  died 
when  three  years  old;  and  Ellen,  m.  to  Edward  W. 
O'Regan,  by  whom  she  has  had  two  children,  Stella 
(deceased)  and  Marion.  Mr.  Kershner  is  a  member 
of  Oley  Lodge  No.  218,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  has  from  his 
early  youth  been  identified  with  the  Democratic  party, 
and  has  ever  been  active  in  the  ranks  of  that  organ- 
ization in  this  section.  Mr.  Kershner  is  a  good,  useful 
citizen,  and  is  highly  esteemed  throughout  the  com- 
munity. 

WILLIAM  G.  BORKERT  (deceased)  was  born  Dec. 
29,  1825,  on  Penn  street,  Reading.  He  received  a  com- 
mon school  education  and  then  learned  the  hatter's 
trade,  which  he  followed  in  the  winter,  while  he  worked 
at  the  trade  of  a  brick-layer  in  the  summer  months.  He 
spent  his  time  in  that  manner  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  then  gave  up  the  hatting  business,  devoting  his  en- 
tire time  and  attention  to  brick  laying  and  contracting, 
in  which  he  engaged  with  five  other  brothers,  the  firm 
being  known  as  the  Borkert  Brothers,  and  he  remained 
therein  until  his  death,  July  29,  1901,  when  he  was 
seventy-five  years  and  seven  months  old.  He  had  been 
in  the  business  about  thirty-one  years,  and  few  business 
men  were  better  known. 

Mr.  Borkert  married  Catherine  M.  Miller,  born  Feb. 
8,  1828,  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Kutz)  Miller, 
the  former  of  Lancaster  county  and  the  latter  of  Read- 
ing. Mrs.  Borkert  had  two  brothers,  John  W.  and 
Jacob,  and  one  sister,  Susan.  Mrs.  Borkert  died  Jan. 
27,  1906.  She  and  her  husband  were  consistent  mem- 
bers of  Grace  Lutheran  Church,  of  Reading,  and  were 
much  esteemed  as  good,  kindly.  Christian  people.  They 
had  these  children:  John  J.,  a  brick-layer  of  Reading, 
who  married   Rosa  A.   Seiders;   Misses   Emma   A.   and 


700 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Kate  A.,  who  reside  at  home;  William  D.  A.,  a  brick- 
layer at  Reading,  who  married  Ellen  Stout;  Mary  E., 
who  married  (first)  Charles  Fisher,  and  (second)  John 
Pennypacker,  of  Reading;  and  Susan  and  Cora,  both 
deceased. 

The  Misses  Emma  A.  and  Katie  A.  Borkert  reside 
at  No.  1024  Penn  street,  Reading,  in  the  old  home  in 
which  their  parents  lived  and  died.  They  are  very 
estimable  ladies,  refined  and  cultured,  and  are  well 
known  for  their  hospitality. 

ALBERT  F.  KRAMER,  a  member  of  the  Bard  Hard- 
ware Company,  of  Reading,  which  is  among  the  largest 
jobbers  of  hardware  in  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Berks 
county,  Sept.  37,  1843.  He  is  a  son  of  Daniel  R.  Kramer, 
who  was  a  prominent  contractor  in  masonry  in  that 
county,  and  whose  other  children  were:  Daniel,  John, 
George,  Henry,  Edward,  Louisa  (m.  Daniel  Linder- 
muth)  and  Catherine  (m.  Adam  Snyder). 

Every  advance  which  Mr.  Alfred  F.  Kramer  has  made 
in  life,  however  slight,  has  been  accomplished  solely 
through  individual  exertion,  and  like  others  who  have 
reached  a  high  and  substantial  foundation,  he  may 
justly  count  as  his  inexhaustible  fortune,  his  constant 
stock  of  patience,  perseverance,  honesty  and  industry. 
He  passed  his  school  days  in  his  native  county  of  Berks, 
gathering  what  learning  he  could,  and  securing  an  in- 
valuable training  in  systematic  work  and  economy  as  a 
laborer  in  the  neighboring  farms.  From  the  age  of 
seventeen  to  twenty  he  was  especially  engaged  among 
agricultural  labors.  As  it  proved,  this  preliminary  train- 
ing was  the  requisite  preparation  for  a  successful  busi- 
ness career,  and  in  1866  Mr.  Kramer  became  a  resident 
of  Reading  and  a  clerk  for  Bard  &  Reber,  dealers  in 
hardware.  After  remaining  five  years  in  that  capacity, 
in  1881,  he  was  admitted  as  a  member  of  the  firm, 
under  the  style  of  Bard,  Reber  &  Co.  The  business 
was  established  in  1856.  The  house  now  known  as  the 
Bard  Hardware  Company,  a  full  history  of  which  ap- 
pears elsewhere,  deals  chiefly  in  building  hardware,  ma- 
chinists' supplies,  tin  plates  and  coach  goods.  Since 
Mr.  Kramer  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  he  has 
paid  special  attention  to  the  coach  department,  being 
the  sole  buyer  in  that  line. 

Albert  F.  Kramer  married  Anna  DeTurk,  who  died 
April  4,  1904.  leaving  the  following  children:  Harvey 
DeTurk,  Edith  M.  and  Esther  C.  Mr.  Kramer  is  a 
member  of  the  First  Reformed  Church,  and  is  not  only 
highly  esteemed  as  a  straightforward,  successful  busi- 
ness man,  but  for  his  admirable  qualities  as  evinced 
in  all  the  private  relations  of  life. 

W.  G.  HOLLIS.  deceased.  The  W.  G.  HolUs  Choc- 
olate Manufactory,  Nos.  621-62.';  Franklin  street.  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  was  established  by  the  late  W.  G.  Hollis  in 
1884,  and  was  first  located  at  No.  58  South  Seventh 
street. 

W.  G.  Hollis  was  born  at  Psara,  a  small  island  in 
Greece,  and  secured  a  good  education  in  his  native 
country.  Seeing  better  possibilities  in  America,  he 
sailed  in  1878  from  that  country,  and  landed  at  Charles- 
town,  S.  C,  where  he  embarked  in  the  candy  business. 
There  he  remained  but  a  short  time,  however,  removing 
to  Alabama,  and  still  later  to  Canada,  whence  on  ac- 
count of  the  climate  he  came  back  to  the  United  States, 
locating  in  Baltimore.  The  same  year  he  removed 
to  Lancaster,  and  in  1884  settled  in  Reading,  Pa.  His 
ability  as  a  candy  manufacturer  was  soon  recognized, 
and  from  a  humble  beginning  he  arose  to  be  one  of 
the  largest  manufacturers  of  the  section.  In  189,3  he 
removed  to  the  company's  present  quarters,  on  Frank- 
lin street,  the  building  being  three  stories  and  base- 
ment, 63i  X  60,  and  equipped  with  all  the  modern  choc- 
olate candy-making  machinery,  much  of  which  was 
made  and  shipped  from  Paris.  The  plant  is  one  of  the 
most  complete  of  its  size  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  reputation  of  the  product  is  recognized  in  every 


State  of  the  Union.  Mr.  Hollis  established  a  set  price 
on  his  goods,  and  both  price  and  goods  continued 
uniform  thereafter.  He  was  the  first  in  this  section 
of  the  State  to  manufacture  chocolates  from  the  bean, 
he  importing  the  bean  himself,  and  roasting  and  pre- 
paring it  for  the  finished  product.  A  force  of  110  em- 
ployes are  given  work  by  the  plant  in  the  various 
departments,  and  the  firm's  policy  towards  its  em- 
ployes has  always  been  one  of  consideration  and  kind- 
ness. Many  who  have  been  in  the  employ  of  the  com- 
pany were  started  up  in  business  on  their  own  account 
by  Mr.   Hollis! 

Mr.  Hollis  died  Oct.  12,  1905,  but  the  firm  will  con- 
tinue to  do  business  under  the  same  name,  W.  G.  Hollis, 
it  being  carried  on  by  his  mother.  Mr.  HoHis'  brother, 
Milton  G.,  having  been  appointed  Attorney  in  fact. 

On  Jan.  18,  1909,  the  plant  was  totally  destroyed 
by  fire  and  a  fine  modern  building  of  four  stories  and 
basement,  equipped  with  the  newest  machinery  was 
erected  at  the  old  site  where  the  business  will  b  t  con- 
tinued as  heretofore. 

MARCUS  LONG.  At  the  age  of  twenty-seven,  Jacob 
Long,  great-grandfather  of  Marcus  Long,  with  Johan 
Nicholas  Long,  arrived  in  America,  Aug.  30,  1737,  in 
the  ship  "Samuel,"  of  London,  Hugh  Percy,  captain, 
from  Rotterdam,  last  from  Cowes.  They  were  from  the 
Rhine  country,  Germany.  (I)  Jacob  Long  settled  on  a 
portion  of  land  now  owned  by  Marcus,  his  great- 
grandson.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Reformed 
church  of  Longswamp  in  1748,  and  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  the  community.  As  late  as  1786,  Jacob 
Long  was  appointed  collector  of  his  district  by  the 
Berks  courts  and  held  the  office  for  a  number  of  years. 
Jacob  Long  married  a  Miss  Burger,  and  they  had  a 
number  of  children,  among  them  being  Daniel  Long, 
the  grandfather  of  Marcus  Long;  Frederick;  Abraham; 
Elizabeth,  m.  to  Jacob  Groh;  Julia,  m.  to  Jacob  Geist, 
and  buried  in  that  portion  of  the  old  homestead  now 
owned  by  William  Long. 

(II)  Daniel  Long  was  born  in  1780,*  on  the  old  home- 
stead, where  he  carried  on  farming.  He  married  Ra- 
chael  Snyder,  and  they  had  eleven  children:  Aaron; 
Jacob;  Fayette  m.  Sarah  Warmkissel;  Sarah  m.  Levi 
Fritch;  Samuel  m.  Sallie  Zwoyer;  Elizabeth  m.  Thomas 
Acker;  David  m.  Florenda  Figley;  Catherine  m.  Reuben 
Haas;  Dr.  M.  S.  m.  Mary  Schwartz;  Dr.  Aug.  Long 
was  of  St.  Joseph,  Mo.;  and  Daniel  died  young.  Daniel 
Long  died  in  1840,  a  man  who  was  universally  respected, 
and  who  had  always  been  prominent  as  a  farmer. 

(III)  Aaron  Long,  father  of  Marcus  Long,  was 
born  on  the  old  homestead.  Aug.  10,  1815,  and  by  trade 
was  a  tinsmith,  but  also  followed  farming,  his  farm 
being  a  portion  of  the  original  Long  estate.  He  died 
there  Oct.  30,  1883,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  He 
married  Esther  Fritch,  born  Jan.  30.  1816,  daughter  of 
George  and  Nancy  (Schwartz)  Fritch.  They  had  three 
children:  Marcus;  Jonas  F.,  born  Sept.  38,  1837,  m. 
Eliza  Wagonhorst,  and  he  resides  in  Napa  county  Cal.; 
Daniel  George  is  a  physician  at  Reading.  Jotias  F. 
Long  enlisted  and  was  made  captain  of  the  7th  Pa.  V.  C. 
at  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  war.  and  served  all 
through  that  struggle,  and  was  wounded  in  the  left 
arm.     Mrs.  Esther  (Fritch)  Long  died  Jan.  30,  1884. 

(IV)  Marcus  Long  was  born  on  the  old  homestead 
May  11,  18S6,  and  was  educated  in  the  local  schools. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  was  employed  as  clerk 
m  the  general  store  of  Col.  William  Trexler.  and  later 
by  Benjamm  Helferich,  who  also  conducted  a  general 
store.  Havmg  accumulated  a  little  money,  Mr  Long 
attended  the  select  school  at  Reading  conducted  by 
Prof.  Lee,  and  from  there  he  went  to  Friedensburg 
(Oley)  and  attended  the  Oley  Academy  under  Prof 
Hankey.  In  addition  to  assistins  his  father  with  the 
farm  work,  he  taught  school  for  eight  consecutive  terms 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  township  He  sub- 
sequently  moved   to   Mertztown,   where    for    five   years 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


-  701 


he  was  in  the  flour,  feed,  coal  and  lumber  business 
under  the  style  of  M.  &  S.  Long,  and  at  the  same 
time  he  served  as  postmaster  and  ticket  agent  for  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company.  Later  he 
took  charge  of  part  of  the  old  homestead,  which  he 
has  since  purchased'.  Upon  this  property  there  is  a 
grist-mill  and  he  now  operates  it  in  addition  to  farming. 
In  1863  Mr.  Long  married  Miss  Eliza  Trexler,  a 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Susanna  (Leinmerger) 
Trexler,  both  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long  had  six 
children:  Jennie  m.  Dr.  L  J.  Weida  of  Emaus,  Lehigh 
county;  Emma  H.  m.  Charles  Long,  a  farmer  near  the 
old  home;  Lilly  E.,  unmarried,  resides  at  home,  and 
was  educated  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School, 
and  taught' school  one  term;  Carrie  S.,  a  graduate 
of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  who  taught  eight 
consecutive  terms,  m.  Dr.  William  L.  Long;  Sarah  E. 
m.  Charles  B.  Folk,  a  farmer  of  Longswamp;  Morris 
A.  B.,  a-  student  at  Jeflferson  Medical  College  was  there 
stricken  with  typhoid  fever  and  died  March  5,  1899. 
Mrs.  Long  died  April  25,  1899,  a  member  of  the  Luth- 
eran church,  although  the  rest  of  the  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Reformed  faith.  Mr.  Long  has  always  been 
active  in  church  work,  having  held  nearly  all  of  the 
offices,  and  he  is  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Longswamp 
Sunday-school,  which  was  started  in  1856.  He  has  re- 
tained in  it  his  membership,  has  been  its  superintendent 
and  for  thirty-five  years  has  been  the  teacher  of  the 
Bible  class,  during  which  period  he  has  gone  through 
the  entire  Bible  with  his  pupils  more  than  five  times. 
Naturally  he  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  educa- 
tional matters,  and  seryed  as  school  director  for  eigh- 
teen years  during  which  time  fifteen  new  schools  were 
built.  Mr.  Long  is  very  proud  of  this  record.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Republican  and  devoted  to  .his  party  al- 
though not  an  office  seeker.  Fraternally  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  Lodge  at  Trexlertown;  of  the  K.  of 
P.  No.  358  at  Mertztown  and  Longswamp  Grange  No. 
1069.  Al)  of  his  forbears  mentioned  in  this  article  as 
deceased   are  buried   in   Longswamp   cemetery. 

HENLV  CROUSE,  who  was  a  prominent  business 
man  in  Reading  for  many  years,  was  born  April  25, 
1823.  at  York,  York  Co.,  Pa.,  and  died  Sept.  18,  1902. 

At  a  tender  age  Mr.  Crouse  was  thrown  entirely  upon 
his  own  resources,  and  his  success  proved  his  fine  char- 
acter and  many  sterling  qualities.  The  greater  part 
of  his  schooling  was  obtained  at  night  schools,  his 
days  being  employed  with  farmers.  At  the  age  of  nine- 
teen years,  he  learned  the  combmaking  trade  of  an 
uncle,  at  Sehnsgrove,  and  worked  at  this  trade  as  long 
as  it  was  profitable,  selling  his  combs  to  the  stores  in 
dozen  lots.  Gradually  he  added  other  articles  and  thus 
began  to  handle  a  few  notions.  He  accepted  a  position 
as  traveling  salesman  with  William  Sagee,  a  brush- 
maker,  with  the  understanding  that  he  should  also  sell 
combs  on  his  trips.  He  later  traveled  independently, 
selling  notions  through  Berks  and  adjoining  counties. 
He  packed  his  goods  in  a  one-horse  wagon  and  went 
all  through  the"  anthracite  coal  regions.  In  1848  he 
purchased  his  first  large  bill  of  goods,  receiving  credit 
at  Philadelphia.  His  wife  and  mother  did  not  feel  that 
this  move  was  a  prudent  one,  but  he  had  better  fore- 
sight than  they,  and  by  1853  this  and  other  bills  had 
all  been  settled  and  he  was  ready  to  go  into  business  on 
Penn  street  above  Seventh,  in  Reading.  Afterward  Mr. 
Crouse  secured  quarters  on  Penn  street,  then  the  Key- 
stone House,  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Penn,  for  his 
notion  store  and  he  continued  in  the  business  until 
1869,  when  with  an  ample  fortune  he  retired.  In  1870, 
during  the  German  war,  with  his  son  Harry  W.,  who 
had  just  graduated  from,  Dickinson  College  at  Carlisle, 
he  made  a  trip  around  the  world,  consuming  one  year 
and  two  weeks,  and  during  this  time  they  visited  all 
the  principal  cities  and' great  show  places  of  the  world. 

After  his  return  Mr.  Crouse  felt  like  getting  into 
business   harness  again,  and  soon   was   interested  in  a 


real  estate  and  building  business.  Later  he  embarked 
in  a  lumbering  business  at  Garland,  Warren  Co.,  Pa., 
which  he  continued  until  1884,  when  he  definitely  re- 
tired. He  was  a  lifelong  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church 
and  was  always  active  in  this  body,  cheerfully  filling 
many  official  positions.  In  1869  he  built  the  chapel 
at  Ninth  and  Elm  streets,  and  when  the  Covenant  Mem- 
orial M.  E.  Church  was  erected,  the  property  and 
church  buildings  costing  $50,000,  he  paid  all-  except  a 
debt  of  $10,000. 

Before  making  his  trip  around  the  world,  and  about 

1863,  Mr.  Crouse  had  engaged  in  business  at  No.  436 
Penn  street,  where  the  Bon  Ton  Store-  is  now  located. 
He  rented  from  John  S.  Pearson  and  remained  there 
ten  years,  when  he  built  the  tour-story  iron  structure 
at  No.  508  Penn  street,  the  second  building  of  its  kind 
in  the  city.  This  property  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Heim. 
Mr.  Crouse  afterward  sold  out  his  business  to  Haas, 
Loriamy  &  Dunkle,  which  firm  took  possession  of  his 
new  building,  renting  it  from  him. 

In  1848  Mr.  Crouse  married  Mary  E.  Sanders,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Mary  (Rhoads)  Sanders,  and  they 
had  two  children,  Clara  E.  and  Henry  W.  The  former 
married  Samuel  W.  Loveland,  an  employe  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad,  of  forty  years'  standing,  and  now 
chief  accountant  at  Broad  street,  Philadelphia,  and  they 
have  two  children,  Marie  and  Emily.  Henry  W.  was  a 
graduate  of  Dickinson  College,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  Jan.  7,  1900,  was  an  CKtensive  importer  of  notions, 
at  No.  345  Broadway,  New  York  City;  he  married 
(first)  Jennie  Thornton,  had  four  children — Elizabeth 
(an  authoress),  Clara  M.  (died  aged  fourteen  months), 
Lillian  J.  and  Herbert  T. — and  m.  (second)  Anna  B.  Mc- 
Guire,  and  had  one  child,  Donald.' 

The  late  Henry  Crouse  was  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  council  of  Reading  although 
he  never  sought  political  honors.  He  belonged  to 
Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227,  F.  &  A.  M.  and  to  Salome- 
Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was  a  man  who  loved  his  own 
fireside  and  took  pleasure  in  providing  for  the  welfare 
of  his  family.  He  is  buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  cem- 
etery, where  he  had  erected  a  fine  monument  ten  years 
before  his  death. 

JOHN  H.  BICKLEY,  JR.,  chief  draughtsman  at  the 
Scott  foundry  (Reading  Iron  Company),  and  one  of 
the   city's    substantial   citizens,    was    born    in    October, 

1864,  at  Pottsville,  Pa.,  son  of ,  John  H.  and  Maria 
(Stine)    Bickley. 

John  H.  Bickley  was  born  in  Boonton,  N.  J.,  and" 
early  in  life  was  a  rolling  mill  engineer.  At  one  time 
he  was  superintendent  of  the  Haywood  Rolling  mill 
at  Palo  Alto,  a  suburb  of  Pottsville,  and  he  built,  and 
was  one  of  the  proprietors  of,  the  Hamburg  rolling 
mill,  and  also  built  a  rolling  mill  at  Schuylkill  Haven 
and  constructed  the  machinery  for  the  Sternbergh  Mill, 
now  a  part  of  the  American  Steel  &  Iron  Company,  at 
Reading.  He  retired  in  1905,  just  prior  to  this  having 
been  superintendent  of  the  Ulster  Iron  Works.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  H.  Bickley  had  three  children:  Alice 
m.  A.  E.  Brown;  Minnie  m.  Conrad  Mann;  and  John 
H.  Mr.  Bickley  was  formerly  connected  with  the  I. 
O.  O.  F.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
Church. 

John  H.  Bickley,  Jr.,  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Milldale,  after  leaving  which  his  father  had  intended 
that  he  should  take  a  law  course.  This  plan  did  not 
suit  the  young  man,  however,  who  had  decided  on  be- 
coming a  mechanic,  and  seeing  that  he  was  set  in  his 
intentions,  his  father  gave  him  a  trial  in  his  shops. 
He  proved  to  be  a  good  mechanic,  and  his  next  em- 
ployment was  with  the  Phoenix  Iron  Company,  as 
assistant  master  mechanic,  later  with  Jones  &  Lauch- 
lin,  proprietors  of  the  American  Iron  &  Steel  Com- 
pany, as  assistant  to  the  chief  draughtsman  with  the 
Pennsylvania  Steel  Company,  at  Steelton,  Pa.,  then  be- 
ing made  superintendent  of  the  mechanical  department 


7.oa 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


at  the  Sparrow  Point  Mill.  In  1901  he  accepted  a  posi- 
tion with  the  Reading  Iron  Company,  as  draughtsman, 
and  during  the  same  year  was  made  chief  of  his  de- 
partment, a  position  in  which  he  has  continued  to  the 
present  time,  having  seven  men  in  his  employ.  In 
1903  he  had  charge  of  the  designing  of  the  brown  seg- 
mental wire  wound  gun,  which  proved  such  a  success 
to  its  inventors,  and  he  has  also  had  charge  of  the  re- 
construction of  the  Scott  Foundry  Department,  Read- 
ing Iron  Company.  Mr.  Bickley  is  a  skilled  mechanic, 
and  a  man  of  much  ability.  His  ancestors  were  con- 
sidered the  most  prominent  rolling  mill  engineers  in 
the  early  nineteenth  century,  and  the  first  T  rail  made 
was  made  in  1845  by  his  uncles  in  Danville,  Pa.,  at  what 
is  now  the  Montour  Rolling  Mill  Department  of  the 
Reading  Iron  Company,  but  which  mill  was  designed 
and  then  managed  by  one  of  Mr.  Bickley's  uncles. 

Mr.  Bickley  is  a  member  of  Acacia  Lodge,  No.  20, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.  of  Dover.  N.  J.;  Harrisburg  Consistory, 
and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M..  S.  He  is  inde- 
pendent in  political  matters,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Bickley 
attend   the   Presbyterian    Church. . 

Mr.  Bickley  married  Ida  M.  Miller,  and  to  them  has 
been  born  one  son,  John  H. 

AUGUST  GRANZ,  superintedent  of  the  Reading 
Glove  &  Mitten  Company,  has  been  a  resident  of  this 
country  since  1888,  when  he  came  hither  from  his 
native,  Germany. 

Born  in  Kaufungen,  Saxony,  Jan.  31,  1856,  Mr.  Granz 
was  there  given  the  solid  education  bestowed  on  all 
his  countrymen  and  later  served  his  time  in  the  German 
army,  holdiiig  the  rank  of  corporal  at  the  time  of  his 
release.  While  still  hardly  more  than  a  boy  he  learned 
■  the  trade  of  a  baker  and  followed  it,  except  for  the 
time  in  the  army,  until  1878.  He  then  gave  it  up  to 
learn  glovemaking,  served  a  thorough  apprenticeship 
and  acquired  a  further  knowledge  and  experience  of 
every  detail  of  the  business  by  continued  work  in 
that  line  in  Germany,  In  1888  he  set  his  face  toward 
America,  landing  at  Castle  Garden,  September  1st, 
and  worked  first  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  In  the- 
beginning  he  found  it  easier  to  secure  employment  at 
his  original  trade  of  baker,  but  before  long  he  was 
able  to  get  work  at  glove  making  again,  and  has  ever 
since  been  engaged  in  that  line.  His  wide  experience 
of  the  business  and  his  ability  attracted  attention,  and 
he  was  offered  the  place  of  Superintendent  of  the 
Reading  Glove  &  Mitten  Company  in  1904.  He  entered 
upon  his  duties  Dec.  17th  of  that  year,  and  has  since 
that  time  established  himself  thoroughly  in  the  com- 
pany's confidence.  He  (foes  all  the  buying  for  the 
firm  and  in  every  act  has  demonstrated  his  fitness  for 
the  responsibilities  of  his  position. 

While  still  residing  in  Germany  Mr.  Granz  was 
united  in  marriage  in  1877  to  Miss  Mary  Heinig,  also 
of  Kaufungen,  Saxony.  They  have  had  only  one  child, 
a  daughter  Hattie,  now  the  wife  of  Theodore  Webber, 
of  New  York  City.  Some  years  ago  Mr,  Granz  be- 
came interested  in  the  work  of  the  I,  O.  O.  F.,  and 
joined  that  organization,  in  which  he  has  made  an  as- 
sured position  for  himself  in  the  esteem  of  its  mem- 
bers. For  two  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  Teutonia 
Lodge  No.  367,  F.  &  A.  M.  of  Reading;  and  he  also  be- 
longs to  the  Workingmen's  Sick  and  Beneficial  Asso- 
ciation. 

ALFRED  S.  SEIDEL,  Among  the  well-known  re- 
tired residents  of  Reading,  Pa,,  may  be  mentioned 
Alfred  S.  Seidel,  of  No.  145  Walnut  street,  who  was 
for  a  number  of  years  extensively  engaged  in  business 
in  the  city.  Mr.  Seidel  was  born  in  Windsor  (now 
Perry)  township,  and  is  a  descendant  of  an  old  and 
honored  Pennsylvania  family. 

His  emigrant  ancestor  was  Johann  Heinrich  Seidel, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  from  Alsace-Lorraine 
in  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  and  settled 


in  the  vicinity  of  Shoemakersville,  Berks  county, 
where  he  became  very  prosperous,  owning  much  land. 
One  of  his  descendants,  Jacob  Seidel,  was  born  in 
Hamburg,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Berks  county.  Upon  reaching  his  majority  he  vis- 
ited Germany,  whence  he  brought  a  large  amount,  of 
money,  and  many  family  heirlooms.  Settling  in  the 
northern  part  'of  Berks  county,  he  engage'd  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  also  carrying  on  a  mercantile  business, 
Jacob  Seidel  in  addition  was  the  proprietor  of  a  hotel 
on  the  old  Philadelphia  Pike,  where  many  noted  per- 
sonages partook  of  good  old-fashioned  Pennsylvania 
Dutch  dinners,  prepared  by  Jacob's  wife,  who  was 
noted  for. her  excellent  cooking,  Jacob  and  Elizabeth 
(Bossier)  Seidel  were  the  parents  of  these  children: 
Benjamin,  Jacob,  Solomon,'  Henry,  David,  Daniel, 
Sarah,  Mary,  Eliza  and  Amelia,  In  religious  belief  the 
family  were  Lutherans,  The  male  members  of  the 
family  were  divided  in  their  political  belief,  some  being 
Whigs  and  others  Democrats. 

Benjamin  Seidel,  son  of  Jacob  and  father  of  Alfred 
S.,  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  all  of  his 
active  business  life.  Several  years  prior  to  his  death, 
Feb.  9,  1884,  he  retired.  He  married  Catherine  Seibert, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Seibert,  of  Lebanon  county,  and 
she  died  in  1906,  having  been  the  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren: Alfred  S.;  Jacob,  and  Monroe  (m.  Hannah  Reber, 
and  had  two  children — Ida  May  and  Bertha,  the  latter 
deceased).  In  religious  belief  Benjamin  Seidel  was  a 
Lutheran  and  his  wife  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Alfred  S.  Seidel's  early  education  was  secured  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  locality,  and  be  later  at- 
tended Franklin  &  Marshall  College  and  the  State 
Normal  School  at  Millersville,  Pa.  After  teaching 
school  successfully  for  three  terms,  he  turned  his  at- 
tention to  mercantile  pursuits,  engaging  in  business 
at  Shoemakersville,  of  which  business,  however,  he 
later  disposed.  He  was  then  appointed  justice  of  the 
peace  and  surveyor,  had  also  engaged  in  conveyancing, 
following  this  for  eleven  years,  when  he  accepted  the 
position  of  traveling  salesman  for  a  large  Philadelphia 
firm.  In  1891  he  located  in  Reading,  continuing  to  rep- 
resent the  firm  until  1901,  when  he  retired.  He  has  en- 
gaged in  various  business  enterprises,  and  has  been 
successful  in  both  local  and  foreign  deals. 

In  1872,  Mr.  Seidel  married  Miss  Helen  Loose, 
daughter  of  William  Loose,  and  to  this  union  there 
have  been  born  children  as  follows:  Mahlon  m.  Susan 
Brown,  and  has  two  children,  William  and  Stewart; 
Claudius  m,  Emma  Ulrich,  and  has  one  child,  Elsie; 
Miss  Lillie;  Howard  m.  Fannie  Wamsher;  William  B,; 
Robert  L,;  Titus;  Allen;  and  Ida  M,  and  Lyla,  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Seidel  is  a  member  of  Kutztown  Lodge, 
No.  377,  F,  &  A,  M.;  Reading  Chapter,  R.  A,  M,,  No. 
152;  and  Reading  Commandery  No,  42.  K,  T,  He 
is  independent  in  politics, 

RANCK,  Early  records  show  the  Ranck  family  to 
be  of  French  Huguenot  origin,  many  of  the  family  living 
in  Paris  in  the  sixteenth  century.  The  name  was  then 
spelled  Ranee  and  Ranc,  The  revocation  of  the  Edict 
of  Nantes,  and  the  attendant  persecution,  drove  the 
family  to  Germany,  where  they  located  along  the  Rhine. 
Many  of  them  changed  the  spelling  of  the  name  to 
Ranke  or  Ranck,  according  to  the  German  historian, 
Leopold  von  Ranke,  himself  a  member  of  the  family. 
From  Germany  some  of  them  moved  to  Holland,  where 
their  descendants  still  live. 

Three  brothers  came  to  America.  John  Michael 
Ranck  sailed  on  the  good  ship  "Mortonhouse,"  John 
Coultas,  master,  from  Rotterdam,  last  from  Deal,  June 
15,  1724,  and  arrived  in  Philadelphia  Aug,  34,  1724,  and 
some  of  his  posterity  are  n6w  living  in  Lancaster 
county.  Pa,  Jacob  Ranck  arrived  on  a  later  voyage  of 
the  same  vessel  landing  in  Philadelphia,  Aug,  19,  1729. 
Phillip  Ranck  came  over  in  the  ship  "Winter  Galley" 
Edw.  Paynter,  master,  landing  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  5 


BIOGRAPHICAL  703 

1738,  and  he  was  the  ancestor  of  H.  Herbert  Ranck,  of  of   Bucks    county,   but   later   in    Oley'  township,    Berks 

Joanna,  Berks  county.  county.    In  1744,  he  and  two  other  men  erected  a  forge 

Naturalization  papers  were  granted  to  Phillip  Ranck  which  became  known  as  the  "Oley  Forge,"  and  from 
in  1760.  His  wife's  name  was  Barbara.  In  1770  he  that  time  on  for  fifty  years  he  was  prominently  iden- 
deeded  land  to  his  four  sons:  Jacob,  Ludwig,  Phillip  tified  with  the  iron  industry  of  the  county.  He  rep- 
Adam  arid  John,  and  he  also  had  a  son  Valentine.  Of  resented  the  county  in  the  Constitutional  convention  of 
these  Ludwig  married  and  had  twenty-four  children,  1776.  and  served  in  the  General  Assembly  from  1776 
some  .of  whom  located  in  Ohio.  Phillip  Adam  and  until  1782.  During  the  Revolution  he  acted  as  one  of 
John  moved  to  Union  county,  Pennsylvania.  the' commissioners  for  purchasing  army  supplies.     He 

Jacob  Ranck,  son  of  Phillip  and  Barbara,  was  born  addressed  an  interesting  letter  to  the  Supreme  Execu- 

Oct.  1,  1745,  and  died.  Sept.  13,  1827,  aged  eighty-two  tive  Council  in  1778,  relative  to  the  taking  of  supplies 

years,  and  was  buried  in  Ranckfs  graveyard  on  the  old  from  him.     [See  Berks  County  in  the  Revolution,  p.  181.] 

farm.     He  married   Margaretta  Worst,   who   died  Jan.  John  Lesher  died  in  Oley  township,  April  5,  1794,  leav- 

28,     1820,    aged    seventy-four    years.    They    had    five  inga  widow,  two   sons  and     five     daughters,  namely: 

sons    and   two    daughters,    namely:    John    and   Samuel,  John  (had  a  son  Isaac),  Jacob.  Barbara  (m.  Jacob  Mor- 

who  were   the   only   ones   to   marry;   Abraham,  Jacob,  g^n),    Hannah    (m.    George    Focht),    Maria    (m.    John 

^^.'ii^^^^'l^""^  Margaret.  |,„j  3)  ^„d  Catharine   (m.  John  Tysher). 

bamuel  Ranck.  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaretta  (Worst),  t„  iu  t    ^u          _„   jLtu  ,     c   4ii»„   u     .,^,1  *v,..  ^^^ 

had   four   children:   David,   who  had  two   sons,   Daniel  ^^.''°^  ^"^"'  g/andfather  of  Allen  R.,  and  the  pro- 

and  Edward,  and  died  in  Intercourse,  Lancaster  county;  ^f.'^'to''  °^  many  Leshers  m  this  country,  was  born  in 

Samuel,   who   moved   to   Carroll    county,    Illinois;   and  O'^^  township,  Berks  county.     He  came  to  Richmond 

two   daughters,   one   of  whom  married  a  Kessler,   and  township  before  1790,  and  died  in  1804  in  Virginville, 

the  other  a  Wagner.  being   buried    in    a    field    above    Virginville    along    the 

John  Ranck,  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaretta   (Worst),  railroad,  which  was  used  for  a  burial  ground,  but  the 

was  born  'in  1774.  and  died  in  1845.     He  married  Eliz-  plow   share   has  turned  up   the   sod  and   destroyed   all 

abeth  Shively,  a  sister  to  his  brother  Samuel's  wife,  and  vestige   of  the   last  resting  place  of  a   number  of  old 

they    had    eight    children:    Jacob,    Barbara.    Margaret  pioneers.     He  m.  Elizabeth  Stenger.  who  kept  a  hotel 

(born  Aug    27    1806,   died   Oct    23,   1849,  married  Jos-  ;„    Virginville    for    a    livelihood,    and    they    had    these 

adne                            Ehzabeth,   Samuel,  John  and   Cath-  .children:  Elizabeth  m.  John  Heater;  Jacob  m.  a  Miss 

'valentine  Ranck,  son  of  Phillip  the  emigrant  and  his  Bartholomew;   Samuel;  Jonas;  William;   and   Polly  m. 

wife    Barbara,    died    in    1813.    the    father    of   two   sons.  Joseph   Shomo,   of  Hamburg,   Pennsylvania. 

Michael;  and  Jacob,  whose  children  w^re— John.  Adam,  Samuel   S.   Lesher,  father   of  Allen   R,  was  born  in 

Jacob,    Samuel,    Mrs.    Benjamin    Herr    and    Mrs.    Peter  Virginville  at  the  old  hotel  stand  that  was  kept  by  his 

Eably.                                          -  parents.     He   learned  the   trade   of  a   stqne   mason   in 

Michael  Ranck,  son  of  Valentine,  was  a  teamster  in  early  youth,  and  this  he  followed  for  many  years.     He 

Washington's    army.      He    had    one    son,    Joseph,    and  'married     Sallie     Reber.     daughter     of     John     Reber, 

five  daughters,  and  of  the  latter  one'  married  a  Yoder,  and  they  had  these  children:  Gabriel  died  aged  seventy- 

°"?  a  Good,  one  a  Musser,  one  a  Witmer  and  one  a  one  years;  John  died  aged  twelve  years;  Polly  m.  (first) 

T         ,T>i  r  1,,-  y      1  -J.-  .a  Mr.  Young,  and  (second)   David  Fulmer;  Jacob  died 

Joseph   Ranck    son   of   Michael,   married   his   cousm  ^^^^^  ^^^^^     ^f^^^  marriage;  Allen  R.;   William  lives 

Margaret    Ranck.    born    Aug.    27.    1806,    died    Oct.    23,  .  ■■.ri.-i.     !->         tt   ■       i-       %       t       •    i-         •     td-  i 

1849    daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Shively)   Ranck  ^*  White  Deer,  Union  Co.    Pa.;  Louis  lives  in  Pickaway 

(above  mentioned).    To  this  union  were  born  five  chil-  ^?,V"*y'   Y-'  .  '^^'^  -'^           T            °^          °"   ^^'=^^"- 

dren:  Jonathan,  who  lives  in  western  Iowa  and  had  fif-  bill;   Joel   is   of   Reading;   and   Sallie   is   the   widow   of 

teen  children,  some  of  whom  live  in  Chicago;  Samuel,  of  Daniel  Gruber. 

Naperville,   111.,   who  has   several   daughters  but   no  son;  Allen    R.    Lesher    attended    the   pay    schools    of    his 

Elizabeth  who  married  Lewis  Emery,  and  lives  in  Illin-  time,  his  first  teacher  being  Joe  Pike,  and  later  when 

ois;  and  Joseph,  of  Naperville,  111.,  who  has  a  son  who  is  the  public  schools  were  established  he  attended  them 

a  missionary  in  China  and  a  daughter  a  missionary  in  for  a  time.    Mr.  Lesher  has  spent  all  of  his  life  on  the 

Japan.                                                                            ,„       ,  v  farm,  on  which  he  now  resides,  a  100-acre  tract.     Mr. 

Amos  Ranck,  son  of  Joseph  and  Margaret  (Ranck),  Lesher  retired  from  active  labor  in  1898.  He  is  con- 
married  Rebecca  White  and  had  four  sons  and  two  „„„,.„j  „-tu  ■d»„i,«,_>„  ct  Ta.,*.^  >  tt  ■  r~u  i.  ■ 
daughters,  namely:  J.  Clarence,  of  Denver,  Colo.;  Jos-  ""^^^^ ,  ^^^  Beckers  St  I'eter  s  Union  Church,  in 
eph  A.,  living  in  Elsmere.  Del.;  H.  Herbert,  on  the  which  he  is  a  trustee,  and  takes  an  active  interest.  It 
old  homestead  at  Joanna;  Florence  M..  living  in  Phil-  was  largely  through  the  influence  and  activity  of  Mr. 
adelphia;  and  Fannie  E..  wife  of  J.  Warren  Barkley.  Lesher  that  a  new  township  was  not  created  back 
of  Wilmington,  Delaware.  '"  the  eighties,  when  a  strong  effort  was  made  to  cut 

H.      Herbert     Ranck     married      Clara      M.      Leippe,  ofif  a  part  of  Richmond  township  and  Greenwich  town- 

and    has    three    daughters,    Esther,    Katherine    and    Mar-  ship,   and   create   it   into   a   new   district.     Mr.    Lesher 

garet.  performs  the   duties   of  a   good  citizen,   and   is   highly 

The  Rancks  were  agricultural  people,  and  lived  near  esteemed  in  his  community.     In  politics  he  is  a  Dem- 

New   Holland.   Pa.  The   early  members   of  the   family  ocrat. 

adopted  the  Mennonite  faith  on  locating  in  Lancaster  On   July   27,    1861,    Mr.    Lesher   married    Sallie   Ann 

county,  but  later  many  joined,  the  Evangelical  denom-  Sassaman,  daughter  of  William  and  Sallie  (Delp)  Sass- 

ination,   and   many  the   United   Brethren,   who   have   a  aman,  the  former  a  furniture  dealer  and  undertaker  in 

church  known  as  Ranck's  church.                          '  "his  time,  residing  near  Fleetwood.  These  children  were 

born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lesher:  Louisa  S.  m.  Reuben  M. 

ALLEN  R.  LESHER,  a  retired  farmer  of  Richmond  Kline,  and  their  daughter,  Mrs.  Francis  Z.  Sieber,  has 

township,    Berks    county,    who    lives    about    one    mile  a   son,  William  Allen;   Sallie   A.  m.  Wilson  M.   Kline, 

below  Virginville,  along  the  Berks  &  Lehigh  railroad,  and  has  children— Virgie  (m.  Richard  Sheradin.  and  has' 

was  born   at  the  place  where  he  now  resides,  Dec.  2,  a    son,    Francis    Arlington),    Franklin,    Harry,    Elsie, 

1835,  son  of  Samuel  S.  and  Sallie  (Reber)  Lesher.       .  Webster  and  Edison;  Lizzie  m.  Eli  Gettis;  Katie  m.  the 

John   Lesher,   great-grandfather   of  Allen   R.,  was   a  Hon.  Jacob  A.  Lesher;  Samuel  S.  died  in  infancy;  Wil- 

native  of  Germany,  born  Jan.  5,  1711_,  only  son  and  heir-  liam  R.  of  Virginsville  engaged   in  the  paper-hanging 

at-law  of  Nicholas  Lesher.     He  emigrated  to  Pennsyl-  and   painting   business,   m.    Katie   Kline,   and   has   two 

vania   in   1734,  and   first   settled   in   the   Upper   section  children,  W.  Paul  and  Jennie  P. 


704 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


JONATHAN  MOULD,  merchant  at  Reading  since  1871, 
was  born  in  Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  near  Newburg,  Feb. 
20,  L847,  and  educated  in  the  pay  schools  of  the  vicinity 
and  at  the  Montgomery  Academy.  He  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  during  the  course  of  his  education  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  went  to  Newburg  and 
entered  the  large  dry-goods  store  of  A.  K.  Chandler  as  a 
salesman,  and  he  continued  there  seven  years.  During  the 
later  years  he  assisted  Mr.  Chandler  in  establishing  and 
operating  a  chain  of  dry-goods  stores  in  New  York  and 
Pennsylvania.  In  this  capacity,  he  was  sent  to  Reading, 
Pa.,  in  January,  1871,  and-  after  operating  the  store  for 
over  a  year  it  was  sold  to  Schofield  &  Co. 

Mr.  Mould,  during  this  interval,  having  come  to  appre- 
ciate Reading  as  a  business  center,  remained  with  the  new 
firm,  and  assisted  in  the  management  of  the  store  until 
January,  1875,  when  he  embarked  in  business  for  himself. 
He  established  a  department  store  at  No.  325  Penn.  street, 
and  in  three  years  moved  into  larger  quarters  at  No.  645 
Penn  street,  where  he  continued  with  increasing  success 
for  twelve  years.  In  1890,  he  purchased  the  two  adjoining 
premises  on  the  east,  Nos.  647-49,  and  upon  erecting  a 
large  four-story  brick  store  building,  30  feet  wide  by  370 
feet  deep,  moved  into  the  new  quarters,  where  he  has 
since  been  conducting  a  department  store  with  upward 
of  a  hundred  employes,  and  a  wholesale  and  retail  trade 
which  reaches,  into  the  surrounding  districts  and  adjoining 
counties. 

In  1887,  his  brother-in-law,  George  H.  Bell  (after  being 
employed  in  the  store  for  ten  years),  was  admitted  as  a 
partner,  and  since  then  the  business  has  been  carried  on 
under  the  name  of  J.  Mould  &  Co.  Mr.  Mould  has  been 
identified  for  some  years  with  the  Farmers'  National  Bank 
of  Reading,  the  Neversink  Bank,  and  a  number  of  indus- 
trial" enterprises,  serving  in  each  of  them  as  one  of  the 
directors. 

In  1871  Mr.  Mould  married  Julia  E.  Bell,  daughter  of 
Dr.  William  P.  Bell,  a  prominent  physician  of  Fishkill-on- 
the-Hudson,  N.  Y.  They  are  members  of  the  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church  at  Reading,  having  been  identified  with 
this   church   since   1871. 

Mr.  Mould's  father  was  John  Mould,  of  Orange  county, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  cultivated  a  farm  for  many  years  until 
his  decease  in  1888,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  He 
married  Emily  Douglas  (a  daughter  of  Isaac  Douglas,  of 
Catskill,  N.  Y.,  where  he  taught  school  in  the  local  Acad- 
emy, and  died  a  young  man). 

His  grandfather  was  Jonathan  Mould  (after  whom  Mr. 
Mould  was  named) ;  also  a  farmer  of  the  same  place  for 
many  years  until  his  decease  in  1855  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  years.  He  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Christoffel 
Mould,  who  emigrated  from  Holland  about  1712  and  settled 
at  Kingston,  N.  Y.  Several  of  Mr.  Mould's  direct  an- 
cestors were  actively  engaged  in  the  Revolution,  and  they 
have  been  honorably  mentioned  in  Ruttenber's  History  of 
Orange  county,  N.  Y.  His  mother  was  a  lineal  descend- 
ant of  William  Douglas,  who  -emigrated  from  Scotland  in 
1640  and  settled  at  Boston,  Massachusetts. 

GEORGE  H.  BELL  (son  of  Dr.  William  P.  Bell), 
partner  of  Jonathan  Mould  since  1887,  was  born  in  1862 
at  Fishkill-on-the-Hudson,  N.  Y.,  and  was  educated  in  the 
local  schools.  He  entered  the  department  store  of  Mr. 
Mould,  his  brother-in-law,  at  Reading  in  1877,  as  a  sales- 
man, and  in  several  years  showed  so  much  proficiency  that 
he  was  placed  in  charge  of  one  of  the  departments.  In 
1887  he  became  a  partner,  and  since  then  the  business  has 
been  conducted  under  the  name  of  J.  Mould  &  Co. 

In  1894  Mr.  Bell  married  Alice  Bryson  (daughter  of 
Allen  Bryson,  of  Orange  county,  N.  Y.,  and  Emma  F. 
Mould,  his  wife,  a  sister  of  Mr.  Mould).  They  have  three 
children  :  Jonathan  Mould,  Helen,  and  George  Allan.  They 
are  members  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church ;  and  Mrs.  Bell 
is  a  member  of  the  D.  A.  R.  at  Reading,  Conrad  Weiser 
Chapter. 

HENRY  F.  TROSTLE.  The  Trostle  family  was 
founded  in  America  by  two  brothers,  Peter  and  Hans 


Bernhardt  Tros'tell,  natives  of  Switzerland,  who  sailed 
for  the  New  World  from  Rotterdam  on  the  ship  "Sam- 
uel," Hugh  Percy,  master.  They  landed  at  Phila- 
delphia Aug.  17,  1733.  In  the  records  the  name  of 
Peter  Trostell  is  variously  spelled.  The  clerk  who 
kept  a  list  of  the  passengers  aboard  the  ship  spelled 
it  Troksell,  while  elsewhere  it  appears  Trossell.  In 
1733  his  age  was  given  as  forty-two,  and  that  of  his 
wife  Anna  Maria,  as  thirty-two.  In  the  same  year 
(1733)  Hans  Bernhardt  Trostell  was  thirty-eight,  and 
his  wife,  Catharine,  thirty.  Peter  Trostell.  aged  nine 
years,  and  Daniel  Trostell,  aged  seven  years,  possibly 
children  of  the  former  Peter,  were  also  registered  as 
passengers  aboard  the  same  ship, 

Brecknock  township,  Berks  county,  was  largely  set- 
tled by  the  Swiss  and  Welsh.  On  the  same  ship  on 
which  came  the  Trostells  were  many  others  whose 
names  are  still  common  (1908)  in  Brecknock.  Appar- 
ently a  whole  colony  left  their  native  home  and  came 
to  America,  settling  in  one  locality.  Parts  of  Breck- 
nock township  were  settled  soon  after  1733,  and  these 
emigrants  evidently  worked  their  way  through  the  for- 
ests from  Philadelphia.  Whether  the  two  brothers, 
Peter  and  Hans  Bernhardt,  settled  in  the  same  district 
is  conjectural,  but  it  is  evident  that  the  Trestles  were  a 
numerous  family  in  Brecknock  township  in  earlier 
years,  the  cemetery  at  the  old  Allegheny  Church  (Un- 
ion) containing,  many  tombs  bearing  the  name.  This 
church  was  the  place  of  worship  for  the  settlers  for 
many  miles  around.  Among  the  tomb-stones  in  the 
cemetery  there  that  are  yet  readable  are  those  of 
Heinrich  and  George  Trostell.  The  former  was  born 
June  4,  1724,  and  died  Oct.  9,  1759,  aged  thirty-five  years, 
four  months,  and  five  days.  The  latter,  George,  was 
born  Feb.  17,  1730,  and  died  Sept.  11,  1804,  aged  seven- 
ty-four yearsj  two  months  and  twenty-four  days.  It 
,  is  undetermined  who  were  the  parents  of  Heinrich  and 
George,  but- there  is  little  doubt  that  they  were  the  chil- 
dren of  one  or  the  other  of  the  emigrant  ancestors. 
The  Trostle  homestead  in  Brecknock  township  is  in 
the  western  part  near  "Knauer's  Hotel.'-'  Tradition 
says  that,  it  has  been  in  the  family  name  for  more  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  years.  There  is  a  house  upon 
this  property,  built  by  a  Trostle  long  before  the  Amer- 
ican Revolution.  It  is  of  stone,  the  masonry  of  su- 
perior workmanship  and  good  appearance,  and  the 
walls  twenty-two  inches  thick.  This  property  has 
never  been  out  of  the  Trostle  name. 

George  Trostle  was  the  ancestor  of  Henry  F.  Tros- 
tle of  Spring  township.  He  was  born  in  Brecknock 
township.  Feb.  17,  1730.  as  above  stated.  There  is 
still  in  existence  an  old  deed  for  the  Trostle  homestead 
bearing  the  date  1749.  He  married  Rosina  Seidaben- 
ner,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Heinrich','  John,  George,  Jacob,  William,  Ab- 
raham, Margaret  (wife  of  Jacob  Merkle)  and  Eliz- 
abeth (wife  of  David  Miller).  The  signatures  of  the 
children  are  to  be  found  on  an  old  deed,  dated  June 
29,  1805,  when  all  signed  over  the  homestead  to  Hein- 
rich.    George  Trostle  (Trostell)  died  Sept.  11,  1804. 

Heinrich  Trostle,  son  of  George,  was  a  blacksmith 
by  trade,  and  did  a  great  deal  of  work  for  the  Indians, 
with  whom  he  was  on  the  friendliest  terms,  many 
stories  of  his  association  with  the  red  men  being  fa- 
miliar to  the  older  members  of  the  family.  He  had  two 
teams  on  the  road  hauling  goods  from  Philadelphia  to 
Pittsburg.  His  will  was  probated  in  1824.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Sweikhart.  and  they  had  children:  Hein- 
rich (2)  ;  John,  who  was  survived  by  his  wife  Catharine 
(who  was  the  executrix  of  his  will  made  Jan.  18,  1857 
and  probated  Feb.  23,  1857)  and  children,  Levina,  Sar- 
ah, Caroline  and  Wallace;  Barbara,  born  Jan  6,  1786, 
m.  to  Benjamin  Remp,  and  died  March  15.  1857; 
Peggy,  m.  to  George  Fritz;  and  Elizabeth,  m.  to  Isaac 
Griffith. 

Heinrich  Trostle  (2),  born  Jan.  15,  1794,  died  Aug. 
15,    1875,    and    is    buried    in    the    Allegheny    Church   cera- 


S^t^^::^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


705 


etery,  of  which  he  was  a  stanch  member.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Griffith,  and  their  children  were:  Benjamin, 
Isaac,  Henry  (3),  John,  Eliza,  Katie.  Cassia  and  Susan 
(m.  Lewis  Echenroth,  and  had  four  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters), of  whom  Benjamin,  Isaac,  Eliza  and  Katie  died 
unmarried.  In  about  1800,  when  Heinrich  Trostle  was 
six  _  years  of  age,  he  witnessed  the  parting  of  the 
Indians  and  his  father,  the  Indians  informing  the  lat- 
ter that  they  were  going  on  the  war  path,  and  prov- 
ing their  words  by  beginning  to  murder  when  only 
a  short  distance  away.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  young 
Heinrich  (2)  made  his  first  trip  to  Pittsburg  with  his 
father's  team.  It  had  not  been  intended  that  the  lad 
should  make  the  entire  trip,  but  to  drive  only  until  he 
could  find  some  one  to  do  it.  This  was  not  to  the 
young  man's  liking,  however,  and  he  made  the  long 
drive  without  looking  for  any  one  to  do  the  work. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  this  work  for  him,  and  he 
drove  his  father's  teams  until  he  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age.  He  then  started  out  for  himself  and  made 
many  long  and  ofttimes  dangerous  trips.  Later  he 
was  engaged  in  hauling  charcoal  to  Mt.  Penn  Furnace 
for  a  number  of  years.  When  not  engaged  with  his 
teams  he  devoted  himself  to  farming — doing  the  work 
the  other  boys  did  while  he  was  absent.  His  wife 
Elizabeth  died  in  1842,  and  from  that  time  until  1848 
his  household  was  looked  after  by  his  daughter  Cas- 
sia. In  the  latter  year  she  wedded  Reuben  Kachel,  who 
rented  the  farm  until  1852,  when  he  died.  Then  again 
Cassia  became  her  father's  housekeeper,  continuing  un- 
til 1875,  when  he  died.  Cassia,  by  her  fnarriage  to  Mr. 
Kachel,  had  two  sons,  Henry  T.  and,  Reubpn  Samuel. 

John  Trostle,  youngest  son  of  Heinrich  (2),  was  a 
stone  mason  by  trade,  but  in  1859  he  rented  his  father's 
farm,  and  carried  it  on  as  a  tenant  until  his  father's 
death  in  1875,  when  he  purchased  it,  continuing  to  at- 
tend to  its  cultivation  until  his  death.  It  is  now  owned 
by  his  widow.  John  Trostle  married  Julia  Hofifert,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  two  children:  Henry  m. 
Mary  Huber,  and  had  two  children,  John  (m.  to  May 
Neinzehhelzer)  and  Sally  (died  in  infancy);  and  Aman- 
da m.  Samuel  Kissinger,  and  had  sixteen  children,  six 
sons  and  ten  daughters,  of  whom  two  .daughters  are 
deceased. 

Henry  Trostle  (3),  son  of  Heinrich  (2),  was  born 
in  1824,  on  the  old  homestead  in  Brecknock  township. 
From  1852  to  1859  he  was  a  tenant  on  the  home  farm. 
He  married  Sophia  Geigly,  daughter  of  Samuel  Geigly, 
of  Lancaster  county.  Pa.  Their  children  were:  John 
died  in  boyhood;  Susanna  m.  John  M.  Kessler,  and 
has  no  children;  and  Henry  F. 

Henry  F.  Trostle,  son  of  Henry  (3),  and  now  a  sub- 
stantial citizen  of  West  Reading,  was  born  in  Breck- 
nock township,  Sept.  4,  1859,  and  was  but  five  weeks 
old  when  his  father  died.  He  obtained  his  education 
in  the  township  schools  near  his  birthplace,  and  in  the 
Good  school  in  Lancaster  county.  He  was  brought  up 
to  farming  and  for  a  number  of  years  lived  with  Chris- 
tian and  Benjamin  Good  in  Lancaster  county.  After 
his  marriage  in  1887  he  engaged  in  the  merchandise 
business  in  Bowmansville.  At  first  he  was  in  partner- 
ship with  C.  M.  Beam,  under  the  firm  name  of  Trostle 
&  Beam,  and  this  continued  for  six  years,  when  he 
went  into  business  with  J.  M.  Kessler  under  the  name 
of  Trostle  &  Kessler.  This  firm  existed  two  years, 
and  was  then  dissolved  by  mutual  consent.  Moving  to 
Ephrata,  Pa.,  Mr.  Trostle  lived  there  a  year,  and  for 
some  time  was  employed  as  a  salesman,  also  doing 
various  other  kinds  of  work.  In  1896  he  came  to  West 
Reading,  and  worked  for  a  wholesale  produce  com- 
pany, doing  huckstering  in  Reading.  That  same  year 
he  bought  b«ilding  lots  in  West  Reading,  and  erected 
two  residences,  Nos.  701  and  703  Penn  avenue,  which 
he  sold.  He'  then  erected  ten  more  in  the  same  bor- 
ough. He  lives  in  a  fine  three-story  brick  house  at 
No.  700  Penn  avenue. 
45 


■  In  February,  1887,  Mr.  Trostle  married  Emma  Eber- 
ly,  who  was  born  in  1864,  daughter  of  Israel  Eberly  and 
wife  (whose  maiden  name  was  Oberlin),  the  former  a 
farmer  in  Clay  township,  Lancaster  county,  and  a  de- 
scendant of  Jacob  Eberly,  a  Swiss  Mennonite  who  set- 
tled in  Lancaster  before  1750.  Mrs.  Trostle's  great-grand- 
father, Samuel  Eberly  (born  Feb.  8,  1793,  died  Jan. 
26.  1876)  lived  in  Elizabeth  (now  Clay)  township,  and 
there  in  1832  built  a  house;  he  was  the  first  county 
treasurer  under  the  constitution  of  1837.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Trostle  were  born  children  as  follows:  Harry  died 
in  infancy;  Ida  Susan;  Edwin  E.;  Mary  Edith;  and 
Alvin  E.  They  are  all  members  of  St.  Joseph's  Re- 
formed Church  of  West  Reading,  and  since  1901  Mr. 
Trostle  has  been  a  member  of  the  Consistory.  He  is 
a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  for  eight  years  under  Pres- 
ident Cleveland's  two  administrations,  1885-89  and 
1893-97,  was  in  the  postoffice  at  Bowmansville,  being 
assistant  postmaster  during  the  first  term,  and  post- 
master the  second  term.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  America. 


,  William  Trostle  married  Magdalena  Steffy  (born 
Feb.  12,  1795,  died  May  22,  1883)  and  they  had  four 
sons  and  one  daughter:  (1)  Richard  m.  Sallie  Hartz, 
and  had  two  sons  and  five  or  six  dausfhters.  the  sons 
being  Isaac,  who  is  married  and  living  in  Mohnton; 
and  Levi,  m.  to  Elizabeth  Brendle,  and  had  a  son 
Martin  (m.  Kate  Eshelman,  and  has  a  son  Paul),  and 
three  daughters,  Catharine  (m.  Franklin  SchweitzerJ, 
Ellen  (m.  Nathan  Remp)  and  Cora  (m..  Jeremiah 
Schweitzer).  (2)  Jacob  m.  Ann  Steffy.  He  was  a 
stone  mason  by  trade,  but  devoted  the  latter  years 
of  his  life  to  farming.  Of  his  children,  three  sons 
and  five  daughters  are  living:  Jacob  m.  Lydia  Eshel- 
man, and  has  two  children;  Howard  m.  Mamie  Glass, 
and  has  two  children;  Harry  m.  Lizzie  Garman,  and 
has  two  children ;  and  the  five  daughters  are  all  married, 
but  are  not  living  in  this  vicinity.  (3)  Levi  was  a 
carpenter.  He  was  born  April  20.  1833,  and  died  July 
10,  1897.  He  m.  Ann  Furlow,  born  Dec.  19,  1828,  died 
Nov.  7,  1896,  and  they  had  children:  William  (born 
June  28,  1861,  died  Sept.  22.  1895),  Levi  (born  Dec.  6, 
1869,  died  June  26,  1894),  John,  Elmer  and  Sarah. 
They  lived  in  Lancaster  county.  (4)  Benjamin  moved 
to  Lebanon  county,  Pa.  (5)  Sallie  m.  David  Lebo,  and 
lived  in  Lancaster  county. 

JOHN  ARCHIBALD  McLENEGAN  was  born  at 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  Feb.  2,  1841,  at  the  homestead  on  East 
King  street.  When  six  years  of  age,  he  was  adopted 
by  an  uncle,  George  B.  Withers,  Esq.,  of  the  Lancaster 
Bar,  and  his  earliest  education  was  received  at  private 
schools  in  that  city.  He  afterward  attended  the  Stras- 
burg  Academy,  to  which  place  his  uncle  had  removed 
on  account  of  failing  health.  He  then  assumed  the 
care  of  his  uncle's  farms  near  Strasburg  until  the 
latter's  decease  in  1859,  when  he  accompanied  his  aunt, 
Mrs.  Withers,  to  Reading  where  he  secured  a  position 
with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company,  as 
private  messenger,  traveling  between  New  York  and 
Washington.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  he 
enlisted  as  a  volunteer  in  the  Ringgold  Light  Artillery 
for  three  months,  and  then  for  three  years  with  the 
Anderson  Troop.  He  is  enrolled  as  a'  First  Defender. 
Upon  being  mustered  out  of  service,  he  joined  a  col- 
ony of  friends  and  relatives  from  Lancaster,  and  in- 
vested in  farm  lands  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained 
for  five  years.  He  then  returned  to  Reading  and  re- 
sunjed  einployment  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Railway  Company,  continuing  with  the  company  until 
1883,  and  afterward  for  upward  of  twenty  years  filled 
the  ■  positioii  of  traveling  salesman  for  the  Reading 
Woolen  Mills,  visitmg  the  business  centers  in  the  South 
and  West  and  developing  a  large  business  for  this 
important  enterprise  at  Reading.  In  1905,  his  health 
failing,  he  located  with  his  family  on  his  farm  at  White 


706 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


Bear,  along  the  Wilmington  &  Northern  Railroad,  at 
this  place  he  died  June  10,   1906. 

Mr.  McLenegan  was  married  to  Mary  Ann  McKnight, 
daughter  of  David  McKnight,  and  granddaughter  of 
John  McKnight,  the  first  banker  at  Reading,  and  they 
had  seven  children:  Elizabeth  Hiester,  Selina  (m.  Fred- 
erick E.  Yorke,  and  has  a  d'aughter,  Dorothy),  William 
and  Henry  (twins,  the  latter  deceased),- John  (de- 
ceased), Robert  Wallace,  and  Frederick  Augustus. 
The  mother  died  Oct.  19,  1908. 

His  father  was  Zephaniah  McLenegan,  born  at  Lan- 
caster, in  1801,  where  he  was  educated  and  admitted 
to  the  Lancaster  Bar  in  1822,  and  afterward  came  to 
occupy  considerable  prominence  in  the  official  life 
of  the  county,  serving  as  county  treasurer  in  1833  and 
1834,  and  as  prothonotary  from  1836  to  1839.  He 
was  a  man  of  scholarly  tastes,  and  possessed  one  of 
the  best  private  libraries  in  Lancaster.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  died  in  1842. 
He  m.  Henrietta  Augusta  Musser,  daughter  of  John 
Musser  (for  a  time  Collector  of  the  Port  of  Phila- 
delphia), and  great-granddaughter  of  Rev.  Henry  Mel- 
chior  Muhlenberg.  They  had  four  children:  Edward 
(m.  to  Mary  Dunn),  Henry  Hall  (m.  to  Sarah  Rei- 
gart),  Charles  (died  in  Rio  de  Janiero  in  1859,  aged 
twenty-two    years)    and   John    Archibald. 

Mr.  McLenegan's  grandfather,  Archibald  McLene- 
gan. was  born  in  1759,  in  Ireland,  of  Scotch  parents, 
and  emigrated  from  Monaghan,  County  Ulster,  lo- 
cating at  Lancaster,  Pa.  In  1791,  he  m.  Mary  Wallace, 
daughter  of  William  Wallace,  and  granddaughter  of 
James  Wallace  who  had  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania 
prior  to  1721  and  settled  in  Swartara  township.  They 
had  ten  children:  Samuel,  Elizabeth  (m.  an  Hum- 
phreys), Elijah  (m.  Mary  Fordney),  Sarah  (m.  'a 
Randall),  Zephaniah,  Isaiah,  Mary  (m.  William  Wal- 
lace), Athalia  (m.  a  Shepley),  Martha  (m.  Robert 
Wallace),  and  Ann  (m.  the  Rev.  Mr.  :?auli).  Archi- 
bald McLenegan  was  possessed  in  a  marked  degree 
of  those  sterling  virtues  which  characterize  the  Scotch- 
Irish.  He  was  largely  interested  in  farming  operations 
in  Leacock  township,  and  was  a  well-known  citizen  of 
Lancaster  in  its  early  days,  being  the  proprietor  of 
the  old  "White  Horse  Inn,"  which  was  situated  at 
the  east  end  of  King  street,  and  which  later  became  the 
private  residence  of  his  son  Zephaniah.  He  died  in 
1831. 

JOSEPH  AUBREY  WHITE.  The  material  ad- 
vancement of  the  city  of  Reading  has  been  conserved 
in  no  small  degree  by  Joseph  A.  White,  who  was  for 
a  score  of  years  one  of  the  leading  contractors  and 
builders  of  this  county,  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
White  &  Wagoner.  He  now  resides  or  a  beauti- 
ful little  farmstead  contiguous  to  the  city  and  devotes 
his  attention  principally  to  floriculture  and  the  rais- 
ing of  fine  poultry.  He  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Lan- 
caster Co.,  Pa.,  June  17,  1853,  son  of  William  R.  and 
Rebecca    E.    (Cross)    White. 

William  R.  White  was  born  in  the  City  of  New  York, 
in  1819,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
city,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  cotton  manufact- 
uring, eventually  becoming  superintendent  of  a  cotton 
mill  in  New  York.  He  remained  there  until  about 
1840,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Lancaster,  Pa., 
where  he  entered  the  employ  of  Arnold  &  Company, 
leading  cotton  manufacturers,  with  which  concern  he 
continued  until  1895,  when  he  permanently  retired 
from  active  business.  The  last  six  years  of  his  life 
were  passed  in  the  home  of  his  son,  Joseph  A.,  where 
he  died  in  1906,  and  where  his  widow  still  resides, 
a  revered  member  of  the  family  circle.  Mr.  White 
married  in  Lancaster,  Rebecca  E.  Cross,  a  native  of  ' 
London,  England,  born  in  1835,  who  accompanied  her 
parents  to  America,  and  located  at  Lancaster,  Pa. 
Mrs.  White  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which 
her   husband   likewise   was   a   member,   and   in   politics 


he  was  uncompromising  in  his  allegiance  to  the  Re- 
publican party.  Of  the  eight  children  of  William  R. 
and  Rebecca  E.  (Cross)  White,  Joseph  Aubrey  was 
the  oldest;  Charles  F.  was  born  Aug.  3,  1858;  Emily 
Alice,  Oct.  22,  1865;  Ada  R.,  Aug.  7;  1868  (is  deceased); 
Jessie  May,  March  27,  1870  (died  in  childhood);  Laura 
v.,  March  1,  1872;  Mary  W.,  Dec.  29.  1876;  and  Emma 
R.,    March    2,    1879. 

John  Aubrey  White  was  afforded  the  advantages 
of  the  public  schools  of  Lancaster,  his  native  city, 
and  there  he  served  a  thorough  apprenticeship  at  the 
plasterer's  trade,  becoming  a  skilled  artisan  in  the 
line.  For  several  years  he  followed  the  work  of  his 
trade  in  New  York  City,  and  in  1885  he  took  up  his 
residence  in  Reading,  where  he  engaged  in  contract- 
ing and  building,  in  partnership  with  John  M.  Wagoner. 
The  firm  of  White  &  Wagoner  built  up  an  extensive 
business  and  attained  a  high  reputation  for  reliabil- 
ity and  progressive  methods.  This  firm  erected  about 
one  thousand  buildings  in  the  various  sections  of  Read- 
ing, and  their  enterprise  and  excellent  work  contributed 
much  to  the  substantial  upbuilding  and  attractiveness 
of   the   city. 

Mr.  White  is  recognized  as  a  representative  citizen 
of  Berks  county,  and  has  so  ordered  his  course  as  to 
retain  at  all  times  the  confidence  and  good  will  of  his 
fellow  men.  He  has  shown  a  commendable  inter- 
est in  all  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his  home 
city  and  county,  and  while  he  has  never  been  a  seeker 
ot  public  office  he  has  been  signally  observant  of 
the  duties  of  citizenship,  and  has  lent  his  co-opera- 
tion in  the  furtherance  of  enterprises  and  projects 
tending  to  advance  the  general  welfare  of  the  communi- 
ty. In  1904  he  retired  from  the  contracting  and  build- 
ing business,  and  purchased  a  small  farm  in  the  north- 
east section  of  the  city.  On  this  place  he  has  made  fine 
improvements  of  a  permanent  nature,  including  the  erec- 
tion of  a  handsome  and  commodious  residence  of  modern 
architectural  design  and  equipment  and  he  is  living  the 
idyllic,  life  of  a  country  gentleman,  the  while  enjoying 
also  the  advantages  of  the  city.  His  farm  is  largely 
given  over  to  the  cultivation  of  fine  varieties  of  flow- 
ers, for  which  he  finds  a  ready  market,  and  to  the 
breeding  of  high  grades  of  poultry,  in  which  line  he 
is  producing  some  exceptionally  attractive  new  strains. 
He  has  secured  premiums  at  various  poultry  shows 
and  takes  much  pride  and  interest' in  his  poultry  busi- 
ness. He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  proclivities 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  zealous  members  o-f  the 
Lutheran  church. 

In  1890  Mr.  White  married  Miss  Kate  Sponsler, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Lucy  Sponsler,  of  Adams  coun- 
ty. Pa.  They  have  no  children.  Mr.  White  has  at- 
tamed  to  success  through  his  own  efforts,  and  is  one 
ot  the  substantial  and  honored  citizens  of  Berks  coun- 
ty, where  he  has  a  wide  circle  of  acquaintances  in 
both  business  and  social  lines. 

WILLIAM  McH.  BOYER,  a  substantial  citizen  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  who  is  acting  in  the  capacity  of  chemist 
for  the  Reading  Iron  Company,  of  that  city,  was 
born  in  Reading,  in  1869,  son  of  Jerome  L.  Boyer. 

Mr.  Boyer  secured  his  education  in  the  schools  of 
his  native  city,  and  attended  the  high  school  at  Birds- 
boro,  after  graduating  from  which  he  returned  to 
Reading,  later  attending  a  school  at  Columbus,  Pa. 
He  then  entered  a  preparatory  school  in  order  to  fit 
himself  to  enter  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Pa.,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  chemistry  in  1891,  and  in  Aug- 
ust of  that  year  he  accepted  the  position  of  chemist 
with  the  Reading  Iron  Company.  Mr.  Boyer's  labor- 
atory is  situated  at  the  Keystone  Furnace,  where  he 
employs  on  an  average  of  four  men.  Fraternally  Mr 
Boyer  is  connected  with  the  Masons,  being  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  549,  F.  &  A.  M.  He' is  a  Lutheran  in 
religious  belief,  and  attends  Trinity  Church  of  that 
denomination. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


707 


In  1898  Mr.  Boyer  married  Emily  Eavenson,  daugh- 
ter of  Alban  Eavenson,  who  is  well  known  in  rfianu- 
facturing  circles  of  Philadelphia  as  a  soap  manufact- 
urer, and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  two  sons, 
Jerome  Ludwig  Boyer,  2d,  and  Howard  Eavenson 
Boyer. 

JOEL  M.  SCHAEFFER,  a  retired  business  man  of 
Fleetwood,  residing  in  a  handsome  home  on  Rich- 
mond street,  was  born  March  8,  1846,  in  Richmond 
township,  and  has  all  his  life  been  identified  with  that 
section  of  Berks  county. 

When  the  good  ship  "Edinburgh"  arrived  at  Phila- 
delphia, on  Aug.  13,  1750,  it  had  among  its  passengers 
one  Georg  Schaeflfer,  who  came  from  the  Rhine  val- 
ley, in  Germany,  and  was  the  first  of  his  family  to 
settle  in  America.  Proceeding  to  Berks  county,  he 
established  himself  on  a  farm  in  Richmond  township, 
and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  children  were: 
Elizabeth,  Margaret,  Maria,  Peter  and  Philip. 

Philip  Schaefifer,  son  of  Georg,  was  born  in  1770, 
on  the  old  homestead  in  Richmond  township.  He  was 
a  very  successful  farmer  and  remained  on  the  old  home- 
stead. He  made  the  first  threshing  machine  in  Berks 
county.  This  proved  a  great  labor  saver,  arid  he  con- 
tinued in  the  manufacture  of  threshing  machines  dur- 
ing the  remaining  years  of  his  life.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Fetherolf,  who  bore  him  eight  sons  and  four 
daughters,  namely:  George;  Peter;  Isaac;  Jonathan; 
Daniel;  Philip;  William;  David;  Sarah  (m.  Jacob  De 
Long);  Elizabeth  (m.  Solomon  Yoder);  Anna  Maria 
(m.  Isaac  Merkel) ;  and  Esther  (m.  Francis  De  Long). 
As  each  child  became  of  age  he  or  she  was  presented 
with  a  farm.  The  children  were  all  of  unusually  fine 
physique,  tall  and  strong,  and  finely  proportioned. 

Philip  Schaefifer,  Jr.,  son  of  Philip  and  father  of 
Joel  M..  was  a  life-long  farmer  in  Richmond  town- 
ship, and  one  whose  efforts  were  richly  rewarded.  A 
man  of  unassuming  demeanor  and  upright  character, 
his  most  vital  interest  was  his  family,  to  whom  he 
was  devoted.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church  of  Fleetwood,  and  in  politics  was,  like  all.  of 
his  name,  a  Democrat.  He  married  Esther,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Sheradin;  Merkel.  The 
Merkels  are  a  family  of  German  origin  founded  in 
Pennsylvania  by  Georg,  whose  son  Caspar  was  the 
father  of  Jacob.  Philip  and  Esther  Schaefler  became 
the  parents  of  seven  children,  viz.:  Levina,  Mrs.  Sam- 
uel Kelchner,  of  Fleetwood:  Hettie,  Mrs.  Isaac  De- 
burk,  of  Kutztown;  Elizabeth,  who'  died  aged  seven; 
James,  who  married  Susa.n  Heibine,  of  Moselem  Springs, 
Pa.;  Joel  M.;  Maria,  Mrs.  Martin  Kelchner,  of  Fleet- 
wood; and  Martin,  who  married  Susanna  Rahn  of 
Fleetwood. 

Joel  M.  Schaeffer  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  on 
his  father's  farm  attending  the  local  schools.  This 
was  supplemented  by  a  course  in  a  school  at  Col- 
legeville,  Montgomery  county.  At 'the  age  of  twenty- 
four  he  married  and  his  father  gave  him  a  farm  near 
his  own  and  for  five  years  the  young  man  followed 
agricultural  pursuits.  But  in  the  spring  of  1876  he  sold 
out  his  farm  stock  and  entered  upon  a  partnership 
with  Lewis  Wanner  that  lasted  until  1903.  This  firm, 
Schaeffer.  Wanner  &  Co.,  dealt  in  grain,  coal  and  lum- 
ber, and  built  up  an  extensive  business.  In  1885  they 
reorganized  with  one  new  member  in  the  firm,  and 
built  a  rolling  mill  with  a  capacity  of  seventy- 
five  barrels  a  day.  They  manufactured  the  White 
Rose  and  Silver  Cloud  flour,  which  are  more  gener- 
ally used  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  than  the  product 
of  any  other  mill  in  that  section,  while  there  is  also 
an  active  demand  in  the  western  part  of  New  Jersey. 
In  1903  Mr.  Schaefifer  sold  out  his  interest  in  the 
firm  to  his  son-in-law  John  N.  Kauffman.  In  1909 
Mr.  Schaefifer  bought  the  old  Dumn  mill  property 
at  the  west  end  of  the  borough  of  Fleetwood,  and 
formed   a   partnership   with   his   son-in-law,     John     N. 


Kauffman  and  his  son,  Walter  P.  Schaeffer,  the  firm 
being  known  as  Kauffman  &  Schaeffer. 

In  political  views,  Mr.  Schaeiler  has, somewhat  de- 
parted from  family  tradition  and  maintains  an  inde- 
pendent stand,  but  he  has  always  been  decidedly  ac- 
tive in  local  affairs,  while  for  six  years  he  served  in 
the  town  council.  He  is  also  prominent  in  the  Em- 
manuel United  Evangelical  Church,  in  which  both  he 
and  his  wife  do  much  work.  When  the  present  build- 
ing was  erected  in  1884  he  was  a  member  of  the  build- 
ing committee  and  his  plans  and  suggestions  were 
heartily  approved  by  the  others  of  the  committee.  For 
nine  years  he  has  been  treasurer  of  the  Sunday-school 
and  is  now  class  leader  and  teacher  of  the  German 
class.  His  wife  is  equally  prominent  in  the  women's 
departments,  belonging  to  the  Ladies'  Aid  and  Mis- 
sionary societies,  and  to  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  Both  are 
highly  esteemed  for  their  upright  and   Christian  lives. 

Mrs.  Schaeffer  was  Miss  Caroline  Catherine  Kelch- 
ner, and  was  married  to  Mr.  Schaeffer  Nov.  17,  1870. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Ann  (Sheirer) 
Kelchner,  and  granddaughter  of  Jacob  Kelchner,  Sr. 
To  her  husband  she  has  borne  one  daughter  and  one 
son,  namely:  Anna  Vanilla,  who  was  educated  at 
Schuylkill  Seminary,  Frederick,  Md.,  m.  in  1894,  John 
N.  Kauffman,  and  has  two  children,  Joel  Schaeffer 
and  Kathryn  Willi;  and  Walter  Philip,  who  was  edu- 
cated in  the  local  schools  and  in  Albright  College, 
Myerstown,  Pa.,  where  he  took  the  English-Scien- 
tific course,  and  who  has  also  done  much  in  voice 
culture  and  is  a  vocalist  and  musician  of  note.  He  is 
now  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Kauffman  &  Schaeffer, 
millers  and  coal  dealers,  at  Fleetwood. 

J.  NEWTON  RHOADS,  a  very  well-known  and 
highly  esteemed  .resident  of  Reading.  Pa.,  is  an  ofificial 
court  stenographer,  to  which  oflfice  he  was  appointed 
Oct.  2,  1891.  He  is  a  son  of  John  P.  and  Eliza  ■  (Flick- 
inger)  Rhoads,  natives  of  Carlisle,  the  former  of  whom 
died  in  1884,  aged  sixty-four  years,  and  the  latter  in 
1891,  being  seventy-four  years  old  at  the  time  of  her 
death.  They  had  three  children:  Martha  E.,  Alfred 
Milton  and  J.  Newton. 

J.  Newton  Rhoads  was  .born  Nov.  2,  1856,  and  was 
educated  in  the  Carlisle  public  schools  and  at  Dickin- 
son College,  graduating  from  the  latter  institution  in 
1879.  He  then  engaged  in  the  newspaper  business  for 
a  time,  after  which  he  took  up  the  study  of  stenog- 
raphy, and  engaged  in  work  on  the  Legislative  Record 
for  two  years.  The  next  spring  he  went  to  Harris- 
burg,  being  employed  there  in  the  office  of  Col.  W.  C. 
Deming  for  three  or  four  years.  He  was  ofificial  sten- 
ographer of  the  Cumberland  County  Court  for  two 
years,  and  came  to  Reading  as  an  assistant  court  sten- 
ographer in  1886. 

Mr.  Rhoads  married,  May  30,  1892,  Miss  Susan  E. 
Rheem,  daughter  of  Jacob  Rheem,  who  was  a  descend- 
ant of  the  founders  of  Reamstown,  Lancaster  county. 
Two  children  were  born  to  this  union,  Edith  and  Mar- 
ian, both  at  school.  Mr.  Rhoads  is  a  member  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Reading.  He  is  an  en- 
ergetic, conscientious  worker,  well  fitted  for  the  dut- 
ies of  his  position. 

EDWARD  ZARTMAN  SCHOLL,  architect  at  Read- 
mg,  with  oflfices  at  No.  35  North  Sixth  street,  is 
descended  from  two  of  the  pioneer  families,  and  of 
which  he  bears  both  names.  The  first  ancestor  of 
the  Scholl  family  was  one  George  Scholl,  who  set- 
tled in  the  vicinity  of  Stouchsburg  some  few  years 
prior  to  1727,  and  who  was  an  intimate  associate  of 
Conrad  Weiser,  the  renowned  pioneer.  He  is  on  rec- 
ord of  making  the  motion  at  the  first  Lutheran  vestry 
held  in  the  county  to  build  a  church,  the  result  of 
which  was  the  erection,  in  the  year  1727,  of  a  log 
building,  which  became  known  as  Reed's  Church 
so  named  after  the  donor  of  the  ground.     All  of  Mr 


708  HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 

Scholl's  forefathers  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  this  church,  husband  was  Peter  Rothermel  of  Richmond  township, 

near  Stouchsburg.  by    whom     she     had     one     child,    a     daughter,    Sarah 

Peter  Scholl.  grandfather  of  Edward  Z.,  was  a  Amanda,  who  married  John  Maurer,  of  Fleetwood, 
farmer  of  Stouchsburg,  and  his  son  John  Adam  Scholl  and  died  in  January,  1907.  Mr.  Rothermel  died  at 
married  Amelia  Zartman,  the  latter  the  eldest  child  of  Fleetwood.  She  was  next  tnarried  to  Joseph  E.  Peter, 
Levi  Zartman,  of  Myerstown.  The  pioneer  of  the  of  Richmond  township,  and  seven  children  were  born 
Zartman  family  was  Alexander  Zartman,  who  landed  of  this  union:  Mary,  who  died  in  childhood;  Samuel; 
in  this  country,  at  Philadelphia,  Aug.  31,  1731.  The  Charles;  Susanna,  m.  to  Dr.  A.  K.  Seaman  of  Read- 
direct  lineage  in  this  family  is  Alexander  the  pioneer,  ing;  Emily,  m.  to  Daniel  Kelchner  of  Fleetwood; 
who  had  a  'son  Alexander  (3),  whose  son  Alexander  and  Solomon  and  Lillie,  who  both  died  in  infancy. 
(3),   had   a   son   Jacob,   who   was    the   father   of    Levi. 

John    Adam    Scholl,    the    father,    was    a    miller    by  YOST.     The    Yost    family   is    one    of   the   oldest   in 

occupation,   and   now   lives    retired.     To    him    and   his  this    section   of   the    State,   and   two    of  its    members, 

wife    Amelia    were'   born    four    children:      Peter    L.,    a  Rufus  _R.  and  James   Franklin  R.  Yost,  are  represent- 

contractor  at  Reading;   Edward   Z.;   Sarah   E.,  wife   of  ative  citizens  of  Spring  township,   Berks  county. 

Walter   Jones,   electrician   in   the   employ   of   the    Phil-  Philip    Yost,    or    Jost    as    it    was    then    spelled,    was 

adelphia    &   Reading   Railroad;   and   Emma    R.,   a   pro-  the  ancestor  of  this  family  in  America.     He  was  horn 

fessional   nurse.  in    1718    at    Nassau,    in    western    Germany,    and    when 

Edward  Z  Scholl  was  born  in  Womelsdorf,  Berks  twenty-two  years  old  came  to  America,  locating  in 
county,  Aug.  1,  1877.  At  an  early  age  the'  family  moved  Montgomery  county,  Pa.,  where  he  married  Veronica 
to  Leaman  Place,  Lancaster  county,  where  he  re-  Dotterer,  a  native  of  Limerick  township,  that  county, 
ceived  his  earliest  education.  After  the  removal  of  The'y  had  three  sons:  John,  Harmon  and  Philip, 
the  family  to  Reading,  in  1890,  he  attended  the  city  one  of  the  two  first  named  being  the  great-great-grand- 
schools,  and  then  finished  his  education  at  the  Key-  father  of  Rufus  R.  and  James  Franklin  R.  Yost.  The 
stone  State  Normal  School,  Kutztown,  Pa.,  and  in  last  namea  of  these  sons,  Philip,  Jr.,  was  born  in 
Ursinus  College,  at  Collegeville,  Pa.  '  He  entered  the  Montgomery  county  Aug.  24,  1757,  and  in  1768  moved 
office  of  Frederic  A.  Barrows,  architect,  for  a  term  with  his  father  to  Pottsgrove  township,  where  they 
of  two  years,  after  which  he  served  a  nine  months'  purchased  a  tract  of  land  which  remained  in  the 
apprenticeship  in  the  Shunk  Planing  Mill  and  the  family  name  for  more  than  one  hundred  years.  'When 
same  length  of  time  in  the  office  of  L.  H.  Focht,  nineteen  years  of  age  Philip  Yost,  Jr.,  served  in  Gen- 
contractor.  He  was  next  employed  for  five  years  eral  Washington's  army.  In  1783  he  married  Rosina 
in  various  architects'  offices,  and  then  opened  an  office  Benninger,  and  they  had  these  children:  Mary  Mag- 
for  himself  in  Reading,  Pa.  Mr.  Sch'oU  has  shown  dalena.  Tobial,  Jacob,  Benjamin,  Salome,  Rosina,  Her- 
his  ability  as  an  architect  in  the  numerous  structures  man,  Jonas,  Sarah  and  Philip.  Mr.  Yost  died  Aug. 
that   he   is    erecting,    and   has   built   up   a   practice    not  28,  1832. 

only  in  his   own  locality,  but  his  reputation  and  busi-  Abraham   Yost,    great-grandfather    of    Rufus    R.    arid 

ness    extends    to    many    locations    throughout    the    State.  James   F.   R.,   came   to   Poplar   Neck   during  the   latter 

Mr.  Scholl  is  a  member  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  part    of   the    eighteenth    century,   and   here    obtained    a 

of  this   city,  and  is   regarded  among  the   social   circles  farm,   which   later   became   the   property   of   Gen.   Wil- 

as    a   gentleman    of    refinement    and    exceptional    quali-  Ham    High,    next    to    Ezra    High,    and    subsequently   of 

fications.  William  P.  High,  the  present  owner. 

Nicholas    Yost,    the    grandfather    of    Rufus    R.    and 

COSMOS  MERKEL  SCHWOYER,  one  of  the  very  James   F.    R.,   born   April    15,   1787,   died   June   9,    1867. 

prominent  citizens  of  Fleetwood  borough,  Berks  coun-  He  was  an  extensive  farmer,  owning  over  five  hundred 

ty,  who  lived  retired  after  the  year  1876,  was  born  Sept.  acres   of  land  in   Cumru  township,   along  the   Morgan- 

27,   1825,  in   Richmond   township,   on   his   father's   farm  town  road.     He  was  a  great  marksman  and  frequently 

situated    along    Moselem    creek,    ana    died    in    August,  indulged   in   shooting   matches,    seldom   failing  to  bear 

1906.                               '  away   a   prize.      Mr.    Yost    was    a    short   but   well-built 

Mr.  Schwoyer  was  brought  up  on  the  farm  and   at-  man,    with    dark    hair    and    a    ruddy    complexion,    and 

tended    the    public    school    near    the    Moselem    Church,  was  well  known  and  very  popular  in  his  day.     He  fre-' 

When  he  reached  the  age   of  seventeen  years,  besides  quently    related    to    his    grandchildren    how    he    heard 

assisting    in    the    farming    operations,    he    engaged    in  the    few    remaining   Indians    on    Mount    Penn    and    the 

dealing    in    cattle    and    sheep,    which    he    collected    in  Neversink   Mountains   signal   to   each   other.     On   Nov. 

Richmond    and    adjoining    townships    and    disposed    of  23,  1817,  Nicholas  Yost  married  Susanna  Seidel   (born 

them  at  Pottsville,  in   Schuylkill  county,   driving  them  Sept.  29,  1798,  died  June   12,  1851),  daughter  of   Philip 

there    on    foot    several    times    a   year.      He    carried    on  and    Elizabeth    Seidel,    of    Robeson    township,    and    to 

this  business  successfully  for  upwards  of  twenty  years,  this  union  were  born  ten   children,   as  follows:      Mary 

He  then   engaged  in  farming  for  himself  in   1852,  and  married    Samuel    Hemmig;    Elizabeth,    twin    of    Mary, 

continued    operations    as    a    farmer    until    1876,    when  married  Washington  Kissinger;  Rebecca  married  Amos 

he    retired,    settling    at    Fleetwood,    the    most    promi-  Hartman;    Lydia   married    Moses    Yocom;    Susan    mar- 

nent    town    in    the    township,    and    this    was    his    home  ried  Jesse  Matz;  Amos  lied  at  Cacoosing  Creek;   Ben- 

until  his  death.  neville  S.  is  mentioned  below;   Francis  lived  at  Read- 

From  his  early  manhood  Mr.  Schwoyer  took  great  ing;  Sarah  Ann  married  Adam  Spohn,  of  Spring  town- 
interest  in  politics  and  identified  himself  with  the  ship;  Louisa  married  Joseph  D.  Hornberger. 
Democratic  party,  although  never  desiring  to  fill  any  Benneville  S.  Yost  was  born  on  Mifflin  Island,  at 
offices.  However,  after  living  at  Fleetwood  for  awhile,  the  Little  Reading  Dam,  Nov.  15,  1823.  and  died  Sept. 
and  becoming  much  interested  in  local  affairs,  he  19,  1899.  He  was  in  the  hotel  business  at  the  "Green 
was  elected  chief  burgess  in  1881,  serving  the  office  Tree"  for  ten  years,  kept  the  hotel  at  Riverside  for 
one  year,  and  the  next  year  was  elected  as  one  of  two  years,  and  one  at  Hamburg  for  a  similar  period, 
the  jury  commissioners  of  the  county,  serving  for  For  upward  of  thirty  years  he  was  engaged  in  the 
three  years,  1883-4-5.  coal  business,  and  the  freshet  of  Oct.  4.  1869,  caused 
Mr.  Schwoyer  was  married  three  times.  In  1862  the  loss  of  nearly  one  thousand  tons  of  his  coal 
he  m.  Christina  Neff,  born  Jan.  15,  1826,  daughter  which  he  had  stacked  along  the  banks  of  the  Schuyl- 
of  John  Neff  of  Kutztown.  He  m.  fsecond)  Susanna  kill  river.  During  the  latter  years  of  his  life  Mr. 
Schneider,  daughter  of  Jacob  Schneider,  of  Centre  Yost  was  a  farmer,  but  retired  in  1879,  at  which  time 
township.  In  1876  Mr.  Schwoyer  m.  (third)  Maria  his  son,  Rufus  R.,  took  charge  of  the  farm  of  146 
(Hoch)  Peter,  of  Maiden-creek  township,  acres  at  Flying  Hill.  He  was  a  lifelong  member  of 
Mrs.  Schwoyer  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Yocom's  Reformed  Church,  where  he '  is  buried.  Mr. 
Sally    (Herbein)    Hoch,    of   Oley   township.     Her   first  Yost  was   also  an   old   school-master,   and   taught   pay 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


709 


school   at   Weitzeltown    (Fritztown),   in    Cumru   town- 
ship, and  also  a  few  terms  in  Bern  township. 

The  first  wife  of  Benneville  S.  Yost  was  Christina 
Rapp,  to, whom  he  was  married  Jan.  22,  1848,  at  Read- 
ing, and  they  had  these  children:  William  H.  R. 
died  in  infancy;  Nicholas  R.  also  died  in  infancy; 
Susan  died  unmarried;  Rufus  R.  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Cyrus  R,  is  deceased;  Nicholas  R.  is  a  resident 
of  Myerstown,  Pa.;  James  Franklin  R.  is  mentioned 
below.  Benneville  S.  Yost  married  (second)  Clem- 
entine Henke,  of  Reading,  who  was  of  German  descent. 
There  were  no  children  born  to  this  marriage. 

Rufus  R.  Yost  was  born  on  his  grandfather  Nicho- 
las Yost's  farm  at  the  "Green  Tree"  in  Cumru  town* 
ship  Jan.  5,  1855,  attended  the  district  schools,  and 
later  studied  at  Palatinate  College  for  two  years, 
leaving  school  when  twenty  years  old,  with  a  good 
education.  He  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits, 
and  worked  for  his  parents  until  twenty-five  years 
old.  but  in  1880  began  working  on  his  own  account, 
spending  four  years  on  his  father's  farm  in  Cumru 
township,  located  at  the  Flying  Hill.  He  then  lived 
at  Myerstown,  Lebanon  county,-  for  two  years,  after 
which  he  spent  four  more  years  at  the  Flying  Hill, 
in  1890  purchasing  the  Richard  Jr'ennypacker  farm, 
in  Spring  township,  a  tract  of  125  acres  of  some  of 
the  most  fertile  and  productive  land  in  lower  Berks 
county.  This  valuable  farm  is  well  and  conveniently 
situated,  and  on  it  is  found  an  inexhaustible  supply 
of  some  of  the  best  limestone  in  the  State,  which 
is  burned  by  Mr.  Yost.  He  has  disposed  of  as  much 
as  ten  thousand  bushels  of  lime  annually  in  connection 
with  his  farm  work.  Since  the  spring  of  1907  he 
has  rented  his  farm,  and  with  his  brother,  James 
Franklin  R.  Yost,  has  engaged  in  building  houses 
at  Reading,  Shillington,  Wyomissing  and  Springmont. 
At  the  time  he  rented  his  farm  M!r.  Yost  sold  his 
live  stock  at  public  vendue,  and  he  realized  a  large 
amount  therefor,  one  pair  of  mules  bringing  $536,  a 
cow  $70,  and  his  thirty  head  of  cattle  averaging  $50 
each. 

In  1879  Mr.  Yost  married  Catherine  Kurtz,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Catherine  (Haines"*  Kurtz,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  three  daughters  and  one 
son:  Christina  married  Webster  Hartz,  of  Shilling- 
ton,  Pa.;  Harry,  Laura  and  Bessie  are  unmarried  and 
reside  at  home.  Mr.  Yost  and  his  family  are  members 
of  Yocom's  (Christ)  Reformed  Church,  of  Cumru 
township. 

James  Franklin  R.  Yost  was  born  at.  the  Yost 
homestead  at  the  Flying  Hill,  Cumru  township,  Berks 
county,  Sept.  9,  1864,  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  at  D.  B.  Brunner's  Academy  in  Reading, 
which  he  left  when  sixteen  years  of  age.  In  1889  he 
commenced  farming  for  himself  on  a  fine  tract  of 
152  acres  in  Wyomissing  borough,  Spring  township, 
which  he  had  purchased  in  1887  and  which  he  had 
rented  for  two  years.  From  1885  to  1889  Mr.  Yost 
was  also  engaged  in  the  milling  business  at  Myerstown, 
Lebanon  county,  but  since  the  latter  year  has  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  building.  He  purchased  the 
Reeser  farm  of  164  acres  in  Sinking  Spring,  but  this 
he  later  sold  to  Daniel  Wenrich.  Mr.  Yost  conducts 
a  fine  dairy,  keeping  about  thirty  Holstein  and  Jer- 
sey cows,  and  has  a  select  trade  in  Reading,  to  which 
city  he  conducts  a  daily  route.  In  addition  he  has 
good  horses  and  mules,  and  his  farm  is  operated  by 
the  latest  improved  machinery.  In  politics  Mr.  Yost 
is  a  Republican,  and  fraternally  he  is  connected  with 
West  Reading  Castle.  K.  G.  E.  With  his  family  he 
attends  Yocom's  Reformed  Church  in  Cumru  town- 
ship. 

On  Dec.  19,  1885,  Mr.  Yost  married  (first)  Annie 
Catherine  Kachel,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Catherine 
(Wagner)  Kachel,  and  to  this  union  were  born  three 
children:  Stella  A.,  Walter  H.  and  Emma  K..  Mrs. 
Yost  died  Sept.  1,  1896,  aged  thirty-one  years,  four 
months,  three  days.  Qn  Nov.  30,  1899,  Mr.  Yost 
married    (second)    Clara    May    Dietrich,    daughter    of 


William  H.  Dietrich,  of  Reading,  and  to  this  union 
there  have  been  born  two  children,  George  Washing- 
ton and  Lloyd  Allen. 

IRVIN  K.  KELLER,  of  Reading,  proprietor  of  "Kel- 
ler's Cafe"  (a  designation  descending  from  a  prev- 
ious owner,  was  born  Aug.  3,  1866,  in  Rockland  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  son  of  Jeremiah  C.  and  Mary 
(Klein)  Keller.  The  Keller  family  (antecedents  of  Irv- 
in  K.)  became  established  in  Berks  county  prior  to  the 
days  of  the  Revolution. 

The  educational  advantages  granted  our  subject  were 
meager  enough,  for  his  people  were  in  modest  circum- 
stances, and  Irvin,  being  the  eldest  of  ten  children, 
was  early  put  to  work  upon  the  farm,  as  such  a  family 
meant  no  little  burden  and  responsibility  to  his  parents. 
In  1887  he  left  his  Pennsylvania  home  for  Ohio,  accept- 
ing a  situation  with  his  uncle,  J.  C.  Keller,  then  fore- 
man of  the  P.  P.  Mast  Foundry  Company,  situated  at 
Springfield,  Ohio.  He  was  employed  as  core  maker 
and  molder,  and  after  four  years  of  diligent  application 
discovered  that  the  exactions  were  too  arduous  for  a 
"light  weight."  He  then  turned  his  face  eastward,  re- 
turning to  Berks  county,  and  soon  thereafter  engaged 
with  Amos  Barto.  who  was  conducting  a  hotel  at  Ly- 
on Station,  remaining  there  until  the  spring  of  1893, 
when  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Reading  Hardware 
Company  at  Reading,  terminating  his  engagement  in 
the  fall  of  that  year.  His  next  venture  was  with  his 
uncle,  Col.  D.  C.  Keller,  that  proprietor  of  Keller's  Cafe, 
situated  at  No.  537  Penn  Square,  Reading.  This  was 
was  in  1893,  and  their  association  covered  a  period 
of  more  than  nine  years,  being  dissolved  by  the  Col- 
onel's death,  May  22,  1902.  After  an  interim  of  two 
years  (in  the  meantime  having  formed  a  partnership 
with  Charles  Buck)  he  became  his  uncle's  permanent 
successor,  and  whatever  credit  might  have  once  been 
due  the  "Colonel"  for  the  conduct  of  his  business  is 
as  well  deserved  by  and  as  reasonably  attaches  to  the 
present   owner. 

On  Feb.  25,  1893,  Irvin  K.  Keller  was  married  to  Liz- 
zie C.  Keller,  daughter  of  William  and  Barbara  (Con- 
rath)  Keller.  The  following  children  were  born  to 
William  Keller  and  his  wife:  Daniel  C,  a  tailor'  of 
Bechtelsville,  married  Lizzie  Herb;  Mary  C.  first  mar- 
ried Harry  Bauer,  and  her  second  marriage  was  to 
William  ShoUenberger  (she  and  her  husband  were  both 
victims  of  the  Boyertown  fire) ;  Charles  C,  a  tailor 
of  Reading,  married  Annie  Eckert;  Hannah  C.  is  the.' 
widow  of  George  E.  Schmick;  Lizzie  C.  married  Irvin 
K.  Keller ;  William  C,  a  tailor  of  Allentown,  married 
Millie  Bauer.  William  Keller,  the  father  of  the  fam- 
ily, was  killed  by  the  train  at  Lyon  Station,  Berks 
county,   Aug.   19,   1890. 

To  Irvin  K.  Keller  and  wife,  two  children  were  born: 
Clarence,  July  17,  1897  (died  March  1,  1903);  Esther 
May,  born  March  18,  1907.  Whatever  fortune  may 
have  come  to  this  hovisehold  due  credit  should  be  giv- 
en to  Mrs.  Keller. 

Mr.  Keller  owns  valuable  property  within  the  city. 
He  has  been  successful,  for  he  has  been  obliging,  cour- 
teous,  reciprocal   and  fair. 

CHARLES  S.  PHILLIPS,  M.  D.,  physician  and 
pharmacist,  located  at  No.  1342  North  Eleventh  street, 
Reading,  was  born  July  2,  1849,  at  Womelsdorf,  Pa., 
son  of  Charles  S.  and  Eliza  (Stephen)  Phillips. 

Solomon  Phillips,  the  ancestor  of  the  Phillips  fam- 
ily, came  to  America  in  the  ship  "Phoenix."  which 
arrived  at  Philadelphia,  Aug.  28,  1750.  He  lived  to  a 
ripe  old  age  and  reared  a  large  family,  two  of  his 
sons  being"  Michael  and  Heinrich  (the  latter  the  direct 
ancestor   of   Dr.    Phillips). 

Heinrich  Phillips  resided  near  Belleman's  Church, 
where  he  and  wife  Esther  .(Mogel)  Phillips,  lie  buried. 
They  reared  children  as  follows:  Peter.  Jacob,  John, 
Samuel,    John    Adam    and    several    daughters. 


710 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Peter  Phillips,  grandfather  of  Dr.  Phillips,  was  a 
farmer  near  Belleman's  Church  in  what  is  now  Centre 
township.  Berks  county,  where  he  was  born,  and  both 
he  and  wife  are  buried  in  the  old  graveyard  near 
that  church.  He  was  accidentally  drowned  at  Len- 
hart's  Dam.  He  married  Maria  Catherina  Schwalm, 
and  their  children  were:  Magdalena.  born  Dec.  33,  1809; 
Anna  Maria,  Dec.  19,  1812;  Charles  S.,  Sept.  19,  1813; 
Peter,  Aug.  20,  1815;  Esther,  Aug.  27,  1817  (m.  John 
Richard);  Catherine.  Jan.  31.  1820  (m.  (first)  Wilham 
Schwenk,  (second)  George  Eyrick  and  (third)  Daniel 
Rhein);  John,  June  34,  1822;  Caroline,  Oct.  2,  1824; 
Rebecca,  April  9,  1827;  Reuben,  Oct.  18,  1831,  and 
Franklin,  Dec.  5',  1835.  Of  these  Catherine  and  Frank- 
lin still  survive. 

Charles  S.  Phillips,  father  of  Dr.  Phillips,  was  born 
Sept.  19,  1813,  in  what  is  now  Centre  township,  and 
died  near  Reading  on  his  farm,  in  1896.  He  is  buried 
at  the  Ontelaunee  Church.  -He  dealt  extensively  in 
horses  and  the  business  was  very  lucrative  before 
the  days  of  railroads.  He  was  also  a  veterinary  sur- 
geon for  many  years.  He  married  Eliza  Stephen, 
who  was  residing  with  her  son,  Dr.  Phillips,  at  the 
time  of  her  death,  and  she  rests  in  the  Womelsdorf 
cemetery.  They  had  the  following  children:  Walker 
and  Charles  S.,  both  professional  men  at  Reading; 
Francis,  residing  at  Philadelphia;  George,  a  physician 
practising  at  Womelsdorf ;  and  John,  a  prospector  and 
miner,  now  residing  in  Central  America,  but  formerly 
for  many  years   of   California. 

Until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  Dr.  Charles  S. 
Phillips  lived  at  Womelsdorf,  but  in  1861  he  accompan- 
ied his  parents  to  Lebanon,  where  he  attended  school. 
In  1864  he  went  to  Washington  City  and  was  in  the 
employ  of  the  Government  as  a  hospital  steward,  re- 
maining there  until  Christmas  morning,  1864,  when 
he  returned  to  Lebanon. 

In  1876,  Dr.  Phillips  was  married  to  Kate  Fehafer,  a 
daughter  of  Michael  and  Sarah  (Geiger)  Fehafer,  and 
to  this  union  has  been  born  sixteen  children,  ten  of 
whom  are  buried  in  the  family  lot  at  Womelsdorf, 
namely:  Anna,  m.  to  J.  W.  Gramm;  Stella,  who  died 
young;  Charles,  residing  at  Port  Kennedy.  Pa.;  Maud 
and  Walker,  twins,  the  latter  of  whom  died  in  infancy; 
Agnes,  who  died  in  infancy;  Francis,  residing  at  Read- 
ing; John  and  Louisa,  who  both  died  young;  Emma; 
George  and  David,  twins,  who  both  died  young;  Cris- 
sie,  who  died  young;  Edith,  residing  ,  at  home;  and 
Grant  and  Ernest,  both  of  whom  died  young.  Dr. 
Phillips  and  family  belong  to  the  Reformed  Church. 
In  politics  he  is  identified  with  the  policies  of  the 
Republican  party,  but  he  has  never  consented  to  hold 
political  office.  He  is  a  member  of  Ashland  Lodge, 
No.  394,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Griscom  Chapter,  No.  319, 
Royal  Arch   Masons. 

BUTZ.  Among  relics  owned  by  this  old  and  hon- 
ored family  of  Berks  county,  is  a  Bible,  in  excellent 
condition,  now  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Fianna  (Butz) 
Bertolet,  who  has  willed  it  to  her  son,  Dr.  M.  L.  Bert- 
olet  of  MIt.  Penn,  Pa.  This  Bible  was  brought  to  Amer- 
ica by  (I)  John  Butz,  who  in  1737,  landed  at  Philadelphia 
with  his  two  children,  Peter  and  Catharine.  John  Butz 
came  to  this  country  from  Hertzogberg  near  Krom- 
anenberg  in  the  lower  part  of  Bavaria.  John  Butz 
died   Feb.   23.   1750,   in   Philadelphia. 

(II)  This  same  eld  Bible  shows  that  Peter  Butz  (son 
of  John)  was  married  Oct.  22,  1743,  to  Anna  Bar- 
bara Carl,  who  was  born  in  Hessen-Nassau,  Germany, 
and  they  had  these  children:  Mary,  born  in  1744;  Car- 
oline, in  1746;  John,  in  1747;  Samuel,  in  1750;  Peter,  in 
1754;  Elizabeth,  in  1758,  and  Anna,  in  1761,  Peter 
Butz  died  in  1780,  aged  sixty-one  years,  eight  months 
and  twenty-five  days.  His  wife  died  March  6,  1795, 
aged  seventy-six  and  four  months, 

(III)  Samuel  Butz,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  in  Long- 
swamp    township,    Berks    county,    Aug.    10,    1750,      On 


Dec.  13,  1774,  he  married  Anna  Mary  Romig,  born 
May  31,  1754,  died  Feb.  31,  1813,  and  they  had  children: 
Peter,  born  Oct.  39,  1775;  Catharine,  March  25,  1777;. 
John,  April  37,  1779;  Susanna,  March  6,  1781;  Esther. 
Dec.  29,  1783;  Elizabeth,  Nov,  28.  1788  (died  Oct.  31, 
1791);  Mary,  April  5,  1793.  Samuel  Butz  died  Aug. 
17,  1831,  aged  seventy-one  years,  seven  days. 

(IV)  John  Butz,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born  April  27,. 
1779,  and  died  Aug.  19,  1874,  aged  ninety-five  years, 
three  months  and  twenty-two  days.  The  place  of  his 
birth  was  the  same  as  that  of  his  father,  the  homestead 
in    Longswamp   township.     In    1806   he   married   Anna 

'Yaeger,  of  Oley  township,  who  died  Aug.  24,  1828,  aged 
forty  years,  eight  months  and  fourteen  days,  and  they 
had  eight  children,  but  only  three  grew  to  any  age; 
Nathan,  Jacob  and  Anna  Maria.  In  1838  the  Butz. 
family  Bible  came  into  the  hands  of  John  Butz,  who 
highly  cherished  it.  This  very  valuable  volume  was 
printed  in  1704,  and  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  pres- 
ervation. It  contains  the  family  records,  and  is  of 
great  value. 

(V)  Jacob  Butz,  son  of  John,  was  married  May  35, 
1828,  to  Elizabeth  Christman,  born  May  28,  1809,  died 
Nov.  19,  1895,  aged  eighty-six  years,  five  months  and 
twenty-one  days,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Margaret 
Christman.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacob  Butz 
were:  Daniel  C,  born  in  1831;  John  Peter,  in  1833  (de- 
ceased); Franklin,  in  1835;  Fianna,  in  1837;  Henry  A., 
in  1839  (deceased);  Susanna,  in  1841  (deceased);  Cath- 
arine, in  1848,  and  Jacob,  in  1851  (deceased). 

(IV)  Daniel  C.  Butz,  an  aged  resident  of  Oley 
township  was  born  in  Longswamp  township,  Berks 
county,  Aug.  36,  1831,  a  son  of  Jacob  Butz.  He  was 
reared  to  farm  work,  and  has  always  been  a  farmer. 
He  began  working  for  himself  upon  the  homestead! 
farm  of  134  acres  he  now  occupies  in  1860,  and  farmed 
this  property  until  1897  when  he  retired,  and  during  his- 
active  life  he  was  very  successful.  On  the  property 
is  a  spring  of  excellent  water.  The  present  barn  was  built 
by  John  Bertolet,  as  well  as  the  stone  residence,  the- 
latter  being  over  one  hundred  years  old.  The  barn  is 
a  very  large  one,  being  103x43,  and  the  spring  water 
runs  through  the  structure  thus  simplifying  the  wat- 
ering of  the  stock.  Mr.  Butz  lives  in  a  house  on  the- 
farm  built  by  his  father  in  1860.  At  present  Mr.  Butz: 
rents  the  farm,  but  lives  upon  it  and  enjoys  his  de- 
clining years,  surrounded  by  the  plenty  he  has  himself 
accumulated.  Mr.  Butz  is  a  member  of  Oley  Reformed 
church,  and  was  a  deacon  for  five  years.  Mrs.  Butz 
belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church. 

On  Oct.  18,  1859,  Mr.  Butz  was  married  to  Susan 
D.  Hoch,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (De 
Turck)  Hoch  of  Oley  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butz; 
have  a  daughter,  Mary  m,  William  Marquette,  who  is 
now  deceased,  Mrs,  Marauette  resides  at  Friedens- 
burg,  and  has  these  children, — Ida,  Nora,  Sallie,  Sam- 
uel, George  and  Mabel. 

Mr.  Butz  and  his  wife  dispense  a  charming  hospital- 
ity that  makes  their  home  a  favorite  gathering  place 
for  all  their  relatives  and  friends.  In  addition  to  other 
interests  Mr.  Butz  is  a  stockholder  in  the  creamery 
at    Yellow    House. 


(IV)  Peter  Butz,  grandfather  of  Lewis  B.  Butz.. 
was  born  in  Longswamp  township,  Oct.  39,  1775,  son 
of  Samuel  and  Anna  Mary  (Romig),  but  when  still 
young,  removed  to  Whitehall  township,  Lehigh  county. 
He  was  a  very  efficient  blacksmith,  and  made  gun 
barrels  and  all  kinds  of  cutlery,  as  well  as  farming  a 
large  farm  he  owned.  He  is  buried  at  Unionville 
church.  He  and  wife,  Susanna  Bieber,  had  child- 
ren: Samuel  lived  in  North  Whitehall  township, 
and  had  children,  William  (deceased)  Peter,  Louisa 
and  Katie;  Egedius;  Enoch,  a  farmer,  also  lived  in 
North  Whitehall  township,  and  had  a  daughter,  Sarah, 

(V)  Egedius  Butz,  father  of  Lewis  B,  Butz,  was  born 
in  North  Whitehall  township,  Sept,. 30,  1805,  and  died 
m    Maxatawny   township    May   38,    1890,    aged    eighty- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


ni 


four  years,  seven  months  and  twenty-eight  days. 
The  following  inscription  is  found  on  the  tombstone 
erected  to  the  memory  of  Egedius  Butz  and  wife: 

"Egedius  Butz 

Sept.  30,  1805 

May  28,  1890 

84-7-28. 

Elizabeth  born  Bieber 

July  10,   1810 

Oct.  16.  1877 

67-3-6." 

Egedius  Butz  came  to  Maxatawny  township  when 
a  young  man,  soon  after  his  marriage,  he  marrying  a 
young  lady  from  Maxatawny  township  which  perhaps 
had  something  to  do  with  his  selection  of  this  town- 
ship as  his  place  of  residence.  His  wife  was  -Elizabeth 
Bieber,  and  they  had  these  children:  Abraham  died 
young;  Mary  m.  David  Kemp;  Susanna  died  young; 
Fianna  died  young;  Lovina  m.  Caston  Hoover;  Lewis 
B.;  Sarah  m.  Henry  Kohler;  Peter  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years;  Louisa  m.  Jerry  Levan;  Elizabeth 
m.  William  De  Turck;  Carolina  m.  Daniel  Sheradin; 
Clara  is  unmarried,  and  Elmira  m.  Henry  Roth. 

(VI)  Lewis  B.  Butz,  son  of  Egedius  and  Eliz- 
abeth, was  born  in  Maxatawny  township,  Jan.  27,  1837. 
He  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  made  that  his  life  work 
until  his  retirement  in  1900,  having  commenced  farm- 
ing for  himself  when  twenty-one.  He  now  owns  a 
fine  farm  of  100  acres,  which  was  once  the  property 
of  Egedius  Butz  and  earlier  belonged  to  Abraham 
Bieber.  Mr.  Butz  made  a  success  of  his  farming  op- 
erations, but  now  rents  his  property  and  lives  in  re- 
tirement near  the  Normal  School  on  the  Eastern  Road 
which  has  been  his  home  since  1892.  Mr.  Butz  has 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  educational .  matters,  serving 
as  school  director  for  many  years.  At  present  he 
is  trustee  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  and 
has  held  that  office  since  the  organization  of  the  school. 
He  represents  the  stockholders,  and  has  the  honor 
of  being  the  oldest  living  member  of  the  board.  He 
also  was  much  interested  in  the  erection  of  the  pres- 
ent church  of  St.  Paul's  Reformed  congregation,  in 
1876,  serving  on  the  building  committee  and  contrib- 
uting generously  toward  the  necessary  fund.  He  and 
his  family  are  members  of  this  church,  of  which  he 
has  been  both  deacon  and  elder,  and  he  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  church  and  among  its  most 
liberal  contributors.  In  jjolitics  Mr.  Butz  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  he  has  held  many  of  the  elective  offices  of 
the  township. 

On  Nov.  17,  1857,  Mr.  Butz  married  Catherine  Kieflfer 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Fannie  (Shirey)  Kieffer,  and 
granddaughter  of  Abraham  and  Lizzie  (Sebert-)  Kief- 
fer.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  B. 
Butz  were:  Amos  A.,  of  Kutztown  who  has  a  son, 
Herbert;  John  E.,  born  July  7,  1862,  and  died  April  1, 
1902,  leaving  a  daughter,  Elsie;  Ella  C,  m.  to  Seldon 
Gernert,  of  AUentown;  Alfred,  of  Philadelphia,  m.  to 
Lillian  Garrett,  and  has  a  son,  John  Alfred;  Ida,  m. 
to  William   R.   Smith,  of  Philadelphia. 

Such  families  as  this  are  a  credit  to  Berks  county.  Its. 
representatives  are  men  of  substance,  who  have  borne 
their  part  in  the  development  and  advancement  of  their 
several  communities. 

CHARLES  VAN  REED  EVANS  (deceased),  who 
during  the  course  of  a  long  and  useful  life  was  a  well- 
known  and  most  highly  esteemed  resident  of  Berks 
county,  conducting  a  farm  in  Heidelberg  township, 
was  born  on  the  original  Evans  homestead  in  Cumru 
township,  March  4,  1810.  The  Evans  family,  one  of 
the  early  established  families  of  Berks  county,  has 
contributed  its  share  of  prominent  citizens  in^  this 
section  in  peace,  and  in  war.  Church-loving,  law'abid- 
ing  and  God-fearing,  the  family  has  always  been  noted 


for  the  honesty  and  integrity  of  its  memfeers,  some  of 
whom  have  filled  positions   of  eminence  in  their  day. 

Three  brothers  named  Evans  emigrated  from  Wales 
about  the  year  1720,  and  landed  at  Philadelphia,  whence 
all  went  prospecting  through  Pennsylvania,  with  the 
result  that  Daniel  settled  in  Chester  county,  Phihp 
(the  ancestor  of  the  family  herein  described)  in 
Berks  county,  and  the  third  in  Montgomery  county. 

Joshua  Evans,  grandfather  of  Charles  Van  Reed 
Evans,  was  born  in  1733,  and  his  death  occurred  in 
March,  1778,  when  he  was  aged  forty-five  years.  His 
wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Mary  Thomas, 
was  born  July  1,  1746,  and  died  in  1813,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-seven,  after  a  widowhood  of  almost  thirty- 
six  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Thomas,  Peninnah,  Philip,  Thomas,  Mor- 
decai,  Sarah  and  Joshua.  Mrs.  Evans'  parents,  Phil- 
ip Thomas  and  his  wife,  Esther,  lived  in  East  Vin- 
cent township,  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  but  they  owned  out- 
lying land  near  Reading,  upon  which  their  daughter 
Mary  and  her  husband,  Joshua  Evans,  settled.  By 
the  will  proved  in  Philadelphia  Oct.  4,  1774,  Philip 
Thomas  wills  this  farm  to  Joshua  Evans'  s,on,  Philip 
Thomas  Evans.  As  previously  stated,  Joshua  Evans 
and  his  wife  continued  to  live  on  the  farm,  improved 
it.  and  built  the  stone  farm  house. 

Philip  Thomas  Evans,  father  of  Charles  Van  Reed 
Evans,  was  born  on  the  old  Evans  homestead  just 
mentioned,  July  13,  1770,  and  he  passed  all  his  life 
on  that  place,  dying  there  Sept,  26,  1835.  On  Feb.  1, 
1801,  he  married  Anna  Elizabeth  Van  Reed,  who  was 
born  Sept.  29,  1778,  daughter  of  John  and  Eve  (Yost) 
Van  Reed;  she  died  July  18,  1853,  aged  seventy-four 
years.  They  became  the  parents  of  children  as  follows: 
(1)  Thomas  Evans,  born  Jan.  7,  1803,  died  July  30,  1844, 
aged  forty-one  years,  six  months  and  twenty-three 
days.  He  m.  Susan  Bechtel,  and  lived  eleven  miles 
up  Maiden  Creek.  (2)  John  V.  R.,  born  Jan.  29,  1804, 
died  July  5,  1864,  aged  sixty  years,  five  months,  six 
days.  He  inherited  the  homestead.  He  m.  Anne  Mil- 
ler, (3)  Joshua,  born  Dec.  25,  1805,  died  Dec.  12, 
1826,  aged  twenty  years,  eleven  months,  seventeen 
days.  (4)  Mary  T.,  born  Sept.  11,  1807,  m.  Peter 
Bright,  and  moved  to  Danville,  Montour  Co.,  Pa. 
(5)  Charles  V.  R.  is  mentioned  farther  on.  (6)  Abner, 
born  Dec.  25,  1811,  died  May  21,  1816,  aged  four  years, 
four  months,  twenty-six  days.  (7)  Hannah  was  born 
Feb.  10,  1814.  (8)  Henry  V.  R.,  born  Jan.  8,  1818, 
died  Oct.  29,  1838,  aged  twenty  years,  nine  months, 
twenty-one  days.  He  inherited  the  mill  property.  (9) 
Anna  Elizabeth,  born  May  10,  1821,  m.  Thomas  H. 
Jones,  who  died  in  1850.     Mrs.  Jones  resides  in  Reading. 

Charles  Van  Reed  Evans  was  born  March  4,  1810. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  the 
teacher  being  paid  by  the  patrons  of  the  school.  He 
gave  his  time  to  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  with  his 
patrimony  purchased  his  farm  in  Lower  Heidelberg, 
where  he  continued  throughout  his  active  days,  fol- 
lowing farming.  He  spent  the  last  twenty  years  of 
his  life  in  retirement,  and  died  April  13,  1891,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-one  years,  one  month,  three  days,  and 
was  buried  at  Sinking  Spring.  He  was  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  held  a  number  of  township  offices,  was 
frequently  appointed  administrator,  executor  and 
guardian,  and  was  of  well  known  integrity.  In  1836 
he  married  Maria  Spohn,  daughter  of  William  and 
Catharine  (Miller)  Spohn,  and  to  them  were  born  a 
family  of  thirteen  children,  namely:  Josiah  S.,  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Civil  war,  who  served  in  the  90th  Ohio 
regiment  under  Captain  Carpenter,  and  died  in  a 
Southern  hospital.  Feb.  26,  1863;  Margaret  E.;  Jane 
who  resides  at  No.  115  North  Third  street,  Reading; 
Amanda,  deceased;  John  H.,  m.  to  Margaret  J.  Van 
Reed;  Maria  C,  Catharine,  James,  Sarah  and  Katie  E., 
all  deceased;  P.  Thomas,  of  Iowa,  m.  to  Sally  H. 
Shepp;  Annie  S.,  who  died  Sept.  24,  1901;  and  Mor- 
decai,  who  died  young. 


713 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


John  HE>fRY  Evans^  a  retired  farmer^  and  promi- 
nent citizen  of  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  was  born 
March  6.  1844,  north  of  Womelsdorf,  in  Marion  town- 
ship, son  of  Charles  V.  R.  Evans.  He  was  educated 
in  the  district  schools  and  was  licensed  to  teach  when 
seventeen  years  old  by  Prof.  John  S.  Ermentrout, 
superintendent  of  schools  of  Berks  county.  He  taught 
his  first  two  terms  at  Buck's  schoolhouse  in  Lower 
Heidelberg  township,  and  then  worked  for  his  par- 
ents until  he  was  married,  when  he  commenced  tenant 
farming,  and  carried  it  on  for  fourteen  years.  At  the 
end  of  this  time  he  went  to  Reading,  remaining  until 
after  his  father's  death,  and  then  located  on  the  home 
farm,  a  fine  tract  of  165  acres  in  the  Cacoosing  dis- 
trict. His  home  is  one  mile  due  west  from  Cacoosing, 
along  the  Bernville  road,  and  two  mi'es  due  north  of 
Sinking  Spring,  on  one  of  the  old  Van  Reed  farms, 
which  was  fqrmerly  the  property  of  the  Samuel  Jones 
estate.  Samuel  Jones  had  erected  a  house  for  his  ten- 
ants on  the  corner  of  his  farm  in  1791,  and  a  stone  from 
the  barn  built  in  1796  is  to  be  found  in  the  Evans  barn 
wall.  The  present  residence,  however,  is  a  two  and 
one-half  story  brick  dwelling,  and  is  built  in  Colonial 
style.  Mrs.  Evans  also  owned  a  farm  of  116  acres  in 
Lower  Heidelberg  township,  her  farm  and  that  of  her 
husband  being  divided  by  that  of  Annie  V.  R.  Addams. 

Mr.'  Evans  married  Margaret  Jones  Van  Reed, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Jones)  Van  Reed,  and 
to  this  union  there  have  been  born  two  sons:  Charles 
V.  R.,  a  farmer  residing  at  home;  and  Jacob  V.  R., 
a  chemist  for  the  Elk  Tanning  Company,  at  Ridgway, 
Elk  Co.,  Pa.  They  are  both  unmarried.  Mr.  Evans 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  efficiently  served 
his  township  as  school  director  for  three  years,  has 
been  delegate  to  numerous  county  conventions,  and 
assistant  assessor  for  twelve  years.  During  the  Civil 
war  he  served  in  Company  1,  11th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers. He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Church,  at 
Sinking  Spring,  which  his  wife  also  attends,  there 
being  no.  church  of  her  faith,  the  Episcopal,  in  this 
district.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Evans  are  intelligent, 
refined  people,  and  are  not  only  well  known  in  this 
district  but  have  a  large  acquaintance  in  Reading. 

The  Evans  family  has  intermarried  with  other  prom- 
inent and  old  established  families  of  this  section,  where 
they  have  remained  for  nearly  17^  years,  and  its  mem- 
bers are  thus  related  to  the  Yosts,  Gernands,  Van 
Reeds,  Joneses  and  Biedlers — all  well  known  and  of 
good    standing. 

Mrs.  Eve  (Yost)  Van  Reed,  mother  of  Anna  Eliza- 
beth Van  Reed,  who  married  Philip'  Thomas  Evans, 
had  three  sisters  and  one  brother,  namely:  Mrs.  Ris- 
ser,  Mrs.  Abraham  Gernard,  Mrs.  Hersh  and  Abra- 
ham Yost. 

Abraham  Yost  married  a  Hursh  (or  Hirsh),  who 
died  young,  leaving  six  children:  Two  daughters  mar- 
ried Mosers,  two  married  Biedlers,  one  had  her  home 
with  her  sister  Magdalena  (Yost)  Biedler,  and  one 
son  married  a  Sidel.  Mrs.  Magdalena  (Yost)  Biedler 
lived  to  be  nearly  ninety  years  of  age;  her  daughter 
Mary   Ann    married   a    Brobst. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  Eve  (Yost)  Van  Reed, 
grandmother  of  Charles  Van  Reed  Evans,  was  a  sis-: 
ter  of  Abraham  Yost  and  of  Mrs.  Abraham  Gernard, 
whose  grandson,  Abraham  Gernard.  married  Emma 
Evans,  daughter  of  John  V.  R.  Evans  and  grand- 
daughter of  Philip  Thomas  Evans. 

(3USTAVUS  AUGUSTUS  BEHNE,  a  distinguished 
artist,  whose  widow  has  made  her  home  in  her  native 
city  of  Reading  since  his  death,  was  himself  well  known 
there,  both  because  of  his  own  attainments  and  as  a  son 
of  the  beloved  Dr.  John  Henry  Behne. 

Dr.  John  Henry  Behne  was  born  in  Nordhausen,  Prus- 
sia, in  the  year  1800,  and  attended  different  German 
universities,  graduating  in  medicine  at  Wiirzburg,  Bavaria. 
Coming  to  America   in   1840,   he   located   in   Reading  the 


same  year,  and  continued  to  practise  his  profes.sion  there 
from  that  time  until  his  death,  Aug.  1,  1876.  Dr.  Behne 
began  his  medical  career  as  an  allopath  in  Nordhausen, 
Prussia.  In  studying  the  works  of  Hahnemann,  the  pio- 
neer of  homeopathy,  he  changed  to  the  new  school.  He 
met  with  opposition  and  this  opposition  was  the  cause 
of  his  coming  to  America.  He  settled  in  Reading  and  was 
one  of  the  first  practitioners  of  that  school  in  the  city. 
Dr.  Behne  was  not  only  a  skilled  physician,  but  a  cultured 
gentleman,  and  his  fine  personal  appearance  and  courteous 
manners  clothed  gracefully  a  character  fine  and  strong, 
which  won  him  numerous  friends  aside  from  the  profes- 
sional popularity  he  attained.  He  was  particularly  well 
liked  among  those  of  his  own  nationality,  but  the  circle 
of  his  friendship  and  patronage  was  not  by  any  means 
confined  to  the  German  residents  of  Reading,  and  he  en- 
joyed an  extensive  practice,  numbering  among  his  regular 
patients  many  of  the  most  influential  and  well-to-do  fam- 
ilies of  the  city.  People  often  came  to  him  from  diiTerent 
parts  of  the  State  for  medical  treatment.  The  Doctor  be- 
came an  enthusiastic  American  citizen,  taking  a  deep  and 
intelligent  interest  in  the  progress  of  his  adopted  country. 
He  was  an  Odd  Fellow,  for  many  years  an  active  member 
and  secretary  of  Germania  Lodge,  No.  53.  He  was  twice 
married,  the  first  time  in  Germany,  to  the  daughter  of 
a  Prussian  officer,  a  lady  of  much  ability.  She  died  in 
Reading  soon  after  they  settled  here,  the  mother  of  one 
child,  Gustavus  Augustus.  Rather  late  in  life  the  Doctor 
married  for  his  second  wife  a  Miss  Zabel,  of  New  York, 
and  by  that  marriage '  there  are  two  sons  to  continue  the 
name,  Albert  and  Paul  Behne,  who  reside  in  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin. 

Gustavus  Augustus  Behne  was  born  in  1828  in  Nord- 
hausen, Prussia.  Like  his  father  he  was  a  man  of  fine 
personal  appearance,  and  he  was  remarkably  gifted  in 
many  ways,  his  natural  endowments  being  supplemented 
by  training  in  the  best  universities  in  Europe.  His 
mind  was  highly  cultivated,  and  he  was  a  fine  linguist 
and  talented  musician.  But  his  artistic  nature  showed 
itself  most  strongly  in  his  painting,  and  he  was  thor- 
oughly prepared  for  his  artistic  career  in  the  Dusseldorf 
school,  and  later  in  the  Munich  galleries.  He  took  a 
special  course  in  portrait  painting  .under  Sully  at  Phila- 
delphia. 

In  1856  Mr.  Behne  married  Julia  Mayer  Kfeim,  who 
was  born  in  Reading,  daughter  of  Gen.  George  May, and 
Julia  C.  (Mayer)  Keim.  She  was  thoroughly  educated 
in  the  Reading  Academy,  which  was  located  on  the 
present  site  of  the  Girls'  high  school,  and  was  also  taught 
by  a  private  tutor  at  Philadelphia,  while  her  -father 
was  officiating  there  as  United  States  marshal  for  the 
Eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1857  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Behne  went  to  Texas,  Mr.  Behne  having  received  a 
commission  to  paint  the  portrait  of  General  Sam  Hous- 
ton, for  which  the  State  paid  him  $1,200  in  gold.  They 
spent  some  time  there,  Mr.  Behne  painting  afterward 
the  portraits  of  Governor  Burnett  and  other  distinguished 
men.  On  account  of  the  Rebellion  they  went  to  Havana, 
remaining  there  until  1867,  when  they  went  to  Munich. 
While  there  Mr.  Behne  produced  a  number  of  superior 
paintings,  for  which  he  received  high  praise  from  German 
critics,  and  Mrs.  Behne  took  up  the  study  of  foreign 
languages  and  music,  becoming  proficient  in  Continental 
literature,  and  learning  to  speak  fluently  the  German, 
French,  Spanish  and  Italian  tongues.  She  gave  special  at- 
tention to  music,  both  vocal  and  instrumental,  m  which 
line  her  accomplishments  are  particularly  noteworthy,  a 
source  of  the  deepest  pleasure  to  herself  and  her  friends 
through  many  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bel^ne  remained  abroad  until  1874,  wh^n 
they  returned  to  Reading  because  of  Mr.  Behne's  illness, 
staying  there  until  his  death  in  1876.  In  that  same 
year,  while  at  Bar  Harbor,  Maine,  where  they  went  to 
procure  marine  views  (for  which  he  had  orders),  Mr. 
Behne  fell  from  the  rocks  and  injured  his  back  so  se- 
verely that  he  never  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the 
accident.  He  was  obliged  to  abandon  all  idea  of  carry- 
ing on  his  work  there,  and  he  and  his   wife  returned  to 


io  £  i"  m/A^-^s  S  Src  //]'" 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


713 


'Germany,  and  made  their  home  in  the  village  of  Fursten- 
feld  Bruck,  near  Munich,  where  Mr.  Behtie  was  finally 
released  from  suffering  in  1895.  He  was  the  last  of  his 
family  for  a  long  time,  until  his  father's  second  marriage. 
Mrs.  Behne  took  up  her  residence  at  Reading  after  her 
husband's  death,  and  has  been  residing  there  ever  since. 
From  her  girlhood  she  has  been  a  member  of  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church.  Having  always  appreciated 
history  and  literature,  she  quite  naturally  became  inter- 
ested in  the  welfare  of  the  Reading  Free  Library  and 
the  Berks  County  Historical  Society,  and  besides  giving 
them  financial  assistance,  presented  to  each  of  these 
worthy  institutions  a  number  of  her  husband's  valuable 
paintings,  which  are  highly  prized  for  their  artistic  merit. 
Many  of  his  productions  have  an  honored  place  in  Read- 
ing homes. 

EDWIN  ADDAMS  QUIER  has  pas'sed  practically 
all  his  life  in  Reading,  where  he  was  born  Aug.  14, 
1869,  son  of  Levi  and  Emma  (Addams)  Quier. 

Levi  Quier  has  been  a  prominent  business  man  in 
.Reading  for  many  years.  Born  at  Rittersville,  in 
Lehigh  county,  Pa.,  March  11,  1835,  he  was  there 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  upon  the  opening 
of  his  active  years  learned  the  business  of  construct- 
ing blast  furnaces  for  the  manufacture  of  iron,  under 
his  uncles,  Isaac  and  Samuel  McHose,  who  were  well 
known  furnace  builders  of  Lehigh  county.  After  that 
experience  he  served  for  five  years  as  bookkeeper 
and  paymaster  for  the  Allentown  Iron  Company,  and 
then  from  1859  to  1861  was  engaged  in  the  construc- 
tion of  blast  furnaces,  one  of  them  being  at  Rich- 
mond, Va.  Meantime  his  patriotism  had  become 
aroused  by  the  stirring  events  of  the  Civil  war  period, 
and  in  the  latter  part  of  1863  he  assisted  in  organ- 
izing a  company  at  Allentown  for  the  Union  service 
— Company  K,  54th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  was 
commissioned  first  lieutenant,  and  served  with  that 
rank  until  January,  1864,  when  he  was  appointed 
quartermaster  of  the  regiment,  continuing  in  that 
position  until  he  received  his  honorable  discharge 
from  the  service,  in  September,  1864.  By.  special  de- 
tachment he  served  as  recruiting  officer  at  different 
places,  and  later  as  quartermaster  on  the  staff  of 
Gen.  j.  M.  Campbell,  participating  especially  in  the 
campaigns  in  the  Shenandoah  valley. 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Quier 
locate'd  at  Reading,  where  he  became  interested  in 
the  manufacture  of  fire  brick,  securing  an  interest  in 
the  firm  of  McHose  &  Thompson,  of  which  his  uncle, 
Isaac  McHose,  was  the  senior  partner.  This  was  in 
the  year  1865,  and  throughout  the  forty  and  more 
years  intervening  since  that  time  he  has  continued 
his  connection  with  the  v^orks,  which  during  all  this 
time  have  been  under  his  direct  management,  and  of 
which  he  is  now  practically  the  sole  owner. 

In  1868  Mr.  Quier  married  Emma  Addams,  daughter 
of  Reuben  E.  Addams,  of  Reading,  formerly  of  On- 
telaunee  township,  Berks  county,  and  to  them  has  been 
born  one  son,  Edwin  Addams.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Quier 
were  members  of  tlje  First  Reformed  Church  of  Read- 
ing until  the  organization  of  St.  Paul's  Memorial  Re- 
formed Church,  in  1872,  when  they  withdrew  from 
their  original  connection  to  assist  in  the  establish- 
ment of  the  new  congregation,  of  which  they  have 
since  been  active  members.  He  was  one  of  the  build- 
ing committee  of  the  church,  serving  as  secretary  of 
that  body,  and  he  and  his  uncle,  Isaac  McHose,^  are 
now  the  only  surviving  members  of  that  committee. 
For  over  twelve  years  following  the  organization  of 
the  congregation,  Mr.  Quier  officiated-  as  deacon  and 
trustee. 

Though  he  is  best  known  in  business  circles  as  a 
manufacturer  of  fire  brick,  Mr.  Quier  has  been  iden- 
tified with  the  management  of  the  National  Union  Bank 
for  twenty  years,  during  which  time  he  has  served  as 
a  member  of  the  board  of  directors;  he  co-operated 
with  other  enterprising  capitalists  of  Reading  in  estab- 
lishing   the    electric    light    and    power    plant,    and    the 


steam  heat  plant,  for  supplying  the  community  with 
light,  power  and  heat— all  of  which  projects  have  been 
very  successful,  demonstrating  their  utility  so  that 
they  have  been  highly  appreciated  in  the  community. 
Mr.  Quier  has  always  been  a  public-spirited  man,  and 
he  represented  the  First  ward  as  one  of  the  Republi- 
can school  controllers  in  the  board  of  controllers  from 
1878  to  1882. 

Edwin  Addams  Quier  received  his  early  education 
in  the  Reading  public  schools,  graduating  from  the 
high  school  in  1885.  He  then  entered  Lehigh  Uni- 
versity, graduating  from  that  institution  in  1891,  after 
a  course  in  analytical  chemistry.  Upon  his  return  to 
Reading,  after  graduation,  he  secured  an  interest  in 
the  Reading  Fire  Brick  Works,  with  which  his  father 
has  so  long  been  connecte'd,  and  he  has  since  been 
identified  with  that  important  industrial  concern.  He 
has  served  as  secretary  and  later  as  treasurer,  and 
has  proved  himself  a  success  in  business  as  well  as  in 
professional  work. 

In  1895,  Mr.  Quier  was  married  to  Helen  Hawley, 
daughter  of  Jesse  G.  and  Kate  (Ritter)  Hawley,  and 
they  have  had  three  children:  Hawley,  Catherine  and 
Edith.  Mr.  Quier  is  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Memorial 
Reformed  Church,  and  his  wife  is  connected  with  Christ 
P.  E.  Church. 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Jesse  G.  Hawley,  who  was 
the  owner  of  the  Reading  Eagle,  the  leading  newspaper 
publication  of  Reading,  the  Reading  Eagle  Company 
was  incorporated,  and  Mr.  Quier  was  chosen  vice- 
president,  in  which  capacity  he  has  since  assisted  in  the 
management  of  the  publication. 

TOBIAS  K.  SHENK,  a  prosperous  business  man  of 
Rea'ding,  Pa!,  who  is  proprietor  of  Shenk's  Carriage 
and  Wagon  Works,  Nos.  1137-1149  Moss  street,  was 
born  in  Dauphin  county.  Pa.,  son  of  Peter  and  Sarah 
(Kreider)   Shenk. 

Peter  Shenk,  who  was  for  many  years  engaged  in 
farming  and  carpentering,  during  which  time  he  gained 
an  honestly  earned  reputation  as  a  skilled  mechanic 
and  practical  farmer,  is  now  living  retired  in  Le- 
banon county.  Pa.,  where  for  some  years  he  served 
as  school  'director,  a  position  to  which  he  was  elected 
on  the  Republican  ticket.  He  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Christian  Church.  They  have  had 
six  children,  three  of  whom  survive,  namely:  Mary, 
m.  to  Harry  Hocker,  of  Hockersville,  Dauphin  county; 
Sarah,  m.  to  Isaac  Imiboden,  oi  Cleona,  Lebanon  coun- 
ty; and  Tobias  K. 

Tobias  K.  Shenk  was  four  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  removed  to  Lebanon  county,  where  he  re- 
mained on  the  home  farm  until  twenty-two  years  of 
age.  He  was  then  married  to  Miss  Emma  Longeneck- 
er,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Anna  Longenecker,  of 
Dauphin  county.  He  engaged  in  farming  until  the  age 
of  thirty  years,  when  he  came  to  Reading,  and  carried 
on  contracting  until  1903.  In  that  year  he  began  the 
manufacture  and  general  repair  of  wagons,  and  the 
steady  increase  of  his  business  has  demanded  more 
floor  space  and  machinery  until  he  now  has  one  of  the 
best  equipped  plants  in  the  city. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shenk  are  the  parents  of  five  children: 
Clayton,  Viola,  Raymond,  Harry  and  Mary.  In  re- 
ligious belief  the  family  are  connected  with  the  Evan- 
gelical Church.     Mr.  Shenk  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

ROBERT  P.  R.  HUYETT,  M.  D..  one  of  the  lead- 
ing medical  practitioners  of  Reading,  Pa.,  whose  of- 
fices are  situated  on  North  Tenth  street,  has  been 
engaged  in  practice  in  this  city  since  1893.  Dr.  Huyett 
was  born  in  1854,  in  Cumru  township,  Berks  county 
son  of  Joseph  G.  and  Mary  A.  (Pennypacker)   Huyett' 

Isaac  Huyett,  grandfather  of  Dr.  Robert  P.  R.,  was  a 
farmer  and  cattle  dealer  in  Cumru  township,  carrying 
on  extensive  operations  for  many  years,  and  becom- 
ing known  as  a  substantial  business  man  and  in- 
fluential citizen.     He   married   a  Miss   Gaul,  by  whom 


714 


HISTORY    OF    BERKS    COUNTY,    PENNSYLVANIA 


he  had  these  children:  Isaac;  Joseph  G. •  Mary  Ann,  m. 
(first)  to  Christian  Gaul,  and  (second)  to  Henry  Het- 
tinger; Kate,  m.  to  James' Pennypacker;  Elizabeth, 
m.  to  Samuel  Reifsnyder;  and  Sarah,  m.  to  Henry 
Close.  In  religious  belief  the  family  were  Lutherans, 
in  the  faith  of  which  church  Mr.  Huyett  died  aboi.it 
1867,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  His  wife  died  in 
1864. 

Joseph  G.  Huyett  in  his  young  manhood  assiste'd  his 
father  in  the  cattle  business,  and  later  engaged  therein 
on  his  own  account,  also  operating  a  farm  and  mill, 
to  the  latter  of  which  he  gave  his  entire  attention  in 
later  life.  About  twelve  years  prior  to  his  death,  in 
1900,  he  removed  to  Chester  county.  His  wife,  Mary 
A.  Pennypacker,  who  survives  him,  resides  in  Wilming- 
ton, Del.,  with  her  daughter.  Four  children  were  born 
to  Joseph  G.  Huyett  and  wife,  as  follows:  Dr.  Robert 
P.  R. ;  Isaac  W.,  deceased ;  Joseph  and  Cora  A.,  m..  to 
A.  Ladd,  of  Wilmington,  Del.  The  family  are  Luth- 
erans in  religious  belief. 

Robert  P.  R.  Huyett  received  his  preliminary  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  Berks  county,  the  Reading 
Academy,  and  Prof.  Farr's  Commercial  Business  Col- 
lege, and  read  medicine  under  Dr.  Christian  Hoflfman 
of  Sinking  Spring,  and  with  Drs.  Schomaker  and  Pan- 
coast,  then  entering  Jefferson  Medical  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1879.  After  taking  a  post- 
graduate course  in  Philadelphia,  Dr.  Huyett  located  at 
Temple,  where  he  remained  in  practice  for  eighteen 
years,  an'd  in  1893  came  to  Reading,  where  he  has  since 
continued  in  his  profession. 

Dr.  Huyett  married  (first)  Mary  A.  Brown,  a  native 
of  Robeson  township,  who  died  in  1892.  He  m.  (sec- 
ond) Ida  (Grush)  Michael.  Dr.  Huyett  is  a  member 
of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  the  Commandery  of  that  order, 
and  of  the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees. 

WILLIAM  SHOEMAKER  MOHR,  a  highly  es- 
teemed resident  of  Reading,  Pa.,  and  former  cashier 
of  the  Citizens'  Bank  thereof,  was  born  at  Mohrsville, 
Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  June  28,  1844,  son  of  Charles  H.  Molir. 

The  town  of  Mohrsville  was  founded  by  the  great- 
grandfather of  William  S.  Mohr,  who  cartie  from  Ger- 
many and  settled  in  Berks  county.  His  son,  Jacob, 
was  born  at  Mohrsville,  and  was  widely  known  as  the 
tavern-keeper  there. 

Charles  H.  Mohr,  father  of  William  S.,  was  also 
born  at  Mohrsville,  and  when  a  young  man  learned 
the  tanning  trade,  later  engaging  in  that  business 
at  his  native  place.  However,  he  finally  disposed  of 
his  tanyard  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  in 
which  he  continued  until  his  death,  in  1867,  aged  fifty- 
three  years.  He  married  Sophia  Kerchner  Shoemaker, 
born  in  1820,  who  is  stiU  living  and  spends  her  sum^ 
mers  at  her  country  home  at  Mohrsville,  and  her 
winters  with  her  'daughter,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Addams,  at 
Reading.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles 
H.  Mohr  were :  Mrs.  Addams,  whose  son,  Charles  P., 
is  in  the  office  of  the  attorney  general  at  Harrisburg; 
William  Shoemaker;  and  Charles  Shoemaker,  now  de- 
ceased. 

William  Shoemaker  Mohr  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Mohrsville,  and  came  to  Reading  in  1863,  engaging 
with  the  Phila'delphia  &  Reading  Railroad  Company  as 
an  apprentice  to  the  machinist's  trade.  After  serving 
his  time  he  was  employed  in  the  paymaster's  office  until 
1887  as  assistant  paymaster,  and  in  April  of  the  year 
following  he  was  one  of  the  original  organizers  of  the 
Citizens'  Bank,  which  was  opened  May  10,  1888,  with 
these  officers:  George  D.  Stitzel,  president;  Jerome  L. 
Boyer,  vice-president;  and  William  S.  Mohr,  cashier. 
This  organization,  which  was  capitalized  at  125,000, 
merged  with  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Reading 
Feb.  8,  1903.  Since  that  time  Mr.  Mohr  has  retired 
from  active  business,  living  at  his  home  at  No,  203 
North  Sixth  street. 

Mr.  Mohr  was  married  Jan.  23,  1873,  to  Miss  Cather- 
ine   Stitzel,    daughter    of    the    late    George    D.    Stitzel, 


who  died  in  1905.  Mrs.  Mohr  passed  away  Dec.  34, 
1877.  The  only  son  of  this  union  died  when  three 
weeks  old.  In  politics  Mr.  Mohr  is  a  Republican. 
He  has  served  as  secretary  of  the  Tax  Payers'  League 
since  its  organization  in  August,  1905.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Trinity  Church,  and  is  treasurer  thereof. 

DR.  ALLEN  J.  FINK,  formerly  a  druggist  at  Ham- 
burg, Pa.,  and  a  very  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  that 
borough,  was  born  in  Hamburg,  Berks  county,  Nov.  13, 
1860,  son  of  Davi'd  H.  and  Jane  E.  (Gift)  Fink,  and 
grandson  of  Peter  Finck. 

Peter  Finck  was  born  in  Greenwich  township  in 
1783,  and  carried  on  farming  near  Virginville  until  his 
decease  in  1853.  He  married  Magdalena  Heflner,  born 
1790,  died  1852,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Heflner. 
They  had  nine  children:  Kate,  Mary.  Ann,  Betsey, 
Abraham,  Malara,  Joel,  Harriet  and  David  H. 

David  H.  Fink  was  born  in  Perry  township  in  1833, 
and  there  carried  on  farming  for  a  number  of  years, 
later  removing  to  Hamburg,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
the  hotel  business  in  the  "American  House"  for  thirty- 
five  years.  After  living  retired  for  several  years  he 
died  in  1893,  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Jane  E.  Gift,  daughter  of  William  Gift,  and 
their  only  child  was  Dr.  Allen  J. 

Dr.  Allen  J.  Fink  fitted  himself  to  become  a  compe- 
tent pharmacist  by  studying  and  practising  in  the.  drug 
store  of  Dr.  J.  H.  Stein,  at  Reading,  for  two  years, 
and  taking  a  course  of  lectures  in  the  Philadelphia 
College  of  Pharmacy,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1888.  He  located  in  Hamburg  in  1887,  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  on  the  drug  business  and  manu- 
facturing specialties,  and  he  conducted  his  store  in 
a  very  successful  manner.  In  1895  Dr.  Fink  associated 
with  Thomas  Raubenhol'd  and  Solomon  K.  Hoffman, 
Esq.,  for  the  manufacture  of  underv/ear  at  Hamburg. 
For  this  enterprise  they  erected  a  two-story  br'ck 
building,  and  they  have  carried  on  the  business  ever 
since,  trading  under  the  name  of  the  Hamburg  Knit- 
ting Mills.  In  1906,  Dr.  Fink  gave  up  the  drug  busi- 
ness and  has  since  devoted  himself  wholly  to  his  in- 
terests in  the  mills. 

In  1903,  Dr.  Fink  was  selected  by  the  citizens  of 
the  place  as  one  of  the  building  committee  of  the  new 
Public  Library,  this  being  erected  and  opened  to  the 
public  in  1904.  At  the  expiration  of  the  Doctor's  term 
he  was  re-elected.  When  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church 
was  rebuilt,  in  1898,  after  its  complete  destruction  by 
fire.  Dr.  Fink  presented  in  the  name  of  himself  and 
wife  a  solid  brass  lectern,  and  also  one  of  the  three 
large  windows  in  the  west  end  of  the  building,  both 
of  which  present  a  magnificent  appearance,  and  are 
highly  appreciated. 

Dr.  Fink  married  Amy  Withers,  daughter  of  George 
and  Joanna  (Kalbach)  Withers,  and  they  have  one 
child,  a  son,  Langhorn. 

MOYER.  Few  families  of  Heidelberg  township  can 
trace  more  clearly  an  old  and  honorable  ancestry  than 
that  of  Moyer,  reaching  away  back  to  the  days  of  re- 
ligious persecution  in  1708.  The  Moyer  (Meyer  or 
Mayer)  family  was  one  of  the  many  German  Palatinate 
families  of  immigrants  who  in  1708  and  1709  went  to 
England,  whence  4,000  persons  were  given  transporta- 
tion, by  Queen  Anne,  to  New  York,  where  they  landed 
Dec.  25,  1709,. and  June  14,  1710.  On  the  passage  and 
immediately  after  landing  1.700  of  these  immigrants 
died.  The  survivors  camped  iri  tents  which  they  had 
brought  with  them,  on  Governor's  Island,  and  here 
they  remained  until  autumn,  when  about  1,400  removed 
to  Livingston  Manor,  100  miles  up  the  Hiidson  river. 
Being  unjustly  oppressed  by  Governor  Hunter,  and 
seeing  famine  and  starvation  staring  them  in  the  face, 
150  settlers  went  to  the  Schoharie  valley,  some  sixty 
miles  northwest  of  Livingston  Manor,  whither  they 
traveled  through  three  feet  of  snow,  in  the  unbroken 
woods,  hauling  their  baggage  on  rudely  made  sleds. 
At  Schoharie  they  improved  the  lands  which  had  been 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


715 


granted  them  by  Queen  Anne,  but  about  ten  years 
later,  owing  to  a  defect  in  their  titles,  they  were  de- 
prived of  the  property  which  they  had  labored  so 
hard  to  acquire. 

Having  heard  of  the  just  and  liberal  treatment  given 
to  settlers  in  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  thirty- 
three  families  removed  thereto  in  the  spring  of  1723, 
and  settled  iii  the  "Tulpahaca,"  which  was  at  that  time 
the  furthest  inhabited  part  of  the  province,  northwest 
from  Philadelphia.  In  subsequent  years  more  than  100 
other  families  followed  them  and  settled  in  the  north- 
western part  of  Berks  county,  and  among  these  were 
the  Moyers,  or  Meyers.  In  1759,  when  the  first  federal 
tax  was  levied  in  Berks  county,  the  following  Meyers 
were  taxables  of  Tulpehocken  township,  and  paid  their 
tax- as  follows:  Rudolph  Meyer,  twelve  pounds;  John 
Meyer,  eight  pounds,  and  Philip  Meyer,  three  pounds. 

In  Heidelberg  township  was_  one  John  Moyer,  who 
paid  ten  pounds  tax  that  year.'  It  is  a  family  tradition 
that  the  ancestor  of  this  particular  branch  of  the  fam- 
ily was  John  or  Johannes  Meyer,  and  that  he  had 
seven  children.  In  the  courthouse  is  his  will,  which 
was  probated  Dec.  38,  1765.  the  year  of  his  death,  he 
being  then  a  resident  of  Tulpehocken  township.  The 
executors  of  his  estate  were  his  two  sons,  George  and 
Henry,  and  in  it  were  the  following  provisions:  George 
was  to  receive  the  homestead  of  120  acres,  and  the 
"still,"  and  was  to  pay  his  brothers  and  sisters  200 
pounds;  Henry  was  given  the  mill  and  house  and  128 
acres  of  land.  The  other  children  were:  Anna  Bar- 
bara, m.  to  George  Wolff;  Eva  Catherine,  m.  to  a  Stet- 
tler;  Gideon;  Catherine,  m.  to  a  Deissinger;  and  Valen- 
tine. By  the  testator,  his  "beloved  son-in-law,  George 
Wolff,"  was  made  guardian  over  the  children  of  Cath- 
erine Deissinger  and  Valentine  Moyer. 

George  Moyer,  the  great-grandfather  of  John  E., 
and  Mahlon  A.,  of  Heidelberg  township,  was  born  in 
Tulpehocken  township,  Berks  county,  and  was  buried 
at  Host  Church.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  owned  the  property  now  in  the  possession  of  Peter 
Moyer,  Sr.,  a  grandson.  His  children  were:  John; 
Michael,  Peter,  Heinrich,  Jacob,  Daniel,  Mrs.  John 
Holtzman  and  Mrs.  John  Bomberger. 

Daniel  Moyer,  son  of  George,  was  born  Dec.  2, 
1782,  and  died  March  18,  1850.  He  was  a  farmer 
of  Heidelberg  township,  where  he  had  a  ninety-five 
acre  property  and  he  and  his  wife  are  buried  at  the 
Corner  Church,  of  which  they  were  members.  Mr. 
Moyer  m.  Susan  Belleman,  born  Oct.  5,  1781,  who  died 
Dec.  7,  1853,  and  to  them  were  born  eight  children,  as 
follows:  John;  Mrs.  Daniel  Miller;  Mrs.  George  Moy- 
er; Daniel;  Elizabeth  and  Catherine,  who  died  unmar- 
ried; Isaac;  and  Susan,  m.  to  George  Fornwald. 

Daniel  Moyer,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  Nov.  3, 
1814,  in  Heidelberg  township,  and  died  Jan.  7,  1881. 
He  was  a  lifelong  farmer,  owning  and  operating  a  tract 
of  eighty-two  acres.  He  was  a  prominent  Democrat, 
holding  the  offices  of  school  director,  supervisor  and 
delegate  to  many  county  conventions.  '  He  and  his 
wife  are  buried  at  Corner  Church,  of  which  they  were 
members.  Mr.  Moyer  married  Catherine  Ernst,  born 
Aug.  19,  1815,  who  died  in  April,  1891.  To. this  union 
were  born  thirteen  children,  namely:  Adam,  born 
March  28;  1838;  Emanuel.  Jan.  17,  1^40;  Sarah,  July  21, 
1841;  Amelia.  March  18.  1843;  John  E.;  Jeremiah, 
Nov.  3.  1846;  Amanda  S.,  Nov.  17,  1848;  Daniel  J., 
June  22,  1850;  Isabella  C,  Dec.  15,  1851;  Aaron  W., 
Feb.  18,  1853;  Mahlon  A.;  Albert  H.,  April  16.  1857, 
and  Julius  J.,  Sept.  26,  1860. 

John  E.  Moyer  was  born  April  19,  1845,  in  Heid- 
elberg township,  where  he  received  limited  educational 
advantages,  attending  school  about  two  or  three  months 
a  year,  I  the  length  of  the  school  term  at  that  time. 
He  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  until  seven- 
teen years  of  age  worked  on  the  home  farm.  On 
Sept.  6,  1862,  Mr.  Moyer  enlisted  in  Company  H,  55th 
Pa.  V.  I.,  to  serve  three  years;  was  promoted  June 
3,  1864,  to  corporal  for  gallant  conduct  at  Cold  Har- 
bor, and  to  sergeant  Aug.  6,  1864,  for  rolling  a  shell 


out  of  a  trenc"h  where  his  company  was  lying,  thus  sav- 
ing the  lives  of  many  of  his  comrades.  He  served  m 
some  of  the  fiercest  engagements  of  the  war,  and  was 
honorably  discharged- June  11,  1865,  with  a  gallant  rec- 
ord. 

On  his  return  from  his  country's  service,  Mr.  Moyer 
resumed  his  labors  upon  the  farm  for  one  year,  and 
then  was  employed  with  a  railroad  repair  crew  for  a 
like  period.  For  another  year  he  worked  on  a  farm 
in  Wooster,  Wayne  Co.,  Ohio,  to  which  he  returned 
for  a  short  time  after  a  tour  of  the  Western  States. 
In  1869,  Mr.  Moyer  r  turned  to  the  parental  roof, 
where  he  continued  to  work  until  his  marriage,  when 
he  began  housekeeping  at  the  Robesonia  furnace,  where 
he  remained  five  years,  his  time  being  spent  in  earnest, 
hard  labor.  For  the  next  nine  years  he  operated  his 
father's  homestead,  after  which  he  removed  to  a  200- 
acre  farm  in  Marion  township,  Berks  county,  but  after 
three  years  removed  to  the  Dr.  L.  A.  Livingood  farm 
of  165  acres,  which  he  conducted  for  five  years.  For 
eight  years  Mr.  Moyer  successfully  farmed  the  Jacob 
Lauck  145-acre  farm  in  Heidelberg  township,  and  in 
1901  he  purchased  the  Savage  farm  in  Lower  Heidel- 
berg township,  a  tract  of  204  acres,  which  he  culti- 
vated for  two  years  and  subsequently- retired,  at  which 
time  he  erected  a  fine  frame  residence  on  Main  Street, 
Robesonia.  He  was  also  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  ninety- 
nine  acres  in  North  Heidelberg  township,  which  he 
traded  for  the  property  at  No.  236  South  'fhird  street, 
Reading,  on  which  is  located  a  three-story  brick  house 
of  fourteen  rooms. 

In  politics  Mr.  Moyer  is  a  strong  Democrat.  He 
has  been  a  delegate  to  numerous  congressional  and 
judicial  conventions,  and  has  never  known  defeat.  He 
has  been  school  director  in  Marion  township  for  three 
years  and  a  like  period  in  Heidelberg  township,  where 
he  has  also  been  supervisor.  In  the  spring  of  1907  he 
was  appointed  State  health  officer.  No.  226,  of  Heidel- 
berg, North  Heidelberg  and  Marion  townships.  Mr. 
Moyer  is  a  popular  comrade  of  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  471, 
Myerstown.  He  and  his  family  attend  St.  Daniel's 
(Corner)  Church,  of  the  Lutheran  denomination,  of 
which  he  was  a  deacon,  elder  and  trustee  for  five  years. 

In  1871  Mr.  Moyer  was  married. to  Amanda  Ruth, 
daughter  of  Francis  Ruth,  and  to  them  twelve  children 
have  been  born:  Wilson,  Maggie,  Minnie,  John,  Allen, 
Ezra,  Irwin,  Harry,  Samuel  (who  lives  in  Valparaiso, 
Ind.),  Susan,  Mae  and  Sarah. 

Mahlon  A.  Moyer,  junior  member  of  the  mer- 
cantile firrn  of  Gerhard  &  Moyer,  of  Robesonia.  was 
born  Oct.  3,  1856,  in  Robesonia,  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  Heidelberg  township,  later  attend- 
ed Womelsdorf  Academy  with  such  schoolmates  as 
M.  A.  Gruber,H.  P.  Keiser,  Dr.  H.  F.  Livingood,  John 
Filbert  and  Morgan  B.  Klopp,  and  subsequently  at- 
tended the  Millersville  State  Normal  School  for  four 
terms.  For  the  five  succeeding  terms,  Mr.  Moyer 
taught  school  in  Heidelberg  township,  and  for  two 
terms  in  Lancaster  county.  He  was  a  transcribing 
clerk  for  three  years  in  the  office  of  the  recorder  of 
deeds,  under  Isaac  M.  Bechtel,  and  in  1886,  during 
President  Cleveland's  first  administration,  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  storekeeper  and  gauger  for  Berks  county, 
an  office  which  he  held  for  four  years.  Mr.  Moyer  then 
removed  to  Mount  Aetna,  where  he  and  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Kalbach  purchased,  the  Hunsinger  farm,  on  which  was 
an  old  established  distillery,  and  they  conducted  both 
enterprises  for  two  years  together,  when  Mr.  Moyer 
sold  his  interests  to  his  partner  and  purchased  the 
stand  of  H.  W.  Filbert,  of  Robesonia,  which  place  he 
conducted  eight  years.  Because  of  deaths  in  the  fam- 
ily, Mr.  Moyer  sold  out,  and  in  1904  purchased  the 
interest  of  Henry  R.  Miller  in  the  firm  of  Miller  & 
Gerhard,  and  has  since  been  associated  with  this  com- 
pany, which  has  become  Gerhard  &  Moyer. 

In  politics  Mr.  Moyer  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been 
active  in  the  success  of  his  party  in  this  section.  He 
is  a  charter  member  of  Mt.  Penn  Castle,  No.  51,  K.  G. 
E.,  of  Reading,  which  was  organized  in  1884.     He  is  a 


716 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


meiTiber  of  St.  Daniel's  (Corner)   Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church,  of  near  Robesonia,  as  was  also  his  wife. 

In  1888.  Mr.  Meyer  married  Ella  H.  Noecker,  born 
May  6,  1868,  who  died  June  30,  1899,  daughter  of  Israel 
Noecker.  a  merchant  of  Millersburg,  Pa.  The  only 
child  of  this  union,  Edgar  M.,  died  m  mfancy. 

CAPT.  JOHN  A.  HIESTER,  of  Reading,  enjoys 
the  distinction  of  being  the  only  boat-builder  on  the 
Schuylkill  canal.  He  has  been  running  excursion  boats 
since  1869.  at  present  owning  the  two  pleasure  steam- 
ers "Rosie"  and  "Carrie."  and  he  has  been  reguglarly  in 
the  employ  of  the  Schuylkill  Navigation  Company  since 
1869.  He  had  previously  been  engaged  on  work  for 
that  company  from  1864,  working  with  his  father  until 
the  latter's  death.  The  business  interests  of  father 
and  son  have  been  closely  associated  with  the  history 
of  the  canal  and  navigation  company. 

Captain  Hiester  was  born  in  Berks  county  in  1844, 
and  he  has  lived  in  Reading  since  he  was  six  months 
old,  his  parents,  William  and  Elizabeth  (Adams) 
Hiester,  having  moved  hither  at  this  time.  His  moth- 
er was. a  daughter  of  Isaac  Adams,  who  owned  an  oil 
mill  on  the  Tulpehocken  creek.  William  Hiester  was 
engaged  as  a  boat-builder  in  the  early  days  of  the 
Schuylkill  canal  and  did  work  for  the  Schuylkill  Navi- 
gation Company  for  many  years,  carrying  on  an  in- 
dependent business.  He  built  craft  for  boatmen  as 
far  north  as  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  was  considered  one  of 
the  most  reliable  boatbuilders  in  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try. One  of  his  masterpieces  was  the  famous  "Regu- 
lator," which  he.  built  for  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Company,  and  he  constructed  a  number  of  pleasure 
boats  which  gave  him  a  reputation  along  the  Schuyl- 
kill. He  was  the  first  owner  of  a  steamboat  on  that 
river,  the  "J.  L.  Stichter,"  which  plied  between  Read- 
ing and  High's  Woods.  Mr.  Hiester  was  killed  in 
1878,  and  was  survived  by  his  wife  and  two  children. 
Three  children  were  born  to  them:  John  A.;  Julia,  who 
died  aged  thirteen  years;'  and  Sarah,  unmarried,  who 
makes  her  home  with  her  brother.  The  father  was  a 
member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  a  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow  in  fraternal 
connection. 

John  A.  Hiester  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Reading,  and  early  began  to  learn  boatbuilding 
under  his  father,  who  trained  him  thoroughly  in  his 
life  work.  In  1864  he  began  work  for  the  Schuylkill 
Navigation  Company,  and  regularly  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  that  Company  in  1869,  and  he  has  built  and 
repaired  many  canal  boats  during  his  long  career  in 
this  line,  often  handling  as  many  as  five  hundred  boats 
in  one  season.  The  first  boat  owned  by  the  Captain 
was  the  "J.  L.  Stichter,"  formerly  owned  by  his  father, 
which  he  rebuilt  and  renamed  the  "Escort;"  her  length 
was  55  feet,  beam  14  feet,  4  inches;  his  next  boat,  the 
"Gazelle,"  -also  built  by  his  father,  was  65  feet  long, 
14  feet,  4  inches  across  the  beam;  later  he  owned 
the  "Pearl,"  62  feet  long,  beam  14  feet,  4  inches;  all 
these  boats  drew  34  feet  of  water.  Captain  Hiester 
built  the  "Valley  Forge"  (for  a  Mr.  Shaw  of  Valley 
Forge),  length  65  feet,  beam  13  feet,  draw  Si  feet;  the 
"Atlantic,"  length  65  feet,  beam  14  feet.  4  inches,  draw 
3J  feet;  the  "Martha-  Washington"  (for  Caleb,  Ruth 
and  Robert  Hanna,  of  Conshohocken),  length  65  feet, 
beam  14  feet,  4  inches,  draw  3i  feet;  the  "GoMen 
Eagle,"  length  73  feet,  beam  16  feet,  10  inches,  draw 
H  feet;  the  "Mayflower,"  length  26  feet,  beam  7  feet, 
draw  24  feet;  and  the  "Iowa,"  length  47  feet,  beam 
10  feet,  draw  4  feet.  Since  1903  the  Caotain  has 
limited  his  operations  to  the  repairing  of  canal  boats 
for  the  Schuylkill  Navigation  Company.  Captain 
Hiester  has  a  reputation  on  the  river  and  canal  which 
for  many  years  has  insured  him  steady  and  remunera- 
tive patronage.  Having  followed  his  work  from  boy- 
hood he  is  familiar  with  all  its  phases,  ready  for  any 
emergency,  and  always  the  capable  and  reliable  work- 


man, able  to  do  any  of  the  varied  tasks  which  are  in 
the  course  of  his  work.  He  is  well  known  in  Reading, 
where  he  affiliates  with  the  Masons  and  Odd  Fellows, 
belonging  to  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227;  Excelsior  Chap- 
ter. R.  A.  M.;  Reading  Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T.; 
and  Vigilance  Lodge,  No.  194,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  political  opinion. 

In  1863  Captain  Hiester  married  Elizabeth  Wagner, 
daughter  of  Valentine  and  Rebecca  (McKinney)  Wag- 
ner, and  to  them  have  been  born  ten  children,  seven 
sons  and  three  daughters:  William  Henry  Wagner,  who 
is  a  boatbuilder  and  framer,  working  with  his  father; 
Charles  Franklin,  a  boatbuilder  in  the  employ  of  the 
Schuylkill  Navigation  Company;  George  Washington 
and  Jonathan  G.  G.,  both  of  whom  are  boatbuilders; 
Julia  M.,  who'  married  Philip  Tumney  (both  are-  de- 
ceased); John  Harrison,  a  boatbuilder;  Carrie,  wife  of 
Irvin  Peacock;  James  A.  Garfield;  Albert  Arthur;  and 
Rosa,  married  to  Harry  Markley.  All  of  this  family 
are  members  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

MAHLON  KLINE,  of  Reading,  residing  in  the  Roll- 
ing Mill  mansion  on  the  Kutztown  road,  has  for  many 
years  been  prominently  identified  with  the  business 
and  public  interests  of  this  city.  Mr.  Kline  was  born 
June  10,  1836,  in  Reading,  son  of  John  R.  and  Caroline 
(Homan)    Kline. 

John  R.  Kline,  father  of  Mahlon,  was  born  Jan. 
17,  1809,  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  county,  and  died 
Dec.  14,  1870.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  a  boat 
builder  in  Reading,  and  the  foreman  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  men,  but  in  his  later  years  carried  on  a  success- 
ful grocery  business  at  Seventh  and  Bingaman  streets. 
He  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  bricks  on  North 
Ninth  street  and  also  where  Rick's  foundry  is  now  lo- 
cated, and  furnished  the  brick  for  the  building  of  the 
Reading  Cotton  Mills.  Mr.  Kline  was  a  member  of 
the  First  Reformed  Church,  and  is  buried  in  the  Charles 
Evans  cemetery.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife 
being  Caroline  Homan,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
Mahlon  and  Amos,  the  latter  of  whom  died  when  four 
months  old.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Hester  Lutz, 
and  by  this  union  had  one  son,  William,  a  cabinet 
maker  of  Reading,  who  has  two  sons,  William  and 
Harry,  both  of  whom  are  successful  business  men  of 
Reading. 

Mahlon  Kline  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  city,  Captain  Bacheler's  military  school  and  the 
city  night  sqhool,  afterward  learning  draughting  under 
Lewis'  Kirk.  He  served  his  apprenticeship  under 
James  Noble  &  Sons,  now  of  Alabama.  During  the 
'fifties,  James  Noble  &  Sons  removed  to  Rome,  Ga., 
where  they  built  the  first  locomotive  for  the  State 
Road,  south  of  the  Mason  and  Dixon  line.  This  en- 
gine was  on  exhibition  at  the  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Fair,  where  J. 
Glancy  Jones  delivered  the  address  for  the  occasion. 
Mr.  Kline  learned  the  general  machine  business  from 
James  Noble  &  Sons,  and  was  in  that  firm's  employ 
for  six  years,  three  of  which  he  spent  in  the  South. 
During  the  Civil  war_  Mr.  Kline  was  employed  at  the 
Scott  works  in  Reading,  working  on  army  and  navy 
guns,  shot  and  shell,  this  work  all  being  done  for 
the  Government.  He  was  in  the  service  of  the  Reading 
Iron  Company  liSrig  before  the  establishment  of  the 
present  company,  which  was  sold  by  the  sheriflf  many 
times.  Since  the  Centennial  this  company  has  been 
under  the  direction  of  F.  C.  Smink,  the  present  presi- 
dent, who  has  kept  the  enterprise  on  a  paying  basis. 
Mr.  Kline's  principal  work  all  of  his  life  has  been 
that  of  a  machinist,  and  for  fifteen  years  he  was  in 
charge  of  the  old  forge,  a  part  of  the  Reading  Iron 
Company.  He  has  lived  retired  since  1901,  and  lives 
in  the  Rolling  Mill  mansion  of  the  Reading  fron  Com- 
pany,  on   the   Kutztown   road,   still   in   the   city  limits. 

Mr.  Kline  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat,  and  on 
October  11,  1870,  he  was  elected  a  select  councilman 
from  the  Ninth  ward,  an  office  in  which  he  served  for 
six  years.     He  has  been  very  influential  in  public  mat- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


717 


ters,  and  has  held  various  ward  offices.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  First  Reforined  Church  of  Reading,  and" 
has  a  certificate  stating  that  he  was  a  member  of  the 
First  German  Reformed  Sunday-School  of  the  borough 
of  Reading,  signed  by  his  Sunday-school  teacher,  J. 
Ermentraut  and  the  Sunday-school  superintendent,  C. 
Steiner.  This  was  presented  to  him  when  he  was  but 
eight  years  old,  and  he  prizes  it  very  highly.  Mr.  Kline 
was  a  deacon  of  the  church. 

In  1858,  Mahlon  Kline  married  Emma  Kunsman,  born 
Aug.  23,  1841,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Rosa  (Homan) 
Kunsman,  and  to  this  union  were  born  nine  children, 
of  whom  seven  survive,  as  follows:  Carrie,  m.  to 
Frank  Mayer,  of  Temple,  Pa.;  John,  a  skilled  machin- 
ist of  Philadelphia;  Martha,  who  is  single  and  lives  at 
home,  making  life  pleasant  for  her  parents;  Annie,  m.  to 
Samuel  J.  Geissler,  of  Reading;  Emma,  m.  to  Ralph  Kat- 
erman,  a  resident  of  Birdsboro,  Pa.;  Daniel,  who  lives 
in  Reading;  and  Howard,  a  machinist,  who  resides  at 
Alliance,  Ohio. 

ZERBE— ZERBY  (also  Zerve,  Zerwe  and  Zerben). 
The  Zerbe  family  of  Berks  was  very  early  settled  in 
America.  The  original  home  of  the  family  was  in 
France,  but  owing  to  their  steadfast  loyalty  to  their 
religious' faith  they  were  obliged  to  find  homes  else- 
where, that  they  might  worship  as  they  thought  right. 
On  their  first  coming  to  the  New  World  they  settled 
in  New  York  State,  in  the  Schoharie  Valley  and  a 
little  farther  south  at  Livingston  Manor,  from  which 
places  they -followed  the  migratory  tide  into  the  fer- 
tile valley  of  the  Tulpehocken.  Rupp  in  his  "30,000 
Names  of  Immigrants,"  shows  a  Lorenz  Zerbe  who 
came  from  Schoharie  to  Tulpehocken  in  1723,  and  in 
addition  to  Lorenz  mentions  a  John  Philip  Zerbe  and 
a  Martin  Zerbe  among  those  above  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  who  passed  the  winter  of  1710  and  summer  of 
1711  in  Livingston  Manor,  N.  Y.,  and  who  may  have 
come  to  Tulpehocken  at  a  later  period.  The  name  of 
John  or  Johan  has  been  a  favorite  one  in  the  family, 
as   appears   from   the  tax  lists   and  vital   statistics. 

John  Zerbe,  born  in  North  Heidelberg  township 
June  30,  1799,  died  in  Reading  in  1874,  and  is  buried  at 
Little  Tulpehocken  church.  He  was  a  tailor  by  trade, 
working  at  that  occupation  in  different  parts  of  the 
county,  and  for  some  years  he  also  engaged  in  farming. 
In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  member  of 
St.  Daniel's  Church.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Martha  Keller,  died  in  Penn  township  in  1871,  aged 
sixty-three  years.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  Keller. 
Their  children  were:  Elias,  born  Aug.  4,  1832,  died 
March  25,  1906;  Rebecca  m.  John  Wagner,  and  both 
are  deceased;  Catharine  m.  Jeremiah  Oaks,  and  both 
are  deceased;  Urias  is  mentioned  below;  William  K., 
born  Nov.  13,  1837,,  in  North  Heidelberg,  enlisted  Sept. 
2,  1863,  in  Company  G,  151st  Pa.  V.  I.,  served  ten 
months,  and  now  resides  in  Reading,  unmarried;^  Sarah 
m.  Jonathan  Frymoyer,  deceased,  and  she  resides  in 
Reading;  Jonathan  m.  Clara  Moll,  and  died  in  Reading 
leaving  no  children;  and  six  children  died  young. 

Elias  Zerbe,  son  of  John,  born  Aug  4,  1833,  was  a 
resident  of  North  Heidelberg  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  in  1870  came  to  Reading  where  he  followed  the 
carpenter's  trade  until  within  a  few  years  of  his  death, 
March  25,  1906.  Both  he  and  his  w<fe  are  buried  in 
the  Charles  Evans  cemetery.  On  Nov.  7,  1846,  he 
married  Mary  Anri  Moyer,  daughter  of  George  Moyer 
and  his  wife  Catharine  Gerber  (1799-1860).  To  this 
union  were  born  children  as  follows:  Emma,  born 
Sept.  16,  1847,  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  years;  Anna, 
born  March  3,  1852,  died  March  5,  1852;  Levi  M.,  born 
Dec.  3,  1853;  James  M.,  born  Sept.  27,  1855,  lives  in 
Reading;  Harrison,  born  Jan.  9,  1859;  (jeorge  McClel- 
lan,  born  Jan.  25,  1864. 

Levi  M.  Zerbe,  son  of  Elias,  was  born  in  Marion 
township  Dec.  3,  1853.  He  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade  when  he  was  eighteen  and  this  he  has  followed 


ever  since.  For  two  years  he  was  engaged  as  a  mill- 
wright in  Reading,  to  which  city  he  came  m  the  fall  ot 
1871.  In  1875  he  began  working  for  the  Readmg  Kail- 
way  Company,  and  continued  there  until  1879,  when 
he  was  appointed  on  the  police  force  by  Mayor  Henry 
Tyson,  but  at  the  change  of  administration  two  years 
later  he  resigned  and  went  back  to  the  car  shops, 
following  his  trade  there  until  1885.  The  next  two 
years  found  his  working  as  a  millwright  with  Elias 
Schmehl,  of  Reading,  but  in  the  latter  part  of  1887  he 
again  returned  to  the  Railway  Company,  and  has  since 
continued  there.  On  March  16,  1897,  he  was  made 
foreman  of  the  planing  mill  department,  having  some 
eighty-seven  men  in  his  employ.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Relief  Association,  and  also  belongs  to  the 
American  Mechanics,  No.  27,  of  Reading;  the 
Royal  Arcanum,  No.  495;  and  the  Schuylkill  Fire  Com- 
pany. He  is  a  member  of  St.  Luke's  Lutheran  Church, 
and  is  connected  with  the  Trinity  Lutheran  Brother- 
hood of  Reading.  In  political  affairs  he  is  a  Democrat. 
On  May  15,  1875.  Mr.  Zerbe  was  married  to  Amelia 
A.  Werner,  daughter  of  Frederick  Werner,  of  Reading. 
Three  children  have  been  born  to  them,  namely:  Lillie 
M.,  who  died  in  infancy;  Anna  M.,  at  home;  and  Emma 
N.  (1878-1900),  deceased  wife  of  Isaac  Mengel,  of  Read- 
ing. 

Urias  Zerby,  son  of  John  and  brother  of  Elias,  was 
born  Feb.  16,  1834,  and  died  Jan.  6,  1907,  and  is 
buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery.  For  several 
years  he  followed  farming  in  Exeter  township,  and 
then  moved  to  Muhlenberg  township,  where  he  lived- 
until  his  removal  to  Reading  April  1,  1875.  He  farmed 
the  John  Epler  farm  now  all  built  up  and  improved  as 
a  part  of  the  city  along  Schuylkill  avenue.  He  married 
Lovina  Snyder,  who  bore  him  the  following  children: 
William  A.,  John,  James,  Missouri,  Irwin,  Frank, 
Mamie  and  Amanda. 

William  A.  Z'erby,  son  of  Urias,  and  now  a 
well  known  citizen  of  Reading  engaged  in  the  milk 
business,  was  born  in  Muhlenberg  township  May  25, 
1865.  He  attended  the  township  schools,  and  was 
ten '  years  old  when  the  father  removed  of  Reading. 
Here  in  the  city  he  attended  the  public  schools,  in 
the  meantime  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm.  He 
was  a  letter  carrier  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  that 
time  engaging  in  the  dairy  business  at  No.  639  Schuyl- 
kill avenue,  where  he  has^ built  up  a  large  trade.  In 
his  political  principle  Mr.  Zerby  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  county  committee.  He  was 
elected  collector  for  the  Fifteenth  ward  in  1908.  In 
his  religious  faith,  like  all  his  family,  he  is  a  Lutheran 
and  belongs  to  Hope   Church. 

On  Oct.  8,  1887,  Mr.  Zerby  was  unitfd  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Missouri  De  Long,  daughter,  of  Jacob  De 
Long,  of  Lehigh  county.  Their  children  are:  Arthur, 
Martha,  William,  Harry,  Lester,  Hilda  and  Esther. 
Mr.  Zerby  is  highly  respected  wherever  he  is  known. 

JAMES  H.  GULDIN.  The  Guldins  were  Pietists  of 
Switzerland.  The  Hochs  were  Moravians  from  the 
same  place.  Rev.  Samuel  K.  Guldin  and  Rev.  Chris- 
topher, Lutz  were  classmates  at  Old  University  of 
Berne,  Switzerland,  from  1679  to  1689.  In  1693  Gul- 
din was  appointed  pastor  at  Stettlen,  three  mile's  east 
of  Berne.  Shortly  after  entering  the  university,  Gul- 
din passed  through  a  great  spiritual  experience  and 
became  a  pietist.  Prof.  Hadorn  sayS  that  Guldin, 
Schumacher,  Lutz  and  Dochs  were  the  fathers  of  Swiss 
pietism.  These  church  fathers  became  so  bitterly  pros- 
ecuted that  Guldin  emigrated  to  Philadelphia  in  1710, 
and  all  of  the  Guldins  of  America  are  descended  from 
him.  ' 

The  Guldins  were  originally  of  St.  Gall,  Switzerland. 
Melchior  Guldin  was  born  at  St.  Gall  in  1529;  was 
made  guildmaster  in  1550;  senator  in  1583,  and  died 
in   1596.     Melchior   Guldin,  Jr.,  was   born  in  1571   and 


ns 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,   PENNSYLVANIA 


died  in  1645.  He  was  a  town  clerk  in  1604.  Paul  Gul- 
din  was  born  of  Evangelical  parents  in  1577.  In  1597 
he  joined  the  Jesuits,  became  professor  of  mathematics 
at  Gratz  and  Vienna,  and  died  at  Gratz,  Nov.  3,  1643. 
He  was  the  author  of  five  Latin  books. 

(I)  Hans  Joachim  Guldin  was  born  at  St.  Gall, 
Switzerland,  and  became  a  citizen  of  Berne  in  1633. 
The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Susanna  Tribolet, 
and  their  children  were:  Hans,  born  Feb.  4,  1635;  Anna, 
born  Sept.  23,  1636;  Samuel,  born  Sept.  22,  1638. 

(II)  Hans  Joachim  T.  Guldin,  born  at  Berne,  Feb. 
4,  1635,  married  Anna  Maria  Koch,  and  their  children 
were  Maria,  born  Aug.  24,  1660,  died  in  infancy;  An- 
na Maria,  born  March  19,  1662,  died  in  infancy;  Sam- 
uel K.,  born  June  8,  1664,  died  Dec.  31,  1745;  Anna 
Magdalena,   born   June   18,    1667. 

(III)  Rev.  Samuel  K.  Guldin,  born  at  Berne,  June 
8,  1664,  married  Mary  Magdalena  Malacrida,  and  came 
to  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Sept.  34,  1710,  and  died  at  Rox- 
boro,  Dec.  31,  1745.  His  children  were:  Samuel  M., 
born  Nov.  8,  1693,  at  Stettlen,  Switzerland;  Maria 
Catherine,  born  at  Stettlen,  Jan.  8,  1696;  Christoffel, 
born  at  Berne.  July  17,  1697;  Emanuel  Fred,  born  at 
Berne,  March  13,  1699. 

(IV)  Samuel  M-  Guldin  settled  in  Oley  township, 
Berks  county,  in  1718,  and  on  May  22,  1722,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Hilsaweck.  By  occupation  he  was  a  black- 
smith and  farmer.  His  children  were:  Samuel;  Sus- 
anna; John;  Mary  Magdalena  m.  Frederick  Leinbach; 
Frederick;  Daniel  H.;  Joanna  Esther;  and  Clara  Eliza- 
beth. 

(V)  Daniel  H.  Guldin  was  born  in  Oley,  April  30, 
1735,  and  married  Catherine  Elizabeth  Geltbach.  He 
acquired  a  farm  of  260  acres,  adjoining  the  Yellow 
House  property  on  the  north.  His  children  were: 
Samuel  died  in  infancy;  Daniel;  John;  Jacob;  Samuel 
(2)  died  in  infancy;  John  G.;  Elizabeth;  George; 
Abraham;  Samuel  (3);     Frederick;  Peter;  David. 

(VI)  John  G.  Guldin,  born  Oct.  18,  1770,  married 
Mary  Cronrath,  and  died  June  13,  1853.  His  children 
were:  Daniel;  Samuel  C.  m.  Catharine  DeHart  Ludwig; 
Rev.  John  C,  D.  D.;  David;  Charles;  Abraham  C. ; 
and  Isaac. 

(VII)  Abraham  'C.  Guldin,  born  Aug.  10,  1811,  mar- 
ried Susanna  Y.  Weaver,  and  died  April  8,  1884.  His 
wife  was  born  Aug.  23,  1812,  and  died  May  14,  1876. 
Their  children  were:  Isaac  W.;  Jeremiah;  Albert;  Han- 
nah  and   George. 

(VIII)  Isaac  W.  Guldin,  born  in  Amity  township, 
Berks  county,  Dec.  4,  1834,  died  in  the  fall  of  1907. 
He  was  a  well-known  and  highly  respected  citizen 
of  his  locality,  for  many  years  having  been  a  music 
teacher  of  Reading.  He  was  twice  married.  On  Dec. 
31,  1857,  he  m.  Amelia  Van  Buskirk.  On  April  24, 
1884,  he-  m.  (second)  Amanda  Hoch  Custer.  Both  of 
his  wives  were  granddaughters  of  Eva  Rosina  Lutz 
Ludwig. 

(IX)  James  H.  Guldin,  a  farmer  of  Maxatawny  town- 
ship, was  born  in  this  township,  on  the  old  Guldin 
farm,  March  25,  1867.  Reared  to  farm  life,  he  has 
continued  in  this  line  of  work  all  his  life.  At  first  he 
worked  for  his  father,  but  upon  coming  of  age  he 
started  'to  farm  for  himself  on  the  old  Charles  Miller 
farm  near  Monterey.  His  education  was  a  limited  one 
because  of  the  many  demands  made  upon  him  in  his 
boyhood,  but  he  has  added  to  his  knowledge  by  obser- 
vation and  experience  and  is  now  a  very  well  informed 
man.  In  1893  Mr.  Guldin  moved  to  Longswamp  town- 
ship where  he  lived  some  time,  and  then  went  to  Litz- 
enberg,  in  Lehigh  county,  but  in  1896  he  settled  in 
Maxatawny  township,  and  has  purchased  the  old  home- 
stead from  the  other  heirs.  This  consists  of  123  acres 
of  excellent  land  upon  which  he  made  his  home  until 
1901,  when  he  sold  the  property  to  Phaon  Heflfner, 
and  bought  the  old  Stephen  Leibelsberger  farm  near 
Maxatawny  Zion  Church,  consisting  of  92  acres  of 
valuable   land.     The   barn   on   this   property  was   built 


in  1828  by  Leibelsberger.  The  farm  is  well  stocked 
with  eleven  head  of  cattle  and  ten  head  of  horses.  Fra- 
ternally Mr.  Guldin  is  a  member  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 
of  New  Smithville,  Pa.  He  has  been  active  in  public 
affairs,  and  is  serving  his  third  year  as  school  director; 
and  he  has  also  been  delegate  to  various  county  con- 
ventions, and  been  judge  of  elections,,  etc.  He  and 
his  family  are  members  of  Zion  Union  Church  of 
Maxatawny  township,  of  which  he  has  served  as 
deacon. 

On  Sept.  4,  1885,  Mr.  Guldin  married  Nellie  C. 
Kershner,  a  daughter  of  George  W.  and  Ellen  (Shomo) 
Kershner,  of  Hamburg.  Eight  children  have  been 
born  to  them:  Charles  J.;  Solon  R. ;  Mamie  M.;  Grov- 
er  J.;  Eva  S.;  James  S.;  Lawson  W.  and  Florence 
M.  Mr.  Guldin  comes  of  an  old  family  whose  repre- 
sentatives are  well  known  throughout  Pennsylvania 
and  he  himself  is  much  respected  in  his  community. 


Mahlon  Guldin,  son  of  Reuben  W.,  of  Maxatawny 
township,  was  born  on  his  father's  homestead,  Jan. 
25,  1863,  and  was  there  reared  and  received  his  early 
education.  Later  he  attended  the  Keystone  State  Nor- 
mal School,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1879,  and 
subsequently  he  took  a  post-graduate  course  at  the 
same  institution.  He  commenced  teaching  in  his  na- 
tive township  when  but  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  he 
has  since  taught  twenty-two  terms  in  his  home  district, 
in  addition  to  one  term  in  Lehigh  county,  a 
rather  remarkable  record.  '  Mr.  Guldin  is  one  of  the 
active  teachers  of  Berks  county.  During  the  summer 
months  he  is  engaged  in  various  lines.  Since  1896, 
he  has  been  engaged  in  the  poultry  business,  and  is 
much  interested  in  it,  he  making  a  specialty  of  fancy 
poultry,   especially  buff  and  partridge   cochins. 

Mr.  Guldin  is  a  Democrat,  and  takes  an  active  part 
in  public  afifairs,  serving  as  register  and  assessor  of 
the  district  and  he  has  been  sent  as  delegate  to  num- 
erous county  conventions.  He  is  a  member  of  Camp 
141,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  Rothrocksville,  of  which  he  is 
past  president,  and  he  wa?  district  president  of  Dis- 
trict No.  6.  During  his  incumbency  a  new  district  was 
instituted  at  Longswamp.  Mr.  Gulden  is  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  denomination  of  Maxatawny  Zion  Church. 

On  Nov.  18,  1893,  Mr.  Guldin  was  married  to  Miss 
Stella  M.  Fisher,  a  daughter  of  Charles  S.  and  Emma 
(Grim)  Fisher  of  Krumsville,  granddaughter  of  Benja- 
min Fisher,  of  Greenwich.  Two  children  have  been 
born  of  this  marriage,  Ira  C,  R.  and  Homer  F. 

Reuben  W.  Guldin,  the  father  of  Mahlon  Guldin 
was  born  in  Exeter  township,  Berks  county,  Feb.  18, 
1818.  and  was  reared  in  this  district,  coming  later  to 
Maxatawny  town:ship,  and  settling  on  the  State  road 
near  Monterey,  upon  a  farm  consisting  of  123  acres  of 
valuable  land.  He  farmed  all  his  life  and  lived  retired, 
from  active  labor  six  years  prior  to  his  death,  which" 
occurred  in  June,  1894,  when  he  was  seventy-six  years 
old.  He  was  a  member  of  Maxatawny  Zion  Church, 
Reformed,  where  he  is  buried.  For  many  years  he 
was  a  church  official  and  was  a  good  man,  held  in 
great  respect.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Mary 
Geschwindt,  and  they  liad  fifteen  children-  Sarah 
Garion;  Matilda;  Valentine;  Jeremiah;  David  (died 
aged  seven  years);  Elias;  Ellen;  Kate;  Amanda;  Al=ce- 
Reuben;    Mahlon;   Senora  and  James. 

ALLISON  F.  McGOWAN,  who  died  at  his  home  in 
Readmg,  May  34,  1897,  was  for  many  years  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  business  interests  of  the 
city,  as  a  dealer  in  coal,  lime  and  sand.  Mr.  McGowan 
was  born  at  Geiger's  Mills,  Union  township,  Berks 
county,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Geiger)  McGowan 

John  McGowan,  whose  father  was  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, was  a  well-known  agriculturist  of  Union  town- 
ship, where  his  entire  life  was  spent.  He  and  his 
wife,    Elizabeth   Geiger,   were   leading  members   of   St 


BIOGRAPHICAL  ^19 

Paul's  ("Old  Forest")  M.  E.  Church.  They  had  the  John;  Christian;  David,  who  lives  in  Ohio;  a  son  who 
following  children:  George,  James.  Jolin  F.,  Allison  F.,  died  in  Indiana;  and  Mrs.  Daniel  Ballett.  Christian 
Howard.  Sarah,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Harriet,  Emily,  Kate  Rauenzahn  was  the  owner  of  a  large  Bible,  the  print- 
^r,H  \A/ilH3m      '  ■"  '  ■'  ing   of  which   was   begun   m   1537   and   was   completed 

and  William.  ■     a   u-       a       ,■        ■      ,h      i"  1535.     This  was  a  Tare  and  valuable  book,  and  the 

Allison  F.  McGowan  received  his  education  in  the  commissioners  of  the  Centennial,  held  at  Philadel- 
Union  township  schools,  and  afterward  engaged  for  pjjj^  ;,.,  j^g^g^  ^^^^  ^^^^  effort  to  secure  it  to  place 
a  short  time  in  teaching.  He  then  became_  a  clerk  q„  exhibition,  sending  a  man  from  Philadelphia  to 
in  McGowan  &  Miltimore's  hardware  store,  in  Read-  Pricetown.  he  however  failing  to  secure  it.  This  old 
ing,  where  he  remained  several  years,  and  afterward  relic  passed  from  Christian  to  his  son  Gideon,  and 
connected  himself  with  the  firm  of  Bright  &  Lerch,  with  from  the  latter  to  his  son  John,  who  procured  it  at 
whom  he  continued  for  five  years.  At  the  end  of  public  sale,  and  was  sold  by  him  to  a  concern  in  Phil- 
this  time   Mr.   McGowan  purchased   an  interest   in   the    adelphia. 

firm  of  High  &  Geiger,  coal,  sand  and  lime  dealers,  Gideon  Rauenzahn,  son  of  Christian,  was  born  in 
and  after  Mr.  High's  retirement  the  business  was  Richmond  township,  and  died  upon  his  331-acre  farm 
carried  on  by  Mr.  Geiger.  When  the  latter  gentleman  in  Ruscombmanor  township,  in  about  1867,  when  near- 
left  the  business,  Mr.  McGowan  assumed  _  charge,  \y  eighty  years  of  age.  He  was  a  stone  mason  by 
and  carried  this  on  until  his  death,  the  enterprise  being  trade,  an  occupation  which  was  adopted  and  followed 
very  successful.  Mr.  McGowan  was  always  consid-  by  seven  of  his  sons.  He  married  Elizabeth  Brown, 
ered  a  man  of  much  business  ability,  careful  and  daughter  of  Daniel  Brown  of  Pricetown,  and  they 
industrious,  and  he  was  rated  one  of  the  city's  sue-  had  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  as  follows:'  Solo- 
cessful  and  representative  men.  He  was  a  member  of  mon  met  his  death  by  drowning,  in  1842;  Sarah  m. 
the  I.  O.  O.  F-.  of  Reading,  ana  of  St.  Peter's  M.  E.  Benjamin  Wentzel;  Hannah  m.  Daniel  Mannville,  and 
Church  of  Reading.  '  He  was  a  great  lover  of  music,  died  in  Oklahoma;  David  died  at  Philadelphia  in 
and  was  the  choir-master  of  St.  Peter's  church  for  i887;  William  B.:  Daniel  was  a  stonemason  at  Price- 
twenty  years.  town;   Jacob,   carried   on  that  trade   at   Reading;   Eliz- 

Mr.  McGowan  married  Miss  Louisa  Geiger,  the  abeth  m.  Nicholas  Bechtel;  Israel,  a  stone  mason  of 
daughter  of  Levi  and  Mary  (Zerr)  Geiger,  and  to  this  Reading,  met  his  death  in  a  railroad  accident;  Gideon 
union  there  were  born  three  children:  Howard  L.  was  a  stone  mason  of  Reading;  John,  a  stone  mason 
and  Allison  J.,  both  deceased;  and  William  H.,  who  of  Philadelphia,  is  now  deceased;  Mary  m.  Amos 
is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  underwear  at  Nos.  Brown,  of  Stowe,  Pa.;  and  Emeline  died  young. 
746-748  Cherry  street,  the  firm  being  known  as  the  William  B.  Rauenzahn  was  born  May  6,  1831,  in 
Eclipse  Knitting  Company,  and  who  is  the  organist  Ruscombmanor  township,  Berks  county,  and  was 
and  choirmaster  at  St.  Barnabas  P.  E.  church,  Reading,    reared    on    his    father's    farm,   upon   which    he    worked 

until    past    eighteen    years    of    age,    at    which    time    he 

DR.  OLIVER  H.  FISHER  was  born  Oct.  S3,  1850,  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  Ontelaunee  town- 
in  Douglass  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son-  of  Silas  ship,  with  Abraham  Hughes.  This  occupation  he  fol- 
W.  and  Anna  (Hartman)  Fisher,  and  erandson  of  lowed  for  two  years,  and  then  went  to  Perry  town- 
Jacob  and  Anna  (Weaver)  Fisher  and  of  Conrad  and  ship,  where  he  spent  a  like  period  at  the  trade,  and 
Elizabeth  fRichards)  Hartman.  The  other  children  in  1857  he  came  to  Reading,  where  he  entered  the 
of  Silas  W.  and  Anna  (Hartman)  Fisher  were:  Wei-  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad.  He 
lington  (deceased),  Luther,  Jacob,  and  Rebecca  (m.  was  a  flue-welder  for  this  company  at  the  pipe  mill 
Alfred  Dietrich).  _  for   nine   years,   and   altogether   worked   for   this    com- 

Oliver  H.  Fisher  was  educated  in  the  common  pany  as  a  blacksmith  for  fifteen  years.  Mr.  Rauen- 
schools  of  Douglass  township  and  in  Kallynean  Acad-  zahn  is  one  of  the  few  living  men  in  this  locality  who 
emy,  Boyertown,  under  Prof.  I.  B.  Hankey,  principal,  have  shod  oxen,  this  occurring  in  1850,  1851  and 
In  the  fall  of  1870  he  entered  the  Medical  Department  1852  while  he  worked  at  his  trade  in  Ontelaunee  and 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  graduatea  Perry  townships.  In  the  former  district  there  lived 
therefrom  in  the  spring  of  1873.  He  engaged  imme-  many  Quakers,  among  them  the  Wileys,  Perkinses, 
diately  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Amity-  Smiths  and  Pentoses,  and  Dr.  Wiley  had  a  yoke  of 
ville,  Berks  county.  Hut  in  the  fall  of  the_  same  year  oxen  which  were  shod  by  Mr.  Rauenzahn  on  numerous 
went  to  Pikeville.  where  he  practised  until  1879.  In  occasions.  These  big,  strong  beasts  were  used  at 
the  latter  year  he  moved  to  Pottstown,  and  also  took  the  plows,  as  well  as  in  wagons,  and  Wash  Wiley 
a  special  course  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  used  them  to  haul  flour  to  the  boat  landing  at  Shoe- 
In  1880  he  moved  to  Graters  Ford,  on  the  banks  of  makersville.  Mr.  Rauenzahn  recalls  many  interesting 
the  Perkiomen,  in  Montgomery  county.  In_  1885  he  incidents  of  his  younger  days,  among  which  might 
came  to  Reading  where  he  has  been  practising  for  be  mentioned  the  following:  It  was  during  his  term 
twenty-four  years.  of    apprenticeship,    and    he    was    working    out    during 

Dr.  Fisher  has  been  twice  married.  On  Oct.  23,  haymaking  and  harvesting  time  to  earn  spending 
1873,  he  m.  Mary  Heilig,  daughter  of  Edward  Heilig,  money,  his  employer  being  Quaker  Smith.  They  were 
of  Pottstown.  To  this  union  were  born  three  chil-  hauling  in  hay  with  four  good  horses,  when  the  large 
dren:  Charlie,  Lester  and  Edward.  In  February,  wagon-load  of  hay  became  "stuck"  and  no  amount 
1883.  Mrs.  Fisher  died  at  Graters  Ford.  In  1890  Dr.  of  urging  could  make  the  horses  go  another  inch.  At 
Fisher  m.  (second)  Ida  Wilson,  daughter  of  Joseph  this  time  the  yoke  of  big  oxen  were  hitched  up  to 
Wilson,  of  Reading.  ■  the    wagon,    and   to    the    surprise    of    all    these    beasts 

pulled    the    load   away   with    comparative    ease,    which 

RAUENZAHN.  Christian  Rauenzahn,  a  native  of  the  four  horses  could  not  budge.  Mr.  Rauenzahn 
Manheim,  Germany,  where  the  family  was  one/  of  was  a  member  of  the  Reading  police  force  under 
prominence  and  wealth,  was  a  son  of  Herr  von  Mayor  Charles  F.  Evans  from  1873  to  1879.  Since 
Rauenzahn.  Christian  Rauenzahn  left  his  native  coiin-  May,  1903,  he  has  lived  a  quiet  life,  his  retirement 
try  for  cause,  being  at  that  time  well  supnlied  with  being  due  to  his  incapacitation  from  an  extraordinary 
means,  and  settled  in  Richmond  township,  Berks  Co.,  case  of  hiccoughs,  which  continued  for  seven  weeks. 
Pa.,  where  he  became  the  owner  ot.  about  700  acres  The  case  puzzled  physicians  and  attracted  wide-spread 
of  land,  but  he  died  in  very  humble  circumstances,  attention,  local  and  metropolitan  papers  alike  giving 
He  is  buried  in  a  private  burial  ground  on  the  old  much  space  to  it  and  remedies  being  sent  to  Mr. 
W'eidner  farm  below  Pricetown  and  his  grave  has  Rauenzahn  from  all  over  the  country.  He  was  event- 
no  head-stone.  Christian  Rauenzahn  was  survived  by  ually  cured  by  Dr.  A.  N.  Seidel,  of  Reading,  by  the 
his  wife,  Hannah,  who  died  at  an  advanced  age  in  use  of  a  common  remedy.  For  many  years  Mr.  Rauen- 
1836.      Among    their    children    were:      Gideon;    Isaac;     zahn  •  has   been   a   member   of   Salome    Lodge    of   Odd 


720 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Fellows  No.  105,  and  the  American  Mechanics,  both 
of  Reading.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  dur- 
ing 1856,  when  James  Buchanan  was  elected  presi- 
dent, he  served  as  judge  of  election  in  his  district. 
He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Evangelical 
Association. 

In  1853  Mr.  Rauenzahn  was  married  to  Willia  Bush, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Brown)  Bush,  born 
Aug.  17,  1830,  who  died  Sept.  15,  1891,  and  they  had 
these  children:  Henry  B.;  Solomon  and  Thomas, 
who  died  young;  Emanuel,  who  resides  in  Milwaukee, 
Wis.;  Sallie,  who  died  young;  Emma,  who  met  her 
death  in  1889,  aged  twenty-five  years,  in  the  silk  mill 
disaster;   ana   Zipporah,  m.  to  Allen  Levan. 

Henry  B.  Rauenzahn  was  born  Aug.  16,  1854,  in 
Ontelaunee  township,  and  as  a  boy  came  to  Reading, 
where  he  spent  his  school  days.  For  many  years  he 
was  a  sand  contractor,  but  in  1885  he  embarked  in 
the  hotel  business  at  Tenth  and  Green  streets,  and 
since  1898  he  has  conducted  the  "North  End  Hotel." 
He  is  very  popular  in  his  district,  and  enjoys  a  large 
and  lucrative  business.  Fraternally  he  is  connected 
with  Salome  Lodge  No.  105,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Reading. 

Mr.  Rauenzahn  was  married  to  Mary  Hartman, 
Aug.  7,  1875.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Hannah  (Lease)  Hartman,  granddaughter  oi  John 
Hartman,  and  great-granddaughter  of  Jacob  Bowers, 
who  lived  to  the  remarkable  ao^e  of  103  years.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rauenzahn  there  have  been  born  six-" 
teen  children,  as  follows:  William,  Lillie  and  Lottie, 
deceased;  Harry  S.;  Luther;  Naomi;  George;  Lester; 
an  infant  son;  Emma;  an  infant  son;  Edith;  an  infant 
son;   Dorothy,  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

Harry  S.  Rauenzahn  was  born  July  3,  1880,  and  died 
April  11,  1909,  in  Reading,  Pa.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he 
learned  the  coach-painting  trade  at  the  Keystone 
Wagon  works  from  Charles  Dietrich,  now  deceased. 
This  he  followed  at  Reading  for  nine  years,  after 
which  he  worked  at  the  Pullman  shops  at  Wilming- 
ton, Del.,  for  nine  months,  and  subsequently  returned 
to  Reading,  and  assisted  in  the  erection  of  the  126- 
foot  brick  stacks  at  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  shops. 
In  1904  Mr.  Rauenzahn  became  a  trolley  car  con- 
ductor for  the  Reading  United  Traction  Co.,  and 
there  he  continued  until  his  death.  He  was  a  resident 
of  the  Thirteenth  ward,  owning  a  brick  residence 
at  No.  2044  Eutztown  road,  purchased  by  him  in 
1905.  He  was  a  member  of  Camp  No.  663,  P.  O.  S. 
of  A.,  of  Reading,  and  Tent  No.  446.  K.  O.  T.  M., 
also  of  this  city.  V/ith  his  family  he  belonged  to 
Grace  Reformed  Church  of  Alsace,  before  joining 
which  he   was  a  deacon   of  Trinity   Reformed   Church. 

On  Sept.  29,  1904,  Mr.  Rauenzahn  was  married  to 
Anna  Wolf,  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth 
(Houck)  Wolf  of  Chester  county,  and  they  had  two 
children:  Luther  E..  born  Nov.  4.  1905,  died  July 
22,  1906;  and  Marie  E. 

JONATHAN  G.  LEINBACH,  of  Reading,  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  J.  G.  Leinbach  Company,  comes  of  an  old 
Berks  county  family.  He  was  born  near  Leesport,  June 
14,  1837,  son  of  Frederick  and  Maria   (Guldin)  Leinbach. 

Frederick  Leinbach,  the  father,  was  born  in  Berks 
county.  While  he  thoroughly  learned  the  blacksmith's 
trade  and  followed  it  more  or  less  all  his  life,  he  also 
engaged  in  farming  near  Leesport,  giving  the  major  part 
of  his  time  to  this  work.  Later  in  life  his  farming  inter- 
ests were  all  in  Exeter  township.  He  died  in  Reading'  at 
the  age  of  fifty-seven  years,  and  his  wife,  v»ho-se  maiden 
name  was  Maria  Guldin,  lived  to  the  age  of  sixty.  Onlv 
five  of  their  family  still  survive,  namely:  Daniel,  Albert, 
Mahlon,  Jonathan  G.  and  Mary,  the  latter  being  now 
the  widow  of  James  Levan,  and  a  resident  of  Reading. 

Jonathan  G.  Leinbach  acquired  most  of  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Exeter  township,  and  then  be- 
gan helping  his  father  in  the  blacksmith  shop.  His  incli- 
nation for  a  commercial  career  early  showed  itself,  how- 
ever,  and   when   but   eleven   years   of   age   he   obtained   a 


position  with  Williatft  Brumbach,  a  manufacturer  of  cloth, 
and  remained  with  him  for  several  years.  He  left  that 
work  to  go  to  York,  Pa.,  to  run  a  woolen-mill,  and 
spent  two  years  there,  after  which  he  returned  to  Read- 
ing and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Wyomissing  Woolen 
Company  in  their  factory  on  South  Fifth  street.  This 
occupied  his  attention  for  two  years,  with  a  break  of 
ten  months  when  he  was  in  the  army  during  the  Civil 
war.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  128th  Pa.  V.  I., 
and  during  his  term  of  enlistment  he  saw  considerable 
active  service.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Chancellors- 
ville  and  incarcerated  for  a  time  in  the  famous  Libby 
prison. 

Mr.  Leinbach's  first  connection  with  the  Reading 
Woolen  Mills  was  as  manager  under  Mr.  Fisher,  and 
later  under  Robert  M.  Shouse.  In  1867  he  was  taken 
into  partnership,  and  the  firm  name  became  R.  M. 
Shouse  &  Co.  They  did  a  considerable  business  then, 
employing  fifty  hands  and  having  an  annual  production 
valued  at  $100,000.  Their  association  continued  until  1875, 
when  Mr.  Leinbach  became  for  a  short  time  the  sole- 
owner.  But  he  very  soon  formed,  a  partnership  with 
Aaron  S.  Leinbach  and  William  F.  P.  Davis,  under  the 
firm  name  of  J.  G.  Leinbach  &  Co.  A  little  later  John 
Shadel  was  added  to  the  firm,  while  in  1887  the  personnel 
was  again  changed  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Davis,  whose 
interest  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Leinbach.  Two  years 
later  the  firm  was  enlarged  by  taking  in  three  of  Mr. 
Leinbach's  brothers,  Daniel,  Albert  and  Mahlon,  and  in 
1893  was  inaugurated  the  policy  of  giving  an  interest 
in  the  business  to  certain  of  the  older  employes,  who 
had  been  in  the  factory  from  twenty  to  thirty  years.  This 
is  the  only  enterprise  in  Reading  in  which  the  hands 
have  been  permitted  to  share  in  the  profits,  and  the  benefits 
resulting  from  this  generosity  of  the  employers  have  been 
mutual.  The  only  surviving  members  of  the  old  firm  are 
Mr.  Leinbach  and  his  three  brothers,  and  the  former  has 
carried  less  of  the  responsibility  for  the  last  few  years, 
as  in  1903  the  business  was  incorporated  with  Mr.  Lein- 
bach as  president;  A.  E.  Leinbach,  vice-president;  and 
S.  W.  Reiff,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

When  the  firm  was  organized  in  1875  additional  ground 
was  purchased,  improvements  made  in  the  plant,  and  new 
machinery  introduced.  Liberality  in  these  respects  has 
always  marked  the  management  of  the  factory,  and  it  has 
b?en  rhaintained  constantly  at  a  high  level  of  equipment. 
In  1903  an  addition  50  x  120  feet,  four  stories  in  height, 
was  erected.  More  than  two  hundred  hands  are  now 
required  in  the  operation.  The  manufacture  of  jeans 
has  been  discontinued  since  1880*  and  the  product  is 
now  entirely  woolen  and  union  goods.  The  volume  of 
business  has  steadily  increased,  and  the  goods,  having 
a  superior  reputation,  are  sold  all  over  the  United  States, 
after  being  manufactured  into  pants  and  vests.  Much 
of  the  success  achieved  is  due  to  the  efforts  of  Mr.  J.  G. 
Leinbach  and  his  able  assistants,  whose  progressive  spirit, 
enterprise  and  liberal  policy  have  ever  been  apparent  in 
the  conduct  of  the  business. 

Mr.  Leinbach's  other  interests  are  large  and  varied; 
among  them  may  be  mentioned  the  Mt.  Penn  Gravity 
Railroad  Company,  of  which  he  has  been  president  since 
1897,  and  the  East  Reading  Railroad,  of  which  he  is 
vice-president.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Second  National 
Bank,  and  one  of  the  organizers  and  directors  of  the 
Reading  Cold  Storage  Company.  He  is  one  of  Reading's 
prominent  citizens,  not  only  because  of  his  own  large 
business  interests,'  but  also  because  of  his  public  spirit 
and  liberal  attitude  toward  all  good  causes.  For  eleven 
years  he  served  in  the  common  and  select  councils,  and 
in  1897  was  a  candidate  for  mayor.  Although  the  city 
of  Reading  was  normally  Democratic  at  that  time  by  over 
six  hundred,  Mr.  Leinbach  lost  by  the  small  margin  of 
163  votes — a  remarkable  demonstration  of  popularity. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  and  liberal  supporters 
of  the  Reformed  CTiurch. 

In  1865  Mr.  Leinbach  married  Amanda  E.  Burkhart, 
daughter  of  John  W.  Burkhart,  and  to  this  union  was 
born  one   son,   Frederick,   who   died   in  childhood. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


721 


EDWIN  L.  HETTINGER  is.  a  great-grandson  of 
Heinrich  Hettinger,  a  native  of  Rheineck  (later  Bie- 
tigheim— the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  VII,  Sec- 
ond Series,  page  637,  spell  it  Betigheim).  in  the  Kine- 
dom  of  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  born  in  1760-61,  who 
came  to  America  in  1805,  from  Amsterdam,  landing 
at  Philadelphia  Sept.  5th.  He  made  the  voyage  on 
the  ship  "Verney,"  and  brought  with  him  his  wife 
Catharine,  then  aged  thirty-six  years,  and  their  five 
children:  Heinrich,  aged  thirteen;  Lorenz,  aged 
twelve;  Christina  Eva,  aged  eleven;  Bernard,  aged 
eight;  and  Mathias,  aged  six. 

After  his  arrival  in  this  country  Heinrich  Hettinger 
lived  some  years  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  or  in 
that  city  itself,  later  coming  to  Bemville,  Berks  coun- 
ty,_  where  he  died  and  is  buried.  His  wife  Catharine 
Miller,  born  in  1769,  bore  him  seven  children  in  all, 
the  five  previously  mentioned  having  been  born  in  the 
Fatherland  and  the  youngest  two  in  America.  We 
have  the  following  record  of  this  family:  Heinrich, 
a  cooper  by  trade,  lived  in  Centreville,  in^Penn  town- 
ship; he  had  sons  Harry,  Joseph  and  John.  Lorenz 
IS  mentioned  below.  Christina  Eva  probably  married 
John  Brossman,  as  one  of  the  daughters  of  this  family 
was  married  to  him  and  the  other  to  David  Kurtz. 
Bernhard  lived  in  Heidelberg  township,  following 
farming;  his  children  were  Jonathan,  William.  Levi, 
James  and  Mary  Ann.  Mathias,  who  lived  in  Centre 
township,  near  Belleman's  Church,  had  children,  Reu- 
ben, Adam,  Henry,  Kate,  Julia  and  Susan.  Christian 
lived  and  died  in  Penn  township,  where  he  owned 
a  small  farm;  his  children  were  John  and  Lizzie. 

Lorenz  Hettinger,  grandfather  of  Edwin  L.  Het- 
tinger, was  born  Nov.  2-2,  1792,  in  Bietigheim,  Ger- 
many. Coming  to  America  with  his  parents  he  lived 
in  and  around  Philadelphia  until  about  twenty-seven 
years  old,  following  shoemaking,  which  he  learned 
in  young_  manhood.  He  then  came  to  Berks  county, 
locating  in  Bern  township  and  later  in  Penn  town- 
ship, where  he  tended  Hettinger's  Locks,  on  the  Union 
Canal,  for  many  years.  He  died  at  Mount  Pleasant 
in  July,  1869,  when  about  seventy-five  years  old.  and 
is  buried  at  Bern  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  prom- 
inent Lutheran  member,  serving  as  deacon  and  elder 
of  the  congregation.  His  wife,  Catharine  Lambert, 
of  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  died  when  past  fifty 
years  of  age.  Their  seven  children  were  as  follows: 
Mary  Ann  m.  Samuel  Schaffer;  Henry  lives  in  Read- 
ing; Augustus  is  a  resident  of  Wyomissing;  Harrison 
is  out  West;  John  died  in  Virginia,  where  his  family 
still  lives,  at  Manassas;  Lydia  m.  Benjamin  Grimes, 
of  Robesonia,  Pa.;  Levi  L,  was  the  father  of  Edwin 
L.  Hettinger. 

l^evi  L.  Hettinger  was  born  April  6.  1846  at  Mount 
Pleasant,  Penn  township,  Berks  county,  and  was  reared 
upon  the  farm.  But  when  fourteen  years  old  he  com- 
menced boating  upon  the  now  abandoned  Union  Canal, 
and  he  also  did  such  work  on  the  Pennsylvania  and 
Schuylkill  Canals,  being  employed  at  boating  for  four 
years.  He  then  enlisted  at  Reading  for  service  in 
the  Union  army,  joining  Company  K,  42d  Pa.  V.  I., 
with  which  he  served  three  months.  After  his  return 
from  the  army  he  worked  in  a  'sawmill  for  about 
three  years,  and  then  learned  the  carpenter's  trade 
from  John  Moyer,  of  Bernville.  He  has  followed  this 
trade  ever  since,  working  in  western  Berks  county 
until  1883,  when  he  settled  in  Reading.  He  and  his 
family  have  resided  in  their  own  home  at  No.  129 
South  Tenth  street  for  many  years. 

In  January,  1870,  Mr.  Hettinger  was  married  to 
Sarah  A.  Hafer,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Anna  (Mee) 
Hafer,  and  granddaughter  of  Heinrich  and  Kate 
(Zweitzig-Lorah)  Hafer,  of  Muhlenberg  township,  and 
five  children  were  born  to  them:  Rosanna,  Charles 
(who  died  aged  nineteen  years,  eight  months,  eleven 
days),  Lillie  J.  (who  died  aged  two  years,  four  months, 
seven  days),  Edwin  L.  and  Richard  W.  The  last 
named  was  formerly  a  soldier  in  Porto  Rico  and  is 
now  a  clerk  at  headquarters.  Division  of  the  Philip- 
46 


pine  Islands,  War  Department.  All  of  this  family 
are  members  of  Grace  Lutheran  Church  at  Reading, 
of  which  Mr.  Hettinger  has  been  deacon,  and  he  also 
officiated  in  that  capacity  at  the  Bern  Church. 

Edwin  L.  Hettinger  was  born  Jan.  27,  1879,  in  Mount 
Pleasant  (Hettrichstown),  Berks  county,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Reading.  He 
graduated  from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of 
1898,  after  which  he  entered  the  Inter-State  Commer- 
ciaJ  College,  at  Reading.  He  had  previously  done 
good  work  in  that  line  in  the  high  school,  having 
been  on  the  honor  roll  in  the  commercial  depart- 
ment in  1897.  He  was  the  high  school  captain  in 
the  Se^qui-Centennial  parade  in  1898.  Upon  leaving 
the  Inter-State  College  Mr.  Hettinger  became  a  clerk 
in  the  service  of  the  Pennsylvania  Optical  Company, 
with  whom  he  remained  four  and  a  half  years,  when 
he  became  assistant  credit  man  with  Gately  &  Britton. 
He  continued  to  serve  in  that  capacity  until  the  part- 
nership was  dissolved,  after  which  he  took  his  present 
position  with  the  G.  M.  Britton  Company,  of  Read- 
ing, as  manager  of  the  office  outfitting  department. 
Mr.  Hettinger  is  commodore  of  the  Reading  Canoe 
Club,  which  holds  annual  river  carnivals.  Since  1906 
he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Berks  County  Historical 
Society. 

On  June  7,  1900,  Mr.  Hettinger  was  married  to  Miss 
Eloise  Strecker,  daughter  of  Dr.  Herman  and  Evelyn 
(Tarrach)  Strecker,  of  Reading.  Her  father  was  a 
noted  sculptor  and  famous  naturalist,  and  his  collec- 
tion of  butterflies  and  moths,  the  largest  in  America, 
was  sold  seven  years  after  his  death  to  the  Field 
Museum,  of  Chicago,  for  $20,000;  during  his  lifetime 
he  had  refused  several  large  offers  for  them.  He 
was  an  authority  on  lepidoptera.  Dr.  Strecker  had 
two  children,  a  son  Paul,  who  resides  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  Eloise,  who  married  Mr.  Hettinger.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hettinger  have  had  four  children:  Herman 
S.;  Edwin  S.  and  Eveline's,  (both  of  whom  died  in 
infancy),  and  Eloise  S.  Mr.  Hettinger  is  a  member 
of  Grace  Lutheran  Church  and  has  been  an  active 
worker,  having  served  several  years  as  treasurer  of 
the  Sunday-school.  Mrs.  Hettinger  is  a  member  of 
Christ  Episcopal  Church. 

J.  O.  GLASE,  senior  member  of  the  carpet  and 
drapery  firm  of  J.  O.  Glase  &  Co.,  of  Reading,  is 
a  substantial  citizen  of  that  city,  and  is  prominent 
in  business,  political  and  fraternal  circles.  Mr.  Glase 
was  born  in  1856,  in  Olev  township,  Berks  county. 
Pa.,  son  of  Benneville  A.  and  Rebecca  V.  R.  (High) 
Glase. 

Peter  Glase,  grandfather  of  J.  O.,  was  a  resident 
of  Friedensburg,  in  Oley  township.  He  made  his 
last  will  and  testament  on  May  28,  1860,  and  this  was 
probated  Aug.  1,  1868.  This  will  is  on  record  in  Vol. 
XII,  p.  56,  and  his  executors  are  mentioned  William 
and  Benneville,  his  sons.  Peter  Glase  was  twice  mar- 
ried. His  first  wife  was  Mary  Adams,  and  his  second, 
Catharine  Weisner.  To  his  first  marriage  were  born 
eight  children:  William,  Benneville,  Levi,  James,  Ma- 
tilda, Amelia,  Rebecca,  and  Maryi  To  the  second 
marriage  came  five:  Jacob,  Peter,  Alfred,  Caroline 
and  Anna. 

Benneville  A.  Glase,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Oley 
township,  was  engaged  all  his  life  in  a  general  mer- 
cantile business.  He  died  in  1882,  in  his  sixty-second 
year,  and  is  buried  at  Friedensburg.  He  kept  a  gen- 
eral store  at  Friedensburg,  and  was  a  well  known 
citizen  of  that  place,  becoming  very  prosperous.  He 
was  a  Lutheran  in  his  religious  belief,  while  his  widow 
worshiped  in  the  Evangelical  Church.  In  politics  h'e 
was  a  Republican,  and  for  many  years  served  as. 
postmaster  at  Friedensburg.  Three  children  were 
born  to  him  and  his  wife:  Emma,  m.  to  C,  S.  Gear- 
hard,  D.  D.,  deceased;  Louisa,  m.  to  C.  W.  Bassler 
of  Sunbury,  Pa.;  and  J.  O.,  who  is  mentioned  below.    ' 

J.  O.  Glase  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Oley  township,  the  Oley  Academy  and  was  a  member 


722 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


of  the  class  of  1878  of  Lafayette  College.  As  a  boy 
he  clerked  in  his  father's  store,  succeeding  to  the 
business  at  the  time  of  his  father's  death.  This  he 
carried  on  until  1892,  when  in  company  with  Edward 
S.  Lichtenthaler,  he  established  the  business  of  J. 
O.  Glase  &  Co.,  it  having  been  formerly  carried  on 
by  Henry  A.  Hoflf  &  Son.  It  is  not  only  the  oldest 
establishment  of  its  kind  in  Reading,  but  is  the  only 
exclusive  carpet  and  draping  house  in  the  city;  the 
retail  salesroom  on  the  first  floor  at  No.  408  Penn 
street,  is  20  x  234  feet,  and  gives  employment  to  twenty- 
one  people.  They  import  their  own  lace  curtains, 
straw  mattings  and  linoleums,  and  do  a  large  busi- 
ness  through   Berks   county. 

Mr.  Glase  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
holding-  membership  in  Huguenot  Lodge,  No.  377, 
F.  &  A.  M..  Kutztown,  of  which  he  is  a  past  master; 
Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  237,  R.  A.  M.;  Reading  Com- 
mandery.  No.  42,  K.  T.,  of  which  he  is  eminent  com- 
mander; Enoch  Lodge  of  Perfection;  Zerubbabel 
Council,  P.  of  J.,  16th' degree;  Evergreen  Chapter, 
Rose  Croix.  18th  degree;  Caldwell  Sovereign  Consistory, 
S.  P.  R.  S.',  32d  degree;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O. 
N.  M.  S.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  Reading  Lodge 
of  Perfection.  He  also  belongs  to  Minnehaha  Lodge. 
K.  P.  and  Oley  Castle,  K.  G.  E. 

In  1882  Mr.  Glase  was  married  to  Alice  M.  Weidler, 
daughter  of  Emanuel  Weidler,  and  his  wife  Mary 
(Blickenderfer)  Weidler,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  two  sons,  Paul  E.  and  Claude  H.,  both  of  whom 
are  graduates  of  the  Reading  high  school  and  work 
in  their  father's  establishment. 

HENRY  CHRISTIAN  HIRNER.  Among  the  self- 
made  men  of  this  section  of  Pennsylvania,  who  won  a 
prominent  position  for  themselves  in  the  business 
world,  was  Henry  Christian  Hirner,  who  died  Sept. 
30,  1898.  at  Reading,  in  which  city  he  had  lived  retired 
from  1880.  Mr.  Hirner  was  born  in  April,  1833,  at 
Stuttgart,  Germany. 

In  his  native  country  he  learned  the  trade  of  stone 
cutter,  and  on  coming  to  America  in  1855  he  located  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  where  he  soon  became  an  extensive 
marble  and  granite  monument  and  tombstone  manufac- 
turer, employing  on  an  average  of  fifteen  men.  He 
made  some  of  the  finest  monuments  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  State,  including  the  Dr.  Sterl  monument, 
which  he  erected  at  \Vilkes-Barre,  and  which  cost 
$3,000.  Owing  to  ill  health  Mr.  Hirner  was  compelled 
to  retire  from  business  in  1879,  and  during  that  and 
the  following  year  he  sold  his  valuable  real  estate  hold- 
ings, and  went  on  a  trip  for  his  health  to  California, 
which,  however,  did  not  benefit  him  much.  He  returned 
to  Pennsylvania,  and  located  at  Reading,  where  he 
built  a  large  brick  residence  at  the  corner  of  Seven- 
teenth and  Haak  streets,  and  this  was  his  home  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  His  widow  resided  here  until  her 
own  death.  Mr.  Hirner  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  the  Odd  Fellows  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
was  buried  at  that  place,  where  a  large  monument 
marks  his  last  resting  place. 

Mr.  Hirner  was  twice  married,  his  .first  wife  dying 
young.  In  1877  he  m.  (second)  Christiana  Goelz,  who 
was  born  Sept.  26,  1842,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Dora 
(Scheiffly)  Goelz,  natives  of  Weilheim,  near  Stuttgart, 
Germany,  who  came  to  America  in  1851.  They  located 
in  Reading,  where  Philip  Goelz  kept  a  hotel  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Fourth  and  Bingaman  streets,  and  later  one  at 
Chestnut,  below  Third  street,  where  his  death  occurred. 
He  and  his  family  were  members  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hirner  had  no  children.  Mrs. 
Hirner  died  Feb.  24,  1909,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  She 
was  survived  by  her  sister.  Mrs.  William  Heberle,  No. 
309  North  Second  street,  Reading. 

EZRA  H.  HERBINE,  now  residing  in  Amity  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  is  a  native  of  Oley  township,  the 
early  home  of  the  Herbeins  (Herbine)  in  Pennsylvan- 
ia, the  family  having  bten  planted  here  by  Peter  Herbein. 


Levi  Herbine,  father  of  Ezra  H.,  was  born  in  Oley 
township  April  5,  1812,  and  died  there  Oct.  14,  1891. 
In  his  earlier  years  he  worked  for  neighboring  farm- 
ers, and  later  for  his  brother  Daniel  for-  a  number  of 
years.  He  then  bought  a  farm  of  ninety-six  acres  in 
the  southwestern  part  of  Oley,  and  there  he  made  his 
home  from  1851  or  1852  until  1885.  He  then  retired 
from  active  work,  and  purchased  a  homestead  in  the 
same  township — formerly  the  John  Hunter  home — 
and  there  he  resided  until  his  death.  He  was  prominent 
in  public  affairs  as  a  Democrat,  and  was  at  one  time 
auditor  of  the  township.  He  and  his  family  are  buried 
at  Oley  Churches.  He  married  Sarah  Herbine,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Endy)  Herbine.  She  was 
born  Aug.  30,  1815,  and  died  May  22,  1891.  Eleven 
children  were  born  of  this  union:  Susan  m.  James 
Brumbach,  of  Pleasantville;  Levi  lives  on  the  home- 
stead in  Oley;  Emma  is  unmarried  and  lives  with  her 
brother  Levi;  Sarah  is  the  widow  of  Henry  Hertzog; 
Mary  is  the  widow  of  Abraham  Deeter;  Daniel  lives 
at  Birdsboro;  Abraham  died  young;  Ezra  H. ;  Hannah 
died  young;  Albert  lives  at  Friedensburg;  and  one  was 
still-born. 

Ezra  H.  Herbine  was  born  Jan.  33,  1853,  and  attend- 
ed the  common  schools  and  later  Freeland  Academy, 
now  Ursinus  College,  at  Collegeville.  He  later  took  a 
course  in  Farr's  Business  College  at  Reading.  For 
several  years  he  was  bookkeeper  for  J.  L.  Repplier,  a 
wholesale  and  retail  coal  merchant  at  Reading,  and 
then  worked  for  his  father  on  the  farm  in  Oley  from 
1875  to  1881.  In  the  spring  of  1881  he  began  farming 
on  one  of  his  father's  farms  in  Amiity,  on  the  Mana- 
tawny,  between  Yellowhouse  and  Earlville,  and  that 
was  his  home  for  twenty-eight  years.  From  1881  to 
1891  he  was  a  tenant,  and  then  his  father  dying,  he 
purchased  the  farm,  which  was  known  as  the  Jacob 
Boyer  tract,  and  consisted  originally  of  160  acres,  but 
when  Mr.  Herbine  purchased  it  it  contained  sixty- 
seven  acres,  forty-seven  perches.  He  sold  this  in  the 
winter  of  1909  to  Augustus  M.  High,  postmaster  at 
Reading.  Mr.  Herbine  is  now  living  retired  about  one 
mile  south  of  Amityville.  He  was  very  successful  in 
all  that  he  undertook,  but  he  always  found  time  to 
take  a  keen  and  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the 
Democratic  party.  For  six  years  he  was  school  direct- 
or, for  nine  years  township  auditor,  and  a  number  of 
times  delegate  to  county  conventions.  He  was  honest 
and  upright,  and  has  held  ever  the  esteem  of  the 
good  people  in  the  community. 

On  Nov.  15,  1877,  Mr.  Herbine  married  Sarah  Baum. 
of  Wooster,  Wayne  Co.,  Ohio,  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Elizabeth  (Zacharias)  Baum.  Mr.  Baum  was  a  native 
of  Berks  county,  but  in  1865  moved  to  Wooster.  Ohio, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  on  a 
farm  of  160  acres.  Both  he  and  Mrs.  Baum  are  buried 
at  Wooster.  They  had  ten  children,  as  follows:  Wil- 
liam, of  Kansas  City,  Mo.;  Daniel,  of  Sedalia,  Mo.; 
MandiUa,  m.  to  Robert  Beard,  of  Toledo,  Ohio; 
Charles,  who  is  buried  at  Wooster;  Ammon,  who 
died  in  1909,  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  and  is  buried  at 
Wooster;  Henry,  of  Jersey  City,  N,  J.;  Sarah,  Mrs. 
Herbine;  Maberry,  deceased,  and  buried  at  Wooster; 
Emma,  m.  to  Joseph  Felix,  of  Toledo,  Ohio;  Kate, 
twin  to  Emma,  unmarried,  of  Toledo.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Herbine  have  been  born  three  children:  (1)  Ed- 
winna  graduated  from  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  in  1901,  and  taught  school  five  terms,  four  at 
Locust  Dale,  in  Amity  township,  and  one  at'  Royers- 
ford.  She  married  Dr.  J.  H.  Ludwig,  of  Boyertown, 
and  they  have  one  daughter,  Miriam.  (2)  Estella  B. 
graduated  from  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  in 
the  class  of  1902,  and  is  engaged  in  teaching.  She 
taught  her  first  term  in  Douglass  township,  at  Mauger's 
school,  three  terms  at  Monocacy,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1905  went  to  Spring  City  where  she  sbill  is.  (3)  Henry 
L.  is  a  farmer  in  Amity  township.  He  m.  Mamie  Mar- 
quett.     No  children. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


733 


JOHN  PETER  EPLER  was  born  in  Bern  township, 
Berks  county,  Jan.  23,  1836,  and  died  at  Reading  Dec. 
29,  1905,  aged  sixty-nine  years,  eleven  months  and  seven 
days.  During  the  earlier  part  of  his  life  he  was  a 
farmer,  but  in  1865  he  removed  to  Reading  and  worked 
for  the  Schuylkill  Navigation  Company  as  a  member 
of  the  repair  gang,  and  continued  with  them  for  three 
years.  He  then  was  employed  at  Bushong's  furnace  for 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Later  he  became 
watchman  for  the  Excelsior  Brass  Company,  but  in 
less  than  a  year  he  was  burned  to  death  while  at  the 
post  of  duty.  He  is  interred  in  the  Charles  Evans 
cemetery. 

On  Aug.  30,  1861,  Mr.  Epler  was  married  to  Rebecca 
Strubble,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Annie  (Moyer)  Strub- 
ble,  and  they  had  one  son,  George  B.  The  late  Mr.  Ep- 
ler was  a  consistent  member  of  St.  John's  Lutheran 
church,  to  which  congregation  his  family  belong. 

Mrs.  Epler  resides  at  No.  474  Schuylkill  avenue, 
where  she  conducts  a  small  stationery,  confectionery,  ci- 
gar and  tobacco  store,  and  she  is  well  respected  in  the 
community. 

George  B.  Epler,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Peter 
Epler,  was  born  Dec.  28,  1861,  in  Muhlenberg  township, 
where  he  resides  with  his  mother.  He  is  a  stationary 
engineer,  and  is  employed  at  the  Tragle  Cordage  Com- 
pany's _  works.  He  married  Kate  Mahla,  daughter  of 
Frederick  Mahla,  of  Germany,  who  married  Louisa 
Hoffner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Epler  have  two  children;  Stella 
M.,  m.  to  John  J.  Bidden,  now  of  Providence,  R.  L;  and 
George  L.,  living  in  Reading. 

The  late  John  Peter  Epler  was  a  grandson  of  Jacob 
Epler  who  married  an  Epler,  but  nothing  definite  is 
known  of  him  further  than  that,  and  that  among  his 
children  was  John  Peter  Epler,  Sr.,  father  of  the  late 
John  Peter  Epler.  The  father  was  born  in  Bern  town- 
ship, in  September,  1804,  and  died  Sept.  2,  1877,  being 
buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery.  He  was  a  farm- 
er, and  later  a  shoemaker,  and  worked  at  this  trade 
until  his  death  which  occurred  on  Jefferson  street  in 
Reading.  His  wife  was  Mary  Koch,  who  died  in  1847. 
Their  children  were:  Annie  and  Catherine  died  young; 
Mary  m.  Michael  Wonderle;  Louisa  m.  Irwin  Moyer; 
Aaron  was  killed  in  the  Civil  war;  John  Peter. 

MARTIN  M.  WITHERS  (deceased),  who  was  for 
many  years  a  prominent  citizen  of  Reading,  Berks 
county,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county  in  1839,  son  of 
John  G.  and  Catherine  (Moyer)  Withers,  and  grandson 
of  George  Withers,  a  native  of  Virginia,  who  removed 
to  Lancaster  county  when  a  young  man,  following  agri- 
cultural pursuits  until  his  death. 

John  G.  Withers,  father  of  Martin,  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county,  Nov.  26,  1798,  and  was  a  life-long  farmer. 
He  married  Catherine  Moyer,  born  Feb.  3,  1806,  who 
died  Feb.  6,  1863.  He  died  June  16,  1867.  They  had 
children  as  follows:  Franklin;  Elizabeth;  George; 
John;  Rebecca;  Martin  M.;  Samuel;  Elias,  who  is  still 
living  and  resides  in  Spring  township,  Berks  county; 
and  Catherine. 

Martin  M.  Withers  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  Lancaster  and  Berks  counties  and  his  ^arly 
life  was  spent  in  agricultural  pursuits.  After  locating 
in  Reading  he  worked  on  the  old  Union  Canal  until 
1869,  but  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  spent  in  retire- 
ment. He  was  married  April  13,  1867,  to  Miss  Emeline 
Klohs,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Kerst)  Klohs, 
and  two  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Mary  Cath- 
erine, who  died  aged  five  months;  and  William,  who  is 
employed  in  the  U.  S.  postal  service  as  a  city  letter 
carrier  in  Reading,  and  who  married  Rebecca  J. 
Schnable,  and  has  two  children — C.  William  S.  and 
Stuart  S.  In  religious  belief  Mr.  Withers  was  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  John's  Reformed  Church.  His  political  views 
made  him  a  Democrat. 


JOHN  ACHENBACH,  a  resident  of  Reading  for 
the  past  forty  years,  was  born  in  Oberdorf,  Hessen, 
Germany,  Nov.  12,  1850,  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret 
Achenbach,  well-to-do  people,  the  former  an  official 
and  highly  educated  man.  John  Achenbach  passed  his 
boyhood  in  his  native  land,  and  was  early  in  life  made 
accustomed  to  farm  work,  but  after  coming  to  America 
he  abandoned  agricultural  pursuits  entirely  and  spent 
his  time  entployed  solely  at  molding.  He  landed  in 
New  York  City  in  1866,  but  came  direct  to  Reading 
and  made  that  his  permanent  home. 

Mr.  Achenbach's  first  work  was  at  molding  at  Sev- 
enth and  Chestnut  streets,  and  he  worked  there  for 
a  long  time.  In  June,  1875,  he  revisited  Germany,  re- 
turning in  October  of  that  same  year,  and  instead  of 
resuming  his.  former  position  he  took  a  place  at  the 
Scott  Works.  There  he  remained  till  February,  1905, 
'when  he   retired  from  active  work. 

On  July  21,  1891,  Mr.  Achenbach  was  married  to  Em- 
ma Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  S.  Zimmerman,  and 
his  wife,  Margaret  Reeser,  (who  both  belonged  to  some 
of  the  old  established  families  of  Berks  county)  and 
granddaughter  of  Christopher  Zimmerman.  Three  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union,  but  only  one  survives,  a 
daughter  named  Martha  Esther,  at  the  present  time  a 
student  in  the  school  at  Fourth  and  Elm  streets.  The 
family  reside  at  No.  235  North  Sixth  street,  and  are 
members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

DR.  A.  ESENWEIN,  the  well-known  druggist  and 
pharmacist  of  Reading,  and  proprietor  and  manufac- 
turer of  ICura-Derma,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, in  1834,  son  of  Frederick  and  Mary  (Babb) 
Esenwein,  whose  other  three  children  are  deceased. 

Dr.  Esenwein  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Read- 
ing and  Philadelphia,  and  as  a  boy  found  employment 
as  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store.  He  followed  this  line 
of  business  until  sixteen  years  of  age  and  then  appren- 
ticed himself  to  the  drug  business  with  Augney  & 
Dixon,  remaining  with  that  firm  four  years.  During 
his_  stay  ^yith  that  firm  he  attended  lectures  at  the 
Philadelphia  College  of  Medicine,  and  was  later  grad- 
uated therefrom  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  Dr.  Esen- 
wein then  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
but  later  opened  a  drug  store  at  Ninth  and  Poplar 
streets,  Philadelphia,  where  he  carried  on  business  for 
several  years.  He  was  appointed  assistant  paymaster  in 
the  United  States  Navy  in  1861,  and  served  as  such 
for  three  years,  nine  months,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  removed  to  the  oil  regions  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  continued  there  until  1869.  He  then  came  to  Read- 
ing as  a  ckrk  in  S.  S.  Stevens'  drug  store  and  continued 
with  that  gentleman  for  several  years,  then  opening 
a  drug  store  on  his  own  account  which  business  he 
has  continued  to  the  present  time.  Dr.  Esenwein  has 
been  a  manufacturing  pharmacist  for  some  years,  among 
his  remedies  being:  Kura-Derma,  the  great  iscalp  and 
skin  remedy,  Esenwein's  Pectoral  and  Aromatic  Balsam, 
and  numerous  others. 

In  1859  the  Doctor  was  married  to  Louisa  Leibrandt, 
and  to  them  were  born  three  children,  two  of  whom 
are  deceased,  the  other  being  Richard  C,  a  manufac- 
turer of  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Esenwein  was  married 
(second)  m  1864  to  Kate  A.  Daniels,  and  one  child  was 
born  to  this  union,  J.  Berg,  who  is  with  "Lippincott's 
Magazine.  Dr.  Esenwein  is  a  member  of  the  Sixth 
and  Elm  Street  United  Evangelical  Church,  Reading. 
His  politics  are  independent. 

JOSEPH  G.  KLAPP  (deceased),  for  a  number  of 
years  connected  with  the  hardware  interests  of  Read- 
ing, was  born  in  that  city  Dec.  30,  1845,  son  of  Daniel 
and  Eliza  (Ganand)  Klapp. 

Mr.  Klapp  received  as  good  an  education  as  the  Read- 
ing schools  offered,  and  then  when  nearing  manhood 
commenced  his  work  in  the  world  by  taking  a  place  in 
a  grocery.     A  few  years  later  he  accepted  a  position 


734 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


with  the  Bard  Hardware  Company,  and  remained  with 
them  some  years  before  he  left  them  for  Stichter's 
Hardware  Company.  He  had  worked  there  sixteen 
years  and  was  filling  the  responsible  position  of  super- 
intendent at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  had  in  an  em- 
inent degree  the  force  and  executive  ability  needed  for 
such  a  position,  and  enjoyed  the  entire  confidence  of  his 
employers.  He  died  March  27,  1893.  His  death  was  not 
only  an  irreparable  loss  to  the  family,  but  a  blow  to 
the  entire  community,  for  Mr.  Klapp  was  gifted  with 
the  rare  power  to  win  and  to  keep  friends. 

Twice  married,  the  first  wife  of  Mr.  Klapp  was  Miss 
Sallie  Young,  by  whom  he  had  the  following  children: 
Emma  m.  to  William  Kline;  Daniel  Y.,  of  Reading; 
Katie,  deceased,  m.  to  William  Mailer;  and  Abraham 
I.,  of  Reading.  The  second  Mrs.  Klapp,  who 
survives  her  husband,  was  Miss  Elizabeth  Brown. 
She  became  the  mother  of  three  children,  namely:  Mary 
A.,  a  graduate  of  the  Girl's  high  school  of  Reading 
and  now  a  teacher  in  the  city  grammar  schools;  Anna 
E.;  and  Florence.  Mrs.  Klapp  is  a  member  of  Trinity 
Lutheran  Church,  while  her  late  husband  belonged  to 
the  First  Reformed  Church  of  Reading.  In  politics 
Mr.  Klapp  was  a  Democrat. 

JOHN  S.  WAGNER,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  July  13,  1905,  was  for  a  number  of  years  en- 
gaged in  building  operations  in  that  city,  where  for  a 
long  period  he  was  prominent  in  political,  military  and 
business  circles.  Mr.  Wagner  was  born  April  10,  1837, 
in  Wildheim,  Wurtemberg,  Gefmany,  son  of  Michael 
Wagner,  who  died  in  the  Fatherlend. 

John  S.  Wagner  left  his  native  country  Aug.  8,  1855, 
and  landed  at  New  York  City  Oct.  5th  of  the  same 
year,  leaving  the  latter  city  the  same  day  for  Reading. 
In  his  own  country  Mr.  Wagner  had  learned  the  trade 
of  wood  turning,  and  this  he  followed  for  a  short  time, 
but  later  apprenticed,  himself  to  the  trade  of  cabinet 
maker  with  Frederick  R.  Henninger,  on  Penn  street, 
for  three  years.  In  May,  1859,  he  was  employed  in 
William  B.  Hertzel's  planing  mill,  and  in  December  of 
the  same  year  he  became  manager  of  the  Ringgold 
Band,  of  which  he  was  president  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  In  April,  1861,  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Ringgold  Light  Artillery,  and  enlisted  with  that  com- 
pany for  three  months'  service  during  the  Civil  war, 
being  assigned  to  the  25th  Regiment  under  Col.  Cake 
and  Gen.  Patterson.  After  the  expiration  of  that 
term  he  re-enlisted  Aug.  1,  1861,  for  three  years  service 
as  a  musician  in  the  23d  Pa.  V.  I.,  and  in  Philadelphia, 
in  August,  1863,  under  General  Orders,  No.  157, 
was  discharged  with  all  other  regimental  bands.  Dur- 
ing his  service  he  was  in  the  battles  of  Williamsport, 
Fair  Oaks  and  the  Seven  Days  fight,  ending  at  the 
battle  of  Malvern  Hill.  After  his  discharge  he  re- 
turned to  Reading,  and  resumed  work  for  William  B. 
Hertzel.  For  many  years  Mr.  Wagner  carried  on  build- 
ing operations  with  Jeremiah  Seiders,  and  in  April,  1896, 
was  appointed  building  inspector  of  Reading  by  Mayor 
Jacob  Weidel,  a  position  to  which  he  was  reappointed 
in  1899  by  Mayor  Adam  H.  Leader,  although  of  dif- 
ferent party  views  than  the  latter.  In  1871  Mr.  Wagner 
vvas  elected  to  the  city  council  on  the  Democratic 
ticket,  was  re-elected  in  1878,  and  again  in  1890.  In 
1880  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature, 
taking  his  seat  at  Harrisburg  in  January,  1881.  In 
July,  1881,  Mr.  Wagner  became  a  member  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania National  Guards,  with  whom  he  served  as  a 
musician  for  nineteen  years. 

On  Dec.  28,  1863,  Mr.  Wagner  married  Catherine  M. 
Duerr,  who  survives  him.  Mr.  Wagner  was  a  man  of 
much  strength  of  character,  a  business  man  of  much 
ability,  and  a  capable  public  official.  Kindly  and  genial, 
he  made  hosts  of  friends,  and  in  his  death  many  of 
Reading's  citizens  felt  a  personal  loss.  He  is  buried 
in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 


LEVI  S.  LANDIS.  a  prosperous  business  man  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  who  is  engaged  in  shoe  manufacturing, 
was  born  in  1848,  in  Washington  township,  Berks 
county,  son  of  Jacob  O.  and  Catherine  (Staufifer)  Lan- 
dis,  and  a  grandson  of  Henry  Landis. 

Henry" Landis,  who  was  a  grocer  and  tanner  by  oc- 
cupation was  very  successful  in  life,  and  at  his  death 
left  a  comfortable  property.  He  married  a  Miss  Over- 
holzer,  and  to  them  were  barn  the  following  children: 
Jacob,  George,  David,  Aaron,  Susan  and  Esther.  The 
family  were  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church.  In 
political  matters  Mr.  Landis  was  a  Republican. 

Jacob  O.  Landis  lived  in  Washington  township, 
Berks  county,  where  he  received  a  common  school 
education,  and  in  early  life  engaged  in  farming,  carry- 
ing on  his  father's  tannery  in  the  winter  months.  He 
is  now  living  retired  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years, 
his  wife  having  passed  away  in  1901,  when  seventy-five 
years  old.  Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs 
Landis;  Levi  S.;  Elizabeth;  Emma  m.  Enoch  Rohr- 
bach;  Susan;  Catherine  m.  James  Hartranft;  Nathan 
and  Amos  are  deceased;  and  Ella. 

Levi  S.  Landis  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  Berks  county,  and  until  nineteen  years  of  age  worked 
on  a  farm,  at  this  time  apprenticing  himself  to  the 
shoemaker's  trade,  to  which  he  served  his  time  with 
Reuben  Eshbach  of  Schultzville.  This  he  has  followed 
ever  since.  He  settled  in  Center  Valley,  where  he 
remained  for  twenty-five  years,  and  in  1897  came  to 
Reading,  locating  at  his  present  stand.  No.  602  Schuyl- 
kill avenue,  where  he  is   doing  an  extensive  business. 

Mr.  Landis  was  married  to  Miary  L.  Moyer,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  two'  children:  Herbert,  a 
clerk  in  the  employ  of  the  Reading  Trust  Company,  m. 
Ada  Mohn,  and  has  one  child,  Spencer;  and  Steward 
R.  is  attending  the  Taylor  University.  Mr.  Landis 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Eighth  and  Court 
Street  Evangelical  Church. 

CHRISTOPHER  SHEARER.  Among  the  repre- 
sentative citizens  and  leading  agriculturists  of  Berks 
county,  none  is'  more  worthy  of  mention  in  this  publi- 
cation than  Mr.  Christopher  Shearer,  whose  excellent 
farm  is  located  in  Muhlenberg  township.  Mr.  Shearer 
was  born  Nov.  8,  1820,  in  the  city  of  Reading,  son  of 
Jonathan   and  Polly   (Rapp)    Shearer. 

Christopher  Johan  Shearer,  grandfather  of  Chris- 
topher, was'  the  founder  of  the  family  in  America.  He 
came  from  Holland  and  settled  at  Reading,  Pa.,  where 
he  followed  his  trade  of  shoemaker  until  the  outbreak 
of  the  Revolutionary  war.  With  other  neighbors  he 
was  drafted  for  service  and  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Long  Island,  and  the  retreat  through  New  Jersey  to 
Philadelphia.  Here  his  regiment's  term,  with  nearly  all 
of  the  other  bodies  of  militia,  under  the  three  months' 
enlistment  period,  expired.  It  is  probable  the  farmers 
would  have  all  returned  to  their  homes  and  the  trades- 
men to  their  trades,  had  not  General  Washington  made 
a  stirring  speech  to  them  in  which  he  demonstrated  that 
all  would  be  lost  unless  the  militia  re-enlisted,  contract- 
ing to  serve  six  months  longer,  giving  them  a  hope 
that  the  struggle  might  then  see  an  end.  We  are  ac- 
customed in  these  days  to  look  on  all  the  Revolutionary 
soldiers  as  unselfish  patriots,  but  that  all  of  the  militia 
did  not  belong  to  this  class  was  shown  when  in  spite 
of  the  commander's  appeal,  the  larger  number  returned 
to  their  homes.  Among  the  few  who  again  offered- his 
life  and  liberty  to  the  country  was  Christopher  Johan 
Shearer,  and  he  was  one  of  the  soldiers  that  took  part 
in  the  historic  Crossing  of  the  Delaware  and  the  fight 
with  the  Hessians.  After  the  expiration  of  his  six 
months  service,  he  was  drafted  again  into  the  militia, 
and  fought  in  the  battle  of  the  Brandywine,  on  which 
occasion  the  militia  was  placed  in  the  front  as  reserved 
troops.  The  grandfather  in  after  years  described  this 
battle  as  having  taken  place  on  a  calm,  smoky  day.  The 
firing  was  done  in  platoons,  each  platoon  stepping 
backward  after  they  had  discharged  their  guns.     Sol- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


735 


dier  Shearer  knelt  down  to  get  a  view  of  the  English 
troops  under  the  cloud  of  smoke,  and  in  this  action 
was  wounded  in  the  left  forearm.  The  next  morning 
news  reached  General  Washington  that  the  British  had 
made  an  incursion  into  the  farming  country  for  pro- 
visions, and  the  commander  said  that  the  Reading  mil- 
itia had  done  such  good  service  that  he  would  accord 
them  the  honor  and  pleasure  of  capturing  this  forag- 
ing party.  In  spite  of  his  wounded  arm,  Mr.  Shearer 
determined  to  assist  in  this  effort  and  accompanied 
the  body  of  soldiers  that  met  the  British,  who  were 
well  prepared  for  the  assault.  Just  at  this  time  Gen- 
eral Washington  discovered  that  instead  of  a  foraging 
party,  he  had  sent  his  brave  Reading  militia  to  attack 
the  entire  British  army.  He  immediately  sent  Gener- 
al Wayne's  division  which  soon  checked  the  English 
and  caused  their  retreat  and  thus  saved  the  militia  from 
complete  annihilation.  Mr.  Shearer's  enlistment,  or 
draft,  had  now  expired,  and  he  returned  for  a  rest 
of  several  months,  but  subsequently  re-entered  the 
army  and  did  guard  duty  at  Royersford,  being  then  a 
non-commissioned  officer  in  his  company.  After  be- 
ing here  for  some  time  the  Reading  militia  found  a 
platoon  of  British  cavalry  endeavoring  to  cross  and  the 
former  wisely  took  shelter  in  a  small  wood  near  by, 
and  by  rapid  firing  drove  the  enemy  back.  One  of  the 
British  dropped  to  his  saddle  after  the  firing. 

Like  in  our  own  days  political  feeling  ran  high  and 
the  German  element  was  largely  in  sympathy  with  the 
British  soldiers  at  that  time.  Mr.  Shearer  and  wife 
were  members  of  the  German  Reformed  Church,  and 
while  he  was  absent  in  the  army  one  of  his  children 
died  and  the  church  refused  burial  privileges  on  account 
of  his  serving  with  Washington,  and  not  having  paid  the 
last  year's  assessment  of  tax  on  its  members.  In  her 
extremity  his  wife  turned  to  the  Lutheran  denomination, 
asking  from  them  a  burial  lot,  which  they  readily 
granted,  and  when  Mr.  Shearer  returned  to  his  home 
and  learned  the  facts  he  said:  "From  this  time  on  we 
are  Lutherans."  He  again  engaged  in  shoemaking, 
which  he  followed  until  he  was  appointed  justice  of  the 
peace,  an  office  which  he  held  until  his  death  in  1827. 
Mir.  Shearer  was  married  to  Julia  Phillippi,  who,  ac- 
cording to  family  traditions,  was  the  first  female  child 
born  in  Reading.  There  was  a  boy  child  born  in  Read- 
ing named  Drayer,  being  the  first  born,  but  she  was 
the  second  child  and  the  first  female.  To  Christopher 
Johan  Shearer  and  wife  were  born  a  number  of  chil- 
dren, of  whom  but  four  lived:  Jonathan,  John,  Solomon 
and  Benjamin.  In  political  belief  Mr.  Shearer  was  a 
Federalist. 

Jonathan  Shearer,  father  of  Christopher  learned  the 
shoemaker's  trade  with  his  father,  and  followed  it  for 
a  few  years,  after  which  he  became  an  artist,  and  some 
of  his  paintings  can  be  found  in  Reading  to  this  day. 
Subsequently  he  learned  the  tanner's  and  currier's  trade 
with  Abel  Ebling,  and  this  he  carried  on  for  some  time 
but  in  1832  he  engaged  in  farming,  in  which  he  con- 
tinued until  his  death,  when  he  was  aged  sixty-four 
years.  His  wife  lived  to  be  eighty  years  of  age,  and 
had  a  family  of  eleven  children,  as  follows:  Peter, 
•Christopher,  Benjamin,  Joseph,  Julian,  Solomon,  Mary, 
Hannah.  Daniel,  Jonathan  and  Rebecca.  The  family 
were  Lutherans  in  religious  belief,  and  Whigs  in  politics. 

Christopher  Shearer  was  educated  in  the  pay  schools 
of  Reading,  also  spending  two  terms  in  the  common 
schools.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he 
followed  for  fifteen  years,  and  then  located  in  Muhlen- 
berg township  and  purchased  the  old  Daniel  Maurer 
farm,  which  he  converted  into  the  Tuckerton  Fruit 
farm.  This  property  became  famous  throughout  the 
county,  a  season  crop  including  from  3,000  to  5,000 
bushels  of  potatoes,  1,000  to  1,500  bushels  of  Bartlett 
pears.  3,000  to  4,000  bushels  of  apples,  many  bushels  of 
cherries  and  S',000  to  4,000  baskets  of  peaches,  not  to  men- 
tion hay,  corn,  etc.  In  addition  to  the  crops  mentioned 
about  one  hundred  tons  of  tobacco  and  from  eighty 
to  one  hundred  barrels  of  Clinton  grape  wine  are  pro- 


duced annually.  When  the  Early  Rose  potato  was  first 
offered  for  sale  at  one  dollar  a  pound  by  its  pro- 
ducer, Mr.  Shearer  bought  one  pound,  and  planted  it  to 
a  single  eye.  He  dug  them  up  in  July,  having  developed 
very  early  and  he  planted  them  again,  getting  a  filll 
harvest  of  seventeen  bushels.  These  were  all  planted 
the  following  year,  and  were  sold  at  a  high  figure,  thus 
introducing  the  fine  potato  to  this  section  of  the  coun- 
try. When  Mr.  Bull  of  Massachusetts  advertised  three 
different  grapes — Concord,  Clinton  and  a  raisin  grape — 
at  three  dollars  per  stalk,  or  nine  dollars,  Mr.  Shearer 
sent  for  one  of  each  kind,  and  the  Concord  and  Clinton 
grapes  have  proved  very  valuable.  The  Globe  peach 
was  a  standard  variety,  and  was  produced  on  the  Tuck- 
erton Fruit  Farm,  some  of  the  trees  yielding  thirteen 
baskets  each  of  fi  measure.  These  large  peaches  were 
exhibited  at  county  fairs,  always  drawing  premiums. 
They  won  the  first  premium  at  the  State. Fair  at  Phila- 
delphia, over  Jersey  and  Delaware  peaches,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  Fair  was  sold  at  twenty-five  cents  each  to 
Jersey  and  Delaware  peach  growers. 

Mr.  Shearer  has  done  more,  perhaps,  to  build  up  this 
section  of  the  country  than  any  other  citizen.  He  pe- 
titioned the  court  to  open  Muhlenberg  street,  which 
was  granted,  and  here  he  made  a  draft  and  laid  out  the 
solid  block  between  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets,  Bing- 
aman  and  Muhlenberg,  named  Spring  Garden  street, 
purchased  a  half-square  of  land  on  which  he 
built  twenty-one  houses,  bought  the  acre  of  land  from 
Eighth  street  to  Lemon  alley  and  from  Cherry  to  Frank- 
lin, building  eleven  houses  on  Lemon  alley,  two  on 
Eighth  street,  and  four  south  of  Franklin  street.  He 
also  purchased  the  corner  of  Penn  and  Eighth  streets, 
where  he  built  four  houses  and  bought  land  on  Walnut, 
Elm  and  Buttonwood  streets.  He  petitioned  the  court 
to  open  Elm  and  Buttonwood  streets,  both  being  grant- 
ed, and  built  a  number  of  houses,  being  both  a  con- 
tractor and  builder.  Finally  he  purchased  a  five-acre 
lot  below  the   Charles   Evans   cemetery. 

In  1843  Mr.  Shearer  was  married  (first)  to  Cath- 
erine Deem,  and  to  them  were  born  these  children: 
Peter  D.,  Christopher  H.,  Esther,  Oliver  R.,  Edmond  L., 
Rebecca,  Mary,  Catherine  and  Rose.  Mr.  Shearer  was 
married  (second)  to  Fietta  M.  Lease,  and  to  them  four 
children  were  born:  Clara,  Sylvan,  one  who  died  in  in- 
fancy, and  Gay  Y.  Mr.  Shearer  was  a  Lutheran  in 
religious  belief,  but  is  now  a  Spiritualist.  In  politics 
he  was  first  a  Whig,  then  a  Republican  and  now  is  in- 
dependent. He  was  a  candidate  for  lieutenant  gover- 
nor on  the  Greenback  ticket,  and  was  nominated  for 
congress  in  the  Berks  county  district,  was  defeated  by 
the  old  party,  though  receiving  a  satisfactory  vo.te. 
Though  now  eighty-eight  years  old  he  is  still  well  and 
strong,  and  is  actively  engaged  in  looking  after  his 
truck  farm  and  his  numerous   properties. 

LIEUT.  JONATHAN  C.  BEAR,  a  substantial  citi- 
zen of  Windsor  township,  Berks  county,  and  an  hon- 
ored veteran  of  the  great  Civil  war,  who  is  now 
living  retired  on  North  Third  street,  Hamburg,  Pa., 
was  born  in  Longswamp  township,  Berks  county, 
Aug.  6,  1835,  son  of  Charles  Bear. 

John  (or  Hans)  Bear,  great-great-grandfather  of 
Lieut.  Jonathan  C,  emigrated  from  Zweibriicken,  Ger- 
many, landing  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  30,  1743,  in  the 
ship  "Phenix."  He  lived  for  a  short  time  at  Ger- 
mantown,  but  before  1750  he  settled  in  Weisenburg, 
Lehigh  county,  his  farm  being  what  is  now  the  Kersh- 
ner  farm  about  one  mile  south  of  Claussville.  He  had 
these  children:  Jacob;  John,  who  removed  to  Wind- 
sor township,  where  his  descendants  may  be  found 
today;  Adam,  who  removed  to  about  two  miles  north- 
west of  the  old  home  on  what  is  now  the  Peter  F. 
Baer  farm;  and  Barbara,  who  married  Henry  Fetter 
and  lived  in  AUentown.  • 

Jacob  Bear,  son  of  John,  lived  at  Weisenburg  Le- 
high  county,   and   had   twelve   children.— six   sons'  and 


726 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


six  daughters.  He  was  very  well-to-do,  and  gave 
each  one  of  his  six  sons  a  farm. 

John  Adam  Bear,  son  of  Jacob  and  grandfather  of 
Lieut.  Jonathan  C,  was  born  in  Weisenburg  town- 
ship, Lehigh  county,  in  1773,  and  died  in  1856.  He 
removed  to  Maxatawny  township,  Berks  county,  in 
1812,  settling  on  what  is  now  the  Hartman  farm, 
about  one  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Kutztown, 
which  he  owned  and  cultivated  for  upwards  of  twenty 
years.  He  was  married  to  Susanna  Knerr,  and  they 
had  these  children:  Jonathan,  born  in  1796,  died  in 
Greenwich  township  in,  1878;  Eva  m.  Jacob  Schollen- 
berger;  John  m.  Katharine  Adam;  Peter  lived  in 
Raisin  Center,  Mich.,  had  nine  children;  Charles  is 
mentioned  below;  Solomon  was  a  large  land-owner 
of  Akron,  Ohio;  Betsy  m.  Solomon  Stoyer,  and  lived 
in  Mercer  county,  Pa.;  Lydia  and  Polly  lived  in  Lock- 
port,  N.  y. ;  and  Susanna  m.  Samuel  Smith. 

Charles  Bear,  son  of  John  Adam,  was  born  in  Weis- 
enburg township,  Lehigh  county,  July  13,  1806.  He 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  _  in  Maxatawny 
township,  receiving  his  education  in  the  pioneer 
schools.  He  learned  the  trade  of  stone  mason  in 
early  life,  and  this  was  his  occupation  throughout 
his  active  career.  Of  a  very  kindly  and  jovial  nature, 
he  had  many  friends,  and  was  considered  a  man  of 
high  honor  and  good  judgment. 

Jonathan  C.  Bear  attended  the  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood, and  was  fortunate  in  having  such  well  known 
educators  as  William  Schubert,  one  of  the  brightest 
instructors  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  Adolph  Everhart, 
and  E.  Lemke,  as  teachers.  He  worked  on  the  farm 
until  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  learned  the 
stone  mason's  trade,  afterward  becoming  a  brick  layer 
and  plasterer,  occupations  which  he  followed  for  up- 
wards of  twenty  years.  In  the  spring  of  1855  he  first 
came-  to  Hamburg,  and  here  worked  at  his  trades, 
helping  to  build  over  150  houses,  including  three 
churches  and  several  schoolhouses,  and  in  1858  as- 
sisted in  building  the  old  church  which  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in   1898. 

Mr.  Bear  has  been  a  lifelong  Democrat,  and  served 
the  borough  one  year  as  assistant  burgess,  one  term 
as  chief  burgess,  and  one  year  as  chief  of  police. 
He  was  also  councilman  for  nine  consecutive  years 
and  was  chairman  of  the  Finance  committee,  which 
graded  the  streets  and  put  up  the  lights.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  First  Reformed  Church,  and  served 
nine  years  as  deacon  and  a  like  period  as  trustee 
thereof. 

In  1855  Mj-.  Bear  enlisted  in  the  Hamburg  Artillery, 
State  Militia,  and  served  in  that  company  as  third 
sergeant  until  the  Civil  war  broke  out.  On  Oct.  16, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  96th  Pa.  V.  I., 
and, became  its  first  sergeant.  He  was  a  gallant  Sol- 
dier throughout  the  war,  and  was  mustered  out  Feb. 
14,  1864.  This  discharge  was  by  reason  of  re-enlist- 
ment, and  afterward  he  served  in  Company  G,  95th 
Pa.  V.  I.,  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  second 
lieutenant,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  until  July 
16,  1865,  when  he  was  dischargea  with  the  rest  of 
his  company.  During  the  year  1864  he  was  signal 
officer  of  the  Sixth  Army  Corps,  under  General  Sedg- 
wick, a  position  in  which  he  served  satisfactorily  until 
he  was  called  to  the  position  of  interpreter,  which 
he  obtained  through  a  competitive  examination.  Lieu- 
tenant Bear  participated  in  the  following  battles: 
Gaines'  Mills,  Second  Bull  Run,  Antietam,  Fredericks- 
burg, Crampton's  Pass,  Gettysburg,  Mine  Run,  Cul- 
peper,  Warrenton,  and  the  whole  of  the  Wilderness 
Campaign.  His  last  battle  was  Fort  Steadman.  His 
record  was  exceptionally  good,  and  outside  of  a  vet- 
eran furlough,  was  never  absent  from  his  regimen't  for 
a  single  day. 

On  Dec.  13,  1856,  Lieutenant  Bear  was  married  to 
Caroline  M.  Mogel,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Polly 
(Machamer)  Mogel,  and.  Mrs.  Bear  died  without  issue 
in  1893,  in  the  sixty-third  year  of  her  age.  Mr.  Bear 
adopted   her    niece,    Ida    K.    Butler,    who    is    now    the 


wife  of  J.  Jerome  Dailins,  and  has  these  children: 
Caroline  Butler  and  Harold  W.  On  Feb.  14,  1895, 
Mr.  Bear  was  married  (second)  to  Hettian  Buck, 
who  died  June  34,  1901,  when  sixty-three  years  old. 
Lieutenant  Bear  resides  with  Mrs.  Dailins,  his  adopted 
daughter,  on  North  Third  street,  Hamburg,  in  a  house 
which  he  has  owned  since  1858. 

DIENER  BROTHERS,  merchants  at  Hamburg,  are 
sons  and  successors  of  Peter  L.  Diener,  who  was  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business  at  Hamburg  for 
twenty  years.  He  was  born  in  Longswamp  township 
in  1836,  near  Topton,  the  present  site  of  the  Orphans' 
Home.  After  receiving  his  education  in  the  township 
school  and  at  Collegeville,  he  secured  a  position  as 
clerk  in  a  general  store,  at  Dryville,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed for  three  years.  He  then  engaged  in  business 
for  himself  at  Schweyer's,  and  afterward  was  in  the 
mercantile,  coal,  grain  and  lumber  business  at  Topton 
until  1887.  At  the  same  time  he  was  in  the  iron  busi- 
ness. For  five  years  he  served  as  postmaster  at  Topton. 
In  1887  he  removed  to  Hamburg,  and  carried  on  a  large 
general  store  there  for  twenty  years.  His  son  Irwin 
became  a  partner  in  1898,  and  his  son  Henry  in  1903. 
Upon  his  decease,  in  1906,  the  sons  secured  the  store 
in  tl^e  settlement  of  the  estate,  and  they  have  since 
carried  on  the  business  in  a  successful  manner  under 
the  name  of  Diener  Brothers. 

Peter  Diener  married  Mary  B.  Schaefler,  daughter 
of  Jonathan  and  great-granddaughter  of  George,  who 
emigrated  from  the  Palatinate  in  1750,  and  settled  in 
what  is  now  the  northwestern  section  of  Berks  county. 
She  became  the  mother  of  five  children:  Irwin  A.;  Liz- 
zie A.,  m.  to  Isaac  A.  Deisher;  Alice  M.;  Henry  J.;  and 
Peter  G.,  m.  to  Bertha  Cover.  While  at  Topton,  the 
father  of  this  family  was  a  member  of  the  town  council 
when  the  borough  was  established  in  1875.  He  filled 
the  office  of  school  director  of  Longswamp  township 
for  six  years;  and  he  organized  the  Sunday-school  at 
Siegfried's  Church,  of  which  he  acted  as  assistant  super- 
intendent for  ten  years  and  as  superintendent  for  fifteen 
years.  He  assisted  in  establishing  the  trolley  line  from 
Allentown  to  Reading,  and,  becoming  one  of  the  direc- 
tors of  the  company,  served  as  such  until  his  death, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son.  Irwin  A. 

Irwin  A.  Diener,  senior  partner  of  the  firm  of 
Diener  Brothers,  was  born  at  Topton.  Oct.  33,  1867.  He 
attended  the  borough  schools  and  the  Keystone  State 
Normal,  and  then  taught  public  school  for  three  terms. 
He  became  associated  with  his  father  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  1898,  and  has  continued  in  this  business  to 
the  present  time.  He  assisted  in  establishing  the  silk 
mill  at  Hamburg  in  1903,  and  retained  his  interest  in 
this  enterprise  until  1906,  having  acted  as  manager, 
accountant  and  treasurer  of  the  company.  He  retired 
from  this  company  on  account  of  the  death  of  his  father, 
in  order  to  devote  all  his  time  to  the  large  general 
store  which  his  father  had  developed  with  the  assist- 
ance of  himself  and  brother.  He  is  a  public-spirited 
citizen  of  the  borough,  taking  an  active  part  in  the 
Board  of  Trade,  and  serving  as  a  school  director.  In 
1897  he  was  married  to  Mamie  L.  Miller  (daughter  of 
David  G  Miller,  of  Hamburg).  She  taught  public  school 
at  Hamburg  for  four  terms,  was  active  in  the  Sunday- 
school  work  of  St.  John's  Union  Church,  and  served 
as  organist  of  the  church  for  a  number  of  years  They 
have  four  children:  Paul  A.,  Walter  M.,  John  B.  and 
Mary  Olive.  Mr.  Diener  is  a  member  of  the  F  &  A  M 
Lodge  No.  406,  and  of  Camp  76.  P.  O.  S.  of  A. '  He 
has  served  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  of 
the  First  Reformed  Church  since  1905.  In  politics  he  is 
a  Republican. 

Henry  J.  Diener,  junior  partner  of  the  firm  of 
Diener  Brothers,  was  born  at  Topton  Jan.  19,  1873  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that  place,  and 
then  attended  the  Hamburg  high  school.  After  serving 
as  a  clerk  in  his  father's  store  for  some  years    he  se- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


727 


cured  a  one-third  interest  in  1903,  and  at  his  father's 
death,  in  1906,  he  and  his  brother  Irwin  A.  became  the 
owners.  ,  Since  then  they  have  conducted  the  business 
under  the  firm  name  of  Diener  Brothers,  and  have  in- 
creased the  stock  and  made  the  store  one  of  the  largest 
department  stores  in  the  upper  section  of  Berks  county. 
Mr.  Diener  was  also  interested  in  the  silk  mill  at  Ham- 
burg from  1902  to  1906.  In  1901  he  married  Laura  K. 
Tobias,  daughter  of  Charles  H.  and  Mary  E.  (Wagner) 
Tobias,  of  Hamburg,  and  they  have  a  son  Charles  H. 
They  are  members  of  the  First  Reformed  Church. 

Henry  Diener,  grandfather  of  the  Diener  brothers, 
was  born  in  Longswamp  township  in  1803,  and  carried 
on  farming  until  his  decease  in  1880.  He  married  Eliz- 
abeth Leibelsperger,  daughter  of  Daniel,  of  Richmond 
township,  and  they  had  two  sons,  Peter  L.  and  Henry 
L.,  and  five  daughters. 

John  Diener,  the  great-grandfather,  was  of  Long- 
swamp  township,  and  he  married  Maria  M.  Fisher, 
daughter  of  Michael  Fisher,  and  they  had  four  sons, 
John,  Amos,  Henry  and  Peter,  and  five  daughters. 

Heinrich  Bernhardt  Diener,  the  great-great-grand- 
father, emigrated  from  Baden,  Germany,  in  1751,  and 
settled  in  Oley  now  Pike  township.  He  had  five  sons, 
George  and  Peter,  who  settled  in  what  is  now  Schuyl- 
kill county;  John  and  Jacob,  who  settled  in  Long- 
swamp  township;  and  Henry,  Sr.,  who  lived  in  Earl 
township,  and  he  had  a  son,  Henry,  Jr. 

S.  JAIRUS  KUTZ,  hosiery  manufacturer  at  Bechtels- 
ville,  is  a  native  son  of  Berks  county,  born  in  Max- 
atawny  township,  March  2,  1856.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  his  home  district,  and 
in  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown.  He 
gave  his  services  to  his  parents  on  the  home  farm  until 
he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  when 
he  began  to  learn  the  machinist's  trade  with  Zehm 
&  Brother,  at  Kutztown.  This  trade  he  followed  with 
great  success  for  twenty  years — nine  years  at  Kutz- 
town, and  eleven  years  at  Reading.  For  eight  years 
he  was  connected  with  the  Boss  Knitting  Machine 
Works  at  Reading,  as  partner,  owning  a  half  interest. 
In  1900  he  entered  business  for  himself  alone  at  Read- 
ing, employing  twenty-five  men.  In  1905  he  located  in 
Bechtelsville,  and  two  years  later  he  erected  a  large 
three-story  factory  of  cement  blocks,  30  x  85  feet,  and 
they  employ  sixty  hands.  Their  product  is  seamless 
hosiery,  and  they  ship  all  over  the  country,  having  a 
high  reputation  for  general  excellence. 

In  1877  Mr.  Kutz  was  married  to  Ellen  Bailey,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  and  Leanda  (Saul)  Bailey,  of  Maxatawny 
township.  They  have  had  children :  Calvin  J.,  Bernard  L., 
Paul  M.  and  Jennie  E.,  living;  arid  Stella  V.,  Gertrude 
E.,  Vida  L.  and  Findley  D.,  deceased.  Of  these,  Paul  M., 
born  Aug.  4,  1887,  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Reading  and  is  now  a  sergeant  of  Company 

A,  17th  Battery,  Field  Artillery,  stationed  at  Havana, 
Cuba.  Mr.  Kutz  and  his  family  attend  the  First  Re- 
formed Church. 

Calvin  J.  Kutz,  son  of  S.  Jairus,  and  member  of  the 
firm  of  Kutz  Knitting  Mills,  was  born  near  Kutztown 
May  24,  1880.  He  attended  the  common  schools,  and 
later  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  and  Prof.  D. 

B.  Brunner's  Business  College  at  Reading.  He  was  but 
fourteen  when  under  his  father  he  began  to  learn  the 
trade  of  machinist,  an  occupation  he  followed  until 
1902.  He  then  went  to  Pittsburg,  and  worked  there  for 
fourteen  months,  at  the  end  of  that  time  returning 
to  Reading,  and  with  his  father  and  brother,  Bernard 
L.,  formed  the  Kutz  Knitting  Mills,  a  firm  that  has 
won  a  steady  success  since  its  foundation.  Mr.  Kutz 
is  a  member  of  Camp  No.  324,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  at 
Bechtelsville,  of  which  he  is  president.  He  drew  the 
plans  for  the  present  large  lodge  hall  which  was  built 
in  1907-08.  Mr.  Kutz  and  his  family  attend  the  First 
Reformed    Church    at    Reading.      He    married    Annie 


Smith,  daughter  of  John  Smith,  of  Lyons,  Pa.,  and 
they  have  two  children.  Grant  J.  and  Pauline  M. 

Bernard  L.  Kutz,  son  of  S.  Jairus,  and  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Kutz  Knitting  Mills,  was  born  at 
Kutztown  March  31,  1884.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  at  Kutztown,  and  later  at  Reading,  to  which 
city  his  parents  had  removed,  and  he  graduated  from 
the  high  school  in  the  class  of  190S'.  He  then  learned 
the  machinist's  trade  from  his  father  and  brother,  and 
later  entered  the  hosiery  manufacturing  business  with 
them.  Mr.  Kutz  is  a  member  of  Chandler  Lodge,  No. 
227,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  327,  R.  A.  M.; 
Reading  Commandery;  and  Camp  No.  324,  P.  O.  S.  of 
A.,  at  Bechtelsville.  He  is  justice  of  the  peace  at  Becht- 
elsville, to  which  office  he  was  elected  by  the  Demo- 
cratic party.  Mr.  Kutz  married  Florence  Will,  daughter 
of  Alfred  and  Annie  (Sheifley)  Will,  of  Reading,  and 
they  have  had  three  children,  namely:  Vida  E.,  Finley 
J.  and  Olga  V.,  of  whom  Finley  J.  died  in  childhood. 

David  F.  Kutz,  father  of  S.  Jairus  Kutz,  had  children 
as  follows:  Cyrenius,  Cosmos,  Albert,  Moses,  S.  Jairus, 
Alfred  (who  died  young),  Elsworth,  Valeria  (m.  Mil- 
ton Schollenberger,  a  farmer  of  Richmond  township), 
and  Evella  (m.  Alvin  Weiser,  a  farmer  of  Bowers 
Station). 

DAVID  CAMPBELL,  who  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  superintendent  of  the  Henry  Clay  furnaces  of 
Reading,'  Pa.,  was  a  son  of  James  and  Sophia  Campbell, 
the  former  one  of  the  early  ironmasters  of  the  vicinity 
of  Dauphin  -county  and  a  very  prominent  man  of 
his  day.  He  died  in  1851,  and  his  wife  in  1876,  both 
in  the  faith  of  the  Church  of  God.  They  were  the 
parents  of  these  children:  John,  Joseph,  David,  Jo- 
seph (2),  Sophia,  Porter,  Benjamin,  Isabel  and  Simon. 

David  Campbell  was  born  at  Middletown.  Dauphin 
county,  Dec.  30,  1832,  and  in  youth  attended  the  schools 
of  his  native  home.  When  a  young  man  he  engaged 
in  the  contracting  business,  his  specialty  being  the 
erection  of  blast  furnaces,  and  he  built  many  plans 
throughout  the  South  and  West.  His  familiarity  with 
the  iron  business  secured  for  him  recognition  among 
the  prominent  iron  masters  of  the  country,  and  in 
1878  he  was  offered,  and  accepted  a  lucrative'  position 
as  supermtendent  of  the  Henry  Clay  furnaces  in  this 
city,  a  position  he  held  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having 
served  in  the  127th  and  200th  Pa.  V.  I.  His  first 
enlistment  was  in  Company  H,  127th  Pa.  V.  I.  He 
was  later  promoted  to  quartermaster-sergeant,  and 
m  this  capacity  he  served  with  his  command  until  it 
W9S  mustered  out,  May  29,  1863.  On  Dec.  1,  1864, 
Mr.  Campbell  received  a  lieutenant's  commission  iii 
Company  G,  200th  Pa.  V.  I.,  and  served  until  mus- 
tered out.  May  30,  1865. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  ■  a  member  of  Chandler  Lodge 
No.  227,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Simon  Cameron  Post,  G.  A.  R., 
of  Middletown.  Besides  his  wife,  Addie  J.  Zimmer- 
man, daughter  of  Philip  and  Mary  (Vogel)  Zimmer- 
man, he  is  survived  by  a  son,  Harry  E..  and  three 
daughters,  Mrs.  Jacob  Bauder,  of  Chicago;  Misses 
Ehzabeth  McVey  and  Helen  Meigs,  at  home;  and 
four  brothers,  Joseph  J.  and  Porter,  of  Middletown - 
Benjamm,  of  Harrisburg;  and  John,  residing  in  Illi- 
nois. During  his  residence  in  Reading  Mr.  Campbell 
was  an  attendant  at  the  First  Baptist  Church. 

EPHRAIM  ARMSTRONG,  who  for  many  years 
was  one  of  Reading's  leading  tailors,  was  born  in 
Jonestown,  Lebanon  county,  March  12,  1812,  and  died 
m  Reading,  Aug.  20,  1890.  He  came  to  Reading  when 
ten  years  of  age,  and  for  a  number  of  years  clerked 
in  his  uncle's  store,  later  learning  the  tailoring 'trade 
which  he  subsequently  followed  for  thirty  years.  ' 

Mr.  Armstrong  took  an  important  part  in  local 
affairs,  being  prominent  in  the  ranks  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  serving  as  prothonotary  of  Berks 
county   for    some    years,    as    school    controller    of   the 


728 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Fifth  ward,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  holding  the 
position  of  school  treasurer,  having  served  in  that 
capacity  for  many  years  with  great  credit.  He  was 
a  very  capable  official  and  was  painstaking  in  his  meth- 
ods. Mr.  Armstrong  was  a  life-long  "member  of  St. 
James  Lutheran  Church,  holding  the  office  of  treas- 
urer therein  for  a  number  of  years.  «  ^  j 
In  1880  Mr.  Armstrong  married  Mary  A.  Good, 
daughter  of  Bennewell  and  Catherine  (Haas)  Good, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  children  as  follows: 
Catherine;  Sadie;  and  Lillie  May.  Bennewell  Good, 
Mrs.  Armstrong's  father,  was  a  native  of  Lebanon 
county,  and  was  extensively  engaged  in  farming  in 
the  vicinity  of  Jonestown.  He  died  aged  sixty-two 
years,  and  she  March  9,  1887,  when  seventy-three 
years  of  age.  In  religious  belief  the  family  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Reformed  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Good 
had  children  as  follows:  Sarah,  m.  to  Josiah  Loser; 
Mary  A..  Mrs.  Armstrong;  Amanda,  m.  to  Henry 
Fasnacht-;  Amelia,  m.  to  Henry  Pelfer;  and  Dr.  Frank, 
of  Reading,  m.  to  Mary  Rocktasel. 

MOHN  FAMILY.  The  founder  of  this  early  family 
in  the  history  of  Berks  county  was  Johannes  Mohn,  the 
great-great-grandfather  of  the  present  generation.  He 
was  born  at  Hanover,  Germany,  in  1700,  and  _  ernigrated 
with  his  wife  and  four  children  to  Pennsylvania  in  1733. 
In  the  Pennsylvania  Archives  (second  series).  Volume 
17,  page  83,  it  appears  that  he  took  passage  on  the  ship 
"Elizabeth"  from  Rotterdam,  and  was  qualified  Aug.  27, 
1733.  On  page  106  of  this  publication  the  names  of  him- 
self' and  family,  and  their  ages,  are  given  as  follows: 
Johannes  Mohn,  33;  Margaret  Mohn,  44;  Marica  (Maria), 
10;  Matiles  (Magdalena),  8;  Vernor  (Werner),  6;  Conon 
Ludwig    (Ludwig),   3i. 

By  the  patent  records  of  Pennsylvania  it  appears  that 
John  Moon  (Mohn)  in  1737  took  up  a  tract  of  174  acres 
of  land  in  Cumru  (now  Spring)  township,  and  in  1744 
another  tract  of  seventy-one  acres;  and  that,  in  1750,  he 
purchased  forty-nine-  acres  from  Dietrich  Marshall  (which 
was  a  part  of  341  acres  taken  up  by  Marshall  in  1737). 
This  land  was  situated  along  the  Cacoosing  creek,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Fritztown.  In  1758,  he  sold  the  tract  of  forty- 
nine  acres  to  his  son  Ludwig.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation. He  died  in  September,  1764,  leaving  a  last  will, 
by  which  it  appears  that  his  four  children  survived  him, 
and  that  his  two  daughters  had  become  married — Magda- 
lena to  George  Hean   (Hain),  and  Maria  to  Jacob  Ledy. 

His  younger  son,  Ludwig,  carried  on  farming  in  the  same 
vicinity  until  after  the  Revolution,  and  then  removed  to 
Brecknock  (now  Spring)  township,  where  he  continued 
farming  operations  until  he  died  in  January,  1796.  He 
married  Anna  Odilia  Bautz,  and  by  his  last  will  it  appears 
he  had  five  sons— John,  Ludwig,  Henry,  Daniel  and 
Peter — and  three  daughters — Susanna    (m.   Philip   Hatt) ; 

Elizabeth    (m.  Geyer) ;    and    Margaret    (m.   Jacob 

Albright). 

Daniel,  the  fourth  son,  was  born  in  the  vicinity  of 
Fritztown,  and  when  a  young  man  accompanied  his 
father  to  Brecknock  township,  where  he  carried  on  farm- 
ing until  his  decease  in  1846.  He  was  married  to  Barbara 
Albright,  and  by  her  had  twelve  children :  Six  sons : 
Daniel  (m.  Barbara  Fisher),  John  (m.  Elizabeth  Kege- 
rize),  William  (described  in  this  sketch),  Benjamin  (m. 
first  Harriet  Deets,  and  second  Sarah  Shultz),  Henry 
(m.  Catharine  VonNeida),  and  Joseph  (m.  Catharine 
Burkhart)  ;  and  six  daughters,  Elizabeth  (died  unmarried 
in  1876,  aged  eighty  years),  Catharine  (m.  Adam  Grill), 
Sarah  (m.  first  Philip  Grill  and  second  Simpson  Ruth), 
and    Selina,    Maria,   and    Polly    (died   young). 

William  Mohn  (the  third  son  and  seventh  child  of 
Daniel)  was  born  at  Mohn's  Hill  Sept.  6,  1804.  He  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  having  purchased  the  homestead 
from  his  father  and  cultivated  it  for  a  number  of  years; 
then  he  removed  to  Adamstown  and  engaged  in  the  bus- 
iness of  manufacturing  flour,  having  purchased  a  grist- 
mill and  carried  it  on  successfully  for  ten  years.  He 
manifested  much  interest  in  religious  affairs  and  became 


prominent  in  the  Evangelical  Church,  serving  in  all 
the  principal  offices.  He  established  a  school  and  church 
at  Mohn's  Hill,  and  some  years  after  his  decease  his 
son  Jeremiah  purchased  the  church  property,  and  in  1895 
presented  it  to  the  congregation  worshiping  there  as  a 
memorial  to  his  parents,  known  since  then  as  Mohn's  , 
Memorial  Church.  He  died  Jan.  23,  1889.  He  was  mar- 
ried three  times.  His  first  wife  was  Polly  Gerner,  by 
whom  he  had  nine  children,  seven  sons  (James  G.,  Cyrus, 
Henry  G.,  William  G.,  Jeremiah  G.,  Richard  and  John  G.) 
and  two  daughters  (Susanna  m.  Elias  Redcay,  and  Cath- 
arine m.  George  Hendel).  The  mother  having  died  May 
16,  1851,  he  was  subsequently  married  (second)  to  Margaret 
Adams,  and  third  to  Mrs.  Katie  Palm,  by  whom  he  had  no 
children. 

Jeremiah  Gerner  Mohn,  vice-president  of  the  Penn 
National  Bank  and  prominently  identified  with  the  hat 
industry  at  Reading  as  the  senior  partner  of  J.  G.  Mohn 
&  Bros.,  was  born  at  Mohn's  Hill  Nov.  1,  1839  (fifth  son 
of  William  Mohn).  His  education  was  acquired  in  the 
schools  of  Spring  township,  and  at  Adamstown  and 
Churchtown,  in  Lancaster  county.  In  1857,  when  eighteen 
years  of  age,  he  began  clerking  in  a  general  store  at 
Mohnsville,  which  was  carried  on  by  his  cousin,  S.  K. 
Mohn,  and  after  remaining  there  three  years  accepted  a 
similar  position  in  the  general  store  of  Mohn  &  Spatz, 
at  Gouglersville,  where  he  continued  a  year.  While  at 
the  latter  place,  he  cast  his  first  vote  for  President  of 
the  United  States  on  Nov.  1,  1860,  this  having  been  for 
Abraham  Lincoln,  in  which  fact  he  takes  a  special  pride. 
For  the  next  ten  years  he  was  engaged  in  stores  at  Rein- 
holds  ville,  Adamstown  and  Reamstown,  filling  for  four 
years  the  position  of  general  manager  and  bookkeeper 
in  the  stote  of  J.  R.  Reddig,  at  Reamstown ;  then  in  1870, 
he  became  the  bookkeeper  and  shipping  clerk  in  the  hat 
factory  of  his  brother-in-law,  George  Hendel,  at  Reading, 
and  after  filling  this  position  for  a  year  and  feeling  qual- 
ified to  embark  in  the  same  business  he  joined  his  broth- 
ers William,  Richard  and  John  in  the  purchase  of  this 
factory,  and  they  organized  the  firm  of  Mohn  Brothers  for 
the  manufacture  of  wool  hats.  [For  his  connection  with 
this  firm  and  with  J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros.,  see  following 
sketch  of  J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros.] 

For  many  years  Mr.  Mohn  has  been  closely  identified 
with  other  business  enterprises  at  Reading.  He  is  a  direc- 
tor of  the  Penn  National  Bank,  serving  as  vice-president 
since  its  incorporation  in  1883;  and  also  a  director  of  the 
Reading  Trust  Company  since  its  incorporation,  in  1886; 
and  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  having  served 
as  president  in  1905  and  1906.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  as  such  represented  the  Third  ward  in  the  select 
branch  of  city  councils  from  1888  to  1893. 

Inheriting  a  strong  religious  nature,  he  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  United  Evangelical  Church  from  its  in- 
ception in  1894,  having  previously,  since  his  boyhood,  been 
connected  with  the  Evangelical  Church.  He  was  chairman 
of  the  building  committee  in  the  erection  of  the  fine 
edifice  of  the  First  U.  E.  Church  at  Eighth  and  Court 
streets,  toward  which  he  was  a  liberal  contributor.  He 
is  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  (having  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  continuously  for  thirty-seven  years),  and 
he  is  the  treasurer  of  the  Missionary  Society.  He  was 
a  delegate  to  the  First  General  Conference,  which  w^s 
held  at  Naperville,  111.,  in  November,  1894;  and  he  has 
been  a  delegate  to  the  East  Pennsylvania  Conference  from 
its  first  meeting  in  1894  to  the  present  time.  He  has  been 
the  treasurer  of  the  Albright  Collegiate  Institute  for  twen- 
ty-nine years,  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  since 
its  foundation;  and,  in  appreciation  of  its  educational 
efforts,  he  in  1908  presented  to  this  college  the  three-story 
brick  building  and  six  acres  of  adjoining  ground  (form- 
erly the  Behne  mansion  at  Myerstown),  which  the  insti- 
tution set  apart  for  the  use  of  the  young  women  students 
and  dedicated  as  the  Jeremiah  Gerner  Mohn  Hall.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  publication  at  Harris- 
burg,  and  of  the  board  of  managers  of  the  Chautauqua 


r,-f,3--rj  ,1,  C, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


739 


at  Lebanon;  also  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the 
Reading  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

Mr.  Mohn  married  Jan.  28,  1865,  Annie  Shirk,  daughter 
of  Henry  Shirk,  of  Adamstown,  and  his  wife  Hannah 
Zell  (who  was  a  daughter  of  John  Zell)  ;  by  whom  he  has 
a  son,  Charles  Ellsworth.  His  wife  died  June  4,  1867. 
He  then,  on  Oct.  7,  1869,  married  (second)  Susanna, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  "Mary  (Lutz)  Royer,  of  Lancaster 
county,  and  they  had  the  following  children :  Ada  Mary, 
a  graduate  from  the  musical  department  of  Albright  Col- 
lege, who  married  Herbert  Landis  (employed  since  1898 
by  the  Reading  Trust  Company)  ;  Harrv  Scntt  born  May 
17,'  1874,  and  Howard  R.,  born  May  17,  1879,  both  dying  in 
youth;  and  Eliiher  L.  His  second  wife  died  Aug.  29,  1883, 
and  on  Nov.  10,  1885,  he  married  (third)  Emma  S.,  daugh- 
ter of  John  H.  ~5patz,  of  Mohnton.  H'eTas  had  two 
children  by  the  wifelaSt  named :  Maud,  born  Oct.  7,  1886, 
who  died  April  28,  1887;  and  Luella  Faith,  now  being 
educated  at  Albright  College. 

Charles  E.  Mohn  (son  of  Jeremiah  G.)  was  born  at 
Reamstown,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  May  21,  1867.  After 
completing  the  public  school  course  at  Reading  he  entered 
Schuylkill  Academy,  where  he  continued  until  June,  1883, 
when  he  entered  his  father's  hat  factory  in  order  to  learn 
the  business.  He  passed  through  the  minor  positions, 
then  became  a  presser  and  afterward  a  hardener,  filling 
the  latter  position  at  the  present  time.  He  has  been  in 
the  employ  of  J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros,  continuously  until  the 
present  time,  except  for  five  years  when  he  was  a  partner 
in  the  Mohn  Hat  Company  at  Mohnsville.  He  married 
Eulalia  Blankenbiller,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Emma 
(Hinnershitz)  Blankenbiller.  They  have  one  son,  Winfield 
H.,  now  in  school.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  United 
Evangelical  Church  at  Reading. 

Elmer  L.  Mohn  (son  of  Jeremiah  G.)  was  born  Oct. 
14,  1881,  attended  the  schools  of  Reading,  graduated  from 
Albright  College  in  1903  and  from  the  Eastman  Business 
College,  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  in  1903.  He  then  engaged 
in  the  wholesale  coal  business  with  offices  at  Philadelphia 
and  Reading,  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful.  He 
married  Mary  Elizabeth  Horst,  of  Myerstown  (daughter 
of  George  H.  Horst,  cashier  of  the  Myerstown  National 
Bank).  She  is  a  graduate  of  Albright  College  and  of 
Swarthmore  College. 

RicHAiu)  Mohn,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  G.  Mohn 
&  Bros.,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  at  Mohn's  Hill 
Jan.  23,  1844.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  township  and  later  at  Adamstown, 
Lancaster  county.  During  the  progress  of  the  Civil  war, 
he  enlisted  on  Feb.  23,  1864,  in  Company  B,  55th  Regiment, 
P.  V.  I.,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Cold  Harbor 
and  Petersburg,  and  of  the  Richmond  campaign;  and  he 
was  mustered  out  of  service  with  the  regiment  at  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  Aug.  31,  1865.  After  his  return  he  worked 
in  a  grist-mill  at  Adamstown  which  was  owned  by  his 
brother  Henry  G.  (who  had  been  previously  employed 
there).  He  worked  also  in  a  hat  factory  at  Adamstown, 
where  he  had  charge  of  the  shipping  and  packing  depart- 
ment. In  1871,  he  went  to  Reading  and  became  associated 
with  his  brothers  in  the  manufacture  of  wool  hats,  under 
the  firm  name  of  J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros.,  and  he  has  continued 
with  the  firm  until  the  present  time.  He  has  served  as  a 
director  of  the  National  Union  Bank  of  Reading  for  a 
number  of  years. 

On  Jan.  6,  1870,  Mr.  Mohn  married  Elizabeth  Prutzman, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Prutzman,  of  Adamstown,  and  by  her 
had  four  children :  Edgar  P.,  who  died  in  1907 ;  William 
R.,  manager  of  the  estate  at  Pine  Grove  of  the  late  ex- 
Mayor  Weimer  of  Lebanon :  Bessie  A. ;  and  Earl  S.,  at 
home.  In  politics  Mr.  Mohn  is  a  Republican.  He  served 
as  a  member  of  the  school  board  from  the  Tenth  ward; 
and  has  been  a  member  of  McLean  Post,  No.  16,  G.  A.  R., 
for  many  years. 

John  Gerner  Mohn  was  born  at  Mohn's  Hill,  in  Berks 
county,  Nov.  19,  1846,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  that  vicinity  and  at  Adamstown,  two 
miles  distant.     When  seventeen  years  old,  he  enlisted  in 


the  Civil  war,  having  been  mustered  into  the  service  at 
Reading  on  Feb.  23,  1864,  with  Company  B,  55th  Regiment, 
P.  V.  I.,  and  he  continued  in  the  service  with  this  regi- 
ment until  it  was  mustered  out  at  Petersburg  on  Aug.  31, 
1865.  He  participated  in  several  of  the  largest  battles 
of  the  war,  but  was  never  wounded.  Upon  returning  home 
he  learned  the  trade  of  hatting  at  St.  Lawrence,  in 
Exeter  township,  in  the  factory  of  John  and  George  Hen- 
del  (the  latter  having  been  his  brother-in-law),  and  he 
continued  with  the  firm  until  1871.  Having  masterejd  the 
details  of  the  business,  he  united  with  his  brothers  Wil- 
liam, Jeremiah  and  Richard  in  carrying  on  the  manufacture 
of  hats  under  the  firm  name  of  Mohn  Brothers.  [For 
his  connection  with  this  firm  and  with  J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros, 
from  1871  to  the  present  time,  see  the  following  sketch 
of  J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros.] 

Mr.  Mohn  married  Cecelia  A.  Harbster,  daughter  of  the 
late  William  Harbster  (whose  sketch  and  portrait  appear 
in  this  publication)  and  Ellen  Matthews,  his  wife,  _  of 
Reading;  and  they  have  a  son,  William  Harbster  (having 
also  had  three  daughters,  who  died  young).  They  are 
members  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  he 
has  served  as  one  of  the  trustees  since  1884.  His  wife 
has  been  active  in  religious  and  charitable  work  in  Reading 
for  upward  of  twenty  years.  She  has  taught  a  class  in 
the  Sunday-school  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  con- 
tinuously since  1885,  some  of  the  children  of  the  first 
pupils  being  in  her  class  now;  and  she  has  had  charge  of 
the  mother's  meetings  of  the  church  for  the  past  sixteen 
years.  She  has  been  a  member  of  the  Widows'  Home 
since  its  organization,  in  1874,  serving  as  one  of  its  man- 
agers for  the  past  ten  years.  She  has  been  prominently 
identified  with  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
for  many  years,  serving  as  its  treasurer  since  1892;  and 
the  charitable  work  of  the  Reading  Benevolent  Society 
has  received  much  of  her  attention  since  1890.  Her  hus- 
band has  also  been  prominently  identified  with  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  as  one  of  its  managers  for  twenty-five  years,  filling 
the  office  of  treasurer  for  fifteen  years. 

Politically  Mr.  Mohn  has  been  affiliated  with  the  Re- 
publican party  from  the  time  he  attained  his  majority. 
From  1874  to  1876  he  represented  the  Third  ward  in  the 
common  council;  and  from  1876  to  1888  he  represented 
this  ward  in  the  school  board.  He  has  identified  himself 
actively  with  a  number  of  local  financial  and  business 
institutions,  as  follows :  as  director  of  the  Keystone  Nat- 
ional Bank,  of  the  Reading  Hardware  Company,  and  of 
the  Consolidated  Hardware  Company;  president  of  the 
National  Brass  &  Iron  Works,  and  of  the  Reading  Screw 
Company.  He  has  been  a  member  of  Chandler  Lodge,  F. 
&  A.  M.  No.  227,  for  forty  years;  and  for  many  years 
a  member  of  Keim  Post,'  No.  76,  G.  A.  R. 

William  Harbster  Mohn,  Mr.  Mohn's  son,  was  born 
at  Reading  July  24,  1872,  and  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  at  Blairstown  Hall,  New  Jersey.  For  a  short  time 
he  was  employed  in  the  hat  factory  of  J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros., 
and  then  entere4  the  National  Brass  &  Iron  Works  in 
the  mountiiig  department.  After  a  thorough  course  of 
five  years  in  this  department  he  was  promoted  to  the  posi- 
tion of  foreman,  and  in  1902  became  superintendent  of  the 
plant.  He  filled  the  position  of  superintendent  until  1908, 
when  he  became  associated  with  Edward  Kershner  under 
the  name  of  Mohn  &  Kershner,  for  the  manufacture  of 
foundry  and  art  metal  goods,  in  which  the  firm  have  since 
been  successfully  engaged,  employing  eighty  hands.  He 
married  Hallie  Adams  (daughter  of  Daniel  L.  Adams, 
founder  of  the  Reading  Radiator  Works  at  Reading), 
and  they  have  two  children,  Kathryn  and  John  Daniel.  He 
is  connected  with  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which 
he  has  taken  a  very  active  part,  and  for  thirteen  years 
has  served  as  treasurer  of  the  Sunday-school. 

_  The  firm  of  J.  G.  Mohn  &  Bros,  has  been  a  prominent 
mdustrial  enterprise  at  Reading  in  the  manufacture  of 
wool  hats  for  thirty-five  years.  It  is  constituted  of  three 
brothers,  Jeremiah  G.  Mohn,  Richard  Mohn  and  John  G 


730 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mohn,  who  had  acquired  practical  experience  in  the  busi- 
ness before  starting  for  themselves. 

In  1871,  the  brothers  named  and  an  elder  brother,  Wil- 
liam, purchased  the  hat  factory  of  thfeir  brother-in-law, 
George  Hendel,  which  he  had  established  at  .Reading  on 
Maple  street,  south  of  Chestnut,  in  1867,  and  carried  on 
until  that  time,  and  they  then  organized  a  partnership  under 
the  name  of  Mohn  Brothers  for  the  manufacture  of 
wool  hats.  The  firm  began  operating  with  iifty  hands 
and  carried  on  the  plant  successfully,  with  an  annual  pro- 
duction exceeding  10,000  dozen,  for  three  years,  when  the 
elder  brother,  the  senior  partner,  died  and  the  three 
surviving  brothers  purchased  his  interest  and  reorganized 
the  firm  on  Jan.  1,  1875,  under  the  name  of  J.  G.  Mohn 
&  Bros.;  and  since  then,  for  upward  of  thirty  years,  this 
firm  has  been  engaged  in  the  wool  haf  business  at  Reading 
with  great  success,  increasing  their  employes  from  fifty 
to  three  hundred,  developing  their  annual  production  from 
10,000  dozen  to  100,000  dozen,  and  extending  their  trading 
relations  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States  and  Canada  and 
also  South  American  countries. 

The  firm's  first  factory  on  Maple  street  was  destroyed 
by  fire  on  March  17,  1875,  but  they  rebuilt  it  the  same 
year,  and  after  operating  it  until  Jan.  1,  1881,  sold  it  to 
the  Reading  Fur  Hat  Company.  In  1878  they  purchased 
the  old  and  well-established  hat  factory  of  Kutz,  Arnold 
&  Co.,  on  Eleventh  street,  south  oi  Chestriut,  and  then 
began  to  operate  this  plant  in  conjunction  with  the  Maple 
street  factory  and  the  Levan  factory  at  the  rear  of  No. 
1026  Penn  street,  which  they  had  leased.  The  Eleventh 
street  plant  was  carried  on  very  successfully  with  one 
hundred  and  fifty  hands  until  Sept.  6,  1892,  when  it  was 
almost  totally  destroyed  by  fire.  They  rebuilt  it  immed' 
iately  and  operated  it  with  increased  energy  and  success 
until  Feb.  13,  '1899,  when  (during  a  violent  snowstorm 
and  blizzard  late  in  the  evening,  with  snow  lying  on  the 
sidewalks  and  roof-tops  two  feet  deep)  a  third  fire  visited 
their  large  industrial  establishment,  verily  "like  a  thief  in 
the  night,"  and  caused  a  total  loss.  Undaunted,  with 
greater  resolution  than  before,  they  rebuilt  their  factory, 
introducing  the  latest  and  best  machinery  for  the  manu- 
facture of  wool  hats,  and  resumed  operations  with  over 
two  hundred  hands ;  and  in  1905  they  erected  a  large 
addition,  which  made  their  plant  one  of  the  largest  hat 
factories  in  Pennsylvania.  It  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  important  industries  at  Reading  which  has  afforded 
constant  employment  to  a  faithful  little  army  of_  people, 
male  and  female,  old  and  young,  and  thereby  contributed  a 
considerable  share  in  the  development  of  Reading. 

Samuel  Kegerise  Mohn  was  born  Nov.  21,  1824,  in 
Cumru  township,  Berks  county,  near  Gouglersville,  and 
after  receiving  a  common  school  education,  pursued  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old,  learned  the  trade  of  miller  at 
Adamstown,  Lancaster  county,  which  he  finished  at  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years.  In  1846  he  accompanied  his 
uncle,  Benjamin  Mohn,  who  then  established  a  grist-mill 
along  the  Wyomissing  creek  at  a  point  now  called  Mohn- 
ton,  and  he  opened  a  general  store  in  this  mill.  He  re- 
ceived the  appointment  .as  first  postmaster  of  the  postoffice 
established  at  that  place  in  1857,  which  was  then  named 
Mohn's  Store.  He  was  engaged  in  the  store  business  fof 
about  fifteen  years. 

Mr.  Mohn  was  brought  up  in  the  faith  of  the  Evangelical 
Church,  becoming  a  member  when  sixteen  years  old,  and 
from  that  time  on  showed  much  devotion  to  its  affairs, 
becoming  in  succession  class-leader,  exhorter  and  steward. 
He  assisted  in  establishing  Salem  EvangeUcal  Church  at 
that  place  in  1849,  and  has  served  as  one  of  the  trustees 
until  the  present  time — a  continuous  period  of  sixty  years. 
He  also  took  great  interest  in  the  Sunday-school  work, 
officiating  for  many  years  as  superintendent. 

Mr.  Mohn  was  married  in  1847  to  Susanna  Spatz 
(daughter  of  John  Spatz,  of  that  vicinity),  and  they  had 
ten  children,  five  of  whom  reached  maturity:  Charles  S. 
(m.   Mary   Redcay),    Susanna   C.    (m.   John   A.   Bohler), 


Mary  S.    (m.  John  A.   Seitzinger),   Ella   M.    (m.   George 
H.  Leininger),  and  Kate  (m.  Tyson  L.  Huyett). 

Mr.  Mohn  is  a  son  of  John  Mohn,  and  grandson  of 
Daniel  Mohn.  For  his  antecedent  history  in  the  Mohn 
line,  see  preceding  sketch  of  Mohn  family. 

BENJAMIN  CLOUSER,  who  for  many  years  prior 
to  his  retirement  some  time  before  his  death  was  en- 
gaged as  a  blacksmith  in  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
Robeson  township,  Berks  county,  Nov.  20,  1840,  son  of 
John  and  Anna  (Wesley)  Clouser. 

John  Clouser  was  for  many  years  a  farmer  of  Robe- 
son township.  Berks  county,  where  he  also  engaged 
as  a  forgeman,  and  where  he  died,  aged  seventy-two 
years,  his  wife  also  attaining  that  age.  They  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children:  John,  Benjamin,  Lucinda, 
Sarah.  Thomas  and  Aaron,  twins,  Samuel,  Henry, 
Charles  and  William.  In  religious  belief  Mr.  Clouser 
was  a  Lutheran,  while  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Re- 
formed denomination. 

Benjamin  Clouser  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  place,  and  when  a  boy  learned 
the  blacksmith's  trade,  which  was  his  occupation 
throughout  life.  He  was  a  good,  practical  mechanic, 
and  a  hardworking  man,  and  in  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred Oct.  4,  1906,  the  city  of  Reading  lost  an  honest 
Christian  gentleman  and  good  citizen.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  in  which  organization  he  has 
many  friends,  and  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  although 
he  never  aspired  to  office. 

Mr.  Clouser  married  Margaret  C.  Corbit,  daughter  of 
John  Corbit,  and  to  this  union  were  born  four  children, 
namely:  William  W.,.  a  draftsman  employed  by  Cor- 
nelius Vanderbilt  of  New  York;  Harry  C,  a  machinist 
of  Reading;  Anna,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of 
that  city;  and  Frances,  m.  to  Edgar  L.  Fulmer,  office 
manager  for  a  New  York  firm.  Mrs.  Clouser,  who 
survives  her  husband,  resides  in  Reading,  where  she  is 
well  known  and  very  highly  esteemed. 

RICHARD  TRETHEWEY,  assistant  superintendent 
of  the  Metropolitan  Life  Insurance  Company  at  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  and  a  man  well  known  in  insurance  circles 
of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  Jan.  19,  1855,  near  Chat- 
tanooga, Tenn.,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Kent  (Burt) 
Trethewey. 

Samuel  Trethewey  was  born  March  7,  1822,  at  St. 
Hilary,  Cornwall,  England,  son  of  Richard  Trethe- 
wey, a  miner  of  Cornwall,  and  came  to  America  in  1849, 
locating  first  in  New  Jersey  and  later  in  Tennessee, 
and  taking  a  trip  to  California  during  the  gold  fever, 
He  was  a  mining  engineer  all  of  his  life  and  from  1877 
until  his  death.  May  23,  1905,  resided  at  Friedensville, 
Lehigh  Co.,  Pa.,  having  been  retired  for  the  last  thir- 
teen years  of  his  life.  He  died  at  his  own  home  in 
Friedensville,  well  known  and  highly  esteemed.  Mr. 
Trethewey  was  married  in  Cornwall,  England,  to  Mary 
Kent  -Burt,  born  May  12,  1818,  at  Lostwithiel,  Corn- 
wall, who  died  Feb.  15,  1901,  at  the  old  homestead  in 
Lehigh  county.  They  had  the  following  children: 
Samuel,  of  Boyertown;  William,  who  was  buried  at 
Friedensville;  Mary,  residing  at  Pottstown,  the  widow 
of  Thomas  Brown;  Richard;  Joseph,  who  resides  at 
No.  3130  Carlisle  street,  Philadelphia;  John  H.,  of 
No.  121  Oak  street.  Providence,  Scranton,  Pa.;  and 
James,  of  No.  120  Oak  street,  Providence. 

Richard  Trethewey  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Mary- 
land, whence  his  parents  had  removed  in  1857,  and  at- 
tended the  pay  schools,  which  became  free  schools 
after  the  Civil  war.  After  coming  to  Friedensville 
he  following  zinc  mining  for  eight  years,  and  then 
spent  nine  years  in  the  Boyertown  ore  mines.  The 
following  year  and  one  -half  he  mined  for  gold,  sil- 
ber  and  copper  at  the  Butte  and  Boston  mine,  at 
Butte  City,  Mont.,  a  great  mining  camp,  but  in  1893 
returned  to  Pennsylvania  and  began  working  as  an 
agent   for   the   Metropolitan    Life   Insurance   Company 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


731 


at  Bethlehem.  The  following  year  he  was  appointed 
to  an  assistant  superintendency,  and  was  sent  to  Pitts- 
burg, where  he  remained  six  months,  being  trans- 
ferred at  this  time  to  an  assistant  superintendency  at 
Reading,  where  he  has  since  continued  with,  eminent 
success.  Mr.  Trethewey  has  developed  a  number  of 
successful  insurance  men  who  were  formerly  in  his 
district,  among  whom  is  William  H.  Spang,  superin- 
tendent of  the  Allentown  district.  Mr.  Trethewey  is 
an  able  insurance  man,  and  during  his  incumbency  of 
his  present  office  has  made  his  name  well  known  in 
insurance   circles   throughout  the   State. 

Mr.  Trethewey  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife 
being  Jennie  Schiflert,  who  died  in  1879,  in  Friedens- 
ville,  Lehigh  county,  aged  twenty-six  years,  leaving 
three  children:  Florence  E.,  who  is  single;  Jennie  M., 
m.  to  Wayne  Wilson,  of  Philadelphia;  and  William 
G.,  who  is  married  and  resides  at  No.  520  Broad  street, 
Bethlehem,  Pa.  He  m.  (second)  Jan.  16,  1892,  Addie 
B.  Conner,  daughter  of  Willoughby  B.  Conner,  of  Boy- 
ertown,  Pa.,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born; 
Paul   Richard. 

In  politics  Mr.  Trethewey  is  a  Republican  with  in- 
dependent inclinations.  He  is  socially  'connected  with 
Prosperity  Chamber,  Knights  of  Friendship,  and  Wash- 
ington Camp,  No.  104,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  Boyer- 
town.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  Covenant 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Reading,  and  they 
reside  in  Mr.  Trethewey's  large  brick  residence,  at 
No.    960    North    Eleventh    street,    Reading. 

GEORGE  J.  KAPP,  one  of  Marion  township's  highly 
respected  citizens,  who  lived  retired  at  Stouchsburg  from 
1902,  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  tailoring.  He  was 
born  Sept.  22,  1837,  in  Mill  Creek  towns'hip,  Lebanon  Co., 
Pa.,  son  of  John  and  Eliza  (Meiser)  Kapp,  and  died 
Sept.  26,  1909. 

Michael  Kapp,  the  progenitor  of  this  family,  was  of 
German  descent,  and  a  pioneer"  settler  of  Heidelberg 
township,  in  the  district  that  is  now  embraced  in 
Jackson  township,  Lebanon  county.  His  name  appears 
among  the  list  of  taxables  of  Heidelberg  one  year 
after  Berks  county  had  been  separated  from  Lancas- 
ter. Mr.  Kapp  had  two  children:  Frederick;  and  Leon- 
ard, who  had  a  son  Leonard. 

Frederick  Kapp  (Capp),  the  great-grandfather  of 
GecJrge  J.,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Newmans- 
town  section  of  what  is  now  Lebanon  county.  He 
owned  in  the  neighborhood  of  400  acres  of  land,  on 
which  he  built  log  cabins,  and  dug  a  well  in  sandy  soil. 
He  had  reached  a  depth  of  sixty  feet,  but  while  he  was 
at  dinner  the  sides  caved  in,  burying  his  tools,  which 
stood  at  the  bottom  of  the  well',  and  there  they  re- 
main to  this  day.  He  was  an  excellent  blacksmith, 
manufacturing  all  of  his  own  farming  implements  in 
addition  to  forks  and  blacksmith  nails.  He  is  buried 
in  the  old  burial  ground  at  the  Tulpehocken  Lutheran 
Church.  His  grave  has  no  head-stone,  but  a  relative 
has  a  stone  near  by.  Frederick  Kapp  had  child- 
ren: George  and  Andrew;  Molly,  m.  to  Frederick 
Moyer;  and  Meria,  m.  to  Jacob  Kehl. 

Andrew  Kapp,  grandfather  of  George  J.,  was  born 
Feb.  35,  1782,  at  Newmanstown,  on  the  Kapp  farm, 
later  owned  by  his  son  John.  He  was  a  lifelong  farm- 
er, and  died  Dec.  31,  1844,  being  buried  at  the  burial 
ground  at  Newmanstown.  He  married  Elizabeth  Mil- 
ler, who  was  was  born  Jan.  19,  1783,  at  Millcreek,  Le- 
banon county,  and  died  Aug.  27,  1867.  They  had 
three  children:  Sarah  died  unmarried  at  an  advanced 
age;  Catherine,  m.  to  Isaac  Gerhart;  and  John. 

John  Kapp,  father  of  George  J.,  was  born  at  New- 
manstown, Pa.,  Nov.  24,  1809,  and  died  Aug.  7,  1892, 
aged  eighty-two  years,  eight  months,  thirteen  days, 
being  buried  at  Newmanstown.  He  was  a  lifelong 
farmer,  having  an  excellent  property  of  125  acres  in 
Millcreek  township,  Lebanon  county,  and  was  a  man 
of  wide   acquaintance   among  the   agriculturists  of  his 


district.  Mr.  Kapp  was  also  a  well-known  sportsman, 
being  an  excellent  marksman,  and  frequently  won 
prizes.  In  his  religious  belief  he  was  a  Lutheran,  and 
he  attended  St.  Elias  Church  at  Newmanstown.  Mr. 
Kapp  married  Elizabeth  Meiser,  born  Dec.  4,  1807,  and 
died  Sept.  19,  1875,  aged  sixty-seven  year^,  nine  months, 
fifteen  days,  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Keller) 
Meiser.  They  had  nine  children,  all  but  one  surviving, 
the  oldest  being  seventy-five  years  of  age,  and  the 
youngest  past  fifty-five;  Peter,  Levi,  Elizabeth,  George, 
Thomas,   James,   Emma,   Sarah   and   John. 

George  J.  Kapp  spent  his  youth  upon  the  home 
farm,  and  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age  remained 
with  his  parents,  at  this  time  learning  the  trade  of 
tailor  from  Frederick  A.  Schultz,  who  was  a  member 
of  the  same  family  from  which  came  Governor  Schultz. 
Mr.  Kapp  came  to  Stouchsburg  in  1862,  and  there 
carried  on  the  tailoring  business  with  marked  suc- 
cess until  his  retirement  in  1902.  He  had  in  his  em- 
ploy five  assistants,  and  enjoyed  a  large  trade,  much 
of  which  in  the  earlier  days  consisted  in  making  up 
home-made  woolen  material,  which  was  brought  to 
him  by  the  settlers  in  the  surrounding  country.  Mr. 
Kapp  was  an  agent  for  the  Northern  Mutual  Fire  In- 
surance Company  of  Ephrata,  Lancaster  county,  a  po- 
sition which  he  held  since  1875,  during  which  time  he 
wrote  up  a  large  number  of  risks  in  his'  district.  Although 
he  was  an  invalid  from  the  fall  of  1906,  and  was  almost 
entirely  confined  to  his  house,  he  was  of  cheerful  dispo- 
sition, bearing  his  suffering  patiently.  He  was  a  man 
of  intelligence,  and  convers-ed  fluently  in  both  English 
and  German.  A  Republican  in  his  political  affiliations, 
he  always  had  the  welfare  of  his  township  at  heart,  but 
would  never  allow  his  name  to  be  used  in  connection 
with  any  office.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Good 
Fellows  at  Stouchsburg,  being  one  of  the  oldest  members. 
He  was  connected  with  Christ  (Tulpehocken)  Lutheran 
Church,  of  Marion  township. 

On  June  21,  1862,  Mr.  Kapp  married  Amanda  M. 
Donges,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Burkholder) 
Donges,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  two 
children:  Ellen  m.  Frank  Walborn,  a  cigar-packer 
of  Stouchsburg,  who  was  born  March  17,  1858,  and 
died  April  6,  1905,  aged  forty-seven  years,  leaving  two 
children,  Ralph.  K.  and  Mary  A.;  and  Charles  F.,  born 
Oct.  30,  1867,  met  his  death  in  the  dynamite  explos- 
ion which  destroyed  the  Tulpehocken  church  in  Mar- 
ion township,  Nov.  6,  1884,  in  his  eighteenth  year, 
and  is  buried  in  the  ICapp  family  lot  at  that  church, 
his  last  resting-place  being  marked  by  the  Kapp  mon- 
ument. 

JACOB  OTTO,  who  died  at  his  residence.  No.  833 
Washington  street,  May  23,  1904,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
seven  years,  was  not  an  American  by  birth,  but  had 
lived  in  this  country  since  his  seventeenth  year.  .  He 
was  born  in  1837  in  He^se-Darmstadt,  and  brought  to 
his  adopted  country  the  sterling  qualities  which  char- 
acterize the  German  race,  and  make  them  so  valuable 
a   part   of   our   body   of   citizens. 

When  he  was  sixteen  years  old  Mr.  Otto  landed  in 
New  York  City,  and  proceeded  directly  to  Reading. 
Although  he  had  learned  the  trade  of  shoemaking,  he 
never  followed  it,  and  instead  worked  at  tinning  under 
a  Mr.  Snell.  He.  remained  with  him  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  became  a  very  skilled  workman.  In  1877, 
he  went  into  partnership  in  that  same  line  with  a 
Mr.  Harper,  under  the  firm  name  of  Harper  &  Otto, 
and  for  a  long  time  they  were  located  on  Seventh 
street  near  Penn,  doing  a  general  tinning  business. 
When  that  partnership  was  dissolved,  Christ  Geisler 
became  associated  with  Mr.  Otto  and  the  store  was 
moved  to  No.  643  Penn  street,  its  present  location.  In 
1889  Mr.  Otto  bought  out  Mr.  Geisler  and  from  that  time 
conducted  it  by  himself.  Nine  years  later  his  son 
John  was   made   manager,   but   he   died   while   still   a 


733 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS   COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


young  man,  and  his  brother  Harry  W.  was  then  given 
the  place.  Since  his  father's  death,  H.  W.  Otto  has 
continued  to  conduct  the  business  in  the  interest  of 
the   estate. 

Jacob  Otto  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-four 
years  to  Miss  .Katherine  Kiruse,  and  five  children  were 
born  to  them:  Emma,  Mrs.  Charles  Leymaster,  of 
Reading;  John,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-two; 
Kate,  wife  of  David  E.  Gring,  of  Reading;  Minnie, 
who  was  born  in  1873,  and  died  in  1890;  and  Harry  W. 
Mr.  Otto  belonged  both  to  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Masons,  being  a  member,  in  the  latter  order,  of  Teu- 
tonia  Lodge,  No.  367,  F.  &  A.  M.  A  man  of  many 
estimable  qualities  he  was  esteemed  by  everyone  that 
knew  him,  and  bore  a  deservedly  high  reputation 
among    Reading's   business   men. 

Harry  W.  Otto  was  born  June  21,  1880,  and  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Reading.  In  1896 
he  was  taken  into  his  father's  employ  and  has  been 
connected  with  the  business  ever  since.  Since  as- 
suming the  sole  responsibility  he  has  proven  him- 
self to  be  capable  in  business,  and  is  very  successful  in 
his  management.  Socially  he  is  a  Mason,  a  member 
of  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227;  and  also  of  the  Knights 
of  the  Golden  Eagle;  the  Order  of  Buzzards;  the  Ivy 
Leaf  Association  and  the  Cadet  Band. 

PETER  B.  KE'EHN,  for  fifty-two  years  a  resident 
of  Mt.  Penn,  but  now  |living  retired  at  No.  314  Seven- 
teenth and  one-half  street,  Reading,  comes  of  an  old 
family  of  this  part  of  Berks  county.  He  was  born 
Sept.  29,  1838,  in  Exeter  township,  near  Schwartz- 
wald  Church,  from  which  neighborhood  his  parents, 
Charles  and  Maria  (Biedeman)  Keehn,  moved  into 
Lower  Alsace  township  soon  after  his  birth. 

Jacob  Keehn,  grandfather  of  Peter  B.  Keehn;  was  a 
resident  of  Exeter  township  and  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion. He  died  in  middle  life,  but  his  ■wfife,  whose 
maiden    name   was    Brahm,   attained    a    good    old   age. 

Charles  Keehn  was  born  in  Exeter  township  in  the 
year  1810,  and  died  iti  1868.  Like  his  father  he  fol- 
lowed farming,  and  he  was  a  substantial  citizen,  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  a  Defno- 
crat  in  political  faith.  He  married  Maria  Biedeman,  a 
native  of  Amity  township,  this  county,  daughter  of 
John  and  M&rgaret  (Hartranft)  Biedeman,  and  nine 
children  were  born  to  this  union,  namely:  Matilda, 
widow  of  Henry  Alleribaugh;  Orlando,  an  engineer,  of 
Reading;  Peter  B.;  Daniel  B.,  a  laboring  man,  of  Mt. 
Penn;  John,  'a  hatter,  of  Mt.  Penn;  Almaretta,  de- 
ceased wife  of  Peter  Helfrich;  Elizabeth,  widow  of 
Levi  Marks,  of  Reading;  Charles,  a  conductor,  of  Read- 
ing; and  Margaret,  deceased.  ' 

Peter  B.  Keehn  grew  to  manhood  in  Alsace  town- 
ship, and  there  he  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools.'  While  still  a  little  boy  he  entered  the  Brum- 
bach's  woolen  mills,  at  St.  Lawrence,  in  which  he 
worked  up  to  the  position  of  weaver  and  spinner.  He 
continued  in  that  work  until  1897,  in  May  of  which  year 
his  right  side  became  paralyzed  and  he  was  incapaci- 
tated for  active,  work  from  that  time.  Since  that 
time  he  has  lived  retired,  making  his  home  at  the 
corner  of  Perkiomen  avenue  and  Twenty-third  street, 
■  Mt.  Penn,  where  he  built  in  1885,  until  March,  1909, 
when  he  sold  his  homp,  and  purchased  his  present  res- 
idence in  Reading.  During  his  active  years  Mr.  Keehn 
was  much  interested  in  local  public  affairs,  and  he 
gave  excellent  service  as  school  director  in  Lower  Al- 
sace, which  office  he  held  for  six  years,  and  as  bor- 
ough inspector.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  political  affilia- 
tion. 

On  June  4,  1861,  Mr.  Keehn  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
3d  Pa.  V.  C,  being  one  of  the  first  three-years  men, 
and  entered  the  United  States  service  at  Camp  McCall, 
D.  C.i  July  28,  1861,  serving  until  June,  1864.  He  took 
part  in  the  following  important  engagements;  Me- 
chanicsville,   Gaines'   Mills,   Charles   City   Cross   Roads, 


Second  Bull  Run,  South  Mountain,  Antietam,  and  Fred- 
ericksburg. He  was  promoted  to  corporal.  By  virtue 
of  his  army  service  Mr.  Keehn  is  an  honored  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.,  belonging  to  McLean  Post,  No.  16, 
of    Reading. 

On  Sept.  17,  1864,  Mr.  Keehn  married  at  Reading, 
Miss  Martha  Wesner,  who  was  born  March  6,  1845, 
daughter  of  James  and  Maria  (Kemp)  Wesner.  Four 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keehn,  viz.:  Car- 
rie Dora,  wife  of  Franklin  Hafer,  of  Madison  avenue, 
Reading;  Katie  Octavia,  deceased;  Harvey  Peter,  a 
weaver  at  the  woolen  mill,  who  married  Catharine 
Faust  and  resides  at  Mt.  Penn;  and  Jennie  Estella, 
who  is  at  home. 

James  Wesner,  father  of  Mrs.  Keehn,  was  a  char- 
coal burner  by  occupation.  He  died  in  Reading  about 
1877,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  and  his  wife 
died  in  1885,  reaching  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  Mr.  arid 
Mrs.  Wesner  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  namely: 
Matilda,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Samuel  Hawkins; 
Henry,  who  died  in  Illinois,  married  Fannie  Diffen- 
baugh;  Barbara  Ann  married  James  Schull,  and  both 
are  deceased;  Harriet,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  George 
Jones;  Lucinda,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Ezra  Rom- 
ich;  Nathaniel  died  in  infancy;  James  lives  in  Varna, 
111.;  Ephraim,  who  married  Clara  Shupe,  lives  in  Ma- 
quoketa,  Iowa;  Martha  is  the  wife  of  Peter  B.  Keehn; 
Adaline,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Samuel  Schealer, 
of  Reading. 

JOSEPH  GRATE  SCHNABEL,  a  venerable  citi- 
zen of  Cumru  township,  and  a  survivor  of  the  great 
Civil  war,  was  born  Jan.  22,  1831,  in  that  township, 
son  of  John  arid  Susanna  (Grate)  Schnabel,  and  grand- 
son of  Jacob  Schnabel,  and  he  died  Feb.  9,  1908,  in 
the   seventy-eighth  year   of  his   age. 

Jacob  Schnabel  came  to  America  from  Germany,  on 
the  ship  "Priscilla,"  arriving  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  11, 
1749,  and  some  years  after  that  date  became  a  farmer 
in  Cumru  township,  Berks  county,  where  he  owned 
considerable  land,  part  of  which  was  in  later  years 
owned  by  his  son,  John.  He  was  a  Catholic  in  relig- 
ious belief,  and  was  buried  in  consecrated  ground  in 
Reading.  Jacob  Schnabel  was  the  father  of  the  follow- 
ing children:.  Jacob;  Joseph;  Benjamin;  William;  Kate 
m.  Lewis  Eckenroth;  Betzy  m.  Harry  Grate;  Polly  m. 
Patrick  Odier;  and  Sally  m.  a  Mr.  Hartman. 

John  Schnabel,  father  of  Joseph,  was  born  in  1785, 
near  Yocom's  Church  in  Cumru  township,  and  died 
in  1860,  being  buried  at  the  Catholic  cemetery  in  Read- 
ing. He  was  a  life-long  farmer,  and  owned  a  tract  of 
eighty-three  acres,  now  the  property  of  Andrew  Blank- 
enhorn.  •  Mr.  Schnabel  married  Susanna  Grate,  who 
died  in  1856.  in  her  eightieth  year,  and  to  them  were 
born  ten  children,  as  follows:  Jacob;  Barbara  m.  Sam- 
uel Freeman;  Andrew;  Joseph  Grate;  John;  Catherine 
m.  Solomon  Ash;  Susan  m.  Ezra  Bush;  Hettie  m. 
John  Buthroyed;  Elias  m.  Elizabeth  Ruffner;  and  Sarah 
m.   Henry  Hill. 

Joseph  Grate  Schnabel  was  reared  in  Cumru  town- 
ship, and  there  he  spent  all  his  life.  For  many  years 
he  was  employed  in  the  iron  mines,  but  in  1896  he 
retired  from  active  life,  erected  a  comfortable  little 
home,  where  he  lived  with  his  daughter,  Clara,  Mrs. 
John  S.  Sonnon,  until  death  claimed  him.  On  Oct. 
27,  1862,  Mr.  Schnabel  enlisted  under  the  name  of  Jos- 
eph Suable,  in  Company  C,  167th  Pa.  V.  I.,  serving 
with  the.  Army  of  the  Potomac  until  Aug.  12,  1863, 
when  he  received  his  honorable  discharge  at  Read- 
ing. He  was  a  faithful  and  efficient  soldier^  and  dur- 
ing his  service  to  his  country  bore  his  share  of  the 
hardships  of  army  life  bravely  and  cheerfully.  Mr. 
Schnabel  was  a  member  of  Keim  Post.  No.  76,  G.  A 
R.;  and  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  No.  91,  Angelica.  In 
political  matters  he  was  a  Republican,  and  for  six 
years   served   as   township   supervisor,   then   resigning. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


733 


With  his  family  he  belonged  to  the  Reformed  congre- 
gation at  Yocom's  Union  Church. 

On  May  4,  1854,  Mr.  Schnabel  married  Catherine 
White,  daughter  of  John  R.  and  Elizabeth  (Mengel) 
White,  and  to  this  union  were  born  four  children: 
James,  born  Nov.  12,  1855;  Clara,  May  30,  1858  (m. 
Dec.  31,  1887,  John  S.  Sonnon);  John  W.,  March  12, 
1860  (died  March  21,  1860);  and  a  son  died  in  infancy 
unnamed. 

JAMES  SPEARS,  an  aged  citizen  of  Robesonia, 
Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  was  born  near  Glasgow,  Scotland, 
Sept.  15,  1833,  a  son  of  William  and  Christie  (Kirk- 
wood)   Spears. 

William  Spears  was  born  near  Glasgow,  about  1793, 
and  died  in  1843  surviving  his  wife  by  some  few  years. 
He  was  a  weaver  by  trade.  They  had  seven  child- 
ren: William,  James,  Alexander,  Christie,  Jennie,  Mary 
and  Ellen.  With  the  exception  of  Alexander  all  the 
children  emigrated  to  America.  James  came  alone, 
the  five  others  having  preceded  him  by  one  year. 
They  all  lived  at  Moselem,  in  Berks  county.  William 
was  taken  prisoner  and  died  in  the  Civil  war.  Jennie 
married  Jacob  Warner,  of  Womelsdorf,  and  still  sur- 
vives. Christie'  married  James  McCallen  and  they 
lived  at  Fritztown,  Berks  county,  where  she  died. 
Mary  married  Horatio  Hillesley  and  lives  at  Manay- 
unk.  Pa.     Ellen  lives  at  Philadelphia. 

James  Spears  learned  weaving  with  his  father,  in 
his  native  land,  where  he  followed  the  trade  for  a 
short  time  before  coming  to  America.  This  was  in 
1853,  during  the  administration  of  President  Franklin 
Pierce.  He  settled  in  Berks  county  and  began  to 
work  in  the  mines  at  Moselem,  where  he  lived  for 
four  years.  In  the  spring  of  1859  he  came  to  Robe- 
sonia and  began  working  at  the  Robesonia  Iron  Com- 
pany's plant,  where  he  continued  until  his  retirement 
in  1901,  since  then  he  has  occupied  his  pleasant  home 
on  Elm  street.  During  his  long  connection  with  the 
iron  works  he  was  Variously  employed  in  almost 
every  department,  being  a  good  mechanic  and  a  regu- 
lar handy  man. 

Mr.  Spears  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war.  He  en- 
listed at  Reading,  in  February,  1865,  in  Company  A, 
99th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the' 
close  of  the  war,  being  honorably  discharged  after 
four  months  of  service. 

On  Aug.  16,  1863,  Mr.  Spears  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth Yonson,  born  March  16,  1838,  in'  Heidelberg 
township,  Berks  county,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Cath- 
erine (Mayer)  Yonson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spears  have 
two  children,  Leah  and  William.  The  daughter  mar- 
ried Joseph  Putt  and  they  reside  at  Robesonia;  they 
have  ohe  son,  James  H.  S.  The  son  married  Priscilla 
Putt,  and  they  have  two  children,  Jennie  and  James. 

GEORGE  PUTT,  foreman  of  the  ore  roasters  at 
the  Robesonia  Iron  Company's  plant,  was  born  near 
Robesonia,  in  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa., 
Aug.  7,  1862,  son  of  Joseph  and  Catherine  (Brigel) 
Putt. 

Jacob  Putt,  his  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, and  came  to  Berks  county  when  he  was  fifteen 
years  of  age.  He  worked  as  a  teamster,  hauling  char- 
coal and  iron  ore  for  many  years,  and  all  of  his  sons 
followed  the  same  business.  He  lies  buried  at  St. 
Daniel's  (Corner)  Church.  His  sons  were:  Joseph, 
George,  Thomas,  Jacob,  Henry,  Franklin,  Levi  and 
Frederick,  His  daughters  were:  Sophia  married  Adam 
Deppen;  Susan  married  (first)  Elijah  Hassler  and 
(second)  John  Leninger;  Peggy  married  a  Mr.  Heckler; 
Sarah   died  unmarried, 

Joseph  Putt,  father  of  George,  resided  in  the  house  in 
which  the  latter  was  born,  in  Heidelberg  township, 
for  nearly  fifty  years.  He  followed  teaming  as  a  busi- 
ness. He  married  Catherine  Brigel,  daughter  of  Adam 
and   Barbara    (Weinhold)    Brigel,     Mr,   and   Mrs.   Putt 


have  long  since  passed  away  and  are  interred  at 
Womelsdorf.  They  had  the  following  children:  Frank, 
who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  while 
fighting  in  defense  of  his  country;  Charles,  who  lives  at 
Garrett.  Ind.;  Joseph,  who  is  assistant  foreman  at  the 
Robesonia  Iron  Company;  Jacob,  a  farmer  residing  near 
Garrett,  Ind,;  William,  who  is  in  the  employ  of  the 
Robesonia  Iron  Company;  Sarah,  who  was  accidentally 
burned  to  death  in  childhood;  Ellen  L,  married  to 
Charles  P,  Mayer,  who  is  stove  tender  for  the  Robeson- 
ia Iron  Company;  and  George, 

George  Putt  left  school  at  a  very  early  age  in  order 
to  commence  work  at  the  furnace,  beginning^  to  be 
self-supporting  in  1878,  and  has  continued  with  the 
Robesonia  Iron  Company,  He  has  proved  himself 
such  a  reliable,  steady  and  eificient  employe  that  he 
has  had  substantial  recognition  of  his  usefulness  at 
various  times,  and  in  1887  he  was  appointed  foreman 
of  the  ore  roasters,  having  a  gang  of  twenty-six  men 
under  his  charge.  In  politics  he  is  a  RepubHcan,  and 
although  he  lives  in  a  strong  Democratic  district  he 
was  elected  school  director  in  the  spring  of  1903,  in 
which  office  he  served  for  three  years.  He  has  filled 
other  positions,  having  been  township  committeeman 
for  two  years,  and  on  different  occasions  has  been 
chosen  a  delegate  to  county  conventions.  He  is  a 
member  of  Washington  Camp,  No,  67,  P,  O,  S,  of  A., 
of  Womelsdorf,  and  of  Lodge  No.  119,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  of  Robesonia. 

In  1886  Mr.  Putt  was  married  to  Fianna  Achenbach, 
born  April  6,  1864,  a  daughter  of  Levi  and  Mary  (Putt) 
Achenbach,  the  former  of  whom  is  a  stone-mason  in 
Mill  Creek  township.  Mr,  and  Mrs,  Putt-  have  three 
children.  Jennie. M.;  Maggie  M,,  who  married  Howard 
Flickinger,  a  clerk  at  Robesonia;  and  Irwin.  Mr.  Putt 
and  his  family  reside  in  their  own  home  on  Main  street, 
Robesonia,  which  he  bought  in  1900.  With  his  family 
he  belongs  to  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Church,  in  which 
he  is  a  deacon.  He  was  a  liberal  contributor  to  the 
erection  of  this  handsome  church  edifice  in  1903. 

Joseph  Putt,  foreman  of  the  laborers  at  the  Rob- 
esonia Iron  Company's  plant  at  Robesonia,  was  born 
Oct.  25,  1852,  in  his  father's  house  in  Heidelberg  town- 
ship. He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  Putt.  He  obtained  his 
education  at  the  Furnace  school-house  in  his  native 
township,  but  was  only  ten  years  old  when  he  began 
work  at  the  Robesonia  Furnace,  and  he  has  been  work- 
ing regularly  in  the  same  employ  ever  since,  being  one 
of  the  company's  oldest  and  most  reliable  employes.  He 
has  charge  of  the  labor  force  of  fifty  men,  a  position 
he  has  filled  since  1904.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  on  different  occasions  has  been  a  delegate  to 
county  conventions. 

On  Aug.  13,  1887,  he  was  married  to  Leah  Spears, 
a  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Yonson)  Spears, 
and  they  have  one  son,  James  H.  S.,  who  is  a  young 
man  of  fine  educational  attainments.  He  was  educated 
in  the  township  schools,  graduated  from  the  Robesonia 
high  school,  later  attended  two  spring  sessions  at  the 
West  Chester  Normal  School  and  still  later  graduated 
from  the  Inter-State  Commercial  College,  Reading. 
Mr,  Putt  resides  in  his  own  home  on  Elm  street,  Rob- 
esonia, which  he  purchased  in  the  spring  of  1902,  Fra- 
ternally he  belongs  to  Washington  Camp,  No,  37,  P.  O. 
S,  of  A,,  of  Robesonia,  of  which  he  has  been  a  trustee 
since  1899;  and  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  Lodge  No. 
119,  of  which  he  is  past  chancellor  commander.  He  is 
a  Reformed  member  of  Zion's  Church  of  Womelsdorf. 
Mrs.  Putt  was  reared  in  the  Presbyterian  faith,  her 
parents  belonging  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 
She  is  connected  with  St.  Daniel's  (Corner)  Church. 

GEORGE  K.  HOLLENBACH.  Among  the  success- 
fiil  business  men  of  Reading,  Pa.,  may  be  mentioned 
George  K.  Hollenbach,  who  is  engaged  in  painting  and 
paper-'hanging,  and  m  the  sale  of  wall  paper,  paints  and 
picture     and     room     mouldings  at  No.  325  Elm  street 


734 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Mr.  Hollenbach  was  born  Oct.  6,  1855,  at  Centreport, 
Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  John  G.  and  Esther  (Kline) 
Hollenbach. 

George  Hollenbach,  grandfather  of  George  K.,  was 
a  descendant,  possibly  a  son,  of  Johan  George  Hollen- 
bach, who  was  one  of  the  ancestors  of  this  German 
Palatinate  family  in  America.  He  emigrated  to  this 
country  in  the  ship  "Neptune,"  which  arrived  at  Phila- 
delphia Sept.  24,  1754,  on  the  same  ship  being  one 
Michael  Hollenbach,  who,  says  tradition,  was  h'is  broth- 
er and  had  settled  in  Albany  township,  Berks  county, 
prior  to  1759,  in  which  'year  he  was  a  taxable  of  that 
district.  Johan  George  Hollenbach  had  a  son,  Hein- 
rich,  who  lived  and  died  in  Windsor  (now  Perry)  town- 
ship, and  who  married  Elizabeth  Meyer,  by  whom  he 
had  these  children:  Daniel  (1781-1866);  John;  Hein- 
rich  (1791-1874);  Elizabeth  (1798-1883);  Jacob  (1807- 
1871),  married  Rebecca  Kistler,  and  had  children,  Hen- 
ry, Johannes,  Nicholas,  Caroline,  Rebecca,  Lydia, 
Amelia,  Mesitta  and  Jacob  (ex-poor  director  of  Berks 
county) ;  Maria;  Eva  (1811-1871),  and  Catherine  married 
Samuel  Ruth. 

George  Hollenbach,  the  grandfather,  was  a  resident 
of  Mahantango  township,  Schuylkill  county,  where  in 
1802  he  was  assessed  as  the  owner  of  property.  The 
name  of  his  wife  is  not  known,  but  it  is  known  that 
he  had  four  children,  one  of  his  sons  being  John  G. 
Hollenbach,  the  latter  of  whom  was  an  uncle  of  Frank 
Hollenbach,  of  Mantz,  Schuylkill  county,  who  died  in 
February,  1907,  aged  about  sixty  years.  Frank  Hollen- 
bach married  Catherine  Kressley,  who  died  in  Septem- 
ber, 1907,  aged  fifty-six  years,  and  they  had  seven  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  William,  Barney,  Ida,  Tillie,  Katie, 
Mame  and  Minnie. 

John  G.  Hollenbach,  father  of  George  K.,  was  born 
Sept.  8,  1827,  in  Schuylkill  county,  and  when  three 
years  of  age  was  brought  to  Berks  county  by  his  par- 
ents. He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  an  occupation 
which  he  followed  for  many  years.  In  later  life  he 
resided  at  West  Reading  with  his  son-in-law,  Charles 
Feather,  and  there  he  died  Jan.  23',  1909,  aged  eighty- 
one  years.  He  was  a  member  of  Kissinger's  Lutheran 
Church,  where  he  and  his  wife  are  buried.  Mr.  Hol- 
lenbach married  Esther  Kline,  born  in  1830,  who  died 
aged  fifty-three  years,  and  to  them  were  born  four 
children,  as  follows:  Franklin  died  in  infancy;  Men- 
ton  died  in  1901,  aged  forty-seven  years ;  George  K. ; 
and  Catherine  married  Charles  Feather,  of  West  Read- 
ing. 

George  K.  Hollenbach  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  worked  with  his  parents  until  eighteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  learned  the  painter's  trade  from 
F.  R.  Kirst,  at  Bernville,  now  at  Reading,  for  whom 
he  worked  for  two  years,  the  next  twelve  years  bein^r 
spent  in  the  employ  of  John  G.  Rhein,  of  Reading, 
In  1888,  Mr,  Hollenbach  formed  a  partnership  with 
his  employer,  a  connection  that  continued  successfully 
for  four  years,  and  in  1892  he  engaged  in  business  on 
his  own  account.  He  carries  a  full  and  up-to-date 
line  of  everything  pertaining  to  the  painting  and  wall 
papering  trades,  and  employs  from  ten  to  fifteen  men, 

Mr,  Hollenbach  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  takes 
a  great  deal  of  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  and  his 
family  were  members  of  St.  Thomas  Lutheran  Evan- 
gelical Church,  at  Bernville,  Pa.,  at  which  place  the 
family  resided  for  twenty-seven  years.  Mr.  Hollenbach 
was  a  deacon  in  this  church.  He  and  his  family  are 
now  members  of  St,  Matthew's  Lutheran  Church  of 
Reading,  Mr.  Hollenbach  belongs  to  Bernville  Camp. 
No,  113,  P.  O,  S.  of  A.;  the  I,  O,  O,  F.,  No.  122,  of 
Bernville;  Esther  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  4,  of  Reading; 
and  the  Royal  and  Ridgely  Protective  Association. 

On  Feb.  26,  1876,  Mr.  Hollenbach  was  married  at 
Bernville,  to  Isabella  H.  Faust,  daughter  of  Jared  and 
Leah  (Stoudt)  Faust,  and  granddaughter  of  John  and 
Sarah  (Klopp)  Faust,  of  Western  Berks  county.  Eight 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hollenbach, 
namely:  Mary  L.  m.  Thomas  C,  Naftzinger,  of  Bethel 
township;     Laura    A.     died     in    childhood;     Sallie    m. 


Maurice  Greenawalt,  of  Bernville,  deceased;  John  died 
at  th^  age  of  eight  years;  William  H.;  Charles  C;  Em- 
ma L.,  and  Lizzie  M. 

FREDERICK  ROW,  residing  at  No,  168  Clymer 
street,  Reading,  belongs  to  a  family  that  has  been 
settled  in  Berks  county  for  a  century.  His  grandfather 
came  to  Reading  from  Germany,  and  the  two  succeed- 
ing generations  have  continued  to  make  their  home  in 
that  city  where  the  founder  of  he  family  settled  and 
died, 

John  Row,  father  of  Frederick,  was  a  native  of  Read- ' 
ing,  born  June  4,  1819,  He  became  a  shoemaker  and 
followed  that  trade  during  the  winter  months,  while  in 
the  summer  he  made  bricks,  working  up  to  the  last 
twelve  years  of  his  life.  The  house  in  which  his  son  for- 
merly lived  is  constructed  of  bricks  made  by  the  father, 
and  was  built  in  1869,  During  the  Civil  war  John  Row 
served  from  Oct.  23,  1862  to  Aug,  12,  1863,  in  Company 
B.  167th  Pa.  V.  I.,  under  Capt.  Melcher,  but  during  his 
term  of  service  was  only  in  one  large  engagement,  that 
at  Stillwater,  Va.,  where  the  colonel  of  his  regiment 
was  killed,  Mr.  Row  married  Miss  Sarah  Maurer,  who 
outlived  her  husband  many  years,  passing  away  June 
5,  1903,  while  he  died  in  April,  1887,  Their  children 
were  as  follows:  Susan,  Mrs.  Alexander  Printz;  William 
H,,  in  the  grocery  business,  and  married  to  Miss  Sally 
Bradagan;  John  D.,  a  plumber;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  N.  L, 
Ehrgood;  Frederick;  Mary,  widow  of  T.  R.  Darlington; 
and  Sallie,  wife  of  Jacob  Rhoad.  All  are  residents  of 
Reading. 

Frederick  Row  was  born  in  Reading,  Oct.  4,  1862.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  and  was  graduat- 
ed from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1882.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  a  machinist,  and  worked  at  that  for 
over  four  years,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  turned  his 
attention  to  electricity,  and  has  been  engaged  in  that 
ever  since.  He  spent  a  year  and  a  half  with  W.  G.  Sands, 
and  then  in  1889,  went  into  business  as  an  electrician 
on  his  own  account,  having  his  shop  in  his  residence. 
He  is  a  skilled  workman  and  has  built  up  a  large  pat- 
ronage, having  up  to  the  present  wired  1,000  houses 
for  the  West  Reading  Building  and  Loan  Association, 
alone,  besides  doing  all  the  work  for  the  well-known 
contractor,  J.  R,  Bechtel,  He  is  thoroughly  established 
in  his  line  of  work,  and  is  one  of  the  prosperous  bus- 
iness men  of  Reading, 

On  June  14,  1904,  Mr.  Row  married  Miss  Sallie  M. 
Landis,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Catherine  (Willman)  Lan- 
dis,  of  Reading,  Mr,  Row  has  by  no  means  confined  his 
attention  to  business  alone,  but  is  a  prominent  figure  in 
local  politics  and  in  fraternal  circles,  A  strong  Re- 
publican, he  is  now  serving  as  judge  of  elections  for 
the  Sixteenth  ward.  First  precinct,  and  had  been  the 
regular  assessor  of  the  Third  precinct,  Third  ward,  for 
eight  years.  Since  1898  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Trade.  A  lifelong  member  and  director  of 
the  Alumni  Association,  he  is  now  president  of  its 
board  of  directors,  and  also  served  one  year  as  president 
and  two  years  as  treasurer.  As  a  Mason  Mr.  Row  has 
attained  the  32d  degree,  and  is  a  member  of  Reading 
Lodge,  No.  549;  Reading  Chapter;  DeMolay  Com- 
mandery,  and  Rajah  Temple,  and  is  engineer  and  arch- 
itect of  the  Lodge  of  Perfection,  and  has  taken  an  active 
part  in  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  in  which  for  six  years  he 
was  assistant  to  the  State  adjutant,  for  one  year  assist- 
ant State  treasurer,  and  one  year  State  treasurer.  A 
man  of  active  mind  and  broad  interests,  Mr.  Row  has 
been  a  great  traveler  and  has  not  only  made  himself 
familiar  with  the  greater  part  of  his  own  country  but 
has  also  seen  much  of  Europe, 

ROBERT  W.  SPANG,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
who  was  one  of  the  first  to  respond  to  his  country's 
call  in  1861,  is  a  native  of  Reading,  born  Sept.  15,  1845, 
son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Young)   Spang, 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


735 


Daniel  Spang  was  a  son  of  George,  who  resided  in 
Amity  township,  Berks  county.  There  were  five  chil- 
dren, George,  William,  John,  Daniel  and  Catheriiie. 
Daniel  in  his  earlier  years  was  a  manufacturer  of  mill 
stones  in  Reading,  later  ran  a  chair  factory,  and  finally 
engaged  in  the  china  and  toy  business,  being  located 
at  No.  627  Penn  street.  He  was  very  successful  finan- 
cially, and  was  a  prominent  man  in  Reading.  He 
married  Mary,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  Young. 
Her  father  was  a  pioneer  of  >  Reading,  and  was  well 
known  there,  a  cabinet  maker  by  trade.  His  father 
bought  property  at  No.  627-629  Penn  street,  where  most 
of  the  family  reside,  from  the  Penns,  and  the  old  house 
is  one  of  the  landmarks  of  the  city.  Daniel  Spang  died 
when  only  forty-eight  years  of  age,  but  his  wife  lived 
to  be  seventy-eight.  Their  children  were  as  follows: 
Elizabeth,  widow  of  H.  D.  Van  Horn,  a  wholesale  shoe 
dealer  in  Philadelphia,  who  now  makes  her  home  in 
the  old  family  place  on  Penn  street;  Mary,  deceased; 
H.  W.,  engaged  in  the  electrical  business  in  New  York 
City;  Robert  W.;  Emma,  Mrs.  Holtman;  Daniel,  Jr., 
who  died  March  18,  1907;  Sallie,  also  at  the  old  home; 
and  Isaac,  formerly  cashier  of  the  Reading  National 
Bank,  who  married  Miss  Emma  Hendel.  Daniel  Spang 
was  a  member  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  a  Republi- 
can in  politics,  and  a  man  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him. 

Robert  W.  Spang  was  sent  to  the  public  schools, 
but  he  was  of  an  active,  adventurous  temperament,  and 
when  only  fourteen  years  of  age  ran  away  from  home 
and  enlisted  in  Company  B,  93d  Pa.  V.  I.,  being  mus- 
tered in  at  Camp  Coleman,  Lebanon  county.  When 
the  war  broke  out  in  1861,  he  was  one  of  the  first  to 
enlist,  and  saw  much  active  service  as  a  private  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  participating  in  the  battles  of 
Yorktown,  the  Wilderness,  Antietam  and  Spottsylvania. 
In  time  he  was  given 'a  furlough  and  returned  to  his 
home  once  more.  His  mother  refused  to  let  him  rejoin 
the  army,  as  he  was  still  so  young,  and  he  never  re- 
ceived a  formal  discharge  until  during  Grover  Cleve- 
land's administration. 

On  settling  down  again  in  Reading'  Mr.  Spang  went 
into  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  shops,  and  learned 
the  trade  of  a  machinist,  remaining  in  the  employ  of 
that  road  for  eighteen  years.  The  next  eighteen  were 
spent  in  the  electrical  business,  in  company  with  his 
brother,  and  during  seven  of  those  years  he  was  in 
New  York  City.  The  last  seven  years  he  has  been 
employed  by  the  Carpenter  Steel  Company,  at  Reading. 

Mr.  Spang  married  Miss  Cordelia  Filbert,  whose 
great-uncle  was  the  first  mayor  of  Reading.  They  have 
one  son,  Charles  R.,  a  plumber  by  occupation.  Mr. 
Spang  is  a  Lutheran  in  his  religious  faith,  but  his  wife 
and  son  are  of  the  Reformed  faith.  He  is  a  man  well 
known  in  Reading  and  has  many  friends.  One  of  his 
greatest  pleasures  is  to  recall  from  his  present  pleas- 
ant vantage  ground,  stories  of  the  many  hardships 
which  he  endured  in  the  days  of  the  war. 

EDWARD  SCHULZE,  present  proprietor  of  the 
Elias  Schulze  &  Son,  the  firm  name  under  which  the 
immense  business  of  the  Liberty  Dye  Works  is  carried 
on,  at  the  corner  of  Mifflin  and  Chestnut  streets,  Read- 
ing, is  the  junior  member  of  the  firm.  The  business 
was  established  by  his  late  father,  at  Philadelphia,  in 
1891,  where  it  was  conducted  until  1897  when  the  plant 
was  removed  to  Reading  and  located  at  No.  133  Pearl 
street.  Two  years  later  the  firm  purchased  the  old 
Henry  Keeper  tanning  property,  on  which  they  built 
an  up-to-date  plant.  The  senior  member  of  the  firm 
died  in  October,  1903,  since  when  Edward  has  con- 
ducted the  business,  retaining  the  old  style. 

Elias  Schulze  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  and 
came  to  America  iii  1881.  His  business  had  been 
learned  and  pursued  in  his  native  land,  and  he  was  an 
expert  in  his  line. 

Edward  Schulze,  the  present  proprietor,  was  fifteen 
years  of  age  when  he  came  to  America  and  has  been 
familiar    with    the    dye   business    since    boyhood.     For 


four  years  he  was  employed  in  a  silk  dye  house  in 
Philadelphia,  and  has  had  many  years  of  valuable  ex- 
perience. He  does  work  for  the  leading  firms  of  Read- 
ing and  vicinity  and  also  for  several  large  Philadelphia 
firms.  He  employs  from  thirty-five  to  forty  hands 
during  the  season,  and  his  daily  output  is  from  six  to" 
seven  thousand  pounds  of  dyed  goods.  The  plant  is 
152  X  }00  feet  in  dimensions,  and  is  equipped  with  the 
most  modern  machinery  known  in  the  business.  It  is 
run  by  steam,  and  the  dye  works  proper  is  a  one-story 
building  40  x  152  feet,  while  the  printing'  department  is 
a  two-story  and  basement,  33  x  153. 

Mr.  Schulze  is  very  prominent  in  Masonry,  a  mem- 
ber of  Teutonia  Lodge,  No.  367,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Reading 
Chapter,  No.  153,  R.  A.  M.;  DeM'olay  Commandery,  K. 
T.;  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. 

CORNELIUS  T.  ANDERSON,  who  was  for  many 
years  a  prominent  manufacturer  of  jewelry  in  Reading, 
Pa.,  was  born  in  1851,  in  that  city,  and  died  June  38, 
1901,  in  Redlands,  Cal.,  son  of  David  B.  and  Susan  T. 
(Long)  Anderson. 

David  B.  Anderson  was  born  in  Chester  county,  and 
came  to  Berks  county  when  a  boy,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  the  latter  county.  He  learned  the 
shoemaker's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  some  time, 
later  engaging  in  the  retail  shoe  business.  This  he 
carried  on  until  his  death,  at  the  age  of  forty-four  years. 
His  wife,  Susan  T.  Long,  was  a  native  of  Lancaster 
county.  Pa.,  and  was  the  mother  of  two  children: 
Cornelius  T.;  and  Sylvanus,  who  was  in  the  employ 
of  the  L.  D.  Anderson  Jewelry  Company. 

Cornelius  T.  Anderson  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Reading,  Pa.,  and  after  completing  his  literary  train- 
ing was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  a  shoe  store  for  a  few 
years.  He  was  then  employed  by  his  uncle,  Fred 
Anderson,  in  the  retail  and  wholesale  shoe  business  as 
a  traveling  salesman,  but  later  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  jewelry  in  Reading,  becoming  quite  pros- 
perous. Mr.  Anderson  then  disposed  of  his  business 
interests  in  Reading  and  removed  to  Redlands,  Cal., 
where  he  had  been  living  about  five  years  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  He  was  a  man  who  made  friends  where- 
ever  he  traveled,  and  had  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the 
business  world,  where  he  was  highly  esteemed  for  his 
honesty  and  integrity.  He  was  a  member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  for  seventeen  years 
was  recordine  secretary  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  In  politics 
he  was  independent.  He  was  connected  with  St.  Mat- 
thew's Lutheran  Church,  and  was  active  in  the  work 
of  that  denomination. 

Mr.  Anderson  married,  in  1876,  Miss  Margaret  B. 
Wunder,  daughter  of  Louis  and  Susan  (Setley)  Wunder, 
and  three  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Louis, 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  jewelry  in  Reading;  Ella; 
and  Robert,  at  school. 

HENRY  D.  CHRIST,  farmer,  of  Penn  township, 
was  born  there  Dec.  31,  1845,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Dundore)  Christ,  also  natives  of  Penn  township. 
.  John  Christ  was  born  on  the  old  Christ  homestead, 
where  he  himself  later  engaged  in  farming,  and  where 
he  died  in  1887,  aged  seventy-eight  years;  his  wife  died 
in  1884,  when  seventy-three  years  old.  They  had  nine 
children,  namely:  Jonathan,  Harrison,  Aaron,  Henry 
D.,  James  D.,  Levi,  Louisa,  Catherine  and  Sarah.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Christ  were  members  of  the  German  Reform- 
ed Church.     In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 

Henry  D.  Christ  attended  pay  school  in  his  youth, 
and  from  the  time  he  was  able  to  do  any  work  has  been 
familiar  with  farming,  which  occupation  he  has  always 
followed.  He  remained  at  home  with  his  father  until 
eighteen  years  old,  when  he  went  out  West,  living  at 
Naperville,  111.,  thirty  miles  west  of  Chicago,  where  he 
was  employed  at  farm  work  for  two  years.  Returning 
home,  he  was  with  his  father  for  another  year,  and 
afterhis  marriage  he  engaged  in  farming  on  the  Peter 
Phillips  place  in  Centre  township,  Berks  county,  where 
he  resided  for  two  years.     He  has  since  lived  on  the 


736 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


old  homestead  in  Penn  township,  which  he  farmed  for 
eight  years  before  his  father's  death,  buying  the  place 
in  1888.  It  contains  106  acres  of  good  land,  which  he 
has  been  improving  steadily  ever  since  he  took  the 
management.  The  dwelling  on  this  property  is  one  of 
the  landmarks  of  the  vicinity,  and  is  a  fine  stone  house 
built  over  a  hundred  years  ago.  The  farm  has  been  in 
the  possession  of  the  family  ever  since  it  was  owned 
by  Johannes  Christ,  the  great-grandfather  of  Henry 
D.  Christ.  It, is  located  one  mile  east  of  the  borough 
of  Bernville,  and  the  land  is  fertile  and  valuable,  with 
an  unusually  good  water  supply. 

lii  1871,  Mr.  Christ  marri,ed  Mary  A.  Phillips,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Phillips,  of  Mohrsville,  Pa.,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Helen  and  Rosa  Jane,  both  of  whom  are 
with  their  parents. 

Mr.  Christ  has  long  been  active  in  the  educational 
affairs  of  the  township,  having  served  as  school  direc- 
tor for  fifteen  years  and  for  ten  years  as  treasurer  of 
the  school  board.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
has  done  local  work  for  the  party,  having  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  township  election  board.  He  is  a  member 
of  St.  Thomas'  Reformed  Church  and  has  served  as 
deacon  and  elder;  when  younger  he  was  a  regular  at- 
tendant of  the  Sunday-school. 

CHARLES  BRENEISER,  Sr.,  manufacturer  of  cigars 
and  tobacco  at  Reading  for  sixty  years,  was  born  at 
Reading  March  34,  1828.  He  attended  one  of  the  first  pub- 
lic schools  opened  at  Reading  in  1834,  but  he  was  not  per- 
mitted to  obtain  more  than  a  limited  common  education, 
because  he  was  obliged  to  turn  his  attention,  while  still 
a  boy,  toward  assisting  in  the  support  of  the  family.  He 
first  engaged  as  a  helper  in  laying  bricks  and  then  grad- 
ually learned  the  trade,  but  after  some  years  in  this 
laborious  employment  he  changed  to  cigar-making,  and 
after  serving  a  regular  apprenticeship  followed  the  trade 
until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  engaged^  in- 
the  business  of  cigar-making  for  himself.  This  was  in 
1847,  and  he  continued  at  the  business  with  increasing 
success  in  the  vicinity  of  Seventh  and  Penn  streets  until 
his  death,  a  period  covering  more  than  sixty  years. 
At  first  he  was  in  partnership  with  William  Harman  for 
several  years.  He  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars 
exclusively  until  1861,  and  then  became  a  manufacturer 
and  dealer  in  smoking  and  chewing  tobacco,  both  whole- 
sale and  retail;  and  he  ever  afterward  carried  on  the 
two  together.  As  his  sons  grew  to  manhood  they  were 
led  to  learn  and  follow  the  same  business,  each  being  ad- 
mitted to  partnership  with  him.  In  this  way  he  had 
four  sons  associated  in  the  firm  (Thomas,  Charles,  Jr., 
Edgar  and  Milton),  and  trading  under  the  name  of  Charles 
Breneiser  &  Sons.  The  two  sons  last  named  retired  from 
the  firm  in  1898  to  engage  in  the  cigar  and  tobacco  busi- 
ness, wholesale  and  retail,  for  themselves,  and  since  then 
they  have  traded  under  the  name  of  Breneiser  Brothers, 
locating  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Eighth  and  Penn 
streets  in  April,  1907.  The  father's  firm  manufactures 
many  superior  and  popular  brands  of  cigars  which  have 
a  large  sale  throughout  the  country.  This  firm  has  fitted 
up  the  most  costly  and  attractive  cigar  stand  in  Reading. 

Mr.  Breneiser,  in  connection  with  his  increasing  busi- 
ness and  property  interests,  assisted  in  organizing  the 
Union  Bank  in  1857,  and  the  Reading  Trust  Company  in 
1886,  and  he  served  as  a  director  of  these  two  prom- 
inent institutions  until  his  death.  He  represented 
the  Southeast  ward  of  Reading  in  the  common  branch  of 
the  city  councils  in  1863  and  1863 ;  and  the  Eighth  ward  in 
the  select  branch  from  1869  to  1873.  He  also  assisted 
in  organizing  the  Oley  Turnpike  Company  in  1863,  and 
the  Maxatawny  Mutual  Fire  &  Storm  Insurance  Com- 
pany in  1893,  serving  as  a  director  and  also  officiating  as 
the  president  of  each  for  many  years. 

As  a  humanitarian  Mr.  Breneiser  was  prominently 
before  the  community  for  many  years.  Soon  after  the 
local  board  of  public  charities  was  established  in  1874 
he  was  selected  by  the  State  authorities  as  one  of  the 
three   commissioners,   and  he  filled  the  appointment  until 


he  died.  His  duties  required  him  to  visit  the  public  in- 
stitutions of  the  county  and  to  make  report  of  their  man- 
agement and  condition  to  the  State.  He  was  one  of  tl^e 
first  subscribers  of  the  stock  in  the  establishment  of  the 
Reading  Library  Company  in  1868,  and  he  always  con- 
tinued to  sh-ow  a  practical  interest  in  the  library. 
In  1897  he  was  one  of  a  party  of  liberal  citizens  who 
raised  a  fund  to  extinguish  the  debt  on  the  library 
building  and  make  the  institution  free  to  the  public.  He 
was  actively  identified  with  the  Reading  Benevolent  So- 
ciety from  1870,  and  with  the  Reading  Relief  Society 
and  the  Reading  Hospital  from  their  inception.  He 
was  one  of  the  few  public-spirited  individuals  of  the 
Third  and  Eighth  wards  who  took  the  first  steps  toward 
converting  the  open  commons  at  the  head  of  Penn  street, 
arid  along  Perkiomen  avenue  to  Hill  road,  from  an  of- 
fensive depository  for  all  kinds  of  objectionable  materials 
to  an  attractive  park,  by  contributing  annually  toward  the 
expenses  for  a  number  of  years  before  1887,  when  it  came 
to  be  recognized  as  a  park  and  a  part  of  the  park  sys- 
tem of  Reading.  He  was  selected  one  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery  Company  in  1893, 
and  served  in  that  capacity  until  his  death. 

In  1848  Mr.  Breneiser  married  Mary  Ann  Neihart,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Goodman)  Neihart,  of  Read- 
ing, and  by  her  had  twelve  children :  Emma  m.  George  W. 
Dauth;  Adaline  m.  Chester  Grim;  Thomas  m.  Mary 
F.  Grotevant;  Charles  m.  Fannie  K.  Spang;  Edgar  m. 
Sarah  Lenhart;  Robert  Milton  m.  Eva  Umble;  Harry 
died  in  1904,  aged  thirty-seven  years ;  five  others  died 
in  infancy.  The  mother  died  in  1897.  Mr.  Breneiser  died 
June  30,  1909. 

Emanuel  Breneiser,  the  father  of  Charles  Breneiser,  Sr., 
was  born  in  1784,  in  Lancaster,  Pa.,  and  there  learned  the 
trade  of  saddler.  Locating  at  Reading  about  the  time  he 
became  of  age,  he  carried  on  this  business  for  about  fifty 
years,  and  then  lived  in  retirement  until  his  death,  in 
1865r  on.  the- -day_-iee._surrfitidexed_to.  Grant  in  the  Civil 
war.  He  m.  Christina  Swartz,  daughter  of  George  Swartz, 
of  Oley,  who  removed  to  Reading  when  a  young  man,  and 
became  the  proprietor  of  a  hotel  on  the  northwest  corner 
of  Seventh  and  Penn  streets,  which  he  conducted  for  forty 
years.  Emanuel  Breneiser  was  the  father  of  eleven  chil- 
dren :  Benneville  m.  Lovina  Drenkel ;  Charles  is  mentioned 
above;  George  was  drowned  while  a  youth  driving  a  boat 
team  on  the  Schuylkill  canal;  Sarah  m.  Samuel  Derr;  An- 
geline  m.  John  Call;  Catharine  m.  Peter  B.  Madeira; 
Emma  m.  Peter  Eiler;  Caroline  m.  Otto  Mellert;  three 
daughters  died  young.  The  mother  died  in  1849,  aged 
fifty-six  years. 

'  Valentine  Breneiser,  the  grandfather,  emigrated  from 
Germany  about  1730.  He  conducted  an  inn  at  Lancaster 
for  a  number  of  years  and  died  there  in  1786.  In  his  last 
will  he  devises  his  property  to  his  wife  Salome,  and  nine 
sons.  Christian,  Valentine,  Jacob,  Simon,  Benjamin,  Joseph, 
John,  George  and  Emanuel. 


Thomas  Breneiser,  eldest  son  of  Charles  Breneiser,  Sr., 
was  born  at  Reading  Dec.  23,  1856.  He  received  his  pre- 
liininary  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  after  tak- 
ing a  special  course  in  a  business  college  at  Philadelphia 
entered  his  father's  store  as  a  clerk  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years.  He  showed  great  devotion  to  the  business,  and 
upon  the  day  when  he  reached  his  majority  his  father 
formed  a  partnership  with  him  as  the  junior  partner,  trad- 
ing under  the  name  of  Charles  Breneiser  &  Son.  When 
the  second  son  became  of  age  he  too  was  included  in  the 
firm,  the  name  being  changed  to  Charles  Breneiser  &  Sons; 
and  so  the  firm  name  has  continued  until  the  present  time. 
For  the  past  ten  years  Thomas  has  had  the  practical  man- 
agement of  the  business  on  account  of  the  increasing  age 
of  the  senior  partner.  The  responsibilities  of  his  position 
requiring  all  his  time  he  could  not  take  an  active  interest 
in  political  or  social  affairs;  but  Sunday-school  work  in 
Trinity  Lutheran  Church  and  afterward  in  Grace  Lutheran 
Church  received  his  active  encouragement  for  many  years. 
In  1878  Thomas  Breneiser  married  Mary  Fredericka  Gro- 
tevant,   daughter    of   Frederick   J.    and    Rosa    (Greiner) 


c^^^ 


'-z^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


737 


Grotevant,  of  Reading,  and  by  her  he  has  four  children, 
Elizabeth  Grotevant,  Caroline  Valeria,  Amos  Pfleger  and 
Stanley  Grotevant.  His  wife's  father  followed  the  busi- 
ness of  practical  jeweler  at  Sixth  and  Penn  streets  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  then  filled  the  position  of  locksmith 
for  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railway  Company,  until 
his  decease,  in  1873.  Her  maternal  grandfather.  Christian 
Greiner,  was  a  master  stone-mason  at  Reading  for  many 
years,  having  had  charge  of  the  stone  work  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  court-house,  which  was  finished  in  1839. 

HENRY  K.  FURLOW,  one  of  the  most  popular 
hotel  men  of  Berks  county,  who  is  proprietor  of  the 
well  known  "Furlow  (Eight  Mile  House)  Hotel"  in 
Brecknock  township,  the  only  public  house  in  the  town- 
ship, was  born  Nov.  30,  1857,  in  East  Cocalico  town- 
ship, Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Henry  and  Eliza 
(Kegerise)  Furlow. 

Peter  Furlow,  grandfather  of  Henry  K.,  lived  in 
East  Cocalico  township,  where  he  followed  farming 
all  of  his  life.  He  married  a  Waldschmidt,  of  German 
extraction,  and  they  had  these  children:  Polly,  m.  to 
John  Mohn;  Anna  m.  to  Levi  Trostle;  Sallie,  who  died 
'  young;  Susanna,  who  still  lives  in  Lancaster  county; 
Betzy,  who  died  single;  Henry  and  Samuel,  who  died 
young;  John,  who  died  aged  eighty  years;  and  Isaac, 
who  died  aged  eighty-tour  years. 

Henry  Furlow,  father  of  Henry  K.,  was  born  Dec. 
26,  1831,  in  East  Cocalico  township,  and  died  June  1, 
1869,  being  buried  at  the  Swamp  Church  in  Lancaster 
county.  He  had  a  tract  of  about  twenty-five  acres  of 
land,  from  which  he  cut  the  timber,  which  he  burned 
into  charcoal  and  sold  to  the  old  furnaces  of  Berks 
county.  In  1854  Mr.  Furlow  was  married  to  Eliza 
Kegerise,  born  April  30,  1834,  daughter  of  William 
Kegerise,  and  she  is  still  surviving  and  has  lived  with 
her  son  Henry  K.  since  1880.  To  Henry  Furlow  and 
his  wife  were  born  these  children:  William,  born  in 
February,  1855,  died  in  his  second  year;  Henry  K.; 
Sarah  and  Kate  were  twins,  born  in  December,  1859, 
the  former  of  whom  married  Samuel  Fry,  of  Vera 
CrU'Z,  Pa.,  and  the  latter  Henry  Whitmoyer  of  Ross- 
ville.  Pa.;  John,  born  Sept.  30,  1865,  a  farmer  residing 
near  Wernersville,  Pa.,  married  Lillie  Dundore;  and 
Frank,  born  Nov.  16,  1868,  is  foreman  in  a  planing 
mill  at  Pottsville,  having  form'erly  been  in  business 
with  his  brother.  Henry  K.,  at  Denver,  Pa.  (m.  Ida 
Kohl). 

Henry  K.  Furlow  was  reared  upon  the  home  farm 
until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  engaged  in 
the  produce  business  in  his  native  ^and  surrounding 
townships,  residing  during  this  time  in  East  Cocalico 
township.  He  had  a  large  huckster  route,  over  which 
he  went  once  a  week,  handling  upwards  of  2,000  dozen 
of  eggs  and  about  800  pounds  of  butter  weekly.  This 
produce  he  sold  at  the  market  and  at  private  places 
in  Reading,  and  during  the  time  he  continued  in  this 
business,  from  1878  to  1890  he  was  very  successful  and 
made  many  friends.  In  1885  Mr.  Furlow  and  Jacob  R. 
Kessler  bought  the  well-known  "Eight  Mile  Hotel" 
from  William  Ziemer,  and  this  partnership  continued 
for  one  year,  when  Mr.  Furlow  bought  Mr.  Kessler's 
interest,  and  has  since  been  conducting  the  hostelry 
alone.  He  rebuilt  the  premises  in  1904,  making  one  of 
the  finest  stands  in  Berks  county,  outside  of  the  city 
of  Reading.  The  hotel  is  situated  at  the  west  end  of 
Brecknock  township,  where  four  leading  roads  meet, 
and  on  an  elevation  which  affords  a  beautiful  view.  The 
water  is  of  the  best  and  purest  in  the  State,  the  table 
fare  is  excellent  and  the  roonas  are  well  furnished, 
comfortable  and  clean,  there  being  six  on  the  first  floor, 
eleven  including  a  bath  on  the  second,  and  three  on  the 
third.  Connected  with  the  hotel  is  a  tract  of  thirty- 
four  acres  of  land,  which  Mr.  Furlow  cultivates,  and 
he  also  has  a  fine  orchard  of  fruit  trees  and  a  vineyard. 
He  has  a  pear  orchard  of  350  trees  which  bear  as  many 
as  600  bushels  yearly,  the  varieties  being  Kiefers, 
47 


Beauty  Angelo,  Berry  Clargo.  Clapps  Favorite  and  the 
Sheldon.  He  has  fifty  cherry  trees,  among  them  the 
Richmond,  Mount  Moranga  and  Black  Datanan,  and 
300  grape  stalks,  all  Clinton,  which  promise  well.  The 
orchard  covers   about  three  acres.  .    . 

On  May  3,  1889,  Mr.  Furlow  married  Lavmia 
Kramer,  born  Sept.  8,  1870,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Julian  (Ziemer)  Kramer,  farming  people  of  Breck- 
nock township,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been 
born  four  children:  Bessie,  Elizabeth,  John  and  Sam- 
uel. In  politics  Mr.  Furlow  is  a  Democrat,  and  for  a 
period  of  twenty-one  years,  from  1885  until  1906,  he 
was  postmaster  at  Knauers.  He  aijd  his  wife  are  Re- 
formed members  of  Allegheny  Union   Church. 

Henry  Kramer,  Mrs.  Furlow's  grandfather,  lived 
in  Brecknock  township,  Berks  county,  and  died  aged 
about  forty-eight.  He  married  Elizabeth  Fritz,  and 
their  children  were:  Susan  Johnson,  of  Honeybrook; 
Kate  Schaellkopf,  of  Reading;  Eliza  Ziemer,  of  Breck- 
nock; Lovesia  Kachel,  of  Brecknock;  Samuel  Kramer; 
Isaac;  Elias,  of  near  Bowmansville,  in  Lancaster  coun- 
ty, and  Sarah  Sparr,  of  Morgantown. 

Isaac  Kramer,  son  of  Henry,  and  uncle  of  Mrs.  Fur- 
low, lives  on  iis  father's  farm,  and  also  owns  three  or 
four  other  farms  in  that  neighborhood.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Hoshauer,  and  their  children  are:  Amanda 
Stover,  of  Bowmansville;  Mary  Kern,  of  Brecknock; 
Emma  Kieffer,  of  Morgantown;  Sallie  Snader,  of  Terre- 
hill;  Cassie  Kachel,  of  Allegheny ville;  and  Isaac,  Jr., 
of  Alleghenyville. 

Samuel  Kramer,  son  of  Henry  and  father  of  Mrs. 
Furlow,  was  born  March  15,  1827,  and  died  May  18, 
1906.  His  wife  Julian  Ziemer  was  born  July  29,  1833, 
and  died  April  1,  1901.  Their  children  were:  John, 
Albert,  Harvey,  Samuel,  Peter,  Sarah  Schweitzer,  Eliza- 
beth Kachel,  Lavinia  Furlow,  Katie  Hoyer  and  Henry. 
Henry,  the  last  named,  died  unmarried  at  the  age  of 
forty-one.  With  his  brother,  Harvey,  he  was  in  the 
leaf  tobacco  business,  and  Harvey  still  continues  in 
that  line,  also  carrying  on  his  father's  farm  (which  he 
now  owns)  and  raising  fine  crops  of  tobacco. 

HENRY  A.  BEADENCUP,  who  for  ten  years  prior 
to  his  death,  May  9,  1900,  was  engaged  in  farming  at 
Birdsboro,  Pa.,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Reading,  Nov. 
11,  1835,  son  of  Henry  A.  and  Sarah  (Printz)  Beaden- 
cup. 

Henry  Beadencup  was  a  puddler  by  trade,  but  in 
later  life  located  on  a  farm  in  Robeson  township,  where 
he  died  in  the  faith  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Henry  A.  Beadencup  was  reared  in  his  native  city. 
As  a  boy  he  had  followed  canal  boat  driving,  later  be- 
coming master  of  the  boat.  He  then  learned  the  pud- 
dling trade  at  Birdsboro,  which  he  followed  for  a  period 
of  thirty-five  years.  In  1890  he  relinquished  his  trade 
to  give  his  attention  to  his  farm  in  Birdsboro,  where 
his  death  took  place  ten  years  later.  He  was  a  Repul)- 
lican  in  politics,  and  served  efficiently  as  a  member  of 
the  borough  council,  and  was  fraternally  connected*with 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Neversink  Lodge;  and  Chandler  Lodge 
of  Masons,  No.  327,  of  Reading. 

On  May  9,  1857,  Mr.  Beadencup  married  Margaret 
Elizabeth  Grant,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  (Hess) 
Grant,  who  lived  in  Birdsboro  from  the  time  she  was 
thirteen  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beadencup  had 
but  one  child,  Sarah,  who  died  when  six  years  of  age. 
Mrs.  Beadencup  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Birds- 
boro Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  was  well  known 
in  church  and  charitable  work.  She  died  Nov.  21,  1908., 
at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years. 

Lewis  Grant,  Mrs.  Beadencup's  nephew,  who  con- 
ducted the  farm  after  Mr.  Beadencup's  death,  was  born 
in  May,  1865,  in  Birdsboro,  son  of  John  and  Susan 
(Hartz)  Grant,  and  was  educated  in  Birdsboro.  He 
was  married  in  1886,  to  Miss  Ida  Rimby,  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Mary  Ann  (Snyder)  Rimiby,  by  whom  he  has 
had  seven  children:  Nora,  m.  to  Harry  Seidel;  Anna 
smgle;  Margarett,  m.  to  William  Buchanan;  Iva,  single- 
Harry,  Lewis  and  Catherine.  ' 


738 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


WALTER  S.  LOY,  a  prosperous  farmer  and  justice 
of  the  peace  of  Perry  township,  was  born  Nov.  8, 
1850,  in  Windsor  township,  near  Windsor  Castle,  Berks 
county,  son  pf  Joseph  and  Cathrine  (Smith)   Loy. 

The  popular  tradition  that  two  brothers  came  from 
the  Rhine  Valley  in  Germany,  is  confirmed  in  this 
case  by  record,  and  tradition  also  has  it  that  they  were 
still  single.  On  the  same  ship  on  which  Matthias  Loy 
emigrated  in  1733  to  the  land  of  his  adoption,  was 
Anna  Maria  Ley  (Loy),  who  is  supposed  to  have  been 
his  sister,  ond  who  was  then  twenty-four  years  old.  The 
other  brother's  name  was  Hans  Jurick  (George)  Ley, 
who  was  then,  in  1733.  recorded  as  twenty-eight  years 
old.  He  settled  in  Windsor  township,  and  owned  the 
farm  of  220  acres  now  in  possession  of  Joseph  L.  Smith. 
His  wife  was  Barbara  Bossart,  of  Windsor  township, 
and  they  had  children:  Susanna,  m.  to  John  George 
Focht,  who  purchased  Mr.  Loy's  farm;  Molly,  who  died 
single;  Jacob,  m.  to  a  Miss  Billig,  and  father  of  Leah, 
Charles  and  Nathan;  Charles,  m.  to  Deborah  Leiby, 
and  father  of  Catherine,  Henry  W.  and  Alfred  W. 
(m.  Esther' Anna  Folk,  and  had  two  sons.  Alfred  B.  and 
William  D.  F.). 

Matthias  Loy,  great-grandfather  of  Walter  S.,  was 
the  first  of  that  name  to  settle  in  Albany  township, 
locating  in  that  district  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  owned  the  original  homestead, 
which  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Levi  Sechler.  As 
far  as  is  known  Mafchias  Loy  had  two  sons:  Adam; 
and  Michael,  who  had  two  sons,  William  and  Phalon, 
who  resides  in  Albany  township.  Michael  owned  and 
cultivated  a  farm  of  1.54  acres,  also  in  Albany  township. 

Adam  Loy  was  a  weaver  and  farmer  in  Albany  town- 
ship, owning  the  Loy  homestead,  on  which  he  was  born 
and  reared,  and  on  which  he  lived  and  died.  Adam  Loy 
an'd  wife  had  twelve  children,  viz.:  Samuel,  Michael, 
George,  Jacob,  Jessee,  Jeremiah,  William,  Mary,  Susan, 
Adam,  Elizabeth  and  Joseph. 

Joseph  Loy,  son  of  Adam,  was  born  Oct.  25.  1828, 
in  Albany  township,  Berks  county,  and  came  to  Wind- 
sor township  when  sixteen  years  of  age;  here  he  ac- 
quired land  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  also  a 
wheelwright  by  trade  and  did  much  of  this  work  for 
the  farmers  of  his  vicinity.  Mr.  Loy,  who  is  well  pre- 
served for  a  man  of  his  years,  resides  with  his  son. 
He  married  Cathrine  Smith,  who  died  Dec.  29,  1905, 
in  her  eighty-first  year,  and  to  this  union  there  was 
born  but  one  child,  Walter  S. 

Walter  S.  Loy  obtained  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  at  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School, 
teaching  school  in  his  native  townshio  from  1871  to 
1874,  but  the  following  year  engaged  in  wheelwright- 
ing,  a  trade  which  he  learned  from  his  father.  He  had 
a  shop  near  Dreibelbis  Station,  which  he  conducted 
successfully  for  five  years,  then  purchasing  the  115- 
acre  farm  on  which  he  now  resides.  This  property  he 
greatly  improved,  remodelling  the  barn  and  beautifying 
the  entire  premises,  and  after  the  destruction  of  his 
house  by  fire,  he  erected  a  handsome  brick  residence. 
He  now  has  one  of  the  finest  places  in  the  township, 
his  farm  being  in  good  condition,  fertile,  well-managed 
and  productive.  Mr.  Loy  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 
He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  interests  of  his  party, 
having  served  as  delegate  to  a  number  of  county  con- 
ventions, as  school  director  in  Perry  township,  and  in 
other  minor  offices.  Li  the  spring  of  1904,  he  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace,  in  which  capacity  he  has 
rendered  valuable  service  to  the  community.  Mr.  Loy 
occupies  a  prominent  position  in  his  locality.  He  is 
a  man  of  influence  and  means,  is  public-spirited,  enter- 
prising, and  a  good  citizen,  and  has  won  the  friend- 
ship and  esteem  of  a  large  number  of  acquaintances. 

On-  Oct.  30,  1877,  Mr.  Loy  married  Hettie  M.  Kline, 
daughter  of  Charles  A.  and  Caroline  (Merkel)  Kline, 
and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  four  children, 
two  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely:  (l)  Alice  died  in 
infancy;  (3)  Sylvester  K.,  was  educated  in  the  local 
schools  and  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1898.     He  then  taught  school 


for  two  terms,  after  which  he  entered  Franklin  and 
Marshall  College  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  graduating  in  1905, 
and  he  is  now  attending  Johns  Hopkins  University  in 
Maryland.  (3)  Carrie  m.  in  June,  1906,  Monroe  B. 
Adam,  an  enterprising  citizen  and  prominent  business 
man  of  Virginville.  Pa.  They  have  one  child,  Esther 
Senora,  born  Dec.  16,  1907.  (4)  Joseph  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  is  now  attending  the  Keystone 
State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown,  Pennsylvania. 

DAVID  K.  KAUFMAN.  One  of  the  old  and  hon- 
ored families  of  Berks  county.  Pa.,  is  that  of  Kaufman, 
which  has  a  worthy  representative  in  Reading  in  David 
K.  Kaufman,  now  living  retired  after  a  busy  and  suc- 
cessful career. 

The  Katifman  family"  was  founded  in  America  by 
two  brothers,  Jacob  and  Samuel  Kaufman,  who 
emigrated  from  Switzerland  to  America  in  1770,  the 
former  sett'ing  in  the  Oley  Valley  and  the  latter,  the 
great-grandfather  of  David  K.,  in  Maiden  Creek,  where 
he  became  a  very  prosperous  farmer  and  stock  dealer 
and  a  man  well  and  favorably  known  in  his  vicinity. 
The  name  of  his  wife  is  not  known,  but  it  is  known 
that  their  son,  Samuel,  married  Catherine  Berndt  and 
had  a  large  family,  among  whom  were:  John  G., 
Samuel,  Daniel,  David  and  two  daughters,  one  of 
whom  married  a  Mr.  Sell,  and  the  other  David  Haas. 
In  religious  belief  the  family  were  members  of  the 
Reformed  denomination.  The  Kaufmans  were  Whigs 
up  to  the  time  of  the  formation  of  the  Republican  par- 
ty,  when   they  joined   the   latter   organization. 

David  Kaufman,  father  of  David  K.,  was  educated 
in  the  old-fashioned  log  schoolhouse  of  his  day,  where, 
although  the  floor  was  rough  arid  the  benches  poorly 
constructed  and  minus  the  comfortably  fashioned  racks 
of  the  schools  of  today,  he  received  a  substantial  edu- 
cation. After  spending  a  few  years  at  farm  labor,  Mr. 
Kaufman  engaged  in  iron  manufacturing,  purchasing, 
in  company  with  Samuel  Kaufman,  the  well-known 
Mt.  Laurel  Furnaces  property,  and  built  up  a  mammoth 
business  for  those  days — in  fact,  the  largest  in  the 
county.  They  were  the  pioneers  of  the  industry  in 
this  section,  and  their  business  formed  the  nucleus  of 
the  present  Temple  Iron  Works.  It  may  be  truth- 
fully said  that  Temple  owes  its  present  prosperity  to 
the  Messrs.  Kaufman.  They  continued  in  that  busi- 
ness until  they  sold  out  to  William  H.  Clymer  &  Co., 
arid  Mr.  Kaufman  removed  to  Milton,  Lycoming 
county,  where  he  built  an  iron  furnace.  These  broth-, 
ers  also  owned  the  Moselem  Iron  Ore  Banks,  which 
were  then  and  still  are  the  most  extensive  in  the  coun- 
ty, although  they  are  not  being  operated  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  Another  brother  owned  and  operated  the 
furnace  at  Leesport.  Mr.  David  Kaufman  operated 
his  Milton  furnace  until  his  death  in  1870,  in  his  fifty- 
sixth  year.  David  Kaufman  m.  (first)  Eliza  Keller,  and 
to  this  union  one  child  was  born,  David  K.  He  m. 
(second)  Miss  Madary,  and  to  this  second  union  there 
were  born  a  large  family,  members  of  whom  reside 
today  in  Lycoming  county. 

David  K.  Kaufman  was  born  at  Mt.  Laurel  Furnaces 
June  19,  1845,  and  educated  in  the  schools  of  Maiden- 
creek.  When  a  lad  of  twelve  years  he  went  to  live  with 
his  unc'e,  Samuel  G.  Kaufman,  with  whom  he  remained 
until  attaining  his  majority.  He  started  his  business 
life  as  a  clerk  for  William  S.  Baer  &  Co.,  with  which 
firm  he  continued  several  years,  then  going  to  Findlay, 
Ohio,  to  accept  a  position  as  clerk  in  Senator  H.  P. 
G;:tes'  mercantile  establishment.  Here  he  remained 
one  year  and  then  resigned  to  take  a  like  position  with 
Sonders  &  Co.,  of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  returning  to  his  native 
county  one  year  later.  He  secured  employment  as 
baggage  master  and  extra  conductor  with  the  East 
Penn  Railway,  operating  between  Harrisburg  and 
New  York,  this  road  being  later  absorbed  by  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  Company.  Mr.  Kaufman  then 
entered    the    employ    of    the    Philadelphia    &    Reading 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


739 


rolling  mill,  as  a  common  laborer,  and  after  a  short 
time  was  promoted  to  roller,  continuing  with  the  com- 
pany for  twelve  years  and  four  months.  At  the  end 
of  this  time  he  leased  the  Reading  Oil  Refinery,  which 
he  conducted  for  one  year,  and  then  purchased  a  farm 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  city.  On  this  fertile,  well- 
cultivated  tract  of  eleven  acres,  on  Centre  avenue,  be- 
tween Amity  and  Union  streets,  Mr.  Kaufman  engaged 
profitably  in  truck  farming,  until  he  sold  in  1907  for 
$36,000.  The  property  was  very  valuable  for  building 
purposes,  containing  150  building  lots  and  before  selling 
it,  Mr.  Kaufman  received  many  flattering  offers.  He 
is  now  living  retired. 

In  1869  Mr.  Kaufman  married  Magdalena  R. 
Klohs.  and  to  this  union  were  born  two  children:  Wil- 
liam H.;  and  Sally  A.,  m.  to  John  G.  Willets.  Mr. 
Kaufman  m.  (second)  Rosa  Leightheiser,  a  native  of 
Reading,  but  there  have  been  no  children  to  this  union. 
Mr.  Kaufman  is  fraternally  connected  with  Mt.  Penn 
Council,  Royal  Arcanum.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Evangelical  Church,  which  his  wife  also  attends.  For 
fifteen  years  he  was  a  director  of  the  Reading  Relief 
Society.  In  political  affairs  Mr.  Kaufman  is  a  Re- 
publican, but  he  has  never  had  a  desire  to  hold  public 
office,  but  for  six  years  was  a  member  of  the  Reading 
school  board.  He  is  one  of  the  city's  substantial  citi- 
zens, and  is  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  his 
vicinity. 

GEORGE  W.  STOUDT,  a  retired  farmer  living  at 
Shartlesville,  in  Upper  Bern  township,  Berks  county, 
owns  a  fine  farm  of  115  acres  in  that  township,  where 
he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  for  twenty-four  years 
before  his  retirement.  Mr.  Stoudt  was  born  at  Rehrers- 
burg,  Berks  county,  June  9,  1850,  son  of  Isaac  K. 
Stoudt,  and  grandson  of  George  Stoudt.  Both  his 
father  .and  grandfather  were   natives   of   Berks   county., 

George  Stoudt  was  born  above  Strausstown.  He 
farmed  in  Maiden-creek  township  for  a  time,  later  re- 
turning to  Rehrersburg,  where  he  died.  He  married  a 
Misfe  Kutz,  of  Kutztown,  and  to  them  were  born  the 
following  named  children:  William  K.,  George  K., 
Isaac  K.,  John  K.,  Mary,  Sarah  and  Eliza. 

Isaac  K.  Stoudt  was  born  in  Maiden-creek  township, 
and  died  at  Rehrersburg.  He,  too,  was  a  farmer,  and 
he  owned  two  farms,  one  of  sixty-five  acres  and  one 
of  100  acres,  as  well  as  a  smaller  tract  of  twelve  acres. 
He  was  a  well-known  man  in  his  day  and  a  much 
respected  citizen.  His  wife,  Mary  Moyer,  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Peter  Moyer.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stoudt  were  born 
children  as  follows :  Adam"  W.  is  living  at  Rehrers- 
burg: Mary  m.  (first)  Daniel  Hartman  and  (second) 
Philip  Peifer;  George  W. ;  Amelia  m.  Adam  Dieffen- 
bach;  Emma;  Kate  is  deceased;  and  Franklin  P.  lives 
near  Millersburg,  this  State. 

George  W.  Stoudt  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools,  and  was  reared  to  farming,  remaining 
with  his  father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
six  years.  Pie  then  married,  after  which  he  began 
farming  in  Bethel  township,  this  county,  where  he  re- 
mained for  six  years,  moving  thence  to  Upper  Bern 
township,  where  he  bought  the  William  G.  Rentschler 
farm  of.  eighty-two  acres.  There  he  made  his  home 
and  carried  on  general  farming  for  twenty-four  years, 
meantime  adding  thirty-three  acres  to  the  original  tract. 
Though  he  has  retired  from  active  farm  work  himself, 
Mr.  Stoudt  still  retains  the  owners'hip  of  this  land, 
which  is  a  valuable  piece  of  property,  well  watered  and 
well  located.  In  1908,  Mr.  Stoudt  built  himself  a  fine 
home  on  the  main  street,  in  Shartlesville,  and  he  also 
owns  another  good  place,  which  he  rents.  He  takes 
an  interest  in  the  life  of  his  community,  being  an  active 
member  of  St.  Michael's  Reformed  Church,  which  he 
has  served  as  deacon,  and  he  has  been  a!  member  of  the 
board  of  school  directors  of  Upper  Bern  township.  He 
is  a  Democrat  in  political  sentiment. 

Mr.  Stoudt's  first  wife  was  Annie  Maria  Rentschler, 
daughter  of  William   G.   Rentschler.     She  died  in   1896, 


and  is  buried  at  St.  Michael's  Church  Four  children 
were  born  to  this  union:  Lucretia  m.  Harry  Groff,  and 
lives  near  Millersbyrg;  Robert  m.  Mary  Rentschler, 
and  lives  in  Upper  Bern  township,  this  county;  Carrie, 
unmarried,  is  living  in  Reading,  Pa.;  and  Masie  died 
at  the  age  of  ten  years.  For  his  second  wife  Mr. 
Stoudt  married  Clara  L.  Rishel,  daughter  of  William 
and  Maria  (Wenrich)  Rishel,  and  to  them  has  been 
born  one  daughter,  Sallie  V.,  who  is  attending  school. 

MILTON  Z.  GILBERT,  a  worthy  citizen  living  re- 
tired above  Bechtelsville,  in  Washington  towrnship, 
Berks  county,  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  the 
same  township  Dec.  28,  1841,  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Zoller)    Gilbert. 

The  Gilberts  have  been  a  difficult  family  to  trace. 
There  were  two  Bernhard  Gilberts,  and  the  relation- 
ship existing'between  them  is  not  known.  Conrad  and 
Bernhard  Gilbert  both  took  the  oath  of  allegiance 
Sept.  33,  1760.  Bernhard  Gilbert,  Sr.,  married  Mary 
Elizabeth  Meyer,  and  their  son  Bernhard,  born  1766, 
married  Susanna  Hornetter.  Bernhard  and  Susanna 
became  the  parents  of  four  children:  Henry,  born  1791; 
Magdalena,  born  1798;  John,  born  1801,  (sponsors: 
John  Adam  and  Magdalena  Gilbert) ;  and  George,  born 
1803    (sponsors:   John  and   Elizabeth   Gilbert). 

Conrad  Gilbert,  on  Jan.  27,  1761,  bought  from  Lud^ 
wig  Harring,  of  Douglass  township,  Montgomery  coun- 
ty, a  tract  of  twenty-three  acres,  situated  partly  in 
McCall's  Manor.  He  was  represented  as  a  "taylor." 
Conrad  Gilbert  and  his  wife  Anna  Elizabeth  had  eight 
children,  namely:  Mary  Magdalene,  born  1758.  m. 
George  Orwig,  son  of  Gottfried  Orwig,  a  Revolutionary 
soldier;  Catharine,  born  1760;  Anna  Elizabeth,  1762; 
Andrew,  1764;  John  Peter,  1766;  Anna  Maria,  1770; 
Salome,  1772;   Christina,   1775. 


Bernhard  Gilbert,  grandfather  of  Milton  Z..  lived  in 
Greenwich,  township,  Berks  county,  to'  which  place 
he  had  removed  in  his  early  manhood.  Among  his 
children  were:  John  (Johannes);  and  Catharine,  Mrs. 
Ginder,  who   lived  in   Rockland  township. 

John  (Johannes)  Gilbert  was  born  in  Greenwich 
township,  about  1801.  and  died  in  January,  1874.  He 
came  from  New  Hanover,  Montgomery  county,  to 
Washington  township,  Berks  county,  where  he  became 
the  owner  of  a  farm  now  the  property  of  his  son, 
Milton  Z.  He  built  an  addition  to  his  house,  and  fol- 
lowed stocking  weaving  for  many  years.  A  great 
many  sheep  were  raised  in  the  neighborhood,  and  he 
wove  the  stockings  from  the  wool.  He  was  a  Demo- 
crat, and  for  six  years  was  assessor  and  tax  collector, 
and  was  one  of  the  well  known  men  of  his  locality. 
He  was  active  in  the  Lutheran  church,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  building  committee  when  the  Hill 
church  was  buflt.  He  served  as  deacon  and  elder. 
The  Hill  church  property  had  considerable  woodland, 
and  the  wood  was  ordered  cut,  Mr.  Gilbert  being  given 
charge  of  this  work.  He  married  Sarah  Zpller,  of  New 
Hanover  township,  who  survived  him  some  time.  Their 
children  were:  Aaron,  born  1825;  Jesse,  1837;  Hettie, 
1839;  Lydia,  1831;  Levi  Z.,  1833;  Lovina,  18S5;  Henry. 
1837;  William,  1839;  Milton  Z.,  1841;  Elizabeth,  1844; 
Catharine,  1849;  and  Mary  Ann,   1850. 

Milton  Z.  Gilbert  was  reared  to  farm  work,  and  gave 
his  services  to  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty  years 
o'd.  After  he  left  home  he  worked  one  year  on  the 
farm  in  Washington  township,  and  one  season  on  a 
farm  in  Chester  county.  In  1869  he  went  to' Vermil- 
lion county.  111.,  where  he  lived  one  season.  He  re- 
turned to  Berks  county  the  same  year. 

In  1869  Mr.  Gilbert  married  Mary  Cleaver,  daughter 
of  Ephraim  and  Elizabeth  (Gross)  Cleaver,  of  Cole- 
brookdale.  She  died  April  30,  1874,  in  her  twenty- 
sixth  year.  The  three  children  of  this  union  were: 
Ephraim.  unmarried;  Emeline,  m. '  to  John  Smith,  of 
Shanesville;  and  Horace,  m.  to  Alice  Fraunheiser, 'and 


740 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


farming  the  homestead.     Mr.  Gilbert  m.  (second)   Oct.     at  No.  1013  Chestnut  street,  beginning  on  a  small  scale, 
28    1876    Sarah  B.  Wolfgang,  daughter  of  Michael  and     In  1896   he  built  a  three-story  factory  structure,   134  x 


Rebecca  (Bare)  Wolfgang,  of  Colebrookdale.  Mr. 
Gilbert  has  an  old  German  Bible  printed  in  1743,  which 
he  obtained  from  his  father,  John  (Johannes)  Gilbert, 
and  this  he  prizes  very  highly. 

DR.  J.  H.  WAHL,  a  successful  medical  practitioner, 
who  has  been  in  general  practice  in  the  city  of  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  since  1904,  was  born  Aug.  19,  1859,  in  Lower 
Heidelberg  township.  Berks  county,  son  of  James  and 
Rebecca   (Krick)   Wahl. 

Michael  Wahl,  great-grandfather  of  the  Doctor,  set- 
tled in  Alsace  township,  where  he  ownied  a  farm  and 
where  the  rest  of  his  life  was  spent.  He  and  his 
wife  had  the  following  children:  John,  Samuel,  Jacob, 
Magdalena,  Pauline  and  Kate. 

John  Wahl,  son  of  Michael,  married  Susannah  Drei- 
ble,  and  to  them  were  born  children  as  follows:  Sam- 
uel, Nicholas.  John,  Daniel,  William,  Abraham,  Amos, 
James  (the  father  of  Dr.  J.  H.),  Susannah  and  Henry. 
In  religious  belief  the  family  were  connected  wtih 
the  Reformed  Church.  Amos  Wahl,  son  of  John,  mar- 
ried Marv  Ann  Albert,  a  native  of  Berks  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Albert,  and  to  them  were  born  ten  child- 
ren: Ellen  (m.  Amos  Schilt),  John  (m.  Mary  Saylor), 
Francis  (m.  Magdalena  Faust),  Mary  (m.  Reuben  Hin- 
nershitz),  Emma  (m.  James  Rothenberger),  and  five 
that  died  in  infancy. 

James  Wahl,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  Berks  county, 
and  there  followed  his  trade  of  blacksmith,  also  operat- 
ing a  small  farm  in  Lower  Heidelberg  township.  He 
died  at  West  Reading,  Feb.  4,  1905,  aged  seventy- 
three  years.  His  wife,  Rebecca  Krick,  who  is  still 
living,  resides  at  West  Reading,  and  is  sixty-nine  years 
old.  Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wahl, 
of  whom  two  grew  to  maturity:  Katie  A.  m.  Morris 
Geiss,  and  has  two  children — Florence  and  Raymond; 
and  Dr.  J.  H.'  The  family  were  members  of  the  Re- 
formed  Church. 

Dr.  J.  H.  Wahl  received  his  early  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  place  and  Brunner's 
Scientific  Academy,  and  on  June  25,  1885,  graduated 
from  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School.  He  com- 
menced teaching  in  Berks  county,  and  later  taught  in 
Lancaster  county,  in  all  nine  years,  two  years  of  which 
were   spent  in   the   Boyertown  high   school.     He   read 


45  feet,  and  three  years  later  an  addition  37  x  45  feet. 
Owing  to  an  increase  in  business,  Mr.  Fries  was  com- 
pelled to  build,  in  November,  1905,  another  addition, 
35x35  feet.  Mr.  Fries  has  installed  the  latest  candy 
making  machinery,  and  during  the  winter  his  output 
is  on  an  average  of  a  ton  of  candy  daily.  He  manu- 
factures chocolates  and  Easter  novelties,  and  all  hard 
candies.  Mr.  Fries  makes  a  specialty  of  ice  cream. 
Fries  Celebrated,  as  it  is  known,  having  this  name 
registered.  Peach  Brand  Confectionery  is  another  of 
Mr.  Fries'  products,  and  it  is  widely  known  for  its  ex- 
cellence. He  has  a  very  large  trade  among  private 
families,  having  two  wagons  continually  on  the  streets, 
and  employs  about  tweijty-five  hands.  His  factory  is 
in  the  rear  of  his  store,  and  his  residence  is  at  No.  1007 
Franklin  street.  He  erected  a  fine  dwelling  house  at 
Nos.  1017-19  Chestnut  street.  The  store  room  at  his 
residence  is  27i  x  80  feet,  and  is  the  finest  in  the  city. 
His  factory  is  operated  by  one  fifteen,  two  four  and 
two  two-horse-power  motors,  and  a  twenty-three  horse- 
power boiler  and  engine.  It  is  widely  known  for  clean- 
liness, and  Mr.  Fries  takes  pleasure  in  manufacturing 
the  best  of  goods.  He  has  installed  an  ice  machine, 
capacity  ten  tons,  for  the  manufacture  of  his  own  ice. 

Mr.  Fries  married  Emma  Deifenbach,  daughter  of 
William  Diefenbach,  of  Reading,  and  four  children 
were  born  to  this  union:  Clayton  M.,  who  has  charge 
of  his  father's  factory,  m.  Mamie  Moyer;  Edna  m. 
William  Criswell,  manager  of  the  Lester  Shoe  Store 
at  Reading;  and  two  died  young.  The  family  are 
Methodists.  Mr.  Fries  is  a  very  prominent  member 
of  the  K.  O.  T.  M.,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M., 
K.  G.  E.,  R.  A.,  and  the  Princes  of  Bagdad. 

JOHN  H.  WESLEY,  a  well-known  citizen  of  Read- 
ing, and  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  was  born  -June  9, 
1846,  in  Robeson  township,  Berks  county,  Pa.,  son  of 
Mark  and  Susan   (Shafer)  Wesley. 

Mark  Wesley  was  a  collier  and  laborer — an  hon- 
est, hard-working  man.  When  his  son,  John  H.,  was 
an  infant,  he  settled  at  Reading.  To  him  and  his  wife 
Susan  (Shafer)  were  born  the  following  children: 
Phebe  Ann,  m.  to  Isaac  D.  Whitman;  Samuel  L.,  who 
served  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of  Company  B, 
88th  Pa.  V.  I.;  John  H.;  Kate,  m.  to  Thomas  Rogers; 
Charles,  an  engineer  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 


medicine  with  Dr.  Samuel  M.  Todd,  and  entered  the  ^.^'j-^^y  Company;  Harry,  of  Louisiana;  and  one  hat 
University  of  Michigan,  and  later  the  Medical  Col-  ^'^^  "  '"^TX  ^",,^  YV^rl  ^"^  ^  t^  were  consistent 
lege  of  Indiana,  at  Indianapolis.  His  first  field  of  members  of  the  Methodist  Church.  In  politics  he  was 
practice  was  the  town  of  Adamstown,  Lancaster  ^  ^^  completing  his  education  in  the  schools  of 
county  where  he  spent  four  years,  the  next  thir  een  Reading,  John  H  Wesley  entered  the  cotton  mill, 
years  being  at  Grantyille,  Dauphin  county  In  1904  ^^^^  ^'^  '^^^  subsequently  made  a  foreman,  and  was 
he  located  on  West  Oley  street,  Reading,  where  he  has  working  as  such  when,  in  March,  1862,  he  entered  the 
since  been  located  in  a  general  practice.  Dr.  Wahl  g^jpi^y  ^f  j^^^^  ghafer,  with  whom  he  remained  until 
IS  a  member  of  the  Medical  Staff  of  St.  Joseph  Hospital,  August  6th,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  128  Pa. 
Keading.  ■    ,    a      •     t.    •««■  ,        ,       ,  V.  I.,  and  accompanied  his  regiment  to  the  front  three 

}"J.^?}'  ^l;^^^^  married  Annie  R.  Mohn  daughter  days  later.  He  had  for  officers,  Capt.  William  McNall 
of  William  Mohn,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been  and  Col.  Samuel  Croasdale.  The  regiment  was  ihus- 
born  two  children,  one  dying  in  infancy,  and  Ethel  tered  in  at  Camp  Curtin  and  was  then  sent  on  the  join 
Pauline,  who  is  attending  school.  Dr.  Wahl  is  a  Demo-  McClellan's  army.  The  first  battle  of  importance  in 
crat  in  politics,  and  while  living  in  Dauphin  county  which  Mr.  Wesley  took  part  was  Antietam  and  the 
was  for  eight  years  county  physician.  He  is  connected  second  was  Chancellorsville.  When  his  first  enlist- 
with  the  Reformed  Church,  while  Mrs.  Wahl  is  a  ment  of  nine  months  had  expired  he  enlisted  in  Corn- 
member  of  the  United  Evangelical  Church.  pany  H,   42nd   P.   V.   M.,   Captain   John   Obold,   and  was 

discharged  after   the   battle   of   Gettysburg.     He   again 
J.   M.   FRIES,   a  manufacturing  confectioner  at  No.   enlisted    in    July,    1864,    in    Company    I.    196th    Pa.    V. 
1013    Chestnut    street,   Reading,    was   born    in    1863,    at   I.,    Capt.     George     S.    Rowbotham,    and    was     elected 
Leesport,  Pa.,  son  of  John  W.  Fries,  who  is  engaged  in   second    lieutenant    of    the    company.      The    command 
the  restaurantbusiness  in  Reading.     _  was    sent    to    Baltimore.    Md.,    and    was    then    shipped 

John  M.  Fries  received  his  education  in  the  public  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  111.,  to  do  guard  duty, 
schools  of  Lancaster  and  Berks  counties,  and  located  as  there  were  1.500  Rebel  prisoners  at  that  point, 
in  Reading  in  1876,  being  employed  as  an  aporentice  After  returning  East,  Lieut.  Wesley  was  stationed 
with  C.  M.  Groff,  with  whom  he  remained  eight  years,  at  Fort  Delaware,  where  the  regiment  relieved  a 
He  was  with  a  Mr.  Kraft  for  four  years,  and  with  Mr.  detachment  to  allow  them  to  vote,  Pennsylvania 
Brown,  who  bought  out  Mr.  Kraft,  two  years.  Mr.  soldiers  having  voted  in  the  field.  Soon  afterward,  in 
Fries  engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account  in  1887,   1864,    Mr.    Wesley    was    discharged    and    returned    to 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


741 


Reading,  entering  the  employ  of  the  Reading  Hardware 
Company,  as  an  apprentice  to  the  molder's  trade.  Com- 
pleting his  apprenticeship,  he  went  to  Warren  county, 
Pa.,  and  remained  about  two  and  one-half  years  in  the 
oil  fields,  then  going  to  Renovo  for  a  short  time,  where 
he  engaged  at  his  trade.  He  then  accepted  a  position 
as  clerk  in  the  "Renovo  Hotel,"  but,  in  the  fall  of 
1873  returned  to  the  ertiploy  of  the  Reading  Hardware 
Company,  remaining  with  them  until  1877,  when  he  ac- 
cepted  a  position  with  the  Keystone  Hardware  Com- 
pany, at  Tenth  and  Spruce  streets  as  foreman.  After 
one  year  he  returned-  to  the  employ  of  the  Reading 
Hardware  Company,  and  on  Feb.  14,  1879,  accepted  a 
position  with  the  Penn  Hardware  Company,  with 
■which  company  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time 
in  the  capacity  of  foreman.  He  has  charge  on  an 
average  of  125  men  in  the  molding  department. 

In  December,  1873,  Mr.  Wesley  married  Emma  Swe- 
gar,  daughter  of  David  and  Margaret  (Bosserman) 
Swegar,  and  to  this  union  there  were  bprn  four  chil- 
dren: Esther  M.,  deceased;  Marion  J.,  Carrie  S.,  and 
J.  Frank.  The  latter,  one  of  Reading's  most  popular 
young  men,  was  drowned  July  4,  1906. 

John  H.  Wesley  is  a  member  of  Renovo  Lodge,  No. 
495,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  Liberty  Fire  Company,  which 
he  joined  in  1865.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican  in  his 
political  belief,  but  takes  only  a  good  citizen's  part 
therein. 

ADAMS.  Anthony  Adam,  a  potter  by  trade,  was 
born  in  the  Fatherland  in  the  year  1716,  and  emigrated 
to  America  in  the  year  1741.  He  sailed  from  Rotter- 
dam on  the  Snow  "Molly,"  commanded  by  Captain 
John  Cranch.  This  vessel  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  and 
the  passengers,  having  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  to 
the  English  Sovereign,  were  qualified  to  land,  Oct. 
26,  1741.  Anthony  Adam's  age  is  entered  on  the  pas- 
senger list  as  twenty-five  years.  On  Feb.  7,  1748,  he 
received  from  the  Proprietaries  of  the  Province  of 
Pennsylvania,  a  warrant  for  a  tract  of  136  A.  146  P. 
of  land  in  Albany  township,  then  a  part  of  Philadel- 
phia county.  This  land  was  surveyed  for  him  by  the 
Surveyor-General  of  the  Province,  June  6,  1752.  The 
farm  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Nathan  Weisner  of 
Round  Top,  Albany  township,   Berks  county. 

Anthony  Adam,  or  Andoni  Adam,  as  he  wrote  his 
name,  received  a  warran,t  for  a  tract  of  135  A.  and 
47  P.  "above  Maxatawny,"  Feb.  7,  1748.  In  1761  he 
sold  140  acres  of  his  land  in  Albany  township  to  John 
Reinhard.  He  was  administrator  of  the  estate  of 
Albrecht  Stimmel,  of  Albany  township,  in  1766,  being 
the  chief  creditor.  His  administration  account  was 
audited  and  approved  in  December  of  1768.  The  date 
of  death  of  Anthony  Adam,  of  Albany  township,  is 
not  known. 

Anthony  Adam  (2),  son  of  Anthony  of  Albany  town- 
ship, was  born  about  the  year  1736,  and  was  a  resident 
of  the  adjoining  township  of  Windsor  in  1758,  de- 
scribed on  the  tax  list  of  that  year,  as  a  single  man. 
He  married  Rosina  Dunkel,  widow  of  Vincent  Lesher, 
of  Richmond  township.  Anthony  Adam  served  during 
the  Revolutionary  War  as  a  private  in  Captain  Jacob 
Ladich's  Company,  Colonel  Samuel  Ely's  Battalion  of 
Berks  County  Militia,  as  appears  from  a  muster  roll 
showing  that  this  company  was  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States  from  Oct.  1,  to  Oct.  17,  1781 
(Pennsylvania  Archives,  5th  Series,  Vol.  V,  pp.  37'9-281). 
In  1799  Anthony  Adam  (2)  received  from  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  a  patent  for  307  acres  of  land  called 
"Manheim"  on  Briar  Creek,  in  Northumberland  (now 
Columbia)  county,  Pennsylvania,  a.nd  in  1806,  received 
a  patent  for  another  tract  of  436  acres  called  "Quincy" 
on  the  samg  creek.  These  lands  he  conveyed  to  his 
four  sons.  Anthony  Adam  died  sometime  after  April 
37,  1809.  He  had  at  least  four  children,  as  follows. 
Peter,  of  Windsor  township,  Berks  county,  born  Oct. 
1,   1765,   died  July   1,   1849,   m.    Catharina   Hausknecht; 


Anthony  (3)  was  of  Briar  Creek  township,  Columbia 
county;  Jacob  Adam,  of  Richmond  township,  Berks 
county,  m.  Susan  Kline;  Abraham,  of  Briar  Creek,  born 
Oct.  7,  1799,  died  in  Briar  Creek,  July  6,  1855,  m. 
Sarah  Miller. 

Anthony  Adam  (3)  established  the  Adams  home- 
stead in  Briar  Creek  township,  Columbia  county.  Pa. 
He  was  the  son  of  Anthony  Adam  and  Rosina  Dunkel, 
of  Windsor  township,  Berks  county,  and  was  born 
Dec.  25,  1767.  He  served  as  a  private  in  Captain 
Christian  Madery's  Company  of  Berks  County  Mihtia, 
which  was  "Ordered  t  Wyoming  by  the  Supreme  Ex- 
ecutive Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania."  This 
company  arrived  at  Fort  Allen  Nov.  31,  1787,  at  Wyom- 
ing, November  36th,  and  was  discharged  January  6, 
1788.  (Pennsylvania  Archives,  6th  Series  Vol.  Ill,  pp. 
94,  95,  96.)  Anthony  Adam  (3)  settled  in  Briar  Creek 
as  early  as  1792,  for  on  Oct.  18th  of  that  year  a  warrant 
was  granted  to  him  for  278  acres  of  land  for  which 
he  received  patent  in  1811.  On  March  30,  1795,  he 
purchased  seventy-five  acres  of  land  in  Fishing  Creek 
township  (later  a  part  of  Briar  Creek).  The  tract  of 
land  called  "Manheim;"  containing  307  acres,  was  deed- 
ed to  him  by  his  father,  Sept.  3,  1806.  On  Oct.  15, 
1811,  he  received  a  deed  from  his  three  brothers  for 
his  fourth  _  interest  (106  acres)  in  the  tract'  of  land 
called  "Quincy."  He  married  Catherine  Glass,  born 
Dec.  30,  1766,  died  Aug.  12,  1845.  He  died  April  39, 
1832.  Both  are  buried  in  the  Briar  Creek  Reformed 
Church-yard,  five  miles  west  of  Berwick,  Pennyslvania. 
The  children  of  Anthony  Adam  and  Catherine  Glass: 
(1)  Hannah,  born  May  10,  1790,  died  Sept.  3,  1870.  m. 
Daniel  Zaner,  of  Briar  Creek.  (2)  William,  of  Briar 
Cr^ek,  born  Dec.  15,  1791,  died  April  26,  1860,  m.  Su- 
sanna Hess.  He  served  during  the  War  of  1813-1814, 
as  a  private  in  Captain  George  Hidler's  Company  in 
the  112th  Regiment  of  Columbia  County  MiHtia,  under 
Colonel  Andrew  Keller.  (3)  Samuel,  .of  Briar  Creek, 
born  in  1793,  died  Nov.  39,  1846,  m.  Esther  Hill.  (4) 
Anthony  (4)  m.  Elsie  Engle,  and  removed  to  Rock 
Island,  111.  (51  Rachel,  born  Nov.  39,  1797.  died  April 
8,  1853,  m.  in  June,  1817,  William  Trugh,  of  Berwick. 
(6)  Abraham  m.  a  Goble,  and  removed  to  Rock  Island, 
III.  He  served  in  the  same  company  with  his  brother 
in  the  War  of  1813-1814.  (7)  EHzabeth  m.  John  Hut- 
ton,  and  removed  to  Illinois.  (8)  Catherine,  born  May 
13,  1803,  died  Sept.  26.  1840,  unmarried.  (9)  Mary 
Magdalene,  born  in  1806,  died  June  17,  1879,  m.  Aug. 
22,  1824.  Enos  Leidy,  of  Berwick  and  later  of  Mana- 
yunk,  Philadelphia.  (10)  Sarah  Adam,  bom  May  39, 
1808,  died  March  17,  1873,  m.  Jacob  Moyer,  of  Ber- 
wick. 

_  Samuel  Adams,  son  of  Anthony  Adam  and  Cathe- 
rine Glass  of  Briar  Creek  township,  Columbia  county. 
Pa.,  was  born  there  in  1793',  and  remained  in  the  same 
township.  He  married  June  37,  1819,  Esther  Hill,  who 
was  born  March  21,  1802  and  died  March  9,  '  1836. 
daughter  of  Captain  Frederick  Hill,  proprietor  'of  the' 
old  "Fort  Jenkins  Inn,"  and  his  wife,  Catherine  Con- 
ner. Captain  Frederick  Hill  was  born  March  8  1773 
and  died  Aug.  31,  1833.  He  was  commissioned  Captain 
of  the  Sixth  Company  of  the  112th  Regiment  of  the 
Mihtia  of  Pennsylvania,  by  Governor  Thomas  Mc- 
Kean,  Aug.  3,  1807,  as  appears  by  the  original  com- 
mission in  the  possession  of  Charles  F.  Hill,  Esq  of 
Hazleton.  Captain  Frederick  Hill  was  the  son  of  Fred-  ' 
erick  Hill  of  Berks  county,  by  his  wife  Maria,  daughter 

r  I  ,^^  J^'^°^  Levan,  Colonial  Judge  of  the  Courts 
of  Berks  County.  Frederick  Hill,  Berks  County,  father 
of  Captain  Frederick  Hill,  served  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  m  the  Continental  Line.  He  enlisted 
May  1,  1776,  as  a  private  in  Captain  Lewis  Farmer's 
Company  in  the  Pennsylvania  Rifle  Regiment,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Samuel  Miles.  After  the  capture 
of  Colonel  Miles  and  the  greater  portion  of  the  com- 
mand at  the  Battle  of  Long  Island,  Frederick  Hill 
with  other  survivors  of  the  Rifle  Regiment,  enlisted  in 


743  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

The  State  Regiment  of  Foot.  He  served  in  this  regi-  Andrew  Nelson  Bodey  was  born  Nov.  30,  1866,  and 
ment  in  1777  as  a  private  in  Captain  John  Nice's  Com-  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Reading.  His 
pany,  participating  in  the  Battles  of  Brandywine  and  first  business  was  as  a  cabinet  finisher,  and  he  con- 
>•  \.  /o  1  „„;,  4,.-v,;„<.=  KfV,  QorJoo  v^l  tmued  at  this  for  about  ten  months,  after  which  he  en- 
German  own.     (Pennsylvania  Archives,  5th  Series,  Vol-  ^^^^^   ^.^^  ^    ^    ^uden,   the   manufacturing  confec- 

ume  II.)                            ,     T-    .          TT-11       c    -D  ■         r-       I  tioner.      He    learned    the    business,    and,    step    by    step, 

Samuel    Adams    and    Esther    Hill    of    Briar  /-reek  .j^g^ked  himself  up,  until  he  now  holds  the  responsible 

township.  Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania,  had  the  fol-  position  of  manager,  being  at  the  head  of  450  people, 

lowing  children:  Anthony,  born  Feb.   S6,  1821,  died  in  Mr.    Bodey    was    married.    Jan.    11,    1890,    to    Sallie 

infancy;   Mary  Ann,  born  Jan.  31,  1832,  died  March  1,  Trumbore,  daughter   of  Andrew  and   Diana  Trumbore, 

1877,  m.    (first)    Louis  Traugh,  of  Berwick   (died   Nov.  of    Reading.      Four    children    have    been    born    to    this 

5,    1850)     and    (second)     Warren    Vanderhoven;     Enos  union:     Harry,  who  died  when  one  and  one-half  years- 

L.  is  mentioned  next.  old;  and  Norman,  Walter  and  Carl,  all  at  school.     Mr. 

Enos  L.  Adams,  of  Briar  Creek  townhsip,  Columbia  Bodey  belongs  to  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  the  P.  O.  S.  of 

county.   Pa.,   son   of   Samuel   Adams    and   Esther   Hill,  A.,  and  the   Knights   of  Friendship.     He  is  a  member 

of  the  same  place,  was  born  July  28,  1824.    He  married  of   Zion's    German    Reformed    Church.  _    Mr.    Bodey   is 

March  13,  1847.  Margaret  Kisner,  who  was  born  April  independent   in   politics.     He   makes   his   home   at   No. 

31.    1827,    and    died    May    19,    1872,    daughter    of    John  136  Windsor  street. 
Kisner   and    Lydia    Kinney.      Lydia    Kinney   was    born 

Nov.  10.  1805,  and  died  Sept.  5,  1851,  daughter  of  John  GEORGE  WERT,  late  a  prosperous  farmer  in  the 
Kinney  and  granddaughter  of  Major  John  Kinney,  a  employ  of  E.  &' G.  Brooke,  and  a  man  of  many  firm 
Revolutionary  officer  of  New  Jersey.  friends,  was  a  native  son  of  Pennsylvania,  born  near 
Mr.  Enos  L.  Adams  owned  the  old  Adams  home-  Churchtown,  in  Lancaster  county,  Jan.  7,  1837,  son  of 
stead  in  Briar  Creek  township,  several  properties  in  Samuel  and  Catharine  (Ridge)  Wert, 
the  neighboring  town  of  Berwick,  and  some  lands  in  Mr.  Wert  received  his  education  m  the  common 
the  State  of  Kansas.  From  1873  to  1880,  he  was  the  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  in  his  young  man- 
senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Adams  &  Son,  merchants,  hood  came  to  Berks  county,  where  he  entered  the  em- 
of  Berwick.  He  died  Aug.  17.  1887.  The  children  of  P'oy  of  Levi  Smith,  and  later  of  Col.  Heber  Smith  at 
Enos  L.  Adams  and  Margaret  Kisner  were:  (1)  Alice  Joanna  Furnace.  There  he  continued  for  the  next 
Lydia,  born  Feb.  11,  1848,  married  Jan.  7.  1869,  James  fourteen  years  proving  himself  a  faithful  and  con- 
Knox  Polk  Freas.  of  Berwick,  who  died  Oct.  16,  1898.  scientious  workman.  On  Nov.  1,  1864,  he  came  to 
(3)  John  Kisner,  born  April  8,  1850.  died  March  15,  Birdsboro,  and  from  that  time  until  his  death  he  was 
1880.  unmarried.  (3)  Samuel  Warren,  born  Feb.  3,  employed  by  E.  &G.  Brooke  m  the  operation  of  their 
1853,  was  of  Berwick.  (4)  Enos  Kinney,  born  July  8.  farm  and  dairy.  He  thoroughly  understood  his  work, 
1855.  died 'Nov.  30,  1889.  m.  Clara  Miles.  (5)  Anna  f^^  ^?°^  ^r^^*  ^"^^  "^  'J-T^  '*  TI-'  ^'""J"^  thereby 
Mary,  born  Nov.  4,  1857,  m.  Joseph  H.  Turnbach,  a  ^^^  ^jgh  esteem  and  confidence  of  his  employers.  He 
hardware  merchant  of  Philipsburg.  Pa.  She  died  Dec.  ^^^  1^°"."*  ^"/  "P"^^*  in  all  his  dealings,  and  attended 
30,  1903.     (6)   William  L.,  born  May  37,  1860.  is  men-  Y^'^  f '"i^t'^  ^°  ^'^.  °^"  business      It  has  been  said  of 

tioned  below.      (7)    Charles   Elliott,  born  Jan. -26.  1863,  ^"'.  l'l\^''   7o°\L7ZnZIT^    %^T  t^    ^u^^' 

I  -D        •  r            \/r         -c     A  iu     i.             /o\   ivV             J.  Tj  He  died  Aug.  39,  1895,  mourned  by  all  who  knew  him. 

of  Berwick,  m.  Mary  E.  Albertson.     (8)  Margaret  Ida,  q^  j^„^   ^^    ^^'      j^;    ^^^^  ^^^^.^^  ^^^U     Hoffman, 

born  Oct  11,  1866,  married  Oct.  9  1891,  Leoni  H.  daughter  of  Peter  and  Margaret  (Mock)  Hoffman,  and 
?F^.li'.  °^  B"wick.  (9)  Francis  Laura,  born  Oct.  ^f  the  nine  children  that  blessed  their  union,  seven  are 
14,  1869,  m  June  2,  1904,  James  L.  Evans,  attorney-  gtiu  ii^i„  These  were:  Margaret  m.  William  Seig- 
at-law,  of  Berwick.  (10)  Edwm  Orison,  born  March  f^ied,  and  has  three  children,  George  E..  Hannah  A. 
13  1872,  died  Aug.  6,  1872.  and  Lula  I.;  Kate  m.  Harry  Roberts,  and  has  six 
.William  L.  Adams,  son  of  Enos ,  L.  and  Margaret  children,  Emma.  Millie.  Morris,  William.  Carrie  and 
(Kisner),  was  born  at  the  Adams  homestead  in  Briar  Albert;  Samuelm.  Emma  Buchter,  and  has  six  chil- 
Creek  township,  Columbia  Co.,  Pa.,  May  27,  1860.  He  dren,  Anna,  Elmer,  Maggie,  Millie.  Katie  and  Harvey; 
was  educated  at  Mt.  Union  College,  Alliance,  Ohio,  Elizabeth  m.  Morris  Jones  (no  issue);  Peter,  of  East 
graduating  with  the  Class  of  1881.  On  Aug.  15,  1888,  Chatham,  N.  Y.,  has  two  children.  Carroll  and  Amelia; 
he  was  married  at  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  to  Lizzie  A.  George  m.  Edith  HofTman,  and  has  two  sons,  G.  How- 
Davis,  only  daughter  of  Willis  G.  Davis  and  Adelia  ard  and  Warren;  Nettie  m.  A.  Watson  Keagy.  and  has 
Anderson,  of  Colon,  Mich.,  and  a  graduate  of  the  five  children.  Edith,  Alma.  Harold.  Alice  and  Marie; 
Michigan  Seminary,  Kalamazoo,  Mich.  Since  March  and  Emma  and  Amelia  died  in  infancy, 
of  1890,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  L.  Adams  have  re-  Mr.  Wert  was  a  member  of  St.  Michael's  Episcopal 
sided  at  Hoquiam,  Washington.  They  have  four  child-  Church.  In  his  political  faith  he  was  a  Democrat, 
ren  living,  viz:  Gaylord,  born  Aug.  8,  1890;  Gwenivere  and  cast  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures 
Sept.  12,  1893;  Elizabeth,  Jan.  30,  1898,  and  William  L.,  of  that  party.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Junior 
Jr.,  May  27,  1907.  William  L.  Adams  is  president  of  O.  U.  A.  M.,  to  which,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  he  had 
The  First  National  Bank  of  Hoquiam,  and  president  belonged  for  more  than  thirty  years.  Mrs.  Wert  still 
of  the  Keystone  Timber  Company  of  Hoquiam.  makes  her  home  in  Birdsboro,  where  she  is  highly  re- 
spected by  all  who  know  her. 
ANDREW  N.  BODEY,  the  efficient  and  capable 
manager  of  Luden's  Candy  Factory,  Reading,  Pa.,  is  MARTIN  R.  MENGEL,  proprietor  of  the  "Kemp- 
one  of  that  city's  prominent  and  enterprising  business  ton  House,"  Kempton,  Pa.,  is  a  native  of  Perry  town- 
men.  He  is  a  son  of  Nelson  P.  Bodey,  a  dealer  in  ship,  Berks  county,  born  Nov.  23,  1853,  son  of  Martin 
fruits  and  provisions,  who  died  in  February,  1905,  aged  and  Susan  (Reber)  Mangel. 

fifty-nine  years.     He   was   a  soldier   in  the  war  of  the  Nicholas  Mengel,  the  first  of  the  family  to  come  to 

Rebellion,  in  Company  E,  151st  Pa.  V.  I.,  serving  nine  America,    was    born    in    Germany,    and    in    the    middle 

months,    and    was    wounded    during    the    second    days'  of  the  eighteenth  century  in  company  viath  three  other 

fighting  at   Gettysburg,   being   shot   in   both   legs.     He  young  men  of  his  country  came  to  Arnerica.     He  was 

suffered  greatly  from  these  wounds  all  the  rest  of  his  a  redemptioner,  and  was  bound   out  until  the   cost  of 

life.     Andrew    N.    Bodey's    mother,    Isabella    (Mengel)  his  passage  was  paid   by  a   Mr.   Gernand,  a  farmer  in 

Bodey,   died  when  he  was  three  years   old,  he  having  Maiden-creek     township,    Berks      Co.,    Pa.      After   his 

been    the    only   child   born    to   this   union.     Nelson    P.  freedom  was  obtained,  he  remained  with  his  employer 

Bodey's  second  wife,  Clara,  bore  him  five  children,  two  for   three   or  more  years.     By   frugality,   industry  and 

of  whom  are  now  living:  Norman,  and  Addie,  the  wife  economy    he    earned    sufficient    means    to    purchase    a 

of  Harry  McGrath.  tract  of  300  acres  of  land    in     Maiden-creek  township. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


743 


and  from  that"  time  until  his  death  he  engaged  in  its 
cultivation.  He  had  a  number  of  children,  among 
whom  were:     Frederick,  Peter  and  Jacob. 

Jacob  Mengel,  grandfather  of  Martin  R.,  born  in 
1777,  lived  in  Perry  township  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  his  grandson,  David  G.  He  was  a  farmer  and  owned 
a  large  tract  of  land.  He  died  in  his  eighty-eighth 
year  and  is  buried  at  Zion's  Churrch,  in  Perry  township, 
of  which  he  was  a  Lutheran  member.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Reichert,  and  their  children  were:.  Solomon, 
Jacob,  Jeremiah,  Elizabeth  (m.  Benjamin  Gruber),  Mar- 
tin, Ann  (m.  Solomon  Schappell),  Susanna  (m.  John 
de  Turck),  Thomas,  Jonas  and  John. 

Martin  Mengel,  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth,  was 
born  in  Perry  township  about  1813,  and  died  in  1884, 
and  is  buried  at  Zion's  Church.  By  trade  he  was  a 
stone  mason,  and  he  built  many  houses  and  barns 
through  Maiden-creek  township.  He  also  owned  a 
farm  in  Perry  township,  adjoining  Zion's  Church.  This 
consisted  of  160  acres  of  good  land.  He  was  very 
prosperous  and  left  a  goodly  estate.  In  politics  he 
was  a  Democrat,  and  held  the  ofhce  of  school  director. 
In  religious  belief  he  was  a  Lutheran  and  held  a  num- 
ber of  offices  in  the  church.  He  married  Susan  Reber, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Reber  and  wife,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Baer.  To  this  union  were  born  children  as  fol- 
lows: Benjamin,  Simon,  Martin  R.,  Franklin,  Esther 
(ra.  Jeremiah  Kerschner),  Elizabeth  (died  young), 
Margaret  (died  young),  Diana  (m.  Charles  Moyer), 
Susan  (m.  (first)  James  Williams  and  (second)  Frank 
Miller),  Lovina  (m.  Heber  Dries),  Emma  (died  unmar- 
ried) and  Mary  (m.  Adam  Starr).  Martin  Mengel  m. 
(second)  Mary  Frey,  widow  of.  a  Mr.  Smith  of  Al- 
bany.* They  lived  at  Hamburg,  where  Mrs.  Mengel  still 
resides,  now  past  eighty  years  of  age. 

Martin  R.  Mengel,  son  of  Martin,  attended  the 
common  schools  in  his  youth,  and  lived  on  the  home 
farm  until  he  was  twenty-one.  He  then  learned  the 
blacksmith's  trade  from  Daniel  Smith,  of  Windsor 
Castle,  and  this  he  followed  for  three  years  in  Iowa 
and  South  Dakota,  living  in  the  West  from  1876  to 
1896.  He  engaged  in  threshing  out  West,  first  with 
horse  power  and  later  with  steam,  carrying  on  that 
business  for  sixteen  years.  He  has  threshed  as  much 
as  3,000  bushels  of  wheat  in  one  day.  He  was  very 
successful  in  his  work,  and  carried  on  farming  in  ad- 
dition to  his  threshing.  In  1896,  after  his  return  to 
Berks  county,  he  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  at 
Windsor  Castle,  for  two  years,  and  then  for  two  years 
conducted  the  "Half-Way  House."  In  1902  he  pur- 
chased the  "Kempton  House,"  of  which  he  took  pos- 
session in  November  of  that  year,  and  he  now  has  one 
of  the  best  and  most  popular  stands  in  the  county. 
The  hotel  has  twenty-two  large  rooms,  with  spacious 
halls,  and  is  well  patronized. 

On  Feb.  «8,  1888,  Mr.  Mengel  married  Andora  S* 
Stetzler,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Esther  (Schappell) 
Stetzler,  of  Perry  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mengel  are 
members  of  Zion's  Union  Church,  in  Perry  township, 
belonging  to  the  Lutheran  corigreeation.  They  are 
highly  respected  in  the  community. 

MRS.  WILLIAM  L.  CAMPBELL,  residing  in  Read- 
ing, was  born  in  Douglassville,  Pa.,  and  on  her  mother's 
side  is  descended  from  Scotch  ancestry.  Her  parents 
were  George  L.  Leaf  and  Amelia  Douglass,  the  former  a 
merchant   of   Pottstown. 

The  first  Douglass  to  leave  Scotland  and  settle  in 
Pennsylvania  was  George,  great-grandfather  to  Mrs. 
Campbell,  who  founded  the  town  of  Douglassville.  His 
son  George  was  a  farmer  and  merchant  in  the  same 
place  and  it  was  his  daughter  Amelia  who  became  Mrs. 
Leaf.  She  died  aged  eighty-three.  The  original  Doug- 
lass homestead  at  Douglassville  has  never  passed  out 
of  the  family,  interests  being  still  held  by  Mrs.  Camp- 
bell. Through  a  marriage  of  Miss  Mary  May,  a  niece 
of  George  Douglass  (2),  to  George  De  B.  Keim,  Mrs. 
Campbell  is  also  connected  with  another  old  Pennsyl- 
vania family. 


She  is  a  member  of  Christ  Church  and  has  always 
been  active  in  the  various  departments  of  church  work. 
She  is  also  prominent  in  the  ladies  auxiliary  of  the 
Reading  Hospital,  where  she  has  served  on  the  house- 
keeping committee.  The  demands  upon  her  time  and 
strength  are,  however,  becoming  a  little  too  heavy,  and 
she  is  gradually  retiring  from  many  of  her  activities, 
a  necessity  which  is  greatly  to  be  regretted.  R.  T. 
Leaf,  brother  of  Mrs.  W.  L.  Campbell,  is  the  only' other 
member  of  the  family  living. 

HENRY  HUBER,  a  resident  of  Reading  since  his 
first  coming  to  this  country  in  1869,  was  born  in 
Wurtemberg,   Germany,  in  1841. 

Frederick  Huber,  father  of  Henry,  lived  and  died  in 
Germany.  He  was  a  stone  cutter  by  trade,  and  brought 
up  several  of  his  sons  tp  the  same  occupation.  He  and 
his  wife  had  a  large  family  of  children,  fifteen  of  them 
reaching  maturity,  namely:  Lizzie;  Frederick,  of  New 
Jersey;  Augustus,  of  Paris,  France;  Henry;  Mary,  de- 
ceased; Gustave,  at  the  old  home  in  Germany;  Her- 
mann, of  Germany;  Gottlieb,  William  and  Charles,  of 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  the  latter  now  deceased;  Fredericka, 
at  the  old  home;  Minnie,  of  Leipsic,  Saxony;  John,  of 
Paris;  Ernst,  in  the  stone  business  at  the  old  home; 
and  Theodore,  an  engineer  in  Germany.  Three  other 
children  died  in  infancy. 

Henry  Huber  learned  stone-cutting  from  his  father, 
and  worked  under  him  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years 
old.  He  then  decided  to  make  a  new  start  in  a  new 
country,,  and  in  1869  he  landed  at  New  York.  He 
proceeded  immediately  to  Philadelphia  and  secured 
work  there  at  his  trade,  but  after  only  two  weeks  left 
that  city  for  Reading  and  has  ever  since  made  his 
home  there.  He  found  employment  readily  and  re- 
mained for  thirty-four  years  with  his  original  em- 
ployer. Christian  Eben,  and  with  the  sons  who  suc- 
ceeded him.  Finally,  iri  1903,  after  his  long  period  of 
faithful  and  efficient  labor,  Mr.  Huber  gave  up  his 
place  and  left  home  to  revisit  the  scenes  of  his  youth. 
He  spent  nearly  four  months  abroad,  and  then,  on  re- 
turning to  America,  went  into  business  on  his  own 
account,  getting  out  stone  for  building  purposes,  mainly 
sand  stone.  Mr.  Huber  is  in  partnership  with  Andrew 
Honeker,  and  the  firm  is  located  on  Locust  street,  be- 
tween Elm  and  Buttonwood,  where  they  do  a  large 
business,  and  bid  fair  to  become  one  of  the  leading 
industrial  concerns  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Huber  married  Miss  Pauline  Grouper,  and  three 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  as  follows:  Emma 
who  married  Edward  C.  Haggerty,  a  sergeant  of  the 
Reading  pohce,  appointed  by  Mayor  Gerber;  Harry 
and  Wilham.  Politically  Mr.  Huber  is  a  Democrat,' 
and  in  religious  matters  a  Lutheran,  a  member  of  the 
Reading  Church.  During  his  long  period  of  service 
under  another  Mr.  Huber  fully  demonstrated  the  many 
sterhng  quahties-of  his  character,  and  he  well  deserves 
the  success  that  is  so  abundantly  rewarding  his  efforts 
now  that  he  is  in  business  for  himself. 

DANIEL  M.  GRILL,  a  citizen  of  Reading,  Pa  who 
is  retired,  resides  in  his  home  at  No.  113  South  Third 
street  in  this  city.  Mr.  Grill  was  born  in  Cumru  town- 
ship, Berks_  county.  Pa  July  14,  1842,  a  son  of  Adam 
and  Catherine  M.   Grill. 

Of  the  Grill  faniily,  at  least  three  generations  having 
been  born  in  Berks  county.  Philip  Grill,  grandfather 
of  Daniel,  married  a  Miss  Lesher,  ana  they  were  early 
settlers  in  Cumru  township,  where  he  became  pos- 
sessed of  an  excellent  farm.  Their  children  were- 
John,  deceased,  formerly  an  extensive  farmer  in  Ohio- 
Samuel,  deceased,  also  owned  farming  land  in  Ohio- 
Adam,  father  of  Daniel  Grill;  Joseph,  who  died  aged 
eighty-two  years  at  Sinking  Spring;  Philip,  deceased, 
^  u"'/"^*?7"''"?.=  Catherine,  who  m.  Jacob  Hart 
and  had  children,  Samuel,  John,  Jacob,  Levi  Louisa 
Wnh'T'  K^'^'  P?"y'  Sally  and' Bessie;  Leah',  who  m.' 
Jacob   Brossman;   Mrs.   Cubbison;   and  Bessie,  who  m 


744 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


George  Matz.  In  religious  belief  the  family  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Reformed  Church.  Politically  Mr.  Grill 
was  a  Democrat. 

Adam  Grill,  father  of  Daniel,  followed  agricultural 
pursuits  all  of  his  life,  dying  in  1857,  aged  sixty-four 
years,  while  his  widow  survived  him  until  March  31, 
1888,  being  eighty-eight  years  old  at  the  tim^  of  her 
death.  They  were  the  parents  of  these  children:  Ben- 
n'ewell  died  young,  as  did  also  David;  Samuel,  de- 
ceased, m.  Betsy  Venida;  Betsy  m.  Henry  Venida;  Cath- 
erine m.  Christian  Cress;  Polly  m.  Richard  Hornber- 
ger;  Levi,  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead,  m.  Mary 
Eshelman;  Sarah  m.  Nicholas  Moser;  Adam  m.  Sarah 
Dew.ees;  Lydia  m.  James  Leininger;  Daniel;  and  Henry, 
of  Oakbrook,  m.  Mary  Heister.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grill 
and  their  family  were  also  members  of  the  Reformed 
Church.  Mr.  Grill  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
served  faithfully  for  a  number  of  years  as  supervisor 
of  his  township. 

Daniel  Grill,  although  receiving  a  good  German  edu- 
cation, was  but  poorly  versed  in  English.  He  remained 
at  home  until  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Cumru  township,  and  this  he  oper- 
ated for  thirty-two  years,  operating  a  dairy  in  con- 
junction '  therewith.  Mr.  Grill  s-old  his  interests  in 
1897  and  retired  to  Mohnsville,  but  in  1903  located  in 
Reading,  where  he  has  since  resided,  his  home  being 
located  at  No.  112  South  Third  street. 

In  1864,  Mr.  Grill  married  Mary  Matz,  daughter  of 
William  and  Sarah  (Straub)  Matz,  natives  of  Berks 
county,  and  to  this  union  were  born  four  children: 
Charles  W.,  m.  to  Kate  Lewis;  Frank  H.,  m.  to  Eliza- 
beth Shonour,  and  they  had  two  children,  Helen  (de- 
ceased) and  Marie;  G.  Harvey,  m.  to  Alice  Holdry  and 
they  have  two  children,  Daniel  and  Mabel;  Clara,  m. 
to  Edgar  Glasser. 

Both  Mr.  Grill  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Re- 
formed Church,  to  which  he  has  always  given  a  very 
liberal  support.  Politically  he  has  been  a  life-long 
Democrat,  and  since  coming  to  Reading  has  served  in 
the  office  of  tax  collector,  while  during  his  residence 
in  Cumru  township  he  was  treasurer  of  that  township 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  a  man  who  is  justly  held 
in  high  esteem  by  his  fellow  citizens. 

DICK  FAMILY.  The  city  of  Reading  counts  among  its 
most  valued  citizens  descendants  of  German  settlers  who 
came  to  Pennsylvania  direct  from  the  Fatherland,  bring- 
ing with  them  the  solid  virtues  and  thrifty  habits  which 
characterize  their  nationality.  The  Dick  family  belongs 
in  this  category  and  it  can  be  traced  to  one  Jacob  Dick, 
who  came  to  America  from  Germany  and  is  known  to  have 
taken  part  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

This  Jacob  Dick  was  the  grandfather  of  the  late  Amos 
L.  Dick,  at  the  time  of  his  death  a  venerable  retired 
resident  of  Reading.  After  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary 
struggle  Jacob  Dick  settled  in  what  was  then  the  strag- 
gling village  of  Reading,  where  he  established  himself  in 
business,  doing  chair-making,  spinning  wheel  manufactur- 
ing, and  also  working  as  a  carpenter.  The  site  of  the 
business  was  where  the  photograph  gallery  of  Mr.  Fritz 
now  stands.  Jacob  Dick  died  in  1834 ;  his  wife  passed  away 
ten  years  before.  They  had  two  children :  Susan,  who 
married  a  Mr.  Boas,  and  died  in  Reading,  and  Jacob, 
father  of  Amos  L. 

Jacob  Dick  (2)  was  born  in  the  old  Penn  street  home 
at  Reading  in  1783,  and  when  he  reached  maturity  married 
Susan  Lutz.  Their  children  were :  Sarah  Ruth,  born  in 
1806,  died  Sept.  5,  1889,  at  Fritztown,  aged  eighty-three 
years,  six  months,  twenty-seven  days;  a  son,  born  Oct.  12, 
1808,  died  eleven  days  later :  Susan,  born  Oct.  12,  1808, 
died  in  1828,  aged  nineteen  years,  seven  months,  twenty- 
six  days ;  Margaret,  born  Aug.  18,  1810,  died  July  21,  1885, 
aged  seventy-four  years,  eleven  months,  three  days,  in 
Oley  township;  Catherine  Leinbach,  born  Feb.  15,  1812, 
died  Dec.  16,  1890,  aged  seventy-eight  years,  ten  months, 
one  day,  near  Boyertown;  Elizabeth  Johnson,  born  Nov.  9, 
1813,    died    July    5,    1876,    aged    sixty-two    years,    seven 


months,  twenty-six  days,  at  Colebrookdale ;  Nicholas,  born 
Nov.  28,  1815,  died  in  October,  1873,  aged  fifty-seven  years, 
ten  months,  six  days,  in  Cumru  township;  Jacob.j 
born  Nov.  24,  1817,  died  aged  eight  years,  two  months, 
twenty-seven  days;  Amos  L.  was  born  Aug.  10,  1819; 
Maria  DeTurk,  born  Sept.  10,  1821,  died  March  7,  1884, 
aged  sixty-two  years,  five  months,  twenty-seven  days,  in 
Exeter  township;  Sophia,  born  in  1823,  married  James 
Smeck,  and  died  May  6,  1870,  aged' forty-six  years,  seven 
months,  twenty-eight  days,  at  Reading;  Jacob  L.,  born 
Nov.  14,  1824,  died  Feb.  6,  1904,  aged  seventy-nine  years, 
two  months,  twenty-two  days,  in  Indiana;  Solomon,  bo"rn 
April  1,  1830,  died  Oct.  9,  1872,  aged  forty-two  years,  six 
months,  eight  days,  in  Indiana. 

After  their  marriage  the  parents  of  Amos  L.  Dick  settled 
in  Cumru  township,  along  the  Schuylkill  river,  and  the 
father  followed  farming  from  1806  continuously  until 
1858,  when  he  retired,  dying  Dec.  11,  1859.  He  owned 
a  farm  of  135  acres.  His  wife  died  March  13,  1870,  aged 
eighty-three  years,  two  months,  twenty-one  days.  They 
both  were  interred  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 

Amos  L.  Dick  attended  the  subscription  schools  in  the 
neighborhood  of  his  home,  which  were  the  only  available 
schools  during  his  boyhood,  and  by  the  time  he  was 
seventeen  years  of  age  was  a  well-informed  youth.  His 
practical  education  had  been  in  no  way  neglected,  either, 
farm  work  claiming  a  large  part  of  his  time  and  atten- 
tion. In  assisting  his  father  he  learned  how  to  manage 
for  himself,  and  in  1848  he  married  and  settled  on  a 
farm  of  100  acres,  which  he  purchased,  in  Robeson  town- 
ship. Mr.  Dick  remained  on  this  farm  for  twenty  years, 
in  1868  removing 'to  Reading. 

After  coming  to  the  city  Mr.  Dick  followed  contracting 
and  building  for  some  years,  and  was  very  successful.  At 
length  increasing  years  impelled  him  to  retire  entirely 
from  business  activity.  He  could  recall  the  time  when 
Reading's  population  did  not  exceed  4,000,  long  before  it 
became  the  home  of  so  many  immense  industries  and 
the  dwelling  place  of  some  of  the  most  intelligent  and 
cultured  people  of  the  great  State  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
occupied  a  very  comfortable  home  at  No.  29  North  Ninth 
street,  and  was  probably  one  of  the  most  venerable,  as 
he  was  one  of  the  most  esteemed,  residents  of  his  city. 
He  died  May  12,   1907. 

In  1848  Mr.  Dick  married  Amelia  Dunkle,  born  Dec.  18, 
1828,  daughter  of  Solomon  ■  and  Elizabeth  (Althouse) 
Dunkle.  The  Dunkle  family  is  a  very  old  one  in  Berks 
county,  having  been  established  here  by  Jacob  Dunkle,  the 
great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Dick.  Her  grandparents  were 
George  and  Charlotte  (Engle)  Dunkle.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dick  had  one  daughter,  Emma,  who  married  John  DeLong, 
wholesale  leather  merchant  of  Philadelphia.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
DeLong  have  had  three  children,  viz. :  Flora,  Howard  and 
Oscar,  the  latter  deceased.  Mrs.  Dick  was  one  of  a  large 
family,  her  brothers  and  sisters  being:  Mary  Ann, 
Caroline,  Morgan,  Sarah  A.,  Elizabeth  C,  Albert,  Killian 
G.,  David  G.,  and  James. 

iMr.  Dick  was  a  life-long  Democrat.  He  was  the  old- 
est member  of  the  First  Reformed  Church  at  Reading, 
which  he  joined  in  1839,  his  wife  joining  in  1846. 


Nicholas  Dick,  son  of  Jacob  (2),  was  born  Nov.  28, 
1815,  and  died  Oct.  4,  1873.  He  married  Esther  DeTurk, 
who  still  survives,  being  now  one  of  the  oldest  residents 
of  Reading.  Her  home  is  at  No.  140  South  Ninth  street. 
Mr.  Dick  was  a  life-long  Democrat,  and  a  worthy  mem- 
ber of  the  Reformed  Church.  His  father  built  the  res- 
idence which  still  stands  on  the  old  Dick  homestead,  in 
Cumru  township,  in  1811.  The  barn  he  built  in  1809  and 
the  smoke-house  in  1810.  They  were  so  substantially 
constructed  that  they  have  defied  the  attacks  of  time  up 
to  the  present.  Nicholas  Dick's  children  were:  Marcus 
D.  (of  Seyfert  Station,  Berks  county).  William,  Eli  D., 
Albert,  Henry,  Susan  (wife  of  A.  F.  Wenzel,  of  Baums- 
town),  Annie  and  Lizzie  D. 

Henry  Dick,  son  of  Nicholas,  was  born  in  Cumru 
township,  Berks  county,  April  24,  1845.     He  was  educated 


^,o(^^Ot-/C 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


745 


in  the  district  schools  and  at  Brunner's  Business  College, 
and  then  engaged  in  farming,  continuing  thus  until  1885, 
when  he  retired.  In  1874  he  became  interested  in  the 
Farmers'  Market-House  Company,  having  a  half  interest, 
which  he  retained  until  the  time  of  his  death.  May  21, 
1901.  Mr.  Dick  was  a  man  of  sterling  integrity  and  was 
at  -various  times  elected  by  his  townsmen  to  hold  office, 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  common  council,  from  the 
Third  ward,  in  1888-89,  and  declining  a  renomination. 

Mr.-  Dick  married  Mary  A.  Kissinger,  daughter  of 
Washington  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Yost)  Kissinger,  and  she 
lives  at  No.  106  South  Ninth  street,  Reading.  They 
had  children  as  follows :  Charles,  Franklin  and  Henry 
(who  is  attending  Princeton  University,  as  a  member 
of   the   class   of    1909).  ' 

Chaeles  K.  Dick,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Dick 
Brothers,  brass  founders  and  pattern-makers,  of  Read- 
ing, was  born  March  31, .  1875.  He  attended  the  district 
schools  and  the  Reading  high  school,  and  subsequently 
took  a  course  at  Stoner's  Business  College,  Reading,  after 
which  he  served  an  apprenticeship  to  the  trade  of  pattern- 
maker, at  the  National  Brass  &  Iron  Works.  After  a 
few  years  of  work  as  a  journeyman  for  the  same  firm  he 
engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account,  in  1897  organ- 
ing  the  well-known  Excelsior  Brass  Works,  of  which 
firm  he  served  as  secretary  and  treasurer  until  1901. 
On  March  1,  1903,  Mr.  Dick  engaged  in  business  with  his 
brother  Franklin  K.,  at  No,.  130  Penn  street,  the  firm 
being  known  as  Dick  Brothers.  Twenty  skilled  mechanics 
are  employed  in  the  works,  the  local  trade  is  large  and 
steady,  and  extends  through  many  States,  and  the  firm 
is   enjoying  increasing  prosperity. 

Mr.  Dick  married  Eva  M.  Baldwin,  daughter  of  Frank- 
lin D.  and  Amanda  D.  (Rudolph)  Baldwin,  of  Lancaster 
county,  and  one  child,  Martha  Elizabeth,  has  been  born 
to  this  union.  Mr.  Dick  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  being  connected  with  Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  Excelsior  R.  A.  Chapter,  No.  237,  Reading 
Commandery,  No.  42,  K.  T.,  Reading  Lodge  of  Perfec- 
tion; Caldwell  Consistory,  thirty-second  degree,  of 
Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. 
Since  1901  Mr.  Dick  has  been  superintendent  of  the  well- 
known  Farmers'  Market-House,  Inc.,  being  also  treasurer 
and  a  director  of  said  corporation. 

Franklin  K.  Dick,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Dick  Brothers,  was  born  in  Cum'ru  to^wnship,  Berks 
county,  June  26,  1878.  He  spent  his  early  school  days 
in  his  native  township,  later  attending  the  public  schools 
of  Reading,  after  leaving  which  he  served  fifteen  months 
at  the  trade  of.  locksmith.  He  later  learned  the  pattern- 
making  trade,  as  well  as  engraving  and  chasing,  and 
remained  with  the  Reading  Hardware  Company,  his  first 
employers,  for  about  six  and  one-half  years.  (3n  March 
1,  1903,  with  his  brother,  Charles  K.,  Mr.  Dick  engaged 
in  business  at  No.  120  Penn  street,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Dick  Brothers. 

On  the  organization  of  the  firm  it  was  the  intention 
of  the  brothers  to  manufacture  nothing  except  brass  cast- 
ings, but  since  that  time  .they  have  added  to  the  list  of 
their  products,  which  now  include  plumbers'  supplies  and 
a  fine  line  of  plumbers'  specialties.  The  works  were  first 
furnished  power  by  a  five-horse-power  engine,  but  they 
now  have  a  seventy-five  horse-power  engine  and 
120  horse-power  boiler.  The  works  are  equipped  with 
the  latest  and  best  machinery,  and  employ  nothing  but 
skilled  mechanics. 

Mr.  Dick  married  Miss  Margaret  Schick,  daughter  of 
Christian  and  Mary  Schick,  of  Reading,  and  two  children, 
Miriam  and  Carroll  S.,  have  been  born  to  this  union. 
Mr.  Dick  is  a  member  of  the  First  Reformed  Church, 
and  is  assistant  librarian  of  the  Sunday-school.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum,  pf  Chandler  Lodge, 
No.  227,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  the_  P._  O.  S.  of  A.,  and 
is  very  popular  in  all  of  these  organizations.  His  residence 
is  at  No.  33   North  Ninth  street. 

Eli  D.  Dick,  a  well-known  business  citizen  of  Reading, 
who  is  associated  with  the  Bard  Hardware  Company,  of 


that  city,  was  born  in  Cumru  township,  Berks  county, 
July  13,  1853,  a  son  of  Nicholas  Dick  and  a  grandson  of 
Jacob  Dick  (2),  and  a  nephew  of  the  late  Amos  L.  Dick 
of  Reading. 

Mr.  Dick  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
township,  and  one  term  at  Myerstown,  Lebanon  county, 
and  assisted  his  father  at  farming  until  1882,  in  the 
fall  of  which  year  he  came  to  Reading,  and  accepted  a 
position  with  the   firm   with  which   he  is   still   connected. 

Mr.  Dick  '  married  Miss  Catharine  DeHart,  and  they 
reside  at  No.  1120  Franklin  street.  ,  They  are  the  parents 
of  three  children:  George  W.,  who  is  attending  school; 
Esther  L.,  deceased ;  and  Mary  A.  He  and  his  wife  are 
rnembers  of  the  Reformed  denomination. 

OLIVER  MOHR  LANDIS,  an  enterprising  business 
man  of  No.  427-431  North  Sixth  street,  Reading,  Pa., 
engaged  in  doing  mantel,  fire-place,  grate,  tile  and 
mosaic  work,  is  a  native  of  Berks  county,  born  in  i868, 
in  Washington  township,  son  of  George  O.  and  Mary 
(Mohr)  Landis.  

Mr.  Landis  attended  the  district  schools  and  West 
Chester  Normal  school,  and  then  returned  to  Berks 
county,  teaching  one  term  in  Hereford  township.  Mr. 
Landis  then  went  to  Pottstown  and  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade,  which  he  followed  there  for  three  years, 
and  one  year  in  Philadelphia,  with  some  success.  He 
next  went  to  Seattle,  Wash.,  being  there  one  year  after 
the  great  fire  in 'that  city.  He  also  engaged  in  the 
box  manufacturing  business  at  Portland,  _Qlp.,  and  in 
1889  returned  to  Pennsylvania.  In  1892  ~Hr.  Landis 
located  in  Reading  and  engaged  in  business  linder  the 
firm  name  of  O.  M.  Landis  &  Co.,  at  No.  932  Penn 
street,  one  year  later  locating  at  No.  933  Penn  street, 
and  the  following  year  at  No.  15  North  Sixth  street. 
He  then  entered  into  partnership  with  H.  C.  Geisler, 
Sr.,  and  for  six  years  they  carried  on  business  under 
the  name  of  the  American  Tile  &  Mantel  Company,  at 
No.  727  Penn  street,  and  later  at  No.  230  Penn  street.  • 
In  the  spring  of  1906  Mr.  Landis  opened  his'  present 
business  at  Nos.  427-435  North  Sixth  street,  at  the 
well  known  old  Esterly  Marble  stand,  and  here  he  has 
continued  successfully  up  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.    Landis   married   Clara   Stoudt,   and   they   reside 
at   No.   332  Windsor  street,   Reading.     They  have   six 
children:     Russel  H.,  Mary  D.,  Ruth,  Grace  C,  Oliver 
and   Harrison.     In   political   matters   Mr.   Landis   is   a  i 
Republican.     He    and    his    wife    attend    the    First    Re-  \ 
formed  Church. 

AARON  S.  WAGNER,  one  of  the  prosperous  busi- 
ness men  of  Shoemakersville,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  -was 
born  April  26,  1868,  in  Penn  township,  son  of  Harrison 
L.  and  Mary  (Speicher)  Wagner^ 

John  Wagner,  great-grandfather  of  Aaron  S.,  was 
born  Nov.  20,  1764,  and  settled  on  a  large  farm  in 
Jefferson  township,  which  is  now  owned  by  Isaac  Wen- 
rich.  He  was  married  three  times,  the  names,  of  his 
wives  being  Miller,  Leymaster  and  Conrad.  He  died 
July  11,  1841.  We  have  no  record  of  the  children  by 
his  first  wife,  but  those  of  the  second  marriage  were 
Philip,  Jacob,  Isaac,  John  and  Daniel,  and  by  the  third 
marriage  one  child  was  born,  Mary,  who  became  the 
wife  of  John  Henne.  Mrs.  Henne  survived  her  hus- 
band a  number  of  years;  she  died,  in  1908,  at  her  late, 
residence,   Bernville,  Pennsylvania. 

Daniel  Wagner,  grandfather  of  Aaron  S.,  was  born 
in  Tulpehocken  (now  a-  part  of  Jefferson)  township, 
and  died  in  1880,  being  buried  at  the  Bernville  Church. 
He  was  a  well-known  and  influential  citizen,  was  a 
prominent  Democrat,  and  was  active  in  the  affairs  of 
the  church.  Mr.  Wagner  married  Eva  Lengel.  who  was  ■ 
born  in  1813,  and  died  in  1906,  daughter  of  Israel  Len- 
gel, and  to  them  there  were  born  eleven  children:  Levi 
Elizabeth,  Harrison,  Amelia,  Calvin.  Mary,  Emma, 
John,  Jane,  James  and  Frank,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twelve  years. 

Harrison  L.  Wagner  was  born  in  Jefferson  township, 
July  1,  1836,  and  died  on  his  farm  in  Penn  .township,' 


746  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

Nov.  13,  1894.    He  was  a  leading  Democrat,  and  served  ters   and   other   good  books  were   burned   at    Gottfried 

his  township  in  various  offices.    He  and  his  family  were  Fidler's    house    near    Womelsdorf,    in    the    presence    of 

members   of  the   Reformed   Church  at   Bernville.     Mr.  a    number    of    the    followers,    among    them    being    the 

Wagner    married    Mary    Speicher,    and    they    had    two  great    and    good     leader,    Conrad    Weiser.       Gottfried 

children,  Aaron  S.  and  Alvin  S.  Fidler  had  a  large  family,   and  among  his   sons  were: 

Aaron  S.  Wagner  received  his  education  in  the  dis-  Henry,  Stephen,  Andrew,  Adam  and  John, 

trict   schools   and   was   reared   to   agricultural   pursuits.  Henry  Fidler,  born  Feb.   14,  1723,  died  May  2,   1777. 

When  a  young  man  he  learned  the  milling  trade,  which  He  and  his  wife  Mary  Magdalene  had  four  sons  and 

he    followed    for    five    years,    and    he    then    became    a  five  daughters. 

stationary  engineer,  following  this  profession  until  1897,  Henry  Fidler  (2),  born  March  21,  1752,  died  June 
when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Soloman  S.  Miller,  6,  1831.  He  married  Eve  Lehnig,  and  their  nlarried 
and  under  the  firm  name  of  Wagner  &  Miller  'manu-  life  covered  a  period  of  twenty-nine  years.  They 
factured  hosiery  at  Reading  until  1900,  at  which  time  were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  eight  daughters, 
Mr.  Wagner  formed  a  partnershio  with '  Jeremiah  W  as  recorded  at  St.  Daniel's  Church:  Maria  Catharine, 
Heckman,  of  Shoemakersville.  There  they  engaged  born  April  23,  1776  (sponsors,  Conrad  Spatz  and  Ma- 
in business  until  1907,  when  Mr.  Heckman  purchased  ria  Catharine  Fiedler);  John,  born  Oct.  31,  1778  (spon- 
Mr.  Wagner's  interest.  Mr.  Wagner  is  a  Democrat  in  sors,  John  Fiedler  and  Elizabeth  Fischer);  Henry  (3), 
politics,  and  socially  he  is  connected  with  the  Odd  born  Dec.  16,  1779;  Eva  Barbara,  born  April  16,  1782; 
Fellows,  the  Shepherds  of  Bethlehem  No.  60,  of  Cen-  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  34,  1784  (sponsors,  John  Adam 
treport,  and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  He  and  his  family  Fidler  and  wife);  Magdalena,  born  May  31,  1787;  Ma- 
attend  the  Reformed  Church  of  Shoemakersville.  ria    Christina,    born    Dec.    16,    1789;    Eva    Catharine, 

On  June  9,  1889,  Mr.  Wagner  was  married  to  Kate  born    March   24,    1792;    Maria    Margaret,    born    Feb.    3, 

Marburger,  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Esther  (Reed)  1794;    Abraham,    born   July   5,    1796;    and    Sarah,    born 

Marburger,  and  four  children   have  been  born   to   this  Aug.  15,  1800. 

union:   Annie  R.,  Mary  J.,  William  H.  and  Marguerite  I.  Henry  Fidler   (3),  born  Dec.  16,_  1779,  died   Sept.  24, 

1860.      He    married    Catharine    Leininger,    with    wh(3m 

BENJAMIN  F.  SHEEDER,  a  prominent  business  he  lived  forty-four  years.  They  had  three  sons  and 
man  of  Reading,  Pa.,  who  is  conducting  the  Sheeder  four  daughters:  Elizabeth,  born  March  19,  1802;  Dan- 
Planing  Mill,  located  at  the  corner  of  Spruce  and  Miff-  iel.  born  May  31,  1804,  died  Jan.  19,  1857,  m.  in  1831, 
lin  streets,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county.  Pa.,  in  Elizabeth  Miller,  by  whom  he  had  four  daughters; 
1851,  son  of  Philip  Sheeder  (born  April  15,  1808),  a  Polly;  Sarah;  Eliza;  Henry  (4),  born  in  1812;  and  Elias, 
blacksmith  by  trade,  who  was  engaged  as  an  iron  born  July  1,  1814,  died  April  15,  1879.  Of  these  child- 
worker,  ren,   Elias,   born    1814,   was   for   thirty  years   a   general 

Mr.  Sheeder  secured  his  education  in  the  common  merchant  at  Womelsdorf,  and  then  until  his  death 
schools  of  Reading,  and  while  still  a  boy  apprenticed  was  engaged  in  the  grain  business.  He  was  very 
himself  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  working  for  John  active  in  the  New  Lutheran  Church,  and  held  a  num- 
Fink  &  Co.,  where  the  Goetz  tannery  is  now  located,  ber  of  offices  therein.  He  married  Eliza  Schulze,  born 
He  continued  in  the  employ  of  this  company  for  Oct.  5,  1818,  died  May  1.  1901,  and  they  had  children: 
twenty-five  years,  and  then  engaged  in  outside  con-  Mary;  Julia  C,  wife  of  George  C.  Valentine,  of  Wom- 
tracting  until  1901,  when  he  organized  the  Sheeder  elsdorf;  Henry  S.;  Frederick  (1854-1899),  who  had 
Planing  Mill  Company,  with  the  following  well-known  children,  Arthur  Penn,  Julia,  Herbert  S.  and  Alfred, 
business  men:  Dr.  Walter  A.  Rigg,'and  Samuel  B.  Henry  Fidler  (4),  father  of  William,  was  born  near 
Rigg.  This  company  does  all  kinds  of  contract  mill  Charming  Forge,  in  1812,  and  died  in  the  borough 
work,  stair  work,  etc.  The  factory  and  grounds  cover  of  Womelsdorf  in  1873.  He  was  a  hosiery  manufac- 
an  area  of  110  x  480  feet,  the  building  being  equipped  turer  until  about  forty  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he 
with  the  latest  machinery,  doing  an  extensive  amount  moved  to  the  farm  on  which  his  son  William  now  lives, 
of  work  in  Reading  and  the  surroundinp-  country,  as  and  ther?  he  lived  until  1865.  He  then  spent  two 
well  as  in  the  States  of  Delaware  and  New  Jersey,  years  in  Womelsdorf,  after  which  he  located  on  a 
They  furnished  all  of  the  building  material  for  the  Co-  farm  in  that. borough,  there  passing  the  remainder  of 
lonial  Trust  Building,  the  Boy's  new  high  school,  the  his  life.  He  and  his  family  were  members  of  Reed's 
Masonic  Temple,  and  many  others  of  Reading's  sub-  Church,  where  he  was  buried.  Mr.  Fidler  married 
stantial  buildings.  The  company  employ  from  twenty-  Hannah  Scholl,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Margaret  (Reed) 
five  to  thirty  hands,  and  are  kept  busy  the  year  around.  Scholl,  who  had  children:  Peter,  George,  Isaac,  Sal- 
Mr.  Sheeder  is  a  member  ot  the  Liberty  Fire  Company,  lie  (m.  Jacob  Zerbe),  Catharine  (died  unmarried). 
In  political  matters  he  is  independent.  Mattie    (m.   a   Gerhart)    and   Hannah    (m.   Mr,   Fidler). 

Mr.  Sheeder  was  married  in  1874  to  Miss  Mary  Ag-  Mrs.   Fidler's   grandfather  was   Simon   Scholl,   of  Mill- 

nes   Seiders,   and   to   this   union   there   were   born   two  bach,  Lebanon  county,  and  his  father  was  the  ances- 

children:    Howard    F.    and    Peter    N.,    both    of    whom  tor   of   the   American   line   of   Scholls.     After   her   hus- 

are  engaged  in  work  at  the  planing  mill.  band's  death   Mrs.   Fidler  continued  on  the  farm  until 

1884,  when  she  moved  to  Womelsdorf,  and  there  lived 

WILLIAM    FIDLER,   who   is   carrying   on   agricul-  until    1893,    when    she    moved   to   the   present   farm   of 

tural   operations   in   Marion   township,   Berks   Co.,   Pa.,  her  son  William,  where  she  died  in  1900.     To   Henry 

along  the    Berks   and   Dauphin   turnpike,   was   born   in  Fidler  and  his  wife  were  born  the  following  children: 

that  township,   Feb,   18,  1856,  son  of  Henry  and  Han-  Richard,   Kate,   Harry,   Eliza,   Frank,   Louisa,   William, 

nah   (Scholl)   Fidler.  Amelia,   George   and   Wayne.     None   of   the   daughters 

There  was  a  Gottfried  Fidler,  over  twenty-one  years  were  ever  married, 
of  age,  among  the  emigrants  that  came  to  New  York  William  Fidler  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits 
State  in  1710,  passing  the  winter  of  1710  and  Summer  and  he  became  the  owner  of  his  present  farm  in  1900, 
of  1711  in  Livingston  Manor,  N.  Y.,  then  settling  in  after  his  mother's  death.  He  had  conducted  the  farm 
Schoharie,  N.  Y.,  in  1713,  and  in  1723  coming  to  Tul-  for  her  from  1893  to  19O0.  This  tract,  which  is  located 
pehocken,  Berks  (then  Lancaster)  county.  on  the  pike  one  mile  northwest  of  Womelsdorf,  con- 
Gottfried  Fidler  (or  Fiedler)  was  an  early  settler  sists  of  thirty-two  acres,  and  is  in  the  best  of  con- 
in  Tulpehocken  ,and  is  buried  at  St.  Daniel's  Church,  tion,  and  is  supplied  with  good  water.  He  at  present 
He  was  a  co-worker  with  Conrad  Weiser,  Peter  Klopn  devotes  all  his  time  to  its  cultivation.  With  his 
Hans  Miller  and  others  in  the  Tulpehocken  Valley,  family  he  attends  Reed's  Lutheran  Church.  He  is 
and  was  one  of  the  Palatinates  from  the  Schoharie  a  stanch  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  held  several 
who   joined   the   Seventh-day  Adventists   in    Lancaster  local  offices. 

before    1750.      It    is    a    matter    of    history    that    during  Mr.    Fidler    was    married    to    Lizzie    F.    Cherington, 

the    early    period    of    their    conversion,    the    old    Psal-  daughter  of  Thomas  D.  and  Kate  (Scholl)  Cherington, 


BIOGRAPHICAL . 


747 


of  Millbach,  Lebanon  county,  and  thev  have  children  as  twenty-two  days.     Mr.  Werner  had  never  had  a  day  s 

follows:     Harry  W.,  Elsie  M.  and  Thomas  C.  sickness   until   the   one      which   proved   fatal,   although 

he    had    served    through    the    Civil    war,    in    which    he 

LOUIS  POHLIG,  a  well-known  resident  of  Reading,  gained   an    honorable    record    as    a   brave    and    faithful 

who  is  engaged  in   the  Deppen  Brewing  Company  of  soldier     He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic 

this  city,  as  brewmaster,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  fraternity     After  the  war  Mr.  Werner  went  to  Schuyl- 

m  Saxony.  July  4,  1865,  both  of  his  parents  dymg  m  j^ji,  county,  and  after  building  many  of  the  coal  break- 

1}  '^°"S  ui'-              •     J      t,-       J       ;-•          •      <.t.        1  ers      around      Pottsville,      Tamaqua.      Tremont,      Ma- 
Mr.      Pohlig   received     his    education     m    the    place    ,   °      ^.i^ujiu      i  ui.i.=  v; '^.         »       i     .                      < 

of  his  nativity,  and  came  to  America  in  1885,  settling  hanoy    City,    Shamokm    and    Pine    Grove,    etc.,   located 

in   Reading.     He   attended   a  school   of  instruction   on  •"    Reading   in    1855,    following   house    building   up    to 

brewing  in    ISlew   York    City,   then   going   to   Reading,  1879,    when   he   retired.     He   was   a   stanch    Democrat, 

where    he    was    second    brewmaster    for    three    years,  'but   was   never   an   office   seeker.     Mr.    Werner   was   a 

Returning    to    Reading    Nov.    1,    1901,    he    engaged    as  trustee  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  a  valued  member 

brewmaster  with   the   Deppen   Brewing   Company,  and  thereof,    giving   liberally   to   its    support.     His    widow, 

has   continued   to   act   in   that  position   to   the   present  who   survives   him,   resides   in    Reading,   at   the   age   of 

time,    brewing    porter,    lager    beer,    etc.      In    religious  eighty-two  years,  the  mother  of  these  children:    Amelia, 

belief   Mr.    Pohlig   is   a    German    Lutheran.     He   is    a  m.   to   Levi  M    Zerbe,  superintendent  at  the  Philadel- 

member  of   the   Turnverein,   president   of   the   German  ^ia    &   Reading   Car   Shops;    Ellen,     m.     to     Francis 

Beneficial  Association  No.  aST,  a  member  of  the  Get-  Ganter,   a   farmer   of   near   Carsonia   Park;    Ida,   m.   to 


man  Central  American  Society,  and  of  the  Ameritan 
and  Philadelphia  Brewmasters  Association.  In  his  po- 
litical faith  Mr.  Pohlig  is  a  Democrat. 

Mr.  Pohlig  was  married  to  Marie  Bohlman,  a  na- 
tive of  Germany,  and  to  them  there  have  been  born  two 
children, — Elsie  and  Marguerite. 

ISAAC  SMITH,  who  died  at  Albany,  Pa.,  was  a 
native  of  Albany  township,  Berks  county,  born  in 
1806.  He  learned  the  "stone-mason's  trade  early  in 
life,  and  that  was  his  occupation  throughout  his  ac- 
tive life;  also  owning  and  operating  a  small  piece 
of  land.  Mr.  Smith  married  Rachel  Correll.  a  native 
of  Albany  township,  Berks  county,  and  to  this  union 
there  were  born  eleven  children,  as  follows:  Chris- 
tian and  Charles,  both  deceased;  Mary,  m.  to  Eman- 
uel Sassaman;  James;  Jonathan;  Abraham;  Isaac;  Julia, 
who  resides  at  Drehersville,  m.  to  Reuben  Pauley,  the 
latter    now    deceased;    William,    who    also    resides    at 


John  S.  Peifer,  highway  commis'sioner  of  Reading; 
May,  who  died  in  1862,  aged  twelve  years;  and  Wil- 
liam W. 

William  W.  Werner  was  educated  in  the  Reading  com- 
mon schools  and  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School 
at  Kutztown,  after  leaving  which  he  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade  with  his  father.  Upon  completing  the 
prescribed  time  as  journeyman  he  established  himself 
in  the  ■  contracting  and  building  business,  employing 
at  one  time  as  many  as  thirty-five  to  forty  skilled  me- 
chanics. Mr.  Werner  always  aimed  to  give  his  pa- 
trons the  best  of  satisfaction,  payinsr  the  best  of  wages 
and  hiring  the  most  skilled  workmen  long  before 
the  Union  was  established  in  this  part  of  the  State. 
He  has  always  been  a  friend  of  the  workingman,  and 
has  given  much  of  his  time  to  advancing  their  inter- 
ests. He  takes  a  great  pride  in  demonstrating  to  those 
less  skilled  in  his  craft  that  nothing  stands  so  much 
Drehersville,  Schuylkill  county;  Emma  E.;  and  a  daugh-  '"  the  way  of  their  ultimate  success  as  the  want  of 
ter  Susin,  who  died  in  inffilcy.  In  rdigious  belief  education,  and  he  is  con.s  antly  advocatmg  the  use 
the  family  were  Lutherans.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  Democrat  °{  standard  books  which  will^mcrease  their^  abihty  and 
in  his  political  belief,  but  never  cared  for  public  office. 


widen    their   opportunities.      In    order    to    further   this 
Emma  E.  Smith,  daughter  of  Isaac,  was"  married  To    laudable     work,     he     has     provided     a     complete     set 


Sylvester  Kemp  (now  deceased)  and  to  them  was  born 
one  son,  W.  Wilson,  who  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Reading,  and  is  now  employed  at  the  J.  H.  Stern- 
bergh  mills,  where  he  has  a  responsible  position.  Sil- 
vester Kemp  was  a  son  of  William  Kemp,  a  native  of 
Kutztown,  who  located  at  what  is  now  Kempton, 
after  the  building  of  the  Schuylkill  &  Lehigh  Rail- 
road. 

John  Schmidt,  grandfather  of  Mrs,  Emma  E.  Kemp, 
was  born  in  Albany,  where  he  was  engaged  as  a  farm- 
er. He  was  the  father  of  Isaac;  Samuel;  Sally  (m. 
Christian  Lutz);  and  Susanna  (m.  a  Greenawalt). 

WILLIAM  W.  WERNER,  business  agent  for  Car- 
penter's Union,  No.  492.  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
Garfield.  Tilden  township.  Berks  county.  April  16, 
1851,  son  of  Frederick  H.  and  Lovina  (Moser)  Wer- 
ner 

Jacob  S.  Werner,  grandfather  of  William  W.,  was 
one  of  Berks  county's  old  carpenters,  and  he  followed 
that  occupation  until  his  death,  at  the  remarkable  age 

'-    -     '-■-- sub- 


of  many  standard  works  on  general  subjects  which 
are  open  to  the  use  of  the  members  in  the  Union 
rooms.  This  indicates  the  manner  of  man  that  Mr. 
Werner  is,  and  explains,  partly,  the  fact  that  since  he 
has  become  business  manager  of  No.  492  the  working 
conditions  of  it  have  been  greatly  improved.  On  every 
side  can  be  heard  words  of  commendation  which  are 
deserved. 

Mr.  Werner  was  greatly  instrumental  in  organizing 
the  Union  in  Reading  and  has  been  a  most  zealous 
worker,  serving  as  president  for  one  term  and  in  his 
present  capacity  since  1902.  He  is  connected  with 
Chandler  Lodge,  No.  227;  Excelsior  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.; 
Reading  Commandery,  K.  T.;  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O. 
N.  M.  S.;  Neversink  Castle,  K.  G.  E.;  has  organized 
three  camps  of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  in  Reading,  belong- 
ing to  No.  678  of  that  Order;  is  a  charter  member  of 
the  Knights  of  Friendship,  and  a  member  of  the  Sons 
of  Veterans,  No.  16.'  When  but  twelve  years  and 
nine  months  old,  Mr..  Werner  enlisted  in  the  93rd. 
Pa.  V.  I.,  and  served  for  fifteen  months.  He  has  been 
active  in  the  ranks  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  served 


of   ninety-seven   years,   two    days,    erecting   many   ___  r       ^.                        ,.--•.            ,  .  ,- 

stantial   buildings   in   this    section,   some   of   which   are  as   City  assessor  for  three  years,  his   majority,  which 

still  standing   among  them  being  a  number  of  churches  was  1599,  being  the  largest  in  the  history  of  Reading, 

in  the  rural  districts  of  the  county.     Mr.  Werner  also  He  also  served  as  tax  collector  for  twenty-three  years, 

worked  upon   the   Farmers'   National   Bank,   Fifth   and  Mr.  Werner  was  married  in  1868.  to  Miss  Angelina 

Penn    streets     Reading       He    married    Mary    Seabold,  Etter,  born  in  Lancaster  county,  daughter  of  Alexan- 

of   Montgomery  county.  Pa.,  and  to   them   were   born  der  Etter.    No  children  have  been  born  to  this  union. 
f^tir  rViilflrpn-   Frederick.  Jacob.  Henry  and   Charlotte. 

irreligious  belief  the  family  were  Lutherans.     Politi-  WILLIAM  S.  ANDERSON,  who  conducts  a  thriving 

cally  Mr   Werner  was  a  Democrat.  business   at   No.  823   Penn   street.   Reading,   dealing   in 

Frederick  H    Werner  was  born  in  Heidelberg  to-*n-  hats,    shoes    and   men's    furnishing   goods,    is    a   native 

ship     Berks    county,    and   with   his    father   learned   the  of  Pennsylvania,  born  Sept.  22,  1860,  in  Lebanon,  Leb- 

carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  all  his  life,  dying  anon    county,    son    of    William    S.    Anderson,    Sr.,    a   na- 

Oct    7    1905,  aged  eighty-two  years,  nine  months  and  tive  of  Connecticut. 


748 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


William  S.  Anderson,  Sr.,  went  to  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
in  early  life,  and  thence  to  Lebanon,  Pa.,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  cigars  during  the  time 
of  the  Civil  war.  He  was  very  successful  in  this  line, 
but  later  engaged  in  the  tanning  business  with  a  Mr. 
Greenwalt,  under  the  firm  name  of  Greenwalt  &  An- 
derson, they  being  the  pioneers  of  the  special  process 
of  tanning  hides,  in  this  State,  the  process  being  later 
adopted  by  all  leading  tanners.  Mr.  Anderson  con- 
tinued in  this  business  until  his  death,  five  years'  later, 
at  the  age  of  forty-five  years.  He  married  Margaret 
Eaches,  who  survives  him  and  makes  her  home  with 
her  son,  William  S.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  had  two' 
children:  Nellie  G.,  the  wife  of  Albert  D.  Deem,  of 
the  firm  of  Close  &  Deem,  Reading,  Pa.;  and  William  S. 

William  S.  Anderson,  Jr.,  came  to  Reading  in  1870, 
and  was  here  educated.  His  first  employment  was  with 
Philip  Albright,  a  pioneer  local  express  man  located 
at  Fourth  and  Penn  streets,  with  whom  he  remained 
three  years.  The  next  two  years  were  spent  with  the 
Reading  Hardware  Company,  in  the  lock  department, 
after  which  he  went  to  learn  the  hatters'  business 
with  William  H.  Rennoll  &  Co.,  at  the  corner  of  Tenth 
and  Spruce  streets.  After  learning  his  trade,  Mr.  An- 
derson engaged  with  R.  H.  Savage  &  Co.,  at  Thirteenth  and 
Muhlenberg  streets,  for  thirteen  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  was  employed  by  Bell  &  Cadwell  of  New  York, 
for  whom  he  traveled  two  years.  Returning  to  Read- 
ing Mr.  Anderson  embarked  in  business  with  John  F. 
Doremus,  at  No.  823  Penn  street,  engaging  in  the  sale 
of  men's  furnishing  goods,  shoes  and  hats,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Doremus  &  Anderson  from  Sept.  35, 
1895,  until  Jan.  1,  1904,  when  Mr.  Anderson  purchased 
the  interest  of  his  partner,  and  since  this  time  has 
continued  in  business  on  his  own  account,  carrying  a 
full  line  of  hats,  shoes  and  men's  furnishing  goods  of 
all  kinds.  His  straightforward  way  of  doing  business 
and  the  fine  quality  of  the  goods  which  he  offers  for 
sale  have  won  him  the  confidence  and  patronage  of 
the  people  of  Reading  to  a  large  degree,  and  he  is  en- 
joying an  ever-increasing  trade. 

Mr.  Anderson  married,  in  1895,  Mrs.  Annie  Barrett 
Glasser,  and  they  reside  at  No.  914  Franklin  street, 
Reading.  Mrs.  Anderson  was  the  mother  of  two  child- 
ren by  her  former  marriage,  Ella  F.,  the  wife  of  Rev. 
H.  Rupp;  and  Jean  M.  In  religion  he  is  a  member 
of  Grace  Lutheran  Church,  and  he  has  served  as  deacon 
and  elder. 

REV.  WILLIAM  WILBERFORCE  DEATRICK,  A.  M., 
Sc.  D.  In  the  quiet  country  graveyard  attached  to 
the  "Bender's  Church"  in  Butler  township,  Adams  Co.,  Pa., 
is  a  gray  slate  tombstone  bearing  the  following  inscription, 
in  German  text: 

Hier  ruht 

Der  Leib 

Von  :  lohan  :  nictlas  :  dietrich 

Wahr  :  geboren  :  in  :  deudschlant 

ten 

Den  :  15  :  May  :  Im  :  lahr 
Unserres  :  Herren  :  1727 

ten 

Und  :  ist  :  Gestorben  :  Den  :  23 
October  :  Im  :  lahr  :  Unserres 

Herren  1813  Und  hatsein 

Altergebracht   Auf   86   iahr 

5  monat  Und   8  TaG= 

A  little  space  from  the  footstone  of  this  grave  is  another 

headstone,  also  of  gray  slate,  on  which  is  this  inscription 

in   italic  and  gothic  lettering : 

Hier  RUht 

ANNA   MARGYRETHA   DIEDRICH 

NICHOLAVS  DIDRICHS    :EHEFrAV 

GebOhreN  :  DeN  :  XV  :  NOVeM= 

ber  ;  1724  :  VerheurAthetteN 

:  I  :  October  :  1753  LebteiMeHe 

stANT  IV  lAhr  Sle  StArbTeN  XIX 

TAG   lULy    :1797    :  ALT   LXXH 

IAHR  :  IV  MONATh 


It  will  be  noted  that  the  arithmetic  of  the  stone-cutter 
is  at  fault — married  in  1753  and  dying  in  1797,  she  could 
have  been  married  fifty-five  years,  but  born  Nov.  15,  1734, 
and  dying  July  19,  1797,  her  age  could  not  have  been 
seventy-two  years,  four  months.  Of  interest  in  this  con- 
nection are  two  entries  contained  in  the  old  records  of  a ' 
church  in  Earl  township,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.  (discovered 
and  transcribed  by  Luther  R.  Kelker,  State  Custodian  of 
Public  Records,  of  Harrisburg).  They  were  made  by 
Rev.  John  Waldschmidt,  a  pioneer  Reformed  minister,  who 
served  widely  separated  congregations  in  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania.   These  records  are  as  follows : 

"Baptisms:  Dietrich.  Johann  Balser,  son  of  Johann  Nich- 
olaus,  and  Anna  Margaretha  his  wife,  born  Dec.  33,  1754, 
baptized  Jan.  26,  1755,  Balser  Bosshaar  and  wife  Anna 
Maria  sponsors." 

"Marriages:  Nicholaus  Dietrich,  son  of  deceased  Johann 
Jacob  Dietrich,  married  31st  October,  1753,  Anna  Marga- 
retha, daughter  of  Johann  Gerhart  Shafer." 

Unless  the  Waldschmidt  records  refer  to  other  Dietrichs, 
which  seems  improbable,  it  is  likely  that  his  "Oct.  31"  is 
more  accurate  than  the  "Oct.  1"  on  the  inconsistent  tomb- 
stone. Whether  the  Johann  Jacob  Dietrich  in  the  Wald- 
schmidt record  emigrated  from  Germany  to  this  country  or 
died  in  the  Fatherland' is  uncertain.  A  certain  Jacob  Diete- 
rich,  aged  forty,  is  recorded  in  the  Pennsylvania  Archives 
as  having  landed  at  Philadelphia  from  the  ship  "Charming 
Nancy,"  Nov.  9,  1738.  A  Hannus  Diedrich  came  on  the 
ship  "Thistle,"  Sept.  19,  1738,  and  Johannes  Diterichs  and 
(■probably  his  wife)  Ann  Dederick  arrived  on  the  ship 
"Samuel,"  Aug.  17,  1731.  Whether  either  of  these  was 
the  father  of  John  Nicholas  is  uncertain.  There  is  no 
record  of  a  John, Jacob  Dietrich  as  an  immigrant  after 
1731.  As  to  the  date  of  arrival  of  John  Nicholas  Dietrich 
we  have,  at  present  writing,  no  certain  information.  The 
Archives  show,  however,  that  on  Oct.  7,  1749,  one  Nicholas 
Dietrich  landed  from  the  ship  "Leslie,"  Captain  J.  Ballen- 
dine,  from  Rotterdam.  On  this  ship  came  131  immigrants, 
among  them  Frederick  Bender,  Johan  Rudolph  Miiller, 
Johan  Wilhelm  Arendt,  Georg  Miiller  and  Peter  Miller. 
These  being  names  of  early  settlers  in  Adams  county 
(then  York),  it  may  be  reasonably  inferred  that  the  Nich- 
olas Dietrich  arriving  at  that  time  was  the  "Johan  Nictlas 
dietrich"  of  Bender's  churchyard,  whose  stone  declares  that 
he_"wahr  geboren  in  deudschlant."  The  "Pennsylvania  Ar- 
chives" also  give  a  "Niclas  Deederich"  as  arriving  on  the 
ship  "Mary  Galley,"  qualifying  on  Sept.  7,  1748.  His  name 
IS  first  on  the  list  and  was  spelled  on  the  original  list 
"Derrick." 

To  John  Nicholas  Dietrich  and  his  wife  Anna  Marger- 
etha  were_  born  (in  addition  to  the  Johann  Balser  of 
Waldschmidt's  record,  of  whom  we  have  no  further 
knowledge),  according. to  tombstones  in  the  same  church- 
yard: Nicholas  Dietrich,  whose  wife  Mary  Ann  "Dea- 
trick"  lies  buried  by  his  side;  Margret  Tietrich;  William 
Dietnck;  Michael  Dietrich;  and  Martin  Dietrich. 

Nicholas  Dietrich  and  his  wife  Mary  Ann  died  childless, 
but  tradition  has  it  that  they  acted  as  father  and  mother 
to  the  children  of  others,  bringing  up  in  their  home,  as 
some  say,  no  less  than  seventeen  children  of  other  families, 
Margaret  and  William  never  married.  On  the  tombstone 
of  William  is  this  line:  "A  Patriot  of  the  Revolution." 
As  he  was  only  twenty-one  years  of  age  at  the  close  of 
that  war  he  must  have  been  a  youthful  soldier.  He  fell 
asleep  on  his  country's  birthday,  July  4,  1848,  at  the  ripe 
age  of  eighty-six  years. 

Michael  Dietrich  married  Sophia,  daughter  of  Rudolph 
Spangler  (or  Spengler),  who  resided  near  Heidlersburg  and 
later  near  Abbottstown,  Adams  county.  To  this  couple 
were  born  nine  children:  Nicholas,  Jacob,  Rudolph,  Mich- 
ael, Christiana  (m.  Jesse  Smith),  Mary  (m,  George  Key- 
ser),  Sarah  (m.  Daniel  Fidler)  and  Margaret  and  Cathe- 
rine, the  last  two  of  whom  died  unmarried 

Nicholas  Dietrich,  eldest  son  of  Michael,  married 
March  31,  1822,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Re- 
becca (Bushey)  Miller,  Nicholas  was  a  hard-working 
industrious  farmer,  owning  an  estate  in  Tyrone  township' 
known  as  "Cranberry,"  from  the  wild  cranberries  growing 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


749 


in  a  marsh  near  the  farm  house.  Their  seven  children 
were:  William  Miller,  Michael,  John  Bushey,  Anna  Eliza- 
beth (m.  Adam  Bream),  Jacob  Spangler,  Abraham,  and 
Howard  Nicholas.  Of  these  John  B.,  who  died  unmarried, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war. 

The  eldest  son,  William  Miller  Deatrick,  was  born  Jan. 
23,  1833.  At  an  early  age  he  was  impressed  with  a  desire' 
to  become  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  The  way  to  this 
calling  did  not  seem  open,  and  so  for  some  time  he  worked 
at  the  trade  of  milling.  At  last  he  gathered  funds  to 
go  to  college,  and  in  1848  he  graduated  from  Marshall 
College  at  Mercersburg,  Pa.  He  continued  his  studies  in 
the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  (German)  Reformed 
Church,  at  the  same  place,  graduating  from  that  institution 
in  1851,  and  was  licensed  to  be  a  minister  of  the  Reformed 
Church.  He  was  ordained  in  1852,  and  his  first  charge 
was  at  Huntingdon,  Pa.  During  his  time  of  preparation 
for  the  ministry,  he  taught  school  at  Norristown,  MifHin- 
burg,  and  Milton,  Pa.,  also  at  Manchester,  Md.  In  1856 
he  removed  to  Pattonsville  (now  Loysburg),  Pa.,  where  he 
served  the  "Yellow  Creek  Charge,"  a  laborious  field.  In 
1862  he  removed  to  Friends  Cove,  Pa.  This  charge  was 
also  a  laborious  one,  the  minister  being  obliged  to  ride  on 
horse-back  across  a  high  mountain,  over  a  bridle-path 
(there  was  no  driving  road)  to  serve  several  of  the  more 
distant  congregations  of  his  extended  parish.  He  was, 
indeed,  a  pioneer  abundant  in  labors.  In  1875  he  gave 
up  the  active  work  of  the  ministry  to  become  the  Finan- 
cial Secretary  of  Mercersburg  College,  an  institution  in 
which  he  was  deeply  interested.  To  attend  to  the  duties 
of  his  new  office  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Mercers- 
burg, Pa.  Later  he  became  President  of  the  Board  of 
Regents  of  Mercersburg  College,  and  to  the  service  of  that 
institution  he  gave  unstintedly  of  his  time  and  money,  the 
latter  hard  earned  and  saved  with  incredible  economy. 
During  the  dark  days  of  that  institution  which  now,  as 
Mercersburg  Academy,  enjoys  a  high  degree  of  prosperity 
and  ranks,  under  Dr.  William  Mann  Irvine,  as  one  of  the 
foremost  schools  for  boys  in  America,  Dr.  W.  M.  Deatrick 
bore  for  some  years  the  brunt  of  the  financial  burden, 
really  saving  the  school  from  bankruptcy  and  extinction, 
and  preserving  it  for  the  church  he  loved  so  well.  For 
forty-four  years  he  was  Stated  Clerk  for  Mercersburg- 
Classis,  and  for  thirty  years  its  treasurer.  He  was  also 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  Potomac  Synod  for  twenty-eight 
years,  and  treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  the 
Synod  for  twenty-five  years  until  his  ■  death,  which  oc- 
curred at  the  home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Charles  V. 
Smith,  at  Bedford,  Pa.,  May  6,  1901.  He  was  also  Presi- 
dent of  the  Society  for  the  Relief  of  Ministers  and  their 
Widows  until  he  was  called  from  the  labors  of  earth.  The 
Rev.  W.  M.  Deatrick  received  from  his  alma  mater  the 
degree  of  A.  M.  in  course,  and  in  1887  had  conferred  upon 
him,  in  recognition  of  his  signal  services  in  behalf  of  his 
church,  by  Franklin  and  Marshall-  College,  at  Lancaster, 
Pa.,  the  degree  of  Doctor  "of  Divinity. 

Dr.  Deatrick  married  Nov.  9,  1853,  Miss  Harriet  Peyton 
Sohn,  born  March  3,  1818,  in  Martinsburg,  W.  Va.,  daugh- 
ter of  Conrad  and  Ann  Ranson  Sohn,  of  Mercersburg. 
Her  mother's  maiden  name  was  Christian  and  she  came 
of  a  prominent  Virginian  family,  intermarried  with  the 
Ransons,  Peytons,  and  Washingtons  of  that  State.  She 
died  Aug.  3,  1884,  and  is  buried  by  the  side  of  her  hus- 
band and  parents  in  the  beautiful  "Fairview  Cemetery," 
on  the  southern  outskirts  of  Mercersburg,  the  home  of 
her  youth  and  last  years.  This  union  was  blessed  with 
three  children:  (1)  William  Wilberforce  Deatrick,  A.  M., 
Sc.  D.  (3)  Rev.  Edward  Ranson  Deatrick,  B.  D.,  born  in 
1856,  graduated  from  Mercersburg  College  in  1879,  and 
from  the  Reformed  Theological  Seminary  at  Lancaster  in 
1884.  In  the  same  year  he  was  sent  as  home  missionary  to 
Baltimore,  where  he  succeeded  in  founding  a  number  of 
churches,  becoming  settled  pastor  of  one  in  Woodberry, 
one  of  the  suburbs  of  that  city,  and  remaining  in  charge 
until  May  of  1906,  when  he  assumed  the  pastorate  at 
Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa.  He  married  in  1890,  Miss  Mary  A.  K. 
Everhart,  and  one  child,  Anna  Marguerite,  has  blessed 
this  union.      (3)   Ann  Margaret,  born  in  1864,  graduated 


from  the  female  department  of  Mercersburg  College  in 
1884,  and  in  1896,  she  married  Charles  V.  Smith,  A.  _M., 
then  professor  in  Mercersburg  Academy,  lately  principal 
of  Kittanning  Academy,  Kittanning,  Pa.;  they  have  two 
children,  Arthur  Deatrick  and  Harriet  Peyton. 

William  Wilberforce  Deatrick  was  born  in  Huntingdon, 
Pa.,  Aug.  1,  1853.  He  and  his  brother,  Edward  R.,  attended  . 
public  school  in  an  old  stone  school-house  near  their 
father's  church  in  Friends  Cove.  '  For  several  terms  in 
summer  he  attended  an  academy  known  as  Allegheny 
Seminary  at  Rainsburg,  about  four  miles  from  his  home, 
the  daily  journey  being  made,  for  the  most  part,  on  foot. 
When  only  sixteen  years  of  age  he  began  teaching,  being 
employed  to  teach  a  short  unexpired  term  of  the  home 
public  school.  From  1870  to  1872  he  taught  regularly  in 
the  public  schools  of  the  township,  having  won  in  examina- 
tion under  the  county  superintendent  a  certificate  averaging 
only  a  slight  fraction  over  one.  Latin  and  Greek  were 
studied  under  his  father  and,  in  the  autumn  of  1872,  he 
entered  Mercersburg  College  as  a  freshman.  Here  he 
came  under  the  influence  of  the  eminent  educator  and 
theologian,  Dr,  Elnathan  E. .  Higbee,  to  whose  inspiration 
he  attributes,  in  large  measure,  the  success  he  has  himself 
attained  as  a  thinker  and  teacher.  In  1876  he  graduated 
from  the  college  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts. 
Continuing  his  studies,  he  received  from  the  same  insti- 
tution, three  years  later,  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts. 
In  the  autumn  of  1876  he  took  up  the  study  of  theology 
in  the  Theological  Department  of  Mercersburg  College. 
To  secure,  in  part,  the  funds  necessary  to  the  prosecution 
of  his  studies  he  engaged,  during  his  vacations,  in  the  sale 
of  books  and  during  the  winters  served  as  tutor  in  the 
preparatory  school  attached  to  his  alma  mater.  During 
the  summer  of  1878  he  was  a  member  of  the  faculty  of 
Juniata  Collegiate  Institute,  a  secondary  school  or  acad- 
emy, located  at  Martinsburg,  Pa.  In  the  autumn  of  1878 
he  entered  the  senior  class  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
at  Lancaster,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  ,May, 
1879.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  a  few  days  later  by  the 
Mercersburg  Classis  of  the  Reformed  Church,  then  in 
session  at  Shippensburg,   Pennsylvania. 

No  call  coming  to  him  at  that  time  to  a  pastoral  charge, 
he  returned  to  Martinsburg,  where  he  taught  again  during 
the  summer.  Late  in  the  same  year  he  was  elected  prin- 
cipal of  the  public  schools  of  Milton,  Pa.,  closing  his  work 
there  at  the  end  of  the  school  year,  declining  a  re-election, 
on  the  night  preceding  the  day  of  the  dreadful  fire  of 
1880  which  laid  the  beautiful  town  in  ashes.  By  this  time 
he  had  received  three  calls  to  churches,  one  being  in 
Washington,  D.  C.  Of  these  he  accepted  the  call  to  the 
New  Centerville  charge  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  where 
he  began  his  labors  as  pastor  on  June  1,  1880,  receiving 
ordination  on  the  18th  of  the  same  month.  In  this 
field  of  ministerial  activity  he  labored  for  three  and  one- 
half  years.  In  December,  1883,  he  removed  to  Rimersburg, 
Clarion  Co.,  Pa.,  and  in  January,  1884,  re-opened  the 
Clarion  Collegiate  Institute  in  that  town.  This  institution 
of  the  Reformed  Church  had  been  closed  for  some  time. 
Under  his  management  as  principal  the  building  was  put 
in  excellent  repair,  a  considerable  debt  paid,  and  a  vigor- 
ous school  built  up.  For  seven  and  one-half  years  he 
labored  here  with  indefatigable  zeal  and  was  instrumental 
in  preparing  a  number  of  young  men  for  college,  of  whom 
a  goodly  proportion  found  their  way  into  the  ministry 
of  the  denomination  under  the  auspices  of  which  the  insti- 
tution was  conducted. 

In  1891  he  was  elected  to  the  chair  of  Psychology  and 
Pedagogy  in  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at  Kutz- 
town.  Pa.,  then  under  the  principalship  of  Rev.  Nathan 
C.  Schaeffer,  Ph.  D.,  the  present  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Later,  owing  to 
enlargement  of  the  faculty  and  consequent  re-arrangement 
of  the  work,  his  duties  were  slightly  changed,  and  he  is 
now,  as  for  some  years  he  has  been,  Professor  of  Psy- 
chology and  Higher  English,  the  Higher  English  compris- 
ing rhetoric,  English  literature,  and  the  English  classics. 
Since  his  connection  with  the  Normal  school  he  has  been 
active  as  an  institute  instructor,  and  a  worker  and  lecturer 


750 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


at  Chautauquas  and  elsewhere.  His  engagements  at  county 
institutes  have  taken  him  not  only  to  many  counties  in 
his  native  State,  but  to  the  States  of  New  Jersey,  Maryland, 
Ohio,  Illinois,  Iowa,  and  Nebraska.  For  a  number  of 
seasons  he  was  on  the  teaching  force  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Chautauqua  at  Mount  Gretna,  giving,  in  addition  to  class- 
room work,  each  year  an  illustrated  lecture. 

Although  not  serving  as  a  pastor  in  charge  since  1883, 
he  has  been  active  as  a  clergyman.  During  the  eighties 
he  "supplied"  churches  of  his  denomination  at  DuBois, 
St.  Petersburg,  Emienton,  and  Kittanning.  In  1903  he 
filled  the  pulpit  of  the  First  Reformed  Church  in  Reading, 
during  the  illness  of  the  pastor,  Rev.  Dr.  H.  Mosser,  for  a 
period  of  eight  months,  preaching  regularly  each  alternate 
Sunday.  A  part  of  his  duties  at  the  Normal  school  during 
the  past  eighteen  years  has  been  to  take  turns  with  other 
ministerial  members  of  the  faculty,  in  preaching  to  the 
students  in  the  chapel,  about  once  every  three  weeks.  Fre- 
quent summons  from  churches  in  Reading  and  elsewhere 
have  kept  him  fairly  well  occupied  in  sermonizing.  In 
addition  to  these  labors,  he  has  been,  for  eighteen  years, 
chorister  of  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Church,  Kutztown,  in  the 
Sunday-school  of  which  church  he  was  superintendent  for 
ten  years. 

Notwithstanding  the  multiplicity  of  his  duties  in  school 
and  church  he  has  yet  found  time  for  some  literary  work. 
He  has  been  a  contributor  to  religious  and  educational 
periodicals.  For  half  a  year  before  he  left  Rimersburg 
he  edited  and  published  The  Rimersburg  Courier,  a  weekly 
local  newspaper.  For  about  thirteen  years  past  he  has  been 
on  the  staff  of  The  Kutztown  Patriot,  writing  weekly 
editorials,  many  of  which  have  attracted  the  attention  of, 
and  been  reprinted  by,  colleagues  of  the  press.  From  June, 
1902,  to  September,  1905,  he  was  editor,  and  manager  for 
most  of  the  time,  of  The  Pennsylvania  C hautauquan,  the 
quarterly  and,  during  the  sessions  of  the  Assembly,  the 
daily  organ  of  the  Mount  Gretna  Chautauqua.  He  was  one 
of  the  joint  authors  of  a  voluminous  "History  of  Clarion 
County,"  published  in  1887.  He  is  author  of  a  text-book 
on  physiological  psychology,  entitled  "The  Human  Mind 
and  Its  Physical  Basis,"  now  undergoing  revision  for  a 
second  edition.  He  has  under  way,  in  addition  to  this 
revised  and  enlarged  edition  of  the  psychology,  two  smaller 
manuals,  one  on  the  study  of  poetry  and  the  other  on 
letter  writing.  In  recognition  of  his  ability  as  an  educator, 
of  the  thoroughness  of  his  scientific  studies  and  his  scholar- 
ship, as  well  as  of  the  excellence  of  his  book,  Franklin 
and  Marshall  College,  at  its  Golden  Jubilee  in  1903,  be- 
stowed on  him  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Science. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Educational  Associa- 
tion, having  organized  the  Child-Study  Section  of  that 
body  and  been  for  several  years  president  of  the  Child- 
Study  Section.  He  has  been  for  eighteen  years  an  "active 
member"  of  the  National  Educational  Association,  and 
for  ten  years  has  maintained  membership  in  the  Pennsyl- 
vania-German Society.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Berks 
County  Historical  Society.  In  November,  1907,  he  was 
appointed-  a  member  of  the  Advisory  Council  of  the 
Simplified  Spelling  Board,  this  council  being  composed  of 
about  a  hundred  of  the  leading  educators  of  America. 

On  June  15,  1881,  Dr.  Deatrick  married  Miss  Emma  Jane, 
daughter  of  Levi  and  Matilda  (Hackenberg)  Balliet,  of 
Milton,  Pa.  Mr.  Balliet  was  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Schreiber)  Balliet.  This  John  Balliet  was  a  son  of  John 
Balliet  and  his  wife,  Catherine  M.  Mickley  (a  daughter 
of  John  Jacob  Mickley,  who  hauled  the  Liberty  Bell  from 
Philadelphia  to  AUentown  during  the  American  Revolu- 
tion), both  of  Whitehall,  Lehigh  county.  The  elder  John 
Balliet  (1761-1837)  was  the  fourth  son  of  Paulus  Balliet 
who,  with  his  wife  Maria  Magdalena  (Wotring)  Balliet, 
lies  buried  in  the  southeast  section  of  the  old  walled  burial 
ground  of  the  Union  Church  in  Whitehall.  This  Paulus 
Balliet  was  the  first  of  the  race  of  Balliets  in  Whitehall. 
He  was  a  French  Huguenot,  born  in  the  Province  of 
Alsace  on  the  Rhine,  in  1717.  "At  the  age  of  about  twenty- 
one  years  he  was  compelled,  with  many  other  French 
Protestants,  to  seek  refuge  in  a  foreign  country,  on  ac- 
count of  the  terrible  persecutions  of  the  Huguenots  after 


the  revocatitjn  of  the  famous  Edict  of  Nantes  at  the  close 
of  the  seventeenth  century,  by  the  then  reigning  King 
Louis  XIV.  He  embarked  for  America  on  board  ship 
'Robert  Oliver,'  of  the  Palatines,  Walter  Goodman,  com- 
mander, Sept.  10,  1738."  He  located  at  what  is  known  as 
the  "Old  Balliet  Stand,"  in  Whitehall  township,  Lehigh 
county,  in  1749',  on  a  tract,  of  land  containing  a  little  over 
ninety-seven  acres,  secured  by  a  deed  from  Thomas  Penn 
and  Richard  Penn.  From  time  to  time  Paulus  added  to  his 
lands,  until  his  estate  embraced  over  700  acres.  According 
to  tradition,  he  was  known  as  "Bowl"  Balliet,  a  name 
given  to  him  by  the  Indians  to  whom  he  was  accustomed, 
as  landlord  at  Ballietsville,  to  furnish  refreshments  from  a 
wooden  bowl.  He  became  a  naturalized  American  citizen 
in  the  year  1759.  His  wife,  Maria  Magdalena  Wotring, 
according  to  tradition,  "was  born  A.  D.  1727,  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Lothringen  (now  Lorraine)  in  France.  She  died 
in  1802,  aged  seventy-five  years.  It  is  presumed  that  they 
married  in  this  country.  Paulus  died  March  19,  1777,  aged 
sixty  years." 

Mrs.  Matilda  (Hackenberg)  Balliet,  born  Aug.  1,  1825, 
at  Freeburg,  Union  (now  Snyder)  county.  Pa.,  died  Sept. 
26,  1903,  at  Kutztown,  was  a  daughter — the  fourth  child 
in  a  family  of  eleven  children — of  Johann  Peter  Hachen- 
berg  and  his  wife  Anna  Mary  (born  Haines).  She  was 
fifth  in  direct  descent  from  Peter  Hachenberg,  prince  of 
a  township  and  "dorfe"  of  about  2,000  inhabitants  in  Ger- 
many, which  bears  the  name  of  "Hachenberg"  to  this  day, 
known  from  his  love  of  the  chase  as  "the  Hunting  Prince 
of  Hachenberg."  He  was  the  father  of  Caspar  Frederick 
Hachenberg,  who,  going  to  England,  held  a  Greek  pro- 
fessorship in  one  of  the  universities,  where  he  wrote  one 
of  the  most  perfect  of  Greek  grammars,  the  basis  of  the 
one  by  Goodrich  used  generally  in  American  colleges 
some  years  ago.  He  was  also  author  of  a  law  book, 
"Hachenberg's  Media,"  still  quoted  in  American  courts.  His 
youngest  son,  Johann  Peter  Hachenberg,  came  to  America 
in  1764  and  settled  at  Freeburg,  where,  being  a  skilled 
linguist,  he  taught  Latin,  Greek,  French  and  German.  He 
also  had  local  fame  as  a  mathematician.  As  ensign  of 
"the  Flying  Camp"  of  Col.  Baxter's  regiment  he  served 
through  the  Revolutionary  war,  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Fort  Washington  (one  account  says  "at  Trenton"),  and 
was  sent  by  the  British  to  Long  Island.  He  died  March  4, 
1820.  His  son,  Peter  Hachenberg  (1773-1847),  was  a  sur- 
veyor, justice  of  the  peace,  register  and  recorder  of  Union 
county  (1821)  and  county  commissioner  (1830).  He 
spent  the  latter  half  of  his  life  in  New  Berlin  but,  with 
his  wife,  lies  buried  at  Freeburg,  the  home  of  his  youth. 
His  fourth  son,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Balliet,  Johann  Peter 
Hachenberg  (1800-1870),  was  in  youth  a  carpenter  and 
joiner  by  trade,  following  also  the  occupation  of  surveyor 
and  conveyancer.  In  1823  he,  too,  was  appointed  justice 
of  the  peace,  holding  office  till  1836,  when  he  removed 
from  Freeburg  to  McEwensvifle,  Montour  county,  where 
later  he  conducted  a  general  store.  In  1834  he  was  Anti- 
masonic  delegate  to  the  New  Berlin  Convention.  In  1836 
he  was  appointed  supervisor  of  the  West  Branch  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Canal.  Two  years  later  he  gave  up  this  office 
to  devote  his  time  to  building  and  contracting.  While  thus 
engaged,  in  partnership  with  John  P.  Schuyler,  he  erected 
the  bridge  over  the  West  Branch  of  the  Susquehanna  at 
Northumberland.  In  1854,  having  sold  his  store  to  Levi 
Balliet,  he  moved  to  White  Pigeon,  Mich.,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  merchandizing  to  the  day  of  his  death.  Levi 
Balliet  and  Matilda  Balliet,  parents  of  Mrs.  Deatrick,  are 
buried   in  the   "lower"  cemetery  at  Milton,   Pennsylvania. 

To  William  Wilberforce  and  Emma  (Balliet)  Deatrick 
have  been  born  five  children.  Of  these  the  two  eldest, 
boys,  died  in  early  childhood.  There  are  living  at  the 
present  writing:  Ethel  Matilda,  born  1886,  who  graduated, 
June,  1909,  from  the  classical  department  of  Dickinson 
College,  Carlisle,  Pa. ;  Eugene  Peyton,  born  1889,  a  member 
of  the  class  of  1911,  in  the  classical  department  of  Franklin 
and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  Pa.;  and  Anna  Louise, 
born  1896,  who  is  a  student  in  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School.    The  family  lives  on  "Normal  Hill,"  in  a  substan- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


751 


tial  and  comfortable  home,  a  brick  building;  owned  by  Dr. 
Deatrick  and  built  by  him  in  1898. 

EMIL  HOFFMANN  (deceased),  of  Reading,  where 
for  many  years  he  was  employed  in  a  woolen  mill, 
was  of  German  birth  and  ancestry,  but  has  spent  most 
of  his  adult  life  in  this  country.  Born  in  Breslau, 
Prussia,  March  4,  182-8,  he  remained  in  his  native 
land  until  he  reached  manhood. 

In  1858  Mr.  Hoffmann  came  to  America,  landing  in 
New  York.  He  at  once  went  to  Reading,  and  secured 
work  at  Brumbach's  Mill,  as  boss  weaver.  Later  he 
was  engaged  in  woolen  manufacturing  on  Fifth  street, 
and  still  later  went  into  the  carpet  business  for  him- 
self, employing  from  five  to  eight  people.  His  work 
became  so  favorably  known  that  Mr,  Hoflfmann  was 
called  upon  to  help  install  the  looms  in  the  Berks 
County  Prison,  and  to  teach,  the  prisoners  to  weave 
carpets.  His  business  enterprise  proved  a  successful 
one,  and  he  continued  to  conduct  it  until  his  death, 
which  occured  from  heart  disease  Nov.  1,  1886,  when 
he  was  aged  fifty-eight.  He  was  a  member  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  his  political  princi- 
ples Mr.  Hoffmann  was  a  Democrat  and  had  the  wel- 
fare of  the  community  at  heart.  The  best  man  for  the 
place  always  received  his  vote,  whether  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat or  a  Republican.  Mr.  Hoffmann  was  a  man  of 
many  good  traits  of  character. 

On  Aug.  29,  1865,  Mr.  Hoffmann  married  Miss  Augus- 
ta Beck,  and  a  family  of  ten  children  was  born  to  them, 
four  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  others,  all  of  Read- 
ing, are  as  follows:  George  K. ;  William  S.;  Charles 
D.,  a  baker;  Annie  M.,  wife  of  William  C.  Dersch; 
Emil,  m.  to  Emma  Smith,  and  they  live  in  Reading; 
and  Augusta,  m.  to  Frederick  Niethamer,  Reading. 
John  A.,  who  was  a  printer,  died  Sept.  13,  1908,  aged 
forty  years. 

Mrs.  Augusta  Hoffmann  was  the  daughter  of  John 
Beck,  a  machinist  and  file  cutter  from  Germany.  He 
came  to  this  country  May  1,  1840,  and  at  first  settled 
in  York,  Pa,,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  machinist 
in  the  shops  of  Small  &  Sillinger.  He  had  learned  his 
trade  in  his  native  land,  and  was  an  expert  in  file  cut- 
ting. In  1850  he  removed  to  Reading,  and  secured 
employment  with  the.  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway 
Company,  continuing  with  them  until  ill  health  com- 
pelled him  to  give  up  his  oosition.  In  his  later  years 
he  worked  as  a  locksmith  and  the  lock  for  St.  John's 
Lutheran  Church  was  made  by  him.  He  married  An- 
na Maria  Siegner,  and  both  were  members  of  the  Lu- 
theran Church.  The  children  born  to  them  were: 
Augusta,  wife  of  Mr.  Hoffmann;  and  Anna  Maria, 
widow  of  Isadore  Messenson,  and  residing  in  Read- 
ing. 

Mrs.  Hoffmann  resides  at  No.  238  South  Third 
street,  Reading. 

HARVEY  K.  WEASNER,  one  of  the  thrifty  young 
farmers  of  Douglass  township,  Berks  county,  was  born 
there  Aug.  1,  1869. 

The  name  of  this  family  has  been  variously  spelled, 
and  the  first  to  bring  his  family  into  Douglass  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  from  the  earlier  Pennsylvania 
home  in  Chester  county  was  John  Weisner,  who  was 
born  there  Sept.  14,  1774,  and  died  in  Douglass  town- 
ship, on  a  farm  (now  the  property  of  Charles  Brintzen- 
"hoff)  which  he  had  purchased  but  four  months  before, 
Aug.  1,  1825.  Be  is  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  near 
the  Reformed  Church.  He  was  twice  married.  His 
first  wife  died  in  Chester  county.  To  that  union  there 
were  six  children:  Polly  m.  Samuel  Acker,  of  Cedar 
Hollow;  Catharine  (Walter);  Betzy  (Beidler);  John 
lived  in  Chester  county,  asdid  also  Lewis;  and  Jacob. 
John  Weisner  married  (second)  a  woman  from  Lower 
Berks  county,  Catharine  Kuetz,  daughter  of  Conrad 
Kuetz.  and  to  this  union  were  born  five  children:  Israel; 
Conrad;  William,  1825-1848;  Susan  (Shanely);  and 
Mrs.  Weaver.  At  the  side  of  John  Weisner  is  buried 
one   "Ludwig  Weisner,  born   Feb.  -29,   1808,   died   Oct. 


25,    1829,    in    the    22d   year    of   age" — probably   another 
son. 

Jacob  Weasner,  son  of  John,  lived  in  Douglass  town- 
ship, and  there  owned  the  farm  of  seventy-five  acres 
now  owned  by  a  member  of  the  Schmeck  family.  He 
was  born  in  Chester  county  in  June,  1801,  and  accom- 
panied his  father  to  Berks  county.  By  trade  he  was 
a  blacksmith  and  had  a  smithy  above  Worman  in  Earl 
township,  where  he  worked  for  seven  years.  Some 
time  before  1839  he  located  on  his  farm,  and  there 
he  died  in  April,  1866,  and  was  buried  at  Boyertown. 
He  married  Mary  Romich,  daughter  of  John  Romich. 
She.  was  born  in  1801,  and  died  in  1868,  and  is  buried 
at  Boyertown.  They  had  six  children:  Sarah,  m.  to 
John  Davidheiser;  Harriet,  m.  to  John  Eagle;  Jacob, 
unmarried;  John  R.;  Mary,  m.  to  Isaac  Eagle;  and 
Eli,  m,  to  Susan  Albright,  and  a  resident  of  Boyer- 
town. 

John  R.  Weasner,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary,  was  born 
in  Douglass  township,  Sept.  14,  1839,  on  the  old  Weas- 
ner homestead.  He  was  a  farmer  from  1867  until  his 
retirement,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son.  He 
built  the  present  frame  dwelling  on  his  farm  in  1880. 
Since  1904  he  has  lived  in  a  nice  home  at  Gilberts- 
ville,  and  besides  his  farm  and  residence,  he  owns 
property  in  Boyertown.  He  has  always  been  indus- 
trious and  frugal,  and  owes  his  present  comfortable 
circumstances  to  his  good  management.  He  and  his 
family  are  Lutheran  memb^ers  of  the  Boyertown 
Church.  In  1866  he  married  Lovina  Kepner,  born  in 
1839,  daughter  of  William  Kepner,  of  Montgomery 
county.     They  have  one  son,  Harvey  K-. 

Harvey  K.  Weasner  received  the  educational  advan- 
tages of  the  common  schools  and  from  his  boyhood 
assisted  on  the  home  farm.  In  the  spring  of  1896 
he  began  on  his  father's  farm,  where  he  has  since 
continued.  He  has  an  excellent  outfit  of  farm  imple- 
ments and  up-to-date  machinery — all  that  he  could  pos- 
sibly use  in  the  cultivation  of  his  ninety-five  acre  tract. 
His  farm  is  located  in  the  center  part  of  the  township,  in 
the  Mauger  school  district.  Everything  about  the 
place  indicates  the  care  and  thrift  of  the  owner.  Mr. 
Weasner  has  taken  a  keen  interest  in  public  affairs  ' 
as  a  Democrat,  and  for  three  years  was  supervisor 
of  Douglass  township.  He  has  been  greatlv  interested 
in  the  development  and  progress  of  the  public  schools. 
He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  con- 
gregation   of    the    Boyertown    church. 

In  1895  Mr.  Weasner  married  Mary  Weller,  daughter 
of  William  and  Hettie  (Fraunheiser)  Weller,  and  they 
have  one  son,  Lawrence  W. 

JOHN  W.  RAPP.  who  is  engaged  in  the  building 
and  contracting  business,  resides  at  No.,  170  West  Oley 
street,  Reading,  Pa.  He  was  born  April  5,  1870,  at 
West  Leesport,  Pa.,  son  of  Alonzo  and  Susan  (Drayer) 
Rapp,  and  srrandson  of  John  Rapp. 

John  Rapp,  grandfather  of  John  W.,  was  an  early 
settler  and  shoemaker,  living  in  the  vicinit"  of  Lees- 
port. He  had  four  children:  Washington,  Thomas, 
Elmira  (m.  the  late  Dr.  Snyder,  of  Leesport,  and  is 
deceased)  and  Alonzo. 

Alonzo  Rapp,  son  of  John,  .was  a  railroader,  and 
lived  in  Reading.  He  was  born  about  1849.  and  died 
in  March,  1877,  and  is  buried  at  Hinnershitz  Church. 
He  married  Susan  Drayer,  and  they  had  two  sons  and 
two  daughters:  Harry  G.,  of  Reading;  John  W,;  and 
Minnie  and  Mary,  who  both  died  in  infancy. 

John  W.  Rapp  secured  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  Reading,  whither  his  parents  had  moved  when  he 
was  a  boy.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  learned  the 
paper  hanging  and  painting  trade,  and  after  following 
that  occupation  for  some  time  engaged  in  the  grocery 
and  meat  business  at  No,  704  North  Sixth  street, 
which  business  he  followed  there  and  at  other  places 
in  Reading  for  six  years.  In  1905  Mr,  Rapp  engaged 
in  the  building  business,  and  in  this  he  has  continued 


753 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


to    the    present    time,    erecting    three    modern    stone 
residences   on  Weiser  street. 

Mr.  Rapp  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie  Shadle,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Mary  Ann  (Houpt)  Snadle.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rapp  have  two  children:  Lloyd  E.  S.,  at  school; 
and  Marguerite  S.  Mrs.  '  Rapo  is  a  member  of  the 
Windsor  Street  M.  E.  Church.  Mr.  Rapp  is  connected 
with  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  the  Sons  of  Veterans, 
his  father  having  been  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war. 

JUDGE  GEORGE  W.  BRUCKMAN  (deceased),  one 
of  the  last  two  associate  judges  of  Berks  county,  which 
office  was  abolished  during  his  term  of  service,  in  1873, 
was  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  Reading  in 
his  day.  He  was  born  there,  son  of  Carl  A.  Bruckraan, 
who  emigrated  from  Amsterdam,  Holland,  and  located 
in  the  city  in  early  life,  here  learning  the  printer's  trade. 
For  ten  years  (1816-1826)  he  published  a  German  news- 
paper known  as  the  Readinger  Postbote.  In  1800  he  be- 
came a  partner  of  Gottlob  Youngman  in  the'  publication 
of  the  Weekly  Advertiser. 

George  W.  Bruckman  resided  in '  Reading  throughout 
his  life.  After  receiving  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
he  served  an  apprenticeship  to  the  plasterer's  trade,  and 
followed  that  business  for  ten  years,  '  until  he  became 
clerk  to  the  county  commissioner.  He  served  in  that 
position  for  the  following  ten  years,  acted  as  deputy  pro- 
thonotary  for  three  years  (1851-1854)  under  Dr.  Charles 
H.  Hunter,  and  served  as  city  treasurer  during  the  years 
3857-1858.  Later  he  acted  as  teller  in  the  Bushong  Bank 
for  a  time,  in  1867  re-entering  official  life  as  jury  com- 
missioner of  Berks  county,  and  continuing  as  such  until 
1870.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  serve  in  that  office  in 
the  county.  In  1871  he  was  elected  associate  judge  of 
Berks  county  for  the  full  term  of  five  years,  but  during 
1873  this  office  was  done  away  with.  From  1880  until  1883 
the  Judge  was  a  member  of  the  select  council  from  the 
Eighth  ward,  and  this  office  he  filled  with  the  highest 
credit.  At  the  time  of  the  failure  of  the  well-known 
Bushong  Bank  he  was  appointed  assignee  and  that  all 
who  knew  him  had  equal  confidence  in  his  high  sense 
of  honor  and  executive  ability  is  demonstrated  by  the  fact 
that  he  was  chosen  to  settle  many  estates.  In  the  dis- 
charge of  such  duties  he  became  well  known  all  over 
Berks  county,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  most  respected 
citizens.  His  friends  were  numerous,  and  he  was  a 
prominent  figure  on  the  streets  of  Reading  for  many 
years.  His  death,  which  was  widely  mourned,  occurred 
May  19,  1897,  at  his  residence.  No.  925  Penn  street,  and 
was  caused  by  paralysis,  from  which  he  had  been  a  suf- 
ferer for  several  years.  He  came  from  old  Lutheran 
stock. 

Judge  Bruckman  married  May  22,  1896,  Miss  Caroline 
H.  Heilman,  daughter  of  John  B.  Heilman,  and  she  sur- 
vives him,  residing  at  the  Penn  street  home. 

John  B.  Heilman,  father  of  Mrs.  Bruckman,  died  in 
Reading,  May  10,  1903,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years. 
He  was  a  native  of  Germany,  where  he  followed  the 
calling  of  a  shepherd.  He  remained  in  that  country  for 
a  long  time  after  his  marriage,  coming  to  America  in 
1852.  As  he  was  unacquainted  here  and  had  no  plans 
for  settling,  he  went  from  New  York  to  Reading  with 
a  Mr.  Haak,  whom  he  had  met  on  the  boat.  Soon  after 
his  arrival  he  found  employment  in  the  Philadelphia  & 
Reading  shops.  He  remained  with  the  company  for  the 
unusually  long  period  of  forty  years,  a  fact  which  speaks 
well  for  the  record  he  made.  Before  his  death  he  made 
a  visit  to  his  native  land. 

Mr.  Heilman  married  C.  Frederika  Sturgzboch,  who 
died  Feb.  16,  1888,  and  they  are  buried  in  the  Charles 
Evans  cemetery.  They  had  children  as  follows:  William 
F.,  a  retired  cigar  manufacturer,  who  resides  with  his 
sister,  Mrs.  Bruckman;  Charles  F.,  a  resident  of  Reading; 
Mark  G.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  cigar  business  in  Potts- 
town;  John  B.,  Jr.,  late  of  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  who  died 
Aug.  3,  1908,  leaving  two  sons,  William  J.  and  Harvey 
M. ;  George ;  and  Caroline  H.,  who  married  Judge 
Bruckman. 


GEORGE  M.  ZELLER,  the  popular  proprietor  of 
the  well-known  "American  House,"  at  Stouchsburg, 
Marion  township,  is  a  representative  of  one  of  Berks 
county's  oldest  and  most  honored  families.  Mr.  Zeller. 
was  born  Sept.  30,  1863,  in  Marion  township,  son  of 
Reily  W.  and  Rebecca  (Troutman)  Zeller. 

Between  1733  and  1751  there  landed  (qualified)  at 
Philadelphia  three  emigrants  of  the  name  of  Zoller,  and 
between  1740  and  1767  a  number  of  Zellers  and  Zollers 
are  there  recorded.  But  the  Tulpehocken  Zellers  have 
for  fheir  ancestor  John  Henry  Zeller  (sometimes 
Zoell^r),  who  came  from  Schoharie,  N.  Y.,  as  the  fol- 
lowing account  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stapleton's  "Memo- 
rials |Of  the  Huguenots  in  America"  shows: 

"Among  the  Huguenot  exiles  were  several  -branches 
of  thp  ancient  Sellaire  or  Cellier  family  of  France.  The 
name;  is  met  with  among  the  refugees  to  England  and 
America  prior  to  the  Revocation  (1685),  and  even,  in  far- 
away Cape  Colony,  where  a  descendant.  General  Cellier, 
became  famous  as  a  Boer  leader  in  the  Transvaal  war. 
One  branch  retired  to  the  Palatinate  about  the  period 
of  the  Revocation.  Of  this  family  was  Jean  Henri  Sel- 
laire, who,  with  his  family,  followed  the  great  exodus 
of  Palatinates  to  London  in  1708.  In  1709  he  came  to 
New  York  with  the  Palatinates,  where  his  name  and 
that  of  his  son  John  as  'Zeller'  appears  among  the 
settlers  of  Livingston  Manor  in  1710.  About  1727  he 
came  overland  through  the  trackless  wilderness  to  Tul- 
pehocken, locating  near  the  present  town  of  Sheridan, 
wher,e  he  established  a  considerable  estate  and  where 
he  died  at  a  very  advanced  age  in  1756.  His  house, 
a  massive  stone  edifice,  erected  with  a  view  to  protect 
the  family  and  neighbors  in  case  of  an  attack  from  the 
Indians,  is  still  standing."  This  house,  now  an  his- 
torical relic  of  the  section,  and  known  as  "Zeller's 
Indian  Fort,"  was  erected  in  1745,  on  the  banks  of  the 
mill  I  creek,  and,  as  stated,  was  used  for  a  fort.  But 
the  author  of  the  paragraph  quoted  was  not  quite  ac- 
curate when  he  called  it  a  "massive  stone  edifice."  The 
walls  are  massive  enough,  but  the  building  could  hardly 
be  called  an  edifice.  He  also  erected  the  first  meeting- 
place  of  these  early  Schoharie  settlers  for  worship,  de- 
fense and  mutual  conference.  He  died  in  January,  i756, 
and  his  will,  made  Aug.  3,  1754,  was  probated  Jan.  20, 
1756.  This  will  shows  a  wife,  Anna  Maria,  and  children: 
John  George  (who  obtained  the  homestead),  John 
Henry,  John  David,  Hartman  (The  Rev.  Mr.  Siapleton 
give^  this  name  as  Martin),  John,  Anna  Maria  Sa'tz- 
geber,  Barbara  (or  Barbaralis)  Lerew,  Catharine  Pon- 
tius and  Anna  Elizabeth  Battorf.  The  executors  are 
shown  as  his  son  John  and  son-in-law  Leonard  An- 
spach, — accordingly  there  must  have  been  another 
daughter. 

It  appears  that  some  of  the  descendants  of  John 
Henry  Zeller  removed  to  Heidelberg  in  Lancaster  (now 
Lebanon)  county,  where  the  proprietary  and  State  tax 
lists  I  of  Lancaster  county  for  1779  show  David  Zeller 
(110  acres),  Henry  Zeller  (100  acres),  Peter  Zeller  (100 
acres)  and  Michael  Zeller  (40  acres).  The  first  three 
of  these  are  also  shown  for  1771.  In  case  of  the  old 
townships  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  where  men- 
tioned by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stoever  and  other  early  preach- 
ers they  did  not  always  have  definite  boundaries.  Heid- 
elberg, for  instance,  extended  rather  indefinitely  west- 
ward and  perhaps  through  what  is  now  Lebanon  county. - 
Tulfiehocken  and  Heidelberg  seem  also  to  have  over- 
lapped in  some  places. 

The  following  memoranda  undoubtedly  refer  to  some 
of  the  children  of  John  Henry  Zeller,  the  emigrant: 

John  G.  Zoeller  and  Hartman  Zoeller  are  shown  by 
Rupp  as  members  between  1735  and  1755,  of  the  Tulpe- 
hocl<jen  Reformed  Church,  formerly  known  locally  as 
Leinbach's  Church,  situated  in  the  pike  between 
Stouchsburg  and  Myerstown.  Hans  Heinrich  Zeller 
and  Johannes  Zeller  are  mentioned  by  Rupp  as  among 
those,  above  twenty-one  years  of  age,  who  passed  the 
winter  of  1710  and  the  summer  of  1711  in  Livingston 


'.VB^f.  ,  _  Ci 


C^^^4X^-^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


753 


Manor,  N.  Y.,  and  who  appear  to  have  settled  in  Scho- 
harie, N.  Y.,  and  from  that  place  to  have  removed  to 
Tulpehocken  in  1723  or  later. 

From  thf  Rev.  John  Casper  Stoever's  record  of  Bap- 
tisms and  Marriages  is  obtained  the  following  informa- 
tion: 

Marriages:  Jan.  14,  1743,  John  Pontius  and  Anna  Cath- 
arine Zoeller,  of  Tulpehocken;  Dec.  28,  1743,  John  Zoel- 
ler  and  Maria  Becker,  of  Tulpehocken;  Oct.  5,  1772, 
Michael  Zoeller  and  Cathrine   Dillman,  of  Heidelberg. 

With  regard  to  the  descendants  of  'John  Pontius  and 
wife  Anna  Catharine  Zoeller,  Rev.  Mr.  Stapleton  in  his 
"Memorials  of  the  Huguenots"  has  the  following  ac- 
count: "In  1738  John  Pontius  arrived  and  located  in 
Tulpehocken.  He  was  born  in  Alsace  (France),  in  1718. 
In  1743  he  married  Anna  Catharine,  a  daughter  of  John 
Zeller  (should  be  John  Henry  Zeller  as  he  correctly 
states  in  an  article  iil  Notes  and  Queries  by  Dr.  William 
H.  Egle,  Annual  Volume,  1898).  He  had  a  considerable 
family  and  his  sons  were  great  pioneers.  They  were 
John  Henry,  born  in  1744;  John  Peter,  born  in  1747; 
John,  born  in  1751;  Andrew;  Nicholas;  George;  and 
Frederick.  Several  were  among  the  first  settlers  "in 
Buffalo  Valley  in  (now)  Union  county,  and  many  of 
the  next  generation  were  of  the  first  in  Ohio  and 
Illinois." 

Baptismal  Records:  John  Henry  Zeller,  Jr.,  tailor,  of 
Tulpehocken — ^John  Henry,  born  March  5,  1745;  spon- 
sors, John  Henry  Zeller.  Sr.  and  wife  on  March  26, 
1745;  John  Zoeller,  Jr..  of  Tulpehocken,  Frantz  Paul, 
born  April  8,  1751. 

There  are  shown  as  having  acted  as  sponsors:  In 
1730,  Henry  Zeller  and  wife  in  family  of  Michael 
Schauer  (now  Shower),  of  Heidelberg;  in  1744,  John 
Henry  Zoeller  and  wife  in  family  of  John  Pontius,  of 
Swatara;  in  1745,  John  Henry  Zeller,  Sr.  and  wife  in 
family  of  John  Henry  Zeller,  Jr.,  of  Tulpehocken;  in 
1746,  John  Nicholas  Zeller  and  wife  in  family  of  John 
Peter  Wissenandt,  of  "Moden  Creek"  (supposed  to  be 
Muddy  Creek  in  Lancaster  county). 

From  the  Proprietary  and  State  Tax  lists  of  Berks 
county  for  the  years  1767,  1768,  1779,  1780,  1781,  1784 
and  1785  is  obtained  Zeller  information  as  follows: 
As  of  Tulpehocken— Hans  Zoller  for  1767  and  1768,  with 
100  acres;  John  Zeller  for  1779  and  1780,  no  land; 
George  Zeller  (also  Zoller)  for  all  years,  with  100  to 
375  acres;  Peter  Zoller  (single)  for  1768;  Andrew  Zeller 
for  1779  and  subsequent  years,  with  133  to  140  acres; 
Francis  (or  France)  Zeller  for  1779  and  subsequent 
years  with  167  acres;  Peter  Zeller  (Albert's  estate  of 
150  acres)  for  1784.  In  1784  the  number  of  persons 
for  George  Zeller  is  given  as  nine,  for  Francis,  ten  and 
for  Andrew,  six.  None  are  shown  for  Peter.  As  of 
Reading,  Nich's  Zeller,  laborer,  for  1779.  As  of  Cumru, 
Nich's  Zeller  for  1780  and  1781. 

Johannes  Zeller,  of  Tulpehocken  township,  evidently 
son  of  John  Henry,  the  emigrant  settler,  rrlade  his  will 
May  13,  1795,  and  it  was  probated  Dec.  23,  1805,  the  wit- 
nesses being  Christian  Lower  and  Johan  Dieflfenbach, 
and  the  executors  Francis  (Frantz)  Paul  Zeller  and  Val- 
entine Sailes.  Johannes  Zeller's  children  were:  Francis, 
mentioned  below;  Peter;  Elizabeth,  who  married  John 
Beitenour;  Catharine,  who  married  Philip  Zehring; 
Margaret,  who  married  Valentine  Seller;  and  Mary, 
Mrs.  Lefever,  who  had  four  children,  John,  Henry, 
George  and  Catherine.  Johannes  Zeller,  the  father  of 
this  family,  built  the  house  now  on  the  ^yeaver  farm 
in  Marion  township,  which  is  in  a  substantial  condition' 
and  likely  to  last  many  years.  On  the  east  gable  the 
following  inscription  appears:  "Wan  Ich  einmahl  starb- 
en  Musta,"  and  another  inscription  reads:  "Hannes  Zel- 
ler, Kattarina  Zellerin,  1773." 

At  Mifflinburg,  Union  Co.,  Pa.,  in  the  old  part  of  the 
cemetery  just  south  of  the  town,  lie  buried  Peter  Zel- 
lers,  born  in  1745,  in  Tulpehocken  township,  Berks 
county  who  died  in  1817;  and  Catharine  Zellers.  (wife 
of  Peter),  born  in  1742,  who  died  in  1808,  daughter  of 
48 


Jacob  Wilhelm.     (This  Peter  Zellers  was  probably  the 
son  of  John  Zeller.) 

Frantz  Paul  (Francis)  Zeller,  son  of  Johannes,  and 
great-great-grandfather  of  George  M.,  was  born  April 
8,  1751,  and  died  Oct.  5,  1821,  aged  seventy  years,  five 
months,  twenty-seven  days,  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth, 
who  was  born  Dec.  16,  1762,  died  April  33,  1819  aged 
fifty-six  years,  four  months,  six  days.  Both  were  buried 
in  the  old  graveyard  at  the  Reformed  Church  in  Tulpe- 
hocken, across  the  line  of  Berks  in  Lebanon  county. 
Frantz  Paul  Zeller  was  a  sergeant  on  the  roll  of  John 
Lesher's  company  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and 
in  the  same  company  was  one  Andrew  Zeller,  a  fifer, 
who  it  is  believed  was  Frantz  Paul's  brother.  Michael 
Zeller,  a  private  of  Capt.  Peter  Dechert's  company  in 
1776,  was  also  a  brother.  [N.  B.  Neither  Andrew  nor 
Michael  are  mentioned  above  in  list  of  Frantz  Paul 
Zellers  brothers  and  sisters.]  Frantz  Paul  Zeller  owned 
the  old  house  built  by  his  father  in  1773;  a  stone, 
pebble-dashed,  weatherboarded  structure,  with  a  wall 
two  feet  thick  and  plaster  between  the  stones  as  hard 
as  steel.  The  farm  during  his  generation  consisted  of 
154  acres,  and  he  it  was  who  erected  the  present  barn. 
In  his  will,  which  he  made  June  12,  1820,  he  said  that 
he  was  old  and  weak  in  body.  It  is  signed  "Frantz 
Zeller,"  was  witnessed  by  Adam  Sheetz  and  Jacob 
Becker,  and  was  probated  Oct.  24,  1831.  His  children 
were:  Jacob  (was  bequested  the  plantation),  Catherine, 
John,  Benjamin,  Peter,  Elizabeth  (m.  Christian  Hantz), 
Daniel,  Valentine,  Anna  Maria  (m.  Frederick  Kuster), 
Jonathan,  Henry  and  David. 

Jacob  Zeller,  grandfather  of  Reily  W.,  and  great- 
grandfather of  George  M.,  was  born  June  8,  1790,  and 
died  April  4,  1872,  aged  eighty-one  years,  nine  months, 
twenty-six  days,  and  was  buried  at  the  Tulpehocken, 
Reformed  Church.  He  owned  the  original  homestead, 
and  was  a  farmer  all  of  his  life.  Mi".  Zeller  married 
Susanna  Trautman,  who  was  born  March  23,  1791,  and 
died  Dec.  12,  1842,  in  her  fifty-second  year.  The  chil- 
dren born  to  them  were:  Lydia,  m.  to  Peter  Walborn; 
Elizabeth,  m.  to  Isaac  Weigly;  Jonathan;  Catherine, 
m.  to  Eli  Gehret;  Lavina,  m.  to  David  Dundore;  Jacob, 
m.  to  Caroline  Kilmer;  and  John,  born  in  1833,  who  died 
in  1888,  m.  to  Beckie  Schell. 

Jonathan  Zeller,  grandfather  of  George  M.,  was  born 
July  10,  1815,  "and  died  Jan.  12,  1894,  in  his  seventy- 
ninth  year.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  owned 
the  homestead  in  Marion  township,  which  he  cultivated 
for  many  years,  and  was  well-known  in  the  community 
for  his  public  spirit.  He  was  buried  at  the  Tulpehocken 
Reformed  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  member.  Mr. 
Zeller  was  married  to  Catherine  Wilhelm,  born  Feb.  27, 
1817,  died  Feb.  12,  1901,  aged  near  eighty-four  years. 
Their  .children  were  as  follows:  Reily  W.;  Elizabeth 
m.  (first)  Henry  Kachel,  deceased,  and  (second)  George 
Foos,  deceased,  and  whose  son  is  Dr.  Charles  S.  Foos, 
superintendent  of  Reading  public  schools;  and  Mary 
m.  Dr.  Frank  J.  Kantner,  of  Reading. 

Reily  W.  Zeller,  father  of  George  M.,  was  born  Feb. 
17,  1843,  in  Marion  township,  and  from  his  youth  until 
1893  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  In  that  year 
he  removed  to  his  dwelling  at  Stouchsburg,  where  he 
lived  retired.  In  1897,  however,  he  returned  _to  the 
farm,  which  he  operated  for  a  period  of  three  years. 
Again  disposing  of  his  farming  property,  Mr.  Zeller 
returned  to  Stouchsburg,  and  since  that  tiine  has  lived 
retired  from  active  pursuits.  He  was  the  owner  of 
sixty-five  acres  of  land,  a  part  of  the  original  home- 
stead, which  he  sold  to  Lewis  Webber  in  1903'.  Mr. 
Webber  also  owning  the  old  Zeller  stand.  Mr.  Zeller 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  was  school  director  for  six 
years,  four  years  of  which  were  spent  in  the  capacity 
of  treasurer  of  the  board,  and  has  been  a  delegate  to 
numerous  county  conventions.  With  his  family  he  at- 
tends the  Tulpehocken  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  deacon. 

In  1864  Mr.  Zeller  was  married  to  Rebecca  Troutman, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Hannah   (Leiss)   Troutman) 


754 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  three  children  were  born  to  this  marriage:  George 
M.;  Wilson  B.,  of  Reading;  and  Mary,  m.  to  Charles  H. 
Spangler. 

George  M.  Zeller  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm, 
and  worked  for  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty  years 
old,  at  which  time  he  went  to  learn  cigar  making  under 
James  Zerbe,  at  Stouchsburg,  where  in  1893  he  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  cigars.  He  continued  in  this  busi- 
ness uirtil  1897,  also  conducting,  a  cigar  store,  disposing 
of  his  product  to  local  houses.  Mr.  Zeller  then  en- 
gaged in  packing  cigars  for  George  Druber,  a  cigar  man- 
ufacturer at  Stouchsburg,  until  the  fall  of  1900,  when 
at  public  sale,  he  purchased  the  property  of  the  "Amer- 
ican House,"  at  Stouchsburg,  from  the  Isaac  L.  Moyer 
estate,  and  this  he  has  conducted  with  much  success 
to  the  present  time.  This  famous  hostelry  which  was 
established  many  years  ago  by  Mr.  Moyer,  has  been 
greatly  remodeled  by  Mr.  Zeller,  who  now  has  one  of 
the  finest  stands  in  the  county.  The  hotel  contains 
twenty  rooms,  has  one  of  the  best  tables  to  be  found 
in  Berks,  and  has  the  liberal  patronage  of  the  traveling 
trade  between  Philadelphia  and  Harrisburg.  Mr.  Zeller 
is  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  popular  men  in  his 
township,  and  also  has  a  large  acquaintance  in  the 
southern  and  western  portions  of  Berks  county.  In  ad- 
dition to  his  hotel  and  store-  building  he  owned  a  com- 
fortable residence  at  Stouchsburg,  and  he  has  been 
prominently  identified  with  the  progress  and  develop- 
ment of  his  section.  He  keeps  a  fine  span  of  horses, 
is  a  great  fisherman,  is  one  of  the  crack  shots  of  the 
Keystone  Gun  Club,  of  Lebanon,  Pa.,  where  he  won 
medals  for  marksmanship  for  five  consecutive  years, 
having  a  record  of  fifteen  straight  birds.  He  has  a  very 
valuable  bird  dog.  Mr.  Zeller  was  the  pitcher  of  the 
star  Marion  base  ball  club  that  held  the  amateur  cham- 
pionship of  the  county  in  the  early  nineties.  In  politics 
Mr.  Zeller  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  takes  an  active  in- 
terest in  his  party's  success,  having  never  missed  an 
election  since  attaining  his  majority.  Fraternally  he  is 
connected  with  Washington  Camp  No.  237,  P.  O.  S.  of 
A.,  Stouchsburg;  Reading  Encampment  No.  1,  and  the 
Commonwealth  Casualty  Company  of  Philadelphia.  Mr. 
Zeller  and  his  family  are  members  of  Tulpehocken  Re- 
formed Church  of  Marion  township,  to  which  he  gives 
his  liberal  support. 

On  Sept.  36,  1885,  Mr.  Zeller  was  married  to  Lizzie 
J.  Bright,  daughter  of  Aaron  Bright  (see  sketch  else- 
where). To  this  union  has  been  born  one  son,  Harry 
Bright  Zeller,  born  on  St.  Patrick's  Day,  March  17, 
1886,  at  Stouchsburg.  He  graduated  from  the  township 
schools,  and  later  attended  the  Lebanon  Business  Col- 
lege and  the  Elmer_  Deck  School  of  Shorthand  and 
Typewriting,  at  Reading. 

Wilson  B.  Zeller,  son  of  Reily  W.  and  brother 
of  George  M.,  was  born  in  Marion  township  Oct.  1, 
1865.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools, 
in  Palatinate  College,  Myerstown,  and  in  the  Keystone 
State  Normal  School  at  Kutztown.  He  taught  three 
terms  at  the  Zeller  school  in  Marion,  and  two  terms  in 
the  Moyer  school  in  the  same  township.  He  learned 
the  duties  pertaining  to  a  farmer's  life  at  home,  and 
he  gave  his  assistance  to  his  father  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  old.  He  then  entered  the  general  store  of 
his  father-in-law,  Isaac  L.  Moyer,  a  merchant  at 
Stouchsburg.  There  he  continued  for  nine  years.  In 
January,  1898,  he  was  appointed  a  clerk  in  the  Record- 
er's office  at  Reading,  and  there  he  gave  satisfactory 
service  under  Recorders  Reeser  and  Bressler.  In  1904 
he  became  traveling  salesman  for  S.  M.  Hess  &  Bros., 
manufacturers  of  fertilizers  at  Philadelphia,  and  he  now 
represents  that  firm  in  twenty-four  counties  in  Penn- 
sylvania. He  possesses  the  happy  faculty  of  making 
friends. 

In  1885  Mr.  Zeller  was  married  to  Ada  A.  Moyer, 
eldest  daughter  of  the  late  Isaac  L.  Moyer,  of  Marion 
township.  They  resided  in  Stouchsburg  until  their  re- 
moval to  Reading  in  April,  1901.     Three  children  have 


been  born  to  them:  (1)  Robert  M.,  born  May  37,  1887, 
graduated  from  the  Reading  high  school  in  1905,  with 
highest  distinction.  He  taught  the  same  school  in  Mar- 
ion township  in  1905-06  that  his  father  had  taught,  and 
is  now  on  the  editorial  staff  of  the  Reading  Eagle. 
(2)  Edna  lyi.  (3)  Sarah  R.,  born  March  20,  1893,  died 
July  12,  1903.  Mr.  Zeller  and  his  family  are  members 
of  St.  Mark's  Reformed  Church,  Reading.  During  the 
residence  in  Stouchsburg  Mr.  Zeller  was  connected  with 
the  Union  Sunday-school  for  ten  years,  being  super- 
intendent for  seven.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  Golden 
Rule  Lodge,  No.  159,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Womelsdorf ;  Wash- 
ington Camp,  No.  237,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  Stouchsburg,  of 
which  he  is  a  past  officer,  and  was  district  president  of 
District  No.  3,  for  one  term.  He  also  belongs  to  the 
T.  P.  A.  In  his  political  faith  he  is  a  strong  Democrat, 
and  of  great  influence  in  his  party.  For  eleven  years 
he  filled  the  office  of  school  director  in  Marion  town- 
ship, for  nine  years  being  secretary  of  the  board.  He 
was  a  frequent  delegate  to  county  conventions  under 
the  old  system.  In  June,  1909,  he  received  the  nomina- 
tion for  the  office  of  recorder  of  deeds  of  Berks  county, 
after  a  hard  fight. 

CHARLES  HENRY  JONES,  son  of  Hon.  J.  Glancy 
Jones,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  Sept.  13,  1837.  He 
was  educated  as  a  civil  engineer  in  the  Rensselaer 
Polytechnic  Institute,  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  served  in 
the  engineer  corps  in  the  location  and  construction  of 
the  _  East  Pennsylvania  railroad.  In  1859  he  accom- 
panied his  _  father,  who  had  been  appointed  United 
States  Minister  to  Austria,  and  served  as  attache  to 
the  legation  until  November,  1861.  Having  returned  to 
America,  he  studied  law  under  his  father's  instruc- 
tion, and  was  admitted  to  the  Reading  Bar  in  April, 
1863.  In  the  same  year  he  removed  to  Philadelphia, 
where  he  has  siince  actively  practised  his  profession. 
He  was  solicitor  to  the  park  commissioners  during 
the  laying  out  of  Fairmount  Park,  from  1869  to  1874; 
was  the  candidate  of  the  Democratic  party  for  city 
solicitor  of  Philadelphia  in  1874;  counsel  for  the  De- 
partment of  Protection,  Centennial  Exposition  of  1876; 
and  special  deputy  collector  of  the  port  of  Philadelphia 
under  President  Cleveland  from  1885  to  1889.  In  1890 
he  organized  The  Trust  Company  of  North  America, 
and  served  for  many  years  as  vice-president  of  that 
corporation.  For  twenty-one  years  he  has  been  one 
of  the  managers  and  for  the  past  ten  years  chairman 
of  the  board  of  managers  of  Christ  Church  Hospital. 
He  is  an  able  lawyer  and  was  prominent  as  counsel 
in  many  of  the  notable  contested  election  cases  in  the 
Philadelphia  courts  and  made  a  great  reputation  for 
the  thoroughness  and  ability  with  which  he  sifted  out 
the  frauds  of  a  number  of  municipal  elections  and 
unseated  the  wrongful  holders  of  many  important 
offices. 

Mr.  Jones  for  many  years  has  been  identified  with 
the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  Revo- 
lution, of  which  he  is  chairman  of  the  board  of  man- 
agers and  treasurer,  and  the  Colonial  Society,  of  which 
he  is  president.  Several  of  the  papers  he  has  read 
before  these  societies,  _  notably  those  relating  to  the 
encampment  of  Washington  and  his  army  on  the 
banks  of  the  Neshaminy  and  at  Whitemarsh  during 
the  year  1777,  are  replete  with  the  most  interesting 
information  and  charming  descriptions  of  the  thrill- 
ing events  of  that  wonderful  year,  and  have  attracted 
universal  attention  as  the  best  history  of  the  immortal 
days  of  the  Revolution  covered  by  the  period  of  that 
narrative.  He  is  the  author  of  a  number  of  works  of 
history  and  fiction,  among  them  the  "History  of  the 
Campaign  for  the  Conquest  of  Canada  in  1776,"  in 
which  several  companies  from  Berks  county  figured 
conspicuously,  under  the  command  of  his  great-grand- 
father, Col.  Jonathan  Jones,  a  lieutenant-colonel  in 
the  Continental  army;  "Genealogy  of  the  Rodman 
Family  from  1630  to  1886,"  containing  2,892  names  of 
the  descendants  of  his  maternal  ancestors,  among  them 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


755 


being  William  Rodman,  who  served  as  an  officer  on 
the  staff  of  General  Lacey  during  the  war  of  Independ- 
ence and  was  a  member  of  Congress  in  1813;  "Davaults 
Mills";  "Recollections  of  Venice";  "A  Pedestrian  Tour 
Through  Switzerland";  and  "The  Life  and  Memoirs  of 
J.  Glancy  Jones." 

JOSEPH  W.  RICHARDS,  cashier  of  the  First  Nation- 
al Bank,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  is  the  oldest  son  of  Rev. 
Elias  J.  Richards,  D.  D.,  and  his  first  wife,  Emily  Theresa 
Ward;  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Ward,  a  merchant 
of  Bloomfield,  N.  J.,  and  a  descendant  from  Puritan  stock 
wEich  settled  in  Connecticut  in  1635.  Mr.  Richards  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  Jan.  21,  1844;  was  educated  in  pre- 
paratory schools  at  Reading,  Danbury  (Conn.),  and  Potts- 
town  (Pa.),  and  was  a  student  of  medicine  at  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war.  On  Aug.  10,  1862,  he  was 
mustered  into  service  as  a  private  in  Company  A,  128th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  enlisted  for  nine 
months,  and  served  until  May  19,  1863,  the  expiration 
of  the  term.  The  regiment  participated  in  the  severe 
battles  of  Antietam  and  Chancellorsville.  In  the  summer 
of  1863  he  served  as  a  corporal  in  Company  C,  42d  Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania  Militia,  a  part  of  the  emergency  force 
raised  for  State  defense  during  the  Confederate  invasion, 
and  enlisted  for  three  months.  From  1865  to  1869  he 
was  engaged  in  the  oil  business  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and 
upon  returning  to  Reading  was  appointed  a  clerk  in  the 
First  National  Bank.  Of  this  institution  he  was  in  1899 
elected  cashier. 

Mr.  Richards  married,  in  1872,  Annie  O.  Kerper,  a 
daughter  of  William  Kerper,  merchant,  of  Reading,  and  a 
member  of  one  of  its  oldest  families.  Of  their  three 
children,  one,  a  son,  survives.  Mr.  Richards  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Keim  Post,  No.  76,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Reading. 

REV.  ELIAS  J.  RICHARDS,  D.  D.,  for  upwards  of 
twenty-five  years  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  Jan.  14,  1813,  in  the  Valley 
of  the  Dee,  in  the  West  of  England,  not  many  miles 
from  the  town  of  Llangollen  in  Wales,  and  was  the 
son  of  Hugh  and  Jane  Ellis  (Jones)  Richards.  His 
ancestors  were  tillers  of  the  soil,  following  the  princi- 
pal industry  of  the  surrounding  region.  His  father  was 
an  adherent  of  the  Presbyterian  faith,  and  his  mother  a 
devout  member  of  the  Church  of  England.  The  latter 
died  when  her  son  Elias  was  but  four  years  of  age. 
.^bout  a  year  afterward  Hugh  Richards,  with  four  of  his 
children,  including  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  left  his 
native  land  for  America,  whither  his  elder  brother,  John, 
•a  land  surveyor,  had  preceded  him.  The  family  resided 
for  a  time  in  Warren  county,  N.  Y.,  and  subsequently 
at  Utica,  where  the  father  died.  Through  the  friendly 
interest  of  Judge  Jonas  Piatt,  an  eminent  lawyer  of  the 
latter  place,  the  youth  was  enabled  to  secure  an  educa- 
tion After  attending  preparatory  schools  in  New  York 
City  and  Bloomfield,  N.  J.,  he  entered  Princeton  College 
in  1831,  and  graduated  in  1834.  Having  chosen  the 
ministry  as  a  calling,  though  opportunities  for  entering 
other  vocations  were  open  to  him,  he  returned  to  Prince- 
ton, graduating  at  the  Theological  Seminary  in  1838,  and 
the  same  year  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presbytery  of 
New  York.  In  1839  he  preached  as  an  evangelist  at  Ann 
Arbor  Mich.  In  1840  he  organized  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Paterson,  N.  J.,  to  which  he  mmistered 
for  two  years,  being  called  in  1842  to  the  Western  Pres- 
byterian Church,  Philadelphia.  .     .     . 

In  1846  he  accepted  the  repeated  and  urgent  mvitations 
of  the  congregation  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Reading  to  become  its  pastor,  being  installed  Oct  14th 
of  that  year.  Here  his  real  life  work  was  wrought.  A 
new  and  handsome  Gothic  church  edifice  was  built  and 
dedicated  in  1848,  taking  the  place  of  the  humble  house 
of  worship  used  by  the  congregation  for  the  precedmg 
quarter  of  a  century;  the  membership  steadily  increased, 
and  the  church  became  the  leading  one  in  the  Presbytery 
of  Lehigh.  In  his  twenty-fifth  anniversary  sermon, 
preached   July   9,   1871,   and   subsequently  published   in   a 


memorial  volume  issued  at  his  death,  Dr.  Richards  most 
feelingly  recapitulated  the  labors  and  events  of  his  long 
pastorate  in  Reading.  This  was  the^^last  pulpit  production 
he  evtr  wrote.  Delicate  in  health  from  his  early  man- 
hood, his  constitution  soon  after  succumbed  to  mortal 
disease,  which  terminated  his  life  March  25,  1872,  in 
the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age.  Many  notable  tributes  of 
affection  and  respect  were  paid  to  his  memory  at  his  burial 
by   his   clerical  brethren   and   sorrowing   friends. 

Dr.  Richards  was  a  man  of  rare  scholarly  attainments, 
and  well  versed  in  English  literature,  especially  its  stand- 
ard poetry,  which  so  fittingly  reflected  the  refinement 
of  his  tastes  and  the  aspirations  of  his  soul.  His  ser- 
mons were  equally  noted  for  their  devotional  Spirit  and 
literary  grace.  His  heart  was  warmly  enlisted  in  the 
success  of  his  country's  cause  during  the  Civil  war,  and  his 
discourses  delivered  upon  occasions  of  national  observance 
were  lofty  utterances  of  civic  faith  and  patriotic  im- 
pulse. In  the  personality  of  the  man  there  was  inter- 
mingled a  native  dignity  of  manner,  with  a  pervading  ten- 
derness of  spirit,  which  riveted  the  attention  and  abided 
in  the  memory.  The  example  of  his  saintly  life  and  char- 
acter irradiated  an  influence-  for  the  moral  uplifting  of 
the  entire  community,  which  recognized  in  him  a  leading 
mind  and  mourned  his  departure  as  a  public  loss.  A 
marble  tablet  to  his  memory  expressive  of  these  senti- 
ments was  erected  in  the  church  by  the  congregation  a 
few  months  after  his  decease.  His  rank  in  his  own  de- 
nomination was  deservedly  high,  and  as  a  recognition  of 
his  especial  fitness  for  the  office  at  the  time  it  was  con- 
ferred, he  was,  in  June,  1870,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  elected 
first  moderator  of  the  reunited  Synod  of  Philadelphia. 

Dr.  Richards  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife,  Em- 
ily T.  Ward,  who  died  in  1857,  he  had  five  children,  of 
whom  one  son  and  two  daughters  are  living.  He  married, 
second,  Elizabeth  Frances  Smith,  who,  with  one  daughter, 
now  deceased,  survived  him. 

HIESTER  FAMILY.  [Taken  from  Rupp's  History  of 
Berks  County  (1844)  pp.  295-297.]  The  name  of  Hiester 
is  so  extensively  connected  with  the  general  and  State 
governments,  that  a  brief  sketch  of  the  family  may  not  be 
uninteresting.  "  Their  remote  ancestors  were  of  Silesian 
origin.  From  that  country  they  were  distributed  through- 
out Austria,  Bavaria,  Saxony,  Switzerland  and  the  coun- 
tries bordering  on  the  river  Rhine.  The  immediate  ances- 
tors of  the  present  race  of  that  name  in  this  country 
emigrated  from  Wittgenstein  in  Westphalia,  and  arrived 
in  America  in  the  early  part  of  the  18th  century.  They 
consisted  of  three  brothers,  Daniel,  John  and  Joseph,  who 
took  up  their  residence  in  the  first  place  at  Goshenhoppen, 
then  in  Philadelphia,  now  in  Montgomery,  county.  Here 
Daniel  at  once  purchased  a  farm  which  was  somewhat 
improved.  After  exploring  and  becoming  better  acquainted 
with  the  country,  they  united  in  purchasing  from  the 
Proprietary  government  upward  of  two  thousand  acres  of 
land  in  Bern  township,  now  Berks  county.  Here  John 
and  Joseph  settled,  while  Daniel  remained  at  the  home- 
stead. Having  thus,  with  the  characteristic  prudence  of 
those  primitive  days,  first  secured  the  means  of  support- 
ing families,  they  next,  in  due  time,  formed  matrimonial 
alliances  with  American  women,  and  "set  themselves  down, 
each  under  his  own  vine  and  fig  tree,"  to  enjoy,  in-  the 
pursuit  of  agriculture,  the  fruits  of  their  virtuous  enter- 
prise. 

As  they  had  been  induced  to  leave  their  own  native 
country  by  the  vassalage  of  an  oppressive  government, 
which  exacted,  not  only  onerous  taxes,  but  also  a  portion 
of  the  time  and  labor  of  its  subjects,  they  naturally  cher- 
ished in  the  minds  of  their  descendants,  a  lofty  spirit  of 
freedom.  Accordingly,  when  the  Revolutionary  war  broke 
out,  they  were  among  the  first  to  enroll  themselves  in 
the  list  of  Associators.  The  efficient  services  of  this 
class  of  citizen  soldiers  (which  were  organized  by  elect- 
ing two  Brigadier  Generals  at  Lancaster  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1776),  afterward  rendered  in  the  campaigns  of  New 
Jersey,  New  York,  Delaware,  and  the  lower  part  of  Penn- 


756 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  CQUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


sylvania,  is  a  well  known  matter  of  history.  Daniel  (of 
Montgomery),  John  (of  Chester),  and  Gabriel  (of  Berks), 
the  three ,  eldest  son's  of  Daniel,  entered  the  service  as 
field  officers,  the  two  former  with  the  rank  of  Colonel, 
and  the  latter  with  that  of  Major.  ,  William,  the  fourth 
and  youngest  son  of  Daniel,  although  also  enrolled,  did 
not,  on  account  of  his  extreme  youth  and  the  infirmity 
of  his  aged  parents,  serve  more  than  one  campaign.  [He 
was  the  great-grandfather  of  Isaac  Hiester,  Esq.,  whose 
sketch   follows.] 

Joseph  Hiester,  afterward  Governor  of  Pennsylvania, 
the  only  son  of  John,  entered  the  service  as  a  captain 
in  the  "Flying  Camp,"  and  having  been  made  a  prisoner 
at  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  and  confined  on  board  the 
notorious  Jersey  Prison  Ship,  "New  Jersey,"  he  was,  after 
his  exchange  promoted  to  the  -rank  of  Colonel.  After  the 
war,  he  and  his  two  cousins,  Daniel  and  John,  were 
elected  to  the  rank  of  Majors  General  of  the  militia  in 
their  respective  districts.  The  popularity  these  men  gained 
by  their  devotion  to  country,  and  the  public  spirit  during 
the  eventful  struggles  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  never 
forsook  them.  After  the  declaration  of  peace,  they  all  en- 
joyed, by  the  suffrages  of  the  people,  a  large  share  in 
the   councils   of  the   State,   and   general   Government. 

General  Daniel  Hiester  was  the  first  representative  in 
Congress  under  the  present  constitution,  from  Berks  coun- 
ty, of  which  he  had  in  the  meantime  become  a  citizen. 
In  1796  he  removed  to  Maryland,  where  he  was  again 
repeatedly  elected  to  the  same  office,  from  the  district 
composed  of  Washington,  Frederick,  and  Allegheny  coun- 
ties, until  the  time  of  his  decease,  at  Washington  city,  in 
the  Session_  of  1801-02. 

Joseph  Hiester  was  elected  a  member  of  the  convention 
which  met  in  Philadelphia,  in  November,  1787,  to  con- 
sider and  ratify,  or  reject,  the  first  constitution  of  the 
United  States;  and  in  1789,  he  was  a  member  of  the  con- 
vention which  formed  the  second  constitution  of  this  State. 
Under  that  constitution,  he  and  Gabriel  Hiester  (who 
had  also  been  a  member  of  the  convention  which  formed 
the  first  State  constitution),  were  repeatedly  elected  to 
the  Legislature,  the  latter  continuing  either  in  the  Senate 
or  House  of  Representatives,  uninterruptedly,  i'or  nearly 
thirty  years.  General  Joseph  Hiester,  after  the  removal 
of  Daniel  to  Maryland,  represented  his  district,  composed 
in  part  of  Berks  county,  in  Congress,  and  about  the  same 
time  General  John  Hiester  was  also  chosen  a  member  of 
the  same  body  from  Chester  county.  Both  were  re-elected 
for  a  series  of  years — the  former  until  he  resigned  in 
1820  and  he  was  elected  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
the  latter  until  he  declined  a  re-election  and  retired  to 
private  life. 


sons,  Gabriel,  Jonathan,  William  and  Jacob,  and  two 
daughters,  Mary  (m.  to  Frederick  A.  Sh'ulze),  and  Eliza- 
beth. The  family  name  was  commonly  written  Hiester, 
but  he  wrote  it  Heister. 


Gabriel  Heister.  [Taken  from  Montgomery's  Berks 
County  in  the  Revolution  (1894)  p.  232.]  Gabriel  Heister, 
a  son  of  Daniel  Hiester  (native  of  Wittgenstein,  West- 
phalia), and  Catherine  Schuler,  was  born  in  Bern  town- 
ship June  17,  1749.  He  was  brought  up  as  a  farmer  and 
given  such  an  education  as  the  neighborhood  afforded  at 
the  school  connected  with  the  Bern  Church.  In  1776,  he 
was  selected  as  one  of  the  representatives  from  Berks 
county  to  the  Provincial  Convention  for  the  formation  of 
a  constitution.  In  1778,  he  received  the  appointment  of 
justice  of  the  Common  Pleas  Court  of  the  county,  which 
he  held  for  four  years.  He  was  afterward  elected  to 
the  Assembly,  and  represented  the  county  for  eight  years, 
1782,  1787-89,  1791,  and  1802-04:  He  was  in  the  Assembly 
when  the  question  of  framing  a  new  constitution  was 
discussed  but  he  voted  against  the  propriety  of  calling 
a  convention  for  this  purpose.  He  was  senator  from  the 
district  which  comprised  Berks  and  Dauphin  counties  for 
ten  years,  1795-96  and  1805-12.  This  continued  selection 
by  his  fellow-citizens  indicates  their  confidence  in  him  as 
a  man  of  ability  and  integrity.  He  was  a  brother  of  Col. 
Daniel  Hiester,  of  Montgomery  county;  of  Col.  John 
Hiester,  of  Chester  county,  and  a  cousin  of  Col.  Joseph 
Hiester  of  Berks  county. 

He  died  on  his  farm,  in  Bern  township,  Sept. .  1,  1824. 
His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Bailsman,  who  survived  him  eight 
years,  dying  in  the   81st  year  of  her  age.     He  had   four 


Isaac  Hiestek,  attorney-at-law  at  Reading,  and  presi- 
dent of  the  Second  National  Bank,  was  born  at  Read- 
ing Jan.  8,  1856.  He  was  educated  in  the  local  schools, 
and  after  graduating  from  the  high  school  in  1871,  entered 
Trinity  College,  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1876.  He  then  studied  law  in  the  office  of 
George  F.  Baer,  Esq.,  for  two  years,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  of  Berks  county  Aug.  13,  1878.  Since  then  he 
has  been  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  not  only  in  the  County  courts,  but 
also  before  the  Superior  and  Supreme  Courts  of  the  State, 
as  indicated  by  the  published  reports  of  cases.  He  has 
been  prominently  identified  with  the  Berks  County  Bar 
Association,  having  served  as  vice-president  for  nine  years 
until  1906,  and  since  then  as  president.  He  has  also  been 
'a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Bar  Association  for  a  num- 
ber of  years. 

Mr.  Hiester  has  officiated  as  a  director  and  the  counsel 
for  the  Reading  Trust  Company  since  its  organization  in 
1886;  also  as  the  president  of  the  Second  National  Bank 
of  Reading  since  1890,  having  been  one  of  its  organizers 
in  1881.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  management  of 
the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery  Company,  the  Reading  Li- 
brary, the  East  Penn  Railroad  Company,  the  Reading  Gas 
Corhpany,  and  the  Reading  Electric  Light  &  Power  Com- 
pany as  trustee  or  director. 

On  Dec.  4,  1905,  Mr.  Hiester  was  married  to  Mary 
Kimmel  Baer,  daughter  of  George  F.  Baer,  Esq.  They 
are  members  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church.  He  has  been 
a  vestryman  since  1879.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the 
Sunday-school  for  many  years,  officiating  as  superintendent 
from  1880  to  1889. 

William  Muhlenberg  Hiester,  (father  of  Isaac)  ;  was 
,born  at  Reading,  May  15,  1818,  and  after  receiving  his 
preparatory  education  in  the  West  Nottingham  Academy, 
Maryland,  entered  Bristol  College,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1837.  He  then  studied  law  in  the  office  of 
Hon.  John  Banks,  at  Reading,  attended  a  course  of  law 
lectures  at  Harvard  College,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar  at  Reading  in  1840.  In  1843,  the  honorary  degree  of 
A.  M.  was  conferred  upon  him  by  Harvard  College.  Soon 
after  his  admission  to  the  Bar,  he  went  to  Erie,  Pa.,  for 
the  purpose  of  engaging  in  the  practice  of  the  law  at  ' 
that  place,  but  after  remaining  there  four  years  he  re- 
turned to  Reading  to  form  a  law-partnership  with  Henry 
A.  Muhlenberg,  Esq.,  and  they  together  established  a  large 
and  successful  practice.  Both  of  them  took  an  active 
interest  in  Democratic  politics,  and  their  ability  and  de- 
votion were  so  highly  appreciated  that  they  were  elected 
to  the  State  Senate,  the  former  serving  from  1850  to  1853, 
and  the  latter  from  1853  to  1856.  Mr.  Hiester,  during 
his  last  year  in  the  Senate,  officiated  as  Speaker. 

Upon  the  election  of  Hon.  William  F.  Packer  as  gov- 
ernor of  the  State,  he  selected  Mr.  Hiester  as  secretary 
of  the  Commonwealth,  and  Mr.  Hiester  filled  this  im- 
portant office  with  great  success  from  1858  to  1861.  Dur- 
ing the  exciting  presidential  campaign  of  1860,  he  sup- 
ported Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  but  when  the  Civil  war 
broke  out  he  encouraged  the  Lincoln  Administration  in 
the  earnest  prosecution  of  the  war  to  the  utmost  of  his 
ability.  In  1863,  Governor  Curtin,  in  appreciation  of  Mr. 
Hiester's  patriotic  spirit,  appointed  him  as  one  of  the 
mustering  officers,  with  the  rank  of  major,  and  during 
this  year  he  mustered  into  the  service  eight  regiments 
of  volunteers  who  had  answered  the  Governor's  call  for 
60,000  men  to  repel  the  invasion  of  the  Rebels.  These 
regiments  were  assembled  in  the  Fair  Grounds  at  the 
head  of  Penn  street,  and  the  encampment  was  called 
"Camp  Hiester,"  after  Mr.  Hiester.  His  adherence  to 
the  Republican  party  led  to  his  nomination  for  Congress 
by  the  Republicans  of  this  district  in  1864.  After  the 
Civil  war  he  lived  practically  in  retirement  until  his  de- 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


757 


'cease  Aug.  16,  1878.  He  was  identified  for  Tnany  years 
with  the  management  of  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery,  the 
Reading  Gas  Company,  and  the  Reading  Library  as  a 
director ;  and  he  contributed  liberally  toward  the  support 
of  local  charity.  He  was  married  to  Julia  F.  Roland, 
daughter  of  Henry  Roland,  and  they  had  one  son,  Isaac 
(above).    His  wife  died  Oct.  27,  1904. 

Ds.  Isaac  Hiester,  a  distinguished  physician  for  nearly 
iifty  years  at  Reading,  was  the  grandfather  of  Isaac, 
Hiester,  Esq.  He  was  born  in  Bern  township,  near  the 
Bern  Church,  about  eight  miles  from  Reading,  June  22, 
1785.  He  was  given  a  thorough  education  at  -the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania  for  the  practice  of  medicine,  and 
after  serving  as  an  attending  physician  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Hospital  at  Philadelphia  for  five  years,  located  at  Reading, 
where  he  practised  his  profession  in  a  most  successful 
manner  until  his  death  in  1855.  During  his  practice  he 
prepared  a  number  of  articles  on  medical  subjects  which 
received  much  favorable  comment. 

Dr.  Hiester  manifested  great  interest  in  local  affairs, 
whether  of  a  medical  or  of  a  financial,  industrial,  literary 
and  scientific  nature,  and  his  superior  character  exerted  a 
powerful  influence  in  the  successful  development  of  Read- 
ing during  its  really  formative  period  for  forty  years 
from  the  close  of  our  war  with  England  (1813  to  1815). 
When  the  Berks  County  Medical  Society  was  organized 
in  1824,  he  was  chosen  its  first  president,  and  upon  as- 
suming the  duties  of  the  office,  delivered  a  most  inter- 
esting address.  [The  proceedings  of  the  meeting  and  a 
copy  of  the  address  are  published  in  Rupp's  History  of 
Berks  County  (1S44),  pages  290-294.]  He  co-operated 
heartily  with  other  enterprising  men  of  Reading  in  estab- 
lishing railroad  communication  with  Philadelphia  on  the 
south,  and  with  Pottsville  on  the  north;  in  supplying  the 
townspeople  with  spring  water  for  drinkirig  purposes  and 
gas  for  lighting  purposes;  and  in  founding  the  Reading 
Academy  for  increasing  the  facilities  of  higher  educa- 
tion at  home;  and  when  Charles  Evans,  Esq.,  came  to 
appoint  the  first  board  of  trustees  for  the  management 
of  the  cemetery  which  he  founded  at  Reading,  he  selected 
Dr.  Hiester  as  one  of  them. 

In  1810,  Dr.  Hiester  was  married  to  Esther  Muhlenberg 
(daughter  of  Gen.  Peter  Muhlenberg,  who  distinguished 
himself  by  patriotic  service  during  the  Revolution),  and 
they  had  four  children:  William  M.  (above);  Peter  M. ; 
Anna  M.  (m.  to  Hon.  J.  Pringle  Jones,  judge  of  Berks 
county  from  1851  to  1861)  ;  and  Frank  M. 

HON.  DANIEL  ERMENTROUT,  late  of  Reading,  has 
left  a  record  of  devotion  to  the  interests  of  that  place 
which  has  been  equalled  by  few  of  its  citizens,  in  any 
day.  He  was  a  descendant  of  the  old  German  stock  to 
which  this  portion  of  Pennsylvania  owes  its  principal  de- 
velopment, and  which  is  still  represented  here  in  large 
numbers  by  the  posterity  of  the  early  settlers.  As  a  law- 
yer -of  ability  he  stood  at  the  head  of  his  chosen  profes- 
sion ;  as  a  public  official  he  performed  services  which  will 
be  felt  for  many  years  to  come;' as  a  gentleman  of  bril- 
liant mental  gifts  and  winning  personality  he  was  sought 
and  welcomed  in  circles  where  the  highest  ideals  of  social 
intercourse  prevailed.  His  memory  is  cherished  by  many 
in  Reading,  for  though  his  life  lines  broadened  until  they 
touched  other  communities  and  embraced  many  interests, 
yet  his  home  city  always  had  first  place  in  his  heart  and 
received  the  benefit  of  the  best  efforts  of  his  mind.  The 
fellow-citizens  who  encouraged  his  earlier  endeavors  were 
the  same  who  applauded  the  achievements  of  his  mature 
years,  and,  augmented  by  the  vast  array  of  sincere  friends 
he  made  in  his  journey  through  life,  were  the  same  who 
mourned  most  deeply  his  sudden  taking  away.  Mr. 
Ermentrout  was  distinctly  .an  American  citizen,  his  family 
having  been  settled  in  this  country  for  a  hundred  years 
before  his  birth,  but  nevertheless  he  owed  many  of  his 
most  characteristic  qualities  to  the  race  from  which  he 
sprang,  and  some  reference  to  his  ancestors  will  be  of 
interest. 

The  family  is  of  German  noble  origin.  The  head  of 
the  house  in  Europe  was   living,   in   1899,   at  Monersasz- 


tiska,  in  Galicia,  near  the  Russian  border.  Carl  Fried- 
erich.  Baron  von  Irmtraut,  as  the  name  is  now  found  in 
Austria,  was  born  at  Stuttgart  Dec.  29,  1810,  was  lieutenant- 
colonel  in  the  Imperial  Austrian  army,  and.  Knight  of 
the  Military  Order  of  Merit,  and  had  long  lived  in  re- 
tirement. He  married  a  relative,  Anna,  Baroness  von 
Irmtraut,  and  there  were  no  children. 

The  recorded  history  of  the  family  begins  in  1339,  when 
it  was  already  among  the  oldest  members  of  the  German 
nobility,  forming  part  of  the  old  "tournament  ring  of 
Franconia."  To  belong  to  any  one  of  the  four  tourna- 
ment circles  of  those  days  it  was  necessary  to  prove  de- 
scent from  four  noble  families,  all  eligible,  on  both  pater- 
nal and  maternal  sides.  In  other  words,  the  Knight  had 
to  prove  his  "quarterings."  Several  Ermtrauts  took  part 
in  a  tournament,  at  Frankfort,  as  well  as  in  the  celebrated 
Numberg  tournament  of  1433,  during  the  first  year  of 
the  reign  of  the  Emperor  Sigismund.  These  proofs  of 
eligibility  are  still  preserved. 

In  ancient  documents  and  old  genealogical  notes  the 
name  is  spelled  Ehrendraud,  Ehrentraud,  Ermentraut, 
Ermtraut,  Irmentraut,  Irmtraut,  just  as  it  sounded  at  the 
moment  to  the  clerks  who  wrote  these  papers,  as  the 
Knights  of  those  early  days  were  indifferent  spellers  and 
usually  signed  their  documents  with  the  imprint  of  their 
armorial  bearings  embossed  on  signet  rings  or  sword 
pommels. 

The  earliest  known  seat  of  the  family  was  located  in 
Hadamar,  Nassau,  where  the  name  is  still  perpetuated  in 
the  little  village  of  Irmtraut,  situated  on  the  outskirts  of 
the  Westerwald.  There  they  had  their  feudal  holdings 
and  manor  house,  and  in  accordance  with  the  customs  of 
the  day  the  .family  name  was  given  to  the  place.  A 
great  stone  barn  carved  with  the  Irmtraut  coat  of  arms 
was  all  that  remained  in  1864.  The  castle  was  but  a  mass 
of  ruins.  They  intermarried  with  other  great  families 
in  their  own  and  neighboring  counties,  Nassau,  Fran- 
conia, Suabia,  the  Palatinate,  etc.,  and  present-day  des- 
cendants of  these  marriages  include  the  Counts  of  Bas- 
senheim  in  Bavaria,  the  Princes  and  Counts  of  Metter- 
nich  in  Austria,  the  Counts  of  Schwarzenburg  in  Austria, 
the  Hatzfelds  in  Prussia,  the  Schoenborns  in  Austria,  the 
Barons  von  Stein  on  the  Rhine  and  in  Prussia,  and  others 
of  equal  importance. 

In  religion  the  Irmtrauts  at  present  are  Protestants, 
probably  becoming  such  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation, 
as  in  earlier  days  members  of  the  family  served  as  Abbots 
and  Abbesses,  in  "noble  knightly  abbeys"  and  convents. 
In  the  service  of  the  Crown,  the  Irmtrauts  made  their 
reputation  as  military  men.  Some  seem  to  have  been 
inclined  to  adventure,  as  it  is  recorded  that  two,  who 
were  in  the  Spanish  Moorish  wars,  were  killed  by  the 
Moors  in  Spain.  One  of  them  was  intrusted  with  a  diplo- 
matic mission  to  the  Duke  of  Burgundy,  in  the  sixteenth 
century,  and  succeeded  so  well  that  he  was  rewarded  by 
his  sovereign  with  the  augmentation  of  his  "arms." 

Taking  up  the  line  in  America,  we  find  the  same  su- 
perior ideals  of  civic  duty  and  manly  achievement  pre- 
vailing in  every  generation.  From  its  foundation  here, 
the  family  has  been  among  the  most  influential  and  not- 
able in  Berks  county.  Representatives  of  the  name  have 
borne  their  full  share  of  the  burden  of  public  duties  and 
lived  up  to  the  most  intelligent  standards  in  private  life. 
John  Ermentrout,  the  first  of  the  name  on  this  side  of 
the  Atlantic,  came  hither  fronj  his  home  in  the  Palatinate 
in  1739,  and  permanently  settled  in  what  is  now  Berks 
county.  Pa.,  where  the  family  remained  until  1829. 

Christopher  Ermentrout,  son  of  John,  was  born  Feb.  8, 
1754,  in  the  family  home,  near  Womelsdorf.  His  son, 
John,  the  grandfather  of  Hon.  Daniel  Ermentrout,  was 
born  April  27,  1777,  and  was  a  Jefferson  Democrat.  Wil- 
liam Ermentrout,  son  of-  John,  was  born  Dec.  12,  1799, 
near  Womelsdorf,  and  died  at  Reading  Jan.  31,  1880,  to 
which  city  he  had  removed  in  1829.  He  was  active  in  the 
local  municipal  service,  as  well  as  a  successful  merchant, 
holding  the  office  of  county  treasurer  from  1851  to  1853, 
and  serving  for  many  years  as  a  member  of  the  board 
of  controllers  of  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  and  was 


758 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


treasurer  of  the  board  from  1869  to  1877.  His  religious 
connection  was  witli  the  Reformed  Church  brought  by  his 
ancestors  from  the  Old  World. 

William  Ermentrout  married  Justina  Silvis,  and  to  them 
were  born  ten  children,  namely:  John  Silvis,  William  C, 
Benjamin  F.,  Philip  M.,  Daniel,  Joseph  C,  Dr.  Samuel  C, 
James  Nevin,  Ellen  (m.  H.  C.  Ritter)  and  Elizabeth 
(m.  de  Benneville  Bertolette). 

Daniel  Ermentrout,  fifth  son  of  William  and  Justina 
(Silvis)  Ermentrout,  was  born  Jan.  24,  1837,  in  Reading, 
at  the  homestead.  No.  53  North  Fifth  street,  and  was 
identified  with  the  pity  throughout  his  life.  He  began 
his  education  in  the  public  schools,  prepared  for  college 
in  the  classical  schools  and  received  his  higher  literary 
training  in  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  at  Lancaster, 
Pa.,  and  in  Elwood  Institute,  Norristown,  this  State. 
Meantime  he  had  followed  intermittently  the  profession 
which  has  been  the  stepping-stone  for  many  an  ambitious 
student,  teaching  for  several  years,  in  Reading,  Consho- 
hocken  and  Norristown.  Further,  he  had  commenced  the 
study  of  law,  under  the  able  direction  of  Hon.  David  F. 
Gordon,  who  had  served  as  president  judge  of  the  Berks 
district  from  1849  to  1851,  and  who  then  had  a  law  office 
in  Reading.  On  Aug.  3,  1859,  Mr.  Ermentrout  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar,  and  thus  formally  launched  upon  his 
life  work  began  a  career  which  made  his  name  one  of 
the  most  honored  among  the  native  sons  of  Pennsylvania. 

Even  at  the  outset  oi  his  independent  practice  Mr. 
Ermentrout  had  more  patronage  than  falls  to  the  lot  of 
the  average  young  lawyer.  Success  seemed  to  be  his 
portion,  the  people  gave  him  their  confidence  intuitively. 
But  he  was  a  young  man  of  sincere  purpose,  an  indefatiga- 
ble worker,  and  a  diligent  student,  and  though  his  honors 
came  fast 'none  grudged  him  his  reward,  for  it  was  fairly 
earned.  He  soon  entered  public  life  by  the  professional 
road.  Just  three  years  after  his  admission  to  the  Bar, 
in  1862,  he  was  elected  district  attorney  of  Berks  county, 
for  a  term  of  three  years,  and  during  that  time  not  only 
formed  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the  legal  fraternity  of 
this  section  of  the  State,  but  also  found  ample  exercise 
for  all  of  his  talents,  the  diversified  demands  of  the  work 
bringing  into  practical  use  many  acquirements  for  which 
there  is  little  call  in  ordinary  practice.  Moreover,  some 
of  the  most  important  public  services  he  performed  in 
his  later  years,  as  a  legislator,  may  be  traced  directly  to 
his  experiences  in  the  discharge  of  his  first  public  office. 
Having  proved  his  ability  and  public  spirit,  he  was  again 
and  again  called  to  services  of  responsibility  for  his  corn- 
munity,  being  almost  continuously  in  office  until  his  death. 
In  1867  he  was  chosen  city  solicitor  and  was  twice  re- 
elected, serving  until  1870.  In  1873  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  Senate,  for  a  term  of  three  years.  Meantime,  in 
1874,  the  terra  was  lengthened  by  a  year,  and  when  he 
was  re-elected,  in  1876,  it  Was  a  four-year  term.  At  the 
close  of  that  period,  in  1880,  he  was  chosen  to  represent 
this  district  in  the  National  Congress,  and,  by  re-election, 
was  a  member  of  that  body  for  four  successive  terms, 
1881  to  1889.  In  1896  he  was  again  elected,  and  at  the 
end  of  his  term  was  chosen  to  succeed  himself  in  1898, 
so  that  he  was  a  member  of  the  LVIth  Congress,  at  the 
time  of  his  sudden  death. 

In  October,  1877,  while  a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  the 
Governor  appointed  him  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Statuary  Commission,  authorized  by  the  State  Legislature 
to  select  the  two  Pennsylvanians  t9  be  represented  in  Stat- 
uary Hall,  at  the  National  Capitol.  A  contemporary 
says  of  this :  "Governor  Hartranft  was  a  Republican  but 
he  saw  Daniel  Ermentrout  was  the  man  for  the  place." 
Mr.  Ermentrout  used  his  influence  to  the  utmost  in  securing 
the  choice  of  General  Muhlenberg  and  was  particularly 
gratified  in  the  selection,  inasmuch  as  the  General  was  an 
ancestor  of  the  family  of  the  same  name  in  Berks  county, 
as  well  as  one  of  the  most  notable  representatives  of  the 
early  German  stock.  Afterward,  when  he. became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  National  House  of  Representatives,  he  proved 
his  lasting  interest  in  the  matter  by  deliv.ering  a  brilliant 
address  on  the  Muhlenberg  and  Fulton  statues ;  by  offer- 
ing resolutions  presenting  the  thanks  of  Congress  for  the 


statues,  and  by  introducing  a  bill  to  authorize  the  printing 
of  the  proceedings  of  Congress  in  accepting  them. 

During  his  first  terra  in  Congress  Mr.  Ermentrout,  be- 
sides looking  after  various  minor  affairs  of  local  inter- 
est, accomplished  an  object  which  has  given  him  a  per- 
manent place  among  the  public  benefactors  of  Reading. 
Although  for  twenty  years  the  Congressional  representa- 
tive of  this  district  had  tried  in  vain  to  get  an  appropria- 
tion for  a  public  building  in  Reading,  Mr.  Ermentrout,  a 
Democrat  in  a  Republican  House,  tactfully  overcame  every 
obstacle  and  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  amount  necessary 
to  put  up  the  handsome  post-office  which  Reading  has  since 
enjoyed.  It  was  typical  of  him  that  the  victory  was  not 
won  by  aggressive  methods,  but  by  the  exercise  of  his 
comprehensive  understanding  of  parlimentary  rules,  to- 
gether with  a  fine  discrimination  and  bonhomie,  that  won 
friends  for  himself  as  well  as  for  his  pet  project.  His 
success  had  wider  results  than  were  originally  anticipated, 
for,  with  the  Reading  building  as  a  precedent,  many  other 
Pennsylvania  towns  Jiave  since  been  likewise  favored.  Mr. 
Ermentrout's  efforts  in  behalf  of  his  home  city,  directly 
and  indirectly,  gained  many  benefits  for  Reading,  but  none, 
perhaps,  gave  him  more  pleasure  in  the  doing  than  this, 
and  the  Reading  post-office  stands  as  his  best  monument — 
the  work  by  which  he  is  best  remembered. 

In  1882-83  he  also  presented  bills  to  change  the  name 
and  location  of  the  Kutztown  National  Bank;  to  furnish 
condemned  cannon  to  McLean  Post,  No.  16,  G.  A.  R. ; 
petitions  and  papers  from  the  citizens  of  Pennsylvania 
for  the  passage  of  a  bill  to  establish  a  Superior  court; 
for  an  appropriation  to  American  steamships  for  ocean 
mail  service,  and  .for  medals  for  the  Ringgold  Battery, 
First  Defenders,  in  recognition  of  their  services  during  the 
Civil  war.  He  took  a  strong  position  in  favor  of  tjie 
restriction  of  Chinese  immigration,  making  several  speech- 
es on  that  subject;  also  in  favor  of  the  extension  of  the 
National  bank  charters,  and  against  the  appointment  of 
a  tariff  commission.  His  succeeding  terms  were  marked 
by  similar  activity.  He  introduced  a  number  of  private 
pension  claims  which  were  afterward  successfully  es- 
tablished, offered  petitions  and  papers  to  increase  the  pay 
of  the  Capitol  police;  petitions  and  papers  from  the  citi- 
zens of  his  State  for  the  enforcement  of  the  eight-hour 
labor  law,  and  for  the  establishment  of  penny  postage; 
from  the  Berks  County  Medical  Society  for  a  building 
for  a  medical  museum;  from  the  Reading  Druggists' 
Association  for  free  alcohol,  and  from  the  Reading  Typo- 
graphical Union,  No.  86,  for  the  Chance-Breckinridge 
currency  bill.  While  in  the  Lth  Congress  he  was  honored 
with  a  place  on  the  committee  which  had  charge  of  the 
inaugural  ceremonies  of  President  Harrison,  and  was  a 
teller  in  the  count  of  the  electoral  vote.  It  was  he  who- 
offered  the  motions  and  resolutions  to  admit  ladies  to  the 
floor  of  the  House;  to  reserve  portions  of  the  House  gal- 
lery; and  to  appoint  a  committee  on  Inaugural  Ceremonies. 

It  was  his  boast  on  one  notable  occasion  that  he  "stood 
shoulder  to  shoulder  with  'Sam'  Randall  in  defense  and 
support  of  the  tariff  interests  of  Pennsylvania,  until  his- 
party  in  National  and  State  conventions  decided  upon  a 
new  policy,  and  then,"  said  Mr.  Ermentrout,  with  solemn 
uplifted  hand,  "I  go  with  my  party,  and  if  necessary  will 
go  out  of  Congress  for  so  acting  and  voting."  His  vote 
for  the  "Mills  bill,"  which  was  made  a  party  question, 
in  the  Lth  Congress,  lost  him  the  Democratic  nomination 
for  the  next  (List)  Congress,  but  he  was  amply  vindicated 
by  his  nomination  and  election  to  the  LVth  and  LVIth 
Congresses.  He  insisted  that  a  loyal  Democrat  he  must 
follow  his  party  flag,  and  that  its  National  platform, 
under  the  leadership  of  a  Democratic  President,  was  bind- 
ing on  him  until  a- new  policy  was  decided  upon.  "He 
was  the  only  man  in  Berks  county  that  ever  survived  a  de- 
feat and  again  by  native  force  forged  to  the  front  and 
gained  a  personal  victory." 

When  he  resumed  his  work  in  the  LVth  Congress,  it 
was  evident  that  his  public  spirit  had  suffered  no  abate- 
ment. He  presented  a  bill  and  joint  resolutions  donating 
cannon  to  the  G.  A.  R.,  at  Allentown;  for  the  relief 
of  Herman  Van  Marsdorf ;  also  papers  and  petitions  from 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


769 


the  Reading  Cigarmakers'  Union  against  increase  in  the 
tariff  on  tobacco ;  from  Freedom  Circle,  Reading,  relative 
to  alien  ownership  of  land;  from  the  Penn  Hardware 
Company  of  Reading,  against  duty  on  emery  ore ;  from 
the  Reading  Tinplate  Company,  relative  to  placing  tariff 
on  tinplate;  from  St.  Lawrence  congregation,  against  plac- 
ing church  goods  on  the  free  list.  He  used  his  good 
offices  to  obtain  all  the  Government  appointments  possible 
for  his  constituents,  secured  pensions  for  numerous  families 
and  was  instrumental  in  obtaining  flowers  and  plants  for  the 
improvement  of  the  public  park  at  the  head  of  Penn 
street.  It  was  also  through  his  influence,  during  this 
term,  that  Henry  May  Keim  was  appointed  consul  to 
Prince  Edward  Island. 

In  Reading  Mr.  Ermentrout  was  particularly  active  Qn 
the  question  of  public  education  and  was  a  member,  from 
the  Seventh  ward,  on  the  board  of  school  controllers 
for  a  number  of  years. 

In  politics  Mr.  Ermentrout  was  a  local  leader  in  the 
Democratic  party  from  the  time  he  made  his  first  cam- 
paign, as  candidate  for  the  office  of  district  attorney.  He 
had  decided  taste  and  acknowledged  talent  for  the  con- 
tests of  the  political  arena,  served  several  years  as  chair- 
man of  the  Berks  county  committee,  and  never  missed  a 
State  convention  of  his  party.  In  1880  he  was  a  delegate 
to  the  National  convention  that  was  held  at  Cincinnati, 
where  he  supported  Samuel  J.  Tilden  as  long  as  that  gen- 
tleman was  a  candidate.  When  the  hope  of  nominating 
him  was  abandoned  Mr.  Ermentrout  had  the  honor  of 
presenting  General  Hancock's  name  to  the  convention  for 
nomination. 

Though  his  official  duties  were  multitudinous  Mr.  Ermen- 
trout continued  the  practice  of  law  throughout  his  life, 
and  made  a  reputation  in  the  profession  which  would  have 
been  notable  had  it  not  been  overshadowed  by  the  more 
conspicuous  results  of  his  public  service.  He  was  engaged 
as  counsel  in  important  trials  from  an  early  stage  in  his 
career,  both  in  the  local  and  in  the  State  Supreme  Courts, 
and  his  term  as  district  attorney,  covering  three  years  of 
the  Civil  war  period,  was  filled  with  interesting  and 
important  work.  In  addition  to  the  usual  criminal  cases 
he  conducted  a  number  of  trials  which  were  the  center  of 
wide  interest  at  the  time,  with  the  ability  which  won  him 
much  valuable  patronage  upon  his  return  to  private  prac- 
tice. 

These  are  the  plain  facts  regarding  Mr.  Ermentrout's 
life  and  work.  They  give  some  indication  of  his  devoted 
services  and  of  the  achievement  of  his  dearest  ambitions. 
But,  unqualified  by  any  reference  to  the  other  side  of  his 
nature,  they  give  a  totally  inadequate  idea  of  the  man.  His 
gifts  as  an  orator,  his  literary  attainments,  his  social  quali- 
ties, were  appreciable  factors  in  the  success  of  many  of  his 
undertakings.  During  the  Centennial  Exhibition  at  Phila-, 
delphia  in  1876,  while  a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  he 
made  a  memorable  address  on  "The  Pennsylvania  Germans 
in  History."  Though  he  made  no  pretense  of  oratorical 
skill  he  had  a  reputation  throughout  his  Congressional  life 
as  a  clever  and  able  speaker  with  that  personal  magnetism 
which  has  power  over  an  audience,  when  combined  with 
the  faculty  of  saying  things  well,  and  he  was  often  called 
upon  for  speeches  and  addresses,  in  the  most  distinguished 
gatherings. 

At  one  of  the  many  Washington  dinners,  where  he  was 
usually  the  life  and  soul  of  the  party,  the  brilliant  Black- 
burn of  Kentucky,  then  just  elected  to  the  Senate,  in  speak- 
ing of  the  contest  on  the  Mills'  bill  and  of  the  division  of 
the  House  thereon,  said:  "Mr.  Chairman,  it  was  once  said 
that  the  Pennsylvania  Democracy  was  divided  into  three 
factions,  the  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Andrew  Jackson  Demo- 
crats and  the  Pennsylvania  Dutch — thousands  of  votes  be- 
ing cast  in  that  State  every  four  years  directly  for  Andrew 
Jackson,  who  was  still  thought  to  be  very  much  alive.  But, 
Mr.  Chairman,  I  want  to  add  to  that  list.  I  would  class 
them  as  the  Pennyslvania  Democrats,  the  Pennsylvania 
Dutch,  the  Randall  Democrats  and  Daniel  Ermentrout." 
This  -sally  created  great  laughter,  and  quick  as  a  flash  Mr. 
Ermentrout  was  on  his  feet.  "Mr.  Chairman,  I  thank  the 
distinguished   gentleman   from  Kentucky,   for  the  compli- 


ment he  has  sought  to  pay  me,  by  making  me  'flock  by 
myself.'  But,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  want  him  and  everybody 
present  to  know  that  on  that  occasion  I  'flocked'  with  the 
Democratic  President  of  the  United  States,  the  Democratic 
Speaker  of  the  House  of '  Representatives,  and,  with  five 
exceptions,  the  entire  Democratic  membership  of  the  House 
of  Representatives ;  and  I  want  to  say  that,  when  the  time 
comes,  I  shall  always  be  found  'flocking'  with  my  party 
and  standing  on  its  last  National  platform,  if  I  have  to 
'flock  by  myself  in  the  Pennsylvania  Democratic  delegation. 
I  prefer  to  be  an  humble  private  citizen  of  Pennsylvania 
and  retain  my  self-respect,  through  fealty  to  my.  party, 
than  cast  a  vote  to  curry  local  and  temporary  favor.  Legis- 
lation, whether  State  or  National,  is,  after  all,  but  a  com- 
promise; but  I  shall  always  be  found  following  the  party 
leader  and  the  party  flag."  Three  rousing  cheers  and  a 
tiger  were  given  for  Mr.  Ermentrout.  . 

It  was  said  of  him,  by  his  contemporaries  in  Congress, 
that  "he  had  all  the  nerve,  courage  and  stubborness  of  his 
race,  and  an  iron  will,  which  fought  to  the  bitter  end.  He 
hated  intrigue  and  despised  all  shams.  He  was  open,  frank, 
honest  and  manly  to  his  opponents.  He  wore  no  mask. 
He  had  as  positive  convictions  as  any  man  who  ever  held 
a  seat  upon  this  floor,  and  he  was  always  loyal  to  his  con- 
victions. On  non-essential  questions,  where  men  might 
honestly  differ,  he  was  as  generous  and  kindly-tempered 
as  a  woman." 

During  the  visit  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  of  a  large  Con- 
gressional party  at  the  invitation  of  the  Managers  of  their 
Centennial  Exposition,  in  1896,  Mr.  Ermentrout  so  won  the 
hearts  of  the  people  that  they  sent  him  word  they  would 
give  him  the  greatest  office  in  their  gift,  governor  or  United 
States  senator,  if  he  would  make  his  home  among  them. 
It  was  then  said  of  him:  "He  was  the  center  of  attraction 
wherever  he  went,  whether  in  a  circle  of  distinguished 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  or  with  the  very  humblest  of  the  im- 
mense throngs  that  visited  our  Centennial.  He  was  liked 
by  all.  He  loved  to  make  everybody  happy.  He  was  a 
champion  of  the  cause  of  pleasure-making,  adding  always 
refinement  and  zest  to  each  and  every  occasion.  He  was 
the  joy  of  the  party." 

Throughout  his  busy  life  he  continued  to  be  a  close  stu- 
dent, finding  his  most  delightful  recreatioii  in  his  books, 
into  which  he  delved  with  characteristic  eai-nestness.  His 
taste  was  discriminating  and  he  acquired  an  astonishing 
intimacy  with  the  best  in  the  classics  and  general  literature. 
His  linguistic  attainments  were  also  unusual,  including  pro- 
ficiency in  French  and  German,  which  he  spoke  and  wrote 
with  ease,  and  a  familiar  knowledge  of  Italian  and  Span- 
ish, sufficient  for  ordinary  conversation.  He  was  a  pro- 
found Latin  scholar.  Undoubtedly  Mr.  Ermentrout  re- 
ceived his  first  impulse  in  this  direction  while  a  pupil  jn 
the  classical  school  under  Mr.  Kelly,  who  was  born  in 
France,  of  Irish  parentage,  and  whose  influence  had  a 
lasting  effect  upon  his  researches  and  studies.  He  wrote 
fluently  and  convincingly,  his  wide  experience  giving  him 
an  outlook  both  broad  and  generous.  His  practical,  intel- 
ligent views  of  life,  gained  in  so  many  different  ways,  tem- 
pered by  the  kindliness  of  disposition  admired  by  all,  and 
augmented  by  study  and  travel,  both  in  his  own  country 
and  Europe,  gave  his  spoken  and  written  thoughts  a  per- 
manent value.  This  fact  is  apparent  today  whenever  his 
opinions  or  advice  are  recalled. 

Mr.  Ermentrout's  last  appearance  at  any  public  affair 
was  at  a  dinner  given  by  the  Reading  Press  Club,  a  few 
days  before  his  death  upon  which  occasion  he  was  an  hon- 
ored guest  and  made  his  last  speech.  He  was  an  associate 
member  of  this  club,  a  member  and  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  the  Historical  Society  of  Berks  County,  a  member 
of  the  Pennsylvania  German  Society,  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Historical  Society  and  of  the  Americus 
Club.  In  1862  he  was  a  member  of  Company  G,  Second 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Militia. 

As  may  be  judged  from  his  connection  with  the  local 
historical  societies  he  was  deeply  interested  in  the  settle- 
ment of  Pennsylvania  and  the  history  of  his  own  county, 
and  his  researches  along  this  line  made  him  one  of  the  most 
thoroughly  informed  men  in  the   State.     But  in  this,   as 


760 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  everything  else,  he  made  no  pretense  of  being  an  author- 
ity. His  natural  modesty  and  refinement  made  him  chary 
of  exploiting  his  attainments  and  he  never  won  ill-will 
by   undue   display  of   his   gifts  or  knowledge. 

Mr.  Ermentrout  passed  away  at  six  o'clock,  on  the  morn- 
ing of  Sunday,  Sept.  17,  1899,  at  his  beautiful  home,  Graus- 
tein,  on  the  slope  of  Mt.  Penn,  -after  a  day's  illness.  In 
death,  as  in  life,  he  was  honored  as  few  citizens  of  Read- 
ing have  ever  been.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the 
Charles  Evans  cemetery,  at  Reading,  on  Sept.  21st,  with 
Congressional  honors.  The  funeral  committee  selected  by 
the  clerk  of  the  House  was  representative,  its  members  be- 
ing: Congressman  A.  C.  Harmer,  H.  H.  Bingham,  Wil- 
liam McAleer,  Philadelphia,  Pa.;  J.  W.  Ryan,  Pottsville, 
Pa. ;  Galusha  A.  Grow,  Glenwood,  Pa. ;  William  Alden 
Smith,  Michigan;  C.  F.  Joy,  Missouri;  W.  P.  Hepburn, 
Iowa;  J.  S.  Salmon,  Boonton,  N.  J.;  W.  D.  Daly,  Ho- 
boken,  N.  J.;  J.  J.  Gardner,  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.;  James 
A.  Norton,  Ohio ;  Amos  Cummings,  New  York  City ;  James 
L.  Sherrnan,  Utica,  N.  Y. ;  M.  Brossius,  Lancaster,  Pa. ; 
Senators  Boies  Penrose,  Pennsylvania;  Kean,  New  Jersey; 
Kenny,  Connecticut;  Wellington,  Maryland;  Vest,  Miss- 
ouri; and  Morgan,  Alabama;  J.  H.  Hollingsworth,  clerk. 

The  honorary  pall-bearers  were  members  of  the  Read- 
ing Bar  Association,  namely:  Hon.  H.  W.  Bland,  Charles 
H.  Schaeffer,  Esq.,  Richmond  L.  Jones,  Esq.,  and  C.  H. 
Ruhl,  Esq.  Numerous  letters  of  condolence  were  received 
by  the  family,  from  the  Governor  and  other  distinguished 
citizens  of  the  State,  members  of  Congress  from  all  over 
the  country,  and  social  acquaintances  and  friends.  The 
local  and  State  papers  paid  glowing  tributes  to  his  life 
and  work;  and  resolutions  of  sympathy  were  passed  by  the 
Bar  Association  of  Berks  County,  by  McLean  Post,  G- 
A.  R,.  and  by  various  Democratic  organizations. 

The  following  interesting  paragraph  appears  at  the  close 
of  a  memorial  pamphlet  issued  shortly  after  Mr.  Ermen- 
trout's  death : 

"As  a  matter  of  historical  interest  in  Mr.  Ermentrout's 
career,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  up  to  the  time  of  his  death 
he  was  the  last  one  remaining  of  a  party  of  six  who  were 
gathered  in  his  committee  room  at  Washington,  discussing 
civil  service  reform.  They  were  John  F.  Andrews,  of 
Massachusetts;  ex-Governor  Curtin,  of  Pennsylvania;  Sec- 
retary Gresham,  of  Illinois ;  Arnott,  of  New  York ;  Mutch- 
ler,  of  Pennsylvania;  and  himself.  At  the  death  of  Con- 
gressman Andrews,  which  took  place  in  June,  1895,  Mr. 
Ermentrout  wrote  in  his  diary  the  followincr  quotation  from 
Whittier  on  the  death  of  Longfellow;  'Who  next  shall 
fall  and  disappear?  I  await  the  answer  with  awe  and  sol- 
emnity, and  yet  with  unshaken  trust  in  the  mercy  of  the 
All-Merciful.'  Alas !  the  dread  summons  came  to  our 
friend  and  fellow-member  all  too  soon !" 

Mr.  Ermentrout  was  united  in  marriage  with  Adelaide 
Louise  Metzger,  daughter  of  John  Metzger,  Jr.,  of  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children,  Fitz-Dan- 
iel  and  Adelaide  Louise  Washington,  the  former  now  a 
practising  attorney  in  Reading.  Mrs.  Ermentrout's  cul- 
ture and  superior  accomplishments  enabled  her  to  ful- 
fill fittingly  the  social  obligations  imposed  by  her  hus- 
band's conspicuous  position.  In  Washington  they  enjoyed 
the  best  that  that  delightfully  cosmopolitan  society  could 
give  them,  meeting  representative  people  from  all  quarters 
of  the  globe.  One  of  the  most  noteworthy  functions  in 
which  they  participated  was  the  grand  historic  ball  given 
at  Reading,  in  1879,  which  surpassed  anything  of  the  kind 
ever  attempted  in  this  section  and  which  drew  guests  of 
prominence  from  all  over  Pennsylvania,  the  Governor,  with 
his  family  and  entire  staff,  making  a  special  trip  to  Read- 
ing to  honor  the  assemblage  with  their  presence.  The  ball 
was  planned  and  arranged  by  Mrs.  Ermentrout,  as  Vice 
Regent  of  the  Valley  Forge  Association,  in  aid  of  the  Val- 
ley Forge  Fund,  and  was  a  memorable  success  socially  and 
financially.  Mrs.  Ermentrout  founded  the  first  Chapter 
in  the  United  States  of  the  Children  of  fhe  American  Rev- 
olution, although  the  idea  originated  with  Mrs.  Lath- 
rop,  of  Concord,  Mass., — the  writer  of  children's  stor- 
ies. The  Conrad  Weiser  Chapter  of  Reading,  Pa.,  is  the 
name  of  this  historic  society.  • 


She  was  also  appointed  to  take  charge  of  Woman's 
Day,  during  Reading's  Sesqui-Centennial,  in  1907,  and  had 
a  notable  gathering  on  the  morning  of  that  day,  at  the 
Academy  of  Music,  addressed  by  the  President  of  the  Col- 
oniel  Dames,  the  President  of  the  Daughters  of  the  Amer- 
ican Revolution  and  the  President  of  the  Women's  Clubs 
of  Pennsylvania.  This  was  followed  in  the  afternoon  by 
a  reception  to  the  women  of  Reading,  by  these  distinguished 
visitors,  who  assisted  Mrs.  Ermentrout  in  receiving  them, 
at  her  home,  Graustein,  on  the  Hill  Road. 

After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Ermentrout  spent 
four  years  in  Europe,  with  her  daughter,  the  latter  com- 
pleting her  education  in  England  and  France.  During  the 
school  vacations  and  for  one  entire  year  they  traveled, 
and  upon  their  return  to  this  country  toured  the  United 
States  for  a  year  and  a  half,  visiting  numerous  places  of 
interest.  They  still  maintain  their  pleasant  home  at  Wy- 
omissing,  a  suburb  of  Reading,  passing  the  summer  and 
autumn  there  and  wintering  in  one  of  the  large  cities. 

Miss  Ermentrout  has  had  unusual  social  and  educational 
opportunities.  While  still  pursuing  her  studies  in  Paris 
she  was  presented,  with  her  mother,  at  the  first  Court  of 
King  Edward  VII.  and  Queen  Alexandra,  held  at  Buck- 
ingham Palace,  London,  Friday  evening,  March  14,  1902. 
They  were  also  presented  to  President  and  Madame  Lou- 
bet,  at  a  ball  given  at  the  Elysee  Palace,  the  official  Paris 
residence  of  the  Presidents  of  France.  In  1900  Mrs. 
Ermentrout  was  granted  an  interesting  interview  with  Car- 
dinal SatoUi,  at  his  residence  in  one  of  the  old  Roman  paK 
aces.  During  an  earlier  visit  to  Rome,  in  1888,  she  was 
the  fortunate  recipient  of  three  distinct  attentions  from 
the  Vatican,  during  the  Jubilee  year,  when  the  Holy  City, 
was  thronged  with  visitors,  thousands  of  whom  were  un- 
able to  obtain  even  a  glimpse  of  the  Holy  Father.  Her 
extensive  travels,  in  the  United  States,  Cuba  and  Europe,, 
have  been  diversified  with  various  other  unique  and  inter- 
esting experiences  and  privileges. 

The  _  Metzger  family,  to  which  Mrs.  Ermentrout  be- 
longs, is  German  and  of  noble  extraction,  residing  at  Dor- 
nik  for  several  hundred  years,  until  the  death  of  Sigis- 
mund  von  Metzger,  in  1590.  He  was  appointed  military 
architect  and  later  colonel  of  artillery,  by  Charles  V.  of 
Spain  and  Austria,  and  accompanied  that  monarch  in  all 
of  his  war-like  expeditions,  in  Europe  and  Africa,  dying  at 
a  very  advanced  age.  He  left  two  sons,  Cornelius  and  Gus- 
tave,  brave  and  expert  warriors,  whose  descendants  are  still 
to  be  found  in  the  Netherlands,  Westphalia  and  North  Ger- 
many. Mrs.  Ermentrout  is  a  descendant  of  the  Netherlands 
branch.  On  her  mother's  side  she  is  descended  from  the 
first  white  settlers  of  Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  in  1709,  who, 
being  relentlessly  persecuted  for  their  religious  belief,  fled 
from  Switzerland — some  of  them  French  refugees — and 
found  safety  and  peace  in  the  New  World.  She  numbers 
among  these  two  of  the  first  clergymen  and  the  first  physi- 
cian ever  known  in  Lancaster  county. 

PHILIP  BISSINGER,  president  and  manager  of  the 
Reading  Brewing  Company  and  founder  of  the  Bissinger 
Cafe,  was  born  Jan.  24,  1842,  in  Duerkheim,  Germany, 
and  received  his  preliminary  education  at  that  place,  where 
he  lived  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  then 
accompanied  his  parents  in  their  emigration  to  America, 
landing  at  the  port  of  New  York.  He  attended  private 
schools  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  for  several  years,  and  then 
secured  a  position  as  clerk  which  he  filled  until  he  enlisted 
for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  on  Sept.  19,  1861,  for  the 
term  of  three  years.  He  became  sergeant-major  of  the 
79th  Regiment,  P.  V.  I.;  was. promoted  to  first  lieutenant 
of  Company  F  in  January,  1863,  and  to  captain  in  Decem- 
ber, 1863,  having  command  of  the  company  until  Sept. 
12,   1864,  when  he  resigned. 

Shortly  after  returning  home  Captain  Bissinger  removed 
to  Reading,  and  on  Jan.  1,  1866,  established  a  saloon  and 
restaurant  at  No.  611  Penn  street,  which  he  soon  devel- 
oped into  the  most  popular  resort  at  Reading.  His  success 
was  extraordinary  from  the  start,  and  in  1882  he  pur- 
chased the  property,  making  extensive  improvements  to 
accommodate  the  increasing  demands   of  his  patronage; 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


761 


and  in  1890  he  erected  a  large  four-story  brick  building 
for  offices  and  halls  and  storage  purposes  on  the  .rear  of 
the  lot  at  Court  street.  By  this  time  the  "Bissinger  Cafp" 
had  a  reputation  for  superiority  and  first-class  catering 
which  extended  throughout  the  State  and  nation.  Nvlfa-  . 
erous  baiiquets  came  to  be  held  there  in  celebration  of  / 
events  in  the  history  of  societies  of  all  kinds,  more  par-/ 
ticularly  of  a  fraternal,  political  and  musical  naturej 
and  in  honor  of  popular  and  prominent  individuals;  anfl 
visiting  strangers"  and  travelers  from  all  parts  of  th^ 
world  found  satisfactory  entertainment.  After  having 
operated  the  cafe  for  thirty  years,  until  1895,  he  sc/ld 
the  business  to  a  faithful  employe  and  manager  for  many 
years,  Wellington  B.  Krick,  arid  then  retired  to  enable 
him  and  his  wife  to  take  a  long-anticipated  trip  to  Europe, 
and  for  nearly  a  year  they  visited  the, prominent  centers 
there. 

In  1886  Captain  Bissinger  encouraged  the  establish- 
ment of  another  brewery  at  Reading,  and  with  the  aid 
of  local  capitalists  succeeded  in  organizing  the  Reading 
Brewing  Company.  He  became  the  first  manager  of  the 
plant  and  filled  the  position  for  three  years,  having  in 
this  time  secured  a  large  patronage  from  the  community 
and  made  the  new  enterprise  a  success.  In  1897,  upon  his 
return  from  Europe,  he  resumed  his  active  interest  in  this 
company  as  a  director,  and  in  1898  became  its  president 
and  general  manager;  and  he  has  served  the  company  in 
these  responsible  positions  until  the  present  time,  having 
in  the  past  ten  years  developed  its  annual  production 
from  17,000  barrels  to  75,000,  remodeled  the  plant  entirelyK, 
and  made  it  one  of  the"  finest  brewing  establishments  in 
the  country  in  point  of  equipment  and  sanitation. 

For  over  forty  years  Captain  Bissinger  was  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  was 
chiefly  instrumental  in  establishing  Rajah  Temple  at  Read-- 
ing  iri  1892,  and  the  plans  for  its  unique  and  attractive 
hall,  erected  in  1904,  were  designed  by  him.  He  has  also 
been,  prominently  connected  with  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  (Keim  Post,  No.  76),  Loyal  Legion,  Veteran 
Legion,  and  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  In  1891  the 
city  councils  selected  him  as  the  park  commissioner  for 
the  northeast  division  of  the  city  and  he  officiated  in 
this  position  until  1897,  when  he  removed  his  residence 
to  the  southeast  division,  where  he  had  erected  a  fine 
home   on   Mineral   Spring  road. 

But  it  was  in  the  musical  culture  of  Reading  that  Cap- 
tain Bissinger  was  especially  influential  and  successful 
for  a  period  of  twenty  years,  from  1864  to  1883.  Imme- 
diately after  locating  at  Reading  he  became  a  member 
of  the  Reading  Maennerchor,  and  the  society,  appreciating 
his  great  talent  and  enthusiasm,  selected  him  to  be  its 
assistant  musical  director;  He  filled  this  position  vvith 
remarkable  success  for  some  years,  and  then  the  society 
united  with  the  Harmonic  Gesangverein,  another  and  older 
musical  organization  at  Reading.  In  .  the  reorganization 
of  the  two  societies,  the  name  Harmonic  Maennerchor  was 
adopted  and  Captain  Bissinger  was'  selected  as  the  mus- 
ical director  of  the  new  society.  His  _  recognized  ability 
as  a  leader,  together  with  his  popularity  and  sociability, 
soon  won  increasing  support  and  encouragement,  and 
the  society's  concerts  at  Reading  and  other  cities  were 
highly  appreciated  and  largely  patronized.  He  continued 
to  serve  as  the  director  until  1879,  when  he  declined  a 
re-election.  During  this  time  he  was  also  interested  in 
the  Germania  Orchestra  and  aided  materially  in  its.  suc- 
cessful reorganization.  In  1876,  by  special  invitation, 
the  Harmonic  Maennerchor  and  Germania  Orchestra  at- 
tended the  United  States  Centennial  at  Philadelphia  and 
rendered  a  program  of  classical  selections  in  a  superb 
manner,  for  which  they  were  given  high  praise  by  leading 
musicians  of  this  country  and  also  foreign  countries.  In 
October,  1878,  the  society  held  a  bazaar  for  a  week  in 
its  commodious  hall  in  the  Academy  of  Music,  which 
was  a  great  success  and  evidenced  the  superior  ability 
of  its  members  and  the  efficiency  and  popularity  of  its 
director.  The  numerous  musical  numbers  were  specially 
prepared   by    Captain   Bissinger    for   the   occasion,    which 


involved  extraordinary  labors,  patience  and  perseverance. 
In  1879  he  organized  the  Philharmonic  Society  a:nd 
directed  its  admirable  concerts  until  1883,  when  he  was 
/obliged  to  devote  his  entire  attention  to  his  own  business 
affairs. 

In  1880  Captain  Bissinger  married  Ida  Sebald  Rosenthal 
(daughter  of  William  Rosenthal,  proprietor  and  pub- 
lisher of  German  newspapers  at  Reading  for  forty  years), 
who  was  graduated  from  the  Reading  Girls'  High  School 
in  1865,  and  in  1871  taught  the  French  and  German  lan- 
guages there. 

George.  Bissinger,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Germany, 
and  after  his  emigration  located  at  Bahimore,  Md.,  about 
1855,  and  there  followed  the  teaching  of  music  until  his 
decease,  in  1866. 

LLEWELLYN  U.  WELLS,  who  is  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness at  Reading,  was  born  near  West  Chester,  Pa.,  Oct. 
16,  1848,  son  of  Isaac  and  Sidney  (Hoopes)   Wells. 

Isaac  Wells  was  born  Jan.  9,  1830,  in  Chester  county, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  lo- 
cality. When  a  young  man  he  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade,  making  a  specialty  of  stair  building,  becoming 
an  expert  and  following  this  occupation  for  a  number 
of  years  throughout  the  eastern  section  of  the  State. 
During  his  residence  in  Williamsport,  Mr.  Wells'  health 
failed  him,  and  he  engaged  in  farming  for  a  short  time, 
and  in  1858  located  in  Reading.  Two  years  later  he  went 
to  Lebanon  county,  and  subsequently  settled  for  five  years 
in  Elizabethtown,  Lancaster  county,  where  he  remained 
until  locating  in  Northumberland  county,  and  there  con- 
tinued to  reside  until  1869.  In  this  year  Mr.  Wells  re- 
turned to  Reading,  where  he  made  his  home  until  his 
death  in  1894.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Sidney  Hoopes, 
a  native  of  Chester  county,  and  a  descendant  of  an  old 
and  prominent  family.  She  died  in  1889,  aged  sixty- 
eight  years,  the  mother  of  four  children:  Olivia  W. ; 
Llewellyn  U.;  Anna,  m.  to  William  Phillips,  deceased; 
and  John  Westley,  who  died  in  infancy.  The  family 
were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  In  politics  Mr. 
Wells   was    a   Republican. 

Llewellyn  U.  Wells  was  educated  in  'the  schools  of 
Berks,  Lebanon  and  Lancaster  counties,  and  when  a  young 
man  was  taught  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which  was  the 
trade  of  his  father,  and  he  followed  this  occupation  for 
several  years.  In  1879  he  settled  permanently  in  Reading, 
and  turned  his  attention  to  mercantile  pursuits,  engaging 
in  business  at  the  corner  of  Minor  and  Laurel  streets, 
where  he  remained  one  and  a  half  years.  At  the  end 
of  that  time  he  located  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Laurel 
streets,  and  here  he  was  located  until  he  sold  out. 

Mr.  Wells  was  married  Sept.  9,  1875,  to  Miss  Ella  Fich- 
thorn,  daughter  of  William  Fichthorn,  and  to  this  union 
three  children  have  been  born:  Irma,  a  teacher  in  the 
Reading  public  schools ;  Aletha,  who  died  aged  nine  years ; 
and  Clarence,  employed  at  the  Dun  Mercantile  Agency, 
Reading.  Mr.  Wells  is  a  member  of  Vigilance  Lodge 
No.  394,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  Reading  Encampment.  In 
his  political  views  he  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Wells  and 
his  family  are  connected  with  the  St.  Peter's  M.  E. 
Church,  of  which  he  is  now  serving  as  steward. 

■ 

AUGUSTUS  B.  HASSLER,  proprietor  of  the  "Ger- 
mania Hotel,"  at  Ninth  and  Penn  streets,  Reading,  is  of 
German  parentage,  but  is  of  American  birth.  His  father, 
also  named  Augustus,  left  Germany  for  the  United  States 
in  1852,  and  settled  in  Reading  where  he  died. 

Augustus  B.  Hassler  was  born  in  Reading  in  1854,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that 
place.  He  first  went  to  work  as  a  bar  clerk  at  the  corner 
of  Fifth  and  Penn  streets,  and  afterward  bought  out 
the  Washington  Library  Cafe,  continuing  there  until  1881, 
when  he  bought  out  Harry  Snyder,  who  had  succeeded 
Major  Ebner  as  proprietor  of  the  place  he  first  worked 
in,  now  known  as  the  "Colonial  Hotel."  He  ran  that 
very  successfully  for  twelve  years,  and  then  retired  from 
business.  But  he  was  soon  eager  for  the  harness,  and 
before   long   was   once   more   in   the   hotel  business,   and 


763 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


in  1894  was  running  what  was  known  as  the  "Klapperthal 
Pavilion"  at  Klapperthal.  He  remained  there  from  189^ 
until  1895,  when  he  became  manager  of  the  Penn  Hote 
Cafe.  In  1901  he  became  proprietor  of  the  "Germanid 
Hotel,"  which  occupies  a  building  four 'stories  in  height,\ 
26x100  feet  in  dimensions.  A  portion  of  the  structure! 
is  finished  off  as  flats  of  a  high  class,  while  the  rest 
is  devoted  to  the  hotel  proper,  which  is  one  of  the  most 
up-to-date  places  in  the  city,  and  is  very  handsome  in  its 
appointments  and  finishings.  The  entrance  and  office  are 
laid  with  tile  flooring.  Mr.  Hassler  gives  his  whole  at- 
tention to  the  management  of  the  place  and  being  very 
popular  his  hotel  ranks  high. 

Mrs.  Hassler  was  a  Miss  Annie  Kohler,  and  her  mar- 
riage to  Mr.  Hassler  occurred  in  1878.  They  have  had 
a  large  family  of  children,  of  whom  four  died  young. 
The  others  are :  Harry,  Rosa,  Joseph,  Cecelia,  Bernard 
and  Anthony.  The  family  are  members  ,  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  Mr.  Hassler  is  a  member  of  several  fraternal 
organizations,  including  the  Knights  of  St.  John,  Colum- 
bus Commandery,  Eagles,  Reading  Turn  Verein,  Boni- 
facius  Society,  Reading  Liederkranz,  Bavarian  Society, 
Quaker  Society,  Mt.  Penn  Family  Circle,  Mountain  Spring 
Association,  Rainbow  Fire  Company,  Veteran  Fireman's 
Association,  and  Encampment  No.  43,  Union  Veteran 
Legion. 

THOMAS  C.  BAUSHER,  a  plumber  and  gas,  steam 
and  hot  water  fitter  of  Reading,  Pa.,  whose  place  of 
business  is  situated  at  No.  105  North  Sixth  street,  was 
born  April  13,  1873,  in  Norristown,  Montgomery  Co., 
Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Bausher  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of 
Montgomery  and  Berks  counties,  and  when  a  boy  clerked 
in  his  native  city  in  a  cigar  store.  In  1889  he  came  to 
Reading  and  apprenticed  himself  to  E.  S.  Summons,  a 
plumber,  and  with  him  served  his  time  for  four  years. 
He  then  engaged  with  Haage  &  Tomney,  with  whom  he 
remained  for  about  seven  years,  when  he  returned  to 
the  employ  of  Mr.  Summons,  continuing  with  him  about 
six  years.  In  October,  1904,  Mr.  Bausher  opened  his 
present  business  at  No.  105  North  Sixth  street,  with  a 
complete  line  of  plumbing  and  steam  and  hot  water  heating 
supplies.  Mr.  Bausher  is  an  expert  in  his  business,  and 
his  trade  has  grown  to  such  proportions  that  he  has  been 
compelled  to  hire  from  three  to  five  men  to  assist  him. 
Mr.  Bausher  is  a  member  of  the  Master  Plumbers  As- 
sociation" and  is  secretary  of  the  local  at  Reading;  is 
connected  with  Friendship  Fire  Company,  of  which  he  was 
president  from  1896  to  1897;  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Malta  and  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  and  is  also  identified 
with  the  Reading  Firemen's  Relief  Association. 

In  1898  Mr.  Bausher  was  married  to  Sarah  Spyker,  and 
to  this  union  there  have  been  born  four  children:  Earl  F., 
Helen  M.,  Florence,  and  Ralph  (died  in  infancy).  Mr. 
Bausher  and  his  family  are  members  of  St.  Paul's  Re- 
formed Church.  The  success  which  Mr.  Bausher  has 
gained  is  but  the  just  due  to  an  ambitious,  honest  man, 
who  through  his  own  enterprise  and  energy  has  worked 
his  way  to  the  top.  He  may  be  truly  called  a  self-made 
man.      • 

J.   G.   RHEIN,  who  is   engaged  in   the  paper  hanging,  . 
painting  and  decorating  business  at  No.  ,731  Walnut  street, 
Reading,  was  born  July  5,  1850,  in  Bernville,  Berks  county, 
son  of  Daniel  Rhein,  the  latter  a  butcher  and  farmer  of 
Bernville,  who  also  engaged  at  the  shoemaker's  trade. 

J.  G.  Rhein  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
town,  and  when  a  ,young  man  located  in  Reading  and 
learned  the  paper-hanging  trade,  shortly  afterward  en- 
gaging in  this  business,  which  he  has  followed  to  the 
present  time,  having  offices  at  No.  721  Walnut  street,  and 
at  No.  101  Walnut  street.  Mr.  Rhein  was  married  (first) 
to  Katie  Foust,  daughter  of  Jesse  Foust,  of  Bernville, 
and  she  died  in  1893,  the  mother  of  these  children :  Annie, 
m.  to  Levi  Boyer,  of  Reading;  Edward,  m.  to  Jennie 
Wiend,  of  Reading;  Lizzie,  m.  to  James  Jacobs,  of  Read- 
ing; Florence,  m.  to  Robert  Richardson,  typewriter  at  the 


Boys'  high  school,  Reading;  and  Carrie,  m.  to  William 
Rhode;  and  John,  at  home.  Mr.  Rhein's  second  marriage 
was  to  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Heckman,  widow  of  the  late  Henry 
N.  Heckman. 

Henry  N.  Heckman  was  born  in  Pricetown,  Berks  Co., 
Pa.,  Aug  7,  1847,  son  of  Nicholas  Heckman.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  and  the  high  school  of  Reading,  and 
^■was  then  employed  as  a  clerk  with  S.  M.  Hart,  of  Penn . 
street.  He  later  engaged  in  the  flour  and  feed  business 
on  Walnut  street,  continuing  therein  for  several  years, 
ws^en  he  engaged  as  a  clerk  for  A.  K.  Brown,  and  con- 
tiriued  in  that  gentleman's  employ  for  about  four  years. 
Mil  Heckman  was  then  employed  by  the  , Dives,  Pomeroy 
&  Stewart  department  store,  having  charge  of  the  up- 
holstery departmeht  for  seventeen  years,  or  until  his  death, 
Feb.\7,  1902.  Mr.  Heckman  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Churph,  and  was  buried  at  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 
In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  member  of 
St.  John's  Lodge  of  Masons,  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Rhein  was  the'  daughter  of  John  G.  and 
Amelia.  (Seider)  Kuder,  the  former  of  whom  was  born 
in  Lehigh  county,  near  AUentown,  and  came  to  Reading 
when  a  boy.  Learning  the  cabinet  making  trade,  Mr.  Kuder 
followed  that  occupation  all  of  his  life,  and  died  in  Read- 
ing aged  fifty  years,  his  wife  surviving  him  and  attain- 
ing the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  Mrs.  Rhein  was  the 
only  child  born  to  this  couple. 

WILLIAM  KATZENMOYER,  deceased,  was  an  em- 
ploye of  the  East  Penn  car  shops  for  many  years.  He 
was  born  at  Reading,  March  30,  1844,  son  of  William  and 
Catherine    (Schreffler)    Katzenmoyer. 

Ludwig  Katzenmoyer,  grandfather  of  William,  lived  in 
Heidelberg  township,  but  late  in  life  moved  to  Read- 
ing, where  he  died  advanced  in  years.  He  was  buried 
at  Alsace  Church,  where  several  generations  of  the  family 
are  interred.  He  was  a  farmer  and  owned  much  land 
about  Hampton,  now  a  part  of  Reading.  He  was  married 
four  times,  surviving  all  his  wives.  Among  his  children 
were :  John,  Jacob,  William,  Polly,  Fannie  (who  went 
West,  was  never  heard  from,  and  her  estate  is  still  un- 
claimed), Kate  and   Magdalene. 

William  Katzenmoyer,  Sr.,  son  of  Ludwig  and  father 
of  William,  was  a  farmer  in  Berks  county  many  years, 
then  moved  to  Reading,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of 
sixty-three  years.  His  children  were  the  following:  Lud- 
wig; Jacob,  who  died  young;  Catherine,  m.  to  Henry 
Snyder;  Susa'n  and  Rebecca,  who  both  died  young;  and 
William.  William,  Sr.,  had  one  step-brother,  Henry  Beid- 
ler,  and  one  step-sister,  Eliza,  wife  of  Peter  Leise. 

William  Katzenmoyer  attended  the  district  schools  near 
his  home  and  then  worked  for  soma  years  on  the  farm. 
He  came  to  the  East  Penn  shops,  and  remained  in  con- 
tinuous employ  of  the  company  for  twenty-three  years. 
His  last  work  before  retiring  was  the  painting  of  engines. 
Judge  Ermentrout  then  appointed  him  tipstaflf  at  the 
court  house,  in  which  position  he  served  several  years. 
He  died  April  26,  1899,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years, 
one  month  and  seven  days,  and  was  buried  in  the  Charles 
Evans  cemetery. 

Mr.  Katzenmoyer  was  married,  May  30,  1868,  to  Mary 
E.  Koch,  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Hoflf)  Koch. 
They  had  sons  as  follows  born  to  them:  William  H., 
connected  with  the  Scott  Works,  at  Reading;  Irvin  D. 
and  George  L.,  both .  working  in  the  J.  H.  Sternbergh 
plant;  and  Lyman  H.,  all  industrious  young  men  and  all 
living  at  home  with  their  mother  at  No.  505  North  Eighth 
street,  Reading. 

JOHN  H.  HENNINGER,  who  conducts  a, grocery  and 
market  at  No.  122  Hamilton  street,  Reading,  was  born  in 
1862,  in  Bethel  township,  Berks  county,  son  of  Isaac  and 
Malinda  (Stoop)  Henninger,  the  former  of  whom  followed 
agricultural  pursuits  throughout  his  life  in  Bethel  town- 
ship, where  he  died  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
The  parents  of  John  H.  Henninger  had  three  children, 
Cyrenus  W.,  John  H.  and  Thomas  M. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  763 

/ 

_   John  H    Henninger  received  his  educational  'advan/ages  seven    children :    Reuben ;    Jonathan    m.    Ludema    Leiben- 

in  the  schools   of   his  native  township,   and   his   boAood  sperger;  Eli  m.  Hettie  Merkel;  Maria  m.  William  Schle- 

was  spent  much  the  same  as  other   Pennsylvania  fllrmer  gel;    Edwin   and  Annie   died   in   infancy;    and    Clara   m. 

lads.     He  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  fifteerif years  (first)    Peter   Berg    (who    died    in    1893)    and    (second) 

of   age,    when   he   hired   out   among   the    farmers  /in   his  Alfred  Bauscher 

he"cuftWat"ed  fo^r^'^f'ourtfen "°"^^  '°  Tlh  ^  ^^™/  J*"' '  '^^^  ^""^^^  °^'  ^=^^=  ^^^'^  ^^=  Abraham  Mertz,  also 
butchering,  at  which  business^he  con^t"nued  'until^l/os!  and  °!/"'f '"i'T"7  t°?'"^'^iPt,^>>"« .^e  was^born  in  1791. 
in  this  year  came  to  Reading,  establishing  hisLresent  if  '^^H  *°J",f'"^;,  .^1  ^'^^  '"  k^^®^"  ^^'^u^? 
business.  He  carries  a  full  line  of  meats  and  fijicy  and  Mertz, m.  Eva  Hoch,  and  to  them  were  born  seven  child- 
staple  groceries,  and  from  the  start  his  business  Mas  been  '"^"'  ^^  follows:  John  m.  (first)  Anna  Warener  and  (see- 
steadily  growing.  He  is  an  honest  and  upright/business  °*"^)  Sarah  Taylor;  Susan  m.  John  Merkel;  Daniel  m. 
man,  and  deserves  the  patronage  of  his  comrnunity.  Polly  Kohler;  Amos  m.  Sallie  Yoder;  Isaac  m.  Florenda 

Mr.  Henninger  married,  in  1882,  Susan  llown,  of  Yoder;  Mary  m.  Jacob  Van  Buskirk;  and  Abraham  m. 
Brownsville,  Pa.,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  child-  Susannah  Hoch,  a  daughter  of  Gen.  William  Hoch. 
ren,  four  of  whom  are  deceased,  two  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters. Those  surviving  are  Paul  and  Robert,  the  latter  DANIEL  S.  RITTER,  who  for  many  years  was  en- 
of  whom  married  Annie  Miller,  of  Fleetwood,  Pa.  In  gaged  in  various  business  enterprises  in  Reading,  Pa., 
his_  religious  belief  Mr.  Henninger  is  a  Lutheran.  In  passed  away  at  his  home  in  that  city,  Feb.  7,  1897,  after 
political  matters  he  is  a  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  a  long  and  eventful  life.  He  was  born  in  Exeter  town- 
Democratic  party.  ship,    Berks   county,    in   1817,   son   of   the   late   David    S. 

Ritter,  Sr. 

ISAAC  MAURER,  now  living  retired,  was  for  a  num-  David    S.    Ritter,    Sr.,    was    born    in    Alsace    township, 

ber    of   years    extensively    engaged    in   contracting.      Mr.  Berks  county,  Feb.  9,  1776,  and  died  June  15,  '1853,  hav- 

Maurer  was  born  in  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  Berks  ing    spent   his    entire    life    in    agricultural    pursuits.      He 

Co.,  Pa.,  May  31,  1835,  son  of  Daniel  and  Hannah  (Eisen-  married  Miss  Susannah  Snyder,  born  July  28,  1790,  who 

man)  Maurer.  died  Sept.  3,  1875,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  these 

John  Maurer,  grandfather  of  Isaac,  was  one*of  the  early  children:  Benjamin  S.,  born  in  1811,  died  in  April,  1890; 

residents  of  Lower  Heidelberg  township,  and  a  representa-  Esther,  born  April  13,  1814,  died  Dec.  9,  1898;  an  infant, 

tive  farmer  of  that  section  of  the  county.     He   and  his  born  June  6,  1816,  died  June  21,  1816;  Daniel  S.;  Reuben, 

wife  were   the  parents   of   these  children:   Daniel,  Isaac,  born   Dec.   25,   1819,   died   in   1826;   Louisa,  born   Feb.   5, 

John,    Samuel,    and    three    daughters.      The    family    were  1823,  died  Oct.  3,  1904;  Ferdinand  S.,  born  Feb.  18,  1826, 

members  of  the  Reformed  Church.    In  politics  Mr.  Maur-  died   Jan.   30,   1898;    William,   born    Sept.    13,    1828,    died 

er  was  a  Democrat.  May  12,   1862;   and  Frank,  born  Aug.   24,   1833,  lived  at 

Daniel  Maurer  was  born  in  Spring  township,  and  early  Stonersville,    Exeter    township,    Berks    county,    and    died 

in  life  engaged  in   farming,   also  carrying   on   freighting  Feb.  16,  1907. 

between  Reading  and  Philadelphia,,  and  in  driving  the  Daniel  S.  Ritter  received  his  education  in  the  public 
old  stage,  this  being  the  only  means  of  transportation  schools,  and  when  still  a  young  man  came  to  Reading, 
between  these  two_  points  at  that  time.  His  last  days  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  of  wheelwright  for  some 
were  spent  in  farrning,  and  his  death  occurred  in  Heidel-  time.  He  then  purchased  the  coal,  flour  and  feed  busi- 
berg  township.  His  children  were :  Isaac,  Amanda  (m.  to  ness  of  his  brother  Ferdinand  S.,  in  1860,  continuing  that 
Adam  Becker),  Hannah  (m.  to  John  Texler,  deceased);  business  for  one  year  at  Eighth  and  Cherry  streets.  Mr. 
and  Maria  (m.  to  Michael  Kech).  Ritter  then  located  on  the  old  homestead  in  Exeter  town- 
Isaac  Maurer  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  ship,  but  after  six  months  returned  to  Reading,  locating 
his  native  township,  and  he  was  reared  to  farm  labor,  on  Penn  street,  above  Seventh,  where  he  spent  a  period 
after  three  years  of  which  he  apprenticed  himself  to  the  of  fifteen  years,  during  this '  time  being  employed  at  the 
carpenter's  trade  and  this  he  followed  for  several  years.  Philadelphia  &  Reading  shops  in  building  freight  and 
He  next  engaged  in  millwrighting,  and  he  followed  this  passenger  cars.  He  was  also  employed  on  the  North 
trade  for  a  time,  being  employed  in  the  old  Deisher  plan-  Eighth  street  steam  forges  then  owned  by  Henry  Seifert, 
ing  mill.  Later  he  engaged  in  contracting  and  building  being  there  a  period  of  twenty  years,  and  for  a  time- 
to  a  considerable  extent,  and  many  evidences  of  his  skill  worked  at  the  Scott  foundry  as  boss  repairer.  He  en- 
as  a  builder  may  be  found  in  this  vicinity,  including  his  gaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick  for  a  few  years.  Mr. 
own  handsome,  modern  residence,  which  is  a  model  of  Ritter's  last  employment  was  with  the  Philadelphia  & 
perfection  and  will  stand  as  a  rhonument  to  his  memory.  Reading   Company,    and   he   resigned    from   their   employ 

Mr.   Maurer  married  Anna  Texter,   and   to  this  union  about  six  years  before  his  death.     In  politics  he  was  a 

these    children   were   born :    Hannah,    Abbe,    Daniel    (de-  lifelong   Democrat,   and   in   1870-72   served  his   ward, ,  the 

ceased),  Valeria,  Emma,  Ella  (deceased),  Mamie,  Gertrude,  Ninth,  asa  member  of  the  council.    He  was  a  member  of 

Alice,    Annie    (deceased)    and    Harry.      In    politics    Mr.  St.   Luke's  Lutheran   Church.     Mr.  Ritter  was   connected 

Maurer  is  independent,  voting  rather  for  the  man  than  fraternally  with   Germania   Lodge   No.   105,    I.    O.    O.   F. 

the  party.     Honorable  in  all  of  his  dealings  Mr.  Maurer  In  his  death  Reading  lost  one  of  its  good  business  men 

is  considered  an  ideal  citizen,  and  a  worthy  representative  and   representative  citizens.     He  was   broad   and' liberal- 

of  the  community  in  which  h/s  resides.  minded  in  his  views,  and  his  kindly,  genial  manner  won 

him  many  friends. 

ISAAC  MERTZ,  who  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Sept  18,  On   Sept.   20,   1846,   Mr.   Ritter  married  Rebecca   Glase, 

1902,    was    living    retired    in    Fleetwood    borough,    Berks  daughter  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Weisner)   Glase.     She  was 

county,  was   for  a  number  of  years  engaged  in   farming  born  in  Alsace  township  in   1835  and  died  Jan.  5,   1907. 

in  Ruscombmanor  township,  where  he  was  born  Feb.  12,  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ritter  were :  Rose,  born 

1826.     Mr.   Mertz   was   educated  in  his   native   township,  Jan.  3,  1850,  died  Jan!  22,  1855;  Lucy  A.,  born  April  1, 

and   was   reared   to   agricultural   pursuits   on  his    father's  1852,  died  June  30,   1853 ;   James  E.,  born  July  12,   1859, 

farm,   continuing   at  this  occupation  until  his   retirement,  died  Nov.  11,  1861;  Mary  J.,  born  Sept.  14,  1862,  is  the 

when  he  removed  to  Fleetwood  borough.     He  was  con-  only  survivor  of  the  family ;  and  George  H ,  born  Sept 

nected  with  the  Reformed  Church.  24,  1864,  died  April  13,  1872. 

Isaac  Mertz  was  marri'ed  Dec.  6,  1853,  to  Florenda 
Yoder,  daughter  of  Reuben  Yoder,  and  granddaughter  of  JOEL  W.  D.  WHITMAN,  one  of  the  old  and  honored 
Jacob  Yoder,  both  farmers  of  Pike  township,  who  also  residents  of  Reading,  Pa.,  who  has  been  engaged  in  paint- 
engaged  in  tanning.  Mrs.  Mertz  was  born  in  Pike  town-  ing  in  the  city  for  over  forty  years,  was  born  Dec.  17, 
ship,  Oct.  20,  1827,  but  since  her  husband's  decease  has  1832;  in  Montgomery  county,  son  of  George  and  Cath- 
resided  at  Fleetwood.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mertz  were  born  erine   (Deliger)   Whitman. 


764 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


George  Whitman  was  a  weaver  by  trade  and  followed 
that  occupation  in  Montgomery  county,  where  he  died  at 
the  age  of  forty-seven  years.  His  first  wife  died  at  the 
age  of  thirty-five  years,  and  he  married  (second)  a  Miss 
Culp,  by  whom  he  had  these  children :  Jesse ;  Lydia  Ann, 
and  Lucy  A.  (m.  to  John  Schol).  To  George  Whitman 
and  his  first  wife  were  born  these  children :  Sarah,  Maria, 
Kittie,  Hetty,  Fayette,  David,  Ephraim,  Joel  W.  D.,  all 
being  deceased  except  Ephraim,  who  resides  at  Potts- 
town,  Pa.,  and  Joel  W.  D. 

Joel  W.  D.  Whitman  attended  the  schools  of  Mont- 
gomery county,  and  when  a  young  man  learned  the 
cabinet-maker's  trade,  which,  however,  he  followed  but 
a  short  time.  He  next  took  up  painting  as  an  occupa- 
tion, and  April  3,  1866,  came  to  Reading,  where  he  has 
made  his  home  to  the  present  time.  He  still  resides  at 
his  first  location.  No.  332  North  Ninth  street,  and  is  one 
of  the  oldest  men  of  the  district.  In  1860  Mr.  Whitman 
married  Lucy  Ann  Sassaman,  born  July  2,  1841,  daughter 
of  Christina  C.  and  Maria  B.  Sassamai;,  and  to  this  union 
there  were  born  children  as  follows :  Hemmer  died  when 
nine  months  old;  Luther  C.  S.,  who  died  Jan.  5,  1894, 
m.  Mary  M.  Smith,  and  had  one  child,  Helen  M.  S.,  who 
lives  with  her  grandfather;  Katie  m.  Edward  Moyer  of 
Reading;  Ella  S.  died  Oct.  28,  1873,  aged  six  years,  seven 
months;  Annie  E.  died  in  December,  1870,  aged  six 
months;  and  Lucy  M.  died  in  1873,  aged  one  year,  ten 
days. 

Mrs.  Whitman  has  been  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday-school 
since  her  sixteenth  year,  and  since  1878  has  had  charge 
of  the  primary  class  of  St.  Luke's  Lutheran  Church. 
Mr.  Whitman  has  also  been  active  in  church  work,  and 
has  for  many  years  been  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday-school. 
He  is  fraternally  connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
No.  65,  while  in  political  matters  he  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  S.  HARTMAN,  a  leading  business  man  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  well  and  favorably  known  in  the  building 
and  contracting  line,  was  born  May  11,  1861,  in  Muhlen- 
berg township,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Absalom  and  Caro- 
line (Felix)  Hartman,  grandson  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Wrightmeyer)  Hartman,  and  great-grandson  of  Valen- 
tine Hartman. 

Valentine  Hartman  was  born  in  Alsace  township,  near 
Spies's  Church,  and  he  subsequently  owned  a  farm  in  that 
vicinity,  where  both  he  and  his  wife  died.  They  were 
worthy  members  of  the  Reformed  Church.  In  political 
views  he  was  first  a  Whig  but  afterward  was  inclined 
to  the  Republican  party.  The  children  of  Valentine  Hart- 
man and  wife  were :  Samuel,  William,  Abraham,  and  Kate 
(m.  Valentine  Ritter). 

Samuel  Hartman  learned  the  wheelwright's  and  mill- 
wright's trades,  and  followed  same  ,for  many  years.  He 
also  operated  a  small  farm.  His  death  took  place  at  the 
age  of  eighty-two  years,  and  that  of  his  wife,  Elizabeth 
Wrightmeyer,  when  she  was  aged  eighty-one  years.  They 
had  ten  children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  tnaturity.  and  mar- 
ried, their  names  appearing  as  follows :  Lewis,  Gideon. 
Absalom  (born  April  28,  1827),  Augustus,  Samuel,  Israel, 
Christy  (of  Reading),  Elizabeth  (m.  John  Gechter), 
Emma  (m.  Jacob  Snyder),  and  Valentine.  In  politics 
he  was  first  a  Whig,  but  later  became  identified  with  the 
Republican  party. 

Absalom  Hartman  attended  school  in  Alsace  township 
and  then  learned  the  wheelwright's  trade  with  John  Feiss, 
which  he  followed  for  several  years,  and  then  engaged 
for  several  more  years  in  a  hotel  business  at  Reading. 
Prior  to  his  retirement  from  business  cares  he  conducted 
a  store  at  the  corner  of  Centre  avenue  and  Exeter  streets. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  was  employed  by  the  U.  S. 
Government  as  a  wheelwright,  and  was  first  stationed  at 
Martinsburg  and  later  at  Harper's  Ferry,  Va.  In  1887 
Mr.  Hartman  entered  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad 
shops  where  he  continued  until  1899.    He  died  May  3,  1907. 

In  1855,  Mr.  Hartman  was  married  to  Caroline  Felix, 
daughter  of  Solomon  and  Catherine  (Fisher)  Felix,  and 
they  have  had  children,  as  follows :  Emma  E.,  born  July 
13,   1856,   died  aged  five  years;   Catherine  R.,  born   Oct. 


22,  1857,  is  deceased;  Amelia,  born  July  4,  1859,  m.  F.  F. 
Seidel;  John  S.;  Lillie  E.,  deceased,  born  Jan.  26,  1864, 
m.  John  Forney;  Howard  L.,  born  in  1866,  died  in  in- 
fancy; Annie,  born  March  21,  1867,  m.  John  Barto;  Caro- 
line E.,  born  in  1870,  died  aged  three  months;  Caroline 
(2),  born  Sept.  9,  1871,  m.  Dr.  Abraham  Warner;  Wil- 
liam k.,  born  July  3,  1875,  a  steel  worker,  m.  Sallie 
Schwenck;  Solomon  F.,  born  July  26,  1878,  m.  Carrie 
Steiflf;  \Edwin  M.,  a  cigar  manufacturer,  born  May  30, 
1881,  m".  Gertrude  M.  Young. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Hartman,  Solomon  Felix,  served 
in  the  Mexican  war.  He  was  born  at  Reading  and  was 
engaged, in  various  lines  of  business  in  this  city  at  dif- 
ferent times.  He  was  a  stone  mason,  a  quarryman,  a 
shoemaker  and  a  butcher.  He  acquired  a  good  estate  and 
was  a  wdl-known  citizen.  His  children  were  the  follow- 
ing: Lucetta  m.  Adam  Shadier;  Catherine  m.  William 
Moyer;  Emma  m.  Lewis  Reigel;  and  Caroline  m.  Mr. 
Hartman.  Mr.  Hartman  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Reformed  Church.  Formerly 
he  was  connected  with  the  F.  &  A.  M.  and  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

John  S.  Hartman  attended  school  both  in  his  native 
township  and  in  the  Reading  schools.  He  then  learned 
the  molding  trade  with  the  Reading  Hardware  Company, 
and  he  worked  as  a  molder  for  some  years  and  then 
learned  the  wheelwright's  trade  under  his  father,  which 
he  followed  for  two  years.  He  was  next  employed  by 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  company,  as  a  carpenter,  and 
remained  with  this  organization  for  five  years,  working 
in  different  departments.  Mr.  Hartman  then  engaged  in 
carpenter  work  and  bridge  building,  following  the  same 
for  three  years,  after  which  he  engaged  with  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  Railway  Company,  as  a  carpenter,  in 
a  very  short  time  being  appointed  foreman  of  his  di- 
vision. After  a  faithful  service  with  this  company  which 
extended  over  fourteen  and  one-half  years,  Mr.  Hartman 
remained  one  year  with  the  Reading  Stove  Works-.  In 
1900  he  engaged  in  a  general  contracting  and  building 
business  and  has  met  with  well  deserved  success,  his 
experience  being  long  and  thorough. 

Mr.  Hartman  was  married  to  Nellie  Hollenbach,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Susan  (Haines)  HoUenbich,  and  they 
have  two  children,  Harrison  J.  and  L.  Elizabeth.  The 
former  was  a  graduate  in  1906  in  the  Reading  high 
school  and  is  now  taking  a  collegiate  course.  The  latter, 
born  Sept.  10,  1891,  is  a  high  school  pupil.  The  family 
home  of  Mr.  Hartman  is  situated  at  No.  204  Douglass 
street.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to 
Camp  No.  61,  P.  O.  S.  of  A. 

WILLIAM  R.  BUCKS,  of  Reading,  now  living  retired 
in  his  comfortable  home  at  No.  1135  North  Eleventh 
street,  was  born  .on  the  old  Bucks  homestead  near  Bern- 
ville,  in  Bern,  now  Penn,  township,  Berks  county,  Jan. 
10,  1834. 

John  Bucks  emigrated  to  America  from  Berne,  Switzer- 
land. He  had  been  engaged  in  the  dairy  business  in  his 
native  land,  where  the  mountains  and  meadows  in  the 
valleys  supplied  the  people  with  good  pasture  and  water. 
On  coming  to  America  Mr.  Bucks  began  prospecting  for 
just  such  an  ideal  location,  finding  it  at  what  is  now 
Scull's  Hill,  where  the  hills  were  adorned  with  a  rich 
growth  of  trees  and  shrubbery,  the  valleys  fertile,  and 
where  many  of  his  countrymen  had  already  located.  He 
selected  a  tract  of  four  hundred  acres,  the  hills  covered 
with  wood  and  shrubbery,  and  two  meadows  with  fine 
streams  of  water  running  the  entire  length.  Between 
the  meadows,  on  a  slight  elevation,  he  erected  the  build- 
ings and  commenced  clearing  the  land  for  cultivation. 
There  is  an  old  record  that  shows  that  in  the  year  1759, 
when  the  first  tax  was  levied  in  Bern  township,  John 
Bucks  paid  a  tax  of  nine  pounds,  a  considerable  amount 
in  those  days.  ^ 

John  Bucks,  grandfather  of  William  B.,  was  born  on 
the  homestead  ,in  1779,  and  later  on  became  the  owner 
of  it.  He  was  a  farmer  and  with  the  exception  of  the 
last  years,  passed  all  his  life  in  his  native  locality.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Riegel,  born  in  1780,  and  they  had  four 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


765 


children:  John;  Catharine  m.  Daniel  Dundore;  Elizabeth 
m.  Isaac  Dundore;  and  Mary  m.  Jacob  Rieser.  They 
both  died  in  Marion  township,  and  were  buried  in  the 
Tulpehocken  cemetery,  he  in  1845,  aged  sixty-six  years, 
and  she  in  1851,  aged  seventy  years. 

Johri  Bucks,  son  of  John  and  father  of  William  R., 
came  into  possession  of  the  old  homestead,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  its  cultivation  until  1840,  when  he  sold.it  and 
purchased  the  Jacob  Reed  farm  of  125  acres  in  Marion 
township,  one-half  mile  northeast  of  Stouchsburg,  and 
removed  there,  carrying  on  farming  very  successfully  for 
many  years.  In  1853  he  tore  down  the  old  stone  man- 
sion built  a  century  before  with  strong,  thick  walls.  It 
was  provided  with  a  dark  room  on  the  second  floor,  at 
the  head  of  the  stairs,  where  shelter  could  be  found 
against  the  Indians  then  numerous  in  that  section.  On 
the  site  of  this  old  house  he  erected  a  large  brick  dwell- 
ing. In  1864  Mr.  Bucks'  son  Aaron  took  charge  of  the 
farming,  and  Mr.  Bucks  lived  with  him  in  retirement  until 
his  death  in"  1889,  in  his  eighty-second  year.  He  married 
Catharine  Rieser,  born  April  10,  1810,  died  1884.  They 
were  bliried  in  the  cemetery  adjoining  Tulpehocken  church, 
of  which  they  were  devoted  members.  Their  children 
were:  William  R.;  Mary  R.  m.  Dr.  George  Crum,  de- 
ceased; Aaron  R.,  who  first  engaged  in  farming,  and 
then  moved  to  Reading  and  engaged  in  the  coal  business, 
died  in  1894;  Emma  R.  m.  Jacob  Miller,  deceased;  John 
R.  resides  in  Myerstown;  Sarah  E.  m.  Henry  Krum, 
deceased;  Frank  S.  resides  in  Stouchsburg;  and  All^n 
died  in  Reading  in  1900. 

William_  R.  Bucks  attended  Stouchsburg  Academy  dur- 
ing the  winter  months,  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm 
the  remainder  of  the  year.  In  1853  he  taught  one  term 
of  school  in  Tulpehocken  township — ^the  year  before  the 
county  had  a  superintendent  of  public  instruction.  He 
then  attended  a  boarding  school  at  the  Trappe,  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  for  a  term,  and  taught  the  following 
year  in  Marion  township.  He  next  taught  five  terms  in 
Jefferson  township.  In  1861  he  was  employed  in  Bern 
township  where  he  taught  eight  terms,  one  at  Epier  and 
seven  at  White  Oak  Hill  (so  named  because  of  the  many 
stately  trees  of  that  species  adorning  a  hillside  nearby). 
In  1867  Mr.  Bucks  turned-  his  attention  to  a  feed,  grain 
and  grocery  business  along  the  Schuylkill  canal,  below  Lees- 
port,  where  he  was  located  for  thirty-nine  years.  He  also 
cultivated  a  small  farm,  which  he  owned,  and  his  place  was 
one  of  the  busiest  to  be  found  along  the  canal.  In  1906 
he  retired  and  went  to  Reading,  purchasing  his  present 
property. 

On  Oct.  5,  1865,  Mr.  Bucks  married  Amelia  Z.  Herbinc, 
daughter  of  William  and  Catharine  (Zacharias)  Her- 
bine,  of  Bern  township.  She  was  a  consistent  member  of 
Epler's  Church,  and  later  of  Trinity  Reformed  Church,  at 
Leesport.  She  died  Dec.  18,  1904,  and  is  buried  in  the 
Charles  Evans  cemetery,  Reading.  Two  children  were 
born  of  this  union:  John  W.,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business,  m.  Emma  Irene  Fritz,  and  resides  at 
the  corner  of  Twelfth  and  Green  streets,  Reading;  and 
Deborah  A.,  who  resides  with  her  father,  taught  school 
for  a  number  of  terms,  and  later  on  gave  private  lessons 
in  elocution.  Mr.  Bucks  was  a  member  of  Trinity  Re- 
formed Church  at  Leesport,  where  he  served  as  deacon 
and  elder.  After  locating  in  Reading,  he  transferred  his 
membership  to  St.  Thomas  Reformed  Church,  this  city. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  as  were  both  his  father  and 
grandfather.  He  served  eighteen  years  as  school  direc- 
tor, ten  of  which  he  was  secretary  of  the  board,  and  at 
different  times  president.  He  also  served  on  the  election 
board.  Mr.  Bucks,  together  with  James  Rieser  and  Jere- 
miah Parvin,  owns  a  large  tract  of  woodland  in  Bern 
township.  It  is  on  the  highest  point  in  'the  township, 
and  bears  the  name  of  Seidels'  Hill.  The  Buckses  as  a 
family  have  always  been  people  of  substance  and  res- 
pectability. 

JARIUS  WEISER  ZIEGLER,  who  died  May  13,  1909, 
was  one  of  Reading's  well-to-do  and  well-known  citi- 
zens,  who  with  his  son  was   engaged   in   the   wall-paper 


business  at  No.  154  Nortn  Ninth  street,  under  the  firm 
name  of  J.  &  B.  W.  Ziegler.  He  was  a  native  of  Potts- 
ville.  Pa.,  where  he  was  born  July  8,  1856,  son  of  Capt. 
Elijah  Ziegler. 

Capt.  Elijah  Ziegler  was  born  near  Fleetwood,  Berks 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  when  a  young  man  went  to  Schuylkill  coun- 
ty, locating  at  Tamaqua,  where  he  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade.  He  was  here  married  to  Priscilla  Turner,  daugh- 
ter of  Abraham  Turner,  and  after  their  union  purchased 
a  farm  in  Schuylkill  county,  living  thereon  for  a  few 
years.  He  was  elected  county  commissioner/  and  soon 
thereafter  removed  to  Pottsville,  where  he  was  later  en- 
gaged in  the  hotel  business,  carrying  on  farming  opera- 
tions as  a  side  line  for  seven  years.  Removing  to  Pine 
Grove,  he  became  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  for  seven 
years  and  then  purchased  a  farm  at  Friedensburg,  Schuyl- 
kill county,  but  six  years  later  returned  to  Pottsville  and 
served  the  county  as  prison  warden  for  three  years  when 
he  again  removed  to  his  farm.  For  some  years  prior 
to  his  death  he  was  engaged  in  bridge  contracting  and 
in  the  cattle  business.'  He  died  in  1902,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-two  years.  During  his  entire  life  he  was  a  stanch 
Democrat,  and  he  was  one  of  his  community's  most  ac- 
tive and  influential  men.  His  children  were  as  follows : 
Emma,  Elmira,  Loretta,  Florenda,  Clara,  Jarius  W.  and 
Erasmus. 

Jarius  Weiser  Ziegler  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Schuylkill  county,  and  continued  in  his  father's  em- 
ploy until  coming  to  Reading  in  1885,  when  he  became  q 
clerk.  Later  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  follow- 
ing painting  and  paper-hanging  for  some  time,  and  in 
1900  opened  his  -wall  paper  store.  He  and  his  son,  in 
partnership,  had  about  ten  men  in  their  employ  and. 
their  business  grew  to  large  proportions.  They  were  job- 
bers in  water  colors,  art  novelties,  etc.,  and  one  of  their 
specialties  was  the  16  x  20   frame. 

In  1883  Mr.  Ziegler  was  married  to  Miss  Henrietta 
Gerber,  daughter  of  Amos  Gerber,  of  Reading,  and  one 
son,  Bruno  Weiser,  was  born  to  this  union  March  12, 
1882.  He  married  Elsie  M.  Lessig,  daughter  of  George 
D.  Lessig,  of  Reading,  and  they  have  one  son,  Howard. 
In  politics  Mr.  Ziegler  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  his 
family  were  members  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Fra- 
ternally he  was  connected  with  Lodge  No.  549,  F.  &  A. 
M. ;  Reading  Lodge  of  Perfection;  Philadelphia  Con- 
sistory; and  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. 

FREDERICK  W.  CRANSTON,  Deputy  Internal  Rev- 
enue Collector  of  the  First  District  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
a  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Reading,  was 
born  Sept.  29,  1859,  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  son  of  William 
and   Fannie    (Curtis)    Cranston. 

William  Cranston  was  born  June  9,  1822,  in  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  and  in  that  country  and  England  learned  the 
trade  of  machinist.  He  came  to  America  in  1845,  locat- 
ing at  New  York  City,  whence  he  removed  to  Reading 
some  time  later.  On  reaching  the  latter  city  he  secured 
employment  in  the  shops  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing Railroad,  under  Superintendent  Missimer,  but  lat- 
er he  connected  himself  with  the  Scott  Works,  where 
he  manufactured  sugar-making  machinery.  He  was  later 
sent  to  the  island  of  Cuba  to  erect  machinery,  and  while 
there  became  superintendent  of  a  sugar  plantation.  On 
his  return  to  the  United  States,  he  went  to  Philadelphia, 
where  he  worked  in  the  Baldwin  Locomotive  Works  until 
his  retirement.  Mr.  Cranston  married  Miss  Fannie  Cur- 
tis, a  native  of  Dorsetshire,  England,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  iifty-four  years,  and  to  them  there  were  born  the 
following  children:  Mary  m.  George  Roemmele,  a  chem- 
ist with  Powers  &  Weightman;  Frances  m.  George  W. 
Phillippi;  Edwin,  a  machinist,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years;  Alfred  W.,  is  a  contracting  machinist  of 
Philadelphia;  and  William  Mac,  a  machinist.  In  religious 
belief  Wilham  Cranston  adhered  to  the  faith  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  while  his  wife  was  a  Methodist.  He 
is  one  of  the  oldest  Odd  Fellows  in  Pennsylvania,  having 
joined  the  order  sixty-five  years  ago,  and  is  also  connect- 
ed with  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


766 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Frederick  W.  Cranston  was  graduated  from  the  public 
schools  of  Philadelphia  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  and 
immediately  thereafter  came  to  Reading  and  entered  the 
shops  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad,  where  he 
remained  several  years.  He  was  also  in  the  employ  of 
Abraham  T.  Phillippi,  in  the  plumbing,  steam  fitting  and 
metal  working  business,  and  then  became  associated  with 
the  Carpenter  Steel  Works,  where  he  had  charge  of  the 
steam  fitting  department.  On  Dec.  1,  1898,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Deputy  United  States  Revenue  Collector  for  the 
First  Dis.trict  of  Pennsylvania,  in  President  McKinley's 
administration,  and  since  that  time  the  business  in  the 
cigar  trade  has  been  increased  from  74,000,000  to  144,- 
000,000,  Mr.  Cranston  having  the  largest  division  to  cover 
of  any  deputy  in  the  State.  He  has  proved  himself  to  be 
an  efficient,  faithful  official,  filling  the  duties  of  his  po- 
sition to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

In  1879  Mr.  Cranston  was  married  to  Miss  Emma 
C.  Fox,  daughter  of  John  Fox,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  eleven  children, 
seven  of  whom  survive :  Robert  D.,  who  is  employed  at 
the  League  Island  Navy  Yard,  m.  Anna  Clingaman,  and 
has  children,  Robert  D.,  Jr.,  and  Dolly;  Mary  R.  m.  Peter 
R.  Weldmann,  and  has  one  child,  Carrie;  Frederick  W., 
Jr.,  a  street  car  •  conductor,  m.  Hannah  Barlett,  and  has 
one  son,  Frederick  W.  (3);  Edwin  B.,  is  a  cigar  maker; 
William  Mac  is '  at  Little  Falls,  N.  Y. ;  John  F. ;  and 
Charles  H.  is  at  school.  Mrs.  Cranston  died  in  April, 
1907.  Mr.  Cranston  m.  (second)  Sarah  Kern,  born  in 
Lehigh  county.  Pa.,  the  daughter  of  farming  people  near 
Topton,  Berks  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Cranston  is  a  member  of  Camp  No.  329  and  Nath- 
an Hale  Commandery,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  served  as  Sen- 
ior Vice  Commander  of  United  States  for  one  year  (1897) i 

SIMPLECIUS  REBER,  residing  at  No.  19  South  Sec- 
ond street,  Reading,  is  descended  from  a  family  identi- 
fied with  Berks  county  since  1783,  when  the  paternal 
grandfather,  Johannes,   settled  there. 

Johannes  Reber  came  to  America  from  his  native  Ger- 
many when  a  boy  of  only  twelve  years,  and  part  of  his 
education  was  acquired  in  this  country.  From  his  very 
arrival  he  lived  in  Bern  township,  and  became  one  of 
the  influential  farmers  of  that  region.  He  owned  very, 
valuable  land  there  and  also  operated  a  mill  for  many 
years.  He  married  Magdalina  Roadmacher,  and  their 
children  were  Joseph,  Sally,  Polly,  Rebecca  and  Bessie, 
the  last  named  of  whom  married  a  Mr.  Ahrens.  So  far 
as  known,  the  family  were  members  of  the  Reformed 
Churcii.  Mrs.  Reber  died  in  Reading,  and  her  husband 
died  in  1847,  aged  seventy-six.  He  was  a  Democrat  in 
his  political  principles. 

Joseph  Reber,  father  of  Simplecius,  was  born  in  1802, 
at  the  old  Reber  homestead,  and  remained  there  nearly  all 
his  life.  He  carried  on  the  farm  and  operated  the  old 
Reber  Mill,  situated  on  the  Tulpehocken,  but  about  1874 
he  moved  on  to  a  small  farm  which  he  had  bought  some 
time  previously,  and  there  passed  the  last  six  years  of  his 
life,  dying  in  188d.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Elizabeth  Minnich,  passed  away  five  years  before  him, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-two.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten 
children :  Elias,  to  whom  the  father  gave  over  the  •  op- 
eration of  the  farm  and  mill;  Maria,  m.  to  Joshua  Ey- 
rich;  Fietta,  m.  to  Henry  Rose;  Elizabeth,  m.  to  Charles 
Gring;  Harrison;  Sarah,  m.  to  James  Adams;  Priscilla, 
m.  to  William  Reeser;  Henry;  Rebecca,  m.  to  Jacob  Rich- 
enbach;  and  Simplecius.  Most  of  the  family  belonged  to 
the  Reformed  Church.  Joseph  Reber  was  a  Democrat  like 
his  father. 

Simplecius  Reber  was  born  on.  the  homestead  in  .Bern 
township,  March  2,  1838,  and  received  his  ■  earlier  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  that  section.  Later  he  at- 
tended school  in  Reading.  He  remained  at  home  help- 
ing in  the  work  on  the  farm  until  he  was  thirty-three 
years  old,  when  he  came  to  Reading  and  took  a  position 
with  the  Stichter  Hardware  Company.  After  learning 
the  details  of  the  business  with  this  company,  he  engaged 
with  the   Bright  Hardware   Company  and  remained  with 


them  fourteen  years.  In  1901  he  left  that  firm  and  ac- 
cepted a  position  with  James  A.  Schofler,  as  engineer 
in  his  bakery  and  he  still  fills  that  capacity. 

On  Sept.  26,  1857,  Mr.  Reber  married  Sarah  A.,  da,ughT 
ter  of  Isaac  Herbein.  Their  four  children  are:  Ellen, 
m.  to  Charles'  Tobias;  Emma,  m.  to  Storm  Miller;  James; 
and  Sarah  A.  The  family  belong  to  the  Second  Re- 
formed Church,  while  in  politics  Mr.  Reber  is  a  Demo- 
crat. Their  home  is  at  No.  19  South  Second  street,  Read- 
ing. 

JOHN  COLLER  HEPLER,  late  a  highly  esteemed  citi- 
zen of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  superintendent  of  the  Charles 
Evans  cemetery  from  1880  until  his  death,  during  which 
time  he  made  this  burial  ground  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful spots  in  Berks  county.  Mr.  Hepler  was  born  April 
17,  1829,  in  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (CoUe'r) 
Hepler,  and  died   Sept.   26,   1907. 

The  ancestors  of  this  family,  who  came  from  Wales, 
were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Philadelphia.  William 
Hepler,  grandfather  of  John  C,  located  there  in  1793, 
where  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent,  and  where, 
during  the  yellow  fever  epidemic,  he  was  engaged  in  haul- 
ing the  bodies  of  the  victirris  to  the  place  of  interment. 
In  religious  matters  he  adhered  to  the  faith  of  the  Re- 
formed congregation,  and  iii  politics  he  upheld  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Whig  party.  His  children  were:  John;  Hen- 
ry and  George,  who  died  single;  Gideon,  a  cigar  maker; 
and  Elizabeth,  m.  to  Dr.  William  Palm. 

John  Hepler,  son  of  William,  was  born  Dec.  26,  1800, 
in  Philadelphia,  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age  came  to 
Reading  and  apprenticed  himself  to  the  house  carpenter's 
trade  for  four  years  and  six  months.  This  occupation  he 
followed  all  of  his  life  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
in  Reading  Dec.  22,  1862,  he  was  a  very  prosperous  man. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  political  matters,  and  until  1843 
was  a  member  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  in  this  year 
becoming  one  of  the  organizers  of  St.  Matthew's  Lutheran 
Church.  Mr.  Hepler  m.  Elizabeth  CoUer,  daughter  ot 
John  and  Catharine  (Bickley)  CoUer.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hepler  were  born :  William  P.,  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican 
war,  going  out  as  a  t)rivate  in  the  Ringgold  Battery,  United 
States  Regulars,  and  serving  under  Zachary  Taylor  until 
his  death  of  a  fever  at  Saltillo  in  1847 ;  John  C. :  and 
Henry  A.,  and  Catharine  A.,  twins,  the  former  of  whom 
died  in  Reading  in  1880,  while  the  latter  became  the  wife 
of  Capt.  Joseph  G.  Holmes,  and  is  now  also  deceased. 

John  C.  Hepler's  education  was  limited  to  a  few  months 
at  a  pay  school  during  the  winter  term,  and  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  and  one-half  years  he  became  an  apprentice 
to  the  trade  of  a  tailor  under  his  uncle  the  late  William 
I.  Clous,  serving  in  that  capacity  for  five  years.  He  then 
went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  worked  for  six  months 
and  learned  cutting.  Returning  to  Reading  he  entered 
the  clothing  and  tailoring  business  for  himself,  and  car- 
ried it  on  successfully  until  1860,  when  failing  health  com- 
pelled him  to  give  up  this  work.  For  some  time  he  was 
employed  on  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad,  and 
then  he  removed  to  a  small  farm  in  the  Hockley  Out- 
lots,  where  he  continued  until  1880,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed superintendent  of  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery 
at  Reading,  taking  up  the  duties  of  that  office  on  April 
1st  of  that  year.  This  cemetery,  which  was  incorporated 
in  1846,  includes  a  tract  of  118^  acres,  and  under  Mr. 
Hepler's  careful  management  many  _  improvements  were 
made.  He  performed  the  duties  of  his  position  in  a  most 
efficient  manner,  and  inaugurated  a  system  of  records 
for  burials  of  persons  who  were  not  lot  owners,  which  is 
one  of  the  most  complete  in  the  United  States,  it  record- 
ing as  follows :  The  name,  number  of  permit,  date  of  bur- 
ial, age  of  deceased,  name  of  lot  owner  upon  which  de- 
ceased is  buried,  and  number  and  section  of  cemetery  in 
which  such  lot  is  located.  In  this  Mr.  Hepler  was  ably 
assisted  by  his  son,  John  A.,  who  has  a  thorough  know- 
ledge of  all  the  records.  During  his  administration  nearly 
16,000  bodies  were  interred  in  this  cemetery. 

Mr.  Hepler  also  conducted  a  greenhouse  on  the  corner 
of    Schuylkill   avenue   and  Greenwich  street,  which  is   in 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


767 


a  prosperous  condition.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Mu- 
tual Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  held  an  official  position 
in  the  "Home   for   Friendless   Children." 

On  Sept.  18,  1854,  Mr.  Hepler  was  married  to  Herme- 
Imda  Abbott,  daughter  of  William  Abbott,  a  native  of 
England  whd  came  to  Reading  in  1843,  and  who  was 
a  forty-niner  of  the  gold  fields  of  California.  Mr.  Ab- 
bott was  a  taxidermist,  and  was  employed  by  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution  to  secure  specimens.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hepler  were  the  parents  of  these  children,  all  of  whom, 
together  with  the  widowed  mother,  survive:  Mary  Meta, 
at  home ;  George  H.,  a  mail  carrier,  who  married  Margaret 
S.  Lease,  of  New  Oxford,  Pa. ;  and  John  A.,  who  mar- 
ried Katharme  E.  Bean,  of  Spring  City,  Pa.,  and  has  two 
children,  J.  Merrill  and  Erme  K. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hepler  was  a  Republican,  and  represent- 
ed the  Seventh  ward,  no,w  the  Fourteenth,  in  the  common 
councU  from  1882  to  1888.  He  was  a  life-long  member 
of  St.  Matthew's  Lutheran  Church,  taking  an  active  part 
in  the  building  of  the  old  church  at  the  corner  of  Frank- 
lin and  Pearl  streets  in  18'42,  and  acting  as  chairman  of 
the  building  committee  for  the  new  church  at  Fifth  and 
Elm  streets  in  1889.  It  was  greatly  through  his  efforts 
that  the  mortgage  on  the  new  church  was  cancelled,  he 
having  the  honor  and  pleasure  of  burning  the  mortgage 
in  the  presence  of  the  congregation.  If  Mr.  Hepler  ac- 
knowledged a  fad  it  was  the  collecting  of  buttons,  and 
he  had,  perhaps,  the  largest  collection  of  this  kind  in  the 
country,  his  specimens  numbering  about  78,000.  Among 
these  are  buttons  of  every  description,  some  of  them  in- 
teresting relics  of  the  battlefields  in  various  parts  of  the 
world.  He  also  had  a  collection  of  500  varieties  of  wood, 
gathered  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  in  additiqn 
thereto  collected  many  curios  of  various  descriptions. 

WILLIAM  F.  KERPER,  a  lifelong  resident  of  Read- 
ing, now  living  retired,  was  born  in  that  city  May  24,  1842, 
son  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth  (Boyer)  Kerper.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  fifth  generation  of  his  family  in  this 
country,  and  of  the  fourth  generation  settled  in  Berks 
county. 

Abraham  Kerper,  the  great-great-grandfather  of  Wil- 
liam F.  Kerper,  came  from  Germany  to  America  in  1735, 
locating  in  Germantown,  Pa.,  where  he  spent  the  balance 
of  his  life.  His  son,  Valentine  Kerper,  removed  from 
Germantown  to  Reading  in  1750,  while  yet  a  young  man, 
being  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  city,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  a  large  property  holder  there.  He 
was  an  active  member  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Daniel 
Kerper,  his  son,  and  grandfather  of  William  F.,  was  one 
of  the  early  hotel-keepers  of  Berks  county,  conducting 
a  hostelry  nearly  all_  of  his  life.  During  his  younger 
days  he  iook  an  active  part  in  politics,  and  served  as 
sheriff  of  the  county  for  two  terms.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Rosina  Stultz;  whose  father  conducted  a 
blacksmith  shop  at  Eighth  and  Chestnut  streets,  Phila- 
delphia, during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  to  them  were 
born  the  following  children:  Abraham,  father  of  William 
F. ;  Margaret,  m.  to  William  Silvis;  Catherine,  m.  to 
Joshua  Keeley;  Charles;  Daniel;  John;  William,  and 
Caroline. 

Abraham  Kerper  was  born  in  the  borough  of  Reading 
Aug.  12,  1796,  at  the  old  Kerper  homestead  at  the  corner 
of  5th  and  Walnut  streets,  and  at  an  early  age  became 
an  apprentice  to  the  tanner's  trade,  which  he  followed 
successfully  the  remainder  of  his  life,  becoming  very  pros- 
perous. He  was  considered  wealthy  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1872.  In  political  matters  he  was  a  Democrat, 
and  he  served  two  terms  as  director  of  the  poor.  He 
was  an  adherent  of  the  principles  of  the  German  Re- 
formed Church.  Abraham  Kerper  married  Elizabeth 
Boyer,  who  was  born  in  1804  and  died  in  1879,  and  twelve 
children  were  born  to  this  union :  Rosa,  who  died  in 
infancy;  Daniel,  deceased;  Mary,  m.  to  James  H.  Parker, 
now  deceased;  Henry,  a  retired  tanner  of  Reading;  Ro- 
sanna,  who  died  in  infancy;  Elizabeth,  who  died  in  early 
childhood;  Ellen  B.,  m.  to  Sadosa  S.  Stevens,  deceased, 
of   Readinft.   and   mother   of  William   Kerper   Stevens,   a 


prominent  attorney-at-law  of  Reading ;  James  R. ;  George 
B.,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  William  F. ;  Kate,  m.  to  Charles 
Ringle,  both  being  deceased;  and  Abraham  Charles,-  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years. 

William  F.  Kerper  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Reading,  and  when  but  a  boy  entered  the  employ  of 
his  father  to  learn  the  tanner's  trade,  which  he  followed' 
for  the  long  period  of  forty-five  years.  In  1899  he  was 
appointed  police  sergeant  under  Mayor  Adam  Leader's 
administration,  and  he  subsequently  accepted  a  position 
at  the  Reading  Pipe  Mill,  where  he  continued  until  1904, 
in  which  year  he  was  appointed  to  the  position  of  janitor 
at  the  county  court  house,  his  term  expiring  in  1906.  Mr. 
Kerper  is  now  living  retired,  his  home  being  at  No.  409 
South  Fourth  street. 

In  1880  Mr.  Kerper  married  Jeanetta  Foreman,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Foreman,  of  Sinking  Spring,  and  four  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union :  Charles  R.,  who  is  a  hatter ; 
John, '  deceased ;  Carrie  M.,  and  Walter  W.  Mr.  Kerper 
is  a  stanch  Republican.  Both  he  and  his  wife  attend  the 
Reformed  Church.  For  a  period  of  forty-five  years  Mr. 
Kerper  was  a  member  of  the  Junior  Fire  Company,  and 
he  is  now  identified  with  the  Reading  Veteran  Fire  Asso- 
ciation. 

JOHN  E.  BUB  P.  In  the  death  of  Mr.  Bubp  not  alone 
his  family  but  the  whole  community  suffered  a  distinct 
loss,  for  he  was  an  integral  part  of  the  city's  life  in  sev- 
eral different  fields,  while  his  private  benefactions  had 
endeared  him  to  numbers  of  his  less  fortunate  fellow- 
townsmen.  He  was  born  in  1837  in  Lower  Amity  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  son  of  Jacob  Bubp. 

Jacob  Bubp  was  a  well-known  butcher,  and  farmer 
of  Brumfieldsville,  Lower  Amity  township.  He  married 
Miss  Lydia  Engle,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  two 
sons;  William  H.,  a  successful  horsedealer,  who  died  in 
Reading  in  1903;  and  John  E.  The  father  and  mother 
both  died  at  their  home  in  Lower  Amity. 

John  E.  Bubp  spent  his  boyhood  days  upon  the  farm, 
but  his  natural  bent  towards  business  was  early  apparent, 
and  he  left  home  when  a  mere  boy  to  clerk  in  a  country 
store.  As  this  did  not  furnish  sufficient  scope  for  his 
energies,  he  soon  left  and  when  only  about  seventeen 
years  old  came  to  Reading.  Although  a  mere  stripling, 
his  business  sagacity  was  early  recognized  and  he  soon 
really  entered  upon  his  career  by  forming  the  firm  of 
Levan  &  Bubp,  conducting  a  general  merchandise  busi- 
ness at  No.  747  Penn  street,  where  the  business  is  now 
located.  They  were  very  successful  but  in  1867  the  new 
firm  of  Levan,  Bubp  &  Metzer  was  formed  to  do  a  whole- 
sale crockery  business  at  No.  441  Penn  street.  After 
one  year  however,  Mr.  Bubp  withdrew  and  formed  a 
similar  connection  with  W.  R.  Hinnershitz.  This  new 
firm,  Hinnershitz  &  Bubp,  conducted  a  thriving  business 
at  No.  747  Penn  street,  until  1891,  when  the  senior  partner 
retired  leaving  Mr.  Bubp  alone  in  its  management.  His 
foresight  and  sagacity  never  failed  him,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  Feb.  23,  1899,  he  left  a  large  estate,-  accu- 
mulated by  his  own  efforts.  The  business  has  since  been 
continued  by  his  sons,  and  the  firm  is  now  known  as 
John  E.  Bubp's  Sons. 

Probably  no  man  in  the  community  stood  higher  in  the 
honesty  and  integrity  of  his  dealings  than  Mr.  Bubp  and 
his  sudden  demise  was  universally  regretted.  Progressive 
in  his  methods  he  was  the  first  to  introduce  delivery  wag- 
ons in  the  grocery  business  into  Reading.  He  was  vice- 
president  of  the  Retail  Grocers'  Association,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Trade,  as  well  as  an  honorary  mem- 
ber of  the  Friendship  Fire  Company.  During  the  Re- 
bellion he  enlisted  in  Company  C.  4th  Pa.  V.  I.,  under 
Capt.  D.  G.  Rhoads  and  served  the  term  of  his  enlist- 
ment with  distinction.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican, 
but  never  held  office.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
a  trustee  of  the  Second  Reformed  Church  and  was  a 
member  of  the  consistory  for  some  thirty  years.  His 
loss  was  deeply  felt  in  the  church  as  it  was  also  in  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.,  in  which  he  was  a  member  and  a  generous 
contributor. 


768 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


In  1868  John  E.  Bubp  married  Miss  Clara  Getz,  who 
was  a  member  of  one  of  the  very  early  families  in  Berks 
county,  and  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Mary  (Hushower) 
Getz.  Aaron  Getz  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  lived  in 
Muhlenberg  township.  For  a  number  of  years  he  lived 
retired,  passing  from  this  world  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven 
years.  His  wife  died  aged  seventy-three.  There  were 
five  children  besides  Mrs.  Bubp,  namely:  Sarah,  Mrs. 
Kuterman;  Amanda,  Mrs.  Alvin  Boyer;  Emma;  Aaron, 
Jr. ;  and  Harry,  a  United  States  Express  agent  at  Allen- 
town,  where  he  died  Nov.  35,  1905.  Mrs.  Bubp  sur- 
vives her  husband  and  still  lives  in  the  family  residence 
on  North  Ninth  street.  To  her  and  Mr.  Bubp  were  born 
four  children,  as  follows :  Harry  G.,  who  for  a  number  of 
years  was  on  the  reportorial  staflf  of  the  Reading  Telegram, 
but  who  is  now  carrying  on  a  drug  business ;  Bert  G. 
who  is  now  carrying  on  his  father's  business ;  Charles 
E. ;  and  Nora  May,  the  wife  of  Howard  C.  Phillips,  teller 
in  the  Schuylkill  Valley  Bank  at  Reading. 

The  last  illness  of  John  E.  Bubp  which  ended  in  his 
death  Feb.  23,  1899,  was  the  result  of  a  fall.-  Eight  days 
previously  he  fell  while  going  into  the  cellar  and  struck 
with  great  force.  While  his  injuries  compelled  him 
to  keep  in  the  house  there  were  no  indications  of  serious 
trouble  till  the  morning  of  February  21st,  when  he  was 
taken  violently  ill  and  finally  passed  to  his  reward.  Thus 
at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years  passed  from  the  scene  of 
his  earthly  activities  a  man  whose  deeds  reflected  only 
credit  on  his  memory,  and  whose  life  may  well  serve 
as   an   example  to  those   following   him. 

WILLIAM  H.  LUDEN,  prosperous  manufacturing  con- 
fectioner since  1879,  with  a  national  reputation  in  his 
branch  of  business,  was  born  at  Reading  March  5,  1859, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  local  schools.  In  1879, 
before  he  was  of  age  he  began  manufacturing  candy  in 
limited  quantities  and  disposed  of  it  successfully,  which 
encouraged  him  to  continue.  This  modest  start  in  business 
life  was  made  at  No.  37  North  Fifth  street,  where  he 
was  brought  up  and  where  his  father  had  carried  on  the 
jewelry  business.  He  continued  there  ten  years,  gradually 
increasing  his  production  of  various  confections,  and  then 
moved  into  larger  quarters  which  he  had  secured  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Sixth  and  Washington  streets,  and 
equipped  with  improvements  to  meet  the  demands  of  his 
trade.  He  occupied  the  entire  building  (four  stories}, 
employed  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  hands,  and  worked 
up  a  car-load  of  sugar  weekly,  and  by  this  time  his  trade 
had  come  to  reach  out  into  the  Eastern,  Middle  and 
Southern  States.  By  the  year  1900  his  trade  was  developed 
to  still  greater  proportions,  so  that  he  was  again  obliged 
to  secure  larger  quarters,  and  he  accordingly  purchased 
a  property  on  North  Eighth  street,  beyond  Walnut,  with 
a  siding  extended  froml  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  rail- 
road, where  he  erected  a  substantial  and  commodious 
four-story  brick  structure  (165  feet  front  and  110  feet 
deep)  and  supplied  it  with  all  the  necessary  improvements 
and  appurtenances  for  his  business  and  employes.  The 
building  was  dedicated  with  appropriate  ceremonies  in 
June  of  that  year,  and  the  enterprising  proprietor  was 
given  many  earnest  congratulations.  And  here,  too,  his 
business  kept  on  increasing  year  after  year  until  1909, 
when  he  enlarged  the  building  by  erecting  a  four-stor,y 
addition  at  the  south  end,  60  feet  front  and  110  feet  deep, 
making  his  establishmient  altogether  225  feet  front  and 
110  feet  deep  and  one  of  the  prominent  industrial  en- 
terprises of  Reading.  He  now  employs  between  four 
hundred  and  five  hundred  hands  constantly  and  pro- 
duces all  kinds  of  confections,  in  large  quantities, 
which  are  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States. 
During  the  last  several  years,  his  establishment  has 
made  a  specialty  of  "Luden's  Menthol  Cough  Drops," 
which  have  become  very  popular  throughout  the 
country,    the    annual    sales    amounting    to    five    million 


five-cent  packages.  From  twenty  to  twenty-five  tons 
of  sugar  are  required  daily  in  the  manufacture  of  his, 
various  confections;  and  the  siding  from  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  railroad  to  his  plant  affords  the  neces- 
sary facilities  for  his  enormous  shipments,  which  shows 
its  importance  as  a  factor  in  the  dispatch  of  his  large 
and  growing  business. 

Mr.  Luden  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
successful  manufacturers  of  candy  in  the  United  States. 
During  his  career,  from  the  beginning,  he  always  treated 
his  employes  with  great  consideration  and  as  a  natural 
consequence  they  have  come  to  be  as  much  devoted  to 
his  prosperity  as  he  is  to  their  comfort  and  welfare. 
For  a  number  of  years  past  he  has  given  them  an  annual 
"outing,"  at  different  places,  along  some  railroad,  paying 
all  the  expenses  himself,  which  evidences  his  generous 
spirit.  The  high  degree  of  mutual  respect  and  confidence 
which  has  been  developed  between  him  and  his  employes 
is  truly  admirable  and  worthy  of  imitation  by  other  large 
manufacturers. 

Mr.  Luden  has  been  a  devoted  and  generous  member 
of  the  "Church  of  Our  Father"  (Universalist)  from  his 
early  manhood,  and  his  straight-forward  spirit  has  con- 
tributed a  great  deal  toward  the  welfare  of  the  congrega,- 
tion.  He  served  as  a  trustee  of  the  church  for  a  number 
of  years.  In  1890,  Mr.  Luden  assisted  in.  organizing  and 
establishing  the  Schuylkill  Valley  Bank  of  Reading  and 
since  then  has  ■  served  as  one  of  its  directors ;  and  upon 
the  decease  of  John  Kissinger,  the  president,  in  1906,.  he 
was  selected  to  officiate  in  his  stead,  which  important  po- 
sition he  has  filled  until  the  present  time.  In  1904  he 
established  the  "Reading  Nlatatorium,"  on  North  Fifth 
street,  which  was  immediately  appreciated,  and  since  then 
it  has  been  patronized  extensively.  The  basket-ball  ex- 
hibitions there  during  the  winter  and  spring  seasons  have 
been  highly  appreciated  by  large  and  enthusiastic  audiences. 
Mr.  Luden  is  prominently  identified  with  the  National 
Confectioners  Association,  the  Wyomissing  Club,  the  Berk- 
shire Club,  and  the  Reading  Board  of  Trade. 

In  1889  Mr.  Luden  married  Annie  Ritter,  a  daughter 
of  William  Snyder  Ritter  and  Julianna  Shearer,  his  wife, 
and  they  have  eight  children  (four  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters) :  Harry  Ritter,  Albert  Musser,  Dorothy,  Marjorie, 
Frederick  Shearer,  Milford  Dirk,  Jeanette  and  Wilma. 
His  wife  and  children  have  also  taken  great  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  the  Universalist  Church.  Mrs.  Luden  is 
a  meiniber  of  Berks  Chapter  of  the  Daughters  of  the 
American  Revolution,  being  a  lineal  descendant  of  John 
Christopher  Shearer,  who  emigrated  from  Germany  in 
1769  and  then  settled  at  Reading,  in  Berks  county,  where 
he  camie  to  enlist  in  the  Revolution,  and  subsequently  filled 
the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  nearly  twenty  years, 
dying  in  1830,  aged  seventy-seven.  She  is  also  a  lineal 
descendant  of  Francis  Ritter,  the  progenitor  of  the  Ritter 
family  in  Exeter  township,  who  died  in  1825  and  left  four 
sons — Daniel,  John,  Jacob  and  Samuel'^and  four  daugh- 
ters, Daniel  having  been  her  grandfather. 

Jacob  Luden,  the  father  of  Mr.  Luden,  was  born  at  Am- 
sterdam, Holland,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  watch- 
maker '  and  jeweler  and  followed  that  business  until 
about  1850,  when  he  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  and  settled 
.at  Reading.  In  1855  he  established  a  store  on  North  Fifth 
street  (now  Nos.  35-37)  and  carried  on  business  as  a 
1  jeweler  successfully  until  his  decease  in  1864,  aged  forty- 
twQ  years.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  A.  Musser,  of 
Rearristown,  Lancaster  county,  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
early  femilies  of  that  vicinity,  and  they  had  six  children : 
Caroline  (m.  William  L.  C.  Bailey)  ;  Edward  Musser  (m. 
Lizzie  Etzel)  ;  William  H. ;  Sallie  A.  (m.  James  B. 
Marsh)  ;  Jacob  C.  (mi  Annie  Benson)  ;  and  one  that  died 
in  infancy. 

RICHARD  G.  BORKERT,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  one  of  the 
well  known  contracting  Borkert  Brothers,   and  a  leading 


c 


"^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


769 


business  man,  was  born  in  that  city,  Sept.  1,  1840,  son 
of  Daniel  Bor'kert,  a  complete  sketch  of  whom  will  be 
found  elsewhere. 

Richard  G.  Borkert  attended  the  Franklin  street  school, 
of  the  Third  ward,  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  and 
then  learned  the  hatter's  trade,  which  he  followed  for 
about  five  years,  after  which  he  engaged  with  his  father 
in  the  brick  laying  business.  When  his  father  died, 
Mr.  Borkert  engaged  in  the  contracting  business  with 
his  brothers,  and  under  the  firm  name  of  Augustus 
Borkert  &  Bro.,  was  in  business  with  his  brother,  Augustus, 
until  the  latter's  death  in  December,  1908.  Mr.  Borkert 
resides  at  JSTo.  926  Penn  street.  He  married  (first)  Sarah 
Birk,  who  died  in  1898.  They  had  two  children,  both  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Borkert's  second  marriage  was  to  Elnora, 
widow  of  John  Leininger,  and  one  child  has  been  born 
to  this  union :  Richard,  now  attending  high  school.  Mr. 
Borkert  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  has  never  taken 
an  active  part  in  party  work.  He  is  a  Lutheran  in  relig- 
ious belief.  Mr.  Borkert  served  one  hundred  days  in  the 
Civil  war,  being  a  private  of  Company  A.  48th  Pa. 
V.  I.,  and  was  assigned  to  guard  duty.  He  was  mustered 
into  service  at  Reading,  and  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge in  the  same  city. 

William  Young,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Borkert,  was  boiin 
in  Reading,  and  received  a  common  school  education. 
He  learned  the  cigar  making  business,  but  did  not  follow 
that  occupation  for  any  length  of  time,  engaging  in  the 
confectionery  business  at  Seventh  and  Penn  streets,  where 
he  became  well  known  in  that  line,  and  also  as  a  fruit 
dealer.  Mr.  Young  had  a  large  vineyard  at  what  is  now 
Twelfth  and  Walnut  streets,  and  was  very  prosperous. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  He  married 
Sarah  Bishop,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years, 
and  both  are  buried  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery.  Their 
children  were :  Fredericka  E. ;  Elnora,  the  wife  of  our 
subject;  Wilhelmina,  widow  of  Emil  Bishoff;  William, 
of  Lock  Haven ;  John ;  Theophilus ;  Annie  C,  wife  of 
William  M.  Bond;  Sarah,  wife  of  Ed.  H.  Scheaflfer,  of 
Reading;  Isaac  B.,  (twin  to  Sarah),  m.  to  Katie  Lease,  of 
Reading;  and  Ida  Rebecca,  of  California. 

JOSEPH  G.  KLINE,  who  died  July  28,  1905,  at  his 
home,  No.  230  North  Ninth  street,  Reading,  was  for 
twenty  years  one  of  the  city's  prominent  business  men, 
and  a  veteran  of  the  great  Civil  war.  Mr.  Kline  was 
born  May  8,  1844,  at  Baumstown,  Berks  county,  son  of 
David   and  Esther    (Gressmer)    Kline. 

David  Kline  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  the  coal 
business  on  Sixth  street,  Reading,  and  later  engaged  in 
the  butcher  business  at  Eighth  and  Walnut  streets,  con~ 
tinuing  in  the  latter  business  for  twenty  years.  He  died 
in  Reading,  the  father  of  these  children:  Amason;  Joseph 
G;;  Jeremiah,  of  Oklahoma,  Kans.;  Isaac,  of  Reading; 
Mrs.  Charles  Wann;  and  Mrs.  John  Vogel. 

Joseph  G.  Kline  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city.  Until  seventeen  years  of  age  he  worked  with  his 
father,  but  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted, 
Aug.  23,  1861,  in  Company  A,  88th  Pa.  V.  I.  He  was 
promoted  sergeant  and  given  the  rank  of  lieutenant  June 
14,  1865,  serving  faithfully  for  four  years,  and  being  dis- 
charged July  10,  1865.  He  served  in  a  number  of  the 
fiercest  engagements  of  the  war,  and  was  slightly  wounded 
in  the  left  ear.  After  his  return  to  Reading  Mr.  Kline 
engaged  with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Company,  con- 
tinuing therewith  for  a  period  of  twenty-one  years,  first 
as  brakeman  and  later  as  fireman.  In  1885  he  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business  at  Tenth  and  Elm  streets,  and 
continued  therein  very  sucessfully  until  five  months  pre- 
vious to  his  death,  when  he  retired.  Mr.  Kline  was  buried 
in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery. 

On  Dec.  25,  1886,  Mr.  Kline  was  married  to  Catherine 
E.  Koch,  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Hoff)  Koch. 
They  have  had  children:  David,  born  Sept.  22,  1868,  died 
May,  1869 ;  Ellen  E.  m.  Frederick  Knipe,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  Saratoga  chips,  having  a  large 
49 


and  growing  business;  Joseph  A.  is  attending  business 
college.  Mr.  Kline  was  a  member  and  trustee  of  the  Otter- 
bein  United  Brethren  Church. '  He  belonged  to  the  G. 
A.  R.,  Brotherhood  of  the  Union,  Union  Veteran  Legion 
No.  43,  Freedom  Circle  and  Mt.  Penn  Council  No.  495, 
Royal  Arcanum.  He  was  a  well-known  and  highly  res- 
pected man,  and  made  many  warm  friends.  His  widow, 
who  survives  him,  resides  at  the  Ninth  street  home. 

CHARLES  LITSCHI,  who  is  now  living  retired  In 
Reading,  is  one  of  our  substantial  citizens.  Born  in  a 
foreign  land,  he  has  proved  himself  loyal  to  the  country 
in  which  he  has  earned  his  competence,  by  being  an  up- 
right, public-spirited  and  progressive  citizen,  interested 
in  the  development  and  the  moral  and  material  welfare 
of  his  adopted  land.  He  is  a  native  of  Switzerland,  born 
at  Wollerau,  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Zurich,  Nov.  29,  1850. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
land,  and  after  leaving  school  learned  the  business  of  print- 
ing on  cloth.  This  he  followed  at  different  places  before 
crossing  the  Atlantic  to  the  New  World.  On  Nov.  21, 
1871,  he  went  to  Lorrach,  and  after  a  time  to  Koburg, 
where  he  worked  from  March  9,  1873,  until  July  8th  of 
the  same  year.  He  then  went  home  by  way  of  Stuttgart, 
and  after  a  two  weeks  visit  with  his  friends  and  relatives 
sailed  for  America,  Aug.  20,  1873,  from  Havre,  France, 
then  in  the  grip  of  a  cholera  epidemic.  The  eighteen-day 
voyage  was  by  way  of  Southampton  to  New  York,  and 
was  without  incident  of  note.  On  September  16th  they 
landed  at  Castle  Garden,  and  two  days  later  the  Jay  Cook 
bank  failed  and  threw  the  whole  country  into  a  panic. 
Times  were  very  hard,  and  Mr.  Litschi,  going  at  once 
to  Philadelphia,  found  himself  at  the  end  of  fourteen  dajs 
still  without  work.  Idleness  was  something  of  which  he 
knew  nothing,  and  not  finding  the  kind  of  work  he  sought, 
he  did  the  next  best  thing,  he  took  the  first  work  that 
presented  itself.  This  was  as  an  apprentice  at  the  baker's 
trade,  and  for  his  services  he  received  his  board  and 
fifteen  dollars  a  month.  At  this  trade  he  worked  from 
Oct.  18,  1873,  until  Feb.  24,  1879,  when  he  was  married  to 
Katharina  Kobel,  of  Klein '  Zimern,  Hessen  Darmstadt. 
The  next  day  he  went  to  Boyertown,  Berks  county,  and 
there  purchased  the  bakery  owned  by  a  Mr.  Reifsnyder. 
On  March  24,  1879,  he  opened  up  for  business,  and  he 
met  with  success  from  the  start.  He  had  thoroughly 
learned  the  art  of  baking,  and  as  his  wares  were  first 
class,  and  his  business  methods  above  reproach,  he  soon 
won  a  good  patronage  and  many  friends.  He  continued 
at  this  business  at  Boyertown  until  Sept.  10,  1899,  when  he 
sold  out,  but  he  worked  for  his  successor  until  April  1, 
1900.  When  he  had  sold  the  bakery  the  previous  Septem- 
ber, his  family  had  moved  to  Reading,  and  they  have 
since  lived  at  No.  805  North  Tenth  street.  Since  coming 
here  Mr.  Litschi  has  been  enjoying  his  well-earned  rest. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Litschi  have  become  the  parents  of  the 
following  children :  Joseph,  of  Reading ;  Henry,  Charles, 
and  Frank,  all  deceased  and  buried  at  Pottstown;  Lewis, 
a  professional  base  ball  player;  and  Andrew.  All  of  the 
children  were  born  at  Boyertown.  The  family  all  be- 
long to  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Church.  In  1898  Mr.  Lit- 
schi visited  Europe,  his  trip,  which  included  the  principal 
cities  of  the  Old  World,  covering  more  than  8,000  kilometers. 

ALBERT  LEINBACH,  now  living  retired  from  active 
work  in  Reading,  is  a  native  of  Cumru  township,  born 
June  27,  1835,  son  of  Frederick  and  Maria  (Guldin) 
Leinbach. 

Frederick  Leinbach,  the  father,  was  also  a  native  of 
Berks  county.  While  he  learned  thoroughly  the  black- 
smith's trade  and  followed  it  more  or  less  all  his  life, 
he  also  engaged  in  farming  _  near  Leesport,  giving  the 
major  part  of  his  time  to  this  work.  Later  in  life  his 
farming  interest  were  all  in  Exeter  township.  He  died 
at  Reading  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years,  and  his  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Maria  Guldin,  lived  to  the  age 
of  sixty.     Only  five  of  their  family  still  survive,  namely: 


770 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Daniel,  Albert,  Mahlon,  Jonathan  G.  and  Mary,  the  latter 
being  now  the  widow  of  James  Levan,  and  a  resident  of 
Reading. 

Albert  Leinbach  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm, 
and  worked  there  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age. 
He  then  went  to  work  in  Brumbach's  wool  factory,  at  St. 
Lawrence,  where  he  remained  upwards  of  fifteen  years. 
He  continued  at  this  work  until  his  retirement,  being 
spinning  boss  the  last  forty  years.  Like  many  of  his 
family  Mr.  Leinbach  is  thoroughly  versed  in  the  wool 
business.  Since  June,  1904,  he  has  not  been  actively  en- 
gaged at  anything.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  he  served  in  the  Pennsylvania  militia, 
and  was  in  a  terrible  railroad  wreck  where  so  many  of 
the  soldiers  lost  their  lives. 

On  Jan.  9,  1859,  Mr.  Leinbach  married  Miss  Sarah 
Nagel,  who  was  born  Jan.  1,  1840,  daughter  of  William 
and  Henrietta  (Ermold)  Nagel,  of  Reading,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Peter  Nagel.  The  Nagels  are  prominently 
identified  with  the  early  civil  and  military  history  of  Berks 
county.  William  Nagel  died  May  1,  1848.  Four  chil- 
dren, two  sons  and  two  daughters,  have  been  born  to 
this  union :  William  H.,  a  resident  of  Atlantic  City,  N. 
J.;  Benjamin  F.,  of  North  Fourth  street,  Reading;  Sal- 
lie  E.,  widow  of  John  F.  Morriston;  and  Hattie,  who 
married  Warren  J.  Thomas,  and  they  reside  with  her 
parents.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  415  N.  Fifth 
street.  Mr.  Leinbach  and  his  farhily  are  all  members  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  and  are  active  in  its  work.  They 
rank  among  the  substantial  and  highly  esteemed  citizens 
of  Reading. 

ALLEN  H.  DUNKLE,  who  for  many  years  was  one 
of  the  best  known  hotel  men  and  distillers  in  Berks  coun- 
ty, and  now  is  residing  retired  in  his  beautiful  home  at 
Temple,  Pa.,  was  born  Feb.  34,  1837,  in  Berkley,  Berks 
Co.,  Pa.^  son  of  James  and  Eliza   (Herbine)   Dunkle. 

William  Dunkle,  his  grandfather,  was  the  owner  of 
the  hotel  at  Berkley  later  owned  by  his  grandson,  and  was 
operating  it  as  early  as  1812,  also  conducting  a  farm  of 
sixty  acres  adjoining.  He  married  Anna  Grim,  a  native 
of  Maxatawny  township,  and  they  had  but  one  child, 
James.  In  religious  belief  they  were  Lutherans,  and  in 
political  matters  Mr.  Dunkle  was  a  Democrat. 

James  Dunkle  was  born  in  Ontelaunee  township,  Berks 
county,  where  he  acquired  his  education,  and  after  leav- 
ing school  he  engaged  in  working  on  his  father's  farm 
until  he  took  charge  of  the  hotel,  which  he  conducted 
until  his  death,  in  1860,  when  he  was  aged  sixty  years. 
He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
and  became  the  parents  of  four  children :  Alfred,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  six  months;  Rufus,  deceased,  who 
married  Kate  Rahn  and  had  three  children,  Webster,  Lil- 
lian and  Francis;  Annie  C,  who  married  E.  Andrews  and 
had  one  son,  William,  a  physician;  and  Allen  H.  James 
Dunkle  was  one  of  the  prominent  Democrats  of  his  locality, 
and  during  his  long  and  useful  life  filled  a  number  of  im- 
portant township  offices. 

Allen  H.  Dunkle  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  native  township,  and  as  a  boy  worked  on  the  home 
farm,  later  learning  the  miller's  trade,  which  he  followed 
as  a  journeyman  for  four  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time 
he  learned  telegraphy,  and  for  about  three  years  was 
employed  on  the  Berks  &  Schuylkill  branch  of  the  Phila- 
delphia &  Reading  railroad,  then  resigning  to  engage 
in  the  hotel  business.  He  also  built  a  distillery,  which 
he  operated  until  its  destruction  by  fire,  in  1899,  after 
which  he  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  the  hotel  busi- 
ness, conducting  the  hotel  until  1905,  in  which  year  he 
purchased  the  Samuel  High  property  in  Temple,  where 
he  has  since  lived  retired.  During  his  residence  here 
Mr.  Dunkle  has  made  many  friends,  and  he  and  his 
estimable  wife  have  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who 
know  them.  Mr.  Dunkle  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  while  his  wife  is  of  the  Reformed  faith.  In 
political  matters  he  upholds  the  principles  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party. 

In  1877  Mr.  Dunkle  was  married  to  Mary  Rahn,  daugh- 
ter   of   '\yilliam    and    Susan    (Merkel)    Rahn,    natives   of 


Ontelaunee  township,  and  three  children  have  been  born 
to  this  union:)  Robin,  a  telegraph  operator  on  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad,  who  married  Sadie  Shearer;  Lloyd, 
an  electrical  engineer,  of  Chipago,  111.,  who  married  Millie 
Snyder;  and  Wayne. 

Wayne  Du^tkle  received  his  early  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  the  Keystone  State  Normal  Schoo.l,' 
at  Kutztown, ,  after  leaving  which  he  attended  State 
College.  The  next  twelve  months  he  spent  in  travel 
through  Kansas,  Colorado,  Nevada  and  California,  most 
of  this  time  being  spent  in  San  Francisco,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  restaurant  business.  In  1904  he  returned 
East  and  engaged  in  the  bakery  business,  in  which  he  has 
been  very  successful.  At  the  start  the  capacity  of  his 
bakery  was  500  loaves  of  bread  weekly,  but  he  now  readily 
disposes  of  from  3,500  to  4,000  loaves  weekly,  requiring 
the  services  o^  two  teams  and  three  assistants.  His  oven 
was  especially  designed  "anejl  built  by  Reading's  expert 
oven  maker,  Jeremiah  Seider.  Mr.  Dunkle  operates  a 
«tall  at  the  Tenth  and  Win4sor  street  market  house,  and 
occupies  stall  No.  108  in  the  market  at  Ninth  and  Button- 
wood  streets.  He  is  enterprising  and  progressive,  and 
his  honest  dealings  in  business  matters  have  given  him 
an  enviable  reputation  for  integrity.  Mr.  Dunkle  is  un- 
married, and  makes  his  home^  with  his  parents. 

WESI^EY  HORNING,  who  died  Oct.  26,  1901,  was 
born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  Feb.  12,  1837,  son  of 
John  and  Maty  Horning. 

Possessed  of  a  good  mind  and  a  keen  desire  for  edu- 
cation, Mr.  Horning  was  not  satisfied  with  the  work  he 
could  do  in  ti\e  common  schools  in  his  day,  and  in  1860 
he  began  wh^t  proved  to  be  a  four  years'  course  in 
Freeland  Seminary.  He  then  came  to  Reading  and 
entered  •  upon  his  apprenticeship  as  a  carpenter,  but 
before  he  had  cornpleted  his  !term  he  enlisted  in  the  army  . 
for  a  period  of  nine  months.  He  served  as  a  private  in 
Company  B,  128th  Pa.  V.  I.,  under  Capt.  McNoU,  was 
m  the  battles  pf  South  Mouptain,  Antietam  and  Chancel- 
lorsville,  and  .was  honorably  discharged  May  29,  1863. 
On  his  return  to  Reading  Mr.  Homing  completed  his 
apprenticeship, ,  and  then  worked  at  carpentry  for  twenty- 
three  years.  He  next  became  connected  with  the  Read- 
ing Car-wheel  |Works,  and  was  there  employed  at  the  time 
of  Jiis  death. 

On  May  25,  1870,  Mr.  Horning  married  Miss  Clara 
Whitman,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Catherine  (Wight) 
Whitman.  Nq  children  were  born  to  them,  but  they  took 
into  their  home  and  hearts  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Horning, 
Anna  Whitmap,  and  also  another  child,  Stella  Garman. 
The  last  named  became  Mrs.  James  Miller,  while  Anna 
Whitman  married  Philip  Ganter.  In  religious  belief  the 
family  were  Evangelical,  and  Mr.  Horning  was  an  ac- 
tive worker  in  the  church  to  which  he  belonged,  at  differ- 
ent times  having  held  almost  all  the  offices  in  it.  He 
was  universally  held  in  high  esteem  for  his  well  known 
honesty,  and  ,his  genial  disposition  and  kindly  nature 
made  him  many  warm  friends.  His  wife  was  a  worthy 
helpmate,  and  their  thirty  years  of  happy  wedded  life 
were  filled  with  acts  of  charity  and  helpfulness  to  the 
needy  or  unhappy.  Their  motto  was  always  the  old  Bibli- 
cal command  "Let  not  thy  ,  right  hand  know  what  thy 
left  hand  doeth,"  and  in  its  spirit  they  lived  and  worked. 

In  Masonic  circles  Mr.  Horning  was  prominent.  He 
joined  Lodge  No.  62,  F.  &  A|.  M.,  Dec.  19,  1865,  and  serv- 
ed as  Worshipful  Master  in  1866.  He  joined  Excelsior 
Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  Oct.  12,  1883,  and  was  High  Priest 
in  1888.  On  April  27,  1887,  he  was  knighted  in  Reading 
Commandery,  K.  T.,  and  was  a  member  of  Rajah  Temple, 
A.  A.  O.  N.  ]\jl.  S.  His  interest  was  largely  absorbed  by 
his  lodge  work,  and  he  never  took  an  active  part  in  poli- 
tics, although  he  was  always  a  good  Republican. 

JOSEPH  S.  De  LONG,  in  his  life  time  a  highly  es- 
teemed and  successful  farmer  near  Topton,  in  Maxatawny 
township,  Berks  county,  was  born  there  Feb.  11,  1837,  and 
died   Feb.  25,   1896,   aged  fifty-nine  years,   fourteen  days. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


771 


Joseph  De  Long,  his  grandfather,  was  a  farmer.  Ac- 
cording to  the  tombstone  in  De  Long's  Bowers  church- 
yard, his  wife,  Susanna  De  Long,  nee  Butz,  was  "born 
March  30,  1782,  died  Jan.  24,  1874,  aged  ninety-one  years, 
ten  months,  four  days." 

Jacob  De  Long,  son  of  Joseph,  was  born  on  his  father's 
farm  near  Bowers,  March  37,  1803,  and  died  Oct.  23, 
1851,  his  remains  being  interred  at  De  Long's  Church. 
He  was  a  life-long  farmer,  and  his  home  is  now  the  prop- 
erty of  the  De  Long  estate.  In  his  time  the  East  Penn 
railroad  had  not  been  built,  and  in  order  to  build  his 
horse  power  shed,  he  was  obliged  to  haul  his  lumber 
from  Allentown.  While  on  one  of  these  trips,  oh  going 
down  Griesemer's  Hill,  he  accidentally  fell  from  the 
wagon,  which  passed  over  him,  killing  him  instantly. 
His  death  caused  great  sorrow  in  the  community,  where 
he  was  universally  esteemed.  On  May  1,  1836,  he  mar- 
ried Sallie  Schaeffer,  who  was  born  Oct.  4,  1803,  daugh- 
ter of  Jonas  Schaeifer,  of  Fleetwood.  She  died  June 
22,  1906,  aged  ninety-two  years,  eight  months,  and  eighteen 
days.  Their  children  were:  Joseph  S.;  Philip,  living  re- 
tired at  Hamburg,  who  has  children— Annie,  Dr.  Percy 
and  Elsie;  Alfred,  a  farmer  at  Monterey,  who  had  ten 
children^  six  now  deceased,  the  survivors  being-^Sallie, 
James,  Luther  and  Ruth ;  and  Elizabeth,  who  married  Dan- 
iel Merkel,  of  Fleetwood,  and  has  children — Ella,  Lewis, 
Sallie   and  Daniel. 

Joseph  S.  De  Long  passed  his  entire  life  as  a  farmer. 
In  1868  he  came  into  possession  of  his  father's  farm, 
a  fine  tract  consisting  of  125  acres  of  land.  He  was  also 
the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  of  160  acres  located  near 
Zion's  Church,  in  Maxatawny  township,  property  that 
is  now  tenanted.  In  all  his  undertakings  Mr.  De  Long 
prospered,  and  his  investments  were  marked  by  sound 
judgment.-  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican,  and  in  religion 
a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  he  is  buried  at 
De  Long's  Church. 

On  Dec.  25,  1869,  Mr.  De  Long  married  Mary  H. 
Yoder,  a  daughter  of  Martin  and  Catharine  (High) 
Yoder,  and  granddaughter  of  Martin  and  Susanna  (Peter) 
Yoder,  of  Oley  township.  Seven  children  blessed  this 
union:  (1)  Katie,  born  in  1871,  died  in  1878.  (2)  Sallie 
born  in  1872,  died  in  1877.  (3)  Harvey  J.,  born  in  1874, 
died  in  1878.  (4)  Rev.  Calvin  Martin,  born  July  7,  1876, 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  the  Keystone  State 
Normal  school  (from  which  he  graduated  in  1894),  Frank- 
lin and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster  (from  which  he  grad- 
uated with  first  honors  in  1900)  Chicago  University,  and 
the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Reformed  Church  of 
America,  Lancaster  (graduating  in  1903).  He  was  sta- 
tioned at  the  New  Goshenhoppen  Reformed  Church  at  East 
Greenville,  Pa.,  where  he  is  still  the  honored  pastor.  He 
is  a  brilliant  and  interesting  speaker,  and  an  earnest 
worker.  On  May  5,  1906,  he  m.  Bessie  Mae  Bauscher, 
and  has  one  child,  Emma  Mary.  (5)  Lizzie  m.  Rev.  John 
Stoudt.  (6)  Frederick  H.,  born  Sept.  23,  1879,  attended 
the  local  schools,  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School,  and 
is  now  the  farmer  on  the  home  farm.  (7)  S.  Molly  m. 
Marion  Hertzog,  a  clerk  at  the  Kutztown  foundry,  Kutz- 
town,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Erma  De  Long. 

J.  GEORGE  SCHAEFER,  who  was  for  many  years 
engaged  in  tailoring  in  the  city  of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born 
in  the  Province  of  Hesse,  Germany,  Feb.  19,  1826,  son 
of  J.  George  and  Elizabeth   (Herbst)   Schaefer. 

Mr.  Schaefer  was  the  youngest  of  his  father's  family, 
and  he  received  his  education  in  his  native  country,  there 
learning  the  tailor  trade  from  his  father.  He  came  to 
America  in  May,  1847,  ,  and  finished  his  trade  with  his 
Ijrother,  Peter  C,  at  Reading.  Mr.  Schaefer  came  direct 
to  Reading,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
engaged  in  tailoring,  thirty  years  being  spent  with  Wil- 
liam Hackey,  who  had  a  place  of  business  at  Seventh 
and  Penn  streets.  A  short  period  before  his  death  Mr. 
Schaefer  lived  retired,  and  he  died  Dec.  3,  1889,  and  Is 
buried  at  St.  Paul's  Catholic  cemetery,  which  is  located 
at  the  foot  of  Neversink  Mountain. 


Mr.  Schaefer  was  married  to  Fredericka  Vogel,  born 
July  17,  1834,  six  miles  from  Mr.  Schaefer's  birthplace 
in  Germany,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Ottillia  (Neiland) 
Vogel,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  children 
as  follows:  Mary  A.  resides  with  her  mother;  Clara  is 
known  in  the  church  as  Sister  Marcus,  and  a  teacher  in 
a  parochial  school;  Father  Joseph  A.,  born  in  Reading, 
attended  the  St.  Paul's  parochial  school  of  Reading  until 
his  thirteenth  year,  Vincent  College  (Latrobe),  Beatty 
P.  O.,  Westmoreland  county,  and  St.  Charles  Seminary 
at  Overbrook,  Montgomery  county,  was  located  at  Potts- 
ville,  and  for  five  years  has  been  at  Manayunk;  Theresa, 
born  Oct.  10,  1860,  died  June  23,  1867 ;  John  F.,  born  Feb.  1, 
1865,  died  Feb.  28,  1870;  Mary  E.,  born  July  30,  1868, 
died  Jan.  18,  1869 ;  and  George  A.,  born  Aug.  12,  1870,  met 
his  death  while  at  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  shops  in 
the  cyclone  of  Jan.  9,- 1889. 

Mr.  J.  George  Schaefer  was  a  faithful  member  of  St. 
Paul's  Catholic  Church.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  his  po- 
litical views,  but  never  took  an  active  part  in  public  mat- 
ters. His  widow,  v\rho  survives  him,  still  lives  at  the 
old  home,  No.  224  North  Ninth  street. 

CHARLES  H.  MACHMER,  who,  as  assistant  super- 
intendent of  the  Reading  branch  of  the  Prudential  Life 
Insurance  Company,  is  well  and  favorably  known  to  a 
large  body  of  his  fellow-citizens,  was  born  Oct.  21,  1878, 
at  Bernville,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  Henry  S.,  a  veteran 
school  teacher  of  Berks  county. 

The  Machmer  family  is  one  of  the  old-established  ones 
of  Berks  county  that  has  a  history  that  is  interesting  to 
preserve.  The  founder  was  Philip  Machmer,  who  was 
born  in  Switzerland  and  came  to  America  in  1753,  set- 
tling in  the  rich  agricultural  domains  of  Berks  county,  Pa. 
He  prospered,  as  in  1759,  he  paid  a  Federal  tax  of  £4, 
in  Bern  township.  He  lived  at  least  twenty  years  after 
settling  here,  as  his  last  will  and  testament,  dated  Nov. 
7,  1773,  was  registered  Dec.  14,  1773.  He  and  his  wife 
Elizabeth  had  five  children,  and  they  were  mentioned  in 
the  will  as  follows :  Nicholas,  who  was  under  twenty-one 
years  of  age  when  the  father  died,  obtained  the  home- 
stead, and  he  was  to  pay  £500  to  his  brothers  and  sisters; 
Mary^m.  Bastian  Bartlet;  Philip  and  George  were  ordered 
by  the  will  to  learn  a  trade  when  they  should  become 
sixteen  years  of  age;  and  Mairgaret. 

Nicholas  Machmer,  yeoman  of  Bern  township,  died  in 
1823.  He  and  his  wife,  Eva,  had  a  daughter,  Elizabeth, 
and  two  sons,  John  and  Peter. 

George  Machmer,  son  of  Philip  Machmer,  died  in  1840. 
He  bequeathed  John  Machmer,  son  of  Nicholas,  $500, 
and  John  Machmer,  son  of  Philip,  $200,  and  also  made 
bequests  to  David  and  Daniel  Machmer,  whose  relation- 
ship he  does  not  specify.    He  had  no  issue. 

Peter  Machmer,  probably  a  son  of  Nicholas,  was  a 
farmer  in  Upper  Bern  township.  He  made  his  will  Jan. 
12,  1852,  which  was  probated  May  33,  1854.  He  and 
wife  Magdalena  had  sons,  John  and  Benneville. 

Michael  Machmer  made  his  will  Nov.  5,  1851,  and  it 
was  probated  in  1873,  the  year  of  his  death.  His  wife, 
Sophia,  was  named  executrix.  The  names  of  his  daugh- 
ters are  not  mentioned  in  the  will,  and,  when  it  was 
made,  his  sons,  Michael,  Franklin  and  Meckley,  were 
all  under  age. 

William  Machmer,  born  in  Maryland  in  1777,  died  in 
Upper  Bern  (now  Tilden)  township,  Berks  county,  in. 
1865.  Among  his  children  were  John  F.,  Jonathan  and 
Abraham. 

John  F.  Machmer,  son  of  William,  died  in  1882,  in 
Upper  Bern  (or  Tilden)  township,  and  both  he  and  his 
father   are   buried   at   St.   Michael's   Church. 

Henry  S.  Machmer,  son  of  John  F.,  was  born  in  Tilden 
township  in  1847,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
■of  his  native  township  and  in  Hamburg,  and  later  at- 
tended the  Millersville  State  Normal  School.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen  he  began  teaching,  and  taught  in  Upper 
Bern,  Centre,  Penn  and  Bernville.  For  seven  terms  he 
was  principal  of  the  Penn  grammar  school,  and  taught 
twenty-four  terms   in  Lower   Heidelberg.     He   is   one   of 


772 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


the  veteran  teachers  of  Berks  county,  and  is  a  well  known 
figure  at  teachers'  institutes.  He  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace  in  Bernville  five  years,  and  is  now  serving  his 
fourth  term  in  that  position  in  Lower  Heidelberg.  He 
married  Susanna  Himmelberger,  daughter  of  John  Him- 
melberger,  of  Centre  township.  They  had  nine  children, 
four  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  survivors  are :  Anson, 
of  Wernersville;  Annie,  m.  to  William  McGreth,  of  Al- 
liance, Ohio;  Edward  H.,  a  painter  at  Reading;  Charles 
H. ;  and  Willis  J.,  of  East  Liverpool,  Ohio. 

Charles  H.  Machmer  was  reared  at  State  Hill,  in  Lower 
Heidelberg  township,  and  there  attended  the  public 
schools,  later  entering  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School, 
at  Kutztown,  and  still  later  took  a  commercial  course,  in 
1899  graduating  from  the  Lebanon  Valley  Business  Col- 
lege. He  also  attended  the  Interstate  Commercial  Col- 
lege at  Reading,  where  he  was  a  student  of  merit.  Prior  to 
identifying  himself  with  life  insurance,  he  taught  school 
in  Lower  Heidelberg  township  and  one  term  at  Robe- 
sonia.  In  May,  1901,  he  connected  himself  with  the 
Prudential  Insurance  Company,  at  the  Reading  agency, 
and  Dec.  23,  1903,  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of 
assistant  superintendent.  He  is  a  most  successful  insur- 
ance man  and  ably  performs  the  many  responsible  duties 
of  his  position.  Since  1902  he  has  occupied  a  home  of 
his  own,  at  No.  364  Schuylkill  avenue. 

In  1897,  Mr.  Machmer  was  married  to  Themson  E. 
Speicher,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  K.  and  Themson 
(Roeder)  Speicher,  of  Robesonia,  and  they  have  had 
three  children,  namely:  Elliott  D.,  born  May  22,  1898, 
died  Jan.  4,  1899;  Stanley  E.,  born  May  27,  1900,  died 
Nov.  8,  1900;  and  Russell  S.,  born  June  19,  1906. 

FRANCIS  H..  MEE,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  who  has  been 
living  retired  since  Sept.  30,  1904,  was  for  many  years 
a  trusted  employe  in  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  rail- 
road shops.  Mr.  Mee  was  born  in  Maiden  Creek  (now 
Berkley),  Sept.  20,  1834,  son  of  George  and  Julianna 
(Hafer)  Mee,  and  a  member  of  an  old  English  Quaker 
family  which  came  to  Pennsylvania  at  an  early  date 'in 
the  country's  history,  locating  in  Chester  county. 

Jonathan  Mee  came  to  Berks  county  from  Chester  coun- 
ty, and  located  in  the  Quaker  settlement  in  Maiden- 
creek  township,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  owning 
a  part  of  the  farm  now  the  property  of  Charles  Dunkel. 
He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  followed  that  voca- 
tion in  addition  to  farming.  He  had  been  reared  a  Quak- 
er, but  on  reaching  manhood,  married  a  woman  of  the  Re- 
formed faith.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  buried  at  Ger- 
nand's  Church  in  Ontelaunee  township.  He  had  three 
sons  and  four  daughters,  namely:  George,  John,  Charles, 
Hettie,  Sallie,  Annie  and  Mary   (Polly). 

George  Mee,  son  of  Jonathan  and  father  of  Francis 
H.,  was  born  in  Maiden-creek  township,  where  he  fol- 
lowed the  trade  of  a  miller  all  of  his  life.  He  died  in 
1871,  in  his  sixtieth  year.  He  married  Julianna  Hafer, 
who  died  in  1858,  aged  forty-five  years,  and  she,  like 
her  husband,  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church. 
In  political  matters  Mr.  Mee  was  an  old-line  Whig.  To 
him  arid  his  wife  were  born  childern  as  follows :  Francis 
H.,  Charles,  Mary  (m.  Alvin  Luckenbill,  deceased),  Hettie 
(m.  Henry  Loy,  of  Hamburg,  Pa.),  and  five  children 
who  died  young. 

Francis  H.  Mee  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  Spring  township,  where  his  parents  lived  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and  for  some  time  after  leaving  school 
worked  at  farm  labor  He  then  served  an  apprenticeship 
to  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  in  1865  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad,  with  which  com- 
pany he  continued  until  his  retirement,  a  period  of  thirty- 
nine  and  one-half  years,  since  which  time  he  has  lived 
a  quiet  life  at  his  home,  No.  1710  Centre  avenue,  Reading. 

In  1858  Mr.  Mee  married  Susan  Kissinger,  daughter  of 
Abraham  and  Abby  (Hill)  Kissinger,  and  to  them  have 
been  born  seven  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  living, 
namely:  Sallie,  George,  Daniel,  Annie,  William,  Alice  and 
Ida.  In  religious  belief  Mr.  Mee  is  a  Lutheran,  and  his 
political    sentiments    are   those    of   the   Democratic   party. 


While  employed  at  the  car  shops  he  was  connected  with 
the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Relief  Society. 

FRANKLIN  R.  HIMMELBERGER,  the  well  known 
carriage  and  wagon  builder  of  the  borough  of  West 
Reading,  was  born  near  Garfield,  in  Centre  township, 
Berks  county,  Feb.  5,  1861,  son  of  Daniel  P.  and  Rebecca 
(Richard)   Himmelberger. 

The  home  of  the  Himmelberger  family  is  in  Upper 
Berks  county.  This  is  an  old  family  and  at  one  time 
quite  a.  numerous  one.  The  Pennsylvania  archives  record 
that  (I)  Valentine  Himmelberger  emigrated  to  this 
country  on  the  "Bilander  Townshead,"  which  landed  at 
Philadelphia  Oct.  5,  1737.  George  Himmelberger,  a 
brother  of  Valentine,  came  over  in  the  ship  "Patience," 
which  qualified  at  Philadelphia  Sept.  19,  1749.  They  both 
located  in  Bern  township,  Berks  county.  Valentine  died 
on  his  farm  in  1788.  He  made  his  will  Feb.  28,  1787, 
and  this  was  recorded  Aug.  2,  1788.  His  wife  had  died 
some  time  before.  Their  eight  children  were :  Philip, 
Jacob,  Elizabeth,  Catharine,  Clara,  George,  Susanna  and 
Eve. 

In  the  Federal  Census  of  1790  George  Himmelberger  is 
recorded  as  the  head  of  a  Bern  township  family  of  ten 
persons,  as  follows :  the  father  and  mother,  two  sons 
under  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  six  daughters.  George 
Himmelberger  died  in  the  fall  of  1831.  His  will  made 
April  19,  1821,  was  probated  Oct.  15th  of  the  same  year, 
and  is  recorded  in  Will  Book  C,  page  248.  The  testator 
at  the  time  of  his  death  lived  in  Bern  township.  The 
executors  of  his  will  were  John  Backenstose  and  others. 
Elizabeth,  his  wife,  survived  him.  The  will  mentions  the 
following  eleven  children :  George,  Jonathan,  Valentine, 
Philip,  Magdalena,  Catharine,  Elizabeth  (Fisher),  Sarah, 
Sybilla,  Susanna  and  David  (deceased,  who  had  a  son, 
Georg) . 

(II)  In  the  Federal  Census  of  1790,  Philip  Himmel- 
berger (son  of  Valentine  the  emigrant)  is  recorded  as  a 
resident  of  Tulpehocken  township  and  the  head  of  a 
family  consisting  .of  ten  members,  father  and  mother, 
five  sons  and  three  daughters.  Two  sons  were  then  above 
sixteen  years  of  age.  The  will  of  Philip  Himmelberger 
is  on  record  in  Will  Book  A,  page  360.  He  died  in  1797. 
The  executors  of  his  will  were  his  sons  Valentine  and 
John,  and  Adam  Riegel.  He  left  a  large  estate,  and  his 
many  carpenter  tools  were  given  his  sons.  At  this  time 
of  the  making  of  his  -will  he  had  two  unmarried  daugh- 
•  ters.     One  of  the  daughters  was  named  Sabila. 

(II)  The  same  Federal  Census  (1790)  shows  Jacob 
Himmelberger  (son  of  Valentine)  a  resident  of  Bern 
township.  His  family  consisted  of  ten  members — father, 
mother,  five  daughters  and  three  sons  then  under  sixteen 
years  of  age.  He  died  in  1824,  and  his  will  is  on  record 
in  Will  Book  C,  page  315.  Among  the  children  were 
Johannes,  Elizabeth  and  Susanna. 

(III)  Valentine  Himmelberger,  son  of  Philip  and  grand- 
son of  Valentine,  died  in  Upper  Tulpehocken  township 
in  1853.  In  his  will  on  record  in  Will  Book  10,  p.  129, 
are  mentioned  sons  Daniel  and  Johannes.  The  former  was 
the  executor  of  his   father's  will. 

(IV)  Daniel  Himmelberger,  son  of  Valentine,  was  a 
farmer  in  what  is-  now  Centre  township.  He  had  a  forty- 
acre  farm  at  Centreville  (now  Garfield)  on  which  he  lived 
and  died.  He  is  buried  at  Belleman'sj  Church  as  is  also 
his  wife.  They  were  members  of  the  Reformed  congre- 
gation. The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Philips.  Their 
three  sons  were :  Isaac,  Moses  and  Daniel  P. 

(V)  Daniel  P.  Himmelberger,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born 
1834-35,  near  Garfield,  in  Centre  township,  and  there  still 
makes  his  home.  He  is  an  excellent  mechanic,  being  a 
carpenter,  blacksmith  and  shoemaker.  He  followed  carp- 
entering many  years,  and  built  many  dwellings  in  his 
and  surrounding  townships.  His  shop  was  a  boon  to 
farmers  for  many  miles  around,  who  went  there  to  have 
shoes  repaired,  carpenter  work  done  or  blacksmithing.  He 
married  Rebecca  Richard,  and  they  had  nine  children : 
Adam,  Daniel,  Franklin  R.,  Levi,  John,  Morris,  Joel, 
George  and'  Sarah   (m.  Milton   Speicher). 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


773 


(VI)  Franklin  R.  Himmelebrger  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm,  where  he  worked  until  he  was  nine  years 
old,  after  -which  he  was  hired  out  and  worked  for  dif- 
ferent fanners  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old,  when 
he  learned  carriage  blacksmithing  from  Daniel  Rapp,  the 
well-known  carriage  builder  at  Reading.  He  remained  in 
Mr.  Rapp's  employ  for  six  years,  and  in  1885  he  opened 
a  small  blacksmith  shop  at  the  west  end  of  the  Penri 
street  bridge,  where  he  followed  his  trade  two  years.  In 
1887  he  associated  himself  with  George  H.  Smith  under 
the  firm  name  of  Himmelberger  &  Smith,  and  this  firm 
existed  for  a  period  of  thirteen  years,  engaged  in  car- 
riage building  and  general  wheelwrighting,  being  very 
successful  from  the  start.  When  the  Belt  Line  was  built 
through  West  Reading,  it  passed  through  this  firm's 
property,  and  the  firm  was  mutually  dissolved.  Mr.  Him- 
melberger built  a  large  plant  at  the  corner  of  Second' 
and  Cherry  streets.  West  Reading,  to  which  he  has  been 
adding  ever  since.  The  first  buildings  were  erected  in 
April,  1901,  but  the  constantly  increasing  business  has 
demanded  much  larger  quarters.  The  main  building  is 
40x100  feet  in  dimensions,  four  stories  high,  with  cement 
basement.  There  is  also  a  four-story  repository  48x60 
feet,  and  several  other  annexes  making  the  total  amount 
of  floor  space  about  36,000  square  feet.  He  employs  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty-five  skilled  mechanics,  and  he  makes 
a  specialty  of  market  and  delivery  wagons,  heavy  wagons 
and  light  pleasure  rigs.  His  .establishment  is  equipped 
with  all  the  latest  improved  machinery,  drying  oven,  ware 
houses,  shedding,  etc.  Besides  handling  all  kinds  of  ve- 
hicles Mr.  Himmelberger  carries  a  complete  line  of  har- 
nesses, blankets,  whips,  etc.  He  does  work  for  a  number 
of  prominent  business  men,  such  as  Kline,  Eppihimer  & 
Co.,  Leinbach  &  Bro.,  Sternbergh  &  .Son,  Dives,  Pomeroy 
&  Stewart,  W.  H.  Ludens,  Whitners,  Mould's,  undertakers 
Seidel  &  Henninger,  George  F.  Baer,  A.  L.  Rhoads  and 
many  others.  He  is  a  thorough  business  man,  and  is 
the  largest  individual  carriage  builder  in  the  county. 

In  March,  1882,  Mr.  Himmelberger  married  Alwilda 
Gabriel,  of  Earlville,  later  of  Reading,  daughter  of  Evan 
and  Elizabeth  (Becker)  Gabriel.  Four  children  have 
blessed  this  union:  Libbie  V.,  Beulah  R.,  Ruth  A.  and 
Martha  M.  Socially  Mr.  Himmelberger  is  a  member  of 
Fidelity  Chamber  No.  5,  Knights  of  Friendship;  and  Camp 
No. -213,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  both  of  Reading.  In  politics 
he  is  a.  Democrat.  When  West  Reading  was  incorpor- 
ated into  a  borough,  and  the  people  were  looking  for 
a  conservative  man  for  their  first  chief  burgess,  they 
unanimously  selected  Mr.  Himmelberger  for  that  respon- 
sible position,  May,  1907.  The  work  of  his  administration 
has  been  marked  by  progress  and  by  a  business-like  con- 
duct of  affairs,  giving  great  satisfaction  to  the  people. 
With  his  family  Mr.  Himmelberger  belongs  to  the  First 
Reformed  Church  of  Reading,  in  w-hich  he  is  a  member 
of  the  consistory,  holding  office  since  1889.  He  was  con- 
firmed in  Belleman's  Union  Church  in  Centre  township 
in  1876.  He  is  a  consistent  Christian  gentleman,  and  is 
regular  in  his  attendance  at  divine  worship. 

WILLIAM  H.  COLEMAN,  a  tinsmith  of  Reading,  em- 
ployed by  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company, 
was  born  in  Reading  Jan.  1,  1860,  son  of  Henry  A.  and 
Hannah  S.   (Hunter)   Coleman. 

Henry  A.  Coleman  was  born  in  Berks  county,  and 
married  Hannah  S.  Hunter,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Hunter, 
of  Oley  township,  Berks  county.  Their  children  were : 
Hunter,  m.  to  Lavina  Strohra,  and  residing  at  Fleetwood; 
William  H. ;  Mary,  m.  to  James  Shunk,  of  Reading. 

William  H.  Coleman  was  reared  in  Pleasantville,  Oley 
township,  by  Isaac  Yoder,  and  he  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools.  When  fifteen  years  of  age  he  com- 
menced learning  the  trade  of  tinsmithing  at  Pleasantville 
with  Maybury  Yoder,  and  after  two  and  one-half  years 
with  him,  he  clerked  for  two  years  for  F.  R.  Cleaver, 
merchant,  at  Pleasantville.  He  then  went  to  Gabelsville,- 
and  for  three  years  more  was  a  clerk,  but  then  he  removed 
to  Grim's  Mill  in  Colebrookdale  township  where  he  farmed 
until  1899.     At  that  time  he  found  an  opening  at  Read- 


ing with  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad,  and  has 
since  contmued  with  this  corporation. 

On  Aug.  7,  1880,  Mr.  Coleman  married  Elmira  R  Feo-- 
ley,  daughter  of  John  F.  and  Elizabeth  (Royer)  Fegley 
„rM,'?  "■  Coleman  have  one  daughter,  Elizabeth,  m. 
to  Wilham  F.  Dentzer,  Jr.,  of  Reading.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dentzer  have  two  children,  Clayton  C.  and  Elizabeth. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coleman  have  in  their  family  a  little  girl 
of  twelve,  Esther  Hartline,  whose  mother  died  when  she 
was  an  infant^ and  her  kind  foster  parents  have  taken 
care  of  her  since  she  was  fourteen  months  of  age. 

The  pleasant  Coleman  home  is  at  No.  531  North  Tenth 
street,  Reading.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coleman  are  members  of 
St.  Paul  s  United  Evangelical  Church  of  Reading. 

GEORGE  KNAPP,  who  died  May  20,  1904,  was  for 
many  years'  a  highly  esteemed  resident  of  Reading,  Pa., 
and  for  a  long  period  an  employe  of  the  Philadelphia  & 
Reading  car  shops  in  that  city.  He  was  born  in  Reading 
m  1847,  son  of  George  Knapp,  Sr.,  a  resident  of'  Reading, 
and  a  native  of  Germany. 

George  Knapp,  Sr.,  was  a  stone  cutter  by  trade  and 
a  skilled  mechanic.  He  died  at  his  home.  No.  913  Button- 
wood  street;  leaving  these  children :  Margaret,  m.  to  John 
Sauer,  who  is  engaged  in  the  shoe  business  on  North 
Ninth  street,  Reading;  Barbara,  m.  to  William  Klump; 
John ;  Rosa,  m.  to-  Frederick  Merkel,  a  brfss  in  the  polish- 
ing department  of  the  shops  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Read- 
ing railroad;  Katie,  m.  to  Henry  Spooer;  and  George. 

George  Knapp  received  his  educational  training  in  the 
schools  of  Reading,  and  when  a  young  man  learned  the 
shoemaking  trade  with  John  Herman,  at  Ninth  and  Penn 
streets.  After  following  that  trade  for  a  period  of  four- 
teen years  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  & 
Reading  shops,  and  was  working  in  the  bolt  drilling 
department  when  he  became  paralyzed  in  his  right  leg,  dur- 
ing, the  cyclone  which  destroyed  the  shops  in  1889.  From 
that  time  until  his  death  Mr.  Knapp  lived  retired. 

Mr.  Knapp  married  Miss  Mary  Reisinger,  daughter  of 
Wolfgang-  and  Mary  Reisinger,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr. 
Reisinger,  who  for  a  number  of  years  was  employed  as 
a  watchman  at  the  Scott  works,  Reading,  died  at  the  age 
of  seventy-seven  years,  three  months.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Knapp  had  the  following  children :  Miss  Maggie  is  at 
home;  Rosa  m.  Peter  Barkert,  and  has  children — Mary, 
Charles,  Loretta,  Margaret,  Jane  and  Naomi;  Martha  m. 
John  Miller,  a  farmer  near  Blandon,  and  has  five  child- 
ren^Ethel,  Joseph,  George,  Helen  and  Bernert;  Albert, 
a  foreman  in  the  machine  department  of  the  shops,  m. 
Minnie.  Smith,  and  has  one  daughter,  Dorothy ;  and  Eliza- 
beth m.  William  F.  Burkhart,  who  is  engaged  in  the  ice 
business  at  No.  939  Moss  street,  and  has  one  daughter, 
Irene.  Mr.  Knapp  was.  a  stanch  Democrat  in  political 
matters  and  served  on  the  election  board  of  the  Ninth 
ward.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of  St.  Paul's  Catholic 
Church,  and  a  member  of  the  two  lodges  connected  there- 
with. He  was  also  identified  with  the  Philadelphia  & 
Reading  Relief  Association  and  with  the  Rainbow  Fire 
Company.  He  was  well-known  in  his  community,  where 
he  had  hosts  of  friends.  Mrs.  Knapp,  who  survives 
her  husband,  resides  at  No.  353  Moss  street. 

JOHN  E.  GOODMAN,  of  Reading,  comes  from  a 
family  resident  in  Berks  county  since  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  war.  So  far  as  can  be  ascertained  the 
first  of  the  name  came  to  this  country  in  1780,  landing 
at  Philadelphia  and  eventually  settling  in  Oley  township, 
Berks  county. 

Jacob  Goodman,  great-grandfather  of  John  E.,  the  first 
of  the  family  born  in  America,  passed  his  early  years 
in  Oley  township,  his  birthplace,  but  on  reaching  manhood 
settled  in  Reading,  on  property  now  owned  by  Joseph 
Shearer,  at  the  corner  of  Eighth  and  Franklin  streets. 
Throughout  his  active  life  he  followed  his  calling  of  a 
wheelwright,  and  he  died  in  Reading  aged  sixty-two  years. 

John  Goodman,  son  of  Jacob,  was  born  in  Reading, 
and  as  he  grew  up  he  adopted  his  father's  trade.  For 
a   year  he   was   located   at   the   corner   of   Liberty    (then 


774 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Court)  and  Eighth  streets,  and  then  removed  to  Franklin 
and  Lemon  streets,  where  he  remained  until  1854,  and 
in  that  year  retired  from  business.  He  was  interested  in 
politics  as  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  served  as  council- 
man from  the  eastern  district.  John  Goodman  married 
Miss  Catherine  Allison,  of  Reading,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  namely:  Mary,  who  died  when 
a  year  and  a  half  old;  Henry;  Catherine;  Jacob;  Maria; 
Eliza;  Sarah,  widow  of  James  Koch;  Daniel  and 
Amanda.  Mr.  Goodman  died  March  13,  1875,  aged 
seventy-three  years,  five  months  and  fifteen  days;  his 
wife  survived  him  and  died  March  14,  1881. 

Jacob  Goodman  was  born  in  Reading  in  1830,  and 
received  a  common  school  education.  At  first  he  carried 
on  the  family  traditions  by  learning  the  trade  of  a  wheel- 
wright, but  later  he  engaged  in  the  butchering  business, 
and  was  occupied  in  that  line  most  of  his  life.  His  first 
butsher  shop  was  on  North  Ninth  street,  near  Penn,  and 
he  moved  from  there  to  Thirteenth  street.  Then  followed 
an  interval  of  four  years  which  Mr.  Goodman  spent  in 
Dover,  Del.,  engaged  in  the  lumber  and  cattle  business, 
but  in  1874  he  returned  to  Reading,  resumed  the  butcher's 
trade,  and  for  seventeen  years  carried  it  on  at  Franklin 
and  Peach  streets.  In  1891  he  took  up  an  entirely  new 
occupation,  going  into  the  hotel  business,  and  during  seven 
years  he  ran  the  "Union  House"  on  Penn  street,  meet- 
ing with  the  same  success  in  this  enterprise  which  had 
attended  his  earlier  efforts.  In  1898  he  retired,  and  from 
that  time  until  his  death  July  7,  1903,  he  was  burdened 
by  no  heavy  responsibilities,  but  was  free  to  enjoy  quietly 
his  last  years. 

Jacob  Goodman  was  married  Dec.  14,  1851,  to  Elizabeth 
Breidegam  who  survives  her  husband,  and  lives  with  her 
son,  John  E.  Three  children  were  born  to  them,  but 
the  two  younger  ones,  Clara  and  Samuel,  twins,  both 
died.  Mr.  Goodman  was  a  Mason,  a  member  of  Chandler 
Lodge,  No.  337.  Like  his  father  he  took  a  keen  interest 
in  political  questions,  was  a  strong  Democrat,  and  was 
chosen  to  help  direct  municipal  affairs,  being  the  repre- 
sefttative  of  the  Third  ward  in  both  the  common  and 
select  councils.  He  was  well  known  in  the  city,  and  had 
many  friends  and  left  the  record  of  a  successful  and 
well  spent  life. 

John  E.  Goodman  _  was  born  July  30,  1856,  while  the 
family  were  sojourning  at  Temple,  Berks  county.  He 
grew  up  in  Reading,  attended  the  public  schools,  and 
then  learned  the  butcher's  business  under  his  father.  But 
he  did  not  make  this  his  permanent  occupation,  and '  in- 
stead took  a  position  with  the  National  Brass  &  Iron 
Works,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  shipping  clerk  for 
thirteen  years.  At  the  present  time  Mr.  Goodman  is  em- 
ployed in  the  Mohn  Hat  Factory. 

In  1883,  Mr.  Goodman  married  Miss  Annie  R.  Harbster, 
of  Reading,  daughter  of  the  late  William  and  Ellen  (Ma- 
thias)  Harbster.  Their  only  child  is  a  daughter,  Clara, 
now  the  wife  of  George  N.  Fehr.  Mr.  Fehr  is'  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  John  N.  Fehr  &  Son,  dealers  in  leaf 
tobacco,  Reading.  Since  1877  Mr.  Goodman  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  belonging  to  Chandler 
Lodge,  No.  237.  His  residence  is  at  No.  824  Franklin 
street. 

JAMES  E.  -DAUTRICH  is  among  the  well  known 
business  men  of  Reading,  Pa.,  engaged  in  contracting  and 
building.  He  was  born  in  this  city  June  7,  1861,  son  of 
James  Dautrich. 

James  Dautrich  was  born  in  1833,  in  Alsace  township, 
Berks  county,  and  when  a  young  man  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade,  coming  to  Reading  when  twenty  years  of 
age.  Here  from  1853  he  followed  his  trade  until  1865, 
in  which  year  he  engaged  in  contracting,  an  occupation 
which  he  continued  to  pursue  until  his  death  May  16,  1899. 
Mr.  _  Dautrich  contracted  specially  in  stone  and  brick, 
furnishing  the  materials  for  some  of  the  largest  and  most 
substantial  buildings  of  the  city,  especially  in  the  North- 
eastern section.  Mr.  Dautrich  married  Annie  Borkert, 
daughter  of  the  late  Captain  John  Borkert,  who  for  many 
years  operated  the  flour  and  grist  mill  at  Antietam  Lake, 


Alsace  township.  She  died  in  June,  1900,  and  both  she 
and  her  husband  are  buried  in  Aulenbach's  cemetery. 
Their  children  were :  Jacob  E.,  James  E,  Philip  A.  and 
Kate    (deceased). 

James  E.  Dautrich  attended  the  public  schools  of  Read- 
ing, and  finished  his  education  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
years  iti  the  grammer  school.  He  then  went  to  learn  the 
hatter's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  few  years  in 
Reading,  after  which  he  went  to  Bridgeport,  Conn.  Mr. 
Dautrich  remained  in  the  New  England  States  altogether 
eleven  years,  and  at  the  end  of  this  time  returned  to- 
Reading,  and  here  resumed  his  trade  until  the  death  of 
his  father,  when  he  took  charge  of  his  father's  business, 
and  has  continued  to  conduct  it  to  the  present  time,  with 
great  success.  He  employs  an  average  of  from  twenty 
to  twenty-five  men,  and  also  furnishes  the  brick  and 
stone  for  the  principal  buildings  in  Reading.  Among 
the  buildings  built  by  Mr.  Dautrich  in  Reading  may  be 
mentioned  the  Curtis  &  Jones  shoe  factory,  the  Nolde 
&  Horst  stocking  factory,  terra  cotta  for  the  large  Dives,. 
Pomeroy  &  Stewart  department  store.  Mr.  Dautrich  lives 
at  No.   119  South  Eleventh  street. 

Mr.  James  E.  Dautrich  was  married  Dec.  13,  1894,  to 
Miss  Amanda  C.  Gettis,  daughter  of  James  and  Lydia 
(Garrett)  Gettis,  of  Berks  county.  Politically  Mr.  Daut- 
rich is  a  Republican,  and  under  Mayor  Adam  H.  Leader 
was  appointed  scavenger  of  the  city,  a  position  which  he 
filled  very  satisfactorily  for  three  years.  He  has  also- 
held  a  number  of  minor  positions,  being  register 
assessor  for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  a  member  of 
Grace  Lutheran  Church.  He  is  fraternally  connected  with 
Camp  No.  560,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  the  Friendship  Fire 
Company. 

AURY  E.  KALBACH,  a  member  of  one  of  the  old 
established  families  of  Berks  county,  resides  at  No.  316- 
North  Second  street,  Reading.  He  was  born  at  Womels- 
dorf.  Pa.,  Oct.  28,  1861,  son  of  Josiah  L.  and,  Catherine 
(Bennethum)  Kalbach,  and  grandson  of  Daniel  and  Kate 
(Lash)  Kalbach. 

George  Kalbach,  great-grandfather  of  Aury  E.,  was  the 
German  emigrant  of  the  family,  who  came  to  Berks  county 
at  an  early  day  and  settled  in  Heidelberg  township.  He 
married  Maria  Spang,  a  member  of  one  of  the  aristo- 
cratic and  wealthy  old  German  families,  the  Spang  estate 
when  settled  being  estimated  at  $7,000,000. 

Daniel  Kalbach,  the  grandfather,  bought  the  old  Bittner 
homestead  in  Spring  township  and  lived  there  for  many 
years,  becoming  a  man  of  importance  and  establishing  a 
reputation  for  strict  integrity.  By  his  first  wife,  Kate 
Yeagley,  his  children  were:  Israel,  of  Ohio;  and  Eliza, 
m.  to  Daniel  Shenfelder,  of  Newmanstown.  He  m.  (sec- 
ond) Mrs.  Kate  (Lash)  Seibert,  widow  of  John  Seibert. 
She  had  one  child  of  her  first  marriage,  Mary  Ann  (m. 
Uriah  Reifsflyder).  By  her  second  marriage,  with  Mr. 
Kalbach,  she  had  the  following  children:  Ellen,  m.  to- 
Henry  Behne;  Josiah  L.  and  William. 

Josiah  L.  Kalbach  learned  the  coach  painting  trade  in 
young  manhood,  and  followed  this  business  for  some 
years,  and  then  went  into  the  candy-making  business,  es- 
tablishing himself  at  Third  and  Ptenn  streets,  where  he 
carried  on  a  successful  business  for  twenty-two  years,  re- 
tiring in  1903.  He  now  lives  retired  at  No.  419  Wash- 
ington street.  Josiah  Kalbach  and  wife,  Catherine  Ben- 
nethum, had  three  children,  namely:  Delia,  m.  to  Harry 
Deysher,  shipping  clerk  at  j.  H.  Sternbergh's  steel  plant; 
Catherine,  m.  to  Ellis  Kirk,  a  cartoonist  _  and  sketch 
artist;  and  Aury  E.  The  family  is  one  which  has  been 
united  for  generations  in  religion  and  politics,  belonging 
to  the  Reformed  Church  and  the  Democratic  party. 

Aury  E.  Kalbach  was  educated  in  the  schools  at  Wom- 
elsdorf,  and  after  completing  his  education,  became  a 
news  agent  for  a  time  and  then  entered  the  Reading  Iron 
Company's  pipe  mill,  but  left  there  to  learn  the  hatter's 
trade.  This  he  followed  for  three  years  and  then  became 
interested  in  local  express  work,  which  he  carried  on  some 
four  years.  He  then  entered  his  father's  employ  and  re- 
mained with  him  as  candy  maker  for  twenty  years.    Since 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


775 


his  father's  retirement,  he  has  devoted  his  attention  to 
transportation,  teaming  for  large  manufacturing  concerns. 
Mr.  Kalbach  was  married,  in  1882,  to  Sallie  Miller,  and 
their  only  child  died  in  infancy.  He  m.  (second)  Sarah 
Wessner,  daughter  of  Mark  and  Sarah  (Bower)  Wessnerof 
Maiden-creek.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  this 
•union:  Mark  Leroy,  born  Nov.  23,  1892,  at  home;  Cath- 
erine Bertha,  born  Aug.  34,  1897;  and  Josiah  Bennethum, 
bQrn  Nov.  29,  1899,  at  home. 

KRIEBEL  FAMILY.  _  The  first  of  this  name  in 
America,  (I)  George  Kriebel,  came  to  Pennsylvania 
in  1734,  a  member  of  the  little  band  of  Schwenk- 
felders  who  emigrated  hither  from  Silesia,  Germany. 
On  Nov.  25,  1740,  he  married  Susanna,  daug-hter  of 
Balthaser  and  Regina  Yeakel,  and  they  had  two  sons: 
George,  born  July  11,  1744;  and  Andrew,  born  Sept. 
17,  1748.  George  Kriebel  died  Sept.  2,  1778,  and  his 
wife,   Susanna,   died   Sept.   14,   1775. 

(II)  Andrew  Kriebel,  son  of  George,  the  emigrant, 
married  May  16,  1771,  Susanna,  daughter  of  Abraham 
Yeakel.  She  died  April  22,  1808,  aged  fifty-seven 
years,  five  months,  fourteen  days.  He  passed  away 
April  17,  1830.  They  had.  nine  children,  as  follows: 
Rosanna,  born  in  1773.  m.  in  1818  Daniel  Diehl,  and 
died  in  1836;  Abraham,  born  Sept.  27,  1774,  m.  Chris- 
tina Kriebel;  Samuel,  born  June  13,  1776,  m.  Chris- 
tina Schultz;  George,  born  Oct.  2,  1778,  died  May  20, 
1779;  Regina,  born  June  25,  1780;  David,  born  July 
19,  1783,  m.  Rosina  Schultz;  Sophia,  born  Nov.  1,  1785; 
Salome,  born  Dec.  9,  1787;  and  Israel,  born  Sept.  14, 
1790. 

(III)  Israel  Kriebel,  born  Sept.  14,  1790,  was  a 
miller  and  lived  near  Chapel,  in  Hereford  township, . 
Berks  county.  He  died  June  14,  1860.  On  May  6, 
1819,  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Schultz, 
and  she  died  in  March,  1859.  They  had  thirteen 
children:  Christina,  born  Oct.  12,  1820  (died  Oct. 
10,  1864);  John,  Feb.  4,  1822;  Samuel,  Nov.  11,  1823 
(died  June  16,  1825);  Susanna,  Jan.  8,  1825;  Elizabeth. 
Aug.  10,  1826;  Henry,  March  25,  1828;  Elias,  Oct.  13, 
1829;  Regina,  Oct.  7,  1831;  Joseph,  June  28,  1833  (died 
Dec.  29,  1859);  Andrew,  Aug.  8,  1835;  Anna,  1838 
(died  1845) ;  Sarah,  1841 '  (died  1845) ;  and  Mary,  July 
14,  1846. 

(IV)  Andrew  Kriebel,  born  in  Hereford  township 
Aug.  8,  1835,  died  Oct.  10,  1876,  on  the  farm  in  that 
township  now  owned  by  his  son  Allen  S.  Kriebel. 
He  is  buried  at  Washington  meeting-house.  He  was 
engaged  as  miller  in  his  father's  mill  in  early  life, 
and  later  gave  all  his  time  to  the  cultivation  of  his 
farm.  He  married  Christina  Schultz,  born  March  8, 
1840,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Polly  (Reichenbach) 
Schultz,  died  March  6,  1906.  To  them  were  born 
three  children,  as  follows:  Allen  S.,  Oscar  S.,  and 
Mary  (m.  to  Milton  Schultz,  a  farmer  of  Upper  Han- 
over township,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pennsylvania). 

(V)  Allen  S.  Kriebel,  a  farmer  in  Hereford  town- 
ship, was  born  June  28,  1861,  at  the  place  he  now 
lives,  and  was  there  reared.  He  attended  school  in 
his  native  township,  and  spent  his  youth  and  early 
manhood  working  on  the  farm  for  his  parents.  After 
reaching  his  majority  he  rented  from  his  mother  and 
continued  farming  thus  for  some  years.  In  the  fall 
of  1898  he  purchased  his  father's  homestead,  where 
he  has  been  doing  well  ever  since.  This  property, 
which  consists  of  sixty  acres  of  farm  land  and  twenty 
acres  of  wood  land,  is  located  near  Treichlersville. 
The  present  stone  dwelling  was  built  in  1862,  by  An- 
drew Kriebel,  and  the  barn  was  put  up  the  follow- 
ing year,  1863.  The  stone  house  replaced  a  dwelling 
— part  wood,  part  log — which  had  stood  for  over  a 
hundred  years.  Mr.  Kriebel  has  made  a  number  of 
improvements  on  the  place  since  it  came  into  his 
possession,  and  it  presents  a  most  attractive  appear- 
ance. In  front  of  the  house  are  two  large  pine  trees 
and  a  'spruce_  tree  in  which  he  takes  especial  pride. 
Good  water  is  one  of  the  valuable  features  of  this 
farm,   and   as   Mr.   Kriebel   has   valuable   live   stock  he 


appreciates  this  fact  particularly.  He  is  a  modern 
farmer  in  every  respect,  having  a  full  line  of  up-to-date 
implements,  including  a  first-class  threshing  outfit, 
a*  he  does  considerable  threshing  in  the  neighbor- 
hood and  surrounding  townships — his  patrons  being 
found  in  Berks,  Bucks,  Montgomery  and  Lehigh  coun- 
ties. He  has  two  gasoline  engines,  one  of  six  and 
one  of  twelve  horse-power.  In  addition  to  such  work, 
he  saws  wood,  bales  hay,  shreds  cornstalks,  etc.,  for 
the  farmers  of  his  section.  He  has  a  telephone  at  his 
house,  and  every  convenience  for  the  facilitation  of 
his  various  enterprises. 

In  1888  Mr.  Kriebel  married  Keturah  Schultz,  daugh- 
ter of  Manoah  and  Annette  (Trump)  Schultz,  of  Here- 
ford, and  to  them  have  been  born  eight  children:  Ada, 
Chester,  Homer,  Owen,  Irene,  Norman,  Raymond  and 
Mary.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kriebel  are  much  interested  in 
the  education  of  their  family.  Their  daughter  Ada  is 
at  present  a  student  in  the  commercial  department 
of  the  Perkiomen  Seminary.  All  the  members  of  the 
Kriebel  family  have  maintained  high  standing  for 
respectability  and  good  citizenship,  and  well  deserve 
the  respect  in  which  they  are  held.  Allen  S.  Kriebel 
and  his  family  belong  to  the  Schwenkfelder  Church, 
and  they  are  also  connected  with  the  Sunday-school, 
he  being  a  member  of  the  board  of  managers,  which 
consists  of  three  members,  corresponding  to  the  board 
of  trustees  of  a  church.  He  is  a  Republican  in  polit- 
ical opinion. 

One  of  the  treasured  possessions  of  this  family  is 
an  old  grandfather's  clock,  which  formerly  belonged 
to  Rev.  William  Schultz.  It  not  only  shows  the  time, 
but  the  day  of  the  month  and  the  movements  of  the 
moon,  and  is  a  valuable  relic. 

Manoah  Schultz,  father  of  Mrs.  Allen  S.  Kriebel, 
was  born  Nov.  23,  1847,  in  Hereford,  and  was  reared 
to  farming,  which  vocation  he  followed  throughout 
his  active  years.  From  1868  he  was  engaged  on  his 
own  account,  in  1873  obtaining  the  homestead  farm 
in  Hereford,  where  he  lived  until  the  spring  of  1906. 
He  then  moved  to  Treichlersville,  where  he  farmed  a 
forty-acre  tract  for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  that  time 
moving  to  the  Abraham  Krauss  tract,  in  Hereford 
township,  which  he  bought,  and  where  he  is  now  living 
retired.  He  is  a  Schwenkfelder  in  religious  faith 
and  has  been  active  in  that  denomination,  having- 
served  as  a  manager  of  the  Sunday-school  for  many 
years. 

Mr.  Schultz  married  Annette  Trump,  born  July  23,. 
1848,  daughter  of  John  and  Sallie  (Conrad)  Trump, 
of  District  township,  died  Nov.  6,  1875.  By  this  unioii 
there  were  four  children:  Katie  m.  Allen  S.  Kriebel; 
Ambrose  met  an  accidental  death  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
six;  Sallie  m.  David  F.  Clemmer;  Annie  Amanda  died 
in  infancy.  Mr.  Schultz's  second  marriage  was  to 
Mary  Wiand,  in  1878.    They  have  had  no  children. 

(V)  Rev.  Oscar  S.  Kriebel,  A.  M.,  D.  D.,  minister 
of  the  Schwenkfelder  Church  and  principal  of  Perkio- 
men Seminary,  is  a  resident  of  Pennsburg,  Montgom- 
ery Co.,  Pa.  He  was  born  Sept.  10,  1863,  in  Hereford 
township,  Berks  county,  and  there  spent  his  boyhood 
days  upon  the  farm,  receiving  his  early  education 
meanwhile  in  the  local  schools.  For  three  or  four 
years  during  this  period  he  was  a  very  active  member 
of  the  celebrated  Hereford  Township  Literary  Society. 
His  spare  hours  were  devoted  to  preparing  himself 
to  teach  school,  with  such  good  results  that  in  the 
summer  of  1880,  when  only  in  his  seventeenth  year,  he 
passed  a  county  examination  under  Prof.  S.  A.  Baer, 
Ph.  D.,  then  superintendent  of  Berks  county,  and  was 
licensed  to  teach  in  the  public  schools.  He  taught 
his  first  term  in  Lower  Milford  township,  Lehigh 
county,  under  Superintendent  J.  O.  Knauss  in  1880- 
1881.  The  two  terms  following  he  taught  the  Schultz 
school  in  his  native  township,  under  the  superintend- 
ency  of  Prof.  D.  S.  Keck.  In  April,  1883,  Mr.  Kriebel 
entered  upon  a  preparatory  course  at  Oberlin  College, 
Oberlin,  Ohio,  where  he  prepared  for  his  college  course, 
meantime  teaching  two  terms   of  school  in   Ohio   and 


776  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 

one    nine    months    term    in    Stronach,    Mich.,    though  Seminary,   which  was   founded  in   1887  by   Rev.   C.   S. 

he   kept   at   his    studies   all   the   while.     He    graduated  Wieand,  of  Pottstown,  Pa.,  'who  was  born  and  reared 

with   honors  from   Oberlin   College  in   1889,  and  from  in   the   Schwenkenfelder   Church.     In   1892,   the   school 

the    O'berlin    Theological    Seminary    in    1903.      Duririg  opened  its  doors  under  the  present  management,  with 

the  first  two  years  of  his  theological  course  in  Oberlin  four   teachers   and   nineteen   scholars.     The   growth   of 

he   also   taught   in   the  pre;paratory  department   of  the  the  school  has  been  remarkable.     In  fifteen  years  the 

college.     He    spent   the   third   year   of   his   theological  teaching  force   was   increased   to   thirty  and  the   total 

■course    in    Germany,    studying    at    the    University    of  enrollment    to    three    hundred   and   sixty-one.      During 

Berlin.  the  last  seventeen  years  the  school  has  enrolled  2,200 

Mr.  Kriebel  was  married  in  1891,  and  he  and  his  wife  different  students  from  practically  all  the  counties  of  Peiln- 

spent  the  following  year  in  travel  and  study  in  Europe,  sylvania,  from  fifteen  different  States  of  the  Union,  and 

Mr.   Kriebel  putting  in  most   of  his  time  at  the  Uni-  from    five   foreign    countries.      Out    of   a   total    of   491 

versify   of   Berlin,    Germany.     Their  jourrieyings   took  graduates,   since   its   reorganization  in   1893,   two   hun- 

them  through  England,  Scotland,.  Holland  and  Germany;  dred    and   eighty-one    have    continued   their   studies   in 

and  in  the  latter  country  Mr.  Kriebel  gave  very  special  sixty-one  higher  institutions  of  learning,  including  Har- 

attention  to  studying  the  school  system  of  the  country,  vard,    Yale,    Princeton,    Columbia,    Cornell,    University 

Dt.    Kriebel   has   devoted   much   of   his    time    to   the  of   Pennsylvania,   Oberlin,   Ann   Arbor   and   practically 

cause  of  the   Schwenkfelder  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  all  the  best  institutions  in  the  East  and  middle  West, 

minister,    being   the   pastor   of    the    followers    of    Caspar  The  institutio"n  is  equipped  with  new  m,odern  build- 

Schwenkfeld  in  the  "Upper  District"  of  the  church, in  ings,   chemical   and   physical   laboratories,   gymnasium, 

Pennsylvania.     He  is  very  active  in  the  denomination,  athletic  field,  etc.     A  Carnegie  library  is  proposed,  but 

having  been  a  member  of  the  Home  and  Foreign  Mis-  not  yet  built.     It  is  located  in  the  upper  part  of  the 

sion   Board  of  the   church   since   its   organization,   and  rich   and  beautiful   Perkiomen   valley.     Pure   fresh   air 

a  member  of  the  Publication  board,  which  has  charge  and  an  abundance  of  excell^ent  spring  water  supply  the 

of    all    the    church    publications,    including    the    works  school  which  is  heated  by  steam  and  lighted  by  elec- 

and   life   of  Caspar   Schwenkenfeld  von   Ossig,   known  tricity. 

as    the    "Corpus    Schwenkenfeldinorium,"    which    when  The  Perkiomen   Railroad,  a  branch  of  the  Philadel- 

completed    will    consist    of    seventeen    volumes.      The  phia  and  Reading  system  runs  through  Pennsburg,  Pa. 

first    volume   appeared    in    1908.      Dr.    Kriebel    is    sec-  Since  1893  Rev.  Dr.  Oscar  S.  Kriebel  has  been  princi- 

retary  of  the  Publication  board.  pal  of  the  school.     The  institution  is  conducted  under 

As  principal  of  Perkiomen  Seminary  since   1893  Dr.  the  auspices  of  the  Schwenkfelder  church.     It  is  man- 

Kriebel  has  attained  front  rank  among  the   educators  aged  by  a  board  of  trustees  consisting  of  thirteen  mem- 

of  the  State,  and  he  is  a  lecturer  and  public  speaker  of  bars,  elected  by  the  Church.     In  1908  the  trustees  were : 

note.     He   is   deeply  interested  in  all   educational   and  M.  K.  Gilbert,  president;  Rev.,  N.  B.  Grubb;  Jacob  D. 

intellectual    movements    which    tend    to    advance    the  Heebner;    Hon.    John    G.    Hersh,    M.    D.,    vice-president; 

civil  or  moral  welfare  of  the  country  and  exerts  a  con-  Adam  Krauss,   secretary;   Hiram  K.   Kriebel;  Jesse  S. 

siderable  influence  in  such  circles.     His  practical  work  Kriebel;   Rev.   E.   E.   S.  Johnson;   Rev.   O.   S.  Kriebel; 

along  his   chosen   lines   has   been  varied   and   efficient.  Rev.    G.    K.    Meschter,    M.    D.;    B.    S.    Schultz;    E.    K. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Civil  Service  Reform  Associa-  Schultz,  treasurer;  and_  Rev.  A.  S.  Shelly, 
tion  of  Pennsylvania,  and  has  taken  an  active  and  prom- 

iment  part  in  the  good  roads  movement  wherever  it  MAHLON  NUNNEMACHER  KLINE,  president  and 
lias  been  propagated  in  Pennsylvania.  In  his  home  general  manager  of  the  Smith,  Kline  &  French  Company,  . 
town  he  is  held  in  profound  respect,  and  those  who  who  conduct  the  largest  wholesale  drug  establishment  in 
know  him  best  speak  of  him  as  a  scholarly,  broad-mind-  Philadelphia,  and  one  of  the  largest  in  the  United  States, 
ed,  public-spirited  and  exemplary  citizen,  a  Christian  was  born  Feb.  6,  1846,  near  Hamburg,  in  Windsor  town- 
gentleman  of  the  highest  type.  ship,   Berks    Co.,    Pa.,   son   of   John   and    Mary    (Nunne- 

In  June,   1907,    Rev.    Oscar   S.   Kriebel   had   the   hon-  macher)   Kline, 

orary    degree    of    Doctor    of    Divinity    conferred   upon  Hans   (Johannes)   Klein,  the  great-great-grandfather  of 

him   by   Franklin   and   Marshall    College,   of   Lancaster,  Mahlon   N.,   a   farmer   of   near   Centreport,   died   in   1795. 

Pa.     Prof.  Kriebel  has  also  completed  most  of  the  re-  He  was  twice  married,   and  by  his   first  union  had  four 

quired  work  for  a  Ph.  D.  degree  in  the  graduate  de-  sons,  John,   Werner,   Nicholas   and  Jacob;   by  his   second 

partment  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.     He  is  a  wife,   Catherine,  he  had  eight  children:   Philip;   Conrad; 

member    of    the    Montgomery    County    Historical    So-  Peter;    Catherine,    who    married    Henry    Lutz;    Barbara, 

ciety,    of    the    Pennsylvania    German    Society,    of    the  who   married   John   Koch;    Elizabeth,   who   married  John 

National  Geographical  Society,  and  has  been  for  years  Tobias;    Mary,    who   married    Christian   Haak    or    Haag, 

president  of  the  Private  Secondary  School  Association  brother   of   Philip's   wife;    and   Margaret   Elizabeth,   who 

of   Pennsylvania.  married  John  Losz.     These  eight  children  are  named  in 

On  June  30,  1891,  Dr.  Kriebel  married  Miss  Corinne  the  last  will  of  the  second  wife,  which  was  probated  in 

Mailer,  of  Castalia,   Erie   Co.,  Ohio,  daughter  of  Capt.  1801.    All  twelve  children  are  named  in  Hans  Klein's  will, 

W.   W.   and   Mary    (Caswell)    Miller.     They   have   had  probated  in  1795. 

three  children,  Frieda,  Mary  and  Louisa,  the  eldest,  Of  the  foregoing  family,  Philip  Klein,  who  was  also 
Frieda,  born  in  Berlin,  Germany,  during  the  parents'  a  farmer  of  the  vicinity  of  Centreport,  was  the  great- 
long  sojourn  abroad.  grandfather  of  Mahlon  N.  He  died  in  1837,  aged  sixty- 
Mrs.  Kriebel's  father,  Capt.  W.  W.  Miller,  served  as  five  years.  By  his  marriage  with  Magdalena  Haag  he  had 
a  captain  throughout  the  Civil  war,  being  popularly  five  children':  John ;  Joseph,  who  married  a  Stetzler ;  Jacob, 
called  the  "Boy  Captain''  because  of  his  youth.  He  who  married  a  Roth;  Charles;  and  Rebecca,  who  married 
was  wounded  at  Gettysburg.  For  ten  years  he  was  Matthias  Hettinger.  The  mother  of  these  children  died 
State  Secretary  of  Agriculture  of  Ohio.  On  the  ma-  in  1856,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years, 
ternal  side  Mrs.  Kriebel  comes  from  a  line  of  patriotic  The  grandfather  of  Mahlon  N.  Kline,  who  like  his  father 
ancestors  who  were  ever  ready  to  risk  their  lives  in  the  and  grandfather  was  engaged  in  farming  near  Centre- 
service  of  their  country,  her  grandfather  Caswell  and  port,  died  in  1835,  aged  thirty-eight  years.  He  was  married 
his  brothers  having  served  with  distinction  in  the  to  Catherine  Faust,  and  by  her  had  six  children:  John; 
Civil  war;  her  great-grandfather  in  the  war  of  1813-15;  William,  who  removed  to  Milton,  Pa.;  Benjamin,  who 
and  her  great-great-grandfather  in  the  Revolutionary  removed  to  near  Pottsville,  Pa.;  Mary,  who  married  Jacob 
war.  Renninger;  Esther,  who  married  John  G.  HoUenbach;  and 

Perkiomen    Seminary.      At    Pennsburg,    Montgomery  Catherine,  who  married  Simon  Hoffman. 

County,     Pa.,     two     and     one-fourth     miles     from     the  John  Kline,  father  of  Mahlon   N.  Kline,  was  a  farmer 

Berks    County   line,   is   located   the   famous   Perkiomen  of  Upper  Bern  '(now  Tilden)   township,  where  he  carried 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


777 


on  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  decease,  in  1889,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-nine  years.  He  took  an  active  interest  in 
the  United  Brethren  Church  situated  several  miles  west 
of  his  residence.  John  Kline  married  Mary  Nunnemacher, 
daughter  of  John  Nunnemacher,  of  the  same  township, 
and  she  died  in  1897,  aged  seventy-three  years,  the 
mother  of  one  son,  Mahlon  N. 

Mahlon  Nunnemacher  Kline  removed  with  his  parents, 
while  still  an  infant,  to  Upper  Bern  (now  Tilden)  town- 
ship, near  Berne  Station,  on  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
railroad.     He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  that  vicinity  and  for  two  years  attended  a  private  school 
at   Reading.     When   fourteen   years   old  he   was   sent   to 
Philadelphia  to  attend  public  school  there  for  a  course  of 
higher  education,  but  he  continued  his  studies  there  for 
only  six  months,  when  he  returned  home,  and  though  but 
fifteen  years  of  age  he  made  application  for  a  position  as 
teacher.     He  passed  an  examination  successfully,  and  was 
given  a  school  several  miles  north  of  Reading,  now  Hyde 
Park,  where  he  taught  for  one  term.     With  this  prepara- 
tion he  directed  his  attention  to  store-keeping,  and,  finding 
a  place  in  a  country  store  at  Hamburg,  a  few  miles  from 
,   home,  he  applied  himself  assiduously  to.  that  work  for  two 
years.     He  then   went  to  the  Eastman   Business   College 
at  Poughkeepsie,  and  after  graduating  from  this  institution 
secured  a  position  as  bookkeeper  with  the  wholesale  drug 
firm  of  Smith  &  Shoemaker,  at  No.  243  North  Third  street, 
Philadelphia.     This  was  in   February,   1865,   and   in  three 
years,  so  highly  were  his  integrity  and  devotion  to  busi- 
ness appreciated,  he  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  firm. 
Mr.    Shoemaker   retired    from   the   firm   in   1869,    and   the 
name  was  changed  to  Smith,  Kline  &  Co.     The  business 
stand  was  at  the  same  place  until  1887,  when  larger  and 
more   convenient   quarters   became   necessary,   and   it   was 
removed  to  Nos.  429-431  Arch  street.    A  year  afterward 
the  firm  was  incorporated.    In  1891,  the  wholesale  business 
of   French,   Richards  &   Co.  being  closed   out,   Harry   B. 
French  joined   the   corporation,   the  name   of   which  was 
changed  to  the  Smith,  Kline  &  French  Company,  and  as 
such  it  has  continued  to  the  present  time.     The  plant  has 
been  much  enlarged  and  the  volume  of  business  developed 
until  it  ranks  third  in  its  line  of  trade  in  the  United  States. 
They  now  occupy  the  premises  at  Nos.  429-435  Arch  street, 
with  laboratory  and  mill  at  Canal  and  Poplar  streets.    Mr. 
Kline   has  been  the  general   manager   of  the  corporation 
since   its    formation   and   its    president   since   1903,   which 
evidences  his  prominence  in  the  successful  management  of 
the  enterprise. 
.  Mr.  Kline  has  been  publicly  identified  with  the  business, 
political,   social  and   religious  affairs   of   Philadelphia  for 
many  years.     He  took  an  active  part  in  the  establishment 
of  the  Bourse  and  was  elected  a  director  in  1900.     The 
Drug  Exchange  was  organized  in  1861,  and  he  became  a 
director  in   1882,  vice-president  in  1883,   and  president  in 
1884.    The  National  Wholesale  Druggists'  Association  was 
organized  in  1882,  and  Mr.   Kline  cooperated  with  other 
wholesale  drug  merchants  in  establishing  it  as  a  body  to 
take  the  place  of  the  Western  Wholesale  Druggists'  As- 
sociation; and  since  that  time  he  has  been  attending  all  of 
its  annual  meetings,  excepting  in  1895,  when  he  was  trav- 
eling in  Europe.     Notwithstanding  his  busy  life  he  took 
time  to  unite  with  other  prominent  citizens  of  Philadelphia 
in   their  efforts  to  reform  local  politics  and  improve  the 
municipal    government,    and    his    activities    in'  this   behalf 
naturally  led  to  his  selection  as  a  member  of  the  executive 
committee  of  the  Lincoln  party,  and  as  treasurer  of  the 
State  committee  in  1905.     In  the  stirring  campaign  of  1906 
he  made   numerous   speeches   in  different  sections   of   the 
State,    advocating  the   election   of   the   candidates   on   the 
Lincoln  party  ticket,  and  thereby  demonstrating  in  a  public 
manner  his  earnest  devotion  to  the  cause  of  political  re- 
form.     Mr.    Kline    has    been    a    member    of    the    Union 
League  since  1896 ;  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Manheim 
Cricket  Club  and  of  the  Philadelphia  Cricket  Club.     Fol- 
lowing  the   religious   inclinations   of   his   parents,   he   has 
been    a   devoted   member   of   the   Church   of   the    Saviour 
(Protestant     Episcopal,    at    Thirty-eighth    and    Chestnut 
streets),  and  has  served  the  Sunday-school  as  its  super- 


intendent since  1896.  He  has  also  officiated  as  a  director 
of  the  Franklin  Reformatory  Home  at  No.  915  Locust 
street  for  upward  of  ten  years.  For  three  months  in 
1895  he  traveled  extensively  on  the  continent  of  Europe, 
and  in- 1897  he  visited  all  the  important  places  of  England, 
Scotland  and  Ireland. 

In  1874,  Mr.  Kline  was  married  to  Isadore  E.  Unger, 
of  Allentown,  daughter  of  Leopold  Paul  and  Hettie  (Hart) 
Unger,  and  by  this  union  he  has  three  children :  Isadore  C, 
who  married  Harry  S.  Valentine,  treasurer  of  the  drug 
corporation  named;  Leah  Elizabeth,  who  married  T.  Car- 
rick  Jordan;  and  Clarence  Mahlon,  who  is  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Smith,  Kline  &  French  Company. 

GEORGE  ALBRECHT,  junior  member  of  the  well 
known  firm  of  Northeimer  &  Albrecht,  practical  plaster- 
ers of  Reading,  Pa.,  was  born  in  that  city,  Oct.  10,  1864, 
son  of  the  late  Isadore  and  Mary  (Reichert)  Albrecht. 

Isadore  Albrecht  was  a  native  of  Baden,  Germany,  and 
came  to  America  in  1848,  landing  at  New  York  City, 
thence  going  to  Philadelphia.  He  had  learned  the  trade 
of  tailor  in  his  native  country,  and  that  occupation  he  fol- 
lowed in  Philadelphia  for  about  one  year,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  located  in  Reading,  in  which  city  he  con- 
tinued to  follow  his  trade  for  a  period  of  twenty-four 
years.  He  was  also  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  at 
Eleventh  and  Walnut  streets,  and  was  well  known  and 
very  successful.  He  died  in  April,  1904,  aged  seventy- 
nine  years.  His  widow,  who  survives  him,  resides  at  No. 
1041  Walnut  street.  They  had  these  children :  Louisa, 
of  Reading;  William,  a  cigar  maker  of  Reading;  John, 
a  contractor  and  builder  of  the  city;  George;  Charles, 
proprietor  of  the  "Friendship  House,"  No.  108  Robeson 
street,  Reading;  and  Matilda,  m.  to  John  Popp,  of  Reading. 

George  Albrecht  attended  the  schools  of  Reading,  his 
first  employment  being  at  Jackson's  Rope  Walk,  whence- 
he  went  to  the  Reading  Hardware  Company.  He  then 
became  employed  at  the  pipe  mill,  and  for  a  time  served 
on  the  police  force  of  the  city  under  Mayor  Jacob  Wei- 
del.  He  learned  the  plastering  trade,  which  he  followed 
for  one  year  in  Philadelphia,  then  returning  to  Reading, 
where  he  engaged  in  business  with  J.  E.  Northeimer,  the 
firm  having  since  been  known  as  Northeimer  &  Albrecht. 

Mr.  Albrecht  married  (first)  Miss  Annie  Boyer,  who 
died,  leaving  one  child,  Annie,  who  died  when  thirteen 
months  old.  Mr.  Albrecht's  second  marriage  was  to 
Jennie  Williams,  born  in  London,  England,  who  came  to 
this  country  when  eight  years  old..  Nine  children,  eight 
of  whom  are  living,  were  born  to  this  union :  Annie,  de- 
ceased; Catherine;  Jennie;  Gerald;  Maria;  Josephine; 
Gertrude;  George,  and  John.  Mr.  Albrecht  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Church. 
He  is  connected  fraternally  with  the  Eagles  Aerie  No. 
66,  and  the  Rainbow  Fire  Company.  Mr.  Albrecht  makes 
his  home  at  No.  215  North  Tenth  street,  Reading,  and 
is  very  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  in  his  community. 

BEN.  H.  ZERR,  a  traveling  salesman  whose  home  is 
in  Reading,  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Pa.,  Oct.  22,  1860, 
and  in  paternal  lines  is  of  Holland  ancestry.  ' 

(I)  George  Zerr,  the  pioneer  ancestor  of  this  family, 
was  a  native  of  Holland,  and  emigrated  to  America  in 
1750.  The  exact  date  of  his  settling  in  Hereford  town- 
ship, Berks  county,  is  unknown,  but  in  1790  he  was  a 
taxable  there,  as  was  also  his  eldest  son  Jacob.  He  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  owned  a  tract  of  160  acres 
of  good  land.  He  died  "old  in  years"  in  1801,  and  was 
survived  by  his  wife,  Sophia.  In  his  will,  recorded  in 
Book  4,  page  37,  he  is  called  a  yeoman.  The  executors 
of  his  will  -were  his  son  Jacob  and  one  Peter  Fink.  The 
children  mentioned  in  the  vrill  were :  Jacob ;  George — "my 
youngest  son  shall  have  the  adjoining  tract  of  150  acres"; 
Catharine  m.  Conrad  Fink;  Magdalena  m.  John  Bickel; 
Mary  m.  Jacob  Keifer. 

(II)  Jacob  Zerr,  eldest  son  of  George,  was  born  in 
Hereford  township  in  1760.  He  settled  on  a  large  farm 
in  Amity  township  at  an  early  date,  and  died  there  March 
1,  1826,  aged  sixty-six.  His  wife  Susanna,  born  in  1766, 
died  Sept.  19,  1842,  and  both  are  buried  in  the  graveyard 


778 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


at  the  Amityville  church.  His  will,  dated  April  19,  1825, 
is  on  record  in  Will  Book  5,  page  487.  He  and  his  wife 
had  the  following  children:  Jacob;  Elizabeth  (Kerst) ; 
George;  Peggy  (Bickel) ;  Henry;  Lidda;  Samuel  and 
Sarah.  , 

(lU)  Jacob  Zerr,  eldest  son  of  Jacob,  ,  was  born  in 
Amity,  but  in  middle  life  he  settled  in  Spring  township 
on  a  farm  located  near  the  Lancaster  bridge.  His  last 
will,  made  on  March  35th,  and  probated  Dec.  6,  1865, 
soon  after  his  death,  is  on  record  in  Will'  Book  11,  page 
436.  He  was  survived  by  his  wife  Mary,  and  the  fol- 
lowing children :  William  and  Elizabeth.  He  left  a  large 
estate,  and  his  son  William  was  bequeathed  the  tavern 
stand  and  tract  of  land  in  Amity  township  consisting  of 
forty-three  acres,  bounded  by  the  Perkiomen  turnpike,  and 
the  house  in  Spring  township  in  which  his  father  died, 
besides  other  land  in  Spring  township. 

(in)  George  Zerr,  third  child  of  Jacob,  was  a  farmer 
at  Geigertown,  in  Union  township,  where  he  died  in  1872. 
In  his  will  he  valued  his  130-acre  farm  at  $6,000,  and 
this  he  bequeathed  to  his  son,  Jacob  G.  By  occupation 
George  Zerr  was  a  linen  weaver.  His  will,  made  July  14, 
1869,  is  recorded  in  Will  Book  12,  page  455.  His  child- 
ren were:  Jacob  G. ;  Christina  m.  Elijah  Geiger;  Hannah 
m.  Jacob  Kachel;  Mary  m.  Joseph  Geiger. 

(III)  Henry  Zerr,  son  of  Jacob,  was  a  farmer  in 
Union  township.  He  died  in  1866,  and  is  buried  at  Geiger- 
town. He  provided  that  his  wife  Elizabeth  should  re- 
main on  the  farm  as  long  as  she  lived.  This  farm  was 
cultivated  by  his  son  Lafayette.  To  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
Zerr  were  born  :  Harriet ;  Elizabeth ;  Mary  Ann ;  George ; 
Lafayette  (who  had  sons,  Henry  H.  and  George  M.) ; 
Hannah;  and  Elizabeth.  , 

(IV)  Jacob  G.  Zerr,  only  son  of  George,  was  a  pros- 
perous farmer  at  Geigertown.  His  children  were :  How- 
ard; Henry;  Jacob  L. ;  Elijah  M.,  a  prosperous  farmer, 
prominently  identified  with  the  Berks  County  Agricul- 
tural Society  and  Farmers'  Union,  whose  three  daugh- 
ters, Sophie  E.,  Eva  A.,  and  Sallie  E.,  are  all  graduates 
of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School;  Eliza;  Mary  Ann; 
Adaline  and  H.  Susanna. 

(III)  Samuel  Zerr,  son  of  Jacob,  is  buried  at  Geiger- 
town. He  married  Catharine  Neida,  born  Sept  10,  1805, 
daughter  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  Neida,  and  she  died 
Aug.  31,  1856,  and  is  buried  at  Amityville.  They  had 
a  son  Samuel. 

(IV)  iSamuel  Zerr,  son  of  Samuel  and  Catharine,  was 
born  in  Amityville,  where  he  lived  until  after  attaining 
his  majority,  when  for  a  short  time  he  lived  in  Lebanon, 
Pa.  He  then  came  to  Reading,  and  was  in  the  sand 
business  for  a  ilumber  of  years  along  the  Schuylkill 
river,  supplying  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway 
Company  with  sand.  The  sand  bank  eventually  came  into 
the  hands  of  Augustus  Hoff,  of  Reading.  Mr.  Zerr  spent 
his  later  years   at   farming   in   Caernarvon  to*nship,   and 

'  there  died  in  the  early  part  of  1860,  and  is  buried  afi 
Geigertown.  He  was  twice  married.  To  his  first  mar- 
riage were  born :  Samuel ;  Augustus ;  Jacob ;  Caroline 
m.  Augustus  Mentz;  and  Catharine  m.  Jacob  Armpries- 
ter.  His  second  wife  was  Catharine  Krum,  and  to  this 
union  was  born  but  one  son,  Ben.  H,  Mrs.  Catharine 
(Krum)    Zerr  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years. 

(V)  Ben  H.  Zerr  was  less  than  a  year  old  when 
his  parents  came  to  Reading,  where  the  family  has  since 
lived.  For  a  time  the  family  home  was  where  the  Elks 
Home  is  now  located  at  Fifth  and  Franklin  streets.  Mr. 
Zerr  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  in 
1879,  when  the  Philomathean  Society  was  organized  he 
became  one  of  the  active  members,  and  so  continued  as 
long  as  the  society  was  in  existence.  This  organization 
was  a  great  factor  in  the  city,  and  many  of  its  members 
became  noted  in  various  walks  of  life.  When  but  twelve 
years  of  age  Mr.  Zerr  became  a  newsboy  for  the  Read- 
ing Eagle,  selling  the  papers  both  in  the  city  and  on 
the  different  railroads  through  this  section  of  the  country. 
When  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  be  became  a. 
.traveling  salesman,  and  in  1882  he  was  one  of  the  first 
to  go  out  from  Reading  to  sell  hosiery  and  pants.     His 


first  experience,  however,  was  in  selling  safes,  afterward 
entering  the  employ  of  the  J.  G.  Leinbach  &  Co.,  Woolen 
Mills,  North  Fourth  street.  In  1892  he  conducted  a  cigar 
store  in  the  "Hotel  Penn"  known  as  the  "Art,"  and 
noted  in  particular  for  its  appointments  in  the  selection 
of  the  fine  draperies,  curtains,  pedestals,  and  engravings. 
In  1907,  with  others,  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
hosiery,  and  in  this  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time. 
Mr.  Zerr  is  a  thorough  business  man,  and  has  a  pleasing 
address.  For  several  years  he  was  active  in  the  base 
ball  world  of  Reading,  and  it  was  his  idea  to  secure 
Lauer's  Park  and  transform  it  into  the  present  ideal  ball 
park.  In  spite  of  his  other  interests  Mr.  Zerr  returned 
to  the  road  in  1895,  and  has  since  continued  at  that 
work,  as   a  merchandise  broker. 

On  Feb.  32,  1883,  Mr.  Zerr  married  Elenora  Muthart, 
daughter  of  John  and  Leah  (Hoyer)  Muthart,  of  Read- 
ing, and  their  children  were :  Walter  B.,  an  electrician 
in  New  York  City;  Florence,  who  died  in  childhood; 
Ben.  H.,  Jr.,  who  died.  Oct.  27,  1908,  aged  seventeen 
years  and  seven  months ;  and  Stewart  R.  The  family 
have  resided  at  No!  148  North  Eleventh  street,  Reading, 
since  1888.  Fraternally  Mr.  Zerr  is  a  member  of  Chand-  ! 
ler  Lodge;  No.  237,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Lodge  No.  115,  B.  P. 
O.  Elks,  and  several  commercial  societies.  In  his  travels 
Mr.  Zerr  has  seen  many  of  the  points  of  interest  of  the 
country. 

(V)  Samuel  Zekr,  son  of  Samuel  and  half-brother  of 
Ben  H.,  lived  in  Reading,  where  he  was  an  upholsterer 
employed  by  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  Com- 
pany. He  died  in  1893,  aged  fifty-two  years.  By  his 
wife,  Susan  Kissinger,  he  had  two  children :  (1)  Sallie 
died  small.  (3)  Samuel,  born  June  27,  1869,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  Reading,  graduated  from  the 
Pharmaceutical  College,  Philadelphia,  in  1891,  and  -has 
been  for  a  number  of  years  manager  of  the  machine 
shop  of  Jacob  S.  Peipher,  his  half-brother;  he  married 
(first)  Katie  Hoffman,  who  died  leaving  two  children, 
Samuel  E.  and  Nora  E.,  and  he  m.  (second)  in  1901, 
Mary  Helfrich,  daughter  of  John  Helfrich,  a  native  of 
Germany^  and  they  have  three  children,  Georgine,  Mary 
and  Harold. 

JOHN  M.  GRILL,  for  a  number  of  years  a  well  known 
agriculturist  of  Cumru  township,  Berks  county,  now  living 
retired  at  Shillington,  Pa.,  was  born  Sept.  13,  1837,  near 
Wernersville,  Berks  county,  son  of  Joseph  and  Hannah 
(Matz)    Grill. 

Joseph  Grill  was  born  Aug.  7,  1806,  in  Cumru,  now 
Spring,  township,  and  was  a  lifelong  farmer.  For  seven 
years  he  lived  on  a  sixteen-acre  tract  in  Lower  Heidel- 
berg township,  and  later  he  removed  to  Spring  township, 
where  he  owned  a  good  farm  on  which  he  died  in  July, 
1891.  He  also  owned  the  old  Grill  homestead  in  Spring 
township,  and  was  in  comfortable  circumstances.  Mr.  Grill 
married  Hannah  Matz,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Shoup)  Matz,  and  to  this  union  there  were  born  children 
as  follows:  Joshua,  m.  to  Mary  Gring;  Mary,  living  at 
Sinking  Spring ;  John  M. ;  Joseph,  who  died  in  childhood ; 
Henry,  m.  to  Sarah  Huyett;  Catherine,  living  in  Sinking 
Spring;  and  Samuel,  who  died  in  childhood. 

John  M.  Grill  attended  the  pay  schools  and  later  the 
free  schools  ol  his  day,  and  his  entire  life  was  spent  in 
farming.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  1890,  in  which 
year  he  removed  to  Shillington,  and  he  has  there  resided 
retired  to  the  present  time.  In  1866  he  commenced  farm- 
ing for  himself  near  the  Green  Tree  in  Cumru  township, 
on  his  father-in-law's  farm,  which  he  acquired  after  the 
latter's  death  July  32,  1891,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years, 
eleven  months,  eleven  days.  In  1890  Mr.  Grill  built  a 
large,  two-story  brick  residence  at  the  corner  of  Phila- 
delphia and  Lancaster  avenues  in  Shillington,  which  the 
family  has  occupied  since  1893.  Mr.  Grill  and  his  brother 
Henry  own  the  old  Grill  homestead  of  120  acres  of  land, 
which  lies  adjacent  to  the  old  Wheat  Field  mines  in 
Spring  township,  and  here  blue  iron  ore  is  found  in  great 
quantity.  At  one  time  Mr.  Grill  was  a  prominent  figure 
in  local  politics,  and  for  a  time  was  a  Democratic  auditor 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


779 


of  Cumru  township.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
Christ's  Union  Church,  Cumru,  of  which  he  is  a  Re- 
formed and  she  a  Lutheran  member.  He  has  been  a 
deacon  and  elder  of  the  church  for  many  years.  In  1893 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grill  attended  the  World's  Fair  at  Chicago, 
and  in  1901  the  Exposition  at  Buffalo,  and  they  have  also 
traveled  extensively  in  other  parts  of  the  country.  They 
are  well  known  in  their  vicinity,  and  have  a  large  social 
circle. 

On  Nov.  21,  1867,  Mr.  Grill  married  Sarah  Fritz,  daugh- 
ter of  Martin, and  Margaretta  (Gring)  Fritz,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Martin  and  Catherine  (Rathje)  Fritz.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Grill's  adopted  daughter,  whom  they  reared  from 
her  third  year,  Sallie  A.  Kohl,  married  Washington  Lein- 
bach,  son  of  James  and  Catharine  (Ahrens),  Reading, 
and  they  have  one  son,  Leroy  K.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lein- 
bach  reside  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grill. 

HENRY  HALLER  was  a  tailor  at  Reading  in  1765,  and 
in  1775  was  engaged  as  an  innkeeper,  by  which  time  he 
had  become  a  man  of  considerable  social  and  political 
influence.  In  the  formation  of  a  regiment  in  Berks  coun- 
ty, as  its  quota  of  the  4,500  men  for  the  Flying  Camp, 
he  was  chosen  Colonel,  but  he  did  not  accompany  the 
regiment  in  its  march  to  Long  Island,  and  did  not  parti- 
cipate in  that  battle.  Shortly  afterward,  however,  he 
commanded  another  battalion  which  went  into  service  in 
New  Jersey.  In  the  public  actions  for  encouraging  the 
Revolution,  he  took  a  prominent  part,  and  next  to  Ed- 
ward Biddle,  George  Nagel,  Jacob  Morgan,  and  Bodo 
Otto,  was  as  prominent  as  any  man  in  Reading.  He  was 
a  delegate  to  the  Provincial  Conference  in  1776,  and  also 
a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  the  Committee  on 
Attainder,  and  the  Committee  to  Collect  Arms,  etc.  lie 
served  as  a  member  of  the  Assembly  from  1776  to  1781. 
During  the  years  1778,  1779  and  1780,  he  was  wagon-mas- 
ter of  Berks  County,  and  during  1779  and  1780,  wagon- 
master-general  of  the  Continental  Army.  The  first  public 
office  he  held  was  that  of  coroner  of  the  county  in  1767. 

After  the  Revolution,  he  moved  up  the  Schuylkill  Val- 
ley beyond  the  Blue  Mountains,  in  Brunswick  township, 
then  still  part  of  Berks  county,  and  there  he  died  in  Sep- 
tember, 1793,  possessed  of  a  very  large  estate.  He  had 
eight  sons;  Frederick, . Jacob,  Henry,  John,  William,  Isaac, 
Benjamin  and  Lewis;  and  two  daughters,  Elizabeth  (m. 
to   William   Mears),   and    Sarah    (m.   to    Samuel   Webb). 

FRANK  L.  KREPS  is  a  plumber  at  Reading,  Pa.,  whose 
establishment  is  situated  at  No.  40 '  North  Sixth  street. 
He  was  born  April  30,  1865,  at  Salem,  Ohio,  son  of  Henry 
and  Mary  (O'Brien)  Kreps. 

Henry  Kreps,  father  of  Frank  L.,  was  also  a  native  of 
Salem,  Ohio,  and  there  spent  his  entire  life,  and  died  _ 
in  1876,  aged  about  thirty-eight  years.  His  trade  was  that ' 
of  machinist,  and  he  was  for  many  years  known  as  a 
skilled  mechanic  and  successful  business  man.  Henry 
Kreps  was  married  to  Mary  O'Brien,  who  died  at  Norris- 
town.  Pa.,  in  August,  1896,  aged  fifty-two  years,  and  to 
them  there  were  born  these  children :  William,  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  silk  at  Paterson,  N.  J. ;  Frank  L. ; 
Charles,  in  the  plumbing  business  at  Fort  Washington,  Pa. ; 
Elwood,  a  carpenter  of  Chester,  Pa.;  Ida,  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Schoffner,  of  Norristown,  Pa. ;  ,  and  Katie,  m.  to 
Frank  Bechtel,  of  near  Coatesville,  Chester  Co.,  Penn- 
sylvania. Mrs.  Mary  (O'Brien)  Kreps  was  a  daughter  of 
George  O'Brien,  a  native  of  a  suburb  of  New  York  City. 
He  was  a  machinist  and  stationary  engineer.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Sallie,  Elizabeth,-  Mary  and  John  (who  lo- 
cated  at   Chester,   Pa.,  and   died  in  the   early   seventies). 

Frank  L.  Kreps  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  town,  and  when  twelve  years  old  went  to  Dela- 
ware, later  to  Chester  county.  Pa.,  and  finally  to  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  learned  the  plumbing  trade,  following  that 
occupation  for  about  six  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time  he  removed  to  Norristown,  Pa.,  where  for  one  year 
he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  State'  Government,  as  a 
plumber,  and  the  next  year  was  spent  at  Phoenixville, 
where  he  was  connected  with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 


Company.  Mr.  Kreps  then  spent  six  months  at  Pottstown, 
Pa.,  coming  to  Reading  in  1892,  where  for  thirteen  years 
he  was  employed  by  the  plumbing  firm  of  Ed.  Schull  & 
Co.  In  1907  Mr.  Kreps  engaged  in  business  on  his  own 
account,  opening  an  establishment  at  No.  108  North  Eighth 
street,  and  later  his  present  place,  conveniently  situated 
in  the  down-town  district,  No.  40  North  Sixth  street.  He 
is  a  practical  plumber,  gas,  hot  water  and  steam-fitter. 
Mr.  Kreps  was  married  to  Maggie  Garrison,  of  Read- 
ing, and  their  residence  is  situated  at  No.  108  North  Eighth 
street.  Fraternally  Mr.  Kreps  is  connected  with  Aerie 
No.  66,  F.  O.  E.,  of  Reading,  and  he  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Master  Plumbers'  Association. 

WILLIAM  W.  SEITZINGER.  In  the  early  death  of 
William  W.  Seitzinger,  which  occurred  at  his  home  Sept. 
21,  1900,  there  was  lost  to  the  city  of  Reading  one  of  its 
most  enterprising  young  business  men.  Mr.  Seitzinger 
was  born  in  1860,  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  son  of  Jacob  J. 
and  Hannah    (Collins)    Seitzinger. 

After  leaving  the  common  schools  of  his  native  city  Mr. 
Seitzinger  entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  from 
which  he  was  graduated,  and  in  April,  1896,  he  took  up 
civil  engineering.  Later  he  became  associated  with  Mr. 
James  K.  Getz,  as  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Read- 
ing Shale  Brick  Company,  a  prominent  business  concern, 
and  in  this  capacity  he  was  serving  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  was  an  able  business  man,  arid  was  popular  in 
business  and  fraternal  circles.  Mr.  Seitzinger  was  a  thirty- 
second  degree  Mason,  a  member  of  Rajah  Temple,  A.  A. 
O.  N.  M.  S.,  and  was  also  connected  with  the  Wyomissing 
and  Berkshire  Clubs.  In  religious  belief  he  was  a  Luth- 
eran, and  attended  Trinity  Church  of  that  faith,  of  which 
his  widow  is  a  member. 

In  1895  Mr.  Seitzinger  married  Miss  Anna  L.  Barbey,  the 
eldest  daughter  of  John  Barbey,  a  sketch  of  whose  life 
will  be  found  elsewhere. 

CYRUS  G.  DERR,  lawyer  of  Reading,  was  born  July 
18,  1848,  at  Lebanon,  Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.,  son  of  William 
M.  Derr,  a  leading  member  until  his  death  of  the  Lebanon 
Bar,  at  which  he  practised  for  forty  years. 

George  Derr,  his  grandfather,  was  born  in  Berks  county 
in  1800,  moved  to  Reading  when  a  young  man,  and  there 
married.  When  his  son  William  was  three  months  -old 
he  removed  with  his  family  to  Lebanon,  Pa.,  where  he 
became  a  prominent  citizen.  He  became  identified  with 
the  construction  of  the  Union  canal,  being  superintendent 
of  the  middle  division,  extending  from  Myerstown  to  the 
Swatara.  He  served  as  chief  burgess,  was  a  trustee  of 
Lebanon  Seminary,  and  was  active  in  church  work,  being 
one  of  the  founders  of  Zion  Lutheran  Church,  which  he 
also  served  in  an  official  capacity.    He  died  in  1880. 

The  Derr  family  is  of  Irish  extraction,  and  the  immigrant 
ancestor  spelled  the  name  Derry,  but  the  "y"  was  dropped 
in  course  of  time.  He  settled  near  Monocacy,  Berks  Co., 
Pa.,  engaged  in  farming,  and  acquired  considerable 
property. 

William  M.  Derr  was  born  in  Reading,  Pa.,  in  1827,  and 
as  above  stated  was  three  months  old  when  the  family 
moved  to  Lebanon.  He  received  his  early  education  in' 
the  public  schools  and  in  Lebanon  Academy,  and,  choosing 
his  life  work,  began  the  study  of  law.  But  in  deference 
to  his  parents'  wishes  he  took  up  medicine,  at  the  Penn- 
sylvania Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  and  before  settling 
dow;i  to  his  first  choice  also  studied  theology  and  archi- 
tecture. In  the  end  he  returned  to  law,  and  meantime  he 
spent  a  couple  of  years  in  the  Western  States,  being  in 
fact  first  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  Illinois.  His  experiences 
broadened  him  and  quickened  his  perceptions.  In  1858  he 
was  admitted  to  the  Lebanon  county  Bar,  and  there  he 
practised  for  almost  forty  years,  until  his  death,  May  31, 
1897.  He  was  foremost  in  many  respects  among  the  mem- 
bers of  his  profession,  was  long  a  member  and  for  some 
time  president  of  the  Lebanon  Bar  Association,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  was  the  oldest  member  of  the 
Lebanon  Bar.  But  his  intellectual  strength  had  never 
waned,  and  he  was  known  to  the  last  as  a  profound  scholar 


780 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


and  learned  legal  adviser,  a  man  of  keen  wit  and  eloquent 
speech,  and  he  used  his  gifts  for  the  benefit  of  his  fellow- 
men  as  much  as  his  own  interests.  He  was  solicited  to  be- 
come judge,  but  declined.  To  an  unusual  degree  he  held  the 
confidence  of  his  clients 'and  of  the  public,  for  he  was  known 
as  a  man  who  gave  the  best  that  was  in  him  to  his  work 
and  his  patrons,  and  he  was  ever  ready  to  espouse  a 
cause  for  the  right,  his  poorer  clients  receiving  the  same 
consideration  that  he  gave  to  those  of  means.  He  was  a 
member  of  St.  John's  Reformed  Church  and  a  liberal  con- 
tributor to  the  Widows'  Home  and  to  other  charitable 
institutions.  In  political  sentiment  he  was  a  Republican, 
and  he  wielded  a  strong  influence  in  his  party,  though  he 
had  no  political  aspirations  himself.  During  the  Civil  war 
he  entered  the  Union  service,  organizing  and  becoming 
the  first  Captain  of  Company  A,  93d  Regt.  P.  V.  I.,  and 
served  in  the  Virginia  campaign.  .    ,    _       ,.        „■,, 

On  April  3,  1846,  Mr.  Derr  married  Caroline  HUde- 
brand,  born  March  23,  1826,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
Elizabeth  (Brubaker)  Hildebrand,  of  Lancaster  county, 
and  two  children  were  born  of  this  union:  Francis,  who 
died  young,  and  Cyrus  G.  ,        •        •      ^i. 

Cyrus  G.  Derr  received  his  literary  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Lebanon,  and  his  legal  preparation  in 
the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
Though  only  a  boy  during  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted,  in 
1863,  in  Company  E,  26th  Regiment,  Emergency  Troops, 
and  was  taken  prisoner  in  a  skirmish  with  Jenkins  Confed- 
erate Cavalry,  near  Gettysburg,  a  few  days  before  the 
famous  battle.  He  was  later  paroled.  The  next  year, 
during  the  invasion  in  which  Chambersburg  was  burned, 
he  enlisted  for  one  hundred  days,  serving  in  Company  G, 
of  an  independent  organization,  commanded  by  Lieut.-Col. 
Charles  Stewart;  this  company  was  largely  made  up  of 
students  from  the  Pennsylvania  Agricultural  College  m 
Centre  county.  As  a  precaution  in  case  he  was  again  cap- 
tured, Mr.  Derr's  second  enlistment  was  made  under  the 
'  name  "Calvin"  Derr,  as  he  was  uncertain  whether  a  Con- 
federate court-martial  would  construe  the  parole  of  the 
preceding  year  as  he  did,  limited  to  the  period  of  his  first 
term  of  service. 

Mr.  Derr  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  August,  1869,  and 
after  practising  a  year  with  his  father  located  in  Reading. 
Though  he  met  with  success  at  once  his  father  induced 
him  to  return  to  Lebanon  after  a  year,  but  he  was  so  well 
impressed  with  the  possibilities  Reading  offered  him 
that  he  settled  there  permanently  in  1872,  since  which  time 
he  has  been  in  continuous  practice.  During  his  earlier 
years  he  gave  much  time  to  literary  work,  but  of  late 
his  legal  responsibilities  have  been  so  heavy  as  to  preclude 
almost  all  other  work,  his  large  clientele  including  a  num- 
ber of  important  corporations,  among  them  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company  and  the  Pennsylvania  Trust  Com- 
pany. Like  his  father,  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  but 
without  official'  ambitions. 

Mr.  Derr  was  one  of  the  founders  and  proprietors  of 
the  old  Reading  Review,  an  independent  publication,  which 
during  the  few  years  of  its  existence  became  noted  for 
its  fearlessness  and  aggressive  policy.  He  was  a  regular 
contributor  to  its  columns.  He  was  a  member  and  pro- 
moter of  the  Reading  Lyceum  and  Reading  Literary 
Society,  and  delivered  lectures  in  Reading  and  other 
places  upon  Shakespeare's  "Merchant  of  Venice,"  Scott's 
"Lay  of  the  Last  Minstrel"  and  the  "Oratory  of  St.  Paul." 
His  literary  attainments  are  noteworthy. 

On  Nov.  30,  1870,  Mr.  Derr  married  Mary  Virginia 
Weidman,  daughter  of  Gen.  John  Weidman  and  sister  of 
the  late  Maj.  Grant  Weidman,  of  Lebanon.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Derr  have  one  child,  Caroline  Roberts,  now  the  wife  of 
John  M.  Archer,  of  Reading. 

HIESTER  H.  MUHLENBERG,  M.  D.,  was  born  at 
Reading,  Jan.  15,  1812,  son  of  the  distinguished  Rev. 
Henry  Augustus  Muhlenberg,  pastor  of  the  Trinity  Lu- 
theran Church  of  Reading,  afterward  member  of  Con- 
gress and  Ambassador  to  Austria,  and  at  the  time  of 
his    death    the    candidate    of    the    Democratic    party    for 


Governor    of    Pennsylvania.      His    mother    was    Rebecca 
Hiester,  daughter  of  Gov.  Joseph  Hiester. 

Mr.  Muhlenberg  gained  his  preliminary  education  under 
the  instruction  of  Rev.  John  F.  Grier,  in  the  Reading 
Academy.  In  1826  he  entered  the  sophomore  class  of 
Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  from  which  institution  he  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1829.  Having  chosen  medi- 
cine as  his  profession,  he  began  study  in  the  office  oi 
Dr.  Thomas  Harris,  a  physician  of  excellent  reputation 
in  Philadelphia.  He  attended  the  medical  lectures  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  during  the  winter  of  1831  and 
1832,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institAtion  with  the 
class  of  1832.  Dr.  Muhlenberg  began  practice  in  his  na- 
tive city  and  continued  it  for  eight  years:  During  this 
period  and  for  some  years  following  he  took  an  active 
interest  in  politics,  and  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil 
war  he  remained  a  firm  and  consistent  Democrat.  During 
the  Civil  war  he  twice  enlisted  in  the  Pennsylvania  State  f 
Volunteers — once  before  the  battle  at  Antietam,  and 
again  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 

During  the  panic  of  1837  the  affairs  of  the  Farmers 
Bank  of  Reading  became  very  much  involved,  and  the 
complete  ruin  of  the  bank  seemed  close  at  hand.  The 
integrity,  capacity  and  financial  ability  of  Dr.  Muhlen- 
berg were  so  well  known  that  he  was  placed  temporarily 
in  charge  of  the  bank  in  order  to  restore  its  affairs  to  a 
sound  and  healthy  condition.  His  management  of  its 
affairs  was  so  successful  that  he  was  induced  to  give  up 
his  intention  of  resuming  his  practice  of  medicine  and 
urged  to  accept  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  Farmers 
Bank  in  March,  1842.  From  that  time  until  his  death 
he  was  annually  re-elected,  serving  continuously  in  that 
position  for  a  period  of  forty-four  years.  The  high 
standing  and  character  of  the  cashier  preserved  the 
bank  from  embarrassment  during  the  panic  of  1857,  the 
financial  troubles  incident  to  the  Civil  war  and  the  finan- 
cial crisis  of  1873.  During  all  these  periods  of  financial 
depression  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Reading  always  main- 
tained the  highest  reputation  for  great  financial  strength 
and  for  the  soundest  business  management.  The  suc- 
cess and  reputation  of  the  bank  in  all  these  years  was 
mainly  due  to  the  ability  and  high  character  of  its  cash- 
ier. 

Dr.  Muhlenberg  was  for  ten  years  a  member  of  coun- 
cils of  the  borough  of  Reading,  and  a  member  of  the 
first  councils  after  the  city  incorporation  in  1850.  Prior 
to  the  Civil  war  he  took  great  interest  and  active  part 
in  the  volunteer  military  organizations  of  his  own  coun- 
ty. He  entered  a  noted  company,  called  the  Washington 
Grays,  as  a  private,  and  afterward  became  lieutenant. 
During  the  Catholic  riots  of  1844,  in  Philadelphia,  as 
lieutenant  of  the  Washington  Grays  he  formed  part  of 
the  force  sent  to  that  city  to  assist  in  quelling  the  riot. 
'  Dr  Muhlenberg  was  one  of  the  original  trustees  ,of  the 
Charles  Evans  Cemetery  Company,  and  for  many  years 
was  the  president  of  that  corporation.  He  was  a  director 
and  president  of  the  Reading  Water  Company.  He  was 
always  a  public  spirited  and  enterprising  citizen,  and  his 
generosity  was  well-known.  He  favored  and  assisted 
the  development  of  his  native  city  by  every  proper  means 
within  his   power. 

Dr.  Muhlenberg  was  twice  married,  first  to  Amelia 
Hanold,  and  second  to  Catherine  S.  Hunter,  both  of  • 
Reading,  Pa.  By  the  second  marriage  he  had  seven 
children.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
in  1830,  and  was  a  member  of  the  vestry  of  Trinity  Church 
for  many  years.  He  died  May  5,  1886,  survived  by  seven 
children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living. 

HENRY  A.  MUHLENBERG  2d  was  born  at  Read- 
ing, July  21,  1823,  son  of  Henry  Augustus  and  Rebecca 
(Hiester)  Muhlenberg,  the  latter  the  daughter  of  Gov. 
Joseph  Hiester.  He  gained  his  preliminary  education  un- 
der the  direction  of  his  father,  and  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen years  entered  Jefferson  College,  at  Canonsburg, 
Pa.,  where  he  remained  one  year,  after  which  he  became 
a  member  of  the  sophomore  class  at  Dickinson  College, 
at  Carlisle,  graduating  from  that  institution  in  1841.     He 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


781 


was  a  close  student,  especially  of  the  classics  and  history. 
From  1841  to  1844  he  was  engaged  in  the  study  of  the 
law  with  Hon.  J.  Pringle  Jones.  He  entered  public  life 
almost  immediately.  During  his  father's  candidacy  for 
Governor,  in  1844,  he  displayed  marked  ability  as  his 
private  secretary,  and  conducted  all  his  father's  corre- 
spondence during  the  canvass.  In  1846,  when  the  Mexi- 
can war  broke  out,  he  raised  a  company  of  volunteers 
in  Reading,  and  personally  tendered  their  services  to  the 
Governor,,  but  the  complement  of  Pennsylvania  having 
already  been  filled  the  offer  was  declined.  In  the  county 
convention  of  1846,  he  and  his  brother  Hiester,  the  presi- 
dent of  that  body,  were  mainly  instrumental  in  causing 
the  adoption  of  a  resolution  approving  of  the  principles 
of  the  tariff  of  1842,  and  demanding  that,  as  it  was  passed 
by  Democratic  votes,  it  should  receive  a  fair  considera- 
tion from  a  Democratic  Congress.  He  also  delivered  a 
speech  in  the  same  body  on  the  Oregon  question,  in  which 
he  strongly  favored  the  claims  of  the  United  States  to 
all  that  district  of  country  lying  south  of  the  parallel  of 
54  .degrees  40  minutes.  In  1847  and  1848  he  was  occu- 
pied in  writing  a  "Life  of  General  Peter  Muhlenberg," 
of  Revolutionary  fame,  which  was  published  early  in 
1849,  by  Gary  &  Hart,  Philadelphia,  and  was  well  re- 
ceived. It  was  dedicated  to  Jared  Spa'rks,  as  a  slight 
recognition  of  his  services  in  elucidating  our  Revolu- 
tionary history. 

In  the  fall  of  1849  Mr.  Muhlenberg  was  elected  to  the 
State  Senate  from  Berks  county,  and  served  three  years, 
1850-52.  He  there  acquired  a  reputation  for  integrity, 
eloquence  and  business  ability.  Shortly  after  taking  his 
seat  he  delivered  a  .speech  on  the  supplement  to  the  act 
incorporating  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad  Com- 
pany, which  greatly  influenced  the  Senate  in  its  decision 
to  pass  the  measure.  During  the  second 'part  of  his  Sena- 
torial career  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Speak- 
er, though  the  youngest  member  of  that  House,  his  com- 
petitor on  the  Whig  side  being  Hon.  John  H.  Walker, 
of  Erie  (the  president  of  the  Constitutional  Convention 
of  1872-73).  The  Senate  then  contained  sixteen  Whigs, 
sixteen  Democrats  and  one  native  American,  and  a  ma- 
jority of  all  who  voted  was  required  to  elect.  On  the 
eighth-  ballot,  and  on  the  third  day,  when  it  was  evident 
that  no  choice  could  be  made,  unless  the  Whig  candidate 
should  vote  for  himself,  the  Democratic  candidate,  to- 
gether with  Messrs.  Packer  and  Guernsey,  also  Demo- 
crats, out  of  political  courtesy,  abstained  from  voting. 
Throughout  the  whole  contest  the  two  candidates  re- 
spectively voted  for  Thomas  Carson  and  William  F.  Pack- 
er. As  chairman  of  a  select  committee  to  which  was  re- 
ferred that  portion  of  Governor  Johnston's  message  for 
1851  treating  of  the  care  and  preservation  of  the  State 
archives,  Mr.  Muhlenberg  reported  a  bill,  which  be- 
came a  law,  for  the  publication,  at  the  expense  of  the 
State,  of  the  records  of  the  proprietary  government  and 
of  all  papers  relating  to  the  Revolutionary  war  down  to 
1783.  He  was  greatly  instrumental  in  securing  the  pas- 
sage of  an  act  making  an  appropriation  to  continue  the 
geological  survey  of  the  State,  conducted  by  Professor 
Rogers.  He'  favored  also  the  building  of  new  railroads 
to  develop  the  resources  of  the  Commonwealth,,  though 
he  was  opposed  to  the  Slate  granting  any  direct  aid  to 
these  objects.  During  the  whole  of  his  Senatorial  term 
he  was,  in  the  words  of  Hon.  C.  R.  Buckalew,  "The  bul- 
wark of  the  treasury  against  the  assaults  of  outside  in- 
terested parties."  He  was  outspoken  in  defense  of  a 
tariff  of  such  amount  and  so  levied  as  to  protect  the 
great  manufacturing  interests  of  the  country.  He  also 
thought  that  as  iron  was  an  indispensable  requisite  for  any 
nation,  to  provide  _  against  the  contingency  of  war,  and 
to  render  the  United  States  independent  of  any  other 
country,  a  high,  though  not  a  prohibitory  duty,  should 
be  imposed  on  that  article. 

In  the  Senate  and  in  the  county  conventions,  he,  in 
connection  with  Judge  Strong  and  other  distinguished 
Democrats,  demanded  a  modification  of  the  tariff  of  1846, 
in  favor  of  the  iron  interest,  in  accordance  with  the  views 
of  Hon.  Robert  J.  Walker,  the  author  of  that  tariff — views 


expressed  at  the  time  of  its  passage.  He  was  an  earnest 
opponent  of  slavery,  and  considered  it  "a  curse  to  that 
community  on  which  it  was  inflicted;  no  one  could  dis- 
like it  more  than  he  did,  nor  did  he  ever  wish  to  be 
thought  the  friend  and  advocate  of  the  institution."  In 
his  devotion,  however,  to  the  Union,  and  in  his  desire 
to  do  away  with  all  causes  which  might  inflame  one  sec- 
tion of  the  country  against  the  other,  looking  upon  the 
compromise  measures  of  1850  as  a  solemn  compact  be- 
tween the  North  and  South,  he  thought  those  measures 
and  the  laws  resulting  from  them  should  be  executed 
fully,  honestly  and  com,pletely.  His  devotion  to_  the 
Union  was  one  of  the  cardinal  principles  of  his  political 
faith.  The  words  used  by  his  father  in  Congress,  at  the 
time  of  Clay's  compromise  act  of  1833,  might  be  placed  in 
his  mouth  also, — "The  Union  is  the  first  and  greatest  of 
our  national  blessings,  and  to  preserve  it,  nothing  can  or 
ought  to  be  too  precious.  I  go  for  the  Union,  the  whole 
Union  and  nothing  but  the  Union.  It  must  be  preserved, 
peaceably,  if  we  can,  forcibly  if  we  must."  No  one  who 
knew  him  intimately  can  doubt  for  a  moment  that  had 
he  lived  until  the  crisis  he  would  have  been  foremost  in 
the  van  of  those  Democrats  who,  in  the  hour  of  great- 
est danger,  rushed  to  the  rescue  of  their,  government 
and  of  their  Union.  At  such  a  time  he  would  not  have 
been  behind  his  brother  Hiester,  or  his  uncle.  Dr.  F.  A. 
Muhlenberg,  of  Lancaster,  in  forming  that  party  which, 
in  their  opinion,  held  the  true  Democratic  doctrine,  in 
that  it  advocated  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  masses. 

In  July,  1852,  Mr.  Muhlenberg  was  nominated  by  ac- 
clamation the  Democratic  candidate  for  Congress  in  Berks 
county,  and  was  elected  the  following  October  by  a  large 
majority.  He  left  Reading  late  in  November,  1853,  for 
Washington,  and  was  present  at  the  opening  of  the 
XXXIVth  Congress,  but  he  appeared  in  that  body  only 
one  day.  He  was  stricken  down  by  illness,  and  though 
everything  was  done  for  him  that  was  possible,  and  it 
was  believed  at  one  time  that  he  was  materially  im- 
proved, a  relapse  occurred  and  he  died  Jan.  9,  1854,  of 
hemorrhage  and  congestion  of  the  lungs.  His  remains 
were  laid  to  rest  in  the  Charles  Evans  cemetery  at  Read- 
ing. 

He  was  a  warm  and  true  friend ;  no  act  of  kindness  was 
ever  forgotten  by  him,  and  nothing  within  the  limits 
of  possibility  was  deemed  too  difficult  when  done  in 
the  cause  of  a  friend.  His  fearlessness  in  all  departments 
of  life  was  one  of  the  most  marked  traits  of  his  charac- 
ter ;  he  never  shunned  bearing  the  responsibility  of  any 
of  his  actions*  he  did  what  he  considered  his  duty,  no 
matter  what  the  consequences  might  be.  Above  all, 
throughout  all  of  his  public  life  he  was  a  man  of  un- 
swerving integrity  and  unblemished  honor;  he  would  do 
nothing,  however  great  the  inducements  to  the  contrary, 
which  could  lower  himself  in  his  own  esteem  or  in  that 
of  others.  His  standard  was  a  very  high  one,  and  when 
he  believed  himself  to  be  right  no  power  on  earth  could 
divert  him  from  the  path  which  honor,  good  faith,  good 
feeling  and  his  own  judgment  pointed  out.  He  possessed 
an  ample  fortune,  from  which  he  was  ever  ready  to  con- 
tribute to  all  objects,  whether  charitable,  religious,  politi- 
cal or  literary,  which  deserved  his  support. 

As  a  citizen  of  Reading,  Mr.  Muhlenberg  was  fore- 
most in  advancing,  by  pen,  tongue  and  purse,  all  projects 
which  could  benefit  or  increase  the  prosperity  of  his  na- 
tive place.  Had  he  lived,  be  would  have  written  his  name 
on  the  historical  records  of  his  country,  and  would 
have  impressed  his  character  on  her  legislation;  cut  off 
untimely  in  the  flower  of  his  youth,  and  in  the  very  ma- 
turity of  his  powers,  his  loss  was  a  great  calamity  to 
the  Commonwealth. 

Mr.  Muhlenberg  married,  in  November,  1847,  his  cous- 
in, Annie  H.,  daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  F.  A.  Muhlenberg, 
of  Lancaster,  Pa.  He  had  one  child,  Henry  A.  Muhlen- 
berg 3d,  who  died  in  1906. 

FREDERICK  W.  NICOLLS,  son  of  Gustavus  A.  Nic- 
oUs,  was  born  in  Reading,  Feb.  7, 1870.  He  was  educated  by 
Edward   Carroll,   a   graduate   of  Trinity   College,   Dublin, 


782 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


who  for  many  years  conducted  a  successful  preparatory 
school  in  Reading.  He  entered  Harvard  University  in 
1888,  where  he  devoted  himself  principally  to  history  and 
literature,  and  was  also  an  editor  of  the  "Harvard  Ad- 
vocate," one  of  the  oldest  college  publications  in  the  coun- 
try. He  was  also  greatly  interested  in  the  game  of  chess 
and  held  the  championship  of  the  college  for  the  four 
years  of  his  residence  there.  He  graduated  in  1892  with 
a  magna  cum  laude  degree.  After  graduation  he  returned 
to  Reading,  and  began  to  study  law  in  the  office  of  his 
half-brother,  Henry  A.  Muhlenberg,  being  admitted  to 
the  Bar  of  Berks  county  in  November,  1895.  While  pur- 
suing his  legal  studies  he  wrote  a  series  of  six  lectures  on 
the  "Puritan  Revolution  in  England,"  which  lectures  were 
delivered  in  Reading  under  the  auspices  of  the  "Universi- 
ty Extension  Society,"  and  were  received  with  favor  by 
the  public  and  by  the  press.  After  his  admission  to  the 
Bar,  and  while  building  up  his  practice,  he  continued  to 
study  the  theory  of  the  law  with  some  assiduity,  and 
though  never  attending  a  law  school,  he  covered  the 
greater  part  of  the  work  taught  in  the  three  years  course 
at  Harvard,  and  also  familiarized  himself  with  other  text- 
books and  authorities.  In  1900  he  was  elected  Solicitor  of 
the  Reading  School  District,  held  the  office  for  a  year,  and 
was  subsequently  elected  for  a  term  of  two  years.  For 
a  number  of  years  he  was  the  principal  lawyer  of  the 
Taxpayers'  League,  an  organization  formed  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  public  against  municipal  corruption  and  con- 
ducted a  number  of  important  public  cases  in  this  capacity. 
In  March,  1908,  he  formed  a  law  partnership  with 
William  Rick,  then  mayor-elect  of  the  city,  and  has  since 
then  been  engaged  in  conducting  the  law  practice  of  this 
firm,  which  is  rapidly  increasing  in  size  and  importance. 
Owing  to  the  official  duties  of  his  partner,  Mr.  NicoUs 
handles  almost  all  the  court  work  of  the  firm,  and  is 
acquiring  an  experience  which  in  addition  to  his  thorough- 
ness and  studious  habits,  makes  him  regarded  as  one  of 
the  most  promising  of  the  younger  members  of  the  Bar. 
In  1898  he  was  married  to  Minnie  R.  Taylor,  by  whom 
he  has  had  four  children,  Gustavus  A.,  Sarah  T.,  Freder- 
ick W.  and  Anne  H. 

Anne  H.  Nicolls  is  a  woman  who  deserves  men- 
tion, even  in  a  work  whose  principal  object  is  an  account 
of  the  lives  of  men.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Fred- 
erick A.  Muhlenberg,  a  well  known  physician  of  Lancaster, 
a  granddaughter  of  Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg,  founder 
of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  America,  and  thus  a  member  of 
that  distinguished  Muhlenberg  family,  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  early  history  of  the  nation,^  the  state,  and 
the  country.  She  was  married  in  early  life  to  her  cousin 
Henry  A.  Muhlenberg  3d,  who  died  while  a  member  of 
the  34th  Congress.  Mrs.  Muhlenberg  was  studious  and  cul- 
tivated, and  as  her  second  husband,  G.  A.  Nicolls,  was  a 
man  of  thought,  of  information  and  of  intellectual  tastes, 
her  associations,  in  connection  with  her  natural  quickness 
of  perception  and  adaptability,  made  her  a  woman  of 
understanding  and  liberal   attainments. 

Mrs.  Nicolls  was  a  woman  of  wide  acquaintance  and 
of  strong  character.  In  her  youth  she  was  remarkably 
beautiful,  and  even  in  later  years  retained  a  charm  of 
rnanner  and  appearance  which  endeared  her  to  a  large 
circle  of  friends,  and  with  her  capacity  and  strength  of 
character  made  her  influence  strongly  felt  in  the  com- 
munity. _  She  was  a  natural  leader,  not  only  on  account 
of  her  birth  and  associations,  but  also  by  her  abilities,  her 
pleasing  address,  and  her  high  character,  and  until  the 
day  of  her  death  she  kept  up  her  social  relations  and  de- 
lighted in  the  companionship  of  younger  people.  ,  She 
was  cotmected  with  the  management  of  a  number  of 
charitable  organizations  during  her  life  time  and  for 
some  years  was  Regent  of  the  Berks  County  Chapter  of 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  an  orga- 
nization which  she  aided  not  only  on  account  of  its  sup- 
posed aristocratic  tendencies,  but  because  of  the  good 
it  might  accomplish  m  creating  historical  interest  fos- 
tering national  patriotism.  She  was  the  President  of  the 
Reading  branch  of  the  Needlework  Guild  of  America, 
a  charitable  organization  designed  to  assist  the  deserving 


poor  with  clothing,  a  directress  of  the  "Home  for  Widows 
and  Single  Women,"  and  connected  as  a  contributor 
with  many  other  local  charities.  For  almost  thirty  years 
she  lived  in  a  large  brown-stone  house  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  Fourth  and  Walnut  streets,  and  though  for 
many  years  her  health  did  not  permit  her  to  take  active 
exercise,  her  face  and  figure  were  a  familiar  sight  at  the 
corner  where  she  resided.  She  died  January  14th,  1906, 
survived  by  two  sons,  Henry  A.  Muhlenherg  3d,  and 
Frederick  W.  Nicolls. 

GARRETT  B.  STEVENS,  lawyer  of  Reading,  is  the 
head  of  a  family  of  lawyers,  as  all  his  sons  are  practising 
attorneys.  He  was  senior  member  of  the  former  law  firm 
of  Stevens  &  Stevens,  though  not  connected  by  the  ties 
of  consanguinity  with  his  partner,  W.  Kerper  Stevens, 
with  whom  he  was  associated  from  1894,  but  who  is 
now  serving  as  Judge  by  appointment. 

Benjamin  Stevens,  father  of  Garrett  B.  Stevens,  was 
a  farmer,  and  his  father,  Abraham  Stevens,  was  a  mer-. 
chant.  The  first  of  the  family  in  America  came  from 
Holland  and  held  title  to  lands  in  Bucks  county  previous 
to  the  advent  of  the  Penns  in  Pennsylvania.  Benjamin 
Stevens  married  Elizabeth  Barcalow,  daughter  of  Garrett 
Barcalow,  of  Bucks  county,  and  seven  children  were  born 
of  this  union :  Hogeland  Stevens,  at  one  time  deputy  sher- 
iff of  Bucks  county,  who  died  in  1898;  Abraham,  a  farm- 
er and  store-keeper  in  Indiana;  James  Vansant,  a  mer- 
chant of  St.  Paul,  Minn.;  Maria,  wife  of  Isaac  Bennet, 
a  farmer  and  contractor  of  Ivyland,  Bucks  county;  Dr. 
Elwood,  of  Fox  Chase,  Philadelphia;  B.  Frank,  formerly 
of  Hill  &  Stevens,  contracting  carpenters  of  Oak  Lane, 
Philadelphia;  and  Garrett  B.  The  father  of  this  family 
died  in  1895,  aged  eighty-seven  years,  and  the  mother  in 
1898,  in  her  eighty-eighth  year. 

Garrett  B.  Stevens  is  eminent  among  the  members  of  his 
profession  in  Reading,  both  for  his  attainments  and  his 
success.  He  married,  Nov.  9,  1876,  Kate  M.  Zeller,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Zeller,  deceased,  of  Reading,  and  five  children 
were  born  to  this  union :  Garrett,  now  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio;  Wallace,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  and  of  the  New 
York  Law  School,  who  after  spending  a  year  in  the  law  office 
of  Peckham,  Warner  &  Strong  was  admitted  in  June,  1904, 
to  practise  law  in  the  courts  of  N?w  York;  John  B.,  a 
graduate  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  admitted 
to  the  Berks  county  Bar  in  1902  and  now  associated  with 
his  father  forming  the  firm  of  G.  B.  &  J.  B.  Stevens; 
Elizabeth  and  Katharine. 

Garrett  Stevens  was  born  in  Reading,  Dec.  19,  1877. 
He  was  graduated  from  the  Reading  high  school  in  1895, 
from  Andover  in  1896,  from  Yale  in  1897,  and  from  Dick- 
inson Law_school  in  1898.  He  then  registered  as  a  law 
student  in  the  office  of  Stevens  &  Stevens,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  practice  Dec.  20,  1899.  On  Sept.  4,  1901,  Mr. 
Stevens  m.  Sarah  S.  Stayraan,  daughter  of  Joseph  B.  and 
Mary  Stayman,  of  Carlisle,  and  the  one  son  born  to 
this  union  is  Garrett  Barcalow,  named  after  his  grand- 
father. Fraternally  Mr.  Stevens  is  a  Mason.  He  is  con- 
nected'with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  is  a 
Democrat.  In  1902  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  Democrat- 
ic nomination  for  the  Legislature  from  Reading,  and -re- 
ceived a  very  handsome  support. 

John  B.  Stevens,  son  of  Garrett  B.,  was  born  Dec.  9, 
1880,  in  the  city  of  Reading,  and  there  received  his  early 
training  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  graduating  from 
the  high  school  in  1897.  He  then  entered  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1901  received  his  diploma  from 
that  famous  old  school,  immediately  afterwards  taking 
up  the  study  of  law  in  his  father's  office.  On  Nov.  10, 
1902,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Berks  county  Bar,  and  in 
February,  1905,  was  admitted  to  practice  before  the  Su- 
preme court.  Mr.  Stevens  is  a  member  of  the  Kappa  Sig- 
ma fraternity  of  the  University.  He  is  a  Presbyterian 
in  religion.  He  has  taken  considerable  interest  in  poli- 
tics as  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  en- 
gaged in  campaign  work  to  some  extent. 


3 

D 

o 


< 
2 

W 


X 
Q 
< 

w 
< 

o 

s 

Q 
W 
CL' 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


783 


HENRY  A.  MUHLENBERG  3d  was  born  in  Read- 
ing, Oct.  27,  1848.  He  was  educated  privately,  and  sub- 
sequently spent  a  year  at  Pennsylvania  College,  Gettys- 
burg, which  he  left  to  enter  Harvard  University  in  1868. 
At  Harvard  he  was  both  popular  and  successful,  and 
graduated  with  honors  in  history  in  the  class  of  1873. 
After  a  short  European  trip  he  began  to  study  law,  in 
the  office  of  George  F.  Baer,  Esq.,  being  admitted  to  the 
bar  oif  Berks  County  in  1875.  He  then  devoted  him- 
self to  the  practice  of  his  profession,  though  he  engaged 
more  in  office  affairs  and  in  the  business  side  of  law 
than  in  the  active  duties  of  court  work.  He  was  a  di- 
rector in  the  Farmers'  National  Bank,  the  Reading  Trust 
Company,  the  Mount  Penn  Gravity  Railroad,  and  the 
Reading  City  Passenger  Railway  Company,  being  for 
many  years  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  latter  organiza- 
tion and  one  of  its  original  members.  His  connection 
with  these  concerns  brought  him  in  touch  with  the 
important  business  interests  of  the  community  and  natur- 
ally influenced  him  to  allow  law  to  yield  to  business. 
He  was  also  a  trustee  of  the  Charles  Evans  Cemetery 
Company,  a  vestryman  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  and 
a  member  ~  of  the  Valley  Forge  Park  Commission,  to 
which  position  he  was  appointed  by  two  Governors  of 
the  State.  He  was  always  a  strong  Republican,  and  spoke 
for  and  contributed  to  the  party  whenever  such  ser- 
vices were  necessary.  In  1892  he  was  nominated  for 
Congress  on  the  Republican  ticket,  but,  as  the  party  was 
in  a  hopeless  minority  in  the  county,  he  failed  of  election. 
He  was  an  omnivorous  and  indefatigable  reader,  being 
interested  in  everything  from  the  lightest  fiction  to  the 
longest  history,  and  possessed  a  fine  library  which  he  used 
to  its  full  extent.  He  was  extremely  generous,  charita- 
ble both  in  action  and  in  judgment,  the  soul  of  honor, 
and  a  Christian  gentleman  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word. 
He  never  married,  but  almost  all  his  life  lived  with 
his  mother,  Annie  H.  NicoUs,  to  whom  he  was  devoted- 
ly attached  and  whose  death  he  survived  only  for  four 
months.  On  May  14,  1906,  he  was  found  dead  in  his 
library,  sitting  in  his  chair  with  an  opfn  book  in  his  lap. 

JOHN  HEISTRY  ZERR,  former  president  of  the  Letter 
Carriers'  Association,  and  one  of  the  well  known  mail 
carriers  of  the  city  of  Reading,  was  born  in  this  city" 
May  11,  1870,  son  of  Charles  and  Eliza   (Bollman)   Zerr. 

Qiarles  Zerr  was  born  in  lower  Berks  county  March  6, 
1833,  and  died  at  Reading  Feb.  4,  1907.  He  was  reared 
by  his  grandfather  Shirey.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by 
trade,  and  for  upwards  of  forty  years  worked  for  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railway  Company.  For  many 
years  his  place  of  residence  had  been  at  No.  1111  Spruce 
street.  He  married  Eliza  Bollman,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  (Auman)  Bollman,  of  Spring  township,  and  she 
is  now  seventy-three  years  of  age.  Their  children  were : 
Charles,  of  Reading;  Catharine,  m.  to  John  B.  Gnau,  of 
Reading;  Ida  V.;  Anna  R.,  m.  to  W.  W.  Wetherhold; 
"William  R. ;  Howard  G. ;  John  H. ;  Margaret,  m.  to  Grant 
Schultz;  and  Lillie  M.,  m.  to  Jacob  Schmehl. 

John  H.  Zerr  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Reading,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  learned  the 
upholsterer's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  several  years. 
In  1893  he  took  a  competitive  examination  for  letter  car- 
rier, making  a  very  high  average,  and  in  August  of  that 
same  year  was  appointed  to  a  position  by  Postmaster 
Capt.  P.  R.  Stetson,  a  position  he  has  since  filled.  He 
IS  a  member  of  the  Letter  Carrier's  Association,  of  which 
he  was  president  in  1904.  In  point  of  service  he  ranks 
as  one  of  the  old  men  on  the  force  and  has  a  most 
creditable  record,  and  is  very  popular  among  the  gov- 
ernment employes  at  the  Reading  postoffice. 

Mr.  Zerr  is  active  in  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a 
member  of  Lodge  No.  63,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Reading  Lodge 
of  Perfection;  Harrisburg  Consistory;  and  Rajah  Temple, 
A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  He  is  also  a  member .  of  Reading 
Chamber,  No.  36,  Knights  of  Friendship. 

On  Oct.  6,  1901,  Mr.  Zerr  rharried  Clara  E.  Fair,  daiigh- 
ter   of   George   E.   and   Hannah   E.    (Bowman)    Fair,   of 


Reading,  where  Mr.  Fair  is  identified  with  the  Readmg 
Railway,  and  has  been  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century.  Her  grandparents  were  Reuben  D.  and  Mary 
(Schaffer)  Fair,  of  Berks  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zerr 
have  no  children. 

FRANKLIN  PIERCE  LAUER,  brewer  at  Reading  since 
1883,  was  born  in  Reading  Nov.  3,  1853,  the  day  on  which 
Pierce  was  elected  President  of  the  United  States,  tie 
received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  common  schools, 
which  he  attended  until  1866,  when  he  and  his  brother  were 
sent  to  Germany  for  their  advanced  education,  and  they 
remainecl  three  years,  spending  two  years  in  the  institu- 
tions at  tudwigsburg  and  Stuttgart,  Germany,  and  one 
year  at  Lausanne,  Switzerland.  He  directed  his  studies 
more  especially  toward  the  scientific  manufacturt  of  beer, 
porter  and  ale  for  the  purpose  of  qualifying  himself  to 
take  charge  of  his  father's  breweries  upon  his  return  honie. 
While  at  Lausanne  he  showed  great  proficiency  in  music, 
and  though  still  a  boy  the  vestry  of  the  French  Lutheran 
Church  elected  him  as  the  organist,  which  position  he 
filled  in  a  very  satisfactory  manner  during  his  sojourn 
at  that  place. 

Upon  returning  home  his  father  placed  him  in  charge 
of  the  two  breweries  as  brewmaster  and  he  displayed  great 
skill  in  the  production  of  malt  liquors  of  a  superior  char- 
acter. He  discharged  the  duties  of  this  responsible  posi- 
tion -with  increasing  success  for  twelve  years,  until  1882, 
when  his  father  retired,  and  he  organized  the  Lauer  Brew- 
ing Company,  of  which  he  became  the  manager  and  princi- 
pal owner.  Since  then,  covering  a  period  of  twenty-six 
years,  he  has  directed  the  affairs  of  the  company  in  a 
most  successful  manner,  bringing  its  productions  to  a 
high  state  of  perfection  and  purity  (as  evidenced  by  the 
analysis  of  the  State  authorities),  and  giving  them  a  pop- 
ularity equal  to  that  of  any  others  in  Pennsylvania.  Its 
trade  has  been  developed  to  extend  into  all  the  surround- 
ing counties,  and  to  numerous  distant  places,  the  large 
shipments  being  made  on  the  railroad  in  improved  re- 
frigerator cars. 

Mr.  Lauer's  responsibilities  at  the  head  of  his  company 
have  kept  him  so  closely  confined  that  he  could  not  devote 
any  time  to  political  or  social  affairs.  He,  however,  has 
been  a  liberal  contributor  to  various  public  causes;  and 
he  has  assisted  in  organizing  several  financial  institutions 
at  Reading,  and  participated  in  their  management  as  a 
director:  the  Schuylkill  Valley  Bank  since  1890;  the  Co- 
lonial Trust  Company  since  1900,'  and  the  American  Cas- 
ualty Company,  since  1903.  His  only  relaxation  for  some 
years  has  been  an  annual  vacation  of  several  weeks  with 
his  family  to  Pike  county,  where  he  enjoys  the  privileges 
of  membership  in  the  Porter's  Lake  Hunting  and  Fishing 
Club,  which  owns  several  thousand  acres  of  timber  land 
on  the  top  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains,  elevated  2,000 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  In  August,  1891,  he  made 
an  extended  tour  of  three  months  through  the  principal 
countries  of  Europe. 

In  1874  Mr.  Lauer  married  Amelia  Dora  Heberle 
(daughter  of  William  Heberle),  by  whom  he  had  six 
children:  Florence,  who  married  William  Y.  Landis,  of 
Reading ;  Carl  Franklin ;  and  four  who  died  in  youth.  He 
owns  and  occupies  a  costly  home  on  the  site  of  the 
homestead  on  South  Third  street,  near  Chestnut,  where  he 
was  born,  and  where  his  parents  and  grandparents^  had 
lived  since  1826.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat;  in  religion 
a  Lutheran,  being  a  member  of  St.  John's  German  Lutheran 
Church,  of  which  his  father  was  one  of  the  organizers  in 
1860. 

FREDERICK  LAUER,  father  of  Franklin  Pierce  Lauer, 
was  the  principal  brewer  at  Reading  for  nearly  fifty  years 
from  1835  to  1882.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Gleis- 
weiler,  Rhenish  Bavaria,  Germany,  Oct.  14,_  1810,  and 
whilst  a  boy  accompanied  his  father  to  America  in  1823. 
He  was  educated  in  pay  schools  at  Womelsdorf  and 
Reading,  and  while  growing  to  manhood  learned  the 
business  of  brewing  under  the  tutelage  of  his  father,  who 
was   an   expert  brewer;   and  he  assisted  his   father  until 


784 


HISTORY  OF  BERKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA 


1835,  when  he  and  his  brother  George  became  the  owners 
of  the  plant.  The  brothers  continued  as  partners  for 
several  years,  when  his  brother  George  retired  and  removed 
to  Pottsville,  where  he  carried  on  the  same  business.  The 
younger  brother,  as  the  sole  owner,  enlarged  the  brewery 
and  .extended  the  business  gradually  until  he  came  to 
send  his  beer,  porter  and  ale  throughout  the  county  and 
into  the  adjoining  counties.  The  brewerv  was  situated 
on  Chestnut  street  below  Third.  He  established  a  second 
plant  on  North  Third  street,  beyond  Walnut,  in  1866 ; 
also  constructing  a  large  vault  in  a  solid  bed  of  limestone, 
and  sinking  an  artesian  well  to  the  depth  of  2,200  feet, 
which  for  many  years  were  considered  great  curiosities 
at  Reading,  and  the  well  was  then  one  of  the  few  deep 
wells  in  the  United  States.  He  was  engaged  in  the  business 
until  shortly  before  his  decease.  He  died  in  1883,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-three  years.  He  was  married  to  Mary 
Reiff  Guldin,  daughter  of  Peter  Guldin,  in  1838j  and  they 
had  two  sons,  George  Frederick  and  Franklin  Pierce.  The 
mother  died  in  October,  1891. 

Frederick  Lauer  was  a  public-spirited  man  and  labored 
assiduously  for  the  development  and  prosperity  of  Read- 
ing. He  co-operated  heartily  in  the  advancement  of  the 
place  from  a  borough  into  a  city  in  1847;  and  under  the 
amended  charter  of  1864  he  represented  the  Fifth  ward 
in  the  select  council  from  1865  to  1871,  serving  as  presi- 
dent, of  that  body  in  1867.  He  was  a  devoted  adherent 
of  the  Democratic  party,  and  active  in  behalf  of  its  success 
for  many  years.  He  represented  the  Berks  district  as  a 
delegate  to  the  National  Convention  which  met  at  Charles- 
ton, S.  C,  in  1860,  and  notwithstanding  the  platform  'and 
the  defeat  of  the  party  nominee  for  President,  when  the 
Civil  war  broke  out,  in  1861,  he  espoused  the  cause  of 
the  Union  in  a  most  earnest  and  patriotic  manner.  He 
assisted  materially  in  organizing  the  Berks  County  Agri- 
cultural Society  in  1852,  and  officiated  as  president  for  a 
number  of  years ;  also  in  projecting  the  construction  of  the 
railroad  from  Reading  to  Lancaster  and  Columbia,  serving 
as  a  director  for  twenty  years  until  his  decease;  and  by 
special  appointment  of  the  governor  he  served  for  several 
terms  as  trustee  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School.  He 
gave  liberal  support  to  local  charities  by  aiding  the  Dis- 
pensary and  the  Relief  Society. 

Lauer  Monument.— Mr.  Lauer's  great  experience  and 
success  in  the  brewing  business  brought  him  into  national 
prominence  before  the  brewers  of  the  United  States,  and 
he  quite  naturally  became  the  first  president  of  the  national 
association  upon  its  organization  in  1870,  which  evidences 
his  great  popularity  and  influence  at  that  time;  and  in  May, 
1885,  the  association  erected  a  fine  bronze  statue  to  his 
memory  on  Penn  Common,  near  Perkiomen  avenue,  on  a 
small  plot  of  ground  set  apart  and  dedicated  by  the  city 
councils,  the  first  public  honor  of  the  kind  in  the  com- 
munity. The  inscriptions  on  the  four  sides  of  the  base 
are  as  follows : 

{North  Side) 
■  "The  city  of  Reading  commemorates  the  public  and  pri- 
vate virtues  of  an  honored  citizen  by  the  grant  of  this 
location.     Erected  1885,  the  year  of  the  Twenty-fifth  con- 
vention of  the  United  States  Brewers'  Association." 
{South  Side) 

"To  Frederick  Lauer  of  Reading.  The  United  States 
Brewers'  Association  of  which  he  was  the  first  president 
has  erected  this  monument  in  grateful  remembrance  of 
his  unselfish  labor  for  the  welfare  of  the  brewing  trade 
in  this  country." 

(East  Side) 

"His  zeal  sprang  from  his  firm  conviction  that  in  striving 
to  advance  the  brewing  trade  he  was  working  for  the  cause 
of  national  temperance." 

{West  Side) 

"Let  his  example  tell  the  brewers  of  this  country  to 
maintain  good  fellowship,  to  preserve  their  association, 
and  to  defend  their  rights." 


George  Lauer.     The  grandfather  of  Franklin  P.  Lauer 
was  George  Lauer,  of  Rhenish  Bavaria,  Germany,  whose 


home  (including  large  vineyards)  was  situated  at  Gleis- 
weiler,  three  miles  from  Landau.  His  property  was 
sacrificed  during  the  Napoleonic  invasions  of  the  country 
anterior  to  1814.  He  carried  on  ^he  manufacture  of  wine 
and  beer  until  1823,  when  he  emigrated  to  America.  Upon 
landing  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  he  was  poor,  having  just  had 
enough  money  to  pay  the  passage  across  the  ocean  for  him- 
self and  family.  The  journey  was  made  in  a  sailing  vessel 
and  required  three  months.  He  immediately  proceeded  to 
Reading,  Berks  county,  where  a  i  married  daughter,  Mrs. 
Sprenger,  resided;  and  shortly  afterward  he  settled  at 
Womelsdorf  and  started  the  business  of  manufacturing 
beer  in  limited  quantities.  He  carried  on  the  business 
for  three  years  and  then  located  at  Reading,  where  he 
established  a  small  brewery  on  Chpstnut  street  near  Third, 
on  a  rented  lot  (which  he  afterward  purchased  from 
Marks  John  Biddle,  the  attorney  for  the  Penns,  in  1833), 
similar  to  the  brewery  at  Womelsdorf,  which  had  a  ca- 
pacity of  five  barrels,  and  was  soon  increased  to  ten  barrels 
on  account  of  the  increasing  demand  for  his  product.  There 
were  other  breweries  at  Reading  at  this  time,  but  the 
product  was  of  a  different  character.  In  1831  he  added 
the  manufacture  of  porter  and  ale;  and  he  carried  on 
the  enlarged  plant  until  1835,  when  his  two  sons,  George 
and  Frederick,  became  his  successors.  He  married  Maria 
Catharine  Fox,  of  Boechingen,  in  Rhenish  Bavaria,  and 
ty  her  he  had  nine  children :  Catharine,  who  married  a 
Mr.  Baker  and  remained  in  Germany;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  John  Abraham  Sprenger,  and  had  emigrated  to 
Pennyslvania  before  her  parents,  settling  at  Reading; 
Christina,  who  married  John  Borrell;  Susanna  and  Bar- 
bara, who  remained  unmarried,  and  who  joined  the  "Sep- 
aratists," living  with  this  religioi^s  society  in  New  York 
for  some  years  and  then  in  Iowa,  where  they  died; 
Margaret,  who  married  John  Yost,  of  Womelsdorf ;  George, 
who  married  Anna  Wilhelmina  Ehlers;  Frederick,  who 
is  mentioned  above;  and  Eva,  who  married  Michael  Rudi- 
sill.  The  father  of  these  children  died  in  May,  1845, 
aged  seventy-six  years,  and  the  mother  in  July  following, 
aged  seventy-three  years. 

Guldin  Genealogy.  The  grandfather  of  Franklin  P. 
Lauer  on  his  mother's  side  was  Peter  Guldin,  a  farmer 
of  Oley  township,  near  Figedensburg.  He  was  born 
in  1782  and  died  in  1827.  Peter  Guldin  was  a  son  of 
Daniel,  also  a  farmer  of  Oley;  Daniel  was  a  son  of 
Samuel,  a  blacksmith,  born  in  Switzerland,  who  emigrated 
with  his  father  while  yet  a  boy,  and  settled  in  Oley  in  1718 ; 
and  Samuel  was  a  son  of  Samuel  K.  Guldin,  a  highly 
educated  and  distinguished  minister,  who  was  born  in 
Switzerland  in  1664,  emigrated  tp  Pennsylvania  in  1710, 
where  he  became  the  spiritual  forerunner  in  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  served  as  a  minister 
very  successfully  until  his  decease  in  1745,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-one  years.  He  is  mentioned  with  distinction  in 
Good's  "History  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United 
States";  also  in  Miller's  "Early  H[istory  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  Pennsylvania." 

William  Heberle,  father  of  Mrs.  Franklin  P.  Lauer, 
was  born  at  Rottenburg-am-Neckar,  in  Wurtemberg,  Germ- 
any, in  1831,  and  there  learned  the  trade  of  tanner  and 
leather  finisher.  He  emigrated  iif  1849,  landing  at  Bal- 
timore and  proceeding  shortly  afterward  to  Philadelphia, 
where  he  remained  three  years,  working  at  his  trade.  He 
then  removed  to  Reading  and  continued  working  at  his 
trade,  until  1863,  when  he  went  to  Hamburg,  Berks  county, 
and  carried  on  a  tannery  until  1869.  He  then  returned 
to  Reading  and  resumed  his  occupation,  working  at  it 
until  1895,  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Lauer 
Brewing  Company,  and  he  has  continued  with  that  com- 
pany to  the  present  time.  In  1853  he  married  Paulina 
Goelz,  daughter  of  Philip  Goelz,  of  Weilheim,  Wurtem- 
berg, by  whom  he  had  nine  children,  six  boys  and  three 
girls,  those  who  survived  being:,  Amelia  Dora  married 
Franklin  P.  Lauer;  Anna  married  Bertolet  Yoder  Landis; 
William  C.  married  Julia  Dersch  and  has  been  foreman 
of  the  Lauer  Brewery  since  1891, 


MONUMENT    IN    PENN    COMMON 
OF    FREDERICK    LAUER